Week 1 - Autumn Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

So here we are! Over 160 of us signed up!

Here is the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness for you to enter your first weight

If you aren't on the list for any reason, just go to the bottom of the list and add your name - the lovely Willie will sort out the alphabetisation later.

From experience of previous Bootcamps, the chat thread can move very quickly! So, if you have a specific or particular question, please post it on the questions thread I will do my best to check it as often as I can, as will other seasoned Bootcampers.

If you have a really burning issue, please feel free to PM me and I will do my very best to help you as soon as possible.

And if you're looking for inspiration for things to cook, here's the recipe thread

Here is a brief reminder of the rules:

We do not eat any of the following during Bootcamp:

bread
rice
pasta/noodles
potatoes
flour
pastry
sugar
chocolate/sweets
biscuits/cookies
crisps

And here are the ten rules of Bootcamp:

1. You must eat breakfast.
2. Avoid processed food
3. Eat lots of fat
4. Make sure you are eating vegetables and salads with your food
5. Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited)
6. You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day
7. No alcohol
8. No fruit
9. No nuts/seeds

10. No sugar or artificial sweeteners

More detail/explanation of these rules is on the spreadsheet ? look at the tabs at the bottom.

One final word from me ? the disclaimer! I am not a doctor, a scientist, a dietician nor a nutritionist. The advice that is given here is based on my own experience of low carbing, as well as the reading I have been doing over the last few years.

If you have a medical condition, or you are taking long term medication, please take advice from your GP/consultant before starting to low carb.

Good luck everyone!

I didn't fall off the food wagon at least, just one small glass of dry white, so I'm hoping damage will be minimal

justasmallgless - can you recommend any good slow cooker recipes? I have got one, and am a truly awful cook!

BIWI - it is amazing how when I eat carbs, I'm constantly thinking about eating, even though I'm not hungry. Black magic I tell ya.

bigkids - you will be fine. Just one small glass sounds positively angelic!

Cocoaone - I know. And then you get very hungry very quickly as well.

Cocoa, Demented and anyone else who toppled off the wagon - climb back on! Come on, there's loads of room. Today is a new day.

Skinny pasta - if you've not tried it before you might want to try buying one pack from Holland and Barrett (or shiritaki / konnyaku noodles from an Asian supermarket) before you invest in bulk. They're quite odd. IMO they work passably well as a replacement for noodles in Asian dishes but not as a pasta substitute. A bit like eating elastic bands..

I've used them with bolognese and carbonara sauce, and actually quite liked them. It is a texture that you need to get used to, and it isn't quite the same as spaghetti, but on those occasions where you really want pasta, it's not a bad substitute.

But I agree, they definitely work much better in an Asian recipe. They are lovely in a broth, with chicken, chilli and coriander.

Checking in having been away for a few days. Was doing well and weighed yesterday morning , 2lbs down!! Then started my period so now very bloated - so disheartening as I will be like this for days so won't know my "real weight" for a while. Apart from drinking lots of water, does anyone have any tips to combat the bloating?

For those finding it hard to drink water. I was in the same boat, barely drinking a glass and always drinking tea and coffee. Now I limit myself to 2 cups of black coffee in the morning and then at noon I drink out of a 1/2 litre bottle and make sure that I drink a full one of those every hour until 6 (having made the mistake of drinking too much in the evening and then having to get up at 3am to go to the loo!!). I think drinking out of a small bottle helps.

The smell of toast is drifting up the stairs. I can hear DP cracking the top of his boiled egg ready to dip his buttery soldiers in it. Grumph!

Oh cobblers - black magic in the sports cap bottles!
I don't know what it is but something scientific about fooling your mouth into drinking more??

Morning all. I think I will avoid the stick as I have been a good girl. Food wise I have completly stuck to plan. Haven't been drinking enough water but am gradually increasing amount. Have had no wine. Have had too many cups of tea last couple of days. But figure in the great scheme of things, it's not too bad!

Was slightly tempted to have a gin and slimline tonic or try a gin and soda last night but only for the amount of time it took to take a glass out of the cupboard! For DH I hasten to add! He cooked so I did drinks duty. Made him a g&t and I had water. He had red wine and I had more water. And a peppermint tea.

DH cooked a lovely curry last night. I had it on its own as forgot to buy cauliflower. It was quite hot though so I ended up adding quite a bit of yoghurt to cool it down. Had a large portion but thn wasn't hungry at all for the rest of the night.

And this morning DH fancied an omelette so he made us one with chopped red onion (about a quarter of a small one between us) some mushrooms, chopped cherry toms and feta. Now waiting for that to digest before going for my run.

