Week 3 - October Low Carb Bootcamp - the fork in the road

[BIWitch]

Welcome!

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness for you to confess all.

So we enter the infamous week 3. Along with week 4, these are the two weeks where you are very likely to see weight loss slow or stop altogether.

Don't panic!

This is entirely normal.

But, from now on, you can also decide if you want to continue with the strict approach of Bootcamp, or if you want to take a slightly more relaxed approach - Bootcamp Light. This means that you can incorporate some nuts/seeds, and some fruits - mainly berries. Alcohol can be introduced - moderately, and only those which are low carb.

Some people choose to stay on Bootcamp, others choose to do a hybrid, so Bootcamp during the week, and Bootcamp Light at the weekend.

The choice is yours - just keep a close eye on the scales/your measurements - or however you're choosing to monitor your progress.

B: 2 eggs scrambled
Snack: 30g portion
L: eggs cheese chive mayo on spinach, tomato and cucumber (with oil). Yogurt with tsp almond butter
D: cauli rice kedgeree; always delicious.

The 30g was mixed nuts!

Intrigued to know what beef bike gear is like ???

Today's food diary:

B: mushroom omelette, creamy coffee

L: broccoli and bacon salad. Was lovely!

D: Heck sausages with roasted courgette, cherry tomatoes and green pepper

Snack: Greek yoghurt

LOADS OF WATER

venusandmars Haha! Beef Bolognese!

I was worried it was something sweaty off a saddle

Back on track after falling off the rails and into an Indian takeaway at the weekend
B Greek yoghurt ( M & S do 10%fat , which is lovely )
L buttery 2 egg omlette
D turkey breast with loads of stir fried veg ( cabbage , leek , courgette , mushrooms ) I had some slices of cheddar as a snack.
Lots of Water , Water , Water and 4 black coffees

Evening all!

Anyone testing their ketones?

Checking in, I'm reading the threads, but not getting much time to post.

Lost 1lb this week, could have been more, but had a bad day on Sunday and ate carbs, back on it straight away on Monday though, which I'm pleased about, because often once I start eating carbs I can't stop.
Still feeling tired all the time and get out of breath very easily. Had some blood tests done and shows I've got a vitamin D deficiency, so hoping supplements will give me some energy again.
Some great losses so far, keep it up everyone!

ketomeato
I don't think ketones would show up if you're drinking enough water.

On a urine test that is..

@ketomeato This way of eating is not strictly keto. It is low carb, it is higher fat, but most importantly it is about developing a really healthy, long standing way of eating and cooking and living. It's a woe (and living) which has carbs coming from healthy veg, which is based on healthy fats, good sources of proteins, very low amounts of processed food.

It is not about measuring ketosis, which is a pretty inaccurate science.

I started all of this on my own, (before discovering bootcamp) and I did test ketones with urine strips, and sometimes I still do. But if you want do this in a healthy way then the bootcamp ideals are pretty good. Don't be seduced by ketone strips which might have you adjusting your diet in a way which achieves a 'keto target' but is not balanced for the longer term. For example, an egg fast. Great for keto, would probably be good on the urine sticks, but where is the veg? where is the kind of food you can eat every day?

Having said all that, and on a personal basis, I did find keto urine sticks useful to find my own tolerances. It helped me to see how alcohol had a massive impact, how I could tolerate a little bit of beetroot, but no amount of flour - even though the beetroot had more carbs than the flour..

Ultimately, measuring ketones becomes useless anyway, because as you become fat-adapted you excrete less ketones in your urine. Blood tests are the only way to know, and that's all quite expensive and extreme.

Nineteen votes now for our witch with the broom stick.

I’ve just voted too

2lbs! 2lbs!!!

After nothing for the last week or so.

I'm still surprised by this lurching around with losses, though really should be used to it by now.

Am now just 3lbs away from next target/into next stone bracket. At which point I will buy a celebratory bottle of wine. then put it in the cupboard because I haven't reached the next goal

What can I bake with coconut flour? Bought a bag on impulse but now I'm at a loss for what to use it for.

Thanks venusandmars. You're right, with hindsight there were loads of things that set me off including angry toddler, going out for the day with no food plans, big argument with a family member but also a bit of "oh well I've lost it fairly pain-free so sod it". I had half an avocado before I left the house so not hungry and will be strong-minded at lunch and bring my own tomorrow. I feel fine now, back on track as it were. But thanks, next time I feel emotional I mustn't reach for the cupboard!

Thankyou nononon and Venus and Mars. That makes sense.

I DID it! I DID IT

And I LIKED IT

buttered coffee that is! Dont know what you were all thinking! Finally got over the EWWWWW factor and yum. It like creamy coffee but not so rich so I like it BETTER! YAY had one this morning before leaving the house and not hungry yet!

B- butter coffee
L - Salad and deli meats
D - New recipe - Cheesy sausage and cabbage Casserole!

I'm looking forward to it as it has smoked sausage in it which is YUM! Hopefully its a keeper recipe.

Not drunk hardly any water yet so must catch up.

WA-WA-WATER!

Well done AthelstaneTheWhooooo!

I like the idea of rewarding your success at each stage :) (so far the capitals in my diary- 'REACHED' - have had to work for me.)

venusandmars - Did it matter which kind of alcohol you consumed? (Asking for a friend.)
-I agree with much you say on choosing a sustainable diet, though I've seen people successfully use egg-fasts etc. to get things moving in a short-term part of a long-term plan.

Things do change. I baked a squidgy date-cake for my DH yesterday. (He is a great supporter of my efforts, but bone-thin himself.)

The cake is in the cupboard and although I wouldn't have minded a slice, it isn't burning a hole in the back of my mind in the way that cupboarded-treats used to. It is there - but not for me as it would mess with my appetite and happy feelings.

It is exciting to be the kind of person who has uneaten shareables in the cupboard when unexpected guests arrive :)

can I bake with coconut flour? Bought a bag on impulse but now I'm at a loss for what to use it for.

I have a keto cookbook and a lot of recipes, particularly desserts, have coconut flour in them. Tiramisu for example. Do you want me to post a few?

It is exciting to be the kind of person who has uneaten shareables in the cupboard when unexpected guests arrive

I used to think the height of sophistication and adulthood was having a drinks cabinet (child of the 70s!) because you importantly HADN'T DRUNK all the booze when stumbling home with your mates from a night out. I suppose being able to keep cake and biscuits is the same! I've now had chocolate in my office and home for weeks without eating it. I do smell it sometimes.

I love the way this woe changes people’s relationships with and reliance on food.

Thanks MrsTP. Does the book have any savoury recipes? I actually don't have much of a sweet tooth.

Although at this time of year I am starting to miss hot chocolate!

I used to think the height of sophistication and adulthood was having a drinks cabinet

It is!

For reasons I can’t remember, my husband and I threw a cocktail party where guests arrived with a Hostess Gift of spirits rather than the more typical wine/beer.

We still have many many bottles on a shelf in the garage, sixteenths years later. That’s our height of sophistication.

WATER! WATER! WATER!

And don’t just look at that and think “yes, I should have some,” actually drink up and refill. NOW.