Summer Low Carb Bootcamp - at last the finishing line!

[BIWI]

Isn't 10 weeks a long time!

The Spreadsheet of Fabulousness is here one last time

Although this is the last official weigh-in, this thread will stay up for general chat/support until the next Bootcamp - probably in October.

I hope everyone has a good 'final' result.

Every Bootcamp is different, but this one has, I have to say, been remarkably well behaved . I've lost the Big Stick somewhere in the back of a cupboard!

While I know you're all here and reading because I know people don't read all the posts if you want to take the opportunity to meet @ShagMeRiggins (and me) for a lighthearted Bootcamp style & beauty event probably with gin thrown in for good measure send me a PM!

Makes me wonder why I bother.

BIWI I could write a lengthy blog-style post in response to this (and did so after the last Bootcamp), but in the meantime do you mind sending me a link to the reddit thread? PM if this breaks any MN rules, please.

I’m not planning to respond, I’d simply like to understand the criticism.

Actually, I’ve been writing much more “blog” stuff during the Summer holidays (I don’t have a blog, just taking a bit of a break from fiction and collecting my brain and thoughts), and having several Bootcamp/weight loss/health both mental and physical ruminations. Might share here at some point. We are all a work in progress, or should be.

1Wildheartsease, what? (wasn’t me!)

Hello, been off the thread for a couple of weeks as a result of a combination of factors, all of which are inter-related. Cheating, and we're having to look after another 2 children due to family illness, and my long-running work stress situation is still ongoing. Anyway, I'm 0.4kg up which isn't too bad, but I need to change the direction.

@m0therofdragons good to see you back - I hope all is well with your DH.

@venusandmars crikey, that salted water kept thread! I couldn't bring myself to reply, but I saw a few brave posters from here offering their tuppence.

@BIWI fuck 'em on Reddit. Bootcamp isn't compulsory, so if someone isn't happy they can fuck off to the far side of fuck find another weight loss programme that suits them better, more than likely one that they have to pay for, rather than bitching about you on another forum. I'm so grateful to the effort you and everyone else puts into the threads. I find it such a supportive community.

Oh fuck it, BIWI, I’ll go ahead and tell you why you bother:

Because I’m 50lb down on where I was two years ago.

Because everyone who comes here gets bloody delicious recipe ideas and can expand her knowledge of food and nutrition, and eat better.

Because umpteen participants have come off meds for diabetes and cholesterol.

Because some participants have lost 100 lbs and some have lost 10, and they’re all healthier and happier because of it, not to mention mote confident and therefore able to give the best part of themselves back into the world, and who knows what amazing things that could lead to?

Because you’ve encouraged thousands over the years to educate themselves and listen to their own bodies and acted as a guide to their own independence of thought and decision-making, their autonomy.

Because you’ve created a community that included experts, and which happened organically, and which continues to grow new leaders and experts who have helped others.

Because you welcome everyone, at any time, without question or need for “earning one’s place” in the group before one is heard.

Because it’s fucking FUN to share life with others, even online, and if that fun can be achieved as part of a process which is inherently challenging for many, then it’s a goddamn VICTORY in life.

Ffs, I could go on...

You do go on

But thanks. TBH I need to woman up and ignore it.

WATER, WATER, WATER!

I was running an event yesterday and I had to walk away from the lunch-time chat about low-carb eating (it would have been unprofessional of me to give my true opinion of the utter bollocks that was being talked).
Stuff like:
"it's not really a diet for women, it only seems to suit men because they like meat and not salad"
"the food is really boring"
"you can't eat out anywhere"
"I thought it was a bit extreme, so I tried it for one meal a day, but it didn't work for me and I didn't lose any weight."
"It worked for me, I lost 3 stone but as soon as I went back to normal eating, I put the weight back on." the normal eating that would include a burger in a bun, an accompaniment of pasta salad and a can of fizzy juice
"It is proven to be unhealthy. You're better with a meal replacement plan."
"You can't exercise if you're on a low-carb diet"
"Everyone needs a little treat now and again" (from someone who has a 'little treat' in the form of a chocolate bar at least twice a day).
"It's just a fad, there will be something else along soon."

I was just wishing I had BIWI's big stick to bash them with. You do an amazing job here. Having BC several times a year means that there's always the opportunity for a fresh start, and a return to the basic principles and rules. I'm a bit of a foodie and this is one of the best food and recipe forums that I've been on. There's always something to tempt me, or inspire me. It's not just weekend or special occasion cooking, there are delicious ideas every day and for every meal. I really look forward to trying out some of the dishes, sometimes I even wish I was hungrier so that I could eat 5 delicious meals a day! In fact I find on this way of eating that my portion size is smaller. Today I was planning to have a butter coffee after lunch. But a salad with egg mayonnaise has filled me up, so I'll just be drinking water, water, water.

biwi and a huge thank you

Luvs ya, BIWI

ATTENTION ALL LOW CARB WILDLINGS

If you live north of the wall, and could spend an hour in Glasgow fairly easily, there's a very sweet young man based at the hospital looking for volunteers for data to finish his PhD on the effects of a low carb diet.

His cup runneth over with normal-diet participants, but he's struggling to get up to the 50 low carbers he needs to start his analysis - only on 44 at the moment.

It's about 1 hour of in-depth dietary questions, and some tests and measurements. I for example, was delighted to find that my hand grip strength (as a 47 year old female) was not only stronger than his, but equal to that of the average 30 year old man.

Clearly, one does not wither away when one stops eating potato.

PM me if you think you could help him out, and I'll give you his contact details.

