Day two, and stayed in control – not within 800 calories, and too many carbs again, but still in control.

However, I am obsessing. All I can think about is my next opportunity to be off the wagon – when can I let go and eat as much as I want of what I want? I know I need to get healthy, but all my heart and soul is screaming at me to eat junk, and not worry about the consequences.

I’m living with some of the consequences now, and things will only get worse if I don’t stop it. Maybe it isn’t too late, perhaps I can succeed and live a healthier, active life.

I am such a food (carb? sugar?) addict.

Well, demons… day two is mine, not yours. Tomorrow might be mine as well, we’ll see. I’ve made a large batch of celeriac, celery and roasted peppers soup, no potato and a generous amount of olive oil again.

My BG levels have dropped quite dramatically already. It just shows, if I stop overeating, and eat the right things, my body can recover.

Thanks Sunny B. I’ve been reading a lot of the forums and the advice there doesn’t seem to match the book…Ahhhh! Sounds more like the Atkins approach dare I say.

Anyway, I have found some lovely salad pots at Marks & Spencers that seem great in terms of Calories. I just tried the Chicken, Avocado Protein Pot with Quinoa & Spinach which was delicious (125g pack)! The nutrition info says 171 calories, 7g fat, protein 9g, sugars 0.3g and carbohydrates 10g. Is this the right type of thing I should be eating???

Hi Allypally and welcome! I’ve spent most of my life after about 30 years of age starting to eat healthily in the morning, then by evening eating as much junk as I can get my hands on. I know I may not be able to change that but if I stop trying I will be accepting weight related diseases taking over my life.

So I’m fighting on, never mind failing at times, just keep on trying. I’m telling myself I’m doing fast 800 but actually I’m a bit of a fraud – I can’t do the virtually no-carb, no going over 800 calorie version that the very successful people on here have done – however if I aim for the fast 800 I will do a better job than if I tell myself just eating Med style is enough.

So today, I have stayed in control. A second day in proper control, which has happened so rarely that I don’t need a whole hand to count how many times it’s happened in my whole life!

I’m over 800 calories and I’ve had too many carbs, but I stayed in control… I did it. Now for tomorrow….

I am starting on the 20th and I am trying to set up my fitness pal app goals up. I have set 800 calories a day and now I need to enter the Carbohydrates, Protein and fat percentages . I know he total needs o add up to 100% but I am really struggling with the breakdown figure. Really want to get this right from the start. Any advice really welcomed. Have got my meal plan sorted for next week but would like to track on my fitness pal. Thanks all and good luck.

HI All
I’m also looking to start on 20th, although have tried to go lower carb today so I don’t always just put off until next week! I would love to lose 3 stone but even 1 stone would be great….however really think I need to find a new way of improved eating for life, not just for a “diet”
good luck everybody, let’s hope it goes well for all of us!

Try to aim to have fats constitute around 40% of your calories, as these help you to feel full and stay that way for longer. Many of us aim for 50g carbs per day or less – I personally aim to be at about half of that as a maximum. Protein – well I confess this is not something I measure as a separate element, but hopefully someone else can offer advise on that. I think I read somewhere that for a female the daily intake should be around 50 or 60g, but I’m not confident I have remembered that correctly.

To be honest, I would say try to keep things simple, but do weigh and measure – at least in the early days – to be sure you are not over estimating the size or amount of a any given item. The things to keep an eye on is the calories, the carbs, the fats and keeping well hydrated. If you do this, you really can’t go too far wrong. Be sure to track and record what you are consuming and this will help you stay on course.

Hi Tee17 – it could be the eggs or the dairy products. If you are okay with goat products, I’d suggest sticking with this and try to find ways to work around the crème fraiche and cottage cheese. There are some young creamy goat cheeses available, which you might be able utilise. And if you are okay with soya – some eczema suffers aren’t – you could use Alpro products. The carb content of their yogurts is very similar to the full fat dairy yogurts and it might be possible to use one of these instead of crème fraiche, but I haven’t tried this myself.

Thank you so much ClarinetCathy. That’s just the sort of thing I need. Will definitely be a regular reader from now on!

