New to this - starving - fast 800 app

[Gelasring]

Same old story I suppose - I'm off on holiday in just over a month and as usual my plans for a summer bod have fallen by the wayside.

I remember Michael Mosley's lose a stone in 21 days programme and thought I'd give fast 800 a whirl.

First question - I downloaded the app for a free trial and it's given me 5:2 based on my info. Will I still lose around a stone in a month on that do you reckon? I'm about 12 stone 4 now at 5ft 6.

Second question - I'm bloody starving. When will I not be? I had no breakfast but had a big bowl of greek yog and blueberries as well as a mini babybel at midday. I'm still ravenous but don't want to peak too soon with the calories and be hungry at bedtime.

I'm drinking loads of water and herbal tea to try and fill the void...

Not specifically answering your questions, but when I tried fasting days I just couldn’t do it. I was starving and so grumpy. I can however shift the weight quickly by:-

1. If I’m hungry I drink water before eating then I keep drinking lots through the day.
2. cut out the crap. Ditch the majority of sugar and reduce the amount of carbs on my plate.
3. Eat as much protein, veg and fruit as I want so I’m not hungry.

I’ve lost 10lbs recently doing this and it’s very effective for me.

Fasting/very low calorie is new to me but I seem to really struggle with moderation. I'm wondering whether cutting right down like this will also help remove the constant debate and noise in my brain around food. I'm hoping I'll get used to just not eating for periods of time - i currently think about food and graze constantly.

We'll see!

I think to lose weight you have to be hungry

I did this, started following the Fast 800 late Feb and did for 12 weeks with a few days off in that time.

I was hungry at first but I cut out ultra processed foods and most sugary treats, stuck with high protein foods, veg, salads, nuts, fruit, Greek yoghurt, chicken, eggs and fish.

I started it at about 13.5st and I am 5'7.

You could lose a good 10lbs in a month if you get off to a good start I'd say.

After the initial weeks I swapped to calorie counting but eating similar foods. The sugar spikes and food noise have all but gone after cutting out processed carbs/sugary snacks.

How much did you lose if you don't mind me asking?

That's good that the hunger fades eventually. I'm hoping it'll be a short sharp spell of hunger and then I'll get used to it, rather than constant low level hunger like I get with normal dieting.

Definitely prioritising eating well over snacks and junk

I find drinking sparkling water with lemon or lime juice helps when I'm feeling hungry. If you have a drink and ignore the hunger, it does pass. I did read somewhere that you shouldn't be afraid to feel hungry sometimes, and this thought did help me. I've become very aware that often I am eating out of boredom, or because of cravings, rather than actually being hungry. It's become quite refreshing to be truly hungry before I eat, rather than eating for the sake of it.

I've been doing the Very Fast 800 for the past 10 days, and I was hungry on days 3 and 4, but only for small periods of time, and I'm finding that I'm not so hungry now I've got used to it. I lost 6lbs in the first week, so that's a great motivator to ignore the hunger pangs.

I'm the same height as you but 4 stone lighter and have never fasted or skipped meals. 3 healthy meals a day and lots of walking will be much more effective long term than feeling starving to lose weight for a holiday. Try to think of lifelong changes you can stick to otherwise when you stop dieting the weight will go back on and you'll be back to square one.

Today I had peanut butter on toast and a protein shake made with oat milk, banana and raw spinach.

Tofu in a burger bun with mixed beans and veg in pesto

Some homemade banana bread and strawberries

Half a jacket potato with falafel and loads of veg.

Plant based as much as you feel able to is great for staying in shape.

Sounds similar to me. I actually feel a bit better this evening. I had a good filling dinner and the hunger did pass earlier too. Thanks!

I'm sure you're trying to be helpful but with the greatest of respect I find your reply really patronising:

I've posted on the fasting board for advice on that. So if it's not something you've ever done or agree with why are you replying?

I've got plenty of experience of moderating my food intake and losing weight slowly. It's never worked for me in the long run either.

I don't need to do loads of walking because I do loads of exercise anyway, I have done for the past decade.

I don't want to be 4 stone lighter.

I don't particularly care if I put weight back on in the short term after my holiday. I just want to look a bit better in the photos than I would at this weight.

Hi. I'm 5ft5
Started at 12st 4lbs six weeks ago

Am now 11st 2lbs

It really works.

And that was with a week off in the middle where I gained 6lbs

That's good to know, thank you! I'd be delighted to get close to that weight as I feel like I look a lot better at closer to 11 stone.

@Gelasring oh god I'm so sorry. Enjoy your holiday x

I'm doing this as well. I'm about 3 weeks in. Make sure you keep the protein levels up - I'm trying for more than 60g a day. Not easy, but lots of eggs help (i have scrambled eggs/spinach and a bit of cheese as lunch every day to 'break' my fast). Also, as said, lots of water - tend to get a hunger pang about 9am, but a big drink tends to sort it out.

I'm feeling pretty good on it generally so hope it works for you. Also lost 7lbs so far (as a 57yr old) so chuffed. Oh, i also meal plan like a demon with calories/protein worked out for each day. I also love the fast 800 meals which helps!

Best of luck.

what do you do with the other half of the potato anyway?

I agree with whoever said that you are going to be a bit hungry, your body wants what it usually gets. Did you eat a lot of processed food?

Lots of water and herbal tea to fill up.

Have it the next day. 5 mins in the airfryer to crisp it up, perfect! Some potatoes we get delivered are enormous!

I don’t think I could eat a potato without loads of butter, what are you having on top of it?

Totally agree with this. I've managed to lose a stone in 6 months by eating 3 healthy meals a day with lots of veg and cutting out anything unhealthy. I haven't felt hungry once in this time. I'm not vegetarian, but eat a high proportion of plant based food with lots of nuts and pulses and loads of veg/salad. I feel so much better for it and this is a long term life choice for me, not a diet. I have no idea how many calories I've been eating as I haven't counted.

I think you might have to go the Very Fast plan rather than the 5:2 for best results. I did this and it was effective but I never really (and to this day) managed a long over night fast. So I prefer a yoghurt:berries:nuts etc breakfast option and try to have it at least 12 hours after dinner. Then lunch and dinner at regular times. You are hungry but you kind of get used to it. I also had some illegal (!) cups of tea/coffee - particularly a large cup of tea before bed.

I found I had to play around with the app and swap out meal options. I couldn't cope with egg based breakfasts and tried to have leftovers from the previous nights dinner for lunch or it just got too challenging to fit into a normal working life.

Good luck!

Yes me too, in fact leave out the potato, I will just have the butter!

(disclaimer - I dont eat potatoes anyway)

Getting used to hunger is what made the difference for me, realising I won’t collapse or swoon.

Thanks to those who've responded to my question! I think I do indeed need to get used to feeling a bit of hunger. Some of the meals on the app look lovely, I look forward to.trying them.

Good to hear it's worked for others and definitely focusing on getting lots of protein in.

Have a look at Chelsea Mae - Lean with plants. She makes massive bowls of food for about 500 calories.
When I did the 800 calories a day I tried to save 400 - 500 per day for my evening meal so you have something to look forward to.

Sounds great, thank you

The hunger will subside. Once I'm in ketosis I don't feel hungry at all till about 5pm of I'm doing OMAD.
I'm doing lunch and dinner right now.