Morning all,
Just a quick check in as I am at the airport flying off to the sun for a week! I have lost another four pounds this week which, at last, takes me over the two stone off.
See you when I get home.
X B

Hi everyone,
I’m just starting today 16th Jan. Never thought I would post in a forum but you all seem so friendly and supportive and I could use that. I am trying to study (half way thru my PhD in English Literature) and I’m worrying that lack of carbs is making my brain fuzzy. Its hard to concentrate, but maybe I’ll get past that bit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also I’m a diabetic (type 2) and I’m worried about not having my go-to carbs available if my blood sugar starts to drop. How do other people manage this? I am pretty motivated by going to the UK (from Australia) in April to speak at a conference but I have lost weight before and just put it back on. This is a last resort for me.
Thanks for listening!

Weigh in is tomorrow after 3 weeks, just had for the first time the chickpea and hazelnut salad for lunch which I would highly recommend, so much food for 2 now really full. The only problem so far is loosing too much weight from my face which is fine in your 40s or 50s but not such a good look in your 60s when all the lines appear from nowhere, oh! well at least the disappearing stomach is a bonus.

Thanks Sunshine Girl! Got a chuckle out of your talking ban. I have had one or two of those myself. 😀 Two weeks in, feeling great, have lost 18 pounds and am eating more nutritiously than I have in a long time! And the food tastes so good. I think I’ll wait to talk about it anymore (to friends) until I get my tests done at the 8 week mark. Then hopefully the results will speak for themselves.

Congratulations! That is so great, and so encouraging too!

That’s a great use for them, Julie. I hope they satisfy!

Hi everyone,
I’m just starting today too. Never thought I would post in a forum but you all seem so friendly and supportive and I could use that. I am trying to study (half way thru my PhD in English Literature) and I’m worrying that lack of carbs is making my brain fuzzy. Its hard to concentrate, but maybe I’ll get past that bit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also I’m a diabetic (type 2) and I’m worried about not having my go-to carbs available if my blood sugar starts to drop. How do other people manage this? I am pretty motivated by going to the UK (from Australia) in April to speak at a conference but I have lost weight before and just put it back on. This is a last resort for me.
Thanks for listening!

SueBlue you can organise your eating however you like, have a bigger breakfast and smaller other meals if that is what you like, as long as you stay within 800 cals and the right sort of food. I like to have a smaller breakfast and big dinner so I don’t get snacky in the evening, but you can do it the other way around.

Day 2 for me too
Surgery last September led to the mandatory use of steroids so gained 6 kgs of unwanted weight. Giving up wine in the evening will be hard for me
No motivation for exercise either

Hi Chrysalis
I’m just starting out too, this is Day 2 for me. I bought the book on Saturday, read it cover to cover and then started yesterday – no time like the present!
I had avocado and poached egg for breakfast early this morning and have been absolutely starving since then. Decided to change my lunch break at work to an hour earlier today, rather than succumbing to an unhealthy snack.
I’m used to eating a bigger breakfast, decent lunch then a smaller evening meal, but this plan is the reverse… I’m determined to do it though! Good luck to all other new starters 🙂

Dreamscometrue, pollymv64 and candoit, I am also a teacher and completely understand the need for a glass (or 2 or 3) after a day at work. I have found starting in the holidays (Friday 6th for me) means I have a good 3 weeks to break that habit of reaching for a bottle of Riesling as soon as I walk in the door. Recess is a killer, I am usually starving by then because I eat breakfast around 7.30am and recess is at 11am and then lunch at 1.40pm. It will be interesting to see if I can cope without snacks when I return in 2 weeks. I made a promise to myself to drink 1 litre of water between breakfast and lunch and another litre of water between lunch and dinner and so far so good. I still suffered from carb flu and am only now, day 11, not getting headaches.
mocnk, kiddo and mixnmatch, I am on week 2 now and after a staggering 5.9kg loss in week one, I’ll be happy for anything in week 2. Weigh in is Friday and I have decided not to weigh myself everyday as it plays with my emotions too much. I’ll just wait until Friday and be happy with any weight loss.

Hi there!
My names Sal and I’m starting today.
Can anyone provide me with some example meal plans by any chance? Looking forward to connecting with others about their journeys on this diet.
My main issue is a love of red wine, the inhibition regarding self control around potato chips after a couple of reds haha and needing to give my liver a break.
Thanks

Welcome too to DenSol, best of luck and let us know how your first days go!
As far as meals plans go, I have never drawn one up but have a few favourites from the website and recipe book that I can cycle through and breakfasts are either eggs or Greek youghurt and berries. Eggs especially keep you full. Actually, I think the BSD recipe book has a meal plan at the back? Just keep in mind the calorie count of some of the recipes is actually a bit higher than noted as a lot of people have found.
Best of luck!

Welcome Meg! Fantastic loss so far, Mixnmatch is right, some of the loss is water but if you read back on other threads, it is paving the way for better usage of those cells! And it definitely is for real! If you have managed to dodge the dreaded carb flu then you should just keep on feeling great! There may be ups and downs along way but as someone who is one their second 8 weeks with a few wobbles, my carb cravings have gone and I find 800 Cals more than satisfying. I have even stopped needing to snack on nuts etc between meals. Water is key as everyone says. Sounds like you are off to a brilliant start so well done!

First week weigh in: 2.1 kg loss (4.6 lb) – happy as I had a big deviation on day 6 (niece’s 21st birthday party) and still lost.
Powering into week 2 now. I am going to try out some BSD Recipe Book recipes this week.
Reading the Forum posts helps to keep me motivated. Thank you everyone.

End of week 1 results: lost 2.1kg. I am happy with this as I had a big deviation from the plan on Day 6 (a birthday party) and a small increase in calories on day 3. Powering into week 2 now. Hoping to at least equal this loss this week before my 25th wedding anniversary in week 3.
I am going to try out some recipes from the BSD Recipe book this week.

Hello everyone! I’d like to join in on this thread as well. I’m brand new, starting tomorrow. I could definitely use the support. From reading through the thread I see that those of you who have shared have had some great results thus far; I’m hoping for the same. Does anyone have a menu plan that you follow that you wouldn’t mind sharing?

Yes Bal17 but dont they taste awful and slimy…. There are lots of things you can have instead that are really nice. Tonight we had a roast chicken dinner, hubby had mashed potato and I had mashed celeriac with horseradish sauce. Sometimes I have mashed cauliflower with mustard, so many things. It is a bit like a vegetarian eating meat substitutes like processed vegi burgers when you can make lovely bean burgers. Don’t look for substitues, look for different.

Hi Pollygarter, I’m 44, started last monday, and your experience is what I am worried about, I am not planning to do the whole 8 week fast, I am not type2 or even prediabetic, but I am 2.5 stone overweight (5’6″ starting weight 13 2 😱 heaviest weight not pregnant ever!) have now lost 8 pounds in first 6 days, feeling great, like you were at the beginning, nut know I have both plateaus ahead and then that age old issue of how do I cut back enough on carbs long term to not gain it back?

I love carbs, love food, love booze, love to entertain and bake cakes. So, I am hoping to do a sort of 2:5 initially strict 800 during the week, then just low carb no calorie restriction at the weekend, then after weight lost, low carb with 2 days carbs allowed (but not eating them for the sake of it, just dinner parties or social outings etc?) I don’t know. Worry about it all, don’t want the pain and then regain, but can’t imagine life without all the gastronomic delights!!!

Mocnk

Will you marry me David (don’t tell my husband) I too love cheese and have been eating too much since buying it in bulk back in England, we are meant to be together. Sorry, thought I was on another website……. And red wine just goes down so easily and is really gooooooooood for you, yes. But you are very naughty, I didn’t have a single drop of wine in the first 8 weeks and the only cheese I had back then was some feta on the feta salad recipe and some halloumi on the warm halloumi and bacon recipe. Get down with the diet and leave your treats for later……

Welcome back Verano, where have you been. I have several friends who swear by SW or WW and I never criticise, it works for them, even with all those carbs that SW say you can have. If you are not diabetic then there is no need to be as strict as we are but just be careful and be aware of the future harm that can be done. I know what works for me and I try to stick with it. Funny thing is I really dont miss rice and pasta , maybe I would like a jacket potato one day and I will but not yet, not now. Bread is another thing that drives me crazy, I smell it in the French supermarket and see the crusty baguettes but, no, I have not been tempted. I am with this diet 90% and the other 10% are things that I am allowed but maybe exceed the calories by a couple of 100. Hey that makes me one day on 900 or 1000 calories, not the end of the world and I know I can control my cravings and I do, most of the time. I think they say a diet should be 80, 20, good 80% of the time and naughty 20%, I do a bit better than that. Keep on keeping on…

I have seen lots of diet/food science programmes that seem to confirm that artificial sweeteners consumed create a cycle, you crave something sweet, so you have the sweetened drink, but the body realises if hasn’t had the energy that it was expecting and then sends the signal that it needs more, thus creating a vicious circle of sugar cravings. I don’t see a problem with this occasionally, but regular consumption seems pointless after all the hard work we put in to trying to break the sugar/carb addictions/habits.

It really is for real 😀and don’t give up on others noticing and making adjustments themselves either. My OH isn’t interested in dieting, but has been intermittent fasting/skipping meals when he isn’t hungry and eating what I cook, although I sometimes do extra potatoes etc. and he is two stone lighter now than he was. I’d probably like him to be a stone lighter still for his health, but compared to how he was it is so much healthier, and almost without trying. Some of the loss in the first week is bound to be water, carbs seem to be linked to water and sodium retention somehow so drastically reducing them releases the water and sodium. After the first week, people generally lose between 1/2 – 1 1/2 kg a week, depending on their starting point.

Hi ClarinetCathy
Well done on your first week’s weight loss.
Aim to keep under 50g carbs per day and weigh and measure everything you eat and record it in a food app like MyFitnessPal. You would be surprised where carbs hide, especially apples and pears!
Let us know how you get on.
Cheers
Linda

Thanks….I am trying to fit my normal meals into this diet minus bread/rice/pasta. But I tried some Konjac noodles by barenaked -;just 8 cals and virtually carb free. Expensive ( am on tight budget ) but worth it when you crave something more without pushing calories at all…I used them in a tofu stir fry with pepper…very yummy 290 calories. …

If you’re not doing low carb, then you’re not doing the BSD. Go with kelp noodles instead. They have little taste of their own so they’re best in dishes with strong flavors, but you can cook them literally for hours and they’ll still have a little bite to them which makes them ideal for long simmers in soup. Nutritionally speaking they’re paradise: the entire 12 oz bag has 24 calories and 3 grams of fiber, zero net carbs.

To prepare them, rinse them thoroughly in a colander, pulling apart the strands, then soak them in water with the juice of one lemon for an hour. That softens them nicely (otherwise they’re crunchy like chow mein noodles). Strain them again and add to whatever you’re making. I’ve used them as pasta with arugula or spinach pesto or mushroom cream sauce, in a Chinese chicken salad dressed with sesame oil, ginger, green onions, garlic and vinegar, in a spicy Thai-style chicken and asparagus noodle dish and an assortment of soups.

http://www.kelpnoodles.com/

Welcome Meg71, the first week loss is brilliant isn’t it? Let’s keep motivated for the next bit!

Hi. Bit late joining in but, please may i your thread. Have just finished week 1 and am down 4 kg. Not quite sure if that is for real, so keep jumping on scales! Husband assures me it’s just water, but i’m drinking heaps. Admittedly i’m not replacing intercellular fluid with tap water, but not sure about his theory. i’m not diabetic but have diabetes in my family, so i’m keen to stay in the healthy range. I stacked on a bit of weight when i weaned my daughter (knew there was a reason i breastfed for so long…), then minor leg surgery saw a bit more creep on. Keen to trend downwards, and actually fit my clothes again. So far impressed. The food is manageable. Adapting it a bit for what is readily available locally, and substituting my options when cooking for the family (the kids can have the pasta. i’ll stick to zucchini noodles. The kids aren’t such a fan of those…). i’m not hungry. I’m no longer hitting 2 pm and falling asleep and i just seem to have more energy.
Is this for real? Will it all come back with a thud in the end?
Will my husband see the results and be motivates to make changes? That last one is wishful thinking ;).

Any how,

Sorry EmmBee. It is something my husband has done on his computer. Also you cannot attach anything on here.
It is very basic, just in boxes and typed the ingredients, calorie count and page in each box. Thats all. I would imagine an app would be what you are looking for.

Hi Maharani kitten

I stayed on the 8 week plan for around 9 months until I reached my target weight. But I had a lot of weight to lose.
Hope this helps.

Audleytom: all in your own time! Unless you have any urgent medical imperative then being prepared is best. This is your choice in a change of eating style, so you need to do it your way.

Tumtum: Chia seeds sprinkled on yogurt and anything else you can? That’s what I am trying to do… When I remember! 😂 I bought mine in morrisons, so seem to be fairly easy to get of you don’t have a health food shop local.

Sounds like you making good progress tumtump – try tofu/ nuts / seeds. I’m vegan so finding proteins is a challenge. Good luck

Psyllium husk and chia seed are often mentioned for adding fibre, I have tried both, but prefer chia seed, some of its other properties, like the gel production make it quite useful in some recipes.

but if I am not looking to use too often and not looking to go to low a carb level are they then ok say to add to miso soup just to give it more substance

They’re typically over 70% carb so if you’re looking to go low carb (under 50g per day) I personally wouldn’t.

Interestingly the incidence of diabetes is rising in Japan and there is some research (available on the internet) that there may be a link to the consumption white rice.

My trunk fat measurement is already almost at athletic levels, at 17%, arms were about 25% and legs about 28% according to the scan. I am currently upping my calories to suit this new information, as 800 is clearly not suitable at this body fat level if I don’t want to lose too much muscle. I think losing some is inevitable, essentially I have been training using weights for the last nearly two years, and now most of that resistance has gone.

Absolutely Jande9, I agree. Not weighing is best for me alone at the moment, it’s just my way. It’s the plan. Who knows in one weeks time….? I’m just trying to be a little stressy about it this time.

Bombalone – how was the lunch? In answer to your question, my carb cravings not so bad today 🙂

Jules maigret- that sounds great. If the hunger subsides within a few weeks then bring it on.
On another thread, orchid suggested I serve food on smaller plates. Going to try this from tomorrow. May trick my brain into thinking I’m eating more than I actually am.

Best wishes all

currently in week 23 and planning at least another couple of 8-week cycles….

Verano, yes, I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt in various sizes too! I hope to get the chance to talk to my friend about BSD as T2 is one of his many health issues, but I don’t feel the time is right just yet. I don’t want to upset his rhythm or to confuse him as he is in the zone on the system he’s using. But, come the revolution….

Hi Donnyman

So do I – I’ve lost 73lb on BSD. When I put my starting numbers in it comes back with a less impressive 32%

Hello BSD’ers. I have a one in every third weekend caring responsibility but a. Back. Some fab, inspiring posts here. 11.7 is my target so am excited to see people approaching that – it can be done! However, after losing every week I fear I’ve hit a bit of a plateau – nothing off this week but I reckon it’s down to NO exercise AT ALL while I’ve been poorly. That starts again tomorrow so fingers crossed for better results next week. BS seems to have settled again, so I’ll take that!

I’m planning on doing 8 week induction x 3, is it OK to do that? Now I’m in the swing I’m not finding it too hard, though stress is usually the enemy in terms of cravings, HOw long have others stayed on the 8 week plan? MK x

Hi everyone
Last day of Week2 tomorrow, be interested to see how I’ve done. Can see ( sought of) a reduction in size of my tummy at the top. Think my back fats reduced slightly too!! Bra bit more comfy. Struggling to keep fibre intake up – vegetarian but trying not to have too many/any pulses. Sticking to quorn, egg, cheese etc for protein. Anyone got any ideas? Still loving the food- not hungry. All is good in BSD here.hope you all are having a good week too

18% in a female would be very athletic

I am a very slow starter and am hoping by the end of Jan to be on course, I have emptied some stuff out of my cupboards and am slowly replacing them with GOOD items

I’ve looked at the Tom Kerridge book a few times but decided against it. It was the number of servings that put me off rather than anything else. I live alone and most of the recipes seem to be for 4 or 6 people. That, and the number of ingredients in many of the recipes.

I accept that I could probably make the quantity and freeze the extra portions. But that tends not to work for me – it just seems to sit in the freezer for ever.

But many of the recipes look great, so I hope you enjoy using it. Just not for me, though.

I am using the current body fat estimate from a Boditrax scan at this weight of 22% (Which may not be ultimately accurate, but has to be better than my Salter scales that still insist I am over 34% fat). I am using this to make the judgement that I need to be fairly cautious about losing more as I don’t want to go below about 18%. I think i have worked out why the Salter overreads so much, I am what is known as a ‘pear’ body type, so bigger legs and bum, and the Salter electrical measurement only goes from one foot to the other the shortest way, so my fattest bit. The boditrax used hand electrodes as well so includes Arm and Trunk measurements. Of course it is still only an estimate, but seems to match what I actually feel better than the 34% estimate. I gave up on BMI when I was obviously slimmer than I had ever been, even in my 20’s and still being told I was technically overweight. I also look at a measure called Smart BMI which has a different scale and alters with age.

i was wondering if it was possible to use soba and udon noodles when on the diet to fill out some soups or meals , I wondered how different IF ANY they are from what we cannot have on it such as pasta and rice, without sounding racist you don’t see many large Japenese people

I wish I was starting from there!

Good point well made JulesMaigret! I think my hunger is mainly early evening. Getting ready for supper. So I should go with it!
FANTASTIC though to hear it passed altogether after a few weeks. Very encouraging to hear. Thank you.

For the first few weeks I did have some hunger, but mainly in the run-up to meal time. It took a while for the penny to drop, but it dawned on me that I was actually supposed to be hungry before meal times. Up until then I was eating so much that I was only eating at set times out of habit rather than the need for a meal.

The positive thing is that this passed after three or four weeks and I currently seem to eat such a small amount and still feel sated.