Thanks all, this diet is a literal lifesaver.

Thanks all, this diet is a lifesaver.

I have a thyme plant, but haven’t used that lately. Unless they’re on the windowsill I tend to forget to eat them. Must try harder – going out to pick them will add a few steps to my daily total!

Week 3 is behind me. As predicted, it was a doozy! Unfortunately, my blood glucose reflects that, a bit.

Thank you for all of your support through the past week’s fun and games!

As to the diet itself – it continues to be easy-peasy, aside from the fact that I (still) resent spending so much time preparing food.

As to the rest of the week – what a pain. I start week 4 with a cancer diagnosis (bright and early before my first blood test for the week). I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about the impact of stress on blood glucose. That same stress bumped my numbers up a bit in the latter half of the week – but they are still below where they were when I started this phase of Plan: Diabetes Remission!

I hope my newly acquired cancer doesn’t interfere with the remaining 4.5 weeks of my attempt at inducing remission, but if surgery intervenes I suspect I may have to bump up at least the protein and perhaps the calories. It is what it is – and ultimately breast cancer is a threat that demands a more immediate response than putting well-controlled diabetes into remission, so that will take priority.

My tumor has a name, and I’m focusing on making it feel welcome, happy, and content so it doesn’t get tempted to go wandering about the rest of my body looking for a new home . . . until I have a chance to sneak up on it and surgically evict it!

Week 4 will be filled with tests (MRI, X-ray, genetic bloodwork, other bloodwork), an appointment with my surgeon and an appointment with a second opinion doc). And, oh yeah, my job. In other words, more stress. Perhaps a bit less, since I am always more comfortable when I have knowledge, as opposed to when I don’t.

With that prelude, here’s my stats to date:

Week 1 – Fasting blood glucose: M: 5.05 mmol/l, T: 5.28 mmol/l W: 5.06 Th: 5.39 (highest in months) F: 4.44 S: 4.39 Sun: 4.44
Week 1 – Starting weight: 150.2 lbs – Ending weight: 147 lbs
Week 1 – High for the week: 7.72, Low for the Week: 4.06, Average for the week: 5.5

Week 2 – Fasting blood glucose: M: 4.83 mmol/l, T: 4.72 mmol/l W: 5.11 mmol/l Th: 4.79 mmol/l F: 4.83 mmol/l S: 4.33 mmol/l Sun: 4.6 mmol/l
Week 2 – Starting weight: 147 lbs – Ending weight: 144.8 lbs
Week 2 – High for the week: 6.83 mmol/l Low for the Week: 3.5 mmol/l, Average for the week: 5.27 mmol/l.

Week 3 – Fasting blood glucose: M: 4.61 mmol/l, T: 4.72 mmol/l W: 4.67 mmol/l Th: 4.9 mmol/l F: 4.5 mmol/l S: 4.33 mmol/l Sun: 4.66 mmol/l
Week 3 – Starting weight: 144.8 lbs – Ending weight: 142
Week 3 – High for the week: 7.22 mmol/l Low for the Week: 3.9 mmol/l, Average for the week: 5.5 mmol/l.
Note: High stress precipitated by early stages of cancer diagnosis.

Week 4 – Fasting blood glucose: M: 5.05 mmol/l – 30 minutes after my cancer diagnosis

Weight loss on Low Carb/Moderate Protein (179 days): 47.1 lbs Average BG 6.0
Weight loss on 800 Calorie Mediterranean Style food with 16:8 intermittent fasting (21 days): 8.2 lbs Average BG 5.42 mmol/l (lower, even after the breast cancer diagnosis – which came in bits and pieces starting the middle of week 3, to the first day of week 4)

Well done Tubbykiwi on your weight lost hope to follow in your lighter footstep
Bit of a disappointment on the scales this morning for weigh in had gone up !!!! nearly a kg…WTF, did have a couple of wines at the weekend so that probably explains it, back to the calorie counting. On the plus side my pants are definitely looser. Have been increasing my walks hitting the 10000 steps more often than not.
Dinner tonight is Thai style fish balls (baked in the oven) with broccoli, capsicum, carrot and green bean stirfry, using a small plate to serve.
There is a good fishmonger close to where I work they often have bags of sea perch for $10.00 , so I use the white fish, raw prawn meat, in the food processor, with Vietnamese mint, basil, coriander, garlic, fresh red chilli kaffair lime leaf, spring onion, squeeze of lime juice, big splash of fish sauce, pinch of brown sugar 1 teaspoon of rice flour and process, roll into walnut size balls, put on a backing tray, cover in cling film and freeze, when they are frozen they just go into a freezer bag, easy for a quick mid week low cal dinner
@ Hawke, I only have my herbs, lettuce, beetroot and silver beet left in the garden as well as my herb, we were Red Zoned so a new build had a fab veg garden in out Red Zone home, my husband has finished the raised veg planter so will hopefully be able to get a few more autumn crops in, currently the veg are just in makeshift beds, did have fantastic success with celeriac have never grown it before must check out the calorie and carb count

Well, survived week 1 and lost 8lb in seven days. Already feeling more confident, happier and have a bit more energy, although truth be told by evening I’m really tired and have got a very fuzzy brain. I’ve tried playing with the times I eat and spreading the calories across the day… but there never seems to be enough calories! I notice Alan that you’re not feeling hungry and I think we started around the same time – any tips?! The cravings have definitely eased up but I’m still so hungry : ( However when I see how well everyone else is doing I feel it must be worth it to press on – Hashimoto, 2 stone 11lb, just amazing – well done. I know the first week is a bit on the dramatic side weight loss wise. What have people found the weight loss pans out at on average after the first week? I don’t want to be too optimistic!

I’ve never had a problem with too much basil . . .now i did have a thyme patch get out of control!

I’m planning an herb pot garden this summer, for the same reason.

Well done, Sabrina! At beginning of Week 8, my BGL is also consistently below 5.0 and now just take 50mg metformin in the evening. Having lost only 6kg in total, I hope to seriously consider going off metformin altogether if I lose another 20kg and reach BMI 25.

Hi the polly

I read the blogs for a good few weeks before I registered.
I wished I had started it at Christmas, but hey, I am getting there.

This website is fantastic, a section on recipes. Blogs on what did you eat today.
There is one crazy bird who tells you of her weird ways of dealing with success and failure. Be careful in case the crazy rubs off and you catch it.

There are wonderfully knowledgeable and sharing people, eg Hashimoto, captain Lynn and Bill 1954.

There are youngsters on such as Christie 1948, and cherry Anne.

There are good friends here too but too many to mention.

Keep paddling around the website, enjoy yourself and start the blood sugar 800 diet.

Love Lucia
Xxx

Hashimoto you are also amazing – great results well done you!

Hi all,

I’ve been lurking for weeks now and following people’s amazing achievements and attitudes so thought I’d join in a bit.

I’ve had a few high blood pressure readings lately despite being the same (over)weight for years and it always being normal so thought I’d look around for a new way of eating.. I think falling off the wagon is a good thing if your wagon consists of all the evils that we’re avoiding. You can run alongside and even overtake it then. Leaving it behind for good.

So in my mid-forties, this is the first diet I’ve done properly although I may have dabbled with Atkins in the past.

I don’t have the problem with full fat stuff as I never believed the hype but I have had problems with portion control.

Anyway I’m at the stage where I had my first blood sugar test and it came up a bit sus so I have to have another one on Thurs morn and hopefully it’ll go a lot better.

