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I didn't have to sign up for 3 months on LL. I just pay weekly.

I avoid the exploding soup in the shaker by starting off with a little cold water and mixing the powder into a thick paste. I then slowly add hot water, stirring constantly until it's all more or less dissolved. Finally I give it a gentle shakes just to get rid of the final bits of powder/paste...

To be fair, I did warn you about the exploding soups in the shaker :D

I did that in my first couple of days. Really easy to absent mindedly pick something up. Fortunately I managed to remember before I took a bite out of anything.

So I had my first weight in since before Christmas and although I've stuck to the plan I've been rubbish with drinking enough water and doing physical activity. 7lbs down people! :D So, I'm virtually at the half way point now AND my weight is now under the 100kg mark. I have bought some water...

I put mine in for about 10 minutes, however, I have a magic oven that can burn a deep crust pizza in that time. I don't know what it would be in a 'normal' one. I ordered seven Cranberry bars last night no problem :D

Lighter life do the shakers with the grid but I only find them any use for the soups (and even then you've got to be careful about explosions!). They're pretty useless with the shakes. Slimfast mixes much easier than the LL shakes IMO. I used a blender at home and just eat bars at work.

It really does make a difference having the support of the people around you. My family are very supportive of this and no-one took offence when I went to do something else while people tucked into breakfast this morning. I only told one person at work I was on a diet but everyone else guessed...

Due to the way things worked out, abstaining wasn't that difficult in the end today. My parents were helping at a Christmas lunch at the local church for people who were on their own so there was no big feast at home for me to avoid. Now Boxing Day is actually more tricky as all the rellies...

Merry Christmas everyone. Good luck if you're abstaining. Enjoy yourself if you're not (and eat something before you drink something!).:)

This was initially the same for me. I used to have a bit of trouble getting to sleep but after being on LL for a couple of weeks I found my sleeping pattern improved and I felt much more refreshed in the morning. However, in the last week of so I just don't seem to able to nod off, regardless of...

In the past couple of weeks I have real trouble getting to sleep at night and have even taken to Nytol now and again when I have something I need to be alert for the next day. Has anyone else had this problem on LL or any other VLC/Low Carb diet?

In the past couple of weeks I have real trouble getting to sleep at night and have even taken to Nytol now and again when I have something I need to be alert for the next day. Has anyone else had this problem on LL or any other VLC/Low Carb diet?

So my main craving times on this diet have been in the evening, I've generally breezed through the days no problem. However, today I got off work early (about 11:30am) and when I got home I could smell that someone who lives nearby was cooking bacon. Now, I don't even particularly like bacon...

Congratulations Deb, I love the fact they do your measurements as well. Sometimes with just the weight it's difficult to realise the real difference it makes, however, when they did my first measurements I was blown away! On a slight aside, I saw my Mum this morning. She told me my jeans were...

Same here and this is we covered in my first LL session. How food is often linked with a reward or a celebration and how to overcome this crooked thinking.

I make my shakes by putting them in a blender with 200ml of water (the recommended amount) and a couple of ice-cubes. This normally fills a 16floz glass. The soups I make with a bit extra water and they fill a large mug. The bars are also a decent size and because they're quite dry (I also...

I'm not sure whether you're alluding to the theory behind the weight loss or the theory about correcting crooked eating habits, however, I don't think the Emperor's New Clothes is the correct analogy. We're not a group of people denying the obvious in the face of blinding evidence of the...

I actually found it easier to drink more water when I was hungrier at the start of the diet (and after my erm...blip). Now I'm in the flow of things and I don't drink to suppress the need to eat I'm far worse at it. I actually have to make myself down a litre at a time some days to make sure I...

My hands are constantly freezing on this diet but it's a small price to pay for how much better I'm feeling in general since I started. I have also completely managed to avoid a cold so far this winter which is completely unheard of me, must be the extra nutrients. The one time I cheated on...

My brother did LL about a year ago and lost 10 stone. It was having Christmas dinner that eventually undid him about 7lbs before reaching goal weight. That is part of the reason I am abstaining. However, my main reason is the following: When I first started LighterLife I felt a bit like a...

I binged once on this diet and the next few days were so much harder than the first few days of LL. I had had the sugar rush fix with the carbo loading had brought me and I craved it stronger than I ever had before. If you're feeling low I would definitely warn against binging, you will make it...

Human psychology is a weird one though isn't it? I had a small loss a couple of weeks ago and lost motivation and had another small loss this week. However, for some reason that seems to have galvanised me into action this week. I have been on the exercise bike at least once a day, drank more...

