Thank you Sunshine girl, appreciate the support

I’m definitely not posting a picture of this. Just been for new bra and am now an A cup – down from a D! Smaller than my daughter!!!!! Am not sure exactly how I feel about this!

Hi Candlelight,
I started yesterday. I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing! Eek! I am not weighing myself at all, will be judging weight loss on how I feel & dress size. I have a holiday booked for the end of August. Being fit & healthy for then is my goal.
How are you doing so far today? I have the lovely carb flu headache, water is our friend!
Happy to support you, & be supported. We’ve got this!
CC

Hello everyone and a very happy Monday to you all.

I was just talking to my daughter about this very subject. In 2010 I lost 4 stone to get to 15 stone. I did this by exercising aerobically for an hour and a half each day (not sustainable). I am just a little shy of 15 stone at the moment but I don’t feel the same or fit into the same clothes as the last time. I think the reason is that this time I have lost the visceral fat. The last time it was the exterior fat. So this time, although I weigh less I am still almost the same shape and don’t really feel different.

I have also been a size 6 shoe size since I gained weight and am back down to a size 5. However, my rings still fit! I expected them to fall off by now. I used to know someone who squeezed her feet into shoes and you could see the fat bulging over. When she lost weight her shoes fell off as she walked. We have to remember we gain weight EVERYWHERE. I have lost a fat from my neck and my necklace hangs lower! The beauty is …it is coming off!

I too am full of cold AGAIN…this is the third this winter! Colds always affect my voice, so I am croaking. My nose is red from wiping (TMI I know) and my chest is sore from coughing. I feel for everyone out there who is feeling poorly. My admiration goes to Milalin, who is facing an operation this week. A cold is nothing!

That’s all folks.

Lots of love
Mary
xxx

Hi All

Allie, JGwen/Kazz – I’ve also found a difference in the way the weight has shifted compared to when I’ve been on previous diets – WW’s mainly. My ‘normal’ body shape (i.e. pre-weight) seems to be changing, too (from what I remember, anyway). I’m curious to see how it’ll end up.

Tillybud – I completely go along with your thoughts on foot size. I used to be a UK size 5, then went up to a size 6 or 7, but now my feet are lost in some of those bigger sizes. I must get them measured again.

Kazz – I just love boots. I remember once when I was down in London for a day working, running out at the lunch break in the pouring rain to get to a particular shoe shop on the off-chance that they’d have a particular pair of boots I couldn’t get ‘up north’. I was so thrilled when I found them. I’m so looking forward to being able to wear boots again now my legs have slimmed down. But, like you, I’m waiting for things to settle. Keep posting the photos – love them!

Hi Nathalie – I also want to say congratulations on recognising the issue and doing what is right for you to make you feel well and happy! I hope each day from now on, you feel better and better! 🙂

Howdy!

1 – After a snowy/rainy weekend in the Midlands, the sun is out (at the moment) and the temp has risen to 7C!! Positively balmy but makes me feel so much better. So am going for a quick walk at lunchtime.

2 – I too saved my old, small underwear from many years ago – I still remember how good it felt to peg it on the line and not be embarrassed! I shall be wearing it in a couple more months I hope!

3 – am making an effort to make some new friends locally – joined a walking group that goes out every Sunday morning, although it was cancelled yesterday because of the snow. We also have a brunch meeting once per month at a nearby pub and the organiser has put together a team for a quiz night once a month – both of which I have either gone to or joined!

Hi Allie – I’m good, thanks, old timer. In fact, after almost 3 weeks of no loss over the last few days I’ve lost a lb a day so I’m delighted this morning – good news for tomorrow’s weigh-in.

Yes, I’m feeling better than I was. I’ve upped my calories to 1000 (give or take a few) and more importantly I’ve been eating a wider range of foods than I was in November & December. The positive of slowing things down slightly is it gives me more time to adjust to this way of life for the long-term. I’ve lost the majority of the weight I needed to lose so while I’m not at maintenance (still got between 11lbs – 18lbs to lose) I feel like it’s helping me prepare for maintenance, if that makes sense.

