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!

I'm afraid I'm another that needs a good old beating with the big stick. I've just lost motivation so carbs have crept in. Not loads but enough to stall my weight loss. I'm also not drinking enough water. I've been signed off with anxiety and not sleeping well so I know that's the reason. I need to prepare snacks for the middle of the night when I'm pacing up and down because I can't sleep as that's when I'd eat toast. KOKO!

@venusandmars that sounds lovely, have a great time.
I bought a swimming cap, it’s not a good look but saves my hair getting wet - I really hate wet hair!

VenusandMars can I come? Sounds fabulous.
BonnieB not sleeping is the worst. I hope you can sort your sleep patterns while off work.
Lost a pound this week. This diet has been amazing and thank you to everyone on the thread. Being accountable and motivated by other people is what has made a big difference for me.
TBH breakfast and dinner have been repetitive during the week because I just batch cook and take it to work. I don’t mind. I’m lazy.

dinner tonight is chicken stir fry and I’ll have some smelly blue cheese for pudding.

I go to a gym where the lighting is low and I like that as you can hide in a corner (but need to watch out that you don’t trip over any body/weights. Seeing the numbers on my padlock in the changing rooms is also challenging!!!)

lunch - pork belly, hot sauce and salad
dinner - peri peri chicken and buttered leek, cabbage and courgettes.

Place Marking. Thanks for the new thread @BIWI. I didn't get a chance to weigh this morning as started a new job so was too preoccupied trying to leave the house on time. But I'm feeling optimistic as wore a dress that had been straining at the buttons last year and now fitted well. I did go slightly off piste at lunch with a halloumi & pomegranate salad that said it had 11g of carbs - but am hoping most of that was in the dressing which I didn't eat. Will stick to the Pret protein bowl tomorrow.

I think I'll struggle with the exercise challenge given the new job, but have managed 8,000 steps just going to work and back so hopefully that will suffice.

@BonnieBairn sorry to hear you're struggling. Hope things improve for you.

I've gained 1.5lb this week but I know it's only water weight or hormone driven as whilst I've been only lightly bootcamping (I'm close to maintaining) I've been making good choices and keeping in control. Hopefully a whoosh is imminent.

I'm really impressed with how supportive and positive everyone is on this thread!
Well done all.👌
I have to report that the moussaka mentioned on last week's thread was PHENOMENAL. Even my dh who talks about the 'wierd' diet I'm on grudgingly enjoyed it. He had his with chips and mine came with spinach.

Oh balls, I've fallen off the wagon and then some. Made some homemade shortbread with the kids tonight and ended up falling face first into them. I was hungry, which didn't help. Posting for accountability.
Onwards.

I’ve just seen this cauliflower steak recipe and it looks delicious …….an alternative to cauliflower cheese. I’ll be making it soon
hungryhappens.net/cheesy-cauliflower-steaks/

hungryhappens.net/low-carb-roasted-vegetable-pizza/ this looks good too. Vegetable pizza.
guess you would substitute onions with shallots and use ground almonds instead of breadcrumbs

Evening all. I’ve lost a tiny bit but I’ve been rubbish this whole bootcamp as just can’t seem to get going with it and it’s nearly over. My first ever BC was the recent pre Xmas one and was pretty successful (165 to 155) despite it including 10 days in Mexico where (amongst other things) I thought beetroot juice for bfast was healthy 🙄. I then lost a further 6lbs (so 149) over Xmas and whilst in Australia. Came back ready to start this bootcamp as I’d like to be a straight 140 ideally but would settle for below 145. But it’s been a real struggle. There’s been the usual eating out where I’ve been careful or times when I’ve been persuaded to have pud. More recently a few ‘ah fuck it’ moments, which is worrying. I’m not sure what’s going on. But I’ve lost my BC mojo.

How tall are you @NotDonna ?
How much are you currently?
It's hard to lose if you are a healthy BMI and if you are, say, 5'8, then 147/8 is a good weight?

I’m 5’6 but I’m only just in the ok section and on the cusp of overweight. It’s more of a mental thing though I think rather than biologically hard.

@NotDonna I’m feeling the same. Last bootcamp was so motivated but struggling a bit this one - still sticking to the plan but finding it harder.

As well as swimming yesterday I managed 17.5k steps, feeling a bit achy this morning!

@BIWI thank you for the motivation I would like to accept your exercise challenge for this week. I have struggled with sticking to plan as it is one of the things I am terrible at and end up having too many "feck it moments" . Which completely highlights why I seem to go around in circles with some things in my life 🙄

Could you please amend the spreadsheet as it looks like the row 29 formula is showing my weight changes for this week. Many thanks 💐

@NotDonna we often talk about weight loss not being linear in the short term i.e. the scales bob up and down over the course of a month though the trend is downwards but I think the same is true in the longer term: you start eating better because you feel sufficiently dissatisfied with your weight/health/appearance/etc to take action, then you lose weight and feel better, and then you find it difficult to be as motivated because you no longer feel the same level of dissatisfaction. Eventually the initial "ooh I feel great" wears off though and motivation builds again and off you go again.

That's a useful point @Baystard. I'm a bit disappointed this morning as the scales were 1kg heavier than a cheeky weigh in mid week. I've been pretty good, the odd piece of dark choc aside.

But the trend is down and my clothes feel comfier. I also am quite small and didn't have that much to lose, but am aiming for another 3kg. Think I'll just KOKO after the end of bootcamp.

That’s a really good point @Baystard and because everyone has been saying how good I look it’s easy to think I’ve reached ‘it’ and that ‘this’ is good. Im sure you’re right that the motivation will return and I’ll have another boom. I just need to ensure I don’t gain anything whilst waiting for the motivation to kick in.
Snd if I’m not self-sabotaging there’s always something that’s a carby event. I’ve an afternoon tea on Friday with friends I’ve not seen for years.

Thanks for the exercise challenge BIWI I’m feeling a bit meh and down at the mo so some endorphin releasing exercise would do me good. I walk the dog every day. I’m learning to play tennis but I don’t run around much and that’s only an hour a week. I do Pilates once a week too. But I need to do more. Not sure what.

@Skiphopbump that’s a great number of steps plus a swim!

I have a Zoom Pilates class this morning, followed by a Zoom coffee with my group of Pilates friend but I've put on my running bra and am planning to go out for a short run afterwards

That made me laugh because I’m starting beetroot juice daily from tomorrow! Sorry @BIWI, and all - I know it’s not BC friendly, but I’ve decided the potential benefits for hypertension/blood glucose suppression are worth it for me to trial it. I’ve been considering adding breakfast back in (a BIG adjustment for me) so I can spread my carb intake over three meals instead of two which should hopefully avoid overloading my system on a lower dose of meds.

I’m going to add a tablespoon of raw potato starch to it as well, for the resistant starch benefits, and then have a small amount of chia seed pudding/porridge.

As for BC, I’m going to be a bit more strict these last two weeks. Not full-on BC proper, because I’m keeping seeds/nuts, but I’ll be eating those in smaller amounts as a supplement to lunch, not as a snack in the evening. Will also limit my alcohol intake after our anniversary weekend where we indulged a bit. Taking eggs down from two when I have them at lunch to one.

I tried the SLC seeded crackers. Very happy with them! One of the things I really miss on this WOE is a crunchy vehicle for delicious toppings. These hit the spot perfectly, at 0.4g carbs per cracker. We had a buffet style dinner (but served in courses to make it feel a bit more special and also so it took longer to eat) the other night to celebrate our anniversary - look away now @BIWI

Started with melon and prosciutto

Then DH had his delicious home baked ciabatta, with smoked cheese and various salami. I had my cheese and salami with slices of cherry tomato and cucumber.

Then more delicious bread for DH <sigh> with Ardennes liver pâté, topped with shallot rings, cornichon and crispy pancetta. I had the same but on two of those delicious crackers. Olives on the side.

Finally pear halves stuffed with blue cheese, topped with walnut halves.

Washed down with champagne.

It was really lovely, and not too carby for a celebration meal.

Tonight I’m making our official nostalgic anniversary dinner:

Chicken breast stuffed with herby mascarpone, wrapped in prosciutto. With roasted crushed garlic potatoes for DH and a side of mixed steamed (and dressed, of course!) vegetables.

...and then have a small amount of chia seed pudding/porridge.

To clarify, will add this in once BC ends.

Off to deliver more leaflets on my exercise challenge. Lots of long drives, steps and floor level letterboxes. Quite the workout 😁. Also mild enough for a spot of gardening later. Boiled egg for breakfast, chicken salad for lunch, 'spaghetti' bolognese subbed with savoy cabbage and leeks.

Happy anniversary @TangledWebOfDeception - how many years?