From diet doctor…..
Wheat is not a vegetable, it is a grain. And anything made with flour contains lots of rapidly digested carbs. Avoid this as much as possible when on a low-carb diet. Whole grain products are just less bad – it’s like cigarettes with filter on them.
Bread, pasta, rice, cookies etc. are not vegetables, and they are full of carbohydrates.

High fructose corn syrup – the sugary nutrient in soda – does come from plants (corn). But it is not a vegetable and it most certainly is not low carb.

Great thread, I am vegetarian but live in France which causes lots of problems. Even a goats cheese salad comes covered in lardons! Tofu is the one thing I can get but have never liked. Perhaps I will give it another try.

Hi good luck. I’ve been doing this diet for 5 days. I have no idea about my blood sugar levels however feel I needed something health wise. Weigh loss so far is great and using different ideas from book and here. Stick at it x I’m worried about failing too but looking at forum to help motivatee too.

Hi Jet
Yes, its definitely a challenge, I haven’t yet kicked my Pepsi max habit but here are some other suggestions:
Add full fat cream to your coffee (but count cals and carbs)
Fruity teas, with a spoonful of coconut oil
Fruity tea bags in fizzy water – gives more of a fragrance than a taste
Mint tea in fizzy water with lime – non-alcoholic mohito

See what you think and let us know how you get on. Best wishes.

Hi Sophie
This diet was designed with TOFI’s in mind amongst others). Its a short sharp shock which hopefully puts you on track to improve your long term well being. You may well only need the eight weeks (or less!) but in that time you can re-educate your mind and body with good habits that will stay with you forever. Best of luck to you Sophie.

Hi jpscloud, well done on finding your way here and completing your first day. You can wake up in the morning knowing you had a great day yesterday and it was so easy!

I just wanted to have a little word with that devil on your shoulder who has been trying to tempt you to go for the 5:2 where apparently you can ‘eat normally’. Well, in this case that means still sticking to the med style diet just with no calorie counting. So probably not any of your old favourites, I’m afraid. Now little devil, b***r off and let jpscloud get on with losing weight. There is nothing wrong with the 5:2 as long as you are doing it right but if you want to lose weight fast, the 800 is the way to go. Wishing you every success.

Hope you enjoy them – let me know how they turn out.

Welcome bizzylizzy

I agree with what the others have said and pleased your out of the corner.

Hi jpscloud
You can do this you have taken the first step and like you said if you have a blip you can pick yourself up and carry on. Before too long you will be posting your good results.

Wow well done
Lynne that’s a great result.

Gtx4Jay – that looks like an exceptionally good protein content and very low carb. what brand is it?

Lynne, This seasons colours are not for me either but perfect for my friend. Well, let’s hope the colours change a bit by june/july cos we will both need MORE new clothes.
You’ll be having to dust off long forgotten clothes (like me) or treat yourself to something new as well gradyoldlady!

Lynn I am a bit surprised about Bishop Aukland!

One of my friends gets some lovely good label clothes from charity shops in the posher areas. They always look brand new. If we’re lucky, when we offload our unwanted. clothes at charity shops we might just spot that little something. There could be quite a bit of downsizing going on for a while for the three of us! 🙂

Thanks Lynne, much appreciated.

So today went well… I swerved the hot cross buns in the co op and managed to suppress the naughty thoughts that kept cropping up about how I didn’t really need to do 800, maybe I should do 5-2 and eat “normally” (aka stupidly) today…

I’ve done it though. Just finished my cabbage and fish dinner, it was delicious. Hunger really is the best sauce, although I can’t honestly say the hunger is too bad at this point.

I have never really stopped eating after dinner before, unless I’ve been away from home, except on one or two occasions when my nerve held. So tonight is the test, if I can do this now I know I can take control.

I’ve noticed I’m hopping up out of my chair a lot more than usual today, and getting through chores that I would normally sit and avoid.

Here’s the strange thing – I KNOW I will fail. This time It’s different though – this time I’ll fail, then start succeeding again straight away. Failure is not the end, it’s a pitfall that I can climb out of. It suddenly doesn’t seem so scary!

*chuckles* you see, that brings me to another question. I actually think my weight loss does a little bit better when I am only in a little bit of ketosis. But of course, that’s not scientifically tested. If its any consolation, M, I am one of life’s slow losers, even on this programme. I lost three and a half pounds, and the will to live, with WW before I got here. Then week 1 – 3 1/2 off, week 2 – 1 1/2 off, week 3 – nothing, week 4 – 2 off, week 5 – 1 off. This is still the best thing I have ever done for myself (and I don’t exercise either). Week 4 was when I got my ketostix.

I know its hard when you know you are doing everything right but it really does seem to be true that there are plateaus even on this programme. The thing I like about the ketostix is you know you are doing everything right, you are not just guessing, and the results will come, I promise.

*there was (and still is) quite a bit of waist to lose😱*

I hear you sister!! I’m ashamed to admit I could lose 20 and not be considered remotely waspish in the waist region 🙂

I found 3 low arb ones went for this one as it was on offer bogf
Per 35g:
Energy: 539 kJ / 129 kcal
Fat: 1.9g
of which saturates: 1.1g
Carbohydrates: 2.8g
of which sugars: 1.3g
Fibre: 2.6g
Protein: 24g
Salt: 0.15 g

Judith, I’ve already had to go shopping for new tops and underwear. It’s so long since I could shop in a ‘normal’ shop that I admit to feeling a little daunted. And this season’s colours are not for me 😳 Durham has limited choice so I went to Newcastle and couldn’t find anything there. Strange to say I had to go to Bishop Aukland for something completely different and found some lovely tops in a sale. But quite a bit has come from mail order. Next thing will be trousers and possibly a coat. Needed something nice for the residential conference coming up and fix wear new tops when I was away last week.

Thanks jpscloud. It was a bit of a shock, but there was (and still is) quite a bit of waist to lose😱

Hi bizzylizzy. Glad to see you out of the corner – there really was no need to Ho there, though.

It’s a great group here. Always someone around to answer questions or give support as well as delight in your progress.

Welcome from an old-timer.

Today is the first day of the rest of your (healthy) life.

Post as often as you like – not only with your progress, but also any questions or problems.

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Hi SophieMac.

Welcome. The book does talk about TOFIs, so I’d say – jump in and see how it goes.

I’m sure someone more knowledgeable on that issue will be along soon

Looking forward to reading about your progress.

Hi gradyoldlady. Welcome onboard the good ship BSD.

Looking forward to reading your progress.

May we swap? – I am around 4 each day (a nice deep rose pink) and losing absolutely nothing!

Sick of drinking plain water with cucumber, fizzy water with lemon, black tea and black coffee any ideas anyone?

Hello,
My BMI is in the healthy range, but I’ve had my fat levels checked and I’m more cream cake than human being. I have particularly high levels of visceral fat. I’ve read the book and the forums but just wanted to get some advice from people in the know – would you recommend the diet for a complete TOFI like me?
Thanks in advance!

Lynne what an amazing success story, best bit for me is your 10 inches off the waist after 8 weeks! I’m on day 1 of 8 weeks (you kindly welcomed me on my first thread) and I can’t in my wildest dreams imagine 10 inches off my waist. If I have anything like this success I’ll be over the moon.

Hi M, thanks for joining in anyway! Life would be boring if we had all the answers. A few would be nice though!

Latest update on the ketosis – I have been bobbing around 0.5 to 1.5 all week but still losing around half a pound a day so I’m not complaining.

Happy birthday Bill, have a great celebration!

hi sorry for the delay in responding to this thread. I am a vegetarian and use Tofu a lot. in addition to Cherrianne’s great ideas, another couple of thoughts for you.
Firstly make sure use high quality GMO free tofu (Cauldron is the one that I find most readily available.)
if you want it to have a denser texture, wrap it in kitchen towel and press it between to plates with a weight on top, to rid it of excess water (I don’t bother to do this for everyday use in stir fries.)
Tofu is bland, so as Cherrianne says it is all about getting the tofu to absorb flavour so I often use some combination of garlic, chilli, lime, ginger and tamari (wheat-free soya sauce, which many people say is healthier). If you chop it into cubes and marinade it in some tamari, for even 1/2 hour, then fry in a little olive oil and add to any sort of stir fried veg. e.g. I make a quick dinner that is low calorie, low carb, good fats and protein. – add fried tofu to a stir fry of shredded cabbage, onions and mushrooms (great with a tablespoon of peanut butter stirred in at the end and/or some coconut milk if you have enough calories left over!)
Good luck and do let us know how you get on!

Hi gradyoldlady, welcome to the forums! No, in most people’s experience this does not slow down! How is that for good news? However there can be one or two plateaus where nothing seems to happen then whoosh a few pounds drop off over night!
That full fat yoghurt is a dream, isn’t it?
Glad you have joined us all on this path 🙂

Thank you, out of the corner and a normal colour now!

Hi Chloee
Just spotted this thread.
Although some people think they are not a good idea (too processed/not real food etc.) I do use two shakes a days when working away and all that would be available otherwise is sandwiches or other high starchy carbs like chips! (didn’t really want to mention them, like saying something rude!) I use shakes from a company called Certaslim. They allow you to purchase on line and they are low carb (about 12/13g per shake) and low calorie (about 120/135 calories). They are mixed with water and therefore easy to use when travelling. I then have an evening meal using the remainder of my calories and carb g, making sure there is lots of good fat and protein. this is working for me as I have a chaotic and very busy life and it means I only have t think about one meal!
Hope this helps.

Not drinking at the moment but I had my first cake of the year this morning to celebrate Bill’s news. I burnt 500kCals on the bike and thought maybe I could trade that off for a scone (no butter/jam of course).
I must say, I never really believe you can do a one for one trade off on calories burnt by exercise – in my experience, the equation is
calories burnt (1,000) minus extra 1000 calories eaten = +1lb on the scales 😉

1 week to go for me

Got some nice big raw prawns this morning, doing the coconut prawns tonight!

