Eureka
Wow sounds like a Eureka moment. Great start.
Went to a Classic Car event today and ended up standing around and chatting for most of the day but remembered my step count and set off on my own late afternoon. It was rather cold though.
Not sure where you get your stats from but my Fitbit says I did 9000+ steps and 3.72 miles. So much the same distance.
Yey!!!
Great BS figures.
Our Marathon May begins.

Happy May to one and all ! Hope everyone has had a good day. Just tested my BS and it occurred to me that I’d read several queries from different folk asking which is the best blood sugar monitor so just thought I’d share which one I use as it’s excellent! I got the Code Free monitor and strips from Amazon. Very reasonable price and a really neat little kit.The strips and prick sticks are much cheaper than a lot of others too. Just thought it might be helpful to someone contemplating which to buy. Keep going on this fantastic eating plan..we owe Dr M and Prof Taylor a huge debt of gratitude!

Izzy
Love your creative ideas. Get writing that novel 🙂
We should all take some time for ourselves. Have recently returned to some old creative hobbies myself.

On a completely different note.
As well as trying to be conscientious about the BSD. Am on slightly fanatical campaign to move more, to stay healthy.
If anyone is interested here is a link to ‘Quitting the Sitting’. An American site which has some ideas about becoming more active.
http://www.quittingthesitting.org/ideas.html

Ay caramba!
What have you got me into? I live near a Hall with a lake so decided May 1st I’d start the Marathon walking around it. Remember I’m starting from sedentary ZERO! 7000 steps in 1 hr 10 mins. Knees a bit wobbly & cold clouds coming in so went home. FBS 6.6 after, good as off meds now. Enjoyed it 😀
7000 steps should = 3.5 miles, but was checking my stride /height ratio & it’s probably more like 2.88 miles. Tick it off ✅ Used exrx.net to calculate.
Also 17mins per mile @ 3.5 miles per hour to aim for pace wise. 85mins to complete 5 miles! The oracle says I’m low active now?
And I thought I was just going for a walk 🐧

everyone is welcome here 🙂

I’ve had an interesting day sorting out my bomb site of a bedroom. I’ve filled two bags with rubbish and one for the charity shop! reorganised my wardrobe, my drawers and my creativity corner 🙂 (full of all my favourite things) and put a painting I did myself on the wall. Hopefully in a month or two I’ll be throwing out loads of clothes that are too big and welcoming down my bags of smaller clothes that are currently hiding in the loft!

I’m an engineer as my day job which is very analytical, but I’m also quite a creative person. Last year I wrote a fantasy novel aimed at my daughters age group, and in January just using youtube tutorials I started painting. I doubt it will ever be more than a hobby but I love painting. haven’t recently because I lost my mojo but it’s coming back.

My dream is to give up work and stay at home with the kids and write. Nothing ventured nothing gained 🙂

My creativity corner happened last year when I really needed to do something just for me. So it is a wooden cabinet filled with my things for writing, painting, and my camera. It’s my little peaceful place – everyone should have one!

Hello. New to the site and the diet. Glad to find a forum where I can find the like-minded and, I hope, some personal accountability.

My story: My diet has been low-carb for the most part for the last 15 years. Except when it isn’t. The plentiful carby treats at grad school, and spending too much sedentary studying are my downfall. Had lots of mysterious weight fluctuations for years, no matter my diet and activity level, caused by an auto-immune disease that has been present (and misdiagnosed) for decades. After a major procedure that treats the problem but causes weight gain, I packed on 80 extremely resistant pounds, trading one life-threatening condition for another one. Diabetes just kills you slower.

After months of increasing A1C results, I was increasingly irritable, lethargic, struggling to sound compos mentis when called on in class, and letting chores and errands pile up until the last possible moment. Things were falling apart, and I was facing a rough round of final exams that were going to be disastrous if I carried on this way. I needed to kick-start a reversal, because nothing I was doing the “low and slow” way was making a difference.

My GP called with my latest batch of lab results and said, “A1C up to 7.2. You’re officially pre-diabetic. I know you won’t like it, but it’s time for some Metformin.” She agreed to let me think it over. I gnashed and grumbled and finally called back a few days later to say, “Okay.” To my surprise, she said, “You know what? This is a big step. You’re in the middle of finals. Stick with the low-carb diet, walk as much as you can, and we’ll re-visit this in a month.”

Stumbled upon the 8 Week BSD in Audible.com, listened, listened again, did the preparation, and called the GP for permission. She said while she loves the Mediterranean diet, she doesn’t like the ELC aspect, and believes low-and-slow weight loss preferable to what she thought would be quick and profound results (that she is sure I’ll gain back shortly). Fortunately, she reluctantly agreed on the conditions that I keep a meticulous diary of the usual stats and have a full check up within a month.

Maybe she’s agreeing so I can be her guinea pig? Whatever it takes to get permission, I say. Both my parents are Type-2, overweight, and struggling with blood pressure. I’m not going down that road. I’m committed to doing this and want to lose 40 pounds by June 27 before moving on to 5:2 to shed the rest.

Using all the recommended gadgets and apps. Six days in, this is what’s happening (including yesterday’s 1400 calorie consumption offset by a day of serious physical labor in the yard):

Female, age 40
Weight: -14 lbs (mostly water but, I’ll take it)
BP: 117/56 (and I quit the bp/diuretic!)
Fasting Bgl: Down from 129 to 113 mg/dl
Waist: -3.5″
Average pulse rate: 77 to 80 BPM

Upsides: Already feel miles better in less than a week. Gone from lethargic & “down” to getting work done I’ve neglected for months. Accidentally cut down on caffeine. Better focus on study. Happy to hop on the treadmill a few times a day to catch up on “fun” reading/podcasts/DVR. Already been able to tell a plant-based-diet evangelist sibling to NAFF OFF with the constant hassle about how great it is (maybe some day, but not now, ok?). Even though I gobbled an extra 600 calories of veggies & protein yesterday while doing some hard yard work, I saw no change on the scales (I’m a little…constipated, should have had more H20). My fantasies of not being health-handicapped by one thing or another all the time are feeling less fantastic with each passing hour.

Downsides: Everyone else telling me it’s crazy. My parents, when I told them what I’m up to, were worried rather than hopeful. “800 calories?! That’s so dangerous!” I’ve turned down a few invitations “out” and one offer to bring me dinner. When I explain what I’m doing, it gets the same reaction as my parents’ with a few well-meaning bits of advice about what I really should be doing instead. Thanks and take care, I say.

One obese colleague, determined to lose weight before we both go overseas for a fellowship in July, looked excited and interested when I told her what I was up to on day 1. I think she is waiting to see if I die before she gives it a try herself.

I hope that if I’m successful – and I believe I will be – my parents, friends, and GP will give the Fast 8 a hard look and maybe change their minds and even give it a try. I’m already collecting the information sheets to hand over with my diary and statistics when I see the doc in three weeks, and can’t wait to see her reaction.

That’s it. I’m so glad to find such a wealth of information here from others doing the Fast 8 as well. All the best to you, and thanks for reading.

I love Izzy’s idea of having a diary to post and thought it would really help me also!

Today is day 3 – Happy May 1
First two days have lost 4 lbs!
📌What’s working: all the help from people in the forums. Feeling lighter already and not bloated.
📌What’s not: major tummy issues and today felt weak upon waking and still have some joint pains which only began after day 1.
📌Hope to resolve by eating 3 times a day and removing yogurt and raw vegies for now.
📌Seeking advice: I have 2.5 week road trip coming up May 18th and need to figure it what I can have in the car and what I can eat at restaurant since many of them use oils and sugars when cooking fish and such.

Hi Izzypeach
Warm welcome. Come on in the water’s fine.
I’m T 2 & so we’re my parents. I think you go into a self blame ( you should have avoided this) & then a mourning phase ( for the ignorant ‘bliss’ you were in before diagnosis). This doesn’t address where you are now. But the BSD does.
Downright wrong information is really harming us. We will change that. By doing the BSD & getting results we are stockpiling ammunition to launch at the Darth Varder’s of current Diabetic Type 2 thinking. I’m gathering Light Sabres to thwart the enemy.
May the BSD force be with you

Hi Hashimoto,
What’s the tie in to hypothyroid? I have been on the same meds for it for 25 years until last year when they lowered my meds. That alone made me gain 50 lbs. A doctor 25 years ago told me I should only way 800 cal a day when I was first diagnosed but of course that seemed ridiculous 😳😳😳
So here I am now – ha.
Thanks for any info!!
🌷

Hello, hope it’s ok to just jump in!

