questions questions

[Littlemissalice]

Hey everyone im back after quitting the cambridge diet a few months ago, sadly though due to christmas and a holiday i've gained some weight back, not as much as i had expected which is of course good news but im ready to fix this once and for all as I have to reach my goal weight by a certain date or close enough, which helps my motivation

I've changed to slim and save cause of the price, but I have a few questions for those who have completed a vlcd or are making great progress on one. The last time I was on the cambridge diet I lost a lot of tone and ended up quite flabby does doing strength exercises really stop this happening? And also what sort of routine should I follow?

Secondly, how much cardio is acceptable? I will be having around 800 calories a day, as I feel more sane having a meal a day and this amount worked well for me before, even though losses are slower. Would doing jillian micheals 30 day shred be ok, with some additional low intensity cardio at the gym?

Thirdly, the last time I was on a vlcd I didn't lose much from my thighs and calves, and it is definitely not muscle because I can pinch a bit if I stick to it will the losses even out and will my legs catch up eventually?

Finally, how has anyone managed to keep the weight off once they reached their goals, like so many others im terrified of what happens after.

 

[weasey]

I don't know whether strength exercises will help. Some people say it does and others say that you aren't getting enough protein to build muscle. Personally I waited until I reached goal and then I went for the exercise in a big way and I built muscle quickly. Not sure I can give you much in the way of advice about cardio whilst on the diet either - except that if you're new to it don't do any for the first few weeks and then add slowly.

For my first 6 months I was on 4 packs a day and the last 4.5 months I was on 3 packs plus a meal and I upped the calories to 800 a day. The losses were slower but that was fine with me.

We all have an area which is more stubborn than others - for me it is my stomach. It did go eventually but it was the last part to do it! I'm curently about a stone heavier than I want to be (having reached goal in July) and I think it's all on my stomach! Last to go and the first place it comes back! I put on most of that in a very stressful time which happened pretty soon after I reached goal - and I've maintained at that level for 6 months. I'd like to take the extra stone off though...

 

[meoww]

If you do cardio at the gym, you must monitor your heart rate and keep it below around 130 (or whatever the 'fat burning zone' is for you) the machines often tell you, I think it usually based on height and age or something.
Its very important when in ketosis as if your heart rate gets too fast, your body cant get the energy quick enough from fat and looks elsewhere like muscles and possibly even the heart muscles.
But fear not, I worked out lots before and plan to again, just go easy on yourself, and if you feel faint or sick or anything like that, slow down or stop.

But I think do tone up, the best thing is to do some light weight lifting, or exercises such as; crunches, squats, lunges, press ups. I'm going to be doing pilates once a week

 

[Littlemissalice]

I was thinking about pilates also I've always wanted to try it and I suppose keeping in shape whilst on this diet would be a good time to start. So, as long as I watch my heart rate I should be ok? I'm worried my losses will just come to a stop.

 

[meoww]

yeah thats what I went by. my losses didnt stop, my LL counsellor told me it was slowing them down but I kept at the gym, when I stopped LL the gym helped keep me in shape.
I was supposed to do pilates tonight but its not on! boo, but deffo next week!
Ive done it before and I think its perfect for this diet, its low intensity, great for toning up and building strength.

 

[weasey]

I do pilates now that I've reached goal - normally following a heavy workout. Piates wold be good on the diet I think - just do what you are able to do.

 

[Spanglymum]

I lost 6 stone on lighter life a couple of years ago and have kept it off, with some minor wobbles, ever since. I'm here at the moment because I decided in November to see what would happen if I relaxed my low carb diet!!! Lol.

It can be done, but you will probably have to make some changes. The fact that you have lost your weight on a vlcd doesn't necessarily make you more likely to put it on again.

The best things about vlcds for me are (a) the speed, which is hugely motivating and (b) the break from normal food, which throws into sharp relief all the times I use food for reasons other than hunger. I like the practicality of it: follow the program 100% and you are guaranteed to lose weight.

Best of luck!