Thanks for the update Arctic Fox and for your lovely and wise words DCT.

Thinking about names for the next thread , here’s my suggestion – 2026 We’ve got this!
Could also be ‘You’ve got this’. As I was trying to think of rhymes, the only other one I could think of was ‘2026 pick up sticks’!
Haven’t had my morning coffee yet…

ARCTICFOX so lovely to hear from you! I was worried about you. I’m so pleased you are back k and have some good things going on socially, yet sorry to hear about the emotional upsets. Do stay in touch ….. I hope you know how much we’re all rooting for you xx

DAWN, CATHY and SUE good to hear from you all too and I’m thrilled you’re up for a new thread in 2026. Any ideas for names much appreciated: the best thoughts I’ve had so far are along the lines of Moving Forward Together in 2026 or Sticking Together in 2026. But any other ideas really welcome. I’d see it as an all-encompassing thread for those old-timers who still want to lose more , those who want to maintain but keep in touch, and those who are new to all this and would like some support.

Meanwhile, may I send the very best wishes for the festive season and 2026 to anyone reading this. Please know that you matter, and that there is a welcoming group of people here for anyone who needs us xx

Hi everyone,
I don’t have much time to post right now as we are in the middle of yet another weather-related challenge.
The most appropriate update right now is that it is the best of times and the worst of times. I know I have put back on the weight that I dropped in the early fall due to moving less after my surgery, and not being super with the eating. I have had some pretty big emotional upsets over the last few months and the emotional eating has come back online. Even my counsellor has said that we should set aside dealing with that until we get through the crisis. Things are getting less crisis-y though (maybe, I hope? Don’t want to speak too soon on that). The good thing is that taking a big step back from unhealthy situations has opened up room for some amazing people to come into my life. I am looking forward to a much more robust social life and support network in the new year. So even if the weight goals have not been met this year, I think I am setting myself up for a much better year ahead.
Keep on keeping on everyone!

Good morning & the sun is actually shining here in West Sussex for a change 🌝
Well I have just weighed & to my surprise I have lost 0.75lbs which is much better than gaining weight 😀. I have three meals out this next week & a further lunch out with family next Sunday so having pre-ordered food it’s just about certain that carbs will be included but I will continue with TRE on most days. We have got some Christmas lights up inside & out & I have assembled our dark green artificial Christmas tree having dithered over getting a live one but not decorated it yet & it’s on today’s to do list !!🎄⭐️
Our youngest son is coming to us on 23rd & we will go out to the cinema where we can have something to eat watching the latest Avatar film & on Christmas Eve out to our local pub for dinner. Our son requested that I make a Boeuf en Croute for Christmas Day lunch for a change with us having already eaten two Roast Turkey meals that week. I will have to look up the cooking times because I only make it once a year😂 a whole fillet of beef is so expensive now to buy but still cheaper than buying a whole one already assembled. I am planning to use a mixture of mushroom & pork pâtes in the croute. Oh well a busy time with neighbours coming in for mince pies & Bucks Fizz or Mulled Wine next Saturday & getting the house decorated before then & lots of presents to wrap 🥂🍷🎁🎁😀
I will weigh again next Saturday but my push to start really trying to lose weight will start after Christmas 🤞🤞
Meanwhile let us enjoy the social events & manage what we will be eating as best we can having a healthy & a Merry Christmas.
Margaret xx

Health discussions today are no longer dominated by extreme dieting or rapid weight-loss trends. Instead, people are gradually shifting toward sustainable lifestyle methods that improve long-term metabolic function. One approach gaining serious attention is the blood sugar diet — a structured way of eating that focuses on maintaining stable glucose levels throughout the day.

According to insights presented in the Narasumber Koin8 wellness segment, the blood sugar diet is becoming a central topic because it influences energy, mood, weight management, and overall health far more than many people realize.

This article explores what the blood sugar diet truly means, why it matters, and how individuals can adopt it as a foundation for healthier living.

What Is the Blood Sugar Diet?

The blood sugar diet is a nutritional strategy designed to help regulate glucose fluctuations by emphasizing balanced meals, whole foods, and mindful eating habits. Rather than restricting all carbohydrates, the diet encourages smarter choices — selecting foods that digest slowly and support stable energy release.

At its core, the diet aims to prevent sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar, which often lead to:

Cravings

Irritability

Fatigue

Rapid weight gain

Insulin resistance

Narasumber Koin8 highlights that maintaining balance, not restriction, is the key principle.

Why the Blood Sugar Diet Is More Relevant Today

There are several reasons why this dietary method has gained popularity in health communities, especially in discussions hosted by Narasumber Koin8:

1. Modern Eating Patterns Are High in Sugar

Fast food, instant meals, and sugary beverages are deeply embedded in daily life. These foods cause rapid glucose spikes and strain the body’s metabolic system.

2. Increasing Awareness of Insulin Resistance

People are becoming more aware of pre-diabetes and metabolic disorders. The blood sugar diet provides a practical way to prevent these health issues early.

3. Focus on Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

Unlike restrictive diets, the blood sugar diet is realistic and easy to maintain. It allows flexibility while still promoting better health.

4. Productivity and Energy Demands

Today’s work and lifestyle patterns require consistent energy and mental clarity. A balanced glucose level naturally supports both.

How the Blood Sugar Diet Works: A Practical Breakdown

In the Narasumber Koin8 health briefing, nutrition experts outline several core mechanisms behind the diet:

1. Choosing Slow-Digesting Carbohydrates

Foods with a low glycemic index release energy evenly and prevent glucose spikes.

Examples:

Whole grains

Beans

Lentils

Sweet potatoes

Vegetables

2. Combining Carbs With Protein and Fats

Pairing carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats slows digestion and stabilizes glucose levels.

3. Avoiding Added Sugars

Products high in refined sugar — soda, desserts, pastries — cause immediate spikes and should be minimized.

4. Eating Consistent Meals

Long gaps between meals increase the likelihood of overeating and glucose instability. Regular meal timing helps the body regulate itself better.

5. Hydration and Regular Movement

Water aids metabolic processes, while light physical activity improves glucose absorption.

Benefits Reported in Narasumber Koin8 Wellness Talks

Several positive outcomes are commonly linked to the blood sugar diet:

1. Reduced Cravings and Controlled Appetite

Stable blood sugar prevents sudden hunger and emotional eating.

2. Natural Weight Improvement

Without extreme restrictions, individuals often lose excess weight simply by balancing glucose.

3. Better Mood and Mental Performance

Stable glucose supports concentration, memory, and emotional balance.

4. Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases

The diet significantly reduces risks associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.

5. Hormonal Stability

Balanced glucose levels positively influence insulin, cortisol, and appetite-regulating hormones.

Recommended Foods for a Blood Sugar-Friendly Lifestyle

Narasumber Koin8 nutrition notes emphasize focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods:

High-Fiber Vegetables

Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale — these promote slow digestion and steady glucose release.

Lean Proteins

Fish, tofu, eggs, chicken, lentils — essential for muscle repair and metabolic stability.

Healthy Fats

Olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado — support hormone balance and long-lasting energy.

Complex Carbohydrates

Oats, quinoa, whole wheat, barley — provide slow-burning fuel.

Probiotic Foods

Yogurt, kimchi, kefir — improve gut health, which is directly linked to glucose control.

Foods Best Avoided or Reduced

To maintain stable glucose, the following items should be limited:

White bread and white rice

Candy and sugary drinks

Fast food and deep-fried snacks

High-sugar cereals

Processed packaged foods

These tend to digest quickly and cause dramatic glucose surges.

Sample Daily Menu Inspired by Narasumber Koin8

Below is a simple, practical meal plan:

Breakfast

Whole oats topped with nuts and a boiled egg
Green tea without sweetener

Lunch

Grilled salmon or chicken
Mixed greens with olive oil dressing
Optional: a small portion of brown rice

Afternoon Snack

Yogurt or a small handful of almonds

Dinner

Stir-fried vegetables with tofu or fish
Sweet potato or quinoa
Warm herbal tea

This structure balances fiber, protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats.

Lifestyle Tips to Maximize Diet Results

The diet becomes even more effective when combined with healthy daily habits:

1. Walk for 10–15 Minutes After Eating

Physical activity lowers post-meal glucose levels naturally.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Poor sleep leads to insulin resistance and higher cravings.

3. Manage Stress Levels

Meditation, deep breathing, and light stretching help control cortisol, which affects blood sugar.

4. Avoid Heavy Meals Before Bed

Late-night eating reduces glucose efficiency and disrupts sleep.

Is the Blood Sugar Diet Safe for Most People?

For the majority of individuals, this dietary approach is safe and highly beneficial. However, Narasumber Koin8 experts advise consulting a healthcare professional for those with:

Diabetes requiring specific medication

Kidney issues

Hormonal disorders requiring medical guidance

Still, for everyday health improvement, the blood sugar diet is widely considered one of the most effective and sustainable methods available.

Conclusion: Narasumber Koin8 Highlights the Importance of Balanced Glucose in Daily Life

The blood sugar diet is more than just a trend — it represents a shift toward smarter nutrition and deeper awareness of how food affects the body. Insights from Narasumber Koin8 show that stabilizing blood sugar can transform energy levels, mental performance, weight control, and long-term health.

By choosing natural foods, balancing meals, and adopting healthier lifestyle habits, anyone can begin supporting their metabolic system more effectively. In a modern world filled with sugary temptations and fast-paced routines, the blood sugar diet offers a grounded, realistic path toward better health and wellbeing.

Hello everyone
I have really enjoyed reading the recent updates. It’s been a funny old year. I had good months and bad months weight wise but i cant bring myself to get on the scales and face the music as we head towards the end of the cruise. I reckon I’m probably about 10 lb heavier than this time last year. Maybe i should bite the bullet and see! I just cant face up to things at the moment. How ridicuous is that! It’s been great to share the journey with you all and i am thrilled for those who have achieved what they set out to do. Well done. Very inspiring and you must be feeling so proud of your hard work and achievement. Commiserations to those like me who didn’t do as well as we had hoped. Well done to us all though for sticking around and we should not be using the word failure, we all tried. Many of us have had health issues or personal issues that meant we didn’t manage to achieve the dream. Another year older and maybe even another year wiser! I’ve learnt acceptance this year so i don’t feel too disappointed that I’m not where i wanted to be.

Thank you DCT for setting up the thread last year and for keeping us all on track. We are so grateful to you and it looks like there is interest for a NEW THREAD FOR 2026! I am glad you joined the choir. It’s such a wonderful feeling singing in a choir. I thoroughly enjoyed my two nights singing at The Bridgewater Hall. I have been invigilating this week and I have really quite enjoyed it. I like the fact that it is casual work, ad hoc and I feel that i am contributing and making a difference. I am going to stay with my eldest son at Christmas and I hope that in the New Year I will feel ready to be a better me. My MRI scan has shown pretty stable appearances of the schwnnomas which have grown only 2 mm this year so that’s a positive and i am going to ask the dentist on Monday if she will consider taking the offending tooth out so that my periodontal abscess can finally heal. Once i feel well i may have enough resolve to embark with another try at getting to goal. I think taking things easy without pressure is the key for me next year.
Hoping we hear from absent friends over the next couple of weeks and sending everyone on this thread best wishes for the festive season and heres hoping for a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2026.
I have loved our cruise together! Lets get ready for another sail next year! it can be an anything you want it to be cruise! Maybe we could collate some ideas.

gosh V, you call that quiet, a few dozen for drinks. You would love it here, we have just bought 4 dozen bottles of wine for just over €100 to take back with us. Not for drinking but for storing for our eventual move.

We have nothing until Tuesday when our housesitters arrive and I will be making them a meal. I am at the doctors tomorrow. Expecting a telling off and a lecture but I will just smile and nod and then do my own thing. Nothing worth worrying about until after Christmas.

Just wanted to repost these lovely words from KazzUK:

Thank you for this thread and being able to post a tribute. I’ve not posted for a few years, but I wanted to say how grateful I am to have stumbled across Dr Michael’s BSD website back in 2017 when I was very low and quite desperate – searching for answers to my digestive issues…. he taught me so much and since then I have been on a marvellous journey, learning and educating myself.
However, utter disbelief and immense sadness when I first heard the news of his passing. He wasn’t afraid to try things out for himself – such as the tape worm! I’ll never forget that experiment! My thoughts are with his wife Claire and family who are carrying on with his legacy and that is just amazing! What an awesome man and family. Thank you, Michael and his Team, for all you have given us.

Post reported.
Shame on you hazelsmith098

Hello everyone
Thanks for keeping this thread going all year DCT -I’ll definitely be joining the next one!
2026 marks 9 years of (mostly) following this WOE and I’m really grateful that all these years later so many of us from those early days are still around on here 🙂
Heidi and Mariet – you 2 are definitely the stars of this cruise! I’m going to use you both as inspiration next year, as you’ve both lost the amount I need to.
My reboot was going ok-ish. I’m definitely eating more healthily, and have got back into walking most mornings but I’m not seeing much progress on the scales to be honest. It’s looking like I’m going to end this year 2-3kg heavier than this time last year sadly, and I’m back into the “obese” range BMI wise 🙁
I had a bit of a wake up call this week. I was in hospital for a day having my 6 monthly antibody infusion (for auto immune disease), and my blood pressure was high afterwards (198/98). I wasn’t allowed to leave for a couple of hours, until it had dropped to below 180. The nurse asked me to keep checking at home and then go and see my doctor if it was still higher than usual over the weekend – to cut a long story short I now have to take a higher dose of BP medication. I had been on the lowest dose for at least 10 years. I just know that putting weight back on hasn’t helped things , nor has all the extra wine I’ve been drinking this year!
I turned 60 a few months ago, am retiring early next year, and have lots of plans, including travel – I would prefer to spend my retirement being fit and healthy, rather than obese and unhealthy obviously!
So I’m drawing a line under this year and going to regroup in January. I want to be sensible over the next few weeks, so that I don’t put anymore weight on, but I’m not going to calorie count etc.

DCT – I really like the sound of your approach with 5:2 and think this is what I will do, as it’s worked well for me in the past.

Dawn I’m glad you are continuing to recover well from your surgery.
Hope everyone else is going well, especially Yowzer whose positive posts I miss!

Sorry to have been absent for a few days, but good to see others have been posting positives here in the meantime.
Anyway, I have a few positives to post today ….
🎄🎄 Christmas tree and decorations have been put up and it’s starting to feel Christmasy now
🎄🎄 gift wrapping is progressing well … trying to do a bit each day, so it doesn’t feel too much like a chore
🎄🎄 youngest DD and eldest GS have decided to join us for Christmas day, which I’m really happy about
Whatever your days are bring, I hope there are positives for you to find too.

Hi everyone,
I’m just catching up on the last few posts, I meant to post a few days ago then totally forgot. As Verano says DCT, you are doing a great job of keeping this thread going. I will try to post more regularly next year. I’ve recovered well from my surgery thanks but have not been trying very hard to stick to my healthy eating plan unfortunately. I think I’m fighting the ‘well I may as well not bother until after Christmas now’ thought which has crept in to my head! Congratulations to Mariet and Heidi for achieving great losses, I honestly can’t remember exactly what I weighed at the start of this journey but I’m definitely lighter. Maybe I should do a sparkly chart again in the new year to monitor it properly😀, I haven’t done one for ages. I really hope everyone we haven’t heard from for a while is ok. This year has not been at all the one I envisaged but I have appreciated all of your support. Dawn ❤️X

Hello S-g and Wendy and anybody else reading this.

Well Sunday we were 8 for lunch here but pretty low carb for me. I resisted the fruit tart, the ice cream and the bread! So no real damage. One thing I have discovered this last week is that I need to eat earlier in the day, preferably by 10am. If I don’t eat breakfast I find that after dinner I’m still ‘hungry’ but not for ‘real food’ but for ‘junk’ chocolate, biscuits, crisps, in fact anything! Maybe we each need to take a long hard look at what ‘our own’ body responds to best. When I think about it all ‘diets’ are aimed at the masses but that doesn’t mean that it suits everyone and maybe we should take a little more time time tweaking eating plans to fit our individual needs?

S-g I love Jason Fung too and he has done some really good chats with the ‘CEO’ on YouTube. There’s so much information out there and I’m guilty of ‘cherry picking’. I’m sure if we maybe just followed one ‘way of eating’ instead of ‘cherry picking’ it would work so much better.

Anyway, we have a pretty quiet Christmas, by choice. We have a few dozen people here for drinks and canapés/tapas on the 21st, then two for lunch on Boxing Day. Looking forward to a comparatively quiet time. Although to be honest the shopping still seems to be endless!

Have a good week.

Hi VERANO thanks for your lovely post. I’m glad this thread has survived the year, despite all that’s been going on for contributors, whether regular or occasional. Well done for maintaining this year, as well as (it sounds like!) enjoying life to the full.

MARIET I’m in awe of your weight loss and measurement reduction. Very well done! That’s fantastic. If I’m able to post even half your results myself this time next year I’ll be happy with that. So pleased for you 👏. You and HEIDI are definitely our stars of the cruise this year 😀

It’d be lovely to hear from some of our previous regulars who have been quiet recently. I’m thinking particularly of YOWZER, ARCTICFOX and our dear NOKIE. Do check in if you can, even if it’s just a single sentence hello. You are all very much missed.

Hope that everyone has a good week. I thought of you last night CATHY as I have joined a temporary choir at a local church. It’s been put together for a Carol Service in a couple of weeks so there are only a handful of rehearsals and I felt ok about committing to that. It’s ages since I’ve done any kind of choral singing and I’m not sure I want to take it up again long term, so this is a chance to dip my toes in the water. The first rehearsal was last night and it went pretty well, considering anyone was welcome (no audition or ability check) and some of the songs were new. It also made me smile that I was one of the youngest in the room! Which, given I’m in my mid-sixties, made a refreshing change 😉

Hi all, there is still time to lose some weight before the Xmas parties kick in or, like me, visiting family for the whole holiday period. Just a couple of pounds could make a big difference to how you feel when you get back on the diet in the New Year and have gained less than you thought. Yes we will all gain but it is Christmas.

Thanks for your thoughts Verano. I am pretty much of the same mind as what you have said. Wracking my brains, I am still exercising but not as much a swimming every day, more like aerobics 3 x a week, still eat exactly the same diet and low cals low carb.

Just watched our hero Jason Fung and he actually talked about people who are on insulin, its effects and the effects of fasting. I keep seeing the benefits of fasting and think I cant really do it or my BG goes too low and I get weak and shakey but he explained you can get past that with just a small adjustment like bone broth, going to look into it further.

So what has changed
1. not being doing TRE and stopping eating between 7.30 pm and 10.30 am. I am snacking at around 10.30 pm. Just meat or cheese but sometimes a Ryvita.
2. Doctor increased my insulin from 14 to 20 units when I had one hight HbA1c after a cruise – just one. More insulin = more insulin resistance = higher BG.

Given that, I am going to do TRE this week and see if I can get my BG right down again. I am only running at between 90 and 110, was that too high – bizzare as that is pretty perfect so not sure what went wrong. Dr Fung says your finger prick readings can be low but that doesnt mean your body isnt storing sugar. Then I am going to reduce my insulin at least down to 14 (I was using 7 a year ago). I know the doctor will say it is my age, expect the diabetes to get worse blah blah blah. But when did we listen to our doctors. I wish I could get him to watch Jason Fung. Then Christmas is going to come along and I will not worry too much but I still wont be eating carbs. I hate christmas cake and pudding. My only downfall is alcohol and I love a gala pie.

Hey ho, lets all keep on …. until the celebrations start for real.

Hello & sorry for being absent from the site. Thank you S-G for setting up Delicious December & I hope your results will get back on a more even track.🤞🤞
My husband & I have been away for a couple of days staying near Portsmouth & visiting the Walking Amongst Giants Display at Fort Nelson. It was very thought provoking & humbling seeing them all with each life sized silhouette representing service people as well as some French Resistance members who had died in World War Two 🤔🙁.
The hotel was OK but the food rather indifferent & of course I have gained weight but we were tempted to have a cream tea which was nice 🫣 but I think it’s eating breakfast that always has an impact on my daily calories despite walking 8500 steps on two days. I’m quite pleased to be back home & I am now in the midst of house cleaning before putting up our Christmas decorations.
I think a seasonal thread will be useful for keeping in touch in the new year to certainly re-motivate me to start losing weight again. The grey rainy days are not helping me & I am not really going to try battling my weight gain before Christmas but just try to resist eating too many mince pies or shortbread! However we have plenty of wine options with me winning first prize in the village bazaar raffle with ten bottles of wine plus bottles of Calvados, Cognac, & Vintage Port!
Take care everyone
Margaret xx

Sunshine-girl I’m a few years older than you but not enough to really make our ‘biology’ that different. Yes really odd numbers. Can I make a suggestion? Ok, so no carbs but maybe switch around the time of your meals. If you are only eating two meals maybe try three … two smaller and a main meal. Or, even a larger protein breakfast and a smaller evening meal. I’m absolutely convinced our bodies get so used to our ‘routines’ that they think ok it’s 8am here comes the yogurt, it’s 12pm here comes the salad etc etc etc. I can’t be bothered dealing with these it’s too boring. Maybe our bodies need a bit of a wake-up call…. no breakfast, or breakfast if you don’t normally have it, a hot lunch instead of a cold lunch, an earlier/later evening meal with maybe some fruit or something afterwards.

I don’t really know what I’m talking about but I do think our bodies need to have a ‘surprise’ now and again? It could just wake them up and get them back into ‘burning’ mode?

Hope your viewing goes well.

Just caught up with the most recent posts. A huge ‘well done’ to Mariet and Heidi and anybody else whose 2025 saw a weight loss. My year looks as though it will end much where it started and I’m happy with that given my year of ‘gallivanting’ around! But wow it’s been fun!

Dreamscometrue you’ve done a great job keeping this thread on track for a whole year. I’ve not been getting notifications of the posts but do pop in now and again so very much appreciate all your hard work. Yes, I’d join in another thread but probably will be one of those ‘few and far between’ posters.

Seasonal greetings to one and all and may 2026 be a year of health and happiness for us all.

Old thread high jacked by advertising

Old thread high jacked by advertising

Hi everyone, I am still in Spain and haven’t weighed myself since November so for this accounting I will use my last weight before I left. For the year I am down 15.5kg, 20cm down each for bust, waist and belly. I am really happy with the results but I know from bitter experience how fragile success in weight loss can be so I’d love to be part of a new thread next year.

So many have had a difficult year this year with unexpected challenges. I’m awed by the sticking power of so many who keep on trying in the face very difficult circumstances.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and will report back in the brew year.

HEIDI thank you for your post and yes it would be good to continue in 2026. You have done incredibly well this year and I look forward to continuing to journey with you next year. I’m so very sorry though that things aren’t good your end and am sending prayers, love and hugs you way xx

Verano, I am wondering if we are in the same age group and our bodies are slowly telling us we need to do something different, something extra. When I came back from cruise I was 7.3 as it was taken only 3 weeks later. Then after another 3 months is went down to 6.7, okay, still not back to normal but we know these things take time. But to then jump back to 7.3 is so out of whack that I am not sure what is going on. I still have the same diet as I did when I was regularly around 6.2 – for years, I am using more insulin but not eating white carbs. Something else is going on. My doctor might tell me to increase insulin but I want to try anything to avoid that. Anyway, it is Sunday – we have a viewing tomorrow so fingers crossed. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

HI DCT,
Lovely to hear your news and your plans for 2026. I would love to be a part of this thread in 2026, and hope others will join us. I have found the group support really helpful . I plan to continue eating healthily, and aim not to put weight on in 2026. Thank you for asking about the family, None of it is good news, I’m afraid. So I shall move on…!

I think this will be my last post of the year,. I can record a loss of 16.3 kilos since 25 May – a slight improvement on last week. At least that is one thing which has gone right in 2025!

