Thank you Way of Life! And to everyone on this forum …..it’s like joining a family!
The stories, the weight losses, tips and recipes are very motivational!
I did the Cambridge diet with my hubby some years ago and we were very competitive each weighing in in the morning….he inevitably lost weight quicker than me but overall we lost 5 stone….
I’ll never forget the energy I had and how great it felt to put on a pretty green linen size 10 top I was ecstatic!
I feel so ashamed that I’ve become a lumpen, wobbly size 16…it’s really stopped me going out ….so I stay in and drink wine! It doesn’t help that my hubby is working overseas……but the dogs help !!!!

I think Michael Mosely is a wonderful credible and interesting journalist and doctor ….I always watch his programmes as everything is researched and evidenced based ……..I wish more GP’s were inspired by him.
My hubby went to see a GP recently and this is what has triggered us to really get cracking and get healthy and fit…..his triglycerides, cholesterol and Liver function tests were high, higher than they’ve ever been and he has a belly fat so very at risk! All the GP said was ” you’re an intelligent , articulate and educated man you should know what to do” well I was so aggrieved ! ……..where was the counselling, empathy and understanding ? None of us want to get overweight, be unhealthy at risk of chronic debilitating disease ……..this is WHY this forum is so great we can really bare all and be ourselves and be honest….facing overweight and ill health challenges us to open up and share……Good Luck on our journeys everyone ! I’m starting on the 7th ordering the shopping on line ( no wine clicked into the basket will be very difficult !) love Alex

Thanks 54togo – it took me a year to lose that on Slimming World!! and, like you, just put it all back on – this way of eating works for impatient people like me who like to see immediate results – in my first week I weighed after three days and I was 5lbs down – imagine!!

I have had my annual review today and am pleased to report my HbA1c is down from 45 to 37, all other blood results are normal, weight is down. The nurse had heard of BSD and has three patients who have had great results using this WOEa d her daughter, who is studying Diet and Nutrition says this is the best way forward. So the news is spreading.

For Pat C big hug…….
For Wendy big hug…..
🙂
MIss ZIggy

BfitB – sorry to hear about your feet. Chemo can be barbaric. I was able to complete my cancer treatment without it and consider myself very fortunate indeed. I have very few and relatively minor side effects from the treatments I was given (surgery, radiotherapy and 5years of pills). I hope your condition improves with time.

I am a very happy bunny!
The whoosh fairy visited yesterday and three of the 5 pounds gained has gone, which means only another three to make two stones off. (I posted one stone off not one and half the other day – how could I forget half a stone!)

However the really good news is I went for my annual review today and the results are great!
HbA1c is down from 45 to 37, liver, kidneys, and other blood results normal and lung function shows full expansion.
Obviously I weighed over a stone less but I had also put on another stone last year prior to BSD. The only downer is that I have lost one and a half height inches which doesn’t help the BMI calculation!

The nurse was so excited and asked what I had been doing and when I told her, she said three of her worst diabetic patients had lost lots of weight and reduced medication and Insulin with the BSD. Also she told me that her daughter is studying Diet and Nutrition and says this WOE is the best way, so gradually the news is spreading.
Sorry for the ramble, but I just had to share my news.
X.

Evening lovelies
Day 3 for me. Not been too bad – but was doing 5:2 before Christmas. Seem a little hungrier today. I try to hold off eating as long as possible and then aim for either 2 or 3 meals depending on my hunger level after the first. Feel abit tired and spacey but I read somewhere that someone else had felt rubbish on day 3 but woke up feeling incredible day 4. After today it’s nearer the end of week 1 than the start! I keep telling myself THIS IS NOT A CHOICE now. This diet is not about my figure, it’s about my health. It’s about not getting retinopathy, heart disease, nerve damage etc etc. So in weak moments I remind myself of this. And it’s 8 weeks after all. At the end I can do it 5:2 style if I’m famished all the time. But I will not be reverting to old habits cos it’s not a choice!!!
Love to all, now what’s for tea?!?! Mikki x

Hi lexy4france

Think positively now – We can do it!
I start on 7th too (only a few days behind the other guys).

Will shop for food tomorrow. I’m trying to think of what I can eat as opposed to what I can’t eat.

