2012 - New Years Day - The Cambridge Diet - Sole Source - Weight loss

[GoingForGoalWeight]

I weigh over 25 stones. I expect to weigh more than this on New Years Day after all the festive scoff is over.

I am going to start the Cambridge Diet - Sole Source - on New Years Day.

I have found my Consultant and we have met, she lost 13 stones in 9 months and has kept the weight off for over 7 years!

4 Cambridge choc mint shakes per day.

3 - 4 litres of water per day.

Anybody else planning on starting The Cambridge Diet in 2012? Come join me and we can support each other.

Welcome Sarahsoo and Ohbloodynora (love the name!!). You have found a great thread for support and to vent frustrations!!

Well done Mumsof3boyrs - 5lbs is great! And Cockneydad, 20lbs in 5 weeks is impressive! Glad you're feeling the benefit!

Weigh-in day for tomorrow, and my first week of Step 3 over. Has been really good, and am very pleased. Even if I don't lose anything, I am pleased to report I have gone from a size 16-18 down to a comfortable 12, in 8 weeks! I feel fabulous!

Thank you Overtiredmum :)

Can you talk me through how you got to step 3, how long did you do each step for and what did you do? Sorry for so many questions, just find it fascinating :)

Of course, thats what this thread is all about - supporting each other!!

I started at 13 stone 1lb, so not massive, but my size 16 clothes were rapidly getting tighter and tighter! I have done CD before, and kept the weight off until I fell pregnant with my daughter, who is nearly 3, so have struggled since then, hoping that I wouldn't need to do CD again, but of course, once you lose weight with CD, due to the speed at which you lose, no other diet really gives the same results.

For the first four weeks, I switched between SS and SS+, depending on whether it was mid-week or home. I say this because I work evenings, so SS is easy for me as I am not home with the kids and DH at mealtimes. At weekends, I worry about my daughter not seeing me eat, so to SS+ having an evening meal, she was never aware of this.

At week 5 I switched to Step 2, which is basically SS+, just with a larger evening meal and slightly larger milk allowance. I did this for 2 weeks, and then last week I switched up to Step 3, which I intend to do for 2 weeks, then a week at Step 4, and then I will switch over to calorie counting, where I hope to continue losing weight.

So far, I have lost 25lbs and I am fortunate when I say I haven't had any struggles with this.

This thread has been an enormous support, not just to me, but to others too. If you're having a shite day, then come on and vent, we've all been there.

All I can add is - drink your water, I usually do between 5-7 pints a day. From this alone, after 4-5 days, you will really feel the benefit - more cleansed, refreshed etc.

I was a bit worried too about my dd noticing that I wasn't eating (I had to pretend to eat a piece of toast this morning). She is 3.5 but very perceptive and like a lot of little girls seems to puck up on everything! One of the main driving forces for me doing CD now (and accepting that I have 'issues' that need to be addressed) is that I desperately dont want her to have the same screwed up relationship I have with food/ my body. I need this to be the last time I have to consciously 'diet'. Luckily ds (almost 6) wouldn't notice if I was drinking milkshakes whilst doing a headstand at teatime.

Ohbloodynora it would be great to talk to you about compulsive overeating - I've got my first group therapy meeting on Thursday evening and very nervous. Not sure if this thread is the right place to chat about it as I don't want to bore everyone stupid!

I will definitely be staying in this thread though (inspirational and with the added benefit of keeping my hands busy!). Here's to day one tomorrow (and day to for Nora)

Sarah - Your DS may not be interested in seeing that - but drinking a milkshake whilst standing on your head??? Think we'd all be intrigued .

My DS is 7 in June and has gone from eating very little, to literally everything in sight!! I am trying to make an effort whereby they are allowed treats, but within reason. So, once a day they can pick a treat. I think when you have a weight issue, that fear is always there.

Feel free to discuss your therapy on here, it is part of your journey and that is important.

(You might even teach the rest of us some important lessons!!)

5pm and still going strong! I may have cracked the first day of SS.....overtiredmum did you have a weigh in today?

Well done Sarah!

Yes I did weigh in today - only 1lb for me this week, but my losses will slow down now I am moving up through the steps. I should be 1-2lb a week now. I will move up to Step 4 next week, and the off I think and start calorie counting at 1200 and see how I get on.

My brain still hasn't caught up with it yet. I got called skinny today and I turned around thinking they were talking to someone else.

Hiya I'm new to forums and to the cambridge diet I'm starting tomorrow as my cd consultant is coming to my house, I'm only 18 and always struggled with my weight! I'm scared of scales lol there my enemy . I've been reading up on your conversations and finally decided to join as you all support each other I hope you can support me :d. I'm nevous about the diet but I want and need to loose weight I have no confidence at all !! I'm very excited tho , can someone tell me what they think of the shakes and soups and stuff what to go for and what to stay clear of xxxxx

Welcome Littlemiss, you've picked a great thread for support! Feel free to share any thoughts, worries, ask advice, vent any frustrations and tell us how well you are doing!!

