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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:
SharonGless · 21/07/2012 23:52

Whip- how did the taste test go regarding the chocolate?

You know what else I love- the taste of food. I actually spend time enjoying the taste of each vegetable or piece of food rather than just shoveling it in iyswim

LeB0F · 21/07/2012 23:57

Sharon, how long did it take you to drop two stone, if you don't mind me asking?

BIWI · 21/07/2012 23:57

I know exactly what you mean about still feeling fat! I keep looking at clothes in my wardrobe and thinking I can't wear them. Or clothes in the shops, and thinking that they won't fit me.

But they do!

And I'm surprised, every time.

I bought a dress from M&S the other day - size 10 - fitted me effortlessly. And 2 long night dresses, to 'waft around' in, when we're on holiday (in Barbados). Again, thought they would cling to my rolls of fat.

But guess what? There are no rolls of fat alright, there's a very small one, but no-one can really see it now.

I love this WOE.

OP posts:
LeB0F · 22/07/2012 00:03

I can't wait to get to that point, BIWI. Looking forward to it.

SharonGless · 22/07/2012 00:04

BOF this is Mn - there is nothing you can't ask! I lost half a stone with SW but constantly thinking about food and miserable. I have lost stone and half now in 13 weeks but it has been a revelation. I have enjoyed my food and rarely felt hungry. The main thing is planning and being Organised to take food to work

SharonGless · 22/07/2012 00:06

BIWI - are you going to Barbados? Wink

I do have fat but it's nothing like it was before

LeB0F · 22/07/2012 00:13

Only 13 weeks? Wow.

Dd1 is away in Oz with her dad for another three weeks. I am hoping that she will see a bit of a difference in me when she gets back.

Whippoorwhill · 22/07/2012 00:20

Green and Blacks is still by far the best Sharon. The Lidl one was OK but not very exciting. A bit harsh and burnt tasting.

I've had the occasional square of Lindt 90% since starting Low Carbing and will probably be sticking with that as I'm not tempted to over eat it! whereas the G&B I could eat the whole bar. Blush

SharonGless · 22/07/2012 00:24

BOF that's with serious drinking thrown in plus a holiday

SharonGless · 22/07/2012 00:27

Good for someone else to do the taste test so I don't have to. Not overly keen on dark chocolate but can eat

BIWI · 22/07/2012 07:17
Grin

I am, Sharon. Didn't you know?

I mentioned it because it would seem odd to be talking about wafting around in nighties in the UK given the recent weather!

BOF - I've also lost a stone and half, and it took me three months. I've stuck a bit now, and still have a bit more to go, but I'm pretty happy with where I am right now.

OP posts:
mumto2lovelygals · 22/07/2012 08:12

The sun is shining and I have dropped below 9st 7lbs, just! So 7lbs to go. I am going to go onto lighter bootcamp this week although I didn't manage to cut out alcohol through bootcamp. I have not felt hungry and enjoying the veg, the recipe thread is great.

Thanks again (I've said it before) for introducing this woe in such a simple way.

clare8allthepies · 22/07/2012 08:27

Hi, thanks for the picnic tips, I took some chicken drumsticks and olives and ended up chucking some away as I was full! And I lost a pound and a half yesterday when I weighed taking me down to 9 st 8.5 lbs.
Have struck a deal with myself that I'm only allowed wine once a week don't have any problems with the food side of things but was undoing all my hard work with wine consumption! Grin

BIWI · 22/07/2012 09:00

Brilliant mumto2!

And glad yesterday went well, clare8. And I know what you mean about the wine Blush!

OP posts:
SharonGless · 22/07/2012 09:20

Whistles nonchalantly - don't know what you mean about the wine Blush

Well done mumto2- glad you are enjoying it!

I have an unexpected day off today and it's sunny- woo hoo. Off out for breakfast then a day in the garden I think

jan2011 · 22/07/2012 09:33

glad everyone is enjoying all the sunny weather! i think its set to rain here but maybe you will send the heat our way after youve had it!

BIWI · 22/07/2012 09:38

We're having a barbecue this evening (like millions of others no doubt!). This WOE is perfect for the barbecue.

I'm looking forward to the weather turning hot and sunny, and I'm even happier because I have no work until we go on holiday, (but two projects to return to) so I can pretend that I'm on school holidays as well. Grin

OP posts:
jan2011 · 22/07/2012 09:40

oh sounds lovely! its great having that feeling of no responsibilities for awhile. enjoy :)

sybilfaulty · 22/07/2012 09:47

Jan, glad you are ok. Sounds nasty.

Amaxa, sorry you are feeling low. Please do kepe hatting on here.we are always haooy to listen.

Very jealous of bith barbados nad pery pigs. We have not booked a hol yet but i will get onto it once dh gets his redundany money, which I hope will be soon.

Glad lots of peopke had good days yesterday. We drove to broad stairs and had a fab day on beach. Fish and hips for all except me who had the worst seafood platter in the history of the world. Crab sticks, pretend crayfish, not good. Happily I.d located a tesco on high street so poppe in there for some ham and cheese. Boiled egg with Boursin for supper which was a taste sensation.

Sorry for people who are finding temptation hard. I'm ok at moment, ESP since discovering pork scrathings which I love and never dreamed I'd be able to eat. It.s more the wine with me. When I"ve had one glass I want another and then I am plastered. Gin is a much better bet for me!

Have a restful Sunday everyone

emmak86 · 22/07/2012 10:07

Morning everyone Smile
Nice to see were all enjoying the sunshine!
BIWI have a great holiday in barbados, lucky u!!
Breaky for me this morning has been pretty much the same as yesterday.. 2 bacon, 1 egg and some mushrooms!

Im abit worried about the amount of meat i ate yesterday though.. And i didntdeink much, so today ill shall be drinking loads!!

I told my dad all about this WOE yesterday and i think hes going to start too.. How good is that!

Em x

BIWI · 22/07/2012 10:11

Why worried about the amount of meat, emma? Not a problem!

OP posts:
mummyduff · 22/07/2012 10:37

Morning all, so weighed myself this morning and STS not surprising after pimms/bubbly yesterdayBlush was lovely though and dont see my sister often.

I did a little tapas last night which was lovely.

BIWI very Envy about Barbados, enjoy your BBQ.

Breakfast - Bacon, mushrooms and egg(was needed) along with 4 pints of water!

Enjoy your sunny sundays ladies x x

NigellasGuest · 22/07/2012 12:01

Have not put on anything so far since my Percy Pigs aberration....

Last night I dreamed I was SCOFFING pizza. Woke up and my goodness I was relieved that was just a dream!

BIWI ... Barbados you lucky lucky woman!

BIWI · 22/07/2012 12:19

Shock Nigella! Percy Pigs!

I know what you mean about those dreams - I have them occasionally - last one was about scoffing a Mars Bar. It's such a relief when you realise it's a dream.

OP posts:
WillieWaggledagger · 22/07/2012 13:17

I have those dreams too

Just back from fabulous 7-mile walk in herts countryside with pal. So lovely to do a good long walk without having to wear waterproof gear (and some thermal stuff recently too!)

Dp away again(!) and pals all busy today so no BBQ for me but will be having a fake one in the oven with lamb kebabs and salad