Hey there!
I used to be 6 stones when I first came to the UK and in 1 year I put on 11stones!!!Then I lost 11stones in 5 months by myself in the beginning on a very low calorie diet which I read on a magazine and many hours of exercise a day. After about 2 years I put all the weight back on!
Then I did my own diet again- in the beginning a very low calorie diet and then I was adding on food. Again I dropped from 17 stones to 8 stones but after 2 years I put 4 stones on. I started Weight Watchers which is really good and lost 1stone in 2 weeks, but I have to admit I was taking much fewer calories than the recommended ones. The problem with me is that I live by myself so for me it was quite expensive and also tiring to cook everyday different things and be sure that I got the correct portions right, so I was always falling back on the take aways which are the favourite enjoyment of my boyfriend (he is underweight actually! BMI 18 !!!). In generally I believe that any person (especially an All or Nothing person like myself) can put weight back on, regardless of the diet they follow.
I have never heard about the Cambridge Diet before. I have heard of LighterLife but it sounded very scary and extremely expensive. So, I typed in google 'cheap alternatives to Lighterlife' and came across the Cambridge Diet.
After reading a lot about it, I decided to start with the CD straight away a) because I am an all or nothing eater, b) because one doesn't have to spend hours of cooking (even though I love cooking- but when at work it is easy to choose something unhealthy simply due to lack of options!), c) CD provides all vitamins, nutrients etc that one needs, d) at least for me it comes much cheaper than buying food, e) once you reach your goal weight CD will gradually help you to rehabilitate to a normal calorie intake diet and f) I can control my portions without feeling unsure or guilty I have overeaten.
I started the CD 1 week ago and I didn't cheat, apart from drinking Diet coke insted of Coke Zero and adding lemon in my soups-but not everyday. I was really scared that I would feel hungry, but i actually felt really full after every meal! I love drinking water and I like that CD requires you to drink a lot. I did not have any problems with my breath at all so far. Also, in terms of constipation I didn't have any problem at all! And I am sooooooooooo happy about it because normally -on a diet or not-I have massive constipation problems!
I lost 9lbs in my first week with CD. I am very happy. I saw some fat coming off my breasts and arms. Of course I know that I have lost a lot of water as well, but this happens always on the first week of every diet.
According to my councillor my waist has dropped 2,5 inches which is approximatelly 5cm! I actually felt it with my trousers but I was not that sure.
Now, I am in the beginning of my 2nd week. I know that I might not lose a lot of weight but I will still be happy if I don't get tempted. This week I ordered 5 bars for when I am out of my house, because it is really difficult for me to keep up with all meals when busy at work and not having a kettle or a hand-blender/whisk handy.
I am sure I might put weight back on. But this time I am determined that I will try and maintain my goal weight by a) Attending weekly Weight Watchers meetings and b) Doing the Sole Source Cambridge Diet every now and then just to keep on track c) Exercising or walking regularly d) Sleeping at least 6 hours! e) Eating everything I want but by programme-not overloading myself f) Throwing excess portions away if only cooking for myself g)Drinking lots of water h) Eating Weight Watchers microwave meals instead of fast food when on a job placement -they are only £1 a meal at Morissons i) Eating 5 portions of fruit a day and lots of other things! I am sure that this way I will manage and maintain my goal weight.
I believe that CD is a good Diet to get a boost start. It is nice that is cheap (extremely cheap for me!) and is also nice that the CDCs are keeping a track on you once by phone at the mid of week and once at weigh-ins. I also liked that my councillor did not try to sell me the whole CD package- or made me commit a lot of money like they do in LighterLife-and also told me that if I don't feel well with the diet I can still give up or do the add a meal diet instead but always try and do things gradually.
Anyway, sorry for boring you.
