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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:
janmoomoo · 16/09/2013 22:56

I have lost 8lbs in three weeks on this WOE. But I have had times where my weight has gone up. I am recording it each day on an app and it does help to be able to see the whole downward graph.

Sorry but I don't like reading about people slip ups either, its demotivating. But together we can do this! Come on losers, heads down for another week. Grin

CrabbyBigBottom · 16/09/2013 23:39

Well done all the losers! Flowers Keep at it everyone, it's so worth it!

Purple big well done you for kicking your diet coke habit.

Food today
L - boursin and tomatoes
S - few mouthfuls leftover roast, couple mouthfuls egg mayonnaise
D - chicken, mushrooms and leeks in a creamy cheesy sauce with courgette 'pasta'.
Loads of water, 2 teas

hazchem · 17/09/2013 00:21

It's great to read the success stories.
I'm feeling really positive having lost 4 pounds!

Also have a little halo as I finally graduated yesterday (ten years after finishing my Diploma) and I didn't have a drink to celebrate :)

I do however have a funeral to attend on Friday and I think I will have a drink or two then. The friend was a big drinker and it would feel a bit disrespectful not to. My plan is to make sure I drink loads of water and really keep the carbs really low all week.

Lavenderhoney · 17/09/2013 06:22

Keeping going- dh wanted to open some champagne last night but I said no Shock and asked him to wait til next week.

I went to bed early too, as I wanted some and knew as soon as I brushed my teeth and got into bed I wouldn't eat/ drink anything apart from water, so at least I'm getting some early nights:)

Well done all the losers:)

hazchem · 17/09/2013 07:41

Lavenderhoney I've been going to bed early all week. I'm feeling better for it. I think it helping with the night time craving which I suspect are not hunger but tiredness.

Made flapjacks with DS today did not even lick the bowl. brimming with pride at myself and feeling great about really being on right path.

holmessweetholmes · 17/09/2013 07:43

Woo hoo! Woke up feeling lighter this morning and lo and behold - a further 2 pounds if since yesterday! I think cutting down the dairy must have made a difference. I can really see a difference in the mirror too.

prettybird · 17/09/2013 08:15

Lovely meal last night of pork loin steaks fried in butter with roasted curried cauliflower and creamy leeks.

Managed to resist a chocolate chip cookie later on by having a glass of water instead shame about earlier in the day Blush

LilyAmaryllis · 17/09/2013 09:17

Happy birthday Sybil!. Great babybel plan.

I am mysteriously 2lb heavier than yesterday but I've decided not to sweat the small stuff unless its a Monday

CiderwithBuda · 17/09/2013 09:24

Prettybird! Bad girl! No choc chip cookies on bootcamp!

Holmess - I think dairy affects me too. Well done on that loss!

Crabby - your dinner last night sounds yummy. Must remember that. Don't suppose you would post the recipe? I am not an instinctive cook and need instructions!

Just had egg mayo for breakfast. Two cups of tea. Won't have any more today. I love one after lunch but will have lemon and ginger instead.

Not sure about lunch yet but dinner will be lamb steak I think. It will be early as have a PTA meeting at 6 (daft time). I have a bag of spinach leaves so will have that as a salad with the lamb and fry some shallots and half a red pepper and a couple of cherry toms and make a creamy Harissa sauce to put on top.

Have a good day everyone. Drink the water. Stay away from the crap. It's NOT worth it!

CiderwithBuda · 17/09/2013 09:25

Oh. Happy Birthday Sybil!

Torrorosso · 17/09/2013 09:45

After recording my 2lb loss yesterday, and sticking to the rules throughout, today I am bloated and 1lb heavier than yesterday. I can't work out how that has happened!

It feels like wheat or wine belly, but I haven't touched either. The only thing I can think it might be is some Cheddar cheese I had on Sunday - probably about 4oz. Last week I only had full fat Philly and lost weight.

I'll try to do some cardio exercise tonight and see if that helps.

I also feel a tad hormonal today (52 and going through menopause), so that may be linked.

Pagwatch · 17/09/2013 09:49

Morning all.

Boiled eggs for breakfast , loads of water.
Off to the gym Grin

Hooray.

StuntNun · 17/09/2013 09:58

Cider did you know our very own Crabby is a celebrity? She has a low carb food blog!

prettybird · 17/09/2013 10:05

In my defence, I had manned a cake stall on Sunday afternoon and not touched a single thing! Grin

Unfortunately there were lots of chocolate chip cookies left over

CiderwithBuda · 17/09/2013 10:37

StuntNun - I did know that but had forgotten! Thanks for reminder and link. Smile

Prettybird - think I would rather have had the cake!

