Hi Natasha
I think keep some of the fat on. We ve been so brain washed to not eat it but now we know it’s sugar not fat that messes us up.
It stops you getting hungry
Penny

Hello all,

I was really looking forward to making the crab cakes and envisioned something totally different to what I produced last night – even though I followed the recipe and cooking instructions to the letter.

One thing I noticed was the juice of half a lemon was way too much. The outcome was that my crab cakes totally fell apart and ended up as a crab salad, as the mixture was too wet to form into crab cakes.

It was a disaster.

I was wondering whether I was doing anything wrong. Has anyone tried making the crab cakes successfully?

I started using Mindfulness as a way of dealing with stress. What I have been following is a 10 minute a day programme, where I listen to someone talking through the process on the PC or mobile. One thing I have got out of this is a way of dealing with waking in the middle of the night; I can usually get to sleep ok, but when stressed, wake up after about 3 hours sleep.
I have used one of the Mindfulness ‘tricks’ – lie on your back, eyes closed, breath deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth. Concentrate on the breathing. Scan through the body slowly from head to feed noticing how you feel. I am normally asleep again part way though that process. When not, I am more relaxed and less anxious about the fact I am awake and will drop of soon after. I have been using Headspace App, but there are others out there if you use the search engine.

At least I’m not alone!
I’m a bit stuck with upping the exercise, medical and mobility issues mean that I can only do small amounts. I’ll keep trying though!

Oh, and I have lost 11bs in two weeks and my ‘pregnant looking’ stomach is not looking as pregnant any more!

Hi Kankan 888,

Amazing! Well done you!

I am also 2-weeks into the bsd and cannot believe the difference in everything so far! The word ‘life-changing’ is somewhat overused, but this diet really has been life-changing so far! I’m not even close to craving sugar or junk food, and all the meals on the plan are phenomenally delicious and satisfying.

The diet so far is a miracle.

I want all my friends and family to do this but I don’t want to become an evangelical ‘diet bore.’ I guess it’s all about people seeing the positive changes in me and then getting curious and interested.

My friend asked me if this would be a sustainable way to live after the diet has ended, and I think it will be. I can’t believe how bad sugar was making me feel (and I didn’t even realise it). My energy levels (as you said) have been transformed, I feel cleaner, clearer and fresher, and it’s amazing not to have the ‘mid-afternoon slump.’ Why on earth would I want to go back to feeling like that again?!

I also do not want my skin to go back to the way it was – acne and patchy on my face, chest and upper-back. It has improved so much in 2-weeks. It’s not perfect yet but my goodness what a difference.

Thank you for sharing your experience so far, it all helps with the motivation.

Best of luck (not that you really need it lol) for the next 6-weeks!

Pmshrink your advice has been most gratefully received. The crock pot I’m looking to order today. I’m writing your receipe down for my first day. I think I’ll stick to my tuna salad for lunch. I’m a piggy usually at breakfast so I’m going to take advice and shake it. I’m going to miss my fruit I think but I do need to cut it down. So have bit more shopping to sort then Saturday here we come. Thank you once again can’t wait for stew.

Hey Cherianne,

How’s it going?

Ah yes of course, you are in Australia – one of my favourite places in the world! I would happily emigrate if I could.

I hope you now have a plentiful supply of wood and are keeping cosy 🙂

Hi again Lolo,

The only thing I would be worried about with chocolate is that it might set me right back on the sugar track.

I have a history of sticking to diets like glue, believing that I have my chocolate addiction totally sussed and under control, and eating one tiny square…. and then another, and then another (etc etc etc) and not being able to stop until the entire bar has been eaten.

I’m a ‘compulsive eater’ and this has been the hardest thing for me to overcome. It’s almost like having a blackout when I eat chocolate or sweets.

I know dark chocolate is extremely good for you and I was wondering if you had any advice for being able to just have a couple of squares, and then no more.

Hi Scotgran,

How are you doing?

Yes, I went through quite a few days of not feeling hungry at all and even skipped a couple of meals because I felt so un-hungry. This was when I was feeling at my worst (so far).

Do you think not finishing the portions might be triggering sugar cravings?

I have sugar-free fruit-flavoured chewing gum close by which is nice in the evenings and is a nice, flavourful ‘dessert’! I read in the book that chewing gum helps curb sugar cravings.

I also have a large glass of cold water as often as possible, and this seems to be helping as I have not yet had any sugar cravings – and I have been a lifelong sugar addict.

Hi Lolo,

Thank you for your reply.

I’m actually feeling ok now. I have been on the diet for just over 2 weeks and I feel like my body has really settled into it. I felt so horribly weird for the first week-and-a-half – disassociated, light-headed, dizzy, irritable and depressed, but now I am really starting to feel the amazing effects of not having sugar, and i’m not craving it at all.

One question – I have been enjoying the sirloin steak meal (one of my favourites so far), and have been cutting off the fat before I cook it as it’s a huge wedge. You mentioned about eating fat, and I was wondering whether you recommend that I keep (some of) the fat on the steak rather than remove it?

Thank you for your advice and encouragement! How long have you been on the BSD and are you noticing big differences?

And WELL DONE EVERYBODY!
I love how we are all in this together!

Hi Yumelda
You’re doing well!
Have you set your calories on MFP to 800? I did that and don’t get any messages. I’ve also set it so it doesn’t take off my exercise and add more calories.
Penny

Hi,
I am having the same challenge. End of week 3 and the weight loss is good, trousers are almost falling off of me, but the inches are coming off of my bust and hips with proportionately much less coming off of my waist. I have upped my walking to 70,000 steps a week from 25,000 before I started which is definitely helping keep a consistent weight loss.
Anyone suggestions welcome!

Hi Bill
Yes it’s not clear. I think it doesn’t matter how much kale or broccoli etc you eat because the benefits outweigh any calories. For example, kale has vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, K, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and fibre. Broccoli has the same but B5 instead of B3. 15 important nutrients for a few calories. The same goes for all the green veg, with variations in bits and minerals.
So think there’s no need to limit it. As Jenny Ruhl says, no one ever got fat eating a huge helping of kale!
Penny

Hi Mrs Jaffa
Yes you’d never expect that would you! But it is.
Penny

Hi penny, thank you for all your tips I will have a look at Jenny ruhls book. I do feel a bit better today just a slight headache . I have also tried hot water and it’s really good!

Hi Tallyhoo
Welcome!
Great sugar readings!
I suggest you read Jenny Ruhls little book ‘ low carb problems solved'( £3 on kindle) which deals with stalling and everything else.
Best of luck
Penny

Sue, I know this sounds mental, but, years ago when I couldn’t handle stress, I used to drive out into the countryside, find a deserted spot, and pick a tree.
That tree became my object of attention, I could scream, shout, and talk to it and even cry on it’s shoulder and of course, it never answered back (if it did I would be a poster on a very different forum now )
afterwards, the stress levels had reduced and I felt great.

Hi Sue
I know buckwheat is fantastic for all sorts of healthy nutrients and good for diabetes. But during this very low carb phase I think the 89% carbs in buckwheat might prevent the visceral fat coming out from around our organs so I’m leaving it til I’m on the next phase. Lentils are only 15% carbs I think so yes I’m eating them now!
Re the jelly. I’m concerned to reduce my sweet tooth and this has happened quite quickly for me by avoiding sweet things. But we re all different!
Hope you’re ok now with recipes etc. The fantastic stew I mentioned gives you a huge plateful of dinner for 340 cals- because it’s the slow cooker ( which I got for £19.99 from crockpot on Amazon) the water turns into the most amazing gravy and the veg all taste meaty. Yum. Plus a pile of kale from the allotment. Perfect.
Good luck
Penny

Well done ZT! sounds like you’re in with a good chance of reaching your goal in 8 weeks! – Keep it up 🙂

Hi Hashimoto
I also have hashimotos and other autoimmune effects, dry eyes, blocked tear ducts, ibs, hay fever all year round and also developed glaucoma last year, I agree I only need a very small amount of calories to put weight on, I am hoping my Fitbit will keep me on the straight and narrow I would like to lose another stone so I have some leeway for a small increase in weight that I can get under control we will probably need to do the 2:5 diet lol x

I only have another 11kgs to lose, so to have lost 2.3 in 7 days I think is pretty good 🙂

hi,
mine is slow to shift here as well,ive found the best way is to up the intensity of exercise,belly fat is the hardest to shift,so attack it hard,ive noticed a change elsewhere over my body,but still working on my front,im sure it will eventually shift.
bob.

Thanks for the great comments guys.
The forum is a great support and I hope everyone reaches their goals.
Some days are harder than others but I just have to think what got me into this mess and carry on with gusto.
Keep at it everyone and remember why you are doing this although I am slightly jealous of the people who have completed the program and reached their targets.
Just shows it can be done with real success.
Keep at everyone and keep supporting each other

hi nic,
yes ive experienced this feeling,i found making sure im drinking 3-5 ltrs of water a day,stops me feeling like that,without my water intake,the days a struggle.
bob.

Cauli pizza base? Tell me how, sounds good, I Love caulk rice. Telcos had a great deal last month, 3 for 2 on tubs of spiralised veg, Cauli rice, veg cous cous. All fab.

Hi all
I’m just starting week 6 and it’s going well. I’m losing weight, slowly but steadily, and my blood sugars are coming down a bit…….but my waist measurement is barely moving and I don’t seem to be losing any belly fat. In fact, I’m not sure where I’m losing weight from apart from my feet!!
I know that getting rid of the belly fat is so important. Any ideas??

One week into the 800 diet. Started at 17 stone 2lbs. I’ve lost 10lbs in that week. Hunger pangs left after three days, amazing. Learning to eat something approaching the Medittereanean way but I have 50 years of unlearning to do. I followed the book’s advice and visited my surgery before beginning. I was called back for a fasting glucose and cholesterol blood test this morning because my cholesterol was found to be 7.1. It took 3 attempts to find a vein and get the blood, by which time I (very unusually) saw the sparkles and nearly fainted. Very embarrassing. A retired police officer, blood (mine or anyone else’s) doesn’t phase me in the slightest.

I think it must have been the fasting overnight after a good week’s weight loss alongside a cycle ride to the surgery, but would be interested to know if this has happened to anyone else.

Good luck to all with your goals

Nic

Well done zt9612 and censap
Keep us updated on your progress, it’s great to see others doing well, even if a little slower than some.
Your experiences will add to the info that others are already finding invaluable.

Hi tallyhoo and fi I am also in my late 50’s just coming to the end of my 4th week, weight loss has been slow, but cholestrol down to 3.1 and fat around the middle is on the move (clothes feeling loser) have run out of my test strips, so need to order some more next blood test due in April so hoping to see a big difference keep up the good work

Thanks for the helpful post captainlynne. I was originally thinking of planning to have a 2-week break at the end of the 8 weeks, before re-commencing again to reach my total goal (59 pounds). But now I will carry on for an extra few weeks, which should get me there. (Started on 10 Feb and so far have lost 12 lbs.)

Bad day yesterday. Got a phone call from the Care Home at 12.30pm – my “oldie” had been involved in an altercation! I was summoned to the Manager’s office to sort it out. My stress level went off the scale. My oldie forgot what had happened after an hour and went back to being his usual happy oblivious self, where as I was still sorting the aftermath out.

Weight this morning: 11st 1lb
Blood Sugar: 9.2 (not surprised, but disappointed)

Spoke to Nurse Practitioner at Diabetic Clinic this morning, she hasn’t heard of this diet, I gave her the printouts from Professor Roy Taylor’s website, she is going to have a read. She discussed my meds and agreed it was sensible to not take gliclazide – to avoid hypos, but to continue taking the Metformin as I have been. We have agreed when I need to have my next blood test and I have another appointment made with her for the end of May to check on progress.

Am going to listen to a hypnotherapy CD today to try to calm down, am still feeling angry and wound up from yesterday. To look at me you would think I am a very kind laid back person, but I internalise my real feelings which is why I suffer from stress.

I’m two weeks in and have lost 1 stone so far, feeling great and pretty positive about the 3 1/2 stone to go. Thanks for the tip about entering the meals a day in advance on MyFitnessPal – that has worked well for me too. Anyone else getting irritated by its messages each day that you are not eating enough…?!

Hey Penny
that’s something I don’t understand, we are told 800 calories then Michael make the sweeping ststement about filling half your plate with veg but don’t weigh them (I don’t anyway)
Thing is, there are calories in there but also, who knows what size plates are people using ? A small tea plate half full holds a lot less than a large oval dinner plate.

Tallyhoo, it’s just your body’s last ditch effort at fighting back.
Stick with it hun, as long as you are putting in less calories than you’re burning, the weight loss will begin again – it has to.

Wow Nidge64 that’s some weight loss. You should be very proud of yourself
Keep on truckin ( I’ve always wanted to say that 🙂 )

Tallyhoo, like you I am in my late 50s and have lived with diabetes since my early 50s and feel that if I don’t do something about this now I never will! You have done very well so far so keep going – your BS results are amazing. If I can stop taking the evening glicazide and my lunchtime metformin I will be over the moon but have a way to go yet! Good luck and keeping reading the forums – I find they are a great motivation.

Wow, well done Nidge64 that’s really impressive. Preparing the meals ahead is a great approach. I’m impressed I even plan meals ahead at home! Good luck.

Thank you Tallyhoo I will do that. I’ll do the plain one and let you know!

Hi…..I just made up one (beetroot one) which I have to say looked so pretty but I actually didn’t like it – tasteless, will do the plain one next as I think the oil and tahini will help the flavour – good luck!

Hi people, Just joined this group. I have type 2 diabetes and have had for 10 years – on usual drugs – have really ignored the situation but now in late 50’s have acknowledged I need to do something to help myself. Started on this 4 weeks ago and in that time followed it to the letter. I love the food!! It’s the first diet I feel I can carry on with because I actually enjoy it and (so far) don’t feel the need for bread, pasta, cakes etc which was my staple diet. I have lost 1 st 3 lbs in that time but more importantly my fasting blood sugars are down from 10.6 – 5.4 and that was in 3 weeks alone! I think I may need to visit my doc to see if I can start to reduce my metformin – soooo exciting a possibility!!

I HAVE STALLED though – never had this happen to me before………..but thank you for your posts as I know I can carry on and am looking forward to the day when more pounds come falling off………..read various googled articles which were depressing ie eat less, exercise even more! Lovely to have the support and share stories.

Hi everyone, I have just started this diet and am a “bit confused” about the lunch for Wednesday Hummus 3 ways? Do you have to have all 3 or can you just pick 1? Sorry sounds like a bit of a stupid question??

Hi Mooster, I have hypothyroidism and have great difficulty keeping a sensible weight. When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism it was so bad I had developed a goitre! The consultant told me I was quite likely to develop diabetes which is why I am so keen to do this diet. It has worked well so far – I have lost 22lbs in four weeks and now have a BMI of 24. The thing that worries me is that even if I have done a long arduous hill walk and eat as much as 1000 calories my weight goes up again. I am concerned that as soon as I start eating 1000 calories daily my weight will go up again as I was eating around 1400 calories a day before this diet and was gaining weight rapidly. I’ve decided that when I complete the eight weeks carbs will be a very rare treat as I do feel much better in myself on this diet. I am planning on having my thyroid blood test redone soon as losing a lot of weight may have an impact on how much levothyroxine my body will need. I became gluten intolerant which is apparently not unusual for people with hypothyroidism so watch out for symptoms when you return to carbs in your diet.
Let’s hope those of us with hypothyroidism keep on doing well as a result of this diet.
All the best, Hashimoto

I use no sugar jelly when I want sweet things. Your ideas awesome much appreciated. Do you ever use green lentils/ buckwheat? Or anything like that? I’ve found these very beneficial to keep my blood sugar level.
Thank you so much for advice I really loved it I’m hoping to start Saturday.

