Exante

[AquaTorfanaa]

I'm starting Exante tomorrow. I'm currently at my highest weight ever and still on the waiting list to see the Tier 3 weight management service who are likely to refer me to Tier 4 for bariatric surgery. It's this or surgery at this point. I have roughly 11 stone to lose to be in the healthy BMI range but I'd like to lose 6-8 stone before TTC again.

First goal: lose one stone. One pound at a time. Hopefully 3 stone off by Christmas.

I couldn't afford £75 a week for One 2 One (Cambridge) so I spent £70 for a months worth of Exante products. But here's the stickler: I'm a food addict and I'm terrified. Kids and DH will be eating as normal so I'm worried I'll end up cheating.

Has anyone done a VLCD of any kind in the past? What are your tips for staying on track? The water won't be an issue for me as I drink 3 litres a day.

I have 5 stone left to lose and am doing Shape Up 4 Life which is a free service that you can self refer to. I've lost 2 1/2 stone since May.

I tried Exante a couple of years ago. Didn't work for me because I like to eat! I also spent a fortune on their products but only lasted a couple of days.

Have a look and see if your local health authority have SU4L for something similar you can take part in? There's also an app if you want to have a look. All free, no fads and, no, I'm not on commission - no money is required! Normal food but re-educates about what we already know basically.

I done exante once using the msn plan. I consumed 3 packets and not 4, but opted to add green veg (lowcarb) and proteins like tuna fish and eggs to each meal.
It was a quick fix for a holiday and I didn't have much to lose but I lost a stone in the month plus I walked 10000 steps most days

I lost 4 stone on Lighter Life vlcd many years ago. Currently trying and failing at New You Plan. Have used Exante products frequently as part of a low calorie plan but not as a total food replacement.
Focus on day 1 success. Then day 2. Aim for 5 days. Then push for a week. Once you've managed a week it isn't hunger driving you and it does get a lot easier.
I am a food addict. When I was in the zone with Lighter Life it was easy. But I didn't have kids then. Having to watch a family eat is hard but I try to have a savoury meal replacement then so at least I join them at the table.
Good luck! I need to join you really.

Definitely loving the idea of a savoury meal at dinner time. I work from home so I find it easy to zone out during the day and not snack but as soon as the night draw in I'm all about the mindless eating.

I feel like I have strong reasons why this time. I don't need to worry about food, portion control etc. Just grab and go. I'll be doing 4 packs but I know I can have some veg and tuna or eggs at 200 calories should I need real food and drop to 3 packs.

Do the shakes actually fill you up?

The shakes do work. On work days I eat nothing until I have a shake at lunchtime. Then I generally eat nothing until dinner time. After dinner I seem to eat constantly until bed. My night time snacking is crazy. But I'm not actively dieting right now. If you're in the right headspace you can do this. The food replacements are enough. You've got this!

Started today. So far had a porridge pot (real really great) and a shake and plan to have a savoury dinner with the family and then a bar about 9pm when I generally start snacking.

I can't stop thinking about food so far but I'm staying strong.

Fantastic start. You've got today in the bag!
I'd suggest an earlyish night after your evening snack just so you sleep through any cravings!
Keep going!

How are you finding it? I really need something drastic to make a proper change I think. I briefly tried the 1-1 plan and liked the products but just can't afford it. I was thinking about Exante as a cheaper alternative but tried some of the products years ago and they tasted awful - how are you finding them?

xx

I personally find New You Plan has far greater choice and better customer service/product availability. I've enjoyed most things I've tried.

Would also love to know how OP is getting on.

Thank you WOPTF, I'll have a look at the new you plan too.

I'm finding it extremely easy right now as I've come down with Covid. I don't have a huge appetite and I've lost my sense of taste and smell so it's really easy to get that much water down and eat my packs only. I've lost 6lb so far and it's not even been a week yet so I'm feeling good!

When I tried Exante in the past, the shakes are all fine and some are really lovely but the only prouduct I genuinely love is the cinnamon porridge pots. Would live on shakes and those if I could.

Hope you're not too poorly with covid.
Glad to hear you're doing well! At least you know you're getting all the vitamins etc needed which possibly wouldn't be the case at this time if you were relying on food! Take care