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.

Thanks everyone. It’s a great help being accountable on here.

I could get cross if I stopped to think how much time, money and energy I’ve wasted over the years on trying to lose weight over and over again. So I mustn’t stop to think about it. Just focus on what I am doing now.

Back to happy dance!

I jokingly say that I know a lot about diets, but nothing about losing weight. I have lost 27.6 pounds since 1/10. I have been following Dr. Mosley’s diet as much as I understand it. 800 calories for the 8 weeks ending this Saturday. I have written down and weighed everything that I could. Since my thyroid function DID go down per blood tests from high normal to low normal as my nutrition-based doc predicted with this level of calorie restriction, I will be going to the 5/2 form of the diet in a few days. My doc predicts that the thyroid will normalize once I do that. My sense of the conversation with him was that he was watching for it with me and didn’t see any signs of thyroid dysfunction after 4 weeks. So it wasn’t tested until the 7th week.
I am 65. Have been in an accident so cannot do meaningful exercise. I have pituitary insufficiency, which means that I do not produce most hormones and must take them. Have multiple autoimmune illnesses requiring high doses of prednisone and have had to go on even higher doses 3 times during this diet. I could have eaten the frig door the first two times and the third I did without a blink. By then I was solidly fat burning – I am eating “high” (how high can one go on 800 calories, lol), 50 grams protein and about 50 grams carbs. I had two slow downs. One after eating out which affected me for about 3 days and the other is a mystery that lasted a week. Then the weight loss started. I started out at 240.2, I am 5 3/4″. My blood sugars (unmedicated) went from 112 to mid 70’s around the 6th week and haven’t varied. I have a much clearer mind and more energy. Once I start the 5/2 I will follow Dr. Mosley’s suggestion and not count calories except for the two days of 800. Don’t want to get bored! I have 98 pounds to go! At my highest I was 260.2 – so this weekend I’ll likely make the 50 pound loss mark. About 28 of it on this diet. The first 20 were very hard to do. This bloodsugar diet has been a piece of cake!
Wishing you all the very best.
It does work if followed per Dr. Mosley’s research!

I’m just coming up to ten weeks on this. Still got around 4 stone to lose. The official line from the team is that if I feel ok, have no problems, then can stay on this for a few weeks after the eight, then move on to 5:2.

I’m on holiday next week but am planning to eat low-carb while away, then back on this when I get home.

Hope this helps.

I google thyroid and calorie restriction and came up with the info below. My doc told me that with 800 calories for 8 weeks, my thyroid would likely go down and it did. From high normal to low normal after 7 weeks. He said that once I am on the 5/2 plan it should re-establish itself. See below.

http://cathe.com/how-low-calorie-diets-affect-thyroid-function

Your thyroid gland actually produces much more T4 than it does T3, but T3 is the most active form of thyroid hormone. Once your thyroid makes T4, it’s converted to active T3 when it reaches tissues in your body. It’s T3 that binds to receptors on cells to regulate your metabolism.

So, how does dieting and calorie restriction throw things off? When you drop your calorie intake too low or place your body under stress in other ways, through injury or illness, less T4 is converted to T3. Instead more is made into something called reverse T3.

The problem with reverse T3 is it isn’t active. What it does do is bind to the same receptors that T3 does and makes it difficult for T3 to bind. With reverse T3 keeping active T3 out of the picture, you burn less fat and carbohydrates and your metabolism, along with everything else, slows down. If you’re trying to lose body fat, this makes it quite a bit harder to achieve your objective. This type of thyroid dysfunction can be challenging to pick up on standard thyroid function blood tests unless your doctor measures reverse T3 levels.

Thyroid Hormones 101 – from Holtorfmed

Thyroid hormone plays an important role in metabolic function. While many patients are familiar with the thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, most are not aware that there are a number of thyroid hormones. TSH, created by the pituitary gland, tells the thyroid to make thyroxine. Thyroxine, or T4, is an inactive thyroid hormone that must be converted before it has an effect on the body. T4 can be converted to triiodothyronine (T3), the active hormone that has a metabolic effect on the body, or it can be converted to reverse T3, an inactive form of T3 that actually blocks the cell receptors for thyroid hormones, thus blocking the effect of T3. If a patient has too much RT3 in comparison to T3, that patient will be hypothyroid at the cellular level, with a reduced metabolic rate. Or, explained more simply, that patient will have difficulty losing weight and keeping weight off.

