So, Day 3 for hubby and me, retired seniors with the incentive of our first grandchild. Michael Mosley has inspired me, esp after the Inisght program here in Aus on SBS earlier this week. During 8 years diagnosed with type 2, I was relying on meds and moderate exercise, healthy foods, but I now see, TOO MANY CALORIES, esp for our age. The young man on insight who is losing his sight and has lost 3 toes gave me the final push. With hubby doing the actual calorie counting (I hate dealing with numbers), we will take it day by day. It’s not so hard if you only eat when hungry and then grab the minimum cals: cherry tomatoes from the garden, garlic chive flowers for a taste hit!, cukes, an egg for lunch, some green beans and 4 bean salad for tea with a slice of chicken or lamb from earlier roasts. Still, I will need all the encouragement you lot give. So here’s to a healthy and long life! (Toasting with mineral water with a lemon twist:-)

Hi Hashimoto
Re Greek yogurt
I think it’s strained or like you do with crab apple jelly. I make soya yogurt and just put it in a normal sieve if I want some of the water to come out. That’s not much trouble. It makes it thicker.
Penny

Hi Aly
It must be the case too that WW relied on most people having to come back repeatedly to keep their profits up. I’m not saying they knew it was all hokum…
Penny

Aly- ☺️

Hi Peanut
Remember we ve been sold- in all senses of the word- a physically addictive substance.
The nature of addiction is its hard to let go of in many cases. Lots of people go through that. As everyone is saying, just pick yourself up, dust yourself down etc. We re all here for you.
Penny

Hi Aly
Maybe your Bramley was just a bad un and another would thrive?? So many apple trees in Normandy!
Just a thought.
Penny

Thanks for that yes that is what i meant, thought it might be handy to have a few on stand-by if i decide to do it properly.

Hi Buffy
Do you mean the meal replacements? If so, they are liquid shakes and low carb bars. There is no one type in particular recommended but there are several types available. I’m sure someone else who has used them would be able to advise on that.

You will find some good veggie recipes on the website – like the aubergine bake and there are a few other threads on veggie stuff you can read here. All the best to you.

Hi all, I hope to start on Monday and as a vegetarian I found the recipes in the book hard to figure out without meat or fish, have always ate badly, bread pasta etc, so I was thinking of the ready meal option but dont know what they are, is it a diet product or what, i feel i need to retrain my taste for food, any suggestions gladly accepted.

Damn! After getting great pre-dinner (my lowest readings) levels of 5.5 / 5.6 my levels have risen again. Today it was up to 8.3. What is going on? Has anyone else experienced these spikes? Oddly enough the last two times I measured my blood was after I wasn’t able to eat until more than 6 and a half hours after my previous meal. I’m getting a theory that if I leave it too long between meals my liver decides to over-compensate and release more sugar. Hence my problem with the dawn phenomenon.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Good luck to the two of you georgiarose. It would make meal preparation simpler if my hubby and I were eating together on this one!

Hi Stingle, it’s good to have a laugh at our foibles isn’t it? We are all learning as we go and having to learn healthier eating habits. Everyone on the forum seems to have so much in common with regard to food weaknesses. It’s what got many of us to the point where we need help. Always someone on here to cheer you up or give advice. 🙂

Started the 800 cals diet three days ago. Have been taking Novorapid am and pm before dinner. Lantus long-acting after dinner. Blood sugar has been low 5.0 – 6.00 so have omitted the Lantus. Blood sugar in morning rising to 12 and 14.00. What is the best way to deal with this please? I am determined to stick to the 8 week program and get off the meds (also have 1000mg Diabex after dinner).

Well, thanks for that Aunylil, that’s cheered me up enormously (not!). I think I got the gist of it though as you said, it takes a few read throughs. I’ve often asked myself the question why it takes me a fortnight to lose a pound and a day to gain two. And that is why, its that chuffing reverse T3! I have asked is it just me…? And yes, it is. Or rather me and my Hashimoto compadres. I have never liked hearing people use it as a reason/excuse for their weight but maybe we really are at a disadvantage. Brill.

Hi Yael, the sugars naturally present in milk would account for Michael’s statement. Most calorie counters state there is between 4.7 & 5.26g sugar in 100ml of milk. A teaspoon of sugar is 4g so you can see how it would soon add up in a latte. I count my milk in my daily allowance of carbs ( use an app called Australian easy diet diary, brilliant tool) and allow myself a latte or chai now and again. I’m also of Italian descent. There is a cafe near me that does proper chai in a French press, not the powdered junk that most places use. You must live in one of the cooler regions if your figs are only just ripening. My mum lives on the coast and hers have been ripe for a while. Both of us have managed to resist them so far. I must look them up to see if I can squeeze one in to my allowance now and then. I just love them and used to eat 4or 5 at a time. Fruit is my big weakness and even harder to give up than biscuits lol.
Hashimoto way to go! A cured chocoholic 🙂

Thanks Bill1954, day 2 was much better. Much less hunger feeling, and able to concentrate ok which was good. I even thin i’m less snappy with everyone so that is great.
I’m finding the meals quite tasty, so that’s a plus. How far into it the program are you?

