Hi JGwen
I have 2 blood glucose monitors – an SD Codefree and an Accu-Chek Performa Nano. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at the beginning of August and got the meters at the end of August so have been using them for between 4 & 5 months.
The SD Codefree is the one I use on a daily basis to test before and 2 hours after my meals (so 4 times a day right now). The SD Codefree was recommended by a lot of people on the forum at diabetes.co.uk. There is some general information about the SD Codefree here https://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose-meters/sd-codefree-blood-glucose-meter.html .
One of the reasons people suggest it (probably the main one) is that the test strips are cheap compared to those for some of the other monitors. The starter pack, (which includes the monitor, the lancing device, a few lancets and test strips, is £15.50 (slightly cheaper if you are diabetic).
On-going costs include the lancets (£5 per 100) and test strips (£9.23 – 50, £46 – 250). There is also a discount code which is in a number of posts in the diabetes.co.uk forum – easy to find – which will reduce cost of testing strips slightly.
I’ve also got an Accu-Chek Performa Nano which I bought just after the Codefree. I bought it because it was the bg monitor recommended to GP practices in my area (to provide to Type 1 diabetics, so not me sadly) and I found it on offer (rare) in a local pharmacy!
I’ve used this to record and show my data to clinicians, so e.g. I used it for 2 weeks before my last meeting with the practice nurse and used these numbers rather than the Codefree numbers. I’ve also used it at times to compare with Codefree readings. The Performa Nano starter pack is £24.95 from Boots, (more expensive on Amazon), the test strips are £20 for 50 (Boots, again – didn’t check Amazon).
There is a question about the accuracy of the monitors generally – as sunshine-girl says. In my experience, the Codefree readings are consistently higher than the readings from the Performa Nano, (I don’t know, of course, which is more accurate) and I get the odd anomalous reading, more than with the Performa Nano.
All things being equal, I’d prefer the Performa Nano. But the Codefree is much cheaper to run and it does a ‘good enough’ job for me. I’ve found it helpful in seeing the trend in my readings over time (downwards, yeah). It’s also been good at identifying any before and after meal spikes – equally as good at this as the Performa Nano, and I guess this is what you’d be using it for.

Is the experiment to do with testing the impact of the introduction of coconut into the diet which you mentioned in another post? I thought that was a really interesting discussion. Will be interested to hear what your next steps are once you’ve weighed up the costs/benefits, etc. I know you talked about more research into the impact of coconut on blood sugar– it’d be great to have the links to this at some point.
Cheers
Marie
n.b. – I haven’t had many post-meal spikes but from the ones I’ve had they can be related to content, but also to portion size – so if you do go ahead make sure you use the same portion-sizes.

Hi Squidge

Yes work is one of life’s problems, but it does distract me from eating – most of the time!

Aaargh – work gets in the way of life, doesn’t it? Talking of which, I should probably do some.

Morning all, weight the same today but I know why – I didn’t have a visit from the poo fairy yesterday – too much information. BG is around 5.9 with a 1 unit reduction in insulin, so I am pleased with that.

Regarding my comments about the results of testing using a home method meaning nothing can I qualify it by saying it means nothing because it is random, uncontrolled and the results are so variable as to be a waste of time as you dont know what you are measuring. I know that there are parameters to guide as to what numbers mean you are pre- or diabetic but unless these results are come to using either glucose tolerance test or HbA1c (or there are a couple of others doctors do) then you do not know what you are seeing. For example, if you take a test every morning without eating for say 10 hours you might get a consistent reading for that time but it will also depend on so many other things. What did you eat the day before, sometimes a late night snack can lower blood glucose, sometimes and alcoholic drink can either lower or higher BG. It is so complicated that it is hardly worth the time, the cost and the pain. None of these home kits are accurate be it blood pressure monitor, blood glucose or cholesterol testing. In fact, we have a blood pressure monitor and it had to be taken into the doctors to be calibrated so it was giving the same readings as his professional sphygmo. My concern is that people can get panicked by spurious results and might also be doing more damage i.e. nerve damage to fingers. I do it twice a day because I am on insulin and it has to be carefully monitored but even my machine can have its glitches. Always open for discussion.

