HI Both,

Thanks for your advice! I’m not diabetic or pre-diabetic. I am just trying to lose weight and have PCOS so have a higher likelihood of getting diabetes later in life if I’m not careful. I’m only 26 at the moment so want to get my weight and carb addiction under control now to head of potential issues in the future.

I stood on the scales this morn and had still lost so I think once in a while it will be ok!

Appreciate the help!

Hi All
We are back from Jamaica – great holiday – good hotel, lovely beach and gorgeous weather. Bonus is I weighed in this morning at exactly the same as before we left, 9st 9lb, so I must have made sensible choices in the restaurant! There were lots of good BSD friendly options – cooked breakfasts, huge range of salads, cold meats, cheeses etc. I did sample a few desserts, fruits, a little wine and some rum, but didn’t go mad. Lots of swimming & sunbathing, so very relaxing.
Our new dog is lovely, just a big black fluff-ball at the moment. I can see he will need a lot of attention, plus several walks a day, so that’s all good too.
We have nasty wet sleety weather here today, I am so looking forward to the spring.

Hi Krysia

I think Bill had some non-BSD problems that got in the way. I’ve not heard from him in ages. I think it was when his granddaughter was born.

I keep on posting, even if not as often as before, because it helps me keep my motivation so I’m glad it helps others.

Hi Verano

It’s probably when I’m in a coffee shop that I notice the changes in me. Before BSD it would have been a large latte, often with a sandwich or pastry. Now it’s usually either an espresso (with or without cream), a macchiato or an americano without milk. And nothing to eat.

The other major difference for me is the residential conferences. Those 3-course meals. Before BSD I’d have eaten just what I wanted. Breakfast would have been cereal, the cooked breakfast and lots of toast with butter and marmalade. Biscuits with mid morning coffee, then lunch would usually be cooked meat and salad (usually those using up leftover veg in mayonnaise), followed by dessert. More biscuits with coffee at the break. Then a 3-course dinner. Whatever starter and main I fancied, followed by some nice dessert. Once I did try the cheese instead of a dessert – with grapes and crackers – but there was enough for a meal in the serving! And don’t forget the biscuits and chocolates left in my room!!!

Now breakfast is just the cooked option. No biscuits. Lunch (if I eat anything) is a slice of cooked meat with a little tomato and cucumber. Dinner – when I get the menu to choose from at breakfast time – immediately delete the dessert. Then look at the options for starter and main. Sometimes the choice is easy if there’s something I don’t like. Once I’ve chosen, I delete anything I don’t want – croutons, Yorkshire pudding, etc. Staff are usually very good – they’re so used to people asking for substitutions these days, and so many people have cut out gluten.

After the first time I did it, its become second nature and the skills I learned there have translated to other social eating situations.

The Italian ice cream cafe last year was tricky. It was easy enough to refuse the gelato, but I was worried about offending the family who’d invited us. But I needn’t have worried. And other meals over there have opened up conversations if people have noticed what I’m eating or not eating. Most times I’d just be happy with the starter of sliced meats and cheeses.

As well as food choices, I agree that portion sizes have also shrunk. Typing what I used to eat amazed me – how could I eat all of that in one day, especially when the day was spent sitting listening to people with no exercise.

Verano
I can hardly believe that I have maintained since 10th December. That is two whole months – I don’t think I even managed two weeks maintaining before. But this is different from all those other times I was on a diet as this is a way of eating that I will keep to for the rest of my life.

I do hope that it will be second nature before too long. The bit that has become second nature is keeping low carb and not eating any of the bad carbs and sugar. I have absolutely no inclination to eat the stuff and when I see it I just think how shockingly bad it is for us.

The bit that is not second nature is portion control. I am still as bad at judging portion sizes as I was before I started the BSD. Although I can’t eat really big portions anymore I still have to weigh the high calorie stuff because I am so bad at judging the weight of things like cheese, nuts and Fage Yoghurt.

Lynne – I think your ‘awkward head’ has been really useful. I also find that if anyone says that the BSD won’t work it just makes me more determined to stick to it.

I am so pleased that you stayed on this forum. Your posts were so inspirational when I was struggling and great to see that you effortlessly moved into the maintenance phase of BSD. I learnt everything about maintenance from your posts and other successful maintainers on this forum. I followed Bill1954s posts and was so sorry that he got to target and just left the forum. So I think it is great that maintainers stay posting. For me – continuing to read the forums every day and post does help to keep me on track and keep the weight off.

Yes a good Indian meal really does fill the gap now and again and it can be BSD friendly. I just find that every now and again I have to have something really spicy.

It is amazing JM how our appetites change after while. I actually find that all my portions are much smaller than they used to be and that can’t be bad! Although occasionally I do feel really hungry so I eat a snack and that usually does the trick.

MK, your post saved me from caving today.
I went to M and S and looked at the Valentine meal deal. Ther was a lot to choose from to keep to the BSD except for the desserts and mini box of heart chocolates – oh and the bottle of Prosecco! I spent some time fighting with my carb monster as to whether I should give in and “treat” myself to the lovely looking puds – it’s a long time since I was so tempted.
In the end I chose a very large box of strawberries which looked just OK but gradually I began to feel more in control.
I decided that my lovely hubby and I didn’t need sugary things to celebrate Valentine’s Day (we have never really celebrated the day in our 45 yeas of marriage.) and decided we will have a glass or two of the fizz, enjoy the nice food and give the chocolates to an elderly spinster aunt who I suspect has never been given chocolate for Valentines Day.
Thank you!
X B

Verano

Thinking about it again just now, I think that my “awkward” head came in to play.

So many people told me along the way that the BSD wouldn’t work and that it wasn’t sustainable that I was (and still am) determined to prove them wrong. Add to those people the ones who think I’ve lost too much, and those waiting to see it all pile back on again and I just don’t want to prove any of them right.

Hi Lynne

I can’t believe it’s 22 weeks since you reached your target. LCHF way of eating must just be second nature to you now. I guess you probably still get the odd moment when you have to think twice about eating something but I’m sure those moments are few and far between now.

You certainly have enough ‘wriggle room’ to keep you at your new healthy weight. It’s good that you still post because we all want to know what it’s like ‘on the other side’!

Krysia it’s good to see you still maintaining that’s what it’s all about. If you can do it in the winter the summer should be a doddle and it won’t be too long before it’s just second nature and you no longer think about it.

Rosebery I just love that saying. I’ve written it down in my journal to help me keep going through the rough times! WE have all started and we WILL all finish!

Nice Information ! Thanks

Furniture Rotan

Hi Lynne

I think you’re right about needing a new focus, As I’ve not reached my ultimate goal yet I still do have a focus but I can see how difficult it could be to re-focus once you get to maintenance. I don’t think any ‘maintainer’ is boring, even if you think nobody wants to keep reading the posts, most people are still happy to have that extra push now and again of reading about somebody who has succeeded. I think it’s far more difficult to maintain, as you say three people all put the lost weight back on with in a few years. BUT that’s because they were on ‘diets’ and hadn’t changed their lifestyles!

I am trying to refocus to start my next push on Tuesday. Tuesday has always been my weigh-in day and until then I’m just logging my food to see exactly what I am eating since I stopped counting! Today is actually not too bad. The carbs are around 75g and the calories nearer to 1000. That for me is quite acceptable. I’m finding the fast 800 a little too severe in the winter.

Anyway, it’s a case of just keeping on keeping on!

Bless! I’m sure you don’t!
SSB

Great, MK, I am still wearing some of my size 14 stuff, even though my top half is now 8-10, I can’t afford to replace an entire wardrobe just like that (although the local charity shops have probably never had such a good customer). I agree with your feelings on the selfie culture and obsession with appearance rather than substance. Good luck going onwards and downwards 😀

Harleysmum, its not me with the tummy it’s saltyseabird, i’m the one that needs a facelift 🙂

Thank you for your help. Your input has made the decision for me! 😉

Thank you Sunshine Girl. It’s not that tasty really either so maybe I’ll just ditch it. Have a number of packets in the cupboard from pre this diet! It’s not worth wasting that many carbs on one meal.

Thank you so much for your help. I think I’ll ditch the OatSoSimple stuff!

Hi ShrinkMe81

Feels to me, like you are setting one huge goal for yourself, which from time to time must seem almost impossible. Could I suggest that you join the ‘mini-goals’ thread and set yourself a mini-goal? Doing this means that when you hit the mini-goal, you are rewarded with a sense of achievement, which helps with fostering a positive state of mind.

If you don’t track your carb intake, perhaps take a look at that, as when I plateaued adjusting my carb intake was the answer. Check you are drinking enough, as this is very important and also make sure you have enough daily fat intake, to help boost the fat burning process. Don’t panic about eating out, just stick as closely as you can to the BSD principles.

Finally, use your dog walk and pampering for a little mindfulness, reflect on all the positives in your life, including you great BSD results so far. You really have made good progress and that should be celebrated. Have a great w/e.

Thank you SunnyB, that’s a good idea. I did yoga for about 20 years but stopped when my teacher retired. I will look for a Pilates class.
SSB

On the bright side the sachet is only 27 grams so a total of 23 carbs but still a bit too carby for this diet if you want to keep under 50g.

Verano, I only know because someone recommended it to me when I was in the menopause, anyway, what is your new thread and when does it start. I am 4 weeks from my HbA1c so need to get serious again.

de rien

For toning I would recommend Pilates, as it helps you to retrain your body, so that you benefit from good posture as well as toning muscles – especially the core muscles. I’m trying to get back to doing Pilates myself, as toning would certainly help.

Many thanks for that reassurance, I thought it was just me !
I will give it a go and get back to you

Hi JuJu68 – that’s great news, well done!!

NancyB – inspired by your omelette I had scrambled eggs with mushrooms, spring onions and Parmesan cheese for brunch. Nom.

Hi Sunshine girl… don’t think any of us were meant to have stomachs like mill ponds! I still have a bit of a puku (Maori word for tummy which I think sounds nicer!!) despite having lost 10.5kg!
Celebrate your body with all of its curves & wobbles ……& I f all else fails… wear spanks!!

Thank you 😊

I have no idea what the menu is tonight, although I’m expecting a soup starter, meat and veg main and stodgy pudding which I’d planned to skip anyway. So it shouldn’t be too bad, and I’ll have a couple of drinks but probably G&T and far fewer than I would have in the past!

I’ve cheered myself by planning some cookery – a friend (a low carb friendly one) is making curry for tomorrow night so I’m making some onion bhajis to bring. And I’ve made a huge pot of delicious garlicky mushroom soup. I was in such a cookery rut before I started this so that has been a lovely change – using my imagination much more and trying new things.

I’m going to walk the dog then dye my hair and have a long soak in the bath in preparation for tonight. I *will* be smiling by this evening!

Hi everybody!
Day 11
Made first batch of cauliflower rice. Really enjoying cooking the delicious recipes.
Making the beef stir-fry with asparagus and sesame seeds again tonight but with tofu for my vegetarian friend.
Diabetes symptoms – second wee in the night not nearly so urgent, some improvement there.
Feeling lighter on my feet.
Nancy x

My carb counter says 100g porridge made with water is 9g per 100g serving, 13g made with milk,
oat so simple is 64g per 100g . Processed stuff is usually chock a block with hidden carbs – I think they put a lot milk powder in this. If you do decide to use it, the flavoured ones are exactly the same carb count. MKx

I may be wrong but I think that the microwaveable treated and powdered porridge can raise blood sugars and the preferred option is more the rolled, whole grain oat (steel cut, I believe in the US). You can soak these overnight and warm them relatively quickly for breakfast.

I don’t like microwaveable porridge so I’m not really the expert

Verano – A well deserved treat.

I can’t remember whether I posted this but I went out for an Indian a couple of weeks ago and had what was effectively a tandoori mixed grill (chicken, lamb, prawn and kofteh) It was lovely but I had to bring back some of the lamb and kofteh as I couldn’t finish it – yes that’s me, not being able to finish an Indian – shocking!

Also indulged in an inadvisable level of lime pickle.

It is truly amazing how BSD can change your appreciation of portion size.

Aaaaaah Sunshinegirl, don’t be harsh to yourself!
SSB xxx

Hi
Does anyone know if the basic unflavoured OatSoSimple made with water and microwaved is ok?
I’m into my first week of the 5:2 and am very surprised and pleased to have shed a kilo already.

Gill

WOW!!! Sorry I had no idea Black Cohosh was so dangerous. I took it many years ago without any side effects but I would never have recommended it had I realised there were so many contra-indications.

Thanks for pointing that out sunshine-girl.

Ah, m&m, I bought some nice things in a size 14 a couple of weeks ago, just after the TV thing. So I have great stuff to wear that looks nice, and fits for the next few weeks, at least..
TV definitely puts on lbs which is why everyone you meet from that world is teeny weeny tinier than you thought, so I suppose there’s a bit about context too. Was at the BBC for a radio interview last week (I have a GREAT face for radio!) and met a TV presenter who looks like an Amazon on the programme she presents, beautiful, tall and looks very different next to her colleagues when on screen – she towers over her male co-presenter. In fact, I was astonished to find she’s 5’4 max, petite with tiny hands and feet and I imagine a size 8!

It’s partly about ageing, partly about seeing something in the mirror that seems infinitely less true in real life, partly about the ‘selfie’ culture and this constant focus on how you look, not what you are. I hate being sucked into that, which was why I was so annoyed with myself. MKx

Well done CaptainLynne – amazing and inspirational. Week 3 weigh in day for me tomorrow. 🙂

Morag x

I’ve been sticking to the plan pretty well this week,although have been over the 800 calories some days.The weekend is always a challenge though.My sons and their friend came last night,made dinner for them but said I couldn’t have any as I’d had my calorie allowance for the day.Of course that led into how many calories I was having,they couldn’t believe it was 800,worried about me starving myself,how did I have energy to do anything etc.I explained about the BSD in a nutshell,that I don’t feel hungry and have loads of energy.They couldn’t believe I’m doing 2 gym classes back to back on 15 almonds!I said it’s all about mindset and organisation,says me who doesn’t stick to it 100% but I’m trying.Got on the scales this morning,down a pound from Tuesday,it’s coming off much slower than I hoped ,it’s going to be a long time before my goal weight is reached !I’m motivated reading all the posts,thanks everyone.

Thank you for all the good advice its much appreciated. I have stuck to the low crabs but struggling to get my head around the eating fat bit! Mixnmatch I will have a look at that web site and Linda I will get my husband to work all that out for me.
Many thanks Sharon

Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven’t been posting much, but I have been keeping up to date with everyone else’s posts and am impressed by the successes so far. Reading this thread is really keeping me motivated!

Natalie / MixnMatch – am with you on the changed mindset this time round, I caved and had two small slices of pizza last night on top of my daily calories, but have just logged it and moved on to today as a new day, rather than using it as an excuse to go off the rails, or worse, abandon the whole eating plan (I’m refusing to call it a diet, LOL!)

I’ve dropped 5.5kg since 30th Jan, and although the scales show a 0.3kg gain in the last two days I’m going to up my water intake and carry on with the plan as it’s obviously working.

Have a lovely weekend all, and if it’s snowing where you are (it is in the south east of the UK!) then wrap up warm!! xx

I could do with a face lift for my jowly jawline and baggy eyes – at least you can cover your tummy – I might have to wear a balacalava ***

LindaA, while you are checking out Black Cohash you might want to look at the side effects and problems which are – QUOTED DIRECT FROM MEDICAL SITE –

***Black cohosh can cause some mild side effects such as stomach upset, cramping, headache, rash, a feeling of heaviness, vaginal spotting or bleeding, and weight gain.

There is also some concern that black cohosh may be associated with liver damage. It is not known for sure if black cohosh actually causes liver damage. Researchers are studying this. Until more is known, people who take black cohosh should watch for symptoms of liver damage. Some symptoms that may suggest liver damage are yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), unusual fatigue, or dark urine. If these symptoms develop, black cohosh should be stopped and a health provider should be contacted. People who take black cohosh should talk with their health provider about getting tests to make sure their liver is working well.***

Sounds to me it can cause more problems than it solves, particularly the mild effect, cramping, vaginal bleeding, WEIGHT GAIN.

Soya products are not really good for women and the oestrogen in it encourages belly fat and weight retention.

I think the answer is to deal with the symptoms with say a cool shower before bed, keep the room cool, wear natural clothing like cotton and natural bedding. Don’t let it worry you too much, it will pass.

Thank you Sunshine girl – trust me – I would even dream of any kind of cosmetic surgery – I read your post about the tummy tuck – definitely not worth it!
Yes, I’m guessing more abs work will be needed; I’m just frustrated that the rest of me is looking so much better but the tummy spoils it.
SSB X

Lynne – sorry to hear about the laryngitis. Am glad your voice is coming back – resting voice and body is the only way to get over it – although it looks as though you have been too busy to rest that much. Hope your voice will be ok for tomorrow evening. Your 8st 5lbs is brilliant.

