Hello Ladies!

I’m on day 2 although not my first time on BSD. I had a successful first round last year – August – September and although I’ve put weight on, I haven’t put all of it back on. I also had a round this year and averaged 950 calories and 60g of carbs – again put some on but not all.

I weighed in at 17st 3.9 yesterday and am hoping to see a 15 stone on the scales before the end of my 8 weeks. I’m hoping that we’ll have a holiday in October (after my son’s exams have finished) so provided I can keep motivated, I might even see a ’14’ on the scales. I’ve not seen that weight for over 8 years and I have some lovely skirts and dresses that I used to enjoy wearing.

I’m not working at the moment but I am looking for a job….although my attempts are very sporadic! Work always makes me pile on the weight so I’m tempted to wait and look for a job after my holiday. I’m so fed up with see a ’17’ or ’16’ on the scales and feel determined now to blast away a whole chunk of lard!

I’m also doing a Stepbet and a Dietbet challenge – I’ve never done them before and I’m finding they are really helpful in supporting new habits – especially the Stepbet.

I really need to go back and read MM’s book again just to refresh myself. And I need to have a look through what I was eating on my last BSDs. I do love the cabbage stir fry dishes on the Diet Doctors site. I make 3 portions and I am sure it tastes better the following day. I have also discovered courgetti and sprialised cucumber and carrot – they really do bump up the size of my meals and the carbs aren’t too bad. My other ‘go to’ is a packet of pork scratchings. They seem to hit the spot when I’ve got the munchies.

I’ve not tried the Thai fish cakes – I must dig out the recipe. I’ve got my Ocado order placed for tomorrow. I do find having nice food in the fridge really helpful and means I have no excuse to eat carbs.

Elaine x

Well done on resisting that cake and sticking to BSD foods, bigeater. We all have blips, slips and trips – we’re all human and life happens. The good thing is you were able to identify the problem and call a halt. Old habits do die hard, but you are on the way to defeating yours. Forgive yourself for erring and get back to the BSD proper as soon as you can, then I’m sure you will be surprised how little effect that problem day causes at your next weigh-in.
Good Luck!

Woohoo….a weight loss too!…. Result xx

You are most welcome Mary. 🍷

Forgot to mention, it is my weigh day and I have lost 3 lbs this week so in 3 weeks I have lost 11 lbs (7, 3, and 3) ☺☺☺😁😁😁

FFBB out X

I have found that just not THINKING so much about the diet can really help when I am just tired of following it very carefully — I take a mental break from it by not logging, not counting, not even thinking about it really and just follow a typical eating pattern from a regular dieting day (I am sure you have developed a “typical” day which works for you) which more or less keeps me on track but takes the pressure of THINKING about it off my mind for a bit. I also try to do some outdoor activity that is just for fun, not for EXERCISE — like gardening or bird watching —
The constant focus of the BSD is very intense and the calorie/carb counting can get demanding — even on maintenance I need some time to just “be”.
I always feel better after these mini-mental-breaks and it helps me refocus. I have found they sort themselves out and don’t result in weight gain, sometimes even a loss!
The kinds of weight losses we go through are very big changes for our minds and bodies — we have to give it all time to sink in. We are changing habits of fifty years.
I am so impressed by all of the people on this thread staying the course, even imperfectly, because there is no effort without error or imperfection. We are human and that means we are body and spirit living in this food-crazy world and just being here is a huge victory.

Have a lovely time FFBB. It does you good to relax about food and drink occasionally and you have already sorted out how much etc. Well done for being so focused.
Thank you for taking the ‘hit’ for us!

Mary xxx

Not classing today as a day in the BSD house as I am heading “off plan” later.

I am out tonight (flat warming party) and I will drink so I thought I would plan ahead.

1 bottle of wine MAXIMUM (take my own so I am in charge of my own pour, also take one as a gift) it will be watered down with sugar free lemonade and I have garlic chicken thighs to take so I don’t eat the inevitable crisps.

To offset this I will have a late breakfast tomorrow and skip the almonds.

This takes my July daily average to 798 calories.

I am treating this as a dress rehearsal for the rest of my life.

Tomorrow will be day 21 in the BSD house.

Have a fun Friday peeps, and don’t worry as I will kiss the bandits and answer the sirens’ calls for you all so that you don’t have too.

I know, I am so selfless!

FFBB X

Protein is averaging about 21g -max 22g and min 19g I think. Still feeling fine, in fact I got even lighter after I posted this morning (courtesy of a trip to the toilet 😁), down to a new low of 10 stone 8.0, exactly at the lower limit of my comfort zone, so really into the unknown tomorrow.

Ok, so a trip to the hairdressers has revived me. Sorry about my early post which really didn’t add anything of any use or value.

S-g that’s brilliant. Will you wait until next week to put your insulin down as well? Nothing nicer than new clothes to lift the spirits. At the end of the summer I’m going to have a good clear out of my clothes some of which are far too big. I’m reluctant to buy new now just in case they get too big as well …. I should be so lucky!!

Hi Nancy And good luck with your second 8 weeks.

Thank you for the encouragement theodaora your journey is very motivating you reached your goal and got under it. Amazing hipei can d that too.
Lost another two pounds so down four pounds this week. Yay
True about looking overall. Have to understand that occasions parties celebrating is important but then need to balance that with control on normal days.

Hi Mary, I also have an auto-immune disorder and am on daily steroids. I have been following BSD for 6 months now and have managed to lose 10kg. My doctor is impressed as she says losing weight while on Prednisone is hard. My pain and inflammation levels have greatly reduced since starting this WOE, fatigue has gone, I feel so much healthier, good luck – it sounds like you’re off to a great start 🙂

Dumptynm glad you’re in a good place at the moment and thank you so much for bringing this topic back up. I have re-read my very first post and in fact have read through the whole thread again.

I have just come back from the hairdressers and that always lifts me. So between the two I realise that I have always gone through periods of beating myself up because I’m not perfect … who is? Anyway the upshot is that I have reaffirmed my reasons for being here. My glass has to be half full so I have lost 20% of my original starting weight, bar a smidgeon, and have lost nearly a stone in the last 5 months. Not a staggering amount but a loss! Im still here eating no bread, pasta, rice or potatoes even though I am eating too much of the good stuff.

Jan, welcome back, and thank you. I think you are so right about loosing sight of what’s really going on. I think I’d like to turn your words on their head and ask …what do these foods do to enhance my life? Nothing!!!!

Guess we just have to try and keep our perspective on life and, as you say, keep on keeping on ….

Everyone is welcome NancyB. Just join in.

Hi everybody!!!
Joined this board in January – ‘Starting 31st January – anyone fancy joining me’. Completed my first 8-week BSD at end of March and lost 20lb. However the above thread has fizzled out completely. SO please can I join in with you?
I have started my second 8-week BSD on the 6th July and have lost 4.5lb in the first week. I am now 16st 2.5lb and technically pre-diabetic but with fasting blood sugar in the diabetic range. I recognise some of the user names on here from the earlier thread.
Keep going everybody!!!
Nancy x

Sorry guys I’ve been so busy at work. I’ve not managed the calories well this last week or so however I’ve stuck to the BSD principles which is a plus I guess.

My kids have come down with chickenpox this week as well so next few days could be interesting.

I’m also craving cucumber which is a nice change to the sugar cravings.

Hi Sunshine Girl, what you describe on your cruise is much more like what I am used to so this last one was quite a surprise. Still had fun, you can nearly always have fun. It ask depends on who you’re with and their attitude. We were on the Majestic Princess on its maiden voyage and it was so different from my experience on other lines, out of interest when we got home I looked up the reviews, some very unhappy people. Though sadly the happy ones usually don’t bother to review.

The one you’re doing in April sounds fabulous. That’s the kind of thing we have in mind, if it comes off. I’ll be interested to hear how you find it.

AhhDTNMore
We are like twins, strange that though how the weight came back on so slowly, it reached a point with me where I kept eating all the naughty stuff just to see what happened, WHY who knows, if I have a very good loss I get a bit blaze I think.
I do that with the freezer, I love curry, so I make a lovely Thai curry using one tin of coconut milk, so it makes four portions. I also agree that the calorie and carb counts in all the books are totally wrong, the no carb Bircher always made me laugh it’s got something like 23 carbs in it 😆😆😆
I always succeed best when I plan, and keep myself busy, which I am trying to do at the mo. Need to do a weeks menu plan today, and get all organised. I think I will have the Thai afish cakes for dinner, a bit fiddly, but well worth the effort, very tasty, they are in the big BSD book.
One blessing we moved here to Norfolk in Feb this year so our life is very different, as Saturdays after work were always a struggle for me, I could consume 1,000 s of cals in a very short space of time as I was so exhausted, I just ate crisps and sweeties until they came out my ears. But last sat eve I didn’t eat anything, didn’t want to way hey, revolutionary for moi.
Keep me posted how you are getting on. 🙋🙋🙋

Hi,

Well done Dolly! Sianee, you can get back on, but make sure your okay to do so. Hope your feet are on the mend. Just start a fresh.
Here comes the week end :O), I usually like a glass of White Wine with my dinner , but then I want to eat crisps ( my addiction), so I will have a glass of Red instead.
Having fish tonigh, Prawns, Sardines, Calimari, a wee bit more than usual, but its Friday lol.

Have a great weekend !!!

Ellen :O)

I forgot to say that I have ordered 2 new dresses in the John Lewis sale which will be here by next Friday. I might have to slim down to get into them as they are sized right for me but I find dresses difficult as I am top heavy. Will keep you posted.

I In! Loads of interesting posts and ideas. It’s so good to hear other ideas, and realise it’s not “one size fits all.
My aim will be 8lb..0ut of the 11s and into the 10stones, only just but what a boost it will be to see a 10 on the scales. Also will be a 4 stone loss!
I’m doing ok with basically eating in a 7 hour window . Approx 1pm till 7 or 8pm. I’m not feeling hungry at all and usually have to add cream to bump up the fat. Will see how I do in the next 4 weeks!

Hi Mariet, Our first cruise (well 2nd but we dont talk about Costa in the Far East!!!) and we decided on 7 days in the fjords of Norway. Went with P&O on their biggest ship (18 stories high with 3500 guests and 2500 crew) and it was fantastic, so many things to do I never got time to use the gym or the pool, yes it was warm enough. Okay there were lots of quizzes and dancing classes but we went to some interesting cookery demos and talks including one about serial killers given by a forensic psychologist who worked with Stuart Sutcliffe (Ripper), absolutely fascinating. We also went to the cinema a couple of times and saw film we would never have paid to see and found they were really good.

Our next cruise is also P&O in April going to Spain, Sicilly, Italy, Greek and Croatia then back down to Venice and Gibraltar. 17 nights but I think I am ready for that as I thought 7 days wasn’t quite enough and as we go from Southampton there are no airports, delays, long flights etc. We ate ‘freedom’ dining, same thing as you and met some very interesting people and never got stuck with the same crowd or the one you prefer to avoid, it also kept the conversation fresh. So glad you enjoyed yours.

One thing I like is you get to see so many new places and not get bored being in the same place, I dont like beach holidays but you can still go poolside or swim if you want to. Now I am back I am finding it very hard to get back into the swing but have ordered 2 dresses on-line which I might have to slim down to get into, we will see. Enjoy your next cruise when you decide where you are going.

Hi Verano.
I think aiming to loose weight long term on this plan is as difficult for peeps like me returning to the plan. I can see from your posts how fed up you are at the mo, one thing that has helped me is to look at the food I feel I am being denied, and really look at what is does to my body. For myself when I eat refined carbs, I feel toxic, exhausted beyond belief, and after a while my symptoms of S.L.E. return, which mean I don’t function. But I think for myself i just feel I am missing out on the ‘fun’, a bit like if you are home alone on a Saturday evening when all around you are socialising etc, left feeling a bit lonely and sorry for yourself.
So when I’m feeling determined I take time to really look at these things, so when I am feeling deflated like at the mo, because week one has been a very slow small loss, I check my mind, and it helps to prop me up.
We know from working long term on this plan that loss of control and unplanned eating is nothing to do with hunger, perhaps just a sense of missing out. So I ask myself what am I missing, it does work sometimes, but I have to stop myself to give my mind long enough to think these things through 😅😅😅
Just a suggestion, when we try so hard, for so long we loose sight sometimes of what’s really happening. But whatever happens we are all rowing the boat together.
Keep on keeping on. 🙋Jan

Good news is BG is right down again, which seriously shows I cannot be doing too bad on the diet. 4.3 on 21 units. Not good news, half a pound wobble again. Going to stop thinking about it for the weekend and re-focus on Tuesday.

It is Fete Nationale today (Bastille Day to Brits) so big celebrations all over France but we will be keeping it chez nous (at home) maybe a glass of champagne later.

MnM can you explain what a fast mimicking diet is, not sure.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Love that – rowing the boat together -and can I add – against the current – lol. I agree, the regain was slower and I didn’t regain all of it, thankfully.’ And I am definitely all or nothing! One little slip and I let it affect me for days. No more! I need to stop this.
Greenjanet, I have spent most of my life wanting to lose it all by yesterday. It’s taken a lot to be accepting of myself and just take it as it comes. Putting a time limit on it just makes me go the opposite way.
November last year, a family wedding was announced. I was 12stones 10 pounds ,having got down from 16 stones. Fast forward to today and wedding in 3 weeks and i weigh in today at 15 stones! I had intended to be at least 10 stones. See what I mean! So no more! One day at a time. No yesterday and no tomorrow.
I have that recipe book too – but the calories are way out for some recipes. Which is a bit ridiculous for what is meant to be a retricted calorie diet, IMHO. I have frozen a lot of cooked proteins, makes it easy to just haul out something and have with veggies or salad. I am no Nigella! or Delia! or anybody else for that matter. I know I will soon tire of that – will maybe adapt a few recipes then.
Oh, btw, My hair falls out lot too. For years, I could not put it down to any one cause. I used to say to my hairdresser, she should be charging me half price due to the sparcity! I think, for me, it a lack of vit D. I started taking this a while back and my hair is not too bad at the moment. I’m hoping this lastest change in diet doesn’t affect it.
But you sound upbeat! I’ll drink to that with a cup of green tea. All the best. I’m meeting up with friends tonight – another challenge eating wise! Sigh! 😀

Hi everybody – where are you all????
I’ve started another 8 week BSD on the 6th July and have started another thread: Starting today 6th July – anybody like to join me???
After six days I have lost 4.5lb which I’m pleased with.
Would love to hear how everyone is getting on.
Nancy x

Hi Narnea
Thinking of you camping – have a wonderful time away.
I’ve had a boozy couple of days, so cross with myself. Anyway don’t have any social invitations looming at the moment so I’ve got to be good and lay off the drink. I was weighed at Weightwatchers Tuesday evening and after 6 days I was 4.5lbs down, weighing 16st 2.5lb.
Wendy – how are you doing?
Nancy x

Ooh dear I haven’t set myself a goal for the start of week two. So my goal is to loose 2 kg, stick to 1000/50-60 and walk 10,000 steps. Also drink an extra litre of fizzy water with fresh lemon.
💃💃💃💃💃

Sorry for jumping in, but I just want ofer some support – I, too, am a cakelover Bigeater. That was so strong of you to say no. I know I could not have done that. I know when I am in ‘self destruct’ mode, my go to is cake deffo not BSD food. So, be kind to yourself and chalk it up as a success. Slow but sure wins the day (as I’m trying to convince myself).
Everhopefuldumpty

Hi DTNMore
Ooh lovely we can row the boat together, it is strange isn’t it second time around it’s so much slower, I lost three stone and put one back on, but the putting back on was very slow, it was almost like my body had forgotten how to put weight on. Hahaha it’s remembered now.
I have to admire your long term objective, I want all my lbs gone like yesterday 😅But I am aiming for my 60th at Christmas , 23 weeks 😱Sogot to loose just under 40 kilos, so at 1 kilo a week I would have a good crack at getting there. So that’s my plan, if I do more then great.
I’m an all or nothing person, and one slice of bread, would tip me over the edge, I suppose once I regain confidence again in my control of eating the right things, I can be less strict with my thinking. I have the large BSD recipe book, so I am going to pull out some tasty recipe ideas from that today, and also drink an extra litre of fizzy water with lemon, good vit c don’t want my hair dropping out again 😁.
Hope your weekend goes well, bye for now from sunny Norfolk 🌞🌞🌞

Hi Verano – sorry you’re struggling at the moment. Note – ‘at the moment.’ I think we go through phases of being strong then struggling a bit. I am trying to keep this in my head, motivated by you, I have to say, not that long ago. I’m in a good place right now- far from perfect, but I’m accepting of this.
Your story is very motivating, more so than those who ‘whoosh’ from A- Z. Of course, I’m happy for them, but I personally find stories of lower losses more encouraging. I lost almost 7 stones in 15 months in 2012 – it didn’t last and I put it all back on again. Lost a fair bit last year and regained a lot of it. So, I am a ‘tortoise’ now and happy about it. I hope the loss to permanent this way.
Best Wishes and keep going.
Everhopefuldumpty

Hi greenjanet – I am almost 59 and practically the sameweight as you. Like you, I had good success with BSD last year. I regained a lot. Restarted again same time a you – 1st July. Keeping to it immaculately but loss is much slower. We seem to have a lot in common!
I am content to see it go slowly as long as it goes! Everytime I see a pound go, I really hope I don’t see it flashing on the scale again! Chin up girl – we can and are going to do this! I have allowed 18 months which is when I become 60. I would love to be fit enough to trek the Grand Canyon then.

What I said to OH was this- ‘I am in this for the long haul. This is going to take at least 18 months. I cannot be perfect for 18 months.’

So -I have given myself permission to accommodate ‘problems’ and ‘life’ and then go back on the staright and narrow. Verano was very helpful in letting me realize this. Thanks Verano.

Best wishes greenjanet – I don’t post much but I was moved by your story – just showing my support
Everhopefuldumpty

Hi FFBB and KrysiaD

Thanks so much for your messages. Yes it was nice of my friend to say – don’t eat cake – you will be pleased you didn’t. And I am pleased I didn’t but can identify an “I don;t care attitude” that instils itself on the now rare occasions I overeat. . It is very important to seek help – I do. Just wanted to thank you for your support, tomorrow is another day and I will continue on the journey!

Hi everyone. Joes Nonna, Lee, FFBB and all doing so well and resisting temptation.

Today I decided not to diet at lunchtime as it was a bring a plate farewell for a retiring colleague. Ate bits and pieces with no guilt, did not necessarily enjoy all of them and felt very full very quickly, which is a new experience. Consequently now home and will probably not have any dinner.

I’m going to have to be very organised and disciplined over the next few weeks as I will be starting a jewellery course that goes for six weeks (Saturday only). I’ll be hopping in the truck on Friday afternoons after flying home and feeding the cat, then fanging down the highway to Sydney (4.5 hours).

Staying with friends and family will be lovely, but oh so tempting to have one or three glasses of wine, carbs etc. They are all generally supportive, but it could easily end up with two days a week of not very health eating. I’ll also have to make sure I have a health lunch with me for Saturday and snacks to keep me going on the trip home on the Saturday evening so that the siren call of McDonalds at Lithgow or Bathurst doesn’t get too loud.

And Sunday will be challenging as I will be tired so not in the mood to cook, shop or prep food in bulk. I’ll be hunting for easy food in the frig and that can so often mean cheese on toast.

But I will prevail. At least on the Saturday I will be in the workshop and probably moving around a bit more than usual. I also have no idea what sort of assignments we will have to do or when I will find time to do them. But I will. This is my transition to retirement as I will have to keep on earning at least a bit of a living, and the BSD is my transition to a healthier life.

And of course there is always a way to spend time not eating, and that is reading all the forum posts.

All the best lovelies for a fantastic weekend.

BTW, whoever developed the recipe for the cauliflower and capsicum soup is a genius. So amazingly easy and delicious. Will be a staple in the freezer along with the pea and mint soup.

Way to go Lee…..here’s a big CHEER !!

You are amazing, such control and you get results. Liz will be so pleased when she has time to visit the forum. I am guessing she is having a rest after her mammoth trek.

Take care.

Mary xxx

Well done you!! I’m going out for tea this afternoon so I have planned my eating for the day today, one apple and a bowl of tomato soup! I know I can do it with your support, its already helping, I’m gong to report a loss by Monday!! xx

Bigeater – what a good friend you have. Well done for only eating BSD foods. That’s exactly what I do when I either have a ‘using food as a crutch day’ or I just really feel I want to over eat.

I never feel it is a failure but think of it as doing the 5:2 for a week. It doesn’t unleash the carb monster or a massive guilt trip which made it so much easier to get back into the BSD when I was in the weight loss stage of the journey and to get back to maintenance now I am on maintenance. I am planning to do some overeating on holiday at the end of August – but will only overindulge on lovely BSD food.

FFBBs advice is really good.

Way to go Lee. Whoop Whoop.

Into every generation there is a woman born, she is destined to fight against the bandits and the sirens. She is The BSD-er!

💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

FFBB X

Fascinating Mnm. Will be really interesting to see how you ‘feel’ on this regime at the end of the week. How much protein are you averaging ?

My two days of ‘gay abandon’ including some exceptionally nice Australian Shiraz last night, have now shown up on the scales. Time to refocus, yet again, and keep in mind my goals from yesterday.

I know I need to be ‘serious’ but it’s just getting harder and harder to get back into the zone. Really not sure what to do to achieve that. Each day starts with good intentions but ends in disaster. I seem to have totally lost my way. Maybe I will just count carbs and forget the calories for a few days and see if that works. I’ve run out of other ideas.

Anyway, forget my doom and gloom, I hope you are all progressing well.

bigeater

At least you have realised that you were on a slippery slope. Tomorrow is another day and you will get back on the plan. Maybe you could chat to your friend about how you are feeling since they cake-blocked you.

Think about how far you have come and how well you have done……but if the anxiety and depression continue please see your GP.

Take care,

FFBB

Hi am amazed as despite yesterday i have lost 3 lbs since Monday 😊. Hope everyone is ok 👍

Weigh in for day 7 week 1
Lost 1.2 kg must admit I’m a bit disappointed, as my loss earlier in the week was 2 kg, I’m eating up to 1200 cals and eating averaging of 50-80 carbs, last time in this plan when I lost 3 st I stuck rigidly to 800/50 but at week 9 had enormous hair loss, so had to up my protein and vit c to counteract this, so have been reluctant this time to go so low in cals.
In view of how hard I work physically I’m amazed my loss isn’t more.
So I will do another week and then review, it’s funny last time my weight loss was very rapid 16 kg in 8 weeks, but now very slow, but a bit of a shock, but hey it is was it is.
So week ahead, make a weeks menu aim for 1000/50 and see how I go, will also start the exercises in the book, not that I don’t get enough exercise 🤣 But just to reinforce what I should be doing. Also continue with 10,000 steps a day.
So onwards and downwards 🤞

DAY 4 of 7

Yesterday went bottoms up for me. Started with all good intentions but ended with me enjoying, and I really did enjoy, some Australian Shiraz that I’ve not had for several months. I suppose it doesn’t harm now and again but now my last two days of ‘gay abandon’ have shown up on the scales this morning.

My tip for today is just to reiterate ….. eat mindfully and drink plenty of water. That’s mainly aimed at myself. I just need to get my head in the right place again and I will but my enthusiasm is not at its best just at the moment.

Hope you are all enjoying re-kindling the joy of BSD eating.

Hi all,
Ok day yesterday – kept to low carb and no snacking. I also spent several hours in the garden and as ours is about 1/2 acre and very steep, that made for a pretty good workout!
I also rediscovered alcohol-free beer 🍻🍻 – it doesn’t taste quite the same as the real thing but at 3g carbs and 24 cals in a bottle, it makes a good option on a hot afternoon.
If you haven’t read MM’s book ‘Clever Guts’, you should take a look – it’s like the final link in the chain – what I found really interesting is the way different people respond to different foods – some can eat chocolate with no really negative effects, others will get a massive sugar spike which will derail them, and this applies to a wide range of foods, even what we consider ‘healthy’ ones. Maybe this explains why we plateau, or have weight gain even when we have kept to the plan.
I used to do the 5:2, now I’m doing the BSD, and I am going to add in the Clever Guts advice – blimey – I might live forever 😉
SSB

life has been tough lately and i am depressed and anxious. not helping scales were up today and further not helping i consumed 3000 calories today. nearly went for cake but good friend talked me out of it. 3000 of bsd food. i really thought i had overcome the food as crutch syndrome but clearly not. i am hoping i will be in a better frame of mind tomorrow. old habits die hard it seems.

As I think is pretty plain from the various responses, it’s a case of different folk react in different ways – hardly surprising. I started the BSD in January and have kept to the general principles ever since – but I don’t find that the occasional lapse sees me feeling bloated, etc., as others have. I do lapse from time to time but the big, big difference is the amount of sugary things and other high carb things that I consume. Used to be that mid-morning snack was a Cappuccino and a couple of chocolate biscuits. Lunch (unless the weather was cold enough for soup and a roll) was a ham sandwich and either a cheese sandwich or cheese on Ryvita – the cheese was invariably Cheddar – and an apple. Nowadays the mid-morning snack is no more (although if feeling hungry I will have a small piece of Camembert) an lunch is a salad – oh, and porage for breakfast has been replaced by yoghurt and seeds/nuts, or occasionally a high protein breakfast – bacon, ham, egg, mushrooms (not all together!)
Overall, the diet has worked very well for me – weight down for 14-s (BMI 28 odd, forget the exact number) to 13-7 give or take a pound or two from day to day – BMI 24, and by blood sugar dropped from 75 in January to 40 this month.
So, overall, provided things are going in the right direction, don’t worry if your own experiences differ from those of others – we’re all different
Mike

I may be heading into new weight territory soon, after one day of the fasting mimicking diet and three days in total my weight is back down to 10 stone 8.6 pounds, which is only 0.4 pounds above the lowest weight I ever saw on my journey and 0.6 pounds above the lower limit of my self designated comfort zone. At 6.2 pounds in total, over the three days this must be water/glycogen obviously, and I will continue for the rest of the 5 days as I am doing this to explore health benefits, not specifically for weight loss. Slightly more tired than normal I think, I slept a little deeper than normal for the first three hours last night, but then woke up and slept lightly after that according to my tracker. Today is just a salad similar to yesterday, but bigger which I will split into two as that worked well yesterday. On the weekend my soup comes back and I may stir fry some of my vegetables for a change. So far still positive about the experience.

Wagons hitched, bandits and sirens slayed and I’m buzzing!

Funeral went as well as it could. Sad day but nice to see everyone. I got lots of compliments on the way I looked and questions on how i did it. I didn’t expand too much except to say low carb and that helped me stay on the straight and narrow food wise and I made it through the day on 933 cals.

I’ve also managed to lose my Ireland gain and some extra (3lbs + 1.6 loss) so I’m now 24lbs down from my start in May and not far away from being under 10 stone. Whoop!

Have a good day y’all!
L xx

Hi Linda, good to hear from you. The cruise was great, thoroughly enjoyed it but I don’t know that is choose it for a first ever cruise. 21 days is a long time, many sea days. That’s never been a problem before but this time (Princess cruise) there were not many ship activities organised which I found unusual and what there was seemed to cater for an older demographic. Ballroom dancing, string quartets and trivia. Also a first, the live bands played inside in the atrium instead of poolside which was disappointing.

I still had a great time, the friends I went with are smokers and there’s no doubt about it, you meet more people and more fun people in the smoking areas! In most public areas people tend to stay in their own groups but in the smoking areas they chat and you meet then frequently. They’re not all smokers you understand, often like me they are there with people who are. I’ve come home FB friends with several from US and UK and we are planning a Mediterranean cruise with some year after next.

This cruise was mainly couples and groups so not many cocktails with handsome dark mysterious men 😥

I had my fair share of cocktails without them though!

I adore cruising but for a first one I would go for a week or 10 days, with 7 or so ports that you’re interested in, and on another line! I found that Celebrity, Carnival and P&O have more things to do or watch if you don’t want to get involved and are more fun. Also a slightly younger and more varied passenger list.

We had Anytime dining and we’re willing to share a table so we met some great people at dinner which is always interesting.

About the ports- they were all fabulous apart from Xiamen in China and that was a combination of weather, 40degC and the ports being unaccustomed to receiving cruise ships so organisation wasn’t great. Loved Singapore,Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan; Vietnam was overwhelming, went to Ho Chi Min city and the crowds and traffic were terrifying! I’d love to go back on a land based holiday and see more of the country, maybe with Cambodia.

It was a fantastic holiday and a good mixture of relaxing and active. I’m very glad to have this week at home before I go back to work though. I don’t want to bore you but happy to tell you anything else you’d like to know.

I thought I’d put on 3kg but after 5 days, 2 of them have drifted away so all the walking and stairways I took must have stemmed the damage 😊

Now I’m back I’m looking for a dress to wear to my son’s wedding and that’s uphill work. It’s a Spring wedding 8 weeks away but all the formal dresses out now are dark and sombre winter ones. I’m tossing up leaving it a few weeks (anxiety in case I don’t find anything) or having one made from an Internet site. (But what if it doesn’t fit or is cheap& nasty! ) My mission today is to have another go around and if I don’t find anything I will bite the bullet and send off my measurements.

How are you going? Enjoying your summer I hope 🌞

1960SMO…..Ahh im so glad,it makes keeping track so easy! Good luck! 👍🏻🌸👍🏻🌸👍🏻🌸 xx

So good Mnm! I think that is so right!