Hello everyone
Sorry I haven't posted for a while. I had a slow week and then I had a week when I put 0.3kg on! I really hadn't prepared for that and was quite angry (my poor therapist) only because I couldn't understand why. I had followed the diet to the letter and done everything exactly the same as all the weeks before so it was a real shock to go up. I think it was made worse by the fact I had expected to go on to Stage 2 that week so I'll be honest and say it was a real slap in the face.
I'm far enough through that I didn't seriously think about stopping - and obviously my therapist reassured me that it would only be a blip but not knowing what caused it was frustrating.
Anyway, I was flying to the US the next day. Because it was a mid afternoon flight, arriving there early evening because of the time difference, I only had two sachets left in my (UK time) day to last me 11 hours. Goodness, that was hard! I had preordered a low fat meal but when it arrived it was all things I couldn't eat. The airline staff got me a salad from First Class in the end, which was lovely of them but it had honey and mustard dressing on. I felt like I had to eat it because they'd gone to so much trouble but spent my whole week away worrying about having eaten the dressing!
I didn't feel like I'd lost anything whilst I was away, so prepared myself for being the same but amazingly I had lost 2.5kg so shot into Stage 2! I was so happy!
So, there's a really lesson there about knowing that even if you have a slow/bad week it will balance out.
I've been eating chicken stir frys all week and have a steak in the fridge for tonight. It's starting to feel like the end is in sight now although I still have 7.8kgs to go. But I've lost 24.2kg so far which honestly feels amazing!
I hope everyone else is doing OK. I know it's a hard slog but it really does work.
Lotus7817 - I bought some of these when I started www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B015WXI9AC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503161905&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sistema+water+bottle+480&dpPl=1&dpID=41YS5aW8m2L&ref=plSrch&tag=mumsnetforum-21 They are a really good size and you can unscrew the big lid to tip the sachet in but drink from the small. I take three to work every day with the right amount of water in so I can discreetly tip the sachets in by my desk and not have to make a big song and dance about it. I also bought a pack of five metal blenders www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00HEB1V1A/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21 as they do help the sachets mix better.
Dinoscales - there is nothing to be embarrassed about putting weight on. I lost 5st a few years ago (with help from a hypnotherapist) and then slowly put it all and more back on, and after a year of counselling, realised it was all stress related. It happens. The great thing for you is that you have done it before - so you know how it works and you know you can do it. Wanting to go back on it is a good thing, not something you should be angry with yourself about. I think losing weight is 90% mental and 10% what you eat, so if your head is telling you now is the right time to lose it again, go for it.
Airevalley - how are you getting on? Have you managed to find some sachets you like yet? Most people find the hot chocolate one is particularly good, and I like the strawberry milkshake and orange and pineapple too. I hated all the savoury ones! I was worried about having only liquid ones but honestly it works fine and I'm never hungry.
Drinking water makes a massive difference to your loss each week (there is scientific evidence to back this up!) so I have upped my intake to at least 3 litres every day - I really recommend this and you do get used to it.
Well done everyone on your amazing losses - let's all keep it up!
PS I found it so helpful reading about other people's experiences when I was starting out - please do ask any questions if it helps you.