I think I have carb flu – POO! I am not hungry but I could raid the cupboards tonight and eat everything naughty in sight. No aches, or headache. Felt a bit lethargic today but not like I was expecting. Will have an early night with a new book which I am really looking forward to reading. I will not cave I will not cave!

Hi Captain Lynne

I have just read the DM article at my place all the way around the other side of the planet. You look fabulous, lady in red. It’s very regal to wear the nude shoes, the royal girls do it all the time, it seems to make body and costume look just that much smarter.

Thanks for having the courage to go public, we’ve known on this site how inspirational you are, now you may be motivating many more to follow.

Congrats to your workplace for supporting you, a positive move.

Bravo.
Nettle.

Sorry to hear that LYNNE ( ((((((( hugs)))))) Trolls are vile cowards.
Youre right,its their problem..or ( a more relevant one for now),an old Polish saying,Not my circus,not my monkeys! 😋 Xx

Thanks all!
I’ve avoided the curry and eaten something a lot healthier. Very high calorie day today but I’m chalking it down as experience and I’ll carry on tomorrow,

Thanks for the boost, it really helped 😊

Welcome Ariel, Although I started losing the weight last year, i redoubled my efforts this year as it is my 25th wedding next April, and I wanted to lose at least 8 stone to be able to fit into my wedding dress again. Mum fitted into hers on her 50th wedding anniversary this year and it kind of kicked me into action. I am sure you’ll do it, I am currently on 5 days at 800 and the other two on more + diet friendly treats, but will be switching to Fast 800 in a week or so to try to get to my BMI healthy weight before Christmas.

Yowzer – I had enough of trolls on another site a few years ago. I just didn’t need the aggravation now. It’s their problem, not mine. We can always charge them more admission to our circus 😃

Avila – sounds great. Don’t think there’s anything like that local to me. Must double check.

I have signed up to parkruns…. Next step is to actually go to one, Sats at 9am, but the pledge is there… 5 km so about 3 miles which even walking would not be too long, so any improvement on that is a positive.

Apparently dogs can come too but want to check it all out first. Dog speed could be a good excuse for slow trips – ‘run, sudden brake, extended sniffing then restart the run….’

Hi all! Just ordered the BSD book and recipe book. I’m going to plan my meals for for next week and do my shop tomorrow based on the recipes I’ve seen on the website though – if I wait for the book it’s just more time for me to indulge in Last Supper Syndrome. That’s where I eat EVERYTHING in the house and tell myself it’s ok cos my diet starts on Monday.

It’s our 30th Wedding anniversary next year and we’re going on a dream holiday to the Maldives. I’m determined that I’ll be wearing slinky underwear and a big big smile! Right now, I can’t bear for my lovely hubby to see any thing less than fully clothed so I need to shake myself up. I need to lose 7 stones so will be doing the 8 week plan and hopefully keep going.

I can’t wait to get started and I’m hugely inspired by all your brilliant posts x

Hi Christi

I discovered Chia Pudding a few weeks back and have two tablespoons of the mix everyday…it helps the system move right along. I add a tsp of psyllium husk and let it goop up then make sure I chew it well. I do get a slight gripey tum but not every time so I am experimenting with dosage. I’ve tried soaking seeds in coconut water alone, mixing coconut milk and cream combinations. I’ve noticed I can hardly ever leave any recipe alone, always scheming alternatives worth a try. We do not share medical advice here, but you could research seeds and diverticulitis….I think there was info in the past that seeds could cause upset. Things change so take a look and see current thinking. Perhaps the figs and chia in combo were a factor, too much of a good thing.
N.

I have found most of my stumbles have revealed that I didn’t actually enjoy what I had been missing. And looking back I would crave something sweet and then after the first hit would just keep eating out of habit rather than actual enjoyment.

Of course there are a few things that continue to truly entice me. But that is so much less than the threats I thought I had – and sometimes only realise it though having a blip and realising something did not have the power I thought it had.

