Thank you for the encouragement! Today I got back to it and felt good. I feel motocated! You guys are awesome, best of luck on your journey!

I am so tired 🙁 it was a real struggle to get up this morning. I hope I’m not relapsing to my state earlier in the year.

I think this could be one of my issues, I get tired, I lose focus and sit around a lot and then eat badly. This morning making my sons lunch he has a lovely bread bun it was so light and fluffy…I wanted it! I didn’t though. How is it that carby things can reach us and make us want them even just through my finger tips? or maybe it is all psychological and driven by memories of such food. Anyway I’m not giving up just because I’m tired. In actual fact probably eating too many carbs would just make it worse again. no no no no.

So this morning is official weigh and measure day. My scales are not my friend! I’ve lost the mystery 1lb gain but I’m sat the same as I was last week. Looking back I can see over the past 4 weeks I’ve lost 5.5lb’s which isn’t amazing but it’s still 5.5lb’s so I will accept it and get on with my life. The bigger 7 week picture is 16lb’s. I guess we will bring on week 8 and see how that goes. If I can lose 2lb then I will hit my 10%, but I really have no control over the numbers I can only stick to the plan.

Unfortunately I can’t measure my body because my husband (who I’m still not really speaking to) borrowed the measuring tape and I can’t find it grrrr!

So. I might just leave it now until next week. It will be my graduation to ‘beyond 8 weeks’ lol

food. Breakfast fage yoghurt and strawberries, lunch spicy mince and cabbage soup, dinner- no idea. I didn’t make my plan at the weekend- bad izzy. It will be BSD-ified whatever it is.

have a nice day everyone

Hi ay caramba,

I’m still walking for my exercise – I mix it up a little bit and it works for me.

Welcome to the forums denton.
Hi Wpepsi63, when eating out meat/fish/chicken and salad. You’ll be surprised how helpful restaurants can be. Sparkling water to drink. If an entree is necessary see if there’s a soup available. Good luck.

Hi Lucia,
Hmmm, a perfect dozen of what?……scrumpy cider?……..something from the fruit and veg shop?……..a perfect dozen of pounds lost?
You’re going to have to help us here Lucia.

Just sitting on the train with my cup of coffee WITH NO SUGAR!!

It’s now 30days since I gave up my 2 spoons in coffee and tea. I can’t say that I’m not noticing, hasn’t quite got to that stage yet, but I am drinking the coffee with enjoyment which is enormously greater because I have kicked the addiction. I’ve been told it takes 6 weeks for the taste buds to finally get used to it and I know I can do that.

840 useless and damaging calories per week (8 cups per day of coffee/tea) gone forever. That’d do a lovely meal which wouldn’t damage my body.

But better than anything is knowing I CAN DO IT!

I’m just in my 5th week (starting today) and have lost 11lbs, with another 9 to go, and I understand your frustration that things don’t happen quicker.

This really isn’t a diet as such as another way of eating/looking at food and appreciating that the refined carbs we eat and the low fat stuff we’ve been recommended is actually making us fat

Everyone’s body responds differently
I had a plateau and didn’t lose weight for a while but could see my waist reducing and that I looked thinner. How could that be? I have been keeping (good) carbs down and testing myself with Ketostix which show that I am burning fat and so it must have been going from my internal organs which is great.

I have also been told that visceral fat goes first and only then the subcutaneous fat (the bit you can see) and the last bit is the belly fat – it would be!

I suggest you try logging on to MyFitnessPal and check what you are eating. Cutting back carbs to 50g per day and making sure you are having enough fat (cheese, full fat dairy etc) which will fill you up.

This worked for me. Why not commit to the full 8 weeks and see what transpires – if you give up now you will never know.

Don’t give up! Loads of people here have had plateaux and worked through them. And it really is a different and healthier way of life, not just a diet

Good luck!

Losing my enthusiasm. Haven’t lost anything in a few days. Granted, I did eat one slice of “Very Thin Vogel’s Bread” but still kept within my calorie count. Maybe it is the same as every diet…Starts strong and then peters out. I kept it up a few days because someone wrote that maybe changes were taking place inside my body, but I would like to see some changes on the outside, too! I’ll try to keep it up for a few more days, but honestly, I’ve gone three weeks with no potatoes, pasta, or rice. I made a lovely stew – with no potatoes! Sigh…

Thank you GillyD

Jnette we all on this weight loss journal together. Keep us posted!

That’s a really good idea, Scandigirl! I will try that when my current supplies of desserts are gone. Thanks for your help.

Jnette I bet you could find a lob carb dessert you like. I will cook apples and add a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg. I put them them in small ramekins where I am only eating one half of an apple. I put on a dollop of reddi whip and a tsp of granola and it helps my sweet tooth. You just need to find a good low carb dessert you could have. Then you would be deprived. If that is what you like you need to find something to make you happy!

A year ago I had lost two stone with the 5:2 way of eating and was very happy with myself. Six months ago I went off track to some extent and have now put back on about one of those wretched stone. I may have made it hard on myself and made it harder to stay on it by doing it 5 days on and 2 days off. I have not reverted to all my old bad habits and still don’t eat bread, rice or pasta, but have developed a sugar craving. I just NEED something sweet and or creamy at the end of every meal. I reduced the amount of biscuits I ate by snacking on fruit and nuts, but maybe have substituted the carb craving with the want of sugar. Even more addictive. I just can’t resist Divine cream caramels and Weiss Cafe Latte ice creams!
My question for Dr Mosley is why do I self sabotage when I know what I shouldn’t eat, but go ahead anyway?!
I know I can do it and that the diet does work, but why can’t I get back on it and stick to it?

I am starting my fourth week also and down 15 lbs. I like not having acid reflux, having normal blood sugars and not going to bed uncomfortable because I over ate. I am trying to look at food differently and think of it now as way of fueling my body. I went to a party yesterday but ate before I went. All I could eat was a few cashew nuts but coming home I knew I was in control. I don’t think we can ever go back to our eating habits but we should feel so good about how healthy we are becoming. It helps me that I have a friend that is doing it and there are so many great people on the boards who will give you wonderful advice. I think over all I just feel better about myself. It gets easier. Just be prepared and always have food available so you don’t slip up. If you slip up just start again. In the long run you are doing this for yourself! Hang in there.

When I went to Weight Watchers and told them that the only thing I could not give up was wine, they said I was in the wrong place! But they were helpful in that they suggested reducing the intake and calories by breaking it down with sparkling mineral water. Years after, I now am addicted to mineral water!

I guess it depends how often you go out to nice restaurants.

If it’s only once every few weeks… then I would say, try your best to pick the thing that you think is the healthiest… but don’t worry too much. It’s a rare night out… enjoy it!

My first post by the way. I’m one week in to the diet.

HI I’m a newby TD2 13/5/2016. I’m doing the BSD (just into week 4 now) and have lost 3.6kg so far but feeling low and struggling with emotions and withdrawal from my usual sweet things and watching friends and family carrying on as normal. ” saying its something that affects you not us” .. Finding it hard to weigh and plan meals separately for me and cook for the others. family all say I’m trying to hard and that its making me miserable…and therefore making them miserable/feel guilty too. Does anyone else feel this way? How long will this withdrawal period last? Will I feel better in 4 more weeks or is this it forever? Not coping well.

Hi Alanhypno
I think everyone is different in weight loss patterns, so hard to say.
My last pre BSD meal was champagne afternoon tea at a hotel – no beer, but lots of cake & scones.
Well at least there was smoked salmon in one of the sandwiches, and cucumber in another!
I lost just over 2kg in the first couple of days, presumably partly due to the gargantuan tea, then stayed at around the same weight for about ten days – so for me, the final overindulgences shifted quite swiftly.

i need to know how to watt out for fine dining too.. my husband and i like to go to nice restaurants..or did…now I’m too scared to..or don’t look forward to eating out any more and its hard to just give-up on socialising. Any tips?

Hi Madmare… I think I touched on my own post that boy did I like a glass or ten of wine to ” de-stress” I was stressed at work and used wine as a reward for having got through the bad day. I was piling on weight, suffering terrible night sweats, moody, tired and I think bordering on pre- diabetic. I started by challenging myself to dry January which was a killer to start with. Got used to it so decided to adopt a 5:2 approach. So I got used to that and then I started the BSD and decided to keep the same routine of Fri/ Sat. The next phase for me was to get the personal trainer twice a week for the next 4 weeks ( not cheap but I saved up and he is worth every penny!) and I am now getting a bigger buzz off that than the wine. Don’t get me wrong I like wine ( a lot) but I am more in control and I feel so much better I can’t tell you! I don’t know if this is any use. I am an all or nothing type person too but I can tell you I don’t have night sweats anymore, I’m less moody ( says my husband 😂) and I feel so much healthier now. I want rid of that wine belly too!!! Good Luck !!!

