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.

@prettybird hope your feeling better
Still snow here, schools off
Had lovely scrambled egg for lunch

@Rayna37 I normally just stick some feta in with roast veg about 10 mins before the end so it melts slightly.

Hope you feel better @prettybird

And congratulations on the NSVs. I've got a pair of jeans I'm hoping to be in by the end of this bootcamp but not ready to try yet.

B: FFGY & cream (understand this now from the acronym sheet use - thanks @FinallyHere )
L: Leftover cauliflower cheese with shoggled sprouts - first time shoggling, yummy
D: aubergine parmigiana with roast sprouts & bacon

Going to the theatre after work tomorrow so not sure what I'll do about dinner - normally just grab a sandwich from Pret or crisps at the interval. I think maybe buy one of the protein pots to have around 5.

@Passtheturkey - I used to have Epsom Salt baths, then the following day was spent in the toilet, apparently this is supposed to only happen if you take it orally, but it definitely did this to me and I didnt drink the bath water :)

All caught up. Wow so much on here. Thank you for the acronym addition to the spread sheet, I was getting confused.
Have to say this diet is fantastic. Tonight I’ve had meatballs and ratatouille with cheese for dinner…v tasty. I took a little pot of green olives to work for a snack so haven’t felt hungry at all.
BIWI did you have time to check my food (on p8 now, about 9pm), no worries if you don’t have time, I’m still on track and feeling hopeful. I’m so grateful for this thread, so motivating.

@Jenasaurus love your treats! I need to get myself out of the food = treats mentality. A massage sounds much better!

I’ve had a hungry day today, just wanted to pick at food constantly, coupled with an”I don’t fancy it” whinge in the back of my head. I think that’s the sugar addiction talking! I’ve had too many creamy coffees, need a different hot drink for when I’m feeling snacky, might go browse the fancy teas tomorrow.

@DryWhiteagainW Many apologies - I missed your post!

Just looking at your menus, the first thing I'd say is that it could be that you're not eating enough fat - although it's difficult to be sure, as you haven't said how you're cooking things. But also the fact that you're still snacking could indicate that you're hungry between meals, which also suggests not enough fat.

Sunday
B. Natural yogurt (full fat)
L. Veg soup (leeks, celery, cauliflower, cumin, onion)

snack smoked haddock, chicken thigh, celery sticks.
D. Cottage pie with celeriac mash and leeks

Monday:
B. Smoked salmon one egg omelette
L. Chicken salad with mayo/natural yogurt/lemon juice sauce
D. Chilli without rice
snack ham , chicken thigh

Today:
B. 2 boiled eggs
L. Chicken and veg (as on Sunday) soup
D. Spanish chicken (2 chicken thighs, loads of sauce, nice and warming)
snack: Ham and a small piece of Stilton

im drinking 2 coffees with ff milk and after that fruit teas all day and water.

After feeling a bit crap yesterday, struggling with cold water, low mood I went to bed last night and slept for 12 HOURS! Boy it did me good. So sorry @prettybird that your sleep is crap - it makes all the difference. I don't know how I got that bad, I'm up early Monday & Tuesday, and there was disturbance one night. Anyway I feel back on track now. When I'm very tired I feel hungry, but I think it is just low energy. My own diet rule is to go to bed on time if you want to lose weight!
Great energy day today, walked the dogs, great barre class, met freinds for dinner (had the fajitas without the wraps).

Sorry to be a bit 'Mary Poppins' when people are struggling with sleep and fatigue - I feel your pain. I hope people sleep better tonight. I keep saying to myself, a bad meal needn't be a bad day. A bad day needn't be a bad week.

B. Omlette with toms spinach and mushrooms. 2X Creamy coffee.
L. Greek yogurt with lemon. Roast veg.
D. Chicken wings with garlic sauce. Fajitas minus wraps.
3L water

BIWI thanks for that. I’ve been using butter and olive oil to cook and using chicken thighs and oily fish. Eating ff yogurt too now.

Still freezing but sleeping much better. Slept from 11pm to 5.45am last night which is unheard of and had so much energy today.
Changed from my normal Greek yoghurt to a Skyr yoghurt which was nice enough but will be switching back.

Also - have been meaning to post that my skin is much better. Maybe that's no alcohol/ sugar ?

For those that fancy a giggle, look at my beautifully arranged lunch, chicken, sausages tomato and sprouts lots of sprouts!

Thinking we need a 'like' button for your delicious looking meal @Jenasaurus

Lots of sprouts 🤢

Is pesto allowed? Contains pine nuts so I’m guessing not. Couldn’t see it on forbidden foods

Hi everyone! Have read the thread but there’s just so much to remember, I get completely confused about who said what and when.

