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  • Hi. Congratulations on losing 14 pounds.

    I asked the team that question when I was coming to the end of the 8 weeks. They said it was ok to continue on 800 calories for another few weeks as long as I felt OK and had no problems. But then to transfer to 5:2.

    Like you I had more weight to lose so continued on 800 for a weeks. Just had a week on holiday eating low carb and now back on 800. Lots of folk on here seem to be staying on 800 if they have more weight to lose, others going on 5:2 or a variation of it.

    Hope this helps.

  • I was diagnosed as pre diabetic six weeks ago, the doctor and myself decided I would try the eight week 800 calorie diet, the first few days were awful and I didn’t think I could carry on, however I persisted, I am sugar addicted. I am at the end of my fifth week and have lost just over 14 lb I am now only losing about 4 oz a day and I am always cold and hungry, I drink a lot of water as I can’t drink hot drinks with no sugar in, my worry is what do I do when I finish the eight weeks? I want to lose at least 28lb I can’t see me losing another 14lb so the question is do I carry on with the 800 calories after the eight weeks?

  • posted by  swaterswirl on on fast 800 but not diabetic
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hia everyone. I’m on day six. Lost 8 lbs so far. Not expecting much of next few weeks. Anything off is amazing. I have quite a bit to go. Not diabetic, but have been a carb and sugar addict since being pregnant in 2014… Gained weight and was at 17. 2 giving birth… Before starting bsd I was 14 st1 2. I’m currently 14. 4. I’ve had the most amazing headaches and dizziness along with catching a cold and being generally run down…. Must have been a terrible addict. I will say today that I had some iceberg lettuce. It was so sweet. I’m no longer craving sugar and my hunger pangs have reduced somewhat. Great… Weigh in next Sat… Will start more exercise after cold has gone. Currently walking pram approx 3 miles a day… πŸ˜„

  • posted by  Cherrianne on Rising Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks for that TimeForChange,
    I had a suspicion that this was happening at a similar point in time on the BSD for all of us.
    It’s reassuring, and as Lachlan says, if our pancreas can do it once it can do it again πŸ™‚

  • posted by  Cherrianne on Starting the journey 21/02/2016
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi All,
    I’m staying away from the weight loss and exercise debate because I haven’t seen any research about that.
    What I do want to say is that exercise is essential in helping to control blood sugars. It should be one of the tools that every diabetic uses, to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.

  • posted by  Cherrianne on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Lucia reading your posts just makes my day!! I feel so happy reading of your achievements and your positivity just shines through.
    You are a breath of fresh air. Can’t wait to hear of you and your hubby’s achievements over time πŸ™‚

  • posted by  Scotgran on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Lucia you are a legend. Well done on your journey so far. Love reading your posts. You are so honest. We are all on a journey no matter our starting or intended finish line. Whether we get there or not is I think less important than our intent. Hey! We are all heading in the right direction.

  • posted by  TimeForChange on Blood pressure
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Yes – I’ve seen a reduction. I measured at the end of 6 weeks and was on the low side of normal.

  • posted by  Cherrianne on 8 weeks and counting
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Jandz,
    Amazing isn’t it? You’ve broken the hold that carbs and sugar had over you πŸ™‚
    Just goes to show, as someone else posted, that it really is an addiction.
    You’ve also had some impressive weight and inches lost too.
    Keep up the good work

  • Hang in there Hetty, I’m sure you’ll start seeing weight loss again soon. You’ve probably found the problem already in the cashews! I love nuts too but cashews are pretty high. I try and stick to 6 walnut halves or some almonds and I put them in a little ziplock bag with some sunflower seeds ( hulled). The sunflower seeds are low carb, high protein and taste pretty good. That’s my allowance of nuts/ seeds for the day to snack on.
    I really hope you get the gynae appt. and treatment underway soon. The hormone changes around menopause are bad enough without your very excessive blood loss.
    As OP says, you are doing really well! Stay positive, things have to get better soon πŸ™‚

  • posted by  TimeForChange on Rising Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I too saw a rise in levels in week 5. Week 7 was the best I’d seen, then back up in week 8. Work was v stressful in week 8. I didn’t change what I ate and was proud that I hadn’t resorted to chocolate but blood readings were up and no weight lost. I wondered if the stress could be a factor or whether it was just a normal variation. Going to keep going and see what happens.

  • posted by  ON PHONE on Result!!
    on in Fast 800
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    How fantastic Bob. Thanks for sharing your story. So inspiring to read of the great changes you have made.

    OP

  • Hi Hetty

    I think you are doing so well juggling all that you are AND still having your numbers move in the right direction (albeit slower than you’d hoped) . I hope you get some answers to the medical issues – sounds awful to be dealing with all of that. My 10 year old boy said – ‘Mum, women have all the hard stuff- having babies and pains and periods! ‘ (training him early πŸ˜‰) – and he doesn’t even know about the crappy menopause stuff.

    Sounds like you’ve already found some ways to begin to tweak things. I agree with Cherrianne, keep posting and keep up with the positive changes you are making.

    OP

  • posted by  Jandz100 on 8 weeks and counting
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    ok so Saturday has always been my ‘treat’ day when trying to lose weight, silly I know but it worked ok when I lost 4 stone in 2014.

    Today I had to do my food shop, went to aldi, dropped lots of nice veg, fish, prawns etc into the trolley and then walked down the sweet aisle…..and kept walking, didn’t even feel tempted πŸ˜‡ !!!!!

    Saturday tea would normally be carb loaded along the lines of pizza, fish & chips, pie and chips…you get the idea right? Tonight it was baked fish & asparagus cooked in a foil parcel with butter, chilli flakes and lemon juice served with a side of broccoli!

    If I’m hungry later I still have calories left over for some nuts…

    What has happened to me?? πŸ€—

  • posted by  captainlynne on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Lucia et al. Sorry for the late welcome but I’m just back from holiday in an Internet free zone.

    Congratulations Lucia, you are doing really well. I have enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to following your progress.

  • posted by  captainlynne on Tomorrow has finally arrived!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi gillmap.

    I wear a uniform for work and back in December my skirt was cutting me in half and I’d moved the jacket buttons as far as I could but it didn’t look good. Started this on 19th December. My skirt started to swivel round my waist and I’ve dropped two sizes. The jacket looks better and I can even fasten the bottom button! Must start moving the buttons back to where they started soon.

    I don’t drink alcohol so that’s a problem I don’t have. But I do sometimes go for training days etc where food is provided. Sometimes I take my own I case their is nothing suitable, but often there is chicken or cooked meat, and salad. I do have a hotel stay coming up but have a good idea what food will be provided so have prepared an action plan (or should that be risk assessment?)

    I’ve just come back from holiday and made the best choices I could from what was available. Hotel buffet breakfasts often include some protein – except in the USA (at least where I have stayed).

    At home I do try to keep my fridge and freezer stocked with foods I know I can eat on this plan: cooked meats, fish, cheese etc. No preparation needed. And eggs. I usually boil six at a time and keep them in the fridge (just being careful not to mix up the cooked and uncooked eggs! LOL). Having food like that available almost instantly has kep me from many disasters.

    I don’t follow the meal plans in the book, but prepare my own, just keeping to the calorie count. And I write everything down.

    Hope this helps, and look forward to seeing your progress. You’ll soon be in those clothes πŸ˜ƒ

  • posted by  Lucia on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi,
    Just went for a wander on this website.
    Filled in the quiz. I had to work out and find out the answers first.
    I now know that last week my bmi was 33.9 and today it is 32.7. I am in the obese category. It should be 25.
    My waist is 38 inches. I am five foot five inches tall or 66 inches so my wAist should be 33 inches or less.
    I only had a metal tape measure and by jingo was it cold. Should have put it by the fire for a little while or measured outside my teeshirt. πŸ€”

    Looks as though I have started just in the nick of time.
    So another aim is to move my bmi from red, through orange, through yellow to that nice green colour band.

    And shave Five inches from my belly. Another reason to count the calories. I am just working them out now, so I know how to plan tomorrow.

    Big learning curve. HUGE, in fact.
    Now, how many calories in a stick of celery, off to google the list.
    Love Lucia xxxx

  • posted by  hettyb on on fast 800 but not diabetic
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    hi all, reading your posts has encouraged me as i too am only losing around 1 lb a week but it is certainly better than nothing and cravings for the wrong things do seem to have stopped

  • hi cherrianne, thanks for support. have had a bit of a rethink today and i think you were right about not having enough fat. i have also realised that i have been snacking on too many nuts especially cashew which i hadnt realised were so high in carbs so its back to the drawing board. at the moment i feel as though me and my body are at loggerheads with each other!

  • posted by  Lucia on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi,
    Just have fish and veg.
    Feel totally full. Previously I have never felt full. It’s wonderful!
    So only having water until tomorrow.
    I think day one went well.
    Day one of 56.
    Hope you all have had a great day.
    Love Lucia xxx

  • posted by  Spirit on on fast 800 but not diabetic
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hello Rubbu,

    I’m not diabetic or prediabetic either. I am almost at the end of week 5, I too lost 8lb in week 1 and then stalled for the following 2 weeks. I also had a problem with constipation. I adjusted what I ate – like seriously dropped the cals to 300 ish a day for a few days, in fact I still do have the odd very low cal day. It just kick starts it for me if things have been slowing down a bit.

    I did Dr Mosely’s original 5,2 diet in 2013 and a few lbs had crept on. I just need to get back to what I was in 2014. Well the top half is, I’ve written elsewhere here, but I had a breast reduction in August so the top half is a size 12. I’m just working on the pear shaped bottom half!

    I’d been doing the Davina fit in 7 about every other day, I also swim 2-3 times a week. I’ve also started walking at lunchtimes – it’s actually nice to get away from the desk for half an hour and get some fresh air. Then about 10 days ago I bought a vibrations plate machine. It’s a bit like sitting on the washing machine when it’s spinning! i have to say that it is toning up the muscles since there is not so much wobbling when i stand on it now! It’s also something I can do if it’s raining lunchtime and I can’t go out.

    I’ve lost 1st 1lb so far. The scales – and the mirror have not always been my friend! Have you noticed too that they don’t make mirrors like they used to πŸ˜‰

    After week 1 I went and bought my ‘mother of the bride’ dress in the size below. I’ve not tried it on yet. The wedding is in the US and we fly out on 6 May so i have until then.

    I will do it, I am determined to.

  • posted by  Lucia on Starting the journey 21/02/2016
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi,
    To those the thumbs up symbol. It isn’t an emoji. You change the font or style of your lettering , I think it is called dingbats. Then each of the keyboard letters is for a different symbol.
    When I had a go, it was trial and error. I just pressed each of the keyboard letters until I hit the thumbs up. Also there is a really nice tick, for filling in forms.
    Love Lucia xxxx

  • posted by  captainlynne on Checking in after holiday.
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks everyone. Feeling a bit down today because I’m tired and the start of the holiday was a disaster so I was stressed out until it got sorted. I decided the best thing to do was to control what I could, and that was what I ate. Ok, portion control was out but it could have been so much worse. And would have been in the old pre-BSD days.

    Janet 1973. The advantage of the residential is that we go to the same hotel every year, so I have a good idea what the food will be. Don’t usually get much exercise there, so will have to make an effort on that.

    Breakfast is a serve yourself, so I’ll just head straight for the cooked breakfast and avoid the cereals, juice and toast. Lunch is again serve yourself, with lots of choice of cooked meats and salads. Also a cooked option, but rarely have that anyway. Again, avoid bread roll and desserts.

    Dinner – have to select from the menu at breakfast (on arrival first day). Three courses. Starter often melon or pΓ’tΓ© or similar. Main often fish or chicken with various veg (will avoid potatoes). Dessert will need to be avoided. Even the cheese board is huge, with lots of crackers and grapes. It would be my best option if I thought nobody would notice me slipping cheese into my serviette for later LOL.

    Seriously, just make best choices I can. Again, I need to watch portion sizes!!!

    Hope the weather is fine so I can get some walking in, at either end of the day or in the free afternoon (last year it snowed!)

  • posted by  gillmap on Tomorrow has finally arrived!
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Well, here goes – posting on forums is something I have never done before, but I am hoping that it will help with the task ahead.

    Losing weight and being more active has been on the agenda for ages but push has finally come to good shove as a blood test result shows prediabetes. I also have a work function to attend in seven weeks and I can’t get into any of my clothes suitable for the occasion, not to mention about 90% of the rest of my wardrobe! And, I am going to stay with friends living near Chicago in May and there’s not a spare ounce on either of them! I have signed up for the Cotswold Plod in June, there’sthere’s nothing like a bit of pressure!

    My downfall is staying in hotels (for work) too often and feeling too tired to eat properly when I get home from work, not to mention wine!

    Weighing and measuring lined up for tomorrow morning then I will know the full size of the challenge! For now, I am off to buy some veg!

  • posted by  captainlynne on Over the 8-week line and after
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks SunnyB. I’ll be interested to see how long it takes to lose the excess baggage! Then back to getting the rest of the excess moving. Seems a long way to go – about 56 pounds – but I’ll get there.

  • posted by  lachlanh on Rising Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Cherrianne

    Good plan. I’ve actually started doing some series meditation to calm me down. Not sure if my stress is causing my blood sugar levels to rise but it’s really helping me deal with the disappointment of these high readings I’ve been getting and I have to say I’m feeling much more relaxed. Im sure all our levels will come down again. I figure if my pancreas has done it before it will do it again. Just have to give it time.

  • posted by  Janet1973 on Starting the journey 21/02/2016
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Sue

    Sorry to contradict you but weight going on isn’t necessarily about calories in versus calories out. Its fashionable these days to say that its as simple as that. Its really not and that’s why we are all here doing the bsd. There are many other factors involved, some of which are beyond our control. And I know I run the risk of really upsetting you now but there is also growing evidence that exercise of any form does not contribute to weight loss. Its great for general well being but does nothing to reduce the waistline. I hope that you can see the upsides here as I do, firstly, just carry on with your eating the way you have been as long as you are within the plan and secondly, sod the housework and get out for a nice walk instead.

  • posted by  SunnyB on on fast 800 but not diabetic
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi All – After a great start in the first week, I too had a plateau in week 2 and have been assures on other forums on this site, that this is normal and often happens week2/3 – and indeed for some, in later weeks too. It was disheartening not to see movement on the scales for a few days, but then I dropped a pound at the end of the week. Again this week – my third – has seen nothing in pounds lost so far, but some how, when I last measured I was missing 1.5 inches from my waist.

    Think the secret is to accept that as your body adjusts, there will be time when the pounds don’t drop as readily as you’d expect, but you have to stay positive and committed to the process. Remember that success is partly in the head, don’t allow yourself to self-sabotage because progress is not what you expect and you feel discouraged – there’s plenty of support on the forums when you feel like this, so use it. As for goals, there’s no reason you can’t adjust those to something more attainable – if you think 16lb is realistic, set that as your new target and if you hit it before the end of the eight weeks, you can set a new goal.

    I’m almost at the end of my week three and right now, I have no idea what I am going to do at the end of the 8wks on the 800 diet. Thought it made sense not to try to plan that far ahead, but to concentrate of the here and now. Once I get into week eight and have a better picture of how much I have lost, I’ll be better equipped to make the decision, but I do know that I would be prepared to stay on the 800 if I decided it would help.

    Remember, be kind to yourself, don’t beat yourself up because things are not happening as fast as you would like – at 800 cals a day, the weight loss WILL happen.

    Good luck everyone.

  • posted by  Scotgran on Low carb diet in Hong Kong?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Yes you could take sealed packs of nuts but again you can buy them in a supermarket over there. Just a note re buying lunch. Supermarkets and in fact all shops don’t open til 10 or 11 in the morning but are open until 10 or 11 at night so if you have a fridge in your room buy the lunch the night before. To augment your lunchtime salad, you can easily buy cooked chicken in supermarkets and again keep in fridge overnight. Restaurants open up and close down at a rapid pace in HK so don’t rely on web sites. Open rice is a good restaurant review site and it does post in English. Be aware fish will come complete with head and tail and you may have to select your live one from a tank. For coffees, there is of course Starbucks but I preferred a chain called Pacific Coffee. Outback is a chain of Western style chicken, rib and steak restaurants and they do salad and coleslaw as a sides option. They also bring a loaf of delicious malty bread and you are on holiday………

  • posted by  Sue1234 on Starting the journey 21/02/2016
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Bill I type this on my tablet and I have lots of different pictures I can add. πŸ™ˆπŸ™‰πŸ™Š
    Spoke too soon yesterday
    Day 21 weight 10st 10lbs (two pounds have gone back on 😭)
    Blood sugar 10.5

    Weight going on means that I am taking more calories in than I am using. Therefore will make my shakes with a higher proportion of water tomorrow to see if that makes a difference. Also I need to move more so I plan to do some housework tomorrow as well. 😱

  • posted by  Shadow2 on Checking in after holiday.
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thats brilliant captainlynne, you did really well with the food, I am sure you will soon get the weight off. Worth it any way, does you good to get away.

  • posted by  Shadow2 on Low carb diet in Hong Kong?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thank you so much for your post it is really helpful and I am so pleased that there are a few options for me. I had assumed that everything would be with rice. Brilliant idea to take salad to stadium will definitely do that. Can you take food into Hong Kong? Am going to see if I can take pre packed nuts or snacks. We have wanted to go to sevens for years but could never get tickets so decided to bite the bullet and go with a Gullivers Travels package which includes tickets . My husband is now 70 and if we dont go soon we might never get there! Still deciding on fancy dress but will be getting something. Hope you are doing well on BSD.

  • posted by  SunnyB on My first day today.
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    I am almost at the end of week 3 and barring the odd hunger pang and hitting a bit of ick a plateau, it’s been much easier than I thought to stick to the diet. Make sure to use the forums, as there’s lots of tips and support out there.

    Good luck everyone!

  • posted by  Scotgran on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    B variation on blueberry green tea shake, made it with lemon ginger tea and added strawberries.
    L lettuce cups with bacon and half an avo from the book
    D small steak and I’ll,make the creme fraiche peppercorn sauce with pink peppercorns. Salad. As its Saturday I’ll have a gin and tonic and a glass of wine. Ooh what a devil I am.

  • Thank you Purplepenguin and Janet 1973. There is so much info out there re diets and in the past I’ve read about Atkins and how it’s not good for you so I worry about the fats. Added to which there are lots of calories in them so it’s difficult to reconcile a high fat/low calorie diet. It’s just something I have to get over.

    I am only slightly overweight so I think that also makes it less easy to lose it. I would love to be able to lose half a stone in a week like some do.

  • posted by  Shrinkydinkyman on What have you eaten today?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    After drinking four pints of dark ale last evening on top of an Aduki bean chilli with a small portion of brown rice. (That certainly cleared the pipes!)
    I decided this morning as the scales had remained stable, I would make some coconut flour pancakes. Which I had with blueberry’s and a little peanut butter (palm oil free, got to look after the Orangutans!) That was at 9am when it was still foggy in the UK.
    After a walk into town (Lewes) with the dogs to pick up my boots from repair shop, and a visit to the hardware store. Came home and ate two spicy bean burgers (recipe from the book) with some chopped Celery Tomato and Cucumber drizzled in homemade Olive oil and Balsamic vinegar dressing. Also knocked up a vegetable soup for work on Monday, to save throwing them on the compost heap.
    This evening the wife wants to treat me to an Indian meal.
    Will probably have Tandoori Chicken with some Brinjal bhaji (Aubergine) & Bhindi bhaji (Okra) also know as ladies fingers. And a glass of wine.

