Latest forum posts

  • posted by  Mariet on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    CC glad t hear your eye is improving. And that your keto reset is working! I know all about slow losing! This week I have surpassed by regular 300g loss… with a 400g loss. I’m truly glad to be consistently losing but no one could accuse me of melting away. I calculate that at this rate I might be at my target in 18 weeks.
    Let us know all about your maintenance Yowser 🙂 If I ever get there I will need all the pointers I can get to avoid the slow backsliding that happened after 2017.
    Dawn, congratulations on a 2lb loss! We all know how much effort and commitment it takes.
    Hoping you all have a lovely weekend. We are into Autumn so hoping for some more comfortable weather, I especially am hanging out for cooler nights so I can sleep. It’s raining here today, my least favourite weather, but my garden is grateful!

  • posted by  Pootle on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    A couple of positives for today:
    The sun ☀️ is still shining ☀️and we have reached the spring equinox!
    I have started digging the veg patch… getting ready to plant onion sets and garlic! 🧄🧅 🤞
    OH has gone away for one night, so a bit of me time tonight…😂🫣

    Hope you have all had some positives today!
    Xx

  • posted by  SunnyB on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Quick post with today’s positives ….
    ⏰🛒 awake crazy early, so decided to go out and about and get the grocery shop done early too
    📰📰 finished compiling the village newsletter for next month and sent it for printing
    🌞🌿 sunny day, so had a little potter in yesterday garden
    Hope your day was a good one and brought you some positives.

  • posted by  SunnyB on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Gosh SG, I’m worn out just reading all you have going on! Take care and try to get some ‘me time’ every day. Don’t allow the mayhem to knock you off track, you’re doing great and the cruise is really close now.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Sorry crypto but you are preaching to the converted. Thank you for your advice but we already know all that. However, I am still going to report you for advertising.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
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    Back to 71kgs but still trying. So much going on right now I was tempted to have a drink last night but glad I didn’t. I hardly drink at all now but just get a twinge now and then. Haven’t smoked for 40 years but still fancy one in times of stress. We are funny.

    Sunny, the lists cover so many options. As we are going on a cruise we need cruise clothes, clothes for an overnight, the a bag for onboard the ferry. The hotel we are staying in the night before we board has a pool so I will be packing a cozzie in overnight and another in main and then we are spending a week with family so need another set of clothes – so of which will be in several of the bags. It is a bit complicated so I can understand where you are coming from.

    Picking up altered clothes today and then tomorrow we have estate agent coming to give us a valuation – informal as the agent is a friend of ours from when we put it up for sale before. Too much happening, I just want to go on the cruise and forget about everything. Oh and I forgot, we have a builder coming on our return to put a false ceiling in the garage as it is fully open to the top of the roof and we want to insulate it. Too much at once.

    Hey ho, have a good end to your week.

  • posted by  SunnyB on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Good move on the car purchase then, SG. Interesting about the online holiday lists, but our packing is a big complicated, as we need bags to use during the road trip and then things for when we get there, as well as things for the house.

    HappySnap, well done on your results to date. Keep going, dropping the kgs can only help with health issues, I’m sure you’ll positive results on that front soon.

  • posted by  happysnap on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all

    Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine- at least I am here in London! Makes such a difference to the mood when the weather’s nice doesn’t it?
    Just hopping on to report that my weight is thankfully dropping- another 4kg down so that’s a total of 8kg off so far and I’m very pleased. Focusing on the positive even if its taking very very long…
    I am starting to feel it on my clothes…
    Not seeing much of a difference yet in terms of headaches which is still a big struggle. Still taking too many medications and struggling with all the various side effects… hopefully by the next time i’ll post i’ll be a few kilo lighter and my health will be in better shape!
    Best of luck to all!

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi Sunny, the reason we decided to go in today is because Saturday and Sunday are open days when there are supposed to be special offers but we already had our quote and and special deal on the finance (interest of 0.90%) so it will be absolutely heaving. As it was we had to park in the furniture store carpark across the road because of all the cars so dread to think what Saturday will be like.

    Yes, I am a lists person. If you go online and look for holiday packing checklist you can print on off for free. There are lots of choices but that is my preferred Holiday Packing Checklist, because some are for families or weekend trips etc so lots of choices.

  • posted by  SunnyB on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Sorry March is a bad month for you, Pootle. Hope the brighter weather is helping a bit. Your scales result will no doubt have cheered you a bit …. well done.

    My positives for today ….
    🌞🌞 sunny almost all day and it didn’t get dark until early evening
    🕯🔋 changed the batteries in my remote control candles … Wow what a difference!!!
    🗺📂 put together the file with all the details for our road trip to Turkiye …. just 19 days until we head off.

    What were your positives for today? We’d love to know.

  • posted by  SunnyB on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Wow SG, you guys didn’t wait until the weekend to buy the car then! Like you, I’m itching to start packing … are you a ‘lists’ person? Tomorrow I’ll be writing a some for our trip. We’re due to set off a couple of days before you. I’ll be getting OH to get the luggage out of the loft this weekend, as I’ve already started to accumulated thing to take out to Turkiye with us.

    Sorry you feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle with the kgs at the moment. You’ve done brilliantly and even if you aren’t able to drop anymore on the scales before your cruise, you’ve a lot to be proud of.

    I’m only weighing a couple of times a week at the moment, so I’ve nothing to report on that front today.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all, bought a new car today. It will be ready in July as it is a specific colour that is not available from the showroom – metallic red.

    Altered clothes are ready and will be picked up (and tried on) tomorrow. Getting itchy to start my packing and once we have all the clothes there is nothing else to think about. 21 days to setting off and 25 to getting on the ship. Doubt I am going to lose much more weight as it is getting to be a struggle even though I have had no alcohol since 7th Feb and stuck to pretty much 800 cals. Last night I was very shaky and had a cheese sandwich and my weight is up again. I have to think of my health as well as my weight. Will continue until Sunday when we are out for hubbys 80th and then back on the diet for the final 3 weeks. Fingers crossed I might have a loss.

    Lovely weather here and I have been in the garden spraying the driveway with salt and vinegar to kill the weeds. Our drive and parking area is around 20 metres square so I have only managed 1 third and need some more vinegar. We buy it in 5 litre bidons – forget the English word.

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Thanks Yowzer😀
    I know you will get your maintenance plan sorted, you’re always a great inspiration when I’m struggling!
    Dawn XX

  • posted by  Yowzer49 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥰🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰🥳🥰
    Thats great news DAWN and something for your sparkly chart!
    My maintenance diet isnt going that well,I’m veering between undereating and overeating,it balances out,but its not the healthiest way to maintain. I know my TDDE so it shd be easy!
    Please give yourself a pat on the back for your good results,and keep going! X👍

  • posted by  ADD6605 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi everyone, I’ve been meaning to post since Friday, went to sign in and totally forgot my password (never usually happens but I just had a total mental blank) and didn’t have it to hand so intended posting later that day and didn’t! Anyway, I did weigh myself on Friday and was 2lbs down which was ok but I know could have been better. Reading everyone’s posts is very inspiring at the minute so I’m hoping they chivvy me along a bit. Will weigh again this Friday. Hope you are all having a good week, lovely and sunny here today but very cold. Dawn XX

  • posted by  SunnyB on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Appreciate your frustration SG, but you will get there. These little off-piste events only cause a temporary blip upward, in a day in two things will start to come right again.
    Sounds like there are lots of exciting things afoot – new car and potentially a new home too … not to mention your upcoming cruise.

    As I’m here, may as well report my half lb drop for the week. Still 6lb from target, but at least things are heading in the right direction. Our next trip begins on 9th April, so still time to make more of a dent those 6lb.

    Hope others are seeing progress too, please let us know how you’re getting on, regardless of which way things are going.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all, weight is up and down between 70.8 and 71.2, just a bit fed up and we have a lunch out on Sunday. Hey ho.

    As I put on another thread, we nearly bought a new car yesterday. We weren’t even looking but while hubby went to pay for car service I got chatting with salesman and almost did a deal. I did the same 10 years ago although we do end up discussing. Anyway, I want a hybrid and hubby wants a petrol. Got quotes, got a number for our trade in and got details for a part loan. Brought it all home and he has now come round to a hybrid. We will be going back on Saturday to buy it.

    Daughter is still sending me Rightmove ads to look at and it varies between 9 bedroom business opportunity to 5 bed house with a granny flat. She is like me, once she gets an idea she wants to get on with it (see car above).

  • posted by  Pootle on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    S-g,
    A 9 bedroom wedding venue sounds an exciting challenge!
    Hope your cat is ok following the visit to the vets!

    Keeping on keeping on through March!
    Love to all. Xx

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all,

    Think I have bought a car today. Hubby left me in the showroom while he sorted the servicing. I found a salesman and got all the information needed. I am going to pretend it will be his decision but I have done all the leg work (and in French) so he will find it easy to deal with. Did the same thing 10 years ago so he was very brave to leave me to my own devices.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Heart health and BSD
    on in 5:2 BSD
    permalink

    Hi paulalizzie, this diet is good for heart health and many other ailments. Carbs are the cause of inflammation in the body in all sorts of areas and inflammation is the cause of many medical problems. Just one thing though, you might want to watch your red meat or processed meat (ie bacons, sausage, parma or smoke ham etc) and stick to things like chicken or fish. I suggest you go on YouTube and search for Dr Ben Bikman who talks a lot of sense about inflammation in the body.

  • posted by  Pootle on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    March is a ‘bad’ month for me…so a bit of a struggle to find positives every day…but, for today..
    1. Weight is still fluctuating by a few pounds but all below my target/ideal weight of 10st 7lb. Yesterday it was 10st 3lb…the lightest I have been for over 30 years! Today, 10st 4 & 1/2lb, still lighter than I have been for years!
    2. Cooked gammon steak, red cabbage & apple with celeriac chips for main course tonight… but the best positive is…
    3. Found the first British grown asparagus in a local shop today, so had that as a starter with hollandaise sauce! Yum!😋😋😋

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Lookups
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi mantajay, one other consideration for carb intake is whether or not you are in any stage of diabetes. Then you need to keep below 50g and aim for 20g. The sites we use are myfitnesspal.com and myfat friend.com – I am sure there are many more and they are free.

  • posted by  SunnyB on Lookups
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    There is no specific BSD app for this, some people use alternative apps to give them a picture of what their calorie and carb intake is. There are several available, so just take a look to see which one might suit you best.
    As for what level to aim for on daily carb intake, some people will successfully lose weight if they keep below 100g, but others find they need to push much lower …. 50g or even 20g. Best to start tracking so you know what you’re consuming and then if you aren’t seeing the pounds drop, tweak your carb intake lower, until you see results.

  • posted by  MantaJay on Lookups
    on in Welcome to the BSD
    permalink

    Hi all, is there somewhere (an app preferably) where we can check if something is out isn’t ok on the BSD?
    I have the GI app, is a green on this enough, or is there a number we should keep below?
    Cheers all

  • posted by  SunnyB on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    FGS, pleased to see you found your way to this thread … thanks for sharing some of your positives with us.
    Pootle, I’m thrilled the tiny lamb is doing well… how lovely to be involved in bringing new life into the world. Hope all of your lambs do well.
    V, I love that feeling of counting down to a trip away too.
    SG, your transformative journey on the BSD is an inspiration to us all. Getting your insulin so low is amazing!
    Sounds like you produce real artwork in a very much higher league than mine, SG. Should make it clear that I really do just dabble with paints and have little artistic ability. I’m not capable of creating anything realistic, it’s all very impressionistic and abstract. That said, I am quietly pleased with some of the results and I find the process relaxing and meditative.

