Definitely on the mend finally. I actually hate being sick so I’m really glad. I should be tip-top shape tomorrow. Thank you for all your well wishes.
I weighed in at 174.6 this morning. I stuck to my planned menu yesterday, but I wish I drank more. That will be my focus today.
The thing that sabotages me is myself… Sad /angry eating is a terrible habit of mine. So this month when I’m feeling that way I’m going to try to distract myself by playing with my daughter, working my on novel, or sleeping, 🙂
The junk food my hubby insists on having on hand also doesn’t help, although we usually don’t share similar tastes (in definitely a chocolate and cake lover while he likes lemon and key lime). 79 days to go to February 20th.

Glad you are feeling better Amz. Yes, keep hydrated and keep resisting those cakes. Food has an insiduous appeal when we are feeling emotional and you recognise that anger or sadness makes you want to eat. You are aware of the trigger so that gives you the power you need to overcome the temptations. Think of sugar /chocolate cake as a poison. When you are unwell or feeling low the last thing you need is more sugar. You have a good strategy in place to overcome the sugar monster.

Your hubby might have the food there but you have the power not to eat it. I believe the longer you stay on plan, the less you will find carbs appealing . I wish you all the best x

You are right Wendy, the carbs will eventually be a whole lot less alluring. Eating the BSD way definitely changes ones palate and the white stuff comes to hold far less sway.

I am going to label us the Three Wise Women Sunny B ! Kazz is the 3rd.!
Alternatively we can be Cheerleaders for Pass on the Pud at Christmas / Sugar is not my Poison / Gimme more good stuff !!!

;-);-) 😉

ooops Sugar is definitely Poison !!!

Here is the interview on Sky News I mentioned recently

Dr Aseem Malhotra sets the record straight on Fake Shakes for Type 2 Diabetes

Aseem MalhotraFollow
Yesterday at 11:06
When Sky News producer called me yesterday morning to ask whether I was available for a live interview on diet shakes to beat diabetes story I initially hesitated. But when I imagined my mum’s voice who always wholeheartedly supported me in my activism say ‘Aseem, you must always do your duty to your community and do it with a smile’ i agreed to do it via Skype from our family home in Manchester.
So faced with the choice of your only meal consisting of a commercial low calorie ultra processed shake with soup for 3-5 months to manage diabetes or alternatively eating a delicious real food low carb approach without needing to starve yourself what would you choose ? All patients I’ve asked so far have said real food and ‘no thanks’ to diet shakes. To not give patients this option as I told Sophy Ridge on Sky is entirely unethical

https://youtu.be/_y6VEsMWkE0

I didn’t think the video would copy and paste too.

Hope that is ok and not against forum rules ?? At least this way everyone gets to see The Dishy Doctor 😉

Thank you wendleg. I’d missed this and I think he talks so much sense. It makes me remember why I started this way of eating in the first place and I think I have a diabetes review this month, that maybe just the ‘shock’ I need to get me back into the groove …… time will tell!

Glad you found it helpful Verano.

I am not diabetic V but a serial dieter and definitely a despondent January ‘ Here we go again ‘ girl ! A sugar junkie.

I only started BSD and LCHF eating at the beginning of September and got into the WOE pretty quickly, incorporating 24 hour fasts very early on. So far I have lost 13 kilos . I have lost weight in the past but never with a long term commitment to changing my eating habits for a life time…because that is the reality.
I think it’s true that the subsequent rounds are tougher but I can’t allow myself complacency because at 60 I want to be healthy as retirement approaches. If the food gets boring then I have to jazz it up and find more interesting combos and recipes.
Nobody can do it for me and I have to focus on the Health goal as the alternative is feeling c¨¨¨p and angry with myself as yet another January comes round.
Not this year !

Hi Wendleg, To answer your question, I stopped logging and weighing food six months ago when I went on maintenance, but started again this week once my weight went above my acceptable range. I am feeling confident that the 2ish kilos should go quickly enough. (Famous last words!).

