Week 2 - Low Carb Bootcamp - my favourite week!

[BIWI]

I love this week, because this is when all the naysayers and doubters realise that this WOE really works!

(... and those who've cheated realise that that really doesn't work )

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness for you to record your first loss

I missed most of this weekend as I have my very lovely SIL staying with us, prior to her leaving for a 6 month stint in Australia. So I haven't been able to be as glued to the laptop as I am usually.

Glad to hear that some of you have reported in good losses already - I'll look forward to hearing the rest today!

Good luck everyone, for this second week. Hopefully after a good first week you'll know it's worth it

I'm confused today. I have been good this week (or thought I had) but I'm showing a weight increase. But at the same time the belt on my jeans is definitely looser??? The last few days have been as follows:
B 2 boiled eggs
L homemade mushroom soup
D celeriac bravas with chorizo and Parmesan

B 2 boiled eggs
L pork loin with cauliflower cheese and courgette with tomato and mozzarella
D tuna with sour cream, cheese & salad

B 2 boiled eggs
L omelette with mushroom onions and tomato
D smoked salmon, cheese, sausages, broccoli (odd mix I know, in late and just ate what I had) 🙄

Am I doing this right? I'm drinking between 2-3 litres of water a day too. Any advice/comments welcome???

They look good @cathyandclare!

I’ll be trying those Cathyandclaire. They look very tasty.

Looks ok to me. I’m sure BIWI will critique more expertly. Your scales can be argued with, your belt can’t. If the belt is looser some fat has gone. KOKO

Giraffe make sure you have a snack before you go out for dinner tomorrow, that will help you to stick to the low carb food.

I second BIWI's tip about the 2-litre bottle of fizzy water - that's what I do when I want to make sure I get plenty of water in. I'm terrible for not drinking enough water then at bedtime I get really thirsty, drink two pints of water, and have to get up to pee in the night! I stick a Taylors Sour Cherry teabag in the 2-litre bottle of water and it makes a delicious carb-free drink with lots of ice and a slice of lemon if you're feeling fancy.

I sometimes add vanilla powder and a little double cream to Greek yogurt to make it sweeter. When we're on Bootcamp Light you can also finely chop 5g of dark chocolate and sprinkling it over the top. It's lush!

Almahart how do you cook your calves liver? I got some in Lidl today along with a 4.4kg goose that will do for Christmas dinner! but I'm not quite sure what to do with it. I don't really like liver but I'm conscious that it's really good for you so I think I should eat more of it. My mum makes peppered liver which is pretty nice for liver but the recipe involves flour.

Ouais great so we can rule out TOTM but water retention is still a major cause of weight fluctuation. Are you measuring your waist as well as your weight? I often find my customers lose an inch off their waist on the weeks that the scales don't budge. In my book if you're losing inches or pounds then you're burning fat. Your food looks brilliant and you probably don't need to make any changes. If you feel that you want to try something then I recommend adding an extra spoonful of olive oil or butter, cutting back on the mayo a little, and making sure you're getting enough water. I honestly think you're eating really healthily at the moment and if you just give it a bit more time then you're going to see great results on the scales. Definitely stay away from the wine and chocolate, even if it's only for this one weekend.

@biwi
Actually, I would, but DH forgot to tell them and I felt it would be rude on short notice so I thought I'd just go with whatever they had planned as they both work full time so I imagine they've already planned it.
And cauli mash for everyone- normally yes but only got a bit of cauli left and half a bag of potatoes- and we are going on holiday on Sunday morning so I was just using up what we have in fridge!

Good idea to whoever suggested a SMS n before I go out- good plan.

BIWI - it's odd, many years ago, the nurse taking my blood pressure told me that her Spanish grandfather had started eating 7 olives every morning and either his BP or his cholesterol levels had come down rapidly without his having to take tablets. Unfortunately, whilst I can remember the number of olives, I can't recall what it affected, though I imagine it must be BP as that is my problem!
StuntNun - I can't find my waist to measure it Thank you for the advice, I'll try to go for more olive oil and butter, less mayo (mayo is my favourite low-ish carb food and mayo spread on freshly baked wholemeal bread is my absolute favourite food!) and as much water as possible!

Cathy they look delicious! I'll be giving them a go later!

Lizard it might be water retention as water retention often masks fat loss. So you're losing fat & changing shape, but it's the water showing on the scales (as I understand it.)

Can't remember who posted it, but salt & pepper in greek yoghurt is a genius idea! I might try it with my beloved smoked paprika as well.

Thanks for the update hippa. And to whoever reported C4s PAs posts. There is no suggestion of anything not genuine about that and it pisses me off because MNHQ have potentially cut off one element of C4s support (her friends here on MN BC). I know she has lots of family around her but when she wakes up I'm sure she will be boosted by all the well wishers here. And we care and want to hear how she is doing.

scabber i found a nice multipack of little cheese sachets in Asda. Contains a marmite cheese, cheddar, red leicester, chilli cheese, and some other variety I can't remember. Easy to grab a couple from the fridge for snacks on the go. And a change from babybels.

Checking in just so I am accountable somewhere! Am facing the danger zone now of weekend and half term so trying to keep as focused as possible.

Today's food:

B: 2 boiled eggs
L: cauliflower rice with fried courgette, mushroom and spinach in creamy stilton sauce
D: maybe cauli and broccoli cheese or frittata

Happy Friday to everyone!

Cathy those look pretty good! I'd buy flaxseed and make them, but have a cupboard full of random ingredients I bought for LC baking and used once...
Lunch was fried cabbage (in 1tbsp oil) with mustard seeds, two boiled eggs and 30g Mayo. Delicious and filling.

ragz i made your meatball recipe last night in prep to reheat for dinner tonight. Looking forward to it. Will have with broccoli or cauli rice. Or both!

I thought I would share my story and current situation as encouragement for the newbies and those who still have a fair bit of weight to lose. In 2013, I was overweight, unhappy with my appearance, and totally addicted to sugar. I was buying cakes and hiding them so that I could eat them all by myself! I thought I was just being greedy; I didn't know that I was insulin resistant and that my blood glucose was going up and down like a rollercoaster causing constant hunger pangs and cravings.

I joined the summer Bootcamp in June 2013 and lost 30lb over the next five months to reach my ideal weight. Then in 2014, I fell pregnant. I gained loads of weight during pregnancy then lost it all again afterwards on Bootcamp. So I know this works - I have done it twice! Since then I have maintained a normal weight. I'm going to a funeral next week and I will be seeing friends and family that I haven't seen for years. I'm so glad that I won't feel self-conscious about my appearance or weight. It might well be a stressful event but at least I have one less thing to worry about.

Weight loss can be hard work and it takes time, there are no quick fixes. But the benefits are enormous, not just in health but in self-esteem too. I am forever grateful to BIWI for selflessly running these Bootcamps year after year. I know I couldn't/wouldn't have done it without her support and occasional wielding of her big stick. I want to encourage everyone to give this Bootcamp your best shot. It's only ten weeks, then you can reassess and see how you feel. Follow the rules and you'll be lighter, have more energy, feel better, and have reduced your risk of ill health in later life. I started low carbing four years ago and I still feel ten years younger than when I first started. This way of eating really works... and it can work for you.

StuntNun

I cook calves liver by heating some olive oil and butter in a small frying pan. then I chuck in a sliced clove of garlic, then the liver sliced thin. Stir fry it all around for a minute or so then add loads of spinach. I then put soy in but I am addicted to soy!

I definitely feel as though I am starting to have more energy. I didnt fall asleep watching tv last night first time I haven't done that for ages

Hi, May and Ouais can I join you on the savoury yoghurt recipe bench? I tried a yoghurt and spinach dip for the first time yesterday, it was delicious. I like yoghurt, but find it lacks, ahem, fibre to serve as a complete meal. Adding spinach (and garlic and lemon juice) is genius for me. It was finished with a swirl of oil, a couple of black olives and a sprinkle of mint. Delicious.

Kudos to Giraffeski for outstaring the roast potatoes at cynical IL's last week. Go girl.

Oh, just seen hippa's suggestion of smoked paprika in yoghurt, which sounds delicious. I also like smoked mackerel or salmon mashed and stirred into yoghurt for a reasonably low carb dip, severed with a fork, or on little gem leaves, mmmmm.

NSV for me today is that I found an old pair of M&S size 14 straight leg jeans in the wardrobe - that weren't worn out between the thighs - and they fitted! Not just fitted but they're comfortable.

Only the teensiest bit of muffin top - which can probably be addressed by wearing a belt to pull the jeans up closer to my waist.

YoLo I shop in ASDA (I know, how un-MN!) and I've never seen those little cheeses. They sound like something I need to have in! Are they ASDA own brand?

Following on from StuntNun post - I too was completely addicted to sugar, bingeing on share bags of chocolates every single day. I honestly thought I had BED as I couldn't stop myself with sugar. This WOE has totally balanced my blood sugars and I don't even crave or want chocolate any more. There's even my version of low carb ice cream made with dark chocolate in the freezer and I've not even thought of touching it since I made it. This WOE is a revelation and I'm so happy I found it. It's just a shame it took me over 30 years!!

Another savoury yogurt suggestion - salt lassi, you get it as a drink in Indian restaurants. I make it by mixing yogurt with an equal amount of water, adding salt to taste and a pinch of garam masala (or ground cumin). A pinch of finely chopped coriander leaves makes it even nicer.

stunt that's really encouraging. Reaching the point where you don't feel self conscious about your weight must be so liberating, hope the funeral goes as well as it can .

hippa. What is BED? I assume the cheese will be with the babybells etc, the ones I get come in a net with a variety of mini cheese.

BED = binge eating disorder. I ticked all the boxes, but only to do with sugar. Not anything else.

I'm here, I'm trying, I'm clinging on!

I had a NSV today (sort of). I ordered three new dresses in a size that I thought would be a bit small for me. I then started stressing that they'd be way too small and I'd feel demotivated. Anyway they arrived yesterday and all of them fit me perfectly already. I wore one to work today. I'm certain they wouldn't have fitted pre boot camp.

We are all sick in my house. Dd has scarlet fever. I'm not sure what's wrong with me but I feel rotten too. Dh is describing the same symptoms as me so it's obviously a thing.

B:coffee.
L:bacon and chicken salad with mayo.
D:steak and cauliflower cheese.

I need to drink more water.