I am 51 and live in Sydney, Australia. I would like to lose 40 – 50 kg to get to my ideal weight. I have tried so many diets and have lost weight and put it on again and more. I am determined to follow the 8 week Blood Sugar Diet starting today. I have read the entire book and have also bought the recipe book. It looks very do-able. I do not have diabetes but am doing this to lose weight and for my health. I look forward to reading posts on the Forum to see how others are doing.

Day One has gone OK – I went over the calories today to 900 instead of 800 (but that is OK – good start). I have resisted temptations and have drunk a lot of water as it has been so hot in Sydney today. I completed a Curves session this morning (305 calories).
I am still on summer school holidays (I am a teacher) so I have time for planning my meals. I think it should be OK once I go back to work – I find it easier to diet when I am busy and don’t have time for snacking. My only obstacles are two birthday parties in January.

Good luck to all January Newbies. I look forward to sharing my progress over the next weeks.

Thank you Sarah! My day went to plan and a few pecans ( 0k and a tiny bit of toblerone!!) got me through to a yummy dinner of chicken wrapped in prosciutto from the book with broccoli drizzled with flaked almonds in brown butter, so good!!! Felt really satisfied.
Your sleep pattern sounds like torture, as a wine insomniac I get 3 hrs a night when I indulge but can’t blame work hours alas!! ( sleep fine when no wine, so silly!)
How are you coping today? Do you do the hot bath/ warm milk? Your job sounds really intense, you are going so well to stick to the BSD with those hours, in the other world it would be carbs for a quick fuel-up!! And I guess that’s where do many of us create those quick- fix habits, I know I did! If only I had known about nuts!!!!
How is everyone else going?? Slowly slowly catchee monkey….!

Morning all

I hope we are all well this Monday morning! Working in HR I have already had phone calls from employees who are sick and won’t be in. It strikes me that I have managed to stay remarkably healthy when all around me have been coughing, spluttering and sneezing their way through the day – long may it continue!

I have a tiny wardrobe which focuses my mind on sorting on a regular basis! I have everything in there from a Size 8 to a 16 – my weight loss (and gain) story for the last 20 years. This weekend, everything but the 8’s and 10’s came out and went in the loft. The reason it hasn’t gone to the charity shop is that I have a female partner who has taken a shine to some things and, as she loses weight also, would quite like to be able to wear them when they fit her! So they stay…for now 🙂

Have a good day all, official 4 week fix weigh in tomorrow!
TC

Hi StrivingMum – I’m not medically trained, but I suspect the disclaimer is possibly due to the calorie restriction aspect, rather than the types of food recommended on the BSD. I personally can’t see an issue following the healthy principles of eating whole foods and avoiding processed junk, but without the calorie restriction.

Hi Lucia
I always love your blogs but these are the best ever!
I have a really stupid sense of humour and the thought of exploding gussets has me giggling like loon
This is fine in the house, making the bed, taking the dog for a walk etc but not so good in a queue at the supermarket till when people start edging away.!

I managed to control myself until i got to the car where I sat and laughed till I cried.
Some one did knock on the window and ask if I was OK
I have not laughed so much for ages, so thank you for making a great day.
I have been circling around the blogs about to start BSD again after a winter cab fest that has undone all the earlier work but as you say one day at a time and today is day one for me.
So I will keep you posted and keep us all inspired

Mad mare

Hi Gustavovoltman
I have an exercise CD which I bought from the Australian heart foundation. I also have vertigo and this is great because on the DVD it shows how you can do the exercise by sitting in a chair as well as standing up. I’m not sure if it will be posted outside Australia but maybe there is a similar DVD more local to you.

http://www.heartmoves.org.au/assets/pdf/Order_Form.pdf

Well done everyone on weight losses, big and small, every little helps👍. Solange stick with it, you will feel worse if you give up. Happy Monday

Hi Nettie,
that sounds like a great idea, wishing you success with the recipes. You might find it useful to use the Calorie King Website which i believe is still free on line. Its probably similar to many apps but I found it really helpful. I won’t try to explain it you’re best having a look. It is Australian and I assume you’re in UK but it should still be applicable for most foods.

I know a major disclaimer is that this diet is not for under 18s, but I am wondering what aspect of it is a problem? Have one child in particular who is a constantly hungry ‘carb addict’ and wanting to transition to a healthier way of eating.

Firstly, congratulations for taking control of your body and reaching a stage where your diabetes is no longer a problem. And so quickly too!
For what it’s worth, I feel you could increase your calorific intake to a level that sustains your weight, or puts some back on if you feel too thin, but just don’t increase your carbs. The 800 5:2 diet is/was aimed at the general population who can cope with a higher carb level. And carrots and chick peas DO have a higher carb count, but ones that are more slowly broken down into blood glucose and are fine in moderation for the vaste majority of people.
Try not to stress about it all. Just up your fat intake a bit, monitor your blood sugars as you go and see where you get to that is a happy weight for you and a safe blood glucose level.
Keep posting and let us know how you go. Good luck!

DAY 7 …. WEEK 2

Good morning /evening

Last day of the second week and I’m wondering where on earth that time has gone! Anyway, hope everyone is back into some sort of routine now. I always think it’s sometimes harder to restart after a break than it is at the very beginning of a new plan.

Tigs you give me too much credit I only sorted out a handful of things but it has spurred me on to look at the rest now! I have a shelf full of past/future clothes, all too small at the moment, which I think I’ll also go through and maybe pick out one item to aim for. May also keep one baggy piece to remind me where I’ve come from!

My new futurelearn courses have arrived in my inbox today. The Science of Nutrition looks really interesting. It starts by asking ‘Why do we eat and what do we eat?’ Mmmm really looking forward to this. The other one is Beginners Spanish 1 which I thought might be a good refresher course as I did an OU course many years ago. Really excited about having something else to keep me away from the fridge.

Anyway, hope you all have a good DAY 14.

Thanks Mixnmatch! 😎

Hi all
Day 6 looming. Yesterday had a minor blip, did 2 slices of toast with a fried (ev olive oil) egg for brunch! No butter though. Still lasted me through to dinner. Was it worth it? For my sanity yes but can’t say it thrilled me! Still I shall plod on!
Hope we all enjoy today.

300g up in 48 hours thanks to my routine going out the window having pulled an all-nighter at my desk in-between and ongoing insomnia. I don’t think it is food intake per se; just that my body is all over the place. I got to sleep at 0845 yesterday, having worked through the night, had 3.5 hours sleep then went back to work… and realised at 5pm that I had not eaten or drunk anything that day. Not even water. NOT good. No wonder I don’t know if I am coming or going….

Today is the day where I pull it all back into line though. Meals all planned tightly and I’ll be sticking to them, and I’ll seeking to establish my sleep routine and get off this weight plateau. It’s getting boring now – have been hovering around the same two kgs since end November; it’s time to smash through it and continue downwards.

Inka13: we all relate but you CAN do it. The social stuff is hard for sure but once you find the strength the one time while out to resist, it gets remarkably easier after that. I promise.

Great news Fairyface – how motivational. You must have felt great!

Margaret: you had a great loss in a week!!! Don’t be disappointed – celebrate! You are doing brilliantly!! It’s all relative – surviving on 950 kcals a day is an achievement most can’t manage. Don’t see it as a failure because you weren’t hitting the magic 800 – see it as an accomplishment compared to what you what you would have been consuming compared to pre BSD days! I reckon I used to take in 2500-3000 kcals a day looking back; even 1500 on any given day is a major step forward for me. And you WILL lose weight off 950 kcals a day too – but you know this because you already are. Some of us would give our eye teeth for your loss this week 🙂

Pat: where are you…..?!!!

Have a good day everyone. Sarah x

Good morning all January BSDers and well done to everyone who has lost weight and changed their way of eating.

Week 2 ……day 1 …….lost 1.5kg

I’m a bit disapponted. It was more but I put 200g overnight probably as a result of my rampage round the kitchen yesterday. And today will not be an easy day to pull back those grams.

Oh well onwatds. Back to work today. That’ll give me something different to think about.

Have a good day!

I love kefir and I make it everyday with full cream UHT milk. I find it has a nicer texture and it’s creamier. Just my opinion. I usually drink a cup a day approx 250ml and up until recently I added some maple syrup to sweeten it. Now I drink it plain. I started the Fast 800 2 days ago and realised that a full cup was too many calories. I will be having a large shot glassful until I am off the Fast800. At least kimchi has very little calories so I don’t have to cut down on that.😀

Good evening Angela! I’m just about off to bed but forgot to check so here I am–Your walk sounded nice; especially the part about walking in the woods. Sounds like a great workout! Sorry about the loss of your dogs. We lost our yellow lab, Sophie, about three years ago and still really miss her. We haven’t gotten another dog yet although I dream about having another one a lot. We have been traveling a lot and it is just so hard for me to leave my dog (when I have one). One day soon we’ll get another one to love!

I had the same problem with food today. I didn’t eat any real meal except for breakfast and then I picked at food all day after that. I ate cashews and pecans, cheese and some salami. I managed to do 30 minutes on my elliptical! I stayed busy all day and my tracker shows 4.36 miles walked and 10, 680 steps. So hopefully the damage at weigh in tomorrow won’t be too bad! I’m off to bed as tomorrow morning my alarm will go off at 3:30 am and I’ll leave the house for work at 4:30 am. Ugh!

It rained all day and sounds like it will rain for the next 3 days at least followed by a day of rest and then more rain. The weather reporters are predicting lots of flooding in our area since there was a big dump of snow in the mountains followed by rain. The rain is expected to melt the new snow and send it down to our area.

PEAK: Got my workout in and enjoyed staying home all day and watching it rain! My husband and I gave each other guitars for Christmas and have been taking lessons online. We now know 3 songs! It has been fun learning to play together.

PIT: I ate too much and only had one formal meal! Only good part was I didn’t have too many carbs. Tomorrow is a new day. I’m off to bed!~ Janet :–)

Hi all, week 19 done and dusted, hope you all had a great new years.

Weigh in result 125.7kg
waist 126cm
2.7kg loss for the week

34.2 kg loss to date

Feeling a lot more energy which is great, bit of a battle with my ankle blowing up, looks like gout struck, but still managed to get my walks in. Been watching bit of youtube on my newbute blueray player, on peoples weight loss journeys, gave me alot of determination to keep going.

Great result with the loss snoop, keep it up.

Have a good one all

This is a follow up to my first cry for help. I have no dietician or helpful GP to ask for support.
Now I am down to 62 kg from 75KG . BMI 22.56 , Type 2 diabetes is now in remission.
Done in 6 weeks to 7 weeks.
Waist now 33 5/8 inch from a start of perhaps 39 inch.
[ I did not think of measuring my waist until about 8 days into the 800 diet my trousers started to fall down.]
The website Patient information self analyser suggests I lose 2 more kg although I am in normal BMI already.
Lose more ?
I look in the mirror and though I feel great and my type 2 has ‘ gone away ‘ I see an emaciated stranger.
I note Professor Taylor’s remarks that SOME of his patients failed to complete the diet because their partners / wives did not like the look of them being so thin.

I sympathise.

I LOOK somewhat skeletal, ribs standing out , arms and legs looking a bit puny. Am doing exercise , brisk walking 30 minutes daily interspersed with sprints to copy Dr Mosley’s high intensity exercise.
My inclination is to ignore the Patient info web site analysis
[ they are still promoting low fat diet as excellent ]
and to start building up my muscles and INCREASING my weight.. but not too much.

How to do this ? My own guess is to reintroduce normal diet slowly, to 2/3 of pre diet levels… continue with exercise with some added weight training in the gym , and to monitor my FBS [ perhaps weekly ? ] for signs of returning type 2 diabetes.

I have been studying online like crazy for weeks, understand now more about low carb principles , and the caloric restriction ideas which do not necessarily restrict carbs except for the ‘ fast starches’ like bread and potatoes etc. as compared to the ultimate low carb enthusiasts who try to remain in dietary ketosis .

Have read up on the twin cycle hypothesis.

Incidentally , in science once a hypothesis is proved by experiment it is accepted as true.
Unfortunately the NHS and the Medical Establishment, which are ‘ treacle slow ‘ to move , [ ha ha ]
demand further proof with rigorous blind trials.
Prof Taylor’s hypotheses were proved by experiment. Enough of that .Politics raises its ugly head.

BUT I am still puzzled by the BIG QUESTIONS.
WHY does Prof Roy Taylor’s 800 diet contain sugars ?
WHY does Dr Michael Mosley allow foods like carrots and chick peas which are ‘forbidden’ by some other diet websites?
HOW to proceed to bulk up body to ‘normal’ without gaining too much weight ?
I need answers and I am prepared to pay for private consultations and help.

signing off ,
denis carbs

Hi, I am all set to start the 8week BS Diet however I would like to have the confidence to put my own recipes together even though there is a good array of recipes in the book. I wonder if someone could help me with the breakdown of protein, fats, and non-starchy carbs per day/over the 800 cals. Thanks so much in advance!

I tried making lasagna today with thin slices of zucchini (courgette) instead of pasta. Delicious! I don’t know why I was worried, I’ve been having bolognaise on zoodles (courgetti) for ages! Best thing was that my daughter loved it too. I used quite a lot of cheese so it was about 400 calories per portion (but you could adjust that) and 10 grams of carbs.

