Flash, I Added mint leaves to the lemon and lime slices and what a difference….delicious

Am pretty motivated today so happy about that

Having lost 2 stone on BSD and regular dog walking as my main exercise, I logged into to go on my first ParkRun this morning. 5km in laps around the town park. Alarm was set (I am not a morning person) and I drove there in good time. Not sure what to expect except that not expected as many people as turned up, and they looked fit, kitted out and lots wearing tops of running clubs and various 10k runs etc.

A few had dogs and some were running 5k pushing child in a buggy (one of which I saw finishing when the rest of us had another long lap to do, nothing like being lapped by someone with the extra weight to push, glad the buggy wheels were up to the speed though).

So feeling intimidated but determined…. off I set, I did walk some, I claim it was ‘power walking’ but ran for more than I expected. And came in with a time of 37 1/2 min. (I was 553rd….)

I then needed to visit 2 different Macmillan charity coffee mornings – I crumbled with 2 biscuits at the first; but went for the bacon without a butty at the second as my brunch/lunch.

Still have my dog to walk – didn’t want to take her on my first go in case it was too much for her (think it will be with the crowds) and then not having time to get her home before coffee mornings – she has weight to loose too and friendly church members with biscuits….

Feeling proud of myself, and impressed at what I can do when carrying 2 stone less baggage.

So will I go again? Yes, I will, though can’t do next week as working from early, but I CAN DO THIS!!!

http://www.parkrun.org.uk

I started on 26/9 too. Good to see there are a few of us. First time on 8wk for me – I’ve high hopes as I’ve tried many others in the past.

Done 4 days and lost 3lbs and 3″ from waistline. Hope it keeps going.

Shopping online and getting it delivered is a great way to get out of the red mist of supermarkets.

Today is day 1. Yesterday I cleared out all of my kitchen cupboards and took hubby on a 2 hour shopping trip round the supermarket to shop for this weeks food. I thought I was in the wrong house this morning when I opened my fridge.
I am 50 next year seriously overweight, have had type 2 Diabetes for 9 years now and ischaemic heart disease resulting in a heart attack at the age of 45. I have poor mobility, on 12 tablets a day and really need to be on insulin now. I have actually realised this week that I am just existing and not living!
I feel seriously let down by my health professionals as they have never guided me in the right direction re my diet, and after reading the BSD book this week I can now see why other diets have never worked for me.
For the first time in the last 3 years I feel motivated to get my life on track, I used to be a heavy smoker and have not touched a cigarette in 3 1/2 years so I can stop this carb addiction too. Over the last few days I have planned made lots of tables to track my progress my Blood glucose and BP daily. I am following the 8 week plan and will be very strict with myself so wish me luck and keep those motivational stories coming.

Well done Shariken, I can only answer one question, taking a break is okay as long as you try to stick the the principles of low carb. Obviously the calories will creep in, I like a glass or two of wine too, and you might very well regain a little weight. However, if you can come back 2 or 3 lbs heavier instead of half a stone like with old diets you can get straight back onto it and shift it in less than a week. Hopefully, by the time you go your head will be so free of carb addiction you will be able to control your carbs and portions plus you should have lost a bit more weight so your starting point will be better. Enjoy New York, my daughter is taking my 2 grandsons there on 21st Oct for a week, say hi if you bump into her.

Maybe I can add to the question about GI cook book. It should be okay but be aware that it might allow small amounts of things like rice or pasta just keeping the total GI low but we don’t eat rice or pasta. I still get the Slimming World magazine (to have something to read in English for a change) and although the recipes may be healthier I still make the same things they do but leave out the devil carbs.

P.S. I know SW is notorious for allowing unlimited carbs but I know how to change the recipes to suit this diet.

Hi all and greetings from Dublin, Ireland. I’m off on the programme today also, hoping to shift two stone by Christmas.
Habits that have to change are the regular wine in the evening time, late night ice cream and a shift off the chair, currently spending eight hours a day at work in an office and home to the couch.

I’m at that dreadful mid to late fifties age and starting to be really concerned about health and fed up talking about losing weight and not doing it.

First time join a forum so I’m really delighted with the support, yes a post each evening on foods and tips and weekly feedback on weight loss sounds like a wonderful idea.

Best of luck to all!!!

Lil

Hi
I feel I am getting towards the time when I need to decide my target weight. I am 5ft 7in, and had previously lost a few pounds on 5:2 but seemed to be stuck at 11st 2lb. Since starting BSD just over 3 weeks ago I have lost steadily and today weigh in at 10st 4lb! I think I am aiming at 9st 7lb, which I haven’t been since before I had kids (my daughter is now 28). I think this is do-able within the 8 weeks. I am loving the food, and have the new book ordered, should be here next week.
Now off to grill some smoked mackerel for lunch – yum!

Thanking you all
Great job Josie!

Am really motivated to keep on keeping on….proof being, ( for myself) managed a small food shop trip and did not get tempted by the lush smell of fresh bakes and reduced chocs. Lol
Feel quite virtuous lol

Planning my weekend menu as we talk….

WELL …. I JUST USED GARLIC in my healthy soup …. I have never used garlic in a recipe!! But i need it with my healthy low carbs …. 🙂

Garlic for the first time … my brain IS working better already!! 🙂

I will help you polish your virtue halo from last night.

Good luck on the weekend!!!

HEY … GUESS WHAT … I USED GARLIC IN MY SOUP!!!! … Minced garlic from a jar …. but … WHOOP DEE DO!!! Still got an hour before i leave for yoga class!

Good luck on your walk!!! Look at the sky … check out any flowers and greenery ….. and polish your halo!!!!

Hope my toothpaste works good with garlic!!!

That sounds like a nice prospect – yoga and indoor rummage sale. We call the flea markets, or jumble sales, or car boots in the UK.

I’m needing a laxative … or some flax seed/psyllium husks to keep things going, shall we say, on an 800 kcal food intake. Must make that top of my list today.

Yesterday’s 3 positives (I really like this thread):

1. Actually came in just over 800 kcal’s yesterday … it started with an 8.

2. Went to friend’s for nibbles and drinks last night – it wasn’t even slightly torturous seeing all that food in front of me, although I might have liked a glass of wine. 3 olives. Virtuous halo.

3. Jogged yesterday … 3rd jog since I took it up again. Aiming for a very, very slow mile … and achieved it.

Today is not feeling exactly like yesterday – I’m ranging opening and closing food cupboards and the fridge. This is NOT a positive sign, so willpower and believing in what I’m doing/aiming for is going to be very necessary today. Good luck with the weekend everyone else. Make sure you find some time to enjoy something … even if. like me, it may be a long rainy walk under the shelter of an umbrella 🙂

Good morning/afternoon. It’s 6 am here. Tabletalk, The shakes I use is “Idealshape” 100 cal 11 carbs 5g fiber per serving. I blend vanilla shake powder with frozen strawberries, and unsweetened almond milk and keep in freezer. Then just microwave a bit when want. Makes great smoothy for about 200 calories.

Hello everyone, & the newbies likes myself.
In the past I have always done diets for vanity, like many, lost weight only to go “te dah” in my head and stick it all back on again. I have not had the wake up call from the Doctor, although my dad is type 2 and I am way overweight. But I started last Sunday (again to lose weight to get into my clothes), however on day three the testing kit arrived and my fasting rate was 6.0, which I think is borderline pre-diabetes?. Whoa boy that was the wake up call, so any thoughts of falling off the 800 cals, went straight out of the window.

Results
– Well I have lost 10lbs in 6 days. 🙂
-My skin isn’t so dry – probably because I am not necking wine like water.
-Mentally – what was a ‘treat’ being the wine, is now getting your tea, even without potatoes.
-My carbs on my fitness pal are between 20g and 30g (from my veg)

Questions
-I have pain behind my eyes, when I move them. Is this a side effect or a normal cold? I am keeping on top of my water – I think
-When cooking I use pesto and sundried tomato (calories counted) is this allowed?. As it tastes amazing with mascarpone cheese for a pasta sauce with the courgetti.
-I am planning to take a break at week four (for a few days as off to New York) then resume on the 800/maintenance. will this be OK?.
-I have ordered a low Gi cook book which seems to the science behind the diet. Is there a difference between low GI and the low GI Mediterranean diet?

My tips so far
– Get a blood tester, even like me, if you didn’t think you need it.
– Peppermint tea. I drink so much more of this now than coffee
– I have to travel with work, so I did use one of the Lidl High protein rolls (only half) and they are nice for emergencies.
-Sparkling water with ice and lime in a wine glass for the evening time hand to mouth habit. Whilst watching telly. If like me you can drink wine like water, then it may as be water 😉

Good luck to all those starting out. We can do it 🙂

Hi sunshine-girl

Not sure that I was counting anything too accurately before this week!

The one thing that has really astounded me are the carbs in ‘harmless’ vegetables. I have only just started to weigh courgetti and cauliflower. I am now reducing vegetables and fruit! Always thought strawberries were fine but now I ‘know’!!!

Maybe weighing everything, every now and again, will help with portion control. Hence dumping the courgette slivers!!!!

I should also say that it is teaching me more about quantities. I have just spiralized my courgette and booked it into my log as 150 grams, had a massive pile of slivers and put them on the scales AND ONLY 70 grams, so I have just saved myself 13 calories and 3 carbs, enough with my other bit left over for an evening snack. That takes me to closer to 700 calories and 28 carbs for today.

Happy October everyone

I wasn’t on the BSD last year when I spent several weeks in hotels whilst working.

But what I did was have a good breakfast – eggs, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes (add sausage and bacon if you eat them) plus a white coffee (not cappuccino).

Take a bottle of water to work and drink a lot during the day, but no lunch

Then a salad for dinner with either fish or meat, usually possible with a combination of starter plus side salad if none of the mains suit

Ahead of dinner I would go to the hotel gym and do a short workout on the running machine (but intensive as I could make it)- perhaps total of only 15 minutes but running faster than comfortable for, say, 3 minutes and then slowing to a fast walk.

If I had only been swerving refined carbs as well, I would have lost even more weight!

So you could think of your hotel stay as being an opportunity rather than a risk?

Hope helpful 🙂

Hi Verano, I never counted the carbs before, I just stuck to a menu plan from the book and made sure I was around 800 calories. But for the sake of what we are doing this week I decided I would have to be careful to stay around 30 grams. Depending on how this week goes I will decide if it is worth the effort to count every little carb when I know I am eating good food. If I lose load I might stick to the strict counting. We will see.

Shalimar, that is why we can ignore people who say ‘but you need your carbs’, or ‘your brain will shrivel up and die without carbs’. They only know one type of carb and that is what I call the white devil carbs. They can be educated to understand that we get plenty of really good carbs.

Hi sunshine-girl

I’ve noticed that both you and Krysia are filling in your food logs in the morning. I have been doing the same this week for the first time! It certainly concentrates the mind! In the first post, that I lost this morning, I was saying how I had dinner very much later than normal last night. I was starving so had to ‘snack’. Forgot about water entirely so started with some cold meat, then 10 almonds and finally a Nair’s stem ginger biscuit …. 6.6 carbs in just one biscuit !!!! The biscuit took me over the top carb wise but did still have to add some butter to my cauliflower to get my calories up! Never thought I’d see the day when I was desperate to up my calories!!!

Not done my menu for today yet only just managed to have my breakfast!

Have a good day!

Weirdest thing i’ve learned from the BSD so far :
1.
How many carbs vegetables have!!! And that’s not counting root vegetables!!

I am totally used to figuring vegetables are “free” foods … that you can eat as much as you want.

2.
That while i’ve eaten too much … foods on the BSD … and i’ve indulged in alcohol …. and i’ve been hungry … i haven’t really craved sweets, crisps/chips, breads/pasta/rice! The food on the BSD is really getting more delicious . 🙂

Thats great JOSIE! And 4 lb.down in one week is a lovely satisfying chunk isnt it! X
Good to hear that youre moving downwards 1960! x
LYNNE will check out yr earlier posts..x
Happy weekend all !x

I’d like to join in too! My son is 9 and I’m still carrying a lot of weight from being pregnent! I’d like to start with dropping a couple of stone – tried loads of diets but this seems more a way of eating that would suit me.

Good luck and success to us all!

Thanks Igorasusual! Will check that out too.

Did look up the disability and exercise thread …. and chair yoga classes have been suggested to me. I might try that for the interim …. but i think i just need to gradually work up to being fit enough to try the Fast Exercise plan!!

Would love some more handy hints on what type of thing to try.

Morning all, today I weigh the same (74.7 kg) and have just planned out my menu for the day which comes in at:-

740 calories and 31 carbs.

Must say, it was higher than that but I did some small adjustments i.e. calories the skinny cottage pie says to put cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese into the cauliflower topping. In my mind I don’t need both so cut one out and lost 110 calories. Then for lunch I am having roasted chicken with roasted red pepper and asparagus and cut the red pepper by half and took out one asparagus stalk and saved about 5 carbs, bringing my into line. Not much to change but such as difference if I want to stay 800 and 30.

I always think that Lucia’s My 8 Weeks thread is the best and most inspiring read for those who have issues (whatever they be) with exercising.

I have never forgotten her “stairs with a chair at the top and at the bottom” exercise – truly inspirational. Still not possible for everyone, but gives you ideas of what might give you a start n

Do look her up and read the thread if you haven’t already.

🙂 🙂 🙂

Thanks cmawp, yes my brother told me that which is why I suggested that someone from England should come on. In France they are not allowed to sugar glaze, they use and salt and spice rub, absolutely delicious but I take the skin off anyway so never eat the salt. Maybe just a finger dip.

I usually cook my own, like today for lunch I am having roasted chicken breast with roasted red pepper and asparagus, all that will be on it is olive oil and a little salt.

Morning thank you to all who replied. Saturday weigh in this morning and now 13 st 5 . Saturday’s are when I have my weigh in and blood sugars and record it in a diary. Each Saturday we would have a small cooked breakfast of one egg lean bacon tomatoes mushrooms which counts as 400 call. At night a mixed tandoori grill no sauce is the highlight of the week and serves as a treat. A couple if him and slim line tonics also help keep away the monotony of any repetitive diet but still the weight came off. Exercise is crucial in my opinion to this diet. Half an hour in the bike listening to your iPod burns around 400 calories and it all makes the difference .

Great idea to post what we eat. I have just had full fat yoghurt with a banana & a sprinkle of dried cranberries, I know not strictly allowed but still eating up leftovers in preparation for starting on Monday. Soup for lunch with a small slice of wholemeal bread & an apple then the spicy chickpea chilli & broccoli for supper. I think the BSDiet recipe book is going to become my go to ideas book. Good luck everyone for your first week.

Have finally reached my 2 stone off mark, lost 4lbs this week. Tokyo and Lucky hope all is well with both of you

Please may I join in? I weighed myself this morning – shock horror. Took waist measurement – disgusted lol. Sorting out menus as today have to finish off a portion of black bean and lentil chilli that was lurking in freezer but making soups as I intend to have yoghurt and something for breakfasts/scrambled eggs/etc with a main meal at lunch and then a soup for dinner as I think that will suit me and unsuspecting other half! Got another friend doing it who may join this forum and another one hoping too. Good luck to everyone.

I was a little discouraged when reading about the Hi Intensity part of the Fast Exercise because it’s just impossible to do because i am a fat couch potato … with a few minor ongoing physical problems to deal with.
It’s not just about the Hi Intensity being so great, the best … it’s just like doing a little aquabics (where even taking an Interval class … my speed is “very slow” and “almost very slow” and i can’t even do half the stuff).

Love ideas on what people who are really out of shape, like me, are doing.

Which parts of the Fast Exercise program can we do?

How to keep a good mindset when we can’t do Fast Exercise.

Maybe ordinary exercise should be more encouraged …. i’m sure whatever we can do … we should … and even if it doesn’t burn a ton of calories … and takes more time … isn’t there still a benefit to general health, energy, and clothes size.

Just trying to give myself a pep talk … yoga class later which was labelled “Beginner, beginner, beginner” which i mistakenly thought was for real, true beginners … who really can’t list their asses off the floor yet!!!

Hi, I started my own variation of the BS diet on Wednesday 28 Sept when I weighed 155lb. I am 5’8″ tall so don’t need to loose lots of weight, but I have read the book and felt inspired to have a go – it also means I will have lost weight by Christmas. In the last 3 days I have lost 5lb and feel confident that I will be able to continue. I haven’t suffered any headaches or felt particularly hungry. I have wanted to move away from bread, pasta and potatoes for sometime and in doing so just for three days, my energy levels have increased. I will follow this thread and hope to get more inspiration from you all as we continue our journey. KEEP DRINKING WATER

Congrats on the walking Poppetini … and the furniture moving too!!! My walking has only been about 1.5 km. with a stop for coffee …. i’m easing into more because of my back disc erosion/sciatica …. and lately my feet have been really bothering me …. they will thank me for loosing weight!

It’s early today …. but my positive thoughts for this day are (so far) :…..

1. An ode to the lowly laxative …. i think i just lost 50 pounds!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 I may even be able to go to yoga class this morning without cramps and focusing on bathroom visits … while continuing my currently hopeless attempts to lift my ass off the floor … or even get up from the yoga mat without help!!!

2. There is an indoor yard sale/rummage sale? at the community centre where my yoga class is … who knows i may pick up a bargain! Someone else’s discard may be my treasure! Found something like the open Avon sterling silver spoon ring which i have been looking for for 30 years at the last sale … only $20.

Fantastic so many more people starting!!

Hi

By the end of October you should be so well into this plan that you won’t feel the need for carbs as you do today!

There are lots of coping strategies but mainly just stay away from the starchy carbs …. bread, rice, pasta, biscuits and cakes. It’s amazing how you can manage quite well without these after a few weeks.

Good luck on your journey.

Hotel food isn’t that un BSD.

Eggs in some form … without toast and potatoes … a little bacon or even a western omelette with chopped ham and onion … eggs florentine?

Meat of some kind with vegetables instead of fries/potatoes,rice … salads with dressing on the side
Salad greens or with sliced egg, sliced meat, bit of cheese
Any little grocery nearby where you can get some apples, maybe yogurt and berries
Small package of nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seed

Have a club sandwich and don’t eat the bread
Have a bacon hamburger and don’t eat the bun

Bring your own tea and some artificial sweetener …

Just find substitutes for the simple carbs …. and avoid breakfast cereals laden with sugar

Steak and vegetables, maybe a side of nice sauteed mushrooms
Broiled fish …. or even pan fried fish

You can aim for 800 calories and complex carbs …. and if you are off on those numbers for your hotel stay you can just consider it preparation … even a time or trial and error in picking out healthy foods

If it’s for work you probably want to keep up your energy levels and not be cranky on diet shakes

P.S. Snoop great weight loss!!!! Well done !

Hi Snoop

Glad the ‘puttanesca’ went down well!

To make life really simple I make a batch of tomato sauce and freeze:
4 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes, cherry are nicer if you can get them
2 large chopped onions
1 grated carrot
Garlic, 3 cloves or as much as you like
1 large sliced green pepper
1 large sliced red pepper
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper and 1tsp sugar

Put some olive oil (2tbs) in a pan, sweat down onions, add Garlic, chopped, then the rest of the ingredients except sugar.bring to a bubble and then turn light to the lowest setting and cook for about 1-1/12 hours until some of the liquid has evaporated . Add sugar if needed. Remove bay leaves. Blitz.

This makes 16 good portions , 57calories and 8.6 carbs a portion. Freezes really well!

I add the anchovies, capers and sometimes sliced black olives to the sauce when I’m reheating it. Add the courgetti and hey presto ! a meal in minutes!

I’m starting this on Monday,
I have read the book
Taken time to prepare
Bought the new recipe book
Looked at my diary for the next 8 weeks……. Arrrggh

I’m in a hotel for 9 days with work at the end of October

So what are my options?

Diet Shakes for a week?

Has anyone else overcome this obstacle?…
Any tips or ideas ?

Hi all, I don’t post often but saw someone comment yesterday about many people appearing to be missing. I’m still here, still sticking with it. Always do 10000 steps minimum, keeping my carbs under 50g. So far I have shed 16lbs and am feeling great. Well done to all who are keeping on track and good luck to all that fall off occasionally.

Some of the rotisserie chickens do use a sugar glaze to brown them and the chickens are often impregnated with flavour enhancers. I used to work on one of the counters that cooked them.

It is a minimal amount but it will be in virtually any rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken.

In the short term it may not matter but it might be a wise move to prep your own further down the line once you’re used to the recipes and in the swing of the 8 week plan.

Good luck

Ruth, I don’t think he’s that desperate! 😀

Morning all! Or whatever time it is where you are!

My weight this morning was 123.2 lbs which is about 0.5 lb above my final BSD target.

However at one point this week I was on 122 point something and it oscillates around 122 and 123.

Found another pair of trousers yesterday which are really too loose round the waist. But generally it’s not the trousers – always bought 27″ jeans and M in Zara so they’re just much more comfortable everywhere now (for new I am in S and 26″) – it’s the shirts and jackets which are excessively roomy.

Some are workable but the more tailored styles look like there should be two of us in there. Oh dear, most expensive of all to replace.

Had hair cut yesterday and hairdresser said “wow, lot less of you! Don’t lose any MORE weight” which I’ve said before is so discouraging. Too slow for follow up on my part but have concluded next time I’ll say “I’m really really happy the way I am – but you obviously think I’m too slim, then?” Just to see what the response is.

On other hand the girl washing my hair wanted all the BSD details. 😉

So great to see all the new starters here, isn’t it – I am inspired as I read 🙂

Ruth – it could get me into trouble! My skirt could slip right down – not a pretty sight😱

Weigh this morning showed a pound gain (9.3 again) – but I expected it because I didn’t eat until late last night. Strange what affects the scales😱 I’ve noticed before that if I eat or drink late at night the scales reflect that next morning. Obvious, really!

Was very busy yesterday. A Macmillan Coffee Morning at church raised over £100. Nearly all the cakes were sold. I bought jam and marmalade for my family 😃 Then I was dealing with some finance matters with someone for hours – that took me past my usual meal time.

Was trying to decide if I’m going out today but don’t really need anything and I’m really tired so will probably stay in. See how I feel after more coffee!

Really need to sort my wardrobe out again. Dispose of the unwearable items – lots have already gone in the charity bags that come through the door. A skirt (possibly two) needs taking in. I might even try to alter my favourite top that is now a few sizes too big! But my poor wardrobe is looking quite bare again😱

Whatever you are doing, have a great day 😃

Hi Ian just about to start today myself. Actually read the book completely which is a first for me. Good luck reading some of these posts are giving me the confidence that I can actually stick to this one 🙂

Lummy, Tabletalk, you had a very low-calorie day. I’d have found it very hard to resist all the goodies at the church, having eaten so little. Well done, you.

Hello pgates. Good to have you join us.

Well, I didn’t make 83.5, but never mind. It’ll happen some time this month for sure! Keeping this inspirational thread in mind will keep me at it:

https://thebloodsugardiet.com/forums/topic/5-stone-loss-in-4-12-months/

Figures for today:
83.7 kg
-0.1 kg
Overall change -4.8 kg
790 cals
58 net carbs

Verano’s suggestion of courgetti with anchovies, capers and tomato went down a treat. And very few calories considering the flavour punch. OH loved it. So we’ll be having that again. Thanks, Verano if you read this. So few calories, in fact, that I had 50 ml of red wine to go with it. Disgraceful, I know, so I thought I’d better own up!

Have just written a post and lost it so for today …..

Yesterday
Calories 779
Carbs 36.4 !!!

Average for the four days is
Calories 748
Carbs 31
So ok with that.

Down another pound today despite going over on carbs!!

Well done everyone! Keep going! Now on downward slope just 3 more days to go!!

Thanks.
How’s it going?