Hello everyone!

I have had the most wonderful holiday. The staff remembered us from last year (we must be a nuisance lol) and made a fuss of us. We tried to abstain from alcohol, but failed with good grace. I have gained weight (not from eating) but I am confident a few fasts and copious amounts of water will deal with that! Not happy that my house (looked after by my daughter and son in law) was an absolute sh*t tip when I got home. She apologised but….HE could have done something! There is a stain on my Egyptian Cotton Quilt cover (cost a lot of money). The baby’s sticky finger marks everywhere (they could be wiped away, now will need scrubbing). Apparently, HE was ill (both ends) during his stay…not saying anymore except, going to spend all day cleaning sticky floors!

However, I do have some positives!

1) I saw my lovely grandchildren yesterday. Missed them so much and got the most amazing cuddles and love.
2) Weighed myself yesterday and this morning, and have lost a pound overnight !!!!!
3) Slept in my own, incredibly comfortable bed last night. Bliss.

Inka, and Marie 123….are you referring to ….“ah that’s the listening thing before you go to sleep.” ? Thank you for remembering me.

Keep going everyone.

Lots of love
Nonna Mary
xxx

Hi Marie 123, thank you, it feels good to be back 😀 and so lovely to see your friendly message!
Now what was that phrase?? I’ll have to go back and look or it’ll be that keeping me up tonight!! How are things with you? I hope you’re having an easy week!
Inka

I’ve feeling a lot mopey and sorry for myself for a while, so I’m going to focus on some positives.

1) After being diagnosed with high blood pressure back in March and being prescribed medication, last week the doctor agreed that I could stop taking it as my blood pressure has plummeted since I adopted the BSD! I’m thrilled. She’s amazed at how quickly it changed!
2) Today the sun is shining 🙂
3) I’m getting back into the routine of walking after missing it due to feeling unwell. 9.3K steps yesterday, I intend to get at least 10K today.

Caro
x

I really noticed the difference in the way this woman looked when she held herself tall and broaden her shoulders. She seemed to flow with confidence when she took up that posture in comparison to standing with rounded shoulders.

Hi Zoomers!

Thanks KazzUK for your support and help. I actually do plan meals in advance already (get me!) but I’ll admit that I worked out the calories and carbs in last night’s dinner after we’d eaten it! It was a Gousto recipe we used to have and I checked the nutrition and thought “That’ll be fine when I replace the potatoes with courgette fries”. MFP gave me a very different calorie count to the Gousto one! And I was also guilty of looking at the ingredients and thinking “That’ll be low carb”. It was higher in calories *and* carbs than I expected! But for a non-800 day I was fairly happy to still be under 50g carbs and around 1000kc. I’m starting to think I’m insulin resistant – I seem to see my best blood sugar results and weightloss when I stick to closer to 20g carbs, something I’m still getting my head around. My sugars were better today, still not great, sigh. And although the scales aren’t moving much, I’m now expecting a whoosh, sometime this week, I hope! But, I am determined to KOKO – this WOE does work, I just have to be patient.

Have a good day, all!
Caro
x

My mother was fixated on the starving children in Africa, and i did get more than one clip around the ear for suggesting we send what was on the plate in front of me to them. – I had the full routine of not being allowed to get down from the table until the plate was clean. – and the same meal served up reheated for a number of meal times until it was all gone. – The positives, I did become an expert in piling up food to make it look like most of the plate was empty. Also after a while she admitted defeat by serving up my meal and then turning back to the cooker to serve up her meal during which time items I didn’t want to eat made their way from my plate to the family dog. :-0 –

But to be fair to my mother, she did grow up in poverty, she had to work as a cleaner before and after going to school and leave school at 14 to work full time to help bring in enough so that all the family could eat. – Her father died in an accident at work and there wasn’t the welfare state to help single mums in those days. During bad times her mother would lie and say she had already eaten because there wasn’t enough food available for both the children and herself. –

Hi sunnysandy
I’ve been on holiday but just seen your post. I am diagnosed with IBS and over the years have had every sort of stomach pain and discomfort from food … sometimes innoncent looking meals!

Too much veg that needs heavy digestion or that is very fermented in the gut sets me off but not always usually it takes a cumulative effect. A 2 week course of good probiotics usually helps but it takes a week. It can be very painful. Sipping warm boiled water helps or peppermint tea….. but not too much. Avoid too many heavy digest veg .. space it out and have things that are easier like asparagus

When you make this change in eating habits you are making a wide range of changes to your body. For example.
The range of gut bacteria you have and the ph of your gut will have developed based on your diet and there will be dramatic changes following your change in eating patterns which will have some impact on how you feel. You will be providing more food for some types of bacteria which will be multiplying, and those bacteria which feed on carbs will be dying off. – There is some research which suggests that they will not go quietly, and will be trying to encourage you to continue with your old eating habits, but this is an area of research which is just starting. (Its rather difficult to research in a lab setting 🙂
There is research that demonstrates that the presence of bacteria which break down sugars produces a by product which causes inflammation in other parts of the body.
Also a high sugar diet produces a ph environment which encourages yeast infections in your gut. The yeast anchors itself in the gut by putting threads through the gut lining which causes leaky gut. As the ph changes, the yeast dies off and the gut lining can heal.

This may all sound unpleasant. but the reality is that we are doing a lot of long term damage to our bodies eating a high carb diet, so its all well worth making the change. –

I had been eating a high carb diet from childhood. My family background was that you had bread and butter with every meal to help fill you up, and my mother coped with my eating habits by providing extra bread and butter because it was something I would eat. – The first couple of weeks on this way of eating were hard, but I have so much more energy having gone through that phase. Just give your body a little time to adapt and you will feel the benefits.

There are a range of different recommendations on podcasts and books on the take a look at this

Hi. I’ve decided to try this. Actually correctionI have decided to DO THIS!
I have about 8 kg to lose which has crept on 4kg per year over the past 2 years. Fast forward another year, 2 years, 10?? Eeek. I don’t like where this is heading….. I also know I use food to switch off, manage stress and it is not helpful.
Very hopeful that the Fast800 will shed the weight rapidly and then I can maintain.
When I first read that the diet was only 800 cals a day my initial reaction was that’s ridiculous! How can anyone live on 800 cals a day? But I have been lurking for a while and seen so many inspirational stories. If all you awesome people can do it, why can’t I?
So I am on day 3. I have to say I have NEVER eaten so little and am amazed people can function on 800 calories a day!!! I couldn’t sleep last night I was so hungry. I felt almost panicky mid afternoon yesterday at the thought of how much I had to do that evening with so little food for energy. I have just had 2 boiled eggs for breakfast which haven’t touched the sides, SO I am on here hoping for some motivation by making myself accountable.
I have also just taken delivery of an Ocado order. I am normally an Aldi girl but hey since I am eating about 1/3rd of what I am used to then I can afford luxury food. So have bought lots of prawns, salmon, Glorious Soups, lean chicken and Cauli-rice ready meals and LOADS of veg. Anyway that is me. Here’s to a leaner, greener future!

If the problem is high blood sugar, then I can’t see how adding something to your diet* will help – surely the obvious (though I realise not aleays easy) solution is to reduce the sugar levels?

*I’m not suggestng anyone avoid medication prescribed by a doctor. That may well be necessary to deal with the high blood sugar, but it’s treating the symptoms, not preventing the problem.

If our bodies have been used to regular supplies of refined carbs, getting energy from other food sources and our fat reserves means they have to work a bit differently. You may also be in a form of withdrawal for sugar or other substances you’ve given up. It’s quite common to feel a bit weird as your body adjusts to the changes. That passes really quickly.

Are you drinking lots of plain water? If not, do try to have a glass at least every couple of hours. I found that very helpful.

Thanks, Allie. That’s encouraging. I already walk quite a lot – a habit I’ve got into since starting the BSD, so perhaps I can get into the habit of doing it with my head up and shoulders back.

I’m working on sitting up straight and holding in my stomach when at my desk. I do keep forgetting, but even doing it for some of the time should help a bit.

SaltySeabird – if you can feel and think you see a difference, that sounds like an improvement to me.

