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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Lighterlife - Has anyone gone back to it?

79 replies

dalek · 11/01/2011 12:22

A bit of background. Lost 3 stone on lighterlife about 3 years ago - felt fantastic but didn't do maintenance as celebrations to attend etc.

Over the past three years I have regained the weight but am thinking of doing it again as it's the only thing that has worked for me in losing weight.

I'm not stupid - I know it's not the healthiest way to lose weight and there are other issues to deal with but I have a large family gathering in the summer (family coming from all over the world) that I do not want to be fat for. For me was a quick effective way to lose weight, in the short term at least.

I know that this is a public forum and people can post what they like but I'm really only interested in hearing from people who have done lighterlife before - what do you think? Should I go back?

OP posts:
blowbroth · 11/01/2011 16:41

Yes Yes YES!
I lost 5 stone in 14 weeks last year on lighter life and it worked for me. I finished in June and am now about 8 pounds heavier ( it was up to a stone after christmas!) but it is coming off easily now and I hope to finish by the end of January.
I'm only having 2 packs a day and an evening meal.
I am determined not to regain the weight and hopefully I'll be able to keep it in check.
Just remember all the positive comments you probably got when you first lost the wieght.
Think about that to help encourage you!
Go for it, good luck!

Original poster
dalek · 11/01/2011 16:53

Thanks Blowbroth.

Well done on the weight loss - that's fantastic and well done on tackling the small weight gain now.

Just spoke to the counsellor and because it's now modular I can't start until 7 February. Toyng with the idea of cambridge until than.

OP posts:
blowbroth · 11/01/2011 19:29

It might seem a long time 'til 7 Feb but you can can do one of two things.
Either start on a diet ( I did Cambrige years ago too!) and try and get some weight off before then or simply pig out!
I'm sure you know which is best, just picture an outfit for the big 'do' in summer and keep focused on that.
You know lighter life, it won't be long before you'll get into it!
Move away from the Biscuit tin!

Verso · 12/01/2011 12:38

Yes! Go back on it! I've lost 4.5 stone on it and feel AMAZING!! (read my other posts on the subject as I'm a bit of an evangelist)

GOOD LUCK!!

Lovecat · 12/01/2011 13:03

They ought to do a restart contract, which is something like 4 weeks worth of packs only, then eases you into maintenance.

I too lost 3 stone, have put it all back on bar half a stone over the last 3 years, mostly in the last year since DD went back to school and I went back to work full time.

I did go back and do the restart, but was doing it with DH (who ignored all counselling offered, lost the weight and then proceeded to go back to his old ways of eating what I'd cooked then snacking on take outs Hmm and now weighs more than he ever did), but 2 weeks into the restart he got gout, which is a known side-effect of LL, and had to give up.

As I had been finding re-starting horribly hard going, I gave up too. I don't know what the problem was, first time around I took to it like a duck to water, second time I just could not be motivated - however, I don't have a big do coming up like you do, so it may well be different for you!

I've gone back to low-carbing, which was what I did successfully before I got pg with DD, and am finding it much easier to stick to (says she on day 3 - famous last words!)

HTH

swiftyknicks · 13/01/2011 13:39

THis is my first day!! Help I have had Thai Chilli and Porridge and I wretched!!! I have 4+ stone to loose and could really do with some help and support!!

blowbroth · 13/01/2011 17:12

Hello swifty!
You really have to try everything in your first week. If there's something you don't like take it back to your counsellor who should swap it for something more palatable.
You should find something that suits you. I really liked the veg soup and mushroom soup. The chilli con carne made me wretch!
I think you can have the choc bars next week which are ok. I liked the raspberry in yoghurt.
Stick with it though, you'll be amazed.

hidingmytrueidentity · 13/01/2011 17:15

You can buy similar stuff on line if you justvwant the food and not the meaningful group discusions.

Verso · 13/01/2011 18:45

The 'meaningful group discussions' are the whole point!! Hmm

Verso · 13/01/2011 18:46

Swifty, I second what blow broth says. Keep trying the flavors until you find one that is at least tolerable. Do remember it's a bonus if you enjoy e packs, they're just a means to an end!

blowbroth · 15/01/2011 08:53

Hello Swifty! Just wondering how you're getting on. I remember day 3 or 4 was quit hard and the headaches kicked in . But that soon passed and I got into my stride.
Hope you are doing ok!

Verso · 15/01/2011 12:42

Hope you're doing ok, Swifty. As blowbroth says, you'll soon be over the worst. Then you'll be able to start enjoying the weight coming off! Hang in there!

swiftyknicks · 18/01/2011 20:47

HiGuys

Am now on day 6 and all getting easier!!! Think the shakes are for me. The soups are just odd in flavor for me!! I like the vanilla with a shot of espresso in in the morning!

