Hi all
Lovely to read about how well people are doing. This is my first day and I’m so surprised by how satisfied I am having only eaten 800 calories. Beetroot hummus is lovely. See how I go tomorrow.

Did try to get started on Saturday but I kept obsessing about the calories! It’s a lot easier being at work!

Maybe life is worth living after all…just discovered cauliflower mash. Wonderful!

Well done. I hope it encourages you if I say that although an inveretate “snacker” I REALLY haven’t felt hungry on this diet. This is the only diet I have ever done about which I can say that. It seems to be so much about WHAT you eat, even more than the amount. The recipes supplied really keep you satisfied for hours. Keep to it (3 weeks and 12 lbs off so far – and I was on the 5:2 already)

Hi pmshrink. I am inclined to agree with you. Although, frustratingly, I have still lost nothing from my waist, I do feel so much better that I know this diet must be doing me good. I am assuming its just a matter of time before my waist shows some results.

Well done sunnyB. I have also gone over my calories but I have talked/ran 9k so not going to stress too much. I am also weighing everything. I made the blueberry green tea shake for breakfast. The book states it as 100 calories. However, it came out at over 170 so i had to jiggle it about. Got it to 128 in the end.

Wishing all you lovely people a great start and end to day 1.

You know you’re taking the diet seriously this time when you find yourself saying, “Oh sod it, I’m having an extra gram of seeds, I have just walked five miles.” So, yes surprisingly easy, but then it has only been five days.

No worries – let us know how you get on 🙂 xx

Hi – Good luck with starting 🙂
Re: Alpro products, some of them contain added sugar. So I would say check the ingredients labels and nutritional information. If there’s any added sugar – then switching to one without would probably be better I think x

Hope everyone has found their first day on the BSD manageable. Have to confess I found it easier than I had feared. Came in at 810 calories for the day – smidge over, but I’m not going to stress about it. I have religiously counted absolutely everything, so am happy with the outcome. Looking forward to see some results as my week progresses and to hearing how everyone else is fairing.

First thing this morning, I got on the scales, put the tape measure around my waist (scary!!) and checked my blood sugar. Weight was about where I expected, my waist two inches large than I had thought(!) and I’m pleased to say my blood sugar was well within the normal band. So this diet for me, is about trimming the waist and getting my weight under control, as I am definitely in the obese band.

Found today much easier than I had thought it might be. I have been keeping track of my calories on a little excel chart I have set up and I have come in at 810 calories for my first day – only water and herbal teas now until tomorrow. Kept breakfast and lunch very modest, so that I could have my main meal with my husband this evening, but it wasn’t difficult to get through the day.

I hope all those who also started their BSD today, have managed to come in at around the target calories and have not struggled. Hope to hear how others have found their first day.

Hi Scotgran,
Do you like dark chocolate? I had a little bit over the weekend as I was really craving some sugar & it did the trick. The green and blacks lemon flavour is lovely 🙂 x

Hello
I’m really wanting to try the blood sugar diet, but apprehensive because much of the foods that are recommended are foods that I am either allergic or intolerant to, such as eggs, and dairy, and also gluten. Unfortunately a diet like mine tends to focus on more refined grains, although I do eat plenty of nuts, chicken, fish, meat, veg etc. I’m really looking for advice on how to do the diet and still remain ‘healthy’ as I do not want to go short of vitamins and nutrients. Any advice for yoghurt/egg replacements in the menus, as these are also the things that make you feel full…?
Many Thanks

Thanks, really appreciate the feedback. I’ve started on the 5:2 as I’m concerned about how I’ll feel/react to working flat out plus exercising on just 800 calories ( albeit for a finite period).

I’ve kept clear of the energy gels and plump for the trusty banana!

Hi LH I think wanting chocolate and carbs is linked to underactive thyroid, almost like your body saying (mistakenly ) that it needs it Anyway I am determined to lose this blooming weight and touch wood so far no chocolate
Be Good

Delighted it is working well for you Queenvix. As you know it will help reverse the insulin resistance which is contributing to the PCOS. Will pass the message on!

Hi Scothran
Have a look at the book I came across.
Jenny Ruhls book ‘low carb problems solved’.
Penny

hi GTG
Me too!
Penny

I had scrambled eggs with smoked salmon for breakfast today, and just made the recipe as in the book for myself. When I’ve counted the calories (did this afterwards as was making breakfast before work) I seem to have eaten rather a lot, and so after my hummus lunch I’m not left with many calories for my tea! I’m going to be over on calories for today, but just wondered if I’d misread the recipe? Are these recipes for 2 people or 1?

Thanks in advance!

Zoe

Hi everyone. I started on 8th February and as of yesterday, have lost 10 lbs. the first week I lost 7 lbs. I actually couldn’t believe it and kept checking the scale to see if it was malfunctioning 😂 I jumped in the scales yesterday I was again delighted to see me hitting the 10 lbs mark, and that was in 2 weeks! The first week was HARD. Some days in work I felt that crazed hunger and reckon I looked like a hungry lunatic! But over the days I tweaked it making sure not to let myself get like that. A few almonds usually did the job. And now 2 weeks in I really feel good. I’ve been cooking up a storm. Just had the Spanish chickpea and spinach soup for lunch and it was delicious. Having spicy chicken with lentils for dinner and it smells so good. My husband can’t believe me as I was always giving out about beans and lentils been so gross. But now I see them as healthy carbs and so so tasty.
I have been moaning about wanting to lose a stone and a half for around a year. I run quite a bit and that was not helping me shift the excess weight. This ‘diet’ made sense to me. I prefer the idea of quick Weight loss followed by maintenance… But really at this stage it doesn’t feel like a diet. I was fat because I ate and drank the wrong things for my body … My body is thanking me now as it feels so much better. Only negative is I’m going to the loo a lot because of all the water im drinking. Anyway … Another 13 lbs to go . Fingers crossed

I too experienced some physical exhaustion. However this seemed to be helped by increasing my intake of fats slightly, eg some Olive oil on roasted veg and chicken breast, scrambled egg using a small amount of butter.

I am getting myself prepared to start the BSD and need to sort out the food that I am going to eat during the 8 week period (I am a very fussy eater!).

One item that I do really like is the Alpro range of soya based yogurts, which I generally have for breakfast now. Are these okay to eat instead of full fat yogurts?

Hi, the research is pretty limited from what I can see.

With more moderate exercise your body will adjust over time to make more use of fats as an energy source but with higher intensity bouts of training, carbs will undoubtedly be beneficial.

It’s worth remembering that the 8 weeks is a temporary measure, to reset your system. After that, while still on a lower carb regime, you will be fuelling your system very differently than when on the 800 cals. You will then have different energy levels and be less likely to hit the wall as soon.

Competitive sports are a very different beast to the moderate exercise most people will undertake. You may benefit from sensible carb loading with low GI, healthy carbs – I wouldn’t use the energy gels! They’re so disgusting anyway so hopefully this shouldn’t be a great hardship!

You are welcome, the chocolate one is especially nice at bed time and will ensure that you do not wake in the middle of the night with hunger pangs.

Good luck and stick with it.

Good chef-ing Bill!
Roast pork! Yummy.
I applaud your dark chocolate. I keep having to remind myself this isn’t a diet of puritanical self denial, it’s an 8 week kick up the bum while eating real, good, food, just not much of it.
After the 8 weeks I think I’ll still have some weight to lose, but will be going onto one of the other versions Michael has put out there.

I’ll still be eating real good food, just more of it sometimes!
Goodbye white crap. Goodbye processed gubbins.
Hello the food we were born to eat.
More strength to all our arms.

That’s really interesting Lolo, thanks. The olive oil thougt is good too after seeing Dr. M’s Trust Me programme about a spoonful of uncooked olive oil a day is so good for your heart. Thanks 🙂

Day 8. Weigh day. I’ve dropped 8.5 pounds! And shrunk 2 inches from round the equator! Very happy man.

Hi Mooster likewise nice to know there are others out there. I am hoping this will work as all other attempts at dieting with this blooming thyroid problem have not worked that well…..well possibly thyroid.. but cannot take all the blame as I seem to suffer from an inability to say no to chocolate when presented with it ! Not anymore !! Will watch out for your posts. Good luck !

Just ordered the Jenny Ruhl book. Thanks a mill for the tip!

I feel like this way of life has been a real epiphany to me… not that ignorance was truly bliss as I felt god awful most of the time but Im feeling almost evangelical about this diet. Im annoying my sister with soundbites from the book on a daily basis… I hope many pre & diabetic folk get to this diet as a resource for taking back their lives. :0)

I am now starting week 2 and also don’t have much appetite. I seldom finish the recommended portions. I knew I wasn’t drinking enough so I’ve rectified that and the headaches have gone but I have a really strong sugar craving today for the first time. Any advice to get me through week 2?

17lb down after two weeks. Only another 35lb’s to go. Feeling really chuffed. Enjoying the diet, lovely meals. No hunger between.
Clothes fitting better.
Well done to everyone. Onward and downwards.

Hi LH
I take 100mg Levothyroxine I think I am only going to lose 1lb every 3 to 4 days from now on due to metabolism but that’s better than when I have tried to diet before so I will continue, just made the pumpkin seed and courgette muffins this morning to keep as a treat when I need something “nice” Sorry can’t help with the tongue thing, one thing I haven’t got LOLThanks for answering it’s nice to know not alone

Yes and on 125mg levo. After several months at the gym working like a woman possessed and having lost only 1 and a half stone and still feeling knackered and only to then be told following a routine blood test that I was pre-diabetic I decided I had to act fast. Started the BSD last Monday and have lost 8 lbs which is great but I seem to have stuck at that weight for three days. Need to exercise more but have just had surgery and so resitance training not a goer at the moment. Does anyone else have a horrible looking tongue which feels like the desert when they wake up in the morning?!

Today is the first day of week 2 for me with a reasonable start of 6lb weight loss in week 1. I’m not diabetic or pre-diabetic but I have such a sweet tooth that anything which reduces my sugar intake is a good thing. I followed the rules quite carefully except for Friday night when I had to go out for dinner (and also drank alcohol) so I got straight back on the plan the following morning. I feel quite lucky to have lost that weight after my ‘night off’. The food is tasty and I still have beetroot falafel and vegetable curry in the freezer for this week which will save time and effort. As a fan of real food I’m enjoying it and haven’t struggled with the low calorie count as much as I thought I would. Peppermint tea is a great way of consuming the water required.

Hi I’m SUE2000 just starting I had Warfin 5years but could not get levels to stay. Also suffered side effects now ((with consultants. Ok)) I have Rivaroxoban now no weekly blood tests feel better. Just thought I’d impart information

Thanks so much you saved me hours hard work. I’ve been using my 123 diet shakes left over from last diet. Wondered what shakes to have. Thanks for all your work.

Good advice! I too downloaded Jenny Ruhl’s book – very informative and reassuring – thanks for the tip.

I use pepper strips, celery, and carrot to dip in my humus although, this week, I’m going to try making the chickpea flour crackers from the recipe section.

Hi Natasha,
How are you feeling today? Hopefully your body has kicked in to it’s normal self again 🙂 One thing to maybe take a look at is whether you are eating enough fat – I felt really weird for a time, but I don’t think I was getting enough fat which I’ve changed to now around 40g a day – that definitely helped 🙂
Keep going! Everyone is doing fantastically xx

Hi Speedy – I have been working on around the same as pmshrink says, between 50-80g a day. I find anything below this makes me feel really funny! I have also kept my fat intake to around 40g-50g a day. Supplementing with olive oil here and there for energy. It’s worked really well so far & I don’t feel hungry at all xx

Fantastic results everyone! My week one was last week too & I lost 7lbs. Am really pleased – it’s great to see something working so quickly. Even more fab for those with blood sugar reductions too 🙂 x

Hi Pesco, I use hummus as a protein boost for a salad lunch, when I just put dollops on my salad as a dressing. I also use it with salad for dinner if I’m making falafel.
It is great to fill the grooves in celery too but if you can freeze it I would have the home made version every time. Never lasts long in my house though as my kids devour it when they come home from school if they see it in the fridge.

Thanks Bill,
Yes big well done to you Fi on your first week loss. Yes it is Bill, I am 55 and Pre diabetic I have tried all sorts of diets but I really think I can do this one and stick to it. I like you Fi, know I have to do this now before it gets worse and I need medication. All the best for next week everyone, can’t wait to see my next week weight loss.

Am still taking Metformin, but stopped Gliclazide as it is what is advised by Dr Taylor. At the Diabetic Clinic tomorrow, so will be discussing meds with Nurse Practitioner.
Was going to start diet next week, after the clinic, but was reminded by husband that we have been invited to a large Cancer Charity event at the beginning of April (Carb rich meal), that I have to attend, so the sooner I started the better.
I have been thinking about doing the diet for years, but I found it was hard to find the “right time”.
I gave up work in October, since then I have been dealing with “family issues”, I was going to start on 29/02/2016 to allow time before my overseas holiday in the middle of May. My husband was unsupportive at first, “you need to lose weight slowly to keep it off” but I finally convinced him last Friday and since then he has been very keen for me to get started.
I think sometimes you just need to stop thinking about it and just “start”.
The thing that makes my blood sugar go up the most is Stress, so eliminating that is what I am concentrating on as well as sticking to the diet.

While that’s true, if your liver has a hard time dealing with alcohol (and if you have a fatty liver, it will struggle) it can mean that water gathers in the legs causing puffy ankles.

Alcohol is a diuretic, ie it makes you get rid of more fluid than you take in.

Stressful weekend
my partner went down with Tonsilitis after telling the kids that we were doing a family Sunday lunch so I ended up making lunch for 12 all by myself (brownie points well earned)
It was a lot harder resisting the mash and yorkies after I had made them but I managed.
So, roast pork and veggies with gravy for lunch (if I have to have fat in my diet it is DEFINITELY going to come from something delicious). Fot dinner I had a home made wholemeal flour flatbread with 1 oz of extra mature cheddar sprinkled on it while still in the pan – very tasty.
Blood sugar yesterday and today was 5.8 🙂
Upwards and onwards.

Sue, you really don’t want to start reducing meds until you have been showing a fasting sugar reading of below 5 for a few days and, then, have a word with your doc beforehand.

Well done Fi and Sharon
Isn’t it great when something you read about starts happening for you.
Just another 2 success stories to add to the growing library.

Thanks Clare and please thank Micheal for writing such a fab book! I am only a week in but 3 of my friends/family have got the book too as I have convinced them on my enthusiasm and my amazing results. Conventional diets just don’t work for us PCOSers so I am so pleased and amazed with the results I’m getting. I’m spreading the word on Instagram ( @thegymlovingfoodie) to my cysters that the book can help us ladies with PCOS as well as those with diabetes so hopefully others can benefit from the book too!

Hi, I take 100mcg Eltroxin every day for an underactive thyroid – I am usually tired by the end of the day and the walk home is a struggle – my legs feel like jelly but once I am home and been on my exercise bike and eaten it is OK. I have been told that I will be on Eltroxin for the rest of my life but I am hoping that this diet and losing weight might give my thyroid a kick up the rear end!