Fat Matt's Exante Journey!

[mattdm]

So here I am again! Having lost 5 and a half stone nearly three years ago I am back having gained nearly three stone.

I only have myself to blame by opting for the easy option of takeaway two to three times a week and stuffed crust pizza hut is my Achillies heel! I also blame the fact I have been working later recently which means theres little time in the evening to make myself a nutritious meal and the easy option of banging something in the oven around 9pm usually means I eat crap.

My names Matt, I work in Finance and live in Leeds and Im married with two small children aged 2 and 3 and another on the way due to be born end of january. Having little ones gives me the motivation I need to lose the weight again and turn a corner as running after them at the moment is becoming quite exhausting!

So I am currently on day 11 and so far have lost 1 stone which is encouraging but I cant help worrying about the effects of this diet on my body, I suffer from high blood pressure which has caused slight thickening of the heart wall (Hypertensive Cardiomyopathy), Having been referred to a heart specialist at the age of 32 has given me the wake up call I need to finally sort myself out once and for all.

My cardiologised has not advised against a VLCD nor has he given it his blessing (He has however pointed out the benefits outweigh the risks and we all know this), he has advised me to have my electrolyte levels monitored fortnightly to ensure I am not putting too much strain on vital organs and above all the heart, he has also told me its likely my heart will go back to normal as I am on medication to control this.

My wife would accuse me of being a hypochondriac as i always worry about any slight ailment but I suppose I have to agree with her. I guess the benefits of this VLCD will outweigh the risks in the longrun.

So far other than extra sensitivity of the teeth I have not suffered any other problems - so Im hoping I should get a clear run at this.

Once I get to target weight I know I can maintain since I know what put me here in the first place.

Anyhow by Christmas I would like to be down to 13/14 stone, perhaps a little ambitious but we will see how this journey goes (Journey? Wtf Matt your not on Xfactor get a grip).

Would love to hear from others in similar scenarios and how they are getting on.

Matt

 

[mattdm]

So a friend has given me some out of date exante shakes and to be fair they are too expensive to waste - with my childcare costing £1300 a month alone I cannot look a gifthorse in the mouth - I guess these will be fine to use as long as I take a multivitamin with them daily.

The last time I did this diet there was never any worry about whether I could afford to do it! Having children is a game changer! Wouldnt change it for the world though.

 

[mattdm]

After 3 days of drinking just shakes I just had a Toffee nut and raisin bar, so much more satisfying than a shake for your lunch.

but what's with the red berry bars, omg they make me want to puke.

Looking forward to sitting down and having a pot of Jelly tonight which seems to be the only real evening food I have on Total solutions, being that they are only 10 calories and its a nice treat with a can of coke zero.

 

[AllYours]

I am hoping to be at goal or very close for Christmas too. Exactly three months to go.... good luck Matt. x

 

[mattdm]

Thanks Allyours, we can do this!

I have the kids today so it's my "testing" day to say the least. Making my boys breakfast lunch and tea whilst I have my packs! So far so gd, hope everyone else having a gd day.

 

[Missmoss]

Hey there, just read your diary! Good luck with it, you've done it before I'm sure you will do it again!! I hope your day isn't too 'testing' with the kids! I know how that feels lol!!

 

[Phoenix87]

Good luck Matt! I hope today isn't too hard for you. And your avatar is fab, lol!

 

[mattdm]

Thanks for your support guys, having two small children and fulltime job I get little time to update but I do find this site is excellent for supporting each other even if I cant be on the forum all day

Hope your all having a 100% day <3

 

[mattdm]

Another weigh in and another 4ibs lost, I cant help but feel a little dissapointed with that.....

Oh well another 4 weeks of the diet is what i intend to do and hopefully be as near to target as possible by then.

Edit: Have also changed my target to 14st, I have never been lighter than 14st 7ib and when I was I felt great.

I simply cannot do this diet forever.....

 

[mattdm]

Now starting to get a little paranoid about my front teeth, they seem to be a little more sensitive and the last time I did the diet I had sensitive front teeth for a couple of months afterwards! I seem to recall even with the slightest contact against a wine glass would really smart. Really hope I am not doing them any lasting damage.

I am taking a multivitamin to help me, wonder if there is any other supplement that is safe to take to help strengthen teeth during a VLCD....

If anyone knows please tell me

 

[mattdm]

Well I have started taking Calcium Tablets (In addition to the multivitamin tablet that doesnt have calcium) after speaking to the boots pharmacist and to my relief I think they are already starting to help and I only started taking them yesterday. She explained that although its vitamin D I need you cannot absorb it without calcium and clearly the Exante isnt giving me the amount my body needs. Im hoping the slightly translucent look on my front teeth will now fade and they will hopefully return to normal as I was quite prepared to ditch the diet!

 

[SheridanLM91]

Hi Matt just found your diary.

Well done on restarting, and looking where it might of gone wrong - that can be the hardest part.

Well done on how far you've come so far, sorry to hear about your teeth! Sounds no fun!

Good luck and I hope you reach your target!

 

[mattdm]

Hi Matt just found your diary.

Well done on restarting, and looking where it might of gone wrong - that can be the hardest part.

Well done on how far you've come so far, sorry to hear about your teeth! Sounds no fun!

Good luck and I hope you reach your target!

Thanks Sheridan that's really kind of you

Congratulations on getting married and hope you had a fantastic day, its onwards and upwards from here!

Best of luck with your 100 day challenge and I hope you reach your weight goal sooner than you expect xx

 

[poppyp84]

Well done on your loss so far matt, keep up the good work. It can definitely be difficult with little ones, making my little ones toast gets me but it'll be so worth it in the end.

 

[mattdm]

Well done on your loss so far matt, keep up the good work. It can definitely be difficult with little ones, making my little ones toast gets me but it'll be so worth it in the end.

Thanks Poppy, I feel your pain! I made the family a full roast dinner last sunday, now THAT was a test of will power.

I sat there and watched them scoff the lot whilst I sipped my shake lol

 

[SheridanLM91]

I don't think I could stand making a roast dinner and not eating it. That would derail me

 

[mattdm]

I don't think I could stand making a roast dinner and not eating it. That would derail me

Im just a control freak! If i can prepare and make it for my family then Im fine watching them eat it, the second im not in control I want to eat everything!