Started 5:2 yesterday and RTE, following a vist to the Doctors where my Diabetes medication was upped again. I am looking to loose 4 stone and get my diabetes under full control without needing any medication.
I intend to mix and match 5:2 and 800 cal as I will have difficulty fitting in a good long 800 cal stretch this year. Hopefully a couple of 4 weeks bursts
Last night was difficult but I got through it and had a 13 hour overnight fast.
I have gone onto black tea and coffee
First 800 cal day today
Porridge made with water and a few blueberries for breakfast, some cashew nuts mid morning and ham salad for lunch which comes to about 400 cals in total.
I normally see friends of an evening in a non food environment twice a week so I am making those my 800 cal days.
Oh and my scales show a 3lb loss in one day. I don’t really belive that!

Sorry if my post is on the wrong bit of the forum

Grrr I had just written a long post and it disappeared!! So take two!

Welcome David and please don’t worry about where you are posting, we will find you and help
In anyway we can. Believe your 3lb discard as I lost nearly a stone in my first week on this way of eating. I have never put it back on even though it was probably water weight. I have been on this woe for 21 weeks now and it only took me 18 weeks to discard 4 stone. We are unique and one size does not fit all. So we all discard at different rates.

Also as you are male you will probably find that you can eat more carbs and protein than us ladies. Men don’t seem to retain water as badly as women, I am not saying you don’t but our hormones make us retain it worse. We can also drop a shoe size unlike men. The proof is when we are pregnant our foot size can also go up. I can’t eat oats and a lot of others on here can’t either, but that does not mean it is wrong to eat them. I stick with full fat milk, double cream and butter for my coffee, cooking and the such. No low fat on this diet as it is full of sugar and spikes our insulin. I tried the 5:2 a few years ago and I couldn’t do it! I got really bad headaches! But I gave up bread, pasta, potatoes and rice from day one on this woe and didn’t have any bad symptoms, I know I was lucky as a few of us got carb flu. Any questions you have please don’t hesitate, no question is a silly one and we do not judge.

I had all my bloods done recently and I am pleased to say that each one was normal. Sugar, thyroid and cholesterol, so don’t be afraid of high good fats.

It is a very warm sunny day here in Sussex and I survived my first night back at work after my 3 week break and holiday.

Hope you are all well. Wendy is out and about with her son today so I will be keeping an eye on the thread for her in case y’all need me. Have a great day guys❤️ Birdy 🦜💞

Thanks for the welcome Birdy

For the next while at least I intend to give up bread pasta and rice. And Beer! I have stopped taking milk in my tea and coffee as well to keep me right on the evening fasts.

I will keep posting on one week at a time if thats ok. Trying to post at least once a week should help me focus and keep on track.

Hi David,
It tends to be that there is this weekly thread which starts each Tuesday and a monthly thread. Most people on the forum hang out on one or both, and you will find a mixture from newcomers to people who have successfully been in maintenance for a couple of years on the forum who stay on the forum to offer a helping hand to newcomers based on their experience.
Don’t be surprised by a rapid loss initially, when you fuel your body with carbs your body has to store water as part of storing the carbs. – Cut out the carbs and your body releases the water. If you stay low carb consistently you may experience what is known as keto flu. – When our kidneys release the stored water they also release electrolytes. Increasing your salt intake will replace the electrolytes and prevent the flu like symptoms.
I get the impression from your message that you are still focusing on the old idea of calories in – calories out myth. – You mention that you plan to cut down to 800 calories and that you may not be able to stick to 800 calories for a long stretch this year. If your main issue is getting blood sugar levels under control and reducing/coming off medication would it be possible for you to focus more on keeping the level of carbs right down every day rather than on counting calories?
One of the things that I like about this forum is that we are free to share information including links to useful research and books by other Doctors which will help you understand why its the level of carbs rather than the level of calories which is the key to getting insulin levels and therefore weight under control. You will find a lot of links to useful information on the Take a Look at this Thread. The doctor who specialises in reversing diabetes is Dr Fung and there is a wide range of data in his podcasts and in his book the Diabetes Code which you may find helpful in understanding more about the process.
There are people on the forum who have come off T2 medication completely over time with following a low carb diet consistently as well as others who are happy to stay at a reduced level of medication, so I am sure that there will be a range of voices along to provide tips based on their experience. But do shout out any questions.

Hello everyone and thanks for the birthday greetings. 👍👍
It’s lovely to see some new faces joining. It’s been very quiet on the forums but it usually is during August holidays. I’m on a staycation this week and glad to say am enjoying de cluttering my house, tip runs (tomorrow). It’s very therapeutic! Good luck to all new starters and just shout out with any queries. Have a look at the “Take a look at this” thread for various snippets of information and useful podcasts. Good luck and let us know how you are getting on. 😁😁👏👏👍👍
Kazzeexx

Having just bought 800 fast book I am trying to give that a go. Hence overnight fasts, some weeks of 800 cal and some weeks of 5:2. Idealy I would have liked to have given the 800 cal for a longer stretch but we have a couple of trips away planned and I won’t be able to do it then. The ongoing plan is to try and pretty much stick to the mediteranean diet without getting completely obsessive about it.
My driving motivation is to try and reverse or at least substantially mitigate my Type 2 Diabeties

Hi Wendleg and Sim14K
I’ve not been on the Forum for a few days, so I’ve just read both your posts about PCOS, metformin and inositol. Wendy, I’ve never had PCOS, but I’ve read on other sites of people prescribed metformin to help with PCOS – I think it’s to do with the link to insulin resistance, is that right Sim14k? Funnily enough, I was searching Esnecca’s posts the other night and was reading about her PCOS going on this way of eating – so completely go with Wendy’s suggestion of looking her up.

Sim14k – I know where your head can be when you’ve tried to do something a few times – I came to the BSD wanting to put my newly diagnosed Type II in remission and lose a load of weight, but also absolutely believing I’d got past the stage where I could lose weight (after many, many years of failed attempts – WW, Slimming World, etc). That wasn’t true for me, and it isn’t true for you either. PCOS may make it a bit slower, but you can do it! My tip at the start would be to find a way of doing this which is ‘stick able-to’ for you …… everything else will follow xx.
Kazz – belated happy birthday wishes
Hope everyone else has a good rest of the week
Jennie xx

Edited: David, I’ve just read your post – I did the original Blood Sugar Diet ( I started with 5:2, but found it tricky – kept forgetting to do the ‘2’). That worked to put my type II into remission (as it has for lots on here past and present) but I’ll be really interested to here how you go with the Fast 800. Best wishes

Thanks for looking after everyone today, Birdy ! I had a lovely day with my son although I am very sad that he is going back to Australia tomorrow….

Many thanks for your encouraging post Jennie10. I am sure Sim14K, and anyone else struggling with PCOS will find it very helpful. You really can do this Sim14K ! Lots of useful advice there for you too, David…and welcome to the forum !
Nice to see another bloke on our thread ! Bikeyguy checks in once a week too . Just do what feels best for you. Be warned..I can nag a bit 😉 JGwen has also given you some very useful advice. She is known as being our resident researcher and really knows her stuff. You can reverse that Type 2.Low carb is key. You are absolutely right in saying that it really does require a shift in mindset.

How are you getting on Coriander ? Cheggars25 ?
Hi sixturkeys !
Hi Scottishgal ! Don’t stay away too long ! Not long till your trip to Vienna !
Where is sunshine-girl ? Come back and tell us what you are up to !
Let us know how you are getting on Maisiebeth
Keep posting Amethyst and let us know how you are doing !
Looking forward to a catch up, EC !
I am going to check on Amz .
Love to all the regulars…you know who you are !
I am back at work tomorrow for a day of meetings so I will not be able to post much but I will try to sneak a look at the thread on my phone !
Birdy ..keep an eye out for everyone ?

