I found My diet coach pretty handy so far, even if the graphics are targeting teenage girls, it still helps a lot in tracking daily calories, exercizes in kcal, measurement tracker and before-after photo organizer.
Here is the link for iOS: My Diet Coach – Motivating weight loss for women, smart diet tracker & calorie counter – FREE by InspiredApps
https://appsto.re/gb/hcb7G.i

Thanks Minnie – can see you had a few replies regarding to your cuppa – I tend to drink mine black so don’t have a problem with milk, though like a splash of milk in my coffee…….I am trying to drink more water than hot drinks, though I have always tended to have about 8 glasses of water a day. Be in touch soon x

Thanks Verano for your kind, encouriging words!

I have been on the slow-carb diet of Tim Ferriss (4-hour body) which also builds on similar principles, so i have already cut carbs like bread, rice, sweets etc, however, it has a cheat-day once a week to spike blood-sugar which is supposed to invigorate your metabolism. It worked well for me, lost 12 kgs, but since then stress and loneliness crept up on me so the weekly cheatday became 2 or 3 days of unlimited splurge… Then all the weight piled back in with some extra on top… 🙁
Im used to self-restriction, can go on a juice fast for a week even when travelling internationally on the job.
Im trusting in the power of a group to fight feelings of loneliness and futility when the going gets tough, and to take me further towards my goal this time.

Day 0. Fasting (only water + 6.25 km run) completed.
Now onto day 1, started with 6 km run, 10 mins yoga and 20 mins mindfulness which i find fundamental in controling physical and emotional hunger.
Next up is preparing gazpacho (only veggies and spices without bread) to last the next few days so i dont have to think about what to eat. 🙂

Starting stats:
Weight: 94.1 kg
Waist: 110 cm
BMI: 30.02

On we go!!

Thanks Frog. Brilliant idea. I’ll measure it out in a jug and see what I get through. Will probably be more than I thought. Does anyone have a good site/app for quickly counting carbs/calories?

Hi eternally optimistic and piper. I have tea with a little semi skimmed milk and I counted 20 or 30 cals depending on how big a splash at first but don’t bother now.
I used to drink a lot, about 7 or so cups a day but I have cut that down to 3 to 4 and added water to drink instead.
I have a a friend who has tea with a splash of milk, doesn’t count it and still loses weight so I don’t think it is too important in the long run. I am only started counting it to see how it affected the 800.
Hope that helps and nice to hear from you.

Hope you don’t mind a new joiner just 1 week in but our height and weight is so similar (your starting weight!) I thought you would be a good person to follow! 1st week went well but I have at least 4 stone to loose and was wondering if it is ok to keep going after 8 weeks or do we have to move to the 5:2? Based on what you say, obviously not!

Hi eternally optimistic
I drink a lot less tea that I used to (heat and soooo much water now) and don’ have a lot of milk in it anyway, but for the first eight weeks I just worked out how much milk I consumed in tea on an average day, and logged that quantity for carbs and calories every day.

I couldn’t be bothered to count the number of cups, how much of each I actually drank….

Congrats 54 for taking the first step and on your first day!

The first few days will be the toughest but it will be so worth it and in a week or so, you’ll be saying, “I can do this for eight weeks!” And every day you stick to it (after the first few!), you’ll feel better and better.

You have exactly the right plan – one goal at a time, one day at a time. I started making changes to my life in January and had a goal of losing more than 7 stone and it seemed impossible. But my first goal was a stone (check, but took months – didn’t do it on BSD), then my next goal was pretty much “just anything as long as it is in the right direction!”, (check, another 2 stone 4 lbs), and my current goal is “the next 2 stone.” When that’s done, the goals will get smaller – but I hardly ever think about it all at once because it’s overwhelming (which is a lesson some kind person on the forum taught me on the day I had lost a total of 2 1/2 stone and professed anxiety because all I could think was, “How can I have lost this much and still have so much to lose?”).

Have a great day, 54, and cheers to taking care of yourself and prioritizing yourself!

Hi Minnie and Piper. Does anyone know the effects of tea??? I’m an addict and there is no way I can do without at least 4-6 cups a day. I sometimes drink decaff coffee but will be ok with giving that up as it’s got too much milk in. But does a wee splosh of milk in my tea make all that much difference?

Sunshine-girl at least you’ve lost the ‘taste’ for carbs. See you tomorrow!

Good Morning – can I join you all as this is my Day 1. I have been on and off a diet for most of my life – now aged 64. Need to loose 3 stone so that I can enjoy better health and improve my arthritis……fingers x.
Love reading all your blogs it certainly does help knowing there are others doing this journey too.
Just about to start doing my menus for the week – this morning had glass of warm water with lemon and scrambled egg with tomato and chives really enjoyed it……hope everyone has a great week and happy Bank Holiday x.

Count me in. The more the merrier.

Hallo eternally optimistic. I like you have 20 lbs to lose but am quite a bit older and not nearly so active.
I started a few days ago and have not progressed very far due to eating out and a bit of falling off the wagon but am back in track now so will join you in weight loss journey. I will probably be a bit slower than you but the tortoise still finished the race so that’s what I am banking on.
I too am going on holiday in September and also would like to be half a stone lighter so let’s enjoy the journey together.
Minnie

Verano, no halo here, the pate was fois gras at about a million calories. Know I have gained weight but ready to start again tomorrow, but even relaxing the calories cannot bring myself to eat a carb

Hi sunshine-girl …. Is that your halo I can see shining through my screen!!!!

Well done under duress. Not sure if I will be that committed when we go away next Sunday!

Verano, that is exactly what I was going to say to GemGem. I bet you are still crying but with happiness. Welcome to the converts. I have struggled this week with family here and 3 meals out and I have not once put a devil carb in my mouth. The pate came on little rounds of toasted bread and I scraped the paste off and threw the bread away.

Hi everyone.

This is my first ever post in any forum so forgive me if I’m not as slick as some! I usually do things in groups and have never attempted to go solo, so hoping my ‘group’ will be in this forum.

I heard Michael on Radio 2 last week and so much of what he said made complete sense to me. I am 52 and have about 20 lbs to loose. I know it’s not a huge amount, but as most people know, weight-gain is a slippery slope, especially in middle-age, so hoping to nip it in the bud now. I am not pre-diabetic (at least I don’t think I am), but just fed up trying god knows how many different diets, to no effect. I play tennis, ride my bike, walk and do gardening, so exercise is not a problem. My OH is Type 1 Diabetic, and as I am chief cook and bottle-washer in our house, I do have a pretty good knowledge of diabetes, blood sugars etc. He is about 2 stone overweight these days, but is in denial. I’m hoping that by embarking on this ‘lifestyle choice’ (not diet) some of it will rub off on him. I will give him the book, but to be honest there are some parts of it which are very scary for him, as his diabetes is not life-style induced and there is nothing he can do to reverse or improve it (in my opinion the two types should have completely different names, to avoid confusion). However, he could certainly benefit from the weight-loss.

So, I did the shopping on Saturday and started yesterday. I’m going on holiday in 3 weeks, so hoping to see some loss before then. I’ll do my best on holiday but that will be hard – easier if I’ve lost half a stone by then, to give me some motivation to be good!

Made the skinny chilli last night with cauli-rice. OH even enjoyed it. Think I maybe ate more than 1/8 of it, but it’s hard to measure exactly. Just had the apple, mango and hazelnut yoghurt for breakfast. I often have fruit and yoghurt but would usually add honey and oats. Found that I didn’t miss either. It was delicious – and sweet.

Feeling optimistic……………

I was just writing a lovely message and have now lost it.
Suffice to say, holiday tomorrow. Today’s weight 11st 2lb a new low for me. What will happen to it whilst away??????

Hallo peeps.
Feeling much better today after yesterday, all 4 wheels are on my wagon and I am holding on tightly!
Started the day well with half an hour in the gym, 130 cals burnt, and then Aqua class for 45 mins. Hope this will put paid to yesterday’s little lapses.
Have decided not to use the words good, bad and naughty in relation to food but will use focused and unfocused as this is more positive. Today I am focused and having started well plan to keep up the good work.
The sun is shining and it’s not too hot so come and join me on the positive train, it’s just about to leave the station but will wait for you if you want.
All aboard.

Hi Antigone – thanks for the great feedback 🙂

Well done Orinoco !

Hi – just read your journey……what an achievement you must feel fabulous and so pleased at what you have achieved.
This is my day 1 of the 8 week plan…..I was so impressed when I read the book just had to give it a go.
I have 3 stone to loose……have tried various diets before but lost some weight, and then just put a few pounds on and so the saga continues. I am feeling very positive and really want to just feel healthier and reduce my arthritic pain.
Anyway – just thought I would say a huge ‘well done’ just off to write my food plan for the week. Have a great day.

Hi all, mildly grumpy this morning as had a pretty good week and midweek was -3lb but then end of week loss was only -1.5lb. I know it’s still a loss but a bit disappointing, and even worse as up 1lb today :-/ (haven’t been to the loo but even so!).
I know this just happens sometimes but it is really annoying!!!!
On the positive side, in total I’ve lost 13lb in 5 weeks, which is pretty good so I’m 12st 6 now – and even better was when just 2 days ago one of my friends asked me if I’d lost “a sh*t load of weight”!! That made my day.
I guess I’m going to have to be stop being so hung up on the scales this week and just keep on keeping on.

It IS working and I will get there – but these bumps in the road are annoying!!!

Good morning losers! Just thought I’d pop by and tell you my results. We’ve been on holiday so I’ve missed all your posts but had a quick look and am encouraged by your losses. I’m half way through week 3. Total loss 10 lbs and sugar was down from 5.1 last week to 4.9 today. Feel so well and it was wonderful to be able to go out for the day without feeling anxious that my sugar would drop and I’d get the shakes! It’s wonderful!
Have a great day folks xx

Well here we are on Bank Holiday Monday….time seems to have gone really quickly since my last post.
We were out most of yesterday at a really nice monthly street market about 15 miles away from home, music, food, stalls, crafts, gifts, vintage stuff and activities for children etc -we walked around a lot but not at a pace as there were too many people and we kept stopping to look at goods and nice things. The beloved made a few wise choices and had street food but as there was nothing that fitted the bill I was really boring, nipped into M&S food hall quickly and selected the single portion salad bowl of feta cheese &Kalamata olives with lemon and mint dressing. It was yummy. As we sat in the sunshine enjoying the atmosphere it honestly didn’t feel like I was missing out. We had already roasted the beetroots the night before for the beetroot, orange and smoked mackerel salad (in the book) so it was a simple and quick make when we got home.
Today is a stay at home and avoid the traffic and crowds day.
Gardening if the weather holds out this morning and a walk after lunch. If it starts to rain I have a bathroom that needs attention and has some half finished paintwork to attend to. Whatever we end up doing it certainly won’t involve the tv/films ,slobbing around in baggy clothes, or cakes & choc” treats” that we would have seen as a Bank Holiday luxury in the past.
I don’t know if anyone else feels the same but as I look at the jewellery, accessories and handbags etc that are in my wardrobe I suddenly feel they are all too big, oversized and now not quite balanced with my new shape and much smaller clothes. I don’t have lots of any items especially bags as I am not keen on carrying handbags…much prefer pockets. So if it rains and I am bored, I think I may get things out of various cupboards and drawers and have a bit of a thinning out.
My weigh in for this morning is good and still going in the right direction. I am now 10,12, 1/2.
So begins week 7 of my second 8 weeks BSD.
Hope everyone is having a nice day if on hols, if not – a great Monday !!

Lucia please don’t think ‘same old same old.’ You are the catalyst in your own change. Did the butterfly say ‘same old same old?’
Enjoy your Monday.

Thank you SunnyB for your positive words. Yes, I am struggling with the whole BSD way of life but it has worked previously and it will work again!

I’ve made many comments on the forums about attitudes of health care professionals.

Only yesterday I was told that the local diabetes nurse advised someone that if they wanted a biscuit, to only have half, to watch sugar content, and to avoid tomatoes! I appreciate the patient may have misheard of focused on a few of the things that were said. But this nurse has a copy if the BSD book and told me she so telling patients about it. Her attitude towards me has been variable, ranging from ‘that’s brilliant’ to ‘it’s not sustainable’ and all points inbetween.

A health educator, who also has discussed the BSD with me and had seen my progress, happily spoke to my ladies’ group about healthy eating – emphasising the need for carbs at every meal. Speaking the party line. I sat there cringing.

We are the experts on our bodies. Well done on sticking to it.

