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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.

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

773 replies

Cheesyslice · 24/01/2014 13:24

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

Thanks
OP posts:
ChestyNut · 31/01/2014 18:54

Is any one else doing food packs alone?

Cheesyslice · 31/01/2014 20:20

Soy sauce is ok 84. Stay clear of the other stuff.

'Toast buds' - excellent typo Grin

OP posts:
MrsBradfield · 31/01/2014 22:05

Ok I've got 3lb to go till I've hit my 1st stone mark, hoping when I weigh mon I will see this so will be a good incentive, will have lost 14 lb in exactly a month then and will have 23 lbs to go.

ChestyNut · 31/01/2014 22:35

Is that a no? Sad

tarajupp · 01/02/2014 08:13

Morning all!
Chesty I am doing just packs (Exante). Find it easier than eating a meal every day!
Weighed today 96kg so that is another 2 kg off (11kg in total) and another 2 inches off my waist!!
Yay!!!!

Womble1975 · 01/02/2014 12:03

Hi Chesty. I'm just on packs. 4 a day with s&s.

MrsBradfield · 01/02/2014 12:52

I'm just on packs too

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 01/02/2014 13:01

84 I didn't cut caffeine as I wouldn't be able to stick to the plan if I'd had to do that. I have 2 cups of filter coffe a day with 50ml semi skimmed milk. I also have 10g of oatbran in with my porridge (Original Oatmeal is best). I've worked all this through on the meal planner to make sure I stay within limits for calories and carbs. I have salad or broccoli (broccoli is good with the cheesy pasta). I had to play about a lot with portion sizes but it's ok.

I drink tea black anyway so I have coffee first thing then when I get home from work, then tea the rest of the time.

I also use the water flavourings. A pint of fizzy water with a flavouring in can stave off hunger pretty well. Also, having a bit of flavouring in hot water is comforting too.

My biggest tip is to plan very very carefully for how you are going to keep the weight off. In a way, losing it is the easiest part.

I also factor in treats for myself. So I went out last night with work and had a bar on the way and fizzy water which helped me to stick to having ham, prawns and chicken TAPPAS dishes while everyone else was tucking into deep fried gubbins. I enjoyed the evening but to reward myself for sticking to my new habit of actually thinking about what I eat, I bought an Opi nail varnish for myself today.

Also, there was no gain on the scales this mornng so Grin

Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

MrsBradfield · 01/02/2014 13:31

I just got my ketostix today and just tested, it came us as a light pink rather than dark pink does this mean I am safely in ketosis? The instructions don't really clarify, they are the bayer ones thanks

tarajupp · 01/02/2014 17:04

MrsBradfield the pot should have a scale on the side - light pink probably means a small amount of ketones. I think it depends on each person how much they wee out. From your weight loss I would say you are in ketosis!! Smile

ChestyNut · 01/02/2014 19:53

Ah glad it's not just me!

How are you finding it? Sometimes I'm fine others I feel huuuungry and like I can't do it Sad

Womble1975 · 01/02/2014 20:34

It's difficult some days isn't it? Last week was a killer as I had a stinking cold as well. I just have battles with myself as I know this diet works.. I don't know if your a coffee drinker but I have bought some flavoured coffee as a "treat" also I make sure I have my veg allowance. Last time I was on it I had sugar free mints.. They say not too but it helped me. I think the short time it takes to notice you have lost a bit and feel "lighter" can be a motivating factor as well. I'm just looking forward to being able to fit in the suitcase of thin clothes I have that I've never worn!! Smile

IndecisivePramBuyer81 · 01/02/2014 21:07

I'm on 3 packs and a 200 cal meal with Cambridge. .have really been struggling the last couple of days Sad for the first time since ketosis kicked in I've been jealous of DH's food and 'cheated' yesterday with a boiled egg!!

I think I might have to allow myself some sort of treat once I reach the 6 wk mark so I can keep at it. .just a chicken salad or some real food with no carbs!

figgypuddings · 02/02/2014 09:58

Hello, may I join you?

I have been following the Cambridge diet for five weeks but started dieting in November and have lost 2 stone.Four more to go.
Last week, I was weighed and had put on almost half a stone. The problem is that I am struggling to take the shakes plus the food I have to eat (I'm vegan but the lactose free shakes are fine) and I also had a very heavy period.

Is this a plateau in the diet or is my body holding on to everything, fluid etc as I find the food part too much? I'm stuck at 12 1/2 stone and it is so frustrating.

Cheesyslice · 02/02/2014 14:46

Hi hkbm, I've reported you for spamming / advertising Wink

Anyway...

hope everyone's had a good weekend. I'm sooo bloated again today. Ugh. I think it's the green tea I've been drinking. Bloody painful.

figgy I've been plateauing for the past month! very annoying. But then I've been less than strict.

Re packs, I'm on LighterLife lite which is three packs plus a protein / veg meal. I can also have milk in tea. Keeps me sane Grin

OP posts:
LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 02/02/2014 15:02

Figgy try eating more calories. I know it seems odd but I think it helps to stop your body shutting down. Maybe add the calories in protein if you want to stay in ketosis eg chicken/eggs etc. I've had a 4-week plateau when I did a VLCD twice before. Eating a bit more helped to shift it.

I'm approaching the weight I was when I was stuck before so I'm pre-empting it. I ate 3 S&S sachets, 1/2 chicken breasts and 100g of salad with balsamic vinegar and as much coffee with milk as I wanted yesterday and I lost a pound. I'm no more hungry today than I was before either. I'm planning a much more gradual re-feed than S&S and basing it on the Cambridge one. I suppose I'm on the exquivalent of Cambridge step 2 now.

figgypuddings · 02/02/2014 15:37

Cheesy, I did LL a few years ago and stuck to it but could not understand why I began putting weight on around week 6. Happily, I discovered the answer after POAS Smile

LetsFace, dh just took me out for a slap-up vegan dinner, cake and everything. I feel human again and home with the cake recipe
I substitute milk with hemp milk and CD recommendation of proteins are fairly limited but I've stocked up on tofu and other goodies so hopefully it will kick start the weight loss again.

themessyapron · 02/02/2014 23:53

I've really missed food and wine this weekend. One week to go...

IndecisivePramBuyer81 · 03/02/2014 07:44

What's POAS?

themessyapron · 03/02/2014 08:32

POAS - piss on a stick (do a pregnancy test)

Blithereens · 03/02/2014 08:53

Hi all, may I join? On LL Total as of this morning. Did it for five months in 2012 and lost six stone, then had to come off it suddenly due to (unrelated) surgery. Recovery took months due to complications so I couldn't go back on LL or do management, the most important bit.

I'm better now but I've put all the blasted weight back on and then some. Feel really happy to be back on it, loved it last time and this time DH is doing it with me! Of corse he'll lose all his in about five minutes flat, so it would be good to have support on here too.

themessyapron · 03/02/2014 09:14

One month weigh in today. Two stone down Smile Still hugely fat and have noticed very little difference but it's a start

Blithereens · 03/02/2014 09:44

That's absolutely fantastic messy, well done you!!

Womble1975 · 03/02/2014 14:04

Wow well done Messy. That's great Smile

Cheesyslice · 03/02/2014 19:01

Omg messy well done! Thanks

You MUST have noticed the difference. I bet you look amazing.

OP posts: