Latest forum posts

  • posted by  Bissell on How Are My Fellow New Starters Doing?
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi glevesque. You’ve made a great start in losing 1.5kg in a few days. Like you, I assumed I wouldn’t go below, in my case, 12 stone. But that’s because I assumed I would have given up by then! I’ve been on the diet for 4 weeks now and literally have had no bread, rice, pasta etc. Occasionally more than 800 cals. And I’ve lost 16lbs and am 11 stone 13lbs! The main thing is I feel so much better, no cravings, clear headed, full of energy. I’m not trying to show off (well, only a bit) but what I am saying is that eating 800 cals a day means eventually you will lose weight. I’m better at abstinence or full on, rather than moderation, so for me no bread etc. is better than a bit.
    Keep it up and amaze yourself! You can do it.

  • posted by  Alanhypno on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks all for encouragement ,I think I may go back on half meds but not taking that one pill a day I can’t remember name of !
    So roll on week 8 next week,and once again big thanks to people on here for all help your amazing
    Alan 7 weeks two stone five pound loss looking great ,aiming to carry on beyond 8 weeks ๐Ÿ˜…

  • posted by  Switzerland on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Lucia,

    ……I remember the pottage….and the going to sleep when it was dark and rising with the sun…..the long Winters were the worst.
    But, I did get a lot of exercise milking the cows….and I never got smallpox, thanks to the cowpox (there would have been a medieval nobel prize for medicine in that if they’d existed!)

    Seriously though Lucia – I have a parsnip recipe that dates from those times – not low carb though (mashed parsnip, cream, nutmeg – top with fresh breadcrumbs, dot with butter and bake.) Definitely not on the menu thanks to the parsnips and the breadcrumbs!

    I’ve just finished dinner – cauliflower pizza – home made pizza is a Friday night tradition in my home.

    Have a great day.

  • posted by  Epspecially on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Wooohoooo to Switzerland, congratulations!! – it’s like a massive healthy makeover body and mind. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Impressive work Alanhypno on all that weight loss! – I hope the bs must come around eventually – there’s probably a lot going on inside that you can’t measure and some day soon it’ll catch up.

    Tallyhoo funny about tankini maybe you could hang on the kitchen wall :-))))

    Can’t believe it’s the end of my second work week on this – feeling absolutely fine, well fed and happy! (And for all you starting out, I complained of feeling like a zombie for the first week so it doesn’t take long!)
    Hope to be on here Monday morning with another bit lost – weekends are harder and easier at once – more food options (but that’s a good thing really! as more choices), and more chances to get outside and exercise. See you all Monday morning!! And even if I don’t lose a huge amount, I’m just going to be patient, follow the principles and wait for it to happen because it will!! And I will mentally line up those bags of sugar of what I have lost too :-))) Have good Friday everyone!

  • posted by  glevesque on How Are My Fellow New Starters Doing?
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    First four days and feel great. Had one small ciabatta roll last night and one the night before, but still have lost 1.5 kg. Can I really lose more? Haven’t been able to get below 71 kg. in close to 20 years. Will check in every few days as I need to tell someone about what I am doing!

  • posted by  Lucia on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Switzerland,
    All we had was pottage.
    Like veggie casserole.
    With all the manual work, it kept my weight down but I probably was a TOFI.
    The good thing about the days, was, I got up with the sun and went to bed when it went dark.

    Love Lucia
    Xxxx

  • posted by  glevesque on Mmmmm, bowels๐Ÿ˜
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Interesting that this topic went to the dogs (ha, ha)…but actually found the same for my dogs. Have one dog who has suffered with severe skin disorders for years…lots of steroids, etc. Finally put her on a raw diet, and she is great! Now I’m on the BSD and feeling pretty darned good, too.

  • Encouraging! Keep up the good work. I started the diet only four days ago after a real chocolate pig-out the night before. I have already lost 1.5 kg. I have also started climbing the stairs at work instead of taking the elevator. It’s not a big deal – only 4 stories, but it is at least something. Also trying to stand up every 1/2 hour in the evenings. BTW, I’m a new Kiwi!

  • posted by  Sandie on How Are My Fellow New Starters Doing?
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    I am much in the same boat as you. Not diabetic but overweight with family history. I am now able to eat free of the ‘big’ carbs. I plan to eat at 800 for eight weeks from the 1st June and feel a bit scared of the weighting food and calorie counting bit. At the moment I am losing weight at a pound a day. I don’t miss the bread, cakes, rice, pasta, sweets, sugar nor the alcohol.

  • posted by  Baristagirls on How Are My Fellow New Starters Doing?
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hello JCH187! I will have finished my first week end of Sunday. Mum has lost 7lb 1oz already and I have lost 5 and a half pounds. We’re both motivated although I am finding it more difficult than mum. We’re not diabetic either but we both need to lose some weight and have past problems with carb and sugar cravings.

  • posted by  Bissell on Mmmmm, bowels๐Ÿ˜
    on in Fast 800
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    Morning Collie, yes my 2 are really healthy on their raw diet. My vet was sceptical but reluctantly agrees now. Dogs definitely weren’t made to eat lots of carbs. I’d rather have your breakfast than theirs! I had Greek yog, chopped cucumber and mint and paprika. A sort of riata. Delish!

  • posted by  Maefly on HBA1C
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Nanoo, you could ask for a repeat test earlier. As I understand it the test gives an average for your blood sugar over the last three months, it does not mean that you have to wait three months to take it again.

  • posted by  Collie on Mmmmm, bowels๐Ÿ˜
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Bissell I feed my 3 collies raw they are so healthy on it in fact they feed better than me until know of course . Today they had goats milk and a chicken wing for breakfast. Me yoghurt and berries !!!!!

  • posted by  JCH187 on How Are My Fellow New Starters Doing?
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    I’m just coming to the end of my first week, changed everything about the way I eat and I’m seeing the benefits already. I have a lot to lose but I’m very motivated, I need to change. I’m not diabetic or prediabetic but with my weight and family history it’s only a matter of time.

    How is everyone else doing?

  • posted by  Tallyhoo on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Alan don’t be sad – it’s so easy to concentrate on the negatives but the positives are amazing – you’ve done so well and in just 6 weeks. It took me ages before I began to see a change in my blood sugar results – I know most people have seen them drop dramatically very quickly but I didnt. I kept on with my drugs and just halved my metformin only a few weeks ago and now my bs readings are steadily in the 5.5/5.7 region BUT I am still on 1000mg metformin (am seeing doc this morning to see if I can come off now though).

    Don’t worry – they will come down – I’m in week 17 and the important thing is we’re doing it for the rest of our lives!

    3 stone 5 lbs down btw…………….if you decide to go back on the pills that’s fine – try again in a few weeks maybe – concentrate on how fantastically you’re doing with the weight loss – go and buy some fabulous piece of clothing or try on something old which is too big.

    I tried on a pair of tankini bottoms I was going to through away (like a bikini bottom but bigger btw) and my husband and I laughed so much – so baggy and looked just like a nappy – I’m keeping them to remind me!!!

  • posted by  Izzy on Izzy's 8 week diary :)
    on in Starting the BSD
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    Hi Frog, I used to live somewhere smaller without a shop and found it frustrating having to get the car out every time I needed something small I’d forgotten to stock up on. I like small places but I also like a bit of convenience and I like to walk. Our shop here is quite good and open til 10, so no cake after then lol.

    Now, can I have a drumroll please?! thankyou…. I have a minor announcement. IZZY HAS CRACKED THE STONE MARK….yay I’m down 1lb since Tuesday so that’s me lost 1stone and 0.5 lb ๐Ÿ™‚ very pleased. I guess I’m one of those candidates who will only lose 10% in the first 8 weeks, maybe even a little less depending on the next 2.5 weeks. I need to lose another 3.5 lb’s to hit my 10% so it is both possible and just as likely to be just under. I guess we will see, but I’m not too worried in fairness. Happy to have lost a stone and happy to keep going.

    Not sure what the day will hold for food, I haven’t planned yet. I will check in later ๐Ÿ™‚

  • posted by  Alanhypno on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    20 stone at the start
    Today week 7 I am 17 stone 9 pounds ๐Ÿ˜‡

    Sadly my bs not as dramatic ,morning erratic and last night 6.1 before dinner 8.5 couple hours after.
    Maybe I will have to go back on my pills again ,sadly

    Alan happy sad

  • posted by  Alanhypno on Is my BS Too high ? Help n advice sought
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Sooo on the scales this morning
    End of week 7
    This week I dropped four yes 4 pounds
    Start weight 20-00 stone now 17-9lb
    Think I’ll celebrate with huge English breakfast mmmm

    Sadly my bs not coming down as quick 6.1 before last nights dinner couple hours later 8.5

    Alan happy sad !

  • posted by  Sinp@3ia on Day 1
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Day 5 saw a 100g drop. Sufficient for the target I have in mind, and the trend continues. Almost got my hamstrings back in full function and off the ice packs so daily exercise will soon make a reentry to the daily schedule to speed things along.
    The mindfulness also starting up. That reminder to take a few minutes off the conveyer belt of life is proving to be an unexpected helpful addition.
    Keep at it folks!

  • posted by  Frog on 3 weeks in and the weightloss has stopped
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    frustrating isn’t it Jackianne
    I lost lots the first couple of days, then have been see sawing up and down between half a kilo (99..2/99.7/99.5 etc) – even though I am a bit more active and easily eating a fifth of the calories that I used to )and probably 10% or less of the carbs) I need to really up the exercise I think – but swimming a mile sounds impressive, so that doesnt seem to be the problem for you.
    I figure that I have had this extra weight for many, many years, and it will take a while for my sluggish metabolism to kick in.

    Good luck with it, persevere!

  • posted by  Frog on New girl on the block :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    many people seem to use myfitness pal – I started off wasting a couple of hours creating a lovely complex spreadsheet, then switched over to myfitnesspal. (and allarmingly discovered I’d registered an account with them three years ago when I was 15k heavier!)
    there’s a similar one http://www.caloriecount.com which I’ve used in the past- both count a range of nutrients including fat and carbs,

    the important thing to remember is that users add to the database – so you do get erroneous entries, If I enter something new, for me, I cross check the nutrients on the database with the packet or supermarket site for the item, just to ensure its accuracy.

  • posted by  Frog on Mmmmm, bowels๐Ÿ˜
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Poor dogs, glad to hear they;re better now.
    Like us, they;r digestive systems were reacting to something they’re not used to,

  • posted by  Bissell on Mmmmm, bowels๐Ÿ˜
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Isabel, maybe it’s the fibre that’s making your bowels, urm, ‘overactive”? Hopefully it will settle down! The diet has had the opposite effect on me, as with some of the others. I’ve had irritable bowels for, ooh, 30 years I guess. Urgency and frequency every morning, avoiding eating breakfast if I had to go out straight away, that sort of thing. Now, I only go every other day and feel fine. What a relief! Also, without wishing to be gross (!) my dogs are normally on a raw meat diet. Small firm poo, once a day. They had to be on kibble (carb rich) for a few days,: looser bulky poos several times a day. Back on the raw meat now, thank goodness! The dogs that is. ๐Ÿ˜€

  • posted by  PBB on New girl on the block :-)
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi all, I am very excited to start my new journey to a healthier me. Day one started. Look forward to all your stories and suggestions. Motivation and consistency will be a challenge but all in all should be ok for 8 weeks. Just wondering if anyone can suggest an app or site on web that tracks your calorie intake in a no fuss and easy manner. I have used “spark people” in the past and find it pretty good. Other suggestions? all the best on all your travels… Pam ๐Ÿ™‚

  • posted by  Frog on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    congratulations Switzerland, thanks for your thoughts on what worked for you – lots of best wishes for the follow on plan

  • posted by  Switzerland on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    So, yesterday was the end of Week 8 for me. My weight is down 1.2 kgs this week, making a total of 9.1 kgs. My waist measurement is down 8 cm in total.
    The BSD Fast 800 has been such a success for me. Having tried many ‘diets’ this is the only time I’ve achieved such successful stats.
    What worked for me? Eating low carb med style 800 calories a day has taught me that I can be satiated on that amount of food as long as it’s the right food. Over the 8 weeks I’ve continued to learn and grow in knowledge (both of what to eat and when to eat it so I don’t become driven by seeking out the wrong foods). I persist with the goal of 10 000 steps/day – I’ve learnt to be kind to myself surrounding this goal when I am time poor and I make it up the following day. Mindfulness meditation – it works for me – investing a small amount of time daily comes back ten fold in how I can better manage situations that arise.
    These forums have been (and will continue to be) so valuable. Everyone’s contributions make a difference. So, if you’re reading this and have never posted – don’t be shy – hop on a thread and start or continue a conversation)
    Where to now? I have a way to go before I reach my goal. The BSD has become a way of life for me and I’ve commenced BSD 5:2 today and will continue it until I reach my goal.
    Happy days.

  • posted by  Frog on Day 1
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Davena
    Don’t worry about it – if you’re sticking to the principles of the diet, drink lots and and not cutting back on fat, that should help keep you feeling full.
    I’ve not been particularly hungry ether (day 8) – but to be honest, I have been overeating for so many years, I’m not entirely sure I really know what hungry feels like!
    Bored/craving food or sweet stuff, yes, lots – but that’s often when I know I can’t be hungry because I’ve just eaten.

