SunnyB, you are already making inroads into your ‘slip’, it is bound to throw you….but you have done so well. I know how tough it is as someone who has bounced up and down on the scales like a damn kangaroo…..but this way of eating can and will adapt to your stay in Turkey if you want it to. Even if you go outside the 800 and stick to the Mediterranean way of eating with reduced carbs you can do it!

I have stalled out all week, 3, but instead of it breaking me, because of all the ‘pioneer posters’ on here I knew it might happen and have not gone off plan, even over Easter with family. It was tough, my daughter cooked a fab meal….but, I was able to enjoy lamb, cauliflower cheese and broccoli and weirdly didn’t feel hard done by when the deserts can out…..I admit the salted caramel macarons did call my name rather loudly but I put my fingers in my ears and had a peppermint tea!!!! Victory!!

On the victory front, I am sleeping better, my joints are not as creaky and I am still 14lbs down from the start so what is not to love about it….week four will be what it will be but I will complete this, reset my body and carry on to 4:3 or something similar.

How is everyone doing this week? 😃

I’d forgotten about barenaked rice, until my daughter-in-law mentioned it a week or so back. It is something on my list to get, but haven’t yet. Really think this will help on the BSD, especially on days when hunger is a bit of an issue.

I was browsing the recipes yesterday and spotted a stir-fry using Barenaked rice. Having never heard of it I did a search, and thought it was worth a try. I was also out off Miso, veg stock and bubbly water so headed to the supermarket this morning.
I picked up a basket – don’t use trolleys as I get more than I need, also better exercise to carry the food around – and started filling it with a few heavy things – 2 bottles of water, bottle of bleach, soap powder, tin tomatoes etc. I still could not find the Barenaked Rice, Veg Stock or Miso. I found the rice after 2 goes around the rice/pasta areas and some caulirice I decided to try, but went up and down every food isle in the shop at least twice and some three times before I found the stock and decided they had no Miso.
The basket had got so heavy, I could feel my self slightly breathless and latterly, dumping is as I walked up yet another isle, then going back for it as I moved to the next isle.
Driving home I had a thought – that basket must have been as heavy as the weight I have lost which just shows what I was putting my body through!
Not content with wondering, I brought down the bathroom scales (no I was not about to carry the lot up stairs). It was 7.1kg (15.6lb) – that was my weight loss 3 weeks ago so I was carrying more than that in fat before then!
So, if you hit a plateau and need a boost – try picking up a basket next time you go to the supermarket, head for flour or sugar and load up the basket with the weight you have lost and see it you can lift it! If you can, walk around with it for a 10 minutes looking for an obscure item and see how you feel – you used to feel like that all the time and probably never noticed it…..
You can then get rid of the unwanted items and finish your normal shopping for ‘good’ food feeling smug!
Hope you have all had a good Easter.

Ooh good suggestion! At my age I’ve forgotten more good tracks than I remember. Must dig around in the 70s stuff a bit more.

I just can’t NOT dance to Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive! Just can’t move as well or as fast to it as when I was 16. But if I carry on with the diet, who knows??

Fantastic result David well done! My fridge is groaning under salad and vegetables as well! Plus raspberries and strawberries, even some cherries this week that were reduced.

It’s costing a bit but actually because I’m eating way less overall than usual, I don’t think it will work out much different in the long term.

I’ve just finished my first week too, and I’m at least 4, possibly as much as 6lbs down. I’ll weigh on some proper scales later.

I love your description of feeling taller… it’s a wonderful feeling, being in control and making your body do what you want it to, rather than being a slave to its demands.

I’m in 🙂
I have just got into trousers I bought in the sale 2 years ago. There were a size too small when I bought them – they were for the following year! I then put on weight and they were 1.5 -2 sizes too small , so hung in the cupboard for 2 years. Got into them 10 days ago :-). True to from, I bought a pair of dungerees and a bib skirt (very retro 1970’s and probably a bit mutton) in the sales that I can just squeeze into them, but not button them up.
I want to get into them by the summer as well……

You show him, Catgirl!

I have a very nice summer dress which doesn’t do up … yet.

Ok so I’ve recently rediscovered iTunes, and downloaded a few of my old favourites. I came across some daft tunes that I’m kind of embarrassed to admit I like, but they make me want to shake my big fat bum. And that’s a good thing, whether I’m doing housework or on the treadmill! So I’m going to confess… here’s a few that get me up out of my chair:

Big bad wolf (Duck Sauce, from the TV ad) – I can’t dance like the hero on the ad, but who’s watchin’?
I like to move it (Madagascar) sorry, I know. I do like some classy stuff too.
I’m on my way (Proclaimers)
Road to nowhere (Talking Heads)
You can call me Al (Paul Simon)
Various reggae tracks
A couple of didgeridoo/drum fusion tracks

Picture a large middle aged woman shakin’ her not-insubstantial thang to that lot. Or not, if you don’t want to be put off your dinner!!

What makes your monkey jump? Come on, confess!

Dear Lucia, the gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down! Those flowery trousers I told you about that I bought in the sale a few years ago that were 2 sizes too small, well I tried them on today, got them past my knees, then just past my hips, tried to feed the dough belly into the zip part, my belly could make a good bakers dozen that Paul Hollywood would be proud of! Then I said to my husband that I was going to get into the trousers in time for our summer hols, he told me in a joking way to f*** off! He wasn’t mean, just didn’t believe me, so in 18 1/2 weeks I WILL be wearing those trousers! So for anyone who will be at Newcastle airport on 4th August, I will be the mad, slimmer, growing old disgracefully woman in the flowery Capri pants doing high fives to myself and feeling awfully smug.

Anyone else up for a challenge?

So that is the end of the first week and I’m pleased as I have lost 7 ¾ lbs so well on my way to my target of 20lbs. Time for some reflection …….

….800 calories sounds daunting when you first start but there are so many recipes that help you achieve that and still feel full. Fridge still looks like Kermit the Frog has exploded. The hunger passed for me in a few days and I really think that drinking lots of water helps. I bought a fruit infusion water bottle (from Tesco £6) and have found some lovely flavours to try online.

….My wife, One thing I perhaps didn’t think enough about was her eating habits, she does not need to lose weight. Also she doesn’t like a lot of foods recommended in BSD, beans, pulses etc. So rather than cook the same thing for her I have been incorporating some of her favourites back into the main meal. Also buying her deserts that she likes. It’s very important that they are able to eat and drink what they want, so she has a glass of wine with her meal.

….Time, don’t underestimate the time it takes to plan the meals and shop more regularly as you eat more fresh vegetables. Fitting in 10,000 steps a day is also time consuming. My respect to those who are working full time while on BSD.

….Alcohol, I enjoy cooking so would have drink while cooking, wine with the meal and a few whiskies in the evening. Missing my wine but it’s worth it, breaking the habit is the hardest part. Longest I have been without a drink for a long while.

So how am I feeling, if I needed to sum it up in one word it would be “taller”, let me explain, I have lost weight round my face and my middle, I have more energy and generally feeling better about myself. I just feel that I’m walking taller.

I now know that I will meet my target and in the months/years to come I can see me doing a week now and again if I need to shed a few pounds.

Good luck to everyone at the start of the BSD

Hi Christi. Looking forward to seeing you on the ‘Over the 8-week line and after’ thread on the Fast 800 Forum. Nothing ambitious about 2 stone – I lost 27 pounds in the 8 weeks and almost another stone since. I’m in my 15th week on 800 calories. Only another 3.5 stone to go!

Hi Rob. To answer your questions: what keeps me going? – determination to show the medics it not only works, but is sustainable. What are my aims? – as a diabetic to keep my blood sugars as low as possible, to get my weight down to a ‘normal’ BMI, and to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible to see my granddaughters grow up. Do I find it hard? Sometimes. I’m ok at home, but when I’m away I seem to struggle with portion control although keeping low-carb.

You slipped up, SunnyB – but that’s in the past now and you still lost a little weight – don’t beat yourself up over it.

You’ll cope with the trip to Turkey by following the diet when you’re there. The travelling will be tricky as low carb options when eating out are scarce, but once in your apartment it should be possible to buy and prepare low carb food. With a bit of planning, you can do this.

It was actually Fred Forest’s post I was responding to, no disrespect intended to either of you. I only mention it as I wouldn’t want people to be put off using the programme if they haven’t got a medical reason.

Well I thought I would let you know how I got on.

CRAP

It started well, the thursday, full cooked, but I ate toast, i couldnt help it, i didnt need it yet this white bread dripping in butter was saying eat me , so i did. Thank god it was crap toast as if it was nice i would really have lost my way!

Curry was good! ordered tandoori chicken and its came with peppers and onions, i had ordered a side dish so i wouldnt go for rice, and it was lovely only found out it had some potato in. What i found was interesting was pressure from others to eat rice and naan bread.
They knew i was on a diet yet apparently a curry isn’t a curry without rice. I gave in and had a spoon full

but not bad so far

sunday

well off to mothers for the family roast, i had told her about the diet and that i would eat lot of protein and veg, it was sooo good, but she did huge roasts, bless her as she didn’t quiet understand they who no carbs, she did extra big roasters to stop the fat being absorbed, however as she had made them that big for me i was under pain of death not to eat them, it was good soooo good.

dinner was lovely and i stupidly had seconds, well little while later i was in agony. My body i feel had got used to no carbs or few carbs and i had just relapsed in a big way! My body was saying NO!

the pain was enough to make me think about my choices of food, however came pudding

now im not a chocolate lover, but I was asked for a light suggestion and i dont know why but i said this, its a mary berry recipe , 2 large krispy cakes , between them cream and peaches, or tinned pears.

I had a small bit, strange it was nice but not as nice as i was hoping for

few hours later the pain really kicked in, my body was telling me i am poisoning it.

As a result got on the scales and oh dear, but its dooable and we knew this was going to happen soooooo no guilt!

I even drank a pepsi max … that is my weakness

think i could do anything on the diet if that was by my side, but monday has come, i wanted something sooo nice for breakfast but it was cheesy beans and mushroom. I dont like it but, most of the breakfast options i dont like, personally would rather take out the cheese and put an egg in there.

lunch will be the ploughmans but smaller as really fancy the chilli beef for dinner!

on good news mums next door neighbour gave me a static bike but have to wait till it can be brought up to me

one of the nicest things said was before the meal( i bloated) was that you could see weight loss around my core!

that has spurred me on !

what this weekend has taught me ,is yes you can slip but try and plan your slip.

even monday im still in pain from yesterdays food!

Have been out of the loop and ‘off-piste’ for a few days, due to a wedding and Easter with family. I foolishly thought I had a handle on this whole thing and although I stuck to the principle of the diet, my main transgression was three small glasses of red, a small glass of prosecco and a few sips of a sparkling wine. Was devastated to find 1.5lb gained between weighing myself on Thursday morning and Sunday morning!!!!
Pleased to report that on weighing myself this morning, I had dropped 0.6lb, so finished week 5 with a lose of 0.6lb – but it could have been almost 2lb, if I hadn’t screwed up. So I’m starting week 6 rather irritated with myself, but even more than that, I now find myself wondering how I am going to manage being away for almost three months, driving to our apartment in Turkey, extended stay and driving back, without heaping on the weight again. Rather panic stricken actually!! I don’t want all this effort to have been just for me to pile on the pounds again while I’m away.
So, little despondent right now and seriously worried about the near future, with regard to my weight.

Also starting BSD properly on 1st April – usually the time of year I make my resolutions rather than in January! Followed 5:2 last year and just feel like more of a challenge. Much healthier but want to stay that way especially with regards to potential thyroid and metabolic syndrome symptoms. So, this week I am reading and rereading this website, clearing out the cupboards and fridge/freezer and stocking up on good food!

Agreed totally Janet
I was just explaining the history behind the 800 figure.
Personally I’m just waiting for the weight loss companies to announce their new low carb wonder diets, it’s got too happen one day.

I keep a diary too. I record everything – weight, fat burning score from ketostix, how I feel (any pains I’ve got going on!), any important things that have happened. I will be able to look at it in a year’s time and see all the changes that have happened that I’m too close to appreciate right now. And if I start to struggle, maybe I’ll see the pattern that is causing it. I’m brutally honest too. When I’ve gone off plan I still record everything I’ve eaten.

The book is aimed at anyone who wants to lose weight and stay healthy. That’s what it says in the homepage of the website. After all, its possible to have a lot of weight to lose and not be t2 or pre- diabetic.

Hi Hashimoto
Have been out of the loop for a few days, due to a wedding and Easter family gatherings, but great to see the petition is off the ground. Well done for getting it this far. It’s up to the rest of us to ensure the word is spread and the petition signed by as many as possible. Let’s hope if nothing else, we manage to spread the word to many thousands who will benefit from the BSD.

Hi Linda, I beleive the answer to your question is yes, precooked rice and potatoes be part of a low carbohydrate diet and used in the 800 BSD. In fact, I talk about resistant starch in my latest blog post here: http://jendoesfitness.com/defeatingdiabetes/ (from the perspective of those affected by diabetes) It is indeed very interesting research but I really can’t find it n the web, got any links guys?

Wow paddy 23lbs in 3 weeks is incredible! Well done.

I never thought I’d say this but I’m actually looking forward to weighing in – my scales say at least 4lbs loss for my first week, and considering a few lapses happened that’s pretty good. My local slimming world usually holds a group on bank holidays so I’m hoping they’ll be there so I can get a reading from their scales (I am still going to SW for the moment).

800 calories was the figure used by Professor Taylor in his initial Newcastle Diet program.
It was based on the calorie intake of post weight loss surgery patients, many of whom were seeing their blood sugar readings go into normal tolerances.
The whole idea behind the research was to see if the same results could be obtained by people using a rapid weight loss eating regime.
The rest is history and I’m sure we all agree that the results speak for themselves.

FiFiP and Patsy, thankyou! Great idea to post to a friend on mumsnet! I grow herbs, radishes and lettuce in 2huge containers near my kitchen door. Sometimes Lidl or Tesco sell ‘living lettuce’ as the weather gets warmer. I save a lot of bother by separating the plants out and replanting them in my tubs, gets you ahead of sowing seeds by a month!
🙂

Hi Janet, I don’t follow many recipes from the book either. I prefer meat or fish with veg done the way I am used too. I do like the cauliflower mash from the cottage pie recipe though. Perfect with a sausage or chicken or even on it’s own.
Rob follow cherriannes tip about a book. I write everything I eat in a book I use as a food diary. With the calories/carbs written against each ingredient. It gives you a store of recipes to dip into when you can’t be bothered to work it all out. Like cherrianne said there is a thread about ‘what I ate today’ where people post their day’s meals. 🙂

Signed & sent it to a friend who is on a BSD thread on Mumsnet.

Got husband to sign too.

Now that the gale has stopped I’m going out for a good walk, but in the opposite direction of the coffee shops, can resist the cakes easily, but a latte is another matter!!

I am growing herbs on my back terrace & am tempted to try some salad veggies in tubs, like radishes (addicted to radishes, just love them) & that lettuce you can just have by the handful.

Hi purplepenguin, hypothyroidism isn’t curable but I am having blood tests done on my fbs, thyroid function and cholesterol, the latter because my doctor was alarmed when I mentioned full fat!!

Because I have lost so much weight I may not need so much levothyroxine medication.

I’m looking forwards to the results. I did notice Bill’s cholesterol count has reduced while on this diet despite eating full fat! Hypothyroidism and diabetes both cause rises in your cholesterol count so this is going to be fascinating. 🙂

Janet that’s a great suggestion that Rob posts what he wants to eat and we can all help 🙂
It might also help you, Rob if you get a folder or book to write any breakfast, lunch or dinner ideas/ recipes in and their carb count. People are always posting their tips on the threads and you might see something you like the idea of.
Hi Acquamarine and welcome. You have every chance of showing your doctor the amazing difference the blood sugar diet makes. It’s good he was interested, many people have found their doctors to be indifferent or in opposition.
Everyone seems to lose weight differently, some people’s is dramatic, others slow but steady, yet others lose some then plateau then lose some more. Keep posting and let us know how you get on. You’ll get plenty of help if you need it.

Signed.

Thanks guys, will stick with it. I use Endomondo to track exercises, and it too links to MFP.

Thanks to you both….yes I am counting carbs and was hoping that the high fibre foods were free to use

We’re carbless twins, Omega!

Chocolate? You ate chocolate when I resisted? Right, there’s no way I’m going to let you beat me. If you’re going to look fab by May then so am I!

thank you so much for your reply and encouragement Janet1973. I will check out those threads too.

Are you coun ting total carbs as opposed to net carbs? You get the net carb figure by deducting the fibre amount. Fibre calories/carbs don’t count as the liver processes fibre differently and it has no adverse effect on blood sugar. That”s a very simplistic explanation but I hope you get my drift. I was confused about this too especially as my tablespoon of flax a day was using up my carb allowance. Now I use high fibre foods liberally. The fat secret app breaks all these foods down into fat, call, protein,fibre, cards and net carbs – very useful. Hope this helps

Hi Aquamarine,
You are doing so well!

To jump straight to your question about is the weight loss as dramatic? I would point you to our beloved Bill who has lost 25lb in his first 8 weeks and I know he doesn’t count calories but sticks to around 50grams of carbs a day. I’m sure he can tell you more himself if you wanted to ask him on the ‘this has to work for me’ thread or the weigh in thread. You might also want to check out the ‘what have you eaten today?’ thread. Same to you Rob, you might both get inspiration from the very simple meal plans in there.

I personally don’t like many of the recipes in the book so I just stick to the simple formula of a protein source plus vegetables or legumes for my meals. For example, sausages (veggie cos the only meat I eat is chicken) with cauliflower mash, roast chicken with three or four veg, a piece of fish with salad and chickpeas, etc, etc. I always add butter or olive oil to my meals. Full fat yoghurt and berries for dessert or a snack. I’m not the biggest loser on this site but there are some really big hitters around. Its not the meals themselves that make the difference, its the combination of the low carb, high fat that is the success behind this program.
All the best to you, keep posting.

The reason is given in the book, this is a rapid weight loss diet for Type 2 diabetics and pre-diabetics.

It is worth looking at the 5:2 diet if you are not in those categories. There is a calculator associated with the diet that will give you a recommended calorie intake for the non fasting days and that should give you something to aim for that is not 800 calories.

I would like to thank you all for the above posts and answers.Last week I had a full check up and discovered that both my fasting blood sugar and 2 hours post meal are slightly raised as is my HbA1c….I live iin Istanbul and finding a good understanding doctor is a bit hit and miss.I joined here a few weeks ago but only to lose weight as I knew that My blood sugars may be raised….as it happens I was correct.Anyhow, I had the Blood Sugar Diet book with me and showed it to the doctor….straight away he was interested but tried to tell me to follow the suggested diet from the hospital plus half a tablet of metformin morning and evening…I said well let me follow the BSD only and come back in 4 weeks…he tried to tell me that the metformin would lower my blood sugar,help me to lose weight and increase my metabolism and he wrote the prescription. Well..I haven’t collected the prescription and as I had read enough of the book to loosely start the diet I did so the following day…Thursday.Yesterday morning I got weighed and was amazed to see that I have lost 3 kg but I confess to being quite hungry at times.
So..I was going to ask you all if I need to adhere rigidly to the diet or stick to the low carb,no sugar diet with portion reduction…low and behold you have answered most of my questions on here.I was driving myself crazy looking at the suggested meals in the book as I cannot find everything here and vegetables are only available in season.One question…is the weight loss as dramatic not adhering strictly to the book?

Thanks and you are all a true inspiration to me. I just wish that the book is eventually translated and devised for the Turkish market as there is a massive problem here….people just expect that it’s a normal thing to have raised blood sugars 🙁

Thanks Hashimoto
Yes didn’t believe it and apart from the odd moment it has not been that hellish which is great. Keep meaning to ask has it affected any of your thyroid probs and improved them? 😎

Patsy, we’re both losing at the same rate 🙂

First week done and I have lost 2 kg (around 4lb.) No diabetes.

I have been closer to 1000 calories a day than 800. According to my Fitnesspal, carbs have varied from 20 g to 80 g a day. I did a few 16-18 hour fasts over the week also. I had glass of red and few squares of dark chocolate but otherwise have been eating clean.

Looking forward to my friend’s wedding in May and fitting into a nice dress. Gives me motivation 🙂
Keep on going everyone!

Those cards in red lentils are good carbs, apparently. Just don’t add too many.

I use leeks to bulk out my stock based soups and that seems to work a treat.

I set my calorie goals as 800 and it works fine, yes it gives a “you aren’t eating enough……” warning but just ignore it.

I use the recipe builder all the time and it makes the food diary very easy.

Hurrah it’s spring. That should make it easier to get outside for some exercise and make salads and light, healthy meals more tempting than big plates of stodge. We can absolutely, definitely do this.

Deb, stir fries are good, when you get on to real food. I fry a little lean meat with a splash of olive oil and flavourings such as ginger, chillies, garlic and lemon grass until the meat is just done (I’m sure bean curd or other veggie options would work too) and then add loads of veg, especially beansprouts. By changing the meat, spices and veg you can vary the flavour a lot.

My husband has been eating this too and didn’t realise I’d left out rice and noodles until I told him.

Congratulations Spirit on you success so far and to anyone who has had a wobble this Easter, tomorrow is a new day and a new start. I put my son and daughter in laws Easter eggs in the car ready to deliver and wasn’t tempted as so far haven’t felt the need to pick or snack. ( son is 29 and his wife 27 but they are still my ‘babies’).

Week 2 is over and I have lost 12lbs and hubby 9lbs. It’s been a slow week after week 1’s excellent results but I have also lost 3 1/2″ from my waist and the same from hips which is amazing.

Desperately want to hit the stone mark this coming week so need to up the exercise, find some puddles to plodge in, country lanes to yomp through, shopping centres to drool over smaller size clothes, plan menus, stay focused, take inspiration from the blogs and look forward. Of course that is after finding a nice country pub for lunch today with suitable food choices!

I was counting on it all having turned to alcohol! Kidding myself a bit there though. It’s definitely something I need to be careful with as it’s very easy for one glass to turn into two or more and then to snack when resisence is low.

Like the lard idea – that is what we’re losing, isn’t it? I have some in the fridge. Not something we eat, but I make birdfood with it. I’m going to keep a tiny corner of it when I make the last batch as a reminder. Thanks.

I’m also premenopausal, and have hypothyroidism, and I lost just under a stone in the first three weeks of the BSD. The weight loss is noticeable too and comments from friends and family are very motivating. However, week 4 has been horrendous. My scale weight has been yoyoing all week, in some cases showing more than half a kilo gain in a day, even though I’m sticking like glue to the diet. I have also registered more in the morning than I was the night before. Because of the premenopause, I have been taking Duphaston tablets from day 16 to 25 of my cycle, when it’s there, and I started this month’s lot 3 days ago. Just wondered if anyone else is taking this, or something like it, and noticed any changes in weight. I wondered if it causes water retention, since visibly it can be seen that the fat is going, but the scales tell a different story.

Hi Deb,
I was thinking about this when I went to bed and remembered that initially I started with 3 replacement meals a day – one I used at suppertime (8-9pm). The evening meal I had either stir-fry or home made veg soup.
I suspect the protein one I found is available in N America so you may find it – Oatwell. it is Oats based which attracted me as Michael has done another article about the benefits of oats and barley.
I used the chocolate one – I find most artificial flavourings horrible, and chocolate the least bad! The powder is 43 cals and 2g carbs. The rest you make up with milk. They recommend 150-200 ml milk. By the time I was using it, I was adding in real food and changing over to cooking everything from scratch. I found the 150ml to be the most palatable.
If I was doing it again I would make one change. I used skimmed milk with it. It took me 3-4 weeks to accept that full fat was ok. I would recommend you start with full fat milk as it is almost your 200 cals for a meal.
Oatwell plus 200 ml skimmed milk – 115 cals; 11g carbs.
Oatwell plus 200 ml semi-sk milk – 135 cals; 11g carbs.
Oatwell plus 200 ml full fat milk – 177 cals; 11 carbs.
As you see the carbs don’t increase, but how full you feel will increase enormously with the full fat milk. Three meal replacements would be around 531 cals; 33g carbs allowing 20-30 cals per meal replacement for ‘snacks’ a few almonds, cherry tomatoes are good as they are like sweets! The fourth meal is then up to you for lots of veg.
Try the maths with the milks on which ever ‘Shake’ you decide on and have fun!

Hi Patsy wine has a lot of sugar so can derail your efforts 🙁

4lbs in a week is a great result – think of 8 half pound blocks of lard, that will help you see your achievement! 🙂

Wow – people are doing well. Keep it up (or maybe I should say keep it off?)

End of week 1 for me. Lost 4lb and 1/2 inch of waist.

Apart from two small glasses of wine (different nights) I’ve resisted all carbs. (Does wine count as carbs? I know we’re not supposed to drink it in the 8 weeks, but maybe it’s more because of the calorie count). I’ve tried to keep calorie intake low, but haven’t been weighing and adding everything up so expect I’ve gone over 800, but it’s all been veg, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, olive oil etc – no junk.

4lb didn’t sound a lot to me until I worked out how much it would be if I did the same over the next 7 weeks. I’d reach my ideal weight!