Polly

Well nearing the end of the day – I have to b in bed by 10 otherwise there’s no shifting me for work in the morning and I’ve had a good day. …thankfully. Must try to drink the 2-3 litres of fluids as you seem to recommend, be telling porkies if I said I wasn’t hungry – there is a level but nothing too troublesome. Noted about parsnips thank u x

Hi Robmac, it’s hell seeing all the temptations! Can’t give in though as I’m on day 3 of week 7. I was actually drooling at the pasty shop window yesterday. I think I must’ve looked like a nutter! ! I actually licked a blob of meat off hubby’s paper bag I was so desperate!!
P.s. according to my calorie book a pasty is 497 cals!!!!

Sorry if I’m sticking my big neb in where it doesn’t belong but wouldn’t fruit spike your sugars? I thought Dr m wasn’t keen on fruit for this plan?

Thank you 🙂 I was expecting to be very hungry but I’m not at all! I am wondering if I have done something wrong :/ I made the veggie curry for tea which was delicious.

This is all so good to hear. And sorry about the title.

Leeanne, if I was in Cornwall, I’m afraid I would have to have a pastie AND fish and chips! I would cut down to 700 cals per day to make up for it and say 3 Hail Mary’s!

Hi,

Met with my consultants registrar yesterday and asked him about the 8 week diet. Typical doctor he started talking about faddy diets and 800cals couldn’t sustain anyone for a day. He said I need at least 1400cals/day at least because I was on steroids and metabolically I need to be taking in cals. He then started on about portion size and cut down on fat and sugar. I told him its not the fat making us fat its carbs and sugar and processed food. I couldn’t bo bothered agruing with him because from the get go he didn’t want to know. What is wrong with them, why are they so close minded to this food pyramid which is all wrong?

thank you for the good ideas, please add any more is you have any.

Hi Blushingida
We are all pioneers on a journey through uncharted territory. As marked on maps of old, there be bears!
The road is rocky, winding & bumpy. But, there is always good company with outstretched arms willing to haul you back onto this rolling wagon. The price? Your willingness to change.

Good luck to all & keep on keeping on
Eureka

Thanks for all your support. My grocery shopping just arrived. My cupboards look like they belong elsewhere! Am looking forward to the 9th so I can knuckle down and get healthier!

As captainlynne said, BHS breakfasts are wonderful and cheap! We’re on hols this week in Cornwall and I sat and watched hubby scoff a 10 item breakfast yesterday in Truro BHS. I’d already had my yog/strawbs so refrained! ! I’m surrounded by pasties, fish&chips and cream teas!! Tonight I had a poached cod fillet from chippy – delicious.

Penny my knees book arrived yesterday, I haven’t read it yet, I’ll take it on holiday with me! 🙂

Thanks Rose and Hashimoto for kind the words and encouragement.

I’ve never noticed before that I like to be a bit distracted when I eat. I can happily sit and do nothing when I’m not eating. I’ll have to think about that.

Hi All,

Sorry I haven’t been able post an update in last few days. I am 2 weeks and 2 days in to this diet.

This morning weight is 95.9 kgs blood sugar is 5.0. I have really stepped up my walking. Yesterday I did 22000 steps by going for walk in the morning afternoon and evening. Weight loss seems to have slowed down but I am going to continue this diet as I feel more energetic and I am sure with dedication the result will be seen in weight loss as well. I defenetly have dropped pant sizes as an old trouser which never fit me in last few years now it fits me.

Judith- quite agree – except I don’t even do the supermarket!
Penny

Welcome to the forums and the BSD way of life Janey and Plumptious! You are making the right decision – this diet has been working wonders for us all! 🙂

It does seem a bit cruel though to mention bacon in the header. Could you perhaps rename the thread Kale or something and then continue the bacon chat?
Another one on curry attracted my attention.
Must have evening meal now.

237 signatures! If you are new and haven’t signed our petition it is to ask the NHS to urge T2 diabetics to follow this low calorie, low carb diet. Please will you sign? 🙂

Jane – congrats to you.
The best advice I received on here is to drink lots of water, eat enough fats to help you think you are full [e.g. Greek yog – that would be £2.99 for 1 kg not 2kg above!] and from me – it’s easy to use the recipes in the book to keep on track. We’ll see – relatively early days for us both.

I admit I listen to music, but avoid tv now when eating. Interestingly people say that ‘hard to do absolutely nothing’ thing about meditation – the stillness is scary perhaps?
As Pascal said:
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”

Thanks Orchid. It’ll be hard but hopefully worth it.

Oh yes, Robmac, where would we be without our English breakfasts? even if they are scaled down!!! I often choose the English brekkie option if I’m eating lunch out with friends – it’s easier than doing what I was in the beginning…..now don’t laugh…….Can I have a ham sandwich without the bread, please? 🙂

Hi,
we started on the same day. Glad to hear you’re doing well 🙂
My first week was amazing (lost 4 kilos) but since then lost 1 more, then put 2 back on. Am trying to only look once a week now.
Is listening to the radio whilst eating allowed? I find it really hard to do absolutely nothing else.

[taken from another post but relevant here I hope]

I thought I was being mindful if alone by sitting at the table and mindfully eating BSD healthy meals, whilst reading a book on the iPad.
Mindful eating is in fact that strange thing of Just Eating.
Other mindful activities available include Just Walking, Just Meditating and Just Showering.
I had a bad case in a pre-BSD life of wondering, often out loud, what my next meal was, whilst consuming my current one.
Prof Mark Williams of Oxford tells a story of travelling to the West End to see a play and catching himself watching but not watching. He missed much since he was busy planning the trip home in his head.

Thanks all for your encouragement. If it weren’t for this forum I’d have probably felt rough and decided to give it up, as not suiting me.

I have also had a bit of a headache, so that must be the reason.I agree with Jane re weighing weekly. I know from past experience that if I see my weight go up (when I’ve stuck to it), it really puts me off, so I then binge. So I won’t weigh for another week, and hope I feel it in my clothes.

I am trying to vary my diet all the time, all the extra veg may have bloated me.

The trouble is, before I started this – I knew I was huge, but managed to ignore it and just kept eating mindlessly when I felt down.I was in a way happier then in my little binge bubble.

Now I have confronted how big I am, am aware of myself , it’s on my mind, I hate it and want to lose loads quickly, it makes me feel bad. It will of course take ages, so I have to be patient. One thing I am doing is having a short term goal – looking forward to losing first 5% of my original weight – then 10%. Apparently that alone can be beneficial health wise.

Great to hear all your stories, thanks 🙂

Shahi murgh tandoori [chargrilled chicken on sizzling onions and peppers] with veg sides; no rice or naan or beer!

Christine,
You’re an inspiration.
I’m going to keep the image of your 1.6lbs before me for the next few weeks.
My difficulties may not be as great as yours were, but I have in store;-

1) A working tour of Devon and Cornwall – very enjoyable, but staying with a friend who always feeds me huge carb-rich meals. I can’t be picky, so I’ll just have to fast for the rest of the day(s)

2) 5 nights away in various hotels taking my wife Annie’s big sister away for a “Special Birthday” holiday.

3) 5 days in a hotel at the “Pianoforte Tuners’ Annual Convention”

I’m not even going to attempt to lose weight but if I can do as well as you in damage limitation I shall be well pleased. All I can try and do is eat the right food and trust to luck – if you can do it……,

I’m even not going to get on the scales again until my Birthday in June when life returns more or less to normal and for me that is being brave, as I’m a scales/graphs/targets junkie.