Good morning!
A new week (starting week 5 today) and I’m looking forward to being more active now that my tail bone is less painful (fall in week 3). If you’ve ever bashed that particular part of your anatomy you’ll know it impacts on all sorts of movements 🙁
Just looked at Gavins blog – what an amazing resource – well done that man! I just linked Map My Run (which I’ve used for some time) with My Fitness Pal so that will be useful – I don’t run (yet!) but I walk and ride fair old distances.
Reading yesterdays post (oh dear post rhymes with toast) about self esteem – how many of us have ‘put things off’ until we are slimmer? This is a big deal as life changing for some as getting a degree or something else very major!
Happy Monday losers!

Thanks for the encouragement Verano

My Dr has given me a long term goal of 13 stone !!! (eeeeek !)

My onw goal for the 8 weeks….. I would love to lose 2 stone and see where we get !!

Also would love to get more active and a bit of ‘life ‘ back.

Thanks again

Can I join in please?
I have just completed 4 weeks and lost one stone 🙂 I had a fall (horse riding) in week 3 which curtailed my activity so I feel like I’m starting over!
Good luck everyone 🙂

I’m in. I have weighed and measured and I have had poached egg and avocado for breakfast. Watched Fixing Dad last night as a bit of added incentive. If you haven’t seen it then I highly recommend that you do. I have also decided to give up tea (don’t drink coffee) so might be making this doubly hard for myself. I am a teacher and the 8 weeks will take me to the end of October half term so I can already see the finish line for the 8 weeks and know that (normally) it will be here in no time.
Good luck everyone!

Hi gang,

Booked two nights away in the Peak District.
Hubby wasn’t so keen
Went.
But came back a day early.
Couldn’t sleep, the heat in the bedrooms was ridiculous . Windows wide open and huge fan going, but still no good.

Yesterday, we were dragging ourselves around, so we just went back to the hotel room , packed up and came home.

Going to the gym soon.
Same old same old

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi54

Well done for ‘laying it all bare’ !!!

I’m waiting until my last weigh of my first 8weeks tomorrow … might just squeeze another 0.5 lb in!!!

What are your goals for the 8weeks?

I think I’m going to have a 4 week goal which will take me the end of my holidays, a 6 week one which will take me to my next diabetic review and a final 8 week one.

Goals can always be adjusted along the way especially if you do better than anticipated!!

Good luck! This is definitely the way to go.

ok here we go

Scales polished off

START WEIGHT: 21 stone 12 pounds

WAIST SIZE: 57 inches

Gosh !!!

(not been on scales for months !!)

ok here we go

Scales polished off

START WEIGHT: 21 stone 12 pounds

WAIST SIZE: 57 inches

Gosh !!!

(not been on scales for months !!)

Good luck every one

I’m wearing a pair of jeans that were uncomfortably tight before – I only wore them in emergencies. They are quite comfortable now. I have lost an inch off my waist. I have gone from 41 inches to a shade under 40 inches. My first week I felt ill some of the time and was worried that I was one of those people who can’t stick to it because it makes them feel ill. But I persevered till Friday and after lunch while walking the dog I realised that I felt fine. I can’t say that I feel really great yet but it’s getting better. Let’s face it I didn’t always feel really well due to the diabetes and blood pressure either.

Still interesting though isn’t it? And that is great news about the Metformin for him.

Morning Lucky , Igorasusaul

After my lovely egg on low carb toast, currently got my feet up relaxing with all 3 dogs sleeping in the sun. Part 8 of my BSD journey is up today as well.

https://gavinsgadgets.com/my-experience-on-the-8-week-800-calorie-blood-sugar-diet/

Morning sunshine-girl

It’s a long time since I visited York. The last visit was in November 2013 for our graduation ceremony in York Minster! (Yes, I was 63 at the time!😱). It was very, very windy that day!

On that visit I found the Christmas shop but had completely forgotten it until a few days ago. Looking forward to bring able to spend time just exploring 😃 If I find something I want to buy, that’s fine. If not, that’s fine too. Just time to do what I want, when I want 😃

I’ve just picked up crochet again after a few years away from it doing patchwork and quilting (not touched that for months). The rhythm of crochet is great for relaxing and needs less thought than the patchwork. It’s also easier on the arthritic hands when they are hurting – helps keep them moving 😃 And I know there are good wool shops in York. And I think a visit to Duttons is very possible😃

Enjoy the Bank Holiday 😃

Blimey, Lucky, you don’t want to pop round to my place too, do you?

And r e l a a a a x 😉

This isn’t an answer to you Tassiedevil, but strangely OH on the BSD was peeing on the hour every hour during the night and got quite concerned as despite his water intake this was rather extreme 😉

In fact since this is a symptom of diabetes he thought somehow (despite evidence to the contrary) his blood sugar might be increasing.

Anyway, BS results were so good, he came off Metformin and – strangely – the peeing frequency has now gone right down to once per night. He said this morning that he could only think that it was as a result of stopping the tablets.

Odd or what?

Morning Gavin, not me… although I did have a lie in (by my standards, anyway) until about 6.45 am. Capitalising on the lack of children milling around the place to give my living room a good clean, pulling furniture out, de-cobwebbing, hoovering, ugh. Cloudy but nice here, promising anyway. See if I can get my step count up a bit higher today 🙂

It is very hard.

Everyone here has had such good experiences from BSD no refined carb/low carb eating – with, generally speaking, few contra-indications or poor side effects – that it’s frustrating to hear “expert” opinions from people who’ve not done it.

I think we just have to press on – more and more research now being done/results announced, the tipping point will be reached.

MM (and his GP wife) will doubtless use stories from this forum and the vast majority of positive posts here to further emphasise the benefits and the numbers of the medical profession actually trying the BSD will increase.

And of course there is the “drip drip” effect of us all showing what can be done and inspiring family and friends and acquaintances to follow suit.

Yet another example, however, of how dangerous it is to take media reporting about anything as gospel. Frightening, really.

Come on BSD team of forum readers – if your GP/diabetic nurse won’t support you, we will! Won’t they feel stupid once the tide turns.

Morning everyone, looks like you are all napping still 🙂

Congratulations on the great losses!!! 🙂

I hope you also MEASURED or have some clothes you’re testing your shape with? Because it may be that the weight loss slows but you will continue to lose inches.

I’m always saying this here because though I achieved everything I wanted and more from the BSD there were moments when everything slowed down – or seemed to – in weight terms though I was doing the calories as targeted. Keep an eye on your waist – as the visceral fat starts melting away you will find your clothes fit better even if the scales stay level.

And you don’t yet mention how well you will start to feel once you kick the carb addiction! You have that yet to come!

Very good luck for your journey! 🙂

Have you heard the reports on radio 4 this morning about the benefits of the Mediterranean style diet on patients with heart problems, based on new Italian research that has just been published?

the idiot they chose to interview on The Today program said – “don’t just do this and ditch your medication without talking to your GP” – fair comment, & I can understand why the BBC would have someone say that – although a lot of us here would disagree with it.
– then goes on to say “maybe try the diet, but supplement it with benecol products” I kid you not – advertising on the BBC – and for crap food that is stuffed full of sugars and artificial flavours.

Oh well, they seemed to have edited the benecol promo out of the clip that they are repeating on the news bulletein

Well done!!! Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to see the scales go down? Keep up the excellent work. And yes the dog must always be entertained – she has the RSPCA on speed dial. (Rosie is a lurcher so naturally skinny)

Thanks! will give it my best shot.

yeah! well done Verano, that’s brilliant
I’m sure you’ll be fine for next week

!!!! AT LAST !!!!

I have finally made my first stone and what a struggle that has been!

When I started this thread 10 days ago I needed to lose 2.4lbs to get to my first stone and at last I’ve done it. This has been such heavy going for my but entirely of my own making.

This the last day of my first 8 weeks and I have certainly learned a lot from the journey so far. I think the most important lesson for me is that I can do this, I’m not hungry very often, I like the food and enjoy this way of eating ….. it’s become my new ‘habit’. BUT I have to be more vigilant …. ditch any red wine, the odd oat biscuit or dark chocolate digestive (don’t keep them in the house anymore!) and the occasional cracker. Apart from that I think I’m learning. Last Sunday I had an Indian meal which seemed ok …. 1 poppadum, chicken tikka and chickpeas and spinach. Put on a pound the next day!!! Last night I had chicken tikka but with my own homemade carb and calorie counted chickpea curry and today I’ve lost 0.4lb!! So it is possible to eat ‘normal’ food it just takes a little more thought.

Anyway, my next mini goal is to lose 1.5lbs to get me down into the next stone. I would love to do that by Sunday, when I go away, especially as I think it will be so much easier to stay with this if I have incentive of not going UP into another stone.

Looking forward to starting my next 8 weeks on the ‘2nd 8 weeks’ thread but will still be here with my mini goals!