Hi all – I have been following the forums closely since I started the diet and have been encouraged and egged on reading everyone’s postings and experiences. I am hugely overweight (started the programme just over 3 weeks ago at 23 st 8 lbs). I had gestational diabetes and was on insulin whilst pregnant with my daughter who is now aged 3½ and that experience made be vow that I would do everything I could to make sure I didn’t go on to develop type 2 diabetes and I had got my weight down to 18 stone – still massive however I felt in control and was still losing – however over the last 2 years since returning to work full time (in a largely sedentary job) – quick convenience food and lack of time for myself took over and I am a closet binger and ate in secret a lot – chocolates and pastries. I got a shock when 6 weeks ago I went into see my GP and she asked me to do my annual blood sugar fasting test (as I had gestational diabetes I get tested annually) as well as all the routine blood tests just to check I was on track and I was horrified to have a fasting blood test result of 7.7 (which I understand is fully in the prediabetic range). She called me up and asked me if I would go and do another fasting test in a month’s time just to see if it was a one off etc. Well I put my head in the sand for 1 week and whilst online downloading some books on my kindle I came across the Michael Mosley BSD book which I downloaded and read cover to cover in an afternoon, I then read it again over a couple of days to absorb it and decided I would give it a go as I needed to take back control!! I downloaded my fitness pal to track calories and bought a fit bit – and here I am half way through week 4 having lost 21 lbs and I had my fasting sugar done end of last week and got a reading of 6.6 – so still high and my doctor has asked me go in and see her to discuss it – however I have a good relationship with her and I am hoping that she will let me finish the 8 weeks and do a new set of tests to see where we are at. I have booked my appointment for the 8th June so gives me another couple of weeks to try and shift some more weight as well.

I expected to really struggle with the diet and although I had headaches and the shakes for the first couple of days I stuck with it and am really enjoying the way of eating. I have had 2 “bad days” one on my husband’s birthday where I had a bottle of prosecco and a slice of chocolate cake and felt hideous the next day and last week I couldn’t resist ordering a burger whilst out with friends for lunch – however I hadn’t had breakfast and didn’t have dinner so was within the 800 calories – I didn’t eat any of the chips and I had horrible bloating and discomfort afterwards – so lessons learnt! The one thing that has changed for me is that despite messing up it was easy for me to start again on the regime straight away (as I always make excuses about why I can’t do it now).

Really hope that I am able to stick to this way of eating – I plan to try and continue for 12 weeks and then transition onto 5.2

Hi Girlybrewer

I heard Michael on the radio too and ordered the book. I started on Monday and have felt fine, and not that hungry which was a surprise. I have told everyone at my work and all my friends so that it will motivate me to keep going. Normally I “diet” in secret so its no big deal if I don’t succeed, but I am determined this time to shift the weight.

It is difficult when you are out and about, I haven’t got to grips with all the recipe ideas yet, I had lentil soup for lunch on Monday, and then lettuce with crab from the book for the last two days which is delicious.
We are going out for a department lunch to an Italian tomorrow – resisting the pizza is going to be hard!

New beginnings for you 🙂

Hubby is good now – lucky him! I made him drink four big cups of hot water also!
I agree re the salt and weight – if I wasn’t logging my food I would be discouraged since the scale hasn’t moved but am hoping when I measure Friday I’ve one down there possibly.
I am walking more on the trip which is great!
Today we are going to the famous Monterey Bay aquarium and then walk around the town to sightsee. I am not a shopper but enjoy seeing the old buildings and wildlife in the ocean for sure. Last night from dinner we saw seals, seagulls, and loons (I think that’s what they were).
💜

Izzy, you are getting like me with the sleep pattern as since day 3 I have slept much less. It was 4:30am when I awoke this morning after 6 hours sleep!
And we eat fish daily since we don’t eat other meats. Haha
Good luck with the trout recipes, let me know how it turns out for you!
I never used to eat crab ever really and now eat it everyday on this trip. Not with drawn butter like in New England but just crab cocktail with a little cocktail sauce (it’s like tomato with horseradish I think and I only use a teaspoon). That’s why I was so short on calories yesterday because crab and fish really had no calories hardly unless you beat a fattier fish like salmon.
Your soup sounds really good!! You must live far from stores but glad you liked the fage!!!!
Hugs for a great day! And good sleep!!
💜

Baristagirls

Pleased for you that you are not having quite the same outcome. I saw someone else tonight [ yes, it is night here ] and they were having problems, too. The tech explained to me that because it is all automated it can experience the odd glitch now and again……obviously !
Good night, off to bed.
jillyB

