Hi VeganSarah.
Well done! Let me know how you get on with the seitan – I am interested in trying I.
Most of us had a plateau week (or two) during the 8 weeks when things seemed to slow down or stop, then it restarted with a woosh. Four weeks is a common time or it, however others have been a bit later – mine was week 6-7 when things stopped, but restarted again and kept up an average of 2kg loss per week over the 8 weeks despite it.
It is however, worth keeping a close on what you have been eating and ensuring you measure everything and double check the carbs in case you are consuming more than you thought. Other than that – keep going, you have done really well.

Hi LizV
I don’t get the dress size thing at all! Someone told me earlier a dress size is about 10lb so I should’ve lost 2?! I can see a difference under my boobs and small reduction in tummy- had a hysterectomy last January and tummy got lots bigger. But my coat is still way to tight across my bottom, if I put gloves in my pocket I struggle to zip it shut! I think I must have carried the 20lb on my fingers, toes and ear lobes!! Or knees?! HOPE I drop a size soon. Would be lovely to buy an 18 trouser and not have to order an 18 and just in case 20!

I was just reading some Michael Mosley tweets, he specifically says apples (and pears) are fine because they have lots of fibre which changes the way you process the sugar/carbs in them. Berries are good because they are low sugar. Big no to tropical fruit like melons, mangoes, bananas and pineapple.

I think most people used a calorie-counting app, like Myfitnesspal or Fatsecret. I use CalorieKing. You have to weigh everything but then the app tells you how many calories and carbs it has and adds up everything for you as you go. If you don’t like technology, there are books with lists of calorie counts and at least one successful loser here (was it Captainlynne?) just writes everything down. Either way, still have to weigh and measure.

The other option is to use the meal plans in the books and everything is worked out for you so you don’t have to count calories, people have had success doing that as well.

Marion53, wow! Congratulations on packing up your size 20s!! That is so exciting. I’m looking forward to that!

TumTump, I look forward to seeing if anyone has some good data about losing the pants sizes, because it seems like a big mystery to me. My body is reshaping itself in unpredictable ways. My waist was the same for what felt like forever and then suddenly started dropping inches, while my belly, which has dropped in the past didn’t change at all. I can’t figure it out.

End of Week 5
I’m up the scale 2 pounds, but down 2 inches on my waist. I couldn’t believe it when I saw that! So hopefully the scale will get back to downward momentum, but I’m still losing fat.

Still at around 25 # lost, 4 inches off waist, down one pant size and this next size is getting looser.

My triumph of this week was getting through Mexican dinner out staying on track (ordered chicken fajitas and only ate half with guacamole and sour cream, no tortillas or chips) and then having only ONE unsweetened drink at the bar afterwards while my compatriots each had five. (It was my husband’s 40th birthday. I wouldn’t normally tempt myself in that way!)

Favorite tip of the week: I’ve been forcing myself to drink my coffee black in the mornings so that if I’m out at night I can order a decaf coffee with cream and it feels completely indulgent, so I don’t miss drinking alcohol or eating appetizers as much.

Second favorite tip: Zinc tablets work wonders on colds! So glad I found out about that.

Marion53

Like you I am missing apples- I treat myself to one apple a week and dip it into some Greek yoghurt and have some walnuts and it is such a treat! Who would have thought that something as simple as eating an apple would be such a lovely treat. I am really enjoying the healthy respect I have developed for the lovely food I am eating.

Can anyone help with tips on counting the calories in food. It’s my first day… I take it I have to weigh and measure everything? Have you bought special scales? I’m ok with roughly what I’m supposed to eat but finding it difficult with amounts. Do you google it?

Good luck Andy Tots – this is definitely doable and you’re in the right place for encouragement. There are some brilliant role models on these forums with great weight losses and reduction of diabetes drugs and some members even reversing their diabetes. We’re so lucky to have found this!!

Voyager, your food sounds yummy! Congrats on your great results so far!

LindaA, I love that quote. Thanks! I look forward to seeing moods stabilize for me. Do you remember how long it was before that was consistent for you? Thanks also for the information on the cortisol. I think that has very much been happening to me as I’ve been feeling that fight or flight body feeling quite often. Hmm. Will do some research on how to counteract that.

Hi All

Once again some great losses and encouraging posts!

I can’t believe I’m still losing – by this stage every other time I’ve tried to lose weight I have lost my way and either stalled or gained.

I’m trying my hardest to stay around 800 cals and as low carb as possible but have had wine over the weekend (nowhere near as much as usual though!). I usually weigh in on a Sunday but to make sure I don’t go mad with food and drink over the weekend I have a sneaky weigh in on a Friday. If I’ve lost, it encourages me to stay on the straight and narrow and – although it’s not happened yet – if I have a gain or stay the same, I’m hoping it will make me stop and think I need to take care in order to show a loss on Sunday. That’s the theory anyway!

Wishing everyone a great week!
S x

Mum, thanks so much for your encouragement and kind words. Right there with you! I decided to follow your advice and stick to low impact sports for now and my 10k steps. They have a Pilates class at my gym so I’m going to try it.

Lovely to hear all the good news-what a motivational group. I’m interested to know at what weight loss people dropped a dress size? I’ve lost 20lb and an 5ft 10″ and still a size 20?! Would be great to go down to an 18

Hi everyone, Week5Day1. No loss this week. Same as almost everyone else. Still I’m in this for the long haul and I’m not letting the scales dictate my mood. Keeping to 900-1000cals as I know I would start doing the start again tomorrow thing if I feel hungry and cheat. As it is I feel quite comfortable on this Woe. I had to buy a size 18 swimming costume last week and now bagged all my size 20 clothes for charity shop. I miss my apple but decided not to buy any until end of February and then stick to only one a day. I managed my birthday without the slice of fruit cake I’d bought for the occasion and went without the glass of wine I usually have. I only drink about 6 glasses a year anyway so I didn’t miss it. I believe if I keep off the pasta, biscuits, pastry the weight will eventually come off. Love reading the posts though and everyone’s journey. Good luck till next week.
M

TYPO ALERT!!!
Not DEmotivated -I’m REMOTIVATED after losing 3lb. 2 big goals only 2 LB away 😊

Weighed in today end of week 5. Had a fall from plan-white wine and way over 800 calories on 3 days but stayed low carb. Shocked and delighted to say down 3lbs! No change on waist for second week.
Demotivated -if I can drop 2 lbs next week I’ll get 1 and 1/2 stone gone and into next stone. Also creeping ever closer to going from Obese BMI to mere Overweight!!!
Learnt that over indulging reawakens carb cravings, emotional eating and hunger pangs. Went for a drink with same colleagues I was with last week when I shared the wine, and sipped my coffee whilst they drank 2 bottles of a rather lovely white. On a week long work trip and today’s food from m&s actually came in under 50g CARBS despite containing rice, quinoa and cous cous. All round a good day-phew

Yen that’s amazing – well done!

I’ve eaten the same thing three nights in a row because I made huge portions (still have two lots in the freezer) and two of my other evening meals this week are doubled up as well. I’ve decided to leave creativity to the weekends!

Weigh in this morning brought the total in 3 weeks to 14.5lbs lost. I’m pleased with that. I stone down another 5 to go, at least.

So onto week 4. Feeling better now I’m remembering to drink more. Planned week 4 meals last night and have included a couple of meals doubled up to give me a break from cooking – so that should work out better.

Hi NLR2407
Well done on sticking with the BSD so far – notwithstanding the little blip last week. We all suffer such transgression from time to time, we’re only human after all!
My advise for staying on plan next week, is to do a bit of advance planning. Be sure to have good food in the house ready to go and have an idea of the meals you are going to have. Also, have some BSD friendly treats in stock, in case you need a snack – yogurt, cheese, nuts, berries. Obviously, you’d only have a little of any of these, but they will help to make you feel satisfied if you get tempted or have any cravings.
Good news that you are planning some exercise. Try scheduling some other diversionary tactics too – like a bit of pampering may be; or some other little non-food treat or occupation to keep the mind busy for a little while – a hobby maybe. The trick is not to dwell on the food too much, try to keep busy and be practise a little mindfulness too, as this will help to keep you focused and more relaxed.
Good luck – hope you will be posting some great results after your week at home.

Pleased that you had a great weekend, but I’ve got the Nines highlights recorded, so please don’t let me know who won. I’m guessing that it wasn’t the Warriors or you might have mentioned it 😉

Go Storm!

Thank you Julie, It was frustrating, and it is fair to say I am feeling sensitive. I appreciated you saying that and believe you were not meaning it as it came across. Emails are like that I suppose for all who can’t see a persons face behind the keyboard.

Apologies all

I mean, lord alive. Commercial motives, pointing out where to get the products, really? If I had been talking about what salad and vegetables had been on offer in a particular supermarket that week would we have reacted the same…

It so obvious by both posts that over a few days of hunger from being stuck on liquids (even mentioning trying to rely on the homemade soups alone) I discovered something new and tried it. I then came here, a forum that has been so supportive and helpful so far, to ask if anyone else had tried it. I wasn’t asking for a slap on the wrist for not cooking my own meals, or taking the time to make a smoothie, or not recognising that fake foods are bad foods.

Original question has obviously been answered. Thank you.

Awesome work KJ! I was just thinking the other day, we both have well and truly said goodbye to ever being in the 130’s.

Could I suggest you check your daily carb intake? If this is high even though the calories are low, it will hinder loss. When I stalled, it was recommended to me, that I look at my carb intake and I found it higher than the commonly recommended 50g per day. It is surprising where carbs hide – onions, tomatoes, carrots, apples, pears for instance – and these can sneakily up your intake almost without you realising. Dropping my carb intake and upping my fat intake, got my weight moving downwards again.

It’s frustrating when you don’t see good results after putting in the effort, but don’t be disheartened, stick with it and it will happen – at 800cals a day, it simply has to happen at some point!

I apologize for making you feel bad Libby. I didn’t intend for it to sound (or be) mean. I am sure that not being able to eat solids was very painful and, no doubt, frustrating. I wish you good luck moving forward.
Julia

Hi Julia18. I’m just north of Auld Reekie so I guess I just haven’t been looking hard enough. But right enough, there are several places advertising snowdrop walks in their grounds so a friend and I are going out tomorrow for a virtuous cup of tea and a stroll among the Galanthus! MKx

I would personally opt for homemade soups and smoothies, rather than manufactured refined products. My feeling is that one of the aims of the BSD, is to get us eating healthy real food, rather than things out of a packet. Yes, there are times when for convenience a packet is preferable – or even the only option – but for me, Atkins type products would not be top of my list. Having said this, we all have to find our own path and adapt as necessary to suit our bodies and our lifestyles.

Decluttering my wardrobe is on my list of must do’s. Have already side lined jeans and trousers that are too large and packed them away, some for charity and some to sell on ebay to raise some funds. Looking forward to sorting the rest of my wardrobe out and seeing what now fits and what I can permanently clear out, ready for newer additions.

It’s exciting to think that I will be able to bring things back into service, which I have not been able to wear in years and also look at gradually adding some new things in similar smaller sizes. Sure there are many of us adjusting to our new forms and delighting in being able to look at things we haven’t dared even trying to wear for ages. Fabulous isn’t it?!

Life after the eight-week challenge can be many things. For lots of people here, it is carrying on with the Fast 800, others move over to 5-2, and others still move over to a low-carb Mediterranean diet. And of course there is the option of trying some other type of dieting system. Captainlynne is a great example of someone who kept going on the Fast 800 for a year to reach her goal. There are many others like her. Other people do eight weeks or whatever suits them, take a break and then come back.

Libbyohno, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t ask questions or see what other people do, and I’m sure your motives were genuine rather than commercial. But to be fair to Californiagirl, if you go back and read your first post in particular, you will see that it does come across as supporting Atkins and pointing people to outlets for their products. Your second post could be read as plugging them too.

The other issue, Libbyohno, is what kind of meals were you eating before the BSD? I personally don’t follow any of the recipes in the book or the follow-up recipe book but have pretty well stuck to what I was eating before, just much smaller portions of everything except veg, less frequent servings of carb-rich veg like carrots, almost no fruit and no starchy carbs. I log everything on Fat Secret to monitor my intake. You may find you could do the same.

Happy Tuesday!! Starting weight for this week 123.65.
To any NZrs on here, hope you had a great Waitangi weekend!! AS predicted, I have no voice and am so tired! But all worth it, and yes, I had hot chips with sauce, but as you can see, I did manage to still lose, so am very happy about that!
Onwards and downwards!!
KJ

All this talk of decluttering and clothes has got me thinking too: I’ve got a lot of things tucked away that need minor repairs, but there’s no point as they’re going to be too big for me. I’ve got plenty of nice things that are also on the verge of being too big, so why waste time and effort on something I’m never going to wear? So, it’s out with them. Probably cut some of them up for plant ties.

LizV, I recognise all your NSVs except for saving money. I’m not sure we are, as we are spending so much more than usual on veg, partly because they’re so much more expensive, but also because we’re simply eating more. Another good reason for getting my veg patch on song.

Californiagirl – No, I do not work for Atkins. What a vastly unhelpful and unfriendly comment.

Again I only ventured the Atkins subject due to being unable to chew food for a few days. As I put in the original post I did look in to alternatives before reaching for Atkins Shakes – mainly yogurt drinks, meal replacements and protein shakes. But non of these products were low carb, lots of them worked out at over the 50g Limit that I try to keep too per day.

Cant point out enough that I used the Atkins Shakes because I couldn’t eat solids.

Hi SunnyB 😀💐

Great non scale victory. 😀

Our wardrobes will wonder what’s happening – all the sorting out and decluttering. All the big baggy clothes disappearing and being replaced by smaller, more colourful cloths.

Doesn’t it feel good? 😀

My motto is :

“If you don’t give up, you won’t have to start again”

I was not far off your weight. 5’2″ and 13st 10. Never have admitted my weight to my husband. I am on my 6th week and have lost 20lbs. I am feeling amazing. Watch the sugar videos on youtube….there is one that shows you why you get so hungry. That the sugar and carbs you eat go straight to fat and your body cries out for food to top up the difference. It is a viscous circle.

Crack on. Only you can do it.

I get really hungry sometimes but for some reason I don’t head to the kitchen. Havent eaten anything but my 3 meals a day. I have had between 800 and 1100 calories a day. I never crave any more and I was horrendous. I would sit on the sofa and think I’m not hungry and see my self literally get up and go to the kitchen and stuff my face till I felt sick!!!!

If I can do it anybody can. I carry around an Atkins shake meal replacement which is the lowest in carbs and sugar. So if I get stuck with nothing but bad choices I have that and it takes the edge off.

I am going through a very emotional time at the moment as my Dad is very frail and poorly and won’t last long. Last year I would have stuffed my face, knocked back the wine and smoked and smoked. I gave up smoking 1 Jan 2016. I haven’t had a drink since 31 December 2016 (or rather early hours New Years Day lol).

Don’t let anything stop you. keep on going xxxxx

Just looked at the ingredients of Atkins crispbreads – no thanks.

Given the choice I think that I’d go for a good old-fashioned Ryvita.

The pricing also seems to value the Atkins brand quite highly.

Hello ladies, how is it going? Well I have lost over 4kg since restricting my calorie intake. I have struggled staying below the 800 calories. Together with my son’s birthday on Friday and then the weekend with my family I went over the limit. Nevertheless, I have not consumed bad carbohydrates, sugar or alcohol. I have now also reintroduced fruit into my diet, I have had a few green apples andb blueberries with Greek yogurt. I think my family and I are all shocked at the portion sizes! Previously, I would have happily eaten 500g of 0% fat Greek yogurt instead of the 2tbs of full fat Greek yogurt I am now allowed. Just goes to show that my overeating was directly connected with me being overweight.The more my family have learnt about diabetes and prediabetes, the more supportive they are to me having a low carb/Mediterranean diet. So in effect, I probably stuck with exact portions for 4 days and had a bit more on the other 3. Long term, I don’t have the self control for the 5:2 diet and will probably just stick to eating better, hopefully!

