For the last week I have had this fluttering eye- I was convinced that it was to do with this diet- I asked one of the gps at work today and was told to stop using my iPad and phone so much! I’m constantly on it at the moment- on here or on a wedding forum!

Today has been a good day- even with my milk and an orange on calories and 2g over carbs- result for me!

Me too! Thought HbA1c of less than 42 was not diabetic but GP was using fasting blood sugar level to diagnose?#!

Thanks again sunshine-girl. Trouble is doc wants fasting lipids test too so can’t eat after 8pm night b4!

Hi folks I am still here. Pleased to see those who have been poorly are on the road to recovery and hugs to those who are struggling.

Me…..not much to report weight wise, been eating the same meals as we have done since October but my weight is all over the place. My husbands weight continues to go down. I know I have not been out every day for a walk and feel well and put it down to this. But my husband has mentioned a few weeks ago my hair is all over the bathroom. I have also noticed the hair on my hairbrushes is quite excessive. I do/had a good head of hair but I am starting to get concerned. It is quite a bit less than it was a few weeks ago:-/

Anyway the upshot of it is I have been to the doctors today and have a blood test tomorrow for thyroid along with other things and an ECG as I am starting to have palpitations more frequently and slight pain in my chin. I was monitored years ago and I go into AF. Pulse was a bit rapid this morning but I am not worried as it was the first time in three years I had been to the doctors.

She weighed me and I was a lot less than when she last weighed me. On her scales I was 95kg with clothes on but on mine I am 96kg with nothing on! She was fully supportive of this way of eating and said to continue what I was doing.

Hopefully going away for a few days with BSD meals out of the freezer so no cooking, which is always good.

Onwards and downwards folks.

Just a reminder, if your fasting bg is high it might be liver dump. Try having a snack before bedtime.

Excellent news JanJan!! Really happy for you and glad to read you intend adopting this as the way to eat from here on in. Brilliant!

janb
I find that confusing – I was under the impression that an Hba1c reading of under 50 was seen as satisfactory. At the most recent check (entirely my own fault and why I am following the BSD regime) had, after several years of hovering at the 50 mark, gone up to 75 and the practice nurse reckoned that I would never be ale to get it back under 50 other than with medication – so I am trying very hard to prove her wrong!
Mike

M and S sell it too.
X

Hi everyone

Just a quick hello. Sorry to hear about all the ups and downs but we all go through these at times. Life would be so dull if it was always the same!!

I’m away for the best part of the new challenge but will keep in touch. I’ll be happy just to tread water any loss would be a bonus.

Hope this last week isn’t too challenging. Only 5 more days and then a clean sheet to start over next week!

I feel better having read all these comments. Having lost 3 stone in 3 months on BSD followed by 5:2 I was shocked today when GP told me my fasting BS levels are still too high (6.8) even though Hba1c has come down from 44 to 38. I probably need to lose another 2-3 stone to get rid of visceral fat so will join you all for a second time.

Oh well done, JanJan, you must be over the moon. Doing the happy dance for you. 🙂

Good to have you aboard, Greybeard, and well done you for taking control. How lovely that your wife is being so supportive and you are doing BSD800 together.

Weight loss is generally very good and quick in the first week or two, but be prepared for it to slow a bit after that, though it will still continue. This way of eating works, so stick with it, and please shout if you need any help, encouragement or advice, there are so many friendly, experienced and knowledgeable people on this forum that I doubt you will ask or experience anything that somebody hasn’t already encountered and can give words of advice or encouragement on.

Go for it. Good luck, and don’t forget to let us know how you get on.

Yes, I am over the moon. I was pre diabetic. Skinny, ate well, didn’t over indulge in anything I shouldn’t. Exercised 5 days a week and the weight started to pile on around my waist over the past year. I went to the doctor and was told I was pre-diabetic and my bad cholesterol was high. I spoke to my mother and found out that it was in the genes and I was predisposed to the high cholesterol and the type 2 diabetes. She recommended the blood sugar diet (she did it and changed her lifestyle, and although she still has type 2, she is slim, healthy and enjoying life). I bought the book and read it in a day. As I already had a good BMI (and was already exercising a lot), I didn’t count the calories but I embraced every other element of the diet. No added sugars, no hidden sugars…. I have been on it since 18 December. I lost a further 7 lbs and got my blood work done last week. Blood work has COME BACK NORMAL. I am no longer pre-diabetic!!! If anyone doubts that this diet works, I would recommend that they try it. It is, however, more than a diet, it is a change in lifestyle. I embrace it. I am absolutely thrilled. I love eating this way and don’t feel I am missing out on anything.

For the future, I will remain on low/no carbs and avoid bread, pasta, potatoes, rice etc but just enjoy everything else….

Oh, MK, I do feel for you, you sound rather low so please, please, please remember that it is not how many times you fall that counts, it’s how many times you get back up again, and you’ve done that, so well done you. Really sorry to hear that life feels a bit rubbish right now – just go away and enjoy yourself. You DESERVE your Spa weekend, and I hope you come home feeling thoroughly pampered, refreshed and invigorated. You are SOOO worth it. 🙂

I do so agree with you about personal comments – if someone can’t say anything nice, why bother saying anything at all? Maybe they have just been saying you look tired out of genuine concern but, frankly, if you are feeling tired and low, the very last thing you need is to be told that you look it as well as feel it!!! But the last laugh will be on them when you return from you spa session looking and feeling all glamorous and relaxed. 🙂 Which you will 🙂

With your menu requests, I will be interested to hear what they serve up to you. If you discover any delicious delicacies or recipes which fit the plan, please share. 😉

Enjoy. Wish we were all coming with you 😉

Thanks sunshine-girl, I will try some protein b4 bed and see if that helps with morning BS level. Will also go back on BS diet for another 8 weeks and try to increase my activity levels further (easier said than done as I have arthritis and bad hip). Hopefully losing remaining visceral fat and doing more exercise will improve insulin resistance.

Hi
I just started the BSD on Monday morning this week and I am being supported by wife who is doing the diet but is not a diabetic we decided to do the fast 800 version for the 8 weeks then see were we go from there. I am not a vegetable or salad eater and I love my carbs so I know this is going to be tough but if works bring it on. I am weighing in every morning and also taking, blood results ie sugar and pressure and pulse. took all my measurements on Sunday ie chest waist thighs and arms. I weighed in on Monday morning at 222lbs Tuesday morning 219lbs and this morning at 217lbs so things look really good

Fast BG taken in the morning can be high due to liver dump. Try having a snack before bed, something counted in your calories and BSD friendly, recommend slice of cold meat or 2 oz of chicken or a boiled egg. I should stop the Dawn Effect.

Sperando, I dont know how you have reduced insulin from 36 units to 12, if you have 2 weeks to go then you have only been doing this for 6 weeks. Don’t believe all the hype surrounding this diet. If you have only just been diagnosed or have had diabetes for a short time you could possibly reverse it in 8 weeks but for most of us it takes a lot longer, just like losing the weight cannot always be super fast. Also, that prospect is for people who have been diagnosed and not put on medication but been able to try this dietary plan first. Not people who are on highish doses of insulin. I have been on this plan for 8 months and have got my HbA1c from 8.2 to 5.4 but I am still on 22 units of insulin, I started on 38 units. I would rather do it slowly than see my BG go back up again. If you reduce too quickly you will only see it shoot up again. The diet will give you days when it is lower but that is only a moment in time, you can only judge accurately by having the HbA1c test to cover a 12 week average.

Hi All,

Hope everyone is having a good day – the sun is shining and that helps so much!!

My work lunch out was very successful – I had an avocado and bacon salad and a soft drink. I have come back and counted what I had and it works out just shy of 400 calories as there was pure green salad with tomatoes and then the bacon and half an avocado, no dressing etc.. I’m really pleased with myself. Onwards and upwards and tonight’s meal is stuffed red bell peppers (mince and feta) and a side salad. Lovely.

