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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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Titsywoo · 17/10/2020 23:47

@RitaEllen

I made the cheeseburger pie today. Was a huge hit with the whole family. My autistic son who is quite underweight ate a big piece with broccoli and really enjoyed it so will definitely be making that again!

Also had bacon and eggs as it’s the weekend and some veggie sticks and black pepper Boursin.

My son also loves the cheeseburger pie which is great but suddenly half of it is gone and I was planning to have it as lunches next week Hmm
Mimosa1 · 18/10/2020 08:11

Aargh just lost a long post!

Well done on the clothes @BuffyTheBuffetSlayer ! That must have been very satisfying.

We're having an amazing pork belly dish for lunch. I'll post the recipe later

Have a good Sunday all

Jdhshekr · 18/10/2020 08:56

Thank you for the exercise info, ladies. Very interesting. And I swear I could run several marathons just off the fat on my arse alone 😆

MsAwesomeDragon · 18/10/2020 09:19

I weighed this morning and am down 5lbs!! 😁😁

Buffy that's brilliant about getting into pre-kiddie clothes!! Well done!

I don't have any smaller clothes, as I've been a size 16-18 all of my adult life. I'm currently wearing size 16 jeans that were too tight to be comfortable last week, but are just about perfect this week. 😁

Stegasaurusmum · 18/10/2020 09:30

Haven't checked in much, struggling with awful period pain right now, despite being on the mini pill (part of the problem, huge weight gain on this)

Anyway so I weighed myself every day and I'm down 4lbs roughly... Which I'm delighted with, although not sure it'll last, I know it'll go up and down. Tend to bloat on my period so that's pretty good... Hoping to start up exercise this week, I've been rubbish but I'm getting on that cross trainer tonight!
B..scrambled eggs... Wil also be lunch I think as I'm not feeling like eating much, cramps 😕
D. Pork casserole, there's root veg in it but I'll cook it for all three of us, add dumplings for the kids (going to struggle to hold back from eating those!) and I made cheesy leeks and mushrooms last night so will pick out the veg and just top up with those...
Also bought frozen cauli cheese, which has been a nice quick addition to meals. Trying to prep stuff in advance as I know I'll get lazy, especially as I'm off for 2 weeks now for half term.
Away next weekend and just hoping I can stick to low carb, travelling and possibly having v little choice for breakfast might be a problem, we get a continental breakfast delivered to our room so that'll be pastries won't it.. Not sure what to do there!

BIWI · 18/10/2020 09:45

@Superspecs

Loving all the curry ideas, thanks!

Can I ask about portions and snacking? I like both Blushwhich is probably why I'm here!

Are you all taking care to have small portions and no snacks or does it not matter? How do you help yourself not load your plate and reach for a cheese slice between meals?

Thanks!

If you're following Bootcamp rules, i.e. making sure you're eating plenty of fat and drinking lots of water, then you shouldn't be getting hungry between meals. It may take a week or so for you to get there, but you will!

Ask yourself if you're reaching for that slice of cheese - do you really need it? Are you really hungry? Or are you doing it out of habit?

Re portion sizes - you eat enough to fill you up. This isn't a WOE that's about deprivation. However, you do need to exercise common sense - keep your portions reasonable. It's worth knowing that the size of the average dinner plate has increased in size over the years, which does easily lead to us eating bigger portions, so just keep an eye on that.

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BIWI · 18/10/2020 09:49

@Jdhshekr

Rayna37 pesky proper beer tasting all nice and stuff ☹️

Does anyone know how low carb high fat diets affect exercise? The instructor at my gym could not be more horrified that I am eating this way and was trying to tell me that it’s really bad for stamina during cardio and for building muscle. I don’t 100% believe her but I am noticing that I’m not performing as well in the gym and when running as I do when I eat carbs. That said, I’ve had Covid and have suffered from fatigue ever since so it may just be that.

I'm afraid that your instructor doesn't know what she's talking about!

You will find that your performance right now may be suffering, as your body is in transition from burning carbs for fuel to burning fat. But almost certainly Covid will be playing a part.

Re the diet, given that you will still be eating plenty of protein, then there's no reason at all why you shouldn't be building muscle.

Go and have a read of FAQs thread that I started - there's a piece about exercise there.

And recommend that she reads this book which I'd suggest you also have a read of, if you can get a copy.

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IncurablyCurious · 18/10/2020 09:52

Hadn't realised how much nicer coffee with cream was to coffee with milk before this; DP also delighted with the new discovery (and can eat anything apart from beer and not pile on the pounds, mutter mutter). It's really making mornings a lot easier for me.

Yesterday I ended up having a late chicken salad for lunch, plus homemade bunless burgers for dinner. I also made myself halloumi wedges in lieu of chips, which were lush, and which I really really hope I can get away with on this WOE, because I scoffed the lot Blush

Today is store cupboard Sunday in my household, which means eating up leftovers. It's unplanned, and normally pretty carb based, but I made sure to buy extra veg this week, and I'm hoping that inspiration will strike later on!

prettybird · 18/10/2020 09:56

I'll admit that a lot of my snacks of cheese and salami Blush are down to habit. If I can keep myself busy, then I don't prowl the fridge need them 

Also, doing 16:8 helps in the late evening, as I can remind myself that it will break the fast/extend the period before I can have a proper meal again 

Jdhshekr - trust us, once you are ketogenically adapted, this way of eating really is easier for exercise. It's like you have a constant supply for fuel Smile. I can do a Jillian Michael DVD (the Shred or Ripped) followed by a 7km run, all fasted.

It's interesting now when reading about top level sports teams' nutrition: they all seem to be much more focussed on protein and fat nowadays and not the carbs.

So your PT really needs to do some more reading Grin

BIWI · 18/10/2020 09:57

We went out for dinner last night - a long-standing engagement. Sadly only DH and I could go as we're now in plague-ridden Tier 2, so our Tier 1 friends couldn't come Sad

It's somewhere we've never been before, and it's one of those places where you don't get any choice. Well you do - do you want pudding or cheese instead of pudding?!

But amazingly the menu was relatively low carb-friendly:

IPA Sourdough and Cultured Butter
which I didn't have

Raw Wild Cornish Sea Bass
Sicilian Pomegranate, Yuzu Kosho, Marigold
not too much pomegranate, thankfully

La Latteria Burrata
Sage and Almond Pesto, Delica Squash
absolutely delicious, and only a small piece of squash

Haunch of Aynhoe Park Venison
Roasted Parsley Root, Lingonberries, Raddichio
Came with parsnip, which I didn't eat. Neither did I eat the lingonberries - and I was getting a bit full by now!

Pump Street 60% Ecuadorian Chocolate Cremeux
Miyagawa, 100% Brownie OR
Today’s Cheese
Went for the cheese, with no bread/crackers

Makes such a change to have a menu that isn't really carb-heavy.

Unfortunately I failed on the Champagne front!

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prettybird · 18/10/2020 09:59

Sounds a lovely meal BIWI - I think you did very well in the circumstances Halo

BIWI · 18/10/2020 10:00

The thing about protein is interesting though, as you should be eating pretty much the same amount of protein as if you were following the current government/NHS guidelines.

That diet is high carb:medium protein:low fat.

What we're doing is just switching it round, so it's high fat:medium protein:low carb.

The lower you keep your carbs, obviously the more protein and fat you'll end up eating.

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BasicMadeira · 18/10/2020 10:14

Hi, just checking in here to try and get me back in the zone. I got through Friday okay which was tough. It made me realize how addicted to sugar I am. I was not hungry, tired or anything else but I sat in my kitchen and I WANTED white chocolate like a craving. It was a true addition I knew that all that would fix it was a sugar rush. It was actually a bit scary.
I have never given up cigarettes or anything harder before and while I miss the enjoyment and habit of alcohol I have never had the physical craving for anything like I did for sugar. Anyway I raided nuts instead (Brazil) I know not allowed but better I thought.
So Friday was a hard won success so what did I do? On Saturday I took a hard lollipop from my daughter as she did not like it, no bins nearby so I carried it and then flipping ate it. I did not even think about it.... just ate it. Short story long there was not a sweet carb left in the house by the time I went to bed last night. Am cross and disappointed with myself but have planned today and had my Greek yogurt for breakfast so fingers crossed.
My name is BasicMaderia and I am a sugar addict.

BIWI · 18/10/2020 10:30

Planning ahead is the best way out of that @BasicMadeira!

...that and getting rid of all the sweet treats.

Have a super strict day - make sure you eat plenty of fat and drink lots of water. If you can, go and do some exercise as well.

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Lyrata · 18/10/2020 10:34

Awh, @BasicMadeira I am the same way! It’s so hard, isn’t it? Sometimes I feel like I’m in a complete trance, just sleep-walking to the shops to get my next ‘fix’.

I have given up smoking, and I would say there is a degree of comparability. Nothing has been like the first week without smoking - it was all I could think about. But day one without sugar is, for me, about as hard as week two without nicotine was. The big difference is that sometimes I still want a cigarette, even after a year of abstention - I get a real teeth-clenching urge. But I find that once I haven’t had sugar for 3-4 days the thought of it becomes totally unpalatable. I bet you’ll find the same.

(The above may be totally different for different people!)

Rayna37 · 18/10/2020 11:09

@Stegasaurusmum

Haven't checked in much, struggling with awful period pain right now, despite being on the mini pill (part of the problem, huge weight gain on this)

Anyway so I weighed myself every day and I'm down 4lbs roughly... Which I'm delighted with, although not sure it'll last, I know it'll go up and down. Tend to bloat on my period so that's pretty good... Hoping to start up exercise this week, I've been rubbish but I'm getting on that cross trainer tonight!
B..scrambled eggs... Wil also be lunch I think as I'm not feeling like eating much, cramps 😕
D. Pork casserole, there's root veg in it but I'll cook it for all three of us, add dumplings for the kids (going to struggle to hold back from eating those!) and I made cheesy leeks and mushrooms last night so will pick out the veg and just top up with those...
Also bought frozen cauli cheese, which has been a nice quick addition to meals. Trying to prep stuff in advance as I know I'll get lazy, especially as I'm off for 2 weeks now for half term.
Away next weekend and just hoping I can stick to low carb, travelling and possibly having v little choice for breakfast might be a problem, we get a continental breakfast delivered to our room so that'll be pastries won't it.. Not sure what to do there!

I was going to ask if you checked the ingredients/carb content of the frozen cauli cheese as it's likely to have flour in it. However just had a browse and the Iceland one was only 5.5g I think so not too bad when you need something quick or easy! I imagine they vary though. Might try some!
VeryLittleOwl · 18/10/2020 11:12

BasicMadeira I'm like that with sugar as well. Once I start, I just don't have an off switch. I don't drink alcohol and I've never smoked, but sugar is an addiction for me. There was a study done a few years back (in Australia I think) where scientists got rats addicted to cocaine and then over the next few days offered them an either/or choice of something heavily sugared or something laced with cocaine. 95% of the rats went for the sugar. It's powerful stuff.

Lunch today is going to be a vegetable omelette with a bit of Boursin melted into it and supper is a lovely juicy thick pork loin steak with cauliflower cheese and more veggies.

Rayna37 · 18/10/2020 11:14

Brunch of bacon bits, mushrooms and scrambled egg. Will have a pretty active afternoon swimming then at the zoo (thankfully DH takes the toddler to his gym and I swim in peace at mine).

Looking forward to roast pork belly with Brussels, broccoli and celeriac mash for dinner. Need to get my water in too, always harder on a weekend for me.

Excited for everyone's big weigh-ins tomorrow Grin

NigellaAwesome · 18/10/2020 11:14

I have just managed to catch up with the thread, and it moves so fast that by the time I comment it is well out of date.

Sheepysheep that is a very inspirational journey that you have been on. Well done!

Stuntnun, belated congrats on your anniversary.

Re Pataks paste - I have to confess I never thought to look. I have the Balti spice mix, which is 10.5g per 100g. The curry I made last week used about 100g of paste, but did about 10 servings, so I think it is ok.

I also did not know that ginger root is carby - I use masses of the stuff! Google has just informed me that it is 18g carbs per 100g. I reckon I must use about 50 to 100g in my curry, so potentially quite a lot per serving.

Anyhow, I am very jealous of people's dinners out. We are in plague ridden NI 😷, and all restaurants and cafes are closed except for takeaway or delivery.

NigellaAwesome · 18/10/2020 11:28

I was also going through old photos yesterday, and came across one that must have been taken in mid 2009. My DC would have been 4 and 2 at the time. It was awful - I was really heavy, and just looked exhausted and unhealthy (which I was). I think I also had untreated hypothyroidism (I was only just inside the reference range by 0.1 around that time, and so GP refused to treat).

It made me really sad seeing the photo, and I tore it up and threw it out. Whilst I still struggle with my weight, my base line is much lower, and I definitely feel better on low carb, but importantly also feel that low carb gives me the tools to do something about it.

I am also going upstairs right now to find the top I was wearing in the photo to throw it out. I'm sure I still have it in a drawer.

BasicMadeira · 18/10/2020 11:43

Thanks @Lyrata @BIWI @VeryLittleOwl
Yup planning ahead is the key. I am great with the water and Monday- Friday the house is a treat free zone but the weekend DH has treats in and we were at a socially distant birthday walk for DD pal so the lollipop was part of the party bag. Agree @Lyrata it is like being a zombie. Thank god I never got addicted to cigarettes despite enjoying a few too many at uni.

MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 18/10/2020 11:49

Good morning all,
I think I have reached that point where I am not hungry between meals. Although I've low carved before, this is my first proper bootcamp with eating fat on purpose and not having sweeteners (which has ruled out the sugar free sweets I used to have as a sort of compromise). I can't say the desire to eat cake has totally left me or that I don't miss sweet coffee, but I'm definitely not hungry.
I also think my appetite is becoming more in line with what 'normal' people eat. Have been doing this since Monday, so not such a long time to wait to feel the difference. Hope this helps anyone still struggling with hunger.

ShagMeRiggins · 18/10/2020 11:51

[quote StuntNun]@sheepysheep I'm not a real nun you know, I'm a stunt nun! I stand in for nuns in movies when they need to leap out of a moving car or fall off a bridge or jump a motorbike through a fiery hoop or something. Wink[/quote]
Grin Grin Grin

ponygirlcurtis · 18/10/2020 12:24

I wonder if I can join, I know I am a week late in starting? I have been eating low-carb for over 6 years, after doing a BIWI bootcamp back in 2014, and got my weight and my emotional eating more or less under control and just never went back to having bread, potatoes, rice or pasta. Then lockdown happened, my mum kept baking cakes for the DCs and I kept eating them plus drank all the wine. The gaining has stopped since I started back at work but I am a stone heavier than before lockdown, plus could probably do with shedding another 7lbs on top.

Can I be added to the spreadsheet? I am 12st 4lb this morning. First goal is to get back into the 11s.

Anotherducker · 18/10/2020 13:09

@BasicMadeira sorry about the bad day yesterday. I’m a sugar addict too. I made the kids some pain au chocolates for breakfast. Then crunchy rolls and soup and I realised I just wanted to shove it all in my mouth (I didn’t) I’m not sure I’ll ever lose that urge to binge high carb foods. Maybe it’s something I need to accept, that I can’t have just one sugary thing, because it leads to a binge. Almost like an alcoholic who can’t have any alcohol at all otherwise it starts all over again.

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