Drastic action- Exante

I just googled this and it lists itself as a VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet) Plan of 600 cal/day!!! No no no no no, is the proper answer to this. You should not be starving yourself in order to lose weight, it's unsustainable, you will learn NOTHING about controlling your own portions and planning your own meals, and there is a very high likelihood that you will regain all the lost weight back + some, once you stop the diet plan. Not to mention, VLCDs should not be attempted unless prescribed and monitored by a physician.

Hi I'm a newbie here and using mfp to try and stay accountable
I'm a teacher and thought I could use the summer holidays to kick start my diet, having a shake for breakfast and lunch, then a normal dinner. Also drinking lots of water!
I appreciate the it may not be the healthiest option and I'm making sure I'm aware of my body and aide effects.

Traceyb68, how are you getting on?

You're frustrated. I get it. I have to ask: what happens after the 2, 4, 6 weeks or whatever? How will you LEARN self control once you go off this VERY low calorie plan? The key to all of this is learning how to eat for a lifetime.

Another question: do you live alone?

I've completed two weeks on Exante, it worked really well and I've lost a nice chunk from the large amount I have to lose. Here's the thing - if you have a LOT to lose, then you have to consider that maybe there's a middle ground.

On the one hand, you have to learn better eating habits - of course you do, using something like Exante because you have a few pounds or a stone to drop would be ludicrous. On the other hand, getting some of a large amount of excess weight out of the way makes you feel better, and can create a positive springboard. After those two weeks, I've joined this site, and I'm counting calories and seeing what works and what doesn't. I'm learning a better relationship with food and I'll keep doing that for a while to make sure I can maintain this new weight. Then I will have another couple of weeks on Exante, to help with shifting the sheer volume of weight I need to shift.

So far, it's going well, and I see no reason to think that it shouldn't continue to do so. I already feel a hundred times better, and more energetic. My mood has improved, and I'm more focused. I've achieved 2lb of weight loss in my first week of calorie counting and it all makes sense because it's just basic arithmetic. Now I just need to remain vigilant, keep identifying the difference between craving and hunger and work at it. Doesn't mean I can't give myself a little leg-up from time to time.

I'm absolutely committed to losing all this weight, and getting a running start has helped with that. I have an old and painful leg injury that is being exacerbated by the excess weight, and the sooner I can take the pressure off that injury the sooner I'll be able to get more exercise - I'm looking forward to that.

On the other hand, I'll tell you what doesn't help - people with bad attitudes thinking they can scold or judge you out of your deciding to improve your situation. Just because we're fat people, doesn't mean we're idiots. Hell, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'll die from using Exante for a couple of weeks at a time, or put the weight on again. Tell you what, if I do, you're welcome to come and do the "told you so" dance on my grave.

So, OP... go for it. Do what works for you.

padgrn wrote: »

I've completed two weeks on Exante, it worked really well and I've lost a nice chunk from the large amount I have to lose. Here's the thing - if you have a LOT to lose, then you have to consider that maybe there's a middle ground.

On the one hand, you have to learn better eating habits - of course you do, using something like Exante because you have a few pounds or a stone to drop would be ludicrous. On the other hand, getting some of a large amount of excess weight out of the way makes you feel better, and can create a positive springboard. After those two weeks, I've joined this site, and I'm counting calories and seeing what works and what doesn't. I'm learning a better relationship with food and I'll keep doing that for a while to make sure I can maintain this new weight. Then I will have another couple of weeks on Exante, to help with shifting the sheer volume of weight I need to shift.

So far, it's going well, and I see no reason to think that it shouldn't continue to do so. I already feel a hundred times better, and more energetic. My mood has improved, and I'm more focused. I've achieved 2lb of weight loss in my first week of calorie counting and it all makes sense because it's just basic arithmetic. Now I just need to remain vigilant, keep identifying the difference between craving and hunger and work at it. Doesn't mean I can't give myself a little leg-up from time to time.

I'm absolutely committed to losing all this weight, and getting a running start has helped with that. I have an old and painful leg injury that is being exacerbated by the excess weight, and the sooner I can take the pressure off that injury the sooner I'll be able to get more exercise - I'm looking forward to that.

On the other hand, I'll tell you what doesn't help - people with bad attitudes thinking they can scold or judge you out of your deciding to improve your situation. Just because we're fat people, doesn't mean we're idiots. Hell, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'll die from using Exante for a couple of weeks at a time, or put the weight on again. Tell you what, if I do, you're welcome to come and do the "told you so" dance on my grave.

So, OP... go for it. Do what works for you.

You know you can lose the same amount without it. Is that what is upsetting you?

@padgrn -
At one time most of us here were fat (pretty judgemental of you to think we are just mean inherently healthy people) and only until someone said something that clicked (may have been harsh but reality is a *kitten*) did we realize they were right and VLCD don't work.

OP read the success stories and see what they did. Most if not all chose a reasonable calorie goal, weighed their food, pre-planned and had patience.
What ever direction you decide to go best of luck!