Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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

January 2024 Low Carb Bootcamp - this one's a dry one!

541 replies

BIWIshYouAMerryChristmas · 23/12/2023 14:44

For one month only - 4 weeks of strict Bootcamp, which means no booze.

If you want to, you can do Bootcamp Light, but with the exception of no alcohol.

All welcome! But please, only sign up if you are prepared to do the whole thing without alcohol.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
27
Roundthebend45 · 29/12/2023 11:52

Count me in too please! Doing dry January (and possibly February!) anyway. Definitely need a reset - have been feeling awful recently and my sleep has been terrible so hoping that no alcohol and better eating will help sort that out.

RooRooCooChoo · 29/12/2023 13:48

I'm in! Thank you @BIWI. I have had a shockingly indulgent December and am dreading taking stock of the damage on Monday. I feel like I've turned into a slab of foie gras. Xmas Confused

My goal is to get as svelte and fit as possible before I go skiing on 27 January. No booze, cycling to work at least 3 times a week and at least one weight training session. Bring it on!

PurpleWhirple · 29/12/2023 23:59

Yes please. Count me in

prettybird · 30/12/2023 10:36

I'm in! Smile ....at least until 25 January Wink

and if I do have any alcohol, I'll not mention a word about it on here

AIBConsiderate · 30/12/2023 15:23

Hi all, I'll be joining come Monday. I've massively struggled with my weight over the past year and I'm absolutely over it. Thanks to those sharing the recipe links, meal planning is going to be vital to get me through this month.

Zwifter · 30/12/2023 15:47

Please can I join? Did LC years ago and felt great on it. Struggling with peri menopausal swim ring belly now - no amount of exercise is shifting it so it’s time for me to start being strict in the kitchen!

BIWI · 30/12/2023 16:15

You're all very welcome! I'll work my way through the thread and will add everyone to the spreadsheet (created courtesy of the very lovely @FinallyHere) and then we're off!

(For the sake of transparency, I've realised I'm actually going to be starting the dry bit of this challenge on 2 January, as we host a party on NYE that generally runs through till the wee small hours, so I definitely won't be alcohol-free!)

poorbuthappy · 30/12/2023 16:20

Afternoon all.
I am in. Properly this time Blush
Lost a load in lockdown with the boot camp but have now been smacked in the arse by surgical menopause thanks to a hysterectomy last year.

I have plans for January and this fits in perfectly (as usual!)
Looking forward to our journey 👊

CharlieHadAPigeon · 30/12/2023 17:44

Count me in. I actually started today.

TimeforZ · 31/12/2023 01:03

I'd like to join please! Was actually planning to stop alcohol in January, so this is perfect. I've no idea how much I weigh, been avoiding the scales, but I know I've put on a fair bit of menopausal weight

SpinningTops · 31/12/2023 08:25

I'll join please. Have done one before, think that was another January new year resolution one.

But once again the weight has crept up, habits are poor and I'd like to lose 8 or 9lb.

SpinningTops · 31/12/2023 08:34

I like the look of the bread linked above. I will try make some today ahead of tomorrow where I will probably crave post NYE party carbs.

No alcohol is fine for me, just one work party to navigate.

latelydaydreams · 31/12/2023 08:41

Me please. New to Low Carb, but need to do something drastic!!

PurpleWhirple · 31/12/2023 09:32

Bread recipe looks worth a try for once we're through the first two weeks.

I have a bread maker as I live with 3 carb fiends and it's one of the ways I try to reduce the amount of UPF we consume as a family. Have had some success with a low carb bread recipe that I make, slice and freeze for the times when I'm craving the crunch of a slice of toast. I don't miss bread itself other than the convenience factor, but I do miss toast and crackers and other crunchy carbs.

I will see if I can find the recipe in a couple of weeks for anyone interested. It's a bit of a random ingredient list but I can generally find it all at Holland and Barrett

CocktailQueenie · 31/12/2023 09:56

Please can I join in too?

Original poster
BIWIshYouAMerryChristmas · 31/12/2023 09:56

@latelydaydreams welcome!

Make sure you've read the rules (which I linked to, via the spreadsheet link up thread) and also the info I posted about what we don't eat on Bootcamp.

I'll also c+p some info from previous threads about how to prepare for low carbing - the most important of which is to plan. Plan your meals and, ideally, plan meals that the whole family will eat - they can still have a carb element if you wish, but if you end up cooking separately for you it will soon become very tedious - and also will emphasis that you're 'on a diet.' And although we are (most of us, I think) doing this because we want to lose weight, the emphasis on Bootcamp is to eat good quality, natural and nutritious food. So it shouldn't look or feel like a punitive 'diet'. Add to that the fact that we don't weigh or count carbs or calories, and you should soon realise that this is about eating well, and eating for health benefits.

It's also important to stress that low carbing, while very good for weight loss, has a lot of other significant health benefits. It helps with diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol - as well as a myriad other conditions, such as PCOS, acne, and even (it has been said) dementia. In fact, in some circles, dementia is now being dubbed 'type 3 diabetes'.

OP posts:
OP posts:
Original poster
BIWIshYouAMerryChristmas · 31/12/2023 10:02

And here's a bit more info about what we can/can't eat on Bootcamp:

For the first two weeks of Bootcamp, you must also exclude:

  • all fruit
  • nuts/seeds*
  • all chocolate
If you want to make this 4-week challenge super strict, then you can continue with this - just make sure that you really are following rule 4, which is that the majority of your carbs should come from veg and salad.

*if you're a vegetarian there are different rules for you, and you can include nuts and seeds - in moderation, being careful which ones you choose - from the start

After the first two weeks of Bootcamp, if you wish, you can move to Bootcamp Light, which means you can add in:

  • some fruit - berries are the best
  • some nuts/seeds - in moderation, and choosing them carefully as the carb counts can vary dramatically
  • some chocolate - dark, high cocoa-content chocolate only
Foods you CAN eat and enjoy: In the main, things you generally can't eat on any other diet! Low carb means high fat, so you will be able to enjoy things like:
  • butter
  • lard
  • cream
  • cheese
  • mayonnaise
  • olive oil
  • full fat yoghurt
No light/lite or low fat anything!
  • all meat/fish/seafood (although keep processed options to a minimum); fattier cuts/types of fish are encouraged
  • eggs (no restriction on how many per day/week)
  • oily dressings (especially using extra virgin olive oil/avocado oil)
  • lard/coconut oil (as well as butter) for frying food
  • LOTS of vegetables and salad
OP posts:
TheOnlyMrsW · 31/12/2023 10:34

I'm in please, I've said before that alcohol is a biggie for me so will help me hopefully break the habit that's been re-established over the last week or so.
Don't miss many of the actual carby things apart from bread but I've got a cupboard full of almond and coconut flour, flax and chia seeds and a week off to try some recipes. I'm aware that some of these may not be strictly BC but I so struggle if there's actual bread in the house that I figure that there have to be better options........@BIWI if there's anything I need to not mention eating from those please ley me know. And thank you again for being there and running these threads x

TheOnlyMrsW · 31/12/2023 10:37

Sorry @BIWI just read the first 2 weeks are intense to be strict BC so completely ignore my last post 🤦......must remember to read the thread first

Gingerwarthog · 31/12/2023 10:37

Hi BIWI
Could you add me to the spreadsheet please when this goes live?
I'm going to take my starting weight as 67.4kg.
Thanks very much.

Original poster
BIWIshYouAMerryChristmas · 31/12/2023 10:40

No worries @TheOnlyMrsW Grin. (Although I will be getting strict about thread etiquette once we get going ...)

By the way, if you want some low carb bread I can recommend this company

Strictly speaking, it shouldn't be allowed in strict Bootcamp, but as it's such a useful product - and obviously much better than conventional bread - it's a good thing to have in your freezer for occasional usage.

@Gingerwarthog I will be doing the spreadsheet some time later today, so will make sure you are on it.

Diabetic friendly Low carb keto bread. - SRSLYLowCarb

Really tasty diabetic-friendly, high protein, low carb bread loaf for weight loss and blood sugar control. Perfect for diabetics.

https://srslylowcarb.com/collections/loaves-rolls/products/the-low-carb-loaf

OP posts:
Gingerwarthog · 31/12/2023 10:41

Thanks very much @BIWIshYouAMerryChristmas

Saltysausage · 31/12/2023 10:51

Are there any low carb milk alternatives that will work well in a coffee machine. I generally drink black coffee but every so often love a flat white.

CocktailQueenie · 31/12/2023 12:01

Saltysausage · 31/12/2023 10:51

Are there any low carb milk alternatives that will work well in a coffee machine. I generally drink black coffee but every so often love a flat white.

I put cream in my coffee, it fluffs up well in milk frother and you can add a bit of water if too rich

Swipe left for the next trending thread