Hi ArranGranny – It seems to be quite common for the liver to continue pumping out excess sugar overnight, even though you are having fewer sugar spikes the rest of the time due to the lower carb/low calorie diet.

This probably because it can take time for the insulin resistance to settle and to get rid of the fat stored in the liver. Once these get back to their normal function, the fasting blood sugars should improve. So sometimes people find their HbA1C has improved (a measure of your average blood glucose over a period of time) but their morning fasting blood sugar is still a bit raised. Don’t worry, stick with it as it sounds as if all is heading in the right direction and you are doing well!

Hi – same postion as you, Laska – not diabetic and not obese. In my case I definitley need to lose couple of stone though. I did the test in Michael’s book and came out as a raging carb addict .

I found last week easier than I thought apart from one day at work when I had to stand by a buffet for an hour and my resolve crumbled. I did go slightly over 800 both days at the weekend and had one glass of prosecco (so you did better than me) but still down 5 lbs at the end of the first week. Determined to be strict this week because i know i can usually start a diet with gusto but then start to get bored and make excuses for breaking the rules. The first week has really made me think about eating healthily and i am very inspired by the recipes in the book so i am really going to try and make this one work.

I’ve noticed this as well, no Idea why though sorry

I’m sleeping better than ever luckily, over sleeping if I’m honest but as I’m recovering from an op and usually work 15-18 days I’m making the most of the down time. I had no idea sleep affected weightloss though so it’s something I’ll remind myself of when I’m back at work and working silly hours on call with little sleep. Certainly makes sense to me. Thanks for taking the time to lt me know about this 😀 Weightloss has stared again now although slowly but least it’s going in the right direction.

Hi do you think the reduction in weight loss could be due to extra muscle mass from exercise? I know I’ve increased the amount of exercise I do. Anyone have a way to measure % muscle v fat?

Hi, nice to meet you and thanks for your advice. I cut out diary ( which is my only guilty pleasure for a couple of days) and hey presto weightloss is back on the move ( yay). Without th weightloss my BSG has come down to under 5.5 though so maybe my body was busy doing that and couldn’t multi task lol

Keep up the amazing work and look forward to seeing you alongside at the finishing line!

Will do many thanks for the tips 😀

Big well done on your results!
Re the weightloss I lost 9lb in the first few days then nothing all through week 2 until yesterday when it’s started again ( I hope it’s going to be the same for you). Stick with it as its worth it although I can’t say I haven’t wanted to break it a couple of times. My craving is for wholemeal bread ( hilarious as I don’t even like wholemeal bread really). Staring week 3 today, let me know how you go ( I found week 2 the hardest especially with no weightloss but lowering BSG levels kept me going!
Vet girl

Hi everyone, I’m amazed just how many people have just read the book. Me too, just randomly picked it up in WH Smiths while in the queue . Did a test this morning and got a bit of a wake up call so I’m well and truly going to do something about it instead of just looking in the mirror in shame and horror and then pigging out the same evening. Used to be very health conscious but life events have been difficult and I have clearly turned into an emotional eater. Not to mention enjoying a glass of red wine or two. Good luck to everyone. This is the first forum I’ ve joined on line so hope to get the hang of it soon

All the best. Jazza

Hi just thought I’d post my experiences of week 1.
Background – Been type 2 for over 15 years & followed the usual route, diet, meds, insulin (Lantus + rapide) with associated weight gain etc.
After xmas found myself at my highest ever bmi 31.9 so on 13/1/16 started a diet before discovering the 800 cals a day one.
So on 25/1/16 I started the 800 calls a day & my bmi was 31.2.
I lost 11.2 lbs BMI 29.8 & on day 2 found I could drop insulin to 0 & stopped metformin – But Day 5 blood sugar started rising again so I’m back on metformin and extremely reduced insulin (rapide after meals not lantus)
What have I found? Apart for the craving for white bread (croissants) and booze I’m ok, with exercise my calorie deficit is around 2.2k/day.
I have had to reduce to 2 meals a day & noticed my calcium was down so I now take calcium additives.

Also I’d lost 11.2lbs by day 5 but now have hit a wall and have been the same weight for 3 days

Going to stick with it and see if the weight drop restarts. Good luck with your diets.

I’m another one starting today, along with my husband! I am 5ft 2 and probably 5ft 2 round as well 🙂 I once was underweight (a looooong time ago) and have rather over-successfully sorted that out! I am now 50 and want to live to see my grandchildren grow up. I need to lose around 4 stone to get back into a healthy weight range. I am using this to kick start my weight loss and for health reasons – I had gestational diabetes 14 years ago and as a needlephobic, doing the pin prick tests several times a day was traumatic. I don’t want to go back there.

