Brand new shiny VLCD thread...LighterLife, Cambridge etc

[Cheesyslice]

New thread as the old one is now bursting at the seams.

Re the same effort for smaller returns, Talc - I like to think of what I call the Toilet Roll Principle - ie the first stone comes off quickly but probably makes very little difference to your appearance or dress size. The last stone takes longer but makes a much bigger change to your size - in the same way that 20 sheets off the outside of a loo roll is nothing but 20 sheets near the end reduces the width of the roll much more. So the slower loss stages are often giving you a bigger visual reward. It helps me to think of that, don't know if it will help you.

Talc 17lbs in two weeks is awesome. Do I have to come over there and give you a slap?

bookcave I really like that analogy.

All well-meant slaps gratefully accepted!

Bookcave, that's a good analogy. I am that toilet roll...

I know most people on here aren't on Cambridge but going it alone with sachets, but I have a counsellor who is supposedly at my beck and call! I've never contacted her outside of her weekly visit, but feel she's a resource I should be using more. Is there anything you would find helpful from a counsellor that you think I could/should ask her for? Short of actually getting to to guard my fridge, obviously.

Thanks Talc - 17 lbs in two weeks is amazing. Great analogy bookcave and so true!

I've been visiting this thread for the last two days - I put a shortcut on my desktop... I thought I had killed the thread though as shortcut took me back to page 19. I've only just realised that there was now a page 20

Today is the day for me! Scales confirmed that as I am 196.0 lbs (14 st exactly) and there is something about being bang on an exact amount in stones that make it a pretty perfect day to start! Also, I have a hair appointment booked this morning, going to village fete this afternoon and a swimming gala in the evening - keeps me out of the house and away from temptation/boredom!

I am looking forward to being noticeably slimmer when I go back to work in September! I really hope I can stay on the plan until early-mid October as my new kitchen will be finished by then. Eating packs should prevent me joining in with the ready meal/take-aways that I am sure DS/DH will enjoy whilst it is being done...Then I can start as I mean to go on it the kitchen cooking lovely, healthy meals from scratch.

I think having someone to come and share in the weeks success with me would be great Talc and then main thing I would use a counsellor for, in addition to the knowledge that if I were struggling there is someone to talk to about it. You may have a wobble in a week or two or something and need her then - in the meantime if you can't think of a reason to contact her between the weekly meetings I would take that as a good sign.

Pleased to report that day 1 is going very well so far. I've just had my third pack and about to get ready to take DS to his swimming gala. I'll be out then until at least 9 pm armed with just water. Last pack (bar) when I get in and then bed. Really want to make a success of this!

Glad you had a good first day Gabor. We started at a similar weight, I was 198lbs.

I got an invite yesterday to an old friend's 50th birthday party in two weeks. This will be a challenge, she's a really good friend so I want to go. I know I could come out of ketosis for a couple of days and have a few drinks, but I'm worried about getting back into it again. Ime you really need to be motivated and in the right mindset to start this diet and get into ketosis, so I know taking a break and re-starting will be really difficult. I think I'll have to find out a bit more about the party and see if it's realistic to go and not drink.

Thanks alleypalley - I think I am on this now!

I agree - it is a massive mental effort to make the decision to do this, get the packs and then get into ketosis...and stay there. I know there will be lots of occasions over the next 3 months when I could easily 'come off plan for a bit' - been there, done that, didn't quite manage it. I'm going on holiday at least twice (we have a motorhome), and there will be lots of meet-ups with friends etc. this summer. My DS announced today that he wants to go out for a meal on his birthday next week! I've decided that I want to stay 100% throughout though, and if that means telling people or sitting with dish in front of me that other people can pick at when out for a meal with family then so be it.

Two of my friends never drink (one has an issue with her liver and one just doesn't like it) - I never even notice them being different to the rest of us drinkers on a night out. Sparkling water can look like a G&T!

Having said that, I know some people can come off it for a few days and then get back on with almost no problem. From experience I know I'm not one of them!

Interesting that some people can come in and out of ketosis to allow for occasional drinks or meals out. It sounds impossible.

I had the same issue as last weekend - friends staying with us for several days, wondering, and genuinely concerned, as to why I never appeared to eat anything, other than breakfast porridge and a gallon of water. And then they sprung a surprise treat on us - a meal at a well-known restaurant we've always wanted to eat at. I had a starter of plain spiced paneer and peppers cooked dry in a tandoor, and am hoping that wasn't too terrible, as I had nothing else that day apart from a bar.

Today involved travelling a long way to a friend's party, which was beautifully catered and awash with champagne, and lurking slightly miserably in the garden playing with the children.

Why, oh, why am I being surrounded with beautiful food when I can't have any? I feel like becoming a recluse till I meet my target weight. I worry about coming out of ketosis after that starter, because I feel a bit hungry fir the first time in a while - I know there are sticks you can buy, but are there other ways of knowing?

Also, are the rest of you exercising regularly after the first fortnight? I've been walking more, and chasing my toddler about, but having to carry said toddler and two heavy bags around London today in baking heat having had only a bar in almost 24 hours was exhausting. I felt as though I had no fuel in the tank..

Glad you had a good first day, Gabor. Apologies for grim essay.

Thanks guys. I think sticking to the sparkling water disguised as a g&t will be the way to go. Talc I'm impressed you managed to bluff your way through a whole weekend, that's good going.

I'm also impressed that you managed to do that Talc. You made some wise choices. I know there are sign of ketosis but there aren't consistent with everyone. I've done the sticks in the past but not bothering again. All I can do is stick with it I guess and trust it will happen. My husband did tell me, 4 weeks in, when I did this before that my breath had suddenly gone terrible - thankfully that as short-lived!

I guess we will have lots of beautiful food in our future and need to hold on to that thought. Very tough at times like that though.

I've joined the gym again but not going as often as I should or doing anything like what I would have called a work-out previously. That is tied in with the longterm issue I have with my foot though (plantar fasciitis). I can do a bit of cardio to warm up, then weights and then my physio exercises for my back. A major incentive for me with this diet is the idea that my foot and back will improve the less weight I carry...and then I can exercise properly again!

Off to bed now - day 2 completed. Had a difficult patch this evening but thankfully got through that!

I'm freaking myself out a bit by all the compulsive lying, to be honest! (And I think the hosts of today's party think I am secretly pregnant, given that I stuck to water while everyone else was quaffing champagne...)

Alley, are you actually missing alcohol? (It clearly isn't just me who suddenly finds she has a dizzying social calendar the second she starts a VLCD...) I'm not, oddly, even though I used to drink wine most days, and though I'd give years off my life for a piece of sourdough and hummus, or a tomato and red onion salad. I have splurged on some San Pellegrino as a 'treat' water.

Gabor, I'm in a similar boat. I used to run, but the extra weight is hard on my ankles and knees, so I want to lose at least two more stone before starting again, probably doing Couch to 5k or equivalent.

I'm glad you all liked the toilet roll analogy!

I've weighed in for the week and have lost 4lb, taking me to 18lb in 4 weeks. I'm happy with that. No difference yet in clothes size or appearance, that will take me a lot longer! 6.5 lbs to go to my first target of 10% of bodyweight lost.

I'm not telling people about the VLCD because I don't want to deal with all the people who will start an uninformed rant on how loony, unhealthy and ineffective it is and how if I only swapped the occasional biscuit for an apple I'd be the size of Kate Moss in no time.

Yes, exactly, Bookcave. I do not need the bother of other people's opinions on my food decisions at this point. Plus, if someone started a well-meaning tirade at a time when my blood sugar was low, I would probably whack them with the leg of a chair.

Good on you for your four pounds - that sounds good for a fourth week...? And yes, isn't it grim that one doesn't start to look obviously better sooner on in the process? I was a bit depressed seeing a photograph of me taken at the weekend, after a seventeen pound loss, in which I still look like a bulgy heifer.

Well done Bookcave

One sign of ketosis for me is I get very thirsty, which is good as it helps getting all the water down.

Not exercising regularly yet. I did say I would start running again when I lost a stone though, which I have so I really need to get my arse in gear. I will go Wednesday morning and Friday morning. That will be goal for this week. I've actually got a place in the Paris marathon in April next year, so I really can't delay this much more.

I'm taking the afternoon off today and meeting 2 old school friends in town, one is pregnant with her first dc so we're going baby shopping. I've told them I can't stay around for dinner though as I'll have to collect dd1 from brownies. I'll next see them probably at the end of Aug when baby is due so hopefully they'll notice a difference then.

Well done Bookcave! Great loss! Totally agree with not telling people/choosing very carefully who you do tell.

I'm sure your friends will notice by the end of Aug Alleypalley! Good excuse for skipping the dinner!

My first day at work on this today and all was well. I had a smoothie blender in my office from when I did this last time but unfortunately I forgot that I took the cups from it home to wash, and then put them with my home blender - so just had to stir my sachet into water today. It was rather lumpy! I may avoid using the blender at work this week anyway (I can pop home) so I go undetected. Next time I see them will be September so hopefully there will be evidence that this is working and I can stick to it by then!

Day 4 for me - so I am through the dreaded 'first three days'! I think yesterday was easier...I'm run out of coke zero now so I am going to try and do this from now on with no fizzy drinks...will bring back if needed though!

I had a hugely frustrating day yesterday and was cross and upset and came very close to self-medicating the feelings with chocolate and Baileys. Stared at the fridge on and off for some time and ended up having a little cheese and ham. Not the worst choice I could have made. Not perfect but shouldn't be a total derailment.

Good for you, Bookcave - a bad day makes it doubly difficult. I've struggled the last few days. I just feel hungry and bored with the damn sachets. I keep imagining putting a forkful of my toddler's pasta and vegetables into my mouth. Even his porridge looks suddenly appealing!

Third week weigh-in tomorrow, and I'm dreading a small weight loss, or none, because I will feel even more demotivated. Only my three weeks of effort are keeping me from heading for the fridge with a fork.

Has anyone else seen the thread in AIBU about Vlcd's being dangerous, 'quick fix' and useless, as everyone always puts the weight back on? The awkward thing is that I agree with quite a lot that is being said, and here I am on Cambridge...

No I hadn't seen that thread - but I have now, well the start of it.

I also agree with the arguments because I have had them all with myself! I couldn't even read to the end of the first page though as I am pretty sure I would end up deciding to come of this if I had, even though I doubt anything would have been said that I don't already know or think!

I have done a VLCD before and gained weight afterwards but I have done that with every single diet I have ever been on to some extent. I successfully transitioned straight onto Slimming world extra easy though (and lost 0.2 lbs that week (there was an initial gain but it was gone in a few days), not bothering with a refeed) and did that for a while before then blowing it again!

Now I am tempted to just do this for 10 days or so before swapping to a SW red day type diet - ARGHHH!! That was half in the back of my mind when I ordered just two weeks worth rather than a months.

Going to go and try on the mail order clothes that arrived today - that may have me back on the VLCD for 12 weeks plan!

Oh gosh, didn't mean to demotivate everyone else into the bargain! I think I just read the other thread at a particularly low moment. (I had to use two bars one day at the weekend (rather than the recommended one a day) because of being out from early in the morning till night, so was left today with three soups, and craving solid food...)

I'm going to stick to this, though. I'm just whingeing on my way. I am definitely going to do twelve weeks. I can't blow the three weeks of effort and cash I've already put in. Trying on clothes sounds like a good plan. I absolutely loathe clothes shopping at any weight, so one of my motivators is just being able to buy non-awful clothes quickly and easily, without having to put the slightest thought into it!

Hold hard, fellow-VLCD ers.

aww Talc - you didn't!

I was already feeling like I may not do this for much longer. That was always an option from the start - to use it for a kickstart to get off the rubbish/habit eating. That was the reason why I only ordered 2 weeks worth.

Today I've had an underlying headache all day and starting to feel slight nauseous and yesterday I was looking at the calendar and absorbing just how much I was going to be away this summer (and in the company of people who would notice).

So, I had a pint of Robinson's special R and an apple at 5 pm. At 6 pm I had a meal pack (chilli con carne - very nice) as normal. I've decided to transition off and onto a strict (no junk food or alcohol) LCD and not buy more packs. I'll still be using the packs for a few days. I'm looking at these 4.5 days in a positive light - and am very pleased I did them and think it was just what I needed. I am certainly not going to start bingeing now because 'I have failed' - quite the opposite. I feel empowered to make a real success of a very healthy LCD.

Good luck to everyone on their VLCD journeys. I know it works and I hope you all get everything you wished from it.

You sound very psyched about it all, Gabor. Good luck!

Thanks Talc!
I've had my first two packs as normal today (and that was actually what I wanted) but just added in an apple as a mid morning snack and some plums as a mid-afternoon snack. Could have easily skipped the fruit though - I guess last night's food (it wasn't much extra really) hasn't affected my appetite yet. Long may that continue...