Evening all! I have only now looked at recent posts, and thought I might see one from CaliforniaGirl, who I know looks at a certain daily broadsheet in the UK. Interesting feature articles, tho I am increasingly troubled by the agenda…but moving on! Today there was an article about fasting, and benefits. Just to quote from bits of the article… University of Graz, Austria: restricting your calories every other day, aka “calorie cycling” lowers chloresterol, improves heart health and extends life expectancy in otherwise healthy adults. Fasting for weight loss: refers to Prof Valter Longo, Uni of Southern California and the ProLon diet (500 cals over 5 days; max of three times a year, but possibly also every month for three months…Fasting for brain health: refers to Mark Mattson, prof of neuroscience, John Hopkins… “Animal trials show that intermittent fasting, such as TRE promotes the growth of new brain cells, though this is yet to be shown in humans”…Fasting for diabetes… a ref to the Newcastle studies, and to Uni of Alabama, pre-diabetic patients who ate between 7 am and 3 pm for five weeks had improved insulin sensitivity , compared to those who ate the same number of calories spread over the day. There’s also a piece by a woman who changed to OMAD, but no calorie counting – and says she lost 12kgs since April…I’m not endorsing anything just sharing for those who might want to look further, or just find what best suits them. For myself, broadly keeping to low carb (in a broad sense), healthy fats, moderate protein, mainly 16:8 has worked, incl blips. I am a slimmer almost “malgre moi-meme” – Wendy can translate!

Spécial hugs to @wendleg. I know first hand how hard it is to be separated by so many kms and flight hours from family.
It’s especially hard on those days I leave France to go back “home” in Melbourne. Big hugs!

Malgré moi même means despite myself 😎

Yes Louise, that’s exactly right! And evidence that this WoE works even for the laxer followers. I’m interested how a French person comes to live in Aus – I think it’s great, but I don’t understand how there’s still that general perception of connection to the “old country”. Why the nation would still want to have a Queen or a King, many miles away. And this nonsense “taking advice from the prime minister” but still a “prerogative”.

Haha 6T you made me laugh 🙂 I left France 12 years ago for a simple heart broken syndrome and needed to put as many kilometres between that broken love and myself. At the time, my brother happened to live in Australia as it had been his forever dream. Not sure what the dream was all about, I can’t say that I had ever dreamed of even visiting Australia… It wasn’t remotely on my list of countries to visit.
Anyway, so off I went, with the aim to spend 3 months and then come back to what I then thought was the greatest city ever – Paris. After a mere 6-8 weeks down-under I was having nightmare of going back to France for the Australian people were so welcoming, and relaxed, overall very nice people.
I think the connection to the “old country” is fading. Most people realise now that Australia is a land that have been stollen from the aboriginals and we recognise this daily. Most aussies would be glad to part from the Queen and I’m sure it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.

Hello. Sorry for posting late.
My daughter had a check up and get weight had been brought up again. I really hate that my unhealthy eating habits have affected her health…so I have been brainstorming and planning wuss to help her ear healthy and get more activity in. These changes will wish be great for me!

Hello again beautifuls!!
@jennie10 ‘stick able-to’ for you is such a great tip. It’s all about finding out what strategies fit best for oneself.
@david-knight, welcome to the forum and welcome to your new way of eating. You won’t look back and you will be amazed at your results. Men tend to show quicker results too 😉
@kazzuk Happy belated birthday! Nothing like decluttering to free up the mind! Have you ever read or seen anything from Marie Condo? She’s the queen of decluttering and very popular at the moment.
@birdy76 glad that the return from holiday wasn’t too big of a shock.
@amz-the-beautiful sorry to hear about the difficult health appointment. Is your daughter going lower carbs too? I have been recommended a recipe book geared towards kids. I haven’t tried it yet but will do and will implement new recipes for my little people. It’s called Keto Kids Cookbook.
Is @beegirl away?
The forums are getting much busier as we are heading into September which is a nice change of pace.
—-
Happy day for me, weather is crisp and sunny, a perfect winter day. I had a Dexa scan this morning. It’s a full body scan to understand body composition, how much fat, how much bone, how much muscles.
The doc gave me a new objective for weight goal on the back of that scan. Initially I had a goal of 65kg and waist under 80cm. My waist has dropped under 80cm already and I’m only 2lbs from my 65kg goal. No doubt I will reach it next week.
Based on my current body fat percentage though, my updated goal though is 61kg (gloups). It should drop my bf % to 30% which isn’t even low. I can’t even remember a time I was at that weight and it initially felt impossible. But if I have learned something with this WOE it’s that what used to feel impossible is now within reach. Cutting processed carbs, removing snacking and introducing fasting periods. C’est pas sorcier! 😉
Quite a shock though to realise that I have been carrying so much fat inside my body despite being a healthy BMI. Confirmation of my thoughts that I am a SOFI (“skinny” out fat inside)
Talk later.

Good morning all, just popping in to say I will be about today to keep the ball rolling for Wendy, as it is her first day back to school! I am off to London for a meal with friends tonight and I have already chosen my meal. I will have a starter of haloumi cheese with basil and tomatoes, then a steak with salad to follow. I am driving so no alcohol for me and I will say no to dessert. I still haven’t decided what to wear as waiting to see the weather and temps in the capital😂😂.

I hope you all have a fabulous low carb day❤️❤️

Off to bed now, so see you all in a few hours. Birdy 💞🦜

Hi all – one more day of work and then the movie is completely wrapped and I’ll be looking around for my next job. Wrap party was held in an absolutely beautiful house in the Hollywood Hills – the house had a rectangular pool in the center with an infinity spa pool and courtyard and the house was built around it. It had trees all around it so was completely private. We had a DJ and a photo booth – I had dinner before I went so wasn’t tempted by the sushi laid out or the plates they later brought around. 5 different desserts looked delicious but I steered clear and didn’t even go and look at the cotton candy (candy floss) they were making although one of my friends picked the “cotton candy burrito” which was different cotton candy colors in a burrito shape with cereal (frosty cereals as a dessert are very trendy here at the moment), chocolate and other forms of sugar! I had a couple of glasses of wine, my first in a very long time but had accounted for them in my carbs and calorie count. Have to say, I didn’t feel great heading off to a day of work, lifting boxes out of our storage unit and returning/donating furniture props, but I sweated it out and feel like I got a workout in!
Welcome David Knight, I hope you have much success with lowering your medication. Many people on here have seen great results!
Wendy, you will miss your son a lot – is the next visit going to be you going to see him in Oz?
Interesting stuff, 6T and nice to hear from you 😊
Amz – sounds like you’re on top of helping your daughter, we’re all pleased to see you back
Birdy – enjoy your night out in London! What area is the restaurant in? I lived there for three years many years ago and it’s a city that I feel I know very well
Hope everyone is doing well this week, nice to see lots of posts xx

Morning Kafin we are going to Sloane Square❤️

Wendy we will be here for you as you say goodbye to your son. It must be hard for you but also good knowing he is happy in Australia. Sending you massive hugs🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 Birdy 💞🦜

Morning all. Bit of a mixed bag for me this week. Started off really well and getting under a stone marker but have struggled a bit since. Wednesday night I just couldn’t sleep and after finally dropping off for what seemed like minutes, woke up hungry, fed up and very tired. Couple that with a weight gain for no obvious reason and all resolve went out the window. If it wasn’t moving I ate it! Not huge quantities but all the wrong things, all the sugary stuff that led to my weight gain in the first place. But, in a rational moment, I decided to give myself permission to do this on the understanding that I would just get it out of my system, face the consequences this morning, and do a 24hr water fast. So 2 3/4lb up, got to be water, didn’t eat that volume in food, (after all how much does a crunchie or 2 weigh!)
It’s still lovely to read this thread, everyone is so encouraging.

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and words of sage advice.
Yesterday was my first 800 cal day and it went well. I game with friends two evenings a weeek so I can get fully absorbed into that and can get by on a couple of cups of black tea. My ongoing plan to use these nights for low calorie days. It also means I have my dinner a little bit earlier so my overnight fast last night was nearly 14 hours.
Just under 5lbs off in two days so the aim is to be switched on to low carbs (and evening fasts) for the next 3 days and then do 800 cal on Monday.

Hello!
I am starting my 8 week plan tomorrow (once my book arrives today).
In the last 5 years I’ve put on around 6 stone and every time I look in the mirror now I hate how I am, and although I don’t quite have any health implications due to it yet, it is only a matter of time as I am only 5 foot.
I have been trying hard to loose weight for so long now, but I am ashamed to admit I am a carb monster, and lack willpower when my other half eats what he wants and stays as slim as a twig and I stare at him with dislike as I eat my salad!
But with wedding dress shopping in 4 weeks and a wedding in 5 months it’s about time I found something and stick to it. Someone I work with suggested the 8 week plan as it’s worked for her and I thought why not.
I am hoping having a little chat like this will help me give and receive support and help me stay accountable.
I have been reading though the thread and feel you guys all seem so lovely and know what your talking about, so I hope you don’t mind if I come along for the ride.
I hope all your weeks and losses are going well and may a low carb week be ahead of us all!