I felt dreadful up until Thursday. Now I am feeling better but I still lack the strength or stamina for doing runs at the moment. I am managing 2-3 strength sessions at the gym per week. These involve aerobics, weights and floor toning exercises. And lots of walking, I try to do 2-3 long walks a week too. I am only now seeing results by changing my diet.

Would love to know how you guys are getting on?

Ha ha ha……………….

I have been to hairdressers this morning for the first time in 7 months. I was trying to grow it but at 63 have decided its not for me.

Anyway…….I walked in and my hairdresser asked me if I had lost weight……

Yes I had……..she asked what I had been doing and had I done it with Slimming World………..you know the rest of the conversation about the diet so I will not repeat it.

But the best remark EVER was……You are not going to lose anymore are you Fairyface?

Errrrrr……….yes about about 5-6 stone. Silence.

People really don’t understand what a lifestyle change is do they

Sounds like you work for Atkins but yes, everything in moderation. I hope your choices are helpful to you and that it leads to your continued success!! What other things, besides Atkins, are working well for you?

Hi All,

Thank you for your replies – Although I do agree it is better to make your meals in advance so that you are prepared there are times when this is not possible.

My original jump to Atkins was because I was stuck on liquid foods (I had fillings recently and was unable to chew things) I needed something to replace breakfast/brunch for a short term whilst my teeth healed. The Atkins shakes helped control my hunger and got me through to lunch (2:30ish most days) and I did not gain weight using them so I made the sacrifice of ‘convenience’ for the sake of my chewing inability, ha ha!

That lead to my question about long term BSD and what people used when human mistakes or time got the better of them. I work from 8:30am to 6:30pm MOnday to Saturday and when I am tired I make mistakes, like forgetting my lunch or not taking a batch cook meal out of the freezer in time.

The Atkins products like crispbreads and chocolate bars simply appealed to me for the “Oh Balls I Forgot” moments or the “Oh Lord I cant be bothered!”

I understand that over complicated food with additives and processed things are bad when used for the long term, but I was thinking about the odd addition to continue with BSD Long Term.

I have researched Atkins recently as an option after the 8 week challenge, it looks to be the same lifestyle and food plan just without the calorie counting…

Everything in Moderation,
Libby

*sigh* That moment when you reread your post and see all the errors you made writing it and then realise there’s no edit feature!

Esnecca..just opened the spreadsheets and your mail to check I could! I’m working till 7.30 tonight so won’t have enough time or focus today to read in detail the mail. I think from a glance that it might take me a few minutes to absorb the information.

Thank you so much for sharing and sending it. I can imagine all kinds of domestic and work situations where it will be useful; in fact I wish I’d had access to it when deciding whether to retire!

Have been struggling to get used to not needing to buy baggy-hide-a-multitude-of-sins clothing any more. However, I can report that at the w/e, I purchased – and can comfortably wear – a pair of size 10 trousers! In a very bright royal blue too, no shrinking violet these days.

Sorry you have recorded a gain this week, cmawp. Frustration for many of us this week it seems. I have a clear run for a couple of weeks, before the next potential derailing event – a dinner out. I’m hoping some decent progress might have been made by then.

Good luck for a good loss this week everyone.

Hi all,

Hope everyone is doing ok! Well I had my first major victory this week in that I went shopping and all my purchases were a size smaller! I was a size 18, and wearing a 20 in some stores, and everything I have purchased this weekend gone is a 16. I’m absolutely made up. I was so happy trying everything on, I knew that there would still be some shops where the 16’s were too small and there were, but coming away with nice black trousers and new pyjamas and actually getting bras that fit, I was so pleased!

I had some wine/fizz this weekend as I had lunch out with my mum and had a relaxed weekend but food was on point (calories over though because of the wine). Back on the wagon now until holiday on the 18th… I used to be a really heavy drinker, easily a bottle a night if not more, but somehow the wine didn’t taste like it did and I felt like I had cheated myself. Back onto the wagon tonight and back on the peppermint tea – I’ve missed it!

Total loss since 3rd Jan – 1st 2lb so really pleased and down to 13st 11lb… I would like to get to 13st 9lb before I go away, 13st 6lbs really but that’s asking a lot…. but with focus and planning…. I can do this..!!

Much love to you all,
Rebecca xx

Hi all, I’ll add to the gain pot. 1lb up for me which I’m surprised with, based on the 3.75lb gain I registered on Saturday morning! I completed a 24hr fast from 8:30pm on Saturday night and I’m sure it was this which rebooted my system. First time I’ve deliberately done a fast.

4lb to go for me.

Well done to Mixandmatch for hitting goal this week; smashing news. It gives us all great strength to push on. 2 years of persistence has paid off for you. Good luck with maintenance, we’ll be looking for you when we get there.

TC, well done for controlling the balance for the week. I’m on the same page as you re: the fasting and the surprise based on what I’d eaten this week.

SunnyB, sounds like the good times had were worth the effort you’ll put in over the next week to get back on track. Those are the lengths we go to for good friends and family. Nasty alcohol for doing that to you!

RozyDozy, thanks for the support you gave me, helped me hang in there on a tough weekend. Good luck for the next week.

The Buffalo chicken wings I made probably fit into the Mediterranean maintenance category. About 20g of carbs in the meal, not including dipping veg (cauliflower, broccoli and celery). Obviously horrific for fat and calories with 100g of butter and chicken skin involved but I could probably tailor a recipe to make them less rich.

Michelle62 – sorry I missed your post. I’m glad your weigh-in went well and totally agree with you that it’s wonderful to finally feel in control. For the first time in a long time, I actually believe I could lose a substantial amount of weight.

I’ve got back to where I was last summer (after my last diet) and so now my next target is just under a stone away. Then not only will I weigh less than I have in 8 years, I will also be lighter than my bf (a fact that troubles me a lot more than him).

Hello everyone!

It was also my measuring day today. However, a different housemate did it and I’m not convinced that measurements were done in the same place as others. For example, I’m a little skeptical that I have lost 6cm on my bust and 11.5cm on the measurement around the bottom of my boobs! However, I do believe there is a general downward trend in my measurements just perhaps not as drastic as suggested.

My weight on the other hand is a shock. I’ve been weighing daily and today was the first morning in which there was no loss at all (not even an ounce) but I knew that the speed of the loss couldn’t sustain.

However, since Monday, I have lost 4.6kg or 10.1lbs (which is a -4.1% shift in my body weight). As I started to lower my cab intake the week before, I actually lost about 4lbs the week before we started which means my total weight loss in 2 weeks in a stone (or 6.35kg)! That means I have lost 10% of the amount I wanted to lose (which was just over 100lbs). Certainly never achieved that rate with any other diet and I have felt relatively ok on it. It’s not been easy but it hasn’t been really hard this past week. I actually think this week will be harder (and with less reward) but we’ll see.

Now for the really important thing – it has having really good effects on my blood sugar. I’ve been struggling to understand my readings which I was only doing in the morning after fasting (which were coming back really high – 9.1!!) but that may have been the dawn phenomenon so I am now trying to test first thing, immediately before and 2 hours after meals and last thing at night. I don’t always get all the readings but I think it is more reliable for me to get the general trend.

My average on Saturday was 6.6, yesterday it was 6.5 and today we are on 6.1 (although with only 2 readings) but I *think* this means that it is working.

PS: I am not on metformin or any other meds.

P.P.S. One of my housemate’s parents has come over for a lunchtime visit – they always bring amazing food with them for M&S – gorgeous bread and lots of other stuff I can’t go near so I’m hiding in the study so I can’t be tempted. I’ll go down and make my courgette and feta salad later.

P.P.P.S. I’ve always been a sucker for sugar free or zero Red Bull. Opened one just now because I was tired and needed a pick-me-up and it’s sooooooo sweet, it’s disgusting!

Hi Gillykins – 1kg is good by anyone’s standards and I’m immensely jealous of your Sunday Roast!