ALIZONNE THERAPY?

[oinker]

Just seen this advertised in National Press.

Has anyone ever tried it?

Is it pricey?

More to the point, Does it really work?

I'm intrigued..... I had never heard of this programme before...

Hi guys. I've been following your thread and am really impressed with all of your successes. Worrals, I think we are in the same boat because I have my consultation scheduled for 30th May, with a view to starting things mid June. For those experienced Alizonne dieters out there, I was wondering if I could ask a few questions:

1. I have about two and half stone to lose to get to my ideal weight. From what I've seen, weight lose can be quite quick on Alizonne as long as you stick to the rules. Has anyone had any experience of how fast the weight loss will be with my amount of weight to lose? I'm wondering if I should be mentally preparing myself that it will take longer.

1. I notice that there a quite a few people who are on this thread who say they are in the first week or so of the diet, and then disappear. This makes me nervous that the failure rate of people who are able to stick with it is quite low. What do you guys think?

1. I know this is sad but I think I will find giving up the alcohol the hardest. I really like that glass of wine to wind down at the end of the day after the kids are in bed, and I'm wondering what I'll do in the evenings when I'm home alone as my husband is often traveling or working late. Up to date, I've spent my evenings in front of the TV with a nice glass of wine, which probably explains why I am where I am . Anyone else in the same boat?

In terms of why I think Alizonne might work for me, I think that I need the strictness to actually be successful. I've tried cutting back on carbs, smaller portions, generally eating healthy, and it's just not working. I did Dukan a couple of years ago and dropped almost two stone over three months. I've now gained half a stone of that back and feel like I need to take action. The other big thing that attracts me to Alizonne is that you lose weight quickly, and I think I need to stay motivated. Although I'm not sure that I'm being realistic here.

Final question, I booked the consultation this past weekend and it is on May 30. Although I see in my bank account that they've already taken the money. This seems a bit strange to me... I'm going to the London clinic if that is relevant. But do you think this is normal?

Sorry so many questions!! Look forward to sharing my journey with you guys.

Hi Huntress,

I can't answer most of your questions as I haven't started yet but just wanted to say that I did have to give them my credit card details, even though I won't start until July. I suppose it is to prevent folks making appointments and not turning up. I will be going to the London Clinic too.

I think that, perhaps, many simply move over to the Alizonne forum as soon as they start and are given the password. You can read all the posts on the forum and I am finding that most useful.

To read all the trials and tribulations and then the amazing successes is inspirational and I am looking forward to getting to grips with it.

Good luck for 30 May. Let us all know how you get on and I look forward to chatting with you on the Alizonne site.

Worrals

Hi,

I've just finished week 8 and have lost 12.8kg during that time (which is just over 2 stone). I'm now a third of the way to my target weight and very pleaseed with the results so far. I'm aiming to get to my target weight in August and phase off during September.

1. It's difficult to say exactly how long it will take you to lose 2.5 stone. Everyone is individual - and it depends how much exercise you take, how much you have to lose, etc. When you have your first appointment, they will do a medgem test to find out your metabolic rate - so the doctor can calculate more accurately how long you'll need. However, about 1 stone per month is around the average rate, plus you need to factor in an additional 6 weeks at the end for "phasing off" Alizonne and back onto healthy normal food. So a rough calculation would be 16 weeks from start to finish. Don't think about skipping the phasing off section: those that stop early are more likely to regain the weight.

1. The Alizonne forum is very active - and most of the newbies migrate there to get full support from the experienced Alizonners. You'll be given the password on your first appointment. There are lots of success stories, recipes and tips. It's a real God-send. In the meantime, you could have a look at Disappearing Dawn's blog or minimims for more information.

1. You have to committ 100% to this diet, but the results make it worth it - and within a week you will be very motivated to keep going all the way to the end. You wont feel hungry and your routine will probably change quite a bit. In the evenings you might end up on the forums or organising your foods for the next day or whatever. Keep busy and away from the booze! You definitely can't have alcohol as your liver is already working overtime on the diet and you don't want to put it under any more strain.

