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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:
jan2011 · 25/07/2012 21:09

happy birthday Sharon :)

emmak86 · 25/07/2012 21:12

Happy birthday in advance sharongless

i had a small amount of salad cream on my salad.
And yes its a nice feeling to know your not picking between meals Smile
X

BIWI · 25/07/2012 21:17

Oooh - tell me about underwear! What am I supposed to wear/not wear? I'm guessing that it's the thong under white linen trousers that MrsFishFace objects to, but I could be wrong ...

OP posts:
MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 25/07/2012 21:24

She objects to most things Wink but the length of the trouser mostly IIRC. White knickers just show through - a white thong is similiar to a directional arrow pointing at your arse Grin I'd wear a nude thong if your top is not bum covering. A lot depends on the thickness of the linen though - some you can get away with bigger pants. Do you have a link to them?

Whippoorwhill · 25/07/2012 21:26

B - 2 rashers of bacon and a fried egg
L - Nandos. 1/2 lemon and herb chicken, coleslaw and side salad
D - cold sausage burger and the last of the slow cooked pork

The Batman movie was awesome and I resisted sweets, ice-cream and popcorn. Really enjoyed the Nandos chicken and was pleased they had quite a few low carb sides. They even do halloumi and ratatouille. Of course the boys had chips and garlic bread. They looked bloody lovely but I know the bread will give me tummy ache and by the time I'd eaten my chicken there were no chips left to steal. Saved from myself.

BIWI · 25/07/2012 21:49

I do not, never have and never will possess a thong. I can't imagine a less comfortable nether garment! Grin

I shall be wearing nude coloured, buttock-covering pants.

Trousers are long enough to just touch the ground at my heel.

No link - they are Sainsbury's Tu brand, in the sale! Another heinous crime ...

OP posts:
MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 25/07/2012 22:07

I agree on thongs - they are the work of the divvil. I have some cracking vpl free pants from Asda - better than the M&S brazilians. TU quality is good I think. White linen is very chic What are you wearing them with?

BIWI · 25/07/2012 22:32

I have no idea yet - have to work my way through my wardrobe and find stuff that fits me! Thankfully, I seem to have quite a bit of stuff. I have a lovely sleeveless tunic from East that will look good (and quite dressy) with them.

OP posts:
OHforDUCKScake · 26/07/2012 07:11

Morning!! Im back on the wagon!!

This is the beginning of day 3. Ive got holiday in 8 days, I nearly waited until after then but all I keep noticing is the high content carb content of foods and my eyes nearly popping out! I didnt used to think my diet was that high carb but actually it was ridiculously so.

Despite falling off the wagon, copious amounts of cherries, corn on the cob, packets of bourbons, jelly babies- family size!, Crabbies beer, wine, toast - Ive carried on losing. I can only assume that despite the above, its still no where near the amount of carns I was having (bread rolls, potatoes, pasta, rice).

So I started at 10st 6lb, Im now 9 st 12lb (WHOOP!) I have no target weight, but will have a weight thats too low for my liking but Ive only ever got there in healthy unintentional ways in my youth so I doubt Id be getting there again.

Is toysoilders still here? Last time I was here she was feeling really rough, unsure if it was carb flu or a bug.

Thegoddessblossom · 26/07/2012 07:50

Well I have stayed the same again this morning despite being v strict. Bit disheartened. I know weighing everyday is a bit counterproductive but feel like I need to see a reward to keep going iykwim.....

Eggs for brekkie.

WillieWaggledagger · 26/07/2012 07:54

goddess i have put on a lb - the only thing I think it can be is the heat affecting water retention as likewise I have been very strict (or possibly for me the totm - i lose around my period and stall a little mid-cycle)

it is a little disheartening, but hopefully this is just hte period preceding a whoosh!

Jins · 26/07/2012 09:16

Daily weighing does give fluctuations. I'm a daily weigher and can't see me stopping though.

I've fluctuated wildly this week and I'm sure it's to do with the heat.

Whippoorwhill · 26/07/2012 09:44

Does anyone know how carby redcurrant juice is? It's redcurrant harvesting season and the bushes are loaded. Normally we made redcurrent vodka with loads of sugar, cordial (with loads of sugar) and jelly (yep, you've guessed it... loads of sugar).

I'm pretty sure that redcurrant voddy would still be fab without added sugar but wasn't sure if it would be too high in carbs.

mummyduff · 26/07/2012 09:52

Morning all, just had a lovely egg, bacon and mushroom breakfast, however, have gone off mushrooms a bit!

I am also a daily weigher and mine has sts now since Saturday, but I'm due my totm! Be interesting to know if the heat does affect weight??

We are off to the canal today for a trip of my Step Dad's boat DC v excitedSmile

BIWI I also wear nude undies with white, so Envy of your holiday and sharongless Happy Birthday in advanceGrin

emmak86 · 26/07/2012 10:32

I was fluctuating the last few days too but today i weighed in at 89.6.. Think thats my lowest! Wohooos exciting Grin

Hope u all have a great day
X

WillieWaggledagger · 26/07/2012 10:46

whip a quick google suggests 12-15g carbs per 100g redcurrants, so quite high

also i think if you are steeping them for ages the fruit breaks down into more sugars? don't quote me on that

jan2011 · 26/07/2012 12:45

maybe since the cold is supposed to be good for fat burning the opposite is true for heat - i hope not!! on the flip side some people are less hungry in hot weather. i went to soft play with the baby today and feel like ive done a work out! she is thankfully out for the count.

mumto2lovelygals · 26/07/2012 13:45

Well not a good few days as started with ordering gammon and salad and they sent chips instead and I couldn't resist a few and then slippery slope to roasted new potatoes the next day!

I did notice I felt hungry again which I don't when I don't eat carbs.

Anyway, close the door on my slippage and out for a curry tonight so will stick to a curry and veg side dishes.

Read Dr Briffa's book, interesting, any other reading recommendations?

Whippoorwhill · 26/07/2012 14:55

Cheers Willie. That's what I thought too :( I'll have to keep it for special occasions.

Thegoddessblossom · 26/07/2012 17:20

Where is everyone? Eating icecreams in the park I spect. Grin

eggs with smoked salmon for brekkie.
Gym.
salad with coleslaw and half a bowl of pea and ham soup. (I know peas ain't great but the other option was vegetable soup and I bet that had potato in it)

snack - 2 baby bels.

Out for curry tonight and NOT DRINKING.

vnmum · 26/07/2012 17:25

hi all.
After visiting the other thread that was asking about wether people have lost using briffa's plan and hearing about the blood group diet, I read the book out of scientific interest. Although a fair few of the things for my blood group did ring true, some of the foods he advises me to give up I just can't imagine not eating them. I am type O and the main thing to avoid is wheat and other grains. Doing that already. Another major one is dairy. I could probably try that but not being able to have the odd bit of cheese in meals or snacks would make life less interesting. Now here comes the other stuff:

Apparently, my blood type should not eat, eggs, mayo, any pork products, strawberries, cauli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, limited butter and the above I mentioned before. Also I should eat lean meat of no larger portions than 175g.

I would be starving. That is not alot of meat, lean cuts would not have enough fat and I can't add fatty mayo or cheese to it either.

Hence to say, it was an interesting read but I will not be eliminating the other said food items. I will stick to what is working and making me feel great which is low carbing. There were also a few bits of info in the book which seemed out dated with regards to cholestrol and also some things which were at odds with the low carb way of thinking.

He did seem to get the ideal exercise for my type right though. He said o's do better with high intensity exercise, a mixture of weights and cardio, 3 to 4 times a week. That is what I do and I love it but get bored of things like yoga.

Anyway, been out today so had flat mush with pesto, bacon and fried egg for breakfast.
Packed lunch of half avocado, tuna mayo, bit of coleslaw, few ham slices and some cucumber slices with pate.
Tea is going to be chicken and halloumi kebabs with salad.

I also think I may be retaining more water in the heat because my rings are now fitting me whereas before I couldn't wear them for fear of them dropping off. I am also peeing loads during the night and really thirsty even though I'm drinking loads.

BIWI I have some lovely cream tailored linen trousers in my wardrobe. Really long so can only wear with heels. I was looking forward to being back in them this summer but they are too big and fall down now. I might consider seeing if they can be altered though

leeiam · 26/07/2012 17:42

Mummyduff I too have sts since saturday. Frustrating isn't it! I've upped my water today as was feeling peckish between meals more the last couple of days and thought maybe it was thirst confused with hunger.

I'm hoping for just a little off tomorrow - just to keep my morale up. Would be nice to see something in the 9's.

I did Dukan for a while early this year and lost a stone in just a few weeks. I have to keep reminding myself that this is better than starving (which is how I felt) on Dukan and hopefully this WOE is more sustainable long term. So, I have to excercise some patience!

leeiam · 26/07/2012 17:44

Fiddle Thanks for adding me to the spreadsheet Smile

cryhavoc · 26/07/2012 18:02

Evening everyone. 4lbs off this week, and, more importantly, an inch and a half off my waist. (Thank you Jillian Micheals!)

B:Streaky bacon, fried mushrooms.

L: Tuna mayo, avocado salad.

D: Pork belly and celeriac dauphinoise are in the oven.

mummyduff · 26/07/2012 19:36

leeiam think I am also going to increase water intake as spending loads of time in the sun!

Had a fab trip on the boat today DC loved it. Pub lunch consisted of steak with melted cheese salad no dressingSmile

not really hungry this eve but have some hard boiled eggs so will have them if needed.

Hope everyone has had a lovely day in the sun, with no ice creams!