Hi,
I have just completed week 4. After the 1st 2 weeks I lost 12lb and in the 3rd week 1 lb giving me 13 lbs loss in total. Unfortunately no weight loss at all this week despite upping my exercise levels which is disappointing. However, quite a few people have noticed that I have lost weight and have commented that I look well. The main thing too is I have cut back on my diabetes medication an my blood sugar readings have averaged 5.2mmol over the period of the diet. I am determined to stick with the diet and see where that takes me. Good luck!!

Luckylinda, it’s unbelievable that wheat could have such an adverse reaction for you… Do you think the weight gain will just be a temporary blip, and with no more carbs the weight gained will disappear just as quickly? I can’t believe a 3.5lb increase in a day will be “proper weight” can it? Anyway, it will be interesting to see how long it sticks, hopefully only a day! Interesting for me, I suspect not for you. Sorry!
I do hope you feel better soon, a hangover without a great night out is just not “cricket”!
I too love moving to the beat, absolutely fabulous in the Caribbean, the locals, not me!
My second bestest thing is walking on the beach. In 6 days time I’ll be on the beach in Turkey, I always walk in the early morning, early evening and back from the bar late evening on holidays. (I’ll kid myself that I’m losing calories on the way back!) The scenery is so fab and the warmth of the sun warms my soul, if I could I would live somewhere hot, sadly money will not allow!

I resorted to senna on Friday night, just couldn’t stand the pain any longer. Anyway it worked, I am no longer a “holder” as Marsie so politely put it! Using some coconut oil, taking a while to get used to the taste, and taking magnesium citrate, also gone back to berries on my yoghurt for a few days..

Anyway good news to report from the scales, lost 4lbs this week, I don’t think it’s all water, as I lost an inch off of my bust,waist and hips!! Anyway, the scales have been showing 12.11 for three days,, so I’m taking it as a loss!! So, weight lost so far in 10 weeks 2stone 3lbs or 31lbs!!!! Superdooper happy pod! That’s nearly a 12% weight loss.
I started at 15 stone, scooted through the 14’s and 13’s and don’t intend to stay long in the 12’s. Starting to believe I can do this thing!!

I’ve gone through my wardrobe today and put the 20’s and 18’s in a charity bag, got into holiday clothes I haven’t seen for 2 years, so no need to buy any clothes, cos I don’t want size 16’s!
I’m deliriously happy!! Hope I haven’t bored you all with my extremely long post, but it did feel great to post good news.
Yay! Onwards and downwards!
ANN x
‘

I have used porridge as well, but try adding milled nuts, flax seed and chia seed to it as well, for a helping hand. You could also try adding a kiwi fruit or two to the porridge for something different. As JM suggests, every now and then it is better to take a carb hit than to get uncomfortably constipated.

The simple answer is whatever she usually eats, but omit the processed food, wheat, particularly white flour, sugar, pasta, white rice and potatoes that cause the blood sugar and insulin levels to rise quickly, and limit other starchy root vegetables. Pulses, legumes, nuts and seeds are all allowed within the calorie restriction. Her carbs may be higher than for a non vegan, but as long as weight loss is occurring then fat is being burnt, and ketosis is occurring as it should. The diet books themselves may be useful for suggestions as to what alternatives are possible to the ‘white stuff’, but many of us don’t always use alternatives.

I rarely used the set recipes, just adapted my own way of eating like this to be BSD friendly. If you post a couple of typical current vegan meals I can have a go at BSDing them for you, I’ve had a lot of practice and almost do it automatically now.

Thanks mixnmatch for the tips! Really appreciate the support.

Thanks JulesMaigret. Have been having some porridge plus flaxseeds, could try increasing portion size as per your suggestion.

Thanks for the comments and information. It’s all very interesting. I am not sure I have found any really sound trials data but there is certainly a lot of anecdotal evidence.

We spoke with a friend in the pharma sector who explained more about oxidative stress, for which there is a lot of published information. I wish we had known more of this years ago, dietary changes might have helped avoid some challenging times – GPs please take note.

We’re now converts and are boring everyone about diet to manage depression!

What I have done several times to disrupt the inevitable plateaux is to have a fairly substantial bowl of traditional porridge. This seems to work for me as well as encouraging “digestive transit”. It is a carb hit but bit seems to work for me.

Using the search function and entering “vegan” should give you a list of useful threads.

Not being snarky, BTW, but there are a few really interesting posts from vegans who have successfully adopted BSD.

Hi All!
I’ve just bought the original book and recipe book and ready to get started. Both my wife and I want to change over to the BSD however my wife is a vegan and we are struggling finding a variety of suitable vegan meals. Are there any other vegans that are on the BSD that can give us any tips?

Many thanks
David

It’s my turn now. I have put on 1.5 kg for the first time since I started the bsd and yes, I am constipated. I drink 2-3litres water, eat vegies, add 2 tablespoons of flaxseed and still nothing. I was taking senna tablets which worked but these are not recommended as a daily medication. I have just eaten about 12 prunes which I hope will work. Obviously prunes are not ideal because of the sugar content, I’ve just had a fearful amount of carbs. Mostly I must avoid herbal medicines because of interactions with drugs I take. I am getting plenty of exercise. This has never been a problem for me before BSD. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

Mixnmatch – actually I don’t think that I can absolutely trust my body to set the calories because I still enter everything on fat secret. It looks like my body is doing really well but it is highly likely that entering my food on fat secret subconsciously alters the amount I am eating so maybe it makes it easier to not overeat because I am monitoring my food intake.

Congrats Kysia, that is such an inspiring story! And MK, also congrats on the upcoming new addition to your household. I’ve had two puppies in my life – a lot of work but not for too long. And so cute! Taking them outside on rainy winter nights was probably the worst bit, but the cuddles were lovely.

I’ve been laughing to myself about people planning to eat slow – with my sore mouth I haven’t had any choice! I’ve been cutting up very small bites and chewing slowly and carefully… I can’t say it’s helped though! I’ve put on half a kg in the past few days. Apparently eating all the wrong foods actually has an effect on your body – who knew? I’m struggling to get back on plan, but sitting here with my fruity herbal tea so that’s a start.

Morning all!
124.6lbs this morning.

I’m still mostly leaving out breakfast, and eating late morning – although recently got a Gaggia coffee machine and if two flat whites consist of breakfast, then I do have it 😉

One thing I did notice, though, is that when there is good bread in the house – sourdough or really crusty rye bread – I do feel tempted to have a slice or two. And I do have that low carb bread in the freezer for the moment when only eggs on toast will do.

I wasn’t convinced that this was good for me, and decided that I would give this a miss, and immediately after stopping having bread noticed that I felt so much livelier waking up in the morning. I hadn’t really felt ‘fuzzy’ before, until I stopped the bread and noticed that I had been. Not suggesting anyone else does this, but I thought it was interesting.

Well done to all the ‘maintainers’, and good luck to anyone else still losing and improving blood sugar…..

Sounds interesting, signed up to give it a try, thank you.

I am still a little behind you in trusting my body to set the calories, Krysia, but with the evidence of the last completely untracked week it must be pretty good at it. It is just that this is the first time I have ever succeeded in getting to my target weight so it is all a little into the unknown, hence the plan. I will also be using other IF techniques like 16:8 to keep myself used to feeling hungry. That has been the big difference for me with this way of eating I think, the realisation that hunger is natural, and can actually feel good, rather than panicking and heading straight for the junk food.

Verano – I don’t see my GP but do see a consultant at the hospital. In October I went armed with Professor Taylor’s notes to Doctors expecting a difficult consultation when I told the consultant about the BSD.

It ended up being the dream appointment – the consultant knew Professor Taylor and was 100% for the BSD. She was so pleased that I have been successful but did warn me that I may need to stay low carb in the long term as we don’t know quite how long I have had diabetes before diagnosis.

I can live with that as I do absolutely love this way of eating.

I think that although I was a slow loser it actually worked to my advantage because I was actually doing maintenance for quite large chunks of my weight loss phase on the BSD. So once I was on maintenance proper – I knew that it was achievable as I had already done it in between the weight loss periods.

Well done LindaA and Mixnmatch! Although maintenance isn’t as outwardly impressive to those around us as losing weight, it’s actually the thing I’ve struggled with the most in the past, so congratulations!
I won’t say it’s a piece of …… kale now, it’s something I am aware of every time I eat, but I’ve got used to it.
And it’s worth it!

Weight this morning after just getting back from my 25th wedding anniversary celebrating week in Cornwall was 10 stone 9.4 pounds. This is actually 0.8 pounds lighter than I was the Monday we left for Cornwall despite many many indulgences, albeit interspersed with proper food. It is also within a fraction of a pound the same as I was last month, so my plan seems to have worked 😀 Still keeping on keeping on, and have committed to trying on the dress every five years from now to keep myself honest.

Mixnmatch – your plan for maintenance looks really good. On reading this forum I realised that the people who did well on maintenance were the people who had a plan for their maintenance which they followed. Everyone’s plan was different – but it suited them. The minute I realised this – maintenance was no longer scary.

I have been doing what you are doing – eating to appetite but tracking what I eat more as a food diary than a rigid plan.

What I have noticed is that I have a few days with higher calories then a few days of not feeling hungry and much lower calories. I keep carbs low at all times because my pancreas can’t cope with higher carbs and as long as I do that I can trust my body to choose the right amount of calories.

Obviously I don’t completely trust my body to do that or I wouldn’t be keeping my food diary on fat secret. But it really works for me with my particular health issues and previous carb addiction.

You may not be getting enough fat, and that is a very important nutrient to signal the brain that you are full, and provide alternative fuel for the body to use which it will supplement with your own fat stores.

A good place to start would be avocado, olives and olive oil, nuts and seeds, butter, coconut oil, even real mayonnaise and cream are all good sources of low carb fat. Oily fish as well, is fantastic and of course all the old low fat diet ideas like throwing away the chicken skin are no longer a good idea. Full fat greek style yoghurt is great, it can be used in cooking, to make dressings or just eaten with berries or flavourings. I like cauliflower and Broccoli mash, which I add chilli and garlic to, and some creme fraiche or butter to go with things like steak or chicken.

My macros when on 800 calories were about 40g carb, 77g protein and 37g fat, that was set for a very active period with a lot of exercise requirements, you may need less protein and more fat than that.

Still plodding along here. Out for lunch today so may be a little more explaining to do!

Will weigh-in tomorrow but things looking good this morning.

Have a good day!

CONGRATULATIONS KRYSIA 🏅🏅🏅

A truly amazing turn around in your health. I wonder sometimes if slow and sure helps the body to adjust to its new weight as you go along so maintenance is more natural …. but not easier ! At least that’s my hope if the day ever comes!!!

You don’t mention what your GP has to say about your amazing achievement. He must be really happy. Is he?

Anyway, well done and here’s to the next year of good health🍅🥕🌶🍳🥗🍓

I’ve been reading the Zen Habits blog on and off for the last few years and there are often articles about mindfulness. Today is the author’s 44th birthday and he has launched a free 44 day mindfulness video training course. I can’t vouch for it yet (as it starts tomorrow), but I’m giving it a try.

Krysia, happy BSD Anniversary! As you started your maintenance before I did you are one of those who is continually inspiring me, particularly with what you have overcome. I hope the next year goes even better.

Reporting in a day ahead of official challenge weigh in I can report that at 10 stone 9.4 I have dropped 0.8 pounds over the last week since my last Monday pre-holiday weigh in. I have indulged in many things, prosecco, red wine, gin, pasties, cream tea, Easter biscuits, Easter egg, chocolate, toast and marmalade, and one absolutely beautiful orange and mascarpone ice cream, but not to excess, and as always my exercise levels in Cornwall are far higher than my home levels from day to day, so my steps have been high, at 99,842 I think my highest ever recorded in a week, even with a relatively low 3,500 yesterday when we drove back.

Moving on I will go back to my routine as planned (one fast day every week, alcohol on weekends and holidays only, and one, usually weekend, day when anything goes a week, if I want to use it.) I will go back to tracking what I eat, but more as a food diary, than the former rigid plan, and if I am over TDEE on some days, eating to appetite, then I am sure I will be under on others when I am just not as hungry. My trigger weight is unchanged at 11 stone 7, and my recovery plan if I hit it is immediately lower carb to 50g, restrict to 1500 calories, then increasing by 50 calories a day including increasing carbs gradually until well over my TDEE again, as that seemed to work well for me.

I like your style pod – a ‘planned’ blowout is good for the soul – and – in my case at least – makes me more determined to keep on the bandwagon the next day. And like me end up dancing – which is even better for the soul (and calorie burning to boot!).
As it is weight in Monday I have lost just half a pound but I have learned quite a lot this week. My ‘experiement’ over the past few days has been an eye opener:
1) I decided to have wheat yesterday – BIG, BIG mistake – night sweats last night (none since starting this) swollen hands, stuffed nose, and belly swelling this morning and the dreaded D 🙁 and considering yesterday I had lost 3.5 pounds in 5 days and only .5 this morning I am definately equating that to the wheat. So I think I was right with the 9″ lost on belly loss to be combination of diet and not consuming wheat. I feel like a have a major hangover but without the benefit of enjoying the night before.
2) I have had vodka/tonic with no bad effect (lots) but wine (red) does change weighing scale next day.
3) Increasing calories with GOOD carbs i.e. lots of veggies for a couple days a week seems to have increased weight loss earlier this week so I will be continuing to do that.
4) I actually love eating this way, and enjoy the planning of my meals. What I realised yesterday when going shopping – I subconciously walk right pass the aisles with all the processed food and junk food without even realising – and to me that is the added bonus of this – its amazing how habits form without even realising.

Inka – I have been meaning to thank you for ages about your recommendation last year on using rosehip oil. I started using it on my face and have been so pleased with the results.

I have really thick but very very dry hair and to make it look even half decent have to use a huge amount of very expensive products. Not anymore – just a few drops of rosehip oil rubbed into damp hair after washing and I have lovely shiny and manageable hair that needs minimal styling.

A huge saving in time and money.

Hi. If you type shift worker into the search box at the top of the page you will see replies with suggestions from earlier posts. Best wishes for your new way of eating. Once you are organised, a major part of succeeding, you will be well on the way.

KrysiaD- happy BSD day! How impressive.

Way to go Bissell. That’s excellent!
I’m still sitting at or below 60kg which is exactly what here I want to be. I’ve chosen not to reintroduce any sugar or grains into my eating plan and that seems to be working although I admit I looked at the 90% Lindt chocolate block in the supermarket last week and was tempted, but in the end, walked away as I don’t feel like I could yet stop at one piece.

I was made redundant from my 3 day a week admin job in March and as OH and I had already booked to go to Africa in July for 5 weeks, I decided not to look for another job till we get back in August so I’m getting in a LOT of walking, often around 20km per day all up. The weather in Sydney has been lovely and it’s great to walk by the coast or through the bush at this time of year.
Hope everyone else is doing OK.
Cheers
Linda

Sorry, Theodora, just not thinking, not trying to be smart😟. It was my descriptor of how you do this, keeping finger lightly on the screen for the whole word, slide from letter to letter.

