Flab2Fab's Journey to a Lighter Life

[flab2fab]

Hi fellow LighterLifers,
I started LL yesterday (Tuesday 26th October 2010) after going to my first meeting on Monday 25th! So far I've been really impressed and surprisingly not hungry (except those little night hunger pangs, i am..WAS... a midnight muncher!).

I first met my counsellor on Friday 22nd for my little induction (before I signed on to LL) and instantly knew I wanted to do it. I was weighed at 15st 0lbs... not the heaviest I've been I must admit... after a whole weekend of rather large 'last suppers' my starting weight on Monday was 14st 11lbs. I was in SHOCK! I had my first full length picture of me taken in 3, maybe 4 years, was apprehensive at first but in the end it'll be nice to see how far I'll have come *hopefully*.

As I was on minimins previously when I tried Slim Fast a few months ago I thought I would return seeing as everyone is so supportive and going through the same thing in their own ways

My first weigh in is next Monday 1st Nov and I'm going to try really hard not to weigh myself until then (I'm a bit of a scales addict).

Day 1 (Tuesday 26th Oct): Had porridge for breakfast, my first ever LL foodpack... and burnt it. Definitely need to practice with the porridge.. trying it out for breakfast again on Wednesday, hopefully I'll be more successful! Chicken soup for lunch (hmmm tasted OK), half a chocolate shake mid afternoon and then the other half in the evening (did NOT like this mixed with cold water) and chilli con carne for dinner (also an umm interesting taste and texture but certainly edible).

For Day 1 I'm feeling really positive and energetic about LL and can't wait to see the weight drop off. I think what helps is I'm not going it alone!! I've done all sorts of diets in the past 5 years that have made me put much more weight on than before but seeing as this is £70 a week, more choice of food, a great LLC and group of girls I'm feeling good and DETERMINED to get to my desired goal, get to the end of foundation and onto RTM

Day 2 (Wednesday 27th Oct): Foodpack wise I'm alternating porridge and chocolate for breakfast... this morning I had chocolate and decided not to mix it with cold water but with hot. SO much better, thoroughly enjoyed it Vegetable soup for lunch (I think I prefer this to the chicken), chicken soup for dinner and then made a vanilla shake...with a twist...I don't like any kind of vanilla milkshake so added half a cup of cold black coffee, 200ml water and about a dozen cubes of ice all whizzed up. It turned out really creamy, slightly nutty, sweet, frothy... amazing!!! It also made loads (just over a pint) out of just 1 foodpack so filled me up some more. Today I'm feeling really hungry compared to yesterday, but it's not too bad, nothing I can't get through, at least I know I'm losing weight (I hope!).

I bought a net book today, I have an iMac and a 17" laptop but those aren't useful when on the train etc!! Yesterday I checked my account and freaked out because Student Loans Company had put money in when I didn't know and had not asked for any of it... I'm with The OU doing a degree so didn't think I got any money to spend, just my course fee grant! Was very pleased, everythings looking up at the moment Trying to keep positive energy up so I can get through this first fortnight. I'm on a total liquid diet (except porridge) for the next 2 weeks and am hoping I won't get sick of porridge, vegetable, chicken, chilli, chocolate and vanilla foodpacks as I'm relying on those to get me through if I don't like any of the other soups, as it is I refuse to have banana and strawberry because I'm just grossed out by the thought of them - can't wait to try the bars in week 3!

Very long first post, sorry!!!!!! No more 2 days in 1 in future ... promiseee

 

[carrieclaus]

good luck, you def sound as though your heads in the right place and after week 1 the diet is a breeze, xx

 

[Spanglymum]

Hello, Fab! And welcome! Sounds like you're really positive about this, which is a great place to start. Don't worry too much about whether you enjoy the food packs or not - they're just a means to an end ( a gorgeous slimmer YOU!) and if they're reasonably palatable, that's a bonus!

Best of luck! This is a brilliant site for support, as you know already - the guys on here are great. It helps that we all know what it's like!!

Xx

 

[hanmac]

Hi Fab!

Don't worry, my favourite packs throughout foundation were vanilla, vegetable and the toffee bar and I never got sick of them! Think your tastebuds just kind of turn off after a while haha!

On the scales front, if your a bit of a scale addict i'd hide the scales, a lady in my group used to weigh herself everyday and she used to get really disappointed if her scales said she'd lost more/less than our LLC's scales. I found that I really looked forward to my weigh in's each week, and each week it was a nice surprise so kept me going!

Hope day 3 is going well!
xxxxx

 

[Kim26]

Hello Fab, congratulations on getting through your first 2 days! You sound like you are very motivated and determined so you are going to do great!

I'm glad you are able to cope with most of the foodpacks - i cannot stand the soups or chilli so i am living off sweet packs....which i guess suits me as i do have a sweet tooth, but i do miss savoury flavours now and again!

Good luck and as spangly says - this site is awesome for support when you need it! especially reading the diaries of those that have completed foundation and are maintaining.....totally inspiring!

Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing!

 

[MagdaX]

Hello F2F (loving the name by the way) and welcome!
You are doing so well so far and even though the first week is def the hardest I know you'll be just fine!
Your head is definitely in the right place so I know your body will follow!
I remember how terrified I was during my first few days. The thought of the enormous (literally! lol) task ahead of me was so daunting! I thought I'd never make it yet I pressed on and took one day at a time.
Here I am now nearing half way through my foundation and I feel great.
I also tend to stick to the same packs each week as they seem to work for me best. Not a single person I know that's doing LL has the same taste. Like for example chilli makes my physically sick and I could live off porridge (I microwave mine in 2 turns 1.5 mins each)

Wishing you all the best of luck and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you hoping the first week will go fast for you!

