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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider doing Lighter Life? Need to do something drastic!

127 replies

makeaBIGchange · 30/10/2011 08:49

AIBU to do lighter life or something similar? I have name changed for this as I am so ashamed by how I have let myself get. I don't actually know how much I weigh now as I haven't weighed myself in so long but I would guess I probably need to loose around 10 stone if not more.

I have tried diets such as slimming world and weight watchers but the results just arn't quick enough and I fall back into the same bad habits.

Has anyone done lighter life before? How hard is it really? I've read all the forums etc and I am so close to signing up. Everyone has said to wait till after christmas as it will be too hard around christmas and I agree but part of me feels if I start now, by christmas I could be a stone or two lighter!

AIBU?

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 30/10/2011 09:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MoaninMinny · 30/10/2011 09:23

ive lost three with ww since may. havent found it too difficult but look at it more as getting healthy than dieting

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 30/10/2011 09:25

I'm really interested in doing this. I have loads to lose as well and am determined to do something after I have this baby. Otherwise I'll keep getting bigger and yes, diabetes is round the corner.

I know it doesn't solve food issues but when you have a lot to lose you need to see results quickly in order to keep up the motivation. A pound a week is no good when you have stones and stones to lose.

Original poster
makeaBIGchange · 30/10/2011 09:26

I've just read some quite disturbing things online about LL and it has put me off. Maybe I should go back to my SW option and slog it out! [hconfused]

OP posts:
Archip17 · 30/10/2011 09:32

My mum did it and lost three stone, she kept it off for about a year but has since put it all back on. Bear in mind that it is a rapid option, BUT it's hard to keep off when you start on solid food again AND it's very expensive, particularly in comparison to something like SW or WW.

Personally I think it's much healthier to lose more slowly and by still eating real food. And it depends whether you can stomach the LL soups and shakes (they looked horrible when my mum was doing it!).

Good luck whatever you decide, I'm 26 weeks pregnant at the moment, but know I'll have my own weight loss to think about when baby is here!

SharrieTBGinzatome · 30/10/2011 09:43

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Message withdrawn

spiderpig8 · 30/10/2011 09:55

i think sharry talks a lot of sense.fast weight loss is just not sustainable (except possibly gastric bypass)

I think the best thing to do is just make one small daily change to your lifestyle.So small that it is no trouble to keep it up - say 15 mins brisk walking and once that habit is firmly entrenched say after a few weeks then introduce another and so on.

Misschief101 · 30/10/2011 10:01

I've done LL and CD and pretty much every diet going. LL was £45 a week back in the day before it went fully mainstream. I believe it now costs £66 a week. IN all honestly you are better off doing CD as 1. it;s cheaper and 2, there are more flavours. It's not a bad diet and does work if you stick to it. Like all diet in life if you go back eating the same crap you will gain back all the weight. The key with dieting if finding one you can and will follow and sticking to a healthy eating plan forever more. I found after years of dieting counting my calories works the best. PM if you have any questions I have done all the VLCD going xx

Misschief101 · 30/10/2011 10:03

StewieGriffinsMom anyone looking to start any type of liquid diet has to go to their GP and get permission. Well on LL you do. I can't remember if it's the same as CD

newpup · 30/10/2011 10:18

I have 2 friends who followed the LL plan and both lost a huge amount of weight. One lost 4 stone, one lost five stone BUT they are now heavier than before they started and this seems to be a common thing with the LL plan. It is not sustainable for life.

My good friend lost 5 stone with slimming world and has kept it off for 3 years. I have 4 stone to lose and inspired by my friend I joined SW 7 weeks ago. I have lost 1 stone 11 lbs in those 7 weeks. I have not felt hungry once and have never eaten so healthily. I have eaten out once a week and stayed on plan and no food is off limits! So far I can not recommend SW enough! Also it seems to be a plan I can follow forever! (I do not work for them by the way!)

I know which plan I would go with. Good Luck with whatever you do!

fedupandtired · 30/10/2011 10:21

A lot of people (who've probably never tried it) slate LL and Cambridge Diet saying that you'll put it straight back on. This is absolutly true for every single diet you try if you go back to eating the same that made you put the weight on in the first place. It's exactly the same for WW and SW so LL and CD are no different in that respect.

I've done CD and lost 3 and a half stone. Once I'd finished CD I resorted to calorie counting with My Fitness Pal on my ipod and I found that a really effective way to keep my weight down and even lose a bit more.

I reckon your best bet would be to do LL (or CD which is cheaper) to lose the weight you need to and then switch to WW or SW where you can learn about what's healthy and portion control etc.

It is a tough regime to follow but if you're determined enough then it's definitely do-able and the fact that you see the results so quickly is a real incentive to stick with it. It isn't for everyone though and a lot of people can't stick with it and it's those that are probably better doing SW or WW. People fail on every diet though but if you want it enough then you can do it.

FabbyChic · 30/10/2011 10:22

Id do the Cambridge Diet if I were you, guy at work lost 2 stone in 3 weeks. It's hard though but it works.

Misschief101 · 30/10/2011 10:29

fedupandtired My fitness pal is fantastic and such a good tool for anyone watching their weight. And I'd recommend Calorie counting as it just helps you always know what to have and to watch it. It does make me laugh when I hear people who have never done the diet say how everyone they know put the weight back on and more. Let's be honest those people who gained back weren't eating salad. Good luck OP and as I said before if you need advise just shout.

prettyfly1 · 30/10/2011 10:59

If you need any reason not to do lighter life google the owners - majorly obese - if they cant do it what chance has anyone else got. I know so many people who have done that diet and NONE of them keep it off long term. I go to SW on the EE plan and I have to tell you - amazing. I havent lost loads of weight really quickly and I know its tempting but how long did it take you to put ten stone on? There isnt a quick fix, you are in for a long old slog and you need to excercize and balance your food consumption. Get out for a walk a day - ten minutes to start. My friend started sw two years ago and has lost ten stone in that time - she doesnt struggle, is consistent and looks fabulous. I also know people who have done similiar on WW so I would say look at that one as well - v different diet but either of them are healthier and better balanced then the "quick fix" that is ll.

Blacksquirrel · 30/10/2011 11:05

I'm always a bit puzzled how people who are pretty much addicted to food and struggle to say no to the 2nd/3rd/4th biscuit can then give up food altogether & live on soups & shakes for months on end.
Surely if you have the willpower for LL then you have the willpower for any healthy eating plan.

I can 2nd the recommendation for my fitness pal. It's fab!

Misschief101 · 30/10/2011 11:08

Blacksquirre The VLCD are aimed at the people who are all or nothing. That't how it can find the will power and I guess the fast results.

Misschief101 · 30/10/2011 11:10

Oh and fwiw I don't work for any of these diets I just think they work if you stick to them and continue eating healthy forever more!

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 30/10/2011 11:12

Exactly Misschief. I'm absolutely all or nothing. I could do shakes etc far far easier than calorie controlled, I need to take food out of the equation altogether. Even if it's used as a kick start it's got to be better than trying and failing over and over. When you're eyeballing 8 or 9 stone to lose, it's an enormous mountain ahead of you and the thought of calorie controlled for the next couple of years seems impossible. But when you're 2 or 3 stone down it would look an awful lot more achievable.

VivaLeBeaver · 30/10/2011 11:12

I know two people at work who did it, both lost a lot of weight. Both are now back to their pre diet size. I wouldn't waste my time or money.

Blacksquirrel · 30/10/2011 11:15

I guess that makes sense as I was all or nothing with smoking. I'm not sure I could do it with food though when it is there in my home calling to be eaten Wink

squeakyfreakytoy · 30/10/2011 11:18

I know at least 3 people who have done it. All lost huge amounts of weight. All have put it back on again.

There are no long term quick fixes. I have lost 3 stone now.. it has taken me 8 months, and I want to lose one more stone..

If you know how you got so heavy, and it wasnt due to illness, then the solution is there for you.

I got heavy by eating too much, eating at the wrong times, and eating the wrong food. I also had a job which meant I was sat on my arse all day either in a car or at a desk, and I had very little exercise.

I changed all that. I got the myfitnesspal app on my phone, I logged every single calorie, and I started exercising every day, even if it was just an hour of walking some days.

I have dropped from a size 18 to a size 12, and am more toned now than I have been in years. And I feel a hell of a lot healthier too.

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 30/10/2011 11:19

I'm just glad I never took up smoking, drinking or drugs. I'm piggy with everything, I couldn't possibly be a social drinker, I'd be under the table every day!

CopperLocs · 30/10/2011 11:20

LL was the most valuable thing I ever did for myself in terms of educationg myself about my eating habits and my relationship with food. If you think you can hack it, go for it. It's not nearly as dangeroous as ppeople would have you believe.

I'm a firm believer that you can regain the weight with any diet that you do regardless of how quickly/slowly the weight comes off unless you change your eating habits.

Good luck whatever you decide :)

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 30/10/2011 11:25

GuillotinedMaryLacey... I do like your posts so much. Just wanted to say. Grin

purplewerepidj · 30/10/2011 11:35

Copper - that was the problem for the (only one) person I know who did ll and failed. They didn't modify their attitude to food. It's why I suggested personal training plus counselling, because they're more likely to provide long term strategies and support.

It's about finding what's right for you, op. One size doesn't fit anyone!