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.

Loving your responses (spoken and unspoken) @Metabolicallycomplicated, drives me mad that other people seem to take offence at a diet of fresh nutritious food but don't bat an eyelid when you're mainlining sugar and stodgy carbs.

Today's scales journey sees me at 0.2lb above my lowest BC weight. It's almost a daily comedy to see which way the numbers are pointing. They are relatively new Renpho scales so I'm assuming it's just my crazy body.

Todays plan:
B: not eaten yet so prob won't bother
L: last of the chicken soup I made on Monday
D: chicken in bacon, cheesy sauce, buttered veg

Cluck, cluck 🐔

Hope you like them @LC4life I think they are brill!

That's fantastic though - and we haven't even finished the full four weeks! Remember - this isn't a competition. Everyone is different. And as the saying goes:

Comparison is the thief of joy (Theodore Roosevelt)

So enjoy your joy! And be proud of what you've achieved so far.

Well said and asserted @Metabolicallycomplicated!

One of my SILs, who is lovely in most other respects, has a real issue with low carbing such that I ended up sabotaging my own efforts when we were all on holiday together, many years ago. Having achieved my goal weight, I then spent a whole fortnight eating the foods that she eats, to make for an easier life

She was a WW advocate, and even became a group leader, and is a low fat zealot. Funnily enough, she's always struggling with her weight. Any time there's a significant event, there's a hugely concerted effort (can't fault her on her commitment) to lose the weight, but then immediately afterwards she goes back to her 'normal' diet - and all the weight goes back on.

But low carbing is a 'silly fad' of course. Although I love her dearly, I've never really forgiven myself for giving in to her on that holiday.

You see the same kind of stuff on MN all the time - the whole 'calories in/calories out' argument is trotted out endlessly, by people who you just know have never read a single book or properly-researched article about food, nutrition and dieting!

Never apologise for messaging @LC4life!

Well done @Metabolicallycomplicated on your response, it really frustrates me when I see the horror at LC when there's loads of fresh, well made food and very little else! @LC4life I'm the same, haven't really mentioned it to many people as can't be bothered with the conversation, and most haven't actually noticed I've lost weight either, depressing to be largely invisible!
Am one of the non-sleepers, have improved a bit since I added magnesium to my many vitamins but is still very patchy. Definitely sleep better without alcohol than with regardless.........

It’s frustrating how pervasive shit science has become really.

Interestingly though, I work with a bunch of early 20’s women and not a single one of them has batted an eye about my sudden change in diet vs the older women I work with (mid 30’s plus like me). We all eat together most days and often chat about diet and food generally - the first day I brought food in I got some questions and all I said was ‘yeah I’m not fucking with carbs anymore’ and they instantly all agreed it was the best way to eat and all of them said they also cut out carbs when they want to lose weight rather than fat. The women my age were a bit more hesitant about it and more keen to say how tough they would find it to stick to, so it’s definitely generational in my experience. I reckon genZ and beyond are rejecting low fat high carb and are much better informed.

I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself today. I've fit into a pair of size 14 trousers that I haven't been able to do up for far too long.

I'm loving the chat and support here. Its not just food/weight loss. Insomnia and asd are big issues for me it's nice to "meet" others in the same boat.

Does anybody know if lchf helps with inflammation? I'm being tested for suspected arthritis in my hands and am hoping I won't need to make any diet changes away from this woe. Its far too tasty and filling to give up

I think you're right about it being a generational change @Metabolicallycomplicated

I know when I first started talking about low carbing on Mumsnet, way back in the very, very distant past, it wasn't unusual to be jumped on by posters who were insistent, and very sure, that it was a fad. The number of times I had to correct those who were adamant that Dr Atkins died from his own diet was insane.

Now, there are two separate low carb topics on Mumsnet, which speaks volumes!

Of course, you still get the CICO/low fat/SW/WW brigade*, but it's much more balanced than it used to be.

*frankly, if it works for you, then be my guest!

@blackteaplease

I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself today. I've fit into a pair of size 14 trousers that I haven't been able to do up for far too long

It's a brilliant feeling, isn't it? Much more inspiring even than a number on the scales!

I've just had a mega try-on of clothes, with my forthcoming holiday in mind, and ventured into the deepest, darkest recesses of my wardrobe, into the section labelled (in my mind) there be dragons to find that all my shorts fit me, and all the dresses that I want to take! The downside, I suppose, is that I don't need to do any holiday shopping.

I haven't quite ventured into the swimwear section yet. Still too many dragons in that drawer for now.

Ha ! @BIWI I’ve just bought a swimsuit in Tesco !
I’ll try it on later ( have Pilates , so I’ll need to change then )
just over 6 weeks til we fly off

I have two (nice) swimsuits that definitely fit me. I know that because I wear them when I go swimming now. But I have a couple of other ones (and a bikini ) which I haven't dared even consider quite yet!

Sorry for being MIA for a while, I made the mistake of getting on the scales, being disappointed with the number (and, to be honest, with my waist line as i seem persistently bloated these days regardless of what I eat), and then seizing the excuse of a big family celebration to swan dive off the wagon into the sugary stuff over the weekend. I tried and failed to climb back on until today but so far I'm doing better now. I don't have time to catch up with you all on the thread yet, but will be back when I have.

Thank-you everyone! All your posts are interesting - and the ongoing determination here is heartening even when things are a struggle.

It seems that low-carb eating is attractive to tolerant and thoughtful people!
Is it the need to look back in an analytical way at what has not worked in the past and forward to the studies and lived experience of a way that works?

Family support or lack of it is an interesting theme .
Defending yourself against (well-meaning) dragons could be depressing or (as it was made here) exhillarating. Well done on refusing to be rescued from this WoE @Metabolicallycomplicated - I'm another wishing you good news soon. @Baystard Well done on getting back on here. (There are many sayings pointing out that it is not the falling that matters - only the getting back up and going on. They seem to be right.)

Someone above asked about inflamation. I've found my stiffness has almost vanished on this way of eating. Experience shows that it comes back with carbs.

So much of it is having community support isn't it. I know 100% that if I didn't have a bootcamp or similar to do it with, I'd have given up 2-3 days in.

Had this for tea Beef and cabbage stew - I swapped out the carrots and kohlrabi for frozen broccoli and cauli as that's what I've got, it was lovely and warming!

Just checking in to say hello and to say thank you for this community/thread. I don't really have anything to say, but I read this thread most days and find it really helpful. I am definitely also keen to join a thread in February. I am very, very slowly losing (which is an improvement after staying the same for a while).

@blackteaplease re inflammation, yes I believe a low carb diet can help. An interesting piece here

... which concludes:

To conclude, advice to follow LCD (Low Carb Diet)or LFD (Low Fat Diet) had similar effects on weight reduction while effects on inflammation differed. Only LCD (Low Carb Diet) was found significantly to improve the subclinical inflammatory state in type 2 diabetes.

I recently read the article about Gary Taubes that was in the Observer a few weeks ago. While it acknowledged that sugar and excessive carbs were implicated in diabetes (especially Type 2) and insulin resistance, it repeated the to us trope that following "keto diets" to address this were unrealistic as "no-one can follow them in real life"

We're living proof that we can enjoy food, eat well - and lose weight

I'm now never tempted by the oven chips or pasta that dh has, rarely have bread and, except at Christmas, never have roast potatoes.

I'm not saying I don't occasionally fall off the wagon - but my mindset has changed and I don't feel continually deprived.

I think about the way that the French eat patisserie (and the way I ate when I spent my year in France). They don't have it every day - it's an occasional treat. That's what I try to do: if I'm going to go off piste, I'll do so mindfully and appreciate what I'm choosing to have as opposed to stuffing it down my gob ie, I'm no longer addicted

I appreciate that not everyone can do that, but it works for me.

hello lovely Bootcampers, I've only just caught up with the thread and realised just how long its been since I caught up. Especial thanks to @LC4life for fixing the spreadsheet and to Nolurknolinger for the 'at' to alert me. Apologies for going MIA , very glad to now be part of a team of spreadsheet monitors

I'm in awe of @Metabolicallycomplicated for the measured
response, shall try to follow this excellent example. I'm constantly amazed by
the range of people who think I'm interested in what they think of my eating
habits sigh or even my physicality for that matter

KOKO is my motto at the moment, I've updated my (unchanged)
weight on the spreadsheet and unhidden myself, mostly to feel that I'm part of
this most excellent community. More than two years in, my weight appears to
have stabilised in the upper half of the healthy BMI range. I had hoped that it
would drop more so that I might risk adding in a few more carbs to bring it up
again but am happy on Bootcamp Lite so here we are.

So very, vary grateful to @BIWI @prettybird r et al for this WOE. I
had bloods taken today and to make conversation, the phlebotomist asked what I was planning to eat this evening. Felt really good to describe my Greek salad
(with extra leafy green veg) and lamb chop after a lifetime of feeling guilty
about my food choices and even resorting to bare faced lies in the face of that
sort of question. It turned out to be a fasting blood test, which I had not
been warned about (ive rechecked the invitations and there is nothing on that
subject) Happily i had not eaten since my evening meal so it was all good.

let's see what the results are ( GP's well woman check up) I've
been rereading the very helpful links provided to make sure I'm clear about the
case against statins just in case I need it when the results are shared with
me. Thanks again for the references, there is another one since i started posting this, so good to be part of this community of likeminded people who enjoy this WOE and the benefits it brings.

The WOW is just how I eat these days and, as prettybird mentioned upthread, I do occasionally eat off-plan. I do it mindfully, asking myself "how i will feel after I've eaten whatever it is" Given the hold sugar has over me amounts to an addiction, I usually find the first taste is the easiest to resist and that the effort of resisting the second taste will usually outweigh the pleasure of the first taste.

Occasionally I put myself to the test to prove to myself that i can stop again, mostly I don't bother.

Yeah the lunch break at work crowd can get pretty inquisitive about my eating habits!

Ive still not much appetite and find I’m grazing rather than eating proper meals, always keeping under 20g carbs tho. Really missing my 9pm glass of wine and chocolate whilst watching love island but I try not eat after 7pm and so far I’ve strayed strong.

I am of the very well researched opinion that there is nothing that can’t be improved in this world with the addition of double cream and Parmesan

Tonights dinner is left over lamb burger and spring greens, except I’m craving risotto so I chopped up the burger, shoved it and the left over greens in a pan to fry in some butter, added a bit of mustard and cream cheese then more spinach then poured in cream and grated on some Parmesan. It tastes amazing but is such a weird meal

I would give anything for a glass of wine tonight. No idea why but I'm having huge cravings. I'm nursing an AF beer but it's not really hitting the spot. Waaahhhh, I'd better start getting results on the scales, it's not fair!!!

Sorry, PMT fuelled toddler rant.