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Weight loss chat

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

VLCD, Lighter Life, Cambridge Diet, etc

999 replies

Mudwiggle · 12/03/2013 12:09

Hi All

Wanted to see if anyone is doing one of these or thinking about it. (If there's already an active thread, I missed it).

I have done LL before, lost three stone in 10 weeks and maintained wonderfully until DC's. Eldest is now four and a half and I think I have probably tried everything going, you name it, I've tried it (Paul McKenna, Paleo, 5:2, Dukan, Weight Watchers, etc).

I know that this works for me, although I understand other peoples objections.
I get paid on Friday and will be contacting a CDC to start on Monday. By the time DS1 is five in June, I intend to be pre DC weight again! Grin

Anyone up for it? Or can give me some support or advice? TIA.

OP posts:
Wowserz129 · 31/05/2013 12:53

I am feeling much better thanks. Had a shake and a bar today but struggling to get water down. More so because it makes me go to the toilet every half an hour which is really impractical. How are you getting on? What day are you on now?

I am away on holiday the last week of August/Start of Sept so i am hoping to go down two dress sizes by then and be a 10. So I will get off the plane and everyone will start applauding and taking photographs of me whilst simultaneously handing me chocolate cake while I bask in my size 10 glory Grin

MyJellybean · 31/05/2013 12:56

I don't know how much the others cost but Exante is less than £4 per day for a choice of porridge, soup, milkshake, carbonara and bars. You have 3 items a day. The soups and shakes are really thick and taste great. The soups are also thick so I tend to add more water to these.

milkybarsrus · 31/05/2013 13:58

hey Wowzer - the answer to your question is - I ATE WHATEVER I WANTED - pancakes, chips, dressings, doughnuts, you name it, I ate it, limited wine though, but it was planned so that I had everything in place (ordered and delivered) for when I got back. No excuses allowed, like I will start the diet after the kids go back to school. Just got straight back on the wagon. Feel physically better than when I eat normal food Hmm not bloated etc and sleep deeper. Also, TOM,which is a usual excuse for me to wait until after that to start a diet due to wanting chocolate. I hope that helps. Can't say its the best way, but I am happy with it, and that means I will carry on, which is a first for me.

Sassee · 31/05/2013 14:47

Ladies I am due to join you.

I placed my slim and save order today.

I've done lighter life before, lost many pounds of both varieties but its gone back on. I've recently had my first baby and enoughs enough. I want this weight (at least 6-7 stone) shifted, by Xmas would be nice.

I want to be a thin mummy and a healthy mummy. I also love the idea of going back to work next April a new woman!

It's going to be a bumpy road and I'm expecting tears in the early days but I need to focus because staying as I am is not an option right now.

elah11 · 31/05/2013 17:12

On day 5 here and ketosis kicked in on day3 which was great, I feel much better now! I am resisting weighing myself til day 7 (mon) :)

Wowserz129 · 31/05/2013 22:05

Since ketosis (yay!) has kicked in I am really struggling to get all 3 shakes and a bar down or protein meal. Really don't fancy it, how weird is that because on Wednesday I could have chopped off my right arm to have some food!!

elah11 · 31/05/2013 22:09

I wish I felt like that wowserz! I am definitely ready to eat once its time for a shake, although I do find I am full quickly which is great.

Wowserz129 · 31/05/2013 22:26

It will probably swing in roundabouts so in a few days you aren't fussed to eat but I will be ready!

My MIL just emailed me a really nice pizza place menu and said to pick out all the things me and DP want as she is going to order it to ours on Tuesday when it's his birthday. They don't live in the same country as us so they normally do this when they aren't hear for a family meal. It all looks soooo good lol!

I just have to focus on getting through the next 5 weeks and then I will have a week off plan and then back on it for 6/7 weeks.

freckles21 · 01/06/2013 08:59

Wow, I read this thread last night and this morning. I had already decided to start with boossh, and this thread has inspired me. I am ordering my packs on Monday but already have some, so will start vlcd on Tuesday. Got an exam for uni on Monday so will need a clear head.
You are all an inspiration, I never normally join these forums but you have all given me the confidence to do so.
Here's to smaller us.

SconeInSixtySeconds · 01/06/2013 09:07

Hello Sassee and freckles, wishing you good luck and stubbornness for getting through the first week!

Yay wowser! Ketosis!! Grin you got there! I hope you are feeling pretty bloody chuffed with yourself!

Elah you can weigh once a week or join the dark side with me and weigh every day good luck for Monday! Fingers crossed you get the result you deserve.

Wowserz129 · 01/06/2013 10:16

Thanks Scone!! I am on day 6 now so safe to say I have made it although it was a rough ride lol!! I think what happened was I went through the initial horrid first days / had wine him accident which prevented me from entering ketosis and so went back to the start of process and had another 3/4 days of torture lol!! Made it now though yay!

Ketosis is wonderful! Feel fantastic and really not hungry at all. Have been having the packs as just don't feel like chicken.

bbpants · 01/06/2013 12:34

Well done for getting there wowserz! And welcome,sassee and freckles.

