Latest forum posts

  • posted by  arcticfox on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks for bumping the Good Eats thread, Pootle. It made me remember about the cauliflower tortillas that I discovered way back when. Now I’m realizing that they were gluten free. I am struggling with shop bought wraps not holding together and a lot of them don’t have great ingredients either. This original recipe uses eggs, which I’m still not coping well with, but I have had success substituting flax in other recipes, so may give that a go with this one too. Just have to finish harvesting all the garlic so I can get my life back for a few weeks before I have to clean it all! About 1/2 out of the ground now.
    https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/cauliflower-tortillas-recipe/

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Thank you very much Kath & I hope you are sleeping better now?
    My return to much lower carb eating will have to wait awhile until I can stand & get back in the kitchen! I am very grateful to my husband helping me so much & I don’t know how someone living alone could cope returning home after knee replacement surgery.
    Amusingly when we first got married my husband was the more adventurous cook having completed a Cordon Bleu cookery course! But we soon adopted the more usual pattern of me cooking & doing housework things whilst he has always been good at practical stuff being an engineer & gardening because I don’t have very green fingers although my house plants have survived well😂
    I may challenge my husband to cook a meal from scratch to see how he gets on perhaps starting with an omelette ?😀
    Keep on going everyone & take care.
    Margaret xx

  • posted by  Lucy1771 on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Yes seem to have given up so much. Have t drunk wine ina long time due to the calories etc. But I do love a short, like rum, vodka, gin etc. With coke zero or something.
    Need to rein that in a bit, got into a habit of enjoying the evening sun and having a few glasses.
    So strictly weekends only from now on. 🥲
    It’s definitely not helping the weight loss.
    However I am still getting up most days and heading for my walk. 2.2 miles around local reservoir. Non stop. It’s so beautiful. Free and helps the soul.
    Not going today as have the house clean to do so that will keep me active.
    I have 10 weeks until my holiday and have devised a pound a week loss in my head.
    I think I can do it ,.onwards and upwards. X

  • posted by  Pootle on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Evening all, I hope you don’t mind a ‘newbie’ butting in. I know ow that all the old hands have soo much more experience than I do, but I want to let you know that you aren’t alone!

    Heidi, I wasn’t on the BSD or Fast 800 in 2017, but I was dieting! Not only because, over the years, my weight had climbed, but also to help husband lose before an operation. From January 2017 to July 2018 I lost 56lb and went down 4 dress sizes…however even then my pre diabetic numbers were climbing. I kept the weight off until late 2020…the pandemic and the death of my only brother ( not permitted to be with him, or even see him through a window still hurts) made me gradually start to put weight back on. In July 2024 I had put on 70lb, gone up 5 dress sizes and become diabetic. I am sad that you ‘feel ashamed at putting your weight back on”.

    We are all human, stresses and emotional events will affect us in different ways, but they will affect us! I think having the courage to recognise that you are ready for another go is brilliant.

    CATHY, taking the time to think about why you are trying and what you want as an outcome, is part of making the right decisions for you. And don’t forget, it is ‘YOU’ that is important. Not what anyone else might think or say. Anyone with empathy and experience will applaud you for taking control.

    DCT, I think taking control with changing the venue for your exercise is a great step….can’t wait to hear how you get on.

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Heidi- thank you for taking the time to post about my dilemma! You have definitely not spoken out of turn and I am grateful for your advice and helpful comments. I lost 42lb in 2017 and put back on 20lb. I don’t even know how I managed to get so low as 133 lb but I did and my couldn’t maintain it. Like DCT I am intrigued as to who you were and I hope I would remember you 😊 It’s sad that you felt shame and therefore felt you had to change your name. I feel I have the most willpower out of anyone I know- my fiends tell me the same! Through thick and thin I’ve tried a variety of ways to lose weight and when i found the BSD I hit the jackpot and lost 3 stone albeit slowly. For the last couple of years I can’t seem to lose except a few pounds and then they go back on and then they come off and I’m getting fed up. I’m going to think about the why? It’s a really interesting question. I am vegetarian and eat a healthy diet but I feel I am constantly battling to keep the scales from creeping up. Anyway, just wanted to say thank you do your thoughts and I am going to seriously think about my why! Part of me wants to throw in the towel and accept defeat.
    DCT- I’m really pleased your treating yourself to something lovely. You deserve it.

