Hi Verano
You are right that the light has to go on before you do something about it. My story is similar to yours. All my energies were concentrated on religiously injecting the insulin to control my blood sugars – I didn’t look at improving my diet – I actually thought I had a healthy diet. Luckily a client came in with the BSD book and asked me if I would like to borrow it as she thought it would help me. The light still didn’t go on until realised that I had to do something about the retinopathy as I wasn’t getting good enough blood sugars with the insulin to prevent it getting worse.

I reversed the retinopathy and kept on with the BSD but never believed for a moment that I could reverse the diabetes and come of insulin. So it was a huge shock to suddenly realise I no longer needed to inject. I excitedly told a doctor at the eye clinic what had happened and how good the BSD was. He sternly told me that nothing I was doing would reverse the diabetes nor the retinopathy I would just get worse and worse and would have to accept it. How wrong can a doctor be!

Last week’s panorama was truly shocking and hopefully you are right and it will help a few more people do something about it. Hopefully soon the NHS will see the light.

I started the Eight Week diet in late May and in six weeks lost 16 kilos and my fasting bsl dropped from around 9 down to 5.5 to 6. I have now stopped my Metformin. My Emphysema symptoms have dropped dramatically and i can easily manage a daily 5 to 10 Kms per day walk. I feel like a new man. I am monitoring my weight and using this to adjust my daily food intake. Looking back at my weight/diet history I have naturally fallen into a 5/2 rhythm of eating.

I cannot believe what a wonderful difference this has made to my life.

My highest regards to Dr Michael.

Hi there
I have been looking to get fit and lose weight, and having done the 5:2 previously (with good results but fell off the wagon) I had something of an epiphany last weekend and decided I had to get control of my weight and fitness levels. I have been dealing with anxiety for several years, but this now seems fully resolved following hypnosis (after trying everything except medication, this was the one that worked for me), so I’m ready to move on. My diet is generally good 80% of the time, but I have a weakness for cheese and pizza. I also think I was drinking too much (couple of bottles of wine a week), and adding sugar and milk to my coffee wasn’t helping. I started walking more a few months ago, but no more exercise than that. I read the BSD diet book, and it all made sense. I had bought some meal replacement shakes to deal with lunches and breakfasts I can’t prepare meals for, so I just need to cut out potatoes and bread (as I’m not keen on pasta anyway) to stick to the diet – its not far from the way I eat normally. I did a mindfulness course last year, and generally don’t really feel hunger in the same way as I did, and do’t get the same cravings. However, I am 90.5kgs at 160cm, so way overweight.

Anyway – the question was on blood sugar levels. I have always had low blood sugar on the occasions it has been tested (not many, as I am generally well). I also had low cholesterol (with a good proportion of good and bad, although I forget the numbers), fairly low blood pressure and heart rate of 60.

First test, 6/10/16 3 hours after lunch 6.3
Fasting test 7/10/16 overnight fast 5.6 (7.30 in the morning)
Fasting test 7/10/16 overnight plus morning (15 hours) 5.2 (10.30 in the morning)
Fasting test 7/10/16 18 hours 2.7 (1.30pm)
FAsting overnight 8/10/16 2.4 (7.30am)
Fasting overnight 9/10/16 2.0 (8am)
After eating dinner 9/10/16 6.00
2 hours after dinner 9/10/16 6.00
Fasting overnight 10/10/16 6.6 (at 7.30am)
Fasting overnight 10/10/16 5.6 (at 10.30 – after coffee and milk, and exercise)

My understanding is that the fasting results of 5.6 and 6.6 are too high, and 2.4 and 2.0 are too low? It also went up from 6.0 2 hours after eating (around 6pm on sunday evening) to waking when it was 6.6. I’ve been low carb on each of the days, and drinking 4 litres of water (this is new thing). I exercised every day with a cardio routine (plus a short run on the 6th and 7th) but I didn’t do much exercise on the 9th. I have been drinking a cordial in the evening (to avoid wine) which has about 30 calories (largely form sugar) but otherwise I can’t see why the results are so variable. I feel very well otherwise.

I don’t know whether I should worry about this or not? I lost about 1kg during the week, which isn’t great but at least its in the right direction, and the cardio is making me feel fitter.
Any ideas?
Many thanks

Good Morning all!! Hope you enjoyed your weekend and a massive well done to everyone who has lost, trying to loose or just changing their way of eating to the med style – well done you are all awesome!!!!!!
I enjoyed fillet steak last night with English mustard and a huge salad with sun-dried tomatoes yum it was so delicious.
Official weigh in after 1 week 5.5lb loss – yippppeeee!!! I’m on my way
Bring on week 2!!!
Well done everyone xxxxx

Morning all, not had a successful weekend, weight back up to 74.4 but hey ho. Think I am already in a holiday frame of mind. However, I am still low carbing.

Did my little experiment this morning, took mine and my husbands b.g before breakfast. His 6.1 (111) mine 4.1 (74). 2 hours after eating his 6.7 (121) mine 5.7 (104). Looks like I am doing pretty well. He had toast and marmalade for brekkie and I had grilled mushroom, canned tomatoes and a poached egg. So that could make a difference. He is definately not diabetic but my numbers are better than his.

Zumba tonight, weigh in tomorrow. 🙂

Ouch! Sounds painful. But an armchair boogie is better than nothing! Hope your foot heals up quickly.

Hello ML,
Welcome to the gang!
If you don’t feel like calorie counting, you don’t have to – I never did. I limited myself to recording my weight in an Excel spreadsheet so I could see the downward trend. Never bothered measuring myself – I went by bagginess of clothes. And by how much better I felt when I lost a few pounds. If you click on my name you should be able to read my profile – please do.

The BSD is a very flexible way of eating – I didn’t do the 800cals, or the 5:2, I kept it simple by following the principles of the BSD, i.e. choosing from the recommended foodstuffs, cutting out the extras I’d habitually been eating, tried to eat my last meal by 7pm in order to extend my overnight fast, drinking plenty of (non-alcoholic) liquids.

So you haven’t cooked in years – a good opportunity to restart! But if a busy lifestyle hampers your “you time”, soup & salads are a great help. Look at the recipes on this website for ideas. We are not really aiming for Michelin Star grade meals – just something tasty & filling that keeps the carb-wolf from the door. The simpler the better.
Some ingredients may be difficult to obtain where you are, but you will probably have access to different things that we in the UK don’t have but which would work just as well.
In the new BSD recipe book, there is a recipe for kimchi – which I believe is a Korean staple.

Cutting out sugars is the basis of this plan. Also, no matter what part of the world you are in, carbohydrates are carbohydrates – so do what you can to cut down on them as this will help.

The cultural & social side of things in Korea I can’t really help you with – but I understand it is difficult when you are at a function of some kind that you won’t want to cause offence by refusing what’s on offer even if it is not conducive to your weight loss plans. But the occasional straying from the path is not the end of the world – just start up again the next day. If you are with good friends, perhaps you can explain to them your plans, get them on board with what you want to do. Who knows, they may have some ideas & be very supportive.

Pitfalls to watch for are after an initial good start comes a period of possibly feeling rubbish, the weight loss stalls – my advice is to work through it & persevere. There comes a point when your body fights against and then accepts the new way of eating. Keeping your intake of water up is essential – dehydration can fool you into thinking you need food when you don’t. Yes, you will fall off the wagon occasionally but, as stated above, just dust yourself off and start again.

I would advise planning your meals before you go shopping rather than just winging it.

The beauty of this forum is that you can ask questions & someone will probably be able to help out. Use the search facility in case someone has posted a similar query.

I am sure you will find a way to lose your 10kg – good luck!

I have now decided that my fat has a sense of humour. This morning I weighed myself and I have lost 1 stone 13 3/4 lbs. It’s obviously having a laugh keeping hold of that last 1/4lb so I can’t say I’ve lost 2 stone. It is great though as I am now under 15 stone for the first time in more than 30 years. Only 8 weeks ago being 14 stone something was just wishful thinking. So onward and downward to us all.

A happy armchair boogie – I slammed my foot in a door yesterday and am massive bruised so dancing is out for a day or two.
But yes, I am DELIGHTED

Well done Sazzle! That’s a great set of results 🙂

Hi there, razzarach! I’ll add you now! 🙂

Nice work Big Chap! Keep it up 🙂

Hi Cecily,

That is fantastic – well done!! You must be very pleased with that. I take it you have done a happy dance? 🙂

Hi Shalimar,

Thank you for your encouragement, reading the posts it seems there will be plenty of know how and encouragement on here, really looking forward to reading everyones post each and every day, today so far I have had scrambled eggs cooked with a little milk, spanish omelette for lunch, plan on turkey stirfry for dinner tonight, can anyone tell me how much milk I can have, i use semi skimmed or skimmed if I can get it (at work on oil rig) I am a real tea face 🙂 .

Yes, sunshine is right! Losing the carbs will definitely bring things down calorie-wise. Cauliflower in its various forms is a great staple on this diet – for me at least anyway! And also broccoli and most other green veg. It feels strange at first but you’ll get used to this way of eating very quickly!

Hi,

Mine is razzarach2015, I havent been on there for a while so this is the perfect excuse to get going again, thanks! 🙂

I have great news to share!!!
What started me looking into this diet was being told my blood pressure was 170/100 – scary!

I’m supposed to monitor it twice a day now.

2 weeks on the BSD and it’s now 145/80.
😃😃😃
I can’t believe the improvement in such a short time

Thank you Loopylou

I’ve just revised the next few days of my plan and dropped the protein a little and look to increase my fat with avocado and oils. I was aiming a little too high for a perfect run of the scales going down without fluctuations! It’s normally the excuse I need to sidestep and have a day or gorging. Thankfully, today is not one of those days and I’m appreciative for the replies and guidance.

How have you found the plan now you’re 16 weeks in? That’s an amazing feat with the plan. Have you had ups and downs or have you been able to remain steady overtime as you are more used to this way of eating?

Hi loopylou …. I answer to almost anything … I hadn’t even noticed!!!!

Hi Krysia

If they gave all current diabetics, and the new ones in the pipeline , the book AND the recipe book and trained the nurses they’d still be quids in !!! The only problem is that you can take a horse to water etc.

When I was first diagnosed, which I think was 2009, I just put it to the back of my mind, kept taking the tablets and got on with life!! There was nothing wrong with me!!!!!

I don’t really think I thought much about it. A neighbour of ours, in our apartment block, did lose a few toes and then the lower part of his leg. We only saw him a few times a year so I guess it was a bit of’ ‘out of sight out of mind’.

Then a close friend of ours, wasn’t medically taking care of himself, developed a problem with a toe. He subsequently lost it. Even that didn’t really register with me!

We saw him In June and he was having problems with a second toe! I think that was maybe the catalyst for me. I’m not sure now how I found BSD but while I was away I decided to get the book. I spent the first days in July just not eating the obviously high carb stuff and then when I got back from holiday I started BSD proper on July 6th. The rest, as they say, is history!

So I suppose the ‘light’ has to go on before you do something about it. I’m sure that last weeks Panorama program will have made a few people sit up and take notice, but how many people will actively help themselves before they have real problems remains to be seen.

Hi Shalimar, thank you for your response.

My carb intake has been around 18 – 22g – as I’m a former Atkins devotee I struggle with carb sensitivity – it hasn’t been higher than 26g on the plan. My fluid intake is 2 – 3 litres per day also as standard, water with the odd peppermint tea to break the monotiny!

I am feeling happier on the plan as it’s very concise and easy to follow. The plans are fantastic for motivation and ease. Today’s weigh-in was a blip, but set me off against the grain after such a decent start.

Myself and my family are taking a trip away for the festivities so other than aiding my general joint health, the date is looming in my mind. I’m 168cm and currently 80kg – last year we travelled I was 74kg and refused my photo taken and felt quite conscious about the activities I would join in with, mostly through embarrassment. Ironic that 6 weeks ago I weighed 88.7kg, (I lost a little before I found the plan.) I would love to go away the same weight, if not less and enjoy the time, instead of hiding behind my towel and join in a little more.

Hi Ellew. A 7 kg loss is amazing in 4 weeks. I would repeat Shalimar’s comments. Plateaus are frustrating but natural. If you are sticking to 50g carb and 800 calories the weight will start to shift again. Otherwise drop your carb count down for a few days just to get things moving again. I have just done 7 days at 30g and it made a lot of difference, although I am nearing the end of 16 weeks rather than 4!

I lost 4.5lbs in week one. I’m so pleased with that since I didn’t count calories at all.

Hi Cowslip,

I’ve been wondering about that too. I LOVE cheese and would be miserable without it. However, although it’s been within my allowances, I have eaten quite a lot of it this week and have not seen any weight loss either. The same happens with milk intake too. I did read somewhere that dairy wasn’t great for insulin resistance but then full fat dairy seems to be well recommended on BSD. A bit confused now!

Kool Big Chap 🙂 :HUGS

Focus is always good!!

Morning all week 2-ers. Well one week down and frankly was feeling a little deflated. Lost 2.5lbs in total last week. (2 days I actually put on weight despite sticking to 800 cals and 50g or less carbs). I have always been a low fat diet kinda gal so wonder if the switch to full fat everything has something to do with it. Anyway, annoyingly my husband dropped 9lbs and is prancing around like a peacock, feathers all puffed out……..

So, have decided I need to shift my mental state – am still in the “feeling deprived” zone and covet what everyone else around me is eating. My kids had shop bought fish n chips on Friday night and I had a real secret sulk about it !!! But no more, I am going to embrace what I can have and pity the fools (to quote B A Baracas) who are eating badly……
Have started well today I think – used the Apple and Cinnamon porridge recipe from the new recipe book, but subbed milk for almond milk and used organic oats which really brought the carb count down by 11 from the recipe amount . Feel full and warm and not deprived…….Have a good day everyone x

Ha Verano, just looked back at my previous post and see predictive text changed your name to Veranda! Sorry

Pickles – that sounds great, well done! I also have a lot to lose but am thinking about it in blocks of 10lbs. If I look at the whole amount I’m overwhelmed but I can definitely focus on smaller targets.

Mixnmatch – well done on your losses too! That’s great for the first week 🙂 Your cauliflower mash sounds delicious. And I too am a big fan of cinnamon with Greek yog.

Evening from Sydney, Carb_Addict

Hugs to you from afar, don’t beat yourself up it was one day, you have plenty more until weigh day, are you drinking enough water – I actually measured mine out yesterday and I was well below what we are meant to drink and it does fill you up. I went out for lunch last Wednesday and did the best I could but it was a fixed menu so I couldn’t mess with it, so just said ok that’s done, stick to BSD the rest of the week, the next day my weight went up and then came down again, – you want this so much and you are so supportive of everyone else in 1 October starters, give yourself the same love and support. My daughter came round with some muffins she had made today, I asked her if she minded if I froze mine and ate it on Saturday. I am going to visit a friend In Brisbane in November I haven’t seen her for thirty years so that and this incredible forum is keeping me on track – I am never ever going to be a fast loser, my poor old body is too messed up with dieting, but I haven’t ever felt so supported nor focused, and we are supporting and focusing on you – and you are right a lot of it is down to habit and we have to learn the new habits of BSD living, good luck my dear.

Hi Hosta
I have found fat secret really helpful if you are in the UK. Very easy to use – it has to be for me. It tracks carbs calories fat protein etc and you can save all your favourite meals.

I agree with Shalimar that the people who track calories and carbs (50g and under) do the best. It did take me 4 months to work that one out but once I realised it the weight has just flown off.

Hello everyone,

I hope Monday is treating you all well so far….

Nedds mum – sorry to hear you have been unwell. I’ve had a cold since Thursday and it has definitely made me feel sorry for myself and want to eat all kinds of things that I shouldn’t even be thinking of. I caved yesterday and had ice cream (for my sore throat, of course….), which means I haven’t lost anything yet this week (weigh in tomorrow) but hopefully I won’t have gained either. I hope you feel better soon. Be kind to yourself! More hugs coming your way 🙂

shalimar – hope you are also feeling better now – get well hugs for you too. I guess it’s that time of year when colds and bugs are rife. I haven’t exercised and I have definitely had wine! But I will be back on track from today and hopefully when I’ve got rid of this cold I’ll be able to do a bit more exercise too.

soosiewoosy – welcome and good luck! Your meal plan looks tasty 🙂 I’m not much of an exerciser at the moment due to a severe back injury but I think anything goes really! Do what you enjoy as you’ll be more interested and committed as a result. If you like dancing, dance around your living room for as long as you can. If you run, go for a jog. Hate running? Go swimming! The choice is yours really. I think Michael Mosely advocates the HIIT style of exercising (high intensity interval training) – if you do a search on the forums you should find some more about it and I think he covers it in the book.

RozyDozy – Hello! I am also a comfort eater and stress and/or feeling low has me craving all the crappy stuff. Sometimes I can ignore it and other times I will fall face first into a bag of crisps or a big thick slice of bread with peanut butter and jam. I like your advice though, getting things out of your system definitely helps.

Enjoy your day everyone – speak to you soon!

Well … awake and raring 🙂 ….. it’s not surprising … because it’s mostly the people on the forum here that have noticed its the reduction in the carb count WITH the 800 calories that does the trick so to speak. It’s the people in the forums that made it known to try for 50 carbs or even less that really seems the most effective. Maybe it’s not necessary for everyone …. but lowering the carb count also seems to help getting past plateau and stalling times.

Loopylou – well done on your reboot weight loss. Yes, I am the same – 30g carbs is the max I can eat and still lose weight. Am a bit envious of the majority of people on this forum who can eat 50g and easily lose weight, although it’s strange – the longer I stay below 30g the more effortless it becomes.

Verano – well done on your weight loss and your average carbs (even with the Victoria sponge) were well below 50g. I am so pleased you are continuing with the weekly challenge as it really helps me.

Was thinking this morning that if the NHS had given me the BSD book 4 1/2 years ago they would have saved heaps of money. All the insulin pens, test strips, lucentis injections for retinopathy (£800 an injection) and all the appointments at the eye clinic and diabetes clinic. In fact it looks like I have single handedly brought the NHS to its knees.

Of course all dieticians would have to be retrained so they could support us on the BSD – which would be an expense – but just think what that would save.

Do you live in Australia, Natalie? Or did you eat all those cals for breakfast?!!

First week done, although slipped up o Saturday by having a takeaway curry (chicken shashlik, popadoms, veg curry and onion bhajis) despite that feel a lot sharper and lost 6lb 8oz. Much more focused today as started walking and counting calories more religiously.

Was woozy and snoozy, but now awake and raring to go!

Just received my 8 week BSD recipe book and was flicking through, looking for the calorie content of each meal, and couldn’t SEE anything….then….got my microscope out and lo-and-behold! Teeny, tiny print to the side of each recipe! How ridiculous! Well, moan over, off to plan lunch and supper!

Happy Thanksgiving Shalimar & CallMeDeb!
The start of day 7 for my husband & I & we re-weighed ourselves to find our correct seventh day weight & it’s still 6lbs for him & 5lbs for me. We decided we were eating too few carbs so I made Apple porridge with cinnamon from the recipe book for breakfast & it was delicious. I am tending to not eat many breakfasts because it saves some calories for lunch & dinner but because we are retired & at home we might try brunches this week. I’m going to be tempted by cakes this afternoon because I will be meeting my beading ladies & there are usually cream cakes! But must resist or it might skew this weeks result as it still feels like an ongoing experiment & learning experience. On we go hopefully downwards in weight!

Don’t know what will work for you.

My suggestion …. be kind to your body and let it adjust to its new reality … that first week weight loss is a lot for your body to adjust to.

Lots of people do adjust their carbs lower …. do it a little at a time and see when you have results. Many people try for 50 carbs or less.

If the scale isn’t moving perhaps your body shape is …. for example … are you fitting in your clothes better? Can you fit into some clothes that used to be a bit tight.

Hosta 🙂 HUGS

I track calories and carbs. I use my paperback Diabetes Counter book ; MyFatSecret and i just Google things.

I write them down. I usually have 1 page per day … and i write down everything including blood sugar readings and any hints and suggestions i see here or anywhere.

If it’s something i eat all the time i put them on an index card so i don’t have to look it up again.

I have not found MyFitnessPal or another site useful … it’s like i’m all thumbs … i can’t figure out the site easily …. so i won’t bother. One site i try will just NOT put in my information correctly.

I do acquabics, i walk, and will try and add yoga and TaiChi (i have videos and can do it at home if i move my butt). I can gage my fitness level from what activities i can do … and i do see the doc for tests. I really don’t see how fussing with a website will be that much help ….. of course OTHER PEOPLE JUST LOVE DOING THESE SITES … more power to them.

I’m kind of a no fuss person.

I started diet 2 weeks ago. starting at 110 kg. Week1 lost 4.5 kg but have plateaud in week2. I walk 5000 steps most days. and have been averaging about 850 cals in both weeks. My carb avg is atound 75. both weeks. Do i need to get below 50 to make this diet work for me?

Ok…….. I weighed myself. Tick. Actually hadn’t put on weight since I last weighed myself 60 years ago, though i feel like I have. 5’9″ tall and 117kg. Dreadful. 7 stone needs to go. I only used kgs because I can see them more easily on my scales 😂 Mushroom omelette for breakfast ….. Just wondering how everyone is tracking their food intake? Think I’m going to use my fitness pal. Does anyone have any other methods??

KrysiaD 🙂 HUGS

You bring up a good point …. what will an increase in carbs do when we are off the 800 calories plan.

I used to curse the fact that 1 piece of toast with peanut butter just short my Blood Sugar through the roof. Now i don’t eat either … but what happens if i do????

We will have to be very careful about how/when we increase carbs.

Lots to think about.

Thanks

That’s wonderful Natalie 🙂 HUGS

Congrats on your 7 kg. loss.

Your body just might be taking a breather and making some adjustments.

If your carb count is around 50 g. …. you might want to gradually go a little lower.

Plateau times now and then seem to be normal from my readings around the forum.

HUGS 🙂

I’ll probably post several times a day soosiewoosy! Is this my fourth or fifth today?

I’ve finished eating on Day One. Calories: 784. Carbs: 36g. Excellent!

p.s.

Are the newbies aware that most of us try not just to keep our calories around 800 …. but TRY to keep our carbs down to around 50 g (and that we don’t deduct fibre grams?) ….

You can count these things by google-ing the food with the words calories carbs …. or … there are paperback books … or … sites like MyFatSecret.

Other tips :

Be kind to yourself ; be kind to your body as it makes adjustments to its new reality …. and get ready to polish your halos on the good days and ignore the bad decisions … and get ready to admire yourself in your mirrors.

And if you fail … do what i do … just call “REBOOT’ and start again

Hi Shalimar – being able to have my coffees with a dash of cream has become an enjoyable part of my 800 calories. Have not noticed it pushes up blood sugars – unlike my cappuccinos with real chocolate sprinkled on top. What I do feel though is that it seems to kick start my energy levels and I can exercise for longer but I only do a fraction of the mileage that others are doing on this thread.

You are doing really well without metformin. I am now off insulin and am not sure how much I will be able to increase carbs and still stay ok. Maybe when I have lost all my excess weight I will be able to increase carbs and still be ok. I suppose my pancreas and liver are still in ‘intensive care’ while the visceral fat is draining out.

I am shimmerling on MFP, I would love it if you added me!

Cozzarella 🙂 HUGS

I think preparation is key!!

soosiewoosy ….. 🙂 HUGS …. woosy????? how much woosy in the soosie????

I have the ingredients for a denver omelette for breaky …. but it’s more likely to be for lunch-y … depending on when i get to bed … the joys of retirement … and single too … i can do whatever i want 🙂 🙂 🙂 and i love it 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hi there, I’ve started a Facebook group for BSD dieters! The Facebook group makes it easier to maintain conversation and reply directly to others.
Hope to see you there!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1468420283184807/