Oh …. thanks soosiewoosy! HUGS …. i can actually do that right NOW … i have some in the cupboard!!!

I swear i have the longest intestines in the Northern hemisphere!!

THANKS!!!!

I have occasionally eaten raw bran and a ton of chipped flaxseeds!! with limited success. Even Ex-lax and such take days!!!!

­hugs, too, shalimar, and I quote…
The fiber-rich seeds keep you full­ — Plus, the fiber in chia seeds also he­lps you stay regular.
A good source of omega-3 fatty acids­ —Just one serving of chia seeds (28 g) ­contains about 5 grams of alpha-linoleni­c acid (ALA) that your body can convert ­into omega 3 fatty acids.
They promote strong bones­ — Chia seeds have calcium, manganese an­d phosphorus, which are all important fo­r bone health.
Chia seeds are also full of protein­ — Another benefit of consuming chia see­ds: One serving contains about 5 grams o­f plant-based protein.
Chia seeds have some unusual culinary p­roperties: Tiny as they might look, they­ expand rapidly when combined with liqui­ds, and, in fact, can absorb 9 to 12 tim­es their own volume in a matter of minut­es. You can sprinkle this versatile seed­ on top of yogurt or oatmeal, bake them ­into cookies or combine them with mashed­ fruit for instant for a nutritional boost

They are in my cupboard …. i just took a teaspoonful with a sip of coffee.

I’ll take some more with a late lunch … going out for corn fried catfish ….. it will be cucumber sliced for supper to make up for that.

Your food sounds delicious! I love watching diners drive ins and dives. Just been tormenting myself by watching an episode with pulled pork, apple dumplings and Ecuadorian food. I’ve never seen such huge kernels of corn (or hominy, as he called it) God, I’m starving! Had to make myself a mug of peppermint tea to compensate! Another episode coming up. We don’t get great food in our diners in the uk. Its always disappointing. Like our weather! Enjoy your catfish!

I don’t get the Food Channel anymore but that Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives ….. man o man it sure makes you want to dive in head first!!! YUMMY.

My favorite cooking show is any season of The Great British Baking Show … which is on my PBS channels via the USA … i’m just a 30 minute drive from the USA border … mind you i don’t drive!!! And i don’t bake either … even when i have a working oven!!

I’d love to please join this post too. I started 10 October too and am 165 cm (5f 5″) and currently 75kg. Looking to lose about 15kg to get to a healthy BMI. I started at 77kg on Monday 10/10 and have already lost 2kg. Very excited!

I’m sure at this stage a lot is water weight, but finding my sugar cravings down and stabilised.

Lakhi 🙂 …. it is very exciting!! 2 kg is wonderful!!

Thanks Shalimar 😊 Have you had any luck with the chia seeds? I”m starting to feel a little blocked up too

When feeling ‘clogged’ I often find a glass of ice cold water followed by strong hot coffee …errrr….gets things moving. I don’t know why! An old trick of my auntie’s. But it works for me 😄

Thanks so much Maharani Kitten! I will try that in the morning! Wow! What an unusual tip! 😊

Good morning Day Five!

Urg I got up early because I have to fast from 7:00 am. Weighed myself, exactly the same as yesterday, two days in a row without loss! Despite “perfect” compliance with diet. My stomach isn’t awake this early (I often breakfast at 9:00 after the kids have left for school) so forcing down bacon and a few strawberries was a bit of an ordeal – but I felt I had to because I won’t be able to eat again until dinner time! Then, depending on how I feel, I’ll have the steak and salad husband is cooking tonight for the family, or just some chicken soup I’ve already made.

I didn’t have time to finish my cup of tea before the clock stuck 7 and turned me into a pumpkin. It has milk in it, so not allowed. I can have water, black tea, or apple juice. What??? Why Apple juice? No lemon in my water, but I can have a cup of liquid sugar.

Well I’m a little tired and cranky right now, I’m going to crawl back into bed!

Morning all WOW cant believe it lost 2.5 kg after 4 days BSD! I know alot is water but still its encouraging😊, dont want it to all go pear shaped now so think i will repeat the last few days meals. Thinking of you natalie and hope all goes well today :-))

Morning gang – so I decided to take a sneaky look at the scales today and I’m 5.5 lb down – whoop whoop!
I’ve not counted calories or carbs – just stuck to the advice and recipies in the book to ease myself into the swing of things so that when my weight loss slows down (which I’m assuming it will) I can then start reducing the calories and carbs to boost my body back into weight loss.

I look forward to hearing all your updates – I read them during my lunch hour so that I’m not concentrating on my food 😋

Have a lovely day beautiful people

Day 5 is here…waking up with a headache but think that may have been the one gin and tonic we rashly had last night….and why? Because some fentimans tonic arrived with the shopping! Heigh Ho.
Lol at the people watching ‘food porn’ – I just can’t whilst I’m focused on healthy eating. It sometimes makes me peckish, and sometines a bit nauseous!
Maharani kitten, I too have a long abusive relationship with food. I was sorry to hear of your childhood experiences. I think some of my issues came from my Nana who herself was a troubled soul. I have spent a lot of time (and money) getting myself to a place of acceptance, and feel ready to leave this suit of fat behind now and move on.
So Friday starts my weekend as I don’t work ( well lots of admin, but at home) so I meet a friend for lunch. I’m thinking cote brasserie and a salad with the dressing on the side. And a nice cappuccino as a treat. Will do chicken and courgetti tonight.
Hope yesterday went OK Natalie.

Yummy start to today, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, small cappuccino. 309 cals and worth every one!

I, too, started with scrambled egg and smoked salmon for breakfast.

Lunch was, unavoidably, a sarnie.

Supper was salmon with ginger, from the book. Delicious.

Home now, so a weekend of lovely food from the book. Have a good, one, everybody!

Hello everyone! I got through the operation ok, a bit sore and I slept 13 hours last night but I’ll be fine.

I had bacon and strawberries yesterday morning then fasted all day, not even water most of it although I did have a drip in after the op. They gave me cheese and crackers when I was alert enough to eat – I was not in the slightest worried about the carbs I hadn’t eaten for nine hours! But I did refuse lemonade or sugar in my tea, I did NOT want to have to go through sugar withdrawal again! I was feeling ok at that point but by the time Tim got me home the pain killers were wearing off, I barely had the energy for a bit of chicken soup then collapsed into bed. Total for the day 795 cal/ 25g carb so it actually fit into the BSD really well. After after three days of no loss, I went down 0.7kg overnight (1.5 lbs). I wonder how much of that was fibroids and blood loss!?

Anyway, really glad to have that done and over with, and I’m also glad I didn’t wait to start the BSD. It’s good to already have nearly a week under my belt.

And we are all so happy to have you back Natalie. 🙂 🙂 🙂 HUGS 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 HUGS 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 HUGS 🙂 🙂 🙂

Good morning Day Six!

Plan for the day:
B: yoghurt with raspberries
L: cream of chicken soup
D: butter chicken with cauliflower rice

Two cups of tea with milk, lots of water. Rest and recovery in front of the TV!

Thanks Shalimar and everyone for your good wishes!

Hi Everyone. I started the BSD on 8 Oct, so hope you don’t mind a late joiner to this forum! My starting stats were 43yrs 165cm 87kgs (192lbs). I have T2D (for 16 yrs now) and am insulin dependant. I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager and managing the diabetes is a daily battle, with most days ending on the losing side 🙁 I usually crave carbs, which drives the insulin requirement higher, which makes me hungry for more carbs – it’s a vicious, exhausting battle.

My goal in starting the BSD was to get my daily insulin requirement down, my HbA1c to normal and to lose weight (20kg). I started with fairly low expectations. I couldn’t imagine eating so few calories. Before I started, I was eating bread at most meals, snacking between meals, eating lots of processed junk (chocolate, cookies) etc. I basically went cold turkey – a colleague said she found it easier to cut the “bad” stuff out completely rather than stick to the “everything in moderation” philosophy. That stuck with me, so I’ve adopted that approach. To my amazement the 1st week has been easier than I expected! I’ve kept the calories around 900, with 3 meals a day an NO snacking between (and NO bread!). Drinking LOADS of water and tea. Every time I felt that hunger “wave” or emptiness, I drank a glass of water. I’ve been lucky not to experience any major cravings or headaches so far. The worst side effect has been tiredness – I’ve been going to bed 1 to 2 hours earlier this week (usually a real night owl)! And the best thing is that I’ve been able to dramatically reduce my insulin intake this week.

I’ve lost 2kgs so far and I’m feeling lighter and more positive. My belly is “softer” – not such a hard swollen mass. I really hope I can keep this going.

Good luck everyone!

Hi Natalie, pleased your op is over and you’ll soon be on the mend, and welcome Lara, how brave to acknowledge your diet ‘sins’ and want to deal with your T2D 16 years after diagnosis, it’s brilliant to hear your insulin requirement is down.

Day 6 for me and I’m truly amazed at the rapid improvement In blood sugar readings as someone pretty newly diagnosed. My doctor was very scathing about this ‘celebrity fad diet’ as he called it, insisted I see a dietician, who advised ‘regular portions of starchy food’ and buying Frankenstein food, processed, reduced fat cheese, yoghurt and revolting vegetable spread made in a factory.

I was so terrified by my diagnosis that for 3 months I did everything they said this and PUT ON almost two stones, despite previously holding a steady weight on a low carb regime and maintaining my exercise plan of rowing, walking, cycling and swimming.. Starting This plan is me taking back control.

Planning to weigh every three days and am looking forward to stepping on the scales this morning for the first time in a while, because I’ve been approaching them with dread, lately! Next doc’s appointment is in 6 weeks and I want to have lost 18 lbs on my ‘celebrity fad diet’!

I’ve settled back nicely into more regulated eating. Today’s menu is

Yoghurt and raspberries
6 almonds
chicken salad
Low carb lasagne made with cabbage, not pasta, and spinach

Happy Sgaturday, all. X

Morning all day 6 looming and the weekend, traditionally the ‘tempting’ time but going for a retail browse, not intending to buy but in the hope that i will be motivated by what i could wear if i stick to the BSD 👍, thats the theory anyway, the things us women do 😂😂.

Glad to hear you seem to be over the worst natalie and great about your weight loss👏.

Welcome lara and glad you are settling in with the BSD routine, ive found this group great for motivation and hints and tips so hopefully you will too.

Good luck today everyone 💪🏻

Day Six completed! Very proud of myself today. I got hungry in the afternoon and had some cheese, but had less dinner to compensate. Then we had family movie night, and Tim bought my favourite chips (crisps) and I didn’t have any! Or chocolate or anything! Amaze balls. Total for the day 855 cals 43 g carbs.

Normally feeling unwell would mean extra food indulgence to make myself feel better, because I “deserve it” somehow, or it doesn’t count if I’m sick or stressed. But not today!

I’ve spent the day resting, only really started to feel myself by late afternoon. Very sore throat still from the tube they put down it but otherwise good. I’m sure another good night’s sleep will do the trick.

Skipped Breakfast this morning, so this is how the rest of the day went…

Lunch
Avocado sandwich made with half an avocado and 2 slices Vogel’s soya and linseed bread TOTAL 333 cals

Dinner
8 week blood sugar diet – Skinny aubergine lasagne, 1 cup 200 cals
Cauliflower Cheese, 330 g 250 cals
Tesco – Freshly Frozen Petit Pois, 50 g 31 cals
TOTAL 481 cals

GRAND TOTAL 814 cals

Skipped cake and custard, not really my scene, anyway!

Hi Soosiewoosy,
Sounds like a very satisfying day. Just wanted to ask how many carbs for the day with the two soy and linseed breads and petit pois? Are you having success focussing on calories only?

Good morning Day Seven! We’ve nearly completed a whole week!

I weighed the same as yesterday, I have make sure I don’t get upset by down, down, same, up, down because that is how it’s always going to be! If I can’t handle it I’ll switch to weekly weighing. It can be frustrating when you don’t lose weight every single day when you’re eating so few calories. But usually I can accept daily fluctuations as interesting.

Today’s plan:
B: bacon, cucumber, tomato
L: roast beef and veges
D: family dinner at sister-in-law’s, assuming I feel well enough

Obviously the family dinner could be tricky, I’m still feeling tired and sore and I’m not sure I’m up to it physically or socially. And I don’t know what she will serve, it’s easy when it’s “family style” as they call it in the US, serve yourself from big platters because I can take what and how much I want. But sometimes it will be individual plates piled high with mashed potato or something. And they can be very insistent on dessert. (I can be just as determined saying no thank you.) Today I can use the operation as an excuse for not eating much, anyway!

We take in turns cooking each week, it’s easier for me when I cook!

I have some goals for the week. I’ve done very well cutting out all the things BSD doesn’t allow, but I need to add in some healthy habits.
* two serves of fish this week (had one in first week). I’m not a huge fan and my husband and daughter won’t eat seafood at all so it’s an effort to include it, but I know it’s healthy
* two serves of healthy carbs like quinoa or lentils. I’ve been sticking to just veges so far but MM uses a lot of these things in his recipes. I love quinoa so I’ve scheduled that in, bit worried about keeping carb count down!
* 30 min walk every day instead of occasionally, dependant on my recovery of course
* at least two sessions of listening to one of my meditation apps.

Anything I haven’t covered?

Have a great Sunday, wherever you are!

I Loved your post- especially the bit about 56 days. In my notebook I have a date, Day 1 through Day 56 . I kind of thought by seeing the actual number of days it would help. Just coming to the end of day 6 and am on track. Most days slightly over 800 but not by much. Good news is 7 lbs down so far so I’m pretty happy about that.

I look for things to substitute for eating… reading, cleaning , wait for it – ironing!

One thing I have noticed is that I am slightly edgy.. normally I am a happy camper but I have had the grizzles. I bought myself a coffee cup that says on one side: “I’m SORRY for what I said When I was HUNGRY”. and on the other side says:” han-gry adj. a state of anger caused by lack of food creating irrational and erratic emotion.” That cheered me up a bit so at least I could laugh at myself.

Hi soosiewoosy
I read your lunch and dinner selections with interest. I tend to have chicken and salad or prawns and salad most days, with 1 teaspoon of oil/vinegar dressing. I really must try to branch out bit. The dinner one sounded good too, so I will work on expanding my menus.

Hi californiagirl
Just going through this week’s posts and found yours. I will look into that book you mentioned. My carbs thus far have ranged between 11 and 35 per day . I track the calories and the Fatsecret program has all the other values so I am not going demented working this stuff out.
Thanks for the tip about that book.

Hi Lakhi

Yes, I do not count carbs AT ALL!

Just the cals does it for me.

I don’t normally eat much bread, but they are such small slices, I couldn’t fit my 1/2 avocado in!

I have lost weight since I started – I started off on the 5:2 diet and have just switched over to the BSD.

Weighed yesterday and delighted at 6lbs off on day six – good motivation to continue!
Have noticed I’m using tiredness as an excuse not to exercise every day so I need to cut that out.
Isn’t exercise a weird thing. You know you’ll feel better if you do it, but you still resist…
I AM tired though … More so than usual, so next week am going to try:

Getting a multivit and B vit supplement
Going to bed an hour earlier, even if it’s just to rest and read

Working today, so taking packed lunch and not trusting to a buffet!

Breakfast.
Yoghurt and seeds
Lunch
feta salad
Dinner
More cabbage leaf lasagne with broccoli
Snack
6 almonds

Oh, also. FBS has settled at 4.5 – amazing – and the highest I’ve measured this week after eating is 8.8 – usually lower – which is also a real result.

