Fantastic Nettle 😃💐🎈. Hope the shopping trip is successful!

Blue – good point! I think many of us are where we are because we “can’t say no”. We’re often care givers and have little time left for ourselves, but need to remember that if we don’t look after ourselves we’ll not be able to look after others.

Week 11 results (Jan, you and I must have started on the same day – 29th June)
3lbs loss. This takes me to 10% of my body weight gone. I think that deserves celebrating. I am really pleased and my hubby says my body shape is starting to change which is encouraging.
I was really strict yesterday finishing up my diet doctor naan with garlic butter (I think they are better cold). They really filled me up too. Then courgetti and arrabbiata sauce for dinner. Only 600 cals and 17g carbs. Im not sure I could do that every day or would want to, but it certainly made the scales move!
BTW, my new spiraliser is SOOO much better than a potato peeler which is what I was using before. Jan, if you haven’t got one, I would really recommend it. Mine was less than a tenner from Amazon.

Next goals:
– 1lb : 1 1/2 stone loss
-2lbs: into the 12 stone somethings

I reckon they should be achievable this week.

Off to tennis later – first lesson after the summer, but I seem to have lost my sports bra. I better find it before 11am or I will knock myself out with my own boobs! (they may be shrinking but they could still do a fair bit of damage i’m sure!)

Hi all. Feeling a bit down today as have done two days of the 8 week plan and I have put 1/2lb on.!!!!!. Prior to this in the 10 days I was doing my own thing and just making sure I was averaging around 800 cals a day I managed to lose 6lbs.
Wanted to follow 8’week plan to ensure that I was keep within carb range as I did not on the previous 10 days. I am not an adventurous cook but as the meals looked so good in the book and I did not want my OH grumbling about ‘same old, same old’ meals I thought I would give them a go. I have followed the recipes to the letter and even had to throw part of my dinner away yesterday as I was too full.
Has anyone else got/had the same problem. 😕😕😕

Hi Ruth.

What’s been going wrong with the plan, I had a couple of episodes of being non focused and it does stall the weight loss, and it’s so easy to put it on, but with 800/50 it comes of unbelievably fast, I’m usually about .5 k a day, and it just makes me feel so well love it, but we shall see when I weigh in today, end of week 11 where you at. Keep at it it’s worth it.
😎😎😎

Hi Lovely people. I am still down here at the bottom of the world. Been a bit pre-occupied and not going on line. Also I am cross because I have only lost 1 kg in 3 weeks! and that is going down and up and down and up……. and I have been starving as well. What a rotten plateau.

greenjanet, I am glad to see that you had a good holiday. I am in awe of your good reboot and also that of Frog and how much walking Frog does. I hope froglet got a little chicken.

Krysia you will hear me from here when I have a 31 inch waist. How wonderful

Hi All
End of week two results – 5.6lbs down. Whoopee!
Start – 207.6 now 198.4 so 9.2lbs total loss.
Waist hasn’t changed but the area between my bust and tummy button has so I’ve just measured it so I can monitor that too.
Had a 100% focused week which has really encouraged me. Off to Centre Parcs tomorrow meeting up with family and I think I will be fine. We are only going to eat out a couple of times and I realise now that I am in control of what I eat. In the past it has been too easy to blame holidays etc for failure but ultimately the responsibility is mine. Nobody has ever force fed me!
Keep the posts coming please, it certainly helps me.

yowzer49 you were right – I drank bucket loads of water yesterday and things did “move” and I am now 10stone 9 and three-quarter pounds. A three-quarter pound drop for the week! The downside was that I forgot to have enough salt so had massive leg cramps in the night. But I agree – even if I hadn’t lost it would be good. Re: the 31 inch waist – the tape was pulled really tightly to achieve that, so I am probably cheating. I also wonder if I have managed to stretch the tape a bit.

Frog your roast chicken dinner sounds lovely and only a little over carbs. I am sure your walking more than cancelled it out. Nordic walking burns many more calories than ordinary walking and what a super place to walk and relax in.
Was looking forward to chicken curry today but have defrosted chicken casserole by mistake.

Greenjanet good luck for today’s weigh in.

Hi Snoop. Well done on your stats. The battery has gone on my scales which I think is a blessing after 2 days working away and staying in a hotel. Re. the oil spray, I’ve not seen a refillable one in the supermarket, but don’t see why you can just fill any spray bottle with your choice of oil??

Hi teabrain and welcome to the forums.
There’s a lot of information on this site (including recipes) to take in while you’re waiting for your book to arrive.
As you change your diet to low carb med style you’ll notice that the constant hunger disappears – it makes this way of eating really easy (and makes the 2 fasting days a breeze). Give yourself the gift of time to become accustomed to it all.
I’ve really enjoyed the fact that I’m no longer obsessed with eating starchy carbs. The food is nutritious and delicious.
Best wishes for your BSD journey.

Think you have chosen a great name and am looking forward to following your maintenance journey whilst I get to target!
I think it might be a good idea to write a brief résumé of your journey here for the new people that will find this thread and not know. When I discovered you, I went back and read every post from the start. I’m not a creep but enjoyed your story, honesty and inspiration. To see you coping with trips away etc was so encouraging. You keep things simple – you just did it.
It took me a while to actually start myself but now on my own journey and feel confident I will make it. Having lost weight many times over 40 years (but never quite reaching my target) I know the maintenance is going to be the hardest part.
Many thanks for all your posts, Denise

Hi Blue
I can remember being happy at 72.5 because I’d lost a lot relatively easily. This figure now is a wondrous thing. Hang in there it works. Today we did a clean up of the roadside in the KNZB, keep nz beautiful campaign, sausage sizzle to celebrate, I didn’t have anything, I did inhale, which was yummy enough, I didn’t miss anything, I am gluten free so it made the choice easier. I walked the 2km back home and had a BSD lunch to celebrate. Big clean out of the wardrobe this week, nothing fits, I ran a few darts into shirts and tops for the time being. Shopping trip to Oz beginning of October to remedy the problem.

Thanks for the message.
N.

bloke41, sushi trains are too tempting. All those dishes going round and round again. I love Japanese food. I would have found that very difficult. Well done on resisting.

eternallyoptimistic (great name, by the way!), that’s a good idea about the one-calorie sprays. I saw those in Tesco’s last time I was visiting my folks. I might have another look next time I’m back. I presume they’re not refillable. That would be good if so.

This morning’s figures are:
85.2 kg
-0.3 kg
Overall change -3.3 kg

Yesterday’s food and exercise
729 cals
63 carbs
Moderate walk for 40 mins, 15 mins gardening

Onwards and inwards, guys!

Well done! Keep up the great work.
One of the women at work joined me on the diet on Monday and another one is going on holiday next week and when she comes back she is going to join us too. They can both see the difference already.

Hi Slimline Capt.

Massive congratulations on your amazing achievement!! It may only have taken 9mths short months for you, but all those temptations along the way. It seems to take a lot of courage to keep saying No, no thanks, really. Especially when we seem to be naturally – Yes, ok go on then, just one won’t harm type people.

Keep on going so well, our inspirational Captain of BSD and beyond into the unknown.

blue1919

Hi Nettle

Go you! Happy dancing for you!! Not time for being calm yet! 68.1kg is still a dream for me. Just managed 72.5kg. Steady as you go. Can’t wait to officially be a legit member of this fabulous club.

Happy, happy for you.
regards
blue1919

shit a brick , 54andfatnomore, fantastic results, well done snoop and chooky. I have only gone out twice to eat, once with wifey to sushi train, managed to stay off the rice, though was drooling looking it go round and round, and once out for friday lunch with boys from work and managed to stick to a thai beef salad. Will be a good test in middle of october when l go down south to the folks , all that wog food will be mega temping to say the least. Have a good one all, and keep up the good work.

Hi Captainlynne
Thanks for the invite to your brand spanking new clubhouse, wish we could all get together for a low cal low carb house warming for you.

Size 12, did you read it twice? YOU are size 12. Well done, all will be fine, that feeling of confidence in being able to keep calm and carry on is an intrinsic part of this BSD for many of us. I treat it as a gift, the gift of health and well being not to be traded.
Nettle.

Hi CL
No way I am keeping calm this day, reached 68.1kg, that’s 100g off the target for healthy BMI. It happened quicker than expected this week, so a degree of disbelief and satisfaction as I stepped on and off and on and off (x5)…the scales.
Keep having to hitch the britches up, feeling light.
Now I will take a walk to the quiet and calm side and see you in your new clubhouse.
N.

Hi Chookymama! Your comments on the number of calories in olive oil made me laugh. I reached the point where I was using the 1/2 teaspoon measure for roasting veg or sautéing onions for sauce. When I reached my goal, I “upped” it to a full teaspoon!😜 I was also making salad dressing with one teaspoon of oil and one teaspoon vinegar with French mustard — I got to the point where it seemed normal. LOL Goes to show that a person can adjust to any indignity!

Thanks Snoop, good thoughts on the activity opportunities. The kids and our friends are a fairly active bunch so yes, need to be looking forward to that instead of dreading the temptations.

So encouraged by the commitment you all are showing. Keep up the good work and enjoy the benefits! 54, so glad you’re out to eat and staying social without it hindering the diet. Well done.

Today’s #s:
Calories: 838
Carbs 39

Janrg1 you are doing so well!! I’ve just started my second week, i haven’t managed to stay around the 800 cal mark yet, more like1600, but its way less than I used to eat and much healthier. Last week I lost 2.5kgs (5.5lb roughly) which is fantastic and did so much exercise. I wish you well and keep up the great work. X

Well done captainlynne, i’ll be following your thread to inspire me and to keep me trying. It’s so great to read of peoples success especially with all the ups and downs.

Hi all, i’ve been wondering if those folks that have or had cellulite before starting the BSD have seen a change in the appearance of their skin where the cellulite is/was? When the fat is removed from the cells just below the skin surface do the cells return to their normal smaller size, are they able to shrink back. In the past i’ve read that one can never remove cellulite once the cell has filled and stretched with stored fat, but I dont want to believe that. I know our bodies are extremely intelligent and i’m hoping some folks can say a resounding YES, all will be restored to bumpless thighs, upper arms, belly and bum, not to mention all the amazing other good that goes on inside us as we remove fat from these bods of ours.

Hi Liro,

Yes I am not giving up yet and will make sure I come in under 800 today.

I do oddly not mind it too much.

Amandah I have a couple of weekends coming up where I am going to give myself a wine pass! ie a wedding and a weekend away with family. But I will stick to the diet principles and then I am going to make October a perfect month….So I may end up at the end of the 8 weeks with just a 8 kilo loss I guess. I am planning on going through October with 4 x 800 days and 3 x 1600 days so I should get a loss.

Have being doing 10000 steps quite easily.

Chicken and avocado salad

and atlantic salmon and green beans for dinner..

30 degrees C … is ay to hot for me too!!

My feet were so sore from walking all day in crocs that i found it hard to walk today. Was going to exercise class at the community centre and it was cancelled. Had an appointment with Diabetes North this morning … i didn’t really get much support but what the heck i’ll keep my next appointment anyway. Still looking for a doctor … i would like to get liver and pancreas test to see how much i improve! 🙂

Love cauliflower just steamed plan with browned butter ,,,, but that cauliflower rice sounds pretty good too!

Was kind of exhaused today to had an afternoon nap … the luxuries of retirement. Going to the gym tomorrow and going to aquabics class with my sister on Thursday!!
Still fasting so far!!

Mandoir19

Your weight loss over 6 weeks is a normal amount of weight to lose on this diet. As for the 5 lbs you’re seeing? My weight varies from day to day by up to 5 lbs. Unless you are talking about an average trending up over several days of 5 lbs, you haven’t really gained 5 lbs. You may not have lost quite as much as you thought you had (i.e. an artificially low reading you recorded on your previous low) or you may temporarily be retaining water – or other waste products (creating an artificially high reading). Since weight always depends on what’s in your GI system and fluid retention, as well as what is permanently affixed, you shouldn’t ever count a single measurement as your true weight. Look for a downward trend over a period of days.

The BSD does not specifically limit carbs. Berries are just fine, in small quantities. Grains are more questionable (depending on the fiber content – but the advice is still (paraphrasing) to make easily digested starches a side dish rather than the main course.

You will find advice here to limit carbs, but that advice (by and large) does not come from the BSD itself – beyond the general guidence I paraphrased above.

Hi everyone getting started. I find trying to assess the carb load in a number of meal options quite tricky but often resort to eggs. I love onions and mushrooms so nice tasty mix.
I’m into day 5 and have been quite disciplined (does that glass of wine really count!). My fasting sugar this morning was 5.1! Never seen it that low. Often 7 – 8 first thing. I record my blood sugar regularly and find that motivating. Keeping everything on a spreadsheet – also motivating (and yes, working full time makes it a bit hectic). Good luck everyone I really believe in this philosophy and hope to prove it.

Day two. Haven’t had much in the way of hunger pangs and at lunch time I went for a half hour stroll but as the temperature was 30 deg C it was too hot to make it a brisk walk.

Black coffee
Hard boiled egg and half an avocado
No carb ploughman’s lunch
Veg curry with cauliflower rice

I’m taking it in turns with Mrs C to make the food for the following day and I’ve just finished in the kitchen doing tomorrow’s food. I suppose it’s better than sitting in front of the telly!

yeah me too – a little bit on. But makes sense I guess. and if you read other threads some people have days with no movement or the wrong way and then suddenly the scales show. Keep it up and you know it will eventually lead there – it cant not!!

had my new fav brekky this morning, poached egg, advocado and smoked salmon – feel like I am eating out every morning.

going to try to cut my coffee/tea with milk to only twice a day and drink more herbals – its pure habit and comfort. I figure baby steps tacking one habit at a time.

Hi Lynne – great work , much congratulations on hitting maintenance! I haven’t posted for a while, my weight continues to reduce slowly with little apparent effort. I’ve been on a ketogenic way of eating for the last 3 months and have chosen that as my new lifestyle going forward. I’m exercising and my muscle mass has incresed substantially, so while my weight loss has slowed , my measurements and fat % have reduced. I’m at 83kg now down from 109kg, and feel amazing. So all the best, can’t see myself ever going back to carbs as a primary fuel source. Cheers from down under.

Hi Nedds mum, yes, yes and yes, I doubt anyone on the forum will tell you otherwise. You will need a couple of days to settle into an eating pattern and once you have worked out what you can and can’t eat, you start finding it is not hard, and a lot of what you can eat tastes great. When you have a bad day, then so what – forget about it and tomorrow is another day.
The thing about this plan is once you have worked it out – it is fast. You work in 8 weeks stints, and if one day went not great that week, well it is one day in 7 and you are still likely to lose at least 2 lbs that week.
I lost 11 percent of my starting weight in the first 8 weeks – and there were a few bad days in there, but the progress was measured by weekly weighing and measuring and plotting the weight on a graph. Most people will lost between 10 and 20% depending on what they have to lose (the higher percentages for those with most to lose) and in 10 weeks. The motivation from that level of progress makes the bad days easily forgotten and getting back on the wagon easy – that and the forum.
Tell people if it is a bad day and they will try to help, shout if you are fed up and ask questions as often as you need.
This forum kept me on track and motivated, it is the USP of this plan.

I am really glad I found this thread. After experimenting with different forms of fasting, I am settling on 5:2 at 800 cals per fasting day. I personally feel this is sustainable; something I can really make a lifestyle. Because of blood sugar issues (always hungry!), 5:2 at 500 calories a day just did not cut it for me. 800 calories is a generous amount for a fasting day, and I know I can do this. That extra 300 cals really makes a difference. I don’t have the book (it’s already ordered from amazon), but I have been following a low glycemic load diet for the past few weeks, and the difference in my hunger levels is amazing. I will never return to my old carb-filled way of eating.

Glad to meet you all.

Another disappointing weigh in with no change even though I woke at mid night and couldn’t get back to sleep for hours I was so hungry. Aiming for a better day than yesterday. Gluck everyone.

Hottest day in ages – I’ve just eaten roast dinner!
with roast potatoes AND a glass of wine!

I had a chicken to cook anyway – and couldn’t bear the thought of roasting a chicken & no roast potatoes
the chicken was the roast in the bag type, so I microwaved 90g of potato for a couple of minutes, coated with 3g of olive oil & then chucked them in the oven – brilliant!

also had red cabbage – a mixed bag from M&S with the cabbage, beetroot, apple & cranberries – delicious, I know cabbage is a bit carby, but 43 grams is under 4 carbs and 20 calories.

809 calories for the day, and a bit over on carbs, just under 40g – but I did walk about 9 miles today, so not too worried!

Really pleased to see your new post. Best of luck on the next stage of your journey !

Thanks both for responding and many thanks for your encouragement. I am clearly doing something wrong and to avoid berries and grains is something I don’t want to do as they have other health benefits. So I think Ive reached the end of the line and will look at alternatives. Good luck with your journey.

Thanks for all the advice. I’ll take a look at the other threads.

Have any of you had a ‘bad’ day and strayed from the plan but managed to get back on the straight and narrow?!

This is where I have failed in the past and don’t want to repeat mistakes. Thanks.

Sorry – realise this isn’t vegan related. I’ll definitely look on other threads!

I’ve just started a reboot this week
I started in May – lost 13kg steadily for the first thirteen weeks, then kind of plateaud for three weeks before I admitted to myself that it wasn’t really a plateau, I’d not exactly drifted away from BSD, but increasingly more treats and non compliant days.
There is an existing thread “2nd 8 weeks starting Tuesday August 30th” that you might want to look at. It’s a group of us that stopped/relaxed BSD a bit & are getting back to it.

I think today is about day 6 – I’ve lost 2kg (or rather I had until I went to the dodgy diabetic cookery class with bonkers recipes yesterday & put 0.2kg back on when I weighed this morning)

Many people have kept on with 8 week principles for several months – if you had good results the first time around, you know that the diet works. It’s great that your weight has remained stable for four months, but if you still need to lose more to get to a healthy or target weight, then you probably do need to repeat the 8 weeks -or experiment with cutting back on your current eating plan and accept that you may lose the 5kg, but more slowly.

Chookymama, I account for olive oil in my calories. Not a day goes by without me having some, but it can send the calorie limit over the top if you’re not careful. I probably have a tablespoon a day, sometimes a bit more. Have you looked at how many calories there are in butter? Problem is, it’s not as easy to spread over vegetables. Mind you, a two-egg omelette with 20 g of cheddar cooked in 5 g of butter is a gourmet delight! I’ve taken to having lemon juice on salads (no oil) and saving my oil ‘allowance’ for cooking.

One possible solution would be get one of those oil sprays. They make a little go a long way. Sadly, my first one got dropped. It was dirt cheap and worked a treat but it seems not to be available anymore. Ones I’ve bought since were more expensive but they send a very fine mist of oil into the air, which I don’t like as it has to land somewhere. Worth having a look at, but don’t automatically assume the expensive ones will be better. The ones with a pump action (some kind of plunger action that goes up and down) have been the worst for me. Also, check the gauge of the tube inside – the very thin ones are least effective in my view, as you just get a squirt in the pan or on your food rather than a fairly wide distribution.

And back to the 3 Ps as I call them: P1 (pee), P2 (poo) and P3 (parps). No problems with 1 and 3 (just as well I live a fairly recluse life), but 2 is a problem. There were two days last week when I ate 800 and 780 g of veg and fruit (just about all veg), but it made no difference and it was quite a lot of carbs. Who knew there were so many in tomatoes and onions? I didn’t. Anyway, I’m back down to six or seven a day rather than ten, as it was too much on the carbs.

Tabletalk, one of my problems with diets till now is getting some results and then coming up against a social commitment and falling off the wagon by thinking, “Well, I know it works, so I’ll stop for now and just start again later when it’s more convenient”, and then I never do. Just keep at it as best you can and don’t give up. There are a few days to go before you head off and we’ll still be here when you get back. You might have some great opportunities to do lots of walks and swimming, play games with the kids and sleep well after being so active. And just think, next holidays you’ll be swanning about in a new swimsuit!

Do you want to know my halfway results? No? I’ll tell you anyway. Four weeks completed and down 18lbs. Lost 4 inches off my hips and into my old jeans hurray! I still have a long way to go but I don’t feel daunted now. I don’t really understand what is happening with my fasting blood sugar levels. They went down to under 4 after a week now have started to rise to 5.5. Will try having a bedtime snack as suggested elsewhere.

Mandoir19, please don’t give up. 1.6 stone in 6 weeks that’s amazing, but the really important thing is the TWO dress sizes. 2 dress sizes smaller in just over a month, that’s extraordinary!

Scales can be really perverse, I would be at all surprised if that comes back off really quickly. I remember reading, on I think Igorasusual’s thread that there is theory that fat cells sometimes take in water when they drained of triglycerides (read more here http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html/). Weight loss is rarely perfectly linear, so there will often be weird upticks. The important thing is that you measurements are reducing dramatically.

Your metabolism will be making big adjustments, plus there maybe all kinds of nasties that were safely stored in you fat cells. Now there is less fat to keep them safe you body is probably retaining water. The nasties and the water will go soon, maybe in an overnight whoosh.

It sounds like you have found good solutions for each of your meals. Are you enjoying this way of eating? Are you finding new and exiting foods? Do you feel healthier, livelier? Is your skin better…thinks of all the other positives you are achieving on this way of eating.

Have you tried the mindfulness, I know many have found this very supportive in their journey to a new healthy way of living.

I haven’t been as strict as you, but I am steadily loosing other teams and centimetres. When I have succumbed to having piece of bread of flavoured yoghurt I am invariably disappointed in the taste. So now I am rarely tempted. Now the term has started I am planning to stick to the 800 a day and hoping I will achieve good losses before half term. Your achievements of the last 6weeks are inspirational and I hope to emulate them.

Hypnosis, like meditation, has proven health benefits and is one of the few complementary therapies recognised by modern medicine as effective.

Woa!! 1stone 4lb in six weeks is not an insignificant loss – I only managed 13lb in seven weeks (the length of my initial stint on BSD 800, as the programme was interrupted by a trip abroad). We all lose weight at different rates and weight is not the only measure of the success of the BSD. You have already see the positives in loss of inches and there are many other benefits people report here – sleeping better, having more energy, improvement in skin condition for instance.

I’m a little confuse where the 3stone in 8weeks thing comes from. Like any other eating plan, there is no guarantee how much you will lose and it depends on your body how much that will be. I’m certain that the BSD book doesn’t promise this loss. Yes, some people might be lucky enough to see this kind of result, but many won’t, but any loss is yours to own and celebrate.

You say you have put on 5lb, but over what period and could this just be due to something simple like being constipated or the time of day you weighed in? And are you sure the carbs haven’t crept up a bit and how many grams a day are you allowing yourself? You mention berries – some of these are pretty high in carbs, quinoa and beans are also quite high, so have the carbs increase without you really noticing?

You are right, the BSD is not for everyone and we must all find our own way, but maybe it is worth double checking how you are applying the BSD principles before giving up on it.

Good luck what ever you decide to do.

Congratulations Captainlynne, what a fantastic achievement. I will be reading this thread so that when I reach 9st I will be clear on what I should be doing. Well done, looking forward to your tales of maintenance.

Chookymama why don’t you try using 1 calorie olive oil spray? A couple of squirts is enough to roasting veggies.

Hi Tiredofthis,
Well done for taking the first steps to changing your life. But as Angiebabe and Californiagirl have said, you must visit the doctor if you have health worries. Book a double appointment and really lay it on the line, they will be pleased to help you if they know what is troubling you. The sooner you have tests the sooner your mind will be at rest and any problems can be dealt with. As to your dislike of veg, difficult! But not unsurmountable. Start by tasting a little of something new with each meal. Don’t immediately tell yourself that you don’t like it, but savour the taste. Repeat this every meal and I’m plesed to inform you that you will begin to enjoy veg!! Make it an experience for the whole family, so you are learning together. Start with the recipes you do like and gradually build on them. What do you like to eat that appears in the recipe section? If you find 800 impossible to begin, go to 1,000 until you are in the swing of things, then look to go to 800 cals day. There are lots of sites on the internet where you can track what you are eating. Recommended to me was Fatsecret, which I find is okay to master. Kids are a great help wih these things!
I do hope you are able to take the next steps on your road to rediscovery of good health and peace of mind. You have lost weight before, so you know you can again. The BSD is unlike SW and WW it is a way of life, not only a weight loss diet.
We are all in the same boat, learning a new and improved way of eating. Remember everyday is a new day, a fresh start to the rest of our improved lives. All best wishes for your healthy journey. Look forward to your hearing your updates.

I did an initial 7weeks during which I lost 13lb. Then I was away for ten weeks on a road trip to Turkey, when I was sort of observing the principles of the BSD but not weighing /measuring consumption or myself. I returned having gained 2.8lb and started the BSD 800 again, which I kept up fairly strictly for six wks, but have become a bit woolly with it over the last four weeks, however, in that time I have lost the 2.8lb gained plus a further 6lb. I am about to go back out to Turkey for another five weeks and will be starting back on the BSD 800 in earnest on my return, with an aim to lose another 6lb (from my current weight) before Christmas.

I guess what I am saying here is, that there is no reason another stint on the 8week programme would not work, as long s you are adhering to it properly.

Good luck regardless of what you decide to do.

Hi captainlynne,
Congratulations on reaching maintenance. You’ve chosen a brilliant name for this thread. Thank you for your continued effort in documenting your BSD journey – you are an inspiration and help to so many of us.

Don’t despair Tiredofthis and welcome. It seems to me you have made the decision to change your life and if you can, those of your family too. My advise is to start simply. Think about the meals you already make and work out what the carb heavy elements are, so that you can replace these with something low carb instead. You can still serve roast chicken for instance, but don’t make roast potatoes/parsnips, add extra veggies instead. – you could even have a little gravy without going over the top with carbs.

I think the toughest bit, is getting your head round not using bread, as it plays such a large part in most households. However, once you begin to think about these things, it’s amazing how you begin to find replacement meals, where previously you would have eaten something bread based. So instead of using bread for sandwiches, try individual leaves of gem lettuce, topped with ham or cheese or tuna – pretty much anything savoury you might previously have put in a sandwich.

Good standbys to always have available are cheese, eggs, full fat yogurt, nuts and fresh veggies – there is so much you can do with these ingredients, to make simple nutritious meals. Give the book another read, make a shopping list so that you can use a few of the more simple recipes in the book, plus a few simple meals adapted from your normal menu and go for it. Don’t panic too much about hitting the 800 calories initially, but make sure you get control of the carbs. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and use the forum for hint, tips and advise and perhaps more importantly, for support and encouragement. There are some really inspirational people on here and they are more than happy to help left you up and spur you on when the going is tough.

Finally, Angiebabe’s advice on visiting the Doctors is excellent. And you might be pleasantly surprised if you go in there and tell them how you plan to tackle your weight issue, others have had Doctors be very supportive – and if not, well set out to prove them wrong. The BSD is empowering and so many people here, have found that it has allowed them to claim back control of their weight and their lives. And there is no reason why you can’t be one of those people too.

Wishing you all good luck and look forward to reading you positive results soonn

Did the 8 weeks in April-May. Lost 25lbs, Gained new outlook and attitude.
Since then stable weight with modest carbs and don’t drink as much. Enjoying regular intense exercise 3 x per wk.

So wondering if I should do another 8 with the aim of losing 5kg – an arbitrary figure to take me to a round number. And probably lose some more internal fat.

My concern would be if it didn’t work 2nd time and spoled my sense of achievement.

Anyone have experience of revisiting the 8 week programme?