Hi

Not a good day – can’t explain why just seemed to be looking to eat!!!!! Feel sad now but even more determined to stop now and get back on plan. Really helps being able to tell you of my awful day – thanks

Hope you doing ok 🙂

FFBB Lol…they ARE the bandits…they drive me to drink lol

Look at it this way Mary, your visitors proved a healthy distraction from the bandits. 🤠🤠🤠🐱‍👤🐱‍👤🐱‍👤

Don’t feel guilty sunshine-girl I need a good telling off now and again. Haven’t touched a digestive today. Weird thing is that when I was away and didn’t have any, although we could have taken a trip and got some, I didn’t miss them at all.

I think Mnm has it with ‘mentality’ being the key. I used to smoke but could go on a long haul flight and it never bothered me that I couldn’t. I eventually gave up 18 years ago with no difficulty because I made my mind up to stop. Now I just have to make up my mind to…
1. Stop snacking on rubbish.
2. Get back to healthy, varied BSD eating.
3. Practice what I preach.

So there it is in a nutshell. Now I just have to put it into practice.

FFBB, I wish I had your resolve. I started this week exercising, but daughters and grandchildren have got in the way. I am exhausted though so maybe that will help. I thought I was to have a ‘me’ day today…but my lovely girls and their lovely babies came around again…good job I love seeing them.

Stay strong.

Mary xxx

I have had the odd ice cream on holiday (orange and mascarpone, yum) and far too many slices of cake recently 😀 but for me the trick has been to keep mindfulness front and centre, so I absolutely enjoy what I eat, and then eat healthy low carb the rest of the time. Very occasionally I get the carb addict symptoms back again, but I recognise them when they appear now, and usually a fast day will reset my system. After my birthday at the end of June I probably overdid the eating and drinking and ended up out of my maintenance weight comfort zone, if only by a pound, so I have currently embarked on a reboot week of 800 calories again, with 16:8 intermittent fasting and for the last 5 days full fasting mimicking diet with low protein as well as low carb and all plant based, I have just (almost) completed the first fasting mimicking day so 3 days in and have lost 3.8 pounds so far and exactly back to my target weight. I will almost certainly have a bit more wiggle room after I finish which is good because I am off on holiday again. Never say never, but you will have to find your own way to make it work. I certainly am still eating a lot healthier and more carefully than I used to.

I’m not sure enjoy is the right word! But I’m certainly pleased with the loss, and it’s been so much easier than I expected. It’s felt like a lot longer than one week though.
It’s funny, we’re always being told to eat less salt yet with this, it’s more!

Day 20 in the BSD house.

Stuck to my WOE and have done my 4 sets of 16 reps strength exercises (arms and shoulders) I am starting to feel the exercises in my muscles but I know it will take weeks, if not months to see a change but what counts is that I am trying. 😇

Shame exercise increases my appetite 🤔 but I stayed strong! 💪

Hope you all stayed strong.

FFBB X

Thanks everyone for your advice. Really, I just want to be able to have the odd ice cream on holiday, or a piece of cake. I suppose I’ll see how I feel afterwards, I may go to the 5:2.
I’m not diabetic ,or pre-diabetic, I just want to lose weight and as I’m hypothyroid it’s always been difficult. As you’ve said though, by the end of 8 weeks I might not see them as treats! Thanks.

On plan so far for day one, and still not hungry really. Mentally in the ‘fasting zone’ really quite well and didn’t have the salad until 4 o’ clock, still have the soup to go. The only extra so far is two grapes! The salad tasted great, I must keep making such varied salads as they are far more satisfying than my more usual leaf based pre-prepared ones. Going for a walk now so I can split it into two meals and looking forward to more tomorrow.

To reassure you Mrs honey, I am a year on maintenance, still eating very low carb and all my cholesterol ratios are excellent — eating this way is the healthiest way — of course, because it has very few refined flours and other starchy carbs, low sugar and lots of veg/protein.
To return to old eating patterns like pasta, bread, potatoes, sweets etc. would put me right back on the yo-yo nightmare that was my previous life. It was a complete failure for me — the BSD has been a real eye opener — it is not how MUCH you eat, it is WHAT you eat. It took me a while to truly internalize that fact but now I can be friends with my body — before my body and I were in a daily pitched battle that never gave me any peace of mind.

Just thought I would share a link to a really good 45 minute work out for those of us who aren’t particularly active or go to the gym. Usually whenever I go walking I fall over – some of you might remember that earlier on in the year I fell over in Harrogate and sprained both ankles! I had surgery about twenty years ago to remove a Schawwnoma from my femoral nerve and this has left me with a weak left leg and a tendency to fall. . I was told at the time of my surgery that I would always have to walk with a walking stick but I I refused to do that! I am very nervous when out doing a brisk walk because of my history of falls but I have found the perfect solution- you tube walk at home videos and they’re brilliant. I’ve copied a link to the 45 minute walk but there are one mile, fifteen minute walks too. I think they’re great. Happy walking everyone- I am hoping this will boost my metabolism!

https://youtu.be/DYuw4f1c4xs

Yes. It’s known as the carb flu and is a very common symptom of cutting out the carbs from your diet. Some people never get it (I didn’t), most people experience it for a few days or a week, some have an extended bout lasting more than a week. Power through it, drink water constantly and add a little salt to your food if you don’t normally to keep your electrolytes up. Good luck!

Well done you 2 for sticking with it, Well done Ellen on your great loss!
I’ve had a dodgy couple of days but back on it now. Sugar again!
I found missing breakfast quite easy too Dolly and I will go back to doing that. I get more pleasue out of a decent evening meal than breakfast and the fasting for all that time is really good for you.

I’ve had quite extensive foot surgery so been off my feet a lot more than usual this past 12 weeks, but going to see the surgeon on Monday so hoping he’ll give me the all clear to exercise again. I’m a bit of an all or nothing person so I need to be backing the eating up with exercise.
Regarding the socialising I find drinking slimline tonis with ice and lemon a good bet, it feels as though I have a proper drink in my hand. I know the gin isn’t that many calories but I start to make silly food decisions if I have a drink.
Good luck with the weigh in xx

Yowzer
think I have managed to download it on my ipad now, thanks hun

Thanks for that Sunshine!!

Ive used aubergine in ‘lasagne’. I sliced them about 1cm thick, put on a baking sheet lightly sprinkled with olive oil and cooked them for about 10 mins ( I can’t remember exactly as was ages ago but they dried out a bit) then layered them between the meat sauce. Was pretty good substitute.

Mrs Honey, a lot of sense and good advice has already been spoken here and I agree with previous posts.

I have been on this WOE for 6 months now, 2 of those on maintenance having reached my goal in 2 successive rounds of BSD800. So I have relaxed my calorie / carb counting but, in all honesty, struggle to eat much in the way of refined carbs as they end up making me feel so bloated and uncomfortable, so now I don’t even see them as an occasional treat! However, I have reintroduced wine and now have a glass most days, more at weekends with no ill effect. 😜

So complete your 8 weeks, and have a good holiday. You may find that you may not actually want much in the way of carbs by then😜

SSB, so sorry to hear about your bad news, life has a habit of throwing curve balls at us to knock us off balance, but you seem to be coping admirably, and so glad you are feeling a little better today.

Lots of interesting challenges already posted, and I wish each and every one of you good luck in achieving your goals.

I didn’t join the last challenge as I was going to be away so much, but I’m up for this one. I am now in my 3rd month of maintenance, so my personal challenge is pretty boring, and that is to stay at or below my maintenance weight of 8st 7lbs (currently 8st 2lbs so have 5lbs wriggle room) But it will indeed be a challenge as today we decamp from the city to our summer home for 3 months and will have a succession of guests for more or less the entire time so there will be lots of food and wine involved, plus too many visits to the pub😝. But at least I’m in charge of catering (other than when we are dining out, which will be 3 or 4 times a week) so hopefully I will cope. Weather permitting, we always have lots of beach BBQs, fish straight from the sea onto the BBQ in 10 mins flat, so at least that is BSD friendly, and very tasty too. I will try to avoid all the rolls and buns that are always available to accompany sausages and burgers! Wish me luck!!