Wishing every one here a happy Christmas. xx

Hi everyone

Gosh it’s gone quiet on here and I realise I haven’t posted myself for a couple of weeks. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, in terms of the busyness factor at least! How is everyone doing?

HEIDI well done for losing so much weight this year and keeping almost all of it off despite your recent circumstances. I hope that you are ok, and your mother too, and getting through this sad time. And how is your husband doing? You have so much going on just make sure you look after yourself too. Am thinking of you x

CATHY I was so sorry – and angry – to read about your dreadful consultation experience in your last post. That is just not acceptable. I had begun to think that things had changed regarding doctors – as I remember brusqueness and rudeness being pretty much the norm when I was younger, but everyone I have seen in recent years has been pleasant and professional. I’m just sorry you got a wrong’un. But delighted to hear that you are starting to feel better and are able to sing with your choir and start your new job. Hope everything goes well.

DAWN how are you feeling now? I hope that you are recovering well from your surgery and that things are beginning to get back to some kind of normality again. SUE how is your reset going? Loved hearing all your meal ideas in your latest post : I always associate you with being so creative about healthy food. Do keep sharing! MARIET I hope you are having a good trip despite the weather!

HEIDI I agree with an end of cruise update. It would be lovely to hear from all those who have posted on here throughout the year and I do hope that everyone reading this will chip in, even if they have been quiet for ages. It would be lovely to catch up.

My update is that in many ways this year has been an epic fail. Not only have I not reached target, but I’m currently around 10lb heavier than when I started. With the belly to prove it! Like CATHY said, I’m now at the stage of either having to buy bigger clothes or really get some fat off. However, I’m also feeling very positive. It’s been a year of great change for me (as for many of us), particularly retiring from the school I worked at for so long. I’m gradually allowing myself to relax more and take things at a slower pace. unfortunately so far that has also increased the amount of eating and drinking I’ve been doing, and this continual wandering off piste is having an impact. But I’m ok in myself, taking time to catch up with lots of other aspects of life including decluttering the house and doing it up etc.

Looking ahead to next year, I want to get back on track but at a more leisurely pace. I do need to lose weight, probably at least a stone if not more. But I no longer want to set myself ambitious targets only to fail and beat myself up. So my plan is to do things gradually : follow a Mediterranean diet and most likely 5:2 in terms of strict low carb/calorie days. I had an induction session in the gym section of the posh gym this week and want to start doing that regularly. It’s ben a long time since I did any gym stuff but it felt good being back and I want to give that another go as well as the swimming and yoga.

So all in all, I want to draw a line under this year in terms of weight loss, but start again with a more relaxed approach in 2026. If I can lose a pound or two a month, alongside getting fitter and stronger, I’ll be happy with that. But I also want to focus more on living each day to the full, and making the most of this phase of life where I finally have the opportunity to have some time for me and do things that I want to do.

I value this forum very much and would still love to be involved in a thread during 2026. I’m open-minded as to whether that entails setting another ongoing one up for the regulars on here or joining in one or more other threads. Much depends on whether others on here want it to continue in some way so do let me know where you’re at!

Finally, a shout out to some of our friends who haven’t posted for a while. ARCTICFOX, YOWZER, NOKIE, MIXnMATCH, POOTLE, VERANO, ANNIE, STARGAZER, CALLIFORNIA GIRL and anyone else I’ve not mentioned, please let us know how you’re getting on. And best wishes for the festive season X

Delicious December!

Well for me it is/isn’t as I have yet another birthday in 11 days. I guess that’s good because I’ve (almost) made another year!

I was watching Jason Fung on youtube today and he just confirms, that at my (advanced) age, I just need to look after my health. The number on the scale, although we take that as the gold standard, is really not that important. I guess it’s horses for courses given our ages.

Anyway, have a healthy and happy weekend.

Heidi your decorations and cards sound really uplifting… enjoy!
Sunny thank you for finding positives most days it certainly spurs me on to find my own…

Despite a miserable dark day here today there have been positives…..

🥩🫑🥦 Daughter and husband have decided to join us for dinner Boxing Day. Just four so easy peasy!

🥬🥒🫒More food … eight of us for lunch tomorrow but my shout so apart from dessert all carb friendly.

🌒🌘🌔 Just two more weeks before the days start to get longer …. has to be a positive!

Have a good weekend full of positives.

Good idea Verano. I shall make an appointment next week. Hair colouring is always a great boost.
Positives from me:
1) my sons have decorated the Christmas tree. Lots of tree decorations from a lifetime of holidays. presents, chilldhood and so on. All my favourite cards are out from previous Christmases, and suddenly we are surrounded by family and friends. Feels good.
2) Finished planting tulip and daffodil bulbs. A bit late but I shall be optimistic.
3) Tried making my own seaweed rolls today. They weren’t very elegant, but were very tasty with a filling of smoked salmon, avocado, edamame beans, salad, and a bit of cream cheese. I liked the extra texture that the roasted seaweed gave.

Hope you all have some positives in your weekend. x

Hi Sunny… and everyone else!

Just one positive for me today …..had my hair cut and coloured… feeling renewed!

Sorry to hear your results s-g. Who knows, one offs happen. You know your own body best so good luck with sorting it all out.
Just two more weeks before the days start to lengthen again. WHOOPEE!
Have a good weekend.

Well had a shocker today with my results. 7.3, that is the highest it has ever been except from when I came back from a cruise and didnt have time to get myself back on track. Need to give myself a good talking to and look at what I am doing wrong. My BG each morning seems to be around 90 and I dont eat carbs. What I have noticed is that I am having a late night snack around 10.30 but usually just meat or cheese but sometimes on a Ryvita, also having Ryvita most mornings with my boiled eggs. Also, if I get shakey in the afternoon I have a Werthers original for the sugar rush. I need to cut out the Ryvita as it is the only true carb I have, also no Werthers if I feel a crash coming although it is more habit than necessity now. Also try to go back to TRE and have nothing from 8pm. Oh well, I guess I know what I have to do from now on – stick to it properly.

Good to treat yourself, V … 🤞🏻the new regime helps improve your nails.

My positives for today…..
🌻🌻 it didn’t rain here today so did a little garden tidying
🌻🌻 think I’ve pretty much finished the Christmas gift shopping now
🌻🌻 the mango chutney ferment I set up last week is yummy … now in thefridge and being consumed
🌻🌻 Sri Lankan friend seems to be okay following the cyclone, as he’s read my WhatsApp message

Keep looking out for those positives folks!

Just one positive today …. this morning I had my BSD go to breakfast of yogurt, stewed rhubarb and walnuts. I love the cold yoghurt with the warm rhubarb and the walnuts are just a bonus!

Sunny read your post and thought I DO have a positive too….

I have a pedicure every three weeks and last week decided to have a manicure every three weeks too! My finger nails are awful so thought maybe if I had them taken care of every three weeks it might just help!

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Sounds like you’re settling back in nicely, Verano. Thanks for finding time to post here again.
Heidi, good to see you posting some positives too. My freezer needs defrosting, but not sure it will happen before Christmas …. well done on getting yours sorted.

Positives from my little corner are ….
🌹🌹 it’s taken me 10days, but have finally got around to planting in my four new rose bushes.
🌹🌹 youngest DD and oldest GS came to dinner last night, lovely to gave their company
🌹🌹 had a pedicure today … now have pretty tootsies again 👣🙂

Whatever your day has held, hope it included plenty of positives.

S-g I understand exactly where you’re coming from and must admit to feeling somewhat the same. Just sort of maintaining between holidays! I guess at the end of the day ‘health’ is more important now than weight per se. As you say your diabetes ‘is what it is’. My mobility ‘is what it is’ and sometimes we just have to ‘accept’ and make the best of, and move forward.

I think, for me, dipping in and out of the boards helps to keep me from letting my blood sugar fall back into the diabetic range and really I’m quite happy with just that. Anyway, I’m not going anywhere and if it helps I’d be happy to help you. Maybe, as ?’Dreamscometrue’’ does on the annual thread, just once a week check in on the three month thread might be enough to keep the thread alive?

BTW you are never boring!

Hi all, had the expected weight gain from the quiz night but the good news is WE WON. We have joined up with some great people who had a team of 4 and we are allowed 6 so they asked us to join them as we always came second to them but with just 2 of us. There were 5 of us this week and win a bottle of wine each – 6 into 5 doesnt go so we gave one person 2 bottles so they could add it to the Christmas charity raffle. We also booked to go to a feast on NY Eve. The menu is a buffet so plenty of low carb for me followed by roast guinea fowl, then a buffet of cheeses and desserts. Not like us to go out on NYE but what the heck – we have some good friends and better than moping at home.

Verano, do I really mean to fade away from the site. No, not from the site, just from running things. It was okay when there were 3 of us sharing and I don’t know how we managed when it was weekly. I would like someone to take over. Possibly I will set up a thread for January (3 months) for a winter period. I am not really losing weight, just managing to maintain with occasional spurts of loss for holidays etc and then the usual gain. Because I am setting up the thread I feel I have a responsibility to keep it going and welcome newbies and just keep everyone upbeat. Just getting fed up with it and sure others must be sick of me going on – which I do for something to say to keep people interested and gee up the comments. Like you, I will have been on this site for 10 years in June, so maybe take a back seat. Also, my diabetes is what it is, I cannot do more. Even after all this time I still stick with around 800 to 1000 cals daily and rarely eat white carbs, try to exercise 3 to 5 times a week – so I even bore myself going on about it.

Have a good week.

