Hi Flick, I agree with you about feeling well on this WoE. – i have spent years trying all sorts of diets which all felt like trying to push water up hill. Being a vegetarian counting calories but not looking at the ratio of carbs to the rest of the diet doesn’t work. You get more and more restrictive on calories for very little benefit. – I have so enjoyed watching the needle move on the scales.

This is one of the articles that I found helpful in working out why I was having difficulty getting to sleep in the first place. https://www.livestrong.com/article/482729-i-cant-sleep-on-a-low-carb-diet/ There were other articles on how slow release of carbs from fibre intake before going to bed helped promote a long high quality of sleep.

Thank you Allie and Sunny.

At least the snow is thawing, which is just as well as I have to head home for the dogs as o/h is having to go abroad for a week. Family problems still not resolved, and I’m not sure whether dealing with it all long distance will be easier or make life even more difficult! The stress is telling though, and those 2 regained pounds have disappeared again!! O/H has tried every which way to get out of his trip as he is worried about me, but needs must and it’s only a week. So I’ve told him to stop fretting (oh that it was that easy!) and just go!

Will pop in when I can. Hope everyone else is doing ok?

Have a great time in USA, Cathy – your son won’t recognise you! He will be thrilled with his “new, healthy” mum.

DCT, well done for hanging in there and now the scales are rewarding you. I know what you mean about moving the goalposts, as I did that a couple of times. First wanted to lose 2st, when I got there, I carried on and lost 3st and once I hit maintenance I lost even more unintentionally whilst gradually racking up my calories until I stabilised. But it’s given me more than half a stone of wriggle room, so not worried about Christmas, although will stick with no refined carbs.

Merry Christmas to all our January buddies – can’t believe that in just a few short weeks, we’ll all be wishing each other happy 1st BSD anniversary.

Hi everyone, down another 100g this morning and just finished a 30 min aerobic workout. Looking back over my daily results shows I am too low most of the time SO why are my official numbers higher. That is the puzzle. If I increase insulin my results will go through the floor and I will be trying to rectify it all the time. If I reduce insulin the numbers will go up. I think I need to lose another stone to get some kind of movement with my bloods. Week before Christmas and I am still keeping on….. so will see what the New Year brings. Seeing doctor at 2.30 so will let you know what he has to say. Can I just say, yes he is very dishy but he is also very picky. There is always a BUT with him – lets hope he is in a forgiving mood.

Mokovex Hi and thanks, yes I’m stoked!

VictoriaM thankyou too. I’ve got a couple of messy days happening. So I will pack snacks and pre make my shake to take to the hospital as I’ve got fasting bloods in the morning. I’ve also got an ultrasound booked that means I’ll be racing from dialysis for that appt and no time for proper lunch until late. Truly though, on a normal day I try to do a brekky shake then sml meal at dialysis and a big salad after. Then the evening meal. That’s my pattern at least 4 x a week. If I snack it’s a little bag of almonds and/ or 1/2-1 punned of strawberries. I do generally find it easier to not snack but I’m armed these days to limit the damage esp on a day like tomorrow.😊

Thanks marie123! And yes 10 lb sounds so much better! Reading your post reminded me I’m fasting for my cholesterol / fats in my blood tests in the morning. I’ll be looking for some changes! Good work everyone😊

VictoriaM – thanks x

Flick, I carry two things in my back pocket at the moment to be pulled out and used judiciously but effectively as required – one is that image of Kush’s of visceral fat, and the other is Esnecca’s ‘Not one step backwards’ Works for me, too.

Marsie – DON’T

Thanks Lucia x

Hey Marsie, Don’t forget Kush’s image of toxic, luminous yellow visceral fat!

Hi Emu
I think we are all in the same boat and that definitely helps me, too. I understand what your husband means about not doing other tests – I was told my cholesterol was higher (6.1) at the same time I was diagnosed with diabetes but didn’t really take it in, and then when I remembered I felt I needed to concentrate on getting my blood sugar levels down before thinking about anything else.

I pushed back the date of my hba1c (it was down to me to arrange it) so that I’d been fully on the BSD for 16 weeks before getting tested – so there’d be no fully sugared blood cells left from before BSD. But it sounds to me as if his levels are good now. You’ve both done fantastically well with the weight loss and BP, too.

Let us know how your OH gets on with his hba1c and wishing him well for his operation in February. I’m impressed by the running, by the way, no matter how low key!
Marie x

Hi JGwen and Lessmuffintop, who knew there was a relationship between fibre and sleep. Makes sense when you think about how important it turns out our gut microbiota are to so many processes, including feeling well and happy.

One of the revelations of this WOE is how well I feel (and how not hungry or having to fight off cravings all the time) so for me, tthere is no contest. If it was a choice between feeling well and getting through the day happily, or, super fast weight loss but misery, I’d take the slower road without hesitation.

Boy, you are both achieving stunning results!

Brilliant results Panda B and great to get an update from you – I’m so delighted to hear from you. I’m really sorry to hear how tired you’ve been, it does sound pretty grim. I hope the vitamins begin to make a difference.
Your results are doubly impressive because of what you’ve been through. From 13 to 5.7 that’s fantastic, normal cholesterol and 10kg weight loss!

Like you, I feel like I need to embed all the good habits into a workable routine so am concentrating on that right now and I’m also looking to up my calories bit by bit. I still need to lose 6lb to get to the very top of the healthy BMI category and then decide what’s next, but I’m going to leave all that until after the New Year.

Hope to see you around in the challenges. Would love to hear new updates but only whenever you can. No worries if there’s a big break.

Marie x

My uncle’s much better – I don’t think he was ever a hippie, but you never know!

Well done Marie123 to have reached your target. Good job. Total loss of 4 stones is amazing.

Marsie. YOU CAN DO IT. you don’t need to taste test it, you know the recipe will work. This is a gift for someone else, NOT for you. (Don’t usually shout with caps but you asked us to!)

Hi
I started on the BSD in August lost about 22 lbs easily. Didn’t really worry about carbs in the beginning then read threads and tried to go lower. I must have knocked myself into ketosis as I then got up 3 or 4 times a night to go to the toilet. I then was so tired I started wanting stuff to get me through the day so it was counter productive! I really don’t think low carb works for me. There is a man on the fast diet thread simoncolov and he did 16 weeks 5/2 dropping calories and walking so general deficit and lost 1 lb a week. That and mixmmatchs threads have changed how am losing the next 12lbs . I need my sleep ,my fit bit told me in low carb I was getting 13 mins average deep sleep from normal 57 mins … slower weight loss happier healthier me no contest!

Mokovex – Is it cold where you live? I’ve not snacked at all on BSD until the last couple of weeks when I’ve started having some additional Fage yoghurt on an evening. I’m also feeling very cold, but that’s probably the weight loss. Great news – getting down to your lowest weight again – and good luck with the Health MOT. I’ll be interested to hear how you get with your cholesterol as I’m focused on that too, at the moment.

Milalin – Hi, and that’s great going – 4.7kg/10lb -(I always have a kg convertor open when I’m on this site!). 10lb is a great number, but getting under 100kg is a brilliant target and so doable. It’s always lovely to hear when someone’s ecstatic – it jumps right off the page.

JGwen – I’m the opposite. I can lose lbs but can’t seem to lose the inches, particularly from my waist. My arms and legs are quite slim now, but I’ve still got a barrel waist and I’ve now got a turkey neck! Still, I’m working on it…

Jim47 – Hi, and welcome. I’ve just calculated (clicked a button) your weight loss – 6.7kg – is 1 Stone in my language. That’s a great loss. Are you continuing with BSD in the New Year? I’ll have done 5 months on BSD next week and I’m wondering whether to shift to 5:2 in the New Year. What do you think of the two diets/woe?

Sunshine-girl – what jumped out at me in your results post was the bit about you nowadays being on half your insulin – what an achievement, truly. Hope it’s a good meeting with your doctor.

Well, I’ve lost 2lbs this last week so have lost 4lbs to date on this Challenge. My initial target was to lose 3lbs which I’ve met. This means a total weight loss from my heaviest of 4 stone. I lost 1 stone 3lbs before I started BSD and the rest since I started in August.

So, I’m not going to set another weight target for this challenge. I’m going to keep walking down that garden path. I want to make sure all those BSD habits are bedded down. Ok, I clearly need to stop writing now……

Hope everyone has a good week.

Welcome to you, Jim47. Join in when you can, keep us posted with your news, good or not so. Pretty good people on here as you’ve seen.

