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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:
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ReconstructionSite · 04/01/2025 16:23

Food has been snack-y all day here - low carb, but grabbing what I could as I was unexpectedly out of the house longer than planned.

Chicken fajita bowls tonight for tea, which I am hugely looking forward to as I much prefer meals full of veg and that's been sorely lacking today.

I made an amazing Ottolenghi salad with salmon, courgette and rocket last night, pitch perfect for bootcamp (lots of olive oil), though a scattering of pine nuts so better for Week 3 onwards. I will type it up onto the fish recipe thread when a get a chance 🐟

SemmaLina · 04/01/2025 16:49

@specialsauce i can barely look at pork scratchings now , let alone eat them after thinking they were the best thing ever on a previous Bootcamp , so I know how you feel 🤢

I had a real life Bootcamp at 9am , didn’t have time to eat breakfast beforehand , had a lovely coffee ( I like black coffee , luckily ) in the very convenient Costa nearby before I went home
Had early lunch of creamy veg soup , with some leftover chicken in it at about 11-45 , and just had a little cheese plate as the hunger pangs were starting and a herb tea didn’t help !
Having pork and aubergine stew with kale and leek gratin , ill put the kale thing on the recipe thread , as it’s worth a try

PunksVersusBrats · 04/01/2025 16:52

On the plus side, I've managed to avoid sweet temptations seemingly EVERYWHERE while out and about today but the cravings have been bad. However, it's resulted in way too much cheese snacking, but better than caving, I suppose.
B - yoghurt and cream
L - bacon, mushrooms and scrambled eggs
D - chicken curry and veg
Only 1L of water so far and 3 Babybels 😳

NoCarbsForMe · 04/01/2025 17:07

Sounds yummy @SemmaLina thanks ☺️

Iheartmysmart · 04/01/2025 17:08

I’ve struggled with cravings as well today. If there had been any chocolate around it would have been difficult to resist.

B - yoghurt and cream
L - crustless quiche with ham and salad
D - peppers stuffed with mince, mushrooms, shallots, tomatoes and cheese

One coffee with cream, two black teas and 1.5l of water so far.

Velocity · 04/01/2025 17:12

@Magnolia82 this is my go to Keto porridge, It keeps me going for hours www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/keto-coconut-porridge

SemmaLina · 04/01/2025 17:44

Kale and leek gratin
( with thanks to Good Food magazine , Christmas edition )
Bag of Cavolo Nero
2 leeks
Butter
Pot of double cream
Grated cheddar
Parmesan
Slice and wash the veg , sauté in the butter add seasoning
Pour in the cream and allow to reduce a bit while stirring
Add the cheese
Put in oven proof dish
Sprinkle with Parmesan and put in a hot oven to brown on top
I haven’t put measurements, as I just pour cream here , add a knob of butter there so it’s tricky
I add different veg , we’ve mushrooms in tonight , also really good with cauliflower
Good Food magazine adds goats cheese , I have to admit I’ve not tried that combo

It’s on the vegetarian recipe thread as well

CleanQueen123 · 04/01/2025 18:30

@SemmaLina please could you share the pork and aubergine stew recipe too?

BIWI · 04/01/2025 18:37

If there had been any chocolate around it would have been difficult to resist.

That's why we always advise to get rid of it before we start! Grin

OP posts:
Almahart · 04/01/2025 18:40

SemmaLina · 04/01/2025 16:49

@specialsauce i can barely look at pork scratchings now , let alone eat them after thinking they were the best thing ever on a previous Bootcamp , so I know how you feel 🤢

I had a real life Bootcamp at 9am , didn’t have time to eat breakfast beforehand , had a lovely coffee ( I like black coffee , luckily ) in the very convenient Costa nearby before I went home
Had early lunch of creamy veg soup , with some leftover chicken in it at about 11-45 , and just had a little cheese plate as the hunger pangs were starting and a herb tea didn’t help !
Having pork and aubergine stew with kale and leek gratin , ill put the kale thing on the recipe thread , as it’s worth a try

I think one of my top bootcamp tips would be to not go overboard on your favourite LC food, or you will never be able to face it again. I really struggle with cauliflower these days!

Had a good day, scrambled eggs for bf, creamy tomato soup for lunch with some brie (I hope hm tomato soup ok, I used the lowest carb tin of toms I could find) and aubergine parmigiana for dinner.

I still need to add my starting weight to the spreadsheet.

Am already down 3ibs, I know it's only water but it's a nice boost to start with!

FinallyHere · 04/01/2025 18:44

NoCarbsForMe · 04/01/2025 12:20

Having an issue with the spreadsheet... please could you add 198 for today for me @FinallyHere when you have a minute? Thank you ☺️

Sorted @NoCarbsForMe

specialsauce · 04/01/2025 18:55

Got a new combination for people to try if you're missing some crunch:
Tuna/beansprout salad.

3/4 of a bag of beansprouts in a bowl and break them into 1" pieces with a wooden spatula.
Add a tin of tuna, mayo, cider vinegar, salt and pepper.
Mix well.

It's got a nice crunch and is fresh, sweet'ish and filling.

It's been a personal favourite of mine for 30 years and just realised it's perfect for low carb.

Floralnomad · 04/01/2025 18:56

I’ve had boiled eggs for breakfast , prawn salad at lunch and lamb with veg for dinner . We’ve got a lot of biscuits left from Christmas despite giving lots away but I’m not a snacker so I’m not tempted .

poorbuthappy · 04/01/2025 18:58

Just had spicy pulled pork with broccoli and gravy.
Bloody lovely.

Calyx72 · 04/01/2025 19:06

Big breakfast today with bacon, eggs, 1 slice haggis.
Lunch was just veg soup.
Dinner I had an enchilada with a low carb wrap.
Not feeling hungry and enjoying water with electrolytes throughout the day.

AlbertCamusflage · 04/01/2025 19:16

Today's food, for accountability:

Breakfast: Chai tea with cream.

Brunch/lunch: Two-egg omelette with creamy cheese blobs and spring onions. Served on a bed of rocket.

Dinner: Chicken legs browned in leftover bellypork fat then stewed with cabbage, leek, mushroom, fine beans, coriander. Little bit of grated cheese to make it a bit thicker and richer.

I was feeling absolutely freezing before dinner, more than i normally would be in cold weather. I wonder if that is down to the lack of carbs, which I guess are a ready source of energy for stoking up the inner furnace?

Am enjoying Tesco's finest chai tea. It has black tea in it, which makes it less mimsy and thin-tasting than herbal teas. But the presence of warming spices gives it a sweeness and mildness that makes it just about ok to drink it black, (when I can't justify another cup with cream added).

Baystard · 04/01/2025 20:02

Mostly a good day here. Have avoided most carbs but did succumb to a couple of thin water crackers as I wanted to have a big lump of runny brie and couldn't face it without something crunchy. Are there any good low carb crackers or recipes that don't involve parmesan (something bland that won't clash with the cheese)? I've tried crunchy veg but I don't really like the texture combination.

I will try the beansprout salad @specialsauce, sounds delicious. You've reminded me that I used to like a handful of beansprouts in some tinned cream of tomato soup, makes it feel really filling. The soup wouldn't be BC friendly but I imagine they'd be nice in homemade LC tomato soup, so I might try and report back.

NoCarbsForMe · 04/01/2025 20:15

Thanks @FinallyHere x

SemmaLina · 04/01/2025 21:29

@CleanQueen123 TBH the pork and aubergine stew was a bit of a make it up as I went along
Pork mince made into a bolognese type stew , then thinly sliced aubergine and courgettes laid on top , pour on some cream and some grated cheddar and Parmesan and bung in the oven for an hour or so
I’d like to have added some chilli paste ( but didn’t have any ) and next time might try doing half FF Greek yog and half double cream

KittenPause · 04/01/2025 21:47

The great thing about having had my air fryer for a couple of months means it's easy for me to cook for this WOE

Today I had chicken breast in the AF with 2 chunk of red cabbage and red pepper. The eaten with seasoning and mayo

I'm using up food I already have then will buy more

Also had a bowl of bolognaise sauce as a meal with lots of cheddar and Parmesan cheese on top

NewYearOldCold · 04/01/2025 22:35

If you're missing a 'carb' with a meal, try cauliflower rice. It's nicer homemade but the pre-prepared fresh and frozen options are ok.

I think it's nicer if you fry it off a bit to dry it out.

https://groceries.asda.com/product/1000083677344?&cmpid=ppcpmaxmaxgooglegooglele---dskwid-dm&sskwcid=AL!11432!3!!!!x!!&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA1eO7BhATEiwAm0Ee-N6QeAjZxUqchEZzA0vvNLUaMnpKJx83Ob74CGXqVgwkJtE43mKS9hoCH4sQAvDDBwE

KittenPause · 04/01/2025 23:42

I'm going to experiment with some cauliflower steaks either baked or fried once I've eaten up what's in the house.

I'll make some sort of sauce to go on it and broccoli on the side

KittenPause · 04/01/2025 23:44

Probably just butter with lemon to start off with and a bit of cream and chives or some herb

Calyx72 · 05/01/2025 00:38

FAILED had Prosecco Sad
Do I need to bail?
This is hard 😆 thought I could easily quit weekend Prosecco but no

KittenPause · 05/01/2025 04:10

Calyx72 · 05/01/2025 00:38

FAILED had Prosecco Sad
Do I need to bail?
This is hard 😆 thought I could easily quit weekend Prosecco but no

Well how much weight do you want to lose ?

Can you swap for tea and sparkling water and just see it as a dry January ?

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