Wish me luck – see you the other side. (Just for the record, I’m currently 168lbs – I will follow your example and ‘fess up when it’s over on 15th June)

John

1. It is possible to lose weight relatively painlessly [ok, I’ll say, -9lbs].
2. A Tanita bodyfat/weighing machine is a thing of beauty, and encourages resolve.
3. Less is more: cooking tasty stuff and eating normal portions of high quality meals is fun.
4. Once you open your eyes, the variety and quality of food on offer is remarkable. E.g., a local farm type shop sells 2kg containers of proper, high protein, Greek yogurt for £2.99. Previously I’d have walked right past and gone to Tesco’s as it’s ‘easier’. Most of the produce they sell is locally sourced and has been a revelation.
5. Selecting a joint of meat should be done with a new attitude: asking for what you want not just taking what displayed.
Buying too much encourages you to eat beyond the 800 and roast pork is not as exciting after meal #3 if you try not to eat it all at once!
6. Clearheadedness is a great side effect of the BSD.

7. Obligatory Mindfulness plug: it is very complimentary habit, like exercise, to the BSD.
I thought I was being mindful if alone by sitting at the table and mindfully eating BSD healthy meals, whilst reading a book on the iPad. Mindful eating is in fact that strange thing of Just Eating.
Other mindful activities available include Just Walking, Just Meditating and Just Showering.
I had a bad case in a pre-BSD life of wondering, often out loud, what my next meal was, whilst consuming my current one.
Prof Mark Williams of Oxford tells a story of travelling to the West End to see a play and catching himself watching but not watching. He missed much since he was busy planning the trip home in his head.

Thanks.

Hadn’t thought about prawns and veggie side dishes! So used to just having chicken tikka masala, naan bread and mushroom rice that I’ve realised I haven’t really looked at the rest of the menu in years!!!

Lots of the recipes in the book involve fresh herbs, so I decided to grow some of my own. It’s really quite easy. Perhaps a bit too easy …

Any of you clever lot like to suggest lots of uses for a surprisingly large amount of fresh basil?

Any more economy tips for fitness/exercise etc?

Look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves
Look after the carbs and the blubber looks after itself.

The sun is shining here. It will probably be snowing by the weekend. Anyone working on their tan yet?

The only tan I will have is rust?!!

May sit out tonight like a rock lizard and catch the last rays of sunshine.

Keep happy keep losing, keep going
Love Lucia
Xxxx

Glad to help Robmac. Just need to keep an eye on portion sizes!

I was so fed up and hungry last night, thought I’d make an effort today.

B- portobello mushroom, poached egg, wilted spinach
L- mungbean dhal + 1 mini onion bhaji (Morrisons)
D- waiting for the zucchini lasagne from recipe section with extra veg & quorn mince.

Will come in around 900 cals, but that’s ok.

My nana is 93 and Italian. She left Italy during ww2. She has often told me how pasta was only ever eaten as a starter, therefore very small portions, and pizza was only eaten by peasants. Make of that what you will….

Exactly what Rose said.

Such fantastic results Hashimoto, so happy for you!

Have made the decision it’s for life too, if I can stick to Med principles 5 days a week + just loosen up a bit on high days and holidays, then I shall be very happy.

Despite my current plateau, I have lost chins + at least 1 tummy. Result!!

Good to hear! My dad never let us waste cauliflower leaves! 🙂
Glad your soup turned out so tastily 🙂

Hi Rachel, it has been a complete success for me. I am in week 13 because I will stick to this way of eating for life. I lost 2 stones 11 lbs and now weight 8st 12 lbs . My asthma has improved, my acid reflux has vanished, my general health is so much better and I have lots of energy. My friends tell me I am more like I was 10 years ago. So stick with it and watch your amazing results!!
I am not alone in deciding this is the way of eating for life! so many of us have reaped the benefits!!
🙂

Make the most delicious soup today with something I normally throw away – cauliflower leaves. I used the leaves of 2 caulis along with a bit of broccoli, onion, fennel, leek, veg oxo, handful each basil & parsley. At the end I added leftover cauliflower cheese – just a couple spoonfuls. Blended when cooked – absolutely delicious. Couldn’t find cals etc for the leaves but sure not high. Will never waste them again!

Thanks again!

Black Pudding as well. It gets better!