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How to diet effectively with LighterLife: Your questions answered

What is a LighterLife diet? Still unsure or have any questions about our weight loss programmes? Find answers to frequently asked questions below.

 

If you don't find what you're looking for, please feel free to contact us. We're here to help.

 

Questions about LighterLife Lite?

LighterLife Lite FAQs

 

Questions about LighterLife Total?

LighterLife Total FAQs

 

What is a LighterLife diet and why is it a great choice?

Losing weight with LighterLife is a great choice because our programmes have been developed by psychotherapists, psychologists and Counsellors with many years' experience of working with weight issues. Our programmes have been developed to help you discover more about your relationship with food. Because once you've identified your own personal reasons for overeating, you can start to deal with them in ways that don't involve food. And when you reach your target weight you'll know how to stop the pounds creeping back.

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How much will I lose on LighterLife?

On our weight-loss forum Talking LighterLife read about the fantastic weight loss achieved by LighterLife clients. They tell you about their success in their own words, including how long it took. 

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How to diet effectively?

If you've tried all kinds of diets in the past and nothing seems to work, LighterLife is likely to have a programme which is right for you. LighterLife provides very low calorie food packs.   

 

What do I eat and drink while I'm on LighterLife?

What you eat will depend on which of our programmes is right for you. Your Counsellor will advise which of the following is most appropriate:

a) Four Foodpacks a day
b) Three Foodpacks plus a portion-controlled meal from a list of healthy, everyday foods.

Make sure you drink enough water to feel comfortable. You may also have black coffee or leaf tea with unlimited tablet sweeteners.

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Will I feel hungry while on LighterLife?

On our weight-loss forum Talking LighterLife read what our clients say about using Foodpacks and whether or not they felt hungry.

Robbie from Stoke-on-Trent says: "I found Foodpacks really easy to use and I never felt hungry, which really helped me stay motivated. Losing weight with LighterLife helped my confidence and my social life."

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Can I exercise while on LighterLife?

Yes, an active lifestyle is really important for your health. Simply choose something you enjoy and do it regularly, for example, walking, swimming, going to the gym or an exercise class. If you're already enjoying an active lifestyle and are quite fit, just take it steady at first. If you're new to it, please speak to your GP first, particularly if you have any medical conditions that could be affected by physical activity.

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What is ketosis?

During ketosis the body switches from primarily using glucose for energy to primarily using stored body fat and dietary fat sources for energy. We've evolved to store fat efficiently for times of need and ketosis is the process by which we can live off that fat for survival.

While you're on LighterLife you'll consume fewer kilocalories than you require, so you'll have to use energy from your reserves. First you'll use up glycogen stored in your liver. Once this is depleted, after one to three days, you'll start to use body fat.

When this fat is broken down, the resulting fatty acids are used by your liver to produce ketones. These are a water-soluble form of energy that can be used by most tissues as fuel. Ketones can pass across the blood-brain barrier to be used by your brain as its primary source of energy when glucose levels are low. Any excess ketones will be excreted in your blood, breath and urine.

Most people, no matter what type of diet they're eating, will enter a state of ketosis at some point within a 24-hour period e.g. when asleep.

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Can I do LighterLife if I'm diabetic?

If you have type 1 diabetes LighterLife isn't right for you.

If you have type 2 diabetes LighterLife may be suitable for you as long as your GP agrees to set up an appropriate management plan and monitor your medication regularly.

Contact your local Counsellor to find out more

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Can I do LighterLife if I currently have an eating disorder or have had one in the past?

If you currently have an eating disorder or have had one in the past, please discuss with your GP or psychiatrist, whether LighterLife may be a suitable way for you to lose weight.
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Who can join LighterLife?

LighterLife is for men and women between the ages of 16 and 74 who have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above. However, if you have any of the conditions or are taking any of the medications listed below LighterLife isn't a suitable way for you to lose weight.

  • Cardiac disease (including heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmias, valve disease, requiring treatment).
  • Cerebrovascular disease.
  • Schizophrenia, delusional and bipolar disorder, psychosis and major depressive illness.
  • Epilepsy and seizures.
  • Kidney / liver disease (severe).
  • Total lactose intolerance.
  • Type 1 diabetes.
  • Porphyria.
  • If you are taking prescribed anticoagulants, digoxin, lithium or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).


There may be additional conditions and medications not listed here which will mean LighterLife isn't a suitable way for you to lose weight. Other conditions and medications may mean LighterLife may be suitable for you but will need to be monitored closely by your GP. You'll need to have an Ongoing Check-Up Form completed by a GP or healthcare professional regularly every 28 days.

If your GP or healthcare professional has any questions about LighterLife, they can contact the LighterLife Medical Team by telephoning 01279 636998 or email medicalcare@lighterlife.com

If you have any of the following you'll need to delay starting LighterLife until a more appropriate time:

  • Angina attack within the last 12 months.
  • Given birth within the last three months.
  • Breast feeding as the baby's main form of nutrition.
  • Miscarriage at more than 20 weeks gestation within the last three months.
  • Serious illness, trauma, surgery within the last three months.
  • Thrombosis or have taken medication for thrombosis within the last six months.
  • Undergoing or due to undergo any course of treatment (subject to treatment).


Contact your local Counsellor to find out more
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