Hi Actionmum
Like Eureka said, you are doing this for yourself, not anyone else.
Give yourself a huge pat on the back for making the decision to start this new lifestyle, you’re starting to see the results now and, although your family may not be saying much, they’ll be noticing the changes in you.
You have a global BSD virtual family now and we are all happy to offer you all the support you need.
No one will castigate you when you have a slip up, the BSDers will take you by the hand and gently lead you back to the path.
Congratulations on a great start and best of luck on your journey. 🙂

I aim for a “normal” relationship with food which includes treats, and Mothers’ Day tomorrow will no doubt include some of those. I am prediabetic and my blood sugar never spikes into the diabetic zone.

But, major disclaimer, I have not yet been successful in limiting treats. Too many things count as special occasions! And once I have a treat, it is very hard to get back onto the healthy wagon. It takes days. This is my second round of the BSD and my weight loss is slow because I don’t stick to it. (But I am still losing.) I would probably be better off not indulging at all, but I find the very thought of that sends me into a panic deprivation binge. So for the moment I don’t tell myself “never again”.

You have to learn what works for your personality type. Some people do better promising to stick to the diet 100% for the 8 weeks or forever. Maybe this weekend will be your trial run!

I wouldn’t – the first fortnight for me is the danger period where if I’m bad at all I just give up, it would send me in to a cake fuelled landslide binge; whereas maintaining control would give me a satisfied buzz and strengthen my resolve. It would also bloat me up horrifically and give me a carb hangover which would wreck any good intentions for a further few days. I’d probably gain half a stone minimum. But that’s my issues – be honest with yourself about your behaviour around sugar and you may come to a different conclusion.

If I really wanted to do it (and I’m getting married in 6 weeks with a lovely afternoon tea and wedding guest ‘bake off’ that we’re judging, so I will have to – although we will arrange for our afternoon tea platter to have alternative bread and more veg sticks, and I’m mulling over nominating someone else to judge the bake off instead, but probably won’t) I would have plenty of coconut oil and protein first, only a small sliver of cake and then take probiotics & more coconut oil to keep the fat burning pathways open.

Hi Willf
That’s excellent news especially for us T 2’s. I’m not there yet, more weight to go before I reach my tipping point ( I hope)? Came off x 2 daily metformin 3 weeks ago off my own bat before I changed GP. Found the new GP supportive ( YES!) & ok with him. Check with yours first, it’s more reassuring if you have at least told them even if they don’t agree!
My FBS been too high ( went right up to 10 at one point )!! but getting better now, 6.6 today. I’ll give it a bit longer before I decide to go back on maybe 1 metformin a day at my main meal. I only eat breakfast & dinner.
Your readings, BMI & inch loss perfect. Hope to join in soon 👍

Thank you

Yesterday Day 76 weight 10st
Blood sugar 10.9
Waist: 35″. 3 1/2 inches lost – reached my initial target. 😀

Today Day 77 weight 10st (end of Week 11)
Blood sugar 11.3

Bought a pair of size 12 jeans – they fit 😀. So two Jean sizes smaller than at the start. Still in shock. I can walk and sit down in them and still breathe normally. 😂

Hi Eureka
Ha Ha. Think Tequila, Mezcal and Mariachi bands …..on second thoughts forget the Mariachi bands.:-0

Hello – I’ve had a disastrous week this week with the vitamin d tabs the dr has prescribed giving me constipation. Anyway it has led me to eat less through being poorly. Anyway as I posted earlier in the week how difficult I found the menu week three – I received good advice on the forum to work out menus of what I like. I have decided to make some batches of soup up for lunches a couple of times next week and wondered if I make butternut squash soup up would this fit it with the low carbohydrate regime. I would also like to make a chicken soup but not sure what veg to put in – any ideas?

Hi Athorn223
Strange things make you gain weight! Sometimes it’s just one glass of wine! We are only human & keep on trying. If you are Type 2 Diabetic, I am, this way of eating is for the rest of my life & every sugar spike counts & is paid for!

Well done with your weight loss. Birthdays are once a year & if you have no diabetes then I would eat the cake & enjoy it. Get back on the wagon after. 🙂🎂

I started the BSD after reading Dr Moseley’s book and asked my diabetic nurse for support who suggested I still take my lantus but don’t take any novorapid with food. I am a type 2 diabetic on insulin and thought this diet would help me get off medication. After 3.5 weeks I felt so weak and wobbly that I went to my GP who sent me straight to A&E with Ketoacidosis and stayed in for 3 days on 3 drips, insulin, glucose and potassium. I lost 1 stone in week one which was stored fat and muscle and fluid. I have not found any warning in the book or on this website of this potential life threatening condition I found myself in after following this diet so wanted to warn anyone who tries it to check ketones and insist on regular health advice throughout.

Hi Actionmum
First rule of BSD, LOVE YOURSELF. You have come to this diet/ new way of life for YOU. Approbation from others is good but not necessary for you to succeed. You & your determination are all that is required for you to succeed.

You are flying Solo & wow how confidant are you at the throttle. Go loop the loop, all eyes on you! 🛩
Ground control is here to support you if you stall

Thank you everyone for your comments. I am a perfectionist by nature, and when I ‘stuff up’ it leads to constant bingeing until I get the courage to start again… then I expect perfectionism.. the cycle continues. I like the idea of just being better than before… I really appreciate your comments and wish you all the very best too! Thanks

Ciao general lynne
Congratulazioni. Stupendo! 👌 🇮🇹

Rachel & Christine – yes have not been motivated for a few months. I need to get myself together. I am pleased that my weight was not increasing although I put a pound on last week. Off on holiday soon and will be doing our own cooking most of the time so should be able to be good. Exercise will increase and I’m pretty sure that will get me started again. Won’t have my scales with me but I’ll find a way to weigh 😊

Keeping in touch via this forum definitely helps. Lots of people doing fantastically well and drastically improving their health which is the main thing.

Keep up the great work x

Well done, you will definitely reach that target Bill. Really pleased for you! Keep up the good work – you’re an inspiration x

Hi GEORGIANNA
Congratulations on your fab weight loss.
It’s concerning you have had the chest pains. Do hope all tests clear you of major problems. Please keep a paper daily diary of all you eat & how you are feeling. This is good health evidence for you & more importantly your GP.
It would be a good idea to monitor your own BP for a while. Talk to your pharmacist re best machine etc.
Keep those fluids up & if you feel really tired, rest & maybe up the calories a little for a while too. Your overall health is of prime importance always.
Enjoy the diet but keep a very good eye on yourself.

Oh Kerri I also meant to say I also don’t have a gallbladder. Much to my relief I had it removed last year… I’m mid way through week 3 of following this and I haven’t suffered any ill effects.

after 20 months of trying to get pregnant with my son (pcos sufferer) I eventually conceived when I was on the cambridge diet (a very low calorie low carb diet) it was costing me lots of cash and ultimately in retrospect… I think the BSD would have done just as well. Excess insulin can cause the ovaries not to function as well, so personally in my (very un-medical) opinion, anyone trying to conceive might benefit from going lower carb. I definitely think the BSD way of life could help your friend.

I didn’t know about Hashimoto’s I just thought it was a funky name. It was interesting to read that, and impressive results you have had Hashimoto!

Today I’m feeling super positive. I’m going to be a BSD success story too 🙂

Hi Zeus

I tried the 5:2 diet before BSD but had to quit for awhile because of chronic constipation. I tried every remedy everyone suggested, but ultimately the only thing that worked was psyllium. You can either get it at the health food store and mix in water and drink or buy it under the brand name metamucil. I now use metamucil in capsule form daily, which a bit pricey but more convenient (and the texture is way less gross!). I have checked with my doctor and she says it is fine to use daily, it is not a chemical laxative, it just absorbs a lot of water.

I’ve said from day 1 that I wanted to get to 13.5 stones by my holiday on June 9th.
Todays weigh in shows another 2 pounds lost so I’m 14 stone 2.
That’s a total loss of 2.5 stones and 9 pounds to lose in 5 weeks 😮
Just need to push a wee bit harder, wish it would warm up, I lose weight faster and eat less when it’s warm.
Had the odd erratic sugar reading this week, not too bad but thinking back, I think I let the fluid intake slip during a very stressful work week so that’s something to watch this week.
Good luck to everyone for this weeks weigh in and, as always,
Onwards and upwards 😀

Hi Hashimoto thanks very much for replying. Unfortunately I have a long history of stones and have lost one kidney so am very conscious of my water intake. I have in the last couple of months had surgery to remove one in my remaining kidney and am a little cautious about eating more meat but am really enjoying the results of the diet. Hope your journey goes well.

I’ll echo Patsy’s post as that’s exactly how I did it from day one.
Just hit the 2.5 stone lost mark so yes, it does work.

You know I can’t remember if I’m on week 13 or 14, getting old 😉
Anyhow another 2 pounds gone to put me on 14 stones 2 pounds, just over 2 pounds to go until my weight starts with 13, and another milestone reached, 2 and a half stone gone 😀
I may not reach my 13 and a half stone target by my holiday in June, but I’m going to get close to it 😀

Hi ay caramba
Love that name 😃 ( visuals of Sombreros Mexicanos 🏜 & el Dia de Muertos 🌼 Wrote a story about that!)
Excellent stuff you are doing ( & with knee too. Well done). Move over Eddy! Love bluebell woods ( ours, not so much aggressive Spanish invaders).
Today I be mostly ironing! Then a bbq 🍗 🌽 🍆 🍤 Yum yum! Going to my baby granddaughter’s christening mid week so got to get packed – it’s Way down south ( East Grinstead) for a few days with her & her 3 yr old sister, lovely. I’m cooking so diet all good.

Any bbq ‘ers out there try this:

Spiralize then rice ( by pulsing veg in food processor ) 1 raw beetroot, carrot, courgette. Add tinned sweet corn ( or cook it on bbq & cut it off husk & add to veg) & halved cherry tomatoes. Season with fresh ground black pepper & salt. You could add some fresh chilli if you want. For a dressing/ dip : I mashed ripe avocado with lemon juice, ground salt & black pepper & two dessert spoons of sour cream stirred in. You could sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top for added crunch. You will have to calorie count etc. Serves four as a side dish. Enjoy
Eureka

Have hit my first plateau at week 9….bloody hormones have a lot to answer for!!

Wouldn’t mind if I hadn’t been active all week rather than the usual sitting on my butt all day at work

S – cleaned the kitchen within an inch of its life
M – walked round shopping centre for 5 hours
T – did 10,000 steps, all the ironing, then painted the hallway
W – gardening for 4 hours then 1 hour walk
T – heavy gardening for 6 hours
F – 2 hour walk

Well I completed the course. While I feel like it may have been a success the blood sugar readings are not convincing.
I will persist with lower calories but I am now so thin I need to eat. The energy levels are slowly returning but not the strength yet.
So the blood ranges from 7 ish to 9 ish and back to 5 ish. Inconsistent is the best description. But I believe more regular meals is better. Missing lunch is just as liable to produce a spike as a drop. Exercise produces variable results, if I have not eaten it may go up or down. Have been walking 5km a day and now switching to the standing bike to try to get some leg muscles back. Pull ups, dont even mention that I can manage almost 4…..that has to improve.
The problem is that I have no reference base. Dont know what the blood did pre diabetes so no benchmarking. Anyway it is lower than it was and the war is not won……yet.

Hi Bre123 welcome to the 800 club 🙂

Lucia, welcome to the veteran’s club and the over the 8 week line and after! 🙂

Hi Kath, I’ve googled this and from what I can find is that if you don’t go lower than 20g carbs a day and keep WELL hydrated you should be ok. The carb number most people aim for on this diet is about 50g a day. There don’t seem to have been any clinical trials on this subject – just opinions.

The hydration level is very important in this regard so please make sure you drink your 2 to 3 litres of water a day.

I don’t know whether you have a history of kidney stones but if you do just keep yourself well hydrated.

Wishing you the best 🙂

Oh captainlynne I so wish I was in Switzerland (because it’s beautiful and if I’m there I’m on holidays!) Born, bred and living in Australia.
That’s why I was 38 minutes out when sending your SURPRISE 20 week good wishes (I really thought I’d done the maths properly, oh well). Looking forward to reading about your progress for the next 5 lbs. Have a great day.

Wow, Willf, that is fantastic news. I have still lost a bit of weight and improved my health doing what you are about to do Willf.

BTW welcome to the veterans club now that you are over the 8 week line : )

Hi Kerri, I started in Mid January and lost 2 and a half stones by week 8. Since then I have increased my calories and still lost another half stone!!! I can actually eat more calories now than I could prior to the diet without putting weight on. I think your friend would benefit from just a few weeks of the BSD if she didn’t want to go on for longer. Cutting out all starchy carbs would also help her even if she did nothing else. But I think overall, a few weeks of 800 would do her the world of good 🙂
Perhaps she could be your diet buddy???? 🙂

The fast 800 is easier to do than the 5:2 and carries the health benefits that didn’t occur for me on 5:2 🙂

Well done DemiMondaine.

My ‘today’ is over here in Australia 💤🌙 And tomorrow is Mother’s Day here- so Monday it will have to be for d- day

And I’ve lost 5kg. In the previous three months, I’d lost 5kg too. So 10kg lost altogether this year.

I’m so pleased.

Wow Hashimoto that is a big loss and such a remarkable improvement in your health. How long have you being doing it?
My friend did the 5:2 and lost quite a lot but I will pass on the information you have mentioned as she is also trying for a pregnancy.

Hello all! LAST DAY TODAY! Has been very successful apart from the glitch with the rising bs levels! I have lost a stone (I’m a fat insider!) so this was great for me but more importantly I’ve lost 4″ around my middle and my BMi is down to 22.1 – in 8 weeks fantastic!! Morning bs is still a little higher than I’d like 6.4 this morning but testing 2hrs after eating my reading was 5.4 – can’t ask better than that! I feel great, mentally and physically. I’m going to stick with it but not count cals so rigidly and allow myself a few carbs. Can’t wait to go back to the doctor and poke him in the eye for scoffing! My goal is being achieved – I’m down to 2 metformin instead of 4 and next week I’m going to cut it down to 1 a day. Not sure whether I should take it in the morning or at night though. Anyone know which would be better?
My advice to anyone starting or losing heart – STICK WITH IT WE CAN RID OURSELVES OF DIABETES!
I’ll keep you all posted, meantime good luck to all of you and thanks for all your support and advice!

Calling all British Citizens wherever you are! Please sign our petition! Thanks : )

Kerri, like Izzy, I say just start it! Today is as good as any other 🙂

JSR How did your party go? I have shopping and lunch out with friends tomorrow and they like a bit of wine. I’m a bit worried!

Hi kerri, you’re not prying, I do have hashimoto’s, hence the moniker. At the time I joined the forums were mostly filled with T2 or pre diabetics – as you would expect for this diet. So I thought I would declare I wasn’t. There are quite a few of us with hypothyroidism on these forums.

Diabetes and Hashimoto’s are both metabolic diseases. No matter what I did I piled weight on. This diet was my last chance saloon. Following this diet is as beneficial for sufferers of Hashimoto’s as it is for diabetics. Clare(michael’s wife) explained in a post to me that my health improvements were due to reduced inflammatory markers in the body as this diet reduces insulin resistance.

I have lost 3 stones, have a BMI of 21.3. I have reduced my massive doses of steroids for my asthma and bronchiectasis. My acid reflux has gone. I sleep better. I have my life back as I am in better health and have much more energy.

You really should persuade your friend to follow this diet as it will prevent her from getting more health problems and improve how she feels now.

You really must warn her that a lot of people with Hashimoto’s develop gluten intolerance. Mine led to diverticulitis as I hadnt realised I had become intolerant of gluten and suffered awful symptoms for years. It is also possible to become ceoliac when you have hashimoto’s.

Wishing you (and your friend ) all the best 🙂

Bongo, well done!
My weight fluctuates by 3 or 4 lb throughout the day so I always weigh at the same time. I’m on day 7 and have lost 4.5 lb but I really struggled last light as it’s traditionally our pizza and sweets night! I spent the evening roaming the house for snacks which is not a good idea. Cottage cheese and celery sticks worked well for a while but I was still very grumpy. Must be even more addicted to sugar than I thought. Feel better this morning though.
Thanks for the recipe suggestions – I’m going for the harissa chicken tonight.
Hang in there – everyone says the first week is the worst! We can do it.

You guys have had some awesome first week losses well done!! My first week was 6 but that’s stI’ll a lot so I’m still happy 🙂

Georgianna I hope your health is ok and those pains don’t return 🙁

And welcome KerriB 🙂 don’t put off starting just do it! The quicker you start the quicker you will see the benefits!

Many of those who’ve done it a while like Hashimoto are great support to the rest of us and lots of tips if you read around the forums. good luck 😊

Congratulations and well done. It’s amazing how much better food tastes isn’t it? Almost like when you stop smoking (if you’ve ever been a smoker).

Oh don’t be silly- not worded badly at all😉
I suspect you are right about the followers. I hope I am not prying but you have hashimotos? One of my best mates does too.

Thanks for your posts and good luck with your diets.

Now at the start of day 5 have just done the morning weigh in and have lost so far a total of 5 3/4 lbs. I was actually prepared to have inched back up this morning as when I weighed last night I was nearly 3 lbs heavier. Lesson learned, weigh at the same time every day and no other!!!

I really, really can’t believe how much I’ve lost and am prepared to plateau at some point as some of this is obviously water.

I’ve discovered two book recipes that are delicious, the lamb and pine nut meatballs and the harissa chicken and today am branching out into my own recipes so am prepared for a lot of weighing and calorie counting.

I really hope I can stick to this for the full eight weeks.

🙂

Great job! I concur with all your sentiments. I be lost 6 lbs in 5 days. I remember lurking on this website for a couple days before I actually took the plunge and finally I came across a post that seemed to be talking straight to me. The poster said, ” I know you’re reading this contemplating jumping in. Just do it!” I started that very next day and I’m so glad I did. Let’s keep going!

Oh, I worded that badly kerri, I know you weren’t looking, just making an observation. I can’t imagine a man joining ‘chit chat’ but they do exist on the forums. I’d like to bet more follow than post as well! 🙂

You’re doing great Izzy 🙂

Just wondering if anyone has successfully had a cheat day on this diet that didn’t derail all their progress. My hubby’s birthday is tomorrow and Mother’s Day brunch is Sunday. Yes this is basically a post about cake lol.

Disclaimer: I’m a newbie. I am on the program solely to lose more weight. I’m not prediabetic or diabetic. I’ve lost 6 lbs in 5 days on this program. I walk uphill for a half hour a day 5 times a week. I have had 2 babies is two years. I’ve lost 30 lbs through diet, walking and weight training. Before I sin I’d just like to hear about who has honestly had a cheat day and lived to tell the tell. I don’t want one tiny piece of cake to ruin my progress.

Thanks!

One week down and 7lbs gone forever! 😃
Haven’t even felt like I’m on a ‘diet’ as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve eaten, and have not felt hungry once.
To be on a diet and not feel hungry is a huge plus for me as it’s the dreaded hunger pangs that have caused me to fail time and time again on other diet plans.
I’ve weighed and written everything down …kept to 800 cals/day, and 50g or less of carbs. Not followed the diet plan at all, just developed my own menu. Given up my beloved diet coke, and developed a new liking for sparkling water with a slice of lime. I only drink 1 cup of tea per day, and whilst I still have to have a couple of sweeteners to make it palatable, I am slowly reducing the amount I have.
Funny to think of how daunting this diet seemed just 1 week ago, and now it’s almost second nature already.