Good evening, All.
Megemmal:
I make up the omlettes the day before- I added a bit more water, lots of parsley, chives or spring onion greens and undercooked as that made a better texture, I thought. I prefer the smoked bacon one. I roll it up and cut into fingers and put it into a lock and lock box so I can eat it on the go. I also like potato pie with extra fresh herbs as a sort of couscous. Now I tend to have a shake after a salad or cucumber and fennel crudite if I'm out and about.
I don't find the cheese is like feta - more like very mild boursin without the garlic. It does make a good creamy sauce for mushrooms and other veg - like courgette ribbons. I cook mushrooms with water in the oven (weigh them before cooking) and then freeze some. I also add mushrooms to omlettes.
Malik:
Fab metabolic rate. That's good.
If you continue feeling tired talk to the clinic or your therapist when you go in, and ask their advice. Many of us have a few days feeling tired. I've had two lots of tiredness, and the GP was helpful. The clinic will give you the password - see you there soon!
Madeleine:
I've got to like the hoovering and even ask for it to be higher in some places. So you may well grow to like it....
Worrals
Good question. You certainly aren't the only one.
I do much less entertaining now than I used to. It is possible and in fact probably easier when you are hosting as you can choose a venue where the kitchen will look after you. Also - you'll probably want to change sandwich lunches in the office to ones where they also provide a green salad. You can drink shakes in a big coffee mug so no one is much the wiser.
I follow Disappearing Dawn's lead re eating out. Have you seen her blog? Call the restaurant or whoever is catering and find out if they'll be happy to meet your dietary needs. I never tell them I'm doing a vlcd, and have my shakes before. I've even necked shakes in the ladies loo, or a coffee shop in an evening dress......you need a biggish handbag to slip it away.
I then follow up with an email to the person I spoke to (see the one on Dawn's website) outlining what they can use, with some ideas. I hate green beans & rhubarb so have my own amended version with a link to a Manchester restaurant's Alizonne page.
I don't explain why my diet is different and every time the staff have accommodated me without comment. Indeed the chefs seem to like the challenge. Mostly they get it right! Occasionally they get overenthusiastic and some beetroot or something else not on the Phase 1 list appears on the plate - so I leave that. If I'm eating there again, I'll thank them, and reiterate what my doctor has specified so it doesn't happen again. I always thank them. In Phase 2 (once 60% of weight shed), I'll be able to add in protein. If people ask, I tell them I have a medical problem and would be grateful for their help. I don't go into detail.
The most bizarre thing is not drinking alcohol. I have sparkling water with ice and a slice of lime most of the time. At home, I'll have diet ginger beer. I am astonished that I haven't had alcohol since December....I think I'll drink much less when I'm at goal as alcohol is empty calories - and probably be much more choosy about what I do drink.
One new Alizonner has just had a celebration weekend with her family in Paris. Her family talked to the French chef who made some lovely veggie delights for her. People get more confident about managing travel and eating out as they learn how to make it work well for them. Deviating from the programme doesn't work - as it seems to make it more difficult to stay on track afterwards.
I've had delicious meals - with lovely salads or broccoli soup to start (didn't know I liked broccoli soup until I started Alizonne). The soup is made with water - who knew that broccoli and water and sesaonings whizzed up is palatable? I've also had beautifully presented main meals based on portabello mushrooms, Aubergines, courgettes or fennel - good kitchens can do some great things within the constraints.
I'm also confident enough now to do lunchtime meals without much prep - most places will do a large green salad, with olive oil - so if I know my companions, I make sure we go somewhere like an italian or lebanese restaurant as they are usually flexible. Mass catering establishments like Leon don't seem to be able to do salads without nuts/fish/meat and/or cheese - so don't work.
I've also learnt to decline birthday cakes etc gracefully.
The biggest issue was remembering to say no to the bread basket and to remember not to graze the olives or pre dinner nibbles. Good new habits to learn!
So - I suppose it depends how fat you are, how comfortable you are staying fat, what the consequences are if you don't take action now, and what alternatives you have. And how motivated you are - the weekly visits to the clinic are essential. Maybe some other method will suit you better?
Maybe your Fred will support you....see Changing habits using Fred www.minimins.com/bring-your-head-inside-your-body-will-follow/145230-changing-habits-using-fred.html . I only just read this thread - and found it articulated internal dialogue/decision making really well.
Depending on your metabolism, it take around a stone a month plus phasing off time - so alternatively, maybe there's a time in the year when it's easier to start as there's less sit down entertaining. No one notices at cocktail parties when you decline the food. When you've started loosing weight fast, and seen the ultrasound fat melting, it's easier to put yourself first and find ways to make eating out work ok.
I know it's much easier for me to tell you it's possible as I now know it works, and that's given me the confidence to ask for what I want. I've made it one of the most important things in my life and have committed myself 100% - so I ensure I arrange what I need to keep me on track. In the next few weeks, I have my step daughter's hen night and wedding weekend, my best friend's 50th birthday weekend and a Livery dinner. I've found that if I prepare, am confident and not apologetic, and act as a great host or good guest, people are really helpful and others don't worry and are happy to eat and drink well around me.
In fact, my biggest problem is having the right clothes as I don't want to spend lots of cash on clothes I know I'll shrink out of. So I shall be taking my £59 size 16 M&Co maxi dress to all sorts of lovely places in the next month.
Wow! This was a long post. I hope it helps. Good luck, Worrals, with whatever you decide to do.
Ali
www.minimins.com/very-low-calorie-diets/248043-120lbs-shed-alizonne-tightening.html