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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:
Thread gallery
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Snowysnowysnow · 08/01/2018 16:42

Stunt - I would but two hours from home and Id eaten through the food I brought with me. No other options on the office but lots of chocolate.

Working from home rest of the week so shouldn't be an issue.

prettybird · 08/01/2018 16:42

I also use the magnesium supplements from Tesco. Smile

Re water intake: I choose not to count any caffeinated drinks (tea or coffee) as I know that they have a diuretic effect, so that would throw out my calculations. I have peppermint and liquorice tea, which is amazingly sweet (and after the strict first 2 weeks, very nice with the very occasional square of 90% Lindt chocolate). In summer I also have jugs of water with sliced strawberry and/or cucumber and/or lime to flavour it.

As I've mentioned on a FB group which I also use for support, I also go by the colour of my pee Blush to judge if I'm having enough. Just slightly coloured is optimum.

NB: in the early stages, you will wake up once or twice Wink or more Shockduring the night for a pee. Trust me, it does settle Grin because a) you get better at remembering to drink earlier in the day rather than frantically trying to get to your quota in the evening Wink and b) your kidneys get accustomed both to the fluid intake and to the required "system flushing".

OP posts:
mrsreynolds · 08/01/2018 16:44

I can't add myself to spreadsheet either

🤔

StuntNun · 08/01/2018 16:49

Oh no Snowy I hate being hungry. When I first started Bootcamp I kept a packet of Peperamis in the car for "emergencies".

MumofaPickle vinaigrette is easy: three parts oil to one part vinegar. Extra virgin olive oil or a combination with avocado or walnut oil works well. Red/white vinegar or cider vinegar are fine, balsamic has grape must in so it's too carby. Add salt, pepper to taste. I sometimes throw in some dried mixed herbs. A smidge of Dijon mustard helps everything emulsify.

Snowysnowysnow · 08/01/2018 16:51

Yum!

SoMuchToBits · 08/01/2018 16:56

I stepped on the scales for the first time since 27th December this morning. At that point I had gained 1lb over Christmas (having eaten a few very small carby treats, e.g. a mince pie, tiny portion of trifle, one small roast potato etc). Since then I have kept pretty much low carb with all my food, but have been socialising a lot, so have been drinking wine practically every evening. I expected I might have put on a few pounds, but amazingly, I have actually lost the pound I put on, so am now the same as before Christmas! Shock

I was quite glad to avoid the feeling of having stuffed myself that I usually get after Christmas. Anyway, I had a Greek salad for lunch and will be having sea bream with Mediterranean sauce for dinner. (No breakfast as I have been low carbing for a while now).

ponygirlcurtis · 08/01/2018 16:59

Thanks for the first thread prettybird. I will add my weight later (can't seem to do it on my phone without the app, although I managed fine without it last BC).

Thanks for the salad dressing idea StuntNun, I was going to ask the same thing, was getting bored of just adding mayo to it.

Lunch: leftover veg (Inc. Brussels, cauliflower, a few carrots) and beef stew. Full fat Total with cream added.
Dinner will probably be: pork mince creamy korma with broccoli rice
Snacks: olives. Maybe a pack of pork scratchings later.
Had about 1l of water so far, will need to drink lots more. Forgot to take my bottle to work, won't forget tomorrow.

prettybird · 08/01/2018 17:04

I sometimes put a crushed garlic into the vinaigrette when I make it. And/or a wee bit of grain mustard. Really good EV olive oil makes a difference too. Sometimes I just use lemon juice rather than cider vinegar.

OP posts:
SayrraT · 08/01/2018 17:04

Mrs Reynolds I've added you, you had added it as a comment

mum I've added your weight, sorry I dunt know why some people have problems with the spreadsheet

SPREADSHEET NOTE: please DO NOT insert a row to add your name just write it at the bottom and I'll sort it.

SayrraT · 08/01/2018 17:05

Mrs Reynolds I've added you, you had added it as a comment

mum I've added your weight, sorry I dunt know why some people have problems with the spreadsheet

SPREADSHEET NOTE: please DO NOT insert a row to add your name just write it at the bottom and I'll sort it.

BadlyParkedRangeRover · 08/01/2018 17:07

Food today:
FF greek yoghurt and double cream. Creamy coffee
L: hardboiled egg, boursin, jarlsberg
D: roast chicken, chicken gravy (homemade, low carb) broccoli and caul mash.
Need to push the water (1.5l of 4 so far)
Instant pots are excellent for hardboiled ehgs if anyone else has one!

prettybird · 08/01/2018 17:07

StuntNun - I also keep pepperami for emergencies and other times

I got pissed off at Lidl when they stopped doing their wee salami sticks - but maybe it was just as well as I could eat far too many of them Blush

OP posts:
mrsreynolds · 08/01/2018 17:20

Oh! Thank you
I'm useless
Dh is home now so can at least take over with ds2 for a bit

DrDiva · 08/01/2018 17:23

Hi! I’m here, a bit late but nevertheless here. Thank you for taking over, prettybird Smile

Breakfast was creamy coffee and lunch was chicken and veg soup. With cheese melted in Blush it was delicious.

Not sure what’s for dinner, ransacking fridge on return home.

GailLondon · 08/01/2018 17:37

Hi everyone! just checking in, lovely to see the thread so busy!

I went running this morning as I do every Monday (8k today), am looking forward to seeing if my times improve over the next few months as I get lighter on my feet.

Bacon and eggs for lunch,
Dinner will be chicken breast fillets with a spice rub, and whatever suitable vegetables I can find to go with it
Plenty of oil and butter used for cooking

explodingkittens · 08/01/2018 17:40

Breakfast coffee with cream
Lunch broccoli and stilton soup
Dinner is cauli cheese and Brussels sprouts with bacon

PragmaticWench · 08/01/2018 17:41

@prettybird would you mind adding me to the sheet, I can't seem to add to it?

184 lbs today.

Thank you!

BlackMozart · 08/01/2018 17:49

Evening everyone!
I’ll have to weigh tomorrow as I was too cowardly to do it this morning Blush
B last nights left over broccoli and cauliflower made into a small ‘cake’ and fried; fried egg on top, coffee with lacto free full fat milk
L half an avocado with 2 rashers smoked bacon and green salad - lettuce, cucumber, 1 spring onion - mayo and trickle of fat from frying the bacon; water, coffee
S 3 slices cucumber and small piece of cheese, coffee
D will be eating out but it’s a wood fire grill place and I’ve checked the lc friendly menu. I’m driving so no drinking
I’m going to have a couple of days I know of eating more than I really need (hence the snack) because dropping the dark choc and wine is the hardest thing for me but a few days in and that will go I know.

Thanks for the timely reminder about b/squash. It was in lots of Idiot Proof Diet recipes which I stuck to slavishly a few years ago, so I just
didn’t re-check the spreadsheet before posting my inaccurate info- sorry ☹️. Lesson learned.

Adding my thanks to prettybird and sayrra’for doing this.

MumOfAPickle · 08/01/2018 18:10

Thank you stuntnun for the dressing recipe - looks great and thank you sayrra for adding me on. One more request! Anyone got a quick broccoli and Stilton soup recipe they'd care to share? Very much appreciated Smile

prettybird · 08/01/2018 18:13

PragmaticWench - I can't add you until tomorrow morning as I "timeshare" the laptop with ds (after my one bit the dust and we haven't got round yet to buying a new one) and he's now got it. Someone else might be able to add you though.

I'm back on the Talk App on the phone and although I was able to do the OP on my very old Mac, it doesn't seem to open the spreadsheet properly. Confused

OP posts:
explodingkittens · 08/01/2018 18:15

There's a recipe for broccoli and stilton soup on the first page of the recipe thread @mumofapickle

prettybird · 08/01/2018 18:16

I'm looking forward to my supper: a low carb lasagne (2/3 of it is with lasagne pasta sheets for dh and ds, 1/3 with thinly sliced courgettes). Should be enough left over for Wednesday night too Smile

OP posts:
TheHoundsofLove · 08/01/2018 18:19

B - couple of slices cheese and salami
L - scrambled eggs (with butter and double cream) and smoked salmon
D - salmon with broccoli and buttery spinach
I feel that I've eaten really 'well' and haven't been hungry once!

BlackMozart · 08/01/2018 18:20

I have discovered a mayo with 0 carbs. It is Tracklements mustardy mayonnaise. It is expensive and a small jar but my local deli was doing 3 for 2 at the weekend so I got some. DH loves it too so it’s not going to last long! Worth looking out for perhaps.

I was reflecting on being mindful of how others might respond to the ‘I’ve been a bit naughty but still lost weight’ posts.

I notice what I do when I read them is to perversely give myself permission to do the same, even when I know I definitely won’t keep losing. Talk about self-sabotage but it is like a siren call to me.

I also know this is my stuff and it is my choice. I don’t have to copy what others do ( who have the right to make their own choices). It’s interesting though that despite knowing I will stall or put on weight if I do it, I sometimes just override that knowledge and go right ahead anyway. Much ‘mindset’ work still to do Smile

bendyruler · 08/01/2018 18:23

Hi just wanted to see what was happening on the thread and to say thanks to prettybird and sayrra as well. First time for me doing low carb and have been reading the threads the last couple of weeks so that I'm prepared went to Lidl on Saturday and so far today have eaten
B bacon and eggs
L Brussels sprouts with butter and lump of cheese
Tonight prob going to have bolognaisse sauce on courgettes must remember to drink water I haven't had the courage to weigh myself yet Hmm good luck everybody

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