I’m four weeks in. And I have been alcohol free the whole time – with one (pre agreed) exemption being Easter Sunday f family meal. I went crazy and had four glasses of wine.

I’m a heavy drinker so worried it might be tough. Not just “craving” but the social aspect.

I’ve been pleased that I haven’t missed it (hopefully means I’m not dependent on the stuff) and have found the social aspect is solved by going out and drinking soda water.

A few ribbing from mates but more than Offset by positive comments about my weight loss!

Hi Judith, my toes do the Vulcan salute too! No one else I’ve mentioned it to has had this happen. My feet actually turn when the cramps are severe and I’m left trying to stand on the outside edges of them until it passes. I find extra salt and some magnesium helps. If I’m out and about I grab a bottle of San Pellegrino mineral water and that does the trick. Electrolyte replacements ( not the sports drinks yuk) spike my blood sugars so I daren’t use them. I’ll look at the sugar content in tonic water, I’d forgotten about quinine. Thanks 🙂

Wow Toofastblack that’s a huge loss in 4 weeks. Great stuff. Does your user name reflect your car?

Hi All,
I agree with what seems to be the general consensus on here that we do need to chat but we also need to tidy up the various threads under specific headings. Without the chatter we wouldn’t have got to know and trust each other the way we do.
There are people who only pop in to ask questions or chart their progress and are happy with that.
I’ve noticed that a lot of newbies start new threads to ask their questions and they might only be specific to them. The problem with this is it constantly pushes the older threads down the list and often they have useful info in.
It might be good to collate threads under specific headings and make them sticky so that they are easier to find.
Not sure how that would work either because sometimes I think people pick the thread at the top of the list and ask their question there.
I know that several of us spend a fair bit of time looking for, and following up on new starters to encourage and advise them. That is I one thing that I think makes this site special, that we show care and concern for others. I know that won’t change 🙂

Congratulations on your half-way in results – that’s an awesome amount to lose over 4 weeks and really encouraging for myself who started at 110kg (104kg 10 days in). I am super confident we’ll both reach our long term goals. 🙂

Hi Kags, I think that is how the major threads started, with the idea of a dedicated theme – like this one, but with more people and more issues it’s what happens. ‘chat’ is a natural consequence of communicating. I think we need the information for new or newer starters collating by the tech team into FAQs to help newbies find what they need. I think all new threads will end up with a certain amount of chat which goes ‘off piste’ so to speak. For instance this thread was for people who had crossed the 8 week line to post their stories of their 8 weeks and what they had achieved and how they proposed to progress as inspiration for those just starting out. Which is pretty similar to one of John’s ideas.
I do wonder though, whether that solution will prevent some new people from engaging in ‘chat’ and building relationships. For people doing this on their own or without other moral support it is important. I’m quite happy to continue trying to answer questions from newbies as, I am sure, will a lot of the other old timers!
As this is the only forum I have ever been on I can’t quite imagine how something as formal as ‘coffee and chat’ would work – it obviously does or it wouldn’t be on forums you are on, but for me personally it would seem a bit contrived. Off topic chat often occurs during a reply or question, not necessarily just for the sake of chat.

Happy Birthday TWills63! Enjoy your pudding – as you say treats are okay it’s just the frequency we eat them that we’re changing. 🙂

I’m down from 104.4kg yesterday to 104kg today. I think cutting back on my cups of cocoa (which I drink instead of tea or coffee because they hype me up too much) did the trick. I’m switching to fruit infusion teas. To help with drinking enough water each day I’ve placed a 1.5 litre jug on the kitchen bench and added some lemon juice and have a glass when I’m in the kitchen. I have been getting a few headaches, especially in the morning on waking and later in the day.

Hi janice, perhaps the tech team could collate all the useful tips/discoveries now that the forums have been on the go for a while and put them on a FAQs tab on the tool bar? 🙂

I am a member of other forums where they have a thread specifically for off-topic chat, some with names like The Bike Shed or The Coffee and Chat thread. I completely agree that we need to chat and support one another – that’s what makes doing the BSD so much easier. I think it would make sense to have dedicated threads for different topics – progress, issues, food recommendations, etc. just to make it eaiser to find all the fantastic information and support that everyone offers.

Hi to a fellow natterer christine. 🙂

Hi Noella – welcome.

I’ve finished the 8 weeks and am now in the next phase but haven’t managed to get such positive results yet. My fasting results actually got higher, and in week 8 I had a peak of 12.2 fasting BG even though I was under 800 cals the previous day, and really low carbs. Perversely I eased up a little over Easter after the first 8 weeks, allowing myself the odd slice of wholemeal bread and a hot cross bun one day, and my fasting levels dropped to 8!

I think it’s safe to say everyone’s different but it defintely works for most people. I’m now testing every 2 hours for a few weeks to see if I can see any patterns (I know it still goes up the longer I fast, and it spikes after exercise which again seems odd.)

I have at least managed to reduce my medication (I’ve stopped Glicazide which definitely reduces my blood glucose levels but increases insulin, and corresponding appetite and fat) and am within 6lb of a BMI of 25 for the first time in over 20 years and feeling so much healthier and am really hoping that I eventually crack it.

Good luck – I’m sure you’ll get great results

Thanks everyone. I should perhaps give some context to my numbers. I started at 116.2kg – which is over 18 and a third stone?? my BMI was 37.9.

So I’ve lost 10% of my body weight so far. I’m as of right now 104.6kg (16 and a half stone) BMI is 34.2.

Goal weight target for end of 8 weeks was to hit the even 100. Might Get close to that, depending on the last four weeks

Next goal after that is 91kg (BMI of 29.9 – ie merely overweight not obese – lol).

Long term goal (aspiration) is 80kg.

Hi Judith
I agree with you and Lynn, I need this forum to keep me motivated, I also need to natter to feel part of the forum, however I also agree with John? I don’t know how it would work, what John is suggesting though?
We went for a muddy woodland walk today before lunch, then we had lunch and I did ketostix test, it was a lovely pale pink, so I just need to have more fat, and more exercise!
Off to bed now night night
Christine

Alanhypno. I see my diabetes nurse monthly for her to monitor my progress, BP, weight etc. I was on BP meds but no diabetes medication. Currently off even BP meds.

I had my HbA1c result shortly before I started on BSD, and have another one due in a few weeks, which will be entirely within the time I’ve been in the BSD. That one will be interesting, because they were wanting me on Metformin after the last one, but I said I was doing this.

Great results toofastblack! That’s amazing weight loss in just 4 weeks 🙂

Hi Toofastblack,

What great results! What an inspiration you are.

I’m Day 2, Week 2 and soooooo happy with the BSD way of life. Isn’t it encouraging to know that after the 8 weeks there’s the 5:2 and so on? It gives us all a plan and goals.

Enjoy.

Today is the halfway mark for me. I’m a 48yo Australian male. Dropped 11.6kg (25.5lbs) so far. That’s 10% of my body weight. I’m doing it for weight loss as I’ve been fortunate – never had a problem with blood sugar or insulin or cholesterol – just obesity.

I will go on to do 5:2 Mediterranean after the end of the 8 weeks.

Fabulous work everyone

Four weeks in. Half way! Another 1.4kg this week, 11.6kg (25.5lbs) total. I’m so pleased. This is giving me such a good base to head into the 5:2 phase in four weeks time.

As I said last week, I’ll take 1kg a week from this phase – so another 4kgs would be fantastic.

Hope everyone else is enjoying it and getting results.

Hi DJDAussie, Some of the differences are the names eg courgette/zuchinni. I don’t really know, but would another difference be the measuring? eg Australian Standard Measurements….I have no idea really. BUT it gives me an idea for a new ‘spotto’ game!

Alanhyno, I am seeing my doctor every month. I do not take Metoformin now but still need 25 units of insuline once a day (end of the day). With this diet, my sugar level is supposed to be low enough to allow me to quit also the insuline. The weightloss is very fast though.

Hi again,
I’ve been type 2 since March 2011 (age 47 at that time). My hba1c had come back at 15 so went straight onto 4 metformin daily.
I’m now nearing the end of week 5. I had a little blip in readings in week 4, I.e. they started going up in the 7’s, but I’d had a chest infection so blamed this. They’ve come back down this week and for the last 2 days I’ve only taken half the dose of Metformin (2tabs). I’m due for an annual diabetic check in June with a new hba1c, etc, so am hoping for a good response from my GP as I really want to stop my medication completely. In 5 weeks I’ve lost just over a stone so am really pleased. Obviously if I saw a huge rise in my levels i’d adjust my tablets accordingly, however I do test about 4 times a day to ensure my levels are Ok.

It’s very encouraging thanks !

Welcome to the veterans club bruno 🙂

Well done eureka 🙂

Forgive my ignorance, my it skills are strictly on a need to know basis, is the fitbit part of apple technology or will it work with my Microsoft equipment? I have seen a windows based wristband but its very expensive.

Hi Bruno
Well done. Join the clan
Eureka

Bruno,
It’s surprisingly easy, isn’t it?
We stuck to the dinner recipes in the book but are now casting around for fresh ideas – we’ve got a couple so far from Anthony Worrel Thompson’s diabetic cook book. Not entirely compliant with BSD principles but easy to modify.
John

Hi John,
I’m going to stick to the 800 calories, I find it easy to follow and enjoy the food.

Hi jimnz
Just asked techies to put vid on tool bar if poss. It’s that good
Eureka

You see – they told us cake was bad for us! We just underestimated how many ways its bad for us! My problem would be avoiding all those lovely cakes while at your church do. In fact, some of them may not make it there! Janet – step away from the cake table. I can hear it now….

That’s good to know lynne! 🙂

That’s really amazing you guys must be so proud of yourselves
I begin my journey next week and messages like this really give incentive
How do you go on with meds ?
Do you wait 8 weeks then see nurse for review ?

Hi Judith. I think I’ll be around on here for a long time yet. Even when I reach whatever weight I decide on, I need to maintain it. ‘Talking’ to everyone here is a great incentive to stick with it

I love being a part of these forums. We have a real mix of people here. It tickles me that, as we have such a strong Australian contingent, they take over through our night time so you are never more than a couple of hours away from support. Sometimes to my shame, I am still awake in the early hours reading their posts when I should be asleep!
I wonder if your issues this morning were to do with the severe calorie restriction we have on the bsd 800. Again, I would expect it to settle down but if it doesn’t, don’t despair as there are other things you can try. You haven’t got a large amount of weight to lose and some of us here only count carbs not calories so that could be an option for you if your symptoms persist. But see how you go over the next couple of days and keep us posted.

Hi from another type 2.

When I started this on 19th December, my fasting blood sugar was 10.9 and I always struggled to get a fasting reading below 7.0.

Now it is always under 5.0 and I’ve even had a 4.0.

As Leeanne said – it really works.

That’s absolutely amazing Leanne well done
How long did this take and how long were you type 2
Also did you reduce meds yourself or wait till you saw doctor ?
Again superb result

Yeh, lynne, i agree posting helps me to keep focus, especially when none of your family or chums are doing BSD. I do like the chit chat and digressions too though. We’re a pretty interesting bunch really with issues and life experiences in common.
Nothing wrong with a new thread if that’s what you would like John. Someone else suggested updating our profiles regularly which is also a good idea.

When will I reach my goal? Shrugs shoulders. I really don’t know. At the start of my bsd my wildest dream was to lose 2 stones. I exceeded that some time ago. Now I aim to lose another 6 pounds. However the ultimate goal is to maintain that weight loss and increase my fitness, so I guess that takes me up to my very last breath! Perhaps i need to be posting and reading posts til the end 🙂

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Angela, she’ll get the job she wants. Its a numbers game isn’t it.

I know just what you mean with the dogs. I have a mini long haired daxy called Milo and both my husband and I adore him. He’s nine now and just starting to show signs of middle age.
Your walks sound like my kind of walks, I’m sure you’ll have a lovely week.
There’s no way round it for me unfortunately, I’m going to have to go cold turkey on the coffee (actually if I could get it down to a couple a week that would be enough!) so maybe I will be coffee free by the time you are back…or maybe not?

Hi CallMeDeb,
Sounds fun. I don’t think I’d dare read the sleep one – I sleep well but nowhere near enough and I know that’s not good.
I guess you use MFP on the phone – I’ve ou ever used it on a laptop – how easy is it to use on the small screen ?
John

Thanks for the video, jim. I agree with eureka that this should be put on the tool bar 🙂

Thank you so much Janet1973. I am surprised that someone responded so quickly for I was just about to turnoff my laptop. Your response is very encouraging to me. Initially, the diet was not a big change for me for I was already on a low-carb, low-salt diet and I did the 5-2 diet before. This morning however, I was light-headed when getting up from sitting & got the chills. I thought my BP was low for I just had taken my medications. Diastolic was 60 but systolic 139, so I was concerned. Your insights have been helpful & now I am treading along.

Hi jimnz
Thanks so much for the Insight video with Dr Michael Mosley & Prof Roy Taylor. I think this will answer a lot of frequently asked questions on the forum. Yes we have the book & this forum but a programme like this will stick in the mind more.
Maxine’s great. Would love a chat with her

I hope the techies can make this part of the BSD tool bar for instant click to. PLEASE!
Eureka

Now that made me actually LOL Cherrianne!

John – I did receive my fitbit yesterday and am having fun learning all the ins and outs of it today.

I didn’t get the one the measures heart-rate. I’m using today as a baseline, so I can go up from here (in steps). I like the fact that it talks to the app that I do my food tracking in (My Fitness Pal) and keeps me in tune with that as well. My favourite thing so far is the sleep function. It let me know that I slept for 7 hour 20 minutes last night, was restless 7X and woke up 1X. Fascinating! I need to figure out how they do that!

Been super busy at work today and am looking forward to the weekend.

Hope you all have a great one!

Deb

Hello there from another type 2,
The figures I go on for type 2 as recommended by NICE are:

Before meals – 4 to 7
(Non diabetic 4 to 5.9)

At least 90mins after meals – under 8.5
(Non diabetic under 7.8)

Fasting levels:
Normal – 3.9 to 5.5
Pre-diabetic/impaired – 5.6 to 7
Diabetic – more than 7

In my case I started week 1 at 11.0 fasting and now on week 5 I’ve had 5.4 today!! It really works!!!

Hi janet1973
I would love a little dog, we have had two springer spaniels, I loved having them however didn’t cope when they died, I was a mess before our last one died, even before he died, you can imagine how it effected me after?
Ah now Angela has had the same problem too qualifed for the jobs she has gone for, her sister told her to miss out all the qualifications that weren’t relevant to the job she was going for, the last one she went for they did it on points, there were three posts and she came fourth, so of course missed out, they did offer her night shifts, which wouldn’t have worked for her situation. ( she went for something in mental health) an area she is very familiar with in her previous jobs.
We are going for a week, just for a rest, we have a busy life with family, so looking forward to a bit of time just the two of us.we will be doing a good bit of walking, always allowing for my bad leg and back, that’s why i have trouble with exercise, I can only do so much before my leg and back start playing up, we like to get the bus from playa fanabe to los Christiano and walk back on the promanade, we have to stop,every so often for me to recover then we set off again. We have breaks for morning coffee, lunch then usually an ice cream on the last leg before we collapse back at the apartments!
Try having de cafe coffee, it might work for you without, depriving you of your coffee?
Anyway I will keep in touch from hols when I can cheers for now
Christine

I’ve taken my blood sugar level for first time ever
Type 2 for years
I’m not starting this plan till next week but I measured my sugar level at 9.5 two hours after a meal
I think it’s very high but haven’t the foggiest also did I measure at right time ??
Any tips
Alan

Bruno,
Great result.
Good luck with the next 35 lbs.
Are you staying on 800kCals for a bit or easing up a bit ?
John

You’ve now got about 50 diet buddies DeeMac! Its quite common to feel the cold more at the start, its probably your body getting used to the reduced amount of fuel you are putting in. Over the next few days you will learn how to budget your calories across the day but also your appetite will decrease naturally due to the reduction in carbs. Have a look at the ‘what have you eaten today’ thread as there are loads of good menu ideas in there. Keep your carbs as low as you can, keep your protein moderate and make sure you now eat full fat everything and all of that will help keep you satisfied. And ask any questions you have, there are plenty of people here who will have the answers for you. Best wishes.

Hi everyone,
I’ve competed my 8 weeks and now at the end of my 9th week.
I tend to weigh myself every Friday morning, occasionally I’ll weight myself mid week just to make sure I’m still on track. I did a mid week check on Wednesday and had lost nothing, but on this mornings weigh in I’d lost 3lb. In total I’ve lost 38lb since I started.
To put it into perspective, I’ve a lot of weight to lose, I’m planning on losing another 35lbs at least and I’ll still be classed as overweight. Any more and I’ll look too thin.
Keep up the good work everyone, great to see how everyone else is doing.

Also, to bear in mind, your tolerance for booze may already have decreased. We know 800 calories isn’t a lot to soak it up with so you could feel tipsy a lot quicker. Don’t know if that’s good or bad!