hello, just starting 🙂 seen people recommending My Fat Secret or My Fitness Pal, just wondering if when people adjust the daily calories down to 800, do they also adjust the percentages of nutrients ie carbs, proteins and fat, what percentages should I be aiming for? thanks for any advice, Helen xx

Thanks for the explanation, CarbAddict! Now it makes more sense why monitoring carbs makes a difference.

Fairyface- Sounds like a nut snack would be a relatively healthy indulgence so don’t let it get you down. Watching the weight loss pause must be frustrating, however.

I guess that’s where this group is so helpful. It seems so much easier to move to on, after confessing to a slip up in this safe encouraging space. Not to mention the helpful feedback and tips. Thanks everyone!

Has anyone else noticed that as resolve increases to stick the BSD, you also feel more grit to apply to other parts of your life that need work? I’ve just found a new clarity in facing up to other things I need to change.

Maybe it’s just that I’ve spent less time this week either slightly drunk on wine or in a hungover haze the next morning!!

Hi Verano.
Would you be able to put the red curry recipe into the recipe section please? I don’t have the skills to copy and paste and would love to try it – it sounds delicious!
Many thanks
B

Oh dear. I have not lost anything this week:-(
Been out all day and took tuna with some salad and water. Unfortunately we were at the Caravan and Camping show walking all day and I panicked because I had not taken a few almonds for emergency use so I bought a nut snack and ate the lot! To top it off I had cooked a 400+ meal again tonight. Not having a good day. So put out with myself.

Thank you 1960 and FROG..these tablets seem to be helping by taking away dizziness and nausea at least for a while!
I too was hoping to see JAN here ..hope all went ok on Monday X call in when you can x
1960 ..at least you start the day withbest intentions.. sometimes its just not the right time..maybe theres too much else going on..you could always just do the Med diet for now x

Everyone’s posts are so encouraging! It’s great to hear about the blood pressure and blood sugar improvements. It’s nice to know others deal with some of the same things I do. I had to throw away my peanut butter. It was staring me down and won a couple of times. Oh, well. Still have lost 11.5 in two weeks. I’m not weighting mid-week anymore so I hope I’m pleasantly surprised on Sunday! I can’t believe it’s week 3 already either! I’ve been trying new low carb recipes and have found some favorites! Skinnytaste.com has some really good ones. I hope everyone has an awesome week!

Hi Seashell, I had a gain this morning also and was so gutted. Terrible headache again today, think I’m not drinking enough water and did give into a few glasses of wine on Sunday so I think it may be payback. I need to plan a little better I think, made chicken curry again and as my family loves it so much I made a huge pan of it for everyone and think I may be a little over generous with portion sizes. It’s finished off tonight so will plan better tomorrow. Good luck to everyone who is still going on this forum xxx

Hi Yowzer
must be a relief to have a solution – hope that you feel fine when the meds kick in

Hi Jan – are you there?
Hoe that your sons appointment went well on Monday.

Hi
I was surprised at the tuna thing when someone first told me – but I’d never really thought of it as an “oily” fish

All these cookery courses are working – where I’d normally have just microwaved some vegetables to eat with some cooked chicken at lunch time – stir fry, with onion, ginger and garlic, 3 different vegetables, the chicken, and finished it with sesame oil, sesame seeds and soy sauce. tasted really nice.
And I’ve used a whole bulb of garlic – I used to cook so infrequently I usually ended up chucking out most of it. I think I might even have bought two bulbs in a little net bag last time as well. I bought more courgettes last night – they’re enormous, nearly half a kilo each, more like marrows. Just as well I have my new spiraliser!

I probably have been drinking less water since it started getting colder Verano – thanks for the reminder.
The salmon recipe looks nice, will give that a try at some point. there is still come chicken left as you say it works well with that too.
Kayaking was brilliant – was actually quite warm and sunny.

i agree – take paracetamol; it’s a bit early for bed though, danger you’ll wake up in the early hours on the morning & then feel rough tomorrow; if you feel up to it, why not go for a walk to take your mind off it & get some fresh air?

Lots of people report headaches for the first day or two but then the headaches pass. I’ve not got much of a suggestion except take an analgesic that works for you and hop into bed with a hot water bottle and try and get a good night’s sleep.

I started the Fast 800 yesterday (I’m a T2 diabetic). Was ok yesterday but today am really suffering really bad headaches, no matter how much I drink. Also, I’m a bit of a grazer and I’m finding that today I really just want to eat (Nothing new!) but I’m desperate not to give in and eat ‘rubbish’ as I’ve got around 3.5 stones left to lose (have lost 1.5 since July)
Any suggestions, other than a gag to cover the mouth?!!!

So – on starting week 5 – I weighed in officially and my official numbers are 10lbs gone in 4 weeks. I lost the pound that I put on last week and a couple more besides so delighted with that. With only around 23lbs to lose I thought it would be a bit harder. But I’m not counting my chickens

I’m in the States this week and my colleagues can also see the difference (have lost about 17lbs since I last saw them) and out came the comments like ‘you don’t need to lose anymore’ etc etc but i just smile serenely and ignore them.

Yesterday was hard as I was travelling all day. I basically drank my bodyweight in water – about 4 litres, and tried to avoid the carb loaded plane food – luckily I was travelling business so there was a decent choice – however I did succumb to a very small chocolate cake with clotted cream – about 3 mouthfuls.

By the time dinner came around I had been traveling for 22 hours – I didn’t know whether to eat it or fall asleep in it – so I ate half (chicken caesar salad) and have the other half for lunch!

How are the rest of you doing – in week 5?

That’s a brilliant explanation of ketosis Carb_Addict thank you!
Our calorie count is ok but still coming to terms with adding up the carbs we are having but think we must be below 50! I was always told that being in a state of ketosis makes breath smell like the old pear drop sweets & fifty years ago when training as a student nurse this was viewed as alarming for a patient & if noticed was to be reported asap. I suppose the old viewpoint was that the liver or kidneys could potentially be under attack! How things & knowledge changes.😀

The porridge dry ingredients were 15.5 g carb out of 44 g total. I used 20g buckwheat flakes (I started using them for their Sirtuin activators, but I think they are similar carb to oats) 5g of cocoa nibs, 8g of chia seed (I used white as that was what I had) and 8g of the Linwoods (flaxseed, almonds, walnuts and Q10). It made a huge bowl full that has kept me full all day, when the cream and ‘jam’ were stirred in. Next time I may even cut down on the size, and I would also like to try a savoury version, with butter salt and pepper. If you don’t use the skimmed milk or use less of it that is quite reasonable for such a satisfying meal.

Getting my life back 🙂 HUGS

My feet are really bugging me … very swollen … but then i’ve been sick for a little while and not getting ANY activity in.

I have an appointment in December with the VON Victoria Order of Nurses …. for diabetic footcare …. it does cost … but it’s like a pedicure without the nail polish. So thats a treat.

Ah ….. my exercise equipment … dusty and rusty … and spackled from the guys who fixed my water damaged walls and ceiling a while back!!

p.s. Lentils are good healthy complex carbs …. just measure and count the calories and carbs.

“low carb” … the term is relative …. just count them

The book doesn’t really go into setting carbs per day …. the 50 carbs or less is what people here have found works

You probably need to do some prep work ….. count the calories and carbs in the foods and food combinations you regularly eat …. then you won’t be rushing out without knowledge. Knowledge is power.

All vegetables have carbs.

You may need to get a small scale and some measuring cups of various sizes. This does take time and preparation.

You can have the apple …. you just have to count the calories and carbs …..

Actually if you start out at 50 carbs or so for a while ….. then you have something to adjust if things are not working or if you hit a weight loss plateau (and you will).

Already started so obviously read the book but I am somewhat confused, trying to eat a low carb diet, between 20-50g per day but looking at the recipes lentils seem to be low carb but when you scan them they are high in carbs don’t know which one to believe?
Also was in a rush this morning so had an apple and pear for breakfast massive amounts of carbs.
Am I missing the point or just being stupid(probably) !!!
If somebody could shed some light on this for me that would be good.
Many thanks in advance

Will try it with chicken breasts also.

