Latest forum posts

  • posted by  shalimar on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Poppetini, Greenjanet, Izzy, Yowser …. and eveyone!!

    1. Retirement continues to be great …. if sometimes challenging esp. just sitting home with a cold!! But it’s a great problem to have.

    2. Reading The Great Reckoning by Louise Penny one of my favorite authors.

    3. Discovered yet another great herbal tea …. pear and pineapple. I am taking it with a bit of local honey, for the immune effects. So i am taking some Metformin … my blood sugars have been a little high … perhaps the stress of being sick and more or less inactive. At least my blood sugar is under control …. a had been just taking 1 now and then so i think it still works. When i’m feeling better and being more active i’ll stop with the Metformin crutch and get on with the BSD.

  • posted by  Frog on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Canidoit
    you may find it best to weigh first thing in the morning, before you’ve eaten or had anything to drink (and you’ve had a pee)
    aside from the lightest time of the day – you’ve just fasted for 8 hours (assuming no fridge raids in the night 🙂 , its also likely to be the most consistent time of day to weigh yourself as well. The additional benefit is that you’ll either have no clothes, or nightwear is likely to be a consistent weight.
    good luck

  • posted by  shalimar on My Diary
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    How nice …. a new starter on your team!!!

    Got a cold … so i am really appreciating my new pear and pineapple flavored tea!! Swigging some of my liquid multivitamin/mineral …. taste is not so great though!!!

    So far today i just had bacon and eggs and some roasted pumpkin seeds …. although when this bacon is gone i think i will confine my bacon to restaurants … it’s too tempting to have more than 2 rashers.

    Half way through The Great Reckoning by Louise Penny …. one of my favorite authors. Very sorry to see that her husband has dementia (gotta do all we can to avoid that) … but she and Michael seem to have found multiple silver linings!!

    Gotta look up that rhubarb compote …. we used to have that in our garden growing up … my mom made lots of good things with that.

    Wish i was well enough to got to the pool and do some aquabics …. but i am sneezing like crazy … and using up boxes and boxes of tissues!!

    Hachoooooo!!!

  • posted by  captainlynne on 1st day of the rest of my life!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    mauricem-sorry, but I don’t think I’ve found the perfect carb chart yet!

    Some folk on here use MyFitnessPal or a similar app. Or you may like Carbs & Cals – either as an app or in book form. Otherwise I Google for the information. I do try to stay with one site, but some have more American foods than UK foods. Wish someone would develop a specific UK site!

  • posted by  Leeanne on It works for older women too!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I watched the Panorama programme too. If that doesn’t keep us diabetics on the right path nothing will. I’m just thinking “guillotine amputations” to keep me focused!

  • posted by  captainlynne on It works for older women too!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Silver gold – since the 1960s we have been told to eat low-fat, high carb. And when did the obesity epidemic and diabetes epidemic first begin? Low-fat products often have high sugar content.

    Slimming clubs have gone down the low-fat route and, in general, do not encourage healthy eating. Their products are low-fat, but often high carb.

    Even many of the sliced cooked meat products we buy today have added sugar!😱

    Being “good” and listening to the advice given is what led many of us to where we are now😱 Or where we were when we started our BSD journey. It takes a lot to reverse the low-fat, high carb way of thinking. But many of us are living proof of the benefits.

  • Krysia, can I say that I am so frightened, I don’t know what happens next. One thing, I do know is that I am going away next week spending time with my husbands family in Scotland and I am worried about what I will get to eat. I also know that there are restaurants booked in Birmingham on the way up, in Auchmithie (near Arbroath) where we are staying then in Leeds on the way back down and then calling in to see friends near Wimbledon and they too have booked a restaurant. Forgot to mention meal in port on way up and meal on ferry on way back. I have tried to explain my eating habits for when I eat at their houses and the restaurants will be easy enough to manage. Might not be the best time to start reducing insulin. Whatever happens I will be straight back on the plan on 26th October, the day after I return. Let’s not worry about that yet, we have another week to improve on things.

