I would suggest that you forget all about Circadian Rhythms while you are on the BSD
It’s a known fact that shift workers experience different sleep and rhythm patterns to the rest of us 9 to 5’ers, so, in reality, as you sleep through the day, your sunrise and sunsets are reversed.
Trying to combine the 2 is a big ask. Other shift workers have found a way to do the plan that suits them, the main consideration is what kind of meals they can take to work depending on cooking facilities etc.
Try to find a way that suits you and stick with it.

Well done tallyhoo. Good that they agreed to you talking about reversing your diabetes : )

Short version:

My Doctor doesn’t want me to do the eight-week, 800-calorie diet.

What do I do?

Does anyone know a sympathetic Doctor in North London?

Long Version:

I’m a 55-year-old bloke who is paying the price for too many years of hard living (lots of food, drink, stress and staying up late. Not much exercise, moderation or common sense).

Four years ago I was diagnosed Type 2 and have never quite got on top of the condition. I’ve slowly descended into pharma hell. I now take:

Metformin 500mg X 4.
Gliclazide 80mg X 2.
Januvia 100mg X 1.
Simvastatin 10mg X 1.
Cardesartan 4mg X 1.

I’m 6ft (183cm) and my weight is steady around 14 stone 2lbs (90k).

I have a busy and stressful job that involves lots of travel and I tend to yoyo between ‘good diabetic control’ and being a bit crap.

After a bad HbAc1 (sorry I can’t remember the number) my doctor gave me a stiff talking to and ordered another test in three months. Unfortunately, I had a busy run of work and didn’t get myself sorted out.

This led to another ‘bad number’ and an even stiffer talking to with the threat of ‘injections’ as the next step. Something had to be done.

I’d heard a bit about the ‘Newcastle studies’ (well done Prof Taylor) and got on the internet, which, of course, led to the book (well done MM). I’ve done my best to understand the science, read the forums and come to the conclusion that 8X8 is something I want to try.

In the last three weeks I’ve been broadly following the post-diet diet (aiming at less that 2000 cal a day) and have brought my, self-tested, fasting blood sugar back under control.

I’ve also been preparing the ground for 8×8. My wife and family are supportive as is my boss – I can take a bit of time off if I need to and be office based for a while. The problem is my Doctor.

I wrote her a very carefully worded letter and attached Prof Taylor’s note for ‘professionals’ and other supporting material. Unfortunately, she was straight on the phone: “I don’t think you should do this… It could be dangerous… you’d go hypo etc etc”

I was disappointed, not least because it became clear that she hadn’t really read my letter or any of the supporting material (no blame here, she’s busy and, like every doctor, probably a bit fed up with patients who say: ‘I found this on the internet’ – I get it).

It was a difficult conversation On the upside she agreed to take a proper look at the research and have a think about what the 8×8 would mean for both of us. On the downside, she doesn’t strike me as someone who changes their mind.

So, what do I do if she doesn’t get on board?

As I understand it, the 8×8 requires the ‘tapering off’ of medication and that’s not something I’d feel entirely comfortable doing myself. I also think that having a doctor in some way ‘monitoring’ my progress would be a good thing.

Any ideas?

I heard it and will read the report with interest. I’ve been asked to take part in research by the Diabetes Alliance for Research in England – the Dare Study – this is looking into connections with inherited and environmental causes of diabetes and involves blood tests and looking at DNA. I was asked through my doctor’s surgery. When I spoke to them I said gladly yes, I’d be happy to be involved but in exchange I wanted to talk to them about me reversing my type 2 diabetes and the researcher said ‘oh, ok’. I’m going after I have my diabetic check with nursey today, and my hbiAc blood test results on Friday with doctor – I agree, we need to spread the word – I feel passionately that we need to help promote this to help other people. Just fingers crossed I get good results though!

Why don’t we organise an event ourselves – a conference if you like – getting us all together with positive medical people – promote to journalists etc with Dr M at the helm??

Hi Skywalker
what I think everyone forgets is that the human body is omnivorous, made to consume a whole range of foods very effectively.
The initial trouble never came from eating a variety of foods, including carbs, it came when the food processors started stuffing their products full of carbs and sugars and so overloaded the bodies natural systems.
I have no doubt that, once back into non diabetic levels, it will be safe to reintroduce a reasonable amount of carbs back into the diet without the devastating side effects, and by side effects, I don’t just mean diabetes but all the conditions that people are reporting improvements in.

^^^^^^^^
What Janey said 😉

had berries, walnuts and yog for breakfast – just hoping there is enough gaviscon in me to prevent reaction!!

the difference in carbs is of course humungous – 2 oatibix and ss milk = 290 cal and 41g carbs (perhaps minus 3.1g fibre)

todays is 193 cal and 5.3g carb

this is great – so long as my body doesn’t make a fuss

incidentally – when I was doing fd my waist got smaller but so far this bsd has not made any difference at all
so I am panicking a bit that maybe I am someone who is not letting go of tummy fat 🙁 really hope this isn’t so

LMAO
Izzy I do something similar re pants.
When they are too big they fall down
When they are too tight they don’t go on
When they fit, they usually only do it for a month then see “when they are too big”
😀 😀 😀

Thats a cracking first week result Steve, especially the fast drop in blood sugars.
Total success story in the making here I feel.

Hi JackieWilsonSaid, I think many of the Public Health organisations act like members of a virtual religion; always preaching, not aware of latest thinking and desperately slow to change or modernise. Perhaps the most effective job they do, is producing zealous converts to a new way of life (if I can say that without offending too many people?) Some of yesterday’s TV reports were worse than misleading and it just shows what a powerful grip the sugar lobby has on the food, media and medical worlds. Fat was used as a distraction from sugar and serves to confuse the general perception in the minds of the public that does not study things like BSD etc. Of course there are always those who want to jump on the bandwagon and do so by hanging on to the coat tails of higher profile entities, but the real message and many facts can be lost in the process. Anyway, that was my short “15 weeks in now” rant. Sorry!

confidence is probably half of every battle 🙂

Hope your trip is still going well and you guys are enjoying yourselves !

Morning fellow life changers 🙂

It’s weigh day for me and I’m down 2.5 lbs this week, just short of a stone in total so getting there at my own pace 🙂

bring on week 6, and well done to you all

Woo Hoo Steve, what a great start, keep it up and before you know it, 8 weeks will be over and this will just become part of the daily routine.
Try and remember also to drink at least 2-3 litres of water per day.
I’d you like to BSD800 diet, you don’t have to go onto the 5:2, you can just keep going as you are till you’ve lost the weight you’re happy with,. A lot on the plan are now over 16 weeks and still going strong.
Best of luck
Linda

It’s official weigh in and measure day!

scales haven’t moved since yesterday but as that is still a 2.5 lb drop this week I can’t really complain. Forgot to to FBS before I’d eaten so I’ll skip that this week as it isn’t needed.

I’ve lost another inch off my waist, 1.5 inches off my bust making 3 in total from waist, 2.5 in total from bust and 2.5 total from my hips. I’ve also been measuring one thigh and it’s down 1.5 inches in total as well, no wonder my work trousers are looser 🙂

In other work trouser related news I have discovered that when they are too tight… the zip falls down. When they fit perfectly (which was for maybe a fortnight) the zip stays up, and when they are too loose… yup the zip falls down haha. Oh well. I have two pairs waiting but they are two sizes smaller so don’t fit quite yet but it won’t be long.

breakfast yoghurt and strawberries,
lunch cheese, crackers, tomatoes, cucumber, branston pickle.
dinner… something made with pork mince. I’m thinking maybe stuffed courgette.

gotta go, bye all.

😂😂😂

end week one lost 5kg and my blood sugars are down from 12 to 4.3 so happy and not struggling at this point started walking on the treadmill but i did a 2klm run last night no problems first run in over a year and a half feeling good again things can only improve as time goes on cant wait till week twelve and i do my 3mth hb1c sugars test.

Hi All. I’m on day 12 and I have lost 4 Kg and regained 2 after a busy weekend of festivities.Now back on track, I realize that I will need to be very strict to maintain my BSD during my holiday in Singapore.Usually we eat out as guests of friends and family,so I will be obliged to eat.Any suggestions will be welcome

Nicky72 you will discover you made the correct decision. This diet improves your health as well as causing weight loss : )

I’ve got to say Dr Mosley that I have been looking forward to the day you produce the programme about this diet. It will change the lives of so many people : )

That is so funny Bill : )

Hi neohdriver,
Sending you my very best wishes for your surgery. Just know that you have a global reader audience with your good health and wellbeing in our collective consciousness.

Hi neohdiver the best of luck with your operation and recovery.

You are inspirational the way you deal with what life throws at you and the way you record and analyze what is happening to your diabetes during this diet x

I thought I’d bump this convo to the top again as it pertains to me. I work a mix of eight-hour shifts, varying from five night shifts (midnight to 0800) then three evening shifts (1600 to midnight) followed by a short day shift (0900 to 1300 – ok it’s a four-hour shift) then another evening shift, followed by four days off.

As you can see my Circadian Rhythm internals are in a panic. My partner Saga (on this forum) and I have just watched Michael on “Trust Me I’m a Doctor” talking about the best times to eat a meal so as to engage your Circadian Rhythms to benefit your health. It involves not eating before sunrise or after sundown. “But that means I don’t get to eat all night at work!” cry I.

What can anyone suggest?

FeltWicked.

Woolworths have low carb potatoes in NSW, I’ve been buying them for years. Still mostly avoiding them during the BSD.

Diabetes and breast cancer update.

On the diabetes front, I have resolved the question of whether it is weight loss or the diet. Since stopping early, and eating higher carb for roughly a week, my BG is higher than it was before I started the BSD – with no weight change. That tells me it is either the diet or the fasting that made the dramatic difference. If things don’t settle down, once I’m recovered from surgery, I’ll do a second full 8 week run at it (with a gradual off-ramp at the end) to see if it makes a difference.

As to breast cancer – I switched doctors after my last post. The new doctor found a second lesion and an enlarged lymph node. Both have been biopsied, and have come back negative. (Whew.) Surgery (lumpectomy) is scheduled for tomorrow morning, bright and early!

Hi Cherrianne,

Cacao nibs – use them in the guilt free brownies from the recipe in the 8 week BSD book. I’ve bought them from the health food shop and the organic aisle at the major supermarkets.

How are you going Cherrianne? Strange, but I was thinking of you last week-end when we had smoke everywhere from ‘controlled burn offs’ in the national park. I’d remembered you mentioning about smoke from bushfires in one of your posts.
Best wishes.

Hi Sinp@3ia,

Welcome to the forums and the BSD way of life. We’re all here because we want a healthier life. Embrace the 3 principles of the BSD:
the diet, exercise and mindfulness meditation.
Best wishes.

Yesterday was 6 weeks and I feel like have stalled for ages. Still doing it but it’s just so frustrating not losing the lumpy stuff that should be going.

Hi keeptrying
Thanks very much for the link. I’ve printed the report! Yes, we need open discussion, argument & publicity! Carbs are out of the closet now & as I’ve been saying & reading about for a long time, it’s Big Bucks – US dollars & £ – that are at stake; NOT OUR HEALTH!
We’ll change that. 👍

Can I have a slice of that pie please ……..I love pie!x

Hi Christi1948,
The mix from the health food shop sounds delicious. It should work a treat. My experience to date with the BSD has been to search for low carb alternatives, especially for favorite dishes. eg having steamed cauliflower on the plate where the potato would have been previously. Psychologically it works for me.

Hi captainlynne,
God’s speed. Bon voyage. Have a great holiday.

Hi ay caramba
Had to post & run this am. Well done on all fronts. I think you had ‘white coat syndrome ‘ with the BP? Chin up you’ve worked hard for those results. 10 readings a day? That’s one every hour you’re awake just about!! A bit OTT? Never mind, just do it & don’t fret. Keep hydrated too. You will get there & certainly deserve to 👍 💐

Hi janet1973,
How are things going with you? I haven’t seen any posts from you for a while, although I have been a bit distracted for a little while, I haven’t had a lot of time to read the forum threads, so forgive me if I’ve missed you, I hope you are still doing the bsd diet, or have you reached your target?
Christine.

Hi Bill
I’m on week 16, finish it Sunday. I started a week after you. You started 1st Feb & posted 2nd. Look at your first Topic post!! You should already be in residence ???
Sweep up for me please 😀

Wow well done 😊 I’ve just done my first day which I must say I haven’t found to bad. I hope in 3 weeks I can be posting something similar on here. Nicky

Thanks for the ideas 🙂

I cut the carrots lengthways and thinly, but they might work better cut like chips (fries for the americans among us) I miss parsnips too, but I think a little would be ok.

I don’t often fast for long, only on weekends it is a later breakfast, so I might go 15 or more hours sometimes.

I’ve just ordered 4kg of almond flour… pancakes coming up lol, and more experiments!

Now I think I best head to bed, feeling sleepy, night all

Hi Girlybrewer, Welcome, well done and just keep focussed on your goals, small at first until you get into the swing of it. many of us are 13 weeks or more in and have experienced the ups and downs. Use the search bar above and glean all you can. The book is a guide, don’t beat your self up. Eat well, eat less drink and exercise when you can and do not worry about anything. If you cut down on white foods and sugar in particular you will likely succeed just like most of us have. Cheerio for now…

Hi Christine

I travel to London next Tuesday, stay at airport hotel overnight, then fly to Bologna on Wednesday morning. Fly back on Friday 10th June and train home same day unless delayed.

