Has anyone tried the Freedom diet??

[Howhardcanitbe]

I'm seriously thinking about giving it a go - a couple of people from work have lost loads of weight over 6 weeks and say it wasn't too hard (their lunches looked really good and not too 'diet-ey'). I've tried loads of different things and never manage to stick to them but this sounds quite sensible and doable.

Anyone else tried it..?

[FlightyMare]

Hi Dolly - how are you doing? I've lost 3lbs this week so I'm chuffed. Hope you're doing ok.?

[FlightyMare]

Hi Dolly, how's it going? I'm surprised to say, but so far I haven't missed by usual snacks at all! I was back at work yesterday, which is always going to be a danger zone, but I genuinely wasn't even tempted by the cakes etc in the staff room because I'd had a lovely filling breakfast and I was also looking forward to my lunch and didn't want to spoil my appetite by eating a gross sticky cake beforehand. I'm also really getting into this whole thing of tuning into whether I'm actually hungry or not, because in the past I've mostly eaten junk when I'm not really all that hungry, and I'm finding the meals really satisfying because I'm waiting until I genuinely want them.

It's obviously only the second day, but I'm all planned for the week and am feeling good about the meals I've got sorted. It's so simple, I'm wondering why I haven't done this before really. Hope you're getting on ok with it.

[Dolly8719]

Thats great. Ive just been having a more in depth read today actually. Im going to plan which meals im having so can make a shopping list for tomorrow. Im just so glad im not going it alone!

[FlightyMare]

Fab - we can cold turkey together!

Yes, have received my plan, it looks really good. Going to have a proper look through tomorrow and get sorted with shopping, ready to start on Monday

[Dolly8719]

I cant tell you how much i relate to that. Ive tried lots of diets (i dont want a diet now i want a sustainable way of eating for nourishment and enjoying. Ive joined multiple diet groups in various village halls where i live thinking oh this will be a fresh start but im just fed up of sugarfree, syns, points, unlimited foods. I just want to eat the good healthy and satisfying foods i used to enjoy. I have received my plan today and it looks great. Its doesnt seem right that i can eat healthy and wholesome meals and lose weight and get a healthy relationship with food again but i seriously feel its 'do able'. Does not seem like a diet at all. I have decided to go cold turkey on chocolate tho. They have included an option of a couple of pieces of dark chocolate but to be honest moderation in sweet foods is impossible for me so im just going to cut it out and accept im probably going to feel awful for a week as i am literally fueled on sugar!? Im ashamed to admit but think its the best way to go. Im currently staying with family and going home sunday so i will get food shop on monday morning and begin then. Have you got your plan through yet?

[FlightyMare]

Don't feel at all selfish - it's a small investment in you and your health, I don't feel at all guilty about it!

I wanted the accountability without having to spend £5 each week to get weighed in a village hall (most probably by someone who's only qualification is following the diet themselves previously). I also wanted to make sure that I was following a truly healthy diet, not something I'd cobbled together myself from the internet etc and I am sick and tired of starting some diet from a book and getting too focused on weight loss rather than focusing on improving my health and actually feeling better on a day-to-day basis.

Looking forward to getting started now!!

[Dolly8719]

Im the same. Somwhow biscuits and chocolate has become a meal? I sometimes think well i'll just have snacks for dinner and instead of something like a sandwich, salad or soup and then i end up racking up more calories that leave me constantly needing another energy boost. I cook at teatime for us so thats the only real meal of the day i have. Sometimes i'll cook for them and just have some toast and then i seem to get ravenous in the evening and will just snack until i go to bed. When i saw it written down i thought its so obvious where im going wrong and i can see that but its become such a habit and with my 13 month old son i never have the time to do a meal plan. Thats probably an excuse though as i know you can fit anything into your day but i just feel very stuck in a negative behavioural pattern with my eating. I eat for energy and comfort thats the problem. I felt so selfish spending the money on a plan that i could effectively 'do myself' but in order to take care of others you have to take care of yourself i feel. I dont know how you came to deciding to make the commitment to your health?

[FlightyMare]

God yes, it was embarrassing - I actually considered amending it so it didn't look as bad, but then realised how silly that would be! Might as well paint an honest picture...I was shocked at how often I snacked on biscuits etc rather than having a proper meal! That's the main thing I want to get sorted actually.

[Dolly8719]

I did say id need something sweet each day and not fruit as that doesnt satisfy my chocolate sweet tooth but i dont know if theyll include it. Wishful thinking on my behalf i think. If they decide cold turkey the best way then thats what ill do but long term i know that i'll always have chocolate but maybe just for celebration times etc. I had a shock when i wrote down my weekly food diary. Did you?

[FlightyMare]

Will do.
Do you think they'll include sweet treats in your plan then, or are you planning on cutting them out once you start?

[Dolly8719]

Hi

Yes i know its rubbish when you see a thread that youd like to be a part of and then realise the conversation was about 2 years ago!? Tbh i think we will be pretty much starting at the same time. Im expecting my plan at the very latest monday so im hoping to have it by the end of this week.
The worst part of any weight loss or diet for me is the sweet things. Just a quick sugar fix to give me energy or make me feel better (logically i know it doesnt i.e makes me fatter, unhappy with weight etc) but im fuelled on sugar and cups of tea and its no good. People say well dont have it in the house but my partner eats it (has very physical job) so i cant not have that type of food in the house which makes things so difficult when temptation is just on the kitchen (first world problems i know)

Keep me posted on how you get on
Jolene

[FlightyMare]

Hi Jolene,

Hoorah - I'd decided this thread was too old and no-one would reply and was just thinking about starting a new one about a fresh start for September.

My plan should be arriving by the end of the week, and I'm planning on starting on Monday once DS goes back to school and we return to a normal routine etc. I've already started to make an effort to have 3 meals a day and cut right back on snacking, but I'm like you and love sweet snacks. I'm planning on a cold turkey approach and have asked for a plan with no refined sugar!!! Hope I don't regret that, but I think the best way for me to do it, is to just cut it out completely rather than having the odd bits here and there.

I'm so glad you've joined me, I think the extra support will be really helpful.

[Dolly8719]

Hi Flightmare
Ive been looking into the freedom diet and after doing and other diets ive signed up for the freedom diet. Itd be great to have someone to chat to about how were getting cause my biggest weakness is chocolate and anything sugary (just artificial sugar really!?). Ive sent off my questionnaire so should be getting my plan within 7 days, be lovely to hear from you
Jolene x

[FlightyMare]

I'm still pondering this - just back from holiday (and amazingly I didn't actually gain any weight but we were out and about walking a lot). I'm definitely ready to make some beneficial changes to my diet and think a fresh start in September would be the way to go...I think I'm going to sign up!!!

[FlightyMare]

I think I'm going to sign up to this (after lots of research and umming and ahhing!!). Although realistically I'm not sure I'll be that committed over the summer hols plus we're away for 2 weeks in August...am thinking I might start to make a few healthy changes over summer and start with this in September. Anyone else interested..?

[BopperBop]

Hi,

I did this plan a few months ago and lost just over 2 stone with it, but what I've since found to be the best part of it for me, is the maintenance plan and advice I received after reaching my goal weight. I think it's possible to lose weight with just about any diet plan if you're committed to it and find something you can follow, but the difference for me was being able to stay at my new weight without either being 'on' or 'off' any sort of diet.

I still use quite a few of the recipes, but the main advice was more about listening to your body and following your natural appetite - so waiting until you're genuinely hungry before eating etc. I've also found that because I'm not banning myself from eating any specific foods, I've managed to avoid the usual post-diet binge that I've experienced in the past after sticking with a diet for a set period of time. I was encouraged to think of it as a genuine lifestyle change, rather than a 'diet', which has been the reason for my success, and helped me get back to it after any sort of off-plan eating, without just giving up and returning to the old habits I was trying to change.

I hope this is helpful to those just starting out with this way of eating - I've personally changed my whole attitude to food as a result. Stick with it, it becomes more natural as you break old habits.

[SuzySoo]

That's fab Breakingbod - sounds like you're getting in the zone and being very organised. I'm getting along nicely too. Went to an exercise class this afternoon so I'm feeling particularly virtuous. Planning a lovely roast dinner for tomorrow - I'm really loving the food, and it probably sounds silly, but I feel really reassured that I'm doing things properly as it's been put together for me by a nutritionist. I find there's so much conflicting diet advice around, especially on the internet, but on TV too, so it's really great to hand over the job to a professional and just get on with following the advice.

Have a great weekend - I'll try to remember to check back in early next week x

[BreakingBod]

It's my day off today, but I'm not going to use that as an excuse to eat badly - instead I'm getting really organised for next week, filling in my weekly planner and choosing all my favourites from my plan

[BreakingBod]

Day 4 and still going strong - sticking to the plan, and reckon I'm over the worst of the sugar withdrawal/cravings. Had a cracking headache yesterday afternoon and evening, but feeling more or less normal today. I'm going to plan some nice meals for over the weekend, and also get some things cooked for next week that I can just keep in the freezer and reheat quickly when needed.

How's your week going?

[SuzySoo]

Oh well done - I'm so glad you've got started. I think often that's the hardest part! I'm surprised at how little I'm missing my usual sweet treats, because I'm full from my meals I'm barely thinking about it . Chicken curry for dinner tonight, which I'm ridiculously excited about!! Hope your evening goes smoothly, I'm quite glad the weather's so dark and miserable at the moment, it's a good excuse for a hot bath and off to bed to read, that way I'm not even tempted to start rummaging around in the kitchen!!

[BreakingBod]

Hi Suzy - well I survived day 1 yesterday, and am actually feeling ok so far today. I've had scrambled eggs on toast this morning, which always keeps me going all morning, so I haven't even thought about snacking. Got a good lunch lined up too (big chicken salad with a boiled egg) - protein definitely helps keep the sugar cravings at bay.

Well done on 3lbs, that's fantastic, and a great motivator.

[SuzySoo]

Hi Breaking bod, how's it going?

I had my first weigh in this morning and am very encouraged to have lost 3lbs, so I'm really pleased with that. I'm also getting into the swing of it now, and am barely missing my morning latte now . A lovely bowl of porridge with banana kept me going very nicely until lunchtime this morning.

I really hope you've made a good start today too.

[SuzySoo]

Hi Breaking bod - don't feel ashamed, at least you've decided to do something about it, and Christmas is such a hard time to eat healthily. You've done it before, so you can definitely do it again. Like you say, get yourself sorted over the weekend and you can make a fresh start on Monday.

I've got on ok this week - I'm liking the food, and it's been good to have a definite plan to follow, as it's really made me get organised. I also like knowing at the start of the day exactly what I'm going to eat, instead of just making it up as I go along. Feeling like the weekend could be my problem area, as it's usually a time for treats, so I'm going to find other non-food ways to reward myself for surviving the first week back at work

[BreakingBod]

Oh my god, I'm so ashamed!! I was going great guns with this before Christmas, but then it all went horribly wrong and I'm now right back to my old terrible eating habits i.e. mainlining sugar at any given opportunity!! I'm seriously like an addict on a bender!

BUT I got off the sugar by sticking to my diet plan when I started it, so I'm going to give myself the weekend to get organised (and finish my Thornton chocs, natch ) and then I'll restart my diet plan from Monday.

A diet buddy would be amazing SuzySoo!!

[SuzySoo]

Hi Mandy - did you sign up for the Freedom plan in the end?

I started it this week and am so far really liking it, the food is nice and the recipes are very doable. Would be nice to have some Freedom diet buddies though, as this thread is very slow.