Start
The great day has come
Time to change your life for ever!
Good morning, it's a great day
First thing
Write it in your diary
Put the kettle on
Test your blood sugar levels,
Write it in your diary.
Breakfast
I have a peppermint tea, no milk no sugar.
Get a shake out of the fridge, shake well, consume. I take my time over this. I sit down and take small sips. I have then had breakfast.
Lunch
Depending on your personal circumstances / type of work etc. soup may not be easy for lunch, a salad may be easier.
I always have some fizzy water with my meals. I know "still" is best but I like fizzy, it's got no calories, it's my diet, so fizzy it is for me!
You will need one of your shakes.
I will normally have a black coffee after my meal.
Follow any additional advice your doctor or health professional may have given.
Supper
Which ever you didn't have for lunch have for supper.
I drink fizzy water with every meal.
Have a shake for pudding.
I then finish with a black coffee.
Your sleeping patterns may be affected. For me it took more than two weeks to feel normal.
I start back on the mint (caffeine free) tea well before bedtime.
Follow any additional advice your doctor or health professional may have given
Side Effects
Your body will want more calories, you are starving it.
Do not give in to temptation. As your body is in starvation, it will grab anything surplus it can and store it as fat.
You will suffer from side effects but this is good, it means it is working. Celebrate these whilst they last.
I got headaches, was slightly giddy when bending down/ getting up, bad breath, slightly grumpy (my children made me add this), very cold hands and feet and occasionally got the shivers even after 4 weeks. I even got annoyed that trousers wouldn't stay up as I couldn't find my belt hole maker.(Now that is grumpy!)
What's happening
As already mentioned, a severe calorie restriction causes some people to feel a bit unwell and some people report headaches, dizziness, tiredness, hunger and feeling cold. However after 2-4 days most people seem to feel much better. It is important to drink plenty of fluids so you feel a little bit full up and wrap up warmly.
Your body will be breaking down fat and so sometimes you do have a slightly funny taste in your mouth and some people may say that your breath smells a little bit sweet.
There are no harmful effects on the body because you are being provided with some calories along with vitamins, minerals and other elements.
Exercise
Exercise
Try to keep up your normal exercise regime.
If this is just walking to shops occasionally fine. What ever you used to do, just keep doing it.
Why not add more exercise
You are starving your body. Every day it is getting 100's of calories fewer than it needs to maintain its weight.
This diet works just fine without additional exercise.
One battle at a time!
Can I do more exercise
Yes, but seek suitable advice first.
After a few weeks and after significant weight loss, you may feel more inclined to increase your exercise.
You will be enjoying the new you, so it is only normal to want to do more.
Most exercise, even a few additional minutes a day, has the added benefit of increasing your metabolic rate for many hours after the exercise has been completed. Increasing your metabolic rate means that your body is using (burning) more calories. This can increase your weight loss.
I have a damaged ankle so have done less exercise than normal.
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