The final weigh-in thread: March 2021 Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Here's the spreadsheet

I think this has been a really fantastic Bootcamp. Lots of really great losses.

As well as that, though, like every Bootcamp I'm always amazed and often humbled by how much we get to know people. We may all be here because we're trying to lose weight, but there's so much more going on in people's lives.

Tomorrow is the final weigh-in, but I hope very much that people will continue to check in and update us all on 'their journey' (sorry for the cliché)

My final photo for my March earring challenge . These lovely silver and gold earrings have a bittersweet story: they were the last Christmas present bought for me by my mum, in 2011. She was already in a home (she had early onset fronto-temporal dementia triggered by a head injury from a cycling fall in India ) but she had a "good" day and asked her good friend when she was visiting to get them, being very clear about what sort of style she wanted and where to get them (Nancy Smillie, a Glasgow designer). I actually met Belinda in the car park of the home that day and remember her being upset - later I found out why. My dh could always tell when mum had a "good" day as I would come home from visiting more upset than usual , as I had got glimpses of the wonderful, vibrant woman she had been. She died the following April. They're very special because of that This is also the first time I've worn these for 2 years as I'd "lost" them I knew they were somewhere in the house as I could remember putting them "somewhere" for safekeeping, but they were in none of my normal jewellery storage spaces Because of this challenge, I did a concerted hunt and found them stored carefully-- in a Nancy Smillie box on the top of my chest of drawers, beside one of my jewellery boxes

@VeryLittleOwl I'm in the same boat. I'm enjoying this WOE though and the weight is coming off. Way better than the alternatives. I probably have 30ish lbs to lose. I get bunged up too, despite buckets of water. If you have a Lidl near you the Alesto seed mix is great. It's mostly flaxseed, around 5g carbs per 100g. I have two teaspoons maybe every second day mixed with a small amount of Greek yoghurt and it keeps things moving. Its in a yellow pack.

I'm getting Indian takeaway tonight.... could some kind soul have a look at the menu and advise? Is korma too carby? Was thinking the kebab platter for starter. No naan or rice obviously. poppadom.orderyoyo.com/Menu/3066/poppadom-sligo?&gclid=CjwKCAjwu5CDBhB9EiwA0w6sLaW5J_wvZfqijol8VicHd8cnvB02qlcWsqWOuH3o3m9Kzeyzc9FxWhoCG1IQAvD_BwE

@prettybird they are beautiful.

@BustleInYourHedgerow I usually just get various tandoori meat/fish things. I've had brinjal bhaji too.

Had the first inquiry on my 'pregnancy' since before lockdown - most new people have only met me from the shoulders up on remote calls! Another incentive to KOKO. It's been happening since I was teenager so I'm totally used to it, and I'm pondering whether I should see it as a compliment given that I'm very nearly too old for it to be feasible!

For those struggling with relatively small losses this Bootcamp, remember that every pound lost counts. Left to our own devices we all seem to gain small amounts over time, year on year, and those small amount add up to big amounts! Here we're all moving in the right direction and that's what's important. I found Bootcamp in 2013 and without it I'm certain I would be obese right now. Instead I have the gift of being healthy and I've taken control of my weight and my health instead of being the victim of a crappy high-carb "healthy" diet filled with sugar and processed junk. That's why I stick around for Bootcamp after Bootcamp, so that I can help other people can achieve the same results I did. I am the weight I am because I worked hard to achieve it. Do I have the body I would like to have? Obviously no! But it's still a work in progress so watch this space! I eat well to nourish and heal my body and to feel healthy and fit. I don't eat in a way that will deprive myself - all those carby foods I love are still out there and I can eat them whenever I want. And I do... just not often enough to ruin my progress or damage my health. Naturally we all want to be slim and have shapely figures. But that isn't the be all and end all and we shouldn't obsess about every pound on the scales, every inch on the tape measure. Focus on what's really important: healthy blood glucose; healthy blood pressure; good blood test results; reduced risk of disease; feeling well; feeling confident that you're in charge of your diet and your health and your destiny. We've already done the most difficult part of this by starting our weight loss journeys. Now all we have to do is keep going, step by step, and support each other along the way.

@Oneborneverydecade I got base layers, top and bottom, fleeces, thermal vest. Layers are best under the waterproofs. We are Highlands so winter it’s base later then fleece lined leggings, thick socks. They flourish outside.

*base layer then

They are lovely @prettybird, and a very touching story. I love how you can remember all the stories associated with them. I've got into an earring rut and you've inspired me to dig some others out.

[quote BIWI]@RagzReturnsRebooted

How many peanuts though?! They are pretty carby at 10.9g per 100g.

That, along with the wine, would have added a considerable amount of carbs to your day.[/quote]
30g, I weigh them out (or I'd eat them all!) so less than 4g carbs. The wine I drink (cabernet sauvignon) is about 6g for 2 glasses the size I had. So 10g carbs isn't that bad, considering I was keeping my daily average too low a few weeks ago and it seemed to set my hypothyroidism off as I was cold and tired all the time. My dinner was less than 20g including the veg and lunch was less than 5g. I'm perfectly happy losing slower and being more sustainable in the long run (and not putting strain on my thyroid), so I'm aiming for slightly higher carbs than strict keto. It's that or regular cheat meals and I'm not ready for that yet!

[quote pinkpinkeverywhere]@Oneborneverydecade I often fancy something sweet after dinner but find that a couple of strawberries fills that hole.[/quote]
I can't wait for proper strawberry season, last time I low carbed I used to have strawberries, Greek yoghurt and cream for breakfast.

