Single parent - Fast 800/Fast 800 Keto or 5:2?

[Daffodils2023]

Has anyone eased themselves into Fast800 or Fast800 Keto slowly? I'm a single parent with young children and I'm not sure I'd be able to manage the beginning transition stage going from (a lot) to 800! But I am attracted to the Rapid Weight Loss idea.

Problem is I've now read (and listened to) The Fast 800 Keto and Fast 800 in too short a space of time and I am very confused....and then add in the TRE and the 5:2, 3:4, 4/3 im reaching for the biscuit tin with exhaustion.... Just want to do something easy.

My weight gain has come on again after a year. At 50 I decided to lose the having-children-years weight by calorie counting using Pinch of Nom books, and it worked. I've never dieted before. Then comfort eating from stress and being sedantry due to ill health for 6 months has brought it all back on. I think also I failed using the PoN books as looking back I had quite a high carb intake, I didnt understand the macronutrients very well and was logging on Fitness Pal for the calories.

SO, I want to do something, and thought something different would keep me motivated. Is it realistic to start doing 5:2 (6 weeks) and then when I get a longer period without children (Easter probably), I move onto the Fast800 Keto if I still need to shift pounds?

I know thats a different way round but just wondered if it would have an effect?
Previously I lost 2 stone in 12 weeks restricting calories to 1500 (and going high protein but not intentionally low carb) going from 11 stone to 9, I'm now back up to 10st10lbs

How do other single parents do it with young children? I mean more in the sense of keeping patience and not being hangry with them and reaching for the secret stash of comforting carbs in the cupboard....Do you think my idea has traction....?

I’m doing keto and the 16/8 fasting and I genuinely don’t feel hungry. I just drink coffee while the kids have their breakfast (they don’t seem to have noticed!) and then at lunch/dinner, I cook keto meals, but add potatoes/rice etc for them and serve myself a bigger portion of protein/fat.

What about the first bit when you’re getting used to the keto? Going into Ketosis? @OutDamnedSpot

Honestly, I didn’t feel any of that! I was expecting a headache etc, and it just didn’t come. I do have a tendency towards being ‘hangry’, but I’ve not felt it too much - and if I do, I make a quick protein smoothie, or scoff some Brazil nuts.

Typical day for me:
8am - coffee. Lots of it.
11am - smoothie with protein powder, almond milk and peanut butter
1pm - omelette with chicken and pepper
4pm - yogurt and keto granola
6pm - main meal (usually chicken)

@OutDamnedSpot is that using Michael Mosely's plan Fast 800 or doing your own keto? Do you restrict calories?

I have the fast 800 recipe book but don’t follow it exactly. I don’t deliberately restrict calories, but it usually comes out at 1200-1400.

Great, thanks a lot.

The fast 800 online is clear and easy.
really easy. 800-900 calorie meals (3) set out including a shopping list.
being so low cal, it’s considered “fasting” even if you don’t follow the clock.

I’ve done the keto 800 a couple of times for short bursts and I’ve found it really successful. I’m a single parent.

Each time I’ve “eased in” by having a few days using the plan menus but not stressing if I have a bit of carbs. And then starting properly after a few days, counting that as “day 1”

I just batch cook and freeze and then eat my meals when the kids are having theirs. Or adapt my meal so that they can eat it too.