Bootcamp - the questions thread

[BIWI]

From experience of past Bootcamps, in the first few weeks the chat threads move really, really quickly and it's difficult sometimes to see/answer everything.

So this is a place to post any questions that you might have. Those of us who are old hands at low carbing will check this thread regularly and make sure that we answer you as soon as we can.

[Attackofthefiftyfootwoman]

Hi

I can't eat dairy - I am looking at the carb content of soy milk/coco milk etc does the same carb threshold rule apply per 100ml as it does to 100g? Thanks

[sansucre]

I started bootcamp on Wednesday, and since Friday, I've had a noticeable metallic taste in my mouth which I'm beginning to suspect is linked to such low-carb WOE.
Or have I got this wrong?

[QueenQueenie]

Ok. Here's my ?
I have been low carbing since the beginning of July and am thrilled to have lost over 3 stone since then. In the last 6 weeks or so my weight loss has stalled / slowed to a snail's pace although I definitely have more to lose yet - at least another stone and a half. Since the end of September I have also been doing the couch25k prgramme and have now completed it and am running 3 times a week. Is the lack of weight loss because I'm closer to target / the running (fat into muscle she thinks hopefully)? Or just one of those things. All opinions and suggestions very welcome... TIA
Oh and thanks again BIWI and Willie for all your amazing input.

[WillieWaggledagger]

attack - yes that's right, and you might want to check the actual quantity you usually consume too. dairy-free is not a huge disadvantage on this WOE, though it can be more difficult to get enough fat

sansucre (very appropriate name) - yes, that could well be your body switching to ketosis. make sure you're drinking enough water and getting the right electrolytes

[Attackofthefiftyfootwoman]

Thanks Willie

[sansucre]

I thought that might be the case :)

I'm drinking 2-2.5 litres of water per day. (Like I do every day in fact.)
I'm not doing this to lose weight, it's more to break my addiction to sugar and chocolate. I actually have very little weight to lose. (Yes, I know I'm lucky!)

Good luck to everyone.

[WillieWaggledagger]

no need to justify your choice sansucre, we're all doing this for our own reasons, all equally valid - hopefully you'll soon be seeing the non-scale-related benefits to this WOE (skin, hair, energy etc)

the metallic taste is a good sign in a way, though not pleasant i know, and it should settle down

[WillieWaggledagger]

queenqueenie - fantastic progress

the slowdown in weight loss could be the running, though i would have expected that the 'shock' to the body of a new exercise had died down by now, but we're all different

weight loss definitely as you know slows down closer to target too. are you absolutely sure your target is realistic? as in, you're not trying to see a particular number on the scale (which your body isn't that bothered about), but actually you're at a good weight for your frame and body type?

it could also be hormones, the time of year, natural fluctuation in rates of weight loss (could be due a whoosh)...

but there could also possibly be tweaks made to your diet, e.g. carb creep where you sort of start increasing carb intake without quite realising - could you list out what you've been eating over the last few days?

[Kefybaby]

Can I also check that any veg with less than 3gr of carbs per 100gr is fine, even if it does not feature on the list? Thanks!

[gussiegrips]

I'm on day 3, and, so far, am 1. impressed (down 3lbs!) and 2. stuffed and 3. craving sugar. Sugar. Bags of it. Please.

Is there ANYTHING sweet I can have, or, do I just have to drink even more water and eat an egg?

What do you lot do when you have a craving? (mind you, I've not succumbed, and that, in itself, is peculiar)

[SayraT]

I would like to ask about the coconut oil that you are all (some of you anyway) are adding to coffee.

I make my own moisturisers, shower gel etc and use coconut oil in a lot of these so I have about 1 kg of the stuff lying around. I wondered if the oil I use in cosmetics is the same as the stuff you are using?

The stuff I have is a solid white/opaque block that melts readily on skin contact. I think you can also get more processed (can't remember the real word!!) coconut oil which is an actual oil rather than solid. Which is the type you use in coffee?

[SteeleyeStan]

Sayra is your coconut oil "virgin"? The stuff you're supposed to use for eating should preferably be virgin/unprocessed/mechanically extracted. It's solid in room temperature yeah, and white/opaque, except during the hottest summer - unless of course it's really hot in your house. :)

[SayraT]

I will check with the website I get it from. If it is and people are using a lot of it then it might be more cost effective for them to buy it in bulk, I think it costs me about £5 per kilo.

I'll check if its virgin etc and post the link if it is.

[SayraT]

I looked and I don't think it is, it says "refined" so I assume that its no good then.

[QueenQueenie]

Ta for the reply Willie. I fear you may be onto something with the carb creep. I think coffee is my achilles heel... i often have 2 / 3 single shot espressos a day, with some hot milk, but on the other hand I've been doing that all along.

Today I have had:
B. 2 fried eggs and mushrooms with a few cherry tomatoes
L. celery sticks, philly cheese and 7 brazil nuts
D. Steak (with lots of lovely fat) and a big salad (leaves, a whole avocado, cucumber, half a shallot, a handful of feta and oily dressing)
S. a square of 90% choc
2 coffees (as above), 3.5 litres of water

Yesterday:
B. Total yoghurt, handful raspberries, slug of double cream
L. Big salad with mozzarella, avocado, leaves, cherry toms, basil. Parma ham on the side
D. Chargrilled squid with olive oil, chilli dressing. Big green salad, oily dressing
S. handful almonds, 2 squares 90% choc.
2 coffees, 3.5 litres water

[BIWI]

Queen - what does your body look like, as opposed to what the scales say?

If you're running regularly you will be developing more muscle, which weighs more than fat. Willie could be very right when she says it's not about the number on the scales. If you strip off and look at yourself, are you really sure that you have that much to lose?

And, I think there is possibly a case for cutting back on the carbs a bit, (you're eating fruit, nuts and chocolate - could be a bit much?) or having a look at your portion sizes. Have you also considered cutting out/down on dairy?

[BIWI]

gussiegrips - STEP AWAY FROM THE SWEET STUFF! This is the addiction trying to lure you back in.

[BIWI]

gussiegrips - STEP AWAY FROM THE SWEET STUFF! This is the addiction trying to lure you back in.

[SayraT]

gussie whenever I've had a craving (which hasn't been too often) I either eat something buttery - the salty buttery-ness seem to help, drink a hot drink/warm water, go to bed (depending on the time! , go for a walk/shower/anything to distract me or have a spoonful of yoghurt.

I also just try to remind myself that I have spent my life eating the things I crave and where has it got me? Its got me fat! and now is the time to do something about it by not giving in!

[ElBombero]

Shit! I've only gone and bought 2.5kg of non virgin coconut oil. Does it matter? Got a fab deal off ebay. It's the KTC jar. Please tell me this is ok!!

[BIWI]

That's what I use, ElBombero

[ElBombero]

Aw thank god for that. Thought I'd got the wrong stuff with them saying up thread about refined n virgin.

Hey if anyone wants some 6x 500g tubs for £15.99 free p&p off eBay

[Morgan]

Thanks to everyone who suggested breakfasts - have smoked salmon with mascarpone and olives tomorrow - not sure if I will fancy the olives for breakfast although I used to have them with Arabic breakfast when in the Middle East . Will create a type of Arabic breakfast with grilled halloumi , olives , mascarpone and toms and cuc - will just be missing houmous and of course pitta bread .

[gussiegrips]

BIWI - two stick hits in a row has done the trick...thank you!
Sayra - excellent points, stolen and adopted.

I ate a packet of Sainsbos marinaded olives (0.3) which is satisfying as they come in tiny packets that you tear open like a packet of sweets. Though, that's where the similarity ends, seeing as how the packet contains olives. Nice olives, mind.

Then I ate 4 big spoons of total with a dribble of double cream and a wee sprinkle of cinnamon.

Then I drank a litre of fizzy water with slices of lemon.

I still want sugar, but, I'm stuffed.

This is going to be my technique of choice for avoiding sugar.

That, and visualising me being able to go into a shop and buy some clothes. Like, any shop. Any clothes. Imagine!

[SteeleyeStan]

ElBombero and Sayra yea the refined coconut oil isn't in anyway carby or unsuitable in that way. :)

The reason why I said about the virgin thing is that it won't have been through the bleaching and deodorising processes, and so won't have the same potential for contaminants and trans-fats as the refined kind can have. (But their qualities and amount and type of processing varies a lot as far as I know, so they won't all be as "badly" processed".)