Jan '24 Dry Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 3

[BIWI]

Morning all.

So I've put the Big Stick down, and let's start this week afresh.

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

Remember, this is only a four week challenge, and we're now half-way through. For the next two weeks, if you want, you can do Bootcamp Light (which simply means that you can add in some fruit (berries mainly), and some nuts and seeds. In moderation only, please.

But NO ALCOHOL!.

Whether you started on 1 or 2 January, we've now completed a whole fortnight without booze. Hopefully you should be feeling the benefits of this beyond just it helping with weight loss. Having moaned about not sleeping better, which is supposed to be one of the key benefits, last night I did sleep very well (having had the worst night's sleep the night before!), so hopefully it's all kicking in now.

I'm having to give up on the Nanny State, having read about Brew Dog's latest act - cutting their workers' pay:

https://www.standard.co.uk/business/brewdog-slashes-pay-for-london-hires-despite-increase-in-rest-of-uk-b1131492.html#:~:text=In%20a%20letter%20to%20staff,paid%20%C2%A311.95%20per%20hour.

They've only just recovered - in my mind at least - from being a bullying culture, but this was a final nail in their coffin for me.

Thankfully, Big Drop's Citra is a very, very good alternative.

Morning, forgot to weigh but will do it tomorrow. I am sleeping better but it can't be down to alcohol abstinence as I hardly ever drink it anyway. @BIWI I agree about Brewdog, I won't touch them after the bullying and now this.

1/2 lb off so slowly going downwards, I struggle with water on my days off and weekends which is something I really need to address as I know it has a knock-on effect. Mocks here this week so am anticipating plenty of stress and tears, need to make sure that I don't cave on the alcohol front!

Will probably stay on strict BC as I don't really eat fruit anyway, may have a go at making my own LC bread next week but at the moment have an emergency SRSLY loaf in the freezer.........

Trying to fast until lunchtime when I'll have soup - there's a glut of veg ends in the fridge that need to be used up and I need to be warm, my weather app is saying it's -2 outside but will feel like -9 when I'm brave enough to venture out!
Made a chicken stroganoff yesterday evening and there's leftovers for this evening so an easy tea - DH will have his with rice, I'll have roasted veg. Have a good week everyone, some cracking losses on the spreadsheet 😄

Stayed the same this week- but I’ve got around half a stone to lose so expecting it to be slow going. I’ve also done some ( heavy for me) weights so I’m going to assume DOMS equals lots of heavy fluid in my muscles!

Staying with Bootcamp- but I’m a little..ahem..bunged up, so may have a little flaxseed or psyllium over the next couple of days.

By the way, some amazing results - very well done on the weight loss and the non scale victories! Seeing cheekbones, loose trousers, feeling more energetic, sleeping better and 6cm of the waistline- all great results.

My fat has gone squishy, which always makes me feel blobby- but hoping that losses will come if I drink lots and lots of water.

Thanks for the shout out @BIWI - I am really enjoying this WOE and have surprised myself. Delighted to be back loosing this week after my slip mid week too. It’s been a strange week for lots of reasons. Feeling bright and hopeful this morning though if a little nippy. Sticking with strict til the 27th although I am missing fruit a lot more than I thought I would. It’s great to have this community too - to share and give accountability. Had a delicious homemade chicken and veg green curry last night with cauliflower rice. Yum.

After not having any scale movement this week I fasted until lunch on Saturday and that seemed to give me a shift.
Down 1.2lb this week which I'm pleased with.

Fasting breakfast again today but will have some kind of eggs for lunch and maybe sausages and creamy swede mash and cauliflower cheese for dinner. Yum!

0.8lb off - would have liked more as I've such a lot to lose, but a loss is a loss and quite frankly last week's loss was ridiculous anyway. I'll keep an eye this week to check I'm still going in the right direction.

I'll stay on bootcamp proper for now, I'm actually very happy with this WOE. I've got so much energy compared with before!

2ibs down, perfectly happy with that

2lbs off, which I'm pleased about and surprised about as this morning I feel fatter and my jeans feel tighter.

Had some peanut better on my low carb toast this morning, but the rest of the week I'll be back on 16/8 intermittent fasting and strict bootcamp.

B - lc toast and peanut butter
L - cream of green veg soup
D - mediterranean tomato and veg soup; egg and cheese salad

I've STS at 146. Not a complete surprise after a strange week. My DM is being looked after in respite care at last which is a huge milestone and a huge relief. So I will be able to concentrate on my WOE more easily. And home to DH on Saturday who wields an even bigger stick than @BIWI. He's lost his Christmas 5lb already! The last couple of days were much better in terms of exercise, got up to 15000 steps in the great outdoors. So more water for me this week and a bit of self care.

Not the prettiest picture but lovely things I've learnt from these threads

And home to DH on Saturday who wields an even bigger stick than @BIWI

I need to up my game, clearly!

I have had a saintly eating week (due not to willpower but the remains of covid and no sense of taste or appetite) but no exercise due to shortness of breath and general achy tiredness.

I felt very heavy this morning when getting out of bed. I was prepared for a depressing reading.

None-the-less, the scales moved down!

It really is eating rather than exercise that works - even though exercise helps and is a good thing.

Got a leaflet through the post this morning for Green Chef from Hello Fresh, 65% off the first box. I've just ordered up for a Saturday delivery, they had a low carb filter which was handy, then just checked the ingredients for bootcamp proper.

Well done to everyone who has lost this week. No change here which is really disappointing but there are some positives.

I feel healthier and my stomach definitely is flatter . Forgot to measure before I started but I’ll do that tonight …, I know I can’t target but it’s bum and thighs I want to reduce!

I’ve completely cut out all the bad carbs including sugary treats, potatoes pasta etc and have stayed alcohol free. That part is all fine , no slip ups.

So I can only conclude that a) I am eating too much and b) having too many carbs even if through vegetables. Have had a meat/fish free weekend.

Saturday
Brunch out - Creamed mushroom and poached egg on toast (left the toast)
Dinner - Aubergine Melazane ( ready made Crosta & Malica) with broccoli in butter followed by roasted kale (in olive oil) as crisps for watching tv.
A few spoonfuls of greek yogurt passing the fridge !!
Sunday

• greek yogurt before walking the dog
• scrambled egg for bunch
• mid afternoon, bowl of buttered brussel sprouts
• dinner home made Melazane with aubergine, parmesan and tomato’s

Cut down to one coffee with cream and one black coffee a day when at work. Rest of the day hot water with lemon or peppermint tea. Have more coffee when I’m at home. Prob 3 with cream yesterday!

Wed and Thur at work last week took in spinach and brussels - one day with cheese and the other with mayonnaise.

This is where I’m going wrong isn’t it- too much veg and I think portions are too big.

I don’t eat red meat but do have a duck breast or fresh tuna which I can have tonight with broccoli. Also decided to cut out the yogurt this week. I can’t give up breakfast but have 2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast when I get to work today.

Sorry so long . Any feedback much appreciated :)

Just 1.8 off for me this week but after a 6lbs loss last week I’m more than happy with half a stone in 2 weeks!

A morning of food prepping for me. Made an amazing cauliflower cheese which I had with some chicken for lunch, il have the remainder with steak tomorrow. Also made garlic roasted vegetables with halloumi that I’ll take to work tomorrow for lunch and for tea tonight is a beef strongonoff with creamed cabbage. Snacked on some dry roasted nuts and replenished my stock of the keto boostballs from H&B which are amazing!

Just 1.2lb off for me today, but after 7lbs last week I wasn't expecting much (if any!) and I also know that weeks 2 and 3 are known to be much slower for weight loss for me (and lots of others too) so I think that's a good result.

Im not switching to BC lite as I've got a lot to loose so want to get the first stone off at least before i relax the rules at all.
I'm currently 2.4lbs off being in the next stone bracket, so my goal is to get there before the end of this bootcamp.

I forgot to weigh in this morning but as I started on the 2nd instead of the 1st I should be fine to do it tomorrow. I am enjoying a rare day off and trying to use it to get on top of a few chores.

I had a coffee with cream this morning and had some ham and cheese with avocado and tomatoes at lunch. I have a joint of beef roasting in the oven for this evening which will be served with mashed swede for me and roasted sweet potatoes for the rest of the family. I also have a big tray of eggplant, courgette, tomatoes, celery and pepper roasting for soup which I will freeze in batches for lunches later on the week. I really want bread so am going to try this low carb bread: www.thelondoner.me/2014/03/mums-low-carb-bread.html

I am also going to make a batch of whipped feta (thank you @Metabolicallycomplicated ) and if there is space in the oven I might put in a tray of brussels sprouts and haloumi with harissa (apologies I cannot remember who posted this recipe)

And when that's all done I need to tackle my airing cupboard which is in total chaos since before Christmas. You may not see me for a while! 😂

Thanks @BIWI .
I can genuinely answer yes to all of these.
I am 5'9 so do not have much to lose and don't need to - but feel better and look better at 143lbs rather than 146 or 148. My weight has at least stabilised which was a major reason for this WOE.

He's a true LCBC convert. He used to say that there was water in beer so who needs water! But now he doesn't drink when he's on LCBC , he drinks 3 litres a day, so never to be seen without a glass of water. And he gave up a bar of dairy milk a night ( I can't tell you what size!) it has been a game changer for him. He is 69, so it's been wonderful to see him feel better, improved energy and generally a bit less grumpy!

No weigh in for me but a pair of trousers definitely fitting more comfortably. A bit neat in the waist still (I'm sure that gravity isn't kind here and disguises the impact of loss somewhat) but bottom and legs must have lost inches.

Lots of leftover cooked veg tonight, looks unappetising cold but with the addition of a couple of sliced boiled eggs, smothered in cheese sauce and topped with cheese it's now looking very tasty bubbling under the grill.

Got my first day in the office this year tomorrow and can't say I'm looking forward to it. I am much happier in my spare bedroom but needs must. It will be the first time this year I've had to wear actual clothes (as opposed to stretchy gym gear, hoodies, blankets and pjs) so will be interesting to see if anything feels looser. I will report back.

Trying to muster the energy to prep tonight's tea, tomorrow's tea for the slow cooker and something for lunch tomorrow. Waaaaahhh, three whole meals to think about!

It was a de-alchoholised Prosecco type thing. I thought it would not be low carb but I don’t drink at all and DD is doing dry January. I wanted to support her dry January efforts and not reject her offering on low carb counts. Tbh I am just as happy with sparkling water.