Hi Baristagirls, there is a tonne of evidence that similar diets used to be what was advised pre 1970’s. I recently read Dr Jason Fung’s The Obesity Code and he cites all sorts of research and evidence about this way of eating working done over decades- so take heart – it really is tried and tested 😀

Boo, hope you get some good sleep in. My BS seems to like the long fasts as I had a pre-meal reading of 4.6 which was nice. but then 6.6 two hours later.

Thanks for the link, Frog! ‘The Obesity Code’ (which I love) also says about alternate day fasting and even has an extreme case of a guy fasting for over a year constantly with just supplements – and under doctor supervision/with vitamins.

I may have a stubborn scales but have got into trousers that were stupidly tight before and they aren’t elasticated and are a little loose too.

Izzy, maybe a strategic safety pin would help with the zip in between getting new trousers 😀 I was really weepy feeling last night. but also bleeding at the moment so maybe that’s a factor too.

Dinner was a huge salad with smoked ham (maybe why bs went up 2 post food), blue cheese, celery, little gem lettuce, vine cherry toms, radishes and spring onion with olive oil and cider vinegar dressing. Just ate the last bit of 100% chocolate too

hi stephie63

i am very much the same way – my emotions good & bad i see as a reason for indulgence.
everyone so far has given wonderful advice & thoughts. you have done wonderfully well so far.

something that has helped me…is the ‘don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater’ or reminding myself to see the forest instead of the trees. & by that i mean:

you don’t have to cave, this is not the end. can you satiate with something different? cucumber & balsamic vinegar? veggies with some avocado? a good book? some poetry? a walk? music?
if you cave…cave smaller than you have before. a little chocolate. mindfully enjoy.
if you cave…& it’s big. you’ve done remarkably well to make it to here. you are not a failure. this is not the end. this a journey and on this journey there are fights with friends and bad days – you can choose how you respond and with each time, you’ll get stronger.

all the best.
celeste x

Hi. I’ve just completed day 2! Has anyone experienced low moods in the the first couple of days. Nicky

Hi Stephie 63
Your post resonated with me so much. I have yet to find the magic answer re emotional eating – but I am now honest with myself and say ‘food will not make you feel better’ , if you can resist the urge to splurge on food I do promise you will feel a million times better. I have never known such supportive people as here on the forum. I am still a little wary of slipping back but to be honest feel so much better for ditching the carbs . Hang on in there .

Hi neohdriver,

So good to read that you’re back home. Be kind to yourself.
Best wishes for a trouble free recovery.

Hi Stephie63,

In terms of the BSD, these are the situations where Mindfulness Meditation can help. If you haven’t already started it – have a go – it’s the sort of process that you learn and grow as you do it over time. It’s proven to reduce stress.
If ‘you cave’ you’ll feel worse than you do already. Concentrate on you, your wellbeing and the 3 core principles of the BSD (the diet, exercise and mindfulness meditation).

Back home, and looking forward to being lazy for a few days!

No surprises during surgery. “Peanut” is gone, with clean margins (as much as they can tell by visual inspection) along with three (by all appearances) healthy lymph nodes. With any luck, that will be confirmed by the pathology – which will come back a week from Thursday.

I’m pain free – but that’s probably the narcotics speaking. I’ll give it a couple of hours. 🙂

Hi Lellycancan,
You can do this. When I stopped artificial sweeteners a few years ago it took me 6 weeks to really enjoy a cup of coffee again. It really was worth it.
Persevere and you’ll achieve this.

Hi Lucia,
I love your honesty.
I’m still chuckling about Bill in a minions onesie…..the more I think about it the more I laugh…..the funny bit being that I don’t know what Bill looks like so how can I know what he would look like in the onesie! (All respect to you Bill if you’re reading this. To stop my mind speculating I’m thinking of a James Bond/George Clooney type in a minions onesie).
I hope the roses are smelling sweet Lucia, they certainly are here.

Hello ClairyB
Same boat……. but without the peanuts. Think of how much healthier you’ve eaten today! Let’s do it…

Best wishes neodriver.

Hi ClairyB,

Carb addiction is horrible, isn’t it? You’ve done really well. Surely the few peanuts can’t have done much to your total calories for the day.
You must feel a sense of empowerment having pushed through the hunger.
Best wishes.

Hi Christine

Great news about the weight loss. 😃

There seems to be a lot of those folk around who know better than us😱 But our results will speak for themselves.

Today I took my ladies’ group on a ‘mystery trip’. We went to Scarborough for a fish and chips lunch, then Whitby (they wanted something sweet!) I sat with a black coffee while they ate their fish and chips – the pensioners’ special. I had looked at the menu, but there was nothing I could eat, not even anything I fancied! I was asked how I could sit with coffee while they ate and my response was – “practice!”

In Whitby I went into a cafe with a couple of the ladies and they had apple turnover and a chocolate eclair, while I had – black coffee!

I had bottles of water in my bag and something quick to prepare in the fridge for when I got home.

But on the minibus I was offered sweets with “go on, treat yourself”.

Strangely enough that attitude – the comments and the looks – make me even more determined to stick with this way of life. It’s not that long ago that I’d have been tucking into the fish and chips, cakes and ice cream without batting an eyelid, then suffering the consequences. But realising how much better I feel without all that rubbish, I know it’s not worth it.

I started this thinking I could try anything for 8 weeks. After all, what is 8 weeks! But now I can’t imagine any other way of life😃

I feel like a complete wuss, so I am reading some of your inspiring blogs. Today I have felt, tired, grumpy and hungry!! I’ve stuck within my calories and carbs but did have to eat a few peanuts, hoping this isn’t too terrible? I’m hoping this feeling is short lived and tomorrow is another day and all that. I didn’t realise how bad my sugar, carb addiction was, I know I need to do this!!

I decided I didn’t fancy the pork mince so I’ve had some of my spicy lentil soup instead. I’m suddenly deflated, tired and low 🙁

I think I’m just tired, my son woke up at 4 this morning upset and I hadn’t slept well anyway. I’d like to go to bed early but I’ve arranged a grocery home delivery so I need to stay awake for that. Could arrive anytime in the next 90 mins. As soon as it all gets put away I think I shall collapse into bed and hope I am back to bouncy Izzy in the morning.

Wow..you have worked so hard and got brilliant results.fab.x

Good luck Lellycancan you will get there and realise on the way how much better things taste.

you’ll get there!

As a teenager I drank coffee with a quarter teaspoon of coffee and about three sugars

Now I don;t drink instant (but have had one or two cups of that instant sort with added powdered beans), and can taste it if someone has stirred another cup with sugar before putting the spoon in mine.

Soooo – I’m totally addicted to sweetener in my black coffee. I love the taste of black coffee with sweetener – I even prefer it to sugar. BUT as of yesterday I’ve given it up & am putting milk in instead. Having read the book I realise how my love of sweetener will make my cravings worse. Wish me luck!

Hi everyone.
Well in my last week having lost 32lbs and four inches off my waist. Will not know about blood sugar level until July.
The thing is l am quite comfortable with my diet routine, what would you recommend next?
Thanks
Chris

I heard that too Kathy – they are saying it’s better to spend £6,000 on an obesity operation, rather than keep taking diabetes drugs. It will reduce their blood sugar and hopefully reverse diabetes.

Why on earth would you put yourself through a potentially dangerous and painful operation, without at least trying the BSD way first? Most people probably aren’t aware of the option, and their doctors don’t seem to want to know either. It’s so wrong.

They should spend that money doing big trials of BSD around the country – would be great if they could set up a regular “BSD club” where everyone was weighed and monitored, and taught the BSD ways.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36367691

Hi Lucia,

Me too..and then some!!

You go girl!

Imogen🌻

😃😃😆

I have turned off my predictive text and my typings gone worse???,,!!!

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi,
I am still sulking after Bill 1954 shouted at me for eating one miserable banana.
I should torture him, I should make him watch the minions movie were they all eat bananas.
Ha!!!!
And dress him in a minions onesie.

Ha!,

Feeling better now.

La, la la all 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶la la la🎩🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶la la la.

Love Lucia
Xxxxx

Or should I say, an ounce at a time, because soemtimes it feels like that, doesn’t it?
Love luciaXxxx

Hi team,
I have been asked…. Have I ever lied about my weight?
I replied … Do Bears widdle in the woods?
It goes without saying, yes and…. Hell yes.

When you are a big budgie, you knock about three stone off your true weight.
I was ashamed.
I was embarrassed.
I wanted my weight to actually be three stones lighter in a heart beat.
But as they say, wake up and smell the roses girl!

So, i am working at rrmoving those three stones, one pound at a time.

Love Lucia
Xxx

A pair of chickens walk up to the circulation desk at a public library and say,
‘Buk Buk BUK.’
The librarian decides that the chickens desire three books, and gives it to them. Around midday, the two chickens return to the circulation desk and say,
‘ Buk Buk BuKKOOK!‘
The librarian decides that the chickens desire another three books. The chickens leave as before. The two chickens return to the library in the early afternoon, approach the librarian, looking very annoyed and say,
‘Buk Buk Buk Buk Bukkooook!‘
The librarian is now a little suspicious of these chickens. She gives them what they request, and decides to follow them. She followed them out of the library, out of the town, and to a park. At this point, she hid behind a tree, not wanting to be seen. She saw the two chickens throwing the books at a frog in a pond, to which the frog was saying,
“Rrredit Rrredit Rrredit…”

It’s nice to start with so many recipes and so many posts to read, it helps any questions.
So what were the second coconut flour pancakes like? Or didn’t you dare 🙂
One thing I feel a bit apprehensive about is that there isn’t experience on here of those that have done it and kept the weight off, e.g.. for a few years! That’s my trouble

Started my ,8 week journey last week. Husband joined me as we both need to loose weight he does not have diabetes but I do type two. Diagnosed 1 year ago. Blood sugar does not come down whether I take medication or not it stays the same only altering by one or two points. So thought I would try this.

I lost 7lbs on first week, I stuck to the diet plan without deviation. No exercise first week. Now on 2nd week feel amazing already. Exercise this week because I feel so great. Will not be weighing until Sunday end of 2 me week. Blood count however has no change. So hoping in another week or so on this it will

Hey bumblebee,
Glad to be of help! Things do get easier, trust me. PMS is never going to help – I’m fortunate in that I don’t have that particular problem anymore (don’t have the body parts anymore – I’m not recommending a hysterectomy though, that’s where my weight problems started!).
You carry on planning & tweaking – I like a mug of chicken Bovril occasionally as a change for something to drink.

You mention coconut macaroons… Have you tried the recipe for coconut flatbreads (in the Recipes section)? I have one with a coffee – it makes for a nice little snack (reminds me of something I had years ago that had a chocolate coating on one side).

Be patient & find what works for you. You can do it!

Hi BarrelonLegs,
If you are just entering winter, are you on the other side of the world? Winter is a time for comfort food, no it’s not in your head, the cold does make you feel hungrier. I’m lucky, I’m working my way through my glut of salad leaves!
As for me being amazing for not counting calories – no, afraid not – just too bone idle to bother with it all! I bypassed the calorie counting, and the 5:2 stage, and just headed straight for the “easiest” version of the BSD! Anything too regimented does not appeal so I accepted that my weight loss would be less spectacular than other people have managed. It was more important to me to be able to stick it out long-term. I’ve been BSD-ing since January so I’m at the stage were I’m allowing myself small amounts of the forbidden foods to see if I gain weight or can maintain, or still lose. I know what to do if I need to lose.
Good luck!

Thanks all … when I feel hungry and want to raid the fridge/freezer etc I think of my Hubby who is already a Type 2 Diabetic, he said there was no way I would be able to stick to this diet red rag and bull are three words whicj spring to mind. My next appointment with Doc is in August for a Diabetic Test (am borderline) and want to show her the progress I am making with blood sugar /weight / colesterol / blood pressure!

Hi California girl,

Just catching up reading the posts when I caught sight of your note about house swaps. What a fabulous idea. Sadly though, not possible for us to do house swap as suggested (although that would be great).

Long story short… my 19 year old son who has ASD.. has had some mental health issues and is unable to leave our house/ local area. So any travelling or swapping is not on the horizon for us at the moment😵. Frustrating for me as I love to travel and go on adventures! Sigh…maybe one day?

Perhaps you could put a call out on the forums as I am sure there must be loads of people who would love to swap with you guys.

Hope all good for you

Imogen🌻

Kathy54 brill results 🏆🏆🏆
I’m jealous in week 7 but my BS was at 7.2 today before dinner ,must been that reckless weekend !
But results like you are getting are an inspiration for us all
Alan plodding on

Haha Bill, at least my work shirt is long enough to save my dignity, for now at least. If they fall down I will think of you lol.

Rachel 3 lb’s is great keep going and see what you can lose this coming week 🙂

Frog, it’s ok I ate a small biscuit today, bad izzy! but still neither of us fell of the wagon in a big way so I think that’s still a success. I gave the kids pizza and stole a piece of pepperoni!

Happy I’m sorry your tum is still troublesome I think it might be worth seeing a doctor soon. Are you still taking calcium?

well I need to go cook, back later to read some threads 🙂 (forum addict)

SkyWalker, thanks for the encouragement. A bit of a stumble today as I haven’t drunk enough water and now have the headache that everyone talks about. I won’t do that again! But I did manage to resist the bacon butties in the brewery this morning, my staff are mostly very supportive, except one who says I won’t stick it, which is actually a very good incentive to prove them wrong. A bit worried about tomorrow as I am on the road all day, so just trying to plan something easy to eat on the move, any suggestions would be very welcome.

happylife, can you not get hold of some Imodium? I know of people who take it daily

also you could try calcium tablets (sorry not sure if it was you I mentioned this to before or not) – but I don’t know where you are or if they would be available

I do hope it settles down soon

well done for your first week 🙂

Hope that troublesome tummy settles soon 🙁

I’m new to the diet, and this is my first post. I’ve spent the last week on the diet on 800 calories and low carbs (give or take!) and have gone from 10stone 4oz to 9 stone 11oz a loss of 7 lbs in 8 days. I’m very pleased and surprisingly not too hungry. However, I am struggling to run like I used to. I want to be running 3 miles 4 times a week, but find it difficult to find the energy so far. I will be building up to longer distances (running another half marathon in October) but want to lose more weight before introducing more carbs to help me run. Difficult situation really. But weightloss is great so far! I didn’t know how much I loved spinach 🙂

I did eat a bar (100g) I think of the Tesco chocologic one earlier in the year (pre BSD) – I think in one sitting, but certainly in the same day, without any ill effects.
Amazingly, no particular chocolate cravings this first week on BSD, but then I have had cocoa two or three times.

oh you have my empathy, truly
I had a meeting cancelled today – by one of my support team
same reaction as you
just wanted to stuff and stuff

incredibly I just had a few tiny squares of dark chocolate and cups of tea
and then had lunch early

i honestly don’t doubt you can do this, at all
you are aware of what is happening and that is a million miles ahead of many

if i can offer you any strength, then here it is
if it doesn’t help
then it doesn’t matter,
we will all be here today, tomorrow, other days
and so will you
xx

I knew it would happen sooner or later, I think I was beginning to believe this wasn’t so bad after all. I had a huge argument with a friend today, and it’s left me so upset all I can think about is scoffing lots of chocolate. I’ve resisted so far, but it’s just reminded me how much I am influenced by my emotions. I’m doubting myself and my ability to stick to this, I just want to cave and start again tomorrow.

I think be patient. I seem to be getting thinner everywhere, but was told the subcutaneous fat below the navel is last to go. Persisting with the BSD will definitely shift it eventually. 🙂

Hi BarrelOnLegs,

I just read your post and yes I agree we are way too hard on ourselves. As long as we’re not eating sugar and carbs we need to be more gentle on ourselves to ensure we stick with this long term – it IS long term and I keep going on and on and on in my head about 8 weeks but now have started gently telling myself – every day is a new day and I learn new skills and methods of eating clean.

I find counting calories difficult too – especially eating out or when I visit friends, I get so tempted to google things before I eat but I’ve now stuck with calculating chicken as I would Nando’s chicken breast.

Cold weather does make it hard, there is this constant thing that keeps me wanting some kind of warm something – I got this tip from the forums about bullion in water and that’s worked for me so maybe you can try that. I take one bullion cube and divide it into 4 so that its 5 calories per cup. This week i noticed I am finding it a bit salty so I have managed to get 5 servings of 4 calories each so happy happy me!

thanks for your reassurance rozydozy
I certainly have plenty of belly blubber
and yes I also had a tummy when young – but that was low tummy and due to an op

this is – well whole tummy
I just wonder because the fd helped it go down almost weekly and there are LOTS of inches to go!!

Yeah I suppose it was a bit weird at the time.
There were nowhere near as many recipes on site, almost all of them have been uploaded by the members over the last 4 months (is that really all it’s been? )
We all sort of got inventive and did some research re low carb flours etc, my first cocunut flour pancakes went straight into the bin with the frying pan still attached to them 😀
The great thing now, is that this place, while always being a brilliant source of support, is now a wonderful knowledge base and that knowledge has been accumulated by real people who have experienced the diet. 😀

It has just been on the radio news and is on the BBC website that T2 diabetics are missing out on weight loss surgery as that is the only way they can reverse their diabetes.