Cambridge Diet

[llh189]

Has anyone had any success doing the cambridge diet - I know all the negative crash dieting stuff but sometimes desperate measures call for desperate times.


It is £35per week so not cheap - or money saving!

What I am really after is honest experiences really.

Thanks - lisa

[emmaroids]

ive never heard of that diet,

i did try the atkins diet and i gotta say i lost over a stone per month :D

but that was bad on the wallet lol

right now im just cutting out all the junk and im losing a steady 1-3 pounds per week :money:

so i dont think crash diets are up to much, better to try the will power way imo.

[Jennie]

Has anyone had any success doing the cambridge diet - I know all the negative crash dieting stuff but sometimes desperate measures call for desperate times.


It is £35per week so not cheap - or money saving!

What I am really after is honest experiences really.

Thanks - lisa

It does work. HOWEVER.... The Cambridge Diet is Lighter Life without the counselling. You will lose the weight and the packs contain the nutrients etc. that you will need.

Unless, though, you learn what has led you to be overweight in the first place (your relationship with food) you run the risk of eventually ending back at square one.

Hope this helps!

Jen

[Christmasshopper]

Has anyone had any success doing the cambridge diet - I know all the negative crash dieting stuff but sometimes desperate measures call for desperate times.


It is £35per week so not cheap - or money saving!

What I am really after is honest experiences really.

Thanks - lisa


I did it once, 21 years ago, just after my son was born. I wanted to look gorgeous for his christening. ;)
The first week is the hardest. You will feel ill, hungry, bad-tempered, sick, headachey and your breath will smell. Once you get used to it it becomes easier.
I lost about half a stone a week. I went from a size 14 to a size 8 very quickly, then straight back up to a size 10 when I came off the diet. I can't quite remember the time scale, but I breast fed my son for the first 6 weeks, so I know I wouldn't have dieted while I was breast feeding. He was christened when he was 11 weeks old and I was down to my target weight by then. So the maximum amount of time I would have been on the diet is 5 weeks. It seemed like a life time though. :eek:

[ooobedoo]

I did the diet, lost loads of weight but had a gastric band as I just couldn't bear the thought of doing it again. I tried to go with lighter life(they are twice as much as CD) but I had a medical condition that they wouldn't let me, I just didn't tell the CD lady.

It is hard, till you see the weight drops off, and people start commenting.

Good luck with whatever you do
xxxxxx

[plane_boy2000]

I have a friend who has done it a couple of years back. She lost 12 stone in about 14 months, and so far has kept most of it off.

I also have a friend at work who is doing it - he is losing about 5 - 6 lbs a week and is pleased with the results. I recall that he is paying about £50 a week though so maybe it varies by area - he has a weekly meet with his advisor and is measured every 4 weeks so he can see how many inches he has lost from where etc. He found teh first week difficult, but now is in a routine, and his only big issue is that he is very family focused and misses having sunday lunch with his kids!

[emmaBZ]

http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/

just found this site and seriously considering doing it myself...


its a good forum and has some before & after pics ect....

[carolpinkdreamer]

I did it, hated it, but lost weight.
I got to my goal, stopped and put it all back on again.
Waste of money and effort. I needed to reeducate my eating habits not buy c##p like that.

[Bunnyinthelights]

I did it and lost 4 stone-

I have put 2 back on...

You really need to work the issues out WHY you eat and WHAT you eat or you will just put it back on...

PM me if you want more help...
Bunny

[exil]

£35 a week - what for?

Surely you can buy a diet book and work from that?

[ooobedoo]

The thing with CD is that it takes the choice out of dieting, it is hard-till you see the weight fall off.

I don't mean to be rude, I really don't but it's unhelpful comments like that usually from people who have never had a problem with their weight. I have, and will always have issues with food.

[exil]

Yes I do have problems with my weight, but they wouldn't be helped by wasting £35 a week. I'd still have problems with my weight but would also be broke.

[ooobedoo]

Have you bought a diet book and worked from it?

[fluffyscruffy]

I did this diet. The first 3 days are difficult but after that I really wasnt hungry. Word of warning, tho, make sure you get the supplement that helps you poo!!!! Lost weight quickly but put some back on when I started eating normally again...
Good luck if you decide to go ahead.

[llh189]

Exil - the £35 is for 7 days food replacement - so absolutely no other shopping! I agree it is expensive and more than as a single person I would want to spend on my weekly shop but a while ago I tried WW and I can tell you that fees, thens stuff for the shop at the class and then diet food cost more the £35 per week.

I also realise it is hard and rapid and that eating habits need to change but I have had a real hard year, financial, emotionally and really need a kick start so I have decided to try it, I am actually quite excited but for various practical reasons I can't start until after Easter, and I am a little dissappointed that I can't start sooner to be honest.

I am very attracted by the fact that the diet is so controlled, I think I need the routine that the Cambridge diet gives and that it is portioned controlled. I am a little worried about drastically changing my body shape as I don't really want my colleagues etc know that I have resorted to something so extreme, and the expenses of buying size 16 clothes, then 14's and possibly some 12 is quite frightening but all in a good way.

Thanks for all the advice!

lisa x

[cobbingstones]

Best wishes for the diet. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

MM

[bindiboo]

hi all i have just started cd today. so far so good. trying to drink as much water as possible...i hate boring plain water..........wish me luck

[Toots]

The Cambridge diet has been around for a long time mand I wnet on it some years ago after putiing on 5 stones when I gave up smoking.

I felt fantastic when I was on it and full of energy. I don't know if it is still the same but I used to have 3 soups a day and then on the fourth week I had to introduce a low cal meal.

Because I was losing weight so quickly (lost 4 stones in 3 months) I didn't add the extra meal. When I was at my ultimate weight and tried to eat solid food again my body was in excrutiating agony (only for a short time but I was worried I'd done permanent damage to my system).

I think it is a good way of losing weight fast whilst taking in all the nutrients you need but I wish I had the sense at the time to have followed it to the letter.

Toots

[cobbingstones]

Hi all

I bought the diet two weeks worth of Ebay because I could not for love nor money find a counsellor! I lasted two meals. Hated the stuff and was starving.
Would you all not agree that slimfast is the same thing but so much cheaper?

Best of luck to you all

MMx

[Emmzi]

I've done CD - did it for 4 weeks, having a break and then going back on it. Lost 20 pounds. Kept it off so far.

More expensive for blokes as they get more food. (4 packs a day insteads of 3) so more than £35 a week for them.

AIR, CD has more protein and less carb than slimfast.

As for money saving, it's half the price of lighter life.

Taste wise - soups ands pre-mixes and much better than the packs you mix yourself, which can taste powdery. But it's not real food and eating it is over quickly. It's nice not to obsess about what's in the fridge for a bit...

There is a CD forum where you can ask q's, find it from the CD website.

HOWEVER it's really not for everyone. I'd try it for a week and see.

[calleyw]

The CD is a blast from the past I had friend who was 14/15 doing it and that was 20 years ago.

I have always had weight issues and can loose weight if I want to. Have done it losing about 2 and half stone in three months by eating only three meals a day no junk and cycling 5 miles a day.

I have since gained a few more pounds lost it and gained again. I know I have a love hate relationship with food.

But I don't see CD as the answer to all your problems. It will help to kick start the diet rather like the two weeks with two meals a day on breakfast cereal, they are not a replacement for good heathly meals with exercise thrown in. At least sliming world allows you loads of fruit and veg as free foods everyday. Not many do allow this.

The main way to not just lose but to keep the weight off is to deal with the emotional issues that you have around food.

I know rather rich from someone who still had issues.

What every you choose to do all the best.


Yours


Calley

[cazarol]

I am on week 8 ofdoing Cambridge,I've lost 32lb in that time. Am not saying its been easy but certainly very worthwhile as the results are almost instant. I would say to anyone considering it give it a try, drink plenty of water and then a bit more!!!!! Its the results which keep a lot of people going. Any questions just ask away and I'll answer honestly:j

[KellsBells]

Cazarol,

I am very interested in the CD - a friend of a friend is doing it and apparently she's doing fantastically well - I just have questions!!

1. so you have 3 liquid supplements a day - what can you eat/drink aswell as these?
2. Surely if you are a big person (I am size 22 at the mo) you would need more than 3 drinks a day to fill you up?
3. Is there anyway to get it cheaper that £35 a week? There is absolutely no way I can pay that with the financial state ww are in (maybe I'm just destined to be a fattie forever?:cry:

[Fizog]

Had two work colleagues who did Lighter Life cost about £47 per week- they lost weight and put it all back on when they went back to normal eating.
i looked at the packaging and diet and worked out they were actually eating (drinking) 600 calories a day. The packets of soups and drinks had added vitamins and minerals but that was all. They were miserable as hell.

You should save your money cut out 500 calories a day off a 2000 calorie diet, eat fresh foods, drinks lots of water, cut out alcohol and processed foods (no sweets,cakes, biscuits, prepared or tinned meals), snack on fresh fruit or nuts and walk for 30 minutes a day.

If you really want to lose weight you need to buy/borrow good low calorie or GI cook books and plan a months eating plans in advance. If you have a family you will need to work out evening meals that can be altered for you and plan out exactly what you can eat every meal and snack and stick to it. If you feel hungry go for a shower, a walk, phone a friend.

[Emmzi]

Cazarol,

I am very interested in the CD - a friend of a friend is doing it and apparently she's doing fantastically well - I just have questions!!

1. so you have 3 liquid supplements a day - what can you eat/drink aswell as these?
2. Surely if you are a big person (I am size 22 at the mo) you would need more than 3 drinks a day to fill you up?
3. Is there anyway to get it cheaper that £35 a week? There is absolutely no way I can pay that with the financial state ww are in (maybe I'm just destined to be a fattie forever?:cry:

1. On sole source nothing unless you are a bloke or tall, then it's 4 packs. But you can opt for a 790 or 1000 calorie plan insteads - you lose weight slower but get small healthy meals.
2. Your stomach is about the same size no matter how much fat is over it. The first 3 or 4 days are hell but then you get used to it.
3. Not really - it's far more expesive on ebay.

[victory]

Had two work colleagues who did Lighter Life cost about £47 per week- they lost weight and put it all back on when they went back to normal eating.
i looked at the packaging and diet and worked out they were actually eating (drinking) 600 calories a day. The packets of soups and drinks had added vitamins and minerals but that was all. They were miserable as hell.

You should save your money cut out 500 calories a day off a 2000 calorie diet, eat fresh foods, drinks lots of water, cut out alcohol and processed foods (no sweets,cakes, biscuits, prepared or tinned meals), snack on fresh fruit or nuts and walk for 30 minutes a day.

If you really want to lose weight you need to buy/borrow good low calorie or GI cook books and plan a months eating plans in advance. If you have a family you will need to work out evening meals that can be altered for you and plan out exactly what you can eat every meal and snack and stick to it. If you feel hungry go for a shower, a walk, phone a friend.

Absolutely what I Was going to say, I have had 1 friend on the CD diet and she lost 4 stone, was irritable, angry, frustrated, desperately hungry however much water she drank, she now has put it all back on and more because she has not resolved her food issues, if you have a love hate relationship with food you have to address that on any diet you are on to keep the weight off.

I have been on a healthy eating plan and have lost 3 stone and 6 lb in 5 months as per sig, I cut out all biscuits, cakes, crisps, high fat, high calorie foods and introduced high fibre slow release foods, fruit and veg, drank loads of hot lemon as not too partial to water on its own, yes it has been hard but the results speak for themselves and they are worth it because the weight came off steady and consistent and will remain off.

It will remain off bar a few pounds here and there because of me, I have changed, I now know I do not need a whole KFC bucket to myself!1 My portions were too large, I did not need such high calorie foods, I cook from scratch, never have processed foods, I wait 20 mins before making a decision to eat (have hot lemon) realise that a lot of it was boredom, habit, PMT, now I exercise, walk, cycle, eat loads of fruit and veg, muller light yogurts, 0% fat greek yogurts, fromage frais, multi grain ryvita crackers, it is a life change that is needed to keep it off not a quick fix.

[linzi_h]

I did it about a year ago and lost 4 stone and i have now put it all back on.

i did it for about 6 months too. i did end up veryh weak and constipated on it and i did need to save for a house too so i ended it.

i could not get to grips with food again so i just ate what i used to.

up to you if you want to try it

good luck :D

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

A friend of the family has just done Cambridge. He lost 3 stones/42 pounds in 6 weeks. He looks fantastic!

The feeling ill issue came up with Atkins too - it comes from being too overdependent on carbs. The more carbs you eat prior to Cambridge or Atkins the worse the drop.

[elaine373]

I have never done the CD but i know people who have. Apparently the key to success is doing the maintenance that comes with it,(when you have lost alot of the excess weight) otherwise, as people have stated, you do not change what made you over eat in the past and you tend to put all the weight back on. you do get counselling if you see the counsellor who should be selling it to you, rather than getting it off ebay, with no professional advice.I personally cant face the thought of no food which has stopped me so far from doing the CD.

[Elle00]

I did this sort of thing using Tesco Ultraslim shakes five years ago with great success. Lost 3.5st in about 4mnths.

However, I am now lactose intolerant and am confident it is because of doing this diet for too long!

I wouldn't waste money on doing the "proper version" of this diet though. What you're basically looking at doing here is simply embarking on a very low fat, 1000kcal a day diet (no less than 1000kcals unless you want to visit A&E though!).

For a 6wk period you can do one of three things very cheaply and effectively:

Eat two bowls of low fat breakfast cereal a day plus one low fat 600kcal dinner.

Have three slim-fast or alternative shakes per day plus one low fat 600kcal meal per day.

Have two blended home-made soups per day made from vegetables (I would recommend using potato too else you'll be dead on your feet) plus one low fat 600kcal meal per day.

These three diets should see you consuming about 1000kcals per day but because they are not nutrionally balanced and very low in fat you really must stick to the 6wk time limit. Personally I would advise adding in two pieces of fruit a day for all three diets plus a cereal bar if doing the milk-based or vegetable soup version.

I think this is a great way to get a diet off to a good start as long as you're prepared for the exercise and slow-down in weight loss when you get within about a stone of your target weight. Ideally, if you've got 3st to lose you should be consuming between 1250 and 1500kcals a day, less as you near your target weight. But doing this for 6wks will hopefully give you the boost and incentive you need ready for the hard work.

3st sounds like it's sooo much to lose but really it's not and you could easily be slim by Christmas if you take the time to do things the right way. Best of luck!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Elle - the reason that Cambridge works is because it is nutritionally sound.

Anyone can drop their calorie intake below 600 - which would be an incredibly stupid thing to do with ordinary food - because you would not be taking in the nutritional requirements.

Also Cambridge is designed so that you are not hungry at all - rather like Atkins.

Even Slimfast wouldn't come close to Cambridge because it contains too much carb.

CD has been on the go for so long, as has the US equivalent Medifast, because it does work.

However, as has already been said above, it is important to increase the food slowly in order not to go back to previous bad eating habits.

[psycx]

Hello there

If ebay is the most expensive place to buy the CD, where would be the cheapest?

Thanks

Dan

[margaretclare]

Hi all

Can I just say, I have had a weight problem for more decades than most of you have been alive. I have good reasons now for wanting to get to the correct weight for my height, which at present involves losing 1/3rd of present body weight.

I've tried most 'diets' known to science - low-carb, F Plan, various others. I've tried 'meal replacements' i.e. you mix up something that tastes like flavoured Polyfilla. I've tried WeightWatchers (briefly). One thing I've learned is that - like holidays - you have to go with what suits your own personality. I don't like being told what to do/what to eat/when to eat it. So most 'diets' wouldn't work for me. In addition, the dangers of losing a lot of weight very rapidly and then putting it all back (and then some!) have been well described here and this is also documented medically and scientifically - it's not good news.

What I discovered very recently, however, is this site: www.weightlossresources.co.uk On this site I found the clearest and most logical explanation that I've ever seen. Basically, it doesn't matter what you eat/when you eat it. The important point is to create a calorie deficit. On your present weight, height, age and activity level, there is a calorific amount required to maintain current weight. You then decide how much weight you want to lose and how quickly. You keep a food and activity diary, a bit like a spending diary, and you make sure that your calorie intake is e.g. 500 - 1000 calories a day less than is needed to maintain your current body weight at its present level.

This is so logical, it makes such clear-cut sense, that it was like the famous 'lightbulb moment' for me! Because I'm older, and almost totally inactive (recovering from a fractured pelvis) I need much fewer calories to maintain body weight. However, I've lost half a stone since the beginning of May. I'd rather lose it slowly and keep the loss, than lose rapidly and have all the drawbacks that others have described.

HTH

Margaret

[purplepurple]

Have you tried Tesco diets? I'm finding it fantastic - they work out all your meals, a shopping list and there's the support network. I bought 6 months worth with club card vouchers and have lost 15 pounds in a month. The meals are delicious, there's tonnes of choice and I'm actually eating a lot more on this diet than I was before I started it!
I'm doing the Gi option and I haven't craved anything sweet or "junky" since starting it which for me is a miracle as I'm a real crisps and chocolate addict.

[Nicki]

What I discovered very recently, however, is this site: www.weightlossresources.co.uk (http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk) On this site I found the clearest and most logical explanation that I've ever seen. Basically, it doesn't matter what you eat/when you eat it. The important point is to create a calorie deficit. On your present weight, height, age and activity level, there is a calorific amount required to maintain current weight. You then decide how much weight you want to lose and how quickly. You keep a food and activity diary, a bit like a spending diary, and you make sure that your calorie intake is e.g. 500 - 1000 calories a day less than is needed to maintain your current body weight at its present level.



I used this site too, and thought it was great. I lost 2 1/2 stone last year and have kept most of it off for the last year (am about 6 pounds heavier than my lowest weight, but will take action to stop that getting worse)

I wouldn't cope with a meal replacement diet because I like food and like cooking. What works for me is to know how much I can eat of the food which I like and still keep the weight off, and try to change my thinking so that I am happy with the smaller amount.

[rayday2]

I hate shakes so slimfast or Tesco are out for me!

My mum did CD donkeys years ago she is a size 34 now and about 24 stone - I think it depends on the person you are whether or not you can take your new dress size and keep it or go back to your old ways, most people on diets do go back up and past it. My mum also has done weightwatchers many times.

I think your mind has to be in teh right place, gowd knows where that is I would love to find it! Personally in my financial position with children in the house there is no way I could justify a diet that costs so much money.

Will look at the website mentioned above though maybe that will find my minds place - who knows!

[llh189]

Quick update on how I got on. I started the diet at the beginning of May and have lost 3.5 stone.

I did sole source for about the first 7 weeks - then had a carb loaded long weekend in Rome, and then found sole source hard to get back on too.

Mid June I then did two/three shakes and bars, ate and drank when I wanted too, or had a special occassion. I have changed my eating habits and only eat carbs a couple of times a week. I have also joined the gym and do 4 classes a week (step etc).

I would recommend the diet, my counseller has been fab, I pay about £35 per week and that gives me enough stuff to do sole source - although I rarely go a day without having something else to eat - an apple or a bag of Quavers. This goes against the rules but no treats at all would make me come off it.

Now that I am eating I am losing about 3/4 a week, I also hardly did it at all for 3 weeks and didn't put a single pound on.

It is expensive but the results have been worth it - but you do need to understand your food triggers and say clear of them. My tummy has shrunk and if I try to eat heaps I feel both really guilty and get full / uncomfortable quite quickly which is a great motivator.

Doing it on your own can be hard - so finding a good counsellor has been great and has really helped me - infact we now go to the gym together, and have become friends.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

The other great weightloss site is www.sparkpeople.com (http://www.sparkpeople.com)

I started CD today - so we shall see what happens!

Thanks for the inspiration llh189 - have you been to the cambridge forum yet?

[linzi_h]

Hello there

If ebay is the most expensive place to buy the CD, where would be the cheapest?

Thanks

Dan


You get it from councillors

look here for information

http://www.cambridge-diet.com

look here for the forum

http://www.cambridgedieters.com/

[candygirl]

I did it in 1990 and lost about 3 stones in no time.Since then i have gained about 3 x that much back.Think it !!!!!!ed my metabolism up.Think it was 500 cals a day, with no counselling to speak of.It is a quick fix , but not a long term solution to weight control:o :o

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

candy CD doesn't affect your metabolism!

Also nowadays CD have Counsellors through whom you have a lot of interraction, have the weigh-ins, talk things over with, discuss emotional eating problems etc.

No, it is not a quick fix, not if it is done properly. I can see why you think that. For people who have a lot of weight to lose it can be a very cathartic experience and teach them where they have been going wrong.

Just because you went off the rails after CD does not mean that everybody does. There are a percentage of people who cannot stay slim after losing weight on any diet.

Maybe you should try it again?

[candygirl]

candy CD doesn't affect your metabolism!

Also nowadays CD have Counsellors through whom you have a lot of interraction, have the weigh-ins, talk things over with, discuss emotional eating problems etc.

No, it is not a quick fix, not if it is done properly. I can see why you think that. For people who have a lot of weight to lose it can be a very cathartic experience and teach them where they have been going wrong.

Just because you went off the rails after CD does not mean that everybody does. There are a percentage of people who cannot stay slim after losing weight on any diet.

Maybe you should try it again?
It might not affect yours but it did affect mine.Going from 500 cals to normal sensible eating piled the weight on for me, but I can only speak from my own experience.similarly my friend who has done lighter life and is now a trained ll counsellor is finding it very very hard keeping her weight stabilised.For me the only way to loose weight and keep it off is by lowering my calories to a sensibel(not starvation) level and excercising, but everyone is different :p :p

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

About CD

It was created by doctors.

There were 8 years of clinical trials proving it safe.

It provides 100% perfect nutrition, so therefore CDers are probably eating far better than non CDers.

To lose weight you need to cut your kcals substantially, yet it's very difficult to get 100% perfect nutrition with conventional food alone for under 1200kcal per day - therefore you end up in starvation mode and don't lose weight with conventional food alone.

Fruit contains sugar, veg contains carbs, although they are great for maintaining a healthy weight, those two things can make it very hard for people to lose weight.

Exercise alone is NOT an effective form of weight loss. You can exercise yourself into the ground and only lose 100g of fat each week - yet it's great for health.

[candygirl]

About CD

It was created by doctors.

There were 8 years of clinical trials proving it safe.

It provides 100% perfect nutrition, so therefore CDers are probably eating far better than non CDers.

To lose weight you need to cut your kcals substantially, yet it's very difficult to get 100% perfect nutrition with conventional food alone for under 1200kcal per day - therefore you end up in starvation mode and don't lose weight with conventional food alone.

Fruit contains sugar, veg contains carbs, although they are great for maintaining a healthy weight, those two things can make it very hard for people to lose weight.

Exercise alone is NOT an effective form of weight loss. You can exercise yourself into the ground and only lose 100g of fat each week - yet it's great for health.
Thanks for that advice:p :pbut i recently lost 16lbs in 5 weeks but healthy eating, and swimming 3 times a week.It's a slow process but for me it is more of a healthy option:)

[mapcr77]

Hello!

After reading about the Cambridge Diet, I would like to give it a go. I'd like to lose 1.5st, though I'd be happy with just 1.

Anyway, let's say I like some Mary Kay products, but I don't buy them because I hate how intrusive sales representatives are, and I wouldn't like a similar situation with a CD councillor. I like the sound of the science behind the CD, but I hate the thought of someone calling every few days or even every week or two to ask about my diet. So I wanna hear your experiences/thoughts about it? How does it actually work?

Many thanks!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I have just finished 7 days on Cambridge.

I have lost 17 pounds.

I have lost 4" from my bust, 4" from my waist and 4" from my hips!


You usually go to your CDC, they don't come to you. You can go weekly, fortnightly or monthly, whatever you choose.
They will supply the shakes/soups/bars and any advice you need along the way.
Most of them are just suppliers of the product.

The website is at www.cambridge-diet.com (http://www.cambridge-diet.com) which has full details of the plans, etc.


The diet was designed by a hospital doctor in the UK to formulate a plan with perfectly balanced nutrition with weightloss.

The Cambridge Diet went onto the UK market in 1984.

You must be 14 pounds overweight before you start Sole Source CD - or SSCD.

On sole source I have three meal replacements per day. These can be a Shake or a Soup.

Yes it is a Very Low Calorie Diet but is proven to make your body enter ketosis very quickly - fat burning mode - and to be perfectly safe.

By week 3 I am allowed to swap one of the shakes/soups for a chewy bar. So then I can have 1 x shake, 1 x soup and 1 x bar plus a savoury drink on top. Plus at least 8 glasses of water/ 4 pints per day. You can also have black coffee and tea and zero cal drinks as long as they have no citric acid. Diet Coke has citric acid, Coke Zero does not, for example.

Every fifth week I do Add a Meal Week - AAMW - where I have the three replacement meals plus one 'green & white' meal of chicken/fish/quorn/cottage cheese and green vegetables only. This is to increase calorie intake a little and boost metabolism, to stop the body thinking you are going into starvation mode! Then week 6 you go back onto Sole Source.

You can also do The Sole Source Plus One Meal per day (790Cals) or a 1000 or 1200 cal plan if you wish.

The ketosis naturally sends you into no hunger at all!! None, not at all.

There are people on a messaging board I belong to whom have lost 98 pounds in four months. The official Cambridge line is 14 pounds per month, though. It depends how much you cheat too!

CD really does educate you as to how little your body really needs to fuel itself.

When you reach a BMI (http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/calculator_bmi.asp) of 25 you go to the higher plans for a week at a time, gradually reintroducing various meals and foods, losing a shake/soup here and there so that you maintain your new weight.

I have no complaints with it at all.

[mapcr77]

17 pounds in a week, that's amazing! Well done!!!

Another question. My BMI is currently 26, and losing 9 pounds would bring it down to 25, so do I quialify for the CD?

And what happens if you decide the diet is just not for you? Do you call the councillor and tell him/her you don't want to do it anymore and that's that?

Thanks and good luck with the weight loss!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I think you would be required to do the 790 plan not the Sole Source because of you being almost to your BMI.

It is said that Cambridge is only suitable for more than 14 pound weight loss. They may want you to do the 1000cal plan, which does work.

You can decide not to continue at any time, there is no contract involved.

They are very flexible.

[mapcr77]

I'd really like to try the diet now, problem is my husband is not too keen! He doesn't like the sound of replacing meals so dratically, so I need to convince him somehow... :( My birthday is coming soon (big 3-0!) And the best present I could give myself would be to fit back into my old clothes! Has anyone else had issues with their other halves when dieting?

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Cambridge is medically sound, being developed by the medical profession for use on patients who needed to lose weight quickly and safely.

Do take a look at the website and maybe also the Forum too.

I wonder if your husband has problems worrying that he is going to lose you to someone else if you are suddenly slimmer and more fabulous than you are now? That does happen quite a lot you know!

You would not be allowed to do the full meal replacement because you haven't got that much weight to lose. A 790 plan is 3 x meal replacements plus a large protein-rich meal - chicken/meat/fish/cottage cheese/quorn plus vegetables per day.

You would lose the weight in no time!

You would just need to convince him that you love him anyway and that various aspects of your life will improve too (nudge, nudge, wink* wink*) if you know what I mean.

[calleyw]

17 pounds in a week, that's amazing! Well done!!!



No that is dangerous.

To lose 17lbs that means you have eaten 8500 to 17000 less calories a week to lose that.

To me it is neither healthy or safe to lose it like that. I know bigger people will lose more as they are heavier. As you don't just loose water but muscle. And you need muscle to burn fat.

Every time you diet and restrict calories you muck your metabolic rate up pushing it lower. So next time it makes it harder to loose weight.

That is why I have never liked CD or slim fast as they are not teaching you how to have a good relationship with food. With out that you never learn to lose and maintain safely.

I prefer my slow and steady method but each to there own.


Yours


Calley

[lynzpower]

I knwo with ligter life one needs to have more than ( is it) 5 stone or more to lose?

Im 5.1 and weigh a saddening 11 stone. My GP says I sohuld be 8.1 which I think is too low, but I would like to be 9 again.

I need to do something very regimented, i like weightwatchers, but cant stick to eat adn end up scoffing 10 mini WW cheesecakes.

my food issue is I LOVE IT, and I just have never been one for saying no.

Id like a counsellor too, I need to be shamed out of my gluttony I think.

Do |I have enough weight ot lose for cambridge?

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

No that is dangerous.

To lose 17lbs that means you have eaten 8500 to 17000 less calories a week to lose that.

To me it is neither healthy or safe to lose it like that. I know bigger people will lose more as they are heavier. As you don't just loose water but muscle. And you need muscle to burn fat.

Every time you diet and restrict calories you muck your metabolic rate up pushing it lower. So next time it makes it harder to loose weight.

That is why I have never liked CD or slim fast as they are not teaching you how to have a good relationship with food. With out that you never learn to lose and maintain safely.

I prefer my slow and steady method but each to there own.


Yours


Calley


Read up on Cambridge then you might just know what you are talking about!!!!

None of what you say in that post is medically correct for Cambridge.

And no, I don't work for them.

Slim Fast is NOT at all the same product or plan as Cambridge.

Cambridge does NOT affect your metabolism in the way you suggest.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I knwo with ligter life one needs to have more than ( is it) 5 stone or more to lose?

Im 5.1 and weigh a saddening 11 stone. My GP says I sohuld be 8.1 which I think is too low, but I would like to be 9 again.

I need to do something very regimented, i like weightwatchers, but cant stick to eat adn end up scoffing 10 mini WW cheesecakes.

my food issue is I LOVE IT, and I just have never been one for saying no.

Id like a counsellor too, I need to be shamed out of my gluttony I think.

Do |I have enough weight ot lose for cambridge?


For Cambridge you must have 14 pounds to lose, so yes you would be fine.

Cambridge is safe, medically and nutrionally, it was designed by the medical profession for continued use.

Have a look at the website - there is a wealth of information there.

