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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Fast 800 anyone

158 replies

Iminthemoneylife · 21/04/2023 07:03

I need to lose 5 stones and I wondering if an 800 fast would work for me. I already feel tired all the time, I am assuming due to my weight.

Has anyone tired it? Does anyone want to do it together?

OP posts:
CharcoalJeans · 21/04/2023 07:05

l’ll join you op. I have a similar amount to lose and need a nudge to start in earnest

i did fast800 last year for about 6 weeks and lost 1.5 stone, then bad habits crept back in and put it back on

am so miserable at my size. I need to take action

Original poster
Iminthemoneylife · 21/04/2023 07:16

I have only ordered the book this morning so I’m not ready to start yet.

Is it a strict 800 kcal a day not matter your weight/how much exercise you do? Do you do it over two meals?

OP posts:
CrispAppleStrudels · 21/04/2023 08:49

I just started the Very Fast 800 this week. We did ovulation induction to conceive DD1 and will need to again if we want to go for a sibling due to my PCOS. But my BMI is currently over 30 so we are not eligible. I'm looking to lose 10kg over 12 weeks before our next fertility clinic appointment. Also hoping this will reverse some of my PCOS symptoms.

I found the website more helpful than the book so I've signed up for the 12week online thing. There is a 2 meal a day option and a 3 meal a day. I'm doing 2 meals a day with a 16:8 fasting window.

The first day was SO HARD. I honestly thought i was going to be sick. But since the rest of this week, I've got into a routine and am feeling positive. Looking forward to weighing myself on Monday to see how the first week has gone 👍🏻

50FootWave · 22/04/2023 06:29

I am also starting today and would love to join you. Need to lose 4 to 5 stone, so aiming to do the whole 12 weeks then move over to the next stage.

Following the same format as you @CrispAppleStrudels - glad to hear your week settled down.

Original poster
Iminthemoneylife · 22/04/2023 07:36

Yay. The more the merrier. Welcome @50FootWave. @CrispAppleStrudels I have my fingers crossed for you.

I think I’m going to struggle to get as low as 800 kcal. Yesterday I hadn’t planned a head at all and had 990 kcal but then I went out and had a couple of lime and soda and I still need to calculate those calories. According to my Fitbit I used just over 3,500 kcal so that’s still a good deficit.

OP posts:
dylgan · 22/04/2023 07:38

I'm in, I've got 5 stone to lose. I've crept back up to my heaviest ever and I too am fed up of feeling exhausted.
I started last Friday and have lost 6lbs this week.
Some extra accountability is needed as I struggle when the weight loss slows, so hoping this thread will help.
Good luck everyone.
Weekends are always tricky for me. Want to get to 2pm before I eat today, going to try to keep myself busy with housework!

BuffaloCauliflower · 22/04/2023 07:40

I did it a few years ago but mostly had between 850-1000 calories and it worked just the same for me. I was just strict about keeping to the principals and also making sure I was getting enough fibre as well as higher protein and fat. So I don’t think you need to go as low as 800.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 22/04/2023 07:49

The same as BuffaloCauliflower. I did it two years ago. I didn't count calories, but I followed the recipes in the blue book. Lots of protein and vegetables, very few carbs. I felt good on it after the initial adjustment and I lost a bit of weight. I wouldn't do it again to the same extent but I do a version of it. I eat three regular meals and watch my portion sizes and don't eat too much sugar. Good luck with it.

Original poster
Iminthemoneylife · 22/04/2023 07:51

I think I’m going to aim for under 1,000 kcals and will go for 3 small meals so I can eat with the kids. It will mean a longer eating window of 10 1/2 hours but I will see how it goes.

OP posts:
FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 22/04/2023 07:59

Iminthemoneylife · 22/04/2023 07:51

I think I’m going to aim for under 1,000 kcals and will go for 3 small meals so I can eat with the kids. It will mean a longer eating window of 10 1/2 hours but I will see how it goes.

That sounds good to me. Also, I finish eating at about 7.30pm and have breakfast around twelve hours later.

