My 8 weeks are up today and I am very happy to announce that I have lost 25 pounds in that time and 5 inches from my waist measurement as well as 4 inches off my chest and 3 inches off my hips. I’ve gone down 2-3 dress sizes as well. I had my blood taken this morning and will get the results of my fasting glucose levels and HbA1c on Monday – I’m really hoping that they have fallen into the normal range.
I plan to carry on eating the same way but not calorie counting for the next two weeks as I’m on holiday but then I will return to the 8 week plan as I still have 2 stone to loose – ironically, I lost 25lb in 8 weeks and prior to that it took me 18 months to loose the first 28.5lbs that I lost. This is definitely the best diet ever! It is so motivating to loose the weight so quickly and other than the odd day of hunger, a little light-headedness and headache very early on, I’ve felt fab – energised, better concentration and no bloating (no bad period symptoms either which I always had previously).
I would encourage anyone to do this diet, stick with it, even on those hard days or when your weight loss stalls – it will come off, just keep going, the results are great! 🙂

I’ve been on 800 calories a day since Sunday. Been charting everything in my fitness pal app. 2 kids so out and about walking on school run/walk 3x a day. Feeling tired but finding this all easy. But just weighed in and no change 🙁 was 14.1 stone and pretty much the same today. What am I doing wrong? I’m carrying on though! need to as Pre-diabetic and have diverticulosis and endometriosis so it will help with all that. Any tips?

Thought I’d posted this earlier, but it’s completely disappeared!

Last night I booked flights to Italy in June, staying with friends.

I’ve told them I can’t eat pasta, pizza and bread – so they now think I have celiac disease, and told me their shops sell gluten free foods. Answered not to worry about that, I’m happy with meat, fish and cheese 😳

Imagine – telling an Italian you can’t eat pizza and pasta 😱

Bit complicated food wise because my friend is on a strict eating regime for another medical condition and I’ve normally just fitted in, eating pizza, bread and the occasional pizza. But also meat, cheese and salad.

Methinks a trip to the local shops will be in order – Parma ham and Gorgonzola. Yummie.

Thanks Bill

One thing we learn is that ‘one size fits all’ does not, in fact ‘fit all’. Whether it be clothes, medications or diets – or anything else.

I had spotted that post earlier but you responded before I could. Sorry you were attacked – you don’t deserve or need that.

Thanks for all your support on here. It’s much appreciated. 😃

Not me lynne
you have vast experience with your condition and have learned over the years how to deal with it, I have known several people who suffered from clinical depression, some could cope with it very well, others just fell to pieces, it’s such an individual thing.
The OP on there didn’t seem to be coping very well which prompted me to ask if this diet, knowing it can cause mood swings, was suitable for her.
I did revisit the post last night just to look and she had fully supported the one who went for my throat so maybe I was wrong, or she prefers the sympathetic approach. Can’t get it right all the time but the statement I can’t stop eating bad things got to me. Food doesn’t just materialise in your mouth, you have to make a concious decision to fetch it, unwrap it, and eat it. I thought if she could see the reasons why she was doing it, she may be able to stop.

Isn’t it great to rediscover those bones that have been well hidden for years. 😃

Here’s to rediscovering more lost bones 😃

I’m with you Cherrianne. I’m in my second notebook since starting the BSD. Recording food eaten, fasting BG, other test results from GP/nurse. Even now bought BP monitor and recording that.

As you say, keeps me out of mischief 😃 – and provides evidence for the medics !

The ‘d’ word has again been mentioned so I hope nobody objects to me speaking very personally for a moment. Grab a coffee, and settle down. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

I have suffered from clinical depression on and off for much of my life, including post-natal depression. I have taken many different antidepressants with varying degrees of success.

Some time ago a book was published ‘Potatoes not Prozac’ so I followed the dietary advice given there. Well, it did seem to make sense. At the time. Eat starchy carbs and you won’t need the tablets.

A big learning curve for me (please remember I am speaking about my body, not anyone else) was that I know the quirks of my body better than any medical professional.

There were some antidepressants that worked for me, ok there were foods you cannot eat while taking them but that was never a problem for me – they worked. Then the new generations of pills came out. All I will say about them is that the side-effects were worse than the depression for me.

The last few times I’ve visited a GP with depression I’ve been asked what works for me, and I’ve told them – guess what? They refuse to prescribe what works.

Fast forward to the BSD. Since starting this back in December I have noticed a positive difference in my mood. I seem to be more the ‘real me’. The me who laughs at almost anything and is a giggler. Things that would have irritated me and completely stressed me out are now shrugged off.

Those of us on here who are diabetics know that ‘one size’ does not fit all, and the same seems to be true of depression. But this has been my experience.

Like many of us, treating myself as an experiment, I find out what works for me. I don’t think I have recorded everything so carefully for such a long time as I have with the BSD. My diabetes nurse was impressed originally, but last time I saw her she laughed at my notebook😱. I’m in notebook 2 now LOL. I write down everything I eat, my fasting bloods and test results. Note to self: must ask nurse for last test results just before I started BSD for comparison. Thanks to folk on here I bought a BP monitor do I can keep an eye on that at home. Something else to record in my little book. (No, it’s not a little black book – it’s purple 😃). Not that I’m a control freak you understand 😱

If you’ve read this far, sorry for the long post. Just wanted to put my experience on record and hope it may help someone else. Hope it hasn’t upset or offended anyone.

Ok. That’s it folks.

Pleased you found something that works Matrika. I have the app on my phone (it was pre installed) but never use it although I do from time to time check my pulse on a different app.
Good luck on counting the calories but don’t forget to keep an eye on those carbs.

LMAO
I opened this one with some trepidation !
Fancy seeing those bones start to reappear, amazing isn’t it
I found the same with the six pack I’ve been hiding for years, just to prevent peer jealousy you understand 😉
It’s slowly creeping out of it’s hiding place.

Well, the SHealth app has been fabulous for counting calories for me works really well and am loving that it records my steps as well. I know for sure now I am well within the limits and am just going to measure my calories in the app and not try to stick with the recipes in the book.
They give a great starting point but I don’t think they intend for everyone to stick to their recipes.

I intend to compare the calories and breakdown of food with another set of information somewhen sometime soon, in the meantime, I’m not fussed if there are differences in the quantities…it seems inevitable to me becasue the food supply from country to country varies so much, there would be no universal constant measure of calories would there?

Best of luck to everyone struggling with this calorie question.
I’m totally converted to the app approach, find it brilliant and easy to use which is what I was wanting.
Thanks again DarwinResearcher and everyone. 🙂

Loll it was meant to be tummy wodge which I confess I loved and stole from someone else on here! Anyway hopefully there will be less of it soon.

SunnyB is right, in the book Michael says sugar free fluids so enjoy your green tea.

I found a strange thing when I was lying on my side.ITS A BONE, my thigh bone which I haven’t felt for years. Ok it still has a liberal covering but I can feel it, likewise my pelvis which admittedly has an even more liberal covering. Feeling encouraged even though actual weight loss is only down a kilo this week.

Wow we have an awesome threesome on our hands 🙂
lily lozza and mrscrimbo, well done to you all.
Keep posting your results, you are all inspiring others to a new healthy lifestyle, so in helping yourselves, you are making a huge contribution to other folks well being.

