Hi Denise and Silver

Lots of people have a bit of a battle in weeks 2/3. If you check other threads on the forum, you will see that you are not alone in this and that as long as you stick with it and keep your head in the right space, you will get though it and start to see positive results again soon. I certainly struggled in week 2, with the weight loss plateauing and not really budging through week 3 either.

I actually succumbed to some this sweet stuff at the w/e, but found I didn’t really enjoy it and felt stupid and guilty afterwards. Took me awhile to realise I needed to chalk it up and move on. If you are managing to resist the cravings, you are doing really well and should be proud of yourself. Think the diet in the early days, affects people in various ways – where some feel energised, others have problems with lethargy. For me it has been needing to get to bed earlier, as although I feel vital and energised during the day, I flag quite early in the evening. I’m into week 4 now, so I guess this might change as I progress.

Good luck to you both as you continue with your journey on the BSD. Make sure to keep posting and check out the other threads on the forum, as you’ll find lots of tips, info and support on them.

thanks that is a good tip – i have to retrain my brain that fat is good and keeps you full. Finding it hard to believe the hunger pangs will go but if they do i will be delighted!

No breakfast
Lunch was home made soup
Dinner will be fish pie with cauli mash
If I have enough cals left I’ll make another coconut flour strawberry cheesecake thingy, If not It’ll be the good old yoghurt and berries again.

God bless you all and well done Bill!

So good to know I’m not alone so thank you all for posting up your experiences with these blood sugar spikes.

Actually I did my level again last night and it had gone down to 9.0. Still high but at least it was heading south. I heard that diabetics that have more radical extremes in blood sugar levels are more likely to suffer long term problems so if your sugar levels are high but ‘stable’ that is very much a positive. With that in mind I’m going to take my blood pre-dinner tonight and hope that it has gone down but not too drastically. Fortunately my readings have been pretty consistent in that regard albeit just too high.

Amazing what a bit of feedback and shared experience can do for morale. Thank you all. We can do this!!

B – plain yog/strawberries
L – half tin salmon/salad
D – 2 fried eggs, half tom, 1 sm sausage
Tea to drink/water

Hi Tinforest
try a high fat snack about an hour before bed. I use Greek yoghurt and berries, others use cheese, you get the idea.
That should keep your digestive system working hard enough so it doesn’t have time to bother you with hunger.
Once the plan really kicks in, you won’t get those hunger pangs.

4 days in and this is my second night of being awake until 1.30am. Hungry! Is this going to pass? Am doing OK during day but at night no good. Thanks!

Hello BSM – we are all in the same boat. But as you said it feels different this time! The book just clicked with me and It definitely feels different for me also. I want a major improvement long term and get off medication and enjoy life even more. Stay focused and don’t look back as they say. Looks like we are taking the same steps at the same time so lets go for it. Like you I’m planning now and aim to start next week but not set the launch date yet 🙂

I have impaired mobility and cannot walk very far. I’ve been going to the gym and use all the muscle strengthening equipment. I go 2 – 3 times a week and already my legs feel better (no pain at night) and my blood pressure is falling too. I cannot use the x trainers, treadmills or exercise bikes. It is a council gym and as I’m 60 it only cost £16.50 a month. I wonder if strength training might also help you?

Having a good day, as the scales were kind this morning. Have been keeping track of cals and carbs this week and I think that is helping, but waiting until weigh-in at the end of the week, before relying on this as a real loss.

Today I have had yogurt with preserved black cherries and linseed topping for breakfast. The Ooop! Bread from the Diet Doctor with 3 x slices of pastrami for lunch and this evening butter roast chicken and veggies. Just realised that’s chicken for three evening meals running, so might swap it for a piece of salmon instead, will decide later.

Have to say the Ooops! Bread was really good – nice texture and worked well for a sandwich. Because this was the first time I have made it, I just used one egg (recipe is for three eggs) and cut other ingredient in thirds and as I didn’t have any cream cheese, I used 10% full fat yogurt instead. It work well and didn’t take long to prepare and cook for lunch and made a really nice change actually. Will definitely be making these again and it’s nice to have a recipe that can be easily replicated when I’m away in Turkey, as I’ll be able to take these out and about with me. Recommend others have a look at the recipe.

Thanks everyone and especially bizibee for the link to the ketogenic site, really helpful.

Well, I’m in Sydney and we’ve been having an extended heatwave…most people (not on the BGD) are feeling as you describe and for many here that is down to dehydration…I’m drinking rehydration salts and unfortunately there is glucose in them…cooling down now and by next week should be less hot and therefore fewer people deydrated.

Perhaps ensure that you are getting enough fluids? sometimes with a change of diet people drink less.

Back of a wet spoon works for me Janet
“a bit on the thick side” ? Sounds just like me

Hi Susansilver, those sound like very extreme symptoms and certainly like nothing else I have heard.
Yes some folk have reported the light headed feeling within the first week and it’s always been put down to carb withdrawal.
As to multitasking, I run a business which requires almost permanent multi tasking and I haven’t found any real problems.
Maybe it would be a good idea to have a word with your doctor about it ? Also go back and check what you have been eating just in case you haven’t been getting the required nutrients. BTW how much weight did you lose ? for it to all go back on with just one meal is also very strange.
My heart goes out to you after trying so hard, best of luck.

Yes it works fine, however, mine have always been a bit on the thick side I think. I haven’t got hang of spreading them thin yet.

Does that work ok Janet ?
I use a non stick tray liberally greased with coconut oil and they still stick.

Bailed after becoming cognitively impaired . First very forgetful then started having suicidal thoughts and crying over minor problems . Will use some of the recipes . Have lost sugar cravings which is something . Weight straight back on after one “normal’ meal so I presume I was losing water . Normal meal was calamari chips and salad . That’s it ! Not a binge exactly .
One suggestion was that I go back on antidepressants. So I can diet ? I don’t think so .

Hi,
Sorry for late reply! When I did them the first time, I left the cacao nibs as they came, and chopped the dates. This was OK, but more like a cake with bits in. It was also rather thin, more biscuit than brownie. So this is what I did on my fourth go:
I’ve got a very powerful food processor, so blitzed the dates and cacao nibs which made a thick gooey paste, before adding everything else to it and mixing again in the food processor. Next time I’m going to use cacao powder, Lakeland have it, other places too I’m sure. I also doubled the quantities, but used the same size tin, so the result was much thicker, more like a brownie, though drier. Carefully cut into 100cal bite size bits, for the freezer! I’ve used both ordinary dates and medijool, but need to research which is best on this diet re sugar content.
I suspect this would be quite hard work without the food processor (Thermomix- see another recent thread here)
And it’s not what I would call an economical recipe!

More boringly, I just bake my flatbreads on greaseproof paper.

Really feeling for you Scotgran, what a pain!

Hi captainlynne,
I haven’t found a British one, but have found Cronometer works quite well, as long as you remember things like that courgettes being zucchini, and beetroot being beets! Having said that, I am not looking for any branded foods, if you were I guess it would be less useful. And you can add your own recipes and foods to the list. It gives lots of weight and measurement options, which are helpful, so less conversion needed.
MaryR

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! 🙂