Wow Stewart, how wonderful! Thank you for inspiring me x

Enjoyed the gym and swim this morning.
You having a good day?
Love lucia
Xxxx

Hi Wannabe and DKendall – I’ve just replied to newbeginnings on the Welcome… forum – I’ll be starting (again) tomorrow too.

There as different strategies you can try.
I sometimes have the same as everybody else except I avoid or substitute the starchy carbs. eg cottage/shepherds pie- they have mash I have cauliflower mash, cooked breakfasts- I avoid toast and have extra mushroom instead, pasta dishes- I use courgetti instead of pasta.
Sometimes I choose to have something entirely different, especially if its going to be something the kids don’t like. I’m also trying to introduce them to more vegetables in their diets but it’s a very gradual process!
I generally find that I can pick a low carb option when going out too, so far the only time I lapsed big style was having fish and chips by the seafront whilst on holiday.
It’s not nearly as difficult as you might imagine if you plan ahead. Just weigh and measure where possible as it is very easy to go over your calorie limit especially at the beginning before your appetite has adjusted. Finally, clear food away quickly including anything left on plates- no picking!

Hope you are soon better Lucky. It’s not labyrinthitis is it? I have coacoa nibs too Frog. They are interesting – nice in a salad. MFP had a recipe for avocado chocolate peanut butter pudding – I am having acpbp cravings now! Just home from a 5 hour lunch with french neighbours…I tried. I really tried! I drank loads of water but still had 2 glasses of wine and 2 kirs! Food included a smoked salmon and asparagus tart (who can leave pastry…crisp, buttery, light and fluffy), barbequed brochettes WINNNER! Potatoes in a lovely sauce (I picked the smallest one honestly), cheese (tiny piece and no bread) and a cassis sorbet (SUGAR!). It’s torture and no mistake!
Bon courage mes amis – the weekend is almost over!

Hi newbeginnings and welcome! I should be back on board tomorrow after a week off. I had done almost 3 weeks before disaster (literally) struck and it really does work.
Planning is key. I found what worked best for me was half a dozen snack/combos that were easy, quick and portable and that I knew would combine for a good balance; there’s lots of fabulous recipes on here but I just needed BSD for dummies! For me it was hummus, Greek yoghurt, avocado, feta, peppers, passata/tomatoes, mushrooms, coconut oil, and miso paste. Frozen summer berries gave me the occasional sweet treat. The first few days are hard but it does get easier after that. All the best with your new beginnings!

Im going to finish reading the book today and hopefully start tomorrow.

Hi, I am planning to start tomorrow.. I have read the book done the shopping now just need to find the will power! I am the only one in the house doing this so will still need to cook ‘normal’ ‘meals for the rest of the family – does any one have any suggestions?

Thanks KrysiaD.

I did wonder about Bravissimo. The one that was recommended to me was Rigby & Peller. I know them by reputation but it would mean a trip to Harrogate or London, and their products are very expensive. Bravissimo is a lot closer 😃

Day 52
Friday 9 September 2016

Breakfast: None

Lunch: 4 egg Spanish Omlette

Dinner: General Tso’s Chicken
Miso Soup

The chicken was spicy. But, sugary with alot of duck sauce around each Piece of chicken. Tasty though. i have not had it in months. So, a bit of a splurge is fine. People reading this probably stuck their tongue out and ready to puke when I had that tongue sandwich 2 days ago. hey, jewish cuisine is a bit too much for some people. We cant eat shellfish or pork, so have to eat the cow’s tongue.

Thanks Yowser🙋🌻
Thanks Frog💐
Will give your suggestions a try, start with the bath, and a couple of painkillers probably!

Wish I could blame the exercise however, yesterday was a lazy day…perhaps I didn’t do enough?!?😱took a walk today and cleaned the house, going to do a little gardening – gently does it though.

Frog – I used to live in Edinburgh. Those bagpipes can be … intrusive😲 Which cake shop won the best award? Should we be even whispering about cake shops I wonder? Sorry all.x

Day 51
Thursday September 8 2016

Breakfast; 3 Ounce Cheddar

Lunch: 4 Egg Spanish Omlette

Snacks:

peach
apple
celery with salsa

Dinner:
Rainbow Roll (Yellow tail tuna, Salmon, and Avocado)
Instead of rice, I used Seaweed around it.
egg drop Soup

Day 50
Wednesday September 7 2016

Breakfast None

Lunch: 1 Cup Greek yogurt with blueberries

Snacks:
Carrots and humus
1 apple
1 peach

Dinner:
Tongue Pollainaise open sandwich (Not eat the bread)
Israeli Salad
Couscous

+1, I work with a Greek guy and he buys his yogurt in Aldi – apparently better quality and far lower prices than the local Greek Deli!

I can’t believe I eat far more full-fat cheese, eggs and yogurt and my cholesterol level is plummeting, well into “normal” now.

Thanks mental4ever and Tabletalk. Carbs will be over the limit today (just had 3/4 of an apple) but no biggie. Also got to keep my fibre intake up.
And well done to you too, Tt.

Hi Captainlynne – I have found Bravissimo to be good for bra fitting.
I am so pleased you are staying on the forums now you are at goal weight. I have been following your threads and they have really helped me to stay on the BSD.

thanks Krysia – how are you getting on?

Hi Thistime
best thing is to look at one of the online calorie counters – some have premium services but they all have free to use options I hate the name, but have decided I like FatSecret best, easy to use, UK site, and not too many ads.
It will help you keep track of calories and carbs – calories is relatively easy without one of these, but once you start trying to track multiple items, it gets a bit harder. I did manage successfully on a spreadsheet, but its a bit more effort (I’m writing this with a program about data security on in the background, and getting a bit paranoid!)

Baked beans are ok-ish, a bit carby. I used to have them for breakfast to replace toast when I started BSD. Do go for the low sugar variety. My trick was to mix the can with a can of plain haricot or flagolet beans – because the ratio of beans to sugary sauce increases, its less carby and sugary overall. I don’t bother now because I have them a lot less, but I did fancy them a week or so ago – a portion size per the labelling is half a can, but I find 100g is sufficient – half a can is around 150 calories – but 23 g carbs

Well done Frog – your BSD reboot is going really well.

Hi frog. thanks for your advice. yes july / august were tough but we are on the 2nd year now, we both miss him terribly he was only 38 and drowned on holiday in france in the atlantic. we still have 2 other children and7 grandchildren so the loss was bearable. i only thought how awful to lose your only child so in that respect we are lucky. yes i do have a spralizer a small and full size one. will try and do some with the courgette and maybe some others to vary meals. going to have soup now for lunch, had yoghurt and blueberries for breakfast and may have a stuffed – bought – mushroom, half a sweetcorn done in oven and i think i can have some baked beans?? does goats cheese count as dairy as i found some wonderful camonbare like goats cheese which i had with ryvita original. is ryvita allowed? this time

Hi Imogen

I did have a problem that a few weeks ago when I really started increasing my levels of exercise.
I really dislike taking painkillers, but I found taking a couple really did help, I think I only took them once or maybe twice – I can’t remember now whether I took asprin, paracetamol or Ibuprofen – but it worked

The other thing that was truly wondrous was when I had the problem while staying in Edinburgh, and didn’t want to spend the entire week inside the travelodge with the sound of wailing bagpipes drifting in from outside all day, I found an amazing sports massage therapist – half an hour of pure wizzardry, and it wasn’t particularly expensive!
I usually only have massage as a treat or destress/relaxation, than to address a specific problem, but she was truly amazing.
And she was based just a few doors along the road from the tea shop that had won prizes for best cakes in scotland, baker of the year…. but that’s another story.

If you have any Greek, Turkish or Cypriot supermarkets near you – likely to have walls of unflavoured, un-defatted thick creamy yogurt – I was amazed, and planning to go back when I next need some cottage cheese.
I did mention it to a Turkish friend though – apparently he buys all his in Lidl 🙂
He did assure me that it was made by Turks in Germany (Would definitely only have Turkish yogurt, even if most “Greek” yogurt in supermarkets has been no closer to Greece than my cat)

Unintended consequence – my new t shirts fit on the clothes airer stretched flat with space on either side, rather than being bunched up, so no creases!

and waving arms would definitely be a stretch too far for an egg mould!

CHOCOLATE HIT!!!
after posting on here about chocolate this morning, I remembered that I had a bag of cacao nibs in the cupboard – never tried them before, bought them earlier in the year when I tried a ‘no sugar’ diet.
Interesting -it’s not like chocolate at all, but does have a sort of chocolate taste. Interesting
5g is quite a lot, but only 32 calories and 2.5 carbs

Blike41 well done. Two weeks in is a good feeling and your results are great. Snoop well done on all points. It took me some time to figure out how to get my carbs down.
Yesterday’s totals:
Calories: 797
Carbs: 44
Weight: 163lbs
-4 since start
Got a run in yesterday and managed daily exercise since last Sunday.

