I’ve just scheduled my annual glucose tolerance test – the one where you drink nasty glucose liquid then they see if you go into a diabetic coma (or at least if your blood sugar spikes). The results of my last one were very close to a diagnosis of diabetes so I’m hoping my efforts this year have improved my glucose tolerance.

I was used to eating lots of carbs for three days before the test, but at the last one they told me they don’t get people to do that any more (yay!). But since then I have moved into a different state (NSW Australia) and I’ve been told I need to carb-load again! I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with carbs!

Do other people still have to carb load where they live?

Thanks guys ☺👍

I measure out 100mls of full fat milk every morning which equals 65 cals. I record this in my food diary and then use it for tea and coffee throughout the day, approx 4 cups. Full fat is better for you according to this diet and I find it makes me use it in moderation.

My tea and coffee are ‘snacks’ between meals and help with any hunger pangs. I really miss my cappuccinos though, instant coffee just isn’t the same but it does the job 🙂

Don’t worry Izzy, I went out for dinner with friends expecting to eat a salad, it was all planned as I had checked the menu before hand. I got there and the menu had changed and my meal option gone. It was pizza special night and I caved! I ate a whole pizza to myself and had the free wine that came with it :/

It took 5 days to start losing again but I still lost overall. its nice to feel in control and know that one blow out doesn’t end your diet.

Hi Kilwinny
I lost 1.5kg at the end of week 3, I’ll take that! So 7kg down in 3 weeks.
I’m too afraid to eat something as yummy as that for fear of undoing all my good work, but if you got away with it, then good luck to you!
Good luck at your next weigh in.😀
Linda

Hiya, I’ve had the same issue, only 1-2 pounds in the first week! Hoping this second week will see a bit more weight off, like you I struggle to get anything off, takes forever!!!! Have about 20 pounds to shift. It’s great to read the posts here for encouragement! Here’s to more successful weeks to come 🙂

Hi Linda,
Well the static phase has shifted at last.
I’m now 11lbs down in 3 weeks. I decided to relax a little and actually ate out with a friend yesterday. I ate a gorgeous burger in a brioche bun and sweet potato chips. I savoured every mouthful! I didn’t need to eat for the rest of the day, so that’ll be why I didn’t put on any weight! 😉
I hope your efforts have been rewarded by a loss on the scales.

I have been doing the BSD now for just over 10 days and have shed a few pounds and am quite enjoying it. However, as when I did the paleo diet (similar low carb principles) in the past, I have really struggled with bloating and discomfort and wondered if anyone else has had the same trouble and knows of any possible reasons or cures. Thank you.

Hi Clairebear, welcome back and well done for having another go and not giving up completely.
I’m on week 5, a stone down and a lot of it’s pretty much now a lifestyle change. I’ve fallen off the waggon a couple of times but have got back on the next day. I’m trying a max of 1000 calories rather than 800 ( which usually means aiming for 800 but truthfully realising it’s more like 1000). I count calories on ‘my fitness pal’.
I was a real bread Monster so have cut it out completely; pasta is replaced by courgetti and rice by cauliflower ‘rice’ both need seasoning but quick to prepare. It’s also having something to grab if the munchies hit that helps so I don’t raid the biscuits! We have packs of sliced cheese and crab sticks in the fridge and usually one eaten slowly is enough for the munchies to pass. Another help for me is to drink a glass of fizzy water if I’m hungry as often I’m more likely dehydrated.
I did a lot of lurking around the forums before I took the plunge and there is always someone around whatever the time of day or night!
Good luck😀

Well done Eureka! Never miss an opportunity😃

Hi Christine

Congratulations on reaching your target. Hope you post again soon (((hugs)))

Hi MooLoc
Don’t be discouraged, I lost 4.6kg in my first week then only 0.9kg in my 2nd week then 1.5kg in my 3rd and I’m following the plan to the letter. I’ve just decided that this plan is now forever and so long as I’m on the downward slope, I’m ok.
Just keep up the fats and the water.
Linda

My first 2 months I had no alcohol (wasted calories) and I cut out rice and went for the cauliflower rice and added cumin seeds for flavour / No pasta – replaced with veg / only sweet potatoes and ditched the bread (only have sourdough or soda now).