Thanks Frog and Madmare! I have a bit of an overhang too… Not sure I’ll get rid of it entirely as I had a Caesarian but delighted to be continuing onwards and downwards! It’s so nice to fit into clothes that haven’t fitted for a while. Keep up the good work!!!
Madmare the wine reward for me had just become too much too often and that is one of the best things about doing this as I have taken back control over my consumption. In fact by not having it Sun-Thu I really look forward to those couple of glasses and they def taste better 🤗

No need to worry much. You will find that when you replace your carbs sugar, bread, pasta, rice, biscuits and cakes with eating more fats and proteins that you will no longer feel hungry and after that it is a mental thing. In week 18 now, I am fine, no cake for over 3 months or biscuits or rice and I don’t like pasta. It is unbelievable at first but I d not need much will power most days and everything is allowed with the 800 cals and 30 gms of carbs but some carbs are nutritionally worthless so choose carefully. Wife sorted too.

Basic rate of metabolism is defined by genetics and gender, it does/can vary with exercise and there is a perhaps mistaken belief or not that yo-yo diety can foster changes and help one store rather than burn energy. The BSD is not like the traditional calorie controlled slimming diets. It is about changing the way we eat and the foods too by replacing carbs with more nutritionally effective foods of protein and fats and oils. Calories of course may be used to produce energy, to store fat or just to run the body’d basic metabolic rare. This is why counting calories alone does not always help. It is the carbs that affect the insulin system and obesity is derived from the body becoming insulin resistant and developing metabolic syndrome or syndrome X leading to obesity and T2 diabetes. So stick to Dr M’s guidelines and shrink like the rest of us without worrying too much.

Thanks everyone for the feedback….
first week done and dusted…. managed 2.8kg loss…. a win is a win….Im actually very impressed with how im feeling…slight headaches first days… Lets do this !

Hi Clarrisa! Welcome to the BSD! You are going to laugh at yourself in six weeks when four nuts will seem like a truly decent snack! Don’t give up — in the beginning it just seems like there’s not enough food, but by week 8 you will think it’s just about right! Keep a journal — I love going back and reading what I thought In the first few weeks of the diet — I have come as far mentally (with food and food issues) as I have physically.

Many of us fast from around early evening to breakfast managing 14 hours. hard cases report 16 and eat only in the 8 hour period. It seems that over 12 hours is more or less essential and longer is good. Dr M explained that when we fast our bodies switch into a kind of repair mode rather than storing fat, especially when food is scarce. So 800 cals and a long fast does the job. We need to up our fats and protein when we reduce carbs to a low level and wait for our bodies to switch to fat burning. My blood pressure reduced significantly since I started. I am in week 18 now but no longer counting anything and since I added a magnesium supplement ( I am over 60) I have been transformed in terms of energy that was a bit lacking recently to a point where some days I would be exhausted.

I like wine too much also. It was one of the biggest issues for me as I started the BSD. So my coping strategy was to buy cases of sparkling water (I like Pellegrino or Gerolstein) and keep at least 3 or 4 bottles really cold in the fridge. When I think I want wine, I first pour a huge bubbling ice cold glass of sparkling water and drink it. Usually that makes me happy enough but if I decide after that to have wine, I make myself wait until dinner is on the table, then I pour a very small amount and eat dinner. I usually can resist more wine after that. My theory is that wine works so well and is so attractive because when I have low blood sugar (ie I’m really hungry) wine is a very fast sugar-delivery system.

Hi, Madmare – you could be writing about me.
Wine is also my downfall and I hold it fully responsible for my 43 inch wine belly. Not pretty.
I have also been attempting this 8 week diet for the last 3 months but find I’m having to start again every Monday as I just can’t get out of my bad habits.
I don’t have a sweet tooth either – just carry all my fat around my middle which is why I need to do this.

A lot of people swear by Becks Blue as a substitute, it’s low calorie but has 9g carbs.

I am going to join you in starting properly again tomorrow and try and give myself a break from the wine to try and establish new healthier habits. It doesn’t help that I work at my own restaurant and bar in the evenings – I just need to leave the building without the obligatory ‘wind-down’!

