Hello everyone, in case it’s helpful, I wanted to share how I’ve been getting on with the BSD.

Starting weight – 13 stone 8
Current weight – 12 stone 7

BMI down from 32 to 29.
That takes me out of ‘obese’ to ‘overweight’ on the NHS calculator. This is a massive psychological boost for me.

Week one I had headaches to start with and felt a bit lightheaded, but loved the recipes. I lost 6.5lbs.

Week two I was determined and motivated and didn’t stray much at all. I lost 3.5lbs.

Week three I felt cravings for fast food and sweet stuff, I made substitutes and gave in to a biscuit 😂

I’ve been swimming three times a week.

Feeling determined to keep going, I’m not missing bread, don’t usually eat much pasta or rice but could murder a roast potato right now!

I’ve also avoided root veg and bananas in favour of berries and leafy green veg so am enjoying this new experience.

I agree with Allie that the book would be improved/more accurate if carb levels were set. But on the other hand my impression with the version of the book I read, which was the one available in 2017, was that the book was focused on being a short kick start of 8 weeks of weight loss. after which he advised moving on to the 5:2 diet to continue loosing weight. Just cutting out sugar, bread, pasta, pizza was a big change for me and it took thinking it was only for 8 weeks to help me step off the cliff.

In practice some of us with a lot of weight to loose realise after a few weeks of this WoE that it is possible to enjoy a low carb WoE and inspired by the rapid (if misleading because its a consequence of water loss rather than fat loss) changes in the scales want to continue on a faster weight loss program.

It is when we decide to go on multiple rounds that care is needed on levels of carbs.
If you cut calories long term without cutting down the carbs to a level where you are in ketosis then your body will adapt to the lower level of calories and reduce your metabolic rate. This is why with eating programs such as WW people loose weight but then regain it and more once they stop dieting. Its obviously going to be an individual issue and I am not aware of any research into the topic but I would guess that 8 weeks of calorie counting would not have a massive impact on metabolic rate. (The information on the long term results came from the TV program The Greatest Looser because that was one of those situations where both calories and exercise was carefully logged in a residential situation rather than relying on self reporting by participants. )

So I think as well as improving the accuracy of the calorie and macro counts for the recipes the book should be enhanced with two options post the initial 8 weeks. – Drop down to 5:2, or step up to keto. –

Glad to see you back sixturkeys. Hope things are better for you now.

Hi sixturkies, how are you doing?

Birdy76, there will be days like these when you follow the rules yet dont get the return. The scales show increased weight, the waist bloating.

My records show that measuring daily led to ups and downs of between 500g and 1.5kg. I decided to stop stepping on the scales daily and I feel happier.

You are doing well, and over a 4 day period you will see the impact.

1. My 40 hour fast is finished and I’m eating spinach, bacon and mushroom omelette.
2. The measurement show 1 cm off waist, hips and chest.
3. It’s been remarkably easy to fast, no hunger, no headache.

Does coffee effect weight loss? I am trying it black? Does soda water effect it? I feel really fat and bloated today in my face and around my middle. I haven’t cheated apart from those nuts but that was Wednesday night. Birdy is at a loss(not weight though🤣) help please! 💞🦜

I really don’t know if i am in the ketogenic state, I know my carbs have not been 20g all through the last two weeks but I have tried and most of this time period I have been under 40g, but since Thursday I have actually consumed under 20g, I do have a lot of energy and during my nightshift I don’t hit that normal brick wall of tiredness and feel I have energy for days. But I don’t know and yes I know you say don’t worry about the scales but I feel even though I have fasted drank loads of water I am stuck and feeling like I am going nowhere. Oh and the day I fasted I went to the loo three times then yesterday I didn’t go at all. I don’t know what I have changed or done but I am stuck 😢💞🦜

Happy, I wholeheartedly agree that the all important subject of establishing a carb limit that works for each individual is
a shortcoming in the book. I did a lot of independent research when I began, and learned from that that a low carb
diet was defined as <50g per day. The objective is to achieve a ketogenic state where we burn our own fat for fuel, rather
than glycogen. A true ketogenic diet is one centered on 20g per day. Some can ,
do well on <50g a day, but many of us
have had to go considerably lower than that. Some use keto sticks as a way of measuring if we are in ketosis, but they
are notoriously unreliable. Breathilizers are a more reliable way to do it. Anyone who commits to <20g a day can feel
reasonably confident that they are functioning in a state of efficient fat burning, or are “fat adapted”. I listened to my
own body, and I immediately knew when I was there by the enormous increase in energy, and the slight metallic taste
in my mouth. The metallic taste is only temporary, and doesn’t persist for more than a few days. So you see, there is
no correct number, and a lot of it is trial and error, and you have to discover which gram count works for your body.
When I began, I was eating @40g/day, but after an 18 day plateau, I did more research, learned about insulin resistance,
and dropped to 20g. That broke the stall, and I sailed through the rest of my 10 month journey with no other fits and
starts. I highly recommend Gary Taubes’ book, “Why We Get Fat…and What To Do About It” for a comprehensive
understanding of insulin resistance. I never looked at our food supply the same way again, and I’m positive this
knowledge made my road considerably easier than those who begin and end with the info in MMosley’s book(s).
I hope this helps, and that I’ve not confused you further 🙂

Allie

For those who find squats too challenging at first, this is an easy exercise that you can perform seated in a chair, when
passively watching tv in the evening. All that you will need is a straight back chair and a rubber ball 4-5″ in diameter.
Place the ball between your knees, and squeeze for a count of 10. Repeat! I’ve done this during adverts, and it’s surprising
how many reps you can do in an evening! Resistance bands are also good, and usually include targeted exercises on
the package. I’ve always believed that squats focused on the gluteal muscles (bum!) primarily, and the quads, but
I could easily be wrong about that. Never been much of a gym bunny, I must admit 🙂 Squats are a great way to train
for downhill skiing, too!

Thumbs up, Happy! Artificially sweetened drinks cause insulin spikes, the same way as sugar. Apparently the body
can’t distinguish between the two! Long ago, I used to drink 1 diet Coke a day…About a year into this program, I
picked up a glass of this stuff, mistaking it for iced tea….I found it disgustingly sweet, and couldn’t even swallow it!
Our tastes do change remarkably fast on this protocol. I think that you will be amazed! It’s crazy 🙂

Finally finished the book!! and i am confused. It doesnt comment on correct carb intake does it?? I’m sticking to under 30 as that’s what everyone on here advises. But where does that come from? Xx

DCT – glad you enjoyed your holiday. Any weight you gained will be off as soon as you get back to basics. I am sure there will be a few of us keen to continue our journey and like you I am aiming to get to 133 lb. I have been very strict this week and did a 42 hour fast at the beginning of the week and have been text book BSD all week. I want to get to my goal weight by 9th June when I go on holiday to Turkey. I’ve got 7lb to lose. Let’s have our Easter weigh in on Good Friday morning and take it from there. I basically have maintained during this challenge- went up, went down, went up again and hopefully going down before Friday- might end up one or two pounds lighter than when I started in January!!!!
Keep going everyone, the alternative is not an option if we want to keep the weight we have lost from going on.

Thank you SixTurkeys – glad to hear from you!

Peek-a-boo. Happy belated birthday Kafin. I got things wrong (and on what had been a very bad day). C’est la vie. Des humains parfois confus et imparfaits.

Thank you Allie….i am trying not to over think things and worry. However as i have been reading and researching I’m now so immersed In all this that’s all I’m thinking about!!!!

Is it not possible I’m in ketosis already or is it too early?
Xxx

Hello all!! I’m only 6 days in and would love a road trip pleasseee. In particular by the end of May for my hugeeeee family celebration where i will be significantly slimmer 😀

I’m applauding you here, Happyhel !!!

Hi again, Happy! In the first 7-10 days, the scales reward us with a lot of positive feedback. After that, we get down to
the harder work of burning fat, getting our bodies into fat burning mode (ketosis), and examining our macros and making
appropriate tweaks to deliver a positive weight loss result. As we say here so often, weight loss isn’t linear, and some-
times the scales remain unchanging, but inches have been lost. Prepare yourself for that 🙂 Try not to compare your
results with others here. We all react differently, and some of us are fast losers and some are not. Advance planning
and perseverence are the key. Believe in yourself always, and you will get to wherever you wish to be 🙂 🙂 🙂

Wendleg & birdy, thank you !!

Hubby is just brainwashed by the low fat/ high fibre / lots of diet products WOE. …. but its happy to support me. He’s just worried.

We had steak for dinner. Mine was with gone made garlic butter and mushrooms. His chips and Diane sauce. So he certainly couldn’t complain!! Then he watched me eat 2 squares 85 percent chocolate so hes now much happier

Xx

Hi everyone! Just back from a lovely 2 week road trip round Scotland and northern England. Feel exhausted and relaxed at the same time – and very fired up for some of the changes that are happening for me over the next few months. I know I have put some weight back on – jeans feel tight etc. So am going to try not to weigh myself till Friday – the end of this phase of the road trip. That way I won’t get too discouraged. I’m hoping by Friday to be back in the 137-139lb range but given I am working in the dark right now I have no real idea how realistic that is!

But I do then need to do a month’s blitz from Easter to Saturday 25th May when I go away again with my daughter to celebrate a hugely big birthday. And if I have not managed to finally get to my 133lb goal by then (after 2 and 1/3 years on BSD) I will be SO frustrated with myself!!!! So would be happy to join (or set up) a month’s extended road trip from Easter to May half term if anyone is up for that?

Cathy I’m so glad you had a good break at Ragdale Hall and look forward to updates on your progress. SueBlue – wow you have had so much to contend with this stretch of our journey, and well done for an overall downward trend: I’m sure I would have piled on pounds by now with comfort eating and drinking! Hi to everyone else on this thread too and hope you’re doing ok. Hope we can all continue our journey after Easter into pastures new X

Thanks Wendlegs!! I don’t have any sparking water so it’s on the to buy list.

I have stayed away from the diet tonic!! I’m so proud

I would say be safe and drink Perrier or San Pellegrino sparkling water, Happyhel . I would give any ‘diet drinks’ a wide berth as I would never use artificial sweeteners. Not telling you what to do, you have to choose for yourself 😉

😂😂that’s hilarious Patricia Squats it is. Having said that I’ve done a few squats in my time with my handbag hanging from my neck as there was no way I was putting it down on those toilet floors. You’ve been framed would have paid good money for those images.

OMG he will have you eating those tubes of cheese soon, Happyhel 😉 That’s a good plan to steer clear of the wine and gin.
Just keep on as you are doing. My hubby recently got a diabètes diagnosis and he is paying attention now. I will get him sorted !
Scottish gal, well done on your 20 h fast !

Birdy I just love your sponaneity and openness . I loved the bully story. You probably know I am a teacher and bullies get very short shrift with me. The motto is my classroom is ‘ Don’t judge’ !
Yes, I can confirm that Allie has her crazy side 😉 She is an absolute treasure and one very determined lady !!

Slimming world nooooooo! 👿👿👿👿. When he sees you flying around the house with all your extra energy he will soon see the truth about our WOE. You go girl. 💞🦜

Patricia1066 🤣🤣🤣🤣 always making me laugh out loud. 💞🦜

Guys will diet tonic water give me an insulin spike?

On a mission, it was you!

Squats with or without kettle bells work on the thighs. My legs have always performed squats even if I’m in terrible shape. When I was in primary school the first thing you learned was never to sit down on the toilet seat as they were (probably) cleaned once a day. 😷
Squats were as normal as joined handwriting in our school.

Birdy thanks you have cheered me up. My hubby doesn’t care if I’m big or not he just doesn’t think this could be healthy and wants me to join slimming world ! The one where on a ‘green’ day you eat as many carbs as you want!

I feel much much lighter today so will be interesting to see what the scales say on Monday, my official weigh in day.

Xxx

Happy Birthday Kafin – enjoy your walk and cuddles.

Scottishgal thank you, if I can make people smile and laugh then I am happy. Although I am not trying to most of the time!🤣. It is just me. I think you have done amazing with your fast hun 20 hrs is nearly a whole day not bad at all. I am trying to get used to black coffee at the moment so just finished my shopping and I am sat in the sun outside Starbucks with said black coffee and have got half way down and have just added some cream🤣. I am getting there though💞🦜

Ah my dear Allie I have always been a quarter of sandwich short of a picnic🤣🤣🤣. I have always been a glass half full gal too. When I was a child I was bullied a lot by the same girl for years, this resulted in others bullying me too as they were afraid of her so joined in. This resulted in me becoming the class clown 🤡 and always trying to make people laugh, thus deflecting their horribleness! Don’t worry it did me no harm and eventually I punched that nasty cow straight in her mouth and she never picked on me again!🤣. Also the the karma bus not only got her, it ran over her again and again! I am not a nasty person, I always treat people how I would like to be treated too. So yep that’s me Hun nutty as a fruitcake and empathy for days and a real zest for life!🤣🤣. Oh sorry waffling again I am 44.

Dr Unwin has some good ayou Tube talks too. Just put his name in the search to find them.

Thank you for the lovely birthday wishes, you wonderful people! I just woke up and to have all those thoughtful, kind and loving words has made my day! Going to get up and receive my birthday cuddles from Albert and then go for a walk around the park in the sunshine to get my day going. Thank you again, you are all so lovely 💜💕

Oops I didn’t realise we were on a new page and I missed your posts Birdy. Just want to congratulate you and say well done.You’re amazing! Enjoy your quiz night tonight

I really love reading your posts Birdy. You always cheer me up and make me smile. Well done on your fast. I only managed 20 hrs but my logic is every little bit counts lol

All over the top half of my body for me – always the case . I am a juicy pear shape and always loose from the top first hence the Cadbury bra – a cup and a half Patrica (it was me). Really realltlooking forward to really seeing a difference in my legs and bum now. I keeping telling my self ‘patience’ it will happen. In the meantime does anyone know any good inner thigh exercise?

Well done Shellbob, definitely an inspiration to us all. All this talk of clearing out is putting me in the mood lol……will need to find some time!
I managed to complete a 20 hour fast for the first time. Not quite the 24 hrs I aimed for but it’s a start. I really struggled with the last 2 hours and tried to persevere. I’ve only had a couple of strawberries and a small piece of 85% chocolate ( had to reward myself with chocolate lol). I didn’t see the point in cooking so late in the day and so close to dinner time so I’m sure I’ll last now until dinner.
I’ve been peeing for Scotland all day today!! Is that related to the fasting or just coincidence? I always used to go a lot when by BG was high but since starting this WOE and getting it under control I’ve noticed that I’m going a lot less…..until today!
As for work Wendleg, I’ve been in the same job for 35 years. No one will want me now lol. I know how I’m feeling is just a phase that I go through periodically and it will eventually sort itself out. Thank you for your support and encouragement today. All you have said is absolutely right and I will take it on board 😀

Have you always been crazy, Birdy, or is this a relatively new development? Personally, I’ve always marched to my
own drummer and had the ability to “shock” 🙂 The bad news is that the affliction doesn’t improve with age! I should
know…How many years young are you?

I am afraid you will always come across people who are sceptical about this diet, I am sorry it is your O/H. I haven’t told many people I am doing this as I know that some of their reactions will be on the negative side and we don’t need that in our lives. Men also hate change! My O/H has always been into chubby women but he also wants me to be happy. When I started this I asked him if a size 10 would be ok and his answer was please only go to a 12! But I know he will be happy as long as I am happy. You need to ignore what he says as he is not playing fair! I will always have a sag to my belly because I had a c section when I had my son and they stitch you back up so tight that it cause a natural over hang. I actually asked them before they put me out could they fit in a tummy tuck seems they were opening me up🤣🤣🤣. I was met with a look of shock and disgust and a resounding no!🤣🤣. Spoil sports. So just keep doing what you are doing and really try to not let your O/H negativity get you down. 💞🦜

Ps birdy did you just drink water on your fast? X

Hey cheese lover and birdy

Thanks for the wonderful encouragement. I am struggling with hubby who desperately wants me to go back to enjoying a few glasses of wine each weekend. I have promised him, and myself as i really enjoy it, once i get to my goal destination i will see if wine or gin can be brought back into our wkend. But i need to stay “dry” for now as I’m on my weight loss journey.

Today for lunch i had a gorgeous grilled bacon and cheese salad. Amazing. My head and hubby still say “that a lot of fat!!” Or my favourite one i keep being told ” its a crash diet. You will pile the weight on after, and have loads of baggy skin ”

Tonight we are haviing steak and salad for dinner. I’m going all the wonderful nutrients will prevent my skin bagging but in reality i have had very big babies – over 10lbers. My tummy will bag no matter what

Xx

Happy I know where you are coming from on the little brain tugs about this not working, as I have them too. My brain says “do you really think this is working?” My answer is yes as my clothes and scales are showing so😄. I have a lot of weight to discard, I was 18stone the heaviest I had been in a long while, although my heaviest was 19stone. I would like to get to 13 stone but if I go to 12 or 11 I will be happy. I am worried about looking older though🤣. I think you will be ok if you go lower than 12. You discard to where you feel comfortable, if that is 12 then go into maintaining, if when you look and think nah I want to be a little bit smaller then continue on the 800😉. When I am happy with my look And fit into a size I am happy with that is when I will go into maintenance. The problem I have and I am sure many others is that the weight they want to get to the haven’t seen in a long time, so I and them won’t know what it look likes until we get there🤣. Does that make sense? I don’t know what 13 stone looks like on me as I can’t remember that far back🤣. I think I was 19. Birdy💞🦜

Thank you Allie I am certainly go to try my best. I am also going to pinch your TRE times as I want to change mine up a bit. I lasted 33 hours on my fast and I am glad I managed it. I think I will have to do my next one on a Monday as coming off of nightshift it has made me a little tired. But I did it and I am well and truly on my way with this WOE, my daily macros are good and a couple have been around 13g of carbs which was not intentional but I am hoping that it is ok? Hope you are having a fab weekend so far hun 🥰💞🦜

Hi. Cheeselover and happy, you are both doing amazingly well done. I have just done my first real fast which lasted 33hrs, it felt good and I am so glad I managed it. I am with you on the TRE Cheeselover I usually do 16-8 but need to change it up a bit as I have been it keeps your body guessing so it is more effective at burning the fat. Keep going guys and happy discarding 💞🦜

Thanks birdy. Can i ask how much you have to lose? I was aiming for 2stone tagging me to roughly 11st5 but in reality i just don’t know as i have never been less than 12st for 12 years.
Im so trying to trust the plan and go with it… my all saboteuring brain keeps whispering “this can’t possibly work” but that’s what happens after a life of weight watchers!!! Xxx

Hi JGwen thank you for that, I bought single cream! Doh! Going shopping in a bit and will buy the double this time🤣. My macros are going well and with my fast I am feeling in control and hoping this will reflect if jump on the scales Monday. 💞🦜

Hi well I lasted 33hrs on my fast and the only reason I broke was because working in the cafe with all the smells made me really hungry and a little lightheaded. I had two rashers of bacon and half an avocado. My gosh it tasted so good🤣. I have the quiz and curry night tonight at our pub and I am doing the quiz but forgoing the curry, even though I love it. It is homemade but I don’t know all the ingredients so I won’t be able to work it out to get a true read on my intake and macros. I will have steak and asparagus before I go.

Patricia it is Essie ginger drink I think, but I add a fresh squeeze of lime to mine. I feel a little bloated again today but I am sure it will rectify itself.

Merry Melba so nice to see you posting again and thank you for the heads up on the milk. I hope you can make it more regular with your posting as we love to chat🤣. Especially me😜.

Thank you guys for all your advice. I have read the post about Fat fasting but I think I need to re read it. Happy Saturday Birdy💞🦜

Frivolous is definitely fine Shellbob ! You deserve it ! Keep grinning, girl ! This is inspiration for anyone feeling a bit down and lacking motivation.You can do it !!

I had a massive clear out today of stuff I know I will NEVER wear again. Mainly size 20 and 22s.I even found some smaller size 16 stuff lurking in the back of my wardobe which fit easily !!
I wish I could invite you all round and say help yourselves 😉 Size 12s and 14 ladies, don’t be offended .These are for us larger ladies 😉
I have some lovely Gudrun Sjoden XL dresses I think I will try to sell. I love Gudrun. Natural fabrics , gorgeous prints and bright colours, not for the faint hearted . I bought a lovely linen dress in oatmeal last year in her sale size L which was far too small and now it looks great ! That is my Brighton wedding outfit with a nice bright scarf and wacky earrings !!
I am trying not to buy anything new right now as I am happy with my preloved stuff and things I have dug out of the wardrobe but I know I won’t be able to resist TKMaxx !!
Grinning with you Shellbob !!!!!!!!