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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.

January '25 - Low Carb Bootcamp (Dry!) - week 1 (of 4ish)

216 replies

BIWI · 02/01/2025 06:19

Good morning all, and a very happy new year Smile

So today sees the start of the first low carb Bootcamp of 2025, and to get us off to the best start, this one is short and sharp. Only 4 weeks (ish, depending on when you actually start!), but also a dry one.

As with all Bootcamps, our first two weeks will be the strictest but with the option after this of moving on to Bootcamp Light for the remaining two weeks. The only difference being that we're aiming to be alcohol-free for the whole time.

Many thanks, as always, to the very lovely @FinallyHere, who is womanning the spreadsheet for us; you'll see that it allows for different start dates. Some of us are starting today, those in Scotland get an extra bank holiday so might be starting tomorrow - and several people are on holiday until 6 January. Exactly when you choose to weigh-in is entirely up to you!

Please have a good read of the spreadsheet!. Not only are the rules on there, there's also a huge amount of really useful information, along with a veg carb counter, helpfully traffic light colour-coded, to show you which are the best (and worst) options. You'll also find plenty of resources about low carbing, which will give you a good understanding of the science behind this WOE (way of eating).

As ever, any questions please post them here - or send me a PM if you prefer - as well as any meal suggestions and just general observations about how things are going for you.

Good luck to us all! Flowers

Dry January 2025 Bootcamp

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IKJ_Fu4S6Y8F7Nk7G_71-ZU8wKzVnaHNmZ8L3tbbWHI/edit?gid=1892381976#gid=1892381976

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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PunksVersusBrats · 03/01/2025 11:34

Thanks @BIWI, that recipe looks fab! 😋

I'm distracting myself by cleaning the kitchen and hiding honey, biscuits, cereal and other things that would usually be 'to hand' away in cupboards. The rest of the family still need them but at least they're now out of my eyeline. I've also changed the cylinder on my Soda Stream as my evening booze alternative.

ReconstructionSite · 03/01/2025 11:52

These alcohol free beers are available in Sainsburys and/or Tesco's and were the second lowest carb I could find after the Big Drop Citra.

I think they are 2.2g carbs / 100ml.

January '25 - Low Carb Bootcamp (Dry!) - week 1 (of 4ish)
Floralnomad · 03/01/2025 13:04

Im fortunately T total so the no alcohol is the norm here . Today I’ve had 2 boiled eggs for breakfast , chicken salad for lunch and tonight we are having sausages ( Tesco finest pork are low carb ), green veg and swede and carrot mash ( small amount) . I have to snack last thing because of some pills I take so I’m on the charcuterie meats .

LCagain · 03/01/2025 15:41

Signing in after having been away. Cheese & salad for lunch, have stuffed peppers & cauliflower cheese for dinner. Need to remember my go to veggie lunches that don't involve nuts... good luck everyone!

Lilith666 · 03/01/2025 16:21

Lunches so far have been salad - tuna mayo yesterday and cheese today. Dinner last night was 5 eggs whisked with cream, salt and pepper with a dash of mustard, then poured into a baking dish, crumbled some ham in followed by grated cheese, then topped with a little spring onion and baked at 220 for 30 mins. Bit like an omelette but baked. Had it with celeriac chips with mayo, served 2 people.

This evening homemade meatballs with goachung roasted brussel sprouts. Have been drinking lots of water and now have one of those huge drinking bottles to keep tabs on how much I drink.

Also drinking coffee made with single cream.

prettybird · 03/01/2025 16:44

Being Scottish, I only started today Wink

However. the scales were justifiably ShockBlush at over half a stone up Shock I was 12st 11lb when o braved the scales this morning Blush

I've been gouging the water and dh and I had scrambled eggs (with cream Halo) and smoked salmon for lunch.

We're going to the neighbours tonight for their traditional New Year gathering. I'll stay on the water Halo and nibble on cheese and tomatoes (iirc correctly the sort of food they have). It seems a shame to not be drinking when it is walking distance from our place (they are literally out downstairs' neighbours: we live in what dh calls a "horizontal semi" Wink) but it helps that I'm focussed as I've just spent a fortune booking out holiday to Australia (which includes a wedding) and we leave in only 2 months Shock

Leaving20 · 03/01/2025 17:53

Finally caught up. Thank you so much for this B.C. @BIWI . Perfect timing.

Hello @prettybird . A wedding in 2 months is great motivation. I always keep an eye on your posts as we weigh similar. I'm on holidays but I weighed around 180lb 😐 .last week.

When I saw the new BC, part of me said, ' great, but I'll start next week, after my holidays '. Then there's not on my work days, or not ... I'm wearing shorts and t-shirts and carrying excess 15 lbs. Not my best look! I quit alcohol in 2017, and one of the tips is to keep it in the day, even in the hour. So I started yesterday, and I'm eating LCHF meal by meal and feeling ok. It's buffet, so lots of vegetables -
B. Eggs, cheese, veg - grilled tomatoes, ratatouille, French beans
L. Omelette,, ham cheese mushroom , salad with OOil
D. Meat/fish + creamy sauce, veg- cauliflower broccoli cheese bake, oven roasted peppers and courgette

More eggs than usual but needs must. And I think it's allowed.

So I dodged the pasta, pizza chips desserts , and I have to say I feel very well with this WoE. Home tomorrow so I'll put in my weight Sunday. Thank you @FinallyHere for adding me to the spreadsheet

Best wishes everyone. I can relate to people being a bit anxious about this. I dread hunger, because once I get hungry, I'm like a fiend for carbs. Every meal has to have protein veg and fat. I pour olive oil on my greens, melt butter on my veg. Meat and veg becomes a low calorie diet. I can't do it.

poorbuthappy · 03/01/2025 18:51

Just marking my place whilst waiting for my broccoli soup to cool.
Looking forward to the next 4 weeks!

NewYearOldCold · 03/01/2025 19:38

I've been low carbing for about 10 years on and off so for me boot camp is about not letting tweaks slip in too much (cheese, nuts, berries and cream).

However the one thing I've never managed to give up is coffee with SS milk and Coke Zero. Any tips? I get terrible withdrawal headaches. I also don't drink any water unless I'm exercising (when I tend to drink sugar free squash).

BIWI · 03/01/2025 19:41

@NewYearOldCold I'm not sure why you think you need to give up coffee?

Coke Zero is another thing though - as the artificial sweeteners really won't be doing you any favours. Nor will the sugar-free squash.

OP posts:
Pash01 · 03/01/2025 19:42

I started today. I forgot to weigh myself though so I’ll do it tomorrow.

NewYearOldCold · 03/01/2025 19:48

Not so much give it up sorry, as reduce the number of coffees with semi skimmed milk that I'm having. It's easily 10+ per day.

I have switched to flat whites from lattes though and I will try to abstain from those completely this month.

BIWI · 03/01/2025 19:55

Probably a good idea to cut them out anyway, regardless of the carbs!

OP posts:
BIWI · 03/01/2025 19:56

BIWI · 03/01/2025 10:06

@BitOutOfPractice This is definitely low carbing! And no, please don't retire. But on Bootcamp rice isn't allowed. Berries and nuts are allowed, but only from week 3 onwards.

You will/should be eating carbs, but only in the form of vegetables (not including potatoes/sweetcorn/beetroot) and salad.

You will find - honestly, I promise you - that once you're fat-adapted, that you will have all the energy you need to train hard.

If you can get hold of a copy, it's really worth reading this book

There's a newer book, which I haven't read yet, which sounds like it could be helpful, called

Sorry @BitOutOfPractice for some reason the link didn't work! The book I was referring to is

Amazon.co.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Low-Carb-Athlete-Low-Carbohydrate-Nutrition-Performance/dp/1517371538/ref=sr_1_3?crid=R1UO83AH1WOF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x-A3KkNcZPs10y6yG46YcuUaosdlOUpp6rHOcirZ9HNWf-61mfqnOBPwaf9dA6AmUWPVF07b_kC1ciVF0sKq95meeLBDHH7vVdNIgspluuM1id5kgv4T5ts9o8btU-TRT9wBz9RHyIwJ5tlgQHJuCA.hKWaTREVVQ6yAUd_1WZ5IJlHTu4HViWpfAW7cRhXNTg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the%20art%20and%20science%20of%20low%20carbohydrate%20performance&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1735898604&sprefix=the%20art%20and%20science%20of%20low%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-3&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-low-carb-bootcamp-5242824-january-25-low-carb-bootcamp-dry-week-1-of-4ish

OP posts:
MissBeck · 03/01/2025 20:08

I've had a torturous (sp) day today! Finished work early so decided to take the Christmas decorations down. That task wasn't too bad, but along the way I've been left with an abundance of chocolate!!! 😩Chocolate tree decorations, 3 boxes of standard after eights, a layer of black magic, 2 boxes of after eight selections, celebrations, fruit pastilles, matchmakers and a full tub of quality street!!! 😵Not good. They're just sitting there. Calling me! 😂
B: Coffee with Double Cream
L: Leftover cold roast chicken
D: Gammon, pigs in blankets, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and sprouts.

Really fancy a pudding now, and all I can think of is the apple strudel in my freezer! 😂😂

Calyx72 · 03/01/2025 20:33

Had salmon fillets, coleslaw and a few slices of cucumber for lunch

Had the ribeye with steamed cauliflower with low carb cheese sauce for dinner

I have green olives, pork scratchings, biltong in case of peckish attacks

I love how I feel today compared with last week. I have been (sorry if TMI) going to the loo all day! So hoping I will be a bit lighter tomorrow Smile

Thanks all for ongoing inspiration!

RockyRogue1001 · 03/01/2025 20:52

Good evening everyone.
Thank you to@BIWI and @FinallyHere

I started this morning, but haven't added to the spreadsheet yet (will do tomorrow). But I've done a shop after spending some time on the recipe threads. Some things I can't wait to try (really fancy the spinach paneer)

When are people going to weigh/when will week 2 start?
I need to be a weekend weigher because I also log measurements and I don't have time to do this on a workday.
@Calyx72 I'm a big tea drinker especially first thing in the morning, but following a recommendation on an earlier bootcamp
I now drink buttermint tea.
A bit "softer" somehow than peppermint and quite sweet tasting

Calyx72 · 03/01/2025 20:55

Ooh thanks @RockyRogue1001 for the recommendation
I will definitely look for it.
I was going to ask re week 2 / weight as not sure as different start dates

Velocity · 03/01/2025 20:55

Closed out day two watching the family eat macadamia nut brittle ice cream! Ladies, I resisted! For those trying to switch away from fizzy drinks kombucha is a good alternative with added gut benefits. Some versions have added sugars suces as fruits but it's really easy to make your own. For those who are also intermittent fasting I take in during my eating window.

RockyRogue1001 · 03/01/2025 20:56

Felt good all day, but struggling a bit this evening wanting something to snack on or a drink. We ate dinner quite early and now it feels a long time until bed! Think I am mainly missing the booze, but it is manifesting in wanting chocolate or biscuits, which are things I only eat rarely. Just had a big chunk of cheese, but I am still hungry. Dinner was chicken stir fry and it felt substantial, but I would normally have it with noodles or rice. Any suggestions?

@ColouringPencils I also crave sugar when I'm missing booze.
I don't have the answer, but just to say you're not alone.
Just water, water and more water, I guess <slight sigh>

Calyx72 · 03/01/2025 20:57

@Velocity well done for willpower in the face of nut brittle!

I forgot to say I filled a 2litre bottle with water and an electrolyte tablet this morning and had finished it by 4.30pm Smile

Baystard · 03/01/2025 21:18

I had broccoli soup too @poorbuthappy , with lots of cream and some wonderful but very strong blue cheese that made my mouth numb Grin

I had antibiotics over Christmas and I think those are responsible for my IBS symptoms, so I'm trying to eat for my gut. Enjoying planning tomorrow's food.

RockyRogue1001 · 03/01/2025 21:45

I've got broccoli and blue cheese for soup one day this week!

ColouringPencils · 03/01/2025 23:01

Thank you for the tips on stir fry and after dinner cravings. It was actually quite a rich stir fry, as I added sesame oil and lardons! I think it was the lack of booze to be honest. Usually I would be on the dry January thread and we'd all be swapping wine for tea and biscuits.

Today was easier, but maybe because I ate quite big meals. I didn't need any snacks in between though. And I drank so much water! I think I can't get rid of the slightly fatty feeling in my mouth.

Breakfast: Greek yoghurt
Lunch: cheese omelette, tuna, half a bag of salad
Dinner: steak, creamy garlic mushroom sauce, steamed broccoli (think I copied that off someone else here - delicious)

KittenPause · 03/01/2025 23:02

Red cabbage coleslaw

Chicken breast with sliced white cabbage both fried with some seasoning and a touch of vinegar to add a bit of acid. And served with a dollop of mayo

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