Thanks for reply Shalimar, I totally agree with you. The book doesn’t make quite a few things clear. I feel it assumes a lot. But hey ho.

MM says in the book that they welcome comments- but where? I would like to think he, or somebody else involved would read these forums every so often.

At my recent health check, I had a job getting g them to have thyroid tested within the bloods they had taken. I have NO chance of getting g the tests that MM sugessts. We are not qualified doctors married to a GP!
I have not eaten any complex carbs at all, but am having 2\3 pieces fruit daily and 1/2 pt ski med milk a day. I k now what to do if I need to reduce my simple carbs.

Hi,

I have been using the USN Diet Fuel Ultralean cafe latte flavour. I chose to go down the shake route as I found that getting the calories correct and balancing getting the correct minerals etc. was very hard and lets face it one of the reasons I got large was because of my lack of portion control ability.

Another reason was that on week three my weight loss stalled and continued for two weeks. I found that I was consuming less than 800 calories per day and this was having a negative impact. I started at 19st 11 and I am currently on week 6 and weight in at 17st 7.

The annoying thing with the meal replacements shakes is that in the majority they contain some form of sweetener. USN has fructose in small quantities and I can taste it. The alternative I am using is Sanatagen protein powder from Boots but it tastes of nothing so you need to add flavour and that is hard to do when not at home or fresh.

I am now extending my 8 week plan to 12 weeks and use steely mindset to get through it. I have found that you definitely need to exercise more and more and if you set goals and targets it makes it easier to monitor the increases.

“Persevere and you will succeed” and “8 weeks is worth it for a lifetime of benefits” are statements I repeat daily as most of the negatives or reasons to give in come from the mind.

I hope this helps

Spuddy61, it isn’t at all harsh. After about day three, it starts to seem sensible. Certainly that’s what I found at least, as I have more energy and generally feel jollier.

If I remember rightly, in the book Dr. MM suggests trying the BSD 800 cal diet for two weeks and then reviewing your results and how you feel. Then he suggests another review a couple of weeks later. Maybe, you could just set yourself a two-week target and see how you go. There’s one thread on here that covers seven-day reboots, so only a week.

If you’re looking for rapid results, the eight-week 800 calories seems to work for most people. I am losing more slowly than others, but even I’m managing over a kilo a week, and that’s more than I’ve achieved on other diets. Plus, I feel great.

The other thing some people do is a kind of lead-in to the 800 cal diet by starting off with a few weeks of 5:2. If you try that, you might find that 5:2 is enough to achieve your goals.

Whatever you choose, there’s plenty of friendly support on this forum.

Hi. I’m only on week three but I have been following the 8 week plan. Generally speaking as long as you are organised then I haven’t found it a problem. I have been hungry at times, but I just drank more water. So far, I have lost 8llbs, but I would like to loose another 14. I find it easier to be strict with myself, because when I do stray, I don’t do things by halves. If I have not reach my goal within the 8 weeks, then I am going to do it all over again. I feel loads better in myself, so it has more benefits then just loosing weight. Good luck 😉

Hi everyone. I was down another pound this morning (after 3 days of staying the same!) so was very relieved at that. It means I have lost 9lbs in 9 days, so I’m thrilled. I am sticking to the diet totally – counting the calories and the carbs. I am never hungry but I do get
sugar cravings! Has anyone got a tip about something tiny to eat with a cup of coffee??!!

Thanks folks! At the end of the cookery book there is 8 weeks of planned menu’s that I am sticking too. Generally speaking I have greek yoghurt most days with a small amount of berries. Porridge is only about once a week. I haven’t got a lot to loose, but perhaps I need to read up a bit more about it and check my carbs. To be honest, I am not really sure what my carb allowance is.

Bril captain Lynne, such an amazing example of the wonder of this plan 👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🔟🔟🔟🔟🔟🔟🔟. Yeaaaaa delighted for you x

Owwww Yowser

You are such a darling, I love this plan too and especially all our BSD buddies. 🌷💃🌷💃🌷💃🌷💃🌷 just need to bat the c. Monster and the inner chimp hehehe away heheheh

Jacanne, sorry to be ganging up on you, we are not really, just trying to help. I just saw the words cinnamon APPLES, yikes, now they are high in carbs, one medium apple is around 28 grams of carbs. If the cinnamon is a sugared version then you are way out. So your apple and porridge is nearly my total carbs for the day. I allow 50 grams. Try having grilled mushrooms with a poach egg, 1 large mushroom is about 3 carbs and an egg is zero, it will keep you full all morning.

I have just checked the recipe book, yes it is in, and no sugar on the apples, but it is 260 calories and 38 grams of carbs. That only leaves 12 grams of carbs (for me) and 540 calories for 2 more meals.

