Please talk to me about Exante

[Guessinggame2016]

I have PCOS and underactive thyroid plus macrocytic anaemia and I just cannot lose weight! I have such a slow metabolism and the macrocytic anaemic makes me so tired that I just eat for energy - even though I know if I ate better I would have more energy anyway!
I am so busy 24/7 so I tend to grab whatever to eat.
So, thinking of trying Exante for a kickstart as it is supposed to work well with underactive thyroid- has anyway tried this? I'm so confused which pack to buy.

I did very well on the man plan. So three packs plus 200 calories of protein or salad. Some of the packs are RANK, though there is a swap site on Facebook that I used. Will be going back on it when I've finished BF and will stick to strawberry and vanilla shakes plus the toffee nut and raisin bars!

Having a bit of food with it helped with going back to normal afterwards.

Thank you , just looking at the 4 week 'taster' pack.

I am on it now - 11 days in. I lost 4+stone on Lighter Life in 2008, so I knew what I was letting myself in for. VLCD work for me - but they are not for everyone.
First, there will be an adjustment period where you have to get used to a radically reduced number of calories. This will only last a couple of days-week, max, but some people cannot handle it. Beware!
Second, your metabolism will adjust, and you won't be so hungry, but have a strategy for sticking with it. (The advantage of having done LL is that I have some understanding of & methods for dealing with emotional eating.)
You may get hungry: work out how you will cope. (I end up doing masses of Spring-type cleaning to take my mind of eating.)
Third- do you have to cook meals for others? That can be hard, so if the answer is yes, think about it. It could cause you to fall off the wagon. ( I don't have to do this as I have a partner & he is doing his own cooking.)
Fourth - work out how long it will take you to reach goal. You can lose 3 lbs a week on a VLCD if you stick with it. Then visualise this time & make a plan. ( I am planning to be on the strictest plan through August. During that time I am cutting social engagements to a minimum. I will go camping for 1week in July & take packs. I have marked in my diary when I reach day 66, as it is supposed to take 66 days to establish a new habit.)
Benefits- now ( after 11 days), I feel just fine, though I wouldn't want to run a marathon. I am used to not eating much, which I hope is a permanent change, not snacking, & not eating late at night.
Saving loads of money ( bought mixed shakes & bars for around £60).
Am spending little or no time shopping.
Not thinking about food much -a bit- but not much.
If you do decide to do it, there is an Exante thread you can post on.
Finally, the food packs aren't that bad, some are just a bit "meh" and frankly if it's the only thing you will be eating, you will do it, and with some relish. I have my strategies ( turn pack + coffee into a latte in the morning.)
Good luck!

Also use quidco. Good rates of cash back all the time.

Great, thank you, that's really informative.
I do have to cook for DH and three children as he's home too late. I have zero willpower but am kind of hoping that by totally replacing meals and having things available it will be easier.
I have loads to be getting on with, including work projects and uni exams so will be sure to keep busy.
In my OP i put macrocytic anaemia, I have no idea why I put that, it's megablastic!

My top tip for when you are desperate is to have a pickled egg. No carbs and somehow it was the best thing ever after two weeks of meal replacements!

Great thank you! I love pickled eggs and have a jar of them in the fridge at the moment!

I've ordered the 4 week breakfast, lunch and dinner pack - will report back with how I get on. It's being delivered tomorrow!

Have had the raspberry porridge - wasn't too bad, just loads sweeter than I'm used to!

Oh I remember raspberry porridge! Friday is a good day to start, you'll be buzzing by Monday!

I really hope so! Have a really busy weekend with the children, football tournaments and birthday parties etc, will take a shake in my free shaker bottle so I don't get tempted by other stuff!
Thinking of making one of the pizzas for lunch but holding out as long as possible as I'm always hungry in the evenings and I feel ok at the moment.

Keep in mind that you can't store your shakes in your shaker for longer than twenty minutes or so once they're made up as they start to lose nutrients and they'll split and go horrible!

Oh no, can I not? Thank you, I didn't realise that!

Actually I could take just the water in the bottle and add the powder when I want it couldn't I?

Yes, that would work!

I tend to eat first pack around 10, the second between 2-4, the later the better, & the last one around 8, or even later. Lots of herb rea in between.

I had the cheese scone about 3.30 and have just had a shake while doing the children's tea but now i feel sick, really really sick!
Although it's good in the sense that I feel too sick to be hungry!

Day 2 complete!
I just had 3 sachets yesterday but really felt sick. Today I decided to move to the total plus plan.
So today i had 2 sachets and then a 150 calorie dinner. Was going to have another sachet tonight but just couldn't stomach the thought of it and wasn't hungry so I didn't.
Tomorrow is a new day!
Will do my best to get three sachets in to get my vitamins. Have ordered some of the bars as well today as we go on holiday next week and I want it to be as easy as possible to stick to it.

Have had a sneaky weigh in.... Lost 5 lb!!

There is some received wisdom that you are not supposed to mix the sachets in advance, that they "lose nutrients" & split.
Well, this is a rule I break.
If I am out & about, I whizz I pack in the blender with ice beforehand, and put it in a thermos which fits in my bag. I then have it later. It is still nice & cold, it does not split, and if it has "lost nutrients" I have yet to fall over dead from malnutrition.
My variation makes it work for me. I cannot imagine shaking the powder drink up in that little plastic cup with tap water - ugh!
Good luck, Guess- keep posting!

The only shake I have had made me feel so so sick and I couldn't drink all of it.
I did it just in the shaker cup with water though .
Have just put the ice cube tray in the freezer. Is it loads better with ice and blended? Really hope so!

I can't stomach shakes unless they have been blitzed in the Nutribullet with a tonne of ice. I eat mine almost like ice cream.

OK thanks, that definitely sounds more palatable!

Day 3 done and I really haven't felt hungry today but I do have a mild headache and tiredness.
Vanilla crunch cereal for breakfast - was quite nice!
Pasta carbonara lunch.
200 cal dinner (smoked salmon, boiled egg, spinach)
Salted caramel pudding - yuck yuck yuck, tasted like mould with sugar on it - couldn't finish it, was heaving!
Struggling to drink more than 2l water though.
Surprised at how quickly the cravings/hunger has disappeared, but I like it!

Day 4 done and day 5 started!
Maple syrup pancakes for breakfast
Indian Dahl for lunch - absolutely loved that!
Shepherds pie for dinner, hmm, didn't really like this, tasted just like the pizza kit tomato sauce. Disguised the taste with chilli powder.
Had a piece of roast chicken from the fridge after that.
Weigh in today -6 lb in 4 days!

Have started today with the breakfast eggs, lots of added pepper and they were OK!

Just writing it down here to keep myself motivated!