Hi barby
If you are doing the BSD then eat 800 calories. Ditch the Coke. It cleans toilets! It dehydrates you & rots your teeth! BAD CARBS. Have I said enough yet? 😉 Drink ducks delight – water 👌
Do what fasting you want to do , if any. Don’t be swayed by me or others, OK.
Up your fats & carbs a bit you are eating a Ketogenic diet on that level of carbs. If the body can’t take energy from carbs, you must give it more fat to convert or it will use protein from your muscles! Not good.
See http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com. to understand what I mean. It’s a wholly different diet.
You learn what is ok & not by reading as much as possible. Knowledge will keep you on the right path & you will understand what you are doing, not just blindly following others.
Reread & mark the BSD book. Mine is well thumbed & pink all over with my notes in the margins. Don’t be afraid to write in books like this.
Split your calories to support your working day.
I was really tired all the time for three weeks before I settled into the diet, & I wasn’t working!
It’s great when someone notices you’ve lost weight, a real fillip to your self esteem. You are doing well. Keep on keeping on. Get the knowledge.
Eureka

Thanks, it is beneficial to hear this as the assumption is that without exercise the weight loss will diminish. I will continue as before doing what little I can manage and hope the weight loss keeps going, which will allow me to do a bit more.

Hi, along with many other myths in the dieting world, the role of exercise in weight loss is under discussion. There are many experts now coming out and saying that exercise is not that important to weight loss – Dr Mosley is one of them. You’ve already lost two stone without exercising – very well done! But as it is not essential for weight loss, my two penneth would be to say do anything that you find enjoyable and nothing that you don’t. Exercise is great for well being so whatever you can do to enhance your well being will be beneficial.

Hi Lynne,
I’m having a piece of chicken tomorrow, I have done a lamb curry for the others with left over lamb from last Sunday, so that is easy after the market, don’t know what I will do yet either, it will be my surprise to myself!
Christine

Hi jackiemac,
Oh Jackie, have you been naughty? We all have those times don’t we, you can do it must get back on the horse, and keep on keeping on! I look forward to hearing about your progress and especially your weight loss!
How much more do you want to lose? Onwards and downwards
Christine

Hi merrymary,
Oh going to Melbourne eh? I loved Melbourne when we went to oz, I would love to go again, maybe one day!
Where abouts will you be going, are you going for the weekend, it would be great hearing all about it.
Have you reached your final weight yet or are you carrying on after your weekend away? Sorry I know so many questions! Just very interested!
Christine

I have made veg soup tonight, with sweet potatoe, broccoli, few carrots, cabbage, celery, onions,, knorr stock pot. I weighed it all and entered on MFP, it works out about 400 cals per saucepan 90 carbs) full, which was higher than I thought. I had 2 bowls as main meal, looked like sludge but tasted nice.

Hi Lucia,
Silly I know but it’s strange when I don’t ‘hear’ from you every day, I had a problem, I didn’t get some of the posts, so I thought I had been abandoned, it’s all up and running again now though, so what have I been doing? Our church spring market is tomorrow and I’ve spent a good bit of time this last couple of weeks getting ready for it, our craft club stall is up and ready to sell, just have to take the plants in the morning for the plant stall, didn’t get a cake made! I have lost another pound! Only 1 lb 6 oz then I will have lost two stone.
How are you doing? Are you doing anything special this weekend? Apart from losing weight!
Christine

Hi jackie62,
I am on track to my second stone lost ( only 1lb 6oz to go)! then I have to decide on my next target, I’m hoping it will happen over the next couple of days, I have my ups and downs however I try and keep positive! Keep us posted with your losses and trials too.
Christine

Hi general lynne
Great you’ve booked the hols. It’s important that you keep your batteries charged. Your job isn’t easy & you need the down time
Say Ciao bella Italia when you go. Was there last September – Sorrento, amore mio!

Hi eureka,
Thank you, the stall is all set up, we just have to take some plants in the morning, thank goodness that by three o’clock on Saturday afternoon it will all be done and dusted until the Autumn! I will let you know how we get on, don’t know yet what I will do for my lunch!
Christine

I’m sure you will Judith, I’ve resent my reply to your text so you’ll probably have two now. What kind of phone did you go for in the end?

Waldorf salad sounds yummy! I might also bring back porridge oats on a part-time basis now that I’m close to my weight target. The nurse reminded me that they are good for cholesterol too.

Hi neohdiver
Very good news on your weight goal after all your hard work.
I’m also pleased you are switching surgeons & to a support & admin system that hopefully will be all you desire. It was upsetting me to think you were having all this extra stress at this crucial time for you, goodness only knows what it was doing to you?
With every good wish for you in the coming weeks 🌺

Hi Lucia and well done on 8 weeks,

It came around a lot quicker than you thought! Probably all the splashing about in puddles, dollop pondering and scaling the stairs. Are you going to aim for the 16 week forum or go straight to the 5:2? Will you keep posting here if you do?

Hi MerryMary, congrats on your wedding anniversary and the refitting into old jeans.

Have been loving following all your ups and downs, Lucia (mostly ups, I must say)

Polly x

Hi BSD
WRIT LARGE in Gold Letters : BSD worked for me! 😀😃😆.
You saved yourself, excellent. So pleased for

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Euereka, thanks for trying to help, very kind. I have at least 4 pints of water a day (just measured glass, approx half pint). Which is approx 2 2 litres. I will try and up it a bit.

I was fasting from about 8pm to 12 noon, not every day though, when at work it’s easier. Plus a couple of black coffees, but last few days I’ve eaten earlier.

I honestly have eaten no bad carbs all month apart from 2 regrettable incident, once half burger roll, other half scone. I do still have a diet coke a few times a week – I suppose I’d better cut that out!

My mouth and lips are very dry, and my skin also looks dry (not as good as usual) This makes me think I’m not having enough fats, but if I add more, I up my calories? Today I’ve had 611 cals – 21 carbs and 31 fat and 40 protein. I’m about to have veg soup for tea. Could stir some yoghurt into it.

Normally for breakfast (even if at noon) I have the Lidl FF Greek Yog with berries, 1 teaspoon 4 g mixed chopped nuts /seeds + teasp chia and teasp ground. linseed.

I have ordered some vitamin supplements that might help.The joke is, I am eating so much better food than before – I think my body liked living on crisps and junk, it’s taking a while to adapt.

I am feeling happier tonight though. I walked to farm for eggs, then saw my neighbour for first time in few weeks, and she commented that I’d lost weight, she could see it. I could have hugged her, first time anyone’s said anything. My trousers are also longer, without the bigger bum! It’s amazing how just one comment can improve my mood, of course it sometimes works the other way too.

It wasn’t just slow loss, but also not feeling very lively like most others, that was bothering me.

I’ll have a look at the Jenny Ruhl site, thanks.

Hi Chrisri1948
Good luck with the fundraising hope it all goes well

Well done, I think its about keeping it in check and not going back to old ways, but still having treats and working out what works for you. I moved my breakfast time to 10am, because I wasn’t hungry in the morning and then pushed my lunch to 2pm, because I struggle in the afternoon.

The NHS needs to do more, as its such a Big problem in the UK.

Aw bless you keeptrying- that happened to me last night! I was raging when it happened. So hard to rewrite it agin – my second post was nowhere as good as the one that got lost!
I’ve discovered the secret is to keep putting something down (like nnnnnnnnnnn for example), then just scrub it when you want continue with writing. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Oh Jackie, you sound like such a woman after my own heart :)))) Good luck and keep me posted, even if its just to tell me how naughty you’ve been!!! Good luck!

R xx

Hi barby
You’re doing well. Perhaps you could fine tune by adding a long fast time to yout daily eating. Dr Mosley wrote The Fast Diet book too & fasts himself during the day. See page 153 in the BSD book. I eat in an 8 hour window ( mostly). Therefore I fast for 14 – 16 hours a day. I just have 2 meals a day. I’m T 2 Diabetic & 64yrs. I lose slowly (1 &1/2 stones in 12 weeks) but that’s just me.
Up your fluids to 2 – 3 litres. It does make a difference. Mine is mostly water or hot fruit teas & 1Tonic water or Soda water & ice a day. Sometimes a glass of wine with a meal now. But that eats into calories! I don’t like tea or coffee.
Look at your carbs & count them. Cut out All bread, rice, potatoes & pasta. You could have a wheat / gluten intolerance. However, if you do have you can’t be tested for it by your GP if you have already withdrawn it from your diet! The test won’t show it up! Have you spoken to your GP about bloating etc?
You do need good fats on this diet. Count the calories though.
Also Soy is not tolerated well by some diabetics. See Jenny Ruhl Blood Sugar 101 & Diet 101, the Truth about Low Carb Diets , books. Her web site is http://www.phlaunt.com. Excellent source of info on Diabetes & Low Carb Diet.
Hope this helps

I have just lost my long post and I am so very sorry because I simply don’t have the energy to re-write it just now
please for now just accept my thanks to you all, dumptynomore, eureka, polly, hashimoto and any others I have forgotten to mention
I will try to get my head around proper replies again later
xx

Hi Christine

Glad it worked and you enjoyed it. I have the other piece of salmon for tomorrow. 😃 Not sure what I’ll do with it yet. Decide tomorrow.

