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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.

OP posts:
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TeddyIsaHe · 12/10/2020 09:29

Morning all!

Really looking forward to this, I’ve lurked on BC threads before but never caught the start of one. Hoping to shed some ‘baby weight’ (Dd is 3.5 Blush ) before Xmas.

AWryGiraffe · 12/10/2020 09:30

I'm not going to do the spreadsheet actually, just post on the threads and keep my weight recorded in my 'progress' Note on my phone.

In the middle of July I was 81.3kg, and 1 week into October I was 75.9 which is I think a whisker under 12 stone. I'm hoping to reach 11 stone by the end of this boot camp 😊

BIWI · 12/10/2020 09:33

@Solongsugar

Good morning ! About to mark in . I've been loosely following fast 800 for 8 weeks and would like to check with you *@BIWI*, what are the differences please? Good luck all x
There's a big difference between the plans.

For a start, on the Fast800 you count calories. It's a 12 week plan, where you only eat 800 calories per day.

You're allowed a higher level of carbs than on Bootcamp, so fruit and pulses are recommended - it's more of a Mediterranean diet.

Bootcamp is much lower in carbs because fruit is not allowed in the first two weeks, and only moderately for the remaining eight. And legumes/pulses are definitely out.

But the key difference is that we don't count carbs or calories. As long as you follow the rules, you should lose weight.

No counting makes it much easier to do, and stops you getting obsessive about numbers. (It doesn't mean Bootcamp is easy - the clue is in the name! - but it's easy to follow)

OP posts:
BIWI · 12/10/2020 09:35

Oh, @Solongsugar, the other difference is that the Fast800 builds in intermittent fasting.

There are a lot of benefits to fasting, and if you want to do that on Bootcamp then that's absolutely fine, but it's not really part of Bootcamp. It's something that longer-term low carbers will probably find easier to incorporate than someone new to things, as low carbing naturally curbs the appetite, making fasting easier to do.

OP posts:
GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 12/10/2020 09:42

Hello everyone! I just thought I'd pop in to say hi and offer some encouragement.

I started Bootcamp in May 2019, and by the end of it had lost two stone. Over the next bootcamp I lost another stone. I started off at 12st 10lb, size 14 and a BMI of 27. I'm now a size 8 with a BMI of 21 - the thinnest and lightest I've been in my adult life and I'm 42!

My weight varies by a couple of pounds up and down, depending on how active I've been, but I've managed to stay low carb and keep the weight off so far, even during lockdown. To me this way of eating feels genuinely miraculous. I don't go hungry (just as well as I suffer terribly from hanger!), get to eat delicious food that I really enjoy, and I don't feel I'm missing anything. In truth now on the odd occasion when I do allow myself something carby, I usually find it too sweet!

So good luck with it - listen to the amazing BIWI and other long-term low carbers, stick to the rules and be patient - as BIWI will warn you your loss might stall for a while but keep going and will happen. This WOE might seem strange at first but it quickly becomes your new normal and it works! Smile

Thing101 · 12/10/2020 09:44

Thanks for adding! Really looking forward to this and having some accountability with checking in etc.

BIWI · 12/10/2020 09:48

And it's time for my usual disclaimer:

I am not a medic. I am not a nutritionist or a dietician. I am not a scientist. The information and advice I post here is based on all the reading I've done around low carbing and weight loss, as well as my own experience, and from running Bootcamp for the last 8 years.

The guidance I post here is no substitute for medical, healthcare, pharmaceutical or other professional advice. Please note that if you have a specific medical condition for which you're taking any medication, especially diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), you MUST consult your GP or nurse and let them know that you're low carbing. As low carbing will impact directly on both conditions, you are likely to need to have your dosage altered. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, don't do strict Bootcamp, but start with Bootcamp Light

OP posts:
FizzyPink · 12/10/2020 09:52

Morning everyone, really excited to get started today! Did lots of prep when I got home last night so I've got chicken salads all ready for lunches this week plus egg muffins for a late breakfast when I break my fast at 11ish each morning and each evening meal planned out in advance.

Also very excited to get some use out of my new smart scales. I set DP up with a profile just for fun and as he's a very lean 6ft man who does 12 hours of sport a day as a job I've definitely got some motivation to improve my stats there!

Ciarabean · 12/10/2020 09:52

Thanks BIWI and good luck everyone!

VeryLittleOwl · 12/10/2020 10:08

Can I please absolutely echo what BIWI says about taking measurements, either by tape or by clothing? These are my target clothes, a size small t-shirt from the local agricultural store and a 20-year-old pair of size 10 Topshop shorts, which will never be worn in public again but make a good size guide! First pic is taken this morning (and there was some serious wriggling needed to get them high enough to make that even halfway decent!) and the second pic is my progress in the May 2019 boot camp, taken at two-week intervals. I don't think I ever lost more than 4lbs over a 2-week period, but the pictures told me I was making really good progress even when I felt like I wasn't.

2020 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp.  The first week!
2020 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp.  The first week!
MaudesMum · 12/10/2020 10:13

Hi all! Last on these threads about two years ago. Sadly lockdown wasn't good for me - ate and drank far too much, and haven't been able to shift the extra weight since. I have high blood pressure, and that has gone up, and I am now teetering on the edge of pre-diabetes according to my latest blood tests. And, worse of all, can't fit into most of my winter jeans. So, time for change!! I've been eating low carb for the last couple of weeks and have shifted a couple of lbs, but I need to keep at it. Really hoping these threads will help me in this! What I'd like to do is to get back into my jeans before the end of bootcamp - and ideally, get down another 7 or 8 lbs.

StuntNun · 12/10/2020 10:22

I always drink hot water with a slice of lemon. Is this something I can't do anymore (so about 1/2 a lemon a day)
@Coldwinterahead1 if you're drinking a lot of water on Bootcamp then the acid in lemon juice could be bad for your teeth.

@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously it's a good idea to give up artificial sweeteners if you can. It doesn't take long to get used to the taste of unsweetened coffee and eventually you won't be able to stand the taste if you get sweetened by mistake.

It's really helpful to post your food each day. It keeps you on track and gives other Bootcampers some ideas.
B: intermittent fasting as I've been doing this for a while but lots of water.
L: bacon and three scrambled eggs with extra butter in the eggs.
D: chicken stir fry with extra veggies instead of rice (pak choi, mushrooms, pepper, baby sweetcorn, courgette) dressed with soy sauce and toasted sesame oil.

ShagMeRiggins · 12/10/2020 10:24

VeryLittleOwl I’ve always enjoyed those photos in an emphatically non-pervy way because they really show how Bootcamp succeeds in lowering the fat around the middle.

Some of you will feel positively concave in a week or two after following the rules, and especially drinking all the WATER! WATER! WATER!

My starting weight is 181lbs which isn’t accurate because I was fully clothed and weighed after two pints of water (long-termer who skips breakfast most days), but I’ve decided to log it because I want to see an awesome first week loss. Grin

Iamnotacerealkiller · 12/10/2020 10:25

Just signing in. Very much need this bootcamp. Wanted to start a few days ago but the family all has lurgy and youngest is teething so sugar was apparently required.

I would like to get to under 12.5 stone by Xmas to set me up for a further stone. 5 by my summer hols 2021 which always sneak up on me. This is assuming cornwall hasnt left the uk by then or something...

before the comfort eating binge I was about 13st 4 so a pound a week would be lovely.

BoogleBear · 12/10/2020 10:27

Hi everyone, I have never joined in with anything like this before! I had a hysterectomy in April due to massive fibroids and have increased in weight since then due to lack of activity and terrible eating habits. I ate LCHF a couple of years ago and loved the food and how I felt so keen to get back on it. I have not got loads to lose and would like to get back to the low 9s. I have gradually been increasing my exercise again and have started the day with a 7.5km run. Going to add myself to the spreadsheet and have my late breakfast.

CowGurl · 12/10/2020 10:31

Hi - Weight logged. Thanks to BIWI and team. Have tried this before and not lasted more than a couple of weeks, but feel I will do better this time! Wondering which item of clothing from the hidden suitcase of shame I can use as my motivation ...

ShagMeRiggins · 12/10/2020 10:34

Ooh, forgot planned menu:

B - skip/fasting
L - tuna mayo w/shallots, cornichons, and water chestnuts served on romaine and spinach leaves
D - Cincinnati chili, I’ll be having mine 4-way but not actually 4-way because I won’t be having the spaghetti so it’s actually 3-way but can’t call it that because that means something else in Cincinnati Chili World.

And yes, I’m aware none of you has a Scooby what I’m talking about.

No snacks planned but if I feel the need I’ll grab a Baby Bel or have some pâté with celery (not cooked, Athelstane).

ShagMeRiggins · 12/10/2020 10:36

Wondering which item of clothing from the hidden suitcase of shame I can use as my motivation

Grab the one that made you feel most fabulous, CowGurl.

TeddyIsaHe · 12/10/2020 10:39

Oh yes menus! I love reading what everyone is eating.

B - water & black coffee. At the hospital for an appointment and totally forgot breakfast so will wait till I get home now
L - chicken marinated in chilli sauce with Mayo for dipping and steamed greens with butter
S - keto taco bowl (mince fried with garlic, taco seasoning - homemade so it’s not wildly carby) sour cream, grated cheese, jalapeños, chopped cucumber and shredded lettuce. I eat this 4/5 times a week on keto as am fully addicted to it! Plus it’s easy to batch prep.

OneFootintheRave · 12/10/2020 10:44

Good morning all. Checking in! Good luck everyone, though it's not luck, it's dedication and following the rules that will work. And getting back on the wagon should there be a wobble.

prettybird · 12/10/2020 10:44

Shagmeriggins - I also weighed myself this morning before the usual ahemmm movements Blush plus didn't drink much water in the last few weeks days, in addition to having a blowout eating far too many sweets Blush and my dad fed me a pasta dish and a lovely ice cream made with cream and a tin of condensed milk Shock (my grandmother's recipe - he was competing comparing with me as I made it for him two weeks ago Wink) last night, so I should get a stonking Week 1 loss almost all of which will be water Grin

Mentally preparing myself for multiple trips to the loo during the night until it settles down Smile

I should get out my nice pair of black trousers for comparison purposes. I hope to be able to wear them again at Christmas Xmas Smile

prettybird · 12/10/2020 10:46

Off to boil some eggs for breakfast and to make some low carb coleslaw to get the veg count up and to be available for snacks rather than my usual slices of salami or Emmenthal Halo

Margaritawithlime · 12/10/2020 10:55

Ooh yes menu
Ok breakfast this morning was coffee with cream and a couple of sausages fried with butter.
Lunch will be tuna Mayo lettuce roll ups
Dinner is salmon broccoli and feta pie from the IPD diet book. (My most successful foray into LC and the one where I lost 5 stone and subsequently put it all back on again )

Midlifemission · 12/10/2020 10:57

Morning all just reporting in for extreme weight loss duties (hopefully)
I am using an app to track my weight loss and love the idea of taking measurements and photographing progress so will get on to that as well.
I have put on 3 stone in 4 years which horrifies me but I am at least not in denial now.
I have lost successfully on a BIWI boot camp before so am hoping that I can do so again despite my peri menopausal age ( I know others have so no excuses!) My goals are 7 lbs before my November birthday if possible and then a total of a stone before Christmas.

B- cheese and spring onion omelette
L- black farmer sausages and mashed swede
D- salmon with buttered leeks and broccoli

Must drink more water now....

Good luck to all.

Montybojangles · 12/10/2020 10:58

Morning, reporting for duty. Thanks for setting this up Smile

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