Cambridge Diet

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: https://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

margaretclare wrote: »

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.

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

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

psycx wrote: »

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

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

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

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