Hi Keid, I’m starting today so will join you. I have a lot more to lose than you do, but I am very prone to relapses and have failed many times. I’m not giving up though, and have spent some time preparing to start Fast 800 again, so hopeful this time I will make it.

Good luck!

Starting Fast 800 again today. I’ve been trying on and off since my first attempt almost a year ago. It’s more like 1000-1500 cals for the moment, but I’ve carefully set myself up for this attempt by gradually weaning myself off junk food for a few weeks and increased vegetables/reduced carbs for the last fortnight.

Today I had Fage yoghurt and blueberries for breakfast, home made vegetable and lentil casserole for lunch, and chicken in white sauce (tinned) with heaps of broccoli and some broad beans for dinner. I have quite a few tins of this in, and need to use them up but they are reasonably low carb.

So here I am at the scary moment, when I’ve had my dinner and would normally start visiting the kitchen for more and more snacks. I have some celery and carrots in so will make crudités, but I will try not to eat between meals, as this can lead to losing control by past experience.

It’s also half term hols for me, so it will be quite a test of my determination. I’m ok with small slips, but I want to avoid the major relapses that are characteristic of my attempts to be in control of my eating.

This time I feel a little more determined – I’ve seen my blood sugars gradually rise while my diet has been out of control, and I’m of an age where I’m becoming more and more aware of the risks my weight brings. I’ve always had the fanciful idea that one day I would naturally just not want to overeat, and would naturally also just choose healthy food. Sigh. If only! It’s going to be hard work but the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.

That explains all my leg cramps this week and the fact I’ve up my water intake and tonight I’m thirsty.
Thank you. This forum is fabulous x

Shanshu
cmawp is right, don’t drop the salt, this way of eating without processed foods and additional water means that we need to consume more salt, not less.
I aim for 2 teaspoons a day and when I don’t get it, I find I suffer from cramps in my legs.
Cheers
Linda

Hello all, anyone starting on the 20th Feb like to keep me company. It’s my birthday 22nd April so I’m hoping for a real change by then. Only got a stone and a half to lose but it’s been there for few years so it’s quite stubborn!!!

Shansu, what you’re experiencing in week 3 is very normal.

Your body has just finished purging water and glycogen from your muscles and is about to get in gear for ketosis. You’ll find yourself becoming thirsty quickly, so up your water intake and stay on the 800.

From experience I wouldn’t take salt out of your diet. In fact with the increase in water consumption, you’ll need it more than ever.

It’s one of the counter-intuitive requirements of BSD. You need a new way of thinking, so you must let go of the ‘salt = bad’ way of thinking

Day 6 today.. this is the longest I have been without any sugar/hi carbs. Going well.. Headaches have settled. Not feeling hungry all the time. Howz everyone else doing? Any positive results as such?

Sorry to hear that Manyana, but please do what’s best for you. All the best for your future endeavours.

Just made chicken korma with cauliflower rice was delicious. Used low fat Greek yogurt too (didn’t differ much in sugars to full fat). Also cut back on the oil and used olive oil spray oil too, didn’t bother with the onion rings though.

Ah, Verano, I’m realistic about how I look and getting older – the things I value in myself aren’t outwardly visible!

And don’t even start me off about being a lifelong teetotaller in Scotland. If one more person tells me ‘you can’t trust a person who won’t take a drink….. Clearly I’m destined to be a kitten who treads her own path … !

Might be giving all nuts a miss then!

So managed 5 days as do feel better- not sure if I have lost any weight as I don’t own scales- never have and never will- I will know I am on target when I can fit into a certain size of clothes- weight doesn’t bother me, a bit like age but I have weight to lose and a wedding dress to fit into !

Am going away for the weekend am think diet may go out the window with alcohol but I know this and I’m just gonna roll with eat- try and eat healthy when we eat out- fish and veg and still avoid bread and pasta etc-

Hi SweetpeaHun, welcome to our current challenge.

As the title says we finish this one on Tuesday 21st by weighing and posting or results and/or comments.

By then I will have opened another challenge for us to move into. Don’t want to do that too early, finish this one with a blast first. Stick with us until then.

To join in, just post. All welcome. Tell us a little about your goals, or whatever you want. The title to look for will be:
CHALLENGE FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS: 4 WEEKS UNTIL 21st MARCH

Hi Sweetpeahun – look for the title:

CHALLENGE FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS: 4 WEEKS UNTIL 21st MARCH in the forum over the next few days (probably Monday/Tuesday). Just state what you want to do over the four week challenge, whether that be weight loss, exercise goals, maintenance through a busy social time and that’s it. Done. Then keep posting your progress so we can all support you 🙂

Hi Maccy

It’s quite common for blood sugars to do what you describe. But then they go down again and stay down. Mine started at 10.9 but soon dropped to normal and stay there. No medication at any point.

Stick with it and you should see results.

No worries Snoop, will keep on posting, keeps me on the straight and narrow. hope to see you posting after your brake, they say talking to your self is the first sign of insanity, though according to my wife, its always been the case anyway….Went to the beach this evening with oh and dog for a stroll , even managed to keep up with the dog. Its a shame these forums dont enable you to post pics, had amazing sunset today. Take care all till next time.

Hi Can I join you ladies.

I just completed my second week on Fast 800. I lost 12lb in week 1 and 5lb in week two. Starting weight was an embarrassing 18stone .7lbs. Bmi 46. Got a looong way to go but heading in the right direction.

My fasting blood sugar started at 6.7 then week one was down to 5.5 but this morning it was back up to 5.8??? Not really sure why. I’m drinking plenty. Sticking to 800 calories and always under 50g of carbs.

I don’t mind though still lower than my starting results and weight loss is great.

Well done everyone on your fantastic losses too.

Hi 1960smp

The online program is quoted in Australian Dollars ($150.00 equates to approximately 95 pounds).

We have had hundreds of people successfully complete the program, and it is great if you are looking for/ find you need a bit more support and direction to complete the BSD.

Happy to answer any further questions you have. Michael has also written a letter explaining why the online program was created (found here: https://thebloodsugardiet.com/12-week-online-program/) which also may help answer any further questions you have.

I hope you have a really great weekend!

Calypso

Hi,

I’m new to all this, how do I find out when the next 4 week challenge is?

I have been absent. I have been hibernating from the cold, biting wind with bread and cake!!! All my wonderful intentions gone out of the window. Haven’t even read the forum. I was doing so well, what went wrong?!!! Mixmatch you are down soon. Cafes in town ‘Harry’s Cali Style’ or ‘The Salt Bar’ or of course ‘Trevaskis’ or the Quay House Pub along the Causeway. Let me know which you fancy, have a geek on line. Then let me know when and where and I will be there. You can give me a good talking to and get me on the straight and narrow again. Bring piccies please. I went to yoga on Tuesday and overstretched so have had the last 2 days in bed with a bad back!!! One of the reasons I went on an improved lifestyle, lose weight, exercise get my old bones moving better and then like a bolt out of the blue!! So serves me right for going off the straight and narrow. But I was doing Yoga so some consolation, lol!! But back at work today, taking things slow and doing okay. Look forward to hearing from you Mixmatch.

Unfortunately I have had to drop the intensive 800cal. diet as my health is not up to it . I have been advised to just do the fit for life if I want to lose a few pounds. Wishing you all the best on your journey and will have a check in to see how you are all doing in the days ahead.

I found that same with his book ‘Why we get fat and what to do about it ‘ – desperately want to read it but halfway through and getting nowhere fast with regards to progressing to a conclusion. If he uses the phrase ‘calories in versus calories out’ once more I think I'[ll scream! 🙂

Hello all

I’ll be joining the next 4 week challenge because, even though I am officially maintaining now, I’m not sure how long that will last since I appear to have woken my carb monster and am having trouble putting him back to sleep (it’s definitely a him – no name as yet but
Satan seems about right at the moment!)

I don’t know if anyone on here can help with this but I have upped my exercise quite a bit in the last month and it’s playing havoc with my appetite. I few weeks ago I succumbed to a rather large amount of chocolate and when I thought about it I decided that I needed to up my fat. I am assuming this because I am also assuming I have very little fat stores since my BMI is under 21 so if I want to exercise I thought it was the answer. It doesn’t seem to have worked. It may be that because of the chocolate I’m just craving it now and will have to go cold turkey again and reset but any advice would be welcomed.

As an indication I usually exercise about 3/4 times a week, either running, rowing or swimming, sometimes all three. To date this year I’ve covered 75km.

On other things, good luck with the eye test MK, keep Grizelda locked away if you can – maybe we need to also create a BSD fairy that sits there polishing her halo when we are being good….have a good weekend all
TC xxx

yay, new official weigh in day at the end of the week feels much better, so have now lost 1.5 stone/21 pounds/9.5 kg since the 9th January

3 pounds this week, I am 2/3 to goal, hopefully with the new gym membership, I can up the rate of loss, or at least inches loss, if not weight. unlike others i don’t seem to have lost as many inches, only 3.5 from round my waist, 1.5 to go to get to the ‘safe’ recommended 31.5″

Happy weekend everyone, my friday night includes a pilates session followed by taking the kids to the pub for dinner, and it will definitely involve a large glass of wine!

I think I’m ready to start the fast 800 now. Usually Friday- especially one before half term like this one – would mean a shopping trip full of very poor choices. Half term is normally also off the wagon. Let’s see if this is the right time for me to take the plunge!

Shopping for vegetables, total yoghurt, and fast 800 friendly stuff in a bit.

Lol Verano. That freezer plan sounds great but I literally have zero control over this particular treat. All I can say to that plan is…microwave.
. I’m not kidding, my sweet tooth is so pervasive that in the absence of sweeties in the house, I once licked the melted chocolate from my God-daughter’s face – she’d scoffed my secret packet of chocolate buttons.
*kitten peers cautiously around broom cupboard door and picks up car keys*
I WILL NOT drive to the lovely choc shop. Even if Grizelda the carb monster is hiding in the boot of my car…
Walk done – tick – gorgeous day today. Happy weekends everyone.

Thanks Laura78 and SunnyB.

Reading around I can see it’s not just me which makes me feel a little better about things. Will drink more today and see how it goes tomorrow. I might also looking at reducing my salt intake and if that doesn’t work then up my carbs temporarily.

Still sitting at 73kg but BG down to 5.8 (105), still a bit high but within reason. That is it for today folks…..

KrysiaD…. I am so sorry to say this but reading your comments has really perked me up.
I have been on this way of eating since 1st October last year and this week feel as though I could have eaten everything in massive portions. I am struggling not to cave in:-/

My husband normally does the meal plan for the week but yesterday I checked what we have been having over the last few weeks and noticed we have been having meals which have been high in carbs (out of the recipe book). So I have now done the meal plan for next week and he has the shopping list;-) This morning I have written out all three meals for today with calories and carbs. Well under on carbs which will allow me to have a spoonful of yoghurt this evening should I want/need it. I think I need to do this daily for a little while to see how I get on along with how much weight I lose. I have mostly lost 400-500g a week so I should not complain.

This forum is fantastic.

Hi Chelle, just in answer to what to serve with bolognaise – zucchini noodles (zoodles/courgetti) are great. I make mine with a spiralizer and it’s only about 16 calories for a small bowl full. I also love bolognaise served on a bed of steamed broccoli.
As to the macadamia nuts I looked them up on My Fitness Pal and 28g (which is about 1oz from memory) is 200 calories and 4g carbs, not sure how many nuts that would be? 1oz of almonds is 160 calories and 6g carbs – and that is 24 almonds according to MFP.
I carry around a small snack bag of almonds, and sometimes have those on the way home from work – even eating just 3 or 4 almonds satisfies me – well it bridges the gap till I can get home and have dinner!

Am in the same boat where I’ve experienced 2lb weight gain this week (3rd week started Monday) after losing 16lbs in the first two weeks. Totally agree that’s it’s very disheartening but I’ve had a few posts of support in the thread I’m tracking my weight loss in – plus I’ve read this and a few other similarly titled posts which suggests that I’m not alone and that I’m not doing anything wrong per se – it could just be normal fluctuation.

Today I’m going to drink more water and add less salt to my food. Given that Fitness Pal says I should be aiming for 2300mg of salt per day and I’m generally logging more than that just from my raw ingredients (not counting my seasoning) then perhaps my salt intake is affecting things. Anyway – no more seasoning (*quietly weeps*) and more water and we’ll see how that helps.

I also need more water – although i’m having 2.5L a day – water is all I drink generally. So either I need to add some herbal teas to get it higher or I need to drink more water I think.

Good luck JanneB, Carol Miller and Natast – let us know if there is any change and I’ll do the same xx

Hi natast – try not to judge you achievement against the success of others, as some of us are slow losers and that’s just how it is, but that doesn’t diminish your achievement. I also lose slowly and though it can be a little frustrating, I am still pleased to see the scales showing any kind of positive result.

I don’t understand the attitude of your medical advisors, as the accepted NHS party line is that weight loss should only be at a rate of approx. a pound a week anyway. It is also hard to imagine what alternative solution they might offer which could increase the rate of your loss, given that we all now know that their high carb/low fat diet advise is what has got us all to the point where we desperately needed to lose weight in the first place and have been on the treadmill of failed diets over the years.

As LindA says, there are lost of folks on the forum – captainlynn is a prime example – who have been on their BSD journey for many months and achieved wonderful results.

Stick with it, drop your carb intake, be sure to stay well hydrated, eat enough fat and I’m sure you will be posting positive results soon.

Hi Sahanshu – As Laura says, there are many reasons plateaux and even small gains happen. Weight loss isn’t linier and there will be small bounce back along the way. However, I have found that it can help to occasionally up your carb intake and this somehow seems to kick start things again and get things moving in the right direction. Try upping you carbs to a bit above the 30g mark for a day or two and see if that helps.

MK – that carb monster is so persistent – which is so scary.

A couple of times this week I have dished up some ice cream for husband. The carb monster keeps whispering that just one spoonful of ice cream will be absolutely fine and I will no longer be tempted to eat the rest of the tub – even though ice cream has always been a major problem for me in the past. I thought that the carb monster had been completed banished from my life but obviously it is still lurking and waiting for an opportunity to lure me back to the carbs.

Score so far is KD 2 carb monster 0. KD wins this time but husband has to get his own non-BSD food next time.

Julia18togo where did you see that G&B chocolate? I’ve not found it on the internet.

I did find Thorntons 70% dark ginger chocolate block which has 3.9g of carbs and 55 calories in 10 grams. That compares with Lindt 70% which has 57 cals and 3.4g carbs so looks like it could be a good ‘treat’. I love the Thorntons chocolate coated gingers and maybe this will compare. I’m going to give it a go and will let you know.

MK best thing to do with ‘orange’ chocolate is put in the freezer in squares and just take one out at a time. I’m going to do that with my ginger chocolate!!!

Hey MK another ‘woman’ thing … why do we always pull ourselves down??

There’s a thread about ‘your relationship with alcohol’ at the moment and it’s strange how ‘drinkers’ are so quick to condemn, as odd, those who choose not to drink. Maybe it’s the same with food. The ‘eaters’ view those who are careful as ‘odd’!! I think we should just get on with what we do it’s ‘their’ problem not ours!

Hi Sahanshu
That’s really disheartening but keep on doing what you’re doing. Back in the summer I weighed by self and had put on 4 lbs in a week and was really fed up. Ending up thinking sod it and had a big takeaway haha. Weighed myself a few days later… the 4lbs had gone and so had an extra 2?! What’s that about. The body is a bit of a mystery. Could be hormonal and holding on to water or could just be a funny old week. Keep going because eventually your body is sure to catch up with all your good efforts and hard work.
L

Gilliah – glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better after your day surgery last week and that your blood sugars are dropping.

I have bought quite a lot of small plastic screw top pots and have found exactly the same as you have – because the pots are fairly small it makes me feel that I am eating a lot because the pots look quite full. They are also stackable so don’t take up a lot of space in the cupboard.

I also find my Fitbit invaluable. I have lost count of the times that it has made me put on my coat and do just one more walk to reach my 10K steps goal when I really would have liked to sit and read a book or just felt too tired or lazy to walk.

P.S.: I think that we can mention products that we have found helpful to us as long as we are not selling them or have any connections to the company that makes them. I often report posts that are blatantly using this site to advertise another diet plan but giving advice on say – which food logging app people find easier to use is ok and very helpful. I would never have found fat secret if it wasn’t for this forum.

That sounds delicious mixnmatch I think I will try that tonight with the sea bass I should have had last night! I found an avocado in the fridge which I though was over ripe but when I opened it it was perfect. So made some tuna mayo and had that will the avocado. Lovely!

Hi NancyB and Laura78 – well done on the weight loss both of you. Like you Laura78, I definitely feel lighter on my feet (although haven’t lost anywhere near as much as you overall).

I’ve started to gain weight and I don’t know why. I’m walking 13,000 steps a day, I’m eating only ‘allowed’ foods at 800 or less calories a day and I’m keeping my carbs less than 30g a day (sometimes a lot less – yesterday I had 16g for example). I’m also drinking at least 2.5L of water a day.

However this (my third) week – I have gained 2lb. I expected weight gain to slow, maybe even plateau for awhile but not go up!! What am I doing wrong? I’m really disheartened.

Hi KrysiaD

Thank you for your advice, I will drop my carbs and hopefully the stones will drop as well.

Kind regards

Hi,
I don’t think there is one on this site but there is a very good calculator of BMI, BMR and TDEE on the sister-site, The 5:2 diet. There is also a tracker which you can complete for weight, BMI, waist, and hip measurements. I found it quite motivating.
SSB

Morrisonaudrey – I have never found it here either. If you Google BMI calculator there are several out there. A good one is the NHS BMI calculator and another one I really like is the smart BMI calculator.

Curse you, Ginger choccers😈
Dreamt about candied sour orange peel with lashings of choc last night and now the carb monster is clawing at my back, telling me that with a 20 mile diversion on a work trip today, my nemesis could be mine. Because I’ll only buy one pack. And eat it one delicious piece at a time. Errrrr. NOT. Mwahahahahaha…… MKx
*kitten locks herself in dark cupboard till she hears the monster leave*

Natast – just a thought – there are some of us on this forum who need to drop our carbs lower to lose weight. I had to drop to around 20/25g before I had significant weight loss.

Hi all

Sorry for not posting. I’m on new hours at work and not finding much time but I am reading the posts and am so happy folk are doing well.

I weighed in on Wednesday, which was 2 weeks, and have lost 8lbs, and my tummy is definitely less ‘wodge’ like and clothes are fitting better. Very happy with this. I had 4lb loss each week. I wasn’t expecting the big initial loss as many have experienced as I’d already started cutting back on carbs and had lost 2.5 stone before I started. I’m now 13 st 4lb and feel BSD has helped me kick start things again having flattened after my initial efforts.

I haven’t found it too difficult but like many others I’ve had the odd moment where I’ve been off track, although I’ve noticed it’s been conscious decisions rather than mindlessly ploughing through food just because.
I’ve been listening to something called slimpods and I think that’s having a positive effect in helping me stay on track.

I’m also walking lots, something I’ve always done, but have noticed I’m really picking up my pace as I feel lighter on my feet and have more energy.

Thanks everyone for the messages you’re posting, it’s really useful and supportive reading about others experiences.

Best wishes to everyone…

We also lose a fair amount of fluid in sweat overnight – and if you’re anything like me having a wee once or twice in the night gets rid of bit of fluid as well.

I think you were all right about the water. I drank more yesterday and lost 1.5lb today.
Although maybe it’s the water combined with the additional exercise of more toilet visits 😂

Congratulations! You are an inspiration. I checked out your profile and see you went up to 1000 for a time. I think that is very sensible and I think I will follow your plan! I am totally committed to the diet and hope I have the speedy results you have attained.

Hi natast
You won’t have to find an alternative, just keep going till you’ve lost as much as you want.
Many of us old timers have stuck to it for many months, including CaptainLynne who has lost over 100lbs over nearly a year.
Cheers
Linda

That’s ok, it’s sounds like you’ve made a good start to your BSD. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the kind words. All of my weight loss has been on the BSD. I’ve been amazed by the speed of the loss, never did I think I’d lose 30Kg in 23 weeks. With only a few Kg to go, I’m still figuring out what maintenance might look like. I’m not in a rush, I’ve never felt so in control of my weight, so I’m happy to figure things out slowly.