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.

Hello BIWI and all, I've just joined Mumsnet and hoping to join you all on the January bootcamp!

I've been lurking on Mumsnet for a few years, getting lots of help from reading posts on different issues, which I'm very grateful for. Finally taken the plunge to join today and really hoping to shift a few pounds. Would like to shift 1-1.5st overall, but for this bootcamp, very happy to lose 6lbs if possible to get under 11 stone again.

I have an under active thyroid, not on medication but just try and be as healthy as possible. Have always found that carbs have had a very bad affect on me, throughout my life. Seem to be addicted to them, but they make me feel awful and feel hungry after eating them, so really try and avoid them. I'm an apple shape, was approx size 20-22 a couple of years ago, I'm probably 14-16 now, I'd be happy with a slimmed down 12-14. Think the last time I was slimmer was 20 odd years ago-although I've not really ever been slim as an adult, just smaller.

I was low-carbing for the most part over the lockdowns and lost a couple of stone along with gentle exercising on the treadmill and YouTube dancing videos and Zumba. In 2021, fell off and on the wagon a bit, didn't exercise as much and put on 10lbs.

For the most part, so far this year have avoided carbs and just got back on the treadmill for a 30 minute fast walk today, so that felt like a good start. Anyhow thanks so much for these threads BIWI and all the hints and tips from everyone, feel like it's just the boost I need and best of luck to us all!

I got weighed this morning and have lost 2lb since Monday, which I am very pleased with
Food today - I was late having breakfast so had brunch of bacon and eggs. For tea I have had some roast belly pork slices with a side of mushrooms and prawns cooked with butter, garlic, double cream and some chilli oil. They were delicious

Oooh your dinner sounds tasty! I did flat mushrooms stuffed with diced pepper, chorizo, tomatoes, and a whole load of cheese. Lunch was stir fried pork and veggies leftover from last night's dinner and reheated. I'm going to weigh on Sunday night or Monday morning, once it's been the full week. 2lb already is brilliant for a few days!

The kids made themselves hot chocolate and couldn't find the marshmallows. Whilst digging them out, I found half a bag of fudge left over from Christmas. Now I'm not mad about hot chocolate so that's easy to ignore, but I love fudge. When do sugar cravings stop? Or do they continue but you just ignore them? I just can't imagine not seeing things like that as 'treats'? (I didn't eat any btw!)

@Fleecy hmm I'm new to this so i can't answer, I'm sure it's the same as a craving like giving up something smoke/drink ect... hopefully it will get easier as you go on. I have just received my food order and was quite impressed with how healthy my order look. There was few staples for the kiddies but hmmm I'm the more I think about it I'm looking forward to breaking my bad eating habits but I know it's going to be a tough journey.

Well done for not eating it @Fleecy!

You will find that your tastes change - and it's one of the main objectives of cutting out all sugar and most fruit (as well as most alcohol).

So many Bootcampers talk about giving in to a particular treat that they've missed after weeks of Bootcamping, but then being really disappointed because they no longer enjoyed it or like the taste.

I remember when Wispa was brought back by Cadbury - couldn't wait to try one. But it tasted like warm wax.

Now, if I eat chocolate, my preference is for Lindt 90% cocoa dark chocolate. I never in a million years would have thought I could eat that before I started low carbing.

I won't pretend it's going to be tough in the first few weeks, but it will get easier. Just don't give in to the cravings. (I know that's easy to say!)

@Fleecy. I think our bodies adapt, so once sugar is out of your system, the physical craving will be gone. I realised a while back that I had a problem with the mental craving, as I didn't even like sugar very much, it really hurt my teeth if I ate something sugary, but I couldn't let go of chocolate and bread.

If at some stage in the future you want to try it, I can recommend the book 'Good Sugar, Bad Sugar' by Alan Carr (not the comedian!).

Although I had a blip with eating sugar again, I recently re-read his book and haven't wanted sugar since. I've read his other books on stopping cigarettes and alcohol and I did exactly the same thing with them-read them once, had a blip, read them again and haven't drunk alcohol or smoked in a couple of decades now. Each time I think there were just certain things I hadn't grasped. Anyhow if the book helps someone else, great!

@CatsAreBoppinAroundToTheRadio that's fantastic to hear! I will also look into that book if I find myself struggling.
When I think about this bootcamp I am hoping it will change mind set. I do make the wrong choices with food and even when I'm doing it I piss myself off for eating too much and having no control. I'm so determined this year to make that different lifestyle change.

Carrying on from book recommendations, I've found any recipes I can batch cook have been a great help. Most days I have from the freezer batch cooked veggie soup with feta and salad for lunch and a batch cooked meal in the evening with salad and green beans or cauliflower rice.

A firm favourite which I make fresh for the evening is Brussel sprouts, broccoli and halloumi with harissa paste and cauliflower rice. So the Brussels dish is roasted in one dish and the cauliflower rice roasted in another, but then I always mix it together in a bowl at the end.

