Hi Liz
I actually saw it elsewhere and I can’t remember where
Basically it said that 50 to 100 grams / day would help you lose weight while under 50 grams / day would put you into ketosis.
We know it works as some folk are testing for ketosis and getting positive results.
I would be too, but typically, I got a dodgy batch of Ketostix which apparently wouldn’t change colour if I dipped them in the deep fat fryer.

Very true, it is
22lbs weight loss is a great achievment though, if you are happy with it you can stay on the fast 800 another few weeks or go on to the 5:2. The restricted carbs even on that should help you towards your target.
Keep in touch, just because you have done the first 8 weeks doesn’t mean we don’t want to know how you do as you progress further.
It’s a dark and unknown path for most of us.

Dont to start with is my advice. That brekkie looks ok BTW.
Just starting out I think you’ll be better off concentrating on keeping the carbs down below 50 grams per day and not worrying about the calories just now. On that carbohydrate intake you will lose weight and sensible portion control will do the rest. If you feel a need to count the calories in a couple of weeks, then fair enough but give yourself a worry free start

You are most welcome, you deserve a medal for the support and motivation you provide people on here, particularly with the worries you have had!!

I have now maintained my weight for about 4 weeks. Lost 22lbs total but need to get another 2 or 3 stones off. I have been having the odd cake and scone though and not exercising much which I think is what is stopping me. My metabolism is a bit slow I think, I have an underactive thyroid, but maybe that’s just a good excuse! I stick more or less to the recipes but I think the 800 is maybe closer to 900 or 1000 depending on some of the recipes.

I am trying to be better today and not eat anything sweet. Had a hectic weekend and had a few drinks/food that I shouldn’t have but I need to be realistic as its for life not just for 8 weeks !!

x

No response from the team re making it sticky ?

Ok well we all know by now that I have a long way to go… And that I struggle with food options. I would rather starve than eat which isn’t good

I was thinking of a breakfast option how does this sound.. I not sure how to work out calories

But

The Harrogate sausages ( 1)
Tinned tomatoes
Egg
Mushrooms optional

That would make an amazing breakfast and I can’t see anything bad just unsure on how to do the breakdown

That’s interesting. Thanks for letting me know. I’m trying to keep this thread in full view 🙂

No problem JackieMac, thanks for the good wishes.
How is your diet going ?

I have seen some people have stopped counting calories and are counting carbs instead. Where did the number 50g of carbs come from? I have the book, is it in there? I am in week 7 and think this may be the way to go at the end.

Bill, I am delighted to hear the good news about your daughter. Sorry for being so late to reply, my email has been going into the Junk folder, how ironic! All the very best to you all. x

Fantastic news captainlynne, both in terms of refund and more importantly your weight loss, you are an inspiration

I’m wondering if that has stuck for a while Judith as a couple of folks on another of my forums say they have signed this afternoon. I’ve also hit FB and Twitter again today.

Still 99 signatures, do we have any new BSDers who are uk residents and willing to sign our petition to promote this low carb diet to T2 diabetics? 🙂

Pete
I was just about to post that I went off the rails in my fourth week too. Previously that would have been it for me too but I’m trying to regroup and get back on track .

My lesson related to stress – I was trying to finish some very stressful work and for the first time I just craved and craved to eat … Anything . It astounded me how hard I found it to resist food when I felt so stressed. How hungry I felt when previously no hunger. It was overwhelming .I withstood it for one days but on two and three I broke and then went to the other extreme. This coincided with social events ( alcohol) and Easter .
So. I’m heading on and trying to let go of this back step and like you , learn from it and move on.
OP

Hi deb, what lovely goals 🙂

Wow!! Impressive – congratulations !

Great post !
congratulaions!
😀

Yes, I was watching Eddie Izzard’s 27 marathons last night and feeling inspired! There were a couple of quotes in the programme that I wrote down because they felt very relevant to now.

Mandela; ‘Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again’.

So – my 8 weeks are up. It has been a totally different experience to what I expected. Initially a hassle – I had expected that, but latterly it has been enjoyable and also enlightening. Not words often written in conjunction with a diet!
.
Dr Moseley, if you are reading these – thank-you.
Forum – you added the fun and so much information – thank-you.

Statistics – From 2 Feb – Weight loss 12.1kg, (26.7lbs) – 12.3%, above my 10% target: Waist down 14cm (5.5inches), Blood sugar down from almost pre-diabetic to normal and cholesterol was okay to start with so I have not retested. BMI down from 33 to 28.6. Dress size – 1.5 to 2 sizes down. I was wearing a combination of size UK 18 (loose-cut and or M&S) and UK 20. I am now wearing size 18 and just replenished my underwear and swimsuit from M&S at a size 16! For those outside the UK, M&S sizing is a little more generous that many suppliers, thus the difference – it is more of a size 17.

My plan had been to lose enough weight to have a BMI under 30 – ie no longer obese. I started over 33. I expected to move to the 5:2 then as that would be easier, but on reaching that goal after 5 weeks, I was managing fine so have kept going. Next goal, BMI under 25 – normal.

I wrote down a list of positives and negatives about the last 8 weeks over the weekend and I thought I would share that.
Positives;
• The forum and the people. You are always told to share what you are doing for support – I never do! Sharing on the forum really has helped – someone knows what you are doing and going through. Will we still be around to support each other and stop relapses in 3 years’ time?!
• Diet – I am not hungry and it defies logic given the amount I eat. Eating full fat again has been a real revelation – I have not touched it for 30 years.
• It has given me back in control of my life.
• 7 bags of clothes went to Cancer Research UK last week and there are more to go. In fairness some were old sheets and very old things that were ‘stored for the future’ and will be recycled for rags, but also a bag of business clothes – some still with labels on. All now too big and or I just won’t want to wear them again. Space in cupboards again – wonderful.
• Energy levels are up. I am not falling asleep watching TV, nor, more importantly, in lectures (I am studying Archaeology part-time).
• No chocolate or wine cravings.
• I am having fun…..
Negatives; none.

Hopefully this will help others keep going through the ups and downs – and one last thought again a quote used by Eddie Izzard.
‘I am the master of my fate,
The captain of my soul’.
by William Ernest Henley.
We are now in charge and can do it.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I’m on day five now and the hunger has mostly gone, and I think I’ve got a much better idea on what to do. Have been using some of the recipes in the book and that helps with the planning.

Hi, I was starving for the first two or three days, just like you and wondered how I was going to get through 8 weeks. I’m on day five now and the hunger has gone, I think mainly due to getting my head around eating full fat, it seems so alien for a diet, I guess that’s years and years of dieting conditioning, failed diets. Keep going and expect the odd setback. Don’t let it make you give up.

Congratulations – an inspiration to us all!

So day one… Was hell. I ended up supplementing some cheddar and sunflower seeds in about 2 pm.

So I went over a bit, but not too badly. Especially since my usual would be to reach for chips/chocolate.

So today is a new day. I remember reading somewhere that every second tick on the clock is a chance to start over. I am going to take that to heart and carry forward!

Three Goals for Today:
1. Stick to the plan Stan!
2. Go for a walk at lunch.
3. Give someone a sincere compliment.

Cheers,

Deb

The team have already removed the post and link to the quack remedies. Please don’t do it again

Hi All!

Trying to find the original posting from Lynne, is the store M&S perchance? I have a bee in my bonnet about the sugar they put in chicken, fresh shelled prawns and so many of their salad products – as many people mention, I manage to make salad dressing without sugar and cook sauces without it either, so what on earth it’s doing in fresh, raw product sure beats me.

I am on the point of tackling M&S about this but didn’t want to cross-over with anyone else – Lynne – are you there please, can you advise?

Today’s menu is:

B – yogurt, blueberries, Bioglan Cacao Topping and some psyllium husk
L – a one egg omelette with smoked salmon and hummus
D – Ostrich steak in Thai marinade and lettuce and tomato salad

To drink – water and herbal teas.

Hi Patsy
Take a look at the coconut mama website
They have loads of recipes for biscuits and cookies made from coconut flour.

We did a roast turkey for Easter so yesterday the carcass went in the pressure cooker to make stock.
Added tons of veggies, a tin of sweetcorn, barley, and a couple of stock cubes to make a large pan of turkey broth that made 8 good sized portions and was my lunch today.
Dinner will be some prawns cooked in chilli and garlic and I’m going to try some Quinoi with them.
Snack, either the yoghurt and berries or I may just try a couple of ryvita rye crispbreads (low carb) with some cream cheese.

Good afternoon Lynne! The trumpets are sounding & the banners are out, 3 stone is an incredible result and you have acheived this over the tough times of Christmas, New Year & the dark winter months as well, when we all want comfort stodge.

Yes Col, Lynne, Hashimoto & Bill are all really powerful motivators especially as they are doing the journey and understand the pitfalls we will all face .

I hope that I can emulate the amazing results I am seeing, when I 1st came on board I was encouraged to do so because I was truly amazed at the warmth and empathy emanating from these forums.

Rock & Roll.

Lynne have you noticed it has been any better while on this diet? I think my friend has a degree of gluten sensitivity – I’ve said so before to her. She panicked when she was round at mine with other friends for a 3 course meal – all gluten free – because I had served salad with the starter (her husband heats her salads up) and because there were nuts in the vegetarian roast. She was convinced she would wake up in pain the next day. Next morning she phoned to say it was really odd but she felt really well …..derr. It was then that I said I didn’t think her upsets were down to unwarmed salad but to gluten sensitivity. I think she knows it anyway because she said it would be too much hassle to change her diet!!

Hi, evenings were my worst time too have taken to leaving just enough calories for either coffee with double cream, 67 cals for a tablespoon, or about the same in calories for Brazil nuts or almonds. I find the fat in these keeps me full and most importantly, keeps me feeling that I have been ‘treated’ to something that on previous diets would have been classed as sinful!!!
The hunger quietens down after a few days and I can happily go from a coffee and cream breakfast through until 2pm before needing to eat again, it really helps me to be able too mileage the majority of my food until later, plus it hopefully is an added bonus of a longer fasting period.

Good luck on your journey, this is such a great way of eating you will soon settle in and enjoy it….not to mention all the benefits that then come with it 😀

Scotgran – lovely that you’re family noticed the changes in you 🙂

Lynne I have some really old cookery books as well as more recent ones. I am a sucker for cookery books. I do like Delia Smith – and Rose Elliott. I have a huge Jewish cookbook with hundreds of scrummy recipes in. I used to use it to mark Jewish festivals at home ( I am a Christian but let’s face it if it hadn’t been for the Judaic faith where would we all be?). Some of them are great fun – the Feast of Esther, the Feast of Tabernacles etc. The kids loved RE lessons when we did OT stuff and they got to make Haman’s ears biscuits and shake those rattles used now at football matches when the story was told. I still have some very old Bero recipe books – but they are not much use now! I also like the farmhouse kitchen cookery books – old fashioned now but lots of good old recipes in them! Lots of my books are vegetarian as I was a veggie for years – and still eat predominantly veggie food 🙂

Thanks, Janet.

He doesn’t need to lose weight, he’s just trying to eat more healthily and support me by not having bad stuff around to tempt me. The thinking of what else I could have instead is a technique I’ll try myself though, if I’m tempted when offered things like biscuits.

Hawks, not sure he’d like the parmesan crackers with tea, but they do sound nice and would be a good alternative to crisps and that kind of thing. We don’t eat those often, but sometimes get the urge. Will give these a go when I do.

Not a chance on giving up the tea! We both drink loads of it (no sugar) and would struggle to have enough fluid without it, unless we drank juice or squash which would be worse.

Wow Lynne, you are an inspiration ! It is so fantastic that people like you, Bill, hashimoto and others who are further along take the time to post and answer questions, it really has helped me. So, along with a big CONGRATULATIONS comes a great big THANK YOU . 👍😀😀😀😀😀

Glad you got the £100 Amazon gift though Lynne.! 🙂

Ahhhhh! I have that too but hadn’t heard that link! Interesting.

Agreed Bill.

It’s fantastic how these forums are growing, the amount of advice and support being shared, and any trolls speedily dealt with.

Hi Lynne, the things we are finding out!!! While I was in the hairdressers I was reading a GPs replies to health problems. One really surprised me, she said that recent research indicated that gluten sensitivity was implicated as a cause of fibromyalgia!! A friend has it so I am going to speak to her later. We’re all well rid of gluten products on this diet! 🙂

3 stone, captain Lynne? That’s amazing – well done!

I was away over Easter with no internet. We had a great family holiday and the grandsons kept us busy, running and walking lots. But it was my son’s birthday plus Easter. Here is a list of my sins:
1hot cross bun with butter
1 small piece of birthday cake
8 chips
1 tiny little mini Easter egg
3 G&T
3 glasses wine
I am at wk7 so have decided to do an extra week before going to 5:2
Not weighed yet but encouraged that son and d in law noticed a big difference in the two weeks since we saw them!

Lynne I agree and like you I intend to be around for a good while yet, but we have no worries about those who will follow.
There is enormous support being handed out every day on here now by some very enthusiastic people.
When we eventually fade away, this forum will be left in very good hands.

I tried Skyr and didn’t like it. The texture didn’t appeal, but I’m sure some people will like it. It’s surprising how much variation in taste and texture there is between different plain yoghurts. Worth trying a few to see which we prefer.

Quick explanation
most banks, when you make an internet purchase will “ringfence” the money, which is another way of saying it’s reserved for the retailer, but it doesn’t leave your account straight away. Normally you wouldn’t notice unless there is a problem as in out of stock.
Banks will tell their customers that the money has been taken but it hasn’t been, payment processors will telly you that it hasn’t been taken.
This one issue cause more problems than any others in my job. People trust what the banks say (well they would) and we have been accused of theft loads of times. The time the cash stays ringfenced varies from bank to bank too, some as little as 48 hours, others as long as 7 days.

Thanks guys.

Curious to see what the family say on Saturday – they’ve not seen me since before I started this.

Bill, us veterans owe it to those following in our footsteps to give them as much support and advice as we can. Thanks for all you give on here.

My go-to cookery books for basics are by Mary Berry, just ignore the baking!

I’ve also just started BSD and finding the replies from people like yourselves extremely helpful, especially with regards to the daily 50g amount of carbs.I have been doing a variance of 5:2 for several months and reached my maintenance weight but needed more advice regarding carbs as other information I found on the internet just gave ranges eg under 25 g, 50 – 100g etc and it’s much easier having a definite figure to aim for. Thank you.

Wahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay Lynne
3 stone is an immense amount of weight to lose.
I’m so proud of you ! In fact I want a poster for my bedroom wall !
Seriously, your dedication and constant willingness to help others has been brilliant Lynne
You deserve everything you have acheived and much more.

Judith, I’d ordered a high value item from Amazon to be delivered yesterday. I checked online & it hadn’t even been dispatched. When I rang it was out of stock do they cancelled the order, suggesting I re-order. Checked my bank account and the money had gone. Amazon said ring bank, bank said Amazon. Great way of spending a Bank Holiday. First supervisor offered me £10 gift card. Second, when I was talking of a formal complaint, has put £100 gift card on my Amazon account. That made me feel better.

Afternoon Rob. I learned to cook from my Mum, so by the time we got cookery at school (age 13) I was way past the initial lessons – how to make toast – under the grill not in a toaster, how to make tea, cocoa, cocoa versus hot chocolate pro’s and cons!. We also made stock from scratch and compared price to tinned soups which was useful and a lot of baking (it was in Scotland).
You clearly approach things from a science point of view, as do I. I read everything I can find about a subject until I find all new info is a repeat of what I have already read. I looked on Amazon for books to see if there were any familiar ones, there was a Jamie Oliver one, but some of the negative comments put me off.
I then remembered about a Delia Smith series from the 90’s – she was given a really hard time about her series on how to cook by other cooks. She started with the basics – how to cook eggs – it was actually a very good series, refresher for those of us who could cook, but getting lazy and for those who never learned to cook at home or at school. I have both the books and still occasionally look them up for timings. One thing about Delia’s recipes is that I have never had a failure from them when I have followed the instructions. They are detailed and logically set out.
She was now has her own online presence, continuing her campaign on teaching cookery on-line. There are some area not to bother with – bread, rice and pasta etc; but scroll down to the bottom of the link and you will find techniques that you will read about in cookery books all demonstrated. The section on eggs is good – use portobello mushrooms instead of rolls/toast. How to roast a chicken. Other recipes, ignore the potatoes, the rest is fine. There is a good ragout recipe plus freezing instructions in another area. It is worth browsing the sections you will not use just to learn more techniques.
You also need to be prepared to calculate the carbs and calories per recipe and think about the portions to keep to a good portion size for the diet.
As Hashimoto says – provide us with some idea of what you like and we can offer some suggestions.
Have fun with it – it is a whole new topic to explore!
http://www.deliaonline.com/deliaonline-cookery-school/allvideos.html
Oh yes – there are also lots of demo’s on YouTube, I would start with Delia then go on YouTube as you will probably get better basics here.
BWT, my hobby is archaeology and I have been teaching myself/going on courses for the last few years. What I find interesting is not so much why the Egyptians are not ruling us, but how so many nations in that past had their day in the sun. Each had an empire for a while – a century or two then it died. The Romans, the Greeks, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Viking, Spanish, British, Dutch, Belgium etc.

SShhhh I was trying to get Lucia to chase me (secret plan, don’t let on to her)