I’ve not been on the computer the last couple of weekends so probably haven’t posted as much, but life’s still good. xxx

Hope this week goes well for everyone.

hi candlelight – you will find lots of support here. Keep posting and also dip into anything else that interest you, you will be most welcome. Good luck.

JGwen, Allie – I’ve noticed this also! With WW over a decade ago, even after losing 42 lbs (of my 120 lb excess), no one noticed because although the scales registered the loss, I was still eating refined carbs, albeit calorie controlled (or within my point allowance) and my body really didn’t look any thinner. Now, having lost 34 lbs, people are noticing and saying wow, you’ve lost loads of weight. I just have a theory that without all the bread, pasta etc, there’s no bloat! The amazing thing is that I feel so much “thinner” on the inside! When I hold my tummy in, it makes a difference in the mirror whereas it didn’t before! Is it lack of bloat, lack of visceral fat, a combo of both or just all in the mind, who knows, but the inches lost are way more than when I was at this point doing WW 12 years ago!

Tilly – I’m holding off buying the boots because as Allie says, shoe size will probably change and also I have quite large calf muscles! Which is why I’ve only worn ankle boots in recent years. I’m hoping they will also slim down to how they were when I was young! All the years of carting my excess weight around has given my calf muscles a good work out and built them up! 🙂

Hi all, lost a tiny little smidge this morning so hopefully on my way to a loss for tomorrow.

Can I add my thoughts here for Natalie. First of all, if the diet is making you feel bad it is good that you have recognised it and, rather than abandoning it completely, adjust it to suit your own needs. However, I have one small observation. You have recently been taking Duromine and it is possible that the symptoms you are experiencing are the side effects from that drug. Besides digestive problems like bloating, cramps, nausea, vomiting etc., they are also a big cause of headaches, loss of concentration, fuzziness in the head and depression. Maybe when this is completely out of your system you will start to feel much better. There is also the point that a lot of us feel down at this time of year when it is wet and cold but hey ho, you are in Australia and slap in the middle of summer. Get yourself outside, get some fresh air and exercise and try to lift the depression you are feeling. Take care.

‘Morning, everyone 🙂

JGwen, I’ve noticed a different pattern of weight loss also.
I’m not certain it corresponds to your theory, which is a very
interesting one, by the way! Although I was 20 lbs less at my
thinnest, I look that thin again. I think the BSD is so efficient
at burning fat that the obvious “storage areas” on the body
get totally depleted. I can actually reach under my pelvic
bones and my ribs, although, according to a healthy BMI for
my height, I’m at “ideal” weight. The one variable Esnecca
and I can’t estimate is what to assign to loose skin! I also
am essentially boobless, and that wasn’t the case when I
was a 30 year old woman weighing 20lbs. less that I do now,
in my late (very late!) 60’s…. I also used to be very mildly
pear shaped, and now I resemble a banana. It’s something
to contemplate, you may be just the one to find some research
on it!
How many lbs. have you lost, or are you getting near to goal?
I’m not vegetarian, but I expect that has it’s challenges!

Best,

Allie

Hello, kentoldlady! Our maintainer’s thread is “After Reaching Your
Target, What Next?” I’m looking forward to meeting you there!
Please come by 🙂

Allie

Morning ladies. Happy Monday everyone. Re shoe sizes: my thoughts are that being heavy puts an awful lot of weight on such a small area – ie feet, that the weight makes them spread. Once the weight comes off the “load” is not as much therefore the feet don’t spread as much making them smaller, needing a smaller shoe size! That’s my take on it anyway. I used to be a UK 6 then was a 6 – 7 depending on the style but now I’m back to a 6 again. Just a thought x

Hello all, just another update. I am now 66kgs, on my brand new scales that hate me.On my old ones I was a couple of kgs lighter than I am on the new ones, so I have decided just to go with my new ones from now.
We have had a very unhealthy New Year, with grandson in hospital a lot and all of us have had colds/coughs that just will not go. The result has been my bgs have been all over the shop.
This has made me realise what a sneaky blighter t2d really is, because if you ever think you have got it tamed it jumps up and bites you. I know that many people have reversed their t2d by losing a lot of weight, but this has not happened to me. I am of course a bit disappointed but am really happy just to feel so much better.

