Anyone 16st+ and low-carbing?

[Macloveswill]

Hi, I started on 1st Jan at 18st 10lbs and I have so much to lose, it would be lovely to share my journey with others who have over 6 stones to lose.

I know it's going to be a really long slog and I'll need help staying on the straight and narrow. I have to do it this year, no excuses!

So far I have lost 8.4lbs in first 11 days, but that seems tiny when I've got nearly nine stones to lose altogether. My goal is 10st.

Anyone out there? All buddies welcome

I think as long as it's working you don't have to worry too much! I got into measuring protein/ fat ratios for a while but it made me obsessive, whereas normal low carbing feels quite relaxed. I do have stalls, but now I see it as my body catching up, and eventually it starts moving again. It's a slow process for me - 1/2 a lb quite a lot of the time, but I'm seeing it as a life change, so when I am at target weight, not much will change. I also ( maybe wrongly) think it might help my skin adjust better thn if I lost the fat more quickly. I love a bulletproof coffee but I am now getting into bulletproof bone broth. It's so comforting.

Oh crap. We have a pizza takeaway arriving imminently

I've eaten dinner!! Teenage DS ordered it, and there are elements specifically for me - nachos. These takeaways are partly what made me this size. And I'm going to have to be careful because I don't want to go to bed with indigestion. But there's no point saying I just won't have it because I don't think I have the willpower.

Don't do it. Make yourself something spicy and low carb quickly - I love a fried egg with peri peri sauce. Or paint your nails so you can't eat them!

I think the diet gods were looking down on me! No nachos, so they sent wedges instead - and I hate their wedges! Yay!!

Fried egg with peri peri sauce sounds amazing actually!

Yay! Back from the walk without my walk buddy...managed the 75 mins at a quicker pace than usual. Shattered now.

Marsden...apart from the coffee, which I also thought sounded foul at first, I'm pretty much just generally low carbing. But I do try to add a few extra fats eg: olive oil and butter where I can, plus goodies like nuts and avocado. I don't count anything, I'm too lazy and like Yulelog said, it would become obsessive. I have a lot to lose too (8st 11lbs) and like you find the thought of extra fat a bit scary, but from what I've read and seeing what I'm losing so far, it does seem to work.

Gator...you deserve a big "get me,I whooped that takeaway's ass" medal and laughing at your sexy, greedy cat!

Yule -bulletproof bone broth sounds interesting... can you tell me more please???

BPC is an acquired taste and i did resist for a long time but i love them now and miss them when i dont have them. When i first read about them i did think how gross. Even though coconut flavoured coffee sounds rank its actually lush and i dont like coffee with milk in anymore and i was a massive coffee drinker. They give me such a boost of energy as well. I dont eat eggs so i struggle with breakfast.

Everyone does low carb differently so whatever works for you. I did low fat low carb after exante (vlcd shakes) in the run up to my wedding now that was miserable!!

I dont weigh count or measure - thats part of the joy of this way of eating and i cant be arsed with MFP. I do only eat things that are less than 4g/100gs of carbs and am always trying to find ways of upping my fat. After years of SW it was a big mind set change for me and i am still secretly a little scared i will give myself heart disease but i am convinced by the science.

I loose about half a stone a month on average and i am hoping that my skin will be ok afterwards, in the past when i have lost up to 3 stone its been ok but then i hadnt had 2 babies and wasnt this old. Fingers crossed.

Loving the thought of low carb puss cats attracting all the boys!That will be us soon.

I love nachos and would have struggled to avoid them, so def diet gods smiling on you.

Had to leave spanish lessons early as tooth hurts so much i couldnt concentrate and face is swollen - actually hoping for a filling tom to make it stop hurting! The pain made me want to munch and when i stopped at the shop on way home it took all my willpower not to buy choc but i resisted and ate bacon with mayo and cheese instead and pepperoni - far too much protein today and prob more fat than needed but it was better than the alternatives. I didnt really enjoy it and it hurt my teeth - weird comfort eating.

Marsden - there is a great youtube vid called "butter makes your pants fall off", done by an american guy but it explains the fat bit well. Its mad to think eating fat can make you thinner, but i can testify it does.

I love dairy and used to be able to eat cheese by the tonne but after my dairy free week i am strangely less bothered by it - i still enjoy it on things but not in big lumps anymore.

Well done on your walk Mac, you must have walked nearly 4 miles, go you!!

I'm still learning bone broth, but basically marrowbones from butcher or waitrose ( specify not for dog!)
Roast for 20 mins then put in slow cooker overnight with water, low carb veg and herbs. Freeze in mug size portions. I defrost and add coconut oil and butter, blitz and drink- great for getting the salts and minerals as well as fat. I use it for lunch.

Ooh Mrs....I feel for you with toothache, it's such a horrid pain! Hope you get sorted tomorrow. Yes, managed just over 7k, so 4.4 miles.

Yulelog, the bone broth sounds a bit yuk but also sounds like it's full of the good stuff...I may give it a go

My cauli rice did the trick tonight again....I can't be drinking enough water or eating enough veg as I still seem to be constipated much of the time. Cauli rice seems to be the only thing that works for me I must endeavour to drink more water!

I bought chicken bones today to make stock for soup. Do you add vinegar when cooking it? I read it was supposed to help draw out good stuff. Will try that tom and whack it in slow cooker. Just googled it and it seems to have good health benefits. Would be good with thai stuff added (thai obsessed) such as ginger, lime and chilli. Umm def making that tom.

My stock always tastes watery so i end up chucking in a stock cube but might try reducing it down more. Will report back tom!

Mac - i have the opposite prob -tmi. Coconut oil in my BPC means i cant leave the house until i have been as the need comes on urgently! More water is supposed to help.

No even the coconut oil in this afternoon's BPC didn't get things moving for me. Only the cauli rice. Crice for short more water definitely!

Yes reducing the stock gives more flavour, I've never added vinegar. I chuck carrot and celery and peppercorns in usually.

6hrs and counting until dentist!

On the other lc thread everyone is talking about cooking green beans in the oven with salt and oil until they go brown (170 for 20 mins or so) and they are apparently just like chips. I cant quite believe that but will pick some up today and try just in case. Will report back!!

Agghh...your tooth must be driving you crazy by now, hope the 6 hours (now 5?) pass quickly for you Mrs. Green bean chips, now that would be a revelation! Yes please let us know if there is a God

I have, as expected, started to lose weight again today. Only half a pound, but happy with that as it's 2.5lbs off overall this week, so still pretty much on track. 17st 1lb...that's 23.6lbs lost since 1st Jan. I also look like I've lost half an inch off my bust and hips....but, as it's almost impossible to measure in the same place every time, I'm not going to get too excited about that.

The good thing is that this will be my first alcohol weekend since mid-jan, so it will be interesting to see if I lose more this week or not. I am out with the girls at a comedy night tomorrow, but have to drive, so it will be sparkling water for the night for me.

That meant to say alcohol-free weekend!

Morning,
Very busy right now but will hopefully catch up properly tonight. Just popping in to ask for meal ideas. Doing the shopping list for DH to get on Saturday and am stuck for inspiration.

Hi MrsP....I've just added the ingredients for lemon and garlic chicken to our shopping list:

4/6 skin on chicken thighs
1 whole head of garlic
2 big lemons, quartered
Olive oil
Sea salt
Pepper
Dried or fresh oregano
Large spoonful of Double cream

Preheat oven to 180/gas 5
Rip garlic apart (no need to peel cloves) and scatter into baking tray
Add thighs
Place quarters of lemon around sides
Sprinkle generously with sea salt
Grind over black pepper
Dust generously with oregano
Drizzle with olive oil
Bake for 45-60 mins and finish off under grill for 2 minutes if you like it crispy
Either serve as is, or pour gravy into a jug and mix with the double cream.
Serve with nice avocado and tomato salad

And there was I asking about bullet proof coffee ( thank you for your replies - still makes me nauseous just to think about it I have to confess) and then today a friend ( who I didn't think even thought about such things)sent me this link

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2969123/Want-know-best-new-way-lose-weight-Just-butter-coffee.html

The Daily Fail take on bullet proof coffee complete with misleading headline. It seems, reading between their lines, that it is a force to be reckoned with, but only as part of a strict low carb diet, not for someone like me who is still at the stage of "ooh I fancy a parsnip...."

Now a diet where I can, nay am ENCOURAGED, to eat the skin of chicken is one I can embrace....

Absolutely, crispy chicken skin is far more appealing than a parsnip isn't it Marsden?

I've just watched the 'butter makes your pants fall off' and 'lard makes you lean' videos on you tube (thanks Mrs) and the guy's argument is pretty compelling. Well worth a watch.

I'm having a BPC for lunch again today after a breakfast of sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms fried in butter and tomatoes fried in olive oil. Then the garlic chicken recipe for tonight. I'm definitely embracing the lard!

MrsPnut, I eat a lot of spicy food - curry with lots of coconut cream, tacos with avocado and cheese. Dauphinoise - swede or celeriac, cauliflower cheese, steak and spinach with a blue cheese sauce,

What sort of food are you currently eating ( and are bored with?)

Our recent meals have been
Bolognaise with Savoy cabbage
Chicken with mushroom, mustard and creme fraich sauce
Chicken with nando's sauce and salad
A chicken curry with mashed swede
Roast belly pork with celeriac dauphinoise
Roast beef and vegetables
Meatballs and courgette pappadelle
Sausages with left over celeriac dauphinoise
Last night was a mix of leeks, mushrooms, courgette and Savoy cabbage with left over belly pork and sausages along with a spoonful of pesto and some creme fraiche.

I don't know what I want to eat, which is half of the problem and so I am mooching in the fridge when I get home. It's a dangerous habit to be in.

Mac, that lemon garlic chicken sounds nice. I have made the nigella one many times and ought to dig out some bone in chicken and serve it up soon.

Hi, can I join you? I've been lurking on this thread for a week or so and I definitely have a lot of weight to lose!

I'm hoping to lose about 8 stone in total I was always overweight then in my mid twenties lost about 7 stone through restricted eating (probably too restricted) and a lot of exercise. I kept it off for a few years, then got a bit complacent and it started creeping on. Then I had a bit of a rough time and became almost entirely sedentary and comfort ate and I ballooned to heavier than I've ever been.

Fast forward a few years and I have lost a bit, but have fallen into the trap of losing and gaining the same stone. But now I am really motivated - I'm in the process of organising my wedding, which could be as early as this September. And as a short term boost I had norovirus last week so that meant I lost about 5lbs, so I thought I'd use that as a starting point to get serious about losing weight.

I'm not low carbing as such, more "reducing carbs", trying to eat sensible meals, no snacking and upping my vegetables.

So this week, I've had things like chicken, lentils & veg, pork chop, couscous & veg, bolognese & veg. Which is quite a change as normally my dinners would involve potatoes/pasta/bread and not be as low fat.

Usually for lunches I would have had either nothing or a baguette, this week I've been having some form of vegetable soup every day.

I don't have breakfast, and know I need to address this.

Exercise wise, I walk the dog for about 3 miles a day. I have the shred dvd (still in it's wrapping) and am hoping to start that soon. Ideally I'd like to drop a bit of weight before starting the shred as I have an old ankle injury which hurts to varying degrees on a daily basis and I cannot afford to cripple myself to the extent I can't do the dog walks. I'm also considering joining a gym (I know the likes of swimming would be perfect for my ankle) so I need to look into that...

Well, there's my background. Sorry for the essay! Looking forward to the 'accountability' of posting (hopefully) losses here...

Letmebelight, hi !
If you don't want to ruthlessly low carb I recommend Hemsley and Hrmsley and the Hugh Fearnley Whittenstall 'light' book - they are full of clean eating. I can see that low carbing might seem a big step, but it's great for reducing appetite and you could basically swap your lentils for butter or cheese

Hi Yule, thanks for the recommendations, I will definitely check them out.

At this stage, I don't really want to try low carb as it's ingrained in me that logically a clean eating diet should be effective and healthy. I don't like the idea of cutting out whole food groups. I know you could all disprove that with numerous links and anecdotal evidence!

It's not so much that I'm worried about the big step of low carbing, I just don't think it's for me. But you never know, if I see you all losing weight while I stall, I may convert!

Hope you all don't mind me posting here even though I'm not low carbing - I liked the idea of a group where everyone had a lot of lose.