We seem to have lost a few people over the last few weeks, for various reasons, but hopefully they will be back very soon.

I love Cambridge, it is scary and yes, its also very exciting too. It's not the easiest diet in the world, but after 3-4 days, if you are following SS, you should be in ketosis, that is when you will begin to feel great, and the hunger goes away. It takes time to get out of the mindset of the routine of mealtimes, but that also comes.

The most important thing to remember, is the water. That is really important. I usually aim to drink between 5-6 pints a day, sometimes more. On top of that I drink alot of coffee (bad I know!) but I rely heavily on caffeine to get me through the day normally, and that is something I cannot do without. I have 3-4 cups of black coffee, and then about 3 cups with skimmed milk.

I have never been able to get on with the soups (very bland). You can, of course, add pepper (strictly no salt!) and chilli or curry powder. I also don't like the porridge, so this time I have stuck with shakes and after 3 weeks, the bars. For work I always take a pre-made shake, the chocolate is to die for!

Don't let me put you off anything though, it is best to try the flavours as you go along and find the ones which you prefer - everyones taste is different!

Do you have much weight to lose?

Hi Littlemiss - don't be scared, you've already taken the big step in deciding to do the diet. I wish I had got a grip on my weight when I was 18 so well done you for taking that step.

I'm new to the diet myself but I can thoroughly recommend the strawberry and chocolate ready made shakes overtiredmum is right they are yummy (I would almost have one even if I wasn't on the diet!!).

Has anyone else out there got any advice on exercise whilst on SS? I usually to 2/3 quite hard training sessions a week, but I'm worried I won't have the energy....I really want to try and keep at it though so my metabolic rate doesn't drop off the scale. Also want to try and minimise muscle shrinkage.

Btw I could eat my own arm off after day one....roll on ketosis!!!

Sarah they do advise you not to do anything out of the ordinary exercise-wise, so you may be OK. But yes, you may find if you were doing intensive work-outs, that you are not having enough calories. Maybe still exercise but keep it gentle until you know how the diet will affect you.

I was doing the 30 Day Shred towards the end of last year, but had to give exercise up as I tore cartilage in my knee and struggled with even walking. Losing the weight has helped tremendously, and now I am moving up through the stages, I hope to try something gentle to see if my knee will hold out. I would love to get back to the end of Day 30, as I was almost there and work on my mummy-tummy!

Ello I'm back :d.
I made a new chat thingymabob on here this afternoon because ididnt no what I was doing lol, and I got really negative comments back like well just watch what you eat,and this diet is not the answer....how rude and down putting!!.
I suffer from pcos and its harder for me to loose weight I'm not saying that's an excuse but...the doctors don't seem to help me danm them!! I've tryed slimming world and that failed :(. I'm glad I found this you guys and I hope you can help me everystep of the way :d its gonna be hard but with your help I belive I can do it :d. I've been big all my life and I need a new me a new change so I look forward to putting clothes on lool. I weigh 16'9 at the moment and I'm 5'6 soo I got abit to go but illl do it!! Ill put befor and after pictures on here (I can do that right) and ill write everyday and tell you what I lost and how my weigh in goes everyweek ill be a true member :d. My downfall is coke I love coke I can drink about 2 liters aday soo I no I got a lot of headaches on the way to come! But my boyfriend is supportive and so is my family and work mates.I've heard a lot about the chocolate mint shake heated up ? I don't like porrige tho soo what shall I eat instead? How much have you lot lost and how long u been doing it? What's the ketioso(I don't no how to spell it lol) feel like? I can doo thissss!! Woohooo come on summer 2012 slimmer sexy and healther! We can do it ladys!!!xxxxx

really struggling at the moment will get back on track today
Hi really nice to see some new people think it helps when there is more of you trying to support each other.Ignore all the negative comments about the diet littlemisscambridgediet and do what is best for you i get fed up with people putting me down saying all you need to do is eat healthy if it was that easy i wouldn't have got to over 25st,and if this does not work my only option is surgery.Coke is my downfall as well was drinking 2litres a day.
Hi also to sarahsoo& ohbloddynora you have joined a great thread.
And please Goingforgoalweight come back and talk to us if you are reading this i really miss you motivation, your posts were always so positive

Hiya :)
Day 1- soo I got my packs today and I've started woohoo my cdc is really nice she also showed me a blob of plastic stuff that weighed 1lb and it made me even more positive because even tho people say oh only a pound it was a big bit of plastic lol she gave me today a couple of ready made shakes because I have got to go to work I had a chocolate one it was VERY nice. I'm going to go buy a blender aswell :d and I also brought the shaker with thw wisk in for on the go already drunk litre of water soo very posstive so far! How's everyone else doing today? :d xxxx

Hi guys - so far so good on day 2 of SS. Still not ventured much past the ready made shakes but not too worried about that. My SIL did lighter life and managed 12 weeks on choc shakes alone so I'm sure I will survive!

Littlemiss I am continually surprised at how thoughtless and vindictive a tiny minority of mumsnetters can be, if you can't be supportive of someone trying to loose weight no matter what method then just keep your thoughts to yourself....just ignore it and stick with this thread.

I feel different today - hungry but full of optimism. For me the very first day or two are crucial once I get over that hurdle things seem to get easier. Unfortunately I've got social engagements involving dinner for the next three Saturday's (boo) so I guess I will have to go SS+ on those days. Also try not to have a drink as I think that's more likely to throw me off than the food (always a trigger for eating vast quantities of carbs for me).

good luck Sarah - it gets easier !

Hi everyone and welcome to all the SS newbies! Great that we have you along with us to motivate us

I lost 2 lbs this week which I was quite pleased with as was out on Fri and Sat night. Sat was particularly bad as was a girls night and one woman kept going on about how boring I was being as I wasn't drinking. Is so difficult to go out and be social when so many social events involve eating. I feel really faddy when I am picking bits of chicken out of a curry (served on Friday night). Anyway, was pleased to have lost 2 lbs - am still going in the right direction! Did have a glass of wine though last night....

On the shakes etc, I love the choc tetra brik, the choc chewy bar (my daily treat is a cup of tea and a bar at about 5pm). I always have the plain porridge for breakfast and I don't find it that bad.

Very good advice to drink loads of water - I drink hot water, fizzy water with the orange flavouring and tap water.

Good luck to those just starting out - you can do it!

Had a good day yesterday stuck to SS 3 lts water ,Not helped by DS tyring his best to stuff a rich tea biscuit in my mouth weigh in today but after a rubbish week i know it will be a gain a bit nervous about seeing my counselor.
Stick with it littlemiss & sarah the first few days a always the worst most people feel better when ketosis kicks in.

Day 2 :) woke up with a headache day 1 was tough at night time when I was bored! But slept really well (no coke). Day to I had a bananan shake for brunch it was really nice I love banana mikshake anyway :d I'm drinking loads of water aswell and buzzing the weathers sooo nice xxxx

Day 3 for me. Feeling ok though my mum went home this afternoon (she had been staying for a couple of nights) and I've found kids teatime on my own very hard. Resisted though by having a shake a bit earlier than usual.

Well done littlemiss. How was the weigh in mumofthreeboys? Can't wait for te ketosis thing to kick in. Does your stomach stop rumbling then too? Mine is so loud it's getting a bit embarrassing! Got my first session of group therapy for emotional/compulsive overeating tonight so will report back.....

Well done everyone, you're doing great! x

Found it hard tonight had the crapppy porridage apple and cinnemon one hated it! I'm on day 3 tomorrow does ketosis kick in then? My boyfriend ordered my faviorte food and I couldn't have no soo annoyed I'm hungry and because I didn't enjoy my apple and cinnemon mush I think it made it work not only that I'm on soo craving everything :( :( I stood on crappy scales today they say I put on weight?...I don't understand maybe the just old arghhh I want to cry!!xxxx

hey littlemiss - I actually like the porridge, but I know others don't so much! The maple and pecan one is OK, not tried the plain. Day 3 is the worst for most people, after day 4/5 you start to feel much better and it gets a lot easier - after a couple of weeks you can have bars, which are nice. I'm now in week 6 and have lost 24 pounds and still going. Are you doing sole source or sole source plus ? My consultant put me on sole source plus and having a little meal once a day helped me a lot.

I'm on solesource + I think just 3r shakes a day I woke up in a better mood I was having a hissy fit last night!. Wow you've don't soo well I bet you feel better for it don't you?. I'm not working this weekend so it will be my tester because I no I'm gonna find it hard but everyone is telling me your doing well and wen I'm like oh I could eat that there like noope I think itl set in once I no I've lost some weight! All I no ill be okay! I'm finding it harder to drink all this water tho I can't stop weeing! Does that stop? Like does my body get used to it?xxxxx

2LBS gain so not so bad stuck to ss for a few days now so hopefully ketosis will kick back in.
I will be honest littlemiss i don,t enjoy a lot of the porridge or some of the shakes,do love the ready made shakes a lot more,and when you can have the bars it's a lot better i love them all .It is horrible when you see people eating food you love,but the way i look at it is that i have a addiction to food and don't know when to stop.So i am giving up my addiction and just use the shakes to fuel my body.Also when you can have the water flavour if you put them in fizzy water it really helps to.
Sarah how are you getting on,i cook all my family's meals still it can be a killer i just savor all the smells.