Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Thegoddessblossom · 27/07/2012 22:16

Enjoy Mrs!,

Tea was 2 sausages, 1 burger, salad with mayo and some cheese. Ruddy lovely.

Am hoping alcohol doesn't derail me too much, really hoping for 9 2 on Monday.

WillieWaggledagger · 27/07/2012 22:22

MissBee we're seeing the gymnastic tomorrow!

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 27/07/2012 22:27

Oh fantastic Willie - have a great time Smile and research the low carb snack availability Wink

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 00:58

have a lovely holiday MrsHP!

Whippoorwhill · 28/07/2012 01:14

No breakfast because I went to the gym
L - 2 egg omlette with a tiny bitbof chopped Mattesons sausage
D - home-made chicken curry
Snacks - Babybel and a 1/3rd bottle of dry Cava while watching the Olympic opening ceremony.

Badvoc · 28/07/2012 08:12

I had some snacks yesterday...3 pcs of 80% dark choc and some cashew nuts and I really enjoyed them!
This weekend will be a bit of a challenge as we are away til sunday,night but will take my fruit teas, choc and nuts with me so at least I have them to keep the carb pangs at bay!
Enjoyed the Olympics opener...stayedmupmtil the end so feeling a tired now...;)

Badvoc · 28/07/2012 09:38

Soooo....weighed myself this morning n my new scale....and I am 11 st 7oz...I am pretty sure this means I have lost half a stone at least :) in 6 days.
Just think how much I could have lost if I hadn't cheated??
Am going to really really try and not have potato and GF pasta this week and see what happens at weigh in next Saturday!
just had scrambled egg and 1 strip of steamy bacon for breakfast and am planning peppered beef and salad for lunch. Dinner will be a bit ? As we are at a hotel...taking nuts and fruit tea with me!

Badvoc · 28/07/2012 09:40

In John briffas book he says nuts and seeds are unlimited...other than peanuts...has this been your experience? I.e. can you still lose weight if you eat nuts every day?
If it stops my sugar craving it must be better right?
Anyway, thanks all for the advice ans support...am feeling
I've I could really do this!!

Carrotcakeisace · 28/07/2012 09:42

Hi , I know I'm v late but can I join you? I have low carved successfully before then fell off the wagon with the predictable results. I started again on Monday and have lost 7 lbs ( am v big heifer) so far this week.
I really want to stick to it this time but still have a way to go to get back down to where I was at the beginning of December last year and then will have more to lose. I'm probably looking at needing to lose 4-5 stone in total
BIWI- please feel free to shout at me, I need it Grin

Whippoorwhill · 28/07/2012 09:58

Badvoc, I struggle to lose weight if I eat many nuts. Flax seeds have the same effect but I do add them from time to time for their laxative effects. Grin

mummyduff · 28/07/2012 10:02

Good Morning all and well done Badvoc

The sun is out again here which is great, as have decided to lay in garden to recover from last night, where I had a couple lots of bubblyBlush

Bacon and eggs for breakfast

Torch didn't Becks look scrummy last nightGrin

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 10:22

Badvoc - I'm not really sure about that bit of Briffa's advice, to be honest. There are (potentially) a lot of carbs in nuts - you don't have to eat very many of them before you've eaten a lot of carbs.

And if you're eating potatoes as well .... Grin

But bloody well done on your weight loss!

Carrotcakeisace - welcome! Also bloody well done on your weight loss!

mummyduff - Becks and Daniel Craig in one evening

Badvoc · 28/07/2012 10:28

Hmm...that's what I thought too and of course he is assuming I won't be eating potatoes and GF pasta!
I will really try this week not eat any potatoes or GF pasta.
Am going to try the courgette Ribbons.
Am also going to try some of the recipes in my HFW veg cookbook.
I have a question re: constipation...I have some lactulose which I can use...

Badvoc · 28/07/2012 10:30

So.
Plan for this week;
No potatoes
No milk
No GF pasta
And let's see what happens on Saturday!.....

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 10:32

Have you looked at the Bootcamp recipe thread for inspiration? Some fab recipes here

JintoTheFinal · 28/07/2012 10:33

Even allowing adjustment for a change in scales that's a fantastic weightloss.

You can use lactulose. It does have an impact on blood sugar but it's better to not be constipated. It will settle down

Badvoc · 28/07/2012 10:36

Tbh it would have been more if I hadn't had:
A glass of cola
4 pcs GF flapjack
2 lots of ice cream
!!
Am determined not to cheat this week!
Am not really craving bread etc which astounds me but am craving sugar and salt so the nuts will help with that.
Of to Windsor today....
How everyone has a good week x

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 10:39

Just be prepared for a massive slow down - whilst I know you'd love to achieve that kind of loss every week, it's just not physically possible! Certainly by weeks 3 and 4, expect things to appear as if they are grinding to a halt, and whatever you do, don't get discouraged. Your body is switching to fat-burning mode. After this short period weight loss will resume again, albeit it that this will be at a much slower rate - probably around 1-2lbs per week. This is good - this is sustainable in the long term. It's now fat that you are losing, as opposed to water.

Badvoc · 28/07/2012 10:43

I want to lose 1.5 stone now (more if poss) so as long as I get thereby Xmas that's fine by me.
I need to ramp up the exercise too which I hope may help.
I think 2 lbs a week would be great :)

vnmum · 28/07/2012 13:44

I wanted to go for a run today but DH only got up at 12.30 and has now just decided to go to the gym. I might get chance to go when he gets back as it is sunny but not as hot here so I can manage to go out in the heat of the day.

Well done on that loss badvoc and welcome carrotcake Smile.

Meatloaf cooked on the bbq with salad tonight. Lunch was few ham slices, bit of coleslaw, half an avocado and a tin of tuna with mayo. Breakfast was flat mush with pesto bacon and egg.

Going to make some turkey burgers tonight to use as lunches for the next few days, also hoping to go to costco next week to stock up on meat. Hoping it will work out cheaper than buying in tesco etc.

teaandthorazine · 28/07/2012 15:06

Woke up late today due to Olympic coverage last night - wan't going to watch it, ended up staggering off to bed at 02.45 Hmm - so no breakfast.

Lunch (just now) - 3 oeufs a la Boursin Grin

May also have protein shake but have no cream. Need to hit the supermarket. Dinner will be calamari with salad, I think.

SingingTunelessly · 28/07/2012 16:18

2.45 tea! That's impressive we managed until 1am accompanied by too much wine as well.

HumphreyCobbler · 28/07/2012 16:25

hello everyone.

Am really managing just to keep at it with this WOE. I feel great, although I haven't really lost much weight overall, the raspberries slowed that right down. Back on bootcamp now and in ketosis again.

BUT I am going on a shared holiday with a vegetarian who will be doing half of the cooking. I do not want to make life more difficult than it already is (shared house with four small children between us Grin) by adding food restrictions. I also think that the way I eat is quite meat/fish heavy and therefore expensive.

any tips on getting though it as best I can? I will avoid bread and sugar as I don't think this will inconvenience anyone.

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 17:38

Is your vegetarian friend a good cook? Would she/he mind if you took a vegetarian recipe book with you to use? If not, get hold of Rose Elliot's book The Vegetarian Low Carb Cookbook - and see if you can use this as the basis for your meals.

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 17:39

Oh, and if you can, make eggs the focus of your meals - they aren't expensive, and are perfect for low carbing - good for breakfasts and good in other meals too.

Swipe left for the next trending thread