Be great to see you joining in Liz, your experiences will only add to the growing amount of information available to people joining here.
Just to put a full stop to this. my post to that girl wasn’t meant to pressurise her or belittle her in any way.
I was trying to get her to think about the reasons why she was eating those things, if you know why, you’re on the path to stopping.
It’s just like parenting skills, sometimes if a kid is doing something they shouldn’t, a kind word or a hug can have the desired results. Other times you need to take a slightly firmer approach and get them to think about what they are doing.
At the time I posted, I didn’t realise she had come off anti depressants, which raises another question.
This diet does cause light headedness and mood swings,it has been reported on here several times, it’s possibly not the best path for someone who suffers from depression, and I’m not generalising here, but it won’t suit some people.
I’ve left the group rather than cause any more upset over their, I wish them the best and I look forward to your future posts.

Oh evie no need to be upset
If you had lost 2 kg at any other time you would be ecstatic.
As Cherrianne says, you have had that initial fast 1st week weight loss, now your body is realising what’s going on and is readjusting and fighting back.
Once you switch from burning carbs to burning fat you will feel much better and the weight and blood sugar will start going down again.
You are doing everything right, it’s just your body acting like a spoiled child, stamping it’s feet and screaming I want carbs.

Hi Mountainman – Jeff Volek has done some work with performance athletes and ketogenic diets. You can watch a presentation on YouTube. It”s in the Low Carb Down Under section. The people he”s tested are doing ultra marathons and have performed well on low carbs – but obviously not on 800 calls!

Hi I started the BSD diet last Friday after seeing Dr Michael on The Wright Stuff. I have lost 7lbs! Very pleased 🙂

Hi cherrieanne that is some temperature drop! Hope you coped – it’s like going from a warm day and into the fridge! 🙂

Morning Hash..x

Hi fatty soon no longer! Congratulations on your results so far! A reduction in meds already WOW !!!!! That should keep you on course this weekend! 🙂

Thanks Cherrianne…. We are south Aussies too… nice to hear from someone from home..x

I am off down the street today in order to find a pharmacy with some scales… it is day five and no worries so far sticking to the rules… I do not follow the recipes i the book as I just cook from scratch and look up the calories and work out the portions… I know I will need the motivation of a good weight loss or something to get through the week end with My Hubby around!!!

Will scroll around and look out for Lucia… sounds like good to me…

Love these international forums, belong to a few of varying interests, just good to find others with the same interest and goals and not have to go on and on at friends as their eyes glaze over…hahaha
Some good news to tell… for 2 days now I have not needed to take one of my meds ( endo gave me instructions on when to take it and when not to relying on BSL… so that ha effectively halved my medication use…. I think thats great!!!… well done me… and thank you body for responding.

19 sounds a much more liveable temp than 37 . Have just come back from being in Oz for 5 weeks… humidity in SA is so not what I was looking for!!!!…

OK Off to seek the lively Lucia….

Thank you both. Yes I am pleased. I may not have conveyed that very well in my post, but I am. I plan to do this in four week blocks…so bring on the next three weeks I say!

I think you may have found the greatest diet ever, one that delivers fast weight loss without suffering awful hunger or deprivation. We were expecting all kinds of desperate craving for spuds and sweets but even baked beans taste horribly sweet after a few days. Good luck on your journey, you may find weight loss slows after the first 4 weeks but you will still lose and the other benefits will help you keep going. There is always someone on here with a cheery word or a recipe or some encouragement if you need it. Welcome to your new healthier life!
ps the not feeling hungry is very weird isn’t it?

Well done on the weight loss hope you keep melting! My OH and I are at he end of week 6 he has lost 1 stone 10 lbs and I have lost 1 stone 7 and we completely agree with you its the bread and booze what do it. Aside from the weight loss you will just feel so much fitter and healthier on this diet. We intend to continue in roughly the same way (should we ever reach our targets!) now we have been set free from our addiction to carbs. Wishing you every success in your journey to health.

Lilly, that’s quite a big weight loss in just 5 days! You should congratulate yourself 🙂

Hi all

I started the 800×8 on Monday and. despite a slight slip up on Wednesday, I’ve so far lost 1.7 kgs. It’s only been five days but I plan to make Friday’s my weigh in day so thought I’d post about it today.

It’s not as much weight loss as some others have experienced, but I don’t have a sweet tooth, so I haven’t had to cut out biscuits, soft drinks or cakes from the diet because they weren’t there in the first place…..and my takeaway/junk food consumption is virtually non-existent. We maybe have it once or twice a year in an emergency. What I have done is cut out all potatoes, alcohol AND BREAD. I think they have been my major downfall!

So, 1.7kgs is pretty good I think. Next week and the week after will be interesting

Way to go vjc, great weight loss already. You are managing really well by the sounds of things.
Health professionals have also been known to mix ketosis and ketoacidosis up so not surprising.
That’s what the forums are here for, to ask advice or clarification of things. There’s always someone who will be able to help.
I’m looking forward to hearing your next set of results 🙂

Ok, so it’s still early days for me, but I have to say that – so far – I am loving myself sick on the BSD!! I’ve never found a diet I could stick to before, basically because I’m a bit of a foodie. I’ve tried them all over the years: meal replacement biscuits/shakes, unimaginative pre-packed meals in microscopic portions, two days on nothing but bananas/cheese/magical fat-burning soup or whatever… BAM! I’d hit my – admittedly low – boredom threshold and it was farewell, good intentions! This diet, however, positively encourages experimentation with all sorts of interesting and delicious things, which also happen to be my favourite things; namely proteins and vegetables. I tend to be one of those people who doesn’t snack, but can overeat at meals once I get started. I have to say that I’m yet to end a BSD meal feeling hungry – in fact, last night I didn’t think I’d be able to finish my dinner because there was just so much on the plate! Ok, most of it was steamed kale, cauliflower and asparagus, but it was a LOT. I’d also had a big breakfast – grilled field mushroom, cherry tomatoes, spinach and poached egg – from the 5:2 diet recipe book. By the end of the day, I’d only had 609 calories and had to have a low-fat yoghurt pouch (127 cals) to get to around 800! And my carbs for the day? Only 63g. Unbelievable. I wasn’t tired or hungry, even though I’d been for a run at lunchtime and had burnt an additional 337 cals. I daresay it will get harder as I go on and am tempted by the things I miss (wine, for example, and enormous bowls of rice!) but so far it’s been awesome and I’ve already dropped a kg. I imagine it would be much, much harder for someone with a sweet tooth who isn’t keen on vegetables, so I count myself very lucky. Have I finally found the elusive Holy Grail – a diet that actually works for me?? 😃

Lol, I agree 🙂
I’m the sort of person who likes to know why things are so. You might have guessed that by now! So I observe and monitor and experiment to see if I can find out why and then what I can do to change it. I’m hoping I never get dementia, cos my curiosity would be unrestrained by common sense and who knows what I’d get up to 🙂
Oh well, keeps me out of mischief and the biscuit tin lol.

FoFi are you diabetic, or do you have a blood sugar problem? If you are a great way to get a grip and cut through your envy of what others are eating is to tranpose an image of yourself minus a foot over the picture of what they are eating that is attracting you. Works fast.

Thanks for the response, Cherrianne. Turns out I was confusing ‘ketosis’ and ‘ketoacidosis’. Let’s call it a ‘rookie mistake’. 😜 Loving the diet so far and think it will work out really well for me – have already lost a kilo (2.2lb), which is very encouraging. 😄

A-ha! Thanks for that response, Bill. I was also making the error of thinking that ‘ketosis’ and ‘ketoacidosis’ are the same thing. Duh! 😜

Hi, I know that much of it isn’t healthy. I just see people eating twiglets and I don’t even like twiglets and I want some. I don’t eat them, but still they look good. I have a ten day break from this diet coming up in a week and I am looking forward to it. (I mean a break from the Fast800, I will still be high fat low carbs BSD way of life.)

Thanks pmshrink was sort of hoping I can get myself set up with a phone app cause it is so convenient and available. I may be about there now with the one that came in my phone and I didn’t know it was there!

