My husband makes a mean truffle oil cauliflower mash which goes really well with a lean eye fillet. He uses a stick blender to mash the cooked cauliflower and adds a little cream, butter and truffle infused olive oil, and some black pepper. It is so much tastier than potato too and low in carbs. We haven’t had this for a while but you are all inspiring me to get back in the kitchen again and get motivated!

Posted link on Twitter as well.

stringbreaker, the general advice in the book is not to add extra calories to replace those used in exercise. In general if your not trying to lose weight weight I think that if you burn more you should be able to eat more and maintain equilibrium.

You do need to be careful about about the calorie information you see. An active male might burn 100kcal every waking hour, some machines add this info into to the numbers displayed.

Obviously for many (including me) having that first drink makes saying no to the second that much harder, and the bag of salted peanuts…

You are all so inspiring. Thanks for the soup tips. I am going to get my slow cooker out of the back of the cupboard on my days off and make some soup! 🙂

Thanks Judith, signed xx

Buss here are interesting, Judith. Apart from that one, the other service runs between Durham & Bishop Aukland, every half hour Monday to Saturday. Alternate ones continue to Asda & the hospital in Bishop. But the last bus from Durham is about 8pm. No service to speak of on Sundays or Bank Holidays. 😳

I’ve never driven, so I’m used to it, just means I carry lots of bus times and routes in my head😱 And shop frequently so its not too heavy. Oh – and sometimes do online food shops 😊

Hi! Petition is great, am trying my hardest to sign it, but it keeps telling me that I haven’t clicked the link, when I have…..

Will try to find another way to get this signed as we need everyone possible on board!!

Hi misssay, I also understand your frustration at the gain after just a little stray from the plan. I know exactly the same would happen to me. Thinking long term, I have a few strategies up my sleeve. Firstly, as you say, I do not intend to ever go back to eating the way I did before so my diet with remain much lower in carbs from now on. Secondly, once I get to my target weight, that will give me a few pounds ‘to play with’. This will be important as I don’t intend to weigh myself every day the way I do now. I think by then it will be better to be more relaxed and accepting of the fact that sometimes I will gain, but other times I will also lose. I’m also thinking I will build in a little ‘boot camp’ or ‘de-tox’ if you like, of a serious week of 800s every six or eight weeks so any weight that does start to creep back will be lost again with minimal fuss. Maybe similar strategies might work for you and put your mind at rest that you can make these changes for life. Wishing you all the best and fingers crossed for getting into that lower stone!

Hi Adlr27.

As Janet says, there are many on here who aren’t diabetic or pre-diabetic.

There seems to be agreement that following this low-carb way of eating is beneficial to everyone. As well as lower blood sugar readings and lower blood pressure, there is weight loss, and a general feeling of improved health including more energy, clearer thinking and a loss of the desire for the carbohydrate foods that gave been making us feel ill, although we hadn’t realised it.

Hope you decide to give it a try, and let us know how you get on.

Lynne that’s not an excuse! It’s a logistical nightmare. My aldi is a ten minute drive away so easy peasy for me

Hi

I’m almost at the end of 14 weeks on the BSD. I was on holiday (5days) abroad a few weeks ago, and stuck to low-carb foods. When I arrived home I’d gained 2 pounds, which I lost in 3 days back on the BSD.

What did I do differently while away?

I ate a low-carb breakfast, like at home. But I ate a meal at lunchtime, while at home I eat breakfast then my evening meal (I’m just not hungry at lunchtime) And I wasn’t careful with portion control. (Apart from a steak – I ate half & took the other half back to the hotel for later). And I also ate again in the evening.

So, what did I learn? Probably the important lesson for me was portion control. Staying low-carb wasn’t the issue – it was how much of it I ate.

And I don’t think I drank enough, especially water.

Hi all, I have been reading posts on the forum and am so inspired by all of you. Thankyou so much for the laughs and for helping me find the courage to commence the BSD. Most of all thankyou to Dr Michael Mosley who I was lucky enough to meet recently when he visited our city on his book promotional tour. As a registered nurse and midwife, I just hope and pray that your work is truly taken notice of in the medical world so that we can turn this sugar addictive pandemic around across the globe.

That brings me to me! I have read the 5:2 fast diet book and am half way through the Blood Sugar Diet book….I am a shift working health professional who has struggled to maintain my weight my whole life. I am not morbidly obese, but I am not blessed with great height either and therefore am basically short and dumpy 🙂 I could run a weight loss clinic, I know so much about GI and various weight control programs such as WW etc. but I have never been able to consistently maintain a slim weight, and have slipped back into easy carbs eating all too often. I am now staring down the barrel at 60 in the next few years, and arthritis, oesphogeal reflux and chronic tiredness are creeping in. My BSL is in normal range although I have not done a GTT and I do have signs and symptoms of Syndrome X or metabolic syndrome. I am post menopausal and have an apple shaped body and am carrying too much weight around my middle. My parents died in their 50’s of heart disease, one brother has had a quadruple heart bypass at age 63, one sister a triple heart bypass in her 50’s, and is now a Type 2 diabetic. My cholesterol, tryglicerides, and liver enzymes are climbing and yet still I have not found a way to get myself in gear to permanently get my body under control…. Until now. I really believe that Michael Mosley has found the answer for me. I just have to implement the strategies, and hope the motivation flows from there. And that is where all of you come in. Cause even though I am a reasonably intelligent person, when it comes to emotional eating; tired crazy shift work schedules, and mental strength, I fall over time and time again.

My plan is to build up to starting the BSD for the 8 weeks 800 calories per day program commencing 1st April (April Fools Day!! :-)) I have followed the 5:2 plan for a couple of months about 12 months ago and lost 4 kgs on it until slackness crept in. I am so tired all the time when I am not working, and I so hope that my energy levels increase so that the motivation flows from there. I am on night shifts (which don’t help) over Easter and then am on days off until beginning April. I want to stock up with the right ingredients and pre prepare some meals so that I am ready to go. So if anyone can offer me any suggestions with recipes or just some tips on how to get through the first few days/weeks I would much appreciate it?? My 35th wedding anniversary is 30th May and I am so hoping that I am feeling like a whole new person physically and mentally by then. I look forward to sharing with you all from here in Brisbane, Australia.

Good to have a choice lynne x

Great weight loss CH! 🙂

Thanks Judith. I really need to shop in Aldi more. Just easier to shop in Durham (no Aldi). Almost a military operation to go to Asda & Aldi (Spennymoor). Bus only Monday to Friday. First bus there 9.30, last bus back 14.10. Fitting that in with work & other stuff can be interesting. Note to self: stop making excuses. 😳

Hi Adlr27, there are lots of us doing the bsd who aren’t pre-diabetic or diabetic but we just want to lose some weight or generally improve our health. I’d say there is no problem in anyone taking up this lifestyle (and Dr Mosley says it too) as it will be beneficial to everyone to eat less simple carbohydrates, sugars and trans fats. The bmi measurement isn’t particularly useful to someone like yourself as you have a lot of muscle which is not taken account of, therefore, losing weight might not be your priority. However, by reducing your pasta, potatoes, rice, bread, cakes and biscuits, you may find other benefits such as better sleep, better skin, better immune system, more energy, less appetite. These are all the results of restricting carbs and eliminating trans fats. Also, if you are carrying any visceral fat, you are going to find that this dissipates.

I wish you every success if you decide to give it a go, it really isn’t a diet but a way of life which will stand you in good stead as you get older.

Great news Judith.

Shared on Facebook.

Great result CH. congratulations.

Well done Lucia.

I need to get more walking done (preferably without carrying heavy shopping bags😳). But I like to walk for a reason, not just to walk. Have bought local map and need to sort out some walks.

After the taste test, the Asda Extra Special gluten free sausages would be OK if I can’t get the Debbie & Andrew sausages. 😊

Thanks CH, great news on your weight loss too!

Thank You Janet, I have signed and hope it works? I have been spreading the word and my friends can see the difference it has made to me, 1lb off losing a stone in 5 weeks – it’s great.

Regards
CH

Thanks for that janet!!!

Wow lucia, respect! You are making massive changes x

Hi Hashimoto,
Nope, I was a couch potato.
Now I am a plodder.
I know around here, there are seats in the bus shelters, park benches, park walls etc to sit on.
So I waddled out, got out of breath, sat down, caught my breath, waddled on etc.
Went further each day, in a loop. Then a bigger loop.
Now able to do 6000 in the one go.
So including a sit down in the coffee shop 11,000 in the one go, with one sit down.

So if I can do it any one can.
Love Lucia
Xxx

Except for all those people on your lawn queueing up for your home made ice cream.

Live Lucia
Xxx

Ok, so this is the correct link
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125704

Hi janet just realised you don’t need to click the map button to get the facebook icon 🙂

Hi janet google the petition as nhs to encourage….
Presss map button then facebook icon. 🙂

I had the same issue. If you search gov and petition is takes you to the correct website. I then searched on carbohydrates and it found 2 petitions, one was the correct one.

Mm, I’m doing something wrong, I copied and pasted judith’s statement but when I googled it it took me to the petition that was rejected. Can anyone give me the correct link please? I’ll get it on my facebook page then.

Oh, clever you, Sharon!!! 🙂
There is a ‘map’ button folks, if you look up or click on a section of the map you can get your MPs name. You can also add it to your facebook page to get the word out fast!

Catgirl, I am envious, it sounds like you live in a really idyllic place 🙂

Lucia, well done! Did you always walk a lot or is this a new way of life? 13,303 is really good and still lots of the day left! It’s still lovely here too! So I have stripped the beds and put everything in the wash – now drying. I’m about to dig up a rhubarb clump and replant it. Oh I am really enjoying today. I had cream of broccoli soup and tried to eat an apple, couldn’t finish it I’m so stuffed! 🙂

Thankyou for signing so promptly Orchid! 🙂

Thankyou Sharon for being one of my supporters!! Same goes for Lynne, Bill, Sunnyb, Janet and Julia. I can’t thankyou enough xxx

I can’t help with that one stringbreaker because I really don’t know, I have had a few extra calories when I have had a particularly gruelling hill walk just to stop myself going giddy and walking like a drunk! 🙂

I recently read the book by chance on a plane journey and found it absolutely fascinating. I am not diabetic, 27 years old and love exercising (go to the gym probably 5 times a week). Slowly since leaving university and starting a job with long hours my diet has gotten a lot worse – I don’t eat a lot of your classic bad foods (chocolate, chips, pastries and cakes) but I do eat far too much Pasta potato and bread, which I think has contributed to very poor sleep and tending to peak and crash throughout the day.

By BMI I am classified as overweight (I’m 6’4 and 100kg) but have a very broad physique and quite muscular. I have weighed about this level for the last ten years as it was about the right weight for playing rugby, but I could probably drop some of this now.

The diet does sound intruiging but I’m concerned as someone who isn’t diabetic, exercises a lot and works long hours is 800 calories just too low?

8 now used different email.

Hi cat girl,
So that’s 87 chocolate ices 49 zooms, 126 ninety nines including flake. Oh and a yoghurt for me please!
We are all on the front lawn….. 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎🤗

Then we are on to cherri Anne’s, may I say … Oh I must, I must , Sorry in advance …. A few shrimps on the barbi!!!!
I just had to.

Hashimoto, just got back from the coffee shop, I am on 13,303.
Just had turkey slices and salad, pickles, celery, plumb tomatoes, spring onion, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

It’s still lovely here.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Done – 7 signatures now 🙂
Thanks for all the effort you put into getting this rolling

Well done Judith!

