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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 5 June 2006 02:04 pm |
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Ok, tomorrow I start Fat Loss 4 idiots. For those of you who don't know this is a diet that you download online after a paying a modest subscription fee (27 USD/ approx 17GBP) and works supposedly by arranging the foods you select in a specific order of consumption in order to encourage fat-burning. There is a whole forum deidicated to this diet on this site and there are mixed reports as to the effectiveness of this diet (go follow the threads and read for yourself) I'm not going to go into these here, but i will attempt to give an honest account of how I get on with this for the duration of my time following it, and intermittently when (or if) i come off it, in order to report how I'm maintaining my new weight!
I began to seriously attempt to lose weight in January. I weighed 11st 5lbs (159lbs) and was a UK size 14 (US size 10 I believe) My bust was 38", waist 30.5", hips (around widest part of butt) 42.5" and thigh 25.5". My body fat percentage was 34.3%. It is worth mentioning that I am female, turned 24 in March and I am 5'6" in height. For my BMI to be within the healthy range of 20-25 I need to weigh between 8st 12lbs and 11st 2lb (124-156lbs). I decided to aim to get down to the lower limit of my healthy range and set my target weight at 8st 12lbs (124lb). This may seem low, but it allows for a few pounds of "rebound".Therefore when I began I was officially a few pounds into the overweight range. I carry weight fairly well, I have a pear shape but have what I suppose could be described as a J-Lo bum and would often receive compliments on my shape, but at this size I felt uncomfortable. Most of my clothes no longer fitted (I was always a UK size 12/ US size 8) and I felt unhealthy and miserable.
Ironically, I was exercising regularly, I put on the weight over the duration of 2005 and that year I had been going to the gym almost daily. Thing is I used this as an excuse to eat whatever I want and the weight piled on!
I decided to follow the Patrick Holford GL diet. It is similar to the GI diet in that it encourages the consumption of complex, low Glycaemic index carbs, but instead of allowing unlimited consumption of these foods it also take into account the glycaemic load, or amount of usable carbs in a food. The diet is meant to stabilise you blood sugar level and insulin production in order that you lose weight, instead of limiting calories and starving your metabolism. Following this plan on and off I got down to 10st 7lbs (147lbs) which is a weight loss of 12lbs. This may seem slow, but when I was strictly following the plan I consistently lost 1-2lbs a week and if I ever took time off I never put back on a pound. I also felt amazingly happy and energetic and the recipes were delicious, there was lots of choice for vegetarians and the diet had a very holistic approach to health in general, it was not just about the weight loss. I also lost inches my bust is now 36" (boo hoo!), waist 28", hips 41", thighs 23.5", and my body fat percentage is now 31.8".
In around March time, I went for a food intolerance test which indicated that I had I could have an overgrowth of yeast in my deigestive tract (candida infections). The symptoms that I had suggested this was the case included depression, irritability, constipation, allergies, neck and shoulder pain, acne, bloating, tiredness, chronic migraine, intermittent thrush, painful periods, PMS and food cravings and weight problems. As I result of this I also adapted my diet so that I avoided all foods that contained any yeast, fungi or moulds; any food that has been fermented including cheese, soy sauce, tofu, all alcohol and vinegar and I also cut out all sugars and refined flour products including even fresh fruit and milk because sugar feeds the yeast. I also take an array of supplements including vitamins, probiotics and prebiotics. I have noticed an almost total disappearance of all symptoms and also experienced a few extra ponds of weight loss, and stopped getting cravings for junk food.
I'm off to the dentist now, but I shall finish my intro when I get back... I know it's very long winded but I feel it's important to get down all the background to explain my motives and give an informative account! :D
Last edited on 5 June 2006 09:08 pm by RoxieP
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 5 June 2006 09:02 pm |
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 Everything went fine at the dentist, my teeth are perfect luckily!
So anyway, I have decided to shake up my diet because despite following my diet to the letter, over the last few weeks I have failed to lose any weight. I have also not even had a drink since the middle of April. I am supposed to follow the yeast reduction guidelines for at least six months but I had always said that I would stop when I hit my target weight. So I am living like a nun and now I have stopped losing weight I am getting impatient as I don't know how much longer I can keep it up. Aside from anything else, it's antisocial. I do feel better for not drinking but when I reluctantly "show my face" at occasions such as people's birthdays I'm not much fun and usually end up leaving early! Also I was getting fed up with the amount of hard work involved in following the Holford plan. I had to cook every meal and was spending all my spare time shopping for, cooking and preparing food. So when I stumbled across FL4i on the web I thought I'd give it a go because it promised the fast results I was looking for to drop the 23lbs I've got left to lose.
I have to confess that I downloaded my first menu on the 31st May and started the diet rather promptly the next day on the 1st. When I first selected my foods I didn't know what garbanzo beans and Navy beans were so I left these off. I have since discovered that they are chickpeas and haricot beans respectively. I also didn't select any fruit because I hadn't ate it since i started following the yeast diet because of the sugar it contains. Therefore I was worried when I printed the plan because I noticed that day two was fruit and nothing else. I hastily referred back to the book I had been using as a reference for my yeast diet (Candida Albicans by Leon Chaitow) and it said that while fruit should be avoided in the early stages of the program, fresh fruit can be reintroduced after three weeks, apart from sweet melons, apples and grapes because they are too sweet. I had been on the program since mid April so I assumed it would be fine to do the fruit day.
So, away I went. Day 1 was ok, I felt a little hungry but I was fine. Day 2 of all fruit was a little tougher but I managed. Day three was an absolute nightmare. My meals consisted mainly of only nuts and beans. I was starving hungry 15 minutes after finishing a meal even though I ate til I was full. More worryingly when walking to the station after work I got so lightheaded and dizzy I was certain I was going to collapse. I really did feel ill. I was due my fourth meal of Macadamia nuts, scrambled eggs and mixed veg whenI got home. I ate two scrambled eggs, all the macadamia nuts I had left and as much veg as I could stomach but I still did not feel satisfied, so I started tucking into some salted peanuts. I had to confess I ate them til I was STUFFED which is against the rules. Later on that evening I suffered terrible indigestion as a result and had what I'm sure was terrible pain in my kidneys. I'm not sure why I had such an adverse reaction earlier in the day because I had eaten ample portions and in terms of calorific value I'm sure what I had eaten was plenty. Perhaps it was because I had eaten mainly protein and very little carbs? Something my body isn't really used to, being a vegetarian.
The next day I had scrambled eggs for my first meal. I was meant to have cashew nuts with them but I couldn't handle any more nuts. Then I went to the park with my boyfriend and I got to thinking that because of when I started my diet (a Thursday) my rest days would always fall on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On the weekend of the 16th June I'm taking Dominic (my boyfriend) to meet my parents for the first time and I thought it would be nice if I could have my days off then...
When Dom said he was going to get an ice cream that was the final straw. I decided to abandon the diet, have an ice cream and start it again on Tuesday! That way my days off will be saturday, sunday and monday - the days I'm in Devon. This way I can also include fresh fruit in my selection now I know I no longer have to avoid it. After consulting my book I have also discovered that I can include cottage cheese as well when previously I thought I had to avoid it and I now know about the different types of beans so now I have a more varied menu.
Perhaps I am just making excuses for falling off the wagon, or perhaps now I am more likely to stick to it because I am better prepared. The ironic thing is that eating that ice cream was not only breaking this diet but also was the first sugary food I'd eaten since I started the yeast diet in mid April. So perhaps this diet is bad news if it made me crave sugar so badly. Also perhaps I'm mad doing it again after the horrible side effects I experienced on Saturday. Who knows, but I'm going to give it a go. I start tomorrow and I'll let you know how I get on...
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 6 June 2006 12:01 pm |
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| Ok, this is day 1. Last night I had a binge on an Easter egg, that's right, WHOLE CADBURY'S CRUNCHY EASTER EGG consisting of the egg and two Crunchy bars. It's ironic because I've had that egg since Easter and I'd resisted the temptation to eat it, but three days of previous effort on this diet and the anticipation of starting it again has fuelled this binge. I didn't really want to eat the whole thing but I forced it all down because I thought its remains would be too tempting to have in the house over the next eleven days. I can't believe I'm such a glutton, I'm so ashamed!!! Well I'm going to give an honest account warts and all! I'm disappointed because it's the second day in a row that I've broken the "yeast diet" after having been faultless over the last few weeks. I have noticed this morning that my neck and shoulders are painful, a sympton that had been better since. I was also not paticularly surprised that when I weighed myself this morning I was 10st 8lb so I've gone up a pound before I've even started. Oh well! My breakfast today should have been Macadamia nuts and cashews but I couldn't find any Macadamia nuts when I went shopping yesterday so I just had Cashews. I used up a good handful of raw, unsalted ones before starting a pack of ones roasted with salt and black pepper. I did eat quite a few actually, but I don't feel stuffed. I have got a little bit of a headache now which I think may be from the salt. I'm drinking plenty of water which will hopefully help, but I think in future I'll try to buy unsalted cashews, I think they taste just as nice without and must be better for you.
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angela2006
New Member
| Joined: | 19 May 2006 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: 6 June 2006 12:40 pm |
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| I have really enjoyed reading your updates and have been checking your dairy on a daily basis to see the updates. Its witty and funny and its also inspiring because I am also having problems with my diet that I am trying which is strictly veggies. I am a carnivore and I am dying with this. I also have encouraged a few of my friends to read it with me because we so enjoy your posts and we all wondered whether you can be a bit more detailed with the various foods that you have like what you have for breakfast lunch and dinner. We are trying to figure out whether we can handle it and you are our feedback girl because we decide whether or not we will have it. So please let us know what you had for breakfast lunch and dinner or snack during day 1, 2, 3 and all the other ones and oh we wouldnt mid getting some info on how things went with the boyfriend meeting the parents :-)
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 6 June 2006 06:19 pm |
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Thank you ever so much for your kind comments. I'm surprised and flattered that somebody actually enjoys reading my long-winded ramblings! I thought I'd be the only person reading it to be honest! My second meal today was kiwi fruits, hardboiled eggs and Navy/haricoat beans. I ate it at about 11.30am seeing as I had finished my breakfast at around 9am and the meals are supposed to be at least two and a half hours apart. I ate one kiwi fruit first because I've read before that fruit is better digested if you eat it at the start of the meal. I then ate two hardboiled eggs and then ate the beans until I was just full. Surprisngly, it saw me through quite well and whilst there was a little bit of the inevitable clock-watching I was only just getting hungry when I sat down for my next meal at 2.45pm. On the menu this time was scrambled eggs, walnuts and garden salad. Instead I had more boiled eggs and chopped them up over a bag of pre-packed salad and crumbled the walnuts on top. I used salt and pepper but no other dressing. You can use fat-free dressing if you like but normally these contain sugar or vinegar and other things I can't have. It was tasty and filling and I'm still satisfied now, I just hope I'm not eating too much! After my funny turn last time I'm making sure I really feel satisfied at each meal. The diet tells you to only eat until you're nearly full. I'm eating til I'm just full, but I think there's still a big difference between full and stuffed - that feeling you get after Christmas Dinner or a big Indian take-away - so hopefully I'm not pushing the boundaries too much.
I'll let you know how Dom meeting the parents goes, I'll have to make sure I don't tell him about this diary, he would go absolutely mad if he found out I'm sharing all the intimate details of our relationship with a load of people I've never met!
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 7 June 2006 01:20 am |
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Ok, It's now the end of day one and I feel great! Had my dinner of aubergine (eggplant) cottage cheese and pinto beans. I wasn't sure how to cook the aubergines because I've always cooked them with lots of oil, but in the end I used some olive oil low cal cooking spray and dry fried them in a pan - and they weren't too bad.
Went for a run this evening but only managed a couple of miles. Hope that's not down to the diet. Probably just bacause it's warm. On this diet it says that it's not necessary to exercise at all when using the 11 day diet generator (which I'm using) and on the 10 point plan it says to walk for 30 minutes twice a day and advises against high impact aerobic exercise such as running because it burns carbs rather than fat. However, I am going to continue with my running because I've now come to enjoy it as a hobby. A couple of weeks ago I ran my first 10km fun run and in a couple of weeks I plan to run a twelve mile course. I want to build myself up to eventually running a marathon. That's why I hope this diet doesn't starve my body of too much energy or a won't be able to keep up the training!
Tomorrow. To weigh or not to weigh - that is the question. I was toying with the idea of not weighing myself until after the full 14 days, eleven days dieting and three cheat days. That's the sensible thing to do because if I go up and down I won't know and won't be disappointed. However, I've got a feeling I won't be able to resist the temptation to hop on the scales tomorrow. I won't be disheartened if I haven't lost yet though! I'll let you know what transpires...
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 8 June 2006 02:30 am |
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Ok I'm at the end of my fruit only day and I have to say I'll be going to bed hungry! I weighed myself this morning and I'm back down to 10st 7lbs so I've lost a pound. That was my weight anyway thiugh before I went on the Easter Egg binge!
For my first meal this morning I had a pink grapefruit and two oranges which I actually really enjoyed, the oranges especially, I sprinkled them with ground cinnamon. It tastes great and is a really good anti-fungal. Today both to and from work I ran for about two miles each way and power-walked the remaining three miles so I covered 10 miles in total. And all on a diet of only fruit! If the scales don't show a weight loss tomorrow I'll bit very disappointed!
For my second meal I had a pear, two peaches and three plums which just about satisfied me.
For my third meal I had strawberries and kiwi fruits. By this time I was just beginning to crave somthing substantial.
I had to go out this evening so after runing/walking home I was in a hurry and threw a load of fruit in the blender with some ice and made a smoothie. It made about a pint and I glugged it down quickly and it was surprisingly filling - for about 10 minutes! I've been starving all night but will have to wait til tomorrow now! Just finished organising my food for tomorrow and I must confess 3 or 4 chickpeas "fell" into my mouth accidentally, as did about two peanuts. That can't hurt though surely? I was so tempted to scoff the lot but I controlled myself. I'm off to bed now, I'll be back tomorrow...
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 9 June 2006 01:20 am |
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Weighed myself this morning and I was another pound down! So now I'm 10st 6lb (146lbs). I am pleased, but I got down to 10st 4lb when I tried the diet for a few days before and it straight back on again when I quit. So I suppose I won't be happy til I get down to that again, past that and then keep it off. Have to say today went a lot better than yesterday. Breakfast was apricots, almond and peanuts. Second meal was Chickpeas and soya milk. Third meal was haricot beans and hardboiled eggs. I wasn't too hungry today. I'm a little worried that sometimes I eat more than I really have to if I'm honest. I'm just so scared of geting too hungry later. Sometimes it seems like you're waiting for an eternity fo rthe next meal...
It was my friend's birthday drinks in the city tonight (London). I went along and bought us both a glass of champagne. That was my first drink since the beginning of April! I had no untoward side effects but I did feel a little dizzy! I chose Champagne because it has hardly any yeast in it compared to wine, and you're allowed one glass of wine a day on FL4i. I'm proud to say I stopped at just the one, and had a couple of glasses of sparkling mineral water instead. By the time I got home I was starving! On the menu for my last meal was peaches, scrambled eggs and walnuts. How exciting...NOT! I had one peach followed by two eggs and I ate some walnuts but they weren't doing the job so I demolished some salted peanuts and cashews as well. I did eat rather a lot I suppose but I was starving! I suppose I'll see if I've got away with it when I weigh myself tomorrow.
I am glad I got through day three ok, because it was on day three the last time around that I felt terrible.
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Jayelle
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 June 2006 07:22 pm |
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HI Roxie! Your diary is certainly entertaining! I enjoyed reading up on your IPD ventrues. I too am an IPDer! I reached my original goal and am taking a break fro IPD now (still following a healthy eating plan though). I have a new goal that I'd like to reach. I am 5'9" and am currently @ 151. My goal is to reach 145. Its only 6 pounds but its taking forever. I've been 151-153 since the end of April.
I needed a break from the food on IPD for a while. After this 4 week break I plan to do another IPD cycle (if necessary) and then it'll be all about maintenance.
I used to be a runner. (former military as well) I remember doing 10ks and 5ks just for fun. Now, I think I'd have to be paid to run (LoL) I need to get back in the habit. I felt great when I ran and did weight training but now I don't have the time or patience to devote to it. (Excuses, excuses)
Anyway, enough about me. I am glad that you are keeping this journal. I do have a question. I follow the old plan, so it is a bit different than yours but aren't you allowed sandwich for one of your meals on fruit day?
