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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.

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Original poster

Debating the Harcombe diet...

14 replies

LingDiLong · 09/02/2014 20:48

Is there any need to buy the book or is all the info online?

I need to get some weight off but I think I also need to drastically rethink my eating habits and I'm wondering whether a phased diet would be a good way to kick start things.

Thanks!

OP posts:

iggymama · 10/02/2014 11:30

I think the books are worth buying, not only to get a better understanding of the diet, but also for the recipes. Only a few quid on Amazon but then I would say that having bought every diet book ever known

Original poster

LingDiLong · 10/02/2014 12:46

Thanks Iggy, have you done it and did it work for you? I've started phase 1, if I can get through that then I'll download the book onto my Kindle, phase 2 looks a bit more complicated.

Can't believe how much sugar is in EVERYTHING though!!

OP posts:

iggymama · 10/02/2014 20:18

Ashamed to say I never stuck at it. Currently been diagnosed diabetic and struggling to shift my excess weight so may think about having another stab at Harcombe.

iggymama · 10/02/2014 20:19

Oh and yes to sugar everywhere, also sweeteners which I would rather avoid.

Original poster

LingDiLong · 10/02/2014 20:51

Oh no need to feel ashamed, I have failed to stick at more diets than I've ever succeeded at - like most people I should imagine! Sorry to hear about the diabetes, it does seem like the Harcombe diet might be good for that.

OP posts:

postmanpatscat · 11/02/2014 07:56

I did it in 2010, lost a stone and felt great. Then I gradually slipped back, putting it all back on and a bit more! A year ago I started doing 5:2 and that has worked much better for me. I can eat 'normally' rather than feeling so restricted e.g. as a vegetarian eating out on Harcombe was virtually impossible. I'm also half a stone lighter than my lowest weight on HD and have stayed there for six months.

Follow Zoe on Twitter, she picks up some great research and debunks the Daily Mail headlines too. Her website and forum are very useful too.

Original poster

LingDiLong · 11/02/2014 08:09

Thanks 'Jess' . I was debating 5:2 actually but worry that I'll just use it as an excuse to eat a load of crap 5 days a week, I feel like I really need to completely change the way I eat. I can imagine being veggie and doing Harcombe must have been incredibly restrictive. Well done losing the weight and keeping off!

OP posts:

Kefybaby · 11/02/2014 08:15

I tried it before Christmas and lost half a stone. For me it was the easiest way to diet as I could still have a porridge in the morning and then fish or meat with veg for my other meals (plus yoghurt for a snack). I did not buy the books but then again I stuck with the first phase throughout. If you are thinking of low carbing you could perhaps join the MN bootcamp where you would get a lot of support.

BowieBaby · 12/02/2014 11:15

I started this diet yesterday and had three lovely meals. So much nicer than the rubbish I've been eating lately. I had

B Omellete with toms
L. Tuna niciose salad without potatoes
D chicken casserole with the allowed 50g of brown rice

Didn't feel the need to snack which is unheard of for me. After one day the scales are showing a 2lb loss but I'm sure it's just fluid as I could not stop going to the toilet yesterday. Already feel so much better without sugar messing up my glucose levels - I'm pre-diabetic.

You don't need the book but as others have said it is useful and only a few quid on Amazon. It seems more a healthy life style change than a diet as it's all unprocessed foods with carbs in moderation.

Good luck! It would be good to have a support thread.

Original poster

LingDiLong · 12/02/2014 11:54

Support thread would be very good! Am finding the meals quite tasty considering how restrictive phase 1 is but I still seem to be starving all the time. I'm pretty sure it's down to my diet coke habit. I'm going to knock that on the head and see if it helps!

Day 3 of phase 1 for me and I've had kedgeree with 50g brown rice for breakfast and am going to make veg soup for lunch.

Do you happen to know if you can eat vegetable crisps on phase 1 ingredients are beetroot, parsnips, salt and sunflower oil and nothing else.

OP posts:

BowieBaby · 12/02/2014 18:58

I think not as you're only allowed Olive oil and not sunflower. Maybe roast some root veg for a snack.

So it's day two and I hAve been so bloody hungry but determined not to give in! I don't usually last very long but really don't want to have another 'fat' summer. Breakfast was omelette and lunch stir fried veg with salmon and dinner will be chilli with rice.

I have cheated a bit as just can't give up tea... only had a few cups though. Are you still drinking the diet coke?

Original poster

LingDiLong · 13/02/2014 07:46

Diet on hold for me, been up all night with a tummy bug! On the upside I've lost a few pounds...

OP posts:

Osmiornica · 13/02/2014 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

LingDiLong · 14/02/2014 09:21

Thanks Osmiornica, I thought the veg crisps would be too good to be true!!!

I did leave out the kidney beans in the chilli. Will try and up the fat. I'm struggling a bit today after my tummy bug I have to say, seeing all that meat come back up has made me really go off eating any. The only thing I could face eating for breakfast was a natural yogurt and a banana. I might have to take a break and try again once my tummy has properly settled.

On the upside, the diet and the tummy bug have resulted in a pretty impressive weight loss - about 6lbs in 5 days!

OP posts:

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