Week 3 - Low Carb Bootcamp - Where We Have a Decision to Make!

[BIWI]

Morning all.

Here's the link to the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

So we've finished Bootcamp! Well done all or at least to all those who are still with us

Now you have a decision to make. You can move on to Bootcamp Light, if you wish, which is more relaxed (to a degree). The rules are on the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet - sorry, I don't have time to copy/paste this morning as I have to get off to work about 10 minutes ago.

But essentially it means that you can introduce nuts and berries - in moderation. You no longer have to have three meals a day. If you're not hungry, then it's fine to skip a meal - as long as you don't then dive into a pile of carbs when you get hungry! And you can have alcohol - again, in moderation.

If you're happy with the stricter Bootcamp then by all means stay on that, but please, please, please make sure that your carbs are coming from vegetables and salad. It's important that you get nutrition from these.

Or you can, if you like, do Bootcamp at the week and Bootcamp Light at the weekend.

However

There is also something else you need to prepare for, and that is the dreaded weeks 3 and 4 slowdown!

It's something that lots of people experience. The weight loss suddenly stops, for no apparent reason. If this happens, don't worry and don't panic that you're doing anything wrong (assuming that you're not, of course ), just keep on keeping on, and it will get going again - albeit at a slower rate.

From here on, you should be expecting to see a loss of 1-2lbs a week.

Good luck everyone!

Evening everyone

I think that everyone who has asked has been updated on the spreadsheet, thanks to those who updated others.

I am finding it quite hard to be motivated this BC for some reason. Part of it is that I am actually quite happy the way I am despite still being several stone overweight. Last year when I was over 17 stone and size 20 I was not happy so found it easier to be motivated. I decided that I would write a list of things to help motivate me so I am going to share that here.

1. Being lighter will make the sports I do easier.

1. I'll be able to buy pole clothes easily - clothes for pole fitness seem to think that a XL is a 12-14.

1. When I graduate with my PhD I will finally have a photograph on my parents wall that I am happy with.

1. I won't be embarrassed when friends ask if I want to ride their horses/ponies and I have to say no I am too heavy then they say no you are not so I ask what the weight limit they would have on the horse and its always less than I weigh.

1. If I get down to a size 10/12 (which seems very unrealistic) then I can have my cousins amazing hand-me down clothes. She goes shopping all the time and is always clearing her wardrobe out, quite often totally unworn clothes!

1. I won't look ridiculous in photographs with OH, he is very skinny (8.5 stone) so we look a bit like Jack Sprat and his wife

I'd love to hear other BCers motivation/aims if you want to share?

Food Today

B: Three rashers streaky bacon, two fried eggs, coffee with cream
L: Wasn't hungry
S: Pork scratchings, hardboiled egg
D: Pepperoni cauli-pizza (the most amazing one I've ever made, I could pick it up and eat it like a normal pizza )
S: Cucumber and green pepper sticks, applewood smoked cheese

Feel really down this evening and craving something satisfying. I'd thought I was doing well today, but have eaten far too much and still crave more. I feel like I'll never get to grips with this

I also really want to meet my friend for a drink and a chat, because I haven't seen her for ages, but don't know what I would drink.

I tried the bare naked noodles tonight in a salmon ramen. They were surprisingly good!!

Sorry you are feeling down now

What would you normally drink when you go out? Maybe we can make some suggestions.

STS this week Week 3 for me : but having said that, I only have myself to blame . I had a major relapse on Wednesday with a major attack of the munchies . And then on Saturday, I ended up drinking hardly any water as I was at an event at the velodrome and forgot to take my bottle of water.

now why don't you go out? It's already after 9, so presumably you wouldn't be out for long - you could have a vodka and soda with lime, or a rum and soda with lime.

mushroom that all looks OK, but 3 pints of water isn't very much! It's about 1.75 litres.

Sayra was there any reason your cauli-pizza was so good this time? Any tips?

I've just tried to compile a list but my main motivation is just one thing: to be able to get excited about choosing what to wear in the morning, and feel good in it all day. It's superficial I know but I love clothes, and spent all my teens and most of my twenties being the chubby one and feeling unable to wear what I'd have liked, being uncomfortable and self conscious most of the time. I lost a fair amount of weight for my wedding and have gained and lost a stone or so many times since. I'd just like to get to target once and for all and stop feeling like I'm constantly on diets.

Not tonight, probably Friday, as then her dc are at their dad's.

I usually have a couple of glasses of red or white wine or brandy and lemonade or southern comfort on ice.

tart this time I really squeezed all of the water out of the cauli, I used the potato masher to squish it. Then once I spread it out I cooked it (without toppings) for 15 mins then turned it over and added the toppings and cooked for another 10 mins.

It doesn't matter what your motivation is, I think being able to wear nice clothes and to be happy wearing them is a very sensible motivation.

Yum

Right thanks, I will do one on Friday I think.

Getting through a LOT of cauliflowers here

trashcanjunkie. Sounds like raging PMT to me! I'd be well fucked off if is had a hysterectomy & still had to deal with all of that! Did you feel any better after exercising?

I might be following you down the route of ankle reconstruction. I'm having another round of physio to see how it goes. Sigh.

SAS. Reece's are the work of the devil. Bleurgh! I'll have to rethink our acquaintance after that bombshell. But you are right about the Peanut Butter. It's hard getting one without palm oil I find. Congrats on your reflection achievement!

