DAY 5 of 28 and more than half way through our first week!

Sorry I seem to have missed so many posts.

Mixnmatch ….CONGRATULATIONS hope you will be very happy. Don’t worry about the weight you will lose that quickly when you get straight back to BSD.

Welcome Canadiangirl, Pineda and Pauley good to have you along and even better that you have found this way of eating. It works! There are so many success stories on here. Don’t get too hung up on the ‘numbers’ that other people have lost we all lose at our own pace. Remember to measure your waist etc because quite often the scales stick but our clothes and tape measure show something quite different. Enjoy your journey.

Krysia I think most of us are emotional eaters and are triggered at some stage or another. The important thing is that we know we are never failures because we always get straight back on that horse when we fall off. Hence you are now only weeks away from your 1st maintenance birthday!!

Caronl dark chocolate is fine, the darker the better. Only a couple of squares a day max but you will get to like it even if it’s not your favourite now.

Ancient Weaver, Antigone and Lessmuffingtop looks like we are all in the same boat at the moment. I love Allie’s H.A.L.T acronym maybe we should all write it down in big, bold letters. I think, apart from a few of us, everyone has times when certain foods just look far more appealing than they really are. So I suppose we should all be asking if it’s Hunger, Anger , Loneliness or Tiredness that’s making us eat or drink certain things.

And so to me….. I need to reaffirm my thoughts from the start of this challenge ….. I WILL weigh and log everything in fatsecret, I WILL NOT eat crisps, digestives and Lindt 90%. Red wine is on the back burner. The first 4 days have been very hit and miss with weighing and logging partly because we have had quite a sociable week, but being honest, I’ve not stuck to it at home either. I have only succumbed to crisps once, and digestives once or twice, not sure because I’m not logging! Lindt has been harder to lose as I’ve had quite a few ‘spicy’ meals and I always feel the need for something sweet afterwards. I guess 90% chocolate is not the end of the world. So that only leaves the red wine which I’m afraid is still part of my life.

So after 4 days I’ve not done too well BUT this thread has made me reassess and I promise, just for today to get back to weighing and logging, because that definitely stops me overindulging especially when I fill my day’s diary in at breakfast! We are eating Thai food out tonight so I’ll have to have a very low carb/cal day to accommodate tonight.

Hope everybody is back on track again now….. it’s a new day put the past behind us …. let’s begin again and if you haven’t stopped then, as s-g says….. just keep on keeping on ……..

Hi guys,

Nice to see how everyone is getting on. I’ve lost 9 lb now. I haven’t been counting calories; just guessing so I suspect I’m having at least 1000 calories a day. Also at the weekends I’ve generaly had an alcoholic drink or two. So I’ve not been strict in keeping with the diet but definately following the principles the majority of the time! What I am finding a huge benefit is that my hunger levels have reduced significantly; Ive had chocolate and biscuits in the house and not given it a second thought which is huge for me! I’m hoping to have a good week this week…so it’s nice to check back in to re focus. Have a great week everyone! X

Can I join too? Seems like an active, supportive group that can help me stay focused, god knows I need it.
4 weeks done today and I have lost more weight on this than anything else before, loving it! Have had several blips during these weeks, am not someone who is very regimented, but the main thing is that I forgive myself and move on. Yesterday evening I had tons of peanuts, on the other hand I made chocolate brownies for the kids (I never bake!) and was not even tempted. So, I move on from the peanuts and applaud myself for not eating brownies!

Pollyanna: it is so frustrating when you eat like you should and don’t get the results! You feel like you are failing but from what I read you are certainly not. You eat more vegetables and have kicked carb cravings, well done!
Are you sure you are drinking enough water? If dehydrated body will often retain fluids, affecting your weight. I also find that chance in hormone levels affect my weight loss, don’t know if this applies to you though.
Failing is when you give up, hang in there and search forums for advice on plateauing!

Guess it’s 4 weeks since start today? Have lost a stone, very pleased with that. ( I have a lot to lose!) However, I have had several blips but focus on not beating myself up for it and start over the next day. Yesterday I was doing great until the evening, ended up having 1,5 low carb beers and LOTS of peanuts! Must have been a million kcalories… today is a new day, though, and I soldier on!

How is everone else getting on?

