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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.

Original poster

2015 January Low Carb Bootcamp - the questions thread!

310 replies

BIWI · 18/01/2015 19:24

Evening all!

I'm setting up this thread this evening, because I have to be up and out early tomorrow morning.

So, here is the thread for you to ask any questions that you might have about low carbing.

The chat thread tends to move really quickly in the first couple of weeks, so if you post questions on there you're not always guaranteed to get an answer, as it just might not be spotted. So use this thread to post any questions.

OP posts:
Original poster
BIWI · 30/01/2015 07:31

Janx if you've only been using Lo-Salt, then it could be that you need more sodium via 'proper' salt. Try drinking a hot drink made with an Oxo cube, or some Bovril or Marmite - that should help.

However, if it persists, I'd try starting your day with a slice of wholemeal toast. If the increase in carbs results in the dizziness going away, then you will know that you aren't eating enough carbs. If the dizziness persists, and you've upped your carbs, and you're eating salt, then I'd go and see your GP.

moo as Sayra/Chipping have said, it's impossible to tell you how many carbs as we are all different. But I'm alarmed by your question because it sounds like you've rushed to add back nuts, chocolate and berries into your diet, and all that together could quickly add up to a lot of carbs, in combination with whatever else you're eating!

Macadamias are fab, because they are very low carb - but they're also devilishly easy to eat! Even low carb foods can add lots of carbs to your day if you're eating a lot of them.

OP posts:
mootime · 30/01/2015 07:35

I rushed back to add them because I was told off for doing BC while breastfeeding!! I'm also on week 4. I've been having approx 50g of macadamia nuts (so 2.5g of carbs) a few blueberries with my coyo, and have eaten 100g of dark choc over a week. Maybe this is still too much?

ChippingInLatteLover · 30/01/2015 07:41

BIWI. Did you remember Moo is breastfeeding?

Original poster
BIWI · 30/01/2015 07:41

Oh right! Sorry - it's really hard to remember who is doing what with so many of us Grin

I'd try and knock the chocolate on the head, simply because it's a habitual thing, and reinforces our 'need' for sweet things. Other than that, are you still losing weight? If you are, then I wouldn't be too worried.

OP posts:
mootime · 30/01/2015 07:51

That's ok! I've actually just had a peek on the scales and I'm down 2lb since Monday so weight loss appears to have possibly even increased! So now 7lbs in 3.5 weeks.
It may also be because I am trying much harder with the fat and water.
Thanks all again.

JuanPotatoTwo · 30/01/2015 08:07

I need a talking to. A nice motivating one, not a scary frightening one cos I'm a wimp :)

So this is week 3 for me. First week I lost 10 lbs. Second week I put on a lb and then lost and gained it all week. This week I've held steady except for today, when I've gone up a pound.

I know it's the legendary week 3/4 but please will someone reassure me and tell me to keep going . Thank you.

SayraT · 30/01/2015 08:19

Stop weighing yourself everyday for a start. If you are going to weigh every day you need to be able to deal with the fact that your weight might vary. I'd say that since you are posting asking this question that you can't deal with this so weight once per week.

You've lost 11lbs in 2 weeks, even if you don't lose anything for the next two that is still an average loss of nearly 3lbs per week. Which is brilliant.

If you continue with BC, sticking to all of the rules (not allowing yourself any little treats etc) then yes, this will work. There are many of us on the thread who are living walking proof of this.

You can do it Juan stick with it. Plenty of fat, plenty of water, carbs from vegetables only, weighing once a week.

Fatstacks · 30/01/2015 08:32

Those ketone sticks, would they be useful for making sure I'm doing it right?

SayraT · 30/01/2015 08:42

Nope, definitely not. On BC the amount of water we should be drinking will be diluting the ketones so much that the ketosticks won't be able to pick up any.

Honestly, just stick to the rules and it will work. Don't worry about how you are doing in relation to others people lose at different rates. On the Jan BC last year there was one BC who didn't lose anything for the first 6 weeks then suddenly whoosh and she was off.

Even if you are not losing weight or weight loss is slower than you would like then ask yourself:

Are you enjoying this WOE?
Do you feel deprived?
Do you feel like you are on a diet?
Do you feel better in other ways?
Would you lose more or feel better or less deprived on another WOE?

