Should I do the cambridge diet

puzzles

Full Member
Hi :)

I've heard so many amazing things about this diet and I am really wondering if I should give it a try. At the moment the scales are saying 11 stone 12, I want to lose 2 stone at least, preferably 2 and a half. I'm basically a very impatient person, lol and want to see results fast! I have tried both SW and WW in the past and I just don't understand them, also because I don't have access to a proper working oven it's difficult to follow recipes and I end up relying on ready meals most of the time. I know these are meant to be the work of the devil but I do find I trust food in packets to be a certain number of calories whilst when I cook I don't know how much is in anything.

Okay so here are PROS

- fast weight loss.
- it won't cost any more and will probably cost less than a weekly shop.
- structured, the rules are simple.

but here are the CONS

- I'm very worried that effectively not eating will encourage me to have a massive binge on junk food (have past history where this is concerned.)
- Social aspects of eating will be out; I won't be able to have a meal with friends and this is the main form of my socialising.
- Feeling deprived through not being able to eat.

I am thinking at the moment that I would really like to do this for perhaps 3 weeks (in the first instance) with the aim of getting below 11 stone and then to review and either carry on or do a less extreme form of weight loss to lose the last stone? It's just that as soon as I go from the 11s into the 10s there's a vast difference and I LOOK slim, when I am dressed anyway! I'd feel loads better and I think this would spur me on to lose the last stone ...

Or is this a bad idea and I should look at less extreme diet plans?

Really grateful for any responses, thank you! xx
 
Thats a difficult one. For me it was literally do or die - but I had 9stone to lose so it really was a no-brainer. The initial weight loss on CD (first week) is normally quite big (depending on how much you have to lose) but most of that is water and glycogen stores. After that it averages out at about a stone a month (3 ish lbs a week) - but it is average - it doesn't come off in a constant loss!!.

It is very easy to set unrealistic goals and get demoralised and eat, which just doesn't work because the whole diet revolves around burning ft/being in ketosis, and eating any form of cards will kick you out of that and therefore you won't (or are very unlikely to) get the sustained losses. However you could more than likely lose your 2 2/12 stone by early May - and go into the summer feeling and looking fit and healthy! But you would need to follow the plan.

3 weeks would probably get you below 11 but there is a strong change that a fair amount of that will go back on once you re-introduce carbs, particularly if you just jump back into a more mainstream diet.

You could either get your friends involved and just stick to it through the next 6/8 weeks. If I am out I will have one of my shakes or take a bar with me to eat - yes its not easy but for me it is definitely worth it and I have had so much support. Or you could look at following the Sole source+ or 810 plan where you are allowed to eat limited food (basically green veg/salad (but no tomatoes, onions etc), white meats in small quantities) but again if eating out you will need to plan ahead and make sure that restaurants etc will prepare food for you rather than trying to fudge it from a menu!

Yes the binging...been there done that for the last 20 years - getting bigger and bigger with each diet. This time my head was in the "right" place - don't know how or why but very grateful that it was and I have stuck to plan 100% - and that is really the key - sticking to it - otherwise it can become a relatively (very) expensive lesson in getting fed up and feeling deprived. Incidentally I don't feel deprived (this time)at all - I have just been so overwhelmed with the weight loss that I have no problem (this time) saying no/or sitting eating a bar while everyone else eats christmas dinner!!

Personally I would say do it, commit to doing it 100% for say 6-8 weeks and put up with the fact that you will need to work around your meals out/go without - but its only for a few weeks, and worth it in the end.

Good luck with whatever you decide - but the girls(and chaps) on here are really lovely and helpful and will support you the whole way. I couldn't have done it without them.
 
Wow Setas that was a really great reply and support. Puzzles, whatever you choose to do best of luck, I like Cambridge since you can move up each plan and work out what is best for you. Yes you do lose weight very quickly if you stick to this but it is also about thinking why you binge and what triggers this off. A lot of people here who have maintained have also educated themselves about food they eat - I guess this is a journey and something for life not just the short term...this is what I am telling myself everyday. Yes I want to look great on the beach too but I need to think about what I will eat too. Exercise will also play a part in a healthier life style. Read the posts, look at the pictures for inspiration - all the best.
 
