Jan 2022 Low Carb Bootcamp - the prep thread

[BIWI]

Welcome everyone who has signed up so far.

We have a week before we start (next Monday, 17 January), so it's a good time to start thinking and planning for what you're going to do.

So far we have 138 signed up, so it's going to be a busy one!

Anyway, I'm tagging everyone on the sign-up thread, so that you all get to see this one:

@Runninghorse
@missfliss
@MercedesBenz
@cissyandbessy
@FitnessKeepItGoing
@MrsGarethSouthgate
@Pleaseandthankyou
@byebyecarbs
@ShagMeRggins
@Mimosa1
@foxlover47
@MilesJuppIsMyBitch
@SkunkButRug
@Glenthebattleostrich
@DollyPartBaked
@Kleptronic
@Fleecy
@indecentshoes
@SarahJessicaParker1
@DarkCorner
@UnOeufIsEnough
@Poorbuthappy
@SpongeBoobBigPants
@Blossomtoes
@skippy67
@anewdispensation
@SpottyBumPony
@Igotnewbarstools
@StuntNun
@BetterthanIThink
@prettybird
@FlibbertyGibbitt
@HaveGogglesWillTravel
@hapusrwydd
@Twinsandsome
@Mushroomhunter
@Jolliholibobs
@venusandmars
@MrsTerryPratchett
@Sugarandbuttersandwich
@MrsFionaCharming
@ILoveYou3000
@Baystard
@Icaru
@Kloerose
@LostMyLastHatfulOfWords
@WellJuhnelle
@Blueotter10
@LittleMy77
@HaggisTheGreat
@CoffeeChocolateWine
@Whatwouldsueheckdo
@Newlease
@Peonywreath
@ZiggZagg
@Random789
@MsAwesomeDragon
@OneFootintheRave
@NikiNooNa
@GlitterSquid
@Davina69
@Ruralbliss
@NoraEphronsNeck
@3LuckyStars
@ParisNext
@ToddlingForwards
@MotherBuckets
@Tickledtrout
@LeatherJacketWedding
@dogmandu
@Aderyn21
@Fredsgirl19
@Zonder
@gerardsbutler
@Ecosaurus
@Newlease
@ProperVexed
@BestIsWest
@Skelligs
@OMGisthisforreal
@Jezzballs2000
@Funnyname00
@Tatapie
@Runforwine
@OneMillionSteps
@CrispyChickenThighs
@LibrariesGiveUsPower
@Overthehillmummy
@Bumpsadaisie
@Legoninja
@immersivereader
@APerectlyGoodName
@Sunseed
@Fitflopqueen
@Agnesmartin
@Frenchpoodle
@AllTheBlackCoffee
@ballstomonty
@mistywillow17
@UsernameInTheTown
@Theluggagerules
@2022sucksalready
@Rshard
@FinallyHere
@ShangPie
@Rockyroocoo
@VeryLittleOwl
@H1Drangea
@QueenOfHiraeth
@AThroneOfLies
@TheIoWfairyiscancelled
@mrshoho
@catsoup
@lurknolinger
@CookieDoughLatte
@Willlow
@CeleriacOfTheNight
@KingRoloIV
@Minkymoo74
@Frazzledmum239
@ThePrionOne
@Oneborneverydecade
@NigellaAwesome
@Moonswimmer
@Batshittery
@Learningtofeminist
@I0NA
@RoseSays
@Kirstyr455
@Maze76
@pinknsparkly
@YesIcan3
@Purpletomato
@StrictlySinging
@Sunscreen Central
@Fishlegs
@longwayoff

... I realise some people will have tagging turned off, but hopefully this will reach most of you.

Planning and preparation is key to success on this WOE (way of eating). Which means you need to think about all the meals you need to prepare for the next week - which includes what you're going to have for lunch if you're out of the home at work, and thinking about any likely social occasions.

So - make sure your cupboards/fridges/freezers are emptied (as far as practically possible) of anything really carby that you know is likely to tempt you.

