Latest forum posts

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    HEIDI hello! Tbh I’d worked out it was you
    – bells were ringing – but wanted to respect your boundaries 😊.

    Either way, it’s lovely to have you back, and I very much look forward to continuing our journey together.

    Lots of love xx

  • posted by  Heidi24 on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi DCT. Whoops I used my previous user name. My cover has blown! I thought you would remember caronl too. 😀
    I might as well stick with Heidi though, since there has been a lot of life and living since my caronl days.

    I very much hope to stick more closely to the group from now on. Focus and energy continue to be my real challenges at the moment, even 6 months after my husband’s death. But that’s all the more reason for eating healthily, I suppose.

    Anyway I love your realistic goals and commitment to this way of eating and a healthier way of life. Good luck with the reset!

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    CARONL hello! I remember you from a while ago. Good to have you back. And it’s great that you’re joining the motley crew for an August reset.

    I’ve had a mixed week. Set myself the target of 150lb for the week and nearly got there midweek till I sabotaged it with curry and cocktails 🙀. I completely agree with an earlier discussion about allowing ourselves leeway for special outings, celebrations, holidays etc. My problem is that I think I overuse that leeway. I’m very lucky to have an active social life – particularly this summer with the combination of the glorious weather and now being fully retired. But that means lots of opportunities to go off piste.

    But on the other hand I’m still comfortable with my MO of slow and steady. I’m hoping for 149 by the end of next week and as long as I have more days strictly on the WoE than I do off it, I’m hopeful of getting there.

    Another thing I’ve been reflecting on is the importance of seeing this as a long term WoE and not a crash diet (even though it can serve as both). I want to try and continue to make realistic and healthy adjustments to my eating rather than just cutting everything out to try and lose weight.

    Lots to think about but let’s all keep going in our own way and work towards our individual goals for this month and the rest of 2026 X

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Wendy I’m sure I had a pillow under my head and also under my knees, I can honestly say it wasn’t as uncomfortable as a hygienist appointment. I was more stressed than I realised for my second one but actually the results feel better even just 9 days post op. A sedative might be a good idea though. Well done on the loss!

    Skulder, hello and welcome. These boards aren’t as active as they used to be but you have come to the right place for help and support. There are a few of us who have been here for many years and probably stay here to stop us falling into our old ways again.

    If I can give you one piece of information that I wish I had known a lot sooner it’s that carbs are the real secret to controlling T2 and not weight per se. Yes weight is a contributory factor but carbs are our real enemy: bread, potatoes, rice, pasta.

    I found this Way of Eating back in 2016. I had T2 but my blood sugar was not that high really although I was on the highest dose of Metformin with the threat of another drug being added. I found Michael Mosley and I followed a low carb diet of 50g per day, roughly. At that time I was guided by my doctor and came of Metformin slowly. Anyway my T2 has been in remission for over 9 years now. I do eat the odd potato and I have low carb bread a couple of times a week, but I tend to stay away from rice and pasta and that seems to work for me.

    You say you have ‘unprocessed carbs’ can you elaborate please. Having brown rice or pasta or bread doesn’t really work. If you check the carbs you will see they are still very high. There are lots of ‘tricks’ such as cauliflower mash instead of potatoes, even cauliflower pizza bases! I usually have sliced green vegetables as a base for curry and it’s amazing how quickly your ‘sweet tooth’ disappears. In time you will find lots of things are just too sweet. You say you followed a keto diet which is really just a very very low carb diet so I’m sure you will have no problem with the Blood Sugar Diet.

    Good luck on your new journey!

  • posted by  caronl on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi everyone,
    I am popping in after quite a time away. Lovely to catch up on your posts and hear the achievements – walking, weight reduction, resets etc. I love the idea of an August reset, and will join you – albeit rather late and a bit tentatively. After two lots of visitors and too many slips, I am ready to pay myself some attention and feel healthier again. Have a nice weekend.

  • posted by  Skulder on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hello, I’m new here but could not find an introductory thread. I have a huge amount of weight to lose but everything seems to be against me. I’m T2 so that’s the first issue I want to address as I feel tired ALL the time. I started on Monday with two shakes a day (not ideal, I know) and one small meal in the evening with fat, protein and unprocessed carbs. Going well so far.
    In the past, when I was younger, I lost six stone in six months on keto – keto doesn’t seem to work for me post menopause!
    Just wanted to say hello!

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Hello everyone & amazingly I have lost a pound in weight despite going to a Michelin starred cream tea for our 52nd wedding anniversary on Monday & having some wine & puddings at supper this week. I had my Spa-Medica pre-op appointment on Tuesday & I have to go ahead with my second cataract op in a couple of weeks time. I do now find lying still with my head tilted back very uncomfortable particularly with not being able to move my head for twenty minutes as I found out with my hygienist appointment on Thursday so I suppose it was a useful practice session 🤔. Oh well needs must but I will ask for a sedative this time to try to feel more relaxed.
    On the more amusing side my husband & I will be going to a Medieval Joust on Sunday which is a local annual event with a set up village with craft lessons & music, & sword fighting & jousting on horses.The temperature is on the rise again so taking water & using sun tan lotion although the village is set up in shade amongst trees. When we went before The Medieval Babes were singing which was very enjoyable but not sure who is this year.
    Well best feet forward for next week everyone 🤞👍
    Margaret xx

  • posted by  SueBlue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    Mariet – no truer words said there than not being able to out walk a poor diet!
    I’m a good case in point – I have been walking for 50 minutes almost every morning for the last 2 years and it hasn’t made any real impact on my weight – although perhaps to some degree it’s stopped me from becoming even bigger 😂
    Glad to hear that your surgery went well.

    I’ve had a good sort of week, have kept active and for the most part ate heathy, nutritious meals – my favourite breakfasts have been Choc berry porridge, apple berry crumble, baked protein pancake, and today I had carrot cake baked oats. This one made a huge portion so I just had half as I was full after that. I did also have a Hungry Jacks breakfast roll one morning when we were out early, but balanced this out by having no lunch and an early dinner.
    I weighed in at 98kg on Friday, which is where I was at about a month ago. Im 5’9” so can carry a bit extra, but I’m a size 18 and prefer to be 16, so aiming for that. I have 10kg I’d initially like to lose, and then possibly another 5-10kg.
    My first goal is to shed a few kilos and be under 94kg by the end of September.
    I wish I could be as determined and focussed as you Cathy, but I’m just not!
    So happy to take it slowly, I’m focussing on good nutrition and eating habits. One thing I have found since eating more filling breakfasts is that I don’t feel like snacking at all, and can skip lunch. As my husband and I get up before 6am we like to have our evening meal fairly early, so this works well.
    Hopefully everyone else is having a good week. It’s a beautiful sunny winter morning here so I’m going to get outside and get some gardening done 🙂

  • posted by  Mariet on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone, so good to hear hope you’re going and your results.
    I had an operation on my hand two weeks ago, it was my dominant hand and it’s very difficult to manage without the thumb! Luckily the dressings are all off now and I can use it again. I think I was a little too self indulgent with the butternut biscuits and I have not lost any of the 2 kg I put on during my holiday a month ago. I am feeling good now though and ready to knuckle down to it. I am weighing daily again for a week and so how that goes. I am walking every day, 8000-10000 steps but I’ve noticed before that exercise has little effect on my weight- can’t out walk a poor diet!
    Interested to hear how everyone is getting on.

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Sunny I haven’t made the bread yet! Just started the starter today, so we shall see when it comes out of the oven! I’ve almost perfected the bagels but I only eat one a week …. my treat!

    S-g I was just looking back today to when we first started here and yes I lost a quite a lot of weight and yes I’ve put quite a lot back on but I’m still a good 20lbs less than I was 10 years ago. So taking a long view, if we hadn’t been following this way of life how much would we weigh, how would our health in general be, how would our T2 in particular be???

    I think we have to take today, wherever we stand as a win. Ten years on and, I’m sure, in far better health than we would have been without BSD.

    Onwards towards better health and let’s worry a little less about the number on the scale!
    Have a good weekend.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi there, just reporting in but no real news. Still at 74.4 or should I say, back down to. However, we are going out for a meal on Saturday and intending to enjoy it. It is because the quiz night was cancelled and we only go out once a month usually. We are going to a concert in the church in Bergerac on Sunday but no food involved – we might call for a drink after but as it is a Sunday most places will be closed.

    Nearly the weekend so enjoy.

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hello everyone
    Just a quick check in- no weight change today – 140.4. I wasn’t expecting another drop as I’ve already lost 4.4 lb since Monday! Today it’s Greek Salad for lunch and my evening meal will be two field mushrooms wlth garlic cheese and Mozzarella and salad. My August goal is 138 lb.
    I am going to continue for the whole of August even if I get to goal beforehand just to see what happens. Once my mind is made up I am focused. Let’s rock day 4!

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    Hello everyone
    Day 3 and i am down to 140.4 this morning. I haven’t felt hungry which has been a surprise. Yesterday I had coffee for breakfast and lunch was an apple and some peanut butter and I made some of the apple and cinnamon muffins from the fast 800 online recipe suggestion and ate a couple with my lunch. My evening meal was Halloumi, baked mushrooms and tomatoes and two fried eggs, I then had some yoghurt and raspberries. I ate a handful of seeds and nuts later on in the evening. Not strictly 800 calories but healthy, unprocessed food. I don’t actually count calories but I can tell through years of experience if I am doing ok. I felt hungry at breakfast this morning so ate a couple of the muffins with my coffee- delicious!.

    Dawn, I know how determined you are so I have a good feeling you will be in the zone with us once your daughter’s boyfriend goes home and you can focus on preparing yourself the healthy meal options.

    I am erring on the lazy side again which I am not proud of. My husband is away this week and I am using it as an excuse to slob about! I went to the charity shop yesterday and bought a pile of books. I am really into reading at the moment and have read some quite challenging books this last few weeks which Ive really enjoyed. I am currently half way through The Count of Monte Cristo, I read Piranesi last week and prior to that read The Wind Up Bird Chronicles by Murukami. I feel like an English literature student! I really will have to get out walking today.

    I always feel that when you’ve got the first two days under your belt, things get a little easier with ‘dieting’. Let’s hope we can make good choices today. I’m going to make some broccoli and cheddar soup for my evening meal I think and I’ll have some yoghurt and raspberries. Curry and book club will certainly be a challenge today DCT but like we said, make good choices when you can and enjoy parties, festivities and occasions for what they are. Book club is always a highlight of the month for me and so I like to indulge in the snacks! I had a curry on Sunday evening and the damage has already gone so enjoy and get back to business tomorrow. That is the recipe for success I think.
    I will report back tomorrow. Have a good day. Remember, we’ve got this!

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi DAWN good to hear from you! Have a lovely time with your family and I hope that you can then get back on track. Look forward to seeing how you get on.

    I had a good day yesterday and am down another half pound this morning. Meals yesterday were a boiled egg for breakfast, salad of halloumi, smoked salmon, beetroot, tomato and lettuce for lunch, then fresh tuna and green veg for dinner. Just drinking black coffee and iced water. I may not lose any more today as I’m out for a curry later then it’s Book Club, but will do my best to make mindful food and drink choices and not go completely off piste.

    I’m also making a determined effort to exercise everyday. My daily dog walks have been shorter recently due to the heat, but I’m trying to make my steps up either by building in an extra walk or by other activities such as gardening and housework. I’m also going to the gym every day. Monday it was Pilates, yesterday swimming and today Aqua.

    Will report back in the morning,.

    Hope everyone else is doing ok xx

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone,
    It’s great to hear about all of your resets😀 Mine has stalled a bit as DD’s boyfriend has been staying with us for a week and my intentions to make myself separate meals hasn’t materialised, I have a fridge full of healthy ingredients though so will get cracking properly tomorrow. Cathy I haven’t tried the Fast 800 shakes but have found the protein bars helpful in the past and also the protein powder for adding to things I’m making to up the protein content. I will probably weigh myself some time next week. Keep up the good work everyone! Dawn X

  • posted by  SunnyB on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Verano, you’ve much more will power than me to resist homemade sour dough! Glad to hear you’re doing well though.
    SG, the call thing sounds very frustrating, but at least you now know you’d have gained little from it and comforting to know you have all the tools you need to move forward.
    Thought I’d report in my result for the past week … no progress made … no loss, no gain. Did drip by a pound on Saturday, but that didn’t consolidate and the scales have blipped back up.
    Onward and hopefully downward then. This week isn’t going to be a normal one, as from tomorrow I’m visiting with my Dad, which means a bit less control on the menu. That said, I shall be vigilant and try not to get too far off piste.
    Hope everyone else is doing well … looking forward to reading about your progress. Keep going everyone.

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone

    CATHY and SUE well done on your progress so far. I had a good first day and am down to 151lb this morning. Yesterday I had scrambled egg for breakfast (admit I did have half a slice of sourdough bread too!), a small salad for lunch with tuna, sweetcorn, feta cheese, tomato and avocado, and a prawn stir fry for dinner.

