Controversial - VLCDs and Lighter life

I had never heard of this diet so I did a search. I found a review of it on Webmd, that was not overly critical, though they did stress that you should conult with your GP while on it.

The article also said this:

Once you've reached your desired healthy weight there's a 12 week programme which slowly re-introduces food, starting with proteins and then progressing to vegetables and carbohydrates

So I think if you stick with it to the end there should be a transition phase back to eating.

Here is the link to the artcile, if you are interested: http://www.webmd.boots.com/diet/features/lighterlife-diet

Why don't you ask that local support group? I mean, that's part of what they're there for, right?

My opinion would be to transition off the VLCD when you have about 100 pounds to lose. The reason is that for health reasons, you should try to preserve Lean Body Mass as you lose the rest of your weight.

The website mentions "We'll make sure you know exactly what you can and can't eat to lose weight quickly and easily, and when you reach your ideal size, our group work and management programme will help you to stay that way."

Do you have a counselor for the group?

Ok, am I really reading this right? you average losing 9 pounds a WEEK?

I understand the bingeing and you wanted to go liquid, because food was a trigger, but this seems very dangerous to me... 9 pounds a week is literally unheard of, unless I am reading the numbers wrong? I mean, if it worked great, but I don't see how you can go back to eating regular food now without gaining it back (maybe not all of it, but at least half of it.)

If you were worried it would have screwed up your metabolism in the long run, maybe you should have done more research before starting. That's my opinion.

I would advise not staying on it for too long. Come off it very, very gently and slowly with the support of your Lighter Life group leader. You've lost loads so well done but be very careful. Trust me, if you fall off the wagon there is very little chance of you being able to repeat what you did the first time and there is a very real risk of you then ending up 'chasing your tail' trying to get back what you once had and ending up gaining more than you had started with.

I know you don't want criticism but Lighter Life carries very real risks of gaining back more weight and developing disordered behaviours around food. Ultimately we can't and don't need to opt out of food.

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/lighter_life_diet.htm


This pretty much says how to use it. You should have this information already, as I found it with a simple Google search. If you're over 30BMI, you use it one way. After you go under 30BMI, you transition off. The "counselor" helps you understand your "relationship with food"

I'd never do it without hospital supervision, but I don't have 300lbs to lose, so... to each their own, I guess?

Ok, am I really reading this right? you average losing 9 pounds a WEEK?

I understand the bingeing and you wanted to go liquid, because food was a trigger, but this seems very dangerous to me... 9 pounds a week is literally unheard of, unless I am reading the numbers wrong? I mean, if it worked great, but I don't see how you can go back to eating regular food now without gaining it back (maybe not all of it, but at least half of it.)

If you were worried it would have screwed up your metabolism in the long run, maybe you should have done more research before starting. That's my opinion.

There is no reason to imagine she's gain all or half of it back. At her starting weight and current weight, it's doubtfull she's damaged her metabolic rate much. VLCD are not all that dangerous for those with a lot to lose. At least not in the begininning.

Hello I have been doing the Lighterlife diet now for 16 weeks and have lost 147lbs.

Is that correct?

I don't have firsthand experience with this, but that seems like an incredible amount to lose so quickly (not that I'm trying to imply there is anything wrong with that, necessarily).

Congratulations on such an achievement!

Thanks for your comments

I did a lot of research before starting and it was a genuine last resort before surgery for me. I lost weight very fast the first two months and it has slowed down now to a more normal rate. I weighed up the risks and decided that I just couldn't face being the way I was any more.

I have a counsellor but she very much just ignores any questions and concerns I have that might be negative towards the program? Going to ask the GP is a great idea, am going to do that.

What has changed is, after the space from food I now mentally feel like I could have another go at losing while eating. Genuinely. But am I just being overly hopeful?

WAIT, so you're NOT under a doctor's care for this?

................................................

W.O.W.

Why don't you ask that local support group? I mean, that's part of what they're there for, right?

Exactly.

I suggest reading this:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/56/1/240S.full.pdf

It's full of great info on a study done on VLCD.
To paraphrase it:
Anyone <40% overweight or at a BMI ≤ 30 should not be on VLCD. VLCD's are suggeste to be sustained no longer than 12-16 weeks. VLCD programs should be monitored by a physician. VLCD enhances diuresis, electrolyte loss, may disturb acid-based balance, and affect concurrent medical conditions. Non-physician attended VLCD are not adequate, and medical supervision is mandatory.


To be honest, I would suggest talking to your physician about this. He may refer you to a dietician/nutritionist who can help you transition at an appropriate time and in an appropriate manner.

You should monitor your basal metabolic rate through a special test find out your body fat % regularly to make sure you are gaining muscle and losing fat from now on

What I am asking is, when should I come off? When I am at goal? After goal to make space for glycogen stores? Now and try losing naturally? I am terrified that this goes on forever because I can't see an end to it.

I think that's something you need to be asking your LL counsellor, as they will be the ones most familiar with what you are doing. I suspect there will be a goal weight at which you start to taper your eating upwards, but I don't know for sure.