I struggle to drink loads as my fluid intake is restricted due to heart failure. What is the role of water in this diet? I am unclear. Is it only there help with hunger or what else?
Thanks.

what is wrong with Pepsi Max??
although i am addicted to it, i lost 6 kg in the last 3 months, in spite of the pepsi.
may be if i understand the problem, i can then change my habit.
please advise
maurice

Thanks for all your replies, I don’t feel so concerned about it now and as I said I think it was more to do with the lack of planning on my part and having to top up my lunch with two pieces of fruit.

Glad I got through my first 800 cal day, am doing 1000 cals today and back to 800 tomorrow, just to ease myself in gently 😉

Thanks
Mat x

on day 2, have had no issues with hunger, feeling pretty good so far, still a long way to go. we will see

Its the basic low carb mediterranean that you follow all the time for maintainance. In the book it says you can start at level 1 which is 800 cals a day for 8 weeks or level 2 which is 5:2 of 5x low carb med and 2x 800 cals or level 3 which is just low carb med. He recommends starting at level 1 then going to level 2 if too tough then level 3 for maintenance, but we are losing quite well on level 3 so far and will go up the levels as weight loss slows down. See what happens!

Thanks for the info Candoit, I made cauliflower rice on Sunday which was delicious, trouble is all 3 of us had gas, the dog wasn’t amused! Great to know that Woolworths has spiralised zucchini, fed up with mine turning to mush, can anyone recommend a good spiraliser? In the meantime will buy some from Woolies.

Hello orchid.

Thanks for your thoughts on soya. I’m going to continue eating it, it’s a vital protein for me.

I love hemp powder.
I stir it into almond or soya yogurt every morning, I have done this for several years now. It did however take me a while to get used to it, it certainly does have an earthy taste. I also sprinkle it on salads, roasted broccoli, sprouts etc. Such a great protein for us vegan/veggies.

Day 4 for me. Feeling lighter and brighter.

Hope all going well for one and all.

Well done Everyone. – great losses and very inspirational.

Day 4 for me too K8sgettingthin. Feeling brighter and lighter. Glad you are noticing improvements.

Trying my best to think of all the lovely food that I can eat rather than obsess about what I must not eat.

Sorry, spiralised zucchini is sold in WW😜

FYI : zucchini and caulifour rice are now sold in Woolworth stores in Australia, although doing it yourself is so cheap and easy.

Hi Everyone!!

Well day 1 week 2…. Weigh in this morning and I’m 5lbs/2.2kilos down.. Yay!! I’m so pleased….

Easier week for me this week as although I am eating out, it is at a local pub so I can have steak and veg so a really easy meal to calorie count…. Apart from that I have no plans so all meal are organised and food bought. Lovely!

I feel really good in myself which I think is a combination in the change of diet and also giving up alcohol. I feel less lethargic and more alert. I also used to have an ache in my left side which I’ve had for a while, I’m not diabetic however I have had a bit of a research which I know can be lethal, however that is where the pancreas is so maybe my body was sending me warning signs. Well this ache has all but gone….. This can only be a good thing right!!

Onwards and downwards people… yippee!!

Much Love,
Rebecca xx

Quite so, JM. Would love to lose 25% of starting weight in total, which seems unattainable sometimes until I read of people who have lost loads more than that % in a relatively short time. Think I’d look very odd much under 160 lbs but tbh, never been there, so who knows? It’s great to hear about people who are determined enough to smash their own barriers, mental and physical. Keep going, you’re all amazing. MK x

Hello! I started 3 days ago although I gave the booze away on the 1st Jan. This gave me a week to detox from that before I started. Headaches are pretty good now but last week detoxing from alcohol was pretty tough. I enjoy preparing the food as counting calories helps me keep my mind off food. I am a teacher so I am fortunate to be on holidays at the moment which has helped as I have been able to start a fitness schedual as well as relax at the beach.
I have lost 2 kilos already.

Good luck to us 👍😜

No problem – but if Pepsi Max is your downfall you might want to think about keeping it in – at a vastly reduced amount I might add – until you get really into the swing of things. I still have the occasional soft drink because a) I like it and b) it’s nice to have when you are out with friends – just don’t count it in your daily fluid intake!

