Latest forum posts

  • Love the Ecclestone Dr Who era. I have the box set too, though I’m curling up with the Victoria box set! Good news for the new clothes though…๐Ÿ‘

    Hovis have just introduced low carb bread and it’s on offer at 90p in Waitrose, so have ordered for next week. Got a craving for cheese on toast now thanks to HRH Liz 1st!!

    L xx

  • posted by  Mixnmatch on help – running endurance disappeared!
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    The good news is this is temporary, and once you have adapted to burning fat instead of carbs/glycogen your endurance will be back, you are just literally running out of energy. Once your body fat is available as a fuel source, and your metabolism is working properly again, you will be able to use that nearly unlimited fuel source. (Although running your body fat too low is very dangerous). Everyone is different but I would say in a couple of weeks the adaptation should have occurred and it will get much better.

  • posted by  Fairyface on 1st October Starters Support Group
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Nickix, I am still here. Still mainly plodding along with the woe.
    Just arrived home today after 9 days away in our motorhome.
    Lots of walking and relaxing. Had four of our grandchildren with us over the weekend and found myself wandering over to what I cooked for them. Not worried about what I have eaten over the past four days as tomorrow is another day. Even managed to walk over 10,000 steps most days and actually did over 18,000 one one day. So pleased with myself as I could not have done 800 this time last year. Not weighed for two weeks now but will hop on the scales in the morning. Hope everyone is well.

  • posted by  Mixnmatch on Food labels and Sugar
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    In general if it ends in -ose it is some sort of sugar, and beware the ingredients lists on some supposedly healthy food which make use of this fact to confuse people. Fructose is particularly bad in large quantities as it tends to head straight for fat in the liver which is damaging to the health, luckily on this eating plan fruit and therefore fructose is limited as well..

  • posted by  Californiagirl on Food labels and Sugar
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I think the research says that “sugar” is sugar is sugar — whether it comes from sucrose, fructose (fruit) maltose (beer) or lactose (milk) or sucrose/fructose (table sugar) — doesn’t really matter — your body converts or uses it mostly the same (with a couple differences).
    I would check the ingredient label for “added” sugar (AKA corn syrup, rice syrup, high fructose syrup, aloe or other “nectars”, fruit juice, maple syrup, honey etc etc etc — they are getting tricky these days) — avoid that as much as possible then just use the carbohydrate count for general purposes — you probably don’t need to count sugars separately.

  • posted by  Mixnmatch on Weekly weigh in and target for the week
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I think some more have maintained successfully but are not on the forum anymore, and some only pop back in occasionally to the Target Weight thread, but there are a growing number of people who are there or nearly there. The important thing is to not slip into those old habits, because it will result in the weight going back on.

  • posted by  dumptynomore on Weekly weigh in and target for the week
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hey Jan – no walk today – too involved with Wimbledon – a bit of a let down (the no-walk and the tennis) – might have to get a dog by the sounds. Ashamed to say I have only clocked 1412 steps and the day is nearly over. That’s my usual sedentary lifestyle – I didn’t realise I was that sedentary. Going to have to get my butt in gear! The tennis over so I can really get going now, especially since I have eased myself into the food side of things. Would be a shame to get myself too stressed out (chance would be a fine thing – lol).
    I’ll be honest – I think i’m a bit over 1000 cals too. I found last time I was really lacking in energy – fine this time around – so I don’t mind taling it a bit slower if I can stay the course a bit longer with lasting results. I’ll look up that fishcake recipe and let you know how I get on. Hope you’re getting on good too – you sound quite chipper! So I’ll take that as a good sign. Happy and healthy – way to go! I hope I don’t cave in again – I know what I’m like. But good to chat with you.
    Hi Hughsey – sounds like a good start. Don’t worry too much about the weak /tired/grumpy feelings. Cutting the carbs does that too you and things will settle down. Personally, I’ve have had to up the cals a bit – hey ho! But keep going. Our health is important.

    Hi Lainie – hope you are doing okay! Give us a shout – would be good to see how you are getting on! Ups and downs – all worth sharing.

    The feeling I’m getting from reading these forums and personal experience is that while much success is achieved only a handful have managed to maintain. I’m not a maintainer as we all know. I am hoping for better success to be a bit easier on myself. I really hope that works, otherwise I am well and truly ‘gubbed’ as my son would say.
    Good luck everybody – keep going –

  • posted by  Eggpoacher on Food labels and Sugar
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Many thanks to mixnmatch for your assistance in my dilemma, I’m a little now the wiser, but why do manufactures insist on putting sugar when life would be a lot easier if they put lactose, at least you’d know whether it was a natural ingredient instead of manufactured sugar.

  • Day 22 in the BSD house.

    I am shattered! Really busy day in the shop and my energy was really low. This is either an after effect of Friday night or I need to increase my calories a bit. I am after a perfect daily average for the month. I want August to be the same. So I am going to monitor my energy levels.

    I have bought a pair of size 16 jeans from the shop (M & S new ยฃ4) I tried the size 18 dress on and it zips up a little bit more but I still have a long way to go (fucking back fat and boobs!) I will get into these items and then play it by ear.

    Going to chill out with a Doctor Who box set (Ecclestone era) now.

    Regards,

    FFBB X

  • I’ve been naughty!! For the first time in 8 weeks I had a home made sultana scone with raspberry jam and cream and 2 lavender shortbread. All made by me this morning for friends who were coming round for coffee. Sat out in the garden and really enjoyed it. I will now get back on track and pull my socks up for the next 2 weeks (but will have a gin and slimline tonic) this evening as stressing about an interview and assessment centre I have to do on Tuesday.
    Well done Onetowatch for losing

  • posted by  Mixnmatch on Food labels and Sugar
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    It is lactose from the milk, always present in dairy products. Don’t worry about it (unless you are lactose intolerant in which case I guess you wouldn’t be buying it) but if you are limiting carbs, remember that along with the white stuff starches it should be kept to a minimum. I regularly check carb levels on yoghurt and try to buy the highest fat/lowest sugar.

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on Starting in January 2017 – Anyone?
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Ah commiserations ClarinetCathy but don’t despair – you WILL get there! As we all know this diet has its own rules and weight can come and go inconsistently. But keep on and there will definitely be an ongoing downward trend.

    Just one thought that may help. I’m at a similar stage to you and have found that fasting (including 16:8) doesn’t help me at all: in fact my body seems to take that as a cue to hang onto the weight. We’re all different, and some things work, some things don’t. But I’ve found my most consistent losses have been when I’ve eaten regularly rather than going for very long gaps without food. Being specific, starting the day with one scrambled egg in butter (around 100 calories) is always good for me; I can then go through till lunchtime (when I may have something like tuna or chicken or another egg with salady things) then eat again in the evening (eg fish and vegetables or maybe a small stir fry). For me, balancing out the eating that way seems far more effective than going long periods without anything to eat.

    But as I say we’re all different and I hope you find what works for you!

    I’m heading tantalisingly slowly towards 10 stone – hovering around 10 stone 2/3 at the moment: but I do find that with me it takes a while for a proper loss to “bed down” and settle before becoming a permanent fixture. I’m still aiming for 9 and a half stone and – like you said in one of your earlier posts – hope to be there by September ๐Ÿ™‚

    Good luck and keep us posted X

  • posted by  Eggpoacher on Food labels and Sugar
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Dear all,
    I am a newcomer to the Blood Sugar Diet, and no doubt you’ve seen this question before but I’m really confused and need your help regarding label information on ingredients. As I’m trying to follow the dietary programme I purchased a pot of natural full fat sugar free yogurt only to find the information on the label was not as I thought. It says typical values per 100g Carbohydrate 6.3g of which sugars 6.2g is this as stated in the book that the body turns the carbohydrate into sugar or is this added sugar I’m none the wiser…..help!

  • posted by  Canadaliz on New life choice for determined alcoholic
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hey Lovelies! I’m not sure if it is happening in your parts but here in Toronto the low carb thing is making off to the degree that a reputable bakery now makes Carb Smart bread! It is a rye type bread with 3 net carbs per slice!!! Thank you Jesus. AND there is a new Carb friendly grocery store that is my frigging dream!! It has everything like soups, condiments, tortilla wraps, snack foods that are all low to no carb. Even a pasta that is carb friendly!!! I think due to the Western lifestyle loads of people are developing type 2 so the money will be in low carb foods. Keep an eye out in your grocery stores. I am just having 1 slice every couple of days as it is 80 calories/slice but what a heavenly treat! I love cheese and tomato on bread or toast and had that yesterday….fucking bliss.
    Yours, Liz’s Low Carb Options Detective Agency

  • Love it sunshine-girl – love the fact that I am not the only one who finds the crunchy delights of ryvitas rather moreish! Still, like my sister says, if that’s the only think you’re losing control over then you’re not doing too bad!!! One or two strawberries just before bed does the trick now!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • Thanks for the support Pod and Marsie, it’s much appreciated. Just frustrated that I can’t seem to get myself sorted and back to target weight again. I know of course that I CAN do it, but just can’t seem to get it done. Going to start some daily meditation and mindfulness exercises from tomorrow, hopefully that will sort the head out and the rest will follow. You are right about the alcohol and the mindset, Pod and I have had a couple of drinks this w/e too.

    Anyway, think I’m doing okay today, although I have had yet another day off counting – of course the scales will tell me tomorrow morning if I’ve made things better or worse. For tomorrow it will be full on back to counting and extending my overnight fast. Hope your fast day goes well tomorrow, Marsie, keep us posted.

    Hope we can all post some sort of loss at weigh-in on Tuesday – keep going everyone.

  • posted by  SunnyB on Exactly 800 calories
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    As we are in this for the long haul, don’t worry if there are days when you are quite a bit under, as long as you are comfortable with that. There will probably be days when you go a bit over occasionally and these will be balanced out by those days you manage to be under. It will all balance out over the 8 weeks – or however long you elect to stick with the 800.

    Keep going and best of luck for the next weigh-in.

  • posted by  Busybee on Unexpected health benefits from weight loss
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Mike
    I started this WOE last October whilst into the second year of PMR. I lost two stone whist reducing the steroids and my ESR slowly reduced at the same time, and I am now symptom free with a normal blood result.
    Although my weight has fluctuated (due to my lack of control), I am convinced that the anti inflammatory foods in the BSD helped to rid my body of the horrible condition.
    Good luck!
    X B

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Exactly 800 calories
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi caz1973, as long as you are not too hungry or fainting away, as my doctor said to me, but you still have room for a small snack if you want to. Sometimes you might be having a bit more as trying to calculate can be quite inaccurate so at 690 you could be anywhere from 690 to 750. Dont worry and let your body guide you.

    To answer directly, yes I try to keep around 800 but mainly have between 670 and 750. Sometimes when it is as low as 670 I realise I didn’t count that teaspoon of olive oil and the cauli rice or something small and insignificant, but that gives me a bit of wriggle room.

  • Well done Mike. I too am a chart maker and record everything. One thing is my doctor always wants to see my notebook so I have to fill it in for him so not just being anal. It shows weight, exercise, date and time with BG measurements and units of insulin used. When I am feeling a bit cheesed off and not losing weight I can look back to last year and see how far I have come. Not lost a lot of weight just 21lbs at the moment but I am not massive anyway but I have reduced my blood sugar from 190 to 90 reduce insulin from 40 units to 21, HbA1c as 11.4 now 5.4, cholesterol was 6.4 now 3.4 also triglycerides and blood pressure are also well down into normal range. I have blood tests every 3 months for diabetes and now he keeps testing my cholesterol (3 times in a row) but once a year I get a full blood and urine screening. I didn’t know what the sedimentation rate was for but mine was 24 mm in the first test then 54 in the second, that was in May 2016 now it is 14 in test one and 34 in the second. Notice that I should not be higher than 15 and 35 so mine is under that. Whatever it is it has improved as has everything else so something else to be pleased about.

    Keep on keeping on…

  • Not whinging, venting. So vent away, SunnyB. We’re all allowed to vent when needed. Moving on is the important bit๐Ÿ™…, hugs on their way.

    I’m hating the sight of the scales at the moment, knowing I’m not going to like what I see. But, following my day out today (described on another thread), and after having a burger lunch on a day out with grandson and friend on Friday (ate the bottom half of the bun), and being so tired after chasing the two 9yo boys around the Lego exhibition for a few hours I agreed with OH that fish and chips from the local shop sounded like a wonderful idea for dinner ……
    so … I’m determined to have a “fast” day tomorrow, Monday. I won’t have eaten since about 4 pm today, (with the exception of a couple of forkfuls of kimchi a short while ago to ward off a bout of mouth hunger), so I’ll have a light brunch. Nothing but water and green or herbal teas until dinner time.

    See if that gets me AROUND the wall instead of constantly banging into it.

    SSB, was that your version of my wall? I think we all run into them from time to time. Keep on keeping on, as we say. ๐Ÿ™…

    Sounding good pod, keep it going xx

    Keep checking in with us Theodora. Let us know how you’re going. It sounds as though you are a wonderful hostess, just don’t forget to look after yourself first xx

    ‘Nighty night everyone, I’m off to bed ๐Ÿ˜ด

  • posted by  caz1973 on Exactly 800 calories
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi everyone can I ask do most of you stick to as near to 800 calories as you can as I find some days I am only reaching like 690 and I feel as if I have had 3 meals aday like 2 boiled eggs for breakfast, for lunch fromage frais with frozen raspberries and main tea steak with red and white cabbage with mayo and salad lettuce cucumber and on my fitness pal it comes out at 690. Do I need to eat a little bit more or is it ok as I don’t feel hungry for more food and have lost 9 pounds now on day 13 look forward to your replys hope you are all having a good weekend.

  • Sunnyb and Clarinetcathy feeling for you both today. Sending weight-loss thoughts through the airwaves!
    I’m being very good today cos I had three Campari last night. Sooooooo many carbs, but I enjoyed them, perhaps a little too much cos I was only gonna have 1! Alcohol really does affect the mind set!
    Anyway, hope we all have a really good couple of days!
    Let’s Keep on keeping on!
    Ann xx

  • Hi Everyone.just read all your posts and goals Im still on holiday in thailand so not currently weighing or following Bsd.In fact after a week of binging on pastries etc Im no longer enjoying that type of food.So tonight I settled for a clear broth with vegies and minced meat.I will continue to eat whatever is around that takes my fancy but I will be back to BSD next week when Im home .in the meantime I hope you are all achieving good results
    Cheers

  • Hello ClarinetCathy
    I feel for you – your gain is much the same as mine. Going back and forth over the same couple of pounds is really frustrating and when this is for an extended period, it makes it even tougher to take. I’m with you in hoping this blip will soon be consigned to history and we can report better things on Tuesday.
    Keep drinking that water and let’s try to make today and tomorrow really count. We both know we can do this, we just need to find the motivation to stay focused and keep on keeping on. Best of luck CCathy

  • Marsie – I have been searching for real sauerkraut here in East Anglia but can only find the fake stuff. We are going to have a go at making some ourselves this week – it hopefully isn’t too difficult and should be a gut healthy way of adding a bit of variety to meals.

  • SunnyB – I too am feeling glum today. I weighed 140.6 on Thursday and today my weight is 143.0! It’s so demoralising! I didn’t drink much yesterday because I was performing but like you I am drinking a lot of water today. II don’t understand the science of weight gain or loss but when we are sticking to such a low calorie diet it’s not a good feeling to see such a gain. I was so hoping to break the 140 lb barrier this week! I haven’t lost any weight now for one month because I am up and down the same two pounds. Let’s hope we get through this blip and have some happier news on Tuesday.

  • I am almost at the end of my Sunday so ever closer to the end of our week. Apologies for not being much help along the way with this thread after joining in so willingly.

    I spoke earlier about Green St Kitchen’s delicious Sauerkraut. I’m also enjoying their Kimchi, the Korean version of fermented cabbage. Again, utterly delicious, with similar cal/carb numbers.
    Came home this evening after a day of eating while watching football with friends. Everyone brings a plate of something for the table and, while I had small serves, there were many serves and it was mostly BSD unfriendly. No dinner by choice for either OH or me but just now, 9pm-ish, I wanted something, anything, in my mouth. Not stomach hungry, mind you, but mouth hungry, just wanted to eat. Looking for control, tried water, not enough, so I had a couple of forkfuls of the kimchi. I think that will do it! Crunchy, with a chili bite. I know I’ve had something to eat but no overloading. Excellent!

    Oh, and Esnecca, thanks for the reminder about looking for properly fermented foods, not just cooked down or pasteurized. I’m sure about this boutique producer but equally sure you’re right to warn about the more mass produced product on supermarket shelves.

    And I’m with Verano …. more quotes welcome, SunnyB.

  • Having a doom and gloom day today, as the scales tell me I have gained 2.2lb in 2 days. Pretty certain that although I haven’t counted over the last couple of days, this is not a ‘real’ weight gain, but is more likely to be largely water retention, however, as I had been within 0.8lb of target weight again on Thursday, I’m still struggling to stay positive today.

    I’m making sure to up the fluid intake today, in the hope of seeing the bulk of the 2.2lb disappear rapidly, keeping upbeat is proving a big ask right now. Keep telling myself, I still have 11 weeks to my deadline to be maintaining at target weight, not helping much at the moment though.

    Sorry, whinging over! Hope everyone else is having a good w/e and will be reporting positive results at the end of the first week of the challenge.

  • Hey Verano

    From the online research I did, broccoli rabe is similar to tender stem broccoli, which we have in the UK. I actually have a fig tree in my garden (Somerset) and there are a few varieties of this tree which survive well in the UK. N.B. you don’t actually eat the leaf, but use it like banana leaf, to wrap food for cooking, whereas vine leaves are okay to eat of course.

    I’m struggling today, as the scales have told me I have gained 2.2lb in two days. Haven’t been counting for two days, but am confident that I haven’t consumed enough to have really made this gain in real weight. However, whilst on some level I recognise this is very unlikely to be a true gain and is most likely water retention, I’m still finding it tough to think positively today. So, I offer these quotes from the 101Thoughts and Affirmations to Create Positive Change by Michael Austin Jacobs:

    “Some people argue over whether ‘the glass’ is half empty, or half full. I say, just be thankful to have a glass with something in it.”

    “Anything you desire, can be attained through the correct thinking and direct action. It is a personal decision, that can only be made by YOU!”

    And finally an affirmation: “I release all negative thoughts that I have been holding onto, and in turn, let go of the negative energy associated with those thoughts.”

    Sorry, no foodie tips from me today, as I’m not quite in the right head space and am trying hard not to think about food right now.

  • posted by  KrysiaD on No such thing as an obesity crisis?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Mike – I agree that the message from this American Professor is misleading. Thank goodness I didn’t see this clip before I started the BSD as i might have been very confused and it might have stopped me starting the BSD. This would have resulted in me hurtling towards even more severe problems with diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema and neuropathy in my right foot.

    When I was diagnosed with diabetes my resting heart rate was 122. When I started the BSD it was 98. It has very very slowly dropped since starting BSD in May 2016 and is now 65. I am sure it will continue dropping.

    Even the American Professor must concede that the 3 stone weight loss has left me much healthier with diabetes in remission, diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema and neuropathy reversed and a resting heart rate much more in the normal range. Who knows what other good things are going on unseen inside my body.

  • I started to make an effort to lose weight in August 2015 after advice from a friend (a German GP rtd). My Hba1C was 72 and my blood glucose was nearly 9. My weight was just on 100Kg and my BMI was around 34. I am a retired engineer and a believer that data is my friend<G> so I approached the diet in a structured way. I measure my weight in the morning before I dress and in the evening after I undress and note the data. I have a spreadsheet that I keep up to date and, using this, I get an average weight for the week and plot this as a graph. My target has been to keep the weight reduction to around 1kg per month and I have managed to keep close to this. I bought the BSD book last year and started using the advice in it and I am progerssing well – a bit faster since I got the book – towards my goal of a BMI of 25 by Christmas (currently it looks as though I will do better than this).
    My weight today is 78.8kg and my last Hba1C was 44(June 2017) My blood glucose, which dropped quickly when I started the effort in 2015, is averaging 5.3. I am still taking 1 850g Metformin tablet a day (down from 2) and 1 glycoside tablet and I am wondering if this can be reduced.
    One unexpected result is the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) which is a measure of the state of the polymyalgia rheumatica I was diagnosed with in 2010. This has measured between 36 and 16 when the normal range is 2 – 10. To keep the symptoms at bay I take 10mg of steroid/day (prednisalone) this has many side effects including weight gain and suppression of the immune system.
    My last measure (June) was 9 and I am considering stopping or reducing the steroid. I plan to talk to my GP as soon as I can.
    Another unexpected result is my underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) measures in the June blood test would seem to indicate that I am now over treated and could reduce the thyroxine I take.
    I have also noticed that the LDL cholesterol measure is now in the good area for trhe first time although the HDL measure is a bit low (1.43).
    I always get a printout of my blood test results and keep them filed and I would recommend that everybody does this.
    I would welcome any feed back

    Mike

  • Thanks mixnmatch, that’s really encouraging! I guess I will just have to do it slowly. 130 seems to be the absolute bottom of the healthy range for me, so may adjust goal up to 135, which would allow for any extra weight loss while I navigate maintenance….
    I’ve started increasing my calories a little already to mitigate my electrolyte disorder and I’m still losing, so that makes sense.

    All still seems surreal to me. Wish I had done this years ago!

  • posted by  Hughsey34 on Weekly weigh in and target for the week
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Good afternoon lovely rowers!
    Yesterday went well I managed 820 calories and tried to stay less carby, but only did 6000 steps. I ate 2 boiled eggs for breakfast, huge salad for lunch and apple and then a count on us M&S meal that was 243 calories- I know ready meals aren’t ideal but I was super pushed for time and it seemed quite clean. Can’t believe how much you can eat! Feeling crap today though- very little energy and very grumpy ๐Ÿ˜ก going to make myself go for a shuffle jog in a bit tho. Your recipes sound delicious. I shall be watchingclosely and I’ve just bought ‘the clever guts diet! X

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on Starting in January 2017 – Anyone?
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    On Thursday this week I was really pleased to see that my weight was the lowest ever this year at 140.6 lb. However, despite upping my exercise and sticking to the plan as I wanted to get down to 139 lb for my Saturday weigh in, was 2lb up yesterday and today am up another pound up! I was performing in a concert yesterday and didn’t drink as much as usual and so appreciate the gain from yesterday but I just can’t seem to lose any weight at the moment. Today I weighed in at 143 lb! This trend has been going on for a month or so now. Can anybody advise me? I don’t want to eat less and I do fast regularly 16:8 and have done 22 hours to try with this persistent plateau. Today I am drinking water ๐Ÿ’ฆ and more water. Feel really disappointed that my plan to get in the 9s by 15th July didnt worked despite trying so hard! Will keep going. BMI gone up to 27! This is getting hard now!

  • posted by  NancyB on SERIOUSLY DOING THE FAST 800 AGAIN, JOIN ME
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Going to try the cabbage and pepper mackerel stirfry this evening – think it’s going to be v tasty!
    Managed to get my ‘walking head’ on yesterday, walked half hour last evening and half hour this morning. Determined to do at least two half-hour walks each day from now on. Looking forward to Tuesday evening weigh-in at WeightWatchers.
    I joined WW beginning of February when I started my first 8-week BSD so that I would have the discipline of a weekly weigh-in on very accurate scales.
    Nancy x

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on SERIOUSLY DOING THE FAST 800 AGAIN, JOIN ME
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all, MnM wish I could shrink away, still maintaining and BG 5.4. Did 40 mins in the pool yesterday and going in again right now. Better if I do 20 min stints as it is not so boring. How can I possibly complain with a pool right outside my door, familiarity I guess. Bought mutton for dinner, on the bone so going to very slow cook it and add some Moroccan spices served with cauli mash.

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

  • posted by  Mixnmatch on New life choice for determined alcoholic
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Lee, if you don’t mind me butting in I am living the BSD maintenance dream at the moment, and want to reassure you that it is possible. The only tricks you need are not to go back to your old eating habits, although occasional indulgences don’t hurt and you need to increase your calories gradually up to at least your calculated TDEE or even a little beyond it, and then get used to the portion sizes it allows. If you do it gradually you may even lose a little more doing this, I did and I increased my calories by a full 50 calories each day.

  • Hi all

    HRH Liz, welcome back to you and Kev. I’m so sorry about your mother. It adds to your burden but it will keep you strong. You are right, it’s time to look after yourself.

    The alcohol is really not an issue for me. I didn’t really enjoy the few drinks I had in Ireland, so I’m happy and confident that this is a permanent lifestyle change for me. My bandits are bread and junk food. They literally sing to me.

    I’m now just a max 12lbs away from maximum goal. I’m currently 142lbs and the max I want to drop to is 130lb. So I’m getting anxious about maintenance. The 800 plan is easy to follow. We know what we have to do and we know when we go wrong. I imagine I will have to log everything I eat for a long time to come. I’m worried if relax at all I will regress to carb hell. I will need your strength and support for months to come! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿค

    So, sat here enjoying my usual Sunday tv treat of “obese: a year to save my life” followed by the biggest loser with a cup of vanilla coffee with full cream milk. Waitrose are on the way and menus are being planned for the week. My back is still bad. Hoping to get back to swimming in the next week or so which will help it. So going to have a lazy day today. I figure I’ve earned it ๐Ÿคฃ

    I have an ultrasound of my stomach on Wednesday to try to get to the bottom of my electrolyte disorder. It’s at 5pm and I have to be nil by mouth for 5 hours before (and that includes water!) why they couldn’t schedule for the morning I don’t know but I know that’s gonna be hard to cope with as I’m still going through withdrawal following Ireland ๐Ÿ˜ฑ

    Also have my first review at the diabetic clinic tomorrow. I suspect that they will be anti bsd. So that will be an interesting consult.

    So, a full on week for me. Bring it on!!

    L ๐Ÿ˜˜

  • posted by  Canadaliz on New life choice for determined alcoholic
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Mum has settled and is doing the best we can expect. The doctor says that sadly there is not much anyone can do but rather ride out her life journey making the best of what we can. She is back taking meals in the dining room but largely uses a wheelchair with assistance. She is in good spirits but very very confused. It has certainly added to the battle of trying to get in shape.
    And you guys are right. Why is it that anyone that learns I’m trying to shift a few immediately launches into “well that diet sounds ridiculous” or “oh you’re one of the no carb brigade”. I show them results–weight loss and blood sugar stabilized. And throw in the odd “I’m sorry, remind me where you got your medical degree” snarks. I am learning that people do not like to see others succeed for some odd reason. Like the girl across the street, she went to Weight Watchers and lost 30lbs, then over the next year gained it back as she went back to old habits (wine was a big one and sweets). She told me I shouldn’t bother with this journey as it won’t last. I very pointedly told her that her experience was because she had failed to learn. What we are doing is a whole body life style adjustment. It is learning a new relationship with ourselves and what we can do to really love ourselves. Stuffing our gobs with biscuits or bottles of wine is not self-love. Taking time with ourselves, not over-extending ourselves–like women often do, and respecting our bodies. Like I said to my Kev when we were on the road, I’d hate to die and people say “she cared for everyone but herself.”
    I’m putting me first and it feels great. I have said “no” more times in the last month than ever before in my life and it feels wonderful! Sure I’ve had to distance myself from a few heavy drinking friends but that is a self-preservation move. Many of my friends have been absolute cows in their determination to sabotage my not drinking commitment so I’ve kicked them to the curb. This is about me. Period. One important thing I have learned is that it’s okay to put me first. I’m allowed.
    xo Elizabeth I

  • If you really want to have a break you can try 4 weeks or so on 5:2, using 800 for the fast days and your calculated TDEE for the non fast days (calculated TDEE of your target weight if you want to carry on losing more weight but slower). Many people have also continued on 800 until they reached target weights or just increased slightly to 1000-1200 for a period. If the weight loss slows too much then do another focused 8 weeks after that to get to the finish line, but don’t forget to increase calories gradually, if you don’t want to regain any weight.

  • posted by  greenjanet on Weekly weigh in and target for the week
    on in Welcome to the BSD
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    Morning Dnmore
    Bril work on the walk, I was the same when I started taking over walking the dog, and now I itch to get out there, even look forward to it ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜… yep converted I am.
    The fish recipe is page 126 in the large 8 week BSD recipe book A4 size book, I got it of amazon and it was a bargain, paid about 8.99 for it should have been 14.99. The recipe is a bit fiddly to get done, but well worth it very tasty.
    So your first week has had a slow start like mine, strange isn’t it second time around how it’s so much slower. There’s an incentive if you are on it for the first time keep going. My days are seeming to average about 1200/60, but I don’t want to be too pedantic about it. But I find a fish meal day always, make the lower totals easier to achieve.
    So of for a walk now, hope everyone has a good day.
    ๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿ™‹jan

  • Hi!

    After three knee operations my weight had crept up to 13st 3 (I’m 5ft 4) Despairing at my ever increasing girth I embarked on the BSD with little confidence but I have found it incredibly easy! I have had no problem sticking to the 800 calories / 50g carb a day and after 12 weeks have lost 2 stone. I need to lose another stone to return to a healthy BMI (and lose the remainder of my wobbly belly) but am concerned that I might need to take a break from the very low calorie diet. I am really nervous about upping my calorie intake and the effect it might have on my weight loss, has my base metabolic rate changed, do I need to introduce more calories gradually? I wondered if I increased my calories to 1200 would I still continue to lose weight or would I be more successful trying to 5:2 (I did attempt to follow the 5:2 a few years ago but found I didn’t lose much weight)? I am so happy with how everything has gone so far but am just a little unsure / nervous about where to go from here – I’d be really grateful if anyone has any advice / experiences to share
    Sas

  • Welcome back Liz. I bet “cheese sauce lady” is trying to lose weight the “conventional” way.

    Mary – I will sort out your son in law for you.

    Lee – People always have an opinion on how we should lose weight. It is as if as soon as I say “I am trying to shift some weight” it gives them permission to tell me where I am going wrong. I’d rather not picture him naked, I am just about to have my breakfast.

    Have a super Sunday all, I will do my daily report later.

    FFBB X