Well . . . Ive waited MONTHS for today and wow wow wow! It was well worth the wait! My endocrinology appointment has drawn accolades, congratulations, and bucketloads of encouragement from a gentleman who thinks outside the square and isnt afraid to say, admit AND do so. My HbA1c – (I call it the alphabet test) – was 12.9 in March. THATS when all hell broke loose, meds didnt agree with me, insulin was the only option, diabetic nurse threw her hands in the air in despair, diabetic advisor – gave me dietary guidance – (25% carbs per meal and eat 6 times a day!!!) – instructions how to use the insulin pen . . . after which . . . . I “spat the dummy” and told them all to go to . . .! A chance conversation between my son and one of his mates – (who advised cut out carbs as he had) – then the day after, finding Dr M’s book in a charity store . . . started my life change on 24th June 2018. In September, prior to going away for three weeks where I DELIBERATELY didnt test every day, I had the obligatory blood tests done almost 90 days to the day – in preparation for today. Tears of joy, relief, achievement, progress and proof I am in control freely flowed when “The Specialists Screen” was turned around for me to see the figures – and the alphabet figure – 6.9. I now have some easy exercises, squats and weight resistant stuff which he was adamant I do . . . and I mean adamant! instructions to only eat when Im hungry . . . quit with the finger-pricking idea, put the machine away because while it keeps track – we know the track and from here on it will only cause unnecessary stress! and start walking – (I begged that this “step” be out on the back burner until my plantar fasciitis settles down and an osteo just down the corridor from him is working on that for me!) By my follow-up February appointment, with continued BSLD and these exercises, he EXPECTS to see 11 cms – (around 4 inches) gone from my waist . . . and with thyroid, arteries, feet, heart all given tick of approval, hopes not to have to see me again! Words cannot describe how I feel. And I have so many people to thank, hold dear and acknowledge in my prayers tonight. Amen.

I’m flying high with you today, WoodDuckie!!! What a result 🙂 I couldn’t be happier for you! I hope you’ll
be staying on with us here, for your story has the capacity and power to inspire others. CONGRATULATIONS!

Allie

AMAZING WoodDuckie!!!
No wonder you are feeling on top of the world. I remember the feeling when my T2 was reversed. Just keep going now and by February you really will be floating on air. Wonderful result.

FANTASTIC Wood Ducky! So pleased for you. Go girl!

Positives today:
1) A fantastic night’s sleep!
2) Washing finished and a good day for drying.
3) Wearing a lovely new outfit – slim olive green trousers with a yellow ochre patterned top. I feel (and look!) slim. Yeah!

WoodDuckie – I’m new to the Forum so we’ve not ‘met’, but I wanted to say that’s such great news. I also used BSD (and 5:2) to manage my Type 2 diabetes and put it in remission – that’s fantastic. Congratulations

Fantastic news on your results WoodDuckie ! You took control and you won through ! So liberating whan you can challenge the ‘specialists’ 😉

Well done you !

Congratulations WoodDuckie on taking control of your life! Well done. And congrats to the granddaughter too. Jasmine’s sport is done in pairs or trios – she is the base of a pair – but is otherwise probably quite similar with various lifts and throws as well as simultaneous cartwheels and splits and bits of dance. The highest grades are death-defying! We’re not quite at that level yet.

WoodDuckie – that is FANTASTIC news! I am jumping for joy for you and I might even attempt a cartwheel or two! You must feel amazing! 🙂 You are proof that you are what you eat! Please take a bow!
My positives:
1 – Another small loss, 4 weeks on the trot…
2 – Another dry gorgeous sunny day forecast with a great sunrise to see this morning on the way to work!
3 – Half term so roads quieter on the way to train station!
Look forward to seeing other positives today!
Kazzeexx

WoodDuckie

Well done in your personal battle, I was trying to work out how many positives were in your post, but gave up as life changing days like you have just had, don’t come often, enjoy the moment and live your new life.