    Anyway, positives from me today are ….
    🚘🗺 have at last got our road trip to Turkiye planned and various elements booked … we leave home on 9th April, can hardly wait!
    🍽🙂 made a very tasty dish of baked salmon in a creamy lemon and tarragon sauce for dinner this evening.
    🙂🙂 has a little outing to an antiques emporium, with DD and GS this afternoon … very pleasant way to while away a couple of hours.

    Hope to be reading lots more positives in the coming week, so please be sure to add one or two of yours.

  • posted by  Pootle on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi Lucy,

    Great that you are able to maintain, given all that you are having to cope with. When my Mum went into a home, she “lost” her dentures…..I well remember the panic and it was so difficult! I really hope they find your Dad’s coat soon. These things are very important! 🤞🤞🤞

    Keep going, and as V has said, “stay strong”…you will come out the other side!

    XXXXXXX

  • posted by  Pootle on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Great to have new positives…

    FGS26….Yes the recipes ARE delicious and filling…doesn’t it make it all so much easier!

    My positives for today;
    1. The tiny lamb is doing well! 🐑
    2. The sunshine has inspired me to sow courgette, butternut squash and sunflower seed today. ☀️🌱🌱🌻
    3. The seafood sharing platter at my favourite restaurant is still as good as ever! AND I resisted the bread and the chips. 🍞🍟🍤🦞🦀🐟
    😁

  • posted by  iiamadsen on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    ☀️ The weekend brought some little joys!

    📖✨ Finally finished a book that had been on my shelf for months—such a satisfying feeling!
    🌿🌸 Spent some time in the garden, and my herbs are thriving—fresh basil smells amazing!
    🍰☕ Treated myself to a homemade dessert and a slow morning with coffee.

    Hope your weekend had some lovely moments too! 💛

  • posted by  Wendy1947 on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Well done S-G any loss is goos news 👍
    I have kept for the last five days to a low carb daily 900 calories & have lost 4 lbs which I suspect is mainly fluid but I feel as though I have been able to refocus. Today my family has come to lunch so a rather more calorific day but I will try to rebalance this tomorrow!

  • posted by  Yowzer49 on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    CCATHY so sorry to hear about the emergency eye clinic,that must have felt a bit frightening. Glad the eye drops are helping,and well done getting as far as week 4! You are doing your whole system good,aside from the weight loss,with your good eating choices X
    MARIET I was thinking of you and SUEBLUE and your lovely sunny country! its very cold in my part of the UK but we have had some sunshine and it makes everyone feel better when its not grey and overcast. Well done on the shift dress,there is nothing nicer than slipping into a dress and feeling slinky coz there are no bulges showing!
    Hi to all my fellow shipmates! Never forget this..
    🥰💜🥰💜🥰💜 ~ There are good ships and wood ships,Ships that sail to sea,
    But the best ships,Are friendships,And may that always be! ~ 🥰🩷🥰🩷🥰🩷xx

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Well done Mariet- losing whilst cruising! What a win!
    Tonight I’ve made creamy quorn and mushroom from the recipe section of the website. Had it with green beans and it was delicious.
    My eye is feeling a little more comfortable with the steroid drops x 6 a day. I can’t believe after putting drops in my eyes since my first cataract operation in October followed by the retina surgery and then my second cataract operation that I am STILL putting eye drops in! I thought my eye drops were done with last week! The new drops are definitely making a difference so I am very thankful.
    I am feeling positive as I head toward week 4- the keto way of eating seems to suit me but the weight loss is painfully S. L O W! Still, if I can continue to lose 1lb a week it will all add up. I just hope I can stay motivated. I’ve been trying to lose weight for so long! It gets harder and harder so this has to be the last time. This thread is really helping me because it’s giving me plenty of time to achieve. Like you said Mariet it’s a long game and I think having a year to make a difference is just what I needed.
    Hope everyone else is seeing some progress.

  • posted by  FatGirlSlim26 on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Scrolling through these and finding inspiration from all the positive vibes. So I am a newbie – officially at the end of week 3 and my positives are:
    I had roast pork, apples and shallots (a BSD recipe unbelievably) with celeriac mash and for anyone joining the diet for the first time, the food you are actually allowed within the 800 calorie limit turns out to be delicious, varied and, yes, filling!!
    I had a few tired days but I now have bags of energy. Took the dog for an immensely long walk today and I still feel full of beans!
    I think it’s cleared up the brain fog too – along with the physical energy levels I feel mentally sharper too.
    Anyone wavering, my message to you is if I can do it so can you!!!! Also I have already lost a shed ton of weight!!!!!

  • posted by  Verano on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
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    Lucy glad you’re still with us. Sorry to hear of all your issues. Stay strong.

  • posted by  Verano on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
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    S-g I think you are doing the ‘ impossible’. I’m sure if you were to speak to any medic they would say that once you start using insulin you only way is up! Yet you’ve reduced yours by 75%. Amazing! I think that really is a great achievement. Thank you Michael for showing us that reversing T2 really is possible.

    A positive from me …..

    🛫🛳️☀️Checked my flights today and we are now just 31 days before we fly. Think I should start checking out my wardrobe!

    🛌🪞🛌 Bedroom carpet chosen! Maybe a few weeks but looking forward to a refreshed bedroom. Now I just need to do a few of Yowzer’s ‘tiny tidies’!

    Have a good and positive week.

  • posted by  Lucy1771 on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    Hi, I’m so sorry for not updating it’s been a nightmare week.
    However wedding was great, really enjoyed and had a lovely small get together in the evening which was great too….a bit too mich drinking and snacking!
    Then my Dad went to respite Monday and was so upset as was my mum that she went back and got him. Fast forward 24 hours and she took him back again as everyone was saying it was for rhe best and had taken so much organisation….
    It’s a really ice place and visited for the first time yesterday ( they said not to for first couple days) and he seemed in very good spirits but unfortunately today that isn’t the case. He’s lost his big parka coat that he practically lives in and they can’t find it which has sent him off the rails. He wanders about in it all the time. I’m a bit cross they still haven’t located it.
    It’s been so stressful and in between attended my neighbours funeral and wake on Tuesday.
    Only a few weeks until cyprus wedding!
    After eating and drinking over the weekend I put on a couple pounds but had got rid of it again by yesterday weigh in. So although I’m not losing I’m maintaining, My current situ is not easy for dieting but I’m doing my best.
    Hope everyone is OK and continuing their journeys!!! Lucy xxx

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Advice
    on in Starting the BSD
    permalink

    How are you getting on Lucy – how did the wedding go – you haven’t posted for a week….

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Moving Mindfully Through March – 2025
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all, scales down again and for March so far I have lost 1lb. Not much but in the right direction.

    More talk about us going back to the UK. I think I am starting to look forward to it. I know daughter will chose a nice area – even looking at a 9 bedroom farm and turning it into a wedding venue. She wants to give up work by the time she is 50 but wants something to occupy her time and earn. I see lots of conversations to come.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi all of you positive people.

    V, to answer your question about insulin. When I started 9 years ago I was on between 40 and 44 units. Last night I dropped down to 11 units as I was constantly having to get up in the middle of the night to have a Werthers to bring BG up. So another unit down. I know what will happen on holiday but I am going to be super careful and I don’t have a sweet tooth and will forgo the sweet cocktails for a nice vodka and slimline.

    Great you have picked up your watercolour Sunny. My house is full of paintings I have done in the past but nothing for the last 10 years or so. Housesitters always comment on how much they like them, even had one send me a card of his wifes attempt spurred on by seeing mine during their sit. She did a lovely job. I seem to have lost some of the tricks and knacks we were taught at nightclass. I have made do with paint by numbers but very intricate ones and even one of my two grandsons. Determined to get back into doing my own but might have to buy new paints. I use the tubes as I find them easier to get plenty of paint on the palette, will look at them when we return in May and maybe throw a lot away. Another positive of clearing things out.

  • posted by  sunshine-girl on BREAD AND PASTA
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi FatGirlSlim26, lots of good advice already. We are all now addicted to this way of life and the heavy carbs don’t even cross my mind except in restaurants and that is only every 2 months or so. That is what we call a treat, not because it is the weekend or Monday or Friday – we have all used the diet cheats.

    For your husband carbs will become a thing of the past except for the RARE treat but he might even find he doesn’t want them. My hubby has never been on my diet but slowly he has said ‘don’t bother with rice for me’, then ‘don’t worry about pasta for me’, we dont even have the substitutes like courgetti or cauliflower rice. He says he finds particularly pasta and rice tasteless and boring.

    SunnyB, you don’t come over as preachy. Someone asks for advice you give it as it is. I am fed up of tiptoeing around saying maybe this maybe that. No, if you are serious about either losing weight or dealing with a health problem you should just do it. Not doing it properly is why people say certain diets didn’t work for them – yes they did, they just didn’t stick to them. Now that’s me being preachy 🙂

  • posted by  Mariet on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Glad to hear you are still losing, even if it’s not as much as you were hoping CC.

    I went on a short cruise last week and came home with a head cold and headache that really knocked me over for a week.
    I weighed myself on Friday and it’s over 2 weeks rather than one. Half a kilo down which is not fabulous but considering there was a cruise in there, I’ll take it. I notice that there is steady centimetre loss from my belly and midriff which is a great feeling. Today I was able to wear a shift dress made of t shirt fabric which I never could have worn not long ago because of the bulges that would have been visible. So it’s a long game but I feel like I am (slowly) getting there. Hope others are seeing results as well.

  • posted by  FatGirlSlim26 on BREAD AND PASTA
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hello Pootle – thanks for your inspiring words. I’m following the recipes included in the Blood Sugar Diet guide and the companion recipe book and I must say I am loving the variety and taste. We had roasted apricots with yoghurt and raspberries for breakfast this am; a plain omlette for lunch and I’m just making the smoked fish and orange salad (looks and smells great). Everything we’ve eaten so far has been super tasty. I too and thrilled about the challenge and the change to the way I feel (and look) even after 3 weeks and – best of all – I don’t feel hungry so, hopefully, no chance of recidivism. As SunnyB and you both say, bread and pasta will – from now on – be a very occasional treat! Thank you!!!

  • posted by  ClarinetCathy on 2025 – Time to Come Alive!
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hello everyone
    1.2 lb down this week- can’t lie- was hoping for more! I’m still on track for 4lb a month. Had to go to emergency eye clinic this morning as I’ve been having a painful eye since the cataract repair four weeks ago. Turns out I’ve got inflammation of the iris. Steroid drops for 6 weeks and can’t have post op eye check at opticians until after my review at the clinic in six weeks! Good old £1 shop eye glasses will have to do. It’s a good job I’m not working.
    How have you all got on this week. Week four if my reboot starts on Monday .

  • posted by  Pootle on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Wow…congratulations all round. V fantastic news that they have recognised your remission!! S-G, lightest weight for 9 years!
    🍾🎉
    You are both so inspirational…and so encouraging to all newbies!

    Sunny, I often wish I could paint….so envy your watercolours. 🎨

    My positive for today…a little difficult but-
    Lambing has started (we only have 10 ewes!) with an old ewe having twin lambs….but she hasn’t enough milk for both….however, the littlest has taken to the bottle instantly! So much easier when they want to suckle! 😁

  • posted by  Pootle on BREAD AND PASTA
    on in Fast 800
    permalink

    Hi,
    Just to put my viewpoint here for you to consider.

    I went on the BSD last summer from a diagnosis that, after several years as pre-diabetic, I was now diabetic. I had dieted when I was diagnosed as Pre- some years ago, and despite losing weight, did not reduce the numbers. So the weight had crept up again over 2 years plus even more in the first 6 months of 2024.

    By following the BSD I lost 5 stone over 6 months and put diabetes into remission…not even pre-diabetic any more. (I followed the carb and calorie counting after the initial 8 weeks…!) I have avoided bread, pasts, rice and potatoes since last June….except for 4 different occasions, when the bread/toast temptation became too great! I have replaced with spiralized courgette, roasted butternut squash and mashed cauliflower among other things. The complete change has been exciting.
    Good luck, I hope you enjoy the challenge as much as I have! And you have great success.

  • posted by  SunnyB on BREAD AND PASTA
    on in Fast 800
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    Glad to help … was a bit worried my post might have come across as a bit preachy. As you are already finding, eating the BSD way really changes our tastes and in a surprisingly short period of time. It might be that after 8 weeks, your husband won’t find bread and pasta as enjoyable.

    Really, even in Italy it is quite easy to avoid pasta pizza etc. You’ll find meat dishes served with veggies or salad on most menus, so no need to resort to pasta every evening.

    Good news your Doctor is showing an interest in what you’re doing, so many are closed minded and just want to resort to meds and the outmoded diet advice we all know simply sets you up to fail.

    Hope things continue to go well. Feel free to jump in on any of the threads on the forum, you’ll be made very welcome and it’s the easiest way to seek advice encouragement and support.

  • posted by  FatGirlSlim26 on BREAD AND PASTA
    on in Fast 800
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    Thank you for your really helpful reply, SunnyB – I suspected as much. My husband was recently informed after blood tests that he was prediabetic. This news was sufficient incentive to start the BSD and I joined him in solidarity (although I also need to lose weight so it was a win/win situation for me). I definitely understand that this has to be a shift in old eating patterns and personally I’m not finding it too much of a hardship. We have been discussing following the 5:2 programme when the 8 weeks are up (although I may extend my fasting to 12 weeks). I have made it clear that bread and pasta are occasional treats only (although a planned trip to Italy could be hazardous!) but it’s nice to have that confirmed by another site user. I am pleased to report that I’ve been talking to my GP and after 3 weeks she is already discussing reducing my medications (a real result) and she was very interested in the diet.

    Thanks for the tip about pasta made from pulses. I’ve actually made some tofu from legumes which works brilliantly so I’m definitely going to try these.

  • posted by  SunnyB on BREAD AND PASTA
    on in Fast 800
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    Hi FatGirlSlim …. welcome to the forum and glad you and your husband are going strong with 3wks under your belts.

    In response to your enquiry, think the simple answer is yes you could occasionally have bread or pasta after week eight, but NOT without spiking your blood sugar.

    You didn’t say if your reason for taking on the BSD, is in connection with diabetes or not. If this isn’t an issue for you, there’s no reason why you couldn’t mindfully go off-piste from time to time. Just be cautious and don’t allow it to become habitual again. However, if diabetes is an issue, much more caution would probably be advisable.

    It’s important to understand that after week eight, one can’t simply return to old eating patterns, because they were what brought us all here in the first place. Yes, it’s fine to increase the calorie intake and indeed the carbs slightly, but ideally those carbs should not routinely be from foods avoided on the BSD.

    Sorry if this wasn’t the news you hoped for, but hopefully your husband will be happy to compromise and accept that bread and pasta will need to be a rare indulgence, rather than a frequent menu item. It could be worth trying the alternative pastas, made from pulses rather than cereal, which have a low carb value.

  • posted by  SunnyB on Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?
    on in Fast 800
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    🥳🎉🥂🎊🍾 Verano that’s fantastic news!!! You must be feeling wonderful…. as you say, all you need to do is keep on, keeping on. Meanwhile you are very much entitled to a celebration 🍾 🎊🥂🎉🥳

    🎊🎉🥳 Well done on your latest scales result SunshineGirl, as well as persisting with reducing your insulin …. you’ve made great strides there too. I know it’s been a tough battle at times and your determination has been an inspiration to many. Hope you’re celebrating too. 🥳🎉🎊

    Struggling a bit with positives today, but I’m sure I can find at least one ….
    🎨🖌 had a play with my watercolours again today. Really enjoying trying various techniques and producing a few acceptable results.
    🥘🥘 advance prep for date night dinner done … looking forward to saffron poached pears for dessert tomorrow 😋

    Hope to see more positives posted soon.