Very low calorie diet?

Has anyone been on a VLCD, like 800-1000 calories a day? Was it a liquid diet or something you did on your own? I feel like I need to do this in order to kick start my weight loss and would like advice on what you ate, etc. if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks.

I was.  I did Medifast for quite a few months (averages 800-1000 calories/day).  I stuck to it, was always hungry and weak.  I lost 10 pounds the first week and never lost another.  I took it believing if I did that it would prevent me needing to have WLS.  After all, it's about what VSGers and lapbanders eat. Thing I really didn't get was how my body would go into starvation mode.  Once I began working with my trainer, I got quite a talking to about VLCs and diets in general.  I needed to fuel my workouts, not run on empty. We spent 2 months repairing the damage diets like that do to the metabolism.  (THe repair phase included eating approximately 9 calories for every pound I weighed.  This was scary, eating so much and I feared gaining weight.  I gained 4 lbs, then started losing about 1/2 lb. a week.) I would never recommend this to anyone.  THe starvation will ruin your metabolism, teach you unhealthy eating habits, is not appropriate nutrition, and even if you do lose weight, as many do, it's not a healthy way to go. IMO, you need to eat to lose.  I'm 296 lbs, losing 2-3 lbs a week eating 2000-2600 calories day.  I don't each starches, eat all healthy fats, proteins, and unlimited fruits and veggies.  By eating a higher calorie diet and losing weight, you train your metabolism to work in your favor.  Plus, it powers me through 1-2hr workout sessions 6 days a week. Good luck with your decision.  If you decide to try Medifast, I have untouched boxes I'd sell at a discount.

hi Amy, You can take a look at my profile if you wish.  Between July, 2005 and July 2006 I lost 140 pounds using mostly the South Beach Diet approach, low carb/low fat.  I think for the first six months I averaged about 1000 calories a day, and then the next six months was perhaps 1200 calories.  Now I consume about 1500 calories a day and have maintained my weight loss for 17 months.  I also take a multivitamin, calcium supplements, vitamin C and B as well as L-lysine.  I have been taking my vitamins since the very beginning.  I also was followed by my PCP on a bi-monthly basis to make sure I was staying healthy. I can not do a liquid diet, I become homicidal. LOL   What works for one person will not necessarily work for another.  Everyone has to find their path.  Suffice to say it's calories in, calories out.  Eat whole foods, a well balanced diet, and get moving.  In the end that is what it comes down to. This is a great place for support.  You should definitely come back for more! Donna

Hi Amy! No, I cannot say i was ever on a vlcd, not for too long, that is! I've been down many roads with cabbage soup, slim fast, blah blah blah.  Know that i am an avid exerciser, first off - not a problem area, ever.

Last summer, i went to a bariatric doc and he gave me an 1100 cal diet, with app suppressants.  It budged the scale after many years of nada. However, as you say, it was only a kick start. Not something to exist on. one year later: I eat high protein during the day, basically bariatric foods like coffee drinks, bars, etc.  Where possible, i bring cottage cheese, leanmeat, etc.  Plus, i stay with leafy greens, fresh fruits and veggies.  At night with dh, i eat a reasonable meal of whatever with lots veggies. Even hamburger helper, stay to one cup or so, but again, round out with tons of veggies. Keeping complex carbs (grains) to 1-3 servings daily. I do not exactly track my food - did it for many years, so I feel safe in saying that i eat about 1500 calories or so.  side track:  Tracking is VERY important if you do not have a clue on what you put in your mouth. I am too busy, but i do go over my food in my mind at several points during the day. Truth is, tracking it, for me who has done it for many years, is starting tomake me get all obsessed with food, not the goal i was looking for. It is working, and it is something I can do for the rest of my life. I like the convenience of the bariatric foods - they are alwasy with me, so no excuses.  I have a very demanding job, never know what is happening from one hour to the next many days.  I can afford to buy the stuff.  i jokingly call it the Yuppie Diet. Jus sayin'...not everyone could or would want to do it this way.  Best of luck , but i like how you know that a vlcd is only a stepping stone.

Amy, Hi. I've done it and lost about 40 lbs. Took about 4 months. Some people lost more than that. Like 60 lbs in 12 weeks or more. It consisted was 4 protein shakes (200 calories) and tons of water. I could replace a shake with 8oz of protein and 3 cups of leafy green veggies. It works, it will make you homicidal as Donna stated. I wouldn't take this route, but if you're dedicated it is doable. The results can be drastic in a short amount of time. Good luck! :)

My problem is that I am so physically uncomfortable, that I can't even think about formal exercise right now. I'm one of those people that needs to lose some weight before I feel physically able to get up and exercise. I do have a 3-yr-old and 1-yr-old I chase after, haul groceries and babies up and down two flights of stairs, and walk around malls, but nothing formal.

I need to change my eating first. I know exercise is key but that will have to come later. Right now I can barely take out the trash without an asthma attack.

I have a gastric bypass meeting scheduled for Wednesday but knowing my insurance company they aren't gonna budge. My other option is eating disorder treatment at a local hospital.

I know that I will only lose on 800-1000 cals a day. Once I start eating, I can't stop. I think I'll give it a shot with regular food and see how I can do.

2600 calories a day is way too much for me. I'm eating that now and have gained 40 pounds in 3 months.

Why do you believe you must lose weight to exercise???  I think the "uncomfortable" is an excuse.  And the asthma, while a challenge, is manageable.

You can only do what is right for you. I know ALOT of people who lose a little weight before they finally start to exercise because it is uncomfortable and painful to the joints. And especially with asthma. So do your thing girl!!! I don't find it to be an "excuse" everyone is different and everyone has to do it THEIR way. :) So good luck you can do it!

I used to think like you, but then you come to see that there are ways to minimize the discomfort and avoid pain to the joints and even deal with asthma.   I find this "everyone is different and has to do it their way" equivalent to political correctness.  And PC has run amuck, hasn't it.  Point is, you have to move.  It doesn't feel great in the beginning, but that wears off rather quickly and the benefits come rushing in.  Until one moves, weight loss will be much water and muscle loss, and not fat.  That's why people *****ly on diets ruin their metabolism and have worse results and difficulty with maintenance.  It doesn't have to be that way.

Amy - are you tracking every bite in a food log like fitday or the daily plate?  I find that if I dont measure every single bite of food that I consume more calories than I think I do.  If you havent been logging your food try it for a few weeks.  Dont put anything in your mouth without weighing or measuring it first... the results will probably suprise you. Suprise one - you may realize that a half cup is smaller than you thought :) many of us are notroious 'overportioners' Suprise two - you may be eating a less balanced diet than you thought - online food journals will allow you to see the percentage of your diet that is protien, fats, carbs etc.  Just knowing what you are eating will allow you to begin making modifications Suprise three - you may find yourself eating things that you didnt even realize you were eating... those bites off the kids plates before you wash them for instance?  A sample at the store?  Just one candy from the reception desk? I also am unable to exercise.  Sweat causes my psoriasis to flare - that is in addition to my joint and pain issues...  I have found however, that with careful journaling of my food that I can eat comfortably at about 1800 cals per day and lose weight.  I challenge you to go to www.thedailyplate.com and give it a try.