Fast 800- any reviews?

[Crazydogmumma]

I am seriously overweight (need to loose about 6 stone). This is now affecting my knees, high blood pressure etc. I feel awful and have tried the usual diets- ww, slimming Word, calorie counting etc.
I just can’t seem to be motivated to stick to them.
I am not hugely interested in food and my diet is fairly restrictive in what I will eat.
i have been reading about this diet - which sounds fairly helpful especially if you are insulin resistant (which I am).
it is fairly expensive to join the 12 week programme (£119)- but I wonder if I need to do something drastic???
Feeling a little sad about what I feel is a hopeless situation.
Has anyone done the plan and have anything to say?

[ducktape]

I am just coming to the end of my 4th week on it and have lost almost a stone. My starting BMI was 33. I find the app really helps for meal planning and shopping. I select a single portion for lunch and then choose an evening meal that the whole family will eat (with an extra portion of carbs for DH & DCs) I haven't done the exercises though, but I know I should. The app recommended I began on the fast 800 keto, and I chose the two meals/day option to also fast for 16 hours. I have not found it difficult to stick to and have not felt too hungry in the mornings, though some days I am told by DH I'm quite grumpy until I eat! The most difficult aspect has been the preparation and cooking, being organised enough to have lunch ready to take to work and quick dinners on evenings the DC have activities. I enjoy cooking but it would definitely be challenging for a family that relies a lot on convenience-type food. I'm so pleased with my success so far, it is very motivating. The reason I started was because my GP practice nurse was warning me about my blood pressure at check ups and I really didn't want to have to start medication at 45. But it has already come down to normal /healthy range.

[chalkyc2]

I can recommend the Fast 800. I started the initial 12 weeks back in April last year and I'm currently 7.5 stone down with one more to go. I used the online plan but did go in and adapt it quite a bit to suit tastes and make things easier (you can swap out meals a week ahead). I've always had 3 meals a day and started with a 12-12 eating window - but I basically rotate between two different smoothies for breakfast (not faffing around with eggs and cottage cheese etc in the mornings!). I tried to organise that lunch was leftovers from the night before or an easy soup/dhal I could batch cook.

I kind of feel this was my last ditch attempt before anything more drastic like surgery. My bmi has gone from 43 to 25. It requires absolute determination. I'd recommend buying the book on it as well as the online plan. There's a Facebook group which is helpful but quite puritanical!!

My one 'cheat' (that the FB group mentioned would not approve of!) has been that in the first 12 weeks and beyond I've 'allowed' myself up to 3 additional tea/coffee drinks with milk a day. I think that bit extra just gets me through - particularly the large cup of tea I have every evening after dinner!

[CurlsnSunshinetime4tea]

I did the online plan a few years ago. Lots of good recipes to help with longer term maintaining.

[abeautifulmess1234]

[chatw0o0]

that's a great result @chalkyc2 - well done! Do you mind me asking what you switched to after the initial 12 weeks (ie, 5:2 or something else?).

I did the initial 12 weeks (plus a bit more) just over two years ago, and lost 10kg. I merrily put all that back on again, so am now starting the 12 weeks once more! I haven't yet got to the point where I need to decide what plan to follow after the 12 weeks has completed.

I haven't seen the Facebook group but will probably give it a swerve from what you've said 😁

[chalkyc2]

Ha well yes I have to admit this is also my second time of trying!! I did similar last time and never got close to my goal, then got gallstones, then fell off the wagon!

I've been much more determined this time. After the 12 weeks I've actually just kind of kept going, being a little less strict, odd meal out etc. I kind of felt like I had SO much still to lose and honestly I'm too busy to be faffing around with 1500 cals one day and 800 the next.

I am also now conscious that I might sort of have to eat like this ongoing to maintain this weight loss. So with that in mind I've tried to make it as easy to do long term. I don't specifically count calories but I do use recipes that I know to be say 350 calories. I have 2 day to day breakfast options, a handful of soups and salads on repeat for lunch, protein and veg options for dinner.

I still pay monthly for the app - I like the weight tracker and easy access on the go recipes.

[chatw0o0]

Thanks, that's interesting. I'm doing the two meals a day version and rotate through the same recipes every couple of weeks - give or take. Try to cook evening meals that will also double up for lunch the next day.

I had too many weird meals when I started the first time, that I tend to stick to the ones I know, or at least avoid the ones that are a little more unusual (still scarred by the cottage cheese and apple - I think that's what it was - for lunch one time. And the turkey chilli).

I'm still paying for the app/website access as well. I like the meal planning function and sometimes look at the chat groups if I'm having a particular issue.

[Crazydogmumma]

Wow- those stories sound really positive - I know it will take planning and prep- I need to commit to the time to meal plan and shop accordingly.
Your stories have inspired me that I can make a change and it can work. I have a huge mountain to move (literally) but maybe this is the way to do it. Thank you for your replies.

[mynamechangemyrules]

@Crazydogmumma also just to say that I did it pre hip surgery and lost 11kg in the 9 weeks I had. I didn't use the app or pay for the plan, I'd just bought the book at a charity shop 😂 The thing is with me that I feel awful guilt at things I've paid for not being worth it and then sort of self sabotage... whereas I just had a £1 book and that gave me some mental freedom. (I know, I'm weird! But thought it was worth mentioning if money was a barrier- just use the book and you'll do it 💪🏼💪🏼)

[CrispAppleStrudels]

I did it as i have PCOS and i heard it was good for reversing pre diabetes (PCOS can have a similar effect on insulin levels). I lost 12kg over the 12weeks and naturally conceived for the first time ever. Currently 33w pregnant now 😊. I did it with two meals a day and 16:8 fasting.

I found the recipes and meal planner on the online version really easy to follow and preferred this to the book. But theres no harm in starting with the book and seeing how you get on if you dont want to commit to the website straight away. I came off the plan obviously once i found out i was pregnant but hoping to go back on once i finish bfing this baby.

[livingonpurpose]

I have been doing Fast 800 since the beginning of the year (coming to the end of week 7) and I've lost 28lbs (2 stone, or approx. 12kg). I am not using the app and just have the recipe books. I haven't cheated as I am determined to get to my goal weight and that it will stay off, to achieve this I need to get myself used to this way of eating, i.e. low carb, no sugar.

I find it easy enough to stick to 800ish cals a day over two meals, although I don't track I just eat two meals from the recipe book that are approx. 400 cals each.

Got another stone to lose until I'm a healthy BMI, and then will probably go for another half stone on top just so I make sure I stay in that zone. Should be there by about May I reckon.

I definitely recommend this diet, but the hardest thing about it is the mental shift you have to make first. I should have started this 2 years ago (and if I had I'd already be at my target weight) but I was not in the right mindset back then to stick with it.

[Crazydogmumma]

@mynamechangemyrules - I totally understand your post and feel the same regarding sabotaging myself if I have a bad day or a bad meal.

Thank you everyone for your stories- I have managed to borrow a couple of the books and have meal planned 2 meals a day. I have been shopping to get what I need and nervous but excited to start tomorrow.
it is so helpful to hear everyone’s tips. As I said - I have a very long way to go but hopefully this is a huge step in the right direction.
I have just started a new journal to note my thoughts and will take my measurements, possibly need a stiff drink before that.
hopefully writing my reason to start may keep me
going!

[mynamechangemyrules]

Good luck @Crazydogmumma 💪🏼💪🏼 You can do it!

[Mercedesbenz2022]

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[Mercedesbenz2022]

I am planning on this starting tomorrow , I have been reading the book to refresh my memory , and toying with joing the 12 week countdown too

[Crazydogmumma]

@Mercedesbenz2022 - go for it!!!!! We can starve start tomorrow 🤣🤣🤣

[Mercedesbenz2022]

@Crazydogmumma
tomorrows lunch in fridge , weighted out and ready
tinned salmon, coleslaw , salad tomatoes
out Tom night , so quick feta omelette before leaving

fail to plan , plan to fail !!
my big downfall , so planning this weeks evening meals now

[OldKingCole]

I am starting tomorrow too! Will be great to have some company on this.
Am I’m perimenopause and am struggling to lose weight - have about 1.5 stone to lose.

[chalkyc2]

I'm having a reset week next week after a week of holiday! So I'll join and I love recipe inspo I'm in such a rut with my tried and tested favourites!

I'm having the Mocha berry smoothie for breakfast (husband makes it and I take to work in a flask to have at about 10.30), I have the butternut squash soup ready to take in for lunch and will probably have the spinach and cheese stuffed chicken with green veggies for dinner. I will also have my inadvised but essential coffee and tea first thing, after lunch and after dinner....

[Crazydogmumma]

Hello @OldKingCole and @chalkyc2 nice to have some company. I am a bit nervous about the food I have chosen as I naturally have quite a restricted diet so hope I can eat what I have planned. @Mercedesbenz2022 - I love the idea of timed salmon- will add that to my shopping list!

[chalkyc2]

Good luck @Crazydogmumma ! I definitely err on the side of plainer/simpler protein and veg/salad options where possible ! I'm not a natural meal planner....

I'll dig out some of my favourites. Do you eat meat?

[Queenelsarules]

Hi everyone, I started this 6th of Jan and am 1 stone 1lb down. I have 6 stone at least to lose still so it's a long road. It feels possible though, this way of eating definitely suits me, cutting out the sugar and carbs has just switched off my desire to snack and binge. I am doing 2 meals a day and mostly am not hungry. I tried Ozempic last year, and for me this works so much better. The Ozempic made me feel sick but didn't actually curb my appetite if that makes sense, and when I stopped because I was fed up of feeling g ill, I put any weight I lost back on plus an extra stone.

[Mum2lots]

Oh iv found my tribe.

[Mercedesbenz2022]

This morning was HARD
I really enjoyed lunch tho and I’ve only had peppermint/ chamomile tea so far

how you all doing
very inspiring to hear from people who have done well , be great to hear any tips / favourites from seasoned ‘ fasters ‘

[OldKingCole]

Day 1 done. Up early for first time in ages to get to gym. Lunch at 1 and dinner at 6.
feel pretty hungry though 😣