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Low-carb diets

Share advice and experiences of following a low-carb diet.Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Week 2 - Autumn Low Carb Bootcamp

520 replies

BIWI · 15/09/2013 23:55

Well! It's the first day of reckoning:

Here is the Spreadsheet of Wonderfulness

I am waving my big stick around already, because it's obvious from the most recent threads that there has been a fair amount of cheating going on.

And we have only just finished week one!

A couple of things:

IT'S NOT CALLED BOOTCAMP FOR NOTHING

This period is designed to shift you quickly into becoming ketogenically adapted, i.e. to shift your body into burning fat rather than burning carbs.

This can only happen if you consistently reduce the carbs that you are consuming

If you cheat - even if it is just the odd thing here and there - then this won't happen, and it will take you much longer to start burning (and therefore losing) fat.

These two weeks were never going to be easy. And although I wrote about them, and how you needed to plan for them, it's clear that this hasn't always been appreciated.

I do, really, understand that it is hard. Especially if low carbing is new for you. But it's designed with a purpose, and you will really see the benefit of it if you stick with it.

JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE BOOTCAMP BEFORE DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S ANY DIFFERENT FOR YOU

Please be mindful of people who are new to Bootcamp. You may know what you can/can't do in terms of carb consumption. But there has been quite a bit of posting about cheating. Even if you are doing this mindfully, please remember that you aren't supposed to be doing this in the first two weeks of Bootcamp, and it makes it really hard for those who are new to low carbing, and who might be struggling.

A bit of sensitivity is called for here.

And finally, when you get on the scales this morning/tomorrow morning, please remember that this is about you and nobody else. It isn't a competition. Some people lose weight much quicker than others.

If you have a lot of weight to lose, chances are that you will lose it quicker than if you are closer to your target. Some people will lose a shedload in week one, but then nothing in week two - whereas others will lose more modestly, but consistently, week after week. The only thing that matters is what is happening to you.

If you haven't lost much, please don't be disappointed. Make sure that you are genuinely following the rules - are you drinking enough water? Are you eating high fat? That one glass or wine, or that small piece of cake - they all add up.

And even if you have genuinely followed the rules - if you haven't seen the scales move by much - have you measured?

We are all different, and rates of loss will be different too. Just think about the food that you have been eating, and consider how this WOE compares with low calorie or low fat diets.

Changing to a low carb way of eating as compared to a low fat or low calorie diet is not an easy transition, and it is to be expected that there will be snags along the way. Hopefully the Bootcamp threads will give you the help and guidance that you need - and I hope that when you get on the scales next, your hard work will be rewarded!

Onwards and downwards
xxx

OP posts:
bulletwithbutterflywings · 19/09/2013 10:18

[[http://imgsrv.seattlewolf.com/image/kkwf3/UserFiles/Image/wingnut/tumblr_m7lcfooC2l1qzg8md.jpg
Crabby...]]

CrabbyBigBottom · 19/09/2013 10:18

Bullet! Grin Grin Grin

toomuchicecream · 19/09/2013 10:21

Writing my shopping list and therefore menu plan for the next few days.

What else can I have with salad for lunch? So far on Bootcamp I've had prawns in mayo, smoked mackerel pate, egg & ham mayo, smoked salmon & avocado, avocado & tomato & mozerella, chicken (with and without avocado). I've got cubes of cheese & ham on the list. All other inspiration gratefully received!!

bigkidsdidit · 19/09/2013 10:44

I like the peppered mackerel fillets from sainsburys and asparagus

captainmummy · 19/09/2013 11:02

Toomuch - how about feta cheese and olives a la greek salad? Add a couple cherry toms and some basil...

Livelongandprosper · 19/09/2013 11:03

Ok, have sponsored BIWI in the hope this will buy me immunity from her big stick Grin Struggling with sugary twat thoughts this morning but haven't given in. Have looked in on this thread instead for inspiration from reading everyone's posts Smile

Lifeisontheup · 19/09/2013 11:04

I am going to have to sue Sainsburys for mental distress. I walked into our local one to be faced with a huge picture of a FISH FINGER SANDWICH.
It's just cruel I tell you. Grin

loopyloou · 19/09/2013 11:05

Struggling today again Hmm. I made the stupid mistake of weighing myself this morning, only to find I've lost nothing, despite sticking strictly to this woe.

captainmummy · 19/09/2013 11:10

Loopy - BIWI will no doubt start the week3 thread with warnings about not being disheartened by NO losses in week3/4 sometimes 5. The losses in the first few weeks are mainly water weight with a bit of fat, and the biggest change is converting your body to fat-burning. After this the weight loss will be much slower, as the glycogen stores (which house instant-access fat/water) are already empty and the body is now looking at your long-term fat stores.

Don't be disheartened, it's a good thing - and the weight will continue to come off (whilst you are eating delicious food!)

NigellasGuest · 19/09/2013 11:28

OK so my old scales say 10 stone, and the newer ones I bought which used to always show me lighter than the old ones, say 10 stone 9 one minute and 10 stone 7 the next. Then I go back to the old ones and they start saying 10 stone 2.

My aim is to see a 9.

I think the god of LC is sending me a message, via possession of the scales, and the message is of course step away from the scales Nigella

NewStartNewStory · 19/09/2013 12:01

Tape measure or the fit of clothes are always going to be your best bet Nigella.
I am avoiding the scales until monday (probably tuesday if we are honest as there seems to just be something about monday mornings)
Re date: very uneventful just nice conversation sorry if you were expecting fireworks. Grin Who knows. Just nice to be out and not have to deal with some of the twats that are out there. Have encountered too many recently. Hmm

BIWI · 19/09/2013 12:07

Bullet I will make no more mention of protein shakes very often Grin

But I'm intrigued as to what you are training for, that requires you to build up muscle in this way! do you look like this?!

OP posts:
loopyloou · 19/09/2013 12:09

Captain, I'm only in week 2 and have only lost 3 lb Sad

BIWI · 19/09/2013 12:18

Pag - Briffa probably won't be much help in your DD's specific situation. And most sports nutritionists will still advise you to eat carbs. This book is more likely to be helpful

Your DD certainly needs energy, and so I'd be focussing on giving her more fat. The complication you have is obviously that you need to be giving her something portable. I'd ditch the fruit, personally. Does she like milk? How about a full fat chocolate milk? (Although chances are, all the ones that are ready made will be low fat!)

OP posts:
BIWI · 19/09/2013 12:19

loopyloou - list out for me all your meals/drinks over the last few days, and let's see if there's anything I can help with.

But remember - you have still lost 3lbs! That's 6 packs of lard!

OP posts:
WillieWaggledagger · 19/09/2013 12:20

pagwatch, like crabby i was thinking that nuts might be a good option. plenty of fat and good and filling and portable.

timidviper · 19/09/2013 12:20

Nigella My old scales broke so I bought new handy-dandy ones which give hugely fluctuating readings. Incidentally I think ours are sexist as they give the same all the time to DH and DS yet vary for me and DD until they send us shreiking from the bathroom! I go on fit of clothes.

My weight has not changed much over the last few months yet I have gone down a clothes size and am getting comments on my weight loss Confused

holmessweetholmes · 19/09/2013 12:20

Captainmummy - I too have to restrain myself from ranting about cereal - Dh already thinks I'm crazy for low carbing. He was a bit Shock at the speedy weight loss though, and may have stopped making scathing remarks!

Pagwatch · 19/09/2013 12:21

Thanks for the replies Smile

Yeah, she does need carbs, she a kid. But they only suggest carb and it drives me batshit " what about some pasta and a yogurt or a cereal bar?"

I guess making a good chicken mix to eat with a small amount of wholewheat pasta is a good basis. Or perhaps some chunky soup?

Gah, I need more vacuum flasks

holmessweetholmes · 19/09/2013 12:22

Oh btw - lunch is aubergine melts. They are cooking right now. If they turn out well, I might go and put my first entry on the recipes thread.

Pagwatch · 19/09/2013 12:24

X-posted. Thanks BIWI - i'll get that book.
The chocolate milk is such a good idea I have already done that Grin
The m&s shake is full fat milk.

And the irritating arse doesn't like nuts, unfortunately.

loopyloou · 19/09/2013 12:34

Thanks BIWI. Smile

Breakfasts have been egg mayo with LC sausage or bacon or mushroom, lunch has been either chicken drumsticks or cold bacon or tuna mayo with salad, dinner has been chilli without beans or roast pork with veg and swede, things like that.

I have cut down on dairy as too much makes me nauseous, but also I think it does slow my weight loss down sometimes. But cheese and yoghurt are the most enjoyable things about this WOE for me Hmm

I'm struggling to drink water now the weather has changed, but am drinking herbal tea instead.

The main problem today is I'm craving something sweet, preferably chocolate AND I got on the scales, only to find I hadn't lost, although I thought I had Hmm

I know I need to step away from the scales. This happens to me every time. If I don't see a loss, I get disheartened and give up. I start to think, why bother if I'm not losing weight when I stick strictly to this WOE.

Originally I wasn't going to weigh myself at all, but then I decided I needed to see the weight coming off. Now I wish I hadn't Hmm

Sorry for whinging. Trying hard not to be a carny twat Wink

BIWI · 19/09/2013 12:36

Pag - does she like peanut butter? That's really good re fat and also pretty low carb. Great on celery, if she likes celery.

OP posts:
loopyloou · 19/09/2013 12:36

"CarBy twat"

BIWI · 19/09/2013 12:39

loopy - don't worry about the whingeing - that's what we're here for!

Your meals look fine, but have you been keeping your fat levels up? It's difficult to tell from your descriptions.

And you really do need to make sure you're drinking the water.

I get what you say about cheese/yoghurt, but it may well be worth having a couple of days without either, just to see what happens.

But best to avoid the scales until Monday. And remember - we're really just only half way through week 2.

OP posts: