Hi Lucia,

……I remember the pottage….and the going to sleep when it was dark and rising with the sun…..the long Winters were the worst.
But, I did get a lot of exercise milking the cows….and I never got smallpox, thanks to the cowpox (there would have been a medieval nobel prize for medicine in that if they’d existed!)

Seriously though Lucia – I have a parsnip recipe that dates from those times – not low carb though (mashed parsnip, cream, nutmeg – top with fresh breadcrumbs, dot with butter and bake.) Definitely not on the menu thanks to the parsnips and the breadcrumbs!

I’ve just finished dinner – cauliflower pizza – home made pizza is a Friday night tradition in my home.

Have a great day.

Wooohoooo to Switzerland, congratulations!! – it’s like a massive healthy makeover body and mind. 🙂

Impressive work Alanhypno on all that weight loss! – I hope the bs must come around eventually – there’s probably a lot going on inside that you can’t measure and some day soon it’ll catch up.

Tallyhoo funny about tankini maybe you could hang on the kitchen wall :-))))

Can’t believe it’s the end of my second work week on this – feeling absolutely fine, well fed and happy! (And for all you starting out, I complained of feeling like a zombie for the first week so it doesn’t take long!)
Hope to be on here Monday morning with another bit lost – weekends are harder and easier at once – more food options (but that’s a good thing really! as more choices), and more chances to get outside and exercise. See you all Monday morning!! And even if I don’t lose a huge amount, I’m just going to be patient, follow the principles and wait for it to happen because it will!! And I will mentally line up those bags of sugar of what I have lost too :-))) Have good Friday everyone!

Thanks so much for the advice – is there a maximum number of carbs we should be having? I couldn’t find any figures in the book, but it might be helpful?

Fabulous! Congratulations! So encouraging to us new starters!

First four days and feel great. Had one small ciabatta roll last night and one the night before, but still have lost 1.5 kg. Can I really lose more? Haven’t been able to get below 71 kg. in close to 20 years. Will check in every few days as I need to tell someone about what I am doing!

Hi Switzerland,
All we had was pottage.
Like veggie casserole.
With all the manual work, it kept my weight down but I probably was a TOFI.
The good thing about the days, was, I got up with the sun and went to bed when it went dark.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Interesting that this topic went to the dogs (ha, ha)…but actually found the same for my dogs. Have one dog who has suffered with severe skin disorders for years…lots of steroids, etc. Finally put her on a raw diet, and she is great! Now I’m on the BSD and feeling pretty darned good, too.

Encouraging! Keep up the good work. I started the diet only four days ago after a real chocolate pig-out the night before. I have already lost 1.5 kg. I have also started climbing the stairs at work instead of taking the elevator. It’s not a big deal – only 4 stories, but it is at least something. Also trying to stand up every 1/2 hour in the evenings. BTW, I’m a new Kiwi!

Great beginnings

I am much in the same boat as you. Not diabetic but overweight with family history. I am now able to eat free of the ‘big’ carbs. I plan to eat at 800 for eight weeks from the 1st June and feel a bit scared of the weighting food and calorie counting bit. At the moment I am losing weight at a pound a day. I don’t miss the bread, cakes, rice, pasta, sweets, sugar nor the alcohol.

Hello JCH187! I will have finished my first week end of Sunday. Mum has lost 7lb 1oz already and I have lost 5 and a half pounds. We’re both motivated although I am finding it more difficult than mum. We’re not diabetic either but we both need to lose some weight and have past problems with carb and sugar cravings.

Morning Collie, yes my 2 are really healthy on their raw diet. My vet was sceptical but reluctantly agrees now. Dogs definitely weren’t made to eat lots of carbs. I’d rather have your breakfast than theirs! I had Greek yog, chopped cucumber and mint and paprika. A sort of riata. Delish!

Hi Nanoo, you could ask for a repeat test earlier. As I understand it the test gives an average for your blood sugar over the last three months, it does not mean that you have to wait three months to take it again.

Hi Bissell I feed my 3 collies raw they are so healthy on it in fact they feed better than me until know of course . Today they had goats milk and a chicken wing for breakfast. Me yoghurt and berries !!!!!

Well done fantastic so happy for you have a great day x

I’m just coming to the end of my first week, changed everything about the way I eat and I’m seeing the benefits already. I have a lot to lose but I’m very motivated, I need to change. I’m not diabetic or prediabetic but with my weight and family history it’s only a matter of time.

How is everyone else doing?

Alan don’t be sad – it’s so easy to concentrate on the negatives but the positives are amazing – you’ve done so well and in just 6 weeks. It took me ages before I began to see a change in my blood sugar results – I know most people have seen them drop dramatically very quickly but I didnt. I kept on with my drugs and just halved my metformin only a few weeks ago and now my bs readings are steadily in the 5.5/5.7 region BUT I am still on 1000mg metformin (am seeing doc this morning to see if I can come off now though).

Don’t worry – they will come down – I’m in week 17 and the important thing is we’re doing it for the rest of our lives!

3 stone 5 lbs down btw…………….if you decide to go back on the pills that’s fine – try again in a few weeks maybe – concentrate on how fantastically you’re doing with the weight loss – go and buy some fabulous piece of clothing or try on something old which is too big.

I tried on a pair of tankini bottoms I was going to through away (like a bikini bottom but bigger btw) and my husband and I laughed so much – so baggy and looked just like a nappy – I’m keeping them to remind me!!!

Hi Frog, I used to live somewhere smaller without a shop and found it frustrating having to get the car out every time I needed something small I’d forgotten to stock up on. I like small places but I also like a bit of convenience and I like to walk. Our shop here is quite good and open til 10, so no cake after then lol.

Now, can I have a drumroll please?! thankyou…. I have a minor announcement. IZZY HAS CRACKED THE STONE MARK….yay I’m down 1lb since Tuesday so that’s me lost 1stone and 0.5 lb 🙂 very pleased. I guess I’m one of those candidates who will only lose 10% in the first 8 weeks, maybe even a little less depending on the next 2.5 weeks. I need to lose another 3.5 lb’s to hit my 10% so it is both possible and just as likely to be just under. I guess we will see, but I’m not too worried in fairness. Happy to have lost a stone and happy to keep going.

Not sure what the day will hold for food, I haven’t planned yet. I will check in later 🙂

20 stone at the start
Today week 7 I am 17 stone 9 pounds 😇

Sadly my bs not as dramatic ,morning erratic and last night 6.1 before dinner 8.5 couple hours after.
Maybe I will have to go back on my pills again ,sadly

Alan happy sad

Sooo on the scales this morning
End of week 7
This week I dropped four yes 4 pounds
Start weight 20-00 stone now 17-9lb
Think I’ll celebrate with huge English breakfast mmmm

Sadly my bs not coming down as quick 6.1 before last nights dinner couple hours later 8.5

Alan happy sad !

Day 5 saw a 100g drop. Sufficient for the target I have in mind, and the trend continues. Almost got my hamstrings back in full function and off the ice packs so daily exercise will soon make a reentry to the daily schedule to speed things along.
The mindfulness also starting up. That reminder to take a few minutes off the conveyer belt of life is proving to be an unexpected helpful addition.
Keep at it folks!

Thanks for the encouragement. I think you are right about sluggish metabolism, from which I suffer too.

frustrating isn’t it Jackianne
I lost lots the first couple of days, then have been see sawing up and down between half a kilo (99..2/99.7/99.5 etc) – even though I am a bit more active and easily eating a fifth of the calories that I used to )and probably 10% or less of the carbs) I need to really up the exercise I think – but swimming a mile sounds impressive, so that doesnt seem to be the problem for you.
I figure that I have had this extra weight for many, many years, and it will take a while for my sluggish metabolism to kick in.

Good luck with it, persevere!

many people seem to use myfitness pal – I started off wasting a couple of hours creating a lovely complex spreadsheet, then switched over to myfitnesspal. (and allarmingly discovered I’d registered an account with them three years ago when I was 15k heavier!)
there’s a similar one http://www.caloriecount.com which I’ve used in the past- both count a range of nutrients including fat and carbs,

the important thing to remember is that users add to the database – so you do get erroneous entries, If I enter something new, for me, I cross check the nutrients on the database with the packet or supermarket site for the item, just to ensure its accuracy.

I did record a loss of two pounds at the end of week three, but have now gone up by a pound. Oh dear. Fewer than 800 yesterday, swam a mile and played 18 holes of golf.

