Week 2 - May '24 Low Carb Bootcamp - my favourite week!

[BIWI]

Morning all!

I see a few have braved the spreadsheet already, and some nice results coming in

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_zdJLFAioyDd3ePLj7Tg5HnIu6E8JbdmsVyqP28Xsak/edit#gid=1892381976

I love this week because it's so often a (lovely) surprise for so many - especially anyone who hasn't low carbed before.

I have noted several lapses already, however! Remember, this WOE isn't very forgiving, so it is really important that you don't cheat. (Hospital stays etc are clearly something you can't do anything about, however).

But let's put last week behind us, and focus on a good, strict, week ahead, before we move on to Bootcamp Light.

We've been invited to friends' this evening, for a music night (choosing an album from '1001 albums you must hear before you die' - a bit like a book club). It's pizza night, apparently, so I've made the shallot and Gruyère tart from the recipe thread to take for us.

Here's to a good week

We are legends (apart from my strawberries and Prosecco), @MissBeck

Well done @UnOeufIsEnough - I don't have a massively sweet tooth but homemade cakes are a serious temptation. There have been a couple times over the last few months where I have inexplicably been tempted to eat the mass produced sort you get in coffee chains (which is odd because I've never eaten them regularly even pre BC) and they were Not Nice. I always try and remember that now.

And you too @MissBeck

@DrBlackbird I think you've hit the nail on the head with the psychological compensation for carbs with dairy. I've been the same plus or minus 1 pound weight for 7 weeks now (although have lost a little in inches), and am definitely eating too much cheese. And I've stuck to low carb 100%, even on my blooming birthday! I'm hoping the reintroduction of seeds and nuts tomorrow may help. I never thought I'd be so excited at the thought of a sprinkling of flax seeds on my yoghurt and a couple of walnuts...

We ended up swapping out lunch out for a dinner out yesterday, stayed compliant as far as food went but did have 2 g&t’s. Not sure if it was dehydration from the spa in the morning or changed diet but the two drinks got me ridiculously drunk so I’ve felt rubbish all day today. Stayed on track though despite desperately wanting to comfort eat loads of carby crap! Very curious to see what the scales will say tomorrow as I had a very big loss first week!

Thanks for comments re running - I will persevere!

I had to make the Baharat chicken thighs again @Stowickthevast (half quantities today because it's just for me) peppers and shallots instead of potatoes. Can't wait to scoff (when the braised fennel amd DH's veggie sausages are done.

@EasilyDefined you're absolutely right. Cake often looks 10 times better than it tastes! Not worth the carbs/calories.

The finished dish...

Well it miraculously stayed dry while collecting in the Avon book, and I'm now in my comfy pyjamas and in for the night, and about to start a fry up!

@OpalTiger you do definitely get more drunk eating low carb - it's caught me out a few times 😉 well done for eating well anyway.

My DSis made what she calls pizza pasta tonight (a pasta sauce made out of what's leftover when we've had the pizza oven out - I avoided that temptation yesterday too) - passata with red onion, pepper, chilli, salami and mozzarella etc. I had the same sauce over sliced greens that I fried in coconut oil, and some of the ubiquitous rotisserie chicken stirred in. It was delish. 😁

Hiya! I'm starting tomorrow or Tuesday (the shop is arriving tomorrow). I'm not going to go on the spreadsheet as I've started bootcamp a few times but not made it to the end. I've a big holiday in August and I'd like to drop a couple of stones before we go. I DO have an awful lot to loose so that should be possible. Let's see how we go. Just reading back for hints n tips!

@OpalTiger

I've been re-reading https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/the-art-and-science-of-low-carbohydrate-performance/9780983490715?gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAIAVB5pBIyvMB-rzGhlEM5-OC&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvsP996SshgMVyqqDBx1ZlwDfEAQYASABEgLcsfDD_BwE#GOR004940183

this weekend and thought you might find it an interesting explanation of how low carb can, after a period of adjustment not unlike BIWI's first two weeks stir it bootcamp, provide amazing benefits for sports performance.

I was rereading as I've had a weekend away hill climbing when so many people were surprise that I didn't seem to need the endless supply of bananas and snacks they feel essential for any kind of exercise. So long as I have plenty of water, I can easily go for long periods fasting (on water)

Today I found myself eating purely for 'entertainment' while waiting for my delayed plane. Thank goodness for M&S, Caesar salad (ditched the croutons in their convenient plastic wrapping) and a packet of brocolli for fibre were a great option

Apart from all the other advantages, I now find this woe sooo convenient.

Sorry, posted too soon and see that the lovely @StuntNun who knows about these things has the potential adjustment period much longer than I have suggested.

After a lifetime of what I now think of as sugar addiction, but used to think of as having a sweet tooth and very little willpower, I find it so freeing to feel in control of my food choices. Bliss

The strongest reason I know to continue eating this way, is exactly to avoid having to go through that transition ever again.

@FinallyHere you're so right; it's so freeing to just not have those cravings, so to not have to rely on willpower!

I hope my post re stalling wasn't demoralising to anyone; my situation is a bit different as I'm at the point of trying to work on the lipoedema fat now (which has been hanging around for 30 years!). There are just endless benefits to this WoE, I can't imagine eating any other way now.

@UnOeufIsEnough and @MissBeck I also had to dodge 3 birthday cakes last week; it's interesting how people feel so sorry for you not having a slice!

Good luck today all!

It is inspiring @somanylights because it gives me hope while I'm still at the stage of finding it restrictive rather than freeing. Hopefully if I stick around I'll get there. I'm doing a lot better than I was but most of my meals still feel as though there is something missing. Going to try harder with meal planning this week. And thinking of ways to add fat that don't feel greasy.

@EasilyDefined i don’t find it freeing yet either. I don’t miss the carbs like bread, pasta, rice etc. whatsoever, In fact the thought of a sandwich or a wrap makes me feel quite sick. But sugar!! Jeez! I find it very difficult to totally avoid. Definitely still have choc desires or the desire for something sweet. Willpower remains crucial. I’m going to stay on strict and not move to BC light as I’d like to have that ‘freeing’ feeling with sugar.

I'm the other way @NotDonna I don't miss the sweet stuff at all, it's the bread, crackers etc, my DH buys a baguette every Saturday and it takes every bit of my willpower not to have some. I used to live on bread and associates products. Rice and potatoes or bread as part of a meal too, I don't crave them but they counterbalance the richness of high fat food and absorb the grease. So meals that I would love with carbs such as a fry-up taste too greasy without toast. However I have managed to adjust to having salads with lots of mayo and no bread so it's a step in the right direction.

Morning Campers
3lb down this week so 151.2 😊
Staying on strict BC as tastebuds still wanting sugar so training remains in progress and no ‘completion certificate’ awarded!

1/2 lb on which I'm gobsmacked by as it's been a very bad weekend (mystery shots anyone?!) but assuming that the bouncing counteracted the booze! Back late last night and have a carful of wet stuff to deal with and food shop to do. Craving vegetables and water!!!!

Thanks for the link and perspective @FinallyHere - that’s really useful! I’ll order that book too as I’m definitely used to the whole ‘need to carb load for training’ thinking so want to educate myself on this!

1lb down this morning. I was on track for -3lb almost all of last week but I’ve been bad with water intake this weekend and although eating on plan probably still eaten more than usual for the social aspects (eg babybels when others have biscuits, olives instead of crisps). Definitely feeling less of a draw to the sugar which is very unusual for me (self-confessed sugar addict here 🙋🏼‍♀️) so will keep strict this week too just to entrench that. I do miss nuts though…

Week 3 chat thread is here

Here's to a good week!