Hi Bill
I thought that Michael said in the book that the comment about the body ‘going into starvation mode’ if the calorie intake was low was an old wives tale, based on outdated research?

I’m not recommending operating at less than 800 calories per day on a regular basis, but for example today – where I had a good balanced breakfast, and a light lunch, but because i was working in the garden and getting very hot, I drank water rather than eat dinner, thereby achieving calorie count of about 600 odd – is ok from time to time.

I’ve not got too much to lose, and felt that today – with potentially 18 hours fasting now before breakfast tomorrow – might even kick start a bit of weight loss.

Well, I don’t know about it being “the most physically demanding”…I’m doing the 5:2 version, and I love it. I’m not motivated enough to do the 8 week thing, but 5:2 I can handle. I wish Dr. Mosley would talk more about the 5:2 alternative: Doing 800 cals twice a week while following the Mediterranean diet the whole time. It’s so doable!

Hi LucyAB
Just waking up here in Sydney and saw your post.
I’ve been recording everything I eat in the EasyDietDiary app and I just had a quick look back over the last week and see I’ve managed to keep the carbs between 20 and 50 and the cals between 800 & 900 each day. I’ve lost 5.5kg in the first 2 weeks and have not had any sugar, bad carbs or alcohol at all since I started. I’m also making an effort to walk every day for around 50-60 mins before I go to work in the mornings. Record what you eat and play around with recording foods until you get more familiar with the carb levels and portion sizes and you’ll soon work it out. Other than when I should be, I’m not feeling the hunger pangs that I used to due to the increase in fats and water consumption.
Well done with the exercise. It sounds like the whole family will benefit!

Hi MrsG

Glad it made sense.

I don’t know if you buy packaged sliced cooked meat, or supermarket ready cooked chicken. If you do, please check the ingredients and nutritional values on the label

I assumed cooked meat was just that – meat, probably with preservatives and/or salt.

Then I started to notice sugar listed in various forms on the labels of various meat products. I’d expect it on ‘honey roast’ , ‘bbq’ etc. But not plain roast ham or beef. Then I noticed that the label on cooked chickens says ‘cooked in a sugar marinade’.

Just giving you a heads up on this. It’s so easy to pick up a packet of meat as a ‘good’ product. But it’s not necessarily as good are think.

Lots of newbies starting tomorrow and I’m guessing the warmer weather will change what we’ve been eating over recent weeks, so thought we could do with a bump up of this thread…

Yesterday
L – egg salad
D – half courgette pizza crust topped with Spanish sliced meats & mozzarella

Today
L – remaining half of courgette pizza
D – mediterainian veg with a mackerel fillet
S – full fat yogurt with cinnamon on top

Hi there, it has been a bit quieter here today.

It seems to take a good bit of experimentation to find the levels of carbs that work, personally mine sit a bit higher usually around 50 but sometimes up to 60. I play with combinations on my fitbit app before I decide on my food so I can add bits and take them out to see what adds up better. I think you can register on the fitbit site without having a fitbit but I’m not sure. myfitnesspal is also popular.

Don’t let the fact you are re-starting get you down. You can do it this time!

Hi captainlynne. Thanks for your reply. I too write everything down and I’ve been a little obsessed with working out every calorie and every gram of carbs! From the sound of it I eat very similarly to you, and have also cut out the bread, pasta, rice etc. The diet has really opened my eyes to the amount of carbs in foods that I used to regularly consume as a snack before a meal! 😳
I am not diabetic …I am on this diet purely to lose weight and be a healthier person. My diet was out of control.
I guess I need to ‘suck it and see’. If I continue to lose weight then I’m at the correct level of carbs for me. If not I will reduce them.
I’m getting the hang of it 👍

Hello again!

I feel a bit silly replying to my own post! Oh well, nothing new there!

I wonder if I have posted my query in the right place – does anyone know where I should put the above query to get a reply?

I suppose most people are still out enjoying probably the only sunny day of the year!

I will wait hopefully and more patiently for a reply..

Thanks

Lucy

Hi, as I understand it, carbs give me a high, which is very addictive. My stomach is full but some days my head/mouth are totally craving carbs. (Usually booze OR cake, which says it all really).
I’m hoping that eventually I’ll have kicked the habit, but no idea when.
Keep on keeping on :). And the occasional lapse is just one of those things.

Hi Lucia cauli rice is just cauli florets blitzed in food processor to look like rice. Can microwave (no water) or bake. I add flavourings according to what I am cooking, peppers, chilli, spices, Tahini paste last one quite a lot of calories but very tasty.

He he he 😃

Cauliflower rice is just cauliflower blitzed in food processor. There’s a recipe in the book and lots of people on here have tried it, adding different spices etc. Can be microwaved or fried. Someone will be along who can be more specific.

Cauliflower rice is cauliflower blitzed in a food processor until it is the size of rice. You can cook it in the microwave for 5 mins.

had a good day today (well if you don’t count my cereal, and the chocolate earlier!!) – but good for me!!
I have now read that cooking fruit destroys enzymes or something – well tough – I like it – and I am NEVER eating raw rhubarb (which actually I think is classed as a vegetable so I might be excused that one)

you will – might – be pleased to know I have finally ordered the book

I last saw my gp just a few weeks ago and he was majorly impressed with all the weight I had lost on the fd, although he said he could not face doing any days of 600cals
he said he was proud of me, and that has stayed in my head

unfortunately, just 2 days later I had a big trigger re. my mh and – well – did some self destructive things, which also included the eating going haywire

so, here we go again, trying to haul on the ropes of control once more – *SIGH*

Hi MrsG27715

Can’t really answer that, sorry.

I keep under 800 calories but don’t really count carbs. I write everything fiend and don’t use an app that would calculate it.

I mainly eat fresh food: meat, fish (or occasionally chicken) zero carbs. Bacon and eggs, again zero. I don’t eat fruit or root veg (except the occasional carrot or beetroot) so virtually no carbs there. Salad and leafy veg – very few carbs. I don’t drink milk, but sometimes eat cheese or full fat yogurt – some carbs there. I don’t drink alcohol so no worry about carbs there. No bread, potatoes, pasta, pizza, chocolate or other refined carbs since I started this on 19th December. I knew I needed to do it this way to get my health under control. Must make me sound boring, but I’m not – honest😃

I have had to really restrict my carbs as it was the only way to get my blood sugar down. If I want to try something new I check the carb value first. If I decide to eat it I check my blood glucose before eating, then one, then two (and sometimes three) hours after eating to see how it’s affected me.

My guess would be 25g to 30g per day. But that is only a guess. That’s what works for me, and we are all different. If 50g works for you, that’s great. If not, reduce it until you reach a figure that does work for you.

Hope that helps.

Rats!
Our cover is blown.!!!!!!

SO! ……..

I have a technical question. ( smooth cover up, no one will notice the cardboard box of party poppers behind my back, I will just slide it behind the sofa…..phew, got away with that one)

Is cauliflower rice, just cauliflower.
Or is it something else and the name is cauliflower rice?
It’s not on calorie King….
Need the numbers before I can decide if I have a hankering to eat it.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Action plan done… To ensure I don’t have dumb excuses I make to myself for eating rubbish I’ve already calculated and entered tomorrow’s food and calorie allowance into my diary. Hello day 1….here I come!!!

I still dont know how I went blind and ate the crisps and chocolate….no more naugthy.

I double checked my cupboards now…the only carbs I have is half a cup of quinoa…doubt I’ll end up eating raw quinoa so I’ll just leave it there for when friends come over as emergency food 🙂

Hope you enjoyed your day with your family ☺

Hi bumblebee
Yippee ki-yay!

Thanks Lucia 👍😃💐

Hi Lucia

Looking forward to watching the party on cctv 😃

The catsuit will look spectacular!

Do you know what this website has done to me?

For example.
I fancied a bit of sweet corn. Sounds healthy? Let’s look closely at those words…. Sweet, ah ha! Bells going off here 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔
Next word… Corn….. Sounds to close to corn flour… Ha ! Tried to get me did you, you little sneaky thing you.
So ……… Let me disect you……
Small ear of corn…. 63 calories.
Carbs….. 14 Grams….

You thought you could get past me….. Now let me see if you make me overdrawn with my daily figures.
Okay twist. Stick.

(Yes, I know it sounds like Poker)

Previously I would just eat it, now I turn it into a card game.

Anyone else wrestling with the calories and carbs numbers each time you want to eat anything?

Sometimes it is so much hard work, I forget what I fancied in the first place 🤔🤔🤔😡😡😡😡😡😡🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

LOVE LUICA
XXXX

Hi Alanhypno

I often have a cooked breakfast – bacon, egg and black pudding. If I’m out I might have baked beans instead of the egg.

The only sausages I eat now are Asda gluten free pork sausages and Debbie and Andrew’s Harrogate sausages. Taste nice, and much lower in carbs.

Hi. Thanks for your response. I am not planning on increasing my steps – I don’t think it is actually possible for me! But am concerned that my calorie deficit will be too low due too my activity levels. Anyone else had this problem?

Hi Imogen,

Of course, with flares and all. The sequins catches the light of the glitter ball, and my platform boots give me extra height.

What have you eaten today?

I have had mushrooms tomatoes and egg
Ham salad sandwich without the sandwich,
And then veggies with a little bit of chicken,

Plenty full.

What have you eaten today?
And more importantly where is your head at?

I a m in a happy mood …can’t you tell?,,,,, thinking of doing a bit of yoga and stretching, this evening, I am not in the mood for moving fast.
Been on the bike this morning.and walked the legs off myself.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Love Lucia
Xxxx

Just back form a weekend away . I have to laugh I now realise that because it summed up my ‘ seige mentality’ to food. ie. I always think that If I can’t eat I may die !

So I set off very early on Saturday with a berry and almond milk shake and a coffee to keep me company on the 2 hour journey. But then as soon as I arrived in Cambridge I had an hour to kill so ended up wolfing down a cooked breakfast – managed to steer clear of toast etc but still managed to put away 2 slices of bacon , tomato, mushroom and a poached egg … and it was only 9am !

Anyway , won’t bore you with the detail but let’s just say I manage to clock up around 1300 cals during the day ( both Saturday and today ) but managed to keep carbs below 50gs o not all bad. Also had the smallest glass of red wine in the evening ( staying with some very boozy friends ! ) which I managed to sip slowly throughout the entire evening.

I also bought a very lovely top from a favourite shop which I haven’t been able to buy from for years as they don’t go up to a size 20 in a size 16 as incentive.

I daren’t weigh myself tonight but I am very philosophical about it , not going to beat myself up about it , tomorrow is another day etc etc ! My first week will be up on Tuesday morning so I’m going to wait to weigh myself then.

Hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine – those in the UK and those who aren’t probably have sunshine anyway ! It’s a rare treat for us !

Hi RozyDozy
Well done on that 1.5 stone weight loss. Instead of going AWOL, we’ll grant a leave of absence if needed. Welcome back

Thanks Rozy,

Well done on your weight loss that’s super cool!!!

I love the action plan idea I’ll do one right now!! 🙂

Hi Eureka,

Thanks those ideas are helpful, I’ve not tried eggs yet on the BSD. I bought some yoghurt and almond flakes, will get a small tub of berries tomorrow and 6 eggs…hello wagon I’m climbing back on 🙂

Captainlynne …you say you keep your carbs really low. Are you able to give me a rough idea of how low please? Just started week 2, and I’m planning all my own meals. The first week I stuck to a max of 50g carbs/day, but I don’t know if this is low enough.
Thank you.

Lucia – You have a white Ababa catsuit?? So envious! 🙋

Hi healthyanna & bumblebee,
I know where you are coming from – my emotional eater fouls things up from time to time. Last time was actually last weekend, and I’ve been BSD-ing since mid-January. But I confessed my “sin” on this forum and read people’s advice and got my head together and planned what I was going to have & stuck to it. The warmer weather made it a bit easier to drink more so that helped. I even had a continuation of the catastrophes that had precipitated my last pigout but this time I didn’t turn to food to make myself feel better.

And you know what, today I weighed myself and I have not only lost the extra weight I’d put back but I’ve dipped below 11stone for the first time in a long time AND I have lost a grand total of 1.5stone since I started this diet.

There’s a lot of good advice in the posts above so I can’t really add anything to them. Just give yourselves a chance – draw up your plan of action, and draw up a plan for what to do if you do go AWOL from the diet. Remember, you are in control – not the food.

Good luck!

Thanks Lucia,

and thanks to all the gang. You are all amazing.
You guys got me through those first weeks…though I am not brilliant at keeping posted…being able to read about all your unique journeys, hearing about the good days (and the less so), knowing you are all travelling has kept me on the path! Will soon catch up!

Imogen🌻

Hi Everyone (again!)

I am trying this again… I have terrible willpower problems. My husband and daughter are supporting me this time so fingers crossed!

I have some questions…

I am managing to keep carbs around 40 – 50 but find I can’t increase protein and fat without going over the 800 calories.

I went to 1000 calories today but again carbs ok but under on the rest.. Please help so I can carry on.

On the good side – I have cycled with my daughter for 6 miles and walked for an hour! Phew!

Thanks

Lucy

Thanks for that info Izzy! I am going to read the book on a plane next week. Have it next to me and keep thinking I have time but then I don’t do it as something else takes over that time slot!

Hi bumblebee
My breakfast can be; full fat Fage yoghurt with a portion of mixed soft fruit eg strawberries , cherries , blueberries & raspberries. I top with 2 walnuts & a spoonful of sliced almonds & goji berries & a spoon of Waitrose mixed seeds , pumpkin, linseed, sunflower & sesame to help with constipation.
I like poached egg & salmon. Hard boiled egg & prosciutto or Serrano ham. Scrambled eggs & fresh tomatoes. Bacon & egg & mushrooms. Smoked haddock & scrambled eggs (brunch). Cooked ham & small piece of cheese. Spanish omelette ( cook onions, tomatoes, bell pepper & eggs). Eggs are filling & long lasting food wise.
Hope this is helpful.
Don’t beat yourself up. We’re all working through issues & doing a lot of self analysis it seems on this diet/way of life. Our minds & bodies are going to be a lot healthier. Keep on keeping on. The wagon awaits.
Eureka

Day 9
Morning weigh in down another 8 ounces
Really surprised as I seem to be retaining water after last nights tummy issues
Giving up the fruit today as it seems those are causing the issues. Maybe fruit malabsorption for the time being.
Everything else I eat doesn’t bother me.

Eating out for moms day but will just have asparagus and tofu if we get in the restaurant or will get something at the deli with the kids. Low key day today for sure.

💜

Way to go! The carbs have been the worst for me to ditch, but I know it’s made a huge difference. I’m in Week 3 and I lost 20 pounds in the first two weeks. I have generally been having a few eggs for breakfast. And I’ve found that keeping some chilled boiled eggs in the fridge at the ready can be a big help. And see if you can find shirataki noodles. Super filling, versatile, low carb and low cal. They help me to feel full and that is a feeling I need on occasion if I’m not to feel deprived. Keep it up!

Right gang, captain Lynn has given me the keys to the club house,
Hashimoto, can you bring food,
Bill 1954 can you sort some music
Natalie can you sort out some fairy lights
Switzerland can you sort out some Glo stixs
Imogen can you keep an eye out for captain Lynn.

Okay we will all sneak into the club house and have a early party. Before you lot officially get to eight weeks. DONT tell anyone. It’s all hush hush……

Oh, Christie 1948, can you make sure no one goes giddy with the food?

Right, now where is my white abba catsuit?……..

