Latest forum posts

  • posted by  hashimoto on Over the 8-week line and after
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Spirit, it is easy to highlight and sticker pages you want to read, or just thumb through. I know you can on a kindle but it is much easier in the paperback – especially if people want to borrow ( or you can photo copy a couple of relevant pages for them). I want to re read certain sections.

    πŸ™‚

  • posted by  Christi1948 on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi hashimoto,
    Just read your post, I am also wearing clothes I haven’t had on in two years, I have given a load of skirts and trousers to charity that I had been keeping, some I’ve had for over ten years, thinking I would get into them one day! I still have lots of clothes I can now wear, and a few trousers I’m still waiting to get into, it’s such a lovely feeling isn’t it?
    We’ve had a busy weekend with family down from Scotland, 12 for dinner Saturday evening and 12 again today for lunch before they headed back home, Emily my daughter told me I could have coffee with a little cream as cream has no carbs, so I had my first coffee in eight weeks, with tiny bit of Truvia in, it was lovely, I didn’t even succumb to the desserts today, like I did Saturday evening!
    How did you start to increase your carbs, did you put weight on, I think I am still worried that I will put it all back on as soon as I increase the carbs, it’s getting a bir paranoid! Also what are these ketostix?
    I am amazed how many people you respond to, it takes me all my time just keeping up with the few I do keep up with, where do you find the time?
    In the morning I have to get ready for another daughters visit on Thursday, with two of her children, she lives in Bristol, and is calling in on her way back from her sister who has just gone back home from here to Scotland, then she goes home on Saturday and we fly off to Tenerife on the Sunday morning, I often feel like I am chasing my tail,
    In the morning is my final weigh in on the eight weeks, then I will join you all on the eight week and after.
    Cheers for now
    Christine

  • posted by  orchid on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    well said Lucia – you are correct, this is a complete life-style change and not only a diet! Many people eat whilst stressed or unhappy – loving yourself a little more each day can help break that destructive habit.
    Can I add that I now march on the spot whilst cleaning my teeth 200 extra steps twice a day :-).

  • posted by  hashimoto on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Miss Lucia, I am taking exercise. Honestly. I’m digging and weeding my veggie patches and coming in to post when my back hurts too much. Honest!!

    Don’t walk too much in your new shoes until you wear them in. We don’t want a Freda to marry Fred, now do we?
    Love, Judith xxx

  • posted by  neohdiver on Why? Help
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    MyLife – I use myfitness pal and build the recipes there, which automatically generate the carb count. (Not to mention that not all of the calorie counts are precisely accurate – so MFP gives me that, as well.)

    Patsy – if what you are concerned about is carbs (as I am), and have a low tolerance for carbs (as I do), you do have to be careful about the recipes in the book. I reduced the quantity of lentils in the spicy chicken with lentils, for example, and it still had 24 (net) carbs. That is a higher quantity of carbs than I can eat in one meal without elevating my BG out of the normal range.

  • posted by  Laska on Over the 8-week line and after
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Orchid , Hi , Re having a ‘fasting’ day: I re-read the book this weekend and saw that MM said that he has one day a week fasting (14hrs no food) and that it was one of his secrets to maintaining weight after the diet ..Also I thought it would be a good antidote to the 2 days of eating what i liked and having wine !

  • posted by  hashimoto on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Sorry to hear that Lucia. I can hear my dad saying ‘Get sturdy brown lace-ups’.. he always said that to my mother when she had to take us for new shoes. The one and only time he had to take us we came back with white patent leather shoes. My mother was not pleased. ‘Well they really wanted them’ he said. You can imagine the rest….

    Hope your new shoes are kind to you πŸ™‚

  • posted by  captainlynne on Licorice tea
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Judith it as just something niggling at the back of my head so thought I’d better check. It applies to anything licorice related of course 😱

    Glad I checked, because my blood pressure has been high so don’t want anything that will raise it again 😳

  • posted by  hashimoto on Interesting things with vegetables?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I like courgette fried for a few minutes in olive oil, the when cooked add shreds of crispy bacon and lots of grated parmesan πŸ™‚

    Sometimes I fry garlic and chilli, then add the courgette, when its cooked I add a dollop of full fat cream cheese.

    Both are yummy!!

  • posted by  Lucia on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Went out to look for another pair of shoes as the broken ones are unreparable and are sadly in the bin.
    Love Lucia
    Xxxx

  • posted by  Lucia on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi gang,
    I have been out walking until now, I expected all of you to be doing the same , but no you are all jangling (slang for gossiping, chatting).

    Let me tell you my version of the philosophy of Doctor Michael.

    First, ditch the white stuff, sugar, flour, rice etc.

    Second,move your butt. Even if you just march on the spot during the tv commercials. Or take one cup out to the sink, come back, take another cup to the sink. Walk to the end of the garden, or path and back. Pretend that you are checking the gate hinges, if you feel you need a reason. Go smell the fresh air.
    Build on this.

    Third numbers count. Count your calories, count your carbs, check your bmi, check your blood sugar levels. Reduce them, gradually , slowly if you prefer, but bring them down. I didn’t feel as if I could just start 800 calories, so my first week was ‘reduction’ week.

    Fourth and the biggest one of all. Love yourself. If you can’t do that, then start by not giving yourself a hard time if you wobble. Then, realise what you are doing is blooming great. Look for the good in yourself. Look for something you like, even if it your eyelashes. It is something, then notice, there are hip bones, under the blubber. Admire the view of your toes, once the big tummy goes. Notice how you can put your socks on easier. How you can get everything into your tights (panty hose for our USA gang) love the idea you are doing something for you.
    I love you, so why don’t you? You are my family. I can read and feel how you are all changing. You are all getting more confidence.

    If you just work on one step at a time, even break it up to smaller steps. Say, change your cereal of a morning to yoghurt and fruit. Then change your luchtime butties to say, salad and chicken, Then a few days later change your spuds, bread and butter, your rice, in your evening meal to a big dollop of various, colourful veggies and a protein. I did it slowly. People told me I need to change this, that and the other, I took their messages with the love they were sent with, but I did it under my own steam. The sloth won the race, or was it the koala, or was it the turtle? Anyway something not so fast got their in the end.

    Step five, what happens if you eat rice, or a bowl of cornflakes or a slice of buttered toast?
    Will I still love you and be here for you?
    yup, you bet your sweet potato I will be here.
    But what will I say, will I tell you off and tell you to leave the BS800?
    Nope, I will compliment you on your coming back and speaking on the forum, for your honesty in dropping a clanger. And I will compliment you as I know , that as you are still here, you want to carry on with this great plan.
    Sometimes you learn the biggest lesson in having a wobble. How will you know we are here as a family with all our arms reaching out to support you? You only notice this love and support when we help you stand back up. I am human, I make mistakes, just read my blogs, especially when I was so hungry I talked to the food cooking In The oven.

    And finally, the future……

    We will all be blogging each other, keeping in touch, when we are all writing on the ‘after eight weeks and still here’ blog.
    We may have a recipe, we may find an ingredient we may want to share, We may see an article about Michael.
    We may just want to chat about life, the universe and all that.

    This is what I believe in.

    Please take the time to read all the above, and it was written by someone who was a coach potato on 8000 calories a day, only a few weeks ago.

    My love to each and everyone of you.

    Love Lucia
    Xxx

  • posted by  hashimoto on Interesting things with vegetables?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Caraway seed go well with cabbage too. I like it cooked til almost soft, fry it with butter and oil and caraway seeds. Sometimes I fry lardons before I add the cabbage and caraway.

