Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Super Strict Leaving Lockdown Low Carb Bootcamp Week 1

999 replies

BIWI · 24/05/2020 22:28

Good evening!

Trying to get ahead of everything, as I know tomorrow will be a real rush with people signing up, etc.

Here's the spreadsheet with many thanks to the ever lovely @AthelstaneTheUnready for her sterling efforts

OP posts:
Thread gallery
31
MrsTerryPratchett · 27/05/2020 14:56

BIWI as with all thing Bootcamp, the counting will work for some and not others. It's working for me. Just like IF. It's reminding me again that it's not hunger that makes me eat on LC, it's habit, emotions, boredom. I do eat out of hunger on lo cal/high carb.

I am feeling so smug today. DH, who is normally a very fit gym monster who eats well and looks after himself is not having a good lockdown. I came downstairs to a few beer cans and a whole big empty bag of crisps. I shall have to 'inspire' him like he normally tries to 'inspire' me. Grin

venusandmars · 27/05/2020 14:58

Probably X-posting with BIWI as she pounces on the ketogenesis debate Grin

The important thing is that BootCamp is low carb high fat healthiness, not keto. So although it is towards a keto way of eating it is really important to eat lots of fresh vegetables and salads which will have some carbs in them. Following strict keto and chasing the elusive dark-pink colour on the strip can easily lead to a diet that is full of fats but low on other essential nutrients. That's not a long term way of eating.

Plus, if you are drinking litres of water the ketones in your wee will be diluted anyway, getting a really strong reading is likely to indicate that you're not drinking enough fluid.

That said... when I was first starting out on low carb (on my own, not on bootcamp) I did measure ketones in urine. It helped me to understand my body, and to see the impact of alcohol, carbier veg, and bread and to work out what I could tolerate a little of and what didn't work. For me personally (and everyone will have their own metabolism) I could eat an occasional (i.e. once a month) slice of bread and be fine i.e. bounce back into keto within a few hours. I could have an occasional gin with soda water and be fine. But if I had a combination of carbs and alcohol I would be out of ketosis for a couple of days.

It was an interesting experiment, but now I leave the keto sticks for people with diabetes who need them.

FizzyPink · 27/05/2020 15:00

Yes @ExShield me! I’m normally rather constipated and only go a couple of times a week but I had to run for the bathroom after my lunchtime salad.
I did suspect my sourdough habit was contributing to my constipation previously and it obviously was!

BrassicaBabe · 27/05/2020 15:25

Get that calorie counting isn't for everyone, but I'm finding it helpful, at least in the short term 👍

ShagMeRiggins · 27/05/2020 15:28

BIWI if I’ve learned anything about you in these boards it’s that you care deeply about people’s health, both physical and mental, and don’t want to do anything but improve it. Yah yah you wield the big stick blah blah (but as near as I can tell that’s only re-iterating the rules of bootcamp and asking posters if they’ve read them, so hardly a flogging). No one wants you to feel bad or guilty about the OPTIONAL calorie counting, so don’t even think about it.

I’m not calorie counting and I’m not carb counting either. I basically have joined doing Bootcampus Ordinarius (love it) because I don’t feel I need a short sharp shock—having gained 2lbs in two months of lockdown is fine by me, a good poo will sort me out Grin—but you responded to a vast number of posters who really want and need it and designed something deliberately extreme.

No one is asking for it to go away. Those who want to will see it through, those who are affected are either discussing it or—I suspect—staying away for a bit.

That’s fine. We are all adults and each need to work out our own triggers, bodies, and ways to move toward success.

Meanwhile, one thing that reading the calorie counting stuff has made me realise is a) I’m glad I’ve never done it other a brief stint with Weight Watchers in my teens, and b) it is helping a lot of posters tune in to their own bodies and understand need vs want vs habit vs boredom etc.

To quote Martha Stewart, it’s a good thing.

PastramiNoRye · 27/05/2020 15:55

I'm quite interested in the carb-counting and calorie-counting just from an educational point of view. I guess that's easy to say when it's not a trigger for me though.

I think starting off bootcamp with an idea of calorie content will inform the rest of my bootcamp eg two black coffees and one creamy coffee a day will speed up the weight loss more than three creamy coffees. I know that's glaringly obvious, but counting the actual calories involved is quite eye-opening.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/05/2020 16:00

a good poo will sort me out Grin

AthelstaneTheUnready · 27/05/2020 16:01

What Pastrami said Grin

Happy to keep it to myself though. Was an eye opener seeing how it all racked up. Next week I'll keep tracking as well, to see what my 'normal' low carb looks like, then once I've a rough idea will give it up since exact calories are not really of interest as long as i'm in the right ballpark.

ShagMeRiggins · 27/05/2020 16:01

By the way, one of the reasons I don’t carb count either—just generally rather than specifically to this week—is I know myself well enough to recognise use the first thing I’d do with a 60 carb limit is have a burrito in a flour tortilla and not eat anything else nutritious as I’d already exceeded my limit for the day.

Who wants to eat like that? It’s disordered.

I roughly know carb content of many items as I’ve had to check whilst getting to know foods and aiming to purchase the lower carb brands, eg DeLouis, because I know I will use a lot of it to up my glorious fat content. Same with milk—and yes it’s unsweetened almond that’s the lowest I believe—if I’m going to use it many times a day in a cup of tea I want to be sure I’m getting only 2.5g rather than 4.5 per 100g.

I also have checked carb counts on veg but really don’t have to with the traffic light system in the spreadsheet tab.

I learn it, I file it, I do NOT eat a tomato and think ooh there goes another X amount of carbs. I simply think okay that’s on the Red zone but I’m fine because I’m not eating an all singing all dancing plate full of tomatoes, I’ve actually just added one to a salad.

Is this making any sense to counting calories and carbs? It’s fine to have the information, it’s not good to count. (Unless sometimes when near a goal weight but that’s a different story and by that time your body will be so accustomed to the rhythm and benefits of LCHF and IF and gallons of water and the glory of healthy fats and no love of sugar that it won’t be more than an adjustment here or there).

61lbs down in three years with bootcamp, 20-30lbs to go. Haven’t decided on my goal weight yet. Grin

ShagMeRiggins · 27/05/2020 16:30

Another thing—for cherries and others who have expressed opinions on calorie counting—thank you for sharing.

None of you has asked anyone to stop discussing it, I think we all know you’re sharing your experiences and points of view, which contributes much to the discussion for us all.

TheClitterati · 27/05/2020 16:43

@PrimalLass

OMG I've just realised we can 'quote'. Welcome to 2020, Mumsnet!
oooh - shiny, new, lovely!
Rshard · 27/05/2020 16:44

The discussion around calorie counting is really interesting; it reminds me of weight watcher days too so I get how it could be triggering. I agree with shagme, the fact that it’s being talked about shows what a great and inclusive place this is.

It’s helping me kick start and reconsider portion sizes like others but I’ll be glad to bin it next week!

ShagMeRiggins · 27/05/2020 16:47

A few final things (because I’m having a break from work and don’t want to stack the effing dishwasher)—

  1. A massive welcome to all the newbies. Speak up, post away, and enjoy.
  1. Athelstane your post about not logging a lemon into MFP made me snort.
  1. MrsTerry the poo did the trick. Totally called it. Wink
  1. Was it cerealkiller who asked about skin etc with weight loss? Can’t remember and I know others have answered. Want to add that in my experience some bits go weird for a while then sort themselves out, other bits need attention, and depending on circumstances some bits will never be the same.

I find paying real attention to moisture and movement and muscle tone is incredibly helpful for physical and general well-being.

TheClitterati · 27/05/2020 16:51

Shorter swim today - the wind was up and sea choppy. It took me much longer to decide to go in (this is what I am challengling myself to change) so by the time I did get it I only had time for a short swim.
We walked up the big cliff and back to the beach - that is my exercise for today.

I am enjoying the lunchtime excursions to the beach with the DC.

CalendulaAndRoses · 27/05/2020 17:02

absolutely echo what @ShagMeRiggins and others have said - while I may not want to calorie count (or even actually properly carb count I have just realised - just aiming on keeping 'em low Grin ) count I very much appreciate that it works for some and hugely value all the effort @BIWI and @AthelstaneTheUnready put in here - it is brilliant!

LostaraYil · 27/05/2020 17:07

No weird dreams here yet, but I'm loving reading about all of yours! Good day so far today, 30min weights done, and 1h very slow walk (Ddog1 has arthritis and Ddog 2 is a lazy little rat).
B- tuna mayo with onion, lettuce
L- a few cornichons and a bit of cheese
D- roast pork and roast veg (broccoli, courgette, peppers)
Kept busy with cleaning and painting more skirting, now sunbathing, grateful that next door's builders are done for the day.
Btw low carb usually really helps with my acne/rosacea. Not there yet but I expect to see an improvement by the end of the week.

GabrielleChanel · 27/05/2020 17:12

I am late but I have been doing this off own bat
Why no milk during fasting window @biwi I thought 'twas okay

bibliomania · 27/05/2020 17:14

So jealous of the outdoor swimming, TheClit and I think some others yesterday. Not possible here and I miss it.

Not attempting precision calorie counting of my actual consumption as it's too much faff, but am compromising by checking calorie count of recipes when menu planning this week.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/05/2020 17:16

[quote 1Wildheartsease]@mummyoflittledragon have you tried coconut oil whisked into coffee (in place of butter or cream)? Sounds horrible but my son introduced it to me as he loves it. The flavoured stuff tastes quite different when in the coffee; you might like the new flavour. [/quote]
Thanks. I have been put off by the thought tbh but will try that tomorrow. It’s too hot for a coffee now. Smile

1Wildheartsease · 27/05/2020 17:26

Persevering with the calorie-counting (because it is only for a week - it is an optional experiement ) and watching the effect on me.

This is a week's meditation - thank-you for suggesting it BIWI. I am finding it interesting and expect it will be a weight-loss starter too .

Positive effects:

  • I am thinking much more about portion size. I think some of mine are based on 'normal' eating from when I was much heavier. Reassessment is due.
  • noting that 'harmless' between meal 'nibbling' I'm tempted to can count more highly that the meal I am preparing.

-I have 'discovered' Fast 800 recipes and do like some of them. This might be a good addition in my plan for maintaining in the future. The occasional grains would be enjoyable.

The first two things might be behind my long stall. I love LCHF eating - it is normal now- but I can see that there are things I can adjust if I want to lose the last 20lb.

Negative
-lots of bad memories of dieting have resurfaced. I remember the obsession that led to cutting something to the exact size required... and then the stupidity of eating the cuttings! Grin

-I'm thinking about food during much more of my day than has become usual

-I can see the temptation to go back to eating to the calorie-count and forgetting about nutrition. There is no need to think about either on 'Bootcampus Ordinarius' (love that name), FLGV is in the rules and everything else is non-processed- freshly prepared. What could be better?

ShagMeRiggins · 27/05/2020 17:42

noting that 'harmless' between meal 'nibbling' I'm tempted to can count more highly that the meal I am preparing*

Great post 1Wildheartsease and what an interesting observation of “nibbling.”

Purpleorange1 · 27/05/2020 17:45

Day 1- I've realised how much of the sweet stuff I snack on no wonder I piled on 11lbs over lockdown. Here's my breakdown of my food consumption:
B- omelette with spinach
L- prawns with grated courgettes and carrots
D- peri peri chicken salad,I'm craving something spicy!
Snacks- apple and peanut butter
2L of water and start my 16hr fast at 6pm.
4k brisk walking and 20mins of weights today

Thank you for the support, I so needed this

BrassicaBabe · 27/05/2020 17:55

Wow. I'm tired Sad Totally failed at my 5k run. Ran 1k at my 5k pace. Stopped. Got my breath. Ran 500m fast. Stopped. Ran final 500m fast. Feel like I've made up for the last of distance but pushing a bit on the pace. Was really tired yesterday too 🤔 Done for the day now. Just need to sort dinner for myself and everyone else now....
(Mixed tuna in my celery soup at lunchtime to add a bit of oomph)

PseudoBadger · 27/05/2020 18:19

@ExShield

Hello all! Has anyone had an upset tum? I could, to quote, “shit through the eye of a needle.” I had salad twice yesterday so presumably my body is shocked into ejecting everything.
Not sure if anyone else has replied - but YES
BIWI · 27/05/2020 18:20

@GabrielleChanel

I am late but I have been doing this off own bat Why no milk during fasting window *@biwi* I thought 'twas okay
Because milk has calories/carbs/nutrition - it's the opposite of what we're trying to do when we're fasting, which is to consume nothing!

On the Fast 800 website, they're saying you're allowed up to 50 calories before you break your fast, but my feeling is that that's a bit of a random number they've chosen!

Ultimately it's up to you - if you feel you really have to have milk in your tea/coffee, that's fine, but you just need to accept that it will be breaking your fast. (Although if that's all you're consuming, and leaving your food till later in the day, you're still reducing your calories!)

OP posts: