Have managed to hold my food to 673 cal/52 carbs today. Will endeavor not to add to my carbs for the rest of the evening. I’m not patting myself on the back after 2 days because that’s often when I self-sabotage, usually to a fairly gross degree. What I will say is that I’ve maybe taken a couple of steps away from the wall and would hope to see around it soon, instead of just barging into it.

And it seems that the wall both Verano and I have admitted hitting recently has replicas popping up all over the place. Lovely friends, I’m certain it’s far less damaging to us to work our way around the wall rather than hitting it head on again and again. (Which has been my pattern 😕)Perhaps some lateral thinking required.

So, after 2 days under 800cals, according to my stated plan for this challenge, I now have 5 days between 800-1000cals. .

Pod, yes it is! !

Ha ha, LippyLipid, yes, always the lightest clothes, no jewellery😀

Good luck with the shoulder, MaisieMouse, hope is not serious. Have been there. …

Theodora, urk, but it’s done and is not going to happen on a regular basis is it?
You felt too awful physically and emotionally for that, but it’s instructive for all of us, I think, that just when we believe we have it sorted, up pops that damned overeating demon (sitting on top of a pop-up wall? ) just waiting to lure us into a crash. You’re too clever Theodora, and enjoying your new feelings too much to let your guard down too often. 🙅

Into the week everyone. Those walls aren’t going to hold us up xx 💜💜💜

Hello fellow challenger’s – I am back after our fabulous month in the US visiting our son and delightful grandchildren.
I am pleased to have gained ‘only’ 5 lbs – last year I gained nearly a stone! I tried to eat BSD food when possible, skipped breakfast when I could, and ate lots of lovely fish. I confess to having three days when I was tempted by the carb monster and ate all the wrong things but managed to get back on track the next day. Alcohol was consumed every night, and yes I did enjoy sitting on the front porch with a large glass of red.
Yesterday I climbed back on the wagon and it has been surprisingly easy to get back into the routine of this WOL though the lack of alcohol may prove more difficult!
Keeping on keeping on one day at a time.
It’s good to be back amongst you lovely peeps.
X B

You had me going there for a minute Julia, it runs to 1st August then I am doing one more week before family arrive and happy to come back to it after a week or 10 days off. But even on my off time I will be logging in as we are not going anywhere so have computer access.

Hello Folks,

Hope you are all okay.

I have been diagnosed with having a subtle blood sugar disorder back in 2013, i have cut out alot of sugar i used to have. My blood sugar has never been documented to go low but the doctor confirmed it was reactive hypoglycemia symptoms which were not linked to a specific disease. I have had many blood tests to name a few i have had the following checked thyroid, hormones, glucose tolerance tests, cortisol, hemoglobin A1c, i have also had MRI scans of the brain and heart nothing has been found.

However the symptoms seem to be getting worse, despite being on a sensible diet. I have been recommended if i am struggling to take acarbose by my endocrinology doctor, which is for type 2 diabetics, however i am worried about the side effects and i am not sure if this would help the condition.

I please wondered if anyone knew any vitamins / minerals i could add to my diet that might help strengthen my body, or any herbs that could prevent the low blood sugar attacks i am having? Currently i am having 2 – 3 low blood sugar attacks a day which is very upsetting and not very nice. Further does anyone please know any good snacks to have when walking around, that might be high protein and low sugar? I have tried eating a small bag of almonds when i felt a low blood sugar attack coming on, but it seemed to make my blood sugar fluctuations worse.

Thank you so much for reading my concerns and any help would be appreciated. I really am struggling and it certainly is not an enjoyable life at the moment especially with these attacks 2 – 3 times a day. It really is hard trying to manage this condition in a better way, as there is no specific reason why i am having these low blood sugar attacks. I may have to consider trying the acarbose if i cannot seem to get control of my condition.

Many thanks,

Paul

Oops – just realised 8 weeks isn’t yet up. I think we go on till the end of the month if I have got my maths right.

Well done S-G on the pound off! Getting that insulin down again too seems like a good idea not only in terms of health benefits but also in terms of future weight loss.

