could use some help/advice? first 3 days?

Hi!

I've just finished my first week of Exante shakes and S&S meals - I need ot eat gluten free so I have to mix & match from the different companies. I did this years ago and lost 3st and kept it off for years. So I am back on this because I know it works. Anyway here are some of the things I have learned:

Getting into ketosis is hard and the first few days are hell for me, but once that switch is flipped then it gets magically easier. It is hard to imagine at this point but there will be days in the next few weeks where you will think "but I'm just not hungry - do I have to have that third sachet?"

Last week I had a family meal out in a posh restaurant and I have not told them I am dieting. I had sparkling water to drink plus a small glass of wine, grilled fish with butter, buttered brocoli, buttered spinach and the cheese plate with no crackers, just celery. I chose those things to be low in sugar and starch and it worked. I stayed in ketosis. So maybe when your mum comes to make the tea you could get her to do stuff that avoids sugars and starches and just eat lots of vegetables and smoe protein and don't worry about the fat or the calories because it is just one meal. You probably know that ketosis is what happens when your body switches to burning fat directly rather than sugars. So to stay in ketosis you just need to focus on keeping the sugars and starches really low. You will be burning dietary fat that day rather than body fat, but the following day will be easy-peasy.

Cravings 1: first of all, I need to say that this advice is not strictly in line with Exante - who ban citric acid. I really don't get the science behind the citric acid ban and I'm suspicious that it is just a way for diet companies to make more money by selling expensive diet drinks as well. Having said that there is a small number of dieters who claim that citric acid stalls them. All I know is that it does not stall me. So, I fill up the fridge with sugar free jellies, I make a big jug of crystal lite (1.5 ltrs) which I drink each day, and I make fake sorbet by using the ice crush function on my blender and then mixing up crystal lite powder into it. I have these things without limit. (Crystal Lite is hard to find over here - I bring it back in my suitcase after visiting canadian rellies - but I think some of the low carb online stores might sell it)

Cravings 2: One of the things that made me fat again was comfort eating icecream. So I make icecream with the shake powder - Crush 2 good handfuls of icecubes in the blender until it is like snow. Add the sachet of shake powder and about 2 tbsp water (depends on how cold your freezer is) and blend on the slowest speed until it comes together. Then blend for 2 mins until it is whipped and creamy. Spoon into a bowl (that you have kept in the freezer is best) - It is like a big dollop of soft serve icecream.

Cravings 3: I miss lattes and iced lattes. YOu can make an amazing frapuccino style drink with one of the creamy bland flavours (vanilla, honeycomb) or chocolate by making a thick shake with crushed ice and putting in a couple of spoonfuls of instant coffee, or a shot of espresso.

Cravings 4: if you feel hungry have a large glass of water. It might be thirst. If you still feel hungry 10 mins later do something that you like doing to distract you. Or go for a walk. It might be boredom or habit. If you still feel hungry after that, have a 4th shake for the day. One that you really enjoy. You will stay in ketosis, it will curb your hunger and you won't feel guilt like you would if you went off plan and raided the fridge.

Cravings 5: pimp your meals. I mix a handful of sliced button mushromms and a few frozen peas or green beans into the cottage pie. I add quite a lot of chilli sauce to the tomato soup. I serve the mexican taco or chilli mince with a small protion of cauliflower couscous - I buy it fresh, microwave it and bag it up in small portions to freeze. I serve them in bowls or on plates and eat them with proper cutlery sitting down at a table with a glass of sparkling water. It makes me feel less deprived. Especially in the first couple of weeks - if you are struggling with the small amounts, add a low calorie vegetable to the meal.

psychology 1: If you have bought a large mixed pack, there will be flavours you like more than others. Have the ones you like best in the first week or two. YOur tastebuds will change so that the ones you think are vile to start with will probably taste Ok later on.

Psychology 2: I have bought 8 weeks worth at the moment. Whenever I am tempted to cheat, I remind myself that I am simply going to do this for 8 weeks, whcih is not very long. Near the end of that time I will decide if I am going to do another 4 weeks and then another. You can do anything for 8 weeks.

psychology 3: Work out some milestones that are reasonable in the first 8 weeks - for me losing my first 10lb and getting back into my next size down clothes are going to be celebrated with something nice and non food related.

Hope some of that helps,

xxF