We are visiting Australia in September and interested to hear from anyone who lives there or has recently visited who are doing the BSD. How do or did you manage? We’re driving from Sydney to Cairns and flying to Alice Springs where our son lives. After that, it’s a drive back to Sydney.

Many thanks in advance

Finally… we’re ready to start. Seeing my GP in the morning with all the relevant paperwork about BSD including Prof. Roy Taylor’s “Information for Doctors”. My GP is French but does speak some English so hope he can understand it all.

We’ve done all of our measurements but my husband is still kicking and screaming but he either does it with me or cooks for himself – I’ve won. I wouldn’t force him but he does need to lose some weight and knows it. He’s not diabetic but I did a finger-prick test two weeks ago and he was 6.1m/mol and after 8 days of reduced carbs, he came down to 4.9m/mol. My latest HBA1C (today) is 11.8m/mol – lower than it has been for a while.

My target for 8 weeks is to lose 13kg and then see where it goes from there. My partner in crime has not set one yet but I think he will once he has done the first week. I did the 5:2 a couple of years ago and my target will take me back to where I was when I ceased to work! Thankfully, I didn’t put the whole 22kg back on so there’s something to be pleased about. If I lose more, I’d be really happy.

We have an 8-week trip to Australia starting mid-September and as we’re driving a few thousand kilometres, we need to be fit which we’re not!

You look like a new person!! Hearty congratulations and thank you for the photos, they are inspiring!

Starting BSD tomorrow but as full time mum of 3 little ones and slim sweet toothed hubby it’s not always easy to plan. Looking for quick on the go ideas which don’t require much prep or crazy shopping trips so that I can feed the family as normal and sort myself some easy meals.

Hi soladcrew,
I will post my loss – let’s stay positive – tomorrow. I just read about the prunes and will make spicey bean burgers tomorrow, fingers crossed.

i am on week 3 energy levels improving but only slightly, weight is coming off slowly but am not following the plan in the book to the letter, i will probably go to the plan if i stop losing weight.

I am reliably informed from others on this forum that the lack of energy is to do with the lack of carbohydrates.

Good luck and keep persevering

Thankyou Bissell I hope the positivity is contagious! However I’m well aware that although I’m on a high I have also been very low and we never know how far away a low is. I’m trying to capitalise on my current high! Do you find yourself busy in retirement? My parents say they don’t know how they ever had time to work!

Writing – well… I’ve written a childrens fantasy novel which is going to be part of a trilogy. I have ideas for many other stories though including a horror. I’m not a published author, but it’s been a lifelong dream that until a year ago I assumed I would never see. Then after a period of unrest I took it upon myself to make time to write a story and managed to complete my first one. I’m going to do a second draft of it and then try to get it published but as long as my daughter enjoys it I’m happy.

Epspecially I’m a long way off retirement as well, but we’ve spoken about trying to work towards me being at home. It won’t be possible for a few years at least but it’s something to aspire to and dream about. I do have evenings and weekends too but I need to work around my kids as well.

So tonight when I got home from work I fed the kids and then we headed out to the garden. They played and so did I a bit, but mostly I cracked on with some of the work that needed doing out there, there is still much to do but it feels great that I have started!

I’ve been up to my loft for a look and the floored area I’m thinking is not as spacious as I would like as well as being near the hatch so a safety consideration. There is a larger space at the other side though, currently unfloored. I sat up there for a good 10 mins visualising it…

I’m thinking… floor the area. Whitewash the back stone wall and paint a design on it. Then for the sides as I’m not planning any proper building work to make it feel more like a room I will attach fabric to the joists. I’m thinking maybe looking for cheap 2nd hand curtains to do this with, or perhaps even sewing together a patchwork of old things to make the coverings. Bright and cheerful is the idea. Across the back wall I can make a table for the sewing stuff and there will be room for my dressmakers dummy that currently resides up there anyway lol, and painting things etc. I’d also add a pull down ladder but that might be the last thing to get as I can manage with my current ladder so don’t want to overspend.

I’m excited! none of this will happen overnight but it is certainly achievable, and within a short time I can be starting it all 🙂 It will be my sacred space, I can’t wait to start it.

I’ve still to sort dinner as I’ve got carried away with the garden and loft so I won’t be doing much else tonight but I feel like today has been productive. Changed dinner to stuffed courgettes as they needed eating sooner.

Thanks guys for the support
Day 1 done and its been ok not feeling hungry and have managed to drink 3L of water.
Tuna Steak and mushroom stirfry for dinner yum!
Both managed to drink the 3L of water
Good day

Please let me know how your weigh-in goes tomorrow too! Ha ha just thought maybe I should change my name to soSOLIDcrew 😳

Thank you. I will keep going and try to look at clothes. Great advice.

