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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:
Thread gallery
37
poorbuthappy · 18/10/2020 13:19

I've also lost the urge to snack.
I also seem to feel a lot less hungry.
I've just had to force big mushroom mozzarella and chorizo down my neck.
Not force as in it was horrid but I really didn't think I was hungry.
Yesterday all I had was a chicken thigh plus skin and a fish pie with celeriac topping which was nice but too peculiar to be repeated in this house. Oh and shit loads of water obv.

Tonight's tea is pork belly cheesy leeks and broccoli.

prettybird · 18/10/2020 13:31

ponygirlcurtis - you and I are weight twins Grin only because I've lost 7lb this Boot Camp already BlushShockSmile

I also have a similar goal: would love to lose a further stone by Christmas I've done it before Blush - and then a further 7lb beyond that. But yes, the immediate goal is to get back into the 11st somethings Smile

1WildTeaParty · 18/10/2020 13:44

BasicMadeira - I recognise the sugar problem. :(

What I noticed is that the craving for sugar is not relieved by eating it - not at all.

Knowing this - and holding on to that thought- has helped me in the early days of low-carbing.

I have found that the only relief from the craving is by steering clear of sugar (and too many carbs in general); stay away completely and relief just arrives as if you've clicked an off-switch.

ShagMeRiggins · 18/10/2020 13:47

My less appealing version of Cheeseburger Pie, quadrupled last night with a view to feeding five adult appetites plus some leftover for the week ahead.

I have four portions left (out of 12, generous). First born had three portions. Husband and second born had 1 1/2 each. Hmm

I struggled to finish mine—with FLGV—and it was all delicious, but maybe it’s because I’m generally fat-adapted...I don’t know how anyone can have more than one square!

2020 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp.  The first week!
ponygirlcurtis · 18/10/2020 14:03

prettybird Maybe it's a fellow Scottish thing. Wink

I am looking forward to getting back into pork belly and cheesy leeks, will be making that on Saturday night I think.

BurningGubbins · 18/10/2020 14:38

Do any of the longer termers have any advice about constipation on this WOE? I have been following along since the last bootcamp and lost 3 stones. The last couple of weeks I have found my usually regular, never-had-an-issue-before schedule is really disrupted. I am uncomfortable with it and last weekend had to take lactulose to get things going. That worked but I can tell things are going wrong again.
Nothing in my diet or habits has changed. I am eating lots of green veg and fat, and drinking more than my water quota, but it’s not making a difference. I don’t want to have to rely on laxatives (or carbs!) in the long term.

StuntNun · 18/10/2020 15:41

@BurningGubbins make sure you're drinking the right amount of water. Try a teaspoon of coconut oil in coffee or another hot drink. I used to have it in rooibos tea and just leave the teaspoon in the mug and stir it before every sip. It's good this time of year for moisturising your lips as well. Don't shy away from taking e.g. lactulose or psyllium husk powder is you need them as it can take a few weeks to adjust to the change in your diet. Try putting your feet up on a low stool or step while you're on the toilet. There's a kink towards the end of the bowel that constricts it and raising your feet or squatting straightens out that kink and makes it easier to go. Check out the Squatty Potty to find out more but any low step will do - kids bathroom steps are ideal. Make sure you're getting regular exercise. You could also try chia seed pudding to get a bit more fibre in your diet.

BurningGubbins · 18/10/2020 15:53

Thanks @StuntNun. I’ll try the coconut oil - will be a bit of a change as I don’t really drink hot drinks! I am definitely drinking more than my water quota, and not finding that hard now.
It’s been a bit of a surprise as I’ve been on this WOE for over 4 months and it’s only just become an issue.
My husband usually takes the mickey out of me because I am so clockwork-like in this department Grin

StuntNun · 18/10/2020 16:11

@BurningGubbins if it's a sudden change and your diet hasn't changed recently then it would be worth seeing your GP if the problem persists. Constipation isn't usually a sign of anything serious but there are conditions such as obstructed bowel that can require medical treatment.

Rayna37 · 18/10/2020 16:31

Just popped in to a spar to pick up some extra milk and honestly just thought it's no wonder we're so overweight as a population! Wall to wall displays of jumbo sized confectionery, biscuits and other carby crap on offer in bulk for very little money. Surrounded by the stuff. It was hard not to think that actually, a bit of something would be nice, when that sort of volume of it was on display. Nothing in it was anything it would matter if you ran out of it.

AthelstaneTheUnready · 18/10/2020 16:46

Hi, @ponygirlcurtis, you're on, and welcome!

@Rayna37, ain't that the truth. My nearest supermarket is 25 miles away, but my nearest village has a co-op type affair which has about 2 feet of shelving with veg as you go in the door, a couple of pots of elmlea, and then 4 aisles of brightly coloured plastic and aluminium wrappers.

I'm not sure anything in those aisles is actually food.

SailingandSauvignon · 18/10/2020 16:53

Hello - I know it is a week in, but may I join.
I got on the scales this morning as my clothes have become very snug (my bra feels like it's biting in) and I have gained 10 lbs, and I was at the very top of my healthy weight before. I feel dumpy + lumpy and embarrassed about how I look.
I Have read the thread + the FAQs and am ready to give it a go, but also a bit trepidatious (in case i just never stop eating and gaining weight).
I eat chicken + fish but not other meats, and I am a bit confused re cheese and what can be had.
Also, I am 47 and pretty sure I am peri menopausal - has anyone still had success with bonkers hormones?
Thank you Smile

20bloodypounds · 18/10/2020 17:07

rayna on my local facebook pages someone was advertising kids treat boxes for sale "just what you need for a rainy weekend". They had 4 mini sugar donuts, 2 sauces (caramel and chocolate), 2 toppings (smarties and sugar sprinkles) and an extra pot of strawberry jam.

If my grandson had all that, the last thing I would want would to be stuck inside with him as he bounced off the walls!

I actually felt sorry for any kids who had that kind of treat this weekend.

Brunch: creamy scrambled eggs, sausage, butter fried mushrooms.

We've had an invitation to eat with some friends in their garden tonight (to discuss a potential sailing holiday next year). They are the 'big pot of pasta' kind of friends, so I'll have to negotiate around whatever they serve. Step one is to take the starter - prawns and a rich creamy garlicky mayonnaise dipping sauce. I'm making lots of sauce and will mop it up with cucumber, baby gem lettuce and celery. I'll fill up on that as much as possible and minimise the need to eat anything else. I've already offered to drive so booze is out, and they know that I never eat pudding.

BIWI · 18/10/2020 17:16

@SailingandSauvignon

Hello - I know it is a week in, but may I join. I got on the scales this morning as my clothes have become very snug (my bra feels like it's biting in) and I have gained 10 lbs, and I was at the very top of my healthy weight before. I feel dumpy + lumpy and embarrassed about how I look. I Have read the thread + the FAQs and am ready to give it a go, but also a bit trepidatious (in case i just never stop eating and gaining weight). I eat chicken + fish but not other meats, and I am a bit confused re cheese and what can be had. Also, I am 47 and pretty sure I am peri menopausal - has anyone still had success with bonkers hormones? Thank you Smile
Welcome @SailingandSauvignon

There's no problem with cheese - unless you're someone who can't tolerate dairy. And the only way to find that out is by trial and error!

General advice is to go easy on the cheese - it's very calorific. But no reason to not include it in your diet.

I think a lot of us here are pre/during/post menopause, so just post anyway! There doesn't seem to be any reason why low carbing wouldn't work.

OP posts:
ponygirlcurtis · 18/10/2020 17:17

Thank you Athelstane, much appreciated. Smile

I don't know about peri hormones, Sailing, although I am the same age, but I have previously found eating this way generally helps me feel more balanced emotionally.

SailingandSauvignon · 18/10/2020 17:30

Thank you @BIWI, I will approach cheese with caution!
and @ponygirlcurtis, thank you - my emotions have been a bit wobbly of late - just general life and circumstances, and I think hormones exacerbating them, so that is really good to know.

Anotherducker · 18/10/2020 18:30

My skin is so oily. I thought it would have improved by now. Possibly last week’s biscuits making their way out!

BIWI · 18/10/2020 19:05

I suspect a week isn't long enough, especially if you were eating biscuits only last week!

OP posts:
NorthOfAmazing · 18/10/2020 19:44

Hey everyone , I have weighed in this morning as Mondays are no good to me , and I can report a 2 pound loss woohoo 🎉 I’ve made great progress with the water with everyone doing so well the enthusiasm is infectious.
I have a food shop coming in the morning and going to make a plan for the week. We have to self isolate due to contact with positive case and these 3 past days have been hard to scrape some meals together, but have stayed strong. Apart from being insanely boring , this next week is going to be hard willpower wise !

Good luck for tomorrow’s weigh in everyone !

ZiggZagg · 18/10/2020 20:08

Congrats @NorthOfAmazing !! That's fantastic! I know the pain of self isolation having done 3 stints in that last two months Sad best thing I ever did was invest in a trampoline if you have any space or a garden? Also YouTube is your friend for the little ones whilst you eat cheese in the bathroom!Grin

StuntNun · 18/10/2020 20:20

@SailingandSauvignon I'm peri-menopausal and haven't had any issues losing the lockdown weight and then some. It shouldn't be any problem, the only issue you might face is that it could take a week or two longer to see any weight loss. Cheese is absolutely fine so long as you aren't having huge portions as it's calorific. If you think dairy might be an issue for you then try to have it no more than twice a day. Very few people need to cut it out entirely to be able to lose weight.

NorthOfAmazing · 18/10/2020 20:23

@ZiggZagg

Congrats *@NorthOfAmazing* !! That's fantastic! I know the pain of self isolation having done 3 stints in that last two months Sad best thing I ever did was invest in a trampoline if you have any space or a garden? Also YouTube is your friend for the little ones whilst you eat cheese in the bathroom!Grin
Thanks ZiggZagg ! No kiddies here but I still hide in the bathroom to eat cheese ...not a great sharer 😂

I’ve got books and mountains of housework, it’s just so dispiriting though and I fritter the hours away. Might try some virtual yoga or something to lift the spirits or some low carb baking... hides from BIWI

MaudesMum · 18/10/2020 20:28

May I thank whoever posted the moussaka recipe several pages back - I've just made it and had some, with steamed kale on the side - it was delicious!! And there'll be enough for the two evenings next week when I come back too late to start cooking - the temptation has always been just to have toast or something. With the moussaka and some spinach soup I made last week and froze in individual portion sizes, I feel well set up for the next few days!

ZiggZagg · 18/10/2020 20:37

@NorthOfAmazing oh even better that you don't have little ones! That sounds like utter bliss to me, my house would be spotless and would just curl up on the sofa with a good book, maybe a Netflix marathon! Don't get much chance in this house!

Well enjoy your week, not much you can do really but enjoy it!

Midlifemission · 18/10/2020 21:15

Good evening I have just tried to quickly
Catch up with the thread after a busy day out with the DC.
Hope everyone is rewarded with a loss tomorrow!
I am quite excited to see what the scales say
but mustn’t get too over optimistic as realised AF is due in a couple of days. I can say though this is the best first week of
Bootcamp I have managed in a longer time.

I can report the Gluhwein tea was delicious and I am now stockpiling as it might serve as my Bootcamp tipple!!

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