  • posted by  Lucia on My eight weeks….
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi,
    Guess what…. I hit the 10,000 at 2:20pm today. It’s that a big milestone!
    Went to Costa and instead of a toasted sandwich or lemon cake, I just had tea.
    I felt hungry walking back from the shops so had the salad when I got in.
    Hubby is having the same food ( whether he wants it or not πŸ™ƒ) I looked surprised when he said he had lost two pounds. Sssshhh dont tell him what we are up to.
    So I am now going out to Hoover and wash the car instead of driving it for someone else to do.
    How are you all doing this weekend?
    Love Lucia xxxx

  • Hi carommartin
    Here is a link re ketosis
    http://www.m.webmd.com/diabetes/what-is-ketosis
    So one of the most important things is the fluids you must drink (I think it’s two to three litres, )it’s a lot but it flushes your system through especially when you do achieve ketosis.
    I use myfitnesspal but watch out for some of its suggestions as it told me that cinnamon sticks were over three hundred calories and cayenne pepper six hundred.!!! But that was me entering a recipe from the web.
    I know how difficult thyroid problems are, I only have had a prob for three years with my thyroid and I have struggled loads but I was already very overweight and a diabetic.
    You can do it really you can x

  • Yes that’s it exactly, carommartin. Have a look at a website called diet doctor and search on there for ketosis, there is some really good stuff there. I don’t have full fat milk as there are still a lot of carbs but I have greek yoghurt, olive oil, butter, avocados and especially coconut flour and oil. Also seeds like linseeds. It’s made a real difference to my weight loss this week.

  • Ketosis is essential to anyone wanting to lose weight, not just diabetics. When our bodies are in ketosis we know it is fat we are burning and not other things like muscle, glycogen or just water loss. We achieve ketosis by restricting carbs but keeping fats high.

  • Yes Purplepenguin, I saw the chat about ketosis too but I don’t really understand it. I wasn’t sure if it just applied to diabetics which I am not. No I haven’t been using an app this time for calorie counting. Can you recommend one? Also I don’t think I’m drinking enough water really and am trying to address that. I weigh myself every day. I don’t really believe I can do it as I’ve tried before since being hypo and nothing seems to work except starvation!

  • posted by  Janet1973 on Checking in after holiday.
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    I always said I wouldn’t mind putting on weight on holiday if only I could lose it again just as quickly afterwards. Of course, that was in the WW days when it would take me months to lose what I put on in a two week holiday – if at all. This is where the bsd is different. It helps you limit the damage while you are away and you know those two pounds will be gone within a week. I think your residential will be easier as you will be in the same place every day and can probably get the caterers to give you extra of anything you need. You will also be able to keep your water consumption up. All the best for this week.

  • posted by  MaryR on Checking in after holiday.
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Well done captainlynne, it sounds like you did everything right! I’ll bet those 2-3 extra pounds just melt away in a matter of days, and may well kick start a better drop over than the next week than it might have been if you’d been home!
    MaryR

  • Hi carommartin
    Oh that is disappointing. I have also been on it for a short time day six today but am only going to weigh myself once a week. Are you drinking all that water? There was also some chat about ketosis I think it was Bill1954 ( hope I got that year right!) and are using one of the many apps for calorie counting? Keep at it you can do it πŸ™ƒ

  • posted by  Leanne on My first day today.
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    hello iv been reading up all weekend about the blood sugar diet. I was going to start Monday but iv just been shopping and bought lots of lovely fresh veg and meat etc and I’m ready to go as of tomorrow πŸ™‚ my exercise bike has been looked out and dusted off and is now ready to go lol . cant wait till my pants start to fall down haha πŸ™‚

  • posted by  SunnyB on Over the 8-week line and after
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Well done on keeping control of your diet whilst away. I’m sure now you are home and back to the 800, you will be back on track in no time. You have seen great results so far and I’m sure you will be seeing more soon.