My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Low-carb bootcamp

Accepting a life style of low carbs.

25 replies

Lonesurvivor · 16/03/2018 09:16

Hi there, I'm just wondering for those of you who eat low carb to maintain weight and healthier lifestyle how did you come to terms that this was something you needed to do for your body?

I'm currently successfully doing low carb to lose weight. It's the one diet which works for me but which long term I find difficult to sustain as I'm not an eggs eater and not a huge lover of meat, either way I'm sticking to this until I have lost weigh but I need a plan for after.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, sugar addiction and suspected pocos but am peri menopausal now so not sure how that'll work. On low carb my joints feel better, and I've more energy and feel better.
I've prefer how I feel now to how I feel eating a high carb diet so while I'm losing weight I want to train myself into viewing this as a life time plan.
I know when I've lost the weight I will be able to be more flexible but still it'll be a change from before and this is where I always fail.
I'd really appreciate hearing how others have managed, the benefits they feel and how they can allow themselves to indulge occasionally but still get back on track.
Thanks in advanceSmile

OP posts:
Report
TimeIhadaNameChange · 16/03/2018 11:10

If you're addicted to sugar then I'd be really careful treating yourself unless you're prepared to go through withdrawal afterwards.

I'm 'lucky' in that I react to sugar rather than go through carb flu when I'm off it. There have not been that many Sundays since starting BC last May when I've not allowed myself to have a pudding after dinner, but I do so knowing that I'll be stuck on the loo Monday morning and will probably feel ill all day too. So, for me, there is an immediate incentive to go back to LCHF asap. I imagine it's harder if you know that the ill-effects will come when you try to get back on plan.

I'm not quite at maintenance, but am gradually easing in to it now. My BMI is definitely normal, and, whilst I'd like a few more pounds off I'm happy for it to go slowly. I think what helps for me is taking the view that nothing is 'disallowed' (I rebel against the idea) but LCHF foods are what I CHOOSE most of the time. I'm more than happy to accept that this is my majority choice for the future, but I won't beat myself up for the occassional other choice. I do need to be mindful of not slipping into high carb being the norm again, though.

Not sure if these ramblings make much sense, or are in any way helpful!

Report
Lonesurvivor · 16/03/2018 13:49

Thanks time it does help, sounds like you're doing really well. I know what you mean if you know there's going to be ill effects for eating off plan it makes us think twice.
I'm through my carb flu thankfully, I don't want to repeat that anytime soon so I suppose it's helping me be more conscientious about not giving into any cravings.
I'm losing weight faster on this and have less fluctuations than other plans so that's also motivating.
I'm hoping to join the next boot camp here if that's ok with the existing members it looks great.

OP posts:
Report
ilovecherries · 17/03/2018 14:54

You can join at any time, survivor. We are on the last week of the current one, but the final thread, which will start on Monday, will run until the next bootcamp starts. There are quite a few of us who keep going in between boot camps, so you are welcome to join in for encouragement/support/advice. I've been doing it non stop since May last year, and am just short of 5 stone off, with less than a stone to go, and I'm just starting to reflect on how scary that feels! Do come and join in if you want to :).

Report
LonginesPrime · 17/03/2018 15:03

I might join too - I'm fine for a month or two on low-carb and then get to the point where I absolutely hate eating as it's so boring and it feels unsustainable as a long-term lifestyle.

But I know low-carb works for me and that I struggle with sugar addiction otherwise. I am currently ruing the day I caved for a scoop of ice-cream on holiday..it was a slippery slope from there back to eating bread most days Blush

Report
QuiteLikely5 · 17/03/2018 15:04

To turn this into a long term way of eating you just need to ensure 90% of your intake is natural - fruit:veg: fish:meat:seeds/nuts etc


Just stick to nature’s produce

Report
Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es · 17/03/2018 15:15

That's what happens to me too Longines, I can stick it for about a month and then realise I am no longer enjoying anything I eat at all, find it extremely restrictive and go back to carbs (they cause me no ill effects apart from weight gain). I would love to get into the low carb mindset longer term but can't seem to get there. Might try again next bootcamp.

Report
Lonesurvivor · 17/03/2018 15:40

ilovecherries
Thanks, I will join the next thread. How do the threads/bootcamp work, I'd assumed all the threads were bootcamps.Blush

Yes long to only been able to stick to low carb a month or so and getting bored but there again I get bored on slimming world too. The truth of the matter is I want to eat whatever takes my fancy and not worry about weight but the reality is I can't do that if I want to be slim so I've got to compromise.
I figure that my initial phase where I want to lose as much weight as possible will be my hardest as I'm almost carb free under 15/10g a day. I will relax a little in a few weeks and that'll liven up my meals. After I'm where I want to be I'll figure my carb threshold and find a limit where I can maintain my weight.
Re not enjoying anything when we low carb I understand what you're saying whoknows but I have reached a point where I'm realising I rarely truly enjoy what I eat anyway. This lifestyle of either always been on a diet or breaking out and going mad isn't enjoyable either and it's certainly not doing anything positive for me.

All those foods you listed quiet are foods I eat and enjoy, especially the veg, nuts and seeds. Yet I don't use enough variety when I'm low-carb. It's hard to retrain a brain when low fat has been rammed at it for years on different diets, but I am determined it's time for a long term change not just a diet.

Thanks for all the replies.

OP posts:
Report
LonginesPrime · 17/03/2018 16:22

I don't use enough variety when I'm low-carb

Yes, I think this is why I get bored - I alternate between four main meals when I'm doing low-carb, two of which have the same sauce.

Obviously reading that back to myself, I can see that I need to make a conscious effort to mix things up more if I'm going to stick to it long-term. It's just that for me, the simplicity of not having to choose what to eat is one of the biggest draws of low carb!

Report
ilovecherries · 17/03/2018 16:36

Bootcamp runs three times a year. During that time, there is a new thread every week - the current one is week 10. Then there is a final weigh in thread which runs between boot camps.

Report
BIWI · 17/03/2018 16:43

You need to have a look at the Bootcamp recipe threads, to keep you inspired. Loads of lovely recipes on them.

I'm pretty much low carb all the time - although I do eat things I want to, from time to time, that are higher carb. For me, what keeps me doing it is all the reading I've done about high carb diets, and the realisation that eating a high carb way is simply so bad for our health. A high carbohydrate diet is linked not only with weight gain and obesity, but also diabetes, hypertension, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. (Some people are now calling that Type 3 diabetes).

As well as those major diseases, I've found that low carbing has really helped my IBS, candida (thrush) and also helped me through the menopause by keeping the hot flushes at bay.

Other people on Bootcamp have reported that low carbing has helped them with all manner of ills as well.

It's a habit now for me - I really don't think about not eating this way, and I very rarely feel deprived. I think it helps that allow myself to eat higher carb foods from time to time!

And you will be very welcome to join us on Bootcamp. As PP have said, this one is coming to an end this weekend, but the chat thread still carries on. The next one will probably start around mid-May - I usually time it so that it ends around the start of the school summer holidays.

Report
Lonesurvivor · 17/03/2018 21:30

BIWI thanks I will join the next thread for sure. I was reading some of the recipes on the BC sheet yesterday and that made me realise how much I limit myself on low-carb and that there's a lot more choice than I realised.
Also forgot to say well done on the weight losses and maintaining them, it's very inspiring to hear your stories.
cherries I have still about 5 left to go but have already dropped over a stone since I started my version of LC which has been very strict to start it off.
I'm not hungry, have more energy, cravings are reduced and I feel much better health wise. No other diet works so fast for me but more importantly no other diet gives me such immediate health benefits. I really believe sugar and the amount I ingested effects me very negatively.

OP posts:
Report
wentmadinthecountry · 23/03/2018 22:23

Cherries, I remember you from the nice clothes thread. Well done you! I've lost weight through low carb before and am now just starting on the journey again. The good thing is that I know it works, and I feel better too.

Report
ilovecherries · 26/03/2018 00:22

wentmad, yes, I'm rather loving all the new clothes Grin. Socks are literally the only thing that still fit me from before. Even my shoe size has gone down a whole size!

Report
halfwitpicker · 06/04/2018 20:34

There's an awesome recipe thread on the Bootcamp section - 1000 recipes, no need to be bored!

Report
halfwitpicker · 06/04/2018 20:35
Report
Youcantscaremeihavechildren · 06/04/2018 20:47

I've been dipping in and out of low carb for months and although some things, like not eating bread, replacing pasta and rice with courgette and cauli rice etc have really set in as habits BUT I still really struggle sticking with it. I am starting training for a 20 mile race in June and I desperately want to get another few lbs off and to stop the bloating and dodgy tum I get from sugar and carbs. I think it just takes time to get new habits, breakfast is the one that is setting in now, if I can't get low carb then I don't eat it! Maybe just keep plugging away, look at new recipes and some if the stuff on Pinterest (although never sure if Keto is the same thing or not?!). Hopefully it'll become habit?

Report
Velocity · 07/04/2018 07:04

Keto is a stricter version of LCFH - less than 20g of carbs per day. It's not easy to stick to unless you need to - at least that's my experience. If need some motivation join the bootcamp thread - the supportive chat continues even thought the bootcamp is officially over.

Report
Dee61 · 22/04/2018 11:28

Since Christmas I have been following a Whole Food PLant Based way of eating. I was a Vegetarian for 25 years, started eating fish again for 2 years and now WFPB which is amazing. Lots of YouTube channels to follow, especially Shine With Plants and The Happy Pear (great looking guys too). I have lost 10 lbs without trying as all the food is low calorie so you can eat lots. I am amazed that I am eating greens every day. I am following the GBOMB train of thought Greens Beans Onions Mushroom Berries each day. OK I have fallen off the wagon a few times...but I start each day a fresh. I feel better, no more bloating (unless I have fallen off the wagon).

Report
MaudesMum · 24/04/2018 07:40

I do think its worth remembering that it should be low carb and high fat. And the (healthy natural) fat not only keeps you fuller but also adds more variety and interest to your diet. I'm not now trying to lose weight - I want (and need) to lose more, but I was getting bored and I also want to see if I could maintain over several months without slipping back into my old ways. So far, not so bad - I've definitely got a lot of low carb/high fat eating habits very well engrained now - but I am also feeling a little more relaxed if I go to friends and discover that the main course involves a pie, for example!

Report
Lonesurvivor · 07/05/2018 09:34

I had a few weeks off low carb and calorie counted to keep my previous loss off.
I'm back on low carb a week now and it's going well.

For me the pros are I'm not hungry, I'm eating much better and have regular meals instead of snacking all the time and I know I'll have more energy and I lose quiet a bit of weight in a shorter time.I'm eating healthier and not damaging my body further with grazing on high sugar carbs all the time.
My joints feel better and I've gone from high blood pressure to almost normal.

Cons I really don't enjoy this way of eating and I miss carbs like potatoes, wraps, baked beans and fruit. I don't miss the junk at all though.
I need to be organised and plan my meals well, eating out can be difficult as carbs can be sneaked in anywhere through sauces, coating and filling.

Right now the pros out weigh the cons for me in order to lose weight.
I think long term, after I'm at a healthy weight, I want to learn to be low/medium carb and not return to the mindless grazing but I think getting there will take a lot of time and retraining of my mindset.

Just to clarify I'm not miserable on this Woe or forcing myself to eat food I don't like, I'm just missing the carbs that would for me turn a nice/lovely meal into a gorgeous one but would inevitable mean weight gain.
So I say I'm not completely enjoying all I'm eating now I can also say I wasn't enjoying a lot of what I was eating before or especially how it made me feel after. So when I weight up the two it makes much more sense to eat LCHF and enjoy the benefits it brings.

OP posts:
Report
Lonesurvivor · 07/05/2018 09:37

halfwitpicker thanks for that link to recipes, it's in my favourites now, some great ideas there too.

Maudsmum it sounds as though you're on the right track to having a balance, that's a good place to be.

OP posts:
Report
Lonesurvivor · 11/05/2018 18:29

So a little update, four days after my last post I'm enjoying the food a bit more and it's down to one thing, FAT lots and lots of fat. I can't believe the difference to how I feel and to the taste of my food.

OP posts:
Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Octopus37 · 22/06/2018 21:12

I'm another one who is low carbing, just under two weeks in and have lost 6 pounds. Have drunk alcohol and eaten crisps a couple of times, but haven't eaten any chocolate, cake, pasta, bread, ric,e etc, please dont slate me anyone. I was desperate for something tonight so ate some Ryvitas (had nothing else in the house). Guess you could say that I am trying to loosely lo carb, rather than being ultra strict. I want to lose another 7 pounds or so and then maintain. Interestingly I haven't really had cravings for chocolate or cakes, but I need to get out of the mindset of thinking that food is a big treat and accept that I will need to limit carbs for life to stay at an ok weight. Every other diet I have done in the last few weeks has had about a six week shelf life, I have been good for that long but then fallen off the wagon and failed to get back on. Need to look at variety but quite time and budget limited, at the moment trying to think of food as fuel more but enjoying things like fried halloumi with salad for dinner.

Report
mycheapshoes · 29/09/2018 21:26

I’ve been doing Chloe madely’s 4 week diet which is carb cycling-so 4 or 5 days low carb followed by 1 day high(er) carb, low fat.
I started off looking forward to the carb days but quickly found those days I was more hungry.
Now I’ve done the initial 4 weeks (lost nearly a stone) I’m planning on doing 5 days low carb, 1 day low fat and one day off.
I think this should be sustainable. May have to add the odd strict week to keep the weight down but can see this as a long term way of life.

Report
Dee61 · 30/09/2018 23:17

I have been following Dr Gregor on YouTube. Makes so much sense.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.