Walnuts are very high in calories. About 13 calories for 1/2 walnut. However, they are a good fat and help me feel satisfied longer. I weigh them out to be sure of the calories! 10 grams are 65 calories.

Hi, I am 67 years old, my weight was 15stone 7 pounds. I was diagnosed as a T2 Diabetic in September 2015. I have been following a low carb diet and have reduced my blood sugar readings, and now weigh 13 stone 7 pounds. I am not content! I really like the sound of Dr Michael Mosley’s 8 week diet plan. My husband and I have both just started and are looking forward to slimmer and healthier bodies!

Hi there,
My 73 year old mum put the book in my hand. My dad is type 2, she’s already fed him so well that his GP is in awe of the change in his numbers. He has come off statins which is great for many other reasons… Mum is also starting this week to loose some weight gained in the last year or so. I hope you give it a go and are reassured by some of the success stories on this forum. Good luck! X

These results are really encouraging to read. Well done to you all!

I’m just getting lunch ready for tomorrow and was weighing out to see if the book is close to my estimates. But, when I am preparing for this lunch on day 2 it says the whole thing is 290 calories. However, myfitnesspal has said that 48g (Small handful) of walnuts is 340 calories!!!! VERY confused 😁. What has everybody else done? Thanks. I don’t want to mess up by a few walnuts!!

Hey well done. I only hope I can do as well as you. Starting Monday

I asked my doctor about this. He said to watch the blood sugar and if it gets too low or I start having hypos, to reduce the dose

The book says you can do any 2 days, either consecutive or split them up.

I’m vegetarian & have been eating 100g of mixed pulses every day. I’m on day 12 today & have lost 5.5kg (12lbs) so it certainly does not slow down weigh loss!

Flora, I am in my 60’s too and will be starting on Monday.

First of all, may I say get a new doctor! I start on Monday so can’t really share my experience yet, but from everything I’ve read, eating lower carb and/or following a low glycemic load diet is the way to go for our blood sugar issues, and I believe Dr. Mosley is right on the mark with that. Adding in the 8 week thing and/or 5:2 is like icing on the cake. I am so confident that will really help me. The best to you!

Congrats to all who are losing on the plan. I’m finding it a bit hard to navigate here, and didn’t realize there were over 50 posts, so a big congrats to all who are using this plan and making it work for them. I start on Monday.

Oh way to go !!!

Still at the 6lb loss.. no change to waist yet !

Congratulations! I receive my book tomorrow and start on Monday.

Fabulous Marjorie! Congratulations. I haven’t started yet. I receive my book tomorrow and will start Monday. Probably starting with 5:2 to ease myself into it. Did you find the first week very hard?

I should have posted here first before jumping into the 5:2 forum.

I am obese and pre-diabetic. I KNOW that this approach will help me. I ordered my book from the U.K, because we won’t be getting it in the States until March. I’ll probably be doing it backward – I’m interested in starting the 5:2 approach, and if need be will ease myself in the 8 week thing.

Glad to meet you all!

End of my first week and I’ve lost 8 and a half pounds and 2 and a half inches from my waist 😀

Hello ,
I am 67 years old, weigh 14stone 9lbs and have been type 2 Diabetic for 6 years, am also on statins.
I started the diet last week and was 14stn 11 lbs, so I have lost 2lbs in a week, haven’t been able to do that in 6 years!!!
Also go for 1/2 hour walks at least once a day. My blood sugar levels have gone down, so not using as much insulin which will also help with losing weight.
Give the diet a go, you have nothing to lose apart from weight and see your diabetic nurse if you have any queries, and don’t let anyone tell you you are too old to do anything you want to do!!

Hi, I’m into my third day and have lost 3lbs, I’m happy with this for starters! I woke with severe migraine today so, as usual, this will mean a day in bed! I was expecting it at some point as when trying to understand my migraines some time ago, I bought a blood sugar monitor. I found that if I woke with a migraine my bloods sugars were below 4 mmls, so I’m guessing this is what has happened today. I can’t test as I haven’t any test strips and they are a bit expensive to buy! I’m wondering if there is anything I can do about this? Or will my blood sugars just sort themselves out?

Hello everyone!
I read the book over the weekend. Could not put it down. I made a start on he 8week programme yesterday and I have a headache today but I believe de-hydration has a lot to do with it so have bottle of water in hand.

I’m not diabetic but Type2 is on both sides of my family (father and maternal grandmother). I’ve become more and more addicted to refined/sugary/carby foods over the years, my weight has varied but never been as low as I’d wish. I’m now at a stage in my life where I need change. As a Mum to 2 busy boys, having little to no energy and mood swings is not conducive to the lifestyle I’m trying to achieve for them. I’m trudging through and I don’t want to be this reliant on sugar any more. I want to do what I can to change my mind & body so I don’t head straight headlong into the docs office one day to be told “I told you so” .

May the force be with you all. I’m so pleased to see this forum and hope to read lots of success stories in the near future. What’s 56 days in the long run aye!?

Oh ok – so its really a no oats bircher! Well that makes a bit more sense.

Michael suggests that if you finish the 8 weeks and you still have more to lose that you move on to the 5:2 BSD (p. 147).

Thankyou Gateofheaven. It looks to me as if you have it all covered.
At the weekend I will put that lot into MyFitness Pal and then I wll be able to cover anything missing with an extra small meal.

I am concerned about this too. I am just going to be sensible and use moderately. The book is very specific and only uses very small amounts. It is so good being able to use dairy products and olive oil instead of them being banned never to use again. Will see how it goes.

Can you continue on the BSD past 8 weeks if you have a lots of weight to lose?

That is comforting to know, thank you. If this change in lifestyle leads also to a drop in bad cholesterol readings also, I will be thrilled.

Hi to all,

Im in Melbourne Aus and am starting on 01/02/16…. gotta empty the bad stuff out of the house 🙂

Great to hear how you are all going!
Keep up the good work….

Anyone in Australia looking for the book – I got my copy at Kmart for around $20.

My mum is doing it with me and she’s 76- day 24 and counting. She’s generally healthy except for recently diagnosed pre-diabetic fasting glucose readings and isn’t having any problems (we live in the same house and I’m doing the cooking). I think there are a few people around your age who have posted here so they’ll probably be able to help. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I am 68 years old and 14st 9lbs. Have been type 2 diabetic for 5years. I was resigned to the fact that this was my all until l read the book. My GP was less than enthusiastic and said l was too old for the low cal diet and suggested a slimming club and a low fat diet. I am worried that without being monitored l could have a few problems. I do have high blood pressure and take statins. I really would like to hear from anyone around my age who has tried this diet.

I also combine the kale with the blueberries for heck of it sometimes. 🙂

I am on day 3 as well. I still feel hunger pangs.Waiting for it to get better. I suppose it takes a bit of time for the stomach to shrink…

I’m having more fat and less carbs than mentioned above generally 30-45 grams fat and 50ish carbs. But it varies day to day and I don’t think we need to get bogged down by numbers as long as we stick to the rules. I don’t eat beans or lentils so that could be keeping my carb count so low, I only have vegetables and around one serve of fruit per day as carb sources. It’s working, so I’m not worrying!

2 tbs flax seed meal (14 gr) – 80 cal (4.5 gr fat, 3g protein, 5 gram carb)
12 oz almond milk (360 ml) 45 cal
1/2 cup blueberries (71 gr) 41 cal
1/4 C. Plain egg white protein powder i get from Amazon. 20 gr. – 80 calories (16 grams of protein) I sometimes add more if my protein count is low.
3.5 walnuts 47 cal. 4.6 fat, 1.1 protein, 1 carb.
Now that i know that specific fats are “good” occasionally I’ll add a few walnuts. They are about 13 calories each. This helps with satiation.
I sometimes add cinnamon, which i understand is an appetite suppressant. Also, i like cardamon.
Total calories of recipe above: 293 calories.

I sometimes substitute kale and nutmeg for the blueberries for a savory taste and fewer calories. I add the amount that tastes good to me – about 1/2 cup which is 17 calories. Sometimes I skip the berries altogether.

1/4 cup cooked Steel cut oats (59 gr) 42 calories – i rarely put these in. Only if I feel the need of carbs. But i try to avoid carbs to some extent in the morning because then I’m less hungry the rest of the day.

I don’t tolerate milk well, but since it sounds like you do – that would increase your calcium, protein, and fat. it’s a good fat too if you use whole milk and the fat satiates. Perhaps see if a cup is enough, if not, add more. You can always add a little water or ice! if you don’t want to add more milk. The ice gives it a milkshake experience, which is fun and i enjoy. Or, frozen berries would do the same.

I’m in the States and goat’s milk kefir as well as cow’s milk kefir are in many grocery stores, health food stores and co-ops. Since kefir has more probiotics, my doc prefers that i use it.

I only use this for one meal in the day. Oftentimes alternating it with eggs, peppers, onions, olive oil and Daiya cheese (vegan)in the morning. The rest of the time i eat regularly.

I would ask Dr. Mosley what he thinks of how well the nutritional needs are met with this.

Good luck!!!

I don’t know what anyone else is doing but I’m having a square of 90% dark chocolate- it sure keeps the cravings away and is a little bit of sweetness (extra lovely with a cup of tea with milk)- I’m pretty sure I’ve seen chocolate in the south of France and that’s pretty close to the Mediterranean 🙂

Good luck and hope you all feel better soon

Yikes! 5.2 lbs. the second week! I need new glasses.

Congratulations!

gateofheaven, I appreciate your feedback so, so much. My goodness, you are truly a success, and congrats on the first 9.2 pounds lost. I too have heard about plateaus. I’ve also read that weight loss is not linear – it goes up, it goes down – but it’s the downward trend, the big picture that matters.

I was going to start right in with 5:2 on Monday. I have such issues with hunger, the thought of doing 800 cals for 8 weeks sounded awful. But I experimented and ate 800 calories of protein and veg, and I can’t believe how sated I was. Well, the book will arrive on Thursday. You are fortunate you received yours so quickly! I’m a fast reader, and will get what I need from it before Monday my first fasting day!

Thank you for the tips about fat. When my husband saw his doc the last time (he needs to lose weight), the doc told him “eat more fat!”..we both thought he was crazy.

Thanks again for your feedback and good wishes.

I agree. I am on statins since having a heart attack 3 years ago, and I am certain there is no problem being on this Blood Sugar Diet with those.

Yeah, I’m beginning to think that about raisins myself. I think you are right GoH. I’m going to go for berries as a snack myself now.

Hi Malkay
I also have reactive hypo. I have not started the 800 yet and am nervous because of the possibilities of hypo which makes you feel so awful. However, my understanding is it’s the carbs and sugars that make the hypos happen so I think ‘no bread ‘ is the answer , just quinoa and brown rice in very small amounts. According to the theory, a few days after coming off the carbs completely we should stop having the problem. Fingers crossed and good luck.
Penny

Gateofheaven, that sounds a good mix. Any idea of the calories or whether it covers nutritional needs? I can’t stand the chemical taste and sweetness of the usual commercial meal replacement shakes but don’t quite feel confident to design my own in case I miss some vital nutrient; 8 weeks is quite a long time to be relying on them.
I am vegetarian but do eat eggs so yours sounds tempting.
Where do you get your kefir? Never tried it but have read about its health benefits.

Hi Caroline – A low carb diet is likely to improve your lipid profile. Assuming your medication is a statin you should be fine to to the diet. Good luck with it – hope you manage to improve your sugars

I m assuming it’s no carb in the way we think of carbs as grains etc.
Penny

I make a homemade replacement shake that is filling and it can be adjusted or modified as one pleases. 12 oz Unsweetened almond milk (since I don’t tolerate cow’s milk easily). 1/4 – 1/3 C Plain eggwhite powder. Berries. Cooked steel cut oats 1/4 cup (I cook up a batch and freeze it in an ice cube tray, then pop them out and bag them). 2 tablespoons flax seed meal (helps with constipation and is a good fat). I found it necessary to start slowly with the flax because it caused discomfort. Moved up bit by bit to 2 TBL. A few weighed out walnuts. Sometimes I add favorite spices like cinnamon, cardamon. Sometimes some xylitol that i saw mentioned in the book. I’m playing around with whole milk goat kefir as a shake base too. Sometime I might try whole goat’s milk and delete the walnuts. Then I write down the ‘recipe’ with calories, fat, protein, and carbs for later reference.

Looking at what michael wrote it seems you release sugars from your muscles when you except use so you should be ok on the 800
Penny

I make a homemade replacement shake very close to Mullaway man. 12 oz Unsweetened almond milk. 1/4 – 1/3 C Plain eggwhite powder. Berries. Cooked steel cut oats 1/4 cup. 2 tablespoons flax seed meal (helps with constipation and is a good fat). A few weighed out walnuts. Sometimes I add favorite spices like cinnamon, cardamon. Sometimes some xylitol that i saw mentioned in the book. I’m playing around with whole milk kefir as a shake base too.

I ordered it from speedyhen on Jan 2 and it came Jan 9.
I do understand the urgency. i felt it myself. Removed all tempting foods while waiting for the book. Looked up Mediterranean diet to know what to have in the house. Prepared my mind! Started the diet Jan 10. I have a complex, tricky medical history, so i’ve had to be very careful. Have included my doc in all aspects.
Because it is so important for me to lose weight, I’ve been very strict. Weighed everything on a kitchen scale. veggies included. i measured a ‘drizzle’ of oil – surprisingly high in calories. I use a teaspoon at a time and that’s 40 calories.
The quick weight loss has been it’s own reward. I was gung-ho the first 5 days and then I thought, ‘this is HARD’. Didn’t feel so hot the first 6 days. Realized that I needed to acknowledge that and not expect it to be easy. But starting day 10 it WAS easy. I’d figured out what i could eat and feel well.
I lost 9.2 pounds the first week. 5.2 pounds the second. Nothing so far days 14, 15, 16. Not too worried since I have seen others post about plateaus. I know to just keep it up. I try to keep notes about the meals that make me feel best; which ones leave me satiated the longest. I compare the easier days with the bad to see what the differences are.
Things really started taking off when my doc showed me research about the benefits of more fat in my diet. Fat???!!! But he was right. As soon as I added walnuts or more olives or olive oil and the like, the hunger stopped and my mind became clearer.
Good luck to you! It works!

The peanut butter and cream cheese dip is a great lunch. I take that in a pot with carrot, celery and pepper. Very satisfying. I have had it everyday and am not fed up yet.

That’s a great attitude.
Penny

Hi Cvrus
That was really bad luck. Hope things go well now you’re back on track.
Penny

Hi Jules
Good luck with it. I’m about to start.
I also have the kindle version of the book. I ve discovered that if you highlight something it then shows up in Notes which makes it very easy to find. Hope this helps.
Penny