Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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.

Back to School Bootcamp - the preparation thread

83 replies

BIWI · 05/09/2023 16:56

There are just over 60 of us signed up so far, and the very lovely @FinallyHere has been busy building the new spreadsheet for us, all ready to start on Monday. So in advance of that, here's some information about how to prep for it all.

I'm going to tag everyone who signed up to make sure you have a chance to read/think/digest this information. Apologies if you've read it before, but it's no bad thing to refresh your memory!

OP posts:
poorbuthappy · 06/09/2023 08:08

I'm in again. 🙄
I lost a stone and a bit in 2020/2021 with boot camp and kept it off until my hysterectomy last year.
I am very unhappy with myself and know exactly what I need to do.
I am starting today though as I'm away for 3 days next week with work and need to have my head firmly in it before I go to stay off the wine (very social event apparently) and make the right damn choices.
Morning all!!

AllTheBlackCoffee · 06/09/2023 08:40

Morning fellow campers and thanks to @BIWI and @FinallyHere for running this bootcamp.

I've low carbed on and off over the years but always struggle to stick with it, even though it's to only way I can lose weight. Now, with more than 3 stone to lose to get into a healthy BMI I am trying again and feeling determined this time. I'm just fed up of looking awful, buying clothes that fit rather than because I like them, and, with three years to go til I'm 50 I need to sort myself out or I'm facing a lot of weight related health issues as I age.

I've been back on it just over a week and feel like I've found my groove at the miniute - long may it last!

BIWI · 06/09/2023 10:35

I'm off shortly, for an overnight trip, so won't be around to post again until Friday (unless I can snatch the odd moment on the train!).

One of the things I'd like you all to think about, in anticipation of Bootcamp, is what you want - specifically - to achieve over the next eight weeks?

Is it a specific amount of weight? Or inches? Or to fit into a certain piece of clothing?

But then, and in fact more importantly:

what are you hoping to achieve once Bootcamp has finished?

In eight weeks, to be honest, while you could expect to lose up to/around a stone (if you really do follow the rules to the letter, and assuming you're not someone who is only a few pounds of their target/ideal weight), further and sustained weight loss will only happen if you keep up the habits you make during Bootcamp.

According to jamesclear.com (a site I came across with a random Google!), :

On average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And how long it takes a new habit to form can vary widely depending on the behavior, the person, and the circumstances. In Lally’s study, it took anywhere from 18 days to 254 days for people to form a new habit.

8 weeks of Bootcamp is 56 days, so we're going to have to really focus to make low carbing a new habit - obviously means that what happens after Bootcamp is probably more important than what is happening while we're doing it!

I'm as guilty as the next woman of thinking 'phew, finished!' when we reach the end. So I'd like us all (including me!) to really think and plan for how life is going to be when we do get to the end.

Who will accept this challenge?! Grin

OP posts:
LadyBird1973 · 06/09/2023 11:00

I want to lose a stone. I had in mind that I would definitely want to achieve this before Christmas but iff you say it's achievable during bootcamp, then Im definitely in!
I'm in the process of losing, think I might have done carb creep though, as I've spent the last couple of weeks losing and regaining the same pound!

A reset will do me good.

Tubelight · 06/09/2023 18:33

I don’t want to buy bigger size cloths anymore so I’ll give my best. I am glad that we are all in this together and I’m looking forward to the Monday.
We are going out Saturday night for dinner ( our favourite French restaurant) and then I am heading straight to you guys for 66 days. All the best everyone.
@BIWI enjoy your trip and thank you again.

bluesupermoon · 06/09/2023 19:58

Looking forward to getting started, thank you! I have been trying to low carb by myself for a bit this year but could do with a reset and support.

Are chia seeds (with Greek yoghurt) ok if you're veggie?

fruitstick · 06/09/2023 20:06

Can we write what we want here?

what you want - specifically - to achieve over the next eight weeks?

There are some clothes I would like to fit in more comfortably.

More than that though, I want to feel better. I feel like carbs are making me feel tired, and achy and at such a low ebb. It feels like a form of self-harm and I want to treat myself better.

what are you hoping to achieve once Bootcamp has finished?

More of the same really. I want to feel lighter, have the energy to run again and also not be so tired and sluggish.

I have 5 stone to lose to get to my BMI but I don't really care. If I can lose 3 or 4 stone that will be a good weight for me.

Also at my last wellness check my blood sugar and cholesterol were creeping up, so they need to come back down.

FinallyHere · 06/09/2023 23:26

*what you want - specifically - to achieve over the next eight weeks?

what are you hoping to achieve once Bootcamp has finished?*

My motivation for hanging around with you lovely, like minded low carbers is to be happy with what I choose to eat, so that I feel good about what I have eaten, immediately after eating and for say the next twenty fours hours.

What I eat is entirely within my own control.

When I eat low carb, high fat I really enjoy my food. I can eat my fill, feel perfectly satisfied and stop eating after eating a reasonable portion.

My blood sugar remains stable.

Hunger appears as a whisper. If I ignore it, there are no terrible consequences (low blood sugar, feeling hangry, shakes, feeling dreadful). No drama. After a whole, real hunger will reappear, each time a little more urgent but still no drama.

I do not feel lethargic and sleepy alongside the guilty feelings of having overeaten significantly. I do not find myself eating out of boredom or in order to suppress my feelings.

Over the longer time, my clothes continue to fit me. When I'm weighed, my weight and body composition is comfortably in the 'normal' range. Oh, and I fit into my jeans.

I feel competent that I feed and look after myself well. No guilt around my choices.

Thank you lovely @BIWI for bootcamp and everyone who contributes to the conversations here.

RooRooCooChoo · 07/09/2023 06:24

Thank you BIWI!

Ultimately I would like to lose 15kgs of baby weight that everyone swore to me would disappear through breastfeeding but I am still lugging around 18 months later. During this 8 weeks I would be thrilled to make a good start on that weight loss (could I hope for 6kg?!) and to fit comfortably into the new suits that I have bought for a job starting in October.

Once boot camp is finished I would like to continue losing weight to reach my target, and keep it off. I’m on holiday now and don’t want to be in a single photo with my kids as I hate how I look. This makes me very sad.

One question please: the rule about breakfast is noted. I usually don’t eat it, but will do as I’m told. But, I HATE hard boiled eggs. Any suggestions for small, easy snacks that are not the devil’s testicles?

JauntyRedShoes · 07/09/2023 07:27

Thank you BIWI.

I would like to lose 10 - 15kg too. I’m finding it hard to shift even though I’m active. My motivation is to reduce my cholesterol which has recently been diagnosed as high. My blood sugar levels are also high and I’d like to get that in check.

Fitting into my clothes comfortably will be a bonus. I really want to feel lighter and not lugging the extra weight, which I carry on my stomach, will be so good especially as we are coming into spring and summer here in Australia.

TheOnlyMrsW · 07/09/2023 09:23

I lost just under 9lb on the last BC and have stayed at that weight so far, but I can feel bad habits creeping in (have a hangover today for the first time in weeks - granted from just 3 drinks but still). I'd like to bed in the LC habit, now that we're back in school and all of that busyness starts again I don't want that to derail my efforts so far. A few more pounds off wouldn't go amiss but I know that will come if I stay organised and keep up the good stuff.

bella1426 · 07/09/2023 10:43

Hey everyone I'm excited to re-join, I've dabbled in bootcamp before and anytime I made it a few weeks I dropped off (in spite of seeing good results) like everyone said already I enjoy the food and feel good when eating like this and drinking all the water. This bootcamp brings me up to mu hen weekend. There is a costume (🙈) I would like to feel good in and obviously there will be loads of photos etc so my aim is to actually stick to this bootcamp for the duration and see how I can go. I'd love to be 25lbs down for my wedding next March, if I can do 10lbs on this bootcamp I'll be delighted. I have a wedding in Rome in October so in all likelihood I may fall off BC rules for a weekend but if I can make that my only slip and get back on immediately I'll be pleased with myself

agnesmartin · 07/09/2023 10:56

I've done the calculations and realised that I have about 50lb to lose to get to 25BMI. So going to plan for 1lb a week on average, but hoping for 14lb over these 8 weeks.

Have realised how much of my eating is emotional - esp sweets and chocolate - so this will be a great opportunity to try and 'feel' my feelings rather than eat them! 😬

I am another who tends to start a bootcamp but drop out after a few weeks. I get overwhelmed with reading (the very helpful) chat, not contributing at the time and then losing track. Not quite sure what to do about that but I think I will try and read the thread first thing each morning and write down what I plan to eat for the day. That way I'm only checking in once a day which shouldn't be too overwhelming. Just how my brain works.

I do have a holiday part way through and I won't have that much control over what I eat but I'll manage what I can.

Thanks for running this again BIWI and FinallyHere. I find both your posts very comforting, reassuring and inspiring. It's not a sprint. We are worth it.

sunflowerandivy · 07/09/2023 12:06

Hiya, I'm very happy to have the support on here. I started low carb last Tuesday and have so far lost 5lb. I'm enjoying it and getting use to the diet.

Pleaseandthankyou · 07/09/2023 12:34

Can I join you. Going to start today. I won’t be able to update the spreadsheet so please don’t add me. I want to lose a stone and a half by Christmas. I had been low carbing and maintaining successfully but that has gone out the door recently.

Bingo403 · 07/09/2023 12:59

Hi, Can I join please? I've just done week one of slimming world and it's been ok, but having done low carb in the past, I think it works and suits me better. New to mumsnet so looking forward to this journey over the next few weeks! Thanks

FinallyHere · 07/09/2023 13:48

Welcome @Bingo403

Glad to have you on board

FinallyHere · 07/09/2023 13:50

@Bingo403

I'll add you to the sign up thread. There is no pressure to log your weight weekly or whenever, whatever works for you.

Lots of useful info on the tabs of the spreadsheet, there will be a link in each weeks thread starting Monday.

Magnolia82 · 07/09/2023 15:14

Looking forward to joining all of you. I have browsed through a few of the other bootcamp threads over the last few weeks and it looks like you all have built up a wonderful, supportive and kind group.

I'm just doing my online food shop and wondered if there are any suggestions of 'essentials' that I should add to my order?

AllTheBlackCoffee · 07/09/2023 15:27

@Magnolia82 lots of eggs, more than you ever thought it possible to eat, same for butter, double cream, full fat Greek yogurt, fatty mince (20%), chicken thighs (pref skin on),other fatty meats, lots of green veg - spinach, kale, broccoli, leeks, sprouts if you can stomach them 🤢 - mushrooms, lots of nice cheeses….

That’s pretty much my weekly shop when I’m on boot camp and generally means I can rustle up something suitable without too much thought.

bella1426 · 07/09/2023 15:51

@Magnolia82 roasted cauliflower can be a great carb sub with almost a anything - roast dinner, curry, bolognaise, any meat in creamy sauce. That with some nice flavour oils (chilli, garlic etc) chopped up and roasted. You can add different herbs or spices depending on what you're pairing or with and even butter and/or cheese - it kind of works with everything!

prettybird · 07/09/2023 17:09

My objectives: hopefully I'll be 11st 8.75lb by Monday see the ongoing chat from the last Boot Camp Wink which is where I got to by Christmas last year.

There will be damage from my 3 week holiday (half of it staying with relatives so not so much control over what I eat Hmm) but I'm hoping to minimise that by sticking broadly with Boot Camp principles except for wine Smile

I'll get stuck into Boot Camp properly with the 2 strict initial weeks when I get back in October. Halo

I'd like to get under 11st by Christmas (normal BMI for me is 10st 9lb) but that depends on the damage done by the holiday Blush

pinknsparkly · 07/09/2023 19:25

Hi all, please can I join in too? I signed up to the previous bootcamp but then had issue after issue after issue crop up with my pregnancy and I didn't have the head space to dedicate to bootcamp!

My little one had to be delivered a month ago (4 weeks early) and although quite a dink at birth (was on the 2nd percentile), has been happily packing the pounds on since 🤗 I had gestational diabetes (and have previously reversed prediabetes twice) so am conscious of the need to keep my blood sugars under control. I'll have a HbA1c test in early November so my bootcamp aim is simply for that to not come back as prediabetic or diabetic! Any pregnancy weight that wishes to make a move in that time would be a welcome bonus!

I am breastfeeding my little one so am eating quite a lot of food volume wise and there's absolutely zero chance of me doing any intermittent fasting!!

TheOnlyMrsW · 07/09/2023 19:29

So.........trying to meal plan as Fridays are my non-working day and food shop day, and browsing through the recipe threads for some new things to try. Has anyone ever made a moussaka with courgette instead of aubergine? I can't stand the stuff but always feel like I'm missing out on moussaka!!!

EquallyDetermined · 07/09/2023 19:31

Thanks @BIWI .

I wouls like to lose a stone, to fit comfortably into all my size 16 clothes (some are still a bit tight) and most importantly to try and overcome the urge to fall off the wagon when a goal is achieved. I have been LCHFing on and off for a year now, lost 2 stone, but I struggle with it still, it works but I can’t hand on heart say I enjoy it which is why partly it fails to sustain (the other reason is that the weight loss is the only real benefit, I don’t suffer with aches, pains, bloating etc). So I need to try and be a bit more adventurous and try new BC friendly meals and work on my mental attitude.

Swipe left for the next trending thread