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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.

Week 3 - Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp

321 replies

BIWI · 31/10/2021 22:54

Well, doesn't time fly?!

We've already completed the two, hardest weeks of Bootcamp.

So now, things get a bit different.

During the next 3 weeks, you'll be doing strict Bootcamp during the week, but at weekends, you can relax into Bootcamp Light. This means that you can introduce some fruit - in the form of berries - and some nuts/seeds, albeit occasionally and in moderation, and some alcohol - again, in moderation - and restricted to clear spirits with zero calorie mixers, and/or dry wines

As ever, here is the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

I sense that you're all coping really well, although it's also evident that there a lot of practical and (particularly) emotional challenges that are rearing their heads.

Stand tall and stay tough!

This WOE is not a very forgiving one, so it's important that you stick to the rules as much as you possibly, possibly can. I know that real life gets in the way sometimes, but the more you can resist all those obstacles and challenges, the better.

Here's to another successful week!

HOWEVER

I do need to warn you, if you're new to low carbing/Bootcamp, that weeks 3 & 4 are very, very challenging. Your body is in the process of transitioning from burning carbs to burning fat; you have lost a lot of water weight, emptied your glycogen stores and have started burning fat. The next two weeks you need to see as consolidation weeks - you may not see much movement on the scales while this is happening.

DON'T PANIC!

You know that it works, because you've lost the weight in the first fortnight - so just KOKO (keep on keeping on), and all will be fine.

This is, though, the reason why - on this Bootcamp - we're aiming to stay strictly Bootcamp during the week. To give us the best chance of losing as we can.

Very good luck to all of us Flowers

This week's recipe is a fish one - seeing as how we've had a meat one and a veggie one!

Baked Marinated Salmon

One salmon steak per person

Marinade:

1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 tbsps sesame oil
2 tbsps light soy sauce
juice of a lemon or lime
black pepper
sprinkling of dried oregano
sprinkling of dried chilli flakes (optional)

Mix together.

Put salmon pieces into a (non-metal) dish, pour marinade ingredients over them
Leave to marinade for at least 30 minutes
Wrap pieces in foil and bake in a hot oven for 15 minutes

This is lovely served with stir-fried veg - so typically I'd do finely shredded cabbage, baby sweetcorn, mangetout, pak choi. I sometimes also serve it with Bare Naked Noodles

OP posts:
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Dogsbumhair · 02/11/2021 14:25

Sorry I'm joining this very late, I asked to be signed up a few weeks ago but I have only got round to looking today and reading all the rules, etc. I am going to start at the beginning and do the strict two weeks as best I can. I have got a mum's night out next Friday so that will be tricky.

I lost nearly three stone last year and I've put half a stone back on so I want to try and shift that before Christmas so that I can hopefully enjoy Christmas without worrying too much if I put on a few pounds and then I can get back on it in the New Year as I would like to lose another stone.

I can relate to a few other posters on here, I am late forties and menopausal, lots of hot flushes and night sweats, so I'm delighted to hear that this approach might help.

Someone else, I think it was TrueGrit said that all their weight was on their tummy and that they drink white wine every evening, that sounds like me. My arms and legs look fairly normal but my waist is about 15 to 20 cms bigger than it was before I had kids. I am going to find it incredibly hard to give up booze though. I can relate to what another poster said about it being a ritual. I find that having a glass of wine gives me the permission to switch off and relax. When I do give up booze I find it impossible to stop and I find myself doing jobs all evening and then I am so wired that I can't sleep. Not sure what the answer is yet but clearly I need to work on that!

I am also addicted to Diet Coke. Clearly a lot of issues to work through!

I lost the weight last year by doing the Michael Mosley Blood Sugar Diet it was good but then over time I've slipped off the wagon a bit so I need to get my focus and discipline back. I'd love to be back into some pre-kids clothes by next Summer.

I have a six and a two year old, the two year old is a major barrier to success at the moment but he is now starting a couple of days at nursery so I'm hoping to have a bit more time to get organised and do food prep and planning which should help.

Sorry that is a big introduction but I'm hoping that posting will help make me more accountable and that it will help me to work on the barriers to success for me.