Jayelle
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 10 June 2006 02:02 am |
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I wish I was allowed a sandwich! No, it's fruit and nothing else!
I did more running again today (Friday). I ran/walked to work and back. It's 5 miles each way and I ran for twenty minutes and walked for forty each time, so I suppose I probably ran a couple of miles each way. I was really proud of myself because it was really hot this afternoon so I really had to push myself - it's uphill most of the way back too. I really feel as though I've acheived something when I do what I set out to do, especially when I didn't feel like it to begin with! I'm going to do the same tomorrow but run a little bit further, so I'd better get to bed soon so I get up on time!! (I work Saturdays!)
I weighed in this morning at 10st 5lbs (145lbs). So I've lost 3lbs in three days. Not bad, but I've still got 21lb to go! That's my ultimate aim, but I've lost 14lb altogether and I look and feel a lot better already so I'm still happy.
Diet is going well. Had cashews for breakfast. Was meant to have macadamia nuts as well but haven't come across them anywhere to buy them. I have had them before, will have to try and remember where I bought them last time! I had three plums followed by a bowl of lentils for meal two which had the unfortunate effect of making me rather bloated and gassy! Fortunately it was fairly short-lived! Cottage cheese and Pinto beans was meal three and chickpeas and soya milk for meal four. I'm off to bed now and I'm not too hungry. Hope the scales are kind again tomorrow morning! Once I get down past 10st 4lb then I'll really start to get excited because I'll be losing more than just the rebound from my half-hearted previous attempt.
Good luck Jayelle, and well done for all you've achieved so far! 
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 10 June 2006 12:55 pm |
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Ok , I'm disapointed. I weighed myself this morning and I'm still 10st 5lbs (145lbs). Am I being silly? On my last diet I got excited if I lost 1-2lbs in a week - now I'm disappointed that I haven't lost weight in a day! I think it's because this diet is so intense that you have to see results straightaway to keep you going. Also, when I was following the other diet I knew that 1-2lbs a week would be a more or less permanent drop, but reading other peoples posts on here it seems that a few pounds of rebound is inevitable on the cheat days so I want to get lots off now to make up for it! Well, I suppose even if I do manage to lose the supposed "9lbs in 11 days" then that would mean a loss of less than a pound a day. Or, perhaps if I lose it slower when on the plan, less will come back on in the cheat day? Did anyone follow a similar pattern of weight loss on WL4i? It seems that all the people I've read about lost much more in their first few days! Some words of encouragement wouldn't go amiss!
One thing I am finding hard is this "stop before you're full" rule. I'm not eating vast amounts but sometimes I think I do eat til I'm fairly full. It's so hard to judge! I never stuff myself though. I'm still hungry again about half an hour later so I can't be eating that much. I've always had a big appetite so it's hard to stop! Also, I hate seeing food go to waste so I don't want to throw away the food I've prepared, and the way this diet works you might not be eating that food again for days so you can't put the leftovers in the fridge for next time! It's probably one of my biggest failings - I always have to clean my plate! Anyone else have the same problem? Did anyone else out there still lose a lot of weight even though they weren't that strict with this rule?
I walked into work today - about 5 miles. I didn't run today because I did a lot yesterday and I had a few aches and pains this morning so I wanted to give my body a rest. I did it in around 75mins, so I went at a fairly moderate pace - about 15mins per mile. I'll walk back tonight as well.
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 11 June 2006 02:47 am |
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Ok It's late saturday night now. Today I ate for breakfast cashews and peanuts. For meal two the menu was a bowl of green salad and fruit salad desert. I had roasted green pepper and courgette (zuchinni) which i roasted using low cal olive oil spray. For the desert I was supposed to have cool whip topping mixed with fruit. We don't get cool whip here so I looked it up on the net to see what it was and discovered it's full of rubbish anyway! Made with vegetable oil, corn syrup and lots of other chemicals! So instead I used low fat bio yoghurt. Surely that won't hurt? Anyway I blended a load of leftover fruit in the blender with the yoghurt and then froze it last night, to make a kind of frozen yoghurt desert. I took it to work with me abd put it in the fridge and although it had defrosted a little it was like a slushie. It was nice because it was so warm today. At meal three I had 2 hardboiled eggs (sprinkled with salt, pepper and paprika to make them a bit more interesting) and navy/harticot beans.
My downfall was at meal four. I was famished by the time I got back from work - I had walked the 5 miles back. I was supposed to have scramble eggs and walnuts - which I did - but I wasn't happy with that so I started on the cashews and peanuts as well, and I just couldn't stop myself. I still feel full now and I ate hours ago. I've a horrible feeling that I won't like what the scales have to say tomorrow.
I have to say also that I don't feel any slimmer. Normally if you lose a couple of pounds you can feel it or see it. Which makes me suspicious that I may have only lost water or muscle. It's also very disheartening - what does it matter what the scales say if I don't look smaller??
:(
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 12 June 2006 01:08 am |
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It's now Sunday so I'm on day 6. I weighed myself this morning and yet again I'm stuck at 10st 5lbs (145lbs). Very disappointed. I did well today in terms of how I ate. I had a very unusual breakfast of chick peas and soy milk! I the walked 5 miles to meet my friend at Regents Park (fairly close to where I work, so disatnce is the same) to do a spot of sunbathing! I then had a meal of pinto beans and cottage cheese. My friend commented on how slim I was looking which is something I suppose!
Later we went for a drink. I had two vodkas with soda water and nothing else. The plan says you are allowed one glass of wine per day but I figure two small vodkas is similar in calorific value, and I can't drink wine anyway cause I'm avoiding yeast. I ate my third meal of cashews and macadamia nuts while sitting outside the bar. Despite being a little pink and sweaty from the sun I walked the five miles home, and then sat down for a meal of grapefruit followed by green beans. It filled me up at first but was hungry again very quickly, and my flatmate had takeaway pizza which was soo tempting, but I resisted. I've been such a saint today I'll be really annoyed if I haven't lost tomorrow.
I'm going to finish this cycle of the diet, but I don't think I'll keep it up after that. I've still got a lot more to lose but I don't think this is the way to go. It's so restrictive and in my case I haven't lost shed loads of weight to make up for the sacrifices! It's summer and I want to enjoy summer barbeques and parties without having to turn up with a tupperware box of macadamia nuts while everyone else enjoys burgers, or even just salad, that I can't partake in because it's not on the menu for that day! I can't plan my whole life around my cheat days - where I'll probably just put back on the measly couple of pounds I've lost! Once I'm off this I'll probably go for the good, old fashioned calorie counting. I have an old CDR program from weight watchers that I bought in 1999 that uses their points system. You take exercise into account as extra points and are allowed so many points a day - so it's basically simplifying calorie counting. I notice now that they have an online diary available which I expect is the more modern equivalent but I'm determined not to spend yet more money on this pursuit for the perfect body! I lost a lot of weight with the CD when I was about 17-18 years old, so I hope it will work this time round. The low calorie diet gets a lot of bad press nowadays what with the rise of GI etc, but I'll probably apply all the other principles I've learnt along the way to my food choices, but this way I'll be controlling my portions.
I think thats the problem with me with FL4i. Because the food choices are so limted and I'm eating very basic meals, "mentally" I'm not satisfied with what I'm eating so I eat more to compensate. I know it's a good habit to get into - stopping before you're full - but when you're only eating grapefruit and green beans and you can't eat again for another two and a half hours, you already know you'll be hungry again within minutes!
Still, I'm only just ending day 6 so there's still a few days left for this diet to redeem itself. Feels like I've been on it forever!
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 12 June 2006 12:58 pm |
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Ok it's Monday moring (I have mondays off) and I'm still weighing in at 10st 5lbs (145lbs). This is getting ridiculous! It basically means I've lost no weight overall because I was down to 10st 4lbs at one point so all I've lost this time is rebound. I just don't understand it - I've walked 10miles everyday for the last three days and stuck like glue to the diet. It does say in the diet that you don't need to exercise on this plan, but I enjoy exercise and have been doing it in the hope of helping the weight loss along. Basically I think this diet is just a low cal, low carb diet. Perhaps I'm not having enough calories to match my activity and my body's gone into starvation mode and hanging on to the weight? Ironically it's been on the days I've been doing more exercise that I've lost no weight. When I started the diet I used to get really hungry between meals but now I don't feel it so much so maybe my metabolism has slowed down to match the measly amounts of food I'm eating. Great - so I'll probably put on a ton when I finally stop this stupid plan!
