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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Anybody following Paul McKenna - I Can Make You Thin ?

314 replies

Kayleigh · 09/04/2005 16:40

Have just bought the book & CD after two recommendations. Anyone following his rules ? Is it working ?

OP posts:
TaiTai · 12/04/2006 10:21

Hi all, drinking lots of water has always been a massive issue for me. I'm managing at least one litre a day plus other drinks, but really need to get up to two litres a day. I have chocolate in the house and dessert that I bought at the supermarket yesterday, but I'm leaving them alone until and if I feel hungry AND want them. This is very restrained of me too; usually I would have had the dessert after dinner last night, but I was too full.

I went running this morning, I'm finding doing exercise a lot easier since listening to the CD, probably because he tells me I will!!

Horse, it is nice not to feel so bloated, isn't it? I would usually polish of my dinner and feel too full but shamefully, I quite liked that feeling. I'm learning not to. Smile

wangle99 · 12/04/2006 15:48

I was just very bad and stood on the scales (with all my clothes on) and I don't appear to have lost any weight. Now I'm very mad with myself for giving in and standing on them and worried this isn't working Sad

patkica · 12/04/2006 16:09

Don't despair. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything at all. You know how misleading the scales can be, depending on the time of day, what you're wearning etc... I heard him say that he advises people not to get on the scales too often because it can discourage people if they don't think they're losing weight and checking too often is not a fool proof way of knowing if it's working or not. Even if you ate nothing at all for a few days, the scales might not register that. I bet you'll have lost a few pounds at least when you check at the end of the 2 week period. Don't forget that getting through this initial bit is the hardest because it's all new.

TaiTai · 12/04/2006 17:32

Wangle, that's good advice from Patkica. One of the lesser rules of the PM plan is to only weigh yourself every two weeks, if that. Like his other rules, that rule is there for a reason. The whole point of this plan is to stop obssessing about weight and food and to revert to a much more basic and naturalistic way of eating, and to lose weight as a result. Give it some time. It will work. For what it's worth, I've been doing this on-and-off for the last six weeks and have simply maintained weight. BUT I've gone down a dress size, so there's been progress. Last week I started again properly so we'll see how I do next week when I weigh. Bear in mind that some people lose faster than others at first too.

Horse · 12/04/2006 17:47

Wangle, TaiTai and patkica are right of course. Don't despair about the scales, wait until your clothes start to feel loose. I am sure that my weight loss will slow down now as with all other diets you tend to lose rapidly at first. It is now that I will need more motivation. Are you all listening to the cd religiously? I think that it is very important especially in the first two weeks but how important is it to listen to after those initial weeks?

wangle99 · 12/04/2006 18:35

I know I know it was wrong but I just want some form of proof this is working! I do feel a bit slimmer but I want proof and I'm used to proof being the scales!

Serves me right really doesn't it...

TaiTai · 12/04/2006 19:06

hi wangle, i know where you're coming from, but this is a way-of-life thing so you may need to wait for the scales to show results! Doesn't mean it's not working though. What most diets miss out is the whole emotional eating malarky, which for most of us is a problem area. The whole point of PM is to address emotional eating v physical eating; because of this you really have to reprogramme yourself. For me, that has taken time and I think it's only recently clicked. Some people may pick it up easier, but it IS hard for a lot of us to work out when we're adequately physically hungry and full and to eat consciously. The better we get at that the more weight we'll lose, but if you're following the rules then it is working! Horse, to answer your question, I didn't listen to the CD every day for the first two weeks, but have listened to it on and off for the past six, with about a two week gap where I didn't listen to it at all. I'm trying really hard to listen to it every day at the moment because, surprise, surprise, the more I listen to it on a day-in-day-out basis, the more I feel it's easier to adhere to the plan.

patkica · 12/04/2006 20:18

Wangle, PM addresses this very issue in the book that comes with the CD. What he syas makes real sense to me so do have a look. I agree with what everyone has said: it's about a whole new way of life so do stick with it. I'm sure someone will ask about this at the seminar tomorrow, so I'll report back. I have to admit that I read the book about 2 weeks ago, but only listended to the CD for the first time at the weekend. It's made such a difference. Be positive.

wangle99 · 12/04/2006 20:49

I haven't listened to the CD yet, I will make an effort to listen when DD is in bed in a moment.

I think I just so want this to work, I have no problem picking out the actual hunger from the emotional/bored hunger at all. I can stop when I'm full as well. I think because WW was a bit of a failure I expect this to be as well. I WILL NOT step on the scales again until day 15...

dinny · 12/04/2006 20:51

Ooh, Patkica, can't wait to hear about seminar and if he's attractive (am sure he does some hypnosis to make everyone find him attractive, do you?) let us know how it goes!

I've felt a bit unfocused today and have probably been eating a bit unconsciously but don't feel bloated or guilty so not too bothered. just had a huge tub of houmous and it was lush. also, was at the farm with the children and polished off ds's ice cream before I realised. whoops.

re water - I am drinking LOADS more than normal (and I drink at least 2,5 litres normally anyway). ds breastfeeds at least 6 times a day still (he's 19 months) and I am constantly thirsty. am sure not drinking enough was a major reason for feeling hungry all the time. now it's often water that I really want. a revelation!

dinny · 12/04/2006 20:53

Wangle, excellent description of 'coming home'. same here.

so when does everyone listen to the CD? I do in bed normally but think I fall asleep too soon.

