ADVICE NEEDED for VLCD

[charl_young]

Hi,
I'm doing SW at the minute and have lost 1st since end of feb, which is ok, but I wanted to lose a lot more as I'm going to Thailand in now 5 weeks (I figured I'd have plenty of time but I'm a slow loser and drink too much too!)

As I have 5 weeks I thought one of these diets might be good to shift some weight quickly then resume SW when I get back as I do really like the diet it's just a bit slow for what I want.

I weigh 14st 13 now, and am 5'9. Are there any rules to these diets? Is alcohol not allowed and what actually do you need to do? Is it hard giving up proper food? And expensive as I also have twin 5 year olds to cook for and a boyfriend. So food shopping is quite expensive! Do you need to see a gp before starting??

Thanks for any advice, I'm sure there's loads of threads like this but I just thought i'd ask with my specifics in mind!

Thanks charl xx

 

[weasey]

Hi,
I'm doing SW at the minute and have lost 1st since end of feb, which is ok, but I wanted to lose a lot more as I'm going to Thailand in now 5 weeks (I figured I'd have plenty of time but I'm a slow loser and drink too much too!)

As I have 5 weeks I thought one of these diets might be good to shift some weight quickly then resume SW when I get back as I do really like the diet it's just a bit slow for what I want.

I weigh 14st 13 now, and am 5'9. Are there any rules to these diets? Is alcohol not allowed and what actually do you need to do? Is it hard giving up proper food? And expensive as I also have twin 5 year olds to cook for and a boyfriend. So food shopping is quite expensive! Do you need to see a gp before starting??

Thanks for any advice, I'm sure there's loads of threads like this but I just thought i'd ask with my specifics in mind!

Thanks charl xx

You lose an average of 1 stone a month on VLCDs. You can't drink whilst on the diet. Slim and Save is probably the cheapest. You can get a 25 pack taster box for £25. Then you can get packs for £1.07 each if you go for the men's 5 a day 4 week pack. On that diet you have 4 packs a day or 3 packs a day plus a protein meal.

You don't need to see a gp unless you go on lighter life.

 

[charl_young]

Thanks. Do they taste ok? And do you miss proper food? Like are there any side effects? I'm a proper food person, not unhealthy I just like making really nice food for the family. And would it be worth it for 4 weeks, well 4 and a half?

 

[weasey]

Thanks. Do they taste ok? And do you miss proper food? Like are there any side effects? I'm a proper food person, not unhealthy I just like making really nice food for the family. And would it be worth it for 4 weeks, well 4 and a half?

Some of them taste good and others not so good! Everyone likes different packs so the best bet is to try the 25 taster pack and find out what you like before putting a bigger order in. The first week can be tough - with carb withdrawal and whilst getting into ketosis. After that you won't feel hungry as you'll be in ketosis. If you do 3 packs a day you can also have 100g of protein (such as fish or chicken) and 200g of certain vegetables so you can still eat dinner with your family. You could lose 14 lbs in a month so it's up to you whether you think it's worth it. You will probably but 4 or 5 lbs on at the end as you refill your glycogen stores but you'll probably lose that over and above the 1 stone in your first month anyway.

 

[charl_young]

Ah thanks for your advice thats really helpful. My taster pack came today, and although I can't start the plan properly until sunday was thinking about replacing maybe 1 of my meals with a shake until then? Do you think that might be a good way to start reducing my cal intake? I'm going out saturday night and i've seen a few people saying drinking while doing a VLCD can be quite dangerous, so thought sunday would be best which means I'll have 4.5 weeks until i go on holiday so carry on with this. I read on the NHS website that 4-12 weeks is recommended for this kind of diet so I think my 4 weeks is maybe a sensible way to go, then I'm going to try and stick to Slimming world principles when I'm away which shouldn't be too hard. Phew!! quite the essay! sorry!

I like that I can have 1 meal, and 200g veg is quite generous actually, so I won't feel too bad! Do you know if i can eat Kale? It doesn't mention it but I thought it might be ok. xx

 

[weasey]

Ah thanks for your advice thats really helpful. My taster pack came today, and although I can't start the plan properly until sunday was thinking about replacing maybe 1 of my meals with a shake until then? Do you think that might be a good way to start reducing my cal intake? I'm going out saturday night and i've seen a few people saying drinking while doing a VLCD can be quite dangerous, so thought sunday would be best which means I'll have 4.5 weeks until i go on holiday so carry on with this. I read on the NHS website that 4-12 weeks is recommended for this kind of diet so I think my 4 weeks is maybe a sensible way to go, then I'm going to try and stick to Slimming world principles when I'm away which shouldn't be too hard. Phew!! quite the essay! sorry!

I like that I can have 1 meal, and 200g veg is quite generous actually, so I won't feel too bad! Do you know if i can eat Kale? It doesn't mention it but I thought it might be ok. xx

Rather than starting to cut down your calories I would consider starting to cut down your carbs - then you should suffer less from carb withdrawal when you start the diet. Drinking whilst in ketosis is a bad idea so starting on Sunday may be your best bet. I think the 200g of veg is generous too! Being able to eat a meal with people is a great option. I've just looked up kale and it isn't too high in carbs so I'd be happy to have it - some people like to stick to just the 'allowed' list - your choice.

 

[charl_young]

Ah thanks again. I love Chicken with crispy kale so if I can still have that I'll be happy!

 

[JonSam]

The main reason why people are tempted by these diets, apart from the rapid weight loss results, is that following a liquid-only diet removes the responsibility away from the dieter. You don't have to plan meals or fit cooking these healthy meals into your schedule - you just have the liquid meal when you're told to.

 

[charl_young]

Thanks! But I've already done the vlcd, on the final day of my refeed now, brilliant experience and it's taught me a lot about my eating habits and relationship to food. Can't wait to take what I've learnt into my future eating habits. I'd recommend it to anyone struggling with food demons. I no longer have preconceptions I need carbs at every meal, need chocolate when I have sugar cravings, need to drink alcohol to socialise. And that I really enjoy exercise. Amazing what 4 weeks on this plan had done for me. So happy I took the plunge. And also happily that I'll never have to again

 

[charl_young]

Ps I still had to cook my family healthy meals which I quite enjoyed I found it therapeutic cooking for everyone else

 

[Chan81]

Hi Charls,

Did you purchase the slim & save products & which was your favourite? Well done for doing so well x

 

[charl_young]

Hi! Thanks! I'm on holiday so just saw this now. My faves were spicy spag, mac n cheese with 100g broccoli, loved all the shakes, bars and soups not so much tho. Have you ordered yet? Good luck! X

 

[louiseb78]

Well done on Doing it its a fab diet!
Hope u don't mind me asking how much did u lose in 4 weeks?
And yes it does certainly make you see food in a different light I'm restarting again Monday and can't wait x

 

[angie-bum]

Good luck all s&s is fab

 

[charl_young]

I lost 1st 4lbs in 3 weeks, but didn't have time to WI after my refeed, I weighed myself last night though and gained 4lbs since u stopped which is totally average and expected and nothing more than the water weight they advise, so really really happy about that! Plus I've been drinking a lot as in thailand, so hoping when I get home I might lose a little again from water retention as I'm quote puffed up!

Good luck with the restart xx