Week 1 - May '24 Low Carb Bootcamp. And off we go!

[BIWI]

Evening everyone!

I'm starting the first week's chat thread this evening as I know everyone will be chomping at the bit to get going tomorrow!

First, and most importantly, here's the link to the spreadsheet

You'll see that it's now got a bit of colour coding going on. There are several posters who have said that they don't want to be on the spreadsheet, so they are on there, but greyed out - so I know who is/isn't wanting to talk about their weight.

If you're said you're a vegetarian, your row will be coloured green; this is important, so that we know how to advise you about foods (or rather, not to tell you off if you're eating nuts/fruit/seeds when you're allowed to, as a veggie!)

If you haven't seen the spreadsheet before - or even if you have! - have a good look around it. As well as Bootcamp rules, there's loads of helpful information on there (look at the tabs at the bottom). I've revised the vegetable carb count, which now includes some more veg.

If there's anything that isn't clear

Check the veg carb counter on the spreadsheet!

Those of you who are accessing the thread on a mobile device rather than a laptop or desktop, you'll need to download the Google Sheets app.

Also, having raised the issue of the veg carb counter on the spreadsheet, you'll see that it's colour coded.

Green = eat freely (anything under 5g carbs per 100g)
Amber = eat occasionally/with caution, especially in the first two weeks of Bootcamp (5-7.9g carbs per 100g)
Red = avoid as much as possible (8+g carbs per 100g)

The only exception to the red list is onions (which I've also noticed have somehow dropped off the list!) which are 8g carbs per 100g, seeing as so many dishes start with onions. However, this is why we recommend that you substitute, wherever possible, with shallots - which are only 3.3g carbs per 100g. Buy the echalion/banana ones, rather than the little round ones, as they are much easier to peel.

My tip for peeling shallots (and BTW: Lidl sells the echallion/banana shallots) is to cut them in half lengthways first, which makes it easier to peel off the brown outer layer.

I'm late to the spreadsheet! Can I join too please?

Off to the green grocer's today to stock up!

Thanks BIWI

Was just about to ask about this so I’m so glad I read back before doing so and avoided the stick! 😂😂

First time bootcamper here and so very grateful for all these fabulous FREE resources! DH is doing this with me and can’t believe I’m not paying for it!

Really excited to try and shift the baby weight and also feel energised and healthy!

Big gratitude to all involved with the organisation! ❤️

Starting off well with the water: plenty of glasses ( two every time I go to the loo, so a self-fulfilling objective ) and I've jut finished my 2nd mug of rooibos

After my Greek yoghurt & cream breakfast, I've had a bowl of baby sweetcorn that had been microwaved in butter (left over from last night).

Got an avocado for tonight and will probably have a wee salad and an omelette too (or will boil 6 eggs, have two and then have 4 for snacks tomorrow).

Sorry bound to have missed this but what is FFGY?

Sorry I missed this previous thread.

I had a similar 1 stone weight gain after stopping low carbing last year!

What made you fall off the wagon?

Full Fat Greek Yoghurt!

There's a tab on the bottom of the spreadsheet that gives all the acronyms that we use/have used on here!

@Glorianna - not sure why

But I think it was a combination of sticking my head in the sand about something I needed to do, which sent me into a downward spiral of fuck its

The really annoying thing is I know that once I can get back into the Zone of Boot Camp, I can reverse that spiral into a virtuous one

Following, although I’m not great at following/doing spreadsheets 😅

Well the great news @Newshoesrubbingmyfeet is that you don't have to do the spreadsheet! The very lovely @FinallyHere takes care of all that for us. All you have to do (assuming that you want to) is to input your weight each week.

And here you are - following!

Hello!
absolute newbie here. I’ve done keto before with huge success and want to make it more of a lifestyle as I just feel so much better for it (especially as I have an Underactive thyroid)

I do have ADHD so cooking is sometimes problematic so I’ve gone with ‘good and boring’ - easy meals! Boiled eggs for breakfast and 2 burgers with green veg for lunch. Chicken salad awaits for dinner. I’ll probably have the same routine all week as it keeps my brain happy 🤣

I’m 4 stone heavier now than pre kids and if love love to shift even half of it for life!!

Could I please be added to the spreadsheet.
Thank you

This is my first bootcamp, so can I please ask a few questions (and hope that they haven't already been answered!)? I don't think weighing food is in the spirit of bootcamp, is that right? However...I could do with knowing what normal portion sizes of dairy are, otherwise I can eat a lot...! Does 60g of cheese and 100g of FFGY per day sound okay? Also, I know we're to avoid nuts and seeds in the first 2 weeks, but am I right in thinking that flax seeds are really low carb?

Hello everyone

Thank you so much for running this bootcamp @BIWI. I've had a difficult spring with a succession of family upheavals which have made it difficult to stay on the wagon. I'm going into a more settled spell now though so hoping to undo the damage and get back to my goal weight (need to lose 20lb).

@somanylights - key thing at this stage is to remember The Rule - only eat you're hungry

So 60g of cheese and/or 100g FFGY - or even more than that - is fine provided you stop if and when you feel full

Dairy can be a problem (for some people) but is something you only really need to consider if you find your weight loss stalling and/or you are close to target.

One of the problems many of us face (I'm one of them) is no longer knowing what true hunger - as opposed to being bored or "mouth hangry" - feels like.

This WoE is good at re-setting that and it's amazing, once you've become ketogenically adapted - how long you can go before feeling truly hungry.

In the mean time, make sure to eat your 3 (HFLC ) meals a day, to stop you falling face first into easily accessible carbs.

Both nuts and seeds are off limits in the first two weeks, partly because they're too easy to eat lots of and until you've become better at using fat for energy, you can overdo the calories before your body has registered you've eaten them!

First timer here at Bootcamp, although I have done Fast800 during the first lockdown. Got down to where I wanted to be but I've allowed it all to creep back on 😞

Today:
BF - Korean rolled omelette

L - cheese, pickled fish* and salad.
D - beefburger from the butcher's, cheese slice and avocado salad.

The yoghurt that I like (Llaeth y Llan) is 'greek style' so I'm using it as more of a snack/filler than the main event.

*Where does the big stick stand on pickled and fermented things like kimchi? The picked fish is 5.6g per 100g and a portion is about 80g.

Thank you @prettybird, that's really helpful! I started low carb in March, and am loving it (especially the effect on my lipoedema symptoms), but I do question myself sometimes (because it seems too good to be true I think!), so thank you for the reassurance!

@PunksVersusBrats fermented things are generally very good! They're good for your gut, certainly. Just check the ingredients and also the carb count, to make sure that it's not too high (or has sugar/too much sugar) in it.

Edited to add: I've just had a look at Sainsbury's website, and most of the kimchi products are pretty low in carb, although the Sun Hee and Baxters ones are probably ones to avoid.

kimchi brands

Thanks BIWI, it's one I get from an online Korean supermarket, so I'll check before scoffing 😁

I have lipoedema too @somanylights. It's such a treat isn't it? I do find the low carb brilliant for the pain in my legs.