Week 4 – Is this the new normal? Because it feels great!

[BerylStreep]

Welcome to the week 4 thread of Bootcamp. I enjoyed the power of wielding BIWI’s big stick last week so much that I am staying on for another week. Normal service will be returning next week.

So week three was great – as well as lots of impressive scale victories, there were loads of NSVs – bras moved to the next hook, colleagues commenting favourably, feeling as if there is more energy, along with err, some less orthodox NSVs such as smaller earlobes and re-emerging pubes.

The thing that has really struck me is the number of posters who have lost significant weight over the last year, and are sticking with it and still seeing progress. That’s a fantastic inspiration to us all, and really shows how this WOE works long-term.

There are a number of posters who have committed to doing dry February (along with a few who are kicking a diet coke habit). This starts on Thursday, but it goes without saying that this is not an excuse to put as much away as possible before that! note to self

Thanks to BIWI who has been working hard on creating the Bootcamp recipe threads. There are loads of great ideas there to avoid menu boredom.

So KOKO, and good luck for the weigh in, but also remember the scales are only one indicator of progress. Here is the link to the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness.

I keep a little zip lock bag in my bag, which has a few buttermint tea bags in it, a sachet of peanut butter (Boots sell them) and a couple of squares on Lindt wrapped in foil. Rarely touch it, but can be very handy on oaccasion, and none of it goes off.

Shag. Sniff. Thank you so much.

Twoo I have added you.

ILoveCherries that is fantastic - well done! I think those count as major NSVs.

I've thought up a word for the February abstainers - Febstainers. What do you think?

I think you’re over-egging it a bit, Beryl, but then again it is LCHF.

Thank you Beryl’.

Love it! Febstainers

Congratulations ilove!

I like the name febstainers beryl!

An NSV to report - I had to return a hoodie I’d ordered from jack wills because it was too big! I only mention the brand as they’re not known for their generous sizes. Equally pleased and annoyed as they hadn’t the same one in the smaller size,

shagme fab photos and another one here with tile envy!

ilove congratulations on the contract!!! So much of our success in life depends on confidence. I feel very much the same as you in that I no longer try to fade into the wallpaper at events because I'm happier with my self worth. I feel like people judge you by your weight, so that a fattie like me is less professionally credible, more likely to be spoken over or even shouted down at meetings, because I'm somehow worth less than a slim person, have less importance and less impact. Perceived attractiveness is so much entwined with our self esteem and social/work confidence. It is so great to hear another woman say she is full of new found confidence and has been successful because of it. It inspires me greatly. Bloody well done ilove You deserve that contract!!!!!

Febstainers sounds like some sort of dirty underwear club

I give you Drybruary or Febrober....

FAntastic achievement Shagme - just great great stuff. And cherries I'm so pleased for you - that's a fab achievement. I love the massive hike in self-confidence - even down to the lippy!

I've just made kale crisps for the first time. I set off the smoke alarm. They seemed to go from nearly done to a blackened mess in a nanosecond. Not sure I'll try them again.

Brilliant* ilovecherries* - and I love the fact that you are now confident enough to wear red lippie on a regular basis. I've still to use the Coromandel that my dad gave me for Christmas - I've been enjoying the 999 too much.

LeapinLizard - that happened to me the first time I tried kale crisps I've tried them again - this time successfully. It's worth keep an eye on them - and not expecting them to be crisp as you take them out the oven (that way burnt to crisp lies ) - they crisp up when you take them out.

Fab photos shag! And well done cherries on your confidence and the contract.

My first kale crisps were a disaster- I way over salted them so although crunchy they were inedible!

Food today
B - creamy coffee
L - leftover celeriac dauphinois, swedes with melted cheese, chicken wings. Full!
D - LC sausages and cauli mash

I’m sure this isn’t the right place to ask this but can anyone tell me (or point me in the direction of) what they would serve up for dinner guests? Don’t mind having a carby side as am still feeling strong enough to avoid them, but could do with something not too expensive but very delicious. Thanks

Interesting that others have had trouble with kale crisps on first go. If i try them again, i will watch like a hawk.

Suggestions for a dinner party:

Prawns with garlic and chilli for starter, with a bit of salad and maybe sourdough bread for guests.

Chicken with a cream and mushrooms sauce, with green beans, cauliflower and roast potatoes ( for the guests )

Dark chocolate mousse with raspberries

Tapas is also good as there’s lots of meat and seafood options.

Congratulations ilove!

leapin someone on here said take them out when they are green/brown at edges. After that they are brown/black and not v nice.

ilove that is really brilliant well done you. I run my own business and being confident in front of clients when i’m Really overweight is difficult. Even getting a stone and a half off ( with about 3 stone 10 to go) has made a difference to me.

Sometime it’s a silly thing that makes the difference. For a client workshop a couple of weeks ago I treated myself to a pair of opaque navy blue Wolford tights. They are vv expensive but god do they feel good and one of the other consultants (female obvs) commented on them. Who knew tights could be recognised!!

Dakota - I have done fully low carb dinners for friends and family. In most cases they haven't even noticed

Starters:
avocado, mozzarella and tomato drizzled with EV olive oil and lemon juice, seasoned and torn basil sprinkled over.
Seared Scallops with crispy streaky bacon on a bed of puréed celeriac (maybe a bit too expensive)
Grilled goats cheese on a rocket salad base, with streaky bacon and apple jelly and soy sauce
Curried pumpkin or celeriac soup drizzled with olive oil

Main courses
Low carb lasagne
Boursin stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in Parma ham
Lamb leg steaks fried and then the pan deglazed with some Madeira or Marsala or marinaded in olive oil and oregano
Roast leg or shoulder of lamb, rubbed with olive oil and studded with garlic and rosemary (buy in Tesco or Sainsbury's when on offer - get a bigger one than you need as leftovers make great shepherd's pie)
Pork medallions fried in butter and then cream added

Served with:
Celeriac or neep (swede) Dauphinoise
Celeriac rösti
Fondant celeriac (rounds of celeriac poached in chicken stock)
Asparagus
Creamy leeks (thinly sliced, soften in butter than cream added - although it's nice just in butter)
Buttery microwaved brussels
Shredded Savoy cabbage saeved with crispy bacon bits

Desserts
Orange & cardamom chocolate pots
Nigella's cloud cake using Stevia instead of sugar
Berries and cream

.....is that enough to be going on with?

always that menu looks lovely.
Also chicken wrapped in bacon, stuffed with Boursin.
Definitely like the idea of chocolate mousse. Nigella in her new book has one made with olive oil. I’ll post a photo of the recipe if you like dakota.
Another starter idea might be scallops with a few leaves and maybe a crumbled bit of black pudding in the past I would have sat that on a pea purée but obviously that isn’t carb friendly.

Whoops mine crossed with prettybird’s which us much more comprehensive. 🙂

So I’m officially starting tomorrow after weeks of unsuccessful dabbling in SW and have added name abs weight to list.
One thing I have always struggled with tho is bloody Saturday mornings. For the past 10 years, without fail, me and my work buddies meet in Greggs before work for a bacon roll. It’s a very in grained thing.
Even when I have successfully LC before I always struggle with Saturday mornings at Greggs. I’m up at 5am so can’t bare to eat then. What can I replace this with? Needs to be something I can buy at Greggs (highly unlikely) or something I can eat on way to work. Other mornings are fine as time to sort breakfast

Thanks for the reminder, BlackMozart and Prettybird - I used to cook chicken thigh/boursin/bacon all the time, and it's completely fallen off my radar recently.

Pretty normal day today:
B - cheesy omelette
L - small tub of crab pate with chicory leaves and cucumber sticks to dip
D - piri piri chicken breast, celeriac dauphinoise, sprouts

BlackMozart - I'm too am very partial to Stornoway black pudding with scallops - but I was trying to suggest more low carb options!

Actually just remembered another variation of the scallop starter with a warm dressing for the rocket salad and whole walnuts - which might add a nice crunch & contrast to the scallops.

MyFitnessPal tells me that, as of today, I am 40lbs down from 1st September last year....which means, in two pounds time, it will be THREE STONES. If that's not enough to keep me motivated, I don't know what is...!

And then I only have the remaining two stones to deal with. But at least I'm more than halfway to it. Koko

feekerry - I have been known to ask in cafés for a bacon roll without the roll

Get a few strange looks but they'll do it. Could you do the same in Greggs?

Thanks to those who suggested afternoon pick me up snacks. I'm v excited about the Buttermint tea Ocado has just delivered - will report back after trying it.

I love - well done you!!!

Feek - welcome. Could you just eat the sausage and leave the pastry?