Am defo in ketosis and not hungry at all. weird feeling! Bad headaches and v cold though.Am hoping it will pass.

I popped in to swap somepacks on saturday and my LLC said jump on the scales and I had lost 5lbs-in 2 days.Mental!! im sure my clothes feel looser but too soon im sure!

Thanks for the support ladies!

swiftyknicks · 24/01/2011 16:13

13lbs in 9 day s :)

josiejoe · 24/01/2011 19:53

i'm thinking of starting lighter life, i have about 3 and a half stone to lose and just cant do it myself the more i try the more i think about food and the more i eat. the thing i am not sure about is the cost, it is really expensive and i do not work so i know i will struggle financially but could do it if i put my mind to it. do the councelling sessions really work?

Verso · 25/01/2011 20:54

Yes!!! Go for it!! I've lost almost 5 stone and never felt better! Grin

hugebelly · 25/01/2011 23:57

I'm thinking about doing LL. Need to lose the baby weight and everyone seems to lose it very quickly.

How do manage to drink all the water? What keeps you motivated?

Blow - 5 stone is 14 weeks - that's amazing! Did you exercise aswell?

Do you have any advice and tips?

Verso · 31/01/2011 12:38

Did you go for it, huge?

With the water, I have a 1.5l jug on my desk at work. I fill it up in the morning and aim to finish and refill by lunchtime. Any other teas and coffees etc are a bonus. I also use the St Clements water flavouring from time to time to vary it a bit.

Advice? It's about 85% in the mind. The packs will work, but you have to do the group work and really think about the exercises. (and you will feel BRILLIANT once ketosis kicks in!! Grin)

welshmuminessex · 31/01/2011 14:28

Can you do LL if you are still breastfeeding?

Beavermum · 31/01/2011 22:02

Welsh mummy - went for intir talk this om and no you can't

feelingsorryformyself · 01/02/2011 13:33

Hi dalek,
I did LL just over 3 years ago and lost 3 stone, I never completed Route to Management, but kept the weight off for a while, then it has crept back on. I am planning to go back to A Refresher group on 15 Feb, the minimum commitment is 4 weeks, but I imagine I will be there for about 8!
It was the easiest diet I have ever done, and I felt fantastic - that's kind of what's making me go back, not just the weight loss but how energised and healthy I felt!

Pops78 · 02/02/2011 01:00

Hi ladies, so glad to find a mnet ll group. Tomorrow is the end of my 2nd week. So far so good tho my little girl gave me dodgy tum and while I held in it's made me right off the soups now, the broth you can get is ok tho. Must say the extras are expensive but def think I am saving on food overall. Lost 6.4lbs last week but I have total to lose of 6st 4lbs so quite a way to go.

Pops78 · 03/02/2011 23:42

Hi, are you all still there, am reporting in a loss at end of 2nd week of 4.8lbs, so total of 11lbs in 2 weeks. Must say have felt fine till today but feel really rough and hungry right now. Almost lost the plot when I walked in the door after meeting last night to smell of steaks just cooked. Thx considerate mum! She was watching my daughter and tho grateful as she is constantly on my back to lose weight think she could have had something a bit less in my face yummy smelling! Hope all are well and I didn't kill thread...

adelaidegirl · 06/02/2011 09:27

Well done everyone! I did LL and loved it. I too put a bit back on and am on exante (similar sachets but off t'interweb) mainly because I work weird shifts and can't get to meetings.

I find when I am in ketosis and over time my tastes completely change- if I am starting off I love the soup but once I get into it I can only have the shakes! I have all my shakes hot- they last longer! I mix up with cold water into a paste then add hot water and mix quickly. Much easier to do at work becuase no whisk required!

The counselling was fantastic but the main key is to be really strict with yourself and DO RTM- that is the most important bit! Drink loads of water and don't have even a little food- as soon as you slip a bit it is much harder. If you just say to yourself you don't eat then it is easier.

I found I told EVERYONE mainly because people noticed at work but then I could not cheat because everyone would see!

Money wise- if you add up all the meals out/take aways/snacks out/wine then add in the cost of an hours counselling a week it does not seem so bad. And I have to say it was worth it a hundred times over. The broth is just boullion- you can buy tubs of it in the supermarket for much less money!

hugebelly · 06/02/2011 22:51

I'm still thinking about it. Is the Cambridge Diet the same? I've also heard of Howards Way - anyone done this? How much is LL per week?

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