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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.

Original poster

Week 3 - May 22 Low Carb Bootcamp - moving on to Light?

326 replies

BIWI · 16/05/2022 08:08

Good morning!

Here's the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness once more

So today you have a choice: you can move on to Bootcamp Light, if you wish - which means you can re-introduce some fruit, some nuts/seeds and some alcohol. Note the use of the word 'some'!

If you wish, you can also now introduce/re-introduce intermittent fasting - most people drop breakfast, but it's up to you how you want to do this. @StuntNun has a thread about how to combine fasting with low carb for anyone who is interested in this approach.

You can, if you wish, remain on Bootcamp, if it suits you and it's working for you. Alternatively you can adopt a hybrid - so Bootcamp during the week and Bootcamp Light at the weekend.

Whichever route you decide upon, good luck! Flowers

OP posts:
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14
Lougle · 17/05/2022 17:14

@ditavonteesed I've found the same. I used to physically shake between meals at times. I'm prone to postprandial hypoglycaemia. Now I've not had that since starting low carb. Even now, I'm hungry because I didn't eat quite enough for lunch, but I'm not feeling weak, just hungry.

I decided not to have breakfast today. Lunch was fried mushrooms, 3/4 avocado, stick of celery.

So far, 2 x 750ml water, 6 cups of tea with almond milk.

ShagMeRiggins · 17/05/2022 18:23

ditavonteesed · 17/05/2022 16:58

Posted far too soon, was going to okay about the nsv, for me it was always about the weight but also that feeling of actually having control over my body, my appetite was insane (pcos, insulin resistance and hypothyroid) I always felt like it was an excuse and I'm sure others looked at me and though that's why she's fat but honestly the hunger was constant and all consuming. The feeling when I first started this and wasn't hungry was like the biggest relief I have ever felt. It was when I realised I was not a weak person with no will power I was just hungry.
Now my weight is under control I am absolutely loving getting fit and seeing what my body is actually capable of.

Dita I loved this post.

Baystard · 17/05/2022 18:34

@TheRealShedSadie yes me too, shredded sweetheart cabbage instead of pasta, I think it's properly nicer - the texture is better.

@pinknsparkly I routinely shoogle any veg now instead of boiling, love how broccoli stays nice and green.

@prettybird Lidl steak is fab isn't it, they're almost all really nicely marbled.

@ShagMeRiggins I know what you mean about not feeling as hungry.

I'm still not very well but I've been unusually hungry today - blaming hormones and I'll be surprised if I'm not back to normal tomorrow. I had a wobble earlier craving something sweet so I shoogled some blueberries with a little bit of natvia and ate with a huge dollop of clotted cream. I know that even by BC lite standards it's not great and a wallop with the stick wouldn't be out of order, but I still feel very proud of myself because in similar circumstances in the past I'd probably have shoogled a mars bar and had it with ice cream.

ShagMeRiggins · 17/05/2022 18:34

Lougle · 17/05/2022 17:10

@ShagMeRiggins I understand you. I have found it surprisingly easy to move away from carbs, but have found that so many online recipes use sweeteners in their low carb meals. I don't want to do that. I need to spend a couple of hours with the recipe threads.

I nearly had some peanut butter at lunch but then I read the nutrient label and it's really high carbs. So I've ordered some pure peanut butter and pure almond butter.

I was doing an online shop today and carefully checking the carb count of different foods. I was shocked to see that garlic has 14/100g. But then, as it's only a tsp that gets used, it must be ok?

Garlic is fine. No one, in history, got fat from eating garlic. I promise.

Lougle I was thinking about the meals you posted on the previous week’s thread. BIWI’s advice was good—it always is—but I noticed a whole helluva lotta cherry tomatoes. Actually I don’t know how many, but they’re not in the Green Zone, veg-wise (and they’re not even a veg, Pedant ShagMe says).

I don’t think they’re the issue, just something I noticed. If you’re eating well, happy with your food, and don’t have much to lose, the obvious question I have is how important is that goal weight? Will it take you to a ‘healthy’ BMI? Do you have other motivators?

And a big PS—stay away from the scales for a bit. I think you’re driving yourself mad.

And a PPS—WATER WATER WATER! Grin

Baystard · 17/05/2022 18:37

@ditavonteesed thanks for your post. It really resonated with me, feeling in- control is huge isn't it.

ShagMeRiggins · 17/05/2022 18:38

venusandmars · 17/05/2022 12:16

@Lougle the NSVs (non-scale victories) are many and varied and, for me, more important than pounds or grams of weight lost or gained.

I started addressing my diet / food consumption because my blood pressure was catastrophically high - the kind of high that they put you in hospital for. I was also overweight and verging towards obese. My GP gave me a myriad of pharmaceuticals which did the trick for my blood pressure, and also a 'diet sheet' which was the classic old-fashioned standard western advice with at least a third of my plate being cereal, wholegrain wheat, brown rice, wholewheat pasta, sweet potato etc. Then smaller amounts of veg, then lean protein (including low fat cheese), then a sparing amount of fat (sunflower oil in a spray).

