I am not diabetic, but became pre-diabetic from taking steroids. However I most certainly am addicted to fruit. I only have 16 pounds to lose and am only on week 3. Having lost 9lb already I decided to have some fruit. One banana later (I know that was definitely the wrong choice with its 31 grams of carbs), I have been craving all the biscuits, cake and chocolates in the office. I’m jittery and desperate to eat rubbish. I do wonder whether I would be better never to eat fruit again, or just make really sensible choices with berries. Writing this in the hope the craving will soon go.

Humph – not back on track at all!!!! Another crappy day but on the plus side, nowhere near as crappy as Tuesday. But STILL!!!

Roll on another new day tomorrow and pray that I can just stick to chilli when I get home tonight!

I know it’s up to me what I put in my mouth – I’m not blaming anyone else – it’s all down to me – no excuses!

Well didn’t manage to post yesterday but pleased to note another half kilo off. Wasn’t totally on plan yesterday, but have learned just to keep going and not let one minor slip dictate failure for the next goodness knows how long, as I used to do. Pleased to hear blood sugar levels still more than acceptable on reduced insulin for S-G. And glad the dress is a boost to morale.
Hope everyone is having a good day – Elly, keep pushing on, as this is about future health, so don’t be tempted only to look for downward numbers on scales, welcome as these are.

Another pound off. Will start weighing myself every 2-3 days after the first week I think!

Just had an emergency – my supper from the freezer was microwaving so I could eat before we went out but the microwave stopped working! Had to whip something up double quick but it is delicious and was fewer calories. Result.

Welcome Melodeon Millie! Always good to see new names!
Mrs Honey, I’m with Mel Millie — maybe best to get a doctor’s eval because your symptoms are worrying you and haven’t abated.
I doubt the BSD is causing it but you never know so worth finding out! Mostly this diet gets rid of problems, and is extremely anti-inflammatory which helps with lots of issues, but everyone is different physically.
In either case I hope it resolves soon and you are feeling much better. Keep us posted so we don’t worry!
Esnecca, down south in Georgia, lovely place — only been there once but it was so peaceful — one of my plans for post retirement is a big trip through the south (in the spring, before the heat!😜) and it’s good to hear you know Waldorf! So many people haven’t even heard of it but that seems to be changing,

Hi Verano, perhaps someone who has read the CGD book thoroughly can give a different view. I guess it is designed to be a healthier way of life which is why I have introduced the fermented foods (maybe Kimchi would suit you better, the ones I’ve tried, and loved, are somewhat more firey than the kraut).
BTW, re saurkraut, the one I use is flavoured with ginger, turmeric & juniper berries. Perhaps adding any one or all of those flavours may lift it enough for your taste.
I do empathise about being in a rut and feeling dissatisfied. I’ve managed to jog things around only in the past 2 or 3 days. Enjoy your couple of days away, come back refreshed, then maybe draw up a plan of action specific to the time of your hip op. Not just a mental plan, an actual written down, staring you in the face, plan. Start ticking things off.

Saw in my local very good deli+greengrocer a small milk bottle of organic coconut kefir mylk (true). Beautifully packaged by my favoured Green St Kitchen but at $9+ it did not go onto my shopping basket. Will give some thought to buying some grains, doing it at home.

Tonight’s meal was delicious. A good quality Angus beef sausage with a drizzle of gravy, steamed mixed vegetables, a small scoop of soft polenta (in place of the mash OH dearly wanted). It came out a little heavy on the carbs but have kept today to 813/63. Usually only eat the occasional sausage cooked on the BBQ, but too cold, wet, windy, to send OH out there tonight, so under the grill with a bit of rosemary and basil scattered around, was pleasantly surprising. And that and the polenta were my stimulating change because they’re not in my usual menu.

Hi Marsie – I have used the Labneh as a snack with a couple of homemade almond crackers and also baked it wrapped in a fig leaf.

Didn’t get on very well with Kefir. Made some myself, but it was too acidic for my taste – but then that was before I did the BSD, so may be it’s time to try again. Do like the sound of that ‘hummus’, Verano.

My sauerkraut and kimchi arrived today, but haven’t dipped into it yet. Will report back once sampled.