Thank to everyone who responded to my joyous emotional posting! Today is day 3 of (for me) heavy physical stuff . . . and again Ive spent around 5 hours in my courtyard and back garden – lifting, toting, re-arranging things, trimming and transplanting strawberries . . . hoping for easier maintenance and better cropping . . . attaching bush orchids to bark and mounting them in trees . . . and finally today, located and filled a HUGE concrete pot to plant a beautiful rose . . “Double Delight” which is a favourite of my dearest friend whom Im just been to visit on the 1800klm round trip and it is my lasting memory of her devoted friendship. After that workout, I didnt feel the MANDATORY exercises were necessary! Im about half-way done . . . and pleased with the results. So are the birds with three new bathing ponds so there shouldnt be ANY squabbling:) My euphoria is starting to wind down . . and Im getting very weary so I think an early night before an early start to Grandparents and Grand friends Day at grand-daughters’ school. We are invited to dress as a farmer with fund raising going to the drought appeal, classroom participation, and a special morning tea which I do hope has SOMETHING I can — or rather – want – to eat!
I know Ive taken advantage of more than 3 positives but beg to be allowed a few more for when I wasnt able to connect to the net for almost three weeks. And yes Allie Il be around for some time yet . . . Ive made some remarkable friends . . . whom I have to thank for help and support through the rough patches . . . and Im sure there a few more hidden hurdles it will be good to share and see through 🙂 Again thank you one and all! 24th October 2018 is my 4 month anniversary!!! Hip Hip? Hooray!!!

1. Yesterday was very warm, so I had the pool heater on all day and when the kids got home from school we had our first swim of the season! Lovely. And now we have solar panels, so the heating is free.
2. Aiden starts High School next year and had done an exam to find out if he is smart enough to get into the ‘extension’ stream, the top classes that do advanced work. Yesterday we found out that he is in! Jasmine is also in the top classes. My children are academically gifted, beautiful, and kind. Hmm, I wonder where they get it from….
3. I’ve been looking for a nice tote bag (fancier than a hessian shopping bag) for a while but hadn’t found anything I liked for a reasonable price. Today I found a lovely ‘free’ woven bag that came with a purchase of some scented hand cream and body wash products. I bought the set just to get the tote bag, half the price of other bags I’d been looking at, and gave the unwanted products to my daughter. I just kept the orange blossom scented soap for myself.

Natalie, your children are such a source of joy! You must walk in sunshine and gratitude every day…I try to
stay in the gratitude lane each and every day too….It makes all the difference! It’s a choice, I think, to focus
on the positives each day. Otherwise, we miss out on life! When we’re too fixated on the past or the future,
we aren’t fully “present” today 🙂

Spent an exciting day yesterday on a training course about the local geology, which included a 3 hour walk through the hills looking at rock formations, and the shapes of the summits. My positives out of that are.

1. There is no way I could have done that walk before starting on this way of eating. – However, I did realise I need to put in some more hill walking as it obviously gives my legs a better work out than I normally achieve. :-}
2. It was dry and sunny, if a little windy, so ideal for looking at the relative shapes of the hills right out into the distance while it was explained how the glaciers in the ice age would have moved boulders and carved out the valleys.
3. I think my carb monster is finally being starved into extinction. – I decided to make it a social day and join in with all the other people on the course having lunch together in the cafe, but there wasn’t any low carb options. I expected that meant that for the rest of the day I would be having to fight cravings for carbs, but I didn’t. – In fact I wasn’t even in the mood for eating anything by the time I got home.

I’m late to the party, but wanted to add my congratulations for your great results WoodDuckie. Your pride is well justified and I’m confident you’ll go on to achieve the next target as well.

I’m with you Allie, looking for those positives each day, keeps us on the bright side of life.

Raining in our corner of Turkey today, but still some positives to be had ….
1) visiting with friends yesterday and seeing a little bit of Turkey we haven’t seen before.
2) reviewing plans for visiting India next autumn – very exciting!
3) enjoying my man’s company, without work interruptions. We are planning a little joint decorating project together though and are going out to buy paint tomorrow.

Thank you Sunny! Im needing to keep my feet on the ground today because Ive seen several people on my shopping day who havent seen me in a month and . . . well everyone is wowing and falling over themselves to congratulate me. Its easy to get a swelled head! But its back to planting out some lettuce plants and rhubarb 🙂 And fist clenching with a big quiet YES Im doing it!

Good on you, WoodDuckie! Non scale victories all round!

Well here is a real comical situation! This month in particular this week . . . have opened SO MANY gifts and surprises I went and bought a lottery ticket today! After a visit to the pharmacy . . . (the first in maybe 5-6 weeks) – to collect a script . . . I was greeted by a dispenser who asked if I would be be interested in being trained to be a “helper” on the local Heath Care “bus” . . . in particular . . . DISCUSSING DIABETES AND OBESITY!!!!! in a socio-economic challenged area. Of course I jumped at the opportunity . . . and my mischievous self immediately thought of what I was going to be asked to spruke!!! Apparently “The Bus” is stationed outside our “Repurposed groceries and foodstuffs” “pantry shop” on its open day! Now, Ive volunteered there . . . and I KNOW the food/meal packages offered there . . . . . while wholesome and inexpensive – has NOTHING (currently) offered which would meet BSD standards! I can see this being a VERY interesting adventure . and it can go either way 🙂 SO THATS ONE HUGE POSITIVE . . . then No. 2: I visited a store I rarely have need of – and found 2 well established pick as u go lettuce plants for $1!!!! . . . No.3: My newfound energy and purpose sees me rearranging/culling my “office – (a tiny 3rd bedroom) – to accommodate my cardmaking STUFF” which for almost 2 years has claimed my only table – the dining room one!!! (Embarrassing when a few weeks ago I had a friend stay over and we ate from our laps or a coffee table!!!) All this while the courtyard garden and tubs ar being done . . . and its 2am and Im still wide awake!!!! Am SO PLEASED with what has already been achieved . . . even though there are THREE rooms currently in disarray to make this happen! And all because someone out a computer desk with attached/incorporated hutch out on the footpath with a “FREE” sign on it! And in the process of this rearranging . . . I found a biscuit tin with around $150 in 50c pieces and $1 coins . . . .xxxx What did mum always say about the cleaner get the spoils . . .?

Wow how interesting Gwen! I too find the reactions to foods really fascinating! At Grandparemts Day yesterday, there was a lovely morning tea presented. I chose a piece of sponge cake with cream cream and more cream! which I savoured . . . and left the cake!!!!! I then went to lunch with a friend and had grilled haloumi with basil drizzle oh it was YUMMY!!!!!!

That’s a very exciting set of circumstances, WoodDuckie. I would love the challenge of being a consultant!
A very close friend of mine was the force behind setting up a food pantry in her town, and she took me on a
tour one day. Fresh ingredients are impractical, so you have a great challenge on your hands! You can’t
imagine how I envy you a dedicated craft room 🙂 When I’m making cards, the diningroom table disappears
altogether, and we end up eating on trays, too! Often for months at a time! All those inks, paint brushes, different
types of glue, die cutting machine, dies, paper cutter, tweezers, and on and on and on, not to mention 100’s
of stamps and other paraphenalia. Piles of stuff rest on the chairs, too. Recently I was out at the beach,
and collected tiny shells, small seagull feathers and white tiny quartz pebbles, so I intend to do something
with them. What mediums do you work in?

Have a great and positive day, all! The sun is shining brilliantly today, and the trees are flaming with
Autumn color. It’s glorious, and I’m headed out for a nice long ramble around the neighborhood 🙂

Hi Allie! Devoting this room to something other than a storeroom where I went to play on the computer came about just with the “flatpack” type computer desk being offered for free by the roadside. I couldnt IGNORE it because it may well have been worth $200-$300 dollars new and if I bought something which was not suitable then drama to return etc.. This way – Im determined to make it function . . . even if I have to adapt it . . . or Ill put it out on the roadside with a free sign on it! It has spurred me on to do a cull of a multitude of things which has festered for maybe a decade . . . I moved here while still working fulltime, a very ill dad living 4.5 hours drive away and me a lone houseowner who raised two sons alone from ages 5 and 7. There was loads to cull, move, sort and when life changes “stuff” just becomes redundant – some with but most without emotional attachment. To provide functional things and make ends meet, I have “rescued” discarded stuff for most of my years! be it in charity shops or roadside rubbish collection piles. I believe I learned this from my dad who could re-purpose and/or make ANYTHING – my very resourceful eldest son has inherited the trait – and has not only furnished but partially restored a very elderly (2nd) house . . . which is an escape from arduous daily grind so an ongoing project . . . with timber, kitchen cupboards and flooring, tiles, paint etc., from others’ discards! If we could share email address somehow Id like to show you some of my cards. They too are made from repurposed things and in many cases, quite out there! My original ideas were to create a gift you give when you dont want to start giving gifts . . . but something a little more than a card would be just right! Now its back to getting something to eat as its been 18 hours since I last ate!!! and then the courtyard garden for maybe an hour . . . then indoors to continue with this “new room” project. 🙂 Have a great day all cos mine’s a CORKER!!!!! The whole week has been enough excitement to write a book but I dont have time!!!!!

WoodDuckie, you’re zest for life is just spilling over! It’s a joy to read your posts! How fantastic to be asked to help others and use your new knowledge. I love the idea of ‘slightly’ more than just a card, which makes it something very special and to be treasured. In fact, I have received 2 stunning cards from Allie which are works of art and something I will treasure always! I dabble in watercolours myself although haven’t picked up a brush in a couple of years but now winter is almost here and the garden chores diminish, I plan to rectify that! Your corker of a day buoys me up! 😁👍👍

Hi WoodDuckie,
I think you have won the award of the largest opportunity to weld a wooden spoon of any of us. Helping to share information. – Maybe you could get some grant funding to work with the food bank to put on courses to help people with their cooking skills, in which you can help people understand how to create low cost, low carb, healthy meals.
I recently received a post on facebook asking that people take part in a reverse advent calender. It listed an item a day requested by the local food bank to put together parcels for families in need at Christmas. – I was surprised, I would have expected that when putting out requests for donations they would have focused on healthy options that can be kept like tinned veg. Instead it was a list of requests for biscuits and chocolates and ingredients that wouldn’t even meet the NHS guidance of a healthy diet.

Oh Gwen if only! BUT . . . I have my doubts . . . I cannot see the Australian and NZ society allowing me to direct people down this path . . . and the conveynor at the reclaimed food shop is single minded . . . I know because I was a volunteer there and fell foul with my ideas – which were implemented after I left through ill health!!! BUT TIME WILL TELL. I certainly dont want to go into this with negativity hanging off me because it is a wonderful opportunity!!! I would LOVE to have people feeling as amazing as I do after only 3 months . . . I know how depressed I was with pills, the feelings of inadequacy, scourge the word carried hanging over me – and now – after back from an 1800 klms round trip, last week, the endo appointment Monday, pressing on every day with HOURS in the courtyard makeover for plants etc., and now time splitting time available with the setting up of this craft/computer room, today I did an 18 fast. Salad and salmon brunch around 3-4 pm has now been topped off with fresh roast pork and mixed cold vegetables. Even after coffee at 8.30pm, – after having been wide awake at 4am this morning with the mind willing but the body screaming for rest with all my projects, I am ready for bed!!!!!! BUT 6 months ago I couldnt even drive 40 klms to my beautiful daughter-in-laws 40th birthday celebrations. Hope all have a GREAT day or evening depending on your timezone.

Hi Kazz! Im so pleased someone is flying up here in the stratasphere with me! Glad I gave you something to smile about . . . thank you for your comments re the opportunity!!! and yes Ive had feedback some of my cards have been framed by their recipients!!! That is such a humbling thing! And today . . .? I dont do it for $$$s – just a MASSIVE creative outlet for me. And today, I received a receipt and accompanying Thank You letter from the local Rural Fire Service . . . benefactors of a percentage of the takings. Another feel-good moment!

WoodDuckie – just reading your posts. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement. I am so happy for you.

My positive for today was that I went for a flu jab and the pharmacist had real problems injecting it into my arm “because I was so thin”. The words were music to my ears.

Actually – I am not even at the lower end of my BMI – so am not too thin but am just slender. So after 50 years of being overweight it is so lovely to be thought of as thin.

Krysia You must have loved that moment

Positives today: relishing my BSD anniversary (posted in the maintaining thread); son visiting from uni soon. Will be lovely to catch up. And it has stopped raining! Happy weekend everyone.