Hi Lynne,
Forgot to say I made the dish tonight, I put some spinach in and a bit of cinnamon too, with the salmon and it was well received, Angela said she would have that again so that’s progress! Thanks for the idea.
Christine

Hi Judith,
Yes, 23, me and David, five kids, three in laws, and 21 grandchildren and two step grandchildren, oldest 18, youngest four! So we have to find entertainment for all ages!
Or should I say oldest 69 and youngest four!
Christine

Hiya keeptrying – I did read all of your post and there’s no need to thank me for doing so – it was a pleasure. I’m glad I posted last night now -was thinking I might leave till this morning as it getting late- but you read it and I think you got something from it , so that’s good.
There’s a couple of things that spring to mind. Your reflux sounds troublesome and it’s not good if it’s standing in the way of your health goals. I’m thinking there’s got to be reason for it. Have you been checked for helicobacter pylori? That’s a bacteria present in the stomach of 50% of the population, mostly without problem. In some it can cause the effects you are describing. All it needs is a simple blood test at your GP and, if positive, can be easily remedied with a two week course of medication. The other thing is, I find having no food in the stomach for overly long periods (5:2) can cause acid buildup leadingto your symptoms too. So, eating small amounts more frequently might help.
It was nice to get your lovely long post and see you opening up a little more – that can be quite therapeutic, so keep going with that. Hashimoto has put up some fab eats, going to try some myself.

One thing I have found reading these forums – most people have been emlightened by this way of eating and lost loads of weight and that’s good to read about and so many congratulations to them – but there will be people who still struggle. I’m thinking there must be a lot more people in this category , but they just don’t post. Maybe they don’t want to be seen as ‘failures.’ One way or another there are many more success stories than unsuccessful ones. I think it is so brave of you to come on and be so honest – that’s a massive first step to take. It’s hard when you are in the minority and can think -‘What’s wrong with me?
So take your time and make small changes that you can cope with. I’ve been keeping a journal for ten years where I write down my escapades in my weight loss efforts. Kudos to me that I have kept it going, but I am no lighter at the moment – but I won’t give up writing and I won’t give up trying. Looking back over the last 10 years , I have defo uphauled my food for the better, only my binges now to try to overcome and I think I’m getting there. I’m telling you all this in an effort to let you see that health goals will not happen overnight – small changes gradually is perfectly ok if that is what works for you!
I’ve read Gary Taubes book. Essentially Atkins. I lost nearly six stones 3 years ago in 15 months, then piled it back on because its unsustainable for me in the long term. This BSD is not so harsh with carb cutting and actually encourages pulses, etc., so here’s hoping I can do it long term, but I definitely am not counting my chickens at this very early stage. (Had a piece of my son’s birthday cake – haven’t had a slip in over 6 weeks , then I go and do that 2 days before my final weigh in – and after I was trying to support you – what the hell is WRONG with me! Anyway back on the straight and narrow again today)

The polly – we defo punish ourselves with food – not doing it anymore – what does it achieve except for a food coma! I think we do it so we don’t have to face up to problems while we are comatose but the problems are still there when you come round!

Eureka – yes – an army of BSDers – united we stand – divided we fall – on the wagon just now, but for how long- eh? – lol!

Hashimoto – great post and very supportive. Will be following that myself – thanks.

Keeptrying – thinking of you! Please keep posting

Hi

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2009, diet controlled. Last December my HbA1c came back as 9.6 and I was being threatened with Metformin.

I’d just bought this book and asked for a reprieve, starting the BSD on 19th December. My fasting blood that day was 10.9.

A sneaky HbA1c in January (the nurse was confused) was 8.7.

Tomorrow I’ve completed 20 weeks on the BSD (including 5 days in Prague and 4 days at a residential conference). My fasting bloods are now in the normal range and the HbA1c in April came back as 5.5 – again in the normal range.

Ruby if you have an Aldi and they do the same foods as over here in the UK I go for their tub of authentic greek yoghurt. They also do bags of milled flaxseed at a very reasonable price. Just a level teaspoon on my yoghurt helps to avoid constipation, is full of goodness and the pack lasts ages!!!

