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?)

Kefir yogurt (tiny amount as it's sharp savoury taste is deceptive and I saw that the pack says many carbs are in it!) coffee and cream

Sprouts baked with bacon

Slow cooker chicken thigh and spinach curry

Much water and some red bush tea
One tea with milk

@Okaygoahead try some High5 Zero electrolyte tablets. You dissolve one in 750ml of water for electrolytes and I find it helps with the lightheadedness. Makes the water taste less boring too.

Still sticking to the rules and feeling good. Did some weight training and kickboxing yesterday and didn't notice a dip in my performance. Food was

B: FFGY & cream
L: scrambled eggs w cream cheese,ham, marinated artichoke hearts
D: cauliflower and leek cheese (BIWI’s recipe), mushrooms and bacon
S: ham and chicken breast

Today will be a challenge not to drink as a very dear friend is in town unexpectedly. I'm sure she thinks I'm pregnant because I warned her I was on the waggon! Will have to eat extra blue cheese just to make a point. Today's food plan:
B: ham, cheese and cucumber
L: scrambled eggs, pepper and tomatoes
D: steak, large and interesting salad, blue cheese

@Carrierbagofseedsandstars yes, it sounds like you've a touch of carb flu - plenty of salt (sodium) is what you need, along with potassium and magnesium.

Sodium - salt in your cooking and on your food; in the immediate term, a hot drink made from Oxo or Marmite or Bovril should help

Other food sources for the electrolytes are salmon, avocado, full fat yoghurt and leafy green veg - especially Swiss chard and spinach

@Frumpyunicorn onions are allowed - because they're the base of most dishes! Just beware that they are relatively carby, so if you can substitute with shallots (echalion/banana shallots), then you'll lower the carb count by more than half - 7.9g carbs per 100g for onions but only 3.3g for shallots

What's keto powder @LadyBird1973? I've never come across that before.

@adviceatthislatestage I hope you managed to resist last night?! Sometimes we just get struck with the cravings - especially in the beginning. It just goes to show what a hold sugar has over us, I think.

... but giving in really isn't the answer @nappiesandcontracts. All you're doing is sabotaging your own best efforts. Chuck that Toblerone away, or give it to someone else, so that you're not tempted again.

Sorry to hear that you're suffering @VeryGoodVeryNice - low iron levels won't help with the fatigue. But well done for staying on track. Nothing a fat, juicy, rare bit of steak wouldn't help with!

Big stick time BIWI as right at the last minute I caved. I honestly don't know what I was thinking as was bout to go to bed and then just thought sod it.

Posted too soon. Felt terrible as soon as I'd scoffed it, but hey ho will reset today.

Yesterday was a rubbish, busy and emotional day. I didn’t drink enough but stayed on track food wise.

Today is a new day.

Well done for staying on track @Gnomegnomegnome - and sorry you had a crap day

@BIWI the keto powder is from Davinia Taylor's Willpowders site. It's made from butter and coconut and is a replacement for cream/milk in coffee. Apparently it reduces sugar cravings. It's 0.5g carb per serving

Morning all, OK day yesterday.

B - egg mayo (2 eggs)
L - salad with cooked chicken and mayo followed by FFGY
D smoked salmon and cream cheese with salad leaves
Snack - cheese

I find it far easier to stick to the water on work days as I have free access to a tap and a toilet, it all tends to come apart a bit on Fri (day off) / Sat / Sun when I am normally out and about a lot.

Today I am going out for lunch at 2.30 so I have forced myself to eat a big breakfast - omelette with mushrooms, cheese, ham and spinach. I must admit it has left me feeling queasy though, far too much richness for this time of day. Lunch has been pre-ordered, chicken wings, superfood salad (has quinoa but will pick round that) and cheeseboard.

Morning everyone, back in my home office in a hoodie and trackies so happier after a day in the office with all the people!

I managed well food wise and has some M&S rolitos which I dipped in my HM blue cheese and sour cream dip (awesome combo - will be doing that again) and a Greek salad which was a bit meh, but filled a hole. I managed to avoid all manner of chocolatey and biscuity offerings so was pretty pleased with myself. Did you know that ONE of those M&S mini chocolate rolls in the tub was more than 10g carbs?! I was shocked.

Today's plan:
B: Greek yog, cream
L: maybe an omelette
D: salmon wrapped in Parma ham, veggies with butter

It's a horrible day here so I've not ventured far but the dog will need a walk at some point so will get some steps in later on.

Same here - I was doing so well (apart from complaining to DH how desperate I was for chocolate) then caved . Weighed myself this morning and I'd lost another 1/2 lb which is a reminder that this WOE really does work and I need to stick to it!!!

It seems like collectively quite a few of us had a bit of a rubbish day yesterday in one way or another, hope everyone has a better one today 😊.

@BIWI 🤣 actually if I was going to fold and give up 32 years of being a vegetarian that’s exactly what I’d go for. When I get dicks people taunting me going “oooh wouldn’t you like a bacon sandwich?” I can honestly say no I wouldn’t, but I do miss steaks, still, after all this time.

@EquallyDetermined I find the same with water at weekends, especially in summer when it's easier to be out........days like today I really wish I didn't have to leave the house at all!!!!

Chilli with mushrooms last night was a bit odd - it tasted very sweet for some reason but grated some mature over the top and was ok, probably won't repeat though. The carbies had tacos, dips AND wedges - they're both blessed with bodies that stay slim whatever goes into them, unlike others 😪.

Just working til lunchtime today and then I have the rest of the week off - burning holidays really but as it happens I have two appointments with the kitchen planner to finalise the design and measurements then off we go. I'm more than slightly dreading it as we've never done a kitchen before (pretty much every other major upgrade apart from an extension!). Breakfast was an omelette with cherry tomatoes, spinach & peppers and cheese on top - I do seem to be eating a lot of eggs this week but always have veg so can't be too bad and needed something big as won't have time to eat now until dinner. One thing I have noticed is that this week I've been replacing a lot of my water with herbal tea in an effort to keep warmer and I've been thirstier and weight has stalled......

Binned the bike ride as appalling weather, so back in bed with a coffee 😬. Did anyone else watch the programme last night on skinny jabs? Ozempic and the like? Real eye-opener. I've been tempted in the past but LC has the same effect as the drugs in reducing appetite so sticking with it. Studies showed weight piles back on again when you stop taking the drug presumably because the bad habits are still there. I asked my GP about it a while back but he couldn't prescribe it himself or refer me to specialist obesity service because my bmi was under 40 and I'm not diabetic. Seemed daft that my only hope was to eat myself into a higher bmi! There's now a national shortage as people are buying on line from dodgy pharmacies with no medical supervision (yes, I've seen the MN threads). Anyhow, B: cheese omelette, L: Chicken stirfry with the remains of the konjac noodles, D: Chicken again, some kind of chicken parmigiana if that's a thing.

I tried the konjac noodles with my spag bol last night. Wasn't overwhelmed I must say. Weird texture and think I prefer my go to substitute of shredded savoy cabbage fried in butter with fennel seeds and crispy chilli oil.

Some great losses here, it’s so motivational to read how everyone is doing.

Do you all mind if I join you properly? I’ve been lurking but am feeling brave! I wasn’t going to weigh myself (because I tend to get a bit obsessed) but I’ve been feeling so good I decided to have a check this morning and have lost 2kg! Can’t believe it!

I also had a revelation today which will be so obvious to some but - I can ask for restaurant orders to be changed to suit me!!! My work canteen does lovely scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and avocado but it comes on toast. In the past I’ve ordered it and thought “I just won’t eat the bread” but inevitably end up having at least a nibble of it. Today I asked for it with no toast, and the chef was great. I thought I’d get an eye roll at the least but he was so lovely and actually added some extra avocado for me. So now I feel comfortably full and happy 😃

sorry that was so long 😝

Welcome @MonkeyToucher - and well done on the 2kg!

You should find that most restaurants will happily swap things or leave things out for you, if you ask. I know, from bitter experience, that if I don't do this, telling myself 'I just won't eat the bread/potatoes/chips/rice', that inevitably I do! Even if it's just a little bit. Far better not to put that kind of temptation on your plate.

Popping into say that I'm still here but it's a super hectic week. Had a blip on Sunday but have been doing well this week until the FFGY was cancelled from our online order at the last minute 🙀 but just been out to get some more so panic stations are over!

Thanks to whoever posted the cauliflower base pizza casserole. I've the house to myself on Friday and normally I'd use that as an excuse to 'treat' myself to all sorts of carbtastic treats - but instead I am going to have a super duper pizza casserole.

Loving the idea of a jug full of cheese sauce in the fridge.

I'm also one who started making their own mayonnaise - thanks largely to reading UltraProcessed People. I use a food processor and it takes minutes, even with washing up the bowl after.

Great to read everyones successes and all the helpful suggestions at anyones challenges.

My weightless has stalled a wee bit - but have realised that I got a bit slack on the water. Back on it now.

Well done everyone. KOKO

@MonkeyToucher (great name!) If anyone rolls their eyes just do it back 😂 I always ask for things without the bread/pasta etc due to gluten issues and people don’t really react. On the few occasions that they have I’ve gone in to every gruesome detail of why I can’t have it. Works every time.

I backed off my planned kefir yogurt breakfast the other day because (despite the non-sweet taste) the pack listed quite a few carbs - as you would find in milk. I was surprised (and will be taking more care with reading packs).

However, reading about fermented foods I found this:
'To make fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir, the milk is inoculated with lactic acid bacteria. These bacteria use up almost all the milk sugar (called “lactose”) and convert it into lactic acid. It is this lactic acid that curdles the milk and gives that sour taste to the product. So, the milk sugars that the government thinks are still in the product are actually gone. It’s been converted by these lactose-loving bacteria. Since these bacteria have “eaten” most of the milk sugar by the time you buy it (or make it yourself) there are not many carbohydrates left. It is the lactic acid that is counted as a carbohydrate.
Therefore, you can eat up to a cup of plain yogurt, buttermilk, or kefir and only count one to four grams of carbohydrates. Dr. Jack Goldberg of GO-Diet has measured this in his own laboratory. Kefir is 99% lactose-free, which means all the milk sugars (lactose) are mostly gone.'

The site I found this on is one I don't know - so can't trust confidently!
https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/low-carb-cultured-foods/

Does anyone here know about fermenting and carbs?

are these the green bean snack? if so, I'm not sure what has happened to the original green beans, but its not looking very boot camp friendly

Miserable day here weather wise but I left the house with a bit of a boost this morning as I saw a 12 on the scales for the first time in ages! 12st 13.8 to be precise but I'm taking it!

I know one of the rules is eating breakfast but I really can't seem to stomach it, especially as I'm out the door before 6am. I seem to have settled in to lunch around 12 and dinner at 6pm.

Meals today:
L: the cheesy, cauliflower bake posted on week 1 with green beans.
D: roast chicken thighs, cauli rice and roasted veg.

Bit cauli heavy today but never mind.

1.5 litres down so far!

Well done everyone on continuing to show up!

Just had a quick Google @LiesDoNotBecomeUs and it sounds like a reasonable claim. The rule seems to be that the more sour it is the lower the carb count. Mostly seems to be fermentation and keto websites talking about it though. Apparently you'd need to ferment yogurt for 24 hours to significantly reduce the carbs, I'm not sure how long store bought stuff is left for though. Think I'll make a batch of yogurt tomorrow and see how edible it is after 24 hours!

Yeah those were the beans…I thought green beans and salt, must be fine. Maybe not.

I just a slight fail and had a small bowl of patatas bravas eating out today. Awaiting my beating with the big stick.

Reporting in briefly from holiday. Good to see many excellent week 1 results. No scales here so can't add to the spreadsheet.

Lovely cheese and ham omelette for breakfast today. Cheese and ham snack lunch and about to go for dinner which I guess will be fish and veg.

So far the holiday has been low on veg or salad.