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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.

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prettybird · 11/01/2018 14:00

That looks fine Timbuktu - a bit like sparkling water flavoured with sliced fruit/cucumber. Smile

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BadlyParkedRangeRover · 11/01/2018 14:10

Thanks stunt that's a very comprehensive answer! And thanks headoutof and pretty for sharing your experiences!
I'm a carby twat at the moment, I'm still flu-ey and can't stomach the thought of LCHF at the moment. I'll restart as soon as I can!

prettybird · 11/01/2018 14:13

Just start the 2 weeks "induction" again once you are feeling better BadlyParkedRangeRover - hope that is soon! Flowers

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TimbuktuTimbuktu · 11/01/2018 14:21

That's good news prettybird Smile it was really tasty as well. They also do a cucumber and mint one which I'll try tomorrow.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 11/01/2018 14:48

Thanks so much for that, StuntNun. Unfortunately, the gym I go to doesn't have weights, so I'm unlikely to be able to start that anytime soon. I'll definitely try the stomach vacuum though, as I don't need anything for that. The only thing I don't understand, though, is when it says to expand the chest. I'm presuming it doesn't mean breathe in, but am at a loss as to what to do, as the only way I can do anything approaching a chest expansion is by pushing my stomach out, which is the opposite of what I'm meant to do. Confused

It is definitely stubborn! I was actually wondering the other day how underweight I'd have to be for it to go. Not that I'm going to do that, don't worry, but I'm assuming it would have to disappear at some point...?

Anyway, thanks for the help.

TheSeasonOfTheWitch · 11/01/2018 14:56

I'm really enjoying this thread, you are all so knowledgeable!

I'm finding it easier today- drinking a lot more water and snacking on cubes of Parmesan or spoons of yogurt if hungry. I seem to be averaging 20-35g carbs and about 1200 calories a day.

Between Christmas and new year we all had a terrible tummy bug so I'm not expecting an whoosh as I suspect I've already had mine!

In fact this week I've put on 2lbs but I'm due on my period any day so I'm not worried. Mainly I'm impressed I can eat so little, compared to normal, and not find it too bad!

prettybird · 11/01/2018 14:58

Time - think of it as trying to expand your ribcage while breathing in and simultaneously keeping your lower stomach muscles (your core) "sucked in" (navel to spine) as you breathe in and then hold that position. If you need to exhale (Wink), then keep your core engaged (sucked in) as you do so.

My Pilates instructor wouldn't like me using the term "sucked in" - but it's the easiest way to describe it.

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 11/01/2018 15:01

prettybird - thank you, that I can work with!

I with I liked pilates. I went to a few classes many years ago but it just did nothing for me, even though I really, really wanted to like it. I tried callinetics recently, as well, but I wasn't convinced by that, either.

ilovecherries · 11/01/2018 15:02

Head, I do the FLGV addition as well. The first two weeks I focussed simply on eating whatever I needed to eat to stay on plan, so ate cheese, cream, rollitos etce as nec. Then I shifted focus to FL of veg, used as a Fat Transportaion Device (TM) with an appropriate but not overlarge side of protein.

prettybird · 11/01/2018 15:13

For Pilates, it is really important to have a good instructor. There are many so called Pilates classes with "Pilates" instructors who have just had half a day's training Hmm

My instructor doesn't let you start in the classes (mat based Pilates) until you have had a couple of private lessons on the machinery, so that you have a better sense of which muscles you should be using - and so that she can identify any particular quirks of your body.

The hour long class is hard work - and I've been doing it a long time Blush

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Itsjanuary · 11/01/2018 15:15

I am struggling today - weighed myself this morning and seem to have put weight on 😫. Been going to the gym / doing a lot of excercise and am now knackered - my lettuce wraps for dinner are not doing it but I will stick with it! Hearing all your positive stories is giving me hope! X

prettybird · 11/01/2018 15:22

Itsjanuary - have you only just started going to the gym? Are you having enough water?

Plus, have you taken measurements? Are you losing inches even if you aren't yet losing weight?

Sorry for the barrage of questions. Grin

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PennyMise · 11/01/2018 15:25

I've hit a slump - just feeling tired and fighting sugar cravings all day. I've remained on plan and drunk water to keep boredom eating at bay. I'm hoping to turn a corner soon as all this is exercising of will power is quite exhausting :(

Itsjanuary · 11/01/2018 15:33

Prettybird. Started end of last year and then gave up for the holidays - this morning did Pilates & step classes, yesterday 25k steps (120 floors as it was a hill). Was meant to be doing a run tomorrow but may downgrade that to a walk and have things planned (sports wise) at the weekend.

I don’t think I am drinking enough water do will up that - been a bit manic trying to catch up with everything after the holidays

prettybird · 11/01/2018 15:35

If you need to, PennyMise, snack on cheese or meat - or pepperami/salami (I know we say try to minimise processed meats, but needs must Wink). O often find in the early days of Boot Camp that I want to snack more than I really should. I know that half the time it is psychological Blush

Try to keep busy - I know that you recognise that it is boredom, not hunger, desire to eat. I suffer from that a lot.

Trust me, after a while, you will turn a corner and realise that your brain is no longer trying to tempt or reward you with food. Not saying it will be today. Or tomorrow. But it will happen.

KOKO! Smile (Keep On Keeping On Smile).

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Alwaysinmyheart · 11/01/2018 15:38

I was just reading reviews for Tom Kerridge’s Dopamine Diet book on Amazon, they’re quite mixed!

