Will have to try the meditating Mermaid, I keep thinking about my holiday as motivation, I go in 5 weeks with my very skinny daughter so would be amazing to get half a stone off by then.

Hi Mixnmatch- Would you be kind enough to tell me how quickly the weight came off, was the last stone very slow? I need to lose just about a stone to get back into healthy BMI. Many Thanks S

…now that sounds really yum!
SSB

Hi SSB and Sambascuba, I’ve heard of people flattening out a chicken breast and using that as a pizza base too.

The Fast diet website has such an area that some people use, but more just use threads here to diarise, and other methods to track progress, such as My Fitness Pal and Cronometer or as Michael says, just a spreadsheet.

Hi Sambascuba – when I make pizza I just have the topping i.e. I put the passata / tomato sauce into a shallow dish and put the other ingredients on top then grill it. My OH has a tortilla as a base as he doesn’t like thick bases.
SSB

…sorry – good luck with the weight-loss – you have made a great start! Isn’t it lovely to know you will be able to wear favourite clothes again.
SSB

Hi Sianee – we just drink it as it is – there is some suggestion that it is less effective if taken with other foods but I’m not sure what the evidence is for that. I have about 100mls in a glass – my OH says he likes it so much he could just drink all of it but as I said, he likes it really thick and sour – almost fizzy; when it gets to cottage cheese consistency I find it hard to take!
I don’t bake for my OH as he doesn’t really like cakes and biscuits but I do bake for the rest of my family – they’re about 200 miles away so I don’t do that too often. Trouble is, I love making bread too but that’s off the menu!
SSB

PS I’ve been putting a little organic inulin on my berries as that’s meant to help with the biome too, I’ve even used it as a sweetener with cocoa powder for a bedtime drink. Its definitely helped with the digestion. x

Thanks so much for all this info. I actually made some red sauerkraut a few days ago so am waiting for it to ferment. I might try the kefir, but don’t know how much I’ll like it, how do you normally take it? Do you drink it on its own or use it in recipes?
I’m eating a little live Greek yogurt with berries and a couple of chopped walnuts for breakfast, soup or salad for lunch and a big salad or roast veg with lean protein in the evening. I should have a nice weight loss for my jollies in 5 weeks and hope to have the stone off for a wedding mid Sept. I’ve got loads of suitable wedding clothes that are all too tight at the moment.
Well done SaltySeaBird for the restraint! I’ve stopped baking for my family as much now as I ended up eating it with them.
I went to a very nice afternoon tea yesterday as part of a Hen party and scoffed loads of sandwiches and cakes, that was my ‘last supper’ before getting back on track, I am determined now – hopefully we can all do it together.

Hi Choccy Holic.
Really sorry to hear that; it must be depressing for you to have put the weight back on. I guess the main positive is that you are doing something about it, which is never easy, so congratulations.

Without wishing to sound in any way smug or condescending, do you know what went wrong? And have you planned how to do things differently this time? I find that this is key for me. I’ve always found the losing the weight bit easy (well, not easy, but easier!) but it’s the keeping it off that is the really tricky bit.

Good luck for your new start. Believe in yourself and you will do it permanently this time.

Good to hear from some new folk too. I thought the BSD recipe book was useful for inspiration (as distinct from the BSD diet book).
S-G sounds like the friends might have unwittingly saved you from too much vino in their haste to get to bed so maybe a silver lining to the cloud?
I dared to step on the scales this morning and was shocked to see the number 85 ???? How did that happen in a couple of bad days post exam? Still I have been sensible today after an encounter with some scones yesterday in a weak moment and have every intention of a good loss this week before holiday on Saturday. Suspect partly water but will be extra careful this week so as not to register an increase since starting this challenge. Having a student to cater for means there’s more junk in the house. Dinner for her is haggis and neeps etc but for me some black pudding with broccoli and some salad. Odd combo but trying to get rid of odds and sods.

hi,
Will order the grain today. Keep you posted. Thanks….

Hi BSD13,
This is the link where OH bought the grains. They delivered quickly and were a good price and they send a full info sheet on how to make it which is comprehensive. You do need to follow the instructions though because ‘acclimatising’ the grains is essential before you start. For info, we only use organic whole milk as some of the additives, etc in normal milk can affect the grains.
Let me know how you get on.
http://rawandpure.co.uk/
SSB

Hi,
I am thinking of making kefir. First couple of attempts from e-bay and Amazon ordered grained failed. I am actually looking for a normal full fat milk kefir grain. May I ask for a help from your OH?
Rit

Hi Mouley I am in week 52 as I started the diet on 28th June 2016, but in terms of this challenge it is coming to the end of week 3. Recipes, look on dietdoctor, or on this site and get the recipe book that goes with this diet. There are also recipes in the BSD book. Also look for recipes on line just type low carb recipes, paleo recipes dont use carbs or just use ordinary recipes and adjust them.

Had 30 mins in the pool after breakfast (brunch) and feeling better and also planted out some green beans my grandson plants seeds of when he was here. I will have to send him a photo.

P.S. I have just done a search for low carb recipes. DO NOT USE THOSE WITH Ad next to them, it means it is advertising something and will try and get you to sign up or pay up. Although might not, but will bombard your email and computer sites with ads. About number 5 on the list is dietdoctor, also avoid those that say low carb low fat, we are not low fat. Good luck.

Hi SunnyB, yes, finding alternative treats is a great idea – it’s interesting that we consider sugar to be a treat even when we know it is poisoning us – I can’t imagine saying ‘oh I’ll treat myself to a sniff of cocaine or a cigarette’ and yet I know that long term, sugar can be just as lethal.
I actually feel a bit guilty about the cake – I know my friend will love it but I feel, at one level, that I am actually giving her something that is essentially bad for her! Perhaps I should give up baking!
My OH makes kefir and I try to have some every day – he reckons it’s made a big difference to him as he used to get IBS symptoms but he doesn’t any more. I can only have the mild version though – he likes it really thick and sour 😖
SSB

Hope you’re feeling better sunshine -girl. What week are you on? No matter what diet I do I always either gain a little or stay the same on week 3. Then it starts coming off again.

Does anyone know where I can find some good recipes. I’m really struggling and need to try and organise my self better. Im finding that I’m eating exactly the same thing every day.

Good luck all x x

I just use an Excel spreadsheet
Mike

You can improve gut biome by including things like sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, kefir, yogurt (live not processed) or kombucha in your diet. I personally find kombucha too sweet now, but the other options all work well within the BSD. You can find recipes for sauerkraut and kimchi online and it’s possible to buy kefir cultures online too, so you can produce your own kefir.

As far as using using sugar as a treat is concerned, have a think about other treat options – a luxurious bubble bath or other personal pampering, if you can afford to, buy in a few non-food treats, like nail varnish, new lipstick, body lotion, a scented candle, for instance – then put them away to be brought out later as a treat when you feel you deserve it. Could be hitting a mini-goal or needing a treat to give you a boost – either way, it would be something non-calorific that you can feel good about.

Well done on resisting that yummy cake by the way – not sure I could have been so disciplined, especially when it came to the bowl!

Well, I am a chef and trying to learn this nutrition stuff so if you get stuck, give me a shout and I’ll try and think of some ideas for you. I am actually thinking of writing a recipe book at some point and am busy collecting recipes as we speak. each new day on BSD brings ideas and inspiration for how to make 800 kcal as tasty and interesting as possible. 🙂

I am feeling a bit down today, weight up by 0.5 lb but its not that. I had the strangest dream and every time I woke up and went back to sleep it carried on so I couldn’t get out of it and I had to get up. Left me feeling drained but it was only a dream.

Didn’t get a swim yesterday so that probably accounts for the weight. I am just having a coffee and will go in the pool after that and hopefully again tonight as TV is rubbish on a Sunday, only watch The Loch and that isn’t on until 10pm.

Had my usual Sunday brunch of scrambled egg, grilled bacon and tomatoes and canned tomatoes. Dinner tonight will be a very lazy event. I bought a ready cooked chicken and will just have to put it in the oven in its bag and heat it through, then cook loads of veg. Hubby will get a portion of stuffing made in a ramekin so I wont be tempted and because the chicken will only take half an hour there will be no roasties for him.

Julia, I cant be too hard on the girls, they had a delayed flight from Glasgow so missed their flight from Gatwick and spent the night in the airport and only arrived in France at 2pm Friday afternoon, only to be dragged off to a music festival by their sister. But I would rather they hadn’t bothered, spoilt the night for us.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.

There is nowhere here except admin and they rarely interact with us although I saw someone get an answer the other day sounding as though it came from MM but was signed BSD. So you could put out a plea. I see Michael tweets on @DrMichaelMosley but I dont know how that works not having a mobile phone that isn’t 15 years old.

Sunday 25th June 2017
Back from a lovely holiday in Cornwall & Dorset & a gain in weight for me of 7.5 lbs, my husband of 2lbs & a high blood sugar today so back to the Blood Sugar Diet regime with a vengeance. We also had the worry of my husband bashing his leg whilst we were at The Eden Project & a simple graze becoming infected after a week of not healing! Three hospital visits later it’s healing well & thank goodness without having to resort to antibiotics! So back to reality with a bump after in our second week at the Dorset cottage being welcomed with Dorset Lardy Cake, an iced Coffee & Walnut cake, a loaf of white bread & a bottle of wine!🙀 What were we to do throw it all out? Well half the cakes & a third of the bread was eaten & the birds got the rest. I must admit though having discovered Dorset Apple cake that could easily become included in my diet😂
What is odd is that we walked a lot & that may have mitigated things a little but having lunch out most days just highlighted what poor low carb food choices are available even at National Trust restaurants!!
Oh well back on the bandwagon & we are going grocery shopping with the BSD cookery book firmly in the forefront of my mind for meal planning 👍😎

Sianee12 – I know what you mean – I have even done 3 weeks and completely gone off sugar but then had some cake/biscuit thinking ‘one won’t hurt’ and then before I know it I’m back off the wagon.
Mermaid – I also use sugar when I’m cross/tired/depressed/bored…. I’m interested that you use meditation to help – I have used it in the past and found it really helpful in seeing through the emotional eating – I must try again.

Just for the record, I made a cake this morning as a thank you to a friend – it was a ‘loaded’ cake (Google the pictures – they will make you weep!)…BUT I didn’t have anything – I didn’t clean out the bowl, sample any goodies – nothing. Feeling very please with myself!
SSB

Yup, fellow sugar addict here. I know what you mean by all or nothing with sugar, and about being ill coming off it. I find that it takes me 3 to 4 days to come out of the fog, stop having headaches etc after sugar withdrawal.

I also use sugar psychologically, as a reward, support, comfort mechanism. And I’ll think nothing of demolishing whole boxes of chocolates, packets of biscuits etc. The rest of my eating is quite healthy.

I’m meditating to help me get more mind and body awareness, to relax and stay more focused.

I’ve got 2 stone to lose

Thanks for the advice SallySeaBird. I’l have a look at that. I’ve done it before but annoyingly don’t seem to manage it for more than a few weeks. I find once I get a taste again it’s a nightmare keeping on track.
I’m going to log everything on My Fitness Pal to stay under 50g of carbs a day – I’ll try and get all my cards from veg so that will help with the biome.

I love you guys! This morning I got my reward!
10 stone 13lbs (153.6lbs) and a BMI of 24.8. Whoop whoop! So despite my traumas healthwise and my small birthday treat, I have lost 13.4lbs since I started and just know I’m going to hit the stone next week.