Soup – you can make it from just about anything!!!
My rule of thumb is: enough water to just about cover the veg. Cook til soft and blitz with a stick.

Courgette and garlic is a good filling, low carb option and freezes well.
So is cauliflower and blue cheese
Brocolli and cheese
asparagus
the list is endless!! When I have too much parsley or lettuce I make lettuce soup or parsley soup

Oh, celery soup is a low carb low calorie option you can add some cream cheese or cream too.

Only your imagination will limit you 🙂

Stick with the yoghurt for brekky. I’ve had it almost every day since mid January and I’m still not sick of it!!! 🙂

Eh Rachel, you don’t know the half of it 😈😈. I’ll let you know how I get on when I’m back on track! 😎

Hi Bumblebee, in cafe’s/restaurants you tend to only get a spoonful of baked beans. They are carby but if you are careful about what you eat the rest of the day there is no reason why not. Or you could always have two eggs with bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms. 🙂

Sadly I’m not in London but if I were you I would ask around and do some internet searching. There is bound to be someone in your area who does the remedial sports massage therapy and if you are lucky can also do the manipulation or
you could go to a sports massage therapist and then to an osteopath for the manipulation of the sacroiliac joint. 🙂

As of this morning, I am no longer overweight! I am glad to reach that goal before I have to switch to maintenance in advance of surgery next Tuesday.

I’m also planning to switch surgeons. I love the one I’m seeing, but her administrative support is sending my blood sugar and blood pressure through the roof (or at least my particular version of the roof). My mother’s surgeon left the facility where I knew my insurance provided coverage, and I had been reluctant to keep wandering about from facility to facility. But the stress their inability to communicate in a timely and accurate manner (which matches the uniform and consistent experience of everyone I have ever encountered who has dealt with this particular facility) is not healthy for me. So I confirmed that my insurance will actually cover the doctor’s new home – and have an appointment set up for next Thursday. (She can meet the same surgical schedule I had in mind – as long as she agrees with the treatment plan.)

Now I just need to get the grading done, and the office moved, and I’ll be in great shape!

Hi Janet, so glad your mind is at ease over the cholesterol reading. Also good to know that walnuts are good, we could always make a kind of waldorf salad with apples, celery, walnuts, lemon juice and some FF yoghurt instead of mayo.
I have a vegetarian loaf recipe somewhere which has walnuts in it. I will have to search for it. I think walnuts are also lower carb than some other nuts 🙂

I didn’t get a phone message that I know of – but TBH I’m not very clued up about how to use it yet. 🙁

I’ll get there eventually!! 🙂

Hi Bill, it’s wonderful how more agile we are without the stomach fat 🙂

Only about a month for your hol Bill, It sounds as if you have been really busy!!!

I have been on the diet for seven weeks and have managed to loose two stone so I am happy with that. My problem is that exercise is very difficult. I use a wheelchair full time and have arthritis in both shoulders. Any thoughts on what exercise I can do to make sure I do not stall in my weight loss.
Thanks

Hi Judith

No, certainly not boring!

It’s three trips – Italy in early June, Ludlow in October and now Madeira in late January.

Still got holiday to use so need to work out what to do with some of it😳

Have Spiraliser will travel LOL

Hi Izzy, two days of gardening and my back is creaking!!! Plenty of exercise though 🙂

Thanks BSD! 🙂

Thanks Eureka and thepolly but I am only doing what you are doing. Still appreciate it though! 🙂

Well, Lynne, your life is certainly not boring!!!

At least you have two nice trips to look forward too 🙂

Christine, 23 people!!! Good idea to take your spiraliser 🙂

I said I wanted to have ago myself before I resorted to pills (I’ve heard nasty things about them). They wouldn’t give me a Glucose meter unless I went on the pills. So I bought my own from Home Health online – Code free (£21 – meter/100 lancets/50 strips) well worth it. £6.99 for 50 strips. I tested myself once a week in the morning & then 2 hrs after food – to see if I was on track. My count started at 9.3 and then went to 5.5 in the first 2 weeks. So I am sure you have already made a difference, you will need to wait 3mths before having the HBA1c again to see the big difference.

I’m not sure how doing the diet and being on the pills would work.

Good luck

Well, that was an interesting day!

Went to the station to buy train tickets to London. Travelling down at end of May, overnight at hotel near Heathrow then flying to Italy. Flight back lands early afternoon so will go straight to Kings Cross for train home. No problem there. Tickets bought, with seat reservations. Bought open return in case of delays. No problems.

