Week 4 - Low Carb Bootcamp - Coming to the end of our first month

[BIWI]

I know! Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness for your delectation!

Remember, week 4 is, like week 3, a time when weight loss tends to be pretty slow, if not non-existent. KOKO and persevere, and things will get going again soon.

But not if you cheat! Whilst many of you have been very honest about your transgressions, just remember that this WOE is not a very forgiving one. It's not like a calorie-controlled diet, where you can compensate for one 'bad' day with a 'good' one. As some of you have already found out the hard way!

styledilemma nope, the women and platelets thing is in America, here all women can donate as long as they can pass screening :)

1lb a week is a fabulous rate of weight loss and will mean a 4 stone loss in 12 months

Just repeating Jiminny's comment in nice bold letters because I think it's very motivational

C4 you're such a strong woman from your posts, i think even you know that 5lbs in 3 weeks for someone who can't move much is bloody brilliant.

I second that.
C4. Think of what you've achieved so far!

jimminy that's interesting to know.

I gave blood for the first time 3 years ago, found out I was ab+ and didn't donate any more , because on their website it said they were asking women who are ab+ to donate less as they have less need for that blood type. (it's on one of their newsletters, about a year ago)
I thought about platelet donation but that's as far as it got.
so well done on going ahead with it!

There's a similar muffin recipe that is without the almond flour, just 1 egg, pinch of salt, pinch of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of coconut flour, mix put in a ramakin and microwave for about 1 l
/ 1.5 minutes. I add cheese to mine and it is very nice. Going to try cinnamon next.

Glen
I'm going to have a go at making one of these for breakfast.

Just a note to everyone.

LCHF is not a miracle diet and it's not for everyone. If really really don't like it then you don't have to do it.

You will not lose several lbs each week (ok, some people might, just the same as some people might on SW, WW, CC etc). One lb per week is ideal weight loss but as several bcers have shown it doesn't mean that the 1lb knows to come off each Monday! It might stick for a few weeks then come off with some of its pals.

As well as weight loss you need to consider the following:

1. Are you enjoying the food you are eating?
2. Do you feel deprived?
3. Are you hungry?
4. Are there other benefits you feel?
5. Would you have lost more/felt less deprived/less hungry etc on another WOE?

Depending on your answers you might conclude that LCHF is definitely the diet for you (my answers are yes, no, no, yes, no) or maybe it's not. If not, there is nothing wrong with moving to something else. You need to do what works for you, something you can sustain. If you want to try another WOE then do it, we will still be here if you come back to LCHF in the future.

Oh BTW, I followed that platelet donation link posted above. It seems that there is nowhere in Scotland to donate?

I'll look at work on the desktop but do you know if that link was just England?

Great post Sayrra.
I would answer exactly the same as you. I would encourage anyone who is enjoying this woe but no lost this week or so to koko. It's only week 4, if you stick at it, the weight will move. There are some inspiring stories on this and previous BCs from people who have lost several stone at a reasonable pace. I lost about 1.5 stone from January to end of last BC. That means I went from obese to overweight. I'm not weighing at the moment but my clothes continue to get looser and I am a 14/12 now. (Was a tight 16 in January).
If you aren't enjoying this woe, then may be LCing isn't for you. it's not for everyone. And that's ok. I firmly believe there is no one way of weight lose for everyone although this way is hard to beat. all round because we deserve them.

Food today:
B: black coffee
L: leftover cauli, broccoli gratin with sausages
D: got some pork belly in the slow cooker, yum. Will probably have with butter spring greens and tenderleaf broccoli
S: creamy coffee.

Question about the pork belly, please. I haven't done it in the slow cooker before. Those that have, I think I read that you put it in the oven for 20 minutes at the end to crisp the fat, is that right?

Oh, talking about blood and platelet donation, anyone on the bone marrow register? It's no good for us oldies, you have to be under 40 if I remember correctly, but it is very worthwhile if you can do it.
I can't donate as I am an "at risk" group (I'm not an iv drug abuser, honestly), so and thank yous to those that do.

captain i took the rind off altogether and put it under a hot grill at the end. It makes a very very fatty sauce if you don't (unpleasantly so I thought)

Very motivational Jiminny and Sarraya sorry if spelled name wrong rushing. I think we all need that this week. KOKO

I think the NHS is devolved isn't it? So blood and transplant Scotland will be separate

Great post sarrraya.

I expect this woe isn't for everyone.
it's taken me 4 weeks but I'm starting to love this woe. it suits me.
However I can't get on with the 5:2 diet or any other woe that involves fasting. I've tried and nearly always give up.
but I admire those that stick to that, or any other woe eating that works for them.

I think a pp said women who have had children can't donate platelets, I don't think that's true, women who have had children can't donate blood for FFP, a clotting factor. Pregnancy makes you develop all kinds of odd antibodies which can cause pretty catastrophic reactions.
Though since BSE we've imported most of our FFP anyway.

C4 You're an asset to bootcamp, I find your posts very inspiring! Losing weight when you can't be active is very hard, I think 5 lbs in 3 weeks is great.

When I have times I'm feeling deprived I go all out with delicious LC stuff - if I fancy chocolate I've made these little dessert pots out of whipped double cream, peanut butter and dark choc which are very tasty. And I'll look on the recipe thread to find something new to eat. I've also looked up vegan low carb recipes when I've been sick of meat.

I didn't have a great day yesterday.

B: creamy coffee, spinach and bacon frittata
L: courgette ribbons with spinach, bacon, Mushrooms, wild garlic and mascapone. Some cheese and q pepperami while cooking it.

D: roast pork shoulder, gravy, broccoli and green beans.

Drinks: loads of tea with soya milk, a can of lager

I've woke up still full from the pork shoulder. I made the gravy thickened with butternut squash from the recipe thread for the first time last night, it was great, much better than the other low carb gravies I've been making. All the ones I've made previously have been a bit soupey.

That's was me good.
I wasn't sure if we could donate platelets in this country if we've had children. Iit seems we can.

Having said that, why is it mainly men you see donating platelets? why not more women?
Even jimminy says it's mainly men doing the donating..

ps jimminy, any chance you can change your name to Hummingbird? my auto correct keeps wanting to call you that

I will say that for the biggest fan addict of cakes, pastries and all things sweet or bready, I am loving this WOE. I never ever thought I wouldn't miss those things, but I don't! I don't crave them. I think of them sometimes but not with that ache in my stomach, like I've got to have it now, as I used to.

I cannot compare the diet desert (yes, desert not dessert) of low fat fucking yogurts which I bloody hate, of feeling hungry All the Time, of just sheer misery, when instead I'm stuffing my face with small portions, yes another first for me, of tasty meat and veg and cream and cheese. I'm eating less and not feeling ravenous or deprived! And best of all I'm sure my blood sugar is stable, no more highs and crashes which leave me feeling unwell most of the afternoon. I have more energy! Feel fitter and just better in myself. I just know I wouldn't feel like this with the odd syn or CC treat like a shite WW bar full of sugar.

I'm a total convert. Sayrra is right, compare this WOE to the alternatives, and see how much better it is.

OMG I'm now a LCHF evangelist

Morning all,

Such a busy weekend and start to the week, I’ve had no time to update the thread, let alone read through. Finally caught up now though and wanted to echo what has already been said – this WOE works but you have to be patient and ride the ups and downs. If you give it 10 weeks and really stick to the rules, I’m sure you’ll all be significantly lighter/smaller than you are now It is hard at times though so to all who are struggling. KOKO.

I lost this week, about 1.5 lbs I think. But, that’s just what I gained last week so no big whoop. That said, I have started running and training again after a long absence caused by a dislocated knee so I’m thinking muscle-related fluid retention –definitely not the wine--. I feel smaller anyway, so that’s the main thing, scales can do one!

Last week my eating was all over the place too, not enough meals, not enough veg, relying on nuts and cheese, so I’m back on it with a vengeance this week.

It’s my birthday early next week so there will be a few treats this weekend but as I have totally lost my sweet tooth I will do my best to stick to the rules, apart from a few wines, of course.

Yesterday I had:
B: eggs, butter, cream
L: left over home-made donner kebab, tzatziki, salad, olive oil
D: chicken in parma ham, cabbage, courgette and mushrooms all fried in lots of butter

Today;s plan:
B: eggs, butter, cream
L: chicken in parma ham, avocado, salad, olive oil
D: creamy pesto bacon and mushroom ‘pasta’ sauce with courgetti

I think the key to long term weight loss/maintenance is finding something that works for you and your life. My family celebrates events with homemade cake which are based on family recipes from my mum's country. I accept that 2-3 times per year, I'm going to indulge a bit in them.

I've also got a rule that if I'm going to eat cake, it will be a delicious homemade one not something mass produced. This means that cake is a rare treat as I don't bake. I also find that I'm now satisfied with just a small piece to taste rather than a huge slice. This WOE has adjusted my taste buds and I find many things too sweet now.

For those that are missing bread, I've bought a LivLife seeded loaf which is only 3.9 carbs per slice. They sell it in Waitrose and Morrisons. Might be worth a try if you feel like you want a sandwich.

KOKO, it's hard to navigate in a culture that is obsessed with carbs.

Thank you for the motivation jimmy & sayrra and everyone else. I know I need to KOKO, my DH says he will happily pay for a tummy tuck if I need one when I've lost all the weight. It's been quite a shock to see this hideous overhang developing as I've lost weight and I worry that my dream of wearing a beautiful figure hugging dress for DS wedding next year is an impossible dream because of what I've done to my body.
I just didn't cope well with a weight gain, I could have coped with staying the same but gaining over 2lb really upset me.

I know I need to get over myself and just concentrate on the health benefits of having a normal BMI.

Food today:

Brunch: mashed avocado and poached egg
Dinner: not sure but I'm going to try something new as my meals have got a bit boring

BIWI - DH bought me some rye flour and buckwheat flour both are low carb, are they allowed? I fancy making flatbread.

Style it's because men have higher platelet counts and blood volumes than women, and usually thicker, more robust viens. You also need higher than average iron levels which is hard to get as a woman of mensturating age. An unusually high platelet count for an average woman is 237, you need a count of 250 minimum to donate which is on the high side even for a man, but very unusually high for a lady. Even if you find a woman with a high platelet count, you also have to find in the same woman a vien in the right place that's stronger than normal and very thick with a good flow. This is really important because the vein has to withstand over an hour of drawing blood, and returning blood at a highish pressure. If the vein blows during this it's really messy. Finally you need to find a woman with iron levels that are much higher than normal, meaning she needs to have a decent diet generally and be healthy and who passes all the normal giving blood checks too, so once you've factored all that in you essentially hit hens teeth terratory.

For men it's easier because they only need a slightly higher than high platelet count, have higher iron levels naturally than women and tend to have stronger, thicker veins, so much much more likely to find a male donor who fits the criteria than a woman.

To put it into perspective, there's 220 platelet donors registered at my centre, I'm the only woman and they reckon I'm the only one in a 90 mile radius I also have the second highest platelet count (427 as of yesterday apparently) of all the donors they have registered. WHen I first registered they tested me for thrombocytosis because it's so unusually high, but it turns out I get it from my Dad who also donates platelets and is the one donor with a higher count than me at my local centre .. Dad can give a triple donation in 1 hour 20 minutes and goes every 4 weeks without fail, he's a machine

I was worried that weight loss would lower my count (this can happen) but it's actually up 7 from last time and my iron levels are better, which I assume is on account of the amount of meat and green veg I'm eating

I made,my coconut muffin.
I didn't dislike it , but didn't love it either.

Flaxseed bread (using crushed macadamia instead of ground almonds) on the other hand - I could live on!

C4 five pounds in three weeks is a good weight loss. At this rate you'll be at your desired weight well before the wedding. The desire for the familiar carby foods does pale over time. With me it was bread. I love bread in all its many varied forms. Only now I can say I loved bread. I honestly don't miss it any more. I think you've been really strong to keep going so KOKO

Very interesting post jimminy, it explains a lot. thanks.

(we should change your name to Wonder Woman )

Sorry, posted before reading on to the end of the thread so everyone else had already answered you C4