Week 6 - Pre-Christmas '24 Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Morning Campers!

I hope Storm Bert hasn't affected you too badly - looks like it's been awful in South Wales It was mostly just windy in South London, but also weirdly warm, at 16 degrees. So at least we didn't have the heating on!

So we have three full weeks to go. I see from the spreadsheet that there are at least three people who look like they might make a whole stone by the end, so fingers crossed for them. But also, obviously, still time for everyone else to drop at least another 3lbs or so. (Whilst also acknowledging that we're heading at speed into party season ... !)

Here's the spreadsheet

Good luck

After several weeks of absence, I'm just going to sign in here as a cautionary tale. I don't even know HOW cautionary, as I haven't stepped on a scale, but given what I see in the mirror and how my clothes fit, I am quite sure it's not pretty. Long trip to the US and Canada; most of it as the guest of different sets of kind people. I guess I'm still not at the point where I feel comfortable a) imposing up front my dietary restrictions, or even b) bringing myself to turn down the things people have cooked for me (in no small part because, see point (a), I haven't informed them of my restrictions).
So, except for a too-brief interlude with some low-carb friends, it was a bit of a shitshow. For instance: one well-meaning host knew I liked fuller-fat yogurt, but could only find fuller-fat (inching up to 5%) with sugary fruit filling.
So, in a nutshell, that's the problem for me: imposing my dietary needs to the extent of being a problem for my hosts. I'm sure a lot of us will run into this during the holidays. I'll be honest: if anyone is too particular, I think they should take care of themselves and not expect their hosts to cater to them. You only have to look at the holiday boards on MN to know that precious diets are the last thing over-strapped/martyred holiday hosts want to deal with. And if it's just this item or that, that you can conveniently dodge, then do. For most of us, I'd just say, have a supply of hard-boiled eggs and avocados that you can resort to, because you may well be taken by surprise by a holiday meal that really doesn't offer many good options!
Anyway, major congratulations to everyone who has seen progress this far?

@Okaygoahead I can really feel your frustration and annoyance pouring off the page and I really feel for you... it sounds like this Bootcamp came at a terrible time for you. Have you been doing low carb for a while before that?

I completely empathise, as I also feel like there are very few people I feel comfortable asking to accommodate dietary preferences for weight loss purposes. Thankfully I haven't been tested too much on this Bootcamp, but sounds like it has been relentless for you. I hope the next few weeks are easier for you to control before Christmas hits 💐

I’m doing really badly , need a reset in my mind

Storm Bert sent everything our way , from snow and ice to wind , rain and floods , luckily we live up a hill ( DSis had a power cut on Saturday for 11 hours , she even missed Strictly )

Did a big shop today , fridge stocked with all the right stuff for the next few days

Made a lovely pork shoulder stew tonight , lots of veg , including the leek and kale cheesy gratin which is my new favourite,

Need to reread the thread ( and last weeks ) and get back into the scheme

I have a wreath making class tomorrow night , that’ll keep me busy

That's very tough @Okaygoahead - and I totally get you. I think you just have to accept that sometimes, for whatever reason, your needs have to come second. You do the best that you can, but it isn't always within your control. Put it behind you and just climb back on the wagon!

@FinallyHere oh heavens. I'm sorry I replied to the wrong address. I'm hopeless.😔 But I see more usefully you have been given some even more yummy food options.

Barely any loss this week (0.1) so finding it a bit hard to stay motivated. In previous bootcamps I've usually lost about half a stone by now. I haven't even lost a full 3lbs yet.

@islandtiger haha. I had to go back to your original post to understand what you meant in your follow up .

I Hadn't even noticed that wasn't actually '@' me. Giggle. Maybe I do just think everything is about me. Tthank you anyway, it's all good.

@CrispWinterSunshineBright. Thank you for the recommendation. tofu is one thing I haven't quite been brave enough to try, yet.

DH is a big fan, shall sneak some of his next time and see how it goes.

Down to 12st 9lb this morning

If I work really hard, I might manage to get to under 12st by Christmas

So, staying really focussed. Every time I open the fridge door for a snack of Emmenthal cheese or slice of salami, I remind myself of my objective and shut the door again

@CleanQueen123 sorry you're feeling demotivated - but stick with it. Don't let this lead you into cheating, as you know what will happen then!

Why don't you list out for us what you've been eating/drinking over the last 2-3 days, and let's see if there's anything we can help with.

Now I've weighed and it seems I've erased all my losses and added an extra pound for good measure. Time to get back in the saddle! Starting with a lunch involving lots of cheesy shoogled sprouts, one of life's great pleasures!

I've managed to talk myself out of cheating thankfully!

The last two days haven't quite been the norm because I've been away with work so it was a bit of a make do situation, but:

Monday
Breakfast: one slice of bacon, two sausages, two fried eggs, black coffee
Lunch: cauliflower soup
Dinner: cheese burger (obviously no bun), salad and coleslaw.
Tea, coffee, water throughout and I will admit to a glass of dry white wine with dinner.