  • posted by  Pootle on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Margaret, Brilliant to hear you have had the op and are home! Keep up the good work and heal quickly! Give your husband a great pat on the back…mine would find cooking for us an impossibility! Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery!
    xx Kath.

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hello S-G & very kind of you to message me. My op was now one week ago & I came home after the third day. I’m ok but trying to balance pain meds with the side effects & unfortunately still as usual spending lots of pennies through the night which exercises my leg of course but continues to interrupt my sleep. I am tired & Tramadol of course is a soporific & also causes constipation which is inconvenient 🤔🙁. My leg is very swollen & black & blue because of the blood thinner I have to take for another week & I do wish I wasn’t pear shaped with my extra weight on my thighs & legs 😀.
    I’m pleased to hear that your cousin is doing well & I have a check up in a weeks time when I’m told the clips will be taken out & I will be reviewed in the physio department. I am doing all my exercises & my husband is doing stirling work feeding me & supervising me exercising 😀. We are eating more M & S convenience meals to make catering simpler but also lots of veg & pulses.
    I sympathise Pootle with your dessert eating because it is very difficult to resist when placed in front of you. My husbands idea of portion size is also much larger than mine😂
    Take care everyone & take it day by day doing the best that you can 👍
    Margaret xx

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    HEIDI I completely agree with everything you say. And now I’m intrigued as to what your previous username was 😊. Lovely to interact with you as your new identity, and we probably know each other also from 2017!

    I’m having a serendipitous weekend! Having been low carb all week, the social scene has kicked in and brought its own challenges. The buffet at a friends party yesterday made me realise how brown many carby foods are! And a slug of Prosecco – which I usually love – just tasted like liquid sugar. Between them though another pound has jumped back on 🤬 Lesson learned. I feel like I’m on the brink of another step forward in terms of breaking bad habits. Here’s hoping 🤞

    On a more positive note, I’m going to look round a couple of local hotels with pools this week. I’ve been a member of a big chain gym and pool for quite a while now but have gradually stopped going because I just don’t like it any more. Noisy, blokey and smelly!! So I recently cancelled it rather than continue to throw money away. But I want – and need – to have somewhere to exercise, so have been having a big think about what is important to me. And have concluded (I think!) that if I’m going to pay to go somewhere I’d rather pay more and go somewhere nicer. A bit of a breakthrough for me as – a bit like ARCTICFOX has said – I’m always reluctant to put myself first and do things for me. But I thought as long as I’m still doing freelance work after retiring why not splash out on myself. So will be looking at nearby hotels with pool / spa / gym to find a place I can swim, exercise in peace and also rest and relax. Will report back in due course!

  • posted by  Heidi24 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all, time for my weekly check in. I have enjoyed another week of healthy eating with no major wobbles – just one small baked potato. I have discovered Lidl’s 85 per cent chocolate which is absolutely delicious. Particularly when crunched with a walnut…. That aside, I am not having much in the way of cravings. For me that is the most important benefit, since I had gone so far off track because of comfort and stress eating. I lost a kilo this week, so am now down 9.1 kilos since 25 May.

    CATHY I have been thinking a lot about your post and whether to add my twopence worth. We both joined this site in 2017, both lost a lot a weight (me 20 kilos from Oct 2017 to I think June 2018). But you managed to keep a lot of that weight off. I, on the other hand, put most of it back by the end of COVID, and then added more after my husband’s diagnosis. So not sure if I have the right to comment. I even changed my user name out of shame!

    Clearly there is no conflict between appreciating all that you have as well as eating healthily. It is the next step of depriving yourself by lowering calorie intake.. JGwen used to talk about the WHY. Why have you got a particular number in your head? BMI healthy ranges are so wide now, that you may already qualify as healthy? Is there a particular wobbly bit that bothers you, and would targeted exercise be better? Do you want to get into a a particularly swish outfit? Give yourself wriggle room for the holiday…?

    Once you kinow your WHY then perhaps look again at the HOW. As DCT says, maybe you are reaching your settled weight, which may be different now from some years ago? Or could you be eating too little protein and thus holding on to reserves just in case? As you say, life is there to be enjoyed. A satisfying healthy diet is an integral part of that. Your friend’s death, and my weekly visits with husband to chemo are confronting experiences and do make us appreciate all that we have and how precious life is. And how life needs to be supported and enhanced by feeding ourselves properly. I do wish you all the very best in the balancing the arguments. And I remain in awe that you, unlike me, succeeded in keeping some of the original pounds off!

    I hope I haven’t spoken out of turn. And am also sending lots of good wishes to Arcticfox, DCT and Dawn and all others in the group.x

  • posted by  Pootle on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Good afternoon all!

    An interesting weekend….very sleepless night on Friday, (about 2 hours in total!) Weather as unpredictable as my weight etc !!

    Husband said ‘let’s eat out’ yesterday…so lunch of steak and salad, then I completely spoiled my restricted carb intake by having a chocolate brownie with cream…it was huge, and I ate it all!!! (If only husband would have one and let me have a spoonful taster….but he won’t! Once I have whole dessert on a plate in front of me, my self control just evaporates!)

    Today, as we left church, he suggested Sunday Lunch out too. This time I was much more focussed! Roast beef and turkey, cauliflower, broccoli, swede and a few peas…no stuffing, or potato and only ate half the Yorkshire pudding! We didn’t have dessert! Came home for coffee!

    I have been browsing the recipes on this site…found broccoli or cauliflower bread…so going to try that this week!

    I hope you have all had a great weekend…not mentioning you all individually, but know that I am thinking about you all!!
    xx

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Just popped in to say hi to Margaret. When you posted on 6th July you said surgery this Saturday so I assume it was last week. Anyway, you should have had the op by now so wishing you a speedy recovery. My cousin had the same op a few weeks ago and it doing well.

    Daughter sat in East Midlands airport with a lager waiting for their flight so we will be leaving here in 2 hours to pick them up. All the best to everyone and thank you Pootle for keeping it going.

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks Articfox, I will try the things you suggested and see how I get on. I hope you manage to get the garlic harvest completed without too many more interruptions. The EMDR sessions sound as though they will be really helpful but I would imagine can be exhausting too. I’m pleased the second X-ray of your hand confirmed it isn’t broken.
    Dawn XX

  • posted by  arcticfox on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone,
    Checking in quickly. I’m in the middle of garlic harvest, well not the middle, I’m only 1/4 done but had to stop because of the rain making everything too wet for now. Hopefully will be back at it tomorrow.
    Heidi- well done on your loss so far.
    Cathy- I hear you on the weight that won’t budge. Once I get through the garlic harvest, I will focus more on building muscle. I think that will help me the most as I age and hopefully might end up burning some extra calories for me too. I was slim-est (not lightest) as an adult when I was weight lifting regularly.
    Dawn – I’ve had to go lower fat too with my gastritis. Saturated fats in particular seem to set things off, so I use more olive and canola oil. I also use high fibre foods like flax and chia and legumes to fill up instead of the fat. Hope that helps a bit.
    So, I had a really tough EMDR session yesterday around the feelings of not being cared for that lead to binge eating. Turns out it is heavily tied to not feeling worthy or not deserving care from others, and it is amazing how far back this goes. The EMDR digs a lot of stuff up from very early childhood. The memory we were working from was when I was probably not much more than 2 years old. I thought we would be working from memories from my teenage years or just before because that was when I started binge eating, but the feelings of not being cared for are from much earlier. It turns out that my teen years were just when I started having access to the foods to comfort myself because my mum was working and I could strategically raid the cupboards. Before that, she was always at home and maintained pretty strict control over the fridge and cupboards, and we were never given any pocket money so I couldn’t have bought any food myself. We’ll have to see if this session has any effect. It sometimes takes a while for the reprocessing to happen after a session.
    Anyway, I had to have a second x-ray of my hand this week to confirm for sure that it isn’t broken. They were seeing a shadow on the first x-ray, but it seems it was an old partial fracture that has healed and is stable. No idea how or when I did that! Anyway, just soft tissue to mend. Unfortunately, due to the garlic harvest, I can’t rest it right now. Wearing a snug glove helps though.

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks DCT, I’ve been on the MFP app this afternoon tweaking things on my nutrient goals and think I’ve managed to work out which percentages would work to make my food plans lower fat for the time being but still low carb and high in protein so will see how that goes🤞Dawn XX

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    DAWN so sorry you are having all these glitches. I hope that you can get back on the system and get fast tracked for your gall bladder removal. So frustrating!! I’m not an expert but would have thought the BSD WoE would be fine for your diet for now, but maybe with lower fat options if that is recommended. But do see if you can get clearer guidance from someone involved with your care. I really hope that you get some resolution on all this soon.

    Best wishes, DCT X

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone and well done on the 3lb loss DCT.
    I’m having a bit of a frustrating day, 2 weeks since I left hospital and I still haven’t even received a discharge letter(there were no staff available to properly discharge me on the day so I was asked if I would mind if it was done by post which I was fine with) and nothing to say I was on a list of any kind for my gallbladder removal. The consultant had told me I could either stay in hospital to wait for the operation or he could put me on an outpatient list to have my operation within the month as he said it was unlikely the acute pancreatitis would recur within a month. I decided to ring the hospital today, I didn’t want to be a nuisance but I had a niggling feeling I may get ‘forgotten about’ especially as there was nothing on my NHS app records regarding my transfer to a different hospital from A&E. I eventually got to speak to the consultant’s secretary who was very nice but there was no record of me being on any list or discharged (or I got the feeling, of even being in that hospital but I may be wrong, when I speak to her again I will clarify that) it’s all very worrying as the consultant is now on leave for 2 weeks so goodness knows when my gall bladder removal which needed doing ‘within the month’ 2 weeks ago will now get done. I said ‘so if I get the pain again should I just go to A&E’ and she said yes. She also said to watch my diet and keep to low fat food. Everything I read about pancreatic health says to eat low fat dairy etc which goes against everything I’ve learned in the past few years about eating healthily so it’s hard to know what to believe. I’m just feeling confused about it all at the minute😩 Dawn X

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    CATHY I agree so much with what you say in your post and didn’t find it negative at all. I think each one of us needs to find the right balance between being content and grateful with all that we are and all the good things that we have, whilst at the same time working to make positive improvements to our health and wellbeing. I’ve been thinking along similar lines to you in that I definitely do need to lose weight and body fat at the moment, but do I really need to doggedly pursue my long term target if that isn’t achievable or desirable/healthy for me? Right now I’d be happy to see some significant loss and end up a few pounds over my original target weight if I feel healthy and am happy with how I look at that point. I don’t want to be obsessed by numbers, but by wellbeing.

    I read something else interesting today about “settled weight”. I’m sure it’s been mentioned on these forums before. But, as I understand it, your body kind of wants you to be a certain weight and if you go below that it will gradually ensure that you put the weight back on again to get back to your settled weight (though, sadly , I don’t think it works the other way round!). That may be a rubbish explanation, and it’s something I want to look into more but don’t have time today. But yet more food for thought so to speak . . . .
    Anyway CATHY just to say you are not being negative and I think many of us are on the same page : wanting to achieve our best weight , health and wellbeing whilst also enjoying every moment of life the way we are now. And I hope that you get good results from your appointment next week. Will be thinking of you X

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Well done on your 3lb loss DCT. An interesting fact about keeping weight off. Despite life’s ups and downs over the years I am still 20lb lighter than I was when I started the BSD in 2017. However, I’m finding losing weight incredibly difficult these days and part of me is thinking that maybe I should accept myself for what I am instead of constantly fighting a losing battle. Don’t misunderstand me, I will always be mindful of what I eat but I don’t know whether I want to keep punishing myself trying to lose weight that simply wont budge! I feel I want to be kinder to myself instead of constantly punishing myself for feeling a failure. I am 64 years old, my mum died aged 57 very suddenly with septicaemia so I am always grateful for the extra years I’ve had that she didn’t get to enjoy. . I’ve got a long list of medical issues one of which is rather concerning and I’m back at Christie Hospital next week for my scan result. I have a lovely husband, two lovely boys. a lovely cat, a lovely home and a happy contented life so why am I constantly chasing a number on the scales that I can’t achieve. It’s interesting isn’t it? Sorry if this seems a negative post- I’m not feeling negative but feeling I need to be realistic and thankful for the positives in my life and maybe I need to accept me for me. Thoughts?

  • posted by  Violinist on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Good morning from Florida!
    Hello to you, Verano! Shetland, this website recipes are good. Wendy, good luck with surgery on your knee. Please do let us know how you are.
    I use My Fitness Pal for posting my menus and day-to day-activity. My A1c is borderline at 5.7 so I am focusing on low-moderate carbs most of the time. I started on this website at 170 lbs in 2018 and thru the years lost 20 lbs by changing my foods and tastebuds and staying active. I am 69. It is amazing how many of you are still here all these years!
    Has anyone seen Alliecat?
    Catherine

  • posted by  SunnyB on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Pootle …. your post has reminded me I should be posting some positives, especially as I’m feeling a bit low today, so an ideal time to look at the plus points in my life ….
    🌹🌹 lunched with eldest GS yesterday and then had a long chat with his mum in the evening … good to catch up properly with family
    🌹🌹 rose feed arrived, so have been out this morning dosing all my rose bushes. It’s a little late to do it, but think they need the boost after being a bit neglected while I was away.
    🌹🌹 all upcoming birthdays sorted … cards and gifts in hand, just need to write and wrap.

    If you’re not feeling overly positive, take a moment to identify at least one … believe me there’ll one and finding it will help to give you a little lift.

  • posted by  Pootle on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Good morning all,
    As it has been a week since I last posted on this thread, I thought it was time to ‘bump it up’ the listing!
    So a couple of positives:
    1. Heat wave has past, and it has rained here…so watering no longer a priority! ☔️💧
    2. Butternut squashes forming… first time I have grown them. 😄
    3. Enjoying a second cup of delicious coffee, having a slow start to the day! ☕️

    I hope everyone can find a positive in their day!
    Kath. Xxx

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone – can’t believe another week has just flown by.

    HEIDI some lovely words in your last post. I’ve. been on this journey since 2017 and sometimes I feel ashamed and frustrated that not on ly have I still not got to goal, but that – particularly recently – I have put back on some of the weight I had lost. But healthy eating is a lifelong commitment, and it’s worth it. I’ve always cut myself a bit of slack for treat days and special occasions, but in recent weeks have just let things slide too much and have seen the consequences.

    So this week I’m back on track. Have cut out all white carbs and am really enjoying making recipes from the BSD recipe books. Not only are they low carb and calorie but I also find them delicious, and it’s so nice to try some different recipes (food planning is not my forte!). I’m also doing mostly 16:8 and 2 meals a days. Anyway I’m delighted to have shed 3lb so far this week, even though I know it’s mostly a water weight hangover from my recent sloppiness (and btw, the reason I didn’t put on weight on holiday is because I’d slapped it on before I went. And on holiday I was pretty active and it was so hot I think I sweated it off 😂). But a loss is a loss, so I’m feeling positive and hopeful I can reverse my recent trends and habits.

    Also I read an interesting fact in a newspaper article yesterday that only 3 in 1000 people keep weight off after they have lost it. Now I have no idea if that is true (the article was about someone who has lost a lot of weight naturally – no jabs – over the years and has managed to keep it off) but I will look into it further. And wanted to say a great big WELL DONE to all those of us on this forum who have lost weight and managed to keep at least some of it off. We are awesome 🙌

    Have a great weekend everyone, and hope you are doing well X

  • posted by  Pootle on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Lucy,
    I told the doctor “When I became allergic to the sulphites in wine, 🍷 I gave up drinking alcohol. When I developed a cough, I gave up smoking 🚬 . When diabetes struck, I gave up eating sweet things 🍰, bread 🍞, potatoes 🥔 , pasta 🍝 , pastry 🥐 and rice 🍚 . Don’t ever tell me I cannot have a good strong coffee!” ☕️
    I have a bean to coffee machine, and really enjoy a strong black coffee every morning and when ever I feel in need during the day. It is my daily indulgence!! I am dreading the time someone says it is damaging my health and I have to stop!!
    The 1lb could be because your body has suddenly decided it needs to conserve fat again… I am certain your perseverance will pay off!
    Keep on keeping on,
    Kath. Xxxx

  • posted by  Lucy1771 on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    So I put on a lb this week. Despite walking most days and adhering to diet.

    The only thing I can think is enjoying a few drinks a few of times sat in the garden.
    So need to rein that in now too.
    Wow life is tough lol, gave up smoking, strict diet and cut down alcohol!!!
    Hope youre all doing better than me! X

  • posted by  Shetland Lace on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hello to you too, Verano. And hi to everybody else!

    Pootle, thanks for the tip about the recipe book. I’ll take a look. I’m still learning the ropes as far as balancing carbs and protein is concerned, while trying to make sure I have enough fibre every day. And it sometimes feels like I’m spending half my life inputting foods into a calorie calculator lol! But I’m losing weight, very slowly but it is coming off, so I must be doing something right 😉

    Have a relaxing weekend, everyone!

    Lacy xx

  • posted by  Verano on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hello!

    Just want to say welcome back to Violinist and welcome to Shetland Lace and Heidi 24 and Charlotte.

    Sorry I’m not very active on this thread at the moment but Pootle you are doing a great job in keeping this thread going!

    Have a great summer everyone.

    Looking forward to being more accountable here in the autumn.

  • posted by  Violinist on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Good morning, Pootle, and all!
    Yes, meal planning is going well. I will have surgery next Friday so I have been overcooking and freezing.
    I will stay close to home this next week so I do not catch anything going around.
    Pootle, it can be problematic when on a roll losing weight and trying to slow it down. You get used to certain food favorites and your appetite decreases after a while. It doesn’t help to “treat” yourself to add a few pounds if your focus is also bloodwork numbers.
    Have a great day, Folks!

    Catherine

  • posted by  Pootle on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Good morning all,
    Violinist, I hope your menu planning has paid off and you are on track!

    Shetland Lace, how is it going? I came across a couple of interesting recipes in Emma Porter’s Life Without Diabetes cookbook ( based on Prof Roy Taylor’s 3 step plan.) up until now I have either used The BSD or the Fast 800 recipe books OR adapted my own recipes using the calculating tool!
    But I have been looking around for new ideas!
    As I am on maintenance re weight but still need to have low carb, I have been struggling a bit to find a variety foods in my diet to manage the balancing act!

    S-G enjoy your time with the family…. Hope to see you again when you feel like popping in!

    Margaret, have you had the op yet? If so, I hope all has gone well…if not, good luck! 🍀

    Heidi, hope all is well with you!

    Charlotte, how are you doing… Hope you are making progress.

    Verano, hope the summer is going well for you.

    So, I know this won’t be popular but I need to stop losing weight!!!! 🙄😩🫣
    Weighed this morning and I am down to 9st 11lb!! I wanted to be 10st 7lb, but thought I could hover between 10st and 10 1/2, whilst restricting carb intake. (To have some leeway) 🤪🤪 why is life so complicated????? I am no longer counting calories, just carbs….. keeping to around 50g carb per day from veg etc.
    well, back to the recipe books and try to work out meals that will help to keep my weight steady!!

    I hope you are all keeping on…
    Xxxxx

  • Hello 54.
    I’m still here… maintaining weight and 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞😉🤞😉keeping the diabetes in remission.
    Eating sensibly… keeping away from high carb foods and generally being boring! 🤪🤪🫣
    Great to know you are still on track!
    Pootle.

  • Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    Anybody out there ????????????????????????????????

    Still losing weight people ? I hope so if youre trying and hope not if maintaining !!!

    Im still heading down with I hope 6 months left to target weight after July 2024 reset

    Little but often is my weight loss moto !!

    Hope you are all well

    54

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi all, hope you are coping if you are having a heatwave.

    Pootle, the difficulty for me is that my weight affects how much insulin I have to use and my insulin affects my weight so it is a very careful balancing act. Insulin puts on weight and when I gain it is not because I have come off my diet. I am on this diet every day of my life and a even when I allow myself a treat it is not usually of the carb type, maybe a glass or 2 of wine (which is technically carb) and I am only human. Tonight I am going out for a meal with my husband and even if I don’t eat the bread or have anything more than a mouthful of dessert just to try I will put on weight, hubby wont. I think I gain quarter of a pound for every 10 units of insulin and I am currently on 17 units. I have to stay well within the 800 to 900 calories every day if I can. So I cannot just let the diet slide or I will gain and then I will have to use more insulin and so on and so on…….

    Anyway, I am going to stop obsessing so much and stay off the site for a short while although I know I will be tempted to look to see if anyone needs diabetic advice. Although we have a good diabetic example of how well this works with Pootle and a couple of others so I will try to keep my head down. Daughter and grandson arrive in 6 days and we have a very full schedule so I will be rather busy.

    Stay true and focussed and keep on keeping on…

  • posted by  Pootle on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Good evening all,
    S-G don’t you think we sometimes have to work out a priority and stick to it. Great that your BG is steadily improving and so the insulin is coming down! That had to be good!
    I am maintaining a steady weight and still resisting the carbs, so my carb monster is just grumbling away in the background. At lunchtime today I very nearly succumbed to a slice of buttered granary bread I had prepared for husband…I even put it on my plate with the salad… thinking; “that little bit won’t hurt “ ! I had second thoughts when I got to the table, and handed it over! I am sure it would have led to more!!!

    I hope everyone is surviving the heatwave… this time it has hit us in West Wales also… unusual not to have rain for so long!!!
    Wishing everyone a good week ahead…
    Xxx

  • posted by  Heidi24 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
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    My post just vanished, so apologies for any repetition if it reappears.

    I was just appreciating how nice it is to be part of this forum and wider BSD community. I feel surrounded by people committed to improving and maintaining good health through sensible healthy habits. It is so inspiring to see those who have been here for 7 or 8 years and so committed to their own health and supporting others. You know who you are!

    Sending best wishes to all, who are plugging on despite shingles (how are you doing YOWSER?), cat-astrophes (ARCTICfox), accidents and medical challenges (probably all of us!). Clarinet it must be lovely to be aiming towards an imminent holiday, I hope you have some lovely holiday outfits in mind. And well done DCT for enjoying a healthy holiday.

    For my weekly check in, I am now down 8.1 kilos, so nearly a kilo off this week. I had a wobble in the week when we had wine-loving friends for lunch. But otherwise I have stayed low-carb and no rice pasta bread potatoes. On on!

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
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    Hello everyone
    sorry you’ve had such a traumatic week ArcticFox. I hope you’re well can rest and recuperate over the weekend. My cat is going to be a trip hazard for me I’m sure. He has snuck between my legs and feet many times! Something to be wary of.
    I am impressed that you didn’t out any weight on DCT during your holiday! That is incredible self control. I am staying the same. I can’t seem to shed anything. I’m up and down the same pound all the time. It’s very frustrating.
    I’ve got four weeks until my cruise so I’ll do my best.
    Have a good weekend is everyone.

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks DCT and well done for not gaining on holiday! Articfox I’m so sorry you’ve hd a rotten time, I’m pleased you didn’t break anything and really hope you manage to find some time to relax and look after yourself.Dawn ❤️

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    ARCTICFOX what a week you’ve had! I’m glad that at least your hand isn’t broken, and also that the experiences have helped you to identify the cause of your comfort eating. Take care of yourself – and stay safe this weekend! And I wonder if there are other, gentler, forms of exercise you can do over the next few weeks during your dancing ban?

    Best wishes to everyone else too. Have a great weekend (a very hot one here in the UK!)

  • posted by  Lucy1771 on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Thank you everyone. I’m actually over the moon with it .
    Need to concentrate on weight loss now and get off the remaining 3lbs to get to my lowest and then my last stone or so
    Xx

  • posted by  arcticfox on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Welcome back, DCT. Hope you had a good holiday.
    So the bad luck continued through the week. On Tuesday I was stung by wasps that were building 2 nests in my farm stand. Then on Wednesday, I was coming through the front door after being away at pottery for the evening and the cat was twining herself around my feet and I tripped over her and fell against the corner of the wall and broke my fall with my hand. Thought it was broken, so spent yesterday going to physio for my calf (I have been banned from dancing for 6 weeks!), then to the doctor and to the hospital for an x-ray. The technicians didn’t think it was broken, so that saved me a trip to A&E.
    With being in so much pain and being frustrated, I’m afraid the carb monsters took control and some comfort eating ensued. The only good thing is that I was having trouble identifying negative thought patterns around the binge eating when I wasn’t doing it, so now I’ve been able to catalog them. It seems the thoughts aren’t about the food itself, but around not feeling comforted or cared for by others. So it is an attempt at self-soothing, for sure. But remarkably ineffective, as I just end up getting mad at myself.
    So, it looks like this will be the focus of my next counselling session.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Welcome to Shetland Lace. I sometimes use an app but a lot of my meals have become second nature over the years so have a good idea. It is when I have something new or unusual that I try to log it before I eat it and then maybe I wont eat it after all.

    I think for me right now I am on maintence with the weight as I am sick of reporting 0.2kg up, 0.2kg down. So just worrying about my BG and that is coming down nicely as is the amount of insulin I am using.

    Had a swim today, the first for 8 days, then I wonder why I couldn’t be bothered as I enjoy it so much and the great feeling afterwards. If I get in first thing after breakfast then it is done for the day and nothing gets in the way.

    Have a great weekend and stay cool.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Knew it would not impact too badly, imagine how low it would have been if you hadn’t had some difficulties. Keep up the good work.

  • posted by  Pootle on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    A few positives today, despite the heat.

    1. My hand survived….!!!! A minor miracle!!
    2. Made fridge soup today (everything and anything in the fridge that needs using up and can go into soup!) with home made stock from the chicken I had roasted on Tuesday. It was particularly good, and made enough for 2 people for 4 days>
    3. Think I might have found a home for 2 of the ‘feral’ kittens, that are slowly taming down! Yay!!

    Hope you are all finding some positives in your lives…. xxx

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Lucy just jumping on here to say how pleased I am to read your news. Particularly after all you have gone through recently you must be delighted! You are so right in saying that even though you ate a lot of the wrong things you still ate a lot of the right things. And your efforts have paid off. Well done! I’m sure you will now continue with your weight loss and I look forward to reading about that in due course!
    Best wishes, and have a great weekend X

  • posted by  Dreamscometrue on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone. I’m back from holiday and just doing a quick catch up.

    DAWN I’m so sorry you’ve had such an awful time. I’m really glad your mum didn’t break anything and also that you are getting everything sorted as well. But what a trauma. So very well done for getting into the 11s despite all else. HEIDI well done too for your ongoing loss. That’s great news and very inspiring. I love that quote too – ideal for days when we don’t have time or inclination to do all the right things we want to, but if we just keep things simple and stick to the basics we’ll still make progress. And POOTLE thanks for the top about Roy Taylor : will have a look.

    ARCTICFOX I hope your back and calf are clearing up? It’s scary how the simplest of movements can injure us. I put my back out once just by twisting to put something in the bin! You may be right about overdoing the dancing but don’t stop! It could just as equally be the stress in your body coming out in other ways – I know my back is always more vulnerable if I’m going through stress. I’m glad that things are getting back on track with your therapist again.

    YOWZER you are amazing to fend off that horrible carb monster even whilst you are struggling! I am so sorry to hear that you are still unwell and wish there was something we could do. How are you faring in this heat? Might be an opportunity to tuck away somewhere cool and binge on box sets or a good book maybe? Sending love and hope that you feel some improvement soon.

    CATHY how are you doing? I hope that you manage to lose the weight you want to before your holiday. But don’t assume you will put weight on whilst away – you may not. Even if you are eating and drinking more than usual, there are still healthy options to be had, and you may well be doing a bit more exercise too. So don’t give up hope! I surprisingly didn’t put on any more weight on holiday which was a relief. And now I’m back I want to get back on board again and start seeing some loss.

    Hello to everyone else reading this. Hope you’re ok, and do let us know how you’re getting on. Meanwhile, wishing you all a lovely weekend xx

  • posted by  Pootle on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Brilliant news Lucy!
    Wow…38! That is excellent!! and the 3lb loss. Onwards….
    Keep on keeping on!!
    XXXX

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone,
    Decided to weigh myself this morning and I’m back in the 11’s (just) at last. Determined to make sure I stay there until I’m in the 10’s ! Hoping you all have a good day. Dawn XX

  • posted by  Lucy1771 on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Morning everyone. Some positive news from me this week. Had my blood test results and down at hba1c 38. I mean wow. One year ago I was 48 and diabetic. Thought because I’d fallen off rhe wagon it wasn’t going to be great. But this is considered below normal and I can’t believe it . I’m really proud of myself.And in hindsight yes I ate a lot of wrong things but still a lot of right things if you see what I mean.
    Also back on diet 100 percent….plus have done along walk early morning past couple days. And I lost 3lbs this week.
    So 3 more and back to my lowest. Them the extra stone to go. Which I aim to achieve by October when I go away (30 sept).
    Hope everyone is surviving in this heat and doing well! Xx

  • posted by  Shetland Lace on Jubilant July 25.
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Thank you for the lovely welcome!
    Wishing you all the best for your upcoming op, Margaret.
    And Pootle, I don’t want to even contemplate how difficult all the calorie etc calculations would be without the apps to help! As for my progress so far, I lost 2kg in my first week or so, and then sat on the same weight for 4 days. Weighed myself this morning and finally saw a shift downward again of 200g. From what I’ve read though, this is how it usually goes?
    Anyway… have a fantastic day, everyone!