Someone has mentioned a maintainer thread. Could someone please point me in the right direction? Many thanks.

I cooked game casserole last night. It was a little heavy on calories (471) but portion size turned out to be huge for my starting-to-shrink-stomach so if I make it again I’ll split it into 6 rather than 4 portions. My OH really enjoyed it too. I didn’t do much walking but I drank a lot.

So today is Day 8 which means it’s weigh day (although I’ve been checking it daily). In week one I lost 11.4lbs (5kg). Woo hoo!!! I mean I know its mostly carb-retained water but it’s still hugely motivating, especially as I haven’t been as strict as I was last time.

What’s also amazing is I have just slipped under the magic 100kg mark which is also gratifying but I still have a long long way to go.

This week I will try to be stricter, to drink more and to walk more.

Good morning. Again lots of lovely posts to brighten the day, although it is lovely and ‘bright’ here!

Sorry I’ve not posted for a few days just been busy so it’s good to catch up with all your ‘good news’. Mine is …..
1. Have ruled a line in my journal and am ‘starting anew’ today.
2. Lots of sociable occasions over the weekend with friends. Always nice.
3. Feeling relaxed and refreshed and now thinking about returning home.

Morning, all!

Hi Marie – I haven’t seen you out and about as much as usual
lately, or maybe I’m not looking in the right places? I’m sorry
that you haven’t been feeling well. Do you think it’s the diet?
And more importantly, are you feeling better with the changes
you have made in your plan?

Best wishes,

Allie

1. The temperature of the water in our swimming pool was 32C today. Beautiful. And still cool and refreshing compared to air temperature!
2. New season of RuPaul’s drag race on TV. Actually probably a very old one, but not one we’ve seen so new to us.
3. Feeling so much better with a small increase in carbs. And grapes are delicious! I’d been mostly avoiding them before.

Hi,
Anyone else starting this week or started?
My first attempt and feeling really motivated but may be need a little support many thanks

JRChild if you are referring to the recipes in the Blood Sugar Diet Book then “….. for the sake of simplicity , all calorie counts have been rounded up or down to the nearest 10. All calorie counts are for one portion.” However lots of people have found some of the recipes are way off mark.

When it come to the calorie etc counting apps they all have failings. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if the reference is to cooked or raw weight. You can always check on the internet by asking for the nutrition of a specific food, or check with a different app or just take the most likely. I can never understand when it comes to fresh food how different supermarket brands of the same food vary …. surely a sprout is a sprout! Enjoy your journey.

Natalie I would just like to second and agree with all that SunnyB has written above. Rather than be a ‘failure’ you are showing great strength of mind and character. You aren’t giving up you are just finding ‘your way’. Best of luck and keep posting if it helps you …. we are all doing it ‘our way’!

Hi Ancient Weaver the naturapath undertook a series of tests and i think it was something to do with my liver. I’ve been folllowing the food plan pretty closely, incl dairy although not much, and am doing well with weight and also feeling great.

MareeM, are you still around? How does the person who advised you to avoid dairy know you need to?
I have recently discovered the depth of the problems that cows milk casein has caused me. All have been ignored or trivialised by doctors, or at best treated in some way, but not linked to the root cause. It’s only thanks to a chance event about 30 years ago, that I have been able to narrow down the cause to cow’s milk, but the first symptom started as a baby and was considered normal and acceptable . . .

The effects build up and abate so very slowly, that I am not going to be able to find out if there is anything else that causes similar problems e.g. gluten or goats milk casein, by simple elimination.
I suppose I should be thankful (and I am really) that I know I am ok with ewes milk.

esnecca, doc told me there was no simple test for casein intolerance and that the best way was to eliminate and see if I got better . . . which I have! (Just not completely. . .yet?)

Morning All

Sorry I haven’t been commenting over the weekend, I try and avoid my computer at the weekend as I spend so much of the week sat in front of it.

Glad you all like the idea of my tattoo, of course I will post once I reach the proportions of Popeye.

Alliecat – your weight loss is incredible, beyond incredible.

I have lost a solitary lb over the weekend, so my loss is slowing down, but I am committed to this so I will just keep going. I am going on holiday towards the end of April, so I have 13 weeks in which time I hope to look better.

Have a great day everyone one and thank you for your support – you keep me away from the carbs. You are the new superheroes – “Defenders of the Girth”.

Morning all,

-0.2lb from yesterday.

Not had a great few weeks but I am set to post an overall loss tomorrow.

Natalie – you have done brilliantly. I hope you are really pleased with yourself. 👍
JulesP – how was yesterday?

x

Its interesting you mention the change in shoe sizes Allie. I have the strong impression that the patterns of where weight loss occurs on the BDS is different to other diets. I have had regular periods of controlling cals (but not counting carbs) over the years. On each of those times the amount of weight loss to reach the point where clothes don’t fit has been much less. The changes in foot shape and legs and arms on this WOE have been dramatic. I wonder if its linked to having a physically active way of life and fat being burnt by the body in the locations nearest the muscle groups being used.

I was on 50mg of Prednisone for >5years and became, well, truly enormous in a very short time!!! I have tried everything I could find, even having a personal trainer for weight training 1 hour per day on top of an hour of cardio with negligible results. Now I have found this diet, referred to me by stranger on the beach during small talk of all things. I’m just wondering if Prednisone fat is the big bad beast I have been told and if anyone, especially medically trained professionals involved on this site could advise me on what to expect given the peculiarities of my case. BTW I have been off Prednisone for 3 years but still have the fat!

Thanks.

Call me a little slow here, but I’m wondering is the number of calories per serve, or do the number of calories then need to be divided by the serves?

On another note, I use MyFitnessPal and my wife and I are taking on real food so we can just continue on the same path after the first 8 weeks; but something bothers me… has anyone else noticed how widely the number of calories vary even on the same food item in the database of the app? I’m not sure if I should average it, or just ‘ballpark’ the calories!?

Hi Natalie

Just wanted to add my voice to the others. There’s no failure in what you are saying; I admire you for saying it like it is so openly and honestly. Also, you’ve worked out a better way forward for you, and as SunnyB says, that’s a complete success!

I’ve been on BSD for nearly six months and have been doing OK. But early January I hit a brick wall. For whatever reason, I had no energy, was constantly tired, just didn’t feel well. So, I decided to up my calories for a while and accept that the weight loss would probably slow down. Truthfully, I was a bit disappointed because I just wanted to plough on through to my goal weight – no slowing down, no stopping. But as you say we are all different, what works for some doesn’t work for others. Well done you for paddling your own canoe!

That is awesome progress ScubaDo! I’m sure you’ve lost fat as well as water.

Final weigh in for this mini challenge – 72.9 kg. That is 0.7 kg loss this week. Total 3.3 kg in four weeks. That is a great result for me. My goal for the next Valentines mini challenge will be another 3 kg to get into ‘overweight’ range instead of ‘obese’ and it’s looking achievable. Who would have thought?

Thanks so much for the support everyone! I should have known I wouldn’t get any condemnation here. I’m feeling so much happier today, and good about the weight loss too. Not far to go before I get into ‘overweight’ instead of ‘obese’, that will be a major milestone.

Hey Natalie, I firmly believe our mental health and well being is as precious as our physical health. So hats off to you for taking prompt action to protect it. And how boring if we were all the same! I for one love reading all the diverse and creative approaches on this forum and look forward to hearing about how you go jiggling it up. And It will be so useful for others who have the same reaction to low carbing! GO YOU!

And huge congrats on this weeks weight loss. Into the 72s! 🌟🌟🌟👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Hi, LTC. It’s good to hear from you! I’m intrigued by this nutritional yeast, and you’re
all giving me a sense of what it is and how it can be used. I do love parmeggiano
reggiano though, and a great advantage is using the rind in soups. I wouldn’t
even bother to make vegetable soup without it. How are you doing with your
weight loss goals? I think I’ve finally settled down!

xoxo
Allie

Here is a link to a really nice little YouTube video on how to make the Keto Bread listed on the Diet Doctor web site.

https://www.dietdoctor.com/video-make-perfect-keto-bread

This version is a variation of the original one by Maria Emmerich which does not have the flax in it.

Printer recipe:

KETO BREAD

Smear with butter, and you will think you are eating the real thing! This keto bread sports a pleasing crispy crust with a soft, moist center. It’s bread—you know what to do. Savor it warm, straight out of the oven, or freeze, defrost, and toast to perfection…

2 g carbs per roll for 6 rolls

Ingredients

300 ml almond flour ( 1 1/4 CUPS)
5 tablespoons ground psyllium husk powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
225 ml boiling water (1 CUP)
3 egg whites
2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Bring the water to a boil and add it, the vinegar and egg whites to the bowl, while beating with a hand mixer for about 30 seconds. Don’t over mix the dough, the consistency should resemble Play-Doh.

Moisten hands and form dough into 4, 6 or 8 pieces of bread (adjust baking time accordingly). You can also make hot dog or hamburger buns. Place on a greased baking sheet.

Bake on lower rack in oven for 50–60 minutes, depending on the size of your bread. They’re done when you hear a hollow sound when tapping the bottom of the bun.

Serve with butter and toppings of your choice. Store the bread in the fridge or freezer.

Wish I could take credit for the seed cracker but no, not mine. There is one in the BSD Recipe Book but it starts out with 60 g spelt flour “or any wholegrain flour”. Whoa Nelly. I will pass on a cracker with wheat in it. So will be trying Essie’s.

I found this in my stash of save low carb recipes but cannot vouch for it as I have never tried it. Might be worth a go.

Garlic Parmesan Flax Seed Crackers

• Servings: 2

“Found on About.com. A great high fiber, crunchy, nutritious, and tasty snack. Good with dips, spreads, or plain. The whole recipe is 6 grams of effective carbohydrate plus 35 grams of fiber”

Ingredients
1 cup flax seed meal (8 oz)
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water

Directions
1. Heat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Spoon onto sheet pan which is covered with a silicone mat or greased parchment paper.
4. Cover the mixture with a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Even out the mixture to about 1/8 inch. I find a straight edge, like a ruler, works well, though you can use a rolling pin or wine bottle too. The important thing is not to let it be too thin around the edges or that part will overcook before the center firms up. So after you spread it out, go around the edges with your finger and push the thin part inwards to even it up.
5. Bake until the center is no longer soft, about 15-18 minutes. If it starts to get more than a little brown around the edges, remove from oven. Let cool completely – it will continue to crisp up.
6. Break into pieces.

Allie, as Essie had suggested the nutritional yeast is toasty. Vegans use it to replace Parmesan cheese in recipes.

I love my Parmesan, so am sticking with that …..but the nutrition profile it has is certainly impressive.

Forgot to say Kazz the boots look amazing,! I wish I had the nerve to wear boots like that. I’ve got really skinny legs and they’d look awful but they are fab. So jealous X

Well done Mary! And you are so right KazzUK I am still smarting 😊 bloody scales still have me over 10. Feeling rubbish too with sore throat and snotted up to the eyeballs. I know sorry everyone TMI. Not eaten much but not moved much either. Feeling proper sorry for myself this weekend. Hope the scales are kind on Tuesday otherwise I might just fling my new scales and buy some “old” ones! Hope everyone else is doing fine. I WILL keep on keeping on 😕

Hi Prediabeticly, and welcome to the forum.

