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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.

2021 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp

710 replies

BIWI · 17/10/2021 21:46

Welcome to the last Bootcamp of 2021!

This Bootcamp will last for 8 weeks, which will take us up to Monday 13 December.

It's slightly different from other Bootcamps - firstly because it only lasts for 8 weeks (rather than 10), but also because there are going to be different stages.

So ...

Weeks 1 and 2 will be, as ever, strict Bootcamp.

Weeks 3-6 will be strict Bootcamp during the week, but relaxing into Bootcamp Light at weekends

In weeks 7-8 you will have a choice - either back to strict Bootcamp or full-on Bootcamp Light for the last fortnight

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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prettybird · 19/10/2021 11:42

@MilesJuppIsMyBitch - I also bruise like a peach Blush

These are fingerprint bruises given to me by a friend from last Wednesday when we were doing a an exercise when one person had to lie across the other and the underneath person had to try and dislodge them Shock

But I look on them as badges of honour Grin

Most of you haven't met me in real life but I'm not the sort of person you'd expect to get muddy and dive in the mud. I'm a "perjink" sort of person who doesn't usually have dirty fingernails Wink I think that as much as anything is ds' shock at me playing - that and embarrassment about concern for his aged mother Grin

2021 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp
ShagMeRiggins · 19/10/2021 11:58

venusandmars “dooking” the apple? Is that a regional thing? Also, loving the sound of that creamy veg soup on a winter’s morning.

felipertyfeck if it’s not too intrusive, what’s wrong with a wee at work? Why do you avoid it, are they vile?

Hi Happymama24, time to drink some WATER WATER WATER!!! Grin

venusandmars · 19/10/2021 12:04

@Happymama24 take whatever approach to weighing works best for you. Some weigh daily I usually do and I know that my eating is going off track when I stop doing that) but weight fluctuates daily and some people find it hard when they've 'behaved' and then the scales are up. Some people record their lowest point in a week finding that it keeps them motivated to get an even lower point sometimes during the following week. Some people weigh on a Friday so that any weekend 'indescretions' can be rectified by the following Friday. Maybe this final approach would work well for weeks 2 - 6 when you might be doing strict bootcamp during the week and bc lite at the weekend.

As others have said, some people don't weight at all, particularly if there is a history of disordered eating. And in addition to weighing, taking body measurements, some of the most positive posts included the tales of 'Non-Scale Victories' (NSVs) for example other markers of health like a drop in blood pressure, or reverasal of pre-diabetic status; or things that give you a boost and make you feel good, like a much-loved friend commenting on how healthy your skin is, or the confidence of going out for coffee and easily saying 'no thanks' to the cake, or the satisfaction of feeding your family with lots of vegetables and non-processed food.

venusandmars · 19/10/2021 12:10

@ShagMeRiggins dookin' for apples is the Scottish version of apple bobbing and involves a basin of cold water, and your hands behind your back so you have to retrieve the apples with your teeth - particulalry challenging for a 6 year old with no front teeth Grin

@felippertyfeck I find the excessive peeing settles down after the first week (it's all to do with glycogen stored in your cells - each molecule has a molecule of water associated with it, so as you use up the stored glucose you release the water). Therefore peeing loads is GOOD. So if you can get through that...

MerylSqueak · 19/10/2021 12:24

@venusandmars What about apple tasting? We're so used to the bog standard ones. Is there anywhere you could buy a few unusual ones? Maybe a russet and a cooking apple.

Thank you @BIWI I have now come back negative on the PCR, despite having exactly the same symptoms as DD who has come back positive. So, I'm back at work today feeling dreadful and trying to avoid people. The number off at our school is alarming and teachers are being pinged constantly for pcrs. I wish they could just close the place for half term now.

Scrambled eggs in butter for breakfast, roast veg,Ince and sour cream for lunch (aka all the leftovers thrown together) sleep for dinner I think

BIWI · 19/10/2021 12:29

@Happymama24

Hi Everyone, totally new here. I have had a look at spreadsheet and will sign up. Thanks for all the information, rules etc. It's great to have it all written down. I am wondering how often do you weigh in? I read through but may have missed it , currently have a toddler climbing all over me😅 thank you
@Happymama24

Copied from the prep thread:

You don't have to be on the spreadsheet if you don't want to publicly declare your weight. But you can also index your weight, if you don't want to be specific about it - if you want to do it this way, then you start at 100 and deduct one point for every pound that you lose.

