Welcome Panda ! It’s never to late to start back with us . Lovely to see another Aussie on the thread ! No doubt Duckie will come and say Hi too ! My two boys are in Oz and my hubby’s daughter lives near Sorrell.
We visited last year and Tasmania is spectacular !!
I digress ….

You know this works so keep posting and you will get your blood sugars balanced. You sound determined and motivated, all the very best to you !

Hi Panda! It’s good to see you back. Dr. Gary Fettke is in Tasmania. He’s an orthopedic surgeon and one of the heroes of the low carb movement because, believe it or not, the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency sanctioned him for having the temerity to suggest a low-carb diet to his patients. It took him two years of appeals to get them to reverse their dumbness and officially apologize. I listened to a podcast he was on recently and he said Tasmania is a great place for low-carbers because there’s such a great variety of local food — meat, veg, fish — available.

Niknak87, you might want to send this video to your family members for an excellent and very easy-to-follow explanation of the role insulin plays in PCOS: https://youtu.be/TaouRuqqEfY It’s by Dr. Jason Fung, nephrologist, T2D specialist and fasting guru, and his collaborator Nadia Pateguana who has PCOS and went through the wringer with her pregnancies because of it.

Thankyou Esnecca, I will pass it on.

I don’t really have anything to update today, diet is becoming a habit now, nothing new.
Weather is really nice 👍

You are all so amazing. I’m sure I would have fallen completely down a well if I wasn’t reading your posts. I mean… this week definitely hasn’t been the best. Daily binges and of course they just made me feel more tired, my hormones go even more mad and complete brain fog. But I just kept thinking about all of you and how hard you are trying and I thought if you can do it then surely I can too! I tried to start off with a fast but that was a bad idea as it just led to more binges. But I took my boyfriend’s advice and tried to get passionate about food again instead of viewing it as punishment or just something else to worry about. So I found some tasty BSD recipes that he can also enjoy, planned out the next few days and weekend and went shopping. So now I’m back on board and already feeling a lot better for it. I felt like I needed to stay in control during this hen do otherwise I would have kept on eating AALL THE CARBS until Monday and then I’d be a complete mess. The inflammation and blood sugar is a total mess right now so I have to look after myself. So I’ve found a vegan takeaway spot that does low carb buddha bowls! (Why is all takeaway carb heavy?!) and I’m going to avoid drinking apart from a few vodka soda’s. And instead of afternoon tea I’m going to have salmon and eggs (and resist the bread they’re served on!). Fingers crossed I can stay on top of it over the weekend and by Monday I’ll be feeling a lot better. I do think people should enjoy the occasional treat. But I’ve been ‘treating’ myself to chocolate and all the food that is bad for me for weeks, so another treat is definitely not going to help. Time to treat myself to some actual nutrition!!

Esnecca you are an absolute inspiration and the fact that you have maintained for so long is so amazing and so encouraging!! Thank you for staying on and posting in these forums even though you are maintaining. It’s so helpful to hear from someone who has truly made it work.
I noticed there were a few smoothie recipes in the book and I tend to avoid them because of the blood sugar spike. But does anyone have them regularly and feel ok?

Hi all, I thought I had gone either deaf or blind – I mean I have not been receiving any updates in my email box then realised I had not ticked the subscribe box (sure I had). Anyway, I was so busy yesterday unpacking, washing, digging over the tomato patch, helping hubby with the winter pool cover etc so I didn’t have time to look at posts and just spent 10 mins catching up with all your messages. Wendleg, yes I am back home, the temperature today is 23 but the pool is still at 15 degrees. Too cold, I might get in at 20.

I have managed to lose 1lb but not been very good. I had a bit of upset regarding our housesitters and swiftly reverted to my usual stress beater, vodka and tonic – no, not good. Anyway, they sped off on their bikes as soon as we arrived home leaving us to find no food in the house, not even an egg or bread for hubby. They had eaten everything they could and this is not allowed. You expect them to use condiments, oils, maybe some cereal before they get some shopping in but not to go through 1kg of basmati rice, 1kg bag of pasta – no, I dont eat it but I have family coming in 7 days and will have to stock up. I also buy in bulk and know they had gone through all my beans, chickpeas, sweetcorn supplies. People are supposed to replace things they use and make sure we have something to come back to. We had to go shopping after a 7 hour car journey. I did have the last laugh when I saw they had nearly gone through a 1 litre bottle of Lea & Perrins – they are vegetarian and L&P contains anchovies. More seriously they have damaged our coffee table with a heat ring (any tips) and set fire to our knife block which sits by the hob. Finally, they have gone off with our front door key. We have been using Trusted House Sitters for around 3 years and in 8 sitters this is the first time we have had any problems. The annoying thing is they dont seem to think they have done anything wrong and said I should not resent them some rice and seasonings as they have looked after my cats. Yes, and they have had a free holiday. Quid pro quo – I think. You scratch my back etc.

Sorry for my rant but I am calming down now and told hubby to lock the booze cupboard until family arrives. Keep on keeping on…

Wendy, I’ll try to check in more often. How do I get this bsd email?

All1e’s comments made me smile. You don’t seem to have great luck when it comes to computers.

The past two days haven’t been going well… I have decided not to hang out with my friends for a while except on non-food related excursions. I want to build up my determination so I can better resist people’s friendly but unhelpful suggestions. I’m in my workout clothes and I’m going to make something to eat with a goal to exercise by 3pm. I don’t like the changes I’m seeing in my body and my attitude. Compliance does not lead to happiness in my opinion. I am a true supporter of being content without perfection, but I also think it is vital to give your best to find real joy. May is half over and I’m farther away from my goal of 150. (170.6) I don’t want to keep running over the same ground; that will get me no where. Positive thinking is not my Forte, but when I look in the mirror, I want the eyes reflecting back at me to be full of mirth. I’m going to move forward with this thought in mind.

Oh that’s a pain SG . You might abide by the rules which after all are those of basic courtesy and respect but we cannot assume that others will do the same ( unfortunately) How rude. There must be a complaints procedure to alert any future clients about their lack of consideration and the damage they did .You didn’t need that extra stress on your return.
Try to put it behind you and don’t dwell on it. Find a distraction which doesn’t involve vodka 😉
I remember JGwen had similar unsettling expériences in her let. How can people be so disrespectful, it is shocking.

Don’t allow people like that to destabilize you .They don’t deserve to have any more energy wasted on them. Look forward to happy times with your family x

I posted a reply to Amz which hasn’t yet appeared so apologies in advance if it turns up in triplicate !!!

The site is telling me to slow down, I move too fast 😉

I hope this sends…

Awesome Amz…here is the email set up by Birdy
It’s disguised but if you read carefully and exclude the weird charactcers and end up with an address @gmail.com you will have cracked the code !
bsd ;%£angels§¨ #800 &@gmail.com

Send Birdy an email on that gmail address and she will pass on any contact details

Birdy – great idea to do a bee course; they’re fascinating!

sunshine-girl – I feel your frustration with the house-sitters. We had one once; he destroyed one of our pans, got pen ink all over the white leather sofa and was generally a nightmare. On the otherhand, when we had a friend house-sit, he failed to notice my car had been stolen…!

Well, I haven’t accomplished much today. Never made it into the workshop, but did clear some of the backgarden, which badly needs attention, and got some bits and bobs done in the house. I’ve been really struggling for energy today – achy eyes when I woke up and felt so shattered after dropping the kids at school that I had a half hour doze on the sofa! I still have the achy eye feeling and am still tired, but not quite so exhausted as I was this morning. Very odd, as I slept quite well last night, although I am always chronically short of sleep – I get 6-7 hours but I’m the sort of person that needs 8. I try to get to bed early, but I rarely make it before 9.30pm and alarm goes at 5.30am and at the weekends the kids have us up early so no lie-in. Only time I seem to get a solid 8-9 hours is when we’re away in the caravan! Wish I was someone that could skip out the door on 5 hours sleep every night!

Still, got some coleslaw made for tomorrow’s lunch and know what I’m having to each tonight and tomorrow, so that’s all good.

bsd800£angels£&gmail£&com. Hi Amz just take out the symbols and put the ones in you normally get within and email. Hugs Birdy🦜💞

Thanks Birdy ! My post still hasn’t appeared so I will probably get told off and join Allie and 6Ts on the naughty step but I won’t have a ciggie , that’s for sure !! 😉
Hope you can sort it , Amz.xx

So glad Essie checked in with her wealth of experience and information . Don’t go away again, Essie, we need you !!

Hello all. Just wanted to ask Kafin how Albert was doing? I have had visits to emergency vet yesterday evening and normal vets today with one of my little dogs – breed is notoriously prone to back/disc issues. She is on crate rest and happy pills so hopefully conservative management will help. I used to have another mini dachshund, who died aged 16 1/4 in December last year (just one bad day at the end, he quietly passed away cuddled up next to me on the sofa as I was dozing…) who had to have emergency surgery aged 8 at “the Supervet’s” – it is an incredible set-up. So I know the worry our little furry friends can cause. I am sure tho that Albert is getting the best of care and lots of cuddles and a disembowelled rat will soon be “gifted”! Wendleg, thank you for the nag! You do well to remind me…. And is it just me, or can others see that a new post has appeared in “Active Topics” but there is quite a lag before you can actually see the post in full? All best to all (and sorry about off-topic post – I am still slightly hesitant about the external email address – do people create a new email address to use?) – Roasted cauliflower tossed in rapeseed oil/sea salt/turmeric and ground cumin plus chicken thigh (ditto seasoning; obvs fags might have dulled the taste buds…) for supper. xx

Sixturkeys – I took him to the vet this morning as he hasn’t eaten in two days, hardly drinking water and very lethargic. He’s never been sick in his life and it’s breaking my heart to see him like this. He’s always been 11lbs but when the vet weighed him, he was down 3lbs which is a lot when you were only 11 to begin with. They’re doing a full blood work up, urine test and they gave him fluids because he’s very dehydrated plus an anti/nausea shot and I have an appetite stimulant cream to rub in his ears. Heaven help me if I get any of that on me…
Hopefully will get the bloodwork tomorrow. It’s very worrying because it’s so unlike him and he’s just so sad looking. I seriously don’t know how people have kids and not want to die when they’re sick. I hate not being able to make him feel better. He’s loving on me but just not himself – I’m distracting myself by studying for my Spanish quiz tonight. Thanks for asking

Kafin, I do know how you are feeling; this does sound quite sudden onset, so who knows if related to recorded weight difference, that can’t have been so quick. Will look out for update when you next post. hugs to you both.

Thank you – I’ll keep you posted x
I also wanted to mention re your question on the email address – I emailed it and Birdy gave me Wendy’s email address and now the two of us have been communicating back and forth just using our own emails. It’s absolutely lovely to see Wendy and her cats (and the earrings – Wendy’s, not the cats, they don’t seem like the danglies types). She has been lovely and I’m enjoying getting to know all about her life. I’d love to do the same with you!

How is everyone today ? You’ve gone quiet !
Waiting for news from Kafin and really hoping all is well and that Albert has just eaten something dodgy and is ok.
I was thinking ….Shellbob , how are you ? Has any diagnosis emerged for your itching ? Hope you are ok
Skipping , are you still busy ?
Where are you On a mission ? Missmissy ?
Check in with us Puddy !
All the best for the weekend festivities LollyT. Stay strong and focused !
How are you caronl ? Hope you are enjoying family time in the Uk
Niknak, FinFrance, Greenbean, bargearsebegone , waiting to hear from you too !
Scottishgal are you ok ? I remember you were so fed up at work
Duckie ! Send us some more of your trademark Duckie wisdom ! Always thinking of you too Verano !
Birdy, that will be another night shift done and dusted ! I don’t know how you do it !
SixTs…put that fag down this minute 😉 !!
I will check back in later.Love to you all xx

Hi wendleg, How can I not reply to this wake up call! I hope you are feeling much better now, and best wishes to Birdy too in this difficult period.
I had a good time in the UK, but food and wine-wise it wasn’t a small step backwards but a huge leap. I am joining Verano and Cathy in going back to basics, and the surprisingly small damage on the scales shouldn’t be too hard to set right. I am still smiling over JGwen’s account of her meeting with the local rumour distributor – Cheshire cat certainly fits the bill. We are seeing friends at the end of June that have not seen me since I started on BSD, so that is a good target for WOWing somebody.
Have a good week one and all. x

Hiya!
It is quiet today…
Ive had a busy day today, but I now have the next 10days off so it’s all good 👍

I felt like I was struggling to get the energy last night and this morning, its back to normal now.

I’ve been thinking and theorising in my head,
Basically overthinking about different disorders connected to obesity, ie PCOS, diabetes, high blood etc.
I have always had symptoms which could be linked to a few of these but when I was tested my results were in the normal range. I believe a couple of times I was told they were on the high side of normal but not in any danger zone. So medically no action was taken, but I’m wondering if for me personally that high side of normal was my personal danger zone.
Different people do react differently.
I’m probably just rambling…

I have noticed that my eczema has cleared up.

Hi caronl ! You will soon be back on track and you will definitely WOW your friends.

Enjoy your well-deserved break, Niknak. I think as long as we keep good health as our objective , we can’t go far wrong and we are certainly on the path to avoiding lots of illness as we age .Any more thoughts about fasting ?
Great news about the eczema !

Sorry I’m late in posting this week. Not been a very good week in regards to BSD.
Had a really bad day on Monday. Nothing seriousness except being back at work and it getting me down. So I headed for the vending machine……twice! I also had a McDonalds meal and a McFlurry. Inevitably I gained 3lb on Tuesday morning. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday weren’t too bad. And then today happened. Popped into asda on way home for some shopping. Bought a large galaxy bar and a bag of chocolate raisins. Both are now finished and I’m feeling sick……physically and emotionally. I wish I hadn’t been so weak. This morning I had lost 2 of the 3lb that I gained on Tuesday. It will probably be back tomorrow! I don’t know whether to have an evening meal tonight and then fast or just start fasting now as I usually manage to fast most Saturdays as I’m at home alone and busy doing stuff I want to do rather than being bored at work.
I’m taking partial retirement and reducing my hours from July so I’m assuming this feeling of being down at work is just a blip and is related to the anticipation of reducing my hours. Either that or it’s hormonal and related to the menopause!
Hoping everyone else is doing well. Even though I haven’t posted all week I’ve still been thinking of you all and reading most of the posts. Glad you’re recovering well from your recent op Wendy and also glad Kafin has got in touch with you.
Still waiting on my breathalyser arriving and hoping it will spur me on……..
Have a great weekend everyone.

That’s true Wendleg, aiming for overall good health usually improves everything.

With regards to fasting, I’ve read a lot of the science research and I find it fascinating.
It could very well become part of the prescription in future treatment of many disorders.
Autophagy is the newest area that they are researching, from what I’ve been able to discern, I think we are probably activating it on this diet.

I should warn you guys that I’m a scientist/biologist so I do like looking into the science of these things.
So just think, not only are we losing weight and clearing other health disorders, we may be going deeper than we thought, increasing life span, reducing/possibly clearing cancer.

Hi all – I’m happy to report that Albert is a bit perkier this morning. He’s eaten a bit although hasn’t had any water and been in and out several times. Seems a lot less lethargic and is seeking me out for love and drool recipient. Still waiting on test results and hoping it was nothing serious. I panicked because he’s never been sick before but fingers crossed!
Scottishgal – I’m feeling for you, I’m in the same boat. I seem to do well for a while then lose it and getting back on track is almost harder that’s staying on track. I woke up feeling wretched physically. I feel swollen and sore from what I think is inflammation. So, today I’m doing a fast – I haven’t decided for how long yet but I feel like I can do it and maybe that will get me back on track. Would you like to join me and we can be support for each other? No big deal if you’re not ready, I just sense we’re in the same place and I feel for you xx

Work does seem to drag you down, Scottishgal so that is a good move to reduce your hours. I think I am subconsciously slowing down too in anticpation of retiring next year. I won’ t be preparing lots of innovative ressources, that’s for sure as I have accepted I have more than enough after 25 years teaching here !
I read something very interesting recently
« You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be »
I do believe that is the key to breaking free of cravings . It really is all about mindset.
You know deep down you are harming yourself eating McDonalds and choc, Scottishgal. You want to keep your BG levels low.You want to stay off the medication. What greater motivation do you need ? You won’t beat the cravings unless you allow yourself to be consistently low carb. The more you persevere the less appeal Galaxy and raisins will have. Those foods are not friends ! You had success after an initial round of 8 weeks and you felt great. Stop buying the crappy milk choc .( You didn’t enjoy a recent Snickers bar, remember ? ) Get yourself some quality dark dark choc if you must. You won’ t be able to scoff the whole bar.
‘ I always associate chocolate and food with happiness and celebrating ’ you said ( I’ve done my research !)
Nourishing foods which are doing you a hell of a lot more good will make you happier . Health , Scottishgal, your health is the prize, not a bar of Galaxy.
There are plenty of nourishing foods you can happily choose so you don’t feel deprived of carbs. Feeling deprived means you will inevitably give in.
I am glad you posted today Scottishgal. Maybe make the most of the weekend to plan your week’s food which does not involve popping into a random supermarket or Mc Donalds. Those foods really
are toxic for us . Do you like reading about nutrition ? Watching videos or podcasts ? There is a plethora of inspirational material out there to keep you motivated and to help you achieve that elusive mind set .
I’m nagging a bit but I can’ t bear the idea of you eating McDonalds and McFlurry , Scottishgal !!!

Don’t apologise for being a scientist/biologist, Niknak ! We have JGwen as our resident researcher who is so thorough and rigourous in her analysis of the science and if we can benefit from you both explaining the research to us, that’s great. I am not at all ‘scientific’ and it takes a while for the sciency bits to sink in and make sense to me. I adore reading about fasting, autophagy etc too, Niknak. I started fasting very early on , OMAD and then building up to longer fasts and I enjoyed them. I am out of the routine away from work right now but fasting is a very useful tool for me.

Thank you so much for your reply Wendy. I’ve read it and re-read it umpteen times. You know me better than I know myself. You are so right with everything you have said. I’m going to print it out and keep referring to it whenever I’m feeling tempted. I really appreciate all you have said, the effort and the research! I’m so grateful to you. Thank you for taking the time to do that for me. You really are a wonderful woman!

Scottishgal – we seem to be in a similar place with work being hard and popping into supermarkets and coming out with unhealthy things to comfort ourselves. One difference is that I am a long way from retirement. Last year I would have only had 11 years left to get a full pension, but then they changed things and now I have 20 years left before I can claim a full pension and if I retire early the penalty is pretty high. I try not to think about it because it is so depressing and daunting. There are lots of things I do like about my job, and it is very important work, but so much stress and frustration too. Combine that with not feeling great this past year and not being at full brain capacity and it has been really tough. I think I’m just coming to realize how tough now that I’m doing better with my food and not keeping myself going with the sugar and other unhealthy carbs. I don’t think you should think of yourself as weak as it probably isn’t serving you in any way. There is a reason why you are reaching for unhealthy things. I know I will reach for the chocolate (milky, sugary kind, not dark) for the quick hit it gives me in the afternoon when my energy is flagging and I need to maintain mental alertness. I had a bit of a breakdown earlier this week when I got a slapdown from my boss and I had the thought “I’ve sacrificed my health to keep doing this job, and nobody even cares”. I don’t have any answers about what the next step should be, but I do know that I can’t keep on sacrificing my health for people and an organization that don’t care about me or what happens to me as a result of them pushing me to breaking point. I am keeping this job for now as it will allow me to make a move to get closer to family, but after I’ve managed that and have settled into my new life, I’m going to reconsider and see what other opportunities might open up for me.

Hi everyone,
The last couple of days have been alright for me. Yesterday I ended up fasting even longer than the day before. I managed to remember to take my iron supplement in the morning, but then was in so many meetings, that I didn’t get breakfast. We have swing dancing classes at noon on Thursdays at work. I was on a conference call that was scheduled to run past noon, so I thought I would have to miss it, but it finished just in time for me to make a dash downstairs for the lesson. It was great and let me blow off some steam and some of the stress that had been building up all week. Then I dashed back upstairs and had 5 min to eat my eggs before my next meeting at 1pm. So an unintentional 17 hour fast! Finally got out of meetings at 4pm and just crashed. I sat in my desk chair totally spaced out for a while.
My dinner out with my friend went well. It was so nice to see her. When she was my flatmate 2 years ago she was so supportive when I was going through a period of mourning. We went to an Indian restaurant and I had a really lovely saag with paneer.
Today was a day off for me so I had a bit of a lie in, later breakfast (but 11am instead of 1pm!) and then spent the day with my horse before returning for dinner at 5:30pm. Meals were a bit higher carb than the previous 2 days as I am trying to eat down my store cupboards in anticipation of moving. Not bad carbs, but just a lot of lentils and chopped tomatoes in tins and things.

Arcticfox- didnyou have the iron completely on its own? Is it iron with vitamin c or just iron? Iron requires vitamin c to help it absorb. If you already know this then ignore me and I’ll butt out 😉, but I just thought I would check, to make sure you are getting the best out of it.

Morning all,
Just checking in this week. Well, I’m loving my new body. It’s not quite where I need to be yet but we’ll on my way. I was at my lowest weight for 10 years this week (Wednesday). Whoop whoop! However, I have gone up a little since then but I do have a bit of fluid on my arthritic knees and it’s been very warm at school, clearly it’s a bit of water. I’ve had breakfast this morning and I’m going to try to fast for at least 24 hours. This should shift the fluid too. I’ve now just got 1/2 stone to go to target weight and to be honest I’m finding this bit the hardest especially as it’s exam season at school. I’m determined to hit my target weight in the next 4 weeks! So it’s time to get my head down. My O/H is ‘on board’ with this’WOE’ too, but I’m not sure that’s a good thing as he has too many slip ups and can corrupt me! 😱

Thank you for your reply articfox. Sorry you’re feeling down about work too. Its hard isn’t it? You do seem to be coping though and I know we will both get there in time. I also know how you feel about the pension age changing. I’m 52 this year and should be retiring at 60 but now I can’t get my state pension until I’m 67. Been working in the same job for 35 years. Started 2 weeks after I left school. I suppose it’s inevitable to get bored with it after so long but the thought of finding something else now scares me lol. I’m taking partial retirement which means I get part of my pension as well as part time wages. Loads of people I know have done it and say there’s not much difference in the monthly income. I’m just waiting on the figures coming through to make sure before I commit to it.
Kafin, I’m going to join you in fasting today. After the disaster yesterday my bg is 9 this morning which is the highest it’s been in the morning since starting BSD. It used to always be above 10 and I didn’t bat an eye lid……but today I’m freaking out about it!
On a mission, that’s great news. Well done on achieving your lightest in 10 years. Half a stone is very achievable in the next 4 weeks. I know you can do it. I can never last 24 hours on a fast. My longest was about 19 hours. Will see what today brings…….

End of my 2nd week has yielded another 4lb down, I assume it will start slowing down a bit from now but it think this will be when I start to see the bigger changes.

I really had to dig deep for parkrun this morning, the sun came out (just for the time we are running) and it was really hot and I think I had a dodgy tummy too.

It’s annoying how my body stores fat, I’m one of those people that stores it mostly in the middle and barely anything the further away from my core the body part is.
I have this massive tire, but my carves are showing bone and muscle definition.

Today, I’m going to try making low carb chocolate in preparation for my period that is due at the end of the week.

Scottish Gal,
I always start my fast after breakfast, otherwise I think I’d struggle too. I find I sleep deeper on a fast day. Then you only feel like you miss lunch and tea. The good thing about that too early can decide the next morning if you want to extend it or not.

That’s a good idea on a mission. I’ve been starting after evening meal and just seeing if I can do without breakfast, lunch and snacks on a Saturday. Although I didn’t have a meal last night after eating all that chocolate and feeling sick! I had the chocolate about 6ish and then a mini milk ice lolly about 9pm. Nothing since then apart from a coffee this morning. Going well so far. Keeping busy doing housework. I used to have to sit down in between hoovering, dusting, cleaning bathroom etc but now I can just keep going 😁

You go girl x

Keep posting Scottishgal, articfox, On a Mission, Niknak. Weekends are often a bit quiet but I will be checking in.

I have just written a long post….here goes

Awww thanks Scottishgal.I really am glad if I helped a bit. You know , it is a dilemma for me. When I read a post I have an immediate urge to reply but there is often the niggling doubt that I might offend or touch on issues that I am not qualified to broach.
Does anyone else have this problem ? I am in no way an expert on here and can only comment according to my experience. I am a bit further down the line now but I have been that person who came home after a sh***y day at work and mindlessly grabbed a massive chunk of cheese,a bigger hunk of bread , a fistful of Mejdoul dates…anything I could get my hands on really. I coud eat those dates for England. I can remember a little voice in my ear saying ‘ You deserve this ‘ Not hungry then for an evening meal but I would eat my massive plateful all the same , all the time thinking of the chocolate bar I would scoff afterwards. I always had room for a sugar hit at the end of any meal. I was perfectly capable of eating a whole slab of Dairy Crunch in one sitting.They come in packs of three here and they would be demolished in a few days. The sugar overload would make me feel a bit sickly and then would start my yearnings for salt and savoury to counteract it…so back to the crackers. I was eating constantly and I have mentioned before my fear of being hungry. During the more difficult times of my life I would overeat to give me a protective shield to face challenging moments..a sort of armour. I had tried all sorts of diets…losing a bit but piling more back on and feeling ever more dissatisfied with myself and my failures .Every time January came along I would have a new resolve but by February it had dissolved . Inevitably health issues began to emerge..aching knees and joints, difficulty walking for long periods, feeling breathless going up stairs…the menopause which was a convenient way to convince myself that weight loss ws a losing battle.
I have always been an expert reader about diets !! I had a brief dalliance with 5 :2 with O/H but the initial enthusiasm waned…
I have mentioned my juicing, and sugar bomb smoothies .I thought I was doing myself good ! A hip replacement meant an enforced period of recovery during which I resumed my reading .On my list …Dr Hyman « Food WTF should I eat ? » Dr Alejandro Junger « Clean » , recipe books by Anna Jones, Deliciously Ella, Kris Carr, Madeleine Shaw…..you get the picture ! I would happily experiment with all of these ‘healthy’ recipes yet never at any time tackling the problem of my overeating and sugar cravings. At some point sitting in my garden I was once again drawn to Michael Mosley and mention of the forum. So off I went to have a look..reading the threads and daring to post my first message at the end of August 2018. I stumbled a bit around the threads, not quite sure how it all worked but Allie found me as did Kazz (UK) , caronl and Sunny B and Verano ( lots of others too ) and I was drawn into this fantastic community of caring, supportive, funny , wonderful people and I am now up to 750 posts ( oh heck )
I had never been part of a forum before but everyone has been amazing and as you know I have developed friendships with women who are now part of my life and always will be. I am totally in awe of Allie, Esnecca, JGwen and many many more who give of themselves so generously to guide,advise and support.
I consider myself immensely fortunate to have met my lovely hubby and to marry for the first time at the age of 51. I had 10 years of existence in a soul destroying relationship but I have two gorgeous sons and I dont regret a thing.
So when I reply a bit directly on the thread as I did with Scottishgal it’s because I feel passionately that THIS WOE DOES WORK. It makes sense and it has enabled me to finally crack my sugar and carb cravings. I can fast and I can feel hungry without fear. I have a respect for food now and I refuse to put anything in my mouth which is not going to do me good. It has taken time but it is worth it for the sense of freedom and well being .
I want to say that I feel desperately powerless to help those suffering from depression . There are lots of posts at the moment expressing massive difficulties whether if be with health, work, relationships, family issues as well as the food cravings. I know I can’t give advice, I’m not a professional but I just want to say to everyone to keep going. Don’t ever ever think you are worthless, weak and give up. Your health is so important.There are so many pressures in life today and we have to be armed to face them . Good nutritious food is a major part of that and making good choices gives us the power to tackle immense , emotional challenges. I don’t believe food can truly comfort. I now have an aversion to crappy, junk food and I consider sugar to be toxic. How has that happened ?? But it has, and it’s totally possible. So that’s why I am programmed to react when I hear about McDonalds and other carbage !! . I know where you are coming from ! Somewhere along the line I had a lightbulb moment and the famous ‘mindset’ ….it happened and that is absolute freedom.
So if I nag a bit it’s because I care about everybody on this wonderful forum. I hate it when people who are obviously struggling, pop in, full of enthusiasm and then disappear. I still hope that one day Eclectic will reappear ( we began at the same time) Nobody’s perfect and life chucks some pretty tough challenges at us but we can get through xx