Sorry to hear about your daughter Sunnysandy. I suggest you tell the doctor the buscopan wears off and see what they can suggest next? I can only echo the others that we are not equipped to give medical advice but I can give you some of my experience.
A few years ago I was prescribed buscopan for pain and cramps. They spread throughout me but the pinpoint of pain was near my stomach (higher than you’d think) and on the lower right side of abdomen. No amount of buscopan did anything. To cut a long story short, after much time off work and a spell in hospital and a few attacks, I have gradually changed my eating habits in all sorts of random ways to make sure I never have another attack. It’s a bit scientific, but my ileocecal valve and my pyloric valve weren’t working properly. I still haven’t had a proper diagnosis but I seem to know my body better than the doctors now.
All sorts of food would jam it up or stick it open. Leafy veg, raw veg, small seeds, broccoli, cauliflower… in many ways it’s a healthy list so everytime I started a diet I couldn’t understand why I was always in so much pain. Some of it was also caused by overeating or not chewing my food properly. Even on the BSD I have to avoid some of these things or it brings on the difficulties again.
I don’t want to throw a spanner in the works but thought that if your daughter could relate to any of this, it may help. Then again, it may just be IBS and shouldn’t be hindered by the diet or low carb.

Yowzer, I’ve got a cheek jumping on too but wanted to say hello to you! You probably don’t remember me but I am so glad you are Keeping On With This lifetime change! I used to love your cheerful posts. I don’t post these days as the forums have changed a lot and also there are plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people on here who have successfully picked up the baton and run with it and giving amazing advice!

Hi Allie, definitely – I am already feeling the difference too. Also, I guess it gradually becomes habit so we’re much more aware of when we do slouch.
I think my belly might be looking a bit better – but that might be wishful thinking!
SSB

Good morning. Lovely to see lots of people on board this week and such activity. I’ll be ofline later today for a few days but will catch up when I can. In the meantime I hope you all have a productive few days.

MaggieBath – it’s so great that you have taken charge of your health in such a positive way after the shock of your stroke.

An interesting programme tonight – am just checking that husband has recorded it as I am working tonight. It looks as though it will be very interesting.

The Truth About Carbs, with Dr Xand van Tulleken, is on BBC One at 20:00 on Wednesday 6 June.

Hello, sunnysandy. I’m sorry to hear that your daughter is in pain…No Mother finds that easy. No one here is qualified
to give medical advice, so I only want to tell you that as a fellow sufferer from IBS, I’ve only heard that this WOE improves
this condition, not causes it. You’ve done the very best thing, taking your child to the dr to make sure that nothing
acute is going on. I think that you’re weeks in to this plan though, so this may be totally unrelated. Perhaps the gut biome is
undergoing some changes? It would be totally irresponsible for any of us to offer medical advice, and the best that I
can offer is to reassure you that I haven’t met anyone here that has experienced IBS from this lifestyle. Some here
swear by probiotic foods to change the gut biome, and you may want to read one of informative books available on
the subject. How is your daughter doing today? I’m so sorry that I don’t have anything more definitive to offer.
Thinking of you,
Allie

Hi Sunnysandy

So sorry that you and your daughter are going through all this and I personally just don’t feel equipped to advise what to do, only to say that this diet only seems to have positive effects so I would assume the cramps are not related – unless maybe it is fat beginning to breakdown and shift. But as I said, feel a bit out of my depth on this one.

I did read this article on BBC News this morning though which may be of interest to you and other fellow travellers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44368601. It refers to a programme on BBC tonight all about carbs and a trial in which people on a low carb diet not only lost weight but improved health (including diabetes in remission). May also be helpful to you and your “wonderful” doctor HappyKangaroo 🙂 But interestingly this doctor (Dr Faisal Maassarani ) makes a distinction between different types of carbs, so worth a read of the article and catching the programme live or on i-Player if either is accessible.

Have a good day everyone X

Hi again,
Allie, thank you so, so much for pointing me in Jason Fung’s direction. I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to him and just keep on learning! I was thrilled to read that he advocates both drinking bone broth and putting a bit of cream in tea/coffee during fasts. Having those two things added to extensive water intake will make fasting even easier. In a few days or so I may try for the 36 hours, waiting till breakfast the next day to break the fast.
Thank you once again!
Lisa

Been very good today – Pilates, walking and a 20 min swim.

