Hi JulesMaigret

I think you’re very fortunate to have had ‘uniformly positive’ interactions with medical professionals and I would suggest that you are, maybe, the exception that proves the rule.

Unfortunately, many medical professionals, think that they have the monopoly on ‘knowledge/intelligence’ and often don’t give ‘patients’ credit for understanding their own bodies.

Nobody here suggests that BDS should be ‘blindly endorsed’ but on the other hand the ‘established’ thinking of ‘low fat’ regimes seems to have failed. The obesity problem is growing by the day, as are the number of people being treated for diabetes. The only people to have succeeded in the long term, over the last twenty years or so, singing the ‘low fat’ song, are the owners of ‘slimming clubs’!!!

I have to agree with sunshine-girl in that we often get frustrated, and it’s that that you are reading here rather than ‘extreme criticism’.

I think the beauty of these ‘fora’ is that people from all backgrounds, levels of intelligence and cultures can share their experiences, good and bad, and come together in ‘discussion’.

Whilst we obviously need follow up studies, sometimes you just have to make a judgement, based on your own circumstances and experiences, and follow your own instincts.

The medical profession want to do it but NICE is holding back, maybe as Jules say, until the results are in. My own experience with the medical profession is mixed, a diabetic nutritionist who put me on a high carb diet which led to 5kg weight gain and HBA1c of 11.5 when I had been 5.6. I managed to get down to 8.2 myself by cutting carbs down but still ate the usual culprits. Then, thankfully, I found this diet and I am back down to 6.7 with hope of a further reduction at the end of Nov test.

My own doctor is an absolute sweetheart and he asked me what I am doing wrong, I showed him the diet sheet, he said he couldn’t eat that much carb in a day and, as a Frenchman, loved his baguette. When, a year later, I told him I was on 800 cals he was gobsmacked but asked me what I ate and I showed him a 5 day menu plan. He said, okay, it is working, carry on. I had lost 4 kg since my previous visit as well as improving HBA1c. I had to see him last week to get a fit to exercise certificate and had lost another 2kg. So he is well happy.

hello all.
Well I started yesterday to eat 800C daily, as shown in MM book. Early days but not too bad so far. A couple of queries though that I wonder if anybody can help with please. I have about 21 llb that will take me to mid BMI ( I am one of those people who go scraggy faced if really thin, haha) and not pre or diabetic – but could be as I age, as I love the wrong foods.
How do you know your target weight? Is it an individual thing?
Linked to above, MM talks about fat draining from liver and pancreas. How do you know when this happens? ( sorry if I appear a bit thick)
When I reach my target weight, how do you stay there? The book says perhaps 800 c one day a week or 5:2 or 6:1, but what do you eat the other days to bring your calorie intake up by probably 600 c a day, when you can’t eat bread pasta potatoes etc with your meals. I am confused a bit.
Thank you for letting me ask the questions, which to you all have obvious answers.

Hi JulesMaigret (great name by the way)

At the foot of this post is what sunshine-girl posted a little time ago, which I found very helpful in terms of research to date, and official advice.

Whilst I am very very very appreciative of the NHS in the UK and would not criticise it unduly (except as a critical friend) as I really would not want to do without it, I do find that GPs are not particularly well educated about nutrition and the various alternatives and are often prone to suggest that their patients ‘go away and lose weight’ without much advice as to how to do it. It is my view many many people would like an indication of ‘how to do it’, especially if it produces swift and measurable results, and can be undertaken without too much suffering of hunger. The other benefits are just ‘the icing on the cake’ and yes, I wish that was a more appropriate metaphor 🙂

Thank you sunshine-girl, I keep quoting this:

A page printed from the Public Health Collaboration on Healthy Eating Guidelines and Weight Loss for the United Kingdom. The site is phcuk.org, an official government site for public health.
Conclusion on page 24 said in 2008 “Evidence from this systematic review demonstrates that low-carbohydrate/high-protein diets are more effective at 6 months and are as effective, if not more, as low-fat diets in reducing weight and cardiovascular
disease risk up to 1 year. More evidence and longer-term studies are needed to assessthe long-term cardiovascular benefits from the weight loss achieved using these diets.” That was in 2008
Finally, in February 2016 the fourth specific analysis was published in the British Journal of Nutrition finding that “Compared with subjects on low-fat diets, subjects on low-carbohydrate diets experienced significantly greater weight loss, greater triglycerides
reduction and greater increase in HDL-cholesterol after 6 months to 2 years of intervention.”
So between 2008 and 2016 the medical advice on nutrition has changed from thinking low carb might be a good idea to 2016 concluding it is a great idea. They go on to say that they are concerned that NICE are not taking up this advice and, in particular, still advocating high carb, low fat diets when it has been shown that low fat leads to fatter people. Apparently NICE are waiting for trial to end so phuk have carried out their own trials and their final final conclusion is:
In light of this scientific evidence the Public Health Collaboration recommends thatthe guidelines for weight loss in the UK should include an ad libitum low-carbohydrate-high-fat diet of real foods as an acceptable, effective and safe approach,

That sounds eminently sensible. I’d like to make sure that I understand the basics properly and potentially go on from there.

I called on my “new” teacher and as I walked in she was balancing on one hand with her legs and other hand motionless in the air. I reckon that’s probably a bit advanced for me for the moment 😉

I still have my sore throat and painful sinuses …. i was debating staying in and reading …. but i’m actually staying in and eating. It’s a short walk to the Bulk Food Store …. so i’m going to bundle up and go get some nuts and pumpkin seeds … and just get vertical for a bit. So far i’m eating healthy easy to prepare food … almost no cucumber left!
I guess it’s not quite as sore as yesterday …. so i AM definitely peckish!!

Hi there Lastchancesaloon

I’ll do my usual comment which is ARE YOU MEASURING??????

I also didn’t have so much to lose – was after a 20 loss, but to be quite frank would have been happy with a stone.
26 lbs or more than 15% of my starting body weight later, I am thrilled and have been on (very successful) maintenance for 2 months with no gain back of the lost weight.

However, I was frustrated early on and the thing to do is TO MEASURE and TO KEEP ON GOING and – if you are up for it – lower the carbs you’re eating each day. I worked on 20-30g of carbs which I not only enjoyed, but I think helped me kick off the weight loss. You say you hardly ate any carbs – are you measuring really thoroughly with an app like MyFitnessPal? Because some (good) veg are very carby – I ‘fell over’ with a little bit too much cabbage! 😉

But be a little patient – your 3 lbs is a great start and you would have been hard pushed to lose that much in a week any other way.

You might like my thread “Not too much to lose…” as it records what I did. Hope that helps 🙂

In this context it means my interactions with the medical professionals have been uniformly positive, I do understand from some people’s posts that their experience has differed.

Jules, as an ex-nurse I am aware of the constraints put on the medical profession and I don’t think we are over critical, just sometimes a bit frustrated that we are not listened to. As well as my nursing experience (some years ago now), my brother has just retired so is quite up to date. When he heard about this diet he tut tutted, when he heard it was 800 cals he nearly had a fit, when he came to visit I fed him my diet and now he is on it. He is not diabetic but has some medical problems. Only thing is he sticks to the diet, goes to the gym every day then eats 4 bars of chocolate. Oh well, you win some etc…..

By the way what does YMMV mean. I get your mileage may vary but don’t understand it in this context. I’m not quite down with the kids and only just worked out TTFN. lol

I am paying for some yoga classes …. the ones at the gym are free BUT i’ve tried them and they are too advanced for me right now.
The one thing both my new yoga class readers stress is Listen to your body …. You should not be in pain and to go as far in a pose as you can … but try and improve your poses, etc. bit by bit.

Thanks Shadow2

Good to hear that you’ve maintained through the summer 😃💐

That 5 pounds will soon disappear when you get back on track. Possibly even with interest!

Please keep posting your progress.

my highest weight was 26s 1lb Feb of this year and since then I have lost 2.5 stones, 1.5 on BSD, the only one to notice has been my mother-in-law?

I personally think …. when you are getting used to a very strict diet, as in the 800 calorie one …. take it easy … your system can’t just go from zero to 60, especially if you are not used to that level of exercise ….. take it easy and work your way up to the level of exercise that you want. If you’ve been doing some walking don’t start jogging or running all in one step. Walk … walk a little more, walk more distance or walk quicker.

If you are dizzy or nauseous … stop … have some water, etc. And try again later or on another day.

Hi lastchancesaloon

It’s 3lb you probably wouldn’t have lost otherwise – and over a seventh of the total weight that you want to loose, so well done!
Many of the people posting here will be aiming/needing to loose a lot more than you are, so if they are more overweight, they will see weight drop away quickly at the start. Don’t get too wound up by comparing your weight loss to other people.
Lucky you that you haven’t let yourself get as overweight as many people here before finding BSD!

Things to think about:
Did you drink lots of water?
How’s your digestive system been? – lots of threads and constipation if you use the search box in the top right hand corner.
Can you increase the amount of exercise that you do?

Hi Verano,

I have my issues with medical professionals but these fora do have a tendency to be very critical of doctors and nurses regarding their lack of knowledge of/unwillingness to blindly endorse BSD. In medical terms, the research for the effectiveness/safety of LCHF diets is still incomplete as long-term, follow-up studies have not yet been done and subject to rigorous peer review. To have them accept all new ideas without these rigorous studies would be equally inadvisable, as the current debate over the real effectiveness of statins on a wide population probably shows us.

Saying that, all the medical professionals I have dealt with on this topic over the last few months have been nothing but supportive and made it clear what the risks and options are and that it is ultimately my choice. YMMV.

Hi Lastchance, don’t be too disappointed, if you have stuck to it it will come off. I only lost 3lbs in my first week and I am still a slow loser. I put it down to injecting insulin every night. Could there be any reason. You say you had barely any carbs, okay what did you have, this is not a no carb diet but low carb, did you count everything both calories and carbs can sneak in when you are not looking, milk in tea, a piece of fruit. 800 is very hard to balance so it is easy to make mistakes.

Keep on keeping on. You will lose.

Just back from DDCC today – quite a nice recipe, teriyaki salmon with stir fired courgetti and mange tout type beans (not quite mange tout, not exactly sure, have to google and find out)
Got to try out a larger model of spiraliser, which was interesting.

Importance of exercise was the topic for today – with a walk.
I went off ahead, varied the route, did an extra half mile and got back 20 minutes before the rest of them did – which is fine, I appreciate it must be hard arranging that sort of stuff for a very mixed ability group. BUT – for the ones that didn’t feel like doing a walk, the alternative was to join a pasta making class that was going on in another part of the centre 🙂

The woman that couldn’t possibly live without having pasta, and thinks it’s impossible to make salad without potatoes (but it doesn’t count because she only uses small potatoes), see earlier posts on this thread, will hence forward be known as Mrs Carby.
Gems today from Mrs Carby (who took the pasta class option) included “it’s too hard to keep a log of carbs, but I did it for one sandwich” “I looked it up and it said there are no carbs in tomatoes, so it must be wrong, because there aren’t”, and the final gem was “I’ve been doing this for sixteen years, so I know all there is to know about carbohydrates”
Bet she does, she stuffs so many down her throat!

One of the other women who did the pasta making course did it because she is going to the gym this afternoon – so she doesn’t need any more exercise today, and she thought everyone was walking too slowly for her. Could have come with me or done the same thing as me and packed in an additional 1.8 miles?!?

Well done Captainlynne I am so pleased for you, you have done fantastic. This is the first time I have been on this site for months as I have been on a maintenance plan. Like you I am 66 and , 5’2″ and got down to 9st 6lb which was the lowest I had ever been in my life. I have managed very well to maintain my weight and blood sugars in the normal range but after being away most of summer and just returned from holiday have slipped and put on 5lbs. Needless to say I am determined to get back on track as this way of eating makes me feel better than I have been for years. To all the people just starting, do keep going you will find its the best thing you have done but you will have a few challenges on the way, good luck.

Next mini goal reached!!!!

Now in single pounds so next goal 2.5lbs to get me closer to the next stone down !
Again no time limit for this but hopefully by mid October.

Hope everyone is doing well towards your goals.

Have just completed my first week and must admit that I’m a bit disappointed that I only lost 3lb as I stuck to the 800 calories a day religiously (had barely any carbs at all). I’m not going to give up though as weight always comes off very slowly but I did think that a bit more would have come off as 800 is very low…

Hi sunshine-girl

Sounds as though you’re in great shape , well done!!

It’s really frightening that we put our trust in the ‘experts’ and they bugger us up with their out of date treatments. I think you’re so right in that we have to take responsibility for our own health. That’s not say that we know ‘best’ and can do without the professionals, but we do have brains and can make our own choices from what’s on offer.

Well done on your weight loss as well!

I think it is all so interesting when you delve into things you thought were ok. Sadly blueberries and raspberries are far too expensive here so I tend to go for apples, pears, cherries and strawberries (when in season) but now aware of having to watch the intake.

Hi Corkie,

I’ve commented on this in the past but after starting on BSD I’ve noticed I have a taste for spicier and more “tasteful” food. I’m guessing this is just the palate moving from a carb-rich diet. My conservatory is full of herbs and I have slightly more spices in the cupboard than my local Morrisons.

just back from Diabetic Cookery Club; 1:1 dietary advice for me today – very very good, but quite high in fat! – explained the principles of BSD again 🙂

Hi all,
Tried the cauliflower cheese – added Jalapeno peppers to it as MM suggests – and glad was I that I did. I found it to be a bit bland – somewhat as sunshine girl found the fish dish. I won’t be trying that (the fish pie) in the near future SG as I am not a big fan of fish pie, but will up the dijon mustard after your report. Also did the courgetti with bacon and beans (quick and filling) and the turkey burgers (also needs a kick for me so I upped the chilli flakes). Keep cooking!!
Corkie

Excellent results Angiebabe. Like you I have a lot to lose (about 100lb in my case) I’ve got to 38lb off in nine weeks and most people I work with haven’t noticed in the slightest. The only comment I had was when I ate the tuna lettuce wraps and the chicken pakoras at a work lunch rather than the baguettes and doughnuts!

Unlike you I have never been on a diet (and it shows!) so the willpower is a whole new experience for me. Saying that, I think that I’m getting to the stage where BSD type eating is becoming second nature for me and I even feel comfortable, if I do go off the rails a little as I know I can play catch-up.

Hi, I am just starting out on BSD. Have tried other low carb diets but never seem be able to keep going on just protein & fat as found had unpleasant side effects. This looked more sustainable and am now 3 days in and loving it. At 5′ 9″ and 250 pounds I have a way to go but my Mother is Type 2 and having noticed symptoms after eating high sugar food, such as really lethargic and fluctuating body temp, etc, though have never had my own blood sugar noted as high medically, I can only benefit from this. Tried some extra exercise over the weekend but felt a bit light headed, not sure if that is just getting used to low calorie intake or maybe should take it easy at first – anyone have similar experience? Am using the recipes in the book and can highly recommend Roast Pork with Apples & Shallots and Beetroot Falafels 🙂

I probably fit into your description as well as I was originally 23.5st and hadn’t done any serious exercise for the last fifteen years or so. I started off with just walking at a steady pace for about 20-30 minutes then over the weeks (I’ve been at this for the last 8 weeks or so) I started upping the tempo in sections of the walk, until I was warm/slightly sweating, breathing a bit hard and with an increased heart rate. I then moved onto 2 sessions a day (morning and PM), with longer sessions at weekends. I use a pedometer to track steps and aim for 10,000+ per day as my job is quite sedentary.

A few weeks ago I also started doing some stretches from a beginners Yoga session on Youtube (the one from a lady with a name not dissimilar to the bloke whole built the wall in the North of England!) and have found them gentle, easy and refreshingly good to do. Unfortunately all the yoga classes around where I live have waiting lists, so I have arranged with one of the instructors to take one-to-one lessons, initially for the next ten weeks. This is not a cheap option and may not be for everybody but I see it as an interesting experiment/investment.

I think that there are lots of former WW and SW members on here. It does take some re-thinking after we’ve been brainwashed for so many years with the low-fat, high-carb and/or “eat all you want off the ‘free’foods” mantra. But the full-fat dairy products are so much nicer😃

Please keep us informed of your progress.

Hi HealthyH and welcome.

I can’t really comment on the training question, but I’m sure someone will be along soon who can.

For recipes, many have used the recipes in the original book and now we have the new recipe book which has lots of great recipes in it.

Best wishes for your journey, and with inspiring your wife to join in.

Thanks guys for your good wishes. I’m not sure anyone has noticed too much yet. My husband learnt years ago not to comment on my weight sweet man that he is but if I ask and ‘give permission ‘ he says it’s amazing. But in all honesty I have so much to lose I don’t think the first 3 stone noticed much. Am seeing my son at the weekend and he is an eagle eyed supporter so we shall see what he says bless his heart. I did discard a pair of trousers today as they were falling down which is a victory I’ve heard others talk about and envied so that was a wonderful feeling.

I would love to be overweight by Xmas but that would be nearly 3lbs a week ongoing but as I think the loss may slow over time I don’t know if it’s possible. However I am getting better at this BSD malarkey over time and have no intention of giving up. I do keep a record of the diets I’ve been on and in 2015 I gave up at 18 weeks so this is another victory I don’t think I’ve ever been this determined!

Shalimar
I have exercise all my life many sports, but in recent years my body has decided to slow me down, a few years back I was so over protective of my cream cracked knees, they ended up almost so stiff I struggled to walk, physiotherapy sorted that out, now I just keep moving, Aqua Fit is great all over exercise, I first used it many years ago after a Rugby injury as it is non weight baring, I also have a dog to walk. the HI training may come at some time in the future but not yet. remember you encourage babies to walk before they run, so it is only logical you work up to a Marathon, set yourself personal gaols, Aqua fit twice a week a short walk on 2 other days. from personal experience after my legs almost seized up, any exercise is good, the old boys at the gym, in their 80’s keep saying to me use it or lose it, I take it they are talking about exercise and not going senile and forgetting they already said that?

Thanks Dona Rosa,

Just checked on link you gave me. Did you know frozen blueberries have slightly less carbs than fresh blueberries? Interesting….

Sorry to be slightly against the trend on this one but the phrase “several medical conditions” rang a few alarm bells. I would suggest that you consult a medical professional as moving onto what is a quite challenging dietary regime may not be advisable. Pay your GP (or equivalent) a visit and give them a summary of the diet.

Hi Eveyone,

been stalking the forums for a couple of weeks now and finished reading the book last week and figured it is time to give this plan a go.
It seems like a great community here, who are very supportive of one another. I love reading the success stories, it instills a positive mindest in me and makes me think I can do this.

I have tried numerous plans in the past, with mixed results, the only time I have really been sucessful was when I was training around an hour a day, 6 days a week. But being a father of 3 and busy with other stuff, this was just not sustainable. I hope this lifestyle choice is. For me my motivation is my wife and kids. My wife is Prediabetic and does not seem to be in the mindset to do anything about it at the moment (no judgemental comments please) Whilst I am in the normal range, high end at 5.1, I am carrying alot of excess weight at 5 ft 8 and 241 lbs so I plan to get down to 210 as a target to start with and then inspire my wife to follow my lead.

Anyway, I have planned out my meals and am ready to do this! But would appreciate any help the veterans could offer to the following quesitions please

1, I plan to train quite hard 4 times a week and was planning to increase my calories by about 200 a day on those days, has anyone else tried this and if so what results did you get?

2, Apart from the recipes found here can anyone else suggest a good source of relevant recipes for the plan please?

thanks to any and all who take to the time to help and I hope my next 8 weeks can prove fruitful and lead to me being a healthy member of this community.

Cheers
H

Hi Emily!

I will join you too! I just started today…day one half down and not doing toooo badly so far…

I’m a single mother of one in my late 30s. 5 ft 3…about 12 St. I’ve been really hooked on carbs too, despite trying a few times to change my eating habits. I’m hoping that a more structured plan (and online support community!) might be what I need to take more control of my diet..

Wish me luck!

Annette 🙂

I don’t know if this has been posted before but I found this on line which might help. http://www.carbohydrate-counter.org/

The BSD is good for a variety of things as well as improvements in blood sugar, and I recommend you type in your various medical conditions in the SEARCH box top right to see if others have commented in other threads (lots of experience here on this forum).

I also thoroughly recommend you look at the various headings at the top and it may well benefit you to read through the book The 8 Week Blood Sugar diet as it explains very simply the science behind the programme. Time very well spent.

I merely wanted to lose weight and OH had Type 2. Both of us have seen great health improvements from the BSD.

Giving up refined carbs for the 8 week period (rice, bread, potatoes, sugar, pasta) trains you to a different way of eating which is very healthy and full of good stuff (lots of vegetables, for instance), tasty and also helps you lose weight and stop craving the instant hit of refined carbs.

Hope that helps 🙂

I’m not a doctor ….. so, to start with, Check out the section tabs at the top of the website …. i.e. Blood Sugar Diet (like Who should do it) … Get Started (description of the basics) ; FAQ (frequently asked questions). If you don’t have the 8 week Blood Sugar Diet book by Michael Mosley … perhaps you can buy it or borrow a copy from the library?

I believe this diet can be helpful and healthful in many ways …. but i can really only speak for myself.

Short answer is YES, it is good for anyone whether or not diabetic, it will reduce your weight quite dramatically therefore giving you lots of motivation. It will reduced blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. That is what it has done for me. What health problems do you have. Whatever they are you will benefit from this diet. Good luck and keep posting, any questions, there is always someone here who has been there done that.

Thanks RozyDozy ….. for now i just want to keep moving as in aquabics … i can make that low impact. I also will try and walk a little more. I actually like some of the fitness machines at my gym/pool …. i love exercising my shoulders … and the rowing machine. I’m going to try and get more fit …. but at a pace my body can handle.

I have tested my blood glucose this morning prior to starting the 800 diet and the result was 4.1 this is in the normal range. However I am overweight and have several medical conditions. Is this diet right for me? Can anyone give advice on this that would be great!

Sazzle, know it as Byetta. My doctor wouldn’t give me that, it is supposed to help with weight loss whereas insulin causes weight gain. Apparently I was / am not big enough so I have had to continue gaining weight on insulin. Not gaining now though.

Yes we are lucky
I didn’t think abt saving calories but as it happens the mackerel was meaty and the dip creamy so yes will do again

1960smp that is one of my fav lunches but I have it with tuna because I don’t like mackerel or sardines and save quite a few calories. Another fav is the roasted breast of chicken with roasted red pepper and asparagus. Never much like asparagus but when it is roasted it takes on a nutty flavour. Yum yum, we are so lucky.

Good morning Poppetini, tigs, and everyone

Sounds like a plan Poppetini!!!

Sun just beginning to come up here. But it is supposed to be nice and sunny.

1) 1st good thing …. Bacon and eggs for breakfast!!!

2) 2nd … i think i’m a bit better but i might just stay put and read my new Louise Penny book … or at least start it.

3). I saved 1 strip of bacon …. i might try frying some chopped kale in the left over grease and a bit of garlic butter later. My nephew’s wife has a nice brusel sprouts and bacon dish she brings to family dinners … and Canadian Thanksgiving is coming up

And all the best with yours Miss Rose- we can do this !!

Thank you Flash – fingers crossed for your weigh in tomorrow 🙂

In terms of supermarkets – I find late night shopping helps – if possible and practical for you.

They have stopped baking by 10pm at night (probably earlier – but I tend to go after that), and you get the extra exercise of climbing around the trolleys they use to restock the shelves!

Hi Shalimar,
Don’t worry about the High Intensity fitness too much – I’ll let you into a little secret, I have totally bypassed that & still lost weight. I have a pretty intensive part-time job & an allotment. On the days I’m not doing either of those I make myself do a walk of some description to keep the step count up.
And this week (coz I’ve finally booked myself a week off work) I intend going swimming for the first time in 6 years (there, it’s in writing – I’ve got to do it now).
What I’m really saying is don’t try and force yourself to do too much if you have physical issues as you won’t want to aggravate any of them. Best to find different ways of increasing your activity and build up from there. Any activity is better than no activity. As the weight comes off you can be a bit more adventurous and push yourself a little further with the exercise.
Anyway, good luck!