Dont know why but this thread is blank to me. I can read the latest post on the main page but there is nothing there when I open the thread, Putting this on in the hope that it brings it back for me. Anyone else not seeing these postsl

Well that worked. I can now see previous posts.

“IRRESISTABLE: WHY WE CAN’T STOP EATING” with Chris van Tulleken, BBC2 this evening. or on catch-up now.
I have just watched this on catch-up and I promise this is a program that you NEED to watch!

Hi Lucy,

How are things? I know the run up to Christmas can be particularly difficult! I finally dropped off my plateau….with a 1lb loss. 😀My Christmas just became more difficult…in that I am not going to be in control of the food/cooking/kitchen. Long story, but I now have to go to my S-I-L who is on her own…the first Christmas I have not been at home and in charge of cooking for over 25 years!!! It would be this year, when I was planning a ‘different’, low carb celebration! BUT onwards and upwards…She has asked what I eat…when I said butternut squash instead of potato, swede instead of parsnip etc, she said she didn’t think she would be able to get those!!! So I am taking with me….just hope she lets me into the kitchen to cook them!

Keeping on!

Pootle … it’s one day! Just eat what you’re happy with! How about some green vegetables … dare I say sprouts!

Unfortunately Verano, I have to be there for 2 weeks!
And yes, I love sprouts and nearly all vegetables. I just know that I will feel hungry without extras and 🤞 after all I have achieved since June.
Going to take lots of large bottles of sparkling water with me.

WOW! Two weeks isn’t just ‘one meal’!

Good luck!

I think you might need it!

Don’t worry about ‘hunger’, eat as well as you can but don’t fret because you cant be ‘perfect’ with your BSD diet. Just don’t go over the top. Ok one or two ‘violations’ aren’t the end of the world. It’s only when you say “s.d” it I’ve given in to one thing so I might as well crash the car and go the whole way’!

You will be fine just don’t stress about the odd ‘digression’ just don’t go into full overdrive!

I think that I am most worried about the “s*d it, I have eaten that, so I might as well eat this” attitude. I have done that before… in 2020… and it eventually lead to 5 stone increase in weight and diabetes!!
But that time I wasn’t using the BSD didn’t have the support of these forums! So I think I will get through!
I have to get through!
Thanks

YOU WILL!

Hi Pootle hi everyone.
I was once again member of the 1lb club. It’s slow going but I’m happy.
I really wouldn’t worry about xmas Pootle . I went on holiday and apart from that stubborn 1lb it came off soon enough.
I fully intend to enjoy the Xmas week. It’s my husband bd on 22nd too so I will be having a good time. Enjoy the week. Don’t go over the top but enjoy some nice food. We diet or cha nge our eating ways all the time. We have to. A week won’t hurt you. Imagine you used to be like that all the time. Now uts just one week. Enjoy, have fun. Then back to it. Don’t stress. Imagine how much further forward we are from a year ago xx

Stayed the same when I weighed Friday, it has been a difficult road with xmas treats and outings. I didn’t put any weight on and am back to it fully again now after a forcibly bad weekend brought on by storm Darragh. Had no heating, how water or electric for well over a day and was having to eat convenience goods as a salad was of no use in the freezing. Trying to get a couple of really good weeks bow before christmas.

I still sometimes can’t believe I have lost 2 and a half stone……
I have to keep going as still a lot to go. But thanks for all the support it’s kept me going.

Hi Lucy,
Well done for keeping stable, much better than putting it back on!!
Storm Darragh also took its toll here and we still have no power, but I am lucky that we have a wood burner. It will boil a kettle and saucepans of veg and make porridge! Now rescued an ancient camping gas from the shed so all good!
We couldn’t get out on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning as the electricity cables were whipping about at head height over our track! But taken down Sunday lunchtime, now waiting for new poles and wires!
Keep safe and take care, you have done brilliantly to have lost so much!
Xxxxx

Hi Pootle, thanks. Sounds like you have had a torrid time in the storm. Where are you based. We are north somerset area.
I read your other post…you’ve reached tour target weight. 🥳 wow!!! Huge congratulations 🎊 👏
How much have you lost and how long have you been going?
I’ve had a struggle patch but have been back on it fully and looking forward to weigh in Friday rather than dreading it! In honesty I haven’t been bad just circumstances have made it harder but haven’t put any on. Another stone I woykd be happy with but ideally stone and half . Sometimes it seems surreal that I’ve lost what I have. Like uts another person….do you know what I mean? X

Hi Lucy,
I know exactly what you mean about being another person! You have done so well!
We are in West Wales, still no power. Hope it is back on for Christmas 🤞 or husband won’t be able to join me at sister in law’s in Worcestershire for Christmas Eve and Day! 😩😢
Yes, I reached my target weigh (10st 7lb) yesterday. 🍾 I started dieting on the 8/6/24 at 15st 7lb, but only started the BSD on 15/6/24 at 15st 5lb. At that time my Hb1Ac was 50. Today it is 40 🎉🥳 totally thanks to the BSD. It has been very tough at times, and I have slipped up occasionally, but mostly I have been extremely strict, counting calories and carbs… even weighing lettuce leaves etc! 🥴
I don’t drink alcohol which I am sure has made it easier, but I am popping the top off a bottle of celebratory fizz tonight! 🍾
As S-G says… keep on keeping on!
Xxx

Wow 5 stone in 6 months….thats crazy. I’ve nowhere near that level of loss.
Although I do drink and that hasn’t changed. I don’t drink wine though only shorts.
I have lost 2.5 stone so only half of yours and I started mid July. But have holidays and slipped up a bit from time to time .
I’m very jealous of that weight loss lol. That’s incredible ….just wow!
Good luck with electric I was stressed enough after a day lol!
Congratulations that’s amazing
Xx

Hi Lucy and Pootle. Congratulations on your results and successes. Lucy, when you first started back in July I was so afraid we were going to lose you as I was a bit tough on you. Remember all that fruit. Thankfully, you stuck with it and can now fully understand that this diet does work but it needs you to work just as hard. So glad you are still here. Pootle, your results also speak for your hard work and the effort you have put into improving your life, weight and BG. You are both heroes.

Thanks S-G.
I think I have been extremely fortunate.
Sadly, I would not have known anything about the BSD if it hadn’t been for the talk about it on TV following the tragedy of Michael Mosely’s incredibly sad death. I had not seen or heard of him and the BSD before that! 😢😢😢
However, the inspiration to try it out came at exactly the right time for me after the shock diabetes diagnosis. Then the encouragement and tips particularly from yourself and Verano have helped me along the way! I have only eaten 10 chips, 2 slices of granary toast, 3 crème brûlées (a real weakness of mine) and no pasta or rice since the 15th June! Giving up my daily banana has been the hardest, with toast a close second. But I will be keeping it up…. I have had one big scare and don’t intend to go there again!
Lucy, you have also helped me with your posts and common sense when I have fallen off the wagon! Thank you…
I know 5 stone in 6 months is insane… but I had put on two of them in the previous 6 months, and think they were lost much more easily that the other 3!!!
xxxx

Thanks SG, you have been brilliant and kept me on track. I remember the fruit thing…. I thought I was doing so well eating all that fruit lol! But now 100g of one fruit with my yogurt in the morning.
You have been so helpful alongside Verano and Co.
Pootle it’s been a pleasure journeying alongside you even though you’ve smashed me out of the park!!! I haven’t stuck to calories uts too hard for me but have been so good with carbs. Don’t think about having them with things now….had a roast ladt nightminus potatoes and Yorkshire pudding lol. Bolognaisr with runner beans…..you get the picture. Still a way to go but I’m fine with that. It’s been hard and I’ve slipped a bit bit I’m still here and still going.
I was 14.12 starting mid July now 12.5
So can’t complain. Some have been and gone on here but I’m still here unbelievably lol.
Thanks again.
Well done Pootle again….even if I am a little jealous lol xx

Well done girls!!! You have both done really well.

S-g and I started here in mid 2016, so over 8 years ago now. I’ve kept my blood sugar in the ‘normal’ range for probably over 8 years now and S-g has reduced her dose of insulin massively. I’m sure that staying on these boards way after reaching our respective targets has helped us both. It’s so easy with T2 to think ‘I’ve done it now, so I can get back to ‘normal’. ‘Normal’ is low carb for us. That doesn’t mean never having a roast potato or piece of toast ever again it just means that they are now a real ‘treat’ unlike our old ‘treats’ of cakes etc, which are actually not ‘treats’ at all but they are truly our ‘enemies’.

Anyway, enjoy the coming festivities but not with ‘gay abandon’! As s-g says ‘ just keep on keeping on…….’

Hi Everyone
My attention span isn’t great so I tend to skim over the long reads! However I’m glad to be part of a forum who believes that this works. Outer sources can be negative. I’m 37 days in and I have lost 1st 4lbs so very thrilled. I have managed to meal prep for the full month of December and thankfully I don’t have a lot of plans so that should ease the pressure. This has given me the kick-start to my weight loss journey where I would normally find easy but during menopause has slowed my metabolism down drastically. Keep going Everyone and I recommend the Chocolate cranand Pistachio pennies!

Hi Lucy…
I have been thinking about you and wishing you well, as I know the run up to Christmas coping with a parent with dementia is particularly stressful!

LC75
Great that you can be so organised with your meal plans…and a brilliant achievement in weight loss.
I cannot find the recipe for Chocolate, Cranberry and pistachio pennies…???? But I highly recommend the Pear and Brazil nut chocolate brownies! (I cut them in half to reduce cal and carb for a small treat! )

Happy Christmas all,
xxx

Thank you Pootle. Things are very stressful I must confess. They are in their 80s and my mum struggles to cope . My dad has deteriorated and isn’t an easy task, she lives with 4 imaginary family members on his side too who are long gone but exist for my dad. So you can imagine my poor mum. It’s exhausting. Taking him to the dr this afternoon as he has a bad chest. I live local to them and am an only child so it’s very hard work and demoralising at times .
Haven’t been 100 percent on diet. I knew I would struggle in the run up to Christmas but haven t put any on. After Xmas will have my full attention again but atm I need a break and intend to enjoy xmas to some extent. I know that’s not for everyone and I commend all those who abstain from it but I just can’t. 90 percent is no carb but have some biscuits and chocs along the way. Determined not to put on but for a couple weeks I am being less strict. It’s my husband bd on Sunday too .
Unfortunately this Christmas isn’t going to be easy in many ways. But we can only do what we can do I’ve lost 2 .5 stone and I’m proud of that. Back to it after for sure
Happy Christmas everyone and well done to you all. And thanks again x

Big pat on the back Lucy, enjoy Christmas and don’t worry, we will still be here to nag you (encourage really) in January.

Morning everyone hope you all had a good Xmas. Mine wasn’t the best, parents haven’t been well snd dad was taken to hospital on boxing day wirh a bad chest, he’s back home now but it’s all proving too much for my mum as his alzheimers seems to be worse too
My eating hasn’t been wonderful and i have gained a few pounds but today is the start of back to it! My sons wedding is in March and cyprus April so I’m aiming for lots more loss by then
In honesty having some time off the diet hadn’t been as much fun as anticipated, my tummy hasn’t been right and I have felt nauseous at times. Although i haven’t abandoned it completely my body hadn’t enjoyed the change!
I’ve had no potatoes or things like that but have had some mince pies and a few warm baguettes and rhe chocolate of course!
Today is the restart day and need to lose the few lbs I have put on as even those are making me feel yukky. Then go after my next stone. Hopefully rhe few extra lbs will come off quickly once I start it again. Here’s to 2025 and getting rid of that stone and half that’s left .

Hi Lucy,
So sorry to hear about your Dad. It is such a strain, I hope your Mum can get some ‘outside’ help, so you can both have respite.
Good that you can get back to seriously concentrate on losing that last bit of weight before your son’s wedding!
I also didn’t have the best Christmas, but Husband and I have decided to celebrate on Tuesday instead! So a turkey dinner then, but no potatoes, parsnips or carrots. Butternut squash, celeriac and cauliflower to go with the sprouts and chestnut!
I didn’t put weight on until yesterday, when I weighed 2lb heavier than the day before!! (I weigh every day!)
Like you, I resisted potato and crisps etc, but did have some Christmas pudding and a few mini mince pies…But my real sin was the brandy butter!😩🥴
Back to it on Wednesday, 🤞I haven’t done too much damage!!
Wishing a Happy, Healthy 2025 for everyone ! Xx

Hi Pootle, I thought you were at family for Xmas?
Anyway hope you have a lovely second Xmas!!
I haven’t done too much damage either. 2/3 lbs
So back to it.
Butter isn’t too bad anyway on BSD so the brandy butter isn’t the worst thing you could eat. Mince pies have been My downfall and hot baguettes with cold meats. Have succumbed to some crisps and chocolate occasionally but never went silly. I just needed the break tbh. I think getting back to it isn’t going to be easy but has to be done.
X

Thanks for the reassurance Lucy!
I spent Christmas with my brother’s widow, the first Christmas under her roof for over 40 years! 🤔 I am her only relative now so I was looking after her following an operation to remove a lump on her neck. Unfortunately she wasn’t prepared to cater for my diet, even though I took food with me, so it was quite difficult! I did avoid most of the bad things…but the brandy butter (loaded with sugar 😩) got the better of me!! 🤣
I felt hungry most of the time, which I haven’t much since the early days of the diet! Self control was in overdrive! Even though I am home and back on track, I still feel ‘nibbly’!
BUT i will master keeping the weight off and diabetes in remission! 😇

Hi Lucy and Pootle. My Christmas food was more quantity as I managed to avoid the pots etc and I don’t like the taste of mince pies or christmas cake. It was more that we had 3 Christmas Dinners. No.1 for son in laws children on Xmas Eve as he cant have them on the day, then No.2 was on the actual day, then No,3 was when sil family arrived and we had a Danish feast – I was sick to death of food by then. Haven’t been weighed yet but will start back on the diet tomorrow and a dry January.

Funny how we don’t really enjoy the rubbish we used to eat. I had my one craving – pork pie – however, there was no brown sauce and that is when I realised I don’t actually like pork pie, it is the brown sauce I was craving. I can have that in small doses.

Happy New Year and much more success in 2025.

Hi Sg and Pootle
Happy New Year
Pootle that’s a shame….things didn’t work out over Xmas. But hope you’re enjoying your second go!
Sg…sounds like you had a nice fill of food, it’s Xmas after all.
I re started and rhen fell off the wagon last night with crisps etc for new years eve. Feel really gutted I did that but Xmas and new year eve are out the way it’s full steam ahead.
I scare myself that I wont get going again, I don’t have a lot of confidence in myself, my life isn’t easy at rhe moment with my parents etc and food used to be a way of sitting back and enjoying five minutes. But to be honest I think I don’t give myself enough creadance for 2 and half stone loss. And I gave up smoking a few years back. So I have to get the right mindset….get rid of these few pounds that I put on over Xmas and get right back to it. Still have one and a half stone to go
Happy New Year everyone…..thanks again for all your help and here’s to another successful year x

Good afternoon all,
Lucy, 2 1/2 stone and not smoking is a massive achievement! You should be congratulating yourself, but it is great that you are determined to restart and get going again!
I am delighted to report that I had a wonderful 2nd Christmas! 😁
Turkey, pigs in blankets, giblet gravy chestnut stuffing and celery and apricot forcemeat with roasted butternut squash, swede and a small amount of carrot. Along with sprouts, red cabbage, spinach and leeks !!!
Phew I am still full! So Different to the actual Christmas lunch this year!
My sin for today is 2 liquor chocolates…
Until today my weight has stayed constant … I did lose 2lb then put 2lb back on but have not gained overall. I am sure that after my satisfying 2nd Christmas that will change… but I will get it off again!
Happy New Year and looking forward to 2025!
Xxx

Hi, well I have paid the price for my indulgence! 3lb on…so 2lb above target weight of 10st 7lb! So back to weighing and calculating today! 🤞 I can shift the 2lb over the weekend!
Xx

Ah don’t worry Pootle that’s very little amount. My holiday weight cane off quickly, you will be fine
I out on 3lb over Xmas one of which has gone but I am still slightly struggling getting back on track. I think the issue is still having goodies in the house! Before I never did but have some shortbread still here and I find it really hard! Hubby is getting through it and I admit I have had a couple pieces along the way . Once it’s gone nothing else here! Lost1lb of the 3lb I put on .
Hopefully all will be well!

Thanks Lucy,
Success..2lb gone again this morning!

I would still find it almost impossible to resist shortbread if it was in the house! Mind you, yesterday I found the stash of orange club biscuits that my husband has hidden from me! I cannot deny him his treats and he was trying to save me from being tempted! 🥰 So I had to ask him to hide it somewhere else…but now I know it is in the house! 😩 Just have to be very strong not to go looking for it! 🤣😇
Take care! All will be well! xx

Hi Lucy,
How was your weigh in this week? I have managed to keep roughly steady…but I will say, it was easier to lose it than keep on a level!!😩
My husband has just got some hearing aides…halleluia…I must post on the positives thread! It has decreased my stress levels enormously! It is very difficult when some one is constantly shouting “WHAT” when you speak to them!

Thinking of you…hope your Mum is coping a bit better now…
xxx

Hi Pootle, have been having a nightmare to be honest. I seem to have fallen by the wayside csnt get back on track at all after Xmas etc. Have eaten badly and can’t sort ut out. Things have been very stressful with one thing and another and that certainly hasn’t helped but thats no excuse. It’s made me very unhappy eating like this and i have to sort myself out which I definitely aim to do. But because of my current eating habits I am constantly hungry so need to get through this.
Wish I had something positive to say but in honesty there isn’t.
New day today…..I know I can do it because I have.
Well done for your Xmas lbs loss. I aim to be joining you again. X

Hi Lucy,
I know exactly what you mean about being hungry! Even when I have just eaten a meal, I am still hungry! When I was still trying to lose weight I kept telling myself that snacking wasn’t an option…now I hear that little nagging voice…saying “you deserve it, what harm can it do?” I know what harm it can do!!!!! Last night I ate 1/2 bar of chocolate…I intended to have one square! 🥴
❄️I think the cold weather isn’t helping…and January is always a difficult month! ❄️
Thinking of you 🤞 hope that it gets easier.
X

Hello.

Getting back on track is so so hard. The ‘first flush’ is usually the easiest because you tend to have a solid goal in mind. I sympathise with you both.

Pootle I remember people speaking of a ‘reverse diet’ when I think people started adding a few more cabs and calories back into their diet when they had reached their goal. I never did it myself but I’m sure somebody will come here with more information for you. You can manage maintenance but it’s just finding the right path for you.

Lucy. I hear your pain. I really don’t know what to suggest apart from forgetting yesterday it’s gone and you can’t change that, but you do have choices now. How about re-setting your goals. I’ve been reading quite a bit about goal setting and I think it’s a case of just building up small habits. Maybe say ‘just for today I’m going to……..’ Pick one thing and when you have done that for a few days add another. I know it all sounds so slow but better build on small habits than give up completely. You have done so well. Give yourself some credit. Look at the weight you have lost and don’t concentrate on the small amount you’ve gained. Try to look forward rather than backwards.

Hi Lucy and Pootle. The hunger you are feeling is driven by the food choices you are making. The more carbs you eat the more your body craves by way of making you think you are hungry. If you can squench the hunger with something none carb but delicious you will soon get out of that cycle. Try yoghurt and fruit as a snack. Have a hard boiled egg in the fridge for emergencies. I am not preaching as I am going through the same thing, especially late at night.

I am one of the committed ‘reverse dieters’ Verano mentioned. I probably need to read up on it again however I am going to use a customised version after my fast to get me eating healthily again, as if you dive straight back into eating normally your body will just attempt to regain the weight again if it can, and if you stay low calorie for too long you may end up putting weight on even if you are eating less than before when you let the brakes off due to your body adapting to less calories.

The basic principle is increasing the calories by 50 every day for a week, so week 1 850 (average) week 2 900, week 3 950 etc, carrying on until you begin to gain weight, but while staying low carb (this will be a personal level which you can only find through experimenting). After the week where you gain weight, drop back 50 calories and do another week. You may lose the weight again immediately, in which case that could be your personal metabolic rate so stay with it. If you lose more weight as your body adapts after a couple of weeks then go back up 50.

Thanks for the explanation MnM. I may try it, but after 6 months of weighing everything and recording calories and carbs, (so time consuming…as I rarely follow a recipe exactly! 🥴) I am trying to just keep off the carbs, only recording what I have eaten rather than weighing etc. If I can keep stable that way, all well and good, if not I will go back to the counted 800 for a week and then try the reverse diet! 🤞🤞

So I got my head back together…lost 4lbs this week so 1lb lower than pre Xmas!!!
Onward and upwards. Despite numerous issues in my life at the moment I’m proud I got myself together. 2st 8lbs now.
1 or 1.5 stone to go. X

Brilliant news!!
Onward and upward..
xxx

Great news Lucy! Keep on keeping on …….

Hi Lucy,
Been thinking about you again….if it were possible to assist over the airways, you should have plenty of positive vibes coming your way.
Hope this week has been ok for you. I have kept my weight and sugars stable, but had to give up on trying to improve my balance…cold symptoms… and feeling really rough, meant I just couldn’t keep my balance on one leg!!
XXX

Hi Pootle, thanks for the wishes. Haven t been feeling great, struggling with tummy issues, heading to doc on Monday. Hopefully it’s nothing to do with the diet!
Have been good but for some reason I put on 2lb although I do feel terribly bloated….not sure if they’re connected.
Is there any history of tummy problems being on this diet a long time? Wonder if anyone knows …..
I’m hoping his isn’t the case but have never had terrible tummy aches and bloating before.
Well done on your continued success. And hope you feel better soon x

Sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well…with tummy issues. I really hope the GP can sort you on Monday. I haven’t had any tummy problems on the diet and am still following the principles (but more calories now) 7 months in! 🤞for you, all the stress really doesn’t help with anything!
xx