I had noticed my Fasting BS levels were starting to increase, then I read the Dawn Phenomenon, had some nuts before I went to bed, which seems to have done the trick.

I use myfitnesspal. Very easy to use, about 5 mins to set up. It will keep telling you that your not eating enough, but just ignore it.

LMAO
I’ll have you know that my baking is not yet into hammer and chisel territory !
I just took the tray out of the oven and immediately took a flat spatula (or fish slice if you prefer) to them, just loosened them around the edges and then freed them with a single swipe.
How DO you manage to always make me feel a bit guilty when I give you advice ?
I have a feeling that you would be a very expensive wife 😀

Lucia, I read the what I’ve eaten blog every day and post there too. I’ve had a few good ideas from it.

Thanks Judith
I don’t tend to go on about it but there was a period just over a year ago as I was just recovering from a right eye bleed when I woke up one morning to find my left eye had overnight, had it’s worst bleed ever, which didn’t ever clear and led directly to my fourth vitrectomy op.
At the time my right eye was very unstable and I had to live with the knowledge that, if it bled, I would be, at least temporarily, blind.
I can’t even put into words the unspeakable horrors that assailed me during those dark days.
This is why I’m so grateful to the team at the hospital and why I will do my damnest to help anyone with my advice and experience of it.
If I can help stop just one person from developing this terrible condition, then I will have done something worthwhile in my life.

This morning as I reached for the punnet of blueberries, I dropped it! Oh my goodness, how those berries can run, hop and jump. They were everywhere. Under the fridge, under the butchers block, in the salad drawer, in the little bit where the fridge defrosts, I had a workout just bending down to pick them up!

Doh!

No one told me that there was a blog thread called ‘what did you eat today’ now that is a handy read for me.

Love Lucia
Xxx

Bill 1954,
Oh Bill, you want me in the kitchen with sharp knives and other dangers?

So how DID you get the flat breads off the tray when they went cold 🙂
I would probably take it out into the garage where there are so many things, hammers, pliers, etc to help with my baking.

Hope you are having a great day.

Love Lucia

Xxxx

Great news guys and lots of inspiration for those who have had a plateau.
Lovely to hit a goal, now on to the next one 🙂

Dear Lucia and Bill 1954, thank you so much for your support and encouragement, like you I want to strut my stuff and at 57 ( feeling 27) my motto is to grow old disgracefully but hopefully a slimmer version of the old me!
Yes I will be walking the path with you and smelling the roses!

Julia 18 to go,
Glad I can make you smile, keep walking with me and we will see how far we can go.

At least one member has got me into trouble , Bill 1954 was asking me about my eating.
So I decided to find out how much fat in my blob of full fat Greek yoghurt. So how do you measure a blob?
So I measured the spoon, then I put a blob on the spoon, but then I couldn’t put the spoon on the scales as the yoghurt would go on the scales.
So then I measured a clean spoon and a paperweight.
Then I put the spoon with the blob on the scales with the bowl of the spoon hanging over and the handle of the spoon weighed down by the paperweight. Got three different readings.
Yes , now I know I could have weighed the yoghurt pot, then took a blob out then remeasured the yoghurt pot. That would have been easier. But I don’t do easier.
So how much fat is in a blob of yoghurt!
I haven’t the foggiest idea. But I annoyed it on my apple for breakfast.
Love Lucia xxxx

Lucia and catgirl, I have nothing but admiration for both of you. The people on this forum are all so different in so many ways, yet we share this common goal of wanting to make changes and do something that will benefit future generations. I wish you every success and look forward to reading about your progress. Especially, lucia I am waiting for the story about when you go into the changing rooms and the other customers hear you cheering like a maniac at the top of your voice!

Welcome BSM if you have the motivation and determination already then this will be a breeze for you.
Most folk approach it with a little trepidation wondering “will it work for me” and get motivated as they see the weight moving.
It will work as long as you let it, don’t overthink things, just have a read around here, check out the recipes, and go for it.
This time next week we will all be looking out for an excited first week report from you.

Hey Lolo

Well done for hitting that first goal – you must be floating on air! This has no doubt set you up to met the challenge of achieving the next goal.

Pleased to say that having started tracking carbs and well as cals, I am beginning to see some positive movement again. Am down 2lb so far this week, but I’m holding off until the end of the week to see if it stays off, before celebrating. I’m hoping it’s a sign I have come through the week 2/3 plateau though. Keep you fingers crossed for me.

Good luck on reaching your next goal.

Lucia who needs spring ?
Even after all those disappointments, you are our very own ray of sunshine and it would be briliant for you and catgirl to buddy up on this.
BTW you can thank me for the strawberry menu in the usual way 😉

Hi cat girl,
Many thanks for your honesty.
It is only joining this website , that my brain moved out of the clogged chocolate goo it was in and realised that ther is life without it 24/7,
I shall bear my soul to you.
I was in BHS , I was buying a dress and a skirt, the assistant took me to the changing cubicle, she closed the drapes.
By the time I peeled my clothes off, and found I couldn’t step into the dress,as it couldn’t get higher than my thighs, so I took it off and was going to try over my head when she opened the curtains wide to see the dress on me.
The embarasment was massive. It was a packed shop.
I told her to leave me alone.
So I tried the dress over my head, nope, no go. Size 20.
So I thought the skirt would do, but it wouldn’t fasten around my waist, I was now a size 22. I sat there in my underwear crying that I had just realised my size.
That’s the lowest I have been.
Then I heard about Michael Mosley. He seems to write a book, tell you the facts and ther is no hype, no lies, here it is. That’s why I am no the path. I don’t want to cry in the changing room.
Cat girl, let’s do this together, just for 8 weeks, let’s take each hour, make the right decisions and let’s both go out and strut our stuff a few sizes smaller?
At my age, that will frighten a few people. I am sure they will leave me alone as they will think I have escaped from somewhere.
So c at girl, I am here for you, my warts and all. I have been honest with you, that I have put weight on this week, so what, look at my frame of mind, look at my attitude.
Go out and smell Spring, it’s in the air. Sit and look at the birdies, look at the purple crocuses, bright dafodils and snow drops.
I am ready to walk a bit further along the path, you coming with me?
Love Lucia.
Xxx

Hi captainlynne, julia, ami, bizeebee ,
I know Bill isn’t over 8 weeks quite yet but the results re his eyes speak volumes. I showed his post to my son ( a pharmacist ,also has degree in biomedicine) and he was truly amazed and extremely interested. Like us he thinks there is enough evidence now for this to be promoted.
He did his biomed thesis in eye problems so has some interest in the subject.
He passes his congratulations and best wishes to you, Bill

There is a big demand for the book, so much so, many book stores have run out and are slow to re-order and surprisingly it appears some stores haven’t even got their first batch of books in. However I was lucky enough to find a store with an ample supply. Got the book a few days ago. Read it. Now preparing, re – Dr’s, tests, measurements, gadgets, planning etc.

I have always been motivated, determined and confident in the past when diving into yet another life changing diet/exercise regime but failed miserably every time. I am feeling the same but hope I finally succeed with the 8wk/800 calorie blood sugar diet. It feels different this time (as it has done every other time).

Hello Chris59, Like you, I’ve not been worrying about counting calories. I too have found that a more relaxed approach (eating the right foods, and ditching the dodgy ones, just watching the portion sizes) has worked for me without any angst about calorie-count. I do get peckish but it’s not the same gnawing hunger that used to drive me to the fridge. And I’ve learned that it’s far better to resist the chocolate bars just once, in the shop, rather than have them taunting me in the house. I feel that this is something that I can maintain over the long-term and that the occasional transgression is not going to be the end of the world. Hopefully, I am heading off future health problems. Take care, Rose

Hi all / TP

So I’ve spoken to a private hospital and whilst I can’t afford a private consultation at the moment , they did say that the C-peptide tests can be done for £63 via a GP referral.

Does anyone know if the results would allow the GP to see if I am actually T2, or 1.5/MODY/LADA?

I’ve lost half a stone so far and into week 5 of the 800 cal diet, it’s defo getting easier – I’m now 9stone12 and BS’s are ok-ish, still fairly high though seeing as i’m not eating alot and exercising regularly. Last Hba1c was 74 which is an increase to what it was at the start of the diet so I’ve no idea what’s happening!

Thanks julia, much appreciated! I’m definitely taking life VERY easy and so is he! X

I am actually a Pescetarian (don’t eat meat but fish I do) and will be aiming for “natural” food so to speak no shakes. Bill I will send out some menus incl gram flour spiced ones, soon as put together. I’m starting to starve thinking about is !

Great start Catgirl and a great attitude too.
We can all get through it together and we can all achieve a healthy diabetes free lifestyle. At least that’s my game plan and if I have to keep trying for a year, I will.
Ok you haven’t done blogs like this before, but like everyone else, every time you post something positive, you are leaving a legacy on the forum that will encourage new starters for as long as you can imagine.
It isn’t what you post, it’s how many times it’s read and by how many people, so post away.

Sue, try quinoi as a rice substitute, not too bad at all.

Hi both thank you for the welcome. I have been making a menu plan too I was going to follow the Plan in the back of the book but some of the foods I don’t like lol and some are for 4+ servings unless they can be frozen etc. . So will do a mix of food and shakes found a low carb low sugar protein shake. So will have 2 shakes and an evening meal for the first 2 weeks and see how I go from there.

Oo hoo a spice expert !!!
Looking forward immensely to seeing some recipes from you
Get writing, please don’t keep our taste buds waiting too long, and if you know any gram flour recipes apart from soca or bhaji’s please let us know.

Hello everyone. The more the merrier – we keep each other going with different tips and encouragement.

I would love a dog, but I have a phobia of dog poo. I live in a nice area with plenty of places to walk, but also plenty of dog walkers who don’t pick up their dogs mess! This could be connected with my “walking with a purpose” mentality. I maybe need to have a reason to go where I might encounter it.

My husband pointed out that since my Mum went to hospital I have been walking more. I walk from the car to the hospital ward and go on various errands to the hospital shop and café to pick up drinks and magazines for her.

I had stewed blackcurrants with sweetener with my porridge this morning and it was lovely.

Really enjoyed my hummus at lunchtime and my stuffed peppers at teatime (first time I’ve stuffed a pepper).

Thought that cous cous would be a good alternative to rice until I found out it is made from wheat – I thought it was a pulse – doh!

Day 25 weight 10st 7lb
Blood sugar 10.1

Looking forward to my hummus and veg for lunch and stuffed mushrooms for tea. 😇

I bring good news BSD buddies!
I am in week 5 and this morning a momentous thing happened – I reached my first weightloss goal! 2.5lbs came off (literally overnight!) and I have lost 15lbs in just over 4 weeks. This is the lightest I have been in at least 4 years I think!
Really pleased I stuck with it – and thanks for all the helpful messages – it is genuinely really great to re-evaluate and hear all your hints and tips.
I’d definitely say for anyone hitting that 2-4 week plateau, keep calm – it will happen!

How is everyone getting on at the moment? xx

Dear Lucia, my hubby and I started the B S D on Monday 11th March, we are on day 3 today and doing well, I started out I am ashamed to say at 16 stone 7 lbs and I am 5′ 6″. I was starting to burst out of my size 20 (uk) clothes but am determined to beat this disgusting me for good. Not wallowing in self pity but for once a self realisation that I am in control now and what I weigh and feel like is all down to me. We can all do this with each other’s support! I have already lost 5lbs and feel pumped. I have only taken a few steps on a long journey but one step at a time! We are both high risk pre type 2 and must stop this slide if we want to enjoy the rest of our lives with any quality. Never done blogs like this before. – it feels like I am sharing my private diary with the whole BSD world but no use hiding the truth about where I have been, what is important is where I, hubby and the whole BSD community is going. Good luck and look forward to sharing our journeys.

Will do Bill Thanks. I’m looking forward to building my weekly Menu now. I actually run an Indian catering business so will be tempted to spice up the 800 Cals a little! 🙂

This is compulsive reading, Lucia! Have now signed up to be notified of replies in this thread too. My inbox is looking horrendous, but it gives me a belly laugh or several reading your posts when my day is not going so well. You are nailing this, the scales just haven’t realised yet what is going to be hitting them – a whole lot less of you, that is for sure.

HI Lynne – no doubt I will get some hassle, everyone is entitled to different views. Like you, I feel that this is a change for life. I am having no issues doing 5 k runs on this diet a few times a week, and make sure to load myself with a wide variety of veg as well as protein/fibre and a small amount of sensible carbs. People like you have inspired me to continue when I have been at low points, so I will stick around like you and the evidence of our success will be there for those that want to take note!

Hey Silver
you have it all wrong, you don’t want sugar, it want’s you but it is now just a memory that sometimes will come back like a recurring nightmare
Treat it as such 😉

Hi Chris59
very similar to me, it just works
Great to hear about the vast improvement in your blood sugar.
Like I keep saying, the diet works, no need to overthink it.

Hi
I don’t use any apps but there are plenty of folk who do.
Stand by for information overload 😀 In fact, if you click on resources at the top of the page and then Helpful products, you should find what you need.

I’ve been following the basic principle of the 8 week diet but have not been limiting myself to 800 calories a day, or even calculating them. I’ve been Type 2 for 5 years and in the past 2 years have struggled with blood glucose levels regularly above 10. in December last year my HbA1c was 91 way too high although an improvement on the 116 the previous year.
I started the low carb diet at the end of January 16 and by the end of February my HbA1c was 62 after less than 4 week on this diet.
The nurse has stated that I should revisit in another month to check on blood sugar progress and hopefully review my Gliclazide from 1 tablet twice a day to zero.
My basic principle is no bread, no potatoes, no pasta and no rice. Meals consist of meat or fish and vegetables or salads, snacks are fruit or raw carrots and celery, with nuts in the evening as required. I have also lost weight and my blood pressure has improved.
Tins of tuna, salmon and other fish either in a salad or a wholemeal wrap (the only exception to my no bread principle)
I am so happy that this is working as I was becoming frustrated and disillusioned with my health prospects.