Struggling for something of interest to add to this thread this today. How about thinking outside the box on pesto? Traditionally made using basil, parmesan and pine nuts, this can be made using almost any soft herb, plus a cheese, plus nuts, plus an oil, plus garlic and salt. It’s the sort of thing you can play with, using different herb/nut/cheese/oil combinations. Really simple to make and can be used to zing up almost any meat or fish. Why not try a parsley and walnut pesto with grilled prawns or fish, or a mint and pine nut pesto with lamb, or a tarragon and pecan pesto with chicken. You only need a little to add a kick of flavour, so shouldn’t impact on the cals and carbs too heavily.

Hello everybody,
I’ve been posting elsewhere and wondering were everyone is – here you are 🙂
I started 6th July at 10st 4.5lb and am now 9st 12lb but that was all lost in the first week so just maintained since.
I’m still getting headaches though and a bit fuzzy. Waiting for that clarity and energy that’s about to show its face any second .
I’m aiming for 7.5st as I’m somewhere between 4ft 11 & 5ft. It’s been at least 15 years since I was that so can’t imagine!
I have started reading this thread from the start but am only 2 pages in at the moment. I will catch up in between housework 🙂

Verano
Kefir is sour like yoghurt – but maybe a bit milder than Fage yoghurt. My daughter – who hates plain yoghurt – thinks it is disgusting, but I love the fermented taste. I used to wizz it up into a smoothie with blueberries but now I prefer it neat as the blueberries make it too sweet for me now – and so does my husband.

your Breton Chicken breast sounds as though it will be lovely tonight.

Hi everyone, NancyB no need to be disappointed, 2.5 lbs is good and I think you have been dieting for a while, it is bound to slow down but, and I am sure you will know from experience, a few weeks in and half to one pound is all you usually get.

Welcome Elly now is the time to put you first. Onetowatch, well you certainly are, that is an excellent weight loss. Cleverblonde, it seems the cravings are going so you should be finding this easier.

I too am pleased today, my weight has stayed the same but my BG is down just a smidge from yesterday and still on 20 units. I received 2 dresses in the post today. I was so worried that they wouldn’t fit as they are size 14 and expensive makes (of course I paid sale price) and usually of a snug fit. Well they both fit but one will be going back as the style is empire line with a bow on the back which makes me look all bust. It was difficult to see on the pictures as the dress is black and red so no problem, I will get a refund. Still waiting for my swimming costume to arrive. Ordered dresses from Uk and took about 7 days to come, ordered cossie here in France and been waiting nearly 3 weeks and it is being delivered by courier so not the posts fault.

Managed to get 40 mins in the pool yesterday but today deffo looks like a no go, dark clouds and windy. Hey ho, tomorrow is another day. Have a good one all.

Hi Elly!! Welcome! Good luck this time around. All the red wine I’ve drunk over the years has caused my obesity no doubt. If I’d never drunk red wine I’d be stick thin now. I’ve managed to abstein for the last week or so. Moderation in all things!
Cleverblonde – it’s great when the energy comes back – your lasagne sounds delish. My favourite recipes in the BSD recipe book are the stirfry beef with asparagus and mangetout and my new favourite is the chicken biriani made with cauliflower rice.
Nancy x

Hi Narnea! Well done for maintaining while you were away. Two inches of your waist is amazing!
I’ve been off the booze for nearly a week now and intend to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
I was weighed at WeightWatchers on Tuesday and lost 2.5lb for the week, so I now weigh exactly 16st.
My trousers feel looser today which is good.
Going to have the stirfry cabbage and peppered mackerel tonight which is delicious even if it doesn’t sound like it is.
I’m also on another thread – ‘Seriously doing the Fast 800 again, anybody like to join me’ – which is much livelier.
Keep going everybody!
Nancy x

Well done Nancy, as loss is a loss! the size 14 jeans are calling you.

Hi Elly, welcome. Sounds like you are motivated to push through this time and we can all help each other.

Mixnmatch happy holidays. Dont stress too much, maybe worry less about cals and more about carbs whilst you are away. I found, that once you get back on the carb ride, its hard to get back off, plus after my past few days the thought of carb flu again doesnt appeal 🙂

Onetowatch great results, I’m having scrambled eggs and buttered mushrooms later mmmm.