1. In terms of them debiting your account - I think that's normal. Alizonne is a business. There's nothing dodgy going on - the group is highly professional and very supportive. As you are probably aware, there are a lot of costs in the first few weeks (as highlighted earlier in this topic) - so paying the deposit upfront helps spread he burden in that first week from a cashflow point of view. The diet is not cheap - but it really works, it's safe and there are no gimmicks.

Good luck! And looking forward to seeing you on the forum in due course.

Thanks for your replies, Worrals and Mrspannie. Mrspannie - well done on your success so far. That is amazing. I'm excited for my consultation and for getting stated. Look forward to staying in touch.

So Ive slowed down a little - probably because since the Blond died, I haven't had dog walks twice a day during that wet wet weather. I had a low period - missing the dogs but stayed on plan.

That means I'm just a couple of lbs below my plan at the 5 month stage. It may mean I have an extra couple of weeks - or maybe I'll catch up. We'll see.

The plan is based on my personal BMR and activity etc.

And I am absolutely fine about it! That's because I have amazing results when I thought I could never sort my weight out. I am now 15stone 4lbs - and have lost 6st 1.4lb since 15 December - with 3st 4.5lb left to shed. That's 28.52% of my starting weight shed. My start BMI was 48.3 and I'm now no longer morbidly obese - just plain obese at 34.5. My goal weight has a BMI of 27, a target set by the GP in light of my history. My skin is doing real;ly well - the only area that is a bit loose are my upper arms so I'm having more hoovering (aka endermologie) on those.

Huntress

Well done your previous weight loss. It's a great start.

Mrs P has given you some good responses. Here's some extra thoughts:

1. You will be given a plan at your first consultation with the GP. The time will depend on how much you have screwed up your metabolism with yo yo or starvation dieting. Quite a few people find they only need 1400-1600 calories to maintain - so its not surprising that at most commercial diets they've not lost or have put on. Some Alzonners are even lower. Most loose a stone a month - more or less. Mine has been just under 18lbs a month.

You have to look it at a rolling average over 4 weeks as some weeks are fast and others slower - it's not a straight line. You then phase off reintroducing foods - so you have to keep going to the clinic and have a final GP's appointment, blood tests if you choose and the essential BMR so you have an eating plan for life. Ask the GP how long it will take to that last GPs appointment (known as sign off). You can work out the cost by also checking when you will reduce from 4 or 5 sachets a day to 4 to 3 to 1 to none. Most people loose exactly on plan. A few of us get a little slower or a little faster - that variation is usually a few weeks , if it happens. So the GPs are very skilled at using the Alizonne expertise to make your weightloss plan.

1. They've disappeared onto the forum - as it's private and there's lots of experinece there. I re-vitalised this thread and also post on Minimins as I couldn't find any real life info when I started, and I like the weight loss stats.

I think Alizonne's own website could be much better in terms of communicating to potential clients - in fact that shot of Alizonne food positively put me off as I didn't understand that you can have lovely salads and lots of veg and can have savoury sachets that enable us to sit down with our loved ones to eat. I update here periodically as its been so good for me, I want to share the info so others can decide for themselves.

The failure rate of starting and not finishing is very low - as you are very unlikely to feel hungry, and it's just a matter of deciding you will do the programme and not deviate. What are the consequences if you don't take action now? What will the impact be on your kids? You can do this and even go to social events etc if you are committed and organised.

The long term success rate is in your own control. Are you willing to change your way of eating and drinking, the one that got you fat? You will need a new way of life - and you are more likely to establish that if you keep your monthly monitoring appointments at the cilnic when you are at target. That way, they will help you if you slip a few lbs up. A few lbs a quarter is a stone in a year - so learn how to stop the rot.

See the Fred thread on Minims www.minimins.com/bring-your-head-inside-your-body-will-follow/145230-changing-habits-using-fred.html

See my journey at
www.minimins.com/very-low-calorie-diets/248043-120lbs-shed-alizonne-tightening.html

The bottom line, Huntress, is that you will need to stop drinking, get organised, contact restaurants in advance to get Alizonne style meals and use all your sachets and drink the water/ I suspect you'll have a protein meal from the start as you have so little to loose - so you must be exigent to weigh the meat/fish etc

1. Yes...oooh those empty alcohol calories..... so you'll need some good strategies. Can you get out and do an hours weeding or prune the roses if you have a garden? Do a manicure. Do Flylady and take 15 minutes an hour to sort out a cupboard and 45 to watch telly with sparkling water a nd a slice of lemon. Get posting on the Alizonne forum. Make a list of all those people you love and call one person an evening and catch up. Write yourself that list of why you are doing this and re-read it everyday.

Ask your DH if you can get the wine you have out of the house until you can drink again. Will he support you in this way? Maybe he can have some beer instead.

The brutal fact is, Huntress, that you will need to change your nightly wine habit when you are at target - as you probably won't want to spend you calorie allowance on a drink or tik up half a stone or more a year. You'll make it an occasional treat - not a daily thing. I am astonished that it is 5 months since I last had a drink - I have to remember to say no thanks, even now!

I think that Alizonne trains you in good foods and portion sizes, and with the BMR and meal plan at goal, you are very likely to get the tools you need to stay at target. I feel very motivated now - and optimistic that I will stay at goal. I never felt like this on weightwatchers, weight loss coaching and the other plans I have done. I now weigh the same as I did in the late 1980s.

The clinics are a business and take payment for the first appointment when you book - if this wasn't explained, let them know when you go in, as it's not intentional. So yes - it's normal.

You'll probably be done before I am, Huntress! I look forward to seeing you in the Alizonne Forum at the end of the month.

Ali

TheHuntress, I started on the Alizonne diet but gave up after a couple of weeks. I found it quite hard to stick to just vegetables and salad, I also found it expensive and it was difficult to get up to London for the appointments.

I have recently started the Cambridge Diet, it?s so much easier. The basic principle is the same except you have porridge for breakfast, soup for lunch, a shake in the afternoon and salad or veg and protein for the evening meal. I go for IPL treatments near my house. I have lost more weight with CD than I did with Alizonne and the diet is less restricting and easier to follow. All the vitamins are in the sachets so no extra cost there. CD costs me about £ 50 a week and the treatment is £40 so a lot cheaper than Alizonne for better results (for me)
Alizonne is great but CD is a good alternative.

hi everyone!

So I went to the clinic on Monday and my metabolic rate was calculated at 1970 - it's going to take 24 weeks for me to lose 5 stone but the doctor wasn't sure that I should be going down that low so will see how I feel nearer the time.

I am currently on day 2 today and i have to say: so far so good! I am not hungry at all and the food has been quite tasty so am a happy girl:) i went to the gym this morning (stupidly) and felt really dizzy and weak so won't be doing that again for a week or so until my body gets used to the food. I am finding it quite hard to drink all the water and the headaches are really bad but am sure it will all be worth it!

How are you all getting on?

Sky

Ali-thanks so much for your very thoughtful post. I had read your story on minimins a while back and I must admit you are the reason I started to look at Alizzone. Some of the things you said in your posts just struck a chord with me, and I was truly amazed (and inspired) by your process. I thought, if she can do it so can I!!

I'm still eager to get started and think this could really work for me. I'll let you guys know how my consultation goes on the 30th.

Hi Ali,

I am watching your fantastic success on the AZ site.

You were right! I have found more than one or two reasons to do the diet.

When I actually sat down with paper and pen, they just came to me, one after the other. Something to look at when the going gets tough!

Keep up the good work. You are totally insprirational.

Hope the wedding goes well.