Well its Day 7 for me and I’ve lost 3.8kg so far. Pretty happy with that! What a week it has been – enjoying the cauliflower rice & zucchini spaghetti in recipes, and Saturday night without a wine!! Actually I’ll have had 6 alcohol free days in the week…… most unusual!!! It really is all about changing old habits isn’t it……
Just made a yummy carrot and butter bean soup for a few work lunches this week.
Yesterday I bought the new 8 Week BSD Recipe book (Australia/NZ version) and look forward to trying out some of them over the coming weeks.
I enjoy trying new recipes but I’m trying not to overdo it. About 3 years ago I did my first round of Michelle Bridges 12 WBT.
Loved the menus & cooked a different 12WBT recipe every night for the first 8 weeks before deciding I could just remake my favourites rather than trying new ones EVERY day!!! LOL!!!!! However, I am adapting many of those recipes to further reduce the carbs.
Too many favourite recipes could be my problem!
Hope everyone has a great week ahead. I look forward to seeing my final loss tomorrow morning for week 1 but know that I won’t have a chance to jump online to post anything.

Hey Natalie – how did you go with the family dinner??????

Purple that is an amazing loss for your first week! I’ve lost just under 2kg, hoping for a little more for official weigh-in tomorrow, but I’m very happy with that anyway.

I’ve had my first real deviation from the plan today. Felt very unwell all day, spent most of the day in bed, and got my husband to make me Vegemite on toast for a late lunch. Two slices, 30g carb (low GI hi fibre white bread). I just couldn’t face any BSD type food. I’m ok with this (my strict rule at the moment is no sugar, I’m ok with small amount of other starches), maybe I shouldn’t be turning to old comfort foods, but I can live with it. Feeling a bit better now, up watching TV, family are going to head off to family dinner without me while I stay home and have leftover butter chicken with cauliflower rice from yesterday, watch Australian Survivor and go to bed early. My stats for the day should still work out ok, will post after I’ve had dinner. Not very hungry.

What are other people’s comfort foods when sick? My husband loves scrambled eggs, but to me the smell of eggs when I’m sick is the worst possible! Nauseating! Maybe it’s just whatever your mum fed you when you were a kid so you associate it with feeling looked after.

Morning all on day 7 for me, not going to weigh till tomorrow to motivate myself to stay good today. My shopping idea was good yesterday as i did lots of walking and not much spending 😂.
Dont beat yourself up whilst your sick Natalie, just concentrate on getting better sure you will make up for it when back to full strength. My comfort food when ill is a thick slice of toast with butter (lots) and strawberry jam not very exciting i know but yummy yummy, think it must be something from my childhood!
Thanks for everyones food ideas always enjoy reading them, they give me ideas. I havent got MM’s recipe book but use Pinterest for inspiration.
Good luck everyone for today.

M

Day Seven completed, first week done (in Australia anyway). Feeling better this evening. I was coding dinner into my CalorieKing app and wondering why the butter chicken had so many carbs. It’s a recipe I had plugged into the app ages ago. Looked up the details and I’d included the rice I would normally eat with it! Have adjusted that, which means I also had less calories and carbs than I thought yesterday.

Finished today on 722 cals 47 carbs. Very proud of myself that I’ve got through a whole week with only slight slip from plan, considering stuff going on. Have I ever gone a whole week without chocolate before?

Hi Soosiewoosy, thank you!!!! That is great to hear. Counting calories to 800 without worrying too much about the carb count and losing weight is heartening and will make it easier for me. Many thanks!!

Week One results!
Starting weight: 83.8kg
Today’s weight: 81.5 kg
1st week loss: 2.3 kg.
Very happy with this!

Morning all, week one over, and not much success for me, the scales are the same this morning but….I had lost just over 1kg By day three, then ended up bed ridden for the rest of the week with a bad back (I’m currently suffering through three slipped disks with minor nerve impingement). I did stick to the menu, but didn’t drink nearly enough water as the thought of having to get up and go to the loo frequently was a bit daunting. I don’t think the codiene helped either….bit of a catch 22 really, my GP says to lose 10% body weight and I’ll see an improvement with my back. Anyhow, day off again today, so the plan is to reread the book and go again this week. Great to see the amazing weight loss for you guys so far! On the bright side, I’m up and about today and counting last weeks efforts as a practice run!

Sorry to hear about the bad back, Wishbone, glad you’re up and about now. Nothing wrong with a practice week, I think even the famous Lucia took a few weeks to ease into it.

Good morning Day Eight. My plan for the day is a bit dependent on whether I’m able to get up to the shops to buy a few things, but Plan A:
B: yoghurt with raspberries
L: rotisserie chicken with salad
D: roast beef and vegetables

Tea with milk, chicken broth, lots of water.

hi Wishbone – sorry you were not 100% yourself during this first week. More important to get better and do the best you can in the interim and then go full tilt when you are up to it. I feel sure you will notice improvement soon.

Good results Natalie, sorry about your back Wishbone hopefully you will feel better soon and get up and about! First week over and I was surprised how easily it went for me! Apart from slightly constipated although drinking loads of water I have felt great after the first few days of headaches and getting used to less calories! I’m pleased to say I have lost 9.5lbs and 2 inches from my waist and have the added side effects of no irritable bowel symptoms, sleeping better, more energy and skin is not as itchy! So all over good results for me. Here’s to a good second week for everyone and I’m looking forward to read everyone else’s results! X

Good morning 10/10 ‘ers.
Did you hear my whoop of delight as I stepped off the scales this morning? 9 lbs off after the first week on this round and the first time I have stuck to the plan apart from a couple of G & T’s whilst watching Strictly. I have counted calories ( approximating at times) but not bothered too much about carbs. I think I will leave that until the weight loss slows down. Now to week two.
X B

Those are huge losses Ren65 and Busybee! Congrats! (Trying not to grumble as my 2.3 kg [5 lbs] doesn’t seem quite so great,)

Finished Day Eight on 754 cals 30g carb. I feel like I’m eating such huge meals. The amount of vegetables I’m eating is limited by my stomach, not the calorie or carb count! Plenty of meat and fat too. When you don’t use your calories to “buy” carby foods, you can afford so much else.

Struggling with getting enough fluid the last couple of days as it seems to make me feel bloated and gassy. Hopefully that will pass. No pun intended.

Wow yes i agree huge losses, well done Ren and Busybee, hey Natalie i’ve lost 5lbs too but thats still fantastic👍. Feeling positive at the start of week 2 although holidays are looming at the end of the week, as were going to Spain i’m hoping to do the BSD med style 😂. Good luck to everyone this week👍

Hi Granny I was wondering if you were still around. It’s only been a couple of days but I’ve been a bit of an invalid staring at the screen so it seemed like longer!

You’re right, 5 lbs is fantastic, I’m sure more than I’ve ever lost before in one week. And 2 cm off my waist. Won’t be long before I have a visible waist again!

Well done Ren65, 9lbs, that’s amazing, and everyone else who has done well and stuck at it this week – it works!
I had a bit of a ‘whoosh’ over the weekend and weighed in at just under 8lbs down on the same time last week.
Face looks less puffy and ‘carby’, fasting blood sugars remain much improved. Am very happy with all that, and not finding it too difficult just now – certainly not hungry.

This week, I need to stop making excuses and get my exercise mojo back. I’m not as tired as I think I am…

Wishing you all the strength to make good choices this week. MK x

Good morning Day Nine and congrats to everyone who has stuck with this so far! Sounds like things are going well, Maharani kitten. A whoosh is a lovely thing!

Granny I think my problem with eating in Spain is that they don’t have dinner until 10 at night, I’ve heard. I like to eat at 6! Hopefully you can find Med-acceptable meals though, make careful choices at tapas. Have a lovely time!

My plan for the day:
B: two egg omelette
L: broccoli-base pizza (excited to try!)
D: taco salad (everything I would put in a taco, without the taco, one of my favourite meals, lots of jalapeño chillies)

Tea with milk, chicken broth, increasing water intake. No exercise yet, just doing the shopping will be enough for me today I think.