Poor dogs, glad to hear they;re better now.
Like us, they;r digestive systems were reacting to something they’re not used to,

Hi Isabel, maybe it’s the fibre that’s making your bowels, urm, ‘overactive”? Hopefully it will settle down! The diet has had the opposite effect on me, as with some of the others. I’ve had irritable bowels for, ooh, 30 years I guess. Urgency and frequency every morning, avoiding eating breakfast if I had to go out straight away, that sort of thing. Now, I only go every other day and feel fine. What a relief! Also, without wishing to be gross (!) my dogs are normally on a raw meat diet. Small firm poo, once a day. They had to be on kibble (carb rich) for a few days,: looser bulky poos several times a day. Back on the raw meat now, thank goodness! The dogs that is. 😀

Hi all, I am very excited to start my new journey to a healthier me. Day one started. Look forward to all your stories and suggestions. Motivation and consistency will be a challenge but all in all should be ok for 8 weeks. Just wondering if anyone can suggest an app or site on web that tracks your calorie intake in a no fuss and easy manner. I have used “spark people” in the past and find it pretty good. Other suggestions? all the best on all your travels… Pam 🙂

So cool Switzerland
I wish you every success😀
Linda

👌

Mia77 to start is the right beginning. 🌟

congratulations Switzerland, thanks for your thoughts on what worked for you – lots of best wishes for the follow on plan

So, yesterday was the end of Week 8 for me. My weight is down 1.2 kgs this week, making a total of 9.1 kgs. My waist measurement is down 8 cm in total.
The BSD Fast 800 has been such a success for me. Having tried many ‘diets’ this is the only time I’ve achieved such successful stats.
What worked for me? Eating low carb med style 800 calories a day has taught me that I can be satiated on that amount of food as long as it’s the right food. Over the 8 weeks I’ve continued to learn and grow in knowledge (both of what to eat and when to eat it so I don’t become driven by seeking out the wrong foods). I persist with the goal of 10 000 steps/day – I’ve learnt to be kind to myself surrounding this goal when I am time poor and I make it up the following day. Mindfulness meditation – it works for me – investing a small amount of time daily comes back ten fold in how I can better manage situations that arise.
These forums have been (and will continue to be) so valuable. Everyone’s contributions make a difference. So, if you’re reading this and have never posted – don’t be shy – hop on a thread and start or continue a conversation)
Where to now? I have a way to go before I reach my goal. The BSD has become a way of life for me and I’ve commenced BSD 5:2 today and will continue it until I reach my goal.
Happy days.

Hi Davena
Don’t worry about it – if you’re sticking to the principles of the diet, drink lots and and not cutting back on fat, that should help keep you feeling full.
I’ve not been particularly hungry ether (day 8) – but to be honest, I have been overeating for so many years, I’m not entirely sure I really know what hungry feels like!
Bored/craving food or sweet stuff, yes, lots – but that’s often when I know I can’t be hungry because I’ve just eaten.

I’ve had a few days under 800, and a couple a bit over (none over 1,000) – the only big slip up that I’ve had was one evening when I got in latish one evening, thought “I’m not hungry” and didn’t bother to eat supper.
Later on I had a piece of cheese , only 30g, surprisingly tiny, but it contained more calories than the meal I’d planned, then sometime after midnight, TWO snack pack of Oat Cake things.

I’m on day 2 and think I may be overeating as I don’t feel too hungry! I’m keeping tabs on my eating by using an online calorie counter/menu diary. It SEEMS as if I’m within my 800 cals a day limit but, still, I don’t feel very hungry. *worried*

thanks Izzy – I’m a bit worried about sticking to BSD while I;m away though!
I had a long conversation with the friend I’m staying with about what I can/can’t eat.

I’ve loved living in London, and the brilliant thing about being able to live so centrally is that I don’t spend hours commuting, but after 30+ years here I am starting to get itchy feet.
I had a job outside of London a few years ago, I kept my flat here and rented near where I was working – SIX miles from buying a pint of milk! The first weekend there I did the biggest supermarket shop ever – just so I didn’t run out of anything.
Here I have mini supermarkets – Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury within a five minute walk, open til around 11pm, plus a couple of independent 24 hour supermarkets about ten minutes away. Big temptation if I get cake or chocolate cravings late at night!

well done on the loss Leanne
It’s always good to have something to help visualise what you’ve managed to loose – and when it’s something – or someone – you can carry (just), it helps you realise what a strain you’ve been putting your body under lugging it around 24/7.