Awesome so many of us are starting on the first day. Hope to catch up with you all soon.

My fasting blood sugar is reducing in the morning. A couple of times I’ve taken it again before eating breakfast and it is higher. Why is this and is there any way to prevent this?Should it be prevented? I’ve wondered about eating a few nuts on waking in case its my body pushing out glucose due to fasting/ low energy although my blood glucose is in the low 6 range.

Well done Rosy for taking the first step! For various reasons I have not done any added exercise – probably walk a mile or two a day max just doing shopping, housework etc, week 3 just finished and I have lost 1 stone so if you stick to it, it will work even without huge amounts of exercise. Do what you can though as exercise is important for other reasons – once you get the weight off it will hopefully make it easier, that’s my wish! Good luck and keep checking the forum as it looks like lots of helpful ad ice, tips and recipes!

I think if you have a lot to lose then you can stay on it, I’m sure this is stated in the book somewhere. As others have suggested 5:2 or 1:6 sound like great ideas! Stick with it great achievement. I am so happy as today after 3 weeks I am 1 stone lighter. This is the easiest eating plan I have tried and I find it easy to stick to it too. Good luck!

jmjski, I’m like you and like to think I’m having a tipple of something a bit more exciting at the weekend. Diet Coke hasn’t affected my blood sugars at all.

Just finished reading it this morning and am motivated to get going too! I have around 5 stones to lose, am 56 years old and recently diagnosed type 2. I would LOVE to lose weight but more important to me is to get my blood sugar down. At diagnosis it was 21.9mmol/l, as of this last week it has been around the 10mmol mark, due, I believe to having ignored my doctor’s advice of cutting out sugar (which to him was the obvious chocolate, pastries, jam, sugar in coffee) and ignoring my diabetes nurse’s advice of having at least one starchy carb with every meal so that my blood sugar didn’t dip to hypo level (some hope at this point!) and instead following the low carb/high fat diet. I live in France and my sister-in-law (who’s also diabetic and didn’t agree with my diet) sent me the Daily Mail article about the Michael Mosley diet so I bought the book because he seems to advocate what I was trying to do.

My main problem I can foresee with his recipes is that I HATE spinach and in rural France I can’t get hold of spring onions and one or the other seems to be in just about every recipe. Anyone got any substitute suggestions?

Thanks GoH! I’m sticking with it.

Thank you Lesleyp.

Hi all. I’ve been on the diet for three weeks. Blood sugar down to 5 or 6 from 10 or 11 and I’ve lost 11 pounds. Really enjoying it too!

Hi everyone…..me too….read the book last week too …used the weekend to prepare and am ready to start. Think I may need your encouragement to keep focused and on track! I too have yoyo dieted for most of my life and I want to find an eating lifestyle that works. Keep you posted. Good luck all

Water water water. I can’t stress it highly enough. They say If you get to the point where you’re thirsty then your body is already dehydrated. I’ve come to realise (2weeks in) that pre diet I would eat when I was actually thirsty. I had a headache the first couple of days but once I was up to proper hydration I honestly feel on top of the world. Last night I went to bed with a headache and realised I’d only had a couple of peppermint teas all day. I really have to stay on top of it. After writing this I’m actually going to set alarms on my phone …or find an app for it! Sounds anal but I know exactly how you feel, it’s like your addiction is saying “nah, go and have a huge plate of carbs and everything will feel better” I think it’s the cold turkey effect. Good luck and stay strong xx

Wow what a lot of us starting 1st Feb! I read the book last week and planned to start Feb 1st too but decided what the hell and started Sunday. My weight is 13st 3lb and I am 5′ 6″ waist 46″ and blood sugars usually 6.6 fasting . Also wake up for loo twice a night and thirsty so I probably have pre diabetes.
Good luck every one 😀

So, day one…

Starting weight 16 stone 8 pounds (3 stone overweight) & 48″ waist (at least 10″ too much).

Here I go! Good luck to everyone starting today.

Andy

Dear Natalie,
i think you’ve diagnosed yourself. That time of the month. Hang in there. You say that you have never done so well before and that sounds heartening. I look like i’m losing weight easily, but it has been very difficult as i am juggling medications and foods for several illnesses all at once and have to be extremely careful. thank goodness i’m a health educator and have a hand’s on doc. I’m exceedingly heavy, so my weigh losses will naturally be higher than others. Try not to compare yourself with others; especially not with us big girls, lol! I only wrote how well i am doing after a plateau in the hopes that it would encourage others.
Stay with it, i think you’ll be very pleased.

