Potatoes were one of the first things I added back and have had no issues, but have tended to keep portions quite small. I haven’t been even tempted to go back to piling my plate with them, just use them to increase the diversity on my plate, which is still largely full of other vegetables.

I intend to stick with the eating after 8 weeks, to a degree, I intend to start adding in this like new potatoes. Of course, well see how I feel then, my tastes may well have changed. I’m not convinced it would be healthy to carry on this way though I’ll be honest.

Day 3 of my reboot dawns and I am back to exactly on target at 10 stone 11.0. So 3.8 pounds off in two days, must definitely be water or glycogen in the main. My soup is made, I added a little horseradish too as I think kale soup can be too bland, and one chilli pepper, good for Sirt as well as tasty. The salad is mostly measured out, but may need some tweaking later. I will have the soup at work and the salad for an evening meal. Same menu most days, the soup I already made will do three of the five, the other two days I may split the salad in two or have a salad plus a stir fry. Feeling quite excited but not hungry despite two back to back ‘BSD fast’ days. Very interested to see what effect the drop in protein has.

Is anyone else suffering with a dry tongue? I’ve only been doing the diet a week, but for the past few days I’ve had a dry tongue. I’ve been drinking loads of water and if I drink any more I’ll have to set up permanent residence in the toilet! It’s not painful but it’s annoying and not that pleasant. Any suggestions?
Btw, first weigh in today and I’ve lost 9 pounds, no wonder I’m drying up!!

Hey Mariet – the cruise sounded fabulous dahling – lots to do and indulge in – and hey thats what life is about – having good times but being healthy to enjoy it. I’m like you skin floppin’ everywhere due south. I do mind about it but and its a big but – I like the way I feel and the fact that more in these last few months than in the last few years is the bonus. I’ve been reading about it and it can take two years for skin to catch up to sudden weight loss and sadly may never catch up – but I live in hope 🙂 So… would you recommend cruise – what were the offshore tours like – did you get enough time to see the sites? My vision is a cocktail in one hand and a tall handsome stranger in the other hahaha – well atleast the cocktail anyway!

Thank you so much DUMPTYNOMORE X and well done on climbing back on yr horse,clippety clop!
Youve successfully lost before and you can do it again x i know those times of physical/ mental fatigue with the whole weightloss caboodle but dont let it sabotage you..find something that gives you a lift or a little reward to help you over the phase,be kind to yrself,just dont make it carb related! 😉😉😉 xx

Hi all, I’m back in again for another 4 weeks. The challenges do help me stay on track, or mostly on track, as I have a fairly achievable goal to aim for, important when you have lots to lose like I have.
My goal for this challenge is to lose 2.3kg, or 5lb. I lost 1.9kg in the last challenge so if I focus and stay on track I should meet this goal 🙂
SSB – sorry to hear about your bad news, take care of yourself and if you need to put diet on the back burner for now x

Hi Medchezza, I’m just approaching the half way point and found the sugar cravings went really quickly, like two or three days and I’ve only been truly hungry about twice. Good luck, hope you enjoy it too!

Lyn.G Lovely to hear of progress even if its slow its going in the right direction. Congratulation on reaching the last bit of your journey.
I have stuck strictly to 20g of carbs and 800 calories and have lost 2 pounds so far this week. Hoping the progress will continue and soon i will reach my goal which is 8.5 stone. ( about 28lbs away) Good luck to everyone well worth the effort so many positive effects from this other than weight loss.

Sunshine-girl thanks for posting that Oprah Winfrey quote, it was really good. And if I may say so, you talk a lot of sense Too!💁

Good for you Mariet! I remember some people posting that they lost weight when they were maintaining. I think it’s probably where their bodies wanted to be! I hope so anyway. I’m seriously thinking about where I want to be when I stop dieting! But not stopping this Woe. I’ve had a dress hanging up in my bedroom since we all started all those weeks ago! It’s a size 12. I remember vividly buying it. It was 3 years ago, and I felt fab in it. When I comfortably fit in it, I’m going to maintain..I don’t know what weight I was, I think I was 10.7 but may be wrong. My target has always been 10st, but honestly, it’s just a number. If I feel 😊 good, that’s where I’ll stop. I’ll probably go on the fast diet, I basically am doing 16:8 now, so I’ll think I’ll manage. Let us know what you decide to do, 👍

Hello I’m new here. Its my first day on the plan. I’m not diabetic or pre but I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy so I’m at an increased risk. I’m currently 3 stone overweight which I’ve gained over the last 3 years. I’ve tried diet plans such as the bodycoach and slimming world but I only lost weight very slowly. I’ve found since having gd that I can easily pile weight on but not lose it again. I’m hoping this plan will help me get rid of the weight and control my sugar cravings.

Well done on maintaining ANNIEW!!! Thanks for yr well wishes re oedema,got appt coming up next week
Am i remembering rightly that you had an accident on yr horse? Hope all repaired now x 🌸🌸🌸🌸
Ps Im Candice on 5:2 forum X
STEWART what a massive inspiration and encouragement you are for us all! X 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

You are going to be shocked Mrs Honey — you won’t like the old carbs/sweet stuff as much as you did before and you are going to think to yourself, “huh, that’s not so nice, and I don’t like the taste like I used to, and it kept me up at night with heart racing….and I feel unhealthy …huh, maybe I am happier staying on my beloved BSD …. Just a thought…
(You are going to change on this way of eating)

Curry sounds brill – is the recipe in the book? I bought the recipe book in sainsburys today – it looks good from a quick flick through – hope to have a proper look later.

Today has been ok so hoping tomorrow is better, think could become easier the longer follow the plan.

Hope you have all had a good day 🤔

Thank you all so much for your advice! You’ve affirmed what I was thinking myself and I’m going to concentrate on being fit and healthy and maintain where I am for the minute.

I was thinking about it last night and realised that now I’m home and no longer drinking cocktails etc some will probably go anyway. In fact, 1.2kg left me overnight. So, walking and weights here I come.

I really appreciate that you took the time to help me.

StJames that is a brilliant result. You must be well chuffed with yourself.

I’m back after a short break in Ireland and I brought back a 3lb gain 😱 Course I know it could have been far worse. I usually indulge heavily in the alcohol and food while at home but did try to reign it in this time. Back on the plan today, so suffering a bit with hunger pangs but like you I managed quite long fasts when I was in the zone, so looking forward to getting back there. Got 14lbs to go now, so starting another 8 week cycle.

Hope everyone else on here is ok. You’re right, it’s gone v quiet!

L xx

Hi Verano, the beat ourselves up…. and forget the baggage were my words, Oprah’s were the quotes in inverted commas. Been super good today but missing the exercise and cannot get my head around doing aerobics in front of the TV so hoping the sun will shine tomorrow (promised for today but didn’t appear) and I will be back in the pool.

MnM I too have been completely off plan, alcohol-wise, not food, since my holiday in April, then they just kept coming, Alicante in April, cruise in May, family visit and many days out late May early June and I just cant seem to get out of that mode. Part of me thinks why should I, I only have a drink at the weekend but I know in my heart that it undoes all the good work I put in through the week. Just want to lose a little bit more to at least get me back to my pre April just under 2 stone loss and stop putting on and taking off.

Hey ho, tomorrow is another day.

Yep 😀. I’ve cut the carbs and am more or less maintaining (always looking to lose 4 vanity pounds). Gone back to 24hr water fasts this week on Monday and Thursday. Not done that for a while, been doing 18:6, but feel ready for it again. I hope you get some positive news re your oedema.

Lee, I read somewhere that in those situations you can always become the “help” or carry around a plate with scraps covered in a napkin if you think people will notice you not eating but it all depends on you.

Good luck, at least you have a plan.

FFBB X

Hi all – SSB reporting in –
I did well at lunchtime and quite easily resisted the cake int eh staff room – I didn’t actually want any.
Got home and was hit with some bad news – and now I don’t actually want to eat at all…
Not quite what I had planned in terms of distractions
SSB

Verano, have you tried the pork rinds substitution? You’ve mentioned before that the biscuits fulfill a crunch need more than a sweet craving, and pork rinds are far superior to any cookie when it comes to crunchiness. Check the ingredients to be sure they don’t add sugars to the seasoning, but barring that, you get all the crunch and none of the carbs.

You could try the old tip of a teaspoon in the peanut butter trick, or the bit of salt on the tip of your finger in case that is causing the cravings. Failing that a glass of fruit infused water might do the trick. It didn’t help me, but I just needed the mental discipline I think of having a short period of total control over what I put in my mouth. Certainly I haven’t experienced any cupboard or fridge opening urges since my reboot started.

