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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Harcombe Diet?

81 replies

DudeWheresMyVulva · 01/11/2016 07:33

I did a search on the Harcombe diet and found a few old threads, so might have missed a more recent one.

Does anyone want to join a support thread? I am starting Phase 1 day 1 today.

I have not weighed myself in ages.... about to do that. But I have at least 3 stone to lose and am desperate. I bought the book off amazon and plan to follow the menu plan in it exactly. (minus the bacon for breakfast as we do not have any on).

OP posts:
Moonandstarsandback · 08/11/2016 07:40

Interestingly I didn't lose anything in the last day (having changed to phase 2) Confused

Moonandstarsandback · 08/11/2016 07:41

Scarlet well done on your first day of phase 1 SmileSmile

ScarletBegonia1234 · 08/11/2016 15:11

I think I found the same last time moon...I am going to follow phase 1 Sunday lunchtime to Friday lunchtime then phase 2 at the weekends until I've lost a fair amount of weight this time...

Moonandstarsandback · 08/11/2016 17:45

That's interesting scarlet. I'm going to dry and weigh myself every 2 days not every day! Hmm I actually find it easier to eat more like I'm on phase 1. But I'm now having the odd real tea, so caffeine and dairy are back on! See what happens!

Is phase 1 where the real weight loss happens?

Moonandstarsandback · 08/11/2016 17:46

Dude, how are you getting on?

Original poster
DudeWheresMyVulva · 08/11/2016 20:25

Hiya Moon :) i am lurking and plan to come back on Thursday, because tomorrow my DS begged to go to McDonalds. :)

I'll be back. Thanks for asking. xxxx Thanks

OP posts:
ScarletBegonia1234 · 09/11/2016 20:49

That's good to hear dude...how have you done today moon? I've spent all afternoon in a &e with a poorly toddler (nothing too serious) so missed lunch and dinner...meaning a bag of crisps from the machine was eaten. Only just getting home now I'm shattered! Going to hold off weighing myself til Friday morning

Moonandstarsandback · 10/11/2016 17:56

Hi Dude, glad you're ok and hope you enjoyed McDonald's Smile

Scarlet, how is your LO? Is she ok? Don't beat yourself up about food on days like that. I'm sure hospitals (ironically) aren't the healthiest place to get food!

Im not well today and had to go GP first thing so had toast with peanut butter on...sure that's not phase 2 ok but hey! Also having a tiny jacket spud for dinner with my chicken and peas!

I lost a 1/4lb in the last day Wink think phase 1 is the way to go for me! Lol.

tobee · 10/11/2016 23:30

Hello, just skim read info on this diet and read this thread. Re phase 1 breakfast and porridge with water can you add natural live yoghurt? I assume not. But can you shuzz it up with fruit? Banana or apple or berries for example? Thanks!

Moonandstarsandback · 11/11/2016 06:19

Hi toBee

On phase 1 you can add Natural live yoghurt yes, but not fruit! You can introduce some fruit in phase 2 though. When are you starting? Smile

ScarletBegonia1234 · 11/11/2016 06:21

I just weighed myself and I've lost 7lb on phase 1 since Monday! I can't believe it! Grin

Hi tobee! Definitely no fruit in phase 1, last week I pretty much followed it but had fruit and porridge with skimmed milk and lost nothing!

ScarletBegonia1234 · 11/11/2016 06:21

Now checking in at 12st 12!

Original poster
DudeWheresMyVulva · 11/11/2016 06:40

That is incredible Scarlet!

OP posts:
ScarletBegonia1234 · 11/11/2016 08:14

I can't believe it! I think the poorly baby ( 2 long waits in a &e and lots of time trapped underneath him while he sleeps) led to a few missed meals which probably helped!

tobee · 11/11/2016 10:18

Thanks, moon. Just looking into it at mo. Tea and coffee scaring me off a bit!

Moonandstarsandback · 11/11/2016 10:46

Scarlet. Wow that's loads!!! Well done!

ToBee, know what you mean about tea/coffee, but it's only for 5 days, then you can drink again! In the book I think it actually says if you really must drink tea/coffee then do so, but not too much. I'm guessing it might just slow the weight loss down?

ScarletBegonia1234 · 11/11/2016 16:43

I've been drinking redbush tea which is caffeine free and actually quite nice without milk. We're back in hospital and being kept in for at least 48h as ds has a severe chest infection and needs oxygen and antibiotics. It's been a bit of a horrendous week actually. At least he's in the right place now! I'm not sure I will be getting phase 1 dinners here though!!!

ScarletBegonia1234 · 11/11/2016 16:43

In fact all I want now is pizza!

Moonandstarsandback · 11/11/2016 19:21

Oh no, your poor ds, but as you say at least he's in the right place being looked after. Don't worry about diet for the next 48 hours you can pick up where you left off when things are more settled. Hope ds feels better soon xxx

Original poster
DudeWheresMyVulva · 12/11/2016 07:26

Oh Scarlet I hope your DS is better soon. How very stressful for you. Thanks

OP posts:
butterandcrumpets · 13/11/2016 08:33

Hello, may I join you? I am starting on Monday and will use today to get organised. Actually looking forward to finally sorting out my eating Grin.

Original poster
DudeWheresMyVulva · 13/11/2016 09:41

I am starting Monday too. :) DH is making dinner tonight- - Irish stew with dumplings so I did not have the heart to say I culd not eat it.

Will you tell us your story? Mine is that I have major emotional hangups around food. I was brought up with an obese mother who used to monitor my eating. So I learned from an early age to binge eat in secret then vomit it all back up. I am currently 12stone 8. I stopped the vomiting about 18 months ago (yay me!) and then put on loads of weight. I want to sort myself out, have a healthy approach to food, and to lose weight. I mainly want healthy behaviours though. :)

OP posts:
butterandcrumpets · 13/11/2016 13:26

Well done on addressing your issues around food. I think that's very brave!

My story is completely different. I've never been slim and have a sturdy built. Put in the mix two thyroid conditions which even with medication are not under control, so I've always felt a little slugglish, plus I really like the social side of food and drink. In July my husband left me and since then my eating has been erratic! The first 4 or so weeks I hardly ate at all and when my appetite came back it was with a vengeance. Although I enjoy cooking, I did not see the point in cooking for myself so I have been living on pizza (one of the very few things I could stomach), those packs of filled tortellini with sauce and on bad days just popcorn and crips. And wine. I feel bloated, sluggish and fed up with it. I am a bit more emotionally stable now and it's time to look after myself again and sort out my eating.

I am bit scared to step on the scales so was thinking of doing so after two weeks on phase 1. I think I am around the 14 stone mark Blush at a hight of 5.7. Although I am certainly aiming for weight loss, I want to primarily become healthier, feel better and eat proper food again.

butterandcrumpets · 13/11/2016 13:27

Sorry for essay Blush

ScarletBegonia1234 · 13/11/2016 13:50

Hi butter! Welcome! If I were you in would bite the bullet and weigh yourself....then you will get the satisfaction of your efforts in phase 1 which will give you the motivation to continue! And I am pretty sure you will lose weight as you will be moving from a carb heavy diet 😊I have an app where I record my weight every day or 2 days which means even if I don't lose for a day or slip up I can look back at the general trend.

dude sounds like you've come really far Flowers I think this will definitely be the right diet for you as it is very balanced so healthy and sustainable longterm.