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!

I've come back to confess

I've had a terrible week food wise, craving and eating chocolate every day since the beginning of the week, finishing off with a day of sheer cr*p today including McDonalds, cheesecake, chocolate and Baileys

I don't know how to get past this craving for sweet foods. I need to lose 2 stone, but only lost 2 lbs in the first week when I ate very low carb. I think my portions are too big but I am always hungry.

I hate myself the way I am and have no clothes that fit that I can leave the house in.

Also my dh weighs 19 stone 11 lbs, he is 6 foot 2, but still needs to lose a lot of weight and if I stop low carbing he will stop too

So I need to get back on track from tomorrow ...

nowitsenough unfortunately the only way to get past cravings for sweet food is to have will power for a few days. The cravings do go, honestly. Then maintain the will power, but it gets easier.
Something that BIWI said yesterday - what is attractive about knowing that that food will turn to fat and sit on your body?

lurking sorry to hear about ds. My youngest as been glued twice. I'm like a screaming banshee- don't run, get down! Etc, because I'm sure social services will be involved if I have to go to a and e one more time!

pisses ouch. That was one hard piece of crackling.

Well, my week looked like this.
Mon 13.13
Tues 13.13
Wed 13.12
Thurs 13.13
Fri 14
Sat 13.13
Sun 13.11

So I have lost the 2lb I put on, and another 1lb besides.

I think you need patience and faith with this woe.

Yesterday food.

B- scrambled egg with left over choriza
L- homemade veg chilli
D- homemade chicken curry with cauli rice and homemade zatziki.
S- Greek yougurt, cream, mixed spice.

So dryuary is over today. Hooray. But one more day till boot camp is over.

blueberry I haven't bought the chocolate yet, but I have made plans to. I bought dp some last week from tesco that had the lowest carb I've ever seen in 85% chocolate. It was 18%. It's a tesco finest swiss chocolate in a red packet, in case anyone is interested.

lurking don't know if you know this or not, but you might get a call/visit from the health visitor. The hospital rings them to tell them about accidents. From my experience, they ring them if the incident is a safety issue in the home and not if for instance a sibling cracks them over the head with a toy. If you see the difference?

So don't be alarmed if they do. I've had a few phone calls and a visit.

Wow, some delicious sounding food going on this weekend, crustless spanakopita, cauliflower passanda, lamb koftas... Will definitely try all these and the kebab recipe too.

So I did well at lunch yesterday, we went to a Turkish mezze place and I ordered little dishes of lamb kebabs, spicy sausage and and imam bayildi (which had a lot of onion but also lots of olive oil). Have not managed to get a coffee with cream anywhere we've been so far! Missing them.

Dinner was not so good as it ended up being takeaway pizza but it was v thin base, I left crusts and didn't go mad (feel like Clinton - I never inhaled) so I'm just going to accept I may well STS this week and try to not fixate on it.
Today
B: will be two HB eggs
L: will get some low carb bits from marks for the train
D: (at home) chicken casserole and swede mash AND A COFFEE WITH CREAM

nowitsenough - the only way I can get into bootcamp is by taking it one meal at a time, one day at a time. If I told myself that as I have 6-8 stone to lose I'm on this WOE for years, then my head would reason that there's no harm in a few biscuits cos it's not realistic to never have any, so I might as well make an exception now. But if I tell myself I'm going to enjoy a delicious low carb breakfast and that I have a yummy lunch to look forward to then it's more achievable - baby steps.

Also, for the first few days/week I have to be quite careful round trigger points ie I don't go to the staffroom where the biscuits are, I have a BC friendly snack in the car for the way home so I'm not starving when I come in the door (or I spend the journey home planning to have, say, pate & celery or a lump of cheese as soon as I come in). For me, it's not quite the case that every day it gets easier because this time the first week was fairly tough. But now I'm 3 weeks in my appetite has stabilised so I don't get so ravenously hungry and then fall into whatever I can grab.

I have to plan my meals too - I wake up and lie in bed salivating over what I'm going to cook for the day and make sure that what I need for dinner is out of the freezer before I go to work. That way, I can walk in and get food on the table as quickly as possible.

Finally, the big big big things I learnt in 2014 is that to my surprise I don't find it too hard to say no to the first biscuit. It's the second, third and rest of the packet that cause me the problems. I've always been someone who scarfs everything in sight so it's been a real revelation that I can sit in a room with a plate of biscuits or cake or sweets or chocolate available but not have any. As long as I don't have the first one....

lurking sorry to hear about your DS2 - ouch! hope he's nicely glued back together now.

I am so cross that my slip yesterday with the icecream seems to have completely broken me - I put on 2lb and have plumped up again around the waist (or "re-muffined" if you prefer) - but I have been better today, and haven't slipped at all. More water too - hoping it has some effect! Only worry is that all the eggs seem to be "binding" me a little - haven't been to the loo properly for a few days now :(
I used to have this trouble with eggs back in the old days; but last time I did BC, it didn't happen - what's the difference this time? I don't know.

I'm sorry you're struggling, nowitsenough. I agree with icecream that it's all about willpower and triggers at first. In the first week I would get home from work and immediately wonder what I could eat, but then I would stop and ask myself if that was because I was hungry or because I was tired or stressed or something else. When I identified that it wasn't for hunger, I would do something else.

Now I still crave something sweet after dinner, but I try to have something else handy that I really like, and the craving goes. I find fruit tea to be a useful replacement.

I know how hard it is to tell yourself that you're going to diet and then to keep falling off. Every morning I would wake up with my determination renewed, and every night I would go to bed disgusted with myself. You have to get to a point where you're willing to take that leap of faith and commit for the long haul. And two pounds in your first week is great! I hope that you can try again and trust in yourself that you can do this.

thumb I have the same problem this BC. No idea why as it hasn't happened in previous BCs.

DD is 22 today. Makes me feel very old. We are all off to the cinema to see Kingsmen and then to Chiquitos for lunch. Plenty of LC friendly options on the menu.

I usually take a small bag of nuts to the cinema but had bought pork scratchings instead. DH has pointed out that they might be a bit noisy so I will have to think of something else.

Then I have to come back and assemble the birthday pavlova without eating it.

nowitsenough

I'm sorry that you're struggling

I know exactly what it's like, especially if you look too far ahead - all you seem to see is months of dreary dieting. And when you are 'in the zone', it's like a switch has turned on in your head somehow.

Let's try and turn this round for you if we can.

First, you say you hate yourself. Note that this is 'you'. No-one else! So why do it? Why be so hard on yourself? After all, you've started Bootcamp, so you're doing something about your weight. No-one else can do that for you, other than 'you'! So well done for starting.

You've had a bad week. So what? There are plenty more weeks left to be good!

Second, it sounds like you had a DH who will support you. This will make a massive difference. It means that you can both help to keep each other focused. Don't let yourselves get into a situation where you are enabling cheating, but make sure that you are each other's 'nasty cop' if you like!

Third - let's get started again. Does your DH know about low carbing/Bootcamp? Why not plan out what your meals are going to be for the week (including meals when you're both at work/out of the house) and go and shop for those. Get rid of all the chocolate/biscuits and other high carb foods that might tempt you.

You shouldn't be hungry if you're eating low carb because you should be

a) eating plenty to satisfy your hunger
b) eating plenty of fat and protein that will keep you full

You said you were hungry all the time, yet your portions were large, which would suggest to me that you weren't eating enough fat.

Can you list out for me what you were eating and see if I can help in anyway?

And finally, having confessed all, you are forgiven . We're all here to help you.

'You' can do it. The both of 'yous' who are involved in this!

have a DH, not 'had' - hopefully he's not under the patio

DS slept ok and is full of beans this morning!!

Food today:

B: bacon, egg, mushrooms, toms, sausage
L: DH is doing a pork belly roast YUM
D : will nibble on something

Woohoo, a new monthly low on the scales this morning! :) 3lbs lost so far, after a very bumpy (weight wise) start :) :)

Slow and steady is hunky dory by me

Hmm... What to have for breakfast...?

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. BIWI dh knows about low carb and happily eats that way too but likes to have a day off at weekends and I think that doesn't work for me, as once I have one biscuit I just want more and more, as mentioned by someone (sorry, I'm on my phone so can't scroll back).

Also the things I struggle with are when I've had a really busy day and want something really quick to prepare, when I'm starving and it's much easier to grab a biscuit or a slice of toast. I don't know what low carb snacks to have apart from cheese.

I also am struggling to drink enough, as apart from black coffee everything I want to drink has sugar in it

And I seem to have the problem that when I don't lose weight I think, s*d it, I might as well eat what I want if I'm not losing weight anyway.

The sort of things we were eating: bacon and eggs for breakfast, hm veg soup for lunch, chilli without beans or rice for dinner, snacks of Salami, cheese or coleslaw, lots and lots of black decaf coffee.

I'll pick myself up and try again today

Hi nowitsenough i cant add anything to the great responses you have had on here but one trick that works for me was getting rid of my scales (they broke). I do weigh myself on the wii fit but its a mission so stops me daily weighing, i am hoping to go down to monthly weighing only.

Scales sabotage me either i have done really well and deserve a treat or i have not lost as much as i felt i ought to so sod it might as well eat biscuits as it isnt working - madness.

Also weigh fluctuates and comes off in chunks on this WOE and that mess with the strongest willpower. I have a pair of jeans that i use as my yard stick - i can now get them on and button them up if i breathe in with all my might but darent sit down in them as i might rip a seam!

Good luck and keep on keeping on

Breakfast (11am is prob late enough to best call it brunch?) - scrambled egg, mushrooms, smoked salmon. Coffee with cream

Forgot to say lurking, my ds2 is ridiculously accident prone, am amazed that we have only had to have his head glued the once hope hes okay today x

Morning all,

Sorry to those who are struggling. Do try to stick with it, once the cravings go, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to say no to sugar.

I had a great day yesterday. It was DHs birthday so I gave myself a bit of leeway with dairy, which I've been avoiding but other than that I stuck to the plan. I did, however, drink shitloads of wine, but this morning I was down half an lb and according to the ketosticks I know, I'm stil in ketosis I know the loss is probably dehydration, especially as water drinking was not great, but I think this is the first time ever I've been lighter after a big night.

B: cream cheese pancakes, bacon, mushrooms, cheese
L: out at a place called Coal - can recommend for LC. Olives, beef and chicken and chorizo kebabs, salad with olive oil, blue cheese sauce, chipotle mayo, glass of wine
D: had friends over. I ate olives and pork scratchings while every one else had carby nibbles. Fajitas, no wraps, salad, coleslaw, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, orange and cardamom mouse from the recipe thread, bucketload of champagne and wine.

More friends over today but I am not drinking so not expecting any issues.

Stood on the scales today, a day earlier i know but Mondays are bad for me. delighted to see a loss since my doc appointment Thursday. Actually utterly surprised as was determined i would sts Now I have 2 stone to lose and hopefully during the course of next week will see a new starting number in stones.

Slept through breakfast again, but not such a good night's sleep.
Lunch: 3 eggs scrambled plus 2 pieces bacon. 1 cup coffee.

Not sure what tea will be but potentially it won't be until 10pm

dh knows about low carb and happily eats that way too but likes to have a day off at weekends and I think that doesn't work for me, as once I have one biscuit I just want more and more, as mentioned by someone (sorry, I'm on my phone so can't scroll back).

Well, he doesn't really know about low carb then, does he?! Have either of you done any reading about it? Get him to read more so that he understands what he's doing (i.e. sabotage) by doing that. However, the other thing worth considering here is introducing a type of meal or food that for you both is really special, so it is a treat but still low carb. So why not something like steak and celeriac dauphinoise, with a salad with a garlicky dressing/mayonnaise? Don't buy biscuits any more, so they're not there to tempt you. Buy some really lovely salted (low carb) nuts, like macadamias and have those as a snack.

Also the things I struggle with are when I've had a really busy day and want something really quick to prepare, when I'm starving and it's much easier to grab a biscuit or a slice of toast. I don't know what low carb snacks to have apart from cheese.

This is an excuse! You need to meal plan and make sure you have stuff ready to eat. Do you have a slow cooker? Chuck some stewing steak with some leeks, shallots and swede (for example) in there in the morning and you'll have a lovely casserole waiting for you when you get home.

And get rid of the biscuits and bread. No need to have them in the house, especially if all they're doing is tempting you.

Nothing wrong with cheese as a snack, as long as you're OK with dairy. Why not try making Parmesan crisps, so you've always got some of those to hand? Really easy to make - just dollop a few piles of grated Parmesan on a non-stick baking sheet and cook in a hot oven for about 10 minutes till melted and brown. When they cool they go really crisp. You can sprinkle some cayenne or black pepper on them before you cook them, for an extra spicy note.

As I said up thread, nuts make a good snack (although careful you don't go overboard with these, as they can get carby quickly), along with olives. And you can get some lovely different kinds of flavoured/stuffed olives these days.

I also am struggling to drink enough, as apart from black coffee everything I want to drink has sugar in it

You have to get through this. I find sparkling water more interesting than still or tap water. Others have put slices of lemon, lime or cucumber in their water, to add flavour.

It's really important that you push through this. The whole point of Bootcamp is to help you break the hold that sweet things have over us. And drinking water helps with weight loss too.

I know you might want sweet things. This is the carb addiction speaking!

And I seem to have the problem that when I don't lose weight I think, s*d it, I might as well eat what I want if I'm not losing weight anyway.

You're not alone! But this is the other 'you' speaking again. Why do it to yourself? The only thing you're guaranteeing by doing this is that you certainly won't lose weight and will even more certainly put it back on. Why do you think you are not worth losing weight for?

The strategy you're following at the moment is not going to help you lose.

The sort of things we were eating: bacon and eggs for breakfast, hm veg soup for lunch, chilli without beans or rice for dinner, snacks of Salami, cheese or coleslaw, lots and lots of black decaf coffee.

Bacon and eggs is perfect. Veg soup could be very carby, depending on the veg you're using - would be better to have something more protein and fat based. So tinned tuna (in oil) with salad with an oily dressing, for example. Chilli is OK, but even better if you serve cheese or sour cream on the top, for more fat. Snacks are OK - although salami is processed meat, and along with the bacon is something for occasional rather than regular use - and coleslaw could also be very carby.

So overall, it looks to me as if you need to up your fat and keep and eye on the carbs.

And get rid of the biscuits, and drink more water!

I'll pick myself up and try again today smile

We've both read the book about sugar and also about flour (sorry, can't remember names) and know a little about ketosis too.

Of course you're right, I just wanted to be able to have sweet things sometimes, but it's not going to work like that, is it?

Yes, lots of excuses on my part I'm not very organised and also not much of a cook.

I do use my slow cooker - I've got a pork shoulder joint in there now. I need to plan better and also do some batch cooking for the occasions when I'm too tired to cook.

We have bread in the house because dd has packed lunches. She's really picky about what she eats

I'll try making Parmesan crisps and also get some nuts, I'd presumed they were high carb.

I also need exercise, but hate the weather at this time of year, so don't walk as much as I should.

Macadamia's and almonds are both low in carbs. I tend to eat more almonds as they're cheaper (if you have or know anyone with a Costco card their huge tubs of Kirkland almonds are nice and good value).

Forgot to say, I don't like tuna or fish at all really, might try salad with feta and mayonnaise. I do add full fat yoghurt and grated cheese to chilli.

Thanks Chipings, I don't macadamia nuts but do like almonds.

Does anyone else find Hellmans mayonnaise really salty these days? Any recommendations for a good less salty one?

Bitchy :). Well done! I'm sure sleeping badly and irregular sleep/meals doesn't help. I'm in the same boat. It doesn't matter if you weigh on Sundays, not Mondays.

You don't like macadamia's? I love them covered in chocolate salted. I can't eat any nuts unsalted. Bleurgh!

A lot of people on here make their own, it's easy to do & fresh.