Week 2 - Leaving Lockdown Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Sunday night here is games night, so better that I start the thread now, before I forget as I've gone to bed so late!

I truly hope that this link to the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness works!

Apologies if it doesn't, but hopefully someone will come and post a working one if it doesn't!

I love week 2, as for those who haven't low carbed before the results are often spectacularly incredible!

But even for those of us who are more used to low carbing, hopefully this first week has seen you make a good start.

It's looking like some warmer weather is heading our way, which always makes things seem more positive - but also focuses our minds on things like skimpier clothing, so hopefully will help to keep us toeing the line!

I hope the scales have rewarded your hard work, and here's to a good week ahead

@bestiswest, losing weight can mess with hormones, definitely.

Klaxoning for @StuntNun for the explanation!

Thanks, Doilooklikeatourist. Actually I do need to drink a bit more today. I'll focus on that. I might have a coffee too, though I'm worried about the milk/cream.

I was going to go for a run in the early evening to boost my morale. But my energy levels were too low.

Massive respect to you, AthelstaneTheUnready for your discipline on multiple fronts. So impressive.

@nowlook

Well done *@AthelstaneTheUnready* Are you cold turkey? I've never managed to do it until vaping. Probably have more nicotine now than I ever did before, but one step at a time, eh? It's been almost a year for me now, but not a proper year because no socialising. Oddly, it's not the moments of despair that induce my cravings, but rather that initial five minutes when you get really good news. I still find that smokers are the best, most generous company. Probably all that internalised self-loathing they're supposed to have.

I am cold turkey, yes, thank you for the dismal image.

It has been feelings of relief that sparked it for me - the oh-god-thank-god-that's-done/ok - probably because those are the feelings one gets when lighting a cigarette - massive relief from cravings/withdrawal.

Well done on a year though - except now you know your step is in 7-league boot territory. Time to put the other foot out...

[quote Timetobuckup]**@Random789 I don't really have any great tips other than how dissapointed you will feel tomorrow ? At the moment my mindset is I want to lose the weight and a slip up just means I have to start again for the 100th time if I don't give this a good go.

@AthelstaneTheUnready Well done on the no smoking ! It is the best thing you will ever do for your health. I gave it up a few years ago and I honestly don't miss it at all. I always thought I could give it up but the price for that would be I would miss it forever. Thank God that isn't true because I am not strong enough

How have I never heard about the ibuprofen thing ? Why is anything to do with women's health such a big bloody secret ?
But thank you whoever shared the secret.[/quote]
It's a big secret because we are not menz. If we were, periods would have been erased decades ago

@Random789 You're probably not eating enough fat before you get to supper.Try to eat something now (a cheese omelette?). If you don't fancy it, you know you're not really hungry. And yes to water (and enough salt!). Watch something on the telly too.

Oh, thanks, too, Athelstane for the cheese slice with butter suggestion. Interesting idea! It has the 'feeling' of bread and butter, but without the wickedness of bread.

Settled down with a peppermint tea. Good day for food:

Late breakfast at work- a leftover Toulouse sausage and a boiled egg
L: same as yesterday, chicken mayo salad and yogurt
D: pork shoulder steaks with a quick sauce of leeks, mushrooms, cream cheese and wholegrain mustard; kale, fried courgettes.

Out for dinner with a friend tomorrow night and we've not booked so could end up anywhere. Hoping it works out! I'm looking forward to breaking out a new tube of mascara and the boots I got for my birthday at the start of the year, which haven't left the house yet!

Eek, cross-posted again. Thanks nowlook and everyone. All these thoughts are v useful

@Timetobuckup, I want to be where you are! Not wanting to. I gave up for 2 years previously, then stupidly...

No respect due, Random789, just piggybacking off an illness, and subsequently leveraging my natural obstinacy (through the roof levels).

A previous manager of mine once said, not entirely as a compliment, "my God, Athel, you're relentless!". Was just trying to get the numbers right

@OnceUponAMidnightBeery I've just got some
Modibodi pants for running leakage and they're very comfy, washing well so far and actually look vaguely ok too!

What, give up nicotine and lose weight @AthelstaneTheUnready?
I know you're right. And, thinking about it, when I say "really good news", I mean getting a new client or similar. That's absolutely the same as relief in my world.

Of course, what you've done is the far harder and better way. The only time I've managed that is when pregnant!

And I didn't mean to sound dismal- I meant that I never even lasted a week cold turkey without giving up giving up.

Sorry forgot my food.

L: salmon and asparagus salad, lemon and dill oil, hm vinaigrette, bit of halloumi.

S: Tiny bit of cheese and slice of ham
D: spinach and chorizo frittata

It's annoying as kids are out tonight and I like to still eat early (6pm) but I wasnt hungry so trying to listen to my body etc.

However, now I'm on bedtime duty and by the time I'm done I know I will be hungry and then cooking and eating late which is really annoying!!!!

I think that's why I often eat when I'm not massively hungry but because it's the gap I've got in which to eat.

@nowlook

What, give up nicotine and lose weight *@AthelstaneTheUnready*? I know you're right. And, thinking about it, when I say "really good news", I mean getting a new client or similar. That's absolutely the same as relief in my world.

Of course, what you've done is the far harder and better way. The only time I've managed that is when pregnant!

And I didn't mean to sound dismal- I meant that I never even lasted a week cold turkey without giving up giving up.

Don't be a drip

Harder and better my arse. Any way of stopping is fabulous if it works.

As it turns out, stopping smoking does fuck about with your metabolism, making it much harder to lose weight for [unspecified amount of time on google].

So maybe vape until the end of bootcamp, and then go ponder all that nicotine again.

@nowlook and slippers, don’t forget the slippers! Thanks for the link, roll on payday and they’ll be my first purchase my life is so rock and roll

Much better thank you @colouringindoors and thanks for the tip. Lovely eyebrows they are too!

B yogurt and coffee
L subway salad with tuna Mayo
D chicken and veg

Happy hump day everyone.

@AthelstaneTheUnready Honesty I was a proper 20 a day loving a good fag smoker ! I am the definition of "If I can do it then anybody can "

@FusionChefGeoff thanks for the recommendation, praise be to the inventor of these things bet it was a woman!

And thanks to all for the starting ibuprofen a couple of days before tips. Gosh aren’t hormones fun

Still loving my Stilton and broccoli/cabbage/spring greens/most of a large bag of spinach, cream and smooshed boiled egg soup. Sadly I either didn’t wash the spinach enough or I managed to smoosh some egg shell in there too as there’s a mild... grittyness. Tastes bloody lovely though and sooo filling!

Ibuprofen is helping already proposes to @StuntNun

And massive well done to everyone giving/has given up smoking, can imagine how hard it is like me with alcohol

Omg that is amazing (chicken alfredo).

Made with leeks instead of spinach.
Took me ages but I have lots of extra portions

Thank you for that link for celeriac lovers @AthelstaneTheUnready

@Random789 Keeping busy sometimes works for me. Other times I have to just let myself feel the desire to get something to eat or drink etc and not give in to it. Harness that natural obstinacy. I am stronger than that desire , that urge to make me find something to eat or drink, something I really don't need, something that will end up depositing extra flesh on my hips, chin(s) etc.

Goodness forgot to post my food (so much interesting conversation going on. I have so missed chat during these lockdown days ).

After yesterday's one small evening meal I wondered whether I would be tempted to eat everything in sight today but not today.

B two spoons of 5% yoghurt, creme and cinnamon.
L three grilled sausages, spinach, butter and nutmeg
D takeaway sashimi (scallop, prawn, salmon (lots) and mackerel ) for DH's big birthday, another party in lockdown.

Not even a glass of champagne, I'm bootcamping and he has his second vaccine the day after tomorrow so no alcohol for a while.

@colouringindoors I have yet to try this magical meal! How long is ‘ages’? Food shop tomorrow...

Well I made the full quantity in the recipe, and was at a leisurely pace. (1kg of chicken)! So that took a while to prep and sautée.
Method:
So chop and fry bacon
Chop and sautee chicken
Quick wilt of spinach
Simmer cream for few mins
Add all ingredients back in while cook cauli.

I did leek instead of spinach which took 15 mins to cook on top.

But it is delicious - rich and creamy if you like that, and makes 5 portions with leek in so, for me, worth the effort.

Another ok day but sure I am just eating too much compared to what I read here.

B- two boiled eggs half an avocado and some salmon
L- veg soup and four sausages
D- artichoke salad from posh recipe book with ricotta and leftover butternut/cheese bake

Hi everyone

B- skipped it
L- egg Mayo and salad
D- chicken thighs with creamy pesto sauce and veg

I’m managing 3L of water a day so I’m hoping I might lose a little bit more at weigh in next week.

@colouringindoors sounds right up my street!

@Angliski as long as you’re eating low carb and high fat, there is no ‘too much’ on this WOE. Eat until you’re satisfied, and keep up on your water intake, it makes a big difference