Two year old is calling me now so I'll post this without checking it so I don't chicken out!

Wildheartsease · 02/11/2021 14:40

This thread is so interesting!

I am also utterly behind the NHS .

Just think of a British version of the American series 'Breaking Bad: Our hero discovers he has cancer and can either turn to crime to fund his treatment ...or head off to his local hospital :). (There the treatment might be slow to start , but it will happen - no shooting or shooting-up required. )

The NHS has literally saved the lives of my family more than once in recent years ...and it even employs some of them too.

However I do remember that my Doc training friends (now old and established) had barely an afternoon on nutrition unless it was to be their specialism.

Wildheartsease · 02/11/2021 14:44

I am feeling much better eating this way. My digestion works better and lets me sleep earlier. I don't get hungry all the time.

Last night there was a bit of a stand-off with a chocolate biscuit while I was on night duty. I got as far as lifting it from the tin... but managed to have a conversation with myself about what satisfaction it could possibly offer and how I'd feel afterwards and whether it would make tomorrow harder. Reason (and lack of actual hunger) won the day.

Rshard · 02/11/2021 14:51

😂 at your standoff with the chocolate biscuit wildheart, I sniffed a homemade blueberry muffin last week

TrueGrit54 · 02/11/2021 15:03

Hello Dogsbumhair well done on your 3 stone loss and you are so right to get back on it after regaining 7 lbs. I wish I had started when I gained 7lbs rather than let it drift to 2 stone. Try to find a substitute for the wine, after trying several non alcohol drinks I’ve landed with sparkling water and slices of lemon in my favourite wine glass or an occasional Schloer to change things up. It’s a difficult habit to break but I think it’s helpful to keep the ritual but without the actual alcohol.

Dogsbumhair · 02/11/2021 15:54

Thank you TrueGrit, I totally agree, I've been here before and I know how easily and quickly it can start to pile on once the weight gain starts. I definitely need to find an alcohol substitute, I'll try some of the suggestions that I've read on here.

Love the biscuit standoff! I'm trying to say to myself what Prue on Bakeoff says, is it worth the calories, or something like that. Trying to get rid of my it's just one biscuit attitude Smile

ShagMeRiggins · 02/11/2021 17:08

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve realised just now that I need much more *WATER WATER WATER!”

Seriously. I’ve been thoroughly on plan/woe, but if I don’t get enough water it fucks everything. Hmm

CruellaDeVilla · 02/11/2021 17:15

Hello everyone! Day 2 today and feeling motivated. I’m not eating breakfast as I really can manage without it.

Lunch: salad, dressing, chicken. Small piece of cheese

Just eating a burger with raw spinach, jalapeños, cheese and one rasher of bacon. It’s gorgeous, who needs a bun?

missfliss · 02/11/2021 18:00

I'm still eating like a trooper - but have managed to avoid any sugary anything or anything sweetened or carbs if the non vegetable sort.

colouringindoors · 02/11/2021 18:14

Shitty day, craving a glass (or three!) of wine!

colouringindoors · 02/11/2021 18:14

Think I'll get dinner started....

Dellabob123 · 02/11/2021 18:57

I’ve got a uni assignment and worked on it all day. I forgot to eat breakfast!! How else can you get through that far other than on this woe?!

Anyway, managed soup with stilton for lunch and just roasted some spicy celeriac to have with leftover bourgignon.

Well done winning the biscuit battle @Wildheartsease that’s a toughie. I turn to my allies cheese with a side helping of nut butter during those difficult times.

No wine
Water. Water. Water

ShagMeRiggins · 02/11/2021 20:22

Let’s say that again, Dellabob and let’s put it in bold.

WATER WATER WATER!

There’s still time. If you’ve been drinking water throughout the day I believe your body will adjust to it and you won’t need midnight visits to the loo (some of us already need that, but let’s not blame the water).

Glenthebattleostrich · 02/11/2021 20:34

Thanks BIWI and Stuntnun. Some fascinating reading there. Interesting you mentioned IBS. because mine has been very quiet this week as has my related reflux. My excema is looking better too.