    This works well with brussels sprouts too. πŸ™‚

  • posted by  Christi1948 on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi merrymary
    I am about to finish my eight weeks on this diet, tomorrow morning will be my final weight in, and I will start my ninth week.
    I started the diet because I was diagnosed as pre-diebetic, after a prescription review, where I was weighed had blood test done, and found to be wanting, I had already read about this diet so I discussed it with the doctor who encouraged me to do it if I thought I could do it,
    On the first Monday I got naked stepped on the scales and I was 14.9, shock horror I was heavier than my husband, ( he is a very fit man, doesn’t know what the inside of a doctors surgery looks like) I was determined to do the diet, however by teatime I was convinced a couldn’t continue I felt so awful, then I decided at bedtime, I would have to carry on, I had spent so much money buying all this weird and wonderful food, we have two fridges, one in the kitchen and an overflow one ( which we acquired when mother in law died) in the garage, both were full of this food I had to eat, fortunately both husband and daughter, who is with us at the moment, said they would try the food too, supplementing the meal where needed.
    I am at this moment 13.2, hoping to have lost at least another pound by morning! (Wishful thinking?) I would like to lose at least another stone, if not more, thinking that if I then start eating 5 -2 I might put a few pounds on?
    I ama sugar addict, I still hate tea without any sweetness in, so have started having a tiny, tiny amount of Truvia, the diet in that respect has worked, I can only have a little, as it’s too sweet otherwise.
    I have also been trying to keep my carbs down to 50g or less, a day, today I found out from eldest daughter who was here for the weekend, that I could have coffee with a little cream in as cream has no carbs in! Revelation, my first coffee in eight weeks.
    I hope this long missive has been helpful, cheers for now.
    Christine

  • Welcome Joanev! I’m on day 7 so not much ahead of you, and I had all of the same concerns this time last week about being starving all the time and not being able to exercise properly… but I can honestly say they were unfounded. I still can’t really believe that I can feel full on 800 calories, but by including enough fat and protein I really do – and without the sugar crashes carbs give you I have been really in control of my eating. I’m also enjoying eating far more than I have in recent times as I eat far more consciously than before.

    In the book it says not to increase you intake for exercise, so I committed to trying that approach this week. I have been to 5 x 1 hour gym classes (different things, but all a mix of aerobic and strength training) and personally had no problem at all. I made sure that I was properly hydrated, and had no weakness or dizziness. The gym aside my days are pretty active as I move around a lot at work, and walk 4 miles getting to/from work each day – before I started I thought I would struggle with even this basal level of activity. I still don’t quite believe how this diet gives you so much energy, but it really does!

    For the first 3 days I had a bit of a headache, which drinking lots of water definitely helped with, but other than that this week I’ve felt great. I honestly haven’t craved sugary food or crisps once – and liked you I used to love nothing more than bingeing on crisps and homemade baked goods!! So I’d say don’t focus on these worries, just get started and take each day as it comes πŸ™‚ there are people on here who’ve come out the other end of their 8 weeks with incredibly motivating results and stories, and they’re very generous with helping us newbies so I’m sure they will have solutions to any hurdles you come up against. But fingers crossed it won’t be half as bad as you think πŸ™‚

  • posted by  hashimoto on First salvo fired
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi thepolly, yeh, the sweeteners are one of the reasons I don’t like the commercial ones. I’ve been pointed to some safe ones in health food shops, I will go with them. Thanks πŸ™‚

  • I don’t think that section exists – I think maybe the book was written with good intentions for it that didn’t quite materialise. Lots of people use other websites and apps for that but I use a paper diary and record everything – weight, measurements, bmi, fat burning score from ketostix, food eaten, recipes, cal and carb contents of food, how I’m feeling, revelations, light-bulb moments. Call me old-fashioned but I just find it interesting even looking back a few weeks to what was happening at that time. Welcome to our gang Joane!

  • Hi Joan, I must say I haven’t tried. I just made an excel spreadsheet and logged everything in there. I just print it off and take it ( with my peak flow chart) to medical appointments. Until you posted that I didn’t even realise you could!

