krissy,
As they say on training courses – if it was easy everyone would do it!
800 is a researched # designed to kick start you on a new life with significant weight loss in 8 weeks.
Higher cals = longer to reduce. The BSD/Fast/800 diet is a programme that many people can stick to it seems. On the back cover of the BSD book it suggests that the ‘average’ weight loss after 8 weeks of 800 cals is 14kg.

I’ve made up my mind that I want to lose the fat around my middle and get healthier and reverse a high HbA1c reading, so am sticking to it. I say this on a day when I have woken up *starving* and the yogurt doesn’t seem to be doing it… so I’m drinking lots of water now, and then a coffee with a splash of milk, and then a big bowl of soup for lunch. From the past 11 days [& approx -9lb] hydration seems to be a factor; if not hydrated I get hungrier and grumpier, but it passes. Other days I’m absolutely buzzing and do intense exercise without eating much more than 800. This is my first ever time at looking at what I eat – I have been exercising a lot for *years* [and enjoying it] but wondering why not much weight loss whilst consuming approx. 3000 cals per day. When I complete the 8 weeks I intend to eat more sensibly and do a variation of 5:2, but I have to lose the 14kg first.

Everyone’s different, but I would encourage you to accept the science and find coping strategies to get you through. The brunch/dinner combos on the weekend seem to help – a steak never tasted so good or was ever so filling last weekend.

Hi Juliet
There is something called gram flour that is made from chick peas. You can find it in most supermarkets its used extensively in Indian recipes

Hi Alan, great news with your progress; do look at This has Got to Work for Me, as mentioned by other posters; Bill is a type 2 and his journey is remarkable. The post will help you, he charts all his ups and downs and what happened during his 8 weeks!

What he has achieved is quite incredible!

xrissy – it is in the posts above. 800 was low enough to ‘reverse diabetes’ for some participants in one of the trials referred to in the book. As you say you can eat what you want, and there are options in the book to fast some days and not others. How long have you been going? Many find the first week harder than the rest.

I used this site https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/bwp/index.html to calculate the amount of calories it will take to lose 16 pounds taking me from 176 to 160, (I’m 5’2) in 60 days, and it recommends to eat 1,255 calories (other factors weigh in, like adding walking, etc.)… I guess the question is, why, in ketosis where burning fat is optimal, can’t I eat 1255 calories of fat/protein rather than 800?

I know MM isn’t forcing me to do anything ;O), just curious why 800. I’m finding it very difficult on 800, eating properly etc. but still hungry, but I don’t want to swap to 5-2, as I really want to stick to this program and be in ketosis. I also really want to maintain weight afterwards, so I’m trying to come up with something feasible in the long run.

Anybody have any input on why 800 and if increasing to 1200 but in same diet (low carb/high fat) will be an issue?

Hi
I enjoy a couple(!) of glasses of wine at night and I was really concerned that this was going to be the most difficult bit for me. Like others after a couple of glasses of wine chocolate suddenly becomes something you cant live without and cheese is absolutely essential.
So I made myself a gin ( got a proper measure and exactly 2 cl – 48 calories and lots of diet tonic and a slice of lemon ( buy Schwepps its worth it!!)
Two of those and I am happy – last a long time and not too many calories
and I have lost 5 lbs this week!
Interestingly I was so busy talking that I forgot to add a shot of gin to one and didnt know until I found the gin sitting in the measure on the worktop
So its all in the mind!!!

Meant to say big thanks to all on here for help in my first week I will take any advice criticism tips etc ,even stuff we don’t like to hear helps.
Alan 👍

Asked my doctor for a meter they said it’s not bad enough to have a free one
I had bought one anyway from eBay ,just thought I’d try get free needles etc for nothing.
Worth a try
I did apply for those free online ones
Nothing turned up yet.

I’ve been rewatching the steve gibson sugar hill special, which is a ton of science behind this sort of diet, very low carb and high in fat, and where I said watch your protein, really, you must, because if you’re overdoing the protein, which is easy on this diet, then you could be making it worse. Your body only needs a certain amount of protein in a day, and any excess gets stored as glucose. I did the math for my body weight, and I only need 32g of protein a day. http://www.meandmydiabetes.com/2010/05/07/ron-rosedale-protein-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ The math is 0.7 x your LEAN body mass kg. The rest of the cals should be fat. I’ve only been watching food groups and cals, but will start keeping track of protein, fat and carbs as well. Ugh, I hate tracking. but if it will help get over the slump. Taking a walk after dinner will help burn off any excess stores of glucose (carbs) that might have snuck in, and as MM says, it preps the body for the insulin sensitivity side of things. It take 4-5 days of eating low carb, high fat to go into ketosis, and about a month for your body to adapt to using ketones from fat as fuel rather than glucose. I’m feeling inspired. Watch these for more science behind this diet:
sugar hill I – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vfK5U9qKaI
sugar hill II – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KKT7XFxQWg
sugar hill III – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dByXYfxfSJk

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hi caravansue, welcome to the forums. Scales might be a bit of an issue for you so why not just use a tape measure while you are travelling? It will certainly tell you a good story!

I would suggest keeping a log (paper or electronic) recording your blood sugars ( if you test them) and your measurements – taken from waist, hips chest etc. Each time you are in a larger settlement you may find a pharmacy with scales you can use and then record your weight.

If you don’t have a tape measure with you the string is an excellent idea, and when you get a tape measure you can get your original measurements from the string! 🙂

How fantastic Hashimoto, wow well done !! That is so good and I just hope I will also be able to have those type of losses as I also have a knee problem, among other things. What a result, I would be ecstatic. 🙂

It seems some older women unfairly have very slow weight loss, but not you. Just hope I can get similar results.

Hi Kate,

Don’t worry about going out with friends and staying off the booze, it’s easier than you think!

I’m a big drinker. I can easily put away a bottle of wine and then some – and I have plenty of equally boozy mates.

What I’ve discovered is that whether I’m drinking or not, my friends are still my friends and I still have a great night out… if anything, they seem to find it a bit difficult to watch me drink pints of sparkling water with fresh lime (and mint if the bar have it). Weirdly as their booze kicks in I find my own spirits rising too – that’s something I wasn’t expecting.

It’s also a really good way to up your water intake.

It’s even better if you can incorporate a meal into your evening, but if you can’t do that eat something really tasty just before you go out.

Try it, it’s really good fun!

Hi Orchid try the peanut butter dip recipe from the book! Luscious!! 🙂

Hi jillyb , we Brits have been on metric measurements for years too, but we older generation still visualise in pounds and stones! Though as a primary school teacher I have had to teach in metric for decades you would think I would find it easier these days!! When it comes to my height and weight it’s imperial measures all the way!!

I was a bit surprised you referred to this ‘wretched diet’. What is it you are finding difficult? Can we help in any way? 🙂

Hi Willsmum,
as SkyWalker says, the occasional thing won’t go amiss, so long as it is occasional. I had not thought about Peanut Butter for ages, but I Was watching a wildlife programme last night and they were putting peanut butter out to attract badgers into an area where they were filming. I started thinking about the fact it is nuts so must be ok :-(. After the programme I looked at the calories/carbs and decided probably not – but I will have a look later at a brand like Neal’s Yard who do pure peanut butter!
SkyWalker – I am intrigued by your the ‘Normal Prime =1’, that is that? I am around your height and I don’t get into the normal range until 74kg.

Hi Willsmum, welcome to the forums. Have you tried the peanut butter dip recipe in the book? That really answers the peanut butter urge! Cut plenty of celery sticks etc to have with it. You will love it!!! 🙂

Hi pookiesnackenberger, Cherrianne is right, check out Bill1954 on ‘this has to work for me’. Inspiring stuff!!!
🙂

Hi Odette, I know it seems counter intuitive and it is the mistake I made in the first couple of weeks – more veg = more on my plate. Sadly it also = more carbs!!!

Try a full fat yoghurt, with added ground flax seeds/ berries. It may top 220 calories but I can guarantee it will fill you up!
A smaller salad with a good glug of olive oil also does the trick.
Nuts – love ’em!!! So good for you and full of healthy fats!!!
Use nuts and cheese as an addition to a healthy meal or in small portions as a snack food.
Walnuts and pecans are lower in carbs than other nuts, peanuts are pretty low too. Sunflower seeds are lower than pumpkin seeds.

