Week 6 Low CarbBootcamp - the second half

[BIWI]

Morning campers!

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

We're half way through now. Hopefully by now we should all be getting used to a low carb way of eating, which will mean we should be fat-adapted.

I hope you've enjoyed the recipe challenges, and I really look forward to reading more recipes.

I especially hope that the challenge has lured the lurkers out! Please post your recipes!

And, of course, here's hoping that we all have a good week ahead

@FusionChefGeoff I have to cook for the family and we all essentially eat the same. I have 7year old twins. What I do is cook carbs for them to add. However if it is swapped I. E. Potato for celeriac then they have that. However mine won't eat celeriac/swede so usually they just don't eat it. So for example I did a chicken and bacon dish with a celeriac gratin. They tried it and didn't want it so ate chicken and then picked out the veg bits they liked from a medley of leeks, beans, peas and spinach. If it is a chili or something g they have rice. They eat plenty of carbs throughout the day so I don't worry really. I am consciously trying to add more veg to their repertoire! They are unlikely to starve! Mine are usually offered yog/fruit for dessert and they sometimes have oats in it too. Sometimes homemade cake which I just don't eat.

My DH is very lean and 6.6 so I don't worry too much about him. Her runs everyday and if anything could do with more fat so not sure that helps there! He can easily eat 4000 cals a day, and so he often eats another meal in the evening of say toast/cake/fruit/yog. Very different metabolism and body type to me!

Skirt arrived and it fits! But just really, so will use it as a motivator. It has make me realise that whilst scales are not moving much that my shape is changing as I am prone to appleness.

Thank you @BIWI @Ninkanink and @Dailyhandtowelwash I'm proud to say I didn't cave and resisted the carbs (another NSV). nowlook and Stuntnun kindly checked my meals and everything seems fine so I'm just going back to blaming my hormones! I'm enjoying this WOE though and the other benefits that come from it so I won't be quitting anytime soon.

@FusionChefGeoff welcome! I tend to cook the same thing for everybody but with slight modifications for me. So for example spaghetti bolognese they'd have it normally, I'd just have the meat and sauce with a pile of green veg; shepherd's pie I'd make the meat bit as usual but then divide it into two smaller serving dishes and put mashed potato on one for DC and mashed swede on another for DH and I. It doesn't really take any longer and keeps everyone happy. One thing I have found is that the DC are happy to go without carbs for example we had pork belly the other day, I would automatically think they'd need some potatoes with theirs but I didn't bother just gave them extra veg and they didn't even notice. Frozen veg is a good option too if you're the only one going to be eating it - I really rate frozen green beans, leeks, cabbage and broccoli.

Ooh @Lyrata lovely dress.

I'm finding the conversations about maintenance really helpful too. I think I might be near my target weight but I'm not really sure. I'll keep going until it's clear I need to stop - that said I'm losing very very slowly at the moment, which I guess is to be expected.

It's odd because although I weigh less than I have at the end of previous boot camps, I have dropped the same amount of dress sizes (ie one and a half). Same scales too.

I have to say, I have found seriously low carb bread an absolute game changer this bc. I know it's expensive, but cheese on toast every so often has made a big difference! And compared to the money I used to spend on impulse clothing purchases to make myself feel better about being overweight, it is nothing.

I haven't been that active on these threads as I've started a new job, but I've always read them and found them incredibly supportive and helpful.

Onwards for the next few weeks!

@BIWI I don't mean processed products - the opposite!

They have lots of incredible ingredients that I've seen pop up here eg sesame oil / almond flour / raspberry vinegar even xantham gum which I think is often used instead of wheat to get a rise?? etc. So I was hoping to stock up on the favourites rather than pop down every week a new meal plan needs something else which Aldi don't stock.

I'm also going to treat myself to some fancy salt seeing as I'm using more of it!!

[quote Lyrata]Morning all.

Yes, totally agree about the length of time being daunting. I always have to tell myself I’ll be done in eight weeks. If I’d known at the start I’d still be doing this after 6 months, I would have been horrified - irrationally so seeing as I actually enjoy this WOE. It’s difficult wanting to get to ‘the end’ and be ‘done’ - especially with buying clothes etc. I know I am now lucky because I’m close to my goal, but even now I feel anxious about buying things that fit because I worry I’ll put weight back on. I’ve spent half my life with half my wardrobe (the nicer half...) being too tight. I hate the feeling. It always makes me feel untidy somehow? Like I’ll never be one of those polished women with smooth hair and loose, expensive clothes.

Hah anyway. Enough of that. I ordered this from Zara which should fit at any weight: www.zara.com/uk/en/dress-with-cutwork-embroidery-p02578884.html?v1=94319146#selectedColor=250&origin=shopcart[/quote]
So, so true. My wardrobe has beautiful smart skinny clothes and horrible slobby unskinny clothes- and ne'er the twain shall meet. I don't have anything small but casual or, indeed, anything large but elegant. Just shows how being above my happy weight affects my mindset!

Great new dress, btw. Love that shape, albeit on me it would have a "cosplaying generic busty serving wench" vibe.

I'll not be joining you running fools BUT I will go back to my nemesis Jillian who will shout at me not to "phone it in" for the last four weeks of both this BC the next BC. Any other shredders here?

@prettybird is a shredder, iirc! I get waaaay too rebellious for that kind of ‘motivation’ - I would actually find myself yelling FUCK THE FUCK OFF AND LEAVE ME TO MY EXERCISING, YOU BITCH!

at ‘running fools’

I can’t run anymore, but really love it! Was also an ardent gym bunny/weightlifter years ago but have totally fallen out of love with that for some reason. I tend to get most of my exercise from brisk walks around our very hilly neighbourhood/countryside, to which end I’m planning to hopefully get a dog at some point for extra motivation, or from lugging shopping back when I overbuy. I do need to think about weightlifting and so on a bit more now as I’m getting older so I’ll dig out my kettlebells at some point and get back into using those. Also thinking about yoga for mindfulness/stretching purposes.

I'm definitely a running fool

nowlook I love and hate Jillian in equal measures! I'm yet to complete 30 Day Shred despite starting it numerous times over the years - I've got to stage 3 but never managed to do 10 days worth of it . I do like the idea of being a super toned gym buddy, I'm just yet to motivate myself enough to do something about it

[quote FusionChefGeoff]@BIWI I don't mean processed products - the opposite!

They have lots of incredible ingredients that I've seen pop up here eg sesame oil / almond flour / raspberry vinegar even xantham gum which I think is often used instead of wheat to get a rise?? etc. So I was hoping to stock up on the favourites rather than pop down every week a new meal plan needs something else which Aldi don't stock.

I'm also going to treat myself to some fancy salt seeing as I'm using more of it!!
[/quote]
Yes, I know what you mean. I've been guilty of ordering all kinds of random shite that I use one tablespoon of once and then relegate to the pantry. Lupin flour, anyone?

From what I've seen, almond flour and naice salt fall into the generally useful category. As for the rest, they're nice for flavour I spose...are you generally quite cheffy?

@MarmaladeTeepee

nowlook I love and hate Jillian in equal measures! I'm yet to complete 30 Day Shred despite starting it numerous times over the years - I've got to stage 3 but never managed to do 10 days worth of it . I do like the idea of being a super toned gym buddy, I'm just yet to motivate myself enough to do something about it

I'll do it with you! Also tend to buckle at stage 3, but then just keep on with stage 2 for the rest. I love the dynamic of her relationship with the team members. She has favourites and I am here for that kind of passive aggressive behaviour.

I do a week (4 sessions) per level of the Shred/Ripped, rotating working through each of them. I did Day 3 of the hated Level 4 of Ripped earlier because it has burpees and will do Day 4 tomorrow. I have the weekends off and will re-start The Shred, Level 1 on Monday (have a Pilates class on Tuesdays).

I want to start running again - but I'm putting it off Even though I have in the long past run half and full marathons, I was never an addicted runner. It was always more a mental and physical discipline: I'd set myself the target and had to follow through.

I did start again last year and had got to over 5 miles but then got a sore back and didn't get back into it. And then it was winter

I did attend a Webinar with a South African running coach, who said that over 50s should have at least three recovery/non running days a week and that only one run a week should be a pace one. Also, the other runs should be really, really easy (it was the distance that mattered, not the pace), plus every c5km (c3 miles) you should walk briskly for 90s - even in a pace run. Let's say, I found the "relaxed" run really liberating started doing that with great alacrity and I found that my pace/distance run, the times for which hadn't been improving, did start to improve

I'm also weird re The Shred: I dislike Level 2 more than Level 3 , so I'm actually quite happy to move on to Level 3

Some time ago I asked my DH (who is an experienced runner) to do 0 to 5k with me from the 1st March. I'm not happy at the speed at which the 1st is approaching tbh.
I've always said that if there's a zombie apocalypse it'll be down to my DH to save the kids because I won't last 5 mins.
Speaking of apocalypses I can recommend Greenland on Netflix. Not normally my thing but teen DS1 and I enjoyed it

Does anyone have any drug store budget skincare recommendations? I'm a strictly soap and water person but since losing weight I look older. Just panic bought The Inkey List eye cream and a retinol serum - got home and the eye cream box is empty #eyeroll
Anyone have any strong feelings on The Inkey List for this 43 year old skincare virgin?

@prettybird wow I'm in awe.

I love the dynamic of her relationship with the team members. She has favourites and I am here for that kind of passive aggressive behaviour This really made me laugh @nowlook.

Good luck for c25k @Oneborneverydecade. I've been a Clinique fan since my late teens when it was the only thing that sorted out my oily skin so I'm all about that, but Boots No7 seems to have good reviews and that's definitely drugstore.

I'm not sure I can ever trust another word you say @prettybird

I hear very good things about Aldi's skincare range @Oneborneverydecade. It's called Lacura and gets amazing reviews.

On the subject of exercising, I am doing the LesMills bodypump weight exercises. It's fine whilst doing it but the pain the next day is something else. Still, needs must.

I also bought myself a very expensive motivator jumper in a size 10 (optimistic!). I'm obviously way behind the fashion as it comes up super baggy and I fit in it no problem. So a bit of a fail but at least I can wear it all through my weight-loss 'journey'.

@Lyrata, that dress is lovely. I can't wait for the shops to reopen so I can try on dresses.
@prettybird I always get my John Lewis orders delivered to Waitrose. If you have one close by, it saves being held hostage by Hermes deliveries.

Had two of the seriously low carb rolls for breakfast, one with cream cheese, the other with a fried egg. Am totally stuffed now - they might get be expensive but they are filling!

My God - no idea how you could manage two!

Had the almond cheese muffins for lunch, they were great! Does anyone know how well they keep? I’m thinking they could be useful for lunches, or to keep in the freezer.

I've no idea either. Think I must have started on the 2nd before the first one hit the bottom of my stomach. Don't think I'll be eating again for quite a while though!

@Justcallmecaptainobvious

Had the almond cheese muffins for lunch, they were great! Does anyone know how well they keep? I’m thinking they could be useful for lunches, or to keep in the freezer.

I put mine in the freezer , defrosted in the microwave Perfect

We don't have an Aldi locally unfortunately @nowlook but thank you. I did look at No.7 in Boots today @MarmaladeTeepee I think I'll look again when I don't have a 2yo hanging off me. Thank you for the good luck - I'm going to need it!

@Frty I used to love body pump

I'm never going to run, so when the zombies come I'll sacrifice myself for the sake of all bootcampers, so you have more time to run away. Most likely I'll try to distract the zombies by feeding them with a delicious low carb feast, maybe fill them up so they don't want to eat any of us

I used to be a skinny wee thing, so no yo-yo dieting, but instead the insidious creep... "If I weigh 1 or 2lbs heavier at the end of each passing year, that's fine" was my thinking. But 20 years of that is 30 pounds, another 10 years another stone. And always up. As a result I was a short apple-shaped barrel, with all the attendant health risks for that particular body shape.

All my family are thin and slight, so I hid myself under loose clothes, hating the feel of anything tight round my ever expanding waistline, and hating the sense of family looked at the rolls of fat. I imagined my loose flowing clothes channelled my inner hippy, but instead I looked more like I'd dressed in a flowered sack. I've lost most of my apple tummy but I still can't bear to wear anything with a waist and I still hide under layers of loose clothes.

Had a glorious long walk in the sunshine and wind.. 27,000 steps

B - coffee with cream and butter (just because I fancied something really rich); boiled egg
L (late after my walk) - avocado with salad, olive oil
D - chicken piri piri, buttered leeks and cabbage, kale crisps