Wil explore CalorieKing on my desktop computer tonight, had a quick look and you need to join.

So far I have gained weight in my first few days, 300gm so am not panicking. Not sure how I managed that but will keep on trying. 🙂

Moiuntainman…you don’t mention why you are on this diet and describe yourself as quite fit.
I was wondering if you are diabetic or insulin resistant and are you overweight?

I have just done two hours of intensive exercise and haven’t eaten for 18 hours…blood sugar level just checked is fine.

However, I am type 2 diabetic and have very severe insulin resistance.

Not eating is the only way to reduce insulin…that is the whole point of this diet isn’t it?

Eating carbs because you are buring up energy puts a stop to any fat clearing that may be happening in your liver and pancreas, which I thought was the point of the exercise…in order to avoid the side effects of diabetes long term.

Hi Evie,
Don’t despair you haven’t done anything wrong. You’ve just got the dreaded week 2 blues!! Check out some of the other threads and you’ll see it happens to just about everyone around week 2 or 3.
It’s also one of the more unfair facts of life that men usually lose weight more quickly than women. Some of the ladies on here have found their hubby’s losing weight even though they’re only very halfheartedly doing the diet.
Keep up your good work, 2 kg is still a great result. Pick up a 2kg bag of flour and see for yourself.
Be mindful of all that you eat and drink to avoid extra carbs sneaking in. Keep your fluid intake up to 2-3l a day. Make sure more of your calories come from vegetables, proteins and fats,rather than relying on carbs, and you will see those kg’s dropping off again soon.
Keep posting so we can all celebrate your progress with you and support you if need encouragement 🙂

Hi Liz. *waves*. I was spending too much time on FB anyway. Sorry to leave in a way, because most of them are nice. But I thought it best.

Good to see you joining in on here. Please post your progress. We are a helpful bunch. And usually someone around because we’re from so many parts of the world. Lynne

My husband and I started the diet on the 11th March. The first week he lost 2.9 kilos and I lost 2.2 kilos, this week he only lost 1 kilo and I gained 200 grams. I have stuck to the diet and I have done at least 10000 steps every day as well as other exercises including a minimum of two boot-camp sessions a week. Where am I going wrong.

Cheers for the update – that’s really interesting to know!

Fab weight loss Rico! Well done!

I’ve had a night out tonight – but made some still kept the plan under control (apart from the slimline tonic, wasn’t so slimline!) but anyway… Good to have a night off!
B – blueberry and spinach smoothie
L – salad, toms, cucumber, seeds & olive oil
D – (out) Breaded squid, salad, asparagus & Parmesan.
With drinks – 1150, c 88, s 29

I’m good with that for a night out 🙂 xx

Hi Fofi
I am curious to what you meant by nicer food you see others eating.
I have a different view of other’s food now.
When I see people stuffing themselves with sugary carbs, I don’t feel they have nicer food than me. I think they have food that is going to potentially make them obese and possibly type2 diabetic!
I am loving the food I am now eating. So much variety flavour and choice. And knowing that it is now helping me to live rather than slowly killing me only spurs me on to continue with this way of eating.

I guess everyone has their own methods and techniques to get through the 8 weeks, but I can honestly say that I am personally fully committed to my goals. And once I reach them maintaining this healthy way of living.
We only get one life. I for one plan to make the best of it.

Best wishes and success to everyone on this journey to better health and well-being.

Kind regards Shrinky.

Onamission – your name says it all! You can and will do this. It’s 8 weeks out of your life that could extend your life by years. The cravings will lessen, and as they do, your self belief and confidence will too. I also lost 5lbs in my first week and have around 2 stone to lose – for every lb I lose I put £1 in a sealed tin, when I have lost my 28lbs I am going to buy myself a bottle of champagne and drink it all to myself!!!!!! Keep going and use the forums.

Hi Ann,
Sorry you feel disappointed with the results for you at this stage. 🙁
As Sunnyb has said, it’s worth a quick review of what you’re eating and drinking. Sometimes low cal foods can be surprisingly high in carbs and prevent your body going into the fat burning phase. Try to get the biggest volume of food for your allowance, and again as Sunnyb said, include fats. Also remember to include any milk you have in tea/ coffee in your count.
It seems that week 2 or 3 is when weight loss stalls for lots of people but you will notice other changes in your body. The weight doesn’t come off predictably and you would seem to have less to lose than many people on here. At 65.8 kg your 1.5 kg loss is very much on track for a 10% loss of body weight over the 8 weeks. Those people posting big losses will also have a much higher starting weight than you.
Don’t lose hope, you’ve done the hardest couple of weeks. It all gets better from here 🙂

Just been watching bear grylls mission survive, a bit like the BSD mission but it’s not about surviving but about mission ALIVE! This is about looking forward to the future, to feeling renewed and invigorated and fully motivated, especially after a wobble. Please don’t look back unless it’s to wave goodbye to the old you but look forward to a brighter, lighter healthier and happier you. Thus ends the sermon and so to bed and look forward to a good day tomorrow. Good luck all and find the strength to stay positive.

I’m on day 11 today and I’ve snapped at everyone today! Tonight I’ve been starving but so far have resisted anything. (I had to leave half my lunch as felt sick).Going to bed shortly and hopefully tomorrow will be better. I could just cry!!! (I’m not normally a mard arse).

Always knew you were a bit of a lad Bill!!
Hi soon not to be Fatty, lots of Aussies on here. We are the ones posting when you lot are asleep, and wondering why no one is answering lol 🙂
You may only have a few uncomfortable days when you start, others breeze through and don’t notice anything. It is so worth it though cos you’ll feel energised and have more mental energy too. Somehow it changes your thinking so that you feel more optimistic and in control of diabetes and your weight. For a good example of this read Lucia’s posts, there’s no stopping that girl now. Her enthusiasm could power a small town!!
Everyone on the forum will help you stick with this, as Bill and Hashimoto have said. It is worldwide but we are united in helping each other through, sharing our experience, and adding to the growing fund of knowledge of how to deal with diabetes effectively.
All the best from not so sunny SA (37 yesterday, 19 forecast today, what is going on?)

Hi Ann077

Don’t be disheartened, you have made a positive start and a 1.5kg loss is 1.5kg you don’t need to worry about any more. People often find that things don’t move much in week 2 – indeed people report plateaus at various stages on this diet, as their bodies adjust. Stick with it and the weight loss will happen. It is frustrating when you don’t see any results when you are putting in the effort, but don’t allow this to derail you.

If you are finding the diet feels like starvation, I’d advise doing a quick check on how you are using the 800 cals. Foods higher in fat make you feel fuller for longer, even when eaten in relatively small portions. It’s also worth checking you are not eating something with much higher carb content than you had expected, as the secret to this diet is keeping fats and proteins high and the carbs low. Some people find that by lowering their carb intake even by a little bit, helps to get things moving again.

Have a good night’s sleep Ann077 and make tomorrow a new start. You can do this and you are not alone in your struggle.

Hi sunny b,
Many thanks for your praise. Isn’t it fun.
I am thinking of going to Bon marche, and have a look at the next size down, maybe hold it up against my waist, see how much I need to go. Thinking of something floral.
When I settle to a target size, and maintain it, I will go to the expensive shops like m&s and go giddy.
To wander around meadow hell. Sorry meadow hall shopping centre at Sheffield. When the weight is off. I could be interested in that.
Found some second hand cow bells or cattle bells, the weird shaped weights. Thinking of using the lightest ones, to get rid of my bingo wings. I will go steady, and easy. Don’t want to launch the weight into space by mistake.

Love Lucia.
Xxxx