Day 2 for me too and I can honestly say that today was much easier than yesterday. I have been much better on drinking my water today and don’t feel nearly as hungry as I did yesterday. I did weigh myself this morning and was thrilled at a 0.4 kg weight loss already. Thanks for the tip about the tea, I will add that to my shopping list. Hope everyone else is feeling great too.

For me, when I’ve plateaued I have a bowl of porridge, the cab surge seems to reset the weight loss process. Don’t necessarily recommend it to everyone, but it works for me.

Hi Lizcuz

I read the book over the Summer and it is now on its fourth daisy chain lend (sorry about the royalties DrM.) so am not too familiar with the details – but what is level 3?

Hi Seadog

There is no doubt that some of the recipes in the book are more carb heavy than others. BNS is carb heavy, as are apples so having them both in the same day may affect things. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t have them but have a look at the back of the book to see what MM has normally teamed together. I am now in the maintenance phase but when I was losing I just chose a breakfast, lunch and dinner from the book and I lost quickly and consistently (with a couple of blips!) for 16 weeks. If you are losing weight following these recipes then just continue to do so but if it’s affecting your BS or weight loss just have a look at less carb heavy dishes for at least one meal of the two and you should be fine.

Our personal favourites are the quick platters for lunch (medi and mexi) and anything with chicken for dinner! (unless you’re veggie in which case…maybe not 🙂 )

I’ve got to admit it’s the percentages of weight loss that people have achieved that astounds me.

MK…it is indeed wonderful that there are those that have lost these impressive and massive amounts of weights….it can be done and it shows the power of mind over matter and the willingness to want to follow a healthy way of life and eating…. FAB to all of you xxxxxx

Hello Seadog. 79g carbs does seem rather a lot. How many grams of butternut have you recorded? I found the best weight loss for me involved having less that 50g carbs.

Happy Tuesday everyone! And well done all of you! I was aiming to start yesterday but Life got in the way!!!!!
Drank too much wine, ate smoked salmon Christmas left overs ( but in 3 low carb wraps ) and generally felt s..t !
Have to see the Doc on Thursday ( received a letter post blood tests) I know my cholesterol and triglycerides and possibly my blood sugar will be raised …….I’m a nurse used to managing my own clinics and advocating good health etc etc…..so I think I have a destructive addictive gene! I’m ordering my shopping on line and am reading the BSD book and recipe books and other great sites that really have great creative recipes on them , Diet Doc, IHIB ( I’m human I breathe is excellent and fun) so there is just NO EXCUSE!!!
My dear hubby has gone back to work overseas and is doing a million times better than I am …….using the recipes that I created for him…..he’s just so focused and he’s saying he’s feeling so much better and alert……..he could also not believe the calories in a baked potato, a lowly tomato, a handful of rice……So he’s cut it all out!
ValerieRobb, you can buy Low Salt and add a tiny bit to your meals….on this way of eating we excrete more salt….so our electrolytes ( chemicals) can go out of sinq…..causing headaches, cramps and dizziness ..it might be also worth upping your magnesium in the form of spinach, pine nuts, almonds and you can buy magnesium oil for the bath which helps and is absorbed!
Tesco’s sell spiralised courgette…it’s great !
The Hba1c blood test is a more accurate way of measuring blood sugars over an 8-12 weeks period ….rather than the one if ‘ snap shot’ of a fasting blood sugar ….blooded sugar do have peaks and troughs throughout the day so this is a better indicator …normal levels should be below 42 mmols………
I’ll keep you posted after my visit on Thursday. Good Luck peeps!

Aren’t people doing brilliantly! Loving these tales of 4, 6 and 7 stones lost, and under 10 stone weights now from 16 before, and great to hear about stable blood sugars too. So motivating for those of us still on a longish path. We WILL get there. We WILL stay there. Because we are standing on the shoulders of those who’ve led the way. MKx

Hello everyone, Count me in. I started BSD in October, after my HBA1C went up again and I was threatened with Gliclazide in addition to my metformin, No way! I thought and told the nurse that. I see the nurse again next Wednesday for the new HBA1C results, so counting down!

I am now 9 stone 11lbs, so 1 stone 5lbs down and aiming for 9 1/2 stone goal weight (perhaps a couple of lbs under for wiggle room) I don’t know how others feeling but these remaining few pounds, seem to have morphed in my head into some huge target, so am looking forward to sharing with others and keep myself on the right track with a positive frame of mind.

