Gday all, week 22 done and dusted. Thats the spirit snoop back on the band wagan. In the past if I stuffed up I’d end up quitting, trying to learn now not to beat your self about it and just start fresh the next day, though sometimes easier said than done.
Weigh in result 122.4kg
Waist 125cm
1.3kg lost for the week
37.5kg loss yo date
I ended up finding a local bee keeper, who ended up being a work mate, so glad, hard to find raw honey thats not processed or heated down. Also found a local organic supplier for my apple cider vinergar supplier. I have increased exercises to 4 days per week and found a good core work out on you tube called A-40, for over 40 year Olds and have continued to do over 10000 steps each day. Some times its hard, though seeing results helps greatly. Im eating bit more, not counting calories though just sticking to piece meat or fish with a heap of veg. Finally people are noticing, which makes it easier as they know now not yo ask for a drink or 4pm sweet treat at work. I got a goal to reach 110kg for my dads surprise 70th birthday which im flying down for in late march. My final goal of 99kg is inching closer and closer. Have a good one all.

Eating a few crunchy sea salt flakes as I catch up on posts (thanks for the tip!) 🙂

Hi Lara
For me, the belly and excess back flab were the very last to go, do don’t give up, it will happen. I started off squeezing into a size 16 pants and now I’m into size 8!! I still can’t believe it!
Keep going, it will happen.
Cheers
Linda

Thanks for the tips about salt. I do drink a lot of fluids and it’s been hot here in Melbourne, so will increase the salt intake a bit. Probably explains a few days of foot cramps too!

MK – sounds like a good shopping trip overall, even if a bit frustrating. I have been enjoying throwing out nearly all of my old pants and skirts – my bottom half has just about disappeared, but annoyingly my belly and excess back flab remain. Grrrrr. I’ve been trying old items on as I’ve lost weight and can’t believe I used to wear some of these clothes. All the pants look like clown jodhpurs. Fortunately for my new shape there are a lot of “skinny” stretch pants around which seem to work better for me (slim in the hips and legs and a bit of stretch around the middle 🙂 )

Also bought myself a very cute 50s pin-up style halter top yesterday – could never have dreamed of wearing something like that 4 months ago, but I love it as it almost makes me look like I have some cleavage 🙂

Verano, good to hear you are at home and on the mend. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care.

Hi MissFreddieSausageDog
I notice you said low carb, high protein. This is more a low carb, moderate protein, higher fat way of eating. Excess ingested protein can convert to glucose through gluconeogenisis which can keep your blood sugars raised and prevent the weight loss. If you find the weight stalls, just back off a bit on the protein and that should kick start it again.
Best of luck
Linda

Thanks I will try, all suggestions are helpful as new to this. Thank again

inulin is in jerusalem artichokes …
sorry vaguely irrelevant but I felt the need to share.

Try the water hot with a slice of lemon or lime, it works for me, I am not really into lots of the cold stuff.

Thanks for replying to my query Mixnmatch. Appreciate you taking the time to post a comment. KrysiaD has given me some good news regarding Lactulose, hopefully it won’t affect my weight loss efforts this week. I’m not dreading the weighing scales quite as much as I was!

Thank you so much KrysiaD, I wasn’t sure what would happen if I carried on taking it, but you have certainly helped put my mind at rest. It sounds like you understand very well, some of the less beneficial sides of Lactulose. I’ll see what the scales say in the morning! 😕

It’s great to hear other people have been able to give up chocolate for Lent or BSD and haven’t died of a chocolate deficiency! I’ve never observed Lent but one branch of my husband’s family gives up meat (except seafood, I don’t know why that doesn’t count) for it before Easter and Christmas.

Maharani kitten
Your shopping trip sounds as though it was a great success. I so do love a real bargain in the sales – I would have definitely bought two also.

Update on the peanut butter cravings. After a very active and fairly low salt day I got the peanut butter cravings again. Had some sea salt and the craving disappeared completely. In fact I absolutely did not want any peanut butter at all. So now know what to do next time I get the peanut butter or salted nuts cravings.

Take care of yourself Verano, glad you are on the mend x

Hope you are feeling better Happygirl and that your children are well on the mend, so distressing when they are ill like that.
Happy ( very belated) birthday PatC, hope you had a lovely day with family!
How is everyone going as we head into a new week? January has been a bit of a struggle for me too but I am constantly amazed how grateful I am to be able to start afresh after each slip and know I can get back on track!
Have a great, positive week everyone x

Verano, so glad you’re back home and hope you feel completely better soon x

Saw my first snowdrops while out clocking up some miles today. Always gives me hope of better weather to come. Trying not to envy those in other parts of the world their warm and sunny weather😆

Hi Mixnmatch
Thanks for your message, I will check my carbs, and yes I do need to drink more water. Don’t really enjoy water and find 2 litres hard work.
Hopefully a bigger lose next week

Thanks

I have a bag of Kalettes so guess what I’m going to try…

Brussels sprouts make phenomenal crisps as well. Cut the stem ends off and pluck individual leaves off the sprouts. (You’ll have to keep triming the stem as you denude more and more leaves.) Toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper and spread the leaves on a baking sheet, making sure there’s no layering or overlap. You’ll have to do it in a couple of batches if you make a full pound of brussels sprouts, so you might want to start with just a few in a test batch. Bake in the oven at 200F (about 90C) for an hour and a half or until crispy.

That’s the basic recipe. I’ve made it with different spice combinations — chili powder for a taco-y vibe, garlic and thyme, a splash of hot sauce. They are most satisfyingly crunchy, taste great and because each leaf is so small, you can eat a lot of them before serving size overreach becomes an issue.

I fear the supermarkets will be running out of kale and spinach as the BSDers all rush to get supplies for making crisps! …am intrigued to try them myself so this has gone on the shopping list.

Shyshihtzu – I don’t think you have scuppered your weight loss at all. Lactulose can’t be absorbed as apparently we don’t have the enzymes to absorb or break it down. The gut bacteria feed on it and it causes faster transit. I take inulin which seems to have a similar action resulting in very fast transit. With Inulin I have to watch how much I take as it can cause explosive activity which is quite embarrassing. The sugars in Inulin are not absorbed by the body either.

Welcome home, and look after yourself. Hoping you feel better soon.

I’ve never even heard of it but it sounds like it might be a sugar from the name. Is it? If it is don’t worry, just count it.

The amount you lose in the early days is larger because of glycogen stores and their associated water. I found my weight loss in the later weeks varied between 1 pound a week and 4 pounds depending on when the whoosh fairy visited. Other things to check are your carbs are still low, weights are accurately measured rather than possibly under estimated, you are drinking still at least 2 litres a day and that you are adding a little salt to food. Also check you are not constipated or possibly retaining water for some other reason such as injury or hormones. If all of these are okay then just keep on keeping on and wait for a larger drop soon.

I’ll join you, I have a cupboard full of chocolate, although I often go for weeks without indulging so it likely won’t be as big a sacrifice for me. Just as long as it doesn’t include cocoa powder as well or cocoa nibs as they are far more frequent treats, in fact my badminton protein drink would be sorely missed.

Hope its not long before you feel better Verano. Cellulitis is nasty.

Verano I am so sorry you had to cancel your trip. Hope you feel a lot better very soon. Cellulitis is horrible – my sister had it a few years ago. Am glad you are on the mend.

Not a brilliant subject on a Saturday night, but just had a delayed light bulb moment! I am almost at the end of my 1st week of the BSD, but think I may have scuppered my weight loss because of taking Lactulose. I have to this following several abdominal surgeries, and sadly, it’s an ongoing problem. Has anyone any advice? I’ve searched the forums but not found anything.

Natalie. I’d join you, but not touched chocolate in over a year and don’t intend to – one square would not be enough! Before BSD I’ve even been known to eat whole bars of dark chocolate at a sitting! Best wishes.

Krysia – the can can was originally because of a dare. Someone said I’d not do it, so I did – in a fitted skirt! Much easier the other times, in trousers. But never been able to do the splits!

My bus is often late too. If it comes. Just waiting for better weather to get more adventurous with walks – time permitting of course.

Hi Verano

Welcome home and welcome back here. Hope you’re better soon.

1.10.16 – 114.2
21.1.17 – 98.4
28.1.17 – 98

Only 400g lost this week but I don’t have a problem with this.

Onwards and downwards.

I am on day 23 and my weight loss has dropped off to 1 pound a week after a good start. I am strictly sticking to 800 Cals a day or less. Would anyone know why this is and has anyone got any advice to help? I really want this to work and feel happy to look in the mirror. Thanks

I am really sorry that your weight loss has slowed down, but relieved to read your post as I am on day 23 and have only lost 1 pound in the last eight days and I really have not gone over the 800. I am trying so hard. Knowing that I am not the only one with the problem really helps. I am determined to make this happen and hope that we can both celebrate a good weight loss next week. I really wish you well

Strange you should say that Theodora, the possibility of spinach crisps had occurred to me too and I was planning to try, but now I know that its a definite, I’ll be making some tomorrow for sure. I only made enough kale ones of a snack portion, to prevent over indulgence, so I will do this with the spinach too.

Hello all. hope you dont mind me joining in! I am just finishing week 3. My son is joining me & has really become the ‘carb/sugar police!’.
I have lost 9lbs so far , which is fab, but I have a very long way to go. I am not going to get hung up on numbers as this has been my downfall over my many years of ‘dieting’. I have really tried them all. I do believe this is ‘the one’!!
I am not diabetic, or should I say” I dont think I am” ! I have got a serious health condition which has given me a real kick up the pants !!
I feel really well on this food regime, never hungry & I have much more energy. I have seriously had to rethink my portions.
I love cooking & am using the recipe book. When I need a sweet hit I make the Seeded Flapjacks, which are fab.
One thing I would say is melt the coconut oil, as the first time I made them I followed the recipe & they didnt stay together , hence I had a lot of topping for my yoghurt that week !!!
Looking forward to hearing all your news over the next few weeks

Ah, Marsie, my shopping trip was a bit frustrating. I’m a smaller size – two sizes smaller since I started in October (OCTOBER!!) but I am not the shape I was when last at this weight, I am a very odd shape! Trousers this season seem to be cut for people with small waists and chunkier hips and thighs . No smart work trousers in 8 shops that fit me in any size . Those that fit my waist hung baggy, like jodhpurs, round my bum, hips and thighs – even the 12’s were big round there. Of course, an £89 wool pair in John Lewis fit perfectly. Doh! Part of me thinks ‘wear them every day and it’s a tenner a week till you reach goal.if you stay on track. But…

Ended up settling for some stretchy very black jeggings which I’ll wear with boots and smart jackets & coats, and a lovely knitted silk and wool dress in the final reductions at Mint Velver. It’s plenty long for my 5’10 frame, my OH said ‘you look amazing’ – will be easy wear and a feminine alternative to usual ‘don’t look at me’ all-in-black trousers. Reduced from £89 to £13 – reader, I bought two! Shame it was the last shop I tried – was a bit too hot, disheveled and cross to properly enjoy my bargain. Happy to be home, gloating. I look normal. Not amazing, but not standing out as fat fat fat. That’ll do, pig, that’ll do…. Mkx

Glad you’re home Verano, even though fragile and thanks for letting us know your situation. Still a lot of taking care and being taken care of by the sound of it, so good wishes to you for a full recovery.

Also good to know you will still be keeping in touch.

All the best, Marilyn

Hey, who knew indeed!!! You can make crisps with spinach too 🙂 I’m not overly keen on kale, but LUUURVE spinach and always have some in the fridge. Just tried a few leaves, tossed in tiny amount of olive oil, sprinkles with salt and a few herbs, cooked them for about 8 mins at 325 and, hey presto, spinach crisps 🙂

Not sure how long they would stay crisp, as I only made one baking tray load, and they disappeared instantly!

Hi all, although it’s late here I’m just catching up on the last couple of days’ worth of posts as I’ve been a bit sidetracked by family matters. Not drastic but time consuming.

Such great reading. Maharani kitten, couldn’t help giggling about your trousers but what wonderful proof, if ever you needed it, that your efforts are definitely paying off. Inspiration for the rest of us to keep on keeping on.

Theodora, I’m feeling your pain, also sunshine-girl, Julia18togo, but my own doing, still snacking impulsively – not so much non-BSD food, just not knowing when to stop. Sigh…..mindfulness needed.

Interesting discussion re salt and crunchiness. I have some Murray River pink salt here which has a lovely crunch and I’ve not thought to use it to consciously stave off cravings. I’m going to try it. Thanks Snoop. And I agree with you about the diet shakes, couldn’t do it. No satisfying mouth feel there. Don’t even like thin soups, prefer the texture of thicker unblended soups.

Hot and humid in Perth today and tonight. A brief shower about an hour ago, just enough to raise the humidity even further. Not conducive to a good night’s sleep usually but I’m just starting to feel tired enough. So, lights out, nighty night everyone. Hope the rest of the weekend is good for everyone xx

Hi

Just to let you know I’m home again now. They ‘freed’ me a few days early, pressure on beds and all that.

Anyway, this has been a learning curve for me. I have cellulitis behind a knee and it really has been so painful. It’s a bacterial skin infection which would normally be treated at home but because of my temperature of 41 and history of sepsis they took me into hospital. Well after being pumped silly with antibiotics they have sent me home with 10 days of oral medication.

Still, feeling better if a bit fragile, but sad because we had to cancel our trip, but nonetheless I am on the mend.

Well done everyone who finished the challenge and an extra special well done to all those who made their goal.

I won’t be joining a challenge at the moment but wish you all a ‘happy journey’ to your next goal.

Will be around though keepng in touch. Thank you all for your kind words …. much appreciated.

Me too Daisiesmum, I’m such an alcohol lightweight these days! (I used to be a publican) I’ve got some serious drinking mates coming next weekend, they haven’t seen me since I’ve lost the weight, so I’m hoping they will be suitably shocked! They will be uber unimpressed with my lack of drinking though!

By the bye, I’ve tried a few of the Tom Kerridge recipes and enjoyed them very much. But the portions are huge! (ie even I feel full up) interestingly, a few of his recipes are reproduced in an article in the Sainsbury magazine, which gives the calories as well as the carbs. TK only gives the carbs. And the main meals are around 900 – 1100 cals! No wonder the portions seemed generous. Just for occasional use, I think!

Enjoy the sunshine if you have it and best of luck everyone.

Thank you LindaA for your help and advice – much appreciated. Weighing in tomorrow morning so hoping for a good first week – I certainly feel lighter (both in body and spirit – carb swings were making me moody and depressive) and can already get into clothes that wouldn’t have fit me last week. Will post my results in the morning. Got a very busy start to next week with a late finish at work on Monday followed by being up at 4.30 on Tuesday to get a train to another work appointment. Need to plan ahead for that….

Morag x

I made some kale crisps for the first time yesterday too. They were amazing! I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but they were! Who knew?!

Lucia – puddle bashing? Took the car to Peebles. Scottish Borders. Beautiful place. Dropped mum and brother at hotel for hot coffee while I ran/walked/skidded around Venlaw. Sleet, fog, cold, wet…. and SNOWDROPS JUST COMING OUT! Boy was I happy. Water rushing through the streams and another stream along the path too – my trainers and feet were squelching all the way. Puddle bashing? I think so. And ice breaking too😊
How was your day?

I second the miso. We have semi regular Japanese visitors so have lots of varieties of it.
Theodora – I actually gained weight last week (my fault for eating lots of wrong stuff due to stress) so now working extra hard to take it off. Try not to check the scales for a few days maybe? I feel your pain, but let’s hang in there all together and try and look longer term. Preaching to myself here!

Had obviously heard about kale crisps, but never got around to actually trying them. Changed that today and YUM!!! I made some with a sprinkling of Ras El Hanout and they are delicious. These are definitely on my list to do again – thanks for the inspiration.

Another salty delight is half a teaspoon or so of miso paste in a small mug/big cup of boiling water. Delicious. If I just have salt, Krysia, I have a flake or two of Malden salt. The crunchiness is also pleasing. I’m pretty sure I eat nuts sometimes just for the crunchiness. I’m definitely not the kind of person who could diet using powdered shakes!

Hi all, nothing much to report, weight the same, so Theodora we are in the same boat, the week is not over yet, we might get a whoosh. My morning BG is 4.6 and I have reduced Glicazide by 15mg to 45mg so will see what happens this afternoon. Hopefully, it will stop the hypos, although they don’t scare me anymore. So that is insulin down and G down. Steady does it.

Nothing to add, we are decorating the living room, him painting, me cleaning. Good opportunity to get behind bookcase and TV set and give it a proper clean. Oh how exciting is my life, not.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.