Just been out for a lunchtime run at work – hot and sunny up here in Edinburgh at 24 degrees! Much better than in Mallorca for running though – the heat was the reason I only managed 4 runs while there, as I had to be up early before it got too hot.

Cleverblonde73 I am with you on the snacks between meals, that was my downfall yesterday, but today I am bound and determined to make it till tomorrow morning with no extras!

Verano – being in it for the long haul means you have tenacity – but as a human, 100% stickability is not really to be expected 100% of the time. You must have improved your health massively already, and I am sure that you’ll get back in spite of the odd blip.

MnM – will be intersted to know what happens to the numbers on the scales when you increase the cals.

Question for all – is this thread finishing now the eight weeks are up, or are some continuing here or elsewhere?

Right, off to shower and get back to work, tonnes to do here after 2 weeks off.

H66 They are a great, and cheap, incentive. I imagine myself in the jeans and dress by holding them up to my reflection though I think I will be in the size 16 jeans before the size 18 dress zips up fully (boobs!) I haven’t been lower than a size 14 since puberty so I know size 16 is an achievable goal and a realistic one.

Mary BIG HUGS coming atcha.

L what a brilliant reason to have to go clothes shopping…so much better than having to “size up”.

Hi Maryschoen its my first shot at this tried other diets but nothing worked i lost 7 pound in first week 2 pound 2nd week currently lost 10 pound today’s weigh in i started at 13 stone 10 would love to see the scale go under 13 stone lol and well done to you. I did have a couple of days where i could have easily fell asleep but at the moment i am putting the teenagers to shame as i have a lot of energy and the dog is loving the extra time out on walks a border collie so she is enjoying her time out with me, i haven’t really started to excersise properly as i haven’t had the time what with work but i have been walking more, i would like to maybe try HIT training in time to see if that helps but so far i feel good. I love to read everyone’s achievements it keeps me motivated keep up the good work everyone and have a good week.

I’ve just found this!

“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

Yes, it is!!!!

Krysia, I declined statins when they were recommended a year or so and see no reason to change my mind. From my research, higher cholesterol on its own with no other risk factors is less to be feared than statins are. Though I am still keen to reduce it if I can with diet.

Keep your chin up Ann, you’ve done so well. Just a blip, it’s nothing in the scheme of things.

Then if you really like the 5;2 you can buy MM’s original 5;2 diet book.

Hi everyone,
I haven’t at all got back on track yet with walking and water drinking due to a)working away and b)a shoulder injury but despite having a difficult few days with that and an x-ray at the hospital today I was thrilled to weigh in at 9st 10 1/2 lbs this morning! That’s a rather marvellous loss when I haven’t been calorie counting at all but it’s perhaps a bit of a blip and I’m quite possibly dehydrated. I shan’t expect to lose any more next week but would be delighted to stay the same 🙂

Hi everyone, what a difference a day makes. Thank you all for your support and to V for coming out of hiding to gee me along. Final weigh in and I lost 1lb since yesterday, see I can do it when I really stick with it. It has been the drink creeping in, sitting out in the garden at night with a long cool martini or something. I think the problem is that I am almost totally in holiday mode with people visiting and they are on holiday and want you to join in. As someone once said, I can resist anything except temptation. I was on a bit of a downer yesterday, it was just so hot, hit 38 and too hot to even go outside so when hubby decided to go for a swim at 9.30 pm I just couldn’t get the enthusiasm so missed out. I should think of Julia running in the heat, the pool is so much better. Already done 30 mins this morning.

BG is down again to 4.3 so thinking of a further reduction. Sticking with no carbs is certainly the key.

Another fly in the ointment, so to speak, friends have just invited us out for Sunday lunch (23rd) and we are going to a restaurant that serves 7 courses all inclusive including aperos, wine and spirits with every course. Oh help, that is incentive to be really good before then but I do know I can resist as I went there when I was on my no alcohol plan and managed to not drink and not eat too much. I remember asking for carpaccio of pineapple for dessert thinking I was being good and it came with dark chocolate sauce, at least I know this time and will ask for it without.

Welcome back Cleverblonde, always good to see you. I have 3.5 weeks to my family coming over so need an all out effort to lose just a few more pounds. I will just keep on keeping on…

Hey, Pod – as we are in confession mode, I shall bare my soul too.

As most of you know, I have been very focussed on my bsd journey, and have been in maintenance for 10 weeks – was 5lbs under goal weight.

Well I was as good as gold yesterday, yoghurt and berries for breakfast, no lunch, BBQ for supper, consisting of asparagus, chicken and veg kebabs and salad. And a glass or three of white wine sitting in the sun! Then, and I have no idea why (certainly wasn’t comfort eating as I’d had a lovely day sailing, walking and gardening, so don’t have your excuse), I had cheese and biscuits – didn’t need them, didn’t particularly want them. Then yet another glass of wine, which led to some nuts. Then some more nuts. Then some more wine, and some strawberries and cream. Then some more nuts and finally – and I cannot believe I did this……………I am not and never have been a chocolate type of person, and there has been a box of expensive Belgian chocolates which a guest brought as a gift, sitting in my cupboard for 2 YEARS, and I have never even been vaguely tempted. They are now out of date but, you guessed it, last night I broke them open and scoffed half a dozen!!😆😝😢

Did I enjoy them…………NO!!! Did I enjoy any of the over-indulgences? NO!! Why did I do it? Absolutely no idea but I didn’t have the courage to get on the scales this morning😭

I think in the entire 6 months I have been following this WOE, this was my first full on, mindless blow-out – paid for it though as I was up most of the night, with a churning, bloated tum. I will be having an 800 (at most) day today by way of atonement.😇

It really is helpful to have this forum to stay accountable to – I feel as if I’ve been to confession 😜

PS The remains of the out of date box of chocolates went in the bin this morning, which is where I should have consigned them long ago!!

While I was posting, the answer about fats and cholesterol was posted!! Really interesting.
Lippylipid, I would remove my glasses and watch, earrings, rings, etc etc. Also thought of going in a bikini but I haven’t got one!
Good luck with your weigh in!

Help! No weight loss for two weeks running!
Admittedly, last week there were a few meals out, with wine/ beer, and dessert on two occasions. But my calorie count was low, on average (around 900 cals/ day), and average carbs still lowish on average (60g a day).
I’m walking and running regularly. I almost killed myself with one particularly heavy workout, and took days to recover from the muscle pain (I walked down to the river, ran the 4km walk alongside, and walked up a steep hill, doing 8km in total).

So why, oh why, aren’t I losing? I did lose a few cms, though.

Back on lower carb options this week…

Hi all! I have removed 1lb this week, was going to be 2lb, but, just to sabotage myself, I went on a comfort eating binge last night. Cheese, seeds, more cheese, chick peas, more cheese, vegetable crisps, and finally, just to make sure I did as much damage as possible, I had a pitta bread. I’ve resisted the urge to comfort eat for weeks and mainly been successful, but yesterday I gave in. And guess what, I didn’t feel any better. I saw a counselor yesterday about my depression, and when you’ve talked about what makes you feel sh*t for over an hour, you certainly come away feeling sh*t! So, I turned to food..
but, Yesterday was just a blip…
today I’m full of new resolve and will fast until lunch time, it seems to work for me, so back on the wagon I go!!
I was interested to read about high cholesterol, would eating more fat increase the cholesterol levels? I’m confused.com?
Keeping on keeping on!!!

Well there you go – didn’t realise that adding a direct link, was as simple as pasting in the web address! Glad it worked.

I agree Verano, I think this thread has been really helpful in encouraging me to think about the BSD anew and has provided some inspiration, so I thought I might offer a couple of things for today as well.

How about …. ‘Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill.’ …. by which I mean, if you have slipped up and gone over the allotted 800 calories, don’t make things worse by giving yourself permission to trash the whole thing by saying ‘I’ve messed up anyway, so what the hell.’ and then guzzling down more. We are all human and have days when it just doesn’t go right, but don’t make it worse than it already is.

