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!

Lack of magnesium is associated with restless legs - it's one of the key electrolytes we may need to boost when we're low carbing, so I'd suggest you look into a supplement to help here.

Good food sources of magnesium that are Bootcamp-friendly are green leafy vegetables, such as spinach. After the first two weeks of Bootcamp, almonds would also be helpful

I've started cooking chicken thighs in the slow cooker, and they're lovely and tender.

Chop some shallots - 3-4 echalion/banana shallots - and put those in the base of the slow cooker. You can add some thin slices of lemon if you like. Put the thighs on top, and then season with salt & freshly ground black pepper. Any herbs you like, but oregano (dried or fresh) works well. A little bit of white wine or cider or even just water. Then cook - I usually put my slow cooker on to auto, but leaving them for several hours would be fine.

Then I put them in a hot oven for 10 minutes or so to crisp up the skin.

Crispy chicken thigh skin is absolutely nectar of the gods! I do a tray bake similar to supersee and nab all the skin when they come out of the oven!

Omg, I've lost a pound 😱 1.5lbs in two days 😃

Breakfast today: bacon, aubergine, shallots, pepper and tomatoes.
Lunch: celery with cream cheese and then Greek yoghurt with cream.
Dinner: steak with courgette, shallots, tomato and pepper then more Greek yoghurt with some cream.

I'm drinking all the water 👍🏻

This, together with the previous recent weight loss is making a real difference with clothing. Things feel looser and I felt lighter when out dogwalking yesterday. Not as tired etc. Have bags of energy and have been spring cleaning the kitchen since 8am 😄

Hope everyone is having a great low carb day 🙌

Hope everyone's having a good Saturday!

After feeling bloody amazing yesterday, I now feel absolutely terrible. Stomach is churning, whole body aches (might be from exercise), feel like I am going to be sick, very mild headache, low mood. Anyone got any advice? I am drinking loads of water. I increased fat yesterday based on feedback.

Dogs did wake me up super early, before the baby even, fml.

Just had a lovely avocado for breakfast, with the stone holes filled with olive oil and a squirt of lemon juice and a wee sprinkling of salt

Tonight it's crispy skinned pan fried salmon with asparagus and salad.

Could be carb flu - in which case you need to up your electrolytes

Coffee, babybel
2 bacon, 2 egg scrambled eggs with butter. Avocado chimichurri.
Pack of ready cooked chicken thighs (went into work early so it was a grab option).
Dinner will be crispy chicken thighs I mentioned earlier with veg. I've got some parsley and anchovies needing using to will whizz that up into something to drizzle over.

Bought some almond milk (0.9/100) which is lower in carbs than my lacto free so will move onto that.

Have a good Saturday all.

Has anyone got any ideas for entry level avocado? It looks so delicious and I know they're really good but to me, it's like eating cold snot?

B - greek yoghurt with cinnamon
L - scrambled eggs with smoked salmon

Definitely need to get the veggies in at tea time.

Been spinning for the third time this week and really liked the instructor today so will watch out for her classes. She even said I had done very well which plays to my swotty personality

Having brunch today due to a slow start to the day!

B: big plate of eggs and mushrooms cooked in lots of butter
D: slow cooked pork ribs with a big salad and Caesar dressing

Off for a walk shortly with DH and DDs. Will need to take the obligatory snacks for the kids to keep complaining to a minimum

@glamourousindierockandroll would the texture of guacamole work? I like guacamole too use an over ripe avacado- little bit of onion finely chopped, a finely chopped tomato, some fresh coriander, squeeze of lime juice and a bit of finely chopped red chilli. Mix it with the avacado and good with crispy baked edam or gouda slices as nachos.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Lunch here is bacon baguettes but my adaptation is going to be too fry everyone's bacon then take out the family's bacon, leave mine in and add two beaten eggs. Bacony omelette with all the lovely bacon fat.

I wasn't very hungry yesterday but my mouth is watering now 😂

Dinner is going to be another veggie traybake to use up the other half of the feta so I'll get my veg that way.

@glamourousindierockandroll I like an avocado omelette: 2eggs, some Cheshire/cheddar or a mixture, half a chopped avocado. I really like a toastie with strong cheddar, avocado and lots of black pepper but that's beside the point

Thanks for the tips. I actually do like guacamole as a topping on nachos etc so I think the cheese and the texture ideas could work well!

@glamourousindierockandroll I can't eat bald avocado either. I also don't like it too smooth so I have it crushed with loads of lemon juice, garlic salt, onion salt, mint and chilli flakes. Or a rough guacamole.

Oh just right avocado eaten with a spoon from the skin - ultra yum!

Happy Sunny Saturday everyone.

B Greek yog and cream
L grilled halloumi salad with avo and olive oil dressing
D is going to be a BBQ at a friend's house. I am making a Greek salad to take that I know is v low carb so I can have that with some delicious BBQ meats!

I like avocado made into a dip with Philadelphia, mash it all together, season, maybe some chilli oil or tinned tuna to mix it up and use celery sticks, red peppers or cucumber to scoop

2 x Boiled Eggs

Greek salad with olives, tzatziki and feta with a tin of sardines in olive oil

Homemade cheese burgers with salad

Exactly that @prettybird - I know I'll feel so much better and able to keep on board when I do it properly!

Been for a mini shop to stock up and had some Greek yogurt with a slug of cream which was delightful

I've put on 300g overnight. That will teach me to weigh more than once per week 😁

Breakfast was a fried mushroom and cheddar omelette made with double cream.

B: bone broth, coffee with dash of organic whole milk, goats cheese, roasted tomatoes & mushrooms, buttery scrambled eggs, dill, sauerkraut

L: shake with unsweetened almond milk, Purition protein powder, full fat greek yoghurt, teaspoon nut butter, flaxseed

D: herby lamb cutlets with tricolore salad - avocado, burata, basil, tomato, lots of olive oil, squeeze of lemon juice, salt & pepper

A few cheats I know but I’m feeling proper rough with suspected keto flu so needed fibre and flavour

Evening all 

Another solid day for me today. I made a mushroom and egg/ cheese bake thing that I think @prettybird posted earlier, was delicious!

Haven't felt hungry but I'm now making some homemade burgers with cheese and avocado (I'm pretending to myself that I like it!)

I've had most (cough) of my water, still struggling but I'm feeling my energy levels rise which is significant for me, as I have Fibromyalgia and have had literally zero energy since April last year!

Sneaky stand on the scales today shows a whopping 6lbs off hoping it sticks for Monday!

Also does anyone know where I can find any tasty low carb beef sausages? I don't eat pork anymore and am missing a good sausage

KOKO all!

T - belly pork slow roasted served with spring greens and blue cheese. Also had some pork scratchings this afternoon.

I'm finding it hard to accept eating all this fatty food and believing that i'll see a loss. Scales have shifted already though and would be lovely to duck under the next pound before spreadsheet time on Monday.

It very definitely wasn't me that posted the mushroom/egg thing as I hate mushrooms - 'twas Rayna37

I did however comment that it looked nice if you liked the food of the devil

Oh hello chicken thighs with crispy skin my new friend...coated in a bit of olive oil, smoked paprika and onion and garlic salt and roasted for 40 mins, could not be easier and sooooooo tasty. These are going to be a regular staple from now on I think!