Obviously I can't comment on TOTM but it relation to water, I always drink less on a weigh-in day so it doesn't push my weight up. I also save at least two packs for after my weigh in. This is all possibly cheating but seeing as I have the same routine each week it is the same. As for morning...

I've lost 4lbs in the last two weeks which is a bit disappointing, especially since I started like a runaway train. However, I haven't been as good with my cycling over that period. So this week I'm going all out for weight loss to perk me up again before the new year.

I am abstaining and have arranged my social events for that time accordingly.

Just so you know, it's spelt Pellegrino. I only know this because there's a bottle in front of me on my desk. :) I never used to be keen on sparkling water but now I love it. It's become the replacement for diet coke (which I'm not sure I could drink anymore).

Due to the small size of the male groups ours has merged with another on Monday night. So my sixth week weigh in isn't until today. Hopefully I'll make a large step towards the 3 stone mark.

I can relate to the loss of motivation as I'm kinda going through the same thing at the moment. Partly because it's cold and I feel like crap today but also because I can't completely put my finger on why I want to achieve the weight loss. There is also part of me which doubts I can ever live...

An ibuprofen with lunchtime's food back seems to have helped. At least I feel I can last the afternoon at work now. However, my rebellious child is now working overtime and keeps trying to persuade me to binge this evening, you know, 'cause it's cold and I don't feel well. Well Mr Rebellious...

Definitely real. One of them works for my LLC (does the weigh-ins and fills the bags while the LLC is taking a session). Unfortunately for you, it's not Erika.

I think we have the same jug :)

I found when I first started LL that I almost doubled how many I smoked in a day, fortunately it has now returned to previous levels. I mentioned to my LLC last week that once I've got the weight off I will concentrate on quitting the sticks, however, she said not to try it for at least a year...

So generally on lighter life I have felt great. More energy, which has meant I have got more done around the house which also makes me feel better. However, today I feel awful. I have a headache, feel slightly dizzy and sick. Worst of all I feel hungry for the first time in weeks. I'm drinking...

I have a Brita filter jug in the fridge at all times and use that for my water for shakes and general drinking water. It tastes much nicer than tap water IMHO.

I've decided smoking is going after I've finished the development phase of LL, both at the same time is too much to me. I also chainsmoked during the first week to distract me from eating but I'm back to my 'normal' levels now.

Having started this thread and read the responses with interest I have so much to comment on, however, time is short to I'm just going to quickly respond to this. I think the distinction Dancing makes between hunger and cravings is key here. I think of the number of times thinking I fancy...

I was going to post this a couple of days ago but forgot. So as many people have noted in the past, when you lose weight very quickly some people are afraid to compliment in case you are ill or for other reasons. Therefore, sometimes you have to take what you can get. On about Tuesday I was in...

Oooh, forgot to add. I had my measurements done as well, I don't have my book on me so I can't remember what they were, however, it was amazing when my LLC was doing it and first of all held the tape measure round me with "This is what you were to start with". I was just gob smacked, especially...

Another 5lbs off this week. I was delighted, especially after soupgate at the weekend. I have been hitting the bike to make up for it so hopefully that helped.

A lot is said in LL and on related forums about emotional eating ie I've had a bad day, someone upset me. However, I think I suffer from the opposite. Non-emotional eating. I completely lose my appetite when I'm really happy, sad, angry etc. However, it's when I've had a dull day at work or when...

Ali, did you also get measured? I was under the impression that happens at four weeks. I've got my four week weigh-in tonight, must remember to get my blood pressure done on the way home.

Thanks for the tip about the biscuits in the oven. Absolutely fantastic, they really are like biscuits. Not sure how it would work with the new peanut bar Ali as it is a completely difference consistency to the lemon and toffee bars. I made some biscuits with the lemon bar last night and the...

I would avoid it (I'm such a hypocrite!) only because the veggies may have hidden carbs that could hinder your ketosis.

I'm currently trying to distract my cravings for baked beans (?!?) with images of those biscuits I'm going to make out of a Lemon bar tonight.

I wish I had had your self control this weekend. Instead we had Soupgate. Why cheat on soup when I can make lighter life soup you all ask? One word: Dumplings! Now when other people around me, my self control is great. I can refuse food easily, give me a night in on my own and suddenly I lose...

I think you should probably be aiming higher than one and half pounds. :D

Having smashed my first goal I've decided to make my second one slightly more difficult: To lose 3 1/2 stone by Christmas. This means I need to ditch another 19lbs in five weeks which is about 4lbs a week. While my weight losses so far have been much higher than that I expect them to reduce a...

9lbs off this week!!! (and that includes Twobiteburgergate.) That's over two stone now. I'm starting to feel thinner as well now.

Well done Alibongo. That's over a stone now, most excellent.

Well, I was too nervous to eat anything during that disaster. However, now I want to eat my own weight in crispy shredded chilli beef and special fried rice. But I won't. Why make a bad day worse, eh?

I was thinking maybe they would work better if I deep fried then rather than in the microwave? No? :D

Yes, my Mum is very supportive. In fact, she's paying half my weekly fee so she definitely doesn't want me to cheat as I'll be wasting her money! I accidentally skipped a packet on Monday, so I have one to play with. If it all goes wrong I'll just have a chocolate shake instead.

The first big test was last Saturday when I went out for a friends birthday in London, stayed out until 3:30am and not a morsel of food or alcohol passed my lips. Am very proud of myself. So the second big test is watching England play on the TV tonight. I avoid watching England matches in pubs...

See I wish I had cheated the way you cheated. On Saturday night I had two bites of a burger with all the trimmings, I then immediately felt guilty and it felt like a big weight in my stomach for the next couple of days.

Now, before I ask this, I'd like to clarify that I have no intention of using the season as an excuse to give up. I'm just asking out of interest. Is it easier to do LL in the summer when: a) It isn't so cold. b) The shakes go down a bit better. The winter always encourages me to stay inside...

Oh yes, the cold. I am freezing a lot of the time. Even in a club on Saturday night (sans alcohol). Usually I find those places stuffy and far too warm. I've turned the heating up a notch so hopefully the house will be nice and toasty when I get in. I had a bath this morning in an attempt to...

Am I the only person who feels less lethargic and actually has higher energy levels on this diet? It has improved my sleeping pattern no end which I suspect helps.

I'm not hugely keen on sweet tea but it's gotta be better than black tea, right? I don't drink coffee but may have to turn to it.

Has anyone tried this? I've tried drinking it for three weeks now and I still hate black tea. It has such a bitter aftertase. Has anyone tried using a spoonful of Vanilla shake as milk powder? If so, does it work?

The plus side is that the sooner you start, the sooner you will get to your ideal weight. And as I believe you've done this before (apologise if I've got that wrong) you already some idea of what you're letting yourself in for. On the negative side you may find it easier to cheat as your...

I'm another who originally found the diet difficult for social reasons. I felt I was some type of social leper not being able to eat or drink anything. Two weeks in and I went out with friends in London last night only drinking sparkling water. The feelings of social inadequacy (if you have...

I'm another savoury person in 'real life' but am not keen on the soups (although I don't mind the vegetable which others hate). I mostly have the chocolate and caramel shakes although the latter is a bit sickly. My tip for shake making is the alloted amount of water, two cubes of ice and bung...

As sun said, you will get a selection at your first meeting and then can do lots of swaps at your drop in a few days later. I ditched the Mushroom and Thai Sweet Chilli. It's gets better in your second week as you can have bars as well (although only one a day and I had mine on the train this...

So it was a friend's birthday yesterday and I was invited up to London for a boozy meal and a drunken night out. I ummed and ahhed about whether to go but as I haven't seen her in ages I decided I would but only arriving after the meal. I managed to stay sober all night, not one sip of alcohol...

An excellent post JustDoIt and you've raised some interesting points. When I first went to my induction session they asked me why I wanted to lose weight. On the spot I came up with some lame answer about being invited to lots of things I don't go because everyone will think how much weight...

Indeed it does and like many people said (although I didn't believe them) it does get easier as you go along. I'm not hungry (had to force myself to eat the last two foodpacks last night) and the cravings are getting less and less. Last night I didn't crave anything! I feel more confident about...

5lbs for me this week. So that's 1lb off one and a half stone in my first two weeks. Very encouraging. :party0049:

I was under the impression (g)you were expected to lose around 3 stone in Foundation, however, people seem to be reporting much higher losses than that. Is it hopeful selective reading by me or have I (yet again) misread the information?

I really like the Cranberry and Raspberry bar, unfortunately, in a bid to try all of them I only had one in my pack last night. The peanut crunch is nice as well. And as people have said, definitely nice to have something to chew on.

Excellent going Alibongo. Congratulations on your weight loss. My second weigh-in is tonight. I'm actually quite excited (although I expect it to be significantly down on last week!)

Indeed it does work. Doesn't come out completely smooth but nothing a few stirs with a spoon won't fix. I had my caramel ice-cream with a chocolate muffin. To be honest it was all a bit on the sweet side but very yummy none-the-less. I really want to try the crisps at some point but am slightly...

