Janey – the original version is a bit sweary… NSFF (not suitable for forum lol). And oh Tokyo, your poor husband. I think via this forum I have firmly been put off cheating and alcohol! I’m bloody Paltrowed out here!

Yayyyyy Eps! Are you an Emperor? Because I think you RULE! Lol. You recognise that one, right? 😉 Ah right, I thought it would be something along the lines. Mmmmmmm toasted with peanut butter. I haven’t eaten my Helmsley bap yet, and I’ve been sniffing it and wondering if it would be nice toasted with peanut butter lol. Might be a nice breakfast treat tomorrow, I’m still full from lunch! Plus (thankfully) my appetite decreases when it’s hot. Is Monday ‘official’ weigh day? Keep plodding on with the exercise and it should be ok. It’s all been good stuff you’re putting in anyway, better than gaining weight by eating cream cakes. That’s what she said. Is it better? IS IT? *sob*

Darts going well, my favourite is through to the final tomorrow 🙂

Ooo poor OH Tokyo but probably no harm as will put him off for the next time 😳😂. Go you with your lack of caving!

Yay good one, go team😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I did 1100 something so we’re both home and dry wahoo. Have a bad feeling about this week that I will put in a few decimals of a kg but it’s not from lack of exercise I tell you! Just stuff sneaking back in I thk, too much cheese maybe or too many single chocolate squares! Anyway all good, will reasses properly Monday.

Hee hee about oatlets, didn’t even read that, just guessed porridge oats as have heard about this bread before. It is out now and looks fluffy and totally like normal soda brown bread. Could be so nice toasted! Have to still check my fitness pal for its calories and carbs but it made 15 slices so should t be too bad..we ll see! Will update soon ✅👏🏻😂.

Hope darts going well and you having nice chilled evening💐🌹

Totally agree Tokyo. See my previous comment about cake killing me slowly!

Hi thanks very much for the pointer to your post. I’ve read it and it’s interesting. I will stick with it next week and see what happens.

I will also look at the links you put in and the ketostixs xx

newsflash !!!
after our day out ( not very exciting visiting OH parents !!) we had a buffet( get me) i took majority of the food so was able to limit the damage but OH who has been doing BSD with me deceided he would eat quiche with pastry and sausages rolls and not just one either anyway even since he has felt really off really bilious and bloated !! so i deduce my good people going back to carbs may be a no go we may be BSD ers for life ( with a few treats inbetween)!!!

Dripping like a broken fridge?! I love your analogies! I’ve already poached ‘feet like a griffin’ and applied it to my fathers offending articles today!!

Have spent a lovely day in the sunshine, desperately trying to limit non legal foods in spite of my step mother’s best efforts to he contrary. Was finally pressured into a bit of my ‘official’ birthday cake and it’s been repeating on me all evening… Barf 😖 I’ll stick to the non refined options in the future I think!

Hi Lowenna you CAN loseweight still..i know someone who lost 31lbs on 8 wk BSDand she admitsshe did no exercise
I cant do much due to health probs but have lost 13 1/4 lbs in 10 days.
Try not to sit too long..move round as much as you can even if only for short time and at regular intervals.
I dont think you can fail to lose on 800 cals a day as you use up more than that even if you lay in bed 24/7 but obviously it wdnt do heart and lungs much good! Good luck on yr journey! X

Thank you so much Igorasusual, that helps a lot! I’m particularly interested today as I my carb count was quite high today and it really made me just want to eat and keep on eating, which I haven’t experienced yet since doing the Fast 800.

I started last Monday and have been reading your posts on another of the forums about not having much to lose. I wanted to post on there and say thanks for all your posts as they’ve been really inspiring and motivating for me. If I remember correctly we’re the same height (5’3ish) and I have found it really helpful to see how well you have done with losing weight and it’s really allowed me to believe that it is possible for me! I’ve been overweight for a long time and I’d almost resigned myself to the fact that the smallest I would ever get would be 10 stone (which is still feeling a bit impossible for me as I’m around 17lbs away – but way closer than when I started!) but you’ve really given me hope and a goal so thank you! And congratulations on all your hard work x

Lowenna

Please have a look at my thread “not too much to lose, but not seeing an immediate impact” which sets out how I worked through the BSD. Quicker than trying to type it all out again.

I recommend the Ketostix as it helps to know you’re burning fat when the weight isn’t moving. And ensure you have target garments to judge if the measurements are changing.

Hope this helps! 🙂

No, but just had some in the Indian cauliflower and green bean bhaji I cooked, and it’s nice as a spice (amongst several others)

Have to say I doubt whether it’s proven to lower blood sugar, sadly

Sorry Ziggy, only just spotted your post
🙁

I’ve finished my 8 weeks – started 10st 8lbs and had ambitious target of 9st. This is the end of my 10th week and I was 8st 13lbs this morning. Last couple of lbs took a couple of weeks and I was away on holiday for one of them.

I have said on another thread that a low carb target worked for me – I did this as I had comparatively little to lose, not type 2 (though OH is, and has followed similar carb targets with higher calories and managed in 4 weeks to get blood sugar back into normal range and halve his Metformin dose).

Not saying it’s for everyone – but it did work amazingly for me. I really couldn’t have done it without MyFitnessPal and knowing the carb values of what I’ve been cooking and eating.

Hi mbb22

Well, an average sort of day for me would be

B: frittata made with two eggs, 80g courgette, 6 baby plum tomatoes, 30g mushroom, cooked in olive oil and served on 20g of baby spinach. I might add either halloumi or feta cheese to that if having it later on. With my 3 cups of white coffee, no sugar, that’s about 11 carbs according to MyFitnessPal

L: 2 slices Leerdammer cheese with 20g smoked salmon. Don’t always have this – often go through to dinner. If I have it- that’s no carbs.

D: something like salmon fillet, or prawns, stir fry of veg such as 150g courgette ( 3g carbs), chilli pepper (2g carbs), 80g green beans (3g carbs), 1 spring onion (v little carb), 6 baby plum tomatoes (2g carb), 30g red pepper (2g carb). I would select and adjust quantities to hit my target. Cauliflower also good. I posted a recipe here for salmon fillet cooked in the oven with a spicy topping, and that’s a good example of what I’ve been eating.

I agree 20g of carb is a challenge – if I go over by 2 or 3 I don’t beat myself up. And possibly I’ve been enjoying the same things regularly – eg the base of 20g of baby spinach as a salad, or a head of chicory chopped – but I have really enjoyed my food.

Having hit my target weight, today I’ve increased my carb target to 30 and got dinner cooked a cauliflower and green bean bhaji, served on my baby spinach. OH and I each had c80g cauliflower, 80g green beans, 4 Spring onions, 6 baby tomatoes, half chilli pepper, cooked with spices, garlic and ginger. I added 2 hard boiled eggs each.

Quite a substantial plateful and total 12 carbs.

I hope that helps! 🙂

Ooooooooh Eps! That looks like bread!!! Bookmarked in case it’s nice. Can I asked what you used for ‘oatlets’? What’s an ‘oatlet’ when it’s at home???

Ah bugger, it looks like you’re going to beat me then if you’re on that much before you go for a walk! But – nevertheless! Today’s step total is 10,741 which, for me, is pretty darned good and I’m happy with it! I really went for it on the treadmill, upped my usual steady 4.8 k/h to 5.6 in short bursts and then back down again, I’m dripping like a broken fridge! Feet up with the darts semi-final now, and a litre of water. I know how to do a Saturday night, I tell thee!

Ps made this! Haven’t tasted yet or measured it on my fitness pal but updates soon✅😀 Left out the treacle 😝

http://www.foodireland.com/recipes/porridge-and-yogurt-bread/

Just quick hello to you all! on 8513 lucky but out again soon so will finish it off 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽😹😹👯👯☀️ Day of sunshine!

Hi Igorasusual,

I read that you stick to 20g of carbs a day and was just wondering what kinds of low carb foods you’re eating to be able to stay under 20g?

thank you for the encouragement, heres to a happier, slimmer me!

I was in the local cafe yesterday (eating my low carb brunch) when I got chatting to a lady who has successfully managed her blood sugars with a low carb diet. She suggested I pop next door to the deli and buy some fenugreek as it is known for reducing blood sugar levels, she swears by it.

Wondered if anyone had heard of this before?

I am going for an induction day next week at the local leisure club and am determined to keep to a low carb regime in the week next week so hopefully that might kick start it. I ended up in Bristol Spinal Unit when I followed Michaels fast exercise regime (undiagnosed hypermobility) so have not been able to exercise for a year.

I recently had a high CRP test and they assumed rheumatoid arthritis – I actually think having read MM that it isn’t I think it is having. Insulin resistance etc

Thanks Gymgirl, there’ll be nothing left of me if I keep losing at this rate! *Does quick Carol Vorderman…* If I lost 5lbs every week between now and the wedding, I would be attending it at … 12 stone 9 lb? I think? Last seen circa 2000. Before husband ruined my body with contented marriage and multiple children (ALL his fault). Haha, I know it won’t go down like that but imagine if it did. Bride would have a shock and a half, she wouldn’t recognise me!

I hope you’re still taking it easy and that the weather is being as kind to you as it seems to be to everyone else 🙂

Thanks for replying SunnyB.
Good to know you can’t see any glaringly obvious mistakes in my targets.
Hope to try 50 carbs or less next week then 40 following week.
No problems with hunger so far but still experimenting.
My BS results, and others ‘ successes are definitely encouraging.
Keep up the good work everyone – it all helps us newbies find our way 😘

So gang,

I am sitting on the sofa,
at the beginning of the diet, I hated it, as it caused me to get flabby and Ill.
But
Now it is helping me get healthy.
Eh?
When I sit down,
I squeeze my tummy muscles and my bum cheek muscles.
Then I lift one leg, straight at the knee. Hold in a horizontal position then SLOWLY take it back to the floor.
Then. The other leg.
Then both.
Just sitting, and straightening your leg out and then slowly putting it down, strengthens your tummy muscles.
Do one an hour and build up to doing more.

So I have made friends with the sofa.

The bathroom scales are still in the dog house. We haven’t spoken for a few days. I am just not in the mood,!

Have you a,de friends with any objects or appliances recently?

Love luica
Xxxx

The 5:2 diet might suit you better,, on it you only fast for 2 days a week, and it works, I lost over a stone on it last year. And because it is only for 2 not contiguous days a week, it is easier to do, knowing the next day you can eat more – on the Med Diet.

Happy birthday Janey enjoy yourself x🎂🍾🍸Well done Lucky fantastic results you’ll be stunning at that wedding

of course you can join us soupie!

At the rate your going you’ll be there in another week. Wondered why you needed to check your BG levels since you are not ciabetic?

You must be so please after all you have been through to try to lose weight. Glad that the BSD is working for you, just stick at it and watch yourself disappear.

Hi Jennifer;

It was great to read your post- as I also came upon Dr. Fung and his suggestions after reading and doing BSD for about 4 weeks.

My weeks on BSD were fantastic….15 pounds off in about 21 days- great energy levels and not feeling deprived. I would carefully track on fitness pal and if needing a night out- say for a glass of wine or a slice of pizza- I would save my calories for it- and eat lighter or less frequently during the day. I also found that I had energy to exercise in the pm and made it a priority while following the BSD principles….making sure to do the book’s cardio and strength training in the am- only focussing on doing the minimum….taking about 10 minutes each morning and ensuring I also got a minimum of 10,000 steps throughout the day.

I tried the 23:1 fast last week, thinking it would might make things go even better and it did not work out that way. I found by eating quite a lot in the pm, I did not have the energy or desire to exercise before or after. I found myself feeling more tired for some reason. I also fell off the wagon and splurged on some ice cream in a pm meal. I actually felt unwell after, had a headache and a terrible mood the following day. My body does not like that sugar on board!

I’m back to 800 calorie BSD, and I think many of suggestions other people have wisely mentioned also work best for me. What worked best for me was about a 16:8 fast, with about 2 meals a day (my meals could be more substantial this way which I enjoyed). I do my 10 mins of either cardio or strength early in the am before work, drink lots of water and have some fiber supplement and coffee++ I seem to have time for all this when not having breakfast! And did not feel hungry until about 1000-1100; then I usually have a ploughman like lunch which I can make ahead or have greek yogurt and boiled egg, or a salad with tuna and a boiled egg, and I also like having a light dinner with my husband at about 5:00 pm. Usually a salad with some cheese, a balsamic & olive oil dressing and a meat of some sort….Then, I do some light exercise, a walking video or a nice flat walk outside at about 6:00 pm. This works much better for me that a 24 hour fast….I am convinced of that now! I would try to focus on “what fun thing will i do tonight?” like a walk or walking video i enjoy rather than having food as my fun thing….

I hope that helps you! Jennifer! I think Dr. Fung’s information is totally relevant, and a fantastic read (his obesity code book) however he also states we need to find what works best for us….and this requires some trial and error….and I may need to switch things up again at some point. However, I do want to stick to my above routine for at least another 8 weeks- as I really think it worked best. I will likely do it much longer as I have about 60 pounds to lose, however I am OK with that. Once it is a routine…it seemed quite simple really.

Oh Lucky I’m glad I’m not alone with my carb indulgence! That’s a good idea, waiting until the weight stops dropping off and THEN looking at carbs a bit more closely!

According to MyFitnessPal I’ll be 9 stone 9 in 5 weeks! I’m currently 10.6 – that’s amazing isn’t it?!

Bean 🙊

Hi Imogen

Sounds like you were with me at the back of the queue when patience was handed out😳 As I’ve got older I seem to have more patience though. Usually! But I still have my moments😳

I was ok with the coconut flour flatbreads, but gram flour has more carbs. I had the courgette bhaji at someone’s house and didn’t react too well – although they were delicious and I really enjoyed them. Don’t think I would use the gram flour myself though. Like you it seems I’m particularly sensitive to some foods. On holiday my friend made a chicken dish with a small quantity of sultanas in it. The dish served the three of us twice. Even the tiny amount of sultanas that finished up on my plate did not agree with me😱

Going back to Italy at the end of October. Wonder if any of the conversations I had with people about why I’m eating this way have had any effect?

Hi All,
I am about to go on a 3 week holiday camping in France, and was wondering if anyone has any tips for staying on plan whilst I’m away!
As we’re camping I can’t take weighing scales or food scales, so it will be harder to calorie count and stay motivated.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Welcome Bean (you’ve already said hello on my thread :-D)

I’m not confusing myself with carbs at the moment either, but I have a loooooong way to go yet. Just stick to the list of what’s legal and try and stick to 800 calories until it stops working and then I might have to take a look at the carbs.

Yowzer, I’ve made my own baked beans a fair few times now, hubby prefers them. Or so he says, anyway!

Best of luck Bean 🙂

Sorry, not lentil flour…it was gram flour.

Hi Guys,

This is my first post here on the BSD forums!
I’ve been trying to lose weight for 2 years, and have actually gained a stone and a half instead. I have visited my GP and a dietician, as I have been eating under 1400 cals per day for months now, and still no weight loss. It has been so disheartening to see my weight spiral upwards instead of decreasing.
This was all true until I started the blood sugar diet. After just 12 days I have lost 5 pounds! I’m at my lowest weight for months and I couldn’t be happier that something is finally working! Sticking to the 800 has been easier than I thought, and I have found many different ways to fill up with low calorie foods like vegetables and low carb fruits.
Looking forward to 6 more good weeks!

So I have finished my first week on the Fast 800. I used Fitness Pal to track my intake and I was meticulous, it didn’t like I was only eating 800 calories. Bought a fitness watch that counts my steps and embarked with zeal. I have stuck to the meals in the book. Have sat and watched my colleagues tuck in to the cakes and biscuits and refused them all.

I have gone to bed hungry and woken up hungry every day and if I never see another glass of fizzy water it can’t be too soon but still there is the joy of seeing the weight drop off as I get on the scales. At least that’s how it should be isn’t it. In reality I have lost 2lbs. Probably what I would have lost anyway as I returned to normal eating after a fortnight on holiday. After a week of ploughing on despite the craving and people telling me I looked tired and would you believe fatter than normal. I feel really gutted by it so to speak.

