Leaving Lockdown Low Carb Bootcamp - the prep thread

[BIWI]

There's a week to go before we start our 5-week Low Carb Bootcamp.

So it's time to get ready and prepare ourselves - planning is critical to the success of Bootcamp - and hopefully this thread should give you all the info that you'll need.

First, a reminder of the programme.

There are 5 weeks

Week 1 is a super-strict week, where we count our calories as well as our carbs (not a usual approach for Bootcamp)

Weeks 2-3 are the normal first part of Bootcamp

Weeks 4-5 are Bootcamp Light, which is slightly more relaxed.

Bootcamp was devised initially as an easy-to-do programme (mainly because I'm a lazy arse and can't be faffed with counting carbs or calories).

But the times we're in now are exceptional, and I know that lots of us have found it really difficult to keep a focus on our weight and what we're eating, hence the idea of having a super-strict first week. The idea is that the first week will really help us to get our heads back into the right space and, ideally, trigger a satisfying amount of weight loss.

yeah the egg shortage is going to hit us hard!

I usually send adult DS to do the shopping and he's sometimes been able to find eggs, but not every time. Whenever I've done home delivery or click and collect shop, there have been no eggs available. I walk to our local CoOp at least once a week and they never have any either.

Luckily I have a lovely neighbour who always asks if I need anything before she goes shopping and she's managed to get me eggs the last two times she's done a Waitrose shop.

60g carbs per day is bloody generous!

Hey everyone. I’m ready to go, having more or less been on a “maintenance” diet during lockdown rather than the normal LCHF.

Haven’t gained any weight, lost a few pounds, sort of gained it back so I’m pretty sure tomorrow’s weigh-in will have me around where I ended January bootcamp.

All of which is fine by me: I’m the turtle, not the hare.

BIWI you’ve clearly put a help of a lot of work into this, not only over the past years but especially in organising the preparation for this Ultra BC. Thank you so much.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

I encourage all of you to measure yourselves today. I suggest:

Neck
Bust (fullest part when wearing a bra)
Bust Back (the bit under your tits)
Waist
Stomach (you know what I mean, the biggest bit that might not be your natural waist)
Hips (fullest part)
Upper Arms
Thighs
Wrists (yes, wrists)

Not only is it satisfying to see those numbers reduce, even after only five weeks, it can also be a boost to measure and see progress in those days when the scales are being a colossal pain in the arse (and not showing a loss, or even showing a gain).

*hell of a lot, not help of a lot

Also, if you do measure again somewhere down the line, it’s important to wear the same bra.

Finally—this is also important for those days things seem too tricky or you’re just not seeing progress—I urge you to take a Before photo wearing a bra and underwear, in a full length mirror if you have one.

No need to share here. Some have, most don’t, buy any photo showing progress made, wearing anything you like, is again hugely energising on those tricky days.

I shall now STFU.

My DD just sent me this

Feeling energised and ready to go tomorrow! Thank you BIWI and thanks Shag, for the tips re measuring, will have to dig out my tape measure.

@csa26

What have you been finding so hard? Anything we can help you with?

These are the names we currently have signed up for Bootcamp.

Can you check this list and if your name isn't there, add it at the bottom please? Then we can make sure that you're on the spreadsheet

Thank you!

BIWI
Athelstane
Tenementfunster
Sirthanksalot
Ilovecherries
Sunshinewishes
Prettybird
lovely123
BrassicaBabe
SophieRay
Devoncreamtea
adviceatthislatestage
glittercandle
venusandmars
ShagMeRiggins
1Wildheartsease
Doilooklikeatourist
MrsGarethSouthgate
Costevo
PastramiAndRye
Rshard
SpongeBoobBigPants
hopeislost
RainySaturday
LaganBubbleCruises
Kitkatbar2018
Gerbi1
marvels81
bluelefant
Thatnameistaken
Ifeelfat
mistywillow17
GladysNarracott
Sobi2012
Willieekerslike
anyoldname76
Barobee
crazycrazylady
Ramarama
Ciarabean
Notwatchingtvtoday
Freetodowhatiwant
Stepharoo78
1stMrsF
MasterFlamingo
Weallhavevalidopinions
Headunderthecovers
LycraLovingLass
Sadie0
chefcarl
LostaraYil
BeyondDreamsOfBeyondFourWalls
MargotLovedTom1
yogachick
noraephronsneck
Kleptronic
Hillbilly
ebeneezergood
TheClitterati
SunshineInMySprocket
Ariadnestar
StarryStrawberry
ArgusFilchsCat
Randonfatty
MrsO1980
Esca
MarkRuffaloCrumble
Summery1
foofooyeah
Purpleorange1
Mixitupalot
Adventuresofthefamousfive
Puppermint
Razzlefrazzle
csa26
Lemonyfuckit
Wormthatturned
Planet MJ
Burnshersmurfs
Mousecheese
MrsMoop
EnthusiasmDisturbed
Mumoftwodc
PurpleRose01
Velocity
SaturnBelt
EverydayIsADuvetDay
Jofish26
JoyDivisionOvenGlovesx
Virago1
Champagne Charley
girlwithgreeneyes
Princessbear80
Patapouf
NotSoRighteousTheseDays
Polkadotties
Truzza
AbagailsFancy
Sami89
Callow
Beachcountrysidetown
AnotheChinHair
Binterested
Mummyoflittledragon
Turnedouttoes
Sauvignonismysaviour
Witsend101
Stegasaurusmum
NoMoreMuchin
TintinandSnowy
thepatioislumpy
Tomliboosrule
MilsonandJim
furrycat
herecomesthsun
whitershadeofpale
calendulaandroses
ThinkAboutItTomorrow
NigellaAwesome
Bibliomania
Orangina
Undecidedsofa
Threeoleary
Ninkanink
Li0ncub
Moleeye
Namechangervaver
Mybestusername
Moraxella
Breee
OldLace
Boo81
JustFrigginNameChange
greengoose21b
Elpheba
Linnet
Chachachia
MrsTerryPratchett
Rebrain
TheSnootiestFox
etherealbeauty
notacooldad
Naiceandaslice
Sk1nnyB1tch
Avi17
PinkSubscriber
susyandthegang
WildTeaParty
Amelle
PseudoBadger
HappyPumpkin81
Sparker201
cockneylass
Traveller104
SparklesAllOver
Sunnywaves
Yumsnet
Ifeelfat
CathcartKatie
Maryland74
Shoebedoo
BigJonn
englishbreakfast
MarciaMarciaMarcia

@ShagMeRiggins

60g carbs per day is pretty generous - but I was thinking about people who are new to low carbing, and who might find it a bit of a challenge.

Certainly when I was looking for recipes to put on the Google Doc, I avoided any that were more than 20g.

Perhaps it should be lower - something like 45g?

BIWI
I’ve done LCHF before. I have no idea the carb count. I just know I lost weight. My take on the carb count is that we are individuals. If people can’t lose weight and are eating the max of 60g carbs per day, would the advice then be to suggest lowering the limit for that person and see how they get on?

You made it clear this was a limit, not a target. I am going to count and see how I get on tbh. Will be interesting for me. I have a lot to learn....

@BIWI the calorie limit (I had no idea how many calories we were eating 😳) and the intermittent fasting. I just don’t think I can spend between 3 and 5 hours digging the allotment without a hearty breakfast first (generally scrambled eggs which is over 300 calories) and a snack (usually a babybel or two - 60 calories each).

I’ll be honest, I also struggled yesterday because my husband ignored my request not to put wine out with supper and then got out the remains of his sachertorte birthday cake for pudding... 🤦‍♀️

I did manage only two cups of tea though which I thought would be a huge challenge (they were big cups...)

Yes @csa26, calorie restriction comes as a shock, doesn't it?!

However, with regard to the fasting - when you're fat-adapted, which will happen after around 2 weeks of low carbing, I think, you will be able to do all that work without needing to eat first of all.

But in the early weeks, by all means have something to eat beforehand - as long as it's low carb of course!

I think for tomorrow, im going to see how many calories are in a "normal" day for me on LC, but still try not to go crazy. Then I can know what to tweak for day two.

Very happy here - a kind neighbour brought us some eggs ❤️

BIWI the 60g per day limit is great, no need to adjust it, and you’re very right about those doing this for the first time.

For information, y’all, the average carb consumption in the UK is appx 200g per day for women and appx 250g per day for men.

Sixty grams of carbs per day will be a steep drop for some.

Yes please don’t reduce it

I’ve been practicing this week and coming in between 40 and 50 most days but have gone to 52 a couple of times. As long as 60g is low enough to get us burning some fat, it’s eminently doable. The 1000 calorie thing however...

Tough!

You're lucky I didn't make it 800

I’ve been giving the calorie thing a lot of thought, and have had a couple of practice days, and I’ve decided it’s not for me. I found myself getting panicky and constantly negotiating with myself ‘if you don’t eat this, you can have that’ etc. LCHF liberated me from all of that, I just can’t go there again. So I’m going to do strict bootcamp for three weeks instead, alongside the IF. Hope that’s ok.

Eek! Scary BIWI is out

So, in morning I need to weight mysen and measure all my bits.... I also need to get my Fitbit charged up!

I’m not doing 1000 calories a day though, I don’t think that’s healthy but everything else ... game on! I’ve got a stone to lose.

Well I’ve managed 945 calories in food, haven’t counted the wine......( no wine tomorrow!)

@BIWI how does bulletproof coffee work with intermittent fasting? I am confused as some sources say it doesn't count as breaking the fast whilst others say it does. TIA

I was wondering that too Marjorie. I was meant to eat first thing with my old meds, but have changed and the new ones, - despite being in the same class/same biochemical action - don't have the same warning. So I'm going to give not taking them with food a try, with a BPC to fall back on as "eating" if my stomach starts to play up (or should I say play up more - I have horrendous indigestion tonight :( - are gaviscon tablets sugar-free btw?)

@MajoryMinor - just think about it ... bulletproof coffee uses a lot of fat, which means a lot of calories - so it will be breaking the fast!

The whole idea of intermittent fasting is that you don't eat or drink anything calorific during your fasting period. So black tea or coffee is fine, along with herbal/fruit teas (as long as they're not sweetened.)

If you don't want to count calories, that's absolutely fine - I'd hate it for people to get horribly obsessed with everything. But just remember, this is supposed to be a super strict week - so while you might not be counting calories, think hard about what you're eating, and your portion sizes.