New cambridge starter 1st march.

Hi -

I'd love to hear from anyone who has just started the Cambridge.
It's the end of Day 1 for me, and having had some success with it last year (I lost 3 stone), I know the first 3 days are the worst! It's tough, I feel nauseous, irritable and have a headache, but I'm going to hang in there, as once you get past day 3 or 4, things imporve, the hunger pangs subside and you just get into the swing of it.

I'd like to link up with anyone starting their journey, maybe we can support each other. As I said, I lost a lot last year (and kept the majority off), now I need to lose a further 2 stone (but would be happy with 21 lbs). I'm looking to achieve this within 6 weeks, and I know it can be done with the right mental attitude. Cambridge isn't somehing you can do half-hearted - it's really all or nothing.

Good luck to anyone else in the same boat as me!

Noeleen.

When in doubt -drink...

Hi
If you are having headahces etc., it sounds like you are becoming slightly dehyddrated. it is important on the vlc diets to increase your overall fluid intake. About 8-10 cups of fluid per day is normal but you may need more than this - about 11-12. (NOT ALCOHOL-speeds up dehydration)
Try it and see how you feel.

Cambridge

Hi, I started the cambridge diet on wednesday. Have to say it's been a hard few days. Headaches, nausea etc. Starting to improve now though, so fingers crossed. Lost 7 pounds so far.
See the cousellor in ten days.
I've three stone to lose, before end of may hopefully.
Could do with the support myself. Happy to help

Good luck
Tessica

Getting ready to start the cambridge diet

Hiya

I amd meeting the diet counsellor on Wednesday I am realy wanting to do this and hoping it works as I am getting married this year and have a lot to loose. I am dreading it in a way cos I love my food. I aint looking forward to feeling unwell but hopefully based on what you say it should pass after a few days. Let me know how your doind it would be good to know someone who is going through the same process.

Good Luck and Hope you do well

Laura

Hiya laura

I've sent you a private msg as well, but what I would say to anyone starting this diet is to focus on the positives. You need to psyche yourself up for this kind of regime, accept that it won't be easy, but focus on the positive results you WILL receive. You may even be one of the lucky ones, and not have too many side effects in the initial 3 or 4 days? I'm on Day 17 now, and in the "swing of it", the scales are giving me all the incentive I need at the moment.

We're all human, and there will be times when you "have a wobble" but just put it behind you, and get right back on track! We're all gonna be tested this weekend for Easter (those M & S food ads are just irresistable), but I'm gonna flick over the channel now!

Keep focused on your future goal, and envisage how you will look on your wedding day. I'm sure your partner loves you fat or thin, after all you're getting married, aren't you?! but I do understand that you want to feel as confident as possible on the big day - just don't get over anxious about it, as wedding's are stressful enough to plan, without putting yourself under more pressure.

Good Luck Laura, and let me know how you're doing (either on this forum or privately)

Anne

Hi noleen

I started 2 days ago (9th March) and have 3 st to lose. Im doing the sole source for the 1st month to try and get as much off as I can.

I have tried everything and was spurred on by my sister in law who has lost around 3st with lighter life, however I think this is far too expensive and Cambridge is only half the price!

What I'd like to know is how much should I expect to be losing each week? I know initially, in the first week, to expect a good loss.

Also nice to have people to talk to in the same boat.

Good luck

Lorraine

Hi lorraine,

Hi, How's it going Lorraine?

You must have just finished day 3 right? If so, you are nearly over the worst. After that, you should find most unpleasant side effects subside, and you won't feel quite as hungry.
I have never followed sole source for longer than a week,(and went to "add a meal" fairly early on) but this time, I'm trying to do at least 2 weeks of sole source, for the incentive of losing a lot initially.

It's possible to lose an average of a stone a month on this diet, but make sure you have the support of your counsellor and GP.

As you know I started on 1st March, and have already lost about 9lb, but I expect it to really slow down for a bit, while my body re-adjusts.

It's really important to remain "regular" too - I always warn people of this, as it is not uncommon to get very constipated on this diet, esp if you are prone to it anyway. If necessary, take a bulking agent, like fibogel, it is a gentle laxative, but only do so if you really have a problem.

Good luck!

Noeleen.

Day 6

Hi Noeleen

Have lost 6lbs now and am on day 6 of sole source. Impressed and cant wait to see how much I weigh on Sunday (1 week of diet). Hoping that maybe I will have lost 8-9lbs. I know its asking a lot but am so sick of this weight its dragging me down and I do feel like this is last chance saloon for me!

I feel really lucky as I haven't had any side effects apart from the bad breath & I cant say that my constipation is any worse than usual as I have always had trouble with this.

Hunger has subsided but I'm finding I have to avoid ads on tv or when my family are eating so as not to drool!

Am going to stay on sole source for a month as I go on holiday for a week then and want to shift a large bulk of weight by then. My plan is to use the plan for 2 meals a day and have an evening meal out (meat & veg - no carbs), with a glass of wine. I'm hoping that I'll only need one glass as I'm eating so little that it will go straight to my head.

Good luck, Lorraine

Cambridge diet

Hi Noeleen, i started cambridge 3wks ago, within this time i have been picking food, so i havent really done the diet any justice. last week i got weighed and only lost 1 pound, so you know i didnt stick to it. My dieticians gave me a real wake up call in regards to my mind set. so ive decided to start a fresh and really commit myself to the diet, as im only wasting my money and time. i know it can work, as i lost 2 stones last year, but wasnt consistant, i need to lose at least 4 stones. i hope you are doing well, it is very hard, but we can do this.

Andrea

How's it going?

Andrea,
I'm so sorry I haven't responded before now. I try to reply to everyone, but seemed to overlook your note.
Did you start afresh, and if so, how are you getting on?
If there's one thing I've learned about this style of dieting is that it doesn't suit everyone. That said, you really have to be in the right mind set and really want to do it. I had a couple of false starts before I was up, up and away, so it can take a while to come to the point when you've decided that YES, this is what you want to do. Making the decision is the hardest bit, once you do that, the rest is easier to handle. I know how much better I feel since I lost 3 stone last year, and how I'll feel even better when I lose another couple of stone. Don't beat yourself up for not getting into it straight away, and I said, it can take a while.
Take care,

Anne.

Cambridge new starter perhaps!

Hi Noeleen,

I am thinking of starting the cambridge diet on Monday, as im desparate to loose weight. I need to loose about 2 stone by July as im getting married in August.How are the milkshakes?


Rita

Go for it rita!

Hi Rita,

Good luck if you're starting tomorrow (10th?).
As I said to my other buddy on here, if you prepare for the first 3 days being very hard, you're more likely to see it through. I'm starting Day 9 (so far I've lost about 8lbs) and that was with a couple of "controlled breaks". I wouldn't recommend this necessarilly, but it doesn't seem to have hurt. I went to a wedding yesterday, so I had to eat but I was careful in that I stuck to mainly protein and salad. I just tell myself, I've had a lifetime of eating whatever I wanted, so it won't kill me to be disciplined for a few weeks! I'm focusing on the summer now, and my holiday in June when I expect to be a good stone or so lighter.

The milkshakes taste OK. My favourites are: mint choc, orange choc, toffee & walnut, plain choc (all of which can be drunk hot as well as cold). I found most of the soups horrible, but the 2 I can have are chicken & mushroom and leak & potato, (although the l & p does taste a bit powdery). I have them occasionally as a change from the sweet tasting milkshakes.

Anyway, good luck and let me know how you're getting on...

Anne

Thanks

Hi Anne,

Thanks for the advice. I started on the 10 march and by wed i weighed myself and lost 7lbs! i get weighed tomorrow any extra weight loss and i will be mega happy, BUT IM STARVING HUNGRY!
Im on the cartons and they taste okay and tomorrow im getting the bars, cant wait to get my teeth in something. Making dinner for the family is really hard just the smell and my tummy rumbles for england! Im going to keep going. Hey by june we will be so much lighter!

speak soon,

Ritax

Well done

You are doing very well Rita.

I wonder if you are drinking enough water? I find it hard, I must admit, but if you do, you're less likely to feel as hungry. You can get a flavouring from your counsellor to add to the water, to make it more palatable, and I like to drink water warm (instead of ice cold, as it goes down easier!)

You should find things a lot easier when you go onto the bars. I wouldn't recommend the peanut (like a piece of wood!and I struggle with the cranberry) but the orange choc, choc, caramel are all quite nice. Keep them in the fridge, and slice them into pieces so that you can "draw out the meal for longer"!

Yes, I'm focussing on JUNE too, as I have a holiday on 7th - can't wait.
With a bit of luck, I'll feel confident to walk around in my bikini without covering up for the slightest thing!

Good Luck,

Anne x
Do you know about mix-a-mousse too? It makes the shake much more substantial, it's like eating a dessert.

Hi

Hi Anne,

Hope your coping alright, any hunger pangs? I get loads when im cooking dinner.I had to laugh over the weekend my partner was drinking a bottle of bud and I was starring at him and he sed " just wet your lips with it! " I never thought of that but I didnt.

I am drinking 4 pints of water everyday. Got weighed this morning lost 8 and a bit pounds 1st week done. I have my bars now thank god which I shall one later. When are you getting weighed?

Ritax

Hunger pangs?

Well done Rita, that's a great result after week 1. It's nice to get the bars isn ... They don't actually taste too bad either!

I'm very good at giving advice, but I still encouragment myself, as it's very easy to go off the rails! (see below)

I'm getting weighed tomorrow actually, but her scales always make me a bit heavier than my own - which are very accurate, but I won't be put off. I think they make you heavier, so you keep buying the diet, ha ha.

According to my reckoning, I've lost 13 pounds since 1st March, BUT I confess, in a moment of weakness this evening, I was clearing out a tupperware box which had some cake in, and ate a couple of fondant fancies before it even registered! There're not in the house for my benefit, but it's hard when you're around that stuff, isn ... (Like you having to cook dinner).

Anway, good luck in your 2nd week. Let me know how it goes.

Anne

p.s I will put my little indiscretion behind me tho' and keep going. I must admit, I am worried about this weekend, as I fear the cravings will get the better of me! (long weekend for Easter).

Hi

Hi Anne,

How you getting on? Im miserable in my week 2, since getting weighed on monday i had no weight loss, which is upsetting me i hope my body has not come to a stand still. Been consipated since i started too.

So worried about the weekend as its easter, I so want to loose the weight but cant understand why my body is not responding now

Hope to speak soon

Ritax

Don't give up...!

Rita,
Please don't get despondant. I was in a similar boat myself for a while, when I stuck on 11.11, then after 4 or 5 days it started to come off again. During the time I was "stuck" I'm pretty sure my body was adjusting to the new weight, and I think I was still losing inches. I'm now 11.5, so that's 16lbs since 1st March.

Don't forget you lost 8lbs in week 1, didn't you? That was very good, and your body is temporarilly self protecting itself again starvation effectively! but don't worry, it should start to come off again IF you stay on the programme.

The constipation could be having an impact tho' - make sure you take something to make you go (I told you about my awful experience last year didn't I?!) Don't risk that happening to you - get advice from your chemist, and take something regularly until you get back to normal. Fibogel can be effective, but I prefer liver salts - Andrews is the brand name, but you can Sainsbury's own at half the price.

I would advise you to keep going Rita, as you have come thru the hardest bit with those first few days, so it would be a shame to throw it all away.

Let me know how it goes...

Anne x

Thank you

Hi Anne,

Thankyou for having the time to get back to me, its very much appreciated. Well I weighed myself today and lost 1 and 1/2 pounds so I guess like you said my body must be reajusting. I did however today buy some fibogel. I do find it really hard sticking to the diet, but I have promised myself to keep with it. I have lost 10 and a half pounds in 11 days now.

you have done so well, and very pleased for you. What happened to you last year if you dont mind me asking?

Speak soon

Ritax

Constipation!

Hi Rita,
I didn't want to put this note on the site, but when I lost my "big weight" last year (nearly 3.5 stone), I went a few days without going to the toilet atall. I took various over the counter things, but nothing seemed to shift me! Finally, I got the urge to go one morning whilst at work. I was relieved and went to the loo, but ended up being stuck in there for about 45 minutes! I was so badly constipated, I couldn't pass the motion, (it had all impacted inside me). Eventually, after much straining, I finally produced something the size and shape of a tennis ball (it felt more like a bowling ball!) I vowed I'd never get into that situation again. I thought at one point, I'd have to go to A & E, and I'm not joking! I do know of one lady to whom that did happen, so all I can say is "Be careful".
I know it's a hard diet, but the results are worth it, if you're impatient for results (like me!). If you do have patience, you might have some success with Weight Watchers or Slimming World, both of which work for a lot of people, but they don't suit my personality (I need to see that scale moving down or I give up!).

Anyway, thanks for your support. I still need your help as I have days when I nibble something I shouldn't!

I'm down to losing the last stone now, which is often the hardest.

Take care and keep going!

Anne x

Hi

Hi Anne,

Wow you did have a bad time. Making me think tho as i have only been twice since I started thid diet on the 10th. That fibogel did not work for me and I have chinese tea and that didnt work and normally if I drink that im always on the toilet! I will speak to my advisor about it.

I lost another pound today though, this week is very slow only 3 pounds I thought I would of at least lost 4lbs for my second week

But today its Easter and we went to cheddar gorge and I thought Oh ... it I will have day off so I have. But I will go straight back on it tomorrow! I did ww before I started the cd and I like you perfered to see a big weight loss. Im 10st 9lbs now and want to get down to 8stone for my wedding in August,but im sticking to little goals for now. So my next goal will be 10st 2lb. I hope it picks up for me. You done so well one stone left for you yipee!!!!!!!!

Rita x