Since giving up smoking in October I have been chewing copious amounts of sugar free gum to try and stop me eating all manner of rubbish. Can it cause problems with the diet or am I ok to continue with it. I dont want to start smoking again and I dont want to gain anymore than the 1/2 stone that Ive already gained. Any advice/comments gratefully received!!

Thought I’d post on this thread again, to bring it back into circulation, so that it those just starting out might see it.
So anyway, today I had:
B – yogurt, raspberries, blueberries and chia and flax topping
L – a deli platter of smoked salmon, chirizo, chicken, olives, and a small piece of Italian cheese (name of which escapes me)
D – a stir fry of bacon, chicken, baby sweetcorn, spring onion and kale, good dash of lemon juice and a hefty sprinkle of hot paprika

I have my grocery shopping done with all healthy food that’s on BSD so I’m all set for tomorrow, I have a weeks menu all set so I’m ready for the big step, I have even cleaned out kitchen of all time he unhealthy stuff. Onwards and upwards. Chat tomorrow😀😀😀

I’m sorry to contradict but I keep seeing the same untruth being written again and again. Muscle does not weigh more than fat – a pound of anything is still a pound. It is a question of volume. Muscle does not weigh more than fat, it takes up less volume than fat. The effect of this is that a pound of muscle is smaller in volume than a pound of fat but they are both still one pound. The effect in human terms is that the pound of muscle makes us look more toned and smaller, even if the scales have not changed The pound of fat makes us look bigger and more wobbly.

Bill
This is another old-timer here determined to lose the weight that has appeared from I know not where over the past 15 years. It’s like that game where one child faces the wall and all the others creep up slowly behind him/her and if he/she turns and catches another child moving they are out, but the careful very cautious ones, get to touch the shoulder of the one facing the wall and they win. That’s how the pounds have piled on – slowly and stealthily, they’ve finally tapped me on my shoulder, and now I am going to chase them all away. I’m just starting week 4 and have decided I need to be a bit stricter with myself cos I’m not seeing the weight loss massively. Having said which my trousers are loose round my middle, and the crotch is heading towards my knees, so I guess some has shifted. In fact I went trouser hunting on Saturday and managed a whole size down, and I didn’t even have to breathe in and hold that breath to get them done up…..
Good luck to all the newbies on here and a million thanks to you Bill, Captain Lynne, Hashimoto and all the other inspiring crew.
Janice

Hi Shyvarn you need to remember that muscle weighs heavier than fat and if you are toning your muscles that is likely where the extra weigh is coming from. If everything else is smaller i.e inches and looking smaller then youre on the right path keep it up.

It wasn’t a toning table.
It had a flat plate that you stand on and a framework around it for you to hold on to with a control panel in front.
Switched it on and it vibrated so hard my feet just sort of slid backwards and off the edge.

Dear Lucia, thank you so much, I can’t believe how easy it has been and I agree this is a new way of healthy eating rather than a diet. I have a long long way to go but feel so positive, I am sure there will be a wobble along the way and not just of the fat kind! My main issue is when I fall off the diet wagon and never seen to get back on board but it feels so different this time.

As you said to Reideen, we are worth it and it’s time to put yourself first and believe in you, we can all do it, go girls and boys👍

Reedeen,
Just give it a go, 8 weeks. Not long.
Give yourself the gift of this. You are special, you are worth it, just come for the walk with all of us, we can natter, growl, cry, laugh but most of all , get healthy.
What are you going to eat tomorrow?
Love Lucia
Xxxx.

Hi spirit,
I wonder if I got the kitchen stool, climbed on the washing machine, bent my knees on spin…….
😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
Keep happy
Love Lucia xxxx

Cat girl, or should I call you skinny?
WOW, what a result. Go girl!!!! 🙃😜😆🙃😘😝😘🙁😏😗😘😑😕🙄☺️😆😅😇😝😎😞
Delighted you had a dance too.

I think we should all cross the word diet out, because it isn’t.
It’s the real thing, the real way to live.
Isn’t that the truth?

I don’t know how I flipped the switch but I am delighted being off the junk, I feel GREAT in myself.
I feel a doing coming on….. La la la la… La la…. La, al la la……..

And I haven’t paid for meetings, nor any weird food either. Just normal ordinary healthy, ftasty food.
Yyyippppppppeeeeeeee!!!!!
Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi Spirit they might look a bit raggedy because they haven’t had their winter coats clipped yet – or they might just be raggedy lol. I don’t think I’ll bother with a vibrating plate after hearing Bill’s experience! 🙂

Bill, I think you might be thinking of those toning tables that you lie on? They seemed to appear from nowhere a few years ago and have disappeared just as quickly!

OMG BIll, I had not better try then as I think the same would happen to me:(

wonderful news Catgirl, I’ll do a dance with you 🙂

Hi Lucia, I was the dancing queen dancing in the street and doing boogie wonderland after today’s weigh in, that’s my dancing day done for now! Thanks for your encouragement and great news about your blouse. Bet you can’t wait for the wedding in Florida, my favourite place ever!

