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.

Hi Way of Life
That’s interesting. I have lost my carb cravings but definitely still have hunger. I could eat cheese or nuts but don’t have the cals left in the day for them! Am hoping this subsides. How were your carb cravings today? It could be we are experiencing the same thing, just interpreting it differently…
Thanks Jande9. I know you are right, it’s about finding the right fit for yourself. Sometimes you just don’t know where to begin though. In my case I have done so many diets over the years that I have probably tried most of the possible ways (in terms of weighing often, not often, not weighing, measuring only, using a tight item of clothing etc.) but as a result of all this I have just lost confidence in knowing what is ‘right’ for me, as those diets have ultimately failed.
HOWEVER on on, I will find a way this time, one way or another. Not sure I have the willpower of Way of Life to only weigh-in at the end of 8 weeks, but I think I realise I need to be less hung up on the scales generally. I need some weigh-ins for the success (hopefully!) which will ultimately motivate me to continue.

Daisiesmum …. 11 stone what can you say apart from WOW!!!! Proof off the pudding!!! Thing is where will he be in 6 months, 12 months etc! Not that I wish him any mallice but how many times have we all lost weight in the past only to put it back on ++++++

I watch the ‘Weight Watchers’ adverts at the moment …. eat what you want and lose weight…. think we have all been there, done that, seen the film, bought the book,and up until BSD, were still wearing the T-shirt!!!! It really does have to become a life plan not just a ‘quick fix’.

Quite a bit of red meat to be honest, including a section on mince, but a few soups, omelettes, white and oily fish. Might not be too good a fit and definitely not one for the vegetarian/vegan peeps on here.

Just done it and it comes out at 21.66% – much better than I thought so 15% sounds like a sensible target

Thanks again

Will do,

Thanks

Hi Jules

How meat concentrated is his book? I really eat very little, maybe once a week or even less. I’m a fish/chicken person. How do you think his book would be for me??

There are formulas available via googling US Navy body fat % . All you need is a dress maker’s tape measure. After large amounts of weight loss it’s more accurate than calipers and it’s free.

Hi Donnyman

Fellow former prop here, although 6ft3 (I played a lot of league as well as union) and have a big frame (9″ wrist) – I hadn’t thought of the body fat percentage but I think I like the idea. How do you measure it? I read somewhere on here that the standard scales that claim to measure aren’t very accurate – any thoughts?

I’m also still carrying a lot of muscle and likely to gain as I train for a SuperVets game later this year.

I haven’t worked that out either. I’m short with broad chest and hips and having played prop forward and lifted heavy weights have huge thighs. I was thinking of going for a particular body fat % perhaps 15 ish using the US navy method.

I’ve been working in the health service for 30 years, I am a specialist in my field and therefore feel fully qualified to have opinions on differences between care provided by generalists and specialists.

Well done Margaret. You have done well.
I have struggled with food today. I had no breakfast because I pigged out on cheese last night teaching the grandsons to play Kaluki (not sure of the spelling) lunch was a small feta cheese salad made by my husband. Dinner tonight was Cod cooked on a bed of fennel and chorizo out of the book. Absolutely yummy and I have just had a couple of spoonfuls of greek yoghurt and a couple of walnuts because I feel as though a gap needs filling! Really struggled to drink 2 litres of water today and with the weather being awful here I have not been out for a walk.

Onwards and downwards

I’ve bought the new Tom Kerridge recipe book, which is essentially low-carb and BSD friendly and he has lost over 11 stone in three years – and the recipes look fabulous. And he has a serious respect for pork scratchings…..

Welcome back Verano. I think one of the (many) great things about BSD is how adaptable it is, each one of us seems to have found our own way. Sticking to the principles is more important than fast weight loss, especially if your markers are normal.

As an aside, I’m not sure what diet he followed, but a friend of mine, who I’ve only known as very overweight indeed, has been losing weight following some big health scares and said this morning that he’s lost ELEVEN STONE!!! I’m pretty sure he just did an all things in moderation approach with lots of exercise, but we’ll done him, eh?

I could not agree more. However, I found that my low opinion of these medical practitioners resulted in a very aggressive attack from another poster, so watch out! Apparently to criticise them is to be boorish.

“Most NHS personnel stick rigidly to the party line, and advise consumption of a large amount of carbs, with the resultant high blood sugar leaving us feeling helpless ever to get our bs levels down. Can’t really blame them for that, because if anything were to go wrong they would be in trouble if they had deviated from instructions.”

I don’t think that’s the reason. You need real expertise to form a professional clinical opinion rather than relay guidance. Very few have it.