Those of you who fell off the wagon - climb back on! Lots of water today to help flush out the crap. Plan, plan, plan. It is worth it. Hard at the beginning but SO worth it. I am now at the full of energy stage. Got lots done yesterday and planning more today. Never get that post lunch carb downer where I just need to sleep.

Purple - if you have a headache - take some paracetamol! No need to suffer if you don't have too. You are doing well and if you have a headache you are more likely to want the diet coke I think.

Lesson learnt, I think. Although I enjoyed the taste of my glaas of wine at first, I felt a bit off this morning because of it, particularly when I ran 5k at Parkrun! And it was so easy to adapt my restaurant meal last night. I didn't miss having the chips at all! Onwards and upwards... Or downwards on the scales, I hope - still no weight loss here.

Holmes- measure measure measure! Well done on your park run

I have a score chart to record my water intake. I find it really satisfying. Is that sad?

CiderWithBuda - that's so true about not getting the post-lunch slump. In the old days I'd be practically asleep under my desk at 3pm after a pasta salad or sandwich and cake or chocolate.

ohCobblers Fennel tea is brilliant for reducing bloating. It's a good digestive aid generally.

Morning all. So I thought last night's dinner was a good one but I weighed myself this morning and I'm up 3lb so perhaps not. It was kuri squash ( stuffed with tuna, red onion, sofy cheese and dill and absolutely bloody DELICIOUS) which I can't find reliable carb info about but which I suspect is way too carby for me at the moment. I have been low carbing for months though so hopefully the damage will be undone in the next few days. I did also wonder if it could be my usual "second half of the month" stall. But I guess squashes like that are best avoided or only in small quantities?

Although I've been low carbing for a while I'm still trying to do proper bootcamp with everyone else and haven't had any slip ups since wed when I restarted bootcamp after a bad tues. I'm surprised I've been able to manage without my nuts!!

For those new who are struggling and wondering how they'll keep this up for a long time - I do honestly think it's got easier the longer I've done it. I don't feel like I'm depriving myself or that my willpower is constantly being put to the test - this is just the way I eat now.

Cocoa - there are several slow cooker recipes on the recipe thread

Justasmallgless - I totally failed to measure at the beginning. Maybe better late than never though? I have been feeling a bit bloaty round the stomach though, so I'm not sure I've lost any around there.

Thanks for fennel tea tip.

just yes I agree, I couldn't drink 1/2 a litre out of a glass in one go but can from the bottle!

Had to take headache tablets, but I needed to as the headache was really bad. Still no diet coke though so pleased with myself. At a different place for work so hoping there is a tuck shop I can get more water as I don't think I've brought enough with me.

I have up my crisps slip down to not adding salt to food. It's so unnatural, just like eating so much fat. But I definitely felt MFN better yesterday and I managed to drink 3.5l of water no trouble. I hav a water scedule too. It's the only way I can do it!

I know why I am still bloated as my period started. I'm just drinking lots of water and sticking to the lc. I've remembered a tip from a previous bootcamp which is to fill up the amount of water you are supposed to drink and put it out where you can see it. this helps me, but last night I had to stay up a bit later to finish my water.

crabby crispy bacon dipped into boiled eggs is lovely and much nicer than toast soldiers!!! It's all salty and runny and yummy......

MrsHP you have just given me the motivation to figure out what the hell ds is doing and head downstairs to find breakfast. My bed was too warm and comfy this morning.

MrsHP that is a genius idea!! I'm not craving the toast itself, it was just the smell - such a gorgeous smell. The smell of cooking bacon is pretty fucking fabulous too though.

That sounds delicious MrsHP!

Can't believe I am hungry after the huge omelette I ate this morning but I am! I have just been for a run so that might be why. Chicken and salad for lunch but making myself drink 2 glasses of water first.

Need to decide what to do for dinner. I have steak. And those large portobello mushrooms. Have celeriac. And shallots. Any ideas for a nice sauce to tie it all together?

Cider I'd cube and roast the celeriac in plenty of olive oil (and whatever herbs you fancy) with the shallots and a couple of cloves of garlic (unpeeled) in the tray too. When the celeriac is soft and caramelised, puree it with the roasted garlic, creme fraiche and a bit of butter. Stick it back in the roasting pan to keep warm and crust a bit on the top. Meanwhile, finely dice the mushrooms and fry them in butter/olive oil with herbs/garlic/some very finely chopped shallots on a low heat for at least half an hour, so that all the moisture cooks off and they end up dark and rich. When it's all ready to go, flash fry your steak, dish onto a plate then add a splash of wine (if you've got it) to deglaze the steak juices, add the mushrooms and a generous slosh of double cream, bring to a simmer and serve with the celeriac mash, shallots still in their skins and some green veg.

I'm hungry already!