Blood sugar diet thread 8

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Thread 8 for the blood sugar dieters

I think you can still roast the pumpkin seeds but not sure if they are BSD friendly

bear I know what you mean about it being too depressing a prospect. It seems like a lot of effort to maintain and I find it more of a slog when I'm not having sustained losses to motivate me.

I've been looking over my food diaries so I can work out a strategy for losing and one for maintaining. Looking back over the last 6 months, I can see patterns emerging ie
Between 950 and 1000cals; carbs of 80g = gain
700 cals; carbs of 60g = loss
800 cals; carbs < 50g = loss
875-887 cals; carbs of 76-86 = maintain.
I'm finding it too easy to slip from maintaining to gaining but looking at it in black and white there are obvious differences.
I'm going to come back to this at the start of each week; make a conscious decision on whether I'm trying to lose or maintain and try to stick to the numbers.

I’ve been away and managed to do quite well but Sean to have a delayed hangover today so have wat rubbish. I’ll stop now until actual dinner and I’m sure I’ll be fine from tomorrow.

I’m off to Wales to stay with my mum for a couple of days, she’s booked an Indian restaurant! 🤔 I’ve been so careful for 6 weeks that I’m almost scared of what will happen if I relax the will power for a while. My friends cannot believe that I haven’t eaten any crap or, more importantly, drunk any wine for so long, my aim is to maintain this week... Wish me luck!

Place that's very interesting. Could you really see yourself on 800 calories forever though? I really couldn't. I'm sure the biggest problem for me on this plan is the calories- but I do wonder if I'm creating a situation where any more than 1000 just stops my weightloss. I haven't tracked as accurately as you, because I tend to just stop completely when I'm off plan. It's not even that I'm hungry all the time, because I'm not; it's as if my body fights the calorie restriction. I don't want to put people off doing this plan, I think it's amazing and it's changed my whole life and the way I eat. But I'm starting to think that I need to find another way. I read the low carb boot camp thread, but it's 'free' eating from what I gather and I think I'd eat too much- my body's signals are screwed up so I don't seem to have the off switch required. The high fat low carb works until I crack and eat carbs as well, which is basically just a very high calorie diet!

I think it's mostly related to my hormones and my mood- I have pcos and I'm sure it is getting worse, at least my outward symptoms are. Some days my mood seems terribly low as well. Combine that with low calories, chocolate binges, feeling guilty, having no clothes that fit......

God, it sounds awful doesn't it??!! I'm always still trying though, I know low carb is the way to go, so I do always keep getting back on it. I will try my best this week, and try for a good strict week once the kids go back next week, and might reassess after that.

Anyway. Enough of my moaning. How are we all?

bear I can't see myself on 800 forever. But I could possibly manage 900 with carbs of 80 ... or 1000 with carbs of 40g.

Ideally I'd like to lose another 3lbs first.

Otoh I wonder if I should stop logging altogether! The thought of stopping logging scares me but maybe if I stick to two main meals per day and relatively low carb, I won't need to count. Then I wouldn't feel as restricted.

Place, don’t you think it’s worrying that you/we are gaining on so little?

Re you noticing patterns? What I mean is, us losing on 800. But gaining on 1000? But that’s mad. Do you think that’s because we’ve been doing 800 for too long and our bodies have got used it to?

Ie the old classic dieting problem.

No one should be gaining weight on only 1000 calories.

Oblomov I honestly don't know any more. I guess 1000 cals with low carbs might lead to a loss?

I've read so much conflicting advice about weight loss that I don't know which articles to believe eg a study that said most people eat double the amount of calories that they need. (which implied most people ate about 2000 and only needed 1000). A study from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention that says you have to eat 500 or 1000 calories less each day if you want to lose 1-2lbs per week - which implies we should definitely be losing on 1000 cals.

Sometimes, I wonder if I'm missing lots of hidden calories in things eg forgetting to add olive oil calories or a sneaky sweet from DS' bag. tbh I think that's more likely than me not losing on 1000 calories . . .

Agreed. I just don’t know what to believe anymore.
But what I do know is I still believe you should lose on 1000.

Yy when I started, I always tried to be under 800 cals because I knew there would be some cals I'd forget to add on.
For example, this morning DH gave me mushrooms with my breakfast and when I was logging I noticed the difference between mushrooms (16cals) and fried mushrooms (135 cals) which made me realise I probably forget to log olive oil most days. That means I'm miscalculating by at least 150 cals and that most of the numbers in my earlier post are out

I definitely should, my tdee as sedentary is 1900 cals and I would argue that while I'm not running marathons, I'm far less sedentary than someone who sits all day in an office.

My problem is that 800 or 1000 is fine really, and I'll lose if the carbs are low. But despite eating no bread, pasta, potato, rice for nearly 18 months now, I cannot shift the sugar. I still crave it, and I still have it, and I can go several days without it but I always still have it. Recently, when I've had it, I've had it in abundance. Think 4 Kitkats, rather than just one. One wouldn't have been too bad, but 4 is greedy and out of control and 'bingey' and I hate that that's what seems to be the pattern. On those days I am far exceeding 1000 calories, even probably far exceeding my tdee. Thus undoing all my week's hard work in 10 minutes. I have got myself into a detox/retox cycle now so I feel like I'm always on the back foot. I can't seem to get the few clear days that I need to get back on it, and then it's the weekend again and the whole cycle starts again.

I wonder if a daily calorie increase will stop the frantic overeating at weekends. Similarly whether a slight carb increase might prevent the sugar craving taking over? But then I'm in the danger zone of not actually following the plan..... Tricky isn't it? It's always been an issue with this plan, the maintenance strategy. Michael, if you're lurking we know you do so don't pretend otherwise we need a maintenance/lose a bit more strategy for after we've done several rounds and haven't got t2. Please.

And if he could address how it fits with our hormones/cycles then that would be great too.

I've just found a new title that may answer all our questions about losing weight . . .

Funnily enough I was discussing Paleo and 'clean' eating with my friends today. I find in BSD I still eat a lot of processed foods, even when on it properly (such as Ham, bacon, yoghurt, dressings, etc) - maybe going more towards the unprocessed foods might help. I don't need help to lose- when I do it, it drops off me. I need help to actually stick to it. Maybe in order to go low carb I have switched to a more processed diet ironically, and that is affecting me? I don't know enough about Paleo to jump in headfirst, but I do have a book on my kindle. I understand there's a 30 day sort of full detox, but a lot of that we have already done.

But coffee. Oh, coffee. And wine. Wiiiiiiine. (Now I realise why I didn't finish that book ......)

bear I think I would be like Mr Greedy if I tried clean eating ie always trying to sneak a cake in.
I was doing quite well today until DS decided he wanted to make chocolate pancakes . . .

www.jdmoyer.com/2010/11/01/what-it-feels-like-to-regain-your-insulin-sensitivity/

This is an interesting article/blog. Definitely has a few things which ring true for me, particularly the idea that 'exorphins' produced when dairy is broken down can be a bit addictive. I eat a lot of dairy. I have considered cutting it out/back many times since doing this plan, but the thought of it terrifies me! Hmmmm, food for thought!

Reasonable day yesterday, although I did bake for a Halloween party so needed to taste for quality control. My meals were excellent though. Today- lots of housework planned, this house is a pigsty. Kids party this afternoon. Nothing too strenuous. While rummaging in the freezer yesterday I found lots of frozen portions of BSD meals (nigella, eat your heart out) so that's my lunch and dinner sorted.

Have a good day!

I would love a way of eating that fitted with my menstrual cycle.
I'm on day 3, rather fancy some crisps but feeling fine. I'm eating plain Greek yogurt and a small amount of fruit for breakfast, homemade veg soup with a dash of cream for lunch, and then things like chicken and veg roasted, or chicken and veg curry for supper- no carbs.

Loving BSD but I struggle with lunch. Eating makes me hungry and I have limited lunch options (and can't get it together to premake lunch).

Would one evening meal a day of 700 cals and low carb work? Also thinking of a small glass of wine at 100 cals. Good or bad idea? I've read that the longer you can fast the better and we often are out for dinner with friends or with work so that would help with menu options! Thanks for any advice.

Naked I would be starving on one meal a day! But then, I always thought I'd be starving on 2 meals a day and now I rarely eat breakfast, although on some days I definitely eat the calories elsewhere. It may be worth a try as a once or twice a week thing to get a long fast in? I understand what you mean by eating makes you hungry, but it can't can it- so it must be that eating gets your body working and 'moving', but maybe it's what we're eating that sets us off? Increase the fat ratio and that should help. Ultimately, I am not a starver. Starving did not these hips and backside make..... It wouldn't be doable for me for that reason.

Had a lovely day. I haven't even eaten much, I had cheese for breakfast, and then chicken and olives for lunch. No sweets, carbs, anything naughty. Kids are at mums, and I've spent the afternoon making Christmas decorations with my new hot-glue gun best toy EVER! Currently cooking a steak, which we're having with peas, leek and pancetta. Would all be very virtuous if it wasn't for the lovely glass of red!

Hope everyone's ok, it's a bit tumbleweedy in here at the moment! Hopefully that means everyone is flouncing about in bikinis and feeling marvellous!

I am laughing at the thought of a bikini. It is so cold here, I am seriously contemplating wearing gloves and hat tomorrow.
I was out for breakfast and lunch yesterday so my calories and carbs were off the scale but I had a fun day.
Today, I'm 996 cals and 60g carbs. I might be a bit better tomorrow but Fri, I am meeting friends for lunch and then I'm away for the weekend.
bear your dinner sounds lovely. I am jealous.

I did actually wear a bikini 👙 this month.

Dh kindly pointed out to me last night that: “you aren’t actually doing very well atm”.

Yes. That’s true. As I sit watching football with a glass of red and a bar of chocolate.

I’m not doing very well atm. But I don’t need that pointed out to me. Thanks very much Dh!

Oblomov your chocolate looks nice . . .
My DH is a feeder So he'll come home with a trifle he bought for me or a box of chocolates. Sometimes ( for added emotional pressure) DS will help him to buy me treats. Then DS sits beside me saying 'Eat it. I picked it for you.'
The canteen closest to my office was very carb-heavy today so I've had a cup of vegetable soup and half a bag of crisps. Not ideal. DH is picking up the supermarket shop so I will try to cobble together a BSD friendly dinner tonight.

Oblomov I don't know if you watch Friends ever, but there's an early episode where Monica goes tap dancing. She's awful. The teacher says 'you're doing it all wrong' and she says 'at least I'm doing it'- this is how I pretty much do every single thing in my life....!

I'm doing ok at the moment, not really thinking too much about it, but on reflection I've had a good ratio of good to bad. That's pretty much all I can do right now, and better than nothing at all.

Reading this thread with interest! I'm off to Oz 7 weeks today and would like to lose a stone. I just can't seem to stick to slimming world/5:2 or anything really. I do enjoy exercise though.

I need this explained in simple terms. Am I right in thinking:

800 calories per day but under 30g carbs. Lots of water and exercise?

I've seen lots of mention of greek yoghurt and cheese but aren't they high calorie?

I'm aiming to start tomorrow so any confirmation of the above would be gratefully received! I like eggs so breakfast shouldn't be a problem but I work full time and take lunch in, any ideas for that?

Hi badger

800 calories but technically no carb limit if you stick within the allowed foods. Some do aim for less than 50g carbs and it does mean you can have a very small amount of 'bad' carbs if for example you're at an unavoidable meal!
Yes full fat Greek, and yes cheese- but small amounts. A 1cm thick slice of cheese is about 100/150 calories. Fat keeps you satisfied and feeling fuller, but dairy also has carbs so tread carefully.

Basically eat meat, cheese, eggs, some full fat dairy, a few berries or apples, avocados, nuts, beans, legumes, leafy greens and other veg and salad.
Avoid potatoes, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, bread, corn, and sugar.

Any questions, please ask!

I'm off out tonight with old friends, but have had a few very reasonable days.