8 weeks to Christmas Eve! Any pre-Xmas starters want to explore this together?

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posted by AlanT
on 29 Oct 2018 at 12:42

Hi All.

I’m warming up and getting ready to go!

Officially starting today in my head (as it is a Monday and 8 weeks to Christmas) but I have ordered the book for delivery tomorrow and will start to work out the shopping lists, meal plans and recipes over the next week or so. Just wondered if anyone else was thinking of giving it a go in the run up to Silly Season and avoiding the usual excesses that this time of year brings.

ABOUT ME (if anyone is interested) :
* 42 year old male from Chester.
* 6ft 2in and stocky build
* 17stone 8lbs (this morning)
* Would like to be 15.5 stone so a 2 stone goal for now.
* Couple of other health-related issues (nothing serious like Diabetes) that I know this will help
* Very much an all or nothing kind of person. I do excess very well – drink gin and/or wine every night, eat out regularly, great social life etc etc. However, when I diet properly I can generally be quite strict with myself. Have had success in the past with Slimming World and 5:2 but then I gradually put it back on. Really like the sound of this for other health benefits beyond weight loss.

MY PLAN:
* No booze or treats until Christmas Eve
* 800cals every day for next 8 weeks
* Gym twice a week (weights and low-intensity cardio)
* Loads more water – I drink next to none other than in coffee
* Cut out bread completely
* Think about fruit more carefully as generally when I diet I think all fruit is a winner – apparently not the case here.

INEVITABLE CHALLENGES:
* Learning this diet. Totally different mindset from other diets (Hopefully the book will help)
* Christmas and the amount of temptation around every corner. (Just need to be strong)
* Planned nights out with friends – one is a brewery masterclass day!! (Could cancel the brewery and just be good where poss)
* 2 cookery courses planned with the Mrs (Seriously – what can you do!?!?!)
* Socialising. I have no kids and we go out a lot! (What do I order in restaurants?? It would be easier to be Vegan these days!)
* Booze. I drink a lot but I know I can just say ‘No’ with booze so not too worried.

Well, that’s my plan. If anyone else is interested in keeping in touch and supporting each other then drop a line in here and we’ll see how things work out.

Sorry if this is not what you’re meant to put in these forum thingies – not done this before.

Alan
posted by Violinist
on 29 Oct 2018 at 12:45

Hi Allan, you are in the right p,ace and I have your very same goals. I just started a thread of my own yesterday. Good luck!
posted by AlanT
on 29 Oct 2018 at 13:57

Oh no! I didn’t see that as your post is not in the Fast 800 section. Apologies.
I have read your post now – how funny that we both followed the same format as we started the thread. At least I know I didn’t get it totally wrong. Good luck.
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 29 Oct 2018 at 14:25

Hi everyone,
I am in the same boat – started the BSD diet today with 8 weeks to Christmas 2018. I honestly can’t deal with January despair, being at my highest weight (again) and having to start from Square 1 after all the festivities. Way too depressing for me. I’d rather make the effort now in the run up to Christmas and be miles ahead when sad January rolls around (and hopefully only have a few pounds from Christmas Day/NYE to shed).

I am a 29 yo female and a serial yo yo dieter for the past 14 years. I have lost weight and regained more pretty much multiple times every single year and I am so sick and tired of this rollercoaster. Also suddenly starting to worry that my age and weight will lead to a pre-diabetic diagnosis the next time I go to a doctor. I have not tested my blood sugar, I can’t face a possible negative result so have decided to dive into the BSD and bring my health back in check before I do get that shock.

I am 5ft 7 inch tall and weigh a sad 15.3 stone with a BMI of 32.41. I am so ashamed of the way I look and just generally try avoid looking at myself in mirrors at all and never take photos. I am so sad of feeling like a shell of myself, dreading social events as I have nothing that fits, can’t wear the clothes I actually like, constantly feeling uncomfortable in clothes as I refuse to buy bigger clothes and feeling like I have the body of an 80 year old as I have become so sedentary and eat whatever I like.

For once, I am doing this as much for my health as I am for weight loss so I feel completely different approaching a diet this time and I am sure in my mind I will succeed. My goal is to lose close to 3 stone in 8 weeks, which I know is extremely ambitious, but as Dr Mosley says, people actually do better with ambitious goals so I am going for it!

I am half way through the book, trying to finish it asap so I know all the components of the diet/lifestyle asap. I had amazing results on an attempt of a few weeks of the 5:2 earlier this year so I CAN’T WAIT to see the results I’ll get on this diet. The only part that terrifies me is coming off the diet and regaining it all back A-G-A-I-N 🙁 – does anyone have any Diest follow-up experiences they could share to avoid piling the weight back on again?

I have never really done the whole forum thing but would love to have some encouragement/diet buddies to keep up with. I plan on posting my results here every day (or as often as I can), for my own accountability and hopefully to encourage others as I love reading other people’s results for motivation.

