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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.

New Year, New Start Boot Camp: Week 1, Now we get down to it in earnest

999 replies

prettybird · 08/01/2018 08:37

Stepping in to BIWI's big shoes and with a loan of her Big Stick, I take a big gulp and lead the first Boot Camp of 2018. ShockGrin

Here is a link to the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness If your name is not on it, because either it got lost in one of the many copy and pastes, or because you "signed up" after 0732 on Friday, which was when SayrraT produced the spreadsheet, you can add your name add the bottom and at some point it will be re-ordered alphabetically. NB: there is no obligation to add or your name or to weigh-in weekly - this is for those that find the weekly weigh-ins useful for motivation or accountability Wink

These are the Rules for Boot Camp. They are also on one of the tabs of the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness (SoF).

You need to follow The Rules for the first two weeks of Boot Camp. This gives your body a chance to "fat adapt" and for you to learn to eat because you are hungry, not because you crave carbs/sugar. As you get used to this Way of Eating (WoE), you will be amazed to find how often you are not hungry. You will find your fat stores give you sufficient energy.

For newbies, it is important to eat 3 meals a day - even if it is just a nominal breakfast/bulletprooof coffee (coffee blended with butter). Otherwise, you may find that hunger - or habit - will lead you to fall face first back into carby twatdom and then you need to start that process of fat-adaption all over again. Some of us who have now been low carbing for a while have found that we can follow 16:8 fasting or even the occasional 24 hour fast - but this is not something to be done in the early weeks. Don't try to restrict your fat because you think you are having too many calories, as they are important for the process of encouraging your body to change the way it uses its fuel.

So, here are the Rules. After 2 weeks I (or whoever takes over the next stint of the BIWI Replacement Programme ) the rules will be posted for Boot Camp Lite. Many of us who are still actively trying to lose weight tend to follow "full" Boot Camp during the week (maybe with extra berries and nuts) and then allow a small amount of alcohol at the weekend).

1. Eat three proper meals a day.
"You must eat breakfast. It doesn’t have to be a lot, and it doesn’t have to be absolutely first thing, but you must have something. For the rest of the day, if you’re eating enough food and you are in ketosis then you shouldn’t be hungry between meals. But if you are hungry, eat something. (Hard boiled eggs make a great snack).
After the first two weeks of Bootcamp we will relax this, but these two weeks are critical in terms of helping you switch easily to a low carb way of eating - and if you start to feel hungry, it makes things much harder! Eating this way will ensure that your blood sugar levels are kept stable, which will mean that you are much less likely to experience hunger.
A typical high carbohydrate diet can mean that snacking is a routine part of your day. Once your blood sugar levels are stable, by eating low carb, you should find that you no longer want to snack. But the rule of thumb here is ‘if you are hungry, eat!’. (Just make sure you are only choosing low carb snacks, of course!)"

2. Avoid processed foods.
Focus on pure, natural protein as the basis for your meals - meat/fish/eggs. Things like sausages, ham, bacon, pre-prepared burgers etc should be avoided as much as possible. You can have them, but just not every day. Avoid foods marketed as low carb, eg. Atkins Daybreak bars.

3. Eat lots of fat.
Eating fat will not make you fat. Honestly! But it will keep your appetite satisfied, and it sustains your body’s energy requirements perfectly. Fat does not provoke an insulin spike, unlike carbs which do (a lot) and protein (a little). Fry in butter, add butter to vegetables, eat salad with a home-made vinaigrette dressing (not made with balsamic vinegar though, as this is too sweet), add mayonnaise where you can (just check the carb count on your mayo first). Eat fattier cuts of meat – e.g. pork belly, roast chicken with the skin on and/or eat the fat off your lamb chops. Absolutely no low fat/light foods of any kind!

4. Make sure you are eating vegetables and salads with your food.
This is where your carbs should come from, and this is non-negotiable. But choose only those vegetables that are on the allowed list. Make sure that you focus on eating those vegetables that are 3g carb per 100g or less, and this will ensure that your carb counts are kept low. You don’t have to weigh/count carbs – this is one of the great joys of this WOE (way of eating), but if you’re new to low carbing it can be helpful to weigh your portions of veg in the early days, just so that you know how many carbs are in the sort of portions that you like to eat.

5. Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited).
Dairy can impede weight loss for some people. If you are still drinking tea/coffee with milk or cream, try to restrict yourself to max 2 cups per day. There are a lot of carbs in milk, so if you are having several cups of tea/coffee per day, you will quickly rack up your daily carb count (e.g. 1 medium latte contains more than 12g carbs!) You may eat cheese but again, don't overdo it. Full fat yoghurt is the best way to include dairy in your diet - but beware, it does contain carbs. Total Full Fat is the best

6. You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day.
"The more weight you have to lose, the more water you should drink. This is from www.low-carbdiet.co.uk/. Water is essential to weight loss for those who eat low-carb. The minimum consumed in a day should be:
Your Weight----Litres
140lbs-----2.5
160lbs-----3.0
180lbs-----3.0
200lbs-----3.5
220lbs-----3.5
240lbs-----4.0
260lbs-----4.5
280lbs-----4.5
300lbs-----5.0
320lbs-----5.5
340lbs-----5.5
360lbs-----6.0
380lbs-----6.5
400lbs-----6.5
High levels of ketones in the blood stream can lead to a reduction in ketone production, therefore being well hydrated could aid in keeping the levels low and ketone production ongoing. Consuming enough water can have many other positive side effects: aids your kidneys with the processing of protein, reduces the retention of water, helps with preventing constipation, and reduces the levels of ketones released by your breath, which in-turn will reduce breath odour. However, drinking a lot of water can mean that you also need to keep an eye on your electrolyte balance. You need to make sure that you are consuming sufficient sodium and potassium. On a low carb diet we can eat more salt, so make sure that you are cooking with salt and adding salt to food, if you like it. Good, low carb, sources of potassium are spinach (raw), avocado, mushrooms, courgettes and asparagus, as well as salmon and yoghurt."

7. No alcohol.
Alcohol is the easiest source of fuel for the body to burn, so it will always use this first before it starts to burn any fat - which is why you need to restrict it, especially in the first two weeks of Bootcamp, when we are encouraging the body to stop using carbs for its source of fuel and turn to fat-burning instead. If you really can't do this - at least try and restrict it to the weekend. Vodka with soda is the best thing to drink. Or Champagne, red wine or dry white wine.

8. No fruit.
Really. Seriously. Honestly. None at all. Zilch. Nada. After Bootcamp you will be able to introduce certain fruits, but at this stage fruit is simply too carby. We are also trying to break the addiction to sweet things, so cutting fruit out is part of this process. If you are getting all your carbs from vegetables and salad, you will be getting all the nutrients and fibre that you need.

9. No nuts/seeds (unless you are veggie: check the SoF for veggie rules)

10. No sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Sugar is an obvious ‘no no’, but artificial sweeteners are also an issue. One of the aims of this way of eating is to eat pure and natural foods, so including sweeteners is not recommended. Some people find that artificial sweeteners can impede their weight loss, and there is some suggestion that your body can respond to sweeteners as if they were sugar, by releasing more insulin - and therefore laying down fat. Given that the aim of Bootcamp is to help us lose our sweet tooth and addiction to sweet things, then it is a good idea to avoid sweeteners altogether in this first two weeks.

OP posts:
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29
mrsreynolds · 10/01/2018 16:08

I have to be careful
2 bulging discs at L1 and 2
I can feel that 7 mins I did earlier!! 😮

ShagMeRiggins · 10/01/2018 16:14

TOP TIP I've been meaning to post, as I don't think anyone has emphasised it yet--for those of you who will be using onions in recipes, consider shallots instead.

They're fiddlier (but you can buy the larger banana shallots rather than the small round ones) but shallots are 3.3g carbs per 100g while onions are 7.9g. For some dishes that could make a difference.

Rshard · 10/01/2018 16:16

I’ve started to use shallots instead of onions too shagmeriggins

TheNorthernTights · 10/01/2018 16:17

Loving reading everyone’s menus, will power stories & successes, thank you!
I’m now away til Sunday so need to engage my own will power to avoid the temptation of Italian restaurant & French buffet lunches (including very pretty tiny patisserie trays every day Hmm )
B - egg muffin with chorizo
L - slides of cheese, pot of olives & chunks of ham (cobbled together from Boots at the airport)
D - I’ll let you know!
Water 2 ltr so far

ShagMeRiggins · 10/01/2018 16:23

Hmm, I'd made the ignorant assumption that because you were running again ilovecherries you could do anything! Sorry, didn't think through the body positions required by certain types of sport.

How do you feel about lunges?!

On the bright side, glad so many of us are enjoying husbands who are tight arses (in the best sense of the word).

prettybird · 10/01/2018 16:26

I use the banana shallots (echallions) from Lidl. Don't think dh even notices the difference.

While we are talking substitutions, I make lovely meatballs or burgers with just Parmesan and egg (and a generous glug of olive oil) to bind the mince. Depending on what I'm making them for, I'll add finely chopped shallots, minced garlic, oregano, or cumin & coriander (if I'm doing cumin and coriander burgers, I'll skip the Parmesan) - and seasoning of course Wink

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ShagMeRiggins · 10/01/2018 16:26

very pretty tiny patisserie trays

When we're in France I find it best to tell myself those are far too beautiful to eat and they're best left alone, to be admired. Hmm

ilovecherries · 10/01/2018 16:26

Oh, if anyone is looking for a good frittata recipie, I also made two of these last night and it's delicious. Dead easy breakfast or packed lunch with a bunch of green stuff on the side. www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/keto-goat-cheese-mushroom-frittata

ilovecherries · 10/01/2018 16:37

Oh yes, the torturer (AKA the physio) has just started me on lunges and squats. I still find the differentiation between good pain and 'bad pain', the latter being a precursor to a morphine patch, difficult to make though. Pain is still very frightening for me, because I had two years when I thought it was literally going to drive me insane. He's booked me in for hydrotherapy and pool exercise though. I can't do crawl, and I'm not allowed to do breast stroke, but he thinks it will help my confidence if I do squats and lunges in the pool for a bit. I'm incredibly lucky with the aftercare Ive had, that I get through DH's private medical insurance at work. The surgery was miraculous, but I know that the ongoing help and support in the rehab gym that really helped me maximise the benefit of the surgery.

ShagMeRiggins · 10/01/2018 17:08

You know what? There are worse things in life than a disappearing arse, and I'll bet yours is glorious anyway Flowers

That frittata recipe made my mouth water. I hadn't realised you could change the desired number of portions and the website changes ingredient amounts. Nice one.

Meant to post this for prettybird when she mentioned binding meat for burgers, a pork mince meatloaf recipe that I made the other night which was a bloody massive hit. Didn't use breadcrumbs and used shallots instead of onions. 5g carbs per portion (for 8), also can be served hot or cold.

IAmSamSamlAm · 10/01/2018 17:15

Good day today! Went to my mums for lunch and she always makes lovely lunches and puddings, but I brought my own and resisted hers. She also asked me what I'd like her to cook next week for my birthday and I said to do steak and potatoey whatever for everyone else, with buttery swede mash for me and no cake 😇 not sure what I'll do on Friday though as going out with the girls for a drink to celebrate. Are we immune from the big stick on birthdays?

B: mashed eggs in a cup (can't get enough)
L: leftover prawn and chorizo stir fry
D: pork in a mushroom creamy sauce with brocolli and green beans

Stuffed now 😋

ilovecherries · 10/01/2018 17:29

Brussels sprout season will be over soon, won't it :(?

prettybird · 10/01/2018 17:32

IamSam - follow ilovecherries example who now hasn't drunk for over a year (after her dh and she decided to give up alcohol for 2017) You don't need alcohol. You'll enjoy yourself just as much without it.

If you need an excuse, there are entry of people who follow "dry January".

It is just for 2 weeks. Surely you can manage that without me having to get the Big Stick out. Grin

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Alwaysinmyheart · 10/01/2018 17:36

I started this diet 10 days ago and the fattest part of my tummy was 43 inches! Measured myself today and it was only 40 😀 I'm an apple shape so most of my weight goes in tum and boobs. Also think wheat and sugar makes me v bloated.

So that's a result!

prettybird · 10/01/2018 17:38

I'm making the most of it ilovecherries Grin Lidl seems to stock them for about 8 months out of 12 Shock In between times (and during), there is asparagus, French beans, runner beans, mange tout to enjoy Smile

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RaindropsAndSparkles · 10/01/2018 17:45

Is champagne allowed ....... if your dd has just got a confirmed offef from Cambridge Grin

ilovecherries · 10/01/2018 17:49

I don't want to be evangelical about this...but...since PrettyBird mentioned it ;). In our time 'off' we've had two big birthdays (DH and DD) a graduation, two funerals, two big wedding anniversaries (ours and my parents), three holidays, Xmas and NewYear. And honestly, not one was spoiled by not drinking. I'm not suggesting you do anything as extreme as us, I'm just saying that a 'dry' two weeks is part of the induction process, and to make exceptions this early can be a slippery slope - and alcohol can be a bit of a gateway drug to 'fuck it, I'm starving, and it's my birthday, so let's have crisps, pizzas, cocktails, birthday cake etc etc'. You deserve health and wellness more than you deserve a celebratory drink - and think how amazing you will feel on Saturday when you've jumped a big hurdle successfully. A year on I just askor heat I want in the pub, but in the early days I suspect my friends all thought I'd picked up a ferocious STI because I kept saying, 'oh no thanks, I'd love one, but I'm on these special antibiotics and my gp has given me dire warnings about taking alcohol with them'. Here endth the sermon ;). Honestly, you can do this!

IAmSamSamlAm · 10/01/2018 17:50

That's amazing always!

Congratulations to her Raindrops. What an achievement Grin

Oh god prettybear. I am doing dry jan, but was just going to give myself this one evening off Blush I'll try my best to not partake. If I do, it'll be vodka and club soda (0g carbs, not that I've googled Wink)

IAmSamSamlAm · 10/01/2018 17:51

Cross post! That is true, I'd probably be tempted to eat shit, which I really really don't want to do.

ilovecherries · 10/01/2018 17:51

Raindrops, well done to your DD. And...er, nope! But you knew that anyway :)

prettybird · 10/01/2018 17:53

Only you know the answer Grin

abdicating responsibility Wink

As a mum of a son who is still waiting to hear from Edinburgh (x2), Dundee and Aberdeen (but has an unconditional from Strathclyde), I'd say, "Yes".

As the wielder of the Big Stick, I'd have to say, "No" - not if you're wanting to be serious about this WoE.

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ilovecherries · 10/01/2018 17:54

Yeah, I do eat a lot of those other things, PrettyBird. But those little green buttery, salty bullets have a special place in my heart. And in my gobBlush

Alwaysinmyheart · 10/01/2018 17:56

Something that may be helpful when it comes to resisting alcohol etc is the concept of 'playing the tape forward ', ie. imagine in your mind the consequences of what your actions are going to be in terms of derailing your diet and how much extra work it's going to take to get back on track!

prettybird · 10/01/2018 18:00

There's always frozen ones ilovecherries. Available all year round Grin

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QueenOnAPlate · 10/01/2018 18:14

I'm really gutted as my morning meeting overran and my planned lunch of soup and Greek salad in the work cafe was thwarted. My afternoon meeting sent out for sandwiches for those of us who were going straight onto meeting number 2 and I had no choice but to eat a sandwich - it would have looked very odd to pick out the filling.

This happens to me quite a lot - does anyone have good suggestions for things to keep in my bag that aren't babybel as I hate it!

Not only do I feel very cross, but I have really bad heartburn Confused

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