Lighter life???

Isn't this the one that Peaches did?
I think she mentioned it, but also mentioned losing so much weight so quickly had caused a cyst/sore point in a sensitive place, from sitting down too heavily due to not being used to the lack of cushioning

I could have dreamt all this though...

The typical view on OT about LL is it isn't a good way to lose weight.
More people on Weightloss will have done it.

quote:Originally posted by Sare
The typical view on OT about LL is it isn't a good way to lose weight.
More people on Weightloss will have done it.

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Thanks will check over there too, hadnt thought about WL

?

Ive got a couple of friends that have done it. They have lost a lot of weight and look good. They are both managing to keep the weight off too which is good.

I do worry about how much you loose so quickly though, can it really be good for you in the long term?

In terms of support, I think just encouraging her, noticing when she has lost the weight. My friends both managed meals out whilst they were doing theirs (obviously not eating anything), so maybe you could arrange a day out shopping or something?

quote:Originally posted by alleroo
isn't this the one that Peaches did?
I think she mentioned it, but also mentioned losing so much weight so quickly had caused a cyst/sore point in a sensitive place, from sitting down too heavily due to not being used to the lack of cushioning

I could have dreamt all this though...

id="quote">


?

Fancy being remembered for my sore arse!! ? (it was my coccyx that got damaged, so you were right, and well remembered! The cyst in the tailbone was a complete co-incidence and would never have been found if I'd not damaged it in the first place and needed scans/MRIs)

I love shoes, yes I've done the diet, but wouldn't recommend it for someone unless they were in a really, really bad place mentally. How long does your Mum have until your wedding? She could lose 3 stone in 20 weeks by eating less and moving more (quote a mate of mine!), which would take her to mid/end August.

quote:Originally posted by Peaches

quote:Originally posted by alleroo
isn't this the one that Peaches did?
I think she mentioned it, but also mentioned losing so much weight so quickly had caused a cyst/sore point in a sensitive place, from sitting down too heavily due to not being used to the lack of cushioning

I could have dreamt all this though...

id="quote">


?

Fancy being remembered for my sore arse!! ? (it was my coccyx that got damaged, so you were right, and well remembered! The cyst in the tailbone was a complete co-incidence and would never have been found if I'd not damaged it in the first place and needed scans/MRIs)

I love shoes, yes I've done the diet, but wouldn't recommend it for someone unless they were in a really, really bad place mentally. How long does your Mum have until your wedding? She could lose 3 stone in 20 weeks by eating less and moving more (quote a mate of mine!), which would take her to mid/end August.

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I tried to be as tactful as I could [:I]

it just stuck in my head as you've mentioned LL again recently

3 of my colleagues have done this (2 male, 1 female) and all lost over 3 stone in a very short time. The female had terrible constipation problems though which had her doubled over in pain and crying sometimes. The blokes seemed to fare better overall although they looked terribly gaunt by the end and people were beginning to wonder if they were ill.

I can't help thinking that anyone who has the willpower to consume nothing more than those shakes, soups and bars for such an extended time should surely have the willpower to follow a calorie-controlled diet. I know I couldn't stick at it. I'm surprised that diabetics are allowed by their doctors to follow the plan. I'd have thought it difficult to control blood sugar levels on Lighter Life.

I suppose the positive aspect is the counselling you get to identify your food triggers and examine your relationship with food.

quote:Originally posted by Hoobygroovy

I can't help thinking that anyone who has the willpower to consume nothing more than those shakes, soups and bars for such an extended time should surely have the willpower to follow a calorie-controlled diet.

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It's bloody tough cutting food out, but a darn sight easier knowing you don't have to make choices, weigh what you're eating, count the calories/points, have 'just a little one or a bit more', - basically the choices are made for you leaving you to concentrate on the reasons why you overate in the first place - be it an emotional issue, too large portion sizes, bad food choices, or plain greed!

quote:I'm surprised that diabetics are allowed by their doctors to follow the plan. I'd have thought it difficult to control blood sugar levels on Lighter Life.

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None of the ladies in my groups were diabetics. They were turned away.

quote:I suppose the positive aspect is the counselling you get to identify your food triggers and examine your relationship with food.

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Exactly.

Here endeth my posts on this thread as a) I'm going out and b) I can't be doing with the backlash!

My best friend did Lighter Life last year (finished just before Christmas). She lost just over 3 stone and is really pleased she did it.

I'm glad that she's happy now but worried about her at the time as the diet put her in a really low place for a while. She also got very skinny - and I mean skinny, not slim, and there didn't seem to be anyone telling her that she should stop.

Since finishing the programme she's put on approx 10lbs which I think suits her more, however she's decided to go back onto maintenance to try to drop a dress size.

I would suggest just chatting to your mum as she goes through it, and be honest with each other.

I think Hay on BT might have done this.

I have worked with someone who has done LL - it was a nightmare as she had a loads of residual issues - couldn't be around snack food. She'd throw it away. For example - someone's birthday, birthday cake, thrown away because she apparently couldn't deal with it just sitting there.

Her weight loss was dramatic though. changed the shape of her face totally, and completely removed her norks.

Two ladies I work with have done this. One, after a year,has put all the weight back on..and more! The other looks so gaunt, people are asking her if she is ill. Her bones are sticking out her neck and she has lost 5 stones in 5 months. I am not too sure what will happen to her when she starts eating 'normally' again. I agree with the previous poster - look at Weight Watchers/Slimming World and do one of those and combine with exercise. I believe it will be longer lasting weight loss and you will feel better for it.

HI shoes,

I've done this diet. I love it. Never had any issues with it and Im not screwed in the head either lol!

Best diet on the planet imo. Only thing I can advise you to help your mum on is to spur her on and not force your views down her throat ( I'm sure you wouldn't) The worse thing when I was doing this diet was people who didn't know about it telling me how unhealthy it was. Used to really upset me. I hated the fact people thought it was ok to ram their views down my throat. I may not agree with people's choices in this lifetime I however wouldnt force my opin on anyone especially if I didnt agree. I would however encourage them the best way I know how too.?

Just out of interest Violet, is there a maintenance programme you go on - can you every eat normal foods again as it were? I only ask because the 2 ladies at work only ever seem to eat the bars or powder that you add water to to make a mousse and one has been doing the diet for nearly 2 years thanks

quote:Originally posted by Marmite
Just out of interest Violet, is there a maintenance programme you go on - can you every eat normal foods again as it were? I only ask because the 2 ladies at work only ever seem to eat the bars or powder that you add water to to make a mousse and one has been doing the diet for nearly 2 years thanks

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2 years? does she come off and go back on it again? That seems far too long to be on a VLCD for.

You do follow a refeeding programme called maintaince. Like with any diet if you go back eating the same crappy foods that made you gain weight in the first place then you will gain back the weight. I think the theory with VCLD is its like bringing you back to when you were a baby (only having milk) its teaching you how to eat sensibly but if you don't follow the maintanc correctly then I guess there was no point following LL or CD (Cambridge Diet)because you havent learnt anything lol.


HTH Vx

Thanks Violet - I think she is going away from it and then coming back!

I looked into this and the Cambridge diet after Christmas when I was desperate to fit into my wedding dress. I decided against it in the end, as I felt it was far too restrictive, and due to that I wouldn't be able to stick to it.

I don't care what the companies say about it being a safe way to lose weight, it can't be without it's dangers or problems, nothing that restricts food types or calories so much, and causes such drastic weight loss can be all good. I guess though, that if you are morbidly obese, or even obese, maybe the benefits of losing the extra weight outweigh any negatives.

As for people gaining weight afterwards, that happens on plenty of diets. If you go back to your previous eating habits, you will gain weight, however you lost it in the first place.

I can understand why people do this diet, but for most people, I don't personally think it is the most ideal way to lose weight.

I know that it has worked for some people, but i had to stop after two weeks. I started having heart palpitations and fainted a couple of times. My new doctor doesn't approve of the diet and refuses to sign the medical forms. I'm now trying to do it slow and steady, but good luck to your mum.

There is a thread on WL about this.

I have images of BGB banging his head against his monitor.

Having seen people on it and it being a positive experience perhaps I can see 2 sides to it. People compare it to slimfast alot of the time, but from what one of the people at work said it was much more supportive just like any other diet you had group sessions and assistance.

If she has the time I guess trying another diet might be a good idea since she is diabetic. There are lots of good ones out there, I have done weightwatchers but apparently slimming world is good for retraining you food wise.

As an aside...I think ANY diet carries its risks. I have seen people at my old WW group eating nothing but salads and no point soups. Although it is vegetables, that isn't healthy and balanced.

Thanks all for the responses

Just to add what I put over on WL in case anyone hasnt seen it

Mum has tried almost everything, unfortunately she cannot do much exercise (very bad arthritis and she had a hysterectomy in December) so I think is just looking at using this as a kick start

She eats virtually no fat at all at the moment anyway (gall bladder problems), rarely drinks and doesnt eat sugary foods (diabetic) so cant think of any other ways to cut down on what she eats. I know its certainly a struggle on the few occasions Ive been out for dinner with my mum and dad recently, there are only certain places where she knows she will be able to eat something.

There is just over 3 months before the wedding.

I know she was that desperate to get rid of the weight she investigated stomach stapling but her doctor said no way - would put far too much strain on her heart but apparently is quite happy for her to try this LL diet (which Im a bit dubious about but I cant ban her from trying it - she is an adult after all).

I also remember her saying that she investigated WW but apparently her calorie per day intake was actually less than the minimum allowed on WW so didnt see the point. Now she is back at work (started back last week) she has been told by her doctor to start gentle exercise but with her arthritis she finds it a big struggle. She has also been on one of the fat reducing drugs (xenical I think) but I think her doctor took her off it before the hysterectomy.


Again thanks for the help on this - she has her first session tonight so will see what she says later...

quote:Originally posted by I love shoes
I also remember her saying that she investigated WW but apparently her calorie per day intake was actually less than the minimum allowed on WW so didnt see the point.

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That could be one of her problems. I have done SW several times now and one of the things I learnt was that to lose weight you have to eat. Your body needs energy to burn off but if you don't eat then it thinks it's being starved so will store all the food you give it rather than burning it off.

And yes before you say it I know if you starve yourself you will lose weight but that is an extreme.

quote:Originally posted by Virgin Goddess

quote:Originally posted by I love shoes
I also remember her saying that she investigated WW but apparently her calorie per day intake was actually less than the minimum allowed on WW so didnt see the point.

id="quote">

That could be one of her problems. I have done SW several times now and one of the things I learnt was that to lose weight you have to eat. Your body needs energy to burn off but if you don't eat then it thinks it's being starved so will store all the food you give it rather than burning it off.

And yes before you say it I know if you starve yourself you will lose weight but that is an extreme.

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I agree with this. If her calorie intake was low, then that's probably the problem. You have to eat enough to lose weight.