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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.

Pre-Christmas BootCamp 2022: Week 1

491 replies

prettybird · 17/10/2022 01:02

While @BIWI takes a well-earned break from running BootCamp after many, many years of supporting people in this Way of Eating I have, for my sins, volunteered to run the Pre-Christmans BootCamp Shock. I'll admit to only doing so for selfish reasons: I needed the BootCamp in the run up to Christmas and the accountability of running it would in turn help me to be more accountable Grin

My Big Stick might not be as big as @BIWI's but I will do my best to channel her Wink. And with the support of all the other experienced BootCampers and @FinallyHere's help with the Spreadsheet, I am sure we will see a lot of success in the run up to Christmas.Smile

Here is the link to the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness You don't need to log your weight if you don't need to but within the various tabs of the Spreadsheet are The Rules ( very important), Vegetarian Rules links to resources that outline how and why this Way of Eating works, menu plans, veg carb counters and many other resources.

I'd strongly recommend that even if you don't weigh yourself (and even if you do), you should measure yourself at the start, especially your waist. That way, if your weight loss stalls, you may still see progress in other ways. BootCamp is very effective at reducing visceral fat, which will manifest itself in a smaller waist measurement.

Anyway, on to the important stuff: here are The Rules

1. Eat three proper meals a day.
You must eat breakfast. It doesn’t have to be a lot, and it doesn’t have to be absolutely first thing, but you must have something. For the rest of the day, if you’re eating enough food and especially enough fat, you shouldn’t be hungry between meals. But if you are hungry, eat something. (Hard boiled eggs make a great snack). After the first two weeks of Bootcamp we will relax this, but these two weeks are critical in terms of helping you switch easily to a low carb way of eating - and if you start to feel hungry, it makes things much harder! Eating this way will ensure that your blood sugar levels are kept stable, which will mean that you are much less likely to experience hunger. A typical high carbohydrate diet can mean that snacking is a routine part of your day. Once your blood sugar levels are stable, by eating low carb, you should find that you no longer want to snack. But the rule of thumb here is ‘if you are hungry, eat!’. (Just make sure you are only choosing low carb snacks, of course!)"

2. Avoid processed foods.
Focus on pure, natural protein as the basis for your meals - meat/fish/eggs. Things like sausages, ham, bacon, pre-prepared burgers etc should be avoided as much as possible. You can have them, but just not at every meal, every day.

3. Eat lots of fat.
Eating fat will not make you fat. Honestly! But it will keep your appetite satisfied, and it sustains your body’s energy requirements perfectly. Fat does not provoke an insulin spike, unlike carbs which do (a lot) and protein (a little). Fry in butter, add butter to vegetables, eat salad with a home-made vinaigrette dressing (not made with balsamic vinegar though, as this is too sweet), add mayonnaise where you can (just check the carb count on your mayo first). Eat fattier cuts of meat – e.g. pork belly, roast chicken with the skin on and/or eat the fat off your lamb chops. Absolutely no low fat/light/’Lite’ foods of any kind!

4. Make sure you are eating vegetables and salads with your food.
"This is where your carbs should come from, and this is non-negotiable. But choose only those vegetables that are on the allowed list. Make sure that you focus on eating those vegetables that are under 5g carb per 100g, and this will ensure that your carb counts are kept low. You don’t have to weigh/count carbs – this is one of the great joys of this WOE (way of eating), but if you’re new to low carbing it can be helpful to weigh your portions of veg in the early days, just so that you know how many carbs are in the sort of portions that you like to eat.

The vegetable carb counter is helpfully colour-coded into green (eat freely), amber (go easy) and red (best avoided as much as possible), which will help you to make your choices."

5. Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited).
Dairy can impede weight loss for some people. If you are drinking tea/coffee with milk or cream, try to restrict yourself to max 2 cups per day. There are a lot of carbs in milk, so if you are having several cups of tea/coffee per day, you will quickly rack up your daily carb count (e.g. 1 medium latte contains more than 12g carbs!) You may eat cheese but again, don't overdo it. Full fat yoghurt is the best way to include dairy in your diet - but beware, it does contain carbs. You should choose one that’s 10% fat – most of the supermarkets have a Greek yoghurt in their premium ranges with this amount of fat.

6. You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day.
The more weight you have to lose, the more water you should drink.

This is from www.low-carbdiet.co.uk/:

Water is essential to weight loss for those who follow a low carb way of eating. The minimum consumed in a day should be:
Your Weight.........Litres
140lbs............2.5
160lbs............3.0
180lbs............3.0
200lbs............3.5
220lbs............3.5
240lbs............4.0
260lbs............4.5
280lbs............4.5
300lbs............5.0
320lbs............5.5
340lbs............5.5
360lbs............6.0
380lbs............6.5
400lbs............6.5
"High levels of ketones in the blood stream can lead to a reduction in ketone production, therefore being well hydrated could aid in keeping the levels low and ketone production ongoing. Consuming enough water can have many other positive side effects, e.g. it aids your kidneys with the processing of protein, reduces the retention of water, helps with preventing constipation, and reduces the levels of ketones released by your breath, which in turn will reduce breath odour.

