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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.

Jan ’26 Low Carb Bootcamp - week 5 and out of the doldrums!

99 replies

BIWI · 02/02/2026 08:23

Morning all

Spreadsheet, as per:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gsWvWpGzTSJld1avBi9-uLJveFZes9Qa2ORKthPMl8E/edit?gid=1415293539#gid=1415293539

… wherein I see that @mumsandaunties has almost lost a stone! Brilliant going Flowers

But from last week’s thread it’s clear that there’s been a bit of ’slippage’! Carb creep is easy but deadly - a bit here, a bit there and ‘I’ll start again tomorrow’ (yes, been there, got the t-shirt).

Let’s start the second half of this Bootcamp afresh.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain and @mynamefor2025 you are both very welcome! Please make sure you’ve read the rules, and have a good look at the resources on the spreadsheet so that you understand what Bootcamp/low carbing is all about.

The prep thread for this Bootcamp is also worth a read:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/low_carb_bootcamp/5469664-january-26-low-carb-bootcamp-getting-us-started?reply=149808442

(Just ignore the first posts that were tagging people)

@mynamefor2025 I saw your post on the last thread - what have your last few days’ food and drink been? And how did they compare with what you were eating/drinking before? A sudden, radical change of diet could be causing the diarrhoea

January 2026 Bootcamp

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gsWvWpGzTSJld1avBi9-uLJveFZes9Qa2ORKthPMl8E/edit?gid=1415293539#gid=1415293539

OP posts:
RightTurnClyde · 02/02/2026 09:02

Thanks for the new thread @BIWI and for the wise words about not allowing the carbs to creep up.

I'm showing a slight increase on the week but I'm certain it's water as I've been eating well so I will try not to worry. I've bot had alocohol since the start of BC and will try to abstain for the remaining 4 weeks too.

Almahart · 02/02/2026 09:24

Thanks @biwi.I'm a pound up this morning, so I've entered my lowest weight last week. I find that more motivating. That gives me a total of 8ibs off.

In a NSV I can do up my favourite jeans though I wouldn't want to sit down in them!

I'm going away on a yoga retreat the weekend after this where all the food will be vegan and no chance of eating LC. I'm going to be super strict and aim to actually be able to wear my jeans by then

TeamToeBeans · 02/02/2026 09:50

Morning all. 149lb this morning - 5lb lost since starting. There has been some slippage, it’s eye opening just how little I can get away with. I’ve boiled up some eggs this morning, and get back on it more strictly now.

NoMoreLindor · 02/02/2026 10:22

No loss this week but not too surprised. Bit of a party weekend complete with hotel breakfasts and wine. Back to business today.

Almahart · 02/02/2026 10:23

I bought some almond flour at the beginning of this BC. I'll make some onion bhajis from the old India Knight book, but I can't remember what else I've used it for in the past. Any ideas?

venusandmars · 02/02/2026 10:45

@Almahart the cheese, herb and almond muffins? One of those with a bowl of soup, or spread with low carb peanut butter is fantastic.

Low carb Muffins
1 cup ground almond (100g)
1 tbsp (30g) very cold solid fat such as butter or plant butter.
Three medium eggs chilled.
1 generous tsp baking powder
60g (or even more!) of cold grated mature cheddar and some chopped chives / dried herbs.

Pre heat oven to 180. Prepare muffin tin with paper cups.
The next bit needs to be done swiftly so things don’t get to room temperature, it’s the shock of the oven that makes them rise well.
If you have a food processor, blitz the almond flour with the butter briefly until just mixed. Otherwise grate the butter into the almonds. Add all other ingredients and blitz until just mixed. Spoon into cases. This should do 4 or 5.
It’s about 14 mins in the oven but might need a little longer.

I use a mini-muffin tray, and get loads. You can also add other things like finely chopped bacon...

I also use almond flour for keto naan https://thebigmansworld.com/keto-naan-bread/

A little half pound off. The strict week is welcome because it's only a week till I go on holiday and I've got shorts to get into!

