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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.

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)

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moleeye · 13/01/2023 07:10

@NotDonna what about the crispy duck, spring onions and swerving the hoisin and pancakes?

I've been dreadfully ill the last 2 days with some horrific sickness bug and haven't been able to keep anything down. As a result my blood sugars were dangerously low (T2) and so I had to eat 3/4 of the kids Haribo strawberries as I felt dire.

Much better today and am having some FF Greek yogurt (Lidl) with cinnamon as I type to try and keep my stomach settled. Still firmly on track and in the zone!

StuntNun · 13/01/2023 07:26

On the yogurt chat, I make my own yogurt from full fat milk and a starter culture, or you can use any live yogurt as a starter then save a bit of yogurt from each batch to make the next one. My Instant Pot has a setting that pre-heats the milk for yogurt or you can use a yogurt maker, thermos flask or slow cooker (you might have to wrap them in towels to keep the temperature up) with UHT milk and skip the pre-heating step. I also strain my yogurt to make Greek yogurt, in which case you can save some of the whey liquid to start your next batch of yogurt - it freezes well so you save enough for several batches of yogurt. I also make my own kefir which is even easier because you don't need to pre-heat the milk and it's cultured at room temperature. If anyone wants to try making their own kefir, I'm happy to post out some grains.

TigerYiger · 13/01/2023 07:43

@StuntNun yes, it's a dangerously nice thing that old lemony lovely- hence for me this camp has been about giving up cream... Confused

Also I'm way into fermented foods too - so very nice to hear I'm not alone there. I'm with you on the kefir front as I have a cupboard with a jar that brews in there daily and keeps teenagers at bay. Apparently I eat weird stuff from jam jars...

Off to buy dill and mini cucumbers for the next batch of sauerkraut so I'll go with that Grin

Wishing all a good day and happy food!

Greatly · 13/01/2023 07:54

@NotDonna I was really strict for a few months a couple of years ago. Then I found I could occasionally eat whatever I wanted without putting weight on as long as I went immediately back to BC for a few days. So I'd choose within reason whatever I wanted when we went out for dinner - Id lost my taste for sweet things and didn't fancy a huge amount of carbs but I wouldn't worry too much about the fine detail. This was after strict bootcamp and a good few weeks of LCHF I hasten to add - don't want to encourage anyone to cheat!

AllTheBlackCoffee · 13/01/2023 07:59

Morning campers, happy Friday! Am so glad this week is almost over, it's been a long one, for sure.

On day 11 now and have reached that stage where I'm not feeling hungry so don't really know what I fancy to eat. I've got a PT session at lunchtime though so will need to force something down for breakfast, probably some buttery
scrambled eggs. I'm doing a curry for tea using some of the leftover Boxing Day beef. Lunch, we'll see what I fancy when the time comes.

I'm also sleeping much better which for am insomniac like me is amazing. I still wake quite a few times in the night but I'm finding it easier to get back off to sleep usually after a wee I'm never sure if it's diet or lack of wine but it's a welcome improvement, that's for sure.

50notout · 13/01/2023 08:12

Haven’t lost anything this week 😭.. I know it happens and I’m still very determined but it’s just a bit demotivating. We go on our delayed honeymoon in 3 weeks and I’d like to shift some timber before this!

BIWI · 13/01/2023 08:44

@50notout - we're only on day 5! You do need to be patient.

The rate of loss, and the amount of loss, varies from person to person, so it's very dangerous (and potentially depressing!) to compare yourself to other Bootcampers. You may not lose this week but lose a lot next week - they may do it the other way around.

Weight loss will also depend on what you were eating before you started Bootcamp - and if you've been on and off various other diets. Sometimes it can take a while for your body to trust you!

However, list out for me what you've eaten and drunk this week and let me see if there's anything I can help you with.

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BIWI · 13/01/2023 08:45

@Eanair23

I might ask for no dressing, just olive oil. I don't want to appear rude.

How on earth is that rude?! (Who is it you're asking, btw?)

And why should it be a dilemma? This is your health we're talking about here. If you won't ask for a different dressing, then you need to change your order, as the salad dressing clearly isn't helping you to low carb.

@BSky I believe there is science to support it - a quick Google came up with this website which may be helpful. Obviously I'm giving you anecdotal information, based on my own experience, but I have seen elsewhere that sugar (generally) is something people are advised to cut down on, which would also support a low carbohydrate WOE.

Welcome @Frazzledmum239! There are slightly different rules for vegetarians, so you should be well catered for. Also, Rose Elliot has a vegetarian low carb plan, along with a recipe book, which might be worth looking out for. I've added you to the spreadsheet, but need to ask @FinallyHere to colour-code you green, so that I remember that you're a veggie!

@NotDonna Thai food, while very lovely, does tend to be pretty carby as they use sugar in many dishes. I'd go for chicken satay to start, and then the Weeping Tiger (at our local Thai this is simply a marinated sirloin steak, with a spicy, vinegary sauce/dip which is on the side). Or the beef salad, which is usually lovely and doesn't seem to be sweet in any way. You also need to make it clear to your friends that you aren't sharing!!! (If they're good friends I'm sure they'll understand)

@TigerYiger not very much protein or fat going on in that day (although it sounds very tasty!) Remember this is high fat:medium protein:low carb

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cravingmilkshake · 13/01/2023 08:50

Hi , joining the thread. Thank you x

Greatly · 13/01/2023 08:51

Morning.

B: leftover roast chicken thighs and roasted broccoli from last night (I've been out in the mud and wind for an hour and I like leftovers for breakfast!)

L: probs won't be hungry but a bowl of green (sprouts, leeks - microwaved with butter with cheese and salt)

D: meatballs and more broccoli

BIWI · 13/01/2023 08:55

Welcome @cravingmilkshake!

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NotDonna · 13/01/2023 09:16

Greatly · 13/01/2023 07:54

@NotDonna I was really strict for a few months a couple of years ago. Then I found I could occasionally eat whatever I wanted without putting weight on as long as I went immediately back to BC for a few days. So I'd choose within reason whatever I wanted when we went out for dinner - Id lost my taste for sweet things and didn't fancy a huge amount of carbs but I wouldn't worry too much about the fine detail. This was after strict bootcamp and a good few weeks of LCHF I hasten to add - don't want to encourage anyone to cheat!

Yes, I think you’re right if I choose sensibly. That’s exactly how I played my 3 weeks in Oz over Xmas & NY and still lost 5lbs in those 3 weeks. I was aiming to maintain so it can be done. I’be only lost a pound this week so far so don’t want the blinking Thai to scupper that! But it’ll be so lovely to see them that I want to make it work.

Hopeislost · 13/01/2023 09:53

@StuntNun I'd love to take you up on your offer and start making kefir! I buy it occasionally but is v expensive for a tiny bottle!

Food plan for today
B: Greek yoghurt with cinnamon
L: halloumi salad
D: pork shoulder steaks with green beans and celeriac remoulade - will make a big batch of remoulade which will hopefully last a few days!

UnfinishedBusiness · 13/01/2023 09:56

Morning all.

B: Coffee with cream and a sad, single left over sausage that waved at me from the fridge when I opened it earlier.

L: More of the broccoli and Stilton soup.

D: Chicken shawarma, salad and either home made coleslaw or roasted peppers depending on what I can be bothered to make!

Hope everyone has a good day.

FinallyHere · 13/01/2023 10:01

@Frazzledmum239 and @Gloriana now both added to the spreadsheet

Frazzledmum239 colour coded veggie

I'm sure I saw another request for adding to the spreadsheet. Apologies if I have missed anyone, please name check me in another post

Quite late home last night from watching the 'world of burlesque' show in Guildford.

naemates · 13/01/2023 10:13

Fermented food experts, I usually have kimchi but there wasn't any so I bought a giant jar of sauerkraut (smallest they had). Wasn't til I got home I saw it said it had to be used within 2 days of opening- is that right? Is it not already gone off (so to speak) and that's the point of it?

My husband says that my Polish heritage should be able to finish the jar in that time, but seems like a baaad idea!

MaryDoll84 · 13/01/2023 10:16

Just caught up on the thread. Everyone seems to be getting into the swing of things now.
@moleeye hope you're feeling better.
@cravingmilkshake welcome. I'm sure you'll find great support here.

Plan for today
B:FF yogurt
L:hard boiled eggs, cheese, pickled onions, celery, cucumber, dollop of mayo
D:egg fried cauliflower rice,loads of veg mixed in

Bit heavy on the eggs but I'm not a big meat eater and I hate fish, so eggs will feature heavily in my daily menus. I should probably invest in a few hens😁

QforCucumber · 13/01/2023 10:19

Morning!

good start today B - scrambled eggs with butter and double cream
Coffee with cream (actually got the kids away from cereal this morning too and they had eggy bread with strawberries and blueberries so thanks for the help there!)
L - Fajita filling with sour cream, guac and grated cheese
D - kids want to make pizza, DH and I having steak and greens with mushrooms and garlic butter

Had an interesting convo with MIL last night about cream and elmlea, she went in our fridge to make a drink and saw 2 tubs double cream - wanted to know why I buy that when she buys elmlea and says its so much better for you. Told her to look at the ingredients of my cream - there is 1 - cream. Then googled the ingredients in elmlea - there are 7!

She also commented on my tray of 30 eggs and told me my veins will clog with cholesterol - those adverts of how bad fat is in the 70's really took a hold of her!

BIWI · 13/01/2023 10:21

I hate Elmlea with a passion. I think their packaging is so confusing - deliberately so - because so many people do think it's real cream.

But yes, ideas about eggs causing high cholesterol are very out of date.

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BIWI · 13/01/2023 10:22

@MaryDoll84 just keep an eye on what you're eating there - doesn't look like it's especially high in fat.

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LittleMy77 · 13/01/2023 10:23

Jumped on scales to a pleasing downturn this am. I have a pair of trousers i’m using for BC to measure progress, and i can actually do them up. They’re tight but last week i couldn’t do the button

Not getting a tesco delivery until this eve, so it’ll be fridge bottom scrapings of leftovers and squeaky cheese (halloumi) for lunch. Planning Indian for tea, with no rice / naan etc. This way dh and i both get what we want

Brassbumblebee · 13/01/2023 10:24

Morning everyone!

@TigerYiger could you post instructions on how to make a simple sauerkraut please? I've always wondered how to make it. (I know there are videos on YouTube but they always make it seem complicated so it puts me off..)

Today's menu;

B: small amount of 10% yogurt and celery sticks with ff cream cheese
L: left over taco bowl stuff (minus the yogurt because I had that for breakfast, damn!)
D: chicken drumsticks wrapped in bacon with kale and green beans.

katesbushh · 13/01/2023 10:24

Morning.

Started the day with a creamy coffee.

Slightly disheartened this morning.
Weighed and have put 2lb on.
I've stuck to it and mostly had my water.
Definitely had at least 3 litres.

Period is due Monday so I'm hoping it is that.

BIWI · 13/01/2023 10:26

Any reason why you didn't have something to eat for breakfast @katesbushh?

Your period coming could well explain the 2lbs. But also remember that it's quite normal for day-to-day fluctuations. And we are only on day 5!

However, as I said to PP, list out for me what you've been eating and drinking over the last few days.

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SpottyBumPony · 13/01/2023 10:34

Morning campers!

A bowl of G Yoghurt and Cream snuck in after dinner last night.

Today might get a bit eggy as I was meant to have Leftover soup but didn't make enough so I've concocted a crustless quiche type affair for lunch.
Greek yoghurt (no cream) with turmeric
Quiche (leek, tomato and chipolata) with salad
Omelette (spinach and ham) with roast broccoli

Yoga class tonight