Hi Janet1973 & MBee

Look at forum Fast 800 , Topic : Percentages. It might be helpful
Eureka

Hi there not sure where to put this but I needed info on the meds I’m on and the BSD. I am currently on venlafaxine, mirtazapine and propranolol. I have put on a significant amount of weight due to the mirtazapine as it is a side affect. I have just read the book and want to start this diet and do more excersise as I am prediabetic. As the mirtazapine has increased my weight will I therefore lose any weight on these meds or will it just be harder to do?

Cheers Rose – I can do that, but was hoping for a more integrated tracker for weight as well as blood sugar.

Hi Kimgall,
The tiredness late afternoon seems to be quite common, as with most of the symptoms it soon passes. You might have to resort to a power nap for a while!
You have to be kind to yourself during this period while your body is adjusting to some pretty major changes. You will soon feel more energetic and clear headed.
Like you I love biscuits, don’t have much of a sweet tooth otherwise. A few strawberries and cream, counted in your cals/carbs of course, feel quite decadent and help. Strangely enough a slice of lemon in hot water helps too, not sure why, but it nips any cravings in the bud for me. Liquorice tea helps with hunger pangs too.
I manage to track my fat and protein with a food diary app. I have been vego since a child and eat a varied diet so not so much of a problem as you might think. I do supplement with a low carb protein powder in my breakfast.
My achievement has been to consistently have my blood sugar levels in the non diabetic range for the past couple of weeks. So pleased about that because as you may have read, a year ago the hospital wanted to start me on insulin. No threat of that now yay!!!
I am TOFI so don’t have to lose weight but can fully sympathise with those who do, having seen the truly awful physical and emotional battle fought by a close family member trying to lose weight.
Thank you for your kind comments. I think I am fairly positive, each day we get a fresh chance to get things right and change things for the better.

I had a similar problem a week ago when I had to attend a week long -unplanned as short notice- residential course. I was a bit stuck as all meals were provided and I had to choose very carefully what I could eat , which wasn’t very much! Even though I drank at least 3L of water a day after 4 days I resorted to a well known laxative ….. I think that eating the right amount and types of food as well as the water must be the answer ? Or perhaps it has something to do with our bodies adapting?

Thanks alot for the advice!

I’ve just weighed in after 3 weeks. 21lbs lost so far. Fasting blood sugars at 6-7 every morning. Blood sugars below 7 before bed.
Feeling amazing. I look healthier I feel even better.
I can’t believe how easy I have found it. I don’t feel hungry I can’t find 1 single negative point.

Visited doctor last – not required insulin for 3 weeks and have been taken off one of my meds. Doctor well please, cholesterol back in the normal level, blood pressure spot on.

Thinking about it – I have a negative point ….. I’m now having to braces to keep my trousers up !!!

I might be a diet bore but I don’t care. It’s simply amazing !!!

Hi Spirit
Thanks for the encouragement. I have read your story, and see you are now doing a very stict calorie reduction. It sounds too strict for me, but interesting that you are starting to lose weight. Its the belly fat, not the weight that is worrying me. I feel it will never go. However, it must go eventually, so carrying on regardless.

Hi Nidge64

Wow 27lbs in 4 weeks I amazing well done!!!!!!!
Like peeps and channelk I’ve lost some weight…. 10 lbs in 3 weeks.
Could you share a typical week of what you eat, how much exercise and if possible average grams of fat protien and carbs. I have summarised my weeks in my profile
Thank you,!

Hi peeps, have been doing the diet for 2 weeks and have lost half a stone although nothing for the last 4-5 days. It’s been great reading everyone’s posts to help me along at various times although now starting to worry I’m doing something wrong, maybe my protein/fat/carb ratios are out. Question to those of you who’ve been on it longer, how many grams of fat and protein should work?! I’m keeping below 50g of carbs. And also if I’m eating mountains of green veg taking me over 50g, will that have an impact on speed of weight loss? I’d like to be one of those people that is consistently losing weight on 800cals rather than not! Advice welcome.

MBee, I found one of the posts on carb intake and have started a new thread with it. Yes, 20 does seem very low. I read about it in Rose Elliot’s book the vegetarian low carb diet but she only recommends it for a two-week ‘carb cleanse’ before moving up to 60-80 a day.

I think I also remember another very informative post on carbs but I can’t remember which thread it is in. If anyone else can remember it or if the author can remember where they wrote it, perhaps you could add it on here?

A lot of people join our forums with this question in mind, so I have pulled this quote from an earlier thread called ‘what to aim for carbs wise’ which was posted on 20th February.

It seems like generally good advice, although I’m not sure how sound it is for followers with diabetes, you may have differing requirements perhaps.