I am sure you will be fine Caron ! I am a long way from maintenance but I hope that when I get there I will have my BSD low carb WOE well in place . There are lots of pages in my notebook ! Got to fill those first !

I hope everyone is well and happy on this Sunday afternoon/evening wherever you are. xx

Just a quickie as I have just got in from a long day at school with meetings until 7.30pm.
Fasting was effortless today as there was no time to think about food !!

Just to say I hope everyone is feeling positive as we begin this month of December. Let’s make sure we end the year on a massive positive so we can approach January 2019 feeling fantastic !!

Who’s with me ??

All the very bestt dear friends

I’m with you all!

Brilliant Kazz !!
Off to bed now but I will be checking in tomorrow and back home at a more sensible time !!

Checking in; I didn’t get a chance to weigh myself this morning, but after dinner, i was 173.2. Stuck to menu and increased water, but feeling hungry. u.u My cycle started this morning and my daughter had a fever. Hopefully these things won’t get in my way. Day 3 of my restart; 59 days left of the first round and 78 until my wedding anniversary. I really want to give my all and start my eleventh year of marriage as a new person – happier, healthier,and more confident.

This is strange…everything posted on his thread for the past 36 hrs has appeared all at once! I have some
catching up to do!!! I’m very interested in the video espousing real food over meal replacement shakes. My
objection to them has always been that they don’t advance the cause of learning how to prepare a healthy
plate of food, and inevitably, they also contain a degree of hidden sugars, masquerading under different
names. Artificial sweeteners are only marginally better than the real stuff, and trigger the same insulin response.
Wendy, “sugar is poison” is a wonderful mantra for the holiday season, and count me in as a true believer.
We all have our triggers though, and we need not give in to them just because it’s the festive season. Family
pressures can be daunting, but with good strategies in place, they, too, can be avoided. This will be my
second BSD Christmas, and I have no memory of what sweets I passed up last year. When the addiction
is well and truly broken, why risk activating it again? Last year my husband made a decidely pouty face
when I told him that bagels and smoked salmon and champagne weren’t on the menu for Christmas
brunch. One brilliant lady here suggested scrambled eggs with thin strips of smoked salmon in it instead,
to which I added fresh dill and a few globs of cream cheese. He loved it, requested it again for New
Year’s day, and a new tradition was born! Lots of ideas await, if we can set our minds to not think in
terms of deprivation. I’ll share my ideas, and I hope everyone on this lovely thread will do the same 🙂

Allie

Good morning !
Another Tuesday and it’s time for me to rejoin the weekly thread, although I know this one is for a longer period.
So, my aim for this week is quite simple …… to stay away from excess cheese and nuts, and crispbreads and crisps, one day at a time for just one week ….. one day at a time.
Simple!
Have a good week.

Morning Verano, Allie, Gheart and Wendleg! It is 3:30 am here in Florida! Arrrgghh!

Christmas will be quiet here. Hubby will have a few sweet treats, but I will not. It really isn’t a big deal to me. My downfall is not sweets. Verano, I love cheese and nuts and also need to watch that! My big downfalls are cheese burgers and fries, pizza and wings and mashed potatoes.

I did not get many steps in yesterday as it was too muggy and hot by the time I got home from bible study. Almost 90 degrees, and the pool is too cold due to the cold nights (it isn’t heated). I sat and did my Christmas cards. I also got out my hand weights and will muster up a weight lifting and body weight exercise schedule

Have a good day folks!

Stay positive Amz ! You have a goal and focusing on your health is the way to go. I will have been married 10 years in May 2019.I am no spring chicken 🙂 but I am still consider myself a newly wed as I married at the age of 51 !!!
I am looking further ahead….being DIET DESPONDENCY FREE in 2019 and the healthiest version of myself in subsequent years .
I think you will gradually adjust to this way of eating and carbage won’t be so appealing or knock you off track.
We are with you on your journey as you count down to your wedding anniversry and beyond I hope.

