Anyone starting today??

[MermaidTears]

I know midweek and a weird date to start but kids to back to school today (back to some semblance of routine and no more cupcakes for lunch)
Plus 7 is my lucky number
Unfortunately also unlucky in that I have 7 stones to lose. Bang on 7 to the pound.
Dammit.
Let's go!!!

[Vagndidit]

I started on Monday. So far, so good although I have an ill-timed dental appointment this p.m. on top of rocking the carb "flu" so I'm looking forward to an evening of misery.

Good luck to you! It's been years since I've low-carbed (despite spending most of my 20s dieting this way) but it's amazing how quickly it all falls into place.

[FailingAtLifeRightNow]

Hi Mermaid,

I started back again on Monday after falling way way off the wagon over the summer holidays with the kids (I blame them of course not my weak will power !!)

I tend to struggle with breakfast as I don't fancy anything first thing until about now but then I am at work so cant cook anything - ideas anyone?

[MermaidTears]

I was kidding myself that I had three stone to lose. After third DC recently I stepped on scale to be horrified that to be at my healthiest 'prime' weight for my height I need to be 7 stone smaller. Eeeekk.
Shamefaced!
I have set today as my starting point and I will give this 100%.

Breakfast:
300ml water/ice
Banana
2 scoops banana fudge whey protein
2 tbsp flaxseeds

Snack:
2 tbsp organic pure peanut butter

Lunch:
Veggie mince cooked in stock cube & mixed veggies (basically shepherds pie without the mash)

Snack:
Carrot sticks & 1 tbsp organic hummus

Dinner:
Linda McCartney sausages (lots protein)
Half a small jacket potato
Green beans smothered in kerrygold pure Irish butter.

Having small carbs with dinner because i am doing 20 minute HIIT workout on my exercise bike, combined with a beginner's resistance band training workout
(YouTube)

Non workout days
Dinner:
Tofu stir fry with courgetti noodles
Homemade quorn bolognese with courgetti noodles
Etc....

Aim: 3-4 HIIT workout per week

Not sure if this is any good?
But it sure as hell is better than my usual carb ridden sugar addicted diet.

[MermaidTears]

Just to be clear the breakfast ingredients are for a protein shake, not eaten alone. That would be weird hahah.

Could you not take a shake to have at work?

[MermaidTears]

Oh and if desperate a small tub of full fat plain Greek yogurt before bed

[SleepDeprivedAndCranky]

You need a certain amount of carbs even when trying to lose weight. Peanuts/bananas can be high in fats/sugar/calories. Would you do the Couch to 5k app? You need variety too so you don't get sick of eating the same foods. Rather than shakes, try porridge, it's a slow release food. Cut your portion sizes a little. Check nutritional value in foods for hidden sugars/fats/empty calories. If you build muscle, you will still be heavier but with a less %body fat so Don't be disappointed if your weighing scales don't reflect your efforts. You could use a heart rate monitor too (your heart has to be beating at a certain rate to lose weight, if it's too fast/slow it does different things).

[Vagndidit]

Yup, definitely be careful of those potatoes, bananas and carrots. Very carb heavy choices and likely to bring on cravings.

[MermaidTears]

I knew I'd fuck it up before id even started.
I will keep my protein shake but minus the banana.

The rest I will have to figure out as I go.

I just wanted to drastically cut my carbs down, which I have done I'm sure

My diet before was atrocious and was carbs for breakfast lunch dinner and all snacks and lots of full fat coke and sugars in my coffee/zero exercise/& 2-3 takeaways a week. (Oh the shame!)

So this is 95% better already. Thankfully.

[FailingAtLifeRightNow]

You are definately off to a good start but as Vagndidit said its easy to miss sneaky carbs!!

If im making a smoothie I usually use greek yoghurt and coconut water with acovado, spinach and some frozen berries.

Didnt have breakfast today as couldn't face it but had a coffee and pepperami mid morning.
Lunch I have just had chicken slices with half an avocado and lettuce.
Not sure what to have for dinner yet will prob be a cheese and chorizo omelette.

[MermaidTears]

My trouble is I'm veggie but don't eat eggs. I have all other dairy.
It would be so much easier for me if I could have omelettes, steak with salad etc

Anyway I am going to stick to this version just for this week (only begin today)
Then Monday I will work out a new system and try to get the carbs down some more.

Thankyou!

Any other vegetarians out there doing this?

[feekerry]

Not a veggie here but not a massive lover of meat... Do you eat fish??
Tbh banana, jacket potato carrots, hummus... Lots of carbs in those.
Try not to think of breakfast as a different or special meal. For example your left over veggie mince would be fine as a breakfast.
Have you seen the recipe thread? Loads of veggie recipes on there.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Hello! Can I join you please? I'm starting low carb today.

I really need to lose some weight and feel healthier. Would love to lose 2 stone.

Plan for today is:

Breakfast: grilled bacon, sautéed mushrooms and fried eggs. Coffee with FF milk.

Lunch: nicoise salad (no spuds of course)

Dinner: lamb steak with cauli mash and cabbage

Snacks: some greek yoghurt, raspberries with cream, ham or cheese (not all of these, just selection to choose from)

I'm also taking psyllium husk pills for um... digestive purposes as I always panic I'm not getting enough fibre on LCHF.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Oh sorry OP, just saw you are veggie so possibly not terribly helpful for me to join you...

I used to be veggie and I did look into doing low carb as a veggie. I think it is definitely doable. Some Quorn products are low carb, as is tofu and other soy products. Avocados, buttery veg, mozzarella, basil and tomato salad etc.

This might be helpful (sorry for huge link - I'm on my phone):

www.atkins.com/how-it-works/library/articles/the-eco-atkins-diet

[Luckybe40]

Can I join? Feeling terrible physically and mentally, weighed myself yesterday and I'm 5'5 and 13.7 st

[Luckybe40]

Posted to soon! Nothing fits and I'm just so sad and desperate to feel good about myself. My DS starts reception in a few days and I really want to be able to wear some cool clothes and boots this winter.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

I know how you feel lucky . It's just horrible when you feel heavy and unhealthy. I really do too at the moment and it ruins things for me socially if I'm honest with myself. I always said it didn't, but lately I've realised that a lot of me not wanting to go out and do things might be because I just feel unfit and uncomfortable at the moment.

All the best of luck with low carb. It really does work. There's another thread on the low carb boot camp board if you are planning to cut carbs significantly (I am hoping to, so have asked to join that thread too).

[Luckybe40]

I really do like low carb, it really works, just let weight pile back on after weighing 12 stone 3 months ago. Turning 42 in 8 weeks, really want to see some progress! Went into my fav shop the other day, tried on a beautiful maxi dress and could t even get the large zipped up😓😓

[MermaidTears]

I'm feeling so heavy on my feet and just generally bloated.
Yesterday was my first day (lucky number 7) ...

Today....

Breakfast
Banana fudge flavour whey protein shake with flaxseeds

Snack
1 tbsp organic peanut butter

Lunch
Spanish pardon peppers with halloumi vegetable kebabs cooked in oil

Snack
Small tub Greek yogurt full fat

Dinner
Linda McCartney sausages
Mushroom steaks in peppercorn sauce
(Low sugar sauce)
& Green beans.

Hopefully this was better than yesterday??
Which I was told was too carby.

Not looking for perfection just yet, but massively need to cut down the carbs and sugar which I feel I have done.

Let's all keep up the good work.

We can all start any day this week.

Meat eaters and veggies it doesn't matter as long as we all doing lchf

P.s. day two and I would love to smash a crisp sandwich in my mouth along with a coke. Gggrrrr. Cravings today.

[MermaidTears]

lucky
I understand how you feel.
But sticking to this I can guarantee within two weeks we will feel heaps better.
Just taking control of your life and health goes a long way to making yourself feel better, and think of the weight loss as a ' happy byproduct ' of LCHF lifestyle.

We can do this.

First week is tough with the cravings and of course a weekend to get through.

[Luckybe40]

I know I'm on to a good thing! Been so tired and lethargic lately, hormonal and exhausted. I've kicked the red bull and Diet Coke. Was having 2 or 3 a day and we all know that's totally shite stuff! So just assuming that it'll take a week or so to regain some energy! Sorry? Not usually so moany!

[MermaidTears]

Moan away my Friend!
I've been moaning all week but yesterday I woke and realised if I started now then next Wednesday I could be feeling amazingly better and potentially 5 or 6 lbs lighter.

Or I could have another bad week and a binge at the weekend and be more miserable more lethargic more uncomfortable and potentially 2 lbs heavier again.

Just cannot choose that path anymore.

[FailingAtLifeRightNow]

Can I just say.... water water water water water and maybe some more water!

When I first started and was really low carb this helped me a lot with the hunger pangs and also made my skin sooo much better and I was sleeping so well too. Although did wee ALOT in the first few days - I try to drink 2L a day of not 3L.

I am doing ok - but must admit to nicking a few of the kids chips at McDonalds yesterday but praise myself in not caving and getting myself a big mack meal!!! That was hard and then to top it off I put myself through diet torture by later watching The Great British Bake Off!!! lol!!

[MermaidTears]

Can anyone tell me if my menu today is better than yesterday?

[Luckybe40]

I guess there is no time like the present!