How Many Carbs Should You Eat?
It is important to experiment and figure out a way to match your carb intake to your own goals and preferences.
That being said, these guidelines are reasonable:

100-150 grams per day: This is a decent maintenance range, and is good for people who exercise a lot.
50-100 grams per day: This should lead to automatic weight loss, and is a good maintenance range for people who don’t exercise that much.
20-50 grams per day: With a carb intake this low, you should lose weight quickly without experiencing much hunger. This carb range should put you into ketosis.

Hi everyone I bought the book last night & used Calorie King & Cronometer to check several recipes – many of them were way higher (sometimes double) what the book said. I have emailed the team about it. However, even with those discrepencies, the diet is likely to still be effective for most people – as evidenced by the stories both here & elsewhere.

Nope, still doesn’t work!

Oh, tea was a disappointment I have to say. I really like quorn sausages, though I would happily have them reduce the salty flavour a little. But tonight I had cauldren lincolnshire sausages and was really looking forward to them. Unfortunately they were a bit too chewy for me, which is why I stopped eating meat in the first place. So, I’m going back to my beloved quorn!

Thankyou! Not pre-diabetic or diabetic and hoping to keep it that way. 60 is a good benchmark then? Can’t imagine only consuming 20 – that must be nothing but meat and leaves? Will go and search for the thread you mention. Appreciate your reply!

Hi Kimgall
Welcome to our thread! Yes, we seem to have drifted off the point a little bit but its the most fun I’ve had in ages!

From what I have read your carb count is spot on, you can go right down to 20carbs if you really want to but around 60 is good for rapid weight loss. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic you’d be better looking for a post someone did a couple of weeks ago that gives a really good breakdown.

Butternut squash is included in other recipes on the 800 and is not as carby as say sweet potatoes or potatoes. Personally I think its disgusting but if you like it, go ahead, knock yourself out!

Hi I got the book last night & tested several of the recipes in my calorie counter – almost all of them came back with much higher calorie counts than the book says.

Day 1 and the most surprising thing has been my lack of hunger and feeling of satisfaction. I usually end meals, however large, craving something else before I even put my fork down. Today I have genuinely felt full at the end of each meal despite looking at the plate at the beginning and thinking “how tiny is that!”.

I have eaten a much higher ratio of fat than I am used to, despite the reduction in calories – my body seems to like it.

My blood sugars are within the normal range throughout the day but move close to the pre-diabetic range by the end of the day. I was drawn to this diet after feeling periods of utter exhaustion after eating, fearing it was an insulin problem. Having checked the levels as suggested in the book I am surprised they have been so good.

None the less I am going to give this diet the full 8 weeks. If for no other reason than everything else I have tried has failed to stick and if I am not type 2 yet, my weight will put me there eventually.

Hi everyone so glad to confirm I’m not going mad! I bought the book last night & entered several recipes into my calorie counter – so many of them were wildly different than stated – some of them double calories!! I think I will use the recipe ideas but plug the calories in to check – otherwise we’ll be eating way more than the 800 cals required for these results. So incredibly frustrating!!

Hi NickF I have a similar concern about the recipes! I got the book last night & spent half an hour plugging recipes into a calorie counting app & found almost every single one of them was about double what it was supposed to be!!

Has anyone else had this problem?

Hello – I’m on my second day of doing this properly.

Putting everything though my fitness pal. Was going to have braised broccolli and baked butternut squash with a tahini dressing for supper – but MFP says my cup of baked squash is 22 carbs, bringing my day’s total to 59. Is that too high?

The rest are from veg and hummus.

Any advice before I eat it?

TIA

Brussel sprout birthday cake?? Is this the alternative to Fizzy Pop???

Love this thread … Janet1973 and auntylil … you two put a smile on my face!! x

Eek I’m starting tomorrow and very nervous! I am 30 years old, 5ft 1 and 9st 5, which is the top of a healthy BMI. I’d like to lose around a stone, but most importantly my massive belly that I still have, despite losing over 3 stone on Weight Watchers. My blood sugar is normal, but I am completely addicted to chocolate, to the extent that it’s really affecting my life and my moods.

I tried the Exante Diet last month, and just found the 600 kcal too restrictive, and spent 9 days feeling spaced out, hungry, angry, dizzy, faint and also had quite bad abdominal pain, and stopped as I was worried about my health. I am going to try the 800 kcal version on this plan for the first few days and see how I get on, but if it’s like previously, I’ll move up to 5:2.

I’m really looking forward to hopefully getting rid of my belly fat for good, and also getting fitter too, as I’ve already started the 30 Day Shred exercise DVD.

