Hi every body ☺
I am going to be starting this dietry change/diet on Monday.
I am a carb loving addict with prediabeties blood sugar levels.
Have somewhere around 12kilos to shift, the typical 3 F’s. (Fat, Female, 50)
I am planning on trying to follow the diet as laid out in the book to the letter (with the addition of coffee).
Sporadic gym junky (weight training) and getting out on my bike around 3 times a week, covering around 100ks (cumulative) for the week.
My step count for the day can vary between 2000 and 15000 steps a day.
Just wondering what are the best hints and tips that will help me get through what is sure to be a very interesting and challenging 8 weeks.

Cheers all
Red.

A big Greek salad with a small can of tuna to add before you eat.
Pre cooked vegetables to reheat in microwave and a heap of grated cheese in a separate bag to sprinkle over the top when hot.
Some home made stew, in a flask or heat in a microwave, take grated cheese to add.
Some gram flour flatbreads made with chilli, cumin etc (recipe on this website)and a pot of cottage cheese
with onion and chives.

Thanks for that info Orchid.
I’m not sure about the barley facts though. I always cook barley and brown rice together because of barley’s higher protein content. I had thought of having barley on it’s own even though it is higher calorie than rice. When I checked with Wikipedia it had barley at 73g carb per 100g, other sites were similar,so thought it best to avoid on the fast 800. I guess I could try a small amount now and see what effect it has on my blood sugar.

Hi All – if you haven’t already done so, please check out the ‘Please Sign Our Petition’ thread on the forum and sign the petition if you agree the government needs to look again at their new programme to tackle type 2 diabetes. Thank you

Hi All – if you haven’t already done so, please check out the ‘Please Sign Our Petition’ thread on the forum and sign the petition if you agree the government needs to look again at their new programme to tackle type 2 diabetes. Thank you

Hi All – if you haven’t already done so, please check out the ‘Please Sign Our Petition’ thread on the forum and sign the petition if you agree the government needs to look again at their new programme to tackle type 2 diabetes. Thank you

Well I’m here at last and happy to join the band of veterans. I’m actually a week late, somehow lost a week along the way and did 9 weeks. Oh well. 🙂
I’m totally happy with my results, my blood sugars are consistently in the non diabetic range. I have fasting levels usually under 5, post meals usually under 6.
That is what I had hoped to achieve from doing the BSD. I’ve lost about 2kg but that wasn’t a goal for me as I was already at the lower end of my weight range.
I can live like this for the rest of my life now I know the key is low carb eating, and not being deprived of all the good foods I enjoy.
The best part is finding a great bunch of like minded people on the forums, you are all so ready to support, encourage and have a laugh. Thank you.

Hi – a quick search on amazon showed the following books for the single diabetic as available. I guess you could also get at least one of these via order with a high street book shop if necessary.

Diabetic Cooking For One: 170+ Recipes, Diabetics Diet,Diabetic Cookbook For One,Gluten Free Cooking, Wheat Free…by Don Orwell
Diabetic Cooking for One and Two1 by Michelle Berriedale-Johnson
Diabetic Cooking for One: Delicious Recipes for the Single Diabetic by Sue Hall

Hi Mylife – if you are losing weight by picking and choosing various recipes from the book that add up to 800, that’s fine. There is no need to stick to the menu plans in the book – indeed a lot of us are taking the opportunity to make up our own recipes and menus (check out the ‘What Have You Eaten Today?’ forum thread). I would suggest not eating too much in the way of chickpeas and pulses, as these tend to be high carb and will slow your weight lose if eaten in excess, but do have some as they are also high fibre and so good to include in moderation.
The three important things are to ensure you have enough fat, enough liquid and keep your carb intake around the 50g mark – a little less if you can manage it. These should ensure you are burning fat.

I wouldn’t worry too much. Still 52 days to go. I lost 10kgs in the first week, but didn’t get too excited as it was almost certainly mostly water.

Ontario thing I suggest is use a good nutrition (calorie counting) app. I use myfitnesspal which is excellent but others around. Thing I found was : while I’ve been using that app for over a year before I started BSD, I wasnt losing the weight I “should” have been, based on estimated daily energy intake.

Since starting 8 week fast, I made 2 important changes : I recorded absolutely everything I ingested, especially coffees I drink (white coffees add up!) and ALHOLOL; even more importantly I been weighing stuff.

Turns out I’ve been underestimating my intake for much of the time prior to BSD. on paper I was hitting mto net 1500 calorie a day target, but not losing the 0.5kg a week that should lead to. I now think I was out by a considerable factor, because I was underestimating portion sizes

I’m typical of research that shows this is often the case, even if trying to be scrupulous – people don’t cheat they just create imperfect data.

What am I saying? Without wanting to sound accusatory at all, it is perhaps possible that you are ingesting more than THE 8THIYOU think – especially since its early on and relearning portion size?

Again – I suggest this in the spirit of help, rather than criticism.

Stick with it! And good luck. I’m three weeks in today, and if I’m representative – it works.

Welcome both to the BSD clan – sorry to hear you have both had disappointing results at the end of week 1. Things to check are: are you including enough fat in your diet (this helps the body get into fat burning mode), are you drinking enough and finally do a quick check on the amount of carbs you are eating, just in case there is anything you’re eating a lot of which has a surprisingly high carb content. Aim to keep your carb intake a bit below 50g per day.

Hopefully we will see you both posting good results at the end of week 2.

I’m not undeterred, I’m very pleased with the results thus far. Today marks end of week 3. Lost 2.2kg this week, for a total of 10.2kg so far. Very happy with that. I don’t have blood sugar or diabetic problems, but am obese. I debated skipping the 8 week fast and starting the 5:2, but decided to “fast track” the weight loss. I’m pleased I have.

Like I say, even 1kg a week from here on in would not upset me. That would be 15 kgs in 8 weeks. Who wouldn’t be happy with that? Another couple of weeks of 2 per would be an absolute bonus!

Thanks Karra. I only have 10kg to loose so that maybe it. Gained 12kg in one year so need to stop this. Blood sugars are ok but I am at risk as all weight gain over my middle😒. Am a carb addict! Will keep going as I must change this pattern before too late!

Correction to the above. Just finished watching Gardeners World and decided to look a bit further. I remembered I had seen that Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Tesco all give full food breakdowns on their online delivery sites, so I did some checking. Spelt is in the same range as nearly all flours – 60g carbs (+/_ 5g) per 100g. Not a big difference in calories, it is higher in protein, but so is Canadian Strong White flour – the best bread flour.
The ones that were very low were coconut and almond flours,
almonds – 4g carbs per 100g flour, 40g protein, 11g fat, 20g fibre. Cals 315 – a little lower cals, but very low carb and high protein.
coconut – 9g carbs per 100g flour, 19 g protein, 12g fat, 50g fibre. Cals 320.
The one I spotted that I have not seen mentioned before was peanut flour. It specifically mentioned it is high protein, low GL – which should be good for this diet. It is also gluten free – so biscuits, scones, soda breads, but probably not yeast breads. Higher calories – 410 cals per 100g, Carbs 20g, 50g protein, 12g fats; 11g fibre.
I used to love peanut butter biscuits – do they still exist – my memory of them is from the 70’s, and I have not seen them since!
I will look this flour out next time I am in Sainsburys – it may be useful for the 5:2 phase.
The other surprise was barley. I have barley flour and you can make a barley bread – more of a soda bread, it does not make good bread. I got it when MM was talking about barley and oats being good for your heart. Did not get round to using it as I started on this. Anyhow, anyone who like barley grains – 81 cals per 100g barley; 1.5 fats, 12.5 carbs: 2.7 protein; 3.1 fibre. Will be looking out that mushroom barley risotto recipe this weekend!

Does that include chickpeas and pulses as I have eaten lots on the plan? Have been picking out meals each day which equal 800 rather than sticking to weekly plan. Have I got it wrong?

Thank you for your suggestion, Christi1948
Well, that is the problem. As a single person I see no point in cooking for six (say) and sub-dividing the meal to get one portion with the other five portions stored in limited freezer space. How many multiple person meals will it take to ‘overflow’ the freezer?
At my age (79) I would be inclined to forget what I’ve stored and where.
Then there is the question of how to divide the meal so that each portion has similar kcal. and nutrition amounts.
It would be far easier, and more sensible, I feel, to cook for one in the first place.

Regards,

Alan B

I’m a bit lost here. I am just picking recipies out of the bsd book to add up to 800. Do I have to keep to diet plan at end of book?

Well I ate 4 of the goujons, but that’s the only carbs I’ve had today other than what’s in the Yoghurt. Perhaps for me taking in that little extra carbs will be what kicks my system into losing, cause up to today I’ve been strict about it and achieved no results other than to gain a lb. After all, everyone’s body is different and what works for some might not work for others. Will see what my blood sugar readings are tonight and tomorrow morning to see how it’s affected them.

Ah jpscloud, I love to do the boxing as it’s mostly upper body but it sure can work up a sweat and get the heart beating. It helped me lose weight about 4 years ago (too bad I didn’t stick with it) so I’m hoping fingers crossed that it does it again. Well done for getting yourself a full size step.

hugs
Karra

Hi Mylife, same thing has happened to me. I’ve just finished Week 1 and no weight loss(in fact I gained 1 lb), even though I’ve been exercising and following the diet. I’ve also not lost any inches, even though I’ve not recorded them officially, but it did get me down this morning, but it also made me more determined to increase my exercise and continue to stick with the diet, but perhaps tweak it a bit for myself and see how it goes for Week Two………so don’t get too down, just pick yourself up, maybe make a few changes and increase your exercise and see how it goes.

You have to remember Everyone is different, some people may need to lose more weight than others, and perhaps for us it just kicks in a little later, but I’m sure it will, we must be patient. KEEP AT IT! after all it’s better than a lifetime on medication.

hugs
Karra

Christine, you did amazingly well. I don’t know that I could have been that strong. But you are managing to have a normal life around your family, while still remembering why you are doing this. Your abstinence muscles are getting stronger ever time you resist temptation. You were right to get the lid on the tin quickly! You did it!

Hi all. Just weighed myself on day 4 of bsd. No weight loss at all. Gutted. Have stuck to it solidly and been active😬. Does this happen to some?

Hi all on this thread

I have just got past a real temptation, I made scones today for my daughter and husband and three of her four boys, who are coming tonight for the weekend, I also made a chocolate cake, however it was the scones that got to me, I could quite happily have buttered one and put jam on, then of course eaten it, what did I do? I put them away in the tin, (husband and second daughter had one each) and left the kitchen! Phew I don’t know how I didn’t succumb, must be careful this weekend my eight weeks are up on Sunday so need to stay strong, I have not fallen off the diet ‘wagon’ in the eight weeks I’m sure I can get to the finish line, fingers and everything else crossed.

Cooked chicken cold, homemade coronation style mayonnaise
Raw smoked salmon and full fat cream cheese
Tuna mayo and sweetcorn
Omellette if you have a microwave to reheat

Hi Alan B
Have you thought of making the meals and freezing the second, third or fourth meal (depending how many the recipe is for ) that way you can build up a reserve for when you have no energy to cook or visitors, any reason really, I often cook recipes that are for more than I need, then I freeze the spare meals, worth a try?

Kathy, have you checked the calories in that breakfast? We had it last week and I felt a bit guilty as it seemed a bit much. Checked it out and it’s only about 360 kc. So we had it again this morning!
Dinner was a small bowl of coconut prawn curry with Barenaked frogspawn and a couple of strawberries and blueberries with a spoonful of yoghurt (I’m addicted).