Hi Reideen, this is the start of my 2nd week of the diet and I have been dancing in the street today, at my weigh in this morning I have lost 10 lbs in my 1st week and lost 2 inches off each of my waist and hips! I just can’t believe how easy it has been, just keep at it, use the recipes (did the skinny kedgeree last night) and get all the support you need from the forums. If I can do it with a starting weight of 16st 7lb anyone can! I am now down into the next stone bracket which is a massive psychological boost. I’m even looking forward to the week ahead, good luck

No, no mention of low carb. I was living in Germany at the time and the doc had practically the whole village diagnosed as diabetic. She signed me up for the diabetic programme and that was when I had to go on metformin and have regular HbA1c tests done. I think even she realised how daft it was when my results kept coming back in the normal region, so she took me off the medication. It is weird though. My last test I had done there (I now live in Romania and have been told to have tests done, but am wating until the BSD kicks in well) showed a fasting reading of 124 (6.9) and after the two hours, it was 108 (6.0).

I’m determined to stick with this and then will probably go onto 5.2 after the 8 weeks, if my weight is down enough. Up to now, I’m more than happy with the results!

6 weeks on the diet tomorrow, one stone off, waist measurement down four inches. I’ve been no angel, had a few naughty weekend evenings where I’ve had couple of glasses of wine which took me over the 800 but not by much. Had no goal in mind as I’m not diabetic but want to keep going until my BMI is healthy. It’s already down from obese to overweight so all in all I’m pleased. Easter weekend with the family at our seaside place, ice cream chocolate and fish and chips to be avoided. I’m determined!

You tell em Bill!
Penny👍🏽

Hi Matrika
I’m in UK. Well right now india!
As long as you have something that works…I like the beeping idea.
Penny ☺️

Hi matrika
What idiots some clever people can be. It’s not like there aren’t dozens of books about on this subject. I’ve had a book for about 15 years about sugar and the rise of diabetes . The graphs of sugar produced and diabetes diagnosed are Identical.
You’re right to ignore and avoid those people.
Penny

Hi hashi
Yes it’s great. Ten monkeys ran through the garden today at treetop level. Amazing!
Penny

Hi Schnauzer
It is the one!!
Penny

Hi reideen
Welcome!
Because we have been sold an addictive substance of course we re addicted to it. But as you ll see, it soon goes and things you lived taste horribly sweet and yr just not tempted anymore v
Good luck
Penny

Hi Innermonologue
I ve read that it means youre having too much protein. So reduce protein and increase fat. I think it was in Jenny Ruhls book ‘low carb problems solved’ (£3 on kindle)
Hope it helps.
Penny
Ps its quite important too because too much protein can slow weight loss.

OOOO I used to be a Fit young muscly rugby player (I know it was stopped for the war before you start)
Knew nothing about BMI though in those days, all we wanted was BMW’s
God Janet I really hope that prediction comes true, I’m actually looking forward to the first WW television advert where they are promoting their whole new range of “New healthy low carbohydrate eating plans”

Ps, I don’t know if it was the bmi or another measure used in America but the definition of obesity was actually set by the insurance companies, not the medical profession. Begs some good questions doesn’t it?

Thanks Captainlynne! Although it irks me to be outside my bmi, I also know the science it is based on is dubious. It takes no account of a person’s muscle tone, just their weight, height and age. Fit young muscly rugby players have terrible bmi scores so its all nonsense really. In ten years’ time there will be no low fat products on supermarket shelves and no one will have heard of a bmi.

Thanks, SunnyB – will do.

No, Bill, I haven’t been tested. I’m due a medical check fairly soon, so I’ll mention it then.

Ooops – just realised I put blood pressure when I meant blood sugar!

Thanks for that here goes upping the steps………

Thank you!

Aw Bill, you crack me up! I’ve just come out of a job interview so I will have lost that half pound in perspiration alone. But I’m having a second latte to celebrate. I’m assuming I passed the interview since they took my £44 for the dbs check!
Sharon – I guess your husband is eating his words now but that’s ok as there are no calories in words!

Hi Patsy
have you been tested for T2D ?
Lethargy and thirst are classic symptoms.

Best of luck Patsy. Make good use of the threads on the forum, as there’s loads of advise and support here. If you are faltering call out and someone will offer some encouragement. But right now, hope you make a good start and find losing weight motivating enough to keep you focused and on track.

Hi liviebutton
Just do your best to stay low carb and if you do have any transgressions, well, Tuesday is the first day of the rest of your life so just jump back on board and it’s business as usual.

Hi Patsy
Welcome to the BSD family and the forum. There’s lots of advise, tips and support here, so be sure to check out the various threads. I would suggest you check the calorie count for the whole recipe, if you are going to substitute cow’s milk for the suggested alternatives, as cow’s milk might well be higher.
Good luck on the diet and be sure to post results, questions and when you need some encouragement – I’m sure someone will happily respond.

