Week 5 - Leaving Lockdown Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Welcome to Week 5!

Here's the spreadsheet

Hopefully we can now put the horrible weeks 3 & 4 behind us, and get on with the serious job of shedding the pounds of fat

By now, hopefully, low carbing eating should feel like it's the 'new normal', and you should be getting used to it. However, there's also the opposite danger, that you're seeing carbs creeping back into your menus.

This is a good time to take stock. Have a think about the things you've been eating over the last week and ask yourself if they are really 'in the spirit' of Bootcamp. Are you really keeping your carbs low, and focused mainly on vegetables and salad? Are you really eating enough fat? And, perhaps most importantly, are you drinking all the water?

From now on, you should see the scales move again - albeit that the weekly loss should be in the range of 1-2lbs a week (possibly more if you have a lot to lose).

I really hope that you are finding that you're settling into this WOE, and that you're enjoying the food, not feeling deprived, and are seeing the scales/tape measure reflect your commitment.

At the end of this week we will be half way through Bootcamp!

@nowlook that is a very good choice I think I would be happy with this last one (turned 50 ) but it would never be my teen years. They may have been the most complicated but also the best !

That would be my experience too @Timetobuckup, that the folk I would have been worried about are in crisis and the ones that were struggling but ticking over are now ones I have concern for. It’s like a whole section of the population have slid up 3 points on the “having a shit time and not coping” scale.

I don’t envy you working in schools - education staff are trying to paper over so many cracks just now, more so than normal and normal was a stretch. Remember to look after yourself first.

Thank you @Jellycatspyjamas that is exactly where I am .

I am so lucky that my head is willing to pay what she can and support us but papering over cracks is absolutely how it feels.

B: stewed unsweetened rhubarb with thick yoghurt
L: Parma ham and salad
D: thai red curry with turkey, courgettes and red peppers.

@Timetobuckup I hear you. I am a teacher and senco at a secondary school and I cannot turn around without something else coming up. We are seeing a rise in tics too, which is interesting, and so distressing. What a year. Even the boyant positive young people are just a little flatter. I am glad to hear you feel restored by the bluebells and I hope you have a good day tomorrow.

@Jellycatspyjamas my mum is a psychotherapist too. Its fascinating work. She worked with cahms for a long time, and I think that there is much frustration on every side that they can only see those in crisis because of funding when everyone sensible knows a stitch in time etc.

@prettybird asparagus envy! My parents have randomly managed to grow some in their drive way, but I am not sure car fumes are the best environment for it.

Managed no snacks today, and have come home after a swim to get straight into bed so I am not tempted. Made delicious celeriac and leek mash with butter, cream and herbs stirred through tonight.

Courgette boats filled with bolognese tipped with grated mozzarella for lunch (I don’t recommend this, I’d much rather have had the courgette cubed and baked on a trusty tefal tray than the weird carved out boats)

Macadamias (too many) pate and celery for snack. Oh, and raw fennel.

Chicken breast, spinach, bacon, roast radishes, leeks for dinner.

Sugarless cocoa made with pure cocoa powder, hot water and a dollop of double cream.

@Chunkymonkey123 I was having a look at your food -

I don't think you are getting enough veg. The frozen ones make up 2 of your 5 a day. Plus the courgette. Then lettuce and coleslaw. I think thats not 5 in total. And we should be going above 5.

I try to have mushrooms or spinach with my eggs.Today I had an omlette on a bed of leaves with a few tomatoes as well. (When I'm good), I try to have veg with every meal.

Did the chicken breast have skin on? Once the coleslaw is below 5% carb, do you need to weigh it? If you put olive oil on the salad, it stays filling for a long time.

Kebabs & burgers can be sneaky as they can have carbs - I generally stay below 5% carb and then don't measure after that.

Old habits die hard, but we are not meant to count calories. Chicken breast with lettuce leaves says DIET to me - would you consider chicken thighs? I just found these recently & love them.

Anyway, whatever you are doing is actually working so I don't think you need to worry if you don't hit the veg target every day.

My food today:
B. 3 eggs mushrooms, blue cheese, leaves & tomatoes. Creamy coffee,
D. Leftover chicken thighs with aubergine, courgette and french beans.
Snack Greek yogurt with peanut butter.
Tea with 85% chocolate.

I did a ton of exercise today.First swim in the river (in a wetsuit). Pools are still closed here! But we are allowed outside exercise in groups. Some of my friends swam all across the Winter. One got a Guiness record for and 'Ice mile' swim in his age category - I think the water has to be below 5, and no wetsuits allowed. Today was 11, but it hurts your face! We did 1KM.
Then I did a 40K cycle with another friend.
Tomorrow I think I will just walk the dog.

Highlight - I am getting my hair done tomorrow! Colour only. I have to wait another few weeks for a cut, but they had a gap for colour. As I'm starting to feel like John Lennon, this will be a great improvement.

Blimey, will catch up with thread in the morning, just wanted to check in for accountability

KOKO here, both Monday and today I’d already hit the water before I remembered to weigh, so here’s hoping for tomorrow.

Struggling to eat enough still, just don’t feel hungry, but water is mostly on/above target. Anyone else find it easier to drink in pint glasses rather than litres?

and nuts are trying to creep back in. Pistachios are very much a temptation of mine. Luckily I order the stock in work so will just stop ordering them 😇 and sod the other customers

Will see what the scales say tomorrow and adjust from there.

Night all 😴

Ooh @Covid10lbs, great news on the hair! Mine could also only fit me in for a colour, but then did actually trim it on the day to make it level- guess they didn't want people seeing me leave the salon and assuming they were responsible for DH's handiwork

Thanks to whoever pointed out the hydration log on the Garmin app.

Morning all

Sorry I can't remember who first mentioned the jamie oliver mushroom curry but I am going to give it a go, looks delicious.

I would also like to know if the renpho scales are worth it?

When I was out in the bluebells yesterday I noticed all the wild garlic out. I think I am going to go out at the weekend and pick some to make pesto with. My salmon go to is salmon with pesto and a few pine nuts sprinkled on and then wrapped in parma ham and cooked in the oven. Delicious!

@Bestbees we have also seen an increase in tics, other students have been such a pleasant surprise in their reaction.

I hope everyone has a marvellous day.

That's a very good idea about the wild garlic, timetobuckup. I might pick a load too. We have ranks and ranks of it in our wood. When it is fully out, it is like there are two armies -- bluebells and garlic. Blue and white massed against each other but never mingling. And the garlic smell! Like the woods are a kitchen!

Love wild garlic!

Plan for today:
L cauli kedgeree with eggs and avo
D tofu stir fry, yoghurt and rhubarb

Husbands birthday tomorrow so will be baking a cake, just need to not eat it!

Silly busy with work but Koko and trying to keep up with all the action on here.
Weighed up a pound on Monday but still constipated. I always struggle on this way of eating. A few days working at home on laptop ahead so that will make the water issue easier. I manage three litres usually but probably need more when I'm exercising.
Have rediscovered swimming outdoors and indoor, now the pools are reopening @Covid10lbs. I haven't been able to run for six months or so due to a knee problem. Since last summer really. Loving my time in the water. I've had a couple of sessions with a coach to make me more confident in open water. It's so good for the body, soul and mind.
Yes, I know from my work and personally that our children's mental health has taken a battering this past twelve months. Such sadness and loss. Important not to medicalise that; it's been a dreadful time and if the wise and nurturing teachers and education workers are given their voice they will help them recover. I work across the border in Wales and I'm hopeful of a more genuine focus on recovery there. My kids in English schools are hearing nothing but GCSE predicted grades blah blah.
Off for a walk before laptop. Happy day everyone

Up to London for work today. Down another pound this morning! Lunch choices not great but I have some vegan chicken and a few cherry toms.

Plus I got out early enough so will be able to walk out to the office rather than tubing it.

Managed a bluebell walk last night with o/h. So lovely. No runs yet.

@OnceUponAMidnightBeery - yes, I find it easier to drink in pint glasses. I keep one filled in the kitchen and aim to drink at least 4 a day. Added to that I have a glass every time I go to the loo and the 500ml "allowed" from my cups of tea and I get to my 3l daily allocation

By making every 2nd pint an electrolyte one, it's easier to count as well.

I do 4 pints of water as well Pretty.
I have a pint bottle, I drink a small (1/4 pint) glass then pour a second glass. Then I refill the bottle and put it back in the fridge. Then I drink the small glass over the next while. I tick when I take each bottle from the fridge.
It sounds like a lot of trouble, but it's not really. I'm not thirsty for 4 pints of water & need some system to sneak it into me.

MENOPAUSE.
^ I did that for the speedreaders! I am on HRT for a few years to amazing benefit. We have a chat radio programme called Liveline on RTE where this week & last, there has been a deluge of women on describing menopausal symptoms that weren't diagnosed or treated. I'm sure it's available on Podcast if anyone wants to listen back.

@Hughbert how are things going for you? You haven't listed your meals out for me yet - please can you do that, and then we can see if we can help identify any troublesome areas.

@Chunkymonkey123 I don't believe those carb counts should be so high either - especially given that all the veg in that mix are in the green zone!

@Covid10lbs the '5 a day' thing is a made-up piece of marketing. There's no scientific evidence to say we should be eating 5 pieces of fruit or veg a day for optimum health. Indeed, in other countries the number varies - in some countries I believe people are told they should be eating 10! I'd far rather go by the Bootcamp mantra of FLGV!

Re the wild garlic, we have a load that's suddenly appeared in our garden, along with the bluebells, and they look beautiful. Anyone got any ideas what to do with it, and how to use it?

You can make pesto with it

Or just wilt it down and use it like spinach.

Zoe Harcombe on 5 a day

Starting the day off well today.
Breakfast of greek yogurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and into my first 1.5L bottle of water.
Need to go out today but my feet are still so sore. Planning on steaks and a huge salad or pile of veg for tea.

@BIWI I put the wild garlic (leaves and flowers) in soup. Often with nettles. My dgc love it! It's like forest school at home Nettle stems are too fibrous, but if you blanch the nettles for a few seconds they lose their sting and you can take the leaves off.

B - coffee with cream
L - left over chicken divan
D - salmon with cabbage, broccoli, tomato, green beans, with an avocado/yogurt/herb dressing

While I remember, MrsK asked about salmon yesterday and I spent an age trying to find a salmon recipe I'd seen on Saturday Kitchen (moving wallpaper).

It turned out to be cod, of course, but I liked the sound of the sauce with leeks, bacon, laverbread, cockles, white wine and cream.

might be nice

@BIWI

Zoe Harcombe on 5 a day

Zoe Harcombe has saved my bacon a couple of times. If I tell my mother I'm low carbing when I go to stay with her, she gets very worried that I'm cutting out 'essential' food groups. If I say I'm back on the Harcombe Diet but only doing fat meals rather than carb ones, she's fine with it!

@BIWI, re uses for wild garlic:

When DS2 was small he had a Ray Mears phase that involved foraging in our local woods and making such delicious () brews as pine needle tea, and survival products such as nettle twine (or nettle stew, possibly -- which would have tasted like twine I'm sure).

Anyway, one day he developed a headache while out for a walk, picked a blade of wet wild garlic and stuck it to his forehead, claiming that it cured the headache instantly. He kept it on his forehead for the rest of the walk. You could try that?