Hi LindaA – an excellent post, thank you. I think what I like most about it is the encouragement to take this seriously. It’s probably the easiest and most effective eating plan – ever! But it still involves a change of attitude towards health and eating which needs to be long-term and yes, from time to time, it will be challenging. You have to re-evaluate priorities- I was a serious sugar addict and like many ‘addictions’ you end up needing more and more – sugar is as addictive as cocaine. And possibly as damaging! So it’s worth viewing sugar in the same way. I know I mentioned it before but Sugar, The Sweet Poison by David Gillespie is a startling and scary description of the same sugar does to the body.
Linda, have you looked at Mark’s Daily Apple? The Primal way of eating is pretty much the same as BSD and there are lots of really good recipes and tips on this way of life.
SSB

Thank you LindaA for the comprehensive post, really useful and inspiring.

Good luck everyone.

Hi all!

LindaA thank you for your tips on protein. I’ve now tweaked my macros again to 40% fat and 35% protein which I’m more comfortable with – that takes me to 70g protein as I have the same ideal weight as you. Great news on resisting the chocs and that your friend is taking an interest in the BSD. fingers crossed!

Rosebery, well done on your whoosh! I love those whooshes!

Can anyone post the link to the 1000 mile challenge please?

Day two.

Fitness, I will continue with my walk.
But, I will also walk up and down the stairs until I get out of breath, rest repeat one more time.

Eating, now I know how many carbs I am eating, I am cutting them out of my evening meal totally.

Mentally, I must realise I was not given the job to please everyone all the time. I don’t have the job of fixing every problem on the planet. I don’t have to take the responsibility for everything that happens outside my zone.
I must admit I am only human. I don’t not wear my passion killers on the outside, I do not wear a cape, I cannot fly. I am just on every one else’s level. No more no less.

I am feeling slimmer and fitter already. And happier that I am doing something about my health, in a nice easy, gradual way.

Have a great day two.
Let’s have another go.

Love Lucia
Xxxxx

Hi Happygirl and everyone!

I’m already enjoying checking into this forum and taking in all the tips. It’s also really encouraging firstly that many people have lost a lot of weight already using the diet and secondly that many of us are feeling a bit of trepidation about it. But I love the comment from Luv2Danz “So we’ve got this ….2017 we can smash this!”

I chose the username Dreamscometrue in the hope that this will be the year I get my slimmer self back again! I think I’ve been in denial about becoming overweight because for most of my life – apart from a bit of puppy fat as a child – I’ve been slim and able to eat anything. Now that is not the case and the weight has crept on but I’ve always somehow thought it would be ok and just disappear or something. Then on the other hand part of me just wants to accept the middle age spread as inevitable – I guess I’m scared to believe things could actually be different in case I “fail” at the diet. But then I’m also angry at myself for not being strong enough to get my act together sooner and kind of wasting precious time being unhappy with myself: it’s at the stage now where there is no joy in getting ready to to go out anywhere because so few of my clothes fit now – and I tend to choose the same couple of outfits that hopefully disguise some of the bumps!

Just writing this makes me realise how complex the issue of weight is and how much capacity there is for self-blame and self-loathing! But NO MORE!! I want to change and look forward to being part of this group to spur me on when I’m feeing defeated and also to help others get through those phases too.

Good luck everyone!

I am intending to register for the 1000 mile walk but need a step counter. I’m going to invest in a fitbit can someone more technically minded than me give me some recommendations please. I would like something basic, easy to understand and use…I hate fiddly buttons (got fat fingers!)

Thank you.

Hi Verano

After I signed up for the 1,000 mile challenge I saw that some commit to 500 miles (which I might have done if I’d known!) but some aim for 2,000 miles!!! The object is just to get people doing more walking – whenever and wherever it’s done.

I tend to curl up with my tablet or watching TV instead of getting out and about, do this could be a very interesting year now I’ve committed to the challenge.

Wonder where I could fit a treadmill into my house?😱

LindaA
Great information – you are so right that the craving for sugar and carbs completely goes away if you don’t eat them. I haven’t eaten even one mouthful since May and I absolutely don’t miss them.

Pcoventry,
I am so sorry to hear about your Mum – 66 is far too young and especially unfair that she led such a healthy life.

You asked whether it is all worth it – and I am assuming that you mean following the BSD and leading a healthy lifestyle. None of us know just how long we have left and the BSD isn’t a magic bullet that will guarantee a long life.

