So yesterday I got hungry and had some nuts which took my calories over the limit and up to 1000 but not beating myself up about it as I went to the gym 🙂

Day 2 Food Diary:

Breakfast: scrambled egg with spinach
Lunch: Fish Pie (leftovers from yesterdays dinner, wasn’t a fan of this recipe but I cant waste it)
Dinner: Courgetti Bolognese (one of my favourite meals at the moment)

Slightly over again with the calories (929 according to the counter) but I’ll even it out later in the week

Lets see how Day 2 goes 🙂

The only way to tell if a diet is ketogenic or not is to measure your ketone levels, if they are 0.4 mol/L or above then this shows that you are in nutritional ketosis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03vhgf5
the start and end of interview are clipped, but still good short reminder to listen to.

http://www.doctormyhill.co.uk/wiki/Ketogenic_diet_-_a_connection_between_mitochondria_and_diet

That’s wonderful to hear, thanks for the reassurance! And well done too. Exercise is an issue as I have back trouble, but I’m walking more (about 5000 steps a day on average instead of 2000/3000) and swimming half a mile at least once a week.

Not really, MM allows dairy for a start. And caffeine. And many fruits (your article says AVOID FRUIT in big caps). There are some similarities, but the Mediterranean diet is not just ketogenic or Paleo relabelled.

This official diet has been about since the 1920’s but is actually the diet we all evolved on, using Ketones for fuel.

Here’s a link to a good bit of information.

http://www.doctormyhill.co.uk/wiki/Stone_Age_Diet_-_this_is_a_diet_which_we_all_should_follow

Nutritional Ketosis is the way forward.

Does any one have this and is it any good need recipes for one preferably .thanks

If anyone has recipes suitable for vegetarians and the 800 diet I’d really appreciate you sharing them with me. I’ve tried a few things myself but feel that they’re not balanced and are preventing weight loss or maybe my portion sizes are wrong . I’m thrilled with my reduction in medication from 3 x 850mg metformin to 3 x 500mg metformin and really want this to work so all help greatly appreciated.

When I startedon 5:2 a few years ago my muslm neighbour told me the secret of fasting – limit your caffeine – I found that my 1 expresso in the morning (now no sugar) is okay – any more and they still came. Early on I stil struggled and just cut it out completely. It worked for me and I am someone who struggles with migraines … perseverance and patience will win over !

As a lifetime binge eater and comfort eater I am astounded by how little I am now eating. 2 weeks in still grappling with the plan and probably eating over 800 as do not want to be obsessed as for me this leads to all or nothing and this time I want it to be for life, gradually reducing still . However I really did eat a lot before , it was not until I went away at the a weekend with friends and watched how much they ate , mindless eating, I was shocked by my greed. I think I can say I am truly loving this eating , and if, I have a few extra calories (900) the food is unprocessed and healthy and fresh.
So far 7lbs down , 2 inches off my waist so my measurements are out of sync with my weight .Problems for me are accepting less volume , increasing my water and mouth hunger. But the biggest change is the mind clarity ,less foggy thinking which at my age 56 has been a problem. I think we should collectively produce a recipe book for one portion meals , any ideas anyone! Thanks for all your post definitely helping me .🙋🏻🐾💜

Good short interview with MM this morning on radio 2, Chris Evans show about 8.40 am (plus minus 5 mins). It may come up later today as a separate bit to listen to, if not you can probably get to it relistening and moving to the time.
Pushing the book, but also talking about his challenge with sugar – currently fallen off wagon and back on diet this week! Lovely to hear him talk about his own challenges as I recognise them – including catastrophic thinking when you decide you have broken the riles to day, you might as well REALLY break them.

Just had my medication reduced from 3 850mg Metformin per day to 500mg x 3 per day, an amazing step in the right direction. My weight is standing still at one stone loss in 2 weeks, no loss for week 3 but I’m ok with that as I know that my body is adjusting now to a new way of eating. Must introduce exercise now 😉 Wishing everyone a successful and happy week <3

Hi debs 14. Well done on your loss so far 😃 My suggestion would be that when you reach your target weight you start to gradually increase your calories while still eating the Mediterranean style foods, drinking the water, and restricting carbs. When you increase the calories gradually you’ll find how many you can eat without gaining weight. Hashimoto has done this, but she’s on holiday for a few weeks.

Hi CarolG. Ask anything. If I can answer, I will. And others will too😃

Perhaps I should have made it clear that I asked the team that question months ago, when I was still in my first 8 weeks on BSD. As I was one of those who started this in the early days we were in uncharted territory so their advice possibly reflected that. In the book MM says 8 weeks then on to 5:2 Mediterranean style. But that some may stay on 800 calories longer if they have more weight to lose.

There are now many of us on these forums who are much further along the BSD journey, and now cannot even think about eating carbs again (or the amount of food that we used to eat!)

I’m now on my 22nd week on 800 calories, losing 57 pounds so far, and another 28 or so still to lose. The weight is still coming off, my fasting blood sugars and HbA1c are down from diabetic levels into normal levels, I have more energy, have better concentration, think more clearly and can cope better with stressful situations. Many of us have also experienced unexpected benefits.

Hope this helps. Any other questions, please ask.

Hi Lynne,
If you don’t mind me asking why are the team advising you to move off the BSD? I am in week 13 having lost 3 stone but still needing to loose another 8 or 9, and want to keep going on BSD. With my GPs blessing I am now off all my diabetic meds, just having my bloods periodically monitored.
Carol

Thank you Bissell and Barry – am going to keep following the low carb Mediterranean diet until I see the dietician and then hopefully start to reduce the meds.
April

Hi Syb. That must have been disappointing for you given the effort you’re making. I can only talk about my own experience really.

I have now stopped taking metformin as part of my plan for Week 7. My FBG readings for the last two weeks (on half-dose) were 4 or 5. This week, three days into a zero dose, they are 5 or 6. I hope that they will settle down but if they creep back up I guess I’ll have to start back on the half dose, and under my DIY rules the trigger for that will be if I start getting readings in the 7s. I will find that disappointing but, hey, it’s not the end of the world and I went into this knowing that the BSD won’t reverse diabetes for everyone. I have at least lost over 2 stones and discovered a healthier way of living/eating. If it comes to it I’ll have to be be content with knowing that I’ve done everything I can to help myself and manage my condition.

You don’t say how far you’re into the BSD or how much weight you’ve managed to shed. If it is early days for you on the diet perhaps you should go cautiously on reducing metformin given your present FBG readings?

Hi deb14
Not very good on the carb count front though I know others swear by it and it seems to work very well for them.
I do try to keep under 800 calories.
Of course I’ve cheated sometimes…..holidays, birthdays and special occasions ……the odd glass of wine etc.
But have always tried to stick to the main principles of the diet and avoided the starchy, sugary and processed stuff as much as possible.
So we can’t beat ourselves up about occasional cheats.
Well done on your weight loss btw and how much more do you want to lose?

ChrisBooster
Like Switzerland has said you know your own body and capabilities.
If you up your calories then your weight loss will possibly take longer……..unless as Californiagirl says you find you need it.
Experiment.
Personally I have always tried to stick to the 800 mark and I’ve been fine.
I am on Week 15 and far from an athlete at 63.
However I’ve upped my exercise and in the last two days have burned over 4,800 calories according to my Fitbit doing exercise classes and playing tennis. Chuffed to have lost 3lbs in that time……and I don’t feel hungry at all.
Impossible to advise you, as you are the best judge……can only report my experience.

Sooooo,…..
Feeling tired this morning, am I doing too much?
I think I will stop exercising just for today.
I am scared to go back to bad habits.
It’s been raining all night….. Oh just the one puddle….oh look at the size of that one…..
Twins a wellie in each one. Splash splash………. Triple………oh……..

Love Lucia
Xxxxx

Hi Ay Caramba, That is great that you have been going for 15 weeks. How low do you keep your carb intake? Have you had many cheat days?

Wow…. three weeks and a stone lost that is truly amazing. Well done That is great progress.
Not surprised your body is slowing down a bit.
Weight loss fluctuates loads. I’ve had weeks where I’ve lost nothing and weeks where I’ve gained weight.
On Week 15 and intending to stick with it till I reach a healthy BMI.
Overall the weight goes down……down……down!!!!!!

That is fantastic so far. I lost 6.5 kg in 10 weeks. Don’t get discouraged. The weight will come off. Many things play a role. If you are exercising, you may be building muscle and that weighs more then fat. Keep up the hard work and YOU WILL BENEFIT,

Thanks Switzerland. The key to success is small portions and low carbs, not to mention eliminating potato, rice, pasta, bread and sugar on a regular basis. If you can stick to that regime and only splurge every once in a while, you will be fine. Hope you are reaching your goals!

Ha ha Isabel
Know what you mean.:-)
Did you jog around barging people out of the way with your trolley?????

So far I’ve lost a stone and 5 inches off my stomach which is amazing! I haven’t lost any weight in almost a week though – has anyone else had this? I’m hoping that if I just carry on it’ll gradually pick up again.

Morning, 5 minute check in whilst I have my morning cuppa.

So todays food is going to be

yoghurt and strawberries for breakfast

cheese, cucumber, tomato, branston pickle for lunch

chickpeas

tandoori chicken for dinner, not sure what I will have with it yet… maybe a mix of baked veg. It isn’t a recipe I’ve used before so we will see if it works out. Here is the recipe

I’ll need to remember to take the chicken out of the freezer.

I still haven’t measured up as I forgot to get my tape measure back 🙁 maybe tomorrow lol.

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/928/barbecued-tandoori-chicken.aspx?o_is=LV

I have been prediabetic for 18 years and have had glucose tolerance tests in NSW, ACT and VIC and have never been told to carb load. That being said I was diagnosed yesterday with diabetes but having a progressive doctor she recommended that I lose weigh immediately and has given me 2-3 months to reverse my diabetes before putting me on medication.

Morning April
I can imagine that if one is diabetic, loses weight on this diet but then starts again eating loads of carbs, the bs management would be hard. Surely the whole point is that one increases calories after the diet (to a ‘normal’ level of, say, 2000 a day) BUT keeps it low carb. Then all should be fine. I guess it seems to good to be true for some health workers, until they see more evidence.
It’s hard to know what to do for the best isn’t it? Especially in the face of ‘expert’ opinion. I would be tempted to plough on regardless, keeping an eagle eye on your bs readings.
Best of luck with whatever you do.

Morning Natalie. Sounds rotten, I’m sure it was a result of a high blood sugar level compared to what was becoming normal for you. If I get that, I over produce insulin and my blood sugar dips too low and I get a similar response. Shaking, sweating, trembling, blurred vision, confusion. I used to take comfort in the fact that my body would even it all out in a bit, but would lie down and eat some golden syrup! Not the best for a controlled BS level. However, this hasn’t happened to me once since starting the diet 19 days ago and I’m sure your bs will go back to ‘normal’ once you start the low carbs again.
Hopefully this was just something that had to be gone through and you will feel much better on the diet. It will be interesting to hear your results when you get them.
Best of luck

There are small books available at newsagents which give calories for just about all foods and serving sizes.
Means you don’t have to weigh every thing to work it out.
I have one called “Allan Borushek’s Pocket Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter
It’s really good.

Ok, did the test this morning, maybe people can give me advice on what I should have done afterwards in case this happens again. During the two hour test, after drinking the glucose, I felt nauseated and tired but not too bad. When I was released I had two crackers with cheese (maybe 10 grams of each), then came home and had 100 grams of roast chicken and a small amount of leftover vegetable, not much because it seemed oily on my queasy stomach.

About two hours after that I started to feel very shaky and odd. I tested my blood sugar, trembling enough that I was having trouble holding the pen, and I was down to 3.9 mmol/L (70.2 mg/dl). I realise that this is not dangerously low – in fact borderline normal – but I certainly felt unwell. I wasn’t sure what to do to get my blood glucose back up. I had some dark chocolate but then remembered that the amount of fat makes chocolate slow release, so had a couple more crackers with cheese then half an apple. I am feeling a lot better now.

I assume this was a reaction to the GTT glucose, though it happened about four hours after drinking the stuff and with food in between. I am pre-diabetic (as of last test, don’t know about this one yet).

Hi Stephanie63,

Check the nutritional label on the tea of choice. I found a peach/mango tea that has sucrose as an ingredient!

Hi SteveR,

Welcome to the forums and your BSD journey.
You work some very long hours and in such a stressful industry. Your idea of pre-preparing your meals when you go to work is genius. If you can do that and take all of the food and drinks you need to stick with BSD with you, it takes away the need to stray from this way of eating.

At least you’re on holidays while you establish the new eating patterns/food and if you’re organised when you return to work you’ll blitz it.

You’ve put a lot of thought into your BSD plan and now you’re making it happen.
Have a great holiday.

Hi debs14,
What great stats. No wonder you’re happy.
Thank you for sharing your journey, it’s inspirational.

A lot of us use a phone app like MyFitnessPal or CalorieKing, depending on which country we are in. You plug in 50g raw broccoli (or whatever) and it tells you calories, carbs, anything else you want to know. And adds everything up for the day, as well. It does mean you have to weigh everything to get an accurate result.

Im on day 5 of my diet. Im struggling with food calorie count.
Can anyone tell me a helpful way to find out how many calories I’m eating?
Problem is-
I often have to alter recipes or make some up myself…. (for the what the heck is that ingredient factor of many recipies)☺
How many calories are in broccoli for example. Or any other natural food that wouldn’t have a label…
I feel like I’d have much more success with weight loss if I could figure this out…..
Thank you anyone for some insights and imput.

You should be fine Stephie63 – seems like for many brands calories are between 2 and 5 calories. And carbs are 0 from the nutritional fact sheets on the myfitnespal site. OK – I am off to explore fruit teas!!

Hi. Can someone tell me how to work out the Maintenance point? I have completed 10 weeks and want to do 2 more weeks on the 800cal. I have lost 6.5kg. It seems like most people have lost a lot more then that in the same time frame. I won’t get discouraged as I only need to lose anther 5kgs. THANKS!

Good work! I just finished 10 weeks and have lost 6.5kg. I am happy so far with the result as I only need to lose a bit more.
Make sure you keep your carbs low and you will continue to have good results and feel great!

So, I started another topic weeks ago, very disgruntled about how slow the results were.
I just finished 10 weeks and have lost 6.5 kg.
I am very happy about that result and will continue for another 2 weeks.
I have to admit that I have had a few squares of dark choc with almonds a few times for dessert, but only went over the 800 calories 4x in the 10 weeks. I have been walking and playing a bit of tennis for exercise.
You will get results if you stick to this program. Good luck everyone!

I see we have a similar problem Stephie63. I will expire the fruit tea option and see if they are allowed. Then my friend tells me I can go out and try out some T2 samples until I find some I like. Off to research!

I started the day after you Anila
I’ve created a lovely spreadsheet that lets me log food, summarise it and keep track of targets – I just have to get some more data!
hope that your first two days have gone well

Week one I struggled with cravings
Week two I had zero cravings
Week three MAJOR cravings but I stayed with it 100%

Here I am starting week four
Weight loss to date: 28 pounds
Fasting BS: from mid 150’s to 99 to 110

Weight loss has slowed down but the greatly improved fasting numbers keep me going.

I still have a massive amount of weight to lose but I feel like I’m on the right track.

I imagine its all poison and I’m in the know and others are oblvious, truthfully, it IS poison to my body.

Hi Thanks for that.

Will try what you said and see how it goes

Started my 8 week program yesterday I weigh in at 130kg im 50yrs old I have diabetes type 2 its time to start looking after myself a bit better I am a tow truck driver on the Gold Coast in Australia I work 12 days on 1 weekend off then back on for 12 days of which I am on call 24hrs except Thursday night which I have off. So much of my eating is grab what I can as I go not a good eating plan. I think it will be a challenge when I go back to work as im on holidays at the moment but I will have most of my meals pre made for each day as best I can. I started the diet yesterday no problems not really hungry I enjoyed all the meals on the meal plan. The veg curry was yummy, my goal is to drop 20kgs in 8 weeks and then go on the 5.2 diet to drop a further 20kgs if I could get to 90kgs I would be a very happy camper.

Lost 2 inches off waist, it’s clearly no myth that I react to foods! And 4lbs!
Excited 🙂

Hi April,

It’s such a pity that there is not a general positive atitude to the diet, I hope that the link below will help you to get someone to listen to what you want.

The link is to a PDF from the NHS in Sotland with an interesting insight to the diet, good luck.

http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/DiabetesService/PatientsCarers/Documents/SJH%20NEWCASTLE%20DIET%20BOOKLET2012.pdf

Barry

Welcome Rachel, I hope your first day went well and you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂

My friend and I walked 3-4 miles through the forest in the rain, we are a weird pair as we actually like it haha.

Warming up with a herbal tea before bed, then bring on tomorrow!