Lewis
Right, I STILL can't get my head round all this...
I've been reading and reading the rules and it just doesn't make sense to my (tiny) brain.
I know the theory - but it really isn't sinking in!
What is it that doesn't make sense? What have you been reading (other than the rules!)? It is hard to believe that you can eat fat, and that fat doesn't make you fat - because for the last 30 years or so, this is what we have been told. But it is true. If you want some more reading, "Escape the Diet Trap" is a really good place to start. If you want some serious reading, and a bit more convincing, read "The Diet Delusion" by Gary Taubes
This is how we get fat on a high carb diet:
When you eat carbohydrates, your body converts them into glucose. Your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin to deal with this glucose. The insulin does three things:
It moves the glucose in your blood stream into your body's cells for immediate energy (think of that sudden boost you get when you eat a biscuit or a piece of chocolate).
It transports what is left into the liver, where excess energy is converted into glycogen, which is stored in the liver and the muscles, accessible for future energy needs.
Once the glycogen stores are full, what is left over is converted to fat.
When you eat protein or fat, your body does not produce the same insulin response. When you eat protein there is some release of insulin, but it is a small amount. When you eat fat, there is no insulin release
When you consume a lot of carbohydrates, especially carbs that are easy for your body to access, such as sugar or white bread, the levels of glucose in your blood rise rapidly. Your body has to produce a lot of insulin to deal with this and level out your blood sugar.
The more insulin you produce, the more fat you're likely to lay down, as not all of the glucose will be required for immediate energy.
Also, doesn't ketosis = bad? I'm sure I heard that somewhere (probably making it up...)
No! Ketosis simply means that you are burning fat. Ketoacidosis, on the other hand, is dangerous, but this is a different thing.
And I'm going shopping (online) tomorrow... please give me a shopping list!
First thing is to plan your meals. Focus on buying veg/salad that are the lowest amount of carbs - have a look at the list on the bottom of the spreadsheet - there is plenty of veg that is under 3g carbs per 100g.
I'm off work next week so want to get on top of things before I go back.
Great - gives you the time to plan and to cook lots of lovely low carb things. Have you read the recipe thread for inspiration?
I just want to lose weight (got 10st to shift) and can't decide if this is the way or perhaps just "proper" eating or "being good".... does that even, ever work?!
What does 'proper eating' or 'being good' even mean?! I think you'll find that if you follow the rules you will be eating a good, varied and satisfying diet that will help you lose weight painlessly. You really won't feel like you're on a diet.
Bootcamp works! Something like 500 Mumsnetters have already done it!
Good luck 