Hi shyvarn
although there are loads of non diabetes sufferers doing this plan, the diet was originally aimed at diabetics, and in particular lowering blood sugars as well as losing weight.
Taken in that context you can see why Michael recommends cutting sugar out, it’s poisonous to us.
I’m no nutrition expert so I don’t really know what would work best for you, perhaps try cutting it out altogether and then increase it by a little if you start feeling weak or light headed ?
Whatever your reasons, best of luck, hope it works well for you.

Hi liviebutton
As you’ll be staying with your Mum, might it be possible to take a few goodies with you and just explain casually, that you’re on a diet and it’s been going well, so you brought along some of the foods on your diet, so that you don’t deviate too much over the w/e. I’d have thought as she is on a diet herself, she would be sympathetic. And if you do end up with pizza, just have a slice or two to keep the impact as low as possible.
Most important is to enjoy your family’s company and if you do end up having to eat things you’d prefer not eating, there’s always next week to get yourself back on track.

Made me smile Janet1973! Go the free thinkers!!!

Hi Janet1973
I used to be 5’2″, but given you start to shrink after 35 and I’m well past that, I reckon myself at more like 5’1″. Well done on that surprise pound – hope this week brings good results for you.
Stick in there captainlynne, sure you can do it!

Hi Kags welcome to the madhouse 🙂
5.7kg gone and sugar readings down as well, you have to be happy with that.
At least your GP told you to try to control it with diet and exercise rather than the “take the meds” approach.
Did she suggest a low carb diet ? or was it the same old low fat blurb we’re so used to.
Anyhow, don’t be a stranger, come and join the madness !!

Oh goody, looks like there are going to be quite a few old timers carrying on into the unknown realms of the post 8 week mark.
I’m sure if we all hold hands and play nice, we will all get to where we want to be. Why ? because (and I say this without a shadow of a doubt ) WE CAN
(Also we have captainlynne as a guardian angel)

Hi shyvam
Yes definitely quit sugar, this will not be helping. Even on the Med diet, sugar is best avoided and only used occasionally – i.e. not daily. Similarly, starches are an issue, so best to cut down on things like root veg (inc. potatoes), pasta, rice, bread, cakes etc. It’s not just about the calories consumed, but where those calories are sourced that matter. I know you have been doing the 5:2 diet, where normal eating happens for five days, but by tweaking what you eat, you will probably increase your success at losing weight.

Yes it is, that is just what my OH is doing not counting calories but has cut out all the bad carbs. He’s is amazed at how much he has lost.

Hi ChrissieM
Great to hear your news. My results were better than I expected – 2.2lb lost when I weighed in this morning. Waist is a little trimmed and I can comfortably fit into a dress I was hoping to wear to a wedding this coming Friday, so all good!
Have a fab time in Paris, try to dodge the bread and pastries when you can, but whatever you do, make sure you enjoy yourself. I adore Paris and am just a tad jealous!

This diet works! I started the BSD 6 weeks ago, I went on holiday after 2 weeks and put on 4 lbs during the 2 weeks away but knew I could do something about it when I got home. Overall I have lost just over 15 lbs over the remaining 4 weeks. I have lost weight previously on the ‘Pig2twig’ diet (a steady 2lbs a week) but am enjoying these recipes as I can eat some fruit and the weight loss is more dramatic, my willpower and motivation is much stronger this time ( it needs to be at 60 years old-it’s now or never!)
My husband has also lost 9 pounds over the last 2 weeks and being a taxi driver leads quite a sedentary working life he is thrilled.
We both have another 40 lbs each to lose but we’re sure this is achievable this time.

Hi everyone!

I’ve been watching from the wings for the past 3 weeks since I started the BSD and I thought it about time that I showed myself. I am loving reading all your experiences and that is what is keeping me going.

I was diagnosed pre-diabetic 6 years ago and the doc prescribed me Metformin. She took me off them again not long after, when my HbA1c kept coming back at 5.6 or under. She said I had to control it with diet and exercise and, since then, I haven’t had much success, although I needed to lose around 30kg. So, as you can imagine, I was thrilled to stumble upon the BSD!

I started 21 days ago (just started week 4 today) with a fasting blood reading of 6.8. Since then, I have lost 5.7kg and today’s reading was 5.8 (although I have seen a 4.8). I’m not feeling so well today (tummy bug), so am putting the higher reading down to that. Have to say though, I am more than pleased with the results so far, not feeling hungry and loving the recipes everyone is posting on here.

Keep on posting your experiences! It’s a huge support for me and thanks!

No problem Patsy
You know, you may just surprise yourself.
Lots of folks have managed to get 2 stone off in the 8 weeks, I think I may just miss it as I have lost 23lbs ATM but another 5 in a week is a big ask.
Whatever happens, you’re going to be a lot closer to your target than you are today.
Enjoy the trip

It is a little contagious isn’t it ? My OH isn’t doing it but she has completely cut out the sweets, chocolate, biscuits etc because it isn’t fair to me.
She’s trying hard not to admit it, but she has also cut right back on bread, rice, and pasta so even though she isn’t doing it, she is in a way.