Lighter Life - anyone done it/doing it/etc?

[ilove]

I've been on it a year, lost 10 stones and have 2 to go...

It has been noticed - when I had lost over a stone and a half I must have hid it well!!
There is no-one I would confide in as someone did it a couple of years ago and everyone took the piss behind her back - yes, all professionals.....
Order the food emotional and push it around your plate - people don't notice, but they will notice if you fail to order anything. Claim to dislike it?
LMM I'm not a very good liar and this is more the problem, I feel bad. I'm a private person and don't want to be discussed, it's not that I cannot cope with negativity but I like to keep myself to myself. Jeez, I sound like a real Billy-No-Mates

in the words of Ricky Tomlinson "Billy-no-Mates my arse"

Its just the way you tick - privately! I have a colleague who did LL and lost all her weight but told everyone she was doing her own detox diet. It was only when I said I had joined LL that she told me. She said her way of coping was to focus her efforts and energy without having any outside influences.

Will check in with you later when I've been to group

Best of luch emotional - although to be honest luck has nothing to do with it.
I have told a couple of people - one because she has always been so lovely and battles with her weight too (told her today).
Another because she is the only person who has noticed! We have regularly moaned about our weight. I guess I knew she would be understanding and very positive as the weight has dropped off!! She is trying to get her doctor to agree to sign the medical form.
Am on the edge of my chair waiting for your result...'urry up!!

luck

OK drum roll.................................

11lbs woo hoo!!!!

Thanks undervalued. Glad you have told a couple of friends. Have u had a good day today, with no blips? I was sorely tempted by a tuna sandwich today

OMG, an excellent result!! Well done emotional Nearly a stone... that would be around 7 weeks at WW! Has it motivated you?
I dream of food - especially salad (WTF???)
I did have food a couple of weeks ago (was on holiday) and I must admit I was disappointed. Food is not as good as I remember. No blips and I'm expecting to lose about 4lbs this week but will have to wait until Thursday.
Well done once again

Your children are beautiful emotional
That's a difficult job you have there - my mum always wanted me to be a nurse Another tick on the disappointed list I'm afraid. I don't have the gumption for it

Need some support ladies and just catching up with how well you're all doing is certainly helping - now in week but fell off wagin for last 2 weeks despite losing 11.5 in first 2 weeks - too many reasons to list here as to why I fell off except so, cancer, stress, waiting for results, urgh!

But the key thing is I am now refocussed and am going to go to my meeting tomorrow invigorated and I've promised myself I will do LL until I lose 6 stone - and that should not take more than 6-7 months, which is nothing!

And you know what, food is over-rated, especially when it's linked to emotions. I need to be in that place where I dream about tomatoes, cucumber, cous cous and lovely healthy vitamins.

And I will be, thanks in part to the support of you ladies right here.

wow WDMLG

You sound like you are totally in the zone. Which is the only way to get through this I think. So sorry to hear about your other problems. Hope u get your results soon and everything is ok.

just SHOUT REALLY LOUD when you need a poke in the right direction!

I've had a good day today and I've got a mountain of ironing to do tonight which will keep me busy!

undervalued thanks for the compliment about my girls. I think they're gorgeous but you always do don;t you!

And trust me nursing is overrated - its far too influenced by political bullshit these days, and as for being a disappointment to your mum, my mums biggest disappointment is that I'm fat!

Thanks emotionalwreck (gosh, how many of us here could have had that name?) Yes, I am in the zone and doing great. My meeting tonight was good and been back on for 24 hrs and focused like a focused person!

Hello. Well done everyone currently doing LL. I did it last year and went from 12 st 12lb down to 9st 4lb in about 3.5 months (I'm about 5'5") so 9st 4lb had me wearing size 8/10 clothes which was FABULOUS.
I luuurved doing it, loved the counselling and totally loved the way the weight dropped off.
Am currently 7 months pg now so have piled on quite a bit of weight again due to 'having' to eat carbs by the bucketful to stave off the dreaded morning sickness, but am definitely going to LL it all off (if necessary) after breastfeeding is over.
Anyway just wanted to give my support to all of you currently doing it. Stick at it, keep drinking the water and the weight absolutely will drop off. And it's such a great feeling when it does!
(I'm actually a little bit jealous of people on it at the moment as feeling like a big fat blob. I also felt really 'well' and my skin glowed whilst on LL). Anyway best of luck to you all x

By the way I found that occasionally chewing food then spitting it out in the sink worked if I was really craving a taste of something. (sorry, I know that's gross). And also I used to crave crisps (I don't anymore by the way) and once or twice I LICKED a whole packet but didn't actually EAT(swallow) any of the crisps. I can't tell you how revolting a bowl full of licked crisps looks after a while - it turns into a sticky greasy disgusting congealed mass and makes you so glad they aren't in your stomach!
Anyway, doing these two things never affected my weight loss I don't think. (I'd still lose my usual amount).
(sorry if this is too revolting!)

LOL frazzledoldbag I am home with horrid bug and that has cheered me up no end!!

wheredidmyoldlifego I'm glad you feel ready to get on - I'm still having a hard time and have cheated a little. To stop myself from throwing up yesterday I did have 2 pieces of toast. It worked I hope all is well with your results, don't add any extra anxiety because you've cheated a little - just make it up to yourself another week.
I'm at group tonight but have a feeling that lying here for 2 days (eating toast) will show on the scales. I'll live with it, as long as I haven't put any on.
Mothers eh emotional? Meh

undervalued oh sorry to hear about your bug. Fingers crossed your group goes well tonight and you feel better soon. Glad my (revolting) eating avoidance strategies cheered you up, my DH used to laugh like a drain when I was sat there licking the crisps! He thought it was funny but was also SO proud that I didn't actually eat any. By the way, I don't really like crisps anymore, I never bother to buy them now and they used to be my absolute fave. Obviously something worked there.

Anyway stick with it ladies (and gents if there are any). Keep going, just keep going! The before and after photos in week 14 are amazing!

And yes, I agree food doesn't actually taste as good as you anticipate it will. Odd isn't it?

And another tip, if you must cheat try and cheat with a little bit of protein or some veg or salad. It's very unlikely to make a difference IME as shouldn't take you out of ketosis. When I was LLing I (once or twice when out having takeaway chinese with friends) had some chinese soup (hot and sour or similar) - instead of two packs that day. Again it made me feel like I was fitting in and not being a freak by drinking water and eating nothing, but didn't affect my ketosis (or at least it didn't show on the scales if it did).
I don't advocate this kind of thing more than once or twice in the 14 wks as a big treat though! and I must stress that I never enjoyed it as much as I thought I would and felt guilty after. So maybe it's not worth it?

Good luck all and well done x

Still having a giggle Frazzle and thanks for the tips -I have been listening to the same cheats at group this week and will admit to having some of my husband's turkey on a regular basis.
Weigh in was good - another 4lb down, so 33lb all together!! 6 weeks left so I'm hoping for another stone -it has been well over a decade since I have been at this weight.
Good luck everyone x

frazzledoldbag the crisps sound revolting although I must admit I have stuck my head in a bag of salt n vinegar crisps for a blooming good sniff. Might use your cheat hints this weekend when I have to go on a conference!

undervalued well done on your weight loss - 33lbs in 8 weeks? Fabulous. This really keeps me motivated.

Lets keep going ladies! xxx

Oh well done undervalued - 33lb is brilliant as is another 4lb off this week. You must feel fantastic. Another stone off in 6 wks should be easily achievable. Keep at it girl!

emotional good luck at the conference. Remember, nobody is actually taking much notice of what you eat. Just make sure there are some crumbs on your plate and a glass of water / cup of coffee in your hand and nobody will be any the wiser. Enjoy!

I want to start Lighterlife - I have got the form for my GP to sign. Did anyone have probs getting doctor to sign? Any hints to persuade doctor it is a good thing. I am due to go the the GP tomorrow morning....

Hi silver and welcome. I didn't really have to persuade my doctor to sign it but a friend of mine has had problems; she has had to go to a private doctor.
I think you need to show (as if they didn't know) the consequences to your health by being the size you are, and the benefits to being slimmer. Explain how other diets have not worked and how you are prepared to put yourself through this difficult (and it is) programme in order to pull yourself out of the depression you are in. In other words ham it up if you need to.
I asked my GP about it before deciding - did he think it was a good and healthy plan etc. I had also been suffering from anxiety attacks, high blood pressure, the beginning symptoms of diabetes and a lot of heartburn. I manipulated a little by pointing out all these reasons why it would be a good idea for me - I also pointed out that I had lost all my confidence. I 'luckily' had the form with me.
8 weeks on and I have had none of the symptoms above for at least four of them. I have no clothes which fit me either...I see the GP every 4 weeks and he is a great fan now and cannot believe the changes - especially to my blood pressure etc.
I ran my little man to school this morning - trust me when I say, It has been a while since I ran anywhere.
HTH, sorry to go on but I believe in this programme as it has made me a new person, I have lovely new friends who know what it is like to struggle with weight. I have also 'met' some lovely people on here, very supportive and positive. Go for it and the very best of luck - come back and tell us how you get on.

Hi silver . My doc was delighted to sign it as she was very supportive (turned out she had a lady who'd lost 10 stone and another who'd lost 8 on the plan so thought it was a good idea). As long as you fit the criteria there shouldn't be an issue. You may need to pay a fee for it though - our docs charges £20, and I've heard of others charging more (as it is apparently an additional private service to have a health check for this reason). If your doc isn't supportive your LL counsellor can probably recommend one you can go and see who is more supportive. My LL counsellor knows most Gp's in the area anyway so knows who may be difficult and who will help.
Good luck silver. IME the first week to ten days is hard. If you can get through that the rest is a walk in the park. And you'll be so proud of yourself for your achievement when it's over - it's a HUGE self confidence boost. In fact that's what I liked best about it - it made me feel like a worthwhile person again.
Best of luck .

God, just reading that last bit makes me feel really sad. But it's so true. When I started on LL it was Jan last year and everyone was saying I'd never do it for more than a couple of weeks. I was determined to prove them wrong, and despite them trying to sabotage me/make me feel guilty/worry about my health etc by the end of the 14 wks I was so proud of myself and everyone was so astonished (and envious tbh - I know this for a fact) it made everything worth while. My DH was so proud as he had been so convinced I couldn't do it he bet me £1000 I wouldn't get down to 9.5 stone). In the end he had to take me shopping to Harvey Nicks for my reward! (he was very proud and pleased, although his wallet was a lot lighter).
Anyway sorry am waffling. I just want everyone to feel as good about themselves as possible and it's amazing what a difference losing weight (quickly and easily) can make.
Right, will shut up now.
Maybe I should become a counsellor...........?!

Go for it frazzle

I never made it to my class again this week as Zoe ended up in hospital with an asthma attack - I feel sooo bad as I've hardly made it to any classes lately what with one thing and another

WOW undervalued - that's fantastic weight loss. I've been on the refresher programme since the end of OCtober and I'm at 3 and half stone. Sooooo impressed - must drink more water...must take all my foodpacks...and must STOP staring at the contents of my fridge (slightly better than eating it all )

WDMOLG - How's things? Laughed at your wee man saying 'I'm sick mummy' Don't they just know how to put the fear of god into us?

Littlemonkeysmummy - hope your little one is recovering well. Asthma can be so frightening especially in a baby.

Fellow Lighter Lifers, I need a boost as my motivation has took a nose dive. Went to my pop in tonight and although the sticks say I'm in ketosis, I haven't lost an ounce since tuesday. Has this happened to anyone else?

My counsellor says its probably my body adjusting to being well hydrated as I was a really poor drinker before, but I'm still well and truly fu**ed off (need frowning emoticon here)

Thanks for your posts. Had no probs at the doctors - he was very supportive and has done my form. However, now have to wait about three weeks to start. Is this normal? I'm in the right place in my head at the moment and terrified I won't be in three weeks time. Any advice?

I am also on this atm, I have lost 27lbs in 5 weeks I am so chuffed. I had about 41/2st in total to lose, so almost 1/2 way there