This 8 week 800 calorie a day thing

On Day 15 and lost 12 pounds. I am overweight,so there is plenty to lose. Fasting GL down from 7.4 to 6.5.
I have found that stopping bread, potatoes and the rest of the carb poisons has also had the effect of reducing my hunger, so that this new regime is not the hardship I expected. I have come to the conclusion that high carb food is addictive- that is to say, eating them just makes you want to eat more. Better to avoid them all together.
I have also been pretty active. I have just finished wheelbarrowing 10 tons of hardcore 60 metres uphill and my strength has not been affected so far.
I will continue to monitor as I now have to get it all level and compressed. More physical work!

I can see that this would not be for everyone, but it is certainly worth a serious go.

Although I still have 6 weeks to go, I am already beginning to wonder what comes next. My thoughts at the moment are to go to 1000 cals and still keep carbs to the absolute minimum.

I have just finished day 35. Managed ok. Hungry at times but can generally work through it. Energy levels have been good. Still work an 11 hour day and manage walks and dance classes as normal. I started with a little extra Christmas weight with a BMI of 24.1, so did not expect to lose vast amounts of weight but have lost 10lbs and now have a BMI of 22.6. Don't want to lose any more weight when I finish but hope blood sugar levels drop a little lower, they were not high as pre diabetic but have only dropped a little (was 5.8-6.3 fasting now 5.5-5.8) I feel I have given this my best shot. If it doesn't work, I tried. I have a GP appointment in final week to check bloods, weight and blood pressure.

Edit. Yes I have felt very cold, even in the house, I am told that is because I am fat burning

@Jamrox, lost a lot of weight last year on 5:2 after an HBA1c of 49 which reduced to 46 within 3 weeks, quick enough for them to decide I was still pre diabetic. It was 43 in October. When I read about the 8 week Blood Sugar Diet I thought, I'll give it a go, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It is only for 8 weeks! It isn't for everyone though and I know that even seasoned 5:2ers have given up after a few days. I do tend to be a bit obsessive about new projects, which I think you need to be a little to stay on track.
Good luck @Jamrox.

I've had that cold right through even when the central heating is turned up problem when I've had a fasting day and find just eating a stalk of celery helps. I know you aren't fasting but the celery trick might help.

Jamrox said:

I little cat , how's your knee ? Hope it's feeling better . Mines still sore and I'm sick of it now . 2 weeks of hobbling also hurts your back , your hips etc doesn't it

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Hello jamrox and little cat, I hope your knee pain eases. It's been just over eight months since I had my second knee replacement done and I'm pleased to say doing a lot better. Losing some weight and getting more mobile has been a struggle for me until I started this diet. Today I managed a hill walk for an hour at a steady pace and really surprised myself bs readings 4.0 before dinner and 4.8 at bedtime.

Jamrox said:

Hi I've been successful in keeping my BS under control by diet and activity for almost 3 years and I'm pretty proud of that.
BUT ... I've now hurt my knee and I find myself slipping back to bad habits ( I do this now and again but not much ).

Anyway I listened to Jeremy Vine yesterday and they were talking about the 8 week 800 calorie plan . I think it is what I need just now , a bit of discipline to make focused while I'm restricted with a sore knee .

Just wondered what people think .
Has anyone done it , the book sites loads of success . It's really just an exaggerated low carb plan and I low carb most of the time anyway so it's really just to keep me focused like I said .

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I've been doing this for a week and have dropped my PPs from 7.5 to low 5's. My dawn effect has gone too,with me I me presenting 5.2 this morning.

I am a little bit hungry BUT I'm enjoying the variety too.

I've not lost any weight at all BUT that isn't such an issue now.

DaveNN said:

I've been doing this for a week and have dropped my PPs from 7.5 to low 5's. My dawn effect has gone too,with me I me presenting 5.2 this morning.

I am a little bit hungry BUT I'm enjoying the variety too.

I've not lost any weight at all BUT that isn't such an issue now.

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My morning readings have improved a lot too. Not in the 5s yet but steady in the 6s which is good for me.

Food for me today .............
Greek yoghurt and berries
Omelette
Small cottage pie (topped with mashed celeriac) & kale

In my last week but today I can no longer be described as a 200lb Gorilla (Now 199.5) lol

Hi @Jamrox,
Apologies - I haven't read through this entire thread but hopefully I've got the gist of it. Weight loss is going to be easier with exercise and if you're not able to get out and about, how about using all those major muscle groups in your tummy and arms and just start fitting in some crunches and weights? It might not be quite as appealing as leg work (I know you're a dedicated spinner on the bike), but it will certainly help you trim up.

Hi @Jamrox,
I started the 800 calorie Newcastle Diet just over a month ago. It's well devised and you don't starve. I use Tesco Ultraslim shakes, which are quite palatable, three per day (breakfast lunch and tea) made with 125ml skimmed milk and 125ml water. I also make 200cal non-starchy veg meals to have at tea time (the shake is then a 'dessert'. I make Cappuccino using milk reserved from the shakes to have at breakfast. I've lost 7kg so far from a starting point of 97kg but my target is 70kg, so I've a way to go. I don't 'work out' as such but I go for a 4-5 mile walk three times during the working week and each Saturday and Sunday. I also have some small weights to do curls with. I must say that after the first few days the hunger pangs stopped but I drink cal-free drinks regularly between meals. My BG is still persistently high, generally in the 6-7 range and sometimes up to 8 but I feel hugely better. I have only broken the diet once for my daughter's birthday when we went out for a meal but I compensated by not having the shakes that day. My plan, when I have completed the eight weeks is to switch to the 5:2 diet gradually, monitoring my weight to get the correct balance. I weigh myself daily but track my weekly average weight. Day-to-day weight fluctuates wildly and unpredictably due to hydration levels, bowel function and variations in daily energy use, hence the weekly average. I hope my BG stabilises at the end of all this; I've been diabetic for about six years so there's no guarantee but the other health benefits will be worthwhile. I sleep better, my blood pressure is lowering and I feel mentally more alert. It's working for me!
Guthlac

Mal1978 said:

800 calories a day would drive me insane, I consume between 3-4000cals a day and still want more. I would imagine your energy levels will go through the floor and you will feel like sh*t most of the time, I wouldn't recommend it at all.

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but no.. that's not what happens.. I fast every other day prob less than 200 cals my energy levels are the same as the days I eat.

DaveNN said:

I've been doing this for a week and have dropped my PPs from 7.5 to low 5's. My dawn effect has gone too,with me I me presenting 5.2 this morning.

I am a little bit hungry BUT I'm enjoying the variety too.

I've not lost any weight at all BUT that isn't such an issue now.

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No longer hungry at all BUT do demolish my meals, as usual.
I've dropped 4lb since the above and my BG levels are still as above.
The highest PP I've had was after a lump of steak ( for some reason) and that was 6.4mmol. I really do hope that others reading this give it a go...

To be clear, I'm not touching the shakes...as I want this 'diet' to resemble real life now and after. When I do eat out I cannot expect Miller and Carter ( other restaurants are available) to blend up a rump steak for me. HOWEVER...this in no means me decrying the shake based diet, nor those who are enjoying ( or will soon enjoy) the benefits. I wish you all well.