Happines and Confidence comes from within yourself….you will get there

That’s a good plan Verano ! I still swear by my log book so that way I can’t kid myself I have only had a few nuts when it’s really a big handful !!
OH eats crispbreads but I actually prefer seed crackers . Have you tried making kale crisps which are a nice savoury alternative to potato crisps ? A few olives ?

Ooh heck Violinist cheeseburgers and fries ! Pizza and wings and mash !! I bet you could find some low carb versions somewhere ?
Will you be drawn to them over the holiday ?

You are my exercise role model !

Hello Wendy, I’m completely new to BSD. I haven’t even received the book yet (should be here on Thursday).
I want to get started though, so am I right in thinking that I should be thinking 800 calories a day, avoiding carbs and sugar. Is that even artificial sweeteners?
I don’t really know a life without carbs, i’m sad to say. Im definitely addicted to sugar and get dreadful migraine type headaches when I stop.
Any advice on breakfast for tomorrow and Thursday before I receive my book?
Any advice and tips are welcome and appreciated. x

I totally agree Allie .We have all come so far and to risk falling victim to the addictive sugary poisons and carbage would be such a shame. I too love scrambled eggs and smoked salmon and that dish definitely does not feel like a deprivation.

I suppose if it’s a case of having just one spud, just one luxury choc, just one piece of cake or a mince pie and if that can be kept under control then why not ? I just think it’s not the way I want to go .That stuff is NOT NOURISHING or good for us. My desire to be healthy is greater than my desire for a pud !

Are you feeling fearful about the abundance of food over the festive season ? I am going to be a buffet plate hoarder as I mentioned !
I would love people to feel supported and able to stay focused whether with alternative recipes as Allie suggested or just by being able to share on here.

NO WAY ARE WE GOING TO BE THOSE DESPONDENT JANUARY RE STARTERS !!!!!!!!

Hi SamDB
Welcome !

I have to get back to work now but I promise I will be back later to suggest a few things
In the meantime have a look at the dietdoctor website .It’s full of very useful info and low carb recipes, videos etc and it will answer a lot of your questions as you start out.

See you later !

Hello Sam, and a warm welcome to you! You have found your way to a very special community of dedicated
BSDers, and you will find many experienced and caring hearts here. Some of us had serious weight issues,
and others were facing a diagnosis of T2D. Whatever your issues, the BSD is the way forward. As with any
radical lifestyle change, there is a learning curve involved, and when you receive your book, it will all seem
less daunting. This is the start of an exciting and life changing chapter in your life, so embrace it all. We
excel at supporting each other, so just jump in and one of us will always be on hand to answer questions.
A few introductory remarks! While 800 cal. is the premise, what’s even more important is the carbs. This
would include all the white stuff, i.e., rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, as well as anything with refined sugar or
any of its pseudonyms . Many here use an app to track both calories and carbs. Fruit can be surprisingly
carby, so keep an eye on that. By way of an overview, this is a low carb, moderate protein, high (healthy)
fat way of life. I hate to bring up the dreaded “carb flu”, and you may never experience it, but it is quite
short lived in duration, and is characterized by headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches, which are withdrawal
symptoms from sugar and carbs. You simply have to power through it, and when you are past it, you
will be feeling marvelous and so full of energy that you won’t know what to do with it all. I look forward
to following your journey, and congratulations for making the decision to embrace this WOL (way of life)
Very best to you,

Allie

Hi Allie thanks for the warm welcome. I’ve been reading the posts here and everyone is so supportive and friendly. I’m at the “oh god will I ever get my head around this” stage, but I’m sure I will get it together.
I’ve been doing Weight watchers and am getting a bit muddled with what’s what. I wish I had asked for express delivery of my book.
Anyway, thanks for the prompt reply and I’ll be keeping in touch and who knows, I might, in time also be offering newbies some useful advice🙏🏽.
X

Thank you Wendleg for the welcome and suggestion. I will look at tge dietdictot wwbsite too.
Have a happy day. Speak soon. x

Hi Everyone.welcome Sam.I suggest you have eggs with spinach or mushrooms or tomato.No toast
.lunch small salad a little bit of cheese or a slice of cold meat
.dinner green veg and 100gms meat.a lot of fluids .It will make sense when you get the book.
Having said that.I weighed in today the same as last week .I have been loosing and regaining the same 0.5 kg for two weeks.Im eating badly because Im very tired so Im off to bed .Ill try harder tomorrow.

This can be a crazy time of year, Butterlover, and it’s all too easy to get over extended and tired. Take good
care of yourself, rest well, and tomorrow will hopefully be a better day! xx

Allie

Hello everyone – sorry not to have been around for a few days, but so good to see so many people pressing ahead and so determined to keep control in this run-up to the festive season and beyond. And some like Sam not letting the impending silliness of the season stop him/her from starting out on this wonderful way of eating. As others have said Sam, this is a great place to be and will – I’m sure – help when the going gets tough. It certainly ensured I got to goal and helped me to successfully maintain.

I’m managing to keep a reasonable handle on things, although I have to report being 0.5lb up on this time last week – still under target though and as we were socialising at the w/e, I’ll take that as a win, even though the wriggle room is not being increased as I’d originally planned. Time yet though and I’m confident that I now have the tools to deal with any unintentional gain.

Thanks Wendleg for hosting this thread, you’ve been doing a brilliant job of making sure everyone contributing is made to feel valued.

Keep going everyone.

Hi Sam
Allie has given you some very useful advice and she knows what she is talking about having lost a magnificent amount of weight and now successfully maintaining. I would say focus on BSD as Weight Watchers will confuse the picture. You can lose 10% of your body weight on the 8 Week programme but you need to be prepared and do some menu /meal planning so you don’ t hit the biscuit tin.I have lost 13 kgs since the beginning of September and I am in no way exceptional.

I have a notebook I log everything in. Accept the white carbs are out and think of eggs, avocados, green leafy veg, full fat Greek yoghurt, oily fish instead. Your carb addiction will ease given time and you will find your tastes change and you will not crave sugar.

In my opinion artificial sweeteners just fuel the sugar addiction and I would avoid them. Don’t be fearful .There are plenty of other delicious things you can eat !

Are you concerned about diabètes ? Do you have a lot of weight to lose ? I still have a way to go but I am committed . You can do it too and all the very best to you .

aaawww thanks SunnyB.

I am very humbled to be accepted as Allie’s stand in as I am only 3 months down the BSD road and I am still learning lots of tips and strategies from our lovely experienced members. I would love to be in maintenance like you. I agree , it’s about having the knowledge and tools to capitalize on the health gains and to continue forward after target.. I am a bit stubborn too ..that helps 😉

Wow just finished reading all of the posts, so good to hear how everyone is getting on with this journey.
Welcome Sam,I was you a few months back and it’s been an incredible journey. I have done weight watchers in the past and tried it again not working. I’ve lost just under 2.5 stone half way point for me. Good days bad days. But always have come back to this online group and it’s been so helpful. Stick to the basic principles as per Allie, Wendy’s advice that should see you through till the book arrives. Be gentle and kind to yourself. And remember if you do come off the plan it’s fine just go back to it. New habits hard to form but you will be surprised by the results. I’m loving being lighter, in control of my body, more energy and feel strong. Having said that it’s not been plain sailing and Butterlover tiredness is my Achilles heel for sure. I had a bad afternoon of it on Sunday. All I can say is sleep!! Sleep deprivation is truly a form of torture. And we need to nourish our bodies with rest and all good food. Hope you get some 💤🛌 it will make the world of difference to your well being and success on this journey.

I’m with Wendy what you can eat is actually quite vast and satisfying literally it fills you up. The low fat high carb is doing nothing for your body.