Good luck to all!
posted by AlanT
on 29 Oct 2018 at 15:37

Right Jessy – we are going to do this! You and me. Even if no one else joins us we can smash this!

I ‘get’ everything you have said. I’m at my highest weight (again) and I’m sitting here in a shirt that is opening at the buttons around my tummy because, like you, I don’t want to give in to the fact that my clothes don’t fit me any more. I have a wardrobe full of clothes I’d love to feel more comfortable in. The other day I was getting a train at Euston and the shirt I had on was making me feel so uncomfortable that I gave in, went into FatFace (appropriate!) and bought something in a size bigger.

Like I said, this is also the first time that I’m doing this for health so we are on the same page there plus I yo-yo terribly.

With regards to the book – I have not bothered with the main book that explains it all – just gone straight for the recipe book so I’m cooking the right food in the right quantities. Would you recommend the book? Is it an essential part of this do you think?

Happy to do daily updates if you think that would help.

3 stone. Big ask! I’ll try and join you on that target too if you think it would help to be on the same track. What the heck – I can go for 3! Well there you go. Just like that, we are diet buddies. Let’s see if it helps. Hope so.
Here we go!
Alan
posted by Violinist
on 29 Oct 2018 at 17:22

Alan, that is pretty funny. Great minds think alike!

Jessy and Alan, lets do this!!
posted by Baziboo
on 29 Oct 2018 at 18:32

We’re al in the same boat then! I’m female, 52 and reached my heaviest on weigh-in today at 11stone 4. I need encouragement this time around I feel. I’ve been off the wagon for 8 weeks already, and I’m keeping up with my fitness regime so it’s now the eating to conquer. I hope we can all support each other. I start on the 30th. Good luck one and all.
posted by KazzUK
on 29 Oct 2018 at 18:55

Good luck, Alan, Jessy and Baziboo. I’m already part of the Roadtrip to Xmas thread so won’t join you here but I will pop in to see how you are all doing. 😁. I’m an old timer and there are a lot of us here more than happy to encourage and support. I would just say the macros in the recipe book can be a bit out so I recommend using an app like MyFitnessPal or FatSecret to log everything you eat. You can plan meals in advance on there also. Jessy, once people reach their target and move to maintenance, the general approach is to increase calories by an extra 50 a day a week at a time. But right now, just concentrate on cutting right back on the refined carbs and eating healthy fat, moderate protein. Fat is good, sugar and starches are not so. It’s the opposite to what we have been taught all these years. Check out the Take a Look at This thread. Full of interesting podcasts and articles you’ll fine very interesting! 😁. You CAN do this! Good luck!
Kazzee
posted by AlanT
on 29 Oct 2018 at 19:05

Hi

It looks like there are loads of threads for the same thing. Oh well. As long as we all make progress.

Just downloaded my fitness pal app and added the day today. All good so far! Please keep providing tips and tricks. Like you say, it’s so hard to reprogram the brain when it comes to dieting.

Al
posted by alliecat
on 29 Oct 2018 at 19:32

Hello, Alan, and welcome to the community 🙂 You are quite correct, there are a lot of newbie threads that overlap well
established ones, and this is especially prevalent prior to the holidays. The advantage to joining Kazzi’s “roadtrip”, or
the weekly or monthly challenges (Re-focus or Zoomers in the title) is that you will have an opportunity to meet a
cross section of those of us that are experienced maintainers, as well as newbies and others that are midway to reaching
our goals. They are always lively, and filled with great knowledge and support. Stop by, and you will be made very
welcome. I look forward to seeing you there!

Allie
posted by Jennie10
on 29 Oct 2018 at 19:55

Hi Alan and everyone
I started BSD for a second time on 8th October and I’m on the October 1st thread, but would love to join this thread too, Since the 8th, I’ve lost 6lbs, put it back on, and lost it again – so I feel like I’m pretty much still at the starting point. There’s something about having just enough time to do the 8 week BSD which appeals to me. I’m just about to go out so I’ll say more about me and my goals later tonight – or tomorrow !
posted by VikChappers82
on 29 Oct 2018 at 20:51

Hi all,
I too have started the BSD today. It’s kind of a two fold thing really. I am the heaviest I have ever been right now and I feel unattractive and plump. I have a goal of 16lbs which I feel is possible – a 2 lb a week loss – plenty have achieved this so why the heck not me right?!
I am 36 years old, a busy mum of 3 and working too. My job is a nurse in a GP surgery and I specialise in diabetes. So on to my second of the two fold reasons. I have been advised in recent updates for diabetes that this diet is brilliant and I should promote it. My thoughts were how can I do this if I have not tried it myself.
I don’t have diabetes but have become more aware over the last few months that sugar and carbs are fuelling me a lot of the time and the weight has gone on.
I am 5ft 2 and currently weigh 67.4kg as of this morning. That’s 10 st 6 lbs. My BMI is 27. I have to sort this for myself and my family as well as my patients.
Day one has been fine. Just have to plan the meals in advance and it seems like it will be do able.
My other half is doing it with me so that helps. I haven’t been able to completely purge all the cupboards of carbs as I have kids so their cupboard has been allocated and that’s it.
Good luck to you all. Really keen to be a part of your journeys.
posted by AnnieW
on 30 Oct 2018 at 09:42

Hi Vik and welcome. Great that you are doing this from your patients and your own perspective. Have you had a chance to look around the site yet? The Resources section at the top should be helpful to you in your professional capacity, the book will just help!
You can cook the same meals for all the family, just giving extra healthy carbs to those that are not on this path.
You have spotted one of the most helpful things you can do for this plan – that of planning.
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 30 Oct 2018 at 11:03

Hi Vik, so inspiring to hear your reasons for doing this!
Day 2 today – I weighed in at 96.5kg, that’s -0.7kg (1.54lbs) since yesterday. I just need this to keep going for 8 weeks! Haha!
I did struggle slightly yesterday. My tummy was rumbling when I got in bed but nothing I couldn’t handle. I remember when I did the 5:2 earlier this year it was tough to begin with but the hunger just seems to disappear after a few days and I remember feeling so much less foggy and more focused. It’s as if by knowing exactly what I was allowed to eat, it took away those niggling “what can I go and snack on now” thoughts and I could just focus on other things!
It is great though to wake up on your second day of a diet and not feeling the consequences and guilt of a pig out the day before for once! Hope everyone else is on to day 2 feeling great!
Are you weighing yourself on a daily basis? I find the excitement of waking up to see new numbers keeps me from temptation to snack in the evening.
posted by VikChappers82
on 30 Oct 2018 at 12:49

Hi Jessy
I will admit I got on the scales this morning at work – same as the set yesterday, and have lost 0.4kg. A loss is a loss so I am happy and yes like you I feel encouraged when the figures are moving in the right direction, to keep pushing forward and leave those carbs well alone.
Good on you, a loss already like that is to be proud of, you keep going!
AnnieW, thank you for your kind words – I looked at the website for the first time last night – it seems like a great resource. One I can direct my patients to also. Love that there is this forum here to talk to others that are on the same journey – it makes you feel less alone and like there are others out there trying to improve their lifestyle.
I will not be at work after today until Friday, so will re weigh in then and hopefully see the weight coming off further – I want to use the same scales and also not become too obsessed with it – have done that in the past where you end up weighing in multiple times a day.
posted by AnnieW
on 30 Oct 2018 at 13:47

Hi everyone, especially newer posters – try and take some measurements and don’t just rely on the scales. Sometimes we lose inches/cms even though the scales don’t move. Measure the usual places as well as some different ones (arms, calves, thighs, neck). I lost from my neck, of all places, which I realised when some necklace/neckline combinations stopped working together.
If weighing and not getting what you expect might put you in a tailspin, don’t do it find another way, like how clothes are fitting to see what is happening. Remember also that weight fluctuates throughout the day and from day to day, depending in part, on what is in transit and how much fluids you are taking in. An overall downward trend is what you are looking for.
posted by AlanT
on 30 Oct 2018 at 16:54

Hi All,
Great to see so many of us in the same boat. Manic busy day today so apologies for the delayed update. Kept my mind off eating though!

Yesterday I didn’t eat until 6pm when I got home at which point I had a low fat cottage cheese.
1 hour in the gym (weights) and then home for chicken breast and veg.
No booze or snacks!
This morning I was 3lbs lighter on the scales which is a good start.

One downside! My Mrs said I had smelly breath in the afternoon which is not something I have ever suffered from. Is this normal if you don’t eat all day? I have been chewing gum all day today (sugar free).

Today I have not eaten all day again (just water and coffee) and am about to go out for dinner with a friend. I’ll be having a salad I think as I have no idea how you can count calories and carbs in a restaurant.
No booze tonight – on other diets I would have just gone for gin and slimline tonic but I have no idea if that’s OK on this diet so I’ll just not risk it.
I thought I could have nuts for some reason but when I checked out a bag at lunch time it would have been half my calorie intake for the day so I put them back on the shelf. 🙁
Good news is – the recipe book has arrived today so I’ll have a look at that this evening. That should make things clearer but for now I’m planning on just not eating from when I get up until 6pm. Do you think that is OK?
Hope you’ve all had a good day.
Keep the faith!
Al x
posted by alliecat
on 30 Oct 2018 at 17:18

Hi Alan. I’m not on your thread, but I sometimes have time to read what newbies are posting. Generally, when
questionable breath and dry mouth appear, that’s a sign that you are in “ketosis”, a very desirable state of being,
as you are accessing your fat stores for fuel. If you are experiencing a real boost of energy, you can be reasonably
certain that you are there. It’s a good thing! The bad breath thing soon passes. Best to you,

Allie
posted by AlanT
on 31 Oct 2018 at 11:00

Wow – ketosis! Sounds scary. Thanks for the intel. Really appreciate that.