Looked round shops. Bought nothing. No problems.

You’re wondering what happened, aren’t you?

In the travel agents trying to find a holiday for early next year. Gave her a very wide brief. Between mid January and late March. Sun but not too hot. Not crowded resort. Relaxing with places to explore. Not silly money. At least she didn’t run out screaming!

I love Italy, but difficult in winter except city breaks (or skiing). We’d looked at cruises, Malta, Cyprus, Madeira ….. you name it, we probably looked at it.

Then ….. we heard an explosion😱 Everyone on the street froze. No sirens! So everyone (including us) went back to doing what we had been doing. We found out later it was a controlled explosion near the main police station. We have scares, but not often a controlled explosion😳

So, back to looking for holiday. Cruises ruled out. Portugal – wrong time of year. Malta ruled out. Cyprus – good deal in Limassol, but I didn’t want to stay there. Paphos more expensive but I’ve stayed there before and prefer it. Hmmmm ….. Nearly. Back to Madeira. Reasonable deal. Good Tripadvisor reviews. Weather supposed to be ok. Flight times ok, from Newcastle.

So I did it. Booked to stay in Madeira, near Funchal. End of January. 7 nights. Half board. Upgraded to sea view room and seats pre-booked. Deposit paid. 😱

Hi dumptynomore
You’ve got all the King’s horses & all the King’s men behind you! Very glad you’re on the wagon 😀👌

Hi keeptrying
You are trying to move forward. Sometimes we have to try & forgive our trespasses & those that trespass against us. I can’t think of more appropriate words to say!
It’s not easy, life isn’t. And sometimes it takes all of our life to try & do that. I know.
This diet – the effort & concentration of the mind involved in ‘ just do it’ is remarkable! For the first time many of us are realising the power to change & of change is within us. We are able to change things. We have taken control & we are happier for it.

Mindfulness :
I think perhaps the Mindfulness forum would help you.

BSD followers please post to ‘ keeptrying ‘ if you are following this path. I think you could help her. Thanks

Hi rachel62,
Good to hear you are keeping on keeping on, well done, onwards and downwards!
Christine

Hi Christine.

Glad you found my answer to your sewing question 😃

Ooohhh 23 people on holiday together 😱 Seriously, hope you have a great time.

Bit like taking coals to Newcastle, taking Spiraliser to Italy – my friends might like it for their relation who is gluten free.

Glad you find my ramblings helpful 😃

Himalan
Oh dear, we all have times when we fall off the diet, good to hear you are back on the straight and narrow now.
Christine

Hi Lynne,
We are going to Oswestry in June, the whole family, 23 of us in a farmhouse with a bunkhouse, we did it last year so we need to find something different to do this year, of course there will be the obligatory bbq, you have given me the idea though, I will take my spirilizer so I can do something for my Saturday evening meal.
I’m looking forward to losing the weight like you have, I don’t mind if it’s ounces as long as it’s going downwards, I only have to lose one and a half lbs to have lost two stone, then it’s a case of fixing my next target.
Thank you for all the support you give, not just to me but loads of people on this forum.
Christine

Thanks Polly, I was looking on amazon I can pick up a pack online easily so I will do that soon. The pancakes help me along but I would love to make crackers. I do have a recipe I’ve found for coconut ones so I will try soon. Yay to passing plateau’s! Hope mine goes too!

I’m ever hopeful happy life that my scales will move tomorrow but if not I’m sure they will one day soon 🙂

I’ve had a nice afternoon with my son, we walked along to the park at the other side of the village, played there, then there is a nice walk between fields that takes us to the opposite side of the village where there is another park and we played there too, then walked home again. I’m up to 8500 steps so getting 10000 today will now be easy enough.

Hi Lovely Lucia,
Well done you! 8 weeks done! Your words have been such joy to read throughout my time on the forums.
Have you ever considered a career as a stand up comic?!! I love your humour. You really do have talent!

Isn’t this blood sugar diet a revelation for we “former” sugar addicts??!! After 5 weeks I am really starting to believe I can live this low sugar lifestyle forever. I haven’t been on here at the forums for a while, but you, Bill, Hashimoto a a few others have been so inspiring to me. I just wish I could meet you all to give you a big hug 😍

My husband and I are planning a few days away to Melbourne at end of May (and end of my 8 weeks) for our 35th wedding anniversary celebration. I am looking forward to wearing jeans I haven’t been able to fit into for years. 😊

Hi hashimoto
Practical magic. You’re a star 🌟 😀