Week 2 - Back-to-school Bootcamp - our first weigh-in!

[BIWI]

Morning all

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

... for you to confess all. (Although I notice it seems to have gone a bit awry - some of the rows don't line up, so hopefully @FinallyHere will be along soon with her tool kit.

Good to hear from the end of the last thread that there are some good results. But also, there was a fair bit of slippage, even though it was only week 1. You need to keep an eye on that, as it won't be helping you in the long run.

@EquallyDetermined - please don't worry about seeming 'whiny' (which you weren't!). That's exactly what these threads are for. I was a bit puzzled, though, as to why you aren't enjoying the food, given how many lovely things we can eat. What have been typical meals for you? Can we help in any way? (And have you had a look at the recipe threads, for some inspiration?)

Good morning lovely @BIWI

I'll take a look right away

Morning. Thank you @BIWI for keeping us all in line.

It's marking my place before I walk the dog.

3lbs down this week and suitably motivated.

I might have put mine on the wrong line! Sorry!

I'm pleased with a 3lb loss. So nice to get the structure and motivation of BC -- I tend to eat low carb and can easily maintain, but a BC blast will get in into a happy place, weight wise. I'm down at least 2 stone from where I started 😀

Also, am I allowed to show photos? I'm hoping this doesn't count as 'indecent'

These are some size 18 trousers I bought. I was really surprised they didn't fit, but it was the waist that was the main issue.

The first photo was last week, and the second photo today.

They still don't fit comfortably but it's a massive difference.

I'm sure it's due to bloating/drinking more water than the 3lb weight loss, but surprising nonetheless!

Great photos @fruitstick - worth saving to drag out every time someone complains that they've 'only' lost 3lbs!

2lb down for me today. Am pleased - I'm not going to get a massive loss this week, as I've basically joined this bootcamp straight after finishing the last one, so think I'm fat adapted now.
I'm feeling good - I miss chocolates and the comfort of carbs, but I'm not craving like I used to.
Am keeping food pretty simple, since I don't really enjoy cooking, but I'm okay with eating eggs on low carb toast a lot

for @motherbuckets and @ZiggZagg - both with losses of 9lbs after week 1! Brilliant progress.

Thanks @BIWI - I am 2lb down despite not being fully adherent last week. My mindset is still in need of change, I just see all the things I can't eat rather than the ones I can and that thing we were discussing about feeling full versus actually being full is definitely a thing, I just don't feel satisfied on a protein, fat and veg WOE compared to one with some bread in it (I don't really miss pasta, rice or potatoes, it's the bread every time for me). I also struggle a bit with trying to keep the fat up, I have never bought low fat cheeses, yogurts etc so full fat versions of those are not a problem, it's adding it into main meals, I know I said this last time but I hate greasy food and adding butter or oil to veg ruins them for me. Hence my over-reliance on salads as I'd rather eat salad with mayo than any sort of oily/buttery veg. Salads are also quick and easy. I will look at the recipe threads again, but it is tricky with family who have no inclination whatsoever to reduce their carb intake (and indeed there are valid reasons for that for 2/3 of them).

Not caught up with the thread but just jumping on to report a 1lb gain. I'm fine with that though as I'm in week 3, my period has just arrived and I did overdo the wine on Saturday night. That plus not enough water over the weekend means it's no surprise and I am back on it and even managed to avoid hangover carbs yesterday which was a huge mental battle of heart and head!

Today:
B: chunk of cheese
L: smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, spinach, mushrooms
D: cheesy chicken rissoles (Fast 800 recipe), salad, tzatziki

loving the photos @fruitstick 'How my clothes fit' really works well for me, as a way to track progress, so much more so than a number on a set of scales :-)

@EquallyDetermined If it's bread you're missing, then you could try this bread? From Srsly Low Carb

It's the closest I've found to real bread. I honestly don't think anyone would know it wasn't, if I gave them a sandwich (or roll) using this.

It is a bit expensive, but definitely worth keeping in the freezer if it will help you!

the struggle with mindset was very real for me @EquallyDetermined

Have you come across Gillian Riley ? Her Ted talk on mindset is still available (i googled just now to check) Although she is very clear that she does not offer nutritional advice, I found eating LCHF gave me the space in which it is possible to follow her advice on mindset

How you find what you need, mind set wise

I can’t quite believe I’ve managed to lose 6lb! Especially given the amount I’ve been eating. I’ve stuck to the rules pretty religiously, but I have so far found this WOE fairly easy to follow. That said, I am looking forward to a drink, as I swore I was done with abstinence after my last pregnancy.

This weekend I managed to avoid the alcoholic and sugary treats on offer. Yesterday‘s food was:
B: FFGY and cream
L: sliced chicken breast with roast veg and feta
D: tuna salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, olives, capers and vinaigrette
S: roast beef from the kids’ pub roast. Tried to get most of the gravy off, but did eat a bit of that… 😳

Today’s plan is
B: Smoked salmon, ham, cheddar and brie
L: at a restaurant, but I’ve checked and there are lots of low carb options
D: lamb steaks w roast veg and halloumi

Thanks @BIWI , I'm an every day weigher so knew it was coming but it's always a relief to step on the scales on a Monday and be able to report truthfully! I've lost so much because (apart from not cheating) I have LOADS to lose, and had quite a big last hurrah last weekend so my starting weight might have been a bit over inflated 🤣

I've started properly tracking my water intake too and that is deffo helping.

Cooked Sunday dinner last night, yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and stuffing for everyone else but I happily abstained. We didn't have much veg in and I cba to make cauliflower cheese so just had chicken and pigs in blankets with a big helping of runner beans which was delicious.

Well done everyone!

Feels a bit like magic, doesn't it @RooRooCooChoo doing pretty much exactly the opposite to the wide spread 'healthy eating' high carb, low fat advice, eating delicious food which does not set up cravings for me. I feel good, no energy slumps and over time, the excess weight slowly drips off.

While I'm not usually one for conspiracy theories, I am aware that the low carb high fat message was popularised just as the food manufacturers were really getting going, making all sorts of high carb, low fat 'near food' product with a good long shelf life. If eating them sets up a craving for more, all well and good for the manufacturer.

Spanners and wrench all packed up again, I think the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness is tidied back up again. No clue as to what went wrong, probably something to do with my last tidy up :-)

I’ve lost 2lbs this week. Really pleased with that as I’m 3.5 weeks in, so around 9lbs off so far.

Just a tiny loss this week but was already on BC lite AND had an impromptu family gathering for a couple of days last week which didn't help. Managed to stay largely on track but alcohol was involved. So no slip-ups planned this week and hopefully a bit of a whoosh next week. Today's plan is 1 egg cheese omelette for breakfast, chicken salad (olives, cucumber, chicken, red pepper, lettuce, boiled egg, french dressing) for lunch, salmon, roast veg for dinner. I have konjac noodles to try in my spag bol for dinner tomorrow (tescos online, £2 for a 2 portion pack), so excited by that. Such is my life!

2lb off for me this week.
I'll add to the spreadsheet later after work.

Well done to all those who have lost. Amazing the ones who've lost nearly half a stone. You both must be so pleased.

Good luck w week 2 all

Checking in, I stuck with it and down 1.8kg this morning so very happy. Would anyone mind pasting the recipe for cauliflower cheese? I have been search for it this morning and looking forward to having some with steak and watercress for dinner

2lbs off for me which I'm pleased with after my Saturday night blip. Well done to everyone on your losses!

Yesterday was a bit of a strange food day as not much in so eating up:
B: boiled egg & mayo, leftover cooked mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes (from brunch the day before)
L: FFGY, followed by sliced pepper and ham
D: roasted veg, feta, rocket and sliced chicken

Planning to make a shepherds pie for dinner with cauliflower mash instead of potatoes.

@LucyLatimer I'm a bit embarrassed to call it a recipe actually!

Cut your cauliflower into florets, then boil in salted water till just tender 6-8 minutes, depending on the size of the florets. Drain, and let them steam dry

In a small saucepan, heat 300ml double cream (or 600ml if you have a lot of cauliflower) until it starts to reach boiling point, then add as much grated mature cheddar as you like and stir till it melts (I'd say at least 250g, but up to you - just taste and see if it's cheesy enough for you).

Once it's all melted and smooth*, season with freshly ground black pepper, and add the juice of half a lemon. Some people also add a bit of mustard.

Then put your cauliflower into an oven dish, pour the sauce over it, then sprinkle another handful or two of grated cheese on top, and bake in a hot oven for around 15-20 minutes, till the cheese on top is browning.

*it won't be thick, as if you were making a roux-based sauce, so adding a generous quantity of cheese helps to thicken it a little

I sometimes add some sautéed shallots and/or some cherry tomatoes to the cooked cauliflower as well.

Thankyou! I am so looking forward to trying it out

As someone who much prefers eating to any activity involving cooking, the cheese sauce is one of my favourite foods.

There is usually a jug in the fridge, ready to have a big spoonful or two warmed up on the microwave (in the bowl plate which will eventually be used to eat from )

Microwaving or air frying pretty much any veg and adding it to the puddle of warmed sauce on the plate is pretty much what counts as cooking in our household. Finish with a light dusting of fresh herbs or paprika

Minimum effort for maximum, entirely delicious results. Mmmmmm