Self publish it! Writing erotica??? 🙂 I wouldn’t know where to begin, would you? Not because I’m a prude or anything, by a long shot, but I would find it incredibly cringey. So hats off to those who can. I’m 40 as well, just turned in May, and I’ve been a Mum since I was 19 (and a very immature 19 too), so I’m making time for me. I’m still a Mum of course, and always will be but I feel like I got lost along the way somewhere and this might sound corny, but I’m trying to find out who I am. I am not just a fat housewife and I will be more one day, but baby steps. So I am spending this year pleasing me (not at the expense of others though) and doing what I want to do. I have done NaNoWriMo, my Snowdon climb was cancelled due to bad weather, so I need to reschedule that, I saw and met my favourite group Lawson, I’m doing a hot air balloon ride, and my school friends and I are doing an overnight ghost hunt in the holidays. That’s just a couple of things. Oh, and quit Facebook, that was another 🙂

I knew I was doing NaNoWriMo, so I did do a lot of planning at night in October when the children were in bed, I’m not one for TV, and I wake up early and usually have a couple of hours of me-time then that I don’t want to do anything noisy in. I also knew the story I wanted to write, it’s been bubbling in me since I was 21 in one shape or another so it just flowed out of me. But I couldn’t have done it with a toddler. I did over 50,000 words and it’s still not finished. They still need their happy ending. Or perhaps the sequel this year! It was a lot of fun, one of the most personally challenging things I have done, not just writing it and pushing myself, but running a home and raising four children as well. I would recommend that you do it in a few years if you get the chance. I was really proud of myself.

I’ve arrived at the amazing place of not caring about my street cred Janey! It’s awesome! I’m a female engineer in an all male team and these days I just say what I’m doing I don’t care. They like their little jokes but it’s all in good fun – once the news got out that I had written a children’s novel (not published but one can dream) before I knew it the rumour that I was busy writing erotica was being trotted out. It’s ok though because it’s just for laughs and they know I can take it. I’m 40 and I’ve been there for 24 years so I’ve actually trained a lot of the young ones. It’s kind of nice to be able to just be me, whichever ever evolving version of me that happens to be, in any day, in any company.

Luck two carbs lol that did make me giggle. I know what you mean about people not wanting to pay much, but in a few years if we can clear all our debts I won’t need to earn much. I have learned from a friend who sells craft that she doesn’t take random orders anymore, she decides she wants to make 20 of an item then offers 20 slots on her website for that item. I know my hourly rate will be entirely diminished but the lure of being able to spend all day making things and dreaming up new things and writing is just too much to resist!

I just googled Nanowrimo as I hadn’t heard of it, and although it does sound like fun there is no way I could do that! I work 4 days per week, I have 2 kids one of them still only 3, a husband who works long and weird hours, and a temperament prone to anxiety. There is no way I could write 50000 words in one month lol. The novel I have written is about that length and took me a year! I did stop and start so I think I could do that again in perhaps 6 months.

That should read chips OR new potatoes, I wasn’t that bad…

They call me Lucky. Lucky Two Carbs…

I’m stuffed too! One steak, fat not eaten because I don’t like fat (oddly enough!), fried onions and two large mushrooms quartered, fried too. All in olive oil. How did I manage to eat a massive mound of chips and new potatoes as well? It’s not just the inches and the pounds, what on earth has happened to my insides too in the short space of four weeks?

Thanks for the welcome Izzy

Just read a few of your previous messages – and saw your 8 week result. Amazing – Well done, plus you are continuing onwards.

Best of luck for that

It was lovely too. I didn’t realise it was this early, thought it was five o’clock! Oh dear…

That’s what I hope Janey, it’s not like I had chips or potatoes with it, and I’m still coming well under the calories I used to put away of a day, I don’t even want to think about it, but it was nowhere near 2000, I can tell you!

It’s absolutely lashing it down here, you’d never think it was July!

Just keep them away from historic (expensive) windows with the ball and you’ll be fine. Anyone says anything, deny they’re anything to do with you…

Thanks Jan

Wow – 14 lbs in 11 days is awesome, I would almost hit my 10% target loss with that result! I haven’t weighed myself yet, I kow MM says to weigh often, but I started on a Monday so will make Mondays my scale days.I don’t feel any lighter so far, but will find out in two days time. I’m making low cal veg soups for lunch, frittata for breakkie, and had big salads and Corgetti Quorn Bols for dinners so far.

Keep up your big losses!

Pizza pastie sounds delicious Izzy. You could open a bsd bakery!!
I have clients on this plan now and they are really losing well. Some have over the carbs and don’t lose as well and others like me want to lose faster so stay on it 100%. My client last night lost 13 lbs in her first week so she’s ecstatic. its so fun to see others joy as they get healthy also.
Well I have clients in a little while and then will go for a walk or swim this afternoon.
Have a wonderful day!
💜

Week 11 day 2

Week 10 I lost 0 weight but lost 1.75 inches de to the great news of the Doctor telling me to stop my blood pressure meds since I have low BP after losing 32 lbs on BSD program and 62 in total since last year. Cutting N the BP meds meant I retain more water now but not much.
As of today – day 2 of week 11 – my weight went down so my body is normalizing now again.
Yeah!

Lynne, you continue to be a shining super star!! Congratulations!!
💜

The picnic rug of dampness is cushioning me from the moist grass. It’s not raining now but things are a bit soggy. I’m sure the kids aren’t really supposed to be playing football in the historic sunken garden, but if it keeps them quiet..

Don’t fret about your cals because they’re not carbs so your body will be fine. I’ve been relaxed about calorie counting for weeks now and my waist is still decreasing 😆

Hi Eric! Welcome to the BSD forums! Your experience with fibromyalgia mirrors a lot of others experiences with inflammatory issues (mine too) — this way of eating seems to have a huge anti-inflammatory effect — I had a chronically inflamed knee tendon that had bothered me for two years at least — it got better, got worse, got better, got worse — but since March when I started BSD, it has gotten better and better and I am now hiking this summer with no pain. It seems to me that the diet should be studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. Anyway, welcome and we’ll see you on the posts!
Julia

Oh lovely Izzy, you do so much, if I attempted any of that it would look like a 2 year old’s attempt. I am useless. Now, writing, yes. I have a way with words. Have you ever done NaNoWriMo? I did it last year, it was on my 40 before 40 list and I’ve been wanting to do it for years. The only thing is with selling crafts, and I’ve seen it with my friend’s business, that people want something for nothing all the time. They don’t consider that it’s bespoke and the hours of painstaking work that has gone into each item. My mum sells knitting, and people grumble over paying a fiver for a cardi and hat, yet the wool has cost half that, and my mum’s time in making it too. Then they’ll go and spend four times as much in a posh department store on a baby cardi without batting an eyelid

Yayyy Janey, you said you would have peace from children and peace you shall have, too! Isn’t it moist where you are? It’s moist here! I’ve been reading food magazines on Readly all afternoon, crying, tutting, oh and I’ve found a recipe that might be up your street so I’ll Twitter DM it to you later, incase my screen grab breaches copyright and I get sued… Good grief, cutting it fine, much? Good luck! Bless him, he was gutted.

Patchwork quilting, eh? I’m telling! I wish I could crochet but… it’s not sticking.

Tea is on. I know I’m going over calories today, because my steak is nearly 700 (rib eye, never again, rump next time!). But I’m sticking to good stuff, and I’m having onions and mushrooms only with it. I’ve had an apple after the school fair, plenty of water, and I will have a bowl of greek later with blueberries if I get peckish. I’m not starving myself, that’s how mistakes happen 😉 Plus, I’ve earned it. Cape and Cane of Smugness.

Hi
Just at the end of the first week of 800 cals and feeling a little strange. I have fibromyalgia and severe osteitis arthritis in my knees, but the “fibro fog) is much reduced and the only way I can describe how I feel is its like my brightness level has been turned up! Have lost 8lbs and can really feel it …… Hooray!

Oh and at the risk of losing what street cred I have with my male colleagues and other younger friends, I used to be mad for patchwork quilting! And knitting. Shhhhh, they don’t know I’m like that!!

