Is Cambridge for me? Starting tomorrow!

Betty Boop

New Member
I have had to move away from my family and friends because of an abusive relationship. I work from home, I'm in my mid 20's and I dont know anyone in my new town other than one drinking buddy. I'm pretty lonely and fed up of being overweight. Do you think it would be wise for me to go on Cambridge when I wouldnt really be able to go out and meet new people? The wine I have 3 times a week is my only break from all this doom and gloom lately, so I know I'll have to give that up. Is it wise to be on such a restricting diet when you're so isolated?

I'm 5'2" and weigh a wopping 14 stone and would like to get down to 8-9 stone. Any idea how quickly I could lose it? I used to be a confident, popular and 8 1/2 stone but now I'm not even a shadow of my former self. I feel like I need to lose weight quickly so I can work on making a new life for myself, but I just dont have the confidence when I'm alone and so overweight!

Sorry for the self indulgent post!
 
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People might shoot me down for this but in all honesty CD is sooo restrictive and hard to stick to that your heart has to be completely in it to stick to it iykwim? And you don't sound too convinced. I would say in your case you might be better looking at a slimming club such as ww or sw where you could go to meetings and meet new people and still be able to have the odd glass of wine. The weight loss would be slower than CD but imho I don't think cd sounds the right thing for you at this moment in time.
 
Hi Betty Boop,

Welcome to MiniMins and I am sorry to hear you have been going through a rough old time of it.

I have had to move away from my family and friends because of an abusive relationship. I work from home, I'm in my mid 20's and I dont know anyone in my new town other than one drinking buddy. I'm pretty lonely and fed up of being overweight. Do you think it would be wise for me to go on Cambridge when I wouldnt really be able to go out and meet new people?

I think as you are new to the area and work from home it would probably suit you your needs right now to join a slimming club which would help you in making new friends and getting to know your area.

You might find you are happy with the weight loss...you always have the option later on to do CD if you want faster results, but making new friends I would think is an excellent idea and having a bit of a social life beside the pub.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Love Mini xxx
 
Hiya

In all honesty, I've been to a LOT of slimming clubs over the years, and I never once made a friend in them!! I went to weigh, etc, I chatted to people, but I wouldn't call them friends, and not once did I socialise with these people.

Although, since joining CD, I weigh at a class, and even tho it's totally different from any other slimming class i've been too - we don't sit around in a semi circle analysing every last bite of food we've consumed (thank the Lord!), I have more fun, and everyone seems so much friendlier than any other class I've been to.

The choice is yours - I gave up alcholol without a minute's thought. We haven't got a choice on CD - so that's a major issue for you to consider.

You want to know how quickly you will lose the weight - everyone is different of course, and there are levels of comittement too. If you stick to the plans 100% the weight will come off quite quickly and easily.

You can still socialise - just can't have the wine. Hopefully it'll be a few months abstinence from alcholol, and it's definitely worth it.

A lot to think about. But if your weight is making you trully miserable, there's only one answer.

Good luck sweetie, i'm sorry to hear that you had to move away from loved ones. Hope everything works out for you.

Lynne
x
 
Hiya

In all honesty, I've been to a LOT of slimming clubs over the years, and I never once made a friend in them!! I went to weigh, etc, I chatted to people, but I wouldn't call them friends, and not once did I socialise with these people.

I agree with that. The only time anyone ever spoke at WW or SW was in the "queue of shame" waiting to get weighed.

I think CD is restrictive and you have to be 100% sure you can do it and your heart is in it or it's money down the drain and it's demotivating when you fall off the wagon and have to start again.

Whatever you do to lose the weight, you have already made the first positive step by deciding to do something.

Good luck
 
In my opinion (and it's just an opinion). I would say now would be the ideal time for CD. You want to lose about 5 stone and could do that in 4 months if you stick 100% to SS. If you are not out much at the moment anyway then you're not missing out on a lot. Also if you are anything like me with the extra weight you don't feel very happy or confident at the moment and therefore are unlikely to enjoy socialising and meeting new people right now anyway.

I personally would start the diet, start going out for a nice daily walk and maybe you could join a couple of hobbies/classes that don't involve alcohol or food? You can still see your drinking buddy but she will drink wine and you won't. I think you will find you get much more happiness and confidence from the weight dropping off you than you do from wine 3 times a week?

As I said just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide to do x
 
Yes I guess CD is restrictive to a certain point, however I still try and do all the things I did before so I don't find it as restricting.
I still go to the pub with friends in the week and I drink water I still get to socialise and yet I'm upping my water intake. I still go out for meals every so often and just stick to SS+
Im my opinion this diet is as restrictive as you make it. Also if you lost the weight you want to you may have more confidence in making new friends and getting out there. I have def done that.
Whatever decision you make I wish you luck
Kim x
 
Hi betty boop

I am much in agreement with Lexy - now is an ideal time to quickly tackle your intended weight loss as you do not have the constant dilemmas of meals out/pubbing etc
I did meet people through Lighterlife in the past because discussions and sharing support is encouraged but I never really struck up meaningful conversations at Weight Watchers or Slimming World. However, much could depend on the approach of the meeting leader , where the group is held and the other participants. Lighterlife is more expensive, although some people do it for the foundation (100 days) and then switch to Cambridge.
I do empathise re: homeworking, it is very isolating even though luckily I can schedule my work so I am at home only 1 or 2 days a week and there is an office I can hotdesk from. Is there any flexible options in your job that might allow you to have more contact with others? (I do acknowledge that I am lucky to be in London as my employer has a large office here).
If I was in your position, I might check at the local library for evening classes, yoga, aqua aerobics or any other groups where people with similar interests get together.
The idea of a daily walk is good, that was my mum's suggestion to me when the homeworking became compulsory.
I started the diet just over 14 stones and am also 5ft 2, have lost over a stone in 3 weeks- Very Low Calorie Diets do work.
Really hope that you find the best way forward to meet your needs.
I am sure that other readers will have some good ideas for you.
Wishing you Good Luck x
 
Thanks for the replies. If I decide to do CD I will stick to it 100%. I just needed to ask people on here because I dont want to make things worse. It's not just about having a drink 3 times a week - I pretty much have nothing else right now. Is losing weight and continuing to be lonely for the next 3 months more important than the wine? Yeah it is. Maybe if I got down to 10 stone on just the shakes I could do the cambridge diet with a meal (I'll have to check up on the variations of the diet)

Thanks again for the advice!
 
Hey Betty Boop,
Just wanted to wish you all the best in whatever option you chose to take.. I am sorry to here you have been through tough times lately..

Just to say I am 5 ft 2 as well and before I started cd 6 1/2 months ago I was a whopping 15.05 stone so thats a stone more than you hon..

I would jump straight on it get rid of the first few stones and you will feel so much better you will be happy to go out and socialise and mix with people..

Its a great diet hon and if you stick with it you do see results quickly..

Good luck xx
 
Hey hun, i think you should go for CD .... honestly, being a new mummy and suffering from PND after having my baby 3months ago I started CD 3weeks ago and have lost a stone thats just how quickly it falls off but what I am trying to say is, my confidence is coming back which I always had and everytime I look in the mirror I notice change ... I feel great and I think you could as well xx hope this helps.
 
I would say go for it, losing weight quickly brings the confidence back quickly too and whats a few weeks/months to the rest of your life?

Go for it hun and you will have the support of your online buddies on this forum!
xx
Stacey
 
Yep agree with Lexy and a few others - if it were me, now sounds like the perfect time... your confidence will very likely soar as the weight falls off and you don't have to worry about the distractions of going out and a social life that makes the diet so hard for many. PLUS you have the forum for support, friendships and sharing. I think the world is now your oyster...just waiting for you x
 
Another thought re being lonely is get a dog!!!! If you work from home they are the most amazing companion and you will have to walk it every day so great exercise. Plus other dog owners tend to be really friendly and you tend to see the same people if you walk in the same areas. I live alone (since my bf moved out) and worked from home and I don't know how I would have got through it without my dog :D x
 
I think the world is now your oyster...just waiting for you x

:) I hope so x

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting here because I just called up to arrange my first meet with a Cambridge Counsellor! I'm so excited, I think this is just what I need to pull me out of this pit I've got myself into. My weight has held me back for so long, but I'm ready to do something about it now! :D

Hey Lexy - thanks for the idea, I'd love a dog but I already have two kittie cats.
 
Good luck betty! I've just started on day 1 today! :)
 
:) I hope so x

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting here because I just called up to arrange my first meet with a Cambridge Counsellor! I'm so excited, I think this is just what I need to pull me out of this pit I've got myself into. My weight has held me back for so long, but I'm ready to do something about it now! :D

Hey Lexy - thanks for the idea, I'd love a dog but I already have two kittie cats.

I hope it works as well for you as it has been working for me.

I'm sure you will feel like a whole different person really quickly.
 
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