Mermaid- I have been very strict and started my journey on 8th January this year. I am a slow loser and lost 17.5 lb in the first eight weeks. When I was at slimming world I didn’t lose that much in 8 months! One of the things I would suggest is not to compare your weight loss journey to anyone elses. I was often disappointed with my slow weeks and had many weeks when I didn’t lose anything on the scales but gradually the pounds have come off and it am still plodding slowly towards my goal. There are lots of helpful suggestions here on the forum and tons of encouragement. It won’t be long before eating the BSD way is a way of life. I have found it a little bit more challenging because I am a strict vegetarian and don’t have the same choices but it has worked for me and I feel great. I hope to lose another 10lb or so and hope that will be gone by September.

Wow, ClarinetCathy! That’s motivating!

How long did it take you to lose 33 lbs?

How strict were you with the diet?

One of the things that I noticed was that although the scales sometimes didn’t move for a couple of weeks, my clothes were looser. I seemed to lose a lot of fat without a noticeable difference at all on the scales. Even this morning whilst out shopping and after losing 33 lbs I noticed that my jeans were feeling really loose and yet the scales have not gone down all that much in the last couple of weeks. I am now wearing size 12 jeans (loose) and I started in size 16 (tight!). Won’t be long before I am having to buy size 10s! Can’t believe I’ve just typed that!

Hi Francy (better than fatinfrance!),
Yes, there are loads of people who say that they have plateau moments. Yes, Mixnmatch, I think stalls before the whoosh explains it well.

I notice every tiny budge of the scale as I weigh myself so often (yeah, yeah, I know I shouldn’t, but I do). What I notice is that the previous day’s foods can impact water retention, as can the previous day’s exercise. So the scale bobs up and down a bit.

I’ve suspected for years that weight loss really reflects what you ate in the previous 10 days. Everytime I go to the UK and gorge on cream slices and chocolate (droooll), I’m quite pleased to find that my weight has not altered much on my return. But, inevitably, it goes up the following week. So I think that we have to look at this longer term. A day might not change much, except for the effect of water retention (always happens with bread and salt in my case, plus foods I’m intolerant to).

Motivation in week 4 (just started) is good. I resisted all drinks and cakes at a do yesterday. I’ve become more adept at eating right, feel full most of the time, a just a wee bit smug at how my stomach is noticeably less jelly-like. I really need to learn to adpat to this long term, so I do things like counting out a handful of cashews onto a plate rather than mindlessly munching through the pack.

I particularly like some yummy recipes I’ve been trying out.

It’s early days yet. I guess we’ve all done a zillion diets, right? And it’s too easy to feel good until we faaaallllllllll!

It is wonderful to see a new group start — wishing you all great success!
So, good thing to keep in mind — you don’t have to be perfect to have success here — sometimes difficult days “just happen” but the BSD is very forgiving (as long as you forgive yourself!) and if you just jump right back on, you will barely notice the “bad day”.
This isn’t really a diet, and this will become more and more obvious as you move forward — this is a whole new way of looking at food and you are going to amaze yourself with your new point of view — and your body is going to start to be your friend, instead of your daily struggle. It sets you free!
I have mentioned this many times but if you want to better understand WHAT went wrong with your body I would get a copy of Gary Taubes book “Why We Get Fat And What To Do About It” — for me it was the perfect companion book to the BSD and once I started to truly UNDERSTAND what had gone wrong, I had a much better mental attitude. It is NOT “calories in, calories” out as we have been indoctrinated — it really matters WHAT kind of food you eat. So stay low carb, avoid all processed flour, sugar, high carb starchy vegetables and enjoy the new fats, great protein and healthy veg — heavy cream in your coffee, avocado, full fat grassmilk yogurts, olive oil, fish — as you move forward you can play around with some additional carbs and evaluate your own body’s response, but I think you will never go back! Good journeys!

I was informed that they can’t be called a plateau unless they are at least three weeks long, and that what we experience are ‘stalls’ before the whoosh. Some people don’t have them and lose more (but not absolutely) linearly, but most of us had these stalls and then multi pound falls in weight with a whoosh. It just seems to be way fat goes. As long as you are feeling okay, clothes are fitting better/getting looser and you are getting compliments then that should I hope be ample motivation to continue, after all weight is just a number, what we want is to get healthier really.