On my Samsung devices, also the centuries old Sony phone I’ve been reduced to for the time being, it’s found under keyboard settings ~ keyboard swipe ~ continuous. I am finding I’m a little quicker even with the errors I need to correct. There are some hilarious substitutions when the word you want isn’t in the predictive text dictionary😂

Hmm, pod, not sure i can volunteer for that! But am sure that some will inevitably slip through😀

Happy May Day everyone. Don’t forget to dabble in the dew for that guaranteed fresh complexion (😀)

Weighing in at 152.4lbs today, 0.8lbs up on last month, so happy with that. A couple of ‘fasting’ days, skipped breakfast, yoghurt and cucumber for lunch, normal BSD supper, seems to be working at keeping me stable. I had a couple of holidays this month and therefore was a bit more lenient with the carbs, mainly in booze, I must admit. But nothing bad happened and 90% of the time I stick to the principles. Trying to stay mindful about what I eat, eg I had a bit of pork pie (I know, I know) but the pastry just wasn’t good enough to blow out on, so the dog got it.

I hope all the other maintainers are doing well. I realise these are not the most thrilling posts, but it’s good to see that maintainence can be done.

See you next month and keep the faith!

Hello everyone
Being the 1st of the month, I thought I’d check in after my weigh in this morning and….
Just under 60kg which is exactly where I want to be after reaching my goal in September last year.
Where’s everyone else at?
Cheers
Linda

I am only starting today, however the book does suggest that shakes are an option if you can tolerate them. Otherwise just make a big batch of a few different meals and store them in the fridge/ freezer until needed.

Krysia – thanks for sharing your inspiring story and congratulations on your BSD birthday! 🎉
Reading your story is a good reminder for what this diet is really about – reversing or preventing diabetes. It’s so easy to just focus on the calories and weight loss each week, and not be mindful of the bigger picture.

Hi all,
At my weigh in this morning I was 61.1 kg, only 1.1 kg from my first goal weight. It’s taken 13 weeks to get this far, but I am doing it. I’m so proud of myself.

Sim14k I originally hoped to get close to this in the 8 weeks but when I didn’t I took a leaf out of Captain Lynne’s book and “kept calm and carried on”. I think you might be surprised at your motivation this time. I was.

Starting second week on BSD, 64.4kg. My mini goal would be to weigh 59.9kg by the end of May. 😀

Hi M1ke1
Try increasing your salt (preferably sea, Celtic or Himalayan) intake and your magnesium, that will help as well as the water.
Check this out:
https://healthfully.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/why-you-should-start-taking-magnesium-today/
And
https://healthfully.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/when-you-eliminate-insulin-stimulating-carbohydrates/
Well worth reading.
Where in Oz are you from? I’m in Sydney.
Cheers
Linda

One week in and lost nearly three kilos but more importantly fasting blood down from 9.0 to 6.8.

Feeling a bit headachey. Need to drink more water I think.

Been T2 for seven years and hba1c wobbles around but last reading up at 7.5.

Can’t wait to get a new reading at the end of the diet.

And it was my doctor who recommended this. She has a number or clients on it including her hubby.

Mike from Oz.

Thanks for the quick response! I’m trying to stick to protein and a variety lof salad, peppers, green beans, cauliflower, brocoli . I’ve limited fruit to a handful of berries a day or an apple and some plain yogurt. I’m not sure I’m eating enough fat? I find that although my calories might not have hit 800 I have maxed out carbs?

I certainly felt very fatigued and it seems to have lifted slightly but I had major cravings and had to give in to a slice of bread.

Welcome to the forum, I don’t use either MFP or the recipes in the book but yes this has been mentioned. Some things to look out for though. You should be using net carbs, so take the fibre off the total if the data is from an American source. I believe the recipe book itself often goes over in carb terms as the 50 g limit is not mentioned there, and some days in the book meal plan may well be over this figure. I made up my own recipes all the time while on the 800, and tried to keep under 50g but didn’t worry too much if I went over. Some people need to cut carbs more severely to lose the weight though so I suggest you start at a level comfortable for you to reach, and see what happens over the first couple of weeks. If you are burning fat it should become obvious by the fact that your energy levels recover as you may experience some initial fatigue or lethargy when drastically lowering carbs. Keep us posted with how you are getting on and we can try to answer any questions you have.

Krysia, your story is amazing, congratulations. I’m even more in awe of your successful maintenance, even more tricky in my opinion but you seen to have mastered it. Seeing you and others who have managed it gives this yoyo dieter confidence that I can do it too 👍

MK so envious about your puppy! I had two Maltese for many years, they died a year apart a couple of years ago and u still sometimes look for them in the window when I get home then remember they’re not with us anymore. I’d love another puppy but will put it off until I retire in a few years, doesn’t seem fair to leave a young puppy alone at home 5 days a week and when my son is married in a couple of months I’ll be living by myself again.

I’ve had a bounce back from my low the other day, but still under 68 at 67.9. I’ve noticed I’m still drinking 2.5l a day but not going to the loo anywhere near as much so I’m hoping it’s water weight that will depart in its own good time.
Heigh ho, Monday morning so off to work I go!

Hi all!

I’m very new to the diet, only 6 days in but struggling with the recipies in the book. The calorie and carb count seems way off compared to when I log it in my fitness pal- anyone else find this?

I’ve been following my own recipes but really struggling to get under 50 carbs a day.

Any help really appreciated- it’s my first time on a diet and ever using a forum

On 1st April I decided to get to under 12st by the end of April. That didn’t work. I’ve hovered between 12st 9lbs and 12st 5lbs. Today I weigh 12st 4lbs.
Next challenge is to lose that 4lbs in the next two weeks, so by 15th May they will be gone forever!!

Happy Monday! starting weight for the week is 124.4. Hmmmm!! Have to get my act together! thought I had done ok last week but the scales don’t lie!
Need to get my motivation going again! With winter nearly here, also need to check out winter recipes. All tips greatly received.
Onwards and downwards!!
KJ

KrysisD – I had to read your post twice! It is such a fantastic story. Everyone should read it! I will keep it on my phone to read every day. Truly amazing.
Makes the keeping on keeping on worth it.
Interesting to say about the sinusitis and hay fever. I’ve always had these problems and taken anti histamines and inhalers every day for years. A box of tissues in every room. I started BSD in Jan and although my weight loss has been low in comparison with yours – and been up and down constantly – I have reduced anti histamines and inhalers considerably. In fact haven’t used them for a fair few weeks. I don’t understand why this WOE works on that too. There must be a medical explanation??? It’s a bonus! Well done everyone x

Yes, funny how they do that, Krysia.
There were four tiny pups and Poppy just looked at me and snuggled close to my cheek. Sold!!
Will stock up on yoghurt and look forward to a good loss, thanks for the advice.
Will be interesting to see how much time I save by not planning, shopping and cooking for a man with an enormous appetite who NEVER puts on an ounce! MK x

Isn’t it wonderful how we all support each other. I definitely couldn’t have done it on my own.

MK – how lovely that you are getting a new puppy. We have a Poppy also – she is a 7 year old labrador and when we went to see the litter – she chose us.

Krysia- Happy 1st BSD Birthday 🍓- a truly amazing story and so inspiring to us all. Congratulations on your wonderful achievement this last year. Here’s to a healthy maintenance ahead.

MK-how exciting getting a new puppy. I rescued an old lady cat from a cat sanctuary a few years ago and I named her Poppy (she was ginger) she was the sweetest old cat ever! My husband is going away for a two week Buddhist Retreat next week and I too am already planning how I will fast and eat whilst on my own. It will be nice just looking after myself. My husband is vegan, I am vegetarian and love eggs, cheese, yoghurt etc so I I usually have to use lots of pans to cook our food separately.

Have a good weekend everyone and see you all back on Tuesday for the weekly weigh in!

Nottiredanymore, well done you, lovely to hear that your ME symptoms have improved.
I have ME, and have had it for 15 years. I have just started, 9th week in and have seen some improvement..
But as I have improved and relapsed so many times in the past I’m waiting a while to see if it’s sustainable!!!
I will certainly carry on with the BSD way or eating, it makes so much sense.
Keep happy happy happy xx
Ann