Wondered if anyone has got it and whether you think it’s worth getting? Tbh I’ve got quite a few Cook books, inc low carb ones but I do love a good cook book! 😀

prettybird · 11/01/2018 15:44

I got it for Christmas and it looks really good. He does use sugar substitutes and more fruit than we do on Boot Camp ( and drains away the fat from mince Shock) but a lot there to inspire (and in some cases adapt slightly).

After Boot Camp, I might actually buy the two sugar substitutes he uses (erythritol and inulin) and try a couple of his desserts. I will adapt to exclude them in those savoury recipes he uses them in.

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Twoo · 11/01/2018 16:01

Pretty’ I’m tossing and turning. Usually I’m tossing and turning for that long I do end up getting up to go to the loo iyswim.

See how I go tonight. Fingers crossed it was a one off but I have a suspicion it’s lack of carbs.

Does anyone else find their sleep is poorer since commencing this woe?

Grimbles · 11/01/2018 16:19

Hello all, I've got another sciency question!

I know vlcd diets are bad because of the response it provokes in the body, but does the same apply if you end up eating a low number of calories following lchf and intermittent fasting?

I've been tracking my calorie intake and during the week it's rare I get above 1000 cals a day - although it goes up to around 2000 a day over the weekend when I have a glass of wine and some oppo

StuntNun · 11/01/2018 17:04

Time if your gym has machines you can use those instead of free weights. They're not quite as good but they will do the job of starting to increase your muscle mass.

I know vlcd diets are bad because of the response it provokes in the body, but does the same apply if you end up eating a low number of calories following lchf and intermittent fasting?
No Grimbles it doesn't work like that. On a Calorie Restriction As Primary (CRAP) diet you consume less calories than your body needs but due to a high carb intake your insulin levels remain high making it difficult to burn fat so your metabolism may slow to conserve calories and your body may break down muscle mass for protein. Note that this doesn't happen for everyone, some people do effectively lose weight on calorie-controlled diets. Unfortunately the Standard UK (SUK) diet tends to cause metabolic damage over time leaving us insulin resistant, leptin resistant, and storing large amounts of fat and simple calorie restriction no longer works effectively to lose weight.

Science alert!
On a low carb high fat diet your low insulin levels allow you to freely access your fat stores. Fat cells have insulin receptors on their membranes so when insulin levels are high the membranes will only let free fatty acids in but not out, promoting fat storage. When insulin levels are low then free fatty acids flow freely in and out of fat cells all the time. Another thing that happens when you cut carbs is that your triglyceride levels, that is the amount of fat circulating in the blood, drop dramatically. This is because your cells are using fat as fuel rather than carbohydrate so most of the cells of the body (apart from a few such as the brain) start sucking up all the fat in the blood as an energy source. High triglyceride levels block leptin from entering the brain. Leptin is a hormone released by fat cells to tell the brain how much fat you have stored. Overweight people have high triglyceride levels so even though they have ample fat supplies the leptin can't get through to the brain so as far as the brain is concerned you are skeletally thin and need to keep eating.

Less sciencey bit
On a low carb diet your fat cells release fat into the blood (since insulin levels are low) which is sucked up by other body cells as an energy source. And the leptin hormone released by fat cells tells your brain that you have too much fat stored. So through the action of further hormones (such as ghrelin) the brain reduces appetite in order to use up the excess fat.

The result is that if your body needs 1,800 calories a day to function then you consume e.g. 1,400 calories per day and you use up 400 calories from your fat stored. So even though you are consuming less calories than you need your body still has as much calories as it needs. Hence no hunger - why would you be hungry when your body is amply supplied with calories? This is why there is no metabolic slowdown or loss of lean body mass on a low carb diet.

Leptin also explains why weight loss slows as you approach your ideal weight. The nearer you are to your ideal weight, the less leptin is released so your body starts to use less of its fat stores for energy.

It's a similar situation with intermittent fasting because fasting also causes insulin levels to drop very low.

Leptin is also behind why carb refeedss* are sometimes used to force a whoosh (which isn't something we recommend on Bootcamp.) When you're used to eating low carb then a sudden increase in carb intake cause a temporary increase in leptin levels which fools your brain into thinking that your fat stores have increased and you need to use them up.

Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es · 11/01/2018 17:07

I've found it hard not to drain mince. I don't mind solid animal fat such as crispy bacon or pork belly, but I made chilli with 12% fat mince and didn't drain it before Christmas and it was like an oil slick.

Gammeldragz · 11/01/2018 17:07

prettybird I have erythritol, it is l OK, not everyone gets on with it digestively speaking. It has a slightly fresh aftertaste, like the feeling of mint without the flavour. I've used it with LC hot choc and in LC almond biscuits. Possibly something else, I have a big bag of it and haven't used much. I try not to make sweet treats now but I did a bit in the beginning.

Lunch - lettuce, olives, chicken, parmesan and mayo.
Snacks - bit of cheese, small serving of nuts (not for strict BC but I need a slightly higher carb allowance due to the thyroid/Hashimotos)
Dinner - courgette and cavolo/kale stuff fried with shallots, tinned tomatoes and tomato puree then baked with cheddar and parmesan on top. Again that may be too carby for some, but my total for the day is still under 40g.

Gammeldragz · 11/01/2018 17:11

who knows I find lamb/mutton mince fat a lot tastier than beef, I love an oily chili/bolognese now!

Gammeldragz · 11/01/2018 17:12

Mind you, I can eat melted butter on its own so it may just be me!

AthelstaneTheUnready · 11/01/2018 17:25

Twoo, I had trouble sleeping for 5 or 6 nights - kept dredging up every bad decision ever made - but it's passed now.

Gammel, I'm in love with butter too - having microwaved green veg with a slab of butter, salt and pepper, I always drink the butter out of the bowl when I've finished.

Stunt, that's a cracking explanation.

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