LYNNE Some people have got nothing better to do than sit back and judge and criticise..i guess it makes them feel better about themselves! Bet they could do with shedding a few pounds themselves! Anyway theyre just jealous coz we wont let them be in our circus! 😋😘😋😘 X

The prawn and tuna fried rice ( page 111 in recipe book ) for evening meal tonight was massive and totally delicious!!

Am another enjoying all these different recipes….

No no you havent blown it! Just learnt a good lesson..coz you will think twice before you do it again …and you have noticed sweet doesnt taste that good any more..it just tastes too sweet!

all it was,it was a blip like you said!

Just pick yrself up tomorrow and carry on ..put that behind you. I know how you feel..i had an all or nothing attitude to dieting all my adult life,and it has meant i am still struggling to lose and keep off weight…
coz so many times after a small slip i have decided,oh Ive spoilt it now! And abandoned the whole thing. Could be many weeks before ive had the heart to start again and in the meantime i’ll have regained the lost pounds and prob added a bit more weight..
I am learning now that All or nothing doesnt allow for us just being human ..as mere humans we’re influenced by so many things around eating,some of which we are only barely aware of.
Every day is a new day,do yr best each day,if you slip ( and look round the threads here – the times folk slip up but then continue to lose! ) just jump back on yr horse or yr wagon,whichever form you prefer! You did the right thing callaing in here for help…There’s always someone around who will try to get you thru any problems. X

Frog
Do you have any idea how to add a meal on there without adding every single food item? Just adding carb cal etc

Thanks Yowzer 😃

I did see a couple of comments I didn’t like, first thing this morning – one about something I’d said, and one saying one of the other ladies was still fat. I’d already decided I’d not read comments and that reinforced my decision.

Thanks for the link 😃

Not chicken at all LYNNE …there are some vindictive and nasty people out there who are just itching to pick holes in and try to bring down anyone who has made a success of something! Best ignored,coz what they say reflects badly on themselves rather than on you,so not worth giving time to. Like i said tho,the negatives i read referred to BSD itself rather than to you ladies xx

Just been reading this…

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/snacks

Loads of useful info on carb amounts in snacks,fruit,alcohol etc ..in colourful pics so you can compare different items in each category..only prob is, a few contradictions in carb values to what i’ m told on my netdiary 🤔So i’ m a little confused now x
Oops i didn’t expect it to open up like that, but if you click on the funny arrow,you’ll get the whole caboodle x

Heya Carola! I always recommend the book “WHY WE GET FAT” by Gary Taubes as a perfect primer on the research around low -carbs and a fantastic discussion of how to eat low carb. His approach is the one used by Duke University — less than 20 grams carbs per day. He also wrote a longer, more detailed book that is very insightful –“GOOD CALORIES BAD CALORIES” if you feel like a big read.

Hi Carola
You should find everything you need on these forums and in the book.
I’ve only ever stuck at slimming clubs and stuff for one or two weeks – hated that “ra, ra X has lost 2 oz this week, lets clap” approach – esp when it’s processed thru at about one a minute – ghastly.

One thing I did a few years ago was find a local nutritionist who acted as coach/nutrition information and advice – and seeing her for an hour a month 1:1 was cheaper than weekly visits to WW/SW etc. It was’t exactly a match made in heaven personality wise – but it was beneficial, and there are things that I learned from her that I still rely on – must be at least 14-15 years later.

Recently I’ve also found my local community centre is running a diabetic cookery course – it isn’t BSD, and I was very sceptical at first, but now that I’ve explained my diet to them, they are quite happy for me to modify the recipes to reduce the carbs, etc. It may be worth looking to see what is going on close to you.

Using FatSecret UK or My Fitness Pal – or one of many similar options out there – will help you learn quickly what nutrients are in different foods – and weighing everything will get you understanding what a portion size is, even if it seems tedious to start with. I’m pretty good at guessing with food weights now, be it veg, cheese, fish or meat (I prepare what I think is a portion, then weigh it to check).

good luck

Great news Christine 😃💐

Welcome back on board – I look forward to reading about your progress x

Yowzer – They bring in a rack of clothes and an assortment of shoes. The dress photographs well, but is not something I would wear although I do like the colour. It was the fabric I wasn’t keen on. Some ofmthe online comments I saw this morning did mention the dresses in a negative way. But I have avoided reading the comments since then because I know how hurtful some of them can be. It was hard enough for me to do this without reading nasty remarks. Sorry if that sounds ‘chicken’. 😱

Those two comments are great. Let’s hope that the tide is turning 😃

Frog

No, no 4″ stilettos today – I’m still trying to work out where I could wear them! Too many hills and cobbles in Durham. I must say, I’ve never worn ‘nude’ shoes and I did quite like that colour. 😃 I am back in heels, after a few years being unable to wear them after I hurt my back. Losing the weight has removed that pain too, so able to ear heels again😃 Just not 4″ stilettos 😱 Always used to say heels that high gave me vertigo LOL. You should have seen me trying to walk in them at the beginning😱 I had to lean mom someone’s arm LOL

Hope everything goes well for the walk, and that,it stays dry. I gave up worrying about looking silly years ago LOL

We usually use onwards and downwards here (for the weight of course) ☺If you need support when it gets difficult or need some advice, just post here and someone will be able to help.

I used a bag of cauli and Broccoli florets for my mash, boiled with the garlic and a chilli pepper and then mashed and it was absolutely fantastic, just added a little salt and pepper and sprinkled a little grated parmesan on the top.

Re lasagna, have you tried thinly sliced aubergine? I haven’t but it is on my list to experiment with.

Wow mixnmatch thank you so much for the reply and everything you have said I know is correct. I know it is against everything I have ever done to have a full fat yogurt but I am so looking forward to it! I am going to wean myself off the carbs but I know it is going to be difficult but I am looking forward to the weight loss!! My husband is very fit and runs most days he never has anything ‘diet’ and has always said how bad low fat is for u and has a little of what he likes now and then.

I am unsure still about what I can and can’t eat and I am doing lots of research and reading the book. I think it is going to take me a while to adjust but I am 50 now and need to get a grip going to a diet class every week is tearing my soul. Saying how much I have gained or lost every week is so humiliating. So onwards and upwards. Looking forward to the challenge.

Ok I’m on it, I’ve just started drinking lots of water so I’m hoping I can ignore the curry craving. Def no more carbs for me tonight! So annoyed, been out for two meals since starting and the cinema twice and its been no problem, not tempted at all One blasted small glass of prosecco and I blow it, totally not worth especially as I didn’t enjoy the ‘feast’, what a waste!

You haven’t blown it, just tested the new boundaries of this way of eating. Even if the curry takes you over your calories, just go with it, tomorrow is another day. You may even get visited by some of the reminders from your digestive system that it prefers your usual way of eating that some others have reported. The water is a good suggestion, try it first, and you may no longer feel like the curry.

I use Fatsecret.co.uk. I find it better than MFP

Drink a litre of water!!!! If you still fancy the curry fine just don’t have the rice!!!’

Hi all,
Just to let you know I restarted my diet on Monday, I will do a weeks report on Tuesday sometime about my progress.
Christine.

So have you rushed out to buy some four inch heels this afternoon Lynne?

I’m just about to get ready to head off to the Shine walk – the one that Orchid is doing all 26 miles of and I’m a course volunteer for.
Despite the weather forecasts that it wouldn’t rain until the early hours of the morning, it came over very dark at around 5.30pm, and looks as if its about to pour, so I’m mentally revising what to take and wear.
I’ll definitely find space for a poncho in my backpack, however silly I look!

I use CRON-O-METER online, I have downloaded MFP but don’t get on with it. I also track my whole weight loss journey on a spreadsheet but I am a bit of a data nerd. It helps with keeping track of my many and varied mini-goals that keep your morale up as you work towards the big one.

So I’m on day 13 and I’ve been very good at sticking to the rules and as a result I’ve lost 9Ibs which I’m extremely proud of. Today however I went to a party and ended up eating a bit of dessert ( fraction of what I’d normally have eaten!) and a glass of prosecco and tonic water. I feel sooooo guilty, like I’ve totally blown it now 🙁 what’s worse is I’m now CRAVING a takeaway curry too.
Have I blown it? (And can I have curry minus rice and just mark today down as a very.bad.day…?!)
The only good thing to come out of the whole debacle is I really disliked the dessert (pavlova which is normally a fav) the meringue was too sweet, it tasted nasty as did the tonic; everything tasted sweetened which makes me realise how much I’ve gotten used to not having it.

Not cauliflower but wanted to bring this thread back to the top for any newbies!

I did report my courgette lasagne a few weeks ago on another thread ….. wasn’t a success. The texture of the ricotta/egg mix wasn’t to my taste and the courgettes were a little wet.

Maybe somebody has a better recipe for low carb lasagne???

Courgetti spaghetti bolognese is great, maybe I will have to be content with that !!

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

I love carbs, but keep mostly to small doses these days and have upped the quality over what I used to eat. Remember to eat mindfully when you do indulge and you will find you are really satisfied with far smaller quantities. However that is for the future when the monster is tamed, at least for the 8 weeks most people find it easier to just give them up totally, and in most cases don’t try to find alternatives past the ubiquitous cauliflower rice/couscous or courgetti etc. For real chocoholics, find a dark chocolate bar and try just a couple of squares when you want a treat (Counted within the calories of course). It doesn’t seem to provoke the same impulse to just finish the whole bar that the sweeter ones do.

Hi orchid,
I had my chai, oats and coconut milk breakfast this morning, I had hazelnuts and figs with it, I couldn’t get passion fruit and didn’t put any bran in,
It was very thick and gloopy although it did taste ok, however, I have had an awful tummy since, heartburn, which by the way I used to suffer from all the time pre bsd! And I have felt ‘not right’ all day, I don’t think it has helped my diverticulitis at all!
I will try the oat bran in a few days to see how that is, I will have to be feeling better before I do though! You won’t have the same result as me so would be worth trying it?
Christine.

CAPTAINLYNNE….Have read several negative comments in the Mail on BSD,many positive ones too…but there are LOADS of complimentary ones about all you lovely ladies! Lynne can you keep the dress/ shoes?
I thought these were the two best and most telling comments of the ones i read…

This is NOT new …all you doctors out there go and read your first year medical books, see the paragraph on how the body loses weight- it’s all there in black and white. Its just that the world then tells us low fat is the only way- erm no. The problem is,telling people you can eat butter, Ff cream etc, but they think youre mad and low fat is fine – no.
It’s the wheat, grains, sweets and high sugar = carbohydrates that is the problem not fat. Been living this lifestyle for years and it works.

Gjackson, durham, United Kingdom, 6 hours ago…
I did read my medical books at medical school & you’re right. It’s not that widely known that insulin, as well as controlling blood sugar, also inhibits the body burning fat & in fact encourages it to store fat. Keep your carb intake low & thus your insulin levels low & your body will soon start burning fat.

XX

hello Joy4life!

smoked mackerel pate (homemade – yum) and lots of veg crudites for dinner. Wasn’t even tempted by the pea soup, lovely bread, baked potatoes & plum crumble I did for everyone else!

Annie 2 get on those scales!!! More importantly measure ….. waist especially. Sometimes if you hit a plateau the scales don’t move bug your waist gets smaller.

Good luck.

Check out the thread ‘101 ways with cauliflower’ . Cauliflower and courgetti spaghetti will become your new ‘best friends’.

I think the problem with courgettes is they vary so much in water content depending on how large they are and how long they’ve been growing so maybe that’s why the results are so variable. I’ve also noticed that shop bought courgetti spaghetti varies from store to store. Morrisons was perfect, ASDA dreadful as there was far too much “middle” in there, seeds and all, so the “noodles” fell to mush when cooked.

Hi again

Before I started the BSD last December I lived on carbs. If I could put it between two slices of bread I was happy. Plus the pasta etc.

I think most if not all of the people on here could say something similar.

But it does get easier once you cut out the carbs. The cravings do go. And you start to feel so much better.

Please don’t worry. Just go a day at a time. And keep looking on here.

I use MyfitnessPal.

How do you all monitor your calories & the weight you’ve lost? Is there an app you would recommend or do you go for pen & paper??? Thanks 😊

Hi Annie2 same here re carbs! Love my pasta and potatoes, Iv also done lots of diets with no luck, I’m also not diabetic but most likely heading that way! We can do this 🙂 X

Hi annie2 and welcome.

Many of us have said the same as you, but have proved that it works.

Keep reading the posts – there’s lots of support and advice on here. Because of different time zones there usually someone awake and posting.

Let us know how you get on.

Hi Bells,
I read todays article in the paper & thought ‘ I have got to do this’ !!
I have the book on my kindle but never read it !!
I have spent all afternoon reading it & am so inspired by the stories.
I have about 7 stone to lose, but I am not brave enough to get on the scales.
I have tried all the diets over the years & have got fatter !! this one will work.
I am not diabetic as far as I know , but have a strong family history of Type 2, so want to stop it happening to me.
I like cooking so am hoping to be inspired to cook a different way.
Sadly I am a carb fan. So thats going to be tough.
Good luck to us both & looking forward to hearing your progress

Bells – may I suggest that instead of focusing entirely on your final goal, you set yourself mini goals along the way.

Also, many of us on here who have had more weight to lose have stayed on the 800 calorie BSD for longer than the original 8 weeks. I stayed on it for 38 weeks to reach my target.

I look forward to reading about your progress.

Hi Bells

It may seem daunting at first but it does get easier. Read the book and then prepare yourself and start!

Keep reading the forum posts there are so many inspiring stories and when you feel low just get on here and post there is always somebody to listen and help.

You’ve taken the first step to your new life . Good luck on your journey.

Hi Igorasusual

I think you could be right! At the end of the day it’s the carbs that have the most effect on BG. My fasting level this morning was 6.3 which is the lowest it’s been since I started testing a few weeks ago. On average it’s been closer to 7 and that has been really disappointing for me.

So now I’m feeling far more positive. I’m really looking forward to doing just a one week reboot from next Tuesday, the day I travel home. I’m hoping that I will really be able to learn something from the last few weeks and the reboot.

As Yowzer says a bit of a mix up now and again probably really helps the body to get back into fat losing mode!

Welcome Carola, you should be easily able to lose 7 pounds in 7 weeks on the Fast 800 or even one of the variants that include some higher calorie days, I think from your description though, you may get hit quite hard by the ‘carb flu’ withdrawal symptoms so just know in advance that if you keep on keeping the carbs low it will go and then you may well enter the most amazing period of weight loss you have ever experienced.
Although I never joined any of the slimming clubs I have tried many diets over the years, having my best successes with diets with a ‘detox’ period following a similar sort of diet to this, the wheels always came off when the diet said “now reintroduce the bread and potatoes”.
The cravings I used to have are completely a thing of the past. I can walk through an entire bakery unmoved, have just a small piece of chocolate, or a single scoop of ice cream without finishing the whole bar/tub, and generally feel that I am in control rather than food being in control of me. You will also probably find that your tastes change a lot, some of us can’t imagine not eating this food we now love so much and intend to keep eating like this for the foreseeable future, so even if you feel you don’t like something, just try it occasionally to see if you still don’t. I only started low carb at the beginning of June, and have had some weekends, or even weeks off when life intervenes, but I always come back, and in fact looked forward to coming back even as I ate the birthday cake. Full fat yoghurt and cottage cheese are amazing when all you are used to is the watery low fat varieties. Off to tuck in to tonight’s pudding of full fat fromage frais and strawberries☺