Thank you. how about cherries and grapes? Also I thought I would make some vegetable soup. Do I take it I cannot use potatoes? Knorr veg stock cube, carrots, leeks and onions – would that be ok. I appreciate your help as there is so much that I don’t eat and any suggestions would be great. Mary

Hi Mary
So sorry for your loss. We lost my (grown up) stepson almost 8 years ago in a plane crash, and whilst you never get over the loss, over time you do get used to it and learn to live with it. As I think Izzy said, your son would be proud that you are picking yourself up and moving on, and would probably tell you that by taking control of your weight and therefore health you are stepping in the right direction to living every day to the fullest. I know…who knows what our lost ones would have thought or said, and what right have I as a stranger to presume I would know, but I feel it in my bones that losing someone is a wake up call to grab your own life and squeeze every drop from it!

Anyway, I am 1 week in and loving every second so far…I’m not veggie so am able to follow the four week plan in the book, but I am sure that everyone will help you out, and there are lots of meals that are veggie without proclaiming it (like the Mediterranean platter, Greek salad with attitude!) and I am sure you will quickly find an alternative to eggs.

Best of luck with it…we are all here for you 😘

Well done Lucia,
I’m so pleased that no swans or ducks were harmed whilst you rowed indoors.

Hey FabEllie!
I’m a fan of the cauliflower rice too! I did, however, just not tell my husband what it was till after he’d eaten it all! 😁

Hi green Janet. I used the grated mozzarella in the recipe and it was wonderfully sticky and stretchy! Yummy!

Maybe it’s some kind of weird detox euphoria, but I am literally in heaven after today’s poached egg and salmon stack!!!
After yesterday’s pure comfort of cheesy beans, this was so elegant I’ve already earmarked it for Christmas morning breakfast and want to held a brunch party right now! And soooooo tasty! All that was lacking was a glass cava, but d’you know what….it was so good I didn’t even miss that!

Good eating everybody!
LesleyB xxx

That’s the issue. No full Monty fry up with several rounds of white toast to get through the hangover. Gah, even the tea smells funny when I drink it. Eggs and maybe a leftover BBQ sausage will have to do. When I can get out of bed.

Yes, seriously, seriously! I don’t fret majorly about body issues anyway after my year of living dangerously but my OH got me into it. We go to Vera Playa in Spain. You can walk down the street in nothing but sunglasses. And flip flops. Given the size, shape and age of many of our fellow holiday makers, I don’t worry about not looking picture perfect! And V ery little holiday washing to bring home!!! And no tan lines 😱 We went to a place near Skegness once to. Not the same. At all.

I’ve done all I can off my list that won’t wake the remaining 50% of sleepers up, need to hoover through before I can mop… washing is all done and drying in the dryer because it’s crap weather. Dishes are all done, hob cleaned after cooking the steak >.< I need to make my scotch eggs now, and inventory my freezers. Yes, inventory my freezers, because evidently, I have no life! And seemingly, no food either, despite both being full. Full of WHAT? Frozen bloody vegetables, that’s what.

*Lucky’s hand doesn’t go up* – fresh as a ruddy daisy me! I do feel for you, Janey. I could put wine away and then function, run a business for 12 hours a day, come home, sort the kids, do the housework, cook a meal from scratch… and get drunk again. Now? Even one bottle of wine and I have to completely write the next day off. Even if I don’t consider myself tipsy at the end of the night. And I’ve read about how being low carb affects you, so now probably one glass and I’ll be ruined. There is nothing now that will cure a hangover for me except greasy food. Hubby has to go and get me fish and chips, or a pack of pies, and of course, I can’t do that now. I think that is what’s putting me off drinking now, the fact that I can’t ‘recover’ in my usual fashion. Be kind to yourself today. Sofa, hair of the dog when you can stomach it, vow ‘never again’ and move on. Sod the gardening.

The mirror sounds fab, I wonder how I’d look in it… 5 ft 5 is tall, Janey. I’m 5 ft 1 and a smidge. I have to go on tiptoes to get things at the top of my kitchen cupboards. And that’s the floor level ones… 😉

Seriously? Seriously seriously? I’d never have the balls!

Sue hope things are going ok for you – in your last post it seemed like a lot was going on. I have been struggling recently and have just started looking at posts again to help me to get going once more.

You are an inspiration.

Julia

Hands up who has a hangover. Er..that’ll be me 🙄 Note to self: drinking several glasses of bubbly after 9 weeks on the wagon is not a wise move…..

I intend to loaf about today. Minimal child interaction as just my boy is home, tennis final later, left over BBQ to consume, possible spot of reluctant gardening (where’s Tokyo when I need her?!).

Speaking of tennis, meant to tell you about the best mirror ever, EVER at the tennis club we went to yesterday. It was in the ladies changing rooms and it turned me from the 5’5″ size 14/16 dwarf that I am into a 5’9″ size 10 with my original legs that Claudia Schiffer borrowed! Was like a hall of mirrors type one, but good! The woman who came into the changing room after me even asked me if I’d seen it! Apparently it’s just a cheap B&Q one. I need that mirror!

Oh and Lucky, did I mention I’m a part time naturist?…..☺️

Great Jan. Keep posting your progress please.

Thanks izzy. I will have a look at that site. More school holiday baking today and i caved! So disappointed in myself. Think i should persuade my daughter to cook the silver dollar pancakes you mention. She likes the pancakes made from just banana,SR flour and eggs. At least there isnt any processed sugar in them i suppose……

Thinking if going back for a after session,
And swim,
And sauna and steam room.

Just didn’t want the fit squad not let me out..

So I came out ok…. So I can go back in….😀🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻

Yup. They let me out……
I am on to their games. Ha ha…..

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Just wore t shirt and baggy leggings, pumps, took a towel and a bottle of water.

Went in white and dry.
Came out red and sweaty.

Job done

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Okay so here it is….

I signed up for a day pass at the local gym….. To see if they let big birds in.
Yes, they do…..
So let’s see if their equipment can take the Weight…

I went on the bike that looks like a chair for ten mins to warm up.
Then the cross country stand up machine that feels as if you are walking through mud with two walking sticks 20 mins
Then the rowing machine, I frightened a few of the ‘professionals’ in there when I shouted… Mind the ducks and swans… As I continued to row my boat for ten mins

Then n the bike chair thing to slow it all back down and regroup.

Was able to walk…..
Was able to walk with my chins held high…..

So if you are thinking of joining a gym, if the building can still stand after I’ve been there, then it can cope with anything.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Thankyou Switzerland it was great last night when I was finished that aside from bringing down the stuff that needed washed I left everythimg else where it was.

Thankyou Ruth, there are many here who have gone past 8 weeks, check out Happylife, Bill, Lucia and Captainlynnes threads to name but a few! truckloads of inspiration on those pages.I am edging towards bmi 30 yes, less than 3 lbs are needed to pass the 30 barrier. I tend to lose quite slowly so it may be a few weeks but BSD has shown me I CAN.

Good Luck with your weigh in!

I’ve had about 5 hours sleep urghhh

yes we are allowed butter so long as you count it into your calories.

margarine is highly processed, a little butter is better 🙂

Hi Izzy Thanks for your post. Am still getting used to the forum and my laptop. Should have done my reply to all of you who posted. Thank you. I shall report in tonight to say how today went. Not got into the swing of calorie counting yet but aim today to eat lower cal stuff. Are we allowed butter?
See my previous post for my update below
Mary

Hi
Thanks for the tip about cheese. I love cheese and really like goats cheese so I will check out the recipes for veggie ones. So today is the first day of the rest of my life – have had mint tea so far – 3 cups – with fresh mint and also will be having lemon balm tea from the garden. Cannot get any fresher. I think what will help me is to have a cup of herbal tea always in the tea pot and a cup poured out so that I don’t have to think about any other kinds of drink. I do that at work I have a large teapot but of course tea bags with these. think I will have yogurt for breakfast with sunflower seeds and blueberries added. It is the wrong
yogurt as it is 0 fat with vanilla it is really nice. So tomorrow the correct yogurt. Can we eat grapes and cherries? as these are one of my favourites. I have a nutri bullet can we use drinks made from that which is mainly fruit water and some greens like kale? I also have at the moment gastroparisis which means my stomach does not empty as it should which is causing all sorts of problems. I have to take tablets half an hour ish before I eat a meal so that for me should be better as I have to focus my mind on when to eat and what.
So will report in this evening to say how it went. Much thanks. Mary

Congratulations to Izzy and Switzerland on your inspiring weight loss. Izzy I think your BMI would be getting very close to under 30 as well as I am your height and 30 bmi is 10st 10.5 for me (78.4kg) as I am only 151 cm) I have a very long way to go before I get to it, but you and all the BSDers have inspired me. Week 2 weigh in tomorrow morning Australian time

I love it that you have kept going past the 8 weeks.

Keep inspiring us.
Ruth

In April I had a Hba1c test which gave a result of 60. This was repeated and gave a result of 56. I was told that I am type 2 diabetic. I am 60 years old. Since then I have cut out sugar and reduced carbohydrate intake and lost 10kg.

The recently repeated Hba1c reading was 38.

What does this signify? Am I still type 2 diabetic but just controlling my blood sugar better or am I now non-diabetic?

Thanks

Brian

We did say naked, or rather Janey did, that one’s a bit of a dark horse methinks. It’s all coming out now. Naked butlers, patchwork quilting, English Heritage. What other hedonistic tendencies are you keeping covered up, Missy?

I hope you get some sort of a lie in… 2 am, you must have been engrossed in what you were painting, is all I can say! Very little would make me want to see two 2 o’clock’s in one day!! Not even naked men.

Scales are up by a pound today but I’m not that bothered because I have another NSV. My wedding ring (2002) and eternity ring (2003) fit perfectly. Because I was pregnant when they were both bought and I must have had sausage fingers or something. Engagement ring, however, was 1999 and I was 11 stone… so in the climb to nearly 18 stone, my ring finger has ended up with a kind of… muffin top spilling over the top of the engagement ring. It was not budging and at times could be quite painful. Today, with a bit of a twist and turn, the ring now comes off! So, I can’t lose weight from my cankles to fit into my boots, but my finger poses no issue, evidently 🙂

Food today is beef burger without the bun. Beefburger salad, essentially. I’ll shove gherkins and all manner on it. And for lunch/brunch I’m making some scotch eggs with Heck sausage, my double yolkers, and I’ll put a smidge of almond flour on as a coating. Have to make some for the children too, and I use dry sage and onion stuffing mix to coat theirs, little trick I found in the very first cookbook I ever owned. It’s so good, tastier and crunchier than breadcrumbs, but it’s got wheat in it so… almonds with a bit of dried sage for ours, methinks!

Still in a lot of pain today, and my allergies are going nuts, my nostrils feel like they’re being pricked by a million needles, but just stopping short of making me sneeze, so I have that non-sneeze discomfort too. I am permanently on the verge-of-sneeze. So I’ve abandoned my mammoth, never ending, to-do list for a shorter one of ten things I must do today before I can retire for the day. Day of rest, pfffffft. Catch y’all later 😉

Hey Jan
Probably a bit far to come for a cuppa, but as I sit here writing this, I’m sipping on my Passionfruit tea, so that will have to do.
I believe there are other Sydney siders on the BSD, but none that live nearby to my knowledge, I’m on the Northern suburbs train line between Chatswood and Hornsby if there’s anyone else out there that wants to meet up for a walk and a natter?
I’ve been reading a bit about how there is a link between polyunsaturated fats and autoimmune diseases such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and asthma. In David Gillespie’s book, Eat Real Food, he goes into great detail of how Fructose and the high levels of particularly Omega 6 in polyunsaturated oils are the main suspect in the rapid increase of a lot of common illnesses over the last 100 years. It makes sense now that you are eating better that your symptoms have disappeared 😀
We just got back from walking both dogs for another 2 hour + walk.
Most Sunday mornings I spend doing stuff with my 85 yo Mum and 88 yo Uncle. My Dad’s 87, but he generally doesn’t want to join us! He did last weekend for a 10k walk, but not for this morning just sitting around the dining table with a cuppa talking about old times!!
The weight loss doesn’t necessarily slow down, if you’re sticking to the plan, you can expect to keep losing every week. Just look at CaptainLynne!
You’ve got all of Sunday ahead of you so enjoy your day😀
Cheers
Linda

Jan, thanks so much for info. You are doing so well, must very motivating. I have lost between 6.5 and 7 lbs which is fabulous for me, and will be having the beans for Sunday night supper thank you. My husband loves them so it makes them easy.

I agree with you, recipes and food should be fairly simple, although I have been making seed and nut and non wheat flour pancakes for a long time, so will keep doing that, just having one instead of 2! They are very easy. I just mix up the mixture

I read heaps of stuff before I started including Izzy who is, or rather was, about my size and height so I expected to lose at about the same rate. I know we are all very different but it gave me some idea.

Your address is marvellous. I have never been to Kent, but my husband comes from another market town, Romford in Essex. He actually comes from Dagenham ( Dudley Moore also).

Our weather is wonderful today, crisp winter sunshine, with a cool morning. Hope my book comes soon. I have borrowed an e-book but I do not like it as much, even though I can read it fairly easily.

I have sciatica and slightly high blood pressure, so would like not to have back operation and not to have to take BP medication. I have high hopes

All the best
Ruth

Hi Izzy,
It’s really nice that your loft is your happy place. Not just a happy place but a productive creative place as well.
Best wishes.

Sending lots of good wishes to you. As the others have said, there is always support waiting for you on here.
On a practical note, do you eat cheese? There are a number of cheesey recipes (feta, halloumi, even a small amount of cheddar) along with full fat yogurt as a protein source to go with salads and veggies. Homemade soups are great for keeping you full.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

Hi Kenne1s, way to go!! Well done👍👍👍👍
It’s actually a lot less scary in reality than when you first read the book, isn’t it?
To be honest, after doing this for 12+ weeks it’s actually become automatic to weigh everything and to keep track on the app of what I’m eating and although I lose more in some weeks than others, even though I pretty much do the same thing week in, week out, I know it’s just my body and it’ll sort itself out.
Keep it up, time will go quickly and soon you’ll be in clothes that you only dreamed of😀😀

Hey Chongololo, was just thinking about you and wondering how you’re getting on??
Cheers
Linda

Hi kboo
I say ‘go for it’! We both know that you’ve nothing to lose but your weight and the nasty side effects of your allergies, so why not commit to this both for the short and long term! Time will go by regardless of what you choose to do, but I know how I’d like to look and feel about myself when I see myself in the future !! 😀 Keep posting now that you’ve taken the first step and let us know how you get on.

well done on a great first week 🙂

you could also use canned tomatoes or a carton of passata for ease. I use a similar version of the above I like to add chilli, and if you add some soy sauce or worcester sauce, and some sweetner it makes quite a nice tangy sauce, almost like barbecue sauce but not quite… see my Hunters chicken recipe in the recipe section for amounts as I can’t remember off the top of my head.

At about 8pm I disappeared up into my loft den and began the youtube tutorial. In between waiting for bits to dry I finished the coasters I had started, including varnishing. I’ve made a tropical fish one, one with some musical notes, one with a moon and a space ship, and a yin yang. They’ve turned out really well I’m very pleased with them.

My daughter was lovely and brought me several cups of tea, partly because being allowed in the loft is a novelty, partly because she was nosy and wanted to see what I was doing and partly (I hope) because she loves me.

I really, really love my loft and it’s hard to believe that only 1 week ago I hadn’t even started it! However it is now 0200 and my son is often awake by 0700 so I best get going to sleep!

did someone say naked?

I’ve just finished painting… up far too late I will regret it in the morning!

My mid-life crisis – stay up late painting haha

You’ve come to the right place. Your son would be proud to see you trying to move forwards and look after your health.

Be kind to yourself as you find your way forwards, There are other vegetarians here and I’m sure that someone can help you if there is anything in particular you love to eat maybe we can help you convert it to BSD friendly 🙂

Welcome and Good luck

Hi Lucia,
Did you wear another gorgeous dress when you washed the car?
FYI while I was reading about you chasing your neighbor around the car with a bucket of soapy water the Benny Hill Show theme song kept going through my head!
You must have the cleanest car on the planet.
Your recognition of the changes in your energy levels says it all – well done.
BSD for me today: B – yoghurt with strawberries, walnuts, pepitas , sunflower seeds and cinnamon. L – veggie frittata and salad. D – Gruyere cheese, olives and salad.
Have a great day.

Mary: I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear son.
You will find a lot of support here.
I just finished my first week and lost 8 pounds. Coming here and reading the threads and posting about how everyone is doing and what they did to lose the weight has helped me a lot. Plus most of them post their results from week to week which is a great motivator.
take care Nancy

Hi Christine,
I’ll be looking out for you Wednesday (night, my time).
Do you think you could convince the 2 David’s to wear mankinis? The guys wearing mankinis and Borat wigs were highly recognisable on Friday’s stage.
Enjoy.

Hi kboo,
You’ve made the right decision to have an 800 calorie day. Having already done this, you’ll remember that the first days/week are the most difficult as you stop eating the simple carbohydrates. Stick with it, you owe it to yourself.
The BSD way of life has really helped clear my allergies. I have some that I will always have to avoid the foods because I have severe allergic reactions, then there are others. By eating the BSD way I find that the asthma I get improves out of sight and eczema disappears. I haven’t figured out if it’s no processed food or the good fats that are abundant in this diet (or even the exercise and/or mindfulness) but it works for me.
kboo, launch into your BSD mach2 knowing that you have the support of Lucia and all of the gang on this thread. We’re all here for each other.
Welcome.

Naked as in naked naked?? Why not indeed…

I’m off too, shattered. See you all tomorrow, hope your head is ok Janey!

PS: Oh heck yeah Tokyo! We can plan yours with you! I think, for a woman, it’s actually overdue a bit??? See you in the morning, usual time, hopefully a pound lighter… 😀

Yes, yes, get on and do it! Every woman needs one!

i need to have one ( a mid life crisis that is !) i am 51 this year !!!

Each to their own midlife crisis. I enjoyed mine but am glad to be out the other side of it! For my 40th I hired a house and a naked butler for me and my friends because, well, why not! But then I am that rare beast that not only likes ancient buildings (hence English Heritage membership) but also plays CAH and knows the offside rule! Bed is calling now I’ve got rid of all surplus children (my one is flaked out in bed and will sleep in tomorrow) and the duvet of destiny is waiting. Nunite you lovely people! X

I have always wanted to play that game but I’ve never had the right crowd with me that at least two of the questions would offend or upset… I am so jealous 🙁 Glad the weather held and that you enjoyed the cake, sod everyone else, it was for you primarily, wasn’t it?

Omg Janey, what I’ve been doing is pretty tame then? Churches, real ale and fawning over 20 something boy band members??? Adam touched me though. Not inappropriately. But he touched me.

I need to re-evaluate my mid life crisis. Clearly.

Waaaay hay, Janey back in da house! Yes I’ve had a few sherberts but not too much. BBQ went swimmingly, weather held off, kids didn’t kill each other and we’ve all been laughing hysterically playing ‘Cards Against Humanity’ (do not play this if you are of a sensitive disposition!) Strawberry cake was consumed by people in spite of complaints that it was not sweet enough. Tasted fine too me but then I’ve not had sugar for 2+ months!

Love hearing your mid life crisis or ‘before I’m 40’ stories. I had mine at 38 and I dare not write the details on here. Suffice it to say that I decided not to say ‘no’ to anything for 12 months (unless it was dangerous)! I had a riot of a time, a massive card bill, a new car, 2 trips to the USA and a lot of memories, most of which I could never repeat in polite company! By the end I was done for! 6 years on the wild streak is more contained but will always remind me!!! People told me I should write a book. I did briefly have my own ‘Janeycoughdrop’ blog site but it never went anywhere. I’d need to remember whose names had been changed to what!!

They’re fab aren’t they Izzy? But bloody expensive. Do you mean like the patchworky type stuff? That’s what my coat is like, it’s mad and crazy and more like my something the girl I’d like to be would wear than actual me, who spends so much time in black that you’d think I was in mourning. Well, I am. My size 8 figure lol. I love their bold print dresses too. I’ve been looking at the sale that’s on now and I’ve had to stop myself from buying some bargains because I know I’ll only have to pay to alter them. When I reach goal, that’s it, the next sale I am going to have a field day!

Cream soda here 😉 I haven’t had alcohol for about 6 weeks… Lordy…

Haha, it’ll never see the light of day, mark my words. For my eyes only. I can still dedicate it to us though 😉 I can’t wear heels of any description either. I spend about 360 days of the year in flip flops. People think I’m nuts, snow, hail, rain, flip flops.

Yes, I agree with you there. We keep stuff that is too small but there’s no sense in keeping stuff that’s too big. We say ‘Oh I’ll slim into it’ it’s a daft mentality to keep things ‘in case I get fat again’ lol.

I bought a lovely 1950’s style dress for my friend’s wedding two years ago. I loved it but I bet I’d look better in it smaller. That’s another thing I would have altered and is not getting thrown!

One of the things I want to do in my den with customising clothes is things inspired by Joe brown I love those clothes as well. Glad you are writing again Lucky I’m painting and having such fun all on my own in my quiet loft. I too know how to paaaarty, with my cup of herbal tea haha

I’m in my den painting 🙂

My new favourite place

i see we have a budding writer in our midst !! i hope you dedicate your first novel to ” the ladies that no longer lunch”(only if its low carb !!!!!
i do love my clothes and shoes have a look at some shoes called irregular choice they are my faves !!! ( flats cant do high ones!!) so i am always looking for a good bargain !!
my wardrobe contains many sizes large to small but i never seem to through stuff out i am waiting for that cinderella moment but this time once i hit were i want to be i am binning the large !!! or ebaying it !!!
i have never had any luck in primark dont get it !! and i hate any shop that wont do bigger than a 14 they want slapping !!! ( particularly the size 0 assistants !!!)
i am a bit of a vintage gal i love 1950s dresses skirts they suit my figure hourglass i think they call it i say big arse !!!! and voluptuous( if thats how you spell it !!)