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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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prettybird · 13/01/2018 10:31

Twoo - good on you for sticking at it Flowers

Have you taken your measurements? With a very small subsection of Boot Campers, they don't get the initial whoosh, but they do see the difference in an improved shape - in particular inches off their waist (showing a reduction in the dangerous visceral fat around their organs). There are also other benefits from the increased water intake: better skin, brighter eyes. I notice that the dark shadows under my eyes.

Have you noticed any of your clothes feeling better (either looser or less tight Wink)?

The weight loss will come - it's just slower in one or two people. It settles down to 1-2lb/week (and the occasional stall) for the rest of us anyway.

There was one Boot Camper in the last Boot Camp (or was it the one before?) sorry, I can't remember who who barely lost anything over the whole Boot Camp, despite following the Rules conscientiously but still stuck with it because she felt healthier, saw the difference in weight distribution - and knew that eventually it would come good. Smile

OP posts:
MumOfAPickle · 13/01/2018 10:35

Hi again, can ask for views on Nando's? Taking dd to the cinema later and dinner afterwards. Got a choice of Bella italia, Pizza Hut or Nando's and figured it was least worst option....obviously no chips/bread/rice but is the chicken okish? Or does the marinade make it too carby? Any suggestions for best choices or tips would be gratefully received Smile

blackteaplease · 13/01/2018 10:36

Hi all, just checking in. I am reading the thread but had terrible problems loading the thread lat night and my bookmarks have stopped working which is irritating .

Twoo have you been logging your food on here? Can you post an example day and water and one of the more experienced bootcampers may be able to help you tweak slightly to get that initial loss going.

Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es · 13/01/2018 10:42

Morning all, just about to have a late breakfast, bacon for a weekend treat alongside my normal daily omelette. One of my decisions after the last BC was to try and eat less processed meat this time round, but after yesterdays musings on how much I dislike salty food generally I have realised that I probably need to keep eating it for my electrolyte levels (been eating parma ham and pork scratchings).

Witch - although there aren't many grey areas on BC I still think there's a sliding scale of carb errors and eating some red pepper is a long way from, say, stuffing down a tube of Pringles. I inadvertently ate a few grapes the other day, just reached for them absent-mindedly as I walked past the fruitbowl, but what's done is done, hopefully I will remember not to again.

My problems mainly lie with not liking oily or salty foods very much. I have been known to send back veg in restaurants if they arrive buttered and it wasn't stated on the menu. Also with the fact that I just love bread and crisps. I don't think I get carb cravings generally, I just love these foods and miss them a lot. I also don't seem to get the benefits some of you do from this WOE such as clearer skin or more energy, literally the only difference is on the scales so if that falters it's easy to lose motivation.

Which is why I am posting so much ATM. It really helps me keep focussed and I love all the explanations.

Kleptronic · 13/01/2018 10:44

Twoo apparently when we lose fat, the fat cells can take in water for a while to retain their size for a bit, in an 'I might need this space again shortly' style. It can take a week or so for that water to be released, but when it is, that is whoosh time. From what you're saying it sounds like you are definitely in ketosis, so your whoosh when it comes will be epic I trust!

Watch the protein though. Too much protein can be converted into glycogen by the liver. By your keto symptoms it doesn't sound like it in your case, but as BIWI always says, eat more fat! This is a moderate protein diet.

Up the fats, keep protein moderate and the carbs down, drink the water, have the magnesium and potassium and it will happen.

prettybird · 13/01/2018 10:44

Raindrops - good Scales Victory (and congratulations to your dd BTW Flowers) - just think what you could have achieved without your wobble. On water intake, could you take in more pre-filled bottles, so that it us easier to keep filling up your glass? Sounds like you are going to need to be super-organised to ensure suitable lunches given the chip-orientated work location. But you can do it Smile

Can't really answer on wheat intolerance: my gut answer is "possibly" and once you have got to target , you can experiment with adding in some wheat products. Sometimes I suspect it may actually be a yeast intolerance (from the fast yeast that is used in modern bread making) and something like sourdough or the more artisan breads are ok.

OP posts:
RaindropsAndSparkles · 13/01/2018 10:49

Yes, i think the answer PB is to take in an empty 2L bottle and fill in the morning. Makes note.

prettybird · 13/01/2018 10:51

Mumofapickle I've had to eat at Nando's twice recently (ds is a Nando's addict, so that's where we've gone on the two Uni Open Days I accompanied him to) , and I've had the peri-peri butterflied chicken breast with coleslaw. I suspect the coleslaw wasn't as low carb as it could have been, but it seemed the least-worst option. I also asked for a cup so that I could have plain water.

OP posts:
TimbuktuTimbuktu · 13/01/2018 10:53

Nando's is pretty good although the only sides you can have is salad. I believe the hotter the sauce the lower the carbs as it has less sugar in. It's 1g carbs per ounce of sauce so don't go too mad but it will definitely be easier than Bella pasta!

I'm having a really lazy day today but will try to muster the energy to get up and do something soon.

B- avocado ham, celery and cream cheese
L- might be the same as breakfast to me honest (need to go shopping!)

D- I have some chilli pork belly and I'm going to make a stir fry with zero noodles. Any suggestions for low carb sauce? Can I get away with a bit of soy sauce?

prettybird · 13/01/2018 11:00

As far as I can make out, soy sauce is fine Smile just as well as I've been using it with gay abandon in stir fries Wink

I like stir fries as a way of eating more veg.

OP posts:
IAmSamSamlAm · 13/01/2018 11:05

Have you all tried duck eggs? Had them for the first time this morning - admittedly I'm an egg addict anyway but the yolks are so big and orange. Quite expensive for what they are but a lovely Saturday treat!

New Year, New Start Boot Camp: Week 1, Now we get down to it in earnest
TheSeasonOfTheWitch · 13/01/2018 11:06

Thanks prettybird, I will make sure I listen to my hunger cues more. It's so hard to truly shift from eating with my my tummy rather than my eyes,

Kleptronic do you now how many grams or what percentage should be protein? Or up to what amount is good? My app tells me the last week has been 13% carbs, 26.% protein 61% fat. I've no idea if that's a good/bad thing.

prettybird · 13/01/2018 11:22

Good TheSeasonOfTheWitch Smile

Repeat after me, "I am not a dustbin" Grin

OP posts:
StuntNun · 13/01/2018 11:28

Step away from the scales Twoo! Scales are a poor way of measuring fat loss because you temporarily retain an equivalent weight of water to the amount of fat lost. It's much better to measure your waist (and hips and boobs if you can) because fat loss will show in inches long before it shows in pounds. If you haven't taken measurements then check the way your clothes fit. A good method is trying to pull your trousers down without undoing them. When your trousers fall down in public then we declare that a NSV.

Raindrops a lot of people find they're mildly intolerant of wheat when they cut it out. There's another incentive to stay on track - you'll get a tummy ache if you eat bread or pasta.

Pickle Nando's should have their nutritional information online so you can check the carb counts in advance.

Witch my recommendation is to keep protein within 15-40% of your calories. There isn't much evidence to support the theory that excess protein in the diet turns to glucose since gluconeogenesis is an "expensive" process metabolically speaking (i.e. it wastes energy) so it is only performed when needed. Certainly the Zero Carb crowd don't worry about it and a lot of them only eat meat so they're getting more than half of their calories for protein.

princessbear80 · 13/01/2018 11:47

Can’t remember who is going to Nando’s, sorry, but the chicken thighs come with skin on and are lovely. I usually order halloumi too. Plus coleslaw, but I don’t think that’s great. Salad probably better as mentioned earlier.

Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es · 13/01/2018 11:49

I'm going to MacDonalds later - is there any hope at all or should I fill up ar home first and be not hungry when we get there.

StuntNun · 13/01/2018 11:55

WhoKnows you can order bunless burgers at McDonalds, it's easiest through the screens as you can customise your burger to take out whatever you want without having to talk to an actual human being. I often order two double cheeseburgers without buns and a shaker side salad. The salad dressing isn't great so I just put a smidge on or occasionally sneak my own salad dressing in shhh don't tell MaccyDs.

StuntNun · 13/01/2018 11:56

Oh but don't forget to ask for a knife and fork to have any hope of eating a bunless burger!

explodingkittens · 13/01/2018 12:02

Hello all, just catching up with the thread. Good to see everyone doing so well Smile

Yesterday was a good day:

B: coffee with cream
L: chicken salad
D: low-carb sausages with steamed buttered cabbage, brussels sprouts with bacon and cauliflower cheese. I made the cheese sauce just by microwaving double cream with a load of parmesan and cheddar grated into it - it worked perfectly!

Just a creamy coffee so far today. Probably something with avocado for lunch and chili with spiralized courgette this evening. My hunger is so reduced, it's great. KOKO everyone!

TheSeasonOfTheWitch · 13/01/2018 12:04

I ain't no dustbin!!! I ain't no dustbin!

Thanks Stunt, will keep going as I am and see how the first two weeks go, I'm sure I won't get a whoosh so I will have to make sure I don't get demoralised.

PennyMise · 13/01/2018 12:06

Checking in - morning all. Managed a work out this morning, didn't throttle the husband for eating my lamb chop and broccoli that I had carefully saved for a post workout breakfast Angry and subbed some broccoli leek chicken soup instead with some angrily grated cheddar cheese. Here's to making good choices for lunch and dinner today! I'm absolutely going to check out HeadSpace and see if I can use it during my commute - so much of my eating is emotional and it would be good to be mindful.

TimbuktuTimbuktu · 13/01/2018 12:14

Oh really pleased about the soy sauce that is great news. I think soy sauce, five spice, chilli and maybe some vinegar will make a good sauce. Might cheat a little and try a teaspoon of coconut flour to thicken.

I've had less of a whoosh this time but I'm trying to be sanguine about it. I think I was on my period at the start of the last one so I got a bonus few lbs of bloat off.

I think I am properly in ketosis today. Not hungry at all. I do find it easier mentally when I have keto sticks. It feels like positive reinforcement. But it can also send me the other way if I'm not careful so trying to do without this time.

JingsMahBucket · 13/01/2018 12:16

Morning everyone! @Wh0Knows that's so funny. I was randomly struck by a McDonald's craving around 7:30am this morning while in bed. I only eat there once or twice a year but an overwhelming wave of craving for a quarter pounder with cheese came over me. WEIRD. I'm guessing that's my body recalibrating. I've stayed away though. @StuntNun thanks for the tip about ordering bunless.

Breakfast today was soup, the remaining pâté, and the last of the Babybel.

L: probably sautéed spinach and marinated pork belly.

D: probably sautéed green beans and aubergine, low carb sausage.

I picked up some great steaks at the supermarket today and put them in the freezer for later. That'll do me for several meals.

TheWayOfTheWorld · 13/01/2018 12:21

Can't remember who commented about fat/protein/carb % but I am also tracking on MFP - not because I am calorie counting (I know this works) but because I am interested to see what the ratios etc look like.

This week I have consistently been in the range of 5% carbs, 15-25% protein and 70-75% fat.

As for today's food:
B(runch): 2 low carb chipolatas, rasher of bacon, mushrooms and 1 egg, all cooked in butter
L: probably won't have
D: thinking of trying out the celeriac rice and making a risotto.

StuntNun · 13/01/2018 12:24

What do the Lidl flavoured waters look like? I asked DH to buy some when he was out and he came back with these. Hmm

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