And it’s good morning from the Northamptonshire/Leicestershire jury 🙂 Sun also shining here.. and I am wearing another pair of ‘those will never fit again’ trousers for work! It’s so exciting re-finding clothes in the depths of the wardrobe!!

Healthy chicken, courgette and chickpea curry last night, helped along by a couple of our favourite gram flour wraps. Didn’t bother with any rice alternatives, mainly because the cauliflower in the fridge was looking a bit ‘sulky’ and decrepit.. Flat mushrooms with a smidge of goats cheese and scrambled egg to start me off for the day today. Tea on our laps tonight while we watch the Wales game, so need to find something quick, easy AND practical for me. Last night OH said to me that I’ve done really well but presumably now I can go back to the stuff like pasta and rice… Duh! I don’t think he quite understands that I don’t WANT to eat those things anymore!!

Good luck with your return to work Tokyo.. Lucky’s idea of a daily catch up sounds a good one.. we can’t lose ‘Brenda’ from our Thelma and Louise set up now!

Lucky.. 15st is within spiting distance (although don’t spit, it’s not nice)..fantastic achievement!

I’m tempted to try another Elana recipe (I think she knows Paltrow tbh). Maybe the coffee cake or date and walnut bread. Votes please!! I’m not overly keen on walnuts (they make me cough!) but.. BREAD??? Really?? I want to know about gram flour baking sooner rather than later Lucky.. get your pinny on!

Brilliant work, keep going, hope I can follow your excellent example.
Regards jan

Hi
I am on day eight and haven’t eaten one egg, I like them they just haven’t been on the menu, and I have lost 8 lbs, so don’t worry, just weigh what you eat count cals and carbs and its a breeze, I’m trying to convince myself of that, that’s why I keep saying it. Hehe keep up the good work, we will all do it together.
Regards jan

Hi CasB

Brilliant work, it’s wonderful isn’t it. I am on day 8 have just weighed In and lost 8lbs. I am in it for the long haul had 99lb to loose when I started, my acquisitions after 41 yrs of dieting lol. Thing Im missing most is copious amounts of loads of veg, who would think you would need to think twice about a carrot. Hehe whole new way of thinking, full fat, counting calories, never counted carbs before though so a real revelation. I’ve also felt marvellous, amazing energy, not hungry, but past two days been getting snacking urges. So keep up the good work, hope you have a lovely day
Regards jan

Cauliflower rice and two eggs for breakfast (cauliflower rice baked in oven night before for dinner, chilli and cumin and corriander and tiny bit of oil and baked in the oven until crispy) +one square of 90% chocolate as was craving something sweet.

Green salad – kale, parsley, rocket and yellow pepper, sauerkraut and tuna for lunch

Bolognese sauce and courgetti noodles for dinner.

AND THEN!! friend visiting and brought me marzipan ball things and another chocolate thing and we sat up really late chatting eating cheese and had a few of the marzipan things and a piece of dark chocolate and a biscuit wafer thing. Felt sick this morning, like a hangover – and annoyed that I had just mindlessly eaten things I didnt actually want. First time in 7 weeks really but interesting how easy it is to slip back into things. Interestingly it was yesterday that people have started saying to me ooo you look like you’ve lost weight!! Wonder is there a connection – getting complacent because I feel like it’s working… Also had really bad night sleep the night before so I know now tiredness makes me slip into usual old habits that I have shaken for the last good few weeks.
Anyway, today is a new day and though I feel rubbish now, I am going to drink loads of water and eat really well today and tomorrow will be feeling back to normal. Putting it here to inspire myself! Honestly I feel hungover – if this is how even a bit too much extra sugar makes me feel, I dont want it – Not worth it at all! Guess it’s tiredness too. Not a big disaster but just interesting to look at it as have gone from that kind of thing now and dont want to go back.