However, for me – at 68 with T2, retinopathy and beginning to lose feeling in one of my feet – I did not want to live the remaining years I have left going blind and having my foot amputated. With the BSD the diabetes is in remission, the retinopathy is reversed and the feeling is coming back into my foot.

I don’t miss the sugar and carbs and now absolutely love all the BSD friendly foods – especially being able to eat more cheese and cream now I am on maintenance.

You also mention that you feel that this book is an investment for life and you are so right. You are also right also that if we put the weight back on the diabetes will come back – and Professor Taylor does say that keeping the weight off is so important.

I retrained at 50 and since then have had a wonderful time running my little business. My dream is to keep working and active in my 70s as many pilates teachers do. Diabetes threatened to take that dream away. If my sight got worse I wouldn’t be able to drive and run my business and do all the other stuff I love to do.

We all have different reasons why it is really important for us to do the BSD and I hope we all have a very successful BSD year.

Day 7 … WEEK 1

The last day of week 1 is here and I think that quite a few of us have eased back into BSD since the festivities. After tomorrow’s weigh in it should be full steam ahead again, hopefully!

Glad you’ve joined us Eileen27 I hope you enjoy BSD and find it as life changing as many of us have.

Greenjanet can I ask you what your serious physical challenge is? Not to worry if you don’t want to share.

There has been lots of ‘talk’ on the boards of the 1000 mile challenge which sounds like a great idea especially if you use the Worldwalkingmap app which sounds excellent. I’ve not looked at it yet but it sounds interesting. Although I can’t do the 1000 miles in 2017 I think I might set myself a smaller goal. Will have to get back on the treadmill if I can. Need to try that out again.

Well it’s more ironing for me today but I hope your day is better!!

Jazz hands – the show is back on the road, salmon fillet, zucchini, fritter (low carb) water water water – back to pre Christmas weight this morning, but still that one pound up on best weight on this diet – pushing hard – good luck everyone x

Good morning!! First time on the forums and felt that this thread just called out to me – would like to join you kindred spirits please. I turn fifty this coming Saturday and need to finally stop thinking and start doing something about losing some (actually rather a lot of) weight. Currently hitting the scales at 17 st 12lb so Lainie your goal of 5 stone in 2017 is one I share. Dabbled with BSD back in summer and lost 7lb so know it suits me, just need to get myself more organised this time! Onwards and downwards…. 😉

I’m a veggie too and did the 800 cal boot camp. I successfully lost 14 kg. I had LSA for breakfast. I cooked it with almond milk and ate it with Greek yoghurt. This is a good protein source. I used cottage cheese, eggs, or hummus as my go to for lunch or a salad with protein from, eggs, cheese or beans/pulses. Evening meals I used a protein source from beans/pulses, eggs, nuts, veggies or haloumi cheese. Tofu is another possibility. I can’t each too much as I have a thyroid condition. If you google buddha bowls as they are compatible with the diet o search Pinterest. My snack food was dry roasted almonds. The BSD book has good ideas or if you search the Daily Mail most recipes are printed there.

Hi Linda

Glad you liked the app. I love Italy, that’s why I decided to go for that challenge. It’s 721 miles – from Rome to Genoa, via Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan and Turin. Over 1.5 million steps!😱

Julia – the February edition of Country Walking should be in the shops in the next couple of days. The 2017 challenge is officially launched in that and it will have the chart in too. Or you could print one off the website?

Roxanna – it’s a challenge to walk 1,000 miles in the year. Like a lot of folk, I’m counting every step towards that total, but some only count their extra walks.

Details are in the Country Walking magazine (next edition out this week, officially launching the challenge for 2017) or the website is http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com

You can register on the website and there is also a Facebook group for the challenge where you can get support and advice.

The aim is to get people exercising more and there are no wrong ways to do the challenge. Walk outdoors or on treadmill, count every step or just specific extra walks (like a long country walk at weekend) etc. I think it was Avila brought the challenge to my attention on the forum, I checked it out, joined and mentioned it on here. Now there seem to be lots of BSD folk joining 😀

As a bit of fun I found an app for my iPhone that lets me walk in different countries. It’s called World Walking. You might find something on there that appeals to you.

Nearly forgot – you asked how long you can stay on 800 cals. I had lots of weight to lose and stayed on the 800 cals with low carbs for 9 months to reach my goal weight. I had no problems with it, feeling healthier than in years. There are many of us who have found the same. Hope that helps. Any,questions please ask.

DAY 7 of thus 28 day challenge!

