Week 3 - Low Carb Bootcamp - which way will you go?

[BIWI]

Morning all

Here's the spreadsheet

So a few mixed results so far. Hopefully there will be some more good ones on the spreadsheet!

I suspect that what a lot of you are coming to realise is that this isn't a way of eating that can allow you to cheat or even to take your eye off the ball.

In this initial phase, while we're aiming to become fat-adapted, it's really important that you keep your carbs as low as you can (within sensible limits - this is not a a zero carb diet - you should be eating enough veg and salad to get good nutrition, which will mean you're eating carbs)

I know that sometimes it's impossible. I'm in a situation where tonight I'm being cooked for, by people who have no idea I'm low carbing, and who haven't asked if there's anything I can/can't eat - so I'll just have to accept it. But whilst it's within your control, you really do need to stay strong.

Now.

This is the start of the infamous week 3 (and next week, week 4) - and it's very, very, VERY common for weight loss to stop - or sometimes even for people to gain slightly, even if they're following the rules.

So. You can decide to stay on Bootcamp if you want to, to help deal with this, or you could move onto Bootcamp Light, which means you can start to add some fruit, some nuts and seeds and some alcohol back into your diet.

The operative word is 'some'! All in moderation - and not at every meal, every day - because this will mean that you won't see the weight loss you want to.

There are three options:

• stay on Bootcamp
• move to Bootcamp Light
• choose a hybrid - Bootcamp during the week, Bootcamp Light at the weekend

Whatever you choose, I hope that you have a good, positive and successful week.

Another thought CognitiveDissonance - your weight loss might have stalled (and BIWI is the expert at advice) - but have you lost inches?

That's why us "oldies" at this WoE recommend so strongly measuring yourself.

There have been times when I have stalled (or fallen off and back on the wagon ) for a few months - yet I've actually lost literally inches off my waist!

No, just sling it in the oven mrsterryp tried it a couple of times only. I never have any luck with crackling on pork, tried scoring and salt. I like to cook pork long and slow and think the lower heat doesn't work for crackling.

Goodness no, you want to score it, pour a whole kettle of boiling water over it, dry it, salt it, roast the crap out of it. High to start. I use smoked salt to be fancy.

It's unusual Cognitive but not unheard of. Could there be an underlying hormonal condition such as hypothyroidism or PCOS or being near menopause? These can all make weight loss slow to non-existent at first. Since you're already feeling healthier on this way of eating I would strongly recommend finishing the ten weeks of Bootcamp before deciding low carb doesn't work for you. In the meantime make sure you're getting enough water and fat and do watch out for dairy as its effects on insulin levels can scupper weight loss for some people.

Thanks @unexpecteditem, I laughed at your coping strategy for dealing with the muffins!

Well done on your nomination @1stmrsf, enjoy your decadent sleep

I think the other thing, @CognitiveDissonance, it could just be about tweaking - a bit more fat, a little less lean protein, a few less nuts and not so many berries.

Make sure you really are following Bootcamp rules, watch your portion sizes, and up your water as much as you can.

I'm glad that you're feeling so much better, as that helps enormously!

It's also the case that if you have been switching from one diet to another (no idea if you have, but a lot of us have!) sometimes it takes a while - totally anecdotal - for your body to trust that this is the way you're going to eat and lose weight.

And as @prettybird says, it's definitely worth measuring as well as (or even instead of) weighing.

It might also be a good idea to post your daily menus here, just in case there's anything else we can identify.

Thank you all so much for your supportive replies, I will start to post my daily menus here, no idea what I'm going to eat today yet though! 😄
My portion sizes may be a little on the small side. Maybe if they were bigger, there would be even less need to snack?

Posted too soon!

I'm not near menopause to my knowledge, I'm only 33 so it would be unhappy early if I was. I don't have PCOS but I was recently diagnosed with Endometriosis.

I wish I didn't have too much to lost but I'm at least 5st over weight 😔 I'm prepared for the long road ahead as I know this WOE isn't a quick fix but it's demotivating when you feel like you've not even made a dent. I don't think I'm losing many inches but I'm now the proud wonder of a Zozo suit so I'll chuck that on this weekend and measure myself properly.

Onwards and upwards!

What's a Zozo suit?!

If you're snacking, this would suggest that you're not eating enough - but much more likely, that you're not eating enough fat.

Once you become fat-adapted, i.e. you stop burning carbs for fuel, this acts as a natural appetite suppressant, so small portions shouldn't really be an issue. But hunger between meals usually means not enough fat.

@Cognitive , just a point you may not have thought of
Losing a single lb a week for a year will be very nearly 4 stone ( hope my maths is correct )
52 lb is 3 stone 10 , so this time next year you could be in the struggling to lose the last stone brigade ( or looking slinky at target weight , even better 👍)

Combination of having to drive DH to the train station and terrible weather means that I missed my exercise class this morning. DD has a friend for a sleepover so I'm making waffles for them (and NOT eating them myself). I'm going to pack them off to the cinema later so I can go to the gym.

@CognitiveDissonance sorry I don't have the answer but could you go for a full health check to see if you are getting all the nutrients you need? Is your fibre intake good?

I now want a zozo suit!

If I could be almost 4st lighter by this time next year, I'd be delighted!

A full health check is not a bad idea. My mum suggested getting my thyroid checked out too so I'll book a GP appointment and see what happens.

A Zozo suit is this weird spotty Lycra number that works in conjunction with an app to work out your body measurements. It's actually meant for you to send the measurements to a company that makes clothes to your exact measurements but lots of people get one to help track their inches lost. It's about £4 inc postage so I thought it couldn't hurt to give it a go!

My weight loss seemed to have stalled, and I thought 'oh that's the week 3/4 effect'. But I've looked at the macros for what I've been eating, and the portion size, and I can see that my fat was getting a bit low, and carbs (even good carbs) were creeping up. So I'm back on it. And drinking lots of water.

B - Smoked Salmon Benny Bombs recipe here
L - avocado salad with cream cheese and mayonnaise
D - salmon, buttered cabbage

Is there a good way to count macros and whatnot without wanting to shoot myself?

Has anyone had a drink after doing Dry January? I was planning on giving up alcohol until half term, but could really use a glass of wine today. I need someone to tell me they feel like crap after drinking again.
Also I am very frustrated that I seem to keep losing and gaining the same pound. Not sure why. I look different, I feel different and loads of my clothes are too big. I might give up on the scales.

I had a nice big breakfast before coming to soft play but now the kids have requested lunch at pizza express. I remember it was discussed on a previous thread but I don’t have time to scroll thru the threads on my phone while there are ball pits to play in!

Does anyone remember off the top of their heads what the best options are? Salad?

@chocolateavocado99 I feel crap after drinking again!

@MrsKoala seem to remember salad without dough stick best option. Pollo (which is my fave ) has those small peppers which are high in carbs. Nicoise?

Oh thanks. I thought the chicken one would be best but I forgot about the little red things. I’m still quite full from breakfast so might just look at starters.

There is some sort of mozzarella/tomato/avocado thing I think?

Thanks @1stMrsF ! Sorry you feel crap!

I have survived the evening. Tomorrow is a new day!

Afternoon ladies!
Scales a bit up this morning, but I did have a couple of glasses of wine last night so deserve it. But it was "good" wine - relaxing in front of fire with Netflix, NOT omfg I am so stressed, standing in kitchen "bad" wine ifykwim.

late breakfast of fried up lardons, halloumi, mushrooms & spinach - really good.
Not sure what lunch will be....maybe scrambled eggs
Dinner I'm going to do creamy pork fillet with cauli mash.

Doing 20mins on/20 mins off big clean of house, drinking water in my "off" so should get through lots. My parents are coming home from Spain on Thurs (hurray) for more cancer treatment for Dad (boooo) but I'm putting them up the night they get in so want to get the house nice & welcoming for them.

Haha, I know what you mean about good wine and bad wine, AandL. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of good wine too. And the scales went down nearly 2lb on yesterday, so I’m hoping this is the end of the week 3 yoyoing (probably not though!)

Stop everything! Zozo suit? Need one of these.

Oh. Nothing on Amazon. Zozo suit, where are you?