to think that Lighter Life is a big gat waste of money!

[macdoodle]

One of my colleagues has just signed up to this and has gone off in a huff because I have said she is wasting her money!

FWIW I too am overweight and I know the only guaranteed way is to eat less and exercise more - I have done it before I got pregnant and yes its bloody hard work but this is one area where I am pretty sure there is no quick fix!

Also FWIW I am a GP and she is one of our nurses

So AIBU anyone prove me wrong??

Which if you read my post above, is EXACTLY what the RTM section of LL does for you! I get the impression that you guys who have lost weight the "correct" way, somehow feel you are more superior or better than those of us who have done it the VLC way.

OP, do you refer patients for gastric banding or gastric bypass?

Wannebe did you even read ilove's post? None of what you said in your last post works on someone who is addicted to food. When you are in that place you are not eating to fuel your body, you are medicating yourself with food.

What you just described with the chocolate bar would make me think "Oh fuck it, what is the point? I can't even have a chocolate bar?" So I would eat the bar, then eat the meal as well. Feel guilty as hell, think "Well I am a fat cow so I might as well have some ice cream now".

It is like there is something in your head that wants you to self destruct. It is complicated.

wannabe - that's great - that works for you. But can I please refer you to Ilove's post and my own in talking about obsession with food.

And also remind people that the shakes and the diet itself are only one small part of the LL programme. It's the weekly chat that makes you examine what you are able to examine when you look at a nutritional label.

You really need to take on board what folk are saying about not being able to attack dieting the same way as you can. Brains work in different ways - especialy when you are an addict. Being around certain foods can actually set my heart racing.

OK, so you haven't read ANYTHING about LL but you feel free to condemn it? Not all VLCD's are the same...and to say that the LL counsellors are untrained is simply not true.

I am not judging at all - I am just aware of the risks and not happy to advocate it to my patients - I think its a money making scheme
We have no funding for gastric weight loss surgery hereabouts unless your BMI is >50 WITH associated complications I am yet to have a patient in that category!

But you'd refer them if they were in that category? My BMI was just a smidge under 50 when I started...you'd have referred me for major surgery rather than advocate a weight loss program that WORKS?

Why arent all VLCD the same they are - I am talking about the PHYSICAL risks of a VLCD they are all the same !
I dont think I said the counsellors were untrained though £66/week seems steep to me for a group session - I can see a cognitive therapist 1:1 to discuss my food addiction for £30!
I UNDERSTAND where you are coming from, I agree that it is a psychological issue, I am a food addict/emotional eater myself I have always struggled with my weight and always will!
Why do we have to take the 2 people on this threa that have succeeded as gospel and prove it works but ignore all the stories of failure and complications as scaremongering!

Again IMO and IME I dont feel the diet is safe or the best use of £66/week !

macdoodle Can I just make a plea that if you do one thing to make up for being so dismissive of your colleagues plans, it would be to tell her you've done some research and you conclude that the single most important thing she must do if she wants to succeed with LL is to stick with the programme after she has finished on the packs.

It's there that the hard work starts. Dealing with real food in the real world in a way that hope to mimic normal people who dont' have food issues.

As my counsellor says, fake it until you make it.

It works for 3% of those using it (in fact its slightly less I think) with SIGNIFICANT risks - boy thats a lot of money for those it doesnt work for - clever LL

Weight loss surgery hmm difficult one and different thread I think, counselled and discussed by trained surgeons and dieticians and made fully aware of the risks involved - and IMO the benefit is not worth the risk!

I'm a serial lurker but thought I'd throw in my twopennyworth. I'm a compulsive overeater and go to Overeaters Anonymous. I'm a huge fan and it really has changed my life. I've tried every single diet under the sun but always returned to former eating behaviour. OA is the only thing that's ever worked, in the long term, for me.

If you had a problem with alcohol/drugs/gambling, you'd go to the right Anon group for your problem. OA is based on AA and has similarly high success rates.

I'm very anti the diet industry , so I do have my own axe to grind - sorry . However, I don't blame people for wanting to try any of these diets. I've been there and I know that desperation.

My advice, if you've tried everything, would be to try OA - www.oagb.org.uk.

Happy to answer any questions, if anyone has any.

LL packs are medically balanced to give you 100% of EVERY vitamin and mineral you need. I have never felt healthier than since I have done this. My hair and my skin are glowing, I have so much energy. I sleep better than I have ever done.

Add up EVERYTHING you spend on food/drink/wine/coffees/takeaways/chocolate/sweets in a week and it will exceed £66.

Why should you take our word for it? We are supposed to take your word for it that it is crap! and clearly, the fact that you state you will "always struggle with your weight" means that you know you haven't got your head straight and are not prepared to try!

Macdoodle - the £66 is for your packs and your counselling, just to be clear

So that's a counselling session and food for a week for that price.

But tbh, and I'm fortunate to be able to afford it I know, it's not even remotely about the money, waste of, best use of or not.

I'm intrigued that a couple of people on a thread dont' even make a dent in your opinion. You did post asking for people to refute your position.

So far, only posters who have not done the diet themselves have been negative about it.

Sycamore I have already apologised told her I support her, and suggested she take them up on the ongoing counselling/support - I have offered to go shopping with her when she is at goal for new clothes (which is pretty big of me as I hate shopping)!!!

I will be supportive but not advocate this as the solution IYSWIM!

wait a minute, I didn't criticise anyone who has done this diet. I have said time and time again that I can see why people do it. But it's not for everyone and there are risks attached to doing it. Surely that should be acknowledged?

It is not a risk free diet or there would be no requirement for a gp's signature.

Acknowledging that doesn't imply criticism of those that have found success through ll.

But it seems that because I'm not jumping on the ll bandwagon what works for me (and countless others) cannot be mentioned either?

Oh, and to whoever it was said I was a moron for doing LL...believe me, you have NO idea!

Prozac- good post and link. Many of my long term LL buddies are also using OA in conjuction - it's supposed toi be great.

Macdoodle - yes, that's all I meant. Given she's made the decision to do this anyway, the most responsible and helpful thing you can do is to ensure she follows it through.

Ok wannabe - misunderstood your post

I am sorry sycamore but you have to agree you are in the minority at succedding you yourself said so!
I dont believe VLCD are safe, and I belive that LL are a money spinning exercise that do not fully inform their clients of the risks whilst expecting the GP to do so AND take the responsibility!
Am not convinced otherwise!
I will post the link to the risks of VLCD when I get home and would like you to tell me how many of those you were informed of?? As a medic I have to tell my patients the risk of any treatment I use, LL are under no such obligation!

Yes, I do agree I'm in the minority, as is anyone who succeeds on any diet.

But that and the risks are two separate issues.

Does it work - YES, if you do it properly.

Are there risks? YES, but the risks for the clinically and morbidly obese are clear if they decide to do nothing about their weight! Heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, etc etc.

Actually, it's up the individual to access the risks and weigh them up against the risks of doing a VLCD.

That's why I said earlier I resented having to get my GP's permission.

As it happened, my GP had seen 2 patients go through the programme already and was happy to sign.

LL FAQ's including risks

www.lighterlife.com/how_does_lighterlife_work/frequently_asked_questions.aspx

Health and Medical Info

www.lighterlife.com/how_does_lighterlife_work/health__medical.aspx

Life after the packs

management.lighterlife.com/

Am sure everyone now sick of the sounds of me anyway, but I must off and do some more work.

I think this is a good thread. Healthy debate and good info for anyone looking to make a decision about how to lose weight.

hmm ilove have had a quick skim though that website - they really dont talk about the risks at all do they just keep referring you back to your GP!

but any diet works if you do it properly.