Hi Leeanne,
That’s so good – well done. It keeps it real when you can physically see the amount of weight you’ve lost (your granddaughter) plus more (I guess she’s to young to hold 2lbs butter while you have her in your arms!)
Best wishes.

Hi ColandClaire,

Well done. As you said, there are so many healthy BSD food choices. It’s so much easier to walk past the tempting foods when no longer driven by carb cravings. Looking forward to reading of your progress.
Enjoy your new way of life together.

Loving the results I’m getting, despite major cravings this afternoon!! However, my question is, if I am successful and I can reverse my diabetes after 8 weeks, my A1C test will still be high because of the previous 4 weeks, so although I will be technically non-diabetic, my doctor will still want me to take medication for another 3 months. Is this the case, and if so what should I do?

Hi happy life,
Thank you, yes feeling a lot better, have kick started the ‘diet’ and am back on track, Although today I have been cold (again) tired and had headache! That I can cope with if I’m losing weight
Christine

👍👍👍👍

Hi Judith,
Welcome back? I have missed you, where have you been, never mind, I’m glad you’re back
Christine

Hi trees,
I’m am officially jealous!!
I started the diet in February, I was 14.9lb and size 20, I have lost 2.2lb and am in size, barely, 18 bottoms and 16 tops, captain Lynne is the same as you! It’s not fair, I’m not playing anymore!
Oh I know everyone is different, and I am pear shaped, I’m just having a winge.
Well done on your weight loss, especially as you have had to put up with a lot recently.
Christine

I look after my youngest granddaughter one day a week. She’s 11 months old. She’s a chubby cutie! Today I decided to get on the scales whilst holding her. I was flabbergasted when I discovered I’d lost her equivalent body weight plus 2lbs extra. She’s heavy to carry and you know you’ve got her! No wonder my knees feel better!!

Hi julia18togo,
I have a daughter doing horticulture courses at the moment, and I remembered you were asking Lucia how to stop cats using your garden as a toilet? My daughter puts orange peel on our veg patch where cats use it as a toilet, she says they don’t like the smell of citrus, might be worth a try? Hope alls well with you, are all the exams finished now? I hope they did ok when do they get their result? Callum our eldest grandson, got an a in his last exam, ( he has done an extra year at college) so he will be going to Aberdeen in September.
Christine

Hi rachel62,
How are you Doing? Hope you are ok.
Christine

I hope you enjoy Dorset Frog!

I’ve never actually been to London, but I would like to visit one day. I couldn’t imagine living in such a busy place though I like a quieter and calmer pace of life.

Polly, if you are feeling tired then it’s best to sleep when you can. When my depression hit a few months ago I was in bed by 8pm every night for weeks, it was just what I needed to do (among other things) to start to heal.

Well tonights dinner was yummy yummmmm

I sliced a chicken breast and dipped in egg, then dipped in crushed almond flour crackers that I made last weekend. Then I baked them in the oven. You could fry them I guess but I was saving on calories.

I made this sauce (hope the link works)
http://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/recipes/chicken-katsu-curry.aspx

and I made a little courgetti

and all together it was lovely. Hubby had his with rice and now wants me to cook it again lol. I will but not as often as he is requesting (every second day haha)

I’m down to two crackers left so I guess I know what I’m doing with my day tomorrow, as my almond flour has arrived woohoo 🙂

Well into Day 4 and although I have those hunger pangs sometimes I can beat it down with drinking some water. In the first few days I have lost 7 lbs in weight with the missus losing 4! The problem we have is what to have to eat as there is so many choices and we are trying foods that we have never eaten before. I was so proud of resisting temptation like sweets being left in my van by another driver walking through the supermarket and breezing past the chocolate bars. Long may it continue!!!!!

oh dear, the shifts must complicate things!

I lost loads the first two days, then have been sea-sawing around the same weight for the last five or six, which has been incredibly frustrating.
I’m trying not to think “sod it , it;s not working, chocolate must be the answer” – the weights been there for so long, its just my body taking a while adjusting to the new normal!