Hi sunshine, I do sleep, but I have somehow managed to get to where I go to sleep at around 5am until about 12.00. As I said I used to worry about sleeping, because I knew I had to get up for work, but my current routine means no pressure and seems to suit me. I live alone so don’t have to fit in with anyone else. I will definitely try having a snack before I go to sleep

Don’t panic doll!! Remember blood sugar results are a one off snap shot!!!! Like a photo taken in real time! Blood sugars hit peaks and troughs daily so aren’t reluable but The Hba1c is a much more reliable indicator as it reveals BS from an 8-12 week period ….breathe ! Breathe !

Dusdavi – good on ya mate
The chicken noodle low salt packet soup with celery and garlic/onion and or cauliflower is a treat and so few calories

Glad it helped

In fact my dinner tonight is just that after a feta cheese salad at lunch and oats and Almond milk for brekkie and a banana squeezed in

Happy Days

would love to know what Pig Gate was Jan!

I came across a new product from tilda today – I used to use their microwave rice a lot pre BSD.
They have started a new range of pulses mixed with rice (low carb eating hitting at their sales maybe?) – I haven’t tried it yet, but I got Chickpea, Harissa & Lemon with Basmati Rice – a full pack is 16g of carbs, less than half the carbs of a portion of their rice.

Hi Anna

have a look on YouTube for “chair based exercise” – I don’t have mobility problems, so haven’t done them, but came across them when I looked last year for someone else. Several half hourish type videos came up that indicated a routine that you could follow.
Amazon has some DVDs too – and simply googling “chair based exercise” brings up lots of resources in addition to the YouTube links.

Also, look at what your local gyms have to offer — City of London has a “Young at Heart” scheme, that is for over 50’s – some of it is standard gym and aerobics, but it also has chair based and gentler exercise; so does the over 55 group at my local community centre.
I just had a look at your profile – if you have provision like this locally, but you’re below the age group specified, it’s worth asking if you can join because of your health issues. Ask your GP if he/she is aware of anything locally too.

Sunshine-girl /Lexy4france – thanks for your encouragement. My husband and I each aim to lose a couple of stone to begin with. That will make a huge difference. My husband wants to do the 800 cal programme alongside me, hence my asking for your thoughts. We have each followed a Cambridge type program in the past with great success but about 10 years ago, so 10 years younger. I think your idea, Lexy4france, of 1000 calls/60grm carb a day has merit, and as I shall be orchestrating the meals, he won’t really know. Weight will pour off him if he stops alcohol, but being an alpha male, he doesn’t like being told this!
Thanks again for your support. The book arrives tomorrow and we start on Thursday 12th. Fingers crossed. Happy New Year to us all.

I fear to Google nutty bloomers.

I have recently fractured my ankle and been told that I have a condition that has made the bones in feet ‘crumbly’. I’m now not allowed to do any exercise that puts pressure through my ankles and feet and have to limit walking and only on flat surfaces. BUT I want to lose weight and get fit. What can I do? (sadly I don’t have a bike and nervous of water).

Does anyone have any resources for exercises that might help?

Thanks.

Hi NannyC, I’m starting tomorrow also. I know what you mean about bread – ooh I shall miss it but we know we need to avoid the bakers or the bakery section in the supermarket!

Good luck.. keep us posted.

AnnaGoAnna

Week 1 over lost 3kgs, which I am happy with, I have been strict enough with the calories , carbs etc but I really miss my bread.
After a week I still feel very new to this but if I could give any advice it would be to plan your meals it helps loads. The chicken noodle soup ( on this thread ) was terrific and did help with hunger!
I feel limiting to 1-2 pieces of fruit a day is strange as I’m quite sure using the Med diet as a guide they would eat loads of fruit freely.

Yeaaaa Frog

I’m back in the game again, techkies fixed the email thing, so now I know where you all are, ooh missed all you guys.
Pizzagate so funny, a friend and I used to run a centre, and as it was all volunteers there was always some sort of gate. Skipgate was a big problem and spinach gate oh and there was a pig gate, very big problems caused all sorts of mayhem. Hmm best not ponder on that one.
Well I’m back on track hurrah, feeling better, know what you mean about pizza though, it just tastes of salt , don’t worry it will just be a blip.
Okay I will follow on the other thread. Keep at it. 🙋🙋🙋jan

Hi Mixnmatch
Thanks for your welcome. I am already enjoying reading threads. Have completed day 4 and still happy to continue, but nervous to weigh in case it is not good. Maybe tomorrow

I read or heard an article about kefir a while ago & was very impressed
I bought grains on line, had bottles of it in the bathroom – couldn’t bring myself to drink it.
The basic flaw was that I don’t like milky drinks, ended up chucking it away.

