Latest forum posts

  • posted by  Lucky Maneki on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Morning, my little chickpea munchers! How are we all today? I’m a pound up today, in a re-run of this time four weeks ago *nods knowingly* but now that I’m ‘old hat’ at all this, I am not going to go cray-cray about it, I am going to see what I am on the scale tomorrow, accept it, switch the scale to kilos, and take my measurements. Ready to press on for another week.

    According to my meal planner, I’m making the pizza loaf thing for tea. We’ll see.

  • posted by  ay caramba on 8 weeks completed, Diabetes not reversed :(
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Leanne

    Think you have done brilliantly to reduce your BS results so much. My results a couple of months ago in March were 7.2% and are now within the normal range so perhaps the weight thing does make a huge difference.
    Even if we haven’t reversed our Diabetes diagnosis we have made a massive difference to our health and our future.

    Continued good luck.

  • posted by  Izzy on Izzy's 8 week diary :)
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    OOh Happy well done for managing to cope with those two weeks, hopefully now your body is settled without the medication you will continue to lose more now. Hopefully you will get some nice bargains in the sale πŸ™‚

    Photo shoot will be great – You will really see the difference in your pictures I bet!

    Now then today is Friday – mid week weigh in day. I’ve lost 1.5lb’s, so I’m 11st 1.5! Only 1.5 to get to my next target!
    I’m excited!

    I’ve had to move my wedding and engagement rings permanently to my middle finger for fear of losing them. I’ve moved them back and forth for a while as my fingers change – they shrink when colder, swell when warmer. Now though my ring finger is simply too lean for my rings and I don’t want to lose them. I didn’t know I had fat fingers lol.

    Not sure what food will bring yet for lunch, but I’m going to make steak pie for the family later. I’ll have the filling and I was thinking about trying mashed butterbeans (inspired by a recipe here)

    I’m currently sipping a breakfast shake πŸ™‚ it’s a bit of a treat though as it works out at 207 calories and 20g carbs but it’s lush! 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/4 small banana, greek yog, almond milk, vanilla extract, sweetner. Yum. It is so nice.

    I may choose a deliberately extra low carb lunch!

    My son has announced he wants to go to a stonecircle, so I guess that may be my plan for later, it’s about time I added more stuff to my phenomenal friday blog, as well as my dragonfly dreamseeker one.

    For now I’ve finished my shake so I’m off to make a herbal tea and amuse my son.

  • posted by  ay caramba on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Lucia

    If it makes you feel any happier. My weight has also stayed the same for over 2 weeks!!!!!!;-(
    We are not a great advert for our exercise regimes atm are we!!!!????!!!

    Oh… and we need coverts out there.

    OH said ..oh its really good …you are making muscle…and I suppose he’s right as usual!?
    Body converting that flabby fat on my tummy….yay πŸ™‚

    Keep happy and hopscotch πŸ™‚

  • posted by  ay caramba on Glucose Test
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi LynnPollen
    No idea if I have reversed my diabetes or not but can tell you my own personal facts and figures which say something!
    Been on the diet for 24 weeks …with the odd blip.
    Diagnosed Type 2 diabetic with an HBA1c result of 9.6% on 1st Feb. Prescribed 3 X 500mg Metformin a day.
    Have lost around 3 stone in weight and my recent HBA1c came back as 5.5% which is in the normal range.
    Have reduced the Metformin to 1 tablet a day but think I should probably stop altogether to test the effect.
    Fearful of where to go next re the diet when I reach my healthy BMI….should be soon.
    Terrified that if I add even a little bit to my calorie/carb count my weight and BS levels will escalate extremely quickly.
    5:2 or Mediterranean? Still undecided about where to next….

  • posted by  Lucia on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi gang,
    Feeling fed up as my weight has stayed the same for two, nearly three weeks.
    So, shall I eat chocolate, takeaways, crisps, fizzy pop.
    Or
    Shall I suck it up, get a grip and say…… pooh happens in life .
    Gym tonight,
    Just hit 5000 steps before work.

    May be these scales will go the same as the old ones…. Out the bathroom window!

    Yup, it’s happening to happy old me.

    Love Lucia
    Xxxx

  • posted by  HoneyBeeMe on July starter
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Well done Verano that’s amazing will power! I’m not sure I could be that good – I’m trying to avoid any social settings for my first 2 weeks. Me and my OH are going away next weekend – I’m not sure how I’m going to plan that food wise yet.. Oh how I miss red wine

  • posted by  Izzy on slow losers
    on in BSD Med Style Low Carb
    permalink

    it’s taken me 12 weeks to lose 23lb’s, so my average isn’t even 2/week. I’ve only lost over 3lb’s in the first week, last week I only lost 0.5.

    But gradually, the weight is moving, so I’ve taken this on as a lifestyle change. I’m going to continue even though it is slower than I’d like.

  • posted by  Leeanne on 8 weeks completed, Diabetes not reversed :(
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi , I’m on week 19 and my HBA1C last month was 6.3 – down from 7.4 last year. Although my GP has only halved my Metformin he was amazed with all the other blood results this time after following BSD. I was actually a bit disappointed that I still remain for the time being on medication but hopefully after another test in January things may look even better. Incidentally I’ve been type 2 for 5 years and my fasting bloods on diagnosis were 15. Im still about a stone overweight so am continuing in the hope that losing more weight will push my system back into reverse mode a bit more.

  • posted by  keeptrying on slow losers
    on in BSD Med Style Low Carb
    permalink

    hi Ruth – and thank you
    yes I guess 3.5 pound is good – but I think that has only happened twice in these 10 weeks
    the first week, and the one where I was away busy all the time
    sadly I am just not that active at home
    and this week seems to be showing I have put weight back on – which considering I have stuck rigidly to my low carb, no sugar rules all week is pretty depressing
    but for every day I can do this, I will

  • posted by  JanieB on July starter
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi HoneyBee
    Really glad to hear you are feeling better. So much for saying I hadn’t got it this time – yesterday (day 4) and this morning I have the famous headache too 😩 But I know, like yours it will pass and hopefully over the weekend I will get the energy surge. I have loads to lose but at least have the satisfaction of getting 11lbs of so far which is some compensation for feeling wiped out. Good luck everyone. Just had a coffee to try and get me moving but not worked so far …..

  • posted by  remyGrace on Just joined…
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Well, it’s time. I’ve finally committed to getting my mojo back. That includes losing up to 15 kilos (all of which I gained in the last 5 years), getting back into regular moving, and treating myself much more kindly.

    As luck would have it next week I’m away for a fully catered work conference plus my sister is arriving for the weekend. So, my plan is to use this week to really focus on getting my 10,000 steps each day, restart my morning and evening meditation practice, and plan out my menus and shopping lists so I can start on 800 cals the following week.

    The stories and lessons learned on here are amazing, and I hope to proudly be sharing my success story at the end of 9 weeks!

    RemyGrace

  • posted by  HappyLife on Over the week 23 line
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Lynn,
    I really thought of your words about cutting out the fruit because the carbs weren’t worth it the last couple of days because I cut out the fruit and added in a third a cup of refried beans and two corn tortillas and what a difference it made in the food I can eat and the variety I have during each day! I love it and tonight we had 2 salmon tacos which were delicious and I’m still well under my 50 carbs for the day and under my calories!
    Just wanted to let you know that your words linger on and help me as I move forward and I really appreciate you!
    Wishing you the best always!

  • posted by  HappyLife on Izzy's 8 week diary :)
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Wow Izzy, you are a great shopper! Tomorrow I am going to buy some new clothes because there’s a 50% off sale of all the clearance summer items at a store I shop at so I can get my smaller sizes but not spend too much – I doubt they have a great deal like you got on your bras!
    It’s been a rough two weeks for me without the scale really moving much but today I finally way less than I did two weeks ago, yeah, yippee! So I am finally really moving down and off on my blood pressure meds! It literally took two weeks for my body to adjust to coming off the meds.
    I’m going to Vancouver, Canada at the end of the month for three days I need to get a new photo shoot done for my website because my clients are telling me I don’t look like the person on the website anymore, ha ha! And then I’m going home to Hawaii in September for two weeks so to be fun to see my old friends that I haven’t seen since April because they will be shocked I’ve lost so many inches.
    Hope your days off are fun!

  • posted by  HypoGal on Glucose Test
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    This of course relates particularly to Diabetes Type II, which experts have always agreed can be reversed by proper diet, and now there is more and more proof that it is directly related to weight gain, especially fat that is carried around the waist and surrounds the internal organs (visceral fat).

    So, it appears that weight loss, which ever way you choose to lose it, is fundamental to overcoming Type II.

    My problem is that I have Reactive Hypoglycaemia, but not diabetes. However in recent years, my weight gain has rocketed and waist line has bulged, and I know this is a big warning sign that I may get Type II in the future. I also appear to have severe insulin resistance and until I tried this diet have not had any success in losing weight.

    The low-carb low-calorie diet obviously is the best and fastest way to lose weight, but after nearly a month on the BSD (I have lost 3 Kilos and 1.5 inches from my waist), I am still having severe hypoglycaemia symptoms. However, I have been reassured by others that this diet works for this as well. Here’s hoping !

  • posted by  ruthdownunder on Jans eight week journey.
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Jan, such great weight loss, and you are so inspiring. Keep it up. I had my BP taken today and the top level has gone down 20 points in less than 3 weeks – I am ecstatic- want to get off all meds (except perhaps the baby aspirin) I sure hope you do not have SLE. I have several friends with it and it is horrible.

    Don’t worry about the euhporia. It is a good thing

    It is cold and wet in beautiful Queensland so I hope it is sunny in Kent
    Ruth

  • posted by  HypoGal on Glucose Test
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I found the BSD after watching Dr Mosley’s BBC program “Trust Me I Am a Doctor”, where, from memory, it was discovered that patients who had sudden and dramatic weight loss (such as fat removal operations) were also able to reverse their diabetes. This was a big surprise to some surgeons and a big breakthrough for diabetes management.

    That is why, Dr Mosley advocates a rapid 8 week program to lose weight as quickly as possible to balance blood sugars. I am pretty sure that there is reference to this in the beginning of the BSD book as well.

    Did you read/see that Lynn Pollen? Maybe that might help answer your queries.

  • posted by  Syb on Glucose Test
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thank you Lyn. I thought I was the only one questioning the reversal part. After having completed my 8 weeks and waiting for my official test to come back, at this s point I would argue about the word reversal.

    You cannot go back to being ‘normal’, however if you move to the Mediterranean diet, i.e. Still ve y low on carbs I believe it can be managed, so that you can avoid medications and all of the horrible symptoms and effects of diabetes.

    I’d love to hear how others are going. Many seem to be fast 800ing for much longer than the 8 weeks.

  • posted by  HypoGal on Reactive Hypoglycemia, please help !
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Nearly a week and lost another kilo (3 kilos since I started, which is nearly 7lbs) and 1.5 inches from my waist, but side effects are still really bad. This morning woke up with both arms and both legs feeling numb with pins and needles, from the elbows and knees down respectively. Its still there, hours later.

    Very dizzy with lots of shooting pains (neuralgia??), especially at night. Don’t know what’s going on with my body? It seems that it is directly related to weight loss. That is, days when I lose weight I feel worse.

    Maybe my insulin resistance is very advanced and taking longer to adjust?? If I just look at a carb (starchy or sweet carbs – vegetables are OK), I put on weight. Total carb intolerance.

    I will keep going but may have to increase the amount of food (protein and fat) I am eating?? I am drinking a lot – 2 to 3 litres a day.

    Yesterday, I went for a long walk and felt good until about 3pm. But now the numbness in my feet and arms is very disconcerting. Also the ringing in my ears is nearly deafening.

  • posted by  Nettle on Activity levels and pedometers etc
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Joan

    Sometime back I invested in a wrist gizmo that plotted just about everything you could think of, even told me if I had slept well. I nearly knocked myself out doing 10k steps a day and lost no weight. THIS IS BEFORE THE REVELATION OF THE BSD of course. After a few months the online data programme played up once too often so I returned it and received cash back.

    Now I am using a simple Omron pedometer, on all day for the general walk we do in the course of a day and I use an additional map my walk – FREE app – downloaded to my phone for the official walk everyday. It calulates distance and time and calories used.
    I get a little competitive with the voice on that app when she tells me how fast the previous distance of 1km was. Of course I am in competition with myself but she gets the blame! She’s fondly known as the walking witch around here. She gets results and I have now decided to try an official competition 10km walk in November, she and I are in training g.πŸƒπŸƒπŸƒ
    N.

  • posted by  LynnPollen on Glucose Test
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks for the reply.
    There appears to be a misunderstanding. In the case of the BSD loss of weight is caused by restricted eating regardless of whether prompted by restricted carbohydrate or calories which in that case is only 800 calories per day for an eight week period. That is not in question. The question posed is whether the diabetes is actually likely to be cured as suggested in Dr Mosley’s book and not just the blood sugar readings for the length of time that food restriction is enforced.
    The underlying principle in the BSD book is that the visceral fat will be drained from the liver and pancreas by the diet and that after the eight week period and 10 to 15 percent of weight loss the pancreas will function properly again producing insulin in quantities that will return blood sugars to normal and the diabetes will actually be ‘cured’ provided that the general loss of weight is maintained.
    The above would mean that one could eat normally i.e. neither over or under eating the usual 2500 calories or whatever it takes to maintain stable weight and not just have to eat low carbohydrate foods or severely restricted portions at 800 calories per day. My concern is that if this is not the case eating non low glycaemic index foods for example white bread, rice, pasta or chips etc in previous quantities would continue to have significant adverse effects on the blood sugars and possibly, if the diabetes was not cured, on health even at that reduced weight.
    The question posed still needs to be addressed.

  • posted by  ruthdownunder on slow losers
    on in BSD Med Style Low Carb
    permalink

    Dear keeptrying

    You do realise how fabulous a loss of 3.5 lbs in a week is do you? Apart from my first week on this or any diet – and a water fast once! – I have never lost that much in a week. I am in week 3 now and astonished at my loss even tho’ it is not nearly as dramatic as some. SunnyB I am going to be ecstatic when I get to a sone

    As someone on the forums remarked we are now probably eating like a thin person.
    ps I wore a skirt last night I have not worn for years – tight yes – but it did up

    Onwards and downwards
    Ruth

  • posted by  Lucky Maneki on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Lidl’s 29p veg this week are – Swede (Janey, so you can microwave one to see!) Red Onions, Red Peppers and Iceberg Lettuce.

    And on that note I am off to bed. Don’t want a rerun of this morning, do I? Night night all, see you tomorrow, where the sun will shine and pants will fall off us and alternative flour bakes will amaze us πŸ˜€

  • posted by  Lucky Maneki on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Don’t feel guilty about it! You’ve done so well so far, you’ve really embraced the healthy eating – more than I have! It’s done now. The way I look at little cheats is you may as well enjoy it if you’re going to have it πŸ™‚ Tomorrow is another (biscuit free) day πŸ™‚

    Right, I will look at that. If/when I ever get control of the television handset…

  • posted by  greenjanet on Jans eight week journey.
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Day 16 in the bag cals 788 carbs. 53. Weight down another 1lb so making it 19lbs unbelievable.

    Been very weary today, I think my hyper euphoria, has calmed down thank goodness it was wearing me out hehe only kidding, this way of eating does make us very happy, well it does for me. Just been working very hard at the moment.
    What to cook tomorrow, ooh choices, fancy something very tasty, hmmmmm will sleep on it.
    Goodnight.
    Keep at it and posting.
    🌷🌷🌷 jan

  • posted by  JoanW on Activity levels and pedometers etc
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I started the BSD 12 days ago and have just re-read the book! It suggests getting a pedometer or Fitbit to record steps taken per day. As someone who try’s to avoid activity this seems like a sensible thing for me to do! My question is about the Fitbit. I am totally confused about which model I should invest in. Do I pay extra and get the one with the heart rate register or just go for the entry level model? I don’t want to get the cheaper version and regret not paying the extra, or buy the more expensive version and regret paying more than I need to, (especially as I keep finding information saying that the heart rate monitoring is not accurate!
    Can anyone help me through this minefield please?

  • posted by  Lucky Maneki on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I had a soft spot for Rik Mayall too. So sad that he passed away, but the old dear who plays the auntie is absolutely fab.

    You’re so lucky seeing him live! I’ve seen the DVD’s, thought his first one was funniest though. I’ve seen ‘The Holy Trinity of the Phoenix Club’ – Dave Spikey, Peter Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Peter Kay was pants wettingly funny, and – possibly my weirdest crush – Johnny Vegas. I adore Johnny Vegas, he’s so cute and cuddly. But he was very, very drunk too.

  • posted by  Halicarnassus on A Confused but Enthused disciple.
    on in BSD Med Style Low Carb
    permalink

    Thank you for the replies. On the subject of animal protein, for non-health reasons (which I no longer buy into) I had given up eating meat and dairy for 11 years, and only this year have I returned to eating these foods. It’s a myth that all vegan-vegetarians are skinny healthy types. You can eat salt and vinegar square crisps all day and be a genuine vegan for example. The point is, during those 11 years I was generally still overweight. But since I started eating meat and dairy I have balooned. I now understand what the cause was: not meat and dairy necessarily, but extra calories on top of the unhealthy processed carbs I had been eating for as long as I can remember. My favourite food is bread. My next favourite food is bread.
    I’m generally a positive person, but I’m entirely cynical about the ethical compasses of the major food manufacturers. And in such I believe we are being poisoned on addictive nurtitionally devoid trash.

  • posted by  tokyo14 on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    greg davies is a whole hunk of funniness!! seen him live twice and have to say we never stopped laughing all night !! both times !! do you watch taskmaster lucky you would love it our gregs in it !!!

  • posted by  Izzy on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    ryvita, according to my fitbit has 6.7g carbs and I’ll settle for s’s instead of z’s!

    I love Big Magic Lucky hopefully you will enjoy it πŸ™‚

  • posted by  Janeycoughdrop on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I’m considering Elana’s coffee cake, or sthg else involving coconut flour. It’s just about the weekend so I think a sweet treat is allowed. And of course I will be constructing the fart bread toastie for lunch πŸ˜‰

    Son brought home an excellent school report today, although he was in a foul ‘Kevin the Teenager’ mood. A nice Paleo pudding will finish him off!

  • posted by  Lucky Maneki on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Did you Josie, how did you find it? Was it more-ish, too sweet? And how were the falafels?

    Haha that sounds a LOT like my son. Absolutely bloody useless.

    What’s it called, is it on Catch up? Oh and I missed Man Down last night, I didn’t even know there was a new series due. Thank God for catch up TV. Love Greg Davies, one of my guilty crushes.

  • posted by  Verano on July starter
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Tonight has been a real challenge!!!
    We were invited out to an Indian restaurant! Ok. So sat down before we went and added to my diary. Knew I could stay within the plan with a huge amount of willpower. DID IT! Had one popadom with a little mint & yogurt and chicken tikka, half portion, and salad. So really pleased with myself.
    Also, I have walking difficulties and noticed tonight, after just two weeks on the plan, that my walking was far easier. Could walk much further (I walk with crutches). Have only lost 8lbs so don’t think that could make much of a difference.
    Has anybody else found that cutting carbs has led to more energy even without extra exercise ?

  • posted by  josie53 on Hello :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    i shall join the confessional, today i had a chocolate biscuit. but i have since paid the penance of the beetroot falafels with salad. So feel almost righteous. Not such a disaster as the dreaded fish cakes.

    Aren’t kids wonderful, my daughter once bought her then boyfriend home for a weekend and he stayed or about 11 weeks in the end. He barely seemed to function on any human level. But as she finished at Uni she finished with him by going to Tokyo to work for 5 years.

    I am watching a programme featuring Michael Mosley the O H recorded it for me from Tuesday. so far interesting