Hi is anyone following this woe and getting good results but NOT using the recipes in the book? I don’t fancy a lot of the recipes in the 4 week meal plan…… just wondering. Thanks

Yes… it’s very annoying but as the weeks roll by you get more used to the fluctuation and are a bit kinder to yourself! Don’t worry Flash21 it will fly off as quick as it went on. Do you weigh at the same time in the day?

Gahhhhh! I have gained a pound 🙁 and am now unreasonably cross about it 🙁 I knew it was likely to happen as I had some rice (couple of spoonfuls) and half a wrap with my dinner (Lebanese, delicious) but I didn’t want it to happen. I know I shouldn’t be cross with myself, but I am! Does anyone else feel like this when (if) it happens?

Look forward to your aubergine tips when you get a minute.

I decided to try the OXO Spiralizer out before I go away so will let you know. If it’s no good will just send it back!

Thanks for that Timmy. Will give it a try next time I make the Tagine.

Just like to add with the left over squash I have made the pepper and squash soup. Really nice although I was a little heavy on the dried chilli.

I did find that some of the salad etc recipes from the book were rather massive portions, plus I didn’t feel too well those first few weeks. So I used to eat half and then the other half later in the evening or not at all till the next day…… it all balances out if you don’t have all your calories/or more than in a day.

I’m a newbie to the BSD it’s going great down 6lbs so far. Does anyone else ever have trouble eating what a full portion of a recipe is or meal plan. Should I try to break it up into many smaller meals or what? Slightly confused

Yeah, the options thing is quite difficult! All my non-allergic foods have a lot of carbs (with the exception of eggs). I’ll do some proper research and see if I can make up some kind of menu. Thanks again! B

Excellent day yesterday Sunshine-girl – and good b/s.

Timmy – a good plan to wait until you are on target – as long as you do have something that fits you until then.

Barista girls – it is a shock when your small clothes are too big – but a lovely shock.

Verano – another 6lbs will make a huge difference to how your clothes will fit – or more likely swamp you.

Sunshine-girl I have also had to resort to buying a belt to hold my trousers up. Up to now the rolls of fat around my tummy held them firmly in place – apart from when the buttons popped off.

Congrats on the weight loss!

I know how lucky I am that my doctor is interested in working with me. Of course, he’s been my Dr for 40 years and is well used to my stubbornness. He know’s it’s easier to give in, and as long as I give him the research he is open to trying new things, which is a rare commodity.

There is a part of me that thinks his whole “Diabetes Team” scheme is to get more money out of OHIP (like your NHS, but Provincial, and in Canada). But if it benefits me, who am I to argue?

As long as you are keeping a close eye on your BS readings, I think you should be okay. Just record everything

Cheers,

Deb

Yes Verano I am addicted to MFP which is how I calculated my carbs. However Mr BB did the supper last night which is why I landed up with dhal as he had forgotten to buy my chicken fillet. I plan my meals for the week and enter them in after breakfast, which is always the same. Total ff yogurt and berries – weighed. However will take more notice of the carb levels but there is nothing I can do about Mr BBs inability to follow a shopping list. He has 3 degrees but that obviously doesn’t help with some of the simpler chores.

Hello all.Im an Aussie . I use S health app on my samsung phone to calculate everything. Michelle Bridges food scale from Big W is also very handy. I have stopped for the last week as I have lost focus and I have house guests and events and I really can’t manage to stick to BSD.Im not even following the basics so we will see how much I gain
next monday when Im determined to start again. good luck to you all

Morning all! RANDAM, I got on the scale this morning to a TWO pound gain! Discouraging, but I know it can fluctuate a bit. Going back over my food diary, I may be a little high in salt intake, so that may be part of the problem and also…TMI, I know…with a lower carb diet, things don’t quite “move” as much as they used to…so I need to pick up some magnesium today to get things back to “regular”. lol.
Welcome MAJOR MUMMY and TAFFYGIRL and anyone else new that I’ve missed!
I still had quite a headache yesterday and can already feel it coming on again today. I’m used to having loads of caffeine and am now having none, or very close to none. I’m trying to just tough it out until I get past the withdrawals.
I’m really trying today to not “snack” at all and just have my meals and tons of water. Wish me luck!

