Frozen vegetables are blanched before being frozen, though, so they’re already cooked before you open the bag. That’s why they don’t need much cooking on the kitchen end. Not that that’s bad, mind you. It’s a necessary part of the processing, and the veggies lose no more nutritients than they would have being blanched in the home. Besides, frozen veg tends to start off with more nutrients than fresh grocery store veg because they’re picked at peak ripeness in season and frozen immediately instead of being picked unripe and transported long distances in less than ideal conditions to the supermarkets.

Don’t I know it, Laska!

MK- where did you hire the rower? And which one is it?
Mary

Hi Verano

The past few days have been far too busy. I’m so tired I could cry. So I’m tucked up in bed, catching up on here, then hopefully getting a good sleep before an early start tomorrow. But next few days should be less busy 😀

Welcome Caro8, keep us posted with how it is going and if you have any questions, there are many knowledgeable people who can help you with them. I can’t help you with the fish avoidance though as it is my favourite bit!

I like the daily weigh in, but don’t mind when I am away from my scales for a break. I have also ‘trained’ myself to regard only one per week as official, the rest are tracked and logged, but if weight goes on or stays the same it is not a problem, I just want to see the ‘trend’ going down on the weekly weigh in. I believe MM has mentioned that people who weigh more often are more likely to lose more and to keep weight off, and am resolved not to get ‘weight blind’ again this time, which I think is the main reason for my previous yo-yoing.

Hi Julygirl. You may well find your eyesight has improved, one or two others have mentioned it. Check out KrysiaD who had retinopathy and had to have eye injections (doesn’t bear thinking about) but now reversed – no injections!😀😀

As for daily weighing, I do as part of my routine but don’t get hung up on it and can happily leave it for a while without withdrawal symptoms. When weighing I tend to go over what I have eaten, how much water I’ve drunk and how my digestive tract is performing 😳 As all that has a bearing on the scale numbers. I write down what I eat, my weight and measurements daily as a rule but don’t let the scales ruin my day. As long as the general trend is down, that’s all that matters to me.

Once your body has adapted to burning the fat rather than the readily available carbs you will be able to train and hike as much as you like, the body won’t run out of that fuel source for a very long time. I would advise you to ease down the amount you are doing in the first week, week and a half, and be very conscious of how many carbs you are having, keeping them preferably around the 40g mark. Stick to the 800 calories, drink 3-4 litres of water and let the adaptation occur. Once this has happened you will be amazed at what you can do on no extra calories. I have several times burnt more in calories than I have actually taken in during a day with no weakness or issues at all. The only proviso is if you are training at very high intensity, sprinting or serious intervals for long periods of time, you will find a limit beyond which you cannot go, so don’t get into problems without having some sort of emergency carb source with you.

have bought the book, read it… like it!!! hoping this works where all else has failed…feeling very positive at moment. have menu planned for next 3 days (can’t shop much until weekend) but all menus are 800 calories or thereabouts.. bit worried about the foods to eat as i don’t eat Fish or anything “fishlike” but am hoping substitution works…. am excited to see my symptoms slipping away over coming weeks along with fat!!!

I certainly have never heard that there is a problem with frozen vegetables, in fact I have used certain frozen vegetables like peas all the way through. As most vegetables can be eaten raw I don’t cook frozen vegetables any longer than fresh ones so they are likely to be a fraction less cooked if anything.

Hello Mumofcrazynamekids!! YO Girl ! Remember me? How are you and the Crazynames doing?

I am also ‘back’ .. also 2st up sadly 🙁 (and I did so well before) . I also started again yesterday on BSD ..I havent dared venture back to the ‘other place ‘ though…. too ashamed to show my face ! (although I suspect there might be more of us 5:2 oldies on here ) ..

Good to see one of the old ‘buddies’ though to take this journey back with .. and I am looking forward to making some new friends also.

Im Laska, 59, UK post meno and a gran now .. and am back losing the same bit of weight for the THIRD time (sigh) . I was here last year ..

And I really should have stayed , not strayed ..

I want to lose 35 -40lbs if i can .. that would take me to under 9st 7 .. I havent been that light since just aftre my son was born (26 years ago ..

( Day 2 for me now.. )

day

Thank you everyone – I’ve been under 900 calories and drank 2 litres of water so far today so hopefully it should start showing again soon!

2.5 kg loss in the first week is great Bloaty (love your user name btw!).
I wish I could just eat once per day, would make it easier. I wake up absolutely starving in the morning, so definitely need breakfast! What’s working for me is having 3 meals (200-250 cals each), and a small snack in the afternoon/evening 50-100 cals). I guess we all need to do what works best for us 🙂 I’d love to just drink meal replacement shakes – but I know I’d miss eating food too much!

I bought some of this tea yesterday NewKathy and LOVE it. Have only tried it hot so far, but will try it iced too – thanks for the tip 🙂
I’m now starting Day 5. Not sure how much weight I’ve lost – I have old style scales and find it hard to read the increments – but it looks to be at least a kilo, or over 2lbs anyway. Am going to go out and buy some digital scales today, as well as the BSD recipe book.

Ooh yeah.. , all my old posts are still there .. Gosh it was only April last year when I finished my 8 weeks and had lost 19lbs .. A salutory lesson on how fast it can come back if you go back to the ‘old ways’ ..

Thanks , and yes, Mary M and Maharani K, the one thing I am really good at is being hard on myself!!
(I really must try and stop that but sadly with my body image it is a bit ingrained..) .

However , onwards and upwards.. Yesterday was great and I was 2lbs down this morning! ( Water i know..) today not quite so great as I am now probably about nearer 1000 cal.. but I have (almost) got to 10000 steps . (If i run up and down the stairs a few times ill be there ) .. I do have a fitbit and that helps.. and as for not doing much/ hating exercise , well I have a sedentary job which doesnt help but I am also afraid that even after all these years also a bit of a victim of my dreadful schooldays – the humiliation of school sports put me off ever joining in again (or finding it anything else than humiliating torture) ..

But I am not very good at ‘joining in’ and being ‘sociable’ all told, … I’d really just rather just read books .. I do like walking though and do a fair bit of that at weekends with DH,.

I did quite like Zumba when I went with a friend to a class where I lived before , I could do some of that at home I reckon , .. I also have a rebounder which I used to ‘run’ on , and for Christmas this year I got an adult microscooter!! .. ( I wanted one so I could go out with the grandkids) .. So today , as I was not at work this pm I took it out and scooted around the village by myself!! It was fun actually , and I didnt get too many odd looks .. I also read that scooting could use up to 300 cals an hour , so it does seem like a good idea. ( I also had this idea that I could also park the car further out and scoot into work..and save on car parking)

I have a bike also which I used to commute on before we moved here but is now dusty in the shed , but where i live now (countryside) its v hilly and the roads are narrow.. However when its lighter in the evenings perhaps..?

Hi, I cook for one most of the time also. I am just re-starting BSD again after several months off and an almost 2st regain sadly 🙁 .

But I was successful before at this, and what I did before (and have just done again) is stock up on some already portioned salmon steaks and chicken / turkey breasts.. (Sainsburys have unfrozen packs portioned up for the freezer in the fresh meat and fish aisle if you are in UK) and when I see some nice expensive meat such as steak, duck or lamb ‘reduced for quick sale’ I get it and portion it up for the freezer in 150/175 cal portions .. This means I then have a choice and just take out one thing in the morning before I leave for the day.

I also have invested in tupperware (equivalent) and when I am cooking I calorie count the total recipe from myfitnesspal (say, for example a chilli or casserole) divide it into 200/250 cal portions , and freeze.

Then with a veg like cauli or courgette or green beans or salads those portion sizes makes a good dinners for me.

I also make low cal soups , although previously I had eggs for breakfast and often just miso soup for lunch and it seemed to be enough..

Now I have to get back and practice what I preach!!

Hi MK, that sounds like a really brilliant idea, thank you- I’ll look into that for sure, of all the gym equipment out there, the rowing machine is the only one I enjoy! Otherwise the only reliable way I exercise is a one-to-one at the gym once a week, and I’ve just started a pilates session, with machines, which I am enjoying very much, though that’s not exactly exercise, just amazing stretching, so far anyway. I’ll keep looking for other ideas.
M

Congratulations to all of you lovely people who are seeing great results and celebrating amazing achievements.

Big congratulations too, to all of you who, like me, are hanging in there by the skin of your teeth! My hunger pangs are all over the place at the moment. In fact there are days when I seem to sprout a wiggly tail and a snout and then forage around for any scraps going! Oink oink.

Keep hanging on you hanger-oners!

I’ve now tried this for one week only, and have failed four days. 800 kcal is simply too little on days with training or even going for a longer walk, and those days I’ve eaten up to 1600 kcal in total. Still, going from 100 to 96,2 kg in one week is really encouraging. So what should I do, ceep up what I’m doing, or quit my 4-5 hours of hiking and stick to 800 kcal?!

Good news Cleverblonde …. it really does work! Looking forward to your March results.

Sunshine-girl I’ve been logging today and I just can’t believe how way off the mark ny guesstiweights were!!! At least today I’m managing portion control and sounds like you are as well. 2kg of cheese was that or the whole village!!!!!! In saying that a little bit of what you fancy does you good!

Cara it really is a case of digging deep but I also think your head has to be in the right place which is why I think these forums really help to stay on track.

Important thing sunshine is that we still are keeping on keeping on!

Hi, well here I am again, second attempt since Christmas. Gained 9 3/4lbs, lost 7 1/2lbs, gained 7 3/4lbs! Still 1st down so not totally disheartened. I was doing so well then started putting too much pressure on myself. I signed up for the 1,000 mile challenge, which as I stand should be okay. Then I was full of how well it was all going and felt I needed to do 25 mins yoga everyday and cut out foods that keep me on the straight and narrow eg yogurt, beans, pulses Of course January is never a good month for me, get the blues, nothing bad just everything is an effort!! Couldn’t keep up with my exacting requirements, so off the rails, with carbs galore for comfort. Then I read this a few days ago and it made me realise what I was doing! ‘Doing a little is infinitely bigger and better than doing nothing. Doing a little everyday has a greater impact than doing a lot on one day’. So I am back on it. 3rd day, so far so good. Diet good, walks going well and a few stretches. So watch this space! I will be kind to myself, I want to get back to that fantastic feeling I had before Christmas when my body felt good, dare I say youthful! Off for a walk now.
Good luck all, here’s to having our mojos back!!

Cleverblond – well done you!!! I trust you are doing the victory dance. It’s such a great feeling to get tangible results other than weight loss isn’t it? Taking care of our health is so empowering, genetically I am in the High Risk category for T2D so I’m really excited to find a way of life to minimise the risk and that’s before you take all the other benefits of BSD into account. I hope you blow them away with your results in March.

Short-medium term goals are a great help to me. My tasks at the moment are to work out a sustainable maintenance plan, keep my weight under control for my birthday in mid Feb and then to have such good fitness I am able to stop my BP meds altogether!

Keep the faith everyone.

Congratulations! Thanks so much for posting! It’s so encouraging.

Most of us had ‘pauses’ in weight loss of a week or more and some actually had weight increases, but measurements were going down and clothes getting looser. Our bodies are incredible, but their weight is due to all sorts of factors. Search for plateau and whoosh in the forum and see just how common it is, and what the explanations are.

Still fairly new to this but have been surprised by the following non-scale victories:
-All the food I eat tastes amazing 😀
-I’m eating more nutritiously than I ever have
-We are saving so much money on food! (My husband is doing this too.) Just cutting out alcohol alone saves so much. But one former meal now makes 2 – 4 meals.
-No more acid reflux
-I have more confidence about my appearance and have been enjoying clothes again. I had given up for a while.

I’m at the two week mark as well and worried about this happening as the last couple days the scale has stayed the same. I keep telling myself that there’s no way I’m not losing on 800 calories a day, but that loss on the scale is so motivating. Good luck! Right there with you.

In the book on pages 158 & 159, there is a great piece on this and on how important positive self talk is to staying on board. A study was done in which two groups of dieters were given a piece of cake. Afterwards, one group was told the cake had a large number of calories (enough to completely blow their diet) and the other group was told it had a moderate amount. The first group later went on to really go off the diet, and while the second group also went over a little, they ate much less.

I’ve been reminding myself of that on days when I go over and telling myself I’m doing a great job, I’m eating more nutritiously than I ever have, etc. I’m still losing weight and inches, even though I occasionally have a day over 1,000 calories. Good luck!

Oh well done, Cleverblonde, so very pleased for you 🙂

Keep up the good work and we’ll look forward to even better news after your full review in March.

Thank you all so so much for your replies.
I have actually just bought some new slightly too technical scales so I’ll definitely try measuring body fat rather than just overall weight.
Thank you.
I’ll keep going and if still no change next week I’ll be bending your ear again! 🙂 x

The results are in!

I was met by the nurse with a huge smile on her face. In 3 months my hba1c has gone from 76 (9.1) to 49 (6.6) my BMI from 26 to 23 with a weight loss of 8 kilos.

My full diabetic review is March and I would love to lower this further, hopefully enough to discuss reducing my meds, so something else to aim for in the next 2 months.

I told her that I was following BSD and had no negative comments at all. This works everyone, when I am having a rough few days I will remind myself of what this is doing for my health.

Hi Hulagirl

Well done on your loss to date. I’m only a few days in so not very experienced at it all yet but I did invest in a new set of scales (for me, not the kitchen 🙂 ) which not only measures my weight but also the fat content of my body and, even on the days I haven’t actually lost weight, the fat content reading is going down. So maybe, as you are exercising (as am I) and consequently building muscle, this could be happening to you? Just a possibility – it may just be the normal plateau that all dieters reach at some stage but sorts itself out if you keep going. Keep up the good work, you are doing amazingly well – particularly as you are sticking to the diet even though you haven’t lost any weight this week. Go girl!

I’ve been trying to get to grips with this diet since the start of October. In that time I’ve lost about 8lbs which isn’t what I expected when I started.
To all those who are struggling with it I completely sympathise. It’s difficult to find the motivation so we have to dig deep and it will be worth it in the end.
To everyone who is getting good results at the doctor’s and on the scales I’m so impressed. I hope I can follow your lead.

My understanding of frozen foods is that they are better for you because the goodness is held in almost immediately on picking. Some veg is shops can be several weeks old and have lost most of its nutrients. Only thing is, try to defrost naturally as a quick defrost or overcooking to get from frozen to cooked and lose you some nutrients. Whatever works for you.

Thanks Verano, I have also realised that although I don’t have the dreaded monthlies any more I still get bloated around the 15th of the month for a few days. Also, I brought back 2 kg of Cheddar and have been having that as my snack several evenings until I realised what I was doing and totting the calories, even around 40 grams is about 160 cals. Then there is the one coffee per day which has turned into 2, and the cold afternoons when hubby asks if I want something and I ask for a hot chocolate drink (low fat, OMG)……. okay I have been making lots of silly mistakes.

Like you I am back to logging and even noticed that if I have my 10grm dark chocolate tonight I will nearly be up to 800 cals so will not be able to have an evening snack so I am swapping that 50 cals for 2 small slices of ham at around 60 cals. That takes me to exactly 800. No more mistakes. I am also back to exercising which I haven’t done since we got back as I have not felt well enough. No more excuses.

Lets all do our very best.

I’m envious of you all! After all my vim and optimism at the start of the week it has gone out the window and I fell off it again before I really got back on it. And I don’t know why: I am currently making a lot of excuses for myself and falling into old habits again.

I’m not giving up obviously, just finding it hard (well, impossible, let’s be honest) to stay motivated when I’m under a lot of work pressure/working long hours trying to build the business and my default mode is to comfort eat. Old habits die hard.

It’s interesting though to stand back and observe my mood at these times. I read something recently that summed me up well: ‘Some days I can conquer the world before breakfast and on some days it takes me three hours to convince myself to shower’ 🙂 I’m a creative person so my mood has a tendency to rise and fall quite noticeably anyway. I have felt quite down about life this week – what I don’t know is whether it’s because I’m pigging out on carbs again that makes me feel this way, or whether I’m pigging out on carbs because I feel so cr*p. Chicken and egg situation. The obvious thing to do of course is just to commit to a few BSD days and see if I feel better psychologically at the end of it. I suspect I would… so I’m going to do my very best to start again tomo.

The winter weather doesn’t help, even here in Dubai. Dark mornings when I want to be up enjoying the sun. Roll on springtime!!

Well done everyone: very proud of you. Sarah x

Hi Hulagirl!

Congrats to loosing 11 lbs during the first two weeks! 🙂

It is not uncommon that people on this diet experience plateus and even minor weight increases at some stages! Some people experience that their weight is constant, but in reality, they burn fat, but has an increase in the water content in the body. This is quite normal and as you continue on the diet, weight will come off. The tip from your boyfriend to drink more water is good, drink plenty! Another tip is to lower the intake of carbs. Have you succeeded in keeping it to 60 grams per day? If yes – try reducing further!

Best of luck – you will succeed! 🙂

Hulagirl, everyone has had this problem, it is common with all diets, it is called a plateau. Your body is taking a little time out to reassess its situation, you have given it a shock. Yes, drink more water, it can’t hurt, don’t give up on the diet, you will get what we call a whoosh moment when the weight loss kicks in again. By the way, you have done really well so far, keep on keeping on…

I’m so envious of you wearing shorts Pat not only the hotter weather but showing off your new slim legs👍
Margaret

Hello everyone again.
I’m back!!
I started the plan again on Monday and it seems to be going well so far.
I must admit that it’s not that difficult this time round.
Dare I say it but following the diet keeps me more focused on everything in general.
Going to bed after a hard’s day diet gives me a sense of achievement.
What’s happening here!!??
But it’s early days yet.
I think that when you follow the diet fairly well, it does work and the weight falls off.
Or am I being over optimistic?

Anyway, here we go.
Hope you all are doing well and lovely reading all of your posts

Cheers

Hi Everyone,
I started the diet 3 weeks ago now and in the first two weeks I lost 11lbs – brilliant! However, it’s been 6 days and there has been no loss at all and I’ve been sticking to 900 calories most days, (have never been able to stick to just 800!) I’ve been doing exercise such as Zumba and going on the cross trainer but nothing is changing so far!
I’ve not touched any carbs and steering well clear of any hidden sugars.
‘My boyfriend thinks I should try drinking more water so I’m doing that as well…
Has anyone else had this kind of problem?? I was doing so well before, practically losing a lb a day but now nothing!
Help!

Just missing an online shopping list. Does anyone have one starting W1?

Hi all, and thanks for asking after me Cyster, I’m good, but left my phone at home yesterday. So no opportunity to update.

This week going well, have only lost 1 pound since Monday, but after the 8 pounds last week I guess that’s not surprising, I *still* haven’t upped the exercise much, but I am out tonight, which will involve more walking than usual and I don’t have the children this weekend so hopefully I can take myself off on some lovely long walks as I won’t have a hangove 😁

Have persuaded my friend at work to start it, she made a half hearted attempt last week, bit is fully onboard this week and has lost 4 pounds already, so that’s great, we are rather boring everyone though hee hee 😂.

I have bought spiralised courgette and butternut squash from morrisons. 2 packs for 1.50 and easier for me than making my own!

Loving hearing all your great results! So motivating! Go team January!

Day 10 in the Bsd Programme! Stayed the same weight yesterday, but down another pound today, so that’s 9 pounds In 9 days! Yay!

My appetite has totally shrunk now, sitting here stuffed and struggling to finish my 270 cal lunch of tuna in pasta sauce with spiralised butternut squash…..
However the desire to eat biscuits and chocolate and drink wine is still in my head. It’s not a powerful urge, and I haven’t even been tempted. But although the hunger is gone, that desire isn’t. But it’s still early days, I need to up the mindfulness I think!

Out socially tonight without kids so this will be a bit of a challenge, I have saved 450 cals for the purpose, but watching a film, so hopefully not much time to mess it up!!😂

Hi sunshine-girl

When I was writing my post this morning I was thinking about you as well. I know we are both struggling a little at the moment but just look at your BG, which is what it’s all about really. You have done amazingly well in that area …. and surely that should be the main focus!

Like you I have made a plan for today. Back to Fatsecret for logging, breakfast was total, strawberries and 10g of walnuts. Lunch will be salmon with salad and as we speak I have a huge pan of tomato sauce bubbling away to have with my courgetti tonight. I even feel excited to be back on track.

Now I’m going to sit down and read through the recipe book for inspiration. Think I’ve just got into a rut with my food and it has all become a big boring…. but Desormais … I’ll be the new Nigella!!

Have a good day.

Hi All, Not having much time to spend during the day collecting fresh ingredients, I was wondering if anyone had used frozen foods instead and does it make any difference. I purchased a bag of Mediterranean vegetables and had a small piece of cod with 200g of the frozen veggies (With extra garlic). Although it was enjoyable, I was informed frozen was not a good option. Also half of the things I have to eat I do not like too much, so may stick with what I like. Has anyone stayed on the same diet. Lost nearly 5lbs in just two weeks, just want to make sure I am getting my nutritional amount from the food I eat rather then supplements.

Aw, sunshinegirl, don’t lose heart – I was alarmed by how much time it took me to get back in the groove after Christmas with my weight continuing to go in the wrong direction. I DEFINITELY benefited from having a shorter term goal. Putting myself under pressure for yesterday’s Dr apt worked wonders and paid dividends! You can do it!

Thats very useful Daisiemum. Congrats on reaching your goal.
I will get together a menu for the week today. I can cook and i like it but if there is to be variety i figured there could be waste. I usually have eggs for brekkie every day so i might just stick to that. For starters. I could freeze soups and good point about the tins. Thanks

Hi Sgw

Thank you very much for your reply. Please let me know how you get on. I have tried all the other suggestions but without success. My next plan was to reduce the yeast but maybe I’ll try reducing the water instead.

Hi everyone, all the best for your appointment Cleverblonde. Don’t forget to let us know the results, i’m sure you wont.

I have had my worst result since starting the plan. I have in the past gained a pound or stuck but even during holiday I have never gone over the pound, then Christmas and New Year I put on 4.5 lb quite acceptable considering I can usually gain half a stone. When I came back I set about losing the 4.5 and lost 4 lbs in one week. Yeeee. And now I have put 2.5 lbs of that back on this week. So my weight loss for 2 weeks is one pound. It is still a loss. But now for the future.

Something is going wrong so let’s take a look. 4 lbs in one week was probably quite a bit of fluid, then alcohol, maybe half a bottle of wine on Saturday and a vodka and tonic is maybe 600 extra calories, say the same for Sunday – that means I have been having 1400 daily over the weekend. There is the answer but I can also say I have restarted an afternoon snack (only needed it if I was swimming) that’s about 100 calories and my evening snack which is planned has probably not been measured so instead of weighing out 2 oz of chicken I have just grabbed a leg or a thigh or a handful of breast (ohhh missus). There you go, on really bad days probably having 1400 cals and on good days around 1000. Problem solved.

There is a lovely French terms, a word I love – Desormais (also a song) which means ‘from now on’ and that is going to be my watch word. Today I have had scrambled egg breakfast, ploughman’s for lunch and having pork in mustard sauce for dinner. I have swum for half an hour, so I am getting back into the routine. I think many of us are finding it hard to make the transition back to everyday life after the excesses of the holidays.

Motivation. I have just looked at the calendar it is exactly 8 weeks to my next HbA1c – I can do this. I want to lose 7lbs too. I was planning too far ahead to my next holiday with 3 months to get to a goal, it is too long, needs be closer and serious.

Lets keep on keeping on….

Still here and end of week 2. Another 2 lbs lost so that is 6 lbs in 2 weeks. Good I reckon as had already been doing 5:2 Fast Diet. Some great losses going on so congratulations to all.