It took me longer to get back in the post xmas swing than I had anticipated but back to normality now.

Morning all,

I’m just checking with the experts out there..but I’ve just logged the food for the Tuesday meal plan in MM’s book. This is –
B’fast – egg and avocado
Lunch – No carb ploughmans
Dinner – Vegetable curry

As you can see below, the apple from the lunch, and the butternut squash make this day fairly carb heavy ?. I’m just checking, but is this OK ?.

Calories
778
Fat
43 g
Fiber
23.4 g
Carbs
79.3 g
Sodium
1117.4 mg
Protein
29.7 g
Water
1850 ml
Daily Calorie Composition: 39% from carbs, 47% from fat and 14% from protein.

Your advice is spot on. Thanks. And I’ve been putting off increasing my water intake from the start. I’ve been focusing on drinking lots of coffee with milk and, sorry, but…Pepsi max! Lots of it! I’m going to take your advice from right now. Herbal teas and water. Thanks again. I needed the kick!

Thank you so much Linda A for all that information, It’s really helpful and answers a lot of questions I had and maybe was saving for a bit later. Day 4 for me today and I notice that the crepey skin on my arms is much improved and a pea-sized hard lump on my arm is disappearing! Exciting to see what happens next!

Thank you sunshine-girl they all sound delicious. I will give them a trial run before the picnic.

Best of luck Davidh – I also found increasing water intake helped – I plateau-ed twice – once in Week three when I gained a pound (IMAGINE!!) and then Weeks 7/8 – I increased my water from 2.5 to 4 litres for a day and dropped 2lbs overnight. It stayed off too and got things started again – I continued the increased water but at about 3 litres – as 4 is just ridiculous on a regular basis lol

So I’ve managed to lost the Christmas weight – officially 5.25lbs off in a week – my second biggest loss so pleased with that. Have 4lbs to get to my ultimate goal which may be slightly low but I will see. Back on BSD proper for 5 days a week and a slight increase in calories for 2 at the weekend….reverse 5:2 I guess!!

Have two meals out and a wedding in the next two weeks so it may be hard going but I have the ultimate goal of my own wedding in June so I have to maintain this loss at least!

Three weeks in and 10lbs lost. Hooray!
Then ‘plateau!’
Several initial lessons learnt, at least which seem to apply to me and possibly explain the stall:
1. Portion sizes – better to weigh any ingredients, foods, rather than my way which is to guess!
2. Red wine: I talked myself into believing that I could drink relatively freely. Say a bottle a week. But those calories really mess things up
3. Cheese. I’ve been eating too much, again believing its OK to eat freely.

If I can nail the above, then I should be on my way again!

I started on 2nd January. By Wednesday I had a headache and felt pretty rough but by Thursday I felt great and so far feeling good. The 1st 48 hours are hard.

Morning all – 5.25lbs off for me this week. It’s just half a pound shy of all the festive weight I piled on but since it is 2lbs under my original target I’m going to claim a victory!

I’m looking at maintenance now and am looking keenly at Krysia’s post, the last couple of days I added an extra egg, cheese, nuts and seeds but my favourite addition at target had been a homemade cappuccino (extra 50 cals and 5g carbs) from my newest ‘toy’ that my parents bought us for Christmas, a Nespresso machine with a milk aerator – loving it. Not every day but may become a regular weekend thing 🙂

Great to hear of everyone’s victories this week, long may it continue! Have a good day all
TC

I am on the final push too. Weighed in at 11 stone 8 yesterday, want to get to 10 stone 7 by the end of April. I started out at 14 stone 9 during the summer so I know it works and quickly but I still cannot get my head around the fact that I am my new size. The biggest change for me was that I had no interest in anything sweet over the Christmas. There is still a tin of Quality Street on the coffee table, a year ago this would have called my name every time I walked into the room. That said I did overindulge on the cheese and crackers so my big change this week is getting the carbs in order. I have even risked looking at bikinis for my summer holidays, the last time I wore one I was 3, 37 years ago! Best of luck with the final push

Hi everyone, just joined this forum. Me and my diabetic partner (I’m not diabetic) have been doing the level 3 version for a week and have both lost 3 lbs. We also did about 10 days before xmas and lost 6lbs of which 5 lbs went back on! However, overall weight change over xmas was -1lb so my point is don’t wait for a ‘suitable time’ just get on with it and deal with holidays and trips off by doing level 3 for a few days. we’re retired so do a lot of tripping off and holidays. We need to stop thinking about these trips as excuses to eat! My birthday this weekend so we’re off to London and Rochester for the weekend BUT will still be doing level 3. Its very easy to do whilst eating out we’ve discovered. Looking forward to reading how we all get on. Good luck to all!

Morning all, missed weigh-in yesterday due to circumstances out of my control! Checked in this morning with a slightly disappointing 3.6lb loss for the week. But it’s below the pre-christmas weigh in and my blood pressure is also in the normal range. …. and there has been wine. and not much exercise so to be expected! This time next week I should be free and clear of festivities for a few weeks so will be able to turn my attention more fully to the plan. In the meantime mini-goal is to lose another 2lbs. Keep up the good work fellow travellers!

Hello everyone. I’m very new to this so please bear with …

After 9 months of struggling with THE worst yeast infection, I went to the doctors (which I avoid at all costs wherever possible, hence the length it took me to go) and they did a blood test. The day after boxing day, I got a call from the doctor to tell me that I have type 2 diabetes. I seen the diabetic nurse on 4th Jan and my Hb1ac (think that’s what it’s called) was 100. I weighed in at 16st, which came as a shock as I’d weighed myself 2 days before and was 14st – my scales were obviously broken!!!! She put me straight onto metformin and told me that I need to loose weight. I had done a bit of research between hearing from the doctor and seeing the nurse and had already ordered the BSD book. When I told the nurse that I would lose at least 2st before I see her again in 3 months, she looked at me in disbelief as if to say “I’ve heard that one before!” But I am determined!!

I read the BSD book and immediately started to cut out carbs and started planning to start the diet yesterday. I felt disgusted when I looked at the usual crap that I would usually buy in the supermarket – I have never bought so much veg in my life!! The house is still full of Christmas chocolate and I am not tempted in the slightest. My OH and kids are not eating it either as my diagnosis seems to have come as a wake up call for them too. Not quite sure what to do with it!

I weighed in at 15st 7.5lb yesterday morning (on my nice new scales) and started 800 cal BSD yesterday. and found it so easy. No cravings or hunger.

Breaskfast: 2 medium eggs, scrambled and a grilled tomato
Lunch – Cottage cheese with tomato and cucumber (I had to find a supermarket that stocks full fat cottage cheese as my local tesco doesnt!)
Dinner – Chicken breast on white bean mash with french beans
Couple of cups of tea and loads of water.
798 cals (using my fitness pal)

I’ve been walking for the last couple of days too making sure I get my 10,000 steps in and want to start running in a couple of weeks.

Got up this morning after just one day on the diet and I have lost 2lb!!!! A long way to go as I would like to lose about 3.5 – 4st but it’s a fantastic start! I aim to lose at least 2st before I have my bloods done again at the end of March. That diabetic nurse is not going to recognise me!!

Bring it on!!!!!

Good to have you aboard cmawp and Mixnmatch, will be good to have company on this last bit before going into maintenance proper. Found the first day back on the 800 a little taxing, although it was the cals I struggled with not the carbs. Had a few hunger pangs, but nothing major and generally I’m feeling good and I think today should be easier – I hope. Had dropped 0.8lb when I weighed myself this morning, but of course, until the week is done and any loss has been consolidated, I can’t rely on that – going in the right direction though – hopefully!

Good luck everyone and I look forward to reading all lots of positive results soon.

Try having a small handful of salted peanuts, or adding it to dinners as much as possible? Do you use salted butter etc as opposed to unsalted.
If I have the “not enough salt” symptoms, usually when drinking lots of water, I just have a handful of peanuts and it usually does the trick.

Morning/afternoon everyone
End of week 1 and I’ve lost 7 pounds 😀 I use My Fitness Pal and it shows I’m not getting enough salt. Anyone have suggestions please? Thank you
Val

Hi all,
never heard of Soya making women gain weight, Japanese women eat plenty of it and don’t seem to have an issue. It can be what people add into Soya to make it more palatable – lots of sugars??? Tofu is a great protein source with almost no carbs so ideal for this diet.
All peas – spilt peas (green and yellow) and many veg e.g. broccoli have some protein in them which add to the daily amount; likewise lentils. However, they also have carbs and that is a balance.
So long as you read the labels and check that what you are eating is high fat, normal protein and low carbs, you will be fine. The issue with soya is probably that some products or made up foods are high fat AND high carbs as well as the protein and that will add the pounds quickly.
I bought some hemp powder last week and have not yet used it, but it is another protein source and can be added to soups. Apparently it is a little earthy in taste. I had intended to add it to breakfast but on reading that decided to wait till I make some new soup and see how it went in that. If can go into anything and is 40% protein – so 15g a day (their recommendation) gives 6g protein. Has anyone else tried it?

Morning, day 7 today I think. Wow my head has been all over the place but much clearer this a.m. at last. Thank heavens I can read on here that all is normal.
Finally got a g rip on carb counting. Nearly passed out when I looked up a baked potato! I never had one I may add so yesterday was very good at 27 grams of carbs.
Granny and Marion, I got myself a starter magazine with crochet hooks and wool but I have not yet managed to even cast on!! I shall have another go. I really want to do a traditional granny blanket made up of squares for my first project. Well I am a granny so I thought that was apt.
Weigh in tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Off to shops today for more supplies. Onward and downward.
Grateful thanks to all for much needed tips. x

Hello everyone, well done all for the ongoing progress, whether in weight loss or effort.

This morning’s weight = 61.7kg (last week = 63.5kg) so 1.8kg down in the face of chest infection, cough, cold, antibiotics. I’m quite impressed because preBSD I would have eaten to the point of bingeing when feeling unwell – the old ‘if I eat I’ll feel better’ syndrome. This week, I’ve managed to control the impulse. 😇

Good luck with week 3 of this challenge xx

Good morning ,
Granny I’ve been crocheting and knitting on and off since 10yrs old and more so in the last 2years. Find it very relaxing. The project I’ve started is ‘Rose of Avalon’ blanket from Deramores. A bit more challenging than usual.

I like reading the forum in the morning too. Gives me motivation for the day. I think LindaA post is so informative and positive. I shall read it every time I need a nudge to keep going.

Have a good day everyone.

M

I too am a crocheter marion53 so would love to hear about your crochet project. I find that my crochet and knitting keeps my mind occupied so less tempted re snacks👍! Good luck on your BSD journey and this blog is great for hints and tips, just ask….. someone always knows the answer. LOVE catching up with this blog of a morning, finding out where everyones up to, good choices today everyone.

Well wow, am a reading correctly 7 I/2 stones off? Great on you and an inspiration for me. I have 3 stones to get off. Thank you for sharing

My weigh in this morning shows I have also reached my pre-festivities weight at 11 stone 3, back to 7 1/2 stone off from my starting point, but not quite back to my lowest BSD weight yet, 4 pounds of rebound still to go, then onwards and downwards again for a little while. Congratulations Daisiesmum, 1.6 pounds is nothing, I am sure you will be there before your appointment, but even if you aren’t you have much to be proud of.

Well done Verano on your weight loss – 2lbs is a good loss for the week.

Maintenance is going really well and am still exactly 9 stone 6.5lbs. Am keeping carbs as low as when I was losing weight but increasing the calories with extra nuts and seeds, smoked mackerel (which is surprisingly high in calories), yoghurt, cheese and cream.

I still weigh and log my food each day on fat secret. I will never eat the bad carbs again but I am just as bad at judging portion sizes as I ever was. Luckily I actually rather enjoy doing the weighing and logging – it’s sad isn’t it.

Blood sugars are 4.8 this morning so all is going well.

Brilliant posts, Lucia.

Also have 3 stone to lose this year. What’s that now, 355 one days at a time? Should be doable.

On the breakfast thing, cereal doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve taken to skipping breakfast but having a cup of miso broth about 11.30 when I start to feel peckish. Because it’s so savoury, somehow I feel like I’ve had a decent meal.

As for the mince pies, I still have puff pastry and some mincemeat in the fridge. The mincemeat should reach the end of its “eat x days after opening” period soon. Then I’ll chuck it out. Should do it now, but there’s so little in the fridge these days that if I remove anything else, there will be a huge black hole that will force me to go shopping so it can suck something else in.

P.S. well done Daisiesmum …… so. so very near! You WILL get there by your appointment!