Jan '21 Lockdown Low Carb Bootcamp - the Easing-in Week

[BIWI]

Evening all

@Cactusowl
@Hopeislost
@Sunseed
@LostaraYil
@LarryUnderwood
@Turnedouttoes
@Lyrata
@Ninkanink
@Whojamaip
@SilverStarburst
@BurnherSmurf’s
@Cheeseisthebest
@Laska2Meryls
@Candle
@MrsGarethSouthgate
@MysweetAudrina
@LazydaysofSummer
@OneFootintheRave
@Enoughis
@Rubyred44
@NotwatchingSpook
@Howdidthathappen1
@NoraEphronsNeck
@Rshard
@Astreamrunsthroughit
@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace
@Frty
@VeryLittleOwl
@Motivateinmotion
@Linnet
@FixitupChappie
@Mybestusername
@ChrissyCarol
@WitchWand
@Camellia18
@CardoMondo
@Threeoleary
@Itsmeagainagain
@MsAwesomeDragon
@Christmyarse
@52andblue
@MilesJuppIsMyBitch
@oscarandelliesdad
@SofieGraabol
@RitaEllen
@Razzlefrazzle
@Cokie3
@EarlGreyHot
@Livelongandprosper
@SummerSazz
@CeibaTree
@Basic Madeira
@Potas
@MasterFlamingo
@Polecat03
@MisterMilo
@Eskimodesert
@Devoncreamtea
@Latebloomingleo
@1stMrsF
@cakeintherain
@pelosi
@ToastCosILoveIt
@AlwaysUtterChaos
@Cowgurl
@missboots
@NisekoWhistler
@M0therofdragons
@Takingontheflab
@PastramiNoRye
@Stayathomegardner
@Justcallmecaptainobvious
@Totalshambles
@Bumbledee
@anewdispensation
@Patapouf
@Prettybird
@Teethiepegs
@TimeIhadaNameChange
@Wanderfar
@Jollyholibobs
@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal
@ZiggZag
@BrassicaBabe
@StuntNun
@Grassisjewled
@1WayOrAnother2
@venusandmars
@Almahart
@IncurablyCurious
@LyraLilly
@Timeflyin
@Stuckinstressville
@LittleMy77
@MuddlingThrough1724
@MrsOmelette
@lgalb5
@MummyPigsKnickers
@Ifeelmuchlessfat
@PinkSubscriber
@Gracie70
@Jackblackcat
@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously
@Doilooklikeatourist
@Babymamaroon
@MaudesMum
@Mixitupalot
@NorthernSpirit
@ChoosandChipsandSealingWax
@Bookaholic37
@gillyweed
@Poorbuthappy
@Witsend101
@DiscontentedWoman
@Margaritawithlime
@bluelefant
@takingwhatineed
@PineappleSunglasses
@DressingGown
@Pandoraslastchance
@Underthebludgeoningsofchance
@Kilojules
@dancemonkey21
@Oneborneverydecade
@Definitelymaybeee
@102Otto
@ANewDawnANewDay
@MarmaladeTeepee
@Sunshinesky1981
@Chachachia
@Tomliboosrule
@BuffyTheBuffetSlayer
@CisMyArse
@Ruple
@Datacolour
@AbagailsFancy
@felippertyfeck
@RatherChillyInHere

This is the full list of those who have signed up. Hopefully you're all on The Spreadsheet of Fabulousness (unless you said you didn't want to be!

Remember, weighing in tomorrow is not part of this week, although if you want to, you can put your weight in the 'original start date/weight' columns

Thanks must go, as always, to the very lovely @AthelstaneTheUnready for setting up the spreadsheet. You'll see this time that we've amended it slightly so that you can record loss for this Bootcamp as well as since you started, for those of you who started earlier.

If your name isn't on the spreadsheet, don't panic! Just add it to the bottom of the list. Don't try to insert it in the right alphabetical place - Athelstane will do that later.

If you are on the spreadsheet, but don't want to be, send me or Athelstane a PM and we'll remove you.

Whatever you do, don't touch the blue cells!

If you're using a mobile to access the spreadsheet, you'll need to download the Google Sheets app.

[Takingontheflab]

deep breath

Lets do this.

[ZiggZagg]

Yay!! Let's go!!

