VLCD

[Snap8TheCat]

Anyone doing one at the moment?

I've started exante this morning. Last year I lost 3 stone with Cambridge but Exante is loads cheaper. No meeting though so I need moral support if any one can give it!

Starting weight 249.2lb. Awful I know so no need to tell me.

Hey all, crawling in the door!

I have over 10st to lose utterly hideous so looking for some advice and a kick up the arse!!

I lost 10st a few years ago with WW but managed to put it all back on...plus a little more, the usual routine! Since then I've really struggled to lose weight and keep anything off long term. Typical yo yo dieter. I lost 5 stone for my wedding last May but have definitely put all of that back on (haven't stepped on the scales for some time but I know by the fit of my clothes). I'm also now a type 2 diabetic so really need to get my shit together.

I've had some treatment recently for IBS and been asked to trail a low Fodmap diet by my consultant for identifying food intolerances. Obviously this isn't a diet for weight loss and it seems the majority of people put on weight during testing. Initially had a massive reduction in symptoms but haven't been able to maintain it and I'm coming to a realisation that actually most of my IBS symptoms seem to be associated with my stress/general happiness levels. I'm betting that the reduction of symptoms in my first few weeks were just down to a positive feeling that the diet might actually work for me. Now I'm three months in and basically getting no where, every intolerance test is inconclusive and I'm putting on more of the weight I desperately want to lose.

I'm now in a position where I feel like I need to hit a reset button, achieve some quick weight loss, shift my focus away from food (low fodmap is very restrictive meaning I'm constantly thinking about food which isn't good for me!) and feel a bit happier about myself/more motivated. I'd like to be able to exercise again but honestly I'd need to shift some weight before I could even safely think about doing so. I also had a hideous experience on a long haul flight recently where I couldn't even put the tray down to eat my meal which has given me the motivation to want to do something now.

I've not tried a VLCD before so looking for some pointers on where to start, how much it costs, whether to replace every meal and what the best products are. I'm not too interested in going to a class weigh in and never did this when I lost my weight previously so don't feel as if it's much of a motivating factor for me. I don't know if there are any VLCD's that are low fodmap (main ones would be gluten, dairy and soy) although honestly not going to be too bothered if there aren't as that would help me test the theory that stress is my biggest IBS factor. I also noticed someone else mentioned a VLCD from the NHS. My doctor has offered me slimming classes and gym membership before but I've never heard about a VLCD being offered?

Sorry for the long post, any help and advice greatly appreciated!

My doctor has prescribed Optifast for me, for 6 months. It is the stuff they give to bariatric patients pre-op as it works if used properly. I too, started off with 10 stone to lose, and have so far lost 2 stone and 2 lbs since mid March. It is very similar to slim fast/Tesco ASDA own brand.

Don't see it as 10 stone, try and look at it as a stone at a time. I also have type 2, and every little bit more I lose, my blood sugar (fasting) drops a little. That has to be the best incentive. It is bloody hard though.
Talk to your doctor and see if they will prescribe it for you. And come and chat on this thread. You're not alone.

Hi Buxton, thanks for your reply. Can I ask, is it just shakes or a mixture of shakes, bars and soups? I'm definitely going to book an appointment and ask. My father has actually offered to loan me the money to pay to have weight loss surgery, I'm very reluctant to go down that route however. I was offered it (after asking) on the NHS after my diabetes diagnosis but I decided against it after a few consultant appointments

Good morning! Welcome Icaneat. I am doing the cambridge plan. I am only on week 2 so very early days yet. I have 3 products a day and a 200 calorie protein and veg meal. Lots just use the products alone for the first 12 weeks. Costs about £45 a week. If you don't need the support and weigh in there are a lot of online products you can order for around half the cost. If you can get the products on prescription it will save you loads of money!
After a week of staying the same the scales show half off this morning. Very slow but I am hoping just a blip!
Have a good day everyone!!

I just have the optifast shakes. You can only get them on prescription in this country. I believe you can get bars etc in other countries. If I had to buy them myself they would be £300 a month. I first read about them when reading articles on 'reversing your diabetes' by a doctor called Michael Moseley. Google him. I have 3 shakes a day, then have a couple of handfuls of veg or salad. I cut up a courgette or two, some cherry tomatoes, some baby onions etc cover with herbs and spices and roast for 20 minutes.
You have to be tough on your self, and I have had a couple of splurges where I have eaten chocolate, crisps etc for a day but it has made my blood sugar rise and I felt terrible. Resaech Dr Mosely and go to your doctor armed with info and put forward the case that it may be expensive but will save them money in the long run. My GP made me see the dietician in the practice beforehand, but once I got her on my side, the GP has put it on repeat prescription until October for me. Good luck.

In other news - 18 stone 10 this morning. So desperate to get away from the '19's and run towards the low 18's. When I am 18 st I have promised myself one of those mini trampolines so I can jog indoors. I had one years ago and found it quite easy to do half an hour listening to music.

Have a good day everybody and drink loads of water; at least 3-4 litres. You will burn more calories to day as your body tries to keep cool.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun!
I have been looking at ice crushers on Amazon. Anybody got any recommendations??

Disaster weekend but back on it tomorrow. Really need to sort myself out of a weekend.

Pinkie, no recommendations but let me know if you find a good one! We've been trying to master the art of home made Starbucks frappuccino's but the ice texture is never right

My snoothie maker is fab for making crushed ice from cubes.

Msq tomorrow is another day! I will be the same next weekend when we have friends staying.
Frappuccino texture is just what I am wanting Icaneat. Been reading reviews on Amazon and will report back.
Buxton - mini trampoline sounds a bit too energetic for me

Have a good day everyone!!

4 ounces off overnight!!! now 18s 9 and 3/4 pounds! it has me determined. I want to get far away from those 19 numbers. PS is it just me, or does everyone do the 'moving around the scale routine'? i.e standing at the front, back or dead middle of the scales? I have electronic scales and it can be a 3lb difference sometimes!

Pinkie - did you lose anything today? Anyone else? Have a good day everybody :-)

Back in the game here.
According to the scales this keep being i put FOUR POUNDS on over the weekend. I'm hoping that's not true. If it is I'll be really pissed off, I didn't even eat THAT badly. Two days ffs....

Hope everyone's well, will read back and catch up now.

Morning all,sorry been away all weekend with no wifi!

I am having a weigh in this Friday- after Chinese yesterday and a toasted cheese sandwich i need a few days t get back!

4 0z off overnight! so 18 st 9.5. Venus, that 4lb could be water retention, due to the heat. They say that a pound of fat takes 3500 calories to put on, in addition to your normal intake. I doubt you overate by 14,000 cals! That's 100 packs of crisps...

Hi everyone, hope you are all keeping cool!
I am having a nightmare sorry to moan but according to my scales nothing has come off for over a week! Weigh in tomorrow with consultant and not sure if I should buy anything else. Don't know how its possible to maintain on 800 calories. Expectdd st least a couple of pounds. The only cheat has been 2 wine gums and a soft mint .

Nice to have you back Arty!
Buxton all going in the right direction for you!

Venus I'm sure hat will be gone by Friday!

That not hat

Two of the four came off again. I'm struggling this week as I had forgotten we had people staying again!! So I'm just trying to choose salads and small portions etc. Hoping just to maintain and can be back on it proper after Friday. Feeling frustrated...

Pinkie that's so frustrating for you. I bet it's water retention in the heat though and you'll get a big loss soon.

Good morning all.
We have friends this weekend venus so not sure how that will go! Life gets in the way sometimes.
Going to my official weigh in at 10. Think I may now have lost a pound but thinking I could lose the same and eat. Still not sure about buying another weeks worth. Its not cheap and to lose a pound....anyway will see if my consultant has any advice.
Hope everyone has a good day!

Hi, quiet on here. Ok...lost nothing - not even the pound I thought I may have on my scales. Really fed up!! Ending spending another £50 on more stuff as well - I am weak ☺ consultant said give it a month. Giving it another week.
Hope all your bodies are doing what they're supposed to!!

1 1b off, so 18 8/12 now, can't wait to be past that half stone barrier. After not losing much for quite a few days/weeks, I am wondering if the fact I'm on a roll at the moment is the amount of water I'm drinking. I had been drinking 2 litres but have now upped it to 3 litres + . Worth trying anyone?