I am feeling particularly happy today, as on day 4 and the headache and tummy cramps have gone. Full of energy and feeling less bloated, so feel like the hard part is over. Just had a portion of leftover lasagne for lunch (courgette instead of pasta of course), really savoured each bite, delicious.

Have a wonderful BDS day everyone.

Well done Pukkapies5 keep at it as it DOES work. I have made a note to buy some cottage cheese.
I use Myfitness pal as well as it certainly helps to stay on track of the calories

Would love to hear some words of encouragement from others out there. I am 33, was diagnosed at 30 with type 2 after a routine blood test, 9 months after having my first daughter. I didn’t have GD in the first pregnancy, but I have had hypertension since I was in my early twenties, and I sometimes suspect that the blood pressure medication which was changed in my first pregancy triggered the diabetes.

Because my fasting levels were just over the line for a diagnosis, but my HBA1C is only slightly raised, I have not been on any diabetes medications, and was I guess a TOFI at 62 kilos and a BMI of 22 when first diagnosed. With my second pregnancy I was immediately on insulin, after early testing, and stacked on the weight, particularly around the middle. I hated insulin, had a lot of hypos, and hated testing my BGLs. Post-pregnancy my blood sugar levels were great, but they have crept up and I am currently still 75 kilos, BMI close to 27. I have finally stopped breastfeeding my son and immediately started the 800 calorie diet, after years of waiting for the right moment, because I am hopeful of beating this thing! But only four days in, I am feeling very low, almost depressed. I work from home as an editor, and I can barely concentrate, and have such low energy levels. This is really the only good time to be doing it, as I’ll be going back to full-time study and work next year.

But… I am doubting that I should keep going?

13 days down- and ten pounds /4kg off! Happy days. Going. For celebratory scrambled eggs and smoked salmon

Hi, I am female, age 55, weigh 90kg. Until 12 years ago I was fit and healthy – gym junkie, runner, no junk food. Then I discovered alcohol! I need to lose 20kg and I’m determined to stick to the BSD! I tried it last year just before Christmas but couldn’t maintain it. I stuck to it for two weeks and lost weight, reduced medication and felt great! But fell off the wagon with the excesses of the new year! Your posts are inspirational and I’d love to join you all on your journey. I want my life back!

Would love to hear some words of encouragement from others out there. I am 33, was diagnosed at 30 with type 2 after a routine blood test, 9 months after having my first daughter. I didn’t have GD in the first pregnancy, but I have had hypertension since I was in my early twenties, and I sometimes suspect that the blood pressure medication which was changed in my first pregancy triggered the diabetes.

Because my fasting levels were just over the line for a diagnosis, but my HBA1C is only slightly raised, I have not been on any diabetes medications, and was I guess a TOFI at 62 kilos and a BMI of 22 when first diagnosed. With my second pregnancy I was immediately on insulin, after early testing, and stacked on the weight, particularly around the middle. I hated insulin, had a lot of hypos, and hated testing my BGLs. Post-pregnancy my blood sugar levels were great, but they have crept up and I am currently still 75 kilos, BMI close to 27. I have finally stopped breastfeeding my son and immediately started the 800 calorie diet, after years of waiting for the right moment, because I am hopeful of beating this thing! But only four days in, I am feeling very low, almost depressed. I work from home as an editor, and I can barely concentrate, and have such low energy levels. This is really the only good time to be doing it, as I’ll be going back to full-time study and work next year.

But… I am doubting that I should keep going?

Welcome Elly,
You have come to the right place. Our wonderful founder Liz will give you a vritual kick up bum if you need it and everyone offers support. We are all fighting the same battles…weight, booze, chocolate…you name it.
Making the decision is the best thing you can do. Just lean on us if you need support.

Nonna Mary
xxx

Hi, I just read through these wonderful, inspirational posts and they have really motivated me. I am female, age 55, weigh 90kg. Until 12 years ago I was fit and healthy – gym junkie, runner, no junk food. Then I discovered alcohol! It started off a drink here and there then a bottle and for the past few years it’s two bottles most nights. I’ve gained 24kg, stopped exercising and am on medication for high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. I”m determined to commit to the BSD for 8 weeks. I want my life back!

Sunny B – wow your comment about carbs hanging on to water was spot on for me! Weighed myself this morning and I’d lost another 900g – this was after gaining almost 3kg over the past week and then losing it again.
As soon as I had a couple of days back on the BSD properly and cutting down on the carbs my weight has started dropping again.
So lesson learnt there – not to panic after a weight gain but just to keep going and trust that this WOE does work 🙂

Hi all,
Started on 22 May and very little weight loss for 3 weeks. Then the whoosh and today am chuffed to say 1st 2lb off. Anyone demoralised at the start please stick with it as it will work.
I’m on 2 meals a day, cucumber sticks and homemade hummus for lunch, huge green salad/stir fry and quorn for dinner. 85% chocolate as a treat. I use my fitness pal daily or I’ll cheat. Best invention of mine so far is cottage cheese and a tsp of marmite. Put it on lettuce, quorn, anything really.

Where is everybody?
🙁

Hi, thanks for this. I am not vegan (was for a while) but I prefer to have most of my meals without meat and dairy. I didn’t think this plan would be possible without the meat and dairy. The reason I am able to stick to it is because it keeps me feeling full until the next meal. Don’t you struggle without it? Would love to stop eating so much meat & cheese, I’m not used to it and don’t digest well. What are your experiences?

Thanks SunnyB I will definitely try the cheese. I remember my mother making cheese from sour milk, many, many moons ago. She used to hang it out on the washing line in a stocking!

Krysia is kefir sour like normal yogurt? I love greek yogurt but am not keen on other the unflavoured stuff. I’m sure your sauerkraut will be better than mine you’ll have to let us know. It may just not be to my taste.

ClarinetCathy I have a similar treat with coffee but maybe less ‘friendly’ than yours. I have a square of 90% lindt with a Nairns Stem ginger biscuit. Works out at about 8g of carbs but really worth it when you need something indulgent. It reminds me of Borders chocolate ginger biscuits!

Thanks Marsie I just thought that the Clever Gut book may have pointed me towards a healthier diet or maybe I’m just looking for a change! I realise that I’ve been in maintenance mode for far too long when I still have lots to lose. I just need a good shake. I’m away for a couple of nights in a hotel from today and they say a change is as good as a rest so, maybe that will be enough to get me back into losing mode again when I come home.

Tonight we are going to a Cote Bistro which does a very good ‘Breton’ chicken breast so I will be ok today foodwise. I’m in such a rut at the moment that I really can’t think of a recipe to pass on today. I did have a very nice cannellini bean hummus at the weekend which was basically a normal hummus recipe with beans instead of chickpeas. It was more ‘delicate’ I think and one to try for a change.

Hello everyone.

I joined this forum yesterday and today is day SIX on the 800 cal diet. So far so good!

But my main reason for my post was I saw last night someone who had been asking about fermented foods. For the life of me I can’t find it again, but I too would be very interested to know if it is something we can have?

Also, this person said s/he had been having problems with lids blowing off because of the build up of gases…….

Well, if you are in the UK, I’ve recently had a Lakeland catalogue (yes I REALLY love food) and they have started doing fermenting jars, which have a one way valve in the lid. Problem solved!

Whoops, said I was new to all this. Never been in a forum before either. How did I manage to submit my comment more than once?

Hello Mrs Honey

I’m new to all this, but from all the research I’ve done, this diet should really have most of the minerals you need. I wonder if you might have an underlying condition which has become apparent once you started.

Do you think you might need to seek medical advise? I believe tingling in the hands and feet might be the sign of a liver problem for example. Not trying to worry you, but just to be on the safe side

Don’t give up yet

Also, you know how we are allowed to have a few nuts? Well I soak peanuts or almonds in warm water for an hour, drain them and then leave them for 24 hours. Absolutely delicious, and because they are getting ready to sprout, full of all sorts of goodness and are easy to digest because of the chemical changes which take place. Don’t leave them for too long or they go bitter

Hello Mrs Honey

I’m new to all this, but from all the research I’ve done, this diet should really have most of the minerals you need. I wonder if you might have an underlying condition which has become apparent once you started.

Do you think you might need to seek medical advise? I believe tingling in the hands and feet might be the sign of a liver problem for example. Not trying to worry you, but just to be on the safe side

Don’t give up yet x

Also, you know how we are allowed to have a few nuts? Well I soak peanuts or almonds in warm water for an hour, drain them and then leave them for 24 hours. Absolutely delicious, and because they are getting ready to sprout, full of all sorts of goodness and are easy to digest because of the chemical changes which take place. Don’t leave them for too long or they go bitter

Jande9 – Kefir is becoming more popular here in the UK but I haven’t seen it for sale anywhere. I was given some grains by a client and have been making it for a year. Even the Labradors love it. It’s a shame it isn’t widely available here as it is in Canada but I I believe you can get the proper grains online also.

SunnyB – your cheese looks as though it is really good for you as well as being delicious.

Have just had an email to say my sauerkraut has been dispatched. I hope it won’t be as disappointing as Verano’s was.

I don’t know if you’re still on here HypoGal, but I’m suffering these symptoms and am interested to know how you progressed? I’m at the point of giving up because the pins and needles/numbness symptoms are so disconcerting.

I’m still suffering these symptoms, in fact it’s got worse. I think I’m going to have to give up this diet, I won’t know if that’s what’s causing it or something else, unless I do. I didn’t realise this could cause so many side effects.

10 stone 5.0 this morning and was a little off plan again. Circumstances intervened so I missed badminton again, two days running 😣 and I am starting my holiday tomorrow, and today having a BBQ at work to celebrate breaking up so will be eating and drinking whatever is provided (though almost certainly without the bread). I didn’t quite make BMR on calories again but today will probably be a long way over, so I hope my body has recovered from the ‘fasting’. I think I will be stopping monitoring my diet closely for my entire two weeks holiday, as a bit of an experiment, after which I will return and report hopefully that I am back in my original comfort zone. I will be logging in intermittently only during the two weeks, as limited Internet access, so good luck again, and here’s to success at the end of your journeys, whatever your goals.

I don’t know what the presenters think but I love it, and used it intermittently throughout my weightloss period, along with cows milk and nut ‘milks’ for various uses. I love goats cheese as well. I think it is supposed to be lower in lactose and easier to digest than cows milk, but haven’t looked into benefits in any depth.

According to another one of Dr. Moseley’s TV shows, kefir is better than yogurt or even pharmaceutical pro-biotics for promoting gut health. It is full of over 20 different kinds of organisms. For some reason kefir is difficult to find and very expensive in the UK while here in Canada it is in the dairy section of every grocery store and at about the same price as yogurt.
You can make your own using kefir grains, which is some kind of symbiotic conglomeration of bacteria and yeasts that looks like clumps of fish eggs. You add it to milk and it turns into kefir in 12-24 hours at ordinary room temperature. If you take care of them they should last forever.
The grains are always multiplying so people generally are happy to share them so hopefully the use of kefir will spread and become more popular and cheaper in the UK.

Jan

Hi SunnyB, I can remember making labneh once, maybe 40 years ago, when I was also making my own yoghurt. Cannot recall now how I used it or even if I used it. I guess it wasn’t a success of I didn’t do it again. What do you use it with, SunnyB? In salads, snacks, or can you cook it like my favourite Haloumie?

Verano, I have read the CG book though in a very fitful way and intend to go through it again. Loaded with scientific information on different gut bacteria and their various actions/reactions but in Dr M’s easy style. Seems to answer some questions on what foods different people react to and why. Some of the recipes would be better suited to non-BSDers or, at least, those on maintenance. He does say in the book it is not specifically a weight loss diet although that may follow naturally.

ClarinetCathy, your dessert has made my mouth water☺

Have a great BSD day everyone xx

Thanks Sunshine-girl,

I’m pleased that i made my own humous tonight for tomorrow. Thanks for your advice, i made out a food plan & bought my food this afternoon.

Starting tomorrow with green eggs & ham, humous & veg for lunch & Thai chicken & caluflower rice tomorrow.

I’m going to try the B.S.D as need to shift belly fat fast! I bought bio oil & vitimin C so hopefully keep skin in good condition. I will try & drink 3 litres.

Good night & thank you.

Claire.

I would like to know if goats milk is allowed also 🙂

I’m 67 and have lost 47lbs (3st 5lbs) and am now maintaining. I really don’t have any problem with sagging skin – yes, of course I would like it to be a little tauter – who wouldn’t at 67, but I think any sag in my skin is down to age, not bsd and, truthfully, even if it were bsd, I would happily trade a few wrinkles for the new slender me☺

Thanks Nancy, I’m back and weighed. I stayed the same which I suppose I should be happy about but I really stuck to the low carbs thing all week and had a lot more exercise cycling etc. 🙁
The only treat I had all week was an all fruit ice lolly on the last day, I always ordered the salad without dressing and never ate so much as one chip!
The only thing I didn’t worry about was portion size, I thought surely a plate of salad doesn’t need counting?
So a little peed off I just ate a bowl of muesli 😋 I know naughty but back on it tomorrow.
Loss so far 6.5lbs and 2 inch off waist (I was bloated at first measurement)

How are you doing? Sober week? 😁

Oh yeah and I weighed myself today and have lost 4lb already! I know it’s water weight etc but yay!

Thank you! Seems like a friendly forum.

So my reason for doing this is – overweight apple shape with family history of diabetes!

First three days have been relatively easy but I’ve got this far before. I’ve tried to prepare as much as possible this time with lots of research and planning.

I’m using MFP to track calories and trying to focus on eating delicious stuff.

Starting weight 15 stone 2 pounds (I’m 5’4″). I’ve lost a stone over the last 10 months (mainly due to giving up added sugar for 6 weeks). I’ve basically yoyoed since the age of 13 though.

Hello all. Wonderful to catch up on all of your successes and stickability moments when facing, and overcoming, temptation. What a strong bunch of deserving individuals you all are. In fact, there is so much positivity on this thread and you are such a supportive bunch, that when I am faced with temptation (still have desperate carb cravings over last few days despite successful first two weeks) I think of all of you spurring each other on and jump on your positivity wave. So thank you all for that (big virtual hugs and smiles all round).
On reflection, my feelings of hunger were down to not drinking enough water so I have upped my intake again (even though it means multiple trips to the loo!)
Have a good week everyone; to those who show themselves and those who visit unspoken.
M xxx

Hey Theamazingshrinkingwoman – welcome! As you probably gather, if you have read any of the threads on the forum, you probably realize that we like to waffle on here, both to help inspire others and ourselves. It’s a safe place to vent when things are going badly and to celebrate even the smallest success and we like to provide encouragement and support wherever we can.

So feel free to join any of the threads that appeal to you. If you want to search for a particular topic, use the search box at the top of the page, as lots of topics have been covered. If you can’t find something in particular, shout out though, as someone will respond for sure.

Hope you will soon be posting positive results. Keep up the good work and best of luck on your quest.

It is pretty much all diary section if you don’t mind others occasionally butting in 😁 There are several group threads where people who start at the same time gather to share their experiences, there are challenge threads for those who have been doing it longer and want to change things up or focus on different areas, and of course there are the victory threads, like Target weight, 100 club and the mini-goals threads for non scale as well as scale victories. If you use the search box at the top you can jump into any that appeal to you, and by all means keep your diary here, and if you have any questions just ask them, and someone will usually be able to help.

I’ll definitely try making some of that cheese, maybe with some of my homemade yoghurt. I quite like the idea of the flavourings as well, very like proper cottage cheese.

3rd day done and all going well. An very hungry right now but have gone to bed ridiculously early to get away from food. Already feeling thinner!

Is there a diary section on this forum or shall I just waffle on here? 😉

Oh Lee, I wish you had an answer. But no news is good news. I had my gallbladder removed when I was 30. It was the first of many scars that criss-cross my stomach. So even though I was only 10 stone, I couldn’t wear a bikini. I think it was the beginning of my self esteem issues, though people who meet me don’t know I have any!
If I could make money out of lending Jovis out, I probably wouldn’t lol…it has taken me years to train him lol. Dinner was indeed lush, and my calories today come in at 796. So result all round.

Love
Nonna Mary
xxx

Mary, I think you need to lend me Jovis. That dinner sounds lush and just what I fancy!!!

So, had my ultrasound today and though she’s not the reporter, the technician saw my NHS badge so was fairly forthcoming with what she saw… which was absolutely nothing!

A little bit of gravel in the gallbladder but it’s not inflamed, so nowt to worry about. Even my liver doesn’t look pickled (which is surprising!) However, it does mean still no answer on my electrolyte issue. Arrgghh!!

L xx

Hi Hughsey34 – I’ve just realised I’ve been calling you Hughsey38 – I am so sorry – my brain must be pickled through lack of carbs!