Great Job Collie! Like Marcus said, the veggies can definitely help if volume is what your missing. Great recipe Marcus!

As for the water intake, it’s been vital for me to help curb cravings, hunger, and weight loss. Try making the water interesting. There are plenty of water enhancers available in stores, just watch out for hidden sugar. You could add lemon or cucumber to your water and even try sparkling. I wasn’t drinking much before but now I use it to help fill me up.

Lastly, I used to be a mindless eater try celery stalks, or crunchy lettuce, or even carrots. There was a period early on where I was just missing some crunch that those things helped. I’m 3 weeks in. Last week was a struggle but this week is going much better. Keep it up!

Yes, debs14 I’m happy with my progress. I post details on the ‘weigh in’ thread on Fridays.

Brilliant news Bill!! Absolutely delighted for you and that the hard work is paying off!!

: )

Hi Ay Caramba,
I want to lose another 5kg. I lost about 12kg in 2010 and was able to keep it off for many years. When I increased my carbs and portions and ate a bit of crap for a short period of time, I gained back 5kgs. I keep my carbs under 35 grams and try to eat them by lunchtime. You must be able to have a life and a few cheat eats. Just need to keep them to a minimum if you want results.
How much longer will you do the 800cal?

Hi Collie, that’s a fantastic loss for two weeks… practically an entire new born baby 😉 Good work!

I’m a big eater too and do really love a big meal – I’ve struggled a bit with keeping portion sizes down but hit on a winning solution for when I really feel like I need to fill up; I cook up a mountainous stir-fry of above ground veg and diced tuna steak (lean meat or quorn should work too).

Mushrooms, peppers, asparagus, spinach, pak choi, spring onion or whatever takes your fancy – fried in garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander, lemongrass , Tamari soy sauce and Thai fish sauce. I like a to add some citrus too; lime juice seems to work well with the tamari and chilli.

It can be served in a bowl with the juices as a broth or drained before serving and the juices kept for a cup-a-soup style snack if you like intense salty broths like I do 🙂

I use 250g of Tuna steak and as much veg as I feel like chopping. It makes two hearty portions around 300cals or one enormous meal around 600cals.

I’m a bit of a creature of habit so I’ve eaten variations on this quite a lot and so far lost 23lbs in six weeks. I’ve exercised and drunk lots of water too – but I’m pretty sure (even if, like me, you eat a lot of it) you can’t go too far wrong with fish and veg.

Hope the rest of your journey goes well, you sound like you’ve made a fantastic start 🙂

In previous post typo….*although* ….you see..eating carbs makes you spell incorrectly !

I fell off the wagon at high speed and face planted big time. Bank Holiday BBQ was the start of the downfall..forgot just how good some things taste when liberally doused in dressing !! Allthough since then I have not eaten a huge amount a lot of what I have eaten has been bad (aka really tasty and usually chocolate covered). Saw this thread on one of my facebook posts from the 8WBSD and hit the link….phew..I think you guys have just got me back on track again. Feel a complete plonker..have lost nearly three stone doing the diet and now starting again to shift another. bob fox your post was a killer..just thinking about your poor mother in law and what she has had to go through…I will try to keep that in mind if I feel the carbs calling…Thank you people !

Hi Lynne
Sorry for the late reply, I’m really snowed under at work at the moment and don’t find a lot of time to post
No weight loss this week which was a wee bit upsetting as I won’t hit the 13.5 ston mark by June 9th, BUT
I went shopping yesterday 🙂
I started this plan with a 46″ waist
Yesterday I slipped easily into a size 38″ jeans – 8 inches gone off my waist AND
All my shirts and T shirts were XXXL now into XL shirts ( I like them a bit loose) and L in a Tee shirt
I was dancing around the shop floor, folk must have me labelled as a proper nutter 😀
Talk about every cloud has a silver lining 🙂

thanks skywalker 🙂
I feel like I have energy to burn 🙂 I have lost 6kg in my first week and 9cm on my waist. I was a severe diabetic (5 injections a day) I am now down to 1 injection a day :). I am sleeping better and life is a lot brighter 🙂

http://metabolicoptimization.com/

http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/

My pleasure Eureka,

I spend most of my time in the kitchen these days, which I think is a lot better than the alternative of spending most of my time at the doctors in the future.

Ketogenic for life is the way I want to live, the benefits for me outweigh the effort it takes to implement and sustain this way of eating.

Exercise and intermittent fasting are also important aspects of this diet too. It encourages Mitochondrial biogenesis, Autophagy and apoptosis which are very beneficial for health and longevity.

Hmmm, well done I suppose that must be mainly fluids but keep it up and when you trigger the fat burning it will be similar if slower. Be aware that most of us slowed on the weight loss variously throughout and remember to keep up the fluids and protein. I hope all goes well and it seems like it should. Good luck and keep checking the forum, you will learn loads and get lots of support…

You go girl😃
That’s excellent news, well done!
Keep it up!
Linda

That sounds like a good plan, my first few weeks had days with over 1000 but by the end I averaged 846/day and only 28.4 gm/day of sugars whereas when I started the first day I counted over 90 gms of sugar. Stick with the “guidance and principles” and I am sure you will continue to shrink at a suitable pace not to mention improve the health and lifestyle factors. Good to hear success…

Thank you @feltwicked, well done for getting to week 3 and for the amazing results!

Yes definitely order, I’m only on day 2 but I’ve been reading such great reviews. So much better than all the crazy diets I’ve tried before as its more of a healthy lifestyle 🙂

Hey, Well done, but don’t overdo it. I could not walk 10k daily yet. I am on week 13 and no longer counting. Congratulations and let’s hope you are one of the greatest succes – it sounds like you could well be…

Day 5.
Last night i got off shift two and a half hours late, i was starving. I managed to ignore the little voice in my head that told me to go to the fish and chip shop, or buy bread or pizza on the way home. I got home and had a few minutes of panic. I sat and remebered what LindaA had said about avacardo not being the end of the world. So I weighed the half an avacardo and cottage cheese, then ate the lot. I still felt hungry but les desperate so managed to work out I could have steamed greens with a small amount of cheese grated on and a berry fruit with yoghurt pud and only go over a little. Hoora so pleased with myself for managing not to give in. Thanks for the support.

thanks izzy 🙂 i will do that when the 800 is over 🙂 i have just finished my first week and am missing things less and less. I have started drinking herbal tea aswell

Hi Ryan
Thanks for this info. The more knowledge we can find the more we can evaluate & make informed choices about our lifestyle & health.
We have to find out what works for us & what we can live with long term. We’ve all got years of bad eating habits to unravel & reform. Choices & willingness to change are paramount to better health.

We’re all ‘guilty’ of following dietary information ‘fed’ to us without questioning its validity. Busy lives give us the excuse of leaving these decisions to people we believe know more than us & know best. It turns out that they can be wrong, & don’t always tell us the true facts they know ( re: reports, trials & scientific papers)! We have to take real responsability for ourselves. We put the food into our own mouths!

I want my family to see that I can change my diet & improve my health on a suitable, non fad diet/way of life that is sustainable for the rest of my life. I want the chance to make myself well. I want the treatment of Type 2 Diabetics to change. Never too late to change or learn. Knowledge is power!

wow I can’t believe hoe effective this diet is. In just one week I have gone from 5 insulin injections to 1. I have been walking every day for over a month now. I have started walking 10km a day. I hope everyone is going well 🙂

Hi Rachel, I really don’t think the slightly over 800 calories will matter, as the real focus is on cutting down (or out) the high level of carbs (sugars) in our routines. I’ve been on this diet almost 3 weeks now and have lost weight, found more energy, and am already off my medication for both type 2 and high bp. Stick with what you’re doing and I’m sure you will be fine.

I have the fast cook book — there are some very nice recipes in there. What I do is make the recipe then take my portion out and freeze the rest I sometimes double the amount so I have a freezer full of ready made meals. I found this very helpfully in my early weeks as all I had to do is go to the freezer in the morning and take out a soup for lunch and a main meal for the evening — min time spent in the kitchen!! I’m now on week 18 and the kitchen isn’t such a ‘worrying’ place to be with all that food around to nibble. Hope this helps.

Hi have just found this site – all makes sense to me and feel can really do this – going to get book today😀

Day 3…
For breakfast had chia seeds, ounce of raspberries and coconut milk (not too sure about this one as though it doesn’t seem to have many carbs it mentions rice as an addition so might not be the best option in future! Maybe almond milk with no sugar better) and 2 teaspoons of almond butter for breakfast – left overnight the chia seeds make a kind of gloopy pudding thing – tasty!

The chorizo and tomatoes and leek soup from the book for dinner last night – soo nice and filling. Having that again for lunch today. with a few Brazil nuts. Recipe seemed to make quite a lot so will still have some left.

Then hopefully making the spicy bean burgers from the book tonight!

Feeling ok and not really hungry though a bit spaced – found myself putting the book in the fridge last night instead of the butter :-)))))

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?????