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Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Week 9 - Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp - The end is in sight

162 replies

StuntNun · 24/11/2014 06:16

Good morning, I'm standing in for BIWI this week since she's on her holibobs.

If you're weighing in, here is the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

and here is the Weight Tracker.

Have a great week everyone.

OP posts:
Rollergirl1 · 28/11/2014 16:43

Just a quick question about ketosis if I may? I would say I definitely feel like I'm in ketosis as have that taste in my mouth and not feeling particularly hungry and am losing. But I bought some ketostix and apart from one day I have always shown a negative result. Should I just bin them?

BeyondTheTreelights · 28/11/2014 17:16

I went way wrong yesterday. Wont say what as dont wanna trigger anyone or anything, but lets just say it was a massive food disaster.

Anyway though, todays a new day :)

Today...

BPC mid morning so then wasnt hungry for lunch
Takeaway coming for dinner. Chicken passanda, mixed meat kebab, cauliflower bhaji. No naan!

BitchyTakesOnManagement · 28/11/2014 17:22

Rollerghirl - if you are drinking plenty then iirc then it can affect the result which is why generally the advice is to not bother with them. But i am sure someone with more experience will clarify that.

CharlieSierra · 28/11/2014 19:47

Chester I've been having a baby avocado with dressing and a bit of Parma ham or smoked salmon. I take my breakfast with me and I can't stand hard boiled eggs.

CharlieSierra · 28/11/2014 19:51

I use ketostix and I do show a positive result btw, the level varies according to whether I've drunk enough, but I always show some ketones. You're meant to do it last thing in the evening I think.

BIWI · 28/11/2014 20:56

If you're drinking the amount of water that you should be doing, it will mean that your ketostix will only show a very faint change.

So not worth it!

ChesterDrawers · 28/11/2014 21:29

Ooooh Charlie I have avocado and Parma ham in. Breakfast tomorrow me thinks with a bit of homemade mayo. Thanks for that.

I use a cheapy ketostix rip offs. They vary from v light to mid dark but always show something if I've not cheated. I know they don't work for lots of people though so totally unreliable. I use them but then I did keep Clearblue in business during the first trimester when I was pregnant with DS so maybe I'm not the best person to comment Blush

ChesterDrawers · 29/11/2014 09:21

Last in, first up by the looks of things. Where is everyone? Cooooooommmmmeee baaaaaaccckkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!

I'm feeling good today, just back from a five mile run on an empty stomach with no problems whatsoever and now having the most amazing breakfast - half an avocado, two slices of proscuitto, a generous glug of olive oil and a grind of black pepper. Thank you so much Charlie for the suggestion.

Anyway, shower's calling...

Tanukisan · 29/11/2014 10:11

Ha, I've been insanely busy but still keeping on!

Thanks Sarah for that link - very interesting. Reading it I'm pretty sure I must be fat adapted by now and that my issues are to do with the artificial sweetners...

I've decided that I will give up the diet coke over Christmas, as they use stevia rather than aspartame/acesulfame k in Japan and I really don't like it. So that will be nearly three weeks without, and then I won't start up again in the new year.

Thanks for the Flowers BIWI. I'm doing bloody brilliantly if I do say so myself!

non126 · 29/11/2014 10:30

Hello All

Ive only just caught up with the back end of the week 8 thread and the whole of the week 9 thread - massively busy at work and just too tired in the evenings after catching up with everything else. I don't post often so feel a bit cheeky asking, but I wonder if anyone could help me understand ketosis and fat burning - do you have to be in ketosis to burn fat? I have tried googling but there is so much out there I just cant get it clear in my head.

Hope all those with the lurgi get over it soon and hope all goes well for the weigh in next week Smile

Pisseslikeahorse · 29/11/2014 11:45

A link for ketosis, ketostix, keto adapted, fat burning explained

ChesterDrawers sounds like we did the same run this morning, I was the snotty one with a big smile on his face going the other way Grin

FannyBurney · 29/11/2014 12:14

Hello hello hello I have not kept up with the threads since I popped in briefly about 2 weeks ago, but I'm very glad there's BIWI and bootcamp which got me on the right track. I'm the lightest I've been for years - a stone lighter than in the summer.

I've not lost much this month, as I've been just getting by with avoiding all obvious carbs, but I'm confident I know what to do when I'm ready to concentrate on losing the next half a stone I want to be rid of.

BIWI · 29/11/2014 13:11

That's good news/progress, Fanny!

miffy49 · 29/11/2014 13:15

That's a great link Pisses, thanks. Smile The more you read the more you can get baffled by all the different opinions. That cuts out all the science stuff that most people really don't want to read and gives a sensible summary. The FAQ section seems good too for anyone wanting to go properly into ketosis. I appreciate that BC Light can be enough for a lot of people to lose but I like the way that being keto-adapted seems to 'mend' my crazy brain!

Great stuff FannyB. I'm guessing a lot of us will be back for the January BC. Smile

BIWI · 29/11/2014 13:15

Pisses - that's a great link. So great, that I've c+p it:

"I feel a need to clarify the difference between being "in ketosis" and being "keto-adapted"
The point of a keto diet is to be in ketosis - what this means is that your body is breaking down fat at such a rate that there are ketones in your bloodstream. This happens after fasting, or with a low carb diet. It's a normal metabolic state. If you've ever had steak and veggies for supper and then had eggs for breakfast (or skipped it all together), you've been in ketosis.
It's also important to note that your body burns whatever fuel is available - glucose, FFA (free fatty acids), ketones, alcohol. Whatever there is more of is what it burns more (which is why alcohol "pauses" ketosis, your body will burn up the alcohol first).
Ketostix will measure excess ketones that are in your urine. However they are not the be all and end all of being in ketosis. If you are using all your ketones for energy, or if you're getting rid of the excess through sweat or saliva, ketostix may be negative.
One of the goals of the keto diet is being "keto adapted". This means that your body is primed for functioning with very little glucose. Different enzymes are involved for breaking down fat than breaking down glucose. When you first enter ketosis, you are using fat for energy, but at first it's in limited amounts because you don't have as many fat-converting enzymes. These get built up over time. This is what causes the tiredness at the beginning of the diet. Once the enzymes are in place, your cells change the way they get energy. It's really amazing all the changes that have to happen internally for keto-adaptation to happen. It's like you can't just put diesel into a regular car engine and expect everything to work smoothly.
Once you are keto-adapted (which can take a few weeks to a month depending on the person), fat/ketones becomes the preferred fuel. Hormone levels are changed, glycogen (glucose stored in muscles and liver) is lowered, you carry less excess water. You're able to function well - lots of energy, you can exercise, lift, build up endurance etc.
When you're keto adapted and get an "overdose" of carbs (more than your body needs at the time) different things happen. First, glycogen gets replenished, which causes water retention. Secondly, insulin rises, which can affect other hormone levels as well. While your body processes the carbs, you are not burning ketones. Once the glucose is dealt with, you will go back into ketosis. When you're keto adapted, this doesn't take long because you already have the enzymes and are "primed" to use fat for energy.
When you're starting keto, the more often you have sugar, the longer it takes to become keto adapted. When you are keto adapted, sugar will will still take precedence over fat for fuel (because excess blood sugar is fatal and so your body needs to handle the sugar first).
If your goal is weight loss, excess glucose is counter productive. There is no "need" for a carb up, even with endurance sports, but some people find the boost helpful depending on their goals (Peter Attia has said he doesn't use any carbs unless he is cycling more than 3 hrs, so if you're under that, going carb free is at the very least possible). Even building muscle while in ketosis is possible, just ask those over at /r/ketogains
If you'd like more info, this article is a great place to start, I also highly recommend The Ketogenic Diet and The Art and Science of Low Carb Living"

ChesterDrawers · 29/11/2014 14:06

I though that was you, Pisses, t'was the snot that gave it away Grin

BitchyTakesOnManagement · 29/11/2014 14:12

Morning. Good luck and wishing you all the success for the Diet coke detox plan Tanukisan

Well done Fanny

That is a brilliant explanation. Thanks for c&p-ing it Biwi

I have managed to sts the last two weeks despite birthday parties, work catered meetings etc. Nothing but hard work and craziness for the next two weeks so am planning on getting my head down and getting on with it. Going to be brave enough to try the new meds reluctant after the very bad reaction to the last lot Sleep, less coffee is the plan. Need to drop about 2 stone before feb and develop a proper sleep pattern. This is my main focus. It can and will happen.

non126 · 29/11/2014 16:15

Thank you so much pisses and BIWI that really does explain a lot for me.

It makes so much sense. I've been tending to be very strict bc during the week then having alcohol at the weekend (mainly wine) which is obviously going to stall/slow weight loss for me. Loosing weight is one of the main reasons for me choosing this woe (health considerations also but I think if I was lighter I would be naturally healthier).

I know alcohol usually makes me tired the day after and I always want to eat more and crave carby foods. I'm going to try and abstain as much as possible, or at least have clear spirits instead of wine, if I'm invited out over the next few weeks and see how I get on.

I have been completely lacking in energy recently so I don't think I am giving myself chance to become properly keto adapted before shoving wine carbs down my neck at weekend. I wish they would publish the carbs/sugar content on bottles of wine - I'm sure it would make me think twice before buying it.
Thanks again for the link Smile enjoy the rest of your hols BIWI and hope you see the last of the snot very soon pisses

BeyondTheTreelights · 29/11/2014 16:40

Been swimming today. Took the kids so it was less exercisey/more playing, but still better than nothing :)

Today
BPC
Leftover passanda with cauli bhaji

Only had 1l of water so far, need to up that...

BIWI · 29/11/2014 16:42

So. I decided to go out for my first ride on my new bike today, as I wasn't training.

Managed a spectacular fall, which means now I won't be training any time soon, as I'm too sore. I landed very heavily on my right hand side. Don't think I've broken or cracked anything, just bruised it, but I'm having to move around very carefully. Oh, and messed up both knees as well!

Sad
BitchyTakesOnManagement · 29/11/2014 18:15

Oh dear BIWI Sad may i suggest either a witch hazel compress or some arnica cream for the bruising and some ibuprofen for the swelling.

BIWI · 29/11/2014 18:21

Yes I must get some arnica. I've just been taking it easy today since I got back. Of course, the accident happened at the furthest point away from home! I did manage to ride back though.

CharlieSierra · 29/11/2014 18:25

Sorry to hear you are hurt BIWI hope you are taking it easy.

I have just bought a new pair of jeans.....they are size 12!!! I know there must be an element of vanity sizing and according to the scales I still have a way to go, but 9 weeks ago I was in a size 18 in the same jeans. I felt like dancing round the changing room.

BitchyTakesOnManagement · 29/11/2014 18:27

Have to admit I always have hand warners, ice packs, freeze spray/gel, arnica, witch hazel and ibuprofen gel in the house. No one seems to like nice gentle sports around here and it is often needed. Though we do get to have some cracking bruise competitions HmmGrin Ds is currently winning that one.

BIWI · 29/11/2014 18:29

Wow, Charlie - from an 18 to a 12 in 9 weeks is fantastic!

Bitchy I'm looking forward to some spectacular bruising. My knees are also wrecked!