Morning all 😃

Nettle, sounds like we have a BSD ballet company on here! I tried chopsticks years ago and they certainly help me eat more slowly. Might try them again! I live in the north east of England, in a former mining village. The food of choice is carbs. I’m weird because I don’t eat them anymore. Corned beef pie, is always on the menu at any social event. And (sorry Bill) stotties (like barm cakes or bread buns but much bigger) to make sandwiches. One stottie is usually cut into 4 wedges for sandwiches, much thicker than sliced bread. A few years ago I bought Subway sandwiches for my granddaughters end noticed they were hyper soon after but thought it coincidence. But when it happened again I realised what had happened. No more Subway for them. And their sweets are strictly rationed.

greenjanet, thank – total lost now 5 stone 😃. I’ve stayed with the 800 calories a day except when away from home and the kitchen scales. Even when on holiday or at residential conferences I’ve stayed low carb and watched portion sizes.

Any other questions, just ask. 😃

Yes the jeans thing is truly tricky. Bought some new jeans about 8 weeks ago because nothing else fitted and they are now really baggy and need a tight belt to stay up. 21 weeks in and close to my target weight so I hope the crop jeggins I’ve just bought last longer. It’s not just jeans though underwear is a nightmare….. and because I’ve been overweight for so long I’ve got no smaller size clothes. Seem to have missed that small window where you can find those items of clothing that you couldn’t wear because they were too tight……now they are too baggy……grrr!🙄🙄🙄😪😎

Hi Igor 🙂 I’d heard about ‘carb flu’ but thought that I’d got away with it, d’oh, I really thought it would be in the first few days of starting. Resisting the crisps was so hard, they’ve not bothered me at all until last night. I’ll keep on keeping on anyway, it will be worth it in the end, thank you 🙂

Hello Frog 🙂 I am going to push myself today, I’ve decided. No procrastinating. Going to set my timer for 15 minutes and work in little bursts of activity (which works for me when I feel like this, you can do anything for 15 minutes, right?) I’m ok with water, I always fill a glass when I’m in the kitchen. I probably exceed my intake daily, but like you I used to be a massive Diet Coke guzzler, that stuff is addictive. Now we only buy their rival, which I really don’t like that much (unless there’s a shot of vodka in it!) so if I have two or three glasses a week it’s a miracle. I have to take something to ‘help me go’ some days as I’m on strong pain meds for my back, but that thought had crossed my mind yesterday, I’m not taking in anywhere near the volume of food that I was doing before, so it’s logical that there’s less to come out. I’ll crack on with it regardless, I’ve got nothing to lose anyway, have I? 🙂 Apart from half my body weight, that is…

One more point. Be cautious buying chicken or cooked meat in supermarkets. Many of them include sugar, especially in cheaper ranges. I would never have believed it until I started reading labels carefully.

sadly my calves are still way too fat for jeggings!

Trousers with thinner fabric thinner than denim are easiest to adjust – by adding darts at the back, or a section of elastic at the back – and with tops getting looser too, they hide any irregularities that temporary adjustments like that might create.
I need to get the sewing machine out!

Cherrianne, I’ll have to see if I can find any. Then work out how to post them. Hope they’re not too scary!

Hi Snaffler

Another pound lost today means a total of 5 stones gone since 19th December.

For me, one stone equals one size in clothes. My wardrobe had few clothes other than work uniform in size 24 (getting too tight). The main colour was navy and waistbands were elasticated.

Now I have casual clothes as well as uniform in the wardrobe. I’ve just been given some tops (sizes 14 and medium). Different styles – the medium fit now, the 14s are ‘snug’. My uniform skirt (size 24) was getting shorter as I had to lift the waist higher to be able to fasten it. 😱 And I’d moved the jacket buttons right to the edge so it would at least fasten. Buttons would sometimes pop off. Fortunately I’d kept smaller uniforms as I grew out of them, but that supply us now exhausted and I have to get new uniform. The smallest skirt I have is too big round the waist and is now so long it’s like a hobble skirt – fine as long as I don’t run, or need to climb into a minibus LOL.

If it helps, I’ve stayed with the 800 calories a day throughout, except when away from home on holiday or at residential conferences. Even when away I’ve stayed low carb. Eating full fat products and drinking lots of sparkling water. I kept a notebook since I started, writing down everything I eat (with calories) and medical test results. When I started I was testing my blood sugars every morning and night. When they reached normal levels I dropped the evening test. Eventually I dropped daily fasting blood tests, going to weekly. Now it’s a random test occasionally. But everything is recorded in my notebook.

Any questions, just ask. Someone is usually around to answer. 😃

Just wanted to add this though, even though my weightloss hasn’t been much over the last 7 days or so, I took my measurements on Saturday too, and in 14 days I’d lost – Left thigh: 1.5 inches, Right thigh: 3.5 inches, Left calf: sod all (these boots are never going to fit me!), Right calf: half an inch, Hips: 2 inches, Stomach: 3.5 inches, Chest: 2 inches, Top of left arm: 3 inches and Top of right arm: 1 inch. So it’s not always about what the scales show, is it?

Hi Lucky Maneki
I had a plateau a little bit earlier than you – mostly week two, of weight up a bit/down a bit, but essentially not shifting in about ten days.
But – I haven’t really had the tiredness (although my time is pretty much my own, so if I want to sleep in late I can most days) – and yes, the key for me was getting more active – and drinking lots more.
I know most guidance says avoid artificially sweetened stuff, but if my liquid intake is low, I do find it a lot easier to drink a litre of fruit squash (the zero calorie, no sugar stuff) rather than water – I probably drink it a lot weaker these days, and hardly ever get the urge to drink diet coke, which used to be something I drank loads of.
The other thing that I resolved at around that time, bit personal here, was my digestive system. There’s quite a lot of threads about constipation on the forum. My body, after years of having sooo much junk to deal with disposal of, took a while catching up with the idea of so little to process. The liquid intake probably helped, and i still take the occasional senna tablet if things seem sluggish.
Persevere – you will get there!

Very common to be cold, tired, all sorts of odd things – you are kicking your carb addiction out. Often known as “carb flu”.

Well done for resisting the crisps!!!!

Keep at it, it WILL pass.

Congratulations on the great job you are doing. You should be very very proud of yourself.

🙂

Hi thankyou for your kind reply, will do I have to be pedantic about this otherwise I loose confidence.

Thankyou for your kind reply, sounds good advise.

Fourth day at 16 stone 5lbs. Last night I had to go to bed early because the craving for crisps was horrendous! I couldn’t believe it, just came out of the blue, crisps! I could understand chocolate cravings, don’t think I have ever craved crisps before in my life! I begged hubby to let me have a pack but he said no. Happy that the scales aren’t going up, but a bit miffed that they aren’t going down either. I know I need to move more, I’m just so tired all the time. Is that common on this diet? Especially at this point, in Week 3? I am sleeping all night, I’m falling asleep in the day, I could even sleep again now. I have very little energy (and therefore motivation) to do anything physical. I’m eating better than I have in years so it’s a bit odd to be feeling so exhausted. Meh. Hope everyone is doing ok. Happy Tuesday (I am on the right day today haha).

Up to you – I think there are a variety of approaches here.

Personally, I’d suggest that the more precise you are at the start about weighing and recording, the more knowledge you will build up about portion sizes, fat and carb content (if you’re a lifetime dieter, you’re probably well versed in calories).
Armed with that knowledge, you can decide how much you can relax the weighing and recording as you go along. That makes it much easier to assess what you have in a restaurant, for example.

good luck with it

It’s all good news really. Just like a haircut – too short for quite some time, then very briefly perfect before overnight totally impossible.

Jeggings with elastic waistband for the moment?

Hi greenjanet and welcome!

Yes, count EVERYTHING. If you get an app like MyFitnessPal you can keep a diary – and plan a day ahead – with all your meals and this also breaks it down into carbs, fat, protein and total calories.

You can schedule in and count some snacks – veg sticks, nuts, occasional fruit – and then you know where you are.

I found it good to keep the carbs under 50g per day – many people here do – and this seems to work well.

Have you measured? Have you got “target” clothes? This really helps if the weight loss slows because you can see yourself shrinking anyway.

Drink drink drink – you can keep a tally of that, too, in MyFitnessPal.

Good luck! 🙂

Hi clematis
Oh how wonderful, you are doing so we. it is nothing short of a blessing, this site, I am so eager to get started, but I know I need to take time to plan and organize my mind I have been a failed dieter for 41 years, so I will be going public here regularly I think to reinforce my commitment. I am looking forward to feeling better, I am prediabetic and feeling the effects of a fatty liver, and have 76 pounds to loose to get to a decent target. So getting organized. Thankyou for your kind encouragement.

Irritating, isn’t it!
I bought a smaller size pair in Debenhams, first size 18 in ages, and too loose after about 2 weeks – thankfully only £8.50 in the sale
I dug out a pair the other week that haven’t fitted for about five years – they still fit, bu definitely getting a bit lose-ish when I had them on yesterday – and that was just after they’d been washed, so a bit tighter.

I need to get to my storage unit quickly – boxes and boxes of clothes probably in all sizes down to a 14 – I just hope the smallest sizes don’t all turn out to be brightly coloured 80’s suits with power shoulder pads!

Hi all, I am starting tomorrow, so just getting organized today, can I check when you count your calories, does that include counting non starchy veg, so for ex if I plan a meal do I need to weigh and count salad for example, also if I snacked on veg sticks do I count them. I know this probably sounds pedantic, but I find confidence in being precise, I am a failed dieter of 41 years, I want this to work. Just want to say to the admins of this site. Very very good, I am a professional I’e lifetime attendee of all the slimming clubs, and this motivates, and educates me more than anything I have experienced before. Also I’m afraid In order to reinforce my committent I will be going public on here regularly. I am ready to expose everything, hehe well I suppose I mean my mind, after decades of denial, so can’t wait to get started 76 pounds to loose.

I absolutely love the Lancashire farm yoghurt that Asda sell. Either the ordinary full fat yoghurt or the greek yoghurt. Both are really thick and creamy and both are also live bio yoghurts which not all greek yoghurts are so they’re good for your gut as well!

Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be a very small window on this diet where your current size jeans fit perfectly? A few weeks ago had a sort out and found a gorgeous pair of jeans (size 20) that I’d never been able to get into. Tried them on and they fitted albeit very snug. So then had that thing where they gradually work themselves down because they’re too tight. 2 weeks later they fit perfectly and then last night disaster struck was carrying a load of stuff upstairs and could feel them going, barely got to the top of the stairs and they were round ankles!! Fortunately there was no one around to see!! The annoying thing is that I have had 2 weeks of falling down from being too tight, 2 weeks of jeans fitting bliss and now they’re falling down from being too loose!! They are mid waisted jeans. Is my only hope Simon Cowellesque under the armpit jobs? Thoughts?

Hi all!
Another newbie and BSD supporter here. Recently had my second child (8 weeks ago), and two pregnancies have left me 4 stone overweight with a BMI of 32 and obese. (I have to note that I wasn’t as overweight before I had children, but it did fluctuate enough for me to feel the need to diet. My pregnancies just seem to have been a catalyst in my overall weight gain). I am not diabetic but can see myself heading that way given my eating habits and sugar addiction (anyone else secretly eat golden syrup straight from the jar for a quick fix)?! Shocked by my weigh in of 199lbs, fed up of a decade of food/diet obsession and wanting to be a good example to my children, I have been convinced that the BSD plan is the way forward. My goal is to lose 59lbs, which would take me down to 140lbs/10st.
I’ve read the book twice and found inspiration in the forums, and am supported by my husband who also wants to lose some weight (he is carrying most fat around his middle and his Father is diabetic). Motivation is sky high so I’m going to strike while the iron is hot!! I’ve allowed myself this week to start gradually cutting things out and reducing my calorie intake, but will start the plan fully on Saturday.
Anyone else like to join me in doing the 8 weeks of BSD fast 800?!
J x

Good Morning 🙂

Well after yesterday’s gardening work I thought I would sleep really well but I did not… I suspect due to excesses of pollen making my hayfever yucky. First things I did this morning were to blow my nose and put eye drops in lol. I may have to take all my hay fever meds more often. My main alarm clock did not go off again this morning showing me that clearly it is busted 🙁 Oh well. Despite my lack of sleep I still feel ok this morning.

I made the most amazing breakfast… I put 1/3 of a banana and 1/2 cup frozen raspberries with 1.5 cups almond milk and a few ice cubes in the blender along with a little sweetner and vanilla extract. I left out the fage yoghurt this morning and blitzed it. It came out like a slush puppy except with a creamier taste. It’s yummy.

I know we’re not supposed to eat bananas but there are good nutrients available in a banana so I thought that to have a little wouldn’t hurt. Previously I would have enjoyed a whole banana as a snack and to eat 1/3 of a banana wouldn’t really sit well I’d want to eat the rest, so to use a small amount like this in a breakfast shake is ok I think. Moderation chip activated lol.

Today is weigh and measure day 🙂 I’ve lost 1.5lb’s this week and after being out on Friday and also having the ice cream on Sunday I’m very pleased with that. I’ve lost an inch off my bust, and I do see and feel the changes in recent weeks. This ends week 10 and I’m happy to continue this way, two weeks of allowing a few extra calories at the weekend and although the weight isn’t dropping off in the way it does for some it’s enough to keep me motivated and happy with the progress. I know I could go lower carb, I know I could be more regimented, but as a lifestyle change I think this balance works for me.

21.5lb’s gone in total.

Lunch today is squash and cashew soup, and some pancakes I froze last time I made them.
Dinner will be hunters chicken and courgetti or caili rice.

If the weather holds tonight I plan on being out in the garden with the kids and get a bit more done out there. I’ve not had this level of energy for a very long time. I hope it is the depression lifting properly and that it continues. Then once the kidlets are in bed I plan to try to write a little before an early-ish night.

Hope everyone has a lovely day.

Hi Janet and welcome to the BSD. Quite a lot of people on here have lost huge amounts of weight and are definitely on the plan long term. Captainlynne is one, check out her posts. I myself have at least 6 stone to lose possibly more depending on how I feel/look when I get to my target weight of 11st 6. Currently I’m 12 weeks in and, having started at 17st 13 am now 15 st 3. It really is simple to follow and after the first couple of weeks of feeling tired/hungry etc I have more energy than I’ve had for years!!

My husband & I both had this & I ealised that we were not having as much fruit or vegetables as usual . I have found Metamucil to be the complete answer . I started taking it 3 time s a day & graduated down to 1 when I felt normal again . Constipation makes a big difference to the scales & you will find you lose much more regularly if you have a regular daily bowel motion

i love the Aldi one costs £1.29 lasts me 5 days, are strawberries high in carbs looked on one site it said 28g for about 4 of them

Hi Mrey ,
I live in Australia & love to eat out . I suggest Italian & Asian . Prosciutto plus a rocket pear & parmesan salad or grilled snapper ( or other fish ) & spinach . A very occasional glass of pinot noir with it , or eat asian , there is a huge choice here , Thai beef salad or chicken larb , grilled prawns , steamed fish with ginger & shallots are just a few & great with a pot of green tea . Vietnamese has lovely light options & Korean BBQ with vegetables / kimchi . I find steak days I don’t lose as much . We have lots of salad bars too . Always ask in a restaurant if you want a meal modified , most places are happy to help . Have a wonderful stay !

Hi Soladcrew,
Without knowing what you’re 800 calories consists of, it’s hard to know what to suggest.

I recently gained a kilo after a series of 750 calorie days. How?! I noticed I’d eaten 2 meals both containing red meat (100gm each) in one day as well as diet coke. Its the first time in 22 days that my meals have been like this, so I’m assuming that digesting meat takes time. Not sure about diet coke, but I’m cutting back meat to once a day and 1 glass of diet coke, when required.

I usually try and have a min of 2 cups of veg and 2 eggs per day. That keeps things moving….most of the time.

I don’t see any threads that are stuck on the forum so I thought I would put this one out there. I’ve had some good success with the BSD and I’m only 22 days in so far. Here are some tips that help me through:

– Hungry during the meal times – go for a quick walk or drink water. Initially, I’d have a coffee with a dash of milk until I realised milk had 7 calories per tblsp. I didn’t go to skim milk, I just cut it out of my coffee/tea completely.
– Make meals simple, but not boring. The more complex they are, the more likely you’re going to make a mistake and add extra calories. In moderation, simple spices and flavoured salts can improve flavour.
– Calories are everywhere and, with the exception of water, in everything.
– Don’t like eating a massive plate of vegetables or salad meal after meal – No one does. And you shouldn’t. Veg and salad contain calories. A massive plate of veg or salad could easily exceed 250 calories per meal.
– Don’t bother trying to purchase lots of oil/sugar/flour replacements to try and re-create foods you like, such as brownies, biscuits, etc. They aren’t as good – they never are. You will be frustrated, poor, don’t know how to use them properly (so likely to add calories) and your pantry will be full of things you’ll eventually throw out. This sort of food is fine when you’ve really got into the swing of things and have mastered discipline. Don’t start too early.
– To spoil yourself, have a massage, get a hair cut, do whatever makes you feel as though you’re pampering yourself that doesn’t involve food. This is very important. It is critical for me to have things that make me feel good that aren’t eating
– I have started finding good quality coffee and tea. If I’m drinking it by itself, it had better be good.
– Don’t cheat or have something “just this time” for the first week. Once I started seeing results, you’ll probably not want to cheat for the following weeks.
– If you have to snack, almonds are good (7 calories each). Eaten one at a time.
– At dinner, drink a half a glass of water in between mouthfuls or aim to drink three glasses of water during dinner. Have a jug on the table is a good way to ensure you stick to this.
– I do 30 to 40 minutes of brisk walking on a walking machine everyday. I don’t jog or run and I never do more than 40 mins per session. Sometimes I’ll do two 30 minute sessions when I can co-ordinate it with my life (doesn’t always work). Try not to compare what other people in the gym are doing. Everyone is different. They have their own demons. Just because they are running, doesn’t mean anything – they are probably looking at of the person on the rowing machine thinking should I be doing that?! Do what works for you.

I’m interested to hear what other tips others have for worked for others.

Hi,
Yesterday made sure I ate right and got my 10 k steps in.
Yoghurt and a few strawberries for breakfast.
£1 box salad lunch.

Something with veggies tonight.

How are you getting on?

Love Lucia
Xxxx

I agree with Frog. I also find gum (sugar-free or otherwise) simply makes me hungry. My stomach goes into overdrive waiting for the food to arrive and when it doesn’t I feel much more hungry than I did without it.

When I’ve really needed something, I’ve grabbed 10 almonds. I eat one at a time. I don’t chew it. I treat it like a throat lozenge. Eventually, the other layer comes off and you’re left with the kernel, which you can eat slowly without looking like you’re eating. Its amazing how good this works (well, for me anyway). Just something to consider.

Hi MREY,
I’m in Tasmania. Most restaurants will accept changes to an order so feel free to make them. Sauces, oils and dressings can be dumped on without notice, so take heed. Everywhere will usually put them on the side though.

Alice Springs has enough supermarkets that you’ll be fine. I was there 12 months ago and had no problem making my own meals. If you go to Uluru, that would be a challenge as there are very few places to eat and no shops (to speak of).

Pub meals (almost everywhere) will be your challenge, although most do steak. Fish can be a problem because it’s usually frozen and battered or crumbed.

Calorieking is an Australian calorie counter website. This might be useful.

But overall, you’ll be fine. Enjoy!

Hi Monabee,

Sure thing. I’ve tried to keep things simple – I’m easily confused.

Breakfast consists of one of two meals:
– 2 boiled or poached eggs (170 calories) or
– 1 bowl of bircher (as per the BSD book excluding the raspberries) (180 calories)

Lunch (bit of a minefield)
– Meal replacement shake (200 calories)
– 2 boiled eggs (if didn’t have for breakfast) – (170 calories)
– Packet Pho soup & 10 almonds or (100 calories)
– Fruit smoothie (Strawberries, freshly juiced watermelon, strawberry yoghurt, whey protein & ice) (190 calories)

Dinner
– 100 to 150 gms of grilled (no oil) or steamed steak/salmon/chicken and 1 to 2 cup of steamed vegetables (mainly broccoli, cauliflower and carrot. Rotate veg and meal for variety (Up to 330 calories) or
– 2 egg omlette with spinach and peas (200 calories) or
– Veg curry (from BSD book) with no cauliflower rice (200 calories)
– Grilled courgette with steamed spinach and 40gms feta and Balsamic dressing (200 calories)

If I know I’m having dessert, I’ll have a lighter lunch (such as a Pho soup and almonds).For dessert:
– Two cups of air popped popcorn (70 calories) or
– 75gms of no added sugar ice-cream with 1/2 cup strawberries. (150 calories)

Black coffee, black teas (herbal teas work better for me than black or green tea) and lots of water. Sometimes I have can of diet coke in the evenings….it can be pretty grim at times.

Measure and calorie check everything. Discipline is key here. Calories are everywhere, so it’s better to be informed so you can make smart choices. Calorieking is good website which lists most raw ingredients, which measured on a per gram basis.

While there doesn’t appear to be much flavour in the above meals, if you are disciplined, three things will start to happen:
– You’ll start to lose weight which will be self-motivating
– You’ll start to really appreciate the taste of those basic ingredients that you choosing
– Find a basic spice (Cajun/Creole/Five Spice) or flavoured salt to help add flavour to the dinner. Yes, I know too much salt is bad, but it’s just for the initial phase to get you going. Continuing to be overweight is bad too, so it’s important to maintain perspective.

It’s now been 21 days. I’ve lost 10 kilos. My clothes are starting to look too big. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing even though I have never ventured over 800 calories.

I weigh myself every day when I wake up before I’ve consumed anything. I’ve had two days where my weight spiked by approx 1kg.
I can’t explain it, but given my trajectory is heading in the right direction, I just keep going.

I hope some of the above works for you. I’m really interested to hear what you’ve been eating that has kept you above 800 calories.

Stick with it.

Hi MREY
I live in Sydney and find that ordering steak and salad whenever I go out works for me. Our food is so multicultural now, that it’s sometimes hard to find things not covered in rice or noodles!
Would you like to catch up whilst you’re here? I can take you on a walking tour of the city…perhaps other BSD’ers would like to join us on a walk across the bridge and through The Rocks, The Botanical Gardens & the city?
Cheers
Linda

Thanks Cerrianne for the link to this thread. It’s been very useful especially about The bread. I will ask my daughter-in-law to check it out in Alice Springs and her Mum too who we’ll be staying with in Hervey Bay.

I started using konjac noodles 3 years ago when I was doing the 5:2 so it’s good to know they’re on the shelves in Australia. Used to have to buy them when visiting the UK or get them shipped over to France but now they’re available here too. I found the rice unpalatable unless it’s mixed in with chilli con carne but use the noodles in spaghetti bolognase.

Hi Cherrianne

Thank you for the very valuable information which I’ll add to my Australian file and I will take a look at the other post you mentioned.

Fingers crossed for the £…

About to finish up my 8 weeks on the BSD. I have lost 20 lbs. I would like lose another 20 and was wondering if anyone has done a second 8 weeks?

Hi! Very inspired by your post! Way to go! Just wondering if you could share your common meals that are working for you? I have just started & easily go over 800…

Hi MREY,
In the welcome to the BSD forum is a thread called low carb foods in Australia. Introduce yourself there and I’m sure you’ll get plenty of tips.
Eating out in Aus is fairly relaxed and you’ll almost always find places that are willing to adapt a menu for you.
If you are on the road the big supermarkets here, Coles and Woolies, both have ready prepared salad bowls of different types. Also McDonalds, not known for healthy choices, does a great ” build your own” salad with either chicken or haloumi as the protein and a choice of salad veg etc. it’s good value $ wise too.
Enjoy your holiday here, hope the weather holds up and the £ increases in value again before your trip.

wow – that’s a lot of mackerel! – I often pick smoked mackerel up in the supermarkets but then put it back because the packs are so big, and as much as I love it, don’t want to be eating it for days on end.
Does it freeze well? (although I still need to clear space in my freezer!)

I went to a local market on Sunday – they were just on closing up, I bought two large punnets of rasberries for £1, and 4 avocados for 50p.
For breakfast I had poached egg, avocado and TOAST – small slice of bread, only weighed 25g, and lots of lovely seeds and stuff. Very filling, and I didn’t have lunch.
For supper I had a gram flour pancake/tortilla type thing, with bean salad and cottage cheese.
Followed by raspberries with fage yogurt.
So 700 calories and 56g of carbs – bit over on carbs, but I usually am on days when I don’t have meat or fish.

I bought some really nice tea last week, so currently drinking a flavoured black tea mostly that is best without milk, so no calories or carbs to add on for the milk, and lots of sugar free lemon squash.

Hi Wendy,
Back in my early days on the BSD, I experienced the same thing as did Bill and several others.
It started around week 3 and lasted a few weeks. We did some research and came to the conclusion that this was down to the liver shedding its fat stores, and no longer being restricted by the metformin. As long as pre and post meal blood sugars are fine for the rest of the day try not to worry about the fasting ones. In fact I think one or two people stopped doing fasting readings for a while.
The whole thing was posted on a thread called ‘ rising fasting blood sugars’ or something similar. Sorry it was months ago and I’m hoping that’s the right name.
Hope this will reassure him, it seems to just be a phase the body goes through as it adjusts. 😃

Hi Jess
I am cooking from scratch a lot more than I used to – but certainly use shop bought stuff as well. the thing is to look closely at all the ingredients, and the nutrition analysis.
Learn all the names of hidden sugars (fructose, glucose, etc) – I have a feeling that they are listed in the BSD book

Some nutrition labels are horrendous to read – small print, dodgy colour schemes. Some supermarket websites list all the nutrition details on their websites (ocado, waitrose, I think sainsburys) – so I often look there rather than squinting at the illegible packets forever.
Take care and cross check with the packet or supermarket data when you use databases that are user generated (my fitness pal, calorie count, etc), they aren’t always accurate – for example if someone enters a new food, and they aren’t counting carbs, they may not bother to enter carb values, and I have come across wildly different values for the same food.

One gadget it is worth investing in is a spiraliser – you can get small ones for £10 or less on Amazon, and they are the same size as a standard can of baked beans.

Good luck, hope it goes well for you.

Bill and Lynne, you continue to inspire. Love the pics you uploaded Bill. I’m expecting some before and afters of you now Lynne.

I’ve had a few supermarket own brand full fat Greek yoghurts – all fine, but finally had the fage that everyone raves about this evening (lots of mini-supermarkets near me that don;t stock a huge range) – it is more costly than own brand, but totally delicious, and much thicker. It also has less carbs
Waitrose own brand greek yoghurt – 5.4g carbs (£1 for 500g)
Fage greek yoghurt – 3.8g carbs (£2 for 500g)

I had cottage cheese today – while eating thought it wasn’t nearly as good as the last pot – when I looked I’d inadvertently picked up a low fat one. Not nice!

You might want to check the carb content on the CoYo one Giz – according to the Waitrose site it has 3.9g of carbs per 100g – and two very different versions on my fitness pal.

I’ll add my WOW to all the others Bill. You look amazing and so healthy. Well worth the effort and all the ups and downs you’ve had this year. 😀
This only shows the outside effects of the diet. What has happened for you health wise, confidence wise, knowledge etc. is even more impressive.
Well done you.

Hi captainlynne,

Your blogs are so encouraging, I have 7 and a bit stone to dispose of, so have you done the 850 cal diet all the way through, or for just the first 8 weeks. I plan to start on the 29th June as I need to do some planning. But just wanted to confirm what plan you have followed. Brilliant motivation, 😀😀😀

according to my fitness pal, 30g of cornmeal has 24g of carbs, so it is quite carby. (and 110 calories)

Lots of people on these forums rave about pancakes/flatbread made with gram flour – it’s taken me a bit of experimentation to get the right consistency, but they are really nice – I had one this evening with bean salad and about 15g of really strong cheddar – delicious, and a bit tortilla-like.

Really simple, you just mix with water and add seasoning if you want it, mix well and fry in a pan – you can bake them too.
Some recipes state equal flour and water; I’m using 25g flour and about 40ml of water for an 8 or 9 inch pancake.

They are quite versatile – tortillas, flatbread, pizza bases
the calorie count is similar to cornmeal, but for the same quantity, 30g, only 17g of carbs (about 70%)
It also has about 7g of protein, (1 or 2g in corn meal) and is also a reasonable source of fibre

I am planning to start bsd day after tomorrow, I have 7 stone to loose, have any of you done this on very long term, I’m aware a few of you have lost many pounds, but I haven’t checked all the subjects here.

thank you

Yes I wondered about that too and also corn tortilla for tacos but I wonder if its too much sugar. Is there any one out there how can elighten us ??? Please …