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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:
LeB0F · 20/07/2012 20:26

Oh Amaxa Sad

Yes, don't beat yourself up- the odd blip on the wider context will be fine, just get back on the wagon and keep your goals in sight.

I have sent DP to the shop for vodka and soda water

MrsCampbellBlack · 20/07/2012 20:29

Roast chicken with roasted fennel and mashed celeriac for supper - delicious!

I've still been drinking wine and having coffee since I started this about 4 weeks ago and half a stone has gone [hides]

LeBof - vls is La Hurley's fave drink and she looks pretty good Wink

SingingTunelessly · 20/07/2012 20:31

Evening all. Smile. . Ahh sod it, it's Friday.

Amex, sounds like a tough day. Just think, well I enjoyed the chocolates, drink water and tomorrow is another day.

Penis (yes childish snigger as well Grin) you're longing for an apple?! I posted before about how this woe has freed me up from eating fruit which I loathe so I love it. If you're not Bootcamping you could have one?

LeBof, it's great isn't it the way you're just it hungry after a breakfast like that.

Anyway, DH is watching the cricket. Yawn.

SharonGless · 20/07/2012 20:33

a drunk you say?
Ssurely not me

Amaxapax

You are not a failure- repeat after me! You are just like all of us on this thread, sometimes life gets in the way of our goals. Jests you. Would have to be a saint to not have drowned yourself either a bar of chocolate or vodka by now. So to have one bad day where you have eaten chocolate... So what?

The emotional eating is a consideration but at that time did you enjoy the chocolate? I know I bloody would have. So just go to bed tonight, park today and tomorrow is a new day. You are doing brilliantly

SingingTunelessly · 20/07/2012 20:37

lorilliee I did something similar but with a packet of salted peanuts a while ago. Thought as I was chowing my way through - ooh this is great. Grin. Durr. Just shrug it off and keep to the path.

teaandthorazine · 20/07/2012 20:45

Glad to see the egg/Boursin concoction is going down a treat - I had two for a late lunch today! The trick is not to over-boil the eggs, I reckon. And yes, a good teeth-cleaning is definitely needed afterwards if venturing out in public!

Well, we're only a few hours into the school holidays and ds has broken the tv already Hmm. I invited a couple of his friends round after school as it was too wet to play outside - let's just say that over-excited nine-year olds, Wii remotes and tv screens don't mix! Aaaaaaargh. Still 6 weeks to go! I must admit I have resorted to a bit of G&B 85% to calm me down...

So you see amaxpax we all have moments when the fuckit goblins get the better of us Grin. And in the grand scheme of things a bit of chocolate is not a disaster, just move on tomorrow!

jan2011 · 20/07/2012 20:51

penis (lol) at the start of this WOE i struggled with energy too and working out - now i have tons of energy when working out. maybe it just takes your body a couple of weeks to get used to. i feel energised after i have worked out whereas before i would have been exhausted.

tonight someone bumped into the back of us - baby was in the back and im so glad she is ok. she didn't even really cry but we both have headaches so its hard to know if she will have any aches and pains that she can't tell us about. need chocolate but don't have any!

MrsHerculePoirot · 20/07/2012 21:22

amaxpax I'm also a teacher and reckon it is the law to eat at least a little chocolate and the end of each term school year! If you're anywhere near south London I've also got 6 weeks off - woohoo! And summer is coming on Sunday so we'll all want to live off salad....

MrsHerculePoirot · 20/07/2012 21:23

Sry Jan missed your post. Hope you're not too shaken by it.

SingingTunelessly · 20/07/2012 21:28

tea broken the tv?! I am so glad that am I no longer dealing with 6yo. Sorry not helpful. Grin

Really can't get my head around VIOLATING my lovely hard boiled eggs with this Boursin cheese. Mind you, I munch boiled eggs eggs like they are going out of fashion.

SingingTunelessly · 20/07/2012 21:30

Jan, hope all is ok.

Whippoorwhill · 20/07/2012 21:33

Odd day food wise. Tummy still felt a bit odd so no breakfast and then met a friend for brunch at 11. Had two poached eggs and 3 rashers of really wonderful, locally sourced, free range bacon. She said I was looking much thinner than when she last saw me 5 weeks ago, which is odd because I'm exactly the same weight. I have been going to the gym though so maybe I more toned or something. She's not the type for casual flattery though so I must look a bit different.

Afterwards we went shopping and I bought a top in a size 16. In February I was a size 22 so this was massively exciting.

The kids wanted chicken fajitas for dinner. They got soft tortillas, spicy chicken, mixed peppers and onions. We got courgette noodles, celery, spring onion and just a little bit of the pepper and onion mix, topped with spicy chicken, cheese, sour cream and a spoonful of salsa.

