Morning all

I hope everyone is feeling fabulous today. I was back at work yesterday (although I did work in the ‘break’ but you can’t count that is it is SO quiet) and back on plan – and had the carb headache to prove it! It staggers me how withdrawing from carbs can affect you so much – I had a really long think about how poisonous it must be and vowed to plan the maintenance stage of this journey thoroughly!

I haven’t weighed since Monday so I don’t know if being back on plan is working – but I did have a delicious meal last night of slow roasted lamb, braised red cabbage and brocolli (all leftovers) and it tasted absolutely delicious – maybe it was the headache, or the fact that I was starving but I really do prefer something like that to carb laden rubbish, which had been my diet for a few days before that!

Anyway, I wish you all a successful day, thanks for posting!

That sounds very helpful, I will look at MyFitnessPal more closely, I am not great with this tech stuff.

I also found on MyFitnessPal that it adds calories to my daily total for exercise which I don’t want at the moment but can’t see to disable ! If anybody knows how please let me know.

Thanks againxx

Well done getyourcarbonon! and happy birthday!

Happy birthday GetyourCarbon. I’m glad you had a successful day. Well done!

raintoday – great results.

I don’t know if you test your own blood sugars.

I move around the country a lot because of work so have experienced a variety of doctors. Some have been fantastic while others were avoided unless absolutely necessary. These days most want diabetics to rely on the HbA1c test to monitor their diabetes. But they also want patients to be proactive in their care. Then won’t prescribe test strips for patients to see how different foods affect their blood sugars. So – how can patients be proactive if they aren’t given the tools? Oh – the reasons given for not advising diabetics to self test? It hurts and can make patients depressed! But what about the effects of poorly controlled diabetes? Btw – a small pinprick is all it is, and personally I’d sooner do that test than risk serious problems. And keeping tight control (for me) is better, less stressful or depressing, than waiting for the results of the occasional HbA1c with ever increasing numbers.

If you don’t already self test, and your doctor just wishes the occasional HbA1c, you may want to get a test meter and keep an eye on things yourself. I learned that I had to do it myself, often in spite of the medical professionals rather than with their support.

Hope this helps. Best wishes for whatever you decide to do.

Well it’s my birthday today and I cooked Pork and steak on the BBQ for the kids
I had snapper on cauliflower rice with salad !
Next year will be different when I can have more than 800 calories !
Proud i didn’t cave in as it would be so easy
30c lovely evening , cold beers in the fridge etc

It took massive willpower but i did it

Good luck

Sounds about right M. I tend to have a rough setting in MFP of carbs – 40g, fat – 40g and protein – 70g but if I go over 800cals as long as its fat and protein I still find I lose.

You can set these limits in MFP without paying for premium and I just discovered that if you turn the phone sideways when in the diary it shows you a breakdown of the C/F/P in each food, meal and for the day.

Hi Jande9,

Thank you I took the carb count from an online counter, I am using MyFitnessPal but not premium user so not showing carb count. I actually live in rural Spain and checking the label it says 10g per 100 but on chic peas it also says fibre so not really sure what rules apply here.

It confusing but must be working I just checked the scales and am delighted to say I have lost 4lbs in 2 days, that’s so good for me as I have had my thyroid removed and struggle to lose, feel very motivated now.

Thanks again and hope everybody is doing well and getting healthy xx

DAY 2 … WEEK 2

Good morning

At least I slept last night ! I think if I eat meat, which I don’t do often, I find it difficult to sleep. Not sure it’s very digestible. Have no trouble dropping off its just the waking in the night then tossing and turning!

Good to see so many people getting back on track. I think it must be the ‘silly season’ again. I watched, part of, the Diet program on C4 last night. Why I don’t know. Must just be habit to see if there is a new ‘miracle’ out there when I know we’ve already found it! Who really wants to take ice baths or drink ‘bone broth’ two days a week when we can eat the great food we do.

There was also an article in the Mail yesterday about sugar. I’m not a great fan of the paper but I do think their ‘health’ articles are often quite good. Anyway, it set out the ‘science’ of eating carbs/sugar and their effect on insulin production etc. The message is coming through but it’s still such a slow trickle. One day ……

Well will try the ‘kalettes’ today if I can get them. I have to be honest kale has never appealed to me but then I’m not a huge fan of vegetables. Looks like aubergine is the new ‘wonder’ vegetable for this year but maybe ‘kalettes’ will be there at the top as well.

Have a good day.

Hi Solange, that’s great news well done 🙂

Just did a test – my fasting blood is 7.2! HOW can it be 7.7 2 hours after – 6.7 3 hours after but 7.2 12 hours after!? is the metformin meant to keep it lower?

I am officially confused and now more determined than ever to bring that level down.

Well, after starting yesterday I am already minus 1 lb off my Christmas/New Year gain of 5 lbs. Hoorah! Have a long shopping list for today and must admit to feeling excited!!

LinD, thank you for your input. I quite enjoy intermittent fasting, but have bought into the “breakfast is the most important meal” advice. It makes sense though, since starting BSD some mornings (not today!) I just don’t feel hungry. I’ll try it and see how it affects me. Thanks again.

Good to see so many of us getting back into the swing. I’m quite near my ultimate weight goal, about 4lbs away, so for me this way of life is now about health and medical issues, keeping T2 db at bay, lowering blood pressure, doing all I can lifestyle-wise to remain cancer free (six years so far) and generally looking after myself. It’s very empowering!

BfitB, I love walking too, but have a mini-rebounder for those inclement days, a few minutes here and there soon adds up, waiting for the kettle to boil, tv ad breaks etc.

All the best to everyone on the BSD road. Happy Wednesday… and let’s hear it for The Kalettes.. yay!

Jo
Well done on the weight loss – really good news that the blurred vision has gone now your b.s. are so good.

BfitB470 a good weight loss for this time of year. I agree that it isn’t so nice walking this time of year. I am waiting at the moment for a lull in the rain before I do my after breakfast walk.

Raintoday
You have done so well with your weight loss and A1c. Here in the UK the norm is to have an Hba1c once or twice a year. I haven’t asked for one more often so I don’t know if they would do it.

Your pancreas must be working much better now to get your good A1c results. Have you been able to decrease your metformin?

Tigs – I still weigh my food and its great when you can be open about it.

I am back at work today but am looking forward to it as I have had a lovely time over the holidays.

Morning Butterlover and other Aussie friends! At least when it’s cold here in Wales, and trust me it IS cold this morning, minus 4 at the moment, we can put on extra clothes and get outside for our exercise. It’s not often that I envy everyone else with their central heating, but today I do! But there’s not a lot you can do in that heat! You have my sympathies!

A swim before breakfast sounds nice though! Enjoy the day everyone.
The kalettes were nice enough stir fried with some garlic and anchovies, btw. The turkey burgers? Meh, not so good.

Day four.

Today, I am going to do something strange , alone on the bed.

I am going to use the support and softness of the bed to have a go at yoga positions.
Lying on the bed, and lifting one leg up to the ceiling, gently drawing a circle in the sky. It doesn’t matter if it is more of an oval. Or has square corners. It doesn’t matter if it is only a few inches or miles wide.
It doesn’t matter if you can do only one lap or several.
Don’t forget to do both sides otherwise you will look like red hell boy.
Try lying down on your back and lifting your bum off the bed, I think it looks like a table. Two seconds is achievable and something we can build on
. How about moving your arms from your sides and then over your head, touching the headboard, and gently back.

Eating, today, I am going to have 350 calories for lunch.
But Lucia, your maths is all wrong.
350 lunch 350 dinner. That’s 700 and we haven’t mentioned breakfast.
If you know me, you know I do things gradually. Able to cope and handle it. I can maintain it for longer then.

Mentally, anyway, I have got over laughing about the sprouts.
Guess what I am ready to do now?
I am waiting for the first snowdrop then crocus. They are on the way. Go into the garden or field or park. And just stand still. You can hear a noise, a weird one. I straining noise. As the snowdrops are growing and pushing through the soil.
It may take a few weeks, but it doesn’t matter. I am outside and looking for the first signs of spring.
Enjoy the freshness.

You going to give it a go?

Have a great day four.
Love Lucia
Xxxxx

Hi Everyone , Its 40 degrees in Perth today, so I’m locked in till after 4pm when it’s supposed to cool down. The last few days have been a bit challenging with the heat. I managed to get to the beach for a quick dip before 8am, after that Its too hot.So i haven’t done my steps. Yesterday my weight was up .3kg for the second day plus BGL was 6.9.So I really needed to stop snacking even on BSD foods.It worked. today my weight is the same 84.7kg and fasting BGL is 5.9. I’ve decided to check my bloods a lot for a few days with the plan is no food if BGL is above 6.
I’m focused on keeping busy and lots of water.It seems to be not fair that I can’t go out because of the heat and all of you in UK are house bound by the cold.I hope all of you suffering with colds and flu will feel better soon, cheers

Love your wisdom BfitB470 – turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. Indeed we all need to do so.

Had a successful day today – trying to get back to the routine even though we still have guests staying. I was upfront at dinner and said had to weigh my food…and that we were eating ‘early’ cos I was not eating between meals and I was hungry at 6pm. It was just to my son and his girlfriend but at least now I don’t have to try hide my measuring etc. They were totally fine with it. The Routine is so key to me. Cara54, bring on the weekend when you are back to yours too.

PS: hope you feel better today Miss Ziggy.

PPS: Margaret: I didn’t really put you to shame yesterday after all did I?!!! Best laid plans….haha.

Well, I had a an amazingly RUBBISH day yesterday too so I’m glad to know I am not alone. A combination of PMT hormones, tiredness from some (rare) insomnia and some work stress caused me to plough into a few things I should not even have in the house at this stage – namely left-over Xmas cheese and a big bag of gourmet chocs that The Chef brought me. I dread to think how many calories I consumed. AND I didn’t get out on my walk due to work deadlines. AND I only managed a litre of water. Pants day all around.

On the upside, I did make a yummy roasted tomato and onion soup for lunch with my new immersion blender which was utterly gorgeous. (Roasted 3 tomatoes and one large white onion (all chopped up and seasoned) for 35 mins at 180 degrees, stuck it in a pan, added a litre of veggie stock, stuck in the stick blender for 10 secs and then heated it all up. Recipe said add dried dill but i forgot. Easily made enough for two meals. And it was delicious and satisfying. Who’d have thought 1.5 tomatoes, half an onion and a stock cube would have turned into something so delicious. Possibly cheapest meal ever too – great for January budgets! Would be lovely with a swirl of goats cheese through it too.)

New day, new start. Hey ho. Feeling like cr*p but determined to crack this (and at least the cheese and chocs are now gone I guess….!!!)

Better luck today everyone: we all know the starting bit is the hardest; we just have to push through it.

Aw thank you….I know what you mean about the traffic and the rain. I always allow lots of time and arrive hours early…but good news that your husband is getting better. I will look out for the protectors, thanks for the tip.

Have a good day (or night) catch you later..

Daisiesmum, I was always a breakfaster but on the bsd and reading about fasting I gave it a try. Of course I do have to listen to my body, occasionallyI will have breakfast should it be safer bs wise. Usually I hold out for brunch or lunch having consumed herbal tea but not coffee on an empty stomach! I just wanted to give my innards a chance to recuperate and heal after years of sugar/carb abuse! I read recently that this whole recommended food/calorie intake needs to be reviewed/reassessed as it was originally set out in ww1 when work was more manual and people more active.
Hope everyone coping and back on track.

Quick check-in – weight 163.2 – couple lbs off since last week – so, OK onward and downward – have eaten less protein over past week – has been rainy and chilly around here so have come up with a mushroom soup that is Lots of veg and thickened with some tofu – the firm stuff leaves the soup a little grainy but the soft purees up nicely. With the decrease in protein I have noticed the blood sugars are down a bit which is a goal. Using the suggestions I’ve read here about getting up each hour and walking .
Also going to go for larger meal midday and soup/salad at dinner and see if that impacts the blood sugars in the AM – anyone have any experience with doing that ?
Have resolved (it is that time of year !) to let go of the frustration I have been feeling since diabetes diagnosed 6 months ago – I have since dropped 40+ lbs, have changed my eating patterns, drew down the A1c to 5.9% – changed docs (though not sure about new one – he thinks I am relying too much on lab results – and is reluctant to monitor more than at 6 month intervals – I would like quarterly for a year). I have no idea what is the “norm” or what to expect / ask for. Anyone willing to describe what they have been told ? or your experience ?
I figure I am ‘changing the things I can change’ and see what happens over time w/ whether my pancreas kicks back in . Frustration = stress – = increased cortisol …… bad …. not sure how Zen-like I can become …..
I do like this WOE – has changed my relationship w/ food.
Thanks to everyone on this thread – you guys are inspiring !! This is do-able – no doubt !!

Beans can be higher carbs but some of those carbs are from fibre, so they won’t push your insulin. I think the US counts all carbs but the UK counts net carbs, ie starch/sugar minus fibre. Here in Canada they list all the carbs so we need to subtract the fibre to get net carbs. In beans, about 25% of the carbs are fibre.
With cauliflower most of the carbs is in the form of fibre.
If the recipe comes up with lots of carbs don’t forget to subtract the fibre.
When I imported this recipe into myfitnesspal it gave me 117 calories and 7 grams of net carbs per serving.

Thanks Californiagirl.

Interesting question — I believe it would be a mixture of insulin responses — but who knows really because how do we digest high carb and low carb and high GI and low GI all in our stomachs at the same time? I think we need an expert nutritionist for this question!

Thank you Angela06 for contributing! That’s my peak for the day. :–)

That is so great that you lost a kilo overnight–whoo hoo-you must feel so good about that!
So crummy about the blistered heel and sore toe–I hope that heals quickly! I have that problem with the blistered heel often and have to put blister protectors on my heel when I go for long walks. Have you seen those? They are like a thick bandage that can be put on your heel. Really helps me!

Extra PEAK for my day–My husband is feeling better. He stayed home from work today but plans to go tomorrow. He is coughing so much less! I’m relieved he is feeling better. I hate to see him sick!
Also, I had to drive to another city for a doctor appointment and to get my hair cut and colored. It was raining and everyone was heading back to work so I was worried about the traffic being bad and people getting into accidents. It turned out great! No traffic both ways. Yay!

PIT: I had the day off but spent most of it going to those two appointments so I didn’t get to do anything for myself at home. :–(

What a wonderful target. I don’t know if I could lose so much in one year but I will certainly give it a try. I would be so thrilled with myself if I do it. In our town if you weigh over 80Kg/176lbs the ambulance won’t take you unless you can walk yourself into it. The staff stay with you and care for you until the one ambulance with the large weight lifting capacity arrives. Then you get taken to hospital. Two of my friends have died waiting 5 hours for the weight lifting ambulance to arrive from dealing with another patient 100km away. It’s pretty scarey when you are so obese. So I really wan’t to get down below the 80kg.

Californiagirl thanks for such a comprehensive explanation. When you say subtract the fiber from the carb count to get net carbs, would that mean that if I am having a salad and some metamucil and a carb dense food I add up the whole meal’s fiber content and take it from the whole meal’s carb content to get the carbs level. Or is just the fiber from the carb product? Thanks for your help xx

I just remembered that I forgot to say that you will be counting “net” carbs so don’t forget to subtract the fiber from the carb count to get net carbs — makes a huge difference and will give you more flexibility and will encourage you to eat high fiber/low GI foods!

You are so right Thelwellpony about how strange it becomes to be disinterested in food when it has played such a controlling and dominant role in our lives (due to our choices). It is liberating but at times seems odd. Aren’t we lucky to choose to avoid food domination.

Hi. No idea what’s going on. I’m away from home and have no scales. I’ve been eating reasonably well apart from the pavlova which I had on New Year’s eve and the following day, plus the alcohol and some chocolate. I’ve done 2 x approximately 16 hour fasts since then but have been eating bread and potatoes.

I miss my routine and my scales!!!! Going home on Saturday so I will find out then although my official weigh in day is Monday.

Thanks for listening!xx

Attempting to lose five stone as well this year. On day 7 now of the fast 800 and hunger seems to have stopped. I’m not having any cravings, which is really good, but it feels very strange to be so disinterested in food!

Lainie
Hope the 1st day back at work went OK. Haven’t heard from you this evening. Sending encouragement your way☺
Julia

Two easy options I’ve found are M&S chicken pakora (no batter coating, just lovely spices), served with salad (you could get an M&S salad for convenience) or quarter portion of crispy duck (most supermarkets do), throw away the pancakes and serve on mini gem or romaine lettuce leaves.

I was doing so well as i have this dreaded cold and no appetite so didn’t eat much then a pork chop and a couple of roasted veg then while watching tv i went to get a couple of Brazil nuts and found a packet of roasted coconut. Just plain nothing added so thought I could have a couple! 3/4 packet later!! 😢 🤧 Xx
Well done to everyone who’s stuck to it and well we’ll get there! I hope! Xx

Well done on keeping it up over the festive period, Yorkshirebloke and as for the two hours walking! – that’s impressive.

Lost a couple of pounds myself over Christmas, so still heading in the right direction … my initial 8 week period finishes next week and with 1 week to go I have lost 35lb. More importantly for me, it really feels like eating like this is sustainable beyond the first 8 weeks … I don’t really crave many of the things that I have cut out.

I invested in some ‘weightwatchers’ scales which give you a measure of %age body fat and BMI … all a bit scary but I thought it would be worth tracking those things as well as weight.

All the best for 2017 to everyone reading this thread – Mint_Tsaurus

Hope you are feeling better now Miss Ziggy.

Thanks Orchid 👍

I like Dal Makhani and Punjabi Choley by Ashoka. I get them from Morrisons and Tesco. Often pour them over some steamed cauliflower for a quick meal or they are good on their own too.

Well day two done. I’m not yet back to a strict 800 calories but close enough to it and most importantly no startchy carb and sugars. Slightly headachy today and probably a few too many cups of tea, but just trying to steer myself in the right direction in general. Made the skinny aubergine lasagne from the cooking book and it was lovely, very filling and satisfying. Feeling positive and ready for tomorrow!

Just a quick check-in with a 1.5 pound loss. Still trying to turn my stumbling blocks into stepping stones !!! My aim for this coming week is to add more veggie intake. Never have been a fan of vegetables unless they were in a salad, but I am quite enjoying cauliflower rice and zoodles (along with longtime favorite spaghetti squash). Cookbook for US available now, and mine should be coming this week. Would also like to get in more exercise. Walking is my favorite, but since it has been hovering around freezing for the past two weeks, I’ll just be walking more around inside (with or without a duster or vacuum !!!)
Good luck and good wishes to everyone for the upcoming week.

3lb off on Christmas day. 1lb on new years day. 2 pound off over the Xmas period. Loads of walking. Over 2 hours a day.

Had a terrible day today. Need to get back on track.

Hope you’re all OK and doing well.

Edit from above – 3 hours after eating my level is now 6.7 so I am keen to see my fasting level

Good morning everyone. I am thoroughly enjoying reading everyone’s inspiring and supportive comments. Today was my weigh in day after three weeks on this diet. My loss this week was 1.1Kg ( 2lb 4 ounces ). My total loss over the three weeks was 5.3Kg ( 10lb 10 ounces ). And my fasting blood sugar was 5. I am really pleased with this progress and now I start the 4 WEEK FIX. I am feeling really well and it is wonderful not having the blurred vision I was suffering with the high blood sugars. I feel much younger than my 68 years now. Keep up the good work all. I look foward to reading all about your progress too.

Good Morning Jo G – and thats great to hear well done you 🙂

Keep us updated, as I am sure we will you!

Pete

Jo G – your post is inspiring too. Well done. 🙂

Can someone please have a look at this chart and tell me why I see it wrong?

https://s24.postimg.org/ljue85u5x/Screen_Shot_2017_01_03_at_21_20_56.png

If a normal person has a level from 4-5.9 before a meal, how can someone they say is diabetic also have a level of say 5.9 before a meal? Surely the normal person has diabetes too?

Personally my “2 hours after eating” level is 7.7 and they say 7.8 and under is normal. so am I normal OR type 2!?

SO confused, For it also says to be under 8.5 is also for diabetics. BUT if I am 7.7 and therefore in the “normal range” then I have no bloody idea which one I am lol

Is it as simple as, if I am between 6 and 7 before a meal and under 7.8 2 hours later I am T2D? and if I am say 5.9 before a meal and still 7.7 after I don’t have it? Also when I do the 1 hour test it will be higher but everything I read just says to do after 2 hours, where did the 1 hour come from?

Thanks!

Be lovelynif anytime he has found a microwave/tinned meal that would be suitable for this diet, pls? Thx.

Good morning everyone. Your posts are so inspiring and supportive. I am learning so much which is helping me tremendously. I had my three week weigh in this morning. My loss this week was 1.1Kg ( 2lb 4 ounces ). My total loss over the three weeks was 5.3Kg ( 10lb 10 ounces ). And my fasting blood sugar was 5. So this diet is doing me the world of good. Today I begin my January challenge. All the best everyone. Keep the updates coming. I love to read them.

Thank you yes it is the beans 400 grams !!!! Will split the last two potions into 3 then it will be better thanks again xx