exante?

[WotsitSandwich]

Anyone doing exante? I got my box yesterday and started after a black pudding sandwich so started properly today, just been out for breakfast with DD, DSis and DDad and didn't touch a thing! Feeling really motivated.

Any other exante'ers out there?

Well done Moanranger. 10lbs is fantastic.

I didn't get ketosis flu in the first week, but felt dire at the beginning of the second week. Still not sure if it was the ketosis or a virus, but I've felt great since it passed. The best effect for me has been sleep. I am usually a virtual imsomniac, but have been sleeping like a baby since I got into ketosis. I have no idea if this is normal, but very happy that's how it's affected me. Haven't had so much sleep in years and am finally able to get up at a decent time in the morning.

Oh ... visitor, will come back later and finish post.

I was a little bit fed up this morning, as my weight-loss decided to stop and go up a little and it's my official weigh-in day. So, yesterday I was 14 oz off losing my first stone - this morning I was a just under 2lbs off. I know it will go, just would have been nice for it to happen on my official weigh-in day.

I don't think I had enough water yesterday. I find it harder at to remember to keep drinking enough when the house is full and we're busy with other things. I already have to have 3l a day for medical reasons, so drinking even more than that and balancing the drinking with fluid loss, while trying not to retain water is a bit tricky. Also, I am now in the normal pmt period for me, so I suppose I can expect some water retention over the next 10 days. Stress won't help either and this week is going to be stressful - as I have my driving test on Thursday!

I don't find the shakes salty, but then I have to salt load my diet due to a health condition (not that I have been enough on this diet), so that probably explains it. The only fruit one I like is plain strawberry. Other than that I tend to stick with vanilla, coconut, almond and vanilla and chai latte. I cannot stand the strawberry and banana smoothie - the fake banana taste is overwhelming.

Of the meals, my favourite is shepherds pie, with additional black pepper, salt (of course) and worcestershire sauce. The spag bol is ok, but I add some more italian herbs and salt and pepper.

I tried a double-choc bar for lunch today. It was very rich, so much so I could only eat half and put the other half in the fridge for later ... which taught me they are much nicer when refrigerated.

I haven't been hungry or had any cravings so far, which I'm really pleased about. The only thing I miss is having milk in my coffee.

Veg - thanks for responding. I am getting used to the shakes taste. I like the fruit ones better, the chocolate doesn't actually taste of chocolate to me. I got a mixed shakes & bars pack initially, but didn't include coconut or chai latte. I have 20 days of meals left & thinking about what to buy when that starts running out. The combos are good value, but you don't get to choose flavours, though I did see an offer of x meals(your choice) for £x. I would like to try porridge.
I am quite hungry today, probably due to lots of exercise yesterday. Keep twanging my rubber band.
Veg just remind yourself that weight loss tends to go in stages- maybe try not to weigh so often.
I am only expecting 2-3 lb max this next week, the first week is the easy stuff.
Interesting about sleeping. I don't notice much difference except I don't wake up hungry.

I decided to bite the bullet and start weighing myself. Last week I lost 5lbs. Tomorrow is weighing day but my period is 2 days late. I feel like I should be on my period (migraine,bloating,tetchy!) but nothing! Anyway, not expecting a loss tomorrow but will keep my fingers crossed. I'm sure I read somewhere that VLCD can tinker with your cycle?

Moan Well done on 10lbs! Have you tried the pancakes? I really love them. Filling too!

Veg Good luck for Thursday!

I don't like the chocolate shake. I think they've tried to make it taste malty, but failed.

I didn't buy a combo for that reason. I did one of their 60 meals for £60 deals or something like that, so I could choose the flavours myself.

I've had the raspberry porridge and it was quite nice, but not like porridge - or maybe I just made it up wrong. To me it was more blancmange like in consistency.

I'm ok with the slight gain this morning. I know weight-loss isn't linear. I also know I shouldn't weigh myself every day, but have always been the same when it comes to dieting. (Last time I lost 4 stone through just diet/my fitness pal and exercise, but put it all back on two years later thanks to being on crutches for 6 months and other health problems.)

Pando Well done on your 5lb loss.

I've read that some people's periods go a bit awry on VLCD's too. I have no idea when to expect mine. In theory it should be the end of next week-ish and I usually have a good 10-12 days of horrible pmt symptoms, but if it is going to arrive then my symptoms are greatly reduced this month - which makes me suspicious it's going to be late and arrive when I'm at a music festival instead.

Thanks you for the good wishes for my driving test. I am so nervous - have been playing with a reverse/parallel simulator online this afternoon. It's so much easier when you're not actually in a car!

Anyway, onwards and downwards. I'm not expecting a loss tomorrow either, but will be delighted if one chooses to turn up.

Veg I'm 35 and had 5 months of driving lessons last year (had to stop due to problems with my leg). Hoping to start lessons again when my DD starts school this Sep. I get so nervous, I used to talk non-stop at the instructor!!

Agree with you about the choc shake. It's...weird! Sadly, I bought loads lol. I find them easier to drink in a glass with a lid (jar type thingy). I can't smell it so it's not so bad.

I spoke too soon about my period! But I weighed myself today and I'm down 9lbs

Pando I'm nearly 46, took my test and failed on something daft at 22, then never tried again. Dh bought me driving lessons for my birthday last year (at my request) and I've been having lessons ever since. My instructor is lovely. She's so calm and patient and that's made all the difference this time around. I wasn't comfortable with my instructor last time. I still get ridiculously anxious about it, but bought Diane Hall's book 'An 'L' of a Way to Pass' and also watched some videos on YouTube on EFT for driving test nerves and am amazed to say, as I was very sceptical, but they do seem to be really helping.

I have my last full lesson before test day in an hour. Then just the one you have straight before the test. Test on Thursday at 10.12 am.

Re the shakes. I whizz mine up in the liquidizer with tonnes of ice and they come out like a take-away milkshake. It also reduces the smell and the ice stops the taste being overwhelming. Don't think I could drink them if they were just shaken up.

9lbs! That's fantastic. Well done! I hope the same happens to me when my period decides to turn up. I did weigh in this morning and was a whole 4oz lighter than yesterday. I don't think I'm going to bother weighing in again now until after my period - well not unless I spend an entire day constantly going to the toilet, which will be a heads-up that I might be losing again.

I'm pretty new to MN but wanted to join in as I've just started exante this morning and aim to lose 5 stone! If previously started the Cambridge diet but came of it after a few weeks, mainly for financial reasons. I lose a lot of weight quite quickly even in those few weeks which I'm hoping will be the same with exante.

Been reading the thread and seems like you are all doing really well. I'm taking note of some of the food pack recommendations, I had a lemon and raspberry shake this am and found it disgusting! It just seemed so fake tasting, salty and gloopy. Going to order some spag Bol and lemon bars, also tempted by the chocolate puddings now!

What shake flavours are the nicest/most normal tasting?!

Re shakes: I agree re using ice- I put about 6 of those smallish ice cubes in a blender & then about 100-120 ml of water & whizz. As far as flavours, I think the fruity ones- strawberry & variants & blueberry ok. I don't find them awful, but just powdery (whey protein I think)
I also make my morning pack a latte, by using 200ml of hot water & vanilla, banana, honeycomb or similar. This is not bad.
If you're hungry enough, you'll eat anything ! (Twangs rubber band)

I only have shakes and bars and I don't mind them. I definitely haven't noticed them being salty! I like honeycomb and the almond milk & vanilla. They are all a bit sickly but I just shake and gulp - don't think I could be bothered getting the blender out three times a day.

I'm not very keen on any of the bars but they are so convenient for work or when out and about. The only product I have hated is the chocolate cookie - it's vile! They really haven't got the hang of chocolate flavouring, have they? I'd rather not have anything chocolate at all than a rubbish substitute, just makes me want the real thing!

I'm 11lbs down overall , feel so close to the magic stone! Yesterday I was unexpectedly ravenous and desperate to cheat. I drank loads of water which did not hit the spot at all! Today I've been not at all hungry and actually forgot to do one shake. Really don't fancy it now! It's funny how variable I'm still finding it.

Hi Snurf sounds like you have a good plan. Good luck.

Moanranger I use a lot more ice than that and the full 200ml of water. It comes out at around 750ml. I find that not only does it improve the taste, it's a handy way of getting extra fluids in.

My blender lives on the worktop, fairly near the sink, so for me it's no hassle to just whizz it up and then quickly clean the blender.

