Hi Callmedeb, I work on one medium courgette as a lunch time portion. I might have two courgette for an evening meal.

You can actually spiralise a lot of courgette and store it in a freezer bag or air tight container for up to 4 days.
There are so many ways to have it!!

I often fry some garlic and chilli then add the courgette then stir in cream cheese and put a sprinkling of parmesan on top. Quick, easy and delicious.

If I have some crispy bacon left from the previous day I will crumble it on top.

Then you can use plain or spiced courgette as a side with fish, chicken, sausages etc.

I love it!! 🙂

Very impressive, Its incredibly motivating isn’t it. I’ve lost less weight this week than last but I have cheated…..damn fresh bread

Hi Willsmum, lighten up, Peanut butter and a slice of toast is not poisonous, you will soon be enjoying the 800 daily ride. Some folk on here have turned this into a religion of eating weird food and thrashing themselves with exercise. I have not used any of the recipes yet and ho no real interest in doing so. The key is eat fewer carbs replace them with other better nutrients and smile. When the time is right for you it will be time to walk or cycle. Cycling is good because it is non-weight bearing. I am in Week 10 and should hit the so called Normal BMI Prime=1 on Sunday at 80.3 kg for my 1.75m height. All the best and it is a gentle but steep learning curve where you will often find yourself saying, “but I knew that!” and “I just didn’t follow it through”. Cheerio

Brilliant news on the weight loss Alan. Suggest you read the thread “this has just got to work for me” d started by Bill1954. He shares his experiences with his readings so this might help you. Keep up the good work! J

Hi Lucia, Penny also said it ‘is not possible to succeed, it is the trying that is your success’ . I sort of get that now – while you try to ‘be mindful’ you become very aware of how much your mind jumps around and you make an effort to refocus – that is a success in itself. My mind can jump about for ever but I am finding this mindfulness thing has been working for me. 🙂

Odette, keep your carbs down below 50g a day and calories under 800. those are the headline figures you need to focus on more. Then have your fats and a bit of protein to make up your 800cal. there’s loads of recipes and support on here. Pop over to the What Have You Eaten today for inspiration..

debs, I’ve just finished week 10 and my loss has been very slow too. Stick with it and you will get there.

Hi Scater and welcome!

I’m one of those that wouldn’t allow anyone to dictate what I can and can’t do I’m afraid! Do the BSD and show him you can and will do it.

Yikes – I’m up a pound! MUST NOT PANIC!

This could be a temporary blip, right …?

Glad you’re enjoying Turkey, SunnyB

Well done Switzerland and writer 56.

Oooh, you don’t want numb fine fees! 🙂

Good luck with the diet. Maybe it won’t help this particular problem, but it’s likely that losing some weight and inches around your waist will generally improve your health.

Sorry your husband isn’t supportive. Would it help to suggest he reads the book before speaking against it?

Gosh, reading the posts above, it is amazing how our bodies can resist weight loss, I got on the scales today and Id gained a pound despite best efforts. I am confused by the number of posts suggesting eat more fats… It conflicts with the low calorie target,. If i increase the fats, there is not toomuch left to eat…

First week over
Think the scales are broke its telling be I’ve lost 8 pounds eight pounds that’s half a stone n over !!!!!!!
Amazing very very pleased ,not been hungry one bit apart from 9pm munchy urges
But on downside my morning reading slipped back up to 8.5 .
Is this fluctuation normal ?
Alan

Thanks everyone for the lovely supportive posts. I’m afraid I have had rather a crappy Friday and would love a glass of red but I won’t though!

Argh. Some days.

No scale change again today. Tomorrow maybe. This is slow going though! Have a gorgeous weekend everyone. Lucyjane

Thanks Janet for the encouragement. I am hoping eventually it will come off. I drink at least 2 litres of water and am very active. I exercise at least 5x a week. Today I played tennis for an hour and then walked 8km with a 2 km jog. I am doing everything correctly, but it is very very slow! It would be nice to see some better results. I will stick with it, for sure, and will let you know after the 8 weeks. I lost 2 kg first week and only 1 more since. It has been
5 1/2 weeks so far.

Thanks Cherrianne, I’ll check it out.

Hi, I bought the book a week ago and have nearly finished it. My husband is angry that I want to start something new. He wants to encourage me back to slimming world but it didn’t work as I stopped going and have just weighed myself to find it’s all back on again. I’m going to start next Wednesday as I’m in hotels until then with work. I look forward to sharing my journey.