Thats a difficult one. For me it was literally do or die - but I had 9stone to lose so it really was a no-brainer. The initial weight loss on CD (first week) is normally quite big (depending on how much you have to lose) but most of that is water and glycogen stores. After that it averages out at about a stone a month (3 ish lbs a week) - but it is average - it doesn't come off in a constant loss!!.

It is very easy to set unrealistic goals and get demoralised and eat, which just doesn't work because the whole diet revolves around burning ft/being in ketosis, and eating any form of cards will kick you out of that and therefore you won't (or are very unlikely to) get the sustained losses. However you could more than likely lose your 2 2/12 stone by early May - and go into the summer feeling and looking fit and healthy! But you would need to follow the plan.

3 weeks would probably get you below 11 but there is a strong change that a fair amount of that will go back on once you re-introduce carbs, particularly if you just jump back into a more mainstream diet.

You could either get your friends involved and just stick to it through the next 6/8 weeks. If I am out I will have one of my shakes or take a bar with me to eat - yes its not easy but for me it is definitely worth it and I have had so much support. Or you could look at following the Sole source+ or 810 plan where you are allowed to eat limited food (basically green veg/salad (but no tomatoes, onions etc), white meats in small quantities) but again if eating out you will need to plan ahead and make sure that restaurants etc will prepare food for you rather than trying to fudge it from a menu!

Yes the binging...been there done that for the last 20 years - getting bigger and bigger with each diet. This time my head was in the "right" place - don't know how or why but very grateful that it was and I have stuck to plan 100% - and that is really the key - sticking to it - otherwise it can become a relatively (very) expensive lesson in getting fed up and feeling deprived. Incidentally I don't feel deprived (this time)at all - I have just been so overwhelmed with the weight loss that I have no problem (this time) saying no/or sitting eating a bar while everyone else eats christmas dinner!!

Personally I would say do it, commit to doing it 100% for say 6-8 weeks and put up with the fact that you will need to work around your meals out/go without - but its only for a few weeks, and worth it in the end.

Good luck with whatever you decide - but the girls(and chaps) on here are really lovely and helpful and will support you the whole way. I couldn't have done it without them.

excellent post, no brainer for me also as l have over 80 pounds to loose good luck whatever you decide :D:D
 
Thanks, I've emailed a consultant so watch this space! xx
 
:D thats great lookin forward to hear your weightlosses
 
let us know when you start ;-)
 
Appointment tomorrow at 7!!
 
Great - thats fantastic - have a great first week ;-)
 
Thank you, I think I will find it REALLY hard so please encourage me lots xx
 
will do - just make sure you come on here whenever you are finding it hard - I have had so much support
 
Well decided Puzzles, I am sure you will be happy with your choice...will be on to see how you do and offer support

Sent from my iPhone using MiniMins
 
Good luck puzzles, theres people starting CD and joining the forum all the time, and everyone been through those inital first days.

What they say is true. I am on day 5.

Day 1 was smug realisation I was about to lose A LOT of weight.
Day 2 was awful, I was starting to think I might have taken leave of my senses by consuming only liquids, and maybe I was sick in the head for even considering i could stick to this diet!!
Day 3 I felt lightheaded, but was really busy so not too "starving"
Day 4 I managed to cook dinner for my hubby and his mate, and THAT was when i realised I wont break!
Day 5 is today. I have felt full of energy, and not too hungry. i have sniffed food, and even though it smells bloody lovely, I refused to put any of it near me.

You really do start feeling better after the first few days...it's not so hard after that, but you need to go for it 100% in your head, or you will fail and then have low self esteem which will ultimately lead to overeating...If your anything like me, that is ;)

I really really hope tomorrow is not too painful...Good luck xxx
 
Good luck puzzles :-D xxx
 
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