My partner has continued to eat cereal for breakfast, sandwich and cake for lunch and then what I was cooking from the book in the evening,. He has lost 4lbs!

Today I went out for lunch I was going to order the chicken salad but by the time I got to the counter I thought what is the point and had the rarebit.

I shall probably try and continue eating low carb during the week but not be massively over zealous at the weekend. I did resist the cakes at the village fete today…miserable when everyone else is enjoying themselves.

I am not diabetic but do need to lose a stone and a half. May be time for a rethink but very disappointing so far 🙁

Hi Lynne,

Thanks for that…sounds similar…though I still include a small amount of onion and berries occasionally. I think I am very reactive to carbs – I made a lentil flour flatbread and my blood sugars rose dramatically and my weight increased overnight!
Perhaps I will need to accept that for some of us even tiny amounts of carbs will cause problems. Patience has never been my greatest strength, so this will allow me chance to develop my skills – will keep on plodding on for now in the hope that the weight loss resumes. I still have a long way to go.

Thanks again🌻

Thanks Bean! I’m chuffed to little pieces at my progress 🙂

Yowzer – the cake is Nigella’s Olive Oil cake https://www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-olive-oil-cake – it’s legit as long as you use a legit sugar, I think Janey used coconut sugar, correct Janey?

Janey – thrilled to bits about the cake 🙂 Cake win! Enjoy every mouthful 🙂

North Wales beat South Wales, only just though, and we were getting stuffed for most of the match. I’m hoarse from screeching at the Ref, and surprisingly after my small salad box and muffin, I’m still full up. Hubby just said he could do a chicken kebab, he must be crazy…

How’s the steps doing Eps? I’m on about 5500. I did two circuits of the ground. Finish off on the treadmill later 🙂

Hey ziggyszombie
Welcome aboard! Exercise on the Fast 800 is recommended, although in the early days heavy gym work might be a struggle while you are getting used to this new way of eating. Listen to your body, be kind to yourself and take it a day at a time. Keep us updated on your progress and shout out when/if things get tough and you need support, someone will respond for sure.

Welcome back MissT
Great to hear that you have made a start and are seeing results. When you are ready, try to reduce your carbs down to the 50g mark and add in plenty of above ground veggies – root veg are best kept in very small amounts as they tend to be starch (which I’m sure you know anyway).
There is no need to fast on the Fast 800, the idea is to try to limit yourself to 800 calories a day and whilst some people do try to fast from early evening to mid to late morning, this is not essential to the success of the eating plan. You need to find what works for you, so that you are managing your calories in a way that suits you and so that you are able to get through the day without major hunger pangs.
It sounds to me like you are already finding your way with the BSD regime and I’m sure you will continue to see positive results. I am sure someone else will respond to your posts, so keep us updated and shout if you need assistance.

Thanks everyone.

HappyLife – the target weight clubhouse is already open, feel free to visit. At the moment we seem to be talking about what our target is likely to be, and how to maintain when we get there.

Imogen – Great result 😃

I really can’t be specific about my daily carb count. Sorry. But I can say what I eat and don’t eat, if that helps.

First, I keep below the 800 calories. Within that I eat meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, and a little fish. For vegetables – courgette, cauliflower, , spinach, salad greens, cucumber, cherry or plum tomatoes, peppers. Whatever I fancy and/or is cheap in the shops.

Since starting the BSD I do not eat fruit (I’d already been told years ago not to eat too much fruit anyway because it is full of sugar). I tried strawberries while I was on holiday, but found them far too sweet after all these months. I used to always cook with onions, but now never buy them. I do not eat bread of any kind, rice, pasta, porridge, or anything similar. The only root vegetable I eat is a tiny portion of carrot.

I have twice made the coconut flour flatbread (recipe on this site).

I also keep a careful eye on portion sizes.

For me it has been easier to go ‘cold turkey’ as far as carbs go. I know from past experience that if I cut down, or use ‘diet substitutes’ it’s a slippery slope leading to me eating the bad stuff again. I don’t try to slip ‘treats’ or ‘cheats’ in for the same reason (also because it would show on my blood tests!😱)

Again, apologies that I can’t give a more precise carb count, but hope this helps.

Lmao Tokyo, you do sound like you’re becoming the ‘Wendy Craig’ character from Butterflies (at the risk of showing my age!). Your faff about lamb always sounds nice tho 😉

hurrah for the cake success although you do appear to have more success than me in the kitchen miss janey are you sabotaging my kitchen ?? !!

Thank you Yowzer and Bean. And welcom to the crazy thread to keep you chuckling as the BSD works it magic!

I no longer live on the IW however all my family still do so I’m over for a short ‘holiday’ and dropping my boy off with his grandparents for a couple of weeks. The weather is glorious – makes me almost miss the place!

Now…most importantly, the cake. It is MAGNIFICENT! Really really yummy in spite of being ‘kosher’ (my sisters term) In fact we are about to have another piece! 🍰🍰🍰🍰🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations Lynne…over the 32 weeks…phenomenal!!

I am in awe of your success; your commitment and dedication to the BSD life. I hope to follow your example – though I never seem to be able to catch up with you🙋

May I ask…how low do you keep your daily carb count? It’s week 14 for me and I find myself stuck in yet another 3+week plateau. I have tried increasing exercise, water, fats…weigh everything and keep below 800 cals and average 30g carbs daily. Any suggestions gratefully received.

I still love BSD eating and have managed to lose 17kg (most of that in the first 8 weeks)

Keep on posting Lynne – we need you!!

Hi Nursebean and welcome!
I think youre doing great giving up bread etc…that must make yr carb total quite low anyway.
I’m astonished tho to find out just how much carb is in innocent things like apples! and …sorry to say this..baked beans😀!
I too have ME/ CFS and i agree,doing this is one of several ways of trying to return to full health.
Losing weight is harder when you cant be as active as you were when in good health..anyway good luck with yr journey and remember,sometimes the most difficult roads lead to the most beautiful destinations x🌸🌻🌷

It’s funny but I have found this pretty easy too. I love using MyFitnessPal and when I’ve finished for the day it tells me what I’ll weigh in five weeks’ time – it’s so encouraging!

My bad point is the carb count. I can’t go without a little pudding or snack of some kind. Hey ho!

How have you managed to do it so easily?! 😱

Happy birthday Janey!💐🍷🎈🍹🍰🎵
Mm is that gorgeous looking cake i saw part of yr celebrations! ( sorry,havent had time to read the whole thread yet.) and more to the point,is it by some wonderful magic,able to be included in BSD fare?

Lucky i hope youre having fun x!

Hi Nursebean! Well done on your weight loss! Yes it really is so far so good isnt it! Nowhere near as difficult as i feared it wd be. I am loving the full fat food life…after lots of years on low fat food!
I’m not sure about what happens but it seems you can continue 24 weeks and maybe beyond if necessary,or return to 5:2 ( if like me its what you did previously)
But still,one step at a time,one day at a time,and see what the future holds! 😀👍🏻xx

Hello all. Signed up some time ago and then completely freaked by eating cakes, ice cream, take aways! Bizarre! Never done that since diagnosed T2 22yrs ago! Anyway, finally sane again and trying 800 cals. Not a big eater but can’t fast as my IBS kicks in big time. Trying mix of home shakes and some food but on basis of 60carbs/44fat/40protein. Is this a wise mix? So far lost 6lbs in 7 days but biggest thrill is meter readings/insulin units. Am VERY resistant often needing 100+ units to cope with moderate eating and suffer badly with Dawn Phenomenon. BS commonly between 12-18 and sometimes up to 21 (god forbid if I have a drink or take away!).
This past week BS have been around 6-8 on 40/45 units of Humalog Mix 25!!! 😀🙌 I’m so thrilled by this, more than the weight loss – although I have 5/6 stone to lose thanks to NHS carby diet!
I want to try lower carbs etc gradually but could anyone advise if I’m eating relatively safely so far? I def need to add more veg as mostly using spinach/berries so far. Keen to get balance right.
Thanks in advance for any advice xx