Hi thistime
so sorry to hear about your son – that must have been a really tough time to attempt dieting.

I must admit, eggs are my biggest standby – and although I’ve generally been quite good about not too much fruit, I bought a delicious box of cherries without checking the carbs. And ate all of them yesterday.
Do you have a spiraliser – great for salad and veg as ‘pasta’ – I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much courgette (I bought a very small one, so larger veg like butternut squash delicious spiralised, but not in mine!)
Do you like fish? that’s always an option, and although I’ve not made it, there’s a recipe on this website for a lasagne with courgette layers instead of pasta.

There’s another thread that started running recently – 2nd 8 weeks starting Tuesday August 30th, that is mostly people, including me that did eight weeks or so and then drifted into maintenance/holidays/non BSD eating generally & have renewed commitment!

Good luck this time around!

Been off piste for around 7 weeks. too much happening coupled with the last few firsts after son’s death july last year. but now back and focused. on day 4 week 2 but not losing weight. i am eating a lot of natural yoghurt with frozen blueberries, having coffees with some milk and home made veg soup. i cannot eat eggs and dont eat pulses or much meat. i am having a pear a day and taking vitimen tablets. can anyone help and advise. i have preordered the new recipe book for the bsd and just waiting for it to arrive. i am having herbal teas though. thanks mary

Morning Lucky hope that you;re feeling better soon to enjoy birthday fetivities!

Rice rather than egg, but cute!
https://www.bentousa.com/egg-mold-rice-mold/3524-bento-rice-mold-and-seaweed-nori-cutter-set-omusubi-nyan-4989082764238.html

Egg one, but not brilliant
https://www.bentousa.com/egg-mold-rice-mold/3529-hard-boiled-egg-mold-shaper-robot-cat-dorami-4956810802203.html
Having read about them yesterday, you cook the eggs first until ‘soft’ hard boiled, then mould them, so I suspect that the ears would present the key challenge.
The most common ones are essentially egg shaped – hence rabbits, a kind of teddy (looks a lot like a Scottish fold cat though!) and Darth Vader.

Oh what a night, to listen to the archers verdict, watch poldark or victoria. What a dilemma!

The egg things are cute Frog 🙂 I love the bunny one. I wonder if they do lucky cat ones, that would be immense, every boiled egg I ate would be a maneki. Well done on your kickstart, it’s great when you have a couple of good days like that, really boosts you doesn’t it?

Unfortunately I woke up feeling crappy again this morning, rebounding off every wall as I got up for my morning pee. Exactly like being drunk. But without the privilege of having had wine. Cheaper, but also – a) the no wine thing and b) slightly worrying. Thankfully the house is reasonably tidy as it’s my son’s 13th birthday, and he wants KFC for his birthday tea so I don’t have to cook. So salad for me and hubby. He can manage salad, thankfully. Hope this disappears reasonably quickly, and definitely before Friday.

Another 0.1 kg off this morning too. Every little helps.

TIZZIE yes the shopping is done faster and i am spending less!
I think The Fage Yoghurt Co must have noticed a jump in profits coz i buy so much of the stuff now! But ive noticed the supermarkets stock much more 0% fat yog than the full fat..grrrr… But i guess more folk are still buying the 0% fat version.
some great UC here FROG,ORCHID and OLDBLUEJEANS et al ! X

Hi Janet 😃

No – not salads and stir fries, not the recipes in the book. I found that I can’t tolerate too many veggies – they have an (err) unfortunate side-effect😱 So I have to be careful how many I eat! I started out eating a more European breakfast of eggs, cooked meat & cheese (whichever was in the fridge) – just watching portion size. Then my breakfast turned into a cooked breakfast – bacon, egg, slice of black pudding. Sometimes with tomatoes and mushrooms (sometimes I can eat mshrooms, sometimes not!). Then, because I’m genuinely not hungry, nothing until my evening meal. That is some form of protein with a few veggies or a little salad. When I have salad it’s dressed with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

One thing I had to learn was portion control. Instead of a chunk of cheese, I learned to have 25g. And I recorded everything in a succession of notebooks. I’ve just started a new notebook for this next, maintenance, phase.

How did I maintain my focus? Mmmm …. when I began I decided that I could do anything for 8 weeks, but did wonder if it would work for me, even if I could do it. Perhaps I’m fortunate that I live alone, and haven’t drunk alcohol for many years. But I did love cabs in most forms. But the threat (again) of being put on Metformin gave me a well-timed kick. It’s said that success breeds success, and my results at the end of the first 8 weeks helped me to keep on going. That, and the reactions of my Diabetes Nurse! I was determined to show her that not only does the BSD work, but that it is sustainable! When social events, residential conferences and holidays happened – after all, these are part of life – I looked on them as challenges rather than threats and worked out in advance how to deal with them. It is my choice what I put in my mouth, nobody force feeds me. Yes, it can be challenging – especially away from home, possibly more so when in another country. I found Prague difficult, but that I coped well in Italy. (Italy, with no pasta, pizza or gelato!😱 – but it can be done😃)

I think I just started this, decided to stick with it and to prove the naysayers wrong!!!! It helped me keep the focus. That, and the improvements in my health, mobility, energy and all the other benefits we notice. Oh – and the smaller clothes LOL

It is starting to sink in. It’s still strange when someone looks at me and tries to guesstimate my clothes size. And there are those, even now, who hesitate to comment in case I’ve lost weight because I’m ill. When I looked out the ‘before’ pics I even horrified myself😱 I’ve always been the one taking the pics, but I’m not quite as nervous about being in front of the camera now! I think the thing that is taking a while to accept is picking a size 12 off the rail and be reasonably certain it will fit (it does in most shops). Not long ago tops were 12, but skirts and trousers were 14. Then most skirts and trousers 12. But now even pencil skirts are a 12!!!!! That’s taking some getting used to!

Does that answer you? If not, ask again 😃

Remind me, please – how far do you still have to go on your journey now?

We all have to look after our old bodies 😃 💐

I listened all week JAN! Verdict tonight! X
IMOGEN A long soak in a Radox bath will help? And perhaps rest more today to give yr poor muscles a chance to recover if youve been overdoing things? X

Hi FLOWERPOTtwin!
Sturdy Leg Brigade is funny!
Stevie wonder song is Living For the City!

A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain’t so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city…ee ha!

His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floor for many
And you’d best believe she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city…yeah

His sister’s black but she is sho ’nuff pretty
Her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she’s got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city…um hum

Her brother’s smart he’s got more sense than many
His patience’s long but soon he won’t have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives they don’t use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city…
Living just enough…
For the city…ooh,ooh
[repeat several times]

His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his love walking the streets of New York City
He’s almost dead from breathing on air pollution
He tried to vote but to him there’s no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city…yeah, yeah, yeah!

I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel no where could be much colder
If we don’t change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, just enough for the city!!!!

La, la, la, la, la, la,
Da Ba Da Da Da Da Da Da
Da Da Da Da Da Da
Da Ba Da Da Da Da Da Da Da
[Repeat to end]

Hi Jan
I heard the omnibus – I think I missed an episode at some point in the week, I thought I’d LA’d them all – it made a bit more sense today!

Not BSD stuff but if anyone here is a archers addict we have 2 1/4 hours of delectation today ooh happiness 🎼🎼🎼 humming archers tune if you know it, hehe gone bonkers and loving it 😀😀😀😇😃😃😃

Ooh captainlynne
I keep thinking about your wonderful achievement.
Did you just eat salads and stirfeys or did you follow the recipes in the book, I’m aware at week 12 I need to have more than salads and stirfrys, my attention has wavered a bit lately did your focus waver at any time. You have been committed for 9 months just wondering how you maintained it.
Has it all sunk in yet. It’s so life changing isn’t it, cannot wait until I am at the goal posts also, I need to look after this old body
😀🙏😀

You’ll get there Tizzie. 💐

starting measurements: height 5’7″, weight 13.1, waist 43″ feeling sluggish, achey and frumpy! Looking forward to feeling energetic, comfortable and proud.

Thanks CaptL – just over 100lbs, so it will be a while yet!

Hi, I’m starting this week and doing it on my own, so would be good to be going parallel with others. I feel slightly daunted by the task – have 3 stone to lose as now having arthritic pain in feet. I am worried about feeling hungry and light headed and then grabbing the nearest thing in sight. Seems like planning is essential.
well, here goes……

YOWZER49.
I like that we be twins.
CELLULITE BE GONE.

Hi Verano

An ‘hourglass’ figure 😃 And a few days ago I was told I had a good figure and good legs 😃

Not bad for a 5ft 1in 66 year old!

I wish I could bottle the feeling of being able to take a size 12 off the rail and find that it fits😱 It may not seem much to some people, but after being overweight for most of the last 55 years, and nearly having to go from a size 24 into a 26, it means a lot to me.

It’s taken 9 months to make the change and I am so glad that I took the decision to try it. Then to stay with it.

Wowee, bloke41, that is some result! You must be really pleased. A tough week, maybe, but the results are plain to see. Congratulations.

Hey Snoop, thanks, I’m quite amazed actually because of my blowouts and it’s proof to me that this BSD works and this week I’ll be making much better choices. I’ll have to google the Stevie Wonder song for a listen and a smile.
To all of us in the Sturdy Leg Brigade may we all find the success we seek.
Much love to all. Xx

Update to my last post about bras.

I’ve just been told by someone who worked a lot with Trinnie and Susannah (remember them) that the bras the M&S fitter recommended were not right for me!!! Mind you, I did wonder when I saw some of the bras that she brought me to try? Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh.

Looks like I’ll have to try somewhere else and a different fitter!😱

Morning all🙋 Jan, Yowser,Frog, et all.

Glad you are all feeling so lively!!! I’m off for a longish walk, then back to clean the house…boy does it need it!…then need to tidy the garden while the sun shines😵

Down another 0.5kg today so moving in right direction once again.

Can anyone advise what to do for sore muscles….not from exercise…woken up during night with discomfort especially in legs. Any suggestions??

Week 2 done and dusted, pretty tough week, but got through it. Weigh in 153.9 kg waist 151 cm, staring weight 159.9kg waist 158 cm, total weight loss 6kg. still sticking to no coffee or soft drink. Keeping up with 10000 steps a day and book exercises 3 times a week. Great effort everyone keep it up!

Hi Frog, It used to be hard, but it isn’t my favourite type of chocky but it is always there to nibble on like I did this week because I let the stress get to me. Ahhhh. Tell you what the factory does smell really yummy sometimes too, just adding calories on the inhale haha. I agree totally about the yogurt and I had a nice plain Greek one in the fridge and berries in the freezer but my naughty hubby brought home some sensational thick Greek (sweetened) yoghurt with the passion fruit in it (to which he later apologised) It was there, so I ate it. So easy when that voice in my head starts yacking at me… ‘ go on, just a little bit, with cream, go on, it’ll be right’ With cream?? I hear you say,
Yes, I forgot to mention that 😫
Cherries, yum, none here in Aus at the moment. I’ll try to remember they are high carb. Xx

JAN i am having a chillout day today as I did lots housework yesterday and my pad is gleaming! I’m sittingback enjoying it
FROG cherries are so delish arent they but disappointingly carb heavy like a lot of fruit..i am amazed to find onions are carby too! Who knew? Well done with yr reboot,it’s really going well isn’t it in a short space of time! Great results!
LOOPYLOU i feel for you..ive had PF and it comes back at times..ouch! …i take magnesium to help me sleep and for any other health benefits hopefully..i think it does help relieve cramps/ tight muscles. Have just read there’s plenty magnesium and other minerals in full fat unsweetened greek yoghurt..which i eat every day..and i think its my saving grace as its so creamy and comforting,it helps me stick to BSD x glad yr mum is on the mend..yr TLC no doubt has helped a lot x
Ps jan is right re magnesium,has to be right ratio to calcium..i cant remember if its twice as much calc as mag or the other way round x

Ooh loopylou

Bless you for your commitment to your mum. Keep planning your meals to allow for the travel I have to go to Norfolk quite frequently in a day, so I take all my three meals with spoons forks everything, my sister thinks I’m crackers, but I don’t care, I’m in the zone, and on it. Keep up the good work. Perhaps have some arnica for your inflamed joints, safer to take than magnesium. It would be easy to take to much magnesium, although shop brought magnesium is probably so low for that reason.
Supplements are not necessary on this plan, and may even inhibit its action, magnesium has an effect on calcium for ex. and we need calcium for obvious reasons, but it also assists weight loss. So look into it carefully.
Love jan