Week 5 - Autumn Low Carb Bootcamp - Almost half way through!

[BIWIZ]

Welcome to another week!

Here is the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

I have been a carby twat, I have to confess, but I've been making the most of my last couple of weeks without work. Tomorrow I start my new job, which will also be the first time I've worked for someone other than myself/my own company for over 16 years

So from tomorrow I will have to be more disciplined in all manner of ways - working out what to have for my lunch in an office, rather than just rummaging around in the fridge, planning meals that I can easily cook when I get home from work, etc.

There are now 6 weeks left of this Bootcamp (including this week), so I'm really hoping that I can jettison a good few pounds in this time.

However, firstly there is the matter of the works 'annual conference' that I have been invited to join. On Wednesday I'm off to Marrakech until Friday ...

It's a tough job. Obviously.

Good luck everyone for this week.

I am sure it is frustrating to hear people post about not losing or not feeling great about a woe that is working so well for many of you.

Actually I very nearly didn't post but I had seen comments on earlier bootcamp threads where people moaned and were told not to worry as that is what the thread was for. I therefore thought it was acceptable to post my admittedly negative thoughts.

Some of the comments last night were helpful and supportive. Thank you. I am grateful for all the information that has been shared by BIWI and others over the past weeks.

Perhaps I am doing something wrong and breaking rules. I may well need to cut my portions. I certainly need to do more research about this woe to find a way to make it work for me in a way that I feel in sustainable in the longer term. I realise that it is impossible to 'coach' everyone individually here and it is for me to work this out so I will spend my time doing that rather than moaning on an internet forum.

I am committed to this woe and I will continue with it but I will not return to the bootcamp threads.

Good luck to all.

Ohfuck - your menus look ok to me. Not too much dairy, lots of water and fat. Are you on any medication? Was there any alcohol? How much do you want to lose? All i can say is - keep on! Bear in mind that tiredness will affect you - it normally makes you 'peckish'; it makes me peck all day at LC stuff.
HighJinx - portion control is something that may need to come into play as you get nearer target.
Exercise only counts for about 15% of fat loss.

Stolen from an earlier bootcamp thread (Re weight) - how many times does someone pick you up? The scales are only a part of the fat-control; if you are in smaller clothes, look better and things fit, does it matter what the scales actually say? As Viper said upthread - you can go 2-3 dress sizes without the scales moving much. (Dunno why this is...)

Keep going. We will get there, healthily and tastily!

Blimey O'Reilly BIWI goes away for a few days and everyone's gone feral. It's like Lord of the Flies in here!

High it seems to me that you're taking a great deal of offence where none was intended. New's post was a bit blunt but
A) not aimed specifically at you, or anyone in particular
B) she said upthread that she herself is finding bootcamp extremely hard this time because of intense rl pressure and asked to be removed from the spreadsheet. I didn't see anyone piling in with support for her.
C) I know from past BCs that New struggles with constant chronic pain (forgive me if I've misremembered but I think that's the case) so cut her a bit of slack for being a little tetchy. She was trying to help you all.

This is a support thread and you are all welcome to moan, rejoice, whatever as much as you like. But do expect a mixture of responses because there's a wide mixture of posters! Don't anyone get offended or flounce; we're all in the same boat.

Googoo I'd be honoured to have you as my stalker! You were Maidof before, right? I'm thrilled to have given you a lightbulb moment (and anyone else who gained anything from my post). I did stick to BC religiously last time (apart from wine and a couple of planned cheats) and carried on for most of the summer afterwards. I went totally off the rails in August though and gained a bit. It hasn't come off quite as fast this bootcamp as last time, but then I'm nearer my target weight and I haven't been quite as religiously strict about it.

Will post more later, have to go now. Unmumsnetty hugs to anyone who needs one! x

Ohfuck are you doing bootcamp or bootcamp light. Are beans allowed in bootcamp? I have in my brain that they were too carby for bootcamp. Will need to check this. Also if you are doing bootcamp then the nuts aren't ok. Bootcamp light I know the nuts are allowed. I will confess to losing track as to who is doing what version.

Re cravings. Ime the only way and i meant the only way i found that the cravings went was when I dealt with the issues causing the emotional eating. I literally stepped of the spread sheet simply because pulling back to back 20hr days on about 4hrs sleep is deadly for cravings and i didn't need the pressure to stand on the scales when I had to deal with what i had in front of me mintue to minute day to day. When I sleep I have less cravings, where there is less stress I have less cravings. On this woe the cravings haven't just vanished or even gotten smaller but i have stopped the straight to mouth approach and got far less 'reward/comfort' feelings. But i have been dealing with the root cause of my thinking behind why i need to resort to food. I still crave the sugar. probably always will.

Have i lost weight this bootcamp? nope I have actually put weight on. Have I changed shape? apparently but i can't see it. Have i learnt more about how to stick to this long term? definitely. Would i class bootcamp as a success? this time around? not really but that is because of a whole heap of things that have lead to the 20hr days. Am I still trying to stick to this woe? yes. This will work for me but I don't expect to see any loss this bootcamp. Too much stress not enough sleep and i expect not enough water too.

Hi everyone, a bit late to the party this week. HighJinx you have to do whatever is right for you. I think that NSNS has tried to apologise if her post came across as upsetting and explained what she was trying to say. Personally I think it would be a shame if you did leave us, you are of course allowed to moan and get support here, that is what has got a lot of us through it. I would love it if you do change your mind and stay with us.

crabby your memory is excellent as usual.

I am not withdrawing from the thread because of what NewStart said. She has apologised and I am over it. I'm sorry you are in constant pain NewStart

I realise now that I needed to hear what she said too. I do need to stop whinging and take some action to remedy the fact that this isn't working for me. I cannot continue to feel sick all the time from the fatty foods.

I am leaving the thread because I am having a very tough time in RL at the moment and am finding it very hard to deal with this. I desperately needed support yesterday and I felt that I got kicked while I was down. I know that was not the intention to make me feel that and I know I had no right to expect any particular support especially when Crabby points out that others have not received it.

So to be clear I know I have over-reacted and that tells me that I need to move on to find my own way with this woe elsewhere. But I am not flouncing off in a huff with anyone.

Unmumsnetty hugs to ALL of you, especially everyone with tough rl situations. Try to find a way to look after yourselves, us women are often really bad at prioritising ourselves.

Ohfuck your menus look absolutely delicious! Top masterchef marks there. Fingers crossed it will work in time, I couldn't see any reason why not.

Hello all. Witnessed yesterday's mini-bun-fight but could not join due to trouble with phone!

Just wanted to add a couple of words. Sorry to hear about tough rl situations and also tough times on bootcamp. I think most of us have had some struggles with bootcamp and staying on the wagon.

Until recently I haven't really posted on the internet but have found that posting on these threads and reading others posts is v helpful in terms of providing a continual backing track for my attempt to lose weight. This is the longest I have stayed on a WOE. I have always just stopped a WOE after losing the first chunk and found it v hard to keep going through the ups and downs of stuff and life. I have found this continuing thread a real help even when I am lurking and not posting that much.

Also just wanted to add this. When I was lurking on the thread and even now sometimes, I often feel like everyone else is doing better than me and is doing something different to me. I still sometimes feel "at odds" with the thread. Over time, I have realised that everyone is just doing their own thing and the best they can - there isn't any such thing as "what everyone on the thread" is doing. Examples of feeling "at odds":

1. Being very at people starting at similar times but losing more weight - e.g. Crabby and Stuntnun (sorry for naming you!). I admire their resolve which keeps me going but also envy their weight loss

2. Admiring everyone else's cooking of crustless quiche, slow cooked pork, parmesan cheese biscuity things but basically eating v simply all the time. For everyone who believes this WOE is expensive, I just tend to eat v basic samey inexpensive stuff again and again - it works for me. Don't usually post my dull food but tends to be: 2 scrambled eggs; beefburger with courgette ribbons; meaty bolognaise over broccoli and cauliflower; fried aubergine + courgette with bacon plus grated cheese; total yogurt with berries and cream; some combination of fried egg mushrooms, a fried tomato, a slice bacon or 2 low carb chipolatas; Pork belly slice plus greens; Roast dinner without potatoes; the controversial bullet proof coffee! That is basically it - it doesn't have to be expensive at all or involve many ingredients.

3. At the start of this very bootcamp I was quite out of sync with all the newbies who were losing 8lbs over 2 weeks, when I think I lost precisely 2lbs over 2 weeks, then put a bit on again. Some people had lost in a month what I have lost in 5!

So - apologies for epic rambling post - just wanted to say, I personally really value the thread even if I am not doing what everyone else is or as well as everyone else seems to be. I find it incredibly helpful to come back to again and again and it has sustained me through falling off wagon into cake, toast and muesli!

I would encourage waverers to stick with the thread and WOE for a chunk of time. The WOE has stopped me gaining all the weight I have lost back even when I fall off the wagon and largely stopped my mindless munching of white bread toast, jammy dodgers and quavers. The thread keeps me motivated, even if I am reading it while eating too many berries, too much cream and a rogue handful of crisps

Afternoon ladies to all struggling I am absolutely 100% sure things will begin to move again soon, just keep going, it really is worth it. Obviously you have to do what is right for you, but remember we are all here to support each other

Sometimes things come across as harsh when posting, but as in emails and texts its not always meant that way and can be taken the wrong way.
OhFuck your food looks fine to me and your water intake good, fingers crossed for a whoosh soon. I personally find sometimes a day or three of cutting out dairy does me the world of good and I have also cut my portion size down as been doing this now for 18 months. Like Gless I have lost and maintained for that period.

Highjinx I really hope you stick around, I really believe things will start to move for you soon

I'm like Negroni, I rely very heavily on this thread to keep me on the straight and narrow, and there have been some departures believe me until BIWI waved her big stick in my direction. I love the encouragement from other people, particularly when the scales aren't shifting, and the inspiration for cooking when I'm stuck in a rut. I do think this WOE can be very tricky to get right for some people. There are a lot of things that can stall you and overall calorie count can also be an issue. If you're eating the right stuff but not losing then calorie counting e.g. on My Fitness Pal may be beneficial.

Just echoing what half has said above and harping back to maryz yesterday.

The support on here is always a mixture of nurturing, encouragement and a kick up the bum. We all need a combination of those things but nobody online knows you, your life or what kind of a day you've had and equally you don't know them and the situation they are posting from so sometimes the two can mismatch and you get a kick in the pants when you want a hug. It is a hazard of internet groups (as happened yesterday) but can also be a blessing as you can open up to people yet be anonymous as has happened on previous bootcamps when people have discussed emotional eating, etc

To all of those who are struggling, I am a year on from my first bootcamp and it is only now, when I can look back and see how far I have come, that I realise all I have achieved. The progress can seem slow and hard but it has been worth it for me and I'm sure it will be for you too if you can stick with it.

In a rush but just to say, I too really value this thread, so I hope people who post keep on posting... Even if we're at different stages, it does help to get positive stories and tips etc, and know that others do struggle, too. Thinking I may try to start posting what I'm eating, too. This helped keep me focussed last time at the beginning, so may help again – and may perhaps help someone who's new to BC. (Not that I eat a hugely varied diet or am an inspirational cook). Anyway today, so far:
B Coffee with teaspoon cream (x2)
L Sort of cross between a frittata and an omelette. (Meant to be a frittata but got distracted by a work call and flipped it rather than bunging it under the grill). Still tasted OK! Was 3 eggs with bit of chopped courgette and spring onions (fried in a bit of butter first), and handful of spinach
D May be going out for Japanese meal! Thinking of having something to eat first so I am full with raw fish, or chicken sticks and miso rather than a big bowl of lovely sticky rice! Maybe drink in pub after film (will go for G&Ts rather than white wine)
Yes, Crabby, was maidof before. Changed it because am hardly a "maid" not for any nefarious reason or am hiding (only post on this thread!)
Those who don't like eating fatty meat – I don't like it either to. Maybe this stalls me, but I hate pork crackling and chicken skin! Instead I fry to get enough fat by frying chicken in butter (lovely, goes all nutty), or sometimes have lamb chops, or do a beef shin in a slow cooker. Also oily dressings on salad (and the cream in coffee – a new thing for me!)

I'm really poorly so I've put in the same weight as last Monday as I weighed my self on Wednesday and was the same. However, since then I've hardly eaten a morsel and feel so thin and look super skinny, I think the next weigh in will be a 'false' one if that makes sense?

I'm not dieting, I'm sweating my body out from the inside. I'm going to have some soup in a mo, low carb of course and some low carb for dinner. Just feel like death warmed up and I'm having to look after Nemo 24, he's off today too. he's full of a cold.

I keep falling asleep too. Not great because it's when DH is in his office then he walks in and does the whole - "If you're Ill, go to bed." Yes, and what shall I do with Nemo?

Sorry to moan and moan on and not congratulate anyone, I see MaryZ mentioned lots, so I'm guessing she's a size zero?

Whoever has lost weight or inches - well done :)

I need to go, see you all Monday xxx

sorry i'm not around much. work is crazy at the moment. just very quickly:

Biggest Loser of the Week: Maryz
Biggest Overall Loser: Vicky08
Biggest %age Loser Overall: Vicky08

well done all!

i wonder, do people find this useful, or does it make people feel like this is all about losing weight? i don't want to detract from those who have lost well, but in many ways it is a nice side-effect of eating healthily and well, and as always YMMV (your mileage may vary)

Maryz with regard to Mousefaces post, we'll wait for you to change your name to MaryZero!

Maybe that's what the 'Z' stands for already?

Poor old Mouseface - get well soon!

Willie I bet Maryz is pretty pleased you do the reports. (well done Maryz and Vicky!) I can remember Crabby winning the triple one week!

Ok, for highjinx and ohfuck and holmes and others, I'v just looked back at my weight last BC and it pretty much reflects what I was saying. I started off great when I was in the zone, then fluctuated/sts from week four onwards when I started having lots of dark chocolate, loads of yoghurt/flaxseed/berries, loads of cheese, plus white wine and G&Ts all through week, not just weekends, and probably quite a few carby twat moments, too (cake/rice) AND stopped drinking enough water. I agree that we shouldn't be so fixated on weight, as Willie says, but my weight was:

180, 175, 172, 170,170, 168, 169, 168, 169, 170
(followed by a return to more carbs over the summer...)

Figures reflect what I now know (sniff) – that I've got to be more BC than BC light for the next few weeks if I want to lose fat and drop a jeans size _ BUT BC light chould be a good WOE for me long term, to keep stop the weight piling on in the future, if I can stick with it..

Anyway, am trying and keeping on....

Sorry you're having a difficult BC NSNS this time round – sorry, too, none of us came to offer support when you posted about it previously. Sometimes the thread moves so fast it's hard to keep up...

Have a good weekend, all!

NSNS - snap here re the sleep and water, lack of sleep is my major killer but caring for a disabled toddler is killing me currently as I'm ill. I'm not keeping a water chart, (5 lines on a black board :D) so I need to get that back on track but if you've changed shape, then you've changed 'something' lovely! You have to take that as a tiny positive and you are still here, still trying and have so much on your plate! Huge amounts by the sounds of things :)

I hope that you stay with us, even if you stay away for a while and then come back when the pressure lessons? It IS hard to be on BC when your life is swirling around you, worse still when you have nothing low carb to eat when the 2 minutes that you have to eat comes up.

Don't beat yourself up sweetheart, I think you are great posting as honestly as you did xxx

To all of those who don't sleep well, whatever the reason, you have my sympathies. I am battling through the menopause and not sleeping is the one symptom that has not improved on this WOE (if I eat carbs for a day or two the night sweats and hot flushes return but am fine while low carbing, not quite sure why or how)

I know how hard I find it and that is without the challenges of health and children that some of you are dealing with. I take my hat off to all of you

You have my full sympathy Mouse when you have a kid that needs you around the clock you do what you have to do no matter what the cost to yourself. I hope you fell better soon!
I has a respite weekend. My plan is to sleep as my as my body feels it needs. And if i have energy and time left then I might consider doing something. I don't care about what the numbers say this bootcamp. I just want to try to keep to the principles of healthy food, and mostly eating 3 meals a day. As for the shape thing, I think that might have something to do with the fact I treated myself to a few new items of clothes that fit properly and people are not used to seeing me in anything but elephant bum trousers and giant hoodies.

Highjinx there have been people doing different versions of this sort of diet getting support on the thread before. I know they had to disclaimer the particular version so they got version specific support but it has been done before and I am pretty certain anyone who wishes to do that would be welcome.

Sorry Ladies I've been busy and distracted by xmas threads

Some brilliant losses well done!

To those who don't sleep well - have you tried a weightloss hypnosis recording? I'm not sure if they work for weightloss but they always send me off to sleep!