I’m still here. I’m on day 13 and have seen my nurse, who is delighted that I am on this diet and was really happy to see my 5lb weight loss. (My nurse told me that in the last few months, she has been on training days concerning diabetes and the advice now given to patients, is a low carb diet. I was thrilled to hear this and she has already made my appointment for my hba1c for the week after my 8 weeks, she is backing me 100%) I did have a wobble but it was only for one meal. I had a tortilla wrap from Tesco to be be honest just for convenience. I think if i’d chosen a bread sandwich I may have, been rather bloated and unhappy but as it was, I had no ill effects.

3 places I’ve found I can eat out and have low carb options; Whetherspoons, do a salmon salad, dressing on the side. delicious. Subway do a really lovely salad, with meat or tuna with grated cheese, its delicious. & also a carvery. I had a roast dinner with no Yorkshire, stuffing or potatoes and it was delicious and I was stuffed on basically turkey and veg.

I have had a couple of alcoholic beverages, I am trying to decide which red wine I like as I havn’t really drank it in the past, so my fella and I shared a bottle of tempranillo which was lovely. I have also tried those little single glass serving bottles of a shiraz (yuk!) and a Rioja (yum!). Last night I had 1 glass of wine and it lasted me all night and I added it to my calorie count as a snack.

So as I’m struggling through, I am finding satisfying meal (the first week I was starving all the time). The most satisfying meals to date. Scrambled eggs with bacon, No carb ploughmans and curried baked beans and lentils with chicken and green beans.
I have bought some pearl barley this week and will be making a vegetable curry, using them with beans.

sorry to waffle on peeps, but its been a few days. XX

I started the 8 week programme on 16 March 2016. It has been an easy way of life for me. Breakfast usually consists of a portobello mushroom grilled, with a little olive oil in the cavity where the stalk was removed, and one egg scrambled. Delicious!
This is followed by a cup of black tea and a glass of water.
Lunch is mostly soup and an an apple and another glass of water.
If I feel the need for an afternoon tea snack with the coffee, I eat a few black olives; two gherkins and a dessert spoon of cottage cheese.
Dinner is mostly a mix of stir fry vegetables : onion, two garlic cloves, cauliflower, broccoli, red or green capsicum (thinly sliced),carrots, some cabbage (also thinly sliced). This mix is done in olive oil, with a glug or two as the cooking proceeds. Half of a tomato, seasoned with a little salt and black pepper and a glug of olive oil is placed in the benchtop griller.
This is all served with a small amount of meat (chicken, beef schnitzel, lamb chop etc.) There is usually sufficient left over to fill two small takeaway dishes and placed in the freezer for another night’s quick meals.
Another glass of water accompanies the meal. Dessert is a few frozen blueberries topped with a little Greek yoghurt.

The result of all this is that I have managed to lose 10.2 kg in 9 weeks. I go back to see the GP on Thursday and I hope that I will be clear of Type 2 diabetes then.

This is the way I intend to continue. Thank Michael for your inspiration.

Jim

I just read people without a gallbladder have to have a low fat diet and that’s why I am having tummy issues due to the higher fat percentage of the diet.
Advice? Thoughts?
Thanks!

I have Ryvita for lunch with various stuff on top. I slice is around 45 calories. I think it depenfs perhaps on what variety you use. I find them really useful. Certainly much better for you than bread, taste better too, and they are also good for breaking up and adding to soup to help bulk it up. What’s not to like?

Thanks for Checking that neo, I had no idea, as I hadn’t read the label.

So I was told the weather is going bad this weekend, so last night I mowed both lawns to get more steps.
Now I am told its only going a bit cooler.
Oh well, it’s done and more steps to my totals.
Love Lucia xxx

So other than being a clown,
Let me tell you some ideas of what to eat.

Breakfasts
You know me and my yoghurt now, I have it with a different fruit, Apple one day, blueberries, even a satsuma.
On the weekends, I can have my controlled cooked English breakfast.
Sometimes I go for omelette with a variety of things such as ham, spring onions, prawns, etc.

Lunches
I love my salads, cheese, chicken, ham, pork, prawns, boiled eggs, any of these with salad.
Don’t forget salad isn’t just lettuce and tomatoes.
Think of pickled onions, red onions, cucumber, spring onions, pineapple, olives, lettuce , cherry tomatoes, beef tomatoes, celery, radish, beetroot, carrots, pine nuts, any type of nuts, apples, peppers, to name but a few, so you can have a variety of salad each day.

Evening meals,
I love bean sprouts in my stir fries,
Meatballs and spiraliser carrots, courgettes,
Tuna spring onion, grated carrots wrapped up in and iceberg lettuce leaf
Hunters chicken with cauli rice
Stir fried, chicken, cashews, Spring onions,carrots broccoli soy, stock

If I need to put something in my mouth, I go for sugar free gum
If I feel hungry I go for herbal teas, to see if that answers the question.

Ther is so much more to eat, but these were my regular meals at the beginning.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Week six started ,already !
Lost a sone and half in first three weeks,fourth week put few pounds on ,fifth week lost the few pounds ,back to same as week three now !
Three weeks to end of the eight can’t see me losing lots in that time so will carry on regardless.
Would love to crack over two stone loss barrier.😱

Hi barby
My apologies , l am new on BSD. I lost 3.5 kg /first week. Today is my day one of week 2. May I suggest a recipie of falafel, really delicious especially with yoghurt, tahini and lots of salad.

Evening everyone 🙂 another day over and I’m getting ready to sleep.

Dinner was steak pie for the others with potatoes and veg, I made the steak pie filling ages ago as I usually make it in bulk in the slow cooker then freeze portions, cheating by just using the shop bought pastry. So I made that for everyone else, but for me I took my portion of cooked diced steak and put it in a big bowl. Then I added chopped onion, courgette, cherry tomatoes, some garlic, and drizzled on some olive oil and some hot pepper sauce. I mixed it all together then poured it into an oven tray. Baked for around 10 mins, gave it a stir and added tomato puree, mixed it all through and then baked again for 10 mins. It was actually nice. No idea what I would call it lol.

I’m now sat here drinking one of these…
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/17221/low-carb-hot-chocolate.aspx?o_is=LV

and it’s quite nice. about the same calories as my other idea of making hot choc with milk, but a lot less carbs so this is my new treat. I’m actually quite often low on calories so this is something I may end up having semi-regularly.

I’ve written out a menu plan for the next week so I’m going to be super dooper organised.

Also (apologies for tmi) I’m menstruating, so I’m ever hopeful my weight loss will speed up a little (I can hope!) Never know when to expect it with my wonky ovaries, but oddly my body seems to like being 40. I’m been reasonably regular since my birthday in January lol. Now that I’m not interested in having more babies my body decides to work. Silly ovaries.

My question is around the reintroduction of carbs when going on to 5:2. I’m on week 9 of Fast BSD and will probably do another week. I’ve lost 4 inches round the waist and stone in weight with a few weeks where I’ve gained or stayed the same. The big bonus for me is how much better I feel when not eating flour, potato, rice and pasta. I’m nervous about being on 5:2 and how to keep the feast/fast principle while steering clear of those nasty starchy carbs.

Eureka….stay away from the Tequila (and the worm!)………think of all those carbs!!!!!
Your Marathon counting sounds rather complicated but you seem to have it pretty sorted so best of luck with your Marathon.
Well done on your 9,500 steps.
BTW the barbie recipe sounds delicious.
.
Orchid, you are doing great to have achieved your Marathon in Garmin miles already. Not sure about all this ‘calibrating’ going on with you two…….it makes my brain hurt just thinking about this!!!!
Did it rain on Wednesday and did you manage to get your walk in? Pity you weren’t still in Scotland because the weather seems pretty good there atm.

LD…..9 flights of stairs …..sounds exhausting to me!!!! Like Orchid I used to find Yoga a bit of a trauma with my pregnant-looking tummy but feel much more svelte these days and find some yoga positions uncomfortable, not because of extra blubber, but because there are bits of my body that are bonier than before. Keep going and look forward to feeling much more energetic in the future.

Best of luck everyone.

Orchid, I disagree with your comment about porridge oats. I have them most mornings for breakfast, made with milk and flavoured with spice, and find it fills me up for hours. When working, I am up at 5am and I find I am not looking for anything to eat until 12 noon.

Thanks for the replies – quite hard keeping under 800 everyday but if I can do it a couple of times a week and stick to low carb/med then I hope it’ll work out for me

Welcome home P and well done for doing so well in resisting temptation on your holiday. Seeing as you’re already ‘in the zone’ it makes sense to start a bit earlier on the BSD proper. I’m at the end of day 5 now and it doesn’t feel so bad without the carbs! I even sat smugly in Costa with my skinny cappuccino today, knowing I had resisted the lure of the muffins. You do have an awful lot of rhubarb compote to get through… Breakfast is sorted for several weeks!

Hi again,
I’m no expert on anything medical-related, be it physical or mental issues, so I’m not sure how to help. If you are feeling a bit shaky before breakfast, might it be the effect of the overnight fast and your body wants food/drink? Are you on any medications which might contribute to it? On the BSD, cereals are generally a no-no which might explain weight going back on – but my weight loss has been up & down like a fiddler’s elbow, it’s just that overall it’s been more downwards.

I know you want to lose weight but maybe you are possibly pressuring yourself over weight loss and it’s too much when you’ve got other issues going on. Emotions can play havoc with a diet. You did well with the 5:2 approach – maybe that suits you. Whichever diet you decide to follow I think you need to prepare for it and then go for it. Maybe give yourself a break – do something that interests you, try and take your mind off things, and then come back, hopefully refreshed, to give this diet lark another crack.

Lemon polenta cake sounds scrummy! Lemon has to be one of my favourite flavours. I hope it turns out well! And enjoy it!
Have a good weekend,
Rose

Now back from my hols.
We did lots of extra walking every day and also a short stroll after dinner too. Tried to follow a few basic principles by cutting out puddings, and lots of other traditional holiday eats, refined carbs and also no booze.( Not that we drink very much but every little bit helps i’m sure.) Had a few small treats but to be honest didn’t really enjoy the chocolate cake.
I am bringing my start date forward to tomorrow as I have decided not to wait until the 23rd as planned.
Just before we left I picked some rhubarb from our allotment to make the rhubarb compote ( and unfortunately found the printing error 500g instead of 50g too late !! ) and ended up making over 20 small bags which are nestling in the freezer. Not to worry – it tastes good so won’t go to waste lol.
I have lost a few more pounds and weighed 14 st 3lb the day before we went away. Will start tomorrow morning with a fresh reading.

Thanks for the idea Basma910, but I am vegetarian, so don’t eat meat. Sounds tasty though.

Hi Orchid, thanks for trying to help. I feel a right idiot now :). sorry , I quickly searched and found burger with griddled veg, and assumed it was a recipe for a burger containing the veg – no of course it is a ready made meat burger! with veg accompaniment.

The ones I actually tried to make were a lentil burger and a courgette one – have dismissed them both now. recipes from internet

I like the idea of a crushed pulses and veg mix, but maybe I should consider a veg loaf instead, with some cheese on top. Could then slice and freeze it, and eat hot or cold. From what I’ve read, it is quite an art to make a successful veggie burger.

I have just found this site – http://www.vegetarianrecipesmag.com/vegetarian-recipes/vegetable-gratin and this gratin looks good. I ave the ingredients so will try it tomorrow.

The courgette bhajis sound nice thanks, may try them, and good to take to work also. I like the stuffed peppers, have done them before.

I have been doing this about 6 weeks now, and have lost a stone. (I didn’t weigh for about first week so maybe more) I did get a bit disappointed when I read of the huge losses many have, but I feel better, and am in smaller size., so I’m very happy. The unique thing is, I don’t have the cravings to binge now, it is truly amazing, never felt this way before ever – so far I just feel I can do this long term. Very happy.

Thank you neohdiver – have fiddled about with MFP and made it use my 800 calories – thank you!

JSR, this is my 3rd week (started Tuesday) and though I’ve been happy on the diet, a little disappointed not to see really big weight loss.
Switched to MyFitnessPal this week and am focusing on keeping carbs low, and on how I feel and my clothes fit to give me an idea of how I’m doing.
All going well!
Due out to dinner Tuesday and have already researched the menu and found a very suitable dish.
But a glass of red wine or not? Decisions, decisions!

Hi JC_D,
Thanks.
I am also now back from my travels and have done a bit of a trial whilst choosing the best options from the hotel buffet style offerings and like you feel much better and the clothes are looser. I had no alcohol, one magnum almond lolly and one small chocolate cake slice too. Also no pasta, white flour, sugar, spuds or rice. Usually on holiday I would have a pud every day plus alcohol, ice cream and the donuts they sell on the sea front. I originally planned to start on the 23rd but have decided to jump in and start as soon as possible…tomorrow. Can’t wait and feel positive. All the best to you x

I’m on week 10 and have eaten pickles all along the way. Onions, cucumber, chutney and my latest addiction… Sauerkraut!! (I always account for it in my cals though).

Hi! I,ve not been counting calories at all. Just stuck to fish, chicken, pork, beef and eggs with plenty of salad, berries and brightly coloured veg. I’ve been snacking on blueberries and unsalted nuts – mainly cashews and walnuts. Eating a filling breakfast has been key for me. It has prevented me from feeling hungry throughout the day. I usually have a bowl of porridge flavouŕed with nutmeg or cinnamon, with tinned drained peaches or mandarin segments. Lunch usually Ryvita with soft cheese, humous or guacamole, and dinner is either fish, meat or eggs with plenty veg. I’ve lost 9.5lb in two weeks, and shaved 2 inches off my waistline, this despite having the odd ‘naughty’ treat. This is completely unheard of for me!! Try ditching the alcohol and having breakfast, would be my advice, and don’t eat ANY bread, rice, pasta of potatoes. Oh, and DON’T give up!!

Reading all your posts is encouraging. I’ve just completed my 2nd week , and today I’m feeling a bit faint. I’ve been great up till now. First week, I lost 8lb, and 1.5lb this week which was a bit disappointing. I know however that I can’t expect the same weight loss as in the first week, and am still encouraged to find that despite the low weight loss this week, I’ve lost 2 inches from my waistline. I’ve also joined the gym in the last week and have been doing 20-30 mins on the rowing machine which is burning calories. For me, the diet is easy to stick to. I don’t feel at all hungry or deprived, have had a few ‘naughty’ eats since starting – and surprisingly already I have found them too sweet, which is a bonus. Hopefully that means I won’t want to eat so much of that stuff in the future.

@igorasusual – you can log at 800 calories on MFP. The only thing you can’t do at 800 calories is “complete” the diary entry without getting a scolding response. But it adds in your exercise calories, tallies up your daily calories, etc.

@bloodsugardaddy – it is 800 gross calories. You don’t get to net exercise calories into the equation.

Oh my gosh JoannC, thanks for posting!! I forgot about my bracelet until you mentioned your watch!! It moves all over the place and used to be tight!
Made me laugh re your bra – – I went from putting it on the loosest hook to the tightest… so I know what you mean – it’s the littlest things that matter so much isn’t it?

Thanks again!

Hello Igorasusual, how long have you been on the diet?

That is great that you feel in control. For instance, today I had eggs for breakfast and a salad with veggies for lunch and I haven’t had any cravings. I don’t feel hungry either and afternoons are usually bad for me because I want to snack. Hopefully my body is adjusting and getting rid of the sugar and carbs. I don’t have diabetes and I don’t have any blood sugar issues. I was just addicted to carbs and sugar.

I’m glad I’m not alone in seeing a large amount of weight loss in two weeks. I guess it really does depend on everyone’s body and how it will react. I’ve lost a total of 5 lbs since last Monday. The end of my two weeks will be Sunday. I do feel good though, no stomach issues and no headaches.

My understanding is that it’s 800 calories per day, and you should ignore any allowances for exercise which MFP advises.

When you think about it, MFP won’t let you log a day at 800 calories anyway! I use it for the components of the food and more accurate measuring of calories.

JSR, I am not seeing large drops in weight as measured by the scales.

however, I can feel my clothes are looser, and see my face is slightly slimmer, so have decided not to be too attached to the scales.
And I feel so much more in control!

Today had good breakfast – two fried eggs, avocado, roasted asparagus and a slice of Leerdammer cheese. With my coffee this was 400 calories, but I’ve then had nothing more all day and not felt the lack at all.

Another 400 calories for dinner!

Done 3 and a half weeks lost 12lbs so far,

good things –
Skin is better not blotchy or dry
Acid reflux has gone ( good riddance)
Sleep better
Bra doesn’t ‘dig in’ after a few hours 🙂

bad thing
my watch strap is too big will have to get a link taken out ;/

yes we have deviled eggs, and that sounds nice.

I like to chop up my boiled eggs in a mug and add salt and pepper, I really like them that way

Hi Rosy posy.
Day one that’s great.
Now don’t be afraid of asking those gang, any questions you have.

I enjoy getting those baking sheets for little cakes.
I put a big mushroom in as a base.I make a wall by lining it with bacon, then break an egg in the middle,
Make a few, pop it in the oven and hey presto, one crazy breakfast.

I had weeks and weeks of full fat Greek yogurt with berries and fruit for breakfast.
So what? Well I thought life could not exist without cereal EVERY morning for breakfast.
I was suprised that nothing happened to me when I changed.
Just shows you.
Love Lucia
Xxxx

Follow up to previous posts. I called in to the surgery on Tuesday to remind them that I had asked in my letter of 10th April for some info and a copy of a report due on another medical matter. The report was seriously overdue by more than 2 weeks and I had already received a written apology from the hospital due to their backlog in test analyses. It finally arrived at my local practice at about 1500h on 9th May following the tests of 5-6 April. In spite of my previous written request (1 month earlier) I could not gain access to it. We drove home (160+ miles) to try to get access the following day and I was told that everyone was far too busy to deal with it – including the GP himself. He came down to speak to me after I complained. He suggested that I see him the following day when all would be revealed except that there was no problem because the tests came back essentially normal. So, there I was, 6 days after the hospital said it had finally been sent, at 0750h and second in the queue! The doors opened at 0815h and a list of patients was made at 0830h. I was in with my friendly GP by about 0850h and we had a good exchange but he was still asking if I had lost 18%+ of my body mass (3 stones) via a low fat diet? He did however, share the report at the end and took some of my data as evidence to follow-up on. My letter of 10 April was still being considered and the other GP that it refers to has been sent a copy to comment on, so still no progress there. That particular bit of “feedback” refers to the consultation of 22nd Feb that would eventually generate the overdue report referred to above. The Practice Manager had stated they would have 20 days to investigate and respond. She was apologetic but had I not complained I would have been no wiser that there was still no progress . Our NHS here in East of England is no longer fit for purpose but is trying hard to improve… We keep it going by paying for scans etc just to get some good data swiftly.

Oh Izzy – forgot to mention re eggs – I found a recipe for deviled egg salad yesterday and my hubby bought the items and made it last night – it was delicious – – basically you just make your regular deviled egg recipe (do you eat those there?) and make it an egg salad – – I loved it because after two weeks I am over just eating hard boiled eggs and omelet eggs…. next I will try making curried egg salad I think.
The egg sellers must love us!

Thanks Izzy, that’s overall – i measure bust, waist, hips, 1 arm, and 1 leg.- most is from my hips it seems but this explains why I had to buy smaller clothes already! 🙂 Off to Week 3 now!!

Wow evil weevil, that’s great!!! Terrific news re the pounds and snoring!!!
Thanks for posting – seeing what’s better for everyone helps me stay motivated too!
🙂

4 weeks in:
21lb gone.
No more snoring! Stopped within a week of starting the diet.
Dropped a dress size, 20 to 18.
Been getting to sleep easily & waking up fresh.
Started couch to 5k last week having not run for 3 years.

At the moment my libido has disappeared, but that’s pretty normal for me on a vlcd and I know that it will come back with a vengeance when I’m near goal.

Gosh Clairebear you’ve got it really tough. Ive only got a couple of temptations in my cupboards. If I had my grandson here I’d be too tired to care about dieting! I’d be into the dried fig bag and having peanut butter and jam sandwiches! You’re doing well keep it up. Ask your husband to help? If he’s slim and athletic encourage him to help you be like that. A reward of a clothes shop token for every 7lbs?
Keep going.

Hi Clairebear — I would venture to say that almost everyone has “blown it” now and then! This new lifestyle has a distinct learning curve — let yourself develop into a new mind-set — it might take many tries but my experience is that it is the NEXT day that really counts — just start again. I did it over and over in the last ten weeks and today I measured a 31inch waist — but it was no straight line for me, there were many slip-ups but I just started again. Hang in there — you are going to do great!

That’s what I’m figuring! Ive decided not to believe what the book says about those who weigh more frequently lose more weight. It’s disheartening to get on the scales after two hard days dieting and not have lost an ounce. Once a week is quite enough I think. It would be more than my scales’ life is worth not to show a loss after a week! Hope yours is going well, Clairebear.

great stuff!!! You are doing amazingly well, can’t believe how many inches that’s fantastic!

thank you Happy 🙂 we are about to head out to the park and for a walk.

There are none so blind as those who will not see
Seems to fit

Hi Judith
can you hear that tune from Armageddon playing?
I’m leaving on a jet plane………..
Have a brilliant time 🙂

Sorry – had to add. My co-worker’s partner is diabetic and has just had a doctor’s appointment.

He mentioned doing a low carb diet and his doctor told him that this was not a good idea, but would arrange for him to see a dietician! ARGH!!!

Thanks hashimoto, you are right. This weekend will be a challenge but I will have to focus. I’ll just remember how I felt when I wasn’t losing any weight, and I don’t want to feel that way again. And If I have a little bit of carbs, I’m going to just want more. And yes, its like a drug. I will need all the willpower I can find within myself to control my cravings, my body is still craving the sugar even though this is my second week on the diet.

I’ll push through. Thanks for the advice!

Thanks, Ruth : )

Thanks everyone, I’m still on half dose for the moment. At the end of week 10 now. Have got yet another cold!! Blame it on less fat to keep me warm lol! Got most of my clothes for sale too due to being too big now. Just got to get my Metformin sorted. Onwards and upwards.

Thanks, Cherrianne!!! : )