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.

@BonnieBairn well done resisting the carbs, alcohol makes it so much harder so that's really impressive. @Gingerwarthog I'm not sure the red wine wouldn't actually be better for you, even alcohol free beer is just empty calories whereas red wine has polyphenol s which are good for us.

I've a sore throat and feeling tired and urgh today. I don't have indigestion but I feel bloated and puffy and my appetite has vanished. Had some some steamed clotted cream in my coffee this morning as I was needing both cheered up and a bit more nourishment than black coffee all morning (I don't like eating before lunchtime).

Thank you @Baystard
I feel better now!

@Baystard how do you steam the clotted cream? I tried a creamy coffee with double cream today and it was a bit too rich so interested in other options.

Toes all done now!

@mimosa I mix a big dollop of clotted cream with a little bit of water (maybe half and half?) then steam it with the espresso maker in the normal way (I have a little 150ml jug that makes just enough). It doesn't need to be smooth when you mix it as it smoothes as it heats.

@Jenasaurus where is the MN 'like' button when you need it.

On the subject of low carb bread, I agree with @BIWI about the weird taste / texture of Seriously Low Carb bread, especially when it's toasted. I've recently tried Heylo Artisan Seeded bread and much prefer it - it's darker and more like granary bread. It's got a better texture and it's nicer toasted. Well, in my opinion anyway!

weareheylo.com/product/heylo-keto-low-carb-bread/

I made these last BC and really liked them. Had to stop making them as i kept eating them, and not in moderation!

Ah thanks @Baystard - i don't have a steamer but I'll do some experimenting.

Thanks to whoever suggested the technique for cutting celeriac. It came in very handy this evening - previous attempts were NOT so straightforward.

I’m a fan of having some Seriously Low Carb bread in the freezer as sometimes I just want something easy and less rich - sandwich, bread to dip in soup, etc. But it’s not as good as real bread so doesn’t set me off having loads.

Had serious chocolate cravings today. Not sure how I got out of WHSmiths without giving in! Did have a takeaway for dinner - decided Chinese too difficult so I went with a chicken kebab, loads of salad, no pitta, tzatziki. Obviously I don’t know exactly how they cooked the chicken or the yoghurt in tzatziki but I thought it was a pretty good choice and felt like a treat.

I do feel like my hunger has dropped dramatically, but the last day or two I’ve really struggled with craving all the bad stuff. It’s just because I’m used to eating almost continuously and I know there’s no magic wand but to push through and create new habits. It’s bloody hard though!

@mimosa1 - glad you had more success with cutting celeriac

The trick is definitely to use a big sharp knife and not to try to be delicate

TOTM here and the chocolate cravings are strong. Caved in yesterday and had 1 square of dark chocolate. Can anyone suggest satisfying alternatives? I was thinking whipped cream but didn't have enough cream left.
Gorgeous toes Jenasaurus. And thanks StuntNun for the muffin recipe, I'll make some tomorrow to have during the week.

DH is being amazingly supportive and has cooked meatballs with peppers, kidney beans and tomatoes this evening. He also added chilli and cumin.
Fabulous.

But kidney beans aren't allowed @Gingerwarthog !

@Lucienandjean that bread does sound nice. I'll have to try some. (Shame it's so expensive though)

@LostaraYil what cocoa content was the chocolate?

Awww...
It was lovely.

@TheMagicSword good move steering clear of the Chinese takeaway. Our family love them but I've not found anything particularly low carb. I much prefer Indian, so many lovely tandoori meat options and not normally much wheat.

Chinese is my absolute favourite, if I had to pick one cuisine to eat for the rest of my life I’d choose it without hesitation! Just need to put the effort in to cooking my own versions… I agree on tandoori, we used to go to some Pakistani/Afghani places that did amazing grilled dishes.

Chinese take away keeps me up at night

brunch was lovely —even though the waiter seemed unimpressed that I was going off menu, I kept saying thank you and smiling nicely, prob passive aggressive, but it worked—

Venus post it’s I’m telling you. DH finished my FF Greek yogurt so I’ve bought more and it’s clearly labelled.

Roast chicken dinner tonight

Evening everyone!

Caught up with the thread and I cant remember who said what but I really like the sound of that protein bread, I wonder if they sell something similar in lidl for when I go on monday? I'd love a slice with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Also SO hoping they have some celeriac this time!

Been really busy at work today but have stuck to plan, really haven't been hungry which has been great because I'd usually be back and forth to the biscuit tin by mid afternoon.

Meals today;

B: ff greek yogurt
L: chicken wings and sprouts with a little cheese (I left my butter at home and wasnt about to put margarine on my sprouts)
D: pork burgers with hm coleslaw

Coffee with ff milk

@BIWI it is expensive! But that stops me eating too much of it, I guess.

Still cold but less so? It was freezing today and I came back from a long walk and felt ok. Maybe adapting?

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I have a question about stock / bone broth. I've got some on the boil now, and the way I've always made it (following every recipe I've ever seen) is to let it cool then siphon the fat off the top before bottling it and putting it in the 'fride.
Does this advice stem from dodgy beliefs about the dangers of saturated fat? Or is it to make the final product more stable and long lasting (because a fatty stock would go rancid faster than a low fat one)?

@DontGetEvenGetEverything I always keep all fat in a stock because that’s where half the goodness is; I add in every last bit of olive oil/butter/cooking juices from the roasting pan as well, when I make it. Never had any issues with it going off more easily or being less stable (but I tend to use it within a few days - I’m always making soups).

@LostaraYil I love this chocolate mousse recipe that only contains dark chocolate, butter and eggs. I halve the recipe and make four or five portions in water glasses because it's incredibly rich so you only need a small quantity. It makes a really fancy dessert served with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.