Absolutely!! We can change the next generation!! I am doing the same with my girls and it’s amazing how they are now turning down sugar and loving things like Greek yoghurt and cauliflower mash!
Well done on your loss too, it’s such a great feeling!!

Hi everyone I am starting the bsd tomorrow and am a bit nervous about it. I am worried about not having bread as I just love my nutty bloomers and will find it hard to give up. I am 72 years old and do have willpower but will need support from you all for the bad days. Looking forward to having your advice and support.

JulesMaigret – you are so lucky to be able to buy yours from a goat farm up the road. I am really envious.

Yuk
I was in an area today with my favourite pizza restaurant (so good, that its now a chain with about 30 branches) – I gave in had one, but didn’t even like it – THE SALAD WAS NICER!!!
now feeling v yuk & bloated.
Used to be a total Pizza addict – a real revelation to not enjoy it anymore!!!
I had lost 3.5k of the 4k that I put on in December when I weighed this morning – but that was pre pizzagate

I did find some Jerusalem artichokes this afternoon (we used them at veg. cookery class last week, at my suggestion, but they are incredibly hard to get hold of from supermarkets around here), a huge bag of ginger – and fresh tumeric, that I had never seen before, so I now have to discover what to do with that.
Bit carby, but Jerusalem Artichoke soup at some point next week – the one wee made last week was amazing.

Hi Jan – just looked back and my recent posts have been on a thread called “4 WEEK FIX … 27th December … Welcoming 2017 with BSD gusto!” – including a very long debate about tea!

Fairyface, that must have been a great feeling!
Carb addict well done on your loss, and sympathies everyone who is struggling a bit. I have been flapping about in the background, a bit ashamed to post as I am following the same pattern I have since I started, a few great days then a social event comes up and I cave, despite my best resolutions! Having my husband home and off-plan has NOT helped but he had just returned to work so this morning I am fasting till lunch then just eggs and spinach and grilled chicken and veg for dinner. I want to keep going so much and reading your posts is keeping me inspired and laughing but I’m sorry I keep having the same tale of woe!!
Wishingyou all a great week!

Hey Yowser luvvy,

How the Beckie peck are you, yep told them about 3/4 hr ago and its sorted, yeaaaaa need this forum to keep me focused. Weigh in tomorrow, had a very wobbly week back how about yourself.

Trying to fend of the carb monster at the mo, so just had a little gage and flaked almonds yum 🙋

Well done clarity and k8sgettingthin
Super starts!

The headache could be the start of carb withdrawal symptoms, keep drinking plenty of water, add a little salt to your meals if you don’t already, and take painkillers if you need them. Be kind to yourself until you feel better.

Daisymay, that does sound like carb flu, not everyone suffers from it but some people have reported symptoms lasting up to a week before they abruptly start feeling better.

Hi Way of Life
I also have just reached the end of day 2.
I did have a flash headache today and thought the worst, but gulped down some of my 3 litres of water followed by a coffee and it went away, thankfully.
Hope your headache has departed now.
Hope all the water had filtered through now and will not have me up all night!
Roll on with day 3 – good luck with it.
Kate

Swing it sister!!
You rock Fairyface!!
Congratulations!!

Hi,
I also started on the 01/01/16 but with a starting weight of 15st 6lb I was lucky enough to lose 11 lb in my first week however my diet prior to this was absolutely rubbish, all the wrong food and too much wine. I think the drastic initial loss is purely due to eating a sensible diet for a week. I suspect this will drop considerably next week but I have to say I feel much better already, skin is better, no headaches or light heads. I did speak to my doctor before I started and she suggested increasing the amount of calories slightly as I have also started the gym. I increased to 1000 by adding in an extra meal.

Keep going and good luck, just remember all these loses add up and provided you are enjoying the food stick at it.

Good Luck .

Hi everyone,
I started the BSD on the 01/01/17, decided to take the bull by the horns. I spoke to my doctor who knew of the diet and she agreed it was ideal for me, however suggested I increased the calories slightly as I had also joined the Gym. I made the choice to add in one extra meal / snack to take it up to the 1,000 and this has worked well this week. Shopping cost has increased but with a first week loss of 11 lb I am more than happy and motivated to start week 2. Amazingly no headaches or withdrawal, plenty of fluids and trying things I have not had before.

Good look to everyone starting in January

We had the Cauliflower Cheese tonight and it’s sent my levels to 15.4.. holy cow!

You too, it has to work if we are doing it right a number 2 will help no end I am sure, let’s see what next week brings, don’t give up, best of luck xx

The problem is as soon as they are defrosted enough to mash up they go black and truly awful so I will try one baked. If that doesn’t work they will end up in the bin.