Defrosted the freezer. It’s a job I hate doing, so I feel a bit smug.
For the first time in my life, I paid for a cosmetic procedure – 20 minutes in the dentist chair, and I now can smile with confidence. It’s my early Christmas present to me.
Christmas tree has made its way up from the cellar. Looking forward to the family decorating it tomorrow.

Just wondering if anybody had heard from Lucy or Pootle lately?

Well I’m trying to post more positives so yesterday ….

🍗🍅🧅 Made a very nice chicken casserole for dinner with lots of vegetables and a can of ‘5 beans’. Trying my best to increase my fibre intake.

✉️📧📩 Sorted out a stack of post yesterday most of which was junk but also dealt with the few important bits. Always a chore when you’ve been away!

☀️❄️☀️ Looks like being cold but sunny today!

S-g are you really planning on ‘fading away’?

Hi there Verano and Tulip, the start of the month is always a time of great motivation. First tip of the month -I am lucky to be retired and living deep in the countryside not bothered by office parties or lots of temptations but if you are you can try to alter your mindset and handle difficult situations by planning ahead. How many times have you started with good intentions and change you mind when you see what other people are ordering that are normally off limits to you. Can you check online what is on the menu and know exactly what you are going to order. I am going to a quiz tonight and I know there will be very few carbs as it is not in the French nature to add potatoes or chips to a meal. BUT there will be bread. I plan to have just one slice but use it like the Glucose Goddess advises, do not eat it first – make sure I have some veg before to line to gut opening which slows down the absorption of sticky carbs.

Tulip, I was speaking to Wendy yesterday as you reminded me we have not been in touch for a while. She is fine, she spent a lot of time in Australia being a new grandma and she is enjoying life with closer family in France. Just faded away from the site – just like I am going to do. We had both been on it for years and life moves on.

Have a great week.

(p.s. where is Wendy (Wendleg)- I may have missed something due to being intermittently absent myself)? x

Hi SG, thank you for setting up the new thread 🙂 🙂 🙂

Well done S-G setting up the December thread & resisting the carbs 👏👏
I have just come back with my husband from watching the Royal Ballet filmed production of Cinderella which was very enjoyable but I was very chilled sitting in a cold down draft & have warmed up having a Brandy & some nibbles 🫣🙀
I will be baking salmon for supper with creamed spinach & some boiled sweet potato 😀
We will also enjoy watching the results from Strictly from Dancing on tonight.
How is your house sale going S-G?
Take care everyone & see you in December!
Margaret xx

Thank you s-g for setting up the monthly thread …. again! Odd to think this will be the last one but I’m sure we will all benefit from the new seasonal thread.

In the meantime, I promise to be more ‘present’ this month and post as often as I can.

‘Delicious’ has such a warm, wholesome, and possibly decadent, but not too decadent, feel about it. One of my ‘delicious’ breakfasts is a bit ‘decadent’, ’ scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Not ‘naughty’ but very nice. I love avocado so another go to this month. I’m trying to eat much more protein but with far fewer carbs this month so that’s my goal for December.

Hope it’s a good month for everyone.

Thread set up under Starting the BSD – Welcome to Delicious December 2025. Some are new starters and they are very welcome but I want to see our regulars supporting this thread.

Nearly had a disaster yesterday. We are thinking of selling our breadmaker as not used in 10 years but had to try to see if it stil works. So hubby made a loaf and the smell alone was enough to drive me back onto carbs. Although not quite. I resisted by having half a slice of the crust end with butter. Yes it was delicious. He asked if I wanted another slice with my brunch this morning and I said NO! Thereby leads to addiction. No more bread and I only gained 0.1 of a kilo. Still down to 73.65 and will be lower still before our night out.

See you all next month,

I hope you are going to join us in this last of the monthly threads. We will be starting a new thread in the New Year with a seasonal theme so dont forget to look out for that.

In the meantime we have just over weeks before Christmas. Plenty of time to get into that lbd (little black dress) or whatever you want to wear. Lets support each other and make this a Christmas to feel proud of ourselves, whether it be a slimmer you or someone who has improved their blood glucose. Can we also include tips and hints for avoiding the madness that leads up to the big day – yes it is just one day so no need to make it the undoing of all your good work.

See you all here.

Sunshine-girl

Hi all, tried to set up a new thread but it kept sending me back to beginning. It will be called Welcome to Delicious December, normally it is in Welcome to BSD but will try to put it in another section.

Hi everyone,
Good to hear your gum is improving Cathy.
SueBlue, hope the reset is going well.
Yowzer where are you?? As Cathy said, it would be nice if we all check in before the end of the year. Not exactly a muster station, since that would mean the ship is going down! But you get my drift.

I can’t believe it’s less than three weeks since my father’s death. Life is sad and complicated. I am trying to resist the carbs, but not always succeeding. Here in NL, Christmas temptations arrive early with Sinter Klaas, and I succumbed. Big time. Anyway, 0.4 kilos back and lesson learned. Total lost since May is 15.6 kilos. I hope you all have better focus than I do!

Wishing you all a good week. xx