Hi Buttons
I wouldn’t worry too much about the fasting readings as they will always have the dawn effect influence, I concentrate on pre and post meal readings. The thing is, if you have a long fast and don’t eat until lunchtime, your pre meal reading can still be affected by that pesky dawn effect. I’ve found several time that my post meal reading is lower than pre meal because of the long fast (I don’t eat breakfast)

Going well its now the end of week 7 had to go shopping for new work clothes yesterday I have dropped from a size 112cm waist to a 97cm I could not get the smile off my face also from a 4XL shirt to a 2XL I now tuck my shirt in lol. I have dropped 14kg in 7 weeks feeling fantastic my sugars are a constant 3.8 to 4.2 got 5 weeks to go b4 I take my blood tests .I walked 22,000 steps yesterday my best day so far my average been 16,000. So looking forward to getting my blood test results in 5 weeks time normally avoid it as long as I can

Hi, everyone.
Thanks for your replies – most useful.
I use Excel to log all my food intake and have done so for some years. The ‘Back of Pack’ nutrition information for each food that I buy is logged on a database which is accessed via an arbitrary unique code. Before consumption each food is weighed and logged on a daily spreadsheet. At the end of the day the total energy and nutrients is calculated.
With the ‘Estimating Carbs.’ (CHO), I couldn’t see what the level should be in the BSD book (I must look harder!), hence the question.

Using the information that the Protein amount should be about 1 gram per kg of bodyweight (I use 0.8g), and setting the CHO to 50g, the Fat percentage can be calculated. For example: My target weight is 66kg giving 52.8g of Protein and 38.7g of Fat for a 800kcal. diet. Dietary Fibre is set at 20g.
So, if I use these figures converted to their respective energies, the CHO energy limit can be calculated – which in this case is 35.7% (of 800kcal.) (CHO energy)/(Fat energy+Protein energy).

Well, that’s the background info. to my question.

Alan B

On day 3, dont feel as hungry as I thought I would. This diet is completely different to anything I’ve tried before, always done low fat etc. I need to loose 5 stone, have put this on since having a hip replacement and am due to have other hip done in Sept. Have put my husband on the same menu…….. After 3 days feel I have more energy and don’t feel as lethargic.

So far, so good. 5lbs off this morning after only 4 days! Managing to keep to around the 800 per day but no social hazards yet!! Still missing that crunch from cereal or toast or crisp-bread but not really feeling hungry. Have been trying to lose weight unsuccessfully almost all my adult life so I’m hoping this gives me the start I need to a new healthier slimmer me!

The book does talk about these not being great … can’t find it now.

Dear ChoccyHolic
“My bsl’s were way down, between 5 and 5.5 fasting and under 5 post meals. I had a ‘normal’ day on friday and since then my bsl’s have been over 7 fasting and between 6 and 7 post meals”
I am very confused…when you have fasted there should be very little sugar in your blood and your fasting levels should be lower than your post meal levels. When you have eaten the levels will always rise and should be higher than a fasting level. Why do your levels do the opposite and raise before meals and drop after?

Week 2 day 1 Weighed in and have lost 8 lbs Wowser that would have taken me a couple of weeks ago, can’t see where is has gone from though.

So feeling positive, and having a rest day today from work, so always a challenge, also got to go food shopping, also a challenge, but hey want to see good results more than I want sugar and carb poisons in my body again. Good luck to everyone also on week 2

Hi jrdunn
not sure if you’re t2 but the one thing in the shake that screams out is Sugars 16.0g
I’d be trying to find a shake lower in sugars or drop them altogether and use the recipes on the site.

Hi everyone. One week results are in (drum roll please)…,,
6lbs off
3 inches off my bust, 1 inch off each thigh, stomach same.

I bought a skirt last week that I couldn’t even get done up. This morning I got it on , although it’s still too tight but things are definitely changing. This is great especially given that since Sat and my back injury I have done no exercise ( getting to and from the loo was all I did for three days). I went to the doc yesterday and got better pain killers and seeing the osteopath again today. I am supposed to be going to Biarritz on Saturday for my once s year weekend away with the girls. Fingers crossed I can still go.

Well done Indy on your results so far. Sounds like you’re doing really well. Sounds like you are exercising. Just keep it up.

FuzzyJammies , how are you getting on?

Drink Water. Your weight loss will stall if not. You could use a hydration calculator such as https://www.beverageinstitute.org/article/hydration-calculator/
I now aim for 2.7L a day and it makes a huge difference
Try to keep your carbs below 50g a day.
And although it goes against all the we have learnt, increase the amount of fat in your diet. So use some butter and oil in your cooking. You will fuller and it will help your body to loose weight.

Morning Tokyo 🙂

Good luck on your brunch date, and the return to work. You’ll have to just have a little notebook with you and jot down thoughts through the day and do a mass posting when you get back home ;-). That sounds like a plan re the food, especially if it’s going to be brunch and not lunch, you should be able to make it through to that. I’m not sure what we’re having today, but if the scones turn out ok, it’s going to be scone… LOL. I just thought it would be nice to have something with a coffee watching the football, I’m already foregoing alcohol (for the time being 😉 ) and compared to what we used to put away watching major sporting events; a barbecue or a buffet or a takeaway, couple of bottles of wine, crisps, chocolate slabs. I have to make this diet adapt to my life not the other way around. Whatever I’m doing, right or wrong, it’s working for me, anyway.

I’m really pleased this morning, I was so close to 18 stone a few weeks ago, now I’m nearly 15 stone something. It just goes to show, when you find the right thing for you, how well it can work.

Chickpea scones, eh? Are we talking sweet or savoury here? I’d have gone for savoury up to yesterday, but upon Googling (gotta love Google!) chickpea pastry, I saw that on some sites, it’s been used for sweet tarts and pies too, one recipe on a Coeliac forum used it for mince pies at Christmas! If I’ve ever been on a diet at Christmas in the past, I’d always have a ‘holiday’ from it and go absolutely batcrap crazy, gorging on rich food and naughty stuff. As daft as this might sound now, I’m actually relishing the thought of Christmas this year and adapting it to the plan! I make homemade Christmas puddings every year for all my friends and family, so I know I must do them to the original recipe or there’ll be trouble. I’m going to have to devise a BSD one that’s up to standard as well, aren’t I?? And when I do, I will send you all one 😉

In some ways my slower losses means clothes fit for longer lol. I have a big pile of 12 and 14 to move down into as I go. It will be like christmas when you get into your storage if you are anything like me – finding things you forgot you had!

Morning everyone 🙂 We have a big Hobbycraft in the city nearest here (about 25-30 miles away) so I pop in there. It’s a little piece of heaven… There is a John Lewis there too but I like the feel of Hobbycraft better. I dont have the spare cash at the moment for new cabinets etc but honestly I’ve really enjoyed the process of thinking up what to do and making it up as I go along 🙂

I buy a lot of things online as well. I’ve found I can buy a new pedal for my sewing machine but I’m going to wait until the weekend to have a proper rummage incase I find it.

There are so many things I want to buy I would rather make shelves etc and use the money for all the books I want to buy about various crafts, tools for making jewellery, a scroll saw, a pyrography kit… the wishlist goes on!. At christmas time this year I will have plenty to tell people instead of ‘I don’t know’ when they ask what I would like lol. I have ordered an easel for my painting which was £15, and if I need a new pedal that will be about £15, and then next month I will probably buy and install a pull down loft ladder to make the access easier and quieter. I can’t make those out of the stuff I have lying around lol.

Switzerland that is wonderful news that those results came back ok it is always a real worry waiting for things like that. I knit sometimes as well but I get a bit bored with it. My Mother was a great knitter and still does knit but her arthritis limits her now, she knitted loads of baby shawls in particular as well as a million garments. She showed me everything so I literally can do anything known to knitting! My daughter outgrew the last Aran cardigan my mother made for her and I felt that we shouldn’t ask for another as my Mum would have said yes regardless of the discomfort it might have brought her to knit it. I knitted her a new one instead and she loves it. She picked a pattern with a hood so it took a while to get it done but it is a lovely cardi. I think it will fit her this year in winter as it was a bit big but no doubt I’ll get an order for another one in the future!

Teamtalk at work today, complete with bacon rolls but today I don’t want one. I’m a bit tired today but I know I have done all the big work for the moment and there is no reason to be up late tonight.

Food today – raspberry shake for breakfast, chicken and lentil soup for lunch, home made fish fingers for dinner.

good morning back at ya !!
i am up early as have a brunch date today with a friend i work with ( well my boss really!) about my return to work !!
how will i find time to post on here ??
( i work in nhs!! so no phones allowed boo!!)
anyway on the brunch aspect i think i have it nailed no breakfast today then maybe scrambled egg will see how i am feeling !!!
well done and congrats on weight loss lucky thats a bit bloody marvellous!!’
on the baking front i saw a recipe for chickpea scones looked nice but no idea bout taste !!!!!
good luck on your hand holding !!! you could serenade him sweetly too but maybe not !!!!!!
sun shining here so far ! x

Gooooooood Morning everyone 🙂 I am pleased to report that I am ‘a Nat’s chuff’ (thanks Timmy…) from my next goal. Another pound off. 16 stone on the nail, this morning! Day 26 – and 23 lbs down. Very, very soon… I will be 15 stone something *jazz hands* That has really given me the incentive now to push, push, push! Wouldn’t it be great to achieve that in my first four weeks? But if not, I don’t mind. It’s coming next, whether or not.

The youngest is off to the International Eisteddfod today, and the school have moved the goalposts last minute that they are leaving at 7.30 am sharp, not arrive at school for 8. Hubby has a steroid injection by ultrasound later this morning, so he’s not looking forward to that, nor am I as I have to hold his hand. Inlaws are descending on us tonight to watch the football but I don’t think I have to feed them, thankfully. The plan is to make some (almond/coconut flour combo) lemon and blueberry scones I found last night, and just hope they pass the taste test as I usually bake loads for them when they’re down visiting. And try making the pastry if time.

Hope everyone has a great day and that the sun is shining where you are! 😀

Wow Izzy – Your loft really is coming along. It’s great that the flooring has been your only expense. For those of us who enjoy creative pastimes I think having space to do it adds to its therapeutic effect. Better luck with ‘the good night’s sleep’ tonight.
Today we’ve had some great news for our family – my husband got the all clear from pathology tests that were obtained recently – we’re all very happy about that.

Hi Frog, I don’t know about England but buttons are really expensive here. At times I just can’t help myself and I go to Sydney to The Rocks (heritage area of Sydney right beside the harbour, very close to the southern pylon of the Harbour Bridge) and go to the button shop there. Imagine an entire (small) shop that just sells buttons – divine. Oh, I forgot to say I usual buy them for things I knit.

Hi spox;

well- the pound I gained is slowly coming off. I’m keeping protein at about 60 grams- I think this will be realistic for me and would not want to do less than that. Closely watching carbs- keeping them at about 30- 40 grams.

The fasting window is actually going OK. Not really too much of a hardship for me and continue to hope it will help. The evidence for doing it is quite good.

I do hope for success like you have had. Bottom line though is I feel much better already. My energy levels are better, mood better, and I do “feel” my body changing in a good way. Very happy about that! And will be thrilled when the next 10 pounds come off also.

Hang in there spox! and it seems from the other posts that these little speed bump gains happen, or a plateau happens, then we go on losing again.

Somebody told me this is true. Was in hope some kind person may already know the answer. Would love to be able to ask beloved ! Dr Mike Mosley. Thank you in advance! for any and all help.

Go Frog!! I love it when clothes start to get loose! Wonderful affirmation!

I’m trying not to buy too many new clothes – I know that I have so many in my lock up storage unit that I need to retrieve – certainly lots of size 18’s – and probably 16s, although I did go into a big Sainsburys yesterdays, and bought a pair of work trousers that were reduced to £3!
As with the thread on the ‘jeans window’; the other week, stuff doesn’t actually fit for too long, so I’m trying not to buy stuff until I’m my target size 12 – and I know there won’t be any of those lurking anywhere!
The other week I found a brilliant pair of M&S jeans that I used to love. Leaving aside that the leg shape is a bit dated, they fitted brilliantly when I first found them – they’re not yet in the too loose category, but definitely going that way.

Thanks all – I have never been able to stomach eggs despite trying many times over my 34 years on this planet. I would love to be able to eat eggs but alas I cannot and have come to the conclusion that I just have to listen to my body and move on.

Thanks for all your suggestions – although yes it has turned in to an egg loving post haha. I will just stick with what I have been doing all these years and swap out for other protein rich foods instead. Guess there just aren’t too many non-egg lovers out there 🙂

Cheers to you all and all the very best on your BSD.

Hi Mishkalala

Eggs are great,( wish I had my own chickens Timmy. ) but cheese and beans are also good, especially chick peas or whatever you call them where you are, garbanzos? All meat and chicken and fish of course. There is one very inspirational poster Happy Life who eats fish every day – my ex-English husband would be very happy with that!

Seeds and nuts in small quantities are also good

Good luck – I am on day 10 and am quite pleased with myself so far as I am a lousy dieter

Ruth

Hi Izzy
sadly not on the haberdashery front!
There is a local market stall that does some stuff, one or two suburbs that I know better have one – but in central London I guess the rents are too high – John Lewis is OK, but pricey. I end up buying online, but sometimes I really like to see things first.
The lovely shop I found in Canterbury I bought replacement buttons for the jeans I found that I’d obviously worn until they were so tight that the buttons popped off, then shoved at the back of the wardrobe.
What made me think of it earlier was that they had the most amazing looking sewing cabinets – but it sounds as if you’re doing really well improvising.

Thanks for the replies. I have copied the details for the VLCD shake I am using below. Normally out some blue berrys and strewberrys in it to make it taste better. Will stick it and see how I go. Have been drinking a lot try and get through at least 2* 750 water bottles plus 3-4 cups of green and black tea so fluids are up

Qty Per Serving (40g)
Energy 618Kj
148kCal
Protein 17.1g
Fat (Total) 1.0g
Fat (Saturated) 0.2g
Carbohydrate (Total) 17.7g
Sugars 16.0g
Sodium 362mg
Potassium 667mg
Vitamin A 200μg
Vitamin C 25mg
Thamine (Vitamin B1) 0.5mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 0.7mg
Niacin (Vitamin B3) 6mg
Calcium 210.5mg
Iron 6mg
Vitamin D3 1.7μg
Vitamin E 4mg
Vitamin B6 0.7mg
Folic Acid 133μg
Vitamin B12 1μg
Phosphorus 265mg
Iodine 50μg
Magnesium 117mg
Zinc 5mg
Copper 0.4mg
Biotin 67μg
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 2.9mg
Manganese 0.6mg
Chromium 27μg
Selenium 7μg
Molybdenum 33μg

Hi Chocky Holic – probably nothing!
Lots of people report experiencing a plateau at some point in the first few weeks – for me it was quite early, I think day four or five, and continued for about ten days – but even though my weight wasn’t shifting, I did notice clothes getting looser.
I know there’s a feeling of disbelief that only 800 calories, more exercise, no bread.potatoes etc etc… how can you not loose weight! But it will kick in again, stick with it.

The only other thing to think about – quite a lot of people report problems with constipation – of that may be an issue, use the search box in the top right of the screen, there are several threads on the subject.

good luck

I am on day 16 and weightloss has stopped. My bsl’s were way down, between 5 and 5.5 fasting and under 5 post meals. I had a ‘normal’ day on friday and since then my bsl’s have been over 7 fasting and between 6 and 7 post meals. I know these arent ‘bad’ numbers but I’m intrigued and wonder why a ‘day off’ has impacted my bsl’s. That was 5 days ago. Only eating 50g carbs or less (from veges only) and doing 16:8. Calories definitely below 800. Weightloss not happening after initial fluid loss of 2.5kg. Am I doing something wrong????

I have definitely gone to bed earlier a few nights to avoid the cravings. I’m also sleeping really soundly since starting, so the combination of the cravings and the good sleep has made it very appealing to sleep earlier.

I think today, for the first day, I’ve had my first real feeling of elation since starting. I woke up to very good news on the scale and I’ve started to get in the habit of walking a lot. I pushed myself very hard to be active all weekend and that is paying off.

My biggest struggles right now are no booze (I love a glass of wine with dinner) and no snacking at night (I love to snack on carby junk late in the evening). But I think my body is really trying to acclimate to the new routine!

Keep up the good work, Hush! Hopefully this passes and you feel better tomorrow!

Thanks Plumptious, Igorasusual and Vickitum for your kind comments….It’s a great feeling to have lost 2 1/2 stone… I am feeling and looking the best I have for at least 5 years and am looking forward to teaching my next goal. But for now I am going to enjoy my holiday glad that I have worked blooming hard ! 🤗

🙂

I did that n it worked a treat thanks. I’m addicted to farge! I’ve had it twice today. Finished on 759 cal
Hubby ate pizza n I wasn’t even bothered!

I blame Timmy!

I think we should rename him…

Troublesome Timmy (TT for short)

As for alternatives to eggs I can’t really think of any direct replacements, but agree with the others just make yourself a plan based on what you do like however reach out and try a few new things if you can. I never used to eat much courgette but I’ve discovered I LOVE courgetti.

Frog you’ve done so well avoiding the hi carb nibbles!

it’s great to feel clothes getting looser isn’t it? Perhaps it is time for shopping.

Hi. I reckon you need some fat..looks a little on the low fat side. Add some avocado or a bit of cheese. Keep going. I am 20 weeks in and my life has changed so much. 🙂

I would have thought you could get anything in London lol. I’ve never been I really should visit London sometime.

Well I *was* going to bed early but… I got a bit carried away. I have built a 6ft long workbench in my loft using the old cabinet that was destined for the skip, some legs off an old table that were destined to be burned in my chimnea, and a few other bits that were kicking about. I’ve also used other parts of the cabinet to make two shelves, and fixed up a long piece of wood to use to hang clothes from. It’s certainly come a long way up there in just a few days and so far the only cost has been the flooring. everything else is recycled which kind of feels right somehow – given what I want to use it for 🙂 My poor cordless drill only just made it tonight before running out of juice! I’ve got it charging now but I probably won’t need it for much if anything for a while.

Tomorrow – I will hoover up all the sawdust and bring some things up. I have a chair that was in my bedroom and another lamp. I’ve really enjoyed creating the space, so I hope I enjoy using it as much too. My first project list is already long lol. I have my coasters to finish painting, I have a picture I am painting as well, the mermaid tail thing for my daughter, and yes- a few clothing alterations to make! Also I want to continue adding to the space, more shelves, and some decor. How am I going to fit in time to work?

Hi EliseB,
Well done! Your approach sounds very similar to mine – I’m 5 weeks in and have lost a stone (I have a bit more than you to lose though!).
I now find it second nature to plan meals without carbs, and green beans are a great go-to alternative to have with meat or fish. I find eggs are great for a fast meal with mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, and cheese if you feel like it.

Keep on doing what you’re doing!

Hi Oldtyke

Welcome in. You will find this journey easier than you think. After the first week of your body getting used to YOU being in control you will see the magic. QUIT THE GUILT, life’s too short. Embrace the full-fat experience because it works. Don’t binge on it, measure and enjoy every bit of it, because it works. Did the years of strange-tasting Frankensteinian low-fat stuff work???

Your OH will need the odd red wine to toast your rapid, on-going and sustainable progress.
N.

Everyone is different and we lose weight or change our shape at different rates. Temporary plateaux are not unusual. I have lost 4.6kg in 4 weeks. Not able to exercise due to disability but am eating 800-900 cals a day and drinking 3-4 litres a day. I am happy with a slower progress. You have done really well, keep it up.

Hi Lucia,
Good advise! thanks! Well today went well. I spent most of the day on my feet! After a lovely sunny walk in the woods I went to The Hampton Court Flower Show! And was I tempted by all the foodie smells???? Not I wasn’t! Not even an ice cream or a cheeky Pimms! No I waited until I got home and had my dinner with hubby!

I’m going for another walk in the morning followed by my gym sesh.
Out to cinema in the evening but will avoid the usual snacks and just take a bottle of water.

Tomorrow is another day!
Sleep tight and I hope your limbs aren’t too sore after you yoga tangle!!

love Hels

I’d say you were on your monthly and retaining water but with a name like Jeff that’s probably not the case!

Other than the shake which as Izzy says may not be as low carb as you want, yr diet looks good. Water water and more water. And it will shift . I have had a slow down in week 4 but I know I have had a few too many carbs last week. Am back on it now.

Amazing changes in your blood sugar readings. I do despair of medical nutritionists. Just been visiting my type 2 diabetic dad who is in hospital recovering from his hip op and they are giving him toast, cake, sugar puddings. And are surprised his blood sugars are romping out of control. I hope to persuade him to join me on this diet. I may be hoping for too much. Keep on going…will be interested to see your progress. I am not yet diabetic but pre..and with a big family history of it so determined to get myself sorted. It really works.

I started on 29th! About 30lb or so to lose, 5lb gone in first week 👍🏻

Hi everyone, first time poster here, but have been enjoying and appreciating all your posts in my first week.

Pleased to say I’m 5lb down in first 6 days which I’m very pleased with, in context of about 2 to 2 1/2 stone to lose (5’6″, was 12st12.4lb, now 12st7lb). Fully expecting slow down but as long as it goes in the right direction it’s good for me. Keep telling myself most of this weight went on in years so it’s going to take a little while to get it off again!

I’ve been following principles of BSD but all my own food recipes and combos rather than any book recipes. . Favourites have been naked fajita and super cheap super quick super easy creamy broccoli soup. Calories have been anything from 850 – 1100 and carbs anything from 35 – 80 but all natural foods eg high carb days when I had apple, or tin of chickpeas as part of supper. Oh just the one exception – had a press lunch on Friday at a tapas restaurant which actually would have been ok-ish with jamon, cheese, tortilla and the best part of a whole plate of padron peppers (must find them in a shop/market for home snack emergencies) but did indulge in several spoonfuls of potato bravas and two croquettes (you had me at “deep fried breadcrumbs…!). It was early days.

Almonds and fruit tea and sparkling water have been keeping me going in tricky times. I roasted some of my almonds in the oven and put them in a jar for the week and it completely changes the taste – makes them much more savoury tasting which mixes it up from the “normal” ones. Sparkling water with fresh lime and lots of mint leaves is a winner, especially if you are out at a bar or restaurant.

I have ME at the moment so exercise is very difficult but have been walking about 6000 + steps a day to and from station when commuting.

Oh and final trick – brushing my teeth after dinner stops some of my evening snack cravings !

Amazing weight loss. Keep at it!

I am doing my Fast Days at the moment by having a light protein breakfast then my main evening meal at around 7pm. How do others do others do it? Wondering if I should skip breakfast and just have a light lunch or could I alternate? Thanks