Week 1 - May '24 Low Carb Bootcamp. And off we go!

[BIWI]

Evening everyone!

I'm starting the first week's chat thread this evening as I know everyone will be chomping at the bit to get going tomorrow!

First, and most importantly, here's the link to the spreadsheet

You'll see that it's now got a bit of colour coding going on. There are several posters who have said that they don't want to be on the spreadsheet, so they are on there, but greyed out - so I know who is/isn't wanting to talk about their weight.

If you're said you're a vegetarian, your row will be coloured green; this is important, so that we know how to advise you about foods (or rather, not to tell you off if you're eating nuts/fruit/seeds when you're allowed to, as a veggie!)

If you haven't seen the spreadsheet before - or even if you have! - have a good look around it. As well as Bootcamp rules, there's loads of helpful information on there (look at the tabs at the bottom). I've revised the vegetable carb count, which now includes some more veg.

If there's anything that isn't clear

Yes, mustard is allowed! However, check the carb counts on the back of the jar, and think about how much you're using - e.g. Sainsbury's wholegrain mustard is a whopping 13.7g carbs per 100g, whereas their Dijon mustard is only 5.4g.

This is how I make coleslaw:

1 small carrot, peeled and grated
roughly 1/4 white cabbage, thinly sliced
around 1/4-1/2 shallot, either grated or finely chopped

• mix them together and then add a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil, and some white wine or apple cider vinegar; season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• stir together and leave to stand for an hour or so
• just before serving, stir in a generous tablespoon of mayonnaise

Holland & Barratt sell them. They sell the "Slim" brand (also available on Amazon), but have also brought out their own brand, which is cheaper.

Hello @CointreauVersial! Long time no 'see'! How's things?

How long would this last in the fridge @BIWI ? And how much is 'some' apple cider vinegar? Teaspoon, tablespoon?

The Naked Noodles are not in the place you'd expect in Sainsbury's. IIRC, in my "big" Sainsbury's, it's not beside the rice (which is where I thought it would be) but up near the olives and pesto

Ask a staff member - you might be surprised

It would last about 4 days in the fridge I think - although I've never tested it as it gets eaten so quickly! (That quantity makes enough for 2-3 generous portions)

In terms of quantity, it's the same proportions as making a vinaigrette dressing - which is usually 5 tablespoons of olive oil to 1 of vinegar (or 3 to 1 if you prefer it more vinegary)

TBH the quantities are a rough guide as I don't weigh/measure when I'm making it.

I my Sainsbury's, the Bare Naked Noodles are in the same aisle as the noodles and Chinese/Japanese stuff - not with the pasta.

Perfect - I feel like coleslaw will make my lunches so much less dry! Looking forward to adding this tomorrow.

Hi everyone. Just caught up with the thread.

Great to hear of everyone cracking on, and the recipe ideas are helpful - thanks for sharing. @BIWI, I need to try that halloumi curry!

I've been diligent since Monday and am really enjoying it and feeling good so far. Already over 4lb down in two days?!

I first did Bootcamp in the summer of 2020 and lost over 20lb and kept it off for a year. It was easier in (semi-)lockdown without the temptations of eating out/at other people's houses/on the go. Depressingly, my weight has since crept back up to where I started. So I need this.

I can't believe I'm coping with my morning coffee without the usual dash of maple syrup. I'm having it with unsweetened almond milk and a dollop of Tesco extra thick cream. It's lovely.

A PP mentioned about joint pain diminishing on LCHF. I'd been starting to get some pain in one foot that I suspect is the beginning of a bunion. It was pretty sore at the weekend, but I noticed today that it isn't hurting at all. Interesting.

Last time I did Bootcamp, we didn't have an air fryer. I'm finding it's making this WOE so much easier this time - roasted veggies, sausages/chicken, creamy broccoli-cheese bake, crustless quiches, all in the same time it takes our knackered old oven to warm up to temperature! I think I'll eat more variety this time and I'm excited about it.

Do you think with this WOE it's possible for someone middle-aged to get back to their original 'youthful' healthy weight? I was 10st from my mid-teens until about age 35. I'm now mid-forties and started Monday at 12st 12lb (eek). I'd be pleased if I could drop to 11st (which I did last time). In my head, I'm just assuming it isn't possible to get back to 10st, even though my frame and metabolism settled at that for decades. But maybe it is possible?

@prettybird, your burn sounds nasty. I hope you don't feel sore for long. (I think we're starting at about the same weight.)

Off to prep halloumi, roasted veg and homemade tzatziki for tonight. Keep going, everyone.

@Menotum - just be careful using an air-fryer. I know it's popular these days as it's a more economical way of cooking, but originally it was touted as a way to cook with less fat, which isn't what we're all about!

@BIWI That's great! Thankyou. I've never made any kind of dressing before. My salads used to be covered in either salad cream or sweet chilli sauce! This will be a game changer for me. 😃

Re Naked Noodles again - at my big Sainsbury's, they are always on low shelves, which makes them even more difficult to find

Glad to hear that you're OK @prettybird , shows the importance of quick first aid with burns and scalds.

I'm pootling along, although the cravings really kicked in today. I've resisted though with:
B - rolled omelette + some yoghurt/cream combo
L - garlic, butter & chilli prawns with lots of salad/veg
D - bacon, avocado and egg

And I've managed my full 2L of water! 🥳

Quick question (and I have looked, promise) - is tofu out or allowed, for a non-vegetarian? All the talk of coconut milk is reminding me that I love a bit of silken tofu in a spicy soup!

This is what my thigh looks like now. The patch on my belly is darker red and more clearly delineated but also with no blisters. Both still sore though - but it could have been so much worse.

Wearing a loose dress so no pressure put on them - and definitely no jeans, as they are currently very tight even the "non skinny pair

Yoghurt
Chicken with salad
Stroganoff (sauce only).
Doing ok - but still have a huge bloated stomach and feel middle aged and portly.

That does look sore @prettybird

@Menotum I'm about the same age as you and since starting this WOE I've been consistently lighter than I was in my thirties and even being down to a weight I've not seen since I was at university - so it's absolutely possible.

Unfortunately whilst I look and feel great on this WOE, and I'm sure I'm objectively much healthier, it doesn't seem to help with the arthritis in my fingers.

Lunch courtesy of ChatGP again today. "A recipe that doesn't involve cooking and which uses a whole little gem lettuce and some leftover salmon". So I had a lovely caesar salad!

Those halloumi skewers look delicious @BIWI

Oh your poor leg @prettybird - it looks painful.

I've had a busy day. DD2 twisted her ankle doing hurdles yesterday so I had to drive her to school this morning. Them rush back for work and then an eye test for me at lunch time and another for DD1 after work/school. The advantage was I had breakfast at about 9.30, lunch at 2, and didn't think about snacking all day. The normal danger time for me is mid to late afternoon.

I also tried a new super easy low carb recipe with prawns and creme fraiche here. I added chorizo and did add kale despite her saying not to.

B - FFGY & cream
L - salad & cheese with coleslaw & artichokes
S - see above.

😮@prettybird That looks awful!! I was told aftersun cream is good for burns, but please google that as it was in a conversation many moons ago.

B: Cheese and boiled egg
L: Cold meat salad
D: Fish mix, buttery brocolli and cauliflour

So weeks ago I bought a packet of frozen 'fish pie filling' and not being a huge fish eater, it had got buried to the bottom of my freezer. I decided to dig it out tonight, and I must say it was so quick and easy to cook, and I had it with veg, but it was a bit dry and dull.

Can anyone recommend a quick, hot, non-cheesy sauce I could do with it? Or how to tart it up a bit during the cooking process? It was literally bunged on a buttered piece of foil, made into a parcel and cooked for 30 mins.

@MissBeck - I've read that too, as long as it's not oily and only to be used after the initial heat has dissipated. Don't have any though. Going to look for some aloe Vera and I have some lavender oil arriving tomorrow.

@prettybird
Elizabeth Arden Eight hour cream.

@prettybird that looks so sore, seconding 8 hour cream (or the Aldi dupe if you can get it) pretty much heals all things..........

@MissBeck I make a LC fish pie with chorizo, philly cheese, hardboiled eggs and spinach topped with cauliflower mash and grated cheese, nowhere near traditional but yummy!

@Menotum I'm very similar to you edging towards late 40's and started last summer at almost the same weight, 12st 9lb and am currently lighter than I was on my wedding day nearly 11 years ago, with another stone-ish to lose to get to an ideal weight. I was a bit despondent to start with as I've never seen 4-5lb per week losses but have kept at it and the scales are slowly edging lower. This group is an amazing support be it with big sticks, gentle encouragement or gorgeous recipes!!!!!

I have loads of Eight Hour Cream - it last forever! I'll give it a go. For the moment, I've been using some old Lush Dream Cream that I've given dh a while ago.

@prettybird
I had an accident a few years ago that I thought would lead to some scarring and was painful. Eight hour cream reduced the pain, sped up healing and I have no scarring.
Worth trying?

Ahhh, all good, happy and healthy thanks,@BIWI - you?? Pleased to see you are still wielding the big stick.

I'm still lurking about - I do like to dip into the Low Carb threads every now and then - gives me some inspiration and ideas, and keeps me on the wagon (although I am regularly tested because DD1 is currently working in a posh patisserie cafe - can you imagine the temptations she brings home?). Not joining the Bootcamp as I'm at a good weight currently, but wishing everyone success. 🙂

@prettybird I had a similar burn a while ago and the hospital gave me a Manuka honey dressing for it. Again might be worth googling to check but def soothed and hope with infection risk too.

that prawn skillet recipe looks gorgeous @Stowickthevast - might bank that for next week.

Think I may have to lag behind you all for a few days as this week is just too complicated to wrap my head around but keeping on it most of time - don’t think I’ll hit ketosis til next week though. No need to wield the big stick - I am already wielding it for myself 😦

agree the chat here is very supportive and helpful! Also agree I feel less inflamed in this woe. And have more energy and clarity of thought.