Original poster
BIWI · 30/01/2015 08:50

Fatstacks - if you buy ketostix all you're doing is lining the coffers of some pharmaceutical company! You don't need them, honestly. Follow the rules and it will work

OP posts:
ChippingInLatteLover · 30/01/2015 08:51

BIWI. I know, it's a mammoth starting number isn't it Shock. Moo is quite easy though! Doesn't everyone end up feeling like a cow sometimes when they're breastfeeding! Grin

Moo. You're doing well! Breastfeeding really helps, if you don't up the carbs alongside it! You seem to have found a good balance now. But remember weightloss isn't linear.

Juan. You've already said it...weeks 3 &/or 4. Keep the faith, it will sort itself out. Your body is making a lot of adjustments inside. You might also notice your clothes fitting better even when the scales aren't moving. It's early and I've not had enough coffee, but basically the fat cells fill up with water to 'hold' their place, water takes up less space than fat, so you get slimmer, not lighter. Then, the fat cells decide that they can either bugger off off or lay flat and you get the 'whoosh' of water leaving. Thankfully nothing like waters breaking!

I'm a daily weigher because it helps me seeing it go up and down. It doesn't affect what I eat, drink or do. If it's down I walk on air with a big Grin if it's up I snarl at the scales then forget about it! But I really do find it helps me when I've seen it going up & down all week, to not worry if it's up on the past week or sts. I know it's 'doing stuff'. However, if instead of looking at the overall picture, you are going to obsess over the daily weight, I'll come & lock the bloody things up! Ok!

Original poster
BIWI · 30/01/2015 08:55

Juan you're doing really well - you don't need the Big Stick!

OP posts:
JuanPotatoTwo · 30/01/2015 10:06

Thank you lovely people, very reassuring. I will keep the faith - liking the sound of the water whoosh.

And am very glad the stick didn't come out. Really, thank you all though - just needed to hear what I knew from someone else.

Happy Friday all :)

Fatstacks · 30/01/2015 10:11

OK no sticks, I didn't know you could buy em though would already have them if I did I was going to plead at the GP's Grin

JuanPotatoTwo · 31/01/2015 10:09

Morning all. I had a horrible dream last night where I stuffed myself with bread, cake, crisps, pastries etc. Still in my dream I "woke" up and was devastated, I was asking myself why I would sabotage myself after putting in so much effort (all of not quite 3 weeks but still). And then I really woke up, and was relieved beyond anything that it had all been a dream! Phew :)

Happy Saturday.

JuanPotatoTwo · 31/01/2015 12:44

I've been scrutinising myself in the mirror - which believe me is not a pleasant job - and here are my observations towards the end of week 3:

  1. My hair looks glossier
  2. My knees look less fat

It's a start right? :)

Original poster
BIWI · 31/01/2015 15:15

It's a bloody good start, Juan Grin

I often have that kind of dream. It usually involves something like a Mars Bar - something which I wouldn't normally eat anyway! The guilt - and the relief - is immense.

OP posts:
JuanPotatoTwo · 01/02/2015 13:29

Thank you BIWI, very pleased with my slimmer knees :) No horrid dreams to report from last night either, so all good here at the minute.

Happy Sunday all.

Original poster
BIWI · 01/02/2015 16:34

That looks OK, WireCat - although I'd drop the carrot. They're obviously only there as a side dish anyway.

There will be carbs in the wine and the port, but shouldn't be that much. And spinach and shallots are low carb too. Sounds lovely!

OP posts:
WireCat · 01/02/2015 16:50

I thought so but wanted to check. Yeah will leave out the carrots (& yes that's me on twitter!)

JuanPotatoTwo · 04/02/2015 08:05

I've been educating Thames Valley Police on the benefits of low carbing :)

Was in a coffee shop yesterday and asked for tea with cream. "Tea?" "With cream?" asked the waitress. "Tea?" "With cream?" came an echo from the man in the queue behind me - who was a policeman. So I embarked on a long, boring and detailed account of my weight loss journey highly scientific and detailed explanation of the benefits of this way of eating. He seemed interested ....

Original poster
BIWI · 04/02/2015 08:54

Helping police with their enquiries, eh?

OP posts:
JuanPotatoTwo · 04/02/2015 09:39

Ooer :)

mootime · 04/02/2015 09:47

Bad day for me yesterday. Didn't manage breakfast and then grazed too much for the rest of the day. All ok on BCL but just too much!! Also made the ipd moussaka but with coyo instead of cream and it was divine. Ate too much though and then had cheese after. I realise that I'm still eating outif habit and really need to work on that. I was full after supper but wolfed down 100g of cheese in secondsShock

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