Jan '23 Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 2 - how did you get on?!

[BIWI]

Evening all! I'm posting the week 2 chat thread this evening, as I know how keen everyone will be to post tomorrow. As I'm retired now, I no longer have to set an alarm to wake up, so I don't want to keep everyone waiting tomorrow morning to post.

I love this week. It's when we see how much people have lost, and it can be a significant amount. It can be a real leap of faith for anyone who hasn't low carbed before, and all those who really don't believe you can eat that much fat and still lose weight!

I'm really hoping that you've all had a good first week, and that your commitment 'to the cause' has been rewarded with a good result - be that on the scales, with your tape measure, or the currently-too-tight clothes that you've been trying on.

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

I hope very much that you've had a good first week, and that you're feeling supermotivated for the rest of Bootcamp.

However - if you haven't lost, or you have even gained, please don't be downhearted. We're all different, and there may be lots of reasons why this is the case for you. It's also really important to note that it's not a competition. We all lose at different rates - plus, anyone who is bigger will lose more/faster than someone who is smaller.

Hopefully there are other benefits to this WOE that will keep you on track - at the very least, I hope that you have been enjoying the food, and that you don't feel deprived, like you would be on a low calorie/fat diet.

I’ve made a fatal error today. DP is working from home today (only happens once or twice a month) and I made some crispy kale chips, thinking he’d be in the office/spare room for ages. He suddenly appeared just after they had come out of the oven (meeting cancelled) and before I could put them away. Needless to say I now have about two tiny bits left, and he’s in raptures over kale. Never thought that would happen😂

B: egg Mayo, creamy coffee
L: prawn and romaine salad with creamy dressing
D: pork goulash with fried cabbage.
snacks: 2 tiny kale chips😁

Hope you feel better soon @prettybird

Bike ride this morning, very cold but managed not to slip on ice.
B: Boiled egg with knob of butter, sliver of cheese
L: post bike ride. Veg soup plus picky plate of smoked mackerel, streaky bacon, cheese
D: Chicken curry and Cauliflower curry, steamed broccoli
Racking my brains trying to work out what NSV means. Non scales value? New Slimming Vector?

he’s in raptures over kale.

See, this kind of thing is only one reason I love these threads.

Darlings, you are marvellous.

Forgot to say, I've had 2 (TWO) good nights' sleep after months and months of crap nights. I swear the bags under my eyes have halved and I feel a new woman. I'm sure too much sugar is the culprit in my case.

@OldandTired66 Non Scale Victory 😊

I'd forgotten about kale crisps, thanks for the reminder @UnfinishedBusiness will definitely be making some next time the oven's on!

@OldandTired66

Non-scale victory

Often involving fitting into significantly smaller spaces (eg jeans) Reasons generally to feel great good about one's self.

NotDonna I think you're spot on here- obviously cream and cheese are compatible with this way of eating but I think we all come to see you cannot go wild! I know I certainly see better results from the oily fish/fatty meat and FLG(buttery)V meals than the more indulgent heavy creamy sauce ones. Better kept for the minority of meals and to help maintain enjoyment and motivation rather than day to day staples, especially once you're past the early whoosh stage!

Jenasaurus I LOVE that you rediverted your cigarette budget towards beauty treats! Good for you.

Sorry you're not feeling too good @prettybird - whenever I get an IBS flare up (which is always horrible stomach cramps) I find that drinking hot water with lemon really helps, because it's so soothing. A hot bath, and then bed with a hot water bottle also helps.

@littleegghead @FinallyHere Thank you! I was on the right track 😁

The very lovely @FinallyHere has added a new tab to the spreadsheet, with the various acronyms that we use on Bootcamp.

If we've missed any off, just shout!

Here it is

I just had a mouthful of M&S coleslaw- when I tasted it I realised it contained sugar, will have to stick to homemade.

Interesting that so many are mentioning either better or worse sleep. Keto Insomnia is definitely a thing, I have had it before but after much longer in ketosis. Magnesium and 5-HTP helped a bit. I can't get a decent sleep at the moment because of back ache, this evening I'm trying swimming, then a higher dose of amitriptyline, ibuprofen and a hot water bottle for my back. I'm a bit jealous of those who are sleeping well!
B- creamy coffee and gy
L- avo and ham wrapped in cheese, salad
D- salmon, creamy spinach, asparagus

Thank you to everyone who posted advice re sleep/supplements.
I think considering my multivitamin works I'll just continue to take that, then its covering all bases as I read today that VitD deficiency can also be a culprit!

I went slightly off plan today as was dealing with cravings (I'm a recovering alcoholic) so I had to settle that first and foremost. A small handful of salted peanuts and two sugar free chewing gums ( and a whole host of recovery tools that I wont bore you all with ) I really dont care if this sets me back at all, there will be times I'll need to deviate to keep me on the straight and narrow, and well, at least it wasnt a plate of brownies. 😅

So apart from that.. today looked like:

B: small portion of left over chilli with a dollop of cream cheese.
L: shoggled sprouts (loving these!!) And two large mushrooms baked with garlic, cream cheese and parmesan.
D: two chicken thighs with a big pile of buttery Swede.

I am noticing I'm relying heavily on dairy atm but I hope to curve that as the weeks go by and I get into the swing of things more.

I Hope you feel better @prettybird and well done @Brassbumblebee for limiting the damage with peanuts and gum.

I'm not a vegetarian, but had some lovely veggie meals today: aubergine parmigiana for lunch at a restaurant and aubergine and paneer curry for dinner. The curry was from Cook and is absolutely glorious. They're offering 10% off for the month of Jan and deliver if you order more than £40 worth and I've found it quite a good way to stock the freezer for those nights I can't face cooking but want to stay on plan. I'm absolutely not a shill for them but they are also doing 40% off their leftover Christmas turkey so I've stocked up on turkey thighs and pigs in blanket too. Highly recommended

@Brassbumblebee fair play to you for facing addiction. Super resonate with you about dairy. I'm part of a sugar addiction study in the UK over 2years and part of that community run Fork in the Road on Clubhouse app, most of them began their journey via the most recognised addictions. It's on now, 5-6 on Wednesday. Maybe it's a place of interest in this respect...

https://www.clubhouse.com/room/mabB8R2W?utmmedium=chhroommerc&utmmcampaign=y22U9IMygvUcDCbh4XnSPQ-550703

I take a multivitamin for the 50+ plus a magnesium tablet (must check what type it is) plus a Vitamin D tablet.

I've also on occasion substituted the magnesium tablet for some lovely magnesium and lavender body lotion that another BCer recommended. I'm just about out though - need to order some more

Currently sitting on the sofa feeling sorry for myself : I've got a mohair stole around my shoulders and a cashmere pashmina (Christmas present from ds and his girlfriend) on my legs and have just had a mug of hot water and lemon. The hot water is on for a bath.

Oh thank you @TigerYiger I'll take a look 😊

My bad, 6-7pm

Magnesium body lotion? I’m intrigued prettybird! Hope the bath & hot water aids recovery.
Blooming well done you @Brassbumblebee I’m giving up the booze too but it’s early days. Did a year off it last year, then thought I could moderate but it just creeps up. Best stopping. You’ve got this, this woe and quitting booze. 💪🏼

The trouble with this is, literally every time I want to allow myself something, like my nails or a new outfit, even a weekend break, I kid myself that this is from my smoking savings, when in reality I have probably gone over. I am trying to be more frugal this year but went a bit mad buying clothes when I lost my first couple of stone as enjoyed not having to wear mumus and tents lol x

Evening campers!

I usually take a magnesium supplement too, it's supposed to help with fibromyalgia, although I don't see much difference. I take MSM, which is also supposed to reduce inflammation.

I've made a little concoction tonight for dinner-

Beef mince fried in butter with onion and mushrooms, an oxo and some pasata topped with slices of celeriac and cheese and bunged in the oven. Hope it's nice as I'm starving

Today's food:
B: a shallot and two cheese omelette
L: cold roast pork and mustard mayo on salad (spinach tomato cucumber, olive oil)
D: an attempt at another recipe from my new Oddbox book- whipped feta with chargrilled veg. It was nice but quite a faff; next time I think I'd just roast aubergine, courgette, red peppers and green olives in plenty of oil and serve with feta on top.

All the water.

Epsom salt baths can be a nice way to get more magnesium too and it’s an extra excuse for a good long soak. Just don’t let it tough your hair, my normally frizzy best was a sight to behold.

Enjoyed the food today.
L ‘egg sandwich’ egg mayo and salad wrapped in lettuce leaves
D leftover chilli with garlic baked mushrooms.

I’ve got what I think is keto rash. Any ideas on how to shift it please?

Urgh frizzy nest not best. Definitely not my best hair do.