@StuntNun excellent idea re the strong cheese. I think I'll treat myself to a fancy Cheddar and keep it locked away, just for me. A slice of crunchy Cheddar is heavenly.

Aww, love the earring story @prettybird. I rarely wear jewellery but today I'm wearing a bracelet (wooden thing with little cat pictures!) my MIL randomly gave me when we were at my eldest's Battle of the Bands school thing (which they won). It was her last proper outing before she died a few months later, so it's special for several reasons.

Apologies for multi-posting!

Glad that people have enjoyed my earring stories and that I've inspired people to look out and wear their jewellery and to remember their own tales

I have so many earrings (haven't even gone through them all over the month ) partly because I like them and would buy them for myself and never throw any away and I'd also get given them but also because I have inherited a large proportion of my mum's earrings (SIL also got some).

That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

It's been lovely to see pretty

@Oneborneverydecade

Forgot to add that the Cook paneer, aubergine and spinach curry was delicious, thank you to whomever recommended it

@Midlifemission?

I can't take the credit for that at all @Oneborneverydecade but you have reminded me that I was going to check out Cook for some easy meals while the kids are off school for Easter. The curry sounds great.

With the sudden onset of warmer weather and wearing less layers I have suddenly had so many comments on my weight loss it's been a bit overwhelming on the school run ! Mums who I think of as slim and gorgeous are asking me my secret - one lovely mum who is permanently in Lycra as is mega fit clearly thought I must have been working out a lot, which ended up in a bit of a stilted conversation as I know nothing about gym stuff these days ! Guess it's a major NSV but the attention is not something I enjoy really. I am trying to do some Low Carb PR though.

@prettybird

My final photo for my March earring challenge . These lovely silver and gold earrings have a bittersweet story: they were the last Christmas present bought for me by my mum, in 2011. She was already in a home (she had early onset fronto-temporal dementia triggered by a head injury from a cycling fall in India ) but she had a "good" day and asked her good friend when she was visiting to get them, being very clear about what sort of style she wanted and where to get them (Nancy Smillie, a Glasgow designer). I actually met Belinda in the car park of the home that day and remember her being upset - later I found out why. My dh could always tell when mum had a "good" day as I would come home from visiting more upset than usual , as I had got glimpses of the wonderful, vibrant woman she had been. She died the following April. They're very special because of that This is also the first time I've worn these for 2 years as I'd "lost" them I knew they were somewhere in the house as I could remember putting them "somewhere" for safekeeping, but they were in none of my normal jewellery storage spaces Because of this challenge, I did a concerted hunt and found them stored carefully-- in a Nancy Smillie box on the top of my chest of drawers, beside one of my jewellery boxes

I love this this story @prettybird . I don't post as much as I should but I always love hearing about your family ❤️

Ahh I've loved @prettybird earrings, I own precisely one pair!

@lurknolinger ooh you remembered me? I cannot wear that dress now, too big! Such a shame as I really grew to love it with a belt, will have to keep an eye out for similar ones next autumn

Inspired by @prettybird to look out my own earring collection. These are ones bought by my Dad for my Mum when they decided they were going to get married (my Mum then went to work in Sweden for a year so they weren't formally engaged, with a ring, until she came back). Mum's Parkinson's meant she could no longer put earrings on, so she had these clip-ons made into ones for my pierced ears 💗

Any suggestions for green peppers? Aldi substituted my red and yellow peppers for green ones (not envy) and I've no idea what to do with them. I don't approve of green peppers (except in Chinese takeaways!).

I use them in meatballs, @RagzReturnsRebooted

Whizz up, in a processor, 500g beef mince (highest fat you can get), with an onion and a green pepper. Season well with salt, pepper and dried oregano (or any other herbs you like). Blitz well, and then tip out on to a chopping board and form into meatballs, the size of a walnut/ping pong ball.

Put them into a roasting tin and bake in a hot oven for around 30 minutes till nicely browned. (You should probably stir them around half way through the cooking time).

I serve them with a garlicky tomato sauce, sometimes with chilli added, and Bare Naked Noodles and lots of grated Parmesan (or cheddar, in absence of Parmesan)

Green peppers (blanched) stuffed with lamb mince cooked with shallots, celery, herbs; top with feta cheese and half an egg mixed together. Bake in the oven.

@BIWI thanks, I can cope with them hidden in things. Don't worry, parmesan is a staple here and there's never an absence!
@venusansmars the problem with stuffed green peppers is the green peppers... But thank you for the suggestion.

ZiggZagg That's a great NSV if the dress is too big for you, that must feel good. I think it was a knitted one, so you wouldn't need anything that warm for Spring and Summer so I expect you will be looking for one a lot smaller by the time the weather is right for wearing a knitted dress again.

Like @RagzReturnsRebooted I typed a big message yesterday which deleted and I flounce! I use green peppers in salads which I guess wouldn't work for you. Or in curries which can take their bitterness.

@prettybird I have loved hearing the stories and it inspired me to clean up and wear much more of my jewellery.

Ran a 10k yesterday, usually run 5k though have done 10k in the past. Just thought why not? It was hard, but manageable and I did it fasted. However did result in my feeling terrible in the evening and justifying a massive amount of cheese and chocolate resulting in an up on the scales!

Definitely snacking will be my focus on the next bc. I manage stages where I can quit it but it sneaks back in!

Lost 4lbs this last week, taking total lost this boot camp to 2 stone exactly! Very happy with that, a big thanks to all who put effort in to organising boot camp and maintaining it as such a safe and supportive environment.