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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Anyone want to join me on a two week hard-keto restart from June 29th?

124 replies

RustyShackIeford · 28/06/2026 19:34

After losing a very significant amount of weight, I’m stalling with the final 1.5st.

I know that Keto isn’t for everyone, but it works for me, albeit my downfalls are bread and sugary things so I’m going to do a two week burst of very strict keto, in the hopes that it’ll help me reset a little and find my motivation again.

Would anyone like to join me?

I currently have a fridge full of turkey burgers, Brie, and full-fat Greek yogurt.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Clearingaspace · 03/07/2026 16:07

Welcome @saltandlineker - I think I may have made a worse booboo. Stuff going on at lunch so didn’t want to cook, had a meal deal - 56 g of carbs just for a chicken wrap; i must have picked the worst option possible!

saltandlineker · 03/07/2026 16:09

Argh it’s so hard to keep track properly isn’t it! @Clearingaspace

Clearingaspace · 03/07/2026 16:11

I don’t understand how something so small and unsatisfying could have so many carbs 😭🤣

Clearingaspace · 03/07/2026 16:15

Oh on the subject of apps I am using Chronometer. It does have a keto function in the free version and you can select moderate, relaxed etc. you can also do custom macros. Top tip is you can multi select items and copy and paste to today or to specific days. It does take a bit of playing around with and there are ads unless you subscribe. It’s not uk based so need to select net carbs.

Kitchenbattle · 03/07/2026 16:23

Today’s menu for me:

Apple Chia Pudding
(Made with whole milk)

  • 20g chia seeds
  • 150ml whole milk
  • ½ apple (grated)
  • Cinnamon
and I also had
  • 2 back bacon rashers

It has been a long week, so we’re getting a Thai takeaway for dinner- I’m getting a beef and rice dish. The whole dish apparently has 807 cal. But I’ll probably eat about 600 cal worth. I’m so looking forward to it.

RustyShackIeford · 03/07/2026 16:36

saltandlineker · 03/07/2026 15:27

That’s a great idea thanks @KitchenbattleI’m just discovered that baked beans are in fact terrible for keto so I’ll have to start again properly tomorrow! 🤣

I didn’t like to say Blush

Basically anything starchy or involving tomatoes is out.

Like @Kitchenbattle, I also use ChatGPT. I have a keto project and the instructions are quite specific.

This are the instructions I’ve given for the project, if anyone wants to tweak?

You are my long-term keto nutrition coach and food diary. Treat this project as a continuous record of everything I eat and drink.

Assume that every new message containing food or drink is an addition to my existing diary unless I explicitly tell you otherwise.

Your primary objective is to maintain an accurate, up-to-date record of my nutrition over time. Always use everything I've already logged that day when responding to a new meal. For example, when I tell you what I've had for dinner, you should automatically take into account my breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks from earlier that day without me needing to repeat them.

When offering advice, also consider patterns from previous days and weeks rather than assessing meals in isolation.

Maintain a running record of:

  • Everything I eat and drink each day.
  • Estimated calories.
  • Estimated protein, fat, net carbohydrates and fibre.
  • Daily totals.
  • Weekly trends.
  • Any weight updates I provide.

After every food log, respond using the following format:

TODAY'S FOOD LOG

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
  • Snacks:
  • Drinks:

RUNNING TOTALS

  • Calories:
  • Protein:
  • Fat:
  • Net carbohydrates:
  • Fibre:

KETO STATUS
Briefly comment on how well today's intake aligns with a ketogenic diet.

NUTRITION REVIEW
Assess whether I appear to be getting enough:

  • Protein
  • Fibre
  • Vegetables
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Omega-3 fats
  • Fluids

Only highlight genuine nutritional gaps. Don't invent concerns where there aren't any.

COACHING
Provide practical, balanced advice based on my goals. If I'm doing well, tell me. If something could be improved, suggest realistic keto-friendly adjustments. Avoid an all-or-nothing approach—one off-plan meal or day does not undo my overall progress.