Am a bit confused about the recipes in the book. Are the calories listed next to each recipe for one serving or for the whole recipe? So for example the Beetroot falafels says 290 calories but the recipe is for 2 serves. So is it 290 calories per serve or per recipe? Hope this makes sense.

Cheers
Ian

Hi Fresiaflower, they are my favourite flowers! I think week 3 is always going to be a tricky one because the novelty has largely worn off but you know you still have a way to go. That’s how it is for me anyway. The weight loss is likely to slow a little at this stage as your metabolism readjusts to your new size. You know, it actually slows down as you lose weight, making it harder to lose more weight. The irony! If you are not doing much exercise yet, then moving more will boost your metabolism. If you do exercise, maybe try for more resistance training.

Don’t fret about the extra 50 calories though. I say it a lot in these forums but guilt (along with sugar) is our enemy and both will massively derail your efforts. Bear in mind a normal calorie intake to maintain weight would be around 1600-2000 calories so anything under 1000 cals a day is considered very low so your extra 50 really won’t stop your weight loss.

You will see the scales move again if you keep going. But my favourite test is trying on a pair of trousers that wouldn’t fit me before but are looking and feeling better every week regardless of what the scales say. All the best to you.

Thanks auntylil, I’ll go look for it. I wonder of the bowling club know what they are letting themselves in for! But I do think its a great idea to get involved. My uncle, who is in his forties btw, won his first trophy at cgb-ing last summer, he loves it. But don’t do it after the gin…

Hi.

You’ll see on here that we all find we had times when the weight didn’t move, but then it starts shifting again. Just trust the plan and stick with it. You’ve done well to lose that 12 pounds 😃

I’m just coming to the end of 10 weeks on the plan and want to stick with it for as long as possible as I have about another 4 stone to lose (34 pounds gone so far). The team say that as long as we feel ok, have no problems, then it’s ok to stay on this for a few extra weeks, then go to 5:2 but quite a few on here seem to be talking about staying on this, especially those like me with a fair bit more to lose.

As well as weight loss, the other health benefits have been significant 😃

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

P.S. I pointed you in the wrong direction re: thyroid info – it was posted by ‘gatesofheaven’ on the low thyroid-BSD thread.

Hello,

I have been on the Fast 800 for nearly three weeks now (started on 14th Feb) and this week has been so tough! I am not loosing any weight, seem to fluctuate between kilos this week. I know I shouldn’t find this disheartening but it’s hard not to. I am pleased with weight loss so far (12pounds) but really would like to loose at least a stone more.

I seem to be desperate for food and all the bad food too! I’ve managed to stay within my 800 calorie limit (apart from today 850, which I now feel guilty for!) but just feeling a bit disheartened that nothing has moved this week. I know it could be the Woosh effect, but wondered if anyone else has or had any difficult moments and if it gets lots better in week 4,5,6,7 or 8!

I am very keen to see what happens at the end of the 8 weeks but really looking for advice on how you have coped/are coping?

Sorry to hear you are having such a traumatic time, i know what it is like caring for an ill mother. You are doing really well to keep up with the diet with all this going on – but it is a positive among the other negatives in your life., and like kimgall said it is an aspect of your life you still have control over, thinking of you

it depends on the amount that you consume as most of the recipes are for 2 people , so cut it in half , they seem like they could be a bit more but so far im on it four weeks and have lost 15 lbs and blood sugar is right down to 5.5 in morning and 5.7 in evening , it was out of control anything between 9 to 16 , and i tried so hard to get it under control

Hi Cloud,
All the carbs we cut out on this diet means that straight away you are on a low sugar programme, obviously there is no room here for cakes, biscuits or chocolate either (maybe a tiny bit of very dark chocolate).

I never experienced large weight losses quickly with weight watchers – sure – over a very long period of time – if I could stay motivated that long. I’d suggest it could become quite confusing to try combining the current points system with the bsd as they are not both based on the same assumptions. Ww is still very much low fat and not yet low enough sugar and definitely doesn’t approve of 800 calories.