So I’ll just say congrats on NSVs, sympathies if you’re feeling unwell, big high five to those who’ve had a properly good sleep for the first time in ages and those of you who are struggling with insomnia take heart it does usually get better for most on the WOE. Also a massive gold star to whoever it was who’s left the alcohol behind for good - I know that takes strength and determination. Well done on swerving it for another day!

I’m on my period. Luckily no cravings leading up to it, no moods and no cramps at all. Definitely one of my favourite side effects of the LC lifestyle (dislike that word these days tbh, but what can you do when it’s the word you need!).

Will come back and do menus but need to post this quickly as my ancient iPad has a habit of kicking me off threads and losing everything I’ve written.

lol - I was hungry and in a rush so just plonked it on the plate, it was actually tasty, I love sprouts too so I am an oddity

Are you not a fan of the green balls of flatulence :)

Just lost my comment.🙄🙄

Can’t be bothered to write it out again.

Eating well, feeling well, can definitely see a reduction in water retention in my face, and my carb belly is a little smaller than it was. On the right track!

Tomorrow I need to tackle the water intake!

I've just woke up, after falling asleep at 8pm. Hope I can get back off and don't end up awake til 4am again.
My sleep is all over the place at the minute.
My stomach doesn't feel so good either. I ended up making roasted sprouts for dinner instead of buttered greens...they were awful🤮Was my first time trying them roasted and I had high hopes as I'm a huge sprout lover but I ended up chucking most of them in the bin.

@DryWhiteagainW I'm not sure about pesto..like you say, it contains pine nuts. However, it's pretty low in carbs so if you were only using a spoonful or so, I'd personally say it's OK (please don't hit me BIWI😬😂)!

Dreams can come true!! 🥳 😘
I'm in Australia so will have to find a similar product, but now I'm sure it's out there. I've only ever seen 100% in Germany, it's an intense experience but more like Vegemite than chocolate to me.

@LostaraYil sending you sympathy and well-wishes for your back pain. I'm waking early at the moment and unable to get back to sleep because of aching back and legs. It's horrible.

I'm researching the effects of different fats on inflammation, thanks to @StuntNun's and @Savedmybacon's comments here. If anyone can recommend good books or papers I'd appreciate that. Now trying to up my saturated, mono-unsaturated and omega-3 fat intake and cut out my omega-6 and other polyunsaturated fat intake. Well, beginning to get my head around it all, anyway.

@DontGetEvenGetEverything thanks for the mention. My plantar fascitis is feeling better than it has in a long time and although my knee is still bothering me (waiting for surgery on a meniscus tear), it's definitely less swollen and inflamed.
My usual stiffness is improving slowly too which is what I was hoping for from this WOE. (I dreamt last night that I ate a huge buffet of party food and felt so disappointed in myself when I woke.)
I don't know about your situation but if your pain is unexplained and chronic (I also have this), I'd also look up SIRPA and John Sarno (pain coming from repressed emotions)Lots of resources online if it resonates with you.
My weight loss has stalled again and I'm up again this morning . Could you advise @BIWI if I list last few days of food? (No breakfasts as experienced intermittent faster.)

Monday
L: leftovers of creamy chicken and veg (made with cream and butter, mushrooms, peppers, spinach courgette, onion)
D: 2 chicken drumsticks with skin on, creamy cabbage, roasted veg

Tuesday

L: cauliflower soup ( made with celery and onion and soured cream) with parmesan on top
D: beef Thai curry (made with coconut milk, mushrooms, onion) , veg curry (tomatoes, sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, onion) salad

Weds
L: cauliflower soup again, this time with dollop of soured cream
D: Chilli made from pork and beef mince, mushrooms, tomatoes, onion, spinach (no kidney beans for me) with cheddar cheese and cubed avocado on top, served with salad and soured cream

Not many snacks, but a bit chorizo and cheddar / rollitos / steamed mussels in creamy sauce )home made beef jerky (just beef)

Drinking black tea/coffee, water, sparkling water plus one a day of the M & S canned fizzy waters with a hint of flavour (no nasties, not sweet, no carbs)

Have never managed to follow something this strictly before so was really hoping for big losses on top of the other benefits.

@BIWI can you help?

I make my own and freeze in ice cube trays. It’s not quite the same but quick and easy and I don’t really notice the lack of pine nuts. Whizz up basil, chives, EVOO, salt, dash lemon juice and some nutritional yeast ( you could should use Parmesan I suppose, my recipe is a throwback from my vegan or AIP days )

@Savedmybacon i have 2 inflammatory autoimmune conditions and have been a bit sore this week, wondering if it’s the eggs. I didn’t see any eggs in your menu - do you avoid them or just coincidental?

@thistlyperf you're right - but if I'd gone back a day more, I'd had a mackerel and egg salad for lunch and the day before that, 2 fried eggs and bacon for breakfast. So certainly not avoiding them.
Is your inflammation diet related, do you think?