Cambridge/Exante/Slimfast 2021

[YourWurstNightmare]

New thread combining all the VLC shake diets: Cambridge, Exante, Lighterlife, Slimfast, etc. Everyone is welcome.

If you have any underlying health conditions, please check with your GP first (as I did).

I'm doing Slimfast (two shakes and one healthy meal a day). I use the premade shakes, because I actually like them! They are currently on sale here: www.amazon.co.uk/SlimFast-Replacement-Shake-Chunky-Chocolate/dp/B010PM6XO4/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I noticed Amazon is selling Lighterlife products now, too, if that helps anyone: www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/DCB0D716-63B4-4265-8862-CF4AEEE9FEF9?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

My goals:

• Get two stone off quickly, then swap to less restrictive healthy/calorie controlled eating.
• Do 30 minutes of exercise (walking, jogging, lifting weights, whatever) a day.

Would love to share tips and motivate each other as we go!

It was my weigh in day today, only 0.6kg loss😢 I am very disappointed. I honestly do not know why it does not work for me. I am so strict, went through all details, water, food diary, everything with my consultant and I am really doing everything as it is supposed to be done. Everyone seems to be losing so much on CW, that really triggers me even more. And it has been a month already, so I am really wondering is it worth all the efforts for that small loss (I could probably lose the same or even slightly more with a plan where I eat more calories per day)? I chose CW and I knew it was tough and strict, but I was hoping I would be motivated by the results and now it is really hard...

I have gone down from 10st 10 to 10 st 7 want to finish at 9 st eventually

@457mm Ugh, that would frustrate the best of us. Are you short? Wondering if your calorie allowance is smaller than most people's?

Ahh, I am not (I think os myself being tall even 🤣🤣🤣). I am 5’7

@457mm how annoying, I wonder are you able to be even stricter? So drop a snack, add probiotics, up your exercise? I’m sure you’ve thought of all this already. Must be so frustrating

Hi everyone! Can I jump on?

I’m on week 2 of 1:1 diet and wanted to say @457mm I totally get what you mean. I am a bit hungry but more than that, I miss food! You are losing though, even if not as much as you would like, so you’re doing brilliantly.

I’m 10st10 and trying to get to under 10st. Lost 3lb first week. Astonished I’ve stuck to it so far as I love food!

Welcome @ChocBeforeCock! (that username! ) Well done on making it to week two. Sounds like you're well on your way to goal.

@457mm What did your counsellor say? I agree that dropping a shake for a few days might 'shake' (sorry!) things up. But also, if you need to try something else, no judgement, you have to do what's best for you.

Good luck all with your FEBRUARY GOALS!

Urgh we’re now skint so I’ll be switching diet once my stocks have run out. I’m hoping though that this will have reset my appetite. My option sizes over the weekend were much much smaller. my fractured toe has healed so much more so I managed a walk this weekend with minimal aches and went out again this morning. So will definitely be upping the exercise and eating so much less. I’ll try and replace with homemade smoothies

@Shwighty1 Great news about the toe. And good luck with the swap! Your appetite should have definitely gone down.

Did a workout and a walk on Sunday, then big fat NOTHING yesterday. Getting up RIGHT NOW to do a video before I start work.

Wednesday Weigh in: another 2 lbs down, so 16 lbs down in total, 12 lbs to go. Nice to be over the midway point.

8 weeks until Easter! Still plenty of time to make a big dent in our goals.

Hello All - my goal for February is to keep going - not particularly inspirational I know BUT am another 2 kilos down this week (18 or so to go) and ALMOST into a new dress size. So that's 10kgs more or less since Jan 28th. I've been pretty good but not perfect (eg had a huge gin last night after a dulally work day and had dinner twice). Cant say this is a lifestyle thing as it doesnt matter how much water i wade through I definitely do get hungry - don't particularly like the soups (am on Cambridge) but crave a bit of variety ...BUT I do like the fact that am getting results. Once this is over (aiming end of lockdown/April/Easter ish) am going to switch to just having one meal a day - my husband is doing that at the moment (he doesnt count the toast he has in the morning or the occassional bicuit) and he has lost about 5 kilos.... oh and hardly any alcohol. Not sure if this is of interest to anyone really but would love to hear from others - How's to going for YOU? @YourWurstNightmare @AsLongAsIHaveMyTea @ItWasTheBestOfTimes @lockdownrainbow @Shwighty1@Sideorderofchips@TheSpottedDog@MyVisionsComeFromSoup

two pounds down this week (but I'd had a blip and put a pound on), which means that if I can lose 1.5 pounds next week, I'll have lost 4 stone in total since the beginning, with only another 2.5 to go, woop woop!

Goal for Feb is to stick properly to it, and ideally get another stone off, but I think that might be a little optimistic tbh. It's definitely harder to lose, the lighter I'm getting .

CJ I'm thinking about one meal a day once I've finished this (maybe one meal and a snack). I worry though that having a full calorie allowance in one meal wold make me "hungry" the rest of the time, and mess up any willpower I had. Does your DH not find that?

Hi cj

Started at 10st 10 lbs on Sunday the 24th
Now 10st 6 lbs slimfast going great

Well done everyone! Wurst that’s really amazing! I find the weekends I really jeopardise the plan though, does anyone have any tips?

wow - everyone doing brilliantly - well done. And amazing to have lost 4 stone @MyVisionsComeFromSoup You must be so pleased with your achievements and presumably you are transformed - hope you feel well in yourself too!

Great news too for you @lockdownrainbow - your journey shorter I would imagine but no less important.

On the one meal a day thing - seems that one meal a day is fine (but he does have breakfast. It might also be that he is not eating in the evening any more - so genreally its between 2 -3 in the afternoon - he says he's not hungry - and if he is he does eat but just not much.. there is a book called Delay dont deny by Gin Stephens which he found quite helpful. Its a very easy read but does point you in the direction of other books/academic papers if you are interested to learn more. There are all sorts of fasting options it seems so you just have to pick one that suits you.

I want to get down to 8st

Meant 9st

I'm doing good thanks, had a mid week weigh in today and am down 18lbs since 18th Jan. I'm finding it surprisingly easy this time round compared to when I started last summer as my partner and children were having almost weekly bbqs then and resisting the food and cocktails was really hard. This time I haven't once been tempted to cheat even whilst cooking them my favourite meals or when they've ordered takeaway. I turn 30 in September and I'm so determined to be slim before my birthday as I haven't been a healthy weight since my first pregnancy. I keep looking at Cambridge diet accounts on Instagram, the transformations are so inspirational and I keep thinking if I just see it through for a few months I will feel so much better about myself.

@CJDoxon 10 kg is brilliant! And what a great feeling on being so close to fitting into the next size.

@MyVisionsComeFromSoup Nearly 4 stone is amazing. So close!! You've got this.

@lockdownrainbow Great job, keep going!

@AsLongAsIHaveMyTea Weekends are tough, especially now, with not much to do to distract. Someone gave me some crossword and puzzle books for Christmas and I've been digging them out when cravings hit.

@ItWasTheBestOfTimes Fab loss! Agree that in a lot of ways it's easier with lockdown and not having any social expectations. I think that's why I've been able to stick to it so strictly this time. How exciting to have the big 3-0 as a motivator! You can do it!

I've had some bad headaches this week (not diet-related) so I took a triptan yesterday morning and it made me SO hungry all day. I stayed on target but it was a struggle. I kept reminding myself how far I've come in the past 6 weeks. I've done two workouts and walked the other days so really happy with that.

Thanks for posting everyone, it's really encouraging to have others in the trenches on this journey!

Hey @lockdownrainbow - only saw your post this morning for some reason. How annoying you didnt see dramatic changes this week - but honestly you will am sure - you cant possibly be on 800 calories a day or whatever it is and NOT lose weight. Hope this week goes better for you - am sure it will. If weight loss is important to you and (you need to do it ... dont want people to lose weight who shouldnt) am sure it will kick in again. Its really dreary I know .....good luck

Hello everyone. Please may I join.
I have a 5week old baby on formula (and two big ones) in the uk so homeschooling hell the days are rubbish and hard to be motivated to diet.
I'm currently stuck on 11stone I would like to get back to 8stone7 but I was about 9,7 when I got pregnant.
I am 5ft3
My goal -
I'm getting married in 4 weeks so looking to lose weight quickly so I might fit in something and feel good.
I'm trying to get out every day but the weather and three kids I'm probably not doing as much as I should.
I have been eating well but I've also been drinking beers .... an ice cold bottle of Moretti whilst cooking tea is just so refreshing after the day.
I haven't lost anything for two weeks now but I haven't gained so I need to cut the alcohol out.
I'm planning on doing slim fast for the month to try and lose for the wedding. This is my first ever diet so any tips will be grateful.
Hope you don't mind me hopping on. D

Hello @dixiedo - you are very welcome.... sounds like you have your hands full!! Good luck with your diet - and completely understand the alcohol bit - I had a gin and ice the other day and LOVED it - but not having it does make a difference not least because you can maintain self-control etc etc etc. Onward.... :-)

Welcome @dixiedo! Congrats on the new bub and the upcoming wedding!

My tip would be to just have fruit as your snack(s). I personally find having tiny bits of treats only makes me want more. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Hi all I know I'm a bit late to the party but mind if I join? I'm 5ft and currently 10st11, wanting to get down to 9st. Managed to lose 7lbs over 4 months on Slimming World at the end of last year, but then it just seemed to stall completely. I didn't lose anything in January despite following SW combined with 16:8 and (mostly!) doing dry January. Feeling very frustrated so started Slimfast last week in the hope of giving things a kick start. One week in and have lost.....absolutely nothing!!! Hoping it is just my body adjusting and I'll see results if I stick with it for another week. Reading about some of your successes is definitely motivating!