Exante as a "crash diet" ?

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So I'm technically overweight (BMI 26 -26.5) but I genuinely don't look overweight. I do want to look my best for the company Christmas do (and also to create some sort of deficit so I don't have to worry too much about the festive diet in December). Would exante work if I do it for say 3-4 weeks? Or would it be a bad idea considered I look ok?

It'll work but if you don't change your eating habits there's a good chance when you stop you'll gain it back if it's only a small amount you want to lose

Do the man plan 4 packets or 3 packets and incorporate green veg and proteins.
Most of all drink lots of water!

I lost almost 2 stone in 6 weeks on Exante, the shakes are lovely but not so much the bars / soups.

One year later the weight is all back on. It does make you fart and poo a LOT 🤣

I've more or less made "peace" with that. My body for better or for worse only responds to cardio. I will marathon train at some point so I know by then it will sort itself out (the weight I mean).

I like what I eat and drink, and I already feel restricted, so there's no way I'll get "better" at it.

I don't mind a good "cleanse" I'm sure my body needs it!!

Yeah it's a quick fix. I'd recommend slim and save as a cheaper option which works just as well. It can be hard to stick to though and you really do need to stick to it or your weight will just bounce. And don't drink alcohol on Vlcd diets.

What happens if I drink alcohol??

I drink alcohol on vlcd and don't really have side effects but it is uncessary calories

I guess of I do the 800, I could still have a drink here and there. On one of the support groups they suggested I was too slim for the 800 (and even some said the same about the 1200).

Some people get alcoholic ketoacidosis. Not everyone but some. It can be really serious.

But more generally it'll take you over the calorie limit and slow your progress or even stall it completely.

On average I burn around 2000 calories (which I think for the most part is accurate) which is why I think the 800 diet plus reducing my alcohol intake to just the weekend should work for the most part. Given my my size I do wonder if a VLCD is advisable.

I think given your doubt, you know the answer. A crash diet isn't a sensible approach and vlcd is tough, especially if you already feel restricted. Focus on lean protein, lots of veggies, modest deficit.

You maybe need to think about recomposition rather than purely fat loss.

Fwiw, I'm eating sensibly but not in deficit til I complete a half marathon beginning Nov. My weight is holding steady. I'll then go into a bit of a deficit til Christmas. My BMI is similar to yours. I know I couldn't do vlcd. Nor do I want to show DS that it's something that can be done. Plus I work an extremely physical job, outside

I think I just need to move more. Finding when is the challenge. I tested it one week in the summer, same diet (I had my main meal around lunch time), had a couple of extra drinks a day, but walked around 4 mi on top of my regular exercise, and did a couple of extra HIIT sessions and lost about 5-6lbs in a week. I've kept it off too.

Do you actually track what you eat, properly.....?

Yes in a VERY boring way I do (as in I eat the same every week). I don't get bored per se, but also isn't the most satisfying way to live my life. This pounds I want to lose are for all terms and purposes vanity ones. I just want to fit in a size 8 party dress (because they sometimes come smaller). Otherwise being a size 6-8 isn't so bad :)

Didnt like exante. I found a hair in the porridge and they accused me of putting it there!
Slim n save is much better imo. You can lose a stone a month but the 1st week for your big loss is mainly carb and not fat so you wont see a big difference.
Dont drink alcohol once you go into ketosis, its apparently really dangerous.