Thank you KrysiaD! It is really nice to “feel” slimmer isnt it? And then when others notice . . .? well . . . .THATS confirmation!!! MY positives today . . . 1. After a week + of 3-4 hours daily, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for my courtyard potted vege garden . . . tomato plants have flowers, strawberries have flowers and tiny fruit, small rhubarb leaves are today upright having recovered from their transplant, parsley, chives, spearmint, spinach and lettuce round out the “culinary courtyard” interest. 2. The culling and re-organising in the “craft-room” is progressing AT THE SAME TIME!!!! This is more a put and take exercise with every room in the house in disarray – save for the bathrooms. I KNOW it will be worth the upheaval and it is SPRING when all is said and done!!!!! Last night, part of the CRAFTY side of me also sorted and tied with purple ribbons . . . 5 bundles of lavender cut yesterday afternoon. 3. Im off to visit my family this afternoon which is always a happy time 🙂 Share the joy peoples!

Goodness! I’ve been effectively silenced for the past 3 days because laptop is out for repairs. This device is old and
just a back-up, as I can read posts, but typing is a problem. Letters and words thrown out of order!

So very important to acknowledge Caron’s fantastic achievements, however! Many congratulations on reaching your
first BSD Anniversary 🙂 🙂 🙂 Onward to your next one!

WoodDuckie, your enthusiastic posts literally dance off the page! We enjoy them so much 🙂 I’ll use this thread
(when my IT problems are solved!) to explore a way to share our work. I am way beyond curious!

I hope to be back in business tomorrow??…Until then, remain in the world of positives, my friends!

Allie

Good morning!
My positives today are:
1 – Harvested my one and only grown broccoli yesterday and will eat it later today. Also have grown some leeks and will pull those up today. My first time growing veg.
2 – The bread carb monster is truly silenced and I’m not even thinking about it! SUCH a relief!
3 – Just under 3 weeks until my weekend away and the following week off so will keep on keeping on!
Have a good day, one and all!
Kazzeexx

1. I did my first Body Pump class (weight lifting to music) since I rejoined the gym and I thought I would really struggle based on previous attempts. I used very light weights and modified a couple of moves, at the end of the class the teacher asked me about it. I used to be hampered by a shoulder injury and I was catering for that, but it’s improved a lot in the past couple of years, I think I’ll be able to participate fully in future.
2. I bought some paper today, just the right shade of pale blue.
3. My husband regularly Skypes our neighbours from where we lived until three years ago, and they have a son a year younger than our daughter so he must be 13 or 14 now. I just walked past the screen and saw a young man probably taller than his father. ‘Is that James?’ I asked in astonishment. His voice is so deep too. What a difference three years makes!

We’ll done on the exercise, Natalie. Hope your home grown veg is delicious enough to spur you on to grow more, Kazz.

Thought I’d drop in to post a few positives from Turkey …
1) OH and I completed a decorating project today – repainted hall, stairs and landing. Looks much brighter and fresher, so very happy to have that done.
2) weather getting warmer again after a chilly spell last week – actually had to go out and buy jumpers and a heat!
3) out to dinner this evening, at a friend’s restaurant.
4) still a smidge over two weeks of our Turkish break left!

1. A lone white foxglove spike in the garden.
2. In Zumba class the teacher has a few little wrap skirts covered in metal dangly things like coins, she offers them for the Bollywood-style dance tracks. I was up at the front today so I took one and jangled away to the belly dancing moves. It even matched my aqua shirt and sneakers.
3. Aiden ‘helped’ me this afternoon watering the garden with the hose. I’m not sure how much water got to the plants!

Foxgloves are beautiful, Nat! It’s going to be great fun hearing about what’s in bloom in your garden, as we batten
down the hatches for winter in the northern hemisphere. My imagination is running wild at the prospect of you dancing
about with gold spangles twitching on your belly dancing hips! I just love the image 🙂

Sunny, it feels like you have been away for ages! Thanks for checking in…My orchids are prospering, and I’m looking
forward to seeing yours.

I think I’ve allowed myself to fall out of ketosis on and off during the late summer, but I’m reasonably certain
that “I’m back” because I’m experiencing a fit of turbo energy after dinner, which sends me to the kitchen to
prepare soups for the freezer. That’s a positive for me! We have electric heating, so I tend to keep the heat on
the chilly side, and something hot for lunch is preferred. I’m also making a brisk walk in the Autumn glory of
flaming tree color a prioirity, as long as it lasts.

I really enjoy all of your posts, and feel a part of them 🙂 Thank you all!

1. Second swim of the season in our one-year-old pool.
2. I got plenty of exercise and enjoyment in the garden: cutting up branches so they’d fit in the green-waste bin, dividing a Bromeliad into six ‘pups’ and planting them in shady spots (the pool area is like a tropical resort … well it will be in a few years when the baby palms, cordylines and ferns grow!), and using our push mower on the little bit of poolside grass.
3. I accepted a quote to have a window cut in the back room so the backyard will be visible from the whole kitchen and eating area. It’s taken a while to organise because I had to find a tradesman willing to do such a minor job, but should be done by Christmas.

Good morning! 6 am here in Florida.

Positives for yesterday
1. I did not gain any weight
2. My favorite day of the week because I get to play my violin with a group of musicians
3. A beautiful sunny day in the 80’s!

My positives for today.
1. Wearing the sweatshirts that I used to wear. – They used to be straining at the seams with just a thin teashirt under them. – In this cold snap I have been wearing a teashirt, thicker shirt, jumper and one of the old sweatshirts over the whole lot and the old sweatshirt is baggy.
2. Have started a spring clean of my house, getting ready for starting on the long overdue renovations.
3. While out shopping today I ran into someone I hadn’t seen since I started on this WoE. – She didn’t recognise me.

Some great positives! Well done, JGwen on the old sweatshirts!
1 – put my week off back to last week of November so I don’t de-rail myself as I’m on a roll;
2 – wet and windy today but glad the temps have gone up a bit! Some great leaves to jump around in!
3 – Month end over! 🙂 🙂
Have a good day, all!

Well done JGwen ! The sweatshirt and the friend not recognising you ! Brilliant !

My postives are that I am back home but still on holiday for a few days 🙂 Wearing my woolly jumper and a fire is roaring here as it is much colder but the sun is shining.
I will be making soup later.

Glad to be back among you all !

Good morning

It’s been months since I posted though I do still read the notifications
.
But today I had to tell someone that 14 months since I decided to go low carb I ordered some size 8 dresses online. They arrived and looked very small, but this morning I tried them and they fit! I am that small!

As an ex-size-16 this still thrills me!

Hope you all have a fabulous day, for me this Way ofEasting has been miraculous!

Xx

JackieM
Wow ho so skinny
My T shirts have gone from 6XL to 2XL I also look at them and think they will not fit, it is a good feeling, but I am heading for XL or just L if that’s possible, I have always been big from Rugby and Judo in my past youthful days. When I joined the RN aged 16 I was fit as they come with a 40” chest, so only time will tell what I shrink too?
My 6XL now fall of my shoulders?

Wow. Congratulations JackieM. Not just the weight loss, but keeping it off. You must feel fantastic!
JGwen how lovely to have the confirmation of the difference a year has made. Isn’t it your anniversary too soon?
Wendleg. Welcome back. Hope the temperature shock isn’t too great. Couldn’t believe that there was snow in the Loire this week!

A bit early for positives today – more like resolutions. 1) I am using the sunny morning to plant 100 bulbs. (Gulp)
2) Going to enjoy all the birds in our small garden. Yesterday we had a big sparrowhawk/small buzzard, a great spotted woodpecker, a dozen greenfinches as well as the usual tits, parakeets, crows, dunnocks etc. Such a simple pleasure. 3) Going to experiment with mustard soup. And will share if it is any good!

Brilliant news, Jackie. It’s such a boost to be reminded like that, how far you’ve come.

My positives are ….
1) bought a red suette jacket in a military style, with lots of gokd studs on the collar and sleeves, which OH says looks quite “Michael Jackson”. Totally age inappropriately and think our youngest daughter will be appalled, but I love it!
2) lovely lakeside breakfast. Spotted 1 cormorant, 2 grey heron, a gaggle of geese and a murder of crows.
3) OH has just booked us a four night trip to Marrakech for January – lucky girl!

Sounds like your bird spotting was a bit more varied than mine, carol. It’s wonderful to get the chance to appreciate the some things though, isn’t it? Hope the bulb planting goes well – what are they?

Hi SunnyB. I am planting irises, dwarf and tall tulips, crocuses, and alliums. I love your murder of crows. Having googled, I shall now start referring to charms of finches and gulps of cormorants!

I adore dwarf iris, they look so delicate and crocus are heralds of spring and longer days. I’m waiting to be able to get snowdrops ‘in the green’ to add to my garden for spring, as always look so hopeful and smell delightful.

Like your collective nouns, had a look and one possible for parrots is pandomonium, which I’m thinking might be very appropriate!

1. Driving home we had to stop just before our driveway because a water dragon was sitting in the middle of the road (a lizard longer than my arm). Tim rolled the car up close but it refused to move until I got out of the car and shooed it away. It dove into the storm drain. Half an hour later Tim saw it, or another very like it, swimming around in our pool!
2. Air conditioning.
3. Zucchini frittata.

Morning all !
I am definitely feeling positive as I have just weighed in after my Week in Spain and no damage done. I even have a tiny loss so I will take that and keep going ! I will soon be in the 13 stone bracket which will feel good.

I have never seen a water dragon Nathalie ! My son sends me gorgeous photos of beautiful birds he photographs in Australia and the occasional massive spider !

SunnyB, lots of positives there.The jacket sounds fab.I have a brightly coloured raincoat which I will be wearing to work tomorrow.It’s very cheery and has a cosy fleece lining.
Did you plant your bulbs Caronl ? I am looking forward to Spring already !
Have a great Sunday everyone !

I’m in my early 50s and have been overweight all my life. Only 5ft 6 but at one point weighed 18 stone. Diagnosed type 2 in January and it was a major shock. I immediately went on a classical diet, cut out all snacks and started to do more exercise. Lost a stone, was 15 stone 5 at start of diet. However my blood sugar remained high, 7.9 on my 6 month blood test. Put on metf or min and had horrible side effects, it made me very sleepy. Moved to gliclazide with daily blood tests and by blood was 10 in morning and 7-8 rest of day before meals and I put half a stone back on
I then started the blood sugar diet and started to walk to work, it takes an hour. I found the diet very satisfying and had to eat less frequently. Quickly lost another stone and my blood sugar is down to 6-7 in morning and about 5 during day before meals. Weight loss has slowed down now, I still eat more than the 800 calories but follow the “ingredients list” and have limited my carbs to breakfast where I have a couple of staffordshire oatcakes, see recipes. Never felt better but still have a couple a stone to lose

Good evening!
Kazz you really have got everything under control with the carb monster finally gone and home grown vegetables!
SunnyB, Natalie, Allie, Violinist, JGwen, wendleg and caronl I love all your positives. JackieM your story lifts my heart and it’s good to hear from you too Sumo. Welcome Martinpc.
At last I’m back to full health and just so glad I could pop in here over the last few weeks and smile reading your posts.
I finally have some positives of my own …..
1. Back up to full speed and ready to keep on keeping on ……
2. Had a lovely lunch out today with friends that was really BSD friendly. It’s so good to have a little butter on vegetables or a cream sauce on fish. Eating out was so difficult and boring, before BSD!
3. Making very small goals at the moment, and I mean small! One pound to get into single figure ‘pounds’ as in stones and pounds. Two pounds to get closer to the next stone. I just have to be realistic at the moment.
Anyway, hope you have all had a good weekend and that the new week brings all you are hoping for.

Hi Verano. Good to hear that you are feeling better, and lovely to hear your positives. You have been there for me from the start, so I always find it special when you post.
Wendleg – great news that you enjoyed your holiday and didn’t put on weight. For me that reinforces that this is a way of life rather than a quick-fix diet. We are all in it for the long term – and can have fun at the same time! And yes, I did plant all the bulbs – except there were 150 not 100… but that made it a team effort with OH.
SunnyB I am really curious re Marrakech. We are looking at it for September next year (DV etc), so looking forward to hearing about it idc.
Martinpc, welcome. You seem to be doing really well. Keep plugging away. If the weight loss really slows too much, you can always adjust the carbs down a bit by varying the breakfasts maybe? My go-to is yoghurt raspberries and walnuts, or omelette with mushrooms and spinach. And remember to drink lots of water!
Almost forgot the positives today… Finished pruning in the garden, went to a lovely piano recital (particularly enjoyed the Brahms, less so the Liszt): and our ex-dog is back for 10 days while the owners go on holiday! Actually that last positive is about 300 rolled into one!

Allie all well??