I have just done 30 mins aerobic exercise and hoping for some other movements and sticking to the plan with portobellow mushroom meal for breakfast, ploughmans for lunch and clear out the fridge frittata for dinner with a slice left over for supper. Have a good day everyone.

Squidge

Yes our posts keep crossing, I keep getting interrupted by calls from clients (don’t they realise I’m busy!!).

If I’m honest I blame the hypothyroidism for everything! I now have a new approach of taking responsbility for my body and what I eat.

Hello Squidge

My doctor was so blase about the diagnosis. He just said take these for the rest of your life and you will be OK. I had to go home and google it. So sorry you had a goitre, one of the worse things about hypo I suspect.

I think that is the story of my life “a bit of cake/chocoate/baileys/crackers/cheese/curry/pie/mash/pudding/chips won’t hurt”
Well we know that’s not true!! My new motto is “count everything”.

Hi Nonna.

All our posts are crossing over!

I did feel much better when I started treatment – but I was in a right state at that time. I never had a dramatic improvement in energy or anything like that. The change was gradual and I think I’m back to normal now. To be honest I was always a bit overweight before the hypothyroidism so I do know that can’t take all the blame.

Hello Nonna Mary

I had never heard to hypothyroidism before diagnosis and I am amazed to come across so many others affected by it.
The levo got rid of the cramps and fatigue, but I can still be a bit achey from time to time, but I remind myself that there are far worse illnesses out there.

I am determined that my weight loss journey will continue and wish you all well on your journeys.

Best Wishes
Jules

Jules, my test results were misread for years. I’m still cross as I told several different doctors I was sure that’s what I had. They agreed my symptoms matched, gave me a blood test and said I was fine. I was really ill by the time yet another doctor saw me. He read the results correctly and looked back on my notes and said the previous results clearly showed me getting worse. That was several years ago now and I’m fine, except for a very scraggy neck as I’d developed a goitre.

Sorry, may have gone into rant mode there!

Well done for resisting the mash! The thinking ‘a bit of X won’t hurt’ is something we need to get out of thinking. My current weight problem isn’t due to mad binges, but to regularly eating and drinking just a little bit more than I should.

Hello all, If I can just jump in here? I am also hypothyroid. It took 8 years to diagnose and of course I gained weight. The thyroid is such a complex gland that has so many jobs, it affects our bodies more than we give it credit. It has not been easy for me to lose weight but it is finally coming off. My husband has found he is no longer interested in the white carbs, except it is easier for him to take sandwiches to work, so still eats bread. He has also lost a couple of stone, without even trying!

JulesB, you have lost an astonishing amount of weight in a short time. My biggest lost has been 5 pounds. Bloody well done!

Squidge, I have never felt different after taking my levothyroxine either. However, my sister in law says she zooms around the house after taking hers! It may not be as easy for us hypos as it is for others, but it does work. I think you are all amazing.

All the best
Nonna Mary
xxx

Stretching is good. I’m mostly walking and stretching, with a bit of aerobics (at home from a DVD). I’ll do more strenuous stuff as I get fitter.

Hello Squidge

I was diagnosed in June through a routine blood test, although prior to diagnosis I had some muscle aches and cramps which I put down to “old” age, but I have no idea how long I have had it for. I joined a Facebook forum and everyone seemed to blame their weight gain on being hypo and I thought the days of being slim (ish) were over. I then came across the BSD and not being one who balks at challenges I thought I would give it a go and here we are!

We are both very motivated at the moment and hope that we can continue.

I laughed last night. I go to my Mum’s on a Tuesday and forewarned her that I was on the Fast 800 and only wanted protein and veg.
Lo and behold the biggest ever lump of mashed potato was on my plate. When I complained, her response “a bit of potato won’t hurt” .
Needless to say I didn’t eat it.

Good luck with your weighloss Squidge and thanks for your support.

I’m fine, no lifting and a lot of gentle stretching. Day 2 of Round 2 done and dusted. So many terrific Week 1s on this thread! It’s great fun to read.

Hiya Digpal. I am sure that Liz still gets the email notifications of posts on this thread. She will be thrilled that you are inspired by her.

On the drinking note. I was a 2 bottle of wine a day girl. I had times when I gave it up, but then there was always an excuse. I was fed up, it was a hard day, I deserved it, I wanted it, it was Monday! In retrospect, that sounds like an alcoholic to me! However, I did find, it was slowing my weight loss. I would be really careful, weighing my food, and calculating calories and carbs. Then down a bottle of wine (I had cut it down to one)…and crisps (chips to our american friends). I don’t eat chocolate, but if I have a drink…I DO! What is that about?