I am on day 6 of BSD and loving it! I live in London, married for 12 years with an almost 10 year old son. I work as a train driver, so it’s a very sedentary job – however I’m training for an overnight marathon walk in September, so I make myself get up and go out. I did it last year in 9hours 4 mins, so my target is to beat that!

I love to travel, been all around the world, but my favourite place in the UK is Edinburgh – I’m up there most months to see friends, back again for the day on May 11th (that will be a non BSD day, we have afternoon tea booked!), then we have a week in Kefalonia booked in August.

Nice to “meet” you all!

B – two hard boiled eggs and half an avocado (256 cal)
L- Prawns and a bag of baby leaf and rocket salad (148 cal)
D – haddock fillet, mushrooms, spiralised courgette (169 cal)
snack – 250g cottage cheese (185 cal)
Total: 765 cal.

Hi Sunny,
Would you mind sharing your protein shake recipe?
Thanks!

Hi MooLoc,
Would you mind sharing your light lentil and bean soup recipe? Thanks so much!!

I was the same Mooloc, didn’t like plain yoghurt at all. Now I do, especially with berries warmed in microwave for few seconds, and then mashed into yoghurt.

You do need to cut sugar including honey out, it really is easy after a few days. Then your body gets used to the new tastes, and it is MUCH easier to do this. It is a big change I know, but worth trying. Good luck.

Purple with spots, way to go girl!
Christine, it seems you are embracing your inner purplefulness.
Next you will be getting one of those 1970’s bubble oil lamps. Totally love the look.

So with all this said colourfulness, have you stepped out, knotted yourself in yoga or climbed to the highest piece of fitted carpet?

I am just having a love fest with warren …, swoon.
Xxxx
Love lucia

Napangardi, I’ve been using the MyFitnesspal app on my phone to track it all – I think it’s reasonably accurate, but I am quite careful about weighing and measuring. It’s all a learning curve eh!

Patsy thank you for your kind encouragement!

Hi happylife I had upset stomach first week too. I was surprised as I was used to eating much more fruit. Soon settled down, looking forward to 4 week weigh in tomorrow. Trying to stay off scales in between.

Hi Carolg
Those blood sugar readings now are gold! Way to go 😀
I’m week 12 & 1 &1/2 stones down. 2 weeks off meds (metformin ) but FBS taking time to come down, 6.6 today. 3 years diagnosed type 2 but believe I’ve been diabetic much longer! I also believe I have a personal fat threshold & I haven’t yet reached my tipping/ reversing point. Hope I will but nothing guaranteed in this life.

Will try to lose more weight & keep on keeping on. This is for life so not worrying about the speed of change. Best of luck to you

Zendo you have options. Continue if you’re happy. Things have improved for you & there’s more to come. We’re all thinking of what to do next & when? Whenever we make that decision we have to eat 2/3 less than we did to maintain our target weight ( prof Roy Taylor said) Newcastle uni trial Reversing T2.
Well done for now

B: mashed avocado, lemon water
L: omelette with half a large mushroom, ham, onion & then nuts
D: chicken & spinach curry with cauli planned
Snack – I also made some light lentil & bean soup to keep me going.

Thanks Izzy! I have IBS symptoms off and on in life but not consistent. Everything is 100% worse tummy wise with the diet so far but I am hopeful it will adjust. 😍💖
I tell my husband it’s the fat melting off from the diet. Ha. Maybe it is! 🌷🌷

Hi, I’m interested in doing the blood sugar diet myself to lose weight (im not diabetic but worried I’m heading that way!). A friend who is diabetic has been told she has to come off metformin as it’s not agreeing with her, and has been advised to use a low gi diet. I said I’d help her find out more, and wondered if there is much of a difference between the two? Thanks!

I had a dodgy tummy for a short while too, I suffer IBS off and on, but it faded fast and I’m fine now. Also I think my … ahem *blushes* wind… is a lot less on this way of eating!

Hi, fasting level was 7.4 today. Ate absolutely properly yesterday but took 2 Metformin before bed. My reading just before bed was 6.6. Gone back to 2 tablets now ( half dose).

Yes they are super sharp. I’ve been putting the blades in the dishwasher. I’m lazy 😂

Happy May everyone!

Well it’s day 3 for me and I am down 4 pounds in the first two days.
I really don’t think I would stick to it without you all here becUae knowing you all are doing it makes me feel not alone in the process.

I feel weak this morning but a friend told me it’s because my body hasn’t figured out to get energy from the proteins yet instead of the carbs it’s used to and that it takes about four days. Also having some major tummy issues so gave up the yogurt for today in hopes that helps.

Have a wonderful day everyone and if you have any issues to go through just imagine I am there with my hand on your shoulder to help support you through it.

So great to hear about your amazing places you live in! I lived in Hawaii 45 years and am real an island girl still in my mind even though I live in Washington now.

Hugs to all! 💜

You could flavour the yoghurt with rose water or orange flower water or add a few drops of almond or vanilla extract, all much better than adding sugar in the shape of honey.

Hi All ,
Thank you for your very helpful and considered replies. They have had helped me in my resolve and given me some ideas as replies. Interestingly i feed my dogs a low carb diet i.e. raw food and grain free natural diet, they look amazing and most of my friends do similar and their dogs have very few weight or health issues. Whilst I fully understand that canines digestions are different the processed concept is the same. So here goes into the breach I go – day 1 tomorrow. Just loading up my recipes on MFP and about to make a batch of soup.x

Hi Eureka. *waves*

I used to buy wider fitting shoes – probably why I was walking out of my heels. Finished up wearing my flat shoes – much safer. Probably need to put shoes on the shopping list now!

I sometimes think of ‘Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby’ in The Water Babies. (Showing my age!). Some people definitely put mouth in operation before brain in gear. Believe it or not, I’ve learned to ‘maintain a dignified silence’ – at least most of the time!

I’ll kick my shoes off in about three hours then settle down to watch tv (unless I get a call I’m half expecting). Transport out of the village is almost non-existent tomorrow (and rain forecast) so I’ll probably just stay in (again, call permitting).

Hi general lynne
You’ve heard that expression ‘ I woud’nt want to be in her shoes’! Well most of us would want to be in YOURS.
And, before you criticize, walk a mile in another man’s shoes
So, just kick off your shoes & enjoy the BSD. Delighted for you

Like my mum used to say ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything’.

Ok, I know I’ve replied to some threads but I’m now officially going to introduce myself. I’m Lorna (isobel is my middle name and yes I am a peach, especially round the middle). I’m 44 and was diagnosed with type 2 in February. Since February I have been very confused by the information given to me, it seems like conflicting info. Eat no carbs, eat 10 portions of carbs a day, eat cereal, don’t eat cereal, AAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
With both parents diagnosed with type 2 it’s only an inevitability that having a bad diet and lots of lard around the middle, that it would be my turn soon, strangely living life like I was invincible.
After my diagnosis I have really struggled emotionally. I’ve avoided my usual fave foods and have barely touched alcohol, It’s strange as I never thought I could live life without these things but I have. It just shows you, you can actually get used to anything. I’ve lost a full stone since feb, something I’ve done barely trying but I now want to try to live type 2 free.
After doing a lot of research, I stumbled onto DR Mosleys book, It’s like reading sense for once. SO I have done all my planning, measurements and going shopping when the other half comes home. Seeing my diabetic nurse again Friday. Yoda says; DO or DO NOT there is no TRY! so starting tomorrow I will DO.

Readings rising again so obviously not rigorous enough…will perhaps have to log absolutely everthing and use ap as suggested by Cherrianne….v. difficult whilst working, looking after elderly frail mum and childcare of grandchildren….v. little time to self, have tried to prioritse exercise when I get up ….any more seems impossible….have just about given up trying to floss teeth!. Tofa

I went to a country show today, and knowing there would be lots of “bad” food there, I took a hard boiled egg and water. I snacked on that whilst OH had chocolate brownie and coffee. That has never happened to me before when on a diet, I found it easy to say no – it absolutely amazes me.

Later I had a quorn burger with salad, and ate less than half a burger roll. I haven’t had any bread for a month, but no ill effects thank goodness. Next time, I will just eat the burger. All counted on MFP, all OK and minestrone soup tonight (will make from the recipe here, sounds good).

I am telling people I’ve cut out sugar and processed food, which is true.

Eventually (in about a year when I’ve lost all the weight) I originally thought I’d like to be able to eat the occasional piece of cake, but from your experiences Hashimoto and Janet, that may not be the case. Still I’d rather be slim and healthy than eat cake.

The most wonderful thing for me with this way of life, is I am losing 2 to 3 pounds per week, slow but steady, and it’s no effort !!! 🙂

Hi Collie
You don’t have to apologise or explain to anyone. YOU made this decision for yourself. Well done & brave. We are the pioneers of this diet. Real food in real time. Doing it for ourselves. If others want to listen, good. You like carbs BUT THEY DONT LIKE YOU. Spend your time on yourself not sceptics!!
GO FOR IT. 😀 Keep on keeping on

Lynne, I just don’t understand people a lot of the time 🙁
As a teenager I read a book by Corrie Ten Boom ( you probably know who I mean) and she said you shouldn’t say something negative about someone until you can say ten positive things.
Considering what she went through when she was put in a death camp for helping Dutch Jews it is amazing she could still hold to that philosophy through the rest of her life.

ouch, Lynne! Get an old toothbrush or a kitchen scrubber!! Those blades are lethally sharp!
So sharp that I make sure not to drop them into the washing up water! That could be really nasty 🙁

I’m thinking in answer to your question, that although you can have sweeteners which contain saccharin or aspartame. You should try and start sipping water. I also find water ghastly but since being diagnosed with type 2 have avoided aspartame especially as its so bad for you. I have lost a stone in weight since February, trust me when I say you can get used to anything. I’m hoping, as I’m starting the blood sugar diet tomorrow, getting used to very low carbs diet is also something I will get used to with time.

Too true, Lynne!! You just keep on preaching Christine!!! I’m a bit of a zealot myself – or a ‘BSD firebrand’ as my son referred to me yesterday when one of the girls in the pharmacy asked how I had managed to lose the weight and reduce my asthma meds – and the whole speel came out. I think he is worried I am boring them ! lol

Judith, it was so sharp I didn’t even know I’d nicked my thumb until later. Note to self – be more careful.

That’s so sad Judith. But I hear similar all the time😱 One day I might tell you some of the stuff that’s been said about me (and that’s only what I know about!). Can’t let it get to us.

Christine – looks like my next big goal will be 75 pound total! Scary!!! Look forward to you reaching your milestones😃

Hi Imogen, it’s really easy to clean! The spiky bit which holds the veg unscrews from the handle and you just wash it along with any other pots – I use a scrubby thing (old toothbrush) for the blades cos I don’t want to slice my fingers!! The jug just washes easily too.
Not long to go Imogen!!! 🙂

Hi Rubyswallow
Thanks for the book info. Reflux runs three generations in our family! Mum & dad both suffered & type 2!! I’m ok now but my son not. I’ll tell him about this.

Wow, Christine! Let’s hope she does!!! Thanks 🙂
Being a hairdresser she may talk about it to others too! 🙂

Hi Christine.

Great news about the trousers and compliments.

I’ve bought size 18 trousers (with belt loops!). Needed them for last week, and holiday at beginning of June. Just don’t want to buy too many clothes while I’m still losing weight!

Well said – you’re doing really well and encouraging folk😃

You are more than welcome to ‘preach’ on here😃

Not long!!! A couple of weeks or so!! I won’t be having any ‘treats’ in Oz no matter how much people try to persuade me!! 🙂

Hi Lynne,
I have also experienced my shoes being too big or a bit more comfy if they were a bit tight, amazing isn’t it where the weight comes off? Well done on the milestone reached, golly I look forward to that day for myself!
Christine

Totally agree Willf! 🙂

The amazing thing is that it still gets moaned about and he retired over 40 years ago!!! And he’s been dead an awfully long time.

It was delicious. Just had it on its own, not feeling hungry but had to eat something! Courgette and carrot in fridge waiting to be fed to Spiraliser.

Imogen – it is easy to use and clean. Took a few minutes to get used to it, then ok. Just be careful with sharp blades. Much easier to clean than the pencil sharpener type I was using.

Thank you! Made some very light soup today so that is helping. Having an unusually quiet weekend which is good for focussing & having time to prepare food.