Latest forum posts

  • posted by  SkyWalker on Counting calaries
    on in BSD Way of Life
    permalink

    Hi Actionmum, Well, you do not need to use the recipes to cut out bread, pasta, cakes and potatoes. You will need more fresh food though somehow if you are to truly “Mediterraneanize” your diet. Good Luck!

  • Hi Jani123, there are those who count everything and those of us who already ate healthy food but in the wrong quantities. A lot depends on why you start. If you are type 2 it is a bit more serious to ensure a good nutritional balance. In my and my OH’s cases we just cut out bread and flour based products, and potatoes. We weighed foods and counted calories in meals taking care to avoid sugar as far as possible (most hidden) and I managed 11 weeks on less that 30 gm sugar per day averaging <850 kCal/day. I lost 16 kg. I never counted carbs or protein or anything much for that matter. For me a veggie or worse still a vegan diet is not a healthy option but as you have noted there are several who are and they manage well enough it seems. Search the forums from search box and you will find this has been asked before and lots of similar stuff too. Good luck to both of you.

  • posted by  Actionmum on Counting calaries
    on in BSD Way of Life
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    Hi I’m very new to this program. As I do not live very close to shops, I bulk shop mostly – once a fortnight. As you can imagine I have to make do with what ingredients I have at home. This makes it quite hard to follow all recipes both in the book on this site. So hence I will need to count my own calaries. What is the best way to go about this? Would appreciate any help.

  • posted by  hashimoto on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi joannC, there is a massive difference between what you used to eat and todays menu!

    Well done on your weight loss so far ๐Ÿ™‚

    Now you can save money on Gaviscon lol

    A number of us no longer have acid reflux so if you find in a few weeks that is true for you could you post your improvements in the ‘list your improvements here list’? ๐Ÿ™‚

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

    Day 1 113.9kg 5’7 tall (down from 129kg on high doses of steroids)

    I can’t believe I have just told you what I weigh!!! My husband doesn’t even know!!

    My GP says I look a good 20kg lighter than that, but I’m HEAVY and want to get rid of the steroid-induced diabetes for good.

    Fingers, toes and eyelashes crossed!!

    Good luck everyone!

  • posted by  AliB on Day one…here I go…!!!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I had Greek yoghurt with apple and berries for breakfast, Jewelled pepper with feta for lunch and courgette with prawns for dinner. I had a little bit of milk too (naughty) but if this is for life, I will manage better with a splash of milk in tea sometimes!

    Calories 911 (the milk!) Carbs 38g, fat 9g, Protein 18g

    Does this look ok? I will wean myself off the milk!!

  • posted by  JoannC on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Breakfast – Small bowl of porridge made with almond milk – I know we can have cows milk but it makes it taste ‘greasy’
    Snack – Apple.
    Lunch – Quinoa and avocado salad with cherry tomatoes and a boiled egg.
    Snack – Square of 85% dark chocolate and 4 brazil nuts (yum)
    Dinner – Lentil soup.
    Supper – a few grapes

    Compare with what I would ‘normally’ have had on a Sunday

    Breakfast -2 or sometimes 4 crumpets with butter
    Snack – caramel biscuit (or 2) Coffee
    Lunch – Cheese and onion toastie with mayo
    Snack – Banana.
    Dinner – Take Away Pizza – Medium Mushroom pizza with olives and half a spicy tomato bread, or Chinese Take Away mushroom Foo Yung Chips and a carton of curry sauce 2 glasses of wine.
    Supper – Gaviscon tablets x 2 – not joking here.

    I have been following this diet for 8 days now and I have lost 7 lbs, and I have had no heartburn or reflux at all this week, I don’t have a problem with my blood sugar (yet) but I do have a lot of abdominally carried fat, and a number of type 2 diabetics in my immediate family.

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

    Hi Lucia,
    It’s 1.15pm, we have been to church, counted the collections, got lunch organised, then we went on a 50min walk, another of my favourites, near home a woodland walk with wood anemones and bluebells, we saw a vole, a curlew, and lots of horses and one dog with his Mrs!
    Now just waiting to finish lunch off then eat! Today I am having beef, carrots, broccoli and gravy or if you’re posh jus! Hubby and Angela also having roast parsnips, and potatoes and yorkshires, with red wine, then trifle for pud.
    I don’t mind, really!
    Christine

  • posted by  AliB on Day one…here I go…!!!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi everyone

    I am on day 1 of the 8 week BSD.

    I have steroid-induced diabetes that has come about from putting on a lot of weight very quickly (30kg) on high doses of steroids for two years for auto-immune disease. I currently take Galvus Met 50/850mg, have never had a hypo (so far, and wouldn’t on these meds anyway?) and my BS fasting is between 4.5 and 5.3, and after my jewelled pepper and feta lunch is at 5.2.

    So far I have lost 18kg on my own but have been researching low-carb, Banting etc and the 8 week blood sugar diet looks exactly what I need! I would love to reverse the diabetes and have always had a pretty good diet. I am intolerant to wheat, gluten etc and before I was officially diagnosed with AI, put on weight whenever I had a “flare-up” of pain.

    So far I’m doing ok but am feeling a bit hungry and need to dash to the bathroom every few minutes due to the water I am drinking! Sorry TMI! My only concern that I may fall off the wagon comes from the long days at work I have (plus a family) which entail getting up at 4.45am, at work by 7am and like tonight I won’t be home until 9pm and have to do it all again tomorrow. I’m useless late at night (blame the AI!) and this morning cooked up 3 meals at 5am, which I know will start to wear me down after a while. Plus, my family want different food, so I’m faced with temptation as well as tiredness!!! Any tips? Or any recipes that won’t take hours to prepare or can freeze well so I make batches at weekends?

    Anyway, good luck with your journey’s and thanks for listening!!

    Ali ๐Ÿ™‚

  • I understand about cutting carbs and have been doing the 5:2 fasting diet for a month (loosing half a stone). Now my OH is thinking (with my encouragement) about doing the BSD. He’s vegetarian so I’ve been studying the recipes here (thank you everyone who has contributed to them) and I am also quite good at creating and adapting existing recipes.

    But although I can easily count the calories, I want to ensure we get the correct protein, carbs (and sugars) etc. What should be our limit for these each day? I saw something here about 50g for carbs but couldn’t tell if this was all carbs or just the sugar element.

    TIA
    Jani

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

    Hi Fatty, you will soon start feeling better and in control again now that you are back on the wagon!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

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

    Thanks for signing Barby! Just start with going up and down the stairs during advert breaks on the TV or stuff like that. It’s amazing how much fitter you can get in a short time just doing simple things like that and you will build up to going up and down a few times without being completely out of puff. I found a pedometer helped. I kept checking to see what I had done through the day – a couple of trips up and down stairs, to the end of the garden and back, a walk to the corner shop for 1 item and back – it soon starts adding up. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Your mum is so good to you Lesley! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • posted by  hashimoto on Spiraliser
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    You’ll be cooking up some fun on Tuesday Izzy! Better get plenty of courgettes and carrots in!! ๐Ÿ™‚

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

    The petition for the NHS to encourage T2s to follow this diet. Just search for the thread ‘Please sign our petition’ ๐Ÿ™‚

    Walking and jogging is more than I can do!! My damaged knee just puts up with walking! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • posted by  Lesley91 on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    When I am doing well I weigh almost everyday.
    My parents have been the biggest help, mum cooks an extra portion of their evening meal for me to collect on my way home from work – I have since made my own curries etc and frozen them for when I work late shifts.

    Honestly, having a dog gave me the motivation to walk, I don’t think I would have done it without her – especially her enthusiasm at 5:30 in the morning, gives me a kick up the backside.

    I am 24 and dropped a lot of weight, my mum and dad are 46 and have noticed it is taking them longer than it is me, my mum really struggled at the beginning because she wasn’t seen much movement, so we started interval jogging in the mornings and that is where she started dropped a couple of lbs a week. We cannot sprint and then jog, so we have started walking then jogging then walking…etc to build ourselves up.

    What petition is this? I think I saw on one of the other forums…I will have a nosey now. xx

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

    Lesley – I took a while to start properly too. I did the diet to some extent for a couple of weeks without weighing …couldn’t face knowing!!!)

    I first weighed 12 days ago, and have lost 6 pounds in that time. I have been disappointed I didn’t get a drastic loss, I am still in same size clothes though they feel a bit looser. I do retain water generally and also am older, and must confess I have yet to do the exercise. On previous diets, 3 pounds a week would be good for me, so I am just plodding along.

    I have been surprised how I seem able to stick with this, even being veggie, as normally I have no self control. I often don’t eat until about noon, and yesterday when out had goats cheese salad instead of usual something and chips, OH had them and I wasn’t bothered. Unheard of before.

    I have really changed in that I hated cooking before, now I’m regularly cooking up soups etc, I have accepted I need to.

    Next thing is to start walking, that will probably make all the difference, you are certainly a shining example!

    I have felt so very unfit I couldn’t face a walk, I was tired just walking short distances and going up stairs. But now I will.

    These forums help so very much. I think because many of us are doing this for really serious health reasons, not just vanity, we are all more determined to make it work, even if we stall at times. Love the way every one is so supportive.

    PS Hash have signed petition ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Well last night went really well!

    I had chicken tikka starter and chicken shashlik for my main – this was delicious! NO NAAN! NO RICE! I did have one popadum and 3 glasses of red wine (between 6pm and 11pm)

    Did have a very small piece of birthday cake just to prove it wasn’t poisoned!

    Thanks everyone, I am totally in control here – also, weighed yesterday morning (end of week 7) and have lost 21lbs! Amazing!

  • posted by  Izzy on Spiraliser
    on in Fast 800
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    My spiraliser is arriving on Tuesday ๐Ÿ™‚ can’t wait!

  • posted by  Fatty on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
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    Your all so very inspiring.. Thank You… I had a good result 19 pound… or nine kilo for the first four weeks… then 5 days in Malta with Mates… still made good choices and tried to limit carbs… but HAD to drink Champagne (had not seen these folk for a few years…and probably wont again for a few more)… and well maybe a couple of pieces of chocolate…. any ways… back to reality last tuesday… have been hungry with out of control sugar levels… between 9 and 11 on rising and not dropping till after I eat at about 1.30pm but might be the stuff stored in the liver ??… not sure… am not going to weigh again for a couple of more weeks just in case it has gone up… I know myself and I don’t want to give up… focussing on the BSL is a much healthier approach for me….

    Thanks to every one here for their terrific posts and human approach. You keep me sane…(nearly)

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

    Lesley your story will be inspiring a lot of people!! You walking the dog in 25 minutes instead of 2 hours is a fantastic fitness result. You must be buzzing!!

    See if you can get lots of them to sign out petition!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

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

    Brightspark great results!! I don’t care about being evangelical about this diet – especially to diabetics and hypothyroids like me! It’s a life saver!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

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

    Hi all,
    I’ve just had a WI after a week of plateau and have now lost 17lbs in 4 weeks. Went out for drinks with some of my girlfriends last night and they were amazed at my ‘skinny arse’! I only drank sparkling water and still had a great time!
    I’m trying to not become evangelical about this diet, but it really does work. My husband is eating what I cook and prepare but adding a bowl of cereal at night time and he’s lost 13lbs. So to all of you who are struggling I’d just like to say it is worth it. My blood sugar levels are in the 4.4 – 4.5 and I feel great, not just some of the time but all the time. I’m down a whole dress size and more importantly I’ve got more energy so my social life and sex life has improved too!

  • posted by  Izzy on Izzy's 8 week diary :)
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    The hot choc was actually nice ๐Ÿ™‚ I cup whole milk, 1 tsp bournville cocoa, 1 sweetner… 152 cals, 12.1g carbs. So can’t be an everyday thing but nice for a treat. maybe once a week will be nice ๐Ÿ™‚

    today I’ve had my yoghurt and fruit breakfast and going to have a variation of the Cottage pie with cauli mash in the recipes here. I’m not fond of adding anything to my normal mashed potato except for cheese. I’m going to add the spring onions and cheese but not the other additions. Not sure what to have for lunch tho…

  • posted by  Lesley91 on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Barby – How long have you been on the diet so far?
    9 weeks – but technically 11 (I had a couple of falters along the way and kept restarting)

    I just walk the dog for an hour or two each day instead of a 20 minute walk – so we get more peace and quiet from her too! This diet has helped everyone, I am much happier – less snappy and irritable and more motivated, I get out of bed early and go for a jog.
    The real thing that made me realise how far I have come is I did a long walk with Tilly (Dog) and it took me an hour to get to this park and an hour back before – and I had to stop half way up the hill out of breath. Took me 25 minutes…. that is incredible.

    Hashimoto – my mum is telling everyone, lots of people have noticed it kind of melt off me, but we looked at pictures of my mum and dad last night and they have seriously dropped some weight. This diet has completed changed our lives, and those shop girls didn’t believe I could do it – I bet they get loads of brides saying they will loose weight and don’t, they had to work out the latest date they can take the dress IN before the big day in case I lose more ha ha. Fantastic feeling!
    (Until I brought a ยฃ200 veil as I got swept up in feeling beautiful ha ha)

    I owe these forums as much as I owe my parents – you guys have kept me going on my rough days and I hope I have given people some motivation! xx

  • posted by  hashimoto on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I love stilton in things like broccoli, courgette or cauli soup – but oddly I can’t stand it on it’s own!
    Sounds like you are eating well today!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • posted by  barby on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Just made cauliflour cheese for lunch, added a little mustard and a little stilton as experiment. Smells lovely.

    Also just making broccoli and stilton soup – can you tell I have some out of date stilton to use up. Actually I may cube the remainder and freeze, rather than waste it.

  • posted by  Cherrianne on Question about Cholesterol
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi all,
    There is a reason why grain fed cattle and chickens attract premium prices at the butchers. The meat is marbled with fat, which makes it taste better!
    That’s essentially what we do to our bodies with a high carb intake. Studies have shown that a low carb diet can lower cholesterol.

  • posted by  hashimoto on First day on the diet ,here I gooooo
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Embob, I am so lucky with my GP surgery, from the doctors to my asthma nurse, I have received only excellent care in the 38 years I have been a patient there. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Sadly some people on here have had different experiences with their medicos.

  • posted by  Alanhypno on New starter and question
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Strange how bs targets are lower in morning and higher two hours after meal
    Yet mine are usually higher in morning and lower two hours after food ,weird.
    At ten in morning fasting I would’ve expected a low reading but it’s 7.7 ๐Ÿค”
    Alan

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

    Lesley, I bet you and your mum have a few converts to this diet!!
    I bet the shop girls were worrying about how they could let the dress out – until they saw you. No one other than those doing this diet could believe it could happen . . . . .until they see the evidence in front of them!

    Brilliant ๐Ÿ™‚

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

    Oh Lesley hearing you were a size 22 (that’s me) and you’re now a size 14, is so encouraging. I always think I’ve got so much more to lose than many here, and it’s slow. Do you mind telling me how long it took you? (so far). Edit – Just read your latest post – 9 weeks from 22 to 14 – wow! Inspirational.

    I’m pleased I lost another pound in last day, so it’s going (altho very slowly.) Well done, you must be feeling transformed. x

  • posted by  Embob on First day on the diet ,here I gooooo
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Guy’s don’t have a downer on all health professionals please ๐Ÿ™‚ I would never say anything negative if anyone succeeded with losing weight they wanted and needed to. I am all about positive reinforcement and encouragement! You keep going Alan and show your miserable nurse!

  • posted by  Lesley91 on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    They called the other girls down in the shop to look at me in the dress, they were definitely impressed by the weight loss!
    My mum was talking to them about the diet and how well it works – I was too busy swishing round the shop feeling like a princess…

    Starting week 9 today, I can’t wait to see pictures of me a few months ago compared to on our wedding day in July, everyone is going to be shocked!

    Beverley, I have days where I have plateaued and stuffed my face with carbs – but I always wake up with heart burn and feel like poo for the following day. I don’t drink because I feel rubbish the next day and I am thinking the same way about pizza, chips…etc now.

    Keep going everyone!! ๐Ÿ˜€ xx

  • posted by  Marcia on First day on the diet ,here I gooooo
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Forgot to mention after 5 days on BSD I look a lot trimer, my stomach feels flatter, skin feels softer and my clothes fit better๐Ÿ˜Š I exercise using kettlebelks for 10 mins least 3 times a week. I aim to do more exercise once my motivation levels increase๐Ÿ˜Š…xxx

  • posted by  Marcia on First day on the diet ,here I gooooo
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi everyone
    Loved reading your posts – so encouraging. It’s Day 5 BSD and I really think that I have finally found the best eating plan for me. Love the receipes in the book. Carbs addict especially brown bread and tea thankfully without sugar. Eating walnuts daily which I think is packed with vitamin B and seems to be doing the trick. Boiled eggs are a life safer๐Ÿ˜Š or scrambled eggs when I feel a carbs attack!!. Feel a bit light headed in the mornings but it soon passes once I have eaten. Planning my meals a couple days in advance works well for me. No carbs ploughmans lunch is brillant when I’m on the go๐Ÿ˜Š.. Lost 2 pounds, and put on 1 pound – late night chinese๐Ÿ™!! Gosh I felt so guilty the next day, but back on track now. Good luck everyone. xxx

  • posted by  Julia18togo on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Morning Lucia!

    Cutting my grass and digging out turf to create a path on part of my lawn this morning. I expect the muscles will be protesting soon!

    Also overcast here in Edinburgh, but I envy you your walk by the sea. I think I’d rather that than the garden – but from the garden I can keep an eye on my daughter’s exam revision – can’t do that from afar!

    I certainly need the bigger picture your perspective on things provides – my mind veers from the pretty simple to the tortured depending upon my mood! So keep on posting, wouldn’t be here without you, genuinely.

    Enjoy your Sunday.

    Julia

  • posted by  Hairbear on No bread, rice, pasta, spuds
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Thanks Cherrieanne, last 10 days bloods have ranged consistently between 5and 9, previously 9ish to 17 at one point. Now monitoring closely to avoid going too low. Had one blip at 2.8, not sure what caused that, at the point where I think med reduction is now possible. Like many on here, had a cool reception when I mentioned low carbs with the practice nurse. This was before I’d come across the book. He just seemed hell bent on increasing meds, as if there was no hope, ever again. Nah! I got myself fit again after the heart attack and shed nearly 3 stone in 2 years. I’m at the stage in life (56) that I won’t accept obstacles, if they’re there, I will find a way around, over or through them, don’t have time to waste messing about. For all of you out there in the ether world, let no-one tell you, “it’s not possible.” Take one small step at a time, any progress, however tiny it may be, is progress, a stepping stone if you like. Ha, ha, onwards and upwards folks, let’s turn this ‘orrible thing on it’s head!

  • posted by  Debi on Moving from Fast 800
    on in 5:2 BSD
    permalink

    Hello
    Not a diabetic but carb addiction needed killing!

    I’m a failed ‘Fast 800’
    Confession over… My last 7 weeks look like this:
    I managed week 1 of ‘Fast 800’ loss 8lb
    Week 2 no loss
    Week 3 loss of inches but 2lb gain
    Week 4 loss 1 lb but couldn’t sustain 800 Cals daily so stayed low carb & ate to satisfy hunger!
    Week 5 started 5:2BSD loved it!
    Week 6 much loss of inches but scared to weigh!
    Week 7 completed and weight loss total is at 11lb

    I exercise a lot and was already slimish after a 4 stone weight loss on the original 5:2 Fast Diet. The wobbly extra is slowly diminishing on the 5:2 BSD but I don’t feel like I’m dieting anymore. It’s so easy to just have brunch and dinner now I’m less strict with calories that I do it more each week that I’ve been following this version. Therefore, the fasting benefits are upped as I’m regularly able to remain in my fast for 17 hours!
    Hope this helps you feel positive about switching to 5:2BSD for weight loss but sorry I can’t help with blood benefits.
    So failing is winning…?
    X

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

    Morning team,
    How are we all doing?
    I had an ok day yesterday being a temp vegetarian. Will try again today just with eggs, veg salad etc.
    Going for a huge walk today, it is dull and overcast so taking a bus to the sea then walking walking and walking.

    We have discussed some really interesting topics recently. I am glad we do. Sometimes you can feel isolated in your own head. Hearing other people’s angles on things opens us all up to a bigger picture. It’s like walking through someone’s mind.

    If you want to walk through mine, make sure you were a helmet etc, it is a topsy turvy place, but come on in, you’re most welcome.

    Love Lucia
    Xxxx

  • posted by  hashimoto on Question about Cholesterol
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi katieb I had readings between 6 and 8 but since being on this diet and for the first time in decades of eating full fat my recent result was 5.5. I have hypothyroidism which elevates cholesterol readings so I am pretty happy with that.

    Bill1954 has a completely normal (lowered) cholesterol level after weeks of eating full fat.

    Just jump in and do it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • posted by  KatieB on Question about Cholesterol
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    First post for me too! I’m coming to the end of week 3 and nearly a stone down ๐Ÿ™‚
    I’m also really worried about my cholesterol as following results of health check this week my fasting glucose was 6.8 and cholesterol 8.5.
    GP wanted to start me on statins but agreed to wait three months whilst I give this diet a go. I can’t get my head around the idea that full fat won’t have an effect on my cholesterol levels.

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

    Paula you can crack it!
    If you feel a bit rough the first few days it doesn’t last long. Just make sure you are eating enough fat and drinking 2 – 3 litres of water a day. If you get a headache just take some paracetamol.
    Looking forward to hearing how you get on ๐Ÿ™‚