Week 6 - Leaving Lockdown Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Morning campers

As ever, here is the spreadsheet

So we start the second half of this Bootcamp.

I sense that things are quietening down a little on the threads, but I hope that doesn't reflect commitment and progress?

It's interesting to hear the chat about maintenance, and very positive that people are starting to realise that it might not be long before they have reached that stage.

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit more positive @FusionChefGeoff

@NigellaAwesom - your cloakroom looks lovely. Love the need to provide for the cat as well

@Moonswimmer and @venusandmars - sailing sounds, to me, like a week/weekend from hell! I'd rather do an SAS outward bound course than be stuck on a tiny boat worrying about how I might go to the loo!

@StuntNun - very impressed that you could just get up and run 2K without training for it! I've completed my C25K so I'm running now for 30 minutes at a time, but I know that I'm nowhere near 5K yet, and it took 9 weeks to reach this stage!

Very envious of you @Andi2020 - wish we were near a beach somewhere.

@ElasticFirecrackers those cheese things sound lovely. What kind of cheese is Maasdam?

@ListenLinda - what do you have in your fridge/freezer/cupboards? We can try and do some kind of 'ready steady cook' for you! Tonight we're going to have a stir-fry, with pork tenderloin and either egg-fried cauliflower rice, or a sort-of pho, using Bare Naked Noodles.

@BSky I'm afraid it's inevitable that too much wine won't help. Bloating is generally dealt with by drinking more water, but I'm sorry that you're having issues with that. If it doesn't resolve itself soon, and you're still having the abdominal ache, I'd get that checked out with your GP. Just to be on the safe side.

Busy next few days here - we're having our Christmas this weekend! Off to pick up SIL from Cardiff and BIL from Bath (DH's brother and sister) and bring them back to us - along with DS2 who will come and join us. So lots of prep work to do to keep us all fed and entertained.

Presents are under the 'tree'; all the beds now have Christmas bedding and we have a couple of Christmas candle ornaments on the mantlepiece as well as little stash of Christmas loo paper in the bathrooms

(Oh, and plenty of Champagne and fizz in the fridge)

"Ice doing" = I have found that

@BIWI enjoy your family Christmas celebration
I am an hours drive from beach but worth it when you get teenagers off screens for a while on a Sunday. Dh and dd1 normally working some Sundays so first drive out all off same day.
Lost 1.8 this week reached my target just under 11st so will go now for the next stage. Trying to fit back In work clothes rather that elastic waste leggings.
Well done on week 5 everyone whether a loss or a gain we are still here and life sometimes gets in way of BC with birthdays, dinners Ill health, teenagers, family, work but we continue on for our own health.

I have been enjoying fake chicken fillets with supermarket spinach mornay and extra parmesan.

A good no bloody time to cook kind of meal.

@StuntNun

DH, DS1 and I opened our presents to/from each other on Christmas day - the rest are presents for DS2, SIL & BIL.

I've completely forgotten what I bought, so it will be even more of a surprise when we get to open them!

Weigh in

I have stayed the same, but I'm really pleased with that.

Since started this I've had some good victories.

I've stopped my milk habit.
I've almost eliminated snacking. That was my focus last week, and I mainly managed it, but last night I got up and finished off the Greek yoghurt that was in the fridge.

This week I'm still trying not to snack and I wasn't so good with water last week so focussing on that too. Veg intake needs improvement too.

I had a good friend coming for lunch on Wednesday but we've had to cancel as she's not allowed to travel into skanky Glasgow nor would she be allowed to come inside if the weather was inclement

I don't see the delay in reducing our level being just a week: I think it will be 2, if not 3 weeks The centre of the biggest cluster of new cases is where I live - and the demonstration last Thursday, although commendable and they did Glasgow proud , will not have helped the transmission rates. That and the Rangers shenanigans on Saturday( not commendable and a stain on Glasgow's reputation )

Oh no! Sorry to hear that @prettybird

10st 6lbs exactly, that's 3.6lbs off after Cathy Twat's visit.

@NigellaAwesome - I love your cloakroom! I'm working on a tiny Georgian fisherman's cottage at the moment and we have a very small bathroom to deal with, so that's great inspiration for it.

@Moonswimmer taking boat out from Dunstaffnage, near Oban, so sailing will be round islands of west coast Scotland - depending on weather / tides / etc.

@BIWI tbh it's not my favourite activity (although I'd hate an SAS style bootcamp even more) and at least I won't be out of breath and sweaty! However there are always a few glorious, peaceful breath-taking moments along the way. Once we were surrounded by whales in the fog - couldn't see them but could hear them when they 'blew' (and smell them!), there may be perfect clear starry nights, misty dawns, pristine beaches on uninhabited islands. And it's a convivial time with friends - many hours just sitting drinking mugs of tea, tweaking the sails, and chatting. Maybe even a few seconds of warm sunshine on our upturned faces...

The crew are meeting tomorrow for 'afternoon tea' so I've just been making a batch of almond and cheese muffins, some sausage bites with tomato salsa, and some mini portions of rhubarb fool which means I'll be able to avoid the inevitable sandwiches and cakes.

B - coffee with cream and a cheese and almond muffin with lots of butter got to test them when they come out of the oven
L - left over chicken with coleslaw
D - left over mushroom curry with broccoli

Apart from the having to sail and worry about having a wee, that does sound lovely @venusandmars!

A squint and you'll miss it loss of 0.2lb but I'd been lower all week. AF arrived yesterday plus my usual weekend carb creep and reduction in water consumption.

Eating out on Thursday night then away on Friday for over a week visiting family and a few days in the campervan so will try to keep it restrained!

I can't wait until DS turns 4 in October and we can start junior parkrun like Stuntnun I really miss the full one and really hope it comes back soon.

Ordered a used copy of BIWI's favourite Rose Elliott low carb vegetarian book for the bargain price of £2.80 on Abebooks! So that will put me back on the zone post-holiday.

Don't think I've any chicken in the plan this week. I love Thai green curry with lots of green veg and chicken thighs; Spanish chicken and chorizo in the slow cooker; the Moroccan chicken from the Dopamine Diet (generally just with plain cauli rice not the faffy version); fajita style chicken; homemade chicken kiev or nuggets made with a Parmesan, ground flaxseed and egg coating.

@venusandmars - your sailing trip sounds amazing - you’ll have to post some pics!

@Andi2020 - fantastic to have the beach within a reasonable distance, looks lovely. Added bonus that you can get teens away from screens. Hope you all had a nice time. Weather looks ten times better than we’ve had here.

@BIWI - love that you are celebrating Christmas 🎄 🎅🏽 Enjoy your family celebrations.

Chicken suggestions....will have a think 🤔

Morning all,

Slightly lost track of the last thread as have been super busy at work. I've also found the last week a bit of a struggle, coldy & pre-menstrual too. I'm due any day now although had my second jab on Saturday so that may change things. I have been having hot lemon and a spoon of Manuka honey to help my sore throat which I feel may be transgressing bootcamp. But I did have a tiny loss this week (my week 3) of 0.7lbs which I'm pleased about half a stone loss now, despite breaking for a piece of homemade birthday cake on Saturday night.

On chicken recipes, this is one of our favourites chicken satay it does have quite a bit of PB, honey too but you could leave that out. We normally just cook it in a grill pan rather than skewers on the BBQ and serve it with (cauli) rice. Also I don't do the dressing for the cucumber.

On bathrooms, if you're going for navy @prettybird, brushed brass fittings work really well as a nice contrast. I'll try and get a photo to show you ours once our cleaner has been!

Here we go...chicken and coconut curry. I use chicken breast rather than chicken mince. The pickles with it sound good but I leave out as the kids aren’t keen.

www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/recipes/detail/chicken-and-coconut-curry

Morning all and merry Christmas BIWI! 🎄

Interested in all the chicken chat, I do love it but am getting increasingly squeamish about handling in for some reason.

I’m over the rain too nowlook, we had some new garden furniture delivered on Friday so it might be my fault

Oh and happy Christmas @BIWI!

@Rshard

Morning all and merry Christmas BIWI! 🎄

Interested in all the chicken chat, I do love it but am getting increasingly squeamish about handling in for some reason.

I’m over the rain too nowlook, we had some new garden furniture delivered on Friday so it might be my fault

Nah, I'll take the blame for this one @Rshard. Had a pedicure ready for sandals.

@venusandmars I am so so jealous. That sounds amazing. Can you take pics to post so I can experience a fraction vicariously thru you?

@NigellaAwesome your cloakroom is gorgeous. I’d probably put some really ostentatious dark rich coloured wallpaper behind, but that’s my maximalist style and certainly not everyone’s Darjeeling

@BIWI happy Christmas. Hope you have a good one. Sorry if I’ve missed it but are you doing the full meal too?

@prettybird that’s disappointing. I hope you can catch up soon and not feel too disheartened.

I completely forget to weigh today as had a totally cobblers night. Went to bed at 11 and closed up downstairs as usual but the furry terrorist had secreted himself under my bed and decided 1.09 am was toe hunting season chez koala. After I had got him downstairs I realised I felt really nauseous (I’d had 2 glasses of a new white wine with dinner and it really didn’t agree with me). Spent 2 hours holding a bowl close and then fell asleep to wake at 5.48, but in my bleary state I thought it was 6.48 so decided to get up. At 6.10 I realised my error and went back to bed only to oversleep and wake at 7.45. Mad rush to get everyone to school and lunches made and to my first in studio Pilates class since March last year.

Pilates was a bit slow and chatty as everyone was getting used to it again, but it gave me the opportunity to see my arse in the mirror, and. Oh. My. God. It’s the worst it has ever been. There is no definition. It’s just flat, wobbly and wide. I need some urgent remedial work or I fear it will be lost forever - Any super glute exercise suggestions very gratefully received. The more painful the better. It deserves a damn good thrashing to have gotten into that state. This is what no full length mirrors in the house does.

For brunch just had a spinach, tomato and goats cheese omelette which was nice. Over the weekend I had some cottage cheese to use up. I stirred in 1tbsp pesto, chopped cucumber and really lovely extra virgin olive oil and s&p. I served it in little gem leaves and it was delicious. I’ll definitely do that again.

[quote BSky]Here we go...chicken and coconut curry. I use chicken breast rather than chicken mince. The pickles with it sound good but I leave out as the kids aren’t keen.

www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/recipes/detail/chicken-and-coconut-curry[/quote]
That’s the curry I make, but I use pork mince and add a pack of green beans, and also omit the pickles.

Will catch up and read later but just checking in and saying hello! Still KOKO here. Not weighed yet today.

Yes @MrsKoala - we're having the same menu we would have had on Christmas day! A definitely off-piste dinner, of beef wellington, roast potatoes and parsnips, braised red cabbage, roasted broccoli and Yorkshire puddings, with a red wine gravy. Sticky toffee pudding and home-made vanilla ice-cream for dessert.

0.8lb gain for me this week. But I'm ok with that. I think. At least it means that nearly alll of the weight loss I've achieved during the bootcamp has stuck long enough to feel like it has 'bedded in' -- ie that it isn't just a short-term artefact of restricted eating.

I probably need to look at tightening things up a little bit, but I'm wary of trying to do too much. If I eat too little I will cave in and revert to unhealthy alternations between restricting and overeating.

I am within my healthy BMI so perhaps it might be better for me to focus on eating well and sensibly -- and hope that a little bit of weight loss creeps in very slowly almost as a byproduct.

Or is that too unambitious?.

I'm taking sertraline and I think that might make it harder for me to shift the weight.

Sounds lovely. Beef Wellington is my death row meal. We had it this Christmas too, but I cheated and bought it from cook. Was still good tho (just no leftovers for cold breakfast the next day).

Just checking in to the new thread.
@BIWI happy Christmas!

Plenty of chicken in my freezer! However, I got mince out for tonight as was expecting DH to be at work until 7pm and needed to do a quick chilli.
He has taken the day off with illness, so will all be home for 6!