How many weeks at 100%

noble8065

Member
Hi
Im on my 11th week at 100% TS and have lost 56pounds so far. I know the recommendation is to have a food week after 14 weeks etc, but I feel if I break and eat real food this early I will loose track, any advice please, and have other people gone longer than 14 weeks on TS?

Thanks
 
Nice Guidelines

I think the NICE guidelines say that you can only do a VLCD for 14 weeks and after that introduce real food. I suppose it makes sense as you can get everything you need from VLCD long term, but I wonder how long people actual go beyond this and still stay healthy?
 
if my memory serves me right, government NICE guidlines state that a vlcd should be no longer than 11 weeks (or was it 12?). When i did lighter life they said to add milk to the soups, shakes and coffee so it upped your calorie intake without introducing real food,although i can't remember the quantities as it varied depending on semi, full fat etc, but you had to down quite alot as i remember. You might find more info on NICE website
 
I have been going since March, I found a whole week of adding a meal too much. But I did feel I went into 'starvation mode' so last week added a meal every day. I have not weighed since but actually feel thinner. Its bizarre but true.

There is currently no research evidence to show that a VLCD is safe after or for longer than 12 weeks - this does not mean it is not safe, simply there is no evidence available to say with certainty that longer than 12 weeks is without risk. So its up to you. I go by how I feel, I actually feel great on three packets. I don't see any reason to stop - except I am increasingly comfortable with my weight and size. I was a 22/24 and now 10/12. I have never felt better in my life.

GSQ
 
Thanks a million for your reply it was very useful. I think a lot of people say they added a meal each day for a week and seemed to actual help them. I was sceptical at first, but this seems to be popular opinion. May I ask you what you had to eat on these days and for far in you were when you decided to take this meal week.
By the way congratulations on your huge weight loose, its a real inspiration! I to started at 22-24 and Im at a 16-18 in under 12 weeks which is amazing, just want it to continue!
 
hi noble8065, i think food week (ie. one proper meal a day) on exante are recommended because you aren't monitored by a GP, like on other VLCD like LL. When i was on that, you had to have blood pressure checks every so often.

Also introducing food one little bit at a time means your body doesn't freak out and saves it all or plays havoc with your digestion. Its lovely to keep going though - i know the feeling! On LL i dropped 4stone and felt amazing!
 
Thanks a million for your reply it was very useful. I think a lot of people say they added a meal each day for a week and seemed to actual help them. I was sceptical at first, but this seems to be popular opinion. May I ask you what you had to eat on these days and for far in you were when you decided to take this meal week.
By the way congratulations on your huge weight loose, its a real inspiration! I to started at 22-24 and Im at a 16-18 in under 12 weeks which is amazing, just want it to continue!

Hi there noble - what do I eat - I am not sure we are allowed to talk food in this section - but lean meat, fish, shell fish, salad, green veg.
I took the first 'add a meal' after about six weeks -
I usually do 'adding a meal' around work functions, so when I have to do eating with work I make that an add a meal day. I also do it at weekends sometimes too - Friday night is a good time to eat a meal - its more sociable and relaxing than a shake alone.

I suppose I have learnt that what you have to do is make this diet work around your life. Do what works for you.

I am so delighted with Exante - I could sell it for them. I have never had such consistent success with any diet.

Like many others on this forum I have tried most other diets, this needs will power for sure but the results are fantastic and once you are established the hunger goes. Your blood sugar becomes stable, your energy levels surge and you start to feel very good. I think that is why I have managed to stick to it - I think I am almost there now - I will do a weigh in this week end and then I am marching towards maintenance. Two packets and meal to start I think. I will then gradually add food - low carbohydrate and see how it goes. I am not going back to booze though - I prefer feeling slim and wearing such stunning clothes far more than the transient high of alcohol.

I hope this helps, and good luck.

GSQ
 
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Hi getslimquick, very useful post. I was wondering what to do around work functions, birthdays, xmas etc. Xmas will be my 10th week so I'm thinking of AAM then so I don't feel completely left out!

When you do you add a meal do you literally add one mean on a night out or do you do the whole week?

I guess one of the reasons I'm hesitant to AAM is at the moment I'm not having too many problems sticking to 100% and there's always the worry that introducing food back in will lead to a slip. But I guess I'm going to have to go back on to real food at some point in the future so maybe it's better to get over that worry sooner rather than later.

I just add a meal on that day - usually that evening, then the next day I am back to TS.

I understand your hesitation - I also find it relatively easy to stick to and I don't want wreck it. I have found that the next day I get back on TS quite easily - I eat carefully, avoid carbohydrates - but not totally. I pick the foods I eat carefully, no alcohol, and then just enjoy it.

I am close to my target and plan to wean myself off TS by gradually adding meals. The Lipotrim and Lighterlife sites are quite good on guiding you back, but I am no expert. I will let you know how I get on - I plan to post on the maintenance section of this site. .

GSQ
 
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