How often to weigh?

This is up to you. Many of us are daily weighers as we feel that this keeps us more accountable. However, if you're going to do this, you must be prepared psychologically for the fact that your weight will fluctuate daily, and sometimes it may go up, despite following the plan. If you find that too difficult, then try weekly weighing instead.

Weighing should always be first thing in the morning, naked*, and after you've been to the loo.

(*And as always, my little joke - don't do this if you're weighing at Boots)

Additional ways of measuring progress

Although weighing seems the obvious way to measure progress it can, actually, be the least accurate. It's quite common for the scales to stop moving, yet you find that your clothes are fitting better. Therefore it's also a good idea to take your measurements at the beginning, and repeat these each week. It's also a good idea to find an item of clothing that's just a bit too tight, and try this on each week.

Recording weight on the spreadsheet

If you are on the spreadsheet, and you're weighing yourself daily, there are a number of ways to do this:

  1. simply enter the weight you are on your weigh-in day (although the spreadsheet is posted each Monday, you don't have to stick to Monday if another day would work better for you)
  1. enter the lowest weight you've seen for that week

or

  1. enter your average weight for the week
OP posts:
ShagMeRiggins · 19/10/2021 12:34

particulalry challenging for a 6 year old with no front teeth that is such a great image.

On the subject of NSVs, one of my favourites was when I realised I could sit in the tub and drain all the bath water, rather than having a huge blockade of it behind me that whooshed out when I stood up.

Felt like bloody Hoover Dam.

Today’s breakfast was just like yesterday’s breakfast. Leftover fried chicken, chicken strips, and coleslaw (all home made, low carb, high fat).

I don’t really post my daily meal plans or food intake but wanted to leave this here for new people who might be gobsmacked at the idea of chicken and coleslaw for breakfast/brunch.

Food is just food. It doesn’t know what time of day it’s being eaten.

WATER!!!

prettybird · 19/10/2021 12:41

I had left over buttery microwaved cauliflower for breakfast today Grin

prettybird · 19/10/2021 12:41

....and am off to drink some more water Wink

ShagMeRiggins · 19/10/2021 12:48

However, if you're going to do this, you must be prepared psychologically for the fact that your weight will fluctuate daily, and sometimes it may go up, despite following the plan.

That’s re daily weighing, as BIWI said.

To illustrate this, I once took multiple weights throughout the day over a 72 hour period. They fluctuated wildly though I have decent scales.

Naked in the morning (after a wee, etc) was 193.8, by evening 198. Bear in mind this was all while strictly following the rules.

Next morning was 195.2 and evening 196.

Following morning was 192.8, etc.

Ultimately I ended the week with 1.8lb loss, which is perfectly in line with the slow, steady 1-2lb per week weight loss.

There are patterns that often appear with Bootcamp and I’m sure they’ll be explained later, but the point is don’t weigh daily if appearing to “gain” five (or whatever) pounds in 24 hours.

Our bodies don’t work that way.

Now go and drink some WATER everyone. Halo

FusionChefGeoff · 19/10/2021 13:40

@venusandmars how about making a stamp out of cut apple like you do with potato?

I'm rocking and rolling here - demolishing my pret salad with added cheese coleslaw after a good long fast. I'm another one who definitely benefits from that and started the Simple app again yesterday to help track it.

Crew catering was beef lasagne or lentil bake Grin so good job I came prepared. Lots of herbal tea and water (been up since 5.15!).

Dellabob123 · 19/10/2021 13:41

I am loving the posts today.
Really interesting about the weight fluctuations @ShagMeRiggins. I have a notebook in the bathroom where I record each day my morning weight and that days food. I normally see a 1-2lb change and I can see the food culprits it it’s more. By the end of the week I’ve usually just maintained but I like seeing the weekly food and changes as it keeps me in check..

I went shopping this morning and forgot my water bottle - goodness my tongue was practically hanging out as I was running through the front door. Drank two iced pints immediately before anything else!!

Anyway, enjoy the rest of your day everyone.

Rayna37 · 19/10/2021 14:41

Just thought I'd share the joy of my watch shouting "goooooaaaaalll" as I hit my 2500ml water target! Mostly cold water today just a couple of chamomile teas; very warm in the office here!

2021 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp
MaudebeGonne · 19/10/2021 14:46

I would like some advice on thickening soups from some of the long term low-carbers please!

Today I made a really tasty chicken and mushroom soup with some homemade chicken stock and chopped chestnut mushrooms. I added some mascapone cheese for protein and fat. It tasted really good, but it was a fairly thin and broth like. Is there anything I can use that will act like a roux and give it a more unctuous texture?

Dellabob123 · 19/10/2021 14:53

@MaudebeGonne that sounds yummy! I’d whizz most of it with a stick blender or alternatively cauliflower blitzed in is also a good thickener and extra good vegSmile

prettybird · 19/10/2021 14:54

Personally I hate mushrooms Winkbut what you can do to thicken it is to blitz some of the mushrooms and chicken to a find purée to add to the soup.

Or add more mascarpone Wink

Blitzed/puréed celeriac is also good for added body and unctuousness.

BIWI · 19/10/2021 15:10

Leeks would also work, blitzed into the soup. They have a lovely silky texture, especially if you sauté them in butter first.

OP posts:
ShagMeRiggins · 19/10/2021 15:58

@Rayna37

Just thought I'd share the joy of my watch shouting "goooooaaaaalll" as I hit my 2500ml water target! Mostly cold water today just a couple of chamomile teas; very warm in the office here!
Grin
HappyLion2021 · 19/10/2021 16:02

It’s very interesting reading everyone else’s meals. I like the sound of celeriac curry, and may well add that to next week’s meal plan.

So, for accountability...Drinking water didn’t go so well this morning as time seemed to fly past, but I’ve done better since lunch and should manage 2l by the end of the day. Food wise we are having cauliflower cheese with chorizo for dinner. Lunch was salad with dressing and cold meat/cheese. No breakfast today as I’m a long term faster and eating it yesterday was just too much.

Enjoy the rest of the day.

ShagMeRiggins · 19/10/2021 16:03

I have a notebook in the bathroom where I record each day my morning weight and that days food. I normally see a 1-2lb change and I can see the food culprits it it’s more. By the end of the week I’ve usually just maintained but I like seeing the weekly food and changes as it keeps me in check

A notebook. Old school. Respect, Dellabob!

For me the fluctuations aren’t normally good-related. The first thing I ask myself is how did I do on the water...

MaudebeGonne for soup there’s always the option to reduce it for a while. At some point in a few weeks you might be able to experiment with a butter and almond flour roux (or any low carb flour that you prefer). Not the same, but does offer some thickening.

prettybird · 19/10/2021 16:09

As a daily weighed, I'm the same as you @ShagMeRiggins Smile

If the scales fluctuate upwards it almost always correlates with poor/insufficient water intake the day before Blush

So it's a useful reminder to slurp more down Grin

WATER

prettybird · 19/10/2021 16:10

"As a daily weigher " Blush

Bloody autocarrot! Wink

Savedbythebaconsandwich · 19/10/2021 16:18

Why not kick off my first post with a potential obvious and stupid question - I take it we're not allowed fruit juices even from concentrate? If no, are these allowed in later weeks?

Perhaps a less silly one and apologies if I've missed it in all the information. Are we allowed gravy, homemade or bisto? (Other brands are available)

Dellabob123 · 19/10/2021 16:18

Grin @ShagMeRiggins
I am old school
I can browse all the way back over the months and see favourite meals, what was a good week. And it’s only a turn of a page Smile can’t stand logging food on apps...so time consuming.

I can also tell myself off if I have wine or not enough water with a double underline and a note to self!

Dellabob123 · 19/10/2021 16:19

@prettybird

"As a daily weigher " Blush

Bloody autocarrot! Wink

Grin