Good luck Caramba.. Even if you have to take BP pills you may be able to go off them at a later date. 🌷

OK, I am in week 16 now and have had the occasional 2 rashers with poached egg, plum tomatoes and lots of mushrooms cooked in olive oil with a spoonful of water and it is all good. Remember if you need a treat tweak the calories in other meals. It must be rewarding if you are to succeed in a work atmosphere. I now know that bread and alcohol are the worst offenders in my previous diet not that I ever drank more than an occasional wine or Guinness. I have reintroduced small amounts of potato and some seeded crispbread with salads and not gaining yet. I am a static BMI 25.4 now and can eat mostly what I have come to accept as normal. I miss puddings of course but had a crumble at the pub the other night as a single course treat along with a pint one 5:2 non fast day.

Huge congrats to you Lynne!!! Wow what an inspiration you are to everyone! You are a shining example of what can be done when we find the right program and you should go on tour with them while they are circling the globe talking about the book and program!
Celebrate!! (But not with food 😳)
You are amazing!! 😍😍😍

How annoying! I haven’t had to change my password, just keep logging in as soon as I go to the last page! Typically, it’s ok this minute …….

Hello ClairyB. Yes, that’s pretty awesome, 11lb, but neither of us have to give up alcohol exactly because we don’t really drink it. Mum lost nearly 4lb and I lost nearly 3 and a half.
I love scrambled eggs 🙂

I’m finding exactly the opposite, in fact I’ve started using Movicol to help things along

Hi all! I just wanted to introduce myself although I have never posted on a forum before – eek! I was diagnosed Type 2 about 2 years ago, put on Metformin, which has been increased twice. My BSL’s have always been all over the place, and I was gestational diabetic on insulin. I have tried to lose weight since the diagnosis but there is lots of psychological stuff going on for me, so I never stuck to anything for a long time. Also, I am a full-time student, and single parent with 5 kids currently at home, and the idea of cooking different meals never appealed to me.
BUT I was at the point where insulin was the next option, and I do NOT want to go there. So here I am. I am not particularly counting calories, but I know that my intake is where it should be and I am trying to be guided by how I feel. Generally, I have not been overly hungry so far, and getting my head around stomach gurgles being digestion and not hunger. I am very much tempted by the sight, smell, or thought of food, and this is something I am conquering step by step. Although one day I did have a banana. I have not had cravings particularly, headaches or any other withdrawal “symptoms”. I lost 2.5kg (5lb?) the first week and next weigh day is Monday. I am enjoying the food and have found that it is easy enough to adapt to suit the rest of the household. Generally, I have berries and yoghurt for breakfast, a soup or salad for lunch, nuts or vege sticks in the afternoon, and meat with veges for dinner. Eggs at the weekend.
Exercise is coming – I have walked every second night and will step this up (see what I did there?!) in the days to come (I am working in the evening at present). The big news is that my BSLs really are coming down. They have normally been over 10 and up to 16, always at least 10.2 in the morning. Now they are sitting around 7.8 – 9, and the morning readings are more like 8.2. A big big change, and I can only see improvement from here.
My GP is very supportive, and I showed her the book. She recommended the 5:2 to continue with and is hopeful (as I am) that I might be able to come off Metformin in due course! Woo hoo! That is my ultimate goal. I know this will work, because 2 years ago my son was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. He lost 44 kg (now 80kg) in the past 24 months by eating low calorie and exercising. He is now super healthy, reversed his diagnosis, and looks amazing.
One of the big things for me as I said, was the psychological stuff, such as disbelieving the diagnosis (generally asymptomatic), learned helplessness (“I’ve got it now, can’t do anything about it”), and all of the eating stuff (love food, carb addiction etc, and driven by different senses for food). I have been studying Psychology full time for 6.5 years now, am very nearly graduated, and am happy to offer any thoughts on “head stuff” if anyone cares to share here. Take care everyone!

Is anyone finding that they now have very active bowels?

Hi Barista,

My sister is the same – she lost 11lbs in the first week and says she hasn’t felt hungry – she has given up alcohol though which she had most days – I’m on 2.5lbs in 2 days so not too shabby! How much have you and your Mum lost so far? I will be going shopping on Saturday so will make do until then – more scrambled eggs it is then! Although they are not agreeing with my tummy!!! If you know what i mean things have stopped moving – ha ha – sorry too much information! Some of the food you have tried sounds good – i will look at the recipes 🙂

I followed the Newcastle protocol but used Tesco’s Ultraslim in place of Optifast. They are sachets that you make up with skimmed milk (Optifast is made up with water as it has dried milk in it already). Quite palatable I found, and a range of flavours. Do drink lots of water, black tea or black coffee and lots of veg that grow above ground, i.e not roots like potato or parsnips. In the eight weeks I lost a shade under 15kg, i.e 98kg down to 83kg.

Thanks Switzerland – i must try the brownies, are the ingredients things i might have in the cupboard??

Hi, Baristagirls,
Re being logged out. Yes, it has happened to me twice, this week was the second time and I am getting very angry. What usually happens is one day I suddenly can’t find the ‘reply’ on people’s posts and when I go looking for it I am told to log in. When I do, it keeps telling me my password is wrong, so I click on ‘forgot your password ?’ Back comes an automated reply with a new password of 16 characters of gobblygook, which I most certainly don’t want, but decide to use just to get on. Still says wrong password. After many tries I get in touch with the tech, wait about 5 days, getting angrier and angrier until I start getting quite rude to them. Then I get angry with myself for getting rude !! The best way to get a quicker answer is…..don’t reply on their initial E-mail about changing passwords, but find “search” top right corner and put in “contact” . This will give you a place to vent your spleen and then you get somewhere. I ask for my original password and they do this for me. A stiff drink helps a bit ! But they are very nice and helpful when you DO get through. You have my condolences after just going through this again.

jillyB

Good to read people doing so well. I’ve been studying in a different area and haven’t been on the forum much lately but am still doing well with the insulin and glucose control, not so much with the weight loss but for me it is definitely a marathon not a sprint. Particularly pleasing to read of people getting new and more undertanding doctors and Eureka having a GP on MMs diet is a bit of a coup. 🙂

My new young GP is not familiar with the info behind this diet however, he is open minded and likes my numbers which is good enough.
Sorry to be a hit and run participant, sole carer for a very sick dear 91yo parent and doing too much juggling.

My dream is that we will all find doctors who know more about insulin and blood glucose than we do…thats what I want.

I liked this lady’s Tedx talk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da1vvigy5tQ

Wow jimnz, you’re on a one person crusade down there
It appears that your professionals are a lot more enlightened than those in the uK when it comes to low carb eating. Now it has to go public and it’s people like you who will get the attention simply because of your results.
Well done and keep it up.

Ok I’m glad we are pals 🙂
The original research carried out by Prof Taylor at Newcastle university (just along the road from me as it happens) Used meal replacement shakes, I think they were the Optifast brand and the participants had great success, all reversed the diabetes and lost lots of weight
Whatever replacement you decide to go with, check the labels as others have found that some of them have hidden sugars and carbs as ingredients.
Hope that helps

I’ve also done the same as you, I lost 3stone, 10 lbs on the Dukan diet about 5 years ago, was a similar idea to this and i lost the weight quickly, but as soon as i added the carbs back in it crept on, ive tried slimming world and weight watchers and loads more but as you say it’s not a diet it has to be a way of life and i think the 5:2 is sustainable. I’ve really piled it on due to health problems also, i am waiting for knee replacements and also suffer with psoriatic arthritis and an under active thyroid!! All of these would will improve greatly if i lose the weight. Well done on losing so much weight – at least you know you can do this! My hubby is super fit and can’t understand how i am so over weight as on the whole we have a healthy life style – if only he knew about all the secret mars bars!!!!

Thanks epspecially, I’m sure you’ll do it.
I must say that reading the posts everyday have really helped me keep on track.
Linda

Not offended.

I want to try to find out about meal replacement as compared to Low Calorie diet or low carb diet. I recall the original research that this diet is based on was done on meal replacements if I am not mistaken. so, I wanted to access that info if it is available.

I joined this forum in March and was previously (for a few years) on the fast diet forum.

Sounds fabulous LindaA, you’ve done brilliantly! Hope to follow your path over the next few weeks – to start with a 7 is my aim too!

Thanks Switzerland , you too😀

Hello ClairyB. If it’s any encouragement I am NOT finding it easy! My mum is. She isn’t even hungry. I keep feeling hungry and swimmy but so determined to do it because look at how well everyone else has done! I don’t want my addiction of carbs and greedy portions of food to get the better of me. If you have lost half a pound in two days and only a couple in the last few months then it seems a good start. Did you measure yourself? Everyone talks about that, but I won’t do it till next week as I don’t want to be too disappointed.
Keep going.
It’s good that there’s someone else besides us started the same day 🙂 because I can follow your patterns. Why don’t you order a shop to turn up this evening to rocket you into tomorrow!
Yesterday we made the salmon muffins, they were yum, tonight we are having the beetroot falafels. I don’t actually mind the food, I just feel so hungry!
The reason I want to stick at it over other diets is the quick results inspire me to stay on the bandwagon. Plus the freedom I had with certain carbs on slimming world didn’t control my appetite.

Great results LindaA…..not bad at all! Wishing you continued success.

Have I offended you in some way ?
You asked a question, I tried to help
For your information I am type 2 long standing and I am off meds now thanks to this diet.
The reason I used the word unusual was, as you know yourself, 800 calories is an extremely low figure for someone to lose only a small amount of weight over such a long period of time
Good luck to you.

Yes, I’ve read the book and have posted here previously.

After reading throught these messages I know this WILL work for me.

Well done Stephie63.

That’s amazing well done! 3 stone by October is very realistic and gives you something to aim for. I also have 5st (possibly more) to lose. I’m concentrating on getting through the first 2 weeks, then the next 8 weeks and will then set weight goals after that. I can do this, I’ve lost a lot of weight before (7st 7lbs) but put most of it back on again. I’m hoping this will be a permanent way of eating which means I won’t pile it back on again. Helpfully my BF has just started at the gym and cutting down on the booze so we’re egging each other which is helping.

I haven’t had any occasions as yet but I would say enjoy it but in moderation and get straight back on the following day.

Woo hoo!!
I’m officially overweight and hit the psychological 7’s as of my weigh in this morning.
Starting weight 89.9kg
Week 1 loss – 4.6kg
Week 2 loss – 0.9kg
Week 3 loss – 1.5kg
Week 4 loss – 1.2kg
Week 5 loss – 2kg
Current weight 78.7kg.
10.2kg (22.44lbs) lost in 5 weeks😀

Interesting the variance in weight loss over the weeks when my walking and food intact rarely changes from week to week.

Once I set my mind to something, I tend to be pretty focused and I have kept my water up to 2-3 litres per day, walked an average of over 10,000 steps every day and have not eaten anything I wasn’t supposed to. Not bad for a post menopausal female in her mid 50’s!😀
…and they said it would be difficult to lose weight as I got older!
I love you Dr Mosley😄

Hi ClairyB,

People have varying experiences but from what I’ve read most of us have pushed through the cravings in the first 1-2 weeks. I still have my moments (week 7) but they are way more controlled eg. a piece of 85% cocoa dark chocolate or a guilt free chocolate brownie. When I see others eating high carb sweets etc now my head goes ‘ how can you eat that?’

By eating low carb med style it doesn’t take long and you’re no longer driven by high carb foods and constant hunger. It’s well worth the effort.

Mum Speaking:), yep I’ve lost 3.14oz when I weighed this morning, hurray. Not finding it as difficult as my daughter, haven’t felt hungry……..never do when I cut out carbs!! Felt a bit irritable in evening on day 1 but that has passed. Haven’t had the hollow feeling either. The test for me is, do I have the will power to stick to this for eight weeks? I’ve tried all sorts of diets, good for the first few weeks and then everything seems to go wrong. I am hoping I lose enough, quickly enough to keep the motivation up. Lots of lovely clothes in my wardrobe I want to fit into:):)

captainlynne,

I’m doing the happy dance in celebration of your brilliant achievement…inspiring!🙌x

Lucia I am in the early stages of the eight weeks and I am finding you blog reassuring.

Oooh just weighed and I’m 12st 7 which means that it’s changed for the first time in 2 weeks – YAY *much grinning*

Reason I mention calories is this is a calorie focussed diet site we are on, 800 cals a day as far as I know.
I started 5:2 quite a while ago, then moved onto bone broth since 5:2 didn’t help me lose weight.
I don’t eat any simple carbs nor do I drink alcohol at all, just protein, fat and salad type veggies.
Perhaps my 2 kilos loss sounds “unusual” to you…I don’t know if you are type 2 diabetic nor how many long term type 2 severely insulin resistant diabetics NOT on medication you have been around and whose numbers you have looked at. I didn’t have to give up alcohol and most of the other carbs people write about getting rid of here, I haven’t eaten that way for years nor do I drink.

What actually IS unusual, is that my blood sugar is now perfect and I am taking NO medications (and I have massive insulin resistance and have had for many years, prior ev en to the diabetes diagnosis). I am not sure how many type 2 diabetics will be able to say that.

I was diagnosed some years ago with type 2 diabetes but with perfectly normal blood sugar now and a perfect BP…I am not worried by my health profile, I just would like to lose weight so I don’t need to exercise this vigorous control that I currently have to in order to control my insulin without medications…and want to know if anyone knows would I do better with the meal replacements than I am currently doing controlling my food intake so very rigorously.

I started this blood sugar diet some months ago but it actually entails me eating more than I was when I broke it down and looked at the claories of my previous diet… I have controlled my blood sugar by not eating at all when my BGL is high…so most days eat once with a lot of broth fasting days where I eat no other food. It is certainly working to reverse my diabetes BUT…my intended query was about the meal replacement approach… if anyone knows about it in comparison with fasting and other VLCD such as the blood sugar diet.

Does it do better in comparison studies, does anyone know?

Yay Stephie63, you won that battle x

Hi janicem, I worked with a girl back in the nineties who had severe epilepsy, she was drugged up to the eyeballs (which didn’t seem to do much to keep the epilepsy in check) and would have violent seizures. The drug she was taking was withdrawn and her parents got her on a ketogenic diet which changed her life. Good luck

Hi jimnz,

How refreshing. It’s great to read that the message is getting out there. Well done for being so well prepared that you had the url links!

Oh lynne that is fantastic news – drum roll -and before the Italian holiday! !!!!!!

I know what you mean, but as an emotional eater i turn to food even more (and the wrong types of food!) when i’m really tired or down. So trying to stay upbeat is quite hard, but I’m only on day 3 and already lost 2.5lbs which is great. I’ve also got a lot to lose – realistically up to 5 stone but i’m setting myself a smaller goal of 3 stone at the moment. My son is getting married in October and i could go and buy something lovely in a size 14 if i could lose 3 stone.
My biggest problem is other events which are coming up – a party this weekend, a weekend away the following week and a cream tea (already booked and paid for before i started this) the following week!!!!

I am looking at it that it is only 1 day out of 7 and as long as i am strict on all other days, it won’t be the end of the world!!

Any tips for surviving special ocassions??

Have they taken your blood sugar readings lately and have they come down at all – if so can they decrease the meds? Sorry I’m asking from the point of view of someone who didn’t want any meds as I’m generally dubious of them.

On a positive note, you’ve already been down this road and know that you can and will lose weight with this style of eating 🙂 I’ve lost a stone altogether too but nothing has shifted for the last fortnight which is a bit annoying. Don’t feel terrible, just take today as a new day and keep on going – that weight will be gone before you know it 😀

Catonamission, brilliant weight loss! It does feel good (I imagine) to lose that much. I’ve lost about a stone and am stuck but have added longer fasting periods in the hope that that will shift stuff that isn’t shifting 🙂

I don’t know if clems are any good as citrus fruit tends to be quite high sugar. Grapefruit is given in one of the recipes but I find it affects my blood sugar which is sad as I love them.

Doing brilliantly there, Epspecially – it does feel really good to consciously choose not to eat the stuff that will make you feel worse after the short-lived pleasure it may provide.

It’s all a matter of changing your focus I suppose, so more chatting is great. I think the oil and butter is good but I went to Harvester a week ago and almost everything there (that I like) has some sugary based sauce on it. I had a rib-eye which was lush but did have some sweet potato fries. They didn’t seem to affect my blood sugar too much but I still have too much weight to lose and blood sugar to lower permanently to want to eat them too much.

Was the Greek yogurt actual Greek yogurt or greek style. It does make a huge difference. Fage Greek yogurt has all the good stuff in it and tastes lovely.

I figure a couple of weeks feeling rubbish is a small price to pay for over indulging…!!

Yes I’m really pleased with the weight loss, I have a lot to lose but it’s a start.

How are you getting on with it all?

Here in NZ, we have an advocacy group for over 55 year old folk called Grey Power. Today, in the city of Palmerston North – where I live – the subject of the monthly Grey Power meeting was Diabetes.
There was a Power Point presentation by a Diabetes Nurse Practitioner who is employed by one of the local GP’s. At the conclusion of her talk – during question time, I shared with the group (of around 70 or so), my experiences over the last 10 weeks on Michael Mosley’s diet.
I explained how I had heard an interview on Radio New Zealand with Dr Mosley. That prompted me to purchase the book.
Over the past 10 weeks, I have managed to lose 11.7 kg and drop my HBA1C score to 40. Not only did the Nurse Practitioner know of Michael’s book – she had read it – but all the other medical personnel there were fully supportive of my approach.
I had printed off a list of url links to:
Dr Sarah Hallberg’s TEDx talk from Purdue University,
Dr Michael Mosley’ SBS interview from Australia,
Diet Doctor’s low carb meal suggestions.
I handed these out to those interested, and also gave several people the title of Michael’s Blood Sugar Diet Book.
It was a well received meeting.

Jim