I was borderline low, and death warmed up for years, always stressed and depressed with zero energy, tired beyond belief. Early this year, I realised that, according to the standard recommendation on the ‘net, I wasn’t eating enough protein. I was shocked. I ate normal home cooked food, and had around 50g a day, as per recommendations on packaged food. Further investigation revealed that UK guidelines are well below US guidelines on protein intake.
I increased my protein intake to around 80g and started feeling better after just a few days. Weirdly though, I started putting on weight, having been stable for at least 2 years. Clearly I needed to cut down, but not wishing to reduce my life giving protein, and being very wary of cutting down on fruit and veg, I cut out all cakes and biscuits, then bread and finally potatoes. I finally plateaued at 13 stone, but I can’t remember if that was my previously stable weight or if I had gained from 12.5 stone.
I was pretty gobsmacked by how much I had had to stop eating for the sake of an ounce of protein and totted up the calories, and was even more astonished to find I had gone from 1800 to just 1200 but wasn’t losing any weight.
Since then I have frequently cut down to 800 calories, but as long as I keep up my protein intake, I feel good, and would put money on my thyroid being well within the normal range now. Unfortunately I forgot to ask the doc if I could be tested, but I’m not sure I could as there’s nothing wrong with me now that could be discovered with any of the regular blood tests. If I remember, I might ask on Monday.
Anyways, due to official diet recommendations being ‘smaller portions’, which means less of everything, including protein, I suspect that it is in fact insufficient protein that is the real link between low calorie diets and low thyroid.
I actually used to get even worse after a few weeks of that kind of dieting. (The mythical ‘starvation mode’.)
BSD800 is awesome. I get to lose weight and feel great!!

Hell’s bells Esnecca, you don’t get to be where we are without a
big dose of stubborness, and I WILL NOT be thwarted by technology!
I checked, and my email wasn’t “undeliverable”. I sent it at around
11:30am sat. morning, using this address esnecca8@gmail.com
I’m going to resend it. However, here’s ours: jelewis35@comcast.net
If I have to put my phone number on this public forum, I’d consider
that too! As I say, I AM stubborn…
I didn’t make an error with your email address, did I? I am somewhat
of a techno-dolt. Completely right brained, am I.

Hi everyone
On Monday morning I’ll climb the scales and start 8 weeks on BSD. My first. Inspired by a friend and even more inspired by reading this forum. Hope I can join this group!

Hello everyone
I am new to BSD and will start in with the November challenge starting tomorrow. I have followed this forum for the past week, while reading through the book and the cookbook, and I feel this is just what I’ve been looking for. It makes good sense and I love the support and encouragement for everyone. So I would love to join your group.

You’re trying to sell books, an expensive one at that. I have reported your post as spam.

Hi Marie123
You sound like a lovely person and thank you for your replies. I am planning to start the program tomorrow, though am not as organised as I would like – but that’s not my thing, I tend to wing things and they work out – then my proficiency at things gets better, because of the necessity. Time will never be a luxury on my side!!! I have put fat secret on my iPad, so that looks pretty good. I have a good grasp of carbs from previous dabbles in Atkins and Banting diets – so that is one less confusing aspect. Need to be mindful of overdoing the fat as those 2 mentioned plans are fairly free with that – And after all we are talking calories with the BSD.
Was wondering if I want to incorporate a commercial shake, what if you know is an appropriate one. Years ago I had a good low carb one which they don’t seem to make anymore. I presume the recipes, when they say 420 cals, serves 4 – that means that amount of calories per serve? Is that how it is? Not calories divided by 4 – then they would be super low cals. All so much to get a hold on. Guess practice will make perfect.
As I live in rural NSW and my close town is very small and 18ks from me – there is no gym!! Would have to drive an hour to access one an am not doing that. Will just have to pull my finger out and move more!!!
How are you going with your weight loss and BG readings? I haven’t been doing BG readings – too depressing – will start with a measure of all things in the morning. Have had a couple of blow outs and didn’t beat myself up, just got back on carb correct track. I re- read Michael’s book and my sister as got me a recipe book for $10 from Wollongong – very cheap for these books. Verano suggested I re- read. She is very wise all things BSD.
Wishing you a good journey continuing. Let me know how you are going.
Donna xxx

I haven’t received your email, Allie. I checked my spam folder just in case and it wasn’t there either. Looks like your iffy connection swallowed it up. Can you try again when your connection stabilizes or from a coffee shop or something? I’ll be here for a while so there’s no clock ticking.

