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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)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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AllTheBlackCoffee · 09/01/2023 13:49

Can I ask a question about sprouts? I'm not really a fan, but I'm wondering whether shoogled one's taste wildly different to when I boil 'em in a pan and add butter after. I even sometimes fry them with bacon after boiling but it just doesn't do it for me and I can't understand all the love on here for them. I am willing to give them another go though, if you can assure me it tastes infinitely superior to my previous efforts.

Janieread · 09/01/2023 13:51

Try em and see

They stink a bit when you microwave them, according to sprout hating dh

Passtheturkey · 09/01/2023 13:53

@AllTheBlackCoffee living in the stone ages I don’t have a microwave but roasted whole in the oven (35 mins 180C) they are incredible especially if you use goose fat and plenty of salt.

AllTheBlackCoffee · 09/01/2023 13:57

Right, I think I'll add them to next weeks shop and try a few different approaches. It's not that I don't WANT to like them 😆I will report back...

LittleMy77 · 09/01/2023 14:00

AllTheBlackCoffee · 09/01/2023 13:49

Can I ask a question about sprouts? I'm not really a fan, but I'm wondering whether shoogled one's taste wildly different to when I boil 'em in a pan and add butter after. I even sometimes fry them with bacon after boiling but it just doesn't do it for me and I can't understand all the love on here for them. I am willing to give them another go though, if you can assure me it tastes infinitely superior to my previous efforts.

I roast or pan fry cut up sprouts with pancetta / bacon and sliced leeks and garlic. On a non BC week, I'd also add pine nuts. Tastes totally different to build sprouts, which I detest!

BIWI · 09/01/2023 14:14

amigababy · 09/01/2023 13:19

A very basic start to the day
B: Greek yoghurt and a soya latte
L: Boiled eggs

And now to go shopping and get more interesting food for the rest of the week.

Dh wants to give up bread and cake etc. This is good news (for the shopping). He loves his potatoes though, he'll still have those but at least there'll be less carbs in the house.

I hope there's plenty of veg/salad going on in your evening meal @amigababy!

@NotDonna unfortunately some people find that dairy impedes their weight loss, so even though it's not forbidden on Bootcamp, we do need to go carefully with it.

OP posts:
prettybird · 09/01/2023 14:19

@AllTheBlackCoffee - I find that the sprouts are somehow sweeter if they're done in the microwave with plenty of butter Smile. Less watery, certainly. They're also lovely cold Grin

Same technique works for cauliflower, broccoli, sliced cabbage (green, white, savoy). All yummy Grin

I deliberately try to do too many, so that I have leftovers for the following day Wink

BrendaLee · 09/01/2023 14:23

@prettybird I have sprouts and you've made it sound lovely - can you tell me how long they take in the microwave? Just roughly as I will experiment tonight...

NotDonna · 09/01/2023 14:23

Smorgs · 09/01/2023 13:17

Hi @NotDonna yes that's exactly our situation, ADHD meds cutting appetite, along with some serious fussiness over eating certain vegetables, food in sauce, fish.... and they weren't huge beforehand either. Have even considered smuggling protein powder into their food. Tricky isn't it?

Don’t want to de-rail the thread so please pm if you want to chat or any info@Smorgs not sure how long your DC diagnosed. My DD a couple of years now, she’s 13. From what I’ve read ppl with ADHD are often ‘fussy’ due to the sensory issues. My DD was on methylphenidate which worked brilliantly for her adhd but killed her
(very tiny anyway)appetite she lost so much weight (she’s off the chart) that she was referred to eating disorder clinic but it’s not AN it was the meds. So we’ve had a few changes. Doesn’t work as well but at least she’s not fading away. It was very worrying. Of course I was making super high cal foods and then eating them alongside her. She gained a couple of kg, me on the other hand!! Hence why here. Plus still trying to fatten her up.

prettybird · 09/01/2023 14:44

@BrendaLee - I do mine in a ceramic/Pyrex bowl, with a slab of butter on top of them and then cover the bowl with a plate. Do them for 2 minutes, shoogle the bowl (with the plate still on top) and then microwave for another two minutes. Add salt & pepper and stir.

You might need to do another minute or two, depending on how many sprouts you're doing/how big the sprouts are/how powerful your microwave is.

Enjoy Smile

FancyFelix · 09/01/2023 14:45

AllTheBlackCoffee · 09/01/2023 13:49

Can I ask a question about sprouts? I'm not really a fan, but I'm wondering whether shoogled one's taste wildly different to when I boil 'em in a pan and add butter after. I even sometimes fry them with bacon after boiling but it just doesn't do it for me and I can't understand all the love on here for them. I am willing to give them another go though, if you can assure me it tastes infinitely superior to my previous efforts.

I love them done in the air fryer with halloumi, harissa and spinach. Think the recipe is on the recipe threads. They taste totally different boiled

FinallyHere · 09/01/2023 14:47

With thanks for your inspiration lovely bootcampers. Really enjoyed a small bowel of shoogled sprouts for lunch.

Wish me all luck, I'm going to try a new dance class tonight. Chair burlesque, as it happens. How bad can it be?

FairlyOddmother · 09/01/2023 14:53

Hello everyone, I'm new to the BC but have done LCHF before. Aiming to lose 12lbs on the BC (have about 4st to lose in total 🙄) but any loss is welcome!
I have questions about dairy - is full fat cottage cheese allowed? Also I can't find 10% greek yoghurt, is the Fage 5% one ok?
Thanks!

ZiggZagg · 09/01/2023 15:06

Spicy chicken wings and shoogled sprouts for dinner Grin

BIWI · 09/01/2023 15:18

@FairlyOddmother yes, full fat cottage cheese is allowed - just beware that it does contain more carbs than hard cheese though, at 3.6g per 100g.

You're much better off with a 10% fat yoghurt - most supermarkets have one in their premium ranges, so look out for those. If you can only get a 5% one, you could always stir some double cream into it, to up the fat. It's also very lovely with some clotted cream!

OP posts:
BIWI · 09/01/2023 15:20

Today:

No breakfast - as a seasoned low carber I don't eat until lunchtime

Lunch - a sort-of eggs mornay: 2 hard boiled eggs, halved, with full fat yoghurt dolloped on top, lots of grated cheddar on top of that, then grilled till the cheese browns

Dinner will be roasted aubergines with garlic and chilli oil, topped with whipped feta mixed with crumbled crispy streaky bacon, served with pan-fried courgettes and a green salad, with an oily vinaigrette.

OP posts:
Nugg · 09/01/2023 15:22

Thanks again to those setting this up :)

Weighed in at the gym, but forgot what it said - probably in denial! Plus it was in KG it sends it straight to my phone and my app is buggered so will update when its sorted later.

B: Bacon, scrambled egg with cream and chives, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms in butter
L: Salad with chicken, HM coleslaw made with mayo and a dash of sour cream, feta and olives
d: salmon, HM Hollandaise and tons of carrots and broccoli

REALLY enjoying it so far, am managing water, but not quite as much as I should, does tea count towards it?

snacks are chicken and boiled eggs, which I have to share with my puppy 😂

Nugg · 09/01/2023 15:26

Oh just looked at the carb count of carrots, maybe I will swap for something else - sprouts seem popular 😅

NotDonna · 09/01/2023 15:35

I know! Blooming carrots. (I hate sprouts) Seems anything that grows under the ground is carby compared to above ground (apart from fruit, nuts, legumes). But carrots are still better than potatoes. Depends how strict you want to be but until we get used to LC anything that’s in the green & orange zones are ok, just try to avoid the red zone.

Nugg · 09/01/2023 15:40

Thank you @NotDonna I bloody love carrots - bummer! luckily I also like sprouts!

MaryDoll84 · 09/01/2023 15:40

Hi all and thanks to those who have organised this bootcamp. I've read all of the bootcamp threads for the past 8+ years but have never joined one so I'm excited to be here.
The main challenges for me will be getting my daily water intake in as I just don't like it and never drink it normally. Also giving up alcohol as I love a glass of wine or 2 in front of the telly. I started dry January but failed after 2 days!! I am sure I can give it up for 2 weeks though, knowing that I can have the odd glass after that. I have been 'sober curious' for a year now so this woe is a great incentive to atleast cut right back.
I'm also addicted to sugar so even if I don't lose any weight I'm hoping to get off the crazy blood sugar roller-coaster!

Bigteamug · 09/01/2023 15:52

I'm a sugar addict too, crazy how often the urge for chocolate or sweets hits!

Lucienandjean · 09/01/2023 16:03

I've just been to Sainsburys and hoovered up a load of yellow-stickered meat and fish, to get this Bootcamp off to a cheaper start. I now have bargain rump steak (which will please dh), and a lot of salmon fillets for the freezer. Also a big piece of gammon, which I guess isn't ideal as it's processed, but it was too much of a bargain to pass up.
I even bought some reduced cabbage - I might be making coleslaw this week.
It feels good to be back on Bootcamp!

earlyraisin · 09/01/2023 16:22

My spiralizer is sulking because I only get it off the shelf in January and at no other time!

I've logged my weight, drunk water, faced comments about my WOE in the staff kitchen. I've read everyone's posts for inspiration. Thank you.

Can I ask about salt when low carbing? Is it better to use posh salt crystals or table salt? Should I eat more salt?

FinallyHere · 09/01/2023 16:24

@MaryDoll84 glad to have you here

get off the crazy blood sugar roller-coaster!

Avoiding those swings and the consequences is my single motivation to follow this way of eating WoE.

Anything else is a bonus.

Bootcamp is just brilliant for it.