Oh V I feel so guilty now, certainly not smacking your hands, just keep them away from the digestives. You can slap me around at the weekend when I cant resist a glass or two of wine. 🙂

Hi Mrs Honey
Just been reading this thread and thought I would post – hope that is okay.
What bothers me, is the comment ‘.. and then eat normally’. Actually, it was the result of ‘eating normally’ that originally brought us all to the BSD. So if we are not to end up exactly where we were before, we need to ditch that mind set, because we very evidently were not eating normally.
There is no returning to how we ate before, if we are to maintain our reduced weight and improved health. Yes, we may get away with adding back occasional small portions of things we have avoided on the BSD, but essentially carbs in large quantities will no longer be an option, if we want to maintain our newly discovered selves.
That said, there is no harm in relaxing things a bit and enjoying your holiday. Life happens and holidaying is definitely a time to loosen up and have a few little foodie treats and the odd glass of wine.
Have a good holiday and hopefully you will return relaxed and come back to the BSD.

You are so right!

It’s having the forum to turn to, that has kept me with this and seeing results. Having somewhere that you can vent, whinge or celebrate – without food – makes such a difference and I have found it so much more supportive and positive, than the wishy-washy stuff I experienced in the past with WW or SW.

Keep on going everyone!

Good question sunshine-girl! Hands well and truly smacked. I know all these things BUT I’m weak and now I’m ashamed of myself.

You sound like you’re having a good day. I take heart from you and will not snack after lunch today will just have some salt if I’m desperate!!

Have a good day.

Morning (or afternoon here), hope you are all well. Verano why oh why do you have digestive biscuits in the house yet wont allow a slice of bread to touch your lips. Chuck them out girl. There are lots of other things to snack on, cut up some carrot sticks to keep in the fridge, measure out 7 or 8 almonds, have a boiled egg, what about a couple of oat cake biscuits with some cheese. Sorry to tell you off but you would do the same for me and I always deserve it.

Hubby is in the pool right now and I have been prepping my lunch, tuna and cream cheese whizzed up with celery, carrot, courgette and red peppers to dip in. Breakfast was poached egg with grilled mushrrom and dinner will be that chicken cacciatore. Comes in around 650 calories so room for a bit of dark chocolate. BG was 5.0 this morning and on 21 units insulin. Might get in the pool after lunch if the rain holds off.

1960smp, the bacon and avocado recipe is easy. Pile your plate with the salad of your choice, I prefer ribbon courgette and red peppers and maybe a bit of spring onion, grill 3 nice sized rashers of bacon until pretty well done and slice half an avocado. Arrange these on top of the salad plate and pour over a couple of tablespoons of Greek yoghurt mixed with a teaspoon of olive oil and teaspoon of lemon juice – I also add half a crush garlic clove. Voila, delicious and doesn’t feel like a diet meal.

Keep on keeping on…

Am still planning, so not properly started ( shopped yet )

Sunshine girl, can you link me to / share the recipe for the bacon/avocado recipe pls?

I am so upset with myself as up to last week I had managed to lose 5kg but following a disappointment I let go and ate!

Anyhow, decided to get well planned with menus several days ahead to help so I don’t have an excuse. Struggling to concentrate and read so its taking me longer than anticipated…

SunnyB I only mentioned mindfulness in passing but you are so right. Mindfulness is a bit like drinking water we have to keep reminding ourselves all the time.

Yes pickled cucumbers, herrings yummy. I’d forgotten piccalilli with cheese lovely. I just don’t like pickled onions. In fact I don’t like onions full stop unless they are cooked in something. Hate onion flavoured food as well, cheese and onion crisps yukkkk, not that I eat crisps now. Well maybe the odd one!

Think I may just have cottage cheese with pickled cucumbers for lunch today and maybe some tomatoes with salt!

Thank you SunnyB – and good luck to you too – with lots of positive supportive peeps on this forum, we can do it!
SSB

Okay SSB, it’s good that you have things in control and find you can manage without counting calories. Somehow this just doesn’t work for me if I want to lose weight (might be because I’m a very slow loser). It works fine if I want to maintain, although even then I find the pounds have a habit of starting to slowly sneak back. So if I want to lose I have to count both the cals and carbs. Anyway, it’s good that you don’t have the same issue.

Glad that you are managing not to comfort eat. I think combatting that pattern is very challenging and can be really hard to break. Having something stressful and emotional going on, obviously makes it even more so. Hope you continue to keep a handle on things – well done.

Feeling slightly better on this challenge, maybe there’s something to be said for starting it, makes you feel triply accountable or something maybe. Yesterday and Tuesday I strictly calorie and carb counted, today is just going to be low carb aims as I go to a friend for lunch. Feeling positive about losing 2lb by Tuesday.
Keep on going everyone!

That Rendang sounds delicious, Marcie, making my mouth water thinking about it.

Sorry to hear the snacking got a bit out of hand yesterday, Verano. Hope you’ve got a handle on it again and I’m not going to get in trouble for the dent in your resolve! Might try the salt trick myself. I find the things with a strong punchy flavour, like something salty or pickled really helps when dieting.

Think you have also hit on something, Verano, mentioning the need to be mindful of what we eat. Actually, it was going to be my offering for today as well. Think it’s something that can be hard to hold on to and applying a little thought and mindfulness can make a huge difference. Just asking yourself, ‘Do I need this?’ or ‘Do I really want to eat this?’ before diving in, can make a big difference.

Anyway instead, for today I’ll offer up the pickles – gherkins/cornichon, olives, silver onions, etc – anything with a tang, but low on sugar. I love piccalilli and just a little with a bit of cheese is very pleasing.

SueBlue, well done for sticking with it this time – all us January starters must be celebrating our 6 month anniversary about now. My actual anniversary is on Sunday, and I have also just passed my 2 month anniversary on maintenance. Going ok so far – after our totally over-indulgent 5 days I am pleased to report that I am now back to being 5lbs under my target weight again, so have my wriggle room back. Just as well as today we decamp from the city to our summer home for 3 months of pretty full on socialising / guests staying / beach BBQs etc. On the other hand, there will lots of sailing and walking too, so hopefully one will counterbalance the other. Like you, I have learned a lot since January and am also totally comfortable with this WOE.

Cyster, good luck with your aim to lose 8lbs by the end of July and, of course, with your final target of 8.5st (which was my target weight too, but now 5lbs below for wriggle room 😛) Keep on keeping on and you’ll get there – well done on your 2lb loss this week.

lyn, good to hear from you too – really good to know you are still with us. I weigh myself daily too – particularly now I am in maintenance, on the basis that it is far easier to address a 2lb gain than a 7lb gain! Good for you on the exercise front and the weights etc. I have to confess that the only exercise I do is walking, but miles and miles of it (2 big energetic dogs who would be bouncing off the walls if they didn’t get at least 5 miles a day, and generally more like 8 miles – that’s me, they are running around off lead so probably do 3 or 4 times that 😝 )

I said in an earlier post that we must accommodate our ups and downs/ social occasions etc because life is for living. If we want this WOE to be sustainable we have to be comfortable with it, no point whatsoever being thin and miserable! The trick is, I think, to see the whole picture, not little blips, and remind ourselves just how far we have come since those dark days of January.

.

Hi SunnyB,
I don’t actually do the 800 cals – I just stick to low/very low carbs which tends to keep the calories low anyway but I don’t count calories generally. I only have a few more pounds to lose so I am not ever so strict – my real challenge is not to comfort eat and so far this time, I’m ok.
Good luck to everyone else here – it’s a very positive group! 😊😊😊😊
SSB

SaltySeaBird – hope you are doing okay. I understand you desire to keep a hold of the BSD, but don’t be too hard on yourself. If you need a day or two not sticking strictly to the 800 cals, it might be best to allow yourself a little space.

ClarinetCathy – very well done on being the lightest you have been for sometime. Keep up the good work!

There is lots of positivity on the thread, which is great to see. I’m feeling good at the moment, managing to keep good control of the cals and carbs well for the last three days, with an average cal intake below 800per day. Currently a pound down on my challenge start weight, so happy with how things are progressing.

I like the idea of thinking outside the box and making high-protein replacements for favourite foods, Ancient Weaver. I shall be giving that some thought.

Hi Cooper28

Thanks for info – I am going to weigh tomorrow morning which will be day 5

Concerned about weekend with socialising etc

Haven’t been eating breakfast find better for me to eat later 👍

Hi,
Yes the recipe is in the book, Page 226.

I weighed myself this morning ( was going to wait until Friday lol), 3 off, well chuffed with that.I feel more alert! No head smog, I just hope I can ghet through the week end on it.

I am loving the new breakfast, instead of cereal I am having – raisins, full fat yougurt, nuts and flax seeds, tasted great and the recipe is in the book, page 188 . Keeps me full until lunch, then I have the ploughmans.

Hope you are all doing okay on it!

Ellen :o)

I am feeling completely focused for this next challenge and have been planning my meals the day before and sticking to it. It’s six months since I started BSD and today I weigh the lightest I have weighed for a very very long time. 140.6 lb! My aim is to get 4 pounds off this month and four pounds off next month and then I should be near to my goal of a BMI of 25. I am doing a combination of indoor walking via Youtube, fasting and strict BSD and am the most determined I’ve been since starting in January to get where I want to be. Thank you for the support and encouragement and top tips in this thread.

Oh Mary, what are you like?

Wait, so now there are Bandits as well as those pesky Sirens? *circles all our wagons*.

XX

DAY 3 of 7

Sounds lovely Marsie and even though I’m just about to have my yogurt and berries I’d much prefer your Rendang!

Yesterday I think I took to your idea of BSD snacks with far too much enthusiasm SunnyB! I had a really ‘snackful’ day. It started with salad for lunch and then I just ‘needed something’ so had a couple of oat cakes and a piece of cheese but still not satisfied the digestives reared their ugly head. That was it, no dinner just a day of snacking, nuts, raisins and 90% chocolate. All BSD friendly just too many of them!

Anyway today is another day and I think I need to pass on a tip from Mixnmatch ….. salt. She suggests a taste of salt on your finger tip to stop cravings. I really think this may work. On Tuesday I had courgetti puttanesca for lunch and I though I was satisfied because it was quite substantial, but I now think it may have been the salt from the anchovies, olives and parmesan. So will certainly put it to the test today at lunchtime which seems to be my danger zone. It could also have a knock on effect and force me to drink more water!

Some really good ideas here and today I’m going to be really mindful of what I eat as my enthusiasm for BSD builds back up.

Good posts coming in. Love the idea of the one pot vegs Mnm. And re the water Baristagirls, I should add this to my new goals. With the weather colder here now, I am not getting in my usual intake. Thanks for the reminder.

Missed being here yesterday altogether because of computer probs. I’m sitting here now with the aroma of a Malaysian Rendang curry in my slow cooker. The coconut milk and jar of Ayam curry paste are within my cal and carb limits for today. Will add broccoli and cauliflower to the plates and cook only enough rice for OH.

Marsie I here you about being rather jaded and finding it difficult to stick to 800 calories. I found that 800 was fine to stick to for 8 weeks or a couple of rounds of 8 weeks, but when you are getting into 6+ months as I am it is hard. So I’m doing a similar thing, actually have been for a while now, I have 2 days of 800 calories and then 5 days of about 1000 – although it usually averages out to 900 calories per day over a week. This way I find I can stick to the WOE and lose weight (albeit slowly, but it is slow anyway while I’m on daily prednisone).
I think we all need to find our own way with this WOE and do what works best for us 🙂

Thanks for replying. Its good to hear that the sugar can be beaten. I have to say I felt awful yesterday, no cravings but I felt like I had the flu. Is that normal in the first few days?

Mrs Honey I guess it all depends whether you have diabetes or not. If you do have it then I’m afraid certain carbs are never going to be your friend. The odd potato may not do much harm occasionally but in general you won’t be able to eat them and control diabetes. If you don’t have diabetes then it’s a case of trial and error. Good luck whichever way and enjoy your holiday.

lol, Baristagirls, thank you for starting up this challenge for us.

Hi, SaltySeaBird. I like your thinking there: “break the stress-eating cycle completely.” Good luck with it, and in fact, I think I will embrace that too.

I’ve often said that “I don’t do well with actual kg goals, am better with behavioural goals that lead to the kgs moving downwards”. That was the theory but lately, anyway, I haven’t stuck with the step x step goals I’d set. Like Verano, I’m rather jaded and finding 800cals too hard to adhere to. Maybe a combination will help. So my goals for this challenge will be to:
1) Lose 2kg
2) Aim for x5 daily totals between 800-1000cals; x2 daily totals no higher than 850cals.
3. Beware of stress situations which may lead to careless eating.

Best wishes everyone in meeting our personal goals xx Marilyn

Hi everyone,

It was my turn to slip… quite a deliberate choice, actually, half way through the 8 weeks BSD. Not enough calories to be alarming, but significantly more than my 800. It is village party time in some places in Portugal, which means open air restaurants set up in the park, long tables with groups of friends, and music in the balmy summer air. Vinho flowing, grilled meats and salads, and desserts adorn tables. There’s rice, too, which I ignored (though Portuguese rice is cooked with onion and garlic and oven-baked).

So, Back to the diet today!

Good luck for Bastille day!

Catrina, we’re now waiting for your results too, on tenterhooks.

I also studied at the OU. I did my second degree, a masters in Education (first year psychology) at the OU. I did my second and third degrees while working full-time, raising two children and looking after overworked husband, etc. So I can understand how hard it is. The OU is an amazing organisation, and my MA was the best study course I’ve ever done.

Thank you AncientWeaver,
I don’t really have a typical comfort food – I used to be a serious carb-fiend but I’ve been doing this WOE for so long, I don’t really crave them. I do like ‘proper’ coffee with sweetening e.g vanilla syrup, but that isn’t something I have often. Thankfully, like you, I find the fat/protein combo do stabilise my emotions so I’m more likely to binge on nuts or cheese!
I’m much calmer today so keeping on track.
Good luck to everyone.
SSB

Good morning and a new day thank goodness! Hope it’s a good one for everyone and definitely a better one for me.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’d not heard of the salt trick but will give it a go it can’t do any harm. As for pork rinds I’m not really a meat eater, just having a very occasional, steak, so that one would definitely not work for me. I think I have answered my own problem really. On Tuesday I had a substantial lunch of courgetti puttanesca with anchovies, olives and parmesan so very salty Mnm and I didn’t feel the ‘need’ for something more afterwards. You may have hit the nail on the head it could be salt so will have a savoury lunch today and see how I go or at the very least have some salt on my food.

Glad you had a really good day yesterday s-g hope you have a repeat today. Anyway I loved YOUR words they are very apt for me.

Mnm your menu sounds interesting and your weight loss great. Hope day 3 goes well for you. You certainly seem to be in the right frame of mind.

So onwards keeping on keeping on …….

Hi SaltySeaBird, sorry to hear you have had such bad news, but you are absolutely right not to give up on the diet. I actually came to this diet after finding that increased protein helped massively with my mh problems, especially stress.

What is your typical comfort food? Try and make a protein rich version.
If it’s chocolate ice cream, try a chocolate protein shake, enriched with real cream.
Cakes or biscuits? Make your own, replacing the flour with almond flour or ground almonds, or any nut flour really. Cut out most of the sugar and replace with a teaspoon or two of local honey (real honey has more sweetness for it’s calories).

If you’re finding it generally hard to keep to the diet, when you’ve got less on your plate, it will probably pay dividends to work out what important nutrient/food element, you are missing, but it’s not worth getting stressed about, especially as you are stressed already.

Why thank ya kindly little ladies….

I get the dry tongue too, especially when I’m rigidly sticking at it and drinking loads. Bit of a paradox…. but something salty helps!

Hi SueBlue, thank you but I think if I go down that path, I’ll end up comfort eating and re-teaching my body and mind that eating will make me feel better. No, I will keep going with the diet – I need to break the stress-eating cycle completely.
SSB