TaiTai · 12/04/2006 20:59

last thing at night, in bed with dh using ipod and headphones! my problem has been that often i'm too tired to listen and fall asleep after reading for a while, as i like to do that too last thing at night. i have a bit of a block about listening at other times of the day as i feel i coud better use that time for other things that i can't do in bed - like go on Mumsnet Grin

wangle99 · 12/04/2006 21:02

Patkica - enjoy tomorrow!

I tend to listen in the evening when the children are in bed but before I go to bed. Just getting DD off now and then I'm going to listen...

dinny · 12/04/2006 21:07

can you do it when doing something else (other than operating machinery, lol) like on a Xtrainer?

Horse · 12/04/2006 22:59

Dinny, you have to be sitting down and in a comfortable position. I think that is why most people listen before dropping off to sleep which is what I do as I can't seem to find the time to do it during the day. Also with Easter holidays it is impossible to get a quiet moment. It is alright to drop off while listening as long as you wake up at the end when PM does the wake up countdown. Patkica, can't wait to hear your feedback about tomorrow. Dinny, I have been unfocused today as well, I ate more brownies and unfortunately I think I have gone past the full stage as I feel every so slightly uncomfortable. I didn't want to deny myself but funnily I don't feel guilty Grin

patkica · 13/04/2006 17:35

I'm a complete idiot and realised this morning that the seminar thing was the 13th of next month and not today. Just as well I hadn't left yet as I don't even live in LondonBlush. I feel a bit gutted really, but am trying to make sure that I don't use this as an excuse to slip . But so far so good. I know what everyone means about being worried that this won't work: I feel the same, but I reckon it just will, as long as we stick to the golden rules as they really do make sense. I know that if I'd been told not to eat certain things (bread and chesse in my case) I would have failed already. I'm feeling confident today, better each day in fact and I'm sure it's down to the CD. I gave up smoking with the help of hypnosis and I am generally pretty wary of stuff like that, so I reckon that's a good sign. Does anyone know anyone who has done PM and had results? Sorry I can't give you all the news from the event. I was looking forward to matching up the voice with a real person. His voice is attractive, if a bit weird.

wangle99 · 13/04/2006 19:06

Patkica - oh no! I know you were so looking forward to it!!! Good job you realised before you started travelling.

Today I took the children out with friends and we had a picnic, I must admit I didn't eat as consciously or slowly as I should have done (quite difficult whilst trying to maintain a 2.5 year old in my sight!) But I didn't go overboard in what I did eat.

I am definately slimmer but of course if the scales show a loss next Wednesday I will be happier!

wangle99 · 13/04/2006 19:07

Patkica - oh no! I know you were so looking forward to it!!! Good job you realised before you started travelling.

Today I took the children out with friends and we had a picnic, I must admit I didn't eat as consciously or slowly as I should have done (quite difficult whilst trying to maintain a 2.5 year old in my sight!) But I didn't go overboard in what I did eat.

I am definately slimmer but of course if the scales show a loss next Wednesday I will be happier!

dinny · 13/04/2006 19:21

Patkica - doh! Never mind! Glad you didn't set out before realising. That's the sort of thing I do!

I've not been hungry today really (mainly cos am worried about my dad who is poorly). was planning a run tonight but really don't feel like it - think it's OK to miss it if I do long run tomorrow?

Horse - of course re. listening to CD - was being thick, I realised as lay in bed listening last night, lol.

TaiTai · 13/04/2006 19:22

wangle, i know it's hard, but try to NOT think about whether you're slimmer or not, just go with it for a while. afterall, you're enjoying the plan, right?, so it's not a chore. i need some motivation though, i was stressed today and definitely didn't follow the rules.

patkica, that's a shame, but now you have one month to follow the plan and hopefully the seminar will consolidate that; whatever he says on the day should come easier to you as you'll be more open to it from all the practice you've already done, if that makes sense...

TaiTai · 13/04/2006 19:25

dinny, sorry to hear about your dad. do you think the run would make you feel better afterwards, even though you don't fancy going right now? Wink

dinny · 13/04/2006 19:26

yes - it's more about weight now (well, is for me) - it's about being a person in control and that means more than worrying if you've eaten a bit unconsciously (and PM says you WILL make mistakes - just let it go) And drink lots of water to cheer you up, lol.

wangle99 · 13/04/2006 20:23

I think my weight/food issues are so ingrained into my head at the moment it's hard not to think along those lines. I'm finding it hard to fit in the CD but will make a conscious effort to do so as I think that may help.

I am enjoying the plan - after all I don't feel bloated at all. I think I'm just used to thinking these things.

I am stopping making the children finish their food now! Has anyone else changed their attitude towards the children's eating habits?

TheBlonde · 13/04/2006 20:43

Sorry only just scanned the thread - how much is the seminar?

I listened to the CD last night before going to sleep

dinny · 13/04/2006 20:46

Wangle, I have always told dd not to clear her plate unless she is hungry still. but it is really annoying when dh praises her for finishing all her food! and at school they give stickers if you clear your plate - gggggrrrrr! I have told her to listen to Mummy and no-one else - she only has to eat until her tummy says it's full.