Worrals

Hi every1, Iv bin on the diet 4 weeks now and lost 17lbs, my weight loss probly hasnt been as good as alot of other ppl hu have been on this diet but i have lost over a stone in a month and i am happy, I have another 2 stone 2 loose till i get 2 my goal weight here is some info on my weight loss journey so far:
star weight- 12st 2lbs
start diet - wk1 : lost 11.5 lbs
wk2: lost 2.5lbs
wk3: lost 1lb
wk 4: lost 2lbs
weight lost in toal (1 month) = 17lbs

goal weight: 9st - i am looking at loosing a stone a month and i have 2 months left till i reach my goal weight, whish me luck xxx

Hello Malik,

Congratulations on your weight loss, especially as I know you had a rough start so even more credit to you for having the courage to stick with it. We can see the results in black and white but you can see the results when you look in the mirror. Well done!

Everyone on the Alizonne site seems to be doing well which is so inspiring, can't wait for my appointment!

Give AliGal a nudge in this direction will you. She hasn't posted here for ages.

Keep going Malik.

Malik - you are doing great. A big Mumsnet well done.

It's lovely that you are coming back to update here from time to time. It's a bit like a soap opera - people researching Alizonne will want to know how we did. Hmmm - no pressure then!

I'm a daily weigher when I'm at home - unlike most Alizonners who stick to weekly weighing at their clinic visit. I'm a phlegmatic soul so don't worry about any ups & downs.

I started in mid December weighing 21st 5.4lb (not my heaviest.....I). I lost some weight before on Paleo, but it was slow. I know now that my portion sizes were not right. Alizonne is training me in all sorts of ways. I suspect that staying at target is achievable only if one stays vigilant and doesn't allow portion and snack creep. One long termer gave great advice to drop a couple of lbs before a special event or weekend, so that luxury meals are evened out. It's easier to drop before than loose afterwards, he says.

Today, I broke through into the 14s - at 14st 13.4lb. My BMI has reduced from 48.3 to 33.8. I've shed over 30% of my starting weight - 6st 6lb shed and have 2st 13.9lb to go to target with a BMI of 27. We'll see nearer target if I stick there or go lower. I think being in my 50s, that may be the right weight for my face. Already I see my face re-emerging as the young woman I was. It's taken 10 years (and a chin) off me already.

I am amazed and happily confident that I just need to put one foot in front of the other and I will get there. It's not all sweetness and light. I'm on week 23 - so sometimes it seems a long time. Others, it seems so quick. I simply didn't think I could loose weight. And I can. I have. I had a few periods of PMT type emotion - maybe hormones flooding out from my fat.

When we got to Devon, I was pretty grumpy at a lovely B&B for a very special wedding weekend as I considered how I would not be having the breakfasts, meals or drinks nor drinking the bottle of champagne the bride sweetly left in our room. It passed and I had a shake and a salad for lunch and was back on route.

I didn't deviate - apart from several pre-planned Phase 2 meals - monkfish and a few plump mussels in a broth with braised veg, preceded by a starter of a tower of grilled mediterranean veg at the wedding feast and another meal the following day with delicious grilled lemon sole with a lovely salad.

I've learnt that it is ok to ask for exactly what I want - and restaurants enjoy serving it if asked in advance. I'm also a cheap date when not having protein - salads at lunchtime and veg in the evening and no alcohol. I had a lovely time at the wedding and danced till late in my size 16 dress. Then on Monday, my size 16 jeans fit well at last.

The best quote of the week on the Alizonne forum was 'Now I'm slim, I don't do baggy.' More clothes off to Sue Ryder this afternoon. I signed up for gift aid and they already have over £80 tax credit. Now I just need to get my ebay selling head on as I also have some clothes to sell to fund the new wardrobe.

Onwards and downwards.

Ali

Hello Ali,

I have missed you here and, as you will see, asked Malik to nudge you in the direction of Mumsnet - and here you are!

Your posts on the Alizonne site and here are so helpful and it is because of you that I have made the momentous decision to throw fiscal prudence to the wind and give Alizonne my best shot.

For various reasons, I can't start until 11 July but that will soon come. Meanwhile, I am tryng to learn as much as possible from the Alizonne forum and have just bought rhubarb!!! How is that for commitment! LOL.

Worrals

oooh I hated rhubarb. So that is impressive, Worrals. It's good to start when you know it's the right time. You'll get going and then learn how to handle it. I would never have thought I could do a wedding weekend and some of the other social stuff I've done with only sachets/salad and veg. Somehow getting started helped me to see I could do it. Yea!

One thing that surprised me was that no-one passed comment at my different meal at the wedding other than to say that looks good. As DH gave the bride away we were on a table with the groom's closest family. No questions. Even when I was drinking choc shake in a blue and plastic shaker at the reception whilst everyone else was on the champagne!

Very few people knew about Alizonne. In fact, most people didn't know I had lost a shed load of weight. I think that confidence of getting organised and just matter of fact goes a very long way. At a couple of business lunches (having necked a shake before arriving), I ordered salads, no protein and dressing on the side or olive oil and lemon and declined the wine. Apart from being solicitous that I had what I wanted, my fellow diners didn't make a fuss or indeed ask questions.

Rhubarb: As a child, my father grew monster rhurbarb and sugar/honey was not considered a good thing by my mum. So sharpness combined with strandiness of the huge stalks gained it the name Mermaid Hair which was in my book, NOT A GOOD THING!

So I said I would not have it as part of my Alizonne regime. No one told me I should - but 20 something weeks in, it was in season, glowing in the veg aisles at the supermarket. I believe it cooks really well in a microwave. As ours died and we haven't replaced it, I cooked it cut up small in a le creuset type pan with a lid and some sweetener in the oven.

It's great with a vanilla shake - especially blended, and gives me a fruity flavour that I've been missing. I dislike the fruits of the forest yogurt sachets (probably soya as I find them chalky) so it's nice to have some now. I have frozen it in portions so have it handy. If I have it without a vanilla sachet, I need a bit more sweetener.

I was also put off french, string and runner beans for similar stringy reasons.....and have not rehabilitated them. I took them off my version of the restaurant meal - so there's no danger of a special meal out being spoiled! Actually I don't mind lightly cooked french beans especially in a salad nicoise - but prefer many other veg.

One downside of this process is managing one's clothes. We came back last night and I am washing my clothes today as I'm off tomorrow for a 50th birthday party and need them dry and ironed. I'll also need to buy a swim suit somewhere as the last one I can wear is really baggy - OK for water aerobics but not chic for hanging around the spa with my friends.....

I haven't really been excited by the poundage lost - more by the changing shape. However 90lbs shed and into the 14s by 1/2lb is exciting.

A couple of kilos to go, and I'll be onto Phase 2. I bought some chicken breasts that were on offer and have packaged them into 120g portions in the freezer. I have some prawns that have been waiting forever - as DH is allergic. I shall also get down the fishmongers when I'm at goal as we have some good local fish - especially bass. Maybe I can even persuade DH to go and catch some. He doesn't have a sea-line so it'll probably be the fishmongers. They sell local fresh fish 2 days a week in our local town. Fish is mainly white fish not salmon - too oily/high calorie for phase 2, I suspect. We can also have scallops and crab which I love. As samphire is also on the permitted veg list, I'll harvest some from our beach (which is turning into marsh) and will be having some lovely coastal meals within a fortnight, all being well.

Ali

PS - that's when I'm at the Phase 2 goal - not target.

Hi Ali,

So lovely to hear from you. Having just typed a response and hit the send button, I got an Oops page from Mumsnet and lost it all. It is the second time this has happened to me. Grrr!

So, here I go again!

You are doing wonderfully and I so admire you for your commitment. I only hope that I can be as focused and committed when I start. I am finding the thought scary!

I love samphire and envy you being able to pick it from your local marshland. I spent some time in Norfolk in my youth (a long time ago!) and they used to feed us samphire.

I was intrigued by your post on Thermomix as I am a bit of a gadget freak and have robots to clean my floors!

I Googled Thermomix and I want one! If I could go and buy one from John Lewis, one would probably be sitting in my kitchen now!!! However, I see it is sold on a kind of party-plan system and that has put me off. I can't see any friends being willing to come to a demonstration even if I bribe them!

Do you use the Thermomix in following AZ? That just might influence me.

I have just been talking to Alizonne. Somebody left a message for me telling me my first appointment had been changed. I called to ask why but didn't get an answer to that. However, it was a useful exercise as I discovered that I need to fast for five hours before my appointment. This I didn't know!

So exciting that you are moving onto phase 2 soon. Enjoy the fish and seafood!

Worrals

I use the Thermomix for broccolli soup - but any old mixer or whizzer would work for that. You can buy second hand Thermomixs from a french man who reconditions them on ebay.co.uk. Just make sure you get a newish model. They aren't handsome and take a lot of kitchen counter - but would be a good treat when you get to goal. The demos are good cos they show you how to use them. If you do book a demo, let me know as I'd love to see one!

Hope your appointment goes well. The fasting means you'll get your BMR test. I can't remember if you blood tests are also fasting.....amazing how much I'm already forgetting! Some clinics do the bloods and London sends you to a nearby clinic.

Ali

Hi Ali,

I have a blender and must look up the broccoli soup recipe before I start.

I have plenty of counter space for a Thermomix and could always put a large slow cooker and/or the Kenwood Chef away to make room as I don't use them often enough for them to sit on the worktop. (Mental note - sort out cupboards to make room!)

I will curb my enthusiasm and wait until I deserve a reward for doing well on AZ - probably won't be able to afford it then!! LOL.

I would certainly invite you should I have a demonstration but we are probably 200 miles apart. I have found some demonstrations on YouTube by Janie, the UK representative (practical) and others by professional chefs (interesting to watch).

I will be going to the London clinic which will take two hours to get to but having read a post about somebody travelling from Bristol to London plus a rumour that one woman was flying in weekly from Paris, I am not feeling too sorry for myself!

I hope that I will get the password for the AZ forum when I have my first appointment but maybe I will have to wait until after the first treatment?

Worrals

Ask for the password at your first appointment. I found reading old threads is good prep.

Time for back to basics. I have been eating too much aubergine and not enough veg variation and think I may have the early signs of allergic reaction and with water retention. So no aubergine for a while. Strange to have water retention again.

I've also slipped in attention to details - and somehow had a mindless chewing gum fiesta and didn't keep yogurt to an occasional spoonful. I ate the pot in a week - and have decided no yogurt in the house for a bit. I have also made the wrong decision on some ham - I wasn't hungry and yet had some stupid thinking. The LighterLifers call it 'crooked thinking'. I made DH a salad and bizarrely I wanted to feel and chew and just did it. A two slice ham binge. Standing up in the kitchen. It probably had sugar in the brine.

Some strange thought process of having done so well that a little bit won't matter and I'll stay in weight loss mode. It did matter and it does matter. I didn't really enjoy it. With the cumulative impact of all of this plus too much sweetner in the rhubarb and not religiously measuring the oil, my net loss this week was 0.6lb to 14st 12.8lb.

So - practice what I preach - shake myself down and recommit and re-choose to do Alizonne to the letter each day and each meal. I tried on the size 14s - way off being able to pull them up, let alone do them up. My size 16 linen trews are loose and need the belt tie. My size 16 jeans are a little looser at the waist and pull up very far - but still don't need a belt. I've mislaid my tape measure - but I know my waist has whittled a little this week. So possibly 20lbs off to size 14 and then another 20lbs off to size 12. That could be 16 weeks to target depending on how Phase 2 losses go and how fast my weight losses pick up.

I have declined the village Jubilee tea party - as it's a sit down do at the village hall. It's the first do I've turned down since doing Alizonne - but I feel it would be just plain wierd having a shake por Alizonne buns eating with neighbours I don't know well. People have noticed I'm loosing weight but how is my business. Oh ...and as I'm married to a republican, I'd be by myself!

So I have re-girded my loins and found my mojo. I feel great and am loving feeling svelte. I wore a new size 14 swim suit for water aerobics - a little tight but wearable. With my attention on back to basics, I will roll on downwards and inwards.

Ali

Weight Lost: 6st 6.6lb that's 30.26% of my starting weight
Weight to Lose: 2st 13.3lb

WOW Ali,

You are doing amazingly well and I am lost in admiration for your focus and determination. I am trying to take notes for when I begin my Alizonne journey. I cyber stalk you all on the AZ site and am much encouraged by all the stunning successes. On the other hand, I am nervous about being a failure!

Although eager to start, I won't be able - for several reasons - to begin until July but I am trying to up the water and down (not down my throat!!) the alcohol in preparation.

Now a confession! I am not known as the gadget queen for nothing! I have booked a Thermomix demonstration at the end of this month. It is in Windlesham so probably too far for you to consider. Just couldn't resist. Even if I only use it, initially, for broccoli soup . . .

I have won a few £25 on ERNIE in the last few months so I have justified it to myself. LOL.

Keep up the good work Ali. Thank you for coming back to Mumsnet to tell everyone how successful the AZ diet is. You are a great inspiration to all would be Alizonners. As soon as I get the password, I will introduce myself on the AZ site.

Worrals

I hadn't realised this thread was here. I've got my first appointment next week. I'm really hoping that I can finally crack weightloss once and for all.
Coincidentally I recently got a Thermomix, it is fab for soups.

Hello Ariadne,

Good luck with your first appointment! Mine is not until the middle of June and I plan to start mid July.

I hope you have found the Alizonne forum as it seems to be a lifeline for Alizonners and the fount of all wisdom and support. As soon as I get the password, I shall post there too.

I am interested to hear that you have just bought a Thermomix. I hope it isn't just an expensive soup maker!! I have high hopes that it will be so wonderful that (post diet) I will use it daily to help me to improve and exclude additives from my diet. Fabulous soup will be a great start though!

Best of luck with Alizonne. It seems to get to the parts that other diets don't reach!!

Worrals

Thanks Worrals. I haven't quite decided whether I'm going to start immediately while I am uber motivated or wait until visitors I have coming at the end of June have left. I'll decide when I see exactly how the phases work food wise.

The Thermomix does all sorts, it is pricey so you would have to be someone who is interested in cooking and food. You can make cakes and bread etc and also cook rice and pasta, it steams beautifully also. I have made a vegetable stock, from the recipe book, which is really nice and I have also made risottos and curries (it has a reverse mode for stirring).

The best 'diet' thing I found was this mock rice

www.superkitchenmachine.com/2012/15926/mock-rice-thermomix-recipes.html

Thank you Ariadne,

I have made mock rice on one of the innumerable diets I have been on but it involved much pressing through a sieve; this method sounds so easy in comparison and ideal for the AZ diet. I have book marked the site for future reference - when I have a Thermomix! Is there one available to buy at the demonstration or did you have to wait ages for it to arrive by post?

As far as I can tell, phase one lasts for 70% of the weight loss journey but there is masses of information on the AZ site so it is worth looking at.

I think I will delay my start until mid July as I believe that will give me the best, clear run for a good start without too many obstacles getting in the way! It is a personal decision and one which is, perhaps, best discussed with the clinic on your first visit.

Which clinic are you going to? My appointment is in London.

All the best, whatever you decide to do.

Worrals

I'm going to the London clinic too. There wasn't a Thermomix to buy at the demo, but I ordered on the day (having also researched it on the internet, youtube has loads of videos on it!) It arrived a week later because I wanted it delivered on a Saturday, but I could have had it in a couple of days if I had been able to be in to collect it.
Good Luck! :)