GranniAnnie

Wow what a fantastic weight loss you have had in seven weeks! I am just starting week 7 and I have lost 14 lb. I have noticed that in the last two weeks my weight loss has slowed right down too but I am an avid reader of this forum and it seems that everybody suffers from some slower weeks from time to time and then suddenly there can be a surge! Like you I have not had any alcohol since starting the diet and am sticking to the plan rigidly with absolutely no cravings which I think is the key to being able to do this diet for the long term. Stick to what you’re doing- you’ve done brilliantly. Have a good look around the forum and you will be inspired. I certainly am.

No Fairyface I’m still here & congratulations on still losing weight. It’s so nice buying clothes in a smaller size👍👏💐
I am weighing tomorrow so will post how I get on because I’m trying to get below 12 stone! But have taken in some too big trousers but not fitting into the next size down yet.

Just joined this forum and I need a bit of encouragement! End of Week 7 and have lost 26lbs (which I am thrilled with!) but have plateaued, despite sticking absolutely to the ‘no carb’ rule. I have to admit that I don’t weigh everything , but have not had one glass of red, or anything ‘naughty’. To be honest, the cravings for those things have gone completely and I am loving the range of foods in the recipe book. Flavours are heightened and I never feel hungry. This is the only diet I have ever felt I could continue forever! Granted I still have 4 stones to lose but at this rate it is doable. I’m 62 and not able to do very much exercise due to arthritic knees!
It’s really helpful reading everyone’s stories. Thanks.

Daisiesmum – yes we waited for the better weather and went to Oxburgh Hall on Tuesday. It was a fabulous walk and we saw lots of snowdrops. It was great that we could take the dogs in the cafe.

Have been off work this week and should have been doing my admin to get ready for classes next week but instead have done absolutely loads of walking and other exercises. So today am frantically catching up with admin and lesson planning.

Tomorrow we are off to Sheringham park for another lovely walk with the dogs and coffee in the cafe.

You are so right that the food is lovely. For dinner tonight I had a lovely frittata.

Hope your blood tests go well next week.

Thankyou for your replies,do you think it could be the eggs as its really the only thing different I’m eating? I’ve always had soya milk with everything and goats cheese and goats yoghurt and really the only other thing is the creme fraiche and cottage cheese but havent eaten a lot of them only in the actual main meals I have looked at the half fat alternatives but the sugar is double compared to full fat its seems a vicious circle any more suggestions greatly received many thanks x

Captain Lynne – what an inspiration you are. 110lbs is truly amazing.

Had a non 800 day today (part of the hotel stay I mentioned last week) but kept to no carbs. Had a cooked breakfast, nuts and cheese while travelling and fish with veggies for tea. I know I have eaten more than usual but will be back to normal tomorrow and hope that a day like this can be accomodated within this approach.

As the title of this thread goes – keeping calm about it and carrying on.

Morag x

Thanks Sunny B and Sue. Agreed, downwards is positive and I should not be too downhearted.

Sue – I joined a gym a couple of years and for a while went three times a week. I’m still a member but not making nearly enough use out of it. Can I ask – do you feel like you need to eat more on the level of exercise you are doing?

Can I ask for the 800 calories a day what proportion should I be aiming for in Carbohydrates, Protein and fat? So want to get this right from the start!

Hi Chunkyd,
l agree with the other comments any weight loss is a plus but I can definately recommend exercise. I joined the local gym in line with starting the BSD on the 01/01/17. I go on average 4 times a week straight from work, it has impacted on my weight loss. My week 6 weigh in was 12st 13lb down 34 lb from where I started. While the food has had an impact the exercise has made it more substantial. I do an hour each time do feel better for it.

Whatever you chose to do keep doing it you are well on the way to your target.

All the best

Sue

I’m in similar boat Lynne, I have been maintaining since 17th Jan and despite eating what feels like more than enough food and feeling as if I must have blown it, I’m actually finding my weight is still creeping slightly downwards. I’ll be okay for another 6lbs or so, but I don’t look good skinny (I did it once about 100 years ago). I can’t imagine eating more food – I’ll have to add more nuts and cheese if it comes to that!

WHAT A WONDERFUL PROBLEM TO HAVE! Ha ha 🙂

Hi all! I haven’t been very good at posting on here regularly, but I have been diligently learning more about how to maintain my accomplishments on BSD. I’m happy to report my weight has remained stable at just under 9st, minimal normal fluctuations, if anything it has crept down slightly over the 3weeks or so. I may readjust my normal to 8st 10lbs instead of 8st 12lbs! My blood pressure remains nice and low too, Dr said if that happened I could try coming off BP meds completely (under supervision) 🙂 I have a full range of blood tests next week and will find out other vitals after that!

Very pleased with maintenance, I’ve had a birthday with plenty treats (all BSD friendly), a funeral (friend’s Dad 🙁 ) where the only BSD food was the innards of the sarnies and pies. Various cake related events have come and gone, the only one I indulged at was when someone specifically made a gluten free cake for my birthday (forgetting that I was sugar free too), I had a small piece and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I am eating so much delicious food I keep getting on the scales thinking I must have blown it But nope, still good, hopefully bloods will be exemplary.

NORFOLK GAL, glad u had great holiday, well done on food/weight. How is it going with your puppy? What’s his name?

KRYSIA did you make it to Oxborourgh Hall? Weather is so mild for Feb!

I’ve been looking up low carb pancakes for Shrove Tuesday – 28th Feb, rather fancying the look of the chickpea flour ones.

Take care and keeeeeep BSD ing.

And another pound gone!

Still working to maintain but not stressing if a few more pounds go. Just not too many.

*peeps around the corner *

Another pound gone today, making current weight 8st 4lb. Just checked, and that makes a total loss of 110 pounds to date.

I’m still working to maintain but not stressing if a pound or two goes. Just aware of not losing too much. It does fluctuate slightly, sometimes for no obvious reason. So not stressing about it.

Still doing a serious de-junk. Lots gone, but a lot more still to go. I’ve decided we’re having a jumble sale in two weeks! Most of it will be my stuff😱 Just wondering where it all came from!

Another pound off. Weight today is 8st 4lb. For the record, that’s a total loss of 110 lb since I started the BSD.

I hope your results are wonderful and I’m sure they will be. Hopefully those of us who are diabetic and improving makes all our GPS and diabetic nurses interested in the BSD. The word needs to spread.

Thank you. There is a type 2 a work who feels its too late for her to change now. There is always the worry that it won’t work for you. When I went in to see the nurse my blood pressure was just a little above what they would like. I told her that I was stressing about the result of the H test. She checked it and told me the result. 5 mins later the doctor took my blood pressure and it was fine. Till you see the proof there’s always the chance and its hard to face that failure. Because you do see it as your failure. I’m sure your husband will come round.

HI everyone and happy weekend!

SeasideAnna I wonder if you need more salt? I know this has helped me on the occasions where I’ve felt weak and weary!

I’m in my 6th week but doing a bit of a combination of strict 800 during the week and relaxing it a bit at weekends. As others have said though, even on days when I’m not being as strict I just don’t want to stuff my face any more! At the beginning of the diet I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to stick to it – and also that even if I did I might not lose weight – but I have found it surprisingly easy and plan to stick with my regime till I’m at my target weight. I’ve lost a stone already and have another one and half to go, and will just keep going till I get there 🙂 I am enjoying the new WOE so it doesn’t feel like a chore – I honestly have no more cravings for bread or cakes or anything sugary. I do have the occasional glass or two of wine on my relaxed days but even then am not knocking it back as I used to. Seems like someone else has taken over my brain!

Hear what you’re all saying about weight just being numbers too. Even though I still have more to lose I definitely look slimmer and my clothes are looser. Hooray!! More than that I feel well and also feel slim in my head – so even though I still have a way to go to my target weight I’m enjoying the journey. It had got to the point just before I started the diet where I was the heaviest I had ever been, had hardly anything nice that fitted me any more and just hated seeing myself in the mirror. So I’m feeling much more positive – this forum really helps!

Re the thread about constipation etc this hit me too about a week ago. I think we probably just need to drink a lot more as we get further on in the diet – I guess if there’s not as much going in it needs more help getting out 😉 I did some research last week about how the weight actually does leave your body as I realised I had no idea. Was amazed to find it’s mostly through your lungs – who knew?! So I confess to a bit of sneaky panting and blowing when no-one’s around!!! Hey maybe someone else really has taken over my brain!

Well done everyone for doing so well – and keep going even on the bad days: we’re all here for each other!

Seasideanna- I think carb flu usually hits in the first week as it is the withdrawal to sugar, so seems unlikely you could be feeling it now, you could just be coming down with something else? Sounds like you should up your carbs for a day give yourself a break, but try not to go for simple sugars, if you are ill you may need more easy access energy for your body to fight it? Saw a nice looking recipe online for banana and egg pancakes….simply that, mashed banana with whisked eggs, cooked like pancakes served with strawberries and yogurt or bacon? Take care of yourself xxx

I am still here …..plodding away. I have been very hungry this week so I will try to up my good fats.
Just made some broccoli and stilton soup but had to add cauliflower as I did not buy enough broccoli.
Added about 100g double cream, it was yum. Got two portions for the freezer.

Weigh day for me.

1.10.16 – 114k
18.2.17- 96.6k

Lost only 400 grams agin this week.:-(

I have had to buy a couple of pairs of jeans/trousers also in a smaller size. Whilst in m&s I also bought three tops. Love them but just need to lose a couple of pounds to look better in them than I do at the moment.

Hope all is well with you and the decluttering is going well or completed.

Am I the only one here now?

Hi chunkyd – weight loss on the BSD is not linier and there will be ups and downs. At least you are reporting a loss not a gain, so all in the right direction. Stick with is, increase your hydration and you might well finish the eight weeks on a greater loss. Good luck 🙂

Clarinetcathy- whoop whoop, a stone is a great milestone to hit, and would you have achieved it on any other diet?

Brilliant you are buying a size smaller too, I need to go to my mums to get back some clothes I had loaned her that were too small for me as I should be getting back into some of them by now.

How’s your inches loss going? And are you doing exercise? Maybe some of you who have slower losses are gaining muscle which is heavier, therefore the scales aren’t the best form of measure?

I am wondering now I have started at the gym whether the loss will slow. End of week 6 for me. So hoping to lose another 7 pounds in the next 2 weeks and make my 2 stone target, this will so make it all worthwhile. But I know it could go either way, I might only lose 2. Just have to remain positive that it is going down and will Continue to while I stick to it.

2 egg omlette with Parma ham and a grating of cheddar cheese for brunch, a whole pot of coffee with milk (I resent the amount of cals in milk as I love my coffee and tea, but afternoons and evenings now chamomile tea)

Dinner will be steak and mushrooms with kale and a garlic and wine cream sauce plus half a bottle of wine. At least I am now drunk on 2 glasses of wine, makes things easier!

Half term for me and kids so busy doing lots of things. Happy weekend everybody x

Hi ClarinetCathy

Well done. I too am losing slowly but surely. I’m doing the med plan rather than 800. I have been in Harrogate whilst eating BSD. Had to eat out for a week with work. I even went to the infamous Bettys and managed to eat relatively BSD friendly. Also had delicious food at the Orchid. Again I ordered BSD friendly and they were so accommodating (I ordered veggie that night) Had omelettes for breakfast or variant thereof. Enjoy.

Hi all, can anyone help? I have just done 4 weeks and for the last two days I have felt really awful, incredibly tired. I have been sleeping a lot. I’m on the BSD 800. My carbs are usually under 30g but always under 50g. I’m eating plenty of fat within my 800. I sometimes go to 850, but balanced by days at 750 ish. I do think I’m maybe not drinking enough water. I have read up on “carb flu” and I’m hoping this will pass soon. Any thoughts please ?

Hi Clarinet Cathy well done on your weight loss. I’m really relieved to read your story as some people seem to be losing huge amounts and I’m not. It’s good to know that others are experiencing a more steady loss. This is still a great achievement and in the right direction. I have just completed 4 weeks and have lost 9.6 lbs. my weight has “stuck” this week and I’ve only lost 0.2lbs. It has gone up and down a bit even though I have stuck to the diet. I was really hoping to hit 10lbs today ! I’m going to Spain in 7 weeks time, so really want to be a size smaller by then. I have bought some incentive clothes to take, so if I don’t do it, there will be a problem ha ha !

Keep going all you January starters with a slower loss. We will get there in the end, although it’s going to take longer. I have 60lbs to lose, with mini goals to break this up, first target is in April for my holiday. Fingers crossed.

Well done Rosebery, I have a bmi of around 32 and would love to get under the 30 so I am no longer obese – hate that word. However, I am 4 foot 11 inches so I am just undertall.

Forgot to mention that even though I have been stuck around 73 kg (got to 72.8 just before Xmas) I have lost another 2 inches, half inch each off thighs, midriff and stomach. So I am no longer barrel round. Think it must be the exercise toning legs.

Yes, I suppose 1kg of weight could be made up of fluid but it just seems an awful LOT.
I have been thinking and have come up with a list of possibilities:

urine
sweat
water contained in our breath as we exhale
breastmilk (I’m a nursing mum)
energy used up in our metabolism as we sleep

I’m sure if I bothered to google it I’d find experiments measuring these things and maybe more ..
But, sunshine-girl, I don’t think the force of gravity would be a factor since that is always constant.
– I’m not a scientist, though.

Congrats, seems we were diagnosed around the same time, 11 years ago. I am on insulin but only because I couldn’t tolerate Metformin and similar and lived on the toilet. My aim is to stop insulin and have reduced by 50% so far and cut glycazide by one third. I am being retested in 3 weeks (make that 2 and half weeks yikes) and hoping for a reduction from 5.9. Was 8.2 when I started BSD. My doctor is very interested in this as he cannot believe my results but he doesn’t think anyone else would be able to be as strict as I am. We can all do it if it is important enough to us. Keep on keeping on…

Weigh in this morning week six and I have lost 1.75 lbs bringing my six week total to 14 lbs i.e. One stone! Not as great as some weight losses on here for but me a massive achievement as I don’t lose weight easily. I had to buy myself some new work trousers this week in a size 14 as my work trousers were looking ridiculous! My jeans are all sagging at the bum too so it shows where the weight has come off. I am going to Harrogate for two nights at the end of week eight and am apprehensive about eating out. It’s difficult being vegetarian and low carb to find something suitable. Breakfasts will be fine!! Once I get back I will start phase 2 of my three stone weight loss plan. If I can lose one stone every eight weeks then I should be at goal by my June summer holiday. Wow that would be great!

I have loved being part of this January thread and would never have imagined that I would be at least one stone lighter by the end of my first eight weeks. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories. This beats going to a diet club hands down- we have our own diet club here and it’s fantastic! Good luck everyone.

Congratulations that’s amazing. I’m encouraging gently this way of eating with my husband who is Type 2. I just wish he would read some of the success stories. We are changing our way of eating gradually and as I’m fully in board for this way of eating I’m hoping for the two of us it just becomes completely natural. Slowly does it. Congratulations again.

Ah thanks for that reminder Keid, I need to do my measurements. I’m not quite (but very nearly) back up to the weight I was before I started this last year. I have the fitbit charge hr and alba scales so will be using those to track progress too.

This morning was a little over on carbs and calories, but I will build on last night’s success and stay in control in the evening again, I hope.

Seven week weigh-in this morning and only 1 lb lost this week. This makes a total of 21.5 lbs, so a stone and a half is great, but a bit disappointed with the diminishing returns of the last few weeks. BMI now 26.9.
I’m still probably not drinking enough water and certainly not getting enough exercise so I guess these are valid reasons why the weight loss has slowed.
One more week to go, but I recognise it doesn’t stop there!

I haven’t posted for ages. I have lost loads of weight now. It doesn’t feel like a diet now. It’s how I eat. But I finally had my bloods done. My cholesterol is 3.7 and my H test is 36 which is normal. Neither the nurse nor the GP I saw had ever heard of the diet. The nurse took the name of the book as she wants to diet. The doctor took Professor Taylor’s details to look up anything he has published. Last year at this time my H was 61 so this was a massive improvement. The doctor asked me if I’d like to come off some of my tablets as there was no point in keeping me on them. He said we would do this gradually and give my body a chance to get used to the change. So I no longer take glyclaside and I will have my bloods done in the summer and then start to come off of metformin. This is not what I expected 11 years ago when I was diagnosed. You are told that the condition will gradually get worse and you will be on insulin. It will shorten your life and you may go blind and/or lose limbs.
Thank you Max Mosley and thank you Professor Taylor for giving us another option.

Heaphster- what an amazing achievement already! Massive well done 🙂

Don’t forget to do your starting measurements, even if you just do your waist, from what I’ve read they can very useful especially if you plateau as you can still see changes even if the scales don’t move that week!

Hi Maccy, BG jumping from 5.5 to 5.8 is about a 3% increase, hardly worth mentioning. Our bodies are not exact sciences and fluctuate here and there depending on lots of things. I sometimes find when I have a bit of a whoosh and lose 2 or 3 lbs my BG goes up as if it doesn’t know what has happened or what to do about it. I don’t worry any more as I know if I am sticking with the plan it will even itself out again. Don’t forget that HbA1c is an Average over 12 weeks so takes into account ups and downs. Just keep on keeping on…

Good morning, I reached my micro challenge of getting into the 26s for BMI – weight this morning 151.6 lb and that makes my BMI 26.9! Don’t think I can make it into the 25s for the end of this challenge, but that sounds like a possibility for the next one!

STILL 73kg, but not worrying as it has only been since Tuesday and I know it will whoosh away. Just makes me more determined. BG down to 4.5 so keeping on keeping on…

Yes, it could be due to going full fat dairy. Many years ago my children and to a lesser degree me had the same thing – full fat dairy was the culprit. We did a mix of some low fat and goat products which seemed to work – not a lot of alternatives known about in those days. Try alternatives as suggested above and goat products. You may find slow introduction of full fat dairy will help. Or just keep your main fats to oils, nuts fish? Hope you find a way to continue, or your body settles, as this really is a great way to eat.

Hi everyone – count me in! I have about 5 stone to shift and my willpower varies massively so I need all the encouragement I can get. I have made excuses for not starting this diet again since XMAS but it is time to commit to it. Looking forward to sharing the journey with some like minded people as I know I struggle to stick with it on my own.

Hi Suse97. If you need breakfast (many, including me, don’t) I think the quickest is full fat Greek yoghurt – Total Fage is a favourite on here, Lidl’s version is also good imo with a few berries. If you weigh some out the night before and add the berries (I use frozen which work out cheaper than fresh and if placed on top they do hold their shape and not go “mushy”) and cover in the fridge. Overnight oats would work too. For that I use 12g of oats grated Apple, frozen berries good tablespoon of yog, cinnamon and some seeds whatever I think of really. That makes a lot and is quite carby so depends how low on carbs you are going. Must say I usually have that for lunch.

A smoothie from the book? Eggs whichever way you choose,
cheese – could be wrapped in cooked meat.
Soup.
You can have anything just not toast and cereals.
It’s only your first meal of the day – technically my lunch is breakfast as that is the first time I eat in the day 😀

I haven’t got a spiralizer yet, never seem to get round to it, I just use my potato peeler and a sharp knife.

This way of eating is so good. Best wishes

My last Saturday weigh-in on this thread before I transfer to the new one since I started late, I have put some weight on over the last few days, but looking at my progress so far that seems to be how this reverse diet works, and the graph looks like a bit of a saw tooth. I am still a healthy weight, but up to 11:00.8 again currently. I had a meal out last night, and quite unexpectedly found a main course that was WOE friendly. A cauliflower rice risotto, with a goats cheese and cream sauce, a parmesan crisp and a poached duck egg. It looked tiny when it arrived compared to all the dustbin lids of steak and chips around me but was absolutely delicious, I will be doing my best to reproduce it at home and when I do will definitely post the recipe. It was so rich and creamy it may not be suitable for 800 fast days but I will also experiment with less rich variants. Starter was smoked salmon on rye, but the bread was cut into tiny circles and served as a base under the fish, it was very decorative, I ate it but could have lived without it.

Looking forward to joining your new challenge