Hi , thanks for coming back to me , this is day 4 of no medication , managed to lose another 6 pounds at weight watchers this morning – sugar levels are raised slightly but still below at night and in morning – the fasting has definitely helped me , my only worry is that most on here reckon that coming off meds should only be by doctors instruction , problem is in Bonnie Scotland where I am from my particular Doctor wouldn’t care less if he never saw me again ( Ha Ha )

Yes I am – for about 15 years.

Great that you are still hanging on Natalie. When are you having your fibroid op? It’s soon isn’t it?
Good to hear from you Tattiescone, love your attitude! You are right seeing people in a position that we could easily be in gives us added determination. We know eating this way makes us feel really good, when will the country wake up? Too much money being made by large food companies selling stodge and the pharmaceutical companies. But we are torchbearers, hopefully the word will spread and people will jump on our bus!! My cousin and her husband have started this week, so 2 more converts.

How are you going
Napangardi
Jackieppp
SusieB
Hope you’re still reading and being enthused, let us know how you are doing.
Have a good day everyone. xx

Ahhhh sunshine – that’s so nice!

1960smp – sorry to hear you are feeling sorry for yourself. We will attempt to cheer you up! Have you thought about maybe trying a “soft entry” into the BSD way of life where you ease your way into the 800 cals/50g carbs allowances? I’ve read a few people have done that and it seems to have worked well for them. Putting pressure on yourself to stick to quite a different way of eating might be why you’re rebelling against it a bit? I know you’re doing well on the water drinking front, but have you thought about the fats you are including in your diet? They are what help to keep you feeling full so it might be worth doing a review of what you’ve eaten over the last few days. You can do this!

Beepbeep beep! Oh wowzer TIMMY have fun! X
I understand yr feelings re bday bookings ..my Beau’s bday is just after Valentines, so if we want to have a celebration meal on the previous satday,that sometimes Vals night,with the prices hiked up accordingly! But the crimbo one is worse spesh when there is only a christmas dindins on offer! Tho i could happily eat one right now!
😋😋😋😋 x

1. I’m going for a ride in an Aston Martin tomorrow

2. I’m going for a ride in an Aston Marting tomorrow

And…

3. I’M GOING FOR A RIDE IN AN ASTON MARTIN TOMORROW

On a less positive, more ranty note, booking a 40th birthday meal in December is a pain in the backside as the restaurants have either got bl**dy work parties or are on a strict Christmas menu, no a la carte. Grrrrr.

Hi RANDAM..yes that happened to me..1 1/2 lbs on when I had been soooooo good and hadnt veered for one minute from 800 cals/ always under 50 g carbs a day! But these things happen in mysterious ways,so i gritted my teeth and carried on,and the following week it had gone,plus another pound or two. So if you know youve been ” good” just keep the faith and it WILL sort itself out…could be time of the month,could be you haven’t been to the loo for a day or two or one of a myriad of reasons..just dont be disheartened ! X

Positives from yesterday:

1. I managed to run 5km (posted on another board too). Who’d have thought it? First time in years!

2. Chatted to allsorts of other pooch owners in the park; love this element of walking a dog.

3. Managed to sit with my girls while they did their homework, and there was NO squabbling or bad-tempered bickering. Woo hoo!

oooooh, and can I just mention the sheer pleasure of clean bed linen? hmmmmm.

SO great to hear about the weight loss from Meeshe45, Elizabeth45, Dona Rosa, Wendy1947!!

I’m trying to focus on that after getting through day 2. I’m sticking to it, and have avoided the wine and chocolate that has been offered so far in favour of my own food that I brought.

Standing on stage for the two hours was a lot harder than usual and I’m going to bed with a headache.

Hope to feel better tomorrow, feel a bit shaky…

Antigone, I shall second Avila’s comment re running … I decided just to try that minute jog/minute walk wearing my jeans, a nice jumper and some trainers (for the first few attempts) and discovered that if I jog slowly enough I could actually do more than a minute.