I’m a sugar/binger too. You are not alone.
See you on the 7th
Best wishes

I’ve made a note of Amanzi tea, and will try it out next time I’m in that area.

Yumchaa have a tea tasting evening coming up that looks interesting.
My cold is running its course slowly – every now and then the paracetamol runs out, then it takes an hour or so before taking more has any effect, so I have to put up with rally runny eyes and nose.
I seem to have got back to the place where they kick in again!
Glad yours is on the way out Maharani kitten.

Maharani kitten, glad you are feeling better. If it helps, as a staff nurse on a community ward, with therefore loads of T2 D patients, if they had a urinary infection or cold, for example, their blood sugars went haywire. The levels settled down again when they recovered. So hopefully your’s will too.

Thank goodness my cold has gone, it’s been a pretty miserable week, and though weight loss has been rewarding, it doesn’t make up for losing a week of my Christmas hols. Birthday on Monday and I’ve reached my birthday target of 5lbs since Christmas, though not in a nice way.

Do any T2Ds have an explanation for inconsistent readings during illness? Lack of any meaningful exercise, maybe, but I’ve had some of my highest readings for weeks while eating hardly anything but soup! Upped my meds a bit but felt really nauseous as a result. Hoping to settle down this week, but would be interesting to know if there’s a medical reason for this.

Natalie, I so feel for you with your ‘starting fresh’ every day, then running out of motivation as the day wears on. I know it sounds bizarre, but self-hypnotism worked for me. Info on the net about how to do it. Mind over matter and all that. I gave myself alternate treats – to read a chapter of my book in the middle of the day, for instance, or a walk along the beach, or a little bunch of flowers. This too will pass! MK x

Hi there everyone ! Virtual wave !!!! I’m also a newbie planning to start this weekend ( the 7th Jan) I have about 3.5 stones to lose…..I’m only 5ft 2ins…..I’m now utterly sick and tired as to how I look and what I have become , lazy demotivated and unfocused ! I drink far too much wine and eat sporadically ! Usually ready meals which I’m ashamed of as I’m a very good cook! I used to have a handspan waist , caught sight of myself in the supermarket mirror the other day (whilst walking to the alcohol aisle) and was shocked to see a puffed up shiny red face on a grey rolly poly body !!!!!
I am a nurse and have asthma, depression , and am at risk if T2D so I should no better surely?????
Anyway this site and forum is a godsend to us and will be our friend/ counsellor/ motivator and Inspiration as we are all in the same boat with the same goals and fears.
Let’s make 2017 the year of change !
Best wishes and Good Luck my darlings
Alex x

Hi Lowena, there are certain good carbs like oats and quinoa but they are too high in carbs and calories, especially if you are doing the 800 Fast. You have posted in the BSD so if you are not doing 800 calories a day and 50 carbs you can suit yourself as long as you avoid the devil carbs.

Lexy, I have had the chickpea flour flatbread from a long time ago when I did the Ian Marber diet – I have the recipe if you want it. It does have 85 g of carbs per 100 g but that makes 4 pancakes.

I don’t use an app for measuring I use a website called Sparkpeople.com, but lots of people will tell you which app they use. Verano did a list of carbs in fruit and veg if you can find that thread.

Congratulations to you both Slimlady and hubby!!!!! What an inspiration to us all!
My hubby and I are starting this after the weekend ! We are both tired of the way we look and our lack of energy .
He had a massive shock when his triglycerides and cholesterol results came back as very high as did his ALT ( liver function) he’s 18 stone and 6ft 3ins I am 5ft 2 ins and 12 stone. ( we both have diabetes in our families so are at grave risk of T2D.

One of our biggest problems is he is working abroad in the West Indies, tough stressful job only one day off a week to shop , plan meals etc ……his choice of food items is very poor, most supermarkets sell very highly processed or canned foods, fresh fruit and veg choice is poor and spoils very quickly ……..the restaurants and eateries cater very much for the Americans who visit the island in droves ( fast fried foods etc) so he and I are both concerned how he will cope!

He is registered now on here and I’ve sent him the book ……I’ve started planning meals for him that he can batch cook and freeze soups/ one pot meals etc , we both adore all the “white stuff” and do drink far too much ( I am worse especially as I’m by myself all the time and get lonely and down which leads me to becoming demotivated and unfocused )

I really hope we can do this as we want to live a long and healthy happy life , he keeps me focused and grounded so hopefully we we’ll get there albeit across the Atlantic!

Ooh savoury porridge I had never thought of that as an alternative starch! Thank you JulesMaigret.

Happy New Year to everyone ! What a wonderful inspirational and motivational site this is ! And what success many people have had ! Good luck to us all on our journey to health and happiness!

I’m brand new to this and am hoping to lose a significant amount of weight before my hols to the States in March !

My real big problem is I adore bread and potatoes it’s my Irish/Russian heritage …..so I m hoping to find recipes that will be good alternatives.

Has anyone made the Italian chickpea flatbread which is I believe gluten free and low carb ? Is there any app which lists carbs?

Frog,

I have taken a shine to Amanzi tea also in London – lovely teas to drink in and their packs of tea are seriously good quality.

I bought a glass teapot in the sales and am surprisingly impressed – gives a very clean taste.

Thanks so much for sharing! You have given me hope. I’m 6’0, size 2X, and started at 19 stone 2. Am in my first week and amazed at how little I can eat. Did you have any trouble continuing on with the 800 cal diet after 8 weeks? I hadn’t considered that but I’d love to be done with this!

Thanks TC

Totally agree re LL.

I’m feeling really positive about this year and my journey and believe that groups/forums like this can be a huge support 🙂

24lbs in 15 weeks is impressive – well done!

Hi 54togo

Well the excellent news is that 54lbs in 52 weeks is very doable! It may even take you less time than that 🙂 and, I hesitate to add, it’s MUCH better than Lighter Life.

I am your age and had 24 lbs to lose which I did in 15 weeks. I have a sedentary job and really have to work at the exercise part but it is really worth it.

Good luck – you will find this forum is invaluable so come here for tips and tricks, when you’re feeling crap, or great – there will always be someone here to help or advice or send you a cheery wave.
TC

Julesmaigret: yes it’s the galette des rois. Commiserations on the lost filling. I think I’d avoid it too after that.

And well done on the steps. I’ve been on my feet all day but am still only at 5 000.

Hi All

Day 3 for me. I’m on a mission to lose 54lbs this year. Can’t remember what led me to this site, then the book and the cookbook but MM makes sense with the lose it quick to help liver and pancreas etc work better. The visceral fat I carry is a big concern to me but I am a binger and drawn to sugar and carbs like so many.

I can’t say I’m finding this easy as I’ve been following a plan of 3 meals and 2 snacks (supposedly to keep blood sugar levels stable). I get a bit confused with all the conflicting information out there and am missing my snacks but I’m determined to give this a minimum of 2 weeks. 9 years ago I did Lighter Life – complete meal replacement plan and lost 4 stone in 3 months but then, as usual, I put it all back on and more.

Look forward to chatting to you all throughout our journeys 🙂

I always prefer to use a teapot – either with looseleaf or teabags.
Agree the comments above that most major brand looseleaf teas are cut too small for individual cup infusers.

My favourite is a zero japan teapot, which has a metal infuser that means that when you’ve poured the first cup, the leaves are then mostly out of the water so that the tea doesn’t continue brewing/stewing.

Just before Christmas I found an excellent tea shop in London (yumchaa) with lots of infused black tea; I had one with blueberries, vanilla and rhubarb, amazing.

Peak has been getting my 10000 steps by 8am this morning, despite getting up at 4am when it was -3C.

Pit – Like you Angela, we have an epiphany cake at home (Rosca de reyes/Galette des Rois for our continental friends) but I won’t be back till late tonight so it’ll probably all be gone by then. As I lost a filling to the feve inside one a couple of years ago, I’m secretly a bit relieved.

The best thing has just happened – I have got the Michael Mosely book which I am working to, but my boss (who told me about the diet and he has lost a stone and a half), has brought me in the recipe book to borrow!!

How amazing xx

Inspiration a go go ! :o)

On the tea question, you could always get a fine sieve and shake out the dust/fannings (ooh get me with my fancy technical terms) and then use the strainer. This should give you a less dusty residue.

Obviously full leaf, Pekoe teas will contain larger leaves, but they come at a price….

Yes, that shake was very watery. It could possibly be quite nice with less liquid.

That’s brilliant. Thank you! Ready cooked meat is such a good idea… think my brain has gone to mush after babies haha.

Started 1st Jan. Armed with the book I am following it to the letter. Food quite tasty except the nasty green tea and blueberry yoghurt shake for breakfast. Last night’s chickpea frittata wasn’t that nice either but I will tweak recipes to suit. My husband and I are both doing this for four weeks prior to a trip abroad. He has T2 diabetes and I am a bit fat. He wants to get off meds eventually and I want to lose a few stone. We will recommence in earnest on our return in March. Call this a dry run. We have given up booze for January.

I did find the calories a little confusing because when I added up the separate ingredients I couldn’t get them to agree. However, I just followed the meal plans and recipes in the book, one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner and I lost weight steadily and quickly, hitting a 23lbs loss in 15 weeks, with only that to lose. I’m now on maintenance (well I will be when I’ve lost the pesky Christmas weight!)

My advice would be that if it’s working for you just stick to the calories in the book.

Hi jmarie, well done on the weight loss, so nice to be back in the driver’s seat, isn’t it?

My peak was chasing my 4 year old ganddaughter round the park and doing 3km in the process…it really made a difference to my steps.

The pit well i have to agree with you about the Christmas decorations. I’ve been taking mine down too. A second pit is that we would normally celebrate the epithany with a marzipan tart…kind of missing that. Not so much the tart but the social stuff round it! But if I invited the family round for it I would so eat a piece of that tart!

Have a good day 😉

Toby, I think quite a few people have mentioned that the book is on the light side re the calories..best to do the weighing yourself. I rarely use the book now as we prefer some simple grilled fish or meat with lots of lovely veggies. Certainly my tastes have changed and I find the less time I’m in the kitchen the better…

In the words of Victor Meldrew ‘I don’t believe it’, but actually I do, I have lost 1lb since yesterday and my BG is back under 100 – 98 to be precise. Loving the feeling, I can feel the difference around my midriff and see my skin is brighter and eyes clearer with no bags.

On to the tea question. The tea leaves you are using are too small and you can buy large leafed tea. On the other hand you could do what my husband does, he buys loose tea from The Rare Tea Company and he buys paper bags which look like and elongated envelope, you put the tea in the folded part at the end, put it in the cup and the longer part sticks out to allow you to take it out without having to fish around for it. Perfect but means you cant use your little gift.

Got to agree with Jenni – caffeine is a diuretic but you take it as a dilute solution with water – the net effect has been demonstrated to be negligible.

I tend to drink black coffee now, more because my taste has changed and I prefer the stronger, purer taste – I’ve also started to prefer loose tea as a substitute for booze (he says drinking his matcha at a client in sunny Dublin)

HI Wendy

I’ve put it in savoury porridge – oats, water and parmesan. Let it dry out a bit and use it like a polenta – very nice as a side with steak or oily fish.

Daisiesmum —- I do have a rebounder, but currently can’t use it. A couple of my lasting side effects from chemo were a slight neuropathy in my feet, as well as the onset of Raynaud’s Syndrome in my feet (have had it for over a decade in my hands, but never in my feet until chemo). I have the strong tingling in my feet, but I can’t “feel” them, and have to watch them to make sure they are firmly planted on the ground and are pointed in the right direction. It is getting better, but will be glad when it is gone ’cause I’m getting tired of crashing into things with my head while I am watching my feet !!! Instead, I use a “stepper” which offers a solid surface for my feet, and resistance for each step —- but is not nearly as much fun as the rebounder !!!!

Did get my U.S. version of the BSD cookbook today, and am glad that, as hoped, it uses our form of measurement, and oven temperature. Have learned how to convert, but that requires thinking —- which generally flies out the window if I’m hungry !!! Wish I had more access to some of the ingredients used, but I live in a SMALL town on the Southern Oregon Coast, with extremely basic groceries. Will be going to a big city in March, and will look around there.

My take on tea (and it’s my major source of fluid on BSD) —- use a teabag in the mug for everyday, and a teapot with loose tea and a strainer for special occasions. Don’t use milk anymore, but do put in a bit of Stevia.

