Week 4 - Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp - first month done!

[BIWI]

Morning all! Sorry for later-than-usual start to the thread

Hope last week was good, and that you have managed to keep to it despite the fact that we are in the infamous weeks 3 and 4!

Come and confess all on the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

or on the on the Weight Tracker

If you haven't seen the scales move, don't panic!

This is really, really common - keep on keeping on and from here on, hopefully things will start to move again. And you will know that every pound you lose from here on, will be fat. You are only likely to see losses of 1-2lbs every week, but don't forget how much a pound of fat is - imagine 2 packs of lard, and that's what you're losing for each pound!

[prettybird]

STS this week, which given that I had an attack of the ginger nuts munchies last Monday/Tuesday and then drank too much wine over the weekend, I'm not too displeased about

I also started doing the 30 Day Shred again today after a 3 month interlude, so with any luck I should be able to record a loss next week.

I made a giant batch of coleslaw on Friday which has really helped both keep the bad munchies at bay and keep my intake of veg up.

[CharlieSierra]

Chia pudding is chia seeds mixed with liquid - coconut milk usually or other non dairy milk. The seeds swell up and form a gel like coating, thickening the liquid into something like tapioca pudding - some people find the texture a little challenging but the seeds are amazingly nutritious and high in fat/low net carbs (lots of dietary fibre). I like it made with coconut milk (good quality, not the stuff that separates into lumps in the tin), but made with almond milk it needed more creaminess. You can add vanilla or spices to taste, or I guess a bit of sweetener if you want.

[readyforno2]

Marking place.. Will post later. Bad day today

[scousadelic]

I have stayed the same again so have lost 7lb in total. The scales showed a loss of 2lb a couple of days ago but it is inexplicably back

I feel a bit low at the moment that, although the food is lovely and far better than I ate before, I seem to have been doing this for so long just fluctuating around the same numbers as the weight comes on so much easier than it comes off.
On our holiday in America, which was overindulgent in places but not total piggery, I put on 11lb in 2 weeks despite walking miles and miles every day sightseeing. On a recent weekend away, 2 days of eating out and drinking wine although we walked over 6 miles on one day and about 1/2hr total on the other resulted in a 5lb gain. I know I should focus on the positive that, both times, I have lost it again but I just don't seem to be going downwards as I should with around 6 stone to go

Sorry about the self-indulgent whinge but I have a dinner dance this weekend (fixed menu, some wine included) so have realised I am not likely to go far this week either. I know I should be positive, I am around 2.5stone down on 2 years ago and am more active than I was which has to be good but I am about 4lb heavier than this time last year and it just seems so slow

[Folknstein]

Evening all!
Well, feeling good so that's the important thing!
Lost 3lbs woohoo!

[wombat22]

Hello everyone. I'm 1lb up but not totally unexpected. I see that quite a few posts mention cheats so i'm going to have a really strict week if anyone else fancies it.

[prettybird]

I need to be stricter. I'm allowing a few blueberries (as they've been in the fridge) but apart from that, I really must stopping nibbling on nuts .

I must also drink more water a d generally keep myself busy so that I don't graze just because I'm not focused.

[Notsoskinnyminny]

Up 0.3lb this week despite no cheats and no I think I'm overdoing it with the cheese but trying to be super organised I made a FFF and other dairyful delights and will have to eat them. If there's no change next week I'll UC for a couple of weeks.

[masquerade]

I haven't weighed today as I've just finished nights so I don't think it'll be very accurate, I'm hoping for a STS as I was 2lbs up during the week - despite being very good. That will 7lb over 2 weeks, which is good, just a bit disappointing that I haven't lost anything in the second week (started a week late).

On a positive note. I completely avoided all of the inevitable chocolates/biscuits at work and made all of my colleagues want to go home and cook a shepherds pie topped with swede and cauliflower. I like swede, I thought from childhood memories I disliked it but it was lovely on the aforementioned pie, very sweet though, can't believe its such low carb. I feel slimmer, my scrubs are definitely looser! My skin is looking good. I got a sneaky peek at the Christmas off duty which is also looking good, and I'll be slimmer by then!

[TwoflowersLuggage]

I STS this week, happy with that. I'm aiming for some better meal planning this week. A lot of my meals last week were last minute decisions.

[gointothewoods]

Which cauliflower pizza recipe is recommended? I tried one tonight. It was only just about edible, and VERY soggy.

[BetterTogether]

Hi everyone,

I lost 1.2lbs this week, bringing me to a total loss of 6lbs in 3 weeks. Bit slower than I'd like as, whilst it does average out to the recommended 2lbs/week, I lost 4 of those pounds in the first week! But still, better to be losing weight than steadily gaining as I had been until Bootcamp; and I have had a few glasses of over the last week, plus gorgeous food...I'll take that with steady weight loss!

Today's food has been...
B: leftovers from last night which was also leftovers! Leftover roast chicken cooked with mushrooms, Philadelphia, double cream, cheese & smoked paprika - I ate it cold this morning with cucumber (hot with pan fried courgette slices last night)
L: smoked salmon, avocado & salad
D: pulled pork (this is my lazy-easy meal after a long day at work - from Lidl, about 4g carbs/100g I think, but I don't use the sauce sachet so hope that makes it low enough...I don't have it every week mind!) in the oven at the moment; I'll have it with the other half avocado and more salad.

Bit boring on the veg front today but I received loads of salad leaves in my veg box that need eating, plus it's nice & quick and as I ate both breakfast and lunch at my desk today it's difficult to have cooked veg - excuses!!

Plus the usual drinks - lots of water, a couple of fruit teas & a few coffees.

[ChesterDrawers]

Gointo the trick with the cauli pizza is to really wring out the cauli once it's cooked. It contains tonnes of water so if you don't do this, or don't do it enough, it will be soggy. I also cook it longer than most of the recipes say - I do 15 mins, then flip it over and do 10 mins on the other side before adding toppings and doing another 10 mins then finishing under the grill. That way it's lovely and crisp.

In terms of recipes there are loads on Pinterest. Fro memory mine had mozzelerella, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder and an egg.

Hope that helps.

[gointothewoods]

Oh perfect Chester thanks.
Sounds like the same recipe. I did squeeze but maybe not enough. Next time I'll try flipping it as the outside half was good but the centre not so much. I only cooked it for I think 12 mins before adding toppings. I'll definitely try your advice!

Today's food.
B: Greek yogurt and raspberries. Coffee. Litre water.
L: cottage pie meat mix and handful of spinach. Litre water.
D: cauliflower pizza with olives, capers, anchovies. Litre water.
E: quick 20 mins pressups, squats etc

[readyforno2]

Hi everyone!
Well done on the losses..

Was on a course today and they provided lunch. Sandwiches.
Was sitting with people who were giving me the whole you need to have everything in moderation chat and saying how if I lost anymore I would look ill. Felt as though I couldn't just pick out the insides so had four triangle sandwiches and an apple and some pineapple.

I'm also absolutely choked with the cold, so have cancelled the trainer and I'm feeling extremely sorry for myself. I'm going to be really disappointed in myself if I have put I loads in the final countdown..

One week on Thursday till my dress fitting. I am shitting myself. I know it's going to be far too big and I'm worried that they won't be able to take it in enough. Then I will only have two weeks to find a new one.

Sorry for the moan.. Once I started I couldn't stop

[BiggerYellowTaxi]

I posted on old thread but I'm up 0.2lbs . I've not cheated at all but have had nuts this week and wasn't as good with water so will aim to drink more (on 2.5L so far).

Food today:

B: Coffee with cream, three egg muffins
L: chicken, bacon and spinach salad with chive dressing
D: Slow cooked beef brisket (AMAZING!) with asparagus and cauliflower mash
S: Total yogurt with cream, small handful of blueberries

[BestIsWest]

Weighing tomorrow but don't thin I've lost anything. Still feeling grim today. Found it very hard to concentrate in work and made a few mistakes. Feel sure my boss thinks I've lost the plot.

[SarahBeenysBumblingApprentice]

Evening everyone. Well done to those who've lost and to those plodding on!

I also found myself in M and S today, [Chester] - I left with a pack of sausages and a bar of 85% chocolate. I think you did better. Nice low carb sausages though.

[readyforno2] I'm sure you will look great - seamstresses can do wonders even if it's too big. My wedding dress was taken in by about two sizes at the top as I'm very pear-shaped. They always seem to sort it out on don't tell the bride!

Today... I'm up a pound but I'm only four days in as I started late. Still hmmpphh though! I'm eating 20-30g carbs and about 1600cal daily so far. Might need to cut the carbs but we'll see. Or cut the dairy [sob].

Today:
B: cheesy eggs
L: tuna (in oil) and mayo salad
D: sausages, swede and cauli mash, spinach, a tsp of harrisa paste for flavour
S: 10g 85% choc.

carbs 17g, protein 97g, cal 1463.

[non126]

Evening all.

I've only just caught up with the week 3 thread and I'm SO impressed with the progress pictures - well done you lot - its very inspiring!!

I've decided not to weigh in today as I've been out 4 nights last week and although I haven't eaten carbs, I've definitely been drinking them . If I gained, then I would be really pissed off and I'm an expert at self sabotage, so I'm leaving the weigh in until next Monday.

Saying that, one of the best things about LCing is that I generally find it much easier to get straight back on track instead of being completely derailed by the occasional slip - I just don't want to test it at the moment!

Well done to all the losers and keep on going all those who have STS or gained - we can do it

[MoJangled]

FFS. I'm back to starting weight. Was very bunged up as struggled to keep drinking water over the weekend (I kept getting pint glasses out of friends cupboard to have one on the go, friend kept putting them in dishwasher and giving me tea) so I'm pinning my hopes on 4 litres and a massive dump by tomorrow

[MoJangled]

Hang in there Scouse . Make a plan for your dinner dance and share it with us. What can you do? How about: being the designated driver so you just have one glass of wine; if its in a hotel or restaurant, finding out the menu in advance if you can so you can plan, and even maybe request cheese instead of pudding upfront. Then you could give yourself some lovely LC eats mid-afternoon so you're not ravenous, and stash some more in your handbag for discrete snarfing between courses if the menu doesn't deliver enough LC stuff. It's one meal, you can do this. And then dance your socks off!

[CrabbyTheCrabster]

Well done on losses, everyone.

Welcome Rose.

[Tanukisan]

1.5tbs of oats, BIWI .

I'm very pleased with another 2.5lbs off! 8lbs in total now, and 12lbs since giving up sugar six weeks ago. Woot!

[ChesterDrawers]

Made it through yesterday's wobble quite well. Ended up eating 4 fat bombs though and it's given me a bad stomach

Today's plan:

B: eggs, butter
L: prawns, avocado, coleslaw, olive oil
D: salmon in parma ham, courgetti, roast broccoli

[aNoteToFollowSo]

Scouse please dont be disheartened. What you are describing is HARD - the quick gains and slow losses - and it sounds like you are doing such an admirable job of persevering in the face of the swings. With determination like that you will definitely get there eventually, and in the meantime have these .Mo's suggestions for the weekend are great, and we will all be rooting for you.

Mo sorry to hear about your reverses too. It can be so mysterious, this weight loss business. But I think I'm seeing that the the water makes a big difference to me too (though who knows …I could be up tomorrow too), so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a big whoosh once you get the water going again. And yes, a poonami.

Taxi can we have your slow cooked brisket recipe please? I have a standard brisket recipe that is very carby so I would love a delicious LC one.

Sarah I am in awe of the fact that you had 10g of chocolate. If I could do that I wouldnt need to BC. Once I start I just keep going. But I have stayed off the sugar since starting BC, which is a big shift for me. So perhaps it will all be different by the end of BC …here's hoping.

Well done to the losers and commiserations to the STSers and gainers.