I’m currently lying under a large sycamore tree in the grounds of an English Heritage castle, having fed numerous kids and fathers, and then ignored them long enough that they have buggered off to explore! Apart from the occasional squeal of an indignant child and the the slight sound of party music coming from the local tennis club ( we have a free game booked in a while) all is peaceful right now. I just wish I’d brought my book. Or stayed home and watched the tennis lol.

Remembered at midday that i had had no breakfast (amazing how it’s possible to forget to eat nowadays) so enjoyed veg sticks, houmous, olives and raspberries for lunch. Ignored chocolate crispie cakes and chipsticks!

Still need to make the cake when we eventually get home, before friends turn up. It’s all go…

By the way Lucky, had to chortle at the Quo/BB King cd debacle. Those pencils will have to be shared out!

Yes I did grumpy and miserable and paranoid and weepy and back round again quite a few times in the first couple of weeks. I’ve not done the 800 plan before but I have fasted completely except for water for periods in the past and experienced the same thing. It is common and in the fasting folklore they regard it as a”detox” of your emotions. So many of us use food to manage our moods and when you take that away, you are left with them pesky troublesome feelings!. It’s a good thing long term! I am feeling very much more stable now at week 5. Weight loss is slow but the mood and outlook is so much better. Onwards!

There are definitely people who have stopped and came back you are not alone. Good luck with your new start.

Caro making it through any day is an achievement so stay proud and keep going. I don’t think the courgette muffin is a popular recipe I’ve not tried it but I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say it was great lol.

I use some recipes from this website for baking with almond flour if you are interested in that…
https://elanaspantry.com/

I regularly make the silver dollar pancakes, they freeze well too so it’s ok to make a big batch knowing they won’t be wasted, and I make the salt and pepper crackers almost every week.

Hi Lynne,
Well done another amazing result, there is no stopping you is there?
I am away next week, so will have a weigh in next Saturday, then I will be starting week 23 on the following Monday!
See you there.
Christine

lol it will be nice to have power. Oddly when I was flooring the loft I came across a power socket installed already that I didn’t know about and didn’t pay for. We are the first owners of this house and I remember having to pay for every extra… I’m not complaining though it will be super useful for me!

I’m very much an amateur but I like to paint, and I want to paint things like boxes and mirror frames etc. I’m painting a set of coasters just now. I also want to alter and customise clothing so I have a sewing machine and dressmakers dummy up there as well. I also like to write so I may even hide up there to do that tool. In the future I want to try many other crafts like jewellery making, pyrography, candle making and no doubt a million other things I haven’t thought of yet. I have plans on top of plans on top of plans but lack the time and funds… In the meantime I will continue to potter around with my paints etc. I’m making my daughter a mermaid tail sleeping bag blanket thingy out of old clothes 🙂

My dream is to give up the day job, stay at home with my kids and make things to sell, but it will be a number of years before we could afford that.

Hi collie,
What a great charity to do a cycle ride for, I admire you immensely, I like to do stuff, mainly just giving money to be honest, for Mary’s meals, it’s a Scottish charity set up initially by a young girl, who used to take photos of her school dinners, as they were awful, then somehow she started doing Mary’s meals, the charity makes sure young school children all over the third world get a breakfast meal then they are able to stay and learn with a full stomach, they also get schools here to fill old school bags with supplies which they then distribute to these same children, there is a specific list that you have to go by, I have been trying to get our school in my parish to something however I haven’t yet got the priest on board!
When do you do this wonderful charity ride? Good luck whenever it is.
Christine

Hello,
Just wanted to put it our there, that I have made to the end of day 2. Not much of a milestone I know, but I am pretty happy with myself. Scales say I have lost 1kg (probably water but hey I’ll take ), but I am most happy that I managed to stay the course given it is school holidays and my young daughter wants to bake every day. So I have managed to bake and not eat it. A miracle for me!! I think it is time to go to bed as I am starting to think about food. The evening is my worst time. About 9pm I would normally grab a bowl of cereal followed by 2 slices of toast with butter – an yes I would have had my dinner a couple of hours before that. Oh dear.
A question – I made the courgette and pumpkin seed muffins today. There was so much moisture in the mix – they didn’t cook through. Has anyone had success with this recipe? I thought if I have to keep baking I may as well make something I can eat. Enjoying reading everyone’s posts.

Hi Switzerland,
We will be on the rout of le-Tour on Wednesday, we were going to the finish at Montpellier but now brother, David has decided it will be better mid route, and as he lives there we accept his wisdom on where to make camp for the day!
Look out for a mad woman with two old geezers with a card with my name on and bsd, I’m going to try and do one!!!!!!!
Crazy or what, christine!

Oh how lovely 🙂 Yes, we all need a sanctuary, don’t we? Mine was my kitchen in my old house, but in this house my kitchen is teeny tiny and it’s a chore cooking and keeping it clean. What sort of crafts do you do? I’m useless and I’m really envious of people who are arty. My friend paints silk cushions and makes peg dollies, another makes cards and sews and cross stitch. I am a reasonably good knitter though, but that’s the height of it! Stick to baby clothes and tiny knitted toys because anything larger and I lose interest/patience!

It’s insured 😉 Made sure of that after what it’s cost us over the years! He’s a devil at car boot sales buying merchandise.

I’d connect them up to alcohol if I had my way! There’s even a wine pump! Imagine! We’re having power put into it next week, finally, after two years of fairy lights and iPods and phones and kindles running out!

Thanks Izzy, I might give them a try! I have a birthday coming up, so maybe ……

In the meantime, I’ve stewed 100g in a little water, if I divide into three for some yoghurty breakfast I should be ok.

Hi Judith,
It seems like months since you were on the forum, I hope you had a good time in Australia?
I can’t take ibuprofen! however, it’s so long since I had a problem I really did forget, then remembered then thought I might be able to get away with it now I’m on this diet? Why I don’t know! then forgot again when I came off them, it was the fact that I had a virus and thought it was a bit of that, it wasn’t until I went to the doctors and he said it was all related and I didn’t understand how that could be? So it was only when it was flagged up by (cherrianne I think) that it all fell into place, I am still having tummy problems, it comes and goes, thankfully, my back and leg are not too bad at the moment, that comes and goes too, I have got my back massager out of the loft and use that if I need to, it really does work.
I cannot have chilliest as I am allergic to them, they actually set my stomach off! Amazing how different food affect different people isn’t it, it’s like an explosion in my stomach whenever I accidentally eat one!
How is your diet going, are you on target? I am losing slowly, which is fine, I don’t think I will be 3 stone lost by the time I go to the doctor at the end of August, however I think he will still be pleased as I haven’t that much more to lose, about 9lb I think.
Looking forward to seeing your posts in the future, we go away in the morning, back Friday, so will have a weigh in next Saturday and see how much I have put on! we are going to my brothers in Bezier, south of France to watch a couple of stages of Le-tour-de-France. I’m really looking forward to it, it will be a challenge however with my food! so we will see.
Christine

lol it’s nice to have somewhere to hide, I recently floored our loft and made myself a craft area so that is my quiet hidey hole! Just take care not to burn the shedpub down…

you could connect the pumps to a water bottle… or juice?

Hi Lynne, staggering results!!! You must be on cloud nine! 16 inches of your waist is amazing! “waves”

Hi Christine, I can’t seem to get on to the forum from my phone and I don’t often come up to use my pc. I hope your tummy is settling down. I absolutely cannot take anti inflammatories without catastrophic results, I once put ibuprofen gel on my damaged leg after being told it wouldn’t cause problems – I was throwing up half an hour later.
These days I stick to a lot ( and I mean a lot) of chillies in my food as they have antiflammatory properties which don’t upset my stomach. My GP gives me zaicin cream for my arthritis (chilli based cream, POM) as my body doesn’t cope with the traditional meds. I wonder if chillies would help you? Not everyone’s taste, I know 🙂

The plot thickens with the tombola wins, Izzy… He’s a huge Quo fan, he’s even wearing a Quo T shirt today. Just gone to play the CD now, opened the case to find… a BB King CD. He’s told me to text my niece to ask for his pencils back. So, not a successful school fair…

No, I haven’t heard of them? Will investigate. Yes, I love quiet. I rarely get any though. Sounds like something I could retire to the shedpub with, lock myself in, with my kindle 🙂 Yes, I said shedpub. My teetotal husband has built a pub. In our garden. Complete with three pumps. Not connected to anything. Because he doesn’t drink… He’s hard work at times, but I love him.