Clementineorsatsuma · 22/04/2023 08:16

How do you all move past the hunger? The older I get the less I can cope with it!

Chelsea26 · 22/04/2023 08:33

I started yesterday too - have about three stone to lose. I’m fine with the eating windows as I don’t normally eat till midday but struggle with portion sizes (and no booze!)

I made the cheats cassoulet last night and it was really good but DP and I would easily have eaten two portions each normally. Had it with a load of spinach and airfried courgettes and managed not to eat anything else.

Today we’re having bacon, mushrooms, broccoli and tomatoes with a couple of eggs for brunch and beef chilli for dinner (but with no rice/tortillas/cheese) maybe some delicious kale on the side… 😂

Chelsea26 · 22/04/2023 08:34

@Clementineorsatsuma A hell of a lot of water helps me

caterpiller2 · 22/04/2023 09:43

Anyone know a good intermittent fasting app

Clementineorsatsuma · 22/04/2023 11:15

@Chelsea26 thank you!

50FootWave · 22/04/2023 11:39

Lovely to meet everyone, so happy to have found a supportive group from the beginning.

I've just got back from the gym, not eaten yet.

Family get-together this afternoon, going to be a beige buffet (lots of kids!), but if I didn't start today, I never would!

Got to start navigating these events sooner or later...@Chelsea26 I'll be hitting the water hard!

Chelsea26 · 22/04/2023 16:02

Is anyone interested in sharing meal plans? It would be good to get opinions on some other recipes to know which are tasty/filling/not worth the hassle

As expected I have spent today thinking non stop about food and have done a meal plan to take us up to Wednesday, done the shop and portioned up/frozen etc things so we have no excuse…

Today -
bacon, broccoli, mushroom and tomato fry up (144 cals) with a medium egg (76 cals) - 220 cals. It was tasty, think it needed the egg though, might have been a bit dry and watery without.

Beef chilli - c550 cals - with either spinach or kale on the side. This is not in the book but we’ve got all 4 kids here tonight and it’s one of the few things they will all eat happily so it will be fine.

Total for day - 770 cals

Sunday
brunch as above (220 cals)* *
Chicken, pepper and chorizo bake (421 cals)

Total for day - 640 cals

Monday* *
chicken, mushroom and spinach omelette (362) For DP - I am out for business lunch but will try and make good choices!
Turkey fajitas (195) - wanted a low low dinner to cover for lunch out.
I’m going to make Red pepper hummus (88) tomorrow so we can have that with celery too if we’ve been good.

Total for day - 557/645

Tuesday
Spiced Bean and spinach soup (200) - will make tomorrow and bring to work/keep in fridge.
Red Pepper Hummus (88)

Cheat’s one-pot cassoulet (445) - this is leftovers from Friday night. It was lovely actually and quick and easy to make.

Total for day - 733

Wednesday
Soup and hummus as above (288)
Peppered pork stir fry (276) - going to buy two packets of stir fry veg (150) just so we’re sure we’re filled up (as you can be!)

Total for day - 714

Thursday
Edamame and tuna salad (408)
Chicken tikka masala (427)

Total for day - 835

All second meals will have spinach/kale/courgette/salad leaves on the side and I’m going to cook and portion some brown rice tomorrow too so where we’re under 800 we can add a tbsp or two if we feel the need.

So that’s where I’m up to, will come back and update when I’ve made/tried the recipes and happy to share pictures of the pages if you have different books to me.

Would love to hear what you guys are making/eating and if they’re worth it!

Going to get myself another pint of water now!

BibbleandSqwauk · 22/04/2023 16:12

Can I join? Started 3 days ago. Drinking a lot of herbal teas. In an ideal world I'd lose 5 stone (I'm v short so ideal BMI is low) but realistically I'd be delighted with 3, given that I'm mid forties now. I keep hardboiled eggs in the fridge and frozen edamame beans are great as a substitute for popcorn to graze on. Couple of minutes in boiling water and dress with salt or chilli flakes.

50FootWave · 23/04/2023 06:23

Morning all, nice to.meet you @BibbleandSqwauk and love your tips. Helpful to see meal plans from others, too, so thanks @Chelsea26

Yesterday was tough, every item had sugar/carbs, but just about did it, so pleased about that.

Will have a work out this morning, then a late lunch (omelette and salad) and fish and roast veg for dinner.

Have a great day everyone.

chalkyc2 · 23/04/2023 06:48

Hello! I restarted VF 800 on Thursday last week - I did the 12 week online plan 2 years ago but various things got in the way (excitement at post covid socialising/back in office/gallstones and consequent operation!). So I'm back on. I have the online access all paid up so I meal planned from that. I need to lose a lot - but I suppose I'll take the first 12 weeks and then consider.

I'm doing 3 meals a day and it's a lot harder this time round as I'm back in the office - last time my husband and I were wfh full time and did it together. He's not on it this time but he will get whatever I cook in the evening!!

Lots of water does seem to be key. Not so easy when you're out and about. Buying lunch on the go also not so easy - I was out all day yesterday at a sports event with my kids - did as well as I could with what was on offer!

My huge struggle is tea. I love tea with an ample add of oat milk. I need to swap this out at least a couple of times a day. Luckily not bothered about booze.

BibbleandSqwauk · 23/04/2023 08:04

Morning all. I find I don't get on all that well with meal planning as such or calorie counting exactly. I know hard boiled eggs, salmon, chicken, lots of veg are fine, small amount of cheese and nuts are ok so I just work on that basis day by day. My kids are picky and it's rare these days that we all eat the same so I sort them out then think about me. I agree that when you're out it's much harder, though supermarkets often do protein pots in their "on the go" section now. Back at work tomorrow after a three week break so that will be a challenge and needs more thinking about.

ThisNameIsNotAvailable · 23/04/2023 08:11

chalkyc2 · 23/04/2023 06:48

Hello! I restarted VF 800 on Thursday last week - I did the 12 week online plan 2 years ago but various things got in the way (excitement at post covid socialising/back in office/gallstones and consequent operation!). So I'm back on. I have the online access all paid up so I meal planned from that. I need to lose a lot - but I suppose I'll take the first 12 weeks and then consider.

I'm doing 3 meals a day and it's a lot harder this time round as I'm back in the office - last time my husband and I were wfh full time and did it together. He's not on it this time but he will get whatever I cook in the evening!!

Lots of water does seem to be key. Not so easy when you're out and about. Buying lunch on the go also not so easy - I was out all day yesterday at a sports event with my kids - did as well as I could with what was on offer!

My huge struggle is tea. I love tea with an ample add of oat milk. I need to swap this out at least a couple of times a day. Luckily not bothered about booze.

Have you tried green tea? Water needs to be not boiling and I take the tea bag out pretty quick. But it’s a good alternative to normal black tea.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 23/04/2023 08:16

I've swapped out black tea for green tea and warm water. I still drink black tea and milk at breakfast and a cup of coffee late morning. Definitely drink more water during the day. It helps a lot.

BibbleandSqwauk · 23/04/2023 08:17

My trick to keep my water intake up is to stand and drink a glass while I boil the kettle for coffee or herbal tea. I do that a lot! If I'm at home, I have one every time I go into the kitchen to get something for my lazy-arse kids ..also a frequent occurrence. 🙄

Original poster
Iminthemoneylife · 23/04/2023 08:20

Morning all, after starting this thread I’ve decided 800 kcal is just going to be too low for me at the moment. Maybe after reading the book I will think differently. Instead I’m aiming for some where between 800 and 1,000 kcal.

Today, I’m going to try and skip breakfast and then have homemade bean and veg soup for lunch with Parmesan and 334 kcal, dinner salmon and creme frais pasta dish 553 and 300 ml of milk for tea and coffee 150 kcals. 1,037 kcals. Total kcals on the higher side but it’s difficult when eating with kids. I could cut the milk in tea/coffee but I will need to get a calcium supplement.

OP posts: