Try pomegranate teabags in fizzy water with a smidgen of stevia.

Thanks SunnyB I will – this forum is absolutely the best thing (literally!!) since sliced bread for me. Having read the book I was determined to give it a go but I don’t think I could have made it through yesterday and today without the support on here. That sounds a bit dramatic but it’s true!

Bill, just read your whole thread and oh my goodness I am so glad for your daughter – what a lot you’ve gone through. Thank you for posting and this amazing thread that has helped me so much today with feeling very unwell – not sure if it is a cold or sugar withdrawal. I was convinced it couldn’t be sugar withdrawal as I thought it was too powerful. However, I ate five large strawberries a couple of hours ago and caught myself yumming as though they were sweets. Magically feel better now – could that small amount of sugar have made the difference?

This had me going for a bit until I watched MM’s Trust Me I’m a Doctor stream on oil, have now wised up.

It’s worth watching, any oil smoking it’s socks off, is not going to be product of choice; food cooked in vats of oil slowly is also not going to be an ideal option, I use olive oil, moderate amounts, at a moderate temperature.

Thank you for taking time to reply. I feel more confident now with your replies and the extra research I have done today. The Mediterranean diet is my way forward. Hopefully I can stop my blood sugar in its tracks!

I would have thought liver a very good and satisfying choice. It is nutritious and filling, so a little should go a long way.

Hi Sward
If you are okay with dairy, full fat milk is best as it is the fat that helps us feel full for longer, but do keep track of the number of calories being consumed this way – count them all. Best to measure the milk and keep in a separate container to use throughout the day. Also check the carb content, so that you are not suppressing progress by eating too much. This diet seems to be about the make up of the 800 calories a day, not just the number of calories – i.e. not all calories are equal.

As for the amount of carbs per day, although this is not talked about in the book, from other threads on the forum and the experience of the participants – and my own experience – it seems to help if you can keep your carbs down to no more than 50g per day. That might sound hard to do, but actually it is quite easy if you are getting most of your calories from proteins and fats.

Good luck and keep posting – let us know how you progress and keep an eye on the other threads on the forum, as there is planty of advise, tips and support here.

Thanks Christie
A problem I have with living in France is that foods are mostly local and seasonal. It is something I found hard when I first moved here being used to English supermarkets. I plan to try and find some blueberry bushes I can plant then freeze the fruit for future use. It is how I manage with lots of fruit and veg, grow it myself then freeze, bottle or dry it for winter. I really look forward to summer when all the berries are ready.

I use olive oil almost exclusively, with the only exception being if I am frying at high temps. Rapeseed is often cold pressed and has been haled for it’s healthy properties, so is a great alternative for frying at high temps.

Hi jpscloud
sounds like you are really organised and determined to make this work for you and that you have a handle on the little devil of yours. You will find the journey gets easier as you progress, although there will be blips, struggles and frustrations along the way, stay positive and hold on to your determination to get you through.

Keep posting and make good use of the threads on the forum, as there is heaps of tips, advise and support here, which helps to get us all through.

Good luck – and be sure to let us know how this go for you.

Hi Christi, no advice I’m afraid but a little sympathy! I too did well initially and have been thrilled to bits with my 18lbs loss but have been stuck now for the past 12 days. Unfortunately I’ve not been as strong as you, I’m in the middle of our birthday season (!) and and have not done so well at resisting temptation, with another birthday coming up this week. I have managed to put it behind me and get back on track today, but with being stuck as well at the moment, the whole thing is really disheartening. Does anyone have any tips on how to kick-start things again?

Thank you very much Sharon and very well done to you! Like you I’ve got a bit of a way to go, but I can’t believe how far we’ve come in just 4 weeks! My hubby is also doing this and is nearly at his target weight! Have a great week xx

Hi aly,
I have problems with breakfast too, as I usually have oat bran with yogurt or hot milk, I have found the melon, spinach and blueberry shake filling, it’s one quarter galia melon, 50g blueberries, 200ml almond milk, 2 handfuls of spinach leaves, sprinkle of sunflower seeds, put melon, berries, spinach and milk in blender wizz until smooth, pour into a container and chill, then sprinkle the sunflower seeds on and enjoy, (although I haven’t time to let it brew’ in the fridge so I have it right away’) Also yogurt with passion fruit and almonds, ( are almonds ok?) toast 1tbs flaked almonds, put 150g pot plain yogurt in a dish stir in the almonds and scoop the passion fruit out into the mixture and enjoy, Another one is blueberries and green tea shake, boil 200ml water to make the green tea, soak the tea bag for 4 mins then put in a cup in the fridge overnight, blend the tea with 2tbs Greek yogurt 1tbs almonds 50g blueberries and 1tbs flaxseeds(linseeds) and again enjoy, when I first did these for my breakfast I didn’t think I would last long before I felt hungry, however I was able to last until lunch so I hope these are helpful to you.

Thanks SunnyB. I am much encouraged by the comments I am getting.

Thanks

Hi Jackie – I think week 2 is a strange on for many of us. It’s like your body suddenly realises this strange new regime wasn’t just for week one and it protests. It will work itself out, so keep going and reap the benefits in the weeks to come.

Hi Bonniebee
Like the others, I’m no expert, but I think what matters is where you are getting your calories from – or how nutritional your diet is. Think following the Mediterranean Diet would be no bad thing, as this way you can be sure you are getting good nutrition and your calories for food groups that will sustain a healthy life style.
Hope it all goes well.

Thanks so much. I am feeling so much better and so am not losing focus. Hope you get some more weight loss again soon.

Hi Jackie, no idea why it’s happened however I have stalled in my weight loss and have been assured it’s just my body adjusting to the diet, change in eating habits, no sugar etc. You just have to hang in there and it will re-start, I have had real wobbles too, but I have hung in there, so good luck with your weight loss sure it will happen soon, it is frustrating when you are doing everything the right way too!

Hi Bonniebee,
Same as theblackspot, I’m not an expert but I’d say you would fine to cut out the carbs (pasta, potatoes, rice, bread, crisps, sweets, cakes, biscuits) but no need to calorie count so eat whenever you are hungry and stop when you are full, stocking up on protein, veg and fats. I guess your blood sugars might be high if you have had the traditional English diet of sugar-laden foods, even though you have kept your weight down. You might actually find your appetite changes which often happens when you cut the carbs.

Lost 6lbs in week 1. Great. In first 3 days of week 2 I lost 2lbs and then put a pound back on by the end of that week- I was not cheating and still completing myfitnessapp. Also continuing the same amount of exercise.

What’s going on?

I am not giving up though.

Any ideas why this has happened.

Thanks

Jackie

Thanks shrinkidinkyman
I don’t drink so no luck there but thanks for responding.

Thanks Sharon I will take a look at the thread feeling cold.

Bovril! Now THERE’S an idea.
Thanks.
Had to be wary of apples due to “Right temporal mandibular joint dysfunction syndrome” (Aching jaw).

My local swimming pool has aqua aerobic classes which 90% of the participants have been referred by their GP or physio.
They are great fun and are very sociable.I have two new knees and find the exercise in the water is wonderful. There is no way I could do leapfrog jumps on dry land but in the pool – no problem

Hello blackspot, your ex-father-in-law was right about the stirring of the water to keep the egg white together. I have an old Margeurite Patten recipe book – gives the same instruction. Also, adding a dash of vinegar to the water… no-one has ever explained why, though… I found it a bit hit-or-miss. To be honest, I ended up getting one of those silicon dooberries – a little oil to prevent sticking and putting the lid on the saucepan to keep the heat in, you get a nice little domed egg.
Rose

I didn’t feel hungry for the first five weeks but have had temptation rear it’s ugly head this week..had an apple or a bovril to tide me over.

hope you enjoy them!

Hi Matrika and Chameleonbeetle,

Thanks for your suggestions – they make sense to me. I’m just so thankful that this is all proving so easy!
The only real extra effort is on the part of my wife who is having to cook some different recipes for the evening meal, but to be
honest, she’s a great cook and is enjoying it.

We’re both certainly enjoying the food and would carry on with a lot of the recipes whether the were healty or not – they taste so good.

Just one more week to go. I’ve already achieved the weight loss I was hoping for so am really chuffed. How are you both getting on?

Hi chameleonbeetle when my son was young he would. ONLY have home made lentil soup or beans for breakfast so you are not alone 🙂

Really sorry, I’m no nutritionist, but…
If you do cut carbs,and eat a rich whole food Mediterranean diet with good fats, plenty of veg and some carbs from whole grains as a side dish not the main event and avoid processed food and the evils of sugar in all its forms. I think any good Dr would give you a pat on the back.

Happy birthday Michael 🙂
Thanks so much for your book, it has had an amazing impact on my weight and energy levels,
Judith

Books ordered, both in stock but I bought the last one of each.

Hi jet, my father does it by spinning the water and dropping the egg in. I gave up on that method years ago – too many messed up eggs. I bought an egg poacher. Perfect. I can do 4 perfect poached eggs at once. Aldi’s had some in a couple of weeks ago for £4.99. There might be some left 🙂

To poach an egg.
Bring a pan of water to boil then turn it down so its simmering.

Crack a fresh egg (newer the better) into the water.

Wait

Lift out with a slotted spoon when done to your liking. After 3 or so minutes you may be able to lift the egg up and give it a gentle finger poke to see how firm the white is to give you an idea to doneness.

My ex father in-law swore by getting the water spinning before cracking an egg into the center to help it stay together.

I sometimes find they stick to the bottom of the pan as they sink and this sometimes leads to leaky yolk 😔 but generally they are pretty bomb proof.

Best of luck poaching.
PS those little silicon cups for floating in water just equal more washing up, don’t bother!

Thank you so much Orchid. We have a fairly new shop here called Bio Coop. I need to investigate as our normal supermarkets do not sell the seeds. I am deep in rural Normandy amongst dairy farmers. I have no doubt these things can be bought in bigger more affluent areas. Amazon supply some things but delivery can be more than the item you buy. Holland and Barrat deliver here too so will have a look at their online shop. I need to get more creative.

Thanks Anita, sounds like you are pretty organised. I know what you mean about the fat thing – its changing a deeply ingrained habit isn’t it. Thanks for the suggestions too, will have to consider the cream in the coffee – I have this weird stomach pain thing around cream so I haven’t ventured as far as cream yet. I’m even a bit tentative about full fat milk. But I’m thinking I still have a steady weight loss without too much deprivation. A girl’s gotta have a vice!

Well, all the best for this next week. Keep in touch, with the good and the bad stuff (if there is any!), I’m loving all these conversations with like minded people. I’ve got a week off this week and am sofa shopping at Ikea Leeds for my new holiday let apartment so I’ve got a few exciting weeks ahead of me playing house!

😃

Just did the poached egg & salmon stack, well tried in the end the eggs got scrambled as had too many failed attempts even after checking out ways on the Internet! The end result was very tasty but too much with 2 portobello mushrooms so saved one for a hungry moment later! Must say my husband adored the Steak with creme fraiche & peppercorn sauce last night, even abstained from the red wine in the sauce it was still amazing! I did the foil steamed fish as don’t eat steak and it was equally good. Good luck to everyone out there! Any hints on poached eggs greatly appreciated…

Hi loosejeans
Well done, I to am at the halfway point I have lost 17lb now still have a long way to go but I know I will get there on the BSD. Good luck for next week and like you said bring it on!!