CC, my extended fast went great! I had been retaining water like crazy (I could feel the tautness of it in my belly) and now it’s all happily gone. Instead of my planned filet mignon, we went in a totally different direction and I broke my fast at a Spanish tapas restaurant we’d never tried before. It was one of the greatest meals I’ve ever had, and that’s not just 70 hours of water only talking. The most perfectly cooked shrimp, a brussels slaw that made the one I make pale to chalky whiteness in comparison, every preparation dressed with the lightest touch instead of drenched in heavy sauces and swimming in cups of balsamic vinaigrette (a plague in this country) and a swordfish with hot pepper sauce that was so perfect I don’t have the words to pay proper homage to its greatness. It was a miracle, truly. I couldn’t have imagined a more satisfying close to a long fast.

Ancient Weaver, hello. I am going to begin my quest tomorrow, after having been low carb for a number of weeks and lost 12 or so kilos (with some breakouts).
My questions – hope you know the answers.
In Michaels recipes when he says 420 calories, serves 4 – is that, that amount of calories per serve or per recipe?
I am in Australia, if you are using a shake, what one do you use, that ticks the boxes?

To all you lovely people…..hoping you have room for another newbie on your bandwagon?

Have been following you all for about a week after starting the BSD. As I am 66 I decided I would try if for 3 days, and then go up to 1200 calories for 4, then repeat. As I have been doing low carb for quite a while (lost well on it originally but now it has helped me maintain but no longer losing), I was already over the “off” feeling you get when dropping the breads, pastas and sugar. But was really afraid I couldn’t cut it at only 800 calories.

The first day I had a whopping late breakfast, no lunch, and kept waiting for the hunger to kick in. At dinner time, I still was doing ok….and thought, lets keep going and see how this feels. Ended up skipping dinner as well. Did the next 2 days the same way….did my full 800 calories for breakfast and honestly was AMAZED how “not awful” it was.

I have always been a late night snacker (usually healthy enough stuff….but its still more calories). So that has been the hardest part for me. But I am determined to break what I now see as simply a bad habit. Have read a lot of Michael’s stuff and watch as many of his television specials as I can find on-line (am in the US so not able to see as many on TV). He seems to make the point that you do better without so many snacks to spoil the fasting periods. So out go the snacks.

After my 1st week of partial BSD, and reading all your entries, I feel ready to commit to it for the full 8 weeks, 7 days a week. I really think doing it in only 2 meals is the way for me. Maybe simply be flexible about which one is the bigger depending on the circumstances (do dinner with my son on Wednesdays….so big meal for dinner that night for sure).

Thank you all for all the inspiration. Fingers crossed.

Hi Pollyanna,
There is no failure, only feedback! I am really not super impressed with my weight/inches loss yet either. I lost more kgs and inches quicker on the 5:2, but I also found the fast days very hard to deal with and as a result started bingeing on carbs on my non-fast days and then started to put off the fast days until they were non-existent. So in spite of the frustrations, I think this way of eating has been better for me as it seems to be keeping me on a much more even keel, and I’m having to come to terms with the fact that it is likely going to take me a lot longer than 8 weeks to lose all the weight.
Have you been sticking to the 800 cal and your carb target? I have typically been between 800-1000 when I have been counting, but haven’t been counting the last couple of weeks. I probably should get back on that just to make sure I’m not creeping up too high and having that affect the weight loss. I’ve been weighing myself most days and it is amazing to see what I think are tiny mistakes have a big impact on the numbers the next day. Some days I’m close to perfect and I still gain weight or stay the same, but then it seems to come off in a rush for no apparent reason later on. I think things like stress and lack of sleep all play into the equation for me in a big way.
I’m trying to celebrate the small successes in lieu of the ones I wanted. It sounds like you’ve had some of those as well if you are eating more veggies and your sweet cravings have subsided. In fact, I think that is quite a big success, so don’t sell yourself short!
I’ve got my health check coming up on Wednesday this week, and I’m really a long way away from the weight loss goal I had set for myself by this point, but I’m hoping that the changes that I’ve made so far will show up. I am a bit scared about it though.

I’m failing! Despite a strong start, I plateaued in the second week and haven’t lost a pound since. Nothing on the tape measure either. One positive is that my cravings for sweet stuff have hugely subsided and I’m eating more vegetables than ever. What am I to do? I suspect I may not be the only one as this thread has gone very quiet lately. If you’re reading this and haven’t had the success you hoped for, I’d really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Thanks everyone.

Esnecca, I’ve had some problems with my internet connection over
the past 24 hrs., but I sent you my phone number at the email
address you listed. This is just an insurance policy if you didn’t
receive it. Contact me here, and I shall send it again!

Thanks Ancient Weaver. I’m impressed with your ability to fast for most of the day. I’m eating most of my calories between 9am and 2pm most days, as that seems to help me get through my work day, but usually still leave room to have a small evening meal as I find it difficult to sleep on an empty stomach.
I lost a further kg over last weekend, but have actually gained it back this week. It felt like my body was going into rebellion over losing 1.5kg over 3 days. Even though I haven’t really felt hungry, and my pain is much improved, I have been craving carbs all week. I have been very busy and extremely stressed this week, so that may be partly to blame. I made one of my desperate supermarket runs on Thursday afternoon. Normally this would have been to load up on chocolate almonds, biscuits, etc. to get me through the rest of the day. This time I stuck to the principles and ended up with some veggies and low carb crackers and cheese, and then I skipped my evening meal to compensate for the calories. It was interesting though. I was a little bit hungry before I ate my snack, but definitely not hungry after, and yet I was still craving those chocolate almonds.
I’ve had a bit more activity this week. I’m working with an active rehab kinesiologist to help me with a program to stabilize my pelvis and am doing those exercises at least 3 days per week. I also managed to go a bit further on my noon hour walks this week, and went up a steep hill route once that I haven’t done in almost 3 weeks. It was a struggle to get up the hill the last time I did it, but was very pleased to find it much easier, even with only 5kg gone. I can’t wait to see how it will be with another 15kg gone!

I have been having the occassional Finn Crisp cracker with a bit of cheese. They are super thin and crispy, so one or two goes a long way to satisfy the need for crunch. The ingredients are whole grain rye flour, water, salt and yeast, and they work out to 22.5 calories and 3.75g net carbs each.
I’ve just found a recipe for avocado crisps which I’m thinking of trying. Basically just mashed avocado with cheese, salt and whatever seasonings you want, formed into discs and cooked in the oven. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Impressive Mixnmatch maybe that’s something to try. I’ve never attempted 20g of carbs or less but it’s certainly food for thought.

S-g hope you are having a good break you’ll be fine once you get back into the swing of things next week. See you on the new challenge.

Thanks Allie I guess that acronym sums up just how we have each felt when eating off plan. Strangely enough I doubt if any of us would cite ‘hunger’ as the reason!

Having had time to cool down I realise that eating out of anger or any other emotion only leaves me the poorer! The ‘cause’ of the anger or frustration is blissfully unaware of my feelings and carries on with life. I self sabotage! As I write this I can see that it makes no sense whatsoever. So let’s leave emotional or boredom eating to others. We need to stay on plan especially as we have our cheerleaders waving for us, of is that at us …. mind you they have been a little quiet of late. Looks like you’re on your own at the moment Allie but do like your choice of colours!

Happy Saturday, All. I’ve been without internet connection for
about 24 hrs, and look what I’ve missed! Antigone, Shazzam,
Caron, Abisaysyes, a warm welcome to you 🙂

I just realized that my pair of virtual pompoms have yet to
be described…As a retired interior designer and painter, I always
think and dream in color, so have chosen purple and violet to
go with our “cool” color palette! We’re beginning to resemble a
garden, don’t you agree?

Ancient Weaver, I’m also a dancing fool, and use music to mood
alter, I think. Best place is the kitchen floor. I occasionally use
the handle on the refrig. door as my partner, and always throw
in some squats and modified push-ups off of the countertops
for good measure. Fortunately, no one can view this display
from outside the house! 🙂

Verano, Krysia, the conversation about emotions reminded me
of something a friend of mine who was a very active member of
Alcoholics Anonymous once told me. The acronym H.A.L.T. is
used as a tool in their program and stands for hungry, angry, lonely
or tired, things to consider when deciding if you really want that
glass of wine, or if one of those other things are really the issue.
I think it could apply to any type of addiction though?

Enjoy what’s left of the weekend, everyone!

Allie

I will be joining the November challenge as I will be back by then. Was doing so well and no weight gain until we went to a Beefeater last night and I had ribs and chicken. Only ate a couple of chips but the bbq sauce was sooooo sweet even though I scraped most of it off. See you all next week.

Hi

I be had a wee bump too , got hold of a pack of Halloween refresher type sweets and didn’t let go! Oops was doing so well on the whole water thing as well! Just had first meal today of chicken thighs in butter and garlic done in oven with broccoli rice was very nice . mfp says 3G carb, 12g fat, 22g protein so will store it as a favourite!! Yummy

Hi there. Not much to report after only two days… But I am so pleased that I have got started on this – albeit in a gentle way. I’m not counting calories yet, just avoiding potatoes, pasta, rice, bread and wine. Today’s lunch of smoked trout, avocado and red cabbage coleslaw looked really pretty! Pleased to say that DH does not do chips, though does leave chocolate lying about. But so far so good…

Hello All – well done everyone! After a very good start (if I say so myself) I have crashed and burned 🙁
Chips last night (DH makes the BEST chips in the whole wide world so could not refuse – did have a small portion though).
Shopping this morning so croissants and coffee out ……..so I console my self with the reasoning that I would have had those chips and that croissant AS WELL as regular food if I wasn’t BSDing.
7k in 4 weeks?…we can do it girls!
The long dark nights (of the biscuit tin) begin this weekend – I’d advise taking up knitting or something to keep those hands away from temptation – evenings are my munchtimes! Good luck 🙂

Aren’t fast days 500 calories? I’m pretty sure it’s (any) 2 days out of seven eating only 500 calories, but no counting, just eating healthily, on the other 5. I came across this thread while trying to check.
The 800 is for every day (for up to 8 weeks). 500 is too low to do for more than a couple of days at a time, hence the 5:2.
Correct me if I’m wrong, please.

I recently realised that my worst problem with eating is from fatigue. When I’m tired, instead of getting sleepy, I get the munchies.
It’s worst in the evenings so I’m trying not to eat anything until the evening, so I can fill up on the whole 800 calories before I go to bed. Eating more in the evening seems to help me a bit with sleeping longer, too, but everyone is different.

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I woke up early on Saturday morning and am trying to decide which breakfast to make!

Chat soon – have a wonderful weekend!!

SueBlue – thank you for starting us off for the November challenge next week- great title. Well done on your back to basics restart and hopefully you will see the benefit at Tuesdays weigh in.

I will happily be joining in the November challenge as sadly I am up 0.8 lb this morning following my 42 hour fast to 134.2 so didn’t achieve my goal weight of 133. Feel a bit sad about that but will keep very low carb this weekend and hope that I can lose a little before Tuesday. My body really does defy medical science but hopefully should still be burning fat.

Thinking of you Esnecca whilst youre still fasting and will be interested to read how your very long fast went! You’ll enjoy your meal this evening I am sure.

Have a good few days everyone before the final Halloween weigh in and remember to keep clean for Halloween 🎃

Madmare, I had one of your Heineken 0, alcohol free lagers last night. A hefty 12 carbs, but it was palatable and filled the glass so to speak. Thanks for the tip!

Kazz, enjoy your weekend. You have done so well. Brilliant losses.

Love
Nonna Mary
xxx

A very happy Saturday to everyone.

Today I weighed myself and I have gained a pound. I abstained from alcohol for the last two nights, my carbs were below 20 and my calories below 800.

HOWEVER, HOWEVER, HOWEVER, OMG OMG OMG (Channelling Sheldon Cooper here). I bought a coat that is a size smaller than before AND….AND….AND…. The zip starts at the top of the thigh…AND I COULD DO IT UP!!! Plus I was wearing a heavy cardigan at the time! Previously, the top of the arms were too small for me! Now I have a new wool blend ‘posh’ coat! I am so pleased. I was walking around the shop with Jovis saying “OH MY GOD!” (Now channelling Janice out of friends).

