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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 · 13/01/2018 15:15

Don't worry about running out of space on this thread. I have an opening post for a spillover thread already drafted and ready to go Smile

The first week is usually busy - which is great as it shows that people are really trying and are asking for, receiving and giving support Smile. Thanks also to StuntNun for the scientific explanations and SayrraT for looking after the spreadsheet.

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JingsMahBucket · 13/01/2018 15:18

Just found this really nice recipe for ground pork stir fry that would be good for next week/Week 3. Just omit the optional rice of course. www.thekitchn.com/spicy-ground-pork-amp-zucchini-stir-fry-247254

Spicy Ground Pork & Zucchini Stir-Fry
Serves 4

For the sauce:
3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated or minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon sambal oelek or Asian chili-garlic sauce
2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil

For the stir-fry and serving:
1 pound zucchini (about 3 medium)
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil, divided
1 pound ground pork
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
Cooked white or brown rice, for serving

Make the sauce: Stir all the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

Make the stir-fry: Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise, then slice each half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons.

Heat a flat-bottomed wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat until a drop of water vaporizes immediately on contact. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the oil around the pan, add the ground pork, and season with salt and pepper. Let cook undisturbed for 30 seconds, then break the pork into small, bite-sized pieces and continue stir-frying until it's cooked through and golden-brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the pork to a paper towel-lined plated and drain the pan of excess fat.

Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan, spread the zucchini out in one even layer, and let cook undisturbed for 30 seconds. Stir-fry the zucchini until browned and just tender, about 5 minutes more.

Return the pork to the skillet, add the sauce, and stir-fry until the sauce is well-incorporated and the zucchini begins to look glossy, about 30 seconds more. Garnish with the scallions and serve over rice.

Recipe Notes
Make ahead: The sauce can be made 1 day in advance and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. Let the sauce sit at room temperature while preparing the stir-fry, and stir before adding to the pan.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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NUTRITIONAL INFO (doesn't include rice)
Calories 410
Fat 33.7g
Saturated 9.8g
Trans 0.1g
Carbs 5.1g *(

MumOfAPickle · 13/01/2018 15:26

Thank you so much for all the info pretty, I was really quite thrilled with the gold star Blush made me feel all warm and fuzzy. I will pop to holland and Barrett tomorrow and peruse magnesim and physillium (I have no idea on spelling either!) husk. I've had that in powder form in water before but it was pretty gross. I am a bit constipated I think, going less often and when I do go it's firmer, stickier, slightly green Confused and there's not much of it..... that really was tmi - apologies everyone!! Looks like magnesium might be my best bet all round, thank you again Smile

prettybird · 13/01/2018 15:33

If it helps (TMI alert Grin), I like to think of the change in bowel movements to the bowl movements of a breastfed baby Shock

....you can occasionally get explosions but in general, because the breast milk is much more attuned to what is actually required, breast fed babies can go days without a movement, and we're told not to worry as that is normal Smile

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BlackMozart · 13/01/2018 16:33

Just a quick hello because iPad is down to 9% with me trying to catch up! I have read all but the last 6 pages and will do that later.
Big thanks to stuntnun for all the science.

I’ve been away for work and have stayed v much on bootcamp rules despite temptation. A good amount of water but perhaps no quite enough. I haven’t weighed so will have to count down from a ‘100lb’ pretend starting point. Great stuff on this thread!

Kleptronic · 13/01/2018 17:03

TheSeasonOfTheWitch it's meant to be between 0.6g - 0.8g of protein per lean kg of mass. Which is tough to work out - there are calculators online. But if StuntNun says it doesn't matter, don't worry about it! :)

prettybird · 13/01/2018 17:51

My evening menus for the coming week:
Tonight: roast pork shoulder
Tomorrow: cold roast pork
Monday: sausages (97% pork, gluten free, 1g carb per sausage)
Tuesday: pork stir fry
Wednesday: Turkey schnitzel with lemon & caper butter (from Tom Kerridge's Dopamine Diet book)
Thursday: courgette carbonara
Friday: probably a bowl of brussels as dh and ds will be having Lidl curries.

I'll sort out suitable veg accompaniments as I go. I have lots of brussels Wink, leeks, mange tout, celeriac, neeps, cauliflower, courgettes, kale (and "kalettes" Confused) and asparagus in the fridge.

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StuntNun · 13/01/2018 17:52

Klep I don't think that works out because up to a quarter of your "calories" could becoming from your fat stores so you would need to increase your protein intake by a third to compensate. Regardless of the sums it's better to be too high on protein than too low.

Appaloosajunction · 13/01/2018 18:11

B Piece of Wensleydale. Coffee
L Beefburger (no fries or bun) large mixed salad. Mayo.
D Chicken fajitas (I'll pick out the peppers) with sour cream

Jonesing for sweets and chocolate.
It's the little spark of joy I got when I unwrapped the goodies and took that first bite that I miss the most. (That and the cava)
Sad bugger that I am. Still haven't cracked though.

I'm like Steve McQueen in the cooler...

prettybird · 13/01/2018 18:19

Appoola - dh opened a bottle of Cava last night (our usual Friday night treat) and I didn't have any. (To be fair, he did check with me before he opened it Grin)

however, I did suggest to him that it wasn't fair asking me to fill his glass with the last of the Cava this afternoon Hmm

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CointreauVersial · 13/01/2018 18:23

Evening all. Tricky day today - I was at a craft workshop with DM so had to watch everyone else munching cakes and biscuits while I stared into my tea. Then we popped to the Waitrose cafe for a quick lunch, and I ended up ordering thai vegetable curry without the rice....and the portion was TINY! No attempt to supply extra curry to make up for the shortfall in rice. So now I'm starving, and will be raiding the fridge for a lump of goat's cheese in a minute.

Dinner....hmmm....not sure, but getting loads of inspiration from this thread. Tempted to look up the Tom Kerridge book too.

prettybird · 13/01/2018 18:25

Cointreau - at least you've already had some veg Wink

Star for resisting both at the workshop and at Waitrose.

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ThunderboltsLightning · 13/01/2018 18:49

Had a sneaky peek at the scales and i'm down 2.5lb sonce Tuesday (started a day late). Thrilled with that.

Going out tonight for DH birthday. Thankfully he has chosen a steakhouse type place so it's going to be quite easy to keep BC i think. The menu seems to have plenty of meaty options and non carb sides. I've mentally rehearsed turning down the potatoes that come with the duck i fancy and hoping they'll let me swap for tenderstem broccolli or braised cabbage.

I'm driving so i'm sticking to sparkling water too. Not been great at my water today.

prettybird · 13/01/2018 18:53

Sounds like a good choice Thunderbolts Smile

I've always found restaurants are very accommodating at swapping potatoes/rice with green veg. At worst, you can ask them just not to bring the chips.

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Appaloosajunction · 13/01/2018 18:58

Prettybird.

Well done on resisting an open bottle of cava. That stuff is like catnip to me!

PrincessPeaPod · 13/01/2018 19:08

Finally back on track, yesterday is a distant memory. Resisted sticky toffee and custard today! So proud!

B: bacon and cheese, black coffee
L: pork, broccoli, cauliflower and cheese
D: salmon, sprouts, broccoli with parmesan

headoutofthesand · 13/01/2018 19:11

I had a delicious courgette, leek & spring onion frittata at lunch. Wasn't planned but was making DD her favourite macaroni cheese from the Ella's Kitchen book and it happened to open on the courgette frittata recipe & I realised I had all of the ingredients. Very easy & yummy. I was also very proud of myself for resisting any macaroni cheese but then realised I had a treat as I could eat the crisp bits of cheese and sauce stuck to the side which are my favourite bits.
I picked up the freebie magazine in Tesco today and have realised it has a few easily adaptable Bootcamp friendly or Bootcamp lite friendly recipes.

Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es · 13/01/2018 19:19

Reporting back from McDonalds. I snacked before I went so I wasn't too hungry, but was spared the bunless burger as they now do salad bowls. So, chicken and bacon salad, no dressing (both options were sweet-sounding). Not much fat but plenty of protein and green leaves. No sweetcorn, red pepper etc either, just leaves and a couple of cherry tomatoes.

Twoo · 13/01/2018 19:23

Abbey’ I sympathise in regards to not seeing the weighing scales go down. I’m the same. I feel reassured by the advice and information that all the lovely ladies have given on this thread. I’m confident that if I stick to plan the scales will start to move in the right direction Grin

Pretty & ‘Cherries thank you for the link to the fatatta recipe.

Jings’ that pork recipe looks delicious 😋 thanks for sharing.

QueenOnAPlate · 13/01/2018 19:33

Could someone share the buttered microwaved sprouts recipe? I have looked and not been able to find it.

I've got into warm salads for lunch - halloumi, Brie and pancetta, chorizo and mushroom have been highlights, the Brie one sort of melted as a dressing and was lovely cold so I have that as a work lunch option too.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread, it's so motivating and there are so many good food ideas. I'm keeping a daily journal and adding lots of the things I come across so I can turn to it when I feel in a bit of a rut later on.

explodingkittens · 13/01/2018 19:38

Lunch was spinach leaves, avocado, crispy bacon and a fried egg on top - it's the meal that made dp realise that LCHF probably wan't so bad after all Grin

Dinner is Indian takeaway. I'm having paneer tikka and then king prawn sagwala (spinach). Dp has ordered some green beans with garlic and spices so might have some of those too. I'll have to avoid the popadoms as they're my favourite bit, but otherwise I find Indian food fab on LCHF!

Have been working all afternoon so have had a couple of cups of tea with milk as have run out of almond milk, but I have my tea pretty strong so hopefully I've not bumped up the carbs too much.

The house is still absolutely full of Christmas chocolate. Dp is a primary school teacher and gets given tons every Christmas - there is a storage box full of it in the dining room! There must be 6 or 7 Galaxy selection boxes in there, several full bars, boxes of Lindt, Roses and Hotel Chocolat, and a big Green & Black's selection box. It's taking nerves of steel not to dive in!

GrandOldDukeOfPorkiness · 13/01/2018 19:42

B coffee with cream x 2 and some pork crackling crisps
L beef stew with shallots and celeriac
S spoonfuls of ff Greek yoghurt
D chicken tikka fillets wrapped in (lots of) lettuce

I’m another one doing badly with water. But I am pleased to report that I am now back to where I was when I fell off the last thread a couple of weeks before Christmas :)

TheWayOfTheWorld · 13/01/2018 19:43

That's a lot of chocolate to avoid exploding well done!

I'm about to give celeriac risotto a go, wish me luck! Grin

CointreauVersial · 13/01/2018 19:46

Buttered microwaved sprouts?! Must have missed that one. Sounds right up my street.

prettybird · 13/01/2018 20:08

Recipe for buttered microwaved brussel sprouts for those that want to start the addiction it Smile

Prepared brussels. Put in bowl. Put a large slab of butter on top. Put a plate on top of the bowl. Put into microwave. Microwave for c2 minutes. Shoogle technical term Wink Microwave for another c2 minutes. Might be more, might be less, dependent on the strength of your microwave, how big the bowl is and how many brussels you are doing. Season with salt (or Lo-salt) and pepper (and nutmeg if you like it). Done Grin

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