Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Jan 2023 Low Carb Bootcamp - Week 1!

857 replies

BIWI · 08/01/2023 22:20

Welcome everyone! We have over 160 people signed up this time, so things are going to move quickly.

Here's the link to The Spreadsheet of Fabulousness which has been carefully and lovingly curated by the very lovely @FinallyHere

There are a few bits of admin that I need to post before we get going. The first of which is the usual disclaimer:

I am not a medic, a scientist, a dietician or a nutritionist. Everything that I post here is based on my reading and my own experiences of low carbing gained over the last 20 years. You follow the guidance here at your own risk - although I very much hope that there are no risks!

Very importantly, though, if you are on any kind of long-term medication, please talk to your GP/nurse about low carbing. This is especially important if you're on drugs for hypertension, cholesterol and/or diabetes, as a low carb diet should have a positive impact on all of those conditions, which would mean that your dosage may need to be decreased, if not removed altogether.

The second is about etiquette:

Please, please, please read all the posts on the thread before you make your own post. These threads work so much better when we're all here interacting with each other, as that means we can offer help and support when it's needed. Don't just jump on the thread to plop down your meals for the day, your weight that day and then just fuck off. That doesn't help anyone.

More than anything else, it's incredibly irritating when someone posts a question which has already been answered early in the thread. I, and lots of other Bootcampers, spend a considerable amount of time responding to people's questions and concerns, and it's pretty insulting when it's obvious that these haven't been read.

(Oh, and it's very obvious if you haven't read the thread, so take that as a warning Wink)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
StuntNun · 10/01/2023 10:19

@QforCucumber lack of sleep often makes you feel hungrier so be ready to have a low carb snack today if needed. I often keep a couple of boiled eggs in the fridge for snacking. I defy anyone to feel hungry after eating a boiled egg or two - they're so satiating. When I first started Bootcamp many, many years ago! I kept a packet of Peperamis in the car for "emergencies" but my kids kept eating them! Grin

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 10:23

@Swimbikerun it can take weeks to fully adapt to this way of eating for endurance exercise. In a couple of months time you will be capable of running long distances in a fasted state if you like, but right now you may still need to pre-fuel and you may even feel that you need to use gels during runs. If you do need to pre-fuel at this stage then I would use lower carb options such as a banana or wholemeal toast with peanut butter. In an ideal world you wouldn't do this while starting Bootcamp but only you can decide whether the runs or sticking strictly to
Bootcamp is most important to you at this moment.

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 10:24

Sorry that last post should have been to @Happyface120 not @Swimbikerun Blush

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 10:31

@Jenasaurus there's evidence now that with complete adaption to a low carb high fat diet then the glycogen stores do partially replenish. It's more relevant to weight lifters who are often told they need carbs for maxing out, than it is to endurance runners who do better with having free and immediate access to their fat stores - no bonking or hitting the wall. It makes sense, why would we have the glycogen storage system if it wasn't going to be used? It's just that on a typical diet the glycogen store is always full and we lose the ability to metabolically switch between sugar-burning and fat-burning and remain in a sugar-burning state all the time. This then drives hunger, frequent eating and carbohydrate cravings that cause overeating and therefore weight gain.

QforCucumber · 10/01/2023 10:36

Thanks @StuntNun I am absolutely certain that DS2 hatred for sleep is the reason why I'm 2.5 stone heavier than I was the week after giving birth, he's never slept through a full night yet where the other one still sleeps 8-7 at 6.5YO!

I have eggs and cold sausages in the work fridge to stop me popping next door to greggs for a Sausage roll (people will hate me today!)

FinallyHere · 10/01/2023 10:53

@prettybird has posted a link to the art & science of low carb performance

I'm no athlete, but have read it and heard good things from others who do train.

Bootcamp is set up to get us fat adapted as quickly as possible, to get through that barrier so we are burning fat. I wore a continuous glucose monitor for a fortnight back in May, and was pleased to see just how stable my blood sugar levels stayed while low carbing. It was really provided to let me test out just how bad i react to sugar and starchy carbs but couldn't bring myself to deviate from LC way of eating

thank you lovely people for all the burlesque love. I might have signed up to go back next Thursday, as well as Monday. Indulging an addiction to dance cant be as bad for me as mainlining sugar, can it?

katesbushh · 10/01/2023 11:05

Morning

I'm so pleased that I did one full day. I always felt that was the biggest hurdle for me. I'm feeling really motivated today.
No headaches but do feel more tired than usual.
One thing I have noticed today is (and I apologise if this is tmi) but I'm way less windy.
I was a pure delight to be around usually haha but last night and far today nothing. No grumbly tummy.

Another thing is and that I really need to remember if I have a weak moment.
I didn't feel hungry at all yesterday. What I ate satisfied me and there was no hunger.
But, i didn't get that usual stuffed feeling you'd get after having something very carb heavy. There's a big difference between being not hungry and uncomfortably stuffed and bloated.

Hope you all gave a good day.

katesbushh · 10/01/2023 11:12

Another couple of questions to those in the know.

I know we are told to stay away from quorn etc. I was never one to have a lot of it as I generally don't like the texture/taste of meat.
But I do quite like their chicken slices and bacon.
They're both pretty low carb..not as low as the real thing but still good.

I also noticed online carbzone wraps which are (if I remember right) 4g per wrap.
I'm avoiding anything processed for these 2 weeks.

But going forward into bootcamp are things like this okay occasionally?

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 11:17

My sympathies @QforCucumber as another parent of poor sleepers. It does get better in time until they turn into teenagers and start getting up in the middle of the night to get something to eat.

amigababy · 10/01/2023 11:22

@katesbushh I'm hoping it sorts out digestive issues too.
And though dh isn't doing boot camp he's giving up bread and cake etc to sort out his digestion too, it makes shopping easier if neither of us wants that sort of food.

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 11:25

The CarbZone wraps are still 11% carbohydrate @katesbushh so, while they're lowER carb than regular wraps they aren't Bootcamp compatible. The Seriously Low Carb ones aren't much better at 9% carbohydrate. We're aiming to keep below 5% and preferably below 3%. I would save the low carb bread alternatives for weight maintenance rather than weight loss to be honest. With regards to Quorn, it might not be too bad from a carb point of view but it is undoubtedly an ultra-processed food. If you do decide to eat it, for example vegetarians might wish to include it to keep their protein intake up, then I would tend to regard it as an occasional option rather than as a mainstay of your diet.

Brassbumblebee · 10/01/2023 11:29

Thank you @StuntNun I'll see how I get on this week then I might order some. I do make sure I have a good salt on most things but I didnt know that about the lemon. Headache has shifted slightly from what it was when i woke up. It felt like a dehydration headache but it couldnt possibly be because I drank 3.5 litres of water yesterday!

@BIWI no not a vegetarian either.

If it is "keto flu" then I know it just has to run its course anyway so I'm definitely not giving in. 💪

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 11:51

@Brassbumblebee lemon juice is high in potassium. It isn't enough just to replace sodium with salt, you need potassium as well. Another option is to switch to Lo-Salt which contains potassium chloride as well as sodium chloride.

TigerYiger · 10/01/2023 11:57

Hi @Brassbumblebee if it's body salt related it's electrolytes not time you'll need. Bulk do a good one on Amazon, lots of powdered flavourless pure ones out there Smile

Brassbumblebee · 10/01/2023 12:11

Ok thank you both I've ordered some.

In the mean time I've just had lunch and a large glass of lemon water, very nice it was too!

prettybird · 10/01/2023 12:25

I seem to get by with my homemade "electrolyte" water: a pint of water with a generous squoosh of lemon juice and a generous shake of Lo:Salt. Smile

It also helps me to count how many pints of water I've had as I make sure that every second pint is an electrolyte one.

....which reminds me Wink

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 12:31

I've been low carb for years and I still take electrolytes - the Bulk brand unflavoured unsweetened powder. I find that if I drink plain water all the time then I need to pee a lot and get up in the night for a wee. If I add electrolytes to some of my water then it seems that I absorb more of the water if that makes sense. I also do a lot of intermittent and extended fasting and electrolytes are brilliant for that. I just checked Amazon and I have ordered the electrolytes 14 times now!

Mercedesbenz2022 · 10/01/2023 13:11

Salmon and roast veggie lunch
mid morning snack of yoghurt

feel focused and planned for tonight , pork steaks with sage butter , broccoli, mushrooms

do we need to take electrolytes
tbh I don’t really know what they are or what they do

StuntNun · 10/01/2023 13:21

No you don't @Mercedesbenz2022 some people don't get the carb flu / keto flu when they go low carb. Or you can often get away with adding a bit more salt to your food. We usually reduce our salt intake when we go low carb because foods such as bread and cereals already contain salt. That, coupled with the start of weight loss, can cause a temporary electrolyte imbalance that gives you fatigue and headaches. Even if you want to replace electrolytes you don't need to take a supplement you can get them from foods such as spinach and other leafy green vegetables, avocado, broccoli, dairy products etc.

naemates · 10/01/2023 13:26

Weighed myself at home yesterday and was pleasantly surprised at the result. Suspiciously so...

Weighed again at Boots today and I'm a full 10kg heavier using those, which I assume are more accurate 😢

Nevermind!

Yday:
B: mushroom omelette, coffee and cream
L: chicken, coleslaw and salad
D: antipasti salad
S: babybel (despite the gestational diabetes flashbacks I get when I eat them)

Today:
B: mushroom and spinach omelette, coffee and cream
L: salmon salad
D: chicken and chorizo creamy leeky thing with some asparagus and broccoli

Mercedesbenz2022 · 10/01/2023 13:39

@StuntNun
thanks for your explanation 👍
I was being a bit blinded by the science

Rayna37 · 10/01/2023 13:42

Weighed in, I'd be thrilled with 10 lbs off this bootcamp. If I can lose the half stone that will do: my clothes will fit!

I think Jenasaurus was asking for yogurt ideas- it may take some time to adjust to it plain if you're used to flavoured yogurt or as a topping to stuff. I will say to everyone though, if you think you don't like it, do keep trying as each brand tastes different, everyone has their own preferences. I'm happy with Fage 5% fat couldn't believe £4.50 is the on sale price now though as I tend to have a small portion as "pudding" rather than a bowlful as a breakfast in its own right. I aim to keep carbs per 100g below 4g, there's plenty of options. I have the Yeo valley "kerned" yogurt currently (green and white tub) as it's v low carb but quite different to Greek yogurt.

venusandmars · 10/01/2023 13:49

Well that's been a long read to catch up with all the posts! Somone posted (sorry can't remember who) a link to a restaurant recipe for sprouts. It sounded lovely but contained cashew nuts. Of course that's not for the first 2 weeks of bootcamp, but also cashews are the carbiest of nuts, so maybe replace them with a different nut. nut info here

Avocado for breakfast with creamy coffee; ham and cheese salad for lunch; veg omelette for dinner (going out so it has to be something quick). Veg box arrived so I've lots of salad, cavalo nero, cabbage, leeks, red peppers, mushrooms. There's also carrots and parsnips which I'll use to make a big root mash for dh and also use to top a shepherd's pie for PILs.

Intruiged by the burlesque and ballet chat so I looked up my local dance school and they do over 50's classes. Tempted to join...

CarbyLite · 10/01/2023 14:47

2 x coffee & double cream
Tuna & Avocado Salad (olive oil drizzled over)
6 x mini sausages
Not sure what dinner will be. I was going to do cod but not sure if I fancy that today now.
Maybe something chickeny.

LittleMy77 · 10/01/2023 14:51

Did a peloton and weights combo class this morning, and have been starving ever since!. I’m currently drinking chamomile tea and eating some cheese, whilst trying to ignore my carb craving which has been going on since post breakfast, and I’m feeling quite grumpy now (to be expected) and I could murder a piece of fruit

getting a gousto box for tonight and tomorrows tea, so looking forward to something a bit different.