Well done Way of Life for getting back to it.

Toby101 – I try and imagine the hunger pangs are fat cells exploding. (Vivid imagination!)
A very slender aunt of mine (now still very slender and in her 90s) told me to make friends with my hunger – found that one hard….

Hi everyone ,
Starting this on Thursday as that way I will finish my 8 week stint just before a weekend away ! I have a couple of questions , can I eat cous cous or is this a no no ? Does anyone know of any online calorie counters /lists other than MFP which drives a luddite like myself scatty !

Many thanks

Clare

Hi everyone, just want to share my happiness with you all. I had my first fasting blood test result yesterday after being diagnosed with T2 in October 2016. I started the BSD immediately refusing to even consider medication. I was over weight at 14st 5lb as I’m 5’5″ tall. I now weigh 12st 4lb and my result was 39 which means I have reversed T2 diabetes. The nurse was quite astonished at my result in just over 3 months and has recommended a follow up blood test in 6 months. It has taken dedication and will power but I am so proud of myself. I had the support of my partner and my two daughters and even my Grandchildren spurred me on over Xmas.
I wish all of you the success I’ve had and I will be following the maintenance diet forever. I never want to be told I am a T2 diabetic ever again.

Hi all,
Well, I hav just forced myself to go swimming this afternoon – the thought of going is always worse than the actual swimming. Slogged up and down for 50mins or so – and I feel better than I did before I went. Hopefully I’ve washed away the lethargy – certainly feel peckish right now. Must have burned up a few calories! Maybe now I can get my head round eating properly now.
Good luck all.

just posted on another thread- hunger pangs are not agony and I just tell myself it is the feeling of weight coming off – I find it a helpful bit of self-motivation and actually tends to make them go away.

Thanks for posting the 7 points, I think most of us can use those along the way – I’ll certainly be making a note of them. Really pleased to read you have refocused and started back on the BSD immediately, rather than giving yourself permission to see the day out on the wrong track, as most of us would have done.

Hope you continue to stay positive and focused and that you will see something good when you weigh in at the end of your week.

I find telling myself hunger pangs are simply the feeling of the weight coming off really helpful!

Well done all on this thread. I am still at a standstill, really depressing. Still going tho’. Onward and downward, hopefully!

What a difference a couple of days make.
Lost my way yesterday and much of today…carb central!
Have refocused and instead of thinking I’ll restart tomorrow, I’m restarting now, late afternoon.
Here we go again….

Kudos to those of you who have lost weight and are feeling good. 🙂

What a difference a couple of days make.

Lost my way yesterday and much of today…carb central!

Have refocused and instead of thinking I’ll restart tomorrow, I’m restarting now, late afternoon.

Here we go again….

How is everyone else getting on?

Needed to hear all of that. Thanks for your time, both of you. Has helped immensely. My partner has been kind too and I cast my mind back to a book I read once by the SUMO (shut up and move on) guy.

I hooked it out earlier and re read the 7 points to think about when faced with a challenge. I am finding the BSD a challenge at the moment.

Most of the following have refocused my mind and after 36 hours of eating carbs again am back on track.

1. Where is this issue on a scale of 1-10 (where 10 is death)?
2. How important will this be in six months’ time?
3. Is my response appropriate and effective?
4. How can I influence or improve the situation?
5. What can I learn from this?
6. What will I do differently next time?
7. What can I find that’s positive in this situation?

I feel good at the moment.

Needed to hear all of that. Thanks for your time. Has helped immensely. My partner has been kind too and I cast my mind back to a book I read once by the SUMO (shut up and move on) guy.
I hooked it out and re read the 7 points to think about when faced with a challenge. I am finding the BSD a challenge at the moment.

Most of the following have refocused my mind and after 36 hours of eating carbs again am back on track.

1. Where is this issue on a scale of 1-10 (where 10 is death)?
2. How important will this be in six months’ time?
3. Is my response appropriate and effective?
4. How can I influence or improve the situation?
5. What can I learn from this?
6. What will I do differently next time?
7. What can I find that’s positive in this situation?

I feel good at the moment.