However, drinking a lot of water can mean that you also need to keep an eye on your electrolyte balance. You need to make sure that you are consuming sufficient sodium and potassium. On a low carb way of eating, we should eat more salt, so make sure that you are cooking with salt and adding salt to food, if you like it.

Good, low carb, sources of potassium are spinach (raw), avocado, mushrooms, courgettes and asparagus, as well as salmon and yoghurt."

7. No alcohol.
Alcohol is the easiest source of fuel for the body to burn, so it will always use this first before it starts to burn any fat - which is why you need to restrict it, especially in the first two weeks of Bootcamp, when we are encouraging the body to stop using carbs for its source of fuel and turn to fat-burning instead. If you really can't do this - at least try and restrict it to the weekend. Vodka with soda is the best thing to drink. Or Champagne, red wine or dry white wine.

8. No fruit.
Really. Seriously. Honestly. None at all. Zilch. Nada. After the first two weeks of Bootcamp you will be able to introduce certain fruits, in moderation, but at this stage fruit is simply too carby. We are also trying to break the addiction to sweet things, so cutting fruit out is part of this process. If you are getting all your carbs from vegetables and salad, you will be getting all the nutrients and fibre that you need.

9. No nuts/seeds.
Although they are a good source of nutrition and contain lots of fat – which is great for us – they also contain carbohydrate and, because they’re so moreish, you can quickly end up eating a lot of carbs. When we move to Bootcamp Light, after the first two weeks, you can re-introduce these, but be careful and go easy.

10. No sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Sugar is an obvious ‘no no’, but artificial sweeteners are also an issue. One of the aims of this way of eating is to eat pure and natural foods, so including sweeteners is not recommended. Some people find that artificial sweeteners can impede their weight loss, and there is some suggestion that your body can respond to sweeteners as if they were sugar, by releasing more insulin - and therefore laying down fat. Given that the aim of Bootcamp is to help us lose our sweet tooth and addiction to sweet things, then it is a good idea to avoid sweeteners altogether in this first two weeks.

That's enough for now. I'll post more in the morning: in particular the disclaimer that I am not a medical professional and that if you have any concerns, you should check with a medical professional.

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Thread gallery
7
Canthinkofaname79 · 22/10/2022 18:50

ditavonteesed · 22/10/2022 18:41

@ShagMeRiggins dare I ask what your pancake area is

I was wondering this!

pinknsparkly · 22/10/2022 19:21

I am very grateful that tomatoes are no longer on the red list. All I've fancied eating the past two days has been greek yogurt and cherry tomatoes! I feel marginally better this evening and seem to be coughing a little less (though I sound worse!) so hoping to turn the corner tomorrow.

Hope you all have a great Sunday!

pinknsparkly · 22/10/2022 19:23

Canthinkofaname79 · 22/10/2022 18:50

I was wondering this!

I assumed butt but have absolutely no justification for why I thought that 😄

Porridgeislife · 22/10/2022 20:02

Spent today around the national trust properties nearby. Managed to turn down cake at the cafe AND takeaway pizza for dinner 💪

B - scrambled eggs and coffee
L - plate of chorizo, almonds, cheese, cherry tomatoes, caper berries and cornichons
D - big Greek salad with leaves

Snack - handful of dark chocolate coated Brazil nuts. The chocolate wasn’t dark enough for me - I like the 85% stuff.

UnOeufIsEnough · 22/10/2022 20:36

I'm going to a Halloween party next week. The food is going to be a buffet and we've to bring a dish...winning already as I know there will be something I can eat! It's supposed to be Halloween-themed food...any ideas? I thought about taking a cheeseboard and cutting the cheese into Halloween shapes.

prettybird · 22/10/2022 21:43

@Porridgeislife - I've just remembered that you are breastfeeding, so you're allowed nuts and dark chocolate (in moderation Wink) and so I've put my Big Stick away Grin

Well done for resisting pizza and cake Star

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BarnabyRocks · 22/10/2022 22:18

Thank you all for the inspiration and meal ideas. I started on Wednesday and weighed myself this morning and have lost 4lbs, which is good. I know this will level off but I thought I felt a hip bone this morning, which is encouraging (it's been a while :)

B: Turkey slices, cherry tomatoes, coffee with butter in.
L: Tuna, cherry tomatoes, bit of cheddar, mayo.
D: Ham salad.
Drinking all my water and sometimes still feeling thirsty which is interesting.
A bit boring on the meal front but still finding my feet.
I have started to stray into eating some Halloween sweets, Drumstick lollies, so I need to knock that on the head. I also had 2 coffees with milk today, and from experience, the dairy needs to be cut out for me as I can often slip into drinking loads. Going to bed now so I can stop feeling tempted by the cupboard contents. Night all. Have a good day tomorrow.

humancalculator · 22/10/2022 22:29

Was quite sure I had posted earlier, but no sign of it. Probably missed a crucial 'enter' tab. Anyway, long story short, lots of good food but I did really really feel cravings today until my enormous supper (tapas with friends, easy enough to avoid the carby ones) filled me up. I think I need more fats; figuring out how to do that.

humancalculator · 22/10/2022 22:33

(am now so full I can't ever imagine being hungry again...)

Lucienandjean · 22/10/2022 23:44

A better day today. Or at least it felt easier.

B: nothing
L: cheese omelette, bacon, salad
D: low carb chilli, avocado, sour cream, lots of salad
Snack: celery and cream cheese.

Lots of water. I've got a headache tonight so I wonder if it's a touch of carb flu. Must get some electrolyte tablets tomorrow.

NotDonna · 22/10/2022 23:57

@ShagMeRiggins I so need to know what the pancake area is but also thought butt. Can you not do carbonara and throw in the courgetti at the end? You’ll need two pans, but easier than a totally different dinner. Your recipe is no doubt better than mine but im wondering why it won’t work with courgetti. I whisk yolks, Parmesan, cream and throw onto cooked spaghetti or courgetti in your case, add cooked bacon and a few mins later 😚
@Skiphopbump i have a goal too. I need to lose 20lbs but by Xmas I’d like to get halfway. 10lb is more realistic & it isn’t going to be easy as I’m perimenopausal. However I won’t beat myself up if I don’t hit the target as long as it’s going in the right direction.
all are the velvet soup & butter chicken recipes on the spreadsheet please? I made a butter chicken the other week (first time) but had no butter just coconut oil. I think it was a paleo recipe I found online to use up chicken thighs. No idea if a genuine recipe or not or if coconut oil ok.

NotDonna · 23/10/2022 00:01

The butter chicken recipe said coconut oil. Not sure that was clear. We always have butter available.

BIWI · 23/10/2022 08:17

@BarnabyRocks if you're drinking all the water, but still thirsty, that's a sign that you need more sodium. I'd consider getting some electrolyte tabs or making an electrolyte drink as @prettybird does, with salt and lemon juice.

Backstreets · 23/10/2022 08:29

Good morning all! Made some quite fatty things yesterday so was kind of wondering about the scales today but no gain :) loving this WOE. Looking forward to weigh-in tomorrow, will try to EXCEED water goal today in prep. Think I'm over the carb flu stage as I've been feeling pretty normal, and am finally starting to experience that feeling of devastating fullness - dinner last night was so good I thought fuck it, going for seconds, and then realized there was just no more room for it. Would not have been the case a week ago ;)
Unrelated but went to have my blood pressure taken as I'm at around the age everyone in my family starts going on blood pressure medication and the doctor told me I have the blood pressure of a teenager, so overall feeling very smug this week!

TakeItCheesy · 23/10/2022 08:39

Hello! Missed the start of this, but please may I be added to the spreadsheet? Could really use the motivation and wisdom of this group!

Chocasaurus · 23/10/2022 08:57

Checking in v quickly from our weekend at the in laws - will try and catch up properly on the thread on the journey home. Food has not been v BC at all, and don't want to say anything as MIL can get very stressed, especially as her MIL is also here and nit picks at everything.

Cough and sore throat still lingering but some improvements so hopefully the end is in sight.

Will get fully back on the wagon when we are home, and keep doing what I can within choices avaliable and not causing offence. Hope you're all having a good weekend.

prettybird · 23/10/2022 09:45

Welcome @TakeItCheesy Flowers @FinallyHere will be along shortly to add you to the spreadsheet Smile

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ListenLinda · 23/10/2022 10:50

Checking in and just caught up with the thread, been an unusually busy weekend.

I’ve done my food shop for the week, DH is on lates for 3 nights so only need meals for me and the kids, which is good because they don’t mind extra veg over potatoes/chips etc.

I was up a lb since I last weighed, I suspect it’s because I have slacked with the water. It’s been the theme of my week so must do better this week.

Steaks for tea tonight, got plenty of veg but fancy some halloumi & a fresh salad.

what’s on everyones menu for tea tonight? Looking for some inspiration!

venusandmars · 23/10/2022 10:59

@ShagMeRiggins so lovely to see you posting. I think of you every time somone says WATER WATER WATER Smile

I'm going to a wedding today and was apalled when trying on dresses from my wardrobe. Apalled and ashamed. That's given me more motivation for BC. However...

