What are the rules of your plan?

erock0628

I have to do 5 shakes a day because I'm over 300 once I get under I go to 4 shakes. It's interesting some people are only doing 3. And bolloun is essential in my program. We get lectured if we don't have two per day. Honestly the bolloun a have seriously saved me the most when I was really craving.

kallemia

Just starting my plan. Not many surprises... Here's what my clinic requires:

1. food/nutrition: equivalent of 5 shakes per day (tall man, BMI over 40) - I started with 3 shakes (2 with fiber), 1 soup, 2 bars for snacks.
2. water: AT LEAST 64 oz per day, with AT LEAST 8 oz extra per every caffeinated beverage
3. free items: sugar free gum/mints, sugar free jello, coffee, tea, diet soda, Crystal Light, non-calorie sweetener, flavor extracts, "butter spray" (Pam)
4. real world emergency meal replacement when you have no product: 6-8 oz lean protein, no sauce, etc, 2 cups of non-starchy vegetables
5. initial workup: EKG, bloodwork, weigh/measure, body composition analysis, meet with physician, dietitian- start with a cohort (there are 5 others in my group all doing New Directions VLCD
6. support: first month - weekly group meetings (behavioral, nutritional), weekly weight/BP checks; after that at least 2 support group meetings per month.
7. not recommended: vigorous exercise (initially); tinkering with the plans, substituting non ND food based on carbs/calories

I asked if it was okay to have hot water with lemon slice - and was told yes. Also was told it would be okay to have a handful of greens daily - my functional medicine psychiatrist requested this. They said that was okay as well.

I just gave my boyfriend a bunch of food I cannot/should not eat - from my cupboard. Felt good to clear out room for the ND products.

Cheers,
Karl