Congrats on coming and joining us on this journey. We are here to support and help. Talking of which thanks Wendy for continuing the weekly challenge it really is instrumental to our success. On that note Violinist, SunnyB, Amz and Verano let’s do this all aboard
💪❣️🤗

I’m aboard with my ticket, Eclectic!!

Wendleg, I can keep my favorites away from the house, so I will be ok. I am not really excited to find alternatives, like mashed cauliflower – yuck. I am just replacing things with new food – mushrooms, clams, fish, stewed spinach, non cream soups, riced cauliflower, turkey anything, etc

Violinist , your food choices sound delicious ! I haven’t tried mashed cauli but OH does a really nice cauli rice which is just olive oïl, salt and pepper coated cauli which is baked in the oven. It tastes quite nutty and is lovely with spicy prawns.
There are so many delicious food options available and I think I might take advantage of the holidays to look through my numerous low carb recipes and sort them out .

Eclectic, glad to hear from you mid Week ! I love hearing your up beat positivity ! I must say the dress I have been wearing this week definitely feels a bit baggy . Getting closer to that size 16 which is considered the average size for Uk women…….

Hope everyone is coping with the challenges of any Christmas lunches and parties at the moment xx

173.2
Feeling meh, but determined.

Hi there, Wendy! My husband is a big convert to cauli rice baked in the oven, too. If you like spicy prawns,
I posted a Thai recipe on june 14th on “Full Course Summer Salads”. You might enjoy it 🙂 It’s a stand alone
dish, so really not part of a salad unless you choose to make it one! Dresses getting loose? Great news 🙂

Thanks for that Allie. I checked out your recipe and also wondered about jicama as did Maggiebath !

That led me to Luvtcook’s thread ‘Good Eats ..the low carb way ‘ which also has some inspiring recipe ideas.I have plenty to work through on there !
This forum is a gold mine of ideas and inspiration to keep us all motivated !

Hi Wendy, now I’m confused! We were talking about roasted cauli rice and a shrimp (prawn) dish to serve
it with, and ” Nam Prik Shrimp” came to mind.., a fantastic spicy marinade, of Thai origin. Jicama must be
from a different recipe, but I’m delighted to introduce you to it if you haven’t tried it. 🙂 It’s an edible root
vegetable, shaped like a turnip, with a pale tan skin, which you peel. It’s native to Mexico, eaten raw with
a splash of lime juice, and can best be described as tasting like a cross between a water chestnut and an
apple. Lots of crunch! It’s rich in the prebiotic inulin, Vits A and C, and loaded with fiber. I typically cut it
in matchstick pieces and toss it into ASian style salads, the same way that you might use Daikon radish.
Inspite of all my computer disasters this year, my IT guy was able to save all of my recipes, for which I
am very grateful 🙂 I’m off salads at the moment, too cold here, and I’m preoccupied with soup at the
moment. Without fat for insulation, I’m always COLD. The positive in that is that it seems to rev up my
metabolism trying to stay warm 🙂 My old, supersized fleeces are put to good use because they now
hang over my hands…Tell me anything, and I can find a positive in it somewhere!

Good morning all!
Welcome Sam.
Well Day 1 was successful. No cheese, nuts, crispbreads or crisps. I managed perfectly well without ‘crunch’ but I did have a few squares of Lindt 90% for the ‘mouthfeel’. So now on to Day 2 …….
Wendy I can’t say the idea of kale crisps floats my boat but I am an olive addict, even though there’s no crunch. I adore Sainsbury’s chilli olives as they just seem so much nicer than other makes.
Now ladies to the question of mashed cauliflower! You just have to try it. We have it most nights mashed with garlic or butter, salt and pepper, or creme fraiche and nutmeg or ….. take a look at the thread ‘101 ways with cauliflower’ you will be amazed at just what you can do with a cauliflower! The secret is not to overcook it and either use a stick blender, a potato ricer or a food processor to get a really smooth mash. You have no idea what you are missing!