Checked out the food for dinner at hotel – nothing I could eat. Thought about going to the airport-that was better. But then checked out Kings Cross Station for food – lots of choice of food to take away. 😃 So I’ll get off the train, get some food, then a Tube out to Heathrow. Bus to hotel, check in, then curl up in my room for the evening. 😃 Should have time for the included cooked breakfast next morning (I’ll check in online before I leave home) before bus back to airport so I’ll not need any food at airport or on plane. 😃

Hi Izzy – I’ve been using raw white cabbage for dips instead of bread, lovely and crunchy! I’ve had it with hummus and taramasalata, (and spread with marmite), but I’m sure it would go well with salsa too – and lower carb than carrot.

Polly – I’ve just got in, was about to cook, and realised that I’m really not hungry – so a 600cal day with 40 carbs, and if I don;t eat until about 9am tomorrow, that will be 20 hours.
The BBC had a program on a few months ago where they’d researched with a test group the impact of breakfasting later, and having an evening meal early, with no snacks, effectively giving a longer overnight fast on a daily basis (as opposed to 5:2)
its no longer on iplayer, but a write up about on the link below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35290671

Hi Switzerland,
I found something similar to your LSA mix at our local health food store, they didn’t have LSA, however I’ve got a packet of mixed, milled flaxseeds, ( which is the same as linseed, just a different name) almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and co-enzyme q10! I also got some sunflower seeds, so I will grind them and then mix the two bags together and see what it’s like.
I might even do what you suggest and do the ‘recipe’ you gave me, as well.
Christine

😃

Hi Bill

Hope you’re feeling better. Soon be in the 16 week clubhouse. 😃

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/22/official-advice-to-eat-low-fat-diet-is-wrong-says-health-charity#comment-74850785

^ The link to the guardian article on this – it is very frustrating that those with vested interests just keep repeating the same old useless ‘advice’.

Hi Lynne,
Thank you, I will definitely have to get new underwear, I got vouchers for my birthday in April, so might use them for underwear, I’ll get into my trousers soon!
You sound like you are getting organised for your hols, how long are you going for?
Christine

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/22/official-advice-to-eat-low-fat-diet-is-wrong-says-health-charity#comment-74850785

That’s the link to the guardian article on it. I sense that big food co inc. has far too much of a vested interest in this not to try and poke holes in it.

Call me cynical but it’s the perfect setup. ‘Food’ makes us sick and then big pharma co inc. can sell us lots of awful damaging drugs that themselves need more drugs to treat the side effects. Very neat. Grrrr

Hi Izzy,

did you cut the carrots lengthways? I really miss parsnips 🙁 they’d make great crisps but they have a high sugar content I think. Maybe celeriac chips would work though. Hmm may have to try that 🙂

Am mostly not eating for 23 hours at thye moment to see if the longer fasting period helps. It definitely makes me drink more

welcome back 🙂

I definitely find posting daily keeps me focussed! Well done for pulling it back with your meal choices.

I find the weekends harder as well but I use the time to try new recipes to keep me looking forward to my meals rather than nibbling things I shouldn’t. Hope next weekend is better for you.

Best of luck to everyone. I have had my lipase retest done as well as amylase tested. The news is all great with lipase now down to 84 so still outside range but acceptable but amylase was good and liver function test had every test in the black with sugar of 5.7.

I am a success from this diet and feel proud and happy so hope others gets to achieve the same smiles.

Dinner was good 🙂

I’ve pondered the grief over the loss of chilli Doritos, that I previously would have eaten in copious amounts with chilli (and rice, but I miss the doritos more…)

So… I used a slicer to cut carrot crisps, tossed them in salt, chilli powder and a teaspoon of olive oil, baked in the oven till turning crisp. They were good! only problem is they shrink a bit so you don’t get too much bang for your buck but still… enough to kill a craving.

I made chicken chilli to eat with it. One chicken breast cooked with a small onion, crushed garlic, two chopped tomatoes (I threw in skin and seeds I’m not fussy) and chilli. Cooked it till the tomatoes turned mushy and saucy and it was also yum.

My friend seems to have got off to a great start today as well. Happy Mondays 🙂

Not posted for four days. Four days that I found hard. I am realising I do find weekends hard. But back to it properly today (no extra houmous etc sneaking in) and spent yesterday reflecting. Realised writing on here helps keep me focused so I’m back!
Today- weird start as hadn’t been food shopping. Started munching some old cereal without thinking but did stop before the end of the bowl! Went shopping and now sorted for the week, and managed to pull back the calories with meal choices.
lunch: scrambled egg and smoked salmon
din: chicken caesar salad
x