Hi folks,

Wendy (Wendleg) is still away on her holiday but I hope you are going to join us for another week and keep this thread going. Everyone is welcome. We are a mixed bunch so no matter where you are on your healthy eating journey there will be someone who has been there, done that etc. and can empathise or advise if needed.

Once again we are experiencing some unusually hot weather and you have to keep yourselves safe, but more important, look out for those around you who might not be as capable as you. Think back to covid days when you all took care of each other in your communities. Drink plenty of water, wear a hat outside, wear sunscreen and keep on keeping on.

Sunshine-girl/Wendleg/SunnyB

Here is a list of our gang – shout out if I have missed anyone out.
Wendleg/Wendy
Sunshine-girl
SunnyB
Florab85/Lauren
Tulip1/Clare
Verano
Elle-Mae
WindyJulz
Natalie
RubyG
Onestep
Slimmingruby
FlowersForever
Jess213
OriginalMurrayMint
Mrs H22/Laura
HopefulinOz
DaisyWalsh
Russianroulade
arcticfox
Californiagirl
sixturkeys

Signing in for another week.
I have to admit that continuing to stay in touch with this thread is definitely helping to keep me mindful about what I’m eating. I might not be very low carb but I do know that compared with the average person’s diet, which I think has way in excess of 300g of carbs a day, I never exceed 100g so still keeping my blood sugar on track.
Hope you reach you goal for this the coming week, no matter what it is.

Thanks for the new weekly thread, Sunshine Girl. It’s something I certainly need again. Having been absent for months, now that I’m home, properly settled back in and have braved the scales, I know I have to knuckle down and lose the pounds gained whilst away. And as I had failed to get back to target before leaving home way back at the end of March, there is now 8.5lb to ditch. This needs to be achieved by 19th September, when we will once again be heading to foreign climes.

So today was my first proper day of control, which I approached with an extended overnight fast and just one meal. Plan is to start proper observance i.e. getting back to basics by weighing, measuring and recording all consumed from tomorrow. Please wish me luck!

Hello.
It might be cooler outside but have to say it feels really warm indoors! Must admit food isn’t holding much appeal at the moment. I keep having an unexplained 1lb gain 1lb loss, odd but just have to go with the flow.
Answering a question from David I was reminded of Ben Bikman ….”control carbs, prioritise protein, don’t fear fat”. Simple philosophy and one I need to keep in the forefront of my mind!
Hope you’re all well.

Really like that philosophy, Verano … a very handy one to hold on to, but I know I need to be more cautious of quite how much fat I consume. I’m fairly sure my calories intake from fats is far too high🤭. Will be interesting to see how things go this week.

Hi to the 2 of you. Great to see you back from your travels Sunny. Verano, I am scratching my head – who is David?

It is much cooler here and we had quite a bit of rain during the night. Had a lovely swim for 30 mins once I had a good talking to myself. I tell myself it is 30 mins out of 24 hours so just do it. I just dont feel up to it sometimes but KOKO.

Anyway I am not feeling great today, still very worried and waiting to hear from yet another specialist. If they dont ring by Monday with an appointment I will ring them as we will be away after that and I would like to have a date in my diary for when I get back.

Weight is in a funny place. I cant seem to get much under 73 without it bouncing back on again. Still got nearly a week to go so still hopeful of reaching 72kgs.

Have a good week.

Hi Sunny sometimes the ‘simple’ is the best!
S-g ….why are you pushing yourself when you’re not feeling 100%? There really is no logic in that …. listen to your body and take note of what it’s telling you …. with your experience you know what to do! Please try not too worry too much (I know that’s easy to say) …. it won’t alter the outcome ….. it will be what it will be!
Weight …. yes I’m ‘bouncing’ the same pound up and down as well. Don’t know why. Hey ho it will work itself out and it really doesn’t make any difference to how my clothes fit ….. but those damn scales have so much to answer for!!!
BTW ‘David’ was on the ‘Newbie’ thread. I just answered his question but it made me think again. Just have to go back to Bikman’s basics….cc, pp, xff!
Have a good evening.

Verano, it is just the way I am, all or nothing. Right now if I give up I will really go off the rails. Only a week and we will be on our way to England and after the wedding I will loosen my corsets and let rip.

S-g … OK … hang on in there…… can’t wait to loosen those corsets with you and let rip !!
In the meantime just think about the wedding and above all enjoy!

Hi there, hope everyone is staying safe in the heat. We had that extreme heat last year so I know how difficult it can be. I slept in the basement for weeks and at one point was hosing the horses off 4-5 times per day just to help keep them cool.
We’ve had a much cooler summer here this year so far, which has been a bit of a relief. Daytime temperatures have been hovering around 30-32C for the last week and a bit. Next week we will finally get some more normal summer weather with temps up to 38 C, but then the long range forecast is showing quite a plummet, so that may be the end of the hotter weather.
I haven’t been doing too well, and I even landed in the emergency room last week after a very severe and sudden vertigo attack that caused unrelenting nausea and vomiting. Emergency docs weren’t overly helpful, but I visited my GP this week and he has diagnosed me with vasovagal syncope. We’re not too sure what triggered it, but I’m thinking it could have been one of my spells of low blood sugar that may have been the culprit as the timing since my last meal would have been about right. The paramedics thought maybe heat exhaustion, but it wasn’t that hot and I hadn’t been outside much that day, and they ran some blood work in emergency and all my electrolyte levels, etc. were fine.
Anyway, I’m determined to get back on track with my diet. Things had gone a little off the rails following the flooding of my property. I was having trouble sleeping and then fell back into the trap of consuming too many carbs in an effort to keep my energy and concentration up at work. I’ve been doing better over the last couple of days and I’m already starting to feel my energy come back a bit.