This and various other dishes that you can roast in the oven and eat fresh or batch cook are from this book: The Green Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer.

@YesIcan3, that's where I've been at also, for most of my life with food-making the wrong choices. It's so easy to get angry with ourselves, even when the food is addictive and it's therefore harder to make the right choices!

A mini win for me today - I drank a cup of tea with no sweetener or sugar in!
I used to take 2 sugars, then moved onto sweeteners, the last week I’ve just been doing half a sweetener but today I bit the bullet and went for 0!
So pleased as this was my own downfall, especially after getting in from work

[quote CatsAreBoppinAroundToTheRadio]@Fleecy. I think our bodies adapt, so once sugar is out of your system, the physical craving will be gone. I realised a while back that I had a problem with the mental craving, as I didn't even like sugar very much, it really hurt my teeth if I ate something sugary, but I couldn't let go of chocolate and bread.

If at some stage in the future you want to try it, I can recommend the book 'Good Sugar, Bad Sugar' by Alan Carr (not the comedian!).

Although I had a blip with eating sugar again, I recently re-read his book and haven't wanted sugar since. I've read his other books on stopping cigarettes and alcohol and I did exactly the same thing with them-read them once, had a blip, read them again and haven't drunk alcohol or smoked in a couple of decades now. Each time I think there were just certain things I hadn't grasped. Anyhow if the book helps someone else, great![/quote]
I used Alan Carr's book to stop smoking - didn't realise he'd done a sugar one. I'll check that out.

@biwi I tried the 90% and didn't like it. I'll give it a while to adjust and try again and see.

I think it is mainly psychological for me. It was the whole 'it's the weekend' thing. You know, I've been good all week, I deserve a reward. I need to reframe my thinking and build new habits.

@AThroneOfLies - can you imagine how much less sugar you'll be having just by doing that?! That's got to be a win!

Im in and excited about it. I have about 3 stone to lose in total but I’d be happy with anything above half a stone during bootcamp.
My eating has got so out of hand lately in many ways so shifting to a new WOE will hopefully rebalance my relationship with food.
I’m going to read the spreadsheet now and will go to the supermarket this afternoon.
Thanks everyone.

@DearZoom - at least 3 stone to lose here too (probably nearer 4 to get to a healthy weight ☹️)

@DearZoom and @Runninghorse me too!

[quote YesIcan3]**@DearZoom* and @Runninghorse* me too![/quote]
We can do it💪

@Fleecy the first time I had 90% cocoa it was too much. But my taste buds have changed, and now it's sweet enough. I did try 95% recently, but that is still a step too far!

@YesIcan3
@Runninghorse
Are you breaking it down into smaller goals? I’ve put on so much weight recently that most of my clothes are too tight. So my first goal is just to lose a stone and to be able to fit into my very unexciting wardrobe comfortably again!
I also have an event it May that I want to feel confident for.

A very good strategy @DearZoom!

If you have a lot to lose, it can seem so overwhelming.

I'd suggest that you target half stones/7lbs. In an 8 week Bootcamp you should easily lose that amount, if you have 3 or 4 stones to lose - but more likely you'll drop by more than that (assuming you stick to the rules of course!)

And remember, even when the 8 weeks of this Bootcamp are over, there's always a chat thread, and lots of people continue anyway - so there's always support here.

Yes I want to aim for a stone or there abouts for March! Highhopes but then again I go away In the summer and again in Oct so can use them as goals to be lighter

I have an under active thyroid so weight loss is likely to be slow. My first goal is to lose 4lbs to get under the stone mark. Thereafter 7lbs markers at at a time.

I’ve just done a big supermarket shop and my kitchen is now well stocked with absolutely delicious foods. Can’t wait to start!

Hello BIWI any chance you could add me onto the list
Hello All ...

Im Pisses, had done well many moons ago (probably 7 years) but found that life, lockdown, Bad knee, drink and crap food has put me back to being far to heavy
I will weigh just not yet probably got 4 stone to move and could really do with some support

Hi all
I’d like to join too please. I did really well on a previous Bootcamp & maintained my weight & WOE up until now. I always relax a bit at Christmas but it’s been post then hovering up of left over cake, chocolate & crisps. Total awareness of eating of foods (sugar!) that don’t agree with me - stomach pains, feel sluggish & unsurprisingly clothes are feeling uncomfortably tight. I felt so good before and need to get my low carb mojo back. I know it’s going to be hard for the first few weeks to avoid the quick fix ‘treats’. If I stick with to the rules, plan my meals I know that my taste buds will change & I can get back on track. I feel so much better on this WOE so never really understand why I drift.

I need the fabulous motivation of this thread & accountability to get back on track. Thanks Biwi and others for keeping these boot camps going.

Good luck to everyone.