Exante and other VLCDs support thread

[PaulHollywoodsleftbollockhair]

Hi,

Giving myself a general overhaul at the moment and have some time for myself so I can concentrate on cracking on with a few goals.

I have ordered my Exante pack to start tomorrow - I have done it before and it has proved good for me as I like fast results. Currently peri-menopausal and my weight is creeping up-Ijudge it by clothes size for means at the moment my size 16s are snug. I want to get down to being a comfortable size 12 and feel ok in a swimming costume and figure I am looking at 3 months.

Anyone thinking or currently on this path who would like to natter about their experience ?

One thing I have found tricky previously is doing too much physical activity before being in ketosis - so this time I am going to take it easy until I am over that hurdle :)

Another good day. Have started upping my walking to 10,000 + steps. Clothes definitely looser and the tyre deflating :)

Hope everyone else is ok. :)

That is really good Paul!
Well done.

How has today been for you Strumper ? :)

It has been fine, I am sticking with it until I see my consultant on Friday.

Back from camping...now time to transition back on...

Probably just going to cut down the rest of the day (have 2 salads to eat that no one else will) and go 100% on to packs tomorrow (I will have extra packs if needed when transitioning - usually only do that for one day though).

This phase should take me sub BMI 25 which is exciting, it has been a very long time since I was in that zone!

Oh I've found my people. Please may I join you?

I did Cambridge step 1a last year and while I found it tough, I loved how fast the weight came off. I started at the end of June and by August was feeling fab, even though I had loads more to lose (at least another 2-3st I'd say). Then I lost my impetus, got complacent and enjoyed feeling slimmer, rediscovered food and drink and since then I've managed to pile on the 2st I lost, plus a couple more pounds and so I'm now officially the heaviest I've ever been. Sigh...

We spent the weekend away and I felt enormous. And felt horrid. Avoided the camera, felt uncomfortable in my own skin and was so angry that I'd undone all my hard work from last year. So, yesterday morning, I was straight back on it. I weighed in, and was officially the heaviest I've been which was a horrible sight. Time to dig deep and start 1a again because I know it works.

I can do it no probs during the day at work, but getting home and sorting the kids out is torturous and I always end up cheating, but yesterday I managed a full day without any cheating so that's left me fired up, ready to do the same today. I've just had my second product, and we're at the theatre tonight, so a chocolate shake will come with me to stop me drinking wine or nibbling on treats.

Good luck everyone!

Hi LeopardPrintKnickers

I decided to WI this morning to see the damage. Completely predictable 4.4 lb gain (I know it is mainly water weight/food in my system - I didn't cut down much yesterday - although I didn't have alcohol). Hopefully I can get the bulk of that off by my weekly WI day (Sunday).

I was 9 lbs over BMI 25 before this mini break. I guess to really be in the healthy category I will have to lose 5 lbs more than that (plus this 4.4 lbs) to allow for water weight etc when I come off the diet. Not that I intend to call goal then, just musing...Anyway, job #1 is to get back on 100% and lose this 4.4 lbs.

So great weigh in with consultant today. -6lb.
She has talked me through adding green leafy veg and 1-200g protein to evening sachet on the evenings we eat together as a family (5-6 nights a week).
Really positive so not going to officially move to phase 2 yet but allow myself to switch between 1-2 as social situations arise.
Yay!

Sounds as if you have a plan moving forward Strumpers. Well done on 6lb too :)

I am still on the wagon. Had an amazingly energetic day yesterday and have no appetite. Drinking the water is really improving my skin too. Slipped into a maxi today that was showing lumps and bumps before I started- and it fits great now. Waistbands noticeably looser too.

Hope everyone has a great weekend :)

Checking in, I’m back from a city break tomorrow night and will be starting Tuesday morning.

Morning all
Proud of myself for having friends over for a bbq at the weekend.
Home made ribs, coleslaw burgers, steak, fresh bread and strawberries and ice cream.
I had......
A packet of spicy soup and 2 litres of Squash.
Feeling quite smug.

Hope everyone is well.

Oh wow, everyone's doing so well. I'm oddly proud of myself - I've been flying solo with the kids this weekend which involved a trip to the theatre, a trip to the cinema and soft play - I didn't waver once. I've stuck to the diet and although I've not drunk enough water, I'm drinking much more than usual so I'm hoping I'll get a decent loss tomorrow morning when I weigh in.

Can I ask, how long's everyone been on it so far and what have you lost?I remember last time, I could feel and see a difference within three weeks, and that's what's spurring me on. Within a couple of months, I felt so different, I could choose what to wear from most of my wardrobe (instead of a handful of thing that cover me up), I liked what I saw in the mirror much more and I had a proper spring in my step, it was wonderful.

How's everyone else doing?
Thierry good luck for starting today - how's it going?
Strumpers, you're doing brilliantly - that sounds like my dream menu.
Hobbz how's it going? Are you back on it, and how was weigh in?
PaulHollywood, how's it going with you? Always so good to hear when clothes are starting to get looser. That must give you such a boost?

Thanks Leopard! All well so far. Like you I’ve done this before, and am breaking the rules by water fasting until I hit ketosis. I find the headaches almost unbearable and this method puts me in ketosis in under 36 hours (usually under 24 hours) rather than enduring three days of it!

So far, so good. Had 2 litres of water over the course of the day and have been really busy with work so keeping my mind off food and eating generally. It’s always the window between about 7 and 9pm when I find the wine cravings almost too much to bear so I’ve brought myself to the nail bar for a pedicure and then will go and do a shop in Tesco (beauty products only!) for a bit, just to get me through the first day’s cravings!

Am using Slim n Save products (no additional low carb meals). Starting weight 230 lbs (about 16 st 4), goal weight 150 lbs (about 10 st 7) so I’ve got a long way to go. Would like to get down to about 12 st 8 with VLCD and then move to low-carb.

Hope everyone’s doing well today!

Thierry, our starting points are almost identifical. I started three pounds heavier, so let's spur each other on. I have no particular goal, other than that I'll know when I'm there. Love the pedicure idea - excellent plan!

Well done everyone.
One day at a time it will happen x

Morning all!

Leopard I weighed myself this morning and am revising my starting weight to 232.9lbs... (hadn’t weighed since last week) so we are basically identical starting weights!

One black coffee and half a litre of water down this morning. I tested for ketosis when I got up and as hoped, 24 hours of fasting has got me there, phew!

I always forget how good I feel being in ketosis. Much more stable mood-wise and I wake up feeling quite refreshed, rather than my usual grogginess which I assume is like a daily carb hangover...

Hope everyone has a good one today!

Oh well done Thierry, that's incredible that you're in ketosis already. I have no idea if I go into it or not - I don't get any of the side effects I don't think, but I do feel much happier, positive and stable though I suspect that's because I'm back in control.

Weighed in this morning and am 6.5lbs down. So happy. So, come on week two, let's go!

6.5lbs is amazing Leopard! Well done you! I’ll be chuffed if I can achieve similar in the first week.

How tall are you if you don’t mind my asking? I’m 5’7 so starting BMI of 36.6 (how did I get here?!)

Oh I'm far worse Thierry, I'm a short arse at just 5ft 4. Currently between a 16-18, though some 18s are tight... I don't recognise who I am anymore, hence the need for such drastic measures...

Me too. I’ve put on 3.5 stone in the last two years and could kick myself. I think I’ve been massively in denial.

I’m probably an 18 if I’m realistic, pushing a 20, but of course I live in old, stretchy leggings and jeans so whatever size they once were, they definitely aren’t now!

Just had my two shakes and will have another two later with some telly and a green tea. Really find adding a few ice cubes in makes a massive difference, and blending it in a NutriBullet!

How have you found today? Your weigh in must have given you a great boost!

Still ploughing on and have been excellent at resisting temptation. Face looking thinner and clothes much more comfortable. I am craving salad at the moment but will resist!

Hi all,

Inspired by this thread I just ordered 50 products - mainly shakes.

Should be with me tomorrow and I'll start on Saturday (already committed to dinner with a friend on Friday)

Looking forward to getting started!

I started cutting back a bit a couple of weeks ago so have lost 7lbs already...

SW: 19 st 8
CW: 19 st 1

My first goal weight is 17 stone. Ultimately I'd be over the moon to be 13 stone but that seems like a faraway dream at the moment!

I'm going to Canada on 11th July so 5 weeks and then I'd probably take a break for 2.5 weeks while I'm away and then start again.

If I could be breaking into the 17's by my holiday it would be a big win.

Hi wheresmymojo!

Well done you on your first half a stone, that’s brilliant. Is it Exante you’ve gone for?

I think it’s absolutely doable to be in the 17s before your holiday. I’ve lost 2 stone in 5 weeks doing this previously. My first goal is to be 200 lbs (a loss of about two and a half stone) before mid-July, so we’re working to the same deadline!

Well done Paul, resisting temptation is so tough but feels so good once you’ve done it.

Yep, I've gone for Exante due to the cost.

I don't think 'consultants' add a great deal of value to be honest if you have other support like this board/Insta/etc