Hi everyone, hope you are doing well, especially if it is still hot where you are. We are around 30 degrees here in my part of France but that is normal for summer – better than the 40+ we had.

Arcticfox, great to see you back. I had a funny turn last week. Went into a shop for fruit and veg and decided to walk the 5 mins to the next shop instead of going back for the car. Just as I was about to pay I came over hot and cold, sick and dizzy. Think the heat had got to me but felt like a really needed the toilet urgent. I dashed back to the first shop where they have a disabled toilet but it was locked up due to covid. Got in the car and just told hubby to get me home. Could have been my BG dropping, or the heat or just not well for some unknown reason.

Had a call from the lung doctor today (while I was in the hairdressers) and, knowing I am going away for several weeks she wants to see me the end of the first week in September. So glad that is now organised so I can just forget about it and enjoy my holiday.

Wendy tells me she will be back in time to set up the next weeks thread so I can get on with all the last minute things I have to do. Then I will be away for 3 weeks.

Have a good weekend.

Morning all.
Your hot spell has made it into the news over here in Australia. I hope you are all coping okay with it, and staying as cool as possible.
S-G, so glad to hear you have your lung appointment sorted. I hope you have the most amazing time away. A daughters wedding is a very special occasion indeed. Enjoy every minute, and we look forward to hearing about it upon your return xx
ArcticFox – you certainly deal with the extremes weather-wise! Vertigo is horrendous. My father has it, and it can certainly be debilitating. Glad to hear that jumping back on the wagon is giving you more energy.
We took up the opportunity to get away for a little while to a little coastal spot last week. It was a wonderful time of getting the kids out kayaking, fishing, scenic walks, lots of fun family games etc. However, I can’t say I ate well, and I certainly noticed the impact it had on my energy levels. And talk about getting bloated! I looked about 6 months pregnant. I have a terrible time with temptation. If everybody else is getting something yummy from the bakery, I want something too. Never mind. I know there is no point beating myself up over it….. Back on the wagon today.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend xx

Sounds like you had a wonderful time away, Hopeful and you’re right, there is nothing to be gained by beating yourself up about holiday indulgences. Take it as lesson learnt and move on. I’ve been on the BSD WoE for many years now and still struggle with the old temptations on occasions. Think I am getting better at resisting, as I know how ill eating sugary pastries makes me feel, but there are still times it gets the better of me too.

Hope things go well now that you’re back on the wagon and facing forward again.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Hi there, brilliant that I have gone from seeing my doctor, having 3 lots of blood test, a pooh test, a scan and now an appointment with a specialist. All in the space of 2 weeks. The healthcare in France is fantastic. Not feeling great today but did manage to have a swim this morning. 30 mins. Plus my BG was down to 65 this morning so I will be lowering my insulin again tonight. Down to 9 units – never been so low before. Trying to be upbeat, my weight has dropped down to 72.5 so not far to go.

Enjoy the weekend.

S-g your philosophy of ‘ keep on keeping on…. ‘ is definitely working. Almost hitting that magic number of 8! Your health care system dose sound wonderful but it’s not all as bad as it’s painted here. I did a routine test in December, got results a few days later, Xmas Eve, had an appointment January 7th but changed it to the 12th and had a colonoscopy less than a week later and full results less than a week later. I thought that was brilliant service especially as it was over Xmas and New Year …. start to finish less than one month.
Anyway, stay upbeat, you have a lovely wedding to look forward to. Enjoy!!!
Will be back to report soon.

Hi V, went down to 9 units tonight so will see how I am in the morning. I wasn’t criticising the uk health system, just saying the French is brilliant. My grandson was stupid enough to bite into a peanut kitkat (didn’t know there was such a thing). He thought it was an ordinary one. He has a peanut allergy. Daughter rushed him straight to A&E and he was seen within minutes. He has an epi-pen but is scared to use it so he will get a lesson from me when I go over although I think the needle is quite big. I know how I felt the first time.

Hope all is well this morning after just 9 units s-g. I can’t believe how well you’ve done … you definitely need a gold star for perseverance!
No I know you weren’t and it must be wonderful to have such a great service, ours is very much hit and miss.
I think the press have a lot to answer for, after all no news is good news. Manchester airport, amongst others, is constantly being shown in the papers with huge great long queues and people missing flights. I know several people who have flown recently and none have had issues, but then that’s not news!. Think it’s the same with the health system, always doom and gloom!

Hi there, after dropping insulin to 9 units my BG was still under 80 this morning. Not dropping any further yet and still have 3 weeks in the UK to get through with parties and family visits, meals out and lots of drinks. Will try to keep it under control. You know me, I never slip into carbage but do like a couple of glasses of wine. I have just read an article by Dr Beckie Gillespie. Do you know spirits have no carbs – even though alcohol like wine and beer does, the carbs are destroyed in the distillation process. Warning, they still have calories. So I might stick to the occasional vodka now.

Not being a good role model but thats life.

Hello everyone ! Checking in from Birmingham Airport which is heaving ! I arrived in plenty.of time for my flight to Paris…I don’t do last minute ! 😱.
We have had a great time in the UK. Everything went smoothly..the wedding,the Christening, few days away in Minehead, Somerset, back to the Midlands..
Best of all was reconnecting with my (big) family. Everyone is well. My boys are an absolute joy (I’m a bit biased 😉)and at 29 and 31 seem really balanced and mature . I tend to forget they are not 5 years old any more 🤣.
They are both back in France and we have lots of time to meet up again (one in Paris and the eldest before he returns to Australia )
So it’s all good. Experienced a heat wave in the UK which caused a bit of panic but I suppose we are more used to dealing with extreme temperatures.
My food choices were not always low carb, not at all some days but I am more relaxed these days and accept celebrations happen and are essential.
Crikey I ate cream teas and my sister’s soda bread. I hadn’t eaten bread for 4 years !
My routine in France is different and my beautiful lettuces and salads await me. It will take a bit of time to shift a few kilos but to be honest I am not allowing guilt or self recrimination to sneak in. I needed my UK family time.
Thanks SG and everyone who continues to contribute to the thread. Arcticfox…sorry to hear about your health scare. Take good care.

As SG mentioned I will be able to set up the thread tomorrow. I have to keep reminding myself what day it is ! I won’t be home until Wednesday but I will find some time after my Paris wanderings !
Take good care xx

Wendy, your time away sounds absolutely perfect! What a wonderful stage of parenthood you are at – a time where you can look around you and see your boys thriving and all you have created. It sounds like you will have many amazing lifetime memories from your time away – I am glad it all went so fabulously xx

Hi Wendy so glad to see you back. You sound as though you had a fantastic time. It must be wonderful to have your sons so close after all the distance you have had to put up with. Make the most of it. I think the first time I realised my daughter was all grown up was when we went to visit her whilst she was on a placement for university. We were stood outside her flat and this very confident well dressed young woman carrying a briefcase came towards us and it took me a few seconds to realise who it was. I shed a little tear. She was soon back to being the girl I know and love when she told me about being pushed home in a shopping trolley because she was trollied 🙂 – that’s kids for you.

Wanted to comment on so many posts but I cant exactly remember which. But I will say hi to Verano, my friend for the last 6 years. And hi to Hopeful, Artic and Julz and great to have SunnyB back. Sunny, I expect you to keep the thread going. Hi too to Elle-Mae and Florab. Hope you are both well and will see you on FB.

I have another medical appt tomorrow. My annual eye test – lets hope he doesnt find anything wrong. As for the diabetes. I am tonight, for the first time ever – ta da – drum roll please, cutting my insulin down to 8 units. On 9 units my BG was 60 or 3.2 so getting too low to be safe. I could cut to 8 or have a piece of cake – joking – I dont like sweet things. So it will be 8 tonight. Then it is up to me to keep it low while I am away although I am sure it will creep up a bit. Also got my weight down to 72.4 which matches my lowest in such a long time.

Will pop across to the new thread tomorrow just to say au revoir.

Wendy … welcome home! Sounds like you had a brilliant time.
I’d have really worried about you if you’d only eaten low carb … this is real ‘life’! Bet you were still eating far fewer carbs than you used to eat before BSD. I think it might be a good exercise to just add up the number of carbs the average person eats in a week of ‘normal’, processed/junk food eating. We would still win hands down in the low carb stakes …. just enjoy.
Hi s-g👍 Well! You’ve done it! You’ve finally proved that no matter how long ago you have been diagnosed with T2 and been using medication, especially insulin, you can still reverse diabetes! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 I truthfully don’t know how you have stayed so committed for so long. Bet Doctor ‘gorgeous’ can’t believe his eyes! Come back to the UK and just enjoy🥂🥂
I have to admit I’ve never looked at the carbs in wine before …… oh dear! Thanks s-g I think my drink of choice when we go away will be a classic vodka martini with olives…. shaken of course!
Just a week before we go away but I’ll do my best to stay in touch until next Monday.
Hope everyone has had a positive week. August is looming ….. new name anyone???

Verano and SG, just popping in to wish you both a wonderful time away. Kick back and enjoy, it’s long overdue!!!

YES!!!!

Bonjour from Paris ! I spent hours traipsing around looking for a decent coffee shop this morning .I am very fussy 😉
My son and his partner are taking me out to a Thai restaurant tonight, looking forward to that !
One more day in Paris and then home and back to my ‘routine” .
SG , wishing you a fab time, will be thinking of you.
I am preparing a Summer 2022 photo album as this was such a special time .
I will set up the new thread now !