Week 1 - May 22 Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Just getting the opening of the thread started, as there's a lot I want to post before we get into tomorrow!

Firstly, here's the all-important disclaimer:

I'm not a medic. I'm not a scientist, nutritionist or dietician. Everything that I write here is based on the reading I've done over the last 15 or so years. You sign up and take part in Bootcamp at your own risk - although I fervently hope there are no risks!

Please note, if you're taking any long-term medication, especially for hypertension or diabetes or high cholesterol, you should consult your GP; low carbing (for most people) will bring high blood pressure and cholesterol levels down, and will help regulate your blood sugar levels - so the dosage of your medication may need to be reviewed, if not reduced
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A note about weighing

Each Monday I'll re-post the spreadsheet for you to add your weight. Weight is the most conventional way that we monitor progress, but it isn't the only way, and actually isn't always the most accurate way. It's not unknown for people to see no change on the scales, yet to know that they've lost weight as their clothes are fitting better.

You don't have to weigh (and nor do you need to be on the spreadsheet), but it is always helpful to know how you're progressing, as this helps to keep you focused. There are two other important ways to do this:

1 - take your measurements. Hips, waist and bust, as well as upper thigh and upper arms.

2 - find an article of clothing that currently just a little too tight - a pair of jeans, or a blouse - and try them on each week. This is the most tangible way to see how things are working for you.

You can do these as well as weighing of course!

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Also, before we really get going, a plea for good thread etiquette!

The threads will move very quickly (especially in the first couple of weeks). But please, please, please read everything that's been posted. Use the bookmark facility so that you don't lose your place. Don't just jump on the thread to post your own stuff without bothering to read what others have posted

It is very wearing when we have to keep answering the same questions, because posters haven't bothered to read what's gone before!

My day is finishing:

B- Greek yogurt with double cream
L - baby bistro leaves, cucumber, salmon, feta, olives and baby plum tomatoes, with a garlic infused olive oil dressing.
D -Courgette strips, red pepper & mushrooms all fried in butter, with crispy halloumi.

Fluid so far: 2x750ml High5 water, 5 cups of tea (1 full-fat milk, 3 almond milk, 1 with a tiny splash of oat milk because I didn't read a sign properly).

@failinghard Welcome 

I'm sure you'll be a gorgeous bride but as @venusandmars says, 2 stone might not be realistic, especially if you've already lost a fair bit (so you're unlikely to get the initial "whoosh").

This WoE (Way of Eating) averages 1-2lb a week like most healthy diets What it's really good for is not feeling like you're starving and so it's easier to keep to. It's also good because you're able to eat lots of lovely real food (have a look at the recipe threads ).

The other thing, though, that this WoE is really good for - which will be helpful for you - is losing inches even when the scales stick. It's why we recommend either taking measurements or trying on a "target item of clothing" in order to see progress.

Good luck

My day:
Couple of coffees, lacto free milk, boiled egg.
Gammon steak, 2 good sausages, 2 poached eggs.
Steak, salad, boiled egg, tomato, homemade avocado chimchurri.
3 babybels.

Water but probably not enough.

Got out and bought veg so that will feature more over the weekend and will work on the water!

@prettybird thank you!! Yes 2st more is a bit of a moon shot. I lost 1.5kg last week (LC rather than keto) and 1.7kg by being a bit stricter. Was really plateauing for weeks on low calorie, low fat, so this has been great so far. Main adjustments are having whole milk in coffee and using lots of olive oil when cooking and a bit of butter, and bringing back cheese into my diet. I have had a few walnuts, raspberries and some butter beans, but am up for being hardcore for a few weeks.

I'm swimming 1-2 times a week for 40 mins a go, yoga twice a week for an hour each, and doing fasted HIIT 4-5 times a week, plus rowing machine most days.

So much less bloated and gassy!

Quick check in..

B Greek yog and double cream
L Stilton and avocado and tomato salad
D cauli rice with homemade chicken and broccoli curry

I haven't weighed myself yet. I actually started this WOE about 2 weeks ago and I could actually feel my jeans were less tight today . I'll weigh myself next week.

Glad you think so venus! I’m feeling stuffed after all that broccoli!

@failinghard If you want to commit to this WoE and get the most (or rather, lose the most ) out of it, then you need to read the Rules. This means starting with the strict first 2 weeks which means no nuts or seeds and no berries or fruit of any kind , not too much milk, even if it's now full fat (I'm guilty of too many cups of tea with full fat milk, which I really must reduce ). I see you say you're up for being hardcore so I'm just reminding you

And plenty of butter and other fats (eg avocados, olive oil, fatty cuts of meat, salmon). The fat really does - counterintuitively - work, as long as you also learn to follow your body's hunger cues.

PS You could try having cream in your coffee rather than milk

Sorry @TheRealShedSadie I missed that you'd posted FLGV

Late report.
B. Smoked salmon, 2 poached eggs. Creamy coffee.
L. Pork belly (last of) greens
D. LC wrap with Philadelphia, toms, basil, scallion.
Water drank.
I'm also doing well with exercise, lovely class this morning, before breakfast.
I'm prone to the carb flu. I think the Zero tabs have saved me, which is lovely, as I can overeat in dread of it (carb flu). Onwards.

Some great food ideas on this thread, and great to hear how well everyone is doing.
My Friday:
B: egg with kale, greek yoghurt, cheese and mini carrots (nicer than it sounds)
L: mixed green salad with egg and cheese, oily dressing, tempeh (gross, going to eat it up and never buy again)
T: Halloumi, sauerkraut, miso buttery mushrooms, grated beetroot and carrot salad with oil.
S: black coffee, two teas with whole milk

Was a 'using up bits from the fridge' day so odd meals, but some quite tasty bits. My dairy was a bit high, and I know carrot and beetroot are both on the yellow rather than green list, but they needed using and I covered them in oil to help balance out the carbs!
According to to MFP this was 59% fats, 20% protein and 21% carbs. I think the fats is a bit high in that estimate though!

Morning all, happy Saturday!

Ready to navigate the weekend, I always find it trickier at the weekend than the working week somehow but I’m determined and spurred on by a sneaky peek on the scales this morning. hope it sticks for Monday!

Here to admit I've been dogshit this week so far and am furious at myself - I just can't seem to get in the right headspace. Not sure if peri or not but been like this for a few months now. No excuses though - I had bags of willpower and focus at on point, just need some of that back so going to fake it til I make it.

Reading this thread and getting some good food ideas is my deserved kick up the arse.

Come on woman!!

Forgot to add - posted for my own accountability and a smack with the big stick 🏑

So now I have a broom AND a stick

I so understand the bit about the headspace @MuthaHubbard - sometimes despite one's best intentions, it can be just so hard to put those into practice.

Thanks @BIWI 😊

Finding the lists of what folk have eaten massively helpful - compiling a shopping list/menu plan and trying again from now. Will be happy to maintain this week 🤞

I always find it helps if I start the day well, sort of like setting (and fulfilling) the right intention. So B - 2 fried eggs on a slice of Schneiderbrot (4g carb). I know I'll have salad for either lunch or dinner, and lots of veg at the other meal.

Had my daily coffee with breakfast so I won't need to navigate the temptation of an Italian pastry shop later. Water, water, water all the way.

Pre-cycling breakfast might usually be a low-carb porridge but while that's off limits (nuts&seeds, and usually some frozen berries) here's my version of the Leon truffle mushroom egg pot cooking!

Mushrooms in butter and truffle oil, cook for a bit, add a couple of eggs and a sprinkle of cheese, pop the lid on, et voila! Extra drizzle of oil to finish.

Happy sunny Saturday all.
Having a BBQ today to celebrate our new raised garden beds, which area already planted up with FLGV 😁
Staying on track with the following:

L - Greek salad
D - BBQ - will check the ingredients of the sausages and burgers, see if they are LC friendly. Also having chicken drumsticks with baby aubergine and feta salad.

Have a good day everyone

If you like mushrooms which I don't, veg of the devil , that looks a lovely breakfast Rayna37

@MuthaHubbard - I know what you mean about being in the right headspace. What I find frustrating too is knowing that if I start and get into the Zone then my headspace improves - which in itself (until I do it) is bad for me as I beat myself up for not doing something that I know will make me feel better

The good news is that once I start, my mood and attitude improve within a few days. It's as if losing the craving for carbs releases the space in my head for more positive stuff

I'm feeling great! Just had a breakfast of bacon and eggs and feeling curiously full of energy. It must be my metabolism (super slow, hypothyroid) thanking me for finding a compatible WOE. Need to keep up the momentum..

Happy Saturday !
another 1lb down which means I am chipping away after a few weeks of sts
tried on some trousers ( again ) and not quite there , can get zip up and button fastened , but as for breathing forget it .. so koko

food wise I wasn’t great yesterday , or should I say wine wise , food was good , lemon and pepper pork steaks from Asda with veggies lovely

waiting for big stick , had 3 glasses of wine last night , was in the mood for it and I usually don’t drink . Paying for it this morning 🫤

Happy Saturday everyone!
Having a coffee with cream before my hot yoga class...can't eat before it!
Brunch will be cheesy scrambled eggs with mushrooms, chorizo and spinach
Lunch/snack - celery with a tuna & Philadelphia filling
dinner - undecided...I went a bit mad on the dairy yesterday and had really bad restless legs so trying to see if it's a potential trigger and will try to increase my evening fats without it so was thinking of getting some chicken thighs to roast today and having them with salad and avocado...any chicken thigh cooking inspiration??

@bella1426 I've got a skin on chicken thigh craving so might pick up some today.

I put them on a tray with loads of lemon, olive oil, garlic, olives and oregano, feta if you have some.

@bella1426
bash them so they are thin then roll up with some Boursin inside or other garlicky soft cheese , roast , a cheats Kiev chicken