Just had breakfast - almonds and peanuts. Ended up overeating on the peanuts - may as well, I'm not losing weight whatever I do!! At least I didn't completely fold and go on a binge of other foods!
If that is the problem - that I sometimes eat until I'm actually satisfied and actually feel like I've eaten - then I have to accept that this is not the plan for me. I'm just no good at stopping when I'm still a little bit hungry. I'll have to change to a plan where I can fill-up on low cal foods like veg and limit the portions of other foods.
I don't think I'm going to weigh myself til the eleven days are up now. They say a watched pot never boils don't they? Really, I should wait until after my cheat days to weigh in because then I won't be any the wiser if I put back on one or two pounds, but I don't think I'll be able to wait that long. If it transpires that I stick where I am and only lose three pounds over the two week period then this diet isn't worth the nasty food and the restrictions because while any weight loss is great news, I'd normally expect to lose that on any other diet with less heartache. If after the three cheat days I put back everything I've lost then I'm abandoning it completely. There's no point banging my head agianst a brick wall. I'm not going to go over all the tiny things I may have done wrong - like eating a bit too much at a couple of meals, not drinking enough water or doing too much exercise - and thinking that if I try harder it will work this time. The bottom line is that if I couldn't do it right the first time round when I'm all fired up with optimism then there's no way I'm going to get it right a second time round! I'll just accept this doesn't work for me, get over it and MOVE ON! I realise it's important to stay positive when trying to lose weight, but too often people stick with things that just aren't working for them, convincing themself that because the sales pitch told them about all these other people who had lost sooo much weight on this plan that it must be something they're doing wrong and not that perhaps it just doesn't work for them!
Of course, a miracle may happen and I'll suddenly drop 10lbs and the I'll take it all back!
I know it seems like I'm being petulant and throwing my teddy out of the pram just because I haven't lost weight in a few days, but you have to remember that before I started this diet I was on a diet that had a wide variety of good healthy foods that I really enjoyed, really filled me up and I had loads of energy - AND enabled me to lose 12-14lbs before I plateaued. This diet has none of those positives but I was prepared to take extreme measures in order to see some great results to get me losing again. However this diet has taken me no closer to my goal and I'm worried I've messed up my once healthy metabolism in the process. My energy levels and concentration have nose-dived as well.
I could really use some support at the moment so any feedback would be great!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 12 June 2006 06:22 pm |
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RoxieP wrote:
I know it seems like I'm being petulant and throwing my teddy out of the pram just because I haven't lost weight in a few days, but you have to remember that before I started this diet I was on a diet that had a wide variety of good healthy foods that I really enjoyed, really filled me up and I had loads of energy - AND enabled me to lose 12-14lbs before I plateaued. This diet has none of those positives but I was prepared to take extreme measures in order to see some great results to get me losing again. However this diet has taken me no closer to my goal and I'm worried I've messed up my once healthy metabolism in the process. My energy levels and concentration have nose-dived as well.
I could really use some support at the moment so any feedback would be great!
Hi Roxie!!! No, it does not sound like you're being petulant - just understandably frustrated. Although I've never heard of the Patrick Holford GI diet, it sounds like a really sensible, healthy way to lose weight at a slow but steady pace. I'm probably a bit predjudiced though cause it seems very close to my own meal plan:). I can totally relate to the amount of time and labor involved in shopping/prepping/cooking though.
I'm wondering about your plateau. A couple of months back, after weekly dropping 2 lbs like a dependable clock, I suddenly had a period of a couple of weeks where nothing came off. About the same time I decided to quit smoking and as a result started eating more. Lots more. After a week of this I suddenly started losing again at the rate of 1-2 lbs a week and it's still going.
I know everyone's metabolism is different, but, if you don't get the results you want with the IPD, you might want to consider going back to the Holford diet and if you plateau again, try increasing your food intake slightly. Just a thought.
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Jayelle
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 12 June 2006 10:18 pm |
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HI Roxie, I just got caught up on your journal. Its good that you are getting this all out. I noticed in your post you said something about burgers? Are you a vegetarian, beaucse if not you may want to try the regular plan.
I notice that you are eating a ton of nuts, and although they have good fat they have lots of it, especially macadmia nuts.
The scale: It is not a good idea to weigh yourself everyday, and with such expectations. I did IPD for 6 cycles and lost 33 lbs, I never hit the 9 lbs in 11 days mark. I lost 8 and 7 the first two, then it started to taper off (6, 5, 5, 4) but I was losing steadily and didn't find the food that bad. The old plan has a lot of different food choices and possibilities. (regular not veggie)
I know that IPD is not a calorie counting diet but that really is how weight loss happens. Use more calories than you consume. Remember that a pound of fat is equal to more than 3500 calories.
Exercise: Your walking is great. How long have you been doing this? To continue to see benefits from the same activity you have to push yourself. If you've been walking to work for months then the benefits aren't going to be the same now as they were in the beginning, like metabolism the body adjusts.
I want you to lose weight. I would never ask you to stay on any diet just because it worked for me. But 6 days isn't enough time to really assess any diet. So don't give up so soon. I really hope things pick up for you, but whatever you decide, thanks for sharing your experience.
Jayelle
Last edited on 12 June 2006 10:25 pm by Jayelle
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 13 June 2006 01:21 am |
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I am a vegetarian - burgers was just a turn of phrase I suppose! Walking to work is a relatively recent thing, I use to run some of the way occasionally but never this regularly and rarely all the way there and back. I've been walking everywhere - it's very hot at the moment so I so get very sweaty (yuk!) but I'm getting a tan and saving on transport costs! Today I had my samaritans shift (voluntary work for a helpline) and i walked there and back (about 3 miles each way).
I didn't eat much today - maybe it was because of the heat. I had my little peanut binge this morning and my second meal was meant to be macadamia nuts and cashews but I bought some salted macadamias and they were way too salty for my liking so I just had cashews and I didn't over indulge. I didn't get to eat meal three til about eight by the time I got home. The menu was walnuts, scrambled eggs and green and red vegetables. I ended uo having the eggs and nuts with sugar snap peas and asparagus. I was supposed to have a fourth meal of hard boiled eggs and haricot/navy beans but I didn't have time to fit it in today cause I didn't have the routine of work I suppose! I feel better for eating some veg - I've been eating mostly beans, nuts and cottage cheese for the past couple of days! Tomorrow is all veg and i've prepared a great salad and some roasted veg to have at work, I'll attempt to make veg juice for breakfast and I'll have a stir fry when I get home. Looking forward to it - I love my veggies!
Thank you Jayelle and suenos for you encouragement and congrats to you both. I've been reading your posts and know you've both done really well!
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Jayelle
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 June 2006 07:56 pm |
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Hey Roxie. I was just checking in with you. How are you today?
Jayelle
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 14 June 2006 12:17 am |
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I'm well, but still not an ounce lighter! I know I said I wouldn't weigh every day but I just couldn't help myself! On my last diet sometimes I would weigh myself more often than I should and it was always when i did that that the scales didn't budge. It was only when I left it for a few days that I'd get on to discover I'd lost a pound or two. I suppose that's what I should do now.
Today was veg day. I made my veg juice - it was horrible! I blended tomatoes, carrots, celery and a clove of garlic and seasoned. I suppose it didn't taste so bad , it was the texture. I couldn't drink it down fast because it was like a sludge so I had to stop and almost chew as well as just swallowing! I was nearly sick. I should have known better, I don't like tomato juice or any other vegetable juice really - I don't even like Gaspacho! Second meal was roasted veg (used low cal spray, squash, courgette (zuchini), peppers, red onion) third meal a salad (lambs lettuce, carrot, cress, onion, pinto beans, tomato, lemon juice and third meal a stir-fry (beansprouts, carrots, green beans, onions, garlic, broccoli using spray). I have to confess, I ate extremely large portions at each meal until I was very full, but I was always hungry shortly after. I mean, it's veg for goodness sake! Even with the portions I ate I doubt if I consumed more than 1000 kcal. Technically I ate 0 weight watchers points today! Saying that, I still feel full after my dinner which I ate at about 7pm!
I have to say, today has made the diet more bearable. I feel so much better when I'm eating plety of veg. Atkins would never suit me. It's always on the days when I'm eating nuts, beans and cottage cheese that I feel the worst - really sluggish and lacking in energy. I need my carbs!
No exercise today, but there's been storms all day so I would have got soaked through if I walked to work! Got a lift home so at least I saved on the fare one way!
Hope you are well too Jayelle!
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 15 June 2006 02:23 am |
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Ok, I managed to avoid weiging myself today so not sure if I've lost yet - althoug I don't feel like I have!
Today I had oatmeal for breakfast. The meal was supposed to be oatmeal and mixed vegetables but I didn't fancy them first thing!
Meal two was almonds and peanuts. I didn't eat too many this time. I've noticed that I always seem to get indigestion when I eat nuts - my Candida book says that they can often have surface moulds so once I've finished FL4i I'll avoid them - they're high fat too and I always find it difficult to only have a few!
Meal three was supposed to be beans and cottage cheese. I had run out of cottage cheese so I had a couple of eggs that I had hardboiled a couple of days ago but not had time to eat.
Tonight I went to a barbeque organised as a social event for the volunteers at my branch of the Samaritans. My fourth meal was supposed to be chickpeas and soya milk, but I prepared a dish from my old diet, "Roasted Chickpea and Quinoa Tabbouleh" (it's delicious, I will post the recipe when I have more time) to take along and I had a smal serving of this instead. People ate it so quickly I didn't have chance to have any more! I also ate a few salad leaves and one of my good friends there had taken a lovely cheesecake so I tried the smallest sliver (I'm really not lying - it was only about two mouth-fulls) so as not to offend her! (So that broke my yeast rules). I also had a handful of salted kettle chips (broke my diet but not yeast rules!). I had two very small vodkas with soda water (literally a cap full in each - ok with diet and slightly against yeast plan).
So, I wasn't that strict today but I don't feel guilty. I had a good evening and so what if I broke a few rules? I hardly stuffed myself. I was quite proud that I didn't say "Oh to #%@&! with it" and gorge on everything there just cause I broke the rules a tiny bit - an attitude that has started many a binge in the past. the last episode of a binge I had was that Easter Egg - and even then while it was a lot to eat at once I've eaten a lot more in one go before! Before the Egg I can't even remember the last time. This evening I enjoyed a couple of things that I like in small doses - in moderation. Surely that's changing my eating habits for the better permanently?
I haven't had the results I wanted from FL4i but it has opened my eyes. I'm discovering through trial and error what works for me. I've learnt that I do need a bit of a guideline in terms of portions but I need more freedom to indulge in different foods every now and then. I do have discipline to stick to something and I'll still have a very healthy diet, but now I'd rather just relax and enjoy my life instead of letting my diet rule my life. I believe that by counting points using the old weightwatcher plan I'll basically be restricting calories without having to resort to too much number crunching every day.
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 15 June 2006 04:58 pm |
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I don't believe it! I weighed myself today and I've lost two pounds! It's so ironic, because I didn't weigh myself yesterday those two pounds snuck off while I wasn't looking! So that means I'm now down to 10st 3 lbs (143lbs). I've lost 5lbs in 9 days on FL4i and 16lbs since I began my quest for a better body back in January. It's hardly been lightning speed but it's an achievement all the same. I have to say I'm so happy, I actually feel like I'm moving forward. I've still got a long way to go - 19lbs to my goasl weight - as long as I am moving in the right direction and keeping it off then I'm happy. When I originally started back in Jan, I had 31st June earmarked as the date to achieve my target weight. Fat chance (pardon the pun)! Never mind though!
What's also ironic is that I haven't done any real exercise since Monday and yet now I lose weight. The days I was walking/running ten miles a day I lost nothing at all. Also, last night was the first time I've let myself deviate from the menu and had a couple of treats. Perhaps my body was clinging on to the weight because I was doing too much and eating too little?
On the subject of exercise, I've noticed that whenever I'm keeping a good routine with the exercise I NEVER lose weight. I already mentioned that 2005 was the only year I've gone to a gym (almost daily) and by the end of that year I was the heaviest I've ever been. And I KNOW that muscle weighs more than fat, but I was also the biggest and the fattest I've ever been. I do gain muscle extremely easily so I am always put off by doing weights. Even when I was doing a programme at the gym using very light weights for several reps, I eneded up building muscle under a layer of fat that never shifted. I looked like a fat, butch female body builder. I have to confess though, that I didn't monitor or restrict my diet at all. This year I have watched my diet closely but I cancelled the gym membership for financial reasons with the intention of exercising at home, but have found that I have neglected the training schedule somewhat. Bizarrely, this is the year I have managed a sustained and steady weight loss. I have not dared to do any weights since I started losing because I've been so terrified of adding bulk to my new streamlined shape (and my shape has streamlined and firmed up a lot, so no-one can argue that I haven't lost body fat but muscle). So all I've done is cardio, mainly running and walking. But even doing that, I have noticed it was always the periods where I wasn't really doing any exercise that I lost weight and the periods were I were, it would slow down or stop completely. I can't imagine this would be muscle gain, only doing cardio. This can't be put down to eating more when I was exercising becasue I was always following the same diet plan - that was a GI/GL style diet so wasn't particularly low-cal either.
This is a horrible realisation for me, bacause I absolutely love exercise and the way it makes me feel, but I can't help be put off doing it now. What motivates me usually is the belief that whatever I'm doing will be getting me closer to my goal. I know that my improving my general health should be just as motivating, but lets face it - the weight loss wins hands down! What has caused this pattern? When I push my body physically does it rebel and cling on to the fat? Should I continue losing weight through diet and give up the exercise altogher if that's what works for me? I don't mind losing muscle, I've got too much already - as long as I lose some fat too!Last edited on 15 June 2006 05:10 pm by RoxieP
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Jayelle
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 15 June 2006 10:20 pm |
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Hey Rox! First congrats on your weight loss!!!
Now, I tend to gain muscle a bit quickly too. I had a similiar situation as you, where for a while I was doing both cardio and weight training pretty heavily and instead of losing fat and gaining muscle I was just gaining muscle. I was getting stronger all the time but nothing was shrinking, including the number on the scale.
I realize that my diet wasn't what is should;ve been.
Now that I am getting back into toning I am being careful too. I am using resistance bands and more (body weight) moves, push-ups, dips, crunches. I don't want to gain bulk again either. I did notice that I was able to kick my weightloss into gear by walking where my elliptical wasn't getting it done.
On FL4I I lost more weight on the scale when I wasn't exercising either. I don't know how to explain it. Before I started walking I took off 8 lbs each cycle (gaining 1 back on cheat) the next two cycles I walked 45 min- an hour everyday and only lost 5/6 pounds each cycle. At the time I said it was TOM, maybe it wasn't. The last two cycles I was all over the place with exercise, not at all consistent. Luckily I have gotten use to exercising in some way 4 times a week again.
At any rate, I am now realizing as I get closer all the time to my goal weight, I need to concentrate on my body fat percentage. Luckily my obsession with the scale is going away again. I never owned a scale until I bought one for IPD. I'm now weighing myself once a week. That is often enough for me. (thank-fully)
So, are you going to chuck the plan?
Jayelle
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 16 June 2006 02:44 am |
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Well, tomorrow is my last day and I'm going to weigh myself again tomorrow because I'm going to my parents tomorrow evening and I don't want to weigh myself the day after on their scales - they weigh heavier than mine so I don't want to upset myself! I'll weigh myself when I get back home after my cheat days. This will give me an accurate measure of just how well this has worked for me. At the moment I've lost 5lb and I may lose another pound tomorrow so say I've lost six pounds and I keep it off over the weekend then that will be an average loss of three pounds per week. This is the best case scenario. Chances are I'll put on some. Three pounds per week is good, but on most diets you would lose that in the first couple of weeks, so it's not extraordinary. Also, chances are that I won't do as well if I do another cycle as that seems to be the pattern with most people. My small success this morning had me wondering if maybe I might do another one, but when I look back these eleven days have seemed like forever! I think I find it too restrictive, especially as I'm still avoiding certain foods and I'm a vegetarian - it cuts down the choices of foods so much. I also haven't always felt great. I've probably performed the worst I have in ages at work, my concentration's been so poor - luckily my boss has been away so I've got away with it!
I think I'll try point/calorie counting and see how I get on. If I struggle to lose anything, or perhaps when I start to relax my elimination diet I may do another cycle. I'll still be able to log in and generate a menu if I need to.
My meals today started with kiwis and strawberries for breakfast and then boiled eggs and beans for lunch. I went shopping after work and didn't get back til 8-8.30pm so I skipped meal three. My two remaining meals were supposed to be eggplant with salad and walnuts with scrambled eggs - but I had scrambled eggs, walnuts and some leftover roasted veggies (instead of the salad) and skipped the eggplant. So I suppose I combined two meals and I'm sure you shouldn't really do that. Oh well! I also snacked on some cashews once I'd finished!
Jayelle, I'm glad I'm not the only one in regards to the exercise, my mum was saying that a couple of her friends notice the same thing since they've become more active - it's much harder to lose weight!
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Vegeterian
New Member
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Posted: 19 June 2006 08:46 pm |
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Hi,
I joined IPD in Feb this yr. Followed it 2 cycles and gave up. I did not get much of a boost here and felt like I was the only vegetarian I came back 2day just out of curiosity and read that u were veggie - minus the easter egg!!
I could not stand eating anymore soy chicken!!!
Regarding ur fruit n veggi days, eat salad in your last meal with lettuce sprouts etc and the fibre helps avoid the hunger pangs cos it keeps u full. Add steamed asparagus and beetroot if u wish.
If i could forgo the soya and have fruit n veg days more often - maybe i would ressume. Wish u success
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 20 June 2006 01:39 am |
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| I followed the plan without having soya chicken/beef as they're often made with fermented foods like tofu which I am avoiding at the moment. I just didn't chose it when I initially selected my foods. I think there are two versions of the diet though, so maybe you have the old one?
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Jayelle
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 20 June 2006 07:08 pm |
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Hey Roxie. What did you decide? Are you no longer following IPD? What were the results of the cheat weekend? Did you gain? I was wondering. Give us a update.
Jayelle
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 23 June 2006 07:27 pm |
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Ok, I've got loads to report since my last post! I finally finished day 11 of my cycle on FL4i last Friday. That evening I was travelling down to Devon on the train to visit my parents. That morning I weighed my self and I was 10st 3lbs (143lbs) the same as the Thursday.I ate my meals for that day, one of which was nuts which I had on the train. When I got back to my parents I was so hungry so I grabbed a banana. Dom arrived (he lives near Manchester up north, so we have a long distance relationship)and met my parents for the first time. It all went very well! However, my monthly friend arrived unexpectedly so I had to go to the shop and get supplies. I ended up eating a bag of crisps/ (small bag of Walkers ready salted) and when I got back I had two very small vodka and sodas.
Saturday, I had porridge made with soya milk with a chopped banana for breakfast. I have decided that this is an amazing breakfast! Will be having it more often I think!Later on that morning I had a banana as a snack. At lunchtime we went to the village pub to eat. I had an omelette with tomatoes, salad and a few chips (fries). Later for a snack I had a few Macadamia nuts. Then for dinner I prepared a salad with black eye beans and a dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice and tahini. That evening we went out on the town for my friend's birthday. I had resolved to drink no more than six units because I've only just started having alcohol again and to only drink vodka and champagne as these contain the least yeast. However I ended up having 3 vodka sodas, 2.5 glasses champagne, 1 sambuca shot, 1 chocolate shooter thing and a double vodka and orange juice! That was trying really hard not to drink too much as well - I was trying to drink a glass of soda water as every other drink! People just kept buying them so it was rude not to drink them! Anyway, on the way home Me and Dom got food, which is near on impossible not to do when you're drunk, but instead of getting chips like I normally would we went to the baked potato van and we both got one with garlic butter! Probably nearly as bad with the amount of butter they put on them but in my own brain I felt that it was the healthier option! I started tucking into mine as soon as we got home and I had soon finished it - it was lovely. Dom had left the skin - which to me is the best bit especially on these as it was really crispy. So, I started tucking in to his leftovers. Dom made a couple of comments hinting that I was being a bit of a glutton. I told him to get lost, I was a bit tipsy and even though I didn't really "need" to eat it I bloody well wanted to eat it! Anyway, this somehow escalated into an argument (although we were more whisper-shouting at eachother as I didn't want to wake my parents. I think a lot of it was me being over sensitive and Dom not being very sensitive. He knows how much happier I've been with myself since i've lost weight and he probably didn't want me ruining all my hard work. Guys never seem to really overeat or have binges do they? They don't understand that sometimes you've just got to overindulge! As I was trying to sleep I felt stuffed and guilty about what I'd eaten, I think I ate more than I wanted to just to spite Dom, and I did the terrible thing of getting up and taking laxatives. The next day was obviously not paticularly pleasant! But the awful thing is that I felt less guilty about eating the potato and less worried about regaining any weight. It's not something I have ever made a habit of and I know it was totally wrong, but I did say I was going to be honest in my diary thread, so I am confessing.
Sunday 18th - Once I'd recovered from the effect of the laxatives, I had a late breakfast of porridge made with soya milk and chopped banana. Normally when I have a hangover I eat all kinds of junk, and I felt especially empty after the laxatives, so around lunchtime I got a big bag of no-salt crisps (potato chips) with organic hummus and whilst Dom and my brother did dip into them, I probably ate most of them. I also had a shop bought organic blueberry smoothie that was delicious, it had flax seeds and other things added to it. I did end up with stomach cramps after having this though, had obviously messed up my digestion with the laxatives. My parents invited a few friends round for a barbeque later in the day and because I'm veggie (and most "fake" meat products contain yeast) I had an organic veggie pie made with wholewheat flour, 1 veggie bhaji type thing, Ratatouille, brown rice and salad. I didn't drink any alcohol apart from a small neat brandy when most people had started to go home. Dom set off back up North at about 6.30pm. Later on that evening I was a bit peckish so I heated up a small portion of leftover ratatouille with white almond rice.
The next day (Mon 19th) mum and her friends went on a five mile walk, I ran on ahead for 21 minutes (probably just under 2 miles) then walked back to meet them and walked the rest of the way with them. I had my usual porridge and banana when I got back, then my mum and I went shopping. I bought a really nice pair of shorts in a comfotable size 12 (US size 8). I got a salad from M&S that consisted of soy beans, green beans, broad beans, sugar snap peas and rocket. I had it without the dressing that came with it as it had vinegar and sugar in it. Later on I had a bigger serving of ratatouille and rice. On the train I had a big eat (50g) bag of walkers salted crisps. Then after I got off the tube and before I got on the bus to take me to my house I went to a shop and bought a 40g bag of Kettle chips. After I had paid for them I noticed that they had plantain crisps which looked really interesting so I bought a bag of those (60g) and ate BOTH of them on the bus!!
The next day (Tuesday 20th) I was worried about weighing myself because I was scared I may have gained lots of weight. However I weighed in at 10st 4lb which wasn't too bad I thought, a rebound of 1lb. So, overall with FL4i I lost 4lb in two weeks. I decided then that I wouldn't do another cycle - the weight loss is similar to what you'd expect on any other diet and doesn't justify the hard work and discipline required in sticking to it. I decided that I'd start weightwatchers, I'd monitor everything I ate and then install the CD rom that evening when I got home and work out the points. I had oatmeal made with water for breakfast with 2 desertspoons of mixed seeds. I had a banana as a mid morning snack. For lunch I had a large mixed salad with sliced egg. Mid afternoon I had freshly squeezed orange juice diluted with water and pumpkin seeds. For dinner I had to get something quick because I had to rush to a samaritans shift so I had chips and mushy peas from the fish and chip shop! I didn't do any exercise that day either.
The next day I weighed myself and I was back down to 10st 3lb! It just goes to show that I can eat things I enjoy in moderation occasionally and still maintain/lose weight. I think FL4i was too few calories for my metabolism. For breakfast I had oatmeal made with soya milk and water with 2 dsp seeds. I had a banana as a snack and egg salad again for lunch. For my afternoon snack I had a 50g bag of walkers crisps. It seems that crisps are my downfall at the moment, I just can't help myself! I think it's because I crave a savoury snack sometimes and I used to have nuts but I've cut them out. I ran 21.5 minutes on the way home and walked the rest of the way. For dinner I made a millet chilli. I went to install my weightwatchers CD Rom but it wouldn't work. I called the technical support and they said to try this and that but it may be because the CD's too old for my PC. I tried all they suggested but it wouldn't work. The I started panicking bacause I couldn't keep track of what I'm eating without it, it has all the information about points etc. I looked at how I could perhaps get weightwatchers at home but all their packages are charged monthly and are really expensive. They don't appear to sell a CD Rom anymore - i bought my old one for a one-off payment of £40 - they've probably cottoned on to the fact that they can get more money out of people by making them pay a monthly subscription. Anyway I have since tracked down a newer version of the CD ROM on ebay which should work on my PC so I'm just waiting for it to arrive. I've decided to try and just maintain my weight until I can start it properly. I've weighed myself every day since and I'm still sticking at 10st 3lb, despite sometimes being a little naughty! Here's what I ate the rest of the week:
Thurday 22nd - Oatmeal made with water and 1 tblsp seeds. 2 oranges as mid morning snack. Leftover Millet chilli for lunch. 2 oranges as afternoon snack. Went to meet friend who is leaving London in bar and had a bag of salted McCoys on the way (50g crisps). At the bar I had 3 vodkas over the course of the evening, one of which had lime cordial in it (yuk!) because someone bought it for me and got it wrong! (I normally have soda and fresh lime) To eat, there wasn't much on the menu that I could have so I had a side order of chips (fries) a side order of veg (carrots and parsnips) and a side salad. On the way home I have to confess I had another bag of walkers crisps (normal 35g bag). Seems like fried potatoes in all their forms are my big down fall at the moment!!! Whem Dom heard what I ate that day, he said it was a good job my CDRom was on it's way because then I could get back in "control". Thanks Dom! Suppose it's true though, I do feel a bit out of control sometimes and the new diet will give me some structure! I'm still sticking at 10st 3lbs though so I'm happy. Also I ran for 22 minutes on the way to work this morning and walked the rest of the way (5 miles altogether).
Friday 23rd - For breakfast I had oatmeal made with water for breakfast, a punnet of strawberries for a snack and a salad with egg again for lunch. As my afternoon snack I had a bag of big eat walkers crisps again! For dinner that evening I had sweet potato and red onion tortilla (spanish omelette) and salad. I also walked to and from work, covering a total of 10miles. Didn't feel like running.
Today Saturday 24th - Walked into work this morning (5miles). Had oatmeal made with soya milk and water with chopped banana. I've also just had carrot sticks and half a tub of hummus for a snack. For lunch I'm having mixed salad with a can of lentils and I plan to have the rest of the hummus and carrots later this afternoon. For dinner I've got the rest of the tortilla and I plan to have it with steamed broccoli. I'll let you know if that changes - I already fancy a bag of crisps! Still weighing in at 10st 3lb (143lbs).
Phew! So there you go - a whole week in one post!
Last edited on 24 June 2006 03:08 pm by RoxieP
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 27 June 2006 03:32 pm |
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Well, my computer's down at home so I couldn't post over the weekend til I got back into work today. I did end up having a bag of crisps on Saturday before I even had lunch! I was good at dinner though and just had my omelette a broccoli for dinner. I also ran for 16mins on the way back (got a lift some of the way).
Sunday 25th june - I went to se Take That in concert at Milton Keynes! For those of you who don't know, they were a boy band that were huge over here in the nineties. Not sure how they did in the states. They were absolutley AMAZING! I really enjoyed myself. Anyway I was quite naughty food wise. For breakfast I had a mix of oatbran and oats made into porridge with soya milk and a banana. I met my friend at the train station and had a bag of kettle chips (40g) and a Banana smoothie. When we got to Milton Keynes we went to Marks & Spencer and got a picnic. I ate no-salt crisps, olives, hummus, carrot sticks, salad, roasted squash, mango, pineapple and passion friut smoothie and sweet potato crisps (which had maltodextrin in the ingredients which is basically suger - not good for my yeast!). I also had two pints of lager and two glasses of wine over the course of the evening (also not good for my yeast diet, but it wasn't really possible to drink anything else as you couldn't take your own in with you). I was also extremely naughty and had a portion of chips on the way home! No structured exercise, but we did do a lot of walking, standing and dancing around!
Monday 26th - Weighed myself and I was up two pounds to 10st 5lbs (145lbs). Not surprising really when you consider what I ate the day before. I ate porridge made with oats, soya milk and banana. For lunch I had a Taboulleh salad. At my samaritans shift I was naughty and had two chocolate digestive biscuits! For dinner I had a jacket potato with hummus, tomatoes and broccoli.
I didn't do any running/walking because it was raining really heavily all day. I also was really tired, I slept until midday and felt like I was getting the start of a migraine later on but luckily it didn't turn into anything. May be something to do with the yeast and sugar I had the day before?
Today, Tuesday 27th June - Weighed myself and I'm back down to 10st 3lbs (143lbs). Yippee! That temporary gain was probably because I ate those chips late the night before. Have to say I am surprised how much I'm eating and not putting on weight - hopefully this means that I've got quite a healthy metabolism at the moment. Had oatmeal made with semi-skimmed milk (ran out of soya milk) and banana for brekkie. Ran 22.5 minutes to work and got bus rest of the way cause I was running late - should have just walked because bus got stuck in traffic and I was late anyway! Was naughty again and had Walkers big eat crisps at about 11am! Just finished my lunch of jacket potato, hummus, tomatoes and lettuce. Plan to walk the 5 miles back home tonight. Weightwatchers CD Rom still hasn't arrived, I hope it comes soon, I want to start losing again! At least I'm maintaining at the moment. Feeling good about myself and my body at the moment anyway. I always do when I've done some exercise. It will be great when I start losing again but it feels like quite an achievement to be eating "normally" and allowing myself treats but not putting on weight - normally as soon as I'm not on a diet I binge and put on weight.
Not sure what I'll have for dinner yet, have to go shopping on the way home. I might treat myself to a Chinese takeaway, I normally make one dish and one portion of rice last for two nights so it's not too calorific or expensive!Last edited on 27 June 2006 03:34 pm by RoxieP
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 27 June 2006 05:26 pm |
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RoxieP wrote: Sunday 25th june [..] When we got to Milton Keynes we went to Marks & Spencer
On Friday (June 23rd) I was with my mum at Marks & Spenser's at 1.45pm when they got a lemon-flavour pie/tart out for customers to sample. I made off with 3 pieces. It is because of these ocassional freebies that I keep popping into Marks & Spenser - though usually I walk out empty handed! On Sunday, for instance, I must have gone there 2 or 3 times - for nothing. Still, it is only 300 yards from my flat.
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 28 June 2006 09:13 am |
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I went to Marks & Spenser's and bought some Wedgewood China. Zero calories.
Peter
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 28 June 2006 03:41 pm |
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Do they have M&S in the states or did you visit our green and pleasant land Peter? Nir, I've read a few of your posts and I think it's hilarious how you can't resist a bargain or a bit of free grub! For goodness sake don't ever go and work for Marks and Spencer because my aunty does and they have a staff shop where they can pick up the short-dated stuff for pennies. You'd clear the place out every night! Never mind the damage it would do to your waistline!
Ok the rest of yesterday wasn't so good! I had ANOTHER packet of walkers big eat crisps for my afternoon snack! I then walked home and picked up some groceries on the way (5 miles). Seeing as I seem to eat crisps every day I decided I might as well buy a multipack and save money (learning from Nir!) so I bought a pack of six! They are nice handcooked style ones though. I was starving hungry and I knew it would take a while to cook my dinner so I ended up eating another bag! Three bags of crisps in one day! I'm disgusting! I then cooked an absolutely delicious dinner of roasted vegetables with Quinoa and millet and salad with a spicy tomato dressing. It was lovely! I got the recipe from Delia (Smith) online. It's meant to have goats cheese, and couscous instead of Quinoa but I adapted it to suit me and it was still one of the tastiest meals I've ever cooked. I'll try to post the recipe if I get the chance. I only had a small portion but then I went on to eat a KitKat chunky - a limited edition one with peanut butter. I saw it in Budgens and I couldn't resist! So yet again I'm slipping on the yeast diet! I think it seems to be ok that I'm relaxing a little - the book I read says you should follow the plan for at least six months, but in a couple of magazines I've read that an anti-candida program should be followed for one month - and I started at the beginning of April and was very strict for at least two months. I think as long as I don't suddenly start eating sugary foods all the time I should be ok.
