I bought some Isopure Low Carb Protein Powder Dutch Chocolate shake a couple of weeks ago.
It tastes OK, and does keep me full; well did after the second attempt, when I found the scoop inside the bag and realised it was the size of about 5 teaspoons, which was what I’d used the first time and felt generally unimpressed and hungry.
But my general feeling is that a meal is something I eat, and a drink doesn’t really count (I am a bit the same with soup).

I also think that using real food, cooking and experimenting, even just getting a feel for weights and portion sizes, helps educate and better prepare you for eating out, post 800 cal.very low carb (for lots of us that is way more than 8 weeks) – and ultimately be an incredibly important part of the journey to having a better relationship with food.
There’s also all of the research that you’re better off eating the whole fruit than having juice, so would be wary of relying on home made shakes too much.
A colleague did really well earlier in the year with a non BSD meal replacement diet – she has kept the weight off, but does have to keep reverting to the shakes from time to time, because the plan didn’t seem to have a post diet plan (clever marketing, keep you hooked!), and when she is an “eating food” phase, does make some odd choices.

So, the shake is something that I may occasionally grab for breakfast if I oversleep, or carry a scoop with me if I think I may need a meal on the go and don’t have time to prepare a salad and am a bit dubious about access to BSD friendly shop or restaurant options, but I honestly think real food is the best way to go.

Having problems posting – am losing posts. Is anyone else?

I lost ten pounds! Still can’t believe it!

Hey busy bee

I too have pmr and suffered all sorts of problems with the steroids including Cushings and high eye pressure which ended up with lots of eye surgery. But after 3 years of that nonsense I started to feel better last May and over the last 19 weeks have lost 58lbs so you go girl!

Once you get your head round it you’ll find it liberating. And you can cut out so many aisles in the supermarket that are full of processed food. It’s truely enlightening when you realise that food is now coming from the fresh aisles. Although frozen food is also useful.

I don’t follow recipes and I aim for 50g of carbs a day, so not very low but it’s sustainable. I’ve lost 2 stone in 9 weeks.

Here are my staples

Salad – all – cucumber, lettuce, leaves, spring onions, tomatoes, peppers, avocado, herbs such as chives, coriander, parsley, mint

Fruit – plums, nectarines, apples, berries. I tend to buy 2 types each week.

Protein – feta cheese, salmon, tuna, sea bass, trout, prawns, chicken, gammon joint, pork and lamb

Veg – brocoli, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, and for soup – spinach, watercress and courgettes or parsnip (1), swede (small), leeks, carrots, shallots – chosen because they are my favourites rather than any particular carb or nutritional count.

Drinks – tea or coffee with skimmed milk, lemon and mint in hot water, sparkling water, tap water, low cal fizzy drinks such as diet coke or sugar free tango.

My treats – for when I get a real urge – small packet of pork scratchings – they really hit my spot and at 111 calories a packet I can fit them in a few times a week. Sometimes I’ll have half a packet if calories are tight. Eat natural bars – I am studying at the moment at college and take 1 bar and 1 apple and feel very satisfied. Every now and then I buy Bury black pudding to have with my breakfast eggs.

Quick meals – I love fish with a knob of herb butter, stuffed mushrooms and pre-cooked chicken that I have for lunch or for a snack – thighs and spicy chicken breast are my favourites.

Today I’m doing a roast which I don’t make very often. I may have 1 small roast potato if they turn out really well. And I’ll have a small amount of gravy.

Hope that might help a bit.

Elaine

Hi Sunshine-girl
Your blood sugar looks really good. Your doctor will be really pleased and your hba1c will be very good.

Diabetes.co.uk report that NICE says that before meal figures for non-diabetics are 4.0 to 5.9 and 90 minutes after meals under 7.8. So you are well within th numbers for non-diabetics. (Type 2 guidelines are 90 minutes after food 8.5.)

Jenny Ruhl cites research by Dr Christiansen’s research on truly normal people shows 4.7 blood glucose 2 hours after a meal – so you are not far off. Your husband has truly normal figures and when your visceral fat completely goes so will you.

Hi everyone. I’m starting on Tuesday this week (11th) but I’ll jump on your train if that’s OK. I’m super nervous – terrified of being starving hungry and falling off the wagon. I’m desperate for this to work but so worried that I won’t be able to do it. Lots of support and handholding required here please. xxxx

Deb

I was in exactly the same position as you with the hot flushes and alcohol. They have now completely gone and it’s such a relief. They seem to be starting earlier in the day and lasting longer and longer. That was until I hit alcohol on the head and now I don’t have them in the slightest. I’m back to putting on long sleeved tops, cardigans, fleeces and my coat. It’s fabulous to feel more like my old self.

Today is week 9 for me and I’m exactly 2 stone down – 17st 12.6 – 15st 12.6. Still a long way to go but I am loving this approach to food. I can now get into clothes that I like again and enjoy dressing up again.

It was this forum but in particular the older ladies who have inspired me. There is so much in the media about older women, post the menopause struggling to lose weight and you know what, it’s a load of bunkum!

So thank you ladies for inspiring me and continuing to inspire me. I don’t post very often but I visit every day.

Elaine x

I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss lettuce and cucumber as they’re easy and quick to prepare. Cucumber is handy to add crunch to some meals and I use lettuce as an alternative to wraps or bread in burgers, fajitas etc. As for them being just water, remember lettuce and cucumber have around 96% water and courgettes (a favourite on this site) actually have around 95%.

Anyway water’s good for you.

Sunshine-girl – really good blood glucose figures. Your doctors will be really pleased and your Hba1c will be good.

Diabetes.co.uk say that NICE say that a non-diabetic is between 4.0 and 5.9 before meals and at least 90 minutes after meals is under 7.8 (a diabetic type 2 is under 8.5 ninety minutes after meals) so your figures are good.

Jenny Ruhl in her book says that there is research from a Dr Christiansen where he monitored truly normal people with continuous monitoring and they were 4.7 two hours after a meal. So your husbands reading of 4.0 is exceptionally normal and yours is actually fairly close to that number.

I have managed to get fairly close by doing a 15/20 minute fast walk after eating.

Please may I join you women of a certain age?
I have been dieting since I was 15 and will be 70 (50 in my head) in December. My weight story is too long and involved to put pen to paper but I am starting the BSD tomorrow! I must do it this time!!
X B

HI again , I previously posted that I would not weigh myself throughout this diet but I would take measurements. I am pleased to report that I have lost 2 inches off my waist after one week😮However I do think this might be water as I peed a lot during the first three days. I have much more energy now and seem to be rushing around cleaning the house and ironing today at great speed. I went out with my husband yesterday to an Italian restaurant for lunch. I really wanted the risotto but ordered a chicken Cesar salad instead with a glass of prosecco…my first glass of wine this week. I am really missing wine with my meals. I can cope without the carbs but no wine 😥 I do feel well and I feel lighter too. I know I haven’t lost much and I have a fair way to go but it’s happening.

I love this forum it’s just what I need to keep motivated.

ZIggy

Hi, i’m in Spain but go back and forwards to the UK a lot so I will bring some back with me and will defo try the pumpkin and sunflower seeds. (sparingly )which I can get here in Spain. Thanks to all and good luck for tomorrow. 🙂

Hmm. Lost a post if anyone finds it please let me know! BB X

Hi Sunshine-girl
Your blood glucose is really improving. There seems to be some conflicting information about blood glucose levels. Diabetes.co.uk says that NICE recommends that non-diabtetic levels are as follows:
before meals 4.0 to 5.9
and at least 90 minutes after meals under 7.8 (Type 2 should be under 8.5).

But in Jenny Ruhl’s book she quotes some research done by Dr Christiansen on truly normal people (like your husband) as being 4.7 two hours after a meal. So your 6.6 would look very good to NICE. but of course we are aiming for truly normal.

I’m starting (or should I say re, re, re, re starting) 10/10 too. I have been lurking around this forum since January and have read about the great weight losses and improvements in health that can be obtained if you stick to the plan.
I have a very big birthday looming in December and that means I have 9 weeks to get myself in order and lose some of this weight, so have made a promise to myself to give it my best shot over the next 8 weeks. No more excuses about age, steroids for PMR or waiting until after the next holiday or party – this new way of life is starting tomorrow.
Good luck to us all!

Hello Lucky its lovely to hear from you again. Hope all is well with you and yours, am still plodding along and have lost 2 1/2 stone have been a size 18/20 for the last 20 something years so have no JOTF.

can’t buy anything in case i lose more weight so will wait for now.

Again lovely to hear from you ,where is Tokyo

I am starting tomorrow as well. I am still planning the first week’s recipes for dinners. Breakfasts are always eggs for me. I never get tired of them. And lunch at work is a salad made at home the night before. I have chicken or shrimp plus the salad veg, which can also vary somewhat. The stumbling block will be to be sure I don’t have too many protein calories early in the day or else dinner will be mighty sparse!.

If I had kept to that sort of regime I wouldn’t be where I am now, but it was all the extras and naughties at home and at work. So, hopefully, I will be able to freeze them out this time.

Hi I’m also starting back tomorrow on the fast 800! Having had 2 episodes on it before the longest being over 5 weeks. I realise now for me it’s the way I feel and health benefits I should be focusing on and not the weight but I do need to lose about 4 stones so I am in it for the long haul not really thinking of it in 8 weeks but until I get to a healthy weight. I have made cauliflower soup for lunches for the beginning of the week and I will write out a menu for the week. I know I have to plan well! I hope we can keep one another motivated.

Yes,

I was thinking of making my own, but wasn’t feeling confident that I would be covering my nutrients and wasn’t sure on protein/carb amounts etc so left it.

But, this is something I would prefer to do.

S

Hi Gadgetgirl,

I’ve ordered some Puriton shakes as they have natural ingredients and no gluten or dairy, which I’m sensitive to. BUT, they were supposed to have been delivered yesterday and didn’t arrive!

S

Thanks Frog and Mix for the cholesterol thoughts. It was a MFP reading and sometimes they are way off. Hopefully BP will sort itself out with BSD.
Yay! We’ve survived another weekend (nearly!)

Just starting out on bsd so my mini goal is to get to day 5! People have said to first 3-4 days are the hardest so I will be chuffed to get there 😊

Hi everyone, I actually started yesterday – do you mind if I tag along? I know starting on a Saturday is a bit weird but once hubby and I decided to do it this was he first opportunity. Plus I thought a weekend would make the first 48 hours easier. I have A LOT of weight to lose but my first target is 2st.
I started to wind down my eating for a few days before I officially started but I still had carb withdrawals yesterday. Basically I felt dizzy and light headed all day plus a headache so I spent the afternoon on the sofa with lots of peppermint tea. I went for the 2 meal option yesterday but to be honest I don’t think it suits me. Feel a lot better today and am on 3 meals – two down one to go.
Good luck everyone.

thanks Mixnmatch I never looked at the details on it just drunk it, but I will double check from now , these forums are great and I am/was not one for forums until now

Love reading all the posts –LOL–my knickers aren’t rolling down either! That’s a big plus.

My weight loss may seem like a lot, but my eating was nonstop, refined carbs all day long. That’s why I was retaining so much water. My dh is helping this time by not having cookies around. He eats ice cream, but I can take or leave that. He basically eats low carb most of the time so that helps.

The hardest part is going to the grocery store and seeing all my old carb favorites or new items to tempt me. This is the worst time of the year! My favorite store bakery has the pumpkin donuts with the cream cheese frosting now–major tempting to me.

This week is going to be tough since I’m working very long hours and short lunches so no exercise, planning will be essential. And checking in with you all.

Hi everyone, I started today. Just prepped lunches for next week and looking forward to seeing the results. There’s some great recipes on here and I think with a little planning I should be ok.

Thanks. There are some good suggestions there…..
I was just looking through the new BSD recipe book and there’s one for poached eggs with wilted spinach and pine nuts….may give that a try too.
Just making a sweet pot, carrot, tomato and chorizo soup. Comes out at about 140 calories per portion. Smells fab, tbh I made the recipe up as I used what was in the fridge.
And the prom if got out of the freezer was lamb….heigh Ho, now it’s a lamb casserole!

Everyone has a diet – even if it’s full of crap takeaways and chocolate!
– for me it’s now just the way I eat, rather than “being on a diet” or “dieting”

Don’t ‘over plan’ Tom – even if you don’t jump in with the full 800 calories, start cutting down on the carby foods straight away!

Loving the frequent posting in this group!
Well done to everyone on their weight loss. Brilliant motivation for us all. My scales were very kind and showed a loss of 3.4kg so far. But my official weekly weigh is not until Tuesday, so hoping to have 3.5kg by then. However, my big aim is to loose 30kg, so quite a way to go yet. Happygirl…please stick with it…it will happen…
Just had a lovely cup of coffee and planned next weeks meals and shopping. We are driving from Germany to UK on Thursday, so had to work in travel and shopping split into German and British. A little complicated this week but very motivated to keep going.
Done many diets/dietary changes before but never felt so content with the options available to me. Even though a Sunday afternoon treat of biscuits or cake with the coffee would have gone down well! I do find it easier during the week when I am pre-occupied with a busy job.

Audleytom, I like to think of it as a plan, it is my life plan so not something I am going to stop doing even when I get around to increasing the calories, carbs will remain the enemy.

Lesley – I’ve seen several articles and programs recently (including I think MM’s BBC program) where egg based breakfasts have come out of the research as the best to keep people full, and not searching out snacks mid morning.
Pre BSD, I often had egg for breakfast, but mostly with toast; I initially replaced the toast with low sugar baked beans, but now have eggs with vegetables and sometimes fish or meat.
Suspending any prejudices about what is “breakfast food” can be helpful – mostly I have mushrooms and tomatoes, but I do vary that according to what is in the fridge – broccoli, courgette omelettes, asparagus, spinach, sometimes even a leafy salad.

Smoked salmon is delicious with eggs, counts as oily fish, which is good on BSD – and not prohibitively expensive; I buy 200g for £3ish, and that easily lasts for a week of breakfasts (as long as my cat doesn’t get to insistent about sharing)

as the title says when you say DIET you can get worried about it ,but they way I look at it is cutting back and eating healthier it may sound odd but I don’t think it does, the reason we are attempting this is either high bloods or wanting to lose wait ( like me).
A lot of people eat to much of the wrong stuff hence its brought us to this point , I am starting it within the next 7/10 days ( still planning it, so I don’t fall into bad habits) and after its done just a matter of staying in a good regime ( maintenance). Just wanted to air my views

Holland and Barrett do free delivery over £20 too, if you’re not near a store – and you ay trek to a store and find they don’t have the thing you want.
Tesco have chia seeds, although probably only larger branches – again, you may be able to get them in a delivery, even if not stocked in a local branch; flax are seeds more common, and in most supermarkets.
Amazon have a good range.
There’s also a site I have used occasionally that has a wide range of ‘health’ food heavily discounted, but close to or beyond the Best Before date – all perfectly usable so far. It;s called “Love Health, hate waste”

It is perfectly feasible to do BSD without lots of specialist foods though.

Also if you are near a Costco it’s worth becoming a member as they do all the seeds we need plus most of the other ingredients at wholesale prices.

most supermarkets sell a variety of seeds, sunflower and pumpkin can also substitute, like nuts they are high in calories and carbs so use sparingly. Or if you are near a Holland and Barrett. I am in France so going to do a big shop there when we come over to UK.

Wow, Mixnmatch! What an achievement. Congratulations.

Hi I’m starting 10/10 too and it can’t come soon enough. the only problem i have is getting hold of some things like flaxseed and chia seeds, but apart from that nervous and excited at the same time. fingers crossed.

Fantastic Mixnmatch, I have 2lbs to lose to get to 10% loss.

I’ve got to be sensible, I’ve come too far to go back now. A few weeks ago I would have said I was struggling… But I’m not. I know low carb is the way to go, but it can’t be as low carb as it has been. Just for me personally, any newbies here, you keep going for at least the eight weeks. I think it has affected my health, and my overall health is more important than rapid weight loss. Also, for me, deprivation is a huge huge issue. If I can’t have it, I want it. If I snap, I’ll eat the whole thing. I’d rather give in to temptation sensibly than have a complete meltdown and binge. We’re all different at the end of the day, our bodies, our needs, and our mental make up. I had pasta the other day! About half the amount I’d have usually cooked for an adult and it was spelt pasta (thanks Tokyo and Janey for the heads up on that one). Dubious colour but nice tasting and as pasta goes, could have been a lot worse. Again, not advocating anyone else doing this but that’s where I am at. Trying to be sensible. Making the right choices. Or at the very least, better ones!

Yayyyy Mix, I am still in my 18s and could do with a few more pounds off to look good in them but oh my days, when I think that in mid June I was in size 24? To someone wearing a size 24, a size 18 is my equivalent of a size 12.

Frog 😂 No, it’s me creating wonderful, crazy people, who may or may not be based on people I know… Any similarity to people living is entirely probable. My second year of doing it after years of saying ‘I want to do that!’ Nobody will ever see it. I’d never send it to a publisher. But it makes me laugh. And for ‘just a housewife’ (that’s a story for another day haha) it was a pretty big accomplishment! It’s fun, it’s completely free and I’d recommend it to anyone who has ever thought ‘hmmmm. I could write a book.’ Autobiographical, dystopian, thriller, chick lit, matters not 👍🏻

Imogen 😊 I have started to make the time for me. I’ve spent long enough being a bloody martyr. Nobody likes them. The house will go to hell until 1st December, then huge clean, Christmas tree up. Sorted. Blogging, my PC isn’t online at the mo and blogger app for iPad is 😡 My last posts were about the wedding. I can’t give the link without leaving this page and my iPad keeps resetting so Google Frazzled Shell and it should come up somewhere. I hope anyway lol . I need a new PC tower 🙏🏼

yes, I’m mostly in the “eat with low carb principles & see what falls out” group
I generally have a rough idea of what I’ll be eating thru the day, but can’t bear too much forward planning

Hi Emily,
I started on the 28th September so I am nearly in your group.
So far so good, I am averaging a1lb per day loss and feeling better for it.
I say to my friends that I look forward to them seeing less of me, more often.
I am learning about the process with every day that goes by.
Big lesson so far – maintaining a positive mood is the key. If I feel low it becomes a chore not to nibble on extras.
Good luck and here’s to the future

Just about to make a large pork casserole to have with spiralled veggies, and a mahoosive soup to keep me full at lunchtimes.
Anyone got any ideas re breakfast? I tend to have a protein shake ( a ready mix one but low sugar) or eggs.

I’m starting on 10th October having read the book whilst on holiday last week. I realise I’m in the last chance saloon for developing type 2 diabetes. So yesterday was my birthday and not a day to start low carb and low calories. But I’ve just been to the supermarket and planned my meals for the first few days. Look forward to learning from and sharing ideas/support with everyone else starting tomorrow.

Hi Lucky🙋

Glad you’re OK… hope troubles are short-lived…

You sound very wise – letting the weight fall off naturally, keeping active – good on you girl!! Enjoy your writing spree – I am seriously impressed – how do you find the time?
Are you still keeping up with your blog? Seem to have lost the link for that, will need to scroll through the post and catch up. 😊

If you get chance, keep us posted…till December then…🌻

I like the idea of 10/10 so count me in.
I did this earlier in the year and lost 18lbs, but then my Mum had a massive stroke and life went a bit awry. I gained most of the weight back ( not all!) and am ready to give it a go.
Have been building up to this and pleased to join a group for the support.

Mixnmatch – that is seriously impressive *in awe* 🙂

thanks for the recipe suggestion Randam – sounds yummy. And 7 lbs in the first week is fantastic. I can see why this method is motivating when you see changes like that. I think I’m heading for about the same, I’ll see tomorrow.

I just sat through Finding Dory in the cinema and ate a couple of marshmallows, a few haribo and a small bit of popcorn. I can officially announce they tasted horrid. Something strange is going on…..
Feel shattered today as I’ve got the worst sore throat and it’s been keeping me awake at night for the past 3 nights. Normally on days like these I’d be heading for the carbs and coke to keep me going, but not today. Having to keep on it! 2 hours of lawn mowing will be my fitness today so hopefully I’ll burn off the bad sugar I had this morning.

Keep going guys 🙂

Thanks Frog, that’s helpful! Looks like I’m averaging between 30-40 most days so far, so that must be ok!

Hi
there isn’t a specified level of the carbs in the book, many here aim for 30, some 50, others just generally aim to eat low carb.
There are several threads on it – if you put “max carb” in the search box (top right hand corner of the web page) you’ll find existing conversations around it.

Wow you guys have posted awesome results after just 1 week! Just amazed by the almost 10lbs GreenTea lost, similar for Lisa67, Suluro 11lbs and Sierravalley 13lbs-??!!! Of course any loss would feel amazing and I truly feel for you Happygirl must be so frustrating to not be getting early results. Bet it will happen soon, it’s all a matter of chemistry!

I was really moved by you sharing such a vulnerable part of your story, Carb_Addict. I, too, had a mother who was always dieting which resulted in me always feeling fat. I remember my dad telling me as a teenager “you might actually be pretty if you weren’t so fat”. I also agree with Shalimar that we should be kind to ourselves NOW, not wait for some ideal, thinner time.

Frog- hope you find a good source of rhubarb. I grow my own, it grows really easily here.

It’s so good to be home! I can’t wait to plan the weeks meals and shop for some new flavours. I got a whole bunch of clothes that I love that are too tight and hung them where I can see them every day. I will look at them when I’m tempted to binge!

Observations on Day 4
-it is often seeing food or smelling food that makes me feel hungry, if I stay away from food I don’t really think about it
-feeling sensitive to cold but headaches are gone, maybe because I’ve upped water and sodium.
-feeling really positive and resolved like never before
-need to allow this to be the most important thing in my life for now, need the energy for my willpower. Am doing this to feel well and happy
-I read somewhere that a few walnuts 15min before a meal can trigger satiety signals in the brain, and it seems to be working. I don’t feel as ravenous and can eat slower.
-planning ahead is everything. I track everything I’m going to eat on MyFitnessPal in the morning so I have my day worked out and am a lot less likely to unknowingly go over my limits
-Sugar free gum is my emergency food when I want to give in and trash all my work
-struggling with discipline about tracking small things like extra vegetables, artificially sweetened beverages and small snacks. Just trying to be easy on myself and vow to do better the next day.

Things to do this week:
-make a vision board on the fridge door out of photos and quotes
-plan my exercise ahead of time

Question:
Have I missed the part of the book that say carbs have to be less than 20g per day? Someone said less than 50g is okay?

Anyone want to be friends on MyFitnessPal? My username is LizFrencham