I believe that Raspberry Ketones have nothing to do with either raspberries (the tablets are made via an industrial process) or Ketosis.

There is some research – you can google it – but these things are not connected with the ketosis your body gets into when you are eating low carb.

I gather they are a dietary supplement some people try in the hopes of miraculous weight loss.

I think you are probably right in that they are another expensive rip-off.

My recommendation is stick with the BSD which will work, and has a good scientific basis to it. 🙂

Hi all,

I have a question here for the great people on this forum ?. My wife and I are doing really well on the new way of life, but she happened to mention that someone had told her about ‘Rasberry Ketone’ tablets and how they have given great results when used alongside this plan ?. I know that reducing carbs puts your body into a Ketosis state anyway, but have any of you heard if these tablets could assist, or are they just another expensive diet rip off ? Many thanks

That is up to you. Many members here have continued on 800 for many more weeks with great results, others choose to move to 5 day 2 day, others move to just a mediterranean diet, all depending on how much they still want to lose. I still have a lot of weight to lose so after 8 weeks I began to have 1 or 2 days per week where I allow more calories but still stay lower carb. You will get a feel for what you want during the 8 weeks.

All I’m saying to that Paltrow thread is OMG 😳 That woman is a lunatic. Talk about ‘ disrupting flora’. Anyway I am in a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown after a lovely day. Have just tried to limit damage by having a very small amount rice instead of hoovering it all up! I think my stomach may pay me back for this!

Back on the straight and narrow tomorrow…

Well I made my crackers, then the desire to go buy loft flooring was just too great to resist so I did, whilst browsing the DIY store I came across two friends and ended up chatting for a bit and they helped me get the stuff in my car which was great. By the time I got home it was too late to make katsu curry so I made the family pasta bake. I think I might just have soup. It is such a great standby on this diet to have a few different soups all frozen so anytime I am at a loss for what to have or too lazy to cook I can just lift one out and throw it in the microwave. I made so much I haven’t had to make more for weeks lol. I guess I might need to make a new batch next weekend though.

I’m hoping to make a start on the loft tonight but it might be too noisy when my son is in bed. I should be able to get an hour done here and there as my husband is on earlies this week so will be home in the evenings, and he is off on Sunday. I might ask him to take our son out if it is a nice day so I can get on without interruptions but we will see. Either way my little dream is in motion! Too excited!!!

Hi everyone, after the 8th week is finished what happens then do you continue or are calories upped?
Thanks

yes please do post your own I love to have mexican food when we eat out 🙂

Aside from using cabbage or lettuce as wraps for fajitas I’m afraid I have no idea although we do add chilli to almost everything.

well done for resisting the days temptations, and wow on the weightloss! Mine is much slower I’ve lost around the same as you but over a much longer time. I don’t mind though as I like the food and I’m enjoying myself 🙂 and so long as it keeps coming off I don’t really care if it takes a while now.

Out of all the email I get I reckon I actually read about 5% of them lol

Lynne

This is an excellent idea hopefully I will be there soon.

I have just finished week 16 and have lost 40lbs, I only have 10lbs to go to reach my target.

I no longer take any medication for diabetes, blood pressure or cholesterol with my GP’s approval he was extremely impressed when I saw him this week.

I feel fantastic, alert and alive I walk everywhere instead of jumping in the car. The guys in work keep telling me how great I am looking !!!! Lol I am old enough to be there granny but it does make you feel good.

Getting my packed lunch ready for tomorrow going to Wimbledon so have all my BSD food and water ready.

Thank You Spcox!
These are very helpful tips. I am wondering when you exercise? Is it best for you in the pm? or am? I know I would do best with both. Hitt training alternating with strength in am (10-15 minute wake up calls!) and walking in pm

I lost 10 lbs my first week, and although following the program- gained a pound overnight to begin week 2. What I did differently though- is a had about 140 calories left after an early dinner (finished eating about 430 pm) and decided to have a chocolate whey protein shake with 140 calls at about 700pm. I also walked about 30 mins in the pm and thought things would be OK- well- they were not! So I wonder about 2 things as a result to improve upon towards fast weight loss success:
1) keeping my eating window at about 8hours and fasting window at 16 hours may help- no pm snacking!

2) too much protein. I am eating normal healthy food which has plenty of protein, and the whey protein shakes push me way over the top of my needs. I read from Micheal’s first book (The fast diet) today that we require about 50 grams of protein, and I had 2 shakes yesterday which each had 25 grams of protein- and then had a high protein plough man’s lunch also, and fish and shrimp with dinner. So I topped out at 100 grams of protein- so I am going to work towards 50 grams protein, 30 grams carb or less, and more fat to make up the difference- & see how that goes

I don’t know if these will work yet- but I am going to give it a try and give you a report in a few days 🙂

Hi Lynne, and Judith,
I have had an ok day today with my tum, a bit of heartburn, which is definitely due to the anti-inflammatory tablets I took for my back pain!
I have also felt OK generally, still aching, however that could be the left over ache from the sciatic problem I’ve had for over 40 years, so I think I’m over the hill and on the right road to recovery, I certainly feel a lot better, thank you for your help and concern.
Christine

Hi LindaA,
I have had a chance to read the article last night, it made for very interesting reading, I am looking forward to seeing how the recipes for low carb food stack up against the bsd recipes!
I think anything that helps us keep the carbs and calories down, therefore ensuring weight loss can’t be a bad thing.
Hope you are doing ok on the weight loss?
Christine

Hi Izzy 😊 Just back from a lovely day out in the sunshine and I resisted everything, yay me.

It’s true. I don’t follow celeb culture but I got wind of this one… http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/gwyneth-paltrow-scorned-for-suggesting-women-steam-clean-their-vaginas-10012004.html

I will open any email that has the words ‘Gwyneth’ and ‘scorn/scorned’ in the same sentence. On principle 😉

And I’m another pound down! Day 1 of week 4 and 22lbs lighter!! Woop!

Thanks! Yeah I figured no one had any recipes. Guess I will be the first to post my own. I did get a few ideas from pintrest and I modified some recipes of my own to fit the diet.

I hit the 6 week mark yesterday and was pleased to see the back of a difficult week. It was year end at work, the pressure was huge and it was very stressful, I had a week of not sleeping well and the carb cravings came back because I was so tired. I had a couple of days of not eating very well, not massively bad but not great either. My weight loss is 21lbs, 4 inches off my waist the first week but nothing since which I’m finding frustrating! I’m back on track again now but wondered how others cope with tiredness and carb cravings?

What a transformation and inspiration, well done Bill 🙂

Fantastic results Emma. Onwards and upwards.

Hi all,
My husband and I started last Monday. I have really enjoyed the menu planning and today we tried Doodles for the first time:)
This morning was our weigh in, the hubby lost 9lbs and 1.5 inches ( T2) and myself 6lbs and 1 inch(Menopausal) well happy with the 1st weeks results and have enjoyed the food too. Drinking 2/3 litres of water a day and not feeling hungry but definately have more energy and no bloating ! Onwards and downwards!
Keep it up all your guys and girls
xxxxxx

It’s great to hear how those who have already started are getting on.

LindaOz, I have a fitbit One which is a tiny one you can clip on a waistband or bra. They seem accurate and are really good if you like stats, plus they can nag you with notifications. If you just want to log steps then a cheap pedometer is fine. Which reminds me, I think I’ll dig my fitbit out and charge it up for tomorrow!

Hi Mantishugo, I don’t think it’s an unusual reaction, maybe it’s a way for your body to release subliminal tension. Sometimes we get so used to the presence of stress in our life that it almost becomes a normal feeling and we stop recognising it. I find meditation helps to remove that conscious barrier and helps expel stubborn negative energy. At my most difficult times I often found a good cry was therapeutic.

I hope the mermaid tail turns out the way I imagine it 🙂 I still keep finding new ideas for my loft and other things I want to create, my inner creative is certainly escaping and I’m not trying to stop her!

I’ve had fage yoghurt and strawberries for breakfast, a concoction fried up together including bacon, onion, courgetti and tomatoes for lunch and it is going to be Katsu curry for dinner.

I didn’t get around to making crackers yet this weekend so that is my job for this afternoon.

My daughters painting kit has arrived but as she is out with a friend she doesn’t know about it yet, I do hope she likes it. I had a proper look in and it has lots there to enjoy – a gift i would have loved!

I can’t remember if I mentioned before but I’ve noticed in recent weeks that I think I walk a bit faster, and today I’ve noticed it’s easier to cross my legs. lol. small triumphs. Scales show 1/2 lb down today so I’m hoping it will move a bit more by Tuesday. Regardless I can’t remember any of the normal diets being able to lose weight so consistently for so long even though I’m slower than most.

