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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

At last - here it is! BIWI's 2 week Low Carb Bootcamp - starts tomorrow - sign in here

999 replies

BIWI · 15/04/2012 22:36

Lots of you have said you want to do this - now it's time to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak.

Oh, alright, it's free. Grin

The plan is that we have two very strict weeks of low carbing. Which is why, doh, it's called a bootcamp.

There are 'rules of engagement' for the fortnight - but they're different if you're carnivore or a vegetarian. I shall post the rules for us carnivores, and flipflopflap will post the rules for those of you that are vegetarians.

Sign in with your starting weight - in pounds, stones and pounds, kilos or - if you don't want to reveal your weight, with 100 as an index - and what you're wanting to achieve in the two weeks. I know that not everyone is doing this for the purpose of weight loss, so you don't have to do this if you don't want to - but tell us what you want this fortnight to help you achieve.

The Carnivore Rules

1.Eat three, proper meals a day.
You must eat breakfast. It doesn?t have to be a lot, but you must have something. For the rest of the day, if you?re eating enough food and you are in ketosis then you shouldn?t be hungry. But if you are hungry, eat something. (Hard boiled eggs make a great snack)

2.Avoid processed food
Focus on pure, natural protein as the basis for your meals ? meat/fish/eggs. Things like sausages, ham, bacon, pre-prepared burgers etc should be avoided as much as possible. You can have them, but just not every day. Avoid foods marketed as low carb, e.g. Atkins Daybreak bars.

3.Eat lots of fat.

Eating fat helps you to burn fat. Honestly! Fry in butter, add butter to vegetables, eat salad with a home-made vinaigrette dressing (not made with balsamic vinegar though, as this is too sweet), add mayonnaise where you can (just check the carb count on your mayo first). Eat fattier cuts of meat ? e.g. pork belly, roast chicken with the skin on and/or eat the fat off your lamb chops. Absolutely no low fat/light foods of any kind!

4.Make sure you are eating vegetables and salads with your food ?
This is where your carbs should come from, and this is non-negotiable. But choose only those vegetables that are on the allowed list. You don?t have to weigh/count carbs ? this is one of the great joys of this WOE (way of eating), but if you?re new to low carbing it can be helpful to weigh your portions of veg in the early days, just so that you know how many carbs are in the sort of portions that you like to eat

*5.Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited). It can impede weight loss for some people. If you are still drinking tea/coffee with milk or cream, try to restrict yourself to max 2 cups per day. You may eat cheese, but don't overdo it. Full fat yoghurt is the best way to include dairy in your diet - but beware, it does contain carbs. Total Full Fat is the best.

6.You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day.
The more weight you have to lose, the more water you should drink

7.No alcohol
If you really can't do this - at least try and restrict it to the weekend. Vodka with soda is the best thing to drink. Or Champagne, red wine or dry white wine.

8.No fruit
Really. Seriously. Honestly. None at all. Zilch. Nada.

9.No nuts/seeds
Whilst these are really good to snack on later - it can be too easy to start snacking on these - and before you know it, all your carbs have gone on nuts. Seriously - in bootcamp - don't do it to yourself.

10.No sugar or artificial sweeteners

OP posts:
encyclogirl · 17/04/2012 12:14

On my third week now and I don't feel the need to snack at all. It's weird not snacking at first, but I just don't fancy it.

And I drink loads of water too, mostly because I find I'm quite thirsty.

GreenEyesAndHam · 17/04/2012 12:14

BIWI you're so masterful!

So I had scrambled eggs for breakfast and am about to have a salad topped with a pot of tuna. And a dollop of mayo for the fat though I wish it was an oily dressing instead (none available in works canteen unfortunately)

I am LOVING not having a bloated stomach btw, I mean yeah- it's still podgy, but it's not bloated like it would usually be by this time Grin

BIWI · 17/04/2012 12:23

I always think of the Oods when preparing celeriac
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/character-promo/char_ood.jpg&imgrefurl=www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/characters/ood&h=312&w=512&sz=27&tbnid=3Lnn4x9k3RT4KM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=121&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dood%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=ood&docid=KLUZ6XcpGzVcQM&sa=X&ei=m1KNT66AGMHg8gPqktXLCw&ved=0CFwQ9QEwBQ&dur=4665" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/medialibrary/images/character-promo/char_ood.jpg&imgrefurl=www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/characters/ood&h=312&w=512&sz=27&tbnid=3Lnn4x9k3RT4KM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=121&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dood%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=ood&docid=KLUZ6XcpGzVcQM&sa=X&ei=m1KNT66AGMHg8gPqktXLCw&ved=0CFwQ9QEwBQ&dur=4665

OP posts:
BIWI · 17/04/2012 12:24

GreenEyes - I think I have missed my calling in life. I think I was born to be in charge.

OP posts:
KeepOrfThemCarbs · 17/04/2012 12:25

You may as well change your name to Fletcher Christian, BIWI. Grin

ShirtyKnot · 17/04/2012 12:27

Celeriac is AMAZING KeepOrf - I'm planning some celeriac mash to go with my Pork Tenderloin tonight (Forgot I'd got that out of the freezer. Hmm)

COCONUT OIL! - Right well, I bought some of this I know it's stupidly dear.

Anyway, I made a curry with it (2 x tablespoons ghee, 1 tablespoon coconut oil) and it did give off a very, VERY faint taste of coconut. However, I do think that if I'd used 3 x tablespoons it would have been more detectable. It was delicious though!

smokinaces · 17/04/2012 12:28

I had my breakie just before seven am. Got to midday lunch on just a litre of water and tea. Chicken salad with last nights leftovers -Yum. First day back at work today after Easter too, so major not to snack. No real internet access though, currently standing over the filing cabinet sideways to try and post this!!

I'm only day two and feel ketosis like already - does your body fall into it quicker when you have Lo carbed before? Sure it took me three days to get into it before.

I can't switch to decaff - makes me horrendously constipated. But if anyone knows of an alternate hot drink to my standard (unsugared) tetleys please share!! I am addicted to tetleys tea so it needs to be v.v.v.v. tasty for me to change.

KeepOrfThemCarbs · 17/04/2012 12:31

Ooh no I can't do celeriac - I can't stand celery and someone said it tasted celery-y.

MrsNouveauRichards · 17/04/2012 12:33

I must admit that I am not missing my morning snack at all. The afternoon after exercise was hard though.

I have got this crampy feeling in my back, a bit like period cramps but in the wrong place. Could this be down to diet?

lemniscate · 17/04/2012 12:33

I found that I needed snacks for the first 2 to 3 days of LC. However I think this was at least as much a psychological thing as hunger: after years of eating carbs which are supposed to fill you up, and then always needing a snack between meals to keep my energy up, I just couldn't trust that a low-carb meal would get me through to the next meal without a massive hunger pang midway between. But then I just realised that I wasn't even thinking about food between meals for the first time in years - lunchtime would creep up on me by surprise rather than me counting down from 10.30am...

Do as BIWI and GetOrf say - make sure you have something in your bag in case you get peckish when out (I find chunks of chorizo or olives are good) and something snacky in the fridge (mine is celery and guacamole). And always try a drink first as it is usually that rather than food that you need. If you don't want yet more water, try a camomile or peppermint tea instead.

The need to snack will go, promise!

BIWI · 17/04/2012 12:36

Yes - it's when you're working away, look at the clock, realise it's almost 3pm and you haven't thought about food in all that time - that's when you know low carbing is working for you!

OP posts:
Catsmamma · 17/04/2012 12:37

i am not keen on celeriac either, I adore celery though! I thought the celeriac tasty a bit damp and musty ish, nasty not boiled enough potato texture.

I keep meaning to give it another try though cos I had left it in the veg drawer for a good while as it looked scary

I am over the moon about those noodles and shall go looking for them, it would make life soooooo much easier to have them, I adore noodley chinesey style stuff!

Breakfast: Scrambled egg, black coffee
Lunch: Celery and Paté
Supper am making steak pie, so will not have the pastry, and will pick up a cauli for mash.

Water:3 pints and two small coffees.

lemniscate · 17/04/2012 12:40

MrsN - you probably should snack quite soon after exercise, I would say that is one exception to the not needing to snack rule. Protein would be a good idea - a few bits of chicken or some cheese or yoghurt. I always grab something from the fridge or bring a meal forward - e.g. if I finished exercise at 11.30 then I have lunch straight away. I don't know the science behind it but it's definitely important to refuel and I think it may help in burning calories if you give your body a bit of fuel after exercise

flipflopflap · 17/04/2012 12:42

As Veggie whip cracker I can confirm Cauldron Tofu is great on this diet, it's very low carb and really nice. That doesn't mean all marinated tofu is though, so check the packet if you're using another brand.

I cannot believe after months of LCing I didn't realise Butternut Squash is sort of allowed. I just presumed it was way too carby. I used to like a very small amount roasted into 'croutons' and have with a smoked cheese salad- delicious. Actually going to run out this afternoon and get some.

Catsmamma · 17/04/2012 12:55

butternut squash makes gorgeous soup....you can roast it or not first, into a pan with some shallots and a little celery (sweat those first) and plenty of chicken stock or veg bouillion, and blitz it all up when it's cooked. Dollop of sour cream, some shredded black forest ham ( any ham will do, but the black forest stuff is so deliciously smokey and salty)

and if you cba to make parmesan crisps they are amazing with it.

MrsNouveauRichards · 17/04/2012 12:56

Thanks Lemniscate. I spend 2hrs every afternoon mucking out, lugging hay and water around and riding if I get the time so I'm always ravenous by the time I get home! I had some cheese yesterday, might try some yoghurt this afternoon.

GreenEyesAndHam · 17/04/2012 12:56

I am shocked and stunned to discover that the small chunks of celery in my (bought) salad taste quite nice Shock

I've always hated raw celery- at least I thought I did, must be twenty years since I last tried it Blush

I've always wanted to be the kind of person who are celery. This could change my life

lemniscate · 17/04/2012 12:59

Celery is lovely to scoop up guacamole and great chopped up finely for adding crunch to any salad :) Run a veg peeler over the whole stems before you eat it to get rid of the strings - makes a world of difference to the eating experience :o

GlitterKitty · 17/04/2012 13:02

reallyslowburner - current weight 12st 4lbs
KeepOrfThemCarbs - current weight 10st 8lbs
Thisisformatilda - current weight 13st 8lbs
Schnarkle - current weight 157lbs
GreenEyesandHam - current weight 9st 12lbs
Fourthousandholes - current weight 100
LoopingLizards - current weight 130 lbs
Custardoguiltybyassociation- current weight 9st 7lb
Bettybathroom - current weight 61.7kg
Onthecouch - current weight 182 lbs
MNP - current weight 15st 12lbs
Pistey - current weight 10st 7. Aiming to be in the nines.
cardoon - current weight 10st 12
Renaldo - 78.5 kgs - eventual goal 65 Kgs but 75 in two weeks would be fab
Ohforfoxsake 12st 5
Gothicmama 9 st 13
JaxTeller - 14st 13lbs, eventual goal 12 stone.
WillieWaggledagger - current weight 11st 4lb
Moonmother 10st 8 lbs goal 8st 7lbs
NotMostPeople - 12st 0lbs - 11st 7lbs first goal
noddyholder - 9st 9lbs - wants to be 9
MariaCallous - 9st 10 and want to get to 9st.
MariaCallous' DH is 14st 8 and wants to be 14
SharonGless - 13st 4lbs
BIWI - 10st 6lbs - would like to be in the 9s as soon as possible, please!
Wohmum - 10 st 14, aiming to get to 10 eventually. Would live to lose 6lb these 2 weeks
FiddleDeFat - 15st 2lbs
lemniscate - 12st 5lbs, would like to get into the 11s
TherapeuticVino - 12s 1lb, aiming for 10st 7lbs
ilovemyteddy - started at 224.4lb currently 192.6lb target 147lb (not in two weeks though )
ANTagony - 16st 3lb, I'd like to get to 14st by the summer hols (11st ultimately)
ANTagony DH - 17st 6lb, he'd like to get to around 14st as an end game.
Radio Silence - 10st 7 lbs and aiming for 9st 12lbs
Catsmamma- waist 36
MrsNouveauRichards - 10st 2lbs, need to be nearer 9st 7lbs
Teandthorazine - 11st and aiming for 10 st 10 in two weeks. Ultimate goal is 10st.
kandinskysgirl-12.3 wants to be 11.something ASAP (ultimate goal nearer 10stone though)
FaresPlease - 11st on the dot, hoping for 6lbs this fortnight, 2 stone eventually
SeriousWispaHabit - 14st 8 - goal under 14
ShirleyKnot - 12st 2 --and a half
LackaDAILYcarb - 81.5kg. Ultimate Goal is 60kg, eventually!
TheShapeJaper - 9.12 wants to be 9st but 9.7 by end of BC
PorkyandBess 10st 12.5lb
Slotrightin 12st 9lb
Daisychicken 9st 2lb
Knotty 10st 7lb - need to break the 10st barrier
Smokinaces - aims to lose 7lb in a fortnight
Flipflopflap- 10st 13lb Hoping for 6lb during bootcamp, 10st eventually.
elliephant 10st 7lbs - every bit helps
livelongandprosper - 9st 9lbs, goal is 9st 2lbs and reduced carb addiction
mammya - waist 107cm
GettinTrimmer - 12st 9lb aiming to lose 7lb in 2 weeks
creamtea1 - 10 st 7, aiming for 10 st 3 by end of bootcamp. 10 st exactly by end May, 9 stone ultimate goal
Twit - 10 st 10 ultimate 9 st but really just want to get into my trews
Ledkr-current weight 13 stones would love half a stone during bootcamp. Goal is to be back in my lovely pre baby size 14's.
FauxFox - 11st11 want to be 10st.
mummyduff - 10st1lb.
Eviltwin - 9st12lb
Hepsibaaah 140lbs, aiming for to drop 6 lbs in 2 weeks
Blueberryboybait - 14st 9lbs hoping for a 3st loss eventually but half a stone initially would be great.
EatenAllTheEasterEggs - 12st 10 - goal 10st or under
Lovecat - 12st 2 - eventual goal 10st but just to lose half a stone would be wonderful.
Roseforme - 12stone11 and want to lose a stone but would settle for 2lbs a week.
Vnmum - 10st 1 1/2, want to get well into the 9's. Ultimate goal 9st
Fuzzybirds - 9st 4lbs aiming for 9st
BerylStreep - 89.2kg, aiming for under 87kg, and 80kg eventually
Phwooooar - 14.4 aiming for anything in the 11s..
Littlemagic - Start 100 hopeful by end of bootcamp will be 93.
Wizzybizzy - Starting at 10st, aiming for 9st. Would be please with half of this in 2 weeks
Fava-starting at 67kg ultimate goal to break the under 60kg barrier;boot camp goal: anything goes (for good!)
MsRinky - 107.8kg
ToryLovell - 14stone 3 - aiming for half a stone at the end of boot camp
Gincognito - starting at 11st 6lbs. Would like to get down to 10st, but would settle for 10st 6lbs
DistantShip ? starting at 12st 2lbs with a long term goal of 10st 7lbs ?aiming for 6lbs
Coocoocachoo - starting 12st 4lbs, want to be in 11's by end of second week.
Dorado - 83.3kg want to get to 65 eventually - hope to be under 80 at the end of Bootcamp.
Encyclo - 10st3 want to see the 9's by end of boot camp. Already down 10 lbs in 15 days! This WOE is just amazing. Loving the food, and loving the results.
Greygirl -10.9(yesterday)aiming for 9st 4 eventually.
GlitterKitty- 12st 5. Aiming for 9st.

GreenEyesAndHam · 17/04/2012 13:03

Thanks Lem, I feel like a whole new world has opened up in front of me Grin

GlitterKitty · 17/04/2012 13:03

We need a spreadsheet! Then we can see how much MN lost in 2 weeks...

Top Tip: Corned Beef is NOT a good picnic food. It goes sticky and jellyish like cheap catfood. It must be eaten chilled.

teaandthorazine · 17/04/2012 13:07

Celery with a generous blob of cream cheese is great too (even better if you add some peanut butter, but obviously not on bootcamp hem hem Grin)

Lunch today was delicious - leftover roast chicken with salad leaves, capers, cucumber and olives, all mixed in with an easy-peasy dressing of Hellmann's and english mustard for a bit of a kick - yum!

Just finished the second litre of water!

MrsNouveauRichards · 17/04/2012 13:11

Celery is even better with a bloody Mary :o

KeepOrfThemCarbs · 17/04/2012 13:14

Yes we need a spreadsheet - then we can do GRAPHS (important)

I'll do one!

Catsmamma · 17/04/2012 13:15

oh yes, definitely run a peeler over celery to pick out the stingy bits.

I found chorizo and chicken breast in the fridge so i had that instead for my lunch with mayo! YUMMERS

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