I've not really drunk enough water today with all the running around but I tried my best. I'm having a pint of sparkling water now while everyone else drinks cider. So noble! Grin

Amaxapax · 20/07/2012 21:53

Thanks for all of your kind words. I know the chocolate isn't the end of the world. I just feel so sad all the time. It's not something I feel like I can talk about much because he's gone for so long that people just get tired of hearing about it, so I try to pretend like it's not a big deal. Oh well. I'll have some eggs for breakfast and just carry on getting on with it.

Jan, hope everything is okay. That must have been really scary.
Hercule, definitely looking forward to the arrival of the mythical summer!

BIWI · 20/07/2012 21:56

Oh Amaxapax Sad

You can talk to us about it - we don't mind. Whereabouts are you? Are there any MNetters near you?

OP posts:
LeB0F · 20/07/2012 22:02

Oh chicken (my lo-carb term of endearment), I'm sorry you feel so low Sad. Yes, have a good old miseryplop here, better out than in.

KLAXON on this thread, which isn't very pretty, mostly, but people are starting to ask about low-carb stuff since I got on my soapbox: can anybody more knowledgable answer some questions?

NigellasGuest · 20/07/2012 22:03

Amax - emotional eating is not stupid - there are times when it is impossible not to give into it, and we have all been there. Do you talk to your fiance much on Skype etc?

SharonGless · 20/07/2012 22:22

Jan. Hope little one is ok - sure you won't get much sleep tonight checkingw on them
Whip - even thoug the scales may it change your body shape does. Every prone at works keeps going on about how mich weight I keep,losing and I really haven't lost any for weeks- just keep pissing about with same few pounds Wink however in that time my hips have reduced by two inches and my waist by an inch

NigellasGuest · 20/07/2012 22:23

just looked at that thread, LeBOF. Horrible!
I;m not knowledgeable enough to post there about low-carb though.
My bedtime now - good night Losers ....

SharonGless · 20/07/2012 22:23

Amaxapax- keep talking to us.
mn has been my savior over the years and got me through some right rough times.

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 20/07/2012 22:24

Oh Amax Sad, it's only a blip, don't feel bad. Hope you feel better tommorrow, the last day of term is always a bit emotional. DS1 (8) is changing schools next term so we had a few tears. I made the class cake pops and didn't eat any Grin

I'm Smile and nodding at mummyduff's shrinking boobs, why does weight always go first from the areas you'd quite like to keep it? Hmm

Today was fine foodwise - a bit uninspired Grin

B: scrambled egg
L: Smoked mackeral salad
D: Chicken wrapped in bacon, courgette, mushrooms and celeriac

2 brazil nuts and 3 cups of tea

I was down to 8st 13.5 this morning so that's another little bit gone but weight loss has slowed down this week. No matter though, as food on the WOE is so nice I don't really miss much except for fruit Smile

I'm trying the cauliflower crust pizza tommorrow, which should be interesting - any good topping suggestions?

Amaxapax · 20/07/2012 22:27

We talk on Skype loads, Nigella, which is really helpful. Basically, if I'm emotionally unloading, the situation is that he is in a place which isn't terribly nice for him. The standard of living is poor and the security situation means that he has to be constantly accompanied by an armed guard whenever travelling and can only go between the hotel and the workplace. He works incredibly long hours, seven days a week, which is just as well because when he's not working there isn't much else for him to do apart from drink beer and eat food that he hopes won't make him sick. He is wonderful and supportive but finds being away from home very difficult, so we try not to talk too much about the situation because that really gets him down and makes him feel like the time is dragging. He thinks it's best for us to try to stay positive and focus on all the good things that will come out of this work.
I have some really lovely friends, but they all obviously have their own partners and their own plans for the summer. Most of the time I'm absolutely fine. I keep myself very busy and I intend to become a one person wedding invitation assembly line this summer. I am also very lucky because my stepmom is coming to visit for a few days to help me choose my wedding dress. My mom died when I was nineteen so I've been finding that aspect of wedding planning really difficult. My stepmom was my mom's best friend (very long story), so I know that she'll be a good representative for her. I just miss that feeling of companionship. I've never had loads of friends and I've really got used to the security of having my fiancé around. Plus, I quite like his company.
Anyway, I know really how lucky I am. I have lots of people who care about me, a partner who is working hard to provide for us both and some lovely things to look forward to. It's just hard to keep all that in perspective sometimes. Thanks for letting me vent and completely derail the thread. Will vow to be slightly less self-indulgent in future.

LeB0F · 20/07/2012 22:31

Ach no, you fill your boots- does you good sometimes.

BIWI · 20/07/2012 22:35

We are all here to help - and if that means venting about the day-to-day stuff then that is fine!

OP posts:
Heartstart · 20/07/2012 22:48

Hey all checking in, Sharong is right Amax y ou'll get great support here.

I am sitting here sorting out my desert island discs as we have to take them on hols with us such fun but so hard to choose just rediscovered the communards

SharonGless · 20/07/2012 22:56

Heartstart how are you doing? How is your mum?

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