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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

Is anyone doing Lighterlife?

57 replies

soapbox · 06/07/2004 01:22

I started 10 days ago and could do with someone to keep me company!

OP posts:
wobblyknicks · 06/07/2004 01:22

What is it?

Original poster
soapbox · 06/07/2004 02:26

A meal replacement diet - no normal food at all! Weightloss is very quick, guarantees 3 stone in 14 weeks if you stick to the plan.

I lost 8lbs in my first week - will see on Sunday how much I have lost then. One of the girls in the group has lost 1.5stones in 2 weeks!

OP posts:
gothicmama · 06/07/2004 11:42

how do you find out about it?

Original poster
soapbox · 06/07/2004 12:47

Website is here

Discovery health forum, where I first foudn out about it and has lots of useful information is here

You need to have at least 3 stones to lose before you are allowed on the program.

OP posts:
aloha · 06/07/2004 17:25

Funnily enough, I've known two people who have done this, though I didn't know it was called Lighter Life - one lost three stones in about two months, and the other has lost five stone in five months and is unrecognisable! They both seem happy on it, but it does seem to make you a hermit.

SoupDragon · 06/07/2004 17:35

Doesn't it mean basically starving yourself though?

Marina · 06/07/2004 17:40

soapbox, I'd be really interested in hearing your thoughts on this. I have 3 stone to lose but am still b/f, so can't join you right now.
Very best of luck with it - what did your GP say?

CountessDracula · 06/07/2004 17:44

how does it work soapbox? And is it expensive?

Fairyfly · 06/07/2004 17:45

Soapbox, do you have an agent near you then, what do they do, where do you get the meal replacements and how much is it all costing? Good luck, i'm really intrigued, seems a lot of weight to loose so quickly

Original poster
soapbox · 06/07/2004 18:43

Aloha - don't need to become a hermit but I am practicing at looking a prat! I'm out for dinner with friends again tonight and I am already practicing my 'nothing for me thanks I'm in the middle of detoxing'!

Soupdragon - the first couple of days you do feel hungry - thereafter it has been absolutely fine!

Marina - GP was lovely, she had done a low carb low fat diet herself a few months ago and was very supportive. But you do need a GPs certificate before you can join and some GPs charge for this but mine didn;t. As a rough guide most people lose about 3.5stones in the 14 week program.

CountessD - you have three meal replacements per day, shakes, soups or bars. They are very low calorie - about 500cals per day. You must also drink 4l of water per day. The low cal/carb puts you into ketosis which blunts the appetite hence you never feel hungry. You go to a group session for 2 hours each week to explore the reasons why you overeat, and believe me abstinence from real food does make you realise what the triggers are for diving into the fridge!

FF - The food and couselling costs £45 per week, but I was spending £25 a week just on breakfast and lunches at work so I don't reckon it works out that much more than normal eating and drinking (especially the drinking) You can email Lighterlife through the website on my 9.47am post and they will email you back with a list of cousellors in your area.

Go on someone take the plunge I could do with someone to share the load with

OP posts:
Fairyfly · 06/07/2004 19:43

Does it have to be 14 weeks? I'd do it for two!

champs · 07/07/2004 04:38

hi!! coincidentaly, I just read about a woman who lost 5stones on lighter life in one of my mags. she says the management prog after she reached goal has kept the weight off.

I'll be interested in your progress Soapbox, bit too pricey for me tho.

Fairyfly · 07/07/2004 12:43

£630 per course then, is that correct?

Original poster
soapbox · 07/07/2004 13:17

Ill keep you posted as to how things go

OP posts:
Original poster
soapbox · 07/07/2004 13:19

Oops - FF haven't worked it out over the whole course but that sounds about right!

I know it sounds expensive but sometimes I feel I would have paid thousands of pounds just to be thin again

OP posts:
Marina · 07/07/2004 13:20

Best of luck Soapbox. Thanks for all the useful info. The LighterLife website wasn't too informative!
The only thing that concerned me slightly was the reference to ketosis...that presumably rights itself as soon as you switch to the weight maintenance programme?

Original poster
soapbox · 07/07/2004 13:27

Marina - the Ketosis is the reason why you have to drink so much water. The water flushes the ketones out of the body. Ketosis is always a by-product of losing weight, but obviously when you are burning fat at this rate they are more concentrated.

I think in maintenance the idea is to wean you slowly back onto normal food but since this starts with protein then you will still be in ketosis for some of that time. Ketosis will stop once you stop burning fat.

HTH!

OP posts:
Fairyfly · 07/07/2004 13:29

So how are you feeling today Soapbox, do you not feel a little tired, is it working yet? Good Luck

Original poster
soapbox · 07/07/2004 13:37

FF - I actually feel full of energy! Bizarre I know I do find I get tired in the evenings more quickly though. I think because I'm not having my usual glass of wine or 2 in the evening I'm sleeping better and so not as fuggy headed in the morning.

I had dinner out with friends last night and it is difficult to sit and watch other's eat while you are picking at a meal replacement bar. But it is surprising how little of the time over dinner is actually spent eating, not really more than 30mins in total, so it wasn't too bad. Don't think I could have done that last week though so progress at least is being made!

Weigh in is Sunday will post weight loss here then! Cross your fingers for me please

OP posts:
lisalisa · 10/07/2004 14:55

Message withdrawn

Original poster
soapbox · 10/07/2004 16:46

Well I lost 5lbs this week! So that is 13lbs in a fortnight which is good going!

Lisa - ketosis is a by-product of burning fat. You do it on any diet providing you are burning fat - the difference is with diets where you have a higher weight loss the ketones can be more concentrated. WIth LL you flush the ketones out of your body by drinking lots and lots of water. This keeps your kidneys in good working order too.

I'm finding it quite easy to stick to now. In a good routine now with the food packs and finding the water easier to manage - and not running to the loo quite so often!

OP posts:
Marina · 10/07/2004 16:48

Congratulations Soapbox! That's fantastic .
I've gone for WW because I can do that while still b/f. We'll see how that works for now.

fairyfly · 10/07/2004 16:59

Wow soapbox, congratulations can you not start dealing the stuff, i'm jealous
Do you look different? Yor clothes must be falling off you

Original poster
soapbox · 10/07/2004 18:45

Thanks

Wish my clothes were falling off me! Real story is that I have a lot to lose and must have been cramming myself into my trousers for the past 6 months! They do feel a damn site more comfortable now though! Hopefully the next couple of weeks should make a difference I can see! Might have to wait a bit longer for other people to notice though!

My DH did say the other morning 'wow, its really noticable how much weight you've lost'! Bless him he really has worked hard to support and motivate me the last couple of weeks

OP posts:
mouseman · 11/07/2004 02:13

Hello, I have only just seen this thread. I have done Lighterlife. I started last October and finished in March this year. I lost 4 1/2 stone. Most of this was lost from Oct - Jan and then I am afraid boredom set in and I was not sticking to it. It is a fantastic diet if youcan be TOTALLY dedicated to it. Good Luck