This works for me and it’s so sustainable. I’m almost worried about moving on to maintainence when the time comes!

Next, I’ve got to get with the exercise. My boobs are looking remarkably like lap dogs (thanks Liz) and there’s definitely creping round the ole belly area. Time to get toning. Uurggh my least favourite part!

So, I’m happy with the way I handled my birthday weekend even if my blood sugar hasn’t yet forgiven me (8.4) this morning but onward and downward for July. Currently smiling into my bucket of earl grey tea and getting ready for the week ahead!

Liz, I will hold your hand and celebrate with you on July 2nd. I can already see you with some cherries 🍒 and squirty cream!

Love ❤️ and hugs 🤗 to you all, you beautiful people!

L xx

I have read the book from cover to cover and am very keen to get started on the BSD. However, whilst I am normally IT competent, I cannot find online the diary Michael refers to in the book, where you can keep your measurements, weight, diary etc anonymously on the site. Am I missing something obvious? Any advice from experienced BSDers would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Hi FFBB, have just added a comment on your Fat Secret account, suggesting you visit the forums here. But I see you’ve already found them. Lots of friendly folk around here.

I’m getting back to starting again (I generally post on the Starting 29 August thread, not many of us left but bloke41 is going amazingly well and a real source of inspiration).

I didn’t bother with the meal plan in the book. Too difficult for me to find the ingredients (I live in a part of Spain where most of the local villages have populations of around 600 people and anywhere with 2,000 residents is regarded as a sizeable town). So I just go for a small amount of protein (egg, fish or chicken usually), plus a great ton of veg/salad twice a day and a yogurt mid-morning. When I was doing it seriously, I recorded everything I ate on Fat Secret, including the veg. But it does get a bit tiresome weighing everything. On the other hand, when you’re starting out, it does give you a real idea of exactly how many calories you’re eating and where they come from.

Anyway, good to see you here and best of luck.

Thank you linda, good motivation.

Hi there
I was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycaemia a few years ago. I had the classic symptoms of a crashing in my blood glucose about an hour after eating carbs. Dizziness, disorientation, palpitations, sweating. All of which went away if I ate some golden syrup (!) and laid down for 10 mins.
I started the BSD just over a year ago and lost just over 2 stone, taking me into the healthy BMI range. And importantly, I’ve never had a hypo since. I eat three meals a day, with the odd spoon of peanut butter as a snack. I find if I don’t eat much in the way of carbs, ie no ‘obvious’ one, potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, sugar, then my blood sugar doesn’t rise and I don’t over produce insulin.
So, in summary, it works for me! Give it a try and good luck.

Hi sianee12, I am in the process of breaking a sugar addiction and I know there are others on here doing the same so lots of support when you need it.
Have you looked at the Paul McKenna book ‘Get Control of Sugar’? It gives some very startling facts about what sugar does to us but also has his usual ‘mind-programming’ audios which I have found really helpful.
SSB

Hi Daryl,
I found this on the Diabetes Uk forum discussing IRRH
‘RH is the condition I have got! It is an actual condition! The symptoms are numerous and differentiate between patients. It is when your pancreas produces an overshoot of insulin in the secondary response during the digestion process. It causes initially a quick spike, (hyper) then as the secondary response comes into effect the insulin floods the glucose which will lead to a hypo!
This is caused by the amount of carbs and sugar that triggers the natural response from your pancreas, but it doesn’t stop. If you don’t eat carbs, the amount of insulin produced is minimal and doesn’t hinder the glucose process.’

The thing with reducing carbs is that you do actually stop being hungry all the time. After a few day (hopefully) you body adjusts and the carb cravings all but disappear. And the food available through protein and good fats is so yummy and satisfying, you won’t feel deprived at all – unlike on a low-fat diet.
It’s worth a try. If you look at the successes on here you will see that some people have had huge battles to fight – and people like the amazing ‘canadaliz’ are an inspiration.
SSB

Girlfriend Lee–YOU ARE A FUCKING ROCKSTAR!!!!!
WELL DONE YOU!!!!
How fabulous you must feel and I know the gang is just loving how you handled today. Fucking marv!!!!
We are not perfect nor should we aspire to be mechanically scheduled. We are us. Imperfect but perfect in our own way. I know I can’t trust myself with booze as one means 15 for me but I can have the odd sweet treat. I will be 54 on July 2nd and may just have a little something and will probably exceed my 800 calories but I will do it with Lee’s grace.
Thank you Lee, you are a role model on birthday girl living.
Yours, Liz

Hey Crabby,
What a gloriously poignant piece. Thank you so much for sharing.
Yours, Liz

Good afternoon all,
Does anyone know how to go about getting onto Michael himself? I have a probiotic that I would really like someone’s oppinion on and was wondering if there was somewhere on the website where you could check in with Michael (or his assistant etc) and discuss particular products and their effectiveness??
TIA

One year on now, what have you eaten today? How did your 8 week 800 daily cals go?
I’m on round 2. I’d lost 18kg last year, put on 22 this year.😔. Yoyo continues.

Hi Sambascuba — children are particular, that’s for sure! but there is a good bit of research that a BSD type diet is very good for children and especially their brain development. I don’t mean limited calories, just good protein and veg and fats. You can always supplement with a slice of bread and butter or a.buttered potato if necessary, or even a good dessert like egg custard — Check out Dr. Petlmutters book “Smarter by Kindergarten” for good research on healthy children’s diets.

Thanks for your replies.

Basically I’ve been told by a doctor knowledgable in IRRH to eat more protein and good fats and less carbs.

He said according to test results I’m prediabetic.

I’ve also been told by a dietian just to eat low GI foods.

The other challenge of IRRH is you have to eat every two hours otherwise your blood sugars begin to drop and then adrenalin is released to drive glucose into your system and then you get a bit crazy.

This is a real pain in the butt. I’m constantly thinking about food.

I am worried that the low carb portion of this diet may bring on hypos though,

I love to talk to Dr Mosley about IRRH, but I imagine he’s a very busy man.

Daryl

good morning everyone!

Mary, PLEASE don’t apologise for geography…I DO live in the arse end of the world and even cartographers frequently leave Tassie of maps of Australia!! (its always been known as a well kept secret amongst those of us “down under”)

Lee, well done on a perfect birthday decision (I would have trouble pouring prosecco down the sink!!)

Crabbycams and Liz, …indeed all and any of you are welcome to my cool southern paradise ANYTIME!! Crabbycams, I’m a refugee from NSW and studied in Wagga, so know your part of the world…but come and stay and explore real estate!! We were fortunate to buy 20 years ago when R.E. in Tasmania was seriously dirt cheap…but it’s still a bargain compared to Melbourne or Sydney!!

Liz…we don’t have squirrels here of course, but I wake every morning to possum poo on the deck and the (very cute) pademelons LOVE eating all my citrus leaves and windfall apples (and of course all my lovingly planted veg grrrr)….named by a friend “the browsing mammals”!

Anyhow, its just gone 11am. I’ve shopped at the local farmers market, have stock in the slow cooker, capsicums and aubergine/eggplant roasting in the oven (such virtue!) and tonight I have a meting over dinnertime, so have offered to bring soup so that I’ll be way less tempted to be railroaded.

and thanks all…the brisk walks are lovely this time of year…I may even venture up that mountain this week…the border collie LOVES running in the snow, so hope it hangs around for a few more days

Thanks for your comments. It is difficult at times but I’m sure I’ll find recipes I can use. I think you’re right about being slim helping.

Hello, wondering if anyone else doing 5:2 BSD has small children? Mine are aged 4 and 1 and need carbs as part of a balanced diet, especially when they’re so active.