Hi Allie,
Just a question-today my daughter complained of severe cramps on her sides of the tummy and lower abdomen. I took her straight away to the GP where the doctor felt around her tummy and said that it appeared to be pain associated with the colon. She prescribed Buscopan. My question is, would these pains have anything to do with the diet and has anyone else suffered from these tummy pains? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated , both from you and fellow travellers. The Buscopan has helped ease the pain but after the affect wore off after the first dose, I had to give her two more tablets. Just highly concerned.
Should I be adding more carbs, and if so which ones would these be? I really apologise for the long post. Her GP had referred me to another dietitian a few months ago who said that my daughter should be eating carbs such as weetabix, crumpets, sweet potatoes, rice and pasta. Foods which are just not suitable for someone who is insulin resistant and also has pcos. I have an appointment with her Gp on the 27th of this month with the disability nurse in tow so will see how that goes.
At the moment I am really worried-it’s my second name 🙁

Hi Cass (may I call you Cass?) It’s carb flu. Your body is detoxing from the poisons you’ve been eating all your life, and believe me there’s a ton of evidence out there that show refined carbs and particularly sugar are toxic and addictive.
The sensation of feeling hungry when full is your gut demanding those foods which you are now denying it. Did you know you have neurons in your gut connected to the brain? These are what sends out the fake sensations of hunger; it’s all in MM’S book Clever Guts, a book which makes sense of the fairly secret life of our digestive tract.
So, the good news is that it doesn’t last long, 2 or 3 days and then you’re out the other side feeling really energised and in control of your eating.
Read around the threads and you’ll find lots of information and links. I would encourage you to explore them as the more knowledge you have the better your understanding of this way of eating and the more you’ll get out of it.
Welcome to the board and do stick around to share your journey. And the best of luck to you both.
Maggie

Thank you, dear Squidge 🙂
Writing or reading your name always makes me smile so you’re a gift that just keeps on giving and giving and giving! Lucky, lucky us!

Hi there and welcome!

It might be your body ridding itself of all those carb-toxins and fighting you every step of the way, making you feel like only those sweets and grains can make you feel good again. It’s a mind and body game and those carbs are STRONG persuaders! I bet you’re stronger, though! In fact, I know you are or you wouldn’t be here! You’re on the right track to a phenomenal life with your partner!

There are many wiser and more experienced folks than myself but my experience (and I’ve only just started Week 4 so I’m really not that experience, at all) was that the first two weeks were undeniably awful. I was hungry beyond words, to the point where my kitty’s strong muscular hind leg began to feel like like a chicken or a turkey leg to me and would make me salivate, craving sweets (but, truly, all carbs) beyond measure, was super weak and unbelievably crabby. There were days where I was sure I was going to give up and just couldn’t feel those feelings anymore. I wanted to give up so badly! What helped me, and I got the idea from someone in this forum but I can’t remember who, was to google pictures of T2D patients with severe foot problems who were either awaiting amputation or very close to it. I got started because I was diagnosed T2D in October 2016 so those pictures helped me stay on track, as much as I hated every gosh darn minute of those first two weeks. On the first day of Week 3, it was like a light switched and I experienced my very own miracle because my hunger disappeared, my strength returned, and my mood made leaps and bounds to the sunny side.

Now, into Week 4, I’m never hungry and always have energy which has made me want to walk more and move more. It’s been amazing. And now, I just looked at the clock, and my first 24 hour fast (ok, pseudo-fast because I had some tea and broth) ended 15 minutes ago and I didn’t even realize it. For a foodie by nature and a trying-to-be-former carb addict by choice (I mean, by the choices I alone made for myself!), that’s kind of mind-blowing! I’m prepared for the carb addiction battle to be waged in my mind in some way or other every day so I’m not surprised when it happens and I’m overjoyed when I get to the end of the day and realize I haven’t thought about it once. Of course, that day hasn’t come yet but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost hope that it ever will. I’ve only just begun this trip……my goal is that within a year, I’ll have experienced at least one day where I didn’t secretly (or not so secretly) dreamed about a Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Stay strong and be kind to yourself…..you can do this! WE can do this 🙂 . There are so many people in this community willing to reach out a hand or a hug to help in every way possible!
Lisa

Blimey I really was not expecting that. We bought the recipe book by Michael’s wife and followed the meal plans and the weight just fell away. I am down from 100kg to 86kg with another 8kg to go before hitting my target weight. I am stunned and utterly delighted. I have a doctor’s appointment at the end of July to see if my NAFL (non alcoholic fatty liver) has improved and I need to go to my GP to review my blood pressure medication. Fingers crossed on that one but I am quietly hopeful.

Our friends and family have also been impressed as well with now 5 trying the diet – one who was diagnosed pre-diabetic and has seen an improvement in 3 weeks n his blood sugar levels.

For anyone still thinking about doing this. I genuinely thought the 800 cals would be hard, but the meals have been delicious and filling and the days when I have felt the need for more food or snacks have been rare. Even giving booze up has been a better experience than I expected in terms of my mental well being and sleep quality – though I firmly recommend Seedlip, Non Alcoholic Champagne and Beer (try drydrinker.com) from time to time to reduce the boredom of water with every meal.

Thank you thank thank you !

I’m new, too, Summer Strawberry, and have never heard of Huel so won’t be much help in that department but I wanted to welcome you in……if anyone can help you, it’s these amazing and wonderful keepers-of-BSD-knowledge! There are many, many helpful gurus who know this stuff inside and out! I’ve learned more browsing threads here than hours and hours on Google because, I’m realizing, I don’t even know what questions to ask half the time. These threads are full of real, live kindred spirits who have traveled this journey before us and have so graciously helped pave the way to make it even a smidgen easier for us who are a bit later to the party!

Welcome and I’m looking forward to getting to know you 🙂
Lisa

Hi, I am on day 5 of the 800cal BSD.
Doing this with my partner who has type 2 diabetes.
I am overweight (3 stone over ideal BMI), but blood sugar levels are fine.
Been on the diet 5 days and just feel really strange: light headed, legs wobbly, feel hungry despite being full. Any ideas why?
Ta!

Hi, all! Just to add my two cents to this discussion about posture…I wasn’t able to do much walking during the
first 9 months, but on the 10th month I added in walking 5-10 mi. day. Instead of leaning forward to propel me,
I concentrated on keeping my head up, shoulders back, and took full strides, instead of short steps. It did a lot to
help me strengthen my core and abdominal muscles which contribute to good posture, and eventually led to an
ability to do planks, which I never even thought of as a possibility before. Anything is possible!

Allie

Hi Summer Strawberry!

I don’t know anything about Huel, but I do know BSD works. I used to have a very sweet tooth and to start with did feel a bit hungry and miss bread, cake and choolate – but that passed fairly quickly. I now feel happier, more healthy and am fitter than I was 20 years ago, and weigh less too.

Allie, it was hard to hide a wholesome bowl of porridge anywhere, not even in the dog!
Early training in problem solving!!

It does feel like a win – and has encouraged me to try just a little harder and lose a few more pounds. I’ve never been skinny, and don’t want to be, but slim is starting to feel like a possibility.

I’ll probably go for adding a little sauce just to his. Maybe water, soy sauce, tomato puree and cornflower to thicken it will do? He’ll get some carbs from the cornflour, but it won’t be much and he’s not diabetic or overweight – and it will encourage him to enjoy loads of veg.

Hi LuckyLisa.

This plan works, it really does. Whether your results are super quick, or a bit slower doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you’re headed in the right direction – and clearly that’s the case for you. Stick with it and you’ll see the results you want )and your body needs).

Ha, Maggie! I was duly punished for my “smart mouth”, too. Or being guilty of always having to get “the last word in” 🙂
I would have been happy to have been sent to my room, though, instead of being made to sit at the table until disgusting
food like liver or lima beans were cleared from my plate. I survived by dousing the offending foodstuffs with worcestershire
sauce to kill the taste 🙂 For awhile I tried to hide the offending items in the jacket of an empty baked potato, but parents
soon got wise to that maneuver. Little power struggles, I think 🙂

HappyKangaroo sorry it has been a while since we “talked” I hope all is great with you. Did you attack the Queen’s Birthday sales (or is that this weekend in Australia?) and get some new pants?

