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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:
FavadiCacao · 28/07/2012 17:55

Been away for a while, so still catching up with this and previous thread. Well done everybody.

I've managed to maintain whilst ill, survived DH's birthday (made him an ice-cream cake with cream and stevia Wink ) and this morning I've reached my final goal of weighing anything under 60 kg and to fit in my old little black dress Grin.

Thank you for the wonderful support on this and other threads and good luck everyone. :)

emmak86 · 28/07/2012 18:20

Evening all :)

i seem to have lost the recipe thread...could someone post the link pleeeeeease?

x

teaandthorazine · 28/07/2012 18:20

Wow, well done Fava, that's fantastic!

BIWI - put your hands over your ears and shut your eyes... Divine 70% chocolate with raspberries is lower in carbs than either Lindt or G&B 70%...just sayin' for AFTER bootcamp, obvs Grin

Thegoddessblossom · 28/07/2012 18:45

Well done Fava!

Hi to newbies.

eggs and smoked salmon for brekkie
celery and pate for lunch
snacks: 2 baby bels and a chicken leg
tea is going to be BBQ and prawns at BF's house. (and gin but we won't talk about that). Grin

HumphreyCobbler · 28/07/2012 18:47

thanks BIWI - will go and have a look on Amazon now. Will stock up on eggs. Am planning to drink, but vodka rather than wine.

clare8allthepies · 28/07/2012 19:00

Hi everyone, weighed this morning (am a once a weeker) and stayed the same, 11st 8.5 lbs. Though I do think (TMI info alert!) that if my digestive issues had sorted themselves out I may have lost. Am having a day off the codeine (so I can have a few wee wines) Blush and hopefully that will get things moving again!

TinTinsSexySister · 28/07/2012 19:06

Oh here you all are! I couldn't find you.

I have been a busy bee and then away but have stuck to the WOE and am 3lbs off goal - BUT have been 3lbs off goal for over a month!! It's driving me insane.

To be honest I don't even mind about the 3 sodding lbs now but it's the point! And it would take me into the eights. Gahhh!

Any bright ideas?

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 19:12

TinTins - without knowing what you're doing/not doing, that's a bit of a challenge!

List out for us what you have been eating/drinking over the last few days, let's see if we can spot anything obvious.

Clare8 - codeine could be responsible for lack of progress on the scales (and certainly for any 'digestive problems'! What are you taking it for?

Humphrey - I'm not really a fan of vodka, but I have discovered golden rum, which makes a lovely long drink with sparkling water and some lime (fresh not cordial!)

tea Shock Wink

TinTinsSexySister · 28/07/2012 19:23

Oh yeah! Ha! Ha! What an eejit!!

A typical day looks like this:

B: cold cuts, cucumber & celery sticks.
L: chicken or tuna salad w mayo
D: Spag bog with cabbage strips, or chicken & stir fried veg, or fish & greens with cauliflower mash

I tend not to snack, never been a big snacker anyway and since ketosis do not get hungry between meals. Would have olives, babybel or few macadamias on the rare occasions I need to though.

I drink at least 2.5 litres if water a day, and try for 3. I do drink red wine now, (gave up completely for first two weeks) but only on the weekend and/or occasional gin and slimline tonic.

I have max 3 cups of decaf tea a day with soya milk (no sugar) and a cup of coffee with double cream and half a teaspoon of Splenda maybe two or three times a week.

So, what do you think...

SharonGless · 28/07/2012 19:25

Just a quick hello from sunny Barcelona!!! Yes DH has brought me here for my 40 th. am a very lucky girl. Need to check in with thread to get back on track as yesterday was a disaster LC wise and don't even mention the alcohol

NigellasGuest · 28/07/2012 19:42

Hi Sharon - that sounds amazing! Have a fantastic time! I don't blame you for the alchohol.....

Hello to anyone new Grin

I'm off for a week with DH on Monday - DCs are going to my sister's. I hope to stay fairly on track LC-wise - keep your fingers crossed for me everyone please!

Whippoorwhill · 28/07/2012 20:14

Oh Sharon you lucky thing you. I love Barcelona. My husband took me a few years ago for our wedding anniversary. Had the most wonderful seafood paella with squid ink at a restaurant down on the sea front. Probably shouldn't mention rice dishes on a low carb thread. Grin

Rlax, enjoy and worry about things when you get back. Just make every cheat count. Indulgences should be memorable!

emmak86 · 28/07/2012 20:26

Sharon hope ur Having a fab time!

Hello to the newbies Smile

B- babybel
L- salmon, spinach and 1 slice ham
D- braised beef with carrot and onion, spinach and sweetcorn.

Pork scratchings to snack on and plenty of water.

TeamGBIWI · 28/07/2012 20:42

Sharon - have a lovely, lovely time! We went to Barcelona a couple of years ago, and it was great.

Tintins - you don't like you're eating much fat, that could be a problem for you. And, of course, as you're near goal, weight loss will slow down somewhat.

If you're really concerned about the rate of loss, try cutting out the wine/gin as well as the Splenda

SharonGless · 29/07/2012 00:53

Just got in but had garlic mushrooms and seabass for dinner
However there may have been a mojito and sangria
I can't really remember ;)

Seriously am bloating up with the heat. Fingers and toes swelling up so drinking tons of water - over 3 l today

clare8allthepies · 29/07/2012 08:07

It's something up with the muscles in my shoulder which is giving me agonising pain all down my arm and the muscle spasms are trapping the nerves so I've got hardly any feeling in my left hand Sad

This means I can't do any exercise but I have managed to refrain from diving into the carbs - and while the codeine seems to be bunging me up something rotten at least it's keeping me away from the booze!

mummyduff · 29/07/2012 10:08

Morning all, Sharaon have a fab timeSmile

I have had cold chicken for breakfast and really must increase my water intake, have my 3rd party in 3 days later, its taking its toll!! Though did t total yesterday, but then went and accepted a glass oh cokeBlush Think I will be on the naughty step by tomorrow.

My weight has sts(own fault)

TeamGBIWI · 29/07/2012 10:59

clare8 - go and see an osteopath - they will help release that for you, so that you are a) no longer in pain b) not shoving codeine down your neck. As well as being bad for you on the constipation front, codeine is also highly addictive and you shouldn't take it for more than 3 days at a time.

I suffer from this, from time to time, and I know how painful it can be, as well as unsettling, with the numb fingers/hand - but it is quickly and easily treatable.

sharon glad you're having a lovely time! Don't forget, if you're drinking lots of water, keep an eye on your salt intake (i.e. eat more!)

mymmyduff Coke?! Please also tell me that you're keeping your fat intake up?

It's the last day of Bootcamp today!

Thank you all for being here, and sticking with it. It's been an interesting 'journey' and I feel as if I've made some great new friends Smile. I don't think I'm going to come near my 4lb target, but I know I'm down a bit, which is all that matters, ultimately.

I'm going to start a new chat thread tomorrow, so that we can continue the general chat/support. And we have our final weigh-in, of course!

I have been asked if I'll do another Bootcamp, which I'm considering doing in the run up to Christmas. Recent 'experience' has put me off doing it immediately (it's no secret that I was somewhat thrown off my stride as well as considerably hurt by the 'intervention' of seek 13), but I suspect that I, as well as many others, could be in need of a good kick up the backside in the run up to the Little Black Dress season! I went shopping last year, before the MN Christmas meet up and was horrified to discover just how awful I looked in any of the dresses that were available in my size, and especially how awful my upper arms looked in a sleeveless dress. That was the point at which I realised that

a) starting a diet at the beginning of November was way too late
b) I wasn't going to be in the same position this Christmas

... and I'm glad to say that the effort that I have put in (from when I started at the beginning of February) means that this Christmas - all being well over the next few weeks!) I will not be in that position again and I should be able to wear something lovely and slinky and sleeveless!

So if anyone is up for it, I am considering doing a 10 week Bootcamp, starting at the beginning of September. It would be brilliant if you could all let me know what's been the most helpful thing for you about this Bootcamp, so that we can build it into the next one. What have you learnt about low carbing that you would want to pass on to someone starting for the first time, for example? What has kept you going during the more difficult times? And so on.

TeamGBIWI · 29/07/2012 11:01

seek 13? Week 13, obviously!

WillieWaggledagger · 29/07/2012 11:35

Biwi thanks so much for starting boot camp. I was low carbing before it started but I know now how ignorant I was about it. This woe has really changed my life, and thanks to you and others for passing on their knowledge

I would absolutely be up for a new boot camp in September. I'm going to be on holiday from next weekend for two weeks and I'm going to keep up this woe (we are self-catering so not too hard) though I'm sure I'll enjoy a couple of treats mindfully. So hopefully a new boot camp won't be too hard

The recipe thread has been really helpful so it would be fab if we could resurrect it next time

TeamGBIWI · 29/07/2012 11:46

The other thing is to ask you all how we could make it better next time round - what would you do differently?

Willie - agree, the recipe thread has been great and I hope this will just keep going

emmak86 · 29/07/2012 11:55

Morning all Grin

BIWI- i cant believe bootcamp is ending already!
Im gutted its not going for longer as i didnt start in the beginning.

Ive loved boitcamp its helped me souch and im going to continue for a while! Ill definitely be up for septembers bootcamp too!

How long eould you recommend i keep going for as ive only been going two weeks! Also what do i do after???
X

TimeForMeAndDD · 29/07/2012 11:58

Derlurking to add my vote for a Christmas Bootcamp.

I know I am merely a lurker and don't contribute but I love these threads. The support is amazing and keeps me motivated. I get lots of inspiration from the recipes and the foods listed by other posters. I don't know how you could make it better next time round, it seems pretty good to me just as it is.

NigellasGuest · 29/07/2012 12:01

thank you for all the support along the way BIWI -
just think of Week 13 as part of life's rich tapestry Wink - it was a shame it happened but ultimately will make you stronger and you dealt with it so gracefully.
I am up for more support (hopefully! if it's not too much to ask..) especially as summer slips away, the nights draw in, and I begin to look away from the lovely fresh veg, egg mayo etc. etc. and other lovely fresh summer food and comfort eating begins to beckon. I must admit, for quite some time I've been dreading October/November because I think that time is going to be a huge challenge for me. It has always been the time of year when in the past I have fallen off the wagon, slowly but surely, and piled the pounds back on.

Whippoorwhill · 29/07/2012 12:49

I too started low carbing before Bootcamp but have found it incredibly helpful. Not just the shared experiences, advice and ideas but the incredulity turning to amazement as people who had never low carbed before discovered how well it works and how easy it is. That was so inspiring.

I also love the friendly nagging. I do enjoy a good telling off. Grin

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