Obviously you are very welcome to join this thread, but we all started in January 2017. Many of us have reached out goals and are maintaining, though still posting, and others are still keeping on keeping on, hoping to reach their targets soon. You may find it more helpful to join this year’s January Starters thread, so that you can travel with others at a similar stage – this one is just a week in, so probably appropriate for you…………..

https://thebloodsugardiet.com/forums/topic/starting-the-bsd-on-saturday-13th-january-2018/

But please feel free to stick around in this one if you feel it would be more helpful. And please join in any other thread at all that appeals to you, everyone is welcome, everyone is welcomed.

Bok choi was an inspired choice, Mary. It is a little leafier and softer, so I can see why missed some of the strong ribbing and firm structure you get in cabbage. I’d do a combo if I were you. Savoy cabbage and bok choi together would be faaaabulous. I can usually get napa cabbage here, so I’m going to go with that when I try it. Definitely keeping your bok choi in the mix.

I enjoy having knuckles and fingertips as well, so I’ll use my trusty heavy duty garlic press to get a nice fine mince. Or I suppose I could lug out ye olde food processor with its grating blade. It’s a big appliance for such a small job, though. Maybe if I grated some of the cabbage it would be worthwhile. Hmm… The wheels are turning.

Beets are very high in sugar, 7 grams per meager 100 gram portion which is something like 2/3rds of a cup. I don’t use them at all, even though they’re one of my favorite things. It’s not as dire for those of you with a higher tolerance for sugars, but I would suggest being very cautious about portion size. They’re heavy and dense and 100 grams is a tiny amount.

Oh Oh….just wanted to say Kazz, I had trouble getting the chinese cabbage (Napa) so I used Bok Choi (pak choi …never sure)….I am going to use savoy cabbage next time as it is more robust. I got the Daikon from Morrisons …which seems to be the only place that sells it and the Chilli paste (Gochujang)from Waitrose. Hope this helps.

Lots of love
Mary
xxx

Great news Mary but don’t tell Tillybud! She and I are still smarting from ‘new scale’ discrepancy! Lol

Esnecca, I left the sugar out too…and it fermented beautifully. So not really an essential ingredient. I also crushed the Garlic the old fashioned way using a heavy knife. I would have had no knuckles left if I had tried to grate them. I have taken some for 3 days so far and (touch wood) no bad effects. Fingers crossed, knock on a black cat, cross your eyes and spit lol.

Off to bed now. Sweet dreams.

Mary
xxx

Thanks guys. That’s what I thought. Just wanted confirmation. I shall definitely make my own, thanks to Mary’s recipe. Home made is always much more satisfying!

Xxx

There’s no failure in understanding your body and what it needs. Whilst the basic BSD formula works, we all need to find a way to make it work for us, in harmony with our bodies and lifstyles. For some that means keeping carbs sub 20g, for others it means running with carbs higher than that. For some, it means religiously weighing, measuring and recording, for others a more relaxed approach. For some it means completely cutting out alcohol, for others it means the occasional glass of wine.

Bottom line is, if what you are doing is working for you, that’s complete success. So Natalie, there’s no failure or shame in deciding to take a slightly different approach. You’ve recognised a very legitimate health issue and taking action to rectify it – all power to you and thank you for sharing your experience with us.

Allie, I’m so happy you like the deviled eggs! I’ve made them without turkey bacon numerous times. I just add a sprinkling of smoked salt on top instead. My beloved Maldon is even crunchy, so it works on two levels as a replacement for bacon.

Mary, I am so trying your recipe (minus the sugar, of course). I use coarsely chopped garlic in mine. I bet the grated garlic permeates the mixture much more effectively.