It is amazing how many calories are in things especially oil 1tbsp, any type 120calories, so watch the little things as they all add up.

I’ve never been happy with my weight all my life and this has really worked for me – Now Size 10 (never before)

Stick with it and just keep adapting

I stuck to the recipes in the book to start with and really have never got caught up in the ratio thing, counting calories & weighing things was a big enough deal for me.

When I started I counted the coffee calories, then I stopped, as I started my morning with a coffee and full fat milk (if you have semi you only put more in and it appears full fat milk/yoghurt & butter are better for you). This also keeps me going to 10am before I need Breakfast and then don’t need lunch to later so no snacking. Its all swings and roundabouts – but just work out what works for you. 3 months on it still works for me

Thank you so much, that’s very helpful!

Im very new here so fumbling arund trying to figure out how to use it. can you tell me if there is a way to “save” favourite recipes here in my profile so I don’t have to keep going ver the 100+ pages of recipes?

I’m in a similar position. I’m somewhere between 10st 7 lb and 11st (too terrified to check TBH) and want to get to 9st 7 lb. I lost my “baby weight” of half a stone in 4 weeks at 1200 cals so am hoping 8 weeks will bring me closer to a stone lighter. Good luck – let me know how you get in if you want some support 🙂

@ Ay Carumba – do you have a “standing desk” or do you perch somehow? I’d love to stand to work but don’t know how logistically to do it in an office where we all have normal desks.

Hi 9plus,
In the BSD800 forum there’s a ‘Weigh in thread’ that many BSDers use. Other than that most BSDers seem to keep their own records – electronic or hard copy.

Hi Clairebear,

Welcome back to the BSD. There is an enormous amount of support available simply by being part of these forums. There’s usually someone reading the forums who will help out.
Today is Week 6 Day 6 for me and the BSD is becoming a way of life for me. There have been days that have been really difficult for me with cravings but pushing through the cravings becomes easier the longer I continue on the BSD. It’s great not to be driven by constant hunger.
As you can’t physically remove the ‘danger foods’ from your home, you may need to remove them from your immediate sight. (Can they be put in containers at the back of cupboards/fridge so they are less visible to you?)
You’ll find that the symptoms of carb addiction lessen and eventually disappear – that in itself is really empowering.
Best wishes for your BSD journey.

Just tried feta cheese stuffed into chicken breast wrapped in thin ham lovely oh salad too
Alan,as near to a recipe as I go !

This will be the second time I’ve started the BSD – I caved and had a massive week-long cereal/bread/sugar binge 2 days after starting last time. I’m too scared to weigh myself. I also have a skinny, sporty husband and a toddler so my house is full of the foods they eat. Getting rid of my “danger foods” simply isn’t an option (what toddler goes without raisins, oatcakes and Weetabix?). I desperately want to stick at it but have no offline support as no-one realises the extent of my carbohydrate addiction and how unhealthy it’s making me. I’m hoping to log in regularly and get “chat” with like-minded folk who aren’t going to tell me not to do some stupid faddy diet (as has been said to me already). Thanks for reading. Tomorrow is Day 1 of getting healthy.

Hi Rozy,

I didn’t know that about Ruby Wax’s background. Thanks for the recommendation- the book sounds interesting and I will have a read.

Toying with the idea of upping calories while still keeping carbs to 40-50g/day and see what that does. I got ‘The Obesity Code’ and it’s very interesting, especially as it says that decreasing calories in usually has a corresponding calories out whether or not you increase your exercise levels. Am enjoying it a lot

Hi bumblebee
That’s a really good idea to look at your blocks of butter – really brings it home what we’ve been carrying around unnecessarily.

Exercises in the book??? Eeek – I don’t remember those!! Mind you, I lent my copy to my sister and I’ve not got it back yet! Big sister is certainly not overweight but she’s worried about being a TOFI. It always makes me smile where I first saw the book – in a supermarket right by their fancy bakery section – I haven’t been in that bakery section since mid-January so something’s working! 🙂

I struggle with drinking enough – I know that by the time I’m feeling thirsty it’s too late & I’m dehydrated. It’s easier at home but at work it can be difficult. I know drinking makes a real difference – last week I started one day feeling really brain-fogged which wasn’t good because I was in a 1st Aid training session in an overly warm room. But I did think to grab a mug of water which I sipped regularly & kept refilling – by the end of the day the fog & headache had lifted. It was noticeable that I was able to concentrate much better in the afternoon than in the morning. Managed to bluff my way through to get a pass – let’s hope I never have to put the 1st Aid into practice.