My holiday countdown is going well. I spent Week 5 working on maintaining my weight just to prove to myself it is possible. Did okay, then didn’t but are pretty much back on track (lowest weight was 73.9kg I am currently 74.4kg). Just need to learn good habits and remind myself to ensure I still have 2 “800 calories” days to balance out the others.

sunnysandy great job with your daughter keep it up and you will see the results.

Snailrunner sounds like a wonderful holiday. I am not sure that I have your willpower to fast for a day (or 36 hours), most impressed that you do especially while on holiday.

JGwen I too have the scales which measure fat, water and muscle % as well as tell you your weight. While I know they are not 100% accurate it is nice to see the fat % go down. Plus seeing the water and/or muscle % go up it makes me feel a bit better about my weight not moving so I know it’s not from a fat increase. I did try to compare them with the scales at the chemist which does your BMI as well but it’s not like you can access them first thing in the morning (and while naked) – well not if you don’t want to end up on the 6 o’clock news . . . . I liked your post regarding “squidgyness” as I have noticed this around my belly I guess it is the skin not shrinking as fast as the fat behind it.

Welcome to week 6 everyone

Thank you both. I’ll google both bulletproof coffee and Jason Fung. So, so , so much to learn and absorb and put into practice! This is just all so exciting!
🙂 Lisa

Haha – my parents mantra was think of the starving millions. I once suggested my leftovers were sent to them. I was sent to my room!
Colloquialisms are fun, aren’t they?
Maggie

I agree there are some very dubious claims being made out there. The diet so (week 2) but with a previous “slide down” to the 800 cals per day is going well and with support and advice on the forum ive slightly reduced my meds …and so far so good thanks for replying

Oh Maggie, your lovely British expression of “tidying up leftovers” by eating them did make me laugh!! We’re more
likely to say “waste not, want not”. All born in childhood teachings that people are starving in China… 🙂

Lisa, are you familiar with Jason Fung? He has some excellent books on extended fasting, and you can prevue his
work on you tube. It’s very impressive!

Allie

Strictly speaking a fasting drink is water – but we have to do whatever makes it work for us!
I actually use almond milk in my coffee.
Another option is bulletproof coffee; I did it last week but over-indulged and had a stall week. Google it for more information, there’s a lot of discussion.
Hope you find a drink that suits you because water does lose its appeal!

Hi all, it’s a beautiful Spring day here, and I don’t want to resurrect my lamentations from a few days ago, other
than to tell Marie, Kazz, Sunny, Theo and Krysia how blessed I feel to know you all. I’ll be fueled by your kind words
for weeks to come 🙂
I just love to hear of your travels, and I think that you have a much healthier attitude of how necessary leisure time
is to one’s wellbeing than Americans do. Those of us on the east coast here tend to be too driven, and I don’t think
that’s a good thing…
Positives for today;
1) Saw a beautiful doe munching leaves at the edge of the woods first thing this morning! I didn’t know any
lived there.
2) My orchid has 6 new buds! The common name for the phaleonopsis is “moth orchid”. I’d like to get a white
one to keep her company 🙂

Positive thoughts and positive deeds,

Allie

A very warm welcome to you, summerstrawberry, and congratulations on your decision to improve your health
and discard 56lbs! I have some concerns about the use of huel, also. The BSD way of eating can best be described
as low carb, moderate protein, and high (healthy) fat. The huel product contains artificial sweeteners, and per 1 cup
serving contains 500cal, 37g of protein and a whopping 37g of net carbs. We learn to prepare whole food and
manage appropriate serving sizes with the BSD, and I don’t believe meal replacements do much more for you
than postpone the learning experience. Even 2 c of huel a day comes out to 74g of protein, 1000cal and 76g of
net carbs. Guidelines for the Fast800 are 800cal a day, and under 50g of carbs. A moderate level of protein
would be in the neighborhood of 50 gr, not 76. The problem is that excess protein gets stored as fat. The
objective is to get your body into ketosis, or fat burning mode where you are burning your own stored fat for
fuel, instead of carbs. That’s what promotes fast and efficient weight loss. Very best wishes on your journey,
however you choose to proceed 🙂

Allie

Hi everyone,
Hope you’re all having terrific Tuesdays 🙂
I’ve been following the Fast800 for three weeks and decided to try a longer fast of 24 hours. It’s been remarkably easy and only have 4 hours left. I thought it was going to be crazy hard. Of course, I slept from 9:30pm-7am so that covered a lot of hours – hahahahah!
I’m just curious…..what do you all drink when you fast? And how much do you drink? I just can’t look at another glass of water, even with lemons, limes, cukes, etc….in it. I’ve had some hot tea (no milk or Splenda) and some chicken broth (which I have a feeling broke all the rules of fasting).
I searched and couldn’t find posts specific to longer fasts although I’m sure they’re in here somewhere.
Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙂
Lisa

Thank you both! I’m not sure why but your posts just pulled on my heartstrings and made me all teary-happy! It felt so good to just write and write and write and put it all down in black and white. I’m a psychologist so I’m usually at the other end of life story sharing so it was oddly difficult and liberating at the same time. And your kind, sincere, and heart-felt words confirmed for me that I’m in the right place and that it’s good to open up and share the journey!

I’ll definitely check out all those threads and also join a challenge. I know I can’t do it by myself! I’m lucky in that I have an incredibly supportive husband and family but there’s just no replacement for a community of spirits going through the exact same thing, sharing, laughing, and crying, too!

Thank you again……off to find a good place to post a fasting question 🙂

Thanks Allie, it wasn’t a bad one but one helluva shock – even my GP was shocked as I wasn’t on the radar.
But one of my aims is to show my neighbour who’s a stroke/ heart ICU specialist just what a low carb diet can achieve. The more medics who can see living evidence of the transformation effected by this way of eating the more they are going to question the pedagogy of the profession. Even if l make him think just a little bit it’s a chink in the door, or even evidence of what he knows anecdotally.
Congratulations on your bloods, it must be so life-affirming for your doctor to recognise that you have taken charge of your own health.
Maggie

Hi Hedwig and you’re absolutely in the right place! I think tidying away leftovers by eating them is a habit we pick up when the kids are small and never quite get over it.
Just a warning about fruit – some of the most delicious are really high in carbs and really the only safe ones are berries and then sparingly. Sad isn’t it?
You’ll make it a lot easier for yourself if you knock those refined carbs on the head; the real benefits come after you’ve detoxed from carbs, that’s when this was of eating becomes a way of life rather than just another diet.
Good luck, you’re in the right place for heaps of positive support.
Maggie

Hi everyone! This thread continues to be a great resource for links to explore. Thank you all!

How are you today, Maggie? Being an info junkie is a positive thing! This is one of my favorite quotes from the
Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu:

“The wise man is one who, knows, what he does not know”

In today’s vernacular, I think it applies to all of us who find it necessary to “turn over every rock” to discover what
knowledge might be hiding there 🙂 I’m SO VERY sorry that you’ve had to recover from a stroke. It has to be very
empowering to see your b.p. at a healthy 120/80! I started out at 160/90 with extremely high chloresterol, and
this way of life had it 120-125/70-80, and all of bloodwork is within the “optimal range”. Like you, I’m very commited
to keeping it that way!

Allie

Hi there. I just joined, and figured a weekly thread might be a good place to start. I’m 5′ 2″, and around 58 kg/128 lbs. I’d like to lose somewhere between 5-10 kgs, but mostly want to improve the way I eat. I started a terrible habit of grabbing whatever food whenever when the kids were very small, and haven’t kicked it since. Also, I’m vegetarian but am terrible with fruit and vegetable intake. Bread and butter are my nemesis :). My main goals are:

– Up fruit and veg intake, and reduce other carbs (bread, pasta, etc.)
– Introduce a longer period of fasting daily (16/8, maybe)

I’d like to kick start myself into a healthier lifestyle and could use some accountability. Should I be here, or on a different board/thread?