LINDAA, that’s great news; I hope your friend will be inspired to take care of his health and weight issues. I too am finding an inner strength previously absent – politely declining croissants for breakfast on Christmas day (but fully enjoying the accompanying poached egg & smoked salmon with a knob of butter!). In a former life i would have just felt disappointed they were being served and eaten the pastry, leading to a complete abandonment of my determination.

Today I have lots of activity planned, so my exercise levels will be good. It’s another semi-fasting day (no food til lunch, and then 2 meals of 250 cals each).

LinD49, do you mind me asking how you usually fast 16 hrs? I have always LOVED breakfast, but since doing BSD I find I’m not usually craving food first thing in the mornings (a first for me!). I’d be concerned that if I skipped breakfast I’d get weak and dizzy by lunch. I’m curious 🙂

Wow! Well done Rosbery!

Happy Monday everyone (edited before anyone noticed I’d put Tuesday by mistake – tee hee!)

Hi Lainie,

Count me in, I am joining you – same 5 stone goal (which will take me to my goal weight) and giving myself all of 2017 to do it.

I’m a restarter also, having embarked on the Fast800 in October (I’m a member of the 1st October Starters group which is an amazing bunch of (mostly) ladies). However I put on 2kgs in December from my lowest BSD weight so it’s time to get back on the horse. Many of us have fallen off the wagon in December and are re-starting today too. I didn’t manage to make it consistently to the end of the eight weeks last year exactly angelically but I did lose six kilos (just shy of a stone) and felt a huge amount better physically, mentally and (crucially) emotionally, having started to become pretty miserable and reclusive. (I also gave up biting my nails at the same time and have thankfully maintained them so far!) The 1st October Starters Group was critical to my morale during this time so I recognise the importance that group support plays in this journey.

So I have started the Fast800 today and feel optimistic about the next eight weeks. My goals during this period are to a) stick to it (!) b) incorporate an hour’s walk at least five times a week (up from ‘zero activity’ now) and c) go to bed/ get up earlier.

You’re not alone. Let’s do this!!!!
Sarah

Good morning, just have to report a 1.6 lb ‘whoosh’ this morning which brings me to 157.4, within 5lb of my first mini goal for the year. Hope i can keep it going!

Day 1, Fast800, 2017 restart: The Dreaded Weigh-In:

So I put on 2kgs/almost 5lbs over the Christmas period. Am frankly relieved; I thought it might be more. (Plus it’s that time-of-the-month so the true damage might be even less.) Looking forward positively, I reckon that the mince pies will be off my hips by this time next week.

Have recommitted mentally to January/February and am feeling strong. Planning is going to be key.

So off I go. Breakfast is soya yoghurt with some blueberries and hot tea; lunch will be goat’s cheese, hazelnut and baby spinach salad, and dinner will be poached haddock in fish stock with some veggies and some diet-saving zero-carb/ near zero-calorie konjac noodles to fill up my stomach before bed. All washed down with a three litres of water infused with lemon, some raw nuts if needed, and accompanied by an evening walk to get the lymph going.

Good luck everyone – let’s get our show back on the road!!!
Sarah x

Nice to hear you use black beans Esnecca, in Australia I find the Asian grocers stock dried beans “USA Black Turtle Bean” product of USA for $3 kilo. If I need to use canned varieties I drain them with boiled water to remove all starches.

Happy and successful 2017 to everyone. I too have signed up to the 1000 mile challenge. I am now down to the 11s at 11st 13lbs, managing to stick to bsd over Christmas. Did have a couple of dark chocs and a roastie Xmas day. But remembering last year when on the Atkins but succumbed over Xmas led to 10 month binge and 2 stone extra weight gain. Sugar and carb monsters took hold. Didn’t want to go there again! Cara54 I do similar, fast for about 16 hours as don’t really count the calories. Seems to work for me.

I return humiliated, beaten though not defeated, humble but determined to get back on track. The usual story, I was doing well and then Christmastide came, and I piled on the weight. Combined with sitting around I weighed in this morning at 108.6kgs the heaviest I have ever been.

That’s behind me now. I’m determined to make it work this time, this year and be at a good weight by my 50th birthday in December.

Starts today.

So how’s this for a win…
Yesterday we had a friend that we haven’t seen for ages come over for a BBQ.
First, he brought with him a box of chocolates as a gift for me and guess what I did???
I asked if he wouldn’t mind taking them home with him as I said I no longer eat sugar! 12 months ago, I would have eaten the whole box in one go the second he walked out the door so miracles do happen with the BSD!!😀😀

2nd, he’s always been a big man, but the last time we saw him about 4 years ago, he had lost some weight and well on the way to looking much better.

