Hi feltwicked, Wow! You’ve done so well. Congratulations! I’m on week 14 now of the BSD and have an appointment next week for my annual bloods (I’m type 2). Hope my results are as good as yours.

Butterlover, how much meat should I be eating? Your posts are very useful, thank you.

Hi all,

I went to my usual doctor a few days ago and asked for a print out of my HbA1c (Haemoglobin) and other blood/urine tests done over the last couple of years. I also requested a new full blood/urine test for an update.

I got called in to his office this afternoon to have the results explained. He was very pleased as my HbA1c had dropped from 47 (SI units or 6.5%) in July 2015 and 44 SI (6.2%) in Feb 2016 to a staggeringly low 35 SI (5.4%) today June 2016. My Albumine/Creatine count also fell from 11mg/L & 23.3 mmol/L in 2015 down to an amazing <3 mg/L & 9.6 mmol/L at this reading.

I then mentioned about the BSD and that I had stopped taking medication a month ago. He was surprised, although giving a warning about crashing at the end of a diet – about which I reassured him that this is a lifestyle change not a fad diet. He cancelled all further specialist reviews and shook my hand in congratulations, whilst advising me to keep checking my fasting blood.

I’ve also dropped to 93.1 kg (down from 98.4 when I started).

I am so stoked, I had to share with the team of fantastic supporters here – and I’m only in my 5th week of the diet.

FeltWicked

1 week into the diet and I am confused. I have always had a bowl of proper jumbo oat porridge (no sugar but a little salt and pepper to taste) when I get into the office (around 7:45am) and I don’t eat again until lunchtime. I leave for work at 6:30am and can’t face breakfast at that time in the morning.

I always thought that porridge was a good breakfast and being low GI would be OK on the BSD.

Please advise.

On a less confused note – 5lbs lost and really motivated by this new way of life!

thanks Switzerland – I’ll look for the pizza base recipe
I found one for gram flour pizza base that I made on a previous diet and liked – a bit carby, but not too bad compared to standard pizza, but a cauliflower one should be even better.
I need to have a plan B for when I get a real pizza craving!

Lucia, Hi there. Oh yes I am so going for it. Today I have some brown shrimps lined up for lunch. I am about to go to an hour Pilates Class. My weight has been stable for a few days now. I am so happy with how well I feel. A fog has lifted. 😀☺😊😄😇🙌
My favourite word is enjoy.
Enjoy your day.
Enjoy your plans.
Have fun and enjoy.
regards Sandie

End of week three – 96.7kg, 5.3kg gone
I seem to have cracked the plateau problem – regular loss of around 0.3kg a day
If that trend continues through the next few days, I should achieve 1 stone loss by the weekend,
I think I drank a bit less yesterday, probably two litres of water and 1 litre of tea, and a coffee.
but a fair bit of exercise – boat club in the morning, gym in the afternoon and around 8,000 steps
midnight snack of a couple of oatcakes – wonder if t would have been more without them?

I am up and ready to go to my Pilates Class. It lasts for one hour. I do this at different times thrice a week. Each day I dog walk of varying lengths. Usually between a mile and up to 5 miles. Once or twice a week I do a Body Pump class. This class has really helped with body toning and shape; especially around my tummy area.
What ever excersie you do enjoy it and every now and again change your routine so your body gets a surprise.
ENJOY

Hi sandie,
Thank you so much.
Your profile said you are going for it
Are you still?
What have you gone for this week, I need details?

Also, I remember , you are the crayfish tails lady. I thought you were so posh eating that compared to my shrimps 😀

Do you have any hints and tips?
I am always needing them myself

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi Switzerland,
Does voila mean eating something that makes you more crazy and insane?
Because I have, with being slightly dippy, I can forget about boundaries and limits.

Eg
I am excited right now as it is overcast.
And?
Puddle bashing.
I jump from one to the other.
This works my thighs, my feet, my calves and my balance. Oh and my energy.
Isn’t that great?
Something so simple, lighthearted and fun

Love Lucia
Xxxx

My exercise merely consists of Yoga and Pranayam (Breathing exercise). I wake up at 7am and start exercising from 7:30 to 7:55. It is not sufficient I know. I will increase my time duration. I also take health fruits which are very rare – such as Noni fruit, Mangosteen and Goji Berry. I’m sure people may have not heard about these.

What a great start to being back home! Well done on that weight loss I felt quite sure some would come off quickly when you got back 🙂

Your new programme must be great if your clients are snapping it up and it is lovely that they are helping you in their own way too.

Bill mentioned a way to post pictures here, you should post any new fancy clothes you get 🙂

I’ve got a couple of ideas for my first clothes customisation and I think I will go ahead and start a blog. I like to do this whole diary thing haha you can probably tell.

Have a lovely day Happy 🙂

Thankyou both! I’m determined that I’m not going to let tiredness or unexpected things put me off, or at least if they do not much!

using ‘held up’ to describe delays is everyday language here lol.

I’m sitting here waiting for my colleague with a cup of herbal tea. I’ve taken a water bottle and nuts with me and will be home for lunch before working in the afternoon when it will all be back to normal. Well as normal as I ever get lol.

As I had stolen my tape measure back, curiosity got the better of me so I weighed and measured today. I’ve lost 1lb since yesterday! but I’m still saying 0 for last week and this counts towards week 8. I only need 0.8lb to hit 10% now and lost 17 in total. Most of my measures stayed the same this week but I did lose a further 0.5 inch around my waist.

I’m happy enough with that. Still tired but I’ll commit to a few early nights. Spoke a while with husband last night too and things are calmer there now as well. We don’t often argue thankfully.

OK I best go finish my tea.

Have a great day!

Wow great job today Izzy!! You get a superstar recognition!! Wow wow wow!!!
Hugs!

Thanks so much for your kind words Izzy!!! I had no time to get online today’!
It’s been an awesome day though.
-I lost another 2.5 lbs since yesterday! So I down 20.5 lbs and super happy!
-I created a new program for clients and the first two I spoke to purchased them.
-my hubby made my dinner request which was steamed cauliflower and zucchini with 1/4 cup pasta sauce and 1 ounce Parmesan. I didn’t have many carbs left for dinner so had to be careful and I am right on top of the nugers so I am thrilled.
My clients and dentist all noticed I have lost a lot of weight. Once client told me a great place to shop in a town one hour north of us. I love that my clients like to help me as well.
So all is good albeit it’s been super busy business wise since I got back. I kong to be lounging in the pool again!! Ha

Hugs to all!
💜🌷

I have just completed Week 1 and have lost 3.5kg, I am thrilled!
I was vigilant on 5 of the 7 days, a little bit looser on 2….
Im encouraged and soldiering on..
Hunger rumblings most evident when I hop into bed at night

Hi denton and welcome to the forums.
Great results from your first week. I’m really pleased you shared that with us. You have every reason to feel upbeat!
Best wishes.

Hi Frog and Jules2112,
Yes, the cauliflower rice is great. Any recipes pre-BSD that I would have had rice or noodles with I now substitute cauliflower rice.

The other gem using cauliflower is the cauliflower pizza base. Now I can have my Friday night pizza and eat it too!

With both of the recipes I don’t microwave the cauliflower first. With the pizza base I make it (see BSD recipe section) and as it’s quite moist I slow bake the base on a low heat first, then add the toppings and bake the whole thing. Hope you can enjoy these as part of your BSD journey.

Hi Clarissa, I’m pleased to read that Day 2 was better for you.

Hi Grammie,
There is hope……you can stick to 800 calories/day and be satiated. Look at what you’ve been eating – have you been eating sufficient healthy fats? Sometimes one teaspoon of full fat natural yoghurt or 30g cheese is enough if you are genuinely really hungry. Others have posted that a glass of warm water, sipped slowly will do the trick (excellent as it is calorie free).
The great thing is that you’re at the end of week 1 – look at what you’ve achieved.

(I have to say this because it works for me). Have you tried mindfulness meditation. Becoming aware of why we want to eat can be valuable if you’re an emotional eater.

At times the BSD journey can be tricky but myself and many others have found if you persevere the rewards far outweigh the hard work.

Best wishes for your journey.

Whenever I start to feel hungry (not around bedtime) – I drink a whole glass of water.. within a few mins the feeling subsides.

Are you drinking your 8 glasses of water a day?

Cheers

Ending week one and today I am so hungry. Wishing it was bedtime. How to hunger — any suggestions. I’ve been trying to keep at 800.