Back to being me. Remember even if the scales say nothing, there is something going on somewhere!

I hope you are all as happy as me today. Have a really, really GREAT weekend.

Lots of Love
Nonna Mary
xxxx

I gained a stone in weight on honeymoon, so two weeks after getting Married! Not sure it that was emotional eating or just Californian portion sizes…

Don’t forget the fasting mimicking diets that supposedly give much the same autophagy benefits while still eating a nutritious plant based diet. I haven’t tried any of the commercially available ones, but by keeping both protein and carbs low (lots of nuts, olive oil and avocado to get the calories in) I managed 5 days at 800 calories on less than 20g protein a day, and really felt the benefit. Will be doing it again first week of November as a lead in to my attempt to lose a little more of the weight that I need to, now my body weight has settled slightly higher than I like. I WILL have at least 10 pounds of wiggle room before Christmas!

Hi Verano – I realised this August that I am an emotional eater also – which is how I put on the 6lb over August and September while only eating BSD foods. Although an emotional eater I also used to eat out of boredom – or because of the carb addiction.

The carb addiction eating was the worse part of my old WOE because it made the weight gain from the emotional and boredom eating truly colossal. I once gained 10lb in one week on holiday – that was pure carb addiction plus a little bit of emotional eating because I had been hit by a van while cycling.

So the 6lb over 2 months is actually quite a small gain and I have already lost 3lbs of

It is the full fat options that are recommended, protein and fat makes you feel fuller and give less cravings than carbs. I think you need to weigh chicken breast as they Can differ in size.

For me it works to push the first meal of the day until noon time, sounds weird but often it makes you less hungry to simply not eat in the morning. A lot of people limit their eating window to an 8 hour period, for instance only eating between 12 and 8 and find that it helps.

With regards to my energy levels I honestly don’t know how diet has impacted. With young twins some days are purely about survival and I think my energy levels are very much tied up to the kids. It must be said that I am not a SAHM. I find being at work makes diet easier as it is a more controlled environment. Weekends are the hardest for me, easier to roam around kitchen and be tempted plus stress is sometimes overwhelming.

Most people see results quicker on this diet than a normal diet, that in itself is very motivating and gives energy. I recommend tons of water and a cup of broth/stock every day to keep salts up in the beginning.

Wish you luck for your start tomorrow and will be rooting for you!

Good morning everybody. Well day 4 and I’ve already been on that ‘merry go round’. I hadn’t realised I’m an ’emotional’ eater I just thought I ate rubbish out of boredom but the last few days have proved otherwise. Anyway, I will make up for it by drinking even more water today, which should leave me less room for food!

Hope you all have a good day and a good weekend.

SueBlue I’m with you when it comes to fasting. If I miss breakfast and eat lunch around 1pm I just seem to be hungry all day and end up eating far MORE than usual. I don’t know if it’s just state of mind and everybody can fast, or if I just have mental block. I think anybody on medication, especially if it needs to be taken with food, should be very careful and I’m really not sure that fasting is right for them. Indeed I’m not sure it’s right for anybody who doesn’t have their blood sugar in the normal range.

Nonetheless, I do admire all of those who can go at least a day with only liquids.

Great title for the nee challenge!

Happy Saturday, my friends

Just popping in quickly to post another 1 lb off. That’s 17 lbs so far – another 90 lbs to go! 🙂

I’ll see you all Monday, meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.

Kazzzzz xx

I used to be one of the 95%. I’d lose a bit (0.5 to 1st) then stall and find it harder to maintain a steady weight than previously, and before I could find the energy to try and lose some more, I’d actually put on more than I had lost. It would usually be around 6 months or so to be stable again, almost always fatter than before.
It’s been 5 months now, since I discovered BSD, and the BSD800 for losing weight, and while I have not managed to stick out the 800 for anything like 8 weeks (more due to laziness than hunger), I have not regained more than 3-4lbs at most, and none of it has stayed back on for more than a week. I’ve lost far more than I’ve ever managed before, and considering how long it took to get to my maximum weight, I can’t see that I will ever put that much weight on again, even if I forget everything I have discovered about how to lose weight healthily and permanently. Apart from the yo-yoing, it was only life events and medication that really made me put on weight in the first place. When I had reasonable peace of mind, I maintained a steady weight quite easily.
There may be something in the notion that those who have lost a lot of weight need to eat fewer calories permanently, but I suspect that even that is because eating healthier makes you need fewer calories, and you have to eat healthily to avoid putting on weight. At the beginning of this year, (before I discovered the BSD), I had increased my protein intake, and rapidly found that I had to seriously reduce my total calorie consumption to stop putting on weight. My calorie consumption went from 1800 to 1200, just to maintain my weight, and this was long before I actually lost any weight.
Another possibility is that those who had a lot of weight to lose should always have been eating fewer calories, even before they lost the weight.
In any case, BSD keeps the weight off! So, I will be one of that 5% too. 🙂

Here’s prof Taylor’s research http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/news/2017/09/type2diabetesisreversible/

I’m re-opening an old topic.

I did 5 weeks of the BSD in May/June this year, and lost 7kg. I started “cheating” as summer came, but kept up the basic principles and many of the low carb, higher protein recipes, regular (but not excessive) exercise, but with occasional beer, wine and sweet treats. I continued to lose weight slowly over the summer.

Now I’m more sedentary as my job is desk-bound, although I still run 5 km 2 to 3 times a week, and walk every day. My sweet treats have increased, and my weight has slightly increased. I haven’t regained my lost weight, but I have to stop and make some changes again.

I think it’s unrealistic to say that I will never again have a sweet treat, but I do need to ban them from the house. I tend to reach for the sugar to face the work that stresses me. Strangely, when I get into some work, I forget about food.

So, I don’t want to be one of the 95%. The good thing is that this diet really changes habits, but also changes how my body uses food. Insulin seems to be working better.

Krysia – lovely to read your post about your eye check up, well done 🙂
Cathy – how exciting to be so close to goal, keeping my fingers crossed for you, you’ve worked so hard for this!
Theodora – how lucky to have so much wriggle room – you are a good inspiration for maintenance, which hopefully I’ll be on by this time next year!
I have been maintaining for about 3 months now – unfortunately though not at my goal weight, that is still another 16kg away. I’ve tried this week to go “back to basics” and it has worked – to a point. A couple of unplanned meals out has put me over calorie wise – not so much the food, but the wine 🍷. Trying for a week of sobriety this week!
I had a lovey lunch with my daughter at a Cuban-themed restaurant. It was a haloumi salad with a red and white cabbage salad, with mint and I think coriander, mushrooms and avocado. As there was no calorie count on the menu I sent the company an email asking for the nutritional info as I’d love to have it again, it certainly was BSD friendly in terms of the ingredients. I also had another BSD friendly lunch at a local cafe – steamed vegetables with beetroot hommus, salad greens and poached egg. It’s good to see that more places are providing BSD friendly options.
As for fasting – I’m having trouble fasting between dinner and bedtime/breakfast, let alone doing 24 or more hours! Well done to everyone who is able to do this successfully!
I’d like to try it one weekend, but am not sure how I’d get on with my medication, which has to be taken with food. I had thought of having the pills with a tablespoon of yoghurt or something.

It is hard to believe that we are in the last week of this challenge! I think I said it before but it feels like as soon as one challenge starts we are near the end again before you know it!

If everyone is happy with the “Remember, remember low carbs for November” title then I’ll start it early next week.

Thanks, Esnecca, I’ve been out all evening at a dinner party with friends, so hadn’t seen AnneF’s request about KrysiaD.

Didn’t drink tonight, just had slimline tonic, but had a hearty buffet meal of salmon, chicken and various salads, including fruit salad. I did let myself have a treat of a Celebrations Snicker sweet with my black coffee. It tasted very sweet and I certainly wasn’t tempted to have another one, thank goodness. Goodness knows what my blood sugar is now, but hey, still no carbs eaten… Back to the BSD in the morning.

AngS.

This is a repost from the Fast Exercise thread.

Hi everyone. I am currently on the 5th week of the fast 800 and am currently looking to up my exercise. I am afraid I have never been overly active. ….ah make that active. Have been using an app called S Health to monitor BGL’s stress levels, heart rate, coffes drunk, water drunk, sleep patterns and more since starting and found it an awesome reporting tool.

The app has a step counter and allows you to join challenges. They have one starting Nov 1 called Moonlight November. Would love to have some BSD step buddies to walk with. I know it would really encourage me. If you are interested please respond and we will work out how to link up as ‘friends’ so we can see each other in the challenge.

S Health is available from your usual app store for FREE and there are versions for both android and apple.

Please join me.  The more the merrier! 

Hi everyone. I am currently on the 5th week of the fast 800 and am currently looking to up my exercise. I am afraid I have never been overly active. ….ah make that active. 😉😂 Have been using an app called S Health to monitor BGL’s stress levels, heart rate, coffes drunk, water drunk, sleep patterns and more since starting and found it an awesome reporting tool.

The app has a step counter and allows you to join challenges. They have one starting Nov 1 called Moonlight November. Would love to have some BSD step buddies to walk with. I know it would really encourage me. If you are interested please respond and we will work out how to link up as ‘friends’ so we can see each other in the challenge.

S Health is available from your usual app store for FREE and there are versions for both android and apple.

Please join me. 😆 The more the merrier! 😉

Mainly in the Fast800 forum, but elsewhere as well. Here is the post with the most recent update on her eyes: https://thebloodsugardiet.com/forums/topic/eating-clean-for-halloween-4-week-challenge-ending-31-october/page/5/#post-73183

Click on her username above the date of the post to access her profile and click the “Replies Created” tab to see a list of all of her posts in every forum.

Can’t find KrysiaD’s posts – which forum are they on please AngS?

Well guys I now face my biggest challenge to date…there is chocolate in my house! I know where it is and there is no one hee to hide it from me. I bought it this evening cos I am having friends over on Sunday and will be cooking the skinny chilli from the BSD book and it uses chocolate, but of course not a whole bar. I might have to wrap the left over squares individually and then hide them in easily forgotten places. Even now I hear it singing to me!! Could have left it out or used cocoa powder, but thought I would see just how strong my will power is! It’s doing pretty well, there is a half drunk bottle of red in my kitchen counter from last Sunday night and I have not been even tempted.

Nearly at the end of week 4 half way :-). Huzzah!

Thanks guys. So pleased to know that I am normal – or at least relatively so – in having the desire to push fasts further and further, just because I can. But just because one could, doesn’t mean one should – and I will hold on to that mantra.

I truly believe that fasting has huge health benefits, and my body really responds to them. I feel invigorated and refreshed and I enjoy feeling in control over my eating, after years of being out of control. But I don’t want to give up one addiction only for it to be replaced by another. Let’s be honest, any quirky eating regime can be dangerous if carried to extremes. But the fact that we are aware of this is surely insurance against it? Not to mention having a lovely husband who keeps my feet solidly fastened to the ground.

So, to please him, I have indulged this evening in a glass of white wine, accompanied by a handful of Brazil nuts, followed by a huge poached salmon salad, with another glass of wine, followed by some wonderfully ripe brie. So mostly bsd friendly (if one ignores the wine) but way over the top on calories. But hey, I have 8lbs leeway and, whilst I may undo the overnight weight loss, hopefully I won’t undo the autophagy benefits.

Only a few days of eating clean to go – I know it is almost Halloween because my darling 17 year old granddaughter turned up a couple of hours ago demanding I save her life!!! The threat posed????? Not having a wonderful Halloween costume that she could boogie the night away in…..or better still, wear something trendy underneath so she could transform herself from spook to siren in one easy move.😱 After all of 5 minutes contemplation, and a root through my linen cupboard, she left armed with a white sheet, eye holes cut out, and a cord hanging around her neck with an empty gin bottle attached on one side and a big sign on the other saying “The Departed Spirit”. After a couple of dummy runs, she’d perfected the Wonder Woman twirl, to transform herself from ghost costume to party finery she would wear underneath 😃 May not have been the most original of costumes, but new to her! So very happy granddaughter, very happy grandma. I love my girls…..what a privilege to have them so close, so they can drop in assuming that I can solve all their problems 😃 And oh, that all our problems were so easily solved!

Awesome work everyone! You have four days left. Keep going! 😃