I found this diet quite expensive at first because one day it was one veg, the next another and I wanted to keep the variety going so was buying lots of different types of veg. Now I look in my fridge and plan my recipes around what I have available rather than going out and buying fresh. Also, nothing goes to waste in my house, I have frozen melon, avocados (yes they freeze well) chunks of cheese etc, all ready for another day.

Oops, forgot one. I am now missing over a third of the person I used to be. Over 33.33 recurring percent down in body weight from the starting point. Well I say missing but that’s not true really 😁

where do you get your rhubarb Wendy? Ate lots of it when I started BSD, but haven’t seen any in ages as its out of season

Lucky – thanks for checking in. Hope all I’d resolved soon.
Yowzer – hope you are on the mend and yes, I will be back on the BSD horse tomorrow (still not showing a gain from my dirty week off!) Also back on the real horses tomorrow (after a back injury).
As I have had a carb heavy week I thought I’d have the left over egg yolks for lunch (made meringue for guests – NOT me!).Low carbs alright but cholesterol off the scale 🙁 Looking to reduce blood pressure – not on meds but scared myself recently. Any advice great fully received 🙂

Morning

not a good start, made tea and the milk had gone off. Yuk!
Your lamb sounds lovely Krysia – I really like lamb, but don’t often cook it myself.
I cooked the M&S dine in for £10 chicken yesterday -really nice, with a small potato because I can’t bear the thought of roast chicken without roast potato – and it wasn’t that good and I chucked most of it. Small glass of wine was nice though!

Verano – I’m sure you know enough now to make good choices when you’re away – enjoy

Very brave Dona Rosa & how encouraging😀
I am pear shaped carrying most of my weight on stomach & thighs & my stomach is slowly going down & my thighs less dense & softer ( rather difficult to describe ) but I think fat is being removed?
It’s day seven for us so out of interest I will weigh tomorrow to see what my true weeks weight loss is having weighed yesterday after only five days. I am skipping breakfast today to save some calories for another serving of ginger rhubarb with some natural yoghurt for pudding after dinner tonight. I must buy some more rhubarb to make more.
My husband who is out for the day took a packed lunch of broccoli soup & mozzarella cheese with lettuce, peppers, celery & tomatoes with a heaped spoon of pesto on it for more flavour. He also has a small packet of sunflower & pumpkin seeds to nibble if needed. I’m planning the brunch recipe of bacon, mushrooms & broccoli for supper. I have also ordered the Diabetes UK booklet on carbs to try to better monitor our total carb intake. We seem ok on daily calories but I’m a bit clueless on the carb levels of some vegetables!

Hi

Weekends are difficult but I’m seriously impressed sunshine-girl ….. 600 cals and 9 carbs …. that is excellent !! Your b/g is so good you must be really pleased.

I’ve not worked out my food yet but will do it shortly.

I’m not a lover of lamb but do like slow roast shoulder. Yours sounds really lovely Krysia! Glad to have you on board for next week and hopefully longer! Glad you’ve got your head round ‘fat’ . Can’t believe how brainwashed we all were. I think getting over ‘fat phobia’ has probably been the most difficult part of this plan for me.

We are away for a couple of nights next Sunday and Monday. This will be a real trial for me. Think I’m just going to have to keep thinking Hba1c at the end of the month!!!!

Right need to get on with lunch. Catch up later.

I am anxious to loose a 10 kg as I’m far too heavy for a 160 cm, diabetic, 67 year old female. I live and work in South Korea where cuisine, cultural and social obligations differ significantly. I’ve an extremely busy work schedule and I haven’t cooked in over ten years. Carb, calorie counting and recording give me the chills. Of course, would love to have a buddy to go through this sea-change, but not possible here. Any /all advice on how to begin, the pitfalls experiences etc is most welcome. Thank you

Hi Sunshine-girl – your halo is back on and just as shiny at sparkly as before. Your blood glucose is seriously good. You will definitely reach your goal of 73.9. The Zumba class will help. I have noticed that when I do more steps – especially fast walking – my weight drops faster and my blood glucose is lower.

My hubby also likes a glass of whiskey in the evening and a glass of wine with dinner. When I couldn’t drink wine I discovered Bailey’s Irish Cream which I love and doesn’t cause any problems – no matter how much of it I drink. It was lovely in coffee also. I was so shocked when I entered it into fatsecret as it is seriously high in carbs. So reluctantly – no more Bailey’s.

Absolutely, at @curly1! I love your confidence!

Not that the end date is in sight, but we will finish up on Sunday December 4- just in time for the festive season!

Took a risk and had a naked look in mirror today. Now there is something obviously happening. I appear to have lost some tyre under my boobs, the waist is slowly appearing and the lower portions look flatter. Took a risk and tried on a skirt that I bought off Ebay and then got depressed when there was a 3″ gap to fasten zip but I could fasten it now but will not risk wearing it yet until it is a bit looser on hips. Very impressed. Oh and on a lighter note, the knickers are not rolling down any more. Grated lots of carrot, fennel, red and white cabbage to go in salads this week. Chicken ready to go in oven – well done to everyone. Forca! as we say in Portugal.

Hi all, count me in starting 10/10. Fingers crossed it’s a date to remember as the first day in a bright future. Here’s to us all getting healthier and happier!

Well done Mixnmatch. That’s a great result. Next week will be just as good.
Randan, good for you too. Very motivating for you and for the rest of us.

Krysia, a bit like Verano I fell into a vat of alcohol, in my case it was vodka and tonic (slimline) which made my halo slip round my neck and my calories to around 1000. Weight increase, now 74.3 (gained 0.3 for the sake of a drink). Must learn my lesson but weekends are so difficult. Hubby always has a whiskey before dinner on Sat and Sun, then he has a couple of glasses of red wine with the meal. I have seriously gone off red wine but know if I open a bottle of white for myself I will drink it, so I have a couple of vodkas instead. That’s it, over and done with, still got 2 days to reach 73,9 and have a zumba class tomorrow evening, that might shift it.

Calculation for today is 600 calories and 9 carbs, that’s bacon, egg, mushroom and canned tomatoes for brunch (250 cal and 4 carbs) and I have trusted the recipe book with the Chinese Duck coming in a 340 cals and 5 carbs. Leaves room for a snack BUT NO ALCOHOL, I have to promise myself, just 2 days and that is all.

Morning bBlood glucose 4.8 (87)

Have a good day all.

Hello everyone! How are you all, I am just checking in to let you know I am ok, just got a hectic and… troubling personal situation at the mo which is taking up my time and headspace. Hello to all you newbies too, good luck to you all 😊

I’m still being good, reasonably good, I did have a few vinos last night while watching the rugby league grand final, and then my favourite dart player was in the final, but I had walked for three and a half hours Pokemon hunting with my two boys! My weight loss will have to come at its own pace from now on, I have decided. Being sensible and moving more is the key for me.

I’m also doing NaNoWriMo again this year, so October is prep month. I’ll see you all in December then… 😂👍

What a good idea to have smaller meal in preparation, @gadgetgirl! I hope the program works for you! I have never done anything like this, either, so I’m keen to see how my body responds! I hope that you are able to acheive no BSL problems! That would be so awesome!

I’m based in Australia, so I’ll be kicking things off a bit earlier than you guys in the UK. So you’ll hear all about how I am going each week nice and early!

That’s awesome Mixnmatch!… well done!
That’s an amazing total loss

Like you I also use Sunday as my weekly weigh day
I’ve lost 7lbs… and 2 inches off my waist
I am really pleased !… and motivated!
They are not going on again!

I’ve got 4lb to lose to be 13 stone something – so that’s next weeks goal… as I know it will slow down now.
I’m going to try and reduce how often I stand on the scales … I get obsessive otherwise.