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hello all! Let's do this!!

[BIWI]

Some information for those new to low carbing.

What we don't eat on Bootcamp

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet corn/corn on the cob
Pasta (brown or white) and noodles
Rice (brown or white)
Bread (wholemeal, brown or white)
Pizza
Flour (and anything made with/thickened with flour, and cornflour)
Biscuits/cakes/pastry
Sugar (in any form, which includes fruit sugar, honey, agave syrup, maple syrup)
Balsamic vinegar
Sweets
Fruit juice
Full sugar drinks/fizzy drinks and squash/cordial

For this first 'easing in' week, if you're new to low carbing, you might want to use this time to cut down on these things, if you feel it's going to be too difficult to cut them out altogether. Know, though, that from next week none of these will feature in your diet at all for the next 10 weeks.

The first two weeks of Bootcamp are super strict

Next week, which will be the formal week 1, and the following week are the strictest - this is designed to get your body to switch from burning carbs for fuel to burning fat for fuel. In addition to the list above, you will also not be eating/drinking any

fruit
nuts/seeds
chocolate
alcohol
artificial sweeteners

After the first two weeks are over, you can re-introduce these - in moderation. As far as fruit is concerned, this means mainly berries, and for chocolate we're talking about dark chocolate with a cocoa content over 70%. With regard to alcohol, beer and cider are totally out - but you can drink clear spirits with soda or a low calorie mixer, and dry wine.

We try to avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible, so again if you're drinking something like gin and slimline tonic, this should be in moderation.

[52andblue]

Quick qu (sorry if I should already know) are we starting tomorrow?
If not, what does 'easing in' consist of please?

[BIWI]

So what can we eat?!

Lots of lovely things!

Low carbing is not a WOE (way of eating) that is about deprivation. In addition, Bootcamp is about enjoyment of our food. We don't starve ourselves in order to lose weight, but eat to satiation. (That's not about pigging yourself, but equally isn't about staring at a solitary lettuce leaf!)

This is a high fat diet, so you can eat butter, olive/coconut/avocado oil, cheese, cream and full fat natural yoghurt. We do not touch 'lite' or 'light' anything!

Fattier cuts of meat and fattier fish are to be welcomed. You can eat as many eggs as you fancy/can tolerate.

And your carbs will come from vegetables and salad - many people often don't realise that these are carbohydrates, but on Bootcamp this is where the majority of your carbs will be coming from, in order to ensure you are eating plenty of fibre and getting good nutrition.

For further inspiration, you'll find all the recipe threads that are stickied at the top of the Bootcamp topic. Have a read of those and tell me if you think that looks like being on a diet!

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

It's honestly easier than you think. I've been following this way of eating since my first Bootcamp in May 2019, and it feels miraculous. I get to eat tasty, delicious food, still share meals with my family, and maintain a BMI of 21.

You do need to stick to the rules though, or not only will it not work, but BIWI will get her Big Stick out.

[BIWI]

@52andblue

Quick qu (sorry if I should already know) are we starting tomorrow?
If not, what does 'easing in' consist of please?

We are 'sort of' starting tomorrow! Bootcamp proper, if you like, starts next Monday - but we're using this week to get ourselves ready for it.

That means making sure you've got rid of any temptations you might have left over after Christmas, as well as planning ahead for shopping/meals for next week.

For those new to low carbing it's also a chance to start to read more about it and what we do/don't do - and to make sure everyone is familiar with the rules.

It can also be an opportunity to just cut the carbs down gradually, rather than the 'cold turkey' approach of throwing ourselves into Bootcamp - this could mean that carb flu (which I'll talk more about later) is minimised/avoided.

In terms of learning more about low carbing, there's loads of information on the spreadsheet - just check out the tab that says resources. It's really important that you understand the science behind low carbing, as this will help you to stick to it.

[BIWI]

By the way, if you feel ready to start, by all means start tomorrow. You don't have to 'go easy' if you don't want to.

[MilesJuppIsMyBitch]

Thanks BIWI.

This is all very exciting. I'm particularly impressed with the spreadsheet.

I've been keto-ing for a while, but I'm still a bit of a fat bastard, so I'm hoping your bootcamp will sort me out.

We've got a disgusting amount of chocolate left over from Christmas. I've just eaten a Lindt Santa to try to make a dent, but there's SO MUCH.

Must buy less next year. I think I inadvertently stockpiled in a lockdown panic.

Anyway, waffle over. Looking forward to going through sugar-withdrawal with you all.

[CisMyArse]

Crikey BIWI, I'm humbled by all of this. I've browsed your threads for a few weeks - 3.5 stone overweight and increasing pressure on 2 bulging discs- I'm literally too much in pain to go running.

The efforts you go to, to support us has humbled and empowered me. Thank you.

In preparation for this, I eliminated all sugar from my diet from Jan 1 and cut out all alcohol. Next week I'm kicking out the carbs.

Again, thank you.

Good luck everyone 👊

[CisMyArse]

Just downloaded the App - is the spreadsheet for each individual or is it a group spreadsheet? I couldn't find all out names.

[52andblue]

@BIWI
thank you - that makes a lot of sense.
I've a big birthday on Tues and have Christmas bits left so I'll start 18th.

[Lyrata]

I’m so excited for tomorrow! Bootcamp 2. Dare I say... it feels like Christmas.

[Takingontheflab]

In prep, it's my birthday in a couple of weeks. Any LC friendly cheesecake/cake type stand in birthday cake I can make?

[IncurablyCurious]

I'm very keen to restart - thanks BIWI and everyone involved! My Diet Coke habit has worked its way back into my daily routine, which inevitably leads to me craving sugary things; hadn't realised it before last bootcamp.

Tomorrow kicks off my MSc's first exam week, and I am very stressed about it, so I'm going to be taking it quite gently food wise to focus on assignments instead (if I can avoid turning to carbs as a "treat" this week, I'll be really happy). I'm definitely grateful to have the option of easing back in this time - strict BC plus exams might be a bit much right now!

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

@Takingontheflab

In prep, it's my birthday in a couple of weeks. Any LC friendly cheesecake/cake type stand in birthday cake I can make?

I like this one. I make the base with melted butter rather than water though.

chocolatecoveredkatie.com/keto-cheesecake-recipe-low-carb/

[Takingontheflab]

Thank you! Now i think of it i did make a keto cheesecake last year. It was good but I didn't care for the soft almond base, reckon I'd happily forgo that and spend the carbs on some mixed berries for topping instead 🤔

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'd thought the same after my last one - the base just isn't necessary!

[PastramiNoRye]

Lockdown has been an utter disaster for my weight. I am actually quite distressed by the scales and by my tight waistbands.

Thanks so much for this @BIWI - much appreciated!

[ChristMyArse]

God I'm glad this week has finally got here. I've been doing it myself since the 1st and not convinced I'm doing it correctly as yet, although not sure how I'm getting it wrong - can you have too much fat maybe?!

My motivation for this is to help with my back, my mobility and overall health. And to want to actually go clothes shopping!!

Right - off to see if I can work this spreadsheet out on the app.

[ChristMyArse]

Anyone know how to get the spreadsheet on to google sheets? I've downloaded the app but no matter what I try I can't get it to open in the app itself?

[Mixitupalot]

Looking forward to staring tomorrow, I’ve cut out all my snacking since last Monday. I was eating so much chocolate and rubbish in general.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal if you don’t mind me asking how much weight did you lose on the bootcamp you did?

[Turnedouttoes]

So looking forward to getting started tomorrow. I’ve prepped my breakfast (egg, chorizo & cheese muffins) and lunch (tuna & roasted veg) for tomorrow and set my phone background to a photo of me in a bikini following a stone lost on bootcamp two years ago for inspiration.

Good luck everyone!

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

@Mixitupalot

Looking forward to staring tomorrow, I’ve cut out all my snacking since last Monday. I was eating so much chocolate and rubbish in general.

*@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal* if you don’t mind me asking how much weight did you lose on the bootcamp you did?

I can't remember how much I lost in the first one - though I remember very clearly I lost 8lb in my first week, and in in my second, because I was amazed. (This is unusual, and a lot of it would have been water weight - it tailed off after that to a more "normal" 1-3lb lose per week).

After two Bootcamps though, I lost 3 stone, going from 12st 10lb to 9st 10lb at 5'7.

My weight now seems to have settled at around 10 stone, give or take a couple of pounds, which I'm very happy with.