Hello everyone who has responded
Billingebabe – Captainlynne – Yowser49 – lifeafter50 – and all the other ‘poster’ girls here.
I wasn’t going to weigh myself until Id done a week but couldn’t resist. 1.3 kgs in 2 days – over the moon – that’s 2lb 8oz in UK speak!

It isn’t even really that hard, although its early days. But, I feel very motivated this time to do something about my health and I am encouraged by everyone’s support here so THANK YOU all

About 4 months ago I stopped drinking alcohol because of the hot flashes I was beginning to experience. Within 3 weeks they stopped almost completely – and now I rarely have one – It felt wonderful to no longer be going to bed and as my head would hit the pillow I’d get a hot flash (followed by countless others during the night). I only occasionally have a glass of bubbles now. I think breaking that habit has been helpful… I thought if I can cut back on my alcohol consumption – which was very much in moderation – I can do this. AND I CAN!

I live in South Australia and we had a massive blackout across the city last night and as I had pre-prepared our meal not having electricity for 12 hours was no problem!
bye for now Debs

Hi Abisaysyes,

As an Aug 1st starter this should be week 8 but 3 and bit weeks of walking behind the wagon instead of riding on it. I am still down from my start point and climbed back on the wagon this week.

You can get it going again, as yes wiser too…

Hi passionfruit,

I didn’t reach diabetic but high risk, I put on a lot of weight on psych meds too.
Not sure about the diabetes being induced by the meds directly but thought it came from the weight side effects of the meds – in which case should respond the same way as most type 2 ???? That’s my theory anyway.

As someone following this plan whilst being on psych meds (Sertaline and Quetiapine) I have lost almost 2 stone over 8 weeks (16 to 14; I am 5ft 10). That included some days ‘off plan’ as in Totally Off – the depressed lets eat a whole (serves 4) cheesecake was a classic.

So can you lose weight on this plan whilst still on meds that give you the munchies – yes you can. The full fat is filling which helps, as does banning temptation from the house – and trying to avoid accidental shopping. That is a risk factor for me…

Found some inexpensive magnesium pills (with calcium and vitamin d also). First drug store was 2 times as much.
Tried Turmeric for the first time … dumped some in the soup this morning … Turmeric is supposed to be great and anti-inflammatory. Much better than taking a pill.
Got email that my new BIG yoga mat and fitbit zip arrives Friday

I had my ovaries out and a hysterectomy when i was in my mid thirties. The surgery was no problem. I never did get to have children … but it wasn’t something that was an obsession for me. I’ve been on a low dose of estrogen … and over the years i’ve taken less and less of those (i am aware of the supposed risks … but i always thought that since my estrogen level was zero after surgery a low dose wasn’t going to be a problem for me). Bioidentical hormones are available now … and actually if you still have your ovaries you wouldn’t need hormone replacement.
I could probably switch to herbals now … a brand called Estroven has worked somewhat in the past.

Me … i am for hysterectomy …. and as for the downtime … maybe that could be a good thing. Too me it was worth it … short term pain for long term gain.

It’s all been okay in the end for me.

Hi Doordie
I hadn’t realised that you were in the US – I’ll stop whinging about the NHS so much
But do look at mooncups – they are definitely available in the US, and while they won’t stop or reduce flow, they make it tons easier to cope with – just the feeling that you can move away form the bathroom for ten minutes can be quite life changing!

You can get Mirena in the US, and it really isn’t complex – I had mine put in under a general anaesthetic when another procedure was performed, but it is usually done under local – and often in GP surgeries or family planning clinics rather than hospitals, so it is likely to be available.
If your Doctor isn’t very well informed, do read thru the info yourself.
Essentially it’s a contraceptive coil, but the hormones are distributed very locally to where they are needed, unlike an oral contraceptive, but stop you having periods in the same way. I think some women still bleed lightly, but mine stopped straight away, until a v light bleeding a couple of weeks ago – so four and a half years.
http://www.mirena-us.com/index.php

My consultants wanted to do a hysterectomy – I resisted because it’s so invasive and the downtime – and the typical bloke response of “doesn’t work, don’t need it, cut it out”. Don’t do that with their penises do they?
To prepare/research I bought a book on the subject which contained such gems as “before your operation, teach your husband how to use the dishwasher” “buy yourself a pretty nightie so that you feel glamorous when visitors come”

I really hope that your appointment goes well tomorrow, and that your doctor comes up with some solutions.

Thanks Igorasusual. I’ll check out my carb levels as I’m using My Fitness Pal to keep count of everything.
I’m hoping the headaches get better. I’m used to the fasting headaches, which usually get better once in a rhythm. I drink tons of water so I know it’s not dehydration. I’m prone to headaches anyway, so it’s always a challenge. Here’s to some serious weight loss!

Hi Amb63 – I’m sure you’ll find the records useful – there should be instructions on how to access on your GP’s website.
the diabetes nurses at my GPs seem pretty clueless – a worry when only some of the nurses are “diabetes trained”

still, shouldn’t moan – someone replied to a post last night about the comlpex web of the US healthcare “system” – made me appreciate the NHS a bit more!

The weirdest thing that I have learnt on the BSD is that my husband is now paying attention to what he is eating. He has lost just over a stone and is heading to 17st. He has said that, “I have had enough to eat” and he has said, “I am thinking about what is on my plate” and he has said, “If it tastes real good that I don’t need so much to eat.” And he has also said, “I have never eaten so much fish.” Yes Lucia all of that is weird.

Hi Cole 62, it really does help to log in daily. I have found it such a boon. The advice is priceless and knowing that everyone has bad days as well is empowering, lets you know you aren’t the only one that gives into temptation.
Didimarks, Ihave found that going out for a meal has been relatively easy, in 8 weks you will know the diet really well and be in a new routine of eating so I think you will be able to cope very well.
Today – lunch was salad with butter beans and cheese and oil and lemon dressing. Dinner – salmon with nut crust and oven roasted veg. Greek yogurt and berries.
Went for a nice walk this evening to clear my head, work stressful and have got the builders in – very, very stressful!!!
How are all you newbies doing? Will be great to hear yor progress.
Sleep tight, a new day tomorrow, 1st day of the rest of your healthier, slim inside (and out) life! xx

Day three over and in the bank weighed this morning 19st 7 another three pounds. Felt ok today,but hungry but predictable 2 boiled eggs, carrot and coriander soup chicken salad. My skin feels really soft, let’s hope things are improving.

Well done everyone who lost weight today and kept to 30 carbs and under.

Sunshine-girl it was a shame the restaurant was so bad but Verano is right – it maybe saved you from yourself.

Was quite hungry by late afternoon but had losely farm cottage cheese mashed up with half an avocado and salt and ate it with a piece of red pepper and some sugar snap peas – very yummy and very filling. So did 28 carbs and 748 calories today.

Hi there passion fruit

If you put med-induced diabetes into the SEARCH box (top right) you will find, in addition to your post, some others which discuss medical treatments inducing diabetic effects.

Hopefully some might be useful for you? 🙂

Thank you !
* Yes, I always drink water – always thirsty – even slip out of bed at night for it.

* I have thought of a hysterectomy, but everyone says it goes so much easier, if you are closer to menopause, ( peri, or at least showing some symptoms ). I, sadly, have none of that. Also, I am concerned about the “down time”. I knew someone, ( a lady vicar – so not likely to lie, or exaggerate ), who had a hysterectomy , and it went badly – almost three months bed/sofa-ridden, and six more months before she was back to her old self. My life couldn’t take that :-<

Hi there Mazzawazzawoo

Great you thought you learned some lessons and I don’t think just over 1000 calories is too bad a miss.

However the thing that jumped out at me in your food today is the Muller Light Fruitopolis. I’ve just looked that up on MyFitnessPal and because it’s Low Fat (Light) it’s got 14 carbs, of which NEARLY ALL ARE SUGAR!! I wonder whether eating that gave you a spike which drove you to the biscuits?

If you possibly can, just boot out the low fat or ‘light’ yoghurt product and switch to Full Fat (which has much less sugar in) and if possible eat the plain version with a few berries.

I found MyFitnessPal app (there are others) really helpful in telling me what the nutrients were in what I was eating – otherwise it’s really easy to sabotage yourself and I really think that’s what you did today.

If you can find and kick out the hidden sugars, you will see much more success, I promise! 🙂

28/09/2016 Day 1. Weight 19st 2lbs. Waking BP 125/74 Pulse 93
Measurements inches: Waist 49.5, Thighs 29, Tops of arms 17, Bust 49.5
Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with tsp butter, salt and pepper – 183kcal
Lunch: Muller Light Fruitopolis – 85kcal
Snack: 2 ww oat biscuits – 89kcal
Dinner: Bolognaise (no pasta) with 30g cheese – 559 + 125
Total – 1041

Massive lesson learnt with portion control. Hoping my carb loaded body will learn to go without and my meals will become smaller. Sweet tooth was calling and stupidly gave into it with sweet yoghurt and then biscuits.

Proud that I didn’t eat the whole box of biscuits and puffed on my grape flavoured nicotine free shisha pen instead.
Proud for not eating anything near what I normally would.

N.B. need to drink more water and exercise.

Hi Billingbabe, might see you on the beach one day as I live in West Sussex. Blood sugars down again today. Feeling positive !

I gained a lot of weight due to some psych prescription meds, became insulin resistant and then diabetic. At the moment I am unable to withdraw from the drugs involved but have just started the basic blood sugar diet. Has anyone had experience of this and any success?

Lol not use a Shammie , but No not a period since like I said best thing I ever done get round the dr and just tell him to sort it good luck 😀

I am too. First time watching it. I just want to eat those cakes! However I am sucking on my new nicotine free grape flavour shisha pen in the hope it will stop me eating something I shouldn’t.

Hi everyone
Is any one else sat in front of the TV watching bake off and thinking why am I on my 8 week diet and why am I watching it 😱 Or am I the only nut case lol time for my glass of water

Hi Lucy Jane . I have been challenging my alcohol consumption for years and have come a long way. I found it best to strengthen my awareness of how the mind works. The undertow is the strongest and hidden reflex. That happens when you’re doing really well and then the undertow drags you into old behaviors when your awareness drops. Yoga is great to strengthen the mind and meditation is also great for me. Hope this helps.

Hello and welcome Timetochange!

Pulses are absolutely fine on the BSD but they do tend to be carb heavy and it can be more effective in weight loss terms to keep carbs to 50g or less per day within your 800 calories.

So if you can count in your pulses according to targets, carry on – otherwise perhaps you could reduce quantities and/or eat less frequently?

Whilst it does take a little getting used to, cutting out refined carbs completely can be done relatively easily and a lot of people see amazing benefits.

Good luck and do keep asking questions if you need to – and use the SEARCH box as there is a lot of experience on this forum now! 🙂

Ok!! Shame the food was that bad but maybe it saved you from yourself! At least the rest of the days food sounds lovely.

I agree with you about the 5 courses almost like the eat as much as you like buffets for €7 that seem to be around in most resorts! In saying that in Spain restaurants have to serve a ‘Menu del Dia’ which is very reasonable and is normally of good quality. Usually 3 courses, with a choice and a drink. The food in most decent places is just smaller portions from the main menu.

Going to watch GBBO soon!!! I can drool even if I can’t partake !

Hi, I started the diet 3 days ago. It’s pretty tough but so far so good. I have experience of 5:2 but wanted to lose some more weight, but quicker. I don’t have diabetes or high blood sugar, but as my dad developed it in his 50’s with no apparent risks factors (he was probably what they now call a TOFI type), I want to ensure that I do what I can to avoid it. I love potatoes so that’s hard. I have no idea if I will last, or need to do the full 8 weeks. I. could comfortably lose at least 1 stone, so I will see how it goes. I was wondering how much people incorporate pulses into the diet. I eat pulses regularly as part of my normal diet, but want to ensure that I don’t go overboard. I’m weighing everything and can keep that up for a few weeks. Also I was wondering what people have found when eating out. I know each place will be different, but any experience/tips from those of you more experienced? Any experience, advice etc is really welcomed. Thanks

Lots of us ‘old-timers’ have been on the BSD for a sustained period, staying with the 800 calories and low-carb – whatever carb limit we have set for ourselves.

After deciding I could do anything for 8 weeks, I find I’ve been doing it (the BSD) for 9 months. No, it’s not always been easy. Much of my work involves food and people can be sensitive if you don’t eat what they’ve prepared. But it doesn’t often bother them now. Each trip away from home has been a learning experience, building on the trip before.

But the benefits (health and non-health) have been great. And of course the weight loss.

After I saw the first rapid results I wanted to stay with this plan. Now I can’t imagine ever returning to eating the way I used to. I will be staying low-carb now. I just don’t want to go back to feeling like I used to!

But that’s me. Others will do it differently.

That does seem odd, sharonjean5cc. I still have skimmed milk (I like it), and 20 cl is given as 10 carbs on Fat Secret.

hope your meeting with the doc goes well – I had this over 10 years ago and had a hysterectomy. Never looked back. Apart from feeling very tired, and unable to go anywhere, my whole life seemed to be dominated by this huge loss of blood. If you are putting on weight would it help to drink more water maybe? I used progesterone cream externally to help with menopause symptoms which seemed to work well x good luck x

WOW. No period? At all??? Oh, Coady, that just sounds so good!
I’ve got to do something. I hope the doc will be nice, and actually give a damn, and run full labs!
*No, never spent the night on the bog, but have found a new use for those “super shamwow car shammies” , that I’m pretty sure Billy Mays would never have thought of – LOL!

Still sticking to it too. I am not weighing myself till the end but I change into a dress when I get in from work that is not that flattering at the moment. I hope to see this improve as the days and weeks go on. Plus, where it looks so awful on, it has kept me motivated not to give up. Keeping in carb range on my fitness pal. My only concern is that the semi skimmed milk is logged as zero carb. Surely this is wrong?

Verano the food was terrible. It is one of those cheap French restaurants where you get 5 courses and a glass of wine for €13. Most of it I couldn’t eat because it was carb and some I couldn’t eat because I didn’t know what was in it and neither did the waitress (an old lady who helps out now and then). The starter was tomato soup with noodles, I tried to eat around the noodles and got about 2 tablespoonsful. The next course was supposed to be a plate of chacuterie (cold meats) it was a choux bun full of something, didnt eat, tomato topped with something, ate the tomato, and one slice of pate. Turned out the something was tuna mayo. Main was guinea fowl, okay but overcooked and dry, served with mush of cabbage, nothing else. Then I had the cheese course, 2 v small slices of cheese. For pudding they had coconut cake with raspberry coulis. I ordered it then shared it with my friends.

It was easy to resist the wine as they give you a bottle of red without asking and as my OH and 2 friends all drink red I just did without.

I don’t know why the Brits go to these awful restaurants, some sort of wow we can get 5 courses etc. I’d much rather go to my 1 Michlen star place that does a set lunch for €25. Wine is extra but the food is amazing.

So that is why, with grilled mushrooms and poached egg for breakfast and a fritatta for dinner I managed 700 calories. I will have a snack later with the 100 calories spare and I have had a half hour swim, it was lovely.

Hi doordie
Just reading your post I had heavy bleeding for years super plus and extra large pads used to last about an hour on me then have to change some nights I have slept on the loo that’s how bad I let it get in the end went to see dr had the tablets did work for about a week then back to bleeding so ended up up the hospital had scans then they found polyps and fibroids went in and they took a sample of them to make sure they were not cancerous, came back all clear then had a choice coil or endometrial treatment had the endometriosis (basically they laser the lining of your womb out) took ten mins from start to finish and i have not seen a period since that was last Dec I wish I had done it years ago hope this helps but one thing I did notice was when I was having my monthly blood donation as I called them I would gain between 2 and 4 pounds in weight
Hope you go and see your dr and get it sorted
Coady

Back from doctors…bp still improved but not normal yet. However was a bit stressed coz by the time I got in to see Doc,i had waited for 3/4 hour past my appt time …it was nearly 5.30 and was anxious to get to a shop before it closed at six ( just made it) so i think my bp was up a bit coz of that. Doc suggested i do a 24 hr blood pressure monitoring to get a good picture round the clock.so will try that tho i recall a friend doing it and it was a bit of a faff….

Blood sugar was normal but amazingly it always has been! I assumed i must be pre diabetic before starting BSD,considering the amount of junk i shovelled down.

The Best News !!! Cholesterol has fallen..pre BSD was six something,now 4.6!
Asked gp her thoughts about it dropping after my switch from low fat to full fat,and she said its coz i’m no longer eating the trans fats in low fat spreads,biscuits,cakes etc..so I thought that was very telling! X 😋😋😋

Hi Igorasusual.

Thanks for posting the link to check your metabolic rate. I have just dived in and checked my rate and it came out with a reading of around 1550. Many mountains to climb before I can safely look at going for this daily intake but the fact that I can enjoy 800 cals a day makes me more determined to reach my goal weight.
Any ideas on what other vegetables can be spiraliser would be appreciated.
I have bought an aubergine today with a view to expanding my OH’s palate even further. Glad to say that he has not rejected any of my meals so far, with the exception of an avocado. I am looking for ways to disguise this within other vegetables as the BSD poached egg and avocado just did not work for him (can’t say here exactly what was said, as you all have very sensitive ears – ha ha)

Just to say, abisaysyes, welcome to the club of all of us who fall off the wagon and feel bad about it.

CONGRATULATIONS on wanting to climb back on, and the good news is that you can and you’ve not been bad and wrong you’ve been human. 🙂

Everyone has a fail or indeed more than one, and instead of deciding that you’ve completely messed it up, you can start again at any point – and in fact the weight you gained will probably fall off again quite quickly.

If you can learn from what went wrong – did you have temptation lying round, did you have some stress, did you not plan in advance and have the right food – whatever went wrong, if you can understand it then maybe next time you won’t do it, or you will manage to do less.

This isn’t easy if you have a CARB MONSTER on your shoulder whispering in your ear…..but we’ve been taught to eat the wrong way, and you need to KICK THE MONSTER not KICK YOURSELF.

So welcome back on to the wagon, I don’t think you will have missed too much and you come back wiser, which is a WIN whichever way you look at it.

Well done, and WELCOME BACK again 🙂 🙂

Hey everyone! How’s it going? I…errr…. am not doing so great, and putting the weight back on!!! ARgh. So going to be on it again from tomorrow. Anyone want to join me for a second bout? Or are you all doing great and lost all you need to lose already, and it’s just me floundering?! Hope you’re all well xxx

Dear Candi

Do you have one of the books? The good news is that they are full of chicken and fish recipes, which you could pad out with pasta and the like for the rest of the family.

Do make sure that you are filling up with enough fat and protein – those are the cornerstones of this approach as far as I can see. It’s not just low carb.

Other than my sneaky cheats with milk and a banana I’ve eaten only recipes from the book and to my surprise I’m not at all hungry. They are fairly simple with lots of ideas for quick lunches and so on. Another advantage of doing it by the book is that you don’t have to count cals and carbs. This is the first time that I’ve followed a diet meal plan and the recipies are really delicious.

This early stage is all about finding our way, I think, so keep going.

Best x

3 hours and only 700cals! Well done.

Looks like water with that snack tonight!!!!

Oh, I certainly hope so – I need something to shift for me!

* According to the A*k&n% site, the lowest carb fruits are : olives, avocados, berries, and fresh apricots. Bananas, mangoes, dates, and grapes are the worst.

And, of course no grains, or bread at all :-<
On being female, and eating bread after 40… Well, ladies, you may as well sit in it – ’cause that’s where it’s gonna go >;-[

Well, Yowzer, I know exactly what you mean…

One time i told the doc i was feeling very unwell coz had been bleeding for over 2 weeks and he didnt believe me..
* I have to go in tomorrow, and tell a doc that I’ve been bleeding like this for almost a year , and a half :-O
Fortunately, for once in my life, I did something kinda smart, but kinda gross – I ballsed-up, grabbed the camera, and took some snaps! I’m going to print those out later on today, and bring them with me. ( Yeah, they’re pretty horrific, but they’re also very “telling”. )

could your inability to lose weight be hormone related?
* May be. On the advice of a medically trained friend, I was taking an all natural, bio-identical progesterone cream, ( to help control the bleeding ). I stopped this almost two weeks ago, as I didn’t really feel that it was helping me much, other than to sleep at night. This morning I have noticed that the bleeding is a tiny bit less, also, I am not so tired. HMmmmmm….

I am really hoping that the doc will do a hormone level check. Fingers crossed! I need something to shift here, before I lose my mind!

Thanks Igor 🙂 I don’t have anything to hand at the mo and the canteen and shop here are closed! But I will remember those suggestions for other moments like this, esp as I really like those baby tomatoes! Think will have to trot off to the vending machine and find some fizzy water. I will control my hunger!!

Depending where you are and accessibility to food

10g nuts (weigh carefully, eat slowly – NOT a handful) 66 calories 1 carb
6 baby plum tomatoes eaten very very slowly 16 calories 2 carbs

Or another glass of fizzy water, and enjoy the feeling of hunger and being in control……(as recommended by Dr MM but not always achievable!)

Hi Snoop.
I bought a spiraliser a few weeks ago and I must say it is the best thing I have bought to date. My OH will actually eat omelettes and curries with courgettes used to ‘pad’ them out. Like you I have not tried anything else but looking forward to learning what else I can use.

Argh! I’m HUNGRY. The afternoon slump has kicked in. I don’t really want to have anything else to eat between now and dinner time but my stomach is rumbling away. I’ve tried drinking a couple of glasses of water to see if that helps but it hasn’t! What would you do in this kind of situation?

I have bought 5:2Vegetarian by Celia Brooks- where all meals are 300 cals or less and Hamlyn’s book- 200 light vegetarian dishes where the recipes are 400/300/200. I have also bought the recipe book produced alongside this diet- it is not veggie- but those that are not suitable I will use substitutes- like tofu- which is definitely allowed and occasionally quorn- the basic quorn is recognised as low fat- I would not personally buy their ready meals while on the diet.

Go for it mazzawazzawoo, it is possible. Follow the book as closely as possible and come to this forum for support if you’re ever doubting anything.

Hey Doordie,

Sounds like you’re well up on knowing what works or doesn’t work for you and you seem to be a low carb pro already! Keeping carbs under 40 seems like a huge challenge but I think I might have to drop mine down slightly if the 50g limit doesn’t work for me. I think pears can be quite carby, as are apples, unfortunately. I think berries and citrus fruits are ok in moderation. 100g of pear, for example, has 15g of carbs and apples are similar so 230g would be over 30g of carbs. I guess you already know this, however! Have heard of progesterone cream but have not used it so cannot offer any stories, I’m afraid. Hopefully things will continue to improve now you’ve stopped using it 🙂

Just to say, mazzawazzawoo, you have seen Captainlynne’s results – she’s nearly at 100 lbs loss, and I think Stewart has posted a thread about his own 100 lbs loss. Just calculated that your 7.5 stone is 105 lbs, so it is indeed possible……

use Search boxes to see their threads

Very good luck to all 🙂 Keep posting 🙂

Wow thank you for posting your progress. I started today and need to lose more than 5 stone to get to where I feel comfortable but 7.5 stone to get to a healthy bmi so a whopping 47kg to lose. You have inspired me to go for it. I have also written down in my pad the reasons for starting including removing the fat from my pancreas to be able to prevent diabetes. I’m thinking the science will motivate me more seeing as I have already tried every diet out there!

I feel for you DOORDIE but i like yr sense of humour!
I had similar periods to yours for most of my adult life until i finally had a hysterectomy. Aged 44.
Was such a relief after years of tampons AND what i used to call ” road accident size” pads but STIll folk sidling up to me to whisper there was blood on the back of my skirt! Plus of course the awful cramps like a litter of rats were gnawing at my insides! And all happening pretty much everey fortnight. Exactly the same even when on the pill.
One time i told the doc i was feeling verey unwell coz had been bleeding for over 2 weeks and he didnt believe me..
🙁

could your inability to lose weight be hormone related? I know my Doc told me i had very high levels of oestrogen in my system pre menopause and that could lead to probs trying to shed weight

From yr description of yrslef you sound very compact in build ,so could this mean you are muscly so that you weigh heavier,as muscle weighs heavier than flab? I hope you find a solution,as there’s nothing more miserable than really trying yr hardest but not seeing results.. We all do it for the rewards and you deserve to get them too xxx