Best meals last week:
Red Thai curry
Courgetti bolognese
Halloumi kebabs
And
Yesterday’s brekkie… which was

red pepper cut in half…, lined with ham, whisk 2 eggs and pour in on top of the ham… 25g mozzeralla sliced on top … and bake for 25mins on 200c
I found it in a different recipie book…their BSD quick start guide, as I couldn’t face avacado!

Just had my first piece of fruit for a week – an apple…
It was so sweet!

Keep going everyone… I can’t wait to hear all your total losses for the week tomorrow

Hello Deb
Hope you are feeling better today! You sound very well organised with your forward planning. I’m a bit more haphazard with having done a large shop last week of many vegetables & most things on the list in the recipe book. Each day I tend to poke around in the fridge to see what I can put together.
I was most interested to read that Canada has a Thanksgiving Day because I ignorantly thought only the USA had that.
I hope you enjoyed your birthday dinner Happy 🎉 🎁💐

Hi Cecily – yes I may have too much cheese but not eating fish means I can have more than you 😉
I should do more batch cooking – I’ve just got a larger freezer but it seems to be full already with pizza, chips and garlic bread though I’ve got lots of frozen veg in too. I will have a go at making a stew and soup to have during the week; my son will eat the same as me when I cook so maybe I’ll stop buying separate food in for him apart from his packed lunch stuff. I’ve bought some tofu but I’m not sure what to do with it.
NewForestDieter – I have to eat later on my yoga days but I’d find it hard to have nothing after 6pm – you’re doing well. I’m finding it easier to wait to eat and to be hungry – I’m enjoying what I eat more for doing so. I’m lucky to live with an adult son who has no expectations of me cooking for him – he sees it as a bonus when I do and is supportive of me losing weight. When I did have 3 children at home I found it much harder to do my own thing.

NewForest and Ariana, I don’t eat meat either, although I do eat fish.
I’ve found the amount of cheese I can have and stay under 800 calories is minuscule which is frustrating for a cheese obsessed greedy guts like myself. However, going for really strong cheeses has helped: 25g of goats cheese crumbled over a salad adds a lot of taste.

Veg and lentil soup has been my saviour on cold days. Also, harissa paste. A stew of mixed veg and beans with a large blob of harissa is very warming and still under 200 calories.

KJ – all the sympathy in the world! I have 3 kids aged 10, 14 and 17. Making pasta, pizza, sausage and mash for them, it does feel like a cruel punishment. We watched a movie together last night and I nibbled on one Pringle while everyone else helped themselves. At least when it’s chilli or curry it’s easier to avoid the carbs they tuck into.

Verano – yes I am up for it and would like to carry on. I also do much better in smaller manageable chunks and have found it much easier to think of it as a week at a time.

Yesterday we had slow roasted lamb shoulder for dinner (not something I would normally eat because it is too high fat, but it was close to sell by date at Tesco and really cheap). My portion had rather a lot of the most yummy fat in it. I felt so full after eating it and still felt absolutely stuffed with food when I went to bed that I was dreading the scales this morning (obviously all the brainwashing from my stints at the Rosemary Conley slimming clubs).

But when I got on the scales I had lost 3/4lb. I am stunned and finally beginning to believe that fat is not the ‘bad guy’. Carbs were a bit low at 19 because the fat from the cream cheese with my tuna at lunch and the lamb at dinner took my calories to 825.

Verano – your averages look good. Averaging it out like that gives us flexibility to incorporate BSD into our lives more easily.

Sunshine-girl – I hope you were up early polishing your halo this morning and that it looks really shiny and sparkly. Carbs and calories are looking good.

Loopylou, hope you had a lovely evening with friends – I bet they loved the food as med friendly food is so tasty.

Frog – well done for the weight loss. I agree about the good dark chocolate – It is still my indulgence of choice, especially since I became allergic to wine (sob sob)

Congratulations, great results for a first week. Don’t forget though that some will have been retained water from both measurements and weight results, and next week will probably be quite a bit slower drop.

Woohoo, as at this morning, I am under 80 kg, under 175 lb and have lost 40 kg in total since I started last Feb. Onwards and downwards 😀

Cecily, at least your craving item is acceptable on Med style, when no longer calorie restricted, in fact it sounds so nice I will give it a try sometime. I love all three but have never combined them like that.

Blasted autocorrect, that should have been passata in the above post.

My first official Fast 800 weigh-in this morning, I have lost 5 pounds and 1.3% body fat. I have also lost 1cm off my waist. I am doing my official weigh and measure on Sunday as I will usually not have time on Monday morning, so this has only been 6 days. I am also now under 80 kg according to my rough calculations, and under 175 pounds in weight. Only two pounds to go now until I have lost 6 1/2 stone! Maybe next week, fingers crossed.

Be a little careful which passage you use as I have noticed that some use added sugar as well as the natural tomatoes. I always read the ingredients as well as the nutrition table when weighing up whether to buy or not. I use it fairly regularly, counted, but am not a diabetic, so as suggested, if you are check for blood sugar spiking.

I have had my first weigh in this morning. I’ve lost 9.9lbs!!! I’ve lost 4 inches from my waist and 2 inches. From my hips! I have taken the weigh and measurements 3 times because surely that can’t be right?

Indeed, I have got to the stage now when I can find things ‘too sweet’ where before the diet I had a very sweet tooth. You will be amazed how sweet some things like tomatoes start to taste when the taste buds are retrained.

I use protein shakes on my badminton session days, instead of an evening meal. I have been using For Goodness Shakes Ultimate Protein, which is 40g protein and only 10g carbohydrate. I have now bought some whey protein though and will be making up my own shakes, hoping that is a little cheaper in the long run, and definitely more flexible as I can add it to smoothies and the like.

Been on the bsd for a week. Lost 6 pounds but fasting blood sugars down from 12 to 6! Pleased with the result. I have so much weight to lose that I cannot think about it,but will stick to it.

Congratulations on halving the dose 😀 if you look at my diary this week in Fast 800 it looks like I lived on chicken, spinach and salad, but I tried to change things at every meal, different seasonings and flavourings, hot or cold. Variety is the spice of life, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be a problem if you eat the same thing a few days running, particularly if you like it.

Hi Nettle
Enjoy your time here in Sydney, you’ll love it!
My Dad said to me today that I am now too skinny! I’ve learnt to ignore those comments regardless who they come from and I just don’t respond. My husband, Mum and rest of the family continue to tell me how proud they are of me!
I bought a pair of size 10 jeans and a size 8 cardi this week and I still don’t quite believe it! At 60kg, I now weigh less than what I was at both my wedding and before having 2 kids.
I don’t have a full length mirror at home, so when I go into a change room, I get a shock at how I look and how much weight I’ve lost (100g shy of 30kg now).
I’m continuing to avoid all refined sugars, simple carbs (and polyunsaturated oils, but that’s another story!) and will continue that for the rest of my life.
For all those thinking of starting, just do it, you won’t regret it!
Cheers
Linda

Yesterday’s calories were a little lower than usual at 775, but I had had enough so didn’t go picking to fill them up. Carbs were quite low too. I usually aim at 40 but yesterday came in at 33. Tea was the lovely trout fillet with half a roasted cauliflower steak, and cauliflower, garlic, chilli and red pepper mash. The mash was really tasty, but was originally intended to be more steaks, they fell apart into florets when I sliced it so I improvised 😊 I also made some fresh parsley sauce and thought I’d try some chia seed and coconut flour to do the thickening. After about half an hour I panicked that it was never going to thicken and tossed in a teaspoon of corn starch as well. It was still a little runnier than normal but had thickened beautifully this morning in the pan. I also tried the Greek style yoghurt with a teaspoon of cinnamon which made a fantastic dessert.

What are you going to use Stevie?

Hello All – I am starting on Monday too – have spent the last 2 weeks reducing portion size in readiness!
I am a bit apprehensive as I have never eaten such a low cal diet. I have been doing LCHF (low carb high fat) which I loved but didn’t lose much weight.
I am 54 T2 5’2″ weighing 11 st 4 pounds. I started Metaformin 3 months ago. I take 3 tablets a day and I plan to reduce gradually when I start losing weight (around the 1 stone mark).
Not sure if I am going to rid myself completely as I am Indian, both my parents dies of diabetic complications and I had gestational diabetes when I had my son! But it can’t harm to try. Good luck everyone!

First official weigh in and re-measure this morning, and I am pleased to say my weight has dropped by 5 pounds to 12 stone 6, my body fat by 1.3% to 39.3%, and my waist down one cm to 89cm. I count that as a very good start 😀 I am planning on another single meal day today after the success yesterday, we have friends coming round and I am doing roast chicken, so want to have a reasonable plateful. I will stick to liquid until then, although may have milk in a tea at some stage if I fancy it. Redbush tea first, then some green tea probably. Black tea later, and a sparkling water in wine glass for the evening meal.

DAY 6 of 7

Yesterday:
Calories 1106!!!
Carbs 50!!!

Made a fatal mistake yesterday of not logging my day’s food in the morning just muddled through and the added a couple of glasses of wine!!!
BUT my averages for this week are
Calories 864
Carbs 32.7
So ok my calories are over and it’s unlikely I can get them down overall in just two days but my carbs are less than the 35g I was trying for.
Weight the same this morning. I seem to have developed a pattern of I day loss and the next stable. That will suit me!!!

Have the family coming for lunch today, mezze buffet style, so should be able to stay within the plan.

But I have been thinking about where to go from here. Tuesday will be the beginning of week 15 for those of us on the second ‘8’. We would have time for one more 8 week cycle before ‘the day’. Starting October 25th and ending with a weigh-in on December 20th!!

Don’t know who, if anybody, will be carrying on but I realise, that for me, I need smaller manageable chunks rather than looking at the whole picture.

Anyway we have two weeks left before then. Anyone up for ‘Penultimate 7 day challenge October 11th’ ??

Meanwhile, hope you all had a good day yesterday everyone seems to be doing really well.
Keep on keeping on!

Hi – I started on the 26th September too and I lost 7lbs in the first 2 weeks so I am 14 10 now but nothing since – it’s good to see other veggies and those of you that are measuring your loss – I need to get a tape measure and scales for the kitchen as I’m guesstimating my food intake.
I’m eating porridge/ seeds for breakfast then salad for lunch; I have a small evening meal with lots greens. I am snacking on nuts/ natural yoghurt and still having a slice of rye bread daily. I’ve cut out pasta, pizza, rice and cakes but I’ve hit this plateau. I can use eggs, cheese, lentils and beans to make my meals; I often have an avocado with my salad and olives.
I’m concerned that the darker days are going to make me crave carbs – I find I’m happy to avoid a lot of the food I’ve got in for my 20 year old son – I’m having many more types of tea to stave off eating. I go to yoga classes two evenings a week and can’t eat much beforehand. As a veggie I reckon I need to plan my meals a little better and maybe cut down on the nuts and be more active.

So exciting, Natalie and Claire! We will rock this! Any tips from someone who has been on the journey before, Natalie?

I have type 2, as well has high blood pressure. Plan on kicking both of them in the next 8 weeks!

I’m happy to be a sounding board if you are having any issues and you need someone to chat to!

Im and too ready to start on the 10th 😀

Kjandtheboys – Thanks, I was amazed too! Luckily my kids no longer live with us and i’m vegetarian whereas hubby isn’t so not so hard for me. Plus he gets home later after i’ve eaten and i’ve NEVER eaten after 6pm….I believe this makes a difference.

Good luck to you too:)

Is anyone else using meal replacements? I’m starting tomorrow 🙂

Stevie

I am! I actually successfully tried the BSD earlier in the year but put it back on when I went back to my old habits. I’ve had a couple of false starts trying to get back into it, starting again tomorrow for real. I have pre-diabetes and about 25 kg to lose so I’m determined to keep it off this time. No excuses! My health issues are reasons to do this, not reasons to put it off again!

thank you – that is helpful , a few tweaks then…. I have to say I am not looking forward to trying to cut out the sugar , but I do recognise that this must indeed be the culprit!!! I am not a fan of the 70/80% chocolate – it is the sugary stuff I like 🙂 , but , i think it is just a matter of re training the taste buds!

I remember years ago when they used to wire people’s jaws together as an aid to weight loss. I was in my late teens at the time and one of the women who worked with my mum had this done. She lost a lot of weight in the first few weeks then started to put some back on. She then admitted she was liquidising food and sucking it up through a straw. Mars bars and everything. So the only way is to learn what you can and can’t eat in the way we are.

@ Happygirl: sorry to hear that the scales have not moved yet. I had the same experience when I started on the regular BSD, which is why I amped it up to the 800 kcal. Assuming that you are weighing, tracking etc and sticking to 800 kcal day and up to 50g carbs, there is NO WAY the scales will not start moving at some point. (I am not using the book recipes so am relying on MyFitnessPal to track for me.) Don’t forget that at certain times of the month we girls retain water even if we are losing fat, and that some bodies go into shock at the beginning and cling on on to everything. The only way the scales will not move if you are sticking to the programme is if you have an underlying medical issue such as an underachieve thyroid. So keep pushing forward, see what Wednesday brings and take it from there ok? (I’d say that if you stick to the programme religiously for three to four weeks and the scales have not budged an ounce then is the time to go see a doctor – but give it a substantial go first.) Having been there myself I know it’s super-frustrating, but it WILL happen. Good luck!

Good morning all from the United Arab Emirates. Official week one weigh in brings me to 2.2kg or 4.9 lbs loss. (Only 100g lost overnight but that’s ok.) Definitely feeling ‘skinnier’ and energy levels much higher. Expecting a slow-down too this week but intend to bulldoze my way through it. I also have a hankering to hit the gym which I intend to act on this week. Mind you, I have also woken up with a desire to eat a large margarita pizza (or two…) for breakfast!!!

I also want to say thank you for your kind words. I’m finding this group a wonderful source of support as I face up to taking back control of my health. It’s so good to know others are travelling the same path and I am grateful for you all. Have a good day everybody!

Great job everyone!

Week one down and I’m ecstatic. Down 13#s in one week, but no loss this morning. That’s ok. I know most of it was water weight and boy can my joints feel it. When I look at the amount of calories of things that I would mindlessly eat, I’m surprised that I don’t weigh 300 pounds. I’m bracing myself for zero loss this week so I won’t get discouraged and cheat. That’s usually what happens.

Didn’t do measurements last week so I can only go by my clothes. Able to wear a few pairs of pants I couldn’t wear 2 weeks ago.

I’m actually super excited to start on this plan. I have read the book cover to cover over the last two days, and I’m super jazzed to kick this plan off! I’m going to nip some weight in the bud!

Is there anyone else starting the regime MONDAY?

Tomatoes are proportionally high in sugar, so being vigilant on serving size is a must. I looked it up on MyFitnessPal, and a 100 gram serving of Cirio Passata has 35 calories and 6 grams of carbs, 4 of them sugar. If you’re not diabetic or if you’ve tested your blood sugar after eating passata before and it hasn’t spiked, then it seems like it would be entirely manageable. Like shalimar says, it’s all about the counting so nothing sneaks up on you.

Congratulations on your great first week!