Thread: New to VLCD - Have some questions :)

Proven Medical Weight Loss Program & Plan | OPTIFAST

I did a search on the page and it had mention of ketosis! Is this the same plan? This one looks American. But does offer a lot of support, with phases and re-feeding support.

Oh and your BMI must be over 30 to go on it, I see you are less than that!

Weight Loss Program, Optifast® VLCD

Or perhaps this one, oops! It says it's a carb reducing VLCD.

Found a few online in Australia...

Optifast website - http://www.optifast.com.au/

kicstart - http://www.healthyweightforlife.com....tart-about.php

Optislim - http://www.optislim.com.au/index.htm

Probably not relevant now but I think Aus is particularly strict on what exactly you can import into the country. I'm thinking here of genetically modified "thingies" which might be included in these European sachets - just a thought incase you were tempted!

Originally Posted by MiniMoosh

Proven Medical Weight Loss Program & Plan | OPTIFAST

I did a search on the page and it had mention of ketosis! Is this the same plan? This one looks American. But does offer a lot of support, with phases and re-feeding support.

Hello Yes it's the same one; here's the Australian site: Weight Loss Program, Optifast® VLCD

Originally Posted by MiniMoosh

Oh and your BMI must be over 30 to go on it, I see you are less than that!

Yeah I'd really like one that could safely get me to my goal weight if there's one out there.

Originally Posted by weasey

Found a few online in Australia...

Optifast website - Weight Loss Program, Optifast® VLCD

kicstart - KicStart VLCD - Very Low Calorie Diet

Optislim - Best Weight Loss Diet | Meal Replacement Food | Diet Plans | Weight Loss Meals | OptiSlim Shakes

Thanks weasey! checking them out now...

Originally Posted by Giza

Probably not relevant now but I think Aus is particularly strict on what exactly you can import into the country. I'm thinking here of genetically modified "thingies" which might be included in these European sachets - just a thought incase you were tempted!

Really good point, thanks Giza. Especially as Tasmania, where I live, is even more protected than the mainland (there are sniffer dogs at the airport checking for...not drugs...but fresh fruit! It's true! DPIPWE - What You Can & Can't Bring into Tasmania) Anyway I'm trying to find something stocked within Australia for that reason. Thank you

OK, I've read the sites. Optifast looks really good still, but it does recommend not for a BMI of under 30. Now of course I can just go ahead and order the products anyway, but I don't want to damage myself. What is the risk of actually doing any harm to myself? I have no other medical conditions or problems except for being overweight.

The second one, Optislim, looks even better than Optifast in that the shakes are cheaper for the same amount. Also, the shiopping is free on orders over $50 (the Optifast one is free shipping on orders over $95). However it does also say only for a BMI over 30. Plus it tells me not to stay on it (the VLCD version) for more than 3 weeks without a break. Is that normal? I mean, wouldn't I have to go through the whole ketosis thing again...and you guys said that wouldn't be worth doing one of these diets for only a few weeks.

The last one, kicstart just seems complicated. I can't find anywhere on the site that tells me how it works...just a thing telling me to go to the pharmacist and get weighed and have a health test. Er..help?

Thanks all. I'm glad I'm researching this.

What I really want is something I can safely eat, 3x a day...a VLCD...go into ketosis..and stay there until I reach my goal in 5 months. And to do it safely and not have to go to a doctor or a pharmacy or whatever. Maybe I should gain back the 2kg I lost so my BMI is 30 again and then I can do one of these programs

I currently have a bmi of 28.something and am on a VLCD. Mind you - I started with a bmi of around 43 so a little different! I don't think it's that it'll do you any harm I think it's more about is a VLCD too extreme for someone who is only in the overweight category.

In the UK it is recommended that you don't stay on a VLCD for longer than 12 weeks. Many plans have a built in change for the 13th week in order to increase the calories a bit but the approach is different for different diets. For example, lighter life add around 400 ml of skimmed milk a day for a week but you still have the packs. Then you drop down to just the packs again the next week.

Thanks, weasey. So I could probably do one for 3 months / 12 weeks...which would be enough to get me into the healthy BMI range. Then I could start refeeding slowly and calorie counting to get to my goal.

Hi,

My BMI is 26 and I'm doing a VLCD with no problems . I chose to do a VLCD as I have thyroid issues which make it very hard for me to lose weight (and believe me I've tried everything), but as I'm so close to my goal to stop my metabolism slowing I have chosen a plan that allows me to have 4 meal packs a day plus a snack then every 4th week is my "add a meal week" so I have a small protein meal every night. This week is my add a meal week so today i had all my packs then steak with vegetables, tomorrow I will have all my packs plus a mushroom omelette, i've lost 15lbs in 3wks and I'm finding the diet great so maybe you could find a similar plan

Thanks very much Tracy; I'm glad the diet is going so well for you!

Could you please explain how the add a meal week works? Does that take you out of ketosis and mean you have to spend a week going back in? Also what is the reason for adding a meal when the meal replacements contain everything a person needs for their nutrients?

Those would be my main questions if I were to do a diet like that.

Thanks Tracy

I can't answer for Tracy but the add a meal weeks are meant to be low carb to keep ketosis. I think the theory is that you up the calorie count for a week and keep your metabolism up but I don't know for certain. Many people choose not to do add a meal until they have been on a VLCD diet for at least 12 weeks as it can be very hard to go back to packs only after having introduced food again. Depends on your mindset really.

Originally Posted by Tracyx

i've lost 15lbs in 3wks

I meant to say...awesome weight loss, well done!!!!

Also, thanks weasey Wow I think I've had pretty much all my questions answered. And I think I'm going to do it...just gotta steel myself for the challenge. I've got all five seasons of Babylon 5 set aside to get me through week 1... If I do go ahead, it will probably start in a couple of weeks. But...the sooner the better, hey?

Also, BIG THANKS to all of you lovely people for answering all my questions!!!

The sooner the better indeed! Don't overthink it, if I had I wouldn't have started! Which one did you go for in the end? Do you get support for it? Either way, keep posting on here, I'd love to see how you do! Perhaps start a thread in general VLCD forum for your specific diet and add to it, or start a diary!

Good luck!

Babylon 5 should keep you busy! The first season isn't that good but the later ones are excellent. Enjoy!