Hi all. I weighed myself on Monday and then again today and I’ve lost 4.5pounds. How good do I feel today 🤗 I am finding it difficult to eat 800 calories but it’s working

I am currently following the week 1 plan in the book – day 4 – going surprisingly easily – everything tasty so far- save for the blueberry and green tea shake – but when I look up the calories involved in each ingredient they tend to come out quite a bit higher than the calculation in the book – is this just my poor maths or has anyone else found this this?

Apparently if you make your tea in a cup or mug then you are permitted to put the milk in afterwards – otherwise it goes in first LOL

Tea! The best drink of the day! Sorry I just had to jump in there….milk first definitely!

Talking about clothes I guess it just makes sense that if you walk around in baggy stuff people can’t tell if you’ve lost weight …. note to self ‘must buy a smaller size’!!

Anyway, Krysia it must feel really great to have emerged as ‘butterfly’ from a chrysalis especially in the middle of winter!

Natalie, sounds like you have all good reasons for losing weight but the only thing I can say is that this isn’t a race. I have now come to terms with my ‘new life’ and just plod along at my own pace. Try to not be too hard on yourself and you will get there in the end.

Now for the tea!!!!! I think Daisiesmum has given you the best answer. Personally I use tea bags for ease! The REAL question is when do you put the milk in the cup!!! Do you add milk to tea or visa versa????

Hi happy vegan

So pleased you are here.

My story sounds similar although I do have a few health issues to address.

Wasn’t sure how the BSD will work for a vegan but orchid has recently posted some excellent advice on this thread if you have a read.

I return from a trip today and will shop tomorrow. All systems go on Saturday. Trying not to see this as a diet though more of a way of life from now on.

Have you started the BSD yet?

Best wishes.

Thank you for this. Very interesting. I am wanting to do the liquid version. Was thinking of slim fast but I wanted more options. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere i can find much info and recipes on low carb juices/shakes. I will re read the mm book to see if he has mentioned any. 🙃

Hi everyone,
I did 3 weeks of the BSD800 last year and lost nearly 2 stone and my blood went back to normal 🙂 I couldn’t have done it without this forum. Have never been on a diet before but it had to be done as I’m now officially diabetic but have no plans to use meds. I then just kept my carbs as low as possible, but the odd treat started increasing… I’m definitely addicted to sugar and possibly even carbs.
I’m a veggie and was basically eating far too many carbs for years, plus alcohol. This diet can be done by vegans, but I found eggs to be really helpful for filling me up during the dieting phase. There’s only so much tofu and lentils I can eat.
The last few months I knew I was slipping and this has now been confirmed ny BS readings (plus I’ve put back on half a stone). So I’m going to do it again. It’s been great to see lots of messages popping up recently.
I’m also going to see a hypnotherapist to tell my subconscious that sugar is toxic- I know that rationally but still see sweet things as treats.
Good luck everyone, we can do it! Recipe ideas are always welcome.

Hello Happyvegan, you could also incorporate fats through cooking with more oil?

Hello happyvegan and welcome,

I was just wondering if you’re diabetic or prediabetic? If you’re not you could probably incorporate more of the lentil/quinoa type of carbs into your diet. I’m not very sure of the science here but I’m sure someone will advise you.

Welcome Kate! Good luck with your shop and your journey😊

Hi happyvegan
Welcome on board and good luck with meeting your objectives. The forum is what kept me going – it is a wonderful resource. Looking forward to your contributions.

You’ve reminded me to go and check around the side of the house to see if the snowdrops are out – never go there in winter as I don’t need to open the side gate unless wheeling the garden bin out to the front. They are usually out faster than the ones in the countryside as they are in a sheltered patch, and last year I missed them completely because they’d finished before I’d thought to go and look…

Ooo Natalie, nothing like a tea conundrum to get The English talking (except the weather, of course). In my experience if you make tea in pot using loose leaf the tea leaves settle to the bottom of the teapot and don’t cause a problem, the over-the-cup strainer is used only to catch any strays. However, if using the dunking type of strainer and making it in a cup or mug dust can be a problem, one way to minimise this is to use highest quality (read: expensive) tea leaves which tend to be bigger.

I’m sure you will have started a very lively thread here 😀

On the other subject, temperatures seem to have plummeted here, sub-zero! Oh well, mustn’t grumble – giggle!