I Love reading your posts Izzy, they’re helpful and inspiring. I’m just starting week two, after a bumpy week one. I’ll just soldier on and I’ll get there too. Xx

Hope you’re feeling a bit better. Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. You need to be kind to yourself and not try and pack too much in. A fundraiser and shopping is more than many would take on, especially with kids in tow! Take it gently. And I agree with Imogen and Frog: don’t forget the antidepressants. Forgetting a painkiller is one thing, but forgetting a couple of antidepressants is another thing altogether. Make sure you get the tests done. Whatever the outcome, you won’t be stressing about wondering what if, what if not.
Good luck and lots of cyberhugs.

Hi again all,
Well I’ve been travelling along this slightly bumpy road on my wagon this week that I have fallen off quite a few times when stress and pressure at work has got me down and I’ve given in to cravings. I found that when I ate some junk, I really wasn’t satisfied for very long at all and just wanted more of anything really. I had not noticed that pattern before. So instead as the week went on, if I got too stressed and wanted junk I ate a small amount of wholesome food like some almonds or a cup of miso soup or some edamame beans and I started to feel more satisfied and the cravings and stress would go. This means I ate well over 800 calories per day each day but I am still astounded at the results at the end of this first week. My start weight last weekend was 82 kgs and my weigh in this arvo is 79.5kgs. I am really astounded to say the least. I am lucky in one respect that my job is quite physical in fact and I’m up and down stairs by the thousand I’m sure in a 12 hour shift, (I work in a palletising warehouse in a chocolate factory) sheesh my legs get tired by the end of 12 hours. I’ve ordered a pedometer so I can actually track how many steps I do in a shift. Thanks Igorasusual and SunnyB for your words of encouragement they really have helped me to keep going when I was off the wagon rolling around in the mud. This week I hope will be different and I’ll really stick to only the great food choices. There’s no doubt that I do feel thinner around the belly.
The junk I blew out on this week was some maltesers, sweetened yoghurt with sweet passion fruit in it, a big box of KFC , a packet of potato chips, a couple of slices of toasted white ‘grainy’ bread. None of this food really satisfied me tho. I was aware of that after I ate it. I would feel a kind of belly bloat but still be hungry for something else. That was a real eye opener for me in my first week. If I eat really good quality protein and some quality carbs I can last sooooo much longer before I need to eat again. Wowsers. I love this system and all you fellow BSDers are such a huge inspiration. Thanks for being out there. Love yooz all xxxx.

Hi there
Rich I was just like you monster appetite but it is easy after 41 years of failing diets it works it is cheap as you eat modest amounts and my appetite walked out the door two days after I started I have lost almost 3 st in 11 weeks go for it you will be amazed and wonder why you doubted this plan goes against all the rules but it works because it does go against the rules. Keep us posted on your progress we are always here for support 🙂🙂🙂

Sorry to hear you are struggling a bit Izzy. Hold on in there, we are all rooting for you.

Hi Rich — I couldn’t get with the recipes either so I just made simple good food — roasted chicken with steamed vegetables and green salads with vegies added, small amounts of salad dressing. Breakfast I was satisfied with eggs, cheese, heavy cream in my coffee. I found that the more simple the better. It seemed like just staying focused on the diet took most of my energy so I didn’t add anything else that wasn’t strictly necessary. Just stay simple — a few months focused on just this is just fine. Plenty of time later to get more “on your plate”, literally and figuratively. I will look for your future posts. Best wishes, Julia

Day 21. BS 7.8 mmol/L. Long walk today with Lucky. Beautiful warm days now Spring is here. Glad you both liked Quolls the ones we see are bright orange with white spots and have thick coats. They are related to the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger both have that canine hunters jaws and very sharp teeth. Nocturnal.

Hope everyone is well.

Thanks for sharing this. How marvellous!
I am struggling with my plateau ad constipation but will continue with the diet. Sugar levels have also stopped dropping.

But i feel much better. No heaviness in the stomach region. sleep is better.

I am travelling for 3 weeks at the end of Sept and that will be a real test.

I have to increase my level of activity. I just have to.

All the posts I read are so motivating.

Thanks to all those who share.

Hi …. the 140 pounds doesn’t sound too bad …. your health is worth it!!
I don’t even know how to drive …. and really it’s a big expense to drive. I can afford that or my private Clay Aiken concerts!! 🙂

I’m not doing my diet with anyone …. except you and my friends here.
But my sister may join me in general weight loss … but she only has 10 pounds or so to loose … while i have about 70.

BUT ….. i do fit into a new bathing suit already …. so i can dump my crappy one when i go to aquabics! 🙂

I haven’t started the 800 calories yet …. but i’ve been sort of fasting for a week. I started with just the 12-hour fast every day for a week.

And i plan to up my exercise from zilch to something!!! Only short walks to date.

Liro, Lucyjane … glad you are enJOYing your special meals!!!
I went and picked out a really expensive Olive Oil and the the owner picked out a much cheaper one!! He should know. I also got a sterling silver spoon ring at the street fair/jumble sale … i’ve been wanting one since i lost my Avon one decades ago … been looking on eBay … so for 20 dollars i even had it fitted for me.
Had a local tea at Spa for You … and decided to treat myself to a spa item for every 10 pounds i loose … p. s. some of the items are not that expensive.
Also i joined the community centre for 5 dollars … and see they have some free exercises for seniors and foot care appointments for seniors … also free!!
The Yoga will cost but i think i would like some good instructions for 6 weeks. Then i can join the yoga or Tai Chi/Chi Gong classes that are free with my gym club membership. I just need to get more fit before i tackle the gym classes.
No longer walk today but 4 small ones.

Hi team let’s do it!
So day 6 of 7. Weight slightly up this morning to 101.9 but still down. Made the lamb eggplant last night and used too much salt. Can’t say it was very good.- maybe I over cooked the mince. It was a bit dry.
My carbs have consistently been under 50 gm this week. I will have a ham and cheese crepe today ( Sunday family tradition) just one, buckets of coffee, and a lentil chicken breast salad for dinner. Less salt. 10,000 steps. Hoping to hit 101.5 and under tomorrow for week 1 weigh in. Week 1 done. Will feel better when I’m writing week 7 done and dusted! Still the weeks do seem to fly by these days so let’s hit week 8 at least 8 kilos down. For me the toughest part is no wine as we love dinner out time with friends etc with wine. Still it’s not for ever but it was time to pull back.
Liro I am very interested about tp healthy gut bacteria as there seems to be a real link with this and obesity. How is everyone else going?

Bought a blood sugar home testing kit today. I need to fast for twelve hours before doing the test and stupidly I’ve just gone and eaten something before going to bed so I won’t be able to test until 11:30am tomorrow!

We don’t own a car as we live in the middle of London, but at the moment we have a hire car as we’ve just been on holiday. We took a day trip to Margate today and on the way back called in at Tesco to buy all the ingredients for the Week One menu. Around £140 for two people, which isn’t too bad as I won’t be buying any food from the canteen at work or from the shops on the way back home.

@shalimar – are you doing the diet with anyone?

Just went out to a fabulous sushi restaurant. Limited myself to salmon sashimi and edamame beans and then finished my son’s chicken curry Ramon soup once he’d eaten all the chicken and noodles. Yum. And I am feeling very virtuous.
Although I’ve just got home to an invitation to a birthday afternoon tea. Not sure how I do that low carb!

Shalimar, that sounds like a good idea to buy quality ingredients like that olive oil that seem special or indulgent when you cooking your healthy meals.

I did grocery shop yesterday a little bit too close to lunchtime…..but instead of the usual my body went into crave overdrive for fresh seafood and salad greens….came home with a trolley full of greens and salmon and prawns etc and had a gourmet lunch! What’s difference a week makes.

Still waking up very hungry but it’s not bothering me, taking comfort that it must be working.

6 days down and 2.7 kg down to 113.3 this morn. I really think I can stick to this long term. Now just need to get the body moving.

Congratulations Stewart! 🙂
What an inspirational story – you have taken charge of your life and I bet that in addition to the weight loss you feel so much better.

Fantastic effort – onwards and downwards!

Thank you so much for posting. 🙂

Thanks Janet

I’ve always said I was at the back of the queue when patience was being handed out – I must be getting old LOL But I do have stick-at-it-ability 😃

Big hugs 😊😊😊

So delighted for you captainlynne. You are our role model for patience and perseverance. Amazing achievement.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Sounds like a great idea. Those chocolates sound lovely. I had a small piece of Green and Black’s 85% cocoa tonight (17g I measured it). Just 1 lb now to the next stone boundary and my weight starting with a 12 for the first time in decades.

Hi Izzy
sorry that you;re not feeling great.
Don’t know anything about Addisons, sorry, but I do remember that when I had antidepressants a few years back, there were was quite a lot of concern about taking them regularly, and the side effects of not doing so, or stopping them too quickly. I think it only applies to certain brands, but do take care with that.
Lots of love & very best wishes with getting your mojo back.
SOON!

