What you can expect from a CDC

[PowderedJourney]

I have just got back from WI. My CDC wasn't in!!!! So her daughter "did me".
She said that the packs come in boxes of 21 and shouldn't really be split, but as a favour to her clients she splits them up into 3 x 7 and so the only way to get a variety is to buy 2 weeks! - which I did (££).
I only needed 2 bricks (cos I'm at college at the wkend) but I now have 7 banana ones.

Not really sure what to do, cos my CDC is quite old (sorry to be ageist) but then again she has been a CDC for 20yrs.

[CD Counsellor]

Firstly, you should be able to get whatever flavours you need.

Secondly unless the daughter is a qualified CDC she should not be seeing you or 'doing' you.

It is a confidential service we provide and only accredited counsellors should do this.

You have three options really, either continue as you are, find another CDC or speak to Head Office regarding this.

I have been a CDC for 20 years. Under our code of conduct the full range of product should be provided.

Linda

[Debz]

Originally Posted by PowderedJourney

I have just got back from WI. My CDC wasn't in!!!! So her daughter "did me".
She said that the packs come in boxes of 21 and shouldn't really be split, but as a favour to her clients she splits them up into 3 x 7 and so the only way to get a variety is to buy 2 weeks! - which I did (££).
I only needed 2 bricks (cos I'm at college at the wkend) but I now have 7 banana ones.

Not really sure what to do, cos my CDC is quite old (sorry to be ageist) but then again she has been a CDC for 20yrs.

I agree with Linda on this one. Whilst also adding a . However the daughter may be accredited.

My Counsellor (and also my sponsor) has been going since the beginning of the diet so has a wealth of experience to draw on. Don't let age put you off. But do go with a counsellor you feel comfortable with.

[LEJ]

Hi, I would just like to say on a positive note, i have a mum and daughter team, ( i see the daughter) they are great, this diet has been very successful for me, 1) My young councillor is great and an inspiration to me, I saw her weekly at the start but now happy to do every 2 weeks it fits in with both of us and she has become a firm friend, So a big thanks to Rachel for all her help. 2) All the councillors on the forums have been fantastic, and have found so many people who have found the forums so helpful so thanks to you guys too.

Lynn

[CD Counsellor]

Yep mother and daughter teams are good my Amy joined me 18months ago and we work together now.

Amy has been around the diet since she was 2 years old!

2nd generation counsellor!

[shrm26]

Hi, I was weighed when i first went to my CDC (a BF & GF team) but not measured. i get weighed weekly but i could do with a lot more support. In the beginning my female CDC would call me daily to encourage and see how i was getting on, this was for about 2 weeks. After that i was fine for a while but then started struggling for the past few weeks( hence my slow weight loss) but have not been given much help or support. I find that i am given a very subtle cold shoulder by my male CDC because my losses are small. I find it quite intimidating and end up resorting to..................COMFORT EATING!!! or should i say comfort picking. Every day i start off really good and will be fine until the evening when i start picking, i'm not hungry, i just want my familiar flavours in my mouth. I don't feel as though i can approach my CDC's in these moments of weakness which i wish i could do as i think it would help me over the hurdle. anyway, enough of me whining on, I'm trying again as from tomorrow, so wish me luck.
Shar xx

[Cute'n'Quirky]

From some of the posts on the Cambridge Forum it is quite obvious that some of the CDC's have not got a clue about the Cambridge Plan at all.

They regularly tell their clients that they can SS for as along as they like when Cambridge make it quite plain that you must only use SS until a BMI of 25 + 1 stone is reached.

Some of them are also telling clients that they can skip AAMW if they like as it is not technically necessary when, in fact, AAMW is done for very sound medical reasons.

The problem arises because the clients don't bother to read either the Cambridge Plan booklet or the Sole Source booklet which should, but is not always, given to them on their first visit to their CDC.

[Cute'n'Quirky]

I have to add that the CDC's whom are posting both here and on the Cambridge Forum are all giving the proper Cambridge advice.

[tazzi_mctaztaz]

Hi , i spoke to my CDC and she has toldme i am allowed to skip AAMW as long as i see a doctor every 2 weeks and get my blood pressure checked. Is that ok?? Then obviously my doctor will decide if im allowed to miss my food week or not.
Taz x

[jane]

RE AAM week.
yes if you wish to delay/ omit it you should get the approval of your doctor. I did. My gp's reaction was 'You're looking great, you're a sensible woman, if that's what you want then fine.'

I just wish my family could have heard someone calling me sensible!

I then slowly built up my AAM weeks as my confidence at reintroducing food grew.

My understanding of the importance of AAM is mainly for food re-learning purposes & to comply with recent recommendations by NICE &/or COMA. Cambridge do not consider it a nutritional necessity.
The distinction although quite subtle is important.

Having said that I'm only a newCDC so if I've got it wrong I'd rather be corrected now than after I've misled a customer

[Mrs V]

When I did the CD before, I was told that I should have the AAMW, but I found that this was too tempting to stray.
Personally I would rather go with out the food until I have reached my goal and then gradually introduce it similar to LL.

[jane]

I understand how you feel Mrs V. Lots of us feel the same.

As I see it
1) AAMw is one week in 5.
2) The same effect would be achieved by doing AAM day one day in 5. ( roughly that would be one day a week for a few weeks then 2days in one week)
3)This would allow the experimentation with re-introducing food, comply with the NICE guidelines but be less scary to dieters like yourself.

What I haven't done though, is ask Head office if this is a pattern that they would be happy for me to recommend to clients, who like you, fear that 7 days would destabilise their mindset.

I intend to ring HO & ask them as soon as I've got a mo, but in the mean time if theres a CDC out there who knows what the official feeling about this is I'd be most grateful for their info.

Either way MrsV you sound determined & that, with CD ,is most of the battle.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by jane

I understand how you feel Mrs V. Lots of us feel the same.

AAMw is one week in 5.
it seems to me that the same efect would be achieved by doing AAM day one day in 5. ( in essence it would be one day a week for a few weeks then 2days in one week)
This would allow the experimentation with re-introducing food, comply with the NICE guidelines but be less scary to dieters like yourself.

what I haven't done though is ask Head office if this is a pattern that they would e happy for me to recommend to clients who, like you, fear that 7 days would destabilise their mindset.

I intend to ring HO & ask them as soon as I've got a mo, but in the mean time if theres a CDC out there who knows what the official feeling about this is I'd be most grateful for their info.

Either way MrsV you sound determined & that, with CD ,is most of the battle.

Hiya, Jane. I couldn't tell you what HQ's official response to this would be, as i've never asked. I do concur with your reasoning, though, and will be interested to hear what response HQ give.

When I did cd (before becoming a cdc), I kind of did it that way, as I never got any guidance from my own cdc anyway! I never did an actual AAMW, but, sometimes every weekend, sometimes every fortnight, i'd eat a chicken salad out, or have chicken and salad if we were having a bbq, etc. That suited me, as it fitted in with my lifestyle - I never felt the need to eat during the week, but weekends are tough if you have any kind of social life!


Jo x

[jane]

Originally Posted by JustJo

When I did cd (before becoming a cdc), I kind of did it that way, as I never got any guidance from my own cdc anyway! I never did an actual AAMW, but, sometimes every weekend, sometimes every fortnight, i'd eat a chicken salad out, or have chicken and salad if we were having a bbq, etc. That suited me, as it fitted in with my lifestyle - I never felt the need to eat during the week, but weekends are tough if you have any kind of social life!


Jo x

Thanks Jo, & yes that's something that my 'sociable' clients do. It seems to me to be the perfect formula.
It allows them to lead a normal life without appearing completely bonkers or running the risk of suffering the sucked teeth/ dangerous diet comments form the ignorant, whilst also practising portion control/sensible choices within the very setting that many of us find most difficult.

Right jo I'll get on to 'em today & report back if I've got an official opinion.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by jane

Thanks Jo, & yes that's something that my 'sociable' clients do. It seems to me to be the perfect formula.
It allows them to lead a normal life without appearing completely bonkers or running the risk of suffering the sucked teeth/ dangerous diet comments form the ignorant, whilst also practising portion control/sensible choices within the very setting that many of us find most difficult.

Right jo I'll get on to 'em today & report back if I've got an official opinion.

Yes, exactly. I had the added problem of our monthly trips up north. My ex (kids' dad) lived in Preston (now Blackpool), so once monthly we take the kids up so he can have them for the weekend, and my partner and I stay at my partner's mums, as she lives in Wigan. Although people knew I was dieting, I never told anyone I was doing cd. It was much easier to just eat salads on the weekends that we were up in Wigan, as I didn't have to cope with the disaproval!

I'll look forward to hearing the official response... although I don't hold out too much hope for it being what we'd like it to be!


Jo x