Poor poor you I think unless you have had the pain you can’t understand how awful it is. I guess once the stones have been created diet alone can’t dissolve them. Are you going to have surgery to have them removed? I did so and have been fine ever since very little after effects.

Interestingly I have just had my health MOT and despite still being obese my chloresterol levels were astonishingly good and my cardio risk factors under 4% which is nigh on amazing. ( bear in mind I’m the type that Drs look at and assume I have high blood pressure and diabetes which I don’t). I have been on the diet 14 weeks and lost 44 lbs. the sister was so impressed she’s going to read up about the diet herself. Another victory for the BSD!

Spread the word

I think most on here aim for 50g or lower – some people sustain under 20g or under 30g – if you use the search box, I think there is guidance somewhere that states the amount of carbs is up to the individual, rather than being a set figure.

I aim for less than 50g – but I have noticed that it’s days when I don’t eat meat or fish that my carbs are likely to be highest – so you may find it harder to go very low carb following a vegetarian diet. I did read somewhere that any diet with under 100g of carb is ‘low carb’ – but of course if you’ve already moved away from regular RDIs by reducing to 800 calories then other things should shift in line with that.

I’d suggest continue using my fitness pal to log all of your food, and then when you have a weeks data, reviewing to see where you could further reduce carbs if you feel you need to. If you are losing weight /reducing blood sugar levels with slightly higher carbs than 50g, maybe you don’t need to.
The other thing to do is to search for existing threads on vegetarian diets & read through those – you may find existing discussions around the topic that will be useful.

Hi. I am on my second day of BSD and finding it easier than anticipated (early days, I know). The thing I am struggling with is getting my carbs low enough. Am I right in thinking that I should be aiming to have below 50g of carbs per day? I am using my fitness pal to show calories and carbs. I have no difficulty keeping my calories below 800 but my carbs are above 50g. I’m veggie and eating mushrooms, beetroot, carrots etc and having eggs, cottage cheese, feta and nuts for protein. I’d be grateful for any advice. Thanks.

Hi

I suggest that you use an app such as MyFitnessPal (there are others), most have a free version, to log in your food intake.

This may sound a faff, but believe me it helps planning your intake, and you can keep an eye on calories and nutrients within food.
Many people here keep carbs (the good ones) under 50g per day to help weight loss, and the app will show you how many grams of carbs as well as protein and fat and calories within the foods you’re eating. Important to weigh stuff, too – you get used to quantities after a bit and can estimate more accurately.

So – yes you can eat veg and salad, but you can’t say ‘unlimited’ for anything – you need to know what the calorie/carb content is. For example, when I started BSD I ate quite a lot of red cabbage in salad without realising how carb-heavy it was. Not a problem in itself, but you might like to ‘spend’ your carbs on other things.

Hope that helps and good luck! 🙂

I’ve planned to consult GP tomorrow Availa. Thank you all for your valuable suggestions. Hope everything will be fine soon.

If your GP wants you to have a glucose increase then dehydrated fruit is a good source. But as part of a balanced diet. If you have low blood sugar and having headaches linked to trying this diet then possibly you need to up your calories, sugar and carb to ease it.

****but note we are users of this diet, not doctors, not experts and all responses are opinions and guesses only – hence need to talk to your doctor****

Thank you Avila for the information. I had a doubt when my friend said about dehydrated fruits. But I was not able to think anything deep. I just wanted to get well soon. So I have to skip my plan of eating dehydrated fruits right? I’ll consult my doctor as soon as possible. Let me check whether he’s free because i’ll not be able to wait too long in a crowd. Do you know any temporary solution to get rid of these kind of headaches?

Hi. I’d love to join your group even though I won’t be starting my 8 week plan until the end of the month because of family/friends functions which are coming up this month. However, I will been trying to keep my calorie intake below 1000per day and within diet guidelines for the rest of the month. My OH is type 2 but at the moment is diet controlled but he does suffer from high blood pressure and colestrol for which he is taking medication. We are hoping that this diet will help with all his medical problems.

Just found this post and thought what a great idea!

Mine are for the weekend

1. Went to a lovely wedding
2. Parents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary
3. Went out for a great meal to celebrate 2!

Concetta,

Dehydrated fruit does continue more concentrated sugar.

Not everyone on BSD is doing it to reduce blood sugars, but those who aren’t are generally aiming for weight loss.

The Mediterranean style of eating is a good healthy one to follow but not the fasting diet version if you have low sugar. As has been pointed out it is the direct opposite to what is needed in your body, you cannot risk your blood sugar dropping any further. The level of reactions in your body back that up.

‘Let me try to get a bit better before consulting the doctor. I’m really worried about my health condition. Hope it doesn’t get worse.’

NO! Consult the doctor first….

Hi,
It’s my first day today and I confess that I haven’t actually done shopping for everything I need, going later, so for breakfast and lunch I’m having a shake (Slimfast) later I’m having roast chicken and veg or salad. Is salad unlimited? Are vegetables unlimited?
As I said it’s my first time trying this. I did the Newcastle diet a long time ago.

Urg feeling depressed and a bit headachy. Just sugar withdrawal I know. I didn’t eat any leftover dessert! Yay me! I threw some away and gave the last to family after dinner tonight. I had a little piece of cheese for dessert.

Thanks Trelawny,I didn’t do too bad,carbs were a bit high and calories about 1000 so not too bad.I didn’t put any weight on either which is good.It should be easier tonight,still not sure what I’m making but at least there’s no requests!I’m off to the gym shortly and will take the dog for a long walk in the afternoon so that will help to burn off some calories.I’m away to look at the recipes now!

I followed the diet for few days. But my headache, dizziness and work stress made me lose hope. As you’ve said I have to go to my GP soon. Thank you both for your suggestions. I’ll again try to maintain my diet. Let me try to get a bit better before consulting the doctor. I’m really worried about my health condition. Hope it doesn’t get worse.

What an inspiration,so much weight lost in such a short time.You have done it so we can do it,there’s no excuse!

Thanks for this information..I will look into the keto site & see what changes I can make to my diet.

congratulations Lynne that’s brilliant
you’ll be so far under by Saturday you’ll be setting new goals!

Concetta
I agree with Igor – as many of the posters here are following to reduce their blood sugar levels, they are not likely to have a great deal of knowledge on the subject.
If your GP has given a suggested diet to follow, try that – if it is similar to BSD, then read the book and follow this; but if your GP has said eat/drink glucose rich food, then I would suggest that this is not an ideal diet for you to follow.
You state “I don’t have time to maintain a proper diet” – I’m not sure why you think time to maintain the BSD way of eating would be any different – let alone the fact that if it is diametrically opposed to what you have been advised for your condition, it isn’t likely to achieve a great deal for you.
Why not go back to your GP and ask about the possibility of seeing a nutritionist, or maybe getting CBT to assist with eating or health issues?

Hi Hazel

Both OH and I have been following the BSD (now on maintenance, but following the same principles with higher calorie targets).

I am not Type 2 and wanted to lose some weight, successfully losing over 20 lbs moving from 10 stone 8 lbs to 8 stone 10 lbs in just over the 8 weeks. OH wanted to get off Metformin, and followed the BSD though on more calories as he didn’t need to lose so much weight, but needed to change his shape and lose the visceral fat. He has now been able to stop using Metformin, and has had his doctor’s approval for this.

So I focused on 800 calories but in light of comparatively little weight loss to achieve, used this site:
http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com

together with

MyFitnessPal app

to log on all my food – if you insert your details into the keto site, it will show you how many carbs/protein and fat proportionally you should try eating and you can then set your targets on MyFitnessPal.

OH followed the same principle.

Whilst the carbs on the BSD are good ones, you can experiment with eating less of them. Because of my target, I set my carbs at 20g per day. Many people here try 50g or less of carbs, and find the weight loss is very effective. It can also really help with BS readings.

We are eating real food, not protein shakes. It is possible to keep the carbs at under 50g eating real food.

I hope this helps you. I would really recommend trying slightly less carbs for you – I am sure more people on the forum will join in on this thread to agree 🙂

I have just finished week 2 of the diet and I have to confess I have been hit with the worst pain from my gallstones that I have ever experienced. That said, I was diagnosed with gallstones before starting the diet and was told I had a serious case so I an loath to link the two. The reality is that I have the blasted things because I am obese in the first place and this plan is a miracle in terms of how easy it is to follow and how much weight I am loosing. My only misgiving was how the issue was glossed over in the book.

I have heard of the benefits for blood sugars levels too, haven’t tried it yet. The word is that it is best to get cloudy apple cider vinegar with a “mother” in it, not the processed stuff.

What I have used it for is a wart. For months I could barely walk with a big painful wart under my foot. I tried every product at the chemist and had my doctor freeze it four times. No result. I gave up for a while. Then read about apple cider vinegar online. I was very sceptical but decided to try (doesn’t this sound like an ad!) in one day, part of the wart came off. About two weeks later, all gone! This is after something like five months of pain and treatment. It was only a couple of weeks ago so I’m still so happy and grateful and willing to believe anything in favour of Apple cider vinegar!

You are a complete inspiration

Hi Igorasusual, Thanks for your reply. I still use Michael’s BSD a lot. The 3 Optifast shakes are 66 carbs plus his soup & some veges would only be about 100 carbs a day.
What diet is your husband on to have only 40 carbs a day?

That is absolutely amazing, both of you. What a success.

What with that and your improved eye condition, 54, you must be feeling dead chuffed.

The pair of you will soon have to start saving for a new wardrobe. 🙂

I don’t specifically know the reason for my low blood sugar. It may be due to my food habits. Also I used to use a lot of medicines in case of headache. I don’t have any alcoholic habits, so I thinks medicines or food may be the reason. I felt the symptoms of low blood sugar 2 years back. At first I thought it may be due to overwork and stress. But later I was not able to bare it. So I consulted my doctor . He checked me and said that I have low blood sugar. He said me to maintain a proper diet. But even when I try, time doesn’t let me to maintain diet. I don’t have time to maintain a proper diet. So I need some efficient method to overcome this. Doctor said that it’s not a critical condition. But still I cannot tolerate it. For few weeks I had headaches during night, which was really bad. I just want to get well soon and lead a normal life. Please suggest some methods to overcome low blood sugar. Doctor said me to eat or drink glucose rich food. My friend said that dehydrated fruits will contain much sugar content. I’m really confused. Please help me to get rid of this.

Photo time. With apologies to those who’ve already seen the ‘after’ photos.

Before pics.

The first taken 2011′ second in 2008. But give an idea of what I looked like when I started the BSD last December.

http://s349.photobucket.com/user/captainlynne1/media/3f6f3439-6921-4684-aca6-4058bfad162d_zpsahihk0kv.jpg.html

http://s349.photobucket.com/user/captainlynne1/media/Before%20photo_zpspqsl02ta.jpg.html

After pics – taken last week.

http://s349.photobucket.com/user/captainlynne1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfnutbdme.jpeg.html

http://s349.photobucket.com/user/captainlynne1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsgx3tvg7o.jpeg.html

Hey Imogen it doesn’t have to be tight clothes. Just comfy clothes in the right size. Even jeans and a hoodie look better when they are the right size ☺

Forgot to update this morning was a busy bee, I weighed in and have gained 4 lbs so my break from 800 is stopping! I expect its just my weight levelling but still I can’t let it go up far yet so back on 800 for me for the moment.

I’m sure it will come off soon enough although I do have two meals out this week! Lol

I had yogurt and strawberries for breakfast, have cheese, ham, tomatoes and cucumber for lunch, chicken and cashews for dinner I think.

I can do it ☺

Hi CaptainThin
🎺🎺🎺🎺

No drums in the line up, however I think TRUMPETS will do the trick.

N.

Concetta

Your posts don’t give details of why you are using the Blood Sugar way of eating if you already suffer from low blood sugar?
And you don’t specify how long you have been following the programme or give any other details.

We’re not medical experts here, have you consulted your doctor if you have long term low blood sugar issues? This may not be the best way of eating for you.

Hi Hazel – congratulations on your great results!

Can I ask what your carbs are within your 800 calories?

Cutting out refined carbs does reduce the amount of carbs within the BSD, but everyone’s body is very different in terms of how many grams of carbs suits us.

Some people have great control over BS with 100-150g of carbs per day, whilst other people find 50g or less suits them.

It may be that you should look at the total (good) carbs in your diet and see what you’re including in your 800 calories.

I am not Type 2, but OH is – he keeps his carbs to 40g or less per day, and this seems to be having a good effect on ongoing blood sugar measurements.

I have been a type 2 diabetic for about 20 yrs. I treated it with exercise, diet, and then medication & for the last 5 yrs on insulin. I am 70 yrs old, & very active. I have been overweight for 40 yrs (since birth of children) & couldn’t lose it. In Feb this year I weighed 73 kg & my average glucose was 9 mmo/L & at times 20 at night.
I bought bought Michael’s book & went on the 800 cal diet with great results. In 3 weeks I was totally off insulin & glucose down to 6.5. In 8 weeks I lost 11 kg . I have been off insulin for more than 5 months & maintaining a low cal diet ( mostly about 800 cal ). No more weight will come off & over the last 2 months my glucose has been steadily climbing again. The average is now 9.5.
Does anyone have any suggestions as I am concerned & don’t know what else to do.

Amazing results 54! Well done.

ok Day 7 over

AFTER WEEK 1

WEIGHT NOW: 20 Stone 12 pounds

START WEIGHT: 21 stone 12 pounds

LOSS AFTER WEEK 1: 1 STONE (14 pounds)

Slightly amazed

Exercise. Long walk

Fingers crossed for week 2

ok Day 7 over

AFTER WEEK 1

WEIGHT NOW: 20 Stone 12 pounds

START WEIGHT: 21 stone 12 pounds

LOSS AFTER WEEK 1: 1 STONE (14 pounds)

Slightly amazed

Exercise. Long walk

Fingers crossed for week 2

starting again this week, half stone on but that’s what I expected…here’s to a better week this week for all of us

Thank you for the positive encouragement peeps 🙂

Well last week I lapsed again. I was only following the diet half heartedly, ate a load of rubbish and it showed on the scales.

So, Monday 5th September – officially starting again at week 1. Have half a stone on, which isn’t great, but I’m still 6 pounds lighter than when I started.

I have a food plan for the week, bought my healthy groceries, filled up my water bottle, had my yoghurt and berries this morning and ready to get stuck in 🙂 Hope everyone has a productive week!

Good morning folks,

Am starting again from week 1 so if I may I’ll join in on this thread if that’s OK. Have gained half a stone in the few weeks I was off the diet, so hoping to get back on track, lose that and more. Monday is a good day to start afresh for me 🙂

Sorry to hear about your mum Loopylou – hope she gets better soon!

Going to try courgetti spaghetti this week Verano – I tried it once before and I think I overcooked it, was a bit slimy – 2nd time lucky 🙂

Have a good week all x

Hi Izzy,

Isn’t it great to make time for creativity? Hard to leave that and come back to the day job though! Congratulations on taking the first step towards your on-line business🌻💐🌻
Know what you mean about the way too baggy clothes, yet am still hesitant about wearing tighter fitting clothes as yet…need to get past that😄

I have low blood sugar and I often have dizziness, headache and blurry vision. I’ve bought some dehydrated fruits from Horton spice mills Quality spices. Will dehydrated fruits help me to increase the blood sugar level?? I need some immediate suggestions, because i’m working and after work I have to take care of my family too. I can’t concentrate in anything now. I feel so tired and I don’t know what’s happening around me. Please give me some suggestions to get rid of this low blood sugar. Can you please suggest me some diet ideas to improve my blood sugar. Any suggestions are greatly welcomed. Thank you.

Hi team

Well week 14 and I’ve lost another 4lbs this week making a total of 44!

Am absolutely thrilled as I had thought things might drift down to a single pound a week by now. It looks like my body likes this and is thriving on the BSD. I am careful to drink a lot of water keep under 50 carbs and exercise most days, I can’t do the 10k steps as with my PMR I get whacked at a certain point but basically walk for 40 mins and do strength exercises for 20 mainly focussed on physio exercises for arthritic knees.

I still have a lot to lose but as I said before I would love to be overweight at Xmas but I would need to lose 3lb a week to do it which is a tall order.

Achievement of the week? Making a friend a chocolate birthday cake not eating any and sending him home with the rest. Is it me or does chocolate smell particularly divine when you don’t eat it?

Am off to the surgery this morning the nurse is doing my over50 MOT so that should be interesting!
Have a great day everyone

Everyone is doing so well! Totals for yesterday cals 755, carbs 32.5, steps 11,000+. End of week stats weight slightly up on yesterday 12.2 1/4 loss for week one 10lbs. Waist start 38.5 now 34.5 so 4″ off unbelievable! Definitely had a lot of water weight and inches! Week 2 will be interesting to see how we all get on! Have another good week everyone!x

Hi loopylou

Sorry to hear about your mother hope she recovers quickly.

Well done losing another1.5lbs. I’ve had a big of a strange week too! Don’t know why but I put on a small amount on 3 consecutive days. Today I’m on the way down again but looks like no loss this week for me but we’ll see tomorrow!

I have told him now that my aim is to ditch metformin. Meanwhile he’s enjoying cauliflower 101 ways and courgetti spaghetti !!!! I’m in the Atlantic, Tenerife, hence the name ‘Verano’ …. ‘summer’ in Spanish! Not quite the Mediterranean but still a similar diet!! Will do my best here. Hoping to lose 1lb a week. We’ll see!

Somebody has suggested we keep this thread as not everybody is a 2nd 8 weeker. Seems fair enough.

I’m Concetta Parsons. i’m a newbie here. I have low blood sugar and I don’t have any idea on what to eat and what not to eat. I need help..

Looks like we’re all making decent progress. Well done us. I’ve moved on too.

86.8 kg
– 0.8 kg
– 1.7 kg overall

Yesterday’s food and exercise
778 cals
88 carbs (too many but never mind; including a late-night banana as pulling an all-nighter for work)
25 minutes gardening

Not suffering severe hunger pangs, just a few minor tummy gurgles before dinner, which is probably normal, just not used to them as I used to graze all the time. Am feeling quite well overall, just tired from not getting enough sleep last night. Tomorrow’s weigh-in is the end of my week. Might celebrate with a full-fat Greek yoghurt instead of a banana. Am really enjoying this diet!

Hi Babs,thanks for that but haven’t got a bike and can’t swim!! I need something that doesn’t involve equipment. Sounds as if you are doing really well. Will look at Catalyst ABC.

Hi everyone. You are an inspiration. I’ve had a strange weekend as my poor 80 year old mother fell on Friday night during a trip away to Norfolk, so I spent the weekend driving up and down (4 hours to Norwich at 6.30am on Saturday morning) to Norfolk and hospital visiting. Back home now as children back to school tomorrow, then back up on Wednesday.
I am trying my best with the food but it’s been a bit of a case of what was available. Hopped on the scales this morning and another 1.5 pounds gone. So pleased with that. Don’t think I will make my 10% body weight loss goal this week, maybe next week(assuming no more traumas!).
verano, are you going to come clean with your husband? I can’t believe he hasn’t noticed the changes before now! Where are you off to on holiday?

Hi. I’m new too. Also starting today. Done my measurements. Eek! Shopping later. Excited to be healthier in the future and slimmer. Want to be a healthy mum for my daughter. She runs rings around me at the moment. Hopefully I’ll be giving her a run for her money very soon.

there are 2 threads that might be of use.

starting Monday 29th august anyone want to join me

and

2nd 8 weeks starting Tuesday august 30th

they contain people on ther first 8 weeks, people on their second and all in between. but they show great tips from people who are on all stages of the journey. what has worked want food is good lots of advice, feelings they had etc etc

Dorybach

I think keep the thread here as many are not second 8ers like me

Great news Bloke 41

I’m on the scales after my first week later.