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..?

I may be interested in this too, although the website isn't exactly super informative.
Would be nice to hear from OP who'd be around the 5 month mark by now.
And I'm also asking, is this a low fat diet?

I know what you mean about the website, I emailed them with quite a few questions before deciding to sign up.

My plan doesn't seem to be particularly low fat - some recipes include full fat Greek yogurt, and butter is used in small amounts. It's certainly low sugar though - no processed sugar in my plan, although fruit is included. But I guess it depends what you ask them for..?

Thanks Bitter, I must admit I was very sceptical but I see that several of you are long-term posters, just wish there was more information on the website!
I also have a few questions I'd like to ask them so I'll email.

I tired that a couple of weeks ago & it doesn't work at all!! Well didn't work me - i could hardly see a difference

What's the latest Bitter? I'm seriously considering this now. I like the idea of having meals planned out for me as I'm a bit crap with planning. I start off well but lose interest. I do wonder how specific I can be though - for example, I need two evening meals to be v quick/easy due to exercise classes, it needs to be stuff that's easy to prep the night before etc

One thing I find a bit odd/suspicious about it is that when I google it, the top result is this thread! I've looked through the first few pages and I can't find it unless I use the URL specifically. Seems strange to me..

Hi CremeDeSudo - latest from me is that I've lost 1 stone 9 now, which is past my original target, but think I'll try and lose a couple more lbs yet. I'm still mostly sticking to the plan, although I've started having the odd glass of wine at the weekends, and I did have some chocolate over Easter, but overall I'm sticking with it and still liking the meals.

That's a bit weird about the website Crème, I just tried it now using Yahoo and it came up right at the top, but maybe it depends which search engine you use..?

You've done really well. Well done!

I tried it on Bing and it came top too, but still not there on Google. How strange!

Thanks Crème - are you still 5:2-ing? Maybe you could combine both to give you some leeway for slip ups?

Actually that's a silly suggestion for a number of reasons, just ignore me

It's not that silly is it!? I'm not doing it anymore - I was dreading the 5:2 days and not being good enough on the other days! I've just been trying to be good and started going to my exercise classes again. Haven't weighed myself recently either

There's a programme that sounds similar to Freedom Diet Coach that's run via my work and I get a discount in signing up so I'm considering doing that when it next starts.

I'm not sure I can justify the cash for freedom when tbh, I know exactly what I should/shouldn't be eating! I think what I really want is someone to give me a shopping list and a guide of what to cook, when and when I can eat it!

Well that's what Freedom is really, but if you can get the same thing cheaper through work, do that (and report back!).

Hmmm I was the same about 5:2, dreading the fast days in advance and the weight loss was really slow for me on it.

Is it a full on idiots guide?

There's no shopping list but there's 3 meals and one snack each day which you choose from detailed info, a weekly planner to fill them all into, and even suggested guidelines as to when you should eat, so yeah, pretty much

Hi, thanks for the welcome - I've just received my plan - looks really good and very personalised. Stupid question: is this plan for the full 6 weeks, or will I receive any more recipes? There are 13 dinner recipes which I guess is ok but normally I tend not to repeat meals much (maybe that's where I've been going wrong!).

Hi lawn, I think that sounds about right. I tend to plan my meals on a fortnightly basis, with a couple of things lasting over 2 evenings, and eating something different on the other nights. I then repeat this, but I'm a bit of a lazy cook anyway and prefer to stick to things once I know how to make them . See how you get on, maybe you could request more dinner recipes if you start to get bored of them? Or even use the basic principles of the plan and make your own variation (I've done that when eating out).

Thanks Bitter, yes that makes sense.

Thanks Bitter, yes that makes sense.

For those thinking it's a con, I think it's just a smallish business - the upside of which is that you get a lot of personal attention and the diet is very tailored to your likes and needs. The main attraction for me is the support and accountability - I know I can't do it alone via "healthy eating", I don't believe in faddy diets, and I can't face a diet club, so this is ideal for me.

I've reached my goal weight (actually, 3lbs below my original goal) Really pleased!!!

Have received my maintenance plan so am going to follow the advice in that now but it's guidance rather than a diet plan, so will carry on using some of the recipes from my plan, and then include some new recipes using the same principles.

Still following. Wanted to say Congrats to you lemons, very well done.

Thanks Drongo - I'm so pleased with the results, we go away in summer so I'm already starting a bit of summer clothes shopping in anticipation! I'm well known for starting diets and lasting a couple of days at best, so I'm doubly happy to have successfully stuck to something for a change too

So glad I found this. My target is to lose 1st 4lbs, and after 2 weeks I've already lost nearly half a stone. The meals are filling and very normal and family-friendly, and cravings have been minimal. I email the coach at least once a day, telling her what I've eaten that day (this bit is my choice, not a necessary part of the plan) and anything else I need to share/ask. It's very very sensible, realistic and non-faddy - and therefore hopefully sustainable ...

Congrats Lemons, that's very encouraging!

One question BitterLemons: what's the maintenance plan like? How much does it differ from the first 6 weeks?