650 kal a day

[Differentstarts]

For 2 months iv been on a vlcd consuming 650 kcal a day and lost 2 stone - AMA

How do you cope with the exhaustion? I typically eat 500 to 900 calories a day, when Im trying to lose weight, and I'm constantly shattered.

I don't have a question - but just wanted to say well done - as I'm sure that requires a lot of discipline!

I lost 2.5 stone doing the 800 kcal blood sugar diet (and a mix of 5 to 2) in 2019 and have kept most of it off. ie 2 stone of it off. BMI is 22.

Exactly, I lost 5 stone through a low cal diet 4 years ago and it’s still off. I changed my entire lifestyle.

however even I couldn’t go as low as OP, I run so I’d burn off in an hour almost the same amount that’s shes eaten in a day 😳

No my nails are actually growing it's the first time ever iv had nice fingernails before they just wouldn't grow, my hair has also got thicker. No I don't eat the calories back it's 4 packs a day plus snack. Of course I bathe. Iv had no dizziness my bp isn't low it's within a healthy range from being high.

Do you know how much damage you are doing to yourself @Differentstarts?
650 calories a day for 2 months is ludicrous, and very dangerous!

Why so low? As a pp said, no WAY are you going to keep this weight off. As soon as you start to eat 'normally' the weight you lost will pile back on. (And probably more.) Such a waste of time!

No-one ever gains 2 stone in 2 months. So why do you think it's acceptable to lose 2 stone in 2 months?!

(I fully expect someone to come on and regale me with the tale of when they - or someone they know - gained 2 stone in 2 months! 🙄)

I know someone who did that and lost 5 stone. Then she tried to figure out how to healthily manage food but failed and out 9 stone on.
This is only helpful now but seems weird that your dr approved it when you need 1000cals a day just for your body ro function and do what it needs to do. Ahhhh....buy he's not a nutritionist and has no clue. I know that as I have a dr in my family and they don't get taught this. Its a specialised area. There's many risks with what you're doing.

Congratulations on your loss and maintenance. Yeah I don't run, even if someone was chasing me 🤣

I do think there is a big difference in someone who does VLCD as a quick fix to lose a couple of stone for a holiday/wedding etc and someone who has 10+ stone to lose, because of real health related needs.

The OP is eating the higher end of calories compared to if she had had bariatric surgery on the NHS , she would be on between 300-600 a day for the first two months post surgery.

It might not be ideal in terms of optimal nutrition, but how many people eat that way anyway, especially the morbidly obese ? You can be malnourished and obese !

I'm really interested to know where you got this information from? Because I cannot find a single thing to suggest that is true

You know, its just as easy, and much healthier to lose the same amount by following a sensible low calorie plan. I'm doing the NHS 12 week weight management programme and have also lost 2 stone in 2 months. I'm sticking to 1300 calories a day, and am learning so much along the way around healthy eating for life. We have also been told that going below 1200 cals will eventually put your body into starvation mode and you will retain fat, not lose it.

Believe me, I have done every diet under the sun over the years, and can categorically tell you that crash diets and filling your body with ultra processed packet food will never work long term.

It's nutritionists who put together these diets. The nhs do a 500kcal a day soups and shake diet also put together by nutritionists.

I would take some vitamins tbh and eat your calories from exercise back. Just for insurance.

As for bathing, it’s your choice obviously but my doctor has suggested a shower instead to mitigate falls. Esp with brittle bones caused by… too few calories.

I don't get why everyone is querying the OP
She could be doing fast 800 - 800 cals
If she had bariatric surgery she would be eating similar calories
It's being supported by a medical professional

But this is what I plan on doing at the end of the 12 weeks this was just a kick-start as having hypothyroidism. Weight loss is slow so I need a kick-start to get into a healthy weight range faster as being obese was risking my life and my cardiologist wanted me on statins and wanted to up my bisoprolol. Now my bp and cholesterol are both within normal range

I don't have a question but....
I used to eat 650 cal a day and it didn't take long for my hair to start falling out, I certainly wasn't under weight at that point. I also completely fucked up my digestion permanently, it's been more than 10 years and I can still barely tolerate any food. Please be careful.

Thankyou ❤️

Please post a link to evidence that 'nutritionists' think having 500 calories a day is good for a long term period of time - (like ya know, for 2 months for example!)

Was you doing it by yourself or was it an actual plan where your getting all the right amount of nutrients and a dr monitoring you as if I did this myself absolutely it would be dangerous. My hair has actually got thicker but I doubt I was getting all the nutrients I needed how I was eating prior to this

Just Google nhs soup and shake diet

Nah I didn't think you would provide a link somehow.

you clearly don't understand about epigenetics. The eggs you are carrying will be affected by the experiences in your life time SPECIFICALLY FAMINE - which the OP is currently experiencing. Your endocrine system cannot tell the difference between a crash diet and a famine! Not only these eggs, but the eggs that some of these eggs will some day form, and their eggs, will all be affected.

Epigenetics is a way of adapting to the circumstances you are born in, it is a positive thing, but will have some negative consequences. As a result of experiencing famine, many genes in those eggs are being switched on and off, and the children born from them will be "famine adapted" - slower metabolism, increased hunger, etc.

How much did you pay for the 12 week plan? I guess this includes the 12 weeks of food? Well done on your journey!

@HungryLittleCrocodile I think she is talking about this ?

www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/news-and-views/nhs-soup-and-shake-diet-to-help-people-with-type-2-into-remission

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/01/nhs-soups-and-shakes-diet-helps-thousands-shed-the-pounds/

For all those worried, it is actually a thing. The NHS appear to believe it is safe and effective.

As long as OP is being monitored carefully she should be fine as it is a short term plan. Long term she will get ongoing support and advice with healthy eating and weight management.

I paid £90 for the 21 day starter pack and then I would say about £300 total for the following 8 weeks so just under £400 for 3 months but obviously your not buying food so it kind of balances out