Hi MaisieBeth – I have done exactly that before and I’m slowly using this WOE to help change my thinking when I have those down days. My body often irrationally puts on weight and at times I feel I have no control over it despite doing everything right. Glad you got it out of your system and gave yourself a break on it so you can now start fresh. Next time you feel like that, reach out here and someone will help talk you through it 😊. It helps me to think of it as just a moment that will pass and as for the unexpected weight gain, I often find that as long as I stay on track, it’s gone the next day.
Welcome Stickee! I completely understand that look in the mirror and hate how you look feeling, I battle with it every day but you have made a great decision choosing to jump on board and you have a wonderful goal in mind already with your wedding 💍. Just take it one day at a time, remind yourself that even though it’s an 8 week plan you’re embarking on, long term consistent changes will have the most benefit and please reach out if you need any help. There are lots of lovely people willing to help with a ton of knowledge to share 😊

Thanks for the encouragement Kafin. I have stuck to my guns and done the 24hr water fast today. So far not too difficult apart from the horrible metallic taste in my mouth. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what they do to alleviate this. I have contemplated sucking briefly on a polo and then spitting it out before I swallow, but I am sure that isn’t the best option! 🙂

Hi StickeeUK. I am quite new to this WOE, having tried Slimming World before and got very discouraged with how slowly the weight came off. I am finding this a lot easier and because the weight does come off quickly, I can cope with occasional feelings of hunger. As per my earlier post, I have fallen off the wagon a couple of times, but it’s quite easy to clamber back on. I have found that the key for me is to read the books thoroughly. Get a bit of an understanding as to how the science works, not only is it really interesting but it helps you make more informed choices. Like you I am doing this purely for the weight aspect rather than anything medical, but again like yourself realise that if I don’t do something now, health problems are inevitable. So good luck and well done on having taken the first step.

@maisiebeth well done!! That metallic taste mean that you have successfully put your body in ketosis.
You are now a fat burning machine 😀
Personally I have experienced it for a couple of days and then it never returned while I’m still in ketosis. Hang in there and it will go away.

Hello all, sorry I’ve been a bit of an absentee player this week, things are slowly returning to normal for me.

Welcome to all the newcomers, it’s lovely to have you here.

Kafin your wrap party sounds amazing fun, definitely something out of the everyday for this country mouse 😌 I’m not sure that I’m so keen on frosty cereals as a dessert … but I just bet it shows up in the foody magazines here over the next little while!

I’m wrapping up my Attentive August and planning September so will pop over to the monthly thread to update there. I’m also planning an Egg Fast from tomorrow, to start September, but that thread doesn’t always let me post for some reason so I’ll see what it’s doing today. The suspense 😌

Have a grand day, Elky

Violinist, I hope you are ok with Hurricane Dorian coming in — I will be thinking of you and hoping it veers off the coast. Very scary trajectory right now. Stay safe.

This Saturday concludes my 11th week on the plan and have lost another 2.2kg / 5lbs 😄😄😄
I’m now less than 1 lbs away from my initial goal. I already bought myself a present for this achievement. A very lovely leather purse which will remind me of how far I’ve come every time I take it out.
My updated goal post DEXA scan, is to lose another 5kg/10lbs. For this coming week, I’ll target to lose 1.5kg.

Morning all and a warm welcome to you StickeeUk. I wish you all the success on your journey to a new you. A wedding how exciting and congratulations. I am sure you will find the perfect dress and then get it altered for the new you❤️❤️.

I had a great night in London last night with my OH and met his goddaughter from Australia. She is beautiful on the inside and out💞🥰.

Next week marks normality for most of us with children as they go back to school! I am looking forward to getting back into routine and being able to post more often. I need to tweak my eating plan and get a few fasts in! I know with this forum and all you lovely people I will get to my target. So lovely to see new people joining us🤗🤗. Just shout if you have any questions guys as there will always be someone here no matter what time of day or night. Wishing you all a fab weekend❤️

Parents here for the weekend so lots of walking and exploring.

Birdy 💞🦜

Hello everyone
Yesterday was too busy to check in as I had to dust off my satchel for my first day back to work. The salad buffet was very nice but I made a big mistake thinking a Greek yoghurt with vanilla would be ok ..oops it turned out to be 17g of carbs when I checked at home. I should have googled it at the table !! Oh well ..not much carbage gets past me these days 😉
Thanks Birdy for stepping in again !
Maisiebeth I have peppermint essential oil on my desk and I occasionaly put a couple of drops on my tongue to freshen my mouth.It’s a potent extra extra strong mint hit but could maybe help you too ? I can’t nip out and leave my class to clean my teeth 😉
Welcome Stickee ! Banish any thoughts of hating yourself . Don’t dwell on the ‘negatives’ …CARBS are the monsters that keep you addicted to sugar and wreck your willpower. You can beat that addiction. It requires commitment but you’re worth it !
Now focus on the positives .You have made the decision to address the issues. You want to protect your health. You want to look your best for the wedding. Great …off you go !!
We can’t do it for you Stickee but I promise you we can keep you motivated and encourage you along the way.
Are you clear about how to start and your food choices ? We always recommend http://www.dietdoctor.com as well as Michael Mosley’s books and recommendations. Lots of very useful info on there
Keep checking in and don’t compare yourself with anyone else.It’ s about YOU xxx
All the very best Stickee !

Good to see you, Amz
Sorry you have extra worries about your daughter .I found some info on dietdoctor.com which might be useful

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb-kids
Hope you have a good weekend xxx

I’m still around, just a bit busy right now. I’ll be able to be more involved and read the posts starting next week

Well I did a 36hr fast and dropped 2 1/2lb, the water weight I had put on on my binge day! Pleased with the result but it was hard going. I think a 24hr is manageable, going from supper to supper and I will definitely try that a couple of times before my holidays.
Thank you for the tip Wendleg, I will try the peppermint oil. I can cope with being hungry but it’s the dryness and horrible taste in my mouth I hate. I feel that I am breathing toxic fumes over everyone as well which can’t be pleasant for them!
Made the fish pie from the book today but with cauli mash rather than celeriac. Still can’t get my head around putting double cream, creme fraiche and cheese in my meals and still losing weight! But I did have a moment earlier that shook me up a bit. I walked into Tesco and the first thing I thought was “Oh thank heavens, they have cauliflower back in stock”! Never thought I would be that person 🙂

That’s a very solid result, Maisiebeth, well done! I was never allowed cream or butter growing up, always had to have margarine and non-fat milk and so I never really knew what they tasted like and I can’t believe how delicious it all is! I feel cheated !!
Glad to see you drop in, Amz, no matter how brief 😊
I enjoyed sleeping in and waking up with my own body clock today for the first time in a month. It’s been a hectic schedule shooting this movie and as nice as it is to be off my feet, I do miss the camaraderie of being around others (plus having my meals cooked for me!), it’s a bit quiet with just myself and Albert. Today is house cleaning day after being a bit slack over the month and then I’ll go for a walk when it’s cooler. Other than that a pretty quiet weekend here. Hope everyone has an enjoyable one xx

Thanks Kafin. Onwards and downwards! ;-).
I am sorry if you have been through this hundreds of times but your job sounds impossibly exciting! What is it you do in films?

I don’t mind at all, Maisebeth! I work as either a food stylist or Prop master usually in TV commercials. This was my first movie and very poorly paid but but gives me some days towards getting into the Union which would open up my opportunities. Just very hard to get in to, in fact they call it the Unicorn! Prop master means being responsible for anything that the “talent” or background (extras) touch. Could be getting handbags, fake credit cards or many times we have to make things like fake snow, ice etc. It can be very creative which I love. Same goes for the food – I like to do big banquets but I don’t have a lot of gear as it’s a big investment and without job guarantees, it’s too much of an outlay right now. The movie is called Violet – not sure when it comes out but I expect you all to go and watch through to the credits and look for “Kirsten” under Prop Asst!!

Wow, that sounds so interesting, but I guess it must get very hectic and planning a proper mealtime schedule nigh on impossible! As with a lot of “Glamorous” jobs it sounds like a lot of hard work. I used to travel a lot with mine and people couldn’t understand why I got fed up of airports, hotels and foreign factories! Currently an early retiree and loving it!

It is so much hard work! I’ve spent most of working life in corporate sitting at a desk on a computer so this has been a real career change for me. Much as I like being in jeans and a tee instead of dress and heels, I feel like I just sweat, lift, load, show butt crack or boob crack all day long!! But I think I’ve built a lot of arm muscle doing this lately, hefting things around and when that pay check arrives, I have such a sense of satisfaction (not at the amount 😁) that I’ve really earned it!

I did my first self administered blood test for a long time today. I was amazed and almost concerned at a result of 4.7! It was taken mid day as I struggled a bit to get the thing to work. I will do it before breakfast for the next few days and see how it goes.

Oh yes…we will be looking out for that movie Kafin ! Can I have your autograph, please ? 😉
There is nothing glamorous about teaching I am afraid, although I do my best with my wacky earrings ! Wish I had your arms ! Mine are a bit droopy and crepey …again not very glamorous 😉
Enjoy your retirement, Maisiebeth ! Lots of time to concentrate on you now !
Yes, we are all thinking of you, Violinist .
Great blood result, DK !! Keep us posted .
Don’t forget to check in folks when you can and all the best to kiddies going back to school on Monday ! 😉

4.6 before breakfast
On a different note I think that overnight fasting is helping
One other thing I have taken from the new book is taking the dog for a walk before breakfast rather than after

That sounds very encouraging to me DK. I am not an expert on blood sugar levels and hope others will come on and reassure you by discussing ther experience ( Sunshine girl, Jennie10 ??? ) Pleased it’s all going well !!!

What a lovely week end in Melbourne. Weather was just beautiful and I’m very excited to welcome spring.
I have made a huge commitment outside of my comfort zone as I paid a deposit towards a silent yoga retreat. I’ve never done much yoga… But a friend has told me it was the best time she has ever spent on herself so I’m giving it a go. Lots of yoga, lots of meditation. A cook will prepare our meals that will be vegetarian based so I’m thinking a little carb heavy. But that won’t stop me, I could treat the retreat as a fasting opportunity too…
What would you do if you couldn’t control the food that would be served to you? Maybe I could just ask them ahead of time whether it would be possible to have the carbs as a side dish? Or would you “just” fast?

Hi all sorry I have been quiet! I have had my parents here this weekend which has been hectic but lovely. They leave tomorrow which is a shame, but we have had a fab long weekend together❤️

I am looking forward to being in routine again but not looking forward to it too😂😂

David your bloods are great and long may it last, with the hope of getting off of your meds.

LK I would ask for a menu as I am sure there will be loads with dietary needs.

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

Birdy 💞🦜

Hi LouiseK,
Its fairly normal nowadays for people to be asked about any dietary requirements. – I would suggest informing them that your dietary requirement is ketogenic. (Maybe specify the total maximum carbs a day.)

I have had mixed results with doing this for events, I even had one chief come out of the kitchen in complete whites with the big hat to show me the lid of the ice cream tub to show me that there are no carbs listed in the ingredients. 🙂 However, I think even experiences like this has a benefit because it raised awareness of this WoE with the kitchen staff and the people on the same table.

Thanks I will ask for a a low carb/keto diet.

Here are my DEXA scans results for those of you that are interested. See how despite the low weight I’m still full of fat?! Perfect exemple of skinny out fat inside. Need to exercise and build muscles.
https://ibb.co/DLt8v7Y

Well folks I thought I would post this as today marks the first anniversary of the beginning of my BSD ‘journey’ . It was the first Monday of term in September 2018 that I decided to take control of my health and do my very best to avoid serious issues which were clearly beckoning. I had been reading the forum, trying to find my way around the threads, wondering if and where to post, initially finding it all a bit confusing . Thank you caronl for gently guiding me to where I needed to be and giving me lots of useful advice as I was starting out !

I was very nervous when I started posting but looking back at that time I remember the lovely, warm welcome I received . Thank you so much Allie who gathered me in almost immediately , also JGwen, Kazz,SunnyB, Californiagirl, Woodduckie, who patiently gave me the most valuable tips. Dreamscometrue, you were there early on too ! Esnecca’s wise, articulate words have always been an inspiration to me . I have probably forgotten the names of lots of others who so generously reached out to me and set me on the right path while I was asking all sorts of daft questions ! Please forgive me but you all count ! As a serial dieter I had tried everything going with varying , mostly limited success, yo yoing being my way of life and it was always a solitary experience with very dismal Januaries. To find the forum, to be able to share and feel supported was such a revelation to me . I have made friends for life on here with the most wonderful, warm, caring, funny women.
I wrote in September 2018 that I was hoping to discard 20 kilos ( I always used the verb ‘lose’ until Duckie set us all on the discard route !) .I started out at 100kg/16 stone) which I think was probably not my heaviest ( denial phase) and here I am at (almost ) 70 kg /11 stone with a completely new outlook, smaller clothes, just as many wacky earrings ( loads more in fact !!) and the prospect of a healthy retirement ! Wow…I never ever thought I could find myself in that peaceful place.
I thought I would just share what I have learnt over the year..I am in no way a role model but it might help some people who tend to doubt themselves and their prospects for success .
I have learned…..
1) To be grateful and so thankful to the wonderful, experienced women on here who continue to generously give of themselves to guide and support despite being in long term maintenance.
2) To always trust JGwen who is so incredibly knowledgeable and does all the research for us.
3) To read lots..not just Michael Mosley but also Jason Fung, Gary Taubes, Zoe Hardcombe, Eric Westman etc etc .I devour books about nutrition ! I am nerdy in nutrition !
4) To finally understand why I got and stayed fat,the role of insulin.
5) To realise that this really is a long term, life transforming venture not a quick fix.
6) That I can’t have loads of fruit …that I won’t ever be able to consume kilos of fruit smoothies ever again.
7) That sugar is poison for me.
8) That I have to take care of my good gut bugs and not feed them carbage.
9) To be happy knowing that I can live without bread, rice, pasta, potatoes etc and not feel deprived in the slightest.
10) That some food really is c**p and that I can’t nourish my body with c**p !
11) That food does not have magic ‘comforting’ powers.
12) That 90% and plus choc tastes really good ! But I mustn’t over do it .
13) That I can go on holiday and just do as I always do.Nothing will de rail me .
14) That the food I choose is my friend and can nourish me and no longer harm me because I am in control. It really is about ‘mindset’.
15) That I must drink lots and lots.
16) That to not eat for long periods is not a scary thing and that it feels good. I can fast for 24 ,36 and occasionally 48 hours + and feel fine.
17) To finally recognise what hunger feels like and to welcome it.
18) That everything I do is healing my body however insignificant .
19) That I might not discard spectacular amounts of weight, certainly not now anyway but I trust my body and the process and feel relaxed about that.
20) Not to get too obsessed with the scales .
21) Not to get discouraged when things slow down and stop…just to keep going and trust things will get going again. It takes time.It’s ok.
22) To mix things up…16/8 ,18/6, OMAD , TMAD, intermittent and extended fasting, Egg Fasts ..
23) To never eat breakfast.
24) To be wary of the appeal of nuts !!
25) To be wary of dairy ! (see No .12 and 24 😉 )
26) To enjoy fermented veg !
27) To not be too fearful of calories, but to be very very careful with the carbs.
28) To look on the breakfast cereals , crisps, biscuits, sweets aisles and anything processed with revulsion when I go shopping !
29) To always read the nutritional info !
30) To believe that success is possible, that cravings do ease,( mine really have disappeared) and that health is far far more important than the urge to eat a bun !!
I just checked and I have 1.096 posts (replies created) ( yikes !!) I I feel humbled that you trusted me enough to allow me to host the Weekly Thread , taking over from Verano and SunnyB. I will do my utmost to help as much as I can and to give back a bit because I have received so much help on here.
When I started out I remember EclecticRajistani began posting around the same time and was doing so well. One year later I can never quite give up on the hope that she will come back . Can you hear me clucking again … ! I hope that anyone who has ploughed through this post , hesitating to join the forum will take the plunge and join us. Do it for your health .
Sorry this was a bit long .Be grateful it only happens once a year 😉 !!.

That is lovely Wendy — thank you for your useful and supportive perspective! I know a lot of what you said will resonate with others, and hopefully also with people on the sidelines who may be struggling.
Amazing journey for you and your year!

Happy anniversary Wendy.
I have watched your progress over the past year and really recently have adopted your mix up of various low carb eating.
You are up there with the other inspirers!
X B

Happy anniversary from me too, Wendy! What a fabulous and heartfelt post! You really deserve all good things that this WOE brings and are a true inspiration to me (and I’ve been here 2 years!) and others. Congratulations, our Wendy! 🙂 Cartwheels, pom poms, claps and hugs! xxxx
Kazzeexx

Happy anniversary Wendy!! Sounds like you have found your peace with food 🙂