To think a VLCD is not a sustainable diet?

[shipgig]

Following on from this www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4438806-To-not-want-to-make-my-new-years-resolution-a-diet

I spoke to a friend who had done a VLCD. I had no idea she had done it. I spoke to her about my "gain" and she said that I could lose it easily.

After seeing what I would "eat" I feel that it is not something I could sustain over a period of time. Especially even for losing a stone or so.

She has messaged me twice and even though I do like her, its annoying me. Should I start and then quit to get her off my back or should I just block/ignore her?

Obviously, I do want to lose the gained weight. However, I feel my approach to calorie counting and exercise would work again (as it has done previously).

What is this diet?

Just tell her you’re not going to do it

She has messaged me twice and even though I do like her, its annoying me. Should I start and then quit to get her off my back or should I just block/ignore her?

None of those suggestions are particularly adult-like are they?

Just don't do it.

I wouldn't suggest doing one but to be fair, they are not supposed to be sustainable in the long term.

They are usually for 8-16 weeks for significant weightloss in people who are morbidly obese and where the benefits of the rapid weightloss outweigh the misery of doing it

They are Not designed to shift a stone.

They're not meant to be sustainable in the sense of being a healthy way of eating for life. They're a short term measure to accelerate weight loss and anyone embarking on one would be wise to seek medical advice.

Just don’t do it. Why do you need to block her? Just tell her you’ve decided it’s not for you.

It is very sustainable if it suits you and what you enjoy eating - I’ve maintained a LCHF lifestyle for years now (with holidays here and there to allow for a wider range of foods from time to time) and it’s brilliant because it’s good for me and I really love the foods I can have on a daily basis, so I don’t feel deprived very often at all, and it also sorts out lots of health and well-being niggles I suffer with. But it’s not for everyone.

On the topic of your previous thread and its title, I really don’t believe in New Years resolutions - I think it’s just another form of self-delusion and I don’t see the point. Making small, achievable habit changes throughout one’s daily life is much more realistic and also generally much more successful.

Why’s she so invested in your diet?

I’ve maintained a LCHF lifestyle for years now

VLCD ('very low calorie diet') isn't LCHF though - it's very different in approach as it involves severely restricting calories, whereas on LCHF you definitely don't count calories.

Before Christmas I was on 800-900 cals a day with up to 1200 about once a week, and had been since May. I have never felt better. Migraines stopped, anxiety reduced, clothes looser, generally feeling healthy in myself. Back to normal over Christmas - with extra cheese and chocolate obvs 🙄 - I suffered the worst migraine I have ever had on New Years Day, could barely move. Feel bloated, sick, exhausted & anxious now and am back on 800-900 from today. From past experience I know it will take about two weeks to start seeing the benefits again but having seen the stark results of eating a “normal” calorie amount I will stay with VLCD now.

Ohh is it Cambridge diet and such? If so then yes that’s just a short term kickstart/re-set.

@shipgig don’t embark on anything that doesn’t suit you or you instinctively don’t feel is what you want to do. It’s none of your friends business.

**I’ve maintained a LCHF lifestyle for years now (with holidays here and there to allow for a wider range of foods from time to time)

But the OP is asking about VLCD - Cambridge Plan or Exante type thing where you consume a very small number of calories through the provided shakes and soups.

VLCD is under 800 calories per day and the NHS advises you do not do it for longer than 12 weeks.

My approach is very low carb though, tbf. With some necessary leeway here and there just for long-term enjoyment.

@MojoMoon see above. Forgot that it’s a very specific term!

Ohh is it Cambridge diet and such?

Yes, Cambridge, Lighter Life and so on are branded versions. You eat their very low calorie meals/supplements and little or nothing else.

Any diet of 800 calories a day or lower is a VLCD.

I did it a few years ago - lost several stone, but put it all back on. As soon as I started trying to eat normally - low calorie but normal going out for meals, eating with family etc - it all went to pot. Also loads of my hair fell out.

Also... *friend’s

Wish this bastard thing would stop ‘correcting’ my already correct SPAG!!!

I feel my approach to calorie counting and exercise would work again (as it has done previously).

... which would indicate that your previous attempts at calorie counting aren't sustainable either!

"No thanks friend, I've got a method that works for me"

Does it need to be any more dramatic than that?
Is she trying to flog you juices & shakes?

VLCD sounds utter misery to me, but I like food.

The few people I know who have done things like Cambridge have lost astonishing amounts of weight very quickly but all have put it back on and more. One also suffered with gall bladder issues I think. If you're going to do it you need a plan for how you're going to eat forever

Just tell her you don't want to do it then look at the weight loss section of MN linked in the very first reply to your previous post.

Cynically I would wonder if she has an interest in you buying the products.

Just keep saying no. They can be useful as a short term measure but if you don't want to do it, it's not the right method for you.

@VexedofVirginiaWater

I did it a few years ago - lost several stone, but put it all back on. As soon as I started trying to eat normally - low calorie but normal going out for meals, eating with family etc - it all went to pot. Also loads of my hair fell out.

Yes, that was my experience of severely restricting calories. I got thin but so did my hair. I now follow the Jenkinson way of eating (no processed and refined foods) and have successfully lost weight in a way that's hopefully sustainable in the long term. I don't miss low calorie ready meals, diet Coke and so on at all, and I've been doing it for a year now with occasional breaks to enjoy 'celebration' foods.

Sod that VLCD is a miserable way to live and makes food become an obsession because you’re always hungry. Sensible diet with a realistic amount of calories and some exercise is the way. Not fun and not quick but it works.

@Laufeythejust

Sod that VLCD is a miserable way to live and makes food become an obsession because you’re always hungry. Sensible diet with a realistic amount of calories and some exercise is the way. Not fun and not quick but it works.

For me isn’t true. The hunger stops after a few days and your body adapts to it. I get that it’s not for everyone but you just stop thinking about food after a while. I eat two meals a day - 450 calories each and I am never hungry. I don’t keep to it on holidays and the odd weekend where I eat whatever I want but I find that I don’t really want to. My body tells me what it needs and I feel quite sick if I eat sugary foods now and have no cravings for chocolate etc.

@VexedofVirginiaWater

I did it a few years ago - lost several stone, but put it all back on. As soon as I started trying to eat normally - low calorie but normal going out for meals, eating with family etc - it all went to pot. Also loads of my hair fell out.

Same!