Hi all,
I haven’t posted for a while. Officially finished the 8 weeks at end of May. Total weight loss 8.3kgs (18.29 lbs) and just over 10% of body weight. I have been fitting into a size and a half smaller and so much happier. Finishing weight 71.7 kgs and would like to maintain at ideal goal weight of 70 kgs.
It is my birthday tomorrow… Apparently it is a golden year as I am turning 58 and was born in 58 🎉 😊
All through June I have kept in control with weight up and down by about 0.5 kgs. Didn’t crave sugar at all.
Now it is my birthday month and I feel like I am unravelling all the strong minded willpower and self motivation I have maintained since beginning of April! Sugar is creeping back in! Help??!! CaptainLynne how do you do it??!! I am in awe of you.
I haven’t exercised enough and am so tired from 12 hour shifts 😜 I had a bad day yesterday and have indigestion now after eating out for my birthday and having a rich meal and dessert! I’m going on holidays from Australia to UK and Italy at end August and don’t want to lose the plot now!! I knew this would be the hardest for me to maintain/lose a last couple of kgs. Any suggestions to help me back on the wagon???

lolling at what your husband won! I once won the bottle of wine I donated in a tombola lol.

enjoy your candle, I love a nice smelly candle. Have you had a woodwick one yet? They also make a lovely crackly sound which is nice if you are having some quiet time reading or something… if you like quiet lol.

Hi there welcome to the best bunch of losers you will ever find 🙂

I’m not a veggie but as Jan says there are some here, and many of us are busy making up our own menus as I didn’t like many of the recipes in the book either.

Good luck with the weeks ahead.

Sounds lovely but to high ion carbs for me

blackcurrants… you could add to yoghurt as you’ve said or have some with some cream. or make mini cheesecakes if you have the calories free.

http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/2016/04/low-carb-strawberry-swirl-cheesecakes.html
you could also add some to low carb pancakes or muffins, I’d look here for inspiration.
https://elanaspantry.com/

Yes I used my fitness pal as well, but I find that site unreliable sometimes you have to look and look again. As it sometimes gives opposing values on the same page. I would assume they are not in the plan so not to kind on the carb side.

Welcome Ziggy.

I was a long term veg, but converted to meat and fish to do this eating plan as I need it to succeed but there are quite a few vegetarians on here, can’t remember who. So it can be done. I also make up my own meals as I like to count my own carbs and cals it ensures I get a good weight loss, have lost 14 lbs in 11 days, so get planning, and enjoy.
Regards
Jan

I’ve just treated myself – for once – as a ‘well done’ for completing my first 4 weeks, and I’ve bought myself a nicely reduced large Yankee Candle. I’d have spent as much as the candle cost in a week on wine, I’d have definitely spent more than that much on junk food over the course of the month. I’m not ready for new clothes yet, not when I’ve still so many new and nearly new to get into so… We had it at Christmas last year and it smelled lovely, like a coal fire and… just Christmas in a jar. Looking outside, it’s like Autumn/Winter now. Gloomy and grey. Heatwave my a**e.

Thanks for the reply Jan. Myfitnsspal has them at 7g/100g carbs. You don’t know what to believe when different sites give different values. I might just stick most of them in the freezer for when the family come and cook some without sugar to add to yog. If I can eat rhubarb without sugar, I reckon I can eat anything!

I’m sure it will all be fine, it’s good though to be mindful, then we don’t get caught out. Well done for donating, more should do it. It saves lives and allows so many operations to go ahead. Unfortunately I cannot donate as I have lupus anticoagulant. Hope it goes well
Regards
Jan

I was not thinking about eating unhealthy food just increasing my calorie count from 800 to more like 1200-1400 but still keeping to the diet. I have had problems with light headedness before which is probably mostly due to an inner ear problem

Home! Left on the stroke of one, home now – soaked. Nearly £30 the lighter between hubby and I after they had burgers, chips, drinks, tombolas, raffles, the photoframe was… interesting to say the least, cakes, computer game league (son left in second place and if nobody beats his score he wins £5). I bought some seeds that our local Waitrose had donated, some extremely fancy tomatoes, some basil, spring onions and even tomatillos! Hubby won – you couldn’t make this up – a box of Thorntons chocolates (but on further inspection best before date was on the 31st May) and a make your own cider kit. He’s teetotal. And I swapped two girlie tombola prizes with my little nieces for a Status Quo CD they had won. Hubby now happy. Bought a bottle of water, and I am now munching on an apple. It doesn’t get much worse than this, folks…

Hi.
It’s the fluid balance that causes dizziness post donation, if you are feeling well, drinking well pre donation, then it should all be exactly the same as normal. Eating healthy food is not contraindicated for blood donation. In fact the opposite. But if you have been feeling unwell in any way pre donation then you need to discuss this with the medical officer on site on the day. Hope that helps.
Regards
Jan

Hi
What cheese did you use, I use feta, it’s really lush, very strong cheesy taste, just what we need huh. I’ve found I am tasting things so much better, wonder if that is due to this plan, or just that I am relishing every mouthful. Keep up the good work
Regards
Jan

Hi Bissell
Ooh just looked them up, cal wise they are okay but at 15.4 carbs per 100 g I would be giving them away, nothing wil sabotage my health and weight loss no matter how free they are. So good luck, with that dilemma.
Regards
Jan

Although not a medic I would think that unless you are prone to fainting or anaemic it shouldn’t make any difference how many calories you have had. Let your body tell you, if you feel shaky after have a few nuts – do not see it as an excuse to have the biscuits they offer. I cannot see a need to feed yourself up before donating, just check your bloods after and see how you feel. Good for you giving blood, wish I could but not allowed on meds.

I started the BSD last week and it is going really well, I have lost 8 pounds already.

However, next week I am due to donate blood on Friday and I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on this?

I am planning to eat more calories on the day but should I also eat more on the days running up to it?

Does anyone have any experience donating blood on this diet? Thanks

Oh what a kind friend, never mind it won’t hinder the excellent work I’m sure. Labradoodles they are so cute, we used to have three dogs at one time, two dogs is just right. Lucy couldn’t cope with another dog, it’s a shame I would like to have a gang.
That’s a lovely thought of just putting one foot in front of the other then getting there, but I must admit I feel amazingly well so the thought of sabotaging it just doesn’t enter my head, and today I want to trot everywhere hehe with the wobbly bits, anyway tomorrow there will be less to wobble. It was only a couple of months ago I was being investigated for having SLE, because my symptoms were so bad, but today, all gone.
This weekend, today I am working in my lovely shop, this evening, nice supper, steak might have mashed butter beans, then a nice walk in the fragrant evening air. Tomorrow not sure nothing planned yet, you could pop round for a nice fruit tea if you like hehe. Do you have anyone near you who is doing this, I haven’t found anyone yet, although I think I have probably given a lot of people the idea to have a look at the website. Mind you my sister started yesterday, but she is a 3 hour drive from me, so she can’t pop round either. What do you have planned other than walking of the couscous.

You must be very chuffed, what a great start!

I’ve just picked 750g black currants off my allotment. Normally I would have lots of ideas of how to use them, but I’m struggling!

Any ideas gratefully received!

Thank you! I will. Getting food list and prep sorted out 🙂

Hi ruthdownunder.
Snap im on day 11 and yes I plateaued for a few days between days 5-8 but I have lost 14 lbs now so great. Yes you can have baked beans half a 400g tin is 200 cals and 28.3 carbs. I must admit I’m not following the recipes, I am using them but calculating my own cals and carbs, as I find some of them are grossly underestimated, and I need precision for reassurance, other wise the fat pixies may sneak up on me. Hehe. I am also to keep myself focused putting on here in the form of a diary my daily eating, wellbeing etc it’s in another thread, isn’t this forum wonderful, so ful of tips and advice, I like I am dieting on my own, we are all just one happy international bsd person.
What a wonderful place to live, I live in a medieval market town called Cranbrook Kent England, and I live in Christmas cottage horse entry. And yes it is as twee as it sounds. All white weather boarded buildings, with the biggest smock windmill in England at the top of the hill. Very privelidged to live here. Wheat her is sublime here today how is it with you.
Regards
Jan