Jan '24 Dry Bootcamp - our last week

[BIWI]

Morning all. Hope Storm Isha didn't do any/too much damage.

Here's the spreadsheet - hopefully fixed now!

Although this started out as a 4-week challenge, I realise of course, that January is the never-ending month, so we'll continue right to the bitter end, which will be a week on Wednesday!

Don't panic though - I will be starting another one for February, only this time it doesn't have to be a dry one.

I'll start the next one 'afresh' so it gives other people a chance to join us, which means that (if you want to) the first two weeks will be the usual strict Bootcamp. If you're happy on Bootcamp Light, or you simply want to be able to have a drink (!), then it's entirely up to you.

So thinking about our last ten days - what do you realistically want to be able to achieve? I'm still hoping to get the scales to start with 9 rather than 10, but that does mean I'm going to have to be super strict, as that leaves me with 3.25 lbs to lose. I have two meals out before the end of the month, but they're both in places I know I can make good choices, and I'm finding it easier to forgo the alcohol too, so I'm not too worried about those.

For me, then, it's a weight challenge - but it doesn't have to be weight. It could be a specific item of clothing (thinking about those of us who have holidays coming up), or your measurements, or anything else that you think you can work towards over the next ten days.

Today's random soup lunch comprises leftover turkey, roast cauliflower, a very small amount of parsnips, olive oil, frozen spinach, coconut milk, peanut butter and a selection of Indian spices. So very tasty.

Given all the requests to locate the various low carb recipe threads, plus the number of people who don't know that they exist (as they are hard to find), I've asked in Site Stuff if MNHQ could create a new topic in the weight loss section, for low carb recipes. This would be relevant to Bootcampers as well as those who post on the general Low Carb topic.

MNHQ have asked for clarification, which is fine. But there's another poster who is objecting for some reason. Would be good if anyone here wants to go and defend the idea! (Or you can disagree with it too, if you wish )

Wrong board.

@Metabolicallycomplicated M&S is amazing for LC options! A list of the various things that I love

• Luxury prawn cocktail (and also the prawns linked to above)
• Satay chicken
• Pork crackling straws
• Greek salad
• Super greens salad (this may be a liiiiitle on the carby side, but sometimes I treat myself when I fancy something zingy)
• All the antipasti stuff

Someone a few threads back mentioned cheddar cheese puffs. I have kept my eyes peeled but they haven't made it as far as the Charing Cross mini M&S. Seriously considering putting in an ocado order to bulk buy the chorizo crisps and cheddar puffs (Don't have to try them. I just know they'll be the LC food of my dreams).

That's super interesting! I've definitely been sucked in by the "healthy" marketing before. Don't think I've ever eaten this much fresh stuff until bootcamp! Even made the LC bread before work and while getting the kids ready for school, and it was so easy. Thank you for everything you're doing here, it is wonderful this little community you've created x

And thanks for the chorizo crisps suggestion, I'm veggie but perhaps I'll get some of those nice v salted almonds as an equivalent...
And also thank you because just occurred to me that perhaps being veggie (although totally my choice to not eat certain foods) has coloured my way of thinking about treats/"depriving" myself of other food. Lots to ponder!

Right. <Rolls up sleeves. Dons honesty cloak>

First thing to say is that I know you don't have a massive amount of weight to lose. Although I do quite understand that you want to get shot of what you have to lose, quickly! However, the rate of weight loss is going to be slower than if you had several stones to lose.

Second, overall, your menus look good, so it could just be a case of patience tweaking things. As always, I'd question if you're eating enough fat. Your protein choices sound as if they might be on the leaner side, and you don't specify (beyond roasting) how you're cooking them. Tikka/tandoori chicken, for example, won't have used any fat in their cooking.

It could be that dairy is an issue for you, so I'd definitely be swerving the cream. I might also consider having something else instead of the yoghurt. How about eggs for breakfast instead?

Your sausages are also pretty processed - although low in carb, remember we're still trying to avoid processed foods. You didn't say which chicken ones you're eating, but going by Sainsbury's website, and the specified carb counts, it sounds like the Italia ones. Here are their ingredients:

• British Chicken (75%), Water, Pea Flour, Seasoning (Salt, Rice Flour, Sugar, Dried Leek, Preservative (Sodium Sulphite), Spice, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid), Natural Flavourings, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Yeast Extract, Flavouring), Oven Dried Tomato (2%), Basil (1%), Mozzarella Cheese (1%) (Milk) (Mozzarella Cheese, Anticaking Agent (Potato Starch)), Garlic (0.6%), Citrus Fibre, Filled into Calcium Alginate Casing

The veg sounds OK but I'm much less sure about the sprouting mix. The ones I found by Googling all have lentils in them, and were 52 or 49g carbs per 100g, so definitely not allowed!

@BIWI

soooo helpful . Thanks so much again for all your support.

so starting tomorrow will implement: cut the dairy ( no cream & have eggs for breakfast; more fat (duck breast tonight good) and definitely give the protein spouting to hubby!

Will adopt the “in for the long haul” approach too and try and be patient. I’m definitely in for February too.

@bluesupermoon following your mini thread with interest. I often think that identifying a potential time where the fuckits are likely to happen and coming up with a fall back plan works for me. Having given myself permission with rules to go slightly offplan often means I'm happy not to. Just knowing I can if I wanted to is enough. May not work for all.

Another way to treat yourself is to have something compliant but novel. I've just remembered the existence of aoli and I'm in my happy place.

@Almahart did you want me to add your data to the spreadsheet for you?

Weight is up this week, but it's my TOTM. My periods affect my BM (sorry, TMI!), so that doesn't help either. I'm sticking to it, no cravings for chocolate or anything so I'm taking that as a win. I'm hoping for a loss next week, I'm just KOKO!
I'm also in for Feb, this is a WOE for me and I'm planning on never going back to being a carby 😊

As the weather has been horrendous all day , we didn’t get to,the supermarket, so did a freezer dive and found some leftover pulled pork, I made a “sweet “ and sour sauce ( ie , no sweet , peppers or pineapple , more like a savoury and sour sauce ) it was a rather nice

Two things we’re glad about … we ummed and ahhed about joining a gym , it’s been a bonus , I’ve not done classes before , but really enjoy them , today we just walked , jogged on the treadmill and did a few planks and stretches , and , doing Dry January ( though DH is already planning an espresso martini on Feb 1st )
Had we not done either , we’d probably have opened a bottle of wine and watched. Junk tv all afternoon

( third thing I’m glad about is learning to crochet , I’m still at the concentrate and count stage , so can’t possibly have a biscuit )

Is there a sign up thread for Feb yet does anyone know? I’m definitely sticking around, I’ve found this community so very helpful over what’s been a really tricky time. I wouldn’t have KOKO without you lovely lot x

Thanks, it's rubbish that out NHS has such long waits. Thankfully it sounds like we might have won out on the postcode lottery as waits only about 1 year - 18months. That's if we even get the referral accepted! But school seem extremely willing to fight our corner even though he masks well at school (he's only 5).

On the night time audio side of things I've always had an ancient iPod mini (must be 15 or 20 years old) under my pillow to pop in my ears - also love Stephen fry but for me he's reading Harry Potter . Just something I don't have to listen to because I know it so well (as you would after 20 years of nighttime listening). Perhaps I should treat myself to the special headband earphones.

I love an audiobook at night, also have a few podcast that are quite easy listening. This headband thing sounds great.

I had a lovely lunch today (non BC compliant) to celebrate my father being cancer free after a gruelling year health wise. I'm utterly delighted. It's true that the link between food and celebrating is not ideal in our obesogenic environment in the way it would have been back when there were literal feast days. Loads to think about there, ie Christmas as one day not the whole month of dec etc but I'm too happy today to do any more deep thinking on the topic! I'm pleased I got right back on the wagon at dinner though and will carry on tomorrow.

I've taken some SLC rolls into work so I'll have good options when I really fancy breakfast. We're lucky to have a lovely kitchen with a stocked pantry but it's very cereal, fruit and biscuit heavy unfortunately so the rolls will come in handy.

Thanks for the cranachan recipe @prettybird I'm going to try it next week.

I haven't done a sign-up for a February Bootcamp yet @Metabolicallycomplicated - but don't worry! There will definitely be one.

So sorry I've been MIA from spreadsheet duties, many thanks for the @, apologies I've only just seen it

That you very kindly if someone else has stepped in, I'll have a proper look early tomorrow morning.

Thank you! That definitely resonates for me. And aioli... how have I forgotten about this?!

Good morning everyone. We have been in the path of another big storm last night. It is sooo stressful. I was away for work all day yesterday and brought my usual green shake with me for breakfast. Lunch was smoked salmon with cream cheese and a side of celery. I forgot to take something out of the freezer for dinner so ended up eating spicy Italian sausage with cabbage tossed in olive oil and pepperonata.

I definitely want to keep going. I am still over 2kg away from my next target. It is slow to move but it is moving and as I have said so many times I feel good on this WOE. Besides, you are all a mighty bunch of women and the support and encouragement is fabulous.

I have just been catching up on the thread. @Metabolicallycomplicated I am so sorry for the worry and stress you are feeling right now. I hope your scan appointment comes through soon but in the meantime sending you all the love and hand holds.

I’ve lost about 8lbs this bootcamp, not as much as some but it’s in the right direction.

Thanks @Goodiewhemper, I’ve decided to just crack on and ignore it until it’s a problem. That might not be the healthiest way to deal with something like this but it works for me! What’s making me feel like it’s not the worst case scenario here is that these lesions were first imaged in September - if it was metastases (worst case scenario) they’d have been making me feel very poorly by now and I have zero symptoms, so I’m reminding myself of that often.

Im feeling very good about my prospects sticking to this WOE longer term. DH and I had a conversation last night and he was lamenting us not eating the same meal together as a family anymore. I did point out that not only do we still eat at the same time at the same table, but now we’re also cooking at the same time too so actually spend more time together at meal times than we ever have.

My MIL (slimming world evangelist) found out how I’m eating yesterday (she popped over at dinner time) and I got a lot of ‘my cousin DIED because of Atkins’ (he didn’t, he died because he was 28 stone for 30 years and coincidentally had a fucking massive heart attack about 3 months after he went on Atkins to try and undo the damage) so that wasn’t much fun. My response was ‘well I can’t imagine why you’re under the impression you can dictate what diet I follow, but given I’m an adult, well researched and confident this is the right thing for me, I’m going to carry on but thanks for looking out for me.’ What I didn’t say was ‘you didn’t complain like this when my diet was making me fat and sick so what gives??’

Anyway, that’s the main dragon slain, my mums not happy about it either but she’s got the good sense to recognise losing the weight is the priority!

What a fantastic, assertive response Go you!

And well done for resisting what was really in your head

You're an inspiration Metabolicallycomplicated! Keeping everything crossed for a good outcome.

People have so much to say about what we're eating don't they? I've found even more so with not drinking, but the more confident I am in my own choices the more people seem to back off...