I’m growing my own mint at the moment so I’m going to try virgin mojitos and see if that does the trick!

Good luck to us both!

Good I should think – I can do late or skipped breakfasts, but I’m rubbish at eating early in the evening.

The BBC did an experiment on their “trust me I’m a doctor” series a few months ago; its not on iplayer any more, but there’s an article about it on the BBC website – the group that had long overnight fasts did better than the control group. Micheal Mosley is in the series, but didn’t present that piece.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/zBx3JZJCKfNBrWgT0Qyj93/the-big-experiment-could-i-lose-fat-just-by-changing-my-meal-times

Hey there, I’ve come to the end of my first week, following as per guide and cut out all starchy carbs & alcohol and lost only 1.5kg. I did expect a bigger loss given the book repeatedly says you will loose a lot of weight fast on a VLCD. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a good loss but I did expect more. If I compare it to something like 12WBT, people are loosing the same on 1200 calories a day, so I had a different expectation. Will stick with it. Headaches only on Day 2. Drinking 2-3 litres water a day. Snack only on a few almonds, blueberries, grape tomatoes or celery & homemade almond paste. Really missing bread, but forging through without it. Reading others losing far more a week so just wondering if I need to do more. Thanks

No idea wobblebottom – but your name reminded me of a cheese farm that I’ve bought from in the past, and had the cheese in restaurants – Wobbly Bottom Farm in Hertfordshire. Really nice cheese if you see it for sale.

Today’s food yoghurt and strawberries, lunch cheese and salad, dinner … dunno what to call it lol. Bolognaise mince layered with cabbage leaves to make a kind of lasagne with cheese on top.

Still feeling a bit crappy, argued with husband earlier, but had a long walk with friend too so not all bad.

Sleep time now.

Initially I was sleeping a lot better, but the last few days I really increased the volume I was drinking, and kept waking up needing the loo – I must try and drink huge volumes in the day, rather than late evening!

Hi Maryphil
It’s going OK thanks for asking – so you’ve lost nearly 9kg altogether – that’s fantastic!
I stayed at around the same weight for ages, but it’s finally started shifting – On Sunday I did an eight mile walk, and really increased the volume of water that I drank (+ a couple of diet cokes!).
Today was day twenty – so when I weighed myself this morning 19 days – I’d lost 4.7kg – not brilliant, but OK.
I haven’t measured myself again, I’m saving that for 1 month, but today I fished out old jeans that I don’t think have fitted for about five years. Much more comfortable than the old ones that I had to keep hiking up every five minutes.
My sticking point for the last few years whenever I’ve dieted has been 100kg; I hovered around 98-99 for about ten days, but now nearly 97kg, so really pleased to have cracked that.

I ate a piece of cake today – but didn’t have lunch and ate less for supper, so a bit high on carbs, but I think within 800 calories still. I didn’t walk as much as yesterday, but around six miles – so hopefully that will counteract the cake! Kayaking and a gym induction tomorrow – I really want to keep up the exercise quota.

I love wine too Madmare. Red wine in particular! I can forgo crisps, sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits etc, and haven’t craved them once in the 6 weeks I have been on this diet. But wine is my downfall, and on Saturday night I thoroughly enjoyed a bottle to myself after getting so fed up with the slow weight loss. I’m back on the diet 100% now – not giving up just yet.

I have always loved how wine makes me feel. Suddenly, after a glass or two, the world seems a better place, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to completely give it up. I have succumb to the fact that I need to lay off it in order for me to get to the weight I want to be, and after that point I know I will have to be careful with wine. But I’d like to be able to introduce it back into my life as something to savour, rather than something to take the edge off a stressful life!

I already exercise, and drink plenty of water, and neither of them hit the spot quite like the wine does!

Hi Lucyja, I had exactly the same in the first couple of weeks and am experiencing it again now as I’ve just restarted after a two week lapse. For me it’s because of how active my mind is, almost as if it’s buzzing, when I’m on the BSD, which is great during the day when can I get loads done but bad at night when I want to sleep. I found the insomnia gradually disappeared around the third week.

Hi Maryphil
Another Aussie here!
I’ve lost 11kg in 7 weeks😀
The first week was 4.6kg and last week was 0.4kg and the weeks in between have been anywhere from 0.9 to 2kg.
I’m pretty much doing the same thing week in, week out, it’s just what happens. Please don’t get discouraged, follow the plan and it will happen.
Good luck
Linda

Hi,
Can adhering to the fast 800 slow metabolic rate?
I did the Cambridge diet back in the day (330 calories a day) and didn’t have a problem when I returned to every day eating.
I’ve always thought metabolism was effected more by exercise.
Can anyone clarify?
Many thanks

Hi Clarissa,
Welcome on board. I found the first two weeks were the hardest for wanting to keep eating between meals, but after that I rarely looked for anything between meals. That coincided with me starting on full fat not low fat products as well – full fat yoghurt was a revelation. If you have not made that move – and it was the hardest thing I did psychologically over the 8 weeks, then stop the low fat dairy and take full fat instead. Calories are not much higher and it keeps you full for much longer.
I snacked on almonds and cherry tomatoes or a piece of cucumber – which is a slow eat, very few calories and refreshing to eat.
I also went back to cooking from scratch so was spending more time cooking, making soup and freezing some for another day) which kept me busy. Soups are also a great thing to keep you feeling full for a long period and very economical calorie-wise.
As collie said, keep occupied and the cravings do go.
Good luck with the journey!

HI Frog, Izzy and Mooloc
I was wondering how you are all going? Frog I hope you are into the swing of it now and losing some weight. MOoloc I’m a bit like you at the moment – my weights coming off slowly and seems to go up and down day by day. I am glad I came back to the forum because I see on May 11 I had lost 3 kg and now I’m down 5-6 kg more. Which means it is working and my clothes are looser. At the moment I seem to be hovering around 84/85 kg – I’m going up and down between these weight. 85 kg is my nemesis – I want to get past it once and for all!! Has anyone else had this difficulty with stalled or very slow weight loss? I’m going to keep on with it and hope it will starts to come off again soon. Anyway I hope you all are going well and keep positive – Maryphil

Hi Clarissa
Make sure you have plenty of fat in your diet, don’t have any low fat or ‘lite’ products, everything has to be full fat, and drink at least 2-3 litres of non calorie drinks per day. Also get in the habit of walking. I haven’t done any more exercise than that and I’ve lost over 11kg in 7 weeks. Once you’re over the first few days, you’ll find you won’t be hungry.
Good luck and post if you need to😀
Linda

Hi,
I often skip breakfast and eat between 10am and 7pm which leaves a 15 hour fasting period.
Is this likely to have any impact, positive or negative on the outcomes of the diet?
Thanks

Hi Clarissa, I don’t have any great secret for feeling full, just drinking plenty, which seems to help. I have got a few hunger pangs now, but I figure I’ve nearly made it through day 1 so I’ll hang in there. now. I hope you’re evening is going to plan and you’re feeling proud of taking the first steps. X

Thank you Collie for your kindness, I do feel a bit better, slightly hungry but I think your right it’s a bit of boredom and I’m used to much larger portions and a huge amount of carbs!
Looking forward to the change in lifestyle and myself…… And hoping I wake up a size 14!! X

Hi captainLynne,

That sounds delicious, may try that for dinner tomorrow…just finished an omelette and salad😊

Thanks for the suggestion!

Imogen🌻

Hi Lucia,

A perfect dozen…what???😉

Imogen🌻

Clarissa
Hang in there, if like me you are used to eating big amounts and carbs it will take time to adjust. Drink water, fruit tea, take a bath, read keep busy. It does pass with time and now I have moments when I really need food but mostly its just my mouth hunger. I often feel slightly hungry going to bed but am not when I wake up. We are all different but at some point everyone will have had to overcome something on this new way of life. I no longer think it is a’diet’ . I can honestly say I now feel better being off the carbs. I have mental clarity and am achieving more, less bloating, sluggishness etc. I am just starting week 6, have had set backs but not gone completely off course just ate more than 800. I took a long time to get this fat and I reckon it will take a year to shift it all (5 stones).So its not a race ,try to take one meal at a time , tick the box that meal done etc. Wishing you much success, research says it takes time to change habits.
xx from Collie

Hello 4stonetolose!

I am back on the wagon, the first day is always the hardest so now I’m through this I know I will be ok.

Had a really nice tea tonight. Garlic fried, add anchovies and courgetti. Just before serving add capers. Serve with a poached egg.

Hi Sarahdawn,

Just checked for ‘blood sugar testing kits’ on threads..just type that into the search box and you will find a couple of replies to an earlier postee….

Hope it helps

Imogen🌻