The car is behaving itself so far – fingers & toes crossed it works for longer than the 50 miles it managed last week! It’s been a good little workhorse, I shouldn’t complain.

I’ve had a good day – nothing bad happened. Today I had a bowel scope screening (you get the invite from the NHS when you hit 55yrs) which was a novel experience – apparently everything appeared normal for which I am grateful.

You keep on keeping on, stay focussed, and think of how good you are going to feel as the weight drops off. I’d better sign off now (using a laptop too late in the evening doesn’t help me sleep well) – feel like a drink, too, where’s the kettle?
Take care,
Rose

I’ve not paid as much attention to mindfulness as I might have done considering I do get rather stressed at times. I have looked online, including the Palouse free course suggested by JackieWilsonSaid but I didn’t have the patience to get past the initial videos, I’m afraid.

However, I have just come across a couple of publications which interested me:

1) “The Little Book of Mindfulness: 10 Minutes a Day to Less Stress, More Peace” by Dr Patrizia Collard. Seems to be in nice bite size chunks that I can handle, and does include sections on eating. I purchased the Kindle edition.

2) “A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled” by Ruby Wax (yes, that Ruby Wax). This seems to have been well received, being humorous as well as informative. Ruby Wax has a Masters degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy so she should know what she’s talking about. I’m looking forward to reading it.

Hi Eureka

Thanks for the advice. It would appear that my pituitary gland was unharmed in the operation and my medic is only monitoring it and I am not on any medication. He is concerned by my blood sugar level though and my weight. I am determined that this will work but I will be sensible about any changes in my health.

Just to say, re breakfast, I also had a conversation about eggs being nothing without bread/toast.

However, this morning I had fresh spinach (little heap of it, well seasoned), with a slice of smoked salmon on top of it, and two eggs on top of that……divine, it was. 270 calories.

Another good one to replace the bread is a well cooked portobello mushroom (or two!), with some cherry tomatoes cooked alongside. Add the eggs on top. Yummy

I’m sure I’ve seen on other posts that it’s 20% carbs 30% protein and 50% fat. I could be wrong but that’s what I set MFP at when I read it. X

Hi Alan, a good standby for lunch are cherry tomatoes, cucumber, spring onion, feta cheese and a couple of olives plus a drizzle of olive oil and or balsamic vinegar. That plus a bowl of soup and I am fine till the evening.

Well you learned something important, the extra carbs or gluten make you tired!! I will add this is extremely common for people sensitive to gluten of which I am one…. I stay away totally for that reason alone.
Now stay on board because you are my inspiration and I need you!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

It’s hard to have to let people know we are eating a certain way or have certain restrictions we want to take – I know – I have to go to three dinners with a huge Chinese family (my hubby) soon and we decided we will tell them I can only eat tofu and vegetables at each restaurant with any sauce on the side. It’s hard being the odd duck, so to speak, but hey, I WANT TO BE THIN and HEALTHY and MORE ACTIVE so I don’t care what anyone says or how they judge…

Have a great rest of your day!!

Thanks so much for that I love feta cheese ,bought a block with about 500 calories in so easy enough to work out .
Alan five weeks in ,three great weeks .one n half stone lost one bad week one pound on .fith week needs a turnaround 👍

I normally drink three cups of coffee in the morning – home made at just the right strength (mmmm), with milk.

I have given up taking sugar with these, and felt I was doing the right thing for the BSD.

However, I noted that in adding milk, the drink was 20 calories. So my three cups were 60 calories, which sounds fine but on one day made me miss out on my low-calorie but yummy miso soup later in the day.

Compared to what else 60 calories brings you, you have to think about whether the coffee is worthwhile! (It still is to me)

Just had Izzy’s hunters chicken- was delicious! Thanks Izzy.
off out to yoga later and still feeling good and suprisingly not hungry!

I tell you a really brilliant site to log food and exercise is sparkpeople.com. It’s free and there’s a great community on there, also you can join groups that will support you with your particular issues (eg for me it’s bingeing).

JSR I looked at the MyFitnessPal as I entered the food I was planning to eat, and noticed the heavier carbs on some vegetables such as chickpeas, red cabbage, lentils and so on. None of these is bad, and all are on the BSD diet, but perhaps having one portion per day is better than two, and keeping below the 50g of carb that way.

Dr MM was drinking coffee during the documentary Eat Fast & Live Longer, so I assumed OK. The general principles of giving your liver a rest apply, but more important for alcohol because of calories. So unless you are a Big coffee drinker you should be OK. Depending on the week, coffee is in the good or bad corner. A recent study of studies said that coffee drinkers had a 44% less incidence of liver disease.
In the recent Australian TV programme he points out that 1 latte = 5/6 teaspoons of sugar, which was a surprise to me. So I have 1 good cup of coffee per day with a modest amount of semi to take the edge off.

I just found Dr MM replies to commonly asked questions on fast diet co uk, which confirms OK.
It seems like posting the link caused this reply to get lost in hyperspace twice, so you’ll have to Google.

Hello everyone,
I’m am a beginner of the Blood Sugar Diet, wanting to do the 800 calories a day. I have no problem counting the calories, but am wondering what the ratios are between protein, carbs and fats. Please help, I want to do this right! Thanks.

Do I need to come off my metformin before starting the BSD

Hi BabsG
Welcome. First make sure your medics are supporting you on this diet. It’s important for you. Remember, your pituitary gland is the leader of your endocrine orchestra. You don’t want any ‘bum’ notes!
Glad you are hear & hope this benefits both of you

Janeycoughdrop hi & welcome to you too. You’re an old hand if you did 5:2. Enjoy the ride & get those jeans ready! The BSD will tame that sweet tooth if you let it
Good luck to you both. Bon voyage!

Sue – Interesting to read this.
My thoughts are drifting towards May 30th when I reach the end [of the beginning].
Pleased to hear that you are managing the transition, and still have a drink.
Congrats on maintaining weight etc.

my bad, I ate it! But in all honesty I don’t feel the need to punish myself. I’ve not suffered any cravings from it, I ate my normal lunch and I’ve added it in to my fitbit log of food and actually I can still finish my day on less than 800 cals, and my usual carbs 40-60g.

What I DID notice though was how tired I became a little while after eating it. Something I’ve not really suffered from recently during the day.

It’s only once a month I have this type of meeting normally, every other instance of eating out I will have a choice of things to eat.

I’m going to have a portion of cauliflower and cannelini soup that I froze last time I made it, and two boiled eggs for my dinner before going to pick up my friend. Looking forward to the history walk but it won’t be 8 miles this time!

Hi folks
There is hope! Just had my Diabetic eye test today. Told the lovely tester about the BSD diet & she said ( unprompted) ” We’ll have to put the details up here”. SCORE! I left all the details with her 😃 👍

Hi Bill, so true!! Thanks for the reminders!!
I hadn’t lost weight the past three days so measured my waist and had lost another inch!

Hi Rubyswallow
Just to let you know my son diagnosed today with Helicobacter Pylori! Explains everything. Starts antibiotics tomorrow.
Thanks for your concern & book details. Will look at it next week after christening
Eureka

Wow that’s great Athorn!! Congrats on all your success!! 🌷

Yes Pam, great thoughts re at least we are eating well and might be losing visceral fat! I can’t wait to lose liver fat also and shock my doctor who is a pretty negative thinking person unlike me. 😀 That will be fun and for every one of us who succeeds and edicDtes our doctors we will be able to have them help more people like us as well. 💜

Hi Caramba,
Thanks for all the hints and kind words! I think I will check those out once I can do a little more. Just so happy I can do so much more than 3 weeks ago!
💜

These are the real tests Izzy – try and remember the happy feelings after week 1, your blood sugar results look great, and you are really walking miles!! Those are worth a lot more than a bacon bum it seems.
Wishing you the best!!