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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.

Original poster

Low Carb Bootcamp challenge - lose half a stone before Christmas

637 replies

BIWI · 07/11/2023 17:09

If we start next Monday, there are 6 weeks leading up to Christmas.

Hopefully that means that we can drop 7lbs in those weeks - but only if we're properly strict.

It's entirely up to you if you want to do strict Bootcamp, or Bootcamp Light across those 6 weeks, although I'd suggest that if you haven't got too much to lose, you veer towards a stricter approach.

It's also, we need to bear in mind, a more difficult time of the year to think about losing weight as there are likely to be more social occasions, so a stricter approach around all of those events is probably a good one!

Who's in?!

OP posts:
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26
agnesmartin · 14/12/2023 16:23

Oh, the Covid dizziness is really horrible, @VeryGoodVeryNice Hope it passes soon! 💐

VeryGoodVeryNice · 14/12/2023 16:37

@agnesmartin its horrible isn’t it? I don’t know what to do with myself, I feel like I’m on a boat.

Honestly can’t believe my luck. I’ve been feeling so low and haven’t been out socially for so long, then the one time I do (last Friday) I catch covid! Just before Xmas which I’m completely unprepared for, already lost 2 days work which I really can’t afford to do, and 2 weeks before we go away on holiday (v expensive holiday which my mum paid for) which is going to be an active doing things kind of holiday, and I know from previous experience covid leaves me wiped out for weeks so it’s going to be a bit ruined for everyone 😞.

agnesmartin · 14/12/2023 16:51

Oh, that's bad luck! But ... and obviously don't know if this would apply to you ... but the first time I had Covid I wasn't right for a good 3 months afterwards. Nothing too awful compared to many people, but I was wiped out. I had it for the second time in September and I was only tired for about a week after so fingers crossed for you!

VeryGoodVeryNice · 14/12/2023 18:10

@agnesmartin 4th time for me 😣. Fingers crossed once I’m better I’m better. I’m doing nothing but rest so fingers crossed 🤞

Whicker · 15/12/2023 08:55

Congratulations to everyone doing well, and sympathy and encouragement to those hitting seasonal hurdles. I’m definitely in a best endeavours mode at the moment - the social events are coming thick and fast. Basic approach is, I think, that even if I eat carbs at a gathering, that doesn’t mean I can just go ahead and eat ALL the carbs. And I must keep up with water.

OldandTired66 · 15/12/2023 11:20

Get well soon, @VeryGoodVeryNice, I hope you recover in time to enjoy your Christmas. Help me please with this menu Low Carbers vichotelbeeston.co.uk/menu-1. I go here once a month with a friend and always struggle with what to choose, it's very carby (and delicious). Made a bad choice yesterday (the bean burger, don't know what I was thinking!).

VeryGoodVeryNice · 15/12/2023 12:00

@Whicker that’s the trouble with carbs isn’t it, once you’ve had something carby to eat, the cravings for more are strong! Definitely learnt that the hard way.

Original poster
BIWI · 15/12/2023 13:41

@OldandTired66 I'd go for the Gambas Al Pil Pil for a starter - but ask for it to be served without the baguette. And then for a main, the Chicken Souvlaki, but without the pitta.

No dessert - but if you're still hungry, the cheeseboard (but avoid the crackers and sourdough!)

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EversoDisorganised · 15/12/2023 13:48

Best endeavours is a very good tactic IMO. I have declined numerous offers of mince pies in the last week or so but it gets harder the nearer you get to Christmas. I need to shift another 0.2lb to be the lightest I've been for 5 years.

Whicker · 15/12/2023 14:20

I’m definitely doing much better than I have done in previous years, which is a big positive.

Almahart · 15/12/2023 14:27

It's damage limitation really isn't it from now on. I did put my M&S cherry liquors in the garage last night as I'd eaten three (having vowed to wait until Christmas eve). Still, better than the usual sugar fest I'd usually have embarked on

Whicker · 15/12/2023 14:29

Well done @Almahart ! I’m very admiring of everyone who is managing to stay strict though. And if it weren’t for your example I probably would have gone fully into Christmas carb craziness!

Almahart · 15/12/2023 14:56

Ah that's good to hear! My kids are at their dads this week, next week will be a lot harder. But I am just seeing results from this BC and don't want to chuck it all away.

In a NSV, I knew I was beginning to be able to do up my jeans, but I also tried on a top I had bought on Vinted that was too small and to my amazement, it actually fits now. Really pleased

Original poster
BIWI · 15/12/2023 15:31

I have two more social events to navigate - one tonight and the other on Monday. Both places I know the menu, so the food won't be the issue. The wine on the other hand ... Xmas Grin

I've made (and frozen) our food for Christmas Eve. We're having fish pie. I've made a separate one for me, with celeriac and leek mash, and I've made a pork terrine for a starter - which I'm happy to have with just something like celery instead of bread.

Christmas Day we're having roast beef, so I'm going to allow myself one roast potato and one Yorkshire pudding. The other veg will all be low carb - roasted broccoli and shallots, cauliflower cheese and red cabbage.

But pudding is something I am definitely going to treat myself to, as it's sticky toffee pudding and home-made vanilla ice-cream.

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LadyBird1973 · 15/12/2023 15:45

Going for a drink with a friend later, so will have to be careful. I find alcohol really makes me slam on the weight!
Been better with food though.

OldandTired66 · 15/12/2023 16:49

Thank you @BIWI. We normally only have a main so no dessert temptation thank goodness. Both good suggestions. I might try asking them to leave the carbs off next time and give me more vegetables. I can resist rice, bread or naan not so much.

Original poster
BIWI · 15/12/2023 16:52

Yes, it's far better to ask them not to serve you with the carby element. It's all too easy, when it's on the plate, to give in and eat it!

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Carrierbagofseedsandstars · 16/12/2023 11:56

It's the first time I've been able to get to my lap top, but I weighed in on Monday and with 1.4lbs down, I have lost the 7lbs - hooray!! Everything else is now a bonus.

I have had to work a lot recently and I have found that not getting enough sleep seems to make it much harder for my body to let go of the weight.

I have really enjoyed reading what everyone's going to be eating/not eating over Christmas. I'll have to think about this!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and looking forward to hearing the news on Monday!

Almahart · 16/12/2023 12:49

Well done @Carrierbagofseedsandstars. I'm a daily weigher and hit the 7ibs mark today. Very pleased!

Magnolia82 · 16/12/2023 13:42

Well done to everyone who has reached their goal for this Bootcamp. Hope everyone with events this weekend manages to navigate them in whatever way you decide to.

I'm also finding it really helpful to hear about what people are choosing to eat/not eat over the coming days.

islandtiger · 17/12/2023 09:22

Gosh everyone, this is inspiring. I'm curious about getting on the scales tomorrow. I'm trying to have a better LCBC day today after a few very funny food days. A long train journey made worse by delays and hospital appointments both scheduled (DM) and unscheduled (me) drove me to cake and pasta and a little wine for the first time in six weeks. I've decided I need a thermos flask with me at all times as it's too easy to succumb to vending machine hot chocolate in a crisis. I eat less when I'm with my mum, but unhelpfully it is less of the wrong things! DH is joining me on Thursday and we've decided to stick to LCBC until Christmas Eve. I'm doing the shopping list today and we are not adding orange juice which is a big thing! I'm sure we'll have a sweet treats but just not go mad in the potatoes as others have suggested. As I have at least another stone to lose I will be searching for support in the New Year as this definitely feels like a WOE that works. Good luck everyone.

Original poster
BIWI · 17/12/2023 10:58

Too many social events for me mean I haven't lost as much as I wanted, so not looking forward to the scales tomorrow.

But I've committed (and said it out loud to DH!) to January being alcohol-free and strict (LC) diet. We were supposed to be going to Toulouse at the end of January for a rugby weekend, but DH's friend can no longer make it, so we've decided to cancel that. Which means I have all of January to stay off the booze.

If anyone wants to join me, I'll set up a totally teetotal Bootcamp for January.

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Almahart · 17/12/2023 11:58

I'll be in for January. Over new year I am going on a vegan yoga retreat so absolutely no chance of low carbing for a week, but will be keen to get back on it. I think from now until then my main aim is not to put any of the weight that I have lost back on.

prettybird · 17/12/2023 14:06

I'm in for January. Not sure about I'll manage it teetotal though Shock - but I'll be probably manage 3 weeks Grin Burns Night and all that Wink

LadyBird1973 · 17/12/2023 16:22

I'm in for January too, if you'll have me. Alcohol throws everything off track for me and tbh, I haven't really missed not drinking so much. While I'm looking forward to some Baileys and mulled wine over Christmas, I'll definitely be over that by January!