Latest forum posts

  • posted by  hashimoto on Day One
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hi napangardi, welcome to the forums!
    Some of the aimless eating on a night will be due to the wine! It reduces inhibitions and makes you feel like snacking.
    Cut the wine out – I know – for 8 weeks and see the weight melt away πŸ™‚

    Best of luck! πŸ™‚

  • posted by  feistychick on Kia ora! Any other NZers on here?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Kia Ora fellow kiwis – I’m from the Bay of Plenty. First day on BSD – so far, so good. Had a beautiful walk along Papamoa beach this afternoon. Lots of people out enjoying the amazing day and the long liners were getting lots of fish.

  • posted by  Tallyhoo on Im about to start and have some questions
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hi Lainey – also welcome! I’m just starting week 13 and still sticking to the 800 calories, blood sugars have halved and doc says may take me off meds! Have lost 2 1/2 stone – which I think by my maths is about 16 kilos. I’ve pretty much followed the recipes in the book and did the same as you, cleared out everything else. Some recipes I really love and I’ve adapted some of my old ones. One tip for me was to painstakingly go through the recipes for the first week and write down a massive shopping list so I had the whole week planned really helped, did this each week. Also my husband was happy to have most of the foods and as a consequence he’s also lost about 8 kilos.

    The forum is fantastic and it’s just awesome to see just how many people are achieving incredible results – off to have my fresh raspberries and full fat natural yoghurt for breakfast – yum!

    Good luck…………

  • posted by  Hawks on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
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    Well done TrishaDawn. It is great having progress markers like that. I too find the social events problematic, but don’t dwell on them. Progress still happens even with blips along the way.

  • posted by  Hawks on Day One
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hi Paula, Well done on getting started. Hello to the inner Hebrides too! I have a relative on Coll and have visited there and Tiree, but didn’t make it to any other islands .They were beautiful, and actually reminded me of parts of NZ in a way, but each had its own character too. One funny memory is of being mobbed by a lot of *very* friendly Eriskay ponies while out walking.

    I have been drinking quite a bit of sparkling water and lime, or lemon. I find it useful for the not hungry but want to eat times, as the fizz is filling, slow for me to drink, and a good distraction.

  • Hi Feisty Chick and Napangardi, I’m also starting today. I’ve got about 15kg to lose. I’ve got kids (12 years, 11 years and 10 years) and I’m still trying to work out how I am going to manage the family meals. I’m going to start by feeding everyone something similar to what I am having, with a few extras thrown in for them.

    I had an aborted start yesterday as I had to be out for most of the day and while I started off well, it just wasn’t going to work for the full day. Yesterday I had the Mushroom and Salmon Stack for brunch. OMG that was so yummy!

    Today I’ve gone been doing my own thing. Breakfast was yoghurt, blueberries and little bit of rolled oats. I had the Green Tea & Blueberry shake for morning tea. After drinking the shake I realised that the calories in the book are out … instead of 100 calories it comes in closer to 240 calories! I’m going to have to make some adjustments to the rest of the day to compensate for that!

    Hawks, that sounds like good advice with the zucchini.

  • Welcome Feistychick and Napangardi!
    I hope you both enjoy the journey.
    I can’t answer from experience about feeding kids, but one way to deal with preparing meals that suit others in a family could be to ensure that the meal has any carb separate, and leave that off your plate, and keep an eye on your portion sizes. I find I don’t miss the rice with curries, for example, if I make the sauce thick enough, by simply reducing it down a bit longer when I cook – no thickener.
    Another option is to do a substitute for the carbs: thin slices of zucchini instead of pasta, for example. I did a lasagne that way and it was better than the pasta version. The sauce was a no flour bechamel and worked well too.

  • posted by  Lainey on Im about to start and have some questions
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Tomorrow I am starting my BSD lifestyle. I’ll be doing the 800cal BSD and have about 30kg to get rid of (I’m in New Zealand so not sure what that equates to in pounds, but it’s a lot) so I plan to do the 800 for longer than 8 weeks. I have Type 2 diabetes and I get my bloods done tomorrow so it will be good to see the improvement once I’ve started. I sent away for the book and it arrived on Friday, since then I have been doing a pantry and fridge clear out. I’m going to follow most of the recipes in the book however I don’t do very well on beans or lentils so I’ll be giving them a miss. I’ve been reading the forums and there are some impressive results, so hopefully I will do just as well. All the best everyone. Lainey

  • posted by  De13 on Over the 8-week line and after
    on in Fast 800
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    I’m entering wk 8 and like others am finding this diet soooo very easy. I’ve lost 8+ kilos and will continue for another 8wks so that I can lose another 5 or so. I’m 57 and my weight was gradually creeping up through menopause. I didn’t want to end up a diabetic like my mum, so off it had to come. I’ve been very strict; not even tempted by chocolate over Easter. I’m amazed that I’m rarely hungry, cos before dieting I always felt hungry. Good luck to all those about to try it or already following it; you’ll feel amazing and it’s extra wonderful when other people notice the difference.