    Have you tried the search button at the top of the page? πŸ™‚

  • posted by  hashimoto on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    B homemade chicken and veg soup (I know!)
    L packet of Nuts and a piece of cheese (I’m busy digging the garden)
    D is going to be salad with boiled egg, small tin of tuna and dollop of FF yoghurt turned into raita
    A few berries as dessert (I’m aching and want something quick and easy! )
    Tomorrow:
    B FF yoghurt and berries
    L chicken and veg soup (again)
    D courgette and onion bhajis with raita made from FF yoghurt

  • posted by  thepolly on First salvo fired
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi hashimoto, I wouldn’t use the sweetener, think it’s optional and you can just experiment with the flavours generally.

  • Thank you Hasimoto for your encouragement.
    In the book in the tests you should do before you start section it says that you can log your data safely and anonymously on this website, but I can’t find where to do this. Can anyone point me in the right direction or is the book wrong?

  • posted by  hashimoto on Interesting things with vegetables?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Janet, was that on Saturday Kitchen? I was catching up with posts to this site and vaguely heard something like that.
    Lemon juice and toasted almonds on top of broccoli?
    Carrots and caraway seeds
    Cauliflower and chopped walnuts
    Lemon juice in melted butter on top of green veg

    When I recall some more I’ll post them πŸ™‚

  • Hi Joan, welcome to the forums. You have made the right decision to start this diet. The first few days can be a bit tricky if you are used to eating lots of carbs but stick in there it will get better and you will manage work. I have spent the day digging over my veggie patches ( heavy clay soil – and I have a bad back) and I have been fine, I have only had a total of 310 calories today so far. I might have found that tricky the first week but not now.

    That glucose level will come down on this diet πŸ™‚

  • posted by  hashimoto on Licorice tea
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    OMG lynne! Glad you spotted that and posted it. It’s ok for me as my BP is always on the low side but it won’t be OK for lots of others πŸ™

  • Hi all,
    I am 44 and was diagnosed with diabetes in December, with a Hb1ac of 79. I weigh 10 stone 3 and I am fairly active with a demanding job. I have low cholesterol, low BP, and no family history of diabetes so at first the GP and practice nurse suspected it may be type 1 so they send my blood for antibody tests which came back saying it isn’t type 1.
    The doctor initially started me on metformin which I couldn’t tolerate so was changed to gliclazide 40mg each morning. I already had a healthy diet but did eat too much of it and also enjoy binging on crisps and chocolate etc and I also decorate cakes as a hobby so bake loads! I immediately started to cut down on carbs. I was given a glucose monitor and my levels have come down from average of approximately 14 to more like 8-9 now, but I need them to be better still. That is why I bought this book and am going to give this 800 cal per day diet my best shot.
    I have just got back from sainsburys with all the ingredients for the first week of the diet. I have got my green tea cooling in the fridge ready to make the blueberry shake in the morning and have roasted the pepper (lunch) to make it easier for me before work tomorrow.
    I am worried about feeling light headed and hungry on 800 cals to be honest and hope I can stick to it, especially on the days I go to gym classes. Does anyone increase carbs for heavy exercise sessions?
    I will do some baseline measurements and will post updates. I would like to lose about 1.5 stone but it is the glucose level below 6-7 that is most important to me.

  • posted by  CallMeDeb on How's it going eh? Hello from Canada!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hello Sunday!

    It’s -12C, so I am staying indoors and cleaning the house to get my heart rate up.

    Weighed in this morning…

    Drum roll…

    Down 4.4 lbs and 1″ gone from my midsection

    Can I get a Whoot Whoot?

    The only thing I’m disappointed with is not reaching my 5lb reward. I really need new lunch containers. Lol.

    Dinner last night was easy. Even with half the table having my favourite coconut cream pie for dessert. I chewed ice instead πŸ˜‰

    Make today a great day

    Cheers,

    Deb

  • posted by  lauren on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Amazing well done πŸ™‚ love the idea of having prize levels!

