Why does cambridge diet work

Slashing carbs is no walk in the park, and results in side effects including fatigue, muscle cramps, irritability and low mood carbohydrates are needed for the production of feel-good chemical serotonin. Restricting calories too severely can cause lasting health issues.

The effects can persist long after you ditch the diet, and in fact, researchers reckon this newly-sluggish metabolism is the main reason eight out of 10 people regain their lost weight in the future. While there is some science behind the plan, the trial — published in The BMJ — was undertaken exclusively on people with a BMI of 30 and above. Oxford University researchers put people on a diet of Cambridge Diet products for eight weeks — consuming calories per day — followed by a four-week food re-introduction phase and a week maintenance period.

So it works, then? Not quite. Yes, almost certainly. Extreme calorie deficits typically cause an increased loss of lean muscle mass, which will decrease your resting metabolic rate. Chasing gains becomes impossible in such a vast calorie deficit. Over time, it burns away your hard-earned muscle, crashes your hormones — including testosterone — and causes your 1RM to plummet.

Your immune system takes a battering too, which increases your risk of infections and illness. Tried-and-tested weight loss tool or diet to discard? The Cambridge Diet is a very low-calorie meal replacement diet that dates back to the sixties. Initially developed for people suffering from morbid obesity, the plan was created by nutritionist Dr Alan Howard at the University of Cambridge, a pioneer of obesity research and co-founder of the International Journal of Obesity.

Relaunched recently as the Diet — to highlight the direct one-to-one support provided by the diet consultant — the Cambridge Diet follows a framework of 'steps' that are tailored to the individual in line with their personal goals. The first and most extreme step involves eating and drinking only Cambridge Diet products at around calories per day. The Cambridge Diet follows a framework of 'steps' that are tailored to the individual in line with their personal goals.

While this blueprint is similar to other meal replacement diets — Slimfast, for example — the main difference with the Cambridge Diet is the calorie deficit in which you keep yourself when following the diet, says Allsbrook.

The Cambridge Diet has a three-pronged approach: a personalised plan, meal replacement products, and one-to-one consultant-led support. In a study by Oxford University published in The BMJ , people with a BMI over 30 replaced their usual foods with Cambridge Diet products for eight weeks, eating approximately calories per day, before embarking on a four-week food re-introduction phase and week maintenance period.

Participants were given weekly one-to-one support for the full 12 weeks — and offered monthly support for the 24 weeks — providing goal-setting and problem-solving help, encouragement and reassurance, and preparation for the maintenance stage. After a year, those on the Cambridge Diet had lost What you eat depends on which 'step' of the Cambridge Diet you're in.

The first five steps include at least one meal replacement product, such as shakes , bars and smoothies:. The Cambridge Diet also offers non-meal replacement Step Up Meals, which can be incorporated from the second step onwards for those who prefer not to cook the 'healthy' meal at home.

All the meal replacement products, snacks and meals contain calories or less and are designed to be 'nutritionally balanced'. While the Cambridge Diet does not specifically aim to put the body into a state of ketosis, by its very nature ketosis can still occur, according to Allsbrook.

When there are no carbohydrates to draw from, your liver produces ketones from fat and burns them for energy instead. What is ketosis? While this state does facilitate weight loss, 'it also reduces the body's overall energy levels,' Allsbrook says, 'often resulting in fatigue, headaches , muscle soreness or cramping, and digestive issues such as constipation or stomach aches.

Anyone experienced that yet?? Even getting dressed makes my arms ache lol. Was hoping to start to include some exercise now that my first 2 weeks have passed but got no chance at the moment.

Any ideas why? Hi Ria, I will have completed 3 weeks tomorrow. First few days you may get a headache and be hungry but once ketosis kicks in the hunger pangs ease. Drink plenty of water too and maybe sugar free mints for the bad breath you will get shortly lol.

Keep yourself busy to take your mind off food. I got weighed today and have lost 16lb in total. This is my motivation to keep going and will be yours too after your first weigh in x. Hi loving all the feed back and reviews. Starting the CD today as I need to loose a stone before my august holiday. That was 3 years ago and kept it off till now.

Anyone wants to do this together as this time round I am lacking motivation. I am on day 2 of CD, well I would be on day four but on my 2nd day I flaked and had 2 packets of crisps…. Great tips on the blog such a great read and from the comments. I have been having food obsessive moments but every time I think of a food I want, I change my thoughts to remind myself of the feeling of losing weight and how rewarding it is. We can all do this!! Started CD 2 days ago, feeling really hungry still.

Hopefully the hunger pangs will pass soon. I am finding the evenings more difficult than the days. If anybody else is doing it I really could do with some support. I have 8 stone to lose. I go on holiday in 9 weeks time. Realistically how much weight can I lose in that time?

Hi Kat. Dont give up! I too struggle at night. Not so bad in the day when Im busy. I hope so! Good luck! Well I had WI today. I fell off the diet at the weekend but got back on it Tuesday. When I was weighed today I had lost 7llbs. I have 7 weeks until my holiday. I am not 18st13llbs. Last week I was 19st6llbs. I keep telling myself I can do this. Tomorrow will be testing as out on a school trip all day. I have picked up some ready made cartons to take with me.

My consultant also said I can have 1 cup of bouillon or bovril a day. She said no more than that because of the salt content. It will be nice to have a change from water though.

Keep with it everyone who is doing it. The benefits will be worth it I am sure! Hi All, I have a consultant appointment in Milton Keyens on Thursday morning… feeling a bit nervous about it all rally. Nervous that i might lack motivation…. Do you have the energy on this diet for gym classes… was thinking maybe taking up Tai Chi or Yoga. You can tone up after. I have a lot of weight to lose and I have had 3 children. I am going next weds so will see how much more I have lost!

I seem to be struggling more with no milk in tea.. However I started it again now. My first week I lost 7.

After that the weight has stopped during the last 5 days I have lost 0. Hi everyone this is my third day on ss I have not suffered from the headache so far and have not really felt terrible hunger pangs. I feel that I get worse as the day goes on. I work full time so have a shake ab 8am, one at 12pm and one at 6pm. I have been eating a small bit of chicken or a boiled egg when I finish work at During the day I drink water or a bottle of fizzy water. Today my body is showing slight ketosis when I used the urine sticks.

Is anyone else feeling like this and will it pass? I only need to loose just over a stone in weight so hope it will work quickly n. Also just to say that I am not weighing any lighter so far which is a little disappointing to say the least.

Has this happened to anyone else please? Hi all I am just considering starting on cambridge I have done this before around four years ago and lost five stone in four months so it definitely works, I have tried restarting again before but it is harder the second time round.

Day one for me!!!!! I have used this diet many times before and it works…. I have informed my partner I have started and my social calender is on hold for a month!!!

Will keep you all updated and good luck! I have tried this diet once before and had no success and was really disappointed. Just wanted to share my experience with Cambridge I lost just a stone its the fastest diet ive been on and realised all the junk I had been eating took years off a 63 year old and I feel great.. The first time I lost 4 stone after battering with my weight for years, the thought of being a really fat mum at the school gates just horrified me, but this diet was my saving grace.

But the last 2 years have been stressful and the weight has crept up. I saw a friend do the CD and got inspired. So today was my first day. Hi I started this diet first time. Hi all.. Will update the result 1 week later… i m 5ft 7, 69 KG. Wanted to achieve 60kg. Wish me luck!!! Am back on to loose just over a stone.

Good luck to everyone. But keep it up everyone and drink lots. Hi everyone, First week over and was weighed today, instead of tomorrow and I lost 9lbs on the soul source plan. So chuffed. Hi everyone.. How long it takes to c results? Tanx every1. Am hoping to loose a minimum of 30lbs.

God help me. Hi, I started CD four weeks ago and i only lost 4 kgs. Anyways i have noticed something, my consultant started step 2 with me! Did this happen to anyone else? Day 1 for me today! I starting on diet 3 products and a small protein and veg meal. I have been successful on the diet but fail as I do not do the stages to consolidation. Lesson learnt. Good luck all. On week 5 of the CD and already lost 22lb although last week only lost 2lb bit dissapointed.

I will keep you informed…. Kinda struggling this week. Cannot stop thinking about food. I was wondering if I could do ss2 instead of just the ss. Ive lost 12lbs so far and notice a change in my body already. So has others but for some reason I am feeling a bit down this week! I did the cambridge diet at the beginning of and lost about 21lbs.

I felt amazing but came off the diet due to university restraints. I have put on about a stone since stopping due to secretly eating when my other half is at work and now weigh 11st 12lbs. I have started cambridge again and currently am on day two.

I am fed up of being the fat one of my friends!! I am in week 2, feeling ok,, lost 9. My only probles are night trip to the and last night I had cramps from hell in both legs, have now read this is a possible side effect, but I will keep going, so watch this space.

Happy dieting all. I have drank 4ltr of water today and several cups if tea. Day 4 for me! Done this before…several times and have always lost weight. Maintaining is my downfall. I do however have skimmed milk in tea and coffee. Is anyone else having milk??? I am 51 yrs. I will be doing the four times a day.

My plans are to consume water mint tea with lemon juice and cucumber used as a detox while losing te weight and eliminating toxins from by body.

Please wish me luck and prayers,I am at the last resort and am determined to lose this excess weight then get a tummytuck. Yea the new me. Looking forward to weighing on Wednesday. Good luck everyone. So dont give up! Good luck guys. But were both really feeling the cold.. Anyone know why? Looking forward to losing some weight. Day 1 today, for the 5th time!

I lose weight each time I tried but maintaining is the biggest problem. I always would have gained more weight than the starting weight of the last diet. Really hoping this would be my last but successful trial. Any tips? Today is my first day…. What do you think is the best of all. For anyone struggling out there, ive started on stage 2 3 cambridge and a protien meal , after doing sole source the first time and failing.

If you have facing problems due to your figure? COme here and join this site and sign up to get our products i assure you that you will get your weight lose withing just 30 days with money back guarranty! Eight weeks on Tuesday still going strong! Time I had my soup and stopped feeling sorry for myself.

Granted we both have a massive journey ahead but what a fantastic start. We have been getting through going bed early like 9. I have a big problem as I binge eat please please any advice would be greatly appreciated x x x. Hi everyone, I am on day of the diet and surprisingly feeling quite well. Coming to the end of day 1 for me, so glad to have found this blog! Have been ok so far today… Although making dinner for my husband and daughter was a bit torturous but I NEED to keep going….

Off to bed I think! Does anyone have any interesting tips for the shakes? I seen a recipe for the choc mint with some milk in the freezer?

Half a stone in first week! Quicker weight loss keeps me motivated also having a weight consultant keeps me on track. I have had the least loss this week at 1.

Usually averaging about 3lbs per wk. Had terrible headaches in first wk, but fine now. I have 1st 7lbs more to lose and aiming to lose by Xmas! Keep thinking of being able to fit into a nice party dress and start the new year feeling like a new me!!

I loved reading the inspirational comments and feel ready for the week ahead. Good luck to you all. On wards and up wards on in tackling this new adventure!!! Wow fantastic story joining up this week I suffer with high bp and acid reflux hope this does not affect my progress wish me luck Ann. If I was a horse, you would say I got a bit thick around the girth. I would like to loose a stone for Christmas, and another stone after.

I am hoping that the quick weight lose will keep me motivated. Wish me luck! Hi I am 12 stone an feeling very unhappy I would like to be 9.

But now finding my weight loss very slow don,t know if this is normal can anybody say? Hi can i ask u some questions? I am on the sole source stage and i am not excercising at all. And dose excersing help me lose more every week? Hi, I did the Cambridge Diet a few years ago and lost 4 stone. I was 16 stone got to 12 stone. I have now gone up to 18 stone and I am thinking of starting it again but remember the very bad constipation I got whilst doing the Cambridge Diet last time.

I am also afraid of the stretch marks due to quick weight loss any feedback will be great. Love Cambridge! I was super excited to start after reading all the reviews and i just really want to give myself a kick start to a new life! Im on day 3 at the moment and doing the sole source with 3 products a day and drinking 3 litres a day. Honestly not feeling the slightest bit hungry surprisingly and have to force myself to even have the three meagre meals!

Good luck phresh so pleased your doing so well as the early days can be challenging, keep up the good work and i cant wait to see how much weight you lose x. Hi I done the cambridge diet 2 years ago and lost 2 stone in 2 months! Wish me luck. Cambridge works!!! The first 3 days are the hardest. I lost 25 lbs. In 6 weeks doing sole source. If you take the fiber product that cambridge sells.. Doing the diet without the fiber is just asking to be constipated…been there done that and have learned!

Excellent diet always feel fab after the initial 3 day de-carb. I am on day 8, and already lost 10lb! I also lost 3 stone a few years ago and have put about a stone back on. As diets go — for me this is as good as it gets! Hi I have started CD today and set my first goal at 2 stone in 8 weeks which my consultant has said is very achieve alb phew!!!!

I will keep you posted on how things go! Good luck to you all we can do it!!!! Well, I then weighed 14stone and by end of July weighed 9stone 7 — 3lbs below target. Today I weigh 9stone 5lbs and feel great! Good luck everyone xxxxxx. Hi I have just started the diet and am on day four , just wanted to say thanks for all your posts they are really helpful! Will update as I go!! Not sure if this is mildly down to body expelling all the cards too?!

Will keep you posted. Hi girl I am starting this diet in 2 days time and I am hoping to lose 4 and a half stone by the 6 of July do yous think this is possible help plz x. Im on day 4 of the Cambridge diet, definitely finding today the hardest so far. Im hoping to lose 4 and a half stone. They say on average you lose about a stone a month so im hoping by the summer I will be there! But all your posts about it being hard for the first 3 days has really encouraged me to stick with it.

I weight 20stone and I want to lose 5 stone so a long way to go I have tried lots of diets but I really need routine and knowing I can only have my shakes is helping me get my head round it.

Starting wieght of 16stone. I would love to be around the 10st mark so five more to go! I had a bar today for the first time disgusting!!! The vanillia shake with coffee is really good!!! Gook luck everyone!

I started the CD on 12th Jan, I got weighed after 9 days and had lost 12lbs. I can already feel the difference in my clothes. I need to get a few more weeks over with and see how I feel.

I started the cd five days ago and it definitely been challenging not so much with hunger more the side affects. Morning all just to update you I am in week three and get weighed tomorrow but in 14 days I lost 18lb and I am doing sole source so shake for breakfast and lunch then a soup for dinner.

Big tip drink loads of water it helps with the headaches and also helps you loose weight quicker!!!! I drink at least 3 litres a day so a lot! My starting weight was 16 stone so with abit of determination you can do it! I originally said my first goal was 2 stone in 8 weeks but due to my success I have already changed this to 3 stone!! I totally want to loose 4 stone and I will do this by end of May!

Thanks for posting this. How do you all cope with holidays and the Cambridge diet??? Hi all, weighing tonight fingers crossed for another 5lb! I will post later what I lost but honestly ladies and gents if I can do this anyone can I used to love my food really missing cheese and wine. And another thing since loosing 10 pounds I have 2 abs showing on the top row and the middle abs starting to come through. Hi everyone, I am really struggling to keep up with comments on my Cambridge posts, so I thought it would be easier to create a Facebook group where we could all chat and share our journeys.

Could be doing worse, struggled the first couple of weeks so not as big a loss as I hoped, but am in my fifth week now and last weight in I had lost 17lbs. Hello all, congratulations on your loss. Keep going all and thanks for your comments very inspiring.

I was 56 kilo before, now im Im getting married in June, my goal is to weight 46 kilo. Goodluk to all. This is day one for me and its going okay but l do want to eat eat eat… However I am feeling motivated and looking forward to my first weigh in.

I have tried every diet known to this planet and have not had any success. I have since witnessed my friend do the Cambridge diet and she has gone from a size 18 to a 10 in 3 months and looks amazing. All the feed back seems really good. Hello fellow Cambridgers. My husband and I are doing the Cambridge Diet together. After 7 weeks I have lost 28Ibs , hubby 40Ib.

Amazing how we have the same diet. I am tall so have 4 like him and he looses more each week. Incidentally, we both use Sugar free chewing gum and it has no effect on the diet!! It makes such a difference to have something to chew in between the soups etc and cleans the mouth. Good luck everyone in your weight lossses, think positive!!

Want to do another stone then I will be a comfortable in clothes so really happy with that!