Leeanne, I don’t use the recipes much either for the same reason as you. I just prefer to have something like an omelette, Quorn sausages or a piece of fish with two or three vegetables. As you say, as long as you stick roughly to your 800 and keep it low carb, you’ll be fine.

I made these a few days ago. I used 42g of butter. I accidentally used the juice of a grapefruit rather than an orange.

They didn’t rise as much I would have liked and are very crumbly. I like them. I had one (from the freezer) and it was better than the one I had when still warm. I will make them again.

Leanne, I’ve been sticking pretty much to 800 cals, and so far I’ve lost 5 lbs in just 4 days. i have been using the recipes in the book, but i’m spending ages each day working out the calories and sugar content – I just don’t believe any of the figures in the book, so far, every recipe I’ve looked at has been wrong. Like you, I will also improvise and will also adapt recipes from other books and the Internet. Doing these sums is helped a lot by staying on with Weightwatchers – their iPhone app is great for getting all the nutritional data for the food types and to help track it. I wouldn’t in any case stop going to Weightwatchers, though, because it gives me lots of support – the meetings and the other members. Also, I go there with my husband. He’s not diabetic, and I don’t think he will be able to do 800 cals a day for 8 weeks – so we are both carrying on with WW, and I’m cutting sugar intake right down, guided by the blood sugar book. The weight loss is nice, but isn’t really why I’m doing the blood sugar diet. I want to reverse my type 2 diabetes. As I understand the research that the book and the TV programme talk about, that means 800 calories a day for 8 weeks. I’ve read lots of reports on this web site from people with big weight losses. But in any case, you get that at weightwatchers, to be honest. What will be great will be when lots of people start reporting reversal of T2 on this web site.

By the way, does anyone know if the calorie restriction to 800 automatically means eating very little sugar,? It doesn’t seem to be mentioned when the scientists summarise their research for us (I mean the research like the Newcastle experiment etc.) I must say I have noticed one big big advantage to giving up the sugar – after a while it definitely stops the cravings. So it makes the diet much easier to keep on with. Is that why there is a big focus on avoiding eating sugar in this diet, not just on 800 cals?

Thinking of you… If the diet is the only thing in your life that you can control at the moment then hang on to that! I’m so sorry for what you’re currently going through. X

I ended up getting the taxi down to my Mum’s. Then went with her “blue lighted” to hospital. She’s had a stroke. This diet stood me in good stead, I was there from around 30 minutes after my last post til 5pm and managed on two small cups of tea.

They think she’s been having a few little strokes over a period of time. She might be having an MRI tomorrow to get more info. Had an omelette for tea. Hoping to have an early night to prepare me for tomorrow’s adventures. 😷😛

Well done Merseychic

I’m waiting for a loss! Lost 3lbs in the first week, lost 1 in the second and staying the same so far in week 3. However, my blood sugars are going down and are more steady (from 6 after exercise to 10 fasting in the am) which I keep having to remind myself is the whole purpose!

I’m about half a stone off target (though would love to loose a stone) and i exercise about 3/4 times a week as well as dog walking – my step count is 14.000 to 18,000 a day (kids and dogs!) so I know i’m active – maybe i’m just waiting for the Woosh effect! 😀

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming… 😀

Thanks for the encouragement. I am just impatient but deep down know I need to stick with it and take it steady. I have to recognise that As long as I am losing the pounds and getting healthy that is a result.
I have never ever gone on a forum for anything before but I guess I did so this morning because I really want to achieve my goal this time and am taking it more seriously (in itself a good realisation) and perhaps when I have tried diets in the past I didn’t take advantage of the support out there. It does make a difference. thanks for the support. i will be back on the forum as my journey progresses.

Hi Leeanne
I bet you find that this diet is the easiest you have ever followed.
You just feel so bloody good about yourself, you enjoy dieting,……honest

Hi, What’s everyone drinking? I’m a big fan of whole milk, tea , water but don’t drink alcohol at all. I’m assuming as long as drinks are counted in the 800 cals then everything goes?

Hi lady Penelope, 11lb is a fantastic weight loss – not far off a stone in a very short time. I’m enjoying the recipes too. Those coconut and gram flour flat breads are a god send 🙂

Hello, The recipes in the book, although look like lovely food, aren’t really what I like. I’m afraid I’m more into “plain” food. I assume as long as I stick to 800 cals with low carb I will get some results? I already have a carb/calorie counting guide so am hoping to invent some meals around this.

What a super thread – it just oozes support! I love the idea of no longer seeing sweet things as a treat, but rather as the poison that they are – though I think this day is still a long way off for me! Keep on keeping on everyone, we’ll get there.

Gateofheaven thank-you for sharing. That there is the story of my life long weight loss battle. I too will be printing it off and taking to the hospital.

Thanks

Thanks guys,
We both feel really good on this and while it’s working, we want to continue . It seems to be easy enough to still get a balanced diet, but I guess long term it may be a little tedious. We’ll see. Please keep me posted with your progress. Much joy

My weight loss has decreased this week, (11lb so far) now week 4, however I don’t feel deflated as I know I am going to lose some more in week 5 or 6 . I have not felt hungry and I am enjoying re thinking my recipes for more healthier options and I think because my mind is set will probably continue to do this after the 8 weeks.
I am lucky that my husband and I are doing it together as we really supporting each other , but to all you undertaking this diet give yourselves a BIG pat on the back for all your efforts whether you have lost 2lb or 20lb
Keep calm and carry on!

Thanks for kind words, I hope you do like them 🙂

ps. peanutbutty. As I have posted before, I curb my sugar cravings with a small cup of cocoa sweetened with xylitol, or a couple of small squares of very dark chocolate. As long as you can stop at 2, it usually does the trick. It’s cheating, but better than suffering, then giving in to a binge!

Hi aly, I love the coconut flour ones and the chickpea flour ones. The chickpea ones are great with spicy food – or wraps etc. I have a load in the freezer now, I add different spices to each batch. I’m thinking of adding lemon zest and sweet spices to my next batch. 🙂

Excellent idea Bill. I’ll look out for you too peanutbutty. The wagon’s been rebuilt and is ready for you to jump back on. Hang in there.

Thanks gateofheaven I will print that of. Doesn’t explain what happened to me when I lost weight on 5:2. The burn up of my thyroid must have happened coincidentally with weight loss. Apparently it is rare and even GP has said peculiar things seem to happen to me. My dose was dropped from 125 to 50! Then. Over a year or so it needed to be increased bit by bit.

It is amazing how differently peoples bodies react – thinking of weight loss rates, drops in blood sugar readings etc.

I’m. Going to take the info you have supplied to my GP. I don’t want a cheap test doing after reading your info. 🙂

Hadn’t thought about flat bread. Made the coconut flour ones today, a bit dry but that may be my fault! Went well with a bowl of home made carrot and coriander soup.

Glad you are going to get the flour as it is useful for the flatbreads – great with veg curry. I often do double batch of the bhajis. So i can freeze them in pairs. I sometimes have them as picnic food on a walk.. Hope you and hubby like them 🙂

Well, that’s it then – you have to go shoe shopping. What lovely tiny pinkies you must have. My feet are like barges.

btw – go and look for a long post by peanut something about thyroid and diets, it is very informative and I found it very interesting.

Been having an 800 calories day today but still having a g & t as it’s the eldest’s birthday. Ditched the vodka as it’s made from grain but gin is from berries! Over dosed earlier on goat’s milk yogurt, I love it with scorched almonds and a sprinkling of cacao.

Been invited to join a crown green bowling team (I was good at marbles, darts, skittles and petang in previous existences) and can imagine I might have to remove the nose stud and watch my language if I do join. Starting Hatha Yoga again soon when physio complete so the bod is getting ready to move! Yeah

It’s doubtful that anyone would build up significant muscle in 10 days unless they’ve been pumping iron down the gym day and night on a high protein diet and steroids!
But don’t let that put anyone of exercise. Any movement is good for our bodies.

Count me in too – I only check in once a day or alternate days but know I will look out for you. Bill Wisdom rules.

Thank you very much for posting this information, I am going to have to print it off and read it several times but it does help enormously. I’m thinking my gp needs to consider these points.

I can’t do the 800 calorie diet, I have tried but it just didn’t seem to make weight loss happen in the way it’s supposed to. I may try again, I liked the food, was never hungry and loved discovering new foods. As I’m not diabetic or pre-diabetic I’m focusing on what’s called ‘clean eating’ and the Med diet and the 5:2 diet and whilst I’ve not lost any weight for 10 days I haven’t put any on and other health issues I’m hoping will improve – complicated by high cholesterol – I don’t digest fat too well so I suspect I can’t burn fat? (Gall stone ruptured bile duct decades ago). Goodness knows.

Vegetarian and lactose intolerant from birth… we mostly have complex and very different health issues on the forum but the message about cutting out sugar and avoiding the sugar laden fat free/low fat options still applies to everyone and it seems those of us with thyroid issues will have to educate the medics much as diabetic people have/will have to. My sympathy for those with both.

I swallowed radioactive iodine twice to get like this, comfort ate and got fat on wholefood veggie diet. Off now to chomp on homemade humous and flat breads. It means a lot to be in the company of people travelling a similar path.