Hi Allie – after the fast two weeks, I didn’t lose anything for four weeks which was my plateau and just felt too soon to happen. I finally dropped some last week after a 65 hour fast which I tried in an attempt to kickstart things since my water was up and my carbs were low. My weight loss happened in the first two weeks and I guess I was looking for more consistency, not huge amounts but steady losses that reflected all the changes I had made. You’re right, I do need to be a bit more patient and have faith in the program. 😊

6t , Those champagne highlights sound just the thing to go with your peachy bottom. Would that make you a Bellini?
Phew sunshine girl that was a day and a half. Great that you got your door sorted and can sleep soundly .

Kanfin, please don’t stress about a few ounces, as was helpfully pointed out to me yesterday, transiting food, water, time of day, and our body rhythm make a difference to our weight. I am very guilty of allowing the scales to dictate my mood for the day but trying to get this in hand. I’ve agreed with ON A MISSION that we are just going to weigh ourselves Tuesdays and Friday. It would be lovely if you could join us.
I cannot believe that your body needs less than 800 calories to maintain itself so please don’t start eating less. That way lies all sorts of problems, not only developing a very unhealthy relationship with food.
I remember you say that you felt better after you went out after a walk last week. Can you give that a try tomorrow? You are being awfully hard on yourself. You sound like a very lovely and caring person. What advice would you give to a friend in your position?

Hang in there Kafin we will get there 🤗

Skipping – Bellini! Love it and love when a few written words make me laugh out loud! Kafin, you can see how many cheerleaders you have!

Thanks skipping – I’d like to take you up on that and join ON A MISSION. I need to get some perspective back and be kinder to myself, you’re absolutely right.

Hi Kafin,
You say you have not seen any inch loss, but are you only looking for it in a limited number of places? – A lot of us have found that our faces change, our necks, our collar bone emerges, we even drop a shoe size before our body decides to make any progress on the spare tyre. So its really easy to miss inch losses happening.

Also I have found that inch loss like so many other aspects of this way of eating isn’t a linear thing. – I get dimples which sometimes get to the point of looking like lots of invisible thumbs pressing on my skin, and then the dimples disappear and the inch loss occurs.

Our bodies also targets the fat around our organs.
————
You mention that in the past you had dropped down to a limited number of calories and were thinking of going back to 350 calories a day again. – Are you thinking of intermittent fasting, or going low calorie every day of the week? – There is research that indicates if you stay low calorie for a prolong period of time your body will lower your metabolic rate to match the low calorie intake so this idea could make it harder to keep weight off long term.

Bellini 🍹 😂😂😂 that totally made me laugh out loud. I’ve just had a quick read through, I’m so bad at remembering who said what but some brilliant results and some even better determination. The cauliflower rice/breadcrumb idea is fab. You lot are fabulous xxxx

Thank you for clarifying, Kafin. I have a better understanding of your frustration now! But you can feel
confident that you are doing everything right, and are putting forth the maximum effort and commitment,
and you can’t ask anything more of yourself than that. Plateaus can happen anytime, early or far into the
process, and we all hate them. I hope that soon you will be seeing steady losses, too. This is the place to
share your concerns, so I hope you will continue to do so. Just as important…How are you feeling otherwise?
Are you seeing any improvement from your new meds yet? It’s so unfortunate that these things take 3-4 weeks
to get up to therapeutic levels! I’m grateful that you’re now in the hands of a specialist, so sunnier days ahead
for you. Be good to yourself, Kafin. xxx

Allie

Hi,
My kidneys are really sore today and yesterday. I am drinking lots of water 2 to 3 liters. Anyone else had this? I don’t eat any carb foods and no root veg and I haven’t cheated once. I eat moderate protein high fat. I am very precise on my menu carbs and calories. Carbs 20g.

Yes, I’ve just pretty much posted the same. But also very light headed, upset tum and no energy.

Hi Kafin, feeling your pain – nearly 7 weeks in and no shift in weight or inches (though I’m not measuring many places!) for almost a month now. That said, I’m trusting the process and keeping fingers crossed. Have you tried measuring body fat %? That’s the number that’s going down for me and I’m hoping that the body is storing water instead of fat and one day (soon?!) I’ll suddenly get rid of a couple of kilos of water :oD
Happy to be a plateau buddy!! :oD
Keep positive – it’s a beautiful sunny day – at least here!
CC

Hi on a mission. I went to the health store and got a well informed person. She says its pretty common and to drink bouillon for salt. She gave me magnesium and potassium and suggested milk thistle or dandelion if that didnt help. She says reducing carbs flushes water and electrolytes and so kidneys lack potassium. So l hope it helps. Hoping all gone by tomorrow.

Hi custardcrumble – which sounds delicious by the way! I think my scale has a body fat thing on it and I’m usually pretty tech savvy but I can’t even figure out how to change my age on it which still says 35. Which I’m ok with! Happy to be your plateau buddy! Sunny day here too but it’s LA so…

Thanks, Allie. I was feeling better but I’m starting to notice my mood is going downhill and I have an insatiable craving for carbs which from past experience means I’m not getting enough serotonin. They started me on a much lower dose than I normally would be on to try and minimalise the side effects and I don’t think it’s enough. When I first started the WOE of eating I was on meds and didn’t have the carb cravings (just the sucky side effects) so would be good to get to that place again otherwise it’s a constant battle of willpower which I don’t need right now. I ended up having a binge last night, I don’t make enough serotonin and if the meds don’t supply it then it comes from carbs. But unlike my usual way, I’m going to put it behind me, start fresh today, keep an eye on my mood, only weigh in Tues and Fri and just focus on eating good food. Thanks for all the support

When you go low carb your kidneys release electrolytes when releasing water. – A small pinch of salt allowed to melt in the mouth a few times a day replaces the electrolytes. Most people use one of the more expensive salts like Malvern or Pink Himalayan.

Kafin, putting an out of control day behind you is the healthiest thing to do, and settling on a friday and tues.
weigh in sounds very solid, to me. I have only passing knowledge of how serotonin affects me, which seems to
mostly be in the realm of sleep deprivation. I take a supplement prior to lights out, and about 50% of the time
I feel it’s helpful. Your situation is obviously more complex. I hope that the new child advocacy career you have
begun will help elevate you above and beyond your problems with mood, at least some of the time. Being
passionate about something beyond ourselves is always a good place to be. I’m certainly not drawing comparisons
here, but I found my levels of anxiety decreased dramatically when I discovered that this forum existed, and I became
actively involved in the lives of others here. It changed my perspective dramatically. I sincerely hope that you
are finding the same for you. Hugs,

Allie

Thanks for the promt Skinnytish, I’ve been meaning to ask about potassium! JGwen is it recommended to top up potassium with a specific supplement as I’ve noticed on fatsecret I’m not getting anywhere near enough potassium but enough sodium. I’m drinking lots but don’t have any symptoms as such. Xx

Scottishgal, I think I’ve overdone the nuts today! I kept the whole bag beside me.
Bad move, as I don’t stop after a few.

On the positive side, I am in week 1 of the couch25k, and I bought some gel insoles for my runners. It’s very gentle, and I am puffing along with my jogging speed slower than a brisk walk. But I have put on my Calvin Klein cycling shorts, and they look good.

My sister was in hospital today to investigate a blood clot in her leg, and they found one that stretches from knee quite a way down.

I asked her to get liver and blood glucose levels tested, when they test her blood clotting factors. It is such a relief knowing that there is a way to correct the blood glucose levels, if that comes up.

With all the exotic holidays planned on here (other than by yours truly…), have I missed Duckie’s departure for her cruise? I did want to say Bon Voyage and thought it wasn’t for a cple of weeks! SunnyB, do you have someone to look after the garden while you are in Turkey? Field mushrooms/philly/cauli “breadcrumbs” on menu for tomorrow; I wonder whether we will have done the same for large mushrooms as Delia did for those omelette pans…Shellbob, altho I don’t use it, what is fatsecret saying about your iron intake? There was an exchange about that recently. Allie sent a list of the Top 10. Liver and tinned cockles topped. Ah, that is a considered choice. I think most may be relying on spinach (tho mussels also scored highly and maybe more palatable! and v dark choc also good source – but obvs in moderation!). It would be interesting what the app is saying about that (and no Guiness is not an option. Apparently.)

Hi Shellbob,
I have found that just licking my finger and sticking it in a packet of Pink Himalayan salt and licking the salt off a couple of times a day has been all I needed. But this article from dietdoctor may help answer your questions. https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/keto/supplements

And Skinnytish, when you say “kidneys are sore”, obviously keep an eye on that. Normally they just get on with things without grumbling, so if you have lower back pain that might indicate an infection, completely unrelated to lower carbs, which might need treating more aggressively! And generally, if lower down the tract might just be cystisis, is cranberry juice ok? It’s sugary but presumably just for a few days better to do that than suffer.

Hi 6 (shouldn’t that be 4?)turkeys – Re garden care whilst we are away, our neighbour waters for us, but nothing else happens so I always come back to quite a bit to do, to get it back into shape post holidays. Our daughter visits too, to take care of the orchids for me, but as she’s very busy I don’t ask her to take on anything other plant care.

Sunny, I do remember now you mentioning orchids (with Allie I think), because I mentioned Burnham Nurseries (no connection!) which I happened to read at the same time had been saved from closing by a former customer. Incredible varieties.

Well, I’m joining wood duckie and dancing with the pom poms…….I’m so excited….. I have been on cloud nine all afternoon lol.
I went to the nurse yesterday for my blood tests. As soon as I walked into the room she looked up from her computer and said “Wow! You’ve lost a lot of weight. You look great!” I really didn’t think it was that obvious but she made my day by telling me. She asked me how I’d done it and I told her about BSD. I explained how excited I was about getting the blood test and results. She weighed me and I’ve lost 8kg on her scales. She told me to phone after 2pm today for my results but said she’d be keeping an eye out for them too as she is also keen to see the result. She was also amazed that I’ve managed to cut right back on the chocolate.
I’ve been clock watching all day patiently waiting for 2pm but at 12.30 the nurse actually phoned me with the results.
😁😁😁😁😁. My hba1c has reduced from 62 to 46. 😁😁😁😁😁
She explained that 42 is normal and that they don’t normally prescribe medication unless it’s over 52. So, I’ve to go back in 3 months for another blood test with the aim of reducing or coming off the meds. (I’ve already come off one of the tablets and she was fine with that)
I am so pleased and want to thank every single one of you for all your help, support and encouragement. I know I couldn’t have achieved this without you all. And if I can do it anyone can!
P.S. Patricia, I’m totally with you on the nuts. I’m still struggling with them and finding it hard to resist. I think I’m changing from a chocoholic to a nutaholic lol

Way to go Scottishgal, fantastic result.

This was such a lovely post to read Scottishgal – I’m so chuffed for you. Congratulations!

Thanks, Allie. I will say that my binge taught me something so that’s a positive! While I still ate it, the piece of cake was way sweeter than I remembered and at the end of the day, the most satisfying thing I binged on was plain oatmeal with a splash of milk. It was too much oatmeal but incredibly satisfying so it definitely was carbs not sugar I was craving and next time a bowl of oatmeal first might be enough to stave off a full-on binge.

What a fantastic result, Scottishgal! Those of us who have discarded enormous amounts of weight sometimes
lose sight of the all important fact that this WOE was developed for the management and reversal of T2D. You
have made amazing progress, put in the work, and look at your inspirational results! So happy for you! 🙂

Allie

ScottishGal I am so pleased for you, what magical results! Well done, fabulous to see your hard work pay off.
I’m having one of those unexplained upward movements on the scales, more than a pound in two days, oh well. I guess it’ll go again in its own good time.
My keto breath monitor cane the other day and after some helpful suggestions from JGwen I’ve got the hang of it. Whereas the pee sticks were giving me no pink colour, according to the breath monitor I am at the top of the therapeutic range so happy about that.
I bought a new reduced dress (size and price!) for my holiday in Italy in May, it’s pretty and simple and I’m going to wear it to dinner tonight. Tapas restaurant so should have lots of good food on the menu. Then the weekend looming, what’s not to like!

ScottishGal great news! I smiled when I saw your post because I remembered how good the feeling was when I first got the same news. To be honest you have done far better than me because I had a lower starting point. Two and a half years on and still drug free I’m always delighted when another BSD’er joins those of us who are now in remission. I stay low carb and am always a little scared before my blood tests but I’m still ‘normal’. Congratulations and keep going. My nurse always smiles when she sees me and I bet our nurses wish all their patients could be like us!

Congratulations Scottishgal – excellent results … bet you’re walking on air right now! Great way to start the w/e.

Morning all, been for results this morning following my strange episode the other Sunday. HbA1c is 34 = 5.3 and glucose is 4.5 which is a bit lower than av. I didn’t have any previous readings so it’s good to know I’m as healthy as I thought I was except for being overweight. Weigh in today and I’ve lost another .5kg which is not as good a rate as previous weeks but still good. I’m staying positive and looking for some new recipes to keep me motivated. Mother’s Day lunch on Sunday and quiz night tonight so will have to plan ahead this weekend.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.

How wonderfully reassuring, Barbara! You must be so pleased 🙂 I very much like the idea of friday and tuesday
weigh-ins, too. I think it keeps us more mindful of the choices we make on the weekend, when social
occasions can pull us off plan. Have a great weekend!

Hi,

Hope everyone is well, sorry not checked in this week, had a really rubbish week and went on a 2 day eating carbs spree. Then felt drunk for 2 days because I ate a whole loaf of bread. Still feel rubbish my weight and bloods have gone high. But I think this has helped me re-focus as I don’t ever want to feel like that again. Hoping I can repair the damage by Monday so I can go into week 5 with a clean slate.

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Way to go SCOTTISHGAL. Whoo hoo
You must be delighted. Well done💃💃💃.

Well done Scottishgirl, not just for your own success but hopefully your nurse will be impressed enough by your success to look into this WoE and encourage others to follow in your footsteps.

Scottishgal – that’s brilliant news. I’m really pleased for you. Congratulations.

I remember when you just started Scottishgal! Look how far you’ve come! Well well done!!!

You’re living the dream, Scottishgal, congratulations!

Nuts are delicious little devils, aren’t they? The two times I’ve triggered my upper weight boundary and gone back to the Fast800 overindulgence in nuts and cheese were at the heart of it. My tip would be to portion out individual ounces and put them in little baggies. When you want a nut snack, you reach for one baggie and that’s all. Telling yourself you’re going to stop when you’ve got the a half pound container in your hand is a wink-wink scenario. Best to set yourself up for success ahead of time.

I’m very late to the ‘scottishgal party’ what amazing results, so so pleased for you 🙌🙌🙌
JGwen thanks for the link
Budgie, you’ve climbed back on the BSD wagon, that’s all that matters.

We are off on our mini-hol with my daughter and granny and grandad on Mon. We’ll be eating out every night but not going to stress about it, I’ll try and make the best choices available and deal with the fallout upon my return….wish me luck xxxxx

whoop whoop scottishgal. amazing results well done you!

Shellbob have a lovely trip

Enjoy your much needed break, Shellbob! I’m glad there will be a few extra pairs of hands to assist. Your
daughter must be so excited. Avoid the obvious carbs and alcohol, and you should be fine! Safe trip!

Allie

Hi Budgie! It sounds like bread no longer agrees with you? Sorry that it made you ill. Sounds almost as bad
as a hangover 🙂

Just adding my congratulations to Scottishgal. Well done that gal !!! I remember reading about your lack of confidence and how you are now in a happy relationship with your lovely partner…so that confidence must be coming back in spades, ! What a victory !!
So pleased for you !!

Shellbob enjoy your break and I hope you get some time to relax and recharge. You have shown great commitment to the programme and with fantastic results and you are well prepared to make the right choices for you on your mini holiday. You will be fine Looking forward to hearing from you on your return . ( Hope your son is ok ?)

Budgie, I hope the carb overload has now been put down to experience . That was a painful lesson to have learnt. Just shows how insidious those carbs are and the havoc thay can reek .
Have a good ‘clean” weekend so you can face Week 5 with renewed vigour. You can do it . Plan your shopping trips 😉

Thanks Wendleg and Alliecat. Katy is excited. Our son isn’t coming now but maybe some space will be helpful. He has been a little better in the last few days. Time will tell xxxx

Hope your kidney/potassium issues got sorted Skinnytish ?
Hope all is well with you Kafin. I feel for you . My instinct is to say to avoid heavy carbs but I know it is not so simple for you and it must be a very delicate balance between finding a level that gives you relief without developing into a full blown binge. You seem to know what your body needs and I hope the carb cravings ease as you continue on the programme.

A massive thank you to all of you for sharing my joy and for all of your congratulatory messages. It really does mean a lot to me.
And Allie I totally agree with you. It’s so easy to get hung up on the scales moving in the right direction and completely overlook the main aim of the WOE. I realise now that no amount of weight loss could make me as happy as my hba1c results have done.(It wasn’t that long ago that my hba1c was up as high as 88. That was scary!) I want to keep this feeling for as long as possible 😁
As for the nuts esnecca, I’d love to be able to do what you suggest and I have tried it…….but I just end up opening the individual bags and eating the nuts. Best option for me is just not to buy them in the first place.
I smiled when I read your reply wendleg and I’m touched that you remember my story. You are so right and it’s a long time since I’ve been this happy. I’m going to keep referring to this thread anytime I feel down or negative in the future.
It doesn’t seem that long since I joined this forum californiagirl. The 3 months have just flown by with the help of everyone on here.
Hope you have a lovely time away with your family shellbob.
Don’t be disheartened budgie. I’ve been where you are and look where I am now. You can do it too. Just hang on in there, get back on the wagon and keep checking in here. Such an amazing place full of amazing people!
Have a great weekend everyone x

I am a bit of a Johnny-come-lately to add Hurrah! for Scottishgal. Shellbob, have a lovely time away. And Budgie, I can completely understand the carb “hangover”. I had exactly the same three weeks in, after eating just a bit of quinoa/wild rice mix. Terrible night sweats and I literally couldn’t walk in a straight line the next day – really Bleurrgh feeling. It makes me wonder how we could have apparently so easily tolerated such large carb intake before! I was at a conference today, only sarnies for lunch, no cutlery so I used some bread as a makeshift spoon to eat just the contents but did eat some bread! It might be a bad day tomorrow! Happy Mothering Sunday to all Mums and Happy Another BSD Day to all!