Hi Judith,

That’s fantastic news and thank you so much for your work in getting this off the ground. 🙂

Hi missay,
I am glad someone else has the same feelings, I am not diebetic however was told by doc I was pre diebetic and had to lose two stone at least, I am at the end of the seventh week and have lost 19 lb, however I am due to go on hols 10th April and am worried about my eating habits, I can give most carbs, potato, rice, pasta, bread, a miss, my problem is seriously sugar and everything that has sugar in it, ie cakes, puddings, chocolate. I have been so good on this diet so far I fear I will fall off the wagon! Fortunately I have to go see the doc next Thursday and I am hoping I have lost a little more and get a good report from him, I still want to lose more weight just not sure what will happen when I start eating ‘normally’ meaning less of all the things I used to like and more of the things on the med diet, will just have to see how we go on, I too have had a plateau for a couple of weeks, just like you up and down on the scales, I also have periods of extreme cold and hungar, am having one at the moment two days of freezing, and hungry, however not eating more! Staying with the diet! Anyway I have rambled on as well so good luck and hope you find the transition to 5-2 OK, when you get to that point.
Christine

FABULOUS NEWS The petition has been published!!!!!

You can google. Petition. Nhs to encourage treatment of type 2 diabetes with a low carbohydrate diet

Lets get those signatures rolling!!!!

Best easter gift ever :). 🙂

The weird title of this post is because I went out for a meal with work mates on Wednesday, and when it comes to nights out, I reckon I am a complete lightweight on this diet! I had one glass of wine, and felt like I had had a bottle! I assume that is because of the lack of carbs in my body. I had pre-ordered steak for main and cheese instead of a ‘proper’ dessert. I ignored the biscuits with the cheese (I am sensitive to gluten anyway, so that is relatively easy,) ate all the steak, mushroom and half the peas, and, I confess, * some * of the chips. I had 5 and left the rest. I was pleased that I stopped at 5, although stopping at zero would have been better!
So…next morning I was up on the scales by 2lbs. I expected an increase, but was quite surprised at 2lbs. One of them has gone this morning. I know that being back on track will soon get rid of the other one but it is frustrating, as I was teetering on the edge of moving down into the next stone this week, and now it seems unlikely, especially coming on the end of a 3 week semi plateau of saying ‘hi’ and ‘bye’ to the same 2 lbs several times!

My main thoughts are this though: how I ate on Wednesday was probably similar to how I will be eating when I am ‘off’ the diet. I put ‘off’ in inverted commas, because I know that it won’t ever be a case of truly being off low carb for me, if I want to stay healthy and feeling well, but long term I will be eating more calories but still low carb. It won’t be as low carb as at the moment, I hope, but if that amount of calories over the 800 and that small amount of extra carbs adds back 2lbs, I am wondering what will happen longer term when I increase my ca!ories. I know it wasn’t an actual fat gain as that doesn’t happen overnight. Anyway,I am rambling a bit. I am aiming to continue on the 800 BSD for a while, as I have a lot to lose, but it has made me concerned for the time after 800cals, and I think I will have to increase my cals and my carbs very gradually, to transition into 5:2 or 4:3 fasting.

Interesting info, skywalker, thanks for that 🙂

Everyone is welcome any time, we are within 1/2 mile of the nearest beach and less than 10 minutes drive from award winning conservation beaches with loads of wildlife. Not too far from the Farne islands and Holy island. Feel spoilt but very lucky, buckets and spades optional but I used to do a good line in homemade ice cream! That’s one for my target weight!

A little bit “off-piste” but does anyone out there really know how the calories in/out thing works?
If you go out and burn 500kCals doing exercise does that REALLY mean you can add 500kCals to your intake and stay within limits?
Personally, I’ve always doubted it, but if somone can reassure me that it’s true, then it will be great because I’ll be able to have my first beer this year 🙂
Actually it will only be a pint, so about 200kCals, but I’m still sceptical.

I heard on a Radio 4 interview with George Osborne during the Today programme, that he lost his weight on the 5:2 and is well aware of the sugar situation. Funny now, I remember him before, I think it was the previous election beginning to look much slimmer. What the political outcome will be is uncertain but children’s juices need toning right down regardless of the industry lobbying.

Thanks for the replies tree-peony and Janet. I try to avoid all transfats, and am eating very little carb, as per the diet. That’s why I am concerned, as my reading seems to have gone up recently. However, my recent test was not a fasting one, (‘Id had an egg and some yogurt) so I’m hoping that when I have my retest next week, which will be a fasting one, my result will be better. Fingers crossed.