Week 3 - Leaving Lockdown Bootcamp

[BIWI]

As ever here is the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

I rather suspect, given the confessions/visits by Cathy Twat, that a lot of Bootcampers aren't going to have much luck on the scales at the end of this week.

As I've warned, cheating really won't help - and this is a very unforgiving WOE. I have all my fingers and toes crossed that you will be lucky, and will see a good result on the scales, however. Or with the tape measure - or that you're fitting into your clothes better.

So now you have a choice

After the first two strict weeks of Bootcamp you can, if you wish, move on to Bootcamp Light. This means that you can re-introduce some fruit (mainly berries) and some nuts/seeds, and alcohol in moderation - and restricted to dry wine and clear spirits.

BUT

... you also need to remember/know that weeks 3 & 4 are notorious for seeing little or no weight loss - sometimes you may even see a slight gain.

So it's up to you if you want to relax things.

If you haven't been totally on plan over the last week, I strongly recommend that you stay on strict Bootcamp for another week

If you feel you're ready to move on, then you can go to full-on Bootcamp Light, or you could consider a hybrid - so strict Bootcamp during the week and then Bootcamp Light at the weekend.

Whatever your choice, I hope that week 3 is kind to you!

Please, please, please remember that this week/next week are our infamous 'Doldrums' and so don't be disappointed if you don't see any losses on the scales

This is also another good reason why you should be taking your measurements - the scales might not be moving, but your body shape may well be changing.

Anyway, whatever you decide, good luck!

Gratters @BIWI on your first 30mins

So agree with you about the motivational effects of having been mislead by 'Big Food' for so long. It's also taken me a very long time for me to see the connection

I have an original copy of John Yudkin's Pure, white and deadly book and a 2014 version for kindle.

In fact it's taken your Boot Camp, @BIWI and @StuntNun and everyone for me to see that if I eat sweet processed well any processed stuff I'll carry weight I don't need.

Hello all, there was talk about the book ‘why we eat too much’, when searching for it I found this podcast where the author explains it. It really makes it clear why this has to be a way of life and the talk of having a set weight point really resonates with me.

thedoctorskitchen.com/podcasts/94-weight-series-part-1-of-2-why-we-eat-too-much-with-dr-andrew-jenkinson

Out for lunch today and the menu was awful. I had two sides of chicken wings and halloumi strips but the halloumi did have breadcrumbs on them 🤦‍♀️. I’ve been perfect other than that though.

Anyone got a good herbal tea recommendation? I have been drinking the recommended peppermint and chocolate which are ok as herbal teas go. Not having my tea with milk several times a day is the thing I’m finding hardest!

Hello, is it too late to join? I've never done this before and really need to shake off the lockdown pounds.

I've read the spreadsheet, ordered in the eggs and have done 2 days so far 😬. But could definetly do with support.

Things I'm struggling with so far is not snacking mid afternoon and the lack of crunchy food.

@Chunkymonkey123 I love the licorice and peppermint tea from Pukka - as mentioned on the week 1 thread, but it does warn that over consumption can raise blood pressure. So I limit to one a day.
Sainsbury’s blackcurrant is also nice.

On the tea with milk front, the Alpro unsweetened almond milk is not too bad I find.

Hi @Stokey welcome! I'm a late starting newbie too, just get stuck in!

Had a pretty good weekend, but have realised i am not drinking enough water, nor am I being mindful of the volume of food I am shovelling in... so this week's aims are to drink more but eat a bit less. Especially cheese straight from the fridge when I am not even hungry

I've discovered a massive down side to losing weight, I took dd shopping and spent an absolute fortune in myself because she told me to try things on and they all looked so good. I'm not used to trying things on and feeling happy. Shopping has always been a very sad experience. Hmmm might need to do some overtime.

@Stokey I am a big scrunch food fan. Pork scratchings, or cheesies hit the spot if I really need it. I don't seem to much anymore but I did at the beginning.

@Chunkymonkey123 Pukka do a three ginger tea which is really nice - actually tastes of ginger rather than just smelling of it if you know what I mean. I too really miss a good cup of tea but I take it with milk and half a spoon of sugar (really don’t like tea without sugar), so it’s off the menu.

Coffee with cream is an ok substitute but the ginger tea is a good standby too.

Welcome stokey

Sounds as though you and dd had a lovely shopping trip dita. You def deserve some new clothes!

I can relate to the cheese from the fridge motherbuckets. My challenge for this week is stopping the boredom snacking.

@ditavonteesed how lovely. Enjoy wearing your lovely new things too.

@Stokey welcome

Going for a run now too. Then portobello mushrooms with pizza topping and home made coleslaw. And more water.

@Bestbees I am sticking to my no snacking resolve.

@BIWI well done on the run. I am still adding to my charity shop box but not at the rate of one a day.

Always nice to see new people joining in @Stokey and @MTwhyowhy

I had another lunch out today - chicken liver pate on salad, then hake on sautéed pak choi with sides of garlicy green beans and broccoli with blue cheese and walnuts.

Out to pub tonight but I'm only really going so I can drop dh off. The menu is much reduced and mostly carb-laden, although it looks like there are some garlic and chilli prawns and maybe some halloumi. But I'll just snack on what I can then leave dh there. Driving so no wine temptation, plus it's cold, windy and rainy, so a mug of tea at home is much more enticing.

@Chunkymonkey123 I love the yogi teas. Great spiced flavours
@Jollyholibobs well done keeping up the no snacking!

@Stokey welcome. I am doing a no snacking challenge and you are welcome to join in. Are you hungry or just bored? If true hunger up you lunch, especially the fats. If not hungry then distract away! Try to get crunch into your meals too. Or make your lunch 'snacky'. So celery filled with pate or soft cheese, boiled eggs and mayo to dip, pork scratchings.

I have a tea timetable for the day. I wake at 7 and have 2 large mugs of Lidl lemon and ginger tea one after the other. I find that perks me up and staves off any hunger till I get back from the school runs at 9.30. Then I make a pot of tea with 2 normal teabags and I have 3 normal size mugs of tea with a small splash of soya milk (I’ve got used to it now - the first 3 years of BC I couldn’t bear it! But now even when not low carbing I have it instead of milk and can’t taste the difference). That takes me to 11ish when I eat breakfast. Cup of berry tea at 12. Then lunch at 2. Cup of peppermint tea at 2.30. Cup of strong normal tea and soya milk at 4. Snack if I need one at 5. Dinner at 7-8 depending on H. Peppermint and licorice pukka tea before bed at 9.30. In between I keep water on the go too. That’s my general routine whether BC or not.

Thank you for the tea recommendations @BestIsWest and @Jellycatspyjamas, I will check them out. I tried the tea pigs super fruit today which had amazing reviews but as normal it didn’t taste as good as it smelt 😂.

@Chunkymonkey123 I love genmai cha. It’s green tea with roast rice in. Very nutty.

Also yogi tea choco mint, pukka women’s blend and yesterday o had cacao and coconut roobosch from sainsburgers.

I admit, today I ate half a crumpet and a handful of bruschetta chips. I’m sulking because I just don’t think this woe works for me with weight loss, so I crumbled a bit. Beef ribs on chilli and rosemary marinade for dinner with a crunchy side salad. I’m a bit torn about what to do, I want to stay in bc but I don’t think life without pulses and eating so much flesh is my thing... and it certainly isn’t reflecting on the scales. Any advice anyone?

@MrsKoala. I have a similar timetable. Mine starts at 7 with 3 mugs of normal tea with almond milk and takes in a few other things. At 11 I make proper coffee with cream and at 5, to signal the end of the working day DH and I have a celebration cuppa of decaf tea. Traditionally accompanied by a kitkat but no more of that.

@Angliski, the first weeks are tough. I’m not a big meat eater either. I would give it longer f you can bear to.

@Jollyholibobs thank you. That has taken the tension from my neck after sitting at a desk all day. My face isn’t too bad. The skin on my arms and legs looks older than my face. I’m almost a year older too 😀. Are you 5’7 ??

I’m sorry you’re feeling discouraged @Angliski, it’s hard when you see other folk having fairly good losses in the early weeks and you’re just dropping a pound or two. It does tend to average out over the piece though, I’m on week 8 or so and while a couple of weeks I’ve lost 3/4lb other weeks I’ve not lost anything so my average loss is 1/1.5lb a week and I have considerably more to lose than you.

I try to focus on non scale values eg smaller clothes (I’ve dropped a good dress size with what I’ve lost so far), less bloating, not skipping from snack to snack, clearer skin etc.

What would you usually lose in the first week or two of a diet and how’s your hunger been compared to a calorie counting approach?

Bad news at consultant appt. Have been vv good all day but now have wine. Writing tonight off

@angliski I think that ultimately you have to find a way of eating that is sustainable. I don't think that is possible if it's not food that you enjoy (or if you can't find a way to enjoy it). How long have you been doing it for? There's a difference between feelings arising because it's a new and different approach, getting used to the phycological and mouth feel of higher fat food etc, and a long term sense that it is just not what makes you feel good.

Ultimately it's a balance of health, weight, lifestyle and preferences. I might prefer crisps, cake and beer but that goes against my health and weight goals.

From my experience I can lose weight on a pulses and veg diet with a little bit of lean meat or fish, but it feels restricted and I feel hungry. Or I can lose weight on low carb, high fat when I feel satiated and when I love the food I can eat. Easy choice for me, maybe a different choice for you?

Welcome @Stokey

Pork scratchings ? Check the nutritional info, though, for one with really low carb rating.

Hard boiled eggs, with (proper low carb) Mayo if you like, make a simple devilled egg by mixing the yoke with Mayo and seasoning.

Cold sausages (proper low carb ones)

Olives, cheese if dairy works for you.

Sticking with bootcamp and getting off the rollercoaster of blood sugar highs and lows is one of my very favourite things about this way of eating for me. Just don't think about snacks anymore, unless I'm just bored and looking for entertainment which is a whole other story.

@Angliski how much do you have to lose? When I’ve lost the weight I want I do maintenance with much more vegan food and pulses. I can tolerate 100g of carbs a day without putting on much (I reduce the fat accordingly, so use leaner meat and olive oil rather than butter etc). If you don’t have much to use you could focus on BC just to get the excess off and then up the carb count and lower the fat. More like the 5:2 diet. I mix this approach with IF. It does tend to stay off for a while but I do get carb creep and start ramming down the hot cross buns and toast for convenience, then I come back and lose a bit more and start again. If I go over a certain weight I know it’s time to take action before it becomes a stone.

@colouringindoors oh dear. I hope you are okay.

@colouringindoors sorry about your bad news I'm waiting on news too so keeping everything crossed got first batch of results yest and ok but on monitor tonight for bp and more bloods 2m our results take so long in Ireland. I waited December to yesterday.
@MrsKoala I always loved my tea but cut it all out except 2 green tea and 1 ginger think it was a habit and always needed a biscuit with it.
What else is in your menu for the day we around same weight but your weekly loss is away bigger than mine.

Hope you are ok colouring