Feb '24 Bootcamp - Week 2

[BIWI]

Mixed messages so far it would seem - some gains and some losses.

For those of you who are new to Bootcamp, or low carbing, don't be discouraged when others talk about a gain. Remember that some people here are longer-term low carbers, and so they're really 'practising' for the maintenance phase of their lives.

But it's also a useful reminder for all of us (myself included ) that this WOE does require focus. Little slips here and there can soon add up!

Anyway. It's the start of a new week, so be pleased by your losses and put any gains behind you.

Onwards and downwards!

Here's the spreadsheet

That Cauli pure sounds amazing, defo going on the list.

I was out all day today with no break or toilet stops so have just had a huge chunk of cheese for my first food of the day and am swigging water like it’s going out of fashion.

DH is cooking tonight (romantic dinner for three - one of the joys of having an only child!) and has got some stuffed beef steaks from the butchers. He was a bit vague when I asked what was in them - ‘cream and stuff’ I think he said so I’m hoping it’ll be ok. I’ve made the Diet Doctor LC choc cake for dessert which we’ll have with clotted cream and raspberries. Given I’m currently on zero carbs for the day so far, I’m thinking even if the stuffing in the beef isn’t ideal it shouldn’t do too much damage. Will obv be served with FLGV and all the butter.

Sounds good @AllTheBlackCoffee!

We're off to the pictures this evening, and will be taking our chances we can find a table somewhere afterwards. If not, it's back to ours for cheese, which is pretty much all there will be available to eat at that point.

(Does anybody call it 'the pictures' these days, or am I just giving my age away?!)

Yep , the pictures , I think I’m the same or similar vintage to you

@BIWI yes, we say pictures - our adult kids [40+] look at us as if we're entirely bonkers, So yes, showing our ages which in our case are 68 and 77.
Enjoy yourself at the flicks!

Pictures here too!

Manic work day and solo parenting this evening. Tuna subway salad for lunch, block of halloumi and some scrambled egg for dinner. Not my finest hour admittedly. I've got a head of cauli that I've promised myself I'll turn into soup tomorrow!

Pictures here too - although there's not much out at the moment I fancy watching, @BIWI hope you had a good time and the restaurant gods smiled on you!

Still behaving despite feeling grottyl, managed a piece of LC toast yesterday and leftover steak plus salad for dinner, the carbies had pizza with salad. Another 1/2lb down this morning so scales going the right way!

Need to write a shopping list today so I can shop when DD is out at training later, meal-planned from the freezer til the end of next week so at least don't have that chore to do. Also need to work out where to eat tomorrow night - DD has suggested somewhere American/burger-y for ease but we've been to the chain ones in Cardiff before and not been impressed so will have to consult the oracle that is Google!!!!

Have a good day all - those recipes look lovely for the dinner party, very tempted by the lamb one once my freezer is emptier

Another 1/2lb down this morning so no damage done by the mystery stuffed steak (we now think it was a creamy peppercorn sauce which was a bit weird but very nice). I think it's been also helped out by a post-celeriac 'clear out' which I'm happy about. All in all a very nice Valentine's Day.

Breakfast today was Greek yog and cream and lunch might be a bit hit and miss as we've got someone coming to fit our new dishwasher between 10am and 2pm so might not be able to get into my kitchen. Not bothered if I miss it though with my new LC superpower of Never Feeling Hungry!

Tea will be pulled pork and salad with coleslaw for those who like it. I only like my own and I CBA making any so shop-bought it is!

Going for a run later - wk 5, run 2 of C25k. I used to run regularly until I did my knee in two years ago but am determined to get back into it although I've tried C25K about five times in the last year and never finished it It's not easy though so losing weight will definitely help!!

Post celariac blow out 👍@AllTheBlackCoffee I think we’ve all been there !

We’re planning on going to the pictures on Monday to see the Bob Marley film ( counting down to the Caribbean holiday )
There’s no chance of a post film dinner out though ( Welsh market town , everything closed on a Monday night , good for the bank balance though , as well as the waist line )

Morning all - daily weigh in puts me at a total 3lbs down this week after staying the same last week - I'll take that!

@BIWI I joined body coach app last year and got slightly obsessed with his Almond and Chia crackers - just realised these are likely BC friendly, could you confirm please?

100g Ground Almonds
20g Chia seeds
1 egg
small pinch salt black pepper

blend in food processor until smooth and knead into soft ball (add a teaspoon of cold water if too dry) tip onto greaseproof, add a layer of greaseproof over the top and roll out thinly into a rectangle. remove top sheet and cut into 16ish triangles, bake at 160 for 10-12 mins and leave to cool.
Absolutely delicious so I'm hoping they're friendly (joe advises only 2 crackers per 'portion' haha)

Rejoining this WOE after weighing myself on Monday and realising I had put on 6lbs since October. Holiday coming up in 5 weeks so I have an incentive.

We are away next week so lots of eating out which will mostly be fine. Hotel breakfasts so perfect for low carb so long as I avoid the bread and pastry section 🙈. And a few dinners at restaurants where low carb is possible. I always find Indian restaurants easiest where I can order tandoori meats or seafood and can choose okra and green salads instead of rice and naan.

Trying to drink loads of water which is usually my downfall. Tuna in oil and olives for lunch, low carb cauli cheese with bacon lardons for dinner.

@QforCucumber I'd calculate that each of those crackers (if you make 16) will be 0.54g carbs, so I'd say go for it!

The pictures was (were?!) great. We went to see American Fiction, which I can recommend @TheOnlyMrsW

Recently we've also been to see Poor Things and The Holdovers, which were both also fantastic.

Ooh thanks for the recommendations, am going with a friend next week so good to know. I enjoyed All of Us Strangers a couple of weeks ago

In BC news, after a slow start I can feel my jeans are a bit looser today. I've realised I really need to keep an eye on my water consumption, it's slipping.

I am noticing a difference now I am probably out of peri menopause and post menopause. My weight is all on my tummy and feels more solid. Also, it does seem to be true what people say, it is harder to lose weight, though obvs not impossible.

@BIWI we had exactly the same conversation yesterday with dgc (school holiday grandparenting duties) "Grandad you said we were going to (see) the pictures - I thought it would be an art gallery?"

@Frumpyunicorn Confit legl of duck is my dinner party go-to https://www.bbcgoodfoodme.com/recipes/barney-s-confit-of-duck/ I don't bother with the pre-salting, just put bay leaf, salt, pepper and a small amount of wine into the pan. Essentially as the duck legs warm, the fat softens and they confit in their own fat. You can do that bit the day before then just whack them in the oven for your guests. Really easy and very tender.

I usually add grated nutmeg to cauliflower, excelent combination. That and some buttery cabbage or other green veg.

We had a truly disappointing steak last night. Tougher than normal, and dh's had bits of gristle :( But creamy mushrooms, crispy shallots, and spinach made me happy.

Thankyou @biwi, will make those tonight - they're perfect with M&S smoked salmon pate as a light lunch!

I do love the day after Valentines day, called into M&S food at lunchtime and picked up LOTS of their 2 dine for £25 bits, 3 starters, 4 mains, 5 desserts and 5 sides (all of which serve 2) for £40! that's this weekend sorted :) All BC friendly too - sea bass, pork steaks wrapped in panchetta with garlic butter (chicken kievs for DH who doesn't eat fish haha) Veg all green veg or med veg with butters, couple of mini cheese boards for my own desserts

@QforCucumber may pop to marks this evening!!

Ashamed of the Scottish Chefs on Great British Menu. Honestly, I think many of us could have done better.

I agree. And what I thought was really bad in tonight's programme was the sniping between the chefs. Normally you see the chefs really helping each other, but that wasn't happening, Ajay was really not helping Kevin - and got his timings all mixed up too.

My ridiculous girl dinners continue. I never did end up making that cauliflower soup, but I did airfry a whole one with olive oil and spices. And then ate it with a few spoonfuls of egg mayo that I'd made for the kids lunchboxes.

Reeeeally need to get back on the meal planning.

Hi everyone, quiet on here at the min - hope everyone's ok.

I ended up missing out on breakfast and lunch yesterday so scoffed a few dark chocolates that have been in the cupboard since before Xmas in a fit of hunger. Annoyingly I'm up an lb today but no one else to blame but myself. KOKOing, of course!

Off out to the pub for tea later to celebrate finishing work for a week but already know what I'm ordering so that's not a problem. There will be wine but I'll try and stick to two drinks and lots of water.

Morning (just!)

Came across this recipe on another thread, which sounds like it could work as a low carb one:

https://www.womanandhome.com/recipes/smoked-haddock-rarebit/

I love smoked haddock (when you can find it undyed) so might give this a go.

oh that sounds delicious - we have the M&S valentines Pork wrapped in pancetta for tonight. I've had a wedge of cheese and 2 pepperamis for on the go lunch driving between clients today, and some yogurt with cream for breakfast. 1l water down, another 1.5 to go.

Horrible dentist appointment yesterday with 3 fillings needing replaced, so at least I was put off eating for a few hours although I'm definitely at the point of not needing as much food now.

DH best friends memorial tomorrow, he passed at new year at 36 years old but didn't want a funeral so his wife has arranged a gathering at the local country park where they walked the dog together, I've decided sparkling water only and no booze - it's already going to be emotional enough without adding wine into the mix