Morning Lucia!

Cutting my grass and digging out turf to create a path on part of my lawn this morning. I expect the muscles will be protesting soon!

Also overcast here in Edinburgh, but I envy you your walk by the sea. I think I’d rather that than the garden – but from the garden I can keep an eye on my daughter’s exam revision – can’t do that from afar!

I certainly need the bigger picture your perspective on things provides – my mind veers from the pretty simple to the tortured depending upon my mood! So keep on posting, wouldn’t be here without you, genuinely.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Julia

Thanks Cherrieanne, last 10 days bloods have ranged consistently between 5and 9, previously 9ish to 17 at one point. Now monitoring closely to avoid going too low. Had one blip at 2.8, not sure what caused that, at the point where I think med reduction is now possible. Like many on here, had a cool reception when I mentioned low carbs with the practice nurse. This was before I’d come across the book. He just seemed hell bent on increasing meds, as if there was no hope, ever again. Nah! I got myself fit again after the heart attack and shed nearly 3 stone in 2 years. I’m at the stage in life (56) that I won’t accept obstacles, if they’re there, I will find a way around, over or through them, don’t have time to waste messing about. For all of you out there in the ether world, let no-one tell you, “it’s not possible.” Take one small step at a time, any progress, however tiny it may be, is progress, a stepping stone if you like. Ha, ha, onwards and upwards folks, let’s turn this ‘orrible thing on it’s head!

Hello
Not a diabetic but carb addiction needed killing!

I’m a failed ‘Fast 800’
Confession over… My last 7 weeks look like this:
I managed week 1 of ‘Fast 800’ loss 8lb
Week 2 no loss
Week 3 loss of inches but 2lb gain
Week 4 loss 1 lb but couldn’t sustain 800 Cals daily so stayed low carb & ate to satisfy hunger!
Week 5 started 5:2BSD loved it!
Week 6 much loss of inches but scared to weigh!
Week 7 completed and weight loss total is at 11lb

I exercise a lot and was already slimish after a 4 stone weight loss on the original 5:2 Fast Diet. The wobbly extra is slowly diminishing on the 5:2 BSD but I don’t feel like I’m dieting anymore. It’s so easy to just have brunch and dinner now I’m less strict with calories that I do it more each week that I’ve been following this version. Therefore, the fasting benefits are upped as I’m regularly able to remain in my fast for 17 hours!
Hope this helps you feel positive about switching to 5:2BSD for weight loss but sorry I can’t help with blood benefits.
So failing is winning…?
X

Morning team,
How are we all doing?
I had an ok day yesterday being a temp vegetarian. Will try again today just with eggs, veg salad etc.
Going for a huge walk today, it is dull and overcast so taking a bus to the sea then walking walking and walking.

We have discussed some really interesting topics recently. I am glad we do. Sometimes you can feel isolated in your own head. Hearing other people’s angles on things opens us all up to a bigger picture. It’s like walking through someone’s mind.

If you want to walk through mine, make sure you were a helmet etc, it is a topsy turvy place, but come on in, you’re most welcome.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi katieb I had readings between 6 and 8 but since being on this diet and for the first time in decades of eating full fat my recent result was 5.5. I have hypothyroidism which elevates cholesterol readings so I am pretty happy with that.

Bill1954 has a completely normal (lowered) cholesterol level after weeks of eating full fat.

Just jump in and do it! 🙂

243 signatures! If you are new an a British Citizen would you like to sign too? Thanks 🙂

First post for me too! I’m coming to the end of week 3 and nearly a stone down 🙂
I’m also really worried about my cholesterol as following results of health check this week my fasting glucose was 6.8 and cholesterol 8.5.
GP wanted to start me on statins but agreed to wait three months whilst I give this diet a go. I can’t get my head around the idea that full fat won’t have an effect on my cholesterol levels.

Paula you can crack it!
If you feel a bit rough the first few days it doesn’t last long. Just make sure you are eating enough fat and drinking 2 – 3 litres of water a day. If you get a headache just take some paracetamol.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on 🙂

Hi peter, welcome to the forums.
Those of us who have had cholesterol tests while on this diet have had results showing lowered or back to normal levels.
It is no longer believed that dairy products cause a rise in bad cholesterol levels.
It took me 2 weeks to pluck up the courage to eat full fat dairy – now there is no stopping me! Also it helps to keep you feeling fuller.
Hope you have a good week three and congratulations on your losses so far 🙂

Hi Team. I love the positive beat of all of the Blogs. I am week 6 and after a rotten day three…(you’ve all been there) I’ve been cruising. 7.5kg loss which has seemed so easy. I average 750 cals a day. Had you told me that was possible 6 weeks ago I would have scoffed! I also reflect on the fact that I was hungry most of my life, this lack of hunger is a totally mind-shaping event.
IMPROVEMENTS:
No gastric reflux.
Sleeping well, waking refreshed.
Tons of energy, out for longer faster walks.
Feeling relaxed and calm.
Finger nails growing longer and are much harder. A lifetime first.
Sense of taste heightened, everything tastes so much better.
12 cm loss at the waist, I have to wear a belt and the notches keep coming in.

Thanks to all who contribute.

Hi all
Been on the BSD for two weeks, weekly weigh in this morning – lost 6kg, absolutely amazed.
I have probably not been following the guidelines totally as I am wary of full cream dairy and its effect on my cholesterol levels – any informed comments?
A big thankyou to all of the positive contributors on this forum. This is my first post but I have gained a lot of help and inspiration from your comments, advice and encouragement. You are improving peoples lives.
Roll on week 3.
Thanks again
PP

Last night I was stuck for a quick dinner and made the scrambled eggs, chopped chilli and parmesan cheese from the book. I like hot spicy dishes, and this was so delicious. Sorry that it took so long for this suggestion, hardly a recipe, to come to my attention. It would have done just fine for breakfast or lunch, but next time I’ll add something like some bacon, maybe a slice of avocado or grilled tomato just to make it a bit more satisfying for a proper dinner.

Thanks Janet, you make a good point about reducing the sugars if you have diabetes. I was diagnose with type 2 around 20 years ago, although I still only need one Metformin a day.
I do keep my carb count to around 30gm a day, but more for controlling hunger than anything else. I hadn’t really considered their affect on my blood sugar. I’ll definitely take that into account as well.

And thanks to Cherrianne as well. I think I may be a bit too hung up on quick weight loss rather than my blood sugar levels, and it wouldn’t really hurt that much if my calories were closer to 900 than 800. I much prefer full fat milk in my coffee, although I’m happy with skim milk in tea. I like fatty fish and avocados, so it’s no hardship to include them more often.

This forum is so supportive, thank you everyone.

Hello everybody!

Well, just finished week 6 and so far I’ve lost 7.6 kilos, which is just over the magic 10% of my starting weight and my BMI is down from 29.3 to 26.3. I’m pretty happy as I have to say I’Ve been a bit less strict with myself since the end of week 4 and the weight is still coming off! When I started this, I was aiming to lose about 8 kilos – now I’ve decided to go for 10-12 because I want to get my BMI safely in the ‘healthy’ range with a few kgs to spare. It’s odd – if I were to aim for the bottom of the BMI range for my height, I would look seriously emaciated. I should probably get a proper body fat percentage test.

Best wishes, all!

Hi Matrika
Back from hols. Thanks for Ian Leslie, Long Read link. Very informative & references many names I know & some new ones.
Jenny Ruhl, Blood Sugar 101 & Diet 101 The Truth About Low Carb Diets, proffer the same conclusions for the same reasons!
It’s who you know not what you know & who shouts loudest longest that succeed in promoting deadly advice. And universal health policies that are based on flawed analysis of trials. The sheer hubris of these nutritionists & scientists astounds me.
So many lives blighted by blinkered, irresponsible & downright wrong advice to Type 2 Diabetics for so many years! And they knew it! Unforgivable.

Hope you have got your book. He’s a nephrologist if memory serves me.
Eureka

Hairbear,
You don’t need to count the calories, just keep to low carbs and full fat. As Hashimoto said, it worked for Bill, also for me. I am now always in the non diabetic range and I only count carbs. You’ll reduce your blood sugars and cholesterol too following the BSD principles.

Hi Hairbear,
The gliclazide and saxagliptin ( is that your saxy something drug?) can both cause hypos. If your blood sugars are getting down to a near normal level you need to see your GP or diabetes nurse about ceasing these.
You can safely stay on the metformin without risking a hypo. Most people halve their dose before ceasing altogether, over a couple of weeks.
Best to have that conversation with your diabetes team sooner rather than later. Go armed with your blood sugar results so that they can see your progress :).

Hi Alan,
I think Captain Lynne answered your lower blood sugar question.
When you eat carbs such as porridge it can spike your blood sugar, you then get a surge of insulin to deal with it. This causes that spike/crash effect that causes you to feel really hungry and shaky shortly after a high carb meal
( think takeaway Chinese meal).
The reason why those of us who have been on the BSD are ok with lower blood sugars is that we’ve learned what to eat to prevent the spike/crash effect.
The only way to learn is to do what you are doing. Try a food out and monitor your sugar levels afterwards. Experience is the best teacher 🙂

Thanks Lesley, that is awesome encouragement doubled with fantastic reassurance! I’m looking forward to sliding into a size 14 by the end of the year… some days it seems far-fetched and then I read posts such as yours and feel confident again. 🙂

well that’s day 5 about done. As expected I struggled with the steps but I got on the treadmill once my son was asleep and got them done woohoo! Don’t think I’ve had this level of motivation for anything for a long while.

Food
Breakfast yoghurt and raspberries
lunch lentil and butterbean soup
dinner tuna and spring onion with cucumber ‘wraps’ as in wraps made with lettuce. Was actually quite nice.

I was ridiculously low on calories, so I decided to have hot chocolate, but made with whole milk, and a teaspoon of plain cocoa plus sweetner. I’ve not had it yet so I don’t know if it will be good, between that and the soup and the yoghurt it has put my carbs a little high at 63g, but calories only at 593 even with the hot chocolate. I’m just going to go with it I know most of you keep your carbs a little lower but I’m going to see how it goes I will try to keep it generally lower though. It’s certainly remarkably lower than it would have been last week that is for sure.

I’ll report back on the hot chocolate tomorrow…

Hi All, I’ve been quiet over the past few weeks but reading all the forums with interest and finding them oh so useful… I’m halfway in week 4 and after a bit of a disaster in week 2 am really back on track and powering through. … OK a question. .. I’ve discovered coconut yoghurt…not coconut flavoured but actually made with coconut milk…It’s delicious. .. Has anyone else used it? As far as I can see it fits in the BSD guidelines but I’d like your guidance and opinions. …..thanks D☺

I’m always freezing leftovers but my hubby steals them to eat at work lol. I’ll need to reserve a shelf in the freezer just for me maybe 🙂

Day 63 weight 10st 3lb (-13 lbs)
Blood sugar 10.2

Had steak & salad last night and a diet cola. Had two shakes today again, but felt too hungry an hour before my tea so will have porridge for breakfast tomorrow. I hope I can keep that last pound off. I’ve only got 10 lbs left to lose to be within the normal weight range for my height.

Hi Izzy,
I often cook bigger meals and freeze some of the extra portions. Then when my family want something that doesn’t suit adapting to my needs, I can just grab something for me from the freezer.
It saves heaps of hassle. 🙂

Need some new ideas so bumping this up to the top…

L – lentil burger and dips (fridge clear out)

D – last of the cream cheese stirred through some flaked oak smoked salmon & broccoli

S – fage yogurt with a sprinkling of cinnamon

Hi lucia and polly,
Let’s keep on with the mindfullness, then.we’ll have some moments of quiet mind amongst the tumult of thoughts! I’d like to knock 7 years off my brain age! 14 years would be better but I’ll settle for 7!
Xxx

Hi Outrunner, I can totally sympathise with that. Have you seen the bumper sticker about asking your teenager while they still know everything? I think the preteen years are worse!

Lesley that is wonderful for you. You must be on cloud nine achieving those results. You’ll truly be feeling like a princess on your wedding day. 🙂

Hi Brightspark and TrishaDawn,
You can always get extra fat from avocados or oily fish as part of your meal.
If you can’t handle full fat milk then stay with the semi skimmed. It’s the added sugars and fillers that are added to many low fat/ diet products that do you harm. If you can eat and cook with products that are as natural and unprocessed as possible you’ll be more satisfied with the lower carb/ calorie count.
Remember that the 8 week period is a learning time too. You are re-educating yourself and your palate, about which foods will help you manage your blood sugars and satisfy your appetite. Some people are cooking from scratch/ following recipes, for the first time ever. This way of low carb eating is for life, without the very low calories, or we’ll all end up back where we started. So for many of us it’s a steep learning curve, but so worth it to get the results 🙂

Trousers I wanted to get into now too big! Tops now longer and looser! Walking and swimming!
Keep at it folks cos the only thing that was ever to big on me was the bloody quilt!! 😂

Hi Smudgeymum,
It’s the week two blues! Probably the most common question posted on the forums. Weight loss stalls, feeling emotional or angry, sometimes feeling quite tired, it seems to all be a part of that second week. Your body is undergoing some huge changes by now. It’s moving from burning carbs for fuel, which is easy, to burning fat which is harder for it.
As the others have said, hang in there and you will see results. While you are waiting for the scales to move have a think about what changes you notice in yourself that show things are happening. Are your clothes looser, do you get less puffed on exertion, sleep better, have more energy?
Isn’t your husband lovely to support you like that? What a gem 🙂
Read through some of the other posts on weight loss and you’ll see how others coped with this stage. Stay in touch on the forum and let us know your progress. You’ll get plenty of advice and encouragement here.

Hi Lucia,

I have a brain like that but I think of it like a grasshopper, I have conversations with people who’ve known me for years and sometimes they can cope with me bouncing from one topic to another that makes perfect sense in my head (because I know what the connection was from the previous conversation) but has no obvious path to them…. this can happen in the middle of talking

I’d like to be able to shut the inner brain chatter up sometimes but other times, I like it. Haven’t been dreaming as much since I started this diet which is probably good as I’m getting deeper sleep but I do miss my dreams (in glorious technicolour and everything)

Polly xxx

Hi Cherrianne, thanks will definately be back with some glucose . readings as I will need help working it out! Would be really interested to hear how you get on with cholesterol test as I am still unclear on a science/biological level how low carb busts cholesterol levels….I guess its linked to the metabolic syndrome but I never found anywhere where it was spelt out in sufficient detail to make me feel entirely confident (and I did binge out on cheese, used to happily eat a most of a pack to myself between meals without noticing!) Cheers Tofa

TrishaDawn, It does depend a bit on whether you are type 2 or pre-diabetic or not but one of the goals here is to reduce sugar as much as possible. If you are type 2/pre then for obvious reasons but also for all of us, it is important to reduce sugar as much as possible. I would even go as far as to say reducing sugar is more important than reducing calories. The full fat version will always give a stronger feeling of satiety. The low fat versions which have sugar added will give you a false hunger.

That’s four dress sizes so far Lesley. Truly inspirational! Your fiancé won’t recognise you!

Hi Hashimoto,

No I didn’t see the article. My hubby has said my mind is like a box of frogs, jumping from idea to idea.

Unsure how old the frogs are. But I bet they would enjoy a few years being knocked off.

Love Lucia
Xxx

That’s fantastic Lesley. You’ll need it taking in at the rate you’re going. 😃

I don’t like coffee, it isn’t the cream I wanted it’s the chocolate lol. Thankfully I like tea and I’ve been drinking lots of herbal but there’s not really anything like a nice hot choc 🙁

Great reminders for brekky cheers,making my weekly menu out now.
Think I’ve developed tunnel vision on this,even refused the pub this after noon and I enjoy a beer or three !
Only start week 3 but planned a few small drinks end eight weeks to celebrate lol !
And some smaller trousers . ( then back to work on it)
Alan 😋

Hi all, thanks for your comments from an earlier post. Just wondering if anyone would know the correct order to stop meds. Currently on metformin, which was the first lot, gliclicide second lot and saxy something as the last lot. None of which appeared to be that effective. Interested to know if anyone takes similar combination and what order they started to reduce them. Incidentally, just made a kind of chicken Diablo/hunters chicken with a baked spring onion and aubergine gratin, (cheddar cheese topping). No idea of carbs/calories, guessing around 350 with the cheese.

Goodness me, 23g of carbs!!!

You could have black coffee with a dollop of cream in it one morning!! 🙂

Wow Lesley, that is incredible!! You will be suffering from shock if you have to have that dress taken in after your worries about it not fitting!!! 🙂

Ha, no things haven’t changed much Hashimoto! It can be an added challenge at times and of course we are at the mercy of the weather for deliveries. Thanks for the positivity – I really hope I can crack this. So looking forward to not having a muffin top 🙂 🙂

Just been on holiday, gained 5 lbs and was feeling deflated…. Then went and had my first dress fitting..the bloody thing only did up!

The zip just glided to the top with no encouragement, when I first tried it it wouldn’t go more than half way!! Woohoo!

Doing my next cycle with my parents starting Monday – might need the dress taking in!

Started a size 22, just got into a size 14 wedding dress, so anyone feeling abit down, keep going because it is having a fabulous affect on your skin and body xx

so today, my daughter was having a hot chocolate topped with whip cream and I thought hmmm I could have a hot chocolate its low calorie and then I looked at the stats. 23g carbs in a serving. twentyflippin’three!!!!!!

I made do with a cup of tea.

Thanks for the suggestions hashimoto 🙂 I love a dahl and haven’t had one for ages!

I’m on the other side of this now, so my appetite has dropped away again and the cravings have completely gone. I think next month I am just going to plan for a slight increase in calories and allow myself a couple of squares of dark chocolate for each of the three evenings. If I know I can have it later, I think it will help.

Still no ketosis though 🙁 Wonder how long that will take to return.

Thanks, I’m going to try that, as they sound tasty. I will report back.

When to come off meds
Rightly or wrongly I stopped them when I started two weeks ago with readings over 9.5
Morning fasting now 6.5 and two hours after food 7.5
Today I got 4.5 an hour after lunch which kinda scared me so had boiled egg n butter
Lost one stone in two weeks ,zero booze biscuits bread etc no urges.
Weird
Alan cheers guys

you could use the waffle recipe and just fry up little flat ones, like pancakes? I know they wouldn’t have the funky waffly texture but might still be nice.

that’s great you guys are giving me all sorts of hope that I can do what I need to do 🙂

My ultimate goal is around 50 lb’s away and I know I can’t do that in 8 weeks.

I’m liking your action plan. I’m sat here with my diary looking through the recipe thread just now trying to plan. I have two kids plus a very hungry hubby to feed too, so I’m trying to choose plenty of things that they can have too just adding rice/pasta/potato to their portions and not mine.

Hi Alan I really like the full fat yoghurt for breakfast with a few milled flax seeds on top, very filling and low carb. failing that an omelette? 🙂