Tuesday
Breakfast: two bacon, two sausages, one egg, black coffee
Lunch: the contents of a halloumi and salad wrap, minus the wrap
Dinner: shish kebab and salad, minus the pitta.
Again, tea, coffee, water throughout the day but nowhere near enough.

Getting enough water is definitely a struggle for me. I'm also finding I'm generally not feeling overly hungry and I'm struggling a bit with reflux and feeling full (need to speak to my GP about this).

Glad you're not going to cheat!

Looking at what you've written though, there are a few things I'd say:

First, bacon and sausages are processed, so really best only for occasional use. Could you have just some kind of egg-based breakfast?

Second, there isn't much veg going on - yes, there's salad, and a cauliflower soup - but rule 4 says you should be getting most of your carbs from veg and salad, for good nutrition.

Third, could it be that your portions are a bit big? Hard to tell from what you've written, but it might be worth cutting down your breakfast a bit - so one rasher of bacon and one sausage and one egg.

... and definitely need the water!

However, I should also point out that you have lost 6lbs so far, so please don't be disheartened!

I wouldn't usually have breakfast at all but you've got to make the most of Premier Inn 😂 a creamy coffee I usually the most I can manage.

Totally agree about the veg. Again, usually I pile it on but the university canteen was very limited to either full blown carbs or the things you sandwich between carbs!

Tonight's dinner is creamy prawns with plenty of roasted veg.

Leftover roast veg and belly pork for tomorrow's lunch.

Sounds tasty @CleanQueen123

To add to @BIWI's point that you have lost weight (and anyway these middle weeks are notorious for stalls ), are there any other NSVs you can focus on to motivate you? eg clearer skin, clothes fitting better (sometimes the weight sort of re-distributes better before showing up as a loss on the scales), not being a slave to hunger pangs?

You do make very good points. I certainly feel better for switching back to the low carb way of life.

Prior to bootcamp I'd been to the GP about a whole host of issues, one of which being that I was suddenly starving hungry within an hour of eating dinner. That's a thing of the past!

Back to my lowest weight this bootcamp so far today after 2 weeks up and down. Onwards and downwards!

Having some great food this week:

Lunches have been Greek salads and there's leftovers from last night's dinner for lunch tomorrow.
Dinners: Thai green turkey curry with cauli rice, venison grill with harissa roasted Brussels sprouts, pork belly with spicy roasted cauliflower, and cheeseburger pie tonight.

Out for tapas tomorrow.

Really motivating to hear everyone is KOKO, even with the ups, downs and carbs that life throws at you.

I have struggled this week with not preparing well for a week almost fully in the office. Stayed on track, but by nibbling on boiled eggs, olives and cured meat. I definitely feel better if there is a lot more green veg going on! Working from home tomorrow so aiming for green things at every meal.

Interesting to read the snacks that keep people going. I love a rubbery Swiss cheese slice and an olive or three. I am definitely doing better on breakfasts this week, boiled eggs, avocado and a dash of kimchi have helped me keep up my energy for three swims. Managed to swim 1 km on Tuesday, a first! . At our lunch out yesterday I asked for salad instead of mashed potato with my smoked haddock which was served with a very filling creamy cheese sauce. We drank fizzy water. Our friends said we both looked better, I think they were amazed we didn't ask for wine! I had to look up NSV, but nice to feel I had one this week. I'm hoping to get to parkrun tomorrow but I have got a bit of a cold, so we'll see. I have to admit to making a big jug of lemon, ginger, honey with a glug of whisky last night to wash down a couple of paracetamol. DH is making Jamie Oliver's herb roasted chicken with lemon and thyme for tonight which we'll eat with loads of cabbage. An early night and possibly another hot toddy beckons. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Well done on the swim @islandtiger - how long did it take you to swim 1km? I'm currently up to 30 minutes of swimming, but I don't count (or lose count!) of how many lengths that is, and therefore what distance it might be.

Hello all, joining for inspiration before Christmas. I've managed (through bootcamp and some strange adaptations through the years) to get down to 13stone 11pounds from 18st13 3 years ago been hit with the motivation bug and really want to see 12st something before Christmas hopefully I'll be able to do that.

I had a cheese and peppers omelette today for lunch, was really tasty and having roasted cauliflower with chicken wings (skin on) for tea

Wow that’s such an incredible amount to lose!

I’m see sawing a bit and not dropping as much as I’d hoped but still holding on to renewing focus. Omelette (with just a splash of cream plus pancetta and mushrooms) and salad for dinner.

This pool is only 20 metres long so there's a lot of 'pushing off' involved in my 50 lengths. It takes me about 35- 40 minutes. I try to enjoy it so I slow down after about 30 lengths if I have time . I often don't count lengths either. Just swim as long as I have time. I will miss it when I'm away with DM over the holidays but I'm considering signing up for the Christmas Day outdoor swim in my home town lido. Santa hats and swimming costumes 🥶 .