Yesterday, he was the heaviest I have ever seen him at 130kg and he was telling us how his doctor put him in hospital a bit before Christmas to run tests on his heart as his blood pressure was 225/110 and he couldn’t stop panting and sweating from simply walking into the doctors office from the waiting room. He’s now in multiple medications.

I was able to not only tell him about the BSD but because I now only serve BSD friendly foods to any guests we have, actually show him how to eat well and explain how I’ve lost my 33kg.
He seemed very keen to listen and asked lots of questions, so here’s hoping we’ve converted yet another unhealthy person over to the enlightened side!
Any opportunity to get on my soapbox!
Cheers
Linda

LindaA, thanks so much, am restarting the 800 today and this was a fabulous reminder and reinforcement of all the crucial information, really helpful to get my mind firmly back in the zone! Well done on on your achievement, you are a huge inspiration!
I will also listen to the pidcasts you mention, thanks again and all the best for the new year!

While not in the UK Frog, it needs to be noted that the BSD is based on thorough medical research. It is not only Professor Taylor and Michael Mosely who have researched and trialled the BSD to verify its success and safety. It has also been researched in the USA and I believe at least one European country (I think Germany). The key point as mentioned by donnyman is that the 1950s-60s ‘research’ was not well done and has lead to terrible health results in all Western nations. As a professional in another field where people are slow to change with new evidence, I think some of the problem with getting change into the medical professions (including nutritionists) is that to accept the new evidence we have to also accept that what we have done with the then ‘best knowledge’ was not the best.

So lovely all of us are back together, it’s almost with a sigh of relief we can go back to the BSD and the next eight weeks together.

I am going to try to eat what MM has put on the plan (the recipes) because although I lost weight last 8 week block and was thrilled with that and stuck to 800 ish calories, they weren’t always good meals I had, it was all a bit haphazard so I will try to focus for this block and see what happens. I am excited to start again, how sad am I, but one thing I noticed was even when I ate off diet (quite a lot over Christmas) my indigestion problem wasn’t too bad at all, though I did have achy legs (odd). S, onwards and downwards as fairyface says, love to all x

Hi everyone,
I’m an ‘old timer’, been on the BSD since April 2016 and now on maintenance after losing 33kg and have successfully kept it off, even over Christmas!

I’ve been reading your posts and just thought I’d butt in with a few tips if no one minds as I can see a lot of people have questions:

Some tips:
– Read the book from cover to cover. Then read it again.
– Drinks AT LEAST 2-3 litres of water a day. I drink more.
– Eat full fat everything, no low fat or lite foods. You need fat in your diet to keep you satiated. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll lose faster if you go low fat. You won’t.
– Read the labels on everything you buy, sugar/starches are unnecessarily added to a lot of processed foods which is why most of us eat and cook predominately real food.
– Most processed foods have either added sugar or polyunsaturated oils added. Don’t buy them. I now make my own mayonnaise and basil pesto and hummus.
– Count, measure, weigh and record everything you eat. Some do this manually but most use an app. I used EasyDietDiary but a lot of others use My Fitness Pal, once you get into the habit, it’s easy to do.
– Carbs hide in virtually everything and it’s important to keep under 50g of complex carbs per day, lower if you have T2D or insulin resistance and/or you’re not losing.
– Stay clear of bread, rice, pasta, sugar (including honey), potato etc
– I went cold turkey on all sugar (including most fruit) and all refined carbs. The only fruit I eat are strawberries and blueberries.
– Be warned, you may experience symptoms of what we call the ‘carb flu’ for the first few days. Headaches, aching limbs etc. just take a Panadol, drink more water and be kind to yourself. This will pass.
– If you cheat, it’s entirely possible that you will go through the carb flu again.
The fear of this meant that I didn’t cheat and I continued to lose the weight pretty quickly!!!!
– Plateaus are normal from week to week. Don’t panic, just keep on the plan and you will keep losing.
– Try to do at least 10,000 steps every day. Schedule it into your day so you don’t find a way of saying you’re too busy. I get up earlier now before work so I can fit it in. Take the stairs instead of the escalator, walk the dog after dark, park further away from where you need to go or get off the bus a couple of stops earlier to/from work. I tend to park the furthest away from the entrance to the shops in the carpark.
– There are some that haven’t been able to do the steps at first and they still lost weight and others, like Lucia, started very very slowly and worked her way up. Search for her name in the search box at the top and you can read her story.
– Read the forum every day, you’ll pick up lots of tips and there’s always someone around the world to answer any questions you may have. It will also keep you motivated.

– Don’t cheat. Every time you cheat with some simple carbs or sugar it sets off your hormones to expect more sugar/carbs and it will set off cravings. All carbs convert to glucose. Approximately 56% of protein that the body doesn’t need converts to glucose so don’t go overboard on the protein (I eat around 60-90g per day max). Only 10% of fat converts to glucose. My research indicates that you need approximately 1 – 1.5g of protein to 1kg of your IDEAL body weight (not your current weight) per day.

– Table sugar is 50% glucose and 50% fructose. Fructose is evil! It does really bad things to your body and is one of the reasons you keep putting weight back on as it can’t be metabolised by the body like glucose can and will go straight to your liver. This can cause non alcoholic fatty liver disease and creates your visceral fat. This is exactly the same fructose that you find in fruit, so that’s why I stopped eating most fruit as your body metabolises it the same way as table sugar.

– Your body can get all the nutrients it needs from vegetables (be careful of consuming vegetables that grow under the ground as they have way more carbs, as do peas which is technically a legume). Strawberries are fairly low in fructose, hence carbs. Apples, bananas and pears and sweet tropical fruits are very high.

– Eat saturated and monosaturated oils, like butter, lard, tallow, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado and macadamia nut oil. Stay well clear of all highly refined seed oils like canola, sunflower, safflower, peanut, soybean oils (also known as polyunsaturated oils). They have very high inflammatory properties and do bad things to your brain and heart. Along with sugars, they are also thought to contribute to the growth of cancers.

– Put salt on your foods. When you cut out processed foods, you don’t get the added salt that they provide and you need salt for the electrolytes.

– Eat nuts or a cube of cheese if you hungry, but remember to measure and weigh as they are high in fat and calories will add up quickly. Macadamias are the best as they are very low in carbs and high in fat (4.5g/100g carbs), cashews are the worst – they are technically a seed (28g/100g of carbs).

– Stay clear of all artificial sweeteners, but particularly aspartame. It can cause a huge amount of side effects. In Australia it’s 950/951/955 and possibly other numbers. Not sure what they are in the U.K. and the U.S.

– It has been reported that having drinks and food with artificial sugar can also spike a release of insulin once your tongue ‘tastes’ the sweetness as your body thinks it needs to metabolise the sugar it thinks you are consuming. Perhaps use them to help you wean yourself off sugar, but in my opinion, it shouldn’t be something you consume long term. The jury is still out on stevia, but I don’t take the chance as it hasn’t been around for long enough for long term studies.

My goal was 60kg, and once I reached it, I decided to keep going with more fat in my diet to see where it took me (I did not increase my carbs) I now seem to have settled around 56-58kg. I still do not eat refined carbs or sugar because as soon as I do, my weight will go up and believe it or not, the cravings are gone. I haven’t had chocolate or ice cream since before April! A miracle for me! The fat I consume triggers the hormones in my body to send me the ‘I’m full’ signal and I no longer count what I eat, but I know others continue to do so once they get to maintenance, it really is an individual thing.

We had friends over for a BBQ yesterday and one brought a box of chocolates as a gift. I politely asked him to take it home with him as I no longer eat sugar and he was happy to do so! I’m sure he thought I was bonkers, but I just don’t care anymore what anyone thinks anymore because my health is more important to me!

The restriction of 800 cals per day is just to get the weight off quickly and keep you motivated, it is easy to do and don’t let anyone tell you that it is too low or that your body won’t cope or you will get sick. It’s bunkum. Also don’t let anyone tell you that your body needs sugar. Your brain does need glucose for energy but it can make it from complex carbs (I eat predominantly vegetables, not grains or legumes) and protein and fat. There are such thing as essential proteins and fats as your body can’t make them, but there are no such things as essential carbohydrates!

Give up alcohol for the 8 weeks. Hard, I know, but it’s better to eat your calories that drink them and it tends to make you want to cheat. Most are also high in carbs. Once you’ve lost the weight, you might want to reconsider, but I’ve found that other than the odd 1/2 glass of red wine, I don’t bother and don’t miss it. Beer is full of carbs!

I also listen to a lot of health podcasts, either whilst I’m walking or cooking and that is a huge motivator. I just didn’t realise that I didn’t know what I didn’t know!

Here’s an example:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/ask-the-low-carb-experts/id495159994?mt=2&i=114095842

https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/ask-the-low-carb-experts/id495159994?mt=2&i=165093383

There’s are heaps, just search for low carb or Keto.

If you haven’t started yet, start by clearing out all the crappy foods out of your cupboard, work out what you’re going to eat for the first week and go shopping.

The recipes in the book are pretty good, I’ve made a lot of them but be careful with the cals/carbs etc as they are not always accurate.

You’ll also find a lot of low carb and Keto recipes online.

I took about 25 weeks to lose my weight and did not break at all. CaptainLynne checked with the ‘team’ and they said it was ok to keep going after the 8 weeks. Lynne has lost over 100lbs in just under 12 months.

Ask me anything you want, I’m happy to answer any questions.

Good luck. This is the best thing that I’ve ever done for myself and I no longer let other people tell me what’s good for me, including my doctor as most of them are not up to date but the science backs this up.
Good luck everyone.
Cheers
Linda

Hi – good luck to everyone starting today, 2/2. I am hoping to try and keep myself motivated and accountable by posting here. Biggest downfalls tend to be sugar, sugar and more sugar. I find it easy to forgo alcohol but a slice of cake/chocolate is another story. Also three kids with constant stream of friends through the house needing to be fed does not help, however, no more excuses. Aiming for 15k steps a day and I have 10 kg min to lose, though 15 -20kg would be great, but thought I would try and aim for 10kg as my first goal. Love salads but hate cooked veg and eggs which can make things a little tricky…thankfully summer here in Australia, so that should make things easier….

I may be biased on the topic – my Mother took thalidomide during her pregnancy; no physical effects, but she agonised over it for many years.
I’ve also previously worked for a charity that conducted medical research, and other charities that have funded medical research.

Even though I have reversed my diabetes by following BSD, on balance, I prefer that NICE and the NHS make current decisions based on thorough medical research.

Thanks both. have tried the cauliflower rice but sometimes it’s nice to have the real thing now and again. I will try it and let you know. Very few carbs in it

I’m starting mid January as well – I need a bit of time to plan out food and exercise before I get going! Feeling excited though!!

I realised that I would need to do something about my relationship with alcohol first, if I were going to really succeed with the BSD. I happened upon a great program online called ” The Drink Less Mind” by a psychologist called Georgia Foster. It has really helped me to set myself up for my current successful application of the BSD principles. I highly recommend it. It even includes a daily mindfulness meditation similar to the third core principle of the BSD.

Well done Julia!

I know what you mean about exercise helping our heads. Last year I had a PT to help me run better and she kept encouraging me to do some weights – she said it would help,build my confidence – I still plan to do that once I’ve got back into the exercise where I feel. Ore comfortable – walking, running outside and treadmill, exercise DVD and swimming.

And from tomorrow I’ll be going to bed at 10:30 after a warm relaxing bath.

Hi Gypsyjo

Very sad to hear about your Mum. 71 is young these days. My Mum has chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder due to smoking all her life. She is on oxygen at home and has less,than 30 per cent lung function. She can hardly live now. She is 73. I don’t smoke but my Nan had osteoporosis which meant in her later years she was confined to a wheelchair. My Nan weighed about 14 stone so her weight didn’t help. Both my Nan and Mum had/have mobility problems and I don’t want to go that way. I suffered from very bad depression and anxiety 2 years ago and when I started recovering I couldn’t stand for long let alone walk to the next lamp post – I weighed over 20 stone. I know what I need to do, I know I am poor at dealing with stress – fortunately the depression isn’t making it’s annual appearance (I wonder if that’s down to twking Vit D spray). No longer do I have children to care for (my sons are 25 and 22) nor do I need to work full-time – so now is the time to sort me out!

Laine

Nanamandy,
Go girl, what a champion👏👏👏👏👏
Keep it up, you will achieve your goal, way to go!
Cheers
Linda

Very true MickGarrod, i too will have to think of carbs as the enemy and make it a long term plan rather than 8 week plan👍. Welcome to the forum, its good to read from a mans perspective😀

Hi Lynne
Just downloaded the World Walking app, thanks for the tip😀
I’ve chosen to start walking from Cairo to Capetown in Africa! Over 10,000km!

I weighed in yesterday being the 1st of the month and I’m please to say that I’m still bang in my target range of 56 – 58kg at 56.8kg.

Keep on keeping on everyone, once you get the hang of this way of eating, it really is easy to lose and maintain.
Cheers
Linda

Hi guys what is this challenge you guys are talking about? And I wanted to know what is the maximum weeks we can do the 800 cal as I’ve got lots of weight to lose yet.

Hi, i am a 52 year old Australian woman. I came across the BSD diet on a program on television where they put three people on different diets. The guy who did the BSD seemed to have the most success. So I began to research and the data seemed to make sense. I am only 5foot 5inches (165cm) tall and I was 97 kg, this put me in the obese category. Blood pressure was good and I had not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, I was unfit, unhealthy and not happy. I also design and make clothing and it was depressing not being able to wear nice things. I also have 5 grand children and I want to be fit enough to run around with them. So on September 6th 2016 I began the fast 800. I have a fit bit so I log my food on the site. I am careful to make sure that I get enough protein and a variety of fruit and veg. Most breakfasts consist of my own smoothie of strawberries, blueberries (or half a banana) psyllium husk and chia seeds with almond milk. (I am lactose intolerant). This keeps me regular. My favourite lunches are the maxi platter and no carb ploughman lunch. However, I also have a variety of homemade soups and salads. A standby on busy days is tuna and beans that you buy in the can. Dinner is what I would normally cook, just portion controlled and pasta and rice are replaced with cauliflower rice or spirilised zucchini. I enjoy curries, spaghetti Bolognese, I also eat baked chicken breasts with vegetables and fish with vegetables. I do a great prawn stir fry. If I have had a higher than normal calorie/carb lunch I will have eggs for dinner. I have tried to keep carbs to 50g or less. Some days I am a little over and others I am well under so it all works out. When I eat out I just ask for no potatoes or chips. I even order curries without the rice. I find this diet very easy. I do like my dark chocolate and will have 1 or 2 squares after dinner most nights. (I now find milk chocolate too sweet)
I have set my Fitbit at 12000 steps which I reach each day. Most days I get over 15000 steps. I use the ‘Walk Away the Pounds’ DVDs for cardio and I work out every second day with hand weights.
I have lost steadily over the last 16 weeks and now weigh in at 75.4 kg my first goal weight.Thats over 22 kg losses so far. I am still in the overweight range of BMI. My next goal is 70kg which will have me at a healthy BMI. Eventually I would like to reach 64 kg which will put me in the middle of a healthy BMI.
This has been the easiest and my most successful diet yet and I know that it will be my way life. i would like to thank Dr Mosley. Tis has been a godsend. I am the lightest I have been in years.Thank you.

Hello and Happy New Year to everyone 😘😘😘
We’ve all survived Xmas and are reviewing the damage done!!
I am writing this and eating Pringles at the same time!!
Tomorrow is another day!!!
Well, I mean to start tomorrow and be relatively good as we still have more celebrations to attend to.
Then my sister called and told me that she was coming to visit us with her son.
That’s lovely but it means that I will have to think carefully and plan.
Reading up on what you all did whenever you entertained visitors has been inspiring. I hope that I will be half as good. The thing is that after a while, I get stressed or tired and munch on anything and everything thoughtlessly! And then there’s the drink!!!!
My new year’s resolution is to be nice to myself and not to bash myself when I fall off the wagon.

I really enjoyed those Pringles!! A cup of hot chocolate would be nice as well, just to round it off
Great to hear from everyone again
Lovely to hear from you again Carbaddict, delighted to hear that things are flying with the chef, he must be in love if he’s complimenting your cooking!!!!

Hi,
Am joining in, did well September to November, but trip to Hawaii and Xmas have seen regression, happy to join in supporting others while getting support too.
Starting tomorrow, doing lots of reading to motivate myself today. My motivation to start the journey happened primarily due to the death of my mother at 71 last year, after having type 2 for 10 years of her life and relying on medication (no lifestyle changes) she ended up with ulcerative colitis. While this led to several surgeries she died after 5 months in hospital, her wounds never healed. For me it was a wake up call, particularly seeing what happens when a very big person has to have abdominal surgery. I don’t want to traumatize anyone but think in the discussion around health and weight loss there needs to be a focus on the realities of what surgeons can do and can’t do, they can’t heal you, only you can with good health.
My focus is to not be my mother, and help my family understand health and wellbeing is about CHOICE. One choice at a time.
My plan is 8 weeks at 800, but also focusing on my psychological and spiritual health. Have a couple of girlfriends joining me on the journey too.

Lynne you seem to have helped to empty the stores of the Country Walking magazine – was keen to buy it for the chart but not a copy to be had round here! Will try whsmith tomorrow as considering giving it a bash. I use apps but like the visual reminder on the fridge – keeps me accountable when thinking of opening the door!
Julia

HI Shelley,

I dont see why not – I used a jar of Chicken tonight spanish med with my caserole tonight and it was yummy and was under goal.

Hi Mick,

Nothing to say Michael didn’t put it all back on again. Also, If I get rid of my diabetes and can the diet it will just start again.

Better to live with it and manage the best possible?

Or better to just eat within reason using the receipe book as a guide? rather than like a bible and starve a lot.

I was looking at the MyFitnessPal just now – wonder can I really survive on 800c a day? (or even 1000) when I work a manual job? Im back next week so I will have to see how it hits me I suppose.

The book was a good investment for life as far as I am concerned. My mum never smoked, didn’t dink, ate 3 healthy meals a day and walked for 30 minutes every day round a pre set route without fail. She dropped dead last year at the ripe of age of 66 middle of 2016 after suffering a heart attack due to a bang to her leg forming a clot.

Linda Macartney spent her life promoting her healthy food, and died of cancer.

So is it all really worth it?

I did the couch 2 5k as well, off the NHS site. I was a confirmed running hater before that. I did 600k in 2015 and didn’t struggle at all emotionally that year in spite of high stress situations. I still don’t like it (particularly just now with the horrible cold windy weather and the extra kilos around my tummy) but I love how I feel afterwards and the fact that it keeps me on an even keel and meds free. Hence the challenge of getting back to it this year properly. 2016 was the year of losing weight but not so good for running as I did less – just 339k. Just think what we can all do in 2017 with the BSD and exercise too!

Just had 3 almonds – amazing how much they satisfied me compared with the junk I’d been ‘enjoying’ recently.

Julia (floating along on a cloud of virtuosity helped by the supportive forums😆)

Hi all
I am starting tomorrow! Just finished the book and found it inspiring… it describes me to a T. The tips from everyone who has done the 8 weeks is a big help. Shopping tomorrow morning followed by a walk and then prep food for week.
The slow cooker will be out but wanted to know if we can use the dried packet mixes available for slow cooking.
This time next year….so exciting 😊

Thanks Lynne!

Have to admit after reading a lot of the threads one thing is common weight goes straight back on and therefore this is a life plan not just a gimmicky fad diet. I think I will need to look at bad carbs and sweet food like they are cigarettes and cause just as much harm, by looking at it this way I may think twice about future indulgence, alcohol has always been my downfall though and stops me thinking logically so have to manage that too. So long as the advantages outway the disadvantages which they should then all the sacrifice is worth it. It’s just the moments of weakness that makes it hard at times. Good luck to everyone in 2017.

Hi Julia

I’ll have a read of those posts as well. It really motivates me and blows away the myth that older people lose weight slowly!

I will join you on the 3 runs in Jan. Last year I did park run. I was the slowest but I did manage the 5k. I’ve not been for a run since Sept and really miss the way it makes me feel and the sense of achievement. I work 4 days so have 3 days a week available so no real excuses! I’ll use my couch to 5k app and fingers crossed, I won’t need to start at week 1!

Keep me posted on how you do.

Laine xx

Laine – it’s called World Walking.

Hi Banana Butty!

I find that calorie counting is not as bad as it sounds. I hit 821 today so 43 over my 778 but to me as a 40yr old male 821 is still impressive!, I lost weight last time doing 1000. I’m also taking my metformin just because my doctor said I should, however the label in the box says not to – but i am scared I will mess myself up further with this diet by missing it out.

Need to be sus this out especially if someone drives all day. I don’t want to come off my motorbike because i get light headed.

Better to eat within reason, not calorie count and take meds than to do 800 a day and see what happens? I really don’t know what to do. We’ve just ordered a load of food shopping for the recipes but this is a permanent lifestyle change and so far I am not feeling it. And I did it for a few weeks before xmas.

This website says Type 1 diabetics and diabetics taking medication for their diabetes (other than Metformin) should not do this diet. My doctor says I can do it, but she seems to have forgotten about the Stains,Naxproxen and other stuff she has prescribed me as well as the Metformin. I only take the metformin to be honest, so based on the fact I should be taking it all, should I be doing this?

Hi all – Lucia’s thread called My 8 Weeks is also hugely inspiring – she, Bill1954 and Captain Lynne all helped me stay on the straight and narrow last year! Lucia started another thread the other day. There are numerous inspiring people who have joined since as well.
Successful on the food front today although didn’t get outside for the planned walk. Am considering doing the 1000 mile challenge… but for now my challenges are mini ones. Achieving at smaller goals spurs me on more than setting myself something daunting initially. Current goal is 3 runs per week in January to build back to where I was at fitness wise. Might not help much with weight loss but does wonders for my morale!
Julia xx

thanks for the info, did HIIT at gym before with their stopwatches etc not used smartphone app – will look into it, cheers