What am I letting myself in for - really?

ThinLizzy

Wants to be a yummy mummy
Hi,

I have just joined this forum...I am on day 2 of LL.
I am finding it fine so far...and I want ideally to lose about 5.5 stone.
I have been reading the posts on here for a while now.
I have also heard a lot of horror stories from people about LL.
My question here is, what am I truly letting myself in for here?
I have heard that your hair can fall out and that after you have lost all the weight, you cannot go back to eating again because you throw up all the time...
What I want to know is the honest answer from people that have been there, about what the REAL side effects are?
Do the benefits outweigh the side effects, and is it really worth it?
Please someone put my mind at rest, because at the moment, I am going between thinking this is the best thing I have ever done...to wondering whether I should be doing this at all.....Please help!!
Thanks.
x x x
 
well I've just started management so I can't comment on the long term sickness thing. I have felt fine with the food I have eaten so far.
I have had some hair loss, but not too bad. My hairdresser isn't worried.
I feel positive about having done LL, and I feel much better about the issues I had with food. I've lost almost 7 stone btw.
Good luck with your journey.
 
Hi Thin Lizzy,

I started LL on 19th April and I also had 5.5 stones to lose. I have now lost 2.5 stones.

This is the best thing I have ever done. When I started I was so down I couldn't do anything to help myself, LL has done so much for me. The counselling is starting to get serious now and I can see a future where I can live my life and deal with food in a normal manner.

The side effects so far are bad breath and a bit of wind when eating the bars. Its easy to live with them when you see the weight coming off and start to feel so different about yourself.

My LLC has introduced us to a few ladies who are doing management. They look great and are managing to eat with no throwing up or other problems.

My hair is not dropping out, rather new hairs don't grow so your hair thins naturally. When you are out of ketosis your hair starts to grow again.

Everyone I have met who has done LL has no horror story to tell, only succesful, happy stories.

Keep sticking to it. You won't regret it. Keep us posted on your progress and stick with minimins for all the support you need.

All the best.

Claire
 
people r always close at hand with a horror story or five when u need support lol. ur hair can thin, u might even be a moody sod for a while and maybe when u r finished you will be a bit ruff if u eat something too greasy BUT by then, u'll be 5.5st lighter and its only a matter of a few weeks away.

u can find a downside to anything in life but dont be thinking u will be a bald anorexic cos thats simply not true. best of luck xxxx
 
I haven't started Lighter Life yet (Tuesday for me) but as the poster above said, everyone has a horror story - that's why I am not telling anyone bar a few people what I am doing.

I had laser eye surgery in November 2006, and I had been putting that off for years and years because whenever I searched on the internet, or spoke to someone in real life, there was always a horrendous story to be told! Anyway I finally bit the bullet and just went for it, and its the best decision I ever made.

So all I can say is, just do it and play it by ear. You'll soon decide if it is doing you more harm than good (hopefully the latter rather than the former)
 
What horror stories?! The only horror stories I have heard is about the odd counsellor here and there not pulling their weight (so to speak) and giving crap service - and if that's the case you can always report them to head office and hopefully find a better counsellor elsewhere.

You're letting yourself into the fastest, hardest and easiest (that sounds odd, but I think most of us agree that it is both difficult and blissfully simple!) way to lose weight that there is.

Enjoy your journey - I've lost 7 stone (almost) and turned my life around in 5 months. This is the best thing that I have ever done.
 
I suspect that this is what you will soon learn to be your "chatterbox". Those inner good/bad demons to taunt you! I assume you thought about LL before doing it but the reality is hard, esp in the first week because you have the side effects of withdrawing from food and not being able to use your usual crutch of food to get through the up's and downs of life! On day 6 I was tearfully going to give up! I didnt and have now done foundation without cheating which for me (whose never stuck to a diet in her life!) is nothing short of miraculous and have given me an overwhelming sence of prde in myself - something I've never had before - even after doing degrees, masters, life events etc.
Having time out from food has compleatly changed me physically, emotionally and in my confidence. I cannot express in words how different I feel and cannot imagine how I will feel when I slip on a pair of size 12 jeans in a few months time. This process is life changing and I dont regret that I've done it! So what if my hair falls out (apparently when you reintroduce food is common) temporarily. Being fat has stopped me doing so much and took the me away from me. Rediscovering myself and feeling 100% more confident is fantastic!
SO my advice...grit your teeth and get through each day and before you know it you'll have finished foundation; if you can try not to cheat as getting back on the wagon is harder than falling off it & some never manage to. When you do want to cheat come one here, keep busy and set yourself reward goals that obviously dont involve food. Some weeks you loose more than others and losses can be fat rather than weight (esp if you're building muscle). Be good to yourself and papmer yourself a bit. You need to learn to nurture yourself and slow down a bit as your body adjusts to 500 cals a day so learn to listen to your body. Always post on here when you struggle - its a godsend and some days I really would not have got through without the support I get on here! On a practical note make sure you pace your packs, drink the water (takes time to get used to as does all teh weeing which does settle down!) try the recipes and try not to forget them! I have an extra week so if I forgot them I have emergency packs at work etc....You CAN do this....big hugs & keep posting!
 
Thanks all so much for your responses.....I have just so nearly given up, just now.....OH was there with the indian takeaway menu and we were just about to order....I was coming online to see how much I could sell my food packs for online.....then I saw the responses to my message and I have told OH that I am sticking with it.....I really want to eat food, and OH is tempting me with thoughts of choc and stuff, but I am gonna ignore him for now....I guess I can only take one day at a time....:cry:starving.....
 
Yes go for it! My husband was like that at the beginning - mainly I think because he had seen me start so many diets and fail... and he thought this sounded dangerous and he said you are never going to last a week drinking that muck! Now 5 1/2 weeks in I have lost 2st 8lbs ( 3 stones from my heaviest as lost a bit before starting )and I feel full of energy- and he is full of compliments, encouraging me and salivating over the new undies he is going to buy me when I get to goal! It is hard but just take it one day at a time and every day that you succeed congratulate yourself! Whats a few months out of your life? Make this the last diet you ever go on! Enough of feeling unhappy with the body you live in! Do it for yourself - you're worth it - and we are all here to help you every step of the way.
 
ah the old OH problem....bless them they do panic a bit it seems (havent got one myself!) when you start the road! I think deep down they feel safe when we're all fat cos that way they know that we're unlikely to run off with the milkman! If you have the energy I would try & sit down and have a serious chat about the importance of his support to do this and achieve a happier healthier you, which he'll benefit from in the long term! It would appear from some here that when you get there you may turn into something of a minx and he'll surely benefit from that!
A huge well done for resisting the take away and keep up the good work! You CAN do it!! Just take it a day at a time & think of a reward for each stone you loose! A blog can be a good idea to chart the highs lows - for you when having a bad day and seeing how far you've come and for others a bit "behind" to see what others have experienced! Keep posting & give that OH a slap for me!
 
Thanks so much all of you for your replies and support on here, I am sooooooo glad that I found this forum...it really is great!!
Well, yesterday, I stuck through til the end and am still 100% on track....I had to watch my OH eat 2 large Macdonalds meals and a chicken madras and rice yesterday (he is really unhealthy) and I managed it!! Yippee!! I am SOOOOO glad today that I did not give in to the temptation of him saying "right, lets just get an indian, then chocolate and ice cream and sit in front of the telly"
Instead we went to the cinema and I was planning to have a black coffee there instead of my usual Ben&Jerrys, but the flipping Coffee machine at the Odeon was broken down!! Typical!! OH said that maybe it was an omen telling me to come off the plan and eat a load of popcorn and sweets!! I told him NO!!
I think that the reason that my OH is so against this is purely because he does not want my lack of eating to hinder his own consumption of food, and he knows that with me not suggesting takeaways or food etc, that he will not get as much....I have had a serious chat with him, and he knows what this means to me. I am just hoping against hope that when he see's me drop the LBs that he will decide to follow suit....I am not expecting him to do LL, but he NEEDS to become healthier with his eating for his own sake....
So, I am on day 3, and OH thinks that I look thinner already...I am going for a pop in session tomorrow and will change some flavours etc..... and I have just had a banana shake....was scrummy yummy....and I am feeling VERY good about this today!!! I WILL DO IT!!!
Thanks everyone again for your posts...this site is going to be absolutely invaluable for me!!!
xx
 
Thanks so much all of you for your replies and support on here, I am sooooooo glad that I found this forum...it really is great!!
Well, yesterday, I stuck through til the end and am still 100% on track....I had to watch my OH eat 2 large Macdonalds meals and a chicken madras and rice yesterday (he is really unhealthy) and I managed it!! Yippee!! I am SOOOOO glad today that I did not give in to the temptation of him saying "right, lets just get an indian, then chocolate and ice cream and sit in front of the telly"
Instead we went to the cinema and I was planning to have a black coffee there instead of my usual Ben&Jerrys, but the flipping Coffee machine at the Odeon was broken down!! Typical!! OH said that maybe it was an omen telling me to come off the plan and eat a load of popcorn and sweets!! I told him NO!!
I think that the reason that my OH is so against this is purely because he does not want my lack of eating to hinder his own consumption of food, and he knows that with me not suggesting takeaways or food etc, that he will not get as much....I have had a serious chat with him, and he knows what this means to me. I am just hoping against hope that when he see's me drop the LBs that he will decide to follow suit....I am not expecting him to do LL, but he NEEDS to become healthier with his eating for his own sake....
So, I am on day 3, and OH thinks that I look thinner already...I am going for a pop in session tomorrow and will change some flavours etc..... and I have just had a banana shake....was scrummy yummy....and I am feeling VERY good about this today!!! I WILL DO IT!!!
Thanks everyone again for your posts...this site is going to be absolutely invaluable for me!!!
xx

Bloody well done you girl for sticking with it!!! It will get easier :D:D:D
 
Well done for sticking with it, despite a very unsupportive OH! You leave him to focus on his own fat & sort out your own! If he's that unhealthy it will catch up on him and you can only lead by example! Just hang on girl! 3 days down!!
 
You did brilliantly yesterday - congratulations.
And well done for observing where your OH's behaviour might be coming from - I have a feeling you've hit the nail on the head.
 
Thanks so much all of you for your replies and support on here, I am sooooooo glad that I found this forum...it really is great!!
Well, yesterday, I stuck through til the end and am still 100% on track....I had to watch my OH eat 2 large Macdonalds meals and a chicken madras and rice yesterday (he is really unhealthy) and I managed it!! Yippee!! I am SOOOOO glad today that I did not give in to the temptation of him saying "right, lets just get an indian, then chocolate and ice cream and sit in front of the telly"
Instead we went to the cinema and I was planning to have a black coffee there instead of my usual Ben&Jerrys, but the flipping Coffee machine at the Odeon was broken down!! Typical!! OH said that maybe it was an omen telling me to come off the plan and eat a load of popcorn and sweets!! I told him NO!!
I think that the reason that my OH is so against this is purely because he does not want my lack of eating to hinder his own consumption of food, and he knows that with me not suggesting takeaways or food etc, that he will not get as much....I have had a serious chat with him, and he knows what this means to me. I am just hoping against hope that when he see's me drop the LBs that he will decide to follow suit....I am not expecting him to do LL, but he NEEDS to become healthier with his eating for his own sake....
So, I am on day 3, and OH thinks that I look thinner already...I am going for a pop in session tomorrow and will change some flavours etc..... and I have just had a banana shake....was scrummy yummy....and I am feeling VERY good about this today!!! I WILL DO IT!!!
Thanks everyone again for your posts...this site is going to be absolutely invaluable for me!!!
xx

That is great!!! Well done for your determination to stick to the diet! Can't wait to hear about your first weigh-in!
 
Well done on your first 3 days ThinLizzy :D Keep up the good work with or without your OH's 'help'!

When I started Cd last year I decided to ask myself 3 questions.

1. Do I want to lose this weight or be a fat unhealthy mum forever, possibly getting even fatter over the years?

2. Do I think I can stick to it - whatever happens and whatever any one says?

3. Am I in the right 'zone' 'frame of mind' whatever people call it?

The answer was YES definitely! :D

I know they're only simple questions, but that's all I needed to ask of myself. I'd already seen other people's success stories, Icemoose, Karen1972, Diane53, Isobel, Tillymint, my friend Boobyjood, to name just a few on DH, so had a pretty good idea what I was in for. So it just seemed the right diet for me and I'm glad I did it. :D
 
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