This morning I was another 2lbs off which is great. Need 5lbs a week and I’ve done 5 in 2 days! I know that fast weight loss is short lived but it’s a good start.

Didn’t eat all day and then managed to survive a night out too.
Starter: Chicken and Chorizo Skewers
Main: Salmon Salad (full of croutons but picked them out)
Drink: Large bottle sparkling water

How is everyone else doing? Any tips on snacks, good meals etc would be good to share.
Have a great day everyone.
Al x
posted by alliecat
on 31 Oct 2018 at 11:28

Alan, I think you are off to a brilliant start! I’ve been “all in” with this lifestyle for 28 months, shedding 140lbs. in my
first 10 months, and I’ve been successfully maintaining since then. I tried to avoid snacking between meals, but
having a bowl of hard boiled eggs or some hummus and celery always in the refrig. was a great help for emergencies!
If I thought I was hungry, and neither of those 2 decidedly unsexy foods appealed, I knew I wasn’t really hungry at
all 🙂

Allie
posted by AlanT
on 31 Oct 2018 at 17:30

TOP TIP! Use tonight as an excuse to rid your cupboards of all the sweets and treats that the little buggers are hoping for at halloween. I’ve just emptied the treats cupboard so some lucky kids are in for a surprise tonight.
posted by KazzUK
on 1 Nov 2018 at 06:20

I didn’t have a single knock at my door! Just as well, as i had nothing to offer them! 🙂
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 1 Nov 2018 at 08:12

Hi everyone, it’s Day 4 for most of us! How is everyone getting on? I’ve now lost 3.75 lbs so I’m delighted! The only thing I’m suffering with is a thirst I can’t quench, which is good as it’s obviously making me drink a lot more (I barely used to drink a litre a day). Always happens to me when I go on a strict diet…is anyone else noticing the same?
I can’t say it’s been easy but my mindset is just completely different this time around and I know the results will be so good if I stick with it that I’m managing to quickly whip cravings/hunger out of my mind and feel really in control. I haven’t been STARVING but the hunger to eat more is definitely there. At the same time it’s giving me confidence that I can totally get by with 800 calories a day and still concentrate at work and get on with life. Makes me realise really how much I was eating out of boredom/frustration rather than hunger.
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 1 Nov 2018 at 08:13

Hi alliecat that is an UNBELIEVABLE result! Yay you!! Did you manage to stay on the 800 calories for 10 whole months??!
posted by alliecat
on 1 Nov 2018 at 09:04

Hello, jessygetsfit! I like the positivity in your username 🙂 Yes, I did just continue on until I crossed the finish line,
800cal/20g carbs. Gary Taubes book, “Why We Get Fat…and What To Do About It” really showed me the way, and is
a great companion to Mosley’s work. There are many of us experienced BSDers out and about, and between us have
been through it all 🙂 Just shout out if you have any questions, and we’ll happily answer them! Congratulations to you
for choosing this path to wellness. It absolutely works if you stick with it! Best,

Allie
posted by Jennie10
on 1 Nov 2018 at 09:36

Alan – what a great idea! Clear the cupboards and earn brownie points with a few local parents!
Jessygetsfit – That’s great news – and you sound so determined. You go girl.
Baziboo – how’s it going? You’ve done it before so you know you can do it again (we both can) – let’s help each other get back on track
Vic – as someone with Type II diabetes it’s heartening to hear that the BSD is being promoted as a good way of eating for patients (it worked for me). Here’s hoping for a good personal weigh-in for you tomorrow.

So, I’m in my early 60s, 5’3″ and 12 stone. I am also Type 2 diabetic. I did BSD in May 2016 and by Jan 2017 I’d lost 6 stone – I went from 15st 10lbs to 9st 9lbs. I put my diabetes in remission, became much more active and felt fantastic.
I still feel good. I am still active (gym, exercise classes, walking) but over the last 6-8 months I’ve started putting the weight back on (the old turning a blind eye on portion size thing). I’ve stayed with the low carb food (no pasta, potatoes, rice, chocolate etc) throughout and my Hba1c results are still in the normal range but my daily bgls are slowly creeping up, my knees are beginning to ache again, etc…..
So, I’m 12st (top of my overweight range) and want to get to 10st (top of my healthy weight range). My goal for Christmas is to lose 1 stone.
I’m actually going to Warsaw tomorrow until Tuesday, then back a day then off to a family wedding so my first challenges – but I’m up for it.

I’ll try to catch everyone later but if not (need to work out new Ryanair baggage policy!) have a great weekend, and I’ll catch up on Tuesday.
posted by AlanT
on 1 Nov 2018 at 19:07

Hi all,

Great to see some chat going on in here. Alliecat I love the idea of “if it doesn’t appeal then you’re not hungry” Amazing. Definitely plan to use that mentality.

Jess you aren’t alone. I drinking like a fish and am in the loo every 10 minutes as a result.

I have found a few things from the recipe book and I can’t believe how well we can eat with 800 calories. Will share some recipes as I experiment.

Just the 1lb off today which is still 6 over 3 days so can’t complain. However I’m off on a Russian cookery course now so we’ll see what tomorrow’s weigh in brings. Hopefully Russians eat plain chicken breasts and veg. We’ll see…

Take care all. Al x
posted by Nosugar4me
on 2 Nov 2018 at 06:41

Hi Alan, and all.
I am turning 57 early next year, 92 kg Australian female, 5’ 9 “. I started getting back into exercising 6 months ago after my doctor said my cholesterol was dangerously high and if I didn’t lower it before my next visit which is coming up soon I will need to be put on cholesterol medication. I decided firstly to get more mobile before addressing my diet. So currently I go to boxise 2- 3 times a week, a weight class 1-2 times a week. Walk to and from work (50 mins round trip) 5 days a week plus a 8-10 klm walk on the weekend. Even though my exercise has increased three-fold I cannot lose weight which I’m sure after reading the blood sugar diet is due to the sugar in my diet. I am planning to start this diet on Monday, 01 Nov, and if ok would love to join this feed. I thought by getting the exercise sorted the healthy eating would follow but sadly no. I do feel much better within myself for doing the exercise but deflated that there has been no movement on the scales. People have said that muscle weighs more than fat but I have not seen any change around my clothes feeling more comfy.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated as I do want to keep to my exercise regime whilst on the diet.
Regards Rowie
posted by VikChappers82
on 2 Nov 2018 at 08:54

Hi all,
So the scales today say I am down 1.4kg since Monday – so that’s 3lbs! I feel really pleased with this – 5 days in that is a number I can live with.
I am finding in the last day or so I am more emotional – feel tearful over stuff I would not normally be over. Maybe its the not reaching for chocolate to get the endorphins hit that’s starting to rear its ugly head! I am going to push through though and look forward to seeing what has been achieved in the first week – roll on Monday for that as I find this a real motivator.
Lovely to hear how you are all getting on with your journeys – you are all amazing! Have a great day 🙂
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 2 Nov 2018 at 09:31

Hi Vik, well done on the loss! I’m around the same as you with 1.8kg (3.96lbs) down since Monday. On some days I just lose 0.1kg which gets me down a bit, but then I weigh myself the next day and I’ll have dropped 0.6kg so it’s just a case of hanging in there, I know. I do feel quite weak this morning and I woke up with some serious hunger pangs but nothing I can’t ignore and get on with!
First weekend coming up…that is always my downfall. Back when I did the 5:2 earlier this year, I’d be really good all week and then take two steps back and put a kg back on over the weekend which was always so disheartening on the Monday. So this time I’m actually looking forward to not slowing down my progress over the weekend and hopefully seeing a smaller number on Monday. Can’t say I won’t be tempted to reach for the vino and some Friday night treats though!! Must. Stay. Strong!!
posted by AlanT
on 2 Nov 2018 at 18:25

Hi all,

Vik and Jessy well done. That’s great. And well done for striding on through those lows.

Last night I did the cookery course where we made Russian pie. Pastry made from scratch so I saw all the naughty flour and butter going in. Then the filling was buckwheat, potato, veg, garlic etc.

No booze and no other snacky bits, bread etc which was good but once it was out the oven I was so disappointed with myself as I just couldn’t resist. I went straight in and ate a good amount. Probably my whole 800 in one go.

I didn’t go overboard and hadn’t eaten all day so still lost 1lb this morning but I showed no restraint and if that had been pizza, kebab, burger I’m sure I would still have dived in. Looks like eating out is going to be where I get the temptation.

So 7lbs off in total from Monday to Friday. Not eaten anything today and not home from work yet so high hopes for Saturday weigh in. Going to be good this weekend but I’m away at a conference next week for 2 days which means hotel food and also have a meal out with friends with set menus (no choice for healthy options!!).

Don’t let the weekend be a temptation guys. We are all doing well and you’ll hate it on Monday if other people have been strong and you gave in. No Friday night gins or wine for us! We can do this!!

What do people think about weighing in less frequently? Maybe every other day. Just to stop the lows and disappointment if the increments get smaller. Just a thought.

Have a great weekend.

Al x
posted by alliecat
on 2 Nov 2018 at 18:51

Hi there, Al. When you venture out on the greater forum, you will discover that Tuesdays are the official day
to report on weight loss. Some members weigh daily though. I think it really depends on individual psycho-
logical make-up. It’s whatever feels right for you 🙂 I found that a tuesday and friday worked the best for me..
A way to be accountable to myself before and after the weekend!
posted by Baziboo
on 3 Nov 2018 at 08:28

Hi all, i’ve Had a mad week at work so have missed posting and touching base with everyone. Getting home from work after 9pm doesn’t make the diet easy, but I have stuck to it until last night! I missed lunch and drink throughout the day as it was manic, so came home late to a ‘healthy’ take-away… tandoori chicken, spinach and yes… rice! I also had a glass or red, it I don’t feel bad about that. I will be well-behaved today despite lunch date and night out later. Weigh day Monday or Tuesday? Not sure if a daily weigh is a good thing?
posted by Minnii
on 3 Nov 2018 at 11:21

Yep
Started this morning 🙂
posted by CJBA
on 3 Nov 2018 at 14:44

Hello, another “fallen of the BSD wagon” and wanting to rejoin. I did the original BSD earlier this year, lost about a stone but then family problems interrupted everything and it’s all come back on. I did start on this forum in October, but again family problems got in the way and I stopped.

So… I hope that I can join you as I’d like to lose around 1 – 2 stones by Christmas.

Brief details, female, 59 (rapidly approaching 60 though), 5″ 10 tall, weighing in today at 13 st 10lbs. Like most on here, I’ve been a serial dieter for years, trying various methods but each time I lose some, I regain it because family problems get in the way. One of my children has mental health problems: sometimes he’s OK, sometimes, he’s not. When he’s OK, then I’m OK and I can focus on this, when he’s not, then everything goes out of the window and I end up not being able to plan meals; life becomes a tad challenging, so food becomes the only thing that gets me through it.

I started again in October, then he came home because he was struggling (he’s at university), but he’s gone back now, so I hope to be able to look after myself for a bit. I’m doing this partly out of vanity, I don’t like my appearance when I’m this heavy, but also, for health reasons. I’m overweight and I need to get the weight down to a more healthy level for the longer term. I do do some exercise, but it depends on having the time available – but I’m trying to make sure that I can find the time, in spite of whatever might be going on.

I haven’t had the time to read all of the posts, but thought that it was a supportive place and it seems that my experience with BSD is not unlike that of many on here, so I felt “at home”. Having the support and reporting in will help me stick to the plan!
CJ
posted by VictoriaM
on 4 Nov 2018 at 13:13

Hi all, I’m in for this one. I’ve been away for a few months and put back most of what I lost, but as the NLP-era say there is no such thing as failure, only feedback, to I’m looking at the lessons and I’m back on the wagon.

Next mini goal is to get in the 13s by w/e 22 Nov.
posted by CJBA
on 4 Nov 2018 at 18:27

Good to think of it as feedback and not failure! Back on the wagon, too. Kitchen cupboards, freezer and fridge prepared (ie tempations disposed of), ready for tomorrow’s weigh-in and I’m sorting out plans for the week. Child number 2 will be home from university this week, so might be harder to stick to eating plan, but will use this forum to exercise will power!

I managed a 40 min run this morning and aim to get out tomorrow after I’m home from work. I’m used to exercising in the morning and prefer that but work commitments mean that I can’t get out until the evening – I’m not looking forward to running locally in the dark as I live in a semi-rural area and normally go out of town into the country roads but they aren’t lit so I’ll have to try and find a route based on street lights! When I was on the plan earlier this year, I was studying and it was spring, so light mornings and more time meant I could get out every day for 30 – 40 mins of running. I’m hoping to be able to repeat that, starting this week and pushing myself to get out when I get home.

Looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow morning.
CJ
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 5 Nov 2018 at 09:22

Hi All, how was everyone’s first week (for those who started last Monday?) 1 out of 7 down already! I must admit I feel great and happy I lost around 5.72lbs (from yesterday morning’s weigh-in).
I was really active this weekend with bike riding and lots of walking and I’m amazed how much energy I have!
The hunger has completely settled now and I’ve found it works better for me to skip breakfast and start eating around 13:00. On Saturday I wanted to have a slightly more indulgent dinner so I just fasted till the evening and barely even struggled! I’m finding that weirdly, until I eat my hunger just doesn’t seem to be stimulated. I am getting progressively less hungry/my mind is completely distracted on other things and I’m not constantly thinking “what can I snack on next”, which is liberating.
I believe I did go over my calories slightly yesterday, probably up to around 1,000 (a small vodka & 1 glass of wine…I just had to), but I’m trying not to feel super guilty about it and just thinking that if this is a lifestyle and not just a short-term fix, then I am fine to have some balance also.
Handy tip: For any of you using MyFitnessPal, I just found out you can scan the barcode of any product from your phone and it automatically brings up the nutritional info so you don’t have to stay looking for it! So handy while I was making a complicated recipe yesterday!
So ready to power through week 2 (and a huge well done to all those starting today)!!
posted by VikChappers82
on 5 Nov 2018 at 19:31

Hi all,
So one week in I jumped on the scales and felt a little disappointed. Total weight loss for this week has been 1.2kg which I know is a loss still but I totally let myself down over the weekend.
On Saturday evening I went to a games night at my sisters. I agreed to have a small glass of red, which then turned into 3 over the course of the evening. I am not usually a drinker so that makes it worse!
Then with my head held low on Sunday( with a hangover) I went to my mother in laws- she was making lunch for us. I had pre warned her we were on a low carb diet, she was doing a roast, so we were fine with the meat and veg but not roast potatoes or parsnips or stuffing etc. Well, in true style she had gone out and made us both feel like we had to at least have a roast potato. So I have well and truly blown it. I was on for a good 2 kg off at least and now have only managed just over the one.
RIGHT! Back on track today though and feeling even more determined to achieve this week! We have made the zucchini fritters this evening which were okay with a little frying steak. I am 85 cals over the 800 today but know I am back on track.
Hope you all have had a good day and well done you amazing people for pushing forward. I’m just off to read the children their bedtime stories whilst sipping a green tea with a water chaser! Such a colourful life I lead 🤪
posted by CJBA
on 5 Nov 2018 at 19:53

Congratulations, Jessy, that’s a great result. I’m the same too; I don’t really notice that I’m hungry until I start eating, then the desire to stuff myself is almost overwhelming. Congratulations to you too, Vik; you did lose some weight and will probably make up the deficit in the next day or two – but kudos to you for being able to get back on track and for dealing with the roast potatogate – “emotional pressure” from in-laws is hard to resist…

I have to confess to not going out tonight, but I had to walk into work this morning because the bus didn’t turn up. I thought that it was further than it was so I reasoned that I’d done my exercise for the day but it turned out only to have been 1.5m. However, it’s got me wondering whether it might be an alternative to running in the evenings; I currently work in this place two days a week, increasing to three by mid November, so I might try walking in in the morning (which I prefer) and I could try walking back in the evening, which would give me the 3 miles each time.

The nature of my work means that I see people in hourly slots; I don’t have the chance to get lunch as it means eating at 11am which is too early but then I can’t eat because I have back-to-back appointments between 12 and 4pm, by which time it’s too late. I did feel hungry when I got home today, so it was hard work resisting temptation. I had the lettuce taco wraps, measuring it all out. I still felt a bit hungry afterwards, so I had a tablespoon of hazelnuts. I’m not feeling too bad now, so the battle will be not to eat anything more.
I’ve got a pot of tea ready, so hopefully that will keep me distracted!
posted by Maxx
on 6 Nov 2018 at 17:55

Hi Alan.
I’m know I’m late but can I join you all? I will start tomorrow November 7th. I very much want to avoid the holiday over indulgence. Didn’t do too well for Halloween. ;(
I plan to do this in conjunction with intermittent fasting. For me, no eating after 3 p.m.

Maxx
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 7 Nov 2018 at 12:15

Hi Maxx, I hope your first day is going well! It’s never too late to start!
Day 9 today for those of us who started on 29 October – how is everyone doing? I’m on 6.6lbs weight loss so far. I’m a bit disappointed as the weight loss has already slowed. Obviously I know this is completely normal but I still can’t help feeling a bit disheartened when I step on the scale in the morning.
I have mostly been starting the day with a small late lunch of around 300 calories and then waiting all the way till around 6-7pm to have a more substantial dinner. I feel like having multiple small meals of around 200 calories just seemed to make me hungrier and constantly looking for small snacks. Whereas if I know I can’t eat till 13:00 and then again until I can have a good dinner, my mind seems to be ok with that!
I have to admit, by the time it gets to 7pm I am H-A-N-G-R-Y (Hungry & slightly angry!) and I do struggle but the determination that I KNOW this diet works for sure, and the fact I KNOW the results will be life changing is keeping me focused.
I hope everyone is doing amazingly well and slowly starting to see results! Hang in there!
posted by Filu
on 7 Nov 2018 at 12:54

Hi! I would love to join this, though I am a bit behind and have only started on Monday 5th. I have done the diet at the beginning of this year and lost 12 kg. Then first a stressful period then a summer holiday to make up for it got in the way and sadly I couldn’t keep it up and put 5 kg of that on.
As of this morning, I am 66.9 kg. (Age: 35, Height: 1.58 m) and would love to get to 58, get fitter, less hooked on carbs and sugar, more alert and smash my yo-yo dieting pattern for good. This time around I would like to plan ahead and foolproof for when life gets super stressful or requires me to leave my routine behind for a period; travel, odd work hours etc. I also suffer a lot from “hanger”! Any tips would be very much welcome!
I feel really motivated after reading all the comments and great results above, so let’s hope I keep it up. Looking forward to following everyone’s progress too:)
posted by JGwen
on 7 Nov 2018 at 13:34

Hi Guys, I keep seeing posts where people are depressed by the results by weighing themselves daily or are concerned about upwards fluctuations. – I came across an explanation of this and a way around, which I wanted to share with people. I have posted that on the Take a Look at This Thread.

