I’ve been surprised at how much I find myself eating and still being within my boundaries. Keep experimenting with different foods and vegetables, adding seasonings etc to spice things up. Courgetti and cauliflower rice have been welcome additions for many of my meals 🙂

I didn’t have time for my lunch the other day and I didn’t get hungry so it’s true you do get used to eating less and notice much less.

Hi Marg
glad to hear that its going well
barbecued chicken – if you mean barbecued in the sense of grilled on a barbecue – no different to chicken grilled on a regular grill
Barbecued chicken as in chicken slathered in sweet and sugary barbecued sauce – best give it a miss.
If you’re asking because you have some ‘barbecues’ chicken from a supermarket, look at the label – or if no label, the supermarket may have nutrition info on its website. If the sauce is only on the on the outside, you could consider eating the inside and abandoning the skin.

Hi GeorgiaRose
I think you answered your own questions, wine and cake. Don’t make them the bad guys, remember our thinking has to change… moderate, enjoy them, but less often. The success so far is the driver, it is possible to feel this good relativity easily. I am not diabetic but Thyroid issues kept me overweight and under powered for years, BSD has seen to that! I love it. This is week 13 for me and I am really cruising so intend to stay on a few more weeks, then do the 5:2. I am thinking I may even try a 2:5, two of anything, within reason, then 5 of the 800cal, then gradually convert to 5:2. MM does 6:1 I hear. What ever works, at least we now have options.

I am in the South Island in NZ, winter is a treat, snow on the alps, brisk walks. Soup has replaced salad. I have bought two fast diet cook books, great ideas in them, all the counting done too.

Jeggings is a new word around here, not just jeggings I remind all who will hear, SIZE 12 jeggings. Who cares if I am mutton and they are designed for lamb!

Here’s to your 5 BS results returning. 🙂
Australians all let us rejoice….I hold both passports.

Nettle

I have just started and am on day 3. I am finding it really good so far and apart from the first day haven’t really felt hungry. Was wondering if barbecued chicken is O.K. to use

Thank you

should be fine in moderation then!
I make up 30 grams of oats in water, soak them overnight, no sugar or sweetener, other than fresh fruit. the brand I have is 111 calories and 17 grams of carb. Its probably one of the carbiest things I have on a regular basis.

Hello all, Did the eight weeks from 1 March with 15 kg weight loss. New jeans, leggings. Yea! Now comes the tough part. Past month weight has plateaued. Been eating low carbs, no sugar, back to one glass red wine, probably a bit too many nights. Now Blood sugar has gone up this morning to 7.7 (Aus) after weeks in the 5’s and dropping nighttime Metformin (with doctor’s approval). Must be the paleo apple cinnamon cake I made yesterday. Had a bit of honey.
How do people go with the 5:2? I think we (hubby very helpful) must start portion weighing and calorie counting again. Winter here in Aus now and fewer salads!
Others in the same boat?
I was hoping to get off of BS meds completely, but won’t go back for next blood test until my readings are down again for a while!
Cheers, g

Yes they are rolled and uncut like grannie used to make rather than “ready-brek”.

well done Smith, round it up & that’s a stone!
I’ve just finished three weeks and a bit less than that – 5.5kg, but still pleased with that – fitting into trousers and jeans that I haven’t been able to wear in ages!

Hi Stodge
Read the packet, but I think Jumbo oats are usually rolled and uncut
It’s those crappy fine milled just pour on some boiling water ones that are evil!

thanks Izzy – nearly there! Sorry to read that you’re not feeling great – hopefully you’ll sleep OK & feel better in the morning.

I went to a knife skills course this evening, which was fun (main learning point was to buy decent knives and keep them very sharp!)

Baristagirls – I did three things all at the same time, so not sure whether it was one of them, or a combination of the three:

1) Drastically increased my activity and exercise levels
10-11 thousand steps a day – have also started wearing trainers more, and carrying smart shoes to change into if I need to – I know I walk faster in trainers, I don’t have a fitbit, but a fairly good pedometer that calculates aerobic steps as well as ordinary ones, so trying to up the percentage of aerobic steps
2) Increased the volume of liquids I’m drinking
Previously 1-2 litres of tea, and maybe two or three glasses of water – now I’m aiming to drink at least two litres of water.
3) Taking a senna tablet when I think I need it.
there is a thread on constipation if you search for it – varying suggestions, but I know that I detest the texture of psyllium husks. Maybe I should just go back to the original version of metformin, rather than extended release one!

Hi Cornish Claire and all other
This is my morning to start too and like you things couldn’t be more grim in the weight dept. I’d like to think I wasn’t starting BSD out of desperation but a bit of me is scared how quickly weight can pile on, particularly as one hits middle age! I only logged in to the forum four days ago and it’s a little treat to read about people’s daily lives!

So best wishes for your start too CC and we will see each other along the way

B67

I agree with Izzy that you should ideally get some advice from a qualified professional. Can your doctor recommend anyone?
Personal trainers are fine, but of course they’re not necessarily medically qualified, so a proper physiotherapist could be the best idea.

It would be worth investing in a consultation, as good advice now would be worth its weight in gold.

Science monkey, I hypothesise that the plateaux are when the visceral fat is shifting so possibly the measurements alter, but not necessarily the weight. This is what seemed to happen to me when my waist was shrinking, my ketostix told me I was burning fat, but the weight clung on.

However when the plateaux happen, you do have to KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THIS!!

😉

Tyvm for the advice, I approach this like an experiment and weigh everything and calculate the calories for every meal.

In fact, one of the reasons I went on the BSD is that it is grounded in science and supported by pre-clinical and clinical data. There is even a valid underlying hypothesis for why the diet works, for all those that love journal articles and metabolic pathways 🙂

thanks Patrice and Science Monkey. As for advice for the plateau… just ride it out. I’ve had two now and the weight will move again soon. Just make sure you are on top of your portions and logging everything you eat honestly, drink your fluids and try to get a few extra walks if you can 🙂

Hiya Izzy,

I hope you feel better soon, but I reckon that’s the after effects of a Maccy D! And in a very late reply to you; yes, I am of the Jockense persuasion, but I left Scotland in 2000 and since 2011, I’ve been in Belgium and I love it here 🙂 You nailed it about the BSD too, in that it is as much or as little as you want on the website and you can get the mutual support you want on the web without paying a weekly fee for platitudes that don’t work for you.

Cornish Claire, welcome aboard and I hope you reach you goals. In my experience, the first week might be a bit of a stretch as you get used to the way of eating, but you can get past this and then it becomes plain sailing and you become used to doing the diet and way of eating.

I’ve dropped a bit more weight; now almost 11kg down in 5 weeks, but I seem to have hit a plateau (exactly the same weight for 5 days now……). Anyone have any suggestions?

Science monkey (ook ook)

Hiya Izzy,

I hope you feel better soon, but I reckon that’s the after effects of a Maccy D! And in a very late reply to you; yes, I am of the Jockense persuasion, but I left Scotland in 2000 and since 2011, I’ve been in Belgium and I love it here 🙂 You nailed it about the BSD too, in that it is as much or as little as you want on the website and you can get the mutual support you want on the web without paying a weekly fee for platitudes that don’t work for you.

Cornish Claire, welcome aboard and I hope you reach you goals. In my experience, the first week might be a bit of a stretch as you get used to the way of eating, but you can get past this and then it becomes plain sailing and you become used to doing the diet and way of eating.

I’ve dropped a bit more weight; now almost 11kg down in 5 weeks, but I seem to have hit a plateau (exactly the same weight for 5 days now……). Anyone have any suggestions?

Science monkey (ook ook)

Hi Smith

Great result😃 I’m in week 24 now, on holiday in Italy. Up to the day I left on holiday I’d lost 62 pounds.

Staying with friends and visiting folk is interesting now I’m on the 800 BSD. I’ve managed to stay low carb though. And tried to be careful with portion sizes. Back home late Friday night so will post results as usual on Saturday.

Folk I’ve been eating with have asked how much I’ve lost and about what I can eat. Strange to be in Italy and not eating pasta, pizza, ice cream etc. One trattoria we ate in, the only main course I could eat was sliced pork in a cream sauce (scraped off most of the sauce). But the antipasti are great – sliced meats and cheese. Would really do me as a main course. Another trattoria, they specialised in horse meat😱 I had lamb😃

Hi izzy

You have had a rough day– snuggle up in the duvet and hope you feel better soon.

