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 all - apologies for not posting here for a while. I have been posting everyday on the Alizonne forums so wasn't finding the time to post here as well. But thought I'd drop a little note on here to say how I was doing.

This programme is really working for me, and with a bit of organisation, I am able to get through my sachets, veg and salads without any problem.

In terms of stats, I have lost 15 kgs / 33lbs / 2 stone 4 lb in 8 weeks. Weight losses have been consistent during this period in general losing 3.6 kgs in the first week and the lowest week has been a 1 kg loss. Start weight was 97.7 kgs and current weight is 82.7 kgs.

I thought I must post here, as mumsnet is a public forum, and I read some posts where people were wondering where we disappeared after making our first few posts here :)

Good luck to all those who are starting on this life changing journey, wish you all the very best. I am half way through it, and if I can do it, so can you!

Daisy x

I've shed 70% of the weight to target so am happily onto Phase 2 with a protein meal every evening with permitted veggies - 120g lean meats and veal or chicken livers or 140g of white fish, scallops, crab or lobster.

I'm 5.5lbs down since my last weigh in report on here. I'm just over 14 1/2st - 32.8. So I've shed 6st 12lb and have just over 2 1/2st to go. I cannot even pull up the size 14 jeans - yet the size 16s are getting loose in the legs and waist. They are fine with a belt. It feels good having jeans feeling loose.

I had a happy while yesterday looking at Kettlewell clothing as I now fit into their sizes. I can't justify having intermediate Kettlewell clothing - that will have to wait till goal. I'm a Spring and love the bright colours www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/

Alizonne works just putting one foot in front of the other - I simply didn't realise I could do this. When I started, I didn't believe I would get this far - but acted as if I did believe - just doing what I was told. I am very content.

Ali

PS 32.8 is my current BMI.

Thanks to all above. Just joined Mumsnet and have just called Alizonne to arrange a consultation!

Well I start properly tomorrow. I have an array of boxes and packets in the kitchen, I've been to Waitrose and bought industrial quantities of permitted veg and was happy to find San Pellegrino on special offer!

Good luck, Ariadne.

Lots to read on the Alizonne forum - so if you haven't got it, ask the clinic for the password and have a read. It's inevitable you will find some sachets that don't suit you, so have courage and find the ones you can tolerate. I've done 6 months ....so it is possible.

lhowa:

Glad it's been helpful. I could find little on the net so decided I would post here and at minimins cos I would have liked more user info when I was deciding whether to do it. You'll find the forum useful too - so ask for the password at your first consultation.

Ali

I had my week 12 doctor's review and WI yesterday and I've now lost 18.8kg. For those of you who like statistics, here are a few:

Weeks 1 to 4: lost 7.1kg, averaging 1.775 per week
Weeks 5 to 8: lost 5.7kg, averaging 1.425 per week
Weeks 9 to 12: lost 6kg, averaging 1.5 per week.

So, I'm passed the 3 stone mark ... heading on towards the 20kg mark... just over the half way mark in my AZ journey... and my BMI very nearly out of the obese category - forever.

Despite AZ being a very restrictive diet, I have found it relatively easy. Good luck to all of you who are waiting to start the programme (or just thinking about it).

I did Alizonne a while ago and lost 5 stone in 3 months. The loss was far too quick and my skin started to look really baggy. I did not do phase 2, which I now realise was a mistake as I regained a couple of stone really quickly, although eating very sensibly. This experience agrees with what Dr Dukan said about the slow introduction of carbs to prevent weight regain after a high protein diet.

I am now eating a mixture of non Alizonne sachets (which are all nicer than the Alizonne ones and less than half the price) and natural protein food, mixed with vegetables. I am losing weight more slowly AND cheaply AND most importantly my skin is looking fine - I've invested in a Wellbox. When I reach target I will definately do Dukan stage 3 and keep to stage 4 afterwards. Losing weight on something like Alizonne is not hard, but keeping it off is. I now know that is the real challenge.

You are so right, Wanda. The phasing off of Alizonne and all vlcds is aimed at reintroducing carbs, fats and more variety with the help of your brown fat and newly tuned metabolism so you don't bounce back. It is essential.

The final medgem at goal gives you the calories that allow you to maintain. It's fascinating to me that many Alizonne clients have calorie requirements lower than the official amount of 2000 a day for women. However I don't believe all calories are equal - so the higher protein/lower carb approach makes sense to me.

I have lost 7 stone now. From about 6 stone onwards, I have some looseness of skin on the upper arms and upper thighs. I could not sustain other weight loss programmes and repeatedly failed at staying on programmes like weighwatchers long enough. The amount I had to loose seemed insurmountable. Alizonne has helped me with that.

I am willing to live with the consequences of loosing 1/3 of my starting weight as I repeatedly failed at doing so in more 'sensible' ways. It will tighten up a bit more - but never be as it would have been if I hadn't been fat for 30 years and lost weight fast. I haven't been hungry and have stayed on plan. For me, the medical supervision, quality of the protein and results are worth the higher costs and the skin looseness.

The high protein low carb approach of Dukan seems great - there's also lots to be learned from the Dukan maintaining links on Minimins. I think there are some good biological reasons to have good fats in the diet so am attracted to the Paleo approach. I've just borrowed a copy of Gary Taubes' book 'Why we get fat and what to do about it' to read more about his view on all of this. I will be eating low carb with some Dukan recipes and more Paleo recipes when I'm at goal.

I've been looking at what other people do after significant weight loss and agree with you that shedding weight is just the start. It requires as much attention to develop a new normal, a new way of living. It is so easy for people to slip back into old bad habits and to underestimate portion sizes and regain weight.

Good luck with your new programme - and come over to Minimins to find some good supportive forums.

Ali

Hi All

I went to the London Clinic last Monday and had my first treatment, ultrasound etc. Then Tuesday I started the diet. It is day 6 and I am really struggling. I have just cooked my daughter and husband roast chicken and I had to try really hard not to lick my fingers when I got a bit of food on them from empyting plates.
Visited London clinic yesterday to swap over my sachets, I can't believe that some of the savoury items were making me retch before I had even opened the packets. They were very nice at the clinic and gavee me a few suggestions for me.

How do you manage to stay on this diet for so long. I really hope I can do it. I have been on so many diets, I seem to loose the weight and then pile it back on with a little bit extra.

I am 52 years old, 5' 3" and weigh 15st, my cholesterol is 6.2. So I really have to give this a try as I have two young children and my energy levels are zilch.

My first weigh in is tomorrow night, not very keen on being weighed in the evening as you always seem to weigh more. I am a self weigher however and so far from my scales I have lost 4K. Only another 21 to go.

Hi Talauro.

Well as Yoda says : Do or not do. There is no try!

I'm a year older than you, 3 inches taller and was a lot fatter, I suspect! .

The key is to find some sachets you can tolerate or even better actually like. I've posted some ideas on the Alizonne forum and hope you can work your way through a variety to get some that will be good for you. Then you will be able to decide that you can do this, and take it day by day and then week by week as you get the results you want.

I think it helps to do that thing from the Beck solution of writing a really really long list (60 or 70 items) of reasons why you want to be slim. state them in the positive - so if you have something like I hate not having energy to play with the kids, turn it into I love having energy to play with the kids and run down the beach with them on our summer hols ...or whatever floats your boat. Then when it's tough (and it will be tough at times), you read through them to stiffen yor resolve.

Also get real with yourself. What are the consequences if you don't sort your weight right now? What will happen longer term? It's pretty heavy but this is also good motivation.

Btw, tell your DH that you may get a PMT-ish -= as the hormones we laid down as we got fat are let out of the fat cells. I certianly got grumpy - and I'm post menopausal.

So Talauro - it's a choice. You don't have to look long term. In fact I couldn't imagine 8 months or so of Alizonne. As a serial failure at weight loss, I didn't really think I could do it. I wasn't a big drinker - but Ii certainly didn't think I'd be Ok about not drinking alcohol whilst shedding the weight.

So, like me, you just have to decide if you want to do this, and then what sachets and other ways of living will help you do it. Take it one step (one sachet) at a time. You don't have to believe it will work for you or indeed that you can do it - just act as if it will work and make a choice to do it each day, and even each time you have a choice. I can have anything I want to - but choose not to deviate from Alizonne. Somehow making it a choice rather than an imposition makes this doable.

I've made changes. I still cook roast chicken but every other week not every sunday. I don't have lots of cooked chicken or ham in the fridge - because it also calls to me. I only do enough roast veg for DH and my MIL. I do more portions for MIL and freeze them immediately so she can reheat at her home. I travel with a knife in a sheath and fennel, cucumber or other things so I can have my salads at lunchtime when on the road.

I don't have big pots of yogurt in the house as they are too tempting. I also had to ask DH to take the Xmas cake away, and to put some white choclate somewhere where I wouldn't find it. It's wierd as we have nuts/crisps/biscuits in the cupboards and white magnums in the freezer and I'm fine with those.

I think learning not to eat as I cook has been one of the toughest things. I may have a drink of water, a coffee or an Alizonne shake so I'm not hungry or tired when I cook or shop. At one stage, I only paid for petrol at the pump. Now I can walk past the chocolate/crisps/doughnuts etc and pay inside if I choose. somehow the choice muscle has got stronger.

I do feed my dearest and nearest more salads than before (DH always has mayonnaise!) and the same veg and /or veg curry I'm having. Sometimes Ill cook two things in parallell - so DH's aubergine curry (and now chicken curry) - has garlic, onions and sometimes coconut or almonds whilst mine is pure alizonne phase 1 or 2.

So find your triggers, don't cook or shop hungry and reorganise anything that can help you do Alizonne and then maintain those good healthier habits when you get to goal.

There's lots of good advice and thoughts on how to manage what to say to your friends/family/colleagues or what to do about wedding meals/black tie events etc on the Alizonne forum in the old threads. Most of the clinics and therapists are also great sources of info and support. Good luck with your weigh in - and see you there!

Good luck!

Ali

PS: I'm a selfweigher too as I weigh in at different times on different days of the week. In a sense, it doesn't matter of your WI is always the same time of the day. Don't hold back on water/shakes on weigh in day. Just set up a outine so it's the same every week. Because I can't do that, I don't get worried if the 'official' losses one week are not so good if I know, I've had more water etc. Just make sure you don't get low because your afternoon weight si 3-5lbs more than the am wegh in at home.

hello, has any one used alizone to lose weight? i am very sceptical and it seem too good to be true , has any one out there used it? i would really like to hear form anyone positive of negative before i contact the company as i don't want the sales talk

thanks

Hi Mitch

The positive: I have lost 7 stone in 6 1/2 months and feel and look great.

The negative: you have to be willing to do the programme - that means no cheating and deviating, drinking or 'just having a little bit'. So it takes commitment and planning. I have gone to weddings/dinners etc and requested Alizonne friendly meals in advance (low carb salad stuff and vegetables with limited oil, and after shedding 70% of weight, fish, meat or chicken) and not drunk any alcohol or had wedding cake/pudding or whatever. It's worth it as I have lots over a stone a month.

Other negatives: You pee a lot at first and have to be willing to try a number of sachets before you find flavours that you like. You have to eat salads and vegetables from the list only and weigh the higher calorie ones and take a load of supplements. No fruit until a later phase.

It's not a high pressure sales type of thing. They'll tell you a bit about and how it works and then ask if you want an appointment with the Alizonne GP. If you book, they'll ask for payment upfront as many people are no shows if they don't that.

Read my post here and on Minimins and you'll read about my journey. To sum up: it's expensive and effective. You are well monitored by the Alizonne GP, the sachets are good quality and it works. You need to manage your own mind and motivation.

Some people drop out because they aren't motivated enough or don't sort a manageable routine. Others don't complete the programme. You need to complete and phase off reintroducing all food types, then return once a month for monitoring for the first year. You also need a new normal afterwards as you will get fat again if you return to your old habits.

They won't finalise your programme until you've seen the doc and down your medgem so they know how fast you'll burn the fat. Men loose faster than women. Ask for a likely timeframe to phasing off and completing and likely cost per week in each phase to know total cost.

I met 2 successful Alizonners before I started. I would have been just as suspicious as you. I never thought I'd succeed but have. It works for everyone who does the programme 100% . I am surprised and so glad.

Mitch: loosing weight is the easy bit _ I now know. You will have to be every bit as committed to keeping it off, planning food and keeping up with some of the good Alizonne habits - such as eating small portions of protein regularly, lots of salad stuff and lower carb veggies for supper.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Ali

Well Day 12 went to the London clinic. I now weigh 91.2k a loss of 5kgs since I started 12 days ago. Not totally convinced yet about this way of eating as it is quite usual for me to lose a little less than that in a week. Still going to keep going as I still have 3stone and a bit to lose. Put on a pair of trousers today that I haven't worn for quite some time, still a little snug but wearable.
Had the potato pie last night I pretended it was chicken in breadcrumbs as it didn't taste like potato at all, but I quite liked it. Had a couple of days of constipation last week, any advice. I am eating the porridge and rhubarb every day, maybe it will take a few days for it to get my system going.

Also feeling thirsty even though i am drinking for England, I don't think my body ever had so much water in it!

Will keep all posted on progress.

Talauro

hi Guys thanks for the info, i guess that i will have to bite the bullet and make that phone call, will keep you posted Mitch

Just thought I'd update, since I started on 13th June I have lost a stone! The only problem I'm having is remembering to eat as I haven't actually felt hungry at all on the diet.

Hey
I just need some advice. I read that people lost 5 stones and more. But the point is i need to lose 1,5 stones at the most!!!

Can i do it in one month? Is it really possible?
If i go to the doctor they gonna tell me on my first appointment with how many weeks i can do that?
Also i have to eat 5 times a day. I am working from 9am till 6pm. And i have only one hour lunch time. Also some days i work from 11 till 8. Is it okey if i change time of the breakfast lunch and dinner?

Thank you.

hi ya
im going for blood test on weds the 1st and hope to start the program soon after, im really pleased to see its working for you, is there a web site you can see what you can and cant eat, i was told only some veg but she never said exactly what. see did say have a look but i cant find it lol

hope you can help
floridatine

hi ya
im going for blood test next weds, and hopefully will start soon, im so surprised you can eat so well i thought i would be living on shakes well pack stuff, any cooking tips please let me no.

well done to you for keeping it up, i hope i can say the same when i start it lol

Twika:

There is Alizonne Lite - call the clinic near you and ask them if it's suitable for you. I know it's for loosing less than 3 stone. It starts with Phase 2 with an evening meal with fish/meat/poultry.

Floridatine:

Ask the clinic for the password for the Alizonne forum _ lots of cookery tips & recipes on there.

I wouldn't say the sachets are eating well - but certainly they are tolerable. I really dislike the tomato soup - but most other things are fine. Herbs and spoices are useful too.

Eating real salad and veg makes Alizonne much more sustainable than other vlcds. You do end up doing bizarre things like having half a tomato chopped into lunchtime salads so you can use the remainder of your 200grammes of higher carb veg in the evening. It's also good training for healthy living post Alizonne.

Good luck!

Just booked my blood tests for the 11th. I'm so nervous and don't know why! I've read this whole thread, peoples ups and downs. I'm ready, I'm determined and I'm really excited about loosing the weight. But I can't shake this nervous feeling?
Can anyone tell me what to expect in the first few days. From consultation to first weigh in, any advise would be most welcome

BigCol:

Not suprising you are nervous - that's good as it suggests to me you know that this time it will be different. There's lots more info on the old threads on the Alizonne Forum so get the password from your clinic so you can read some great advice on how to manage life on Alizonne.

You need to get organised once you have had your consultation with the GP so you have the food lists and can get the right salad stuffs for lunch and some veggies that you like. An olive oil spray and electronic food scales are also useful. I use a small ommlette pan for ommettes, chicken nuggetts and potatoe pie. A water bottle is also useful. Some people use 500ml bottle and have one between in each sachet when they first start to make sure they get 2 litres of water. Get some variety boxes of sachets and a few extra boxes so you have a choice if there's some flavours you don't like. You can also get a box simply to exchange it into the swop box and try various flavours you think you might like which don't come in the variety boxes.

There's also info on how others have managed it at work and around friends and family. Most people pee for Britain when they start.

You'll need new username soon - not so much BigCol as Snakehipped Col or Svelte Col (depending on whether you are a Colin or a Colleen Col!) And I can tell you it feel good to be 110lbs lighter than 7 months ago - I feel svelte and enjoy it!

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

Ali

Thanks for your advice Ali its much appreciated, I'm a Colin by the way. Now I've booked it I just want to start, so here goes,13 stone by Christmas... Hopefully

Good luck, Colin. Men are so lucky - you shift weight faster than the women. You'll be amazed at the transformation.

The key to long term sucess is seeing the weight loss as simply the start. You need to live and eat 9and drink) differetly when you get to 13 stone. I'm 13 1/2 stone and a stone and a bit to go. I am so apprecating real protein with my evening meal. Yesterday I had a hamburger (no bun obviously) with a salad whilst my DH had a hamburger in a sandwich (no hamburger buns at home!). My meal tasted great. The first mince I've had since mid Decemebr. Alizonne is like a reset in weight and tastebuds. My tastebuds are much more alive.

See you on the boards.

Ali