You really do need fat to help you feel full. It also seems to accelerate the weight loss. JAs Spirit has said just make sure you keep your carbs at 50g or under. Penny recommends calorieking for checking calories and carbs. If you live in the UK we need to deduct the fibre figure from the carb figure.

Hope that helps 🙂

Great job Alan, the first week is so motivating.
I’m sure your sugars will stabilise, just give it more time, stay strong and don’t let it deter you

Hi Kingdoone, fabulous weight loss, it will get even better as the weeks go by!! 🙂

Hi April, a belated welcome to the forums. I’m so glad you have found this diet and these forums. I could not lose weight, other than an odd pound, on other diets, this was has taken me down by 2st 11lbs so easily!!

When you stick with the diet you will find you quickly don’t want/desire starchy, sugary foods. It is a REVELATION!!!!

By the summer ( if it comes) you will be proudly parading around in lovely summer frocks no longer embarrassed by your slimmer body 🙂

Skywalker, that is pretty disappointing in terms of the GP responses! Mine are delighted I keep data records – GPs are scientists and like evidence – at least most do 🙁

Your wife did well to decrease her morphine and anti-depressants.

In terms of G incomes – in Britain – with the population expanding quite rapidly I don’t think there income should be an issue if diabetics come off meds. GP’s are also under pressure not to give out too much expensive medication unless it is necessary.

I really don’t understand your GP!!!

You and your wife are doing so well in spite of the GP – keep it up 🙂

Thankyou Cherrianne for your encouraging reply. It all makes sense – it feels strange not reacting to my body’s demands but I know how dangerous those might be!

I did hang in there and now, Day5 I have lost 6lb and feel I’m getting the hang of planning ahead for what I’m going to eat. I think this is crucial for me – to have an overview of what the day’s food will look like and roughly when I’m going to eat it.

A very long way to go still but I feel buoyed up by what I read on the threads and encouraged by the feedback I have had. Thankyou : )

Well done Alan – you’ve done fantastically well to keep going. I’m sure it will get easier for us!!

Hi Scater, welcome to the forums and the BSD way of life. As well as the advice Bill gave why not point out that you don’t have to pay weekly fees on this diet?? You could suggest you will save the fee money in a pot and treat him to a meal out with it!! 🙂

I got on the scales this morning – a bit blasé – as I was hoping to see my weight had remained stable. What a surprise!!! another pound dropped off!!! Unbelievable!! That is now a loss of 2 stones 11lbs. In my profile I said I hoped to lose 2 stones! As I am now down to 8st 12lbs I really don’t need to lose much more – just four pounds to take me to 8 and a half stones at the most. I’m 5’4″ and 63 years old, I have got down to the weight my orthopaedic surgeon said I needed to be to protect my knee. So I’m very happy.

Keep on keeping on folks, this diet is a miracle!!!

Hi Scater, welcome to the forums.
Try to get him to have a quick read through these forums and see the amount of success others are having.
If that doesn’t work make hi a deal, something like I’ll do this for 2 weeks and if I don’t lose weight I’ll go back to the commercial diet.
If you are like most others you will have seen big changes, not just weight loss by then.

Hi all, don’t forget that GP’s are paid when they issue drugs. MY other half has withdrawn herself from Morphine that was being increased every time she complained following back surgery – he was not impressed or congratulatory. She also withdrew the anti-depressants in January as they too were making her dopey. She is now lighter, happier and able to control her back pain with less damaging painkillers and walking really helps her dodgy hip. So we are a collective knowledge base that is growing fast and one day might be listened to even if not consulted. Evidence speaks volumes… and saves NHS funds of course but may play havoc with a GP’s income if we all take on responsibility for our own health. I have recently been ridiculed for knowing my own heart rates and blood pressure. I may start a thread on this when my “Feedback” is responded to.

I’ll be interested to know how it goes.

Hi all British Citizens, wherever you are you can sign our petition to ask the NHS to promote this diet for T2 diabetics 🙂

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.