BIWI · 17/09/2013 10:42

Torro - don't worry about it. Your body does naturally fluctuate. If you're going to weigh daily, you will have to accept that.

If you're feeling bloated, it's worth trying to drink a bit more water to see if that helps.

But otherwise - onwards and downwards!

OP posts:
WillieWaggledagger · 17/09/2013 10:52

just a quick post from work, where the british heart foundation were in doing quick health checks. i got my cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure done

after 18 months of low carb and (very) high fat, all results were well within normal. obviously this is a sample of one and your mileage may vary Wink, but hopefully this is at least a little reassuring to people still thinking at the back of their mind 'but what about the cholesterol!' Grin

ToomuchIsBackOnBootcamp · 17/09/2013 11:19

Hi all, am madly behind with everything in life at the moment, so just dashing in to say 3lbs off after week one (I'm almost a year doing LC but had a rather off plan few weeks in the summer hols)

Yesterday's food
B one fried egg with a few small tomatoes
L spring greens, 2 slices bacon, mushrooms all fried in butter and the bacon fat, topped with half an avocado. Yum.
D beef stew with lots of veg
S duck pâté on cucumber slices

As the weather gets chillier, I have starting drinking water that is half from the tap and half cooled boiled water from the kettle. I find this easier than freezing cold, esp first thing in the morning. I get easily get 3 big mugs of tepid water down while I stare out the window get going in the morning, more than I could drink if it was cold. I also make sure I drink a glass with every cup of (decaff) coffee I have. And I also drink in tandem with the dog! He's pretty self regulating and is a good reminder, so if he trots off to his bowl to have a big drink after a walk or play, then I trot off to the kitchen and grab another mug full!

Great news on the cholesterol willie.
Catch up on thread later, have a good y'all.

charlie7 · 17/09/2013 11:43

Just bought size 12 trousers for the first time in years! Over the moon! Sorry... Bit random as I don't post often, but wanted to share!

Twit · 17/09/2013 11:47

I know everyone loses at their own rate but 1 lb? Grrr. I haven't even cheated ffs. Well ten peanuts on Saturday. Literally.
Ah well I look and feel a bit better I 'spose .

BeattieBow · 17/09/2013 11:53

3lb off for me too which I'm pleased about as I had a couple of bad days (tea at claridges, had to have champagne and little cakes and sandwiches!).

I had underestimated the carbs in cabbage and tomatoes so will be cutting down on those this week - I found some ketostix in my cupboard just to keep me on the straight and narrow.

3lb off my lowest weight then another 8 to go to ideal weight!

LilyAmaryllis · 17/09/2013 12:20

Well done Charlie! Enjoy

janmoomoo · 17/09/2013 12:51

For those frustrated at lack of weight loss, keep at it. I have found that I lose some, then put on a couple of pounds overnight, stay at that for three or four days, then lose a pound a day for the next three or four days. Then it starts again with another gain. This has happened three times. But overall I am eight pounds down from where I started. Think of the big picture, we are in it for the long haul, it will happen, and we are healthier too (thats my little mantra after scales torture!)

NigellasGuest · 17/09/2013 12:53

I had another emotionally bad time last night BUT did not give in to any emotional eating. Still on the wagon and proud!! Grin

CrabbyBigBottom · 17/09/2013 12:53

Thanks Stunt! Grin I haven't put anything up for ages; haven't had the time really. I did take some pics the other day so must get on with it and draft a post.

Cider make your courgette pasta like this and preferably leave it to dry out on kitchen towel for a while (less soggy when you cook it, that way).

Slice some leeks (I used two for two people) and dice some mushrooms. Fry them gently on a low heat for about half an hour, stirring from time to time to stop them sticking, this lets all the moisture evaporate off and leaves them lovely and soft. I'd usually use butter with a smidgen of olive oil to fry them, but yesterday I used some of the chicken fat I'd reserved from the roast. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper. towards the end of the cooking time I added a clove of chopped garlic, some rosemary and thyme and the leftover roast chicken. When it's all ready, add a generous dollop of creme fraiche (or slosh of double cream) and a generous dollop of cream cheese. I added in some grated gruyere cheese, but you could use whatever you've got (or indeed none at all!). Blue cheese would be nice with it.

Fry your courgette ribbons in butter on quite a high heat - they only need a couple of minutes as you want them to retain a bit of 'bite' and not go soggy.

Flowers Happy Birthday Sybil!!! Flowers