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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.

2020 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp. The first week!

906 replies

BIWI · 11/10/2020 22:17

Welcome all.

Well what a strange year this has been! If you're anything like me, food, meals and eating have been all over the place. And that's before we think about the booze.

I found lockdown an odd mix of feeling like I was on holiday but it was also the end of the world. So what was the point of worrying about my diet?

I am lucky, relatively, in that we don't have small children to worry about educating. We also have a nice house and garden, and as me and DH have recently retired, don't have to worry about work. So we were very much advantaged over many people.

But still, the diet/drinking was all to pot. And with the inevitable result.

So we're now in the run up to Christmas - traditionally a time when diets go out of the window, and we start to indulge ourselves. Who knows what's going to happen this year though?!

So with that in mind, it's a good time to try and be focused and aim to have a bit of discipline! This Bootcamp, as with most others, will last for 10 weeks, which will take us right up to Christmas week.

(I truly hope that we'll all be able to spend Christmas with our loved ones, but who knows?)

With grateful thanks to @AthelstaneTheUnready, here is the Spreadsheet of Exceptional Fabulousness .

You should find that you're on the spreadsheet. A couple of things:

  • if you don't want to record your weight every week, that's absolutely fine. Just don't do it!
  • if you're not on it, just add your name to the bottom - don't try and re-alphabatize it - we'll sort it out later

The spreadsheet isn't just a place to record your weight though - have a good look at it, and the tabs - there's loads of information on there, including a veg carb counter and lots of stuff about low carbing in general. You'll also find Bootcamp rules there.

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SomethingInTheWaySheCooks · 16/10/2020 15:01

@ Biwi Thanks Biwi. We had the urine sticks at home anyway, so no money wasted. I have had a good look at the recipe ideas. I’m not short of ideas on the gluten and dairy free front. In fact I find we often eat much nicer things when we are gluten free! But I am getting fed up with eggs and struggling to find anything ‘breakfasty’ as filling. I like a cold option first thing (and a hot coffee!). So all cold breakfast ideas welcome. I miss my banana and cinnamon porridge too that I used to make with sultanas and sliced almonds!!!

Oneborneverydecade · 16/10/2020 15:01

@titsywoo

We're off to Miller & Carter next week. I've only been a couple of times but recall a lot of food in addition to the steak - too much almost and that was pre low carb. I'm going to peruse the menu now 😋

Oneborneverydecade · 16/10/2020 15:03

@biwi in addition to my eating, my spending is out of control. I don't suppose you're an expert and we can have a money bootcamp too? Please Wink

Jdhshekr · 16/10/2020 15:14

I’m loving reading the posts on this thread when I have a minute. Have been crazily busy for the past few days so no chance to contribute until now.

I’ve finally got over the water headache and seem to be tolerating more. Still not up to 3 litres but not too far off.

I’m weighing myself tomorrow as it’s the day after an exercise rest day And I always find my weight drops an extra lb after a rest day because of the water being released from the sore muscles (or whatever it is that happens - something like that anyway).

People struggling to find things to eat for breakfast: I just eat whatever I have that I fancy. Sometimes that’s something that would usually be reserved for lunch or dinner but I don’t care. Meatloaf, Cold leftover chicken wrapped in bacon, cold roast lamb - whatever it is gets eaten with half an avocado and I’m good to go. I do have eggs and some form of veg list of the time but I get sick of eggs if I don’t mix it up.

52andblue · 16/10/2020 15:41

I have lurked before (under a different name)

I agree that @BIWI and @StuntNun and @AthelstaneTheUnready (and many others) must have helped SO many people, both lurkers and 'out and proud' Bootcampers alike, regulars and newbies, folk looking for community and support plus specific / expert LC WOE advice

I too am grateful that this is here, esp in times like this when we are all under greater or lesser degrees of stress which can affect our bodies so much as well as our minds xxx

Lyrata · 16/10/2020 16:07

Hey BIWI!

Yes, it does. I definitely used it as a way to treat myself and cheer myself up during the lockdown. Particularly when you’re not doing much - the reward actually becomes the excursion to the big Waitrose (but without buying the fancy dessert it doesn’t feel worth it...)

BIWI · 16/10/2020 16:10

[quote Oneborneverydecade]@biwi in addition to my eating, my spending is out of control. I don't suppose you're an expert and we can have a money bootcamp too? Please Wink[/quote]
Grin

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BuffyTheBuffetSlayer · 16/10/2020 16:11

@BIWI the day I had 8 (hangs head in shame over day 2 meals) slices of low carb bread I tested a decent dark pink positive for ketones later that evening. Does this mean the bread is ok? I'm also hoping to see good news about how it affects the glucose.

I was thinking the same as those mentioning the effort put into this by BIWI, STUNTNUN AND ATHELSTANETHEUNREADY. I was signed up to WW before this and you pay a fortune!!

This bootcamp is so much better, so much more informative and SO SO much more motivational and best of all you actually see results! And it's so nice to feel part of a 'community' Smile

Titsywoo · 16/10/2020 16:16

[quote Oneborneverydecade]@titsywoo

We're off to Miller & Carter next week. I've only been a couple of times but recall a lot of food in addition to the steak - too much almost and that was pre low carb. I'm going to peruse the menu now 😋[/quote]
I'm planning to have steak with garlic mushrooms (just mushrooms in garlic butter) - that with the lettuce wedge is very filling. Not sure if the buttermilk ranch dressing is low carb though? Or the beef dripping sauce as I reckon there's a fair amount of sugar in it. I love the onion loaf but that has some sort of batter I think.

StuntNun · 16/10/2020 16:25

Thanks a lot Shag I did the diced shallots and added a sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end. I did wonder about a splash of Worcestershire sauce but it can be a bit overpowering so I left it out in the end.

I am agog at the idea of beef dripping sauce, although I can't see how it can be better than butter as a sauce. I have loads of beef dripping left over from making bone broth.

MsAwesomeDragon · 16/10/2020 17:53

I have been using the electrolytes that BIWI linked to earlier. Dh had some in the cupboard from when he used to "seriously work out at the gym" (he hasn't been too the gym in well over a year, I'm surprised the electrolyte tablets were still in date!!). I was still low in salt yesterday. I really need to make sure there's more salt in/on my food, but it's difficult to overcome years of conditioning that salt is bad.

Busy day at work today meant I worked through lunch (detention duty, then a sixth former came to ask for help with his homework). I did have a packet of cheesios after school though. Thank you to the people who recommended those, I ordered them earlier in the week and they arrived yesterday. They're lovely, and the packet is just big enough to enjoy but not so big they get overwhelming. Not an everyday thing I'm thinking though.

Someone recommended the chicken crackling earlier in the thread, so I ordered some of that too. They arrived today, so I'll be trying those tomorrow.

StuntNun · 16/10/2020 17:57

As an aside, I've been eating this way for seven years and I still need to supplement with electrolytes or I get woken up by thirst in the night. I also salt my food much more liberally than pre-low carb. I had blood tests recently and my sodium level was on the low side of the normal range. So in my case it's definitely a case of more electrolytes being needed and hasn't led to high sodium levels. I don't add electrolytes to all my water, about a pint a day seems to be enough on top of salt in food. I recommend Lo-Salt rather than salt because it has potassium in as well.

Titsywoo · 16/10/2020 18:07

@StuntNun

Thanks a lot Shag I did the diced shallots and added a sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end. I did wonder about a splash of Worcestershire sauce but it can be a bit overpowering so I left it out in the end.

I am agog at the idea of beef dripping sauce, although I can't see how it can be better than butter as a sauce. I have loads of beef dripping left over from making bone broth.

The beef dripping sauce at M&C is a thick burgundy colour and very rich - it most certainly has red wine and probably sugar in it. It is amazing though!
Oneborneverydecade · 16/10/2020 18:11

@titsywoo I think I might go for the bernaise steak sauce and the stilton and blue cheese wedge dressing. The garlic mushrooms sounds delicious

I can't see the bone marrow on the menu?

Ive got a meal at an American diner to get through first - 14yos birthday choice - I'm assuming the steak is going to be a let down so might go for chicken salad

All this talk of restaurants is making me hungry!

TeddyIsaHe · 16/10/2020 18:13

Takeout tonight! BC friendly of course (too scared of the stick Grin ) lamb shish, salad and halloumi instead of pitta. No sauce.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend ahead.

AthelstaneTheUnready · 16/10/2020 18:13

Personally, I've turned into my father. My mother has, for decades, complained that whatever food she put in front of him he would smother in salt and pepper.

(she was a from-scratch although godawful cook)

But I do put it on everything - meat gets S&P, so does accompanying veg, so does sauce. If I'm having a few slices of cheddar in lieu of lunch, they get a slab of salted butter with extra S&P on top.

EastofEdna · 16/10/2020 18:15

Another day done.

Brunch: cheese+leek omelette
Tea: salmon stir fry

2l water.

Work super busy today - calls from 8 - 4 both those meals were huge and I am knackered now - so knackered I could go to sleep now.

ShagMeRiggins · 16/10/2020 18:16

ShagMeRiggins obviously you are one of the regulars I was referring to - I think we share the same sense of humour!

If we share the same sense of humour, Goldie I don’t know whether to celebrate you or pity you. I’ll choose celebrate because—obviously—I think I can be hilarious. Wink

Join us. Post more. When you can.

prettybird · 16/10/2020 18:20

I love putting a sprinkling of sea salt on all meat just before serving. It really brings the flavour out Smile

I got two bags of brussel sprouts at Lidl yesterday: the first of the season. Let the shoogling commence! Grin

Titsywoo · 16/10/2020 18:25

Erm... what is shoogling @prettybird? I bought some brussel sprouts yesterday and was thinking of ways to jazz them up.

ZiggZagg · 16/10/2020 18:27

We're having takeaway tonight (all very ill today, DS has been clingy to me and I'm absolutely drained). I'm having chicken kebab with salad (no pitta Sad) and adding my own mayo.

I had scrambled egg and cheese with cucumber for lunch.

Need to up my water today, I have a 500ml cup and have been having 7 at the least every day, only managed 3 today but will definitely have another 4 before bed!

BIWI · 16/10/2020 18:30

Thank you for all the lovely comments and compliments.

I'll save them up and remind you of what you said next time I have to wield The Big Stick Grin

OP posts:
Anotherducker · 16/10/2020 18:40

Has anyone had their cholesterol tested? Does this WOE improve it?

prettybird · 16/10/2020 18:41

Shoogling is just my technical the Scottish term for "shaking" Wink: it's what's required half way through the microwaving of a bowl of sprouts with a slab of butter Smile

poorbuthappy · 16/10/2020 18:42

@AthelstaneTheUnready cheddar with salted butter on it??????