So, here I am.
Today is day 2. So far I didn't like the chocolate shake (but managed to finish it), hated the thai chicken soup (didn't finish it) and hated the shepherds pie (managed even less of this than I did of the soup!). Today is going better so far - just a strawberry milkshake but that wasn't so bad at all.
But I know what to expect. In January 2012 I started the Cambridge Diet. I loved it and it was very successful - I dropped almost 3 stone and I looked fantastic as a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding in Jamaica in April. But I piled all the weight back on plus more (I was 15st9 when I started the Cambridge diet, but was 16st2lbs as of yesterday morning when I started Exante). As with everyone, there are a number of 'excuses' for this:
But now, after having taken lots of time to persuade the other half (and promising him that I will stop/reduce the number of packets and introduce food if I get poorly again), I'm here on Exante. It's taken a while as I wanted to be sure that I had the support of my boyfriend, as without that I'm not sure I could do it.
As I said above, I'm not loving the taste of the 'food' so far - much prefer Cambridge (but then maybe that's my mind playing tricks on me). Am sure that after a few more days I'll be loving the taste of the packets, it takes a while to get used to them afterall.
The main reason for starting on Exante as opposed to Cambridge is time - it's too difficult to commit to seeing a consultant once a week (as useful as I think the one-on-one experience is). Added bonus is that Exante is cheaper. I'm just hoping it works as well for me as Cambridge did.
The main reason for dieting at all is my ultimate goal - to be 'thin' at thirty. I'm 5ft 7.5inches and just over 16 stone. I want to drop to 11.5 stone and to be maintaining that weight by the time I'm 30 (just over 11 months away). I have some beautiful clothes from my time on the Cambridge Diet that no longer fit me - these fit me only a year ago and I need to get back into these and feel as gorgeous as I did back then. Besides, I threw away most of my larger clothes once I'd lost the weight before and was keeping it reasonably steady before life and overeating got the better of me.
This time is to be the last time though - and this is the start of the long road to a thinner, healthier me for life.
My plan to achieve this?
Here goes - onwards and downwards!
Today is day 2. So far I didn't like the chocolate shake (but managed to finish it), hated the thai chicken soup (didn't finish it) and hated the shepherds pie (managed even less of this than I did of the soup!). Today is going better so far - just a strawberry milkshake but that wasn't so bad at all.
But I know what to expect. In January 2012 I started the Cambridge Diet. I loved it and it was very successful - I dropped almost 3 stone and I looked fantastic as a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding in Jamaica in April. But I piled all the weight back on plus more (I was 15st9 when I started the Cambridge diet, but was 16st2lbs as of yesterday morning when I started Exante). As with everyone, there are a number of 'excuses' for this:
- I met my boyfriend (food replacement diets and dating don't work particularly well together)
- I got poorly and and had to have loads of tests and was finally diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I came off the diet when the tests were going on, and also during the period after diagnosis when I had to bring my digestive system back under control.
- I had a lot of stress at work.
- I moved home twice, including buying a place.
But now, after having taken lots of time to persuade the other half (and promising him that I will stop/reduce the number of packets and introduce food if I get poorly again), I'm here on Exante. It's taken a while as I wanted to be sure that I had the support of my boyfriend, as without that I'm not sure I could do it.
As I said above, I'm not loving the taste of the 'food' so far - much prefer Cambridge (but then maybe that's my mind playing tricks on me). Am sure that after a few more days I'll be loving the taste of the packets, it takes a while to get used to them afterall.
The main reason for starting on Exante as opposed to Cambridge is time - it's too difficult to commit to seeing a consultant once a week (as useful as I think the one-on-one experience is). Added bonus is that Exante is cheaper. I'm just hoping it works as well for me as Cambridge did.
The main reason for dieting at all is my ultimate goal - to be 'thin' at thirty. I'm 5ft 7.5inches and just over 16 stone. I want to drop to 11.5 stone and to be maintaining that weight by the time I'm 30 (just over 11 months away). I have some beautiful clothes from my time on the Cambridge Diet that no longer fit me - these fit me only a year ago and I need to get back into these and feel as gorgeous as I did back then. Besides, I threw away most of my larger clothes once I'd lost the weight before and was keeping it reasonably steady before life and overeating got the better of me.
This time is to be the last time though - and this is the start of the long road to a thinner, healthier me for life.
My plan to achieve this?
- stick to Total Solution for the first 3 weeks
- have a week where I have 2 packets plus a small healthy meal (sometimes 3 packets instead)
- week 4 - on holiday at an all inclusive (uh-oh) for a week
- week 5 onwards will be time to get back into the swing of things and to get down to 12-12.5 stone or thereabouts for Christmas (which gives me 11.5 weeks from my return from holiday), and a total weight loss at that stage of 3.5-4 stone.
- 2014 will involve knocking off the last few pounds to target and then starting to eat 'normally' (as in normal-normal, not what was my previous 'normal'!)
- We plan a trip somewhere exotic (potentially Thailand) in March/April of 2014 and I want to look and feel my best for that. Definitely something nice to look forward to and to aim for.
Here goes - onwards and downwards!