My very slow jogging (now wearing my daughter’s old joggers, and my hubbie’s t-shirts, I’m an attractive sight) has now got me upto 5km … and when you say ‘too many moving parts’ my boobs jiggle, my hips jiggle, my bum jiggles and my feet barely leave the ground. It feels like an almighty effort to get my feet off the ground, but somehow I joggle my way around our local park, and despite thinking a slow death would be quicker than my jogging, I end up feeling totally amazed at myself by the end. It’s just a wonderful feeling being able to move again. Can’t believe I have the energy or the get up and go. So, if you fancy giving the jogg(l)ing a go, don’t you worry about those moving parts. Just think of the big, ridiculous grin you’ll have at the end.

Hi Randam

I’m a bit further west than you in sunny Pembrokeshire!
Don’t be deterred by a 1lb, you are doing so well and have been inspiring me all week
As for hummus I could live on the stuff but have never managed to make it as nice myself as I can buy!

Hi Taffygirl ( I’m in Swansea!) and Major Mummy… good to meet you

I stood on the scales this morning and put 1lb on??? What is that about??? Water fluctuation I suppose as I have stuck to the diet rigidly.
Let me know if anyone has had the same experience

However, I am undeterred… . And maybe shouldn’t weigh every day after all!!!

Made the hummus today – ewwww first one I don’t like

And my fish cakes looked more like scrambled egg with fish but tasted awesome anyway!

Slept much better last night too 🙂

I’m so encouraged by you all xx

Interesting thread going on the documentary. It’s fascinating how they leave out facts.
I feel like I’m trying to turn a massive ship with this diet, and I keep going 2 steps forward, one back. So this week was a step back. Had snacks in the house for the kids, but I couldn’t stay out of them. Stressful moments of schooling are my worst temptation, so I flew to the pantry instead of prayer. Didn’t work!
I seem to do fine if there is nothing in the house though. Also haven’t exercised in almost 2 weeks. I don’t seem to lose at all without that. Trying to figure out a schedule at home that will work.

I came across this little quote this morning that lifted my spirits some:

“Failures, repeated failures are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.”
C. S. Lewis

So, one could make a case that failure is just failure, and sometimes it is, but I think this pertains to onr having a will to achieve and move on, but stumbling.

I can say that we as a family have come a long way in the past few weeks with stepping away from baking and making food our treat on date nights and family times. I think we’re all getting used to home life not being made cozy by sweets. We already love reading, games, walks, etc, but doing those things without sweets has been a withdrawal time. The kids aren’t totally without sweets…they are dragged into every social event, so they have ample opportunity. I’m grateful for hanging on by a thread the last few days. Had some high carb days and was up to 1000 calories some, but my digestion has definitely gotten more sensitive, and I do like the BSD way of eating. I feel so much better on the diet. Keeping the treats out of the house seems pivotal, as well as not giving up.

Keep up the good work all! Your stories are inspiring!

Good morning =) Welcome n00bs!

My legs are KILLING me this morning, no reason that I can think of, but I’m going to add some additional salt in today to see if that helps.

I’m feeling pretty good. I did mess around with my menu yesterday, I just couldn’t face more eggs, lol. So I had a lot of cheese. I’m going to have to add some more roughage into the diet (I do supplement). Head is feeling fine (knock, knock), just waiting for my energy to come… I had a nice nap on the train home yesterday (didn’t sleep through my stop, thank gods) and could use one right now 🙂

My BS right before bed was 5.9, so I didn’t inject insulin. Fasting was an even 6 this morning.

Congrats on the weight loss Meeshe45, Elizabeth45, Dona Rosa, Wendy1947 (& hubby), andy anyone i may have missed!

Gyllyb – Where do you take your lunch? Do you have a lunchroom with microwave et al, or do you eat at your desk? I pre-make my main lunches for the week and use the microwave to warm them (this week is chili, haven’t decided on next week though). I also eat dinner at work, which is usually a veg (Cauliflower), hummus, and cheese. The latter is at my desk, so I want something that’s easy to eat and doesn’t smell up the office.

Siren5859 – Welcome! Soups are fine, depending of course on the type. There are some delicious recipes in the recipe section you should check out.

Make today a great day!

Cheers,
Deb

Thanks Capt L I am looking ahead and will not go into maintenance, I will just call it my life from now on, which suits my logical way of thinking, not on a plan, but a new journey, with a memory that says don’t repeat old mistakes, life’s to short.

Hello everyone *friendly wave*
I too started on 3rd October and have lost 1kg so far which is great. I’m not doing this particularly for weight (I’ve a BMI of 22 and am very active), but my love of chocolate, coke and crisps has now caught up with me. I’m 41, have 3 young children. I read the book and took tests to find out my cholesterol and glucose levels and was shocked to find out they are in the pre-diabetic (borderline diabetic) range. I feel like such a fool! Basically I’m Lorna Norma from page 51!

So far so good and loving the recipes. I’ve come off sugar before but this time I know I need to stay off it. That will be the hard part. It sounds like you’re all a motivated bunch of people so I’ll be checking in every now and then. Great to ‘meet’ you all :))

Yes, my last one made them a bit mushy in comparison to the new one!
Curry sounds lovely – glad you like the cauliflower now!

And, haven’t got time to do a longer post now, will do it later, the vegetable cookery course this morning was all about aubergines, and how to cook them using less oil.
Made two lovely recipes (one with anchovy, so will def need to buy some more!) – but left the print out there, so hopefully will get an email of them. – plus an assortment of plain aubergine done with different cooking methods. All tasted really good.

Hi all – I am another 3rd Oct starter, bit shy to join you all online initially but your messages and inspiration have been amazing. I’m not diabetic or pre-diabetic (as far as I know) but need to lose a good few stone to be a healthy weight. Now I am in my mid 40’s its not about looks anymore but I know I’m in the danger zone for a lot of nasty illnesses that could be caused by being overweight. Anyway cleared my cupboards last weekend and did a shop only for the good stuff I needed for this week. Planned every meal in a diary for the week ahead and off I went. I have always had a really sweet tooth and cakes and sweet things plus bread and pasta were things in life I though I couldn’t live without and was worried about craving. Amazingly I’m not! I weighed for the first time this morning and had lost 4lbs! I too felt really headachey on Monday but that was gone my midday on Tuesday. Now I just feel so full of energy its unreal! I’m not hungry nor am I ‘craving’ anything – its like a switch in my head has been flicked! Will keep checking in with you all as, like I said, the support I’ve been reading has been truly inspirational

New favourite breakfast – spinach and pea omelette (p.188) – was really tasty and seems to have kept me going really well until lunchtime!

I need a clear out but still in my summer clothes. By the time we get back from Scotland at the end of October it will be time put the summer stuff away. Plus going to Scotland it will be bl—dy freezing compared to here. I have a very pretty top which was always just below the waist, propped up by my big boobs, now it is more like a dress, cos the boobs have shrunk and so have the bum and stomach. Just got out last years jean which were skin tight black denim with lycra, so pretty snug. Now they still fit but the hem is dragging on the ground so I have to pull them up with a belt.

LOL sunshine-girl … yes you make me smile! Sometimes things do get lost in translation !

Well done Krysia! All this talk about clothes is making me realise I can’t put off my big … in every sense of the word …. clothes try on! I have a big trip coming up in January and I know that some things I have will need shortening, some that I’ve not even worn yet maybe taking in (I hope !) and some will be going to a charity shop or the bin!

Did try some stuff on about a month ago and have lost more weight since. Some tops that had been a bit skimpy fitted and some were still a bit tight. I’m so in the zone at the moment I don’t want to sabotage myself by trying things on too soon!!!

Dilemma …. might wait until after my diabetic review at the end of the month because I’m definitely losing another 6lbs before then!!

Timmy great idea. Fabulous at forty !

Good idea Timmy but I found I had to buy a thing or two because my clothes were either too small (from years ago) or unflatteringly baggy, found it a good confidence boost to wear something that shows the weight loss. However its good to be careful as the new clothes are also too big now!
And…. my small small clothes are too big … shock horror, I’m redoing my wardrobe and it’s expensive, but quite a nice expensive. Your clear out will be more drastic than you imagine!

I’ve got a heart monitor on my iPhone which measures your pulse, I’ve had it for years, and periodically measure it to see what my resting pulse rate is. I haven’t measured for a while so thought I would measure just now.

I was shocked by the reading. A pulse of 50 bpm!!! It hasn’t been that low since the peak of my triathlon training 2/3 years back.

I haven’t taken my BP yet to see if there is a correlation, but will do that next time I’m at the doctors, or when I get my 40 Y.O. health check.

Morning! Stepped on the scales this morning and was amazed to have lost 5lb. So pleased and such a morale boost. I’ve got to go out for dinner this eve with my family – already checked the menu and found a low carb option. May be over on cals today but it’s a one off so not stressing about it. Staying off the wine will be tough. So worth it though. Hope everyone else is having a good day x

I’ve used bulgar wheat as a rice subsitute. It’s more carby than cauliflower, but I like it.

I started to 800 diet back in August last year. I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer and was prescribed hormone therapy as well a radiotherapy. I was told that the hormone therapy would give me a bust and that I would probably put on weight. Being male at 72 in age and 15 1/2 stone already and with type 2 Diabetes I thought maybe I should lose some weight. By a miracle around the same time the 800 cal diet to reverse diabetes appeared in the Mail. Looked good so we gave it a real try. I am now 12 1/2 stone and be told by doctors that my figures for diabetes are so good after 6 months of tests I am no longer required to take any medication. How good is that. Fantastic absolutely fantastic. Thanks to the 800 calorie diet!!!!!! and thanks Doc!

Thank you sunshine-girl. I think we will have the cauliflower rice.

Doing a proper clothes sort is something I desperately need to do. I don’t actually have many clothes that fit me now! I’ve had a suit, brand new never worn, in my wardrobe for about 6 years because I wouldn’t fit in it, and now it’s hanging off me and looks too baggy. All of my jeans are too big and baggy too, and as for my tshirts, they’re more like dresses now and just look daft.

I think I need to have a huge clear out, but I’m reluctant to buy anything until I’ve reached my target. I’m probably in between waist sizes now (32-34 inch, which at 6’4 is quite something!), so I’m loathed to spend money on anything until I’m firmly in the 32″ bracket.

It’s my 40th in 8 weeks, so hopefully I’ll have reached my target by then and can treat myself to some stuff.

Yea GP, who was so encouraging and has read the research, is giving me the message that it’s watching the carbs that matters more than calories. For me the BSD is a low carb diet first rather than low calorie as it talks a lot about sugar and carb addiction. I don’t worry now if I go over my 800cals but keep the carbs down and the fat up. It is easy to eat 800cals but still have carb level that is slowing down weight loss. I am not a vegetarian and do eat dairy so I know I have more options!

Morning campers, today my cals are:-

Calories 730 including my late night snack
Carbs 37, I’m doing under 40
Morningblood glucose 5.6 (101)

When I did my early evening check it was 5.0 so did not reduce the insulin, still on 25. Kept Glycazide to 2 x 30mg for now. Weight the same as yesterday 74.2kg.

Verano, glad to see you are on top form again, sorry if our misunderstanding contributed to your ‘bad’ day. You jokingly said something to me and I joked back but the joke part got lost in translation. It is difficult when you really don’t know someone but surely we know each other well enough not to worry about upsetting each other. Don’t know if I dare call you a silly moo just yet. Get out your dancing shoes.

Well done Frog and loopylou for keeping to your carb levels.

Billingebabe – I agree with Verano that it really helps to fill in our logs early in the day before we start eating. I fiddle with the menus then to sort out the carbs – and it is so easy to follow for the rest of the day.

Today – instead of the admin I was supposed to be doing – I have been sorting through my wardrobes. I am taking out all my ‘larger stuff’ and packing it up for the local animal charity. This is something I have never done before because I would reach my target weight and then immediately would start putting it back on really fast so I always knew I would need the clothes again. This time – especially with the support of this forum – I know it won’t happen again.

Have checked my BMI and it looks as though I need to go a lot lower than I thought to get in the mid range of a healthy BMI. Thats fine because I really feel I can do it.

I bought a lovely shirt from M&S for my holiday in August – but it is now on the animal charity pile because it is now so loose and unflattering. I think I only wore it 3 times. So no more clothes buying until I am closer to goal.

The first thread I read here was bill1954’s thread ‘this has to work for me’. That is exactly how I felt – it was my last chance – it had to work for me – and it has.

Nurse said my blood pressure was perfect ! Well nice to feel something is…. A powerful reminder of the point of doing this, and why I need to get over my OSI week. Another 2 st to go… so need to set to it.

Antigone – my parkrun was part run and part walk, and once the pack divided most in my range were doing the same. I had a reasonable time but have the physical advantage of height meaning I have long strides so get more distance for the effort.

So find your own best way to exercise as and when – as for moving parts I invested in a sports bra that stopped the worst moving parts, the rest can wobble themselves away.

Good morning everyone
Day 4 for my husband & I & we are feeling much brighter & have got over the grotty flu feeling of day 2 night & throughout day 3. We weighed ourselves this morning & I have lost 3lbs & I am feeling envious of my husband ywho has lost 6lbs👍👍👍 His bs was 7 but he was told by his GP that would happen having been taken of Gliclazide & now only on Metformin & a statin.
We have just had smoked salmon & scrambled egg for breakfast & I have to work out lunch & something fast for supper because we are off to our conversational French class this evening.
By the way I haven’t introduced us yet! I’m aged 68 & have three stone to lose & piled on weight because of having to take Tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery in 2001 & have not been able to lose it all since then. I’m sure Tamoxifen totally screwed up my hormonal balance as well as unwanted side effects but hey ho I’m still here so I can probably regard myself as “cured”?
My husband is aged 69 & has been a Type 2 diabetic for 23 years & needs to lose one & a half stone. We are doing this hoping to reduce the chances of any future bad effects of his diabetes & to lose weight.
We are both retired & fairly fit but could do more exercise wise & after the eight weeks will start joining in our local healthy walks programme. I noted that Professor Taylor suggested not increasing exercise during the eight weeks but doing so afterwards to help maintain weight loss whilst transitioning into a Mediterranean diet.
I expect I will still need to lose more weight after eight weeks.
It’s so inspirational reading all your posts it is a great help feeling that we are alone not doing this😀

So on my way home today. I’ve been away in a land of edible delights! I was tempted and I ate carbs and drank alcohol 🙁 One day I was nearing 2000k! MPG gives me a daily average of 1k an OSI week to be sure! But I weighed yesterday and had not gained – actually lost 2lbs – but I know there is always a lag time between “pie-ing your face” (charming expression coined by DD) and scale movement. It will be business as usual from tomorrow. I was interested in reading your posts above regarding running. I want to start running but feel I still have too many moving parts so it will be my new years resolution. I,m also really pleased to read of your medical triumphs – such an amazing achievement to have control over your health – brilliant. I shall catch up on the threads soon – it will help get me back on the wagon 🙂

Morning everyone 🙂

0.8 kg less today (~5lb in total)! I know it’s probably mostly water weight, but it’s still really encouraging and is really helping me to keep going past these first few days..

Warning , I am feeling a bit smug this morning ! BUT we won’t mention the chocolate and crisp incident last night !
First week done ,lost 6lbs can’t believe never managed that with any diet before. Feeling good and mostly in control ( see above !) did a 6.45 spinning class this morning excellent for endorphins and motivation.
I am looking forward to next week going to track food more closely and use bsd recipes for ease I dont want to get overconfident and relax .good luck everyone hope this helps .

FIngers crossed Pat, it will be more than a lb you lose. The other thing to measure is your mood, how do you feel in yourself? Personally I am buzzing and feel like I am taking control and responsibility for my own health, so regardless of the weight loss this is worth alot to me . It may take a little more time for some of us to lose the weight but it we stay on track it will happen, which is one of the purposes of this thread right.

Keep it up and watch it come off!