My problem is flabby arms, bingo wings and flabby inner thighs, if only you could tell the body where to lose fat. Depending on your age and the fact you were not massively overweight you might have to try exercise to tone the muscles, not much else can be done. Dont even think of a tummy tuck or I will direct you to my previous post about that and soon clear up that it is not a quick and easy fix.

Hi Monty, I will say what a always do in this situation. You need to have a small snack before bedtime, something like a piece of cheese, slice of ham or chicken. Something which you have saved a few calories for so an not to upset your goals. What you are experiencing is the Dawn Effect (Phenomonon really but I cant spell it) where the liver sees you have not had any food for a long time and decides to give you a boost by pumping out glycogen (sugar) to help you through until breakfast. This happens at around 5am but you dont have to get up at 5 and eat, just make sure you dont go to bed on a empty stomach. You can Google is and read about it for yourself for a fuller explanation. Good luck.

MK, well done binning the sabotage bag, that was a really powerful moment and I appreciate how you must have felt on seeing that interview. I have always hated seeing myself on camcorder pictures, they seem to exaggerate weight a lot compared to mirrors. Go get some nice clothes, even if they are an intermediate size from where you want to end up, they won’t be wasted if you look and feel better in them in the meantime.

It is interesting you have been discussing sleep as that was supposed to be my focus for this week of my challenge, and although I technically hit my target on five of the days, the quality of sleep was worse. I am changing the last part of my personal challenge too. I was going to do another super low carb week, followed by a practice week of not logging or planning food before my holiday but I have realised that my eating pattern has fallen naturally into a reverse diet so am going to continue with this to try to ensure my metabolism is prepared for maintenance. I am on week 4 now, looking at the past few weeks, and in another 5 weeks I should be eating at a level slightly above my ideal TDEE. I am not putting weight on, in fact my target was actually hit for the first time in week three so it seems to be working. My weight at today’s weigh in was 10 stone 12, and I have averaged 1880 calories this last week, with one day at 2200. I’ll keep you all posted how it goes.

Hope you avoided the bug Angie.

It’s funny how many people have telephoned to ask if I’ve got my voice back!

Still talking as little as possible, need that voice tomorrow evening.

The weather is awful, so I don’t even want to go out. It would have been great this past week just to stay in and rest, but life didn’t work that way. Too many deadlines meaning I had to sit at my office computer. I had to ring for help setting something up on the network so I was glad my voice was a little stronger. They took pity on me and did some of it remotely!

Peak – voice almost back to normal, and another pound lost. Now weight 8st 5lbs.

Pit – still feeling yucky because of the virus.

Well, it’s now 22 weeks since I reached my original target weight of 9st 7lb – although I missed that and hit 9st 6lb.

Today I weigh 8st 5lb. That’s a lot of wriggle room!

I think I’m officially revising my target weight to 8st 7lb, planning in some of that famous wriggle roomthe bottom of my healthy BMI is 7 stone😱 so perhaps staying between 8st and 8st 7lbs! The alternative of Smart BMI gives lowest healthy weight at 5′ 1″ and 66 years to be 7st 7lbs, so 8st to 8st 7lbs should be ok.

Don’t want to lose much, though, otherwise my new (to me) clothes won’t fit!

Another skirt I’ve just bought has to go back to a charity shop! It fits perfectly. Problem is, I think you’d call it a “wiggle skirt”. Live it. Can walk,in it. Just can’t get on a bus or train in it! And I do need to be able to do that. So, with regret, it has to go. Oh, well, we live and learn. Perhaps if it had been shorter it would have been ok, but it has a kind of ‘fishtail ‘ at the back so can’t be shortened.

Well, it’s now 22 weeks since I reached my original target weight of 9st 7lb – although I missed that and hit 9st 6lb.

Today I weigh 8st 5lb. That’s a lot of wriggle room!

I think I’m officially revising my target weight to 8st 7lb, planning in some of that famous wriggle roomthe bottom of my healthy BMI is 7 stone😱 so perhaps staying between 8st and 8st 7lbs! The alternative of Smart BMI gives lowest healthy weight at 5′ 1″ and 66 years to be 7st 7lbs, so 8st to 8st 7lbs should be ok.

Don’t want to lose much, though, otherwise my new (to me) clothes won’t fit!