How is everyone doing ?

I have two recipes to try : Verano’s mashed cauliflower and the almond crackers. I had a snoozette today and I am all set for another long day tomorrow .

Keep focused dear friends !

OK, so I’ve plucked the courage to join you guys, I started last week, haven’t read all the posts BUT am planning to do so tonight when I return from rugby with ds.

So I went to the Dr on Tuesday, on day 6 of the 800 and felt so defeated, she basically told me that I can try but to expect to fail – super, BUT after posting here, on another thread, and the guys being so supportive there I’m feeling better and wanting to prove the Dr wrong!!

I have to do this, it has to work for me, I have around 15kg to lose, me wanting to do that not the Dr, she’s never said I have to lose weight, but I know i’ll feel better if I do, I have to do this to get my HBC1A levels back I’m at 8.8 at the moment with the metformin, stopped metformin yesterday with the OK from the Dr so I’m sort of feeling that I have restarted again,.

Does anyone else find drinking the 2-3 litres of water abit hard, I’m a bit of a tea jenny which dehydrates I know, but yesterday to get 2.5l into me wasn’t the easiest thing, but I’m guessing that it’ll come.

thanks for getting to the end of this novel!! looking forward to accompanying you all in this journey, giving and receiving the support from this group.

Bises from France.

Ok, little lamby, take a breadth – don’t focus on your doc quite yet. Let’s get a few weeks i to BSD and see what happens. This group is so knowledgeable and we all truly care and can help!

Catherine

And heck ya, I also want to get to the doctor’s in 9 weeks with my goals met in weight, blood pressure and cholesteral.

By the way, due to help here my November doc visit showed an a1 c cleraly out of prediabetes for the first time in years!!

So about the water, I think I make it to about 50 ounces, maybe 60 with coffee. And I am in southern florida where it is quite hot (82 degrees yesterday). So I would be thirsty after walking.
I am 62, 170ish pounds, and retired.

A big welcome!

Catherine

Ewe2lambs – good to see you have made it to this thread. If you’re not used to drinking plenty, it can take some getting used to but it will come. A tea or two is fine. I find a good way to ensure I drink enough is to have a tick chart to mark off each glass/cup drunk. It makes it a visual, so you can see how you’re doing.

As Violinist says, don’t focus on your doctor’s negatively, just keep your eye on the prize and press ahead.

Looking forward to reading of your progress.

Oh god I sound so panicky 😂, I’m not really, I’ve managed the water thing today I have no idea how much 50 or 60 ounces is (sorry) more of a metric chick. But I’m at 2.5l today plus tea 🍵, have walked just over 8k today and have kept just under the 800 so I’m feeling more in control now that the day is over and I’m in bed safe away from food and not feeling hungry. Yeah!!

Out of interest do any of you take supplements such as magnesium or probiotics? Vit C, iron etc?

Wanted to say yeah for you that you managed to get everything in line for the Dr rdv that is awesome. ❤️

I use magnesium when transit slows and vitC and zinc if I’m feeling a bit run-down, but other than that no supplements, although I guess I should probably be taking vitD during winter. I make kefir and consume some pretty much every day to help support gut flora.

2.5litres plus tea is fine. If you stay at that level you shy do fine.

OOH I am loving the support and activity on the thread ! Welcome welcome Ewey ! I am in France too and I know that French docs are really NOT on the ball with alternative treatments. You get shedloads of meds here just for a simple cold !! Listen to the wonderfully experienced and generous members on the forum who can share their experience of reversing T2D and don’t give in to pressure !
I drink green tea or water all day. I take a big flask to school and just work my way through it. I like sparkling Perrier or San Pellegrino too.
I am 13 kilos down since early September . Lots of very successful losers and maintainers on here. You can do it too !
Hunger and cravings will adjust if you keep at it. I also slot in some fasting too
Keep going and keep posting ! We are here with you !
Wendy