Latest forum posts

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

    Hello, ok if a yank joins your group? I started two days ago, I am 56, 5ft 4in, and 195lbs. I am not quite sure what a stone is but it will be fun to learn. I love to have friends and support from other countries!

  • posted by  LindaA on Target weight
    on in Fast 800
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    Just thought I’d checked in with my 1st of the month weigh in.
    Starting weight was 89.9kg
    Target weight was 63kg
    Current weight is 60.8kg!
    Seems I’m a maintenance loser as I’m still losing!!
    I’m still walking every day and following the principles of the plan, just trying to up my good fat quantities to increase the calories.
    Guess I’ll have to up them a bit more😀
    How’s everyone else going?
    Cheers
    Linda

  • A successful first day. 827 calories, 56 carbs. 6470 steps. Need to work on getting more water in. Have weight loss shakes and plenty of salad veggies as back up when pressed for time. Some hunger, but overall feel good.Reading the threads interesting and inspiring.

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

    had a lovely lunch out today – we just had a starter ans shared a salad. I had halloumi with tendetstem broccoli and a spicy dressing called chermoula, and the salad was butternut squash with pearl barley.

    We were at a fantastic gallery in Somerset called Hauser & Wirth – a brilliant place.
    We wandered around a deserted gallery with a Louise Bourgeois exhibition, only saw one other visitor. Lots of very exciting work, including the spider that was in Tate Modern when it opened. Stood alone in huge barn like gallery, just me, friend, and The Spider. Amazing experience.
    Later we asked for directions to other parts of the gallery, and told that although the gardens and restaurants were open, very sorry ALL of the galleries were closed to the public because it was a “Press Day”. Apparently the private view is Saturday, and it opens to the public from Sunday.
    So that was why it was soooo quiet and peaceful and we had the place to ourselves. Staff stationed at every door of the gallery after that!
    Well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Beautiful gardens too.

  • posted by  shalimar on NOT losing :-< *Looking 4 female 2 female advice
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks for updating us Doordie!
    I’m in Canada a few hours north of Duluth Minnesota!
    Canada’s medical system has it’s problems … but even up here in a not so large city with a doctor shortage … at least money is no concern. There are lots of walk in clinics and a largish hospital. It’s not perfect but it’s sort of manageable. We have a new medical school shared by 2 Northern Ontario cities … so we are starting to get a few more new doctors in the area.

    We do have a Diabetes help organization (free) as well as a newish category called nurse practitioners which are in between a nurse and a doctor… which can also be helpful.

    The Victorian Order of Nurses offers foot care for diabetics and others (i have an appointment … this does cost but it’s like a pedicure). This VON also offers a free exercise class for seniors at the community centre just around the corner from my house.

    So there is some support … and free.

    Wish i had those bananas …. or even a fridge with a freezer compartment … soon though~!

  • posted by  Frog on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    hi 1960
    It’s frustrating, but Diabetes nurses and dietitians haven’t caught up with BSD or the Newcastle research yet – the official line is low fat everything, brown bread & medication. Have a look at my Dodgy Diabetic Cooker Course thread if you want a good laugh!
    I’ve done 3 weeks of a 12 week course, but it isn’t BSD friendly, and the dietitian cook/course leader understands what my diet is, is a bit in awe that it’s working, happy for me to adapt recipes, but essentially it isn’t what she is being paid to teach.
    & she genuinely doesn’t believe anyone can survive on less than 130g of carb a day!!

    Last time I saw the diabetes nurse, she was happy because I was her second patient that day whose blood results had improved.
    And very proud of the fact that her other patient was following a “proper” diet, rather than a silly one like mine, and was taking all her medication.
    When I followed that up by asking what the other patients results were – still in the diabetic range (unlike mine 🙂 )
    At least my GP was very enthusiastic when I spoke with her a week or so later.

    the diabetes UK funded Newcastle Research project runs until 2018 – personally I don’t think that there will be any changes to mainstream diabetes advice until after that is published.

  • posted by  Frog on NOT losing :-< *Looking 4 female 2 female advice
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    hi doordie

    glad the doctor was OKish – no wonder he seemed tired & overworked!
    Hope the tests come back with good results & next week goes well – & great news the weight loss

    Had to google “first nation”, so looked on a map to see where Fargo was – I can see where you are now!

    I’m staying with a friend for a few days, so less control over what I’m eating – but she is cooking amazing BSD friendly food for me (mostly!). Delicious aubergine curry yesterday, and salmon with sauce vierge & mange tout this evening. BUT desert – oven baked banana with two tiny squares of very dark chocolate baked inside. Would have been rude to say no!

    I have the aubergine recipe and will post it at some point.

  • posted by  Snoop on 5 stone loss in 4 1/2 months
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Slimlady, that is an absolutely amazing result. What an achievement. Proof that it can be done. I’ll remember you when I’m feeling a bit bleak.
    You must feel immensely pleased and your doctor must be really impressed. I bet doctors wish they saw more people like you. Congratulations.

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

    I’m just about in the middle of week four but just thought I’d drop in to say hello. There’s lots of inspiration to be had on the threads here and very friendly folk all very willing to share their knowledge and experience. So if you need help or motivation, shout and someone will come along.

    To anyone worried about surviving on 800 calories, you will be amazed at how well you will do. I thought I’d really struggle, but after a day or so it starts to seem like ample.

    Good luck!

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

    Hi,
    On day 2 I wonder if I could tag along as well. I’m 50 from the UK and a mum to 2 boys aged 16 and 20 . Diagnosed as Type 2 last May I am 5 ft 1.5 in height and weigh 13 stone 1, my ideal weight would be 9 stone ( 1998 was the last time i weighed this little) I have steadily put the weight on over the years. So have a long journey ahead.Hoping to lose a good chunk of weight the first 8 weeks.To really help with long term motivation.

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

    Hi, I’m joining the group if that’s OK?
    Lots to lose 6stone, I tried a week of this and felt a lot better, so plan on 8 weeks of 800, then start a new job! Good luck 5 minutes left before 1/10/16, hope it goes well for us all.

  • posted by  Caz123 on Week of 9/26 starters let's keep each other on track!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Still here – still trying (after a whole 5 days :s) but feeling like I’m failing right now.

    Hoping everyone else who has posted here, has had a better day and week (especially day) than me!!

    It may not be going well right now – but I haven’t given up – and don’t intend to. So see you all again soon 🙂

  • posted by  Gibbette on Keeping myself accountable
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I haven’t posted for a while so thought I’d better check in with myself.
    Into week 2 day 5 I think. This mornings weight was 78.6kg. This is my first loss for the week.
    I’m amazed at how little hunger I have now. Yesterday I didn’t eat breakfast until 10.45am and lunch at 3.00pm. I really only ate lunch at all because I knew I was going to be late home so dinner was going to be late. Didn’t even bother with dinner, but did indulge in a couple of glasses of wine. oops.
    Proper weigh in day on Monday so hoping for good news.

  • posted by  Caz123 on Countdown to 20th November!
    on in Starting the BSD
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    Hi flash 🙂

    Congratulations on the loss 🙂 You say restarted – how did you get on the first time?

    I’ve gone and sabotaged things already tonight – I was offered a drink. I convinced myself one glass of wine wouldn’t hurt. And one wouldn’t have!! However one lead to two, and then going along with a decision to eat out, and then a couple more glasses :S

    I’m trying to console myself in that we went for Chinese food – and I managed to convince them to serve me a dish of meat and vegetables and very easy on the sauce (the waiter looked at me like I’d grown another head – but went with it). And I didn’t even eat half :). Didn’t even touch a prawn cracker!!

    This (whilst being totally off plan) would not have happened a couple of weeks ago. But it’s made me realise that I can stick to this easily when I’m planning ahead and preparing meals – but I need to work out how to make it work when I go out – because eating out and the odd drinking night or two are regular parts of my life – and I need to be more ready to handle next time!

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

    Hey all,

    I started today, can I tag along on this group? I’m 5’6, need to lose a total of 6 stone to be in the healthy BMI range as an 17st now and should be 11 max! Going to be a long journey, not going to do the 800 cal diet for more than 8 weeks in a row, but hoping it will give me a kick start and healthy eating habits to carry on with.

    Planned a weeks worth of meals, got food in ready to go so am less tempted by other things. Will post tomorrow about first days but today has gone well!

  • posted by  Cazza53 on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi I will join you. I am 5 7″ and weighing in at 14 stone and aim to get to 11 stone by xmas god willing. Doing shopping list now and starting tomorrow. Bring it on I’m so positive about it. Will report regularly too.

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

    Thanks Igorasusual, I am finding this suits me. It is the diet I have been lookng for. Love the recipes, I can cook but am not an inventive cook, so the ideas are great. Love reading your posts! Am working on giving up the scales, but it’s difficult. xx

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

    Aria – see you in Waitrose in a few weeks. I hare clothes shopping so not your best companion for that.
    Not so good today. Wine & cheese ‘do’ tonight with friends – rude not to join in. Back to strict BSD tomorrow.

  • posted by  Tiredofthis on Starting 19th September
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    I’m still here and still going! I’ve now lost 21lb at last check in. Has been a tough week with work but I’ve kept the wheels on the wagon!

    How are you doing?

  • posted by  Igorasusual on ready to start
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi there Rio and welcome to you and your lovely lady 🙂

    The great thing about the BSD – brace yourself, because you don’t expect it – is that you will enjoy your food, I predict, EVEN MORE 🙂 🙂

    I don’t quite know why it is, but my OH and I (and family when we’ve shared our meals with them) have absolutely LOVED the food with no refined carbs, but good seasoning, plenty of spices and chillis, lots of vegetables, full fat dairy, and things we’d not really cooked before.

    We have become great fans of curry and fish (my fish pakoras – fish in chunks fried in gram flour batter) were great – would never have tried those before – and there are lots and lots of recipes around which are very easily adaptable to the BSD with very little change, if any.

    So prepare yourself for enjoying your food just as much as before, and feeling great as well. What’s not to like?

    Best of luck to both of you – keep us posted 🙂

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on 5 stone loss in 4 1/2 months
    on in Starting the BSD
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    What an amazing achievement slimlady you can justifiably feel very proud of yourself!
    My husband & I will be starting the 800 cal BSD on Monday with me hoping to lose 3-4 stone & my husband who is a Type 2 diabetic to lose 1-2 stone & to reduce his medication or if all goes well be able to manage without any. It’s certainly worth him trying this & I would love to be slimmer before Christmas. Good luck with your maintenance diet.

  • posted by  Aria3 on It works for older women too!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Not far away then I am in Rustington! Perhaps we can get together and go on a shopping spree when we get to where we want to be !

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

    Hello new starters!
    My husband & I will be starting the BS Diet on Monday because we are still eating some unsuitable leftovers & will be having family & a friend for lunch on Sunday. We have been used to fasting on 5:2 so hope we can cope well with 800 daily calories! I’m still trying to get my head around the recipes & some unfamiliar ingredients & today shopped for most of the ingredients listed as basics in the recipe book. I am aged 68 & my husband is 69 & a Type 2 diabetic so hoping he will also be able to reduce his medication. Weight wise he needs to lose 1-2 stone & I need to lose 3-4 stone🙁 so a long way for me to go to get to my ideal weight!
    Good luck everyone on your first day👍👍🍀🍀

  • posted by  slimlady on 5 stone loss in 4 1/2 months
    on in Starting the BSD
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    In mid May 2016 I was 18 stone 7lbs or 119 kg, just over 50 years old 5 feet 10 and had been overweight for a very long time. A variety of diets came and went and it was always difficult.Like most people I like my food and drink. Then I visited my doctor for a routine 50 plus MOT test for cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, blood pressure etc. Some results were immediately apparent such as blood pressure which was high and cholesterol was 5.8 which was also not acceptable. What scared me the most was the HB1AC returned a reading of 51 and should have been under 42. My doctor was straight to the point and said the result was in the diabetic range type 2 diabetes and with the usual terrible consequences and I would be on meds for life. This really shocked me to the core. Then by chance I heard about Michael Mosleys Blood Sugar Diet and went out and bought it. That night me and my husband read it in full and committed ourselves to going through at least 8 weeks. Not long after we purchased a digital blood sugar testing device, a digital set of scales that measures body fat, water content, muscle content and BMI etc and a good quality exercise bike. My husband,although he didnt have any blood sugar issues did have elevated blood pressure and weighed 16 stone 6lbs. We both stuck rigidly to around 800 calories a day , banished rice, bread and pasta and virtually no alcohol. That was the hardest part of the diet. In the first week alone I lost 9lbs. I started with the bike by just doing 10 minutes then a week later 20 minutes until after two weeks I was routinely on 30 minutes. By mid June I was 16 stone 3. Mid July 15 stone 2. Mid August 14 stone 4. and now after 18 weeks I am 13 stone 6. I used to be in size 22 and now size 12! My husband is currently 13 stone 7. Between us we have lost 8 stone. It was good to throw out all the large size clothes, but now I need a new wardrobe. It is such a good feeling to have people who havent seen me for a while say wow! I have just had some new tests done and my blood pressure is normal, cholesterol normal range but best of all my new HBA1c test came back as 35! I am sleeping so much better and feel great. My personal goal is to lose another half stone or so to get into the healthy BMI range. I started at 34.6 and am now 26. Yes there are times when the weight plateaued but persevere and it starts again. Its important to keep the faith and keep the booze down. This is a lifestyle change and soon we will both change over onto the Mediterranean maintenance diet and continue to regulate our weight. It was without question worth all the hard work and saying no to those temptations. Best still I wont be on meds for life.

  • posted by  captainlynne on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Yowzer – as I was crazy enough to start the BSD one week before last Christmas, you could say I was ‘striking while the iron was hot’! I didn’t just clear all non-BSD foods out of my house, I also decided to stay at home over the Christmas/New Year period somI could control what I was eating. That might seem strange, but it’s what I needed to do at that stage. You’re further into your BSD journey so know what you’re doing and have time to plan so you don’t sabotage your efforts. If you check my earlier posts you’ll see what I did over that season. or ask questions if you wish. Always happy to help 😃

  • Hi Nettle

    When I first had colours done, was winter. A few years later I had them done again because the system had been ‘fine tuned’ – I was still basically a winter, but they had additional sub-groups. My hair colour and skin tone haven’t changed in many years. So I would imagine I”m still a winter – just can’t remember the sub-groups. And of course the system may have been refined further. Need a refresher course on it all – colours, style and make-up 😱

    Love the idea of tinted lenses ‘to see the world through rose-coloured …..’ 😃

    Snoop – thanks for that thought. It took a lot for me to take part in the original article, but I did it to play my small part in demonstrating the benefits of the BSD to a wider audience. It was about the BSD , Dr Mosley, and Prof Taylor – not about me, I was just a case-study.

    I don’t think I would feel comfortable taking part in an article where the focus was more on me. As I’ve said – I’m struggling to decide where to put the photos. I don’t want them in my lounge. Perhaps on the stairs – but visitors would still see them. So possibly my bedroom. Part of me just wants to put them in a drawer! Perhaps what it boils down to is that I spend a great part of my life in front of people and I value my privacy.

    Hope that makes sense.

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

    You sound as if you’ve done well Trelawney. Can you tell how you’re doing by how your clothes feel?

    I’m a great advocate of “don’t worry too much about the weight, how are the measurements going”. Worked for me.

    But whatever you sound in good control to me. 🙂

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

    Hi Emily

    I will join you! I am starting tomorrow! I’m 5foot 4 and weigh 11 stone 3 pounds, I would love to get back to 9 stone something! I’m a carb addict and want to get back in control of food.

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

    Why are we so led by the scales? I have followed the plan all week, have been for walks but am unable to weigh myself this week and for the next few days. I hope I have lost but there is the fear that I have gained. Why do we doubt ourselves when we have no scales telling us our weight? A sign of my age and conditioning no doubt!!
    Lunch today – beetroot and carrot salad with walnuts and feta. Dinner – 1 tuna and chickpea pattie, 2 tbsp cauli cheese and salad. Greek yogurt and berries with sprinkle of toasted almonds.
    Bring on the weekend! xx

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

    Hi,

    I plan on starting tomorrow despite not having read the book yet (it is taking ages to come through the post).

    Is there anyone else planning on starting tomorrow, with it being a fresh, new month and all? If so, could we use this thread for support and accountability?

    I am in my late thirties, from the Uk and have two young children. I am 5 foot 8 and weigh 14 stone and 2 pounds. I want to weight 10stone. I plan on using this diet as a kick start and then reverting to the No S diet there after. I don’t eat meat but do eat fish. I am nervous about doing this and I think a support thread could make all the difference for me.

    Anyone want to join me?

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

    What a great story yours is. I hope that my blood sugars will be lower in another 7 weeks’ time as I do not want to take the tablets! This forum is helping me a lot,especially when I realised I wasn’t on my own anymore. Good luck,everybody!!

  • posted by  Rio1623 on ready to start
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    After reading the BSD supplements in the Daily Mail this week, I was impressed with the practical health benefits and recipes which, apart from the cakes and buns, resonated with me as that is the range of food which I eat. However, I do need to lose weight and I shall start tomorrow with recipes planned for the next few days. My lovely lady has agreed to join me and, as I love cooking, I’ll enjoy making the meals. The biggest hurdle is that I love my food…………………….

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

    I have been feeling a lot better these last few days. I completed a long walk with my friend today without feeling uncomfortable and tired at the end of it. I think cutting out sugar has helped a lot. I am on week 2 of the 8 week diet at the moment. I had the Moroccan meatballs today and they were very enjoyable!! Still got a very dry mouth and I have increased my water intake.
    Keep going ladies!!

  • Good for you, Plumptious, in reaching your BMI target. For the past few days I, too, have finally made it into the healthy range of the BMI (admittedly, the very top end) – just need to lose a few more pounds so I’m in safer territory & give myself a bit of wriggle room! Having a plan is good. Like you, I’m going to keep weighing myself daily to keep myself on the path of healthiness. And, after six years of not swimming, next week I plan to dip my toe into the local pool – I used to be a regular swimmer and am ashamed of myself for letting it slide.
    I am determined not to slip back into old bad habits.

  • Thanks for that explanation NEOHDIVER i can never get my head round the T3 T4 stuff ..that helps..
    So,not a very useful test in the US either?
    In UK we can Pay for a private test with more accurate results..but then Gp may not prescribe a higher dose of meds,shd the test show you need it..so may have to pay for the extra..the test is on my list of things to do tho..i really want to know how my thyroid really is doing..coz tho i can lose weight easy enough if i am strict,i never feel very well and could be the thyroid is to blame,or partly to blame
    DOORDIE how did it go for you at the doctors? X