I haven’t got the book, so can’t really comment on specific recipes, but yes carrots and other ‘below ground’ veg are much more carb heavy than the ‘above ground’ type. Maybe some of the other meat and vegetables used are due to the ‘Mediterranean’ nature of the recipes. I just miss out the bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and sugar from my usual recipes and meals, occasionally adding an alternative like courgetti for pasta or cauliflower mash for potato. This seems to work well for me.

hi
if you use the search box (top right hand area of the page, there are a number of existing threads about constipation which you may find useful
You’ll probably find it useful to use one of the online calorie counters – FatSecret, My Fitness Pal, calorie count – there are loads of free options on line. I prefer FatSecret, they have a UK specific site, so no measurements in cups, lots of UK supermarket brands, I find it easier to use than MFP and there’s a lot less ads. It will help you track calories, carbs, fats, protein – just about any food related nutrient you can think of.
Also, as a visual reminder, I like the carbs in fruit and veg images from DietDoctor – I have them on my kitchen wall
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/vegetables

I haven’t used any of the recipes at all – if you want to substitute stuff, just use an online calorie counter to track the nutrients that you use.

Hi everyone
I’ve just started the 8 week diet because I want to lose weight and feel healthier and fitter. As far as I know, I’m not pre – diabetic but my BMI puts me in the overweight category. In my first week I’ve lost 5 lb. but badly affected by constipation. I’m looking for some advice re understanding the recipes in the 8 week book. A lot of them I’m ok with as they are similar to meals I normally cook (but now I’m having no carb with them). I am puzzled as to how the ingredients are chosen e.g there’s beef mince but not stewing beef, only red peppers are ever used – is there something wrong with yellow and green? Carrots are used sparingly – are they too carby? And no cabbage? It would help if there were guidelines to help with this as I’m not too keen on being dictated to on choice of recipes. Also (last question, sorry) why so many seeds?

Thanks Tizzie

I’ll be posting about maintenance soon – watch out for a new thread!

Looking forward to seeing you reach maintenance – do you have far to go?

Congratulations CaptL,
you have been an inspiration since I first found out about BSD.
I look forward to hearing about how you get on in the maintenance phase and also to joining you there at some point.

Great to hear about your success on this diet, it should inspire many more people to give it a go.
The fact that the BSD can make a massive difference in such a short space of time is something I wish I had known ages ago! Barriers to starting a diet when you are very overweight are the perceived pain and the time it takes to get anywhere. Not so with this way of eating. I know I can do this in some form, forever- something I’ve never said before about any previous weight loss/healthy eating plan.
Congratulations on your remarkable achievement so far.

Hi Christine

I’m starting my new Moleskin today. Maintenance instead of weight loss.

Will start a new thread later today or tomorrow. Need to wake up! Traveling home yesterday was a nightmare. East Coast Mainline had significant delays because of damage to overhead cables at Retford. Had to dash from King’s Criss to Euston to travel on West Coast Mainline. Instead of one train (with reserved seat) the journey home was – London to Manchester, Manchester to Huddersfield, Huddersfield to Durham, then taxi home😱 I should have left at 18.30 arriving home about 21.30. Instead I left at 16.30, arriving at 21.30. It was a very, very, long day. I’ll say no more at the moment!

Hi Izzy,

Hang in there honey… it feels like you have let yourself get a little run down.

Taking time to rest, doing activities you find relaxing, eating regularly and getting to bed on time will all help.

The work room will be there ready and waiting when you are feeling a little better.

I know it seems like skipping your medication is not so important – but when combined with the other physical symptoms it may play a small part – and if you have Addisons the effects of the condition may be contributing to that slight anxiety. It will be good to have that looked at in more detail at your next appointment.

Thinking of you and sending good thoughts and virtual hugs🌻

P.S. good news about the keyrings and the interest in the coasters😊

Helloooo
How is everybody. Had a really good day. Cleaning and sorting, up and down the stepladder, bending and twisting, but now my back is stiff and tender, why after all that exercise! But it will be good after a rest I hope!
Today have eaten – crudites, 1oz cheese, boiled egg and some salad cream (I know not ideal but all I had, been shopping since). For dinner quorn meal off the site, ’twas very nice. Greek yogurt, grated apple, cinnamon for this evening.
How has everybody else fared today? xx

hi I’m just checking in. I’ve been really struggling to the point I’m concerned I’m getting ill again.

My energy levels are increasingly up and down, making it hard some days to prepare food and be organised, I’ve seen my tolerance for the things the kids do plummet, and my motivation for stuff has pretty much slipped away. I know this hasn’t been long – just a few days, but it already feels like a longer time.

I’m ok in some ways, my friend and I went to The Rocky Horror Picture Show last night and I functioned ok. I was feeling tired by the end but not exhausted. Today the kids have been winding each other up all morning, then I took them to a local fundraiser I wanted to support and then a brief shopping trip to get my son a jacket. By the time we got home I was exhausted. My daughter wanted to hoover my car (trying to earn pocket money lol) so she was out there and my son was with her and I decided to watch something on youtube, 5 minutes in and I fell asleep! I forgot to take my anti depressant a couple of days this week but I don’t think that would cause this so it’s back to wondering if I have Adisons disease after all. I need to chase up the blood test as I still haven’t had an appointment and I’m heading back to the hospital for my next appointment on 5th october and he was expecting me to have had all my tests by then.

In other news between folksy and ebay I’ve now sold 3 keyrings. My friends who have seen the coaster set I painted as a gift have all said they know people who would buy them and I have ideas for more designs. Just not sure I have the energy to paint them!

Ok Positive thinking time… I had a nap today and will get myself tucked in bed at a decent time. Tomorrow I might be out visiting a friend, I will do some food planning and try to be organised and I will have another early night, then I have work next week so I will try to get proper early nights done the whole week. Maybe that will be enough. Next week my husband is home with our son so although I am working I won’t need to be up so early as won’t have his lunch to make and take him to childminder, and also it should be a less stressful week as I don’t need to stress about being home in time to pick him up either. The week after I am off for that week to be at home with my son (my childminder has 2 weeks hols) so hopefully all of this combined will be enough to give me a bit of a boost again.

Thank you so much for your comments – we are all in this together and when I started it was people stories that really encouraged me.

Onwards, downwards and lighter as they say!

Metric and Imperial? That’s inspired!

I’m thinking of getting one of those pack of 6 chocs from Hotel Chocolate (70% cocoa and with ginger on the top). Husband can then dole one out to me each time I earn one (& then hide the rest away again!).

Thanks sunshine girl, will check it out…much appreciated😊🌻

JANEY! You have my sympathy..i have sciatica too.and i’m sure Lucky has it also..
Its horrid how it can be triggered isnt it..youre going round minding your own business and then you innocently climb a few steps or go up a flight of stairs or are rash enough to do a bit of a skip and a jump,and bam..it starts! And once it starts,who knows when it will stop again! Gahhhhhhhhh!
Had a very bad bout of it after moving house last November..could barely walk for a few months grrrrrr….
Sciatica and plantar fasciitis and arthritis are new delights ive discovered as ive got older..
Older age is not for cissies… X😐😐😐😐

Hi Lynne,
Awesome! Well done, you must be pleased with that and when you go onto maintenance you can allow those few pounds to go on, I have found that the pounds fluctuate between 3 and 0 pounds on and off over the space of the week, so there is room for manoeuvre there.
Great news, looking forward to hearing about the trip you made, or is it top secret?
Christine.

I’ve just run the keto thing again – my weight has fallen since I first did it, and I am now aiming for lower carbs.
now the ideal mix for me, given the 30g carbs, is 50g protein and 54g fat.
If the link doesn’t work, cut & paste the web address.

Irritating with fruit isn’t it – I bought some delicious cherries yesterday without thinking about the carb content – they are VERY moorish, but equally carby!

Stewart, what a result! Congratulation. And thanks for sharing. Your last sentence says it all.

Imogen, just saw your post I can recommend the Sigoma 8GB Waterproof MP3 player only around £25 and can be used in the water as well as while out walking, very stable so no jumping if you want to run or exercise, easy to put music on and holds about 600 tunes plus radio. Check it out on Amazon.

JANEY i wd love to roller blade/rollerskate! That really sounds uplifting and fun x

IMOGEN I totally get what you mean..when i was doing 5:2 i used to always have a declutter on fast days..i liked the idea that while my body was repairing,i was making cupboards and drawers tidier.

I have a tiny ipod that i clip onto my top while i’ m cleaning / tidying..holds a ton of music despite its small size!

I’ m no good at craft but i like to draw and paint..its a great diversion like you said as you can get totally absorbed in what you’re doing.x

Haha, whilst I’d love to confess to wearing neon leg warmers and looking like the Green Goddess in Lycra.. Sadly not! It’s a great form of exercise and with good, loud music, although I have be careful not to trigger my sciatica!!

The roller discos seem to be springing up all over the place round here. Originally we just brought the kids. But life is too short not to have a go! 😎

Congratulations Stewart – you have done amazingly well. Your food sounds really lovely. How fantastic that you have come so far so quickly.
Yeo Valley Yoghurt and blueberries are one of my favourite meals also. I had it for lunch today.

Thanks Frog, Orchid and Bellanon ….. i was actually trying to find this information a few months back!!!!

THANK YOU

Hi Janeycoughdrop, 👏

Roller disco?….really…are there still roller disco venues?? 🐒

I live out in the sticks these days so may have missed the resurgence of these!!
Do you wear special spangly clothes? Leg warmers?
Sounds fun…if risky😱

I am using a food tracker app called My Plate. It supplies the carbs protein and fat for each food item. I can see how many of each I am consuming daily. Apples and mangos each are near the top of the list of fruits with higher sugar content, even though the carbs are complex. Additionally, I do remember reading to avoid tropical fruits.

Hi Shalimar
http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com is a site that Igor often recommends – I have used it and thought it was useful.
You put in your personal details , target calories, carbs etc, and it comes up with recommended fat and protein

When I was aiming for 50g of carbs, it came up with 45g protein and 50g fat (or vice versa) – I mentally remembered as pretty much 50/50/50. TBH, if I am counting carbs and calories, I tend to stick to BSD principles and let the other stuff fall out by itself.

You can then use the targets that the keto site gives as goals in Fat Secret/My Fitness Pal or whatever you are using to track.

Personally, with any recipe, I always calculate the calories, carbs etc from the ingredients that I use – I often vary recipes that I use, and invariably adjust the quantity that I make.

Yowser, Boredom is definitely a trigger for me to eat😱

Think I need to get some portable music device…would help on walks too…managed a 10 mile walk this week…could have used some music then!! Love zumba, dance, any kind of exercise that includes music – really helps energise me. Not fussy ‘re music as long as not a dirge 😴 … gonna look online for something wearable and not too expensive for my tunes…thanks for that reminder.

At the moment, in an attempt to simplify and de-stress I find clearing out upboards, sorting clothes, identifying items/furniture I can happily live without to pass on. I can track my state of mind by the relative chaos in my my home😲, I feel better when that feels ‘under control’.
Other times any creative activity…making, sewing, art, crafts, can be a perfect diversion.

SEARCHED the topic and found this sensible post.
__________-
posted by orchid
on 5 Mar 2016 at 17:49
Reply • Report post • permalink

Hi,
I suggest you look at the thread ‘How many carbs’ and ‘losing belly fat’ where there is more background.
I think is really depends on the individual (male/female/activity levels/overweight or not). I have been on the diet 4.5 weeks and for the first 4 was concentrating of the 800 cals per day. I then saw a few threads where people were saying that if you get stuck on weight loss, you may need to lower the carbs. I was not stuck, but it was a step change, eg no weight loss two days, then a drop of a kg. I looked at my daily percentages and they varied a lot day by day. Like you I went looking how ‘how much is recommended’ so I had the right proportions.
I thought I had seen 30% carbs in book (ie 60 grams carb per day) and there was a thread (How many carbs) that has this advice (with thanks to janet1973):
100-150 grams per day: This is a decent maintenance range, and is good for people who exercise a lot.
50-100 grams per day: This should lead to automatic weight loss, and is a good maintenance range for people who don’t exercise that much.
20-50 grams per day: With a carb intake this low, you should lose weight quickly without experiencing much hunger. This carb range should put you into ketosis.
I decided to set my target as 60 grams as I did not intend to go into ketosis. I was not as worried about protein and fat so was happy if they were 35% each. I started to make changes last week and have steadily lost weight over the week day by day – an improvement on the step changes of before.
However! What I have seen this week is a lot of water loss, and headaches. Accidentally (I entered something into my calculator incorrectly) I only had 25% carbs yesterday and I had cramps through the night!
I may well be that the 60 grams for me is too low and that my ketonic boundary and I am sitting on it, confusing my body (see losing belly fat threads from pmshrink).
I have just found a website that suggests the following (inactive-active);
45-65% Carbs
10-35% Protein
20-35% Fat.

This last week I was averaging 30%:35%:35%.
I am going to up the carbs to 70 grams to avoid the cramps etc. and will see how that goes. As I said to begin with, it will depend on your own makeup so I suggest you adjust a little each week and see what works best for you.
Good luck!

Well I’m at the roller disco, for the first time since the school holidays started… It’s clear I’m out of practice! But it’s a great way to lift the mood (whilst avoiding breaking a limb!!). Who cares if I’m technically old enough to know better!?

Oh That is just brilliant how you have turned yr life around!
Thanks so much for sharing,it us so inspiring to read of the changes you have made to yr health,yr appearance,yr life!
Who knew 19 weeks could be so lifechanging! X👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Congratulations. I’ll try your favorite recipies!!

I’m know i’m going to have great results, when i stick to this, also!!!!

YEAH!! HURRAH!!