I didn't know about these threads at the time but intensive searching about weight/blood pressure/metabolic disease led me to believe that the 'diet' advice was completely wrong.

My GP also said: "don't worry if your blood pressure goes up a bit over the next few years, there's plenty more [medication - sic] we can give you yet."

I have some family history of degenerative illness which is age related, and having watched my Mum grapple with an increasingly complex drug regime I knew that I wanted to enter a similar phase (if it happens to me) with as few additional complications as possible, and certainly not on a pre-existing regime of statins, meds for BP, drugs to control insulin. So I set about improving my health as much as I could: more moving about (note there was no extreme exercise or huffing and puffing); more deep relaxation (meditation, massage etc); better sleep habits; and IMPORTANTLY a way of eating that really helped.

I lost weight, my blood pressure reduced, I took less and less medication, and I found the bootcamps threads. At last I was doing this in a supportive and extremely knowledgable community, rather than on my own. What joy despite a couple of hard thwacks from @BIWI 's big stick in the early days

I acknowledge that my weight fluctuates. Lockdown was awful for me, and the first few months of this year I completley lost my mojo. But I keep returning to this way of eating and (as a consequence?) my blood pressure remains stable on a sub-clinical dose (they don't prescribe the low level I take, so I break a tablet in half). I'm currenlty 3lbs away from a 'healthy' BMI but with a small and delicate frame so I've got more to lose than that.

So, long story, but for me this way of eating, and this varied and changing community, transcends what my scales say. I feel better, I feel supported and I am sure that my chances of having a longer and healthier life are increased.

[phew, got that off my chest bows and exits]

Venusandmars thanks for this.

You’re an absolute inspiration for long-time low-carbers plus your lifestyle sounds great.

Baystard · 17/05/2022 18:40

@Lougle how do you manage to only eat part of an avacado?! I don't think I've ever managed not to hoover the whole thing and I tell myself it would definitely go brown otherwise even if I leave the stone in no doubt about it, no siree

IveNeverTriedThisBefore · 17/05/2022 18:43

Hi all,

Thanks for sharing @venusandmars - I can totally relate. In the past, I would want to lose weight to look better only. Now I still want that still but I am much more conscious of my long-term health and everything I've read points to low carb being good for that. I know those who are struggling with weight loss are finding it hard, but I like to listen to podcasts in the car and I end up listening to a lot of health ones re keto etc and it keeps me motivated

I have v skinny arms and legs but a very big belly. I can hide it well with how I dress but apparently this is the most unhealthy place to carry weight. My hip to waist ratio is very high and flagged as a risk for heart disease/ diabetes.

My mum died aged 56 (6 years ago) and I will be 40 next year (although her illness had nothing to do with lifestyle, if anything she ate and exercised extremely well, but still) It makes me think how life is short and not only do I want to be around for my young kids (3 under 5) but I want to be healthy for it... life in my yrs not just yrs in my life

So that helps keep me motivated - maybe something to think about for those who are struggling mentally cos I have been there and know who hard it is

Anyway...
B: 2 hard boiled eggs, 3 pieces comte and ham
L: 1/2 avo, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, lots of dressing
D: grilled skewers of chicken thighs and mixed veg, lots of olive oil and tzatziki
2 coffees with cream and all the water

I have question re IF - do you break the fast by having coffee in cream? With my work pattern, I can eat breakfast later at 10.45am but I do like a coffee when I wake and have been having with cream but I guess that's not fasting?

Also; my low carb lasagne tasted nice yday but it was very watery. Not sure if my cheese sauce was the issue (ricotta, mascarpone, parmesan & mozz) or if the courgettes leaked a lot of water? Any tips would be appreciated!

witchywoo · 17/05/2022 18:49

Am I too late to join? Would really like some support on my weight loss journey and about to start low carb. X

Baystard · 17/05/2022 18:51

@IveNeverTriedThisBefore can't speak for your courgettes but I know that when I've made veggie lasagne I've always salted the courgettes and aubergine and sqeezed them in a tea towel to get a much water out as possible.

Cream in coffee will break a fast but whether it matters to you depends on why you fast. I clean fast at least 16 hours a day so I've learnt to like black coffee.

prettybird · 17/05/2022 19:00

@witchywoo never too late to join in Smile Welcome Flowers

Jump on in: read the Rules and it would probably help to read the first 2 weeks' threads as they'll answer a lot of your questions and also give you an idea of the sort menus, challenges and experiences we've had Smile

witchywoo · 17/05/2022 19:15

Brilliant- thanks 😊 x

Lougle · 17/05/2022 19:16

@ShagMeRiggins you're right, there are a lot of cherry tomatoes....missed that.

I'm in the healthy weight range (I'm 5'8" so it's generous) but I'm ½ stone heavier than my post-children weight and I'm 1½ stones heavier than my pre-children weight. Like @IveNeverTriedThisBefore , as I have got older, my fat has all accumulated around my tummy. So my abdominal circumference is bigger than recommended. I also had a lot of bloating after meals, and I often felt ill between meals. Finally, I am a chronic migraineur. So lots of reasons to try and improve my health.

@Baystard one avocado left and a daughter who fancied avocado in her roll 😁

Lougle · 17/05/2022 19:19

@ShagMeRiggins actually, I've just checked the spreadsheet again and cherry tomatoes are in the green zone at 3.6/100. Is that wrong? Google tells me it's ok too.

ShagMeRiggins · 17/05/2022 19:24

IveNeverTried I liked you post regarding health considerations, and I’m awfully sorry about your mother. 56 is way too early. Flowers

A big Bootcamp welcome to witchywoo—it’s never too late to start anything.

Prettybird I’m chiming in, too long after the fact, but my god you did look glorious for your rugby do. Now stop with the booze and special meals if you’re serious about a goal weight. There’s a yo-yo pattern here and I can say this because I see you (and you see me as well)!

If you’re happy, I’m happy. Flowers

ShagMeRiggins · 17/05/2022 19:25

Lougle · 17/05/2022 19:19

@ShagMeRiggins actually, I've just checked the spreadsheet again and cherry tomatoes are in the green zone at 3.6/100. Is that wrong? Google tells me it's ok too.

Oops!!! Sorry. Blush

Lougle · 17/05/2022 19:30

Baystard · 17/05/2022 18:40

@Lougle how do you manage to only eat part of an avacado?! I don't think I've ever managed not to hoover the whole thing and I tell myself it would definitely go brown otherwise even if I leave the stone in no doubt about it, no siree

Oh, you could reassure yourself that if you put it face down in water it will stay beautifully green? Or do what I've done today and deliberately buy small avocados so that there's less avocado available.

Baystard · 17/05/2022 19:46

Thanks @Lougle were you saying something about how to get away with only eating part of an avacado? Sorry the line broke up just then lalalalala 😂

ShagMeRiggins · 17/05/2022 20:07

I think I might have been out of line with prettybird and lougle. Or others. Apologies to all, I’m often blunt but please know the best will is intended.

I am now trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with a whole avocado??

Please drink all the WATER WATER WATER! and please stop beating yourselves.

This is a path, a way of eating, a long-term process. You didn’t gain the weight you now want to lose in a 2-3 week period; you won’t lose it that way either.

(yay me for avoiding the word ‘journey’)

Baystard · 17/05/2022 20:09

Nowt wrong with a whole avacado 😍

Lougle · 17/05/2022 20:54

The only thing wrong with a whole avocado is when you are about to use the last one and your teen daughter walks in to the kitchen and says 'oooh can I have some avocado in my roll?' 😂

Lougle · 17/05/2022 20:56

@ShagMeRiggins not out of line at all. I just thought 'how could I have missed such a crucial detail???'

venusandmars · 17/05/2022 21:54

@ShagMeRiggins I have a recollection that tomato used to be on the orange/red list (appropriately) but then BIWI did some more research and they were re-classified. Or am I dreaming that? However you were correct that tomato is fruit.

Who wants to hear my favourite quip?

Knowledge is understanding that tomato is a fruit and rhubarb is a vegetable.
Wisdom is knowing which one to serve with custard. Grin

B - rooibos tea
L - left over cauliflower and broccoli cheese with cold ham
D - chicken shawarma and salad

The chicken was Asda's slow cooked chicken (thighs) shawarma 1g carb per 100g. dh had his in wraps, I had mine on lettuce topped with extra yogurt and guacamole. Served with lots of salad and mayonnaise.

There was loads of chicken meat. dh had 2/3 of the meal, I had 1/3 and I couldn't finish it.

venusandmars · 17/05/2022 21:56

Oh bugger! That Asda link works but what an unholy awfullness to post!

Frenchpoodle · 17/05/2022 21:56

On the avocado front, not sure I could manage a whole one! (Perhaps I just end up with the tasteless types so far 🤔)

Todays food:
B: yoghurt, cream, chia seeds and raspberries
S: celery and rollitos
L: spinach salad and left over cheesy, chard, sausage bake - based on @bibliomania Maya Angelou recipe, was delicious!
S: Few slices of roast beef, olives
D: Turkish takeaway meze - prawns, aubergine, spinach yoghurt & ezme chilli salad

Quite a lot of snacks - set off at 7am and not into hotel for dinner until 9pm (6 hour cross country driving also involved). Didn’t manage all my water, mainly because worried about not finding a loo!
Previously a working day like this would have been horrible service station sandwich’s, crisps, chocolate and a late night McD’s drive through.
Even though I’ve eaten a lot, I’m happy it’s all good stuff and loads of veg