Starting today - low carb

[lasttimeround]

Right it's time to get back in the low carb saddle. I basically follow boot camp rules. That works very well for me. I find getting into ketosis hard so making my public declaration of intent here. Planning to weigh and measure shortly.

So I'm starting today. Whingeing about carb flu all the way. Join me

Do people find this way of eating makes their wee smell differently? I don't usually notice (honestly!) but it's definitely a stronger smell??!?

Yes on the pee thing - Wierd different smell.
I hate trying to get into ketosis.

Does anyone on here take antidepressants while doing this diet and does it affect it?

Can I join you? I'm a long time bootcamper who has fallen off the wagon in the last 12 months, but I have lost well on it in the past and really want to get back on with it. I'm the fattest I've ever been apart from when pregnant and need to feel like myself again. I'm not weighing myself as I know it sends me a bit loopy.

Day 3 for me, although did finish half a bottle of red wine on day 1 so not perfect. Not drinking now til DHs birthday on 31st so a few weeks off. I am having a few nuts too, so I suppose I am BC light for now.

Today's plan:
B: eggs, butter
L: HM broccoli and Stilton soup, flax bread with butter
D: salmon, roast asparagus, roast broccoli, HM Mayo

Don't think I'm in ketosis yet, I have some sticks though so will check at some point I know, I know.

Lottie some people find antidepressants cause them to gain weight so you might find it takes longer to lose weight on this way of eating if you're on antidepressants. But otherwise there's no issue. I've been on Sertraline for over two years while eating low carb.

Thanks StuntNun. In my case sertraline didn't cause me to gain weight (if anything the opposite). I've also read birth control pills can affect weight loss but I had no problem last time when I was on those.

I can actually see the weight coming off so I must be doing something right I think because I only started on Wednesday.

After my carbtastic Christmas and all the goodies still in the house I am really struggling with my sugar craving (which never really goes away ) so I have decided to allow myself low carb treats with erythritol.

Hopefully once I get fully back into this woe the cravings might at least decline....fingers crossed!

I'm a week in now and have lost 6.4lbs Very pleased. I know it's mostly water weight, but a good kick to keep going.
We went out to dinner last night, but to a buffet type place, so I chose wisely - lots of meat, salad and vegetable kebabs. The had plain olive oil as a dressing, which was handy. My sons had 2-3 puddings each, so I reckon they had my share as I abstained.
nekobus thanks for the "pip&nut" squeeze pack recommendation. I got some with my shop this morning and they are perfect for taking to work. I tried one out this morning and it was a workout to get the stuff out as it was so thick. What I could normally eat out of a jar in 2 minutes must have taken at least 20.
Going to MIL for dinner tonight, so no idea what we are having. She's used to my finicky eating habits by now, though, so won't be offended if I don't eat half of it.

Well done Captain, an excellent start to the new year.

I've meal planned for the week and done a big shop, so I'm all good to go for starting tomorrow.

Also looking forward to the 'carbs are irrelevant to me' stage!

Hi everyone. You all sound very motivated. Can I offer a bit of advice to take some measurements from your body. I have eaten this way for a long time and have had periods where the scales don't show a loss, but i can feel my clothes are looser. It is easy to get despondent when the scales don't move, but it doesn't mean that changes aren't taking place.

Hi everyone. I'm place marking as I'll be starting next Sunday. Have two work events this week plus two nights away Fri/Sat so Sunday it is

I feel as if I can't stop eating at the moment and blaming attributing it to massive overconsumption of refined carbs for the last couple of months. Awful cravings for junk and well, I feel as if I just can't stop, out of control eating.
This will be my first time on low carb, can someone please assure me that it will help me get rid of these cravings?

Bobbi the cravings will go. It will probably take 3-5 days. The first 2 or 3 days are tough so you must prepare to be well stocked with low carb stuff to tide you over weak moments.

Wombattoo thank you, I needed to hear that and will get measuring tonight. I'm only seeing a Ilb loss on the scales so far (day 5 today) which is bit depressing since I'm definitely in Ketosis.

Went out for a family birthday lunch today. Turned down wine and had water instead, chose roast pork and loads of veg. I did give in to my Yorkshire Pudding though! I deliberately didn't order the beef thinking I would avoid the YP temptation and then my pork came with one anyway . Chose the cheese board over desert (god, that was hard!!) and didn't eat the crackers. Feeling pleased with myself for sticking to sensible choices but also a bit about lack of weight on the scales.

Well done on swerving the bad stuff Guine. Trust me that the weight will go if you stick with it. If you have any trousers/jeans that are tight fitting, you can use them as a measure. I went down a dress size whilst the scales only showed a 3lb loss. I wasn't doing exercise either.

Hi Bobbi. I've done Atkins once before and I was amazed at the results. I got down to my target weight within a month which was 8 stone 1. The main advice I would give though is be really careful not to have too much protein. I overdid eggs and meat and after about 2 months i was very ill and I had to abandon the diet. So the main thing is to focus on eating high fat and moderate protein.

This time I'm finding it better. My children have just roast dinner and I haven't felt in the least like touching any of their leftovers which is a first!

I'm a bit worried about how much food I am eating. Struggling to get my head around the idea of eating things like cheese and not counting calories.

Today I have had scrambled eggs with mushrooms and a few cherry tomatoes fried in a little bit of butter.
Snack was handful of walnuts, half a banana and 2 tablespoons of soya low carb yoghurt, and a slice of cheddar!
I tested out my mum's carb free cloudbread with half a burger. Dinner was beef tagine (no apricots though) and Swede mashed with butter.
Have had 2 coffees with a dollop of cream and a gin with diet tonic.

I know this isn't very very low carb but is much better than my usual choc and biscuit and cake laden diet. Trying to break myself in gently in the hope of sticking with it. But, it just feels like so much food!

Place marking for tomorrow. Had about 4 weeks of carb overload so looking forward to getting back on it tho know I will feel like crap first couple of days till the sugar crash and carb flu go.
Going to weigh in tomorrow too
See you all tomorrow xx

Hello everyone

I've been low carbing since Tuesday and have lost 9lb so far! It all just seems too good to be true...lunch today was a bunless double bacon cheeseburger from Byron with side salad and dinner is going to be aubergine parmigiana with basically an entire cheeseboard in it. I don't understand how you can eat so much "bad food" and still be healthy...?! Am a bit worried about the damage I may or may not be doing to my body (have I just fallen for the fat is bad myth?) It's my birthday soon so will probably indulge in some cake...will that be a disaster?

Sorry about all the complete newbie questions!

I'm intrigued about ketosis! I've googled it so know what it is but don't get it-do we want to be in ketosis? And how do we know?

Well done on the weight loss tea. It does take a massive mental adjustment getting used to this way of eating as it contradicts everything we have been told for the last 30 years. The medical boffins have changed their thinking in the last year or two and they now accept that not all fat is bad. You won't be doing your body any harm.
It is wise to try and avoid cake/sugar as it can lead to cravings but it's your birthday! Just be careful in the days afterwards. Enjoy your birthday

who - ketosis usually just happens with this way of eating. You can usually tell if you have a metallic or bad taste in your mouth. Not everyone notices. Make sure you drink plenty of water to flush the ketones out.

Aderyn if you're breaking yourself in gently it's all fine, but just be aware swede is about 5g carbs/100g so is a bit on the high side. And a definite no to bananas or alcohol.

teaandkittens Yip, you've fallen for the fat is bad myth - as have most of us! Google Gary Taubes for info about fat in the diet. I also liked The Great Cholesterol Con.

I'm all set for starting tomorrow. Sausage & eggs muffins made for breakfasts, almond crackers (1 carb per cracker) for snacks and some creamy dark choc mousse concoction in case of emergencies. I'll be fine once I get into the groove and the first week out the way.

Betsy, why is alcohol off limits? I get why I couldn't have really sweet stuff but when I googled I got the impression gin with diet tonic has no carbs. Also, what could I eat instead of bread/pasta/potatoes, if I don't eat mashed swede? I like celeriac chips and butternut squash but squash is also quite high isn't it?

Aderyn cauliflower and courgettes. You can rice or mash the cauliflower and make courgetti with the courgettes. I also love courgettes roasted and fried.

Green leafy veg is also low carb, very good for you and helps to bulk out a meal. Spinach, kale, etc.

And broccoli, broccoli is good.

Aderyn when you drink alcohol your body burns that for energy first instead of your body fat. And diet tonic has artificial sweeteners which your body reacts to in the same way as sugar ie. raising the insulin levels.