I feel exactly the same way, wendleg. If I harp on about things like redefining “treat” and “comfort,” cutting carbs in an unflinching, methodical fashion, it’s because I thought I was a quivering lump of failure incapable of motivation and commitment when in fact everything that was wrong with me was caused by my carb intake. Maybe some people can live on sugar and pizza without adverse reactions, but most of us can’t. It’s just biology. It bums to out to see so many people characterize themselves in such negative ways because I did the same thing for more than two decades and it kept me stuck in a self-loathing rut. Breaking out of it with the BSD was a liberation I never expected to find, not just from obesity, but from the conviction that I was inherently weak and useless. If I come on too strong sometimes, it’s because I hate to see people punish themselves like I did for so long.

I’m with you on the cookbooks too. Sooo much low fat, whole grain stuff in my library. One of my favorites was a book called, get this, “Controlling Your Fat Tooth,” premised on the theory that when you crave sweets, you’re really craving fat, so the trick to losing weight is to reduce dietary fat. How ludicrous is that? Sugar is a literal drug. It stimulates the same dopamine spike that methamphetamine does. Fat does no such thing. In that book’s defense, it did have some delicious recipes, several of which I still make. In modified form, of course. 😉

“I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.” Robin Williams

It’s great what you (and everyone else) do, Wendleg as people know they are not alone and they know that the task ahead of them is not impossible if they have patience. So thankyou x

That is such a lovely post Wendleg. Speaks for and to pretty much everyone.
It is a fairly overcast day here, but at least not raining, and we may get some sun later. Kafin, I hope Albert is doing well. He is probably finding some water outside. My cat is currently poised outside an open kitchen cupboard (one of the corner whirly-gig ones) from which I heard the unmistakable sound of little feet last night… Yes, obviously a mouse, there must be a tiny space at the back. I knew I should have thrown out that flour and pack of amaretti bics. And the Paxo. Anyway, chucked now and much bleaching. But will leave cat on guard for a bit. Onwards all. xx

After a couple of days of struggling, I felt like I was mostly craving protein so today I have actually gone to 1500 calories, it was still low carb and I will but fasting the rest of the day as per normal, I just was getting the feeling like I just really needed something more.

I do quite a bit of exercise so by body may have needed extra protein for my muscles? My Fitbit shows that my lean weight has increased so I think with the increased growth hormone I probably have been building muscle.

Interesting post Wendy. I think you have hit the nail on the head …. lightbulb moment… until that happens it’s so easy to give into old habits or cravings. I have never been very disciplined and I do falter, often, but the important thing is to just keep trying and never give up.
You mention those who start with great enthusiasm, don’t we all!, only to disappear. I often feel that adopting this WOL has similarities with giving up smoking. Very few people master it first time around and it often involves several ‘tries’ before the goal of being ‘smoke free’ is reached. Sugar can be as strong a drug as nicotine for some. For me, and many others, the real secret of success is just remembering that there is no failure here and, as sunshine-girl says , we just have to ‘keep on keeping on…….’

What a truly fantastic post Wendy! And so very very helpful. I don’t believe you could ever offend anyone. You’re so helpful and encouraging. And it’s great to hear from someone who has been there, got through it and come out the other side so much better. It gives me, and I’m sure others as well, the hope that we all need. Plus you’re not a story in some book. You’re a real person that we can relate to and who can understand what we are all going through. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. I’m so glad I found this forum and all the lovely people on it.
Like you I’m wary of discussing depression with people as I’m not experienced either. I did go through a spell of depression when my marriage broke down after 21 years. But that was 9 years ago and is in the past. I don’t consider myself to be currently suffering depression (although OH disagrees lol). I’m just going through a bad spell at work which I have to figure out a way of sorting it. And I know I’ll get there at some point. My heart does go out to those who are suffering from proper depression and struggling with all aspects of their lives. I was lucky to eventually get through mine.
Thanks again Wendy. A true inspiration! I can’t wait to be like you and no longer crave the chocolate. You sound like you were just like me in the past. The amount of times I tell myself “you deserve it” lol. And in my book an open bar of chocolate is a finished bar – can never understand people who can have one square and leave the rest for another time! Maybe one day that will be me.

Hi Niknak,
You mentioned that you have been doing lots of reading, I would recommend the work by Dr Bikman, he is a specialist working on research into insulin. Back in early 2018 I posted links to a number of podcasts on the Take a Look at this thread which I think you would enjoy.

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Hi Scottishgal, and the others who are struggling with comfort eating. – We have put weight on because we don’t just eat when hungry, but also when lonely, angry, feeling down, want to celebrate, ……. etc etc.
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This Way of Eating puts a spotlight on the times when we deal with emotions through eating, don’t beat yourself about doing that, its a common habit. But understanding that you do it, what drives you to do it, and looking for alternative ways of dealing with stress is part of the process you have to go through.

If you compare this WoE to the “diet clubs” which have points and sins allowances and include carbs in your daily diet mask the emotions driving you to eat. So they are obviously not going to be a long term solution. This WoE can be, but its really not an easy journey.

Those of us who started out on this journey with a lot of weight to loose and are further along this journey, know that it involves facing our own demons. Not on a one off basis, there can be areas of our lives which stress us out. There may be more cracks exposed as we start to be in control of our eating habits.

We are not experts, or trained professionals, but, we know that the kindness of those who were on the forum when we started out helped us over our hurdles and pay that back by offering a helping hand to those following us by sharing our experience.

Wendleg and JGwen
Thank you so much for your inspirational posts. Honestly, I would not this far with out this forum and your expert guidance, encouragement and care. I know I speak for us all. We could not have achieved so much without your advice. Not only that for the way that you have nurtured us towards looking out for one another. I attached some virtual flowers to show how much we appreciate your support. 💐 🌷 💐 🌹 x

Thankyou JGwen, I just watched 2 YouTube videos of him talking and it answered both of my questions and I was actually thinking along the right lines.
1. Yes it is possible to not show up as insulin resistant on a clinical test but to have a personal setting that you are, and I have previously had the symptoms towards this that he mentioned.
2. About protein requirement. How on a carb Diet the protein will cause an insulin spike but on a ketone based diet this doesn’t happen. That it is important to keep the protein levels up for muscles etc.
I was more protein based in the first week and I felt great but this week I was more fat based and I was struggling, this could explain why.
Also I’m now feeling so much better after the protein I ate in my meal today.

Thank you JGwen, Wendleg and Esnecca for your wisdom and encouragement. I feel that I am learning a lot more this time around about what drives me to eat. I am hopeful that some of the life changes I am instituting are going to really help me with my stress load.
Niknak – I have been taking an iron supplement with ascorbic acid or Vit C included in it, so have been covered on that front. I have now finished it and am back to tablets though so will have to figure out how to get in some Vit C without consuming carbs. The Vit C tablets that I have in my cupboard have sugar in them, so I will have to look for an alternative.
I am feeling quite sluggish today thanks to my higher carb day yesterday. Hoping to get back on track today. Just had some frozen berries with hemp seed and yogurt for late breakfast after buzzing around and doing house work this morning. Off to see my horse now. He is struggling as some of his friends have gone off to a show for the weekend and he is most upset about it. I had to nurse him through a bit of a meltdown yesterday and expecting to have to do the same today. Will be coming home to a veggie based meal of some sort as I have broccoli and red bell peppers and avocados that need using up, and I am travelling during the week. I will have to sit down and come up with some ideas for travelling that will work. I can boil some more eggs and I’m running out of nuts so will need to get some more to take. Any other ideas?

Your bell peppers would be a good high source of vitamin c, strawberries are high too, both are acceptable on this diet.
All fruit and veg seem to have small quantities of vitamin c.

How about mug-bread for travelling? (1 egg, 30g ground almond, 10g oil/butter) you can flavour with spice or seasoning depending on your taste.
Microwave in a mug for 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Best to have a mug that is straight rather than conical.
You can then cut it into 4 and put a filling between.