Nicola Lawrence's Journal, 20 Nov 17

What plan are you following? I find that telling myself I "choose" not to eat something for the sake my goal works a lot better than telling myself I cant have it. It's a mental game as much as it is an eating plan. Wishing you all the best. xx  

I wanted to start banting but i find it makes me really dizzy and drops my sugar very low. Im starting to wonder if i have low blood sugar like my mom. I dont know anymore. Iv never struggled with my weight before and i thinks thats part of why dieting is so very hard. 

I have been banting since April this year and I also experienced terrible dizziness, headaches, shaking, moodiness. It is all part of the carb flu and sugar withdrawal symtoms. Google Dr Eric Berg. He has tons of helpful stuff to help you through the initial, difficult phase. Also have a look at a facebook support group Banting Boffins Original and Banting 7 day meal plans. There is a lot of support for people starting out on Banting. My experience is that it is the only diet I have ever stuck to for longer than three weeks.  

Oh, and Low Carb Femme Fit also has wonderful stuff on her page too.  

Thanks Jules xx On FB just search Low Carb Femme Fit.  

Nicola have u tried following a fasting lifestyle? It has worked for many of us and it allows us to indulge on weekends if we want to. U can add a low carb day or two into your week as well and it just all works so well together. Read up on www.thefastdiet.co.uk and also google about Intermittent Fasting. 

Nicola... I think you look fabulous and healthy, I really do but I have to concur with BBO regarding the fasting. It brings quick and satisfying results. I have been at a happy weight for a number of years but use IF to maintain should I find the weight creeping up a bit... especially after a "naughty" weekend. It really curbs the appetite , lowers insulin the fat storing a hormone and floods the body with human growth hormone. After the 16th hour your body goes fully into fat burning mode as there in no glucose available. Many body builder's use IF to build beautiful muscles naturally. Surprisingly quite often after a fast, most yummy foods don't even seem that appealing. Its as if the hunger switch has been turned off. Not only does it help you to lose weight quickly it has many other numerous health benefits. I highly recommend Brad Pilon and Dr Jason Fung for more info xx 

How long does one fast for? And do you drink water the whole day?  

Nicola there are two fasting lifestyles that most of us combine together. The first is called Intermittent Fasting where you stop eating food at around 8pm at night and then only have your next meal 16 hours or more later so you end up skipping breakfast the next day and eat your 1st meal after midday. You are allowed to have water, tea/coffee(minimal milk and no sugar or use a sweetener), sugar free cooldrinks, etc. during those 16 hours but most of those hours are spent asleep at night. The other fasting lifetyle is called the 5:2 Fast Diet where you choose 2 non consecutive days in a week and restrict yourself to just 500 calories on those days in those 8 hours that u are allowed to eat. Many people have chosen to make it a 4:3 Fast Diet and restrict themselves to 500 calories on 3 non-consecutive weekdays. This can allow u to enjoy and indulge on weekends if u have to. Personally I follow 4:3 with my Tuesdays being a low carb day but I do the more advanced form of fasting and stick to only liquids on my "fast" days(Mon, Wed and Fri). For me it was a miracle because I got to lose over 35kg and never give up eating foods like burgers, potatoes, pizza, pasta, cakes, etc. You just have to keep your weekdays on plan and then enjoy your weekdends.  

I do an intermittent fast three to four times a week. On the other days, I only eat twice a day because every time you eat, you spike your insulin which stores fat and stops weightloss. Once you are fat adapted, you will be able to go for longer periods of time with no food. I have not made it past 24 hours yet, but there are some who go up to 72 hours. Getting fat adapted is the hard part. I found that trying to fast being carb adapted caused me to crave EVERYTHING and as a result I would binge, which was not good. I have zero will power and if I am hungry, there is no stopping me... 

Really 35kg. That is amazing.Im definately gonna try this. Thanks a lot. 

Jules that is so true and also what makes it slightly challenging to get back to being fat adapted once u take a break and become carb adapted again. I'm doing ok so far today tho. I turned down having a pie or anything to eat whilst out at the mall. Now I just need to hold out until 2moro. I keep watching fitness people on youtube to keep me motivated and to not cave in. lol