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.

@ShagMeRiggins I was the same in October. I wanted to be focused but had so much going on my brain wouldn't allow it.

I put on weight this week but I know why as was at a family event where I couldn't cook so made best decisions I could. 🤷‍♀️

Lying in bed full of cold now and not sure what I will eat today as husband cooking. It should be close to ok as he's going to try and cook according to the plan. I'm going to give myself a break today and start afresh tomorrow.

Drinking lots of water though - which is easy to do when your blocked nose makes you dehydrated!

After going up during the week, I stayed exactly the same as last Monday. Week 4 though so I am keeping the faith.

I'd better lose this week...

Is anyone else wasting far less food on this WOE?

I think it's because I have a meal in the evening and then leftovers the following day. I'm not explaining it well, but, by way of example, I had prawn and vegetable curry yesterday with cauliflower rice and then used the leftover curry for lunch today with a couple of eggs added to make an omelette/frittata thingy.

Might also have something to do with the fact that starchier carbs (chips- I'm looking at you) don't re-heat very well so get binned (and that we have permission to have burgers for breakfast).

@SlinkyDinkyDoo DH made a lovely stew last week in the slow cooker. Browned chunks of steak (including the fat!) with shallots on the 15 minute setting, then added courgette, aubergine, spinach, mushrooms, kale (all needed using) with stock and seasoning (I have chilli in everything atm). Just did it for a few hours and added thick cream and a bit of cheese near the end. It should work with any veg really. Depends on whether you're bothered about "wasting" sirloin in a stew...

That sounds nice nowlook alas no slow cooker here. I could do it in the oven of course but I've left it a bit late now for a slow cook casserole as dc will be home soon and I will have child shaped things to do can't be arsed to get off the sofa

pleased with another 1lb off as week 3 for me plus have had a cold and TOTM! . Feel on an even keel and def have a flatter stomach. Looking forward to the coming week and to gradual losses throughout Feb. Well done to all those losing and hope those who didnt have such a good week havent been put off by the blip.

What about a stroganoff type thing @slinky?

@SlinkyDinkyDoo strips of steak quickly fried and then served with a mushroom sauce (keep the steak warm while you fry mushrooms and use shallots/garlic/cream/boursin/philadelphia with worcestershire sauce/mustard to season and add the rested steak juices too) served over spinach or stir fried spring greens/whatever you have?

Ah, that is a bugger about the swede!! Oh well, I'll just have to throw myself into buttery mushrooms and cheesy leeks....

Nowlook I'm wasting less food as well, although in my case it's because I'm no longer thinking/saying "fuck it, let's have pizza" . In fact I'm probably saving money by both not buying crap to eat and not wasting the food I should have eaten.

@MrsF I am so having that mushroom sauce with my chicken thighs tonight! Right up my street, so thanks.

According to the Tesco website, swedes are 2.3g/100g carbs, so I'll go with that especially as I have a giant portion of buttery swede mash on Saturday night

Oh yes could do thatmrsf. Although still feeling a bit under the weather so might just have a very gooey cheese omelette tonight.

Can anyone advise on swede 'chips' do they crisp up or is it just essentially boiled swede in chip shape?

@SlinkyDinkyDoo my favourite way to have steak is grilled/pan fried then sliced into strips on a plate that's had a good smear green pesto, covered with rocket, flaked Parmesan, Pine nuts and lots of olive oil. Yum.

@nowlook glad it appeals! There's a creamy lemony sauce receipe idea I've posted on the meat recipes thread too (with pork in that instance, but would go well with chicken too).

Food today
L - avocado, smoked salmon and hardboiled egg
D - beef chilli (made with shallots and chorizo and without beans) served with salad for me/DH and with tacos and rice and sweetcorn for DCs. Bit of cheese on top I think too.
Water - 3l so far so a couple of glasses this evening and a sleepy tea at bedtime will smash it

Do you think smoked salmon would work in a frittata?

2.9lb loss over weeks 3&4 which isn’t too bad I suppose. One thing I am curious about, @BIWI, is if soup by itself isn’t a good thing on this WOE? I’ve been having curried cauliflower or broccoli and Stilton soup for lunch most days just by itself. There’s obviously cheese and cream in the latter but only a bit of cream in the former (just dilutes the taste a bit too much). Should I be adding anything to my lunches? Just concerned that usually I’d have meat, coleslaw, spinach and something like mayonnaise as well but it’s too cold frankly atm!

@1stMrsF Definitely! I had a smoked salmon omelette last week with cream cheese and dill. Was lovely. It would also make a decent soufflé or (if you're weird about warm smoked salmon), just have it with some scrambled eggs.

I do think salmon would work in a frittata, MrsF. I think salmon and eggs in most forms is sublime.

m0therofdragons thank you, that made me feel better. I’m suffering from a bit of self-loathing at the moment. Just so fucking angry with myself. I know how to do this, I have no problem eating properly and avoiding all the sugar etc, so why am I not taking care of myself all the time?! Pfft

ChangoMutney the Idiot Proof Diet recipe for Thai Beef Salad is gorgeous. I’ll see if I can dig it up.

WhatThreeWords thinking of you.

tootstastic 45 minutes on a treadmill at the fastest speed you can walk without running, and (working up to being) on an incline will give you excellent cardio benefits. Equal to running in the sense of being the cardio your body needs. Running obviously goes a step further, but for basic heath goals, brisk walking does the trick.

SlinkyDinkyDoo through some trial and error I've managed to get my swede chips to mostly crisp. I chip my swede and put them in a freezer bag, melt a good dollop of lard (other fats are available), pour it into the bag and give it a really good shake to try to evenly coat. Then in the oven at 200 for 20-30 minutes. Any remaining in the bag freeze really well and act as an excellent substitute for oven chips. My husband is not enamoured with them, but I'm frankly an addict, especially well salted with a good dollop of mayonnaise!!

Every time I'm tempted by the remaining Christmas chocolate I keep reminding myself that I can't have them if I want to keep having the above, eating mushrooms swimming in butter and drinking cream topped coffee.

That second paragraph sounds a wee bit sanctimonious. It was only meant as pure appreciation for the delicious food in currently eating!! Especially as me and willpower usually aren't on good terms!!

Notlostjustexploring how do swede chips compare with celeriac chips? I'm not a huge fan of the celeriac ones hence I ask

Having a good day ( 👍)
Late breakfast / brunch of avocado omlette
D aubergine ratatouille type with philly and cheddar on top and some cauliflower rice , green salad
Loads of water , and small bowl of berries as a snack ( tasted so sweet )

Another 2lbs off. Haven't been feeling very hungry, so much easier to resist the sweet stuff that is normally my downfall. I am struggling to drink the water though, will try the biwi method of always having a glassful near me

Oh GOD mimosa I can almost taste that, sounds delicious. Must put pesto on the shopping list.

Thanks for swede info. I like it mashed so as 'chips' would be fine. Wonder if they would work with a coating like paprika?

Weirdly, despite gaining an lb this week, my engagement ring is now feeling really loose, and keeps spinning around. Now wondering if the scales need new batteries.