I have recently lent my digital to camera to my brother and due to its forgetful nature he has not returned it. At last he will be returning it this evening and I will get a chance to take some new photos of me 5 weeks in to this diet.
I must admit I spent some time last night looking at my original phots and comparing them to how I look now. I was pleasantly surprised with how noticeable the weight loss was.
I would advise anyone embarking on such a diet to take photos of there progress, even if they are camera shy, because you feel great when you look at the 'before' photos and see how far you have come.
Will post new photos later.
My Photos
Friday 29 June 2007
Side effects.
Having returned yesterday to SSing, I did experience a few side affects. Last night I had a little tingling in my left foot and hands. I did experience this at the beginning of the diet when moving into Ketosis, and my CDC advised me it would pass, as it did do after a couple of days. I'm sure it will pass again as my body gets use to SSing again.
Its surprising how a small amount of real food consumed durring AAM week can have an affect on your body!
This week I have also decided to give the peanut bars a rest. The bars are slightly higher in calories than the satchets about 30 Kcal or so and in some cases can cause people to come out of ketosis and hence the reason why only one per day is permitted. I know even with the bar I'm in Ketosis, I just wanted to kick start things again after 'add a meal' week, so in a sense I'm mentally starting the diet again.
When I initially started I did not have a bar for the first week of the diet and had only one every other day during the second week. (not really suppose to have a bar during first two weeks), this did not effect ketosis or my weight loss for that week though, and I felt I needed something solid in my diet!
So as I start my next 4 weeks on SSing I guess I will endure a few symptons over the coming days, I expect these to subside as I get back into the swing of things.
I post regulary on http://www.minimins.com/ regarding my weight loss. This site is fantastic in my opinion and has been a great support. Many of the members there are seasoned CDer's and have a wealth of experience to add. They also offer great encouragement at all times. I seem to visit the site on a daily basis and always leave it feeling better about myself and the diet. Its great knowing I'm not the only one on this diet and not alone. I thank everyone on that site who has offered words of encouragement and support. Its much appreciated. Thank you. xxx
Its surprising how a small amount of real food consumed durring AAM week can have an affect on your body!
This week I have also decided to give the peanut bars a rest. The bars are slightly higher in calories than the satchets about 30 Kcal or so and in some cases can cause people to come out of ketosis and hence the reason why only one per day is permitted. I know even with the bar I'm in Ketosis, I just wanted to kick start things again after 'add a meal' week, so in a sense I'm mentally starting the diet again.
When I initially started I did not have a bar for the first week of the diet and had only one every other day during the second week. (not really suppose to have a bar during first two weeks), this did not effect ketosis or my weight loss for that week though, and I felt I needed something solid in my diet!
So as I start my next 4 weeks on SSing I guess I will endure a few symptons over the coming days, I expect these to subside as I get back into the swing of things.
I post regulary on http://www.minimins.com/ regarding my weight loss. This site is fantastic in my opinion and has been a great support. Many of the members there are seasoned CDer's and have a wealth of experience to add. They also offer great encouragement at all times. I seem to visit the site on a daily basis and always leave it feeling better about myself and the diet. Its great knowing I'm not the only one on this diet and not alone. I thank everyone on that site who has offered words of encouragement and support. Its much appreciated. Thank you. xxx
Thursday 28 June 2007
5TH WEIGH IN
I have just completed my fifth week on the CD and have lost another 5Lbs. Thats a total of 38lbs in 5 weeks, which feels great.
Last week I completed what is known as Add A Meal week where a very small meal is added to the four satchets of CD. My extra meal consisted of 50g of chicken and 4 florets of broccoli. I had this for most of the week and finished with a piece of lemon sole and broccoli on Wednesday. I guess I was a little lazy when it came to doing the extra meal, but having cooked a breast of chicken and realising that 50g was only one third of the cooked breast, it meant one piece lasted me 3 days and so there wasn't a great deal of thought needed when preparing the next days meal!!
Its amazing though how having real food again made me grave for more. Although I was allowed various greens with my AAM its surprising how many times I found myself opening the fridge and saying to myself..."you can have a bit more salad if u like, or a piece of cucumber". Although eating an extra salad leaf or piece of cucumber would not have harmed me, I think it was representative of how addicted to food I am. Thats why the CD seems to be working for me, 'cos with only 4 satchets to deal with I do not have to worry where my next meal is coming from or what it is. Whilst on the CD I have thought about food, mainly due to watching programs such as the F-Word and Masterchef, however I haven't craved for food. This only happened once I started to have some real food again. Scary!!!!
Some people smoke, some drink to excess. I eat food...lots of food...I'm a food junkie. Quantity, not quality is my motto and one reason I got to the size I had.
I am hoping as the weight goes and I become fit, my dependance on food lessens and I can resume a normal life. If I'm still struggling with food addiction as I shed further stones, I'll seek mental help... although at present I feel if I address the weight problem and start to live a fulfilling and active life, I'll cut that bond I have with food and find pleasure in other things; other more active interests such as becoming a football coach or likes...something I have become very interested of late due to my recent involvement in my nephews football side. I've also been interested in completing the mongol challenge and have followed various teams for the past couple of rallies. You can see more about the mongol challenge via the link on the right.
Last week I completed what is known as Add A Meal week where a very small meal is added to the four satchets of CD. My extra meal consisted of 50g of chicken and 4 florets of broccoli. I had this for most of the week and finished with a piece of lemon sole and broccoli on Wednesday. I guess I was a little lazy when it came to doing the extra meal, but having cooked a breast of chicken and realising that 50g was only one third of the cooked breast, it meant one piece lasted me 3 days and so there wasn't a great deal of thought needed when preparing the next days meal!!
Its amazing though how having real food again made me grave for more. Although I was allowed various greens with my AAM its surprising how many times I found myself opening the fridge and saying to myself..."you can have a bit more salad if u like, or a piece of cucumber". Although eating an extra salad leaf or piece of cucumber would not have harmed me, I think it was representative of how addicted to food I am. Thats why the CD seems to be working for me, 'cos with only 4 satchets to deal with I do not have to worry where my next meal is coming from or what it is. Whilst on the CD I have thought about food, mainly due to watching programs such as the F-Word and Masterchef, however I haven't craved for food. This only happened once I started to have some real food again. Scary!!!!
Some people smoke, some drink to excess. I eat food...lots of food...I'm a food junkie. Quantity, not quality is my motto and one reason I got to the size I had.
I am hoping as the weight goes and I become fit, my dependance on food lessens and I can resume a normal life. If I'm still struggling with food addiction as I shed further stones, I'll seek mental help... although at present I feel if I address the weight problem and start to live a fulfilling and active life, I'll cut that bond I have with food and find pleasure in other things; other more active interests such as becoming a football coach or likes...something I have become very interested of late due to my recent involvement in my nephews football side. I've also been interested in completing the mongol challenge and have followed various teams for the past couple of rallies. You can see more about the mongol challenge via the link on the right.
Monday 25 June 2007
The Cambridge Diet
The Cambridge Diet (CD) has been going since the early 80's. It is a programme of very low calorie diets(VLCD) which consisits of all the vitamins, nutrients and protein required on a daily basis. Carbohydrates and fat are severly restricted.
I am embarking on what is know as the CD Sole Source (SS) programm. This consists of a daily calorific intake of between 415-554KCal depending on sex and height. (All men have the higher amount). These calories are consumed in the form of mikshakes, soups or chocolate bars. All are highly concentrated in vitamins and nutrients. Each soup/shake consists of about 137Kcal (the bars are 172Kcal - only one allowed per day)
Black tea/coffee is allowed and a minimum of 4 pints of water should be drunk each day.
I drink around 6 litres a day (12 pints) given my size and find water is key on this diet to good weight loss. Following the diet according to the CD manual you will lose a stone a month, although many lose considerably more. In my experience and from what I have read, the heavier you are the more you tend to lose. There also seems a correlation between the amount of fluid you drink and weight loss. I'm not sure if this has been proved, however I believe as do many others, by drinking large quantities of water you help the body to perform efficiently and help to flush the body of ketones.
Ketones are a by product of Ketosis. When on the CD a process known as Ketosis starts to occur after 3-4 days. When Carbohydrate levels are depleted the body starts to burn its own fat store for energy. This prevents the body from using precious muscle and lean body tissue and helps protect the vital organs. Further information on Ketosis can be found on the CD website or simply by Googling the word 'Ketosis'.
Unless you have permission from your G.P the SS programme can only be followed for a period of 4 weeks, at which time a very small meal is added to the diet in what is known as Add A Meal (AAM). This lasts for a period of one week before you can then return to SSing again.
Once you have reached your target weight the CD has a series of stages to return you to eating 'normally'. This involves slowly increasing calories over a period of weeks, intorducing various food groups as you go. This has the effect of replenishing your Carbohydrate store and getting the body using to eating once again. The ultimate goal of this stage of the diet is to lead you to maintenance. A stage where you maintain your weight without loss or gain. Obviously deopending on the individual and their activity levels, maintenance will occur at different levels of calorific intake.
I am embarking on what is know as the CD Sole Source (SS) programm. This consists of a daily calorific intake of between 415-554KCal depending on sex and height. (All men have the higher amount). These calories are consumed in the form of mikshakes, soups or chocolate bars. All are highly concentrated in vitamins and nutrients. Each soup/shake consists of about 137Kcal (the bars are 172Kcal - only one allowed per day)
Black tea/coffee is allowed and a minimum of 4 pints of water should be drunk each day.
I drink around 6 litres a day (12 pints) given my size and find water is key on this diet to good weight loss. Following the diet according to the CD manual you will lose a stone a month, although many lose considerably more. In my experience and from what I have read, the heavier you are the more you tend to lose. There also seems a correlation between the amount of fluid you drink and weight loss. I'm not sure if this has been proved, however I believe as do many others, by drinking large quantities of water you help the body to perform efficiently and help to flush the body of ketones.
Ketones are a by product of Ketosis. When on the CD a process known as Ketosis starts to occur after 3-4 days. When Carbohydrate levels are depleted the body starts to burn its own fat store for energy. This prevents the body from using precious muscle and lean body tissue and helps protect the vital organs. Further information on Ketosis can be found on the CD website or simply by Googling the word 'Ketosis'.
Unless you have permission from your G.P the SS programme can only be followed for a period of 4 weeks, at which time a very small meal is added to the diet in what is known as Add A Meal (AAM). This lasts for a period of one week before you can then return to SSing again.
Once you have reached your target weight the CD has a series of stages to return you to eating 'normally'. This involves slowly increasing calories over a period of weeks, intorducing various food groups as you go. This has the effect of replenishing your Carbohydrate store and getting the body using to eating once again. The ultimate goal of this stage of the diet is to lead you to maintenance. A stage where you maintain your weight without loss or gain. Obviously deopending on the individual and their activity levels, maintenance will occur at different levels of calorific intake.
Friday 15 June 2007
My 3rd Weigh In
Hi Everyone,
I haven't got around to posting during the past week because I've been very busy helping to install our new kitchen. I'm not much of a d.i.y person but I'm always eager to try. A good friend of mine is fitting the kitchen free of charge but that means I have to 'labour' for him. I haven't objected really since this has kept me very active the past week and helped to sweat those pounds off.
Anyway, I went for my third weigh in on Weds evening and lost another 7.5 pounds!! Thats now just over 31 pounds in 3 weeks.
I'm starting to feel much better about this diet and not wanting to tempt fate, have endured the worst of the symptons. My third week in comparison to my first two was relatively plain sailing.
Once I have completed this week I'll be moving on to 'add a meal week' (I'll explain the details of this diet in my next post, although I'm sure many who read this will be familiar with it already).
Feeling a little apprehensive about eating 'normal' food again but I'll worry more about that next week and will continue my strategy of taking one day at a time.
Will post again soon.
I haven't got around to posting during the past week because I've been very busy helping to install our new kitchen. I'm not much of a d.i.y person but I'm always eager to try. A good friend of mine is fitting the kitchen free of charge but that means I have to 'labour' for him. I haven't objected really since this has kept me very active the past week and helped to sweat those pounds off.
Anyway, I went for my third weigh in on Weds evening and lost another 7.5 pounds!! Thats now just over 31 pounds in 3 weeks.
I'm starting to feel much better about this diet and not wanting to tempt fate, have endured the worst of the symptons. My third week in comparison to my first two was relatively plain sailing.
Once I have completed this week I'll be moving on to 'add a meal week' (I'll explain the details of this diet in my next post, although I'm sure many who read this will be familiar with it already).
Feeling a little apprehensive about eating 'normal' food again but I'll worry more about that next week and will continue my strategy of taking one day at a time.
Will post again soon.
Thursday 7 June 2007
A weight loss of 7 pounds...
Weighed in last night with my CDC and have lost another 7 pounds. I am pleased, however if I drank more water over the weekend I feel I could have lost more.
I will make sure I drink at least 5.5 litres of water a day till next weigh in!
I will make sure I drink at least 5.5 litres of water a day till next weigh in!
Wednesday 6 June 2007
Weigh Day
HAve to go for my second weigh in this evening. I am a little concerned I haven't lost any weight. This is largely due to the fact I did not drink my usual quota of water at the weekend and hand two bars on one day (apparently you can only have one a day...found this out when I came back!).
I'm so deperate to lose the weight and I'll just pray and hope the scales will show a good result.
I'm so deperate to lose the weight and I'll just pray and hope the scales will show a good result.
Monday 4 June 2007
Weekend Over!!
I came back today from my a long weekend (Fri-Mon) at the seaside and have thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I managed to do plenty of walking and took in a great deal of fresh air.
As for the diet, I stuck to it 100 percent. Whilst all around me were tucking in to fish 'n' chips and fried breakfasts, I kept to my soups and shakes.
I did have 4 bars for my second week and consumed 3 of these whilst away. It was great to actually have something to chew on and left me feeling quite satisfied.
I have struggled with the water intake for the 3-4 days away and have consumed about 4.5 litres a day which is probab;y down about a litre per day on last week. Also I found myself drinking larger quantites in a shorter space of time, I guess I managed my water intake quite poorly... I drank about 2 cups of black coffee on a daily basis when out and about and sitting down in a restaurant or cafe whilst the others gorged themselves. Naturally as the weather was warm and I walked more, I sweated more so I guess I should have drunk a great deal more NOT less. I hope my fluid intake this week does not affect my weight loss... I'm a bit concerned as I do not feel I have lost much weight, if any at all. I hope I'm wrong. (2 days to weigh in)
Since returning home I've increased the water again and have at present drunk 4.5 litres. I'll try for another 1.5 litres till bed.
If I can push the amount I drink to 6 litres a day for the next two days, I may just get that weight loss on Wednesday.
As for side effects, my stomach has suffered. I take ranatidine for my stomach acid and still have struggled with bloatedness and acid reflux and heartburn especially after consuming lots of water.
I also have an uncomfortable feeling of a lump in the back of my throat which feels likes a hairball that will not go away. I have had this before and I think its a result of acid coming up into my throat.
I've also had tingling sensations in limbs and a few dead legs which I know others on the CD have experienced. I think this may have something to do with the amount of water I drank.
Will look forward now to Wednesday and weigh day. Regardless of the amount I'll lose I have told myself I can do this diet for a month before deciding if I should continue. One poor result although disheartening will not stop me from completing the 4 weeks.
I managed to do plenty of walking and took in a great deal of fresh air.
As for the diet, I stuck to it 100 percent. Whilst all around me were tucking in to fish 'n' chips and fried breakfasts, I kept to my soups and shakes.
I did have 4 bars for my second week and consumed 3 of these whilst away. It was great to actually have something to chew on and left me feeling quite satisfied.
I have struggled with the water intake for the 3-4 days away and have consumed about 4.5 litres a day which is probab;y down about a litre per day on last week. Also I found myself drinking larger quantites in a shorter space of time, I guess I managed my water intake quite poorly... I drank about 2 cups of black coffee on a daily basis when out and about and sitting down in a restaurant or cafe whilst the others gorged themselves. Naturally as the weather was warm and I walked more, I sweated more so I guess I should have drunk a great deal more NOT less. I hope my fluid intake this week does not affect my weight loss... I'm a bit concerned as I do not feel I have lost much weight, if any at all. I hope I'm wrong. (2 days to weigh in)
Since returning home I've increased the water again and have at present drunk 4.5 litres. I'll try for another 1.5 litres till bed.
If I can push the amount I drink to 6 litres a day for the next two days, I may just get that weight loss on Wednesday.
As for side effects, my stomach has suffered. I take ranatidine for my stomach acid and still have struggled with bloatedness and acid reflux and heartburn especially after consuming lots of water.
I also have an uncomfortable feeling of a lump in the back of my throat which feels likes a hairball that will not go away. I have had this before and I think its a result of acid coming up into my throat.
I've also had tingling sensations in limbs and a few dead legs which I know others on the CD have experienced. I think this may have something to do with the amount of water I drank.
Will look forward now to Wednesday and weigh day. Regardless of the amount I'll lose I have told myself I can do this diet for a month before deciding if I should continue. One poor result although disheartening will not stop me from completing the 4 weeks.
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