I would appreciate some help / advice. I am making arrangements to talk with a local chief about running some courses on Keto / Low carb eating in my holiday let. I was thinking in terms of both mid week courses for a few people which includes practical sessions cooking different dishes, as well as weekend courses which would be more demonstration based. – I would really appreciate hearing from people what sort of topics they think should be covered on a course like that and what they have struggled with.

For those who follow a number of the common threads, sorry for posting this message on multiple threads, but I wanted to reach all the people who only focus on a single thread.
posted by VictoriaM
on 8 Nov 2018 at 16:56

Hi Filu, welcome. Like you I did the diet earlier in the year and then lapsed – hopefully we can both get to where we want to go this time!
JGwen, I can’t really help with the thoughts on the holiday let. I’ve found what is available as advice on line gave me plenty of help and what I needed was a support group of people’s experiences which I get from here.

My report – I’ve had a good start weight wise, but am feeling carb flu symptoms at the moment and am very hungry (on 800/20). Last time I started I had real flu and so the symptoms sort of merged. This time I’m feeling it. All the numbers are good – blood sugar in normal range, weight down and ketones showing well. I’ve never tested for ketones before and it was very exciting when the stick went bright purple!

I’m just hoping that the early symptoms don’t last too long and that I soon get the energy boost that people talk about!
posted by VictoriaM
on 8 Nov 2018 at 17:48

Hi again,

Please can someone explain to me how to measure vegetables in cups. MyFitnessPal measures kale and cauliflower that way, but I don’t know how to be exact. How fine do I chop the kale, do I press it down etc? With cauli although it says 1 inch pieces I can get a very different amount by juggling the pieces into a jigsaw. I’m used to weighing so don’t really understand how to use volume accurately.
posted by Jennie10
on 10 Nov 2018 at 13:56

Hi VictoriaM – I can’t help, I’m afraid. In fact I was following a recipe the other day and I was trying to work out if a UK cup measure was the same as a US cup measure (according to google they’re not). I’m only used to weighing, too. Gave up in the end. Hope your carb flu is easing.

It’s nice to have others here who are back after a lapse (may not be quite the right way of putting it but you know what I mean). I also like the idea of seeing a lapse as a way of learning for the future rather than a failure. I’ve lost 2lbs this week even though I’ve had a 4 day break in Poland over the weekend, came back to a next day ‘working lunch’ on Wednesday and a family wedding on Thursday. I used all the tips and tricks I learnt from last time to see me through. Hurray!
Still, it will be good to get back to very little happening for the next few weeks and being able to concentrate just on the BSD. I now want to lose 12lb for Christmas. Just over 6 weeks so it’s entirely doable.

Hope everyone else is doing well and having a good, BSD-friendly weekend.
posted by sunshine-girl
on 13 Nov 2018 at 17:23

Victoria, it is not necessary to use cups as a method of calculating your food. It seems to be an American measure so not often used in the UK. In order to work out how much you should be having simply google a conversion chart from cups to ounces, or cups to grams, then use your normal scales.
posted by Jennie10
on 14 Nov 2018 at 23:37

Hi All
I just wondered how everyone is doing in our 8 week pre-Xmas push? I’ve managed to lose 4lbs so far. I need to lose another 8lbs over the next 6 weeks to reach my goal of 1 stone weight loss. So do-able but I really need to keep focused. Hope everyone else is doing OK!

Jennie x
posted by Jessygetsfit
on 15 Nov 2018 at 10:11

Hi Jennie, well done on your result!!
Half way into week 3, I am 3.7kg (8.15 lbs) down. I did go off the rails a bit at the weekend for 3 days straight. Nothing too bad though and I’ve noticed that my appetite has decreased drastically. I am getting full up so easily! I am dreading the upcoming weekend, I just can’t seem to resist a few glasses of wine at least to make the weekend a bit more fun! But I do want to try and stick to the plan 100% this weekend because the guilt did kill me 🙁
I am amazed at how well I have adjusted though. I am struggling so much less during the week. However, I have not been doing low carb, it’s just too much of a mental block for me to do low calorie AND low carb. I have been relying a lot on “healthy” ready meals from the supermarket between 200 – 400 calories ( which include potatoes and rice) where I can see the exact calorie count and it makes it easy for me and a bit more palatable. I know this kind of defeats the purpose of the blood sugar control but I find it works better for me to just eat “whatever I want” (within reason and still very healthy) as long as I only have 800 calories of it.
How is everyone else doing?