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.

It is weird. A friend at work is starting a version of this because of various health issues. I was telling her that sugar and sweeteners taste weird if you avoid them for a bit. Spit-it-out weird in some cases.

I don't know if it's linked to the funny taste I get in my mouth at the beginning of this WOE.

Two other people in the office have just started WLI and one of them reported a weird taste. No idea of it's the same reason! I will be very curious to see their results versus mine! One of them has GERD from it and my reflux has disappeared.

What is WLI?

Weight loss injections.

DS came back from uni today and we had shakshuka for lunch. The recipe has gained another fan!

I’m really hoping this boot camp curbs my love of all things sugar. Feeling so much better without having it and have a feeling I’ve read somewhere that excessive sugar consumption leads to inflammation in the body which may explain why some of my aches and pains have been much better for the last few days.

I'm glad you mentioned inflammation, @Iheartmysmart . I had forgotten that from time to time after days of eating badly (and drinking alcohol too) all my aches and pains seem worse. I think that I need to look out carefully to see if they are a little bit better during the bootcamp. Certainly I am feeling quite good in that respect at the moment, but I don't know if it is related to changed eating or just part of the normal ebb and flow.

If inflammation is a little improved that would certainly be a very decisive non-scales benefit for me.

I have low-level arthritis in my knees and a horrible tendency to neck pains. Even if diet could have a small effect on these (obviously it won't be a major influence), it would contribute a lot to my well-being. Plus, we read so much about the long-term negative effects of inflammation, on top of how crap it makes you feel in the short term.

I need to keep reminding myself of all the non-scales benefits, because a focus on weight isn't really helpful for me or my relationship with food.

Thank you! I'm pretty good with salt but added extra to my eggs and I'm feeling better today.

Do you recommend any electrolytes?

DH has me on Key Nutrients. The pills, although you can get drinks. He is an obsessed gym bunny so I believe his recommendations They are no carbs.

Sorry you’ve also got random aches and pains as well @AlbertCamusflage It would certainly be interesting to do a comparison at the end of boot camp. I’ve had a niggly hip for a while and the pain has definitely eased off over the last couple of days.

As you say, it’s a no scale benefit that is not to be sniffed at. It’s about general wellbeing as well as weight loss.

Love the Shakshuka talk, its one of my favourite things to eat - I fry chopped chorizo in the pan first and then add everything else in, gives it a lovely warmth although I know that chorizo is highly processed so best kept for special occasions.

A whole week in now, 3lbs down and reflux has all but gone which is fabulous. Still eating ALL of the eggs but today didn't fancy lunch at all so definitely working.
2 work form home days this week and that's where I really struggle with water intake, I'm really good at work as always have a pint glass on my desk and keep topping it up when I go to the printer can get 2l in a normal work day, struggle with 500ml on a WFH day in the same 9-5 timeframe.

@RatatatCat I generally recommend

@Calyx72 are you eating enough fat? Chicken breasts, and using an air fryer, suggests to me that this would be a low fat meal.

If you're keeping your fat levels up, you really won't be hungry! I promise you!

@Iheartmysmart and @AlbertCamusflage low carbing does seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect. This piece is interesting.

... and this (about other health benefits)

@BIWI - I'm pretty sure I've posted the recipe for my chicken nuggets on the recipe thread but I'll double check. I might just have detailed it on one of the Boot Camp threads. If not, I'll add it.

I have a bc dilemma/problem to ask you about.

A new friend asked me for lunch and a walk in Sunday, with one other person from a newish group that I've joined. The group itself is new so none of us know each other very well

I said that I cant eat carbs so no bread/potatoes etc and that I can just bring something along to eat.

She's written back to say how about sourdough or pasta. I am really stuck now to know what to do!

If you want to do low carb @Almahart you'll say no to both of those 🤷‍♀️

Evening all after a busy couple of days.
Struggling a bit with the water (harder when it's cold. Or, at least, earlier in the summer or when it's hot) but generally going pretty well.
The desire to snack is subsiding, which is good. That's one of my achillies heels-es!

Very interesting discussions over the last couple of days. Thanks for all the science.

I did watch the glucose goddess. Agree with the person upthread who said it was all a bit neat.
Generally, it's not for us because there's too many carbs.
When I'm describing this WOE to people who don't know it, my "in a nutshell" description is "keto lite". Basically, not as strict as keto, but a lot of similarities.
The glucose goddess was more BC lite. Or I thought so

My take away from it was the recommendation to move for 10 mins after eating. I thought that was a good idea and although I haven't yet, I'm planning on trying that

I managed 6 days then fell off the wagon.

Family emergency, car crash - literally 😔

Just needed toast, crsips and sausage rolls last few days to get through the chaos.

I'll be back next time

The savoy cabbage sausagemeat wrap things. Delicious although I had to tilt the cooking dish and let out about quarter of a pint of water!

It has sausage meat so some carbs, and tinned tomatoes so some carbs, but really quite low for a meal. Cheese on top. I put onion salt and garlic granules in the tomato sauce and blended it before adding it.

Sorry to hear about the car accident @specialsauce I hope everything is okay. It's a horrible shock so be nice to yourself. Sending chilled and comforting thoughts.

I'm also enjoying Ultra Processed People (although I do have xantham gum in my cupboard, from one of the low carb recipes which I will have to ditch!)

Whipped up some butternut squash soup and I actually enjoyed it, which is a rarity. I'm putting that down to the double cream I added in. Even my partner enjoyed it and he's usually quite sniffy about vegetable soups.

Can I rather rudely barge in and ask a question? I’m in a bit of a funk because I’ve been doing so so well since I started on 2 January.

I have to grab lunch tomorrow on the high street - help me choose the best option. Got the usual outlets. Any ideas?

Im panicking because I don’t want to ruin everything or risk the big stick

@BitOutOfPractice I love M&S. They have a lot of interesting ready to eat low carb stuff. My go to is the luxurious prawn cocktail and a Greek salad, but the bang bang chicken is also great. They also do Serrano ham and chorizo crisps which, in my opinion, make the whole LC thing worth it alone!

Oh yes a prawn cocktail! Great idea!