Hi Everyone!
I just thought I’d give some people some notes about my experience so far, if you still might be considering it.
I’m female, in my mid 50’s and stilling going through menopause (set in last year). My BMI is almost 40, and my doctor keeps talking about changing my eating habits with the good ol’ count your calories model.
My knee surgeon wants me to have my knees operated on for arthritis, but I’m still “not that far along” yet. My joints only ache only when they swell up.
So I thought that I’d give this diet a try, and here’s what happened so far:
Day 1: BSL = 107 mg/dl (5.9 mmol/l) Weight: 128 kg BP: 163/98 Height: 180 cm Age 54 Sex Female
Nothing particulary noticeable.
Day 2: Tired most of the day. It was Sunday, so I could sleep a lot. Eating according to plan. The curious thing is feeling so full with so little calories. No cravings – very strange. No feeling of deprevation. No depression.
Day 3: Wow! No more achy knees! For the 1st time in 12 months I could get out bed and not feel pain. In fact the general swelling in my legs, especially ankles has been reduced. Work day, today. Managing work stress on 800 kcal is a challenge. In the afternoon I’m finding it hard to pay attention. Feeling sleepy & dazed. Thinking & response patterns slightly slowed. Didn’t sleep well that night. Sudden back pain. Allergy attack. Night sweats (hot flashes). Legs felt weak and fatigued from walking (like when you don’t get enough Magnesium). I walk a lot commuting. Have to change trains twice and walk to work, and carry an 8 kg daypack, too.
Day 4: BSL = 114 mg/dl (6.3 mmol/l) Weight: 122 kg (!!!!) BP 139/89
Little worried about the BSL, but my husband says that can be expected when you take cortison and Ibuprofin (he’s a diabetic and asked his doctor about this). The mind fuzziness and the “brain fog” have worn off, but now I have daytime hotflashes (a bit unusual). Still no hunger pains, even though I have to “walk that mile” through the train station selling everything from croissants to hot pretzels. (Encouragement for you people who fear going shopping & consequential hunger pains). I finding that food-prepping will have to suffer some little compromises, because I work 8 hours + 4 hours travel time. Salad without any dressing or processed food (such as canned corn) from cafeteria works for me 3-4 times a week.
Note on the recipes in Dr. Mosely’s book:
Most of the recipes are “exotic”, and finding those ingredients (things like Goji berries or Halloumi cheese) in northern Continental Europe can be challenging, not to mention expensive. Pomegranate seeds in August? Not to be found anywhere. I substituted with fresh red currents. I’m finding that I will have to do a better net search on recipes for more “available” and seasonal foods. Also the amounts of food (e.g. 1 carrot or 1 zucchini – or even worse 2 inches of cucumber) are impracticle when supermarkets offer only 1 kg bags of carrots. What do you do with the other 14 carrots?
Looking forward to any tips, comments or advice.