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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Bootcamp Week 5 - Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Staying Alive - chat here!

419 replies

BIWItheBold · 13/05/2012 10:26

Welcome to week 5 - how time flies when you're having fun!

Those of us who have been here since the beginning may be finding the going tough now. You may have found that your weight loss has stopped, or you may even have put weight on

But hopefully you will also be enjoying the food now, and settling into this as a new way of eating. You may also have discovered the other benefits of low carbing - not being hungry, having better skin, sleeping better, fewer problems with conditions such as IBS or even asthma, fewer hot flushes (for those of us of a certain age Grin) etc.

A month in, whilst you should be more used to eating like this, you will also have discovered that it's not always possible to follow a strict low carb plan because Real Life has an irritating habit of getting in the way.

But that's an important lesson for us all to learn. There are two key things here:

First, it demonstrates very clearly that you have to plan what food you buy and how you're going to eat. For example, I do quite a bit of travelling for work - going to meetings by train all over the country and sometimes abroad. If I don't plan my meals, then I will end up eating something like a sandwich because that's all that is available. I went to a meeting on Friday where the client very kindly suggested that she order lunch for us. I knew that if I didn't say I was low carbing, then we would sit down to a plate of sandwiches. It feels awkward to have to ask for special food. But - if you had a medical condition that meant you couldn't eat wheat, there would be no issue with such a request, would there?

Dieting is often seen as a trivial issue, and we think it's silly to have to ask for special/different food. But think of the impact/implications of being overweight. High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, etc etc. None of these is trivial.

So in these situations, plan ahead and ask for something that suits you.

If you're travelling - eat properly before you set off. Get to know what shops are available at any station you're travelling through - there are an increasing number of M&S Food shops at railway stations and service stations, where you can always buy cooked meats/fish, small portions of cheese and salads (there are one or two without pasta/rice/noodles/potatoes!)

Second, despite your best efforts, sometimes life seems determined to sabotage things. Even if you ask people to cater for you, few people really understand what a low carb diet is. This has happened to me twice since Friday! My client very kindly ordered me a salad for my lunch. I was provided with a bowl of lettuce - with no dressing. Presumably whoever made it was thinking "this person is on a diet, therefore it must have to be fat-free". On top of the lettuce was sweetcorn (one of the carbiest veg there is), a dollop of coleslaw - presumably with sugar in it, like most is - a huge mound of grated carrot, some sliced cooked chicken, cucumber and tomato.

At least I could eat the chicken! But it was very dry and so to make it palatable, easy to eat, I ended up eating more of the coleslaw than I intended. I also was in the embarrassing situation of having to leave a lot of the lunch that I had specially ordered.

And last night, at dinner with friends, I had again plucked up courage to tell them of my low carbing. Despite being reassured that the meal would be low carb-friendly, it was anything but. And it was (mostly) served plated up, so to not eat it was to have been very rude. And it was delicious, and I was hungry ... Smile

But this is life. We have to get through these kind of occasions and accept that they may throw us off course briefly, but that this is a longer term process we are involved in. To use a horrible cliche, we are all on a journey here.

So if it happens to you - just accept it. Don't obsess about it. Avoid the scales for a while, and make sure you are super good for the following days. Don't use it as an excuse to jump off the wagon, for that way, surely, fatness lies!

Come and tell me how you're all getting along. How has life changed for you since we set off on this journey?!

OP posts:
kandinskysgirl · 14/05/2012 15:29

B: Scrambled eggs and half a tomato
L: Tuna mayo and some salad (never had tuna mayo before...it was very yummy, I feel like I have been missing out all these years!!)
D: After the shopping arrives I will have so much food to low-carb I think it will be a difficult decision!! And its all nice, fresh, natural ingredients-I feel very wholesome.

mummyduff · 14/05/2012 16:40

Afternoon all,

B: Boiled egg
L: Chicken salad
D: Roast belly of pork with green beans

oh and what feels like gallons of water Grin

NotMostPeople · 14/05/2012 16:54

vnmum - I was having protein shakes (sound like the same one) mixed with milk and then realised that the milk had loads of carbs. Perhaps that's where it's stopped working for you.

MNP · 14/05/2012 18:13

Have only managed lunch today of belly pork and cucumber as a bad nausea day earlier. Dinner will be salmon wrapped in Parma ham and with spinach in sour cream or mayo.

The bruising threads were interesting, am taking vit c already but am taking an omega 3,6,9 so this could be a contributing factor.

MNP · 14/05/2012 18:13

I have a whey shake powder, low carb made with water and cream.

Thegoddessblossom · 14/05/2012 20:18

Tea: chicken and prawn salad, with dollop of coleslaw and cucumber and cherry toms. Full fat total yog with some blueberries and strawbs for pudding.

No nuts or wine. I have to confess I poured a small glass (habit is just so ingrained) took a tiny sip and poured it back. Ridiculous really.

Will report back if I succumb to the dark choc but am so stuffed it's unlikely....

BIWItheBold · 14/05/2012 20:22

Good for you!

OP posts:
teaandthorazine · 14/05/2012 20:52

Protein shake for breakfast
Couple of handfuls of nuts for lunch
Leftover moussaka, cauliflower cheese, courgettes fried in butter, steamed kale and spinach just now.

Not enough water. Definitely needed to drink more today.

The cauli cheese was made by dp and I know he used flour in the sauce. But I figure he's learning, slowly Grin

Have read 100 pages of Taubes, fascinating stuff.

androbbob · 14/05/2012 21:06

Evening all - thanks for all the welcomes (even if I am late to the party) and a big wave to vnmum - first day nearly over!

I have tried my best today and managed ok. A bit thwarted as went to the gym with my SIL and it was shut - the re-furbishment which was supposed to be a week, so we decided to go for a power walk instead (the gym is next to the beach). Neither of us had a jacket and it was blooming freezing, but made is walk fast and certainly blew the cobwebs away.

The water side of things is a little hard to get used to - I do drink plenty of water but not 3.5 litres as advised! I had 1 litre before going to school, took half a litre out with me and then managed another 1 litre before tea. I really need another 1 litre before bed but is not going to happen! Been to the loo loads as well!

Planned my food for the week and will keep away from the scales until Thurs.

Thegoddessblossom · 14/05/2012 21:55

No dark choc!!!! [punches air]

Night night. X

NotMostPeople · 14/05/2012 22:00

Well I've read the John Briffa book on my kindle today and feel reinvigorated although I have dashed down to the shops to buy 70% dark choc as he says it's ok. Suspect I may get told off by BIWI.

He says no to soya so I'll ditch the soy protein shakes.

BIWItheBold · 14/05/2012 22:05

Is Dr Briffa running Bootcamp? No.

No chocolate on Bootcamp!

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/05/2012 22:14
BIWItheBold · 14/05/2012 22:29

I think I may have to post the rules again just to remind people.

Be frit. Be very afrit.

OP posts:
SharonGless · 14/05/2012 23:03

Ok made it through the day without meltdown which is a bonus.

HOWEVER....

DH had to nip to shop an hour ago to get cat food and brought back a magazine and a big fuck off bar of mint aero which is my favorite. Lovely, lovely gesture. but has he listened to nothing over the last month.

I haven't eaten any and have hidden away in a cupboard. But I know it's there...

MmeLindor. · 14/05/2012 23:49

First (well, second really cause I kind of started yesterday) but first official boot camp day done.

It went ok. I am finding that I am drinking a lot more, not just because I have been told to but also because I am thirstier. Drunk well over 2 litres.

Had a bit of a wobble when I came home and made the kids a quick sandwich after Beavers, but ate half a slice of ham and drank some water. Snack ideas anyone?

BIWItheBold · 15/05/2012 08:49

Mme - once you're in ketosis, which should take you about 2-5 days, you shouldn't be hungry.

Snacking is often a habit that we get into, with high carbohydrate eating - you really will find that you shouldn't actually need to snack, as you won't be hungry, but it's the habit that has to be changed.

That said, you will feel hunger, as it gets towards your meal times - good snacks are cooked meats, hard boiled eggs, cheese and nuts. But be careful with cheese not to eat too much of it. And nuts aren't allowed in Bootcamp!

OP posts:
BIWItheBold · 15/05/2012 09:06

Damn. Don't make me read the Daily Fail!

OP posts:
MNP · 15/05/2012 09:13

My acupuncturist was talking about a study that points to the low fat diet being a huge contributing factor in altziemers (sp) as the lack of brain at leaves it open to deteriation. He is all for low carb.

MNP · 15/05/2012 09:13

Brain Fat

BIWItheBold · 15/05/2012 09:16

Yes, Gary Taubes talks about that as well, in The Diet Delusion. Amongst other things - diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer - all related to high levels of carbohydrate.

OP posts:
Ilovemyteddy · 15/05/2012 09:27

I think the Briffa book is great, but I think his list of allowed foods is more to maintain a healthy lifestyle than to lose weight.

I started off with his list (printed in one of the Sunday papers in the New Year) pinned to my fridge. Back then I ate things like greek yoghurt, nuts and berries; but I've had to cut these out in order to continue to lose weight.

The Harcombe article is really interesting, particularly the part which said that they did a study in 1956 comparing people eating 2000cal a day with carbs and people eating 2600cal a day with low-carbing and the low carbers lost more weight. 50+ years later and the calorie counting myth is still being perpetrated...

Oh, and because I'm very proud of this I just want to mention (again) that I had a cholesterol check about 9 weeks into LC-ing and it was 4.5 (5 is 'normal'). So eating eggs, butter, cheese and cream hasn't done me or my cholesterol any harm Smile

BIWItheBold · 15/05/2012 10:10

I agree with you about his diet, ilovemyteddy - I think it's great for everyday/maintenance, but won't necessarily allow you to lose weight.

I am finding myself getting increasingly angry with the way the calorie myth has been perpetuated over the last 50+ years, despite evidence to the fact that counting calories just doesn't work. And the way in which people who are overweight are told that it's because of them and their behaviour.

Yes, if you stuff your face with junk food, sweets and soft drinks you will pile on the weight and it is a way of eating that shouldn't be condoned. But when you're overweight yet do none of those things, how is that about your behaviour?

Gary Taubes book is an absolute revelation in this regard. I am so evangelical about both his and Briffa's books I think I should be taking commission!

OP posts:
NotMostPeople · 15/05/2012 10:20

I only bought the chocolate, I haven't eaten any but I figure that if I have another weak moment at least I have a better option than the easter eggs that are still knocking around.