    Frog asked where in Scotland, on the way up we stay with hubbys stepmother (his dad died in Jan 2015 at the age of 93) and she lives in North Berwick, not quite Scotland but you can see the Eildon hills from her house, just a hop away. Then we are going to Auchmithie for a couple of nights taking his S. mum with us. Then back to Berwick. And the rest is above.

  • I started May 23rd so on my 19th week. Gracious that sounds surprising! I did just have to look that up haha, as I have not been counting weeks since I went into the med style. Still losing the last pound or two to be my ideal target but finding that it’s working and suited me better than anything I have ever done. Still quite excited about meeting old friends! Couldn’t count on myself to give wise advice like CaptainLynne but I guess I really have had some experience now.

  • posted by  Canidoit on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    You are doing better than me then @wendy1947 I got on the scales and was a 1lb heavier than yesterday. I’m not going to weigh myself for a few days now. Just been to the dentist and he’s told me not to eat for 1 1/2 hours and I’m starving it’s 3.30 and I haven’t had lunch yet! 😆

  • Thank you! And pleased to hear it’s still going well for you too 🙂 I like hearing from people who are further ahead on their 8 weeks than I am as it gives me hope I can stay the course! What kinds of ups and downs are you experiencing?

  • posted by  Flash21 on Week 6
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Durrrr….just realised the heading of this thread….Please ignore previous question!

  • posted by  Flash21 on Week 6
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hahah!! That has really made me laugh 🙂 I think I’d prefer resistance to the naughty step and judgement by pets. My cats already know how to give me the cold shoulder…How long have you been doing BSD?

  • posted by  Frog on The Dodgy Diabetic cookery course
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Verano
    I have posted the teriyaki salmon recipe – 210 calories, 3g of carb (2 without the honey!)
    I haven’t posted the courgetti recipe; it was just courgetti, sugar snap peas or mangetout, chopped ginger, shallot and garlic with sesame oil. In the class yesterday, a bit short on time, and just stir fried the courgetti and mangetout in the remaining marinade. which tasted fine.

    the aubergine curry I think may break the copyright warning on BSD site
    google “lake palace aubergine recipe” and its saved on lots of places – Ann said she uses lots less oil, when I have sorted out having all the herbs, I’ll make it and see how little it can be done with.
    From the book, it was suggested as a side (for 6 to 8), but we had it as a main, and Ann froze some, so would easily serve 3. We had it with lemon dhal (lovely, but a bit carby) and a side of spinach – it would be fine with cauliflower rice rather than dhal.

  • Oh couegetti for dinner apatch yum! I’ve still got to try that, close your eyes and pretend it’s pasta! Hehe! I come from an Italian family, so the med diet ok but the lack of pasta…hard going!!
    I am doing the coconut milk lime chicken tonight, adapted for me and rest as normal for the family. (It’s pudding time that’s hard whilst on 800 cals..as I’m not having one!)
    Well done everyone, sounds like going really well. 😊

  • Ah maybe I will weigh more often then, as would be nice (hopefully to have lost something) and feel it’s worth it and working!
    I’m going to have a cup of tea now before go on school run, handful of nuts maybe rather than biscuit hehe, as I’m feeling hungry. Had the plough mans lunch at time felt v full but think it’s just this time of day, I’d always snack and get a sugar pick me up!
    In glad you’re feeling better today, yes low sugar levels can make you feel pretty lousy can’t they. Hopefully this time next week we will all be feeling the good effects! X

  • posted by  Trelawny on 1st day of the rest of my life!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Didmarks
    Don’t despair!! 3 days is a great start. 3 more days than the week before. Be positive. Don’t let one ‘slip’ bring you down. We have all been there. As you say it is a learning curve and you are already making adjustments to the way you plan your meals, so that is the second step on your journey. I find breakfast makes me hungry as well. So I eat between 13.30 and 20.30, this includes lunch at 13.30, dinner 18.00-19.00 (it varies) which leaves me greek yogurt and half a dozen berries which I have between 19.00 and 20.00. I also drink coffee with a splash of semi skimmed milk, 3-5 cups a day. Couldn’t do without them. I have cut out bread and grains completely which has made a huge difference to my cravings. Always remember that people have a good result by following the 5:2 fast and the ‘M’ plan. So you have options that you can follow should emotions get the better of you. And boy do they create havoc!!
    The best thing – YOU ARE BACK ON BSD THIS WEEK. So your determination will get you through my lovely.
    Have a good day. Keep us all informed how you are doing. xx

  • This is so exciting, seeing other new members starting the same day and posting well-wishes and suggestions. I knew not to give up my two cups of coffee (drinking it milk free though) in the morning when also giving up sugar. I think either could cause headaches. Hope everyone is able to move past their discomforts. Right or wrong, I weigh each morning–seems to keep me more on-track.

  • posted by  Indy on Question about the No Carbs Ploughmans
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hello, all –

    I’ve been following the BSD since June 29th and have lost nearly 3 stone in that timeframe, so I consider it a big success – but I, too, became very worried the first time I put the no carb ploughmans into my Fitbit app and saw that the calories were off!

    I don’t have an opinion about false advertising, etc. but I wanted to say that I eat the no carb ploughmans for lunch every single day (despite the calorie/carb count) with some modification and here’s why: it is easy to pull together, filling, and travels nicely. I don’t eat the chutney (I don’t care for it and it’s a hassle to find), but I do eat the whole apple, what is surely a bit larger than a matchbox piece of cheese, and I substitute pecans for walnuts (taste preference).

    I’m pretty positive that, by following most of the recipes very carefully (obv this is not a good example of that!), I’m eating more than 800 calories a day because the counts in the book are off, but I’m still eating less than 1,000, and that, combined with exercise, has had a significant impact on every part of my health. I was not T2 but probably would have ended up there after a few years and I was definitely overweight and out of shape. At my last dr’s appt, every measure of my health had improved dramatically and that’s certainly a function of the diet and exercise.

    So I echo Igor’s encouragement, but understand the worry about the calorie/carb counts – I was pretty upset about 5 weeks in when I realized I hadn’t been at the 800 calories I thought I was all that time. In my case, though, even if I’m at 900-1000 calories/day, it’s so much less (and the food so much better in quality) than what I was previously eating, I’m still much better off. That’s not to excuse any inaccuracy but to say that I think, even if flawed in terms of the counts, the diet is really effective and worthwhile.

  • Hey apatch, I hope your headaches better this morning? From what I’ve read I think first few days are through estate headaches common, as your body adjusts, try drink as much water as u can. Hope you’re feeling ok today!
    Well done silverngold and princess on weight loss already! Wow!! Good going!
    How often is everyone weighing? I was thinking of weekly, as I have to walk to scales in drs, hit my 10,000 steps then, my scales at home but dodgey. Maybe I should weigh more often? X

  • posted by  Verano on It works for older women too!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Have just watched Fat v Carbs and it was very interesting. It differs from this plan in that there is no calorie counting so it’s way over 800 a day. Also, as somebody else noted, this is based on ‘Healthy’ not ‘High’ fat but nonetheless interesting.

    I just wonder what the downsides are to low carb eating, must do some research!

  • Good morning all! PRINCESS, thanks for the clarification on the berries!
    I thought I’d wake up famished this morning, but I didn’t! Hooray! In fact, didn’t even feel like breakfast, so just had some green tea and a large glass of water and I’m feeling good! Plus that saves more calories for lunch, which I felt like I needed yesterday as I was rather hungry in the afternoon.
    Welcome aboard, APATCH and SILVERNGOLD! Glad to have more Oct 3 starters to help keep us all accountable!
    RANDAM, full fat’s where it’s at! 🙂

  • Hello everyone, I started yesterday too, the 3rd, on the 800 calories a day!
    I think I am used to grazing and snacking in the afternoons which is when I’m really feeling hungry! I have to walk on the school run so that helps distract me, found need to drink lots more water otherwise I don’t feel too great.
    This morning I had portobello mushrooms with goats cheese and I found it hard work to eat. I’m going to try the Greek yoghurt, I’ve stocked up on it and nuts and apples.
    I’m determined to see this through as I’m Prediabetic. Had gestational diabetes with each child so I know what insulin and hypos are like and I’m desperate to avoid it if I can! I’ve had one test result as top end pre diabetes and one as diabetes so end of November I re test.
    Good luck everyone! Hope you’ve all got something tasty planned for evening meal? X

  • posted by  Janrg1 on Starting 19th September
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    It does seem strange that they would promote surgery rather than this diet. But if you’re a surgeon you don’t get paid for people controlling the problem through weight loss and diet. I can’t help wondering why doctors and diabetic nurses aren’t looking into the reaseach on the diet as there has been a lot of publicity about it over the year. If it was me I’d want to find out to see if I could help my patients a bit more than the “have carbs with every meal” that I was told on diagnosis.
    Well done Tired it’s going really well.

  • posted by  Lastchancesaloon on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Well, I went straight home from work yesterday and got the tape measure out – horrifyingly my waist is only a few inches smaller than my hips! if nothing else that will make me stick to it although I’m actually finding it quite easy now I’ve got into the swing of it. I think if I can’t do it for 8 weeks then there’s something wrong with me! Everyone on here has been very encouraging and I can see that it does work and I just have to be patient. I also watched the BBC programme on diabetes last night and it confirmed to me that it’s something that I want to avoid if at all possible. This forum definitely helps!

  • Hi all. I too started on 3 Oct. Okay so far. No hunger pangs unless I stay up too late then the rumbling can be a bit much. For me, a drink of water drowns it. Had an unintended pre regime boost last week with a tummy bug that laid me out for a day. Could not believe 2lbs dropped off in just that short a time. Hoping for good things after a week but we shall see as I am not being too strict just yet. Break myself in slowly, as it were.

  • posted by  Frog on 7 Day Reboot ….. Tuesday 27th September !!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi, still on board too – Verano I misread your post as get down into size 10 rather than the next 10’s!
    I was 85.8 this morning – I want to be 7 something within the next two weeks – so 18 October very optimistically, and 25 October realistically, and end of the month as the absolute target.
    I did eat a rich tea biscuit this morning, not a great start, but I have done two hours kayaking, and with planned journeys this afternoon, I think should be at least 10k steps today.
    Although my diet was reasonably good in Dorset, I did drink wine every evening, & ate the odd non-BSD thing – plus I walked a lot less than I normally do. I still lost 0.3kg while I was away, and 1.2 over the whole week fro 27th, so OK & all in the right direction.

    Brilliant news on the blood sugars sunshine girl – where are you going in Scotland?

  • posted by  Igorasusual on Question about the No Carbs Ploughmans
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Heather Patricia

    The whole subject of this approach to improving Type 2 is quite complex and scientific and I believe that Dr MM is trying to be as simple and easy to follow as he can.

    However this isn’t to say that all the information is as clear as it could be – and perhaps comments here will be helpful to the team in the future.

    Some people here follow the recipes for 8 weeks and have excellent results.

    Others investigate further – there is much on the web about Professor Taylor’s research and I hope you are not suggesting that his scientific rigour is “wrong”? He is endeavouring to establish the effects on the body with lower or nil refined carbs with experimental data.

    Others combine the two approaches above – I made my own recipes using non-refined carbs and used MyFitnessPal to check carb content.

    I found this fairly simple and sxtremely successful

    May I suggest – and I wish you all the best with your BSD – that you put to one side your concerns with the “no carb plough mans” and either simply follow the recipes or do your own calculations.