Hello,

New to the diet and the forums. Been doing it one week now, and have managed to loose 6lbs! Hoping that continues in the right direction.

Just felt the need to share… feeling quite upbeat.

I’ve just watched this week’s HORIZON documentary on BBC Two – “Why Are We Getting So Fat?”
A really interesting programme that covered many areas of research into obesity.

Towards the end of the show they talked about the part different types of gut bacteria play in how fat or thin we are. The upshot was that a Mediterranean style diet, but without the high carbs, can help promote the growth of a wider range of good types of bacteria in the gut, and that these can help you to loose weight.

Full programme is here http://bbc.in/1UnX9di the bit about gut bacteria is around 50 minutes in.

there’s a really good article on BBC Good Food that compares different ways of cooking cauliflower rice – still to try it myself, I found it at the weekend but didn’t have time.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/whats-best-way-cook-cauliflower-rice

Thanks for the reply. I have no medical contra-indications for the diet and have mentioned it to my GP and practice nurse, but I am not sure how convinced they are of its potential. If nothing else, I have lost some weight. I will go back for a HBa1c test again in July and see if there is an improvement.

Great success stories… keep up the good work everyone… One thing i cant see in the book, but im presuming, the more you have to lose the bigger the loss will be……its crazy but i can really feel the difference already…. feeling good

Hi Baristagirls,

I know this isn’t creamy, or even store bought for that matter, but last summer I was enjoying iced tea with a sprinkling of rose water and a sprig of mint. Home made, I would make black tea, put in the the refrigerator until chilled, add a dash of rosewater and the sprig of mint – delicious and refreshing.

Hi Fi and Trees,
Well done in reaching the ‘overweight’ category. All of that hard work and planning pays off.
Best wishes.

Hi Izzy,
My heart skipped a beat when I read the beginning of your post ‘today I was held up in the morning’….I continued to read and….phew (I thought, wiping my brow)….you were running late. Thank goodness it was just a ‘held up’ in time sense.

Despite your out-of-sync morning you did really well with your food/fluid intake. Well done. I mean it. Even 4 weeks ago I know that something like that would have de-railed me.

Hi Liverbird,
Skywalker and Maefly have wise words. Carb addiction is real. Take heed from the principles of the BSD and organisations that deal with addiction and treat the white carbs like that. Remember nobody has willpower when addictions are involved.

Over the past 9 weeks I’ve thought long and hard about celebrations (eg. birthdays, weddings etc) and what will be appropriate to eat.

We all have to make our own decisions. I will share mine.
The one day a year that is my birthday will be celebrated and yes, I will have a slice of cake. I may even have a meal at a restaurant. But that’s where it stops.

I’m attempting to put the simple carbs back where they belong which is in the occasional category. It’s hard work. I’m not always successful. For me the BSD way of life is exactly that – a way of life. I will still celebrate special occasions in a socially appropriate way, but my choice is not to go on a simple carb ‘bender’.

Best wishes for working out what to do.

Do something like jump or dance or swim or walk. Just enjoy living by being lively.

Lucia you are an inspiration.

Blood monitors are fine if used at the right time in the right way. There is lots on here if you use the search box by typing in something like blood sugar monitor and you will find lots of good stuff. Low blood sugar can be a real tricky problem and if you are Type 2 then you will know how your own body needs the occasional shot of something sweet. There are many on here who have reduced or stopped their medication after following BSD. If you are otherwise healthy re-read the advice regarding who should and should not start. Take your measurements and try to get the approval of your GP or Diabetes nurse they are getting better in many areas and accepting the evidence produced here and in other places. The book (3 in series) is full of advice and you could look out for posts by Hashimoto who is a bit of an expert you might say. These forums are full of really helpful stuff and most of the questions have been asked many times. I hope that you prepare well and succeed, I am sure that you will.

What do people do? They come to the forum and get some cracking advice from all the wonderful people here.
It is really tough when your head is not in the right place. You have lots of reasons to keep going but they seem to have lost their ability to motivate you. Perhaps you are putting too much pressure on yourself? Try taking it a day (a meal?) at a time. Don’t think about the dress, the holiday or the nurse, you are doing this for you. Re-focus. Try getting into the Mindfulness thing, de-stress. It may be the carbs that are making you feel lethargic and wooly-headed. Drink lots of water and keep moving!
I hope you get your mojo back soon.