Or if you want to, please do pm me, that is not a problem.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

For the cynics and the sceptics - from the www.cambridge-diet.com (http://www.cambridge-diet.com) website


The history of the Cambridge Diet


The Cambridge Diet stems from the early 1960's when Dr Alan Howard, then a research scientist at the University of Cambridge, developed an interest in overweight and obesity.
He began to investigate methods of weight reduction, using himself as one of the guinea pigs. Together with Dr Ian McLean-Baird of the West Middlesex Hospital, in 1968 he organised a National Symposium on Obesity, the first ever held in the UK. They went on to a collaborate and develop the perfect diet. Successful trials led to the introduction of the Cambridge Diet.
With Dr McLean-Baird, Alan Howard set up a research project at the West Middlesex Hospital. What they wanted was a formula food with:

the excellent weight loss properties of starvation, but no undesirable side effects
the right level of protein to protect lean tissue
the right level of carbohydrate to promote a mild ketosis and eliminate a sense of hunger
the right levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids to maintain good health. The first formula produced excellent weight loss results, and further work by food technologists enhanced flavours and led to the first commercial version of the Cambridge Diet. The effectiveness and safety of this revised formula was tested both in hospital and with outpatients.
This study demonstrated three important factors:


remarkable weight loss
patient acceptability and
patient safety and led to the Diet becoming more available in obesity clinics in London and Cambridge. Long term safety was assessed and confirmed by further independent research in the UK, the USA and across Europe. The Cambridge Diet was launched commercially in the USA in 1980 and has been available in the UK since 1984.

[cleverclogs]

i did try a simalar diet lipotrim,3 shakes a day or bars,plenty of water no food what so ever stuck with it for 6 weeks then finaly came off it when i fell sick/run down/tired/grumpy you name it i had it. i would recomend not going to this extreme as all it does is make your metobilizm smaller,putting your body into starvation mode so when u start eating proper again,your body stores all fat it can in case you start to starve again!!!! hence piling on the pounds plus more!!!!:money: so save your money and join a gym,thats what i did and just eat healthy.

[lynzpower]

well I have made contact with my local counsellor waiting for her to ring me back.

If I pile it back on later, then thats my own dumb fault, but i have to give this a try to give it the kickstart i need

Out of interest I was going to join a gym as well. Thise who are familiar with the cambridge, shall i hold off joining till i get to the stabilisation phases? Just worried Ill be apying out for a month but too weak to go IYSWIM.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Cambridge advise you not to embark on a fabulous gym membership if you haven't done it before, simply because it is a VLCD.

I have been going to the same health club for over 6 years and so I continued to use the rowing machine and the swimming and I have had no problems.

You do need to do some exercise in order to help your body to ping back into shape, but take it easy for the first two weeks as your body adjusts to the new eating regime.

There are folks I know who still go to the gym every day Monday to Friday before work and are following Cambridge to the letter. It all depends what you are used to already.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

i did try a simalar diet lipotrim,3 shakes a day or bars,plenty of water no food what so ever stuck with it for 6 weeks then finaly came off it when i fell sick/run down/tired/grumpy you name it i had it. i would recomend not going to this extreme as all it does is make your metobilizm smaller,putting your body into starvation mode so when u start eating proper again,your body stores all fat it can in case you start to starve again!!!! hence piling on the pounds plus more!!!!:money: so save your money and join a gym,thats what i did and just eat healthy.


All of that is totally incorrect.

[Plum Pie]

Cute'n'Quirky,

I'm interested in how you will maintain your loss when you reach your goal weight. Will you continue to eat some Cambridge Diet products as meal replacements or will you move to a plan of eating specific 'normal' (ie widely available) foods?

Here is some more info on VLED from the NHS:
http://www.clinicalanswers.nhs.uk/index.cfm?question=5084

[lynzpower]

good question plum pie.

personally from rading the cambridge pages, it looks to me like if i moved from VLCD to things like proper meals with weight watchers ( in thier maintainence phase) i should be OK?

Better had be as im obsessed with their no point moroccan casserole :D

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Cute'n'Quirky,

I'm interested in how you will maintain your loss when you reach your goal weight. Will you continue to eat some Cambridge Diet products as meal replacements or will you move to a plan of eating specific 'normal' (ie widely available) foods?

Here is some more info on VLED from the NHS:
http://www.clinicalanswers.nhs.uk/index.cfm?question=5084


Once you reach a BMI of 25 you switch up from whichever plan you have been on. So you would go from -

Sole Source to 790 which is 3 x CD plus one meal for one week
then from
790 to 1000 which is 2 CD + breakfast + dinner for one week
from 1000 to the 1200 plan which is 2 x CD plus breakfast, lunch and dinner
then to 1500 which is food only to calorie intake to maintain weight.

If you go from Sole Source or 790/1000 immediately you will gain weight !!!

Remember that this diet has been scientifically proven and medically safe. It does work provided that you don't cheat!

edited to add -

LynzPower - yes you could probably have a WW meal once you get to the 1000 plan but Cambridge do encourage fresh food as opposed to prepackaged!

[lynzpower]

LynzPower - yes you could probably have a WW meal once you get to the 1000 plan but Cambridge do encourage fresh food as opposed to prepackaged!

Oh thats fine I dont eat anything pre-packaged anyway ( apart from crisps & kitkats and the odd tin of beans! )

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

- 4 pounds this week so 21 pounds in 14 days!

[lynzpower]

C&Q, can you tell me how much that is in stone :)

I dont have scales ( yes, I am in that much denial)

Well done to you.

Are you hungry out of interest? Are you in sole phase?

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

One and a half stones in 14 days!

I am on Sole Source yes - three meal replacements per day.

No hunger, no cravings, no side-effects at all.

I am full of energy, sleeping about 7 hours a night instead of 9. Full of beans!

I feel absolutely fantastic!!!

[lynzpower]

Oh wow!

I cant wait to get stuck in :D

How much do you have to lose C&Q if you dont mind my asking.

I have about 2 stone :o

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

A couple more than you!

You might find it helpful to join the Cambridge Forum - they are a fabulous bunch of folks and you will see from their trackers how well they have done.

www.cambridgedieters.com (http://www.cambridgedieters.com)

I find it very inspirational - particularly the before and after photos!!

Some of the Cambridge Counsellors post on there too. It is the official Cambridge Diet Site and can also be accessed from www.cambridge-diet.com (http://www.cambridge-diet.com) which has all the information about the Company etc.

[Toots]

One and a half stones in 14 days!

I am on Sole Source yes - three meal replacements per day.

No hunger, no cravings, no side-effects at all.

I am full of energy, sleeping about 7 hours a night instead of 9. Full of beans!

I feel absolutely fantastic!!!

Well done!

You sound exactly how I felt when I went on it 20 years ago. Which is why I saw a CD counsellor yesterday and am now on Day one of the diet. Have had spicy tomato soup and loads of drinks today and just off to have veggie soup for lunch.

I know this works from last time - the mistake I made was in coming off it and going straight back to normal food. It sounds like that is what a lot of others have done too. This time I intend to properly follow the program by going through the maintenace program.

Can't wait to get on the scales tomorrow!

[GreenNinja]

Personally I wouldn't do it.

Any diet which replaces meals with liquids will always mean that as soon as you go back to eating solid food you will put a certain amount of the weight back on.

You would be better off making sure you only have 1,250-1,500 calories a day and choosing carefully to make sure you are maximising your allowance. ie. lean meat and fish with fresh vegetables. Cut out any !!!!, I did this last year and it really works.

You do also need to exercise at least 3 days a week preferably 5 even if its only half an hour walk each time.

Good luck XXXX

[Toots]

Any diet which replaces meals with liquids will always mean that as soon as you go back to eating solid food you will put a certain amount of the weight back on.
I totally agree and that is precisely why you need to follow the maintenance plan which adds in solid foods progressively. CD definitely does not recommend that you switch from liquids back to what you used to eat - it requires retraining your eating habits and their literature advises you on what to eat and portion sizes etc.

You would be better off making sure you only have 1,250-1,500 calories a day and choosing carefully to make sure you are maximising your allowance. ie. lean meat and fish with fresh vegetables. Cut out any !!!!, I did this last year and it really works.
If I eat 1000 calories per day I put weight on. The only diets that work for me are those that restrict carbohydrates. I think individuals have to go on a diet which suits them and there will always be different horses for different courses.

The diet you did is in essence a low carb diet - and that is why it worked.

You do also need to exercise at least 3 days a week preferably 5 even if its only half an hour walk each time.
I agree that everyone should exercise this number of times and CD recommends exercising. What they don't recommend is people upping their exercise regime for the first 2 weeks of CD when on the Sole source program because it is very low calorie and people may feel unwell for the first few days as their bodies are eliminating toxins (carbs).

Good luck XXXX


Over half way through first day and not hungry so that's good - only about four months to go :rotfl:

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Well done!

You sound exactly how I felt when I went on it 20 years ago. Which is why I saw a CD counsellor yesterday and am now on Day one of the diet. Have had spicy tomato soup and loads of drinks today and just off to have veggie soup for lunch.

I know this works from last time - the mistake I made was in coming off it and going straight back to normal food. It sounds like that is what a lot of others have done too. This time I intend to properly follow the program by going through the maintenace program.

Can't wait to get on the scales tomorrow!

Thanks!

Do go to the Forum too - it is great!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Personally I wouldn't do it.

Any diet which replaces meals with liquids will always mean that as soon as you go back to eating solid food you will put a certain amount of the weight back on.

You would be better off making sure you only have 1,250-1,500 calories a day and choosing carefully to make sure you are maximising your allowance. ie. lean meat and fish with fresh vegetables. Cut out any !!!!, I did this last year and it really works.

You do also need to exercise at least 3 days a week preferably 5 even if its only half an hour walk each time.

Good luck XXXX


This is what happens when folks haven't got a clue what they are talking about!!

[candygirl]

In fairness cute and quirly there wasn't any maintenance programme offered to me when i did the diet in 1990, so maybe other people were the same.
I can see how more successful it would be with this added programme.
People can only speak from their own experiences.It is soo easy to lose weight but hard to keep it off.Glad it's coming off quickly for you though, and hope it stays off,sounds like the new CD is a lot more regulated than the old one which was without counselling or maintenance.It sounds a lot like lighter life ,which is made at the same place, according to my lighter life counsellor
friend.:p :p

[Toots]

Day two of Cambridge diet today - surprisingly easy day yesterday, not hungry, I didn't think I'd manage to drink 2.25 litres of fluid but drank 4 (including coke zero) so no headaches.

Last time I was on it I remember losing 2 pounds per day but only lost 1.1 yesterday but it is better than putting it on. Am feeling positive today.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Toots - you cannot have the Coke Zero until after two weeks have passed!

edited to add - this is because it can throw you out of ketosis. CD say you should establish ketosis first - then add mousse/bars/coke zero.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I had my first Cambridge bar yesterday - which are also not allowed until the third week - had one for breakfast and I was hungry all day - so I am not doing that again!

Made a mousse for lunch - from a chocolate shake - and it was delicious!

[hoppypoppy]

Have any of you tried Cabbage Soup diet? It's real food - not bars or synthetic shakes and only lasts 7 days. Doesn't sound great, but the soup is more than just cabbage - lots of veg + tomatoes (it's not even green!) and you can add different flavours each day for variety - chilli, worcester sce, spices etc. In addition to the soup (unlimited) you alternate days of fruit, veg and after a couple of days fish or chicken. I do this from time to time to break the bad eating habits and sweet-tooth cravings which then in turn makes it much easier to adopt healthier day to day eating habits afterwards - obviously important if you to maintain weight loss. Would suggest that checking measurements can be more rewarding than continuous weighing.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Have any of you tried Cabbage Soup diet? It's real food - not bars or synthetic shakes and only lasts 7 days. Doesn't sound great, but the soup is more than just cabbage - lots of veg + tomatoes (it's not even green!) and you can add different flavours each day for variety - chilli, worcester sce, spices etc. In addition to the soup (unlimited) you alternate days of fruit, veg and after a couple of days fish or chicken. I do this from time to time to break the bad eating habits and sweet-tooth cravings which then in turn makes it much easier to adopt healthier day to day eating habits afterwards - obviously important if you to maintain weight loss. Would suggest that checking measurements can be more rewarding than continuous weighing.

Not nutritionally balanced at all.

Also, my thread is about Cambridge not about another quirky diet.

[lynzpower]

Have any of you tried Cabbage Soup diet? It's real food - not bars or synthetic shakes and only lasts 7 days. Doesn't sound great, but the soup is more than just cabbage - lots of veg + tomatoes (it's not even green!) and you can add different flavours each day for variety - chilli, worcester sce, spices etc. In addition to the soup (unlimited) you alternate days of fruit, veg and after a couple of days fish or chicken. I do this from time to time to break the bad eating habits and sweet-tooth cravings which then in turn makes it much easier to adopt healthier day to day eating habits afterwards - obviously important if you to maintain weight loss. Would suggest that checking measurements can be more rewarding than continuous weighing.

I collapsed and fell down a flight of stairs after one and a hlaf days on the cabbage soup diet. its dangerous. Never again.

Been and got my first weeks worth yesterday of the CD. Im very very excited. :j

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Remember to drink plenty of water and you'll be just fine!

I am here if you need any help.

Also, do go to the Forum I recommended - it really is worth it!

Remember - no coke zero, no mousse or bars in the first two weeks!

Good luck for tomorrow!

[Linda1971]

I've just phoned a counsellor and got an appointment for Tuesday. Can't wait to start too!!:j

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I am sure you won't regret it!!

Am waiting for another weigh-in on Wednesday!

Do go to the Forum - it is very interesting - and passes time when you feel you want to fall off the wagon!

[ClaireLR]

Ooooh loving this thread!

I have been doing Cambridge since January and have so far lost 4 stone and am aiming for another 4. I haven't rigidly stuck to it in that time, there have been weeks where I haven't stuck to it at all, but that suits me and I am managing to maintain my weight in the weeks when I do cheat.

Am currently 14 stone and am aiming to be 10 stone by Christmas.

I have started exercising last week - if you're going to exercise I recommend you build up gradually, I started off walking about 3 miles a day every day (ouch!), and had to spend the weekend recovering!!! But feel a little better today so have had a walk this morning.

Just to let anyone doing this know, there are some "recipes" that you can make from your soups/shakes, if you ask your counsellor about this they should be be able to tell you, I bought my recipes from ebay in an ebook, worthy buying as there are loads! and they break up the monotomy from time to time. I highly recommend freezing a ready mixed (tetra) shake and eating it frozen, just like the creamiest ice cream only healthy!!

Next weigh in is Saturday - fingers crossed!

[Louisepp]

When you reach a BMI (http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/calculator_bmi.asp) of 25 you go to the higher plans for a week at a time, gradually reintroducing various meals and foods, losing a shake/soup here and there so that you maintain your new weight.

I have no complaints with it at all.

:j Great diet isn't it.

Just a little correction on the above. You need to move up the plans earlier than that as you should be on 1000 by the time your BMI is 25.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

On the CD site the CDC's recommend that you go to 790 at a BMI of 26/27 but some folks don't tell anybody until they are to 25!!!!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Ooooh loving this thread!

I have been doing Cambridge since January and have so far lost 4 stone and am aiming for another 4. I haven't rigidly stuck to it in that time, there have been weeks where I haven't stuck to it at all, but that suits me and I am managing to maintain my weight in the weeks when I do cheat.

Am currently 14 stone and am aiming to be 10 stone by Christmas.

I have started exercising last week - if you're going to exercise I recommend you build up gradually, I started off walking about 3 miles a day every day (ouch!), and had to spend the weekend recovering!!! But feel a little better today so have had a walk this morning.

Just to let anyone doing this know, there are some "recipes" that you can make from your soups/shakes, if you ask your counsellor about this they should be be able to tell you, I bought my recipes from ebay in an ebook, worthy buying as there are loads! and they break up the monotomy from time to time. I highly recommend freezing a ready mixed (tetra) shake and eating it frozen, just like the creamiest ice cream only healthy!!

Next weigh in is Saturday - fingers crossed!


Well Done!! :T

The recipes are available free on the web at www.cambridgedieters.com (http://www.cambridgedieters.com) and www.minimins.com (http://www.minimins.com) (which is for all diets and has a section for Cambridge)

The frozen tetras are fine.

The frozen recipes made from a shake with partial water are ghastly.

I made a cookie yesterday from a chocolate shake which ended up rather overcooked and was more like a giant crisp!
Later on today I am going to make crisps from a vegetable soup pack and have them with a CD savoury drink.

Haven't tried the muffins yet. The cookie would have been alright had I not tried to cremate it!!

[Toots]

:j Great diet isn't it.

Just a little correction on the above. You need to move up the plans earlier than that as you should be on 1000 by the time your BMI is 25.

My counsellor has told me they aim to get you to a BMI of 23 (to allow for a few indiscretions afterwards). She told me to move on to maintenance when I'm one stone over target weight.

Just a point though about BMI - it should really be used as a guideline and not adhered to strictly. It is a good indicator but where you have fat is also important (e.g. fat thighs far less dangerous than fat around your middle).

I read an article in a National Paper last week (Express or Daily Mail) and it showed 4 people and their weight, height and BMI's. By their BMI's a couple of these people were overweight/underweight but actually looked the opposite. This was because of their waist to hip ratio. One that was carrying fat around their middle was classed as okay according to their BMI but was really carrying fat in the danger area. Another who was tall came out with a highish BMI but was actually very slim and not in need of losing any weight.

[Toots]

4 days on Camridge diet and I've loss 4.8 pounds. It isn't anywhere near as fast as last time around but I guess being 20 years older makes a difference! Still, it's a step in the right direction and I'm finding it easy to follow and I know this is the final time I will ever need to lose weight.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Toots - the hospital carries three BMI charts - one for a large frame, a medium frame and a small frame - calculated by wrist size.

I have this whilst seeing the Orthopaedic Surgeon who said that the BMI range for me was too low since I have a large skeletal frame.

I have been down to my BMI before and I was literally skin and bone - so I am not doing that again!! Have worked to a BMI of 28 which is what the Surgeon told me to do and will see what I look like when I get there!

[Toots]

Toots - you cannot have the Coke Zero until after two weeks have passed!

edited to add - this is because it can throw you out of ketosis. CD say you should establish ketosis first - then add mousse/bars/coke zero.

Are you sure about that? only my counsellor told me that I can. It's also on the 'Allowable fluids' list in the Sole Source programme booklet. It says Cambridge drink mixes are allowed and has 'after two weeks' in brackets after it but doesn't say this in relation to zero calorie drinks - it just says 'in moderation'.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

It is definitely after two weeks!!!

Look at the cambridge site I recommended!!

My CDC told me originally - about the coke zero, the CD savoury drink and the mousse mix.


'And no more than 1 pint of coke zero in any one day - whilst also monitoring ketosis carefully' - from the CD Sole Source booklet.

[lynzpower]

I was told 2 weeks as well by my CDC on saturday.

Of course the powder based drinks you can have from day one. Has anyone had these yet? what are they like?

I was toying with getting one, but the MSE in me thought 6 quid for a drink ( obviously you get a lot of out of it) thought I might leave it for now and out up with the water..... .

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

The drinks mixers are gorgeous!!! Particularly in sparkling water!!

[Louisepp]

My counsellor has told me they aim to get you to a BMI of 23 (to allow for a few indiscretions afterwards).


It might be an idea to suggest you get your CDC to phone Cambridge as she is wrong on this point I'm afraid:(

To clarify: Once your BMI is 25 plus one stone, you should not be on any of the plans under 800 cals (a VLCD). All the other plans (1000, 1200 and 1500 are fine as long as you aren't overweight.)

So, if you follow SS and your BMI goes to 26, you need to move up to 790 for one week, then to 1000 where you can stay until you reach goal if you so wish.

[djdymond]

right my turn!

i have an appointment with a councillor toorrow and then ill start too!

everyone seems to be lossng pounds like no ones business but tell me (as this is the most important to me) what about inches? do they come off just as quick? do u need to exercise alot to begin with as i am worried exercising alot in the early stages my make me faint or something?

cant wait!

xxxxx

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

In my first week I lost 17 pounds in weight. I also lost 4" from my chest, 4" from my waist and 4" from my hips.

I did no exercise at all that first week due to work/appointments etc.

I added my regular swimming back on week two at 30 lengths of the pool three times per week. I have had no problems being tired/faint/dizzy or anything like that. Just make sure that if you add a hot, sweaty workout that you increase your water intake accordingly.

Good luck!

Hope this helps!!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

CD do say to measure yourself too - you can lose inches in one week where you might only show a 2lb loss on the scales. Your CDC will measure you or you can do it yourself.

I am just about to start Week 3.

[Louisepp]

It works out approximately, down one size for every stone.:T

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

The part that most folks miss is the part about cutting back on your carbs for four/five days prior to starting CD so that you don't get such a drop in carb intake. So many folks don't bother with this and it does make such a difference.

I did lowcarb for four full days prior to starting so had no problems on days 1/2/3.

Also, start to increase your water intake prior to starting too, to get your body used to it.

I can honestly say, hand on heart, I have had no problems at all - just felt a touch cold the first three days or so but since it was darned cold outside I didn't blame CD for it!!

[Louisepp]

Yes, it really does help to cut the carbs back. Weigh yourself before you do though as you'll lose weight because of the glycogen drop.

[lynzpower]

can anyone recommend something low carb for me to have tonight for my tea im meant to be starting cabridge tomorrow.

I havent got a jug blender adn OH who has my bank card wont have time to get one. Do you think i can get by using a stick blender until I can get to robert dyas tomorrow night ( i only have 5 tetras, otherwise Id use them but I need them for work)

[Louisepp]

Meat, fish, eggs, green leafy veg :)

A stick blender is fine. I always used that throughout and it worked fine.

[Toots]

can anyone recommend something low carb for me to have tonight for my tea im meant to be starting cabridge tomorrow.


Chicken/Turkey/Pork/Beef/Lamb/Quorn

with

Salad/greens


(Just avoid processed stuff, potatoes, sauces, fruit, bread, biscuits etc)

[Toots]

It might be an idea to suggest you get your CDC to phone Cambridge as she is wrong on this point I'm afraid:(

To clarify: Once your BMI is 25 plus one stone, you should not be on any of the plans under 800 cals (a VLCD). All the other plans (1000, 1200 and 1500 are fine as long as you aren't overweight.)

So, if you follow SS and your BMI goes to 26, you need to move up to 790 for one week, then to 1000 where you can stay until you reach goal if you so wish.


My CDC told me when you get to one stone above your target you go up to the 790 diet for one week etc as you have said and then up through the next stages. The only difference in what you have said is that she has told me that they are not trying to get you to a BMI of 25 but to 23 because this allows you to be able to put a little bit of weight on.

If your target weight is to be the weight at which your BMI is 25 then we have been given the same info.

[Louisepp]

The only difference in what you have said is that she has told me that they are not trying to get you to a BMI of 25 but to 23 because this allows you to be able to put a little bit of weight on.


She's still wrong:p Though I can understand her viewpoint, but it's not the recommendation from Cambridge so strictly speaking she isn't supposed to advise it.

[Toots]

She's still wrong:p Though I can understand her viewpoint, but it's not the recommendation from Cambridge so strictly speaking she isn't supposed to advise it.


Mmmm......I've just read where it says how much water to have per day in addition to the water in the soups plus tea and coffee. I specifically asked my CDC whether I could have fluids in the form of loads of tea and coffee and she told me I could and that it didn't have to be water (although she told me not to have flavoured teas or water).

Okay - what's the difference between me drinking litres and litres of black unsweetened tea and coffee and litres of water. What effect will it have on the diet?- I always drink unsweetened black coffee anyway so it isn't a problem but I pretty well hate plain water (although I am drinking some).

Is not drinking enough water the reason why I've only lost 4.8 pounds in 4 days?

[Louisepp]

I'm not sure what the official line is Toots.

Tea and coffee can dehydrate the body though, and as it's good to drink plenty of fluid, I guess water is best. Though they say 2.25 litres, most people aim for about 3-4L. They say the more you drink, the more you shrink. Can't say it worked that way for me, but then I'm unique:p

With lighterlife, it's 4 litres minimum a day:eek:

Your weightloss so far is good :T. A 17lbs loss in the first week, though not unknown, is a little more unusual. Most people lose about 8-9lbs, then about 3-4 a week thereon. Aim for a stone a month.

The great thing about the diet is that it just keeps coming off. That was all the motivation I needed. Just to get on those scales and see another loss:j

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

The official line is that you need to be careful with coffee since it contains a lot of caffeine but the book says black tea and coffee freely!!

A poll was done on the Cambridge site and the figures to date were as follows -

Up to 3 pounds http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar2-l.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar2.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar2-r.gif 0 0%
3-5 pounds http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar3-l.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar3.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar3-r.gif 7 9.46%
6-8 pounds http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar4-l.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar4.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar4-r.gif 21 28.38%
9-11 pounds http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar5-l.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar5.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar5-r.gif 32 43.24%
12-14 pounds http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar6-l.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar6.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar6-r.gif 8 10.81%
15-17 pounds http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar1-l.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar1.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar1-r.gif 4 5.41%
18-20 pounds http://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar2-l.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar2.gifhttp://www.cambridgedieters.com/forums/images/polls/bar2-r.gif 2 2.70%
Voters: 74.

[Louisepp]

but the book says black tea and coffee freely!!

But aswell as water, not instead of.

Edit: I think the idea is that you drink water, but if you can't manage that, you could make some of it coffee or tea.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Yes, of course, as well as water!!

[Toots]

The official line is that you need to be careful with coffee since it contains a lot of caffeine but the book says black tea and coffee freely!!


So am I okay as I only drink decaf ? (although I've had another litre of tapwater since my post - yuk!)

[Toots]

With lighterlife, it's 4 litres minimum a day:eek:


OMG - there is no way I could go on that - maybe you lose so much weight because you spend so much time drinking and worrying about needing to visiting the loo to pee it back out that you don't have time to think of food:rotfl:

[Louisepp]

They really ought to supply a catheter along with the 'meals'. I remember it well :D

[Louisepp]

So am I okay as I only drink decaf ? (although I've had another litre of tapwater since my post - yuk!)

Well done:A Don't forget you can have sparkling water. That makes a change. I used to keep a sports bottle of water with me all the time, and sip throughout the day. I also had about 1/2 litre when I woke up in the morning before I got up. I'm not a great water drinking either.

Can't answer about the decaf. I have never heard Cambridge say anything about avoiding caffeinated, so I guess they don't have a problem with decaff either. Do try to chose water though. There are both carbs and calories in black coffee. Caffeinated and decaf.

If I was you, I wouldn't try to come of caffeinated until you are really settled with the diet because of the caff withdrawals. Actually, that's a lie, as I did do the caff withdrawal when I started the diet, but only because I didn't know any better at the time.:o

[lynzpower]

I thought the only teas you can have are leaf teas- ie not fruit teas ( eg lemon & ginger, or blackberry tyope numbers) only peppermint or normal leaf tea - thats right isnt it.

[Louisepp]

I thought the only teas you can have are leaf teas- ie not fruit teas ( eg lemon & ginger, or blackberry tyope numbers) only peppermint or normal leaf tea - thats right isnt it.

Yep. You can have green tea too :)

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Can't answer about the decaf. I have never heard Cambridge say anything about avoiding caffeinated, so I guess they don't have a problem with decaff either. Do try to chose water though. There are both carbs and calories in black coffee. Caffeinated and decaf.

.:o

To get the story straight -

Coffee most certainly does not contain either carbs or calories!! It is high in potassium which can help with cramps due to the diuretic quality of a low-carb diet.

Too much caffeine can make you feel very hungry since caffeine intake can lead to insulin resistance. Cambridge do say to cut back on the amount of coffee we drink for that very reason. Atkins says the same.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

My CDC told me when you get to one stone above your target you go up to the 790 diet for one week etc as you have said and then up through the next stages. The only difference in what you have said is that she has told me that they are not trying to get you to a BMI of 25 but to 23 because this allows you to be able to put a little bit of weight on.

If your target weight is to be the weight at which your BMI is 25 then we have been given the same info.


To do Sole Source (SS), Add-A-Meal (AAM) or the 790 your BMI must be no lower than 25 + 1 stone as these programmes are considered to be a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)


All the higher programmes (1000, 1200, and 1500) are ok to use as long as your BMI is not underweight.

If you have followed SS, then your BMI drops to say 26, you should then move to 790 for 1 week and then up to 1000 where you will continue your weight loss to your desired BMI.


Ideally your counsellor should calculate your BMI at your weekly weigh in to see where you are and advise as necessary.


After you have reached your target you should continue on 1500kcals until you are happy to maintain naturally through healthy eating.


Please note that If you increase your activity levels and exercise regime, then you will require a higher calorie and water intake.


So you should be on 790 now and 1000 by BMI 25. If your CDC allows you to do anything else she is breaking her code of conduct as they must all comply with this guidance.

By not eating enough you will in fact slow down your weightloss and could possibly lose lean body mass - muscle the thing that actually burns fat

Sorry if this is not want you want to hear, however, your health is the most important thing here.


edited to add - this is taken from www.cambridgedieters.com (http://www.cambridgedieters.com) which I have recommended all the way through this thread. If you have started CD then please do go there - it is very helpful

[Louisepp]

To get the story straight -

Coffee most certainly does not contain either carbs or calories!!

:confused: All my calorie/carb counters are wrong then. I use weightlossresource, which has a cal and carb count, but checked

http://www.dietbites.com/Carbohydrates-In-Foods/coffee-cocoa-tea.html
http://www.carbohydrate-counter.org/beverages/search.php?cat=Coffee&fg=1400
http://www.carb-counter.org/beverages/search/Coffee/1400

Probably more. There certainly isn't enough to make much of a difference but if you are taking all your 2.25L in coffee, it knocks it up a bit and might be okay for atkins, but Cambridge isn't atkins! You are right that there are none in filter coffee, but most people don't drink that all day long.


Too much caffeine can make you feel very hungry since caffeine intake can lead to insulin resistance. Cambridge do say to cut back on the amount of coffee we drink for that very reason.You say that Cambridge officially say you must be careful with coffee and now you say they tell you to cut back because of the insulin resistance.

Though I don't dispute the facts that all things in moderation, none of my Cambridge notes say anything about Cambridge themselves mentioning this.

May I ask where you are getting this 'official' source?

[CD Counsellor]

Hi,

I have been reading this thread with interest. Please let me introduce myself.

My name is Linda and I am a senior counsellor for Cambridge Health and Weight plan. I have been a counsellor for 20 years.

Thank you Cute 'n' Quirky for posting the official guidance re the BMI rule originally posted on the official CD forum cambridgedieters.com which you have kindly copied for readers of this forum. This was posted by Kerensa our PR Execuitve. This guidance was laid down in the 1980's and all counsellors should comply with the recommendations.

Thank you Louisepp for your excellent advice and well done on your massive weightloss and maintenance for 2 years now.

If anyone would like help or assistance regarding the Cambridge Diet in the first instance please chat with your CDC. I am more than happy to answer any queries for you.

Linda
CD Counsellor

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

:confused: All my calorie/carb counters are wrong then. I use weightlossresource, which has a cal and carb count, but checked

http://www.dietbites.com/Carbohydrates-In-Foods/coffee-cocoa-tea.html
http://www.carbohydrate-counter.org/beverages/search.php?cat=Coffee&fg=1400
http://www.carb-counter.org/beverages/search/Coffee/1400

Probably more. There certainly isn't enough to make much of a difference but if you are taking all your 2.25L in coffee, it knocks it up a bit and might be okay for atkins, but Cambridge isn't atkins! You are right that there are none in filter coffee, but most people don't drink that all day long.

You say that Cambridge officially say you must be careful with coffee and now you say they tell you to cut back because of the insulin resistance.

Though I don't dispute the facts that all things in moderation, none of my Cambridge notes say anything about Cambridge themselves mentioning this.

May I ask where you are getting this 'official' source?


Plain black coffee contains no carbs and no calories!!

It only contains potassium!!!!

Coffee should be limited to 2/3 cups per day - do remember that some people drink far in excess of that during a normal day. If you have someone who drinks a lot of coffee in a day they will find that it makes them hungry, the same was as chewing gum - although that doesn't affect me. If someone has decaff coffee they wouldn't get the problems that caffeinated coffee brings.

I actually read this somewhere on the cambridgedieters.com site - which is fabulous - which is also where the quoted piece was from - in blue - re the steps and stages of CD.

Great to see a CD Councillor here to keep you straight - Linda is very good and very helpful.

[CD Counsellor]

Ideally your extra fluid should be water, with cups of tea and coffee taken in addition. You should drink your tea and coffee without milk or sugar although you may use a calorie-free sweetener. Use a tablet type sweetener, not the powdered kind that comes in a jar, cardboard pack or sachet.

Because both coffee and tea contain caffeine, it is advisable, whilst on the diet, not to drink more than you normally do. But you should not cut down on your normal intake either, as this could lead to withdrawal headaches and edginess.:eek:

Many years ago we always advised to change to decaff, however, it was proven that some people experienced severe withdrawal headaches from the caffeine that added to the headaches from carb withdrawal made it intolerable to some.

[Louisepp]

Thank you Louisepp for your excellent advice and well done on your massive weightloss and maintenance for 2 years now.


Good to see you here Linda, and thanks.

Everyone was sure that I would put the weight back on (lost 8 stone). Ha! Wasn't going to give them the satisfaction.:p

Sounds corny, but I feel like a different person. I feel healthier (obviously), can move better, even skipped up the road with my friends little girl yesterday:D

I've spent my lifetime dieting and I was determined that cambridge was going to be my last diet. So far, so good. I have not dieted in the last 2 years, just eat sensibly what I want, when I want. The Cambridge diet was the only one that took me to my goal. It was the only diet that got me passed all those demoralising plateaus that I had with other diets.

My doctor was gobsmaked with how quickly my outrageously high cholesterol level went down.

Life is good:T (and no, I don't work for Cambridge)

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Good to hear yet another success story!!! Well done Louise!!


It is quite amazing also to see how fast the BMI goes down too - which is brilliant!

I have a blood test on Thursday so we shall see what the hospital have to say about that! I don't need to tell them I am doing CD do I?

[djdymond]

wow all your messages are very motivating! i have my first visit with my CDC today and im a bit nervous about my first week although I cant wait to get started and start seeing results!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

You will be just fine!!

[CD Counsellor]

Good to hear yet another success story!!! Well done Louise!!


It is quite amazing also to see how fast the BMI goes down too - which is brilliant!

I have a blood test on Thursday so we shall see what the hospital have to say about that! I don't need to tell them I am doing CD do I?

You should let them know you are on a VLCD and take SS booklet with you. The volume and viscosity of your blood changes when on a VLCD.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

You should let them know you are on a VLCD and take SS booklet with you. The volume and viscosity of your blood changes when on a VLCD.

Will do that - am only seeing the Rheumatology Monitoring Nurse this time.

[lynzpower]

Well, gang I am on day 1.

11 stone 1. could really do with being 8.5-9 really so not loads.

Had a shake this morning, surprisingly im not starving yet.

Although i do feel rather sloshy from all this water.....

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

It does have its benefits - all this water makes your skin glow!!

From the end of Week 1 of Cambridge my friends (who don't know about CD yet) have been asking me what I have been using on my face because I am 'glowing with health'!!!! It is all the water!

You know when you have been abroad on holiday and it is hot so you drink loads of bottled water? You come home and your skin is fantastic. We tend to say that it is all the sun-tan cream but it is the water!

The basic 2.25 litres of water is the daily recommended for everybody, not just for CD yet how many people actually drink anywhere near that?

[Louisepp]

Well, gang I am on day 1.



:j Another loser coming up :D

Keep strong through those first few days :)

[Toots]

Ideally your counsellor should calculate your BMI at your weekly weigh in to see where you are and advise as necessary.
I will be seeing my CDC tomorrow (after 6 days on the diet) and then the CDC said it is up to me whether I want to go weekly or every 2,3 or 4 weeks .

you should be on 790 now and 1000 by BMI 25. If your CDC allows you to do anything else she is breaking her code of conduct as they must all comply with this guidance.



I've only just started a few days ago and am on SS so won't be going onto the maintenance stages for a while yet.

[djdymond]

hiya! im on day one today! i have already drunk 2 litres, but i plan to drink 2 more a day for the first week. ive got a bet meh with it but im very determined!! hope ur all doing well! x

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Have now lost 25 pounds in 21 days!!

Good luck DJ!!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Has everyone gone quiet now??????

[lynzpower]

Im still here, clinging to life LOL

Yeah im alright, Im there, Im doing it.

sadly Im having to supplement SS with last night i had 2 rounds of diet bacon grilled. I felt SOOOOO much better after that. mylegs were floppy and I coudnt stand, there was nothing else for it!

fairly sure im in ketosis, OH said my breath reeks :D and I feel brilliant today, full of beans, but last night I felt so shocking it was untrue.

Ive definatley lost weight tho, Im not measuring anything yet, but OH siad he can feel the difference on my hips and my bum looks smaller, but still a way to go.

If I get to the point where I cant take it any longer on ss , i thought about trying 790 instead, or converting to atkins, which I had done before and was really pleased with....

Saying that, Ive got my peppermint tea, im OK for now.

C&Q, what do you reckon to the soups? is there ANY way I can make them less watery. the flavour was OK ( reminded me a bit of vending machine soups lol) but I felt starvers afterwards.

Id like to amke them into muffins and stuff, but I dont have a microwave and right now I dont have the energy to go to tescos to buy one.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Lyn - the first three/four days can be very difficult if you didn't drop your carb intake for a few days beforehand!! Since you are on Day 3 you are nearly through the worst part!! Don't give up now!

You must not 'supplement' CD with anything else foodwise AT ALL!!

You won't lose large amounts of weight doing this - also worse when it is fatty food like bacon!! Concentrate your mind on the end result!!

It is very necessary to just grit your teeth and get on with it!!

Linda is away on holiday so she can't tell you all this!

For the soups make them with a little less water but you must make sure to increase your water intake the days that you do this.

Don't bother with the muffins - the mousse is worth making but you cannot have that until Week 3 anyway.

Yes it is possible that you may be better on the 790 Plan - provided you stick to it and don't add to the diet in any way!

You are so early on in the CD Plan it is too soon to give up yet!

I am on Day 23 and I have not cheated, not once!!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

By the way - you must not have been to www.cambridgedieters.com (http://www.cambridgedieters.com) for motivation and support? DJ is there!

It is an absolute MUST!!

And looking at the before and after photos - not models - folks from the site!! Folks whom have done it all with CD and nothing else.

It helps pass the time when otherwise you might drift to the kitchen ..........

[lynzpower]

I know. I did take youer advice and drop carbs before, no bread, rice, or carby veg at all for 3 days before hand... so I did try. But I suspect that literally living on carbs for 2 years has taken its toll. ( certainly on my backside !)

But Ive already had to take one day off work due to being unable to walk and Im not risking my welfare on it any more than I have to.... :confused:

Didnt have any other protiens in the house apart from cheese which obv I wasnt going to go for! - my CDC said it was ok to have a tiny amount of protien if i was feeling very unwell, so i bought some healthy living bacon rounds, and grilled them.Id rather be able to function than lose 1 more lb to be truthful :) I only have 2 stone to lose and that would be the slimmest Id want to be so Im aiming more for 1.5 stone in total to lose.

My cdc told me this morning I should split and have 6 portions as opposed to 3 and i feel WAY better through doing this today. If only she'd told me this before, then i would probalby not have had to eat. She also reckons day 5 is the pits. thank god its on a weekend. I cant lose my job over this, it would be the worst thing ever.

Whats weird Is I dont fancy food, I just dont want to be hungry any more.

anyway, I think ive strung it out long enough now, think its time for lunch :)

[Louisepp]

My cdc told me this morning I should split and have 6 portions as opposed to 3

Was that six half meals, or six whole ones? I used to split my packs. That really helped me.

I think most people struggle on day 3 or 4. You may find you are feeling great on day 5.

Do go over to cambridgedieters.com. It's a good site. You might even find a piccie of me on there :D

Glad you are feeling better today:j I wouldn't do the bacon rounds though;)

[Linda1971]

Try /www.minimins.com/cambridge-diet-forum. (http:///www.minimins.com/cambridge-diet-forum)

I am now on day 3 and feeling ok. I keep looking at the inspirational slide show of all the people who have lost weight on the diet. It has kept me going!!

[lynzpower]

Im on mini mins - not-so-little-L is my user name over there. some messup with the cambridge dieters one, ive registered but they wont accept my password asked for a resend which hasnt come :wall:

never mind.

Well its casual day today and Ive put on a size 12 top that definatly showed some porkiness when I wore it for the first time on Sunday, now its decidedly looser and my jeans feel comfy and the muffin top is not pouring over the top :j

Just had a full shake for brek - the toffee adn walnut ones will definately be a maintainence fixture YUM, taking a full shake and the blender into work today to have in 2 servings, then I should be ok till i get home later.

Im feeeeeeeeeling pretty good :D :D

[Linda1971]

Glad you are feeling good. I have just had the chocolate shake with hot water. Yummy. My user name on MiniMins is the same Linda1971. I also had problems with the cambridge forum so I am sticking to the MiniMins forum. Haven't posted there yet but enjoy reading the threads.
Hope the rest of your day goes well!!:j

[Louisepp]

Im on mini mins - not-so-little-L is my user name over there. some messup with the cambridge dieters one, ive registered but they wont accept my password asked for a resend which hasnt come :wall:

never mind.

I'm a Super Mod on minimins, as on Cambridgedieters. Will pm you.

[Toots]

I am on day 8 of CD today and have lost 8 pounds in the first week. I got on the scales today and haven't lost anything! I'm not despondent - I'll just carry on but am a bit surprised to get to a day without losing weight so early into the diet.

Is this normal?

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

You aren't supposed to weigh yourself every day!

Your body weight fluctuates you know!

Be patient!!!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Lyn - on cambridgedieters you will be already logged in - just click and it will probably let you in!! I did this at the beginning!

[lynzpower]

nope, its not letting me log in still.

never mind! I waste enough time on forums as it is :rotfl:

[Louisepp]

I am on day 8 of CD today and have lost 8 pounds in the first week. I got on the scales today and haven't lost anything! I'm not despondent - I'll just carry on but am a bit surprised to get to a day without losing weight so early into the diet.

Is this normal?

Yay Toots. 8lbs in the first week is brill. I weighed daily and would often get days where I seemed to either stay the same or put on, but the weekly weigh was down.

I enjoyed weighing daily, but you do need to take the body water fluctuations into account and not let it throw you off course.

[Louisepp]

nope, its not letting me log in still.

never mind! I waste enough time on forums as it is :rotfl:

I know that feeling. Spend waaay to much time on those two, and my own group. Really did out to get me a life :D

[Toots]

Yay Toots. 8lbs in the first week is brill. I weighed daily and would often get days where I seemed to either stay the same or put on, but the weekly weigh was down.

I enjoyed weighing daily, but you do need to take the body water fluctuations into account and not let it throw you off course.

Yep - I am pleased with the first week's loss - I knew it wouldn't be as quick this time round as 20 years ago but can't remember then having a day so early when I didn't lose.

I'm sticking with it anyway - I was just curious.

[Toots]

You aren't supposed to weigh yourself every day!

There are plenty of people and groups (like weightwatchers) around who say you should weigh yourself weekly but they can't provide a valid reason for not weighing yourself daily. Weighing myself daily actually motivates me.

If I didn't weigh myself daily I wouldn't last a week on any diet. :D I think that people are individuals and what works for one doesn't always suit another. If weighing yourself and finding you've lost some weight helps you to focus and carry on then I can't see the problem. If I put weight on one day I would make an extra effort to drink more and exercise more the next.

There's always different horses for different courses.

[Louisepp]

I agree Toots. I always weighed daily because it motivated me. Even when the scales stayed the same, or went up, it only had a positive effect. others struggle so it's a very personal choice.

I still weigh daily even though I've been at goal for 2 years. With a study of maintainers they found they were more likely to stay at goal if they weighed daily.

I do it because I want to.:p

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

There are plenty of people and groups (like weightwatchers) around who say you should weigh yourself weekly but they can't provide a valid reason for not weighing yourself daily. Weighing myself daily actually motivates me.

If I didn't weigh myself daily I wouldn't last a week on any diet. :D I think that people are individuals and what works for one doesn't always suit another. If weighing yourself and finding you've lost some weight helps you to focus and carry on then I can't see the problem. If I put weight on one day I would make an extra effort to drink more and exercise more the next.

There's always different horses for different courses.

If that is true in your case then why are you complaining about not losing weight every day on CD?

Cambridge say you lose 14 lbs per calendar month, which equates to less than 0.5lb per day.

[lynzpower]

I dont weigh, and never have really, as many years ago I got a bit obsessed with watching everything I ate adn youd often find me weighing myself before and after going to the loo. Not good, and a bit on the mental side.

So I dumped my scales. Numbers to me dont matter - indeed all this BMI business/ stones/ kilos/ pounds and all that jazz, dont interest me one bit.

im much more interested in the holistic approach. A massive spare tyre of flab around my midriff bothers me more than someone telling me what my BMI is. Indeed on the cambridge diet BMI site this morning its told me my healthy weight could be as low as 6 stone 4. If I got to that, healthy would not describe it, I would be literally bones.

I dont care, Im happy, looking better today than I was a week ago, and definately loosing inches. If I hopped on the ascales to find id lost no weight over the last week it wouldnt bother me, after all, its the inches that matter.

[Louisepp]

If that is true in your case then why are you complaining about not losing weight every day on CD?

I don't think Toots was complaining. Just asking if it was normal:confused:

And yep. Perfectly normal :T

[Toots]

If that is true in your case then why are you complaining about not losing weight every day on CD?

Cambridge say you lose 14 lbs per calendar month, which equates to less than 0.5lb per day.

I wasn't complaining - I'm doing fine on the diet but I was just saying that I can't remember last time I was on it having a day this early into the diet when I didn't lose weight. Maybe it was because years ago the diet was even lower calorie?

[Toots]

I dont weigh, and never have really, as many years ago I got a bit obsessed with watching everything I ate adn youd often find me weighing myself before and after going to the loo. Not good, and a bit on the mental side.

So I dumped my scales. Numbers to me dont matter - indeed all this BMI business/ stones/ kilos/ pounds and all that jazz, dont interest me one bit.

im much more interested in the holistic approach. A massive spare tyre of flab around my midriff bothers me more than someone telling me what my BMI is. Indeed on the cambridge diet BMI site this morning its told me my healthy weight could be as low as 6 stone 4. If I got to that, healthy would not describe it, I would be literally bones.

I dont care, Im happy, looking better today than I was a week ago, and definately loosing inches. If I hopped on the ascales to find id lost no weight over the last week it wouldnt bother me, after all, its the inches that matter.


Yes, like I said I think it's whatever suits each individual. You're right about inches being more important than weight and my hubby never weighs himself either, preferring to try on a pair of jeans that he knows were too tight. I just can't do that myself though.

[lynzpower]

Absoutely, each to thier own!

I think ANY diet that does not take into account our own preferences to a certain degree, then you are going to fall off the wagon.

Besides whos to tell you what you can and cant do in your own bathroom!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Inch loss is more important than weight loss - so whilst your scales may show no loss at all, there may be inch loss on the tape-measure!!1

[lynzpower]

Just a quickie to settle the scales issue once and for all! Just re-reading the cambridge site and it says
You can indulge in all your normal activities but you don't overdo it. If you feel tired, then take a rest. You should weigh yourself every day at the same time, usually in the morning. You will be delighted with your progress and be very excited with it. This is the real motivation that makes you want to continue.

I dont have scales but lost a few inches today :j

Woried now as Ive been advised to AAM, im not hungry at all. And wonder whether i should :confused: I have been told to do so as Im about to have a load of inoculations for my holiday in 6 weeks.

Oh I dont know

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Best to ask your CDC perhaps? Or your GP - he would know.

Hope all goes well with CD for you!

Not long until your weigh-in now! Or are you weighing every day?

I would rather wait the 7 days and have a nice surprise!! Never been one for scale-addiction anyway.

Fingers crossed for you! I start AAMW on Wednesday so have been planning my menu!

[lynzpower]

Ok update is this. spoke to CDC who advised I should AAM.

I feel brilliant today :j

Its my weigh in later, but as Im went roudn to my cdc to buy some shakes the other day to replace the soups ( just cant get on with them ) she said ooh do you want to weigh. I didnt really mind either way, but Id lost 3lbs on Satursday morning and that was after drinking 1.5 litres h20.

I know im slimmer now than I was this time last week. ive been wearing 38C bras but yesterday tried on an older one 34C which fits with no spillage :j Even better, my mum got me a load of size 12 clothese from next clearance ( office trousers) and I stuck them in my ebay box, thinking "god I havent been a size 12 trouser for years mother "( she cant resist "bargains" ) ANYWAY picked out these trousers and i can fit in them :j They dont look good yet but in a couple more weeks, I expect they should fit. they came nowhere near me a few weeks ago when I photographed them for ebay ( but was delayed sticking them on ;) ) Really really pleased :D

I bet you are feeling great C&Q is it your weigh in tonight too? , I cant believe the differnece in my energy levelscan you? after my meal last night I was up adn down like a yoyo cleaning, sorting out, I jsut couldnt sit still , had so much energy!!


What meals have you come up with C&Q for AAM?

Im going to have tonight, a bit of chicken on shredded leeks and ribbon courgettes.

[Louisepp]

Interesting read. In fact once upon a time, I was also one of those people who deemed the diet unhealthy and 'wouldn't work'.

But when you get desperate and you can't get your head around anything else, you start to open up and look into diets such as these and start getting the facts.

Until then, people will always stick with their original beliefs, because after all, they don't need to know anything else.

Here I am, 8 stone lighter, maintained for two years, and people will still say the diet doesn't work:confused:

[Toots]

Congratulations Lynzpower - sounds like you are doing brilliantly on the diet. I can't wait until I've been on it a couple more weeks and can start trying on old clothes.

I'm on the soups as I'm a bit worried about trying the shakes as other types I've tried before like Slimfast taste a bit chemically to me. I quite like some of the soups (don't like spicy tomato as it seems really sweet and I'm too scared to try Cheese and Broccoli as my CDC reckons the smell is overpowering) but it might be nice to have shakes for a change.

How much have you lost in 4 weeks?

[Louisepp]

Teehe, my last reply looks sort of out of place. I was reading an earlier page :D

[Louisepp]

Toots, have you tried the choc tetra. It's lovely.

[lynzpower]

I have only been doing it a week, today is day 7. But I have to AAM as I have to have loads of inoculations for my holiday to malawi, and Its was recommended.

Can someone help me out here. I started on 11stone1 , im 5 foot 1

the shakes are nice i think. I suppose they are slightly powdery, as is nesquick ( or was when I used to buy it) I mean they are chemically, thats what they are made of. Id definately give one of them a try next time you see your cdc. My fave is toffee & walnut. I would say the colder the water is that you use for them the nicer and less powdery they are.

[lynzpower]

Toots, have you tried the choc tetra. It's lovely.

Quick tip- dont freeze the banana tetra for "ice cream" horrendously powdery.
Mine ended up in the bin last night - not moneysaving :money:

the choc one is fab tho, and brillian frozen into "ice cream"

[lynzpower]

Can someone confirm for me what the difference is between AAM and 790?

[zpacey]

I did CD after I had my 1st child about 4yrs ago and I went back to my size 8 in about 3wks from a size 14. I never put it back on until I had my 2nd child last year, am definately thinking on going back on it but the counsellor I had has since moved and am waiting for the new one to contact me. I found it very easy, had a chocolate bar in the morning which i eat slowly till the end of the day, for lunch I had a shake and soup for tea. I can't wait to go back on it!

[lynzpower]

Zpacey

When you maintain, do you maintain on low carbs?

[Louisepp]

Can someone confirm for me what the difference is between AAM and 790?

790 has more calories. You have 1/2 pint of skimmed milk and larger portions of 'normal' food as set out in the book

[Louisepp]

Quick tip- dont freeze the banana tetra for "ice cream" horrendously powdery.
Mine ended up in the bin last night - not moneysaving :money:

the choc one is fab tho, and brillian frozen into "ice cream"

Don't forget that you mustn't cook or freeze more than one meal a day at the most.

I wasn't quite so keen on frozen tetras. I did like them hot with water and a teaspoon of coffee though.

[lynzpower]

790 has more calories. You have 1/2 pint of skimmed milk and larger portions of 'normal' food as set out in the book

I dont have the book, hopefully my cdc will have one for me later.

Am i right in thinking AAM is 30z meat/fish ( chicken turkey - no read meat) and 2 tablesppons veg ( listed veg)

[Louisepp]

AAM is one portion of the following
4oz reduced fat cottage cheese
2 oz chicken without skin
3oz cod, haddock or other white fish
3oz quorn
2.5 oz soft tofu or 5oz of firm tofu

Plus
About 2 serving spoons in total of the following
Green salad leaves,
Celery cucumber or red radish
courgettes or marrow
Broccoli, cauli or any cabbage (including pickled)
spinach, kale, turnip or taro tops. Asparagus, fennel and celeriac
Chinese leafy greens

[lynzpower]

Oh cant I have leeks or mushrooms then?

I thought I could- damn it

[Louisepp]

Oh actually, you can have mushrooms! Not sure about leeks. The list has changed since I did it.

[lynzpower]

and sorry, thats serving spoons not a dessert/tablespoon

do you know if thats cooked or raw? As eg spinach shrinks a lot when cooked deosnt it.

Would it matter if i used a tiny bit of garlic powder ?

[Louisepp]

I would use a tablespoon. Garlic is a no no, so probably garlic powder too. Curry powder is allowed, but only 1g :D

Still thinking on the leeks. I'm thinking that since it's a member of the onion family it's probably a no no again. Not 100% certain on this though.

[Toots]

Toots, have you tried the choc tetra. It's lovely.

I'll buy it next time to try.

[Toots]

Quick tip- dont freeze the banana tetra for "ice cream" horrendously powdery.
Mine ended up in the bin last night - not moneysaving :money:

the choc one is fab tho, and brillian frozen into "ice cream"

I wouldn't have even thought of freezing them - thanks, I'll be trying that one in the future too.

[Toots]

and sorry, thats serving spoons not a dessert/tablespoon

do you know if thats cooked or raw? As eg spinach shrinks a lot when cooked deosnt it.

It says "2 tablespoons of any vegetables (cooked or raw) from the list" in the book.

[lynzpower]

Well probably overdid the veg slighlty last night. It was about 3 tablespoons cooked, but im not too bothered. My CDC did ask me whether i wanted to go onto 790 instead, I said no at the mo, Im struggling to force down the AAM and the 3 CD meals.

Ive lost 4lbs last week, if I carry on losing like this, Ill be at target in only a few more weeks, and shuld be nice & slim for the hols.

Feel wonderful again this moring, none of the groggyness that usually pervades. I feel like a different person - DOWN WITH CARBS that make me sleepy and feel like a beached whale!

Toots how are you feeling?

[Toots]

Hi Lynzpower,

Glad you are feeling wonderful on the diet - it is really energising isn't it?

I feel great - haven't had any problems at all and I'm on day 13 now. All I had was one headache after a few days and it wasn't even that bad. I think I'll always find it hard to drink the fluids but I know I have to so am glugging away. Even enjoying finding those tiny bits in my soup and chewing on them - normally I just chuck food down without properly tasting it so maybe that will change in the future too.

It's funny but once I decided to go onto this diet I just knew that I was in the right frame of mind and that I'll do it and stick to it. I've lost 12.2 pounds so far (have those scales that measure tenths of pounds - LOL).

Looking at C&Q's posts she is doing really well too.

I looked at one of the other diet threads on here yesterday and felt like saying to everyone to get onto CD as they were talking about losing so much less weight but I know some people would find it hard to just eat soup and shakes.

BTW I don't think the extra tablespoon veg will do any harm.

[lynzpower]

amazingly, Im still not at the stage where I feel I need my 2nd shake :confused:

Is anyone else feelign like this?

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Well, have been for a CT Scan today so had one shake at 8.15am and then nothing until 4pm!!!! I can honestly say that I was hungry for the first time since starting CD! The CT Scan had to be done so that is that!

On Day 28 Sole Source on three shakes/soups per day.

My weigh-in is tomorrow morning.

Am down 5" on chest, hips and waist as of yesterday so something is working!

I am getting ready to start Add A Meal Week tomorrow!! Really looking forward to it.

Have really gone off the Tesco Gold Blend Coffee since having to drink it black but a friend gave me a black Kenco coffee yesterday and it was fabulous - so called on the way home and bought a jar - bliss! Mind you anything is bliss when you haven't eaten or drunk anything for 7 hours!! Well, other than the orange drink with dye that they give you at hospital!!

Have fun!!

[lynzpower]

Ive just squeezed in my second shake of the day. Im off to get my haircut tonight so Im pleased i wasnt hungry till now to see me through IYSWIM

You'll be surprised cute & quirky, when you start AAM. Last night i felt actually quite uncomfortable after my meal ( not carby heavy, just well, heavy) I had half a choc shake made with hot water and half a peanut bar for "pudding" and I have both of those to go after my "meal" tonight ( the other halves)

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Right now I don't know how I am going to eat three shakes AND a small meal - albeit a small meal!!

[Toots]

On Day 28 Sole Source on three shakes/soups per day.

My weigh-in is tomorrow morning.

Am down 5" on chest, hips and waist as of yesterday so something is working!
You have done so brilliantly - congratulations! I hope I do as well as you are doing.

I am getting ready to start Add A Meal Week tomorrow!! Really looking forward to it.

Have really gone off the Tesco Gold Blend Coffee since having to drink it black but a friend gave me a black Kenco coffee yesterday and it was fabulous - so called on the way home and bought a jar - bliss!
I drink Kenco decaf and find it the most inoffensive - some coffees are just horrible when black.

Mind you anything is bliss when you haven't eaten or drunk anything for 7 hours!! Well, other than the orange drink with dye that they give you at hospital!!
You are going to have to really start glugging on the water tonight then!

Have fun!!

How many carbs were in that orange drink?:rotfl: Just kidding! I hope your scan results will be fine.

[Toots]

I had half a choc shake made with hot water and half a peanut bar for "pudding" and I have both of those to go after my "meal" tonight ( the other halves)

OMG you are so adventurous! I'm just having 3 soups a day at the mo but I'm definitely registering all these ideas for when I go and see my CDC next week (went after one week but she is leaving it a fortnight before seeing me again). I'd never have even considered having a hot shake or splitting a shake and a bar. I can't wait!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I had one and a half pints of water this morning, then another one and a half pints of water with the dye at the hospital. Have had another pint of water since I came home and will have another before bed.

Today have also had three coffees (so far) and a bottle of Coke Zero I bought in the hospital shop!!

Plus the water for two shakes and a third to come!

The orange was a very watery orange squash - so it should be okay!! It was sugar-free too - they use it for their diabetic patients too!!

Should be okay!

[lynzpower]

I love my food tOOTS! THats what got me into this mess :rotfl:

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

OMG you are so adventurous! I'm just having 3 soups a day at the mo but I'm definitely registering all these ideas for when I go and see my CDC next week (went after one week but she is leaving it a fortnight before seeing me again). I'd never have even considered having a hot shake or splitting a shake and a bar. I can't wait!


The Chocolate/Chocolate Mint/Cappuccino are gorgeous hot!

I put a little more coffee in the cappuccino shake too!

[lynzpower]

C&Q - you know the coke zero thing, do you know if we can have the other "zeros" sprite/ lilt/ fanta?

I do quite fancy a fanta, but im not overly bothered if I cant :)

[Toots]

I put a little more coffee in the cappuccino shake too!

Wow - sounds great. I would never have thought of doing any of this stuff. I am so glad I came on this thread!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

C&Q - you know the coke zero thing, do you know if we can have the other "zeros" sprite/ lilt/ fanta?

I do quite fancy a fanta, but im not overly bothered if I cant :)


You would need to check on the can - if it contains citric acid in the list of ingredients you cannot have it!!

Coke Zero is citric acid free, as is Tesco's own brand diet coke - but the rest you need to check!!

[lynzpower]

Ah I knew there was something that I needed to be looking out for its citric acid!

If Im that bothered, I'll have a look, dont really fancy one now.

Yesterday, I definately ate too much. Maybe Ill thin the 3rd shake right down tonight. I felt overly full - not bloated again, but definately too- full :S I dont get it.

Advice please: which shakes are the best watered down beyond 10fl oz . Chocolate isnt great, wondering if anyone has watered one down tihs much :confused: ( watch someone tell me I cant do this now!)

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Yes you can do this - I wouldn't and haven't tried it - I think that most of them would taste too watery!

Some folks make a shake up with slightly less water and pour it into a lolly mould - it makes a nice lolly apparently! Or make it up with mousse-mix and then do it! I haven't tried either of these - too darned cold for me to eat these at the moment - but they say they taste fab!

[mae]

I've just read this thread and I find it really interesting. Especially the counselling side and the relationship people have with food. I am a newly qualified counsellor, not food general counsellor but it still fascinates me. I may look into this as a side line. Are there any cambridge counsellors on this board who could give me their opinions on the company?

[Louisepp]

I've pm'd you Mae :)

[lynzpower]

Hows everyone doing today :)

Im feeling bloody marvellous again! Day off work today, had to go and get my jabs for holidays. Just drank water this monring, then had a choc tetra as I was left in the waiting room for nigh on 2 hours!! However, cos its a new DR I joined, I had to be weighed ( I did want to wait till next WI, but no way around it) and guess what! 10stone 5. ONly a stone ( or less , depending!)to go now :D :D :beer: !!----- thats Coke Zero- not BEER LOL

Just come home for a peppermint tea, and thne im off to take dog out, then
will mill about for a bit till later. Chicken salad for tea tonight and half a bar and half a hot choc again, this rainy weather calls for it!

Does anyone else feel like they never want to give CD up? I feel so amazing, I worry that going onto "real food" will make me tired, moany and lazy- im so full of energy at the mo I never ever want to stop feeling like this!!!

Love to all
Lynz
x

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Well Weigh-in 4!!

Am stuck in a 4lb groove - another 4lbs off!!

So, I lost 3lb in the three days on low carb then 29 lbs on SS CD = 32lbs off since 21st July!!

Started my AAMW today - had tuna, salad and pickled cabbage - which I don't really care for but thought I would give it a go!! Wonderful!

I know what you mean Lyn - it's the carbs that make us tired!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I've just read this thread and I find it really interesting. Especially the counselling side and the relationship people have with food. I am a newly qualified counsellor, not food general counsellor but it still fascinates me. I may look into this as a side line. Are there any cambridge counsellors on this board who could give me their opinions on the company?

Unfortunately Cambridge doesn't work like that.

I am a fully-certificated counsellor in the real world myself.

To be a Cambridge Counsellor you must have gone through the Cambridge Diet Plan yourself and have successfully lost weight. Then you are proposed/sponsored by your own CD Councillor to be a CDC yourself.

Maybe you could pay a visit to the Cambridge Site Forum? www.cambridgedieters.com (http://www.cambridgedieters.com)

[mae]

Unfortunately Cambridge doesn't work like that.

I am a fully-certificated counsellor in the real world myself.

To be a Cambridge Counsellor you must have gone through the Cambridge Diet Plan yourself and have successfully lost weight. Then you are proposed/sponsored by your own CD Councillor to be a CDC yourself.

Maybe you could pay a visit to the Cambridge Site Forum? www.cambridgedieters.com (http://www.cambridgedieters.com)

Thanks for that I didn't realise you would have to have done the diet and lost before you can work for them I thought it was a case of doing their training and I thought my own counselling diploma would be an added assett. I suppose its understandable to a degree but then again I haven't experienced all the traumas my clients have and still I have been able to help many of them make changes and move on with their lives. I hope that didn't come across as being narky as I totally understand they must have their reasons for this and thanks again for letting me know.
Still a very interesting topic though.

[lynzpower]

Well Weigh-in 4!!

Am stuck in a 4lb groove - another 4lbs off!!

So, I lost 3lb in the three days on low carb then 29 lbs on SS CD = 32lbs off since 21st July!!

Started my AAMW today - had tuna, salad and pickled cabbage - which I don't really care for but thought I would give it a go!! Wonderful!

I know what you mean Lyn - it's the carbs that make us tired!

I just replied to you over there!

your loss is amazing. You must be SOOOOOOOO chuffed. :T :T :T :T

Wore a skirt today adn it was falling down. :dance:

God knows how im going to fit in extra on 790, I just dont think i can fit it in!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

[quote=lynzpower;6088750]I just replied to you over there!

your loss is amazing. You must be SOOOOOOOO chuffed. :T :T :T :T

Wore a skirt today adn it was falling down. :dance:

God knows how im going to fit in extra on 790, I just dont think i can fit it in![/quote

I am chuffed - yes! :j

Had to force myself into eating the AAM today - have still got a shake to go :confused:

I know I have to have it but I don't feel as if I need it!

Still - we must do as we are told - it has been scientifically worked out and it works as it has been planned!

Good luck!

[Toots]

So, I lost 3lb in the three days on low carb then 29 lbs on SS CD = 32lbs off since 21st July!!

OMG 32 pounds in one month - that is absolutely brilliant! Well done!

[Toots]

Hows everyone doing today :)

Im feeling bloody marvellous again! Day off work today, had to go and get my jabs for holidays. Just drank water this monring, then had a choc tetra as I was left in the waiting room for nigh on 2 hours!! However, cos its a new DR I joined, I had to be weighed ( I did want to wait till next WI, but no way around it) and guess what! 10stone 5. ONly a stone ( or less , depending!)to go now :D :D :beer: !!----- thats Coke Zero- not BEER LOL

Just come home for a peppermint tea, and thne im off to take dog out, then
will mill about for a bit till later. Chicken salad for tea tonight and half a bar and half a hot choc again, this rainy weather calls for it!

Does anyone else feel like they never want to give CD up? I feel so amazing, I worry that going onto "real food" will make me tired, moany and lazy- im so full of energy at the mo I never ever want to stop feeling like this!!!

Love to all
Lynz
x

Well done Lyn - I can't wait until I'm 10 stone 5 again. Great to hear you are feeling so good on CD

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

How are you getting on Toots?

[Toots]

How are you getting on Toots?

Must have reached a plateau - in the last two days I've lost less than half a pound. Yesterday I bought Ketostix and there were traces yesterday but today was slightly pinker and just inside the next colour category. Hopefully my body is just redistributing weight or retaining water and the weight will start shifting soon. I'm a bit disappointed as I've been drinking loads of water!

Still, it's better than putting it on. I'll soldier on - this is not gonna beat me!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

That's why you don't weigh yourself every day!!

It is too disappointing when your body is fluctuating - I flatly refuse to weigh every day, regardless.

CD like you to weigh every day in the first week because the weight is falling off so fast - for most folks anyway.

If you go to the cambridge own forum you will see how many people have thrown their scales into the bin - or hidden them away - and rely on the CDC weigh-in only.

Also, I don't and won't use ketostix - waste of time, energy and money! If you are losing weight you are in ketosis, simple as that.

Hope you get a result at your regular weigh-in.

[Toots]

That's why you don't weigh yourself every day!!

It is too disappointing when your body is fluctuating - I flatly refuse to weigh every day, regardless.

CD like you to weigh every day in the first week because the weight is falling off so fast - for most folks anyway.

If you go to the cambridge own forum you will see how many people have thrown their scales into the bin - or hidden them away - and rely on the CDC weigh-in only.
We're all different - I could not NOT weigh myself and there's no way I would ever throw my scales in the bin. Besides they're really funky and cost £100.

Also, I don't and won't use ketostix - waste of time, energy and money! If you are losing weight you are in ketosis, simple as that.
I bought them because on another site someone said to test if you aren't losing weight on the scales. However past experience of the Atkins diet has shown me that I can be losing weight and not be in ketosis. My OH and I went on Atkins a couple of years ago and were both losing weight and I just bought the Ketostix out of curiosity - he was well into ketosis after about a week whereas I entered very mild ketosis after about two months! I'm obviously the exception that proves the rule:rotfl:

Hope you get a result at your regular weigh-in.

I must admit that this time round I'm feeling hungry too and I distinctly remember that 20 years ago I never felt hungry on CD either. It isn't too bad though - I'll just keep plugging away. I am doing SS and sticking absolutely rigidly to the rules though so will get there in the end.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

You can be in ketosis and it not show on the sticks!!!

Your scales sound fab! I want some with an eye-level readout but cannot find any - other than the medical scales which are over £400.

The original CD was only 330 cals per day - the USA still sells that version oas the 'original' but then recommend that you have four portions per day.

[penny pincher]

feeling very hungry but i`m fighting it and drinking plenty of water you girls are doing fab how much weight do you need to lose ???? i`m looking at about 7 stones so a long while yet i have done it before ....so with gods will and CD i will do it again thanks for reading xxxxxx i`ll keep updating on a daily basis if anyone is intrested that will keep me going :o

[shop-to-drop]

Hi all

I am currently on day 5 of Cambridge diet and absolutely love it!

I did it last year and lost 4 stones. It transformed my life and has allowed me to get back in to exercise this year after getting to 'normal' weight.

I had put back on 12 -14lbs during this year but my body was transformed by exercise too. I have had a forced break from exercise the last 2 months due to injury and the school holidays. I had also put back on another 12 - 14lbs during that time (had a wonderful food indulgent holiday). This gain put me back to overweight so this week I went back on to start Cambridge again.

I was accepting of the gain, felt happy that I had indulged, I enjoyed it, but so happy and ready to go back to Cambridge again. There was no way I was going to stay over weight and knew that continued overeating would not be enjoyable and make me desperately unhappy.

It's a wonderful diet and personally I find it easy as long as I do it 100% no cheating whatsoever. If you do not stick to the rules you are better to do another diet, in my opinion.

Good luck all of those on the CD. I know weekends are hard for most so my fingers are crossed for us all.

Here are a couple of tips that work for me for anyone interested.

I split my packs in half and so have six a day. I find them strong enough and satisfying enough in half. I have less during the day so I have plenty in the evening. I am not generally that hungry in the evenings but it sometimes unnerves me to know I don't have many 'meals' left for later in the day.

Other than that I also find it best to keep it simple. Not buy too many flavours, plenty of water, black coffee, green tea. I find the simpler it is the better for me. If I start having too many flavours or 'allowed extras' it makes me start craving food. I also avoid the bars, they gave me painful wind and also set off cravings for chocolate.

My favourite flavours at the moment are Chocolate (hot), vegetable soup (hot) and Toffee and Walnut (hot). I also like strawberry cold sometimes when I fancy a different tasting cold drink.

I will look out for this thread and see how your doing.

[lynzpower]

welcome penny picher

Well I have sinned, and unfortunately due to a complete bout turn of my day ( ie forgot half of my blender, went for a job interview and they wanted me to stay all day etc) I had no choice but to visit, the worst place in the world for food. I only had a bite of it then binned it, but Im just pi55ed off with myself, I could have taken a tetra, I did have one in the fridge :wall:

Never mind, Im not having a meal tonight and Ill have the other 2 shakes. ( i havnet had a shake yet today, will have one in a mo)

And I'll SS tomorrow I think just to be on the safe side.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Well I am on Day 3 of Week 5 AAMW and I am not in the slightest bit hungry.


Having to force down the three shakes and the meal on top.


Had a bar yesterday in place of a shake and a mousse today in place of a shake, just for a change.


Can't wait to go back onto Sole Source next Wednesday!

[lynzpower]

its really odd isnt it C&Q about howe you have to really force it down.

Im still tinkering with the shakes to see which ones are the best with more water. Toffee & walnut is Ok with 9 fl oz, I dont know if that appaeals

C&Q , what bars have you had. I tried the caramel one and the peanut crunch one. Quite liked both of those, wondered if the other ones were as nice?

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Have had the Toffee, Caramel and the Chocolate and they are all yummy.

I cut my bar down the middle then into squares so I get 14 pieces, then put them onto a plate and into the fridge for a couple of hours - mmmmmmm!

Not tried the Toffee & Walnut yet!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Has everyone run away with their CD Shakes/Soups/Bars now??????

It is quiet on here!

Everyone on holiday?

Wish I was in Tenerife.............................

[lynzpower]

Im still here :D How are you doing C&Q ??

After my minor blip on friday I sole sourced yesterday.. So far ive had 2 shakes today and im going to have a dinner in a bit then a shake for afters.

Im looking really chuffed now, I aim to be in this bikini I bought 2 years ago when I met OH. I looked HORRENDOUS in it a few weeks ago, I'm going to dig it out and try it on. In 4 weeks I reckon I will have lost all the weight Ive piled on in 2 years of eating pretty much carbs & veg only!

Off to Notting hill carnival tomorrow where I dont mind not drinking, Ill take my tetra and shuld be fine. If I have to find some BBQ chicken to keep me going I will ( minus the skin of course)

I have a feeling my cdc will want to put me up to 790 at least on Tuesday, but I feel still so full on AAM. I dont really want to yet :o

Hows everyone else going ? Toots? Penny pincher?

Lynz
x

[penny pincher]

hi girls i`m think i`m doing good i weighed myself this morning and i have lost 14llbs in 4 days so it has given me that boost i still feel hungry but i seem to have alot more energy than before so i think things are working still got a weigh lmao to go pardon the pun about 6 stones so iw ill keep you informed as this gives me that oomph to carry on how is everone else doing and how much have you got to lose thanks for reading take care and remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder{thats what all ugly people say} lol xxxxxx:rotfl:

[lynzpower]

hey penny pincher!

I know this sounds a bit "sigh" but the reason why you are hungry is probably because you are not drinking enough water. I drink about 4 litres a day if not more. I try to have 2 litres before " breakfast". these can include your teas, coffees, calorie-free CD drinks and peppermint/ green teas too. So if you are bored of plain water there are alternatives.

I was also hungry in the first week, and my cdc recommended that I split the packs. So I usually have a full shake in the morning, half at lunch half mid afternoon, then split one in the evenings too. Im not hungry at all now ( altohugh im on AAM- which makes it worse- woke up with belly of steel this morning- forcing the water down to see if it makes me feel better)

14lbs is amazing tho! :T well done you!!

[penny pincher]

thanks lyn for your support i am struggling with the water and i cant drink tea but black coffee is just about ok could you tell me on the AAMW what exactley can you eat my CDC is not as should we say as helpful as yours but i`m managing i go to hospital on the 10th sept to see a dietician who i believe does a diet similar to this one but i think its 1 shake a day but its hospital based so i know it will be ok for me another 2llb off this morning but its not easy i get super highs but then get super lows i will keep plodding and i will try and get some more water down thanks agian xxxxxx;)

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

AAMW is as follows -

Your three or four packs plus -

11g/4oz cottage cheese (reduced fat)
50g/2oz chicken or turkey breast without skin
80g/3oz cod, haddock or other white fish
80g/3oz quorn
60g/2.5oz soft tofu opr 120g(5oz) firm tofu

and...

Veg

2 tablespoons of one of the following...

green salad leaves eg. roquette, lambs lettuce watercress, raddiccio, little gem/romain lettuces.

celery, cucumber or red raddishes

courgettes or marrow

broccoli, cauliflower or any cabbage including pickled cabbage.

spinach, kale, turnip or taro tops, mushrooms

asparagus, fennel and celeriac

chinese leafy greens such as pak choi or chinese cabbage.

[penny pincher]

thanks cute how are you doing by the way? xxx

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I am fine,thanks!

At the end of AAMW, last day tomorrow. Have enjoyed it and it didn't make me want to eat and eat, which I thought it might.
Have enjoyed the vegetables which I had missed. Everything tastes so much better too!

Have had a mousse most days too, just for a change aswell

Weigh-in on Wednesday!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

I have normally been a very frequent dreamer whilst asleep but have noticed since being on CD that they have become very, very vivid and dramatic!!

Anyone else had this?

[penny pincher]

ohhh lol i hope it does :p as i would love a vivid real dream of me and sting on a romantic holiday in the caribean oohhhh those lovely waves splashing at our feet and the gengle breeze blowing though our hair then we`d kiss....................ooppps sorry . i havent had that trouble yet but here`s hoping :beer: knowing my luck it will be someone out of little britian tho ;)

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

RECIPE IDEAS FOR THE CAMBRIDGE FOOD PACKS


CHOCOLATE MUFFIN

1. Put a little BOILING WATER into a ramekin dish or microwavable mug (about 2 desert spoons to begin with you can add more later if needed).
2. Add the chocolate pack & mix to a thick paste. Put into the microwave on high for just under a minute – if it looks a little bit soggy in the middle, put it back in for about 10 seconds or so. Then enjoy.

This can be made with other flavour foodpacks as well.

A slightly different version of the muffin can be made by saving some of your bars, add it to the mix & it tastes like a brownie. Or when making chocolate muffins add a couple of teaspoons of the summer berry powder or water (http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/search_results.asp?site_search_term=water) flavourings to make a sweeter muffin.

LATTE

Make up the vanilla pack as a hot shake; add a teaspoon of coffee & some tablet sweeteners to taste.

ICE CREAM

Put 11 ice cubes in a powerful liquidiser & crush the ice, add a sweet food pack – add a small amount of water, about 2 tbsp & liquidise for about 5 minutes. You may need to stir in between; you’ll end up with a nice bowl of ice cream.

CHICKEN STUFFING

Mix as you would do for a chocolate muffin, but use a packet of chicken soup instead. Cook in microwave for about 1 and a half mins, depending on how dry you like it.

CHOCOLATE BAR

Mix chocolate pack with a bit of water until you have a thick paste, then spread onto some tin foil and freeze for an hour or more.

Mars bar - as for chocolate bar, but with half of vanilla and half of the chocolate. Milky bar - as for chocolate bar, but make just with vanilla –gorgeous. Caramac - as for chocolate bar, but make just with the caramel.

Black FOREST GATEAUX MIX

10 ice cubes, chocolate pack, 8oz water & 1.5tsp of fruits of the forest flavouring. Blitz in a smoothie (http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=490) maker or try your blender.

CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE

Vanilla pack, 10 ice cubes, 8oz water, 1tsp of the CD orange flavouring & blitz in a smoothie maker or try your blender.

CHOCOLATE COOKIE

Take sparkling water & mix with a chocolate pack& then add a pinch of salt, about 2 tbsp water, increase if needed to make thick paste. Put onto a small plate, rounded into a biscuit shape. Bake in the microwave for about 2.5 minutes.

ICE LOLLIES

Make up the CD summer berry or orange – a bit stronger than you’d normally make, as your taste dictates – put into lolly moulds and freeze.

CHICKEN CRISPS OR CHILLI CRISPS

This recipe is even better if you use a Teflon mat, it’s a bit like a sheet of greaseproof paper but you can wipe it clean. Mix a packet of soup with about 2 tbs of water until you get a thick paste, spread the mixture on the mat or greaseproof paper in a circle, microwave for about 2 mins. It will go crispy, then you can break up into smaller crisp size pieces.

AFTER EIGHT CHOCOLATE TREAT

Add strong cold peppermint tea to chocolate mix, I prefer this as a thick paste like a mousse, but you could have it as a hot chocolate mint drink or cold. Yummy

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

1 packet of chocolate 1/4 cup of hot water 2 or more sweeteners canderel 1tsp of coffee (if you like) mix well – it should look like a thick chocolate soup. Microwave it for 2 mins. It comes out as a thick gooey mess, which tastes like fudge!

CHOCOLATE PUDDING WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Microwave most of the choc pack like a muffin but keep some aside and mix into a thick paste whilst the muffin is cooking. Take muffin out and smear with thick choc goo and eat. It really does taste nice and cools the muffin down. This could be done with vanilla icing too

CHOCOLATE CUSTARD

Dissolve a sweetener in approx 70mls of hot water. Add a chocolate pack, microwave for approx 40 secs. Makes a lovely hot chocolate custard. A whole pack of this was a bit sickly for me though, so next time I used half the quantities and had it on top of a muffin.

POPPADUMS

Mix a soup pack with a very small amount of water (about 5 dessert spoons), into a smooth paste, spread on a plate or greaseproof paper and microwave for about 3 mins. Let it settle, when golden take out let it cool then peel off and enjoy. Be careful to not overcook as this makes them taste slightly bitter.

BISCUITS

Cut up a bar into 8-10 pieces. Arrange on a plate 3 or 4 at a time to give them space to expand. Microwave for about thirty seconds – or until they stop bubbling. Be careful as they may start burning from the inside out. Use a knife under the biscuits to prise off the plate. Or use baking paper - not greaseproof!

BLACK FOREST COOKIE

Add 1 chocolate pack to sparkling water (3 tbs give or take) add fruits of the forest flavour (half teaspoon) put in the microwave for one minute (let it settle) and you have the fluffiest cookie ever.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Along with someone else I have started a CAMBRIDGE TEAM on the sparkpeople site if anyone would like to join.

Please feel free to come and join us if you would like to.

[lynzpower]

never heard of sparks people :)

Well , I might as well fess up. Wagon, off fell, I :o

I am due totm, and good god the cravings. I had yesterday 2small handfuls of peanuts, a chocolate chip cookie ( only a small one, not a milies cookies size one) and a bite of this mincemeat filo pud OH had. and a bite of his whopper (gross) and 7 chips. ( oven)

to be fair, its only 2 short weeks ago when I could and did put a way a whole bag of peanuts at my desk at work or a packet of biscuits with one cup of tea, and 2 portions of chips a day, so I guess its a bloody big departure from what I was doing pre-CD. Im trying to be positive :o

I dont think im out of ketosis ( amazingly) as Im not hungry in the slightest and havent had my breakfast shake yet. Have managed only about a litre of water so far tho.

Typically im off for my WI tonight, and im sure my cdc will give me a going over. Im depserate for bars, they should keep my TOTM cravings at bay - I hope.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

You should be okay - a little blip doesn't usually hurt!!

If you are not hungry you haven't come out of ketosis.

About four years ago I had done Atkins for four weeks and couldn't understand why I wasn't in the slightest bit hungry.
Anyway, after the four weeks I went into Pizza Hut and ordered the smallest individual pizza. Within two hours I was ravenously hungry!! That pizza would contain a whole lot of carbs, which would knock me out of ketosis.

So I think you won't have done much damage!

Hope all goes well with the weigh-in!

[lynzpower]

thanks C&Q.

thats exactly what I thought about the carbs/hunger/ ketosis thing.

the more carbs I have the more I want.

Does anyone know if that is specific to certain types of people ( ie "us") or are MOST people like this with carbs?

[penny pincher]

this ketosis thing.................i have been on the diet now for 6 days and i`m still fighting with hunger every minute am i doing something wrong as this would be a whole lot easier if i wasnt having this fight every day please help its driving me mad lol :p

[lynzpower]

if you are still hungry, then I doubt ,you are in ketosis.

these are the things I do to get into ketosis

have you made sure you have not had ANYTHING apart from the shakes/soups? and the permitted drinks?

are you haveing anything else like squash, fruit, anything like that as well? have you eaten ANYTHING since you started?

How much water are you drinking per day ?

[penny pincher]

i am drinking about 3 litres of water and i have`nt ate anything atall only my 3 shakes a day i also have about 4 cups of black coffee a day(i don`t have sugar)so i dont need sweetners what do you think is wrong??

[smileypigface]

OK - so I've been watching this thread after it inspired me to make contact with a CD counsellor two weeks ago.

Had a good first week ... lost 8lb - didn't cheat once and wasn't hungry - ketosis stick showed nice and pink .. so far, so good!

Went to pot over the Bank Holiday weekend .. I'm too ashamed to list everything I put away ....... oh, what the hell .... a kebab and chips (I know, I know!!!), a pack of salted peanuts and cashews, a mini peperami ... and now today (weigh in this evening!) I've gone out of control in the work snack bar and eaten a tuna mayo and cucumber sandwich, two choccy bars and a packet of sweet chilli crisps!

Hmmmm, don't think it's possible to fall off the waggon any harder than this! And now I'm in the frame of mind that I may as well go and get another choccy bar as I've ruined it all anyway!

So, it's day 14 today and I'm almost too ashamed to see my counsellor later .. although I know I have to as I need to stock up on more packs if I'm going to try and climb back on the waggon this week!

How useless am I !!!!!!!!:o

[lynzpower]

Smileypigface!!

exactly how I felt yesterday. I was like , well why bother, Ive co**ed up so badly whats the point?

Well the point is that if you want to lose weight - ANY diet is gonna need some discipline, even weightwatchers, slimming world and al the others.

What tippped you over, were you hungry or jsut bored?

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

If anyone wants to join us at the Cambridge Team we are at www.sparkpeople.com (http://www.sparkpeople.com)

Incidentally, if you go to www.sparkrecipes.com (http://www.sparkrecipes.com) you will find some fabulous low-fat recipes for after you have finished CD.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

i am drinking about 3 litres of water and i have`nt ate anything atall only my 3 shakes a day i also have about 4 cups of black coffee a day(i don`t have sugar)so i dont need sweetners what do you think is wrong??

CD do say that ketosis can take up to 10 days - just hang on in there - it sounds as if you are doing everything just right.

Unless you are overdoing it on the exercise front, maybe? Just a thought.

[smileypigface]

Hi Lynzpower,

I don't know what it is with me ... I've tried ww, slimmersworld, and just about every other diet going over the last few years .. but I've just watched my weight slowly creep up!

I thought my head was really 'in the right place' if you know what I mean - this time - thought a dramatic kick start would be just what I need to spur me on ... but actually there seems to be a little voice in my head saying "well, you've lost 8lb, so you've proved you can do it .. now treat yourself and have some rubbish to eat that tastes sooo good" - it's like I want to loose the weight (about 5 stone to go in total! yuk!) but I just convince myself that I MUST have the bad stuff and can't rest until I do.

I suppose there's no point losing sleep over what's done .. just look at tomorrow as a fresh start - I've been thinking about following a running plan (really easy beginners programme from Zest magazine - so nothing too major) and we get our puppy on Sunday - so maybe going for a run/walking the dog will shake me out of the low points when I'm about to give in!

Wish CD did little sachets of will-power as well as the soups etc eh!!!!!!!!

Finding everyone's postings on here very inspirational and making me want to stick to the plan!

Thanks:D

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

In order to be a success at Cambridge you need to make a commitment to the Cambridge Plan, to get your mind in the right place for you to succeed.

Research has shown that change occurs through a process, through a series of stages.

There is a certain “readiness” to the change process.
Knowing what stage you are in is helpful to create success with any kind of change.

If you attempt to make a change you are not ready for, you are setting yourself up to fail.

If you think about the way you have accomplished change in the past, you don’t just go out and make it happen. You may not be aware of the process, but it is still there.

Here is a brief description of the stages of change (Prochaska, et.al.):

1. Precontemplation – You don’t see that you have a problem. You are in denial. People in this stage have no intention of changing themselves and usually only seek help with strong pressure from others. They resist change and are often demoralized as well because they view the situation as hopeless.

2. Contemplation – You acknowledge that you have a problem and begin to think about solving it, but you feel “stuck”. People with food and weight issues often hang out in this stage. You know you have a problem. You may even know what you need to do to change it, but you are not ready to commit to action.

It is not unusual for people to spend years telling themselves that “someday” they will lose weight.
Fear of failure (or focusing on past failures) can keep you stuck in this stage for a very long time. It can look like searching for the perfect solution and reading lots of diet books, but not actually doing anything about it.

3. Preparation – You are planning to take action within the next month. You start focusing more on the solution than on the problem. You also start thinking more about the future than the past.
You are committed to action, but haven’t necessarily resolved all of the mixed feelings you may have. For instance, losing weight requires letting go of some behaviours that may have provided temporary comfort in the past.

4. Action – You take visible action steps. You may purchase certain foods you plan to eat or remove foods from your home that you plan to avoid. You take the steps you have been preparing for. However, the change process does not end here.

5. Maintenance – You work to maintain the strides you have made in the previous stages. If you don’t have a strong commitment to maintenance and a support structure in place, you can relapse back to a previous stage.


The most important point is making that commitment to Cambridge.

Make a list of the reasons you want to lose weight. Look at it every day to remind yourself of why you are doing this.

Know that you are not 'depriving' yourself of anything. The thoughts of 'not being able to have x,y,z' is very often what will make people fall off the wagon. Instead, think of it as 'I am CHOOSING' not to have chocolate, beefburgers, biscuits, or whatever, so that I stick to my Cambridge plan and achieve the results that you want.

Do some visualisation - see yourself in your mind's eye looking in a full length mirror as you really truly want to be - see yourself trying on different outfits, see yourself from all angles. This exercise of visualisation really does help with your motivation and your desire to succeed. Do this every day, twice a day preferably, once as soon as you awaken in the morning and again during the day if you feel your resolve is slipping. Look through the internet or catalogues and see an outfit you really like and see yourself in that outfit and looking spectacular.

Wishing you well on your journey.

[smileypigface]

Thanks C&Q - along those lines I've found Paul McKenna's CD (the "I can make you slim" one) really helpful in the visualisation area - I'll dig that out of the cupboard - don't know why I didn't think of that earlier!

I've had a good chat with my CD Counsellor tonight and think I'm back in the right frame of mind to be back on track with a good week - my weigh-in tonight was exactly the same as last week so at least I've not gone backwards!

I think I need to keep my hands (and mind) occupied to keep that 'little voice' at bay!!!

Here's to a better week this week - hope I'll be reporting a few pounds off next Tuesday!

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Paul McKenna's CD is brilliant - I put it onto my IPOD a few months back and had been listening to it very night for a long while, now about twice a week.
It is very motivational!

Good luck for next week!

[lynzpower]

well the wieigh in wasnt great last night, I was 10stone 9. certainly an increase from when I went to the drs a week ago :( thats my stupid fault for nibbling and cheating. I wont be doing that again, I was really gutted. Its like Ive taken a step back. Oh well, :do: dusted off leasson learned!!

Back with a vengeance today- I am determined to be as near to 9.5 stone as I can be. Losing a stone in 4 weeks is like 4lbs a week ( is that right?) which I think might be a bit ambitious as Im almost at goal.

Never mind, I am committed, even recommended it to my parents last night too, they wont recognise me when they see me next!

[smileypigface]

Morning,

Well, that's two of us with renewed resolve ... I'm sure we can both do it - have a really good week and knock off those excess pounds ... sending you positive vibes!!!!!:D

[shop-to-drop]

Morning Lynzpower and Smileypigface

Actually that's three of us! I fell off the wagon yesterday after 8 perfect days. 3lbs back on this morning LOL.

I'm jumping straight back on with you girls this morning.

Good Luck.