Week 4 - May Low Carb Bootcamp - time to KOKO!

[BIWI]

Morning all

Hopefully there will be some losses to record on the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness but please don't be disheartened if you didn't lose (or even see a small gain.

Weeks 3 & 4 are notorious for this. Your body is getting used to the new regime, but if you stick to it, then you should see things get moving again from next week.

If you are struggling, make sure that you are following Bootcamp rules to the letter; consider whether or not dairy is an issue for you - and if you've moved to Bootcamp Light then perhaps consider going back to Bootcamp for another week or so?

Whatever the case, don't develop a case of the fuckits and jump head first into the biscuits. That's the only way to guarantee that you will gain weight!

@IStillMissBlockbuster I'm 5'4.5" tall and was 11st 10lbs in January. My goal is 9st 4lbs but mini goal is 9st 7lbs and I might decide that's enough.

Morning campers thank you for the good sleep vibes Sidelines and MrsTP - the last time I checked the time, it was 2:30 and fell asleep shortly after that so looking time of your post I would say the lullaby worked MrsTP! Get thee to a recording studio for some bedtime LC insomnia audio. This time next year...

At home today, so hopefully going to reunite with old my old eggy friends for lunch and help sort appetite.

I’m 5’2.5 - interesting that your goal is 9.12 Rshard... I have wondered what ‘mine’ will look like. At our sort of height it could almost be 2 stones lighter. I also think I will suit heavier though so have been roughly aiming for 9.7. Will know more as I approach it. Body quite likes being 11.7 at the mo so it might be a while before I find out

Oh and ‘nunchucks’ = munchy

And I didn’t eat anything in the end. Lack of options helped rather. Must go shopping today, haven’t stocked up since half-term and that’s never a good thing. I kept at the water instead so I’d better bloody be rewarded this week!

Morning all.

I'm 5'8 (having somehow gained an extra half inch ) and my current weight of 11.10 puts me just at a healthy BMI. I'd like to be comfortably within the healthy range though, so 11 stone would be good, 10.7 even better. I can't visualise myself as any thinner. That's the least I've weighed as an adult.

In terms of exercise, I try to swim 2-3 kilometres a week (don't always manage it) and attend Pilates classes twice a week. I'm not a naturally athletic person, but I'm quite proud of how far I've come in the few months since I decided to get fit.

@MrsTaytodarling (you need to change that user name!!!) Welcome. Don't worry about that mistake - it's inevitable that these things will happen from time to time. Unless you had a massive bowlful of it, I'm sure it won't be too bad.

@ShagMeRiggins - there are signs that the NHS are gradually recognising the benefits of a low carb (or at least a low sugar) WOE. But I'm shocked that she couldn't answer your cholesterol question though! Thank goodness for @StuntNun who is a complete (sorry - no emoji for 'total expert')

@reeboIsMySpiritAnimal I hate it when that happens! And it's all too easy to do - with ageing eyes I often find it really difficult, if not impossible, to read the details on the back of the pack, and missing that oh-so-important decimal point is very easy to do. In the great scheme of things, especially with the rest of your day, I'm sure it will be fine

@Rayna37 - I know you're not far from target, but honestly you really shouldn't need a pre-race snack as your body will have more than sufficient fuel in its fat reserves. Have you read 'The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance'? If not, I really recommend it - it explains (through the authors own research and experiments) how even elite/endurance athletes have sufficient body fat to sustain their levels of exercise. But I hope the race goes (or went!) well for you!

@Nameusernameuser what a lovely mum you have!

@Notlostjustexploring that sounds really tough Good on you for hanging on though. Can you prepare a 'snack tray' for yourself - chunks of cheese, some cut up low carb sausage, olives - so you have something easy to hand? Re the veg - one of my favourite sides is tenderstem broccoli, roasted in the oven, with olive oil and sea salt. Sometimes I do it with a couple of sliced shallots, and/or some crushed chilli flakes. Takes 15-20 minutes in a hot oven. (You need to watch it because the florets can go from lovely and crispy/crunchy to charcoal very quickly!)

@chocolateavocado99

I can't do it now! But I start my training sessions (with my PT) after my warm-up with a 2 minute plank, so that's become - almost! - routine. We mix it up later in the session with hip-touch or reach-through or superman planks. Occasionally a walking plank, which is tough!

@18pagesfrontandback

Love the Lengthened Calves, High Forehead bootcamp. If that would add another 4 inches to my height I'd be delighted Sorry about the insomnia - I had that both Monday and Tuesday. Both varieties. Fell asleep easily on Monday but then wide away from 2-4am. Tuesday just couldn't get to sleep till 2, then woke again at 4. I hate it. Being alcohol-free seems to exacerbate it for me, which isn't great

@m0therofdragons Yay! Your perseverance has paid off!

@venusandmars

I don't exercise to loose weight (I think that is a very tough thing to do) but to keep myself supple and moving

You're spot on with this. I was really shocked when I did the C25K and realised how few calories you burn running for half an hour - around 320 from memory - and it's so, so easy to eat or drink those calories back. Especially as there's also a psychological element here that doesn't help. "I've been to the gym so I deserve a treat" mentality really doesn't help! Plus, of course, more exercise means we can increase our hunger levels.

That said, I really need to get in to the habit of doing more exercise. I have two PT sessions a week, but it's not really enough. I belong to a cardio gym, but just don't go . It's class-based, so I can't just go when I want, and I also don't really like cardio! DH is a committed runner and is nagging me to go back to that, but it's getting through the initial pain barrier that's a problem. Plus, I know that there's not much point doing it unless I commit to doing it regularly, and there's a part of my very stubborn, childish brain that's stamping its feet and refusing to get my arse off the sofa.

Right! I started today with 30 day shred DVD, day4 and boiled eggs mashed with spring onion and mayo. This ok?

Notlostjustexploring
I’ve just done my online shop and inspired bu 18pages have added some frozen veg, they had frozen onions, shallots, leeks,green beans, mushroom medley, cauliflower rice and spinach.
I’ve bunged a load in my basket and so willreport back on how I found them. I’m all for ease of prep and having stuff as a fall back in the freezer will definitely help. The other thing I have done is to order some easy veg (potatoes stuff) for hubby and family so that I can make that prep a bit quicker, thus freeing energy to deal with the celaric etc.
I did pop into Lakeland yesterday and have purchased a sharp peel on the recommendation of the lovely lady there, so will report back if it’s any good, we bonded over the difficulties in preparing celaric 😀

*rather than willpower

I’ve got dogs so weather permitting I get about 1.5hrs dog walking in a day. But am another who when working at home all day, if the weather is bad and walks don’t happen/massively reduced, I can end up on barely a few thousand steps. So I can be either 3k-ish or 20+k! It’s usually however, around the 13k mark.

I did join a gym a little while ago with the intention of regularly attending some of the yoga/body balance classes and using gym for strength training. But for one reason or another (and a fair amount of excuses if I’m being honest) I haven’t properly got going with it yet. As with a lot of things, I’m one extreme or the other; when I’m good, I’m good. Getting started is a whole other issue though - need to find my mojo.

If the scale gods want to reward me on Mon then I pledge an oath before these here witnesses that I will rectify this and will start going regularly just as soon as my yet to start period has finished

BIWI same. I think I underestimated how much wine was helping me switch off. Having been mostly ‘dry’ since Jan, recently I’ve let it slip in a few times. Inc during half-term. I’m thinking between that and hormones my body is a bit out of sync. Need to start a bedtime bootcamp. I was going up at 9-9:30 for a while, to allow for any drifting off issues and try to get my 8 hrs in as am up at 6 to walk dogs and help minimise chance of snacking

Greeboismyspiritanimal you are just like me! I’m 5’8 and aiming for about 10’10

Started at just over 12 stone, hovering at 11,6 at the moment

Agree with all above on roast veg, they are an absolute game changer. Broccoli especially delicious. Asparagus spears griddled instead of cooked in water are also lovely

NSV got into some jeans this morning and considered wearing them butvrealised they would just be too uncomfortable. Soon!

Bf was a ham and mushroom omelette in a greasy spoon

Ooh I’ve not tried frozen onions or shallots. You might find the mushrooms release a lot of water though, so allow for that in whatever you’re cooking.

My frozen staples that I buy several bags of each at a time, are: spinach, frozen green/fine beans, sprouts.

Green beans and sprouts for roasting. Chilli flakes on sprouts with salt and olive oil is yum. But can take a while to cook. Nuking first would also speed this up. Though have to watch with sprouts because they get carby quickly if you like eating them by the bowlful

Spinach fab in everything from omelettes to getting your greens into sauces. I like chucking loads into curries or ‘pasta’ type sauces.

I used to like the frozen butternut squash chunks from Aldi. Similarly pita to prep as celeriac. Unfortunately not the most low carb friendly option so it’s off the list. Good roasted in any of the usual suspects though - oil, salt, garlic, chilli, cumin, smoked paprika.

The theme with a lot of my cooking is min prep (fresh or frozen), bung in oven or pan fry, multiple veg dishes - nobody in the house misses carbs when the variety and taste of veg is so good.

I made a salt and chilli cauli dish last weekend. Added some ropey looking spring onions towards end (sliced). Was lovely, really good slightly crispy from oven, but equally yum cold the next day.

Sorry for the epic waffling

We use loads of different frozen veg and we keep a good variety on hand at all times. Frozen onion is great. Mushrooms do release a lot of water so you need to cook them off for a while. I love having a great choice of various veg on hand that I can throw into an omelette, it makes lunches so much easier. We have tried so many and most are very good. The only ones I’m not so keen on are the med veg mixes. I’ve even frozen cherry tomatoes so that I have them available when I only want a few.

@MrsTaytodarling that sounds perfect. My only caution is about linking your exercise to your eating. Yes, do your SHRED if you can, but beware of the mindset that whispers: "I've not done the shred, this is a bad day, so I might as well eat some chocolate / crisps / toast / whatever"

Key thing is to always eat low carb, and then add in whatever exercise you can manage.

@18pagesfrontandback My gym is 5,000 steps away from my house. When I go for a swim or a pilates class, it is more as a destination for my step count with a 'relaxation' reward at the end of it - no pounding up and down the pool, but a gentle stretch for 20 minutes and some time in the jacuzzi . I go more often now that I walk than I did when I drove - bizarre!

@venusandmars thanks. I know exactly what your saying....willpower willpower

Re: butternut squash. I don't peel it, just roast it in chunks with its skin on. Mostly the skin is tender enough to eat, if not it's easy to scrape the flesh away.

Agree with veg in the oven with olive oil and butter, or packed in with meat and slow cooked. Cauli - rice in the oven with oil and spices, whole tomatoes in oil roasted in the oven.

My word the thread is busy this morning!

to height and goal weight twin notwatching

9”7 was the lowest I’ve been as an adult 18pages, but that was 11 years ago and I’m not sure my face can take it now I’m 45. Would rather carry a couple of extra pounds to save mynfact ifykwim? I would look awful at the lower end of our BMI scale!

Exercise, so impressed to read how much people do. I was really into my running this time last year but am very much lapsed, keep having half arsed attempts to get back into it. I might have a go at the plank challenge, 6 minutes though BIWI - hardcore!

Congratulations to those who have hit goals or had NSVs! 💐👍

I haven't really been very active this week, had a bereavement end of last week, dove face first into snacks & then had 3 night shifts!
But I stuck to my plan on my night shifts and ended them under 11st which is a massive victory for me!
Hoping to be well within the 10st bracket on Monday when I log my weight. I didn't log Monday just gone as I didn't actually know when to weigh myself, before/after shift etc.
Today so far I've had some asparagus wrapped in prosciutto ham & fried in butter & garlic, absolutely delicious, my favourite breakfast by far!! Haven't had any lunch yet as not hungry but I have some leftover chilli & broccoli for when I do get hungry. Dinner is pork chops with some stir fried veg 😊

1st breakfast mug hot almond milk.
2nd breakfast/brunch 3 leftover spicy chicken wings

Bit hungry now but dinner will be early so going to try and ride it.

Dinner will be cottage pie with a sweet mash topping.

And possibly an almond milk chai tea which @StuntNun has reminded me I like and really enjoyed last night after not having had one for ages.

Water slightly down the last couple of days as I've been in meetings but trying hard.

Everyone's meals look so delicious. I feel a bit stuck in a rut but it always feels quicker to do the familiar. I think I need to determine to try one new dish a week. Also definitely going to stock up my frozen veg, I can especially see how useful it would be with omelettes, frittata type things.

Not a sweet mash topping, bloody autocorrect. A swede (otherwise known as neeps or turnip depending on where you live, I'm referring to the orange one) mash topping.

Loving all the vegetable tips, I'm also a big fan of roasting veg, particularly cauliflower, broccoli and asparagus, they all taste much better than when boiled/steamed. I tend to do a double batch of whatever veg im doing, so there are always leftovers, which makes the next days meal quicker to do. Also do the same with potatoes for the rest of the family, big batch of roast potatoes at the weekend or bag of new potatoes boiled so don't have to do extra prep/cooking for them. Frozen mashed potato is an amazing time saver too!

@nameuser - your mum sounds adorable!

@mother - YAAAASSS well done that lady!

Just skim read so I'll be back later. However I took a photo earlier that I thought I would share. I said earlier bout my "2nd pair of boobs" and I think this photo illustrates what I was talking about... and the subsequent disappearance!!! I've shocked myself!

Thanks for the reminder Sitting I forgot I bought some chai teabags. I've been cutting down on caffeine after reading the book Caffeine Blues and realising that was why I was tired all the time. I'm now down to three caffeinated drinks per day from about 12 so each one has to be top notch! I'm not looking forward to cutting down to two but I suspect my DH will leave me if I give up caffeine entirely so I'm sure I'll keep having some tea or coffee every day.

@Youwanapizzame wow, looking amazing!

I've treated myself to a new dress to wear for seeing P!nk and a handbag for holiday. Now to motivate myself to go back into work when I'm the only one on my team in today!

I think I need to step away from my 2 coffees and 4 teas. Need a replacement but herbal teas just don't cut it. I've moved from lattes to Americano with a dash of milk.

Pizza that’s really impressive!
M0ther you’re at my goal weight, still a stone to go for me sadly.
I also have shrunk an inch to 5’3 yet gained in weight! Lowest post dcs was 9st2 yet I spent all my time wishing I was under 9, now late 40’s I’ll settle for 9st 13. I also suspect anything under 9st 10 will start to not suit me now.

Blockbuster I'm 5'3" and have a very small frame ("small-boned"!) so look better towards the lower end of my healthy BMI range of 7st 6lb to 10st 1lb. I was just under 10st at the start of last year, 3 months after having my baby and it felt huge on me Also if I need size 14s then the sleeves are always too long, as though I've suddenly grown taller not just fatter! I had largely low-carbed for some time but found boot camp gave me "rules" which helped me back to pre-pregnancy weight.

I'm within a sniff of my official target of 120lbs (nice round number one lb over 8 and a half stone) but really would like to be closer to 8 stone; however I'm not sure if I can be arsed to be as strict long term as that would require. I want to eat toast a couple of times a week, have chips with my steak if I want them and the occasional dessert. I expect I'll spend the second half of bootcamp getting back to 120lbs after my holiday but if I can go a bit lower and see how it feels, excellent.

So, a slightly different experience for me here than some of you but I think important to illustrate (especially for those of you really new to it) that I choose this WOE as I genuinely think it's optimum for health, not as some mad cap short-term weight loss plan. It's been years since I've cooked pasta or rice at home and I can't imagine a return to it.