Tomorrow is cheese salad for lunch I think, unless there is some nice meat left over in the fridge to go with it, and then tomorrow night I’m not sure, think we planned for frittata. Tomorrow night I will plan the weekend and the week ahead with menu’s and then write a list for the shopping to be done on Friday.

I find planning is the best way to be successful on this diet – If I knew what I was having and when and meal prepped, then I found it so much easier… long may this continue!!!!

Much love to all,

Rebecca xx

In five months time you will be a slinky minky, emerging like a skinny butterfly from your winter chrysalis!
Enjoy the rest of your summer and think of us here in the UK – I still my hot water bottle every night! MK x

Just catching up… Congrats on your tests SG, that’s a brilliant reward for all your hard work.

Been missing in action since last week as I’m having a very trying time at home and work, and foolishly decided to medicate with food, my old friend and comfort. . BSD food, but much, much too much. Has taken me five days to catch up with the blessed wagon. Back now, shamefaced, chastened and a bit half-hearted, tbh.

Couple of days away at a health spa over weekend, life’s so rubbish just now that I need a bit of a pamper, so have booked lots of treatments and requested specialist 30g carb, 800 cals regime. Will be interesting to see what turns up on my plate. Plan plenty of sauna and steam, walking, classes between pummelling, plucking and filing..

Am SO TIRED of people telling me I look exhausted. Working full time in a demanding job combined with caring responsibilities and little sleep will do that for you… Why do random people feel they need to comment at all? Sorry, bit down, but will bounce back after a little rest. No weight loss on Sunday, stayed the same but won’t weigh now till after spa. Damage limitation! Seeing next Monday as a new start. MK x

Hey krmoore1542 – my goal is also 80kg! Just finished Week 10 and have lost 16.5Kg – still a long way to go, but couldn’t agree more with all your comments about previous diets and the elimination of all sugar and carbs. I’ve noticed on a friends FB page that her ‘diet ‘ (SW ) is forever trying to concoct pudding type dishes that people can, sort of, get away with on the diet. Much, much better just to ditch the lot and lose the cravings. Definitely no drawbacks to keeping going with the 800 Michael Rolls – my daughter has dropped 32kg in 6 and half months . She had 2 days ‘off’ over Christmas but is happily sailing along … she has 2 lively boys as well!!

I too have high fasting blood sugar level (6.8) despite losing 3 stone in 3 months on the BSD followed by 5:2. I was told I was prediabetic before xmas. My HbA1C has dropped (from 44 to 38) but cholesterol not changed at all, still 7.2, although triglycerides are improved. I am really depressed about this as I had hoped to avoid a diagnosis but GP just told me I am diabetic. She didn’t understand why I was upset and disappointed. Any suggestions how to improve fasting blood sugar levels anybody? Please.

Hey Cara54 – it’s so frustrating when you just keep switching back and forth across the same results. This week I am really trying to focus on getting back to basics, keeping tighter control on cals and carbs and working hard at keeping my hydration up, in the hope this will help me achieve a better result this week. The last two days, I’ve done a 17 hour fast and really kept a tight reign in between times – trying for the same today.

The scales have been kind for the last couple of days, but as I usually experience a bounce back mid-week, I’m not disclosing anything at this point. I hope you will be seeing great results this week. Stay focused and keep with it Cara54, I’m sure you can get there.

Love the suggestion for the next challenge Marsie. Not sure yet that I’ll join that one, as I won’t be able to see it to the end, ‘cos I go away on 9th April, so that will be my deadline for this time round.

I never knew till I did a job for Danone a few years ago and asked why the same product had different ingredients!

I’m blessed by having a very supportive hubby, who does most of the cooking around here! Not sure I could do the 800 if I was still teaching …. I needed my biscuits and wine back then! The brilliant thing about this diet is that it is family friendly (just add carbs in for the kids!) and it’s not boring!

Thanks for that J-M, I have never eaten cream but yes CF has a more piquant taste. I use it for sauces and in scrambled eggs to make them light and fluffy.

That’s a great result, GrannieAnnie! Many of us are still soldiering on and managing to report losses along the way. Seems like you really have the whole 800 thing sorted and at this rate, it won’t be long before you are posting hitting your ultimate goal.
Keep going and good luck!

Not been on here for a while, so good to see so many ‘new starters’ and ‘keeping goings’ posting such positive results! I’m keeping going with the 800 for now (Day 70 – today!) as I’ve lost 37lbs – that’s just under half of what I need to lose – aiming for 80-85 altogether. As an unfit 63 year old with creaky knees, a wonky pelvis and arthritis I figure it’s all going really well!!
Keep up the good work everyone.

Reiterating that if you’re steadily losing weight each week, that is not a plateau and that lowering your calories will not necessarily lead to weight loss. Did you log all your food during the eight weeks? Why not go back to what you were eating then, see if it makes a difference. If it doesn’t, this is just how your body has decided to shed pounds, slowly and consistently. As someone who has experienced many plateaus over the past six months, reliable and steady weight loss every week sounds like a dream to me.

Hey fletchrf – a great result for week one! You can’t take on all the problems of those around you and right now, you need to concentrate on you and your goals. It seems you have the support of your nearest and dearest, so grab that with both hands and forge ahead. Sunshine-girl is right, those who will maintain their loss, will be those who can take on board that this is a complete lifestyle change and not just a ‘diet’.

For now though, take a day at a time and do what you need to do to achieve your goals. To help keep you focused, set yourself a mini-goal on the mini-goal thread on the forum. And lots of folks on the forum will be more than happy to offer advise, support and encouragement, so shout when you need us.

Good luck!

Sorry to step in, but just to clarify.

In la Belle France, Creme fraiche is just standard fresh, thick cream (Creme d’Isigny, Mmmmm!). In non-French markets, however, creme fraiche is a lightly soured or fermented product with a bit of a tang, which makes it particularly suitable for sauces with strong herb tastes.

Morrisons sell full fat creme fraiche which is pretty good, if that helps.

Hi all. I started this challenge at 12st 7lbs. I’ve been gaining and losing the same 3lbs throughout. Up to 12st 10 and back. Today I’m at 12st 8lbs. Aiming to lose 2-3lbs on the last week. I did 5 x 18 hour fasts last week which I thought would have helped but clearly I was eating too much in between times. I’m persevering with it this week but paying more attention to my food intake.

Marsie I love the title for the next challenge and I’m definitely up for it. I’ll try to post more and be accountable.

If you are still losing, even at a reduced rate, it’s not really a plateau. Dropping your calories too low, will cause your body to go into starvation mode, so rather than dropping weight rapidly, it will hang on to it’s reserves in case the next sustenance is a long way off. I’d suggest reviewing your meal plans and try bring the calories to the 800 mark and take a look at the carbs too, to be sure you are pitching them at the right sort of level too.

Try not to be disheartened by a pound a week loss. For some of us, that’s a goo week and every little helps – at least the scales are heading in the right direction for you and 1st 10lb is a good loss to date – a good foundation to build your continued loss on.

Good luck going forward and hope to be reading some positive results from you soon.

Fletchrf, I am still hooked to my half-teaspoon of Truvia for coffee or tea, and the occasional (@@) Diet Coke. I figure: it’s better than craving and falling off the wagon altogether!

Lumpyjumper, a 2lb gain after a 2-day carbfest is NOTHING. Miraculous!

Buttermeup and greenjanet, the 50s are the new 30s! Greenjanet, I am 53 and had a total hysterectomy a year ago, so I have had hair loss too. I use use Regaine (Boots, if you’re in the UK) for it. I think its the only product proven to work. We drive up from Brussels regularly to buy it!

Shammy, than you for the meditation idea, I’m going to check it out.

Lumpyjumper, we are all with you in spirit tonight, watching you with our beady eyes 🙂

Evenings are my danger zone too, when I start picking at snacky things. Does anyone remember Rosemary Conley? She was infamous for once saying to a journalist, “if I crave chips, I pour washing-up liquid all over the plate and my temptation is gone.” My alternative to that is brushing my teeth *the very minute* I have swallowed my last morsel of dinner. It mostly works.

Good luck, everyone. We’re in this together!

Thanks for all the lovely support you guys! It’s good to know I’m not alone and as you say Chelle at least we’re here and trying!

I had another wobbly moment this morning but managed to stop myself before I caused any damage thankfully. Dinner tonight is off plan but I’ll be doing some more walking if all goes as it should.

Thought I would do a little check in, I’m 4 weeks in and 11lbs down which I’m super chuffed with especially after a difficult 3rd week!

Hi All, well Linda you are in control of your own body so good for you. I personally have been told by people on this site (people who are not here any more) that I should do the test for myself by drinking a large glass of full sugar coke then testing at intermittent times. Why would I want to put that in my body and also I wouldn’t really know what I am doing. Also, yes my HbA1c is 5.4 so normal, but it is not normal as I still take 22 units of insulin and 60 mg of glicazide daily. I will decide when I want that test and I will get my doctor to help me, he would not push me into anything (he dare not).

Still feeling good, had a lovely swim this morning and my weight is the same. BG was up to 5.2 this morning but I did have Cheddar cheese last night and it does seem to spike things a bit but it will be down tomorrow. Seeing doctor on Friday so we will see what he has to say, I think he will be double pleased when he sees my weight as well and BG. Have a good day everyone.

Hi there didn’t notice this yesterday. Just joined the forum, and on day 8 Doing well so far (10lb) and not feeling hungry, although that doesn’t mean I don’t fancy stuff. Have decided to reduce the sweeteners in my coffee rather than omit them otherwise sticking to the message. Good luck to ourselves.

Watsup, crème fraiche is French for fresh cream so why dont you just buy the English thick stuff – sorry dont know what they call it but thick cream not pouring cream.

hi there, that lake sound fabulous. So jealous (although I have my own pool). Salted nuts are not good for you because it is like giving you something healthy (nuts) and coating them in a poison (salt). Now, in moderation salt is good and is needed by the body, but you obviously know what else salted nuts do, they keep you going back for more. Try some almonds for a snack, you dont want to give up the good stuff but if you really cant say no, go without for a while. Nuts are so good for you for oils, measure out 8 or 10 and dont go back for more.

That doesn’t sound enough food to me. Perhaps have faith and follow the recipes scrupulously. It will happen,

Hi
KrysiaD, I’m so glad to hear your LP is being kept at bay. The sulphate thing is an interesting one.
Suzcaps, thanks for the link. I saw Donna’s site some time ago and haven’t been back there in quite a while…shes really gone for it in a big way. She has quite the interesting story if you haven’t seen it on youtube.
Another great kefir site is Dom’s site…not as commercial as Donna’s but loads of info.
http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/

Neil

we have your back fletchrf, stick with us, especially if you are stuggling. Keep on keeping on…

Hi you are lucky to have got this far without a plateau, some people hit it and dont lose any weight for days or even a couple of weeks. It is a period when you body needs to rest and catch up with what has been happening to it. One pound per week is not too bad but less is not better and you could really do with more calories, especially fat, fat burns fat. You are bound to slow down at some point, some of us take a bit of a break, usually planned like for a holiday and keep to low carbs but go up a bit on calories. I dont know about fasting, it is not something I would ever do. Not because it is wrong but because I have diabetes and would be on the floor in a coma, so I am not saying there is a problem with it. Some people do the fasts and I am sure someone else will come on to give their view. All advice is welcomed. Ho, and well done on your 1 st 10 lbs loss.

Hey Heaphster – I think my body is telling me I need to do stretching exercises because I’m damaging my muscles! So I took yesterday off – just did my step minimum of 11,000 and a 7 min stretching workout. This morning I did 20 mins of Wii Zumba and 15 mins stretching and I definitely think there’s an improvement in my general stiffness.