If I don't give exact quantities, make sensible estimates and clearly state that they are estimates. Never present estimated nutritional values as exact facts.

Whenever I ask for a weekly review, provide:

  • Average daily calories.
  • Average protein.
  • Average fat.
  • Average net carbohydrates.
  • Average fibre.
  • Overall keto consistency.
  • Nutritional strengths.
  • Nutritional gaps.
  • Trends you've noticed.
  • Suggestions for the coming week.

If I provide my weight, update my running weight history and comment on trends over time rather than focusing on individual fluctuations.

Your goal is to help me stay consistent over months by identifying patterns, tracking progress accurately, and giving evidence-based nutritional guidance in a supportive, realistic way.

When suggestion meals, remember that I dislike tomatoes and fish, and am allergic to honey.

OP posts:
Fatiguedwithlife · 03/07/2026 18:33

Cripes @RustyShackIeford, I know that’s how it works but I’d worry my AI thought I was being too bossy if I gave it those commands 🤣🤣 I even struggle not to say please!
Here’s tonight’s dinner (for me and two kids) I know yellow peppers are higher in carbs. It went down well with DC except DD(10) who hates spinach and courgettes

Anyone want to join me on a two week hard-keto restart from June 29th?
Anyone want to join me on a two week hard-keto restart from June 29th?
saltandlineker · 03/07/2026 19:24

RustyShackIeford · 03/07/2026 16:36

I didn’t like to say Blush

Basically anything starchy or involving tomatoes is out.

Like @Kitchenbattle, I also use ChatGPT. I have a keto project and the instructions are quite specific.

This are the instructions I’ve given for the project, if anyone wants to tweak?

You are my long-term keto nutrition coach and food diary. Treat this project as a continuous record of everything I eat and drink.

Assume that every new message containing food or drink is an addition to my existing diary unless I explicitly tell you otherwise.

Your primary objective is to maintain an accurate, up-to-date record of my nutrition over time. Always use everything I've already logged that day when responding to a new meal. For example, when I tell you what I've had for dinner, you should automatically take into account my breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks from earlier that day without me needing to repeat them.

When offering advice, also consider patterns from previous days and weeks rather than assessing meals in isolation.

Maintain a running record of:

  • Everything I eat and drink each day.
  • Estimated calories.
  • Estimated protein, fat, net carbohydrates and fibre.
  • Daily totals.
  • Weekly trends.
  • Any weight updates I provide.

After every food log, respond using the following format:

TODAY'S FOOD LOG

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
  • Snacks:
  • Drinks:

RUNNING TOTALS

  • Calories:
  • Protein:
  • Fat:
  • Net carbohydrates:
  • Fibre:

KETO STATUS
Briefly comment on how well today's intake aligns with a ketogenic diet.

NUTRITION REVIEW
Assess whether I appear to be getting enough:

  • Protein
  • Fibre
  • Vegetables
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Omega-3 fats
  • Fluids

Only highlight genuine nutritional gaps. Don't invent concerns where there aren't any.

COACHING
Provide practical, balanced advice based on my goals. If I'm doing well, tell me. If something could be improved, suggest realistic keto-friendly adjustments. Avoid an all-or-nothing approach—one off-plan meal or day does not undo my overall progress.

If I don't give exact quantities, make sensible estimates and clearly state that they are estimates. Never present estimated nutritional values as exact facts.

Whenever I ask for a weekly review, provide:

  • Average daily calories.
  • Average protein.
  • Average fat.
  • Average net carbohydrates.
  • Average fibre.
  • Overall keto consistency.
  • Nutritional strengths.
  • Nutritional gaps.
  • Trends you've noticed.
  • Suggestions for the coming week.

If I provide my weight, update my running weight history and comment on trends over time rather than focusing on individual fluctuations.

Your goal is to help me stay consistent over months by identifying patterns, tracking progress accurately, and giving evidence-based nutritional guidance in a supportive, realistic way.

When suggestion meals, remember that I dislike tomatoes and fish, and am allergic to honey.

Wow that’s amazing. So detailed! I would never have thought to put in a prompt like that. It’s so clever.

likelysuspect · 03/07/2026 19:31

Has anyone got a diet plan for small portions. Ive gone mad on chocolate and sweets and carbs since starting some medication and I darent weigh myself, My stomach is hanging over and bloated. I cant leave stuff alone.

I reckon I need to lose a stone.

IAmTheBloodyGrandma · 03/07/2026 19:32

Today:
coffee with cream
Out for lunch, so had quiche and salad and.left the crust
Chicken and bacon salad for tea

The salad consists of leaves, tomatoes and cucumber.

Alexa tells me that tomatoes are v low carb

That's it.

RustyShackIeford · 03/07/2026 19:32

Day five from me.

Breakfast- flat white with almond milk. A Babybel.

Lunch- Greek yogurt with chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and another one of those keto friend hazelnut wafer biscuit thingies I like.

Dinner- bacon with brie and spinach. I just can’t see to stomach vegetables at the moment.

Snacks- had some olives and cheddar, and going to have a keto chocolate toffee bar with a cup of tea later on.

Calories- 1,100
Protein- 60g
Fat- 76g
Carbs- 11g
Fibre- 16g

Weighed myself this morning and great to see the scales move. I accept that most of it is initial water and glycogen loss, but some of it is also fat and I’m generally feeling less bloated so I’m delighted.

Starting weight- X7.6kg
Current weight (day 5)- X4.4kg

So 3.2kg/7lbs down.

OP posts:
likelysuspect · 03/07/2026 19:33

Im starting Tuesday though

RustyShackIeford · 03/07/2026 19:34

saltandlineker · 03/07/2026 19:24

Wow that’s amazing. So detailed! I would never have thought to put in a prompt like that. It’s so clever.

I ask ChatGPT to write my ChatGPT prompts! I give it verbal instructions to set out in detail what I want, and it gives me a very tight but detailed prompt to use!

OP posts:
ByGraptharsHammer · 03/07/2026 19:39

I’m another keto fan and will definitely join in. I had a lamb steak with broccoli and leeks with cheese thus evening. Really good. I don’t miss the carbs.

Fatiguedwithlife · 03/07/2026 20:44

Fell off the wagon this evening and ate a whole bag of dried Mango (67g carbs) 😮 but they were so nice

abracadabra1980 · 03/07/2026 20:56

Could I drop in too please - but with the 50g carb option too? I'm an absolute bread addict 😞

Kitchenbattle · 03/07/2026 20:58

abracadabra1980 · 03/07/2026 20:56

Could I drop in too please - but with the 50g carb option too? I'm an absolute bread addict 😞

Welcome! 🥰

Castlerigg · 04/07/2026 00:43

Kitchenbattle · 03/07/2026 13:06

@Fatiguedwithlife we sound very similar. I just feel so so much better without major carbs. My whole digestive system is just feeling and working better. The bloat is non existent. It’s crazy!! I think I would feel good at 53-55kg also

I’m in this camp too. I avoid obvious carbs, especially wheat-y things, because I feel like they make inflammation & joint pain worse, and my digestion is unpredictable. When I avoid them, everything seems to run a bit smoother. The bloating when I eat bread is just crazy!

RustyShackIeford · 04/07/2026 11:19

Fatiguedwithlife · 03/07/2026 20:44

Fell off the wagon this evening and ate a whole bag of dried Mango (67g carbs) 😮 but they were so nice

It’s so hard to make good choices when things that sound healthy aren’t! Today’s a new day. Are you going to restart?

OP posts:
RustyShackIeford · 04/07/2026 11:20

ByGraptharsHammer · 03/07/2026 19:39

I’m another keto fan and will definitely join in. I had a lamb steak with broccoli and leeks with cheese thus evening. Really good. I don’t miss the carbs.

Can I ask if you were a carb-fiend at any stage? If so, how long until you stopped missing them?

I genuinely find keto really hard. I’ve done it a few times and find it absolutely brilliant for dropping weight and breaking a carb and sugar cycle, but don’t think I could do it long term. My husband ate some potatoes last night and I couldn’t speak to him due to jealousy Blush

OP posts:
Fatiguedwithlife · 04/07/2026 11:56

RustyShackIeford · 04/07/2026 11:19

It’s so hard to make good choices when things that sound healthy aren’t! Today’s a new day. Are you going to restart?

Yes of course! I don’t see it as a failure, just part of life. Nothing is perfect

ByGraptharsHammer · 04/07/2026 15:22

RustyShackIeford · 04/07/2026 11:20

Can I ask if you were a carb-fiend at any stage? If so, how long until you stopped missing them?

I genuinely find keto really hard. I’ve done it a few times and find it absolutely brilliant for dropping weight and breaking a carb and sugar cycle, but don’t think I could do it long term. My husband ate some potatoes last night and I couldn’t speak to him due to jealousy Blush

Three weeks. Now it’s a turn off. I miss fruit and cake. Potatoes, no.

I do struggle with alcohol because I like beer and wine.

IAmTheBloodyGrandma · 04/07/2026 19:48

I was a massive carb addict. Had no idea of pasta portion size. I could eat it til it came out of my ears, same with rice . Not terribly keen on potatoes, except crisps. I could eat several massive bags on one sitting. No problem.

Don't get me started on bread! In all its forms. Crumpets, toast, baguettes, oh my god, Lidl croissants and cheese twists!!

But I went cold turkey, started keto at the suggestion of my GP.
I do not miss anything. I'm happy eating meat/eggs/nuts etc. I think not having a sweet tooth helps. I don't like chocolate, not keen on cake. So haven't had sugar cravings, as I didn't eat much of it in the first place.

I don't have the bloat or wind anymore. I've stopped (TMI warning) pooing 5/6/7 times a day. I'm sleeping better, losing weight. Annoyingly from my boobs first, as is always the case with me! My clothes are getting bigger.

So, it seems to be working. And I'm finding my appetite has massively reduced. I only need to eat 1/2 times a day. I'm rarely hungry, and certinly have no cravings.

So today, I have had:
Coffee with cream x2
7 Brazil nuts
Bolognaise (no pasta) with cheese

Had 4 bits of popcorn at the cinema, but it was horrible!

Will weigh myself on Thursday (only do it at the GP)

Kitchenbattle · 04/07/2026 21:12

Today’s meals

Breakfast – Boiled Eggs, Tomatoes & Spinach
3 boiled eggs
3 plum tomatoes
Small handful of spinach
Drizzle of Sriracha

Estimated nutrition:
250 kcal
20g protein
6g carbs
2g fibre
16g fat

Dinner – Chicken Salad

Big handful of chicken breast (approximately 120g)
3 plum tomatoes
8 olives
Handful of iceberg lettuce and spinach
Small handful of cucumber
2 tbsp coleslaw
2 slices cheddar cheese chopped up
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Hot sauce

Estimated nutrition:
540 kcal
49g protein
12g carbs
4g fibre
31g fat

Total for today

Calories
~790 kcal
Protein
~69g
Carbohydrates
~18g
Fibre
~6g
Fat
~47g

RustyShackIeford · 04/07/2026 21:30

Day 6 for me.

Breakfast- Greek yogurt with chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and some Keto cookie butter spread. The spread was surprisingly lovely.

Lunch- a Babybel. Pot of no added sugar jelly with some whipped cream. Coffee with almond milk.

Dinner- two fried eggs, two rashers, two sausages, and mushrooms.
Toast was sorely missed.

Snack- keto wafer biscuit bar.

Calories- 1,400
Carbs- 25g
Protein- 75g
Fat- 110g

OP posts: