Starting a low carb diet - anyone interested in going for it with me?!

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

I did this very successfully indeed for about 6 weeks in the run up to the summer break. I have been trying to lose weight for a while and was doing OK but then reached a plateau which was when I decided to try something new. And I easily lost a stone doing this.

It was hard in the beginning, for about the first week, then I sort of settled in to it and it just became how it was. And I like the rules of it, because you just can't cheat on it. But it was sometimes hard juggling what the family were going to eat.

I have been cutting down since Tuesday, but will be going for it completely on Monday 5th. I want to lose a stone. Is anyone interested??!!!

no sugar in spirits i shoudl think the gin is ok.

glad you liked the sausage casserole.

the thing i order in bulk from lcmegastore is mama lupe tortillas, i have quesedillas every other day.

oh yes - any fritata suggestions? need a full recipe - do i add an egg? what do i do? fancy some kind of hash brown fritata thing

oh yum love swede. So pleased gin is ok! I need a drink by 7.30pm.

What's wrong with coffee? Shurely no carbs in black coffee? I start work at 6am, I need one

Frittata I fry up an onion, bacon bits, a grated courgette and mushrooms, sometimes small chopped broccolli, whisk 3 eggs and pour on top. Lots of pepper. Fry till bottom brown then pop under grill for a few minutes.

No carbs in gin/vodka - but you need to know that your body will use alcohol as its first source of fuel before anything else, therefore drinking even carb-free spirits can impede/slow weight loss.

Can I just clarify that by swede you mean the big orangy thing?

I do indeed!

Ok given that i don't like all those winter root vegies ( swede,turnip, parsnip, celariac) I'm starting to feel very deprived with you all talking about chips. Does anyone have any suggestions that DONT include these really horrid veggies?
As it is getting cooler I am thinking of making soups but since a lot of them use potato to thicken them I am a bit stumped as to what to use as a replacement.

Any suggestions very welcome.

Thanks

Also would Mousakka be allowed do you think? Not sure how much the cornflour to thicken the sauce would count - can anyone help - We have tonnes of left over roast Lamb to use up. Other suggestions for the lamb would be a curry or morrocan style soup - but not too sure about the carbs in the chickpeas?

There's a lovely moussaka recipe in the pig2twig recipe book.

Sorry, late weigh -in for last Friday. 4lbs.

Yes there is a great Moussaka recipe in the pig2twig book, there is also a lamb curry in there.

If you want to use the lamb up today and don't have the book I could write it up for you?

I was wondering if it would be possible to bake some little cheesecake bites.. xream cheese, egg, splenda and a bit of ground almond or coconut? It works in my head but I am not sure how many eggs I would need.. hmmmmm.

Chicken salad for lunch, and fake courgette pasta for dinner. firmly back on track today.

SPAM yes please can I have the moussaka recipe.

Kontika - I am actually following the 17 day diet and the first phase is V low carb - but also VV low fat so no dairy other than yoghurt ( and a bit in my coffee). Parmasan crisps would be great but are full of fat .

Now I think about it I have 2 more days on the first phase of this 17 day diet but on Thurs I could have the chickpeas if the rest of the day is low carb - I might make the soup.

We have LOADS of lamb - I have just had some for lunch, have put some into the oven to slow cook a curry and still have lots in the fridge. We were at my mums and she bought a huge leg of lamb. We all ate lots but there was loads over and she was going to throw it out so I brought it home to use.

Kontika - yes this is the second time I am doing this - I had a break from dieting over the summer hols - I lost nearly a stone and a half the first time round - put back a couple of pounds in August - considering I was in France, eating lots of bread, crisps and drinking wine I am surprised it wasn't more and have decided to go for it again to loose the rest of that weight that I want to get rid of.
Its really tough the first 17 days, then the next 17 days you are allowed to introduce red meat and pulses again ( no bread, starchy veg, peas, corn, rice or pasta on the first phase) every other day. I have eaten red meat in the first phase this time though and have lost weight but not as much as before - perhaps that is why as there is more fat in the red meat than the lean fish and chicken suggested.
The 3rd phase is carbs every day - but still limited so they are kept low - the idea is to let you get back to a healthy diet at the end - no sudden reintroduction of all the forbidden food.

On the Atkins forum boards, they talk about using unrefined coconut oil, as it has no carbs. Has anyone used it to flavour things? They don't have it in my local Sains so before I track it down, I was just wondering?
Ps, for those craving chocolate or sweet things, try making the microwave muffins with half a teaspoon of cocoa, and serve with cream whipped with a teaspoon of splenda. It may kill your craving.

I've done so well I like knowing it is 20g carbs a day, tis making it seem easier, and I have been able to factor in a splash of milk in my cuppa tea. Making Custardo's sausage casserole right now, but need to get better sausages next time as these are higher in carbs than needs be I reckon. There aren't poor quality, but even so.

BIWI - good info on the booze front, although I still want my Slim Gin. Actaully I want it now!

One gin and slimline won't knock you out of ketosis no but your body will burn that before it gets to the fat stores.

Definately going to add swede to my shopping trolley tomorrow - I never knew swede was okay and I am getting bored of mashed celeriac and mashed cauliflower.

Today's menu - one egg, 2 rashers bacon
Lunch - scotch egg and salad
Dinner - Roast Butternut squash soup with crispy bacon and grated cheese

Snacks - some peanut butter and some cheese - not together mind!
Also had 2 squares of Lindt dark with mint (lovely!!)

I know only too well about the effects of alcohol, as my weight went back up again on Saturday .

Food has been fine this weekend, so I'm hopeful that being alcohol free for the rest of the week will have the desired result.

I had nothing for breakfast except for tea with my milk allowance

bacon and egg for lunch

Custardo's Sausages for supper with salad - the kids loved it too, they had it with rice..

I KNOW it's a different type of diet but it doesn't half feel weird having bacon and egg at lunchtime!

Doing those spicy celeriac chip things - I have madras curry powder, so going for the spicier side of life

• Bacon, sausage, poached egg and 4 baby tomatoes for breakfast

-Had to rush lunch so a packet of those Mathesson chicken tikka fridge raiders and some chicken slices

• dinner was minced pork cooked with onions, garlic, shredded savoy cabbage, mange tout, red chilli and soy sauce. Was lovely.
• gin & slimline!
• loads of water

Hi all

I'm doing ok too! Hardboiled eggs every morning for breakfast at my desk, chicken or tuna salad for lunch, bolognese for dinner last night, DS and DH had mash with it. I did get starving yesterday afternoon and te only thing I could find to eat in the corner shop was a bag of those Rustlers chicken pieces, BLEURGH. Still, better than the Guilt of Crisps!

I'm struggling with all the meat eating this time around. DH used to be a vegetarian and I am used to eating very little meat and loads more pulses.

• Looking for inspiration for something that is not more meat!!

Are there any vegetarians here that can tell me what they are eating?

Thanks