I’ve sort of been doing Lent since January 3rd, to the point that it would not be clear what I should give up next week.

In days long gone, the run up to Lent was more of an occasion. Shrovetide was a time of feasting before the fasting of Lent. On Egg Saturday, I was supposed to be collecting eggs in preparation for Shrove Tuesday. In modern times, we just buy them in the supermarket and put them in the fridge.

Instead we managed a long walk with the dogs and a home cooked meal. Because it was cheat day, I managed a lot of food:

  • Focaccia with Olive Oil
  • Natural Yoghurt (for gut health)
  • Tomato Soup
  • Roast Beef with Yorkshire Puddings, extensive roast potatoes, parsnips, broccoli, carrots and gravy
  • Cherry Pie with custard

This is like my previous cheat days. But I’m no longer in ketosis for the first time since 3rd January.

I posted this late today because I have not felt right. I have a sore throat and I suspect I’m getting the cold that has taken everyone out. I took a Lemsip last night and also used a “First Defence” spray. I’m better today because I took three hours resting in bed this morning. But of course, the cold could explain why I’m out of ketosis.

That said, I hit the lowest recorded weight of 86kg. I’m now at the weight where I first started using low-carb diets in 2012. So I have a warm feeling that I can definitely go further.

On Tuesday I will break the diet for a day and have breakfast. I will also have some pancakes to mark Shrove Tuesday. I won’t bother getting shriven - no priest has time for my list. But I will get back to my One Meal a Day diet for the rest of Lent. I will continue to shun alcohol expect for one or two important occasions. In Lent, one can have a normal day on Sunday. I will usually have this day on Saturday.

Here are the weekly stats: