Week 6 - Low Carb Bootcamp - We're Past the Halfway Point!

[BIWI]

Morning! In a rush, so not much time to post - off to Leeds today so have to go for my train.

Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

Weight Tracker

Talk later ...

Lovecat I used to take it days 2-4 as my first day was never heavy but it worked pretty quickly for me it was just a shame about the cramps. By day 5 I don't need to be as close to the loo all the time so didn't take it.

I love making cupcakes but hate cleaning the kitchen afterwards - icing sugar and black counters don't mix

Monkey looks ok but where are your veg?? I think that so long as you are eating low carb, then if you're hungry... eat. But you need vegetables in there, that's where you're getting a lot of your nutrients. Your hunger could be because your body wants vitamins!

Monkey - If you're hungry, eat! All looks LC so that's good. How's the water?

And no - no calorie counting!

LittleMiss your post really resonated with me...

I absolutely agree about getting your feelings back when you give up your way of stuffing them down. And that "sitting with your feelings" things that therapists are so fond of mentioning is so hard.

This is exactly it LittleMiss... all these compulsive coping mechanisms (overeating, overdrinking, smoking, most other recreational and some prescription drugs) are about stuffing down the feelings. I find sitting with my feelings when they're really overwhelming pretty much impossible.

I manage to find other ways of dealing with it - I journal, and have started art-journalling intermittently with encouragement from my counsellor and they both help

I can let it out in other ways, as you say; photography is my main one I guess, and just getting out in nature with crazy cocker as Trashy said earlier.

but when I feel bad the motivation to actually do it is hard to find.

This is the crux of it for me! When I am feeling 'normal', ie not depressed or temporarily deranged, then I know the things I need to do and I can find the wherewithall to do them. It might be hard, and I might find myself arguing a lot with my elephant, but ultimately I can do the stuff that I know will ultimately make me feel better than resorting to those familiar old short-term-relief neural pathways which do the trick at the time but end up causing more problems. But when I'm in that mad hormonal space or in a more long-lasting funk, then all that stuff is irrelevant because despite knowing what I need to do, it feels impossible.

The sitting with it I don't manage very well at all - a kind of acceptance that doesn't try to make the feelings change - but isn't it natural to try and cheer yourself up? Whether by creating something, or going out for some fresh air, or distracting yourself, etc...

I think that we are conditioned to look for a way to change our feelings/cheer ourselves up outside of ourselves. The short cut ones... food, cigs, booze, other drugs... they are a quick fix. Exercise is a healthy one but can be extreme. Compulsive behaviour, from self harm to OCD cleaning is on the same track.

I really wish I knew what the answer is, but I don't!!

but I guess I am also getting better at saying it's ok... to grieve and hurt, without forcing it away, just trying to keep going while feeling it.

I think you are right here, but I don't think I'm strong enough to do that. I feel that it would be so overwhelming that I couldn't continue with day to day normality, and I'm totally scared of that. I have massive admiration for you, being able to do that, I really do.

Must go because dinner's ready and I've splurged far too intimate stuff everywhere as usual.

BTW Steel so sorry totally missed earlier that you'd exchanged on the house. Congratulations!

Thanks everyone, do feel a lot better today. I was being far too critical and thinking I need uber was silly and it made me binge. Back on bootcamp lite today and feel quite relaxed. BF sausages and celeriac chips was yummy.

Again thanks, don't know what if do without you lot

willie I had the most shockingly bad heartburn last week, it was just awful. I have changed nothing but it's gone now - I wondered if it was an adjustment to the food making my juices tougher to break down harder food but am aware that I just made that up out of my head .

lovecat yes you just take them whilst bleeding. Are they still massive and do you take six a day? I had them years ago, but couldn't get it together enough to keep taking them.

littlemiss great post. I have not had much in the way of therapy, but I really get the idea of sitting with my feelings. I have described it as 'surfing the wave'

I guess routine has been the greatest of my saviours in dark times - which I struggle with so much less now I have a routine that is my own creation.

Also I discovered that flashbacks are not just momentary things. They can last for hours or days and can be emotional as opposed to things one sees or hears - so a mood can be understood as a flashback and this has helped me to accept the situation in my head and believe it will pass.

Someone at wotk told me that I'm dissappear today!

Im having loads of water, 4-5l a day with lime cordial
I usually have lettuce/sprouts/asparagus etc but just not today. I struggle with veg at the best of times-vile stuff

What a compliment lighthouse!

Eek, Crabby that was impressive dissecting.
I wonder what couldn't continue with day to day normality looks like? I am grateful that I've been forced to have time to try and learn. Because as circumstances had it, when my life fell apart after my accident over a year and a half ago, that day to day normality got completely ripped apart without my consent. And so I've had time and though some of the pain hasn't lessened I've maybe learned to live and feel. I never imagined my life would turn out like this but I'm really grateful for the completely hidden blessings of it.

I think Willie it's just that I've become quite dependent on the dairy - yogurt as my breakfast staple (which is why I need to reinstate the soya substitute), probably cheese of some variety at at least 1 meal. If I dropped butter would I be best to switch to coconut oil? Not sure I fancy the sound of omelettes, spinach etc all in it. I think I have a very low opinion of my sticking ability as well!! - because I'm kind of thinking, well, some people sustain it but I'm a bit rubbish generally at eating changes and the emotional eating is lurking and waiting for me.

Lmd I know that knife edge feeling that you could so easily slip back into old habits. But Fgs you have given up alcohol so you do have evidence of your sticking ability! I know it's different but it still takes some of the same strength that you've already demonstrated.

Unless you're actually lactose/camp intolerant/allergy maybe butter would still be ok even if you give up the other dairy? I have to keep cheese and cream down of I want to lose weight and they do make me feel sort o stodgy

Just trying to catch up but to all the grumpy fuckers in need of a violent hobby I can thoroughly recommend body combat! 1hr of punching & kicking definitely relieves the stress & you're too knackered at the end to do any real harm to your nearest & dearest

monkeyface - the rule is, if you're hungry, then eat! Don't worry about calories.

As long as you're eating enough fat and drinking enough water, it should be fine.

But you aren't eating anywhere near enough veg! That's where your carbs are supposed to come from.

And please don't tell me you're really drinking lime cordial!

Trashcan I totally agree about emotional flashback. It triggered a massive fall into carbs for me last autumn when something random on a day out triggered a flashback to the feeling of helpless terror I had during my child's birth. It lasted for days and coloured everything I did and thought. I'd never had that before and I had no defences. Hence the carbfest and the extra 6kg I have still not fully got rid of.

Wow Chester losing half a tooth seems particularly unfair! ouch.

Thumbwitch how incredibly traumatic for you. Well done indeed for bringing him round.

LittleMiss if you have a dairy intolerence I think that has to come first. Can the soya yogurt etc can substitute in a way so you don't feel deprived? I have no idea of the carbiness or otherwise of soya yogurt/milk. Also I don't know what a polyol is! Perhaps the thing is to find substitutes for the way you use dairy, rather than the dairy itself. So can you plan your favourite non-dairy meals?; Is there a good sauce that can substitute for cheesy/creamy sauces? (The one with Crabby's fish stew might be worth investigating, seems to involve stock and alioli?) Can you line up a tempting easy snack option, instead of cheese?

Also - well done with the swimming! (I did shred for the second time today... I can barely walk now. A day off tomorrow!!)

Crabby you made the mistake of asking about the vitamins and minerals! Nerdish alert.

This list is just for food allowed on this WOE. Fortunately there is something against each vitamin or mineral. A bit random, as I compiled this list from 4 different websites on the subject. Amazing how important leafy green veg (and nuts) are!

Vitamin A: Liver, crab, eggs, carrots, kale, spinach, broccoli, salmon, dairy products

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Pork, ham, beef, milk, nuts

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Yogurt, cheese, pork, beef, liver, tuna, eggs, broccoli, spinach, nuts

Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Tuna, liver, turkey, chicken, salmon, beef, pork, haddock, scallops, asparagus, nuts, dairy

Vitamin B5: Eggs, mushrooms, avocados, yogurt

Vitamin B6: Liver, shellfish, fish, chicken, pork, beef, eggs, avocado, brussel sprouts, nuts, spinach

Vitamin B7: Salmon, eggs, avocados

Vitamin B12: Liver, trout, beef, crab, shellfish, fish, lamb, tuna, eggs, cheese, poultry

Vitamin C: Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and other veg

Vitamin D: sun… and salmon, tuna, mackerel, beef liver, chicken liver, egg yolks, cheese, mushrooms

Vitamin E: Olive oil, nuts, avocados, spinach, asparagus, broccoli

Vitamin K: Broccoli, tuna, avocado, spinach

Calcium: Milk, yogurt, cheese, spinach, broccoli

Choline (a B vitamin): Eggs, milk, broccoli, sprouts

Chromium: Fats, oils, broccoli, green beans

Copper: Nuts, mushrooms, shellfish, shrimps

Folic Acid: Asparagus, spinach, brussel sprouts, lettuce, broccoli, nuts

Iodine: Cod, tuna, yogurt, cheese

Iron: Liver, beef, pork, tuna, leafy green veg, asparagus, nuts, poultry, shellfish

Magnesium: Nuts, spinach, yogurt, cheese, chicken, beef, pork

Manganese: Nuts, spinach

Molybdenum: Nuts, milk, spinach

Phosphorus: Yogurt, cheese, pork, beef, tuna, chicken, salmon, eggs, nuts

Potassium: Tomato, celery, artichokes, carrots, broccoli, avocado, fish, beef, pork, lamb, chicken, yogurt

Selenium: Tuna, shrimp, fish, liver, ham, beef, bacon, chicken, lamb, eggs

Zinc: Liver, beef, crab, lamb, turkey, pork, chicken, cheese, nuts

I haven't managed to catch up with the thread but wanted to say thanks for the pork belly advice. I managed to crisp it enough under the grill but, let's just say, it's a good job DH and I have all our own teeth. It was a tad crunchier than I'd hoped! BIWI I may buy some pork rind from morrisons just to try it in the microwave!

Woolfey glad you enjoyed the sprouts. I've just added another kilo bag to my online shopping. DH was disappointed earlier when I said the sprout season ends soon. He didn't even eat them until we met!

Interesting what's been said about breastfeeding. I still feed 2yo DD. She only feeds bedtime and early morning and during the day if she can get away with it, but I wonder if that's affected my weight loss. I don't have much it lose so always assumed it'd go slowly but I bet bf hasn't helped.

I'm definitely losing inches though. I could probably get my trousers down now without undoing the button.

And sympathies to all the grumpy people out there. I share your grumpiness. I nearly lost it with a self service checkout the other day. Stupid machines.

Off to catch up...

Eva - I wonder how much of a foodstuff against each vitamin/mineral you'd need over a week to get the vitamins and minerals you need? For example, for Vit D I have very low levels and take GP prescribed supplements (plus extra multivits and minerals) but if I was just relying on the foods listed for that item.. I eat very little fish and I don't like liver so I wonder how much cheese or mushrooms I would actually need to get my requirements?! My GP said we shouldn't rely on the sun in this country (& I figure my body proves this as I used to be outside daily for hours at a time...!) I also wonder if how you prepare the food affects the nutrient content - obviously it does but I wonder how well we could actually rely on that list if cooking the food reduces the nutrients - is that list based on the raw nutrient values?? Certainly interesting reading!

Had tea at Nandos tonight (ds1s prebirthday party)... plenty of low carb options and was yum!

Thank you Crabby. :) We've been stuck in a "temporary" flat for 8 and a half years so this is a big deal for us, and it's been fair few months since we made our offer, so it's a relief to have things moving, finally.

I'm finding a lot of this talk here quite triggering, actually. Hmm.

Thank you for the details, Eva. Very interesting!

Yep, lime, lemon, and vimto NAS squashes with my water. I swear, I have tried, I really have, to drink plain water but I CANT.

The good news is Ive given up my 8 cans/2l Pepsi Max a day. I now have just the one can with my dinner.

The squashes all say 0.3g carbs per 100ml.

And Ive lost 19lb since Jan 1st so cant be going too far wrong.

Today was bad on the veg front, but isnt usually. Tomorrow I will have shredded iceberg with fried eggs for breakfast, roast chicken salad for lunch, and a baked camembert with asparagus to dunk for dinner.

Daisy that's beyond even my nerdish capabilities! I noticed for a few vitamins/minerals it is possible to have too much. And for others eg Molybdenum you only need a tiny tiny amount. I'd carry on taking the vitamin D supplements if I was you. (I think cheese and mushrooms are fairly minor sources of vitamin D, the mushrooms only appeared on one of the 4 websites I looked at too!) If you weren't eating low-carb, the only other source of vitamin D you'd encounter would be fortified breakfast cereals.

fyi daisy and eva mushrooms vitamin d content rises hugely if you put them in the sun/outside for half an hour before you cook them.

Hi all
Just checking in.
Am struggling a bit in keeping going because I seem to bobbing up and down the same three lbs over and over. Hand on heart I'm being fairly good, and I like the food so as long as I plan its OK. But when tiredness strikes, so do those food gremlins, telling me that chocolate and a pint of wine are the answer.

But I'm another one with historical eating issues, inc bulimia, so those demons are never far away. Part of why I'm doing this is to find a long term approach to eating which is sane and semi normal. I have two young daughters and I desperately want them to have normal relationships with food and body image, so I don't want them to witness me on any weird diets with shakes and bars for dinner. Its easier to have a family dinner and just not have the potatoes. So that ramble is to say to Crabby and others struggling with addictive feelings, that I get it. I also used to overindulge in drink and drugs, and still have no off-button with wine.
For Pseudo and ElBombero, I BFed for nearly a year with each and struggled to lose anything. Once I stopped the weight started to gradually reduce

I hope you all have a good day. I don't post every day but I do read the thread daily and I so appreciate all your support.

Lovecat - I usually take them for about 5-6 days - experiment with it. I find saving 2 to take just before bed really helps me throught the night. Hope they work for you.

Eva and Daisy - when (if) we get any sun, that is the best, most easily accessible, and cheapest source of Vit D! Get outside. Get some sun on your skin.

Ambassador - lots of others have posted tha same; not losing as much as they'd like, bobbing up and down with the same lbs. Keep going. It is a marathon, not a sprint. The weight didn't go on overnight, it won't come off overnight (and other platitudes, sorry! ) Hand in there. It will come off, slowly, safely.