Jpscloud
Nice to see you back on BSD and congrats on the acknowledgement of your bread in Clare Bailey’s BSD recipe book. I identify with you, having fallen off the wagon many times. But, massively aided by the lovely Lucia, I am on a general downward trend and currently 13 kilos lighter than when at my heaviest. I bought a blood sugar monitor in December as I was concerned things were not what they should be and indeed I am now at the top end of normal. Which is not where I used to be. (Used to test regularly until a few years ago when my Dad died as he had a monitor – diabetes type 2 runs in the family). So although my GP insists there is no cause for concern (! – what planet are some of them on?) I know that I need to lose the rest of the spare tyre ASAP. Notwithstanding the role of stress playing its part in the raised sugar levels….
Keep hanging in there and jump right back on the wagon if you happen to slip. That’s been my key to keeping the weight chart showing a downward line. Well, that and following Lucia, of course😆

Hi Susie3
I started the BSD on the 1st February.
I am 57, live in Hampshire, England, and now weigh my heaviest at 17st 8lbs – I have been fat for 22 years now. I am pre-diabetic and my health has been deteriorating for a few months. I’ve had the book for a few months, but decided that only I can help myself – and I am now very determined to succeed. I would love to ‘buddy up’ with you and share my progress with you and support you with your BSD. It seems that we have had a similar amount of weight to lose. My goal is to be a normal weight and a size 14 in jeans by the end of June.
So far, so good, day 3 – not hungry at all.
Made delicious cod with peas and lettuce last night.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Nancy x

I’ve just done it, but the maths questions???? hard and I have A level maths.

Toomuchbelly, a word about a tummy tuck, sounds so simple and neat, tummy tuck. Think again. About 6 years ago my daughter decided she wanted rid of the flabby belly 2 large babies had given her and she weighed in at about 12 stone (5’5″), she had a private doctor (actually a worlds best, I can give you details if you want to google her) and was told she had to lose 3 stone before they would do the op 6 months later, so you still have the lose weight. She went on such awful diets to get rid of the weight and in the end they gave her super strength fat busters (you can buy them in chemists but not as strong) and she spent the next 5 months on the toilet, afraid to go out because, even if she didn’t poop herself she constantly had orange oil seeping out of her. When she finally got to 9 stone they agreed to do the surgery but she also had to have lipo, no point just cutting out fat if the remained fat cells are expanded, they would quickly fill up with fat again.

I went to England to be with her when she had it done and it was the most horrific thing I have seen, and I used to be a nurse. They cut her just below her caesarean line from hip to hip, removed her belly button and cut about 6 inches above the first cut from side to side. In total they took away about 22″ long x 6″ wide. They then stretched to 2 wound edges so they met and stitched it just about the pubes line, where her original caesarean scar had been but this scar went further round, right past the hip bone. She spent the next 4 weeks having the wound cleaned and dressed (by me) and daily coagulating injections (again by me but the nurse taught her to do it herself, but she couldn’t do it). She couldn’t have the children near her in case they touched her scar, she couldn’t do anything like fill a kettle in case she pulled the stitches, she couldn’t drive for 6 weeks. She cried every day saying she wished she hadn’t had it done and had a total of 3 weeks off work but it should have been longer and had to be driven (by me) to work and home every day. The pain and convalescence lasted 6 weeks. Can I just say here, this was normal, not a botched job, this is how it is done.

Two major things, they tidied up her original caesarean scar and they also stitched up muscles inside that had been damaged by pregnancy, oh and she got a new belly button. So they were the benefits and yes she now has a lovely flat stomach. Would she have it done again, she says yes but at least she would know what she was letting herself in for. It cost £7,500, including the lipo. So not exactly an easy fix after all.

Sorry for going on but just though you should know.

Well Theodora, I had a bit of a whoosh, just 1lb but enough to keep me on the straight and narrow over the weekend, keep thinking today is Saturday (you can tell I don’t work).

Besides the weight loss my BG is around 4.6 although it did go up to 6.4 yesterday so I have increased insulin back to my 22 units for now. I really dont have much to say, I have now been on this plan for 7 months at 28th Jan, lost 19lbs but reduced insulin from 38u to 22u and glycazide from 90mg to 45mg. Next HbA1c due around 7th March.

Hope it is a good weekend for you all (from tomorrow of course)

Hi Miles Teg

Welcome and well done for losing the 9lbs – that’s great. You are in good company on this site – full of support and tips and honest postings. There are also some links to great recipes which I am finding really helpful. If you have the time it’s worth reading posts from a while back to see how folks who have done the whole 8 weeks have got on. It’s definitely a journey and a change of lifestyle.

Personally I’ve thrown away the scales as I found lack of weight loss was de-motivating me. I’ve been much better sticking to the plan without them and can feel the inches coming off and the health benefits already. It’s a great plan – best of luck : )

Ok I’ll go for an extra stair climb and I might add some Wii step as well but evening meal will contain carbs – I’m easing into it and using up some things I have in.

I should be ready to start fast 800 in a couple of weeks but in the meantime I am going to reduce portion sizes and increase exercise. Thanks for the encouragement!

Water loss is normal, but fat is also carried from the body in urine. It is a good sign.

Greetings all,

After a bit of lurking thought I’d sign up. Diagnosed just before Christmas and agreed with GP that I’ll try the diet control route. Started at just over 19 stone and lost over nine pounds in two weeks, but if my night-time activities are anything to go by, a lot of that is water!

Seems like a great bunch on here – good luck everyone!

Good afternoon everyone,

Topcac: Your workouts make me feel exhausted! Good luck with your 300km challenge…it’s always motivating to have an objective. Did you always workout or is this since BSD?

Theodora: well done on your loss…sounds a bit weird! There’s nothing more dispiriting than a plateau; after a bit you just want to reach for a sandwich. Or is that just me?

Jmary upbeat..there’s nothing like having your hair done to raise your spirits and you’re going to see your daughter and grandchildren. Wonderful. Good luck with the laundry folding 😉

Again all peaks… It’s Friday afternoon! My weight is continuing to inch down. I had a pleasant walk with a friend in the sunshine this morning. We’re due rain all weekend so that could be a pit though we really do need the rain. Just a pity it’s the weekend!

Just signed up and completed the questionnaire – interesting stuff. Best of luck with the study!

Hi jps cloud,

Sorry you are letting crap get to you.
How about me and you having a deal?

We do two things.

Eat no carbs in the evening meal and for the rest of the evening.
And
You walk up and down stairs one extra time a day?

Too easy too hard?
We don’t care, but
And here comes the crunch.
We have to still be doing this every day until next Friday.
Wow!
You game for a challenge?
Come on, give this big bird a run for here money.

Love Lucia

Xxxxx

As part of my Health Psychology MSc thesis, I am looking for males and females aged 18 years and older who regularly control their blood sugar. You will be required to complete three questionnaires looking into the effects of numeracy skills on the relationship between doctor-patient communication and blood sugar control. Data will be collected initially, and then follow-up data will be sent via email 4 to 8 weeks later containing the same three questionnaires. Completion at each time point will take approximately 20 minutes and participation would be greatly appreciated. Please visit the link for access to the questionnaire. https://ljmupsych.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_e2GhkPrlk5XVt9r

This study has recieved ethical approval

Thank you for your time 🙂

Hi all, so good to read all your comments, they come into my email box so i read while at work, but only get to reply at lunch or evening’s which are always hectic!

Seems like there are All kinds of different experiences. I an week 4 day 5, I’m a bit disappointed to have only lost 1/2 pounds so far this week ( 2 yesterday but gone up by one again today) (I don’t usually lose over the weekend) but I also feel guilty for saying that, as I have lost 16/17 in total, and I am not doing any exercise except my usual 9000 ish steps per day, and I can see many of you who are sticking rigidly aren’t losing lots at all.

But looking at the positives. Lots more of my clothes are fitting better, I did go and buy a beautiful dress in the sales to wear this weekend and will wear and feel fabulous on Saturday night. I have lost another half inch around neck, waist and hips in the last 10 days. 2.5″in total, 2″ more to be in the safe waist measurement.

My ex husband phoned me up and asked me to email him the link to my latest “fad diet” as it was obviously working….backhanded compliment if ever there was one! 😂

I have a kid free weekend, so wine planned for tonight with my favourite aunt, and then this 21St party tomorrow night (my friends daughter, I am 44!)

Must, must must get out and do some exercise at some.point, does walking round the shops count?

Ooh, I spend a couple of days each week in Cardiff looking after my grandsons. I often grab a cooked chicken in Tescos when I’ve got them, for a quick and easy salad. Yes, tuna is lovely just slightly underdone isn’t it? But like old boots of done for too long! Which I found out to my cost.
I see the Waitrose weekly mag has an article re: diabetic diets, including a bit by Michael Mosely and a couple of recipes. ( turn the page and there is an article about which cereal to eat for breakfast! Oh well, it’s a start!)

Hi Bissell, I’m in Cardiff.
Just found reduced tuna steaks in Tesco. Pan fry on a griddle with a little olive oil and seasoning. My husband cooks them for about 2-3 mins each side, any longer then they’re not so good. Served with a green salad or griddled asparagus, really tasty and low in carbs.
I also found baking bacon! Haven’t seen it before. 60p for 500 gms! Ive bagged it up in 100g to freeze. Handy for all the bacon recipes in the book.

Happy Shopping!x

Great news Theodora. You sound so determined I’m sure you will make your challengegoal
Isn’t it great when the Whoose Fairy visits? I too have enjoyed her visits this week and have lost the six pounds I gained whilst on holiday the week before last. I love that any gained weight comes off when I really stick to this WOL.
X B

Hi topcac

Thank you for posting your suggestions for quick easy meals – I may try a few of those next week.

WooHooooo!!! 🙂 My weight loss famine is over!! 🙂 After 12 days of neither the scales nor the tape measure showing any loss at all, I seem to have had a fabled “whoosh” event overnight, and this morning the scales measured a loss of 3.25lbs! 🙂 And the tape measure around my waist a loss of 2″ (the first measurable loss of belly fat). 🙂

In total I have lost 11.25lbs (5.1kg) since I started BSD800 on 16th Jan. My body fat %age has dropped to within the “healthy” range for my age (just) at 31.8 and my BMI has dropped a full 2 points. Doing the happy dance here! 🙂

Now I have the challenge of a 10 day holiday looming – leaving tomorrow, so no more weigh ins until 15th Feb. Think I may get withdrawal symptoms. We’ll be doing a lot of socialising though, so maybe just as well I won’t be able to see the damage I am doing – though I will try my very best to stick to BSD principles, if not the 800 calorie part. May just be tempted by the odd glass or three of vino too!!

Hope everyone else is doing ok too?

By the way I’m going to call my liver Lily. She and I both need to lose fat but we’re scared to commit!

Littlepony, so sorry your dog got sick, do hope he (she?) is on the mend now?

Well done on your mileage, Angela – keep up the good work.

PEAK:- WooHoo – after 12 days of neither the scales nor the tape measure showing any loss at all, I seem to have had one of the fabled “whoosh” events, and the scales today measured a loss of 3.25lbs (1.47kg) so total loss since I started on 16th Jan is 11.25lbs (5.1kg). The tape measure also registered a 2″ loss around my waist, which is the first discernible loss of the dreaded “belly fat” 🙂

My body fat %age has now fallen to within the “healthy” range for my age (just) at 31.8 and my BMI has fallen a whole 2 points since I started BSD800. Doing the happy dance here 🙂

PIT:- It has rained non-stop for the past 5 days(though the sun was shining this morning – peak) and my daily 2.5 – 3 mile walk with the mutts was like walking in a bog! They met lots of other dogs to play with(another peak), ran around in the mud like lunatics for half an hour non-stop, and came home absolutely filthy, I cannot tell you how muddy they were!! 🙁 The walk took 90mins (inc the 1/2 hour play stop) and it then took me another 90 mins to wash and dry them both!! Grrr!!

But hey, looking on the bright side, they had a fantastic time, and are both healthy 🙂

Oh Lucia thank you. Just thank you a hundred bazillion times for these posts.

I had a few well intentioned but ultimately false starts on the bsd since I first came across it and finally relapsed fully into old habits.

Along with the relapse came weight gain, high blood sugars and self loathing.

I visited the form again to try and find a reason to try again and your posts have given me just that – thank you and please keep posting!

WooHoo – after 12 days with absolutely no loss registering on either the scales or the tape measure, I am pleased to report that the FAMINE IS OVER !! 🙂 Seem to have had a “whoosh” moment, literally overnight (well, the last time I weighed was actually Wednesday, so may have actually been over 2 nights) and the scales this morning measured a loss of 3.25lbs (1.47kg) 🙂 And the tape measure a loss (my first) of 2″ around my middle 🙂

3.25lbs (1.47kg) down, 4.75lbs (2.13kg) to go.

So hopefully MAY be back on track for achieving my challenge of losing 3.6kg by 21st Feb – though it will some doing as it means over a kg a week, as only 18 days left, and I will be on holiday for 10 of those days!! But, just so relieved that the scales are moving again and, more to the point, in the right direction 🙂

Hope everyone else is doing ok – nearly half way through now.

Topcac, enjoy your weekend’s shopping – exciting times for the new slender you 🙂

Wow – Angela – that’s amazing mileage – I’m going to go and calculate mine now – how motivational.
I’ve set myself a 300km challenge for this year. Combination of rowing, running and swimming I want to do AT LEAST 300km this year. As of today’s workout that’s 44 down, 256 to go…who knows, I may do it in less time 🙂

PEAK – had a good workout at the gym this morning and have put MOnday’s chocolate ‘incident’ well behind me. Had two chocolates last night…and left it there. Both calculated and logged.

PIT – I’m a very positive person so this PIT business is hard for me – it’s all relative right? Have a lot of work to get through today so will be at work late late late – should probably get off the forum then! 🙂

Hi Yen

I feel your pain – it’s very tough when you work and have caring duties at home. I’m not in your situation but do have a busy job, with long hours, and two dogs that need walking twice a day so I have to plan my meals, and spending more than about 20 minutes prepping food is not what I want! My OH and I have settled into a pattern of meals that are quick and easy. They include, from the original BSD Cook,
Chicken and Asparagus Salad
Spicy Chicken Lentils
Mexican Hash

and from the recipe book
Pork Steak with mustard sauce
Baked cod and chorizo
Full English breakfast (for dinner)

These have become our ‘staples’ as they take about 5 minutes to prep (although obviously a little longer to cook but most you just shove in the oven). We do go ‘off piste’ sometimes and inject some variety and that tends to be at the weekend when we have more time. We’ve lost 60lbs between us in the last 4 months.
Good luck – and your first post was great!

Ooh – it’s quiet on here. I assume everyone is out walking, at the gym, batch cooking, working hard, meal planning or shopping for next week!

I’m at my desk, eating full fat yoghurt with nuts and blueberries and contemplating hyperlinks – that’s why I came on here. I’m so bored LOL

After the chocolate mishap on Monday I’ve steadied myself – still not weighed in but am logging everything and still going to the gym – rowing running and swimming – not quite at triathlon distance yet (!!!!) but about 10% there!

Looking forward to the weekend with bridesmaid dress shopping, a meal out and the gym. Have a good one all
TC xx

Thanks for all your positive comments. Looking forward to that shopping trip in a few months.

You are all inspiring me to have a go at decluttering! That would please my husband😂
I’m off to History now on the bus so some walking across town to my class. We are waiting for the continental storm to hit us in West Sussex this afternoon! The wind is already gusting.
I hope you all have a good day!
Margaret xx

Bissell the skinny aubergine lasagne is another of our favourites. I find the aubergine needs to be sliced really thin.

Miss Ziggy I forgot to say it can be a carrier bag or bin bag a day.
I have three bags ready to take to the charity shop. I also tried a new blouse on that I bought in October. It
looked awful on me as it was a large size but pulling over my bust. Guess what, tried it on this morning and it is baggy. It
still looks awful. Another one for the charity bag:-/
My weight this week is up and down. I have not drank much water and I also not been out for a walk.
I really just want to get to the point where I don’t have to think about eating and drinking. Feel quite ‘off’ about it all today.

Thank you, Verano, for starting this thread and for all the interesting suggestions. I have a few very simple ones to contribute; well, not recipes just what we eat on a week night when I try to keep things simple:

So last night I fried 2 fillets of white fish in a little olive oil and topped the fish with some lemon zest and crushed fennel seeds (idea rom a Jamie Oliver recipe) and we ate it with roasted fennel, the bulb this time, red onion, courgette and garlic…one of each, except the garlic!. This made two portions. I put the onion and fennel in the oven first with a tiny drizzle of oil cook for around 45 mins and pushed the courgette in for 15 minutes at the end. If my son’s eating with us I add a potato or two to the roasting pan with the fennel…It’s very filling and very tasty but then I love fennel!

It worked out at 250 cals 15g carbs per portion.

Hello All – this is great to have a forum with everyone’s advice and individual journeys including slip ups and good days and more difficult ones!!

Jacks those flapjacks are so delicious I slipped up – had friends over last Sunday – they all loved them but I had the left over “granola” in a small bowl in the fridge.
I had been out for lunch and shared a salad with a friend but really had so little – by the time I got home around 4pm I thought I couldn’t wait for dinner!!!
Found that granola and didn’t stop till the whole bowl was finished. I was so upset with myself – I ate what I worked out to be about 2600 calories that day and since I’m only in my second week – thought it was all a disaster!!!!
Today got up and just from reading the forums thought – ok I’m not alone – back to onward and downward mode from today – not the end of the world.

In just the short time I’ve been on the BSD I actually have more energy and the promise of good health is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow + hope to lose 3kgs by my next weigh in day to start the third week.

Those are really fantastic results ladies amazing. My problem is that I love carbs. I could go without them for a while but not forever honestly. I will try to focus for now on loosing the weight by sticking to the diet for 8 weeks. If it doesn’t work then I will seriously think about a tummy tuck 😁.

I also hate strength exercise. Don’t mind cardio and I did HIT on an exercise bike for a few weeks and my tummy was smaller but then I got busy at work and forgot about it and tummy grew back. Yes will have to get back into it. I have tried coffee with cream Linda and I do like it but I can’t give up my one cappuccino per day. I really enjoy it now that I have cut down to one. I love fruit as well and tomatoes. That’s basically where all my carbs in the 800 calories come from. Hopefully weight loss will continue if it doesn’t I will regroup. Look forward to catching up with you all along the journey…

So what is this Day 5? I’m working from home today which makes getting in steps a little harder so I’ve gone for a 2.5 mile walk first thing so at least I’m halfway there). Will do a brisk walk this evening to get the steps to where they should be.

Hi Yen,

Sounds like you’ve done great so far. I’m two weeks behind you on this journey so not sure I can offer wisdom on the cooking fatigue thing. Although I cooked occasionally, I often bought convenience food as I’d be late back from work etc. and occasionally my bf would cook in the evening but he’d mainly do a weekend fry-up.

I’m getting bored of weighing everything out but not of cooking as yet. Could you make double portions for later in the week maybe to give you a night off? For example, something like a stir fry can be cooked in a big batch and then you can freeze the rest.

Hi Yen, and welcome from another newbie! Like you, I do find some of the recipes a bit too time-consuming and I’ve told myself that things may just have to be a bit repetitive for the time being. I’ve managed a couple of party-type situations by just making sure I eat well earlier in the day, then have very small portions of what’s on offer. Or none if I can get away with it; )
Like you, I have too much to lose – other than weight – if I don’t see this through! All the very best.

Real honey, not the usual stuff you find in supermarkets, is amazing. Sure, it’s a source of sugar and calories, so eat too much and you will notice an effect. But if it fits within a reasonable calorie limit… I personally don’t see a problem with it unless you’re a person with diabetes as they need to be careful. That said, bloke41, don’t get hooked on it. Real honey is expensive stuff!

I’m not diabetic and I’ve made some changes recently that have improved my results. For example, I’ve given up worrying about net carbs altogether. I’m off the starchy carbs, so get all my carbs from veg, legumes and the occasional piece of fruit. Because I’m trying to stick to between 800 and 900 calories, there’s a limit to how many grams of carbs I can eat anyway. Net carbs are coming in now between 90 and 100 g, rather than the 50-70 I was aiming for before. The upshot is that I’m also eating an awful lot more fibre. Yesterday’s reading wasn’t a false low as I’m even lower today. Amazing for me, as till now I have been excruciatingly slow in comparison with other people. I know lots of people find it better to really keep carbs very low (25-50 g), but that isn’t the case for me.

I’ve lost a good slab of weight but the belly fat really seemed to start to go when I started doing some body weight and resistance exercises, crunches, planks etc, as in the book. Nothing extreme – about ten-fifteen minutes three times a week. I’ve lost a bit over nine inches off my waist, from nearly 50 to forty inches. Aiming to get to 36!

Hi Verano

I’ve got to admit that I didn’t add the cheese to the frittata as I didn’t think the combination would go. I guess I was right.

I made the chickpea soup but used a traditional flavourful sausage (I think it was Lincolnshire as I only had Pamplona which would have turned to mush) and it was perfectly OK.

Oh, that’s sad.

Poor little livers, the photos I have seen of them, they are never happy.
Let’s have a… keep your liver happy day today.

Talk to them.
Acknowledge how much work they do without any praise.

I am going to give mine a name. Larry.

Me and Larry are going to have a great day today.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Yes, laughing is essential. Gardeners are always happy people, so maybe there is a clue!

I heard an interview with a medical researcher from the Harry Perkins institute. It seems that a tsunami of liver cancer is in the process of happening because of obesity. It is resistant to treatment and mostly incurable. So there is another reason, apart from diabetes, for us all to keep doing better.

Hi everyone,

I turn 60 this year and I have decided for my own health I need to tackle this. I have never been so motivated as now! After months of reading (even the background research to BSD) and preparation – finding 8 weeks where there isn’t celebrations/plans which would sabotage me was difficult! I have a really poor maternal history as far as T2 diabetes goes so although not T2 yet the writing was on the wall. I am very obese according to my BMI and have a lot to loose, plus a couple of years ago I had a scan and was told I had a fatty liver (I was just sent away and told ‘to loose weight’). This is the first time on a forum so not sure how it works, but giving it a go.

So this is me so far. As planned I started on 16 Jan so now I am in week 3 day 5 and struggling a bit this week. I found the first 2 weeks incredibly easy and lost 12lbs, but this week I’m craving ‘extras’. I am planning every sunday evening for the week, using mainly recipes from the recipe book. I am finding them tasty but sometimes a bit fiddly and time consuming (I have two men in my family to feed too so they are having the same as me just with extra carbs – I can’t cope with cooking two different meals every evening!!). I have a busy lfe, working full time and supporting my disabled husband and elderly father. I am getting a bit of ‘cooking fatigue’ as towards the end of a week when I’m getting tired we often used to have a couple of meals which were takeaways/convenience ones (although I always did cook from scratch otherwise) so feel like I’m not getting a break from cooking. I realise I need some support on this journey and although I have a group of friends and work colleagues who are being very encouraging I find I need some ‘like minded’ supporters so heres hoping.

I haven’t had time to completely read through this forum yet – but from what I’ve already seen I realise I perhaps am not drinking enough water so I will up that from today. I need to commit more to getting my step count up too so perhaps getting a walk in before work is going to have to be on the agenda.

Hi Shanshu, thanks so much for your welcome! I just came from a doctor’s appointment to get blood test results, which were mostly excellent, with just a .2 to be knocked off my blood sugar now ; ) Best part was that my doctor has bought the book and is really keen to get her head around it….she’s using me as her guinea pig to see if it works, so there’s a bit of extra motivation!

Hi all

Well I finally got round to making the mackerel frittata last night. I was surprised at how nice the warmed mackerel was but had forgotten I hate cooked cheese! Although I love parmesan grated on courgette etc, I really didn’t enjoy it in the frittata. Not one I’ll make again.

Another that I’ll give a miss is the Minted Pea hummus p205 in the original book.

Hi Bissell a few recipes use courgette instead of lasagne. I’ve tried it but didn’t like the eggy, cheesey replacement for the white sauce. I saw a recipe in the mail last week for just a ‘bolognese’ sauce … layer of sauce, layer of courgette, layer of sauce etc, finished with just mozzarella and oregano and a few torn basil leaves. Think I might I might give that a go.

When it comes to pud Bissell I just make an ‘ordinary’ one and forgo it myself!!! Sorry not helpful!

Sunshine-girl the soup looks lovely but I don’t eat chorizo and can’t really think of a tasty substitute.

Whilst I’m still recuperating I think I’ll go through the recipe book and mark all the recipes that look of interest and hopefully will find a few more ‘must haves’. Today will be chickpea curry with prawns.

Have a nice day.

Hi Eileen, I’m in Wales too, in Monmouth. Whereabouts are you?

Morning all. It’s really great reading what everyone is trying out. I tried the skinny lasagne from the recipe book but I won’t be again. The aubergines remained spongy, despite longer cooking. Maybe if I’d fried them off/ baked the slices in the oven first? I agree about having to scale down the portions in the Tom Kerridge book, JulesMaigret, but the food is delicious!
I’ve got old friends coming for the weekend, so I’m adapting a few Madhur Jaffries recipes, chicken in cream sauce, cauliflower and tomato curry, spinach and paneer, riata. Most are BSD friendly if you can forgo the rice/ naans. Oh, and the lager! I’m always stuck for pud ideas these days, think I will do fresh fruit and nuts and try not to eat too many.
What do others do, pud wise, when entertaining? I’d love to know!

Hi Toomuchbelly
I went from a size 16 pants to a size 8 and I’ve never had as flat a tummy as I have now. I’ve been maintaining since October last year after losing 32kg and have kept it off since by not increasing my carbs, only my fat. I still look twice when I look in the mirror!
Try cream in your coffee instead of carbs, there’s less carbs in cream and it really is all about the carbs.
Cheers
Linda

Hi Susie3 – the more the merrier!! Well done on the loss so far.

Also I totally agree with your statement that it’s nice to be able to talk with determined ‘losers’ who understand what the diet is about! What’s great about this forum (or so it seems to me) is that there isn’t the competitiveness or judgement I’ve seen associated with other weightloss programmes so I feel relaxed here.

Hi AlexandraUK, I found the first few days really hard, but it definitely got easier after that. I stick to 800 cals probably 50% of the time and other days go to around 900 and sometimes on the weekend or when entertaining I’ve had around 1000 cals. I make the same meal for everyone in the family, but for example if we are having bolognaise then I’ll have mine with zucchini instead of pasta, and my family have garlic bread whereas I don’t. I’m up to almost the end of week 3 and have lost around 3kg. I find that sparkling water, herbal tea or a cup of white coffee help when I get hunger pangs between meals. I also carry around a small bag of almonds – even having just 3 or 4 of these has helped when I’m hungry on the way home from work for example.
Planning ahead is a must – I make extra servings where I can and freeze them, make my lunch the night before etc.
Good luck 🙂

Sticking to 800c is incredibly difficult if you are getting those calories from carbs, but if you are getting those calories from fat and protein, it is surprisingly doable.

Eat lots of veggies, sauteed if possible to up the fat level, plus a decent lump of protein and you will feel full for a long time. Veggies are great because you can eat as much as you want, and I do.

The key is managing the hunger and everybody does that differently. I have a couple of eggs at 11am, supper at 6pm, and nuts and Greek yogurt at 9pm. I like fasting during the day. You will probably be different so find what works for you but remember that eating simple carbs will trigger a pretty intense urge to eat a lot more, so don’t!

The only downside is my family is getting sick of me obsessing about food but it’s been three months and it has been amazingly easy!

Jan