Some days we eat a jacket potato with a filling and veg, or a pasta dish with veg on the side. Some weekends we make pizzas as a fun treat. Am I just going to have to make something separate for me? I can’t think of an alternative to a jacket potato, and my children aren’t very adventurous (I’ve tried to widen what they eat, but my eldest won’t try new things at the moment) so I like to cook what I know they will eat. I work 4 long days a week so can’t really face planning and cooking separate meals for me on the days when we can eat together!

Thanks for all your answers and tips. Mrs Bear, I wonder if Mr Bear will eventually become a convert?! Mr Sambascuba was quite overweight a few years ago and started the old 5:2 diet, now he’s a convert to it and keeps it up so that he can eat what he likes on the 5 days and not put on weight! Not quite the ethos, but it works for him.

I don’t think I can eat only 500 kcal on fast days, so prefer the sound of the BSD 5:2, and also need to break a carb and sugar addiction. But it helps because 2 weekdays, we eat a very low cal evening meal anyway. So Mr Sambascuba won’t notice the difference (and I can just cut the carbs from my other meals with him). The problem is that on 3 other days a week I eat lunch and tea with the kids and may just have to cook something separate for me. Especially if they are having pasta or pizza or sandwiches for tea. Will need to think creatively!

I’ll need help as I find I feel quite ill for a few days until the sugar withdrawal has subsided. I find it so hard as I have to be all or nothing with sugar. Also would like to improve my gut biome as I finding losing weight a slow process. Anyone with similar goals fancy joining me?

Thanks for both your replies, and congrats on the weight loss!

Crabbycams I know what you mean about weight being a fickle measure. I’m only 3kg heavier then I was 5 years ago (before having kids), but I’m a lot bigger and fatter. 5 years ago I had the time to be a gym bunny and had a lot of muscle, so was a lot thinner but not much lighter. I doubt I’ll get back to that shape as I no longer have the luxury of so much free time, but losing the fat would be a good start. I’m reasonably active, but 40 this year and finding I cannot lose the weight so easily now. Similarly, my husband has always been ‘overweight’, but is actually pretty trim and mainly muscle. He’s being doing the ‘old’ 5:2 but I like the sound of the BSD 5:2 as it’s more flexible.

Thanks for both your tips, fingers crossed I can stick to it and change my eating habits!

Thank you so much!

Hi Ali and welcome. I’m sure that you will enjoy continued success with your health with the attitude you have.
S-g congrats on your control at the party although the friends’ sisters sound like wet blankets, to be honest! And blood sugar levels good after reducing insulin so well done!
Purple minion how’s things?
Susie3 hope all is well your end too.
Been a good but busy day here and made some spinach and chese crustless quiches for lunch this week.

Well done, Polly, what amazing strength you demonstrated in going for the nuts instead of having a complete free for all when faced with the evil fayre of a typical petrol station! Although you may have overeaten the following day, you’ve managed to pull it back, get on track again with no harm done. So brilliant – you should be very proud of yourself!

Choccy Holic – great weight loss, well done!!! I know exactly what you mean about getting as much food as you can for your daily calorie intake – it’s so important not to feel hungry and deprived. It’s strange that being on this diet and eating on average a fifth of what I was consuming before leaves me with no hunger pangs at all – so different from the feeling of needing to eat all the time and never feeling satiated when I’m not on a carb reduced diet!

I’m saving fifty calories or so daily to have in the form of Kallo corn cakes just before bed and I’m sleeping a lot better which is great. Second weighing day coming up on Monday – just hope I’m still heading in the right direction!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone – off up to the Lake District next Weds but will be going with my twin and her hubby who I’ve managed to get on board too as she is pre diabetic and needs this kind of approach to life too. Will post any losses on Monday. 🙂

Hi Ali, great to meet you. With this plan you will soon be under 5.0