That’s the way, Mokovex, back to your low. You are on your way again☺ Fingers crossed with your test.

JulesP, I’m liking the sound of your snack. Makes good sense, it’s enjoyable and it works for you☺

Talk loudly to me everybody. I’ve been asked, again, for rocky road to stand as friends’ Christmas gifts. I have the 3 bowls to hold the chocs but tonight is making night. Too easy to lick fingers, or test, along the way…😈

Hi, everyone.

Well done Mokova, I agree about the forum. I so wanted to post the results of my lunch out with friends when I got in last night from singing in my concert and I had no broadband and no phone signal (here in deepest darkest Surrey).

Well done Milalin sounds like you’ve got an enlightened doctor! As you say – watch that snacking, it’s always been my downfall. Do you find absolute prohibition easier than allowing “the odd snack”.

As foe yesterday, You were all right encouraging me to talk about my diet. I told my friends about what I was doing, they were interested and supportive, and interestingly Dr M seems to have moved this WOE from fad to mainstream. As soon as I mentioned his name they saw it as a legitimate option.

I had a delicious halloumi salad with no dressing and lots of olives. Then I had dessert, which I didn’t need because I was full, but I had natural yoghurt with chopped nuts and no date syrup. Way over 800/20 which I knew it would be, but a fantastic meal and low carb. I ate nothing else all day as I was full, and won’t eat till lunch time so I have the added bonus of a 24hour fast (usually 17 hours).

Btw one question came up in the evening, I had a coughing fit and the kind lady next to me gave me a throat swetet which I took because I was desperate. But I’m sure it was pure sugar. I sucked it very slowly then threw half away when I decently could. Do any of you have advice on good, low carb through/cough sweets for a newbie please?

Hi Mokovex, well done getting down to your lowest weight again, new territory from now on! I’m the same re forum, love checking what everyone is up to and getting new info. Although I only started posting again a week ago I’ve been reading posts since I restarted BSD in Sept and it’s been lovely to see new names plus all the ones I remember from my first time last year. Such a kind, inspirational forum.
Re snacks I wonder whether upping fats in meals might help instead? If my meal hasn’t contained a lot of fat my occasional dessert is frozen strawberries/blueberries/raspberries heated in oven topped with Fage, splash of cream & almonds. Stops me craving snacks and helps me get benefits of longer fasting windows.
Good luck with the mot.

Good morning everyone. SunnyB I guess I must be a ‘cup half empty’ person struggling to see the positive side of life. Some days are better than others …. yesterday….
1. Chatted to an old friend.
2. Had texts from some friends who are getting excited about celebrating my birthday with me on Sunday.
3. Getting excited about my birthday party …. but no 🍰!

Hi

Just a quick tip,
If i want to say a lot.
I use word on the computer
Or notes on the ipad
Then just copy and paste.
So if the little bugger disappears, i can still copy and paste again.

love lucia xxx

Morning all,

Can’t believe it is Wednesday already, the kids have been off school with a couple of snow days and so I am completely thrown. Feels like a Monday morning. Anyway, bit late but here goes,

Start: 130.7lb
Week 2: 131.6lb
Today: 129.6lb

Total of 1.1lb off and back to my lowest weight on 23rd November. 👍

It really is a struggle at the moment. I am just so very very hungry, in a way that I haven’t been for a while. I haven’t needed to snack since August but wondering if I need to add a snack in so as not to sabotage myself. Best filling snack ideas anyone?

Last night, hubby said ‘you will post on the forum first thing won’t you?’ he is fabulous and totally gets that my morning routine of coffee and posting on here, as soon as I get out of bed, keeps me accountable and helps me to get outside of my head. I remember how awkward that felt back in September? when I started but has now become such a pleasure, so thank you all 😀

This morning I have my health MOT at the gym. I am particularly interested in the cholesterol number, was 7 in May. Isn’t it funny how these appointments can have such emotional weight? I KNOW that everything about my health has improved but would still like the validation of some numbers recorded by an external organisation.

Topac – I really love your idea about adding what you would have eaten to the empty tin. How marvellous! and what great feedback for you at the end of the day.

S-G – I am sorry to hear that you are wrestling with your results. Hoping that your doc appointment has gone well and you have some ideas going forward.

Arctic fox – well done for continuing to post on here, I am sorry that life has been a bit tough for you recently, and though the successes haven’t necessarily come in lbs loss yet, continuing to remain engaged with the forum will hopefully minimise the damage. Keep going.

Milalin – well done. ONEderland here you come.

x

Hi ClarinetCathy! Have a wonderful time in Washington over Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Hopefully you won’t put on too much weight over Christmas – I think we’re all finding we eat smaller portions now anyway and don’t “stuff ourselves” any more – but you have the tools to deal with it if it does happen. So have a great time with your family. When did you last see them? If it’s not for a while they’ll really see the change in you!

I’m doing well; am on a bit of and end of year roll at the moment. Scales now stable at 9 stone 12 and beginning to hint downwards. I’m so pleased as I have been on a plateau for longer than I can remember. So I especially don’t want to let it all go over Christmas and am determined yes to enjoy myself heaps but to eat, drink and be merry in a BSD-friendly way 😉 I do hope to be at my long-awaited target of 9 stone 7 by my anniversary in January!

But having said that, doing some measurements and BMI calculations – and still being able to pinch rather more than an inch of flab on my belly! – I do wonder if I need to go down a bit further than my original target. To be honest my target was just kind of plucked out of the air as a nice round number to aim for. But I had in mind that when I got there I would be a certain shape – that’s not quite happening yet. I have lost weight all round, including from my belly, but that is where the excess still remains and I’m not now convinced that another 5 pounds is going to shift all of it. Nor do I want to be one of these people who is constantly obsessing about weight and keeps moving the goalposts, but reading more about healthy BMI and waist measurements I think I may need to go a little further than originally planned. Anyway hopefully I’ll get to my original target first and cross the next bridge if and when I come to it!

Hope everyone else is well and happy and that you all have some nice plans for the festive season? Look forward to reading your posts as and when you can. Love to you all X

Luvtcook – sorry, I meant to respond to your comments straight away, but I’ve been offline as we’ve had a mini ‘thing’ here – both our oven and washing machine have broken down and I’ve been trying to get them fixed – (so the positive thought is we now have a new oven on order – OK, I’m really trying here!)

Yes, I’ve seen and read a lot of Jason Fung’s work. It’s interesting isn’t it; when he talks about lower calories equalling slower metabolic rate, weight regain, – I reckon any regular dieter would recognise that as exactly what happens. I also like the fact that he acknowledges the faults within the medical profession, vested interest of pharmaceutical companies, etc, and I completely agree with what you say – I am very thankful that my Type II diagnosis came at this particular time.

Liz, that is brilliant news from your GP visit. Great for you, and great that you’ve persuaded them to change their practice. What a lovely moment when your daughter gets back.

My positives for today include:
1)speaking about the Blood Sugar Diet, its impact on Hba1c results, and this website at the Desmond course today
2) receiving my letter from the Breast Screening Programme this morning saying my mammogram was clear (last time I needed further investigations so pleased about that)
3) carol singing in the pub tonight with friends and neighbours, and cheery husband

Kazz – and it’s a lovely ring….. x

Marie

Alibalibee thankyou for the warm welcome. You and others have made me instantly very welcome. I’m am gaining so much from all of you and I know it’s giving me the edge I’ve never had before to achieve this. Best wishes, especially at this time of year. I’m pretty ok re Christmas food and drink as I eat lots of seafood and salads. I’m not drinking because of my medical issues and my biggest Christmas temptation is the nuts. Lots of tradition in cracking them from the shells, actually any excuse . So that’s my one to watch. We are all going out this year so there won’t be any leftovers to pick at Home which is good and should make the diet easier. I’m basically taking it easy Christmas Day but I know I won’t go crazy. I’ve just found out I’ll be dialysing at the hospital all the way up until my operations 25.1.18 so I’m already in a routine with that and my food pattern on those days. So for me Christmas won’t be too bad diet wise.

Hi Flick, – I have been lurking for a few weeks on the forum while I started out on the first 8 weeks of counting carbs and cals. When I started researching the reason for the change in sleep patterns I came across a number of articles which report on research on the links between fibre in the diet and quality of sleep. I thought I had cracked the problem if I could subtract the fibre from the carbs value . No such luck. 🙁 By increasing the amount of fibre I have got back to more normal sleep pattens, but it has taken me back up to around 50g of carb a day, and my rate of weight loss has slowed. Strangely I am still loosing inches, even my wellies are not so tight around my calves, so not all negative. I had thought that such an intense diet would be hard and I could only cope with a few weeks, so I had to go all out for it, but it hasn’t been as difficult as I expected to stick to so increasing to around 50g of carbs a day and sticking to it for months to get towards my target weight isn’t so daunting. Apparently the body needs fibre to create Melatonin, so maybe the answer if I need to cut carbs further to reach my target weight is a supplement.

Iknow Ensecca – so exciting I was sure I was somehow measuring different spots, do checked and doubke checked! You are right about how unforgiving I would be if I took a step backwa ds. I shoukd be fibe with my friends, they are darlings and will be nothing but supportive. It’s my own hedonistic tendancies I’ll need to keep in check.

As for the dive trip, one NSV I hadn’t thought of is how much less compensatory weight I’ll have to add to my BCD. On top of everything else, this bloody fat is buoyant so I’m not only exhausting myself trying to get into a wetsuit,
I then have to lug about an extra 8kg or more to make sure I can descend!

Thanks to everyone’s tips and support I’ve managed my first 17 days and a great loss from 106.8 start to 102.1kg! 4.7 kg! I have to work it out in lbs it sounds better! I’m ecstatic. Under 100 here I come!
Also saw my nephrologist yesterday and he’s happy I’m doing this and confirmed my surgery for 25.1.18. Hoping to get to 98 by then. Getting under 100 is the 1st goal though. Thursday at dialysis I’m having my bloods done so will be interesting to see changes there too. I’ve been surprised how easy it’s been. Having said that a little snacking has crept in. I’m watching that.
All the best to everyone x

Hi everyone, last night I made the hot smoked trout and mushroom frittata, yum! It was my version though as I bought hot smoked salmon as it was marked down for quick use. I also added dill to the mix and didn’t have much of baby spinach so added silverbeet . Also lazy so I cut it in quarters and flipped it in the pan to brown the cheese. That worked and it was really delicious.

Thank you Esnecca. Well said!

And I meant to say love it all😍

That loss was 4.7 actually

Wow Flick FANTASTIC! I’m really loving being here and reading great results and great tips from you and everyone else.
I’ve been quiet about my weight this week as it felt like I’d lost more but the no’s on the scale went the wrong way. So I continued and counted my blessings with the lower bsl and insulin . Finally today day 17 I can report that I’m 102.1kg. I started at 106.8 so 4.5kg, some fluid obviously at first but I’m thrilled! Next time I’ll take a waist measurement when the scales don’t show it! Thanks everyone for your great tips too and support. My first obvious weight loss goal is double digits … under 100. Then at about 98 I’ll be under bmi 35. That ones important for my surgery. After that is a longer stretch to 89 that’s one figure I’ve got stuck at before and bounced back up. With your help I plan to smash through it! The next ‘boundary’ weight is the lowest I’ve got to in my adult life and that’s 82. A long way away at this point BUT I really want to go all the way this time to have the best chance at my new life. There will be plenty of obstacles along the way but I’ve been gearing up mentally for months to start . I know already the support here has given me an edge I haven’t had before. Love to you all and so much gratitude that I’ve found you here.
Flick the weekend sounds wonderful. You are so happy with your achievements, you won’t muck it up. You have a plan. Even a little extra it’s one day with the girls. Have fun and a fantastic time diving! I’ll be living vicariously through you as I can’t swim again until after the next surgery when my peritoneal carheter will be removed aling with one of my giant bad boy kidneys! Love the ocean, any water actually. I’ve never dived but I’ve snorkelled lots of fantastic places like South Pacific, Tahiti, Carribean etc just think of all those calories burnt when you are in the water having fun and you don’t even notice how active you are. All that water resistance. ENJOY, relax and live it all. X

Congratulations! You see, there was nothing to worry about even with four days of no scale movement. And holy crap, man, I can’t believe your waist! You lost 3.5 cm in a matter of days! That squishy asteroid belt feeling is totally fat loss, by the way. That’s why your waist measurement plummeted even as the numbers on the scale stayed the same or moved down slowly. The dense fat gets replaced by water. The scale can’t tell the difference, but the tape measure can.

You are rocking it out, Flick. Keep your eyes on the prize during your events. Do not look backwards, even with your old friends of 28 years and when you’re wet and shivering. Everything you do is entirely at your command, and knowing you, you would be brutal to yourself if you backslid. Lots of recriminations, regrets and self-punishment. So swat away any stray thoughts like the gnats they are. This is who you are now and it’s awesome.

Merry Christmas to all my January friends. Hope you all have a very happy and peaceful Christmas. I am off to see my son in Washington for Christmas and will be back on the forum in the New Year. I have managed to maintain my weight loss but am anticipating a gain over Christmas and I will be deal with that on my return! Enjoy Christmas and see you in 2018 for continued friendship and support. Merry Christmas 🎄

Cathy x

Thanks for the suggestions. I am coming to the end of my first 8 weeks on the diet, so far down 15kg, and 6 inches off my waist. I want to loose at least another 20kg and two more dress sizes then set another range of targets. I have been lurking on this forum and also reading more about keto diets on the web to gather more info. I have been struggling with getting to sleep when trying to be around 20g of carb, which started me looking into if I was working out my carb intake correctly. I think you are right Esnecca, going for the 20g level is difficult for vegetarians, its only possible by having a very small range of meals and a not very balanced diet. I thought I would find being down to 800 calories a day really hard, so wanted to try to hit it hard for a short period of time. After so many years of trying to loose weight by calorie counting and it feeling like pushing water uphill its been a surprise how much energy I have on this diet.

Not a bit of it, Flick! Yo are NOT the resident idiot by any stretch of the imagination. I’ve met
a lot of ladies from down under here. I find your free spirit and honesty a delight. I’m an
American, and always find you all to be a breath of fresh air. I never take myself too
seriously, and I think that our countries may share that characteristic in a very general
sense of the word.

For the sleep deprived, I share your pain, not to mention the brain fog, on occasion!
The natural supplement Melatonin is neither addictive nor does it require a prescription,
an it’s available in health food stores or in pharmacies in the States. It’s been beneficial
in helping me to get to sleep. I still can’t sleep more than 2 hrs at a time, but I no longer
find myself awake at 4:30am, still patiently waiting for sleep to commence. Perhaps
it’s something to consider?

Hi all,
I am a late joiner, and I have been lurking for a few days and what struck me is the depth of feeling, and the empathy/sympathy and support for fellow travellers on this thread is palpable. I am on week 4 and was on another thread that just died out and I was looking around for a new home and found all this staggering information on this thread, but I won’t be able to post as often as some on here, but will keep up with everything because it is so inspiring. I will be finishing my 8 weeks just after Christmas and carrying on as soon as the dust has settled, but have firmly resolved not to overindulge as that would sabotage my previous weight loss. I haven’t lost a great amount of weight but as I was already doing The 5:2 Fast Diet before I found the 8 Week BSD, I think that I didn’t have a lot of high calorie food to give up and I have only dropped from 90.7Kg to 84.3Kg last Monday, but it is at least a loss.

😳 just realised JGwen you started the carb/fibre thread. i’m the resident idiot – hopefully you’ll get used to that.

Woohoo – excellent start to week 5 with a tentative step into the 71s.

71.9 on the scales this morning. I’m thrilled. It is just the boost I need as I head towards my two biggest silly season challenges. I’m hosting a small group of girlfriends for drinks on Thursdsy. We’ve been friends since our children were in pre school – 28 years. I’ll have the food choices organised, but alcohol will be the big challenge. There will there be delicious french champagne and we have a long history. Sparkling water, plenty of ice and fresh lime is the plan, and focus on my wonderful company.

Following hard on the heels of this challenge is a beach weekend with some of my favourite local dive buddies. Dinner on Saturday night, no idea where, and a trip Sunday out to a beautiful island, dives followed by a catered picnic on the island. My plan is to have breakfast (yoghurt, berries) that day – haven’t eaten a breakfast for 4 weeks. The risk of course is that diving, and the water will be cold, makes me starving! Plan to eat only BSD foods and just cope with the sensation of hunger if necessary. Oh and take a bag of almonds in my dive bag.

71.9!

Hi Jackie – so impressed with your progress- go you!

Hi everyone – great to see such encouraging results – today I ate-

Two poached eggs with a slice off halloumi, spinach, tomato and mushroom and a Jerusalem artichoke

Lentil soup – I did have a slice of bread so not great – Parma ham and theee dark chocolate stars.

Hi JGwen, there was just an interesting discussion on counting carbs, fibre and sugar in another thread. Essentially in the UK, and Australia, fibre is measured separately on our labels and food logging apps like Fatsecret. It’s combined in the USA. So if a label says 5g carb, 2 grams fibre, that isn’t a net carb off 3. It is a carb count if 5. The 2 grams of fibre are not considered a subset of the carbs.

As for sleep, I sympathise. Strangely I have been sleeping like a log since about 3 days into this new approach to eating 4 weeks ago, after almost of lifetime of terrible sleep. And I keep carbs down to 20 and below. Our bodies are all so different. If sleeping difficulties are new to you, I strongly recommend paying attention to setting some firm bedtime routines. There are loads of helpful websites on sleep hygiene. You may have to ease in a bit as after a few very late nights as you describe, your body is behaving In the same way it does when you change time zones. And poor old you will have jetlag. It is dreadful. I occasionally had to resort to mild medication to break entrenched patterns.

Wise move not to drive. That bone crunching tiredness and fuzziness can make everything so much harder. All the best

Good news is I dropped the insulin by 2 points morning and night and I’m still between 5-8! Also organised my nut snacks thanks Allie!

Hi All,

Aside from the eating and drinking challenges (which everyone seems to be managing extremely well), this really is a lovely time of year – people are so happy,

1.it is the most beautiful clear cool morning here, perfect for walking before the day warms up
2. my fridge is groaning, filled with delicious healthy food
3. I am starting some Christmas treat baking for friends and family, it will be great fun and I happily won’t eat any of it
4. My tomatoe plants all have fruit on them so I am still hopeful I will reach the holy grail of vegetable gardening here in the southern tablelands and produce a ripe tomatoe before Christmas – fingers crossed for me friends this is the closest I have ever been.

The recipes in the original BSD book (as opposed to the follow-up recipe book) don’t have accurate counts, and even if they did, they would still consistently be way above 20 grams a day. I never made a recipe from the book and just used MyFitnessPlan to calculate the counts of everything I ate. I’m glad I did it that way because I had no idea what a serving size really was or how much of which nutrients were in my food until I started.

Vegetarians do the BSD, but I don’t recall any of them shooting for the 20-gram limit. The goal is a challenge even for omnivores. It’s a very difficult thing to get enough protein for your needs (about 1 gram per kilo ideal body weight) when you have to lean on pulses and legumes as a primary source. Seitan is made out of wheat and meat replacements like Quorn often have pretty bad carb counts, lots of breading, hidden sugars, etc. Do you eat soy and hemp products? If you don’t, it’s time to start, particular in the tofu arena.

Good luck!

Essie, you’re right of course 🙂 We’re the anomaly! Thanks Jackie. That should help
make it clearer for our new UK friend!

Thanks sunshine-girl I’m gradually getting used to navigating this. My Nephroligist dropped by dialysis while I was typing then my nurse cane 2 x so I was in and off and typing …

JGwen – as a GB person (though I use MyFitnessPal, which doesn’t do net carbs) I can confirm all the others are saying.

If it helps further in the UK : –

carbs = sugar plus starch (so bread has sugar plus extra carbs that are not sugar i.e.: starch. Your body breaks it down to sugar in the end which is why we should minimise our intake of both).
fibre – separate reading. is the insoluble stuff that goes straight through. Important for bowel movements and I think we should be trying to maximise this within the confines of the 800 calorie limit.

It might be useful to look at a few packets and compare them to the app? Its all separated out on packets, normally, and would give you a point of comparison.

Hope this helps
xx

Thanks guys, that helps to explain the confusion for me, I wondered why some people talk about doing a manual subtraction. I didn’t realise about the difference between the UK and US.

I am a vegetarian, no fish or meat, so many of the discussions on menus and most of the recipes in the book are not ones I can follow. That’s why I need to be able to work out using a log of ingredients how many carbs I have taken in.

Congratulations to everyone for the good results. Last week’s damage is that I’ve put on 1.8kg, so currently sitting at 800g heavier than when I started this challenge. I’ve found it quite difficult to get back on track this time for some reason, but attempting a fast day today to try and give myself a kick in the right direction. The worst thing over the past few days has been how irritated my gut has been, so I’m now motivated to see if eating more BSD compliant food helps to calm things down.