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!!! 🙂

Thanks Hashimoto, observe the masses, do the opposite!

I was sceptical about the cauli mash – til I tried it on the cottage pie! Lush!!! 🙂

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!!! 🙂

Glad you’re still alive after your veggie day yesterday Lucia. A walk by the sea sounds lovely 🙂

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!

Hairbear, I love your attitude!! It will get you the results you want on this diet! You’ve achieved so much already! 🙂

The hot choc was actually nice 🙂 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 🙂

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…

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 £200 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

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!! 🙂

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.

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.

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. 🙂

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

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 🤔
Alan

Hi Marcia, it’s wonderful that you are feeling the BSD benefits in just 5 days 🙂

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 🙂

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

Hi Guy’s don’t have a downer on all health professionals please 🙂 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!

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!! 😀 xx

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

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 safer😊 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 go😊.. Lost 2 pounds, and put on 1 pound – late night chinese🙁!! Gosh I felt so guilty the next day, but back on track now. Good luck everyone. xxx

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

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!

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

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

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! 🙂

243 signatures! If you are new an a British Citizen would you like to sign too? Thanks 🙂

First post for me too! I’m coming to the end of week 3 and nearly a stone down 🙂
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.

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 🙂

Hi peter, welcome to the forums.
Those of us who have had cholesterol tests while on this diet have had results showing lowered or back to normal levels.
It is no longer believed that dairy products cause a rise in bad cholesterol levels.
It took me 2 weeks to pluck up the courage to eat full fat dairy – now there is no stopping me! Also it helps to keep you feeling fuller.
Hope you have a good week three and congratulations on your losses so far 🙂

Hi Team. I love the positive beat of all of the Blogs. I am week 6 and after a rotten day three…(you’ve all been there) I’ve been cruising. 7.5kg loss which has seemed so easy. I average 750 cals a day. Had you told me that was possible 6 weeks ago I would have scoffed! I also reflect on the fact that I was hungry most of my life, this lack of hunger is a totally mind-shaping event.
IMPROVEMENTS:
No gastric reflux.
Sleeping well, waking refreshed.
Tons of energy, out for longer faster walks.
Feeling relaxed and calm.
Finger nails growing longer and are much harder. A lifetime first.
Sense of taste heightened, everything tastes so much better.
12 cm loss at the waist, I have to wear a belt and the notches keep coming in.

Thanks to all who contribute.

Hi all
Been on the BSD for two weeks, weekly weigh in this morning – lost 6kg, absolutely amazed.
I have probably not been following the guidelines totally as I am wary of full cream dairy and its effect on my cholesterol levels – any informed comments?
A big thankyou to all of the positive contributors on this forum. This is my first post but I have gained a lot of help and inspiration from your comments, advice and encouragement. You are improving peoples lives.
Roll on week 3.
Thanks again
PP

Last night I was stuck for a quick dinner and made the scrambled eggs, chopped chilli and parmesan cheese from the book. I like hot spicy dishes, and this was so delicious. Sorry that it took so long for this suggestion, hardly a recipe, to come to my attention. It would have done just fine for breakfast or lunch, but next time I’ll add something like some bacon, maybe a slice of avocado or grilled tomato just to make it a bit more satisfying for a proper dinner.

Thanks Janet, you make a good point about reducing the sugars if you have diabetes. I was diagnose with type 2 around 20 years ago, although I still only need one Metformin a day.
I do keep my carb count to around 30gm a day, but more for controlling hunger than anything else. I hadn’t really considered their affect on my blood sugar. I’ll definitely take that into account as well.

And thanks to Cherrianne as well. I think I may be a bit too hung up on quick weight loss rather than my blood sugar levels, and it wouldn’t really hurt that much if my calories were closer to 900 than 800. I much prefer full fat milk in my coffee, although I’m happy with skim milk in tea. I like fatty fish and avocados, so it’s no hardship to include them more often.

This forum is so supportive, thank you everyone.

Hello everybody!

Well, just finished week 6 and so far I’ve lost 7.6 kilos, which is just over the magic 10% of my starting weight and my BMI is down from 29.3 to 26.3. I’m pretty happy as I have to say I’Ve been a bit less strict with myself since the end of week 4 and the weight is still coming off! When I started this, I was aiming to lose about 8 kilos – now I’ve decided to go for 10-12 because I want to get my BMI safely in the ‘healthy’ range with a few kgs to spare. It’s odd – if I were to aim for the bottom of the BMI range for my height, I would look seriously emaciated. I should probably get a proper body fat percentage test.

Best wishes, all!

Hi Matrika
Back from hols. Thanks for Ian Leslie, Long Read link. Very informative & references many names I know & some new ones.
Jenny Ruhl, Blood Sugar 101 & Diet 101 The Truth About Low Carb Diets, proffer the same conclusions for the same reasons!
It’s who you know not what you know & who shouts loudest longest that succeed in promoting deadly advice. And universal health policies that are based on flawed analysis of trials. The sheer hubris of these nutritionists & scientists astounds me.
So many lives blighted by blinkered, irresponsible & downright wrong advice to Type 2 Diabetics for so many years! And they knew it! Unforgivable.

Hope you have got your book. He’s a nephrologist if memory serves me.
Eureka

Hairbear,
You don’t need to count the calories, just keep to low carbs and full fat. As Hashimoto said, it worked for Bill, also for me. I am now always in the non diabetic range and I only count carbs. You’ll reduce your blood sugars and cholesterol too following the BSD principles.

Hi Hairbear,
The gliclazide and saxagliptin ( is that your saxy something drug?) can both cause hypos. If your blood sugars are getting down to a near normal level you need to see your GP or diabetes nurse about ceasing these.
You can safely stay on the metformin without risking a hypo. Most people halve their dose before ceasing altogether, over a couple of weeks.
Best to have that conversation with your diabetes team sooner rather than later. Go armed with your blood sugar results so that they can see your progress :).

Hi Alan,
I think Captain Lynne answered your lower blood sugar question.
When you eat carbs such as porridge it can spike your blood sugar, you then get a surge of insulin to deal with it. This causes that spike/crash effect that causes you to feel really hungry and shaky shortly after a high carb meal
( think takeaway Chinese meal).
The reason why those of us who have been on the BSD are ok with lower blood sugars is that we’ve learned what to eat to prevent the spike/crash effect.
The only way to learn is to do what you are doing. Try a food out and monitor your sugar levels afterwards. Experience is the best teacher 🙂

Thanks Lesley, that is awesome encouragement doubled with fantastic reassurance! I’m looking forward to sliding into a size 14 by the end of the year… some days it seems far-fetched and then I read posts such as yours and feel confident again. 🙂

well that’s day 5 about done. As expected I struggled with the steps but I got on the treadmill once my son was asleep and got them done woohoo! Don’t think I’ve had this level of motivation for anything for a long while.

Food
Breakfast yoghurt and raspberries
lunch lentil and butterbean soup
dinner tuna and spring onion with cucumber ‘wraps’ as in wraps made with lettuce. Was actually quite nice.

I was ridiculously low on calories, so I decided to have hot chocolate, but made with whole milk, and a teaspoon of plain cocoa plus sweetner. I’ve not had it yet so I don’t know if it will be good, between that and the soup and the yoghurt it has put my carbs a little high at 63g, but calories only at 593 even with the hot chocolate. I’m just going to go with it I know most of you keep your carbs a little lower but I’m going to see how it goes I will try to keep it generally lower though. It’s certainly remarkably lower than it would have been last week that is for sure.

I’ll report back on the hot chocolate tomorrow…

Hi All, I’ve been quiet over the past few weeks but reading all the forums with interest and finding them oh so useful… I’m halfway in week 4 and after a bit of a disaster in week 2 am really back on track and powering through. … OK a question. .. I’ve discovered coconut yoghurt…not coconut flavoured but actually made with coconut milk…It’s delicious. .. Has anyone else used it? As far as I can see it fits in the BSD guidelines but I’d like your guidance and opinions. …..thanks D☺

I’m always freezing leftovers but my hubby steals them to eat at work lol. I’ll need to reserve a shelf in the freezer just for me maybe 🙂

Day 63 weight 10st 3lb (-13 lbs)
Blood sugar 10.2

Had steak & salad last night and a diet cola. Had two shakes today again, but felt too hungry an hour before my tea so will have porridge for breakfast tomorrow. I hope I can keep that last pound off. I’ve only got 10 lbs left to lose to be within the normal weight range for my height.

Hi Izzy,
I often cook bigger meals and freeze some of the extra portions. Then when my family want something that doesn’t suit adapting to my needs, I can just grab something for me from the freezer.
It saves heaps of hassle. 🙂

Need some new ideas so bumping this up to the top…

L – lentil burger and dips (fridge clear out)

D – last of the cream cheese stirred through some flaked oak smoked salmon & broccoli

S – fage yogurt with a sprinkling of cinnamon

Hi lucia and polly,
Let’s keep on with the mindfullness, then.we’ll have some moments of quiet mind amongst the tumult of thoughts! I’d like to knock 7 years off my brain age! 14 years would be better but I’ll settle for 7!
Xxx

Hi Outrunner, I can totally sympathise with that. Have you seen the bumper sticker about asking your teenager while they still know everything? I think the preteen years are worse!

Lesley that is wonderful for you. You must be on cloud nine achieving those results. You’ll truly be feeling like a princess on your wedding day. 🙂

Hi Brightspark and TrishaDawn,
You can always get extra fat from avocados or oily fish as part of your meal.
If you can’t handle full fat milk then stay with the semi skimmed. It’s the added sugars and fillers that are added to many low fat/ diet products that do you harm. If you can eat and cook with products that are as natural and unprocessed as possible you’ll be more satisfied with the lower carb/ calorie count.
Remember that the 8 week period is a learning time too. You are re-educating yourself and your palate, about which foods will help you manage your blood sugars and satisfy your appetite. Some people are cooking from scratch/ following recipes, for the first time ever. This way of low carb eating is for life, without the very low calories, or we’ll all end up back where we started. So for many of us it’s a steep learning curve, but so worth it to get the results 🙂

Trousers I wanted to get into now too big! Tops now longer and looser! Walking and swimming!
Keep at it folks cos the only thing that was ever to big on me was the bloody quilt!! 😂