Low Carb Bootcamp Ordinaire - Week 3

[BIWI]

Morning all!

The start of a brand new week. Hopefully it will be a better week - emotionally/psychologically - for us all.

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness for you to record your progress.

Hopefully we've all had a good couple of weeks, food and weight wise.

Be warned that we're now in week 3. Many, many, many low carbers (not just Bootcampers) find that the weight loss can slow or stop in this week (and also week 4)

If this happens to you DON'T PANIC! If you've been losing so far, then you know it works. Just KOKO (keep on keeping on) and things will get going again soon.

Good luck to us all [ flowers]

Linmet one of my secret dreams is macaroni cheese but with our LC cheese sauce. I think it would be A-MA-ZING!

@Ifeelfat

BIWI, when bootcamp is over, can we continue with lchf during the week and relax it at weekends, or will this mess everything up?

^ This. I’m interested too, thinking ahead. Although I’m loving this now I know myself and that I get ‘bored’ almost. It’s mainly the wine though tbf. I suspect that BIWI will say we kind of stay on boot camp lite. No point in going ‘back’ to our old WOE as that’ll just pile it on again.
22 days AF now thanks to boot camp, haven’t don’t that since I was pregnant 17 years ago!

It's entirely up to you. I assume, though, that you mean after the whole 5 weeks and not just after this week?

Just understand that if you do this, you will slow down your weight loss - and it goes without saying that it you overdo it, you'll gain weight again.

When I first started low carbing, properly, this was exactly the approach I took - Indian takeaway on Friday (although I usually swerved the rice), re-introduced wine, or g&t. I generally avoided most of the obvious carbs, but had the occasional roast potato/Yorkshire pudding if we went out for Sunday lunch.

It made it a lot easier to be so relaxed - BUT it did take me a long time to lose 2 stones.

I'd say stick to the 5 weeks of Bootcamp, and then make a decision as to what you're going to do next. If you're comfortable with a slower rate of loss, then nothing wrong with relaxing at the weekend - just understand that 'relaxing' doesn't mean carte blanche to return to pasta, bread, cake, biscuits, rice, potatoes ... (you get my drift!)

@Puppermint

Stupid scales are refusing to budge at all this week and I'm starting to get a bit fed up. I need to feel like I'm getting results so it's disheartening to still see the same weight that I saw on Monday when I hop on. I know the answer is to stop looking but it's not quite that simple...

Remember this is week 3!

It's very, very, very common for the scales to refuse to budge at this point - possibly also next week too.

Don't be disheartened. You know it works, because you've lost half a stone in 2 weeks! KOKO and things will get moving again soon.

However, if you're struggling because you're weighing daily, then perhaps you need to relax that to once a week?

@venusandmars

Joining you with the sleep issue! Although my DH never seems to share this problem (and indeed is often part of the issue - if only he'd stop breathing!)

I had to move into the spare room around 3.30am. Woken again at some stupid time o'clock by both cats (separately). Then DC2 at 7.30 going to work.

I did manage to get back to sleep and didn't wake up till 10.20, so now feel that half of my day is gone! Still, I suppose those were hours I wasn't eating/thinking about eating ...

@Puppermint

D: Fast diet protein shake

If you mean the Fast800 shakes, then I won't be using my Big Stick. I generally don't advocate shakes, because I think the focus should always be on real food - however, accept that there are times/circumstances where these can be really helpful. And the Fast800 ones are ones that do fit well with Bootcamp, as they're low in carbs but not especially low in fat. If you make them up with almond milk (unsweetened) rather than water, or chuck in 50g berries, they're even better.

@Takingontheworld

Sorry - only just spotted this comment from you:

But my weightloss has been 1.5lbs in 10 days since the initial huge 10lbs in 10 days! So I've been feeling like maybe being under 20/25g isn't doing me any huge wonders and I should relax and do proper bootcamp rules?

Remember what I've posted about weeks 3 & 4? This is what will be happening to you.

You know that this WOE works, so relax. Follow the rules - enjoy your food rather than panicking about it! - and accept that this week and possibly next week are likely to be slow weeks.

Prettybird yes I should change it . I actually feel really skinny now although incredibly my size 18 jeans still fit, so realistically I’ve got a way to go. Would like to shift two stone + but am not prepared to exercise hard for an hour + daily which I’ve done in the past to get down.

I think I’ll happily live on boot camp lite. I’m not sacrificing anything really except wine and berries, never eat bread/pasta/potato anyway.

Btw, am SO glad to hear that a support thread continues... I was thinking I’m really going to miss all you lovely, funny people I’ve never met

@BlusteryShowers

^Chicken wings with braised peas www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/deep-friedchickenn_wings_91652^

There are over 97g carbs in that recipe, because of the peas! 24.3g per person if it serves 4!

Avoid that - or use another vegetable. If you used broad beans you could halve that to 12g per person.

@Ifeelfat

I was thinking I’m really going to miss all you lovely, funny people I’ve never met

Oh, you'll not get rid of us now. We're always here, living in your computer!

@BIWI - wield the stick if you'd rather I didn't wander off onto a clothes topic.

I've just oohed over those lovely Whistles trousers upthread. I'm on a search for trousers at the moment and wondered if anyone had any suggestions.

I'm 5'6" and 200lb - I tried two pairs from the Boden sale yesterday, size 18, and they were too big. They're not available in size 16 so am having to look again.

So, a (generous) size 16 or 18, loose summer trousers. Could be linen, or moderately wide leg, don't mind if it's a zip or elasticated waist.

Any suggestions anyone?
(and apologies in advance if you don't want this here BIWI!)

@BIWI bugger I forgot about peas. I was thinking green was good! Can probably do something similar with cabbage instead I reckon. Or leeks.

Leeks would be good - and would work well braised.

@gruntley123

No need for The Big Stick!

We can (and do) chat about all sorts here. All part of creating a lovely, supportive community.

If you're lucky, @ShagMeRiggins might even offer to run another Style & Beauty zoom!

BIWI i couldn't work out what you didn't understand but realise now using caps made RAW look like an acronym, my apologies 😂

Yes gonna keep KOKO as I feel comfortable, jeans feel good and I don't feel bloated and sluggish etc so planning to stick with it all.

I will attempt to learn to chill. I'm a real stickler for guidelines, I like knowing where I stand with stuff so I've by nature trended to the tracking I think. I'm aware that the weightloss slowing is normal so not getting too hung up on it but think I'd like to see the scales moving again so that I feel that I can be more instinctive with it knowing I'm doing it right. Bit worried if I sack off tracking for the min and I sts for the next month I won't have known where the weak link is.

Part of my job involves tracking data and then consulting so this might be hard to fix 😂

Takingontheworld - you sound like someone for whom daily weighing would satisfy your need to "monitor" - provided you can change your mindset to start enjoying the right food, stop angsting, and seeing any daily fluctuations as guidance rather than blame.

So if you see the scales going up, ask yourself if you drank enough the day before and/or make an effort to drink more today. If the scales are sticking, then KOKO and be patient. Take extra care to listen to your body and check that you are eating when hungry, not through habit. If you're eating enough fat you will be satiated more quickly. If the scales go down - celebrate it but recognise that there maybe upward fluctuations and not to be disheartened.

Like BIWI , I find if I stop daily weighing, it's because I'm going into denial I'm falling off the wagon. Guess which months I don't have a record of what weight I was

Hi all I am also seeing the scales stuck this week at the same weight. I am KOKO as I know it will eventually move. We’re still low carbing and exercising daily so I won’t get disappointed even though I am a daily weigher!

I’ve been eating the same things almost daily so I might have a look for a switch up next week.

The trousers arrived!
The trousers are the loveliest things imaginable!

Hi everyone - feeling a bit sad today - weight seems to have stalled 😢😢 not sure if I need to reduce portion size?
I’m having 2x eggs plus salad or veg for lunch and dinner today Mexican salmon (baked in oven with homemade dry spice mix) with salad, sour cream (yoghurt with lime juice and black pepper) homemade avo salsa and some grated cheese. Also have a couple of cups of tea with a splash of milk. Lots of water as per normal. Checked my carbs I’m under 40-50g according to mfp - should I try and reduce this?
Exercise - 3 x weights sessions a week and then either a hill walk on the treadmill or outdoor ramble for a couple of other days. Do I need to move more? 😞
Would appreciate any tips!
Hope everyone else is having a better day!

Nothing to report here except that water yesterday dropped off a bit and I feel desiccated this morning

Same and it sent me on a wild ride. 2 down yesterday, one up today. DRINK ALL THE WATER. I'm shouting at me not you!

Where's the fat Random? I'd have butter on those eggs and mayonnaise on the salmon. Also, week 3.

Thanks, BIWI, absolutely sticking to this for Bootcamp and as a main WOE, finally feel back in control of my mind and body. Only thing I need to do is exercise more, usually walk a few miles a day but yesterday did over 8 (dog is now superfit) but recognise I need to get back to some weight-bearing exercise too, my plan is to start that again tomorrow.
Going through this with all you other mumsnetter's is inspiring - KOKO!

Hi all,

Interesting question about post boot camp can we relax at weekends. The last time I lost a big amount of weight by low carbing (although I wasn't especially doing high fat I certainly wasn't doing low fat anything or avoiding fat) I also 'carb cycled'. This was 2010 and that was a 'fitness thing' at the time. I don't know if it's just another wellness fad, I haven't looked into the science recently, but I stuck to low carb for most days of the week and then on one day of the weekend would have a big bowl of pasta and also go out for coffee and cake if I wanted to. I remember feeling really sluggish but quite giddy after this. This made absolutely no difference to my weight loss BUT I DID get down to my lowest adult weight about that time (58kg, I am currently 65kg) and managed to maintain for about a year until I started getting pregnant and having miscarriages.

Maybe @biwi and some of you can critique my diet of the time to see what you think it was that made it easy? Oh I WAS also sticking to 1200 cals and plenty of gym every day, lots of heavy weight lifting.

A typical weekday was:

B Cottage cheese, apple and 10 almonds
S protein shake or banana with peanut butter
L two Quorn burgers and salad
S protein shake or banana with peanut butter
D salmon fillet with green beans and broccoli
Pre-bed - always a tiny bit of protein like 10 almonds

Weekends - usually quite good on Friday (but not limiting alcoholic drinks, probably 2-3 days a week with wine). Saturday - cottage cheese etc for breakfast big plate of pasta and coffee and cake.

Any thoughts on that gratefully accepted!

Lucky you @Linnet! I cannot make enough cauliflower-cheese to have leftovers. The hungry-hordes eat every scrap.

On the subject of 'missing', my beloved Buttermint tea has gone out of production 🙁
My wildtea party has been subdued this week.

Am working on perfecting a replacement made of peppermint tea and a pinch of vanilla powder.

@Randomfatty

Hi everyone - feeling a bit sad today - weight seems to have stalled 😢😢 not sure if I need to reduce portion size? I’m having 2x eggs plus salad or veg for lunch and dinner today Mexican salmon (baked in oven with homemade dry spice mix) with salad, sour cream (yoghurt with lime juice and black pepper) homemade avo salsa and some grated cheese. Also have a couple of cups of tea with a splash of milk. Lots of water as per normal. Checked my carbs I’m under 40-50g according to mfp - should I try and reduce this? Exercise - 3 x weights sessions a week and then either a hill walk on the treadmill or outdoor ramble for a couple of other days. Do I need to move more? 😞 Would appreciate any tips! Hope everyone else is having a better day!

Have you been reading my posts?!

It's very, very, very common in weeks 3 and 4 (sometimes even 5) to see weight loss slow/stop (sometimes even increase) despite your best efforts.

You know it works for you, so just KOKO.

No need to check your carbs/use MFP - just follow the rules.

And exercise won't make much difference unless you suddenly up your ramble to a marathon every day!

@Freetodowhatiwant

I don't know why you thought this was a low carb diet?!

B Cottage cheese, apple and 10 almonds
S protein shake or banana with peanut butter
L two Quorn burgers and salad
S protein shake or banana with peanut butter
D salmon fillet with green beans and broccoli
Pre-bed - always a tiny bit of protein like 10 almonds

2 bananas a day? Do you know how many carbs there are in bananas?
How many carbs were there in your protein shake?

Weekends - usually quite good on Friday (but not limiting alcoholic drinks, probably 2-3 days a week with wine). Saturday - cottage cheese etc for breakfast big plate of pasta and coffee and cake

Carbs, carbs, carbs.

I'm guessing that you were actually losing weight because all that would have been fairly low fat and low calorie. It certainly wasn't a low carb diet.

Please, please, please don't revert to that after Bootcamp and think you're following a low carb plan.

And for anyone else thinking about relaxing at the weekends, that doesn't mean you can pile into cake, pasta, biscuits, chocolates and alcohol - well, you could, but all you'll be doing is sabotaging the work you are doing during the week!

Just for clarity, an average sized banana has 23g carbs. So you were consuming 46g carbs per day just with those.