Julia it is interesting to hear the experience of you and your girls, especially your girls views on it being so necessary for a lot of pupils. We have derailed this thread (unintentionally ) but unless people can cook how can they eat healthily? Looks like that’s a few of us highlighting the problem.
What lynne said about food bags with fresh food being declined one is left with the troubling question has modern affluence been our society’s downfall?
So glad to hear of you, lynne and cherrieanne teaching young ones to cook 🙂

Hi Trishart,
I would suggest lots more water to flush the system out. Perhaps take some probiotics from health food shop, I’m no doctor but will increase the healthy bacteria which would help his gut. Good luck hope he keeps going. Best wishes

Hi Shrinkydnkyman!
Oh I wish!! No alcohol for us for a few weeks having seriously over indulged for several weeks recently but I shall keep that in mind for the future thank you!

Hi SunnyB,
Thank you some good ideas there, I appreciate you taking the time to respond, good luck with the diet hope it’s going well for you!

Hi Janet1973, thank you some good ideas there which I shall try! Hope your progressing well with the diet.

I am only on day 2 and had nausea and lightheadedness last night, swimmy head and mild nausea today… have been sneezing too so I think it may be a cold rather than withdrawal but also felt extremely tired. I just realised I haven’t had coffee since Friday morning, so probably a bit of coffee withdrawal as well!

An interesting thing happened today… I felt really twitchy and in need of food at about 11.30, so had some celery and carrot sticks with a tablespoon of light mayo (I will get full fat when this runs out). Then I made a huge salad, for lunch… and I can’t eat it! I’m actually full.

For someone who reached 22 stone last year and can eat 10,000 calories in a day… well slap me with a haddock. I would never have believed this.

Jandz. Sorry don’t know where the James came from

Wow… so impressed with those numbers and have also taken on board some food tips from the above. The no weight loss week 5 or 6 seems to be a common thing for many. But as you and others show it does get going again if you stick with it.

Hi James
Well done and good luck for this week keep up the good work.

Hi Lynne, just googled it – you can get games of Jacks from Amazon!! 🙂

Lynne, I thought of running something similar for parents but as you say food hygiene rules are so strict and there are tests to be passed. Now I am too tired/old/lacking in health/energy.
Why was a slow cooker ‘blackmail’ when the authorities have no difficulty handing out ‘certificates’ for courses? Isn’t that blackmail as well? 🙁 ?

I wish I could remember where I bought my jacks, it was only a few years ago. I’m wondering about it could possibly have been a garden centre or somewhere like Boyes? It wasn’t ToysRus because I haven’t been there in over 20 years.

We had cookery lessons at school – limited to girls only – but it was at senior school not primary. These days schools cannot exclude pupils on gender grounds so that is double the number of kids needing lessons using the same facilities and the pressure of all the other subjects. My son had 6 weeks of cookery lessons once a year at his school but that was not a problem as he had already learned to cook and bake at home.

Your mother sounds like my dad – he didn’t like food being ‘messed about’. He would eat a bowlful of tomatoes fresh from the greenhouse but he would not have tolerated them in a cooked dish!

Marbles is another favourite old fashioned pastime – I let my class devise their own rules indoors as they needed to make some kind of barrier come target – marbles all over the classroom floor would definitely be a health and safety issue!

Oh, Lynne, another one is knitting bobbins. Remember the ones we used to make from old cotton bobbins and four of dad’s nails? Well the bobbins are made of plastic now but I bought some knitting bobbins from Hobbycraft, they do require fine wool though or the long thread gets stuck inside.

Have you got a Junior Scrabble? My class loved that during wet dinner times.

Oh well, we can’t fix the world but you have two little ones who are going to love being with you and will be learning about healthy eating. I have never forgotten the time I stayed with my aunt and uncle (now in Australia) and they let my sister and I make ice-cream. In those days!! It was magical. When I reminded my uncle saying it was one of my best childhood memories he said he had been disappointed because it didn’t work. I only remember the fun of making it with him! Just goes to show! 🙂