Thanks for the welcome Bill! I am now planning for success. If you can suggest any tools or aids for pre-planning the the 8 weeks I’d appreciate it. Otherwise I am building a diary, full menu programme from your book and other source, and stats recording. Just wondering if there is a single “tool/aid” that can contain all this?

Im keeping an eye on it. On the 5/2 I only do h.i.t on the 5, not the 2 fasting days even then just 10 mins. Otherwise just walking and 20 mins gentle exercise biking while listening to music or watching t.v.

I think there may be a difference in the way calories are counted in different countries. Sometimes it’s done as net carbs, which means that the cals from the non digestible fibre that goes through the system are subtracted from the total. I think in the UK net carbs are used and in the US not. Someone correct me if I’m wrong?

Well done Bill on your great results and in advocating the diet. Fines and toes crossed for Friday xx

Hey welcome to the forums you 2
There is loads of help advice and recipes available on here but if there is anything you need to know or can’t find, just give a shout.
There is usually someone who has the answers and if not, we’ll do our damndest to find them.
You will both be amazed at how fast this works without you feeling any hunger after the first few settling in days.
Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Hello Jay?
I’ve just completed the 8 week BSD book and determined to reverse my Type 2! I’m now getting prepared and planning for my start. I’m trying to book meet with Dr but 3 week wait time! So I’m ringing daily to get cancel slot! What planning and prep are you doing to start the Diet? When do you plan to start? Regards, Nalin

I think it’s only 8 weeks partly because of the psychology, where it’s easier to stick with it if you’ve an endpoint, and partly because 800 is a bit low and you could lack nutrients after a while. But there are plenty of very active people who live permanently on low carb diets, for example, Dr Michael Eades and his wife (whose blogs are worth reading under proteinpower.com) and a retired vet whose blog goes under the name Hyperlipid, also worth reading. Dr E is American, Hyperlipid lives in East Anglia. I’ve found their commentaries on the science really interesting. Hyperlipid says he is constantly on the border between ketosis and out of it, which doesn’t worry him but is not the usual style. He eats what he likes but no wheats, fewer other grains and loads of veg, fatty meat and fish, plus dairy and eggs. Pretty much what we’re on here but more of it.

I have to admit we have done this without really thinking about it too much, on the grounds that if it was too scientific, and thought intensive, we’d give up. Haven’t used any of the recipes from the book, but took in the principles. Just went to a later breakfast (retired – so we can) and an earlier evening meal, and left out lunch. Spinach (or mushroom, pepper, onion) and cheese omelette, a splash of olive oil, and some pine nuts, followed by fruit, a breakfast fave now.
Meals are mainly the “old” ones but missing out the potato, rice, bread, etc. Bol no spag etc. Chuck in some chickpeas or butter beans. Meat or fish with a load of veg or salad. Chop an apple, some yummy Lidl Greek yoghurt, with their milled linseeds as a topping, for a “pudding”. Tried cauliflower rice – one liked it, one didn’t.

Can anyone recommend an app for iPhone and/or iPad that is for UK foods.

Tried a few, but they seem more for US foods.

Hello Matrika,

I’m late to the party as normal! read your opening post and don’t know if you’ve found the info you need or not. Here’s the link to Michael’s other diet – the original 5.2 where you can find your BMI etc https://thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-calories-on-a-non-fast-day/

Thanks for saying that Julia18togo.

I said that on the Facebook group and was attacked. Told anyone doing that would become anorexic and die. The writer apparently knew someone who had gastric band surgery, maintained loss for a while then started on the calorific foods and gained again.

Guys forget to mention
Use a thin spatula and get them off the tray as soon as they come out of the oven.
Forget, and they don’t just stick, they become part of the tray.

Good bloods, Robert! I’ve been advised somewhere to avoid too much exercise while lowering blood sugar (on the 800 for 8 weeks). We don’t want a hypo.:-)
My walks and swims are pretty gentle.

I used to drink lots of Diet Coke/Pepsi and Pepsi Max. Then less of that more of other sugar-free soft drinks.

While I was away last week the only sugar-free drink available was Diet Coke. I had one and that was ok. I had the second, that was ok. But the third made me feel ill. So the only alternative was water. I do prefer fizzy drinks to still ones, do now I’m drinking lots of sparkling water straight from the fridge.