Hi guys
I am a long distance Trucker and as you can imagine I have eaten crap for years at truckstops and roadside cafes.
Started just over two weeks ago and like Neil was impressed with the initial weight loss.
I started at 20 stone 9lbs and weighed myself on Sunday and had to weigh myself several times to believe it as it read 19 stone .
I think those of us who are heavier seem to lose alot of weight at first because our BMI is so high and I notice reading the forums that the guys with less timber to lose lose smaller amount due to being closer to Thier natural BMI.
Anyone else doing this diet plan and working away from home planning meals works best as I now make all meals at home on Saturday and freeze them then put them in a plug in fridge and take out what I need each day.
Find it am extremely hungry on some days especially when doing 15hr shifts.
Determined to do 10 weeks before my glucose tolerance test.
Good luck everyone and reading your comment has helped me keep going and keep focused when I feel the urge to stray off the program.

Hi everyone, I am new to the site. Began on a trial basis last Tuesday 16th Feb, and officially started on Saturday, however I have lost 2.3kg since last Tuesday, that’s around 5lbs in old money! Really pleased and feeling so much better in myself!

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Posting to Celebrate my first four weeks are done, downhill from here-on…. only 10lb lost, but I don’t have too much too loose.

Blood sugar’s not as good as I’d like, but I’m not giving up, it’s a long eight weeks, and I don’t want ever start it again.

I’m planning to continue 800 cals per week for four days a week and low carb always. If the my liver isn’t losing it’s fat, then at least this diet does keep my blood sugars low.

I think this web site is brilliant, well done everyone! especially those struggling, it’s great to see people taking so much responsibility for their own health 🙂

I made the 6 meatballs in the recipe into 16 mini ones, then cut them into half after they had cooked, I had a few with lunch ( I estimated that dividing the mixture equaled each meatball being 50cals. ) they taste ok cold but reheat a lot faster being small. Perfect for that time when your body walks to the fridge and your brain says, now what can I pick at!

My darling caring sharing partner has passed on his flu to me. I now have a snozzle to rival Rudolf and this morning sneezed toothpaste all over the bathroom mirror. … on a good point now I don’t want to eat because I can’t taste anything!

Thankfully I’ve never been a great fan of crisps and my most indulgent is one small piece of darkest chocolate.

I made the carbless chicken curry from “ditchthecarbs.com” last night, didn’t enjoy the cauliflower rice the way it suggested, I found it a bit acidic but that could just be my taste buds. The curry I would definitely make again.

Feel like I’ve been hit by a bus but the dogs still need walking so about to drag myself around the park.

Keep it up my wonderful people! 🙂

Well in 2 weeks I’ve lost 2.5kg – or 5.5lb. It’s not easy sticking to 800 calories. I seem to be averaging 850-900, but that’s OK. The only reason I can cope is that this campus has a salad bar where I can choose my ingredients. No time to make up my own lunches. Will be glad to get back to 3 days a week and time to breathe – and make salads! A tip from a colleague is to make up a big box of salad ingredients, put a couple of sheets of kitchen towel on top, then the lid, turn it upside down and store in the veg compartment. It lasts for several days.

Yes, avocados are scarily high in calories aren’t they? The tuna and avo dip in the book is nice though. So is the sardine one. I google “calories in …” on my phone and keep a note of the things I eat often. Often more than I thought.

Hope your day in Nottingham goes well. Thinking how much walking is needed to burn off a slice of cake may help – 75 minutes!

Hi Sue
I don’t use the recipes much. I just use normal food but add a bit of fat and leave out the potatoes, rice, bread etc.
Today for example I had a home made shake for breakfast ( spinach, watercress, pear, tomato, almond milk, flax seed) which just means throwing it in the blender. Lunch was mixed salad leaves, ham, hard boiled egg, followed by plain yogurt, Apple, and almonds. Dinner was slow cooker beef stew which was beef, turnip, carrot, onion tomato pâté, water, a bit of red wine. Bung it all in the slow cooker at lunchtime. By evening when I finish work it’s cooked and fantastic.
So no fancy cooking. No herbs and spices.
Good luck with the diet. I’ve found not eating sweet things, when I had a tiny taste of cake yesterday it tasted too sweet.
Penny