Hi everyone. I did the Fast 800 last year and had great results but sadly am now back to where I started. But at least I am not heavier! I need to tackle the whole lifestyle including stress and exercise. I think I focussed too much just on food so I didn’t sustain my loss. I have done a bit more reading (including “The Obesity Code”) and have a few more ideas to try this time. One of the biggest things for me is realising that when I eat is as important as what I eat.

So my experiment this week is with fasting by eating just once a day. So almost 800 cals (other calories on milk for tea in morning) in one evening meal. Should be a pretty decent meal!

I have also downloaded a weight loss hypnosis app to listen to before sleeping. At least I hope it’s just hypnotising me to lose weight…

I should add that I have fasted before (for days) and so skipping breakfast and lunch is not a big jump for me.

Sounds good Zippy – My story is much the same. I call my first time around my trial run. Like me, you sound much better prepared and all your additional reading can only help – the Obesity Code is fabulous – you don’t actually need anything else, IMO. He has another book which gives the nitty gritty of different types of fasting – you can pick and choose what suits you – It’s called ‘The Complete Guide to Fasting.’ Believe in yourself – refine and modify – and you end up with a individualised plan that will work for you. Go, go, go!
I agree with you about not making food a focus. I have been shoving food into the background, and keeping it simple! Less I’m in the kitchen , the better! Seems to be working. See you at the other end. Best Wishes.

Any questions, just ask! Loads of people here that will be happy to help. I’m not going to be around much soon.

Hi Zippy, my story is very similar to yours too. I started last year too and lost a couple of stone in 6 months, then put a lot back on over the next 6 months. Restarted Feb this year, lost a stone then it crept back on. Latest restart Sept and I’m finally back to my lowest weight from last year now. I read Fungs Complete Guide to Fasting and am doing one meal a day approx 5 days a week, two meals the other days, max 20g carbs, approx 800 cals. With these extra tools I’m hopeful of sticking with it this time. Wishing you great success.

Thanks for your replies Dumpty and Jules. I like your idea Dumpty of my previous attempt being a trial run! I have also had trial runs at extended fasting after reading “The Obesity Code”. I think this will stand me in good stead for eating once a day. I was so surprised how much easier fasting was than I expected. Food really isn’t such a big deal.

I’ll definitely be taking a look at “The Complete Guide to Fasting” too. Great to have book recommendations. I also like Dr. Fung’s videos on dietdoctor.com. Sounds like you have found a great pattern that works for you Jules. I’m going to try one meal a day for the first week, 800 cals and under 50g carbs.

This is day 4 and have found it really convenient in terms of only having to make one meal with all the weighing and measuring that goes with it. Also nice to have something substantial. I did find today pretty hard at points but stuck with it and ready for tomorrow. Good luck to you both!

Hi Zippy -happy you found something of use in my reply. I like the idea of one meal a day too. Less messing about and eat a normal meal with or without family. I’m not quite there yet, as I feel a bit weak. Working towards it, though.
Love your name. Should have called myself that. I remember a kids show that had a ‘zippy’ used to talk too much and he got zipped up to give everyone peace! That’s what I need 😀 😀 😀
Keep at it! There used to be an ad on telly that was about stopping smoking. It’s ok to fall off the wagon a few times before you succeed. I think it’s the same for weightloss. We’ll get there!

Zippy and Dumpty: wow, puting your names together like that makes you two sound like members of the Seven Dwarfs. If only it meant dwarf in weight vs height, my guess is you’d both be ok with that. I digress…

I too am a big fan of Jason Fung’s work and your idea about doing one meal a day 5 days a week is consistent with some of the research he cites….that restricting eating to one time a day resulted in “significantly more fat loss” even with eating the same number of calories. I would love to know how “significant” the differences actually were….statistically significant or life changing significant? Either way….if it fits into your lifestye, its worth a shot. Pluse less cooking and fewer dishes to clean up. Win win. May I jump on your bandwagon if you have room for one more?

Somewhere in his book he cautioned against ruining your fasting period with cream or milk in your coffee….will look to see where that was. It seems harmless enough…..but it would be sad if it did indeed negate some of your hard work so I will try to find that passage over the next day or so (assuming I did not misremember it).

You didn’t. A fasted state is broken when you ingest anything with caloric content, that certainly includes milk which is high in both sugar and calories. Zippy. it’s your call, of course, but if you really want to do a Fung-style IF approach, and I am a big fan myself, all your beverages during the fasting window should be zero calorie (no sweeteners either), so water, tea (no fruit teas) or coffee. Even bone broth crosses the line.

I do 18:6 most days, but I like to vary it doing something very similar to what you’re doing with the one big meal. Gotta keep that body guessing. 😀 Good luck!

I’ve enjoyed Jason Fungs videos and blogs too, he’s a real pioneer, hope the medical/nutritional world starts to catch up soon. He has an ongoing Obesity Code podcast to which I listen to whilst walking my dog, some real gems of info, very interesting, good explanations. Also a lot less annoying than some podcasts IF as there is no chatting and waffling.

Thanks for your replies everyone. I appreciate it.

Dumpty: I wish I did have a zip on my mouth, I wouldn’t need the BSD then! I was a Rainbow fan.

Luvtcook: I remember that part of the book too. I know I am breaking my fast with milk in my morning coffee but I can’t give it up yet! I am a horrible morning person so I need that crutch for a few days longer. I have 2 cups with 100ml whole milk in total so what I will do is swap 1 cup to black and then both to black. That can be part of next week’s experiment!

Esnecca: I know you are right about milk calories breaking a fast. You mention Dr Fung also advocates bone broth on fasts which would also break it. He also says a splash of cream is ok. So in conclusion, I dunno! I have bought a selection of herbal teas as I would like to see my results in a properly fasted state without milk. It would be a pity if something simple was hampering my results! I like your idea of mixing up your timings to keep your body guessing!

Jules: Thanks for the podcast tip. Good to have something to listen to when trying to get to 10,000 steps!

If I understand correctly, Dr Fung would also be against me restricting/counting calories when I do eat? What does everyone think about that? It’s a bit confusing.

Luvtcook – that’s hilarious about our names sounding like 2 from the 7 dwarfs. If only! I am a dwarf up and down the way, to be fair – just the width and breadth needs attention 😀 😀 ;D As far as jumping aboard is concerned – you are welcome anywhere! You give so much of your knowledge and compassion – much appreciated.

Zippy – yet another reason for having a zip for me – 😀 😀 😀
Dr Fung gives a lot of guidance on what he calls ‘Fasting Fluids’ in his second book ‘Complete Guide to fasting’ – they include cream milk, bone broth and others. He does say that it’s better if you can do without but some may find that difficult. Also , he says for extended fasts, nutrients and mineral levels may become problematic. As far as restricting cals are concerned, he says not to restrict cals. In my opinion, if you are eating once a day, 800 cals would give you a really nice meal- if you are calorie aware, in my opinion, you could eat to fullness without counting. After fasting, you would get fuller quicker, I would think. If you choose low carb food , I think it would be difficult to go above 800 cals. If you want to be accurate , then obvs count. You’re right Zippy – grey areas! But, ultimately, I think it’s trial and error and what works for you, in a way that you can work with.

Best wishes – and a happy New Year to all

Here are some Q&A clips from Fung’s site. While he recommends bone broth during a fast, I tend to think Esnecca is right in that it might impair some of the benefits of a fast. I guess it also may come down to how your own body reacts to it. It certainly curbs any hunger pangs for me….which makes me even more suspicious. At some point I plan on doing a test of one and try a 3 day fast with and without bone broth and see if there is any difference. Given the variability of how I lose weight, it may have limit dependability, but want to try it nontheless.

Can you drink bone broth while you are fasting?
Yes – Bone broth is highly recommended. It contains numerous minerals and vitamins and is quite ‘filling’ in terms of reducing hunger pangs. The other benefit is that you can add a good amount of sea salt to it. The other fluids taken during a fast – water, tea, coffee – don’t have sodium and you can become dehydrated. Mild dehydration, for example may lead to cramps and headaches during longer fasting.

So, yes, bone broth is highly recommended (recipe). Also very ‘Paleo’ in the sense that this is a very traditional food with long healing traditions.

While fasting is it okay to drink coffee with milk? I can’t do black coffee. I have a little milk with my coffee.
Technically, the milk does not fall within the guidelines of a true fast, but the small amount of milk/ cream added to coffee improves compliance tremendously for some people. So in our program, we absolutely allow milk/ cream in coffee, but no sweeteners or sugar.

I am sorry for this stupid question but how much is little amount of cream ?:-)))) I want to hear it from you because otherwise I am starting thinking that 250 ml are ok, which I don’t think so:-) I am on my day 3 of fasting and today I had whipped heavy cream ( 33% percent ) 2x 40g in my coffee. Is this too much?
Yeah, I was more thinking along the lines of 1-2 teaspoons, not the whole carton. Because cream still contains milk protein, it will stimulate insulin which defeats the point of fasting. Pure fat, such as coconut oil, will be less.