Food wise – how about a piece of fillet salmon baked in a parcel, with a slash of pernod, pastis, or other aniseed beverage? You can also add in a disc of lemon, a little onion and even a sprig of Tarragon if you have it.

Verano – I have ordered the same one as SunnyB has – but will order directly from the company next time. I will report back also on what it is like.

SunnyB – thank you for the link (it does come up as a direct link). I have just ordered this product from Amazon and it is much cheaper if you buy direct from them – so I will get it from them in future. So thank you for this.

Just had a look at amazon for sauerkraut myself and noticed that someone had asked about a product from The Sauerkraut Company in West Sussex, so I googled them and found you can purchase direct from them, unpasteurised sauerkraut and kimchi, both at £3.49 plus £1.50 p&p. Ordered a jar of each and will report back, when I’ve sampled it. Meanwhile, if anyone wants to take a look themselves, their web address is http://www.arnolds-condiments.com/ – sorry I’m not tech savvy enough to understand how post that as a direct link on this forum.

Hi
Ddnmore
You seem to be on track, that’s good, I weigh daily, I like the encouragement if good or the kick up the bum if needed, as you say a week is too long, I could eat millions of carbs and cals in that time 😅😅😅 hope you have a good day. Keep up the steps, it makes you feel marvellous once you get used to it. 💃💃💃
🙋🙋🙋jan

LippLipid and Mariet – you might be interested in reading this recent article from the ‘i’ newspaper about cholesterol. https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/health/cholesterol-levels-heart-disease-statins-lancet/

I was particlarly interested in this comment from Sir Richard Thompson, former president of The Royal College of Physicians, said: “The seductive theory that cholesterol in blood and the diet is the enemy, and therefore must be lowered at all cost, has diverted attention away from the unnatural increase in sugar intake that has a greater influence on obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Time for a rethink, and a change in our diets.” Insulin resistance The authors say the focus must shift away from LDL-cholesterol and onto ‘insulin resistance’, a phenomenon that drives both cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes and state that instead of investing billions into to drug treatments more money should be spent into policy directives to encourage population wide behaviour change towards healthier lifestyles.

I must however declare that I am totally biased against statins as I was damaged by statins and my medical records state that I must never be given statins again. However – I do think that the comment from Sir Richard endorses our BSD way of life.

I see there is a slightly mixed bag of results being posted, but well done to all those reporting any kind of loss and commiserations to those who haven’t had that privilege this time round.

For me the report is that one of gaining and losing 2lb over the week, so weighed in at exactly what I was this time last week. Whilst that is a minor win on one level, on another level, it’s frustratingly a week lost in the effort to get back to target weight. I’m going to take it as a win though, as at least that goal is no further away! We are out later today and I am pretty certain the result will be extra calories and carbs. However, I have decided I’m not going to stress about it, but will enjoy the day, stick to the BSD principles and start afresh tomorrow with a strict 800/20 regime.

Hope everyone has a good week and can report a positive result next Tuesday …. Best of Luck to one and all!

Hi everyone,
I am back on the Fast 800 after gradually putting lbs back on over past months. Pretty annoyed with myself, I am a comfort eater and with Redundancy, house move and new job all happening in April I gave in to the carbs and have undone the good work. Not an excuse but I know my weaknesses and need to put it out there.

Yesterday I started things off again, feeling positive as I know this works, I havent had problems with breakfasts and dinners, its all the bits in between that have crept in, in between. I battle with easy to prepare, tasty lunches if anyone has inspiration, that isnt salad and more salad!

I have had terrible headaches past 24 hours, which is annoying but makes me feel I am on the right road again. Wanted to post as I found the mutual support network previously really helpful.

Have a fab day

Hi Mariet,

I see you’ve upped your good fats and fibre to try and reduce your cholesterol. Are you taking statins as well?

Mixnmatch – what inspirational results you have achieved – you’ve lost a whole person in weight since 2015! Have a great summer enjoying all your upcoming trips.

ClarinetCathy, I’m struggling with the same two pounds coming and going. I have resolved to log my food, drink more water and only drink alcohol at the weekends at social events. I got caught out last Friday at lunch with an old friend, she automatically ordered a bottle of rosé because that’s what we do when we meet up. Half a bottle of wine at lunchtime really takes some drinking nowadays, even with a jug of tapwater – I feel the effects of the alcohol after just a couple of sips. Needless to say I went home and nodded off and have since beaten myself up for not saying “just a glass for me”!

Good luck one and all on your weigh-ins today. I’ll be interested to see what the GP’s scales weigh me at when I’m fully clothed! I’ll be hunting out my lightest underwear and not be wearing my glasses or earrings!!

Lee, I am pretty sure I have enough salt….I am not retaining much water as I could pee for England…I have checked my carbs and they are very low too! It has to happen eventually as I am not going over 800 any day (with the exception of Saturday). I will just have to persevere and hope for the best.

Until then I have everyone else’s back and live vicariously through you all.

Hope your back is improved.

Nonna Mary
xxx

Wow MnM that’s a huge loss for the week!
S-G so sorry to hear you are toiling – think sometimes we get hung up on numbers, but for me the numbers of units of insulin you have got down to is a big success. Ignore the scales for a few days, maybe?
I wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped yesterday, although half a kilo is off since then. But given what I ate, I know that is water coming off from the holiday. I am struggling to sleep at the moment, and so resistance was low when I had to stop to get petrol and drive up the motorway to pick up my daughter – confectionery involving peanuts came in at a whopping 245 cal and 27g carbs. Today I am running at lunchtime, so will think of S-G in the pool at that time.
Egg salad for breakfast, mackerel salad for lunch, beef stew for dinner. And hoping nothing extra today. Last night I slept better so self control will be better too.
Verano, will be thinking of you as you prepare for surgery. Sending best wishes.
Onetowatch – welcome! Might try out the omelette with turmeric and coriander, sounds nice.

Well done Mixmatch – that’s a fabulous result!!! Bet you are feeling really chuffed and so you should be!!

I am reporting a 2lbs loss from last Tuesday – if I can just keep that going then I might just make my 4 week challenge goal of 8.5lbs but one day at a time. Today I am so pi**ed off at work (and it’s not even 9am yet) that it’s going to take all my strength not to blow it on bad stuff!!

Have a good day all – hope the scales are kind to you xxx

That sounds simple enough Jan. Did you use a white cabbage?

Krysia would really like to know which one you’ve ordered and what you think of it when it arrives. We have quite a number of Polish grocery shops here so may my send my OH out on the search for raw unpasteurised sauerkraut or kimchi. Exciting to have a new taste to look forward to.

I made a stir fry with cauliflower rice last week but didn’t really like the texture of the ‘rice’. So, last night I made it with very lightly steamed shredded cabbage and it was so much nicer. I added red and green sliced peppers, lots of sliced garlic and ginger, shallots, bean sprouts, spring onions, soy and a touch of sesame oil. I had it with cooked chicken but any other protein would have been good.

Out tonight to a Turkish restaurant so it will be salad and chicken kebab for me. Bit boring when you know what you are eating even before you get there so just hoping the company will make up for that.

I do feel more energised by this thread so maybe we can carry on helping each other here.

I made sauerkraut and it came out fine. Chopped up a whole head of cabbage, put it in a bowl, added 1.5 tbsp salt and massaged it with my hands until a lot of water came out and the cabbage shrunk a lot, about 10 minutes. Put everything into a quart jar and weigh it down so all the cabbage is submerged. I have a ceramic disk I use to push the cabbage down. Put the lid on lose enough to allow gas to escape but still keep out dust and bugs and leave for a couple of weeks. Tastes just like store bought, but a little saltier.
I added caraway seeds to my last batch and it tasted good.
Salt is a good preservative so I wouldn’t worry too much. If it goes off it will smell bad and show mould.
Jan

Hello peeps….Happy Tuesday..
Liz, I love that you hold our hand and I send you my love…I do the imagination thingy, and congratulate myself for doing the business this day and hope for strength to do the same tomorrow.

Today is my weigh day and……drum roll….I have lost a pound… an Effing pound….and no I haven’t lost inches either! I have been having trouble getting up to 800 calories this week….and only broke on Saturday, when I had pasta and cake….otherwise I have been a veritable effing SAINT. No booze…no carbs….the one day I had a glass of wine, it was within 800 calories.

So onward and upward. I WILL CONTINUE….I WILL NOT BE BEATEN…sooner or later this weight has to come off. I have an underactive thyroid so I know my metabolism is sluggish….I will up the exercise and see what happens next week.

Keep going my lovelies….we can do this (well you can I am hanging onto your coat tails). Give me a hug?

Love Nonna Mary
xxxx

Here I am and feeling a bit miffed because I couldn’t weigh in my usual place this morning – I am sure it makes a difference haha 🙂 Reporting the same weight this week and just being glad there’s no horrendous gain, will have to try and make up with 4lb next week and stay focused!

I’d suggest that the 8 week Blood Sugar Diet title is your best bet.
This is what I read and although I did do the Fast 800, it provides plenty of information for all the ways of approaching the BSD and a good insight into the concepts, it does also provide focus on the 5:2.

Well I am up this morning 0.8 lb from this time last week. The same old story for me – up and down the same couple of pounds for the last month. Am going to have a good think tonight when I get home from work about this weeks tactics and hope that I see a loss next week. Hope everyone has had a good result this week. Onwards and eventually downwards !

Marsie and Esnecca – have ordered organic raw unpasteurized sauerkraut from Amazon today. Am looking forward to trying it – I don’t think I have ever eaten sauerkraut before – not even the pasteurized supermarket brands.

Tuesday weigh in after my 7 day post birthday reboot, and I am proud to announce I stuck (mostly, until the last night when a glass of wine to celebrate got added, I suppose it is plant based😊) to my fasting mimicking plant based diet and my weight is currently down to 10 stone 4.0 pounds, which is 7 pounds below my target weight. I know a lot of that is glycogen stores that will add weight when they are rebuilt, so am not expecting to stay there, but that is also a total loss from my heaviest in Feb 2015 of 8 1/2 stone exactly so I am really chuffed with that. I lost 10.8 pounds over the 7 days. Will now be going into a mixed period of various holidays, so weigh-in may be irregular and not just on Tuesday, but good luck to everyone still challenging themselves to change their lives for the better. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

And the end of my little MM style self experiment has dawned. Weigh-in today is 10 stone 4.0 pounds, so nice and neatly brings up the total lost since my heaviest ever weight two and a half years ago to 8 1/2 stone. I don’t expect to stay at this weight, but this is obviously at or close to my glycogen free weight now, and hopefully when I transition back to how I was eating before my birthday it won’t go back far enough to trouble the top of my comfort zone again. Since I started at just over 11 stone a week ago, that is 10.2 pounds gone in a week, from an already slender state.

Any health benefits other than weightloss will have to remain theoretical as I haven’t got my own lab to do blood tests.

The idea for today is a relatively high 1200 calories (yesterday already stretched up to 1000 with the added wine, although I kept to the low protein). Tomorrow I will split the difference between that and my norm with 1600 calories, and from Thursday onwards I am on holiday for a couple of weeks so probably leaving weighing and measuring behind fairly regularly. I am still trying to keep to the discipline of at least one fast day a week, preferably two but may stop counting those, just have the two meals soup or salad or meat and veg smaller meal that characterises my fast days at the moment, and make them no snack days with intermittent fasting of at least 16:8.

Oh and Mary, are you getting enough salt? Xx

Good morning everyone.

So end of another week and a gain for me of 1.4lbs. It could have been so much worse, and was a couple of days ago, but I’ve taken myself in hand. I have been reading a book, very short a booklet really, called “Mindset: What positive thinking can do ….. by Michael Austin Jacobs. SunnyB quoted from this and I thought I just had to read it. So the daily ‘thought’ I’m holding onto at the moment is

“You are creating everything that is your reality. Before you can create change you must take responsibility of your actions and thoughts. When you take this responsibility, you are taking the first steps towards changing your current situation.”

Only I am putting the food and drink into my mouth!

Glad you had a good holiday Julia but I wouldn’t worry too much about the gain. Holiday weight seems to come off quite quickly if you attack it straight away and you seem to be.

Well done Mnm I admire your self control. There is no way I could follow your regime even for a week. As you say it will be interesting to see what happens to your weight when you resume ‘normal service’.

Don’t worry NancyB you’re not the only one in the ‘teens’!

Welcome to the new members and well done 0053 it does get easier as time goes on.

S-g hope you have a better day today we have to just keep looking at how far we’ve come. Your BS is improving and that’s really the name of the game. I think it’s the carbs rather than more weight loss that will lead to improved BS. As you say we just have to keep on keeping on……

So, I’m in a strange place at the moment and will be around but just not posting as much. I have to get myself ready for surgery in 7 weeks and so I need to get my head straight. I’m sure this is the cause of my ‘doldrums’ at the moment and don’t want to rain on everyone’s parade with my negativity.

Anyway, have a good week everyone, I’ll certainly be back for next weeks weigh-in , if not before.

Morning all!

Goodish day yesterday. Back held up throughout work and I was very short staffed so that was impressive. I actually got loads done without having everyone interrupting me so a great sense of achievement and I went home satisfied.

Food went well too, so I think I’m back on the wagon again. Got a lovely garlic prawn salad for lunch today and back to old faithful fage Greek yoghurt for brekkie as well.

Good luck with the build EC. It will be tough now but think of the end result . That’s what we are doing here after all!

H66 that’s a great idea for your mug and glass. I positively have a bucket of a mug for my morning tea. It’s a Guinness one, so perhaps not entirely appropriate but works for me…

FFBB I will tell all about the bread. I normally don’t do processed stuff but I think I need it right now and for getting ready for maintenance. If I can have that, I will happily stay away from potatoes and pasta permanently!

Genuinely running out of clothes to wear now. Put one of my favourite summer dresses on yesterday and I looked like a little girl in her mothers clothes. It was not a good look. Time to peruse the next sale???

L xx

Me! My last cholesterol was over 7 after 16 weeks doing BSD. I have to be retested next month though I may put it off until September. I was pretty upset but Keeping on and hoping for a better result next time. I’ve upped olive and coconut oil and increased leafy greens, not sure what else to do. Good luck!

Hey Charlie’s (Angels) for those old enough to even have a clue what I’m talking about,
What a day of challenges….but even having been challenged I didn’t punch one moron in the throat–well done me. (insert irritating smily emoticon bullshit thingy here as that is what one is meant to do like a grumpy face amiright?)
Okay, so I’m in a mood. ish.
I had a grand day of food although my neighbour is a total douche canoe unrelated to anything about dieting. But seriously he is as helpful or inspiring as a bag of dick tips. And he’s a minister (the God kind not political). Right, that ‘s me on the Japanese bullet train to hell. Whateva.
I thundered through today and sent out monster strong vibes to each and every one of you.
I wanted to share this one thing I do each night that might help you as it sure helps me. I wanted to say “sure as fuck” but am trying to clean up my potty mouth. Anyway, once the kitchen is put to bed, you know that feeling once you’ve loaded the dishwasher, wiped down the counters, turned off the light above the range, filled the dog’s water bowl, pushed the chairs under the table and turned out the light. Well, once I get upstairs, had a pee, brushed my teeth and climbed into bed I lay there. I mean I truly lay on the bed. Fuck, is if lay or lie. Whatever. I let my body sink into the mattress and I feel every part of the sensation and then I reach out to every friend I have on this thread. And I shit you not I take a deep breath and I hold hands with you. I let peace fill me knowing that I have you. I let my body sink into the mattress and I picture your hands there for the holding. Try it. Take several deep cleansing breaths (I’m no tofu yoga crazy I promise–I took a yoga class once but spent most of my effort trying not to fart) No, I’m talking after a shit day where your boss is a total asshole, you want to sell your kids and the cat just barfed on your best cashmere sweater–complete your day on your own terms, then, when your time is yours, sink into your mattress, and feel yourself melt. Take breaths, deep breaths. And celebrate your success.
see you on the rainbow of success tomorrow Chickadees.
Much love, Liz
P.S. and if the fucking cat hurled a fur ball onto your finest cashmere give the bastard up for adoption. Peace out. 🙂

I am a little confused about the best books(s) to buy to start my BSD. I would like to look at the BSD Fast 800 but suspect that I will opt for the BSD 5:2. Which of Michael’s books contain info on these plans? Thanks.

A sheepish hello to you all!

I would like to join this challenge even though I didn’t post my results at the end of the previous one. Reasons; 1) My weight is plateauing, although I’m following BSD principles alcohol and portion size may have gone out of control, 2) Recent blood and stool tests have revealed high blood cholesterol and a helicobacter pylori infection.

I’m seeing the GP tomorrow to discuss (and receive antibiotics and protein pump meds) and on the phone message he mentioned he wants to check my weight (3+ stone lighter) and blood pressure. I’m stressed at the thought of the examination.

Has anyone else experienced a rise in cholesterol levels whist going low carb? I thought a Mediterranean style diet led to improved blood results.

Confused

I saw my exercise physiologist today, our second session. She’s finding me exercises I can do with sore hips and shoulders. It’s going well so far, now I need to match the extra exercise with sensible food intake. Day and a half so far!

Best wishes for everyone’s weigh-ins, I won’t wish you luck because we all know that has nothing to do with it! Though sometimes when the scale goes all do-lally it seems like it does.

Hi all ,
OMG how I needed and felt that crack of your Majestic spiritual whip Liz , I quickly read posts on the 16 th , your words resonated with me , as did the sound of that spiritual whip !
I’ve read and re read them over and over , and how right you are on all counts ….
Have to say you’d be a fantastic motivational speaker , no doubt about it ! I’m definitely going to buy myself a special mug , & a long tall glass , both will be filled accordingly with tea and water to wash away the demons …. I’ve already started this plan and it’s going well with mugs and glasses we have ( way too many actually ) , but i see extra benefit in choosing the new special mug , as it will always remind me of ALL your wise & caring words , and the glass , it will never be contaminated with Satan’s piss ( to use your words Mary) and both will always be capable of washing away lurking demons !
The situation with your Mum must certainly be adding to the pressure and your resolve to stay away from stinking booze , so much admiration coming your way that you have come to the realisation that booze has done nothing for you , and you’ve been cope with every obstacle , without succumbing to its sweet lies , including that shocking panic attack !
That you were able reach out and grab those hands from here , & rest your head on Nonna ‘ s shoulder says what is to be gained from these wonderful fellow warriors here , I do hope everyone here knows my hands are always outstretched , arms always open , virtual hugs always coming your way when needed …..
Your words are very true too Mary about booze , good for nothing etc etc !
Do hope you lost the weight you hoped for , I must measure my waist so I can check both inches loss & weight loss too .
Any loss for me will be gratefully accepted !
I was up 200 grams from yesterday’s weigh in , after what I believed was a better effort since feeling the Royal whip on my butt , so I skipped breakfast , just black tea so made it a 17 hour fast by the time I lunched at 1 , so I’m very interested to see if that long fast helps me to lose at least that 200 grams .
FFBB The new jeans and dress a great idea for incentive , I may just add a pair of new jeans or a new dress to my shopping list !
Lee I do hope your back improves , and your ultrasound gives some answers about your electrolyte imbalance , all the best xx
& yes ‘ Here’s to shared resolve ‘ EC .
Look forward to checking back here soon .
H66 xx

Good morning and good wishes all on this Tuesday weigh-in day, the first of this challenge round.

My plan to fast yesterday was successful in my terms. It was never to be a full day, I waited until lunch time, (light salad), then dinner (egg, Haloumie, sauteed vegs) 1 square 85% Lindt = 510cal/34carbs. This has led to a drop of .7kg from 64.5kg y/day to 63.8kg this morning. So the same weight I started this challenge.

Today’s plan is to not exceed 800/50. I’ve spent 106cal/15carbs on breakfast. Nothing more until lunch time. Just about to head to the gym for a pilates session.

One day at a time …….