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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.

May '19 Low Carb Bootcamp - week 1

919 replies

BIWI · 13/05/2019 07:27

So here we are!

Lots of us signed up this time, so inevitably the thread will move very quickly. Please, though, take the time to read the whole thread!. Although this is a place where you can post your daily menus, or your thoughts and questions, please don't just do this, but read what other people have posted too.

A bit thank you to the very lovely @AthelstaneTheUnready who has set up the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness. Star

The Spreadsheet

If your name isn't on there, don't panic! Just add yourself to the bottom of the list. Don't worry about trying to alphabetise it - that will be sorted out for you. (And if you're on the spreadsheet but don't want to be, don't worry - if you don't post on it your name will be taken off)

Here's a brief recap of the rules:

  1. Eat three proper meals a day
  2. Avoid processed foods
  3. Eat plenty of fat
  4. Make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables and salad
  5. Be careful about dairy (apart from butter which is unlimited)
  6. You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water a day
  7. No alcohol
  8. No fruit
  9. No nuts/seeds
10.No sugar or artificial sweeteners

The full rules are here . They're supposed to be stickied at the top of the Low Carb Bootcamp topic (along with the recipe threads), but for some reason they're stickied at the top of page 2!

Remember that after the first two weeks we can relax some of this, and move on to Bootcamp Light, which means that you can add some fruit (berries mainly), alcohol (in moderation) and nuts and seeds (again, in moderation), but the point of the strict initial phase is to help push your body into burning fat for fuel rather than carbohydrate.

And remember - if you cheat, you will only be delaying this process from happening!

Good luck to everyone. Any questions or problems, just shout! Smile

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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ChippingInLowCarbing · 16/05/2019 08:09

Jackie.

Costa. Primo (smallest) takeaway Almond Latte is 5.5g of carbs, which is half the carbs of it with milk. Not bad for a treat. (Soya is 6.6, coconut 7.9 (but I really didn’t like it).

I haven’t yet tried the almond milk as I thought it might be too sweet, but worth a try at this point

WheelyCote · 16/05/2019 08:12

Greeb i wonder if your electrolytes / salts are low...

Its still all new to me and one of the more experienced low carbers will be along soon to give you wise words.

Have you got anything in the cupboards like Bovril, oxo?

3brightstars3 · 16/05/2019 08:33

Morning everyone,
Day 5 for me, still on track 😀

Last night went to Zumba with my friend then we went out for drinks, I had black coffee and because she's my best friend she also had coffee and I got home our 10.30 and my husband had cooked some veg to go with the chicken I had already cooked before I left.

This morning I was running really late so my oh made me my breakfast, he gets double brownie points. Diets are so much easier when you have support from friends and family.

Hope everyone has great day. Sun is shining and I'm feeling really positive today ☀️ ☀️

ChippingInLowCarbing · 16/05/2019 08:34

DrBuckles. Really well done, on all counts I’m feeling pretty low too (lots of shite going on) and it does make it difficult to resist crap & wine, especially when LC is making you feel worse 🌷 but I know if I hang in there it’ll make me feel better once I’m over the transition bit

I don’t drink much alcohol these days, but as soon as I’m told I can’t, I want wine (or whatever else I’m told I CAN’T have) 🙄. I’m sure it even more difficult when you’re trying to stop drinking for other reasons too.

Whatever it is I really want, I tell myself ‘not today’ & don’t think beyond that. It helps a bit.

So, do you fancy a water challenge today?!

I should be drinking 4 litres and I’ve only managed 1.5 each day so far. Ironic really as when I’m not low carbing and my blood sugars are awful, I can easily drink that, but when I’m LC I have to make a real effort to do so 🙄 Anyway, my goal for today is 3 litres, fancy joining me in my challenge?!

venusandmars · 16/05/2019 08:38

@littlebillie the first PM programme was on 14/5, there was a follow up on 15/5 at about 21 minutes talking to Tom Watson who lost 7 stones.

Good to hear PM journalists questioning the Public Health England 'expert'

ChippingInLowCarbing · 16/05/2019 08:38

bright. No wonder you’re feeling happy, a husband for the evening shift and an OH for the breakfast shift. Lucky you!😉

🤣 I’m glad he’s a keeper & that your friend is so supportive too.

It’s nice to have such a positive post. It’s made me feel a bit better 😊🌷

DrBuckles · 16/05/2019 08:42

Thanks Chipping! ☺️

Yes I’ll aim for 3l as well today- 600ml done so far. Need to buy a big glass for work as the glasses we have are only about 250ml so they’re no good!

venusandmars · 16/05/2019 08:42

Food for today:

B - Avocado with St Agur cream spread
L - not sure. I'm going out but it's a seafood restaurant so I'm certain there will be lots of options
D - baked cauliflower cheese

Almahart · 16/05/2019 08:56

I’m camping over the bank holiday- bbqs are really easy

I will hope that I’m in the stage of BC where I’m not that hungry and take salted almonds, babybels, ff yoghurt and raspberries

I will drink some wine though (will be in bc light by then)

VeryLittleOwl · 16/05/2019 08:58

Morning all. I've hit the bunged up stage. Nearly got through a litre already this morning, I'm hoping lots of water will help shift things.

B: Leftover sausage casserole
L: Turkey salad
S: No idea what DH is cooking, but from the state of the fridge I'm guessing it involves chicken.

3lbs gone since Monday Grin

SittingontheSidelines · 16/05/2019 09:00

Hi, re almond milk. I use the Alpro unsweetened Zero carbs. You can have it roasted or unroasted- I prefer unroasted but for some reason they've stopped selling it around here.
Lovely as a latte. I also love it just as warm milk. Took a little bit of getting used to, but now find it very satisfying.

Word of warning, make sure you pick up unsweetened not original, the original has sugar in.

SittingontheSidelines · 16/05/2019 09:01

I'll post a picture of the almond milk on the product thread.

Rshard · 16/05/2019 09:08

I’m loving all the support and inspiration on the thread and all the supportive friends and family! This must be one of the best threads on MN.

3lbs down on the scale this morning and that was with wet hair (I have a lot of long thick hair) so I’m really happy and feeling positive.

I’ve been using the happy scale app to log my weights, it allows you to set mini goals and milestones and then tracks progress against them. Really like it.

m0therofdragons · 16/05/2019 09:47

Because I stayed fairly low carb after the last boot camp, just the occasional bagel, I think I've avoided flu. Still struggling with breakfast and planning this week but still managed to stick at it. Only 1lb off so far but I'm not starting completely from scratch and am near my target, so I'm happy. I brought lunch so I'll have that early and then eat at 3.30pm and evening so it's still 3 meals. Starvation never ends well!

prettybird · 16/05/2019 09:51

It's our 21st wedding anniversary today Smile

Dh didn't buy me any chocolates - left it at the 12 long stemmed roses Flowers. I got him some malt whisky and some of his favourite chocolates (Maltesers and a bar of Mackies Honeycomb chocolate) which he will be able to enjoy all by himself Halo

We're going to have a late breakfast of fried egg, bacon and sausage on the patio - he'll have a potato scone with his.

Lunch will be homemade (BootCamp) coleslaw and dinner will be (outside on the patio again if the weather holds, with flowers, candles and white napkins) asparagus fried with smoked streak bacon and Parmesan, followed by steak with cream and Boursin alongside fried (in butter) sliced shallots, mangetout (in butter Wink) and baby sweetcorn (microwaved in guess what butter Wink) (Dh will have chips and mushrooms)

Unfortunately dh has also been very generous and shared his cold with me Hmm

ChippingInLowCarbing · 16/05/2019 09:53

DrBuckles. Yes, 250mls is too small, you’ll feel like you’re spending all day filling it up!
I find I drink it more easily when I have a bottle rather than a glass, it’s a bit more ‘mindless’ (for me) and I like it properly cold!

You’re ahead of me so far, I need to catch up!

VeryLittleOwl. I think it might be because I’m vegetarian, but I don’t get bunged up, I think it’s because meat takes longer to digest. Also I eat more ‘accessible’ fat (oil/butter) than normal. I love the Waitrose basil infused olive oil, it’s going on pretty much every meal right now 🤣. Glug glug glug goes the owl 💦

SittingOnTheSideLines. Thank you for that! I like Alpro stuff and zero carbs is amazing. I’m not entirely sure how they make anything with almonds zero carbs, but I won’t think about that too hard!

Rshard - This must be one of the best threads on MN

This and Woolly Hugs. Top threads!

Well done on the lbs!

bibliomania · 16/05/2019 09:57

pretty, congrats on the 21st wedding anniversary, and it sounds like a gorgeous celebration!

ChippingInLowCarbing · 16/05/2019 09:59

Prettybird. 💐 Happy Anniversary! That sounds like a lovely day & meal plan, I hope the weather holds for you.

With a bit of luck it’s carb flu, not DH’s and you’ll come right very soon (are you taking anything to help the electrolytes keep up?!).

Doilooklikeatourist · 16/05/2019 10:03

Happy anniversary Prettybird 💐
For all those struggling with water , I’d recommend one of these flask type bottles , I have a bright pink 500ml one , and it keeps the water really cold for ages
www.chillysbottles.com/product/Bottle/500ml/20584232648774/
I got ours in TK Maxx for £5 each ( and have a look in Tesco too , they were available in our local store )

18pagesfrontandback · 16/05/2019 10:06

Well I clearly peaked too soon on Tues with the perky positivity, since then period and a low grade cold are doing their best to interfere Hmm That’ll teach me for being so bloody chirpy Grin

No issues with LC but can feel I’m retaining water like a mo fo and am feeling hungrier than norm. Thankfully not craving anything non carbs though. Plus painkillers always leave me a bit water logged and constipated for a few days ignores scales from this morning.

Loving all the holiday/camping chat. We’re away for a long weekend over half term for birthday celebration, but then not again until end of summer. End of summer will def be a scheduled break from LC while away - getting back on that horse afterwards will be the BIGGEST breakthrough, and one that I am really, REALLY fucking determined to make this time. Half-term weekend though...that will be more of a test. Def having some cava one night, and will no doubt eat more nuts/salty (LC) snacks etc than I ordinarily would. But if I come back and I haven’t face planted ice-cream I’m going to at least want a medal or guard of honour something, ok? Grin

18pagesfrontandback · 16/05/2019 10:08

Great NSV on the work badge btw Toots. Those ones are the best!

18pagesfrontandback · 16/05/2019 10:11

Happy anniversary Prettybird can we see you now? Flowers

prettybird · 16/05/2019 10:13

I'm having plenty of water - and every 2nd pint is an electrolyte one (my version: squoosh of lemon juice and generous shake of Lo-Salt).

It's definitely a cold and not carb flu: blocked nose and sneezing aren't my normal carb flu symptoms Wink

But at least dh and I can sniffle together Grin

SittingontheSidelines · 16/05/2019 10:51

Congratulations @prettybird, dinner sounds delicious.

Rshard · 16/05/2019 10:52

Congrats prettybird! Your food plans sound so gorgeous.

Thanks chippinin, yes woolly hugs is also fab.

I second doilooklikeatourist’s flask type water bottle recommendation. My dd bought me a swell one for mother’s day and I love it.