    I’ve had a few days under 800, and a couple a bit over (none over 1,000) – the only big slip up that I’ve had was one evening when I got in latish one evening, thought “I’m not hungry” and didn’t bother to eat supper.
    Later on I had a piece of cheese , only 30g, surprisingly tiny, but it contained more calories than the meal I’d planned, then sometime after midnight, TWO snack pack of Oat Cake things.

  • posted by  Davena on Day 1
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    I’m on day 2 and think I may be overeating as I don’t feel too hungry! I’m keeping tabs on my eating by using an online calorie counter/menu diary. It SEEMS as if I’m within my 800 cals a day limit but, still, I don’t feel very hungry. *worried*

  • posted by  Frog on Izzy's 8 week diary :)
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    thanks Izzy – I’m a bit worried about sticking to BSD while I;m away though!
    I had a long conversation with the friend I’m staying with about what I can/can’t eat.

    I’ve loved living in London, and the brilliant thing about being able to live so centrally is that I don’t spend hours commuting, but after 30+ years here I am starting to get itchy feet.
    I had a job outside of London a few years ago, I kept my flat here and rented near where I was working – SIX miles from buying a pint of milk! The first weekend there I did the biggest supermarket shop ever – just so I didn’t run out of anything.
    Here I have mini supermarkets – Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury within a five minute walk, open til around 11pm, plus a couple of independent 24 hour supermarkets about ten minutes away. Big temptation if I get cake or chocolate cravings late at night!

  • posted by  Frog on The scales don't lie!!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    well done on the loss Leanne
    It’s always good to have something to help visualise what you’ve managed to loose – and when it’s something – or someone – you can carry (just), it helps you realise what a strain you’ve been putting your body under lugging it around 24/7.

  • posted by  Switzerland on The scales don't lie!!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Leeanne,
    That’s so good – well done. It keeps it real when you can physically see the amount of weight you’ve lost (your granddaughter) plus more (I guess she’s to young to hold 2lbs butter while you have her in your arms!)
    Best wishes.

  • posted by  Switzerland on Day 1
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi ColandClaire,

    Well done. As you said, there are so many healthy BSD food choices. It’s so much easier to walk past the tempting foods when no longer driven by carb cravings. Looking forward to reading of your progress.
    Enjoy your new way of life together.

  • posted by  nannoo on HBA1C
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Loving the results I’m getting, despite major cravings this afternoon!! However, my question is, if I am successful and I can reverse my diabetes after 8 weeks, my A1C test will still be high because of the previous 4 weeks, so although I will be technically non-diabetic, my doctor will still want me to take medication for another 3 months. Is this the case, and if so what should I do?

  • posted by  Christi1948 on Over the 16-week line
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi happy life,
    Thank you, yes feeling a lot better, have kick started the ‘diet’ and am back on track, Although today I have been cold (again) tired and had headache! That I can cope with if I’m losing weight
    Christine

  • posted by  Christi1948 on Over the 16-week line
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi trees,
    I’m am officially jealous!!
    I started the diet in February, I was 14.9lb and size 20, I have lost 2.2lb and am in size, barely, 18 bottoms and 16 tops, captain Lynne is the same as you! It’s not fair, I’m not playing anymore!
    Oh I know everyone is different, and I am pear shaped, I’m just having a winge.
    Well done on your weight loss, especially as you have had to put up with a lot recently.
    Christine

  • posted by  Leeanne on The scales don't lie!!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I look after my youngest granddaughter one day a week. She’s 11 months old. She’s a chubby cutie! Today I decided to get on the scales whilst holding her. I was flabbergasted when I discovered I’d lost her equivalent body weight plus 2lbs extra. She’s heavy to carry and you know you’ve got her! No wonder my knees feel better!!

  • posted by  Christi1948 on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi julia18togo,
    I have a daughter doing horticulture courses at the moment, and I remembered you were asking Lucia how to stop cats using your garden as a toilet? My daughter puts orange peel on our veg patch where cats use it as a toilet, she says they don’t like the smell of citrus, might be worth a try? Hope alls well with you, are all the exams finished now? I hope they did ok when do they get their result? Callum our eldest grandson, got an a in his last exam, ( he has done an extra year at college) so he will be going to Aberdeen in September.
    Christine