Jan '23 Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 7 - almost there ...

[BIWI]

Morning all!

As ever, here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

So we only have two weeks to go before the end of this Bootcamp. Still time to shed a pesky pound or two, especially if you're super strict. Perhaps for these last two weeks you might consider doing full-on Bootcamp, rather than Bootcamp Light?

And now for a challenge. One that I know that not everyone will relish! (Looking at you @venusandmars ). Exercise! This is main/partly for me, as I've missed several of my PT gym sessions over the last month - a combination of him being away and me having guests and/or social events. And I've been very lax about going to the gym during the week.

So the challenge - it doesn't have to be much, if you don't do any now, and it doesn't have to be every day. But see if you can fit in at least one form of exercise this week - be that a walk or an intensive HIIT session. For me, I need to get back to my deadlifts, as I'm working to beat my PB.

Therefore I'm going to get to the gym at least once, and I'm also going to get myself out and go for a walk. I love this time of the year when things are budding and starting to flower, and I have a few podcasts to catch up on too.

Good luck!

Morning all. I will accept challenge, @BIWI ! I intend to swim more and do longer dog walks and do more weights. Have had a large gain for the first time in BC, meaning I've only lost a total of 2.9lbs. 😪 Apart from using tom puree, eating chickpeas once and the evil roux twice, I have stuck to the rules, had some alcohol now and then and haven't even had any berries or nuts. It might be period weight gain, I am horribly bloated for the first time in BC. I fully intend to KOKO as feel really well with this WOE. Well done to all of you, hugely inspiring.

2.8lb gain this morning - not very happy about that! I am going to track my food on this thread to keep myself accountable, perhaps there’s been some carb creep that I haven’t been conscious of.

@BIWI challenge accepted! This weekend I decided to join the gym (again). I’ve already been for a swim, tomorrow I plan to swim and have a go in the gym.

Another pound off this week, happy with that. Exercise wise I do two long bike rides a week but need to do more in between. With local elections looming, I have hundreds of leaflets to deliver so will be doing some everyday and admiring the spring gardens on my rounds. Also need to incorporate more low carb high fibre foods into my diet, for reasons. Today, breakfast = boiled egg, lunch - last of the chicken soup and mackerel pate with lettuce 'crackers', dinner - Salmon, savoy cabbage, cauliflower cheese. KOKO everyone.

My problem with the gym is one of intimidation - since I re-joined, the gym has been completely refigured, with a whole load of kit that I don't know how to use. I had a session with a PT who was supposed to create a workout circuit for me, but she never did. And the gym team is no longer based on the gym floor, so finding anyone to ask, who isn't working with a client, is really difficult. (I know I'm making an excuse about that, but it has been really off-putting).

Anyway. I went last week and worked out where all the deadlifting equipment is, and managed to get on - and work! - an exercise bike to warm up, so I suppose I'm on my way.

I'm definitely incentivised for this challenge as we've just booked to go skiing. In one month's time we'll be on the slopes of Meribel Haven't been for 7 years, so really need to work on my fitness

I started back at rugby training last week too in anticipation

Well done, @BIWI . I find the gym intimidating too but ok once I've figured out all the equipment enough to not feel like an idiot amongst all the grunting pro users! I've found kettle bells really useful and usually that area is empty.

My favourite thing to do since unable to run anymore is pool running. It looks a bit mad, I alternate between jogging a length and running a length and some days swim with paddles. It mixes it up and the aqua running burns more calories than running on land with the added benefit of having no impact on joints, etc.

I always feel so relaxed and de-stressed after swimming, almost like a post-massage feeling, it really helps with promoting good sleep too.

I have been thinking about an aqua class, so that's a good reminder @LadyBiker!

Thank you @BIWI I have been thinking I need to up my exercise as well. I do Pilates and a HiiT/outdoor circuits class once a week, walk the dog (my own hairy four-legged personal trainer) every day and have started weekly swimming the last three weeks (our local pool has a sauna too which massively helps motivate me to go when it's cold outside). But even with that I'm not hitting my goal of 10,000 steps a day often enough. So I'm going to up my dog walks in length (which the hairy PT will be elated with). I'd love to start doing some more weights at home. I've followed a couple of Caroline Girvan routines on YouTube before so maybe I'll revisit them.
Off ski-ing next week. Fingers crossed there will be snow, it's very warm here in France and only rain forecast so it might be more of a walking holiday.
1.4lbs off this week which I am very surprised about as I have PMT and fell off the wagon on Saturday. Going to make it my goal to lose a total 14lbs/one stone by the end of this bootcamp.
Have a great week everyone...

One lb off this week which I barely deserve. Need to be as strict as I can for this final stretch (and beyond) as I have two lovely meals out planned with my sister who is visiting later this week.

Following on from the weekend chat, I use olive oil and butter (often a bit of both) to fry, I have goose fat and dripping in the fridge, and coconut oil. Covers most requirements!

I have already begun the exercise challenge! I did my first bike ride of the year on Saturday- only 18 miles and slow but good to get back on it! Then I had a little adventure this morning: we camped at a local forest last night for half term and I caught the 7:20 train back then ran the 3.8 miles back from the station to home. Admittedly my running is terrible right now and it was run/walk but good to have it done. I try to swim 3 mornings a week but the routine might be a bit disrupted this week.

I have failed and need a big stick battering I believe - a weekend at the coast with my mum and the kids meant Fish and Chips yesterday - then DH bought cake for our anniversary.

I feel absolutely horrendous today because of it, lower back ache and bloaty stomach - it really isn't worth it is it?!

Weighed in at 3lbs on, which is not at all a surprise but hoping with some strict BC final weeks I can pull it back in to line - I'll be happy with a total of 7lbs off this entire BC as it's my first time 'on it' for a few years.

@BIWI I hate when they change things around at the gym, it makes your comfort feeling go all wonky (see also moving things in supermarkets)
I'm intending a 30 min lunchtime walk every day this week and 3 nights of yoga with Adrienne, this thread can keep me accountable.

My exercise commitment this week is 4 (stationary) bike sessions and 2 long walks.

Also committing to up my water, as I'm definitely not getting enough.

I’ve lost the 2lbs I put on last week. My weight feels stuck at around 11st but my waist is still getting slimmer, not sure how that works.

A NSV for me in that I bought a size 10 jumpsuit and it fits comfortably. First time I’ve been a 10 since my uni days!

I’m already thinking up excuses for the exercise challenge but will resist and get on with it.

When I was doing the 'run 60 miles in September' challenge, I used Map My Run when I was out doing the weekly shop, just out of interest. But it was amazing to discover that doing a full weekly shop at Sainsbury's came to half a mile.

Just saying ...

I am committing to walk the half mile to work for the 3 days I'm (I normally drive...😱🙄) also to stretch 3 times (I've got an app that I've not used for over 9 months that frustratingly auto renewed on Sunday)

I had avocado for breakfast hoping the fat will keep me full.
I've prepped the moussaka to put in the oven later to have with green beans. Looking forward to this.
Lost 2.6lbs first week (about 10 days really)

Just back from a run with DS and pleased to see I can already chalk up a success with the exercise challenge. Sadly the scales are not being as generous with a tiny gain showing this week. I’m wondering if I’m maybe not eating enough as my appetite is next to nothing and I frequently can’t face my meals once I’ve cooked them?? Because of that I’m probably also low in fat - gaaaaaah, complicated!!

We are away for half term from tomorrow so I’ve been cooking all morning. I have marinated chicken thighs (schwarma and tikka), egg bites (like Starbucks but waaay nicer) and cheese and almond scones. Plus there a a chicken curry bubbling away in the slow cooker for the first night’s tea to save faffing when we get there. Never been so bloody organised!!

Food so far has been 50g yogurt (all that was left) and a splash of cream, cheese scone with a bit of butter just to check they were ok They were very good!!

@AllTheBlackCoffee I would love your egg bite recipe/method. I can be a bit "funny" about pre made egg things so never really embraced crustless quiches, egg muffins etc but it would be great for food on the go and when I'm eventually back in the office so worth another try!

Skipped breakfast and just eaten lovely cabbage "carbonara" using a lot of stuff up. Doing really well with water today too.

Hi everyone! Happy new week of promise and potential!

Starting weight: 165.3

Last week's weight: can't remember and can't refer to spreadsheet but I'm pretty sure it was 159 or just about.

This week's weight: 158

This week's challenge works perfectly with what I had already planned to do going forward - go for a 15 minute brisk walk after every meal. Apparently it's very helpful for diabetics (which makes perfect sense of course).

DH and I already aim to go for about an hour's walk every weekday, but it really averages out to every other day as the weather can be a bit grim. We also usually get in one good long walk of about two hours every weekend. I need to add strength and resistance into my daily routine at some point. I no longer enjoy the idea of the gym even though I loved it so much back in the day, so I need to find a workable way to do it.

After staying the same last week I thought it may be a gain this week as I had my sons 30th, still stuck to keto, but had a few gin and slimline tonics and my sons friend is a brilliant cook and made an amazing cooked breakfast, so I had my normal yoghurt and berries followed by 2 fried eggs, 3 pork sausages (low carb ones as pure meat) 3 rashers of bacon, and some grilled tomatoes, later on while everyone was scoffing pizza I had lots of chicken and some cheese without crackers but pretty certain I ate too much, I was pleasantly suprised to weigh in 2 pounds lighter today!

I did dance all night though so maybe I counteracted it all, was an amazing place, stayed in a farmhouse with the family and friends, 14 in total. and normally I look like a 15 month pregnant person in photos, here is one of me between my son and his wife, one I am not ashamed to share for once

@Jenasaurus you look fab in that photo. And well done on your loss, I’m always amazed when people manage to do so well while on holiday. Normally I sack it off at the first chance when I’m away but am determined this time will be different.

@Rayna37 im a bit loosey goosey with measurements but today I used 8 eggs, just over half a tub of Philly, and a load of grated cheddar, blended all together til smooth. Fried up lardons, mushrooms and shallot which I added to my egg bite mould and popped in the instant pot for 9mins, plus 5 extra while the pressure dropped. If you don’t have an IP I’m sure they would be fine in the oven. I think blending the eggs and cheeses gives it a smoother texture. I vary the veg, depending on what we have in but chorizo and leek is also really good.

"Squeaky bum time" is a common expression in our household too.

Maybe it's originally a Scottish expression (and not Alex Ferguson per se ). Describes our experiences perfectly of watching the Scottish national teams playing - especially on the rare occasions we have a lead

Sorry - wrong thread

Trust the process... that applies very much to this way of eating, but also to my leg of lamb in the slow cooker yesterday. I was getting rather anxious after 4 hours, but by 8 hours, it was as meltingly tender as the recipe promised. I reduced the cooking stock and vegetables and blitzed it to make a gravy.

Loads left so I've added a tin of tomatoes for a casserole, and plenty to go in the freezer.

that I'm so well known for my hatred of excercise. It was ever thus. In my first year of primary school with sports day looming my mum explained to me that we would all line up and then run as fast as we could to the finish line. My answer: "Mrs Gould said that everyone gets a sweetie at the end, not only the winners, so I'm just going to walk." I did.

I have a pool/gym which is almost exactly 5000 steps from my house (about 2 miles) so I sometimes walk there and back, and secure in the knowledge that my 10,000 steps will be ticked off I can justify a leisurely swim (the water equivalent of a nice stroll) and a daydream in the steam room, jacuzzi, and warm room. However, I have an aversion to going in winter. I like it in the summer when changing afterwards is only as complicated as putting on knickers, a dress and sandals. I hate the faff of putting on socks and pulling trousers up when my body never feels quite completely dry. I hate having to dry my hair in the overheated changing room (in the summer I just walk home with it wet) and I get massively frustrated when I forget to look at the class timetable and inadvertantly turn up at the same time as the aquafit 'ladies'. I did join the class a couple of times but I didn't understand the politics and I stood in someone else's preferred spot it was so like the school gate politics of being a young mum

So my plan is to get over my aversion of winter swimming and go even when the weather is not great.

However, that will have to wait because on Wednesday I am heading off to a warm island for a week of indulgence: yoga and meditation classes every day, a massage/treatment booked every day in the spa, hopefully some sunshine. No doubt some swimming, and some walking, lots of reading, contemplation, relaxation. Just me! Its compensation for an exciting holiday that dh and I booked but was cancelled and now rebooked for 2024. We couldn't find anything that really appealed to us both, so we're having separate holidays, and at different times. That means I can eat breakfast (it's included in the price) choosing all the bc friendly items, then eat fish and veg for lunch, and skip dinner. Plus when dh goes away, I'm free again to focus on my own eating and preferences.

That sounds amazing @venusandmars

Oh WOW @venusandmars that sounds glorious! Have a wonderful time.

300g on for me this week. Balls. This really isn't a forgiving woe, is it? I thought id done so well while my family was indulging on holiday, but clearly not as well as I imagined!

On it with the water this week. I've got a hectic few days of work travel coming up (3 countries in 3 days) and I'd normally use food as a reward to myself for the awfulness of being away from my home comforts and the relentless pace, but I'm going to try very hard to stick with the programme. Must remind myself that the hunger suppression of this woe if very useful when you're not quite certain what time you're next meal is coming from! I'm achingly close to being closer to overweight than obese, just another kg to go. Should we doable in 2 weeks so that's additional motivation.

Exercise challenge reluctantly accepted