    This programme workd for many people – look at this forum – don’t get too caught up in criticism before you’ve tried it and found your way

    Good luck. 🙂

  • posted by  Janrg1 on Week 6
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I’m sure you would have resisted them too. My husband didn’t resist and put on 1 1/2 lb (5 roast potatoes). He is sitting on the naughty step thinking about what he has done. Even the dog is looking at him and judging him.

  • Hey all..

    I started yesterday too…I’d be glad to have a few buddies to check in with from time to time..

    I have to say that I found day one really difficult yesterday and think I exceeded my calorie quota (~1000 Cal AND went to bed with a migraine), but finding day two that little bit easier so far. May it continue 🙂

    I had the sardine dip with red pepper, celery, cucumber and carrot sticks for lunch today, which was actually quite satisfying (and easy to prepare). Otherwise, i’m trying to hydrate and stave off the hunger with herbal teas (big change from coffee and big cups of really milky tea!).

    It’s good to meet everyone too!

  • posted by  CallMeDeb on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Good Morning all!

    Just a couple of “slips” yesterday. I had a handful of Pringles (before I banished them to Legal) and I found my stash of chocolate covered jujubes in my room. Luckily there were only 5, but my fasting BS this morning wasn’t great.

    So I’ve logged everything, put them behind me, and am moving onwards! I’ve had my eggs and cheese this morning and am steeping a big pot of tea.

    I struggle with the sweet tooth too. What I’ve found has worked for me in the past is 0 Cal/0 Carb tea that has a fruity flavour. I sometimes add a little splenda and try to fool the craving. Works most of the time for me, but YMMV.

    Make today a great one!

    Cheers,

    Deb

  • posted by  Silverngold on It works for older women too!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I watched the diabetes report on Panorama and the Fat v Carbs programme (Wales only I think, but anyone could watch on iplayer I guess). Both interesting and thought provoking. Have we been given incorrect advice all these years or is it, as my other half thinks, down to the individual to monitor their own consumption? As a crisp eating, toast loving chocoholic it has been difficult trying to stay away from the bad (yummy) stuff.

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Canidoit my husband & I started yesterday after having family to lunch on Sunday. I stood on my scales this morning & I have lost one pound but I expect that is all fluid because of eating low carb😀

  • posted by  Sazzle50 on Trialling the new recipe book
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I made the Cauliflower Cheese yesterday and really enjoyed it, I used quite a strong cheddar in it though and plenty of pepper. I have also made the Roasted Pepper and Butternut Squash Soup and that is delish!!

    I’m going to attempt something with courgetti tonight, I haven’t used courgetti before.

  • posted by  Renazee on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    I bought this small paperback book, Calorie King Calorie, Fat, and Carb Counter. It has everything imaginable in it. Has been very helpful! It’s compact enough to keep in my purse.

  • posted by  Sazzle50 on It works for older women too!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi, I have recorded this program and will watch it tonight, I’m hoping it will give me a kick up the butt to sort myself out. There was a very interesting program on before it, but not sure if it was just in Wales called Fat v Carbs where a Welsh news reporter went on a high fat low carb diet for 3 weeks. Long story short, he amazed his GP (who didn’t want him to do it) by losing a stone in weight and lowering his cholesterol from 5.6 to 4.9!

    I’m on my second day and going well so far!

  • How’s everyone doing today?
    Also not a lover of yoghurt.. I had Greek full fat ( UK peeps from Tesco’s) with berries and seeds for brekkie.
    I took the berries (strawbs, rasps, blue) out of the freezer last night and defrosted in the fridge….they had a lovely mixed berry juice by the time I used them this morning ….

    I’m finding full fat IS the way to go to feel fuller longer… It bloomin’ works!

    I feel like I’ve been cheated on all the previous diets I’ve done … Especially those that say eat as much as you like of rice and pasta…( Yeah hmmm.. Every couple of hours then! Hahaha!)

    Good to meet you all 🙂

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    I’m sure Canidoit that the water in tea & coffee can still be included in the total water total for the day. Also Professor Taylor said increasing exercise is better done after the eight weeks are completed to then help keep the weight off.