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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.

And off we go! Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 1

588 replies

BIWI · 14/10/2018 20:00

Welcome everyone. We have over 150 people signed up this time, so it's going to be pretty busy, and the initial chat thread is going to be very fast-moving!

Here is the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness for you to post your starting weight.

Remember, you don't have to input your actual weight if you don't want to - you can index it, which means starting at 100 and then for every pound you lose, you take off a point.

If your name isn't on the spreadsheet, don't panic! Just add your name to the bottom, and then the lovely @AthelstaneTheUnready will re-alphabetise the list.

If you're on the spreadsheet and you don't want to be, don't worry - just don't enter any info, and then you'll be deleted after the first couple of weeks.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Itchyknees · 19/10/2018 23:48

Evening all! Another day with no cheating, and almost the right amount of water.

BIWI · 20/10/2018 08:06

@KNpepper

You could try taking the upper hand: 'oh you're so out of date - didn't you know that low carbing is now a recommended WOE?' (Or something equally smug!). But if you're going down that track you do need to be able to support your argument, so do your own homework - make sure you know about the science behind it etc.

Alternatively just smile and ignore!

OP posts:
StuntNun · 20/10/2018 08:09

Rainbow I'm a daily weigher but sometimes I find myself getting a bit obsessed about my weight so I take the batteries out of the scales. That way I can still weigh myself if I want but I can't just jump on the scales any time - takes the pressure off a bit.

Kokoloco 800-1000 calories per day is far too low. Starving yourself will undermine your weight loss in the long-term. I recommend a minimum of 1400 calories per day.

KNpepper you shouldn't need to carb up before a 5K race. How have your runs been going since you started eating low carb? If you're worried that you aren't fat-adapted yet and your running performance has temporarily dropped then you could have a banana before the race.

StAlphonso urine ketosticks aren't a reliable way of testing as the ketone levels in urine vary depending on how much water you're drinking and naturally decline the longer you eat low carb. Also this isn't a keto diet and you don't have to be in ketosis to lose weight.

BIWI · 20/10/2018 08:14

A word about weighing

On Monday I'll post the second week's chat thread, and there will be a link to the spreadsheet for you to input your weight.

As we've said in PP, you don't have to be on the spreadsheet, nor do you have to weigh - taking your measurements or trying on the same item of clothing each week are all as equally valid ways to monitor your progress.

But if you are weighing, there are number of different ways to do it:

Daily weighing

The most 'involved' way to do this. For me, weighing daily helps to keep me focused and accountable. BUT you do need to accept that your weight will fluctuate quite naturally and that some days, even if you've been following the rules to the letter, your weight will go up. This can be hard to accept, psychologically.

There are number of different things you can do if you're a daily weigher

  • record the weight you are on Monday (regardless of any lower numbers you might have seen earlier in the week)
  • record the lowest weight you've seen that week
  • take an average of your daily weighings and record that

But if you can't cope with possible daily increases, then don't weigh daily but leave it till once a week. This doesn't have to be a Monday, it could be any day that works better for you.

However you're weighing, you should always weigh yourself first thing in the morning, naked, and after you've been to the loo. Don't bother weighing yourself later in the day, because then all you're doing is weighing the food and drink you've eaten!

The other thing to recognise is that scales can be a pretty crude tool - the important thing is to recognise that we're measuring the loss, rather than the weight itself. Because you'll find that if you use anyone else's scales they're almost definitely going to give you a different weight. So use the same scales each time, and register the change more than obsessing about the actual number.

OP posts:
StuntNun · 20/10/2018 08:15

Athelstane there are four main electrolytes: sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. I take magnesium glycinate as it's supposed to be the best form to help with sleep. If your magnesium levels are fine then you should be able to get an adequate intake by eating high magnesium foods. In my case I suspect I was chronically low in magnesium after years of pregnancy and breastfeeding so I needed the support of a supplement to rebuild my magnesium stores. The difference it has made to my sleep quality is life-changing. If anyone is concerned about their magnesium levels then o* is informative.

And off we go!  Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 1
SayrraT · 20/10/2018 09:29

Joining late this time. I have a multitude of excuses (none of them justifiable) for why I haven't started already. Though it is slightly harder to eat LC when the kitchen looks like this.

Starting to post in the hope that I will be motivated by you lot to get on with it.

I don't know why I do this to myself, I love the food on LCHF, I feel better this way, I lose weight, I have more energy etc etc.

Weighing in at 231 lbs which is just not acceptable, means I've put on approximately 1 stone since I last BCed. I will lose this before Christmas.

Hello to everyone, old friends and new ones I've still to meet Smile

Thanks BIWI and athelstane Flowers

And off we go!  Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 1
WheelyWheelySpookilicousCotee · 20/10/2018 09:31

Morning everyone

Hope it's all going good ! About to take the dogs out and do a few skip runs. I'll catch up with thread with a coffee and cream, when I get back in

Gammeldragz · 20/10/2018 09:52

SayrraT same here, but without the kitchen excuse (I have others!). Properly LC yesterday, but didn't do well the rest of the week. Mainly laziness and not being prepared. I have gained 10lbs since last BC.
We can do this though!

SayrraT · 20/10/2018 10:08

We can ragz!

prettybird · 20/10/2018 10:17

You can do it SayrraT - and then you'll really enjoy cooking lovely low carb meals in your fantastic new kitchen Grin

In 2018 I have met 4 more BootCampers - ilovecherries, TimeIHadANameChange, SayrraT and AthelestaneTheUnready for coffee no cake SmileI can confirm that they are all lovely women. Flowers

Time - meant to ask: how did the Great Scottish Run go?

Rshard · 20/10/2018 10:20

I have the same kitchen situation @sayyra! I’m expecting to have a two ring electric hob, a microwave, kettle and toaster on the old dining room table by the end of the weekend!

Good luck navigating the first weekend of boot camp all.

And off we go!  Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 1
reddA · 20/10/2018 10:33

Morning :) I have felt so rough the last couple of days, no energy and stomach pains, I've read that it's normal and about upping electrolytes etc, got some magnesium last night but will get some of the high 5 zero tablets today. I've missed the gym because I've felt so crap so I'm really hoping to go today.

I've followed the WOE 100%, done lots of reading and stocked up on lots of ingredients - I think that is the key tbh, if I didn't have the right food and a variety I would probably have struggled.

It seems to be working, the scales are showing a loss of 6lbs already - I'm guessing it's water and may fluctuate but I'm still chuffed.

I need to start going to bed earlier - for some reason I'm getting really bad hunger pangs at midnight Confused

I have been reading old bootcamp threads and they are very inspiring, thank you BIWI and other regulars for helping us newbies and keeping these threads going - I am a convert Grin

BIWI · 20/10/2018 12:08

Good to hear!

If you're feeling rough try adding more salt to your food - sodium is a key electrolyte but also one that easily remedied. A hot drink made from Oxo/Marmite or Bovril might also help.

OP posts:
reddA · 20/10/2018 12:18

Thanks BIWI - just feel really spaced out and it's driving me nuts! I love marmite (usually on a heavily buttered crumpet though Sad ) I'll try it in a drink, I also have OXO so might give that a go too.
I'm attempting to make a chicken & mushroom curry tonight with cauliflower rice and will have a bacon, egg and mushroom omelette for lunch. Weirdly adding spinach to any dish makes me feel like a proper chef Grin Blush

Peaches2018 · 20/10/2018 14:24

Hi and good afternoon everyone 
Well I almost met my water target too yesterday apart from I think 4 or 500ml of water! Felt really good drinking that much and adding a pinch of salt to it!!
Woke up this morning with a headache and the unstoppable taste that I wanted biscuits And of course hubby had the giant Fox's box out along with scones and butter. Weirdly enough that sight made me like Yuk no thanks Although I still would like a biccie my health comes first now, no more eating junk or eating unhealthy!! I hope that everyone has a great Saturday today 

BlackMozart · 20/10/2018 14:29

Well done Peaches !

StuntNun · 20/10/2018 19:39

It's not just water though Redd some of that 6lb will be water, some glycogen and the rest fat. Also it's the visceral fat around the organs that goes first so you'll be losing fat preferentially from your tummy/waistline at this point. If you're getting hungry in the night time then add in an evening snack or eat more at dinner. There's no need to be hungry on this way of eating, in fact it's often counterproductive. We're trying to induce a change in the hunger/satiety hormones that lets your body know there's ample fuel available so it can afford to let go of some of that stored fat.

reddA · 20/10/2018 21:14

Thanks StuntNun, I have a really small appetite anyway so I'll try to eat little and often and have some supper - I bought some pork scratchings today, I broke a tooth on one last year and ended up having root canal so It might be interesting! Grin

My stomach and thighs are where the extra layer of fat has settled over the last year, I look slim in clothes as it's quite squidgy so can be flattened but I know it's there and it makes me feel uncomfortable. The trouble with appearing slim is that (in my experience) you don't get any support, just 'you're fine as you are' Halloween Hmm

Well done on resisting the biscuits Peaches!

Peaches2018 · 20/10/2018 21:53

Thanks very much @BlackMozart and @reddA
I'll be honest I absolutely love a biccie and a cuppa to dunk it in but it's obvious I had a few too many hahaha
Had early lunch (huge salad) but dinner (delicious smoked paprika flavoured chicken drumsticks ) took longer to prepare so had a snack of olives and cheese. I love it I can eat cheese pretty freely since I'm from a cheese country and often on other ways of eating cheeses are discouraged.
Onto the last litre of water and then onto the next day! Hope everyone else here is doing well today 

oldbirdy · 20/10/2018 22:00

Hi all
Visiting friends for dinner, turned out to be a Chinese takeaway. I guessed chicken+ egg fu Yong to be least worst option? Had no rice. It was very filling. Also had diet Coke, but swerved wine.

So I guess I need a small big stick, as I feel like I tried in tricky circumstances...?

Littleorangetree · 20/10/2018 22:11

Sometimes you get put into situations where you just have to make the best of it olldbirdy!

Hope everyone's had a good Saturday. Mine's been ok and I'm feeling a bit perkier now my body's starting to adapt. Trying to get the water down me today and managing to drink quite a bit, though I'm finding it difficult. Food has been ok though.
B: left over tuna salad, hard boiled egg, coffee with cream
L: chicken breast, mayo, gherkins and some cheese
D: venison meatballs (from Co-op - delicious an v. low carb), fried aubergine and steamed cougette ribbons with some butter.

I'm planning to do some batch cooking tomorrow to get prepared for the week ahead and to save some time with cooking in the evenings. Will have a look through the recipe threads! Anybody go any batch cook favourties? Smile

Peaches2018 · 20/10/2018 22:28

@Littleorangetree I absolutely love chicken (especially baked in oven) and it's very versatile as well. Chicken with veggies are my go to probably for the beginning of coming week

froufroulala · 20/10/2018 22:29

Hello all, have just added my name to the spreadsheet if that's okay? I really need to do this for my health. Was 17 stone then went down to 11 st 3. Now at 13 so would like to get to 11 again as I felt so healthy. Good luck all & thank you BIWI.

starsky22 · 21/10/2018 00:16

Welcome frou and good luck, you can do this!

I'm back from my night out, stuck to low carb food, bacon wrapped chicken stuffed with mozzarella and pesto, with kale and peppers. I did have a cocktail and 2 proseccos. Was very tempted to get a burger but I didn't and swerved pudding too, so I'm pleased.
Disclaimer: I've been low carbing for 18 months now, I lost 2.5st last year and have maintained pretty well since, i know what I can and cannot get away with. I have various events the first two weeks of bootcamp and contemplated whether to start at all, but decided to go ahead, be strict on the food and allow myself a drink on the weekends. I know alcohol will affect my weight loss, but have taken the decision to enjoy these events with a couple of drinks and that my weight loss will take slightly longer this time. I don't drink that much usually, so will have two weeks if not more, alcohol free after bootcamp.

Spiderkitty · 21/10/2018 09:02

Morning everyone.

Thanks for the info about the spaghetti squashes starsky22, I'll have some of the spaghetti squash bake (lots of cream and cheese involved!) and just be mindful of my portion size.

That's interesting about magnesium StuntNun, I used to use a spray that was meant to be quite good, maybe I'll look into it again.

Well done resisting the biscuits Peaches2018!

Had a good day yesterday, really enjoying this WoE, why did I ever stop! I feel so much better not eating anything carby, especially bread, which makes me feel awful.
B: Full fat yoghurt
S: Cheese
L: Cauliflower soup
D: Leftover from gammon joint, creamed celeriac and lots of kale

Today I'm going to a national trust place for lunch, may have to skip it and just have a coffee and grab something later as I seem to remember everything there is super carby!