[FeyNicks]

Hi I am new here. I am following the sureslim programme. I have lost 7.2 kilos in just over three weeks. I would really like to find a buddy doing the same eating programme as me. I live in New Zealand, I'm 37 married with 5 children. We are going to Australia for a family holiday at the beginning of 2007 and I really want to be in the photos without cringing.

Peta

[FeyNicks]

No one else huh? Ok well one last try....

[kathyhegg]

Welcome to the group Peta. I saw that just this week sureslim has opened up at our gym. What is it like? I was thinking about finding out about it. My brother and his wife did it, but we aren't talking so I haven't really heard about it.

[FeyNicks]

Hi - I am sorry you and your family are not speaking

Well I have tried Atkins (religiously read the book and everything) and it made me ill, I got muscle cramps and hardly lost any weight. But I do know it works for lots of people (have seen the photos and success stories) just didnt work for me. And I have tried weight watchers. And it just took sooooo long to get anywhere, and it was so easy to cheat. I needed something that worked quite quickly and suited my metabolism, was balanced (you know not eating boiled eggs all day or something) and had clear guidelines and rules so I wasnt as tempted to cheat

My sister in law lost 27 kilos in 6 months so I asked her what she was doing. Sureslim hasnt been in New Zealand more than a couple of years. Its in Australia, and the UK and Canada (I think)

They take a blood test - and test everything - so the pick up stuff you might not know about Which is a blessing in disguise I suppose. But after checking your personal choleserol levels, liver function, hormones and I cant recall what else, they tailor your eating plan to fit your bio-data. You weigh in weekly and have a consultant. So everyone on sureslim has a different diet - although there are some common factors.

I have NEVER lost more than a couple of kilos on any kind of a plan.

But on the 1st of February I started my eating plan - at 85.5 kg and today I am 77.9 . So that is 7.6 kilos in under 4 weeks. Which is exciting - but what is more exciting is that I feel so different. I have energy, loads of it. I dont have the ups and downs of sugar highs that I used to. And I just feel better. The fact that my clothes are getting baggier is a bonus.

I also find the plan really easy to do, so its doable long term. If I was hungry all the time or eating weird things, or disliked my food then I could not sustain this.

Anyway - I am sure it isnt for everyone, but it is working for me.
Here is a typical day's food for me
Breakfast: Yoghurt, and fruit + a seed muesli (sesame seeds, linseeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds)
Lunch: Grilled steak and a big green salad
Dinner: 3 mini pizzas, and steamed vegetables (brocolli, cauliflower, carrot) and desert a large crunchy apple.

The downside of sureslim is it is expensive to join. Although they let you pay the plan off over a year.

[kathyhegg]

I think I'll pop in there tomorrow on enquire about their program. I have so many things wrong with me that I don't know if it will be a blessing to do it or if they'll go argh and run in the opposite direction. Doesn't hurt to look into it tho. At the moment I'm paying off a gym membership, so I'd really have to weigh up whether it would work for me or not.

[FeyNicks]

its expensive, but as its tailored to your body it would work. wont work if you dont do it and not everyone is keen on the no snacks rules and 5 hours between meals etc

i have lost 8 kgs in 4 weeks though - and still falling. so i am happy ! good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[kathyhegg]

Great job on your weight loss so far. I didn't end up going into the office, I ended up going to the gp. He's put me on a similar program that he runs himself. He told me to come back in 4 weeks at least 4 kg lighter. So here goes.

[FeyNicks]

You have probably saved yourself some dollars. All the best! I have lost nearly 8.4 kilos now in 5 weeks. So I am stoked.

[FeyNicks]

Update. I started sureslim on February the 1st. It's now April 15, so thats like 2 and a half months and I have officially lost 13.5 kilos. Which is 29.7 pounds. I cant believe how easy this is its crazy, it should either be illegal or compulsary for everyone to know about. No shakes, no pills, no special foods.

Here is my before and during photos - I still have 8 kilos or 14.3 pounds to go. This should not take much more than 6 weeks on this diet plan.

[Ciarra]

Congradulations! Your pictures and your success are wonderfull. I'm in the states and had never heard of it until I saw your post and just opened it out of curiousity. But it works wonderfully for you. I know you look great in pictures now but by the time you go on your family vacation you will be looking completely fabulous. Congradulations again!

[Misti in Seattle]

Hi Peta

I'm not into diet programs personally but wow it's sure working for you! You look GREAT! Congratulations!!! I am proud of you!! And thanks for posting your pix... before and after photos are one of my favorite things around here! It's nice to see how well people are doing!

in Seattle

[FeyNicks]

Thanks people! Misti I wasnt into diet programmes really either. I mean I did a few (w.w and Atkins) with pretty poor success. And I believed the 'diets dont work' statement. Until I saw my sister in law lose about 60 pounds in 6 months.

This started off as a programme, but because I dont have to buy special foods, particular products, pill, or shakes it has taught me instead what I can eat and in what proportion sizes. And it hasnt effected my food bill each week.

Learning how certain foods effect me means that after I have hit goal weight I can manage this is a life long way. So I never come 'off the diet'. If you know what I mean. If I completely quit eating this way the body fat % will slowly increase and I shall end up heavier than I started.

I dont think the challenge is the losing of the fat. Although that is something that I have had to work at a little. No, I believe the real lesson to learn will be maintainance. But I am up for it

[Misti in Seattle]

Hi again... Please note that I didn't say diet programs don't work for anyone! Hey, any way anyone can get the weight off I am all for it. But for me personally I want to plan my own meals and eat what I know is healthful. And in my case I already know what is right to eat and what is not; it is just a matter of doing it! And yes I agree it has to be something we can live with!! Great job and I am happy you found something that is working for you!

[FeyNicks]

Oh yes I agree - we all have to do what works for us. I have met people IRL who have lost 50+ pounds on Atkins. It never worked for me I read the book and carefully followed everything to the letter and barely made any progress. I loved eating the Dr A way, but it eventually made me ill. I cant critisize it though when I know people have success with it. My excitement spills over a little as you see I am 37 and have been overweight for about 20 years and have never known what worked for me and my metabolism. Now I do it.

You are obviously doing something that is working for you Misti - may I ask what it is that you do?

[Misti in Seattle]

Originally Posted by FeyNicks

I am 37 and have been overweight for about 20 years and have never known what worked for me and my metabolism. Now I do it.
You are obviously doing something that is working for you Misti - may I ask what it is that you do?

Good for you! I am happy you have found something that is working so well for you! Go for it!!!

As to what I do... pretty much eat things God made (or natural foods) and stay away from man-made junk (or processed foods). I eat smaller portions of chicken, meat, etc. and things that are higher in calories such as sweet potatoes, corn, etc... and larger portions of other veggies. I actually eat a LOT; I just eat things which I feel are right for me. I always have fruit or veggies on hand so if I am really hungry I can eat something. I also work on self discipline -- we are so programmed to the "I want it now" mentality by our society that too often the idea of telling ourselves "no" is not part of our program (speaking for self, at least). So at work I mostly "time" my snacks... at 10 am and 2 PM for example. I don't eat it before that. My goal is not ony to lose weight but to get healthy also so I want to make sure I am with a plan that can accomplish that.

Also I make sure I have plenty of yummy, healthful lunches and dinners on hand in the freezer by cooking big crockpots full of stuff on weekends... this weekend I made a crockpot meatloaf and also salsa chicken. Have several other frozen entrees as well. I freeze them in individual size portions in freezer bags. So I can pop something out and into the microwave, fix up a few veggies, and have a wonderful meal in no time flat!

I also do lots of walking and have purchased a few workout tools for home; I need to start hitting the gym but I am gone for work 11 hour days so for now am making it work the best I can. I walk on my lunch hour and breaks. Also am part of some neat challenges here at 3FC, which help a lot!

I'd love to know more about what you are doing also... things that work for you! I have learned a lot from people posting here and there are always lots of new ideas and things to try!!!