  • Hi feisty chick, good to read that there is another person commencing today with same goals . I am somewhat older as my children are 18 and almost 21. I am now on my own as have moved away to take on another position. I thought that solo living would be a good stimulus but an afraid I have put on a few kilos since January. Anyway, wishing you all success and here.s to a positive journey. I had the pea a, spinach omelette and it was really tasty. Off to lunch with friends tomorrow so am going to check out menu before hand and will calculate my calories etc. there is never a right time to begin so taking the first step is the best solution! Napangardi

  • Jani123 – The formal diet doesn’t have a carb limit. Many people here import one from somewhere else – nothing wrong with that (I loosely follow the carb cap I’ve been using for 6 months), but if you’re just looking to follow the BSD, you need to watch the kind of carbs you eat – but not particularly the quantity (especially if you’re using book recipes). If you’re eating healthy fats, and 60 or so grams of protein, and sticking to 800 calories, the carbs will work themselves out.

  • My journey begun today and I can honesty say I’m really looking forward to making a positive change in my life. I need to lose 40kg but losing the 20kg that has crept on in the last two years would be a great start.

    Had the toasted portabello mushrooms with goats cheese and pine nuts for breakfast. Then spent the morning prepping two lunches for the work week, cooking lentils and black eyed peas for dinners this week, and had the capsicum and jewelled feta for lunch – yummo! My husband and children are away this week (school holidays in NZ) so I can be completely focused. I work full-time while my husband is at home with the kids – he also does all the cooking so I will need to build in BSD recipes into the meal plan.

    What are other people doing with family and children? I don’t want to make a big deal of mummy eating differently as I have two daughters (8 and 6) and I remember my mother was always on diets (which I’m sure has an impact on my relationship with food).

    Looking forward to being part of this positive forum. Now I’m off for a long walk along the beach.

  • posted by  jillyB on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hi Lucia,
    I am an Aussie and can report that the weather is beautiful, sunny and calm…..all this in spite of being in the second month of autumn ! Today is Anzac Day so is a public holiday. Thousands of people turned up for the dawn service at our Shrine of Remembrance….as it was pretty cold at that time of the morning they were well rugged up. It’s a very moving and emotional time. Later, mid morning, we have a parade of veterans down one of our largest roads with thousands of people going to watch and cheer them on. The very elderly are driven in the march, and later they mostly convene at pubs to chat with old comrades and remember all their friends who fell.

    jilyB

  • posted by  Napangardi on Day One
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hi, day one and I am determined to reprogram my body… I have been reading Michael”s book for six weeks and today I thought just do it…. Have some concerns as I like my wine at night and I find that I eat aimlessly at night but will look at what I can do to avoid this. Have just started reading various posts and am motivated… Napangardi

  • posted by  TrishaDawn on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi, I have been on and off this diet since the beginning of March, but had problems due to a couple of family birthdays including my own, Easter, a couple of family lunches and a high tea.

    I don’t usually have such a busy social life, just bad timing. I decided to put it all behind me and start over again a week ago.

    My first week back on the diet and I’m down 800 grams. Which is really good for me, I’m short, not young and don’t exercise nearly enough. From the 1st March when I first began, to today, a week into my second beginning, I’ve lost a total of 4 kilos. I’m more than happy with that. Some days it’s a real struggle not to give in, but since I gain weight so quickly off the diet and take so long to re-lose it, I’ve managed to stick it out.

    While I know the BMI doesn’t always give a true picture, I’m thrilled to be now in the overweight category instead of being classed as obese.

  • posted by  Ingenue on Rye Crispbread
    on in Fast 800
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    I eat Ryvita and it doesn’t seem to affect my bloods , for instance 1 sesame Ryvita is 5.8 carbs but 1.8 is fibre no net carbs is 4, use them as a treat with some thinly sliced cheese, hummus or peanut butter

  • posted by  Switzerland on Day One
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hi everyone,….I’d never thought of freezing slices lemons/limes. Thanks for the idea hashimoto, and my weekly budget thanks you too.

  • posted by  Switzerland on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi everyone,

    Lucia, here in Australia we’re commemorating ANZAC day today. A pretty busy time. Many of us attend ANZAC marches/parades.
    It’s been a long weekend, with the public holiday today, so I imagine lots of Aussies are ‘out and about’.