Patrice.

there are many stories here to draw from, my own experience is that once I got started it’s been much easier than I expected and the time has flown by.

I’m in week 8 myself and many people choose to continue beyond the 8 weeks. I’ll probably do that myself but allow a day here and there where I will have more calories but still stick to lower carb foods.

My advice would be to plan your meals, use an app to count your calories and carbs, search for recipes on here and elsewhere that you might like to try. I’ve really enjoyed some of the new things I’ve tried and it keeps my food interesting.

Good Luck to you both, I’m sure you will do well.

Hi Frog you’re doing well I hope you crack that stone soon!

My friend has one of those reclining exercise bikes that might work for you but I don’t know if it is any easier for you to get off and on it.

You could maybe do some strength training with your arms provided that would be ok on your back but I think you might do better to get some professional advice from a trainer. If you can afford it maybe a session with a personal trainer would help, many of them work mobile and could come to your home to advise.

I’m sorry I have no better advice for you I hope you find something that works for you.

Hi Claire I’m happy that you have enjoyed my diary. I had 4 stone to lose to begin with but it doesn’t matter how much you have to go BSD will work if you keep at it. Don’t let a week of no loss/no loss get you down and make a plan 🙂

Like Patrice says up there it becomes a way of life really, and well done to Patrice for losing 4 1/2 stone! I’m jealous about the size 12 jeans! I will get there too though and so can you Claire!

Well I’ve had a funny sort of day. I was picked up at 0700 and my colleague drove us to the training that was 2 hours away. We stopped off at Macdonalds and I had an egg and bacon wrap! at 27g of carbs I knew I’d need to be careful the rest of the day. When we arrived at the training I skipped the bacon rolls and drank a few cups of tea and glugged down my water. Then at 12, we began the journey home and soon after I felt sick and we had to stop so I could get some air. I’m not usually travel sick but I had been looking at my phone so I think that caused it.

I got home about 1400, had some soup and although I felt better still not right but went out to do some work anyway, felt gradually worse and was glad to get home at 1715 but I can’t face dinner. I’m sat here with a hot drink of Almond milk, in bed watching x-files at 1800 🙁 I still feel a little sick, headachey, tired, and stomach cramping. (could that be the wrap? not sure. Maybe I’ve caught a bug)

I’ll be trying to sleep early in the hopes I feel better for work tomorrow.

Hi Tallyhoo,

How are you doing ?I am almost three weeks in and I have lost 13.5lb so pretty happy : ) still learning – doing a meal plan for each week is crucial for me ! dot find it much of problem to be honest & enjoying the results

Hi Bill 1954,
sorry for the late response – thanks for your advice – I am finding this forum incredibly useful !
I think I am doing pretty well = about two & half weeks in and have lost 13.5lbs waiting for it to slow down which will be sad ! still learning & hunting the recipes down.
How are you doing?

Hi Captainlynne – been quiet on here like to read how everyone is getting on – but doing good 13.5 lb in just over two weeks so couldn’t be happier – still learning & recipe hunting – but I am doing good thanks.
How about yourself?

Thx Baristagirls I know it’s a matter of willpower like any diet & I have to keep strong ✊😀

Hi Cornish Claire

I’m on week 21 and the BSD is a way of life now — I to had a lot to loose 6 1/2 stone and already lost 4 1/2 stone and now in the overweight BMI category and just bought some size 12 jeans!!! — a bit snug at the mo but in January I was buying size 22!!!

So stick to it it’s abit hard in the first two weeks but very worth it— no food tastes as good as a pair of size 12 jeans or improved health — I know I’m shallow putting size 12 before health but it’s been along time since I’ve bought clothes happily!!

You can do it Claire.

Patrice

Hello Flower55 🙂 Temptation is one of the most annoying things isn’t it! Crisps is my weakness also, but never really drank much alcohol. But crisps! Try and look at it from the point of view that you have to resist temptation in the supermarket too. At work there is always a basket of crisps and I have to stare at them emotionlessly each day! And you’re doing this for you. The foods on the diet are really tasty.
In a funny way, you almost get a kick out of knowing you can resist while others eat. Actually, my sister has started more healthy eating over the last few days, not the bsd, but no doubt a result of watching me and my mum do BSD!
Congratulations on your 5lb weight loss in 2 days! that’s really fantastic!

