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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

The Pre-summer low-carb Bootcamp questions thread

334 replies

BIWI · 15/05/2016 21:36

Ask anything you want here!

Hopefully between me and some of the other experienced Bootcampers we can answer your questions.

OP posts:
boldlygoingsomewhere · 24/05/2016 13:27

Thanks, Mookbark.Smile

I only ever have 70% and above anyway but it's good to know it's not off limits for too long. I like to grate a bit over yoghurt and berries for a more indulgent pud.

Justmuddlingalong · 24/05/2016 16:56

Any suggestions for LC mints or chewing gum? Or are they all a complete no no?

Titsalinabumsquash · 24/05/2016 17:47

I've seen a rather delicious creamed spinach stuffed meatball recipe but it calls for a cup of breadcrumbs which obviously I can't use, is there an alternative or should I try and make them without and see how,it goes?

wombattoo · 24/05/2016 20:20

Justmuddling They are usually a no no on bc as we are trying not to have sugar/sweetener/artificial stuff, however, I think if you have a serious problem with a bad taste (usually due to ketosis) then it is ok to have the odd one. Up the water instead

wombattoo · 24/05/2016 20:22

Tits I don't really know the answer but try without the breadcrumbs.

Justmuddlingalong · 24/05/2016 20:35

Cheers wombat Have cranked up my water intake today as am nearly 5 weeks on bootcamp and weight loss has stalled. Sad However, have moved my belt down a notch! Grin

wombattoo · 24/05/2016 20:45

Grin That's great news Just KOKO and the scales will start moving again

Abracadabra12 · 24/05/2016 21:18

I've heard of people using ground almonds instead of breadcrumbs but I imagine a cup would make it taste almondy. Maybe just half a cup to lighten up the mince mixture?

BIWI · 24/05/2016 22:27

Titsalina I make meatballs regularly and I never use breadcrumbs to bind them.

Justmuddling sugar free anything is really out for the first couple of weeks.

And you haven't stalled! You're in the infamous 3-5 week period, where this isn't uncommon. (A stall is a much longer period of time without any weight loss)

OP posts:
margaritasbythesea · 24/05/2016 23:23

Can I ask your thoughts about tofu? It's low fat which is a problem but otherwise? Seems fairly low carb. I'm getting a bit fed up with all the meat and cheese.

BIWI · 25/05/2016 06:56

It's OK - but you just have to remember that it does have carbs, whereas meat doesn't.

Can I suggest that if you're already fed up with what you're eating, and we're only at the beginning of the second week, that you have a look at the recipe thread for a bit of inspiration?

If you're getting bored, you're really increasing the chances that you'll start to cheat!

OP posts:
margaritasbythesea · 25/05/2016 07:17

You're absolutely right that I need to do that but just don't have time right now. Working 7 days a week til 10 pm. Atm. Not the ideal time for bootcamp for me but really wanted to joinin and get the support. Thanks biwi.

margaritasbythesea · 25/05/2016 08:02

But not bored just don't like it that much.

StrawberryLeaf · 25/05/2016 08:14

Chester thanks for that. My problem is when I search in safari it automatically opens the app with the thread so I can't search in safari. I'll try and Google how to stop that.

StrawberryLeaf · 25/05/2016 09:22

Figured it out, if I hold my finger on the link it allows me to open in safari not the app. Cheers chester

magicalrealistmum · 25/05/2016 09:53

Hi
I am getting periods of exhaustion and weakness, especially when climbing stairs or cycling up hill. Also falling asleep as soon as I lie down(anywhere!). Anything I can do about this?. Still a bit hungry now and then. I don't eat meat but do eat fish, I moved to include a few nuts to see if this would help. It could be blood pressure related as I take anti hypertensive medication, although monitoring suggests this is OK. Weight loss seems to have stalled after good first weak. I seem to be eating lots in some attempt to get energy.
Any top tips or suggestions?
thanks

StuntNun · 25/05/2016 10:14

Magical that sounds like low carb flu if you're on week 2. Make sure you're getting plenty of water and some extra salt and it will pass.

magicalrealistmum · 25/05/2016 11:26

Thanks SuntNun I am probably not managing all my water intake, so I'll up that and have some marmite and hot water. Off to pub for a meeting so going to be ordering pints of water. Good luck all.

BIWI · 25/05/2016 20:38

I am getting periods of exhaustion and weakness, especially when climbing stairs or cycling up hill. Also falling asleep as soon as I lie down(anywhere!). Anything I can do about this?. Still a bit hungry now and then.

There are two really important things here, which I have already posted about several times! You need to make sure that your electrolytes are in balance, which means you should be getting plenty of sodium, magnesium and potassium. So you need salt - cook with it and add it to your food. You can also consider drinking hot water with Oxo, Bovril and/or Marmite.

I don't eat meat but do eat fish, I moved to include a few nuts to see if this would help. It could be blood pressure related as I take anti hypertensive medication, although monitoring suggests this is OK.

Nuts aren't allowed on Bootcamp, for the first two weeks. They are too carby. You can get plenty of protein and fat from eating fish and eggs.

But if you're taking hypertensive medicine, you really, really, MUST talk to your GP/nurse about following a low carb diet. Eating a low carb diet should reduce your blood pressure, which may mess things up for you - you could end up with a dosage which is too high.

Weight loss seems to have stalled after good first weak. I seem to be eating lots in some attempt to get energy. You could be suffering from carb flu, but your medication issue may also be contributing to this.

I do post a warning about medication every time I start Bootcamp. Please heed this! It's really important.

OP posts:
BIWI · 25/05/2016 20:39

... and another thing - if you're hungry, then this would suggest that you're not eating enough fat (and probably not drinking enough water)

OP posts:
NotdeadyetBOING · 25/05/2016 22:57

I am totally new to all this… Was always a bit sceptical about it or at least that was my excuse as idea of not eating vast amounts of bread was unthinkable and assumed it must be unhealthy.

But now all the health guidelines seem to be changing…. And I want to lose a stone and so….. dipping my toe in the low-carb water.

Is this thread the best place to start? I saw references to a spreadsheet - can someone please tell me where to find it?

margaritasbythesea · 26/05/2016 07:23

Notdeadyet - it's at the top of the bootcanp chat thread. The first she's is our names but all the information is tabbed at the bottom, including the rules, carb values etc

NotdeadyetBOING · 26/05/2016 09:54

Many thanks - found it!

StuntNun · 26/05/2016 19:46

Notdeadyet I was skeptical for years and now I'm a professional low carb diet coach! When someone explains the science: glucose raises insulin then insulin promotes fat storage, it all seems blindingly obvious. We've all been indoctrinated with the dual fat is bad / you need carbs for energy ideas for so long that now we think they are proven fact... which they are anything but.

I remember in the 80s my dad came home from the shop with low fat yogurts and was annoyed with himself because at the time he thought why would anyone want low fat yogurts. Now the situation is that you have to hunt around the supermarket shelves to find a yogurt that isn't low fat.

MushroomTree · 26/05/2016 21:42

Can anyone talk to me about low carb and dairy free?

My weight loss is pretty minimal, I think because I low carb most of the time, but I wondered about dropping dairy for a bit because I'm a bit of a cheese lover...

Any tips/recipes etc?