So you have no will power when you eat carbs? big surprise. Until you desist you will remain an addict. Hard but true. You have been eating in a way that defeats your objective and effectively until you have a better reason to be healthy, eat properly and learn the life changing lessons you will be unlikely to succeed. So, what to do. Simples. You must plan ahead and do this with the knowledge that many of us have failed at times but just started again from wherever we happen to be. Your continued good health is at risk, your poor attitude to carb eating will only change when you admit that you are an addict. But welcome to the club. We are here to advise, cajole and discuss but you have to be the one that makes the effort as the results are really only for you and if you are worth it – of course you are, do it for yourself and make a stab at saying No! from now. When you up the protein and fats you will not feel hungry when you switch into fat burning and it is downhill from there. Keep smiling it’s only food but it can surely kill you if you let it but it may take years. IF THAT SEEMS HARSH – YOU ASKED AND IT IS, AFTER ALL, ONLY MY OPINION – YOU ARE FREE TO IGNORE ME.

Around 8 weeks ago I was diagnosed type 2 diabetes with a HB a1c reading of 60, which was then confirmed with another test which showed 56. Since then I have reduced what I eat and someone in work suggested the BSD book, which I have nearly finished.

I bought myself a freestyle libre blood sugar monitoring device. I don’t know how accurate it is but sometimes my blood sugar goes alarmingly low. I want to keep my intake of carbs low, but without putting myself at risk. There seems to be little mention of blood sugar monitoring in the book.

Perhaps I should forget this monitor and persevere without it.

Thanks

Was doing really well. Lost 13 lbs in 4 weeks, blood glucose levels were really healthy. However, It was my birthday last week and I had guests to stay for 4 nights and was away for 2. A carb blow out on my birthday. Crisps and booze every night last week, a piece of bread most days. Thankfully did lots of walking so only put on a pound.

Finding it hard to get back on track this week. Crisps are my downfall and today I struggled. Feeling pissed off at work. Sweets for on the table during the meeting, had 5. Had crisps and a small piece of cake at lunchtime (with my healthy high protein, low carb salad :-).Popcorn a bit later, more crips when I came in (though no booze since last Friday). Not surpsingly my blood glucose was 8.7 about 2 and a half hours after my meal tonight.

I should have plenty to keep me focused: a dress for a wedding do in hanging on my door that is a bit tight and I want to get into comfortably in 10 days time , going to Nepal in 3 weeks time and, most importantly, seeing the diabetes nurse in 12 days time. Yet I feel like I can’t be arsed. My mood feels really flat. How do other people push through times like this and pull it back on track? Thanks in advance.

So today I was held up in the morning and didn’t have time to eat my soup, much sadness however it was interesting that throughout the afternoon I didn’t feel any hunger. I did have a few nuts and lots of water.

Dinner tonight was chicken goujons dipped in olive oil and then coconut flour/seasoning. They were nice and my son had seconds! I also had some oven baked veg including onion, courgette, carrot. The others also had sweet potato. As my calories were low I had a hot choc made with almond milk too.

I have to be up and ready earlier tomorrow as a colleague is picking me up and we have a long drive to a training session where I suspect there will be bacon rolls and biscuits. I may choose to eat the bacon roll like I did a few weeks ago and avoid the biscuits. Or I might not. I’ll decide in the morning. I’ve just realised how that reads… I will definitely avoid the biscuits. I just might eat the bacon roll.

For now it’s time for an early night.

sleep well BSD-ers.

Hi Jules2112,
There is reference to recommended protein intake in ‘The 8 week Blood Sugar Diet’ book in the chapter headed ‘The Diet in Practice’ and it states ‘The standard recommendations for protein are around 45g a day for a woman, and 55g per day for a man.’

I hope this is helpful.
Congratulations on your results.

Hi Lucia,
…..all of that in 12 weeks. Seriously Lucia it sounds like you have reclaimed your life and your self identity in the last 12 weeks.
It’s great to read about all of the positive changes that you have made ‘going on the BSD’.
Eat low carb med style, add exercise, throw in a smattering of meditation and voila – there’s the recipe for reconnecting with your true self and the real world.

I know it is said a lot on these forums, but…..you are a true inspiration.

…..and now for the singing and tap dancing…..all together now….’heaven…I’m in heaven’.

Hi Lucia,

What have I been up to this week?…let me see…what can I put in print…. Mostly enjoying the fabulous sunshine, walking in the beautiful cumbria countryside, gardening 🌻working out with the guys in the exercise group, dancing through the kitchen. Now day dreaming of far flung places. 🌎

Bungee jumping sounds cool, though think my fear of heights might be a small problem…still… life is about overcoming fears and taking on new challenges, so you never know. I better lose some more weight first or it would be bungee landing – heavily !!!😅

Quite fancy trying some river swimming..🌅

Hope your day is good!

Imogen🌻

Thanks for this advice Skywalker and congratulations on your continuing success, this is inspiring. It has been a temptation to obsess a bit about the numbers but hopefully by week 8 I will have reached a sensible watchfulness and be more relaxed about continuing.

Hi Jules, the plan works even if you only count sugar and approx calories. Sugar as a max of 30 gm/day is not too hard, I managed an average of 28.4 over 10 weeks and lost over 3 stones at which point I was at my first target weight. In week 18 now quite relaxed about eating don’t count anything and still shrinking very slowly – it’s great, stick with it. Fat is not your enemy really nor even protein but smaller portions and different foods can be a challenge. As you must know it is the “white” foods i.e. the carb variety that we get addicted to and have to wean off from. The protein stops us feeling hungry. Keep going, it really is worth some short term inconvenience – it should not be pain.

Hi fi

Congratulation on becoming ‘overweight’ I reached this milestone two weeks ago which was a big boost. I’m on week 20 and last week I went back to writing down everything I eat to check my portions and values and I found that I wasn’t eating enough on some days!! My weight has slowed down but I’m still losing every week. Let’s hope we can get through the ‘overweight’ and get to the normal BMI with out to many headaches!!

Enjoy you two weeks football free!!

Patrice

I’ve been using lots of chillis – with stir fry baby veg, in frittata, in my scrambled eggs and so on.

M&S has done some wonderful salmon skewers in Jamaican Jerk style and also in lime and chilli. They do chicken versions too which are small enough for lunch.

My favourite dinner is baby spinach, small no of baby plum tomatoes, a little seared courgette then a full portion of chilli and coriander king prawns, and the salmon skewers. I know it’s a bit expensive but cor it’s lovely. Lots of fat and protein and hardly any carbs.

Tonight no prawns so seared the courgette with some halloumi. Mmmmmm

Get a blender and make your own – that way you know exactly what’s in it.

Hi Clarissa, although I’m just starting week 4 I only recently found this forum. I have a huge amount of weight to lose too, the first week was tough but I lost 7lbs and wasn’t really following the nutrition guidelines properly – I didn’t fully appreciate this aspect but scrolling through the forum and finding all the advice here has helped me so much, and kept me occupied! After 3 weeks I’m down 12lbs, I didn’t take my measurements until week 2 but even since then I’ve lost 1″ from my bust and 1/2″ from my waist & hips so hold in there.
So pleased day 2 has been better for you. I must try this cauliflower rice! I don’t think herbs and spices count in the quantities usually used but I’m no expert.
Good luck and look forward to hearing how you get on.
Jules

I’m just going to get a few things, so I don’t look like I borrowed everything from a bigger friend. Will wait to get more until I’m the weight I intend to stay. Not too far to go now.

Hello Everyone, finished week 3 on Monday. End of the week was really hard – what I would have given for chocolate or a large glass of prosecco (looking at the posts I should have had one!) but weighed myself and found I had lost another 3lbs! Joy! Admittedly my diet has become a little boring A pot of M&S cauliflower and chickpea harrisa salad is great for lunch (£3 for two pots) at work – but maybe everyday for a week is excessive. i have been trying different fizzy waters as they feel more like a “treat”. Missing spicy food and variety so may try a chicken curry tomorrow and look through the recipe thread too. Clothes are feeling more comfortable and I dont feel bloated Have particularly noticed my shoes feel bigger (weird I know)

Thank you for your replies. 70g does sound a bit better for the protein Jules, I might manage that!
Getting the balance right is quite tricky MooLoc, I think mt first week loss was down to fluid/calories as I didn’t focus on the ratios at all, I’m gradually reading up on the science. I find the internet supermarket site a great help with shopping as I can check all the nutritional information and make a comprehensive shopping list.
Here’s to continued success.
Jules