Was starting to fantasise about a chip buttie but had 6 week weigh in today. 23lbs lost. I was hoping for 21lbs in 8 weeks so motivated again now. Lots more to lose so will keep going. Went into town and bought trousers and top in a smaller size, fit beautifully. Tomorrow I will try on all my too small clothes then admire myself in the mirror.

Thanks for the support will now know not to be disheartened if it happens again as I am now prepared that it will.

Hi bghouse
Welcome. Sounds like you are half way there. Well done for the changes you already made.
Are you Diabetic?
First make a list of foods you like & new ones you are willing to try. Read & mark the book where it’s really important to you.
Shop for offers on veg & freeze them yourself. That way you get a bargain & the selection you want. Cook & freeze soups, & meals for when time is tight & you are tired. A slow cooker is a good investment too.
Do batch cooking when you have time & freeze.

Yes, count your calories off the list of food you like. Write down at the side of say, carrots 100g weight & calorie value of that. Easy to read & put a list in your mob phone or get an app. Someone will tell you the best app, I don’t use one.
Portion size matters. In UK it’s what food fits in the cupped palm of your hand is a rough size if no scales used. GET SCALES!
My fasting time is 14 – 16 hours daily. I eat 2 meals. Breakfast & dinner is usually in an 8 hour period. I don’t work ( retired). You fit what you can into your day. Just get in the flow of it. Your pattern will come.
Snack on healthy stuff eg nuts ( filling but you must count the calories). Cheese is ok, but a very small amount. Read the book again!
I have a tonic water every day for the quinine as I get cramps in the legs ( but not nearly so much now). My acid reflux – gone!
Split your 800 calories so you have enough at your hungriest time. That will change soon. You will get the hunger under control as the simple carbs are gone – potatoes, pasta, bread & rice ( you know that already).
This is a Low Carb diet but not a low fat. However, eat the good fats & don’t binge on them. Count the calories. You will soon know portions by heart. I think that’s the way to go for you from what you’ve said.
Ok get started. Best of luck & others will help you too, like SkyWalker, as needed.
Give yourself a doable weight loss target eg 2 stone ( 28lbs) at first. Lastly, we have people doing this diet/way of life for over 20 weeks ( me 14). It’s the new Mediterranean way of life! 😀 Hang Loose
Eureka

Thanks SkyWalker (I keep wanting to call you “Luke” – lol). I don’t think I’ve been at 800 calories yet, as I haven’t counted at all – just focused on changing what I eat. I also use a lot of kerrygold butter, so I need to try swapping in some Olive Oil instead. I do salads every day just about with Olive Oil – and those are the only fats along with coconut oil. I don’t do any of the vegetable oils anymore.

I’m planning to start keeping a diary of everything, and a scale to measure portions. Maybe I’m eating way more than I think I am, which is probably the case. 🙂

Hi eureka,
Thank you, I just knew it was no good, it’s a good job I didn’t eat it, I don’t really like it either, I just felt awful as they had done it specially for me, see my post to gonnabedazzling
.Im not up to date with the posts at the moment, are you doing ok?
Christine

Hi gonnabedazzling,
Thanks for that, I didn’t think it was good on the bsd diet, I felt awful because they did it especially for me! They are both pharmacists so think they know what’s best for me, they don’t understand the principles of the bsd diet though! And no I didn’t peel the batter off it was a very thin piece of salmon and thin batter too, I did try to though it wasn’t a success.
Christine

Congratulations mrscat! very well done indeed, and especially as you were feeling down.

It WILL work.

Good luck with next week!

Breakfast two eggs with tomatoes and a portobello mushroom, three cups of sugar free coffee with a dash of milk in each.
No lunch (working)
Supper salmon fillet, two hard boiled eggs, smoked salmon, 2 slices Leerdammer cheese
Total 725 calories, 20gm carbs

Total of 100 mins walking fast pace 419 calories – haven’t got my replacement Misfit yet, so don’t know how many steps

Ok, well, I’m no nutritionist but your daily allowances of vitamins and minerals are important. It is not easy to gain weight on 800 or so calories per day with little sugar or other carbs. There are a few threads by people who are slow to lose but timing is important. Sounds like you know what is required and that you are on the right road. Be patient and kind to yourself. The old saying that weight is a simple equation of calories in versus calories out is not quite true. There are calories in everything but we need to be selective in what we eat and get a good spread of protein, good fats etc. We need a bit of everything. if you are weighing foods and counting calories only something odd, medical or genetic would account for a failure. I may be lucky of course but my wife succeeded too and sooner than me. If you kept a food diary you might be able to identify something in the ratio of fats and proteins or similar also if you are lucky enough to be building muscle it is heavier than fat but once you get into fat burning “ketosis” mode you should be fine. One ll, time alone will tell of the keys is the period of fasting. I hope this works for you, I am confident it will. Stresses provide lots of negative stuff and often results in weight gain so hold on in there you seem to have had a hard time. Look at what you have achieved so fr, it is impressive by anyone’s standards.

I can’t wait to get a spiralizer when I get back from my trip – sounds like lots of fun and it will make meals interesting too!! Thanks for all the tips!

Thanks for adding the recipe Izzy!! You are really doing great – – I will make it when I get back from my trip early in June….
Keep up the good work! I am taking a traveling scale and my tape measure with me to keep aware of how I am doing and I have planned out many options for eating on the road with everyone’s help as well as am taking my chocolate nutritional shakes for one meal a day to keep life easy….. (I just realized I am having chocolate!! and it’s not causing any cravings!!)

Week 3 Day 3
Feeling great but getting up at 3:30am two days in a row full of energy for some reason….
No cravings still! Not even that hungry ever!
Cutting out some acidic choice foods to see if that assists with the tummy since my doctor meds didn’t help after 2 days.
Lots of friends starting this today so wishing them well as they begin…
My hubby called me a Skinny Chick because my clothes are getting bigger,,,,, so cute!

Week 3 – Day 4
769 Calories – 26.6 Carbs
B – Vega Nutritional Chocolate Shake
L – Green Salad with Roasted Shrimp and 2 oz dressing
D – 2 egg omelet with herbs, asparagus, 1tsp butter

Argh! Week 2 started disasterously! Went away and ATE! Really didn’t mean to but there was not much option so took the carb option. That was day 1 and 2 of week two- scales tole me I’d put on 3 pounds! But I am back on the right track. Today tried to draw the line. Have had my 800 cals but not totally carb free so that is tomorrow’s mission.
Writing it all down there made it seem a lot less of a deal than it actually feels in my head. I’m annoyed that I slipped up so soon and annoyed I’ve gained weight but trying to draw the line and move forward.
I’ve also learned things;
– I feel rubbish when I eat carbs
– I feel all sluggish and have tummy ache
– I don’t like the taste of normal chocolate anymore!!! I have to remember that!
– there will be other times I am tempted- I need to plan for them and steer around them.
Planning tomorrow now and going to re read some of the book to help x

Hi Christi1948
Christine 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa = 17g carbs. 111 calories approx
Battered fish 9 – 14g carbs. Approx 230 cals

Right now concentrate on rough carb value, if anything. Calories can be sorted if & when. Take batter off fish nxt time.
You take care & don’t worry about BSD just now. You will be on auto pilot & you know your stuff 🌹
Eureka

Hi SkyWalker,

I already gave up pasta, bread and rice. Dont eat breakfast cereals – actually find any food in the morning disgusting, so I follow an Intermittent Fasting model and do lunch and dinner instead.

I’m a little discouraged though as I’ve been doing these things for a while but not losing the weight. I’m not sure why nothing is dropping the weight for me. I have found that my tummy problems are gone – no bloating or anything since giving up all bread, pasta and rice. I also gave up potatoes. I recently needed to add a potassium supplement though because I was cramping. All the foods high in potassium are things I’ve been avoiding for sugars…

It often feels like I make changes to get healthy and things just get worse. I’m thinking maybe I’m eating too much – but man I love a big plate of green beans, onions and mushrooms 🙂

Hi Isabel, accurate scales are not really important as everything is relative. When your jeans slip down you will know you are successful and when you can skip around you will know you are fitter, healthier and the extra motivation may encourage you to splash out on more modern or newer scales. If today they said you weighed 300 pounds and next month they said 280 you might have lost 20 pounds but you would know in yourself that the numbers are pretty meaningless. Stick around, eat less of the bad foods, more of the good and drink plenty and you will experience results you would not have imagined would be so positive in such a realtively short period of time and you will not feel hungry either, so its a win, win all the way… Good Luck

Ok, now officially really fed up.
I have gone from eating bars of chocolate, piles of toast and all things Carb to eating very little carbs and reducing my calorie intake to half of my pre BSD lifestyle but my weight isn’t shifting 🙁

I eat far more veg than I ever used to, I like salads and actually chose to buy a salad from the supermarket at the services yesterday when the rest of the family had KFC! I thought I’d better not ‘go off plan’ and undo all my good work. Now I wish I had eaten a massive bucket of KFC!!!

I have spent hours trawling through recipes to find meals I can make for the whole family. I have shopped for food online so I am not tempted to buy those ‘special offers’ the supermarkets put at the end of the aisles. I have even bought a step monitor and tried to increase my daily steps/activity (gardening today, not steps but lots of energy used).

I feel like going totally off plan and starting again another day.

Help, I need a good talking to!

Hi Bghouse, welcome to the forum, you are in the right place – first thing to do is relax or should I say “Chill Buddy?”? You just need to cut out more of the white foods like, bread, pasta, cheese, bread, rice and breakfast cereals. if you reduce these you will immediately reduce your sugars intake. If you don’t eat after say 6 pm to 8 am then the fasting period will kick in with the health benefits of the body in its maintenance mode. Your blood sugar will reduce and you will get the health benefits. I was over 200 lbs in Feb and am now 176. Do not worry about anything. You will naturally change your eating style and include more good stuff and fewer of the bad foodstuffs. Drink plenty of fluids – sparkling water is good if still is too boring. I only ever counted calories and sugars. I got to 846/day average and <30 gm/day of sugar. It can be done – DO NOT RUSH IT and you will be fine… Keep checking the forums, and use the search box for any area of enquiry or interest. You will read loads of good stuff. Just gradually cut down portion size and sugar content if you find it difficult at first It soon becomes second nature. Well done on the lifestyle changes to date too.

Hello Christine

I’ve just looked up the nutrition for quinoa, and depending on where you look, quinoa has about 13% protein, 70-75% carbohydrate and 12 – 14% fat. So not ideal on the BSD!

Did you peel the batter off your salmon? !

well, today I had breakfast and lunch as planned, and my chickpeas. Then for dinner decided I wanted eggs. So threw together a frittata type dish (added to recipes if you want to know) it was yummy. Forgot to take a picture though.

I’m already on 10000 steps as I had a lunchtime walk, but heading out soon for an evening walkie as well, then when I get home I’ve calories and carbs left so I can have a hot choc if I want as well 🙂

I’m surprised, often, at how far 800 calories can go, when I’m not eating rubbish.

Hi Eureka,

I’ve psyched myself up for a while now about doing the diet, I’ve got a strong will power, so I should be OK, my problem has always been drinking water, this is something I will have to get used to. Many thanks for your support.

Hi SkyWalker,

Thanks for your response, I am very prepared to deal with the Mediterranean diet once I have achieved my target weight, and am able to do without my meds. I wanted to do the diet with shakes because I thought it would be the easiest way for me to go, and less hassle for my new partner initially, but after the 8 weeks or so we have both planned to go the Mediterranean diet way. Although my main problem has always been the wine………… Thanks for your support.

I love my fitbit, I got the alta 🙂

My husband has the all singing all dancing blaze, but the face is much too big for a little wrist like mine!

I got a blue band, but I’d like to get the metal bracelet one, make it look nicer for days when you want to feel a bit dressed up.

Carrot crisps I cut using the slicer on my spiralizer, just tossed in oil with some salt and pepper then baked on a sheet until they started to go crispy 🙂 I did some cougette as well but they don’t crisp up as well. still nice though just have to use a fork.

Oh, how about a rubber toy snake, put it in the garden rear your plants.
Cats don’t like them

Love luciaXxxx

Hello Everyone,

Hello from Seattle, WA (USA)…. I’m getting ready to do the 8 week diet, have read the book cover-to-cover 3 times, and trying to figure out next steps. A little background…

January 2012 was a major upheaval in my life when I came back from the holidays to an unexpected lay off from my job of 12 years, and I’ve been struggling since. I couldn’t bring myself to stay in my industry, and went to work for myself starting a business (more stress – lol). My income became 20% of what I was making before (stress). I left California because I could not afford it, and moved to Washington (wet, cold and stress – haha). In January 2014 I quit smoking cold turkey, and all of a sudden my health deteriorated. I realize now that most of it was because I replaced a 2 pack a day habit with hard candies. I shudder to think of how much sugar I consumed kicking the habit, and the extra 25 pounds on top of being about 30 pounds overweight has compounded the problem. (sorry, but I can’t do the conversion to kg or pounds in my head…)

I spent a year going down the wrong path thinking it was “healthy” – added juicing (sugar, sugar and more sugar – love those beets!), lots of grains, tried some vegan… Then I went back to a more whole foods approach, but still too much sugar and grains. For the past couple of months I’ve tried to cut out sugar and grains and potatoes, but I believe I really need the 8 week kickstart. I kicked sodas to the curb years ago, as well as transitioning to black coffee.

One thing that limits me a bit is that I work crazy hours trying to support myself with this freelance business. I found I just dont take the time to chop up vegetables at 8pm a night, and reach for junk. I’ve gotten around this by purchasing pre-cut vegetables at the store, and while a bit more expensive, they are there and ready for me every night. The problem is they are usually mixed together in a package – like green beans with some onion and mushrooms, and there is nothing on there to indicate calories.

Any ideas on how I can figure this out? Should I maybe get a food scale and then figure out the weights of them and try to calculate? I like to have the same types of things, so if I figured it out once then I’d know, don’t you think? I already make a lot of soups, so I can do the same thing i guess and calculate the calories for those also.

The second thing is that I don’t have health insurance, although I’m trying to save up for this again. In the meantime, I use wellnessfx.com to get bloodwork done. I’m a little past 1 year since I did the complete workup, and I’m wondering if I should do it before or after I do my 8 weeks? I’m thinking probably before so I have a baseline….

Lastly, I know that I have more than just 10% of my weight to drop – currently 5 feet 4 inches weighing 204 lbs. Do I keep going on the 800 a day past 8 weeks, or do a transition to a 5:2 style…

I know I have more questions, but I’m trying to read the forums and find answers instead of just asking everything 🙂

Thanks in advance, and nice to e-meet everyone!

Thanks for the support I did carry on and lost 5lb so well pleased. So a stone and a half up to now.

thank you polly
I do feel better – at the moment

not sure how all this extra fibre is going though
I wonder if that is what is making me want so much water – and endlessly going to the loo

I am not a great cook – I mean I can follow recipes but lousy at ‘inventing’ dishes
however I now have coconut flour, and oil, and gram flour
so spending hours on the web looking for possible recipes

today I added gram flour to my homemade chicken soup – it seems ok
I didn’t want to use barley as am trying to get as far away from gluten as poss

so today for lunch I had coconut flatbreads and brie
and now for dinner it is carrot, courgette, broccoli, cauli mash (which is just crumble) – and chicken breast which I coated with MY OWN INVENTION – OMG I ACTUALLY MADE SOMETHING UP!!
All it is – is some gram flour, water, bit of coconut oil, sage, and salt
it has made a nice crust on top of the chicken and has helped keep some of the moisture in I think

goodness knows what my intestines are going to do when all this fibre hits them!!

Thanks Lucia – I too have water spray but this particular cat doesn’t seem to get the message. Will try salt or soot. Toilet use doesn’t bother me but the loss of my plantime does. Loads of pansies with exposed roots thanks to the cat…

Glad you are meeting friends at the pub. I bet they all comment on the new look Lucia!

Hi all,
I have a question, I am away from home at the moment so I need to know, as I haven’t got my book with me, how bad is it to have quinoa? My son in law made a dish with it in and a couldn’t eat it as I didn’t like it and wasn’t sure it was ok either.
Also had a meal out at lunchtime today, I asked for salmon with coleslaw, I got battered salmon! With pink spicey coleslaw! Well that’s two days of unusual food, I have never had battered salmon before so was quite surprised when it was put in front of me!
Christine

Hi Not_thirsty
Welcome. I used to be like you. Then years down the line I have Type 2 Diabetes. Always thirsty & on the loo!
You REALLY need to drink this amount of fluid per day, at least while on this diet. But in general seriously up your fluids.
Initially you will visit the loo often, but it settles down in a week or two. No, that isn’t a long time. You need this fluid to help your metabolism work & flush out the stored fat from your liver & pancreas. This is what Type 2 Diabetics are trying to do to reverse our condition on this BSD.
Lots of other people who arn’t diabetic are finding this diet & it’s helping them. That’s a great bonus. It’s just 8 weeks out of your life, commit to it. 😀

Hi Jess1471,

Sounds like you are all sorted! Look forward to hearing how you get on.

Imogen

Hi Epspecially
Welcome. Do this for you & never mind anyone else’s comments.
Re-read the book & mark it & write in the margins. Make a list of food you like & new food you’re willing to try. Write down when you are the most hungry. Is it breakfast? Lunch? Split your calories accordingly. As you progress you will control the hunger. Eliminate the simple carbs – potatoes, rice, pasta & bread & the hunger subsides. You break the cycle & lower the insulin production you need to cope with the carb overload.
Try & learn about diabetes ( if you are type 2) & the way your body processes carbs. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the easier & more motivation you have to change. Leave your ‘friends’ to their ignorance.

Check out the Forums. Look at the Topic titles – they tell you the content/problem, & then read the answers.
Keep a food diary either paper or app. It helps. Drink lots – 2 – 3 litres daily. It gets the metabolism going & helps everything.
Do this for you

No, I did not say I allow it at all. I said they are all quite fussy eaters. That does not mean I pander to their every whim.

Hello,

I thought a quick update might help – for anyone interested the first meetings are going ahead next week – one in the afternoon and one in the evening, a first chance for us to meet face to face and talk to others on the same journey. If you would like to join us go to http://www.8weeks.co.uk. I really hope this will be a useful way to make a difference…

Hi Bruno
Well done. Great loss & sound advice.

Thanks for the great advice captainlynne & californiagirl!

I’m planning on starting on Friday, after getting all my shopping in, so think I will focus on no refined carbs and plenty of water to start and see how I get on.

Will keep you posted on my journey.

Hi Barrynk
Now that’s the way to do it! Bravo you & Bravo your medics 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
Give it all you’ve got. This is your chance, grab it 😀 👍 Drink lots – 2 – 3 litres, it really helps. We are here for you.
Eureka

OK, but that’s not what you wrote, sounds like you are well aware of the way to eat healthily, so Good luck, & Happy eating

Hello Barrynk I will watch your progress with interest but I am a little confused as to why you would not only give up proper food but then be prescribed food in the form of liquidised food of some description. The result may control your blood sugar but it will not Mediterraneanise your diet or educate you in the ways needed to keep to the normal weight if you you succeed in getting to it. Others used the method successfully but I have not heard too much on their follow up after the Prof Taylor trials. Good luck anyway and welcome to the forum. You will learn a lot in a short time if you are anything like most of us on here…

Hello Not_Thirsty, you may have a condition of course but in answer to your question – Plenty of fluid is vital – it is not an option and you will just have to get used to it like we get used to changing our eating style. You probably consume more than you consciously note. There are fluids/water in foods and of course if you were a tea drinker you would probably be likely to have many cups per day at 300 ml each or so? 6 good cups is 1.8 lts at least. Keep a diary and you will know more. Don’t get hung up about any aspect as all we are doing is eating a bit less but of better quality food with fewer nutrition free, worthless calories. Kettle on … now!

Hi general lynne
Ta dah! Stupendo! 💐

I was just coming on to post the same thing. Week one was great, down 13 lb (lots of water weight there), week 2 and I am up .3 lb from 1 week ago. I had one ‘bad’ day of overeating (and all the wrong foods) 5 days ago, total calorie intake was 2,289. I wouldn’t have thought that would offset all of those 800 calorie days to result in a gain. Was feeling quite defeated and frustrated because this was a similar pattern I had following Weight Watchers for the past year. Took a year with minor ups/downs to take off only 5 lbs. I am early menopause and insulin resistant and hoped that this would work to get me out of the stall my weight loss journey has been on.

I don’t mean to diminish your angst with your week 2 results, but find it someone encouraging for my own journey that this might just be how it works for some people.

Thanks Frog. If you decide to get a different spiraliser in the future, the one I mentioned is quite small and the blades can be stored inside. Quite compact

Hi Skinnwannabe. Welcome to the family.

I’ve been doing this for 21 weeks and have currently lost 4 stone 1 pound. Just over another 2 stone to lose. The BSD team said it was ok to stay on the 800 calories for an extra few weeks, then go to 5:2. But lots of us are sticking with the 800 calories as we have more weight to lose.

I think most of us worried about cutting the carbs, but now realise how much better we feel without them. I keep my carb level as low as possible but can’t give an exact figure – we all find our own level.

My suggestion would be to stick with the 800 calories, cut out all refined carbs, eat veg grown above the ground, restrict fruit to berries, eat full fat products and drink lots of water. Since starting this I’ve even lost the taste for diet fizzy drinks – something I never thought could happen.

Any questions, just ask. Lots of support on here.

Oh! Ay Caramba! 😱
I’m blonde!! Well, with a lot of grey too. 😉 And, my maths is rubbish so YOU’VE pushed me to my foot & head limits❗️Can’t work out if you’re good or bad for me 😂

Great walking you are doing. I want to hear the March of the Penguins too ( sticks bottom lip out). ☹️ 🐧👣🐧👣🐧👣
Will finish mymarathon tonight, so post officially tomorrow. 👣👣👣
Keep on keeping on

I weigh daily, but record only on official weighing day (Saturday). I know from past experience that the official weigh can be disappointing, but daily weighing helps me monitor my progress better.

4allofus, I so understand! I’ve just completed week 4 and didn’t lose an oz last week. I’ve only lost 9lb in total and I have 4 stone to lose. I feel really down about it. However, unlike on other diets, I am committed to a full 8 weeks and am keeping on, keeping on. It’s really hard though when you’ve put the work in, but the scales won’t shift. Like an idiot, I didn’t measure myself, so can’t see if the inches are shifting.

I hope you and the OP see the scales move very soon.

Welcome Wheelie! Ouch, your personal history is hard to imagine, I am very sorry you have struggled for so long with complications like that, I am sure it has been physically and mentally exhausting. But, you have come to the right place! This diet truly works and is life-changing for so many people. I will look forward to hearing your progress in the weeks ahead. Onward and downward!

Welcome Skinnywannabe! It is great to see that you are contemplating starting the BSD — just start and worry about the details of carbs as you go along. For all of us it has been a learning curve as we go, figuring out how many carbs and what kinds of carbs work best for each of our individual metabolisms. That said, you can eat carbs still, but you will lose weight faster if you limit the number — some people go for less than 50 per day, I have preferred as few as 20 per day. The real problem with any kind of bread or cereal on this diet is that it uses up so many of your (rather small) allotment of daily calories and gives you very little in return, nutritionally-wise (even wholemeal). You need protein, fat and calcium and all your other nutrients and bread/cereals just don’t deliver. Also, you are trying to start up your internal, natural fat burning and carbs interfere with that process. A good book on the subject is Gary Taubes book “Why We Get Fat” — it is a clear discussion of the role that carbs have played in the obesity epidemic. There are “good carbs” that are OK in small servings, such as pulses. In any case, good to see you here and you can always seek further guidance as you go along!