Love Lucia
Xxx

Hi captain Lynn, thanks for the spare keys, I will keep the place tidy.
😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇love Lucia
Xxxx

Who has left muddy footprints on my clean floor?
👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

Now come on! Keep this place tidy, I have a gang coming over soon from the first eight weeks group.
They will need to sit down and get settled in.

Now who has hidden my yellow duster?

Love Lucia
Xxx

Hi Alanhypno
No telling off’s here. You’re just human & trying to re-educate your eating habits. The cooked breakfast ok ( leave the sausage alone for a bit). Wine , can you afford the calories right now? Nibble on calorie counted nuts. Wagons Ho!

you’re welcome, it isn’t Mothers Day here in the UK though we had ours earlier in the year 🙂 Happy Mothers day to those whose day it is though!

Hi All,
I know this doesn’t sound good but I’m happy to find a thread for second attempts. I’m going start my second attempt tomorrow.

I messed up today after a week of being so good on my 800 calorie BSD.

I know why I messed up, I didn’t get enough sleep last night, just three hours. Woke up annoyed and cranky and tired. Couldn’t go back to sleep it was so warm. Then made a bad breakfast choice, had smoked mackerel and coffee because anything more would have gone past 200 calories. I was hungry an hour later and just kept pushing it away…I was ok for a while then my groceries got delivered and I started cooking for the week so I have healthy food to eat. They stuck a complimentary packet of some promotional crisps in my shopping I ended up eating it 🙁

Was so upset think I messed up counting the calories on my portions too now I don’t know if I guess or throw it all away.

The cherry on the cake, I was so sure since I’ve messed I’ll just eat as much salmon and veg as I want then my housemate brought back chocolates from Belgium n ate two truffles.

Locked myself in my room now with a cup of tea…

California girl your post motivated me to just suck it up, accept its been a bad day and commit to starting over.

If I have pastrami and coffee for breakfast I’m ok, anything else I feel I might murder someone after an hour I’m so hungry. What do you guys do for breakfast?

Thanks so much for the info Izzy! Happy Mother’s Day to you!!

You go girl! Half way there😄

Hi Healthyana — with all the free time I have these days since I am not so busy eating (😜) I have found myself pondering how this all got to the point where i didn’t have any control and I was eating too much and the wrong stuff every single day…. And I have decided that it is a two part problem, both physical and mental — first, i (and probably you) have an overly active insulin system and I have had it since childhood. My memories are filled with sugar moments and trying to get sugar and walking all the way to town to get sugar and even eating frozen concentrated orange juice because that was the only sugar available in our house (LOL!!!) (my mom was a early adopter of healthy eating!). I am a horse owner and in the horse world we call them “cresty ponies” — these are the horses/ponies with big, thick necks (insulin indicators I have heard) and they can survive and stay fat on half a flake of hay per day. So, I figure I am a cresty pony always looking for more hay (sugar). That’s the physical side. Then the second half of this one/two knock out punch is the psychological side — my family was chaotic , competitive and stressful growing up and I used food to calm myself. I just took those two unhealthy states into adulthood and have struggled ever since. The only thing that “saved” me from super obesity was I had some of that competitiveness in sports. But I was still fat. Just fit and fat. More fat than fit! And getting worse as I turned sixty, went through menopause and had a few injuries. The BSD diet has been a perfect answer for me and just might be for you. Don’t give up. Dedicate just 8 weeks to following it (it won’t be without slip up, just start again) and THEN evaluate. Suspend your critical thinking for just 8 weeks.

I hadn’t thought about making a coating as I’ve enjoyed them as they are but it might be worth having a look. I’ve got enough little projects for now tho lol

Back on track NOT
Not due for weigh in till Friday five days away but just sneaked on scales FOUR pounds up on last week
Over confident cos I dropped that one and half stone,thought the odd nibble and couple glasses wine were ok but all added up.
If I drop half a stone in five days I’ll be happy,and lucky !

Problem was couple too many breakfast egg bacon even sausages
Need a telling off please
Alan back on it 😱

Hi lostgirl I wasn’t too sure what had happened when you said the dog was attacked. I’m sorry about your hip x