Next week I have 3 different meals out. Monday is to a Spanish tapas restaurant with friends so that should be pretty easy to navigate, I've checked the menu and there are lots of lovely options. Thursday is a special dinner in a special restaurant. It's a tasting menu, so although it will be rich with cream and butter it will be small amounts and they tend not to be heavy on carbs, and by the time I've eaten all the other courses I can skip the pudding courses. Sunday is dinner with friends but they know I don't eat carbs so there's no risk of risotto or pasta and they're good enough friends that I can miss out any potatoes or cake. But it all means that next week will have to be super strict the rest of the time.

Duck legs are in the slow cooker for this evening, with green beans and broccoli.

Mercedesbenz2022 · 23/10/2022 12:19

@ListenLinda i am also a lb up , koko

today , will be making butter chicken curry , never made a curry before so fingers crossed
it seems simple ( laughs )
happy Sunday

debka · 23/10/2022 12:38

Hi everyone,

Nearly finished the first week! Well done us!!

I was wondering if anyone finds themselves feeling tired and not particularly enthusiastic about food on this way of eating? I really struggle to eat enough and I'm sure it's having an impact on my energy levels. I also feel a bit low in mood because I'm low level hungry a lot of the time. I definitely get hangry too- although rather than angry it's weepy when I'm hungry.

Sample of what I'm eating- today was:
B- 2 eggs scrambled with butter
L- salami, Brie, olives, cornichons- not much
D- roast chicken, cauliflower cheese, broccoli

Anyone else feel similar? And will this pass?!?!?

FinallyHere · 23/10/2022 12:42

Welcome @TakeItCheesy

Added you, enjoy.

FinallyHere · 23/10/2022 12:50

I'm a long term low carber now @debka who found the transition from burning carbs to burning fat quite the challenge.

I think everyone might be different but there certainly is a transition to get through

If you really are getting through your water targets then have you tried eating more fat? Adding dressings, full fat mayo, butter It seems so counter intuitive but there we are.

My weakness was sugar and for the first few days it seemed there was a demon voice in my head telling me to eat sugar. It eventually gave up and life has been a lot calmer and energetic ever since.

Keep On Keeping On KOKO

prettybird · 23/10/2022 12:53

We've got a bit of a major plumbing crisis here: put that dishwasher on last night at about 11.15, 4 hour 35min cycle (eco wash), made a batch of tablet (didn't touch even the soft ball test or any of the scrapings Halo) and was having a wee relax before going to bed.

Got a call from our downstairs neighbour at 12.30 saying that there was water dripping through into their spare bedroom (underneath the kitchen) - to the extent that the sound had woken him up in their bedroom across the corridor Shock I stopped the dishwasher but it was still in the washing cycle and the water in it was orange, so I don't think it had even started draining yet (and anyway, the water going through downstairs was clear). Anyway, we pulled out the dishwasher and emptied the cupboard under the sink (ShockHalloween ShockHalloween Wink) and while there was a tiny amount of water, it was within the kitchen cupboard and not underneath the cabinet between the joists.

Anyway, we've turned the water off at the stopcock (the main one as it's always fed the kitchen) and as all our taps are now mains fed, that means we have no running water (except the tap on the garage which gets used for the garden/hoses) Shock

It doesn't look like "our" plumber can get to see us before Wednesday (in Aberdeen at moment, but coming down tonight but first he has to deal with a major complicated problem that a 96 year old woman has - she's a higher priority).

So, I've just agreed with my dad that although it's our turn to host dinner tonight, we'll go across to his place for supper. We're having roast chicken in a chicken brick, so I can take that across all prepared, parboil the (home grown) potatoes for dh, ds and my dad to roast there, and take the leeks and baby sweet corn for the veg to cook when required. Dessert was just going to be strawberries and raspberries (easy and ds loves them) and cream but I'll not have any - and it also means I've got cream to put in the buttery leeks.

Will need to get over early to watch the Strictly Results show and then the others want to watch the Grand Prix, so I'll time it to be ready for then and we can eat on our knees. Smile

Not had time to eat yet today Halo as I've also been out with ds to look at a car for him (trying to find a cheap 2nd hand car for his first car of his own).

I think I'll go and tear myself to some yoghurt, cream and cinnamon Smile

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prettybird · 23/10/2022 12:58

@debka - as @FinallyHere says, sometimes the transition can take time Flowers and if you're having all the water then are you having enough fat?

Did you have the skin on the chicken? (My favourite treat Smile). Was the broccoli done in butter? How did you make the cauliflower cheese?

It might be that you actually need to eat more for a bit too - just until you settle in to this WoE.

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