I reckon another half stone will open my wardrobe a little. A few things I tried on the other day fit again and many of them will fit within 7 lb’s I think. I have plenty further down in the pile for when I get smaller still, which I know I will it’s only a matter of time.

Have a nice Sunday everyone, pity tomorrow is Monday!

I’m having a sudden desire to go and get the loft flooring again… it comes in waves!

Hey Seadog and Starcyl, thank you for the kind words. I’m planning to trial run a couple of BSD recipes this week as I’m really curious what courgetti and cauli rice are like. I’ve also put Fage Greek yogurt on the shopping list. I’m looking forward to trying all these new wonderful things 🙂

You could also add a salad (either before or after your main meal) with some cheese. We have baby spinach leaves with some feta cheese, which is very tasty – add a little olive oil and perhaps some balsamic? Yum

can’t wait to join 🙂

Thanks. Never thought about adding a desert.

The sun is shining and I have had a walk. Just over 5000 steps.
Will walk more later.
Been into Bon marche to try on size 12…. Nope not there yet.

So, I have decided to watch game of throne from the beginning,and climb on and off my step. Like a plastic box.
For an hour each night.
Anyone want to join me, 6 series, an hour at a time? In the evenings.
You can pick your own to programme.
During the commercials, have a drink of water.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hoorah Switzerland! Da iawn! I am really an Essex girl, but lived and worked in Wales for many years and recently started learning the language. Well, it seemed polite to do so. At least I can pronounce the place names and sing the national anthem now!

And the wildlife in your garden sounds amazing, I will look them up too. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about red belly black snakes though. I get scared by some of the slugs!

Have a good day everyone.

Hi there, well done on managing your first week and on your loss!

If you only ate 800 calories of high carb sugar filled processed food then your blood sugars would still be high, if my understanding is correct. It is a combination of less carbs and the fast weight loss that helps the blood sugars to lower quickly.

As for moving on and upping calories, I’ve been doing this over 10 weeks now and most days I keep my calories at 800 but allow a few days of a bit more. A bit of extra cheese with a meal, or a bigger portion of meat, perhaps a pudding sometimes of berries and cream, a snack of nuts.

Hello everyone.

I’ve been following the 800 diet for a week now and really happy with it. Weight is down 6 lb, fasting bloods in the normal range and blood pressure coming down to. I thought I would struggle as I’ve had bad reactions to being hungry all my life but its been fine and the food has been great.

I’ve enjoyed reading the various posts on the forum and have found them helpful. I now have a few questions that I hope some of you lovely people will be able to answer:

Is my fasting sugars in teh normal range only because I’m eating so little calories or carbs?

Has anyone moved from the 800 to the med diet successfully and could they share a bit how they did it? I’m struggling with this, for example for tea last night I had fajitas without the wrap, it was lovely and came in at 320 calories, but once off the diet how do I turn it into a 500 calorie meal without adding the wrap?

Thanks for the encouragement – am really looking forward to next big target – 8 weeks in. I think the view seems to be from nutritionists that it takes around two months for the changes in our diets and habits to embed fully, so I hope that by the end of July, it will all be the new normal.

Luckily, over the past couple of years, I’ve acquired several really nice Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cooks, and once you leave out the flatbread/pitta/couscous, it’s really easy to eat very healthily. A lot of fish, chicken and occasional lamb, a lot of salads and my favourite, anything with aubergine!

Hi everyone. So for yesterday
Tuna mayonaise iceberg wrap (using the leaf as a wrap), Apple and cheddar cheese, pea, red pepper, and onion omelette.
I did my back in yesterday so was dependent on my family for making me food. On the plus side I got to watch Wimbledon all day. I was worried about whether the lack of exercise would have an effect on the weight loss so hobbled on the scales this morning and another half pound down this morning. That’s 5lbs in 4 days. I know it’s said to be mainly water in the first week but it sure feels good.
Glad to hear you’re feeling better Seadog and good luck to all the starters.

Hi Cherrianne, I have been on for 6 weeks.Except for this rising FBS.. other pre and post meal BS are perfectly normal. Best Regards

Well done Babs, and travel safely to the uk! I’m sure after 8 weeks on the BSD you are well and truly ‘in the zone’ and will manage food- and weight wise without needing scales or calorie checkers 😆

I’m also on the final day and we are off to London with the kids for a day out. Dinner in Chinatown is on the cards and while I will try to be good I’m not going to beat myself up if I digress a little. This is my reward for the successful 8 weeks!

I started and then went off to Greece. Although I had weighed myself once while away I wasn’t too sure how accurate the scales were. 6 weeks since I weighed in on my scales and I’ve lost 6lbs!! I know it’s not a huge amount but I’m really pleased. I lost 14lbs from Easter last year until May this year and found it very hard. So when I started this diet I didn’t have a huge amount to lose, ideally another 14lbs…but I’ve set my first target at 10lbs…if I get there it will be the first time since 2000! If I get to 14lbs lost then that will be the first time since 1992!! I want to move from frumpy, plumpy granny to a more slimline one. While away I walked or did yoga each day, had virtually no bad carbs, eg bread and potatoes, pasta etc, and reduced the amount of fruit I usually eat. Also I stuck to 2 meals a day…a late breakfast or early lunch where I kept the calories and amount right down and then dinner in the evening. My husband was there for the last 12 days so my alcohol consumption went up!!! And we were eating out. The first almost 3 weeks I ate in and could monitor my intake more easily. Then friends arrived and I had a week of eating out most nights. I now have only 4lbs to go to my first target weight…. Feeling very positive now. This way of eating really works for me, I hope that I can keep it up now I’m home and cooking for 2.

Well done Manxsprout. Thank you for sharing your BSD way of life on the forums. All of the variants of the BSD work and I think that’s what makes it such a success. The old temptations aren’t so tempting when your body is being nourished and cared for.

I’ve been asked to start this thread for those at (or, can I add, getting close to) their target weight.

It does feel a little strange to start this when I’m not quite at target yet, but it shouldn’t take long 😃

It’s been suggested that those at target weigh in on here monthly. Also that maintaining can be more difficult than losing weight, so we can support each other on here.

Slimming clubs have there various incentives for those who reach goal – we have this thread. 😃

I have finished my first eight weeks a day early as I am heading off to the airport to go to the UK. This week I have lost another half pound making a total of 17.5lbs…so far. My next eight weeks will be a bit of a challenge as I will not have my scales with me so I will not be able to weigh my food or myself. My blood sugar is down to 103 from 127.

1. Finished reading ‘The Obesity Code’ by Jason Fung (this BSD journey has sparked such an interest in this subject).
2. Celebrated my daughter’s 16th birthday – she is amazing.
3.Quite chuffed about the possibility of a Wales v Iceland final (come on now people POSITIVE thoughts). Hmmm, I wonder what the outcome of the France v Iceland game will be?
4.This one’s for you Bissell – I’m learning a new language (Welsh) because I had to look up the meaning of Cymru am byth. (You’ll be proud of me Bissell, I actually new ‘Cymru’).

Hi Syb,
Thanks for the link to the low carb page..what a great resource .
🙂

Hi Siar,
You don’t say how long you’ve been doing the BSD but a few of us had this problem around week 3-4. Check out a thread called rising fasting blood sugar. It’s an old thread but has some good information from a few different sources.
Check that your overall carb intake is still low, and you can be sure it will sort itself out. All the best 😀

Hi
I. Had a foot spa last night in front of the telly watching wolverine the movie.

My feet were tingling, along with my heart.
Have you seen his muscles, swoon……..

I haven’t had a foot spa before but it was so good.

So remember gang, sometimes you need to give yourself a treat.
Treats doesn’t equal chocolate
It can be a foot spa
Or go out and see a movie,
Or watch the sunset holding hands
Etc

Love Lucia
Xxxxx

hi BSDians,

TIll last week , I have been on BSD and must say it worked wonders my BS was averaging 5.7 and post and prendial were normal as a non-diabetic person. I thought I reversed Type2 Diabetes and have began to regularly attend bootcamp ( exercise sessions) few times a week for the last two weeks. However last weekend I did a 11 mile maratahon and hence to recover I have taken a recovery shake. I am not sure what happened from that day onwards the morning sugar levels spiked to low 6s  Can the sports drinks cause the hike by tweaking the liver releasing sugar ? I am not sure how long this will last for taking energy and electrolyte drink for a day ? Any sharing your experience/comments be appreciated.

