Summer '23 Boot Camp, Week 7: only 2 weeks to go

[prettybird]

Good morning Campers!

So we are on to the home straight with only 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?

@FinallyHere will be along shortly to link to the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

We might into the final fortnight but we'll still be around afterwards for support or to continue following the Rules If you've only just started, we’re still be here to advise.

It’s 6 weeks tomorrow before I’m off on holiday - so that will help focus me

Still not feeling a 100% so I suspect it will be day vegging in front of the TV.

Sorry @Goodiewhemper, but that's way too high for Bootcamp. Definitely avoid - you can't mitigate against high carbs with other macros, I'm afraid.

(I'm also surprised that's allowed to be called 'keto' - my understanding of keto is that you have less than 20g carbs per day. Must check that!)

Hi all,
@BIWI can I have some advice please? The last few days I've felt really hungry and even after eating (just had boiled eggs on low carb toast) I am feeling carb cravings snd just want to fall head first into a box of biscuits. Was quite proud of myself yesterday for getting out of the shop without caving but I have the empty feeling of needing sugary carbs.
I had thought that this had worn off. I've stalked weight wise this week so am going back to stricter bootcamp (reducing dairy, no berries or seeds) but is there anything you'd recommend doing?

Are you genuinely hungry, or do you think it's 'emotional' hunger, for want of a better word? We easily fall into the habit of the latter, especially if we feel the need for comfort. And the things we choose then tend to be the kind of foods that give us a dopamine hit - usually the ones high in carbs/sugar. Sadly we don't get that kind of feeling from broccoli!

If you're genuinely hungry, are you drinking enough water? Thirst can often manifest as hunger.

Equally, are you keeping your fat levels high? Are you eating enough protein?

And perhaps more obviously, are you simply not eating enough?

Also @LadyBird1973 don't worry if you've stayed the same weight - I can see from the spreadsheet that you've a) lost a lot and b) lost consistently, so you can tell that this WOE is working for you.

Really no need to start restricting food. Just keep an eye on the carbs. (If you feel that you've been overdoing it on the fruit/nuts, etc then just be wary of those).

@BIWI thanks for the reply. Honestly I don't know. Everything is okay emotionally so I don't know why I'd be wanting to eat as comfort. Unless it's that I've gotten so far and am scared to fail at this point so starting to self sabotage (that makes me sound a bit crazy). I shouldn't really be hungry for food because I have been eating.
I do like the cream and cheese though and this is probably where my fat intake is coming from, although I do cook with butter and olive oil and go put butter on low carb bread.
Water intake isn't great - have a few bladder issues so when I've been away I tend to not drink as much because I can't always easily get to a bathroom. Am drinking mint tea now though and will up the water intake this week since I'm home.

Why have you had a two heavy nights of drinking?! This is the first couple of weeks of Bootcamp for you, so you shouldn't be drinking alcohol at all!

I'm afraid to say that this means you are risking wiping out your first week loss.

And also, you shouldn't be carb-free with your food. You should be eating plenty of veg/salad, which is where your carbs will be coming from. This is important to ensure you're getting good nutrition.

@LadyBird1973 self-sabotage is, I'm afraid, very common!

But it's great that you are recognising it. The trick is to resist it

Re the fat - it doesn't always have to be cream and cheese. In fact, for some of us, as @StuntNun explained, that can be counter-productive.

Have a look at your protein sources, and see if you are eating the fattier options - so don't buy lean mince, for example. Buy chicken thighs (with skin-on) rather than skinless chicken breasts. And fry rather than steam.

Welcome back @EvenlyDetermined. Just need to keep reminding yourself of your username!

Oh @prettybird I'm so sorry, I've only just read through the thread. I know how close you were to him, my deepest condolences

Thank you to @BIWI for stepping up too.

@LadyBird1973 is your period due, by any chance? I always get carb cravings a couple of days before mine.

@StuntNun sadly I can't blame my period. I'm on HRT so even though I do get periods, they aren't 'proper' ones afaik. They are certainly different to how they used to be.

I've not been eating much meat recently. In an ideal world I'd be vegetarian but it is much harder on this woe. Most of my protein has been coming from eggs, which are great but there's only so many you can eat. I do have tofu in the fridge---- - not really sure what to do with it. I bought it with the vague thought of making a smoothie with almond butter and cocoa powder and flax seeds. But I need to reduce nuts and seeds this week. Might do a curry with it.
Have leftover paneer as well - might tell DS it's halloumi and offload it onto him

Check out The Diet Doctor for some low carb tofu recipes

Thank you Biwi.
I found some trout pate in the fridge and had that for lunch with some celery sticks and a slice of corned beef.
Am going food shopping this afternoon, so clearing the fridge down

@BIWI I had two events on already booked. I'm happy for it to take a bit longer and still have my social life!

Also just meant managed to stay keto, eating plenty of the right veg/salad!

OK - will put my Big Stick down.

Just don't be impatient if you see little or no weight loss over the next week or so. And be ready for the infamous weeks 3 & 4, when weight loss will slow right down (possibly disappear).

Week 4 I'm on holiday! Just wanted to do 3 weeks before the holiday but will defo continue after as I'm really enjoying it!
Weight loss has slowed down to be fair but I feel like I'm comparison to others daily food, I'm eating a lot more?

So sorry to hear about your dad, @prettybird 💐. And welcome back, @biwi, thank you for stepping in. Having a good week so far, not feeling especially hungry or snacky. B was boiled egg, L was picky plate of tuna mayo with lettuce leaf 'crackers', bacon rashers, olives, chunk of soft cheese. D will be chicken curry with buttery cabbage. Two coffees with cream and a 40 mile bike ride. There was a post about food to serve as canapes further down the thread. What about tzatziki dip with veggie crudites for dipping? 70's style cheese and ham cubes on sticks, pork puffs, olives, rollitos and a separate table with the carby stuff to reduce temptation?

B scrambled egg smoked salmon and feta cheese
L- chicken breast with smoked chedder on top, brocolli qnd coleslaw

D- beef chilli, salad, sour cream cheese and guac

Snack ffgy and berries

I also have chilli for dinner - with celeriac chips cooked in goose fat.

Tonight we had moussaka, from the Idiot Proof Diet book. I do make it slightly differently, in that I use a tin of tomatoes rather than just purée and water (so it's probably a bit carbier), and I used 2 aubergines rather than 1, but it is absolutely delicious. I always forget just how tasty it is!

I served it with a mix of courgettes and leeks, fried in olive oil, with a red chilli.

@prettybird has asked me to let you know that she hasn't fallen face down into a tub of carbs!

...yet . Despite dh now munching his way through a large box of Maltesers

Wine on the other hand....

@BIWI I love that moussaka recipe!

OK folks I need some inspiration. On Friday I have to provide multi-generational 'party snack food' (after lunch and before tea so not a huge amount of food needs to be consumed). It needs to cater for low carb (of course!), dairy free, and non meat (but fish OK). And to feel like it is party snacks!

Help!

Oh, and to complicate things, it is much easier if we can all eat the same things rather than having items 'off limits' to some attendees.

Blimey @venusandmars, that's a hard brief!

Only thing that came to mind was devilled eggs - hard boil eggs, then mix the yolks with mayo, curry powder and a bit of mango chutney (I know this is sweet, but you don't need a lot of it). Then refill the holes left by the yolks with this mixture. Sprinkle a bit of cayenne pepper on the top.

The low carb muffins could work?