  • posted by  Ingenue on tell me your favourite meals.
    on in Fast 800
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    I am a bit of a grazer so take my breakfast and lunch to work but divide it into 4 little pots as it seems t keep me fuller longer

    1small Apple sliced with 1tsp hummus

    1 pot kale chips with 6 cashew nuts

    1slice of ham with chopped salad veggies

    4 mini fish balls (home made with ground fish, seasoning and small amount ground almonds)

    I also drink lots of water with lemon

    For dinner tonight fried up 2 pepper and 1tomato with olive oil till very soft and scrambled two eggs into it

  • posted by  AnnaandAlfie on tell me your favourite meals.
    on in Fast 800
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    I agree with the breakfast here and sometimes add a fresh fig or a kiwi for variety.
    Last week I had chicken sliced and fried up with with leeks, peppers, a sliced green chilli, stirred in some spinach and some mushrooms and a spoonful of Creme fraiche on top. Served with courgetti. Yummy

  • posted by  AnnaandAlfie on Spiraliser
    on in Fast 800
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    Hashimoto, that recipe with the garlic and chilli sounds really good! The courgetti take seconds to stir fry but I’ve never thought about baking them in the oven as Izzy suggests – any ideas on temp or time?
    Also any advice on butternut squash or sweet potato either with the ribbon blade or as ‘rice’?

  • posted by  hashimoto on Im about to start and have some questions
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi nicolaan, I was terrified about eating fat after decades of being brainwashed into eating low fat sugar filled crap. For the first 2 weeks I clung to my low fat yoghurt and….felt hungry!
    Recently haf a cholesterol test – guess what? My cholesterol is lower after weeks of full fat!

    Go on, be a devil and treat yourself to some scrummy FF yoghurt πŸ™‚

  • posted by  pmshrink on Over the 8-week line and after
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi Judith
    That is so frightening, just walking into such terrible health problems knowing he could avoid it. It can’t even be ‘it won’t happen to me’ because it already is.
    Penny

  • posted by  captainlynne on Over the 16-week line
    on in Fast 800
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    Judith, as long as the cooked breakfast is ok I’ll be happyπŸ˜ƒ Might come home looking like a rabbit if I have nothing else to eat but salad😱 Can’t remember what the Internet access is like, but will try and check in each day. Leaving about 12 tomorrow, back late Thursday afternoon. Food in fridge and freezer so I don’t have to worry about it when I get back.

  • posted by  pmshrink on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi georgiarose
    Another possibility is a blood pressure spike that can happen from a lot of coffee. That can certainly cause dizziness. I don’t know if it causes blacking out. Good luck at the doc.
    Penny

  • posted by  Eureka on Rising Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi lachlanh
    You have tried hard with this diet & I’m sorry this isn’t the result you hoped for. A lower HbA1c is really good.
    Perhaps you could still post occasionally to tell us how you are. Best wishes to you.
    Eureka

  • posted by  hashimoto on Day One
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Glad to hear day 2 went well Paula πŸ™‚
    I was thinking the freezing lemons/limes would be good on the island.

    I got sick of wasting half lemons what is why I started freezing slices πŸ™‚

  • posted by  Christi1948 on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Lucia,
    My favourite ice cream is pistachio, last year at Cromer I found one called salted caramel, so it’s a toss up now between the two!
    I hope you enjoyed every last slow morsel.
    Christine

  • posted by  Cherrianne on Day one…here I go…!!!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hi Ali,
    Patsy is quite right. A little bit over on the cals won’t matter, you are keeping the carbs right down and that really is the key to good blood sugar control and weight loss. Rather you than me with the 5am starts lol πŸ™‚

  • posted by  orchid on tell me your favourite meals.
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Izzy, I agree with Patsy – but make sure it is full fat Greek (style) yogurt. I add seeds (linseeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds) and almonds to it with a little cinnamon. Lovely breakfast and very filling.

  • posted by  lachlanh on Rising Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi Cherrianne and all

    Sorry I haven’t been on this for a while. I have tried the low carb approach for a couple of weeks but still getting the high readings unfortunately. I have been to see a specialist consultant and with great sadness I have to tel, you all that it seems my diabetes is not reversible. So I’m back on the metformin and looking to manage my condition. The good news is that my second hba1c result is drastically less than what is was when first diagnosed I have the blood sugar diet to thank for that. I will be getting a scan to confirm my condition but because of my weight ( i.e. I weigh so little now) it seems most likely that my pancreas is just not working well enough and there is little I can do. However, that is not to say that this can’t work for everyone else I certainly hope it does so I wish you all the best with continued progress.
    Lachlan

  • posted by  Paula on Day One
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Great tip Hashimoto. I have just made myself a glass of iced sparkling water and lemon. Love the sound of mint and lime… That’s one to try for sure. I’d never thought of freezing them either – very canny lol and on the Island it pays to be able to stock up in advance….

    Thanks Patsy, yes that’s very true! It’s certainly something to aim for. I’ll certainly feel like a little celebration if I can fit into a dress without a fat belly lol.

    Well Day Two has nearly passed and I don’t feel at all hungry or deprived. It’s quite astounding how well you can eat on 800 calories. Here’s to Day 3 and thank you for your support πŸ™‚

  • Thanks for your replies. OH does eat dairy and eggs (and will eat Quorn although doesn’t especially like food that looks/tastes/pretends to be meat). Thanks for confirming the 50g carb limit Venusflytrap. I know when he starts he will become quite obsessive about measuring everything but we originally became vegetarian when on the (original) F-Plan diet many years ago so this low-carb dieting is another complete turnaround for us.