Hi Ellie,
As a new starter I know how you feel looking at the amount of weight you have to lose as I have a large amount to shift. I haven’t been eating too many carbs for a few weeks so hopefully the change won’t be too hard to deal with, it’s funny but looking at this 8 week plan doesn’t scare me in the way some of the previous Weight Watchers and Slimming World ones did. I did manage to lose some weight with both of them but it has come back and more so! I am now at the heaviest I have ever been, I have bought some new scales and even though I haven’t cut back to the 800 calories I have followed the principal of the diet and have already lost 2kg.
I think finding this forum and joining in, which is something I don’t normally do (I tend to sit on the sidelines and just read), will be a great help.
I have a holiday booked for later in the year and have a dress I would love to take with me so it is now hanging in view as an extra encouragement.
Looking forward to seeing the improvement in us all!

Hi Julie

Thanks for your kind comments!

My 8 weeks stops end Minday, in theory. Next Friday we are off to Northumberland with the family for a self-catering walking -focused holiday, so the catering will change a bit.

My son is a Demon

at baking sour dough, and may bring his starter with him. And the evenings will be more social – even if we are cooking ourselves – so there will be wine etc. (And card games, films, and jigsaw!)

So.
I think I will continue to do my 20g carb (not so focused on precise calories) until we go, and then up the carbs to 50g per day which I think will be absolute luxury for me, whilst still no bread, refined carbs etc. I love sourdough to eat but have noticed before that the after effects (lethargy) are not good.

I am keen to see what effects long mountain walks (bit more demanding than my current exercise regime on the flat) will have. Will be taking chicory and cheese slice to roll whilst the others have sandwiches.

After the hol I am going to see where the little roll of belly fat and slightly larger thighs have gone – nowhere, probably — and then do 5:2 with 50-75g of carbs for the 5, and 20g carb and prob one meal per day up to c 600cal for the 2.

But will see how I feel.and what works best. Am never going back to refined carbs. If there is some really great bread – we had some wonderful stuff from a local bakery in Lyme Regis on a couple of trips – I might have a slice. But otherwise not.

Sorry for long post!

Very best wishes to all. I do want everyone to succeed as I think this way of eating is the answer to so many people’s health problems and is hugely enjoyable too. 🙂

Just one other thing. All this carb/calorie counting has made it clear how much food I NEED to maintain weight. And really, it’s not a lot. I can have smaller, delicious meals, well within the reasonable amount allowed.

I love the images at dietdoctor on carbs. http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/vegetables

having just read the last post I had to read back for the context lol. You guys do make me giggle!

Did Gwyneth Paltrow really suggest steam cleaning?! I pay little attention to media or celebrity chit chat…

No one is getting near mine with a steamer…

Hope you still feel well off the meds Happy, you’re husband sounds lovely it looks like you chose each other well.

I couldn’t stand that much heat – Scottish people are too used to cooler weather! I hope you enjoy the rest of your celebrations 🙂

Hi Ellie, first of all don’t be ashamed to say that you have 7.5 stone to lose, a long journey starts with a single step, and you have just taken that by deciding to follow this way of life !. If you look back at my post yesterday, I was saying how off colour I was feeling, I can say that I feel considerable better today, I woke up this morning with a much clearer head and more like my usual self (but better ha ha !). I went to my sister in laws last night, and she had made delicious nibbles which I would normally tuck into, but here’s the thing, I didn’t. It’s not that I didn’t tuck in through willpower, I just didn’t want it ! now that is a very new feeling for me, and I REALLY like it !.
Quick note about the withdrawal symptoms, everybody is different so will have varying degrees of symptoms, I must have been severely addicted to carbs, as I REALLY suffered for a couple of days (I think a bunch of flowers may be in order as an apology for my wife, for being grumpy !). I operate heavy machinery as part of my job, and I can honestly say that my concentration was a little off, so if this is a concern for you, then bear it in mind when embarking on this. Best of luck !

I did have headaches at the beginning but they didn’t last. I don’t recall feeling shaky though. You could try to spread your calories out through the day allowing for the type of snacking that Ruth suggested, or indeed just have more calories, maybe the 5:2 would suit you better? definitely keep your fluid up.

I fill two 750ml bottles with water and try to have one empty by 12:00, and the other empty by the time I’me heading home at 17:00, adding in cups of tea (mostly herbal) it means I’m always easily above 2.5 litres.

When I feel hungry I usually have a few nuts or sugar free gum, I doubt the gum would help the shakiness but a few nuts might, maybe just a few would be enough? Experiment to find what works best for you, we are not all the same.

Hi everyone, just wanted to drop in and say GOOD LUCK to all of you starting this month.

A few weeks in and you’ll never want to go back to your old food 🙂