I have about a stone and three quarters to lose, which is not a great deal – although it’s stuck to me like glue for a few years! I followed the BSD diet for nearly 2 weeks without much loss (have enjoyed the food, and the feeling of control otherwise), although it was a bit disappointing not to see quite a big weight loss – especially as I’ve given up sugar in my tea/coffee completely. I have been creating my own recipes, following the BSD rules, rather than using the recipes provided.

I then found it very useful to log my meals with MyFitnessPal, which I’ve started over the last couple of days.

This gives you a great breakdown not only of calories, but of the components of what you’re eating. After reviewing this, I thought I’d see if reducing the carbohydrate component to 50g or less per day would help me kickstart the weight loss. Happy to report that over the last couple of days, focusing more on protein, though not dropping out good vegetables entirely, I’ve lost a kilo. And I can feel that my belt needs to have another hole in it!

I would suggest you have a look at this app/website, it’s very illuminating.

Thanks sianeyb, I’m due for my annual bloods, feet, etc next month but the surgery where I go is having a bit of a crisis with no staff, etc, so although I’ve been informed I can have the bloods done, they’re not doing diabetic reviews until further notice! Big help! I’ll try and get a GP appointment after the bloods – I should get one by Christmas! ! Like you I’m also on a 20mg BP tab and a small dose 20mg Statin but have continued these.

I love 30g of Organic jumbo oats mixed with 210floz water cook for 2m 30 sec in the microwave. Once cooked thin out and cool down with a splash of full fat milk or yogurt and mix in around 1/3 pack of defrosted summer berries. I buy Waitrose own and they are good. This fills me up until lunchtime and I was a huge cereal fan and fruit muncher all morning previously. This has kept me going and 2stone 4lb off in 7 weeks thus far ! Other tip was to buy a Nutribullet, well worth the money as I use it for my own curry spice mix etc . 2 handfuls of spinach, a peeled orange, teaspoon of seeds and another 3rd of frozen berries filling and gorgeous but sometimes looks muddy depending on the fruits! I did throw in the whole orange with skin once, never again! Made my mouth feel awful all day! I drink this on the way to work if I am really short on time and it does the job, just don’t spill it down yourself !

Hi
I went to my doctor yesterday who has booked me in to do some fasting bloods to look at the longer view of the Type 2 diabetes and gauge the dosage to drop me down to or even remove. She was delighted with the progress and my readings, she has taken me off the blood pressure tablets and wants to be really sure its safe to reduce Metformin too. Book yourself in and reduce under supervision

Hi JSR
I lost 3 kg over 4 weeks. Very slow and not much happening. So ….. I had a good look at what I was eating and all looked good. Calories around 800, carbs no more than 50g. Plan B I reduced my carbs to around 20g, upped the fat intake and kept the calories around 800. Over the last week most of my food has consisted of courgettes spiralled dressed with pesto, eggs in a frittata with lots of veges, shrimps, salad. And cheese 😀 Getting a bit boring but have been very busy at work. Can’t wait for the weekend so I can shop and vary the food. Anyway enough waffle – I am almost at the end of six weeks and since that change in the carbs and fat I have lost 2 kg over the last 10 days. Everyone is different and you have to find what works for you. Reading all the amazing weight losses during the first few weeks can make you feel disheartened but this way of eating has tremendous health benefits and you will lose weight. I eat twice a day – lunch around 1 or 2pm and dinner about 7pm. Never been a breakfast person – doesn’t agree with me 😝 read all these amazing supportive posts regularly. There is nothing more inspiring and I have never come across such positive support for this community that is working towards a similar goal. Hope things start moving
downwards soon – I sure it will happen.

Hello! Welcome fellow Day Three-er! I also kicked off officially on Monday although had a trial run a couple of weeks ago (which was successful until I went to New York for a long weekend – that’s me showing off back!) I’ve not been a serial dieter but I did follow the 5.2 diet for 18 months and felt better for it. Then met current OH and things started to slide, and dinners got bigger.. I have the most horrendous sweet tooth and seem to be in the ‘carbs are your crack cocaine’ category in the quiz so I definitely need to reset the blood sugar levels. I don’t weight myself but if I can get into my size 14 M&S jeans again before the end of summer I will be happy!
Good luck – keep me posted on how you’re doing!

