First day for me too. Inspired by Michael’s book as the science seems to make sense. I am feeling motivated but know from past experience that for me it is late afternoon and early evening when i give in to temptation. Not helped by working in an office with constant stream of birthday cakes – there are 2 seperate lots of cakes in the kitchen this morning, and working directly above a Tesco Express. Work long hours so getting enough exercise is also a challenge. To help I have gone public with my diet this time (I don’t usually) to give some incentive to stick to it. Also have a get together at end of April catching up with some friends I haven’t seen for nearly 20 years after they moved to the states. I don’t to be the one who got fat.

So here goes. I already have a Fitbit. I am starting logging food from today though. I have also bought a tape measure and a blood sugar testing kit to track progress.

Will do and now I have to be honest!

Good Luck let’s keep in touch , I need a buddy

I have started this today. I began my diet after New Year and have already cut my carbs substantially and been trying to stick at around 1000 calories per day. I bought a Fitbit and have been tracking my diet and exercise but found that my weight loss is, so-far, quite slow. I think that several bariatric surgeries and general inactivity may be to blame for my sluggish metabolism
I have tried many diets in the past including low-carb ones and have found them quite easy once I have got over carb withdrawal.
Now I am off to the shops to stock up on lots of lovely healthy ingredients and then the gym!

Where does milk fit into this diet? I can’t seen to find any references to it yet full fat yogurt is OK..

Good luck Karen, I’m really starting today – had a dip into the meals late last week and enjoyed them.

I have started the Fast 800 today . I have been diagnosed Diebetic but not on any medication yet . I am very very overweight so I hope this is going to help get me health and happiness back .

Apples good, bananas bad – how about oranges?

Goldiespring, I think that is very impressive, and very encouraging to me at least. I have found that instead of potatoes, using a tablespoon of brown rice hardly makes a dent on blood sugar levels. Maybe you could try that in your carb experiment?

Many years ago I changed from having sugar in my tea and coffee to artificial sweeteners. I probably had those for 2 or 3 years and then gave them up as well. Although it is not easy it is possible to re-educate our palates.

Bought 3 x 425g (multbuy Morrisons offer) packs of lean minced beef and split the whole lot into 13, (approx. 100g portions) and froze each separately. If I need a portion of protein – sorted (and it makes it really difficult to cheat by sneaking a bit extra in).

Did the same with a pack of raw prawns – 200g split into 2.

Morning everyone. I was wondering if there was a recommended level of carbs? I mean how low is low? Under 100g, 80g? 50g?

I’ve only counted calories in the past, so I’m going to find it difficult with the low carbing, and prefer to have a set limit, as I find that helps when I’m planning meals.

thanks 🙂

Day one – Had my yoghurt with rhubarb compote – I usually find fruit yoghurts too sweet – this one was delish and quite a good portion size.

Used slightly less rhubarb for the compote (the pack was 400g), used the first 2 tablespoons this morning and split the remainder into 6 (portions about right) using a silicone muffin tray and put it in the freezer.

Now I can either have that for the rest of the week or vary it as I want. take out a blob of rhubarb compote the night before and put it in my breakfast bowl overnight to defrost, and add 150g yoghurt in the morning.

Natalie, it sounds harder varying having the sugar some days and not others as you keep having a reminder of the full “taste satisfaction”? Perhaps you could try just reducing the amount by an eigth for a couple of days, then by a quarter etc so that you have a bit of time to get used to it, and it becomes less noticeable gradually?
I remember taking 3 sugars as child ( I think I was copying my Dad 🙂 ) but I only drank one cup a day. I don’t take sugar now ( although I have an incredibly sweet tooth!) Strangely, I have no recollection of giving it up!! I think I was in my teens, but apart from that, I don’t remember actively doing so.

Jane, what is 16;8 please? Is it 16 days “off” and 8 “on” ? ( as in 5: 2 )
Thanks

I was diagnosed T2 at the end of August. After crying for 3 days and reading loads on the internet I decided low carb was the way to go. So I started ditching the carbs and finding new ways of eating. I’ve been eating about 1000 cals a day and tracking everything via my fitness pal. I have been increasing my steps using my iPhone step counter. I have tested blood sugar regularly. I have lost 5 stone and my last Hba1c blood test but me in the normal range. It does work! I am now gradually testing some carbs for their impact on my blood sugar to see if I can reintroduce them. I had cut all legumes, root vegetables, fruits and pulses. Reading BSD convinced me to try oats and I’m fine with them and beans again fine. I still have 5 stone to lose so will be continuing!

The more I read, the more I am wondering if it is my dairy intake that is hindering things. Going to drop dairy for a few days, see if that helps me break through.

100 grams of carbs seems quite high for this diet, I am averaging around 55 per day. Anything like rice is “just for a taste” as the book says so you can’t have much.

I’m still struggling with giving up sugar in my tea! I only have 3 grams (2/3 teaspoon) anyway, but if I give it up I’d just rather not drink tea at all. I’m varying between having my sugar, having half the usual amount, or none, depending on the day. Maybe I’ll get there by the end of the 8 weeks!

I often still have “meat and two veg” kind of meals, except they are “small piece of meat and four veg” now! Salad, roast veg, microwaved, any way he usually has veg but more of it, with a bit less meat and no bread/potato. You don’t really need fancy new recipes or ingredients unless you want to. A big pile of vegetables is very filling.

I’ve had no weight loss in week 4, though to be fair I haven’t been as strict as Nessie on the diet! Still hoping for a sudden drop in week 5.

I make my own yoghurt, very easy with an Easi-yo kit (basically a thermos that you put the culture and milk powder with warm water overnight) and I use the Greek unsweetened one. I find it tastes pretty nice, but better if you put fruit in it! And my tracker says it has significantly less calories than commercial Greek yoghurt even though they are both unsweetened.

I’m not a big fan of eggs, once a week is more than enough, so I generally either have Greek yoghurt (home made Easiyo, no sugar) with fresh fruit in it, or leftover meat + salad. I don’t worry if it doesn’t seem like a “breakfast food”. Sometimes bacon + salad but I don’t think we’re supposed to have processed meat very often so I try to keep bacon to once a week.

I drink herbal tea whenever I feel hungry. I also drink it at night instead of wine and nibbles in front of the tv.

Yes I like this too and makes me feel energised.

My favourite breakfast is 2 tabs Greek yoghurt, small handful frozen berries, pepitas, linseed, walnuts and 50ml grapefruit juice. Yummy! Close to what I was having only smaller proportions. I do miss my g/f toast and g/f vegemite though.

starting Monday 25th Jan 2016.

Could have done with a print out of a shopping list of items needed ………. hint..

Thank you Lily
If I can anticipate a big loss coming up, I can keep motivated. I am just resigning myself to the fact that I might need a second round of this 8 week fasting (with a small break inbetween rounds).

Would be interested in buddying up with anyone doing this eating plan (pref T2 diabetic) in Dorset area.

I’ve had poached egg on spinach or salad greens. Nice!

It’s really common on a VLCD actually (I’m an old hand at the shake based ones). Weeks 2 and/or 3 the weight loss seems to stop or slow off. What tends to happen is that there will suddenly be a big loss in week 4 or 5.

Weight loss is never linear. It’ll be a jerky ride – 2lbs one week, 5lbs the next, absolutely nothing the next week etc.

Don’t worry about it – fat loss is happening and it’ll all even out in the end.

Has anyone else experienced a plateau? I am on day 17 now, and have not had any loss at all since day 12 🙁 I am tracking my calories, and carbs, and fluctuate around 800 (except for one day I accidentally blew out at 920 cals, all my other days tend to be between 750-820cals). I keep my carbs to about 50g, and try to drink as much water as I can (I would exceed 2L per day).
Another user on FB suggested a website, which had some hints, but I am already pretty good with not having excess of fruit (It is the hardest part of the diet, as I love my fruit) and do not use artificial sweeteners etc.
It was also suggested that my fat is actually diminishing, but I am retaining water.
I am female, and mid cycle, so cannot blame hormones for this one.
Additionally, I have measured myself this morning, and seemed to have gained 2cm on my waist 🙁
Any tips on how to get this weight loss going again would be greatly appreciated, because at this rate, I will barely lose anything, and 800cals is already hard to stick with, I need the motivation of seeing change.

I had the spaced out feeling on the first day, but I was consuming too much sugar before, so assumed that that was the cause.
Also after 5 days I was feeling bloated and suffering constipation despite eating far more beans, lentils and other high fibre foods than before. I am fairly sure I was drinking the recommended level of fluids.. Hoping this will sort itself out soon.

Yeah, good luck to all us newbies starting in the am! Will be after lots of advice from you guys.

I am having Greek yogurt with blueberries or passion fruit. Pretty the diet I was having Greek yogurt with nuts and agave syrup. I do miss the agave a little bit.

I am also going to start tomorrow!! Not massively prepared though….going to wing it a little, good luck everyone 🍀

Good luck, I have been on it one week feeling good so far. Once your head is in the right place it is easier.

My hubby and I have read Dr Mosley’s book and we were very impressed. Ordered from the Daily Mail bookshop, it arrived within 3 days. We are going to start the 8-week diet on Monday 1st February (usual monthly food shop next weekend). Have already planned what we are having for the next 4 weeks. I’m Type 2 diabetic and need to get my blood sugars down (just over 11 average at present) – no medication taken (my choice). Lost 2 stones over the last 2 years but need to lose lots more weight. Hubby has had heart problems, so it will help him too.

Good luck to everyone.

Hippo

Hi Doug,

I started the diet last Monday and had problems with constipation for a few days followed by yesterday having an upset stomach and today feeling a bit spaced out. I think these things are to be expected at first ( it is quite a drastic change from my usual calorie intake) Maybe try solid food and not shakes if you are getting constant upset stomach.
Are you on Metformin? I wondered if a change in diet with medication could be causing this? I know in the past when i increased my Metformin from 3-4 tabs i experienced diarrhea quite soon after so there is a link between that and stomach problems.
I’m Just hoping it will get easier as the weeks go by!

Richard

Hi, I got the book yesterday, £4.49 from W H Smiths, just finished reading and I’m making a shopping list for tomorrow. Good luck everyone

To be honest, I’m not having breakfast much. I’ve never really fancied eating breakfast early in the morning so decided I’d wait until I was hungry.

But fruit and yogurt would work, egg and bacon, boiled egg with asparagus dippers, bacon wrapped around fresh pineapple, vegetable omelette.

And don’t rule out eating last night’s leftovers for breakfast. Who says you can’t eat beef stew for breakfast? 🙂

Hi CTB

I’ve been using Knorr Stockpots – yes, there’s a tiny bit of sugar in there but not really much. They’re little oval pots of concentrated stock in jelly form. And I’ve been using my slow cooker. I put diced lean beef, a sliced carrot and half an onion in the slow cooker and cover it with about a pint of water (in which I’ve dissolved the stockpot) and that’s it – a few hours later yummy stew. You could add black pepper, mixed herbs etc but I haven’t bothered to be honest – it was still great.

Well done on getting to day 2! I’m on day 5, so not really that far ahead of you. 🙂

To start with, but I really have to stay organised if I want this to succeed. I have just eaten the veg curry with cauliflower rice and it was lovely, will defo do again. I am hoping to get my BG levels low enough and consistent enough to come off my meds!

Hi
I started the 8 week diet 5 days ago and after day 1 had an upset tummy which continued to day w so I stopped the shakes. Since then I have itchy skin and blurry vision I dink maybe not quite 3 litres a day but no one else seems to have mentioned either of these side effects. Any ideas.
Doug

Hello, please could you tell me if these recipes are for one or two people. Many thanks. Lizzie

What are you having for breakfast ? I do so miss my toast on a morning..what are you eating instead of cereal / toast ?

Thanks! I shall buy some wild to try 🙂

Inspiringly well- organised!
Penny

Hi
I’m not diabetic either, but my father had type 2 and my sister has it, so there’s quite a good chance i’ll become diabetic too.
I have high blood pressure and i’m hoping this diet will help me off the medication.
I’m also large around the middle and i’m hoping this will kick start a healthier way of eating.

I’m starting tomorrow, but I just have a couple of questions:
Can I eat oranges on this diet or do they come under the heading ‘sweet tropical fruit’?
do you need to calorie count vegetables and how many grams of veg should we be eating a day?

Hi All,

Thought I’d give you a quick update, as today is my Weigh in….. (Doing Meal replacement shakes for Breakfast and Lunch and Chicken and Veg for dinner)

Lost 7lbs and 1.5″ of my waist x

Wow that is a great weight loss but glad to see your BS have reduced too, I am a Diabetic Nurse and it was a patient who introduced me to this diet. We do advocate low carbs to our patients and have really good results but I think this book explains the science behind it all. I am not diabetic but I could be I am about 2.5 stone overweight so I am going to trial it also, I start tomorrow and hope to have as much success as you, well done