I now have elevated enzymes in my Liver which my Doctor told me are usually caused by alcohol. So I am almost teetotal. I had to share a bottle with Jovis to celebrate his Job offer! Now back on the wagon until my birthday next week. I have given up, Potatoes (used to love mash!), Pasta, (ate at least 5 portions (generous ones) a week), Rice..(a couple of times a week) and Bread (I made my own and it was to DIE for). One day I know I will eat a portion of these again…BUT NEVER IN THE SAME QUANTITIES OR AS OFTEN AS BEFORE! If I can do it with food I am going to do it with booze. I have a new mindset and the weight is coming off much faster than it used to.

I just want to put a caviat on the above. Some weeks I did forego the Satan’s Piss, I counted and measured etc. .and didn’t lose any weight…that was another excuse to drink after I weighed myself. I hope this helps you in some way. I too am 61, I used to weigh nearly 20 stone and now I am 15:11…my joints feel better and my back aches less (hurts when I have my 7 month old granddaughter, all that lifting and carrying). There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Allie, Theodora, Esnecca and others (sorry if I have missed you I know you are there) are LIVING PROOF that this works. Thank goodness we have role models to look up to!

Take care everyone.

Lots of love
Nonna Mary
xxx

Great results so far, JulesB! Keep it up.

I have hypothyroidism too. It was undiagnosed for a long time and I put on weight, but now I’m being treated I don’t think it makes much difference to how easy or otherwise it will be to get to and maintain a healthy weight. As you say, it’s easy to blame something like that as an excuse not to take action.

My husband is doing this too. He doesn’t have a lot to loose, so is being a little less strict. It does help that he’s mainly eating the same as me (he chooses extras that I don’t like, so as not to tempt me off track).

I used to add Chai seeds to my muesli (before BSD) for the omega three. I tried putting half a teaspoon in my porridge before cooking it and that works well. As they swell up and thicken it, quite a lot less porridge oats are needed to get the same texture. I had a third less and still wasn’t hungry at lunchtime.

Hello

I have been reading the forums for a couple of months, but finally taken the plunge and started the Fast 800 on 4th Jan 2018.
I have hypothyroidism and over the past couple of years I have steadily gained weight. However, I tend to blame the hypothyroidism for this when in reality I am like “Pacman” (some will remember the computer game!) eating everything in sight. So after Christmas and a 5 night cruise I started. Weighing in at a hefty 207lbs (the screams could be heard in Oz) I planned for the week.

My weight loss so far has been astonishing
5th Jan 204lb
6th Jan 201lb
7th Jan 199lb
8th Jan 198lb
9th Jan 197lb
10th – no loss today

So in 6 days a total of 10lbs! I am shocked, but also very motivated.

My husband has joined me on this endeavour – he is a bigger version of Pacman.

After all the waffle, my reason for posting is accountability. I want to be able to post a steady weightloss on a week by week basis and enjoy reading of other’s success.

So finally, here’s to a healthier and leaner 2018!

Thank you! It is making my target weight seem closer.

Hope you’re doing OK?

Hey well done Squidge, what a great start!

Morning all

Further to my very short post yesterday I haven’t weighed myself today and probably won’t until the weekend now – I just can’t face it.
There are a HELL of a lot of losses being reported this week – it’s so amazing – you are all amazing. whether you are a slow or fast loser or just planning on maintaining it’s so encouraging that so many of us are having successes.

Putting my modest 2.5lbs loss into perspective, if I did that every week I’d be at my goal in no time – well 8 weeks but that has a nice ring to it!. I also know that’s probably not realistic and one of my ‘resolutions’ for this year was to try and set realistic goals so I’m just setting it at a pound a week. If I could just get under 10st soonish I would be delighted. 3.5lbs to go!

My course yesterday was, very luckily, extremely interesting and time-consuming. I avoided all the sweets, cakes, biscuits and white carbs at break and lunch and just had my spinach and pea omlette (that I brought with) and some salad bits – few slices of pepper, some green beans and some shredded cabbage. The only thing was, and I’d be interested if anyone else has done this, I was actually so embarrassed that I’d brought my own lunch that I felt the need to eat it in the toilets!!!! I know!!! What the hell!!! Has anyone else found this – you don’t want to start having the conversation with people about why you are eating differently so you’d rather just hide it? I used to be really evangelical about this plan but I’ve had too many people say it’s rubbish so I don’t bother having the argument anymore – their loss.

Anyway – I’ve ranted enough – have a good day all KOKO
TC x

I’d love these diet programmes to get back the people from the previous year and see how they’re doing now. I suspect most are al least as heavy as they were before they started.

Did you see the thing on superfoods last night? It was very irritating to watch, but the small amount of advice was quite sensible. I can sum it up for you – fruit and veg is good for you, but don’t smooth masses of fruit or you’ll be drinking too much sugar. Also eat a wide range of healthy foods, including oily fish.

Another lb lost – which makes it half a stone now!

Can’t say I look or feel any slimmer, but hopefully that will happen soon.

I second Verano’s recommendation of the Diet Doctor site.
(And I also didn’t want my only contribution to this thread to be Tom Kerridge bashing. 😀 )

Its not a site I really follow or read deeply but I do find the infographics of carb levels really useful.

Like this one
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/drinks

They’re also handy for explaining my madness to friends and co-workers.
And the fact I’m on low carbs not NO carbs. 🙂

So I am on D3 I have lost 4lbs and my energy levels don’t seem to be too bad. Monday I did need to sleep for a couple of hours about midday, bit yesterday was fine and even managed to do a 2 mile walk!

The only challenge has been the constant need for the loo due to my increased water intake – I feel a bit trapped to be honest, does it get any better?

As long as the legs are still there, Flick😊😉😊😉😊

Hi Jande9 it could be those ‘splurges’ at the weekend that are stopping you from losing the need to feel really full to bursting. You don’t say how long you have been eating this way. I also started to control my T2 which is now in remission without drugs but I have been eating this way for 18 months. I have never been ultra strict but have eaten low carb even if it’s been rather high calorie wise at times. I think it takes quite a long time before your taste buds change and you lose that feeling of ‘hunger’. I get ‘full’ after a salad with eggs or tuna or smoked salmon with a tablespoon of mayonnaise and half an avocado! I think you do need to eat healthy fat to feel full but to be honest I don’t think I would like that ‘full to bursting’ feeling after a high carb meal again. I also think you should take a look at Good Eats thread maybe you are just ‘bored’ with your diet and it needs a bit of a shake up.

Hi Mixnmatch, I’m also having “a visit from Aunt Irma”, as my daughter says, and had a gnawing hunger all yesterday – craving bread. Didn’t succumb except to eat a few more spoonfuls of the chilli, which actually I think with hindsight was a good plan as it was then enough to get rid of the miserable hunger and I’d had a walk so it wasn’t really going to blow anything. No gain or loss, which like you, feels like a real victory. I like your idea of a “trigger weight”. Sounds like you’re finding a healthy balance.

sunshine-girl, well done, lovely to see those milestones go by. Interesting (and motivating) to hear your experience with the blood tests. I’m curious to know what makes you say the readings mean nothing if you are not diabetic. Noticed there are some ranges here: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html. I did do a home cholesterol test once and the results were ridiculously low for both so I was convinced it hadn’t really worked.

Jules-Maigret, sounds like you are really making good use of the local opportunities 🙂 Great cooking inspiration!

SunnyB, that sounds like an amazing loss for the end of the journey and very inspiring for those of us at the beginning! I’d love to know whether the goals people are setting turn out to be about right for MM’s suggestion of waist being half your height.

Laska, you knew how many calories were in that dark chocolate you ate, that’s impressive in itself – and your loss is major (thinking of the packs of butter) so well done! Sometimes they say all you have to do to achieve great things is keeping turning up.

ClarinetCathy, I feel you. It’s interesting what toby101 said about finding the right calorie count for you. I think MM suggests a 2-week review, so that might be an idea – hope you’re feeling better by then.

Natalie, hope you are feeling better!

Nick C, I like your thinking with the mini-steps. I’m shooting for the healthy weight range, which you’ve just made me realise is only 1lb away! Then it will be another 2lb to under 11 stone, then another 4lb to the 150lb mark, which was a previous stable weight. Great motivation for me just as I need it.

Congratulations DoodleDooToo, Sandy, Jax and everyone – not just for the losses, but for all the spadework in changing habits x

We’re still doing this!

Good morning and even though it’s still dark here it is a ‘good’ day I can feel it in my bones. The bones that slept until 5.35am this morning, a wonderful achievement. Lately I’ve been clock watching at 2am 3am 4am etc etc.

So my first positive
1. Another good nights sleep even if I have been up for a couple of hours!
2. Looked through my weight loss journal and have redefined my goals both mini and final. I know what I have to do to stop maintaining and start losing again. Will do it.
3. Have been uplifted by all your posts which make me smile with joy for all the positives in your lives. Especially love Jovis having a permanent job!!!

Have a good day!

A day late with the weigh in this week. But pleased I’ve lost 2.9kg in the first week.

Had a really tough evening yesterday though. I didn’t stay in top of drinking water as I was in an all day meeting. By 5 I clock I had a headache and back ache for some reason. Actually felt. Like I was getting properly sick. I suppose I still might be but I feel better this morning so I’m not sure.

Anyone else had something similar?

Thanks again to everyone for sharing and staying positive.

Morning all,

Today 127.3 a new low 😀 (9st 1.2lbs)

I touched briefly on this weight early 2015, just before I then piled on over 30lbs, before that, I landed here briefly in 2011 (Hurrah for digital scales on which I can track my progress) but again, I was only here for about a week before putting weight on. What I really want to achieve is consistency as the graph of my weight looks like a mountain range. Aiming for flatlands or at the least gently rolling hills.

The low 9s is the best I have managed to achieve post baby (she has just turned 13). Daring to hope I can finally get back to pre-baby. Goal weight is 8st 7.

x

CORRECTION: I am 163.5cm and this will henceforth be referred to as 164cm.

Thanks Theodora. I started Round 1 describing myself as a barrel with legs. Round 2 and
I’m more a demi-barrique with legs!

Delighted with 4.6 lb loss this week 💪🤓🏆but aware of a couple of slip ups, ice cream & 5 chips were down my throat before I had time to recognise them…. I am learning to be more mindful & vigilant this time.
Everyone’s posts are inspiring and helpful as I know I’m not alone in my quest. Keep strong everyone, nite x

Hi,

I am a second timer too after falling of the rails – I am hoping to start again and this time complete the eight weeks and follow through with maintenance. I love reading your inspiring posts and reading the recipes – I am hoping I will succeed this time.

I note that the BSD book says that steel cut oats spike blood sugar less than the more processed rolled oats.. but really sounds like it’s horses for courses here. I like porridge and am now eating the steel cut oats (BUT i’m doing BSD to lose some weight; I don’t have elevated blood sugars.)

Thanks, SunnyB, for the warm welcome and the inspiring story! I’m looking forward to the journey with you all, and I feel very hopeful.

Wow, thanks so much, everyone, for the great and informative replies. What a warm and knowledgeable community this is; I feel lucky to be joining you. So impressed to hear of others’ great results.

I’m taking more care with the carbs and I am seeing some faster downward motion on the scale! I am intrigued by the 20 or under carbs plan. I think I’ll stick to 5:2 for now, because my husband is our main cook and doesn’t want to be usurped, though he is fine with the Mediterranean plan–and watch the carbs and see how I go.

I’ve also been stepping up the exercise, and that makes me feel good and I think it helps. I’ve started doing The Daily Burn–anyone else joined that? I find it really easy and fun, and the first month’s trial is free. https://dailyburn.com

Well, I am 59yrs old and post menopausal I was struggling with elevated BGLs for 14yrs and Type 2 diabetic for the past 9yrs. I was hot flushing regularly and just generally feeling hot and sweating all the time ; I didnt even need to wear cardigans in winter. I was 120kg on October 31st 2017 and today I weigh 106.6 kg = 13.4kg loss in 9 weeks. I am not taking Metformin any more and my BGLs are returned to normal ranges, my GP was initially sceptical, ( and gave me a stern lecture on all things regarding diabetic comas etc) but my last visit to him he was so impressed he took photos of the BSD book and the 5:2 diet book- he awaits further results when I return at the end of the month. So now my hot sweaty existence is NO MORE. I feel bright, alert and energetic. I sleep better and sleep all the way until morning, and I am now waking up earlier and getting more out of my day. (no more of that morning foggy brain and sleeping until 9am). My attitude to food has changed dramatically- I enjoy and appreciate the food I prepare and consume and savour each mouthful, appreciating the notes and textures of each mouthful.My mobility has improved out of sight.
I keep looking at the 3kg bags of oranges in the supermarket and realising that I have lost more than 4 of those bags in weight- this is one of my visual inspiration tools. HAPPY DAYS indeed; but I still have a way to go.

We all hope that she will be back, too, Judy. A truly magnificent lady!

That would be “hear”, not “here”! Good grief, I am a dunce!

Well duh Allie.. I thought she just posted it.. gotta go wash off my glasses.. lol Shame she hasn’t been back.. hope all is well..

Judy

Hello, Judy! (dipgal) It’s wonderful to see you visiting this thread! You
will find many sympathetic hearts here, so I welcome you, again. Make
yourself at home…I’m confused, though. We all miss Canadaliz, but to
the best of my knowledge, she hasn’t posted here since August. We’re
all anxious to here from her, so have I missed something? I’m
confused!! I’d very much like to know that she is well. Have I missed
an update, Judy? I can’t seem to find it?
Allie

Hi Dipgal, I think you could definitely say I made a success out of using a combination of methods, I still mix and match them now in maintenance, proving what a wise choice of name I made 😀 I have used 5:2, 4:3, 2:5 and one round of full blown 800/40 for 8 weeks, and have since used 16:8, full fast for up to 40 hours, 6:1, 5:2 and reverse dieting to keep my metabolism guessing. It seems to have worked to an extent, I have been in maintenance for over 13 months now, although I am heavier now than I was at one point, it is because I prefer it that way not because I have lost control. I also used a plant based only low carb and low protein fasting mimicking diet for 5 days that seemed very effective, and intend to redo that one every six months or so (round two coming up in the next couple of weeks).

No loss for me this week, no gain either despite a visit from TOTM, so I am reasonably happy with that, remembering how the hormone related water retention used to often end with a couple of pounds gain. I have had a little bit of a realisation that I am actually happier not being able to count my ribs anymore, so may not struggle to get all the way back to my target weight any time soon. I do have a few pounds to shift post Christmas but will probably not push below my target for some wiggle room as originally planned. I plan to get back down to my new ‘happy weight’ of just over 11 stone by the end of this reboot but will be happy with that, and I am increasing my ‘trigger’ weight to 12 stone before drastic intervention is needed. Good losses people, and just keep on keeping on for all of us.

Just WOW Liz! Way to go! You are inspirational to me in many ways..
First of all, I also drink alcohol – sometimes to excess.. And despite starting a variation of BSD800 and 5:2, I still have been drinking a small amount of alcohol each day. This is day 4 for me. I am not at all (surprisingly) physically addicted after 40+ years of almost daily drinking, but am emotionally. I don’t know why I believe it’s so hard to give up when the small amount I’m now drinking barely gives me a buzz.. Just habit I guess.

I am morbidly obese with terrible knee pain and lower back pain. Absolutely no stamina. 61 years old.. Love to travel and have wonderful opportunities ahead of me. But, this dang weight ruins everything!

I am not diabetic, and haven’t tested my BS.. I do have the supplies.. Maybe I should – and use it as another motivating tool along with the scale.

I am trying to reinvent myself – and reading posts such as yours is so-o-o helpful!

Yes, good point. I’ll try and stick without it.

Thank you, Nat! Like full fat greek yogurt! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Yes, Allie what Natalie said. How funny it’s British expression only, not foolish to ask at all. We’ve both learnt something! Xx

Allie it means something you want more of when you have some! More-ish.

I’ve never used gum, I hate chewing chewing with no swallowing. Sounds like torture! And could it lead your body to expect food which would trigger a release of insulin – just what you don’t want? I believe artificial sweetness do that, don’t know about gum.

I’m on day 2 of the BSD and although I’m not hungry, I do find I’m missing eating. I was wondering whether chewing sugar-free gum might help with that. But then I wondered whether that would make it harder to break my sweet tooth, which is one of the things I’m really hoping to do. Do other people use gum? Good thing or not?