Week 4 - May 22 Low Carb Bootcamp - the end of the first half!

[BIWI]

Morning all!

I see from the last thread that there have been some great losses, despite the doldrums that we generally experience in weeks 3 and 4.

For those who haven't seen the scales move (or for whom the scales have moved in the wrong direction), don't panic - KOKO. Make sure you're following the rules, and all will be well. Remember that this is a marathon not a sprint, and try not to get too fixated on the short term.

Here's the spreadsheet, as usual . Casting my eye down the list there are some really great results, with at least four Bootcampers already more than 10lbs down, which is fantastic.

Here's to another good week

I'd love the CFS @Jollyholibobs so I'm envious, I don't think anyone I know round go with me, is it the sort of even where someone on their own would look out of place?

@mimosa I freeze leftover leeks that I spot looking frayed and anxious in the bottom of the fridge, but haven't tried using them in things other than soup, will give that a go.

@FinallyHere Congrats on the NSV! I nipped into M&S yesterday armed with my new sizes from the booborbust calculator but their changing rooms were all closed, I'm not sure what's going on. I don't know if I'd trust them to measure me but I thought I could try on the sizes the calculator suggested and see if it's a revelation. I'm not too bothered about pretty wisp of lace ones anymore so I'd be safe in R&P!

Great BSV [big] @SummerSazz that's really exciting news.

I can't remember what weight I used to get down to as a younger person which is a bit disappointing, now that I'm middle-aged I'd have liked to know that I'm 'the weight I was when I was this age' etc 😂. I do have some jeans that I've never managed to get into having bought them online about 10 years ago (I'm sure I'd need to lose at least another stone) and those are going to be my NSV goal for next BC!

@Baystard re CFS its a great day out and I would definitely enjoy it on my own. So much to see and take in. I have learnt from experience that you definitely do not want to be ‘lumbered’ with a companion who is not into it. I’m lucky to have been nearly every year for years. It’s the highlight of my DH’s year.

On my way to one of our regional offices today. Salad in a box with avocado and a chunk of cheese for lunch. I am out with friends for dinner so will try and find the menu on line and plan what my best options are.

I am really enjoying the absence of hunger which makes it so stress free and easy to make healthy food choices. And as @venusandmars has advised I will focus on what this evening is about- being with friends and not an excuse for food (over) indulgence.

Have a lovely day everyone and don’t forget the water.

Morning all,

Down to 79.2kg (200g loss) - slow and steady. I'll look for the clever guts book, sounds interesting.

I'm spending the weekend at my elderly aunt and uncle's this weekend. I'm going to do the best I can and have packed a couple of loaves of SLC bread in a pinch.

The clever guts book sounds interesting, I'm going to try and track one down.

Have a good day everyone.

@mimosa1 best to keep SLC bread frozen as it keeps better. Just in case you did not know. Enjoy your trip.

Cfs sounds amazing.

I think I'm going to have to change my mindset around weighing since I've upped the exercise so much, the 3lbs that whooshed off yesterday are back today but every muscle I own is aching so I'm guessing water retention. I am definitely reshaping and getting stronger which is the actual aim, no one else knows what the scales say. It's just difficult after spending a year and a half focussing on my morning weigh in.
@Baystard unfortunately I can remember what I weighed at every stage of my life until I got fat. I don't think I'll ever get back to any of those weights. But that's fine really.

I’m the same @ditavonteesed. I was my lowest weight as an adult after having dd in 2005. I don’t think my face would look very good at that weight now I’m 48!

so glad you had a lovely day @Jollyholibobs

@ditavonteesed @Rshard I agree that lowest adult weight isn't a helpful goal. I was 53kg with a BMI of 17.5 between children, desperate to put on weight. I'd like 60kg, I think. I'm 65.2kg at the moment. What I need to think about now is toning up. Seriously lacking in the exercise department.

Just popping in to say hi - sounds like we're all KO.

I haven't much to report. I marked in 166lbs this week, in the SoF, saying I hoped to see 164 something this week - well the other day I DID! It was so exciting! I'll go up and down - but that number is very motivating for me. 164 is my post BC, lowest weight, in living memory.
I feel like Tweety Bird 'I tawt a taw a Puddy cat (164 lbs). I did. I did taw a Puddy cat!'

I haven't fully got the hang of this WoE - what does work for me is the 'Breakfast like a King, lunch like a Queen, and dinner like a pauper'. If I don't eat enough early in the day, I'm hungry in the evening and buttered veg does not appeal. My groove at the mo is a big latish breakfast - often a cheesy veg omelette. Meat & veg for late lunch. Yogurt later, and maybe tea with dark chocolate.

B. mini fry after ex class - 1 sausage, 1 rasher, 2 egg, toms, 1 black & 1 white pudding. Pudding probably aren't LC but hey ho. Creamy coffee
D. 3/4 steak (I couldn't finish) with buttered cabbage & broccoli. I went back and finished off the cabbage.

I'm off to swimming soon with the children.

I deleted a chunk of that post by accident- quick google says 'Ctrl Z' and hey ho it reappeared!

Thanks @Jollyholibobs I've missed the boat for this year but I'll try to go next year.

We eat alot of sausages and I've tended to assume that because they're not preserved like bacon the 95% pork ones aren't really 'processed' as such. Turns out it's the emulsifiers in them that aren't great for gut bugs. Now trying to persuade the butcher to do me a big batch of 100% pork ones with just salt/ pepper and I'll freeze them. He isn't convinced but if the worst happens I'll marinate them or do a spicy rub or something (in extremis i could open some, mix with herbs and turn into burgers). DC don't like the texture of steak or roast meat and prefer sausages so I'm hoping these will be a guilt free option.

Hi everyone. Apologies if this has been raised before but I am definitely suffering from bad breath for the past week or so. I know it myself ( due to taste in my mouth) but confirmed it with my husband (who reluctantly confirmed that there is something up). Any advice and will it pass? I have never suffered before with this. Thanks

Hi all, just checking in. Our childminder was sick today so had to stay at home and I feel like I def picked at stuff more. Mostly just leftovers of last nights dinner but still more than I would eat normally during the day

B: greek yog and creamy coffee
L: salmon and asparagus marinated. 4/5 tbsp of last nights chicken and med veg
D: feta stuffed roast peppers (from LC veg recipes thread) salad leaves and dressing. Made a rhubarb crumble for kids as it was lashing rain here and something for them to do, so put some rhubarb on for myself too with coconut oil but by the time is was cooked it had shrivelled down to about 1tbsp. Was still nice with cream
Drank all my water and about to go to a pilates class.

Have a good day tomorrow everyone

I think that is a common "side effect" of ketosis. Not sure though if it stays or not.

Just checking in. Scales are stubborn for me this week. Saw a new low of 13.11 on Tuesday but it's been elusive ever since.

Someone's leaving at work tomorrow and with the jubilee as well it's going to be mountains of carbs and sugar in the break area. Another test of willpower but i've not bowed to the Easter eggs and i don't want to break my streak now. In a way, I'm grateful that the scales are being stubborn as there is no "reward time!" voice whispering in my ear.

Half term next week will be another challenge. I ALWAYS gain weight in the holidays because i snack more. A maintain would be a win for me I think.

But if i can maintain at 13.11 (please, SV Gods) that would be something at least!

I've read that lots of water can help this. How are you doing with your daily water?

It could also be ammonia from excess protein. What do you eat on a daily basis? Try cutting your protein to normal levels if you are high protein.
Bad breath is very unpleasant for everyone .

Definitely water, water, water, @Ollieharriet .

I've had a horrible migraine today. It's been a while since I've had one so nasty. Just felt like I'd been smashed in the face - pain going down the side and front of it, and my face was feeling all hot and tight, too. Neck pain ++. Nausea. Horrible.

My food day:
B - Avocado
L - Antipasti selection (olives, chorizo bites, sliced chorizo, gouda, salami) I skipped the bread sticks!
D - Grated courgette fried in butter with leftover beef stroganoff.

Fluids: 3 x 750ml electrolyte water, 1 x 600ml plain water, 5 cups of tea with almond milk, 1 cup with full fat milk.

@Ollieharriet it's a sign that you're in ketosis. It should be temporary - in the meantime, plenty of water! If you have to, some sugar-free gum might help.

(It's a positive thing though!)

@Ollieharriet have you just started low carb or have you been on it for a while? If a beginner, it should go away. Otherwise, less likely I think. It is a positive sign but hard to live with and a bit embarrassing. 😩
Do you know your macros?

Just since the start of bootcamp and never did low carb before. I’ll keep up the water and add gum. Hopefully it will pass soon 😬

So four weeks. I don't know. You should have adapted by now. Some people don't.

If it doesn't pass in the next two weeks, maybe low carb is not right for you unless you are able to mask the odour

@Ollieharriet sorry to hear about the breath! Hopefully BIWI's suggestion of water and gum will make all the difference! 

I'm going to a Jubilee tea party next weekend and I need to take something, which is great as I can just stick to that and not fall into a Victoria sponge. I was planning on strawberries and cream but wondered if anyone had a foolproof meringue recipe? Can I substitute the sugar for sweetener (just for this special occasion)?

Any other ideas?

@UnOeufIsEnough - I made these when I had gestational diabetes: www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/sugar-free-meringues and had a craving for meringue. If I remember correctly, they weren't quite as crunchy as normal meringue so you'd want to keep them bone dry until the last moment before adding cream or sauce.

Fab - thanks very much! Top tip on them going soggy. I might take some regular meringues for everyone else and add my special ones at the last minute!

Thanks!

But I'd also be interested in any genuinely sugar and sweetener free suggestions other posters have. Long term I will definitely need more dessert options than just a few strawberries with cream if I'm to stick to this WOE!