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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.

Two Week Low Carb Bootcamp Bonanza Challenge! All welcome.

969 replies

BIWI · 16/07/2012 08:11

For those of us who have been here since the beginning, these are the last two weeks. And it seems like a good idea to finish with a couple of strict weeks, seeing as there has been a fair amount of slippage!

For anyone who wants to join - you are more than welcome! These two weeks will get you off to a great start if you are wanting to lose some weight.

So. Who wants to sign up for two weeks of strict Bootcamp? If you want to join/continue, put your name on the list and we can see who is there. We have a fabulous Spreadsheet of Marvellousness to track weight/weight loss, which I will also post a link to.

Here are the rules - for carnivores and then the veggie version:

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

Allowed veg

Don?t eat any veg unless it?s on this list, and try and focus on eating those that are under 3g carbs per 100g:

Veg (raw)Carbs per 100g
Mushrooms0.4
Watercress0.4
Spinach0.8
Celery0.9
Broccoli1.1
Asparagus 1.4
Cucumber1.5
Lettuce1.7
Fennel1.8
Courgettes1.8
Cauliflower1.9
Avocado flesh1.9
Turnip2
Pumpkin2.2
Runner beans2.3
Swede2.3
Celeriac2.3
Bean sprouts2.5
Green pepper2.6
Baby sweetcorn2.7 (there is some debate about this - carb counts seem to vary according to variety and where you buy from - check the packet to be sure)
Aubergine2.8
Leeks2.9
Okra3
Tomato3.1
Mangetout3.3
Shallots3.3
Brussels sprouts3.5
French beans4.7
Cabbage5
Yellow pepper5.3
Carrots6
Orange or red pepper6.4
Ginger (peeled)7.2
Butternut squash7.5
Onions7.9

Veggie Rules

Only slightly adapted from BIWI's but best to take notice of the changes if you're vegetarian.

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 ingredients as the basis for your meals. Vegetarian Sausages and Burgers are ok in small quantities, but check the carb count as some can be very high. Avoid foods marketed as 'Low Carb' such as Atkins Daybreak Bars, etc.

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). Absolutely no low fat/light foods of any kind!

4.Make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables and salads with your food ?
This is where most of 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.Beware of Nuts and Seeds.
Nuts are a very good way to include more fat and protein in your diet, however some are very high carb (e.g. Cashews). Stick to small amounts of Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Dried Coconut, Walnuts, Seeds and Peanut Butter, but check the ingredients, many supermarket brands have sugar added.

10.No sugar or artificial sweeteners

OP posts:
Jins · 19/07/2012 11:17

Packed lunch can be tricky if it's a hot day. A small cool bag can be essential.

I've got a brilliant little lunchbox from the pound shop which has two containers that clip together and a fork and spoon in the lid. They don't sell them now but I've seen some thermal ones that are even better. I usually pack some lettuce, cucumber ec, tuna mayo with grated cheese over the top and maybe some nuts and a couple of babybels.

I also take portions of leftover food. I'm quite happy to eat it cold nowadays :) Can't beat a portion of cold low carb lasagne (emmenthal slices instead of pasta!)

I've always got a small bag of macadamia nuts in my bag in case of emergency. I've found that macadamia nuts are enough to stave off hunger for a couple of hours.

Littleorangetree · 19/07/2012 11:20

Hi everyone! Would it be ok to join in? I've follwed the Atkins diet in the past and lost 1.5 stone, but that was a few years ago. My weight does go up and down quite a lot depending on how stressed I am and I'm a big comfort eater (especially when bored or tired).

Since having my son 3 years ago I've become a complete sugar/carb addict and have piled on a stone in the last 6 months. I'm really fed up of feeling lethargic and blubbery so I think I need to low-carb again to kick my addiction and lose the weight.

I had a false start a couple of weeks ago (stress drove me back to a total carb binge) but this time I really need to get a grip! I have a friend's wedding to go to in August and I'd love to have lst at least half a stone by then.

So, here goes...

I'm 12st 10lb, 5ft6" and would ideally like to get down to 11st because I know I feel much better at that weight.

Jins · 19/07/2012 11:25

Welcome!

Are you following Atkins this time or bootcamping? There isn't an awful lot of difference in what you eat but Atkins involves carb counting which I like.