Help anyone?
I’m on week 10. My 2 hrly post-prandial blood sugars are now in the 6’s. Just now it was 6.3 with no Metformin today. I’m on half dose having reduced it myself from 2000mg to 1000 mg (4 tabs to 2). Is it wise to drop to one? A bit dubious! I read a post (? From neohdiver??) that Metformin slows down sugar release and works against the BSD aim of ridding stores sugar from the liver.

Hi all, including Plumpcious who was my penpal on a different thread previously 🙂
So I am now ‘officially’ on the BSD plan – 9th May was my kick off date. I had a trial run for about 10 days, prior to what I always knew would be a calories laden trip to NYC and a hen weekend, and for the few days I tried it I already felt a lot better physically.. and my jeans got looser! Now I am glad to be back on the straight and narrow after my recent excesses and looking forward to improved health and smaller clothes. The food and recipes are perfect for me and I’m not really conscious of feeling hungry (unlike on the 5.2) but the one meal I am struggling with is breakfast. I need something to start my day and without toast or cereal and with limited time due to busy family household it is a challenge to eat properly. Portobello toasts are great (but take time), eggs are good (but no toast allowed) and this morning I had greek yoghurt with berries and almonds.. which was a gastronomic trial at 8.30am! Anyone else have ideas for quick/easy brekkies?

Having done two and a half days and lurking on the forums I thought I would say hello.

I must have tried every diet going and am a serial yo yo dieter. Two years ago I had a serious operation (which was successful) and I am being monitored by an endocrinologist to make sure that my pituitary gland is functioning properly. My blood sugar levels have been borderline diabetic and have been slowly rising.

Two weeks ago someone told me about the Blood Sugar Diet and I downloaded it to my Kindle. As I was going on a mini cruise around the Greek Islands last week (that’s me showing off) I decided to wait until I got back. In the meantime I digested the book (and loads of unhealthy food) on the cruise and formed a plan for my return. I weighed myself on Monday morning and had gained two pounds on my holiday – not surprisingly. I have now done two full days and have already lost four pounds. My husband has type 2 diabetes and is not actually doing the diet but is cutting down on his carbs so we should see a result from him too.

So here I am at the beginning of my journey and looking forward to my proper one week weigh-in next Monday.

Thanks, HappyLife. The posts on here really boost our confidence, don’t they? I think what we need to remember, when the scale seems stuck with superglue for over a week, is that we are probably still losing visceral fat off our internal organs and even if we aren’t doing that, the good food we are having – and the lack of bad food – is still doing us good, unlike some of the weird diets we may have tried in the past.

Thanks Bill1954 and Eureka for your responses 🙂
day 1 is almost over and i have managed to eat well with no junk food at all, not even a cup of tea!
i really want to make it through the 8 weeks so will be looking at the recipes soon 🙂

WEll done MooLoc – I started the day after you and done 11 days. I have lost 3 kg so far and like you have felt a little hungry at times but overall have found the diet doable. I’ll be interested in following your progress!

It can carry on past week 1, remembering back I’m sure I lost 7 week 1 and 9 week 2, I know my son in law did that too
It’s all down to how much you need to lose and how your metabolism is.
The weight does keep coming off bar the odd plateau but you wont see the same sort of results as in the first couple of weeks.

Hi all. Just wondering if there is somewhere onthis site where you can diarise your weight, food etc on this site???

Finished the first week on this diet and lost 6lbs, very pleased as this has NEVER happened to me on the first week of a diet before! Normally I don’t lose anything or at most 1-2lbs (and it comes off the second week). wondering what will happen at next week’s weigh in, whether it will be a very small loss. I know it won’t be 6lbs again, I am presuming most of that must be water? Still, hugely motivating to keep going!

Fabulous result & great to read for us who are just starting out!

I’ve seen other people post this & am now thinking it will be quite useful to look back on.
First week done. Wasn’t starving. Had a few late night hunger pangs so did have a teaspoon or two of peanut butter or half a banana.
Kept to less than 50g carbs each day.
Lost 7lbs overall.

@happylife I’m in the middle of my second week on this diet and I’m wearing underwear that hasn’t fit in years lol I’m so glad I kept them. 10 lbs down on 800. Bringing my total weight loss to 37 lbs since I started my journey. I’ve had 2 babies in 2 years and I feel incredible. I’ve finally reached my pre baby weight!!

Just BRILlANT well done , great to read this . Yay 🍾

Woohoo! 6 pounds lost! In 5 days! That’s making me happy. My starting weight was 12 stone. Getting excited as I near the 11 and a half mark.
Again I have to mention how much energy I have! When I wake up I’m up as at it and I’ve been a terrible morning person my whole life. I’ve never seen the link between my diet and my feelings/wellbeing. I just thought I was normal.
today- just made the hunters chicken sauce for later.it will be a rush when we get in at tea time. And got my lunch packed up ready- smoked salmon salad with ONE RYVITA! I’m not sure if these are allowed but trying it today. It’s a strange world when Ryvita seems a treat! 🙂
Happy day everyone xx

Well done on 20lbs , this is for life not just Xmas so hang in there. I’m from uk hence the analogy. ‘A dog us for life not just Xmas’ . I am a steady loser too, none one week then a loss etc.my hopes are to change my eating habits so this for me is the long haul. I probably don’t drink enough and I know that helps.Anyway take those doglets for a walk and stay strong , I may just be reassuring myself as well, good luck.

Hi flower, welcome to the forums. I would suggest cutting right back on starchy carbs – bread, potatoes, rice and pasta, cake, biscuits now so you will find it easier when you do start.

Don’t forget to weigh and measure yourself – now is as good as any other time to do that. Also keep a record electronically or on paper. It’s really motivating to see those numbers change!

Follow Bill’s advice and you will be fine 🙂

Hi All,
Having lost 7lbs last week which I was pleased with I’d hoped to get a loss of 3/4lbs in week 2 but so far half way through only three quarters of a pound which is a bit demotivating when you’re eating so little!
I know I must trust the process & fully intend to keep going by tips/experience would be welcome.
I’m trying to drink enough fluid, as I did notice last week that it didn’t lose on the days after I hadn’t had enough to drink.
Hoping I might lose more towards the end of the week.

Welcome to the BSD – not so much a diet more a new way of life! I echo what Bill has said. I’m quite a big chap – brick outhouse territory – and I did find the first couple of days a trial but then the fat burning cut in and my body was getting the calories it needed from elsewhere. My stomach may have felt empty but curiouslt I didn’t feel hungry. Don’t feel anxious about the BSD at all – there are loads of lovely pioneering folk on here who’ll reassure you and encourage you.

Enjoy your journey back to good health.

I came onto the Forum to post a similar question so hope you don’t mind me tagging along!
Despite his GP not being concerned I have now persuaded my OH he needs to diet and look at his carb intake. I also bought a blood sugar monitor which he has been using in the morning (and he’s started scrutinizing nutrition labels on everything!).

He’s not actually doing the BSD (yet) but the 5:2 Fasting diet. After the weekend (when he ate normally having bread and potatoes and alcohol) his fasting blood sugar on Monday was 6.4 and Tuesday morning it was 5.3
He had a fast day yesterday and very few carbs and less than 600 cals. Yet his blood sugar was up to 6.5 He repeated the test and it was 6.1

So two questions. How is it possible to get a different reading only a few minutes apart?
And, does he need to look at a longer trend?

Hi Izzy at school leadership meetings I did the same as Bill. If someone asks just say bread makes you ill 🙂

Hi HappyLife
First exercise!!!!!! Well done. Welcome to that bright future.
They do say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Michael Mosley’s chapter on ‘Getting Active’ in BSD is pretty informative. Think I’d rather be the bus conductor than the driver if I half my risk of heart disease!
Simple starts is what he recommends.
I have started to stand up to use my computer. See p 161 re improved BS control.
I hate it….. but it’s become part of my May Challenge so I hope to be able to stick with it.
It certainly stops me sitting for extended periods.
Maybe the ‘Challenge a Day’ page on Myfitnesspal may interest you with some different ideas.
Today the writer of this blog is suggesting either to go outside and stand to draw or paint something from nature.
Alternatively the challenge is to check out a You Tube exercise video and try doing it. Something new like Tai Chi for instance.

Just a thought.

Here is the link if you are interested:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10388734/05-11-wednesday-day-11-slbc#latest

Anyway well done you.Welcome to your journey. Happylife I love your moniker…..things just keep getting better. 🙂

Hi Izzy
same thing happens to me re the bacon butties.
I accept one, eat the bacon, and bin the bread.
Works for me 😉

A lovely idea – I’ll try the sweet potato chips, and maybe other roast veg too, as they are more toothsome than steaming. The DH hates cauliflower (and kale, spinach, olives, watercress, broccoli, lamb’s lettuce, most green things…) but I have given him celeriac mash, which he very much likes. And I make veggie burgers out of carrot pulp (left over from juicing) and ground almonds, which he also likes, but he misses the bun… I remember a study of different diets in the UK found that men just could not stick to the Atkins, despite the high meat content, because they miss their bread and potatoes, and he’s definitely in that category!

My OH is a brilliant soup maker.
During the Uk winter i’ve been feasting on pea and ham, lentil and bacon, med vegetable, chicken and butternut squash soup as well as stews with chicken or lamb, and curries.
There’s a vast array of recipes on the site to try, most of them delicious.
Just a little planning and anyone can produce delicious food that fits perfectly into this plan
Good luck

I’ll be the first to say it,
800 is a frightening figure but, as many people will come on to tell you, when you’re eating the right foods it is more than sustainable.
Have a read about the forums, you won’t believe so many people are saying they never feel hungry on this new lifestyle.
The key is to keep to around 800 cals, cut out the simple carbs and replace the lost calories with fats, try to keep the good carbs down, many find 50g per day works, and drink as much water as you can.
If you have any problems, you have a global community here to help out.
Welcome to the forums and best of luck on your journey 😉

Hi,
When I have kids over, I mash up cauliflower and call it mashed potatoes.
When I make chips in the oven , I use sweet potatoes and call them fries.

This way I am getting them to eat some veg.
They have the allusion they are eating their normal junk food, they have never said it tastes different.

If hubby is missing his spuds, can you not add cauli (see above) and pretend?
He might miss the idea of spuds.
Worth a try.

Oh, and with the kids I use Linda mccartneys burgers, put it in a bun, sweet potato chips and call it my McDonald’s.

They don’t know the difference. I have even wrapped them in a paper napkin like the originals 🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔😇😇😇😇😇😇

love lucia
Xxxx

One meal a day is pushing it and taking a chance on putting your body into starvation mode making it hang on to fat reserves.
You don’t mention carbs in your breakdown, are you counting them? They are far more important than calories.
You also need to make sure that you are eating enough healthy fats and definitely drinking the 2 to 3 litres of fluids per day. The calories from the alcohol come from sugar and carbs, both bad for you and if you can’t keep those down, you’ll struggle to get into fat burning mode.
If you’re doing all that correctly, as said above, it could be that you’re just a naturally slow loser but stick to it and the weight will come off.

morning. Got to run soon, but wanted to log in as I tested my bloods this morning and it was 4.8 so it would seem I’m fine for that.

I’ve had yoghurt and fruit for breakie, got cheese, tomato and pickle for lunch, no idea what dinner will be.

I have a meeting this morning… bacon rolls will be served. I’m in two minds… If I avoid it I will be surrounded by everyone else eating theirs lol. If I do eat it and am able to control the rest of the day then it shouldn’t matter much. We have these meetings only once a month. However if it sets of crabby cravings then that won’t make my day better.

I’ll decide when I’m there and see how I feel.

Hi all,
Well I’m now into week 10 and my lazy pancreas has finally caught up I think! After what seemed like ages of high blood sugar readings they now seem to have normalised between 6 and 6.5. I’ve hit the 2st weight loss mark (now just under 12st) . (maybe this was the crucial weight reduction figure), given up apples and also stopped eating meat about 10 days ago (previously vegetarian some years ago). I’m now eating loads more veg and fish. I classed myself as a slow loser weight wise so maybe some people need a bit longer than 8 weeks to finally crack this. I intend staying on the plan for a few months yet in any case.

there is a recipe I enjoyed in the recipes here, for cauliflower and canelini bean soup, it’s really nice. Also there is a recipe for mushroom soup but I don’t like mushrooms so haven’t tried it.

Your casserole idea sounds good, you could do other things like chilli, and maybe take cucumber sticks or celery to dunk in.

Is feta cheese ok and how much
Alan

Hi Mamabees. It sounds like you really started with an amazing first week’s loss. Congratulations! It’s always going to slow down a bit thereafter but it’s not always easy to keep motivated is it? I’m a second weeker too and I’ve switched my scales to kg as then I can see even a 100g loss (this morning). It’s only a few ounces but better that than nothing! I find dieting a bit like giving up smoking, there is a sense of loss, if that doesn’t sound over dramatic. Things I used to do,( like snack in the evenings) , just can’t be done any more and that made me sad. But I found with the smoking that after a while I just forgot about the old bad habits and deliberately found new healthy ones. So, treats of a different kind. An evening stroll in the sunshine ( yeah, right!) painting my nails, joining a choir, learning Welsh (!) all help to fill the time and became things I enjoyed. So I’m applying the same theory to the BSD. Hope that helps. Stick with it, we are all with you.

I would like to make crab cakes for dinner tonight. What type of crab meat do you use in the recipe? If you are using fresh crab meat (uncooked) do you cook it first?
Melita

Another second weeker here. I haven’t felt ill but a little tired. Not sure if its the diet, the cold (in Australia) or work. I have been seeing blood sugars in the morning in the 7s which is awesome from someone who was happy if it was less than 12 before.

Housework – urgh. Although I was thinking I’d like a personal chef to cook my low carb, calorie meals. Cauliflower only goes so far!

Syb

I am trying to come up with some winter recipes I can take to work. I am not a big fan of tomato soups so was thinking a pea and ham would be ok? I was also thinking casseroles with meat, stock and above ground veggies?

I’d love some ideas and opinions

thank

Syb

I have just signed up and getting ready to embark on this plan. Is there somewhere here where I can record my own statistics etc, a sort of diary? weight, body fat, water content?

Hi Christine
Very sorry to hear of your family’s sad loss. My sympathy & prayers are with you all.
Do hope you look after yourself & can post again sometime in the future. May you keep & draw on that strength you have found during the last 14 weeks.
I’m pleased your hard work on the craft stall was rewarded.
Make the best of every day, we never know what the future holds. Keep on keeping on. 🌹
Eureka

Well it’s day 12 and 3 weeks ago I couldn’t do 5 min on the exercise bike so today I decided to give it a try and I did two 10 min sessions with the HIT included. I know it’s not much to all I see here but it’s my path and for me it’s awesome.
I am shocked.
I am so looking forward to what activities the future will hold for me.
💜

Oh I am so sorry for your loss – sending many hugs and prayers for you and your family!
💜🌷

Wow 8 miles!!!!!!! Wow!!
I was just thrilled because I did two 10 min workouts on the exercise bike as I couldn’t even do 5 min 3 weeks ago! I added the HIT also!
Take care of your feet and great job with your quick dinner change!!

Hi janicem,
I don’t know what type of epilepsy you have but I know some types respond well to a ketogenic diet. I know of a child who finds it is the only way to prevent seizures. You should definitely talk to your neurologist though to make sure it is safe with your mess.

First diabetic clinic was on Mon and I was quite happy that the nurse thought I was well-informed and had looked into what I was doing with the diet. Also my blood sugar had gone down slightly in the week between the first and second hba1c’s so that was good.

Then I was handed the leaflet which under dietary stuff basically has cereal or bread at every breakfast suggestion and then all the lunches and dinners have potatoes, pasta or other carby junk.

Have my next hba1c in 3 months to check that it’s all going in the right direction. The nurse did say that I should think about meds though… to which I probably rolled my eyes (unconsciously)…

Hi Christine

So sorry to hear your news. Condolences to you all. (((hugs)))

Congratulations on the money made on your craft stall.

Just take care of yourself for now and down worry about the BSD. Come back when you’re ready.

Love and prayers.

Oh maaannn I’m so tired. I’ve just warmed up with a herbal tea after my walk with my friend and it will be off to bed for me in a minute. We walked around 8 miles and 20000 steps. Tomorrow we are going on a history tour in the city.

Minor update to food I didn’t have time to cook chicken and cashews, well that and my husband forgot to get cashews!

I fried up some bacon, added a spring onion to the pan (it was looking lonely in the fridge) then added a little garlic, then courgetti and cherry tomatoes, cooked through, finally a little tomato puree stirred through and a bit of chilli salt on top. It was actually yummy.

ok, bed for me, night everyone.