 

[flab2fab]

Day 3 - warning, some food talk below!

All I can think about is Day 4!!! I'm dreading Friday as I'm working at a major halloween club event in London that is going be having a paddling pool sized chocolate fountain, lots and lots of alcohol, candy floss making AND a midnight feast of cakes... that's not all but I must stop there else I'll raid a cupboard. I'm not sure I'm ready for such a huge challenge so early on into LL :sigh: however I am going to make sure I stick to water, cigarettes (I think that perhaps doing LL will make me feel like quitting in a few weeks time - either that or the reverse effect!) and my (hot) chocolate shakes, hopefully I'll have access to a kettle. If I can get through the night without consuming any alcohol and/or food then I can get through any other food related challenge!!!! I've been really grumpy today and also wanting foods I haven't eaten in years (jammy dodgers, pukka pies, tuna pasta bake, findus crispy pancakes?!?!) what's going on! suddenly carb cravings have kicked in

Thank you everyone for all your kind words, looking at your 'signatures' you are all doing so well!! Spanglymum I'm trying to look at the foodpacks that way but there are definitely some I'm going nowhere near ever (thai chilli, mushroom and banana so far). But to be honest I've not tried any of those yet but I can't bring myself to do it, just the thought of them :sign0137:!! On Monday I'm going to buy an orange water flavour as I want to test out a hot chocolate shake and a spoonful of the orange powder (i've convinced myself it's going to taste like chocolate orange in a mug).

Hope everyone is doing well and I shall report back after the event, fingers crossed I make it through!!!

 

[Kim26]

Hi Fab!
Good luck with tonight, i had a similar (well ok not that similar because had it of been chocolate and sweet things i don't think i personally could have survived - chocolate is my MAJOR vice!) but on day 2 of LL we had a huge office gathering (i work in a University) so it was welcoming everyone to the new academic year with lots of sandwiches (from my favourite deli no less so i know they are good!!) crisps etc, fruit platters, beer, wine and soft drinks, but i managed to stay strong and stick to my water - i think i drank 2 ltrs in that couple of hours just to keep me busy! haha. But i felt SO good when it was over and i knew i'd stayed strong! So stay strong, and when you think you want something just tell yourself you'll enjoy it even more when you can finally have a taste after LL and you're feeling fabulous!

Also - i tried the chocolate and orange flavour and wasn't convinced! I only tried a little bit but it tasted odd to me, so i'd be intrigued to know what you think!

Oh and in the first week i craved a lot of odd things - but mainly (and if i am honest would still love to eat one 6 weeks in) a pasta bake -soemthing i rarely ate before haha! I also go through phases with cravings but i haven't actually craved anything i used to crave before the diet - no chocolate or sweets....it's all been savoury or salads or fruit! lets hope it continues when i finish LL so i don't go back to my chocolate eating days!

Good luck and you're doing great!

 

[flab2fab]

Day 8: I've been ill over the weekend, which for once was NOT a hangover! I managed to go from 10am Friday until 7am Saturday without eating a single thing - unfortunately this also means I didn't eat any LL packs as I had NO access to make them up! Will be making sure that does not happen again. But on the other hand I could have given into all the lovely lovely food at the event and alcohol on offer but I did not, therefore I am very proud of myself.

As I had to miss WI last night Mum went to the meeting to get my packs for me. I'm allowed on bars! I picked one of each flavour and also 2 of peanut and 2 of nut fudge. I had a nut fudge bar and was very very surprised, I was expecting it to be like a Slim Fast cereal meal bar - it tasted like I was biting into a Snickers!!! Very happy Also decided just to stick to porridges and hot chocolate to keep me going, so bought lots of those. Sipping away at a Sunshine Orange drink, very nice!

Hope everyone is doing well. Kim26, well done, I don't think we realise how strong our willpower really is!

 

[flab2fab]

I'm still really poorly, I keep loosing my appetite and when it does come back now and then I've had to start eating normal food again. I'm having 1 foodpack a day and then homemade chicken soup (I hate the LL soup) along with various things that make me feel better when I do feel like eating. Sensibly though, being ill is certainly not an excuse to stuff my face. I rang my LLC to let her know and she says that she completely understands. Once I'm better I'll be straight back on the diet but it's really not practical whilst I've got this awful chest infection thing. I'm only into week 2 as well, typical

 

[hanmac]

Hi Fab,
Sorry to hear that you are still poorly, hope you get well soon!
I know it's frustrating that your 2 weeks in, but focus on getting better, then when you are back to full health you'll be able to get back on lighter life with renewed motivation
xxx

 

[flab2fab]

Hello all, hope everyone is doing well! I've had some 'slip ups' but I've been so ill that it had to be done, else I'd have been even more poorly - so technically it wasn't a slip up - or so my LLC keeps saying! I was weighed in yesterday and am down to 14 stone, my first stone is gone!!! I'm so pleased considering that my appetite has been going therefore I haven't been able to eat all 4 packs every day leading my body to shut down and go into starvation mode rather than into ketosis (getting back into it now!) and the food that I had to eat when I was ill. This week will be the first week I'll be able to do the diet properly without any more problems *fingers crossed* since I started, here goes!