One of the things I find so good on the BSD diet is that everyone talks in calories, stones and lbs !!
Yes, I am an Australian, and we have been on metric measure for years, but being from the older generation, my mind automatically converts to imperial. If I don’t, I have no idea if a kilo or kilometre is good or bad. It slightly makes up for this wretched diet.
jillyB

Lol John. Yes it is.

It’s supposed to be 20C (~70F) on Sunday now. So even though I still have to scrape frost off my car windows every morning so far this week, I might have to cut the grass this weekend (wish I was kidding).

I will have to change my toy boy order to cabana boys ⛱🍹🍹 😎

Deb

Hello all!

I got my veggie spiraller and was wondering what you all do for portions.

One medium zucchini = one serving? two?

I’m looking to make my lunches for work next week and would love some guidance on this.

Many thanks!

Deb

Pandora – I’ll be making cauliflower rice this weekend – I skipped the recipe previously but will give it a go on your recommendation

Hi Willsmum,
Check out the Herman Brot bread website. Might be the solution to your toast and peanut butter craving. 2.3g carb per slice and 111 cals 🙂

Hi CaravanSue, My goodness, scales would be a (necessary) luxury. When you get to a town my thoughts (for scales being available) are with hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, ? stock suppliers, vets, maybe a kind stranger on an outback station?…….depending where you are I do realise all of these may be 100’s or 1000’s kms away.

If you have a ball of string or wool (or a belt) you could record your shrinking waist line by tying a knot at your current position and then knot it each time you measure yourself with the length of string (and have lost weight.)

At least by being in a remote part of Aus there are less temptations around. Well done for doing the ‘travel’ version of the BSD. We’re looking forward to reading of your progress.

I really feel for you, the waiting is the hard part. Fearing the worst but hoping for the best.
Your higher blood sugars are only to be expected with all this stress. Disappointing for you after all your hard work.
You are a strong, proactive woman though, more than capable of negotiating your way through this. I do wish you didn’t have to though.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Well done to you all, great responses backed up by evidence.
Could you be cheeky and suggest that with the savings anticipated, they could look at a scheme similar to the NDSS in Australia to supply test strips and diabetic supplies at a heavily subsidised price. We are issued with a card and can access supplies from participating chemists. There is a limit but I have never reached it. Most diabetes nurses can issue free meters and the manufacturers often will provide them ( via their website or through promotions in chemist shops), free of charge because they are guaranteed to recoup their money from sales of the test strips.
May I suggest sending the link to the petition too?

I started this diet on Monday (11/4) and I’m into day 5. I must say I am travelling and don’t have a set of scales to weigh myself but I can see from the size of my belly that I have lost weight. I’m hunting around for a set of scales to actually weigh myself (we are in a very remote part of Australia at the moment) but I am feeling much better. No light headedness/dizzyness and there is enough food for me to not go looking for it. My BGL’s are up and down but I expect that untill my body reacts to the change in diet. Woo hoo

Hi Janec and Janet
Brown rice has complex carbs so is ok in moderation. A tablespoon of cooked brown rice, some onion, cheese and tomato and mushroom makes a great stuffing for a small baked red pepper. I’m vego too but haven’t found the BSD too difficult, just replaced my previous reliance on carbs with more protein, fat and veg.
Have you seen my zucchini ‘lasagne’ recipe? Has the same texture and just as filling.
I use halloumi cheese a fair bit to give that satisfying chewy texture to meals.
Frittatas are filling and good hot or cold with steamed veg or salad.
Mushrooms and lentils go well together and form the base for curries and bolognaise type sauces. I use the gram flour flatbreads with curry, instead of rice and courgetti instead of spaghetti.
Also the mushroom lentil combo with some extra veg and gravy or tomato based sauce in a heat proof dish, topped with cauli mash makes a great shepherds pie substitute. I’ve posted a harvest pie recipe which is quite filling.

Hi Bill1954
Ding dong!
Thanks for heads up. Just sent my email off. Got reply from my MP today. Sort off.
Will post what I said later. Off on family hol today. Was packing but had to stop to email APPG while the pen was hot
Eureka

Hi Pookie, and welcome
One of the other forum members has experienced improvement in neuropathy since doing the BSD.
I’m sure some weight loss will help, but hopefully your GP is following up on this, especially as you aren’t diabetic?
Keep posting and let us know how you get on. You need to eat from a wide variety of foods when on calorie restrictions to make sure you get all the nutrients you need. So it is important that you eat regularly, even though your appetite will reduce. In the long term it will ensure that you stay on track 🙂

It sounds like it John, don’t think it’s a toy boy at any rate lol 🙂
Although she could do with one to shovel away the snow and let her car get out 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hi Juliet,
There’s nothing wrong with what you are feeling, your body is just demanding carbs. It wants easy to digest sugary foods like it is used to. It doesn’t want to burn fat for fuel so it’s trying to make you provide it with the quick solution!
Only you’re not going to, you know what is best for it in the long run. I used to go to bed early too. It does help in the first few days. So does saving some calories for a healthy, fatty snack. So a hard boiled egg, a 20g slice of cheese, a 50g serve of full fat plain yoghurt sprinkled with cinnamon. Eat slowly and put your food/ spoon down between mouthfuls. Allow the food to kind of dissolve in your mouth rather than just simply chewing and swallowing. The extra time gives your body a chance to realise it’s eaten, and you get a chance to really taste and enjoy your food.
The carb cravings will pass so hang in there, it’s worth it 🙂

That’s good news 🙂
It’s so encouraging when you see progress. Well done on those blood sugars too. Great results!

Biopsy and genetic screening today. Results in 5-10 days – pathologists should really work weekends. 🙂

Just tired. BG still higher than recently – definitely stress.

Lucia, that is exactly what happens to me lol 🙂
I invent new recipes, notice a cobweb, remember I need to sew up the hem of middle girls school dress ( she picks at them while sitting on the mat listening to her teacher), write shopping lists, wonder about re painting the kitchen walls and how to talk an already busy hubby into it.
Penny called it ‘ monkey mind’ very apt 🙂

Thank you, hashimoto! Lovely to see so many kind, encouraging and enthusiastic people on this website. Good luck with your weight loss. You seem to be doing very well. I have only a moderate amount of weight to lose but no diet I’ve ever been on has been so easy or so delicious or successful 🙂 I have lost 4kgs in two weeks. Another 4kg to go. Confession: I am still drinking a glass of wine every night, and occasionally I have an ice cream.

Hi David,
You can expect to see some erratic results in your blood sugars for a couple of weeks.
I wasn’t on meds but it took about three weeks for my blood sugars to normalise. Now I’m always in the non diabetic range.
It was quite alarming when it first happened as I wasn’t expecting it, so I did a bit of research as it was also happening to other people.
I decided to celebrate the increased sugar levels, taking it as a sign that my liver was getting rid of stored fat. Once I realised that I was addressing the cause and not the symptoms ie; overcoming fatty liver and insulin resistance rather than just focusing on lowering blood sugar, it was just a matter of waiting for results.
To keep your post prandials within reasonable limits you may have to restrict your carb levels a fair bit while the process unfolds.
I kept mine to 50g a day total carbs. Once my blood sugars stabilised I was able to increase this. I aimed for 15g per meal fairly consistently, not 5g for two meals and a big blow out for the third. Then I had a spare 5g to use for snacks etc.
If one meal came to 10 and another to 20 I didn’t bother too much, but I was aiming for consistency. Our bodies do like stability, all our systems aim for it. I didn’t want to put my liver and pancreas under too much pressure while I was making efforts to shed the stored fat.
Unfortunately your two slices of bread will blow your carb budget!
This advice is purely based on my experience of what worked for me, and the research I did. Please keep posting though as your experience will add to the body of knowledge generated.
We are a much larger, more diverse group of people than the original research group, so have come up with some unexpected results. We can use our experience to help others, it’s all grist to the mill.
Best of luck with those post prandials 🙂

Hi Sue,
Hopefully your family will settle down a bit now and give you a chance to really get into a more regular eating pattern.
You’ve really had a tough time since starting the BSD, and no chance to sit down and relax it seems.
I really admire the way you’ve just soldiered on through all the worry and turmoil. It’s no wonder your blood sugars aren’t coming down. It’s as much about stress levels as what you eat.
Keep up the good work Sue, you will get there in the end 🙂

B- BSD green tea and blueberry shake

L- salad with avocado and olives

D- chickpea and tomato curry with yogurt

Lots of water and a soy cappucino 🙂

I will do, thanks.
I’m thinking that gram flour is going to be my friend! Pakora, pancakes etc.
Thanks for your help 🙂

Day 54 weight 10st 5lbs
Blood sugar 9.6

Nearly at the end of Week 8 – still 11lbs lighter and 2 1/2inches smaller around the waist but my blood sugar is not showing a consistent reduction. Felt a bit fed up tonight so had two squares of reduced sugar chocolate egg. 😕

Mum finally out of hospital and I’m going down tomorrow to see how she is coping at home and to do some housework for her.

Hi Cherrianne,
I’m interested to hear what you say about the meds stopping the liver releasing sugar. I didn’t know that. Would that mean that my post prandial BGLs would tend to be higher now that I have stopped all my meds?
I’ve been off them for 4 days now and fsting bloods have been below 5.5 (which is the opposite of what I experienced when taking my medications) but yesterday all my measurements 2 hours after meals were high.
Should I expect my post prandial BGLs to normalise after the fat is gone from my liver?

Thanks for your tips about the Slendier products. We’ll try your suggestions and see how we go.

David

Very interesting, I’ve not heard that before. I like that about checking your stomach! I definitely sleep better with fewer carbs. I blamed coffee but I think its carbs. Which is great as I prefer coffee to carbs.

You’re two weeks in so your body is still adjusting. Its quite an extreme plan, this one but very worth it. I have found out that the lack of carbs is definitely made up for by the welcome inclusion of fat instead. And I’m going to go to Morrisons tomorrow to see if I can get some of those barenaked rice/noodles as the website says they stock them. They might help fill the void a bit.

Hang in there Jane, it does get easier. Have you had a look at the ‘what have you eaten today’ thread. Might be some more veggie ideas on there.

Both really. My idea is to adapt what you have both said in order to create a general health message. Could do it myself but you have both stated the cases beautifully. But maybe I would be muddying the waters now I think about it.

Both really. My idea is to adapt what you have both said in order to create a general health message. Could do it myself but you have both stated the cases beautifully.

Hi gang,

Just did a bit of meditating befor coming onto the site.
Just lying on the bed, relaxing everything then focused on my breath, in, out, in ,out
When I naughty problem popped into my mind, I gave it a hug and sent it away.
Then back to the breath, in. Out. In. Out.

It isn’t easy, I tried to do my shopping list, made a mental note to dust the ceiling lampshades,

Then breathing. In. Out. In. Out

Then thought, if I move the suitcase from the top of the wardrobe , I could store some blankets in the case, and put it back.

Then breathing. In. Out. In. Out

Baby steps, but at least I have started.

I am hoping it helps me to stop getting so intense about everything.
Love luci a

Xxxxx

Hi everyone, 2 weeks in and 3.5 kgs down. No change to waist measurement in the past week.

I hope so, but finding it hard at the moment 🙂
Eggs are the only really satisfying food for longer than a couple of hours. Though sometimes my head thinks I’m hungry but when I check my stomach it’s fine.
One unexpected bonus is that I now sleep through the night. I’ve been waking at 3am every night since my perimenopause kicked in (I’m pretty sure that is linked to the diabetes, I was fine before). Chinese medicine says that’s when the liver is working- very interesting.

Hi Jane c, yes that’s something I struggle with too. I enjoy fish but not really any meat, I can face chicken sometimes. But the veggie options generally all have more carbs in them than meat and are not particularly filling. I get away with Quorn but I find it quite salty. I eat a lot of eggs but I think I’ll get bored of them eventually!

You did really well to get your blood sugar under control without any support. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said carbs are insidious. Its a bit of a downward spiral; the more of them we eat, the more we want to eat and so it goes on. That’s what the world is dealing with, its just most people haven’t woken up to that yet. But we have, so one day at a time we can find better things to eat. Our future looks bright doesn’t it?!

B – Yoghurt with strawberries and blueberries

L – crudtite and dips (salsa and sour cream)

D – Chicken and butterbean hotpot

Hi Janet,
I do know what you mean, as I got my blood sugar back to normal in 3 months after a diabetes diagnosis 2 years ago (I’d not heard of this diet then, just did very low carbs and more walking). But my weight and blood sugar crept back up again a bit last year, even though I’d reduced my carb intake and only ever ate wholegrains. I hadn’t realised how insidious carbs are, so addictive. I’m 2 weeks into the BSD now and getting hungry some days, so guess I’m scared to think about no carbs in the future. It’s very hard being vegetarian on this diet.

Two beautiful arguments captainlynne and bill. I think they will have a real impact on the team requesting them. A few more would really add some clobber.