Started the BSD mon 6/6/16 & doing quite well. My starting weight was 15st 9.5lbs & 8.1mmol/l & today 8/6 it’s 15st 4.5lbs & 4.8mmol/l so really happy 😊 I live with my partner & father-in-law & the latter has a really sweet tooth so there’s sweets choc biscuits & cake around 😯 Also crisps which is my total weakness. It would be so much easier if I lived on my own as there wld be no temptation. How does anyone else cope with this when you have other members of family eating lovely but naughty food 😉 Also missing my wine/rum & coke 🍷🍸

Try the indian popadoms – you can get a pack of 50 from tesco, ocado etc. Just microwave for 30sec. Made from lentil flour but really satisfy that need for crunch.

Sue1234 this is brilliant news! You have done so well to keep at it through the tough times, I really hope that this is the home straight!
Julia

Hello Butterlover, thanks for the advice, since this morning I have been having revelations that it is probably candida die-off as I have/had candida very badly and have probably shocked it with this diet. I am going to try cocunut oil to see if this helps and if anyone else has advice or experience I’d be interested to hear. Still rather puzzled about the weight gain though.

Hello Frog, I’d love some advice on how you cracked the plateau?

Hi GrannyR .I was measuring the meat portion at about the size of the palm of my hand.When I got the scales I found that two very small lamb chops were 200 calories and I usually eat at least 3.So now I’m more conscious to weigh and measure. I’m not following the recipes in the book exactly,rather using them as a guide.But I also found that I was underestimating portions for fish.That’s presuming the scale is calculating correctly.Im enjoying trying to eat things which are part of the famly meals just missing the carbs add extra protein and Veggies
Hi Baristagirls.I hope you are feeling better, If not you might want to see your doctor,its possible that your illness is not related to the diet and you have something else wrong.cheers to all

Hi everyone … Into week 2 and going ok … It’s so rewarding seeing the loss daily . it’s going to be worth it …
Just out of curiosity , on this thread people are saying they are not losing it quick enough .. Just a thought if you don’t have much to lose will it take longer like regular dieting .. That last stubborn kgs/lbs are harder ??

Hi All,

I have just started my journey today for a healthier me! I have a long road as I am 7 stone overweight and very unhealthy – but you have to start somewhere?! Just to say I have read through all your blog post and they are really inspirational, motivating and helpful to a newbie…..thank you for sharing your journeys!

Claire

Feltwicked you have excellent news. Well done, congratulations. Thank you very much for sharing.

Are any of you disabled with mobility issues? I walk with crutches (painfully!) and fall easily (balance issues) MY knees and back are ruined. I can’t get on the exercise bike unless hubby s home as I cant get on without help. What exercises are you doing that overcome these obstacles?

Wonderful news Feltwicked! And great to hear of a doctor who listened to you and gave positive feedback.

Hi Stodge – MM recommends not using commercially prepared oats on the 8 week BSD. For those who are trying to control diabetes, they spike the blood sugars. If you are in that group – then check your BS readings to see if they cause a spike. If you use the search function on the top right and put in ‘porridge’ or ‘oats’ you will get a lot of info on those who think it is fine and others who do not.
What the books says is use with care and use only rolled (uncut) oats, the type you need to soak overnight as these release the carbs more slowly.
Well done on getting to the end of week one and on your weight loss!

I went from 2 normal sweeteners to just 1 stevia for a few weeks and now I drink my tea with no sweeteners at all. I think some of the sweeteners are more sweet tasting than sugar. I count a cup of tea with whole milk as 7 cals. Same with yoghurts. I never thought I would eat Greek yoghurt! Now I have it every day and love it. Tasted my daughter’s Muller yoghurt and it was just too sweet.

Hi Collie,
There was a post from Cherrieanne a while ago suggesting seeds ‘fried’ in Tamari – sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds – dry roast slightly, then add Tamari Sauce to them – they caramelise and all stick together. Once cool – separate and store – lovely snack and crunchy!

Hi Grammie,
The end of week one -well done! I agree with Switzerland – have a look at what you have been eating. The BSD book says do not get too hung up on 800 as some days it will be 750, others 850 and it evens out over the 8 weeks.

What I found to be more important was the amount of carbs and fats in by diet. When I started I used premade shakes for 3 meals a day – they have skimmed milk added to them. I was hungry a lot and it was only that I noticed I was losing weight (no more than I would have expected from a ‘normal’ calorie restriction), but I was losing the weight disproportionately from my bust and hips and less from my waist, that I checked the carbs in the shakes and they were very high in carbs and low fat as I was using skimmed milk. I was taking in 90-120g carbs per day so not getting rid of the fat around my middle.

Once I moved to full fat yogurt, dropped the shakes and started cooking from scratch – the weight shifted at around 2kg a week thereafter plus the cms started coming off of my waist and I now am back to a normal shape.
Personally I found 60g carbs per day works for me – I am veggie so it is hard to get below that and still get enough protein. Most people are going for 50g per day or lower – you need to find out for yourself what works for you. Too low and you may well get cramps. This diet focusses on low carbs and high fat to get the calories you need and full fat keeps you feeling full.

Other tips – allow 50 calories a day for things to nibble on – a few nuts, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, small pieces of cheese or adding milk to coffee of tea makes the coffee and tea more filling. Having them around when you get a hunger pang stops the need to raid the fridge and for me, stops me bring forward by an hour my next meal!

MIndfulness also helped me – see the mindfulness forum for ideas.

Good luck – it gets easier week on week will by week 3 or 4 you forget that you are eating very little and it is the norm and satisfying.

My husband has been type 2 for 12 years and his entire family all have it. I have only recently been diagnosed as type 2 but not on any meds. You would think I should know more about type 2 because of hubby but he has never gone low carb or watched his sugar intake with the exception of Pepsi Max! Reading the BSD was a bit if a revelation. As I have only just read the book (finished last night) I have been making adjustments to our meals already, cutting out the ridiculous amounts of bread, rice, potato and pasta we normally gorge on. It will take a little time for hubby to adjust but he is determined to get some control over his eating as do I. The next grocery run is going to be very different!

It is great to have this forum to bolster you while you are on a life changing journey that will have good and bad days. As I have to lose half my body weight, I am worried about the long term – what I will do at the end of the 8 weeks, how will I stay motivated and on track? I am hoping the contributors here will be able to help me with advice and coping mechanisms for the long haul.

Oo thanks for that link Frog. I tried cauliflower rice with herbs just cooked in a pot already and it was filling anyway… not sure if much else ;-)) Think the baked version might be a big improvement though, will try that one next. I definitely found it tasted a bit better then next day actually – had it for lunch.

I made this pizza base before BSD days so will have to work out the numbers but it was really tasty! Might be worth a go.
http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/green-pizza-with-a-cauliflower-base/

Orchid I love spiralising too – courgette so delicious with garlic and lemon and pepper!

Great news! Very well done. I bet you’re stoked, you should be! 🙂

Hi Frog, Thank-you for the BBC link to the Cauli Rice – interesting to see the different ways of cooking it. I have not yet made it from scratch as it always seemed to take too long. I did find some premade that I bought and used – it was nothing special and I would rather do without and have more veg with sauce than use it again.
I will try the cauli rice again from scratch with the info from that link – not adding salt till after plus the difference in microwave to oven cooking is good information. I have also just started using a spiralizer – I was very sceptical that courgette could be made to be interesting. The only think I ever used it for before was to add to Ratatouille – it was not a veg I particularly liked. I had expected to use the spiralizer for carrots which I love grated, but decided to give courgetti a go – it really is a revelation and a quick and easy meal if you just add some flavoured olive oil to it.
Clarissa – glad you got through day 2 – personally I do add in the herbs and spices – but I don’t think it is necessary. I just do it for completeness sake, and also to check I am not getting some carbs I did not know about! I would still use the herbs/spices even with extra carbs as it adds flavour making the food enjoyable, but would know to adjust somewhere else if I was going to my daily carb target!

Hi Lucia,
I hope it rains enough for you to jump in the puddles – great fun!
…..of course ‘voila’ means something to eat that will make you more crazy. Have a great day.