UK cysters on Slimming World?

helen8785 · 08-08-2003, 07:35 PM

I'm thinking about joining slimming world and doing the original/red days for low carbing. This would be an alternative to Atkins.

Has anyone done this successfully or not?

Let me know your results.

I think Atkins maybe too severe for me and at least with slimming world I am low carbing, but having a little to tie me over.

Thanks

georgy · 08-10-2003, 07:06 PM

i found it reall difficult, it's like food combining although they tell you it's not! and please remember to measure everything, that's where I went wrong - I was taking loads of my free stuff and then when I took my healthy choices like breast of chicken or cereal then I was having loads - thinking that I could as it was healthy - right?! WRONG! I was having like 4 times what i should have had!! I put on weight after the first week!! and then I just lost the will and for the next 2 weeks I couldn't get into it so i gave up BUT i know people who have lost stones and stones on it so I must just be stupid.

go for it buy just measure EVERYTHING that's not free!

helen8785 · 08-10-2003, 08:50 PM

Thanks for your advice, dont know what I'm going to do yet, got to gear myself up for it before I try it.

I'll probably be ready by January!! LOL.

Thanks anyway

clarabell55 · 08-11-2003, 03:28 AM

Hi Helen, I have done the slimming world diet and have managed to loose weight in the past, I lack the willpower to keep at it though. The diet itself, I think is great.
I usually have more red days than green but i do still have green days too and have still lost weight (6lb in my 1st week then about 3 lb a week). I find it really quite easy because there is always something you can eat, something that is free food, I know many people like ww diet, but for me I found i was too restricted counting all my fruit and that, thats why I prefere Slimming world but i suppose it just depends on your tastes which one suits best.
If you do go with the slimming world diet and need any advice just contact me, I have been familiar with it for a few years and you pick up lots of tips, so if you have any questions. I am hoping to start it again soon myself but like you said it's getting in the right frame of mind, anyway good luck!

Clare xx

helen8785 · 08-11-2003, 05:50 PM

Thanks Clarabell for your advice, I think it could be a good alternative to Atkins. You are still low carbing if you have red days all the time, but you are just getting enough carbs to keep you going.

I am a true meat and veg girl!!

When I get in the frame of mind I may start it, but need to sort my head out first.

Thanks

clarabell55 · 08-12-2003, 08:19 AM

Helen, if you like when you start the slimming world diet, let me know and we can be buddies and keep each other on it, not many people go on the slimming world diet so it would be new having someone who is doing the same thing with me.
If you don't mind me asking, how much weight do you want to loose? I am about 17 st and want to be at least 11-12st, i'll get there one day!

Clare x

Snow White · 08-25-2003, 01:26 PM

I did really well with Slimming World...My only problem was the old will power

I did find it easy to do, definatley food combining although as georgy said they say its not...I am actually restarting it this week...Of things I have tried lately, I found it pretty good...I normally do alot of green days because I don't eat much meat...Good Luck, let me know how you get on with it...

I lost two stone earlier in the year with it and although I have not been doing it lately have kept it off...I need to lose alot of weight so it seems like a drop in the bucket, but I have hope of filling it in the near future...I am 21 stone at the moment, as far as my goal weight I will have to let you know when I get there...LOL

Confused.com · 08-26-2003, 11:50 AM

Hi,

I'm new here, I was diagnosed with PCOS about a week ago. I was wondering how you all got in with medication etc. in the Uk. Most things I've found on the web are kind of US based.

I'm still trying to come to terms with all the info I've been reading, although a few things are starting to make sense to me now.

For instance I did the Slimming World Diet about couple of years ago, and I really enjoyed it (as strange as that sounds!!). But I only found that I lost weight on the Red Days, but I absolutely love potatoes so it became harder and harder to stick to just red days!!! But least now I have some sort of explanation for why I didn't do too well on Green Days even though I thought I was being really good!!

Anyway if you've got any tips or advice for me I would love to hear it.

Emma

Age 23

Cathy75 · 08-26-2003, 01:10 PM

Hi Emma,

For someone new to PCOS I would recommend "The PCOS Diet Book" by Collette Harris. With PCOS, I am of the opinion that it is best not to go on 'diets' but to adopt health eating as a way of life, rather than some awful regime. Diets are designed for the relatively short term and as we're stuck with PCOS we need a long term approach. The PCOS diet book recommends low, but not no carbohydrates as in the Atkins or Slimming World diets. This works for me as a vegetarian- there's no way I could stick to the Atkins!

Instead wholegrain complex carbohydrates are recommended, things like brown rice, wholemeal pasta etc. These do not give the rush of sugar associated with other carbohydrates like white bread etc, so are they are okay for people with PCOS. It also recommends small snacks between meals, evening out blood sugar levels, with the aim of improving symptoms, not just loosing weight.

I think it's a good approach for those who want to eat some carbohydrate... I exercise a lot and I think it's important to eat some carbohydrates of the right kind for energy and for a host of other reasons. I've been following this way of eating alongside some full on exercise over the past year or so, and have lost four stone (sorry if that sounds like I'm going against my anti- diet stance!). A friend with PCOS, who is not overweight, has adopting the PCOS diet book approach too- although she does not have weight to lose, she seeing improvements in body hair and acne.

I've found the book really helpful and it offers advice and other women's stories. I really felt lost and alone when I was diagnosed, so it helped there too!

good luck

Cathy

georgy · 08-26-2003, 07:43 PM

I have been following the Diabetic Diet and have lost 6lbs in 2 weeks. The first week was hell for me but I seem to be managing better now.

The plan below was sent to me by another Cyster and I have been following it well - although not rigidly.

The basic diet is that you can eat carbs but you MUST link it to protein. One serving of carbs is considered 15 grams and one serving of protein is 7 grams. You are only allowed 30 grams of carbs in one meal. However, you are allowed as much protein as you need to “fill you up”. One serving of protein is approx 2 oz (which really is the size of your 2 fingers)

You are to eat the protein BEFORE you eat the carbs. The protein helps to level off the insulin that your body is producing.

The proteins you can have in unlimited quantities are

1) lean meat, fish, poultry and eggs

2) legumes (dried beans, soy products)

3) dairy- fat free yogurt as long as there is NO sugar, cottage cheese and low fat milk and milk products.

4) Nuts and seeds are limited to 4 tablespoons a day. Peanut butter should have the oil poured off of it. We cannot get this in Canada. I think you may be able to get this at Health Food Stores.

If you are hungry after your meal, you can have more protein. You must wait 2 hours after a meal to have any more carbs.

There are 3 veggies that are high in carbs, corn, carrots and potatoes. They are limited for the veggies side of the diet.

Apples and grapefruits are unlimted as well. All other fruits must be linked with proteins.

SOME SAMPLE LINKINGS

Crackers and cheese

Egg with toast

Chicken and a small potato

WHAT IS CONSIDERED ONE SERVING OF CARBS

Apple juice ½ cup

Banana ½ of a small banana

Grapes 17

Orange 1 small

Peach 1 small

Strawberries fresh 1 ½ cups

Corn ½ cup

Potato ½ cup

Bagel 1/3 of a small bagel

Bread 1 slice

Muffins ¾ of a muffin

Taco shells 2 shells

Cereals varies

Cheerios 1 cup

Raisin bran 1/3 of a cup

Rice ½ cup

Chocolate 1 oz

Sugar 4 teaspoons

It is basically watching the labels on certain foods. Remember you want 15 grams of carbs and 7 grams of protein a serving. It is hard not to have breakfast cereal in the morning and I have defiantly needed to be a little creative with meal planning. I try and only eat about 60 grams of carbs a day. I do not do 90 ( 3 times a day).

It sounds confusing but it's not really once you get the fact that you are allowed what I call units - 15grams or carbs = 1 unit.
I have 3-4 units for breakfast, 1-2 for snacks (mid morning and mid-afternoon and 3-4 for dinner. I have a load of stuff that was scanned and send to me by e-mail, if you want me to send you it PM me and leave your e-mail address. You will need winzip to open it.

fee

JulieE · 09-16-2003, 07:40 AM

Hi

I'm new to slimming world, I've lost 9lbs in my first 3 weeks. So far only had red days, carbs don't agree with me. Still feeling very positive.

Any advice for a newbie Clarabell. I want to lose 5 stone so a wee bit to go yet!

Julie x

clarabell55 · 09-17-2003, 07:37 AM

Hi Julie,
Firstly well done on loosing 9lb that is great, you have obviously got into the swing of things, as for advice I'm not sure you need any you seem to be doing well on your own! lol

I too have just joined slimming world this week, I feel it is the right time again to have another stab at it. Like I have said before, I think this diet is great, It is my own willpower that doesn't go the distance. I wish I could buy willpower, i think that is the only way I am going to get some.

Anyway, I'm not sure what advice to start with I think the main thing with this diet is to eat. Use your free food and eat as much as you want, the people who tend to have smaller weight losses are those who don't eat alot or who go too long inbetween meals. Eat as much free food as you can it keeps your metabolism ticking over nicely, on red days it can get a bit boring as all you eat is meat, but some yoghurts are free, lots of vegies and fruit.
I tend to go for the fruit which have ss next to them, melon, strawberries ect.. it does work, you do get a better weight loss from these types of foods.

One thing to note is, some people slow their weight loss if they eat too much fruit ( it dosen't bother me) so if you do find you are eating lots of fruit and your weight loss is slowing, just ease up on it but you could be ok.

Another main point is to use your sins, all of them. It dosen't matter if you save them till the weekend or use them daily (but just check with your intructor how many you can save till the weekend, they all say different) use them for whatever you want it just helps you enjoy a little of what you fancy, but also if you don't have them your weight loss will reduce too as you won't be eating enough without them, calorie wise.

There are lots of great tips and recipes on the slimming world website, as well as sin online section.
The main thing I would say though if you haven't already bought one is to get a directory, it lists every sin value in every store, I couldn't cope without mine. The other books which they sell in class are informative, but most of the things you can get for free from the website, recipes and stuff.

Anyway, I could whitter on here all day, if you need any info or are just a bit stuck, get in touch, just send me an e-mail or something or post here, good luck for now and I'll look forward to hearing about your progress.

By the way, where about are you in the uk? just wondering. And also which main supermarket do you shop at, just coz some of them have things suitable for slimming world which you would never of guessed, it is just I will keep an eye out for things to do with your shops too.

Clare xx

JulieE · 09-18-2003, 06:21 AM

Hi Clare

Thanks for your reply. I was really pleased when I got weighed last night, I'd lost 4.5 lbs making 13.5 lbs in 4 weeks. I've actually eaten more sins this week too, I'm sure that's made a difference.

I live in Cheshire so not too far from you and do most of my weekly shopping at Morrisons. Although I work close to Sainsbury's so spend a bit of time (& money) in there. I bought a Food Directory last night and can see I'm going to need a bigger handbag to carry this with me.

Chat soon.

Julie x

~*ToryGirl*~ · 09-23-2003, 08:16 AM

Hi everyone, i havent posted here in ages but i too am TRYING to do slimming world but like many others my problem is will power and i HATE that Quark stuff

I tend to do more green days than red as my other half is veggie so it works well for us

JulieE · 09-25-2003, 11:34 AM

Hi chickies

Tory - I've never tried the quark, I'm still building up to trying creme fraiche. This week I've had my first green days and enjoyed them but do feel heavier. My dh is very much a meat-eater so we have found the original days suit us best. There is a lady in the class I go to who has lost 6 stones and has only ever done green days (she is veggie too). I suppose if you're going to succeed any plan has to fit in with your lifestyle.

Overall another successful week, I lost 1.5lbs so now lost 15 lbs in 5 weeks so a happy girl.

I saw my gynae on Tuesday and I've got higher dose metformin to see if that helps. Hopefully I'll pop an eggie, if not, next step is lap n dye - but I've got to lose some more weight first.

Chat soon.

Julie x