Make a meal plan for the week (or the next two weeks if you can that organised!) and then make sure you buy everything you need in your next shop.

Cooking a couple of meals ahead is a really good idea - so you know you have something Bootcamp-friendly easily to hand.

For the first week or so, while you're adjusting to a low carb WOE, especially if you're new to it, it's a good idea to have some low carb snacks to hand. As you adapt to it, you'll find that you really aren't hungry between meals, but in the beginning you may need something. Great low carb snacks include:

• chunks of cheese
• olives
• cucumber/celery
• hard-boiled eggs
• cooked (low carb) sausages

If you're planning on using anything pre-prepared/packaged in your cooking, make sure you've checked the carb count on the back of the packet. It's amazing how something that seems like it should be low in carbs is anything but - because the manufacturers have added sugar, or potato starch, etc.

Make sure that you have read, re-read and read again Bootcamp rules. Ideally save them on to your phone, or print them out and stick them on the fridge. Especially make sure that you've worked out - from Rule 6 - how much water you are going to need to drink each day. The more you weigh, the more water you're going to need to drink.

It can also be a really good idea to keep a food diary - it can be very easy to start with a huge burst of enthusiasm, and then gradually let things start to slip, and then ending up eating stuff you shouldn't, and wonder why the weight isn't shifting. Just reading back through entries from the early weeks can be really helpful here.

And here's a reminder of how Bootcamp works:

First, this Bootcamp will last for 8 weeks, so we'll finish on Sunday 13 March, with the final weigh-in on Monday 14 March.

Second, here's what you won't be eating for all of Bootcamp:

• bread (of any description)
• pasta/noodles
• rice
• potatoes/sweet potatoes/sweetcorn
• flour/anything made with or thickened with flour
• cakes/biscuits/pastries
• fruit juice
• full sugar fizzy drinks and squash
• sugar, in any form (which includes honey/agave syrup/fruit sugar)
• balsamic vinegar (because unlike other vinegars, this contains sugar)
• pulses/legumes/grains, so no peas, beans, lentils, quinoa etc.

Bootcamp has been designed to be easy to follow (although that doesn't mean it's easy to do - it's not called Bootcamp for nothing!), so there is no need to count or weigh anything. We don't count carbs and we certainly don't look to count or restrict calories.

It's important to note that it's a high fat diet - we don't eat anything that says 'light' or 'lite' or 0% fat.

The first two weeks are the most strict, but after that you can relax a little and start to include a little fruit (mainly berries), some nuts/seeds and a little alcohol - all in moderation though!

There are just ten rules, and as long as you follow these you should lose weight. In brief, the rules for the first two weeks are:

1. Eat three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
2. Avoid processed foods as much as possible
3. Eat lots of fat
4. Make sure your carbs are coming mainly from vegetables and salad
5. Be careful how much dairy you're consuming - especially milk (butter is unlimited)
6. You must drink at least 2 litres of water a day
7. No alcohol
8. No fruit
9. No nuts/seeds

10. No sugar/artificial sweeteners

You'll find the rules written in full (and an explanation for each) on the spreadsheet here

The spreadsheet is used to record our weight each week (it's not compulsory to be on it!); there's also a huge amount of information on the spreadsheet, including the rules in full, a veg carb counter and a list of resources about low carbing. @ouchmyfeet will make sure that everyone's name is on the spreadsheet, and then you can enter your starting weight next Monday.

If you don't want to be on the spreadsheet, that's absolutely fine - just post and let us know

Thank you BIWI
I am going to be starting tomorrow. Shopping has been done and food prepped

Oh can I join @BIWI I’ve signed up to a few before and various life carnage has stopped but I am determined this time. So so so determined

Of course you can! I'll add you to the list.

Also, sorry for the formatting error, which means that @SunsetCentral was not tagged.

I'm also starting tomorrow - thanks for all the useful info. I already have eggs with veggies for breakfast every day and I have my shop coming tomorrow, full of lovely meats and veg, with extra bits and pieces for snacks to help us transition. I have done a meal plan for the coming week. DH is doing this with me, which means he will lose weight more quickly than me and I will get annoyed

Thanks for this BIWI. Caught the dreaded Rona so stuck at home for a week so plan to do some batch cooking in preparation.

Last bootcamp i lost 11lb so hoping for at least the same this time.

Favourite grab meals included crust less quiche, egg muffins with various fillings although particularly feta and spinach, koftas and pre cooked bacon and mushrooms. Also kept a pot of tuna in cream cheese on the go (hate mayo) to have with cucumber sticks.

Sorry you're ill @Glenthebattleostrich - hopefully you'll be better soon!

Thanks for the food suggestions. It also reminded me to post a link to the recipe threads which are really worth looking at for inspiration.

Good luck @Fleecy

And the same to you @batshittery - how much do you have to lose?

I am hoping to lose two stone this year. This will hopefully kick it off nicely and then I will be all set to continue the WOE over the year. I have a wedding in May and a holiday in June, so would be good to be a fair bit down by then.

Do other people have target dates and motivations?

I have 2 stones to lose. I think I will aim for half stone goals so it doesn't seem unmanageable. I'm in it for the long haul

That should say, at LEAST two stones!

Yes, I definitely need to lose two stone, might go for another half after that but it depends on how I look when the first two have gone. I think I might be getting to the face or figure age where I can choose between slim and looking older, or slightly more filled out with a younger looking face. Still, it'll be nice to be in a position to find out

I think setting smaller targets is a really, really good idea - otherwise it can seem rather overwhelming.

Half a stone in 8 weeks should be easily manageable.

@BIWI
May I please join

Hiya Biwi, I'm starting again tomorrow, but can you add me onto the spreadshit please 😘

Menu planning tomorrow, exciting! Thanks

Thanks @BIWI, I think I would prefer it if I actually felt ill, but after the first 36 hours I'm fine. Did a 25 minutes online weights class this afternoon!! The cabin fever is definitely getting to me, a whole weekend stuck in my bedroom. I cleaned the shower drain for the first time in 14 years of living here I was so bored.

Love the recipe thread. I am so excited to be starting bootcamp, doing BC light next week to ease into it.

Hey :) I'm so glad it's next Monday as I can get the food shop in at the weekend so I'm prepared :)

Brilliant. I've cleared ( by eating) the chocolate and feel better already. I hope to lose 10 lbs but I'll just try to enjoy the WoE and not be too hung up on the numbers.

Ooh can I be added please? I'm doing dry January but replacing alcohol with far too much sugar in drinks..I stuck to low carb for ages after the last one I did, but in the last year or so it's gone downhill. I'm buying in some good stuff to keep handy, I've cut out bread, pasta and rice, it's just the sweet stuff that has to go.

Hi, I seem to have missed the sign up thread and I can't see it, can I sign up please. 1 stone to go this year. I started last week.

Thanks for all this BIWI.

I'm quite new to eating low carb so looking forward to learning new things and a new way of eating. I've already picked up lots of information, recipes and ideas from the other general bootcamp thread so thanks to everyone. It's seems like one of the very best corners of MN.

I've started a few days early and feeling good so far. It does seem easy to follow.

Quick question about milk. I've not managed to give up milk in tea.... i could try other milks I suppose but I just love a basic cup of unadulterated builders tea. Weirdly am finding messing with tea, more challenging than eliminating bread/pasta/chocolate from my diet. Is it absolutely necessary to forgo cows milk altogether? If I was to limit myself to 2 cups of tea a day, easy on the milk, could I get away with it?

@HaveGogglesWillTravel no you don't have to give up your tea! I know just how you feel, as I have the same issue with coffee.

As long as you're limiting it to 2 cups a day, and as long as you're not using huge quantities of milk, you will be OK. Just make sure that the rest of your carbs are coming from veg and salad.