Oh, and apparently there's a £10 voucher in it for you as well, only I was so interested in the goings-on I forgot to ask about it.

I've pm'd you Athelstane I've massively reduced my blood pressure and no longer take bp meds. Is that the kind of thing they'd be interested in?

Lovely dinner of 2 low carb sausages then pan fried shallot, mushroom, courgette and tomato. For some reason I haven't had courgette for ages and I love them.

I've done quite well today. Bacon and egg for breakfast. Had a playdate today for the DC so just had cut up chorizo and cheese etc with salad. Dinner was Cauliflower rice (excellent) and home made chicken tikka massala

I'm really struggling to drink enough water though so need to up that massively

Also - I really do need coffee. Tried it with some double cream but it went all sort of bobbly in the cup and I ended up with a layer of fat basically. That was double cream so am hoping single would be better or am I missing something.....? Any tips much appreciated!

Gobbolin do you have a hand held blender? Blend the cream and coffee (or even better blend butter and coffee - honestly you wouldn't know it wasn't creamy milk…). In the 70's there was an art to pouring double cream onto coffee so it sat in a layer on the top (and you drank your hot coffee through cold cream) but it all feels a bit 'Abagail's Party' now and I can hear Demis Roussos in the background even as I type....

B eggs and coffee
water
L Roasted kale and olive oil - avocado with tuna mayo
water
D spaghetti-squash bolognese with cheese and cheese/cumin crackers (made for me by my son who thinks BIWI is amazing.)
tea
water

Sorry ShagMeRiggins - it was Sittingonthesidelines who remarked on the unusual flavours that were apparently twinned with my water. (I don't know why but I associate you with water!)

@BIWI bless you. There's probably a more scientific or appropriate response and I ain't no psychotherapist so I suggest fingers in your ears with "lalala" as an approach to twunts on the interntet. I will say I'm tired of the mainstream response to LCHF. But I think the world is turning. Slowly. The NHS in particular is a slow barge to stop and turn around. Uneducated folks are engrained with "no food group should be excluded ". Er we don't. But scientific evidence is massively starting to build and mainstream media starting to take notice. The health effects of the anti inflammatory effects of LC etc are hitting pod casts etc. What I mean is, ignore the bastards on the Internet. MN in general is an exercise in eye rolling. Take comfort here and stand tall! X

Oh and small victories but I haven't had thrush in 2 years thanks to BC!

Hi all.
I've been lurking for a while. School holidays end next week and routine beckons, yah.
FLGV has just not been possible, but I've managed not to gain my bootcamp losses. I've loved my Summer clothes and tons of compliments.
BIWI THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I don't know what Reddit it , but it sounds like I'm as well off.
I intend to get back on plan next week.
Question: When is the next Bootcamp starting? I'm keen.

venus - thank you for that tip! We have a milk frother that heats milk too so I just put the cream in there and it worked a charm. Phew - that was a worry as I have 3 under 6 and I need proper coffee!

I need to do some research as I am so indoctrinated in "standard" healthy eating that the amount of fat I am eating is quite disconcerting. Plus I want to be able to counter concerns of well meaning family members as my dad had a mild heart attack earlier this year and has been told to avoid sat fat etc. I'm going to go back through the threads as already picked up useful info just from looking at this one

Today I need to focus on drinking water.

Hope everyone has a good day - thanks for the help so far

Just been to my local post office and the smell of bacon...
She asked if I wanted a bacon barm, I said no, low carb thanks. Their sausages and bacon etc are all local and high meat content, free range organic eggs etc

"Oh I can do you a tray? Bacon, sausage, egg and we do mushrooms cooked in butter? You can have fried or scrambled egg, I'll do it cheaper minus the toast" and she offered coffee with cream
SOLD

B: coffee with cream x2
eggs
water

PLAN:
L: leftover cauli/halloumi curry -as soup
water
rosehip tea

D: salmon steak
broccoli in olive oil and garlic
roasted butternut squash
cabbage with butter
water
peppermint tea

I like the sound of your post office @YesQueen.

@NigellaAwesome it's a great business idea really (they do breakfasts/buffers etc)
Workmen stop for a cold drink and are lured into food by the smell of bacon

Very lazy tea
Left over garlic and herb chicken
Bag of cabbage and leek, melted butter, shoved it in a pan with lid on, tipped in some cream and a tiny bit of whole grain mustard. Surprisingly nice

I feel hellish. 😭. I'm not sure if the amount of fat I have been eating really doesn't agree with my stomach but I feel really sick. Am desperate for some toast to settle it and feel really tearful. Is this normal?! Am two and a half days in

I am

Some people suffer from carb-flu. Your body is using up it's stores of glycogen and it can take a couple of days to adjust. It is really, really important to drink lots of water, you may be a little dehydrated. The rules pages shows how much you should drink, depending on your weight.

Sometimes a drink of bouillon can help too to balance your electrolytes. I found ice-cold soda water with a squeeze of lemon helped too. But based on another thread DO NOT, DO NOT DO NOT drink salted water.

The good news is that by sticking to it and drinking LOTS of water, you will get through and out the other side fairly quickly. Then your body will really start using fat as a fuel. If you have a piece of toast you will reload your body with glucose and have to go through it again.

Only you can tell whether this is a virus (in which case ignore the above) or whether you think it's related to what you're eating. The great thing about BootCamp proper is that others are often going through the same thing at the same time, and can support you and share tips.

If you keep going now, you'll have a head-start and be glowing and wonderful by the time October bootcamp starts.