Studies Find Dieting Reduces Metabolism by as much as 25%

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism found that a mere 25 days of calorie restriction resulted in a significant reduction in T4 to T3 conversion, with a 50 percent reduction in T3. And, as importantly, this study found that patients who experienced reduced T3 as a result of this calorie restriction actually saw a decrease in TSH, indicating an increase in thyroid hormone levels, when the opposite was actually true. The period of calorie restriction caused a clinically significant reduction of T3, which could potentially cause a person to be unable to lose weight or to regain weight already lost.

In a second study, published in the journal Metabolism, patients who had lost weight in the past had a significantly lower metabolism than other patients who were the same weight and had not gained or lost significant weight in the past year. The weight-loss patients had a metabolism that was 25 percent less that the comparable equal-weight person, with a metabolic rate that was more appropriate for someone who weighed 60 percent less than the weight-loss patient. Additionally, this reduction in metabolic rate was still present years later

A 25 percent reduction in metabolism is equivalent to an approximate deficit of 500 to 600 calories per day. Imagine reducing your caloric intake by 500 to 600 calories each day and not losing any weight. This is the effect that acute or chronic dieting can have on a person’s metabolism. And, looking at the effect from a different angle, a person who is experiencing a 25 percent reduction in metabolism not only would have difficulty losing weight, but actually would have to reduce their calorie intake even further just to keep from gaining a pound of weight each week.

Yes, looks yummy and hubby will like them too. Have managed to order the flour from Holland and Barratt who deliver here.

I google thyroid and calorie restriction and came up with the info below. My doc told me that with 800 calories for 8 weeks, my thyroid would likely go down and it did. He said that once I am on the 5/2 plan it should re-establish itself.

http://cathe.com/how-low-calorie-diets-affect-thyroid-function

Your thyroid gland actually produces much more T4 than it does T3, but T3 is the most active form of thyroid hormone. Once your thyroid makes T4, it’s converted to active T3 when it reaches tissues in your body. It’s T3 that binds to receptors on cells to regulate your metabolism.

So, how does dieting and calorie restriction throw things off? When you drop your calorie intake too low or place your body under stress in other ways, through injury or illness, less T4 is converted to T3. Instead more is made into something called reverse T3.

The problem with reverse T3 is it isn’t active. What it does do is bind to the same receptors that T3 does and makes it difficult for T3 to bind. With reverse T3 keeping active T3 out of the picture, you burn less fat and carbohydrates and your metabolism, along with everything else, slows down. If you’re trying to lose body fat, this makes it quite a bit harder to achieve your objective. This type of thyroid dysfunction can be challenging to pick up on standard thyroid function blood tests unless your doctor measures reverse T3 levels.

Thyroid Hormones 101 – from Holtorfmed

Thyroid hormone plays an important role in metabolic function. While many patients are familiar with the thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, most are not aware that there are a number of thyroid hormones. TSH, created by the pituitary gland, tells the thyroid to make thyroxine. Thyroxine, or T4, is an inactive thyroid hormone that must be converted before it has an effect on the body. T4 can be converted to triiodothyronine (T3), the active hormone that has a metabolic effect on the body, or it can be converted to reverse T3, an inactive form of T3 that actually blocks the cell receptors for thyroid hormones, thus blocking the effect of T3. If a patient has too much RT3 in comparison to T3, that patient will be hypothyroid at the cellular level, with a reduced metabolic rate. Or, explained more simply, that patient will have difficulty losing weight and keeping weight off.

Studies Find Dieting Reduces Metabolism by as much as 25%

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism found that a mere 25 days of calorie restriction resulted in a significant reduction in T4 to T3 conversion, with a 50 percent reduction in T3. And, as importantly, this study found that patients who experienced reduced T3 as a result of this calorie restriction actually saw a decrease in TSH, indicating an increase in thyroid hormone levels, when the opposite was actually true. The period of calorie restriction caused a clinically significant reduction of T3, which could potentially cause a person to be unable to lose weight or to regain weight already lost.