That is just me!!!! I’m not really eating ‘bad’ carbs but just not satisfied with my lunch so ‘go to the fridge’ because ‘I fancy something’ . Then I end up,eating all sorts of stuff.

I have never really had a ‘carb monster’ so in some ways it’s more difficult. I have just had the need for ‘something extra’ lately. Unfortunately digestive biscuits have reared their ugly head again!!! HELP!

Mariet I’m with the others- just stay where you are now- maintain your weight and exercise it makes us feel good and then see what you think!
That’s what I’m going to do – I’m maintaining so I don’t have to buy anymore clothes- I’ve still got a stone to go but I think if I keep Eating this way and don’t put weight on I then may be ready for another round or I may just stay here!!
Go with your heart x x we are all here with you!

Hi again L
Good luck with your challenges at the Irish Funeral you are attending , sad occasions always make it harder not to comfort eat , you’ve got the drinks sorted by driving , so best of luck with the eating , and a bit of extra strength coming your way 😊

I’ve been pretty solidly eating junk since my birthday, but got tired of being outside my weight comfort zone and found some of the carb nasties coming back (dissatisfied and craving ‘something’ so keeping opening the cupboard or fridge). I feel much happier when I stick to non junk for long enough to get out of that stage again.

Hi to you L ,
Thank you for your encouraging words ,& yes I’m glad that I took this step too !
😊Hello 66

Oh FFBB you did make me laugh. I’m not sure losing height was the goal!!

I’ve found today hard getting back on the wagon. Hunger pangs again which I expected but know I’ve just got to power through….and hopefully hit 809 for the day.

Got the funeral tomorrow. I’m driving, so that sorts the booze question ( a big deal at an Irish wake) but worried about the food! Will pack snacks and hope for the best!

L xx

Hi FFBB ,
Thanks for the info about Fat Secret , I have downloaded the app ., & will see how I go with it , I’ve never really been good at documenting food & drink intakes , Weight Watchers being a good example , also a Slimmers Club I joined , where in both situations I guess I didn’t want to share my indulgences !
Truth be known I didn’t want to see either ….
It’s known as head in the sand !!
I have bought the 8 week blood sugar diet recipe book , and think this will be very helpful to get me going in the right direction .
😊 Hello 66

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I haven’t posted but have been busy with work and gym! Sounds great until you realise it nearly kills me to burn 1 calorie!!!!!

Anyway, it’s great to see that everyones doing well. I have been good and much more focused this time as I’m trying to see this as a long term change not just a quick fix. I’m not weighing myself as religiously as I have done in the past but have had one sneaky peak and see the trend is downwards.
I too am using My Fitness Pal – what ratios are everyone using i.e. carbs/protein/fat in % and grams????
I am having to do what I encourage all my service users to do and drink water. I have been forcing it down but am finding this easier as I go along. I have only had one bottle of sugar free irn bru this week which is good for me as I can bring 1-2 cans of sugar free a day. I know sweeteners are not good either.

Anyway, I shall stop boring you all now and have a well deserved bath..

Lucy

Lol Mary.

So impressed Mixnmatch and for me ….. as Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry sang 🎶I don’t know why I ‘ eat junk’ but I do oooh🎶 (I know you may not remember him) but that’s been my day. Serious … certainly not me. Maybe I can’t get back into the swing of this challenge because I was away for 4 weeks but hey that’s not really an excuse.

I love Oprah’s bit “We beat ourselves up ….. just forget the baggage” . I do beat myself up as soon as I go off track at the moment. I think, like you s-g, I’m just a bit jaded. Hence my 7days challenge which is helping but maybe not quite enough!

Not one to give up I promise to try much harder tomorrow. Today is gone but just have to keep on keeping on …. tomorrow is another day.

Thanks for all ideas. Managed to get the recipe book from sainsburys today 🙂 So will have a proper look at it later – from a quick flick through it looks good.

I need to plan more but pleased with day so far

Hi Mrs Honey, if you really go back to how you used to eat before, calories and full carbs included, the worst you can expect is to put all or most of your weight back on – depending on how much you manage to lose. Another thing is you might find the carbs leave you feeling bloated and a bit sick. I would suggest you enjoy your holiday but try to keep off the carbs as much as doesn’t interfere with your enjoyment.

Shows how bad I am, what am I going on about having chicken cacciatore tonight. It is Wednesday and I always do a frittata, simply because we shop on Thursday and I empties out my fridge of mushrooms, peppers, bit of left over meat etc. It is the only time I have the same thing week in week out, just a habit I have got into. And I always save a wedge of the frittata for my supper.

Ooooo…thanks SunnyB – I keep a huge bag of almonds in my freezer so I shall sus the recipe out and try it!!! (Probably best they’re not too nice though!!! lol) xx

I must admit, I never have people over so don’t have that problem. So far, I’ve made my husband fend for himself just to make my life easier, but next week I plan on making the chicken korma, he can have real rice, and the gammon steaks with red cabbage, he can have new potatoes as well.
I don’t know if I’m feeling bloated after eating, or really full! Which seems a bit weird. It’s my first weigh in tomorrow! Let’s hope it’s all been worthwhile. Hope everyone else is managing, planning is the secret I think, including planning a bit of flexibility into it, for when you think “er, I just don’t want eggs for breakfast again!!”

Thanks for that.

Tomorrow is my first day on the fasting mimicking plan, and is planned to be 3 cups of herbal tea, along with the usual water, and marmite in hot water for another drink, lunch will be Kale soup served with crispy kale (own recipe in soup maker, Kale, celeriac, green and red cabbage, onion and a little fennel, with salt and pepper and dried herbs but no additional stock) then a salad consisting of spinach, rocket, avocado, spiralised courgette, mushrooms, peppers, tomato, onion, radishes, cucumber and maybe a couple of others that I have forgotten. Served with some chopped walnuts and a dressing of walnut oil and apple cider vinegar. Pudding is a fresh fig, and a teaspoon of peanut butter with seeds, then an evening ‘snack’ of some of my dried dulse seaweed for the salty finish.

Carbs 38.8, protein 19.9, fat 63.1g 834 calories.

Really trying to eat the rainbow while I do this, to maximise nutrition. The fig is a late addition as I love them 😀 and found some reduced in Waitrose this evening.

Hi Mariet, don’t despair about loose skin, it will improve if you keep working on it, keep well hydrated, moisturise the saggy areas and above all don’t feel you have to put weight back on if you feel good as you are, just to try to sort the skin out that way. It probably wouldn’t go back on the areas you choose anyway. I would however concentrate on toning muscles as well, the muscles will help you stay at whatever weight you choose to be when you start maintenance. Maybe give yourself a period trying to maintain at this weight and if you still feel you need to get back down that other 3 kg then you still have time.

Hey FFBB, love the Big Brother reference…I actually read it with a geordie accent lol.

Day 19 in the BSD house.

Not much to report today although I have had a shock (I’m exaggerating a bit).

Turns out I am only 5′ 4″. I have been going round since I stopped growing convinced I am 5′ 5″….but I got measured.

I think instead of losing an inch off my boobs it has come off my height.

Regards,

FFBB X

P.S Stuck to my WOE despite all my favourite carbs being on offer in Sainsburys Local.

I’m in also. My goal for the challenge is to lose 3lb to give me some wriggle room before my holiday at the end of August. Have crossed off the almond butter from the shopping list – so should have a good week.

Staying accountable on this forum has really worked for me and on the 10th July I was 7 months on maintenance. So new goal is 8 months on maintenance. The almond butter incident really bought home to me how easy it would be to ‘go off the rails’ if I wasn’t weighing myself and actively keeping on maintenance.

Hi, update. After just 10 days my blood sugar is down to a healthy 5.2mm/l. I didn’t think I would lose weight very quickly as I only have a stone to lose for a healthy BMI. However my fat %age is 38%, so I guess a lot is visceral. Also previously I just cut out the white stuff but ate loads of fruit. For the last 10 days I’ve kept my carbs down to 50 grams and I’ve lost 8lb. So everybody, really count the carbs honestly and this really works. Now I’m doing it for health rather than aesthetics I’m so much more focussed.

Hi sunshine girl
What a coincidence. I am still waiting for my classification, probably some time next week. Hate the wait. Well done for doing your degree with so much going on in your life and for the great outcome, that of your daughter’s success. it has taken me 5 out of the last 6 years to do this honours degree. The juggle of normal life and academia has been quite hard.

We are celebrating 14th July at our local village repas. The commune sits down together to eat. It is great fun and usually quite a drunken occasion. The mayor brings out his ‘eau de vie’ served from recycled water bottles and there is a disco from a lorry that parks in the Place. Last year there were tangos and also French provincial dancing to contend with. I think I will call it exercise!

Keep up the diet.

Catriona

Hi again fatinfrance, what a coincidence, I too have an OU degree in psychology and sociology although I only went as far as BA, another 2 years would have given me honours but as a single parent working full time it took me 7 years. Then I met someone and just didn’t have the peace and quiet to study, also my main area was learning and development and I didn’t have any children to use as subjects as I wasn’t in teaching or any such profession (I was a secretary). I never did anything with it except did an excellent job of bringing up my daughter who is now a chemical engineer.

We watch the TdF several years ago, quite by accident. Trying to cross the Alps from France into Italy found we were diverted back into France so stopped for lunch in Cluzeau (excuse spelling) and found we couldn’t get out again. We waited for nearly 5 hours as this was the last part of the days ride – we were by a rond point so they had to slow down a bit but it all goes by in a blur. Best part being the entourage cars and the freebies.

Are you celebrating Bastille Day. Don’t make the same mistake as I did and called it that to the French, trying to book a restaurant – vous etes ouvert le jour de Bastille – blank stares. They, of course, dont call it that, it is la fete nationale or the quatorze juillet. Another reason for champage. Enjoy.

First of all, for all of us who have been on this plan for a while, here is a short quote from my WW magazine (sad I know but I like to have something to read in English). The quote is from Oprah Winfrey (so I have acknowledged it). So, on the subject of losing or not losing weight but the importance of being healthy and appreciating your life.
– “It is frustrating to promise myself ‘I’m going to do it today…’ and then not stick to the plan… Now I dont have a goal in mind. I get to a certain weight and I’m okay and say ‘This is where I want to be. Hang in there. I’ll get there when I get there’”.
– She also says she changed her intention on why she wants to lose weight from just I want to get into a size 10 or look better etc. Now she says her intention is “to be the healthiest I can be…. physically, emotionally, spiritually.”
We beat ourselves up everyday for what we have not achieved but fail to look back on what we have achieved. Live a good and happy life. That doesn’t mean we stop trying to achieve greater and better for ourselves just forget about all the baggage.

I just put this on another thread but thought I would share it here too.

My half pound has gone again and my BG is 5.3 on 21 units insulin. V, yes I have been down to 21 before, just before I went on the Easter holiday and then the cruise but in all, it is the lowest I have been.

AnnieW, I have just watched a clip of the bikes passing through where we would have been stood and it had the title ’30 seconds and they’ve all gone’. Exactly, once in a lifetime is enough and I was 17 years younger and more able to stand the heat and standing around. Now I need to carry a folding chair with me.

Welcome 1960smp, hope you are not put off by one or two (mainly me) being a bit down on all this. V and I have been doing this plan for just over one year so, although we are experts??? we are never going to have the big losses others have when starting out.

I know I have become jaded as this week is the first time I havent bothered to do a menu plan or considered my shopping list. That doesn’t mean I have nothing in the house, just means I bought more than planned so I wont get caught without. So, I like the idea of printing our daily menus but mine is on the hoof.

Today I had no carb bircher for breakfast, pho chicken soup for lunch and I am going to chuck together a chicken cacciatore, just chicken in tomato and mushroom sauce. Probably with some cauli rice.

Have a good day all.

Mariet, here is a short quote from my WW magazine (sad I know but I like to have something to read in English). The quote is from Oprah Winfrey (so I have acknowledged it). So, on the subject of losing or not losing weight but the importance of being healthy and appreciating your life.

– “It is frustrating to promise myself ‘I’m going to do it today…’ and then not stick to the plan… Now I dont have a goal in mind. I get to a certain weight and I’m okay and say ‘This is where I want to be. Hang in there. I’ll get there when I get there'”.

– She also says she changed her intention on why she wants to lose weight from just I want to get into a size 10 or look better etc. Now she says her intention is “to be the healthiest I can be…. physically, emotionally, spiritually.”

We beat ourselves up everyday for what we have not achieved but fail to look back on what we have achieved. Live a good and happy life. That doesn’t mean we stop trying to achieve greater and better for ourselves just forget about all the baggage.

Hi ruthydoo – if you want something with a crunch, try making some Snappy Almond Crackers – I posted the recipe in the recipe section here. If you roll them out very thin and cut them small, they only come in at around 25 cals each and about 0.25g carbs. They can be flavoured with any herb or spice too, to make them a little more interesting. Stored in an airtight container, they keep for ages too.