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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:
Ohfuckohfuckofuck · 18/09/2013 08:57

I am newly obsessed with cauliflower rice. I had smoked mackerel 'kedgeree' for breakfast yesterday, then this morning with bacon and egg mixed through. It fills me right up.

BIWI · 18/09/2013 09:02

Some of you may know that I've been training in preparation for a 5K race, to support World Child Cancer. As it's less than a month away, I'm ramping up my fund-raising. I have set myself an ambitious target, and I'm not too far away from it, but if anyone would care to sponsor me I would be very, very grateful

In addition, because that's a quiet part of the site, if you wouldn't mind keeping the thread bumped I'd be even more grateful!

Many thanks
xxx

OP posts:
bigkidsdidit · 18/09/2013 09:02

Reading your menus I'm a bit worried I'm eating too much Confused should I be trying to eat less at each meal as well as changing the type of meal, BIWI?

BIWI · 18/09/2013 09:06

Don't know without knowing what you're eating/how much you're eating!

It's true that we don't count calories or weigh our carbs on Bootcamp. The aim is to make sure that you are eating enough so that you aren't hungry. This is not a WOE about feeling deprived.

However, that said, it isn't carte blanche to stuff yourself silly and eat massive portions of food swimming in creamy sauces Grin

Why are you worried? What kind of food and portions are you eating?

OP posts:
bigkidsdidit · 18/09/2013 09:12

Just some posts saying for lunch they had a few mouthfuls of something, or not being hungry enough to eat dinner! Yesterday I had

B 3 egg omelette with leftover roast chicken and rocket
L big tuna salad
D cauliflower cheese (from recipe thread) with a fillet of peppered mackerel and wilted spinach
S a wedge of manchego and some cucumber slices

Ohfuckohfuckofuck · 18/09/2013 09:15

I hope that's ok ^ I've been eating something a bit like that, 2 egg omelette, lots of leaves at lunch etc, but I have had to force myself to eat meals the las couple of days an definitely no snacks.

bigkidsdidit · 18/09/2013 09:16

I'm also about to get my period any day which makes me eat more, so I was proud of sticking to low carb snacks!

BIWI · 18/09/2013 09:17

It's true that being in ketosis does suppress the appetite, which is why people are talking about not being hungry or only eating small amounts.

As a daily practice, though, this can be dangerous as it does risk becoming hungry and therefore snacking on the wrong things.

What you are eating looks fine - however, you might want to ask yourself if your portions are large. A three egg omelette could be cut down to two. A 'big' salad could be reduced to 'medium'

Often we eat large portions because that's what we're used to doing - i.e. it's a habit. And this can often be the reason why we put weight on in the first place!

Ultimately only you can decide if you need to cut down. You haven't posted your weight this week, so I can't see if you've lost/not lost.

If you haven't lost/haven't lost enough, why not see if cutting down portions sizes helps you? But please don't do this to the extent that you start to get hungry!

OP posts:
janmoomoo · 18/09/2013 09:21

Very interested in what people are saying about oestrogen being held in fat cells and being released as you lose weight. I have had one or two days lately where I have felt tearful for no apparent reason (you know those days when you find yourself crying at tv adverts ffs). Maybe this is why.

bigkidsdidit · 18/09/2013 09:23

Yes, I think it is habit with me a lot of the time. I'll have a go at cutting down a bit and see. Already only having one snack is a huge improvement :)

bigkidsdidit · 18/09/2013 09:26

Sorry - lost 1lb last week but had wine. Doing perfect boot camp this week and aiming for more!

Purple2012 · 18/09/2013 09:32

Is coleslaw ok to have? I have friends coming for lunch. Ive done lots of salad stuff and grilled chicken (my chicken is fried in butter but think they won't want that) ive done some egg mayonnaise and getting a baguette for them. I won't eat it although I will be jealous they are! i will be getting coleslaw for them but don't want to eat it if it's not ok.

prettybird · 18/09/2013 09:38

Check the ingredients - some coleslaws are better than others.

There's a recipe for homemade coleslaw in the Übercamp tab of the spreadsheet.

BIWI · 18/09/2013 09:43

Best way to be sure, Purple2012, is to make your own. It's much nicer anyway!

OP posts:
BIWI · 18/09/2013 09:44

Coleslaw recipe

125g white cabbage (less than 1/4 of a cabbage)
75g carrot (1 medium-sized carrot)
25g shallot (1/2 a banana/echalion shallot)

Slice white cabbage thinly
Grate carrot finely (don't use the largest holes on the grater)
Chop shallot finely

Add oil and wine vinegar - roughly 3 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar, and salt and black pepper. Stir everything well together. Leave for half an hour or so. Just before serving, stir in a tablespoon of mayo.

This will make 2 portions

OP posts:
BIWI · 18/09/2013 09:46

Just make sure you're using low carb mayonnaise. The Delouis brand (Sainsbury sell this) is the lowest I've come across. Or, make your own!

OP posts:
BIWI · 18/09/2013 09:50

Here's a Delia recipe for making your own mayonnaise

Whilst it starts off telling you how to make it with a hand whisk, if you scroll down she also tells you how to make it with a food processor, which is much easier and quicker!

OP posts:
Lifeisontheup · 18/09/2013 10:04

Feeling quite proud of myself, I was back at work on Monday for the first time since starting bootcamp and I managed to resist the chocolate cake left out in the crew room, but more importantly I resisted the bowl of fruit. Previously I would have thought 'it's fruit, it's healthy' and would have devoured loads.

Purple2012 · 18/09/2013 10:05

Thanks biwi I don't have time to make my own today but will do it next time. I will stay away from it today. Using low carb mayo for the egg mayonnaise.

BIWI · 18/09/2013 10:10

I think, from memory, Sainsbury's Basics coleslaw is the lowest in carbs - if you can get to a Sainsbury's!

Great, Lifeisontheup!

OP posts:
Lifeisontheup · 18/09/2013 10:30

Today will be challenging Grin I'm working 2pm -2am which seems to mess up eating patterns but I have planned.
Coffee with cream now plus 1L water
Egg and bacon at midday- another litre of water
Tuna mayonnaise with salad to eat at some point (meal break will be around 8pm)
Have made cauliflower soup to take in a thermos so can eat it on the run.

I find it really important to have something comforting to eat on nights as it's that 1.00am time when you've just done a shit job and the chip shop is the only thing open... I manage to convince myself I need something hot so soup will hopefully fill the gap.

Should be able to manage 4L of water.

bigkidsdidit · 18/09/2013 10:44

Well, my portion sizes may be ok after all - just had a weigh in and despite already having had an omelette, a coffee and two glasses of water this morning I am STILL 1.5 kilos down from Monday, when I weighed first thing!! Woo hoo!!

Cherrypi · 18/09/2013 11:30

Down a dress size. Yay!

devilinside · 18/09/2013 11:55

After a half hearted week last week, I have added my self to the chart as I need an extra kick up the backside to stay on plan:

b/fast: Greek Yoghurt
lunch: omelette and bacon
Dinner: chilli (no rice or kidney beans) with avocado slices

Lighthousekeeping · 18/09/2013 12:51

I'm back of holiday. I've been terrible. I'm starting today.

I haven't had a period for two months but I can't keep blaming it on that