    My first week weigh in is tomorrow morning so might have to steal that idea and draw up a list this afternoon – sounds like it could be very motivating.

  • posted by  CallMeDeb on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    End of week one. I have lost 4.4lbs and 1″

    Whoot! Whoot!

    So close to the 5lb prize level, lol.

    (Check out my profile for my list of rewards)

    Enjoy your weekend all!

    Cheers,

    Deb

  • posted by  Just do it on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Switched to MM’s recipes yesterday,vtrying to get through plateau.

    Yesterday

    L – mushroom with chickpeas & spinach

    D – pan fried salmon with ginger & lime on spinach

    S – apricots, hazelnuts & Greek yogurt
    (Never want breakfast so use yogurt dish when need a sweet treat. Also gives me a longer fasting period)

    Today

    L – beetroot falafels with rocket – these are delicious (tried to make them in my smoothy maker, didn’t work so popped to Sainsburys for a blender – double points day so got one for nectar points plus Β£2.50 – bargain)!

    D – Greek salad

    S – Greek yogurt, strawberries, Brazil’s & pecans

  • posted by  Lostgirl on Very low
    on in BSD Way of Life
    permalink

    Had an amazing lunch.. See what you have eaten post .. But had Pepsi max .. Half and half with carbonated water ! It’s a start.. It’s not perfect but at the moment it’s all I can do… I am
    Also brewing some licorice tea and will turn that into a cordial.. Well just experiment
    Thank you for your support.. I am perking up!

  • posted by  pmshrink on 'Weigh in' thread
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Fluffyslippers
    Sounds like you’re doing well.
    We look forward to you coming over the 8 week line. A lot of us have carried on with fast 800, sometimes with a few more calories.
    Best of luck
    Penny

  • posted by  Lostgirl on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Omg one of the best lunches ever!!

    I don’t know how this stacks up calorie wise or carb wise but …

    Stock is so expensive so bought a veg boullion and mixed accordingly with water. Then added a thickly chopped onion, peas, broccoli and quorn fresh frankfurters chopped up .

    Tasted amazing!! And took minutes to do. It served a large bowl ( i use le cruiser soup pots) and then Is leftovers more than one portion worth!!

  • posted by  vcolq on Newbie, delurking
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks for the welcome! I feel a little apprehensive about it all but I think you’re right, Bill1954 that I need to take it one day at a time. Going to spend next couple of days planning, then off I go!

  • posted by  Just do it on My Big Restart
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Patsy, NewLife, SunnyB, Spirit and Janet, thanks so much for the encouragement, you’re absolutely right, small losses are still a step in the right direction and we just have to endure the plateaus knowing what we’re eating is doing us the world of good. I will take your advice and not weigh every day, hope for a good result soon. I started on MMs recipes yesterday and OMG they are delicious! Will certainly stick with them. Really recommend the beetroot falafels.

  • posted by  Janet1973 on Interesting things with vegetables?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi everyone!
    I’m wondering what people are doing with their vegetables these days? Do you have any really good ways of preparing your vegetables as either a main or a side dish?

    I picked up a recipe yesterday on tv for cauliflower. You coat the top of a full head of cauli in yoghurt with garlic and curry powder and bake in the oven at 170 for 45 mins. I’m thinking if I cut the cauliflower into quarters I might be able to cut the cooking time to 30 mins.

    What else can I be doing to have a wider range of veg and keep them interesting?

    Thanks in advance.

  • posted by  Janet1973 on Non scale victories
    on in Fast 800
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    For the first time in ages, I realised I actually enjoyed going food shopping today. I don’t cook fancy meals or follow recipes as such. Before the diet, I had gotten into a rut of buying very high carb ready meals that I didn’t find inspiring or particularly enjoyable but I didn’t know what else to eat. I hated food shopping then. But now I’m finding my meals more soul-satisfying, the idea that food is doing me good again instead of harming me is a really nice feeling!