Week 2 - January Low Carb Bootcamp - the first moment of truth!

[BIWI]

Good morning! Already seen that there are some good losses, even for those in the dreaded week 3

Come and confess all on the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

I love this point in Bootcamp. It's such a leap of faith for so many people when they first start low carbing, because it seems so strange to eat all the fat we're told to eat. But then when the scales show the result, I love it!

readyforno2 my DH travels too (but during the week, not for a month at a time, poor you). He has just had 6 weeks in a row with us with no travelling but is away again this week back into the constant travel, and my DD2 has also just started really noticing (and talking about daddy being on a plane too, just like your DS2). DD1 gets a bit upset when he is not here and now I think DD2 is going to do the same. Really hard to be cheery and distract them out of it but also not imply that it doesn't matter that daddy isn't here. It can be a challenge to find the right line to take.

Would it help if you made a calendar so that your DSs can tick off or put a sticker on each day until your DH gets back? Or have a map up they they can put pins in, to show where he is? I'm thinking about doing the latter for mine as I think they would like that.

Very best of luck for your DH being away, great to have a goal and something to aim for while he is away, to get a silver lining out of it.

Today for me:

B: bacon and fried eggs with mayo
L: will be hot smoked salmon made into a dip / spread with mayo and cream, on celery and cucumber sticks, maybe some avocado if still hungry
D: game casserole with mashed swede and roast brussel sprouts (I'm just going to go and throw it in the slow cooker now, without the table spoon of flour I would usually add!)

Ah thanks Biwi I am really trying to get the fat levels up.
I find, as well as being essential with this WOE, it helps to curb sugar cravings which I can never be complacent about. Particularly under stress and in cold weather. Your stick waving words up thread were helpful!
I need a bit more variety with my veg tho so plan to remedy that.
Appetite is decreasing. Think there will not be a massive loss this week but I am getting near goal weight, so not expecting much. If I can consolidate last week's loss, all well and good. Also have dinner at a friends tomorrow which may be tricky. But onwards and downwards, best I can!

FurFoxAche - you didn't over-step the mark at all! That's what this thread is for. And your words were very wise

Thumb leeks don't go stringy at all! They are very soft and velvety.

Oh that's good to know, thanks BIWI - will try those too as mash then. :)

Great words FurFoxAche. Really interesting to hear about your week 8 experience too. I will keep reminding myself of that for the weeks when nothing moves on the scales. (love the reference to your jeans as well!)

Game casserole(with bacon lardons, mushrooms and aubergine) is in the slow cooker now and smells divine already. I used whole grain mustard, cream and a bit of butter in the hope these will thicken it slightly (ahem, and a small slosh of red wine). It is definitely thick at the moment, then will have to boil the sauce in a separate pan later, to thicken it up a bit again before serving.

Afternoon all. Was elated this morning, wardrobe was looking a bit empty so decided to try on a dress I got last summer. Couldn't even get it on properly at the time.
It went on perfectly - whoop! Then when I got to work, tons of people finally noticed. It's a good day.
1 more pound until I hit the 2 stone mark. Thanks everyone for all the support/sharing.

Good day boot campers.

B: 2 hb eggs with mayo, coffee with cream
L: spinach & rocket salad with avocado, mozzarella and vinaigrette
D: will be chilli (no beans) with sour cream and cheese. Will have to have this early as off on a loong train journey at 6.20 and can't risk being the the mercy of train food. Also don't fancy thought of a cold train picnic when there's a foot and a half of snow outside

Bit of trepidation about the weekend ahead as staying with a lovely friend who I rarely see these days and don't want to be a bother. I've told her I'm not eating bread, to pave the way a bit...

If she's a lovely friend, why not tell her what you're doing? I'm sure she'd be happy to accommodate you.

Mrsstevejones My fish pie is based on a Jamie Oliver one. I use fish pie mix which I poach in water with a couple of shallots and a bay leaf, transfer to a bowl once cooked and keep a cupful of the poaching water,
then chop a leek and a stick of celery finely and grate a small carrot (a bit carby I know but DH really likes it with and it's only one small one over 4 massive portions)
Sauté the veg in butter until soft.
Then mix the fish and veg with a couple of tablespoons of ff creme fraiche, some grated cheddar, juice of half a lemon and finely copped red chilli to taste, loosen the mixture with some of the poaching liquid and season (If your making ahead cool the fish and veg spread out on a baking tray before mixing with other ingredients)
Top with mash of your choice (I like cheesy swede) and bake until the base mix is bubbling and the top is slightly golden.

Sometimes I add wilted spinach or parsley if I have any. Jamie doesn't cook his fish first or his veg but I find that makes the pie too watery and the leeks stay a bit raw so prefer my way.

Thanks for the tip, i will give it go. I might try swede mash as i have 3 in!

I wasnt going to cook it first but i might try that to stop it being watery. I hadnt considered chilli but there isnt anything that cant be improved with the addition of chilli.

Thanks BIWI I will of course tell her, I would just rather avoid making a huge fuss about food - there are three of us staying so other things for her to accommodate too. I'll take some total full fat and a few other bits.

Wow Blonde, almost two stone! Amazing. Had a weird thing today - I couldn't finish my (small but dense) lunch! This never happens. Breakfast was half FF Gk yog and half double cream, snack was small coffee with cream, then lunch was corned beef hash - leftover cauli and butter mash, fried up in butter with one shallot and two slices corned beef. Lots of water.
Actually, looking at that, no wonder I couldn't finish - lots of satisfying butter/cream. I guess just weird because I am used to finishing what's on my plate regardless of fullness - and today, I stopped eating. Miracle!

Chilli makes it IMO I was never a fan of fish pie until I tried this version. my Mums was always a bit gloopy and bland (sorry Mum!)

I must say this WOE is doing wonders for my mood and energy levels. I am taking my little boys to the park. Normally I'm holed up scoffing biscuits dunked in endless mugs of tea with the energy of a hungover sloth.

Wow well done everyone for sticking to it when faced with all sorts of crap! Very inspiring.

My beed stew is delicious! I used two packs of cubed beef, bacon, big mushroom, courgettes, soffrito, dried porcini mushrooms, tinned toms, beef stock. I had a bowl last night and another for lunch today.

Have also done kettlebells and zumba this morning. Weighed first thing and I am STS so final push for a lb off for Monday!

Any tips for curry? I'm thinking tandoori mixed grill and sag paneer?

Lurkingmurking, are you eating out?

Had my HB eggs for breakfast with creamy coffee.
Had a bit if Brie before work.

I've not thought about food at all.

It's like a miracle!

Shall have some avocado & salad soon.

How do I make an oily dressing? I've got EVOO.

123jump are you still with us, how are you doing?

WireCat no just takeaway, Mr L is begging for a curry so I need to know my options! I can always cope with him having one and I'll just make something myself if it's going to put me on the wrong track!

Oily dressing:

3-5 (depending on your preference) tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon of red, white or cider vinegar (NOT balsamic, as it's way too carby)
pinch salt/grinding of black pepper - again, to taste.

Whisk together or shake up in a jar.

You could also add any of:

• dijon or wholegrain mustard
• finely chopped shallot
• finely chopped garlic

Can I use lemon juice instead if vinegar cos I only have malt vinegar!

I do have while grain mustard though.

And shallots & garlic

Lurkingmurking, I had a fish starter, chicken tikka main & a side dish if spiced fried cauliflower. No rice or bread etc.

A fishmonger gave me a tip for fish pie - always add a bit of smoked fish for extra flavour. So I do. Not a big bit, but enough to give it more flavour. (I can't stand chilli so that's going nowhere near my fish pie!)

I like rice vinegar in dressing. Its very mild and no carbs. Do take care not to pick up the ones labelled 'seasoned' rice vinegar though. Seems they take seasoning to mean sugar! The seasoned ones can vary quite a lot in carb content depending on the make. Its easy enough to season it yourself with a bit of finely chopped chilli or a finely chopped slice off a shallot stirred in if you want it as a dipping sauce for raw veg.

My fish pie mix has smoked fish in it - bought a pack as wasnt sure what i was doing! I also have a few raw prawns to put in.

Late as ever- no time to superpost but hope all is weel with all of you lowcarbsters.

I am 3lb down - after a good few lbs on the prebootcamp section. SO I am happy to be nearly back to getting all my normal clothes on.

Phew.
Thanks Biwi