Hi Mermaid
There was a bit of a whoosh effect when I weighed myself this morning. Hope it stays off though as I had a few glasses of wine last night and the most delicious slice of bread. That is what I miss the most. What an international bunch we are! Portugal and the irresistible food available should make following this diet a bit easier.
Are these plateaus the norm? I feel a bit slimmer and everyone has been telling me how good I look at the moment, so something must be working. I didn’t take measurements at the start as I couldn’t find my tape measure, but I know that clothes are a bit looser. I guage it by which shorts I fit into. Short holiday in a couple of weeks. I hope I get some good weight loss for that.
Is week 3 harder? I am wondering about motivation after plateaus.

Pleased to report that 2.5lbs of my 4lb holiday gain has now whooshed into thin air, despite rather a nice (carb free) BBQ, and lots of wine yesterday. So I am now back to 3.5lbs under target, but have another BBQ with wine tonight so desperately hoping I don’t see another rise on the scales tomorrow😝 But life is to be lived, and as long as I can keep within a couple of pounds of target weight, I’ll be happy (she says, raising an ice cold glass of white to her lips as she types 😛)

Seasidenana, CCathy and Dreamscometrue, how lovely that you are all at a very similar stage and can continue your journey together – you’ll be crossing the finishing line and joining me in maintenance before you know it.😊

Hi, I just wanted to add my voice to this, as I’ve had the same experience (of lack of weight loss, not living in France and the irresistible Grand Frais… I live in N.Portugal, with irresistible everything)…
Week 1, lost a lot. Week 2, nothing, then suddenly woosh on the last day! Week 3 plateau again, but some centimetres gone… but overall I have been losing cms, so much that everyone notices. Skin is clearer and I have more energy…

Hi Mixnmatch,
Yes, may be muscle repair / water retention, as I’ve been pushing myself. I’ve only lost 4cm this week total (a bit each of various body zones), but it’s going in the right direction, I suppose.

I’ve overdone lunch today as I added roasted nuts to the spinach, which are very high calorie. Still within the carb range though.

O.M.G. I have just done 45 minutes of interval training.

2 mins marching on the spot…..

15 minutes resting…

3 mins marching on the spot

15 minutes resting….

Cup of tea…

3 minutes running for a wee….

5 minutes resting….

2 minutes marching on the spot….

That’s enough for today!

Hey bigeater! We all come unstuck some days! Just get back on and keep on keeping on!,
Hellyshear, just read your post, must have missed it before! You are doing awesome, size 22 to 14! Way to go !

Hi

My name is Catriona. You never need to call me fatinfrance again. I had to think of something quickly, thus the name. I am actually not that fat either, just larger than I want to be and probably in the overweight category. I find that living in the heart of the Perigord Noir quite difficult for dieting. My blood sugars have been checked at the local chemist and are borderline, so I thought it best to start the diet. Had a lapse last night at the night market in St Pompon. Easy to avoid the chips but not the wine. Great fun though. I know that this week will be difficult too. We have our village repas for Bastille Day. It is on the Thursday this year, I think as a mark of respect to those who were killed in Nice last year.
Maybe we should meet up at Grand Frais sometime…

Hello everyone! I’m starting the eating plan (yes, I’m trying not to call it a diet) and I wonder if people can suggest things that are good to have for breakfast and lunch. Both of these meals are likely to be ‘on the run’ and I certainly won’t be able to cook lunch due to the nature of my work. Ideally, I need to be able to take something with me that I can eat at work or take out with me if I have to dash out and deal with something urgent…which will be the case more often than not!

Please help! I don’t want to fall at the first hurdle. Thanks in advance x

I need to lose about the same amount! Count me in and good luck x

Well, I haven’t been ambushed by any “loose” carbs jumping out of the bushes and beelining for my unsuspecting open mouth.
However I have had a battle with my moods due to ptsd triggers. I have eaten more than usual and have drunk more than is wise on a weightloss regime for a diabetic. Fortunately I haven;t gained weight but I have to put the brakes on some fairly shabby behaviour.

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully will be a day when I can be really strict and determined again. Determined to lose weight for health and limit wine just because that is a bloody sensible thing to do. lol.

I have a habit of announcing new regimes which come unstuck. What I need to draw upon is some good old fashioned willpower.

Verano has loads of it – apart from a tussle with some outlaw digestives a while back. Go Verano!

Best to everyone. This forum is a great help to me. Thanks

Thanks fir the advice, sunshine-girl. Will focus on keeping to my resolve.

I’m not diabetic either but have lost and gained the same 10 pounds too many times over the past 5 years! I need to lose that and a whole lot more. I’m on day 4 and, hopefully this will encourage you, I’ve not felt hungry, it seems impossible on 800 calories, but I suppose it really must be down to what you eat. I’ve also been drinking LOADS of water, I’m quite thirsty and it keeps you full. I weighed myself this morning and I’ve lost 6 pounds. In just 3 days! It’s all wee, I’m sure lol.

Lucky Linda I laughed when I read your post! Poor boobs, I know how you feel. I’m still keeping on keeping on and believing I can do this! I’ll update on Tuesday when it’s the last day of the “June/etc.etc.” 4 week challenge.
Hope everybody is doing ok and finding it easier to live with this diet as time goes by!
Ann xx

Thanks, I’m on day 4 now and still surprised at not being hungry, seems impossible on 800 calories!! I think my biggest problem is going to be keeping it interesting, although the food has tasted nice it’s not like eating carbs. And no snacking seems a gloomy future. I just keep reminding myself it’s only 8 weeks and then I can relax a bit. Although, if it really works, by then, I might not want to.
I’ve been drinking loads, I expect I’ll have lost quite a bit of weight in water this week!!

Well today is Sunday. I have kept to around 800 calories each day. I haven’t had any of Satan’s Grape Juice and have become aware of how effing boring my life is. So far this week, I have babysat on Monday and Wednesday (Tuesday grocery shopping), Thursday both daughters and their offspring visited.
Spent Friday and most of Saturday investigating holidays or short breaks, . I am very fussy about where I go and what amenities are available (irritable bowel syndrome). Actually got off my big fat arse and exercised too! Meanwhile have been running to the loo frequently. Today I hung out the washing and, because I was not wearing a bra, ended up with two HUGE wet marks on my t shirt under my flabby boobs. I am not feeling any lighter, but that doesn’t worry me as I know it’s a marathon not a sprint.
The week ahead begins with babysitting duties again (love my grandchildren so much, so it isn’t a chore really), one year old’s birthday on Tuesday (Granddaughter), 33 year old’s birthday on Wednesday (daughter)….no idea then until Saturday when everyone arrives here for a meal to celebrate, 33 year old and 36 year old’s (other daughter) birthdays which are 4 days apart. Fast forward to 29th which is my 39th wedding anniversary, and that is my life.
Not a lot to it.
Lee I envy you visiting the lovely Emerald Isle, I haven’t been for 43 years!
I hope you are all well. Take care.
Mary xxx

Well done topcac! A high mighty high five to you! You found that elusive, and sometimes, fleeting, willpower!
You can do it!
I find advoiding alcohol sooooo much easier than just having one. I seem completely unable to have just “the one”!
Unfortunately, like most things, I’m finding out I’m an all or nothing kinda girl!! ( not a girl now either, too old, booo!)

In America the sauces etc may well have a lot of sugar added but if you ask for them “on the side” then you can control how much you have.

Perhaps not the best place for intimate details but my nephew was conceived by sperm donor (via NHS) NOT using IVF – this was cheaper then IVF, if you want to we could get in touch off group and I could give you al the details….. Personally I have always conceived more quickly with a lower BMI.

I have been off the wagon really badly the last couple of weeks – drank nearly a whole bottle of wine yesterday. It is the emotional/stress things that derail me. Will try to carve out some calm space in the next couple of weeks….

Hi fatinfrance, I do so hate calling you that, think I will call you notsofatinfrance. We live in a little village called Le Fleix on the river Dordogne between Bergerac and Ste Foy la Grande. Been here 12 years and love it. The trick with Grand Frais is that their bags are so big you dont realise how much you are buying. I have a trick to just take in one shopping bag but still end up buying too much.

thanks sunshine-girl…i hear you…i did best in keto and might do the 8 weeks again as i have more weight to lose. My hands also found out that bread is not good for them as my arthritis has got worse since introducing bread…ouch…
yes…i will keep on going…and thank you for your very first comment to me…it did calm me down lol

Hi everyone, happy Sunday. Thanks Julia, but I am not sickening for anything, the reason for BG rise was a cut in insulin which I promptly put back up. However, I panic when I see BG go up and I think I reacted too quickly and didn’t give my body a chance to adjust. Saw 5.5 then 6.2 so increased insulin by one unit back to original and now BG is down to 4.2. Being me and meddling with the meds I put it back down again last night and I am still at 4.2 so fingers crossed, I am sticking with 22 units from now on.

Julia, your holiday sounds more like a trek than relaxing. I know what you mean about having somewhere to run. We stayed in a lovely coastal village near Alicante at Easter and there was a beautiful long (about 5km) promenade. I dont run but my daughter does and it was just perfect.

Well done again to V. My weight is stuck and I have so far lost 2.5 lbs in nearly 5 weeks. Okay I have my excuses, insulin, the fact that I am long term on this diet so cant expect to lose big numbers, but the truth is I cannot resist a couple of glasses of wine at the weekend. I cant see anything wrong in that except it does highjack my weight loss but, hey ho, I have to live my life.

Did 25 mins in the pool yesterday morning but my evening swim was put off by dark clouds and a storm brewing and today it is dark and stormy. That is the problem with living in hot weather, you have to have storms to break the heat tension and boy do we get some beauties.

Hope the rest of your weekend goes well, take care.

thanks joes for your comments…ive really enjoyed the 8 weeks as it has shown and taught me lots. All the best to you also

So pleased for you Sandra, the journey doesn’t have to stop here. I have been following the plan, more or less but no carbs, for just over a year. My first HbA1c was 11.4 so close to your results and my last one was 5.4. I inject insulin every night so do not consider myself free of diabetes but my aim over the next year is to be completely free of the needles and other meds.

You know what I am going to say. Yes, keep on keeping on…

Hi Sandra,

I just wanted to say you are an inspiration. Well done for working so hard to improve your health. This forum is such a help to everyone. Great to hear your wonderful story.

Joes Nonna.
xxx

Oh oh! I tried editing my post and now it’s gone! I’ve tried pasting and reposting it from the previous window and IT doesn’t like that. 😕

Me, organised? :O
Actually now you mention it, I do seem to have recovered some ability to organise and record.
5 months ago, I could barely make a single course meal once a day, and even that would end up burnt if I didn’t have anyone around to keep me on track.
Now I am making spreadsheets again, revising HTML and learning CSS, remembering what I’ve done and eaten in the last 24 hours, and even managing to record some of it, even starting to make meal plans! I’ve even made an inroad into the bomb-site that is my house, but actually that started some weeks ago.
I doubt that I will ever be properly organised, (I have ADHD), but it’s a great feeling to think that I have effectively wound the clock back 20 years!

I don’t think I was worried about muscle loss per se, more about the general ‘What’s going to happen when I run out of glycogen?’, having had bad experiences previously.
I suspect that those that suffer muscle loss without other symptoms of protein deficiency actually had more muscle than was strictly necessary, plus not eating enough decent food. After all, muscle uses a lot of energy even when it’s not used, so if food is short and you have more muscle that you are really using, then it makes sense that the body would reduce muscle, not only for it’s calorific value, but to prevent the additional use of energy. I am not in any of those categories.

I think getting back into clothes that had gotten too tight is the best test. Tape measures can slip, and inches can go up and down with a meal or de/hydration. I have a beautiful skirt from about 20 years ago, that I stopped being able to get into shortly after I bought it. When I can wear that again, I will be on cloud nine. 🙂

I realised from the disproportionate amount of weight gained (from a portion of chips), combined with it’s easy loss that it was being turned into glycogen, not going to body fat, but I still think it’s a sign to cut down on loose carbs. I’m sure I get enough from the rest of the food I eat. Even my protein shakes have some carbs.

The tiredness may not be related to a metabolism issue at all, it is possible that my brain is working well enough now, to tell me to get the sleep that I ought to be getting, and merely responding normally to unusual levels of exertion.

Thanks, both of you, for your support and encouragement. I have stopped worrying. 🙂

Hi 2chinjoe, I dont know that any blood tests need doing. I think the part in the book about having so many tests done is unrealistic as doctors dont had out tests on a whim. However, you already have conditions that mean you are tested and as your last test was only 2 months ago you should use that as your base.

Although I note you are using this diet as a weight loss plan and not for medical conditions, you will find an improvement in your results but dont stop any medication. My cholesterol has gone from 6.4 to 3.5 ish and my bp is down from 140/80 to 120/70 but my doctor insists I stick with my meds for both. As a diabetic, I have been able to reduce that medication in line with BG severely reducing and continuing on the original doses would be dangerous. See how you go with the weight first and then worry about what the diet does to the rest of your body – or should I say dont worry. Everything will improve in line with the weight loss.

Me, organised? :O
Actually now you mention it, I do seem to have recovered some ability to organise and record.
5 months ago, I could barely make a single course meal once a day, and even that would end up burnt if I didn’t have anyone around to keep me on track.
Now I am making spreadsheets again, revising HTML and learning CSS, remembering what I’ve done and eaten in the last 24 hours, and even managing to record some of it, even starting to make meal plans! I’ve even made an inroad into the bomb-site that is my house, but actually that started some weeks ago.
I doubt that I will ever be properly organised, (I have ADHD), but it’s a great feeling to think that I have effectively wound the clock back 20 years!

I don’t think I was worried about muscle loss per se, more about the general ‘What’s going to happen when I run out of glycogen?’, having had bad experiences previously.
I suspect that those that suffer muscle loss without other symptoms of protein deficiency actually had more muscle than was strictly necessary, plus not eating enough decent food. After all, muscle uses a lot of energy even when it’s not used, so if food is short and you have more muscle that you are really using, then it makes sense that the body would reduce muscle, not only for it’s calorific value, but to prevent the additional use of energy. I am not in any of those categories.

I think getting back into clothes that had gotten too tight is the best test. Tape measures can slip, and inches can go up and down with a meal or de/hydration. I have a beautiful skirt from about 20 years ago, that I stopped being able to get into shortly after I bought it. When I can wear that again, I will be on cloud nine. 🙂

I realised from the disproportionate amount of weight gained (from a portion of chips), combined with it’s easy loss that it was being turned into glycogen, not going to body fat, but I still think it’s a sign to cut down on loose carbs. I’m sure I get enough from the rest of the food I eat. Even my protein shakes have some carbs.

The tiredness may not be related to a metabolism issue at all, it is possible that my brain is working well enough now, to tell me to get the sleep that I ought to be getting, and merely responding normally to unusual levels of exertion.

Thanks, both of you, for your support and encouragement. I have stopped worrying. 🙂

Hello,
I’m looking to start BSD 800 at the end of July. I take medication for HBP and HC so have blood tests routinely, though not done any in last two months. Are the baseline blood tests recommended a must at the start the diet or can they be done later and using old results as reference? I’m just wondering whether I’ll be able to do the tests before the end of the month as it may be difficult to get a GP appointment in time. Any advice?
thanks

Hi everyone…8 weeks ago I coud not see woods for the trees but my recent Hba1c results has greatly improved. Where I go from here is my next journey and by end of September I plan to sharpen my insulin sensitivity even more.
Thanks to sunshinegirl and others who gave me support and encouragement from day 1 when my FBSR was 11.6 etc
Happy journey to you all
Its been a great 8 weeks for me
https://youtu.be/J1qx3EqQHI8

Ha! Nearly had cardiac arrest this morning! Went to update mfp only to see I consumed 12000 calories yesterday. Wtf? 😱😳

Phew, it was just the ap going mental and adding everything 5 times! Back to a respectable holiday value of 1500, though it was 2200 the day before…

My cousins think I have an eating disorder or that I have a serious illness I haven’t told them about. It’s exhausting as they keep trying to feed me up!

Hopefully I shall have a better day today calorie wise. Wearing my new tight jeans to keep me on track!! Off to the Galway v Roscommon Gaelic football final today, so that’s going to be a tough one….

Welcome newbies. Will post proper welcomes when I’m back home.

L xxx

Thanks Mary,

It is a lovely place to live……when it doesn’t flood!

Hi Pollygarter, and welcome.

FFBB

Glad to hear that things are going well for you Kate. Nearly halfway! 🙂

It would take. Big plate of chips to make you gain actual fat weight (if you accept the 3,500 cals = 1lb). Your weight gains is mainly down to the water retained to deal with them. Eating protein and fats are both satiating, hence the no need to snack.

Feeling tired/hitting a wall can be a sign of your body switching from carb burning to fat burning and can be separate to the carb flu. It can take some time for this to be seamless but once it happens, as long as there’s no carbs to use first, your body will use fat without any outward signs. My weekend runs are done fasted, 10 miles this morning on a glass of water. I don’t run fast so at some point I must have been burning fat as the glycogen would have been used – and I was relatively low carb yesterday. Completed the run with no problems. Eating a balance of high fat, med protein, low carb is enough to keep most people away from burning muscle – maybe your metabolism is just a bit more sensitive than most? And if , after losing your weight (in the past, or in the future) you return to old habits, then you will not keep the weight off.

Morning Sunshine -Girl, Verano, Sumo, Mixnmatch et al. Seem to have lost several days of posts via email – had thought things had gone quiet but maybe I unsubscribed myself in error. Glad to catch up with you all. S-g you seem to have had a few trials with sugar levels but the way you keep plugging away at this is so inspirational. Could you be hatching a cold or something? That’s often the reason for raised sugar levels when there’s no obvious food cause.
Verano – glad the weight came off fast. I am enjoying my holiday but really finding it difficult to stay low carb when we are out and about. The house is woefully ill equipped – note to self, bring a couple of plastic boxes next time – and it is so hot that meat is totally ruled out. Today I am taking some tomatoes with me and will try to buy some cheese when out. The family seems to want to stop at the bakeries each time which is no good for me. Still I am avoiding the bread although a few too many servings of icecream (it was 38 degrees Thursday and Friday and not a breath of a breeze, so unused to that after 15 years back in the UK ).
I think I may weigh myself a week after coming back from holiday having got straight back to strict 800 on my return. Might be less demoralising than seeing the big increase others report after holidays which seems to be largely water.
After 2 runs the 1st 2 days when we were at a hotel we then moved to a house on a main road between a village and a town. This past week it has been impossible to run – the cars zip past on a narrow road with no verge or pavement (walls both sides) and the pool here is so tiny I can on do 2 strokes before hitting the other end. Looking forward to moving tomorrow to a house on the coast tomorrow for our last 5 days where I know there is a promenade to run along. I know BSD is 80% diet not exercise but I feel so sluggish! On the plus side I have enjoyed relaxing and having time to think, and re-evaluating why I am doing this. Am 100% determined to get the excess weight off to avoid the type 2 diabetes so prevalent in the family.
Have a good Sunday everyone.

The easiest way to tell if body fat is going is to use the good old measuring tape. Measure any areas of concern, especially the waist for the visceral fat, and track the measurements weekly. I was never organised enough to do this, but you sound as though you should be 😀 I used the simple test of fitting into smaller and smaller clothes, picked up cheaply as ‘test’ items and kept in a box in my wardrobe.

The article opened for me – lots of interesting info LindaA.

I have used quark a few times, but tend to prefer the higher fat cream cheeses. I have some goat milk curd at the moment that is beautifully spreadable and very tasty.

It feels strange to a lot of us that you need to increase your dietary fat to lose body fat, but it does make sense when you think about the whole process of fat storage and release.

Thanks folks, I think I’m beginning to get a handle on it now.
As my weight had been stable for some time, my glycogen stores would have been full when I finally managed to cut down to 800.
This means that the weight I have lost over the last few days is not likely to be muscle mass.

There is no way of knowing if I have lost any body fat yet, but , as I haven’t been eating significant quantities of carbohydrate for some time now, my body must be using something else for energy, and be used to it as well. Hopefully it’s been using the extra fat that I’ve been eating rather than the protein, but either is possible.

(I wrote the above on the 7/7 but didn’t finish what I wanted to write so didn’t post it. I can’t remember, now, what else I wanted to say tho’ :S )

I don’t think I am fat adjusted, despite not eating much carbs at all for a long time now.
Yesterday, I had a fruit smoothie at lunchtime, (naughty, I know, but I figured I needed some vitaminC and roughage), so lots of carbs, but I didn’t get tired in the afternoon . . . It might have been the vitC that woke me up (if I have fruit or vitC in the evenings, my sleep is more broken), but I suspect that carbs were involved too, or rather the lack of carbs caused my intense sleepiness in the days before.

The day before that I didn’t manage to get to 500, but I did manage to keep to 800, and lost a bit more weight, but yesterday’s carbs have stopped that. I haven’t gained either, so not too bad a slip over all. 🙂
I will try and have one piece of fruit or a small glass of juice for breakfast regularly after this, for the vitaminC, and keep better track of my carbs too. My spreadsheet is getting a bit big tho 😀

Back to my concerns about muscle loss and not being fat adjusted though:
For energy, in theory, everything, fats, carbs and even protein, can be used as a source of Acetyl(?) CoA, and can be built all the way back up again to glycogen, or fat, but not protein.
Not being able to remake protein/amino acids from Acetyl CoA is normal, but the rest should happen. In a lot of us though, it seems that the ability to break down fats is not nearly as good as it ought to be. Clearly we use carbs for energy before anything else, so as long as there is an excess of carbs around, fat doesn’t get broken down (not counting digestion) for energy, so we have to cut down on carbs to get our bodies to use fat instead, but even then, we use up glycogen before fat. This part also seems to happen fairly smoothly (although for me personally this time, it seems to have involved a lot of need for sleep :S ). Why though, do we so often hit a brick wall when it comes to breaking down fat?

Eating a fair amount of fat and protein ensures that we don’t start breaking down our muscles for energy, and in fact I know from years of experience that my brain will be deprived of adequate levels of neurotransmitters long before I lose any noticeable amount of muscle, so really for me at least, the loss of muscle mass is a definite myth. I guess what I am really afraid of is protein deficit, but, again, eating sufficient protein should keep my neurotransmitters from being depleted.

And now I’m getting to the root of what is really worrying me. If protein is also broken down preferentially to fat, and even protein deficit doesn’t make me switch to breaking down fat, what on earth will?

Comparison time:
Previous times: not enough protein, so feeling low anyway, cutting down on everything, generally, I lost a few pounds then hit a brick wall and it became really hard to balance still losing weight without going into starvation mode, and I never managed to keep the weight I had lost off for more than a month or so. At least once, I did manage to lose about a stone, but despite my weight having been stable for a long time previously, I still put it all back on again. ‘Normal food’ if I take my eye of the scales, makes me put on weight. Back then, I wasn’t eating enough protein.
This time: Adequate protein. Weight has been stable, with scale watching, as before. Having cut down on carbs though, and some fat along with it as I cut out cakes and biscuits (because I found that with the increased protein I didn’t need anything like as much calories as before), I noticed that when I eat a normal portion of carbs e.g. chips, whoosh goes my weight. Obviously carbs need to go. I have managed to lose it again in a couple of days each time though. Since going high protein, and finding I have to eat at least two eggs or a (tiny) scoop of inisotol to sleep through the night, I just don’t get the munchies any more, and that actually it’s REALLY easy, not to eat more than absolutely needed. I don’t really need to look at the scales to keep me from eating more, I’m just not hungry enough to eat too much. I just need to keep away from loose carbs. Even on 800 calories, I’m not missing food, and even yesterday’s carb binge, still around 800 total, hasn’t put my weight up, so there is every chance that I won’t put back on any of what I’ve lost these last few days. I’ll keep up with my spreadsheet to be sure of getting enough protein without going over 800cals, but it’s just a little mental effort, no will power needed whatsoever. It works! even without fussing over precise amounts of carbs and fat.
I just need to tinker with meal plans so as to cut out the protein shakes, and get my vitamins and roughage on a daily basis, but still be a simple daily routine.

Can I join you on Monday too!
I have done it before, but have slowly slipped into bad habits again. Don’t know if I’m pre diabetic but probably am. I want to do it to lose a bit of weight but to be healthier too. As I get older good health has come more into focus.

Key thought this lovely morning
Does anyone eat Quark?? Don’t think I have seen in mentioned in any of the forums
It is lower in calories that Greek yog and low in fat but high in protein so I have used to reduce calories
of Greek yoghurt especially right at the beginning when appetite bigger. I also a savoury cheesecake with feta with it which was ok.

So 1.5lb off for me , 4.5 to go. Ok with that considering really busy week involving distressingly hot commuting.
Makes me feel very sorry for myself and that emotion drives me to treat myself which is either food and or booze or both.
Cold soda water sometimes cuts it, but not always.
Thjs week actively increased fat intake, bought whipping cream and used for cold coffee, ( whipped up in whizzer gadget – tastes like my favourite coffee chain frozen latte,) and then used to make a rhubarb fool. Rhubarb zapped in microwave 2 mins, sweetener , 2 tbls cream with 1tbls Greek yog whipped , then to give a boost I add 1/2 teaspoon citrus mixed peel, this just gives a orangery pop as you eat,. Without peel I calculated at about 170kcal.
Can’t find calories for mixed peel but I also use mixed up with cocoa nibs with yoghurt . I know they are loaded with a sugary syrup but use tiny amount and gives me a chocolate orange hit. These small treats have allowed me to keep going over 9 months and I eat when on the 5 bit of the 5:2.

It still feels strange to me that you increase your fat and your weight goes down.
Strict 800 day today and a Davina workout better get on with that before gets too hot.
NN

Well day 3, and feeling wonderful, brimming with energy, I can feel all my little mitochondria, just popping with wonderful nutrients. For the first time for weeks I slept all night with no bad dreams. Mind you that was instigated I think by working in the garden and walking 11,000 steps. I was able to work until 9 yesterday, felt so full of energy I didn’t want to stop.
So day 1 1,200 cals 83 carbs. Yesterday 1095 cals. And 68 carbs and weight down .7 of a kilo, so Bril I feel I’m back on track, and hopefully this time I will have a clear few weeks, to apply my attention to this, then I know the feelings of wellness, energy and positivity will override any backslides into carb hell, with the, in the words of Yowser, ” where the carb monster chases you down the road, ” in order to eat endlessly rubbish nutrients so true Yowser a monster it sure is.
Happy days. 🌞🌞🌞

Hi
I am only an hour south east of Bergerac. I live near a village called St Pompon. I come into Bergerac often, mainly to pick up from the airport. Where are you?

I also cannot resist Grand Frais.

Have you been checking your measurements? Maybe you are hoarding water for some biological reason like muscle repair and will have a whoosh moment in the next few days when the work is complete.

Linda, the article didn’t open… what was it about? Not SPAM, I hope!

Pollygarter, I love the feeling of grass underfoot! Yes, I’m definitely feeling more alive! More energetic!

Weight loss has stalled again. I’ve done masses of exercise, been drinking water, sleeping right. Calories have been on the high side, on average 871 per day, 57g carbs, but with the amount I’ve been running/walking, I should have lost at least 1,5kg! I suspect it’s the small quantities of fruit I’ve been having… despite being in the diet… which increases the insulin response.

Anyone have this problem?

It must be really difficult s-g for you to find the right balance. I guess it’s very much a case of trial and error.

Yesterday I chose to have a slice of bread, just my second in over a year. It was a good rye bread from a local bakery. Did I enjoy it? Mmmm well on the one hand yes but probably because it was toasted and spread with butter. On the other hand it was a bit stodgy and gave me that feeling of indigestion. I’m certainly not converted back to bread. I then started to think of my carbs so two hours later took my BS and it was 5.7 very much to my surprise. For a moment I’d forgotten why I no longer eat carbs. It could have been worse it could have been a white slice!

Anyway the upshot is that I have a gain this morning of 0.8lb. Must be water attracted by the carbs.

The good news was that we were out last night and I had olives as a starter, Bretton chicken and salad as a main and only sparkling water to drink. Did have a cappuccino though but then life needs the odd indulgence.

So still two days of week 5 and my 8 days challenge left so will really make them count.

Have a good day.