Hope you’re feeling okay now lizzy, I agree with the others, no need to worry at all, you didn’t come over as judgemental. Posting on a new forum can be a bit nerve-wracking but this one looks like a rare gem… one where people are all about supporting each other and not about scoring points – long may that last!

Day 6 and already 8lbs gone and 2 inches from waist. No diet has ever done this before and it really keeps me going. Am guessing this will slow down soon ? Chunky 50 ish female, not diabetic, but in need of a metabolism re-charge in order to shift 2 stone that have been hanging around too long. So far, so good. Am loving full fat natural yoghurt, blueberries and some great salads and soups. Looking forward to adapting family food over the coming 7 weeks. Cheeky vodka and slimline tonight to celebrate (just the one!!)

Hi witchywoo
Welcome to the forum and a big well done on your first week. Look forward to hearing your week two update. Make sure you keep your fluids up. Good luck for next week.

Bill,

So glad to catch up with just the best news, apologies for the late congrats, have a wonderful celebratory weekend, the f ever there was cause to celebrate 😀🍾🍾

Thanks Buxtonmick, If you’re from Buxton I’m not very far away 🙂

I noticed while walking to the shop I had already started to question why I decided to go 800 calories and not 5-2 so that I could find excuses to eat my old favourites. So I gave myself a talking to and promised I’d do a week of 800 at least to prove I can do it.

Heck, 1 day will be an unprecedented success!

Just had a large chicken salad and it was delicious. I feel quite full.

Michael is so right… when you’re not overeating food tastes great. I realised some time ago that I didn’t really enjoy food because I was never actually hungry but couldn’t get myself to change.

I’m with Bill and M, no hole dug, no red face needed. This is a great place for people who are making lif changing progress, the support here is genuine and real …….have seen a couple of ‘ off piste’ posts suggesting to try another diet etc that are not supportive and get short shrift!

This is a way of eating that can help T2’s and many others and we are all here as proof of it, welcome me again 😀

Hi cherrieanne, can I imagine the mess a group of 10 year olds could make with glue and sand? Oh yes! I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve done things like that with groups of children (in the house) with paint in the mix as well! As a primary school teacher I’ve had as many as 40 at a time doing art work in my classroom. Then there is the time the children prepared a Roman feast for themselves and any parents who wanted to drop in. I expected that olives might be something they hadn’t tried but turned out they hadn’t had anything but sliced white bread either. Oh and the time we were making our own healthy lunches in class – or making exciting foods from veg from the school garden. The time I taught them felting and brought in a raw fleece and teasels so they could see the whole process from raw wool to the finished product – so all up to their elbows in water, soap suds, various coloured wools, needle and threads, brooch backs etc.

Glad you had a mozzie free night and hope the party goes well – so much more memorable than something like a trip to McDonalds!! 🙂

Bill, I am so very pleased for you and your family.

Have a great weekend.

Sue 🍾

I was getting a bit tired of the constant taste of coconut so a search brought me to fragrance free coconut oil. Am now using Suma oil. The smelly stuff is now a body lotion.

Hi bizzy lizzy, you are allowed an opinion. That”s the essence of debate and honest dialogue so get out of that corner and keep us posted.

worry not as far as I am concerned (and I expect others will say the same.) – I don’t think you came across as judgemental at all – there are many forums that I don’t join as people are competitive or seem to try to “score points” – I understand that we all can behave in ways that we wish we didn’t sometimes, it is just that I don’t want to be part of a support group that isn’t supportive! (sounds like you don’t either?)
so come out of the corner and enjoy the support to be had here……best wishes.

Hello everyone. Just weighed in at the end of the first week and am very pleased with a 5lb drop together with an inch or so off, especially as this week I enjoyed a carvery (no pots or yorkies) including a large glass of red.

I’ve mostly followed the recipes and ideas in the book with varied success. Loved the stir fry chicken with chillies and coconut milk but disappointed with luxury fish pie. I’m now going to adapt my own recipes to fit in with the calorie and carb count. Does anybody have any idea of the calorie/carb count of roasted red onion. I do a Mediterranean veg traybake with haloumi and usually include red onion but I know they caramelise whilst cooking and that means sugar.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Too late to edit my original post, so thank you for your very kind and welcoming posts. I am not a judgemental person but seem to have come across as such. So I’ll take my red face off to a corner and have a think.

Janet and Bill – Just wanted to say that I love all your questions (lots of them are mine too! and by the way, I have don’t have any answers!)

Hi mandy, put last week behind you. That was the past and this new week is your future. The weight will drop off, probably suddenly like so many others have experienced. Next week is going to put a smile on your face 🙂

Have a great Birthday Bill, am sure you can cut yourself some slack for one day, you have done so well ‘ keeping the faith’ and motivating so many people. Hope you & your family have a lovely time together, now’s the time to go out & buy some smaller trousers as a treat!

Thanks folks will let you know! 😄

Welcome Lizzy! I am nearly at the end of week 4 and I have found this forum, or rather the lovely people on it, very welcoming, helpful and not at all arrogant or know it all. the support and encouragement I have received have been great. keep us all posted how you are doing and good luck to both of you in reaching your goals.