Exante VLCD

[bear28]

I'm starting the exante diet in a few days for the first time. Will be sticking to shakes and bars. Looking for feedback from others that have done it. How did you find it? Did you achieve the weight loss you were looking for?

[HeyJupiter]

Hi bear

I've been doing exante - but the weight management (WM) plan rather than VLCD (which is technically meant to be for those that just want to maintain their weight but the meals come in at approx 1000 calories a day in total so have been using it to lose weight.. not sure how that would maintain anyone!!) I've found it great, lovely food and high protein so really filling. Are you hoping to lose weight really really quickly? If not then I would recommend the WM plan as still losing 2-3lb per week and probably a bit more sustainable long term :)

If so then would be really interested to hear how the VLCD goes, good luck!

[amusedbush]

I'm not doing Exante (didn't like any of the products - sorry if that's not what you want to hear! ) but I'm on day 13 of Cambridge, which is almost identical. I'm on step 2, so I have three packs a day plus a 200kcal meal of lean protein and veg (equivalent of Exante's Man Plan, I believe). After the first five days I felt absolutely fine. Day three was really hard, my fight or flight really kicked in but now I feel brilliant! Yesterday I voluntarily went for a 5km walk because I had so much energy, and I even jogged part of it

I lost 10lbs in my first week. My second weigh in is tomorrow at 5.45pm, and my scales are showing that I should hit my first stone lost

The most important thing is to keep up your water. I'm not a water fan at all but I've managed to increase from 2.5L of water/fruit tea/Diet Irn Bru to 4L of plain water a day with little trouble. The less you drink, the smaller your losses will be.

Good luck!

[bear28]

Yeah just wanting to try a strict diet, get my weight down a bit before the dreaded Christmas photos! then once I've dropped it a little I will probably go back to slimming world. Thought I'd give it a try. It's so easy to get side tracked with SW As you can have naughty things but trying this to see if it'll work and if it does I'll let you know. My mum has done lighter life but I find it extortionate same for Cambridge so thought I might try this as it's a bit cheaper. She went from a size 16 to a 12 in 3 months.

[HeyJupiter]

I know what you mean about the christmas photos! Good luck, let us know how it goes :)

[amusedbush]

I agree, I've tried SW and WW but because I'm allowed a little bit of the naughty stuff, I end up taking the piss and going off track so I never get anywhere. I needed something strict to get things moving.

A 16 to a 12 in three months is fab! I'd sell my granny for those results

[HeyJupiter]

I was the same with WW amused - if I'm given any freedom I go off track!
Good luck for your weigh in today, fingers crossed you get your stone! I weighed in today and am so happy I've lost 29lb now in last 6 months (with a couple of breaks for wedding and honeymoon) I know not very quick but I'm pleased.

How's it going bear? I would be tempted to try VLCD but thinking about trying for a baby soon so not sure that would be a good idea.

[amusedbush]

29lb off is 29lbs no matter how long it takes, that's brilliant! You must feel great

[Wallywobbles]

Im doing slim and save. V happy. First 3 stone went in 12 weeks. Gone from size 18 to a 12/14.

I do s&s porridge for breakfast.
A s&s packet meal for lunch with a bit of extra veg and/or slim rice/pasta and a 0% natural yoghurt cos I don't drink dairy.
Bar for tea.
Supper meat and veg. Probably (definitely) over on veg which is meant to be 200g.

I'm being a bit more elastic with the second 12 weeks and eat more veg than I should most days but still loosing.

[amusedbush]

That's amazing Wallywobbles.

I'm currently a size 18 so it's good to hear that you've gone down dress sizes so quickly!

[plumstone]

I did Exante for 12 weeks in Jan, Feb and March - lost 2 stone (from a tight 14 to a loose 12) and bar 4lbs for TOTM I have kept it off, currently doing LCHF bootcamp to try and loose another 7lbs in the run up for Christmas!! It does work, but you need to keep the water levels up!!!!!

[amusedbush]

I'm back from weigh in and I lost 5lbs this week, so 15lbs in two weeks and I got a sticker for losing my first stone

I'm seeing my parents on Christmas Eve for the first time since I started losing weight so I have four and a half weeks to make as big a difference as possible 😬

[HeyJupiter]

That's amazing!! Well done :) You must be feeling great. Have you noticed a big difference with your clothes and things? You should easily be down another stone by christmas, good luck!

[amusedbush]

Not a massive difference but yeah, a couple of things are roomier. To be honest, since my mega weight gain this year (I got married in April and then let go completely ) I’ve been wearing nothing but shapeless dresses with leggings or jeans and baggy tops so it’s hard to tell.

A coat that I bought a few months ago (to slim into) is very close to fitting though, it’s just a little snug on the arms and across the chest.

Another stone off before I see my parents would be fab, I’m sure there would be a visible difference then.

[bear28]

Well the feedback has been brilliant. Fills me with hope. I am still waiting on delivery. Living in the highlands is a bugger on that front!! Fingers crossed it at least loosens my current jeans and tops a little! I'm sure I'll be back on here after a few days as I'll probably be struggling!

[bear28]

Day three done and I'm feeling pretty good. The shakes have a good taste. I made the mistake of trying to make one warm (which it says you can do) but that was a huge mistake! It was rank haha other than that everything is bearable and the bars are good so far. Already feeling better in myself probably because I'm going this and have hope of the outcome!!

[amusedbush]

Glad to hear it's going well, how are you feeling today?

[Wallywobbles]

18 weeks in and I'm a whisker off 4 stone now.

[amusedbush]

Amazing, well done wobbles! Yesterday was my third weigh in and I'm 17lbs down so far.

[bear28]

Waow Wallywobbles that is fantastic well done you! I feel great, not having any cravings which is good. Drinking plenty of water so I feel I'm passed that initial stage where I was questioning if it's worth it. Not sure if I should weigh in on Friday or leave it until I've completed my diet a day before Christmas Eve. Xx