Thanks for taking the time to reply I’ve followed the 5.2 in the past but fell off the waggon. I’m halfway through the book and just waiting for the recipe book. I know it’s only 8 weeks but it seems so harsh. 😄 Guess the payoff is the rapid weight loss.

Just because it’s in the recipe book doesn’t mean an individual will choose to include that particular item in their 800 calories and 50 or less grams of carbs.

25 grams of carbs on 1 item is really a lot! I wouldn’t want to do that every day.

I do eat porridge/or oats sometimes … but now i just add cinnamon.

It’s up to you. Have you read the book …. and/or the information on this site???. There are questions and quizzes to take to help you make a reasoned decision.

Suggestion …. After you examine the site/book.

If you are unsure … START with the 5:2 …. that way you get to take the 800 calories a day for a spin and see how you tolerate it.

*Picks jaw up off the ground*😱😃

Today I finally managed to get some clothes – in a couple of charity shops. I’m finally getting the confidence to go straight to the size 12s. So, what did I buy?

Two skirts, two tops and a cardigan. And – wait for it – *drumroll* – a pair of jeggings! Me, who was never planning to buy jeans but now has two pairs (now too big!, now has a pair of denim jeggings!😱

And even more than that! When I picked up one of the skirts, I thought it was a 12. When I got it home and just tried it on (it fits) its a size 10! Me, in a size 10 pencil skirt!😃 I knew the cardigan was a 10 (yes, it fits) but I bought it because it goes really well with the pencil skirt! So I took the chance😃

Why the mad shopping excursion? I’m away tomorrow until late Saturday. A conference with early starts and late finishes. Travelling across tomorrow, meeting a friend (who hasn’t seen me since before I started the BSD) and might do some more shopping.

KRYSIA Such a pretty name! You ‘ ll find yr inner Krysia again,just keep on keeping on xx onwards and downwards
VERANO another pretty name and i’ve learnt something new too!
FLASH are you very fast – and a gas like Jumping Jack Flash!
Thanks Folks,love reading yr explanations! xx

Who knows? The book doesn’t really address the carbs count … it just mostly talks about good health, complex carbs over the simple carbs/starches/sugars that quickly enter the bloodstream.

The 50 g. of carbs (or less) is what many people here (on this site forums) have found works for their weightloss.

But we are not doctors … to find out if this is working for removing fat around the liver and pancreas … you will likely want to get a doctor to run the tests in the book …. before and after … or if you can only have before or after … i would say get that tested after you reach your other goals.

p.s. …. if that many carbs works for you … great … most of us try for less.

Hi all. New starter today fresh from holiday and a beautiful bouncy, overfed, carb loaded belly 😄.
I’m starting on Monday after I’ve prepared and bought the food I need. My question is, do I really need to start with the 800 calorie BS diet? or do I combine 5.2 with BS diet?
I’m not a diabetic but need to lose over a stone plus I have a large waist and high cholesterol and totally addicted to carbs
I would be greatful of any advice ..

Ohhh JAN thats such excellent news! 🎈🎈🌸🎈🌸🎈🌸🎈
If i could do a cartwheel i would! So sorry youve had a bad time of it tho 😐

Well the ol’ Carb Monster is always looking for a chance to get back in,and adverse times are her favourite time coz she knows we’ll be tempted then! Dont let her catch you – we’re safe long as we stay on the back of the bus.Watch out for yr Inner Chimp too coz he is always gettin into mischief and is in cahoots with CM!

Havent been weighed for over a week..hoping to do so over next few days and perhaps have crashed the 3 stone barrier! X wooooooohoooooooo i LOVE this way of eating and all the fab folk on here! X

Thanks for your support, Cecily. But…I’m feeling a little sheepish now. After my big whinge last night I weighed this morning and found I’d lost .4kg, now 63.3kg.
How does this happen? By rights I should have either stayed the same or more properly (??grammar) put a little on. I’m not so much complaining as puzzled. And really, it doesn’t help my poor scrambled brain to be given positive reinforcement for poor eating choices.
Much more focused today. Cals under 800, carbs mid 50s. Be interesting to weigh in the morning and see if yesterday belatedly catches up with me.
😉😏

25 grams of plan porridge with cinnamon apples, its in the recipe book. Why do you say its way out of your calories and carb allowance? I have to say, there’s not much in the bowl, but I do always weigh it.

Well I am half way through week 2. I lost 5.5 llbs week 1 and so far this week, another 3, so I am more than happy.
I am 66, not pre or diabetic and have a fasting BG of 5, but want to remain healthy and loose 1 stone to get to 25 BMI.
. I have read the book twice and can’t fi nd an answer to my query so I wonder if somebody can help p!ease.

I am eating an average of 900 c a day over the 10 days ranging from 745 to 1176c with carbs averaging 80+ over the 10 days.
What I can’t find an answer to is if I am eating perhaps 100 c more a day than 800 recommended and 30 to 40 g of carbs more than the 50g that seems to be the optimum, I am loosing the weight but am I getting the health benefit of the diet, in reducing the correct sort of fat from the stomach liver and pancreas, that may make you I’ll. Or does the health benefit’s, excluding the weight loss, only happen with the 800c/50g combo.I hope you will understand what I am saying . thanks

Thanks for your support, Cecily. But…I’m feeling a little sheepish now. After my big whinge last night I weighed this morning and found I’d lost .4kg, now 63.3kg.
How does this happen? By rights I should have either stayed the same or more properly (??grammar) put a little on. I’m not so much complaining as puzzled. And really, it doesn’t help my poor scrambled brain to be given positive reinforcement for poor eating choices.
Much more focused today. Cals under 800, carbs mid 50s. Be interesting to weigh in the morning and see if yesterday belatedly catches up with me.
😉😏

I am guessing it is porridge you have for breakfast, are you keeping to 25 grams, I love porridge in winter but it is way out of my calories and carbs allowance, 25 grams is about 30 grams of carbs, calories not too bad. Are you having real oats or ready mixed, there is a big difference.

Hi Greenjanet – yes this is where we post now for 7 days starting Tuesday. My challenge this week is to add fish to my diet which has been sadly lacking as I am supposed to be following a healthy med diet. I am also sticking to 30g carbs and under. Adding the fish is going to be much harder than keeping to the carb level.

Antigone
With such good stats the weight loss will follow. Just think about what is going on unseen inside your body. A war is going on against your visceral fat and your body is winning the war.

Hi is this where we all post now, I’m getting confused so many different threads. 🙋

So day 10 and for the most part I feel good, but today feeling tired and bit grumpy, maybe it is an accumulative effect of low carbs/cals. Anyone else suffering from this?

I have been going over my 800 cals the last few days but offsetting it with exercise so hopefully it will balance out. I think I am in a bit of unique situation as I see it is mostly ladies here in this group so maybe given my different physiology I will be able to get away with a few more calories, That is what I am telling myself anyway. 🙂

Just a clarification on the ketosis side of things, by going into the state your body is actually using fat to make Ketones and it is this that you smell on the breath. The body becomes ketone adaptive as a fuel source for the brain, which normally prefers glucose(carbtastic) and uses fat to make these.

If you really want to obsess over being in this state, you can buy ketone testing strips which you pee on to test for their presence in your system, The only real advantage of knowing you are in ketosis is that you know your body is using fat, but honestly the scales should reflect this right?

Anyway, well done everyone on their progress thus far, lets keep it up collectively and roll on the weekend weigh in were we all be posting positive results again fingers crossed.:-)

Haha you and me were given “the” taste buds to have. I love peanut butter! Now that I don’t count calories I sometimes dop a little bit onto a small square of butter and in it goes….. soooo tasty. If you get the Meridian crunchy sort, it gives the crunch that you might miss with a carby biscuit. Something to look forward to 🙂

Having tinned salmon and cream cheese on a bed of baby salad leaves shortly – So have had one serving of fish (my add a little extra) today. We are now going shopping tomorrow and more fish is on the shopping list.

OMG eggs with butter and cheese – pretty much all my favourites in one go (minus peanut butter, but I think adding that would not be a good idea….)! Will definitely be trying that 🙂

BLUEMOON …. HUGS … so sorry you are feeling yucky!!! Hope things get better pronto!!

That’s the spirit Flash21 – hard but rewarding eh…. and as you mention eggs…have you tried frying it in a tiny bit of butter and topping with cheese? So yummy and worth the calories

I can’t find the post now but I also have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to sort out various areas of my life. CHores etc I have been putting off for years😱. I feel much lighter mentally as though a fog is lifting. Last night I made a beef curry for dinner I made rice for my husband and I roasted spiced cauliflower for myself and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now after dinner I had such a burst of energy that I did housework while my husband watched football. I can’t remember the last time I felt like doing housework in the evening after dinner. I wonder if many of us have the *lows* associated diabetes even before being diagnosed? I work 6am-1pm and pre diet I would get home and eat mainly carb laden foods for lunch. My favourite was a generous helping of Ryvita with what ever I could on it or sandwiches with a packet of crisps. Then I would fall asleep. For some reason I have not been having my usual afternoon nap.
Well for me it’s week 2 and it’s all going well. I wil have a glass red wine on Friday night or it will not feel like the weekend. I feel as though I have been so good I deserve a treat.
I love reading about all of you and how you are getting on. I wish there was a chat room were we could meet and discuss things further.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON……
ZIggy🙂

Thanks everyone – I feel so supported by all of your comments! Very much appreciated and I have skipped breakfast to then have two meals of 400cals and so maybe this is harder as well. The best news is that I will get used to it and I am already losing weight. Brilliant!

Probably doesn’t help, but you DO get hungry at first… and have to battle it! Plenty of good advice above

Day 4 for me today and feeling blurgh! No energy, tired, grumpy and a headache! Really hoping this will pass tomorrow as from what I’ve read these first few days are the toughest as my body adjusts to fewer calories and carbs.

😄

Sorry the comparison charts did not look like that prior to posting

I tend to go for the 150g Onken Yogurt Less calories and sugar than the Fage, with raspberries or strawberries for my breakfast

Onken yogurt Fage Yogurt
Typical values Per 100g Per 150 g serving per 100g
Energy 285kJ 428 kJ Energy 403 kJ
Energy 68kcal 102 kcal Energy 96 kcal
Fat 3.7g 5.6 g Fat 5.0 g
Of which Of which
– Saturates 2.4g 3.6 g Saturates 3.6 g
Carbohydrate 3.4g 5.1 g Carbohydrate 3.8 g
Of which Of which
– Sugars 3.4g 5.1 g Sugars 3.8 g
Protein 3.7g 5.5 g Protein 9.0 g
Salt 0.15g 0.22 g Salt 0.1 g
Calcium 119mg 179 mg Calcium 121 mg

Me too!!!

Thanks — it was a thrill. My family has supper together and my daughter lost a
Pound just from using our leftovers to pack her next-day lunches and eating the dinners. She only wants to lose 10lbs so she does her own morning smoothie and adds some snacks.
I think this is the plan for me. I want to drain that fat out of my pancreas & liver and keep it out FOREVER!

Thanks Shalimar! – *Slight correction it was 4 eggs. Nice to think I have the leftovers 🙂

Wendybird4421 – that is a great loss! Enjoy your tai chi later!

Thanks. I am not great a weighing stuff, except porridge. I make meals for 4 of us and then divide by 4, generally speaking I have the smallest portion. What I really miss is something sweet after my evening meal. I still haven’t lost my craving for the sweet goodies.

Thanks!

Wendybird24421 🙂 HUGS
Congrats on the weight loss and the activity plan ….. Smoked trout in a can … never heard of it! I’ll have to check the grocery isles!!

Pleasure! It is disappointing to step on the scales and not see any difference – especially when you’ve been sticking quite rigidly to the plan. But feeling better and getting more sleep are equal benefits. It might be worth tracking for a few days to see if you can see anything that might be derailing you a bit. Do you also weigh/count exact measurements when following the menus? Good to hear you don’t miss bread – wish that would happen to me! Good luck to you too 🙂

So I am pretty excited about losing 4.5lbs since Saturday. I was already off sugar so no headaches or anything. Just ate a drained can of Bumblebee Smoked Trout for breakfast — delicious! Will get plenty of veggies at lunch & dinner. My plan is nice salad with a little cheese for lunch and some skinny chili from the 8-week BSD book for supper and more veg or apple if I have calories to spend. Bought new athletic shoes/trainers yesterday and walked a mile this morning. 1 1/2 hrs tai chi at the YMCA this evening.
Good luck today — we CAN do this!

I agree …. drink lots of water. I like fragrant plain tea of all kinds. You can keep a small baggie of nuts and seeds … i like pumpkin seeds at hand.
Last night when i was hungry i cut up about 1/3 of an English cucumber in thin slices … so it felt like a lot. I love the smell of cucumber. Some small grape tomatoes are also a good refreshing snack. I also used to like to eat a celery stick with yellow mustard.

Full fat is the way to go. Love plain full fat yogurt with a few berries and seeds/nuts on top. I also love coffee with cream …. i may cut down to one cuppa a day … but i’m having 2 tablespoons of 18 percent cream in my morning coffee.

I felt fairly hungry yesterday …. but i took that as a sign that it’s working!!

Oooh “beat it and don’t eat it” ANOTHER new motto! Thanks Baristagirls! You are entirely right, head down and get on with it. I think most of us are here because we need to make improvements to our health – drastic ones or otherwise. I really need to stop thinking of this from a deprivation point of view and see how much better it is to be living without the things that are making me ill. So, babybels, soup, water, eggs etc it is!

Hello Flash21
Thank you for your response. I had a steady loss week 1 and 2, so very disappointed not to lose week 3. I am though keeping going as I feel so much better and I am also managing to get more sleep. I don’t really track my food, but I only eat what is on the menu in the book for that day. I will see how it goes and possibly I need to record exact calories. I only drink black coffee and water at the moment. I don’t miss bread etc, but I really miss all the fruit that I used to snack on. Oh well, good luck for the next 5 weeks.

BONNIE11 🙂 HUGS …. sounds delicious.