I’m actually thinking about moving on to a 1:6, where I stay on 800 calories six days a week but just have one day when I relax on calorie counting a bit.

Nessie I’m up 600 grams over the past two days. I’m reminding myself that it’s that time of the month when I retain water, but it’s still disheartening. And it took me 5 weeks to lose 4 kg. Some people seem to lose weight so much faster. But I’m still plodding on. I’ve certainly never done so well before, despite the bumps along the way this is the easiest diet I’ve ever done and I’ve stuck to it the longest!

I have gained 200g, which I am severely upset about 🙁 Not going to give up, I did accidentally go over by about 200cals yesterday (mainly in fats, due to excess avocado at dinner), but sheesh, how cruel of my body to gain from a measly 200 cals! I am feeling rather jealous of those who lose weight so easily!

Week 1 done and I am thrilled. I have had a 3.8 kg loss, my blood sugar is back in the normal range (my sugar levels were pre-diabetic) and I have lost 3cm off my waist.
I have always tired to diet “correctly” and not lose more than a kg a week because of it affecting my metabolism etc and this has meant I have always fallen off the wagon because the final weight goal has seemed too out of reach.
It is wonderful to be able to achieve significant weight loss quickly and not be damaging my body but actually helping it.
There have not been any hunger pangs and it is nice not having the roller coaster of quick energy followed by extreme tiredness throughout the day. I am going to continue this for the full eight weeks.
Thanks Michael – I believe you have saved me from becoming a diabetic!

Weight loss started again; just as we were advised it would. I cut out dairy, which doesn’t always agree with me and anything with any type of sweetener, includes meds which i substituted. The number of calories on the egg carton verses what they they weighed and their calories was significant…. sneaky devils (2 different brands and sizes). Only weighing those guys for a while now until i know the averages!
Wahooo! 2.8 pounds this week (17.2 for the 3 weeks – i’m a big girl). 2″ off waist. BS down 10 points. Thanks for the encouragement.

Hi 🙂
I also have high cholesterol, which I only found out about recently, having always had great cholesterol (I am vegetarian, so never been something I have concerned myself with). The GP explained to me that high cholesterol can be an indication of metabolic issues (such as diabetes) and although my BSL was fine, it was a really kick in the backside and a wake up call. I am going to get my bloods done again at the end of this 8 weeks (I just started on week 4), and then again when I have lost all my weight.
Best of luck

Hi smileymiley1 (love your user name, has such a happy sound to it 🙂 )
Best of luck as you start. It is great you have some knowledge about how things will go, I hope this is a great journey for you 🙂

Hi Jan

Well done! That’s brilliant news & very encouraging. Please keep us informed as to how you get on this week as it will encourage us all to go for it & we’d love to follow your progress.

Andy

Hi All

I bought the book last week and started last Monday – I too have been a yo-yo dieter all my life have type 2 diet controlled for 2 years.
Have had an amazing result lost 9.5lbs!! Don’t feel hungry and really motivated to continue… Best of luck to you all – take the challenge and make this happen we can all do it!!!

Jan

Yes, we are very alike! Same age, similar amount to lose, lots of diet books & my mum had diabetes too. Sadly she died a couple of years ago & the diabetes was a contributing factor so there is no way I want it either…

Let’s definitely keep in touch & hopefully Mermaid2 will join us as we begin our new way of eating & living 😊

Andy

And I too am 53! my mum is diabetic and two of my brothers have prediabetes. I so don’t want it. I’m on it – good luck and speak soon

I am starting tomorrow after just finishing the book. I am going to have 2 shakes a day and an evening meal totalling 800 cals. Here goes and good luck to everyone.
I did the Newcastle Uni diet on my own and lost 22 lbs. felt great levels were good but sadly I put the weight back on. I had no support from my doctors. I’m hoping this time to keep the weight off and I have started jogging x

Hi Vaughnie, Great to read your post. We sound very similar as in having similar amounts of weight to lose & having all the diet books!!! Yes, let’s compare & encourage & be successful together. We can do it!

Hi there mermaid2 and andypandy I am starting tomorrow too. I have about three stone to lose. I’m doing my measurements and weight for real in the morning. I have every diet book possible but this one seems to make so much sense and give fast results – I’m too impatient so am hoping I can see some changes IF I stick to. Can I join you both in the comparisons and encouragement please?

Well done that’s amazing you must be so happy with that. If it’s working for you and you’re enjoying it why not do another 8 weeks, especially knowing you can switch to 5:2 whenever. S
I’m starting tomorrow and feeling excited.

Hi Mermaid2, I have read the book today & start tomorrow, too. I am a 53 year old who has yo yo dieted all his life & has diabetes in the family so really worried as I am currently around 3 stone overweight & 48 waist 😢 I am determined to follow the diet & make this the last diet I ever do & stay for & healthy & avoid the diabetes.

Good luck with yours & perhaps we can compare & encourage each other as the days go by?

Oh yes, and lots of peppermint tea, I do think mint tea helps a dodgy stomach…

Are you eating plenty of vegetables and drinking lots of water?
I was just thinking , because when I went on the dreaded Atkins diet (which was high protein and fat but restricted onthe types of vegetables you could eat) the same happened to me.

I havent found the same so far on this regime (apart from a little wind admittedly – but that I think is reintroducing beans back into my diet). However i’ve been doing it only a week (but have lost 5 lbs.) but I have been glugging the water..

Keeping up with the water is very important though I think..

Perhaps there will be someone along in a bit who has been on this longer than I ,and who can reassure you more

I don’t drive far, Katy, as I get lost easily but I’m glad I can drive because it gives me much needed control. I’m also hoping the diet will help – I am so big right now and was always a tiny thing until life just got too difficult to handle a few years ago. I’m sorry about your loss; I hope your boy is now doing OK and without those drugs.

Hello Jessie, I’ll check out what you advise, though not likely to be anything much especially for Aspies round here – they have only just got an Autism Lead for the county! I’m realising that despite the relief of having a diagnosis at last I’m still very isolated. I know one or two Aspies via Facebook but they lives a long way off. I can empathise with the PTSD; I was diagnosed as having Complex PTSD 2 years ago and did some work with a wonderful trauma specialist. She helped me with 2 very big issues from the past and these are now safely processed. I understand mindfulness can be good, though I need a quiet safe place to practice it – which at present is definitely not in the home as disturbance from next door is constant, but working on getting a move. Last year was the ‘finding out stuff’ year this needs to be the ‘getting well’ year. I know I will never free of Aspergers but am sure that the lift to my self esteem once I’ve lost weight will help me feel better about myself. I’m glad the mindfulness is working for you. x

I don’t know the answer to this, but I wanted to say THAT’S BRILLIANT! Well done, and good luck finding a way to proceed after you finish the eight weeks.

I’ve just weighed myself after 18 days and my weight seems to be down by 12lbs. I’m really encouraged. I know a few lbs must be water, but still got to be quite a bit of fat in there! Stupidly didn’t take the advice about other measurements but am sure the big chunk of fat around my middle is a bit smaller.

I’m also really enjoying finding tasty foods I can eat and surprised by how much choice there is.

Hope everyone else is doing well and feeling good.

Page 136, only a passing comment but it’s there!

Hi
Google meditation and/or mindfulness for aspergers. You’ll find a range of websites. Try to find a class that’s specifically for those with ASD. Surely there must be something available by now through one of the societies?
Mindfulness, practised regularly, changes brain structure, and is fantastic for stress reduction. I suffer from PTSD and find it wonderful. I know yours is a developmental disorder, but there is evidence out there to demonstrate its effectiveness with Autism.

I have been using Exante shakes and also bars on and off since I started 18 days ago. Even though they have around 18g of carbohydrates per sachet, I have been testing my urine for ketones, which indicate if your body is burning fat. And so far no problem for me, it is burning fat every day. I think that is slightly lower than the carb count for Slim Fast, but Slim Fast aren’t designed to be used on a very low calories diet, as far as I know? They seem to cover the bases re protein, vitamin and mineral content, although I usually add a bit of extra salt to avoid getting muscle pains.

Well done you! I have only been on it a week so far and really enjoying trying out all the recipes on here and not feeling hungry at all.

6 weeks in to the BSD I’m thinking ahead to what I’ll do at the end of the 8 weeks. Do I stay on this or move to 5:2? In th6 weeks I’ve lost 23 pounds (10% of my starting weight) and dropped at least a dress size. More importantly my FBS is down in to the 5s, with the occasional 6. A considerable improvement.

My diabetes nurse is delighted. My BP is now low and she’s checking if I can come off those meds. She asked if I would stay on this or move to 5:2 and I wasn’t sure. I’ve had no problems on BSD so would be happy to stay on it unless evidence it would be better to move to 5:2.

Which is the best direction to take? Opinions please.