Brilliant Verano – I will copy your recipe when I get home tonight, we are shopping Friday so will be able to get the ingredients. Am aiming for 3 servings of fish a week. I am really on a Med diet now.

Hi I’m following the low-carb earing plan and I’ve been keeping to under 50g a day. Up until now I’ve found it quite easy although I have had the odd sugar craving especially if I get too hungry! I dont feel as if I’ve lost anything yet but I’m going to wait 7 days until I weigh as dont want to get disappointed!! I have a 41inch waist and I hate it as the rest of me is in proportion but not my stomach!! I had a Diabetes scare about 2 years ago so I really want to lose a stone and a half as I keep reading how having a large waist is bad for your health. I dont understand how my stomach is so large, it started to get bigger about two years ago when I was under a lot of stress and I lost my mum. I’m 5′ 4″ and weight 11st 12.

Hi Shalimar you will be able to do it I love reading your posts like you I have painful feet so not much walking to be done trying to pluck up the courage to have a steroid injection in my heel even sounds painful to me.
Jmarie41 I have decided to treat myself once a month hairdressers this Friday when I am good only been doing bsd since 1.10.16 long way to go but I reason took me a long time to put the weight on don’t mind how long it takes to go.
Oh and family really supportive which helps apart from the gentle laughter of my new clothes horse new exercise machine had it a month never been used apart from the clothes never mind we will get there. My Christmas wish will be to play with my 2 year old granddaughter and keep up with her. Just finished a late lunch of roasted red pepper and butternut squash lovely. Have a good day everyone x

Awwww thanks everyone! You have all made me feel much better.

Sunshine – glad to hear this is typical of the 8 week plan. As you say, I will keep on keeping on. Will not let it derail me as things have done in the past.

Poppetini – I will definitely look up “whooshes”! Pleased to hear you’re moving downwards again. But yes, ultimately I do feel better. Definitely less bloated and uncomfortable, so that is a good sign.

Igor – I haven’t been measuring! *hides in corner* But I WILL! That said, I have gone down (up?) a belt notch and the next one along isn’t looking too far away. Skinny jeans are a bit baggier but face not thinner – yet! I will borrow some of your confidence and see how I go!

Nedds mum – ok, seems like looking for the downward trend is the most important part, not the rate of loss. I will bear that in mind and stay strong!

Good luck one and all for another good week. I might do a mid-week weigh in so will post back if any movement on the scales!

Wendybird24421 🙂 HUGS

I’m 67 …. we’re practically twins.

I started putting on weight in high school. And i’m definitely ready to get serious!!!

I actually started a couple days ago but would love to hang out here😊
I’m 66 and have been on a weight loss journey since I was a fat little girl. I’m ready to hit it hard and finish. I’ve really changed my habits and know I can do it. Headed to buy some new shoes for the gym and then Costco to pick up a few healthy things.

My daughter had gestational diabetes with her first but not second pregnancy. One of the doctors she saw told her that a high percentage of moms with gestational diabetes go on to develop diabetes within five years after the baby’s birth. That scared her so she cleaned up her diet, lost the baby weight fast, and increased exercise. Now the boys are 5 & 6, in school, and she’s healthier than prepregnancies.
You can do it!

Shalimar…Blessings on Palouse for paying it forward. When I first read about his Mindfulness site, I admit I was expecting to see in play the old adage, “you get what you pay for.” But there were none of the celebrity ravings, pop psychology, trendy buzz words, or New Age ramblings to be found, just solid research. This is the exact program free and online that is given to hospital patients suffering from everything from anxiety and depression, to chronic pain and terminal illness. And you’re so right–the videos and readings are instructional as well as informative even if you’re not currently doing the whole eight week course. But I had to laugh out loud at myself, because I got so stressed just considering taking the guided course on…STRESS! LOL!

Gratitute for:

Spraying Bubbles with bleach cleaner ……. man o man that cleans good!!!

Nice short easy care haircut!!

Showers!

Hi Butterfly_Moves,

Ketosis is the state in which the body runs out of carbs to burn for energy so it starts burning fat supplies instead. This is the principle behind the BSD as far as I can tell (not having bought the book!) and is the same principle behind Atkins and the other low-carb diets. The body first turns to carbs for energy in our day-to-day lives; by depriving it of carbs it has to look to other sources. Fat is the next one on the list. That’s why the weight lost is rapid: because the carb count is so low. Hope that helped!

Hmmmmm …. i am just remembering a pizza commercial i saw yesterday. All i could see was a big load of bad carbs …. i think maybe i will try to make an even stronger association …. pizza = being too sick and tired to enjoy life!!! I can make that work for me!!!

BillingeBABE…What a glorious time you’ve had, and well worth the gained pound for a day spent in the company of friends, enjoying the countryside and some healthy whole grains (never mind their liquid form, lol).
Your ten pound loss is more than impressive, it’s empowering. For me, getting some numbers in the lost column helps keep me motivated: I’m more protective of keeping those negative numbers when temptation strikes. I started my journey seven years ago, after my health had deteriorated to the point I had to give up my home, retire, and move in with my daughter and son-in-love. Friends and family gathered for my “last Christmas.” Just explaining so that when I say that eating clean can cure many ills my words will ring true. I was able to return to work making house calls as a rural night Hospice nurse, move to my own home, and generally celebrate the return of my independence. I take no daily meds and my last A1c was 4.3. My next mini goal is 10 pounds, about what you’ve lost, and that will take me to my lowest weight in 49 years–my wedding day–and a net loss of 100 pounds. I’m teasing (but only a bit) when I say I want to “rock a pair of skinny jeans.” (For me that means a zipper and button closure instead of Velcro and a drawstring, NOT spray-on denim. 🙂 ) What I really want is to get 40 more pounds off these ancient hips and knees. So here I am.

Antigone, off the top of my head, water has been one of the top things to fuel weight loss. For one thing, my thirst mechanism is weak (and diminishes the more dehydrated I become) so I often feel the urge to snack instead of the urge to drink. Its an urge, though, not physiological hunger pangs. I can make it with no snacks as long as I’m drinking. It also really improves my energy levels in the afternoon. I don’t need coffee if I’ve had a liter or two by midday. Another liter in the afternoon keeps me energetic (which is usually when my sugar cravings begin). It also helps me with portions. I feel full and can stop at smaller portions when I really drink at dinner. I aim for 3 liters a day, but even 2 is good if I get it in by dinnertime. Makes a huge difference in how I feel, which keeps me away from the kitchen! And just getting used to plain water has served me well. I love seltzer, it’s my treat, but hubs just told me the acidity of the co2 erodes tooth enamel!

Best to you all. I hope to go down this week. Been hanging out at 165/164 lbs all week. Praise the Lord not gaining!

jmarie41:) HUGS

I am looking forward to lookin’ good at Christmas.

Actually being somewhat hungry is good ….. for one thing it makes food taste better …. and that is your body’s way of saying “I need food”.

My main motivation is to feel healthy, be healthy and to have a body that is up to doing what i want it to. For instance … even just a trip to the museum in Toronto … my feet hurt so bad and i was so tired i didn’t even get to enJOY more than a couple of the exhibits! Even shopping … i had no patience for it. All the money i spent on the trip ….. and i wasn’t fit enough to enJOY it …i am sooooooooo tired of being sick and tired!!

Hi Antigone

It’s just as good with chicken breasts. Dice or slice the chicken into strips and add it with the curry paste and stir fry for 4 of 5 minutes of so until the chicken is seared on all sides. Then add the coconut milk etc and poach the chicken for maybe another 15minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

The ‘real’ recipe for chicken curry involves marinating and frying the chicken prior to the method above but it adds too many carbs and calories so I do it my way!!

Oh Granny i hear you ……….. i didn’t think vegetables of any kind had carbs. This has been an education!!

Thanks shalimar thats a great help:-) Will try to prep better as dont want to be worrying about havjng too many carbs, i now realised that carbs are in everythjng and well hidden in some foods😂

Hi Everyone,

I started on Sunday, October 9th and today is my third day. At my morning weigh-in on Monday, the scale was way up, which was strange but this morning, (Tuesday) October 11th, my weight was 3.5 lbs. down. Good news! I’ve been feeling pretty good with the occasional hungry feeling. I’ve been able to sleep too! No middle of the night hunger pangs. :–)
I started my own blog to write about how things are going, how I’m feeling, what I’m eating, what exercise I’m doing and so on.
I also use “Lose it” and have been doing that since 2010. Usually my calorie goals have been 1700 to 1800 a day, so it is funny to put down 800. I’m so excited that I’ve made that goal for two days now!!!!

I keep thinking about what it will feel like to be on this program for 8 weeks or more and to finally get my blood sugar and weight under control. I keep thinking about how nice it will feel to get dressed up at Christmas time and feel good in a pretty dress! I think about swimming in the pool with my granddaughters and not feeling as self-conscious about how I look getting in and out of the pool. These are the ways I am motivating myself! This week I plan to go get a pedicure one day after work and on Friday, treat myself to a massage.

What are some of you doing to motivate yourself?

Very interesting! Let’s hope more of our GPs accept this way of eating although I’m sure that quite a few will pooh pooh the idea.

Thanks for starting this thread it should prove very informative.

Hi danames 🙂 HUGS …. Hope the enJOY the book!! I find it very useful as i keep forgetting stuff!

Billingebabe …. 🙂 HUGS congrats on your loss of poundage … have a nice visit in London

Poppetini … 🙂 HUGS …I kind of love moving furniture to see if it looks nicer …. soup does sound delicious!!

Just lazing around enjoying my coffee …. going to shower and plan my day.

Marsie, it happens to all of us sometimes.
Sorry you had a tough time
Onwards and downwards

The creamy cauliflower and bean soup in the recipe section is fab and really does fill you up but can anyone tell me how many carbs i should log per portion?

Granny 🙂 HUGS …. i don’t see a carb count there at all.

Only way to figure it out seems to be to add up all the carb counts for the ingredients and divide by number of servings.

An internet recipe at this site

https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calories.asp?recipe=1230260

with a total of 6 servings …. gives a carb count of 9.3 g.

Sigh….my self-sabotage gene got mixed up with my emotional eating gene today after a sad/bad afternoon with my 94yo mother (extremely reduced short term memory, confusion, terrible anxiety i.e. dementia) at her nursing home. And so I think my next short-term goal will be a little further away after an ugly icecream binge. Think I didn’t even enjoy it, just kept shoveling it in (I had held things so well in control while enjoying the beautiful food at a weekend wedding.) Did only have small bowl of steamed vegetables for dinner tonight, keeping OH company at the table, but………well, tomorrow is another day. Next mini-goal here I come.

Hi Smother 🙂 HUGS

Seriously …. you should try and get good at counting the carbs and calories. You can get that information from the internet … a paperback book diabetic counting book … or a site like MyFatSecret. Aim for 800 calories and 50 carbs or less. When you hit a plateau you can try and cut the carbs lower. Even though i don’t feel the counts are exact that way i have a good idea if it is working for me … and perhaps how i can adjust.

I don’t know how many posts you’ve read here …. but the 50 carbs is just something the people on this site have figured out works.

NOW … if you want to do it your way and you are happy with how the plan works for your weight loss … i won’t harp on it.

Welcome sarah and good luck with your journey, ive found this forum great so far for hints and tips and finding my way around the BSD!

Welcome smother, i only started yesterday so am learning too and watching out for hints and tips. The creamy cauliflower and bean soup in the recipe section is fab and really does fill you up but can anyone tell me how many carbs i should log per portion?

I’ve just been reading about leptin, as I knew nothing about it, Tabletalk. Insulin resistance, leptin resistance… It’s no surprise that so many people are overweight. We’re not meant to be living in times of food oversupply, that’s for sure.

Hope you’re doing OK, Tabletalk. Not surprised you’re having difficulty sticking to the diet. I bet you’re run off your feet.

I have officially started!!!

So far all i’ve done is made coffee.

I measured out 2 tbps. of cream for my coffee … 60 calories and 2 g. of carbs!!

PS. What is ketosis? There is some serious science stuff here that I am missing!!