Well my mental demons hit me again yesterday. Don't think I've struggled so much for a whole week since I started. However, doing well today and back to work on Monday, so I'm hoping I'll get back to the normal routine.

Roll on the summer!

painforlife · 01/06/2013 13:08

hi ladies,
ho.pe your all well.
wanted some opinion about weight watchers? it seems to be a much cheaper option. just wondering if anyone has tried it???

Wowserz129 · 01/06/2013 13:08

Thanks! But worried I will have rubbish losses as I can't seem to get all the meals/packs down!

Wowserz129 · 01/06/2013 13:09

Pain, I have done WW. It's not a VLCD though. It worked fine for me but losses were slow. Easy to point though

SconeInSixtySeconds · 01/06/2013 14:55

It isn't really comparing apples with apples pain. WW works fine for some/lots of people but the price is on top of the food you buy at the shop.

Whereas the VLCDs are instead of normal food (on the whole, s&s allows a protein meal if you like) and the controlled portions mean that you get used to them.

I tried to have 150g of salmon on our picnic today oh yes, I know how to live and couldn't manage it all. Shock

SconeInSixtySeconds · 01/06/2013 14:57

Wowser in the first few days I found the bars a godsend, I could eat them with a cup of tea if I wasn't 'hungry', but your appetite will increase a bit. I have them at 8am, 12.30pm, 5.30pm and 8.30pm. If I miss the 5.30pm pack I often don't want another later on.

Wowserz129 · 01/06/2013 15:44

Yes I have been having my bar a day, wish we were allowed more than one!!

I made so called cookie with a pack today. It wasn't the most tasty thing I have ever tried but was nice to chew something!

sammac · 01/06/2013 16:10

So day 60 for me - how'd that happen??? Weigh in this morning - lost 8lb over 2 weeks, which brings total to 39 1/2 (1/2 is very important!!!) It looks like when you reach 3 stone on LL u can withdraw a shake and replace with a low-cal meal. That should be me next week - fooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodddddddddddddddddddddddd!

However, I think you have the option to continue on 4 a day, which I will do till the end of June - perhaps with a couple of exceptions, which would be nice. My dad has a big birthday and we have our summer night out, which I've paid for -thinking I'll be drinking water and chewing on a bar for the privilege.

Been face painting at local show and had a few nice comments said to me - wee ego boost! Still got a weigh(!!) to go though - think another 3 stone most likely.

Hi Sassee and freckles -join the club Smile

bbpants · 01/06/2013 19:38

Yay sammac - well done!

Wowserz129 · 01/06/2013 21:06

Ah ladies. Having a wobble as my sister came down with several pages of information about how VLCD are bad for your health and its kind of scared me a bit!

She is saying why don't you just go a low carb diet where you can still keep eating proper food but there less health risks and then you can eat on my DP birthday etc..

It's hard sticking on plan as it is nevermind when people are waving that kind of stuff in your face Hmm

SconeInSixtySeconds · 01/06/2013 21:45

If you were planning on doing VLCDs forever then I would agree. Low carb works, it really does, but it takes longer to get there. Only you know how quickly you want to do this.

I do think you need to tell her to back off a bit though. It is your choice to make, and you are the one that lives in your body, not her. She can't lose the weight for you but she can support you while you decide what you want to do.

sammac · 01/06/2013 21:47

Obviously your sister cares for you and that's why she's done this but what are you thinking now? I've had a few comments too, but I am already so much healthier and have bags more energy. In my Lighter Life class they've explained about having answers ready for these kind of comments.

She doesn't want you so that you can eat on her DP's birthday? VLCD are not sociable- I think we would all agree that, but it's a temporary measure. Can you imagine how you would look in a couple of months - would that help? For me it's imagining me in my size 12 jeans and wearing what I want, not just what fits and hiding myself away.

Wowserz129 · 01/06/2013 22:10

Yes think she needs to back off as well as she just makes me doubt myself. I am absolutely exhausted from work, uni and having a one year old by myself while DP away as he isn't a great sleeper. So I start to doubt myself as she gives a good argument! She is a size 16 so struggles a bit with her weight as well so not sure if she just doesn't 'get it'.

I have done well to get into ketosis. I think I will get my scales of DP on Tuesday and see how much I have lost and hopefully watch the numbers go down. I am very motivated to be slimmer for America. Just wish people didnt stick there nose in!

For DP birthday the best options I can find to have are

Grilled salmon fillet with a lemon dressed salad of baby gem leaves, rocket, baby tomatoes, green beans, red and yellow peppers and spring onions.

Or is

Lemon and garlic half roast chicken with garlic and parsley sauce with roasted Mediterranean vegetables

Which one do you think sounds the safer option?

SconeInSixtySeconds · 01/06/2013 22:29

I think I would go for the salmon and ask for the dressing on the side. Sounds delish!

I wonder if your sister will change her mind when she sees you getting a great result? I had a great deal of scepticism before I read this thread and threw caution to the wind. I am a convert. I hope that time will convert your sister too.