Does anyone know if this works? I thought I would give it a try tonight (maybe with 150ml of water for a thicker consistency). I have deliberately left two foodbacks for the end of the day so that I can try a hot muffin (LL microwave version of course) with ice-cream. I tried the ice-cream...

Same here, who knew one person could eat so much sweet and sour chicken.

Personally, I would keep it booked. It's good to have something to distract you in the early phases. As for the energy thing, it's hard to say. Personally my energy levels and alertness have been better since starting Lighter life, however, I appreciate this hasn't been the case for everyone.

I've been reading Mrs L's blog with great interest over the past couple of days (I've just got to about June). I have to say it's really helping and an excellent read. I haven't had exactly the same journey (I've been fortunate with energy levels) but I can relate to some much of it I find it a...

I feel good as well because my jeans are falling down and I've only been on this diet ten days. I've also had two people tell me I look thinner, now one was my Mum who I suspect is trying to be encouraging, however, the other was someone I hardly know.

I made the decision at the beginning of the diet that I was not doing Christmas Day dinner. I told my family this, they understood and I have arranged to go over after they've finished eating. In my first LL session we got onto the subject of using food as a reward and how it's a mindset we...

Meat and cheese probably aren't the worst things you could eat as they won't really affect your ketosis, not that I'm encouraging anyone to cheat! Yesterday I really craved Turkey and Cranberry sauce.

Last night there was an advert for KFC and I craved KFC all evening (serves me right for watching the X Factor). I don't even like KFC, I haven't eaten it in years, as far as I'm concerened the Colonel should have taken the secret recipe to his grave.

I turned the stick quite a dark pink on Thursday night despite drinking at least 5 litres that day. The woman doing the weigh-in said that men often turn the stick darker (although not always) and that quite a lot of women don't turn the stick at all (although again, no always).

The people in my group described them as soggy MDF bars but as I'm the only one who likes the caramel shake I thought I would try them. They were right.

I currently have a craving for a McChicken Sandwich. I don't even like McChicken sandwiches. How odd.

So this week I'm allowed bars for the first time and the first thing I tried was one of the Nut Bars (I can't remember which one is which). It was possibly the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted. So I spat it out, tossed the rest of it and ate the other type of nut bar which was actually...

I disagree with the point about WW or SW being better if you miss food, although I think it depends on your personality and your will power. I miss food a lot of the time and get big carbo cravings but I know that LL is the better choice for me. It wasn't just about the taste of eating, I would...

No you can't have chewing gum because it has sorbitol in it which can stop you going into ketosis. Despite popular belief, chewing gum isn't calorie free, not even the sugar free kind. Have a read of the side of the packet, you'll be surprised!

I'd lost another 5lbs since my stop in on Monday which gives a total of 16lbs in my first week. That's over a stone! I'm very chuffed.:D

I was told at my first meeting that the nutrients break down in all of them after 15 minutes regardless of whether they're hot or cold.

When I asked at my drop in on Monday they told me if it's too dark it means you're not drinking enough water. Any shade of pink means you're in ketosis apparently. Mine was a light pink and she still told me to drink more!

Well done Alibongo. My first proper weigh-in is tonight. I'll let you all know how it goes.

There's a strawberry shake as well.

I actually find I have more energy than before and I find waking up in the mornings much easier. However, as Alibongo said, take it easy the first couple of times and see what your limits are. Remember to drink plenty of water though. As everyone else has said, the first two days were the...

The original weight I was aiming for was just above 25BMI so I rethought it and went for something within the range. While BMI isn't flawless as it doesn't account for variations in body type within it's scale, it is still probably the best indicator to go for healthwise. On a more personal...

So Wednesday night is my usual night in. My rest in the middle of the week if you will. Normally I would get a few things done then settle down with a film and something yummy to eat. Yesterday, I was bored and desperately craving the 'rush' that eating something gives. What else can I do to...

Faible = Weak Moyen = Medium Fort = Strong

My week one drop in was on Monday (my first meeting was Thursday) and I had lost a wopping 11lbs! Very encouraging, although I think the fact I had eaten virtually everything in the house before my first weigh-in may have inlfated my weight somewhat.

My plan is to abstain over Christmas on the same basis as scotwannabethin. Every day I abstain is a day closer to my goal weight. I can eat a roast after Christmas and there should be enough on that day to keep my distracted. I'll just go and visit my parents AFTER dinner. However, if you do...

Hiya, Day 6 on LL and I'm doing alright, however, carbo cravings at work yesterday afternoon lead me here - what a great forum. My brother lost over ten stone on LL and looks fantastic so I would finally get round to losing the weight myself. I'm quite lucky in that I like most of the...