Oh Pootle that’s really annoying for you. I’m worried now as I keep falling off rhe wagon and thinking it doesn’t matter. Really struggling mentally to stay focused. Haven’t really put anything on but I just can’t get stuck into it.
I’m so annoyed with myself all the time.
My Dad is very poorly having lost 3 stone in 6 or so weeks.
Poitle you can up the fat and bot the carbs I guess but I must be barking up the wrong tree as I thought losing weight took you out of pre diabetic etc and that would most likely stay that way. If you don’t put weight on , that’s why they say losing weight will help so much. I was not under rhe impression that we woukd have to live that way forever eating no sugar and carbs. I thought weight was the issue mostly. I didn’t think having treats but eating mainly that way would cause such a difference.
You must feel deflated. I will be having same test inabout a month so bit worried now.
You’ve done amazing so increase rhe fat intake I guess. I am like you I didn’t think occasional treats would have such an impact. Xx

Lucy sorry to hear about your dad.

Also sorry that you got the wrong impression about diabetes and weight loss per se. I think we all assumed, at first, that if we lost weight we would go into remission and that would be that. That’s what the medics told us! Research has moved on in leaps and bounds over the last 8 years, actually nearly 9! , since I discovered BSD. Yes weight is important but it takes second place to carbs. Have you heard of TOFI’s, thin on the outside fat on the inside? Many people with T2 aren’t overweight but they store fat around their organs and that leads to diabetes.

So in a nutshell you need to control your carbs. BUT don’t lose heart it’s not all doom and gloom. Once your blood sugar is stabilised for a while. I don’t know but guessing six months or so you can start to experiment with carbs. No, you can’t go back to eating carbs willy-nilly as you did before but you will probably be able to have the odd ‘treat’, whatever your ‘poison’ is. If I never saw rice or pizza again it would be no hardship but I do love a baked or roast potato. You just have to pick and choose rather than eat it all.

We are all individual and each of use will have different reactions to different foods. I bet if you sat down and worked out how many carbs you were having on an average day , before you started low carb eating, you would get a huge shock. When you think something ‘healthy’ like an apple has around 19g of carbs, a small packet of crisps around 13g, half an average Margarita pizza around 50ish so there’s 82g and we’ve not really eaten anything! I’ve never totalled mine but I guess with cereal in the morning, sandwiches for lunch with maybe crisps, dinner with potatoes or rice and possibly a curry with naan I must have been eating an average of at least 200+++.

The most important thing to remember is that we are all “individuals”. What raises my blood sugars may not raise yours. It’s very much a case of trial and error. Another point to remember is that finger pricking, at best, is only a very rough guide and really has very little bearing on your HbA1c.

Don’t despair life can be good without loads of sugar, carbs and additives and in fact if you look back you probably feel healthier now than before BSD. It really isn’t a ‘prison sentence’ you can have almost anything in moderation but not all on the same day!

Thanks Verano. I think I have misunderstood somewhat. Like you say thats not we have been told
Can I ask something….so you eat a low carb diet below 50g pee day as I usually do.
Between 30 and 50…then I have a blow out day and consume a lot of what I’m not supposed to but then next day I go back to it…how does rhat effect pre diabetes etc.

I’m very confused by it all now , I thought losing weight was key.

Hi Lucy I eat an average of 50g a day over a week. So some days more and some around 40g. If you compare 40g to an ‘average’, ‘average’ day for an ‘average’ person it’s very low.
I think, and these are only my thoughts, with no medical or scientific background, that if you eat maybe between 40 to 70 g of carbs everyday it’s better for your blood sugars than eating 40g for 3 days, for instance, and then having a ‘blow out’ and eating 140g. I really don’t know I think it’s something you have to test out for yourself with finger prick testing to see how your body reacts. We’re all different.

My gut feeling is that the more even a keel you keep your eating at the better, but that’s just a guess. Hope that helps.

Lucy I thought I should maybe tell you a little of my story. I was diagnosed with T2 in 2011. I started taking metformin. By 2016 I was on the highest dose of metformin and the ‘nurse’ was talking about adding another medication. At the same time I had a friend with uncontrolled T2 who had a toe amputated. I found Michael Moseley who saved my life!

I stared the BSD in mid 2016 , at a time when it was really quite new, so I was guided by my doctor. I came off metformin slowly and by mid 2017 I was drug free and my blood sugar was ‘normal’. I have stayed ‘normal’ for the last 8 years almost.

I lost weight, put some back on but not all, and am still overweight but my blood sugars are still normal because I stay relatively low carb. My story in a nutshell but it may not be the same for everyone. As I say we are all individuals.

Hi Lucy,
I always knew that I was going to have to avoid sugary things and keep carbs lower..still avoiding the bread, potatoes, pasta and rice, but had thought that I could have a very small portion (25g) of jumbo oat porridge in the mornings, and the occasional treat when out… I was wrong. BUT I am looking through the recipe books to find low carb higher cal meals.. and weighing and counting carbs again daily. At least I was in pre not back into full blown! and I am now more aware!
I know how difficult it can be, when under stress to control things…Please don’t despair…your test will be fine I am sure, I had got very complacent.. not so any more!
I think I have to just get on with it, and keep below the 50g carb most days! (yesterday 31.15…day before 36.5… Thursday 44.13..Wed 59!) but not do prick tests…this morning I did three readings with blood from the same prick…1.5, 7.1 and 1.2..So I might as well just guess it until the next Hb1AC in 3 months time.
As Verano says, we are all individual…and, whilst I am sad that I slipped up, I am still determined to conquer diabetes and keep it ‘in the closet’! I know you can do it too!!
xxx

Hi All,
Every now and then I stop by to see what everyone is talking about and thought I would just add my thoughts!
There are really excellent reasons to limit your carbohydrate intake for the rest of your life — please go read Dr. Ben Bikman’s research (he has wonderful free podcasts if you google his name) and Dr. David Perlmutter’s “The Grain Brain” — there are many more out there but those two are the most clear and interesting to me.
The ongoing research says that the public’s current high carbohydrate intake is likely causing, or exacerbating, cancers, dementia, Alzheimers and many, many more diseases that are caused by inflammation. Carbohydrates drive your insulin levels. High levels of insulin damage our body in numerous ways.
I know I have posted over and over that the best reason for this diet is your BRAIN! This diet is the best way we know to protect your brain and as we age that is so crucially important!

Hi all, another reason to cut the carbs right down is because they are addictive. The more you have the more you want – think a slice of bread and then you want another. Especially highly processed carbs like bread or pasty, they are so moreish. Once you get used to doing without these carbs your body wont even think about them and it gets easier to say no. My treat would be allowing a bread roll with a meal out maybe once a month. Unfortunately, I have not been practicing what I preach and struggling to lose the holiday weight but that is mainly due to alcohol. Got used to having a few glasses of wine each night and now cut it down to weekends – next step is to cut it down to once a month on that meal out.

Just keep on keeping on…

Hi Lucy,
How are you doing? I am back to full swing counting carbs…and keeping a north eye on my BG. I have lost about 2lb and am now the lightest I have been for 30+ years!!
Thinking of you.
xxx

Hi everyone. Thanks Pootle and well done for your continued effort.
I haven’t been good at all as my Dad has been very poorly rhis week and unfortunately passed away yesterday evening. It’s all been a shock although a considered outcome for a while.
Glad he’s not in that awful place but miss him already.
It’s always just been the three of us and I feel so very sad
Hope everyone is OK and hopefully will be back on the straight and narrow again soon.
It’s been a long road….and I feel exhausted. Xx

Lucy deepest sympathy to you and your family.
As an only child I understand how much more difficult these times are.
Most importantly be kind to yourself.
Time really does heal but in the meantime just try to get by day by day.
Thinking of you.

My very deepest and sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Bereavement following such a stressful period is very difficult. Take it one step at a time and try to remember the good times and that he is no longer suffering.
Thinking of you.
Xx

Thank you.
It’s hard .
Verano thanks, it’s a different situ when you’re rhe only one. It’s been a really tough road.
Thanks Pootle. Keep going….you’re doing so well.
Hopefully will be back with you soon. X

So sorry to hear your news Lucy. Be kind to yourself.

Hi Lucy, just touching base so you know we haven’t forgotten about you.

You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Look after yourself and look forward to the new grandchild!

XXX

Hi Pootle, thanks for the message.
Very up and down, can’t believe he’s gone. Have had to wait all this time for death certificate. So going to register death and collect that this morning. Was due to go on holiday tonortow to Spain but have had to cancel . My mum has little other support and I couldn’t have gone away and had ro come back to funeral.
Diet wise I’m fine for a few days and then I go off the rails, I can’t seem to sustain it. But my weight is holding around rhe same so that’s something.
Hopefully when things settle down I can get my head in gear , I don’t know why I can’t at the moment. It upsets me but I’m still 2 and half stone lighter. …so that’s what I keep in my head x

Hi Lucy I’m not normally on this thread but noticed your post in the Latest Posts section and just wanted to send my sympathies to you at this very difficult time. I’m an only child too and have now lost both my parents and I know how hard it is. Just be kind to yourself : you will have a lot to do and also there is a lot going on emotionally, some of which you won’t even be aware of. So look after yourself and once things start to settle I’m sure you’ll feel able to address the weight loss again. Sending you love and hugs X

Dreamscometrue…..that is so sweet. Thank you so much. It’s a really hard job being rhe only one, hard even if you have help but doing this alone is hard especially with a very insular mum who has never paid a bill, turned on a computer or sent a message it’s really tough.
Been doing admin all day and went ro registrar with mum to register his death. Wrote a little speech for the funeral….doubt I will even be able to say it. Everytime I start I end up in tears.
My diet veers between good period of days….then the wheels come off for a day or 2.
So tired all the time and gutted we were supposed to be getting on a plane tomorrow morning!
Sorry for going on.
Again thanks for your kind words. And sorry about your parents too. X

Hi Lucy,

It is not surprising that you have periods of good days… then the wheels come off. Dealing with grief and still having to cope with day to day life, on top of paperwork etc is incredibly stressful! I think you should congratulate yourself on the 2 1/2 stone you have lost, and on being able to have some ‘tidy diet days’!!
I lost both my parents less than a year apart, followed quickly by my only brother. Neither of us have children so I am the only one left. I am lucky that I have an understanding husband, who was helpful when it came to dealing with all the bureaucratic stuff. BUT to this day, it still affects me. The loneliness can, at times, be overwhelming. In the past, the temptation to comfort eat has taken over. I now have various strategies to avoid this, but I think you should give yourself time to grieve and keep as sane as possible. The diet is there when you can cope with it. Be kind to yourself.
xxx

Oh Pootle, that’s so awful and hard for you.
Must have been so difficult.
You’ve done so well to sort all that and take stick of your health etc with such amazing results.
It’s so odd….so many people say oh I’ve lost weight, I’m stressed, having a difficult time etc….I’m the opposite, I eat more when I’m stressed. I’ve had some tough times in my life and this has been gruelling but nothing has ever put me off eating!! It’s actually comedic value in our family. Apparently, no joke….when my mum had me they used to give the mum a break and feed the babies back then….I had a note on my cot to always be fed first or I would cry hysterically! That’s the truth!
X

Like you, I put weight on when I am stressed! When I got married the dress had to be let out before the day…I had put weight on because I was comfort eating…lots of sweet things! Now on top of that impulse (most of the time). Today I have 1/2 a tiramisu left in the fridge from visitors who can for supper last night. I am having to be SOOOO strong, just hope husband will eat it quickly!
xxx

Hi Lucy,
I just cannot believe we are very nearly half way through 2025!
I hope you, your Mum and your family are coping with the grief. I slipped yesterday..a chocolate brownie got the better of me! 🙄
Only hope it hasn’t disrupted my bloods too much!
It has made it even more difficult to resist eating sweet chocolate treats husband has in the house!
Have broken 2 bones in my right hand.. so finding everything difficult at the moment! That makes me want to eat… trying very hard to resist and be strong!
Thinking of you.

Hi Lucy,
Just posting to let you know that I am thinking of you.
Take care and be kind to yourself.
Xxxxx

Hi Pootle. So sorry been absent. Have had a lot to deal with, my dad’s funeral and having to cope without him, seems a cliche but I miss him so much. My parents were married for 60 years and were together 3 years more than that so understandably my mum is heartbroken. So much to sort out admin wise too .
I’m ashamed to say the wheels came off completely which is partly why I haven’t messaged. I’ve put on half a stone, probably more now. It’s my birthday today so have had lots more goodies and alcohol etc. I’ve loved being free so to speak and eating what I want but now I just feel foul and fat again. More worrying is my yearly blood tests ar eon the 9th…and that’s not going to be good either.
I don’t know how it all went so wrong but it did and I have to regroup . New beginnings…but have lots of chocolate and cakes in the fridge which aren’t going to go in a day or two. Maybe I will have to give them away but that doesn’t feel righ4 for those who bought them for me . I’ve probs gained 3/4 stone now and I have let myself down.
I actually want to get back to it. Have rebooted a holiday that got cancelled due to my dad’s death for 30 Sept…so want to be right back on track and slim by then.
Hope everyone is doing well. . … or at least better than me.
I don’t know how I can focus wirh all this stuff in the house. But I really have to. Xx

Hi Lucy,
As I said, be kind to yourself!
I am not surprised that the diet has fallen by the wayside, but it is great that you are climbing back on board and you will soon see results!
I think the weight recently put back on will come off more easily than it did the first time round!
I know what you mean about feeling ’free’, I believe we would all agree that having to think about what we are eating all the time can get very tiresome! But I also know that the guilt that follows a slip up is very destructive!
Part of my motivation is finding something I can reward myself with when I have stuck to the ’plan’! (In my case, a super, low carb meal out, but as my fav fish restaurant has closed…now another new hat! 😂)
Many happy returns for yesterday…
🤞🤞 and all positive vibes coming from me to you!
Take care.

Hi Lucy, I’m sorry you are feeling so low. I’ve been struggling a bit recently too (and that’s after being on this way of eating for many years) it happens, often for no particular reason except a bit of “body/mind rebellion” but you have good cause. So, as Pootle says do be kind to yourself and don’t add any guilt about losing your way on the eating front to the load you are carrying right now.
You can find your way back and re-booking your cancelled holiday is a great idea and incentive.
I know what you mean about being seemingly ungrateful about giving away birthday chocolate and cakes (in the past I’ve “scoffed” the lot in one or two sittings just to get them out of the way). Could you perhaps donate some to your local food bank? That way someone else gets to celebrate your birthday, even if they don’t know it. And not now, but before Christmas or your next birthday perhaps make casual comments about how you don’t find such things appealing anymore and love nice toiletries, or anything else you enjoy, instead? Maybe your friends will hear you and it also gives them a gift idea. I did that and now it’s actually true.
Wrap up any food related feelings of shame/failure in left over birthday paper and throw it in the bin where it belongs. Also, this very hot weather we are having can also cause us to retain fluids and swell up and weigh a bit heavier, it was spoken about on this site a long time ago.
I hope you did have a nice birthday.
Best wishes to you

Lucy just give yourself a ‘big hug’.
Tomorrow is another day.
One day at a time.
When the time is right for you you will get back on track …. in the meantime no guilt just heal yourself.
Take care.

Lucy, you might find that the recent lapse in diet and weight gain wont have too much impact on your results as they are a look at a 3 month period. Depends on how long you have been off plan. When I got back from the cruise and had to go straight into a test, I knew I was going to be in a bad situation. I was, and if I had seen my usual doctor he would have understood, just I got to see an interr and he basically told me off for my results and asking why did I have to eat so much. Felt like slapping him as my ‘too much’ is never the same as eating bread and desserts but still having things I wouldn’t normally. I tried to do my best by taking meats and fruits to the cabin for shaky times but what are you supposed to do when you are having lunch in a pizzeria in Rome. It is a blip in my life and so is yours and doesn’t define you or your future dieting plans.

BTW happy birthday for the 1st.

Thank you all, you’ve been so kind. So all the chocolate and cake has gone… all visitors have been force fed upon arrival and I have obviously eaten it too. But its gone and I’ve weighed….not as bad as could have been. 6lbs off my lowest weight so give or take uts about half stone. Holiday on 30 Sept so approx 11 weeks to sort it all out and get down as much as possible.
The 6lbs weight gain is odd though its all gone to my middle. My tummy wasn’t this bad 2 and half stone ago I don’t think.
May cancel my yearly bloods and put them back a couple weeks. I’m not sure I could deal with any more hassle at the moment. Will see how I feel .
You’ve all been so kind and I really appreciate it. Hope youre all doing well. Xx

Hi Lucy,
That is great to hear! I am sure that the 6lb will go quickly now the temptations are out of the house!
🤞for you and cheering you on!
Look forward to your holiday with a ‘new’ you!
Xxx

Morning everyone. Some positive news from me this week. Had my blood test results and down at hba1c 38. I mean wow. One year ago I was 48 and diabetic. Thought because I’d fallen off rhe wagon it wasn’t going to be great. But this is considered below normal and I can’t believe it . I’m really proud of myself.And in hindsight yes I ate a lot of wrong things but still a lot of right things if you see what I mean.
Also back on diet 100 percent….plus have done along walk early morning past couple days. And I lost 3lbs this week.
So 3 more and back to my lowest. Them the extra stone to go. Which I aim to achieve by October when I go away (30 sept).
Hope everyone is surviving in this heat and doing well! Xx

Brilliant news Lucy!
Wow…38! That is excellent!! and the 3lb loss. Onwards….
Keep on keeping on!!
XXXX

Lucy just jumping on here to say how pleased I am to read your news. Particularly after all you have gone through recently you must be delighted! You are so right in saying that even though you ate a lot of the wrong things you still ate a lot of the right things. And your efforts have paid off. Well done! I’m sure you will now continue with your weight loss and I look forward to reading about that in due course!
Best wishes, and have a great weekend X

Knew it would not impact too badly, imagine how low it would have been if you hadn’t had some difficulties. Keep up the good work.

Thank you everyone. I’m actually over the moon with it .
Need to concentrate on weight loss now and get off the remaining 3lbs to get to my lowest and then my last stone or so
Xx

So I put on a lb this week. Despite walking most days and adhering to diet.

The only thing I can think is enjoying a few drinks a few of times sat in the garden.
So need to rein that in now too.
Wow life is tough lol, gave up smoking, strict diet and cut down alcohol!!!
Hope youre all doing better than me! X

Hi Lucy,
I told the doctor “When I became allergic to the sulphites in wine, 🍷 I gave up drinking alcohol. When I developed a cough, I gave up smoking 🚬 . When diabetes struck, I gave up eating sweet things 🍰, bread 🍞, potatoes 🥔 , pasta 🍝 , pastry 🥐 and rice 🍚 . Don’t ever tell me I cannot have a good strong coffee!” ☕️
I have a bean to coffee machine, and really enjoy a strong black coffee every morning and when ever I feel in need during the day. It is my daily indulgence!! I am dreading the time someone says it is damaging my health and I have to stop!!
The 1lb could be because your body has suddenly decided it needs to conserve fat again… I am certain your perseverance will pay off!
Keep on keeping on,
Kath. Xxxx

Yes seem to have given up so much. Have t drunk wine ina long time due to the calories etc. But I do love a short, like rum, vodka, gin etc. With coke zero or something.
Need to rein that in a bit, got into a habit of enjoying the evening sun and having a few glasses.
So strictly weekends only from now on. 🥲
It’s definitely not helping the weight loss.
However I am still getting up most days and heading for my walk. 2.2 miles around local reservoir. Non stop. It’s so beautiful. Free and helps the soul.
Not going today as have the house clean to do so that will keep me active.
I have 10 weeks until my holiday and have devised a pound a week loss in my head.
I think I can do it ,.onwards and upwards. X