I successfully lost 30lbs on the diet last year but have sadly put back on 20 of those lost pounds. It’s been a real struggle to keep to the diet and I have had many false starts. I was wondering if there is anyone who has been in the same situation as me. I just can’t revive that wonderful resolve and the interest I had last year.

Hi Barbarar,
I’m not quite the same as you – I lost 10lbs in the autumn but I would like to lose about 6-7 more to be comfortable with myself. I started with lots of enthusiasm, like you but these last few pounds just don’t want to go. I try to keep mainly to the BSD diet but I don’t count calories – I have just cut out starchy carbs and sugar (mostly!😬). Like you I am finding it hard to keep going because I feel like I am eating the right things but the weight isn’t going down. I am happy to be your ‘buddy’ and we can encourage each other – I’m wondering if a week or so of 800 might kick start the weight loss.
Good luck with it – there are loads of really supportive groups on here with some amazing and inspirational people.
SSB

Portion sizes are key especially with higher fat consumption as it is so calorifically dense. I would suggest that you at least weigh things like cheese, butter, cream, oil and avocado, so you can tell if you are eating too much of these. This is where the discipline of the 800 calories comes in very useful in resetting portion sizes. You need to be careful as well to reduce your calories as you lose weight as you actually need less to maintain your weight. Recalculate your TDEE at your new weight so you know what to aim at on average.

I maintained interest while losing my weight by varying the ‘patterns’ of the basic BSD so used 5:2, 4:3, 2:5 and 6:1 as well as the 8 weeks at 800, and I still throw in the occasional 800 day because I enjoy them, and use 16:8 style intermittent fasting regularly. I have been maintaining at my target weight now since Feb 1st so my six month anniversary is almost here 😀 so it can be done.

Hi Mixnmatch – yes, I think that’s where I need to go – I know if you reduce carbs down to less than 50g, your body naturally burns fat and in fact can’t lay down fat because of the very reduced insulin, but it’s still easy to eat too many calories in fat. My TDEE is only 1300 so I know I go over it some days. Interestingly, I had some toast for the first time in ages yesterday and my weight was up 2 1/2 lbs this morning – I know that’s not actual ‘fat’ ( I would have had to have eaten 8000 extra calories to put that on, and I definitely didn’t eat that much toast!) but I think it is my body’s response to a pile of carbs that I am not used to eating. I will do 800 for a week or so to restart the weight loss then keep a check on those fats!
SSB

Really, getting back to the BSD 800 basics would help if you can bear to go there. Also keep an eye on hydration, as this is so important to keeping things working as they should – including weight loss. Eating carbs does cause water retention, so in your situation SSB, good hydration is very important.

Barbarar – can you incentivise yourself in someway? Perhaps by promising yourself certain non-foodie treats for hitting particular goals. Even setting mini-goals can help keep you focused and make it easier to hold on to motivation – after all the prospect of losing a few pounds, is a lot less daunting than the prospect of having to lose 20 or 30 pounds.

Good luck and I hope you are able to get back on track and achieve your goals.

Thank you SunnyB – yes, I do need to keep up with the fluids although I can wee for England some days! I am definitely going to re-focus – I go on holiday on Wednesday but I think even a few days will help kick-start me. I won’t be very strict on holiday but as I have pretty much weaned myself off starchy carbs, I know I can keep to BSD principles even on holiday. It will also be very hot and I find that reduces my appetite as well.
SSB xx

Thank you for your encouraging words everybody.

Barbarar, I am the same! I started last October and did well, then not so much!
I pretty much restart every day now! Had a bit of a mental breakthrough today though and am going to try my heart out from now on because I feel so great when I eat this way and honestly it’s often just I can’t find the energy to plan out my food some days so I grab that evil quick fix!! Then there’s the wine…😩
But! It stops now and I’m sure we can both do it. It’s just getting back into the habit and one day at a time..
I’ve dug out some green tea and I found it suppressed my appetite and I know it’s great for weight loss so I can recommend! Best of luck.

Thank you Inka13. I think that. once past the 3rd day of hunger, it gets much easier and the hunger diminishes or becomes a positive sign of weight loss . I’ll dig out my excellent recipe book for inspiration, clear out the fridge, start making yoghurt sgain and stock up on healthy food. Good luck Inka13.