This morning (June 28th) I'm back up to somewhere between 10st 4lbs and 10st 5lbs (144-145lbs), which is no great surprise considering what I ate yesterday! For breakfast today I had oat porridge made with soya milk and water and chopped strawberries. I ran for 23 minutes this morning and walked the rest of the way to work (5 miles). Today I've actually planned my snacks and taken them into work with me so I'm not tempted to buy bags and bags of crisps! I allowed myself a bag for my mid-morning snack and for my afternoon snack I will have chopped strawberries and live natural yoghurt. I've just finished my lunch now and I had some of the roasted vegetable salad I made last night. That should see me through lunch for the next coule of days. Yum! Will post tomorrow how I got on for the rest of the day today. Internet still down at home.
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 29 June 2006 09:25 am |
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I went to M&S on a couple of trips to London.
BTW, next Tuesday, July 4th, I'll be celebrating independence!;)
Actually we don't think of England so much on that day as just being free.
Peter
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 29 June 2006 02:52 pm |
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I'm horrified with myself thanks to my behaviour the rest of yesterday. I had my strawberries and yoghurt mid afternoon as planned, but when I got home I ate two bags of crisps while I was cooking dinner. Decided there and then that I just can't keep food like that in the house and eat it sensibly. I cooked a dinner of wholewheat spaghetti with a sauce I made with soya mince, onions, peppers, garlic and the leftover spicy tomato dressing I made the night before - served with a side salad. When I'd finished I still wasn't satisfied (wasn't hungry, just not satisfied). I went to the shop and bought a double caramel magnum (chocolate covered ice cream on a stick). When I finished that I still wanted more. I was well and truly in binge mode. I then went on to eat another two bags of crisps (total of five throughout the day - I suppose I wanted to "use then up" so they wouldn't be around to tempt me any more), a chunk of toblerone and a peppermint crisp chocolate bar from Sweden that my flatmate gave me (yes, I even went begging for food from my flatmates). Writing this now I feel so ashamed. I just honestly couldn't stop myself. I then did the shameful thing of taking another two laxatives last night to try to get rid of it all. The main reason I did it was that I had a sore leg last night and I knew I probably wouldn't be able to run or walk for miles today - normally I won't take laxatives cause I know they'll stop me training. Worst thing is is that it's now lunchtime the next day and nothing's happened so they've either not worked or they'll kick in later. Either way, it was a waste of time taking them cause my body will have sucked all the calories out of my feast last night and will be busy depositing it on my bottom and thighs. Today I weighed a definite 10st 5lbs. 2lbs up. I feel dejected but secretly I'm hoping after the laxatives take effect I'll weigh less tomorrow. I know this is all crazy talk and I've resolved not to do anything so foolish again, I was so proud that I was eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and maintaining my weight, but now that's all gone to pot. It's obvious I can only work under an "all or nothing" approach. I stuck like glue to a really rigid plan for months - I didn't even drink - but now I've cut myself some slack I gradually let all my bad habits come back and go crazy. I can't remember the last time I had a binge like that. I hope this bloody weightwatchers cd comes soon so I can get some structure back to my eating. I hate it when you get stuff off ebay, pay straightaway and they take their time sending it. They've only got to stick a stamp on it for goodness sake and it should be there the next day!
Today has been better. I had oatmeal mixed with oatbran, soya milk, strawberries and banana for breakfast. I didn't have a morning snack cause I wasn't hungry and I've just had my lunch of roasted veg etc. I'm hoping being honest in this forum might make me think twice about my next binge. The shame of confessing the next day is too great!
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CapeCoddess
New Member
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Posted: 1 July 2006 08:59 pm |
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Aw Roxie, don't beat yourself up so...I binged last nite, too. It was cyclical so I'm not going to worry about it.
One binge doesn't destroy our whole plan...and mine sometimes lasts for days every month. It's what we do MOST of the time the counts, and you're doing great with that.
BTW, did you post that recipe from Delia Smith? I'm interested! Or can you post the link please?
CC
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 8 July 2006 03:59 pm |
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| Hi guys, just checking in to say that my weight watchers cd never arrived, I had to report the guy to ebay and get my money back! I did however come across an online program called weight loss resources. I costs £9 per month which is much cheaper than weightwatchers online. I hope Peter allows me to share this with you and doesn't edit it out. It works on calories rather than points. It's really good, with no disrespect to Peter it's much easier to use than this site. They do a UK and a US version. They have a massive database of foods, you can also add your own by inputting the nutrition information. You keep a food and exercise diary which automatically works out how many calories you have left in a day and stores each day. You can chose to lose at a rate of 1/2lb, 1lb, 1.5lb or 2lb a week, and it will work out your calorie allowance. You can also use recipes form the site or input your own and it will work out the total calories in a serving and add it to you diary. It did all the things my weightwatchers CDR did but this way I can update my online diary wherever I am. I couldn't get my head round counting calories before I found this new site. Too much like hard work - this does all the work for you. It also stores you results. It does the things this site does but lays it out in an easier way. Of course, this site is free and Peter does a sterling job - but I find WLR much easier to use, especially as I'm from the UK. I had gotten back up to 10st 7lbs when I started on Tuesday, now I'm down to 10st 2lbs - 1lb lighter than I've ever been so far!
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 8 July 2006 11:01 pm |
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RoxieP wrote: an online program .. costs £9 per month .. You can chose to lose at a rate of 1/2lb, 1lb, 1.5lb or 2lb a week
I hope you might appreciate a little feedback on the calculators I found on that site and how they compare with those we use here:
The selectors simply translate into a calorie reduction of 251, 504, 757 and 1003 respectively, subtracted from the maintenance calories. Though in my case (male aged 33) the program also enforces a minimum intake of 1100 calories regardless.
It is interesting how it calculates the maintenance calories, as compared with this site. I don't think it publishes the formula it uses (I could be wrong) though I've had a go at reverse-engineering it using my own input. The program first works a BASE RMR using gender, age, height and current weight. It then applies a multiplying factor based on an activity description. The multiplying factors turn out to be:
1.263 Very Sedentary
1.368 Moderately Sedentary
1.578 Moderately Active
1.894 Very Active
(bare in mind that these figures are for "background activity" based on your job, the idea being that there is a screen for you to enter additional exercise on a day-by-day basis)
For comparison, Peter's calculator uses these figures:
1.2 Bed Rest
1.3 Sedentary
1.4 Active
1.5 Very Active
and NevD uses these figures:
1.2 Sedentary
1.375 Light Exerciser
1.55 Heavy Exerciser
Notice that if I am saying that I'm Sedentary, NevD gives me 1.2, Peter gives me 1.3 and that site gives me 1.368. The discrepency is even higher for the heavy exerciser: Peter 1.5, NevD 1.55, that site: 1.894. So be aware that the calorie allowance for maintenance might be on the generous side.
As for the "lose at a rate of 1/2lb, 1lb, 1.5lb or 2lb a week" which translates to restricting calories by 251 / 504 / 757 / 1003 - that site does not appear to make any comment as to whether a particular restriction is safe for you. So remember that how advisable a particular calorie restriction depends on what % of your maintenance calories it represents. On this site a figure of 15% is typically recommended. Much more than that could pose problems, such as loss muscle, slowed metabolism and stalled weight loss.
I wanted to take a peek at their forums, but they wouldn't work from my computer when I had a go. Perhaps a problem at my end.
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RoxieP
New Member
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Posted: 9 July 2006 01:59 am |
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| I'm aware that I don't want too high a calorie deficit, so I'm on the option to lose 1/2 pound a week so I'm only losing approx. 250 kcals a day and I'll see how I go from there. You can chop and change as you go along. I started on Tuesday and was on 2lb per week at first cause I wanted to lose my rebound weight quickly. My lowest weight previously was 10st 3lb but I had crept up to 10st 7lb by the time I started this. By Friday (yesterday) I was down to 10st 2lb! So now I've switched to the 250 kcal deficit and I'm only going to weigh myself weekly. Hopefully, as I lost 5lbs in three days by losing 1000 kcal a day I'll lose a bit more quickly than 1/2lb a week, especially if I do lots of exercise to really speed up my metabolism. If I don't and I really can't bear losing it that slowly then I may change things. They do have a forum which seems fairly good, but it's poorly laid out and not as easy to follow as this one. The support from other members really is second to none on this site. BTW, I also bought Tom Venuto's BFFM book today and I have to say what little I've read of it so far is excellent. Highly recommended!
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