2023 Low Carb Bootcamp - THE PREP THREAD

[BIWI]

Happy New Year everyone! So far, we have 119 people signed up, so I think it's going to be a busy one.

As ever, I'm starting the prep thread a week in advance, to give you all the information you'll need to get started. If low carbing/Bootcamp is new to you, it's really important that you read all this. Even if you've done it before, it's a good idea to re-read!

I'm going to tag everyone, to ensure that people get good notice to come over to this thread. Previous experience tells me that trying to tag everyone in one go just won't work, so I'm doing it in groups of 20.

Here we go:

@Janieread
@Skiphopbump
@Henowner
@ZiggZagg
@TidyDancer
@Comfortablylesslumpy
@Cleanthatup
@Passtheturkey
@Lucienandjean
@Smorgs
@FinallyHere
@EmergentThoughts
@pinknsparkly
@baystard
@SpottyBumPony
@Eanair23
@Potas
@ThistlyPerf
@ListenLinda

@OldandTired66
@BergamotMouse
@Lalalalalaaaa
@Savedmybacon
@CleanQueen123
@NeedAHoliday2021
@Hopeislost
@Venusandmars
@Lanaa
@BountyMultipack
@Tizzywizz
@SerenWantsItAll
@Cozzadelsol
@DrHildegardeLanstrom
@WitchWand

@Lolojojonesi

@MiniCooperLover
@mimosa1
@ElinorDashwood68
@Foxlover47
@TigerYiger
@DryWhiteagainW
@Whereisthewine
@poorbuthappy

Thanks BIWI

Phew! Sorry about the wall of tags, but it's best way to direct people to this thread.

@Andi2020

You're down on the list as another name, but MN doesn't recognise that one, so I've had to tag you in this one!

And @lovemelovemesaythatyouloveme as you'd abbreviated your name on the list, it wasn't recognised either. So I've tagged you in your full name.

<goes for a lie down and a large gin>

Thank you @BIWI this is fantastic! I will keep this thread open on my browser to come back to. Feeling really motivated at the moment though I know I'm going to find it very difficult!

Hopefully with all the support here we can make it seem easier!

Thanks @BIWI

Fab thanks BIWI! Am looking forward to getting started. I am, unfortunately, a serial yo-yo dieter. I have done bootcamp before and it’s the only time I’ve genuinely enjoyed myself while loosing weight. Just need to figure out how to stick with it now. My 40th is getting closer and I just cannot be this overweight by then, something has to change.

First step I think, is to print out The Rules and stick them on the fridge…

Good idea @TheMagicSword

I'd also add in (which I'm going to go on and talk about later) how important it is to plan all your meals - both in and out of the home - and make sure you have all the ingredients you need for those, to hand. As well as making sure all the carby treats are out of reach!

Thanks for this, very informative thread. Can I ask am I allowed porridge or as oats are also a carb should this be avoided too, I have high cholesterol and my porridge is getting it lower, if not allowed thats OK but it wasnt listed in the no list x

Thanks Biwi

Thanks for this. I’ve been trying it this week and doing calculations and though I’m keeping my carbs low I wonder if I’m eating too much protein. How much is too much?

@CarbyLite we don't count protein, just as we don't count carbs! What would a typical day's food be for you, and why do you worry it's too much protein?

On this WOE we're looking to eat high fat, medium protein and low carb. So if you're worried about your protein, you probably need to consider upping the fat.

@Jenasaurus I'm afraid porridge is out, as oats are too high in carbs - you're right, I should have added that into the list of foods you can't have - along with other cereals. Sainsbury's porridge oats are 60.5g carbs per 100g, so they're way too carby. However, a low carb diet is very likely to help you reduce your cholesterol levels, so no need to worry about the lack of porridge. (Just to check though, is this a familial/genetic issue for you?)

@BIWI thanks for the prep thread, I've BCed before but so helpful to remind myself of the rules again.

I know this is against the rules, but I'm going to BC lite from the start, to allow myself small amounts of berries and nuts, but no alcohol. I'm BC in support of IVF as a way of eating a more balanced diet and reducing the sugar and caffiene I'm consuming, but dont want to do the full on BC just in case its too much of a shock my body on top of everything else. I've found BC so supportive in the past that I want to join again, so hope its OK. I shan't post about it during the first weeks though as don't want to derail things for the rest of the gang.

Spending this week focusing on upping the water and starting to cut out the carbs from meals e.g. having home made curry tomorrow but I'll not have rice / naan. Excited to get going.

I read that you should aim for 70% fat, 5% carbs and 25% protein. How much does that matter?
Today, I had 63% fat, 31% protein and 6% carbs.
I had a coffee, Greek yoghurt and peanut butter for breakfast, chicken & chorizo, avocado and salad leaves for lunch and a 4 egg omelette with cheese, mushrooms, spinach and shallot fried in avocado oil for dinner.

Well your food sounds perfect!

Honestly, we don't count or measure the macros on Bootcamp, so I really wouldn't worry about it. You're very much on the right track anyway.

Actually, and very importantly, how much water did you have?

I’ve had 4.5 Litres of water. This is fairly normal for me. I only drink water, apart from one coffee in the mornings. Normally 3-4.5 litres a day.

I am being referred to a Lipid Clinic for hereditary cholesterol testing, both my parents, sister and niece have it and the doctor suspects I do to. My cholesterol was 9.4 in July and in September through diet I have ot it down to 7 and lost over 4 stone, now top end of normal BMI I was also diagnosed with diabetes and fatty liver so changed to a low carb diet (under 130g of carbs a day) my diabetes is now in remission. I am not on medication and trying to avoid statins so was having benecol and porridge every day and caluclating the carbs into my allowance. Is Benecol still allowed as I am happy to just have that each day until I am seen by the clinic. as want to get it as low as I can and avoid medication.

These are my stats but I am due another blood test in January and hope to see more improvements. I love low carbing, and feel this boot camp will help me lose another couple of stone.

29 June 22 - Cholesterol - 9.2 mmol/L = HbA1c 80 - Visceral Fat 16
30th Sept 22 - Cholesterol - 7 mmol/l HbA1c 50 - Visceral Fat 9
29/6/22 - 14 stone 4 - BMI 34.3
31/12/22 - 9 stone 9 - BMI 23.2 (Healthy range at last, but still a belly)

One other question, are we allowed a fibre supplement like Fibregel while on this diet, I am suffering with constipation a lot since cutting carbs, currently prescribed morvicol but it doesn't seem to be working so I have been suggested to try having a fibregel each day. Will that mess things up? Physilian husk is another suggestion

Is peanut butter allowed?

Ignore that, I’ve found it on the spreadsheet…not during the first 2 weeks