ZZZenAgain · 19/07/2012 11:26

thanks jins. Feel so uninspired, it is so easy to pack a roll and a banana or something like that for dc but I need to put some thought into it. Nuts are quite straight forward, you're right.

welcome littleorangetree

mummyduff · 19/07/2012 11:44

Wecome little and well done to all the loosers today.

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe know what you mean about being a big mental barrier, it has been for me too Smile

jins thats really interesting about craving food we are intolerant too, I have to say since doing this woe, my psoriasis has completely gone, not sure if there is a connection, but I have had it since I was a baby.

Just been to the gym, 2 hour workout, feel like dying nowWink

Off food shopping now to re - stock, ohforduckscake I have found cheaper as buying the cheap cuts of meat and no rubbish, also I use every last leftover from the meat(cats not v happy about this) but 1 joint seems to do 3 meals/lunches.Smile

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 19/07/2012 12:00

mummyduff 2 hour workout Shock

My food bill has reduced because fruit is so expensive!

My veg garden has been a disaster so far this year, with the exception of the artichokes. How can there possibly be 10.5 g of carb in an artichoke?! Has anyone ever grown celeriac? Smile

Jins · 19/07/2012 12:14

Just spotted Bex66's post upthread. What a laugh!!

hmm - no fruit or nuts/seeds- really? Don't mean to step on anyone's toes here but it doesn't sound that healthy to me. Well it is
And not being able to have a glass of wine once in a while would just about see me off poor you for having no self control Grin

  • if this doesn't work for any of you, why not have a look at my blog? www.I can spam like a bastard.co.uk (link changed by Jins!) - its a Mumsnet blog. looked. Nothing new there
Healthy weight loss strategy that worked for me without resorting to pills or fads glad it worked for you but I don't think it's especially healthy and it's definitely faddy. Rice cakes are a fairly recent invention no? I'd call them a fad. We eat natural foods ,smug. - I lost 20 pounds last year in 2 months - went from size 16 to size 12 - and have kept it off. slow hand clap. I did 20lbs in two months too. Went from size 16 to size 8 though and also reduced my cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Also low carb tends to help with muscle tone. You should consider it Blog has gone viral since I launched it last month and is at last count read in 45 countries (including Tahiti - how cool is that?!!) , so I guess people like the approach! more like the fact that you've spammed it on every weight loss thread on Mumsnet so probably every weightloss thread on the internet

Enjoy your low fat shite Bex. Good luck with getting the rest of the weight off!

Littleorangetree · 19/07/2012 12:14

Thanks for the welcome everyone! I'm going to try the bootcamp approach this time. The first stage of the Atkins diet is very similar except it focuses purely on low carbs and not on eating healthily within that. So with Atkins you can eat as much processed meat as you like. This time I was to eat better quality protein and try to avoid that kind of thing. I also want to eat as much veg as I like and not restrict it to within 20g carbs a day.

My main problem is with will power! I LOVE sweet things, bread, pasta etc. and in the past I've found it extremely hard to stop eating them! I know from my past experience on Atkins that the craving doea go away though if you can stick with the low-crab plan for a couple of weeks.

Just need to get over that first couple of hellish weeks!

Jins · 19/07/2012 12:17

Atkins does say that you need to be cautious with processed meats.

It is a very similar approach though. Good luck with it and I'm sure you'll be svelte for the wedding

BIWI · 19/07/2012 12:28

Grin @ Jins and your responses to Bex!

Welcome, littleorangetree, and good luck.

OP posts:
emmak86 · 19/07/2012 12:33

Hi all...me again!
quick question...when people say change your plate size are we talking from a dinner plate to like a saucer/lunch plate?

em x

Jins · 19/07/2012 12:35

Who says change your plate size Em?

Are you getting confused with low calorie?

emmak86 · 19/07/2012 13:00

It is all quite confusing lol im still learning! Ive read it online. I take it i dont need to do this with low carb then? X

Jins · 19/07/2012 13:15

No you don't.

You just need to follow the rules at the top of this thread. Don't worry about quantities at this stage but don't eat anything that isn't on the list until you are happier that you know what you're doing.

I see you've bought Low carb Gourmet. I don't know that particular recipe book very well but I've had a look at the Amazon pages and it doesn't look too bad, the explanation and instructions at the beginning are quite straightforward.

The trouble with Low carb, more than any other 'diet' I've ever come across, is that we have a tendency to get technical.

The best advice I can give you is to forget everything you thought you knew about diets and just do what the plan tells you to do

NigellasGuest · 19/07/2012 13:19

I don't think you do, Emma (at least I haven't)

toysoldiers · 19/07/2012 13:19

I think I need some help Sad

The 'carb flu' seems to be getting worse. I'm pretty sure that's what it is as it would be a remarkable coincidence if it wasn't.

Symptoms

  • achey, periodic hot flushes, dizziness, complete lack of energy, tension, general feelings of unwellness.

A friend asked me if I was OK this morning as I clearly looked so awful Blush. This is my last day before the holidays to get everything done and I have to sit down every 10 minutes as I can't think straight.

I'm not sure whether boot camp is a bit too severe for me, considering how carb heavy my diet was before.

So far today I've eaten
B- chicken thigh plus cup of coffee with cream
L - 2xmackerel fillets with salad and dressing, couple of spoonfuls of greek yoghurt.

I think there might be a combination of much less caffeine too.

What shall I do? My other slight nervousness is I'm going to Italy in 4 weeks where this is going to be impossible to maintain.

Help Confused

emmak86 · 19/07/2012 13:20

thanks for the advice... im awaiting delivery of low carb gourmet and ive also just ordered why we get fat :)
Ive printed off all the rules at the beginning of this thread and some recipes so i can stick them in the kitchen!
em x

tartiflette · 19/07/2012 14:06

Woe is me, my scales are playing tricks on me this week... I think Monday's weight was perhaps a false low due to having been ill for the previous two weeks... Seem to be a pound up on that now. Ah well, long haul and all that.

I'm two weeks away from holiday, lovely new bikini arrived yesterday (which I'd forgotten I'd ordered) and.... it does not look completely horrific too bad Smile

I've become a bit lax on the old processed meat. Although did have very pleasing salmon and feta bake last night from the IPD cookbook.

toysoldiers I think this should be do-able in Italy Smile

tartiflette · 19/07/2012 14:08

Also I think you could award yourself a couple more coffees without totally derailing the whole plan. If you're a big coffee drinker I think it can hit you hard at the same time as carb withdrawal, I cut down hugely but still have about 3 a day and it hasn't caused me problems (though everyone's different of course).

TooImmatureTurtleDoves · 19/07/2012 14:09

Toysoldiers, hope you feel better soon. I'm not very clued up on carb flu but hopefully someone else will be along sharpish who is. I felt rotten the first few mornings, but it passed after my breakfast had had time to go down. That doesn't sound like what you're experiencing.

NSV - I tried on my pre-pg (pre-first-pg!) jeans and they fit! My tummy could do with being a wee bit smaller, but it's not hideously muffin-top. Those jeans were quite loose originally, though. Onwards and downwards!

OHforDUCKScake · 19/07/2012 14:37

Toy soildiers I felt like that! Ive just come out the other side - stick with it!

Although Im going to have to go through it all again as Ive buggered up my low carb and eaten tonnes if carbs the last two days because Im an idiot who doesnt read labels.

mummyduff · 19/07/2012 14:45

toysoldiers sorry to hear you are feeling rough still, I never completely gave up coffee, I have 3 lovely cups with cream a day and 3 litres of water. I'm not 100% you have got carb flu as you are getting hot flushes, hope you feel better soon, early to bed may helpSmile

Emma once you get your head round the rules you will be fine, preperation is the key.

TooImatureTurtleDoves thats great re jeans well done!

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe hope the walk went well & jins you have made me smileSmile

obrigada · 19/07/2012 14:58

Just checking in, still haven't been weighed, so can't be too sure what, if anything, I will lose this week, only on Day 2 here. Fully intend to give this WOE a proper go as am totally fed up being overweight, was walking back to work today and all that was going through my head was "I am fed up carting this weight around", felt so sluggish; so onwards and downwards

teaandthorazine · 19/07/2012 15:04

Haha @ jins - I tried to give a measured reply to bex but then realised she'd been spamming on loads of threads! So irritating.

toysoldiers are you sure you're not just ill? Carb flu can make you feel ropey but a temperature/hot flushes sounds like it might be some
thing viral?

Emma - I have the low carb gourmet book and it's not bad at all - lots of nice recipes and ideas. Why We Get Fat will be a real eyeopener too!

teaandthorazine · 19/07/2012 15:07

ps, you don't need to change your plate size. That's low-cal talk Grin.

it's quite hard to overeat low carb because fat and protein are much more filling than carbs.