Thank you. There are lots of suggestions to try 🙂 So just had flax seeds in water – yuk! I’ll try it in my yogurt tomorrow then some prunes then lentils. Hoping for 💩 soon!!

Hi Sosaladcrew,

I’m on week 5, lost nearly 12lbs the first 3 weeks and only 1/2lb in week 4, which was weird, weigh in tomorrow for the end of week 5 so I hope to have lost some this week. I weigh on Sat and Tues and found I put on weight on 2 Saturday’s, after the previous Tuesday’s weigh in but lost by the following Tuesday. I too am quite constipated and have added a bit more veg in to try to sort it out.
What I have noticed are clothes getting loser and the belly going down. I also took a photo of myself on day 1 and another at end of week 4 and could see the difference. That was encouraging and I am going to take a photo every 4 weeks for comparison. Maybe you could try doing that or put on some clothes that didn’t fit? You might be surprised. Don’t worry about the up and down even the best scales can be a bit off sometimes.
Keep going it will be ok.

Hi Sosaladcrew

Try typing “constipation” in the SEARCH box at the top for several threads about this.

And please don’t worry about weight variations – people have many and it is to do with water and other things!

Wish you better!

There are so many sorts of cheese which you might try.

I have particularly enjoyed halloumi which is lovely, fried or grilled, with breakfast eggs. And feta cheese with some oil and chilli is sharp and lovely with a few baby spinach leaves.

OH had some manchego this evening which was wrapped in a little Parma ham.

Baby bel cheeses are great for a little snack of 0 carbs. And you can wrap Leerdammer cheese slices round smoked salmon or meats for a little lunch roll which is satisfying.

I also like blue cheese, which has the benefit of bacteria which are good for the gut. But if you’re not a cheese fan that may be a bridge too far

You will note I like cheese!

:-

Bill, you are amazing – living proof of the benefits of the BSD.

Thanks igorasusual. I have never liked cheese but maybe I need to give it a try. Would make things easier.

Appreciate your help.

Hi everyone. I’m two weeks in. The first week I lost 8lbs and week two I scraped in 3lbs loss. But it was a struggle and scales kept going up and down. This morning the scales show I put on 3lbs. How does that happen on 800 calories a day?? 😩 I am exercising but could do more. The only thing I can think of is it’s because I am constipated. Despite drinking three litres of water a day I have barely been in a week. Anyone else had this?

Good Luck for tomorrow Angiebabe

I don’t think I could keep on track without weighing regularly! I don’t get too hung up about occasional plateaus, but seeing the achievements really helps with the will power to stick with it.

My feeling to start with, but confirmed after a week on holiday not weighing, followed by about four days to get properly back on track after getting home! I’m now 1 kg less than before I went away though, so re-inspired!

Monday is over (not that it was bad but still, it’s over!)

I had energy after work to come home and play with my son in the garden and do some work that needed doing out there. Lots more where that came from but it was great to have the energy to start!

I just spoke to my sister on the phone. love her lots.

Well done Bill! A million times more healthy!

Thanks for posting the pics 🙂 Not scary at all!

Boomer

Good fats whilst curbing protein? Cheese. Nuts and seeds if your carbs permit. Oily fish such as mackerel. Butter sauces, drink olive oil (can be done and recommended), olive oil over small quantity of veg.

A bit of avocado – again carbs permitting – whole one is too much carbs sadly.

Hope that might help. 🙂

Hello

Well good news and a need for patience from the visit to the eye clinic. Lovely new Greek consultant I do think it’s the best clinic in the UK! He def thinks the cataract needs to come out but wants to try one more round of treatment so the eye is in tip op condition – this will be the fifth surgery on the eye so it has to have periods of rest and relaxation in between – a bit like me and the treadmill! But because some of the Medes make. You sensitive to sunlight I won’t start those til after my hols. I think different medical specialties attract different personality types and the corneo guys are all very kind and friendly in their approach and see you as part of the team. No snootiness at all.

So I must think when he sees me at the end of September he might have to look twice!

Many congrats Babs, 17lbs and sugar levels down.. You deserve a new wardrobe, most definitely! Don’t know about you but for me the 7+ weeks have flown by! Can’t believe we’re technically in the final week. For me, this is a way of life I want to maintain though so altho I may not count cals so rigidly I’m still not going back to the old habits. Was overjoyed at the weekend when I took delivery of a (secondhand) dress in size 14..and it fitted!!

Hi igorasusual. Congratulations on your 18 pound loss! Good plans going forward also.

Yes. My intestinal tract becomes a relative stranger during this time. I do take probiotics which help. Also drink a lot of water.

Fortunately I drink my coffee black with no sugar. But it is amazing the number of foods that contain “added” sugar. So glad they just made the regulation to include that designation on all food labels.

The fat versus protein issue is a tricky one. Challenging to get substantial amounts of good fats while curbing the protein and staying under 800 calories. Any hints there would be appreciated!

Just to add my congratulations, Bill. If the publishers want Before/After pics for the next edition of the book, I hope they give you a good royalty!!

So how was everyone’s 1st day?

I have walked at lunchtime, my stepper is 8011, so getting off the bus a few stops from home and getting over the 10k mark.
Chicken and veggies tonight

Love lucia
Xxxx

Angie babie.
Will have everything crossed for you when you go to the eye clinic…..
I am sure it will b wonderful news.

Love luica
Xxxx

Hi angiebabie,
What a great idea to not weigh yourself for 8 weeks and get a fantastic surprise. Wish I had done that.

Love it when people have to return clothes especially fo a smaller size.
I am in a 14, slightly snug. Hoping for a 12 soon .

Keep going, keep happy

Love Lucia
Xxx

Hi Switzerland,
Isn’t it great having the energy to do these jobs, I as looking at them for years, now rattling through them

Regarding your comment about back to work Monday… All I can Say is… Rhubarb!

Love Lucia
Xxxx

The 8 week Blood Sugar Diet is the one.

Read and then come and join in! 🙂

Hi Boomer

Wow. 5 carbs does sound a challenge to me – especially when MyFitnessPal tells me that my three daily cups of white coffee are 9 carbs in themselves.

And – forgive me if I intrude (all friends here!)- does the small amount of veg not affect what is commonly now known as “digestive transit “?

I defer to your knowledge of your own body however!

I would suggest that you do keep a good eye on your fats though, as too much protein will kick you out of ketosis or fat burning and slow the process down

I have just started my 8th week. I’m not type 2 and had only c 22lbs to lose, but I thought I was mildly carb addicted, didn’t really know how to lose the weight, and wanted to get back under control. This has led me to more dietary research which I’ve found really helpful

I’ve lost 18lbs in my 7 weeks, feel great, have just 4lbs to go and will stay on the BSD till I get there.

Then I plan to do a 5:2 keeping the low carb/high fat principles and increasing to, probably, 50-75carbs per day plus increased calories (protein much the same level) and more fat. Then for the 2 days having a low carb probably 1 meal day at 800 cals or less.

I am very impressed by the simplicity of the BSD – well done Michael Mosley! 🙂

Hello Igorasusual. Thanks so much for the welcome.

The 5 g limit on my carbs was not a typo. Unless I am in full blown carb fest mode, which unfortunately seems to be most of the time lately, I eat only meat, salmon, and eggs. My only carb grams come from the occasional walnut, pecan or macadamia nut that I have. I have never eaten any fruits and I only like a very small number of vegetables. It is not terribly difficult for me to avoid most all carbohydrates. Also if I go much over 15 g of carbohydrates daily my blood sugar goes very high.

These particular restrictions are relatively easy for me to comply with as long as I continue to see progress in both my blood sugar numbers and my weight. As most of us know when the scale stops moving or the blood Sugar numbers go higher it is more and more difficult to stay the course. It can be so frustrating.

However, I am fully committed to this program as of last Wednesday and I feel confident in the plan. I hope to be able to post lower numbers, both on weight and blood sugar, each week.

How long have you been on this plan? How are you enjoying it?

Hope to hear from you again. Thanks!

Hi Igorasusual

Although I do currently count the calories, my emphasis is on keeping low carb.

I’ve found when away from home, when it’s difficult to count the calories, that keeping low carb and watching portion sizes is still effective.

As I’m approaching the end of the weight loss stage of my journey it will soon be time (if I don’t do it sooner) to stop counting the calories so strictly and just keep the carbs low and watch portion sizes, like on holiday.

It’s so good to enjoy cheese and full fat yogurt after so many years of being told to avoid them. And instead of drinking diet fizzy drinks I drink fizzy mineral water. I never thought that would happen!

Well, it’s not day 3 anymore it is the end of 7 weeks. This week, after staying the same last week, I lost 4.5lbs bringing my total to 17lbs. My sugar level has reduced from 127 to 112. My clothes are definitely fitting better and I am coming to the UK next week so I think I might have to buy some t shirts in smaller sizes. My husband is “complaining” that his trousers are too loose and falling down.

We went to some friends for dinner last night and explained what we are eating and on the whole they got it right but our hostess did try to force some cheesecake on us saying surely that can’t hurt. We were steadfast and refused whereupon she produced some sugar free wafer biscuits and couldn’t understand why we wouldn’t eat them either. Felt very virtuous.

Hi SunnyB

I had an overnight stay in London (followed by breakfast at Heathrow!) to fly to Italy for 10 days then meal at Kings Cross Station before train home.

I love Italy, but there are so many carbs I did wonder how I’d cope. Stayed with friends, so shopped for what I could eat. Some ‘interesting’ meals out often leading to conversations about what I am doing. Sometimes my choice was very restricted, but I had what was available (successfully avoiding the horse meat) and enjoyed not only the food, but also the conversations with so many different people.

I’m going back to Italy in October and now I know how to cope. My friends won’t have such a shock when they meet me at the airport and know what I can eat now, and why I’m doing it.

Oh – I lost 2 pounds between the day I left home and the day after I got home. 😃

Hi,
Want to do the BSD Fast 800 diet.
Going to buy on iBooks on my iPad.
The website isn’t clear on which book I need to purchase? ‘The 8 week blood sugar diet’ or ‘the fast diet’

Help appreciated

Hi

ay caramba – I dis tap & ballet as an adult some years ago. Loved the ballet but not the tap! Unfortunately I can’t wear completely flat shoes like ballet pumps – need something between dead flat and heels 😱

Everyone welcome on these club houses – you’ll soon be over that line.

SunnyB – thanks. Each holiday or residential conference I’ve been on since starting the BSD is a learning experience and makes the next one easier. I’ve had to decide on my priorities, and blood tests just after I get back from holiday are a great incentive to eat low carb. Strange to say it was a very relaxing holiday, despite (or perhaps because of) the challenges.

Welcome Boomer53!

May I wish you well on your BSD travels.

However keeping carbs to under 5 grams – did you mean under 50? – sounds really really extreme.

I have had significant success with a challenging target of 20g of carbs per day. 50g or under usually works well for people.

I’m really hoping that was a typo and you meant 50g as I am boggling at the thought of staying under 5g!!

Good luck to you!

Ooohh, look at you Bill, absolutely brilliant well done. I started May this year and hope I look as good as you do by May 2017. You are an inspiration.

Hello all. Committed to the 8 week plan June 22. I need to lose 50 pounds to get me comfortable and confident again. Also my blood sugars are way out of control with typical numbers in mid to high 200s and occasionally over 300. Scary.

I enjoy beef and eggs and plan to keep carbs under 5 grams, in addition to calories below 800.

I look forward to reading about everyone and their progress. So far, I am down 4 pounds since last Wednesday.

Happy to be here!!

well done Bill – that’s amazing
(I do hope that fact that you’re with a glamorous woman pre-BSD and standing next to an empty chair this year is coincidental!)

Wrigley’s website gives a similar calorie content, and 60.7 g of carbs for 100g – however the carb per stick of chewing gum is 0.91 grams – so a single stick must weigh just under 1.5g – so to consume 100g, you’d be looking at 70 sticks, so just over 2 calories a stick. As you don’t swallow the stuff, I imagine the carbs and calories are whatever it’s coated in.

I can think of healthier things – but it is possible to work out what you’re consuming and add it in to your daily log – if a single piece of gum is too light to register accurately, weigh ten pieces and work it out that way. If it’s only one or two pieces a day, you might decide not to bother counting it.
Would drinking water come within your organisations desk policy and curb hunger pangs?
I don’t like chewing gum much personally, but on occasions that I’ve had it, say if my teeth felt yucky and no toothbrush, I think I found the chewing action made my stomach expect food and therefore me hungry.

Whatever happened to original flavour Dentyne by the way? – Or Dentyne full stop? I had a yucky/teeth mouth feeling a few months ago and went into about six shops without finding any.

Impressive Bill. Great to see what can be done 😃

LOL Bill 😃

I agree,

the issue is i cant eat at my desk at work.

therefore i chew the gum, so is it ok to be chewing gum?

thanks

No, it’s fine, you keep them. It’s not like you’ve done such a great job convincing us that they’re edible 😉 haha.

I’ve got a couple of £8 grand brownies I can send your way.. Otherwise… Resist!

B – yogurt, tahini, seeds and honey
L – salad leafs, chopped pear, blue cheese, flakes of trout, walnuts and a small spoon of dressing
D – Chicken, salad, cheese shavings, pomegranate sauce.

OH MY GOD yes it is. I went to the optician this morning for more glaucoma testing and I usually only venture into town on a Tuesday. I’ve felt so sick afterwards that I slept for two hours and it’s thrown me somewhat. Not prepared for tea, haven’t had lunch or breakfast, only a couple of unsalted pistachio nuts. And I want cake. Danger day today. I’d best go and find something and quick.

Hope everyone’s MONDAY is going well 🙂 #plonker

Pen rage lol.

I’ve got Kindle Unlimited (thankfully) because I’m a demon speed reader and my book bill was starting to look a bit grim on a monthly basis, so I’ll check out anything there later tonight, and see what I can find too. I need cake.

It is the level of carb content that is of concern, so if these have a carb content of 1g each, I don’t see why you shouldn’t use them. As long as you are keeping your carbs to around 50g a day, there should be absolutely no problem at all.