Lighter Life - the first nine weeks (Lighter Life)

Member Name: jimdigriz

Product:	Lighter Life
Date:	06/07/08 (2053 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick AA for food addicts

Disadvantages: Hard but worth it

I have always been overweight however even though l am used to the barrage of fat jokes and wow "we'll need more room comments" my recent bad back has forced me to lose weight. Three years ago, l had lost 4 stone and went from 20st down to 16st only to eat and drink my way back up to 19st. I had seen a colleague who had lost over 6 stones on this diet and 2 years later still keeping it off.
I read the literature and two main things attracted me;
- The fast results
- The retraining of my attitude to food. By abstaining from food and drink, you should be better placed to treat your addictions. After all, isn't that how alcoholics do it?

I kicked off on June 30th and boy l found this first week hard. Yes you don't feel hungry and l have had dizzy spells and headaches. I am told that l need to ensure l am well hydrated and try some salt in my soups. The first few days were harder than when l quitted smoking. Also, seeing my family eat whilst l adore their plates lovingly is a new experience. But, l have abstained now for 7 days! I have not had a beer in 7 days (a record) and gone is the need to have a few beers in the evening to just wind down!
I am following the standard programme of four shakes/soups a day. I motivate myself with one treat a day an Americano from the local coffee shop.
However the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I went to my first weigh-in, 5 days after starting and was shocked to see l had lost 1st1lb. Wow! I have more energy and l have already dropped a waist size. I even spent Saturday in the garden killing spare time cutting the hedge. However, l do hope the headaches stop. I even went to the gym twice this week as l try and change my old habits. I fully appreciated that l need to be more active and all l needed was the kick-start!

In summary, l am finding it hard and hope it gets easier as the others suggest. I want and need to lose weight and look to your reviews to give me strength. My goal is to do the foundation course and to be honest l am counting down the days till its over but l am using this as the accelerator to a healthier lifestyle. This is the first step.

Week 2 13th July
I had the headaches until day 9 and found that hard. But, on day 10, they just stopped and life became bearable. I went to the gym twice this week. Yes, l don't feel as strong but l still did my workouts. I had my second weigh in and oh my god, l lost another 8 pounds! That is a total of 23 pounds in 2 weeks. No beer for 14 days (a new world record for me).My waist has shrunk, l have more energy and l don't waddle like the Michelin man!! Its hard work as l still think about food but l now realise that my disrespect food and alcohol was to blame.
Week 3 20th July
Lost another 7 pounds. No headaches as l have now realised that l was initially detoxing and then dehydrated. I have not been hungry but boy do l feel envious when l see others enjoying it. My daily treat is to look forward to my evening peanut bar. I went to the pub and for the first time in years learnt to say no to beer and drink sparkling water. I just feel so much better . The weekly classes are of great help where you meet people at different stages. You can talk and learn about the plan. You can see how others have succeeded and this really motivates you. I am now determined to see this through and change my life for good now!
week 4 27th July
Did find it hard this week with the glorious weather to stick to diet. However, l only have myself to blame for being so overweight. Only lost 4 pounds this week and the counsellor said that although this my lowest loss to date, this was good progress. I have lost 4.5 inches on my waist and l have'nt felt this good for years. As l abstain now, l fully undertand the many many bad habits l had before. I don't now need to drink 3/4 beers whilst watching tv or snack throughout an evening. I am so lucky that as a man, l only have 4 weeks left.
week 5 3rd August
Lost another 6 pounds. I had a blood pressure check and wow it had dropped to 123/75. My doctor says that l will now not need any medication. My back pains have completely stopped. This week l have found myself thinking about food more than at anytime before but the weight loss keeps me going. I went to a family party and spent the evening being envious of all the food and drink. However, l stuck to fizzy water and said it was my turn to drive. People came up and started to comment on how good l was looking. Makes a change from the fat comments. I started looking at portions that people were taking and made me re evaluate how much l used to eat. One thing for sure, l will not be going back to my old drinking habits! It seems to be working!
week6 10th August
Lost only 5 pounds. Not a good week, l felt a bit disappointed as l had stuck rigidly to the diet. Met my sister and the comments on how good l was looking made me feel much better. Its hard watching my family eat especially when we went for a meal. I had to pretend l was eating but l am determined to do this. I do still get dizzy spells and still think about food and what my first meal will be.
week 7 17th August
Boy did l have constipation this week. now l have an idea what child birth must be like! Have started taking laxtives to try and go. My skin has improved and my clothes are all way too big. My waist has shrunk by 6 inches. I still think about food and had orginally planned to stop after foundation but after going to class every week with guys on weight management it has now convinced me that l need to do this to. This will teach me how to manage my food addiction and keep my weight off. My local off licence has gone into receivership because l have'nt had a beer in 7 weeks! I used to drink 30 bottles a week. My blood presurre is normal and my doctor is really pleased. Every day, l spend time planning my first food when l start weight management. I had a great week as l lost 6 pounds this week. I am sticking rigidly to my daily rountine, shake at 8, soup at 1pm and 5pm and then my one delight. My peanut bar at 7pm. This makes my whole day worth while! My advice is, have one thing to look forward to every day. It helps!

As l come to the end of foundation, l am aware that when you start to eat again you put 7 pounds of water weight back on.
Week 8 24th August.
I lost five pounds this week. At the end of my foundation l have now lost exactly four stones. I just cant beleive it! 2 months ago, l had high blood pressure and was out of breath after short walks. Now, l look and feel ten years younger and have normal blood pressure. I have decided to do one more week which should compensate for water weight gain. Oh, how l can't stop thinking about what my first meal will be. 7 days to go and then l can start weight managment and l will learn the techniques for keeping my weight off. One thing is for sure, lwont be going back to latte's with a cake every day!!
week 9 31st August
My last week and by was l shocked. l lost 7 punds. So over nine weeks, some 4.5 stones in total. I have now decided to start weight mangement. Week 1 and l have to have 3 shakes and one meal. My first in weeks. It's still quite pricey at £50 but well worth it. Oh, how l have been dreaming of food and tonight its some chicken!!!!

Summary: The diet as l live it!