Daisiesmum, Mixnmatch, well done both. And to everyone else posting on this thread, losing, maintaining, or just keeping on…..

I’m still circling instead of heading downwards. Weigh in this morning showed 62kg, up .3kg this week. Not much but disappointing. An eating day today, not BSD friendly. Tomorrow, and the week, will be better.

Best wishes to all as we work towards the end of this 4week challenge xx

Hi everyone, yes granny still around angela, enjoying reading all the posts and folliwing how everyones getting on. Was in London at the weekend visiting relatives so BSD was tricky to say the least, more so on the alcohol front than food😌! But batch cooked today, so have the next few days menus sorted and, as alot of people have already said, its the prepping that takes away the stress😀. As this is week 3 for me I’m dreading the plateau but trying to build in more walking to push things along (hooefully), weigh day is friday. Keep up the good work everyone and YES we can be here in 5 weeks with lots of happy faces💪🏻💪🏻.

Don’t be disheartened, we all slip up at some point. The secret is not to allow it to completely derail you – the, ‘I’ve messed up, so what’s the point!’ thought pattern is dangerous. Try to forgive yourself and just refocus on your goal and how you are going to achieve it. Get straight back to the BSD and you might even find that your transgression doesn’t really impact on your results.

Keep going and let us all know how you get on.

Good morning Way of Life! I hope today has been better for you — as Mixnmatch noted, this wagon is easy to jump back aboard! Even if it’s been imperfect, any day mentally working toward this way of eating will ultimately pay off in a different mind-set — so even half-way days are good! It took me four months to internalize the behaviors (I must be a dull learner 😜) but they are practically automatic now. So don’t give up!!

Sorry to read you are struggling Cazza. The responses you have had so far are all spot on. In the early days when I was hit by bad hunger pangs, I’d have just 30g of full fat yogurt and a few raspberries – all checked off on the allowance – and that seemed to put the monster back in the box ’til my meal time. A small square of very dark chocolate might work too, as dark chocolate helps to suppress appetite.
Good luck, I hope things improve for you soon.

I’m not any kind of expert but I suffered horribly from stomach pains after fatty food when I had gallstones….

How wonderful JulesMaigret – sounds so much more fun than slobbing on the sofa stuffing in cake and feeling like death

Hi Zimmer

It’s had the same effect on me but it manifests itself in me doing things that create more mess. I caught myself playing hopscotch on the kitchen tiles the other day, doing a bit of a Tigger bounce.

Hello Libbyohno, congratulations on your weight loss. Fantastic!
It’s different for everyone but if that was me, then the overindulgence would be the reason, too much of rich foods or too much of any foods completely blocks me up and has me in pain these days!
Hopefully it will clear up soon

Hi Louise – any kind of abdominal pain is probably not normal so I would really go get it checked out. Could be completely unrelated so better be safe than sorry.

Thanks Sunny B – I can only hope that the gym is possibly making me retain more water due to the muscle repair going on in there – drinking for England to counteract that – 2.6 litres so far and counting LOL

BTW your dinner from Saturday sounded amazing – and so did the torte…..

Weigh in today end of 3rd week have now lost 4 kg, jeans I bought in the UK in August size 12 have been passed on to my daughter as I have dropped a size to size 10. Cant believe the loss from my stomach and hips, inches are disappearing. Hubby lost 2.5 kgs last week and had a couple of glasses of wine. Keep up the good work everyone.

Thanks Theodora for clearing up the fat/muscle issue – I’d forgotten about that – I shall get my tape measure out tonight. Good luck with your journey and keep coming on here for tips, advice and inspiration 🙂

This is amazing !!!! well done. You deserve a huge pat on the back. It isn’t easy is it. I am hoping to do the same. Same sort of readings. I was, however, diagnosed in 2005 and told to go on metformin then!!!! I held out all this time but have been really bad last two years – eating and drinking all I wanted, not exercising properly and having a shed load of stress too. I am so pleased to hear your results. My nurse was on the phone yesterday telling me to ignore this diet and go get that Hba1c straight away as I was overdue my test. I told her in no uncertain terms this time I was calling the shots – that after 12 weeks I will get it tested. And, if it is low I will ask for another diabetic glucose tolerance test – how they diagnosed me in the first place. If they wont agree I will get it done privately.

May be imagining it, but has anyone noticed better energy levels? Since I’ve lost some weight all the ‘mess nests’ under beds and corners of room have been sorted out and put away. Whereas before I would groan at the thought of having to pop to the nearest shops to get milk or whatever, I now routinely run out to get things without even thinking about it! Don’t seem to be getting the early evening slump where all I seemed to want to do was veg out on the sofa and watch TV. Now I find I’m a bit restless and I jump up and tidy up the kids’ toys or empty the dishwasher. Usually jobs I would think ‘oh I’ll leave it until the morning’. Is this really all because of the diet? Did all that extra weight really affect my fundamental behaviour and thought patterns in that way? Astonishing…

Have only recently noticed how much stronger my finger nails are and as I haven’t been doing anything else that might have benefitted them, I’m attributing this to the BSD.

Hey TC, sorry to read about your disappointing weigh-in – can imagine how frustrated you must have been not to see a loss of some kind. Glad that you seem resolved to keep at it though and that your determination has not been dented. Fingers crossed for a good loss next time!

Angela:
I am feeling the same about about this 2nd round! My motivation is not a strong. I have yet to eat just 800 calories and my weight is not going down. Since my doctor appointment goal, it has gone back up to the weight I was on January 1st. I’m feeling good about staying on the BSD and not straying from the low carb way of eating. Yesterday I ate just a few nuts and a little cheese.

Congrats Angela on the 1.7 kg. loss! That’s a success. :–)

My husband is gone for just a short trip this time around. He travels a lot and often to Asia or Europe. The longest he’s been gone was 18 days. Sometimes I get a chance to go with him. Last September I travelled to Vietnam with him and before that Singapore and Japan. This March I’m going with him to Belgium as I’ve never been. I went to Amsterdam once with my daughter when she had business there but didn’t go outside Amsterdam so looking forward to seeing a little more of this part of the world. On our way back, we’ll stop off at our daughter’s home in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. I’ll stay a week and half there to help her and her husband out with two of our granddaughters (age 7 and 10) while she delivers granddaughter number 5–delivery date set for March 30th unless she goes into labor earlier. We are so excited about another baby in the family!

Angela, so glad you didn’t come down with a cold! Hope you stay warm during the cold snap!!!!
Congrats again on the weight loss. You are doing great! You are my role model. :–)

I’m about one week into the BSD 800. Going quite well and not too hungry. Grumpy for sure though! One thing I’m suffering with is lower abdo pain. Sort of comes and goes. Bowels ok, maybe a little loose. Anyone else having these problems?

Hi All,

I have been following the BSD/800 since the 2nd Jan and am now down to 14 St 12lbs (Began at 15st 10lbs!)

We had a birthday party this weekend just gone and I was very good keeping away from the Garlic bread and Lasagna but overindulged on Olives and Cured Meats with the intention of staying on play with no carbs!! I Suffered a terrible tummy on Sunday and Monday!

Has any one else struggled with this, or is it simply because I was quite far over calories and my body is not used to it?

Thanks! x

Well done CNichols and good luck to you too Rhodie! Should have said, my motivation is getting married next year and I’d like to be able to look at wedding dresses asap. 🙂

Hi NewClaire and Rhodie – sounds like we are all in the same boat! I started yesterday too and have 50lbs to lose. Weighed myself this morning and had already lost 2lb, so only 48lbs to go!
Good luck!

Hiya

Well its week 3 day 1. I weighed in this morning and I have lost 8lbs in 2 weeks which for me is amazing. I have never lost so much in the first 2 weeks of a diet. I am going into week 3 with such a positive head and cannot wait to see further results. Clothes are already fitting better and I can see my double chin beginning to disappear!

Hope you all have a good week :o)

Much Love,
Rebecca xx

Hi everyone, this is Day 2 for me! I’m going to try to keep to 2 litres of water per day. I drink a lot of cordial which is now out, so I’ve tried to get that quota in by the time I get home from work and I managed that yesterday. Last night I tried a tip from here and had sparkling water with lemon juice squeezed in and fresh mint leaves – it was delicious! I recently cut out wine but like a gin in the evenings so this drink will stop me reaching for that – I hope!

I want to lose 50lbs – wish me luck! x

Welcome to the club Rhodie, glad you are joining us 😊

Thank you so much Theodora.

Flash same here book is out for a re-read, let things slip from being ill last Nov gained a stone, good thing last 2 weeks recovered that now to focus on why I want to do this for Me and no one else.

Happy losers are happy people

Hi Topcac

You have done really well, and calories from your weekend “blowout” will even themselves out over the course of the week. As far as muscle weighing more than fat, of course it doesn’t. A pound is a pound is a pound, so obviously a pound of muscle and a pound of fat have to weigh the same, but they do differ in density. This means if you look at five pounds of muscle and five pounds of fat side by side, the fat takes up much more volume, or space, than the muscle, so it is often better to keep track of your measurements rather than just your weight! 🙂

Keep up the good work, you are doing amazingly well – I’m only just starting, so a long way (or should that be weigh 🙂 ) to go yet.

Welcome Rhodie – I just started yesterday too.

Congratulations on your new job, what a motivator to stick to the BSD that will be. Please keep us all posted on how you get on.

Hello everyone – nice to “meet you all” and nice to see that there are others starting out this week too. Great motivating comments in this forum so I do hope you don’t mind me joining in. I’m 5ft 3″ and need to lose over 50lbs (eek) – one of the many motivating factors… I’m starting a new job in 8 weeks (perfect timing 🙂 ). One of the tasks in my new job is (from time to time) getting into a swimming pool to support young adults with disabilities – which means getting into a swimming costume (gulp!). Soooo, started the BSD yesterday (with hubby) to try and shift some of the excess weight. Not sure that I will do the 50lbs in the 8 weeks but am hoping to make a big dent in the number. I am definitely heading towards diabetes being short (excuse the pun) of the tall genes and am currently feeling very lethargic, not sleeping very well etc etc. I want to have LOTS of energy for my new job! I’ve been on every diet out there but having read the BSD book am feeling this is the right way of eating for me. Snekker, I’m going to take a leaf out of your book and take my measurements tonight and I look forward to hearing about everyone’s progress over the coming weeks.

Hey China2013,
I lost 10 kg last year during term 3.
I found that I survived better by holding out for breakfast till recess, lunch straight after school and dinner around 8.
In Mosley’s 5:2 book he talks a bit about the benefits of fasting.
I must say, I am missing the wine but it is so much easier on the holidays.
Drinking so much water and teaching can be a bit tricky😀
Which country are you located?

Hello all – or at least anyone who’s still here on this thread!

Reporting back in after a couple of off weeks where I’ve not been focusing on BSD stuff at all. As such I’ve also seen yet another weight gain so now realise I have to not only get back on the wagon but stay there. Said it all before, of course, but maybe this time it will stick? I’m re-reading the book and am now on the “sorting out your head” chapter, which seems apt and timely for where I am right now! I also need to do a big shop and stock up on some BSD-friendly supplies so it feels like this is a good time to do some meal planning and thinking ahead.

How’s everyone else getting on? Inspire me please with your thoughts, progress, ideas – anything!

Thanks Daisiesmum – no idea what it is but it’s not going to derail me – when I think of how far I’ve come and how great I feel in my clothes and in my general fitness, I’m very proud of my achievements and very thankful for all the support I’ve received from this forum – I am using the philosophy that out bodies fluctuate naturally for no reason so a couple of pounds either way is natural and I@m just going to have to get out of the mindset that a gain is bad – as long as I can lose it again I’m happy 🙂

Hi Marinecole

Sorry to hear about your injury, and hope it improves soon. I know what back problems are like, so you have my utmost sympathy. You could try eating more olives, nuts, avocados, flaxseeds etc, as the oils from these have an anti-inflammatory effect. You may also need a bit of extra protein to help muscle / ligament healing. Fish oils also have anti-inflammatory properties, so increasing your intake of oily fish would cover both protein and anti-inflammatories.

Also, turmeric has wonderful healing properties and many of my friends swear by Turmeric (or Golden) Paste – google it for recipes.There is nothing in it that wouldn’t totally fit in with the BSD – my friends’ recipe consists of turmeric, coconut oil, black pepper and water. You can add it to anything you like – drinks, eggs etc.

Hope this helps and you are well on the way to recovery soon.

Hi Cazza,
I had a similar issue and as I’m not diabetic it was suggested that I increase my carbs a little ( I had cut them down to 20g) and taking them to 50g worked beautifully. Don’t go over though or you’ll end up with carb cravings….just as bad as hunger!

Aw, topcac, you don’t think it could just be the weight of the food in your system do you? Our bodies are funny things. I only ate 500 cals yesterday (back on a version of 5:2 now) and weighed the same this morning as I did yesterday. Over the weekend however, I had a bit of a struggle keeping within my BSD calorie count and yet still lost weight. Don’t despair, weight isn’t necessarily fat. I hope you have better news soon.

Chrysalis, I watched that Michael Mosley talk on youtube last evening after reading your suggestion, thank you. He is positively evangelical about this diet, mainly to try and stop the diabetes epidemic!

So far so good for me, though only on my second day. First day went well and I weighed myself this morning to find I had lost 3lbs 🙂 I know this is only water, but very encouraging, and I am actually enjoying the food – my ratatouille last night was delicious. Just had full fat Greek yoghurt and blueberries for a rather late breakfast (always walk the dogs first) and it felt quite decadent, like eating a bowl full of double cream!! I may skip lunch and have an early supper instead – tossing up between mushroom omelet or avocado and prawns! Then maybe a few nuts if I feel ravenous during the evening. Decisions, decisions 🙂

Didn’t find having no wine too challenging as O/H always practises Dry January, so he wasn’t drinking alcohol either. It may be a bit more of a challenge come February when he starts again, but by then I am hoping I will be well into the rhythm of the BSD and not craving it. Though the friends who inspired me to try this didn’t give up alcohol during their 8 weeks, just cut down to one glass of whisky (him) and one glass of white wine (her) per day, so if I do get tempted occasionally, I won’t beat myself up.

I have now set up my new scales and apparently have a BMI of 29.3, body fat of 33%, and water content of 49% so I will monitor that weekly and see how it goes (hoping the first two figures go down and the third goes up!). I have also set up my pedometer, and I would recommend using one – you kind of try to outdo yourself when you can actually see how many steps you are taking, and I keep looking at it to check how I am doing, though I’m sure the novelty will wear off. So far today – and it’s only 11am – I have achieved 5,919. To be fair, most of that was walking the dogs, so the rest of the day will probably only be a few additional hundred.

I’m feeling fine, though legs were a little wobbly going up the last hill towards home on my walk due to lack of calories, but fully recovered now, and guess my body will soon adapt. Not feeling carb flu though, or irritable, but those joys may be waiting just around the corner……….

Hope you all have a great day, and looking forward to hearing how everyone else is doing.

Hi Cazza – sorry to hear that things aren’t going well for you. There’s a few things you could try:

Eat more of your calories as fat – fat has a wonderful effect on appetite and things like cheese, nuts and cream will hopefully keep you feeling fuller for longer
Arrange to do something straight after a meal – walk or make a phonecall to a friend – usually it’s habit that makes us want to carry on eating.
Increase your intake of water – especially hot drinks like herbal or fruit tea – these have an appetite supressing effect too
Have a really good look at the carb content of what you’re eating – sometimes those hidden or uncounted carbs raise our blood sugars and kick start our appetite again.
If it’s still relevant, check where you are on your menstrual sycle too – sometimes that can have an effect, especially as you found week 1 OK.
and don’t worry – it may be that you will need a bit more time to get used to it – I’m on week 19 and I could still happily chomp through a chair leg some days!!!

Hope that helps x