Not sure if I’m going to get to use my free gym pass today or not but if not I”ll go for a long walk and perhaps do some chair gym later.

Tonight I’m going to try to perfect my seafood saganaki recipe I think. If its any good I’ll share it.

I must have missed the 15% of body weight loss target suggested in the BSD but I’m glad you mentioned it because having read that on your post I checked against my weight and as of today I have reached that milestone!! Well almost. I’m 0.05lbs from that milestone but that’s got to be within the margin of error right?

Hi all
I am a 2nd timer lost just over 3 st last year, and put back on 2/3 very slowly, but now feeling poorly again so back on it today. So may I join you all. I am going to do about 1,000 calls as last time my vitc and protein were not high enough for me and had a lot of hair loss.
So shopping presently, meal plan done up to Sunday looking forward to feeling better and in control again.
My sister said I was like a lively young pup before 🐶lol I’m 59 but here’s hoping. What you all having for dinner today🙋Jan

PS Forgot to put my end of round one measurement losses in:-

Waist down 4″ – only one I can be accurate with, as the only measurement I thought to take before starting BSD
Hips down 4″
Bust down 2″

Grrrrr – just typed up a long post, only for it to disappear when I hit the submit button!!!! This has happened to me a few times, so I must try to remember to copy my post, before submitting in future, so that I can just paste it.

Here I go again…………..

I do agree that there is not a lot of point is spending lots of money buying new clothes whilst we are still losing, so charity shops seem like a good option. I also agree that big baggy jumpers hide a multitude of sins, but for those of us who have been trying to hide our weight under them all winter, the telling time of summer is just around the corner, when we will have to strip off a bit., and that is when more people may start noticing our weight loss. Somehow, baggy t-shirts aren’t as concealing as baggy jumpers. I also think that, once we have started losing weight, “fitted” clothes are far more slimming that baggy ones, as I believe that people still “see” the weight, even though it may no longer be there! Case in point is that the first (in fact only, apart from o/h) person who has commented on my weight loss was a friend at a party on Saturday evening, when I wore a new clingy dress, and she called me a “Skinny Minnie” 🙂 Whilst no one else actually commented on the weight loss, several other girlfriends did say how lovely I looked, which was a boost 🙂

I, too, am holding off buying new clothes for the time being (the exception being the clingy dress mentioned above, which is gorgeous, and I feel really confident it – but it was ridiculously cheap in an end of sale, 80% off in fact). However, I will have to find some new trousers / jeans very soon, because all mine are literally falling off me. In fact o/h said just yesterday that the skinny jeans I was wearing looked more like jodhpurs!!!

So, I am now at home after 8 days away, so can report on my final First Round BSD800 weigh in, albeit 2 days late. I was disappointed that I have only lost 1lb since my last weigh in on Monday 6th, but I have been away since then, and at least it was a loss and not a gain.

So my stats are:-

Weight Loss 24lbs
Fat % down 4.1%
Water % up 3.2% (the only thing I was hoping to increase 😉 )
BMI down 4 whole points 🙂

I am now going straight on to Round 2 BSD800 and my aim is to lose another 10lbs, which is hopefully doable, notwithstanding the temptations of my “gourmet break” which I have to contend with next week, and of course Easter. If I manage it, it will bring my total loss to 34lbs, bring my BMI down to 23 and into the 9sts bracket for the first time in years.

Good luck to all us new 2nd Rounders – with a little help and encouragement from each other, we can do this! 🙂

Hey Shammy 🙂 you’re definitely not alone, I fall off the wagon all the time when I’m trying to break old habits.

The main thing is to dust yourself off, remind yourself that you are only human, and come and chat to us.

Evenings are one of my biggest danger times, especially if I sit with the family to watch something on the TV as then I start to get the munchies. I’ve taken up dressmaking and quilting and so I take myself off to sew and watch whatever I was going to, on my ipad, then I’m busy but not missing a programme I’d like to watch either.

Good luck, stay positive, we’re with you all the way