In a second study, published in the journal Metabolism, patients who had lost weight in the past had a significantly lower metabolism than other patients who were the same weight and had not gained or lost significant weight in the past year. The weight-loss patients had a metabolism that was 25 percent less that the comparable equal-weight person, with a metabolic rate that was more appropriate for someone who weighed 60 percent less than the weight-loss patient. Additionally, this reduction in metabolic rate was still present years later

A 25 percent reduction in metabolism is equivalent to an approximate deficit of 500 to 600 calories per day. Imagine reducing your caloric intake by 500 to 600 calories each day and not losing any weight. This is the effect that acute or chronic dieting can have on a person’s metabolism. And, looking at the effect from a different angle, a person who is experiencing a 25 percent reduction in metabolism not only would have difficulty losing weight, but actually would have to reduce their calorie intake even further just to keep from gaining a pound of weight each week.

The last time i lost a lot of weight my thyroid went into a burn mode and my thyroxine levels had to be reduced. Reading your post I am wondering if it was coincidental. I have an appointment on the 18th to discuss this with my gp. I only had my annual blood test 4 months ago but I definitely want it rechecking. 🙂

That sounds gorgeous. I have to give it a trial.
Thank you

Awwww that’s good let me know what you think?

This morning I made a shake of cup of spinach, blueberries, almonds, Greek yoghurt and water and put it in the blender. I managed to drink it all and it was kinda weird tasting, not bad but just weird lol, after drinking it I was unsure if I was going to keep it down, but managed it. Lunch I had portebello mushrooms and beans sprinkled with mozzarella and of course Cayenne pepper, love that stuff.

Hello everyone, I’m also a newbie. Just about to start the 8 week diet. Been Type 2 diabetic for 5 years. Hoping to reverse or at least cut down my meds. Lots of tips on here for me. Must admit thst I find any diet really hard!!

Hi loukc you have inspired me to try that brocolli bacon stir fry 🙂

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound of anything is still a pound. The difference is that muscle takes up less space than fat so you look more lean but might weigh the same.

Stingle that drop in your blood sugar readings is staggeringly amazing!! Well done! 4 lbs off is 4lbs lighter than you were 10 days ago. You are moving in the right direction, so please don’t be discouraged. 🙂

Oh that is wonderful news. Bloody well done – your joy and pride is palpable and so it should be.

Thanks CH

Hey – I have just looked at your topic and it seems we are quite similar, and it has made me smile – a lot !

Hi Stingle

I have been on this diet now for 10 days today and I have lost 6.2 lbs and 2″ off my waist. I lost 5.2 lbs in the first week but so far this week have only lost 1 lb. I have been doing more walking than I would normally do and I feel a lot better for it. I hope that by next Monday, as that is 2 weeks, I will have lost a couple more pounds. I haven’t been checking my blood sugar but I can feel the difference in myself, so as you say let’s show the non believers that it can be done and then some …

Good luck

I don’t really have a problem with weekends, In fact I quite look forward to them
A treat of a brunch on Saturday, usually a sausage, bacon, poached egg, mushroom and tomato followed by a tasty tea.
Sunday I have a normal Sunday lunch but without the potatoes or yorkies and usually a salad with eggs or mackerel for tea.

Please provide meal plan options ( easy) that have worked for you. What does a typical day of eating look like?

Kimgall and everyone Hello again – I am a 54 year old ex (hopefully) chocaholic lady – I do seem to have shrunk and I am without doubt fitter with the exercise which I love – I was just annoyed that my weight hadn’t dropped more – I have 2 stone to loose and have lost 4lbs in 10 days and as I looked on this forum noticed massive weight losses and wondered why I have had such a small one. Thanks everyone for the encouragement much appreciated and I intend to carry on in the hope that I am totally insulin free and can show the non believers ( and there are many of my friends and colleagues !) that they are too narrow minded for their own good!!!