I've had the shepherd's pie tonight, as I really needed a warm meal. I add black pepper, salt (I have to add that to almost everything) and a good slosh of worcestershire sauce and it's actually quite nice. Looks absolutely disgusting, but tastes ok. First time I made it I used less water, based on other people's experience, but the TVP or whatever it is, didn't soften. This time I used the full amount of water, but cooked it for an extra 30 second burst and it was perfect - well perfect for a powdered diet meal anyway!

I am definitely in full-on pmt mode now. Had a dreadful driving lesson this morning (reverse parking). Came home and just felt like sobbing and have been feeling tearful ever since (I am only ever like this when totm is imminent and even then rarely). I am also ridiculously exhausted, to the extent that even my arms and legs feel weak. I had a nasty nocturnal episode last night (part of my health problems) and that's knocked me about a bit, as well, so all in all I'm a bit of a mess.

So, I'm off to bed now, having taken some co-codamol, which I know will cause a gain or at the very least no loss for a couple of days, but needs must.

Definitely not weighing in again till after totm, quite apart from anything else, it's bound to trigger the waterworks again, as there's no way I will lose much - if anything.

I plan to snuggle up and hide from the predicted deluges tomorrow, as I really feel the need to just curl up and rest for a while.

Hope you're ok, veg!

My best loss so far has happened on Week 4 and I dropped 5lbs, taking me to the magic stone overall! So pleased. A lot of it has come off my middle so I'm wearing dresses that haven't fitted since before I was pregnant with my now 2yo - I have tried and tried over the past two years with all sorts of diet and exercise plans and not got near; I can't believe I've done it in four weeks now!

I have surgery coming up a t the end of this month and I know this diet isn't recommended whilst recovering. I'm so pleased with the loss though because at my pre-op I had a BMI of 36 which obviously raised my risk profile. At a stone less, obviously I'm still nowhere near the healthy BMI range but I feel I've lowered my risk a small amount and that feels good. I think I'm going to order my next box, keep it up until the day before my op and then take a week or so off depending on how I'm feeling. I'll keep things mainly low carb and eat as healthily as possible. I won't be weighing myself. But I'll be back on Exante afterwards and get as much more shifted as possible before the summer holidays.

Well done Nautical!

Sounds like a sensible idea to stall the diet while you recuperate and just keep things as healthy as possible instead.

I took a rest day, where I just snuggled up and had a couple of nights' better sleep thanks to the cocodamol and started to feel much better, although still very much pmt-y.

Failed my driving test yesterday. So frustrating as the examiner said he had no concerns whatsoever about my general driving, but I made a mistake on the way back to the test centre (misjudged an aggressive driver on a roundabout and ended up in his way with him beeping at me) and that was an instant fail.

I am fine about it though. The examiner was lovely, said to put straight back in, as it was just unlucky and he's sure I'll pass straight away next time. Unfortunately there's a massive shortage of examiners in our area and the quickest re-test I could get was the second week in September.

Anyway, I am putting it out of my mind for now and looking forward to my festival next weekend.

I'm not weighing in for a while now, as between the cocodamol and bouillon, I know I will be retaining water, then I have to get through this pmt before my body will let go of the water and finally I don't want to weight in straight after the festival. The last thing I want is to demotivate myself, so I'm going to just carry on doing it 100% until a couple of days before the festival, then add in the extra 200 kcals of food to get my body used to eating again, before trying to be sensible, without spoiling my fun while I'm there.

Dh is going to hide the scales before we go and not give them back for 2 weeks, to keep me from the temptation of weighing in, which I know will only demotivate me.

I've lost a lot from my waist/middle as well, measured it a week or so ago and had already gone down an inch. I suspect it's more now, as my jeans are really lose and I've gone in on my belt a couple more notches. I've also lost of my hips though, which is nice, as that's always a difficult area to shift for me usually.

HI all
Have started Exante today.
I'm 11 st 12 and want to be 9 st 12 so two stone to go!
Had the raspberry porridge for breakfast, was ok, just really sweet!
Dreading feeling hungry as I have no willpower but I really need to do this, for health reasons.

Hi Guessinggame.

Just to reassure you. I haven't felt hungry at all. I'll have been doing it for four weeks next Monday and a full 'official' month next Wednesday.

If you do think you feel hungry, have a drink of water - but sip it, don't glug it down, otherwise it won't rehydrate you or make you feel better.

I'm doing it for health reasons too, but have at least another 3 stones to lose.

I failed to put my ice cube trays in last night, so had none for a shake this morning. Ended up with a choc pudding for breakfast . Couldn't face the Exante porridge.

My period decided to surprise me too this morning. Wasn't expecting it till the end of next week and was worried I'd end up having to deal with it in festival toilets, so I'm really relieved. I'm also surprised at how much milder my pmt symptoms were this month. Definitely a good reason to stick to a low carb diet if it's going to be like this every month. I usually go up two bra-cup sizes (and I'm already a 34 J) for at least 10 days beforehand, but have stayed - and fitted - in my normal bra this month. Best of all, no 24 hour migraine the day before it started - which is why it surprised me. I always know when it's coming because of the migraine and this time I didn't even have so much as a headache.

So, I may be able to weigh-in before I go after all. Really hope I finally hit that 'first stone off' milestone - even if it isn't the stone and a half I was hoping would be gone before the festival.

Have to sit down and do the online food shop for what we're taking with us, but probably need to sit and write a list of good low-carb options first. The problem is finding easily portable, picky food that I don't need to do much prep for. Made even more complicated by being vegetarian. I have noticed that Tesco's own guacamole is quite low in carbs, as are the new 'strong' cheese strings, so they might be something to consider. Also like the look of the celery and philadelphia/soft cheese snack from the Exante site's recipe page for food week. Oh and of course eggs are a fairly easy option, although I'm not mad keen on them.

Need to get my head around which vegetables have the least carbs too.

One meal I do love is roasted mediterranean veg. I usually have it on a jacket potato or wholemeal pasta, but I reckon I could take a batch of that and just have the sauce/veg, while dd and dh have pasta with theirs.

Weigh in today - 2 lbs this week, which makes a total of 12 lbs in 2 weeks. Short term goal is to get to below 13st by end of May - may do a bit better, as that would be 3 lbs off in next 8 days.

Well done Moanranger. Your weight is shifting faster than mine.

I risked a weigh-in this morning, as I'm half way through my totm now and have finally lost the elusive first stone (plus a very important additional 5oz ). I would love to be under 13 stone, but have another 8lbs to go till I get there.

Festival this weekend, so there's no way I'll have lost the stone and a half I wanted to have lost by then.

Lost my way slightly yesterday. Had a huge row with dh the night before, my sister came and picked me up in the morning and we went out, just to get me out the house. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to eat anything and forgot to take any bars with me. Ended up going to Sainsbury's and picking up some cheese strings and a bottle of water, as they are only 60 something calories and .5 of a carb each. Also had milk in my coffee all day - just felt like I needed something a bit more comforting than black coffee. So I had three cheese strings, 3 white decaff coffees and 2 shakes over the whole day.

I don't think it's a disaster, as I should have been having my 200 extra kcals last week, but held off as I want to reintroduce a little bit of food before I go away this week, so it's not a shock to my body when I eat over the weekend. Not much, just have some salad, avocado and eggs to play around with.

Back on track today though and have ordered some more bits and bobs for getting straight back into it after next weekend.

So, this morning was my last weigh-in until Monday 13th June (which is unfortunate as not only is that the day after my birthday, it's also the day I'm having quite a bit of dental work done). Dh is putting the scales away and not giving them back until my next weigh-in day, as I don't want to be disheartened by the inevitable weight-gain and want a chance to at least get back to where I am now before I weigh in again.

Vegetable sounds like you have got a well- thought through plan. Maybe write down everything you intend to eat at the festival & then stick to it. You could have one or two Exante packs, but then a meal of some sort. This is a Judith Beck technique, so that when you know you cannot stick to a particular regime you at least won't go hog wild.
Yesterday didn't sound disastrous & you made a good choice with the cheese strings. Also it sounds like you didn't let the row trigger emotional eating - well done! I am sure you can drop a few before the festival & keep damage to a minimum.

I had another sneaky weigh-in this morning and I'm another 2 1/2 lbs down, so finally, properly over a stone's loss. Hoping for another 1-2 tomorrow morning. Also measured myself and have lost an inch and a half off my waist, two inches off my hips and an inch off my chest! Not bad at all, considering I am unable to exercise at the moment.

Just finished my online food order for the festival. We're off tomorrow, but I am sticking to the diet all day, as the festival doesn't really start until Friday.

Breakfasts:

I have Exante Pancakes or eggs.

Lunches:

Have the makings of avocado and/or feta salad or a double chocolate Exante bar or could have eggs if I haven't had them for breakfast that day.

Evening Meals:
Planning to choose whatever is least carby from whatever everyone's doing in the evening. We usually have at least one BBQ, so that's easy enough, burger without the bun and/or halloumi, pepper and cherry tomato skewers.

I did buy some dhal pots, but am pretty sure I would feel very hard done by having one of those for my evening meal, as I don't really like them.

We'll probably do a cooked breakfast on the Sunday morning, so I'll just have the eggs and veggie sausages, but no beans, hash browns or toast.

Instead of my usual bottle of red wine - which I rarely finish across the whole weekend, I have bought one of the small, one-glass bottles to have as a treat.

I have also bought a small bar of 90% dark chocolate, so I can have a treat of that at some point.

Oh and I am going to have milk in my coffee while I'm away. I don't enjoy it black and it just doesn't seem as warming/comforting, which is what you need when you're camping.

Who knows if I will be able to stick to it, with everyone scoffing, crisps, baguettes, toasties and chips around me, not to mention dh cooking baked spuds in the fire-pit, but I will give it my best shot.

Hope everyone else is doing ok. I will be back to confess my sins next week!

Update on food: I did two weeks of shakes & bars but wanted something more food-like so got a second box with breakfasts & dinners. Just had the shepherds pie ( added broccoli to it.) It was much better than I expected & took advice re lots of salt, pepper & Worcestershire sauce. I would not mind eating it again, & it feels like after two weeks I have eaten something more like food.
On the down side, I put half a double chocolate bar in my hand bag which I left on the floor and my dog nicked it; so I got to the office with nothing to eat

Well after getting of to a bad start last Tuesday I decided to wait until my new order of products came and until I bought a hand blender to start properly. So, I began the diet again on Monday, making this day 4. I found day 2 tricky as I was so hungry but that has passed now and it's becoming easier. My jeans are fitting more comfortably already, mostly just water loss I'm sure, but it feels good!

Blending the shakes with ice makes all the difference and I've actually been enjoying them. I have also tried the shepherds pie, which was nice and Indian curry with rice which tastes lovely but was more like a soup. Last night had a choc mint cookie with a massive cup of tea while watching T.V. and it felt like a proper treat. Beginning to think I can actually do this!

Snurf I am finding the food packs - meals - quite tasty & way better than Cambridge or a LL. I had maple syrup pancakes, which made into 3 & while texture a bit strange I felt as though I was eating food. I had scones for lunch, pack made two & they were tasty & nice looking. The packs mix up really well - you are not left with lumpy hard to dissolve clots of whey protein powder. I am now having daal, very nice & well seasoned & spicing tastes fresh.
This helps in becoming accustomed to not eating much -at least what I can eat is pleasant. I spent the first two weeks on shakes & bars & glad now to switch to meals - bars will be handy for on the go.

Totally agree that the meal packs are fab. I have enjoyed having a meal pack at lunchtime while DS3 is eating as he's quite a fussy eater and tends to eat more if I eat too. Also having meals just makes it all seem a bit more normal, I feel less deprived!

I completely fell off the waggon. This wedding is in August and I haven't lost a single pound. Why am I the only person unable to stick to anything??? So disappointed with myself at the moment

W Don't get disheartened. Explain how you fell off wagon. Any particular triggers? This does not mean you are bad or week, but changing patterns is hard. We're here to help.
I lost one more lb this week, making a total of 13 lb in 3 weeks. I fell off the booze wagon Fri, but ended up with a terrible headache so I shan't be doing that again soon!
This is the week I add food for one week. Have any posters been on it long enough to advise me how that tends to affect weight loss?
I went for an 8.5 mi walk today fuelled by the apple and cinnamon porridge + 1 rasher back bacon. I had plenty of energy although I must say I am now beat!
Onward & upward posters, another week, another 21 food packs!