Week 2 - Jan '25 Low Carb (Dry) Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Morning

I know that for some/many of us, this is actually only week 1, but as there were some valiant people who started last week, it is now week 2!

As ever, here's the spreadsheet

Just a reminder that if you're using your phone/the mobile app, you'll need to download the Google Sheets app to access the spreadsheet. And when entering your data, only add your weight and - for fear that @FinallyHere will have a coronary, don't touch anything else!

Good luck everyone.

By the way, the reference to MCT coffee above - also known as bulletproof coffee. Generally we don't recommend this as a way to consume either coffee or fat, as it contains little nutrition.

One or two is OK, but it's not something to rely on.

I'm going to prepare and marinate some cauliflower steaks for later in chilli oil, garlic and paprika or / and all purpose seasoning to fry later

Will eat alongside fried sliced cabbage which I absolutely love.

Whatever's left over can go in a salad at some point.

I also ate yesterday left over cut up gammon with gherkins and mayo.

I'm a little bit on the struggle bus. Just low enthusiasm really, though sticking to it doggedly. I am in Yorkshire and outside has been frozen solid for a week now - I think only getting outside for a walk when strictly necessary is not helping.

I think I am also finding it hard to keep up with the water due to the cold weather (herbal teas are happening, but haven't the time to be brewing up constantly!) so weight loss doesn't look like it is going to happen anywhere near as motivationally steady as last time.

That's a big babyish whinge, I know, but just feeling a bit blaaaaaah about being strict right now. My period being due probably isn't helping this 😂

Cauliflower isn't big enough for steaks so it'll have to be florets instead.

We're all allowed a whinge @ReconstructionSite - that's really what these threads are all about!

I get you re cold water. Why not try drinking hot water? Boiled water, poured over a slice or two of lemon, is lovely. It is very soothing too.

Just think, too, about the lovely food you can eat and compare that with what you'd be allowed to eat if you were counting your calories! Why not plan to make yourself something really comforting this evening?

The cauliflowers in the shops right now don't seem to be very big, I've found.

But roasting or frying florets in the oil/spices you were talking about sounds lovely.

Thanks @BIWI, glad a whinge is OK 😆

It is very much a first world problem how far my home office is from the kettle, but it occurs to me know I have Thermos Flasks that could be deployed to good effect!

I have been struggling with food planning a bit, which normally isn't an issue for me as I love to cook. I do sometimes struggle with the mental load of the planning though, which given I'm in a bit of a funk is probably part of the problem.

I have an Asda shop coming in a bit, and have plans for something like ratatouille with mozzarella melted into it, and crispy chicken thighs. It is traditionally pizza and film night on a Friday in our house, but as long as I get something gooey and cheesy I don't mind swerving the pizza!

I haven't done any weighing for a while.

However, I have been shopping in Marks and Spencer sale.

Before September, I had resorted to size 22s or maybe size 20.

This week, I found a fringed pleather jacket - that I could zip up- in size 12. I was rather pleased. Although I decided eventually to go for the size 16 for reasons of ease of movement of shoulders, and more space for the bosoms.

I also now have a lovely warm cod-sheepskin gilet in size 14, that also does up.

It is rather heartening. And I am looking...quite different, in a positive way, which is nice. I have some cheekbones reappearing.

I am getting down to about the size I was on that Transylvanian castle honeymoon.

I have to confess to loving raw cauliflower and have been known to break one into florets, put it in a bowl and eat it like popcorn.

Thank you for the info on sugar and inflammation @BIWI I’ve noticed a big reduction in my hip pain since starting this WOE.

It’s only -3 where I am so positively tropical compared to some.

Have you got a flask @ReconstructionSite? I’ve got a stove top kettle so it takes a while to boil so have been putting the excess water in a flask to keep hot until I need it.

B - yogurt with cream
L - leftovers from yesterday’s lunch
D - chicken breast but haven’t decided what to do with it yet!

Whoops, crossed post @ReconstructionSite! I’m glad you have a flask and I must type quicker.,

@ReconstructionSite many sympathies regarding the cold. It is cold enough over here in the freezing woods.

I am sure that it affects the degree of hunger experienced (at least for me)

I am eating ALL the Greek yoghurt (almost literally, as Waitrose were getting rid of a huge pile of tubs for 23p after Xmas and I rehomed them in my fridge.

I have very much taken the line that this past week has been about minimising carbs rather than minimising calories, I don't think I can cut the calorie content very low right now, I need the energy to shiver.

Thanks for the encouragement @BIWI . Will try reducing dairy and portions… I’m 5ft 11ins, so yes, tall!!

I’ve just had a couple of eggs scrambled in butter, added the leftover shakshuka from yesterday and stirred in some grated cheese. It wasn’t pretty but was very tasty.

@ReconstructionSite my meal planning problem is the opposite, I read all the fantastic recipes and meal plans on here and I don't have enought meals in the day, or days in the week to fit all the deliciousness in

@Iheartmysmart leftover shakshuka here too. With an added fried egg.

I echo what @BIWI wrote about MCT or bullet proof coffee. A wise poster on here once said "don't drink your calories" i.e. we should be consuming most of what we need through healthy ways of eating. In my own case I developed a particular liking for coffee blended with butter and cream until frothy. However, I was also consuming my calories in breakfast omelette, creamy, cheesy mousakka, pork belly, duck, salad with olive oil and mayo. Plus all the healthy veg with butter. Low carb yes, but far, far too many calories overall. It's taken me a year to reverse the consequence of that little habit

I had cream in my double espresso coffee earlier but needed to add a bit of milk for the sort of sweetness it gives that I like

I'm hoping my cauliflower tastes ok later. I never cook cauliflower but I'm hoping it turns out ok. Nothing a bit cheese can't solve if it's tasteless and dry

@ReconstructionSite and the other hot drink people, I have a water boiler two actually. Chinese/Japanese idea. Always full, always hot. Zojrushi makes loads.

Means I can always have a cup of tea. And saves the endless round of me boiling the kettle, wandering off, forgetting, reboiling the kettle, wandering off...

I'm not doing badly, lost the Xmas weight. Goal is a holiday in June. My goal trousers are sitting in the wardrobe looking at me

Every day has been:

No breakfast (LT plan) but tea with a title bit of FF milk
Lunch: leftovers
Dinner: lamb madras, chicken fajita insides, roast, steak; all with buttery vegetables (spinach, broccoli, sprouts etc.)

Feeling great honestly.

@KittenPause

I'm hoping my cauliflower tastes ok later. I never cook cauliflower but I'm hoping it turns out ok. Nothing a bit cheese can't solve if it's tasteless and dry

Cauliflower is delicious roasted, with lots of olive oil. I also add some ground cumin as well as plenty of black pepper and sea salt. Roast for around 20-25 minutes in a hot oven, till it's charring.

@MrsTerryPratchett I love the idea of a water boiler! I keep wanting to create a little tea station in my spare room/office space but really want a kettle in there

I have a water boiler at work too

And a tea station...

@reconstructionsite I'm the other side of the Pennines and heartily sick of it, I'd intended to try and get out in the fresh air more but this week has been a write-off. I'm 2 floors away from the kettle in my office so make a cup of herbal tea and fill a flask at the same time then top up. I find the Pukka and Teapigs bags stand up to extra water without losing taste but not so much other brands.
@BIWI I was very disappointed by the cauliflowers earlier, had to buy 2 for everything I need them for this week when last week a big one was enough 😢. Also couldn't get celeriac so swede instead with dinner.

I managed to find a big cauliflower yesterday at Lidl I did pick up a few till I found one that felt and looked a bit bigger and not just because of the leaves around it

Dh and I had cauliflower cheese last night for supper (still trying to use up the cream I got in for Christmas ) and there is still a albeit small portion left for my supper tonight as Dh is going out for a drink with a friend.

@Gunnersforthecup that sounds like you’ve made great progress! It’s always such a boost when you go down a size isn’t it? I tried a size 12 dress on in M&S yesterday. It did up but was a bit snug so I left it.

I am SO excited for tea tonight. Beef bourgignon with lots of bacon in plus celeriac mash. All made by my DP’s fair hand.

Thank you so much 😊!

@prettybird, I found that the cauliflowers at Waitrose locally were 60p more but much nicer looking and at least twice as big as the ones in our other local supermarkets (I am getting through a lot!)

I can say I agree with your football choices though @Gunnersforthecup 😬

@Gunnersforthecup - the cauliflowers at Lidl are currently reduced to 99p from £1.19 so a double win

They don't always have celeriacs but they did today so I've got another one to make celeriac chips (have a quarter one left over from last week). Later this month I'll be making celeriac purée (with lots of cream ) to go with the seared scallops, black pudding and crispy streaky bacon starter that I usually make for Burns Supper.