Jan 24 Dry Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 2

[BIWI]

Morning all

I've started a new thread as the first one was taking so long to load (and also because I kept forgetting to change my Christmas name each time I posted!)

Here's the spreadsheet

@TheSoundofMusic23 you are definitely on it! I've put in your 8lb loss, as I can't see why that wouldn't have been a real loss, but feel free to change if you need to.

Great to hear that things are going well for you @MetabolicallyComplicated - especially re the bleeding.

Up a pound and a half this morning - but I know I didn't drink enough yesterday. Am back on it today

@NotDonna I suspect the bloating will be related to your anaesthetic. Don't forget, anaesthesia is a toxin, so you body has to deal with that, as well as everything else! I'm sure that if you stick to the plan, especially with the water, it will resolve itself soon. (And the weight loss shows that everything is going in the right direction.). <ignore mention of beans>

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs We did it for a week... we can do it for another! is fab - and so true. I nearly gave in on Sunday, and I'm so glad I didn't. The thing that kept me going was knowing how I'd feel the next day - i.e. ashamed of myself! (Plus knowing that I'd be talking about it here and cheering on others, would make me a hypocrite if I'd cheated)

@HazelNotHungryLC

Tonight was a little harder after having a bit of challenging day at work, but drank some of my infused water when I got home and the feeling passed

This is a great example of what I meant when I talked about associations for alcohol - that end of day feeling, especially after a hard day. Well done for resisting. It definitely helps if DH is also doing it. Mine is doing it through the week, but is drinking at the weekend - it's fine, as I never asked him to do the whole Dry January thing - but it does make it harder when I look at him enjoying a drink!

@Redhothoochycoocher

After bootcamp ends, what do you all do? Do you carry on this WOE or do bootcamp lite? Or back to normal until the next bootcamp?

I've been reading through the freshwell app so planning to stick to this after bootcamp really.

I always keep a general chat thread going in between Bootcamps - here's the current one

... as many people do like to continue.

A question you should ask yourself, though, is what do you mean by 'going back to normal'?

If 'normal' was what led to weight gain, then why would you go back to that?! You have to define what your 'new normal' is going to be, not only once this challenge is finished, but also once you achieve your target.

Unfortunately, with carbs, its a very individual thing - you need to work out what level of carbohydrate you can tolerate without gaining weight. For some people, this means remaining strict for 90% of the time, whereas others can allow a higher level of carbs per day without gaining weight. It's very much trial and error.

This is why the much-maligned Atkins diet is so rarely followed properly. There's a reason why it has four phase - each phase is designed to move from swift weight loss through to maintenance, allowing you to work out (by adding carbs back in small increments) how many carbs per day you can enjoy without gaining weight again.

I don't know anything about the freshwell app, but Dr David Oliver, one of the founders, is a key figure in the low carb world, so I'm guessing it would be pretty similar to Bootcamp in its approach.

Hopefully you'll stay on Bootcamp as well though, as by the time we get to the end of this - and any other challenge you do here - you'll feel/know that you've made friends, and will enjoy their support!

I've just had a look at the Freshwell site and it looks great - especially as there's a (free) app to go with it, which I'm going to download.

It's free, which is always a bonus! The only thing they don't have is a forum/community, which is definitely where Bootcamp comes into its own @Redhothoochycoocher!

IMVHO it's the support here, and the regular, daily traffic on the thread that really helps people to maintain their commitment.

Morning all, only day 2 for me but really enjoying it. I'm always amazed at how delicious my meals are when doing LC - and how much veg I get through! Before, I'd fill up on bread etc because it's 'easy' but I don't even like it all that much (except lovely fresh baguette/sourdough/tiger etc). Trying to view switching to LC as a form of self care, and let's face it, it doesn't feel like a 'diet'

Yesterday
B: scrambled egg, smoked salmon, half an avocado
L: roast chicken, salad, the rest of the avo, mayonnaise/lemon/garlic dressing
S: babybel
D: spinach and taleggio crustless quiche and chopped salad

All the water!

Whenever I start to feel cross/resentful or get that 'diet feeling' @FairlyOddmother, I always remind myself of what it was like calorie counting. Like the evening I sat and looked at my plate of boiled celery, which is all that my calorie allowance for the day meant I could have!

Sometimes I go and have a read of the threads in the calorie counting section of the weight loss topic, just to remind me of not only how hard it can be, but also how awful the food choices are that people can end up making. (Plus how quickly so many end up giving up). That's not to try and sound superior - although I realise it does! - just a realisation and huge reminder of how much easier (generally) and how much more about real, tasty food this WOE is/should/can be.

@Redhothoochycoocher if I'm in a 'maintenance' phase I usually stick with bootcamp lite but once a week will add in some of the carbs that I miss - puy lentils, beetroot, peas etc. But not every day, and I very rarely have anything with sugar or wheat flour (biscuits, cakes, bread).

Food today:
L - avocado, ham, cheese salad, with a boiled egg
D - cauliflower, green beans, broccoli roasted in oil and spice mix

My 'normal' is Bootcamp Light. If I'm out for dinner, or at friends' for a meal, then I don't worry too much about the carbs. In a restaurant, I generally swerve dishes that come with a carb element, especially if it's pasta or rice. If it's potato then sometimes I'll have that. I try not to - and often ask if they can serve me a salad instead. (No restaurant has ever refused that request, btw)

I very rarely have bread - I buy low carb bread from Srsly Low Carb, which I generally have in the freezer. Their sliced loaf and wraps are seriously good - but as they're expensive, it's an occasional thing rather than something regular or daily.

Every now and then I will eat pulses of some kind, as I think they're pretty good for us, and I enjoy them. We have an Indian take-away some Fridays, and we always have tarka dahl, which I love!

Thanks BIWI I do think I need to up the water to 3litres.
Went to Pilates this morning and a good stretch has helped me feel less stodgy.
It’s tough not drinking when others around you are. DH drinks most evenings maybe only one glass but still… He’s currently away (since 30th Dec) so there’s been no temptation whatsoever. He’s back Sunday so it’ll get hard again but because I’ve formed a habit of having lovely teas instead I’m hoping it won’t be hideously difficult.
After the four weeks I will continue as I need to lose more. Previously I’ve lost a stone (ish) then maintained for several months, if not longer before aiming for the next stone. My long term goal is to stay on bootcamp, until 140 reached (or thereabouts) then maintain. My nemesis is cakes and chocolate. I’ve never baked LC puds but once I’m maintaining I’m going to give them a go! Just for treats though.

I like all the positive thinking on here today: looking ahead to a time when we will be maintaining our successes is a making me feel good. (What a problem to have :) )

@BIWI : What normal eating is will need a re-think for me too.

I don't think that my behaviour around sweet things and wheat things was normal. They do take over my thoughts and desires! If eating them (even with all the restraint I am able to muster) can lead me to obesity so easily, there must be something wrong.

Although ads and supermarkets make those things seem a vital part of an everyday life, (an essential part of every child's packed lunch or adult's daily snack-plan) we know from living Bootcamp and from the reading offered here that they are not actually needed. Those foods should be additions to normal - not normal itself.

I'd so like to be one of those people who just don't really fancy those options (and stick to the tastier low-carb options).

To be fair, bootcamp eating doesn't take the huge stock of will-power that calorie-counting did. The options are attractive and hunger is not part of the day.

I know that after bootcamp, flour and sugar and milk chocolate taste different. (They are oddly bland and too sweet to enjoy usually.)

This changes again if I persist... but why do I do that?

Things for me to remember:
-I like the feeling after low-carb meals (satisfied and not bloated)
-I can sleep better (no re-flux).
-Not re-gaining weight would be great. (My clothes fit - I feel energetic)
-My joints don't hurt ... another bonus of low carb for me. (I felt really stiff and old until I started this way of eating. I feel as flexible now as when I used to do yoga.)
-Eating healthily - rather than filling up on food of little value- seems wise and kind to my long-suffering body.

I've mentioned before (obsessed, moi?!) but the thing I find hardest about BC is missing bread things - not all bread but especially fresh bakery bread or crackers, something for a bit of crunch mainly. I also know that if I haven't planned properly that it's really easy to just have some toast or a sandwich as a quick fix, and I can't keep it out of the house completely because I live with two confirmed carbies. I'm looking forward to being able to experiment with some recipes myself once we're in BC lite and trying to work out my new normal.

Just made such a yummy lunch - handful of chopped cherry tomatoes, frozen peppers and spinach in a pan with butter and chilli flakes, topped with poached eggs and half an avocado. I originally had it my head as a sort of huevos rancheros but ended up nothing like it!!! My mouth is all tingly now, and I know to make double the amount next time to save 😋. Water is mainly being replaced by herbal tea this week as it's blinking freezing inside and out but I reckon I'm up to at least 1.5l already, did the same yesterday and switched to sparkling water once the fire was lit in the evening so still getting to where I need to be.

I now need to keep my other avocado half nice until tomorrow, I know to spray the flesh with lemon but is it better in or out of the skin? TIA

A question about oil please @BIWI and huge apologies if I’ve not read instructions probably. Just had a look at the Freshwell app which does look good. They talk about oils. I use butter mostly for frying as thought olive oil had a low burning temp or something so releases more toxic carbons - I think that’s right. I therefore use groundnut oil for some things- is this ok?

So many good tips here this week. I've switched to cups of hot water as it's way too cold for cold water. I've also had a delicious chicken and veg soup for lunch with enough made for tomorrow.

I'm off for a walk to warm up, get my steps in and a dose of fresh air.

No - groundnut oil (along with sunflower and vegetable) is one that can cause inflammation. Far better to use olive oil, which you can use for stir-frying or pan-frying.

@TheOnlyMrsW - leave the avocado in its skin - and if you still have the stone, but that back in too. It's only those bits that are exposed to air that go brown (although it doesn't affect the flavour), so you'd be minimising the surface area.

Re avocado. The best thing for storage I've found is those waxed food wraps plus leaving the stone in.

Sometimes I go and have a read of the threads in the calorie counting section of the weight loss topic, just to remind me of not only how hard it can be, but also how awful the food choices are

This is such a good idea. I'm on a thread for people with lots to lose, all using different approaches, and it's helping remind me how lovely bootcamp is compared to calorie counting or WW/SW/Cambridge (yes, I've tried everything). I don't feel at all deprived or food obsessed, I just need to be organised about what I'm eating so I don't end up eating carbs for convenience. Like @TheOnlyMrsW I do miss the crunch of a cracker or slice of toast though.

@TheOnlyMrsW did you read my post upthread, just a few above yours, where I linked to a site that makes low carb bread?

@TheOnlyMrsW you're a better woman than me if you have the willpower not to eat the halfacado [misses point].

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs I normally do my shopping online but was in a big supermarket the other day and I was surprised and disappointed about how much floor space was given over to coaxing us to eat more processed sugary carbs and UPF in general. It's little wonder individuals struggle when giant corporates are spending so much money trying (and largely succeeding) in changing our behaviours. Actually quite depressing, I worry for DC.

I have that in my freezer too but it is expensive and not always easy to get…I would love to be able to make something like it myself. (Low carb breads are usually very dense. The Seriously one is much closer to the real thing.)

I guess it would mean experimenting with wheat gluten and yeast.

I did @BIWI and you've recommended this before thank you, I've got lots of the (hopefully) raw ingredients in the cupboard so I'm raring to try my own 😂. I have ordered a loaf of SRSLY bread today though as I nearly caved this morning!!!!

A bit of me is quite enjoying not responding to all the advertising and space and colour that is being used to tempt me to buy this very processed and over- packaged stuff.

It is worrying though and you are right about the young. Selling is so effective-even against common sense or usual practice. It didn’t take Kellogg long to takeover from traditional breakfasts!

I can see that the basic ingredients are very cheap and that there must be quite a good profit margin for big sellers.

Sorry late entering , we were away for the weekend but happy with my 3.2 Ibs for week one .

it was tricky with my hubbys birthday and a limited pub menu ….. thought I could be clever with a fish pie and take the top off but the potato was mixed all the way through …a way of putting less fish in!!

My goal is to conquer the sweet tooth and get back into the low carb zone. Weight wise to get under 9 stone and then assess. Oh and drink more water …..

@BeethovenNinth
@ConstitutionHill
@Lurknolinger
@Sheepdreams
@TimeforZ

None of you has posted your weight on the spreadsheet. Do you want me to remove you?

Thank you so much @BIWI

I haven't got time right now to list my meals for the last few days, but will do later or tomorrow. (Just didn't want you to think I was ignoring this!)

No problem!