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Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Week 8 - Back-to-school Low Carb Bootcamp - the final week

64 replies

BIWI · 30/10/2023 08:04

Morning all

So we reach the last week. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?! Today is day 50, of a total of 56 - remember the piece about it taking an average of 66 days to create a new habit? By now, therefore, hopefully we're all well into the swing of low carbing, and new habits are beginning to settle in. I hope that cravings for really carby foods - especially the sweet ones - have lessened (if not disappeared).

We have one more week before our final weigh-in next Monday. Let’s make it a good one! 😊

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Carrierbagofseedsandstars · 31/10/2023 21:30

@BIWI @FinallyHere Thank you for the new thread and I would love it if we could have some sort of continuous spreadsheet, I'm not ready to be released into the wild yet.

Carrierbagofseedsandstars · 31/10/2023 21:35

I find it so encouraging and reassuring to read everyone's posts

bluesupermoon · 31/10/2023 22:27

BIWI · 31/10/2023 15:47

I guess it depends how well you know them @bluesupermoon. Surely people inviting you for a meal will know you're a veggie? So for them you need to explain what low carbing means for you. You may have to be pretty specific - rather than just talking about carbs, you may have to say 'that means no pasta/rice/bread/pastry/potatoes/sugar'. And you may even need to add 'yes, even brown pasta/rice/bread!'

As they may well be pretty horrified by that, if they have no idea about either vegetarian or low carb food, you may need to specify what you can eat - and to be on the really safe side, you may need to volunteer to bring your own food.

They should just be grateful you're not a vegan ... Grin

Thanks! Yes most people who know me well are very happy to cater veggie, but almost every veggie dish I've been served in that situation is heavily carb based. Restaurants too. I'm really enjoying cooking for myself again (after years of hating it) but the eating out feels very stressful to me still...

FinallyHere · 01/11/2023 05:42

Low carb veggie is certainly more challenging for caterers Rose Elliot's Low carb veggie book is my inspiration.

Frumpyunicorn · 01/11/2023 07:45

@bluesupermoon what are your main go to veggie meals? I try and eat more veggie for environmental reasons but have found it very hard on low carb, at the moment I am doing aubergine parmigiana once a week and that is it.

Not the best day for me yesterday, I was doling out halloween sweets to trick or treaters and didn't give in but had way too much dark chocolate, then had a takeaway. However, I stuck to curries with saag paneer side whereas previously I would have had half a naan and half a rice and at least one poppadom with all the chutneys, so definitely an improvement. I think for me this WOE is about making long term changes that are realistic and that reflect real life whilst also trying to keep to healthier choices.

Almahart · 01/11/2023 08:37

I'd love to hear about people's favourite veggie meals too. I love aubergine parmigiana and when I have the energy I make onion bhajis with almond flour. I would definitely like to eat less meat.

VeryGoodVeryNice · 01/11/2023 08:55

I’m veggie and these meals are my staples:

  1. cauliflower pizza with veg toppings.
  2. divine cauliflower bake (Rose Elliot) with salad or veggies.
  3. paneer or veg curry with cauliflower rice.
  4. roasted pointed peppers (cut in half and roasted with halved cherry tomatoes and some capers) on a bed of rocket.
  5. stir fry veg with quorn or tofu
  6. home made tomato pasta sauce with edamame pasta and mozzarella.
  7. omelettes with various fillings.
  8. brunch of veggie sausages, eggs and fried cherry tomatoes.
I don’t really like mushrooms, nuts or aubergines so that does limit my options a bit!
VeryGoodVeryNice · 01/11/2023 09:16

Oops the pointed peppers on rocket also has fried halloumi slices with it. It’s too early 🥱

Almahart · 01/11/2023 09:26

Just had a google, this is the lowest carb edamame pasta I could find, is it the one you use?

Original poster
BIWI · 01/11/2023 09:54

One of my 'go to' veggie meals is roasted halloumi with roasted veg.

A large tray full of any low carb veg that you like - usually onions/shallots, mixed peppers, courgettes, cauliflower - sometimes a bit of carrot if there are any that need to be used up, garlic cloves (unpeeled), sometimes a couple or four chillies, chopped in quarters. Season well with salt/black pepper and drizzle over plenty of olive oil.

Bake that at a high temperature for 30 minutes (stirring half way through), and then add the sliced halloumi (I do 2 blocks) and roast for another 15-20 minutes, till the cheese is starting to brown. Season the cheese with black pepper too.

I sometimes also add a handful of cherry tomatoes at the same time as the cheese, and occasionally also add blobs of green pesto on top of the cheese.

That should serve 4 people easily, but if there isn't enough veg by the time it's cooked (it does reduce down a fair bit) then I'll serve with a salad.

OP posts:
VeryGoodVeryNice · 01/11/2023 15:39

@Almahart I use one from Holland & Barrett

Week 8 - Back-to-school Low Carb Bootcamp - the final week
Week 8 - Back-to-school Low Carb Bootcamp - the final week
Almahart · 01/11/2023 15:49

Thanks @VeryGoodVeryNice

FinallyHere · 01/11/2023 16:02

I really enjoy celeriac chips (air fried) with hot smoked paprika mayo. When I'm out of celeriac I roast broccoli / cauliflower

Throw in any shallots / spring onions.

A small but delicious and satisfying meal.

fruitstick · 01/11/2023 18:11

BIWI · 01/11/2023 09:54

One of my 'go to' veggie meals is roasted halloumi with roasted veg.

A large tray full of any low carb veg that you like - usually onions/shallots, mixed peppers, courgettes, cauliflower - sometimes a bit of carrot if there are any that need to be used up, garlic cloves (unpeeled), sometimes a couple or four chillies, chopped in quarters. Season well with salt/black pepper and drizzle over plenty of olive oil.

Bake that at a high temperature for 30 minutes (stirring half way through), and then add the sliced halloumi (I do 2 blocks) and roast for another 15-20 minutes, till the cheese is starting to brown. Season the cheese with black pepper too.

I sometimes also add a handful of cherry tomatoes at the same time as the cheese, and occasionally also add blobs of green pesto on top of the cheese.

That should serve 4 people easily, but if there isn't enough veg by the time it's cooked (it does reduce down a fair bit) then I'll serve with a salad.

Edited

We are having this tonight.

It's a regular staple in our house but with sweet potatoes and regular potatoes.

I'm making it as normal but making myself a separate portion with aubergine instead of potato

RooRooCooChoo · 01/11/2023 18:30

Halloween was indeed a night of horrors for me. We don't usually have chocolate in the house, and after last night we still don't... Blush

ChimneyPot · 01/11/2023 18:32

BIWI · 01/11/2023 09:54

One of my 'go to' veggie meals is roasted halloumi with roasted veg.

A large tray full of any low carb veg that you like - usually onions/shallots, mixed peppers, courgettes, cauliflower - sometimes a bit of carrot if there are any that need to be used up, garlic cloves (unpeeled), sometimes a couple or four chillies, chopped in quarters. Season well with salt/black pepper and drizzle over plenty of olive oil.

Bake that at a high temperature for 30 minutes (stirring half way through), and then add the sliced halloumi (I do 2 blocks) and roast for another 15-20 minutes, till the cheese is starting to brown. Season the cheese with black pepper too.

I sometimes also add a handful of cherry tomatoes at the same time as the cheese, and occasionally also add blobs of green pesto on top of the cheese.

That should serve 4 people easily, but if there isn't enough veg by the time it's cooked (it does reduce down a fair bit) then I'll serve with a salad.

Edited

That sounds divine. I will definitely be trying that.

TheOnlyMrsW · 02/11/2023 08:27

@BIWI that sounds lovely, I remember it from the recipe threads when I was lurking, I have a list somewhere of things I wanted to add to my regular meal plans but haven't actually used it 🤦

Weight is still holding, had lots of water this week and herbal tea (as it's so flipping cold) but very little appetite so that might be why I'm not losing more. Also on day 10 of my period which is really unusual for me (despite having all of the symptoms of peri I'm still regular as clockwork) and the clock change seems to have knocked me for six this time round. About to restart hi-strength vit D and B12 so hoping that will make a different to energy levels.........

Finishing the last of my spinach/pepper/mushroom mix this morning in an omelette and trying to write a meal-plan for next week. Out at a gig tonight but curfew is 10pm so should be home at a decent hour for once but means eating on the run again so need to be careful. Also means I have to have water early otherwise I'll miss the bands being in the bathroom 🤣🤣🤣🤣

fruitstick · 02/11/2023 09:23

My weight hasn't shifted since last week (last week's weight loss was all at the beginning of the week).

I don't think I'm drinking enough water now it's so flipping cold, and was away at the weekend so definitely more wine than usual.

Original poster
BIWI · 02/11/2023 11:01

I've only just noticed - apologies @FinallyHere Blush that there's now a long-term weight loss sheet on the spreadsheet, for all those who are planning to continue low carbing/Bootcamp, and want somewhere to record their weight.

Here

September 2023 Bootcamp

Weigh-In Sheet 141,Original Start Date,Original Weight (lbs),Starting Weight (lbs) 11th sept,Total Loss since original start,% loss since original start,18th Sept Week 2,Weekly Loss,Total Loss this Bootcamp,% loss this Bootcamp,Total Loss since origin...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/124gOqosCEtr2Qvtj9Gt3XmsgNMfzLLgYOkaS5w_AjxA/edit#gid=1954500208

OP posts:
nappiesandcontracts · 02/11/2023 19:30

FinallyHere · 30/10/2023 11:04

Loving the idea of being released into the wild at the end of this bootcamp 😀. As a long term bootcamper, I am still amazed by home done places just don't seem to have any non carb food on offer.

IF (intermittent fasting) has worked really well for me. Knowing that, so long as I drink plenty of water, I can go quite a long time indeed without eating, has made a big difference to my life.

In fact, one of the really interesting things about low carbing for me has been to recognise all the non hunger related reasons I have for eating. Obviously these include the time of day (breakfast time, lunch time etc) The really big one for me is when I'm a bit bored or at a loose end, or need to get on with something really don't find particularly interesting to do.

The thought that I really should eat something is never very far away when I'm bored and very often arrives tied up with ideas on what is reasonably close to hand and easy to turn to a meal or a snack.

It's so plausible as a reason for eat that it's the one that most often slips past my bootcamp radar

Id be interested to hear how 'hunger' and/or reasons to eat appear to everyone else

A lot of this resonates. I've always shyed away from IF as I assumed i'd get majorly hangry but I often go until 11am nowadays without really thinking about eating, as long as I've drunk a few glasses of water and some black coffee. It has also been fairly mind blowing for me how much more satiating high fat foods are - I was sold the line as an ex weight watcher that you should have low fat + protein.

My main triggers for mindless eating are definitely stress and opportunity- manage to avoid when in the office but when there's a bowl of leftover Halloween treats... much harder!

TheOnlyMrsW · 03/11/2023 10:11

Still no movement on the scales but at least I finally feel a little less bloated and sluggish after a week mainly back on plan.......ended up in Revolution last night for food before the gig as it was howling down and it's just across the road, ordered a chicken burger without bun and salad instead of fries to find the chicken breaded.................had to eat it as I hadn't had anything since my morning omelette but otherwise been ok all week.

"interesting" NSV yesterday - a pair of Next 14 jeans that I've always struggled with will now go up and down over my hips without undoing them!!!! In one way it's testament to inches lost as well as lbs but means that I spent most of the night pulling the damn things up 😂😂. Nice problem to have but I absolutely hate shopping for jeans at the best of times let alone when I'm (almost certainly) between sizes.........

Original poster
BIWI · 03/11/2023 10:14

I'm getting to between sizes as well @TheOnlyMrsW and it's frustrating! Most of my size 10s are still just that bit too uncomfortable, but my size 12s are looking increasingly baggy and scruffy. I have one pair of size 12 denim jeans that are still OK, but I'm thinking I might splash out and buy some size 10s in anticipation.

I have a couple of pairs of corduroy jeans (back from when cord was last in fashion!) that I'm hoping I'll fit into soon.

OP posts:
VeryGoodVeryNice · 03/11/2023 10:26

Thanks for the new spreadsheet @FinallyHere

FinallyHere · 03/11/2023 10:51

Your messages of thanks for the long term weigh-in sheet appreciated.

I'm thinking it's still a work in progress as I would expect yo add some 'management reporting' kind of calculations, but can (yet) work out how to accommodate the different scenarios that might occur.

If anyone has any ideas, whether of what you would like to see (loss by month ? ) or cunning ways to allow for different people starting at different point, I'd be very grateful.

Usually these things just have to be allowed to develop over time. I'm very grateful if anyone finds the existing iteration 0.1 useful.

Goodness, that's quite the agile approach, isn't it (for anyone who knows about these things).