Fast 800 Has Anyone Done This

[rowanwitch]

Been in pre diabetic range for a while now, didn't fancy adding diabetes to my health problems. Have any of you done this and did it work. So far (day 10) I have lost nearly a stone, and my BP is down to normal levels but I am worried about the switch to the 4:3 stage as I am worried it will be easy to slip on the 'non fast' days
For those that don't know Fast days aren't really you get 800 calories a day, but very low carb and moderate protein ( salads and green leafy veg are free though) and time restricted. I only eat between 0800 and 1800 but might tighten that up a little as I go on.

[barry1010]

I haven't done that particular regime but do live with a similar diet (you might know I reversed type 2 diabetes by diet and exercise - I've mentioned it enough).
You've done very well to lose so much weight in such a short time, well done.
Sorry, can't advise about the switch to the 4:3 stage as I know nothing about it.

I don't eat after my dinner which I usually have around 5pm. Breakfast between 7 and 8am. It suits me and I don't see why you shouldn't stick to that pattern if you can handle it.

How much weight do you want to lose now?

[douglas9401]

Ripple of applause for you both, especially knocking the diabetes on the head.

[rowanwitch]

I have 9 stone to lose eventually but taking it 7 lb at a time. I was just one point off diabetes on my last test, going to ask for a 're test in about three months.

[barry1010]

I wish you well, Rowan. I was quite blasé about my diabetes, until the nurse told me that the three drugs I was taking were no longer sufficient and I would have to start insulin. That kickstarted me in to doing something about it.
Lose like you've had the kick up the backside, too - and taken notice.

[Old_Geezer]

No, can't say it'd much suit me. I had an obligatory 2+ week fast over Xmas/NY which lost me a chunk of weight whether I liked it or not (spoiler: it was 'not'). Minimising carbohydrates since seems to have kept it off and I believe drifting down further. That's good, but I miss bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, biscuits, etc.. Plus I discover I was only borderline pre anyway. No idea where I am now, wish I knew how much starchy stuff I could reintroduce without ruining progress. I have looked at low carb keto substitute recipies but special flours and other ingredients are rather expensive.

For the moment I guess I'll carry on limiting carbs, but it's difficult to find such grub that's also appealing; the choice is rather limited especially if you don't want to spend time every day preparing/cooking food by hand.

[jennyjoan]

so hard - I lost 2 and half stone when I literally couldn't eat for 4 weeks - didn't lose it all in the 4 weeks but over maybe a period of 6 months. Now have gained 6lbs. When I was able to eat again I went mad eating out of whack. Gotta try again. But good luck Rowan.

[rowanwitch]

I find the low carb megastore are good but nearly £5 for a loaf of low carb bread or 4 rolls is a lot, but I keep them in the freezer for days when I want something like a burger, or a bit of cheese on toast. I have found some excellent low carb products but they are for now and then not every day.

[barry1010]

I only eat 2 slices of bread every 10 days or so. I don't buy special food and always ate 2 portions of carbs a day - porridge for breakfast and potatoes/pasta/rice for dinner.
I don't count the carbs in veg or fruit.

[pastafreak]

I've been eating very low carb for years now. Eating fresh and unprocessed food is the way to go. I've never really been tempted by the substitute products. If they were tasty...I'd go overboard with them.
For bread, I've found 2 good options...homemade.
Flaxseed bread...can be made as individual mug breads in the microwave, or as a baked loaf. Very low carb...and good for digestion/regularity.
The second is a loaf called Adventure Bread...oats plus nuts and seeds. (I do all seeds as I don't eat nuts) Very dense...a slice is quite satisfying...good toasted. Not *very* low carb...but much better than any store bought or traditional homemade white.
There is a similar loaf available on Amazon...pricey.
I don't think I'd do well on 800cal...so many periods of extreme calorie counting probably increased my obsession with food. 1,000 a day in your 20s is not healthy...worse if already a healthy weight.
I wish you success Rowan...you've done extraordinarily well.

[Cloverjo]

Husband reversed his diabetes by not eating puddings, pies, cakes, biscuits etc.
He’s still overweight but not diabetic.

[barry1010]

rowan, I have realised that your question has not really been answered.

I've had a quick look at your diet plan and as I understand it you have been on a very restricted diet every day but that first phase of the plan is intended to be short term.
The recommended second phase (the 4:3 stage) allows more freedom on some days of the week.
I can understand that you are worried that easing up on the regime might undo all your hard work.

I suggest you spend a few hours devising a meal plan for the non-fast days that you will be able to stick to and is healthy. Know what you will be eating every non-fast day for the next two weeks and make sure that it is food you will actually enjoy eating, will fill you up and is good for you.

You are going to be in this for the long term so you need to plan. It helped me to stick to my diet to decide at the beginning the meals I was not prepared to give up (spaghetti Bolognese, curries, roast dinners, steak and chips) and work out ways to make them less fatty and calorific.

Planning is key, I think. If you don't know what you are going to eat that day when you get up, you'll end up eating what you shouldn't. Plan for the next phase, and start it tomorrow.

[rowanwitch]

Sorry for late reply. Thanks barry, pretty much as I was thinking, the plan gives non fast day additions so I might follow that for a while, but I do menu plan a week ahead anyway . I have low carb low cal versions of all my favourites in my repertoire, apart from mashed potatoes. Other mashed veg just don't have the same appeal. I have found some useful bits online, and will swap rice for the recommended bulgar wheat.
Over a stone down, 3 inches off my waist, and now running blood pressure in normal ranges. I can do the strict version for up to 12 weeks so as I am finding it fairly easy I think that is my goal for now