My intake today
B. Poached egg, grilled bacon, tomato and mushrooms
D. Chicken tikka, mushroom Baji and salad

Had breakfast at 10 and dinner at 6

Hargsi,
I started with Shakes, 3 first week plus veg soups, 2 for part of second week and then one towards the end of that week. I then went onto real food as soon as I knew I was fine with 800 a day. I used the powders – Slender Shake from Boots – 30g plus 250ml skimmed milk – 205cals per meal. I was losing weight, but nothing from my waist. I then realised the carbs were high and since it was skimmed milk – no fat either. I changed to Oatwell powder which is lower in carbs and higher in protein. I used skimmed milk again, but it probably would have worked better with full fat milk. I did try a couple of the body builder made up drinks, but they were awful so I moved onto real food full time.
If I were starting again, I would just take a couple more days before starting to get the fridge and freezer full of soups plus full fat Greek yoghurts, humus etc. That works just we well. When I was organised and I commuted to London I used to take my own soup (frozen) into the office, plus fruit. It would be a little defrosted by lunchtime, so it went into the microwave for 20 mins – instant meal full of goodness. When I was disorganised – it was the nearest sandwich shop plus cake and skinny lates – thus the weight issues :-(.

Lucia, your blister is called Fred? A friend of my son’s called his ‘the baboon’! You two have something in common! 🙂

B- plain yog/10 cherries/flaked almonds
L-small egg salad
D-small bowl beef/veg stew (frozen leftovers from few days ago)

2apples/cups of tea

Hi,
Spelt it related to wheat, both are in the family Triticum, but different species. It is over 9000 years old and went out of favour when we started going for very white breads. It is a smaller grain than the modern wheat and does not have the bran and germ removed, so keeps more goodness and has a higher protein content! It contains lower gluten and some people with a mild gluten intolerance may be able to eat it.
I classify it along with rye and barley. Full of good things, off limit on the 800 – but one to bring in on the 5:2. Like rye and barley it will release the carbs in a slower manner than modern wheat.
I thought I had some spelt in the cupboard, but looks like it went out last year when the mice invaded….. I did find some spelt and rye flour which might help Bill in understanding it.
It is 65% wholemeal spelt and 35% light rye flour mixed.
Per 100g – 340 cals. Fat – 2.5g; Protein 10.9g; Fibre 11.7g and the important one – Carbs 62.5g of which 2.1g are sugars.

This website explains a bot about it – ignore the ads. It was a better description than Wikipedia.
http://thespeltbakers.ca/what-is-spelt/

Hi lucia, absolutely!!! It feels like we have all shared our highs and lows and made real connections. I never tbought I would think that!

Yeh, we are a little family 🙂

Hi spirit,

When I drive, the road I go down, I have gentlemen trying to get into the boot as they don’t like me driving at 50 mph which is the speed limit on that road.
There are a few roundabouts, so to stop men blowing gaskets, I go around the roundabout twice, then carry on. This allows them to overtake me safely.
I drive slightly further, but to prevent situations.

When I walk, my path never goes in a straight line, I cross over the road, to nose in people’s gardens, then cross back over as I walk down the road. You get more steps per road.
I now go the long way, rather than the short way.
I get off the bus three stops later and three stops easier every journey. More to walk.

As I am losing my marbles, how many times have I walked into the kitchen/bedroom and forgotten what I went in there for. So I came back only to remember and go again.

Now you see why my shoes blow up?

The swelling has gone down around my blister. I put a plaster on it and keeping it very clean. I may call my blisfpter Fred, but I understand our relationship will be hopefully short lived.
Do any of you have pet blisters

Pork chop and egg for tea, nice dippy egg, mmmmmmmmmm

Love Lucia
Xxxx

How long have we been together now?
I feel as though i have known you lot for decades.
Do you feel the same way about our little family?
Love Lucia
Xxxxx

Hi gang,
Just got home,
So you want me to wear sexy blister socks, whilst putting a bar of soap in the bed, while I excrete potassium, riding my bike eating strawberries.
Well gang, you are all as insane as me ,!!!!!.

What will the bare of soap do in the bed other than make marks on my sheets? Skid marks on the sheets, it will look as through I have pooh-ed my self. 😊
I think bananas have potassium, so I will be pooh-ing bananas.😊🙂
Sexy socks, it was me trying just to get home with a broken heel, I couldn’t take my shoe off as my estate is like a. Minefield. If you know what I mean, it’s bad enough treating them like roundabouts.😊😊😊
I love you all, I hope we all stay together until I am a size eight.
Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi deb, enjoy the snow!!! 🙂

Friday Funday! Also it’s Day 5 🙂

I’m still a bit head-achy, but I am not hungry – so that’s a win =)

I am waiting until Sunday to weigh myself. I find if I do it every day I get too caught up in the numbers. Fingers crossed for a good result!

Have a great weekend everyone! They’re forecasting snow for us! Today is 12C though, lol

I love Spring – I really do.

Cheers,

Deb

Hi DJDAussie,
Just making an assumption from your name, but if you are Australia based, check out the Herman Brot bread at 2.3g carb per slice. Their website will list suppliers near you.

Hi Bill1954
As you say, the shakes themselves are low in fat. Each one only has 1.3g of fat so in total that is 4g per day. However I make up for it when I have my daily portion of humous which gives me 16g. Thankfully I am not a natural carb eater anyway so tend not to crave them. I am much more of a caveman (cavewoman), preferring meat, fish and cheese. In my opinion bread is only there to stop your ham falling on the floor! 😉 however I am keen to see this through to the end and I want to limit my opportunities to slip.
I will see how I get on this week and will bear in mind the advice about possibly beginning to crave carbs. I also take on board what Pam1954 says about retuning my stomach. Hopefully as long as I am aware of the pitfalls I can make the appropriate changes. And of course, if I don’t make much headway in my experimental third week then I may change my approach again.
I think it is this experimental approach which is keeping me focused at the moment. I had better watch out when the novelty wears off!

Will do Hashimoto.

Thanks Penny.

Congratulations Bill. 🙂 And you are right! I should just be happy that everything is going in the right direction.

Recipe by pmshrink
Time needed: 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 115 including oil on pan ( plain + soya milk option )
Servings: 4 servings of 4 each
Difficulty: 1
Rating: 5.00 based on 3 reviews

Am I being really dumb???

I only got 4 drop pancakes…. So is it 115 for all 4 or one is 115 calories

Confused!! As they are really nice but may have blown calories

Hi wannbe, welcome to the forums!

Get organised with food for shift work:
Packed lunches

Hummus and crudites
No carb ploughmans
Fage full fat yoghurt and small amount of seeds
Any kind of salad
2 boiled eggs and small piece of cheese
Fritatta

If you have a wide necked flask – soups

🙂

Kathy – a big welcome! 🙂

I am keen to get started with BSD but I start a new placement on Monday which means shift work. With the only certainty being my start time I really don’t know what to do. If anyone can give me advice on how to manage shifts I would be so thankful.

Fran I was a bit like you in the first week – but I wasn’t eating enough full fat.

Hang on in, it DOES get better 🙂

Same happens to me buxtonmick! I liked your previous post at 17.11 !!:)

I am very interested in this bread recipe , I have been googling a lot today trying to find a low carb bread recipe! I am going to be changing from the 800 cals to 50g carbs a day soon – can anyone work out approx how many carbs a slice this would be?

I type so slowly that whenever I post a reply at least five others have already posted! Kathy54 (you don’t look a day over 40!) we’re all on the same adventure here and lean on (and learn from) each other every day. The more shoulders the merrier – welcome, and keep updating with progress and problems!

Hi Bruno
Fantastically well done!! That’s a lot of weight you ve lost.
Congratulations.
Penny