MrsSteveJones. Yes, exactly that! Fat is bulky, water is not, for the same weight. It all sounds weird I know!

Bitchy. . It's so easily done!

I am not an expert on which drinks are the best now as I don't really drink but I think clear spirits plus soda water are the best thing to have. I see that BIWI has suggested vodka or rum with soda and lime. Do either of those appeal?

You will get to grips with this, I think in the early days it is fine to eat a little too much as long as it is LC stuff. Once you've got into the swing of things you can start to adjust your portion sizes.

Sarya I have no nice photos of me and DS, who's 4. There are loads of lovely photos of him and DH but I hate all the ones of me and usually run away at the sight of a camera. I know I am missing out and will regret having nothing to look back on. So that is my motivation - to have a photo where I don't look like a huge blancmange. And the fact I want to look good in skinny jeans

OK day today but feeling a bit down. No lunch as no time then ate big chunk of cheese when I got in and also ate a leftover choc mousse. Mousse was LC but still a bit disappointed in myself but trying not to be too tough.

Hello all. We have had some terrible news today. Mil has been told she may only have 3 weeks left. I will try to stay eating BC but it is really hard. I have been alright all day, but now everyone is in bed and i am sitting up bfing the baby i could just bury myself in sweet tea and chocolate biscuits. I have had a plate of cheese and a peperami instead. :(

MrsK I am so sorry to hear that, I really am. I don't know what to say other than you are coping amazingly with all that you have to deal with

So sorry to hear that MrsKoala .

When talking about vodka with soda and lime, is that a slice of lime or a measure of lime cordial?

Sorry to hear about your MIL MrsK

What awful news MrsK. Be kind to yourself x

Sorry about your mil MrsK

BestIsWest I'm diabetic & I test my bloods frequently. It doesn't go up after I've had a latte (milk) so I can't imagine it would with cream. I'll try for you tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll be out a lot tomorrow so getting the timings right might be tricky.

Beyond. 5litres?! Bloody hell, I'll take half of that if I may. I struggle more with the water than any other part if this, which is weird as other than the odd cup of coffee, it's all I drink normally. I think it's the 'having to'.

BIWI re the Blood Sugars, spaced meals/snacks. I agree totally. Even small snacks make your body produce insulin, the less often you are asking your body to deliver insulin the better. Eating good, satisfying, meals is better than grazing, even if the overall food intake is the same. It's not always easy, and like I say, having diabetes gives me that added incentive to 'behave'. Especially helpful is when I'm testing something and can't eat for 3 hours afterwards!

Nowisenough. I totally agree with what BIWI said earlier about snacking etc but given you are really totally staring over I'd cut yourself some slack for a few days. If you are hungry eat as long as it's low carb. Try to eat more at meals instead of grazing, but don't get hungry, give your body a chance to adapt. Plenty of fat & protein will help. Part of it, of course, is simply rebellion. Not wanting to do as we're told. Not wanting to to 'give up' our familiar 'treats'. Stomping! As for what to drink...I drink sparkling water or soda water with a slice of lemon or lime. . You need to do the two weeks of BOOTCAMP properly before you start to deviate and drink alcohol.

Sayra. I often wonder how those with only a small amount to lose and without diabetes do it. Hats off to you, them! Being able to ride again is one of my dreams too...it's in the far distance for now, but it's there. My motivation is as above. Simply not wanting diabetic complications, most specifically retinopathy issues. Fear not fun, but there you go. Tis the truth of it.

Trash sounds like you're having a really tough time. Well done for LC-ing under the circs! Good luck with getting up and about too.

MrsKoala. I'm so sorry to hear that. It's still so hard, even when you know someone is terminal, to be told something like that, especially when they're still seeming fairly well (she's still cooking etc). Will DH be able to take some time off work or commute or anything? Poor love, please give him an extra squeeze from us all x. Do what you feel is best re food. I'd probably avoid the biscuits and just go with the flow re meals etc. we'll all still be here when things settle down and you can do it properly again. You can still chat with us x

MrsHP. Great to see you again too! Another one of my lovely 'wing men' when I was first dx and needed lots of help, x

Wow, Sayra, you sound like such an amazing person! My goals aren't quite as interesting, but they are:

1. To go on holiday in April and feel comfortable, both in terms of my appearance and in my ability to cope with what will be very intense heat, from what I've heard.
2. To feel attractive and comfortable in the summer.
3. To be healthy and well so my husband and I can try to conceive and finally have a baby.
4. To lose weight healthily after I do have a baby and model a positive relationship with food to my child.

I'm most focused on number one, but number four is the issue constantly lingering in the back of my mind. My mom had a terrible relationship with food and her body, which I completely inherited. She was always dieting, always unhappy with herself, and I was very aware of that. I even remember going with her so she could be weighed and pick up her diet food for the week. She was obese when she died suddenly at 51, and I dealt with it by eating, just like she dealt with any hardship.

I love that I am now eating good, unprocessed food, including lots of delicious vegetables, and that I have the energy to be active. I so hope I'm able to pass that lifestyle on to any children I'm lucky enough to have, so I'd really like to maintain this way of eating forever.

MrsKoala so sorry, what awful news. Now is not the time to beat yourself up about food. Equally, carbs wont change the situation and might make you feel worse. I hope you find a balance to get through the weeks ahead.