Today has been a good day. I had some cheesies delivered (just baked cheese) and they are crunchy and amazing and it feels like a bag of crisps so that's one more craving knocked on the head. My low carb bread will be here tomorrow so I can make DH a bacon sandwich at the weekend for his birthday 😁

ayooplass · 02/11/2021 20:50

Some great thoughts on this thread. Hoping I get to the more energy stage at some point.
Laughing at the product placement @BIWI*- do you work for big celeriac?!
Which reminds me I’ve still not tried the one I bought.
You are right on the counting @ShagMeRiggins- unless pisspoor is one word 🧐. Clearly low carb doesn’t always improve brain function! And thank you for the WATER reminder.

ditavonteesed · 02/11/2021 21:14

@averywittyusername I also take thyroxine although mine is auto immune. I do a carb re feed every couple of weeks. I would like to say it's always healthy but I'd be lying. I've been low carbing since 1st jan and not come across any problems yet. I did find I was extra tired to start with but the re tees works for me.

colouringindoors · 02/11/2021 21:57

Would someone explain what a carb re-feed is please?

ditavonteesed · 02/11/2021 22:19

Basically every so often you have a normal level carb meal, sometimes I'll have curry and rice or something. I do it about once a fortnight. Low carb can cause problems with hypothyroidism as the body needs some carbs to process thyroxine. Very basic explanation.

colouringindoors · 02/11/2021 22:26

Ah thanks very much

averywittyusername · 02/11/2021 22:48

Thank you @ditavonteesed .. interesting to know that carbs affect the absorption! I've been having some fruit, but no starchy carbs. It's so hard to lose weight with thyroid issues and low carb is the only thing working for me. Hope it's working well for you too.

venusandmars · 02/11/2021 22:54

@Glenthebattleostrich oh yes the quiet gut...

I always know when I've had too many carbs - all the farting starts again Blush

FusionChefGeoff · 03/11/2021 01:13

@colouringindoors I have unsweetened soya milk in my morning cuppa as it's super low carb and low cal so shouldn't trigger an insulin response so I treat it as still fasting.

MerylSqueak · 03/11/2021 06:53

Love the biscuit stand off! I had serious words with myself about a cheesecake brownie my son had cooked yesterday! And my daughter is a fantastic baker. I've tried to get her interested in the pudding section of Rose Elliot but no joy yet. She's very snify about almonds.

I was really craving a little something last night, I think just because I'm wiped and my brain associates chocolate and energy. I ended up having some warm cream to drink! My children looked at me askance while scoffing their warm brownies. Did the trick though. Does anyone have any lchf treats they like in an emergency?

ditavonteesed · 03/11/2021 07:03

@averywittyusername it's been a revelation to me, gone from a size 20 to a 12 this year, I have tried so many times over the years and nothing has ever worked before. I never actually thought it would be possible.

@Dogsbumhair well done on the loss last year and well done for getting back on it.

@BIWI loving the idea that you do this for product placement. Without gushing too much thanks for doing this, you have helped so many people I think your amazing.

@StuntNun I love reading all your posts, you are so knowledgable and you manage to explain all things low carb in a way I understand easily.

Benefits I have personally found from this way of eating. Obviously the weight loss, I sleep better and don't need to sleep as long, I hardly ever nap anymore and I used to be the nap queen.
I have a lot more mental clarity, I just feel like I can concentrate better.
My mood is so much better when I'm eating this way. My anxiety has improved massively, don't know if it's this woe or from having more energy.
Most of my general aches and pains are gone.
I think my PCOS is improving, I no longer have escaping chin hair and spots.
Skin is generally loads better, someone old me the other day that I look ten years younger since I've lost weight which is weird because weight loss normally goes the other way.
I actually feel proud of myself, for so many years I have felt like my weight was due to lack of will power or some failing in my personality's but it wasn't.
More energy.
@ShagMeRiggins kept thinking of you yesterday as I refilled my water bottle 5 times at work. 💧

Ontherebound34 · 03/11/2021 07:06

@ditavonteesed do you find that the carb re-feed throws you out of ketosis? The thing that puts me off is that I don’t want to have to go through the keto flu experience every two weeks! On the other hand, I have heard long term keto people on the internet saying that they can have a carb meal and get straight back to the low carb.