Continuing my experiment with Korean cooking and made a lovely fried chicken dish, served with bok choi, (no sticky rice for me), saamjang sauce, and a crunchy chinese leave, radish and spring onion salad, with a sesame and chilli dipping sauce. Quite a few recipes have sugar in them and I'm just missing that out, so it probabaly doesn't taste much like proper Korean food.

Keto Naan Bread (No yeast!) - The Big Man's World ®

This keto naan is fluffy, doughy and ready in 20 minutes! Made with low carb ingredients, this bread is perfect with curries, stews and as pizzas!

https://thebigmansworld.com/keto-naan-bread/

Rayna37 · 02/02/2026 10:49

Ooh I love those bhajis Almahart might put that in my plan this week! I’m out for a late “Christmas” meal on Thursday but otherwise KOKO ideally a bit stricter! Lots of leftover roast chicken in the fridge and some fajita style chicken and veg from Saturday night too. Bolognaise tonight with courgetti.

tinyspiny · 02/02/2026 10:55

I’ve not slipped but gone up 0.5lb this week which I’m putting down to my non existent bowel actions . Last night I had sausages ( Tesco finest so low carb) , celeriac mash and veg , tonight we are having a chicken and chorizo tray bake of some description .

BlueRabbitWasNaughty · 02/02/2026 11:07

I have gained this week but I've also been in Spain for 5 nights with a group of girlfriends for some big birthdays!

I'm going to put it on the spreadsheet accurately but am hoping to have a perfect week and get it off again (and more) by next weigh in.

Pinkelefant · 02/02/2026 11:28

Good Morning!(just)
No loss today.I blame the Chinese we had on Saturday to celebrate neighbours 70th.Had a lovely evening though,can not regret that!
I also had few drinks first time since New Year's eve and that didn’t go well.Spent most of yesterday in bed with hangover
I might wait till tomorrow to record on a spreadsheet just to see if the scales move a bit after another strict day.
Remember about water💧everyone 🙂

SemmaLina · 02/02/2026 11:52

Fell off the wagon at the weekend , had friends round and will power went out the window
First alcohol since NYE , not even much ( compared to the bad old days ) but felt exhausted yesterday, dragged myself out for a walk with a friend in the afternoon and went bed early ( and had a dreadful night , woke up in an awful night sweat )

Back to basics today , and feeling much better

SprinklesofRain · 02/02/2026 12:13

Slight slippage here too, up 1lb, but like a PP I'm going to record my lowest weight from last week to motivate me to get below that this week. I have definitely not been drinking enough water the last few days so a re-boot is needed there as well as the food. Positives - I have stuck with black coffee and tea instead of with milk, have had no alcohol at all, no fruit other than berries, but I might have been letting a few too many seeds, nuts etc slip back in as well as one or two slip-ups into non BC territory. Back to it.

Almahart · 02/02/2026 12:21

Ooh fab @venusandmarsketo naan, I've not tried that

Is anyone else finding it hard to find aubergines at the moment. Have noticed both times I've looked in the supermarket recently they haven't been there.

BIWI · 02/02/2026 12:22

Just bought 3 lovely ones in Aldi!

OP posts:
BIWI · 02/02/2026 12:27

You could make the bacon, shallot & Gruyére tart @Almahart:

Bacon, Shallot and Gruyere Tart
serves 6

For the pastry:
225g ground almonds
55g butter, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg white

For the filling:
25g butter and a splash of oil (this stops the butter burning)
100g smoked lardons (or diced smoked streaky bacon)
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (or use a garlic crusher)
150g shallots, thinly sliced (this will be 3-4 echalion shallots)
2 eggs + 2 egg yolks (the white from one of these is used in the base)
dried oregano
100g Gruyére cheese, grated
300ml double cream
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/GM4

To make the pastry, mix the almonds, butter, egg white and salt until it forms a dough. This is easiest done in a food processor. Keep processing it until it starts to come together into a ball.

Press the dough with your hand/fingers into a 20cm flan tin or dish. Push the pastry up the sides of the tin as well. There is quite a lot of filling, so it's important to get the pastry as far up the sides as you can.

Prick the base of the flan all over and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until set and golden brown. (It's better if it's cooked longer, as it hardens up a little more - just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't burn)

While the dough is cooking, saute the shallots,garlic and lardons/bacon in the butter and oil, till soft. Season with salt and pepper and about a teaspoon of dried oregano. Leave to cool.

Next, whisk the eggs and yolks, and then gradually add whisk in the cream. Add black pepper and whisk again.

Tip the shallots and bacon into the flan case and add the cheese, then pour over the egg and cream mixture. (It's a good idea to put the flan tin onto a baking tray, as it is likely to be very full, and this makes it easier to get into the oven without spilling anything)

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and just set. Serve warm or cold.
27.35g carbs for the whole lot. If you serve 6 people, this will be 4.6g per person.

OP posts:
Stowickthevast · 02/02/2026 12:43

May I join at this late date? January was a bit of a nightmare with everyone being ill and I felt unable to change my diet but I really need this more than ever now. Am planning on going till Easter as my initial goal. I go down from full time to 3 days a week then so hope to have more time to exercise.

I have been on a few threads in the past so know this works, it's just a question of commitment!

I'm pescatarian and tend to eat mainly veggie with fish probably once a week so would appreciate people's favourite veg low carb meals.

SprinklesofRain · 02/02/2026 12:59

@venusandmars I like the sound of the keto naan but a bit confused about what it says about 2 different types of almond flour. I haven't got any in at the moment but usually use ground almonds.

@Almahart I got aubergines in Lidl yesterday.

Almahart · 02/02/2026 13:46

How strange! I'll keep looking. That looks amazing BIWI and would perk up my work lunches no end

CointreauVersial · 02/02/2026 14:07

Hello new thread!

Weighed myself this morning, and was 10st 11lb, and I thought oh dear, same as last week....but I can see I put 153lb into the spreadsheet last week....so either I got last week's figure wrong because I can't add up, or I've lost 2lb this week. Doh. You wouldn't think I had two maths A Levels....

Just finishing a delicious lunch of Mediterranean Veg soup, thanks to the recipe a couple of weeks ago - sorry, I can't remember who posted it. I brewed up 8 portions yesterday, so that's a few workday lunches. I added a bit of Worcestershire sauce and a cheffy drizzle of olive oil. Very tasty.

Pleased to report I stayed on the wagon all week, apart from a couple of glasses of wine at the weekend (I'm never sure what effect that has, but recognise your body burns the alcohol first).

I have however just started taking 5g of Creatine every day. I'm seeing a few articles saying it can cause weight gain due to water retained in the muscle, but I see others saying it doesn't really have an effect. I'm only two days in, but we'll see..... I'm hoping it will improve my efforts in the gym, and I'm liking what I read about possible improvements to post-menopausal brain clarity (I could do with some of that next time I try to convert stones to pounds, haha).

mumsandaunties · 02/02/2026 14:11

I have indeed lost very close to a stone, though sadly none of it this week really. It came off fast, but is stalling now.

I’ve been drinking lots of water but with a fizzy vitamin tablet in, and so that’s probably more artificial sweetener than I ought to have.

I think I can safely KOKO though…the cravings have mostly passed, though next week I have two posh restaurant meals to get through.

BIWI · 02/02/2026 14:32

@Almahart if you do make it, I’ve found that it’s better the day after you’ve made it.

OP posts:
venusandmars · 02/02/2026 14:36

@SprinklesofRain I just use ground almonds for everything.

venusandmars · 02/02/2026 14:43

@mumsandaunties can you look at the restaurant menus in advance so you're prepared to make good choices and to ask for substitutions if neccesary (eg no potatoes but extra veg)? Of if they're the type where there's a no choice tasting menu, I've found they are in general pretty high on butter and pretty low on carbs (just avoid the delicious artisanal bread). They do wonderful buttery creamy things with veg, and tiny portions of delicious meat and fish. I usually make sure I eat particularly low carb the days before and afterwards, and lots of water because the seasonnig can sometimes cause a bit of water retention. Most importantly - enjoy!

FinallyHere · 02/02/2026 15:11

I’m still keeping on keeping on but am not seeing the scales shift yet, suspect I really need to look at portion size. Sigh.

KellyWithABigBelly · 02/02/2026 18:45

2lb increase for me. I had some
alcohol over the weekend which I clearly can’t get away with.