I’ve got all my fingers and toes crossed! 🙂

You can mix and match as much as you like, the only ‘rules’ are 1) 800 cals a day although lots of people here don’t count cals 2) low carb intake so no bread, potatoes, flour, pasta, rice 3) enjoy making lovely meals 4) tell us how you are getting on!

Hi Silver. As long as you stick to the guidelines in the book and to the 800 calories you should be fine. Lots of people seem to be doing that rather than following the weekly menus. Hope it goes well.

(Y) (N)

Thanks for your kind words Bill

Hashimoto, thanks for sharing your story. You’re doing really well. Looking forward to welcoming you at the end of your 8 weeks.

Well that didn’t work, just goes to show you can’t trust webland!

Ok, so I had to look this one up myself but apparently thumbs up is y between (). Here goes… (y)

14 hens, 3 cockerels, 10 ducks, 4 drakes and a pair of geese!
A small orchard of apples pears and plums, an established veg garden and a Polytunnel on order!
I have a beehive and our first nucleus is on order.
It is all a steep learning curve as I was a complete townie before moving here.

Thanks Janet. Now I need to find out how to make the thumbs up sign! Oh and I have learned they are called emojies not smilies. A lot of learning in one day ! 🙂

Aly, that’s fantastic!. So glad you are feeling better.
My son has just been told he is getting an allotment (he only applied 6 months ago!) I have always grown fruit and veg wherever I live, so he has grown up with it. Strangely I used to teach in the primary school not far from his allotment and a young child in my class ( about 26 years ago) always kept me entertained with tales of his grandfather’s allotment. I reminded my son of this before he set off and to his utter amazement he is being given that very grandfather’s allotment!!! He feels an attachment to it before he even starts working on it. Isn’t it a really small world?
I had dreamed of an allotment myself but my back is no longer up to it and I do have a number of fruit bushes/trees etc in the garden. I love being outside working in the garden. Making rose icecream from the most scented roses etc. Oh oh SUGAR! I’ll have to find out if icecream works without sugar.
How big is your fledgling small holding? Are you going to keep some live stock? I love making ratatouille from home grown veg. 🙂

Great read – read in 2 days..
So a little question – have just complied a shopping list for the first week – some things I am not keen on – can I mix and match or do I have to stick to those exact weekly menus – thanks

Great to see all the support for Aly and the wonderful advice you guys are providing.
Aly the first few days are the hardest and then things will get easier. As mentioned by other people you need to eat more fat and drink lots of water.
I am now in the middle of my 4th week and have lost 27lbs so far and like other guys on BSD I just guess what I think is 800 calories and eat plenty of fat.
I am finding each week easier than the last but do crave a curry with a few cold beers.
Hope you stick at it and reap the rewards.
Nidge

I really do laugh out loud! I’m afraid no matter what, auntylil, you have to stay with us as you keep us so roundly entertained. Not laughing at you, you understand, just with you!

I did the same as Mary with the 5:2 and ate everything in sight on the five days. But I think whenever I’m done with the bsd if I go for the 5:2 I know I’d have to stick to no carbs even on the five days and that will make the difference. I’m also thinking of just maybe a fairly relaxed approach with few carbs interspersed with a week of 800 every five or six weeks. Might work?

I bought coconut oil as well today for the coconut flatbreads. I also bought coconut flour and gram flour. I made one of Bill1954’s pancakes for 88 calories just to see what they are like and they are definitely a good idea. Veggie bangers and cauli mash for tea tonight. Fabulous!

I need to get my lettuces planted this week too…

Did someone mention allotment?
I have a fledgling small holding….you spoke my language!
By the way, feeling lots better and am doing myself a sort of ratatouille with some red kidney beans added.
Have noted the recipe for coconut flour bread which I plan to make tomorrow. That will sort out my lunch dilemma. I finally feel like I am winning. 👍

Hi Kimgall, thank you so much for your kind and supportive words. I think all of us on this site have had to go through a lot before we found this amazing ‘diet’. Looking forward to more posts from you about your journey on this path x 😉

Well done on the new skills, soon you’ll be emojing with the best of ’em. These forums always cheer me up, whether it be good tips, motivation or other people having similar stories to mine, I love being a part of such a great group!

Hi Janet 1973 , I’m still laughing myself so don’t worry. Glad to put a smile on your face! I actually typed a long message to ROFLMAO and submitted it. Then realised my error. So glad I had read the post about how to edit within 5 minutes or I wouldn’t have dared show my face on here again!! I’m so glad you explained the acronym to me as well or I would have been mystified for life.
Thanks for the explanation on how to send a smiley. I am learning so much on this site! 🙂

Bill, give my regards to your Mrs!!! I think I should stop trying to give my son ideas on how to start his allotment while posting on here! It’s amazing I didn’t post to ‘carrot’ or ‘rhubarb’ or straw bale gardening!!!
😉

OK, fed up now!! Knackered!! Tears streaming down my face … don’t panic … not cos of some emotional mental state … just because I’m yawning so much!!! Still full from the remains of last night meal, that I had for lunch … turkey mince, chopped tomatoes and broccoli … so not hungry … just cream crackered!! And I haven’t had as much sleep as I had last night, for a very long time!! 10 hours!!! I’m usually a 6-7 hour girl!!
Blood sugars before lunch at 1 = 5 … very shaky!! Blood sugars now = 6.1 … can’t believe how low these are … for me, anyhow!!
Right, I have to shake off this lethargy … off to walk three hungry nosed four legged animals. I get so much joy out of watching them sprint while I just about get one foot in front of the other!!
I WILL achieve my goals … it’s just a bit of a strange journey getting there!!
This is the time when I would normally be at the biscuits!!
x

If you do a colon : and a bracket ) it should turn it into a smiley when you press submit and a semi colon ; will give you a smiley with a wink 🙂 😉

I tried Janet1973 but he must have caught sight of my Bridget Jones’ on the airer and scarpered… no, not really, I haven’t put the plan into action yet. I emailed a friend a little while ago telling her why I haven’t been around – you’ll like this, I told her that I look like I have the plague because a detox/low carbs/no sugar diet brought out thrush and cold sores, so I’m only going out under cover of darkness to walk my dogs with a hoody on Elephant Man style because of the poorly shoulder hanging limp and dragging the leg I had surgery on. Not such a great exaggeration. Reading recent posts here reminds me I went to the dentist for a filling last Wednesday and I think that just about finished me off! There’s truly nothing left to get fixed is there?

On the positive side I managed to vac the house today which for me is a giant step forward and so far, it’s about 4.30pm, not one carb has passed my lips but I did have a big brunch. You know I went to the 5:2 diet in the light of things and being more gentle on myself but I manage some of the 800 regime too. I was worried I might creep towards it becoming a 5 week/2 week thing but no, mind and body do like the stricter way of going about it.

It is heartening to read about your progress and the others here, I value the sense of being in it together a great deal. I’m stuck at 13st 4lbs for the time being. Yesterday I used coconut oil for the first time and I’m planning on making one of those fridge cakes using cacao for a daughter’s birthday cake this week. Heard on the radio recently – ‘Have you heard about the birthday cake made from Brussel Sprouts? Blows its own candles out…’

He He
Judith have you been hitting the carbs ??
Hun there isn’t a user called ROFLMAO, that’s the first line of my post and it is my Mrs I’m talking about.
Keep taking the tablets hun, we understand 😉

Ha ha! thats so funny! ROFLMAO is text speak for Rolling On Floor Laughing My A** Off! Sorry Hashimoto, I am not being unkind but roflmao is Bill1954! That really made be laugh though, sorry, sorry xxx

On a more sombre note, however, Bill, it sounds like you are managing to infiltrate your wife’s diet anyway without her realising.

Thanks Kimgall.

Day 10 weight 10st 9lbs ( 1/2 a stone lost ) 😀😀😀
Blood sugar 13.4 – it’s on the high side but it shows that the stored sugar is coming out of “hiding”.

Oldie fully moved into new Care Home. I just need to notify everyone of the move so will be sending Easter cards next week with the change of address in.

As is always the case, now that my Oldie is sorted, my Mother ” isn’t well” and wants me to look after her !!
She is waiting for both knees to be replaced and the waiting list keeps getting longer. Hey ho, here I go again. If stress could speed weight loss I would be 6 stone! 😄

Hi Jenny.
Just beginning my 4th week and starting to really feel the benefits of the BSD program.
As bill said we all stated at some point and don’t look too far ahead and concentrate on each new day.
I was 21st 9lbs less than 24 days ago and I weighed myself on Sunday and was 18st 10 lbs which blew me away.
The weekends are hardest for me as everyone around me is over indulging and temptation is at its peak.
The first few days are a struggle but your body will get used to it but I do recommend eating quite a lot of fat in this diet and drink lots of water which keeps hunger at bay.
Good luck and remember there are lots of people in forum’s to help out.
Nidge

Hi Bill, I’m obviously a bit of a dinosaur – what does ‘ROFLMAO’ stand for? Stupidly I began a reply to ROFLMAO thinking it was a new member posting – until I looked a bit closer!!!
I too would be rich if I had a quid for every time I had eaten choccie bought as gifts – I even did it as a child whenever I bought mother’s day chocolate.
I really hope your wife joins us all on this path, it would be wonderful if she could reverse her diabetes and we would all welcome her on here.
Oh and how do you post smilies on here????