    I seem to be coming across lots of articles about food at the moment too. One was in a recent newspaper about how the French way of eating is really good for you and you can still lose and maintain weight on it. The premise was that you can have some unexpected things like fresh bread, red wine and a variety of cheese but keep everything in moderation, and ensure you have lots of protein, veg and olive oil too. Basically describes the Mediterranean diet 🙂. But the key thing that struck me was making everything fresh and from scratch – ideally shopping day to day just for what you need that day (if that fits with your lifestyle, otherwise you could batch cook). But it concurs with one thing you said CATHY about your recent success, which was completely eliminating any kind of processed food. The article also stressed the importance of eating slowly and savouring food rather than just shoving it in mindlessly, which is another thing I need to take on board!

    So my approach for the next few weeks is slow and steady and focusing on enjoying fresh and wholesome foods in sensible quantities. Will do my best to avoid sugars and excess carbs, and reduce wine which is usually my big bugbear.

    Hope everyone else is doing well and that we all have a productive week X

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi SueBlue
    Great to read your day 1 restart news. I like that youre looking at a new approach too. It’s all about finding the magic trick that works for us . I haven’t tried the fast 800 shakes. I might give them a try – would be good to take to work for lunch. I can quite easily skip food for breakfast nowadays and I just have a cup of caramel Nespresso coffee – it’s a delicious flavour and contains no sugar. Feels like a treat for me. I started having them when I did my 12 week reset back in February. This morning I was 141.4 which just goes to show that my 144.8 yesterday must have been water weight. I did keep going to the loo yesterday so my body has responded to the keto 800 very quickly!
    Dawn- how are you doing?
    DCT- how was your first day?
    To everyone else in the “we’ve got this”thread- how are you all doing? We have five months ahead of us in 2026 to make this year count. It only takes a few weeks to make a difference. It would be lovely to get an update on your journey.

  • posted by  SueBlue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all, thanks for sharing your Day 1 update Cathy, it sounds like you are off to a great start 🙂
    I had planned to re-join the online plan but am just holding off for a few more weeks. Earlier this year I kept seeing Reels and posts on social media about Filling Meals with Lindsay, and last week I borrowed the book at my local library. It’s not a diet as such, there’s no calorie counting, the plan is around eating filling meals basically, using foods that are nutrient dense, provide volume and are filling. It’s a lot different to BSD but I wanted to give it a go as lots of people in the Facebook group have lost weight following the plan.
    The meals are around 500 cal each, but you can adjust serving sizes to suit your appetite. So far I’ve enjoyed the meals I’ve made from the book. I’ll continue cooking meals on this plan for a few weeks, mixed in with some BSD/Fast 800 meals and see how I go.
    I had Choc berry porridge for breakfast yesterday (oats, chia + flax seeds, cocoa, maple syrup, mixed berries and Greek yoghurt), then some left over slow cooked beef and veggies for lunch (my own recipe) and then Haloumi kebabs (a Fast 800 recipe that’s become a family favourite) for dinner. I didn’t snack in between meals, I wasn’t hungry at all. I didn’t count calories but estimate they would have been around 1100-1200 or so. I also walked 5500 steps (50 minutes) in the morning.
    I haven’t weighed myself yet as my scales need a new battery but am going to do that on Friday, which is my usual weigh-in day.
    It’s now Day 2 for me and I had another breakfast from the Filling Meals book – Banana overnight oats. It was very filling and I’m going to either skip lunch or have a Fast 800 shake, and then have spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. My husband has his with pasta and I’ll have the sauce on veggies instead.
    Hope all going well with everyone else 🙂

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hello
    Day 1 of my August reset complete. It started with an early alarm clock awakening as I promised to help out my elderly aunt this morning. I weighed in after jumping out of bed and was disappointed to see my weight has crept up to 144. Not a surprise, I’ve eaten cheese pie and chips on Thursday, an ice cream on Friday and had a curry last night!

    Today I had a cup of coffee for breakfast, I had an apple, some cheese and a few walnuts for my lunch and my evening meal was halloumi, peppers, kale and 60 g of mixed beans. I didn’t go for my walk as I walked a long way on Saturday and my toes were very painful.

    Day 1 is done. 29 more August days ahead. August Goal is 138 lb. Feeling good, not feeling hungry which I am surprised about on day 1. How did you do today?

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi all, so much for my Zoom call being free. Received a reminder to log onto zoom and she sent a short video to give me an idea of what it was all about. Straight off she said if you decide to go with my services there is an initial fee of £2,500. I contacted her and said it wasnt worth my time as I wasnt going sign up and she came back with the emotional blackmail – so you dont want to invest in your health. Funny thing is we ended up having a very long chat via whatsapp and finally convinced her that I knew as much as she does and she would not be of any help. So I have an hour free tomorrow to look at some cruise tours.

    Quiz night has been cancelled due to lack of interest. A lot of people are away or dont like going to a stuffy restaurant in this heat. Good news is they are having air con put in so maybe next one on first Monday in September. We actually had some rain today – about 10 minutes. Yeah.

    Glad you are doing well Verano but that sour dough will be very hard to resist. I know, my daughter makes it all the time, just the smell is enough to drive you to carb heaven.

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hello.
    Just wanted to pop in to make sure I’m still ‘accountable’!

    Things going very slowly here but definitely on a downward trend so all good really.
    I don’t eat bread but have become obsessed with baking my own sourdough. I’v got all the equipment so now I just have to make my ‘starter’. Think this new hobby might keep me occupied for a while. Thank goodness for YouTube!!

    Hope everyone is well and as we are starting a new week let’s make it a good one!

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Good morning everyone
    Reporting for duty too DCT. I am at my aunts house this morning as she has an internet issue so we are awaiting the repair man! I weighed in at 144.8 after a week of debauchery! So far today I’ve had a coffee with milk. I’ve brought an apple with me whilst we await the repair man!
    I hope to be 138 by the end of August! Here we go. Good luck everyone. I’ll sign in later today once I am back at home and update you on my day.

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Morning everyone. Just to check in at the beginning of this week / month – and of course for a few of us the Great August Reset! Reporting for duty and I really want to be accountable this month. As both CATHY and SUNSHINE GIRL say above, there will be occasions when we allow ourselves to go off piste – and I do have a couple of those coming up this month. But my downfall is that once I’ve had a day or two wining and dining I just then let that become the norm again instead of reverting back to the better WoE. So I hope to keep things more balanced this month!

    I’m starting at a weight of 151.8lb and would hope to end the month at around 147/148lb. My longer term goal is to try to get to 138lb by Christmas. Here we go . . . . !!

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Temp up to 36 today, sat out having brunch and had to come in as starting to feel sick. I dont do hot weather very well and France didnt used to be this hot.

    Weight now down to 74.2 which is the lowest I have been in a long time but never really moved past that. So, besides a meal out tomorrow for the quiz, I am determined to get down to 73.0.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Not much to report. Weight is still dithering around 74.4, not quite got to my lowest yet which was 74.2. Still hoping for a 73.9 on the scales by Monday. We are going to our monthly quiz night so expecting a blip up. I have a zoom call with someone called Valeria Lopez who does a free consultation. She promises it is free and no hard sell. I have given her my details healthwise and I think she will say there is nothing she can do due to the insulin injections. We will see.

    Finally got round to booking a cruise for next year. I have been wanting to go to Greece and Turkey but it is a long cruise and usually on a massive ship. It is 20 days but on a medium ship so hubby is okay and I have decided as a seasoned cruiser I dont have to do everything every day. I love dressing up for dinner but when you have done it 9 nights in a row it gets a bit wearing, after 12/14 nights I just want to go home. So it will be jeans (or shorts) and the buffet when I dont feel like making an effort. Also on P&O they do a lot more daytime events like cooking, yoga, bowls, lectures etc, so I will keep myself busy. Anyway, main point – I have a lot of weight to lose and something to do it for.

    Still hot here at around 29/30 but that is so much cooler than 40. Enjoy the weekend.

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    I’m so pleased everything went well Verano 👏👏. I will find out on Tuesday why they don’t want to laser my left eye because I don’t think the cataract in my right eye is bad enough yet to need to be removed but I suppose I could have it done because it’s all NHS & availability etc. My optician seemed very definite that I should discuss my cataract so perhaps it is worse than I think & he didn’t want to discuss it with me since I looked so unenthusiastic 🤔
    Thank you S-G & my toothbrush also has a timer on & I do try to stand on one leg but wobble & often lean against the towel rail😂. I have weighed & unfortunately gained 0.75lbs which is irritating because I ate carefully last week but obviously not carefully enough. However I will get out my Jane Fonda dvd & restart doing exercises with my hand weights!!
    Take care Verano & I will take my sunglasses with me because I’m sure my eye will be dilated to examine it.
    Have a good week everyone 👍
    Margaret xx

  • posted by  SunnyB on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
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    Thought I’d check in with some pre-weekend positives …..
    😀😀 two grandchildren visited this week and I bumped into another whilst out shopping today
    💦💦 actually had a bit of rain yesterday … short lived, but was actually quite pleasant
    🍽🍛 OH had a day off yesterday, so we went out for lunch .. so nice to do something a bit different during the week

    Hope you all have a lovely weekend packed with positives.

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Good afternoon.

    Thanks for all your well wishes …. they worked! Procedure went smoothly and very little in the way of issues. I had a bit of an ‘ache’ last night and didn’t sleep too well because I was suppose to sleep on my back or the other side neither of which suited. Anyway, apart from light sensitivity all is well. It’s great not to have to wear contacts anymore!

    Margaret hope all goes well with your pre-op. I had my first op in February and I must admit having this one in the summer with bright sunny days has meant I’m walking around the house with sunglasses on, a bit pretentious but necessary. Try and arrange to have yours done when we get a wet spell!

    I can’t exercise at the moment but as soon as I can I’m definitely going to build some weights into my general routine.

    Have a good weekend.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi everyone, hope everything goes well today Verano. You are probably home by now.

    Received my beetroot supplements today – it has to be a certain type called rosabella – you open the capsule and if it is brown its no good, it has to be purple/red. Hoping for a return of my energy if nothing else.

    Margaret, it is my daughter who has led me to weights although I have always used weights with some exercises like arm raises. But now I concentrate on the weights rather than aerobics. If you do a raise with a weight, instead of letting it down, hold it half way to give you more strength. As for balance. Every night I stand on one leg while brushing my teeth, my brush has a timer so I do 30 seconds on each leg. You can hold on because the point is to give your muscle more strength not just worry about your balance, that will follow. I can now stand on one leg for 1 minute, the thing that stops me going longer is my ankle starts to ache. When we start to fall we can now put one leg forward to catch us and it will be strong enough to hold us up, or at least break our fall.

    We keep learning all the time.

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I hope all goes well today with your cataract op Verano & coincidentally I am also booked into SpaMedica next Tuesday for a pre-op visit because they want to operate on the cataract in my right eye now before laser correcting my left one because cataracts take priority 🤔
    S-G it’s interesting what you have said about weight training because I have weights & used to use them in my Jane Fonda exercises but have not done that exercise routine for awhile now 🙁I think I must get back to doing it all because it also includes some balance exercises & although I didn’t use my balance stick whilst playing bowls yesterday I am still rather wonky😂
    I am trying to eat sensibly this week but I think my poor sleep does also affect ability to lose weight.
    Take care everyone
    Margaret xx

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Sunshine Girl
    So good to read about your progress. i think we seem to have the trick- enjoy holidays and festivities and work hard in between. I cannot get out of control ever again- it’s been a slog for years to undo the damage! I read a great book earlier this year by Professor Taylor about reversing pre diabetes and it really inspired me. Thank you for your support and keep us posted on your journey and progress. We all appreciate each other on this forum. We know the effort thst goes into every pound lost!

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    Cathy, I am doing 1kg a month, not much but add that up over a year. It allows for treats and days out when life gets in the way. Also, my HbA1c was 7.5 after the cruise and I am aiming for 6.5 for September test. I wont join you but will be with you in spirit and looking in.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    V, glad you have sorted it out. One thing I learnt from the paid Fast800 site was the importance of weight training. I try to do a bit everyday if it is not too hot. Also, Pilates to stretch out the fascia – whatever that is – and for core strength. Just a few squats with arm bends with dumb bells. At our age we dont need to be slim and lithe, we need to be strong.

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Well done s-g! It works when it works!

    So a minor blip for me today the nurse from the clinic didn’t know why I’d been booked in for surgery tomorrow … left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing but nonetheless pleased to see they are thorough!

    So I’m into week 4 of my Second Nature course now and I have to say I’m enjoying it and learning some new things. This week is devoted to exercise which is difficult for me but learnt something new … in a nutshell, and I may not be right here, but weight training, using muscles leads to less insulin resistance. So I got out my weights, well just a kilo each, and my resistance band and will try to use them every day after my meditation and before my ‘mindful’ breakfast!

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Thats great Verano. Fingers crossed for Thursday.

    Lost more weight and hoping to see at 7 and a 3 by Monday. Managed a swim this morning before it got too hot – currently 38 but heading for 42. Just hope it doesnt ignite the fires again.

    Just one thing. Anyone tried Beetroot supplements. I have been taking statins for years and now on a quite high dose. I always said no effects until I remember the night cramps that have me crying and rubbing my legs and sometimes my arms. Then I read they cause hand weakness – I am often dropping things. And finally, thick fuzzy head. I have to litterally drag myself out of bed, okay I dont sleep well at the best of times but even when I have a good night, I cant shift myself. Then I read it could all be related to the statins. I am going to try a high nitrate beetroot supplement but wondered if anyone has tried this. I have researched and they dont clash with any of my other meds.

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    HI DCT/Dawn/SueBlue and anyone else who wants to join in our August challenge.
    On Monday morning I’ll be reporting for duty for the August reset. I weighed myself today before my cheese pie tomorrow and my gelato over the weekend and I was 142 lb. I am aiming for a goal weight of 138lb. I am happy to share what I eat every day during August and also my weekly weight. I will weigh on Monday morning and take things from there, I am going to aim to walk 7000 steps indoors or outdoors EVERY day too. When I embarked on my 12 week blood sugar reduction diet in February I did really well and got my HbA1c down from 42 to 35 and my weight from 166 lb to 140 lb. I reckon in a month I could lose 4lb. Let’s see!
    See you all on Monday for our challenge. We’ve got this!

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    CATHY and DAWN I’m in for the August reset!! Good that SUE is joining us too.

    I’ve lost half a stone this year and am maintaining at that level but would also like to get to 138lb by the end of the year. Which means I have almost another stone to lose, so I need to speed things up! Your earlier post resonated with me CATHY – summer, World Cup, sunshine, drinks, snacks etc. All helped derail me at this end too. And I’ve been having a fabulous time, just want to balance things out a bit now and get a few more pounds off before the end of summer.

    I’m visiting family the rest of this week but as of Monday really want to get back on board with healthy eating, minimum drinking and maximum exercise. It’d be great if we could share eating plans / food ideas on here from time to time. I’m no longer on the online plan but have records of what I ate then so will use that as a starting point, plus the BSD/Fast 800 books. But any other ideas to help keep me going would be very much appreciated!

    Hope that everyone has a good rest of this week, and will see you all on Monday! X

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Thanks everyone but good news! Saw my GP this morning and blood pressure was fine, he wrote a letter to the clinic and I know have a new appointment for Thursday morning! And that’s with the NHS, can’t knock them at all.

    Well done on all the weight losses hope it renews everyone’s enthusiasm.
    Have a good week.

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi Cathy and thank you so much for your encouraging words! My longtime goal has always been to get down to 138 as it would give me a couple of pounds leeway under the 10 stone mark so that I could pull things back if I strayed towards it. I’m only 5ft 3 but think anything below 138 may make me look a bit gaunt now, it’s so long since I’ve been anywhere near it that I won’t really know until I get there! You have been very inspiring managing to stick to the 800 keto and making it work for you, I’m cheering you on too, as you say, we’ve got this:)
    Dawn X

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi everyone, Verano, so sorry to hear about your op. Hubby has the same problem, called white coat syndrome, even his cardiologist ignores it and during a session always takes BP at the start and then at the end when he is a bit more relaxed. I do have high BP but I always do 10 mins meditation before I go for an appointment then while I am waiting to go in I do some deep breathing.

    Sunny that is a great result, you are on your way.

    My weigh in today shows a loss of exactly 1 kg. So I am on track to 1kg a month but now need to lose for July/August so I am actually behind a bit.

    The skys were clear blue this morning so the smoke has gone. We are forecast back up to 42 tomorrow but only for one day then back down to the mid 30’s. Had a lovely swim.

    Have a good week.

  • posted by  SunnyB on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Sorry your cataract op was cancelled Verano. Hope you can get it sorted out soon.
    Thank you for your concern about my migraine. My past experience of both fasting and migraine would suggest my fasting probably wasn’t a contributing factor. However on the Wednesday, my grandson and I did some volunteer gardening and although we had drinks with us, I think I probably under hydrated, which might well have been part of the problem.
    SG, that blip will soon be dealt with, I’m sure you’ll be back on track and seeing the desired results soon.

    So it’s Tuesday and time for me to report in on my first week’s result, which I’m pleased to say is better than I’d hoped with a drop.of 3.8lb. Think this is probably one of the best results I’ve ever had in a week. There won’t be another drop lle that, so now of course the challenge is to keep up the momentum, but at present I’m feeling positive and confident, so fingers crossed. Have an eating out event on Thursday, but my plan is to make that my only meal for that day and avoid the carbs.

    Looking forward to reading how everyone else is doing … Good luck for the coming week folks.

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Dawn- I love your new approach and it is a positive approach and mindset. Like you, I’ve “failed” when setting targets and then feel disappointed and a failure. By going with the process and doing what you can you will succeed. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I also like your positive approach to the next 7 years and like you I have got to the point where I cannot keep doing the same thing and getting nowhere. My aim for 2026 is to end the cycle! I’ve found what works for me, 800 keto and I have to be strict and I plan to be strict in August. I want to get to goal, enjoy holidays and festivities and then be strict in between. I think I can do it! I am hoping that I can keep within my weight range using this method. We don’t need to be hung up on what the scales say but they’re a great guide along with looser clothing and so hopefully over the next few weeks we will feel better. I’m starting on Monday with my strict August schedule- my husband is away next week leading a retreat so it’s a perfect time for me to start. I want to get under 140 and would love to get to 138. I’ve not weighed for a couple of weeks but I know I’ve crept up as I’ve not been as strict: I can’t do 800 keto long term but a four week stint every so often might just suit me. Good luck Dawn. You sound motivated and I’ll look forward to hearing your news and I’m cheering for you. SueBlue and DCT are also up for an August reset so it will be good to share our journeys together. We’ve got this!

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I am so sorry to hear this Verano it must have been upsetting as well as frustrating 🙁 Hopefully another appointment can be quickly arranged for you 🤞🤞
    Margaret xx

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hello.
    S-g sounds like you’re doing well. So sad to see the horrendous fires especially in France but seems to be lots of other places in Europe too. The really sad thing is that some are set on purpose and others are just a result of carelessness. Let’s hope they are all under control soon and yes that it rains!

    Thank you for your good wishes but I’m afraid they fell on deaf ears. I turned up for my appointment but my blood pressure was too high for me to have the surgery! I don’t suffer from high blood pressure nor do I take medication it’s ’blood pressure monitor cuff’ syndrome! Anyway I’ll see the doctor tomorrow morning and we’ll make a plan from there. The only problem is that his plan is medication and I’m a medication phobic! We will just have to see! Meanwhile I’ve had to order more contact lenses.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Had a small slip up yesterday. It is still hot here so, although I really did stick to the plan, I had a chocolate Magnum. Just one little thing can make a big difference when you are on such low numbers. At least I resisted the wine so I must lose more and have another week before we have a night out. Weigh in is tomorrow.

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2026 : We've Got This!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone,
    I started my reset today, have decided to partly use the Fast800 online plan combined with logging stuff on MFP and will see how it goes. I haven’t done any of the online exercises for quite a while so have reset the online plan to ‘beginner’ and did my first set today. I’m not going to be as strict with myself as I have been in the past (which has often been my downfall as if I have a day ‘off plan’ even if it’s not eating really unhealthy food, it can make me go WAY off plan)I am just going to try eat as healthily as I can, using lots of the online recipes, for the majority of the time and not put a time limit on how much I want to lose by a certain date as I think that’s putting too much pressure on myself. I don’t want to spend the next 7 years like the last 7, setting goals and then failing to reach them. I hope everyone has a good week.
    Dawn X

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    All the best for tomorrow Verano, I remember you saying it was absolutely painless and gave me hope for when I have to have mine done (not yet). It will be wonderful to be able to see clearly.

    Checked my weight and I am down quite a bit. Looked back on my records from last year and I have not been this weight since August last year. However, on the graph I also saw me at a kilo lighter so still something to aim for.

    The fires are still raging but we are hopeful for some rain – looks like it is raining in Biscarrose – not far from Bordeaux. Fingers crossed. All those poor people losing their homes and everything. Keep saying we need to set up a grab-bag just in case of emergency but you dont think it is going to happen to you. Will look up what to put in it.

    Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

  • posted by  Verano on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Thanks Wendy. My first one was also done at SpaMedica and it was excellent too!
    Just need to get it done now when I look out of my right eye everything is bright when I look out of my left eye there is a brown haze over everything! It’s time!

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on HOW ARE YOU DOING?
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I have just weighed & am pleased to say that I have lost 1.5lbs phew!! 😀
    Excellent weight loss for you Verano 👏👏. S-G unfortunately I didn’t visit around the bay because we were on a river cruise & I hope SunnyB that you have recovered from your migraine?
    Let us all put our best fort forward for next week 🤞🤞🍀🍀
    Margaret xx