Has anyone else read the Neris & India diet book?

I'm normally very sceptical about prescribed "diets", but this one looked quite interesting, not so much in terms of the actual "diet", but more the psychology of over-eating and how to break the cycle.

I haven't read the book but the psychological over-eating bit sounds interesting. That is my biggest downfall - just eating too much of anything that tastes too nice! What is helping is that I have started calling myself a glutton which, psychologically, my mind seems to find unacceptable! Oh well anything that works :')

That's just how I feel. I don't binge eat on rubbish, but do like good food.

I'll let you know how I get on with the book.

Its Atkins lite in my opinion. Which makes it doable.

I started it last year and did really well on it for a while if only Id kept it up. After my holiday (and i was able to keep it up on holiday but for the sweets and alcohol and I love bread so had to try (daily) the local stuff), I went back to it.

Once back home I lost 16lbs in 11 days doing this diet and very accidentally under eating (I subsequently filled out the fitday.com food diary and discovered that I'd some how only been eating 600 - 800 cals per day).

Im back on it and have lost 17lbs in 2weeks, but that is my body performing its usual self correction after a blow out, just like it did after my holiday! I expect that it will reduce to an average of 2-3lbs pw as was my previous experience with the IPD.

The softer more personalised approach of the IPD really draws you in and I felt that I really could do it. Plus this food plan really does work well at the beginning so I lost more that when I did slimmers world or weight watcher, so of course you are encouraged.

I told my inlaws about the book and in just over 2 months my brother in law had lost nearly 2 st, and his wife just over 1st.

BUT - the first phase doesn't just last for 2 weeks! thats the diet till you are within 1 st of your your goal.

Hi Debbie

I think you are absolutely right about the psychology beign important. You obviously understand your eating habits and much of your personal psychology relating to food. That's a great start.

Although I don't have a massive eating/weight problem I have to take careful control for health reasons.

If it helps, when it comes to food I like/love (which is MOST of it, I find planning meals, strategy and portion control are paramount.

For example, I have some lovely cheese left from Christmas and I am going to allow myself 2 oz today, thursday and Saturday (along with OH that will polish it off). But to do that, I will have 1/2 bowl soup for lunch, then the cheese (measured, on plate rest in fridge - too cold to be tempting) and some grapes (no bread/crackers or butter - it's the cheese I want to taste) and quietly savour every tiny morsel as afternoon snack (aparently eating 5 times a day - spreading normal intake - can help regulate/speed up metabolism). Then I will have tooth brush ready.

I find this USUALLY works with most things.

Don't know if others can vouch for effect.

I'm not sure I really understand why I eat when I'm not hungry. For me, it's one of the biggest concerns of my life that I've been overweight for most of the adult part.

I really can't fathom why it isn't easier to be more rational it and in control? It's NOT easy, though, not just for me, but for masses of others, as the huge diet industry proves.

Last year was successful for me in terms of losing weight, and I do feel so much better for it. It was only a dress size (around a stone), and took a few months, but that has been very motivational.

Anyway, back to the book... I've just got to the bit where the diet starts and there is a huge list of supplements etc. that they insist you take. I honestly can't see myself doing that. It just seems so unnatural, and extreme. I am carrying on reading it, but am a bit put off, to be honest. It just seems like an all or nothing approach.

I looked into the pig 2 twig site and took fright when I saw how fast the weight came off and the constipation sides of things looked disturbing when I clocked the posts for sennacot and how many could they take in a day???

It seems a high protein diet so lack of fruit, veg would account for the need for supplements ...

In the book, one of the things they insist you stick up on are some psyllium (sp?) husks, to avoid constipation. If a diet is making you that constipated then it doesn't seem like it's doing you much good, but what do I know???

p.s. I haven't read any more since that lot.

Have been doing this India's diet for 3 weeks and have lost 8lbs. It is basically cutting out sugar,and carbs so pasta, bread, rice pots etc. Once you get used to what you can eat and drink up to 2 litres a day and up the exercise it becomes easy! It makes you really think about why you eat and when and you can plan. It gives you your appetite back!

Best wishes to any one doing the diet.

I have been doing this now for over 2 weeks and not lost an ounce ! I have read the book over and over. I know I haven't been 100% strict but not far off. I did expect to lose some. I did Atkins a about 4 years ago and lost over a stone in 3 months. Also I have been cycling a lot. I will stick at it more this week as I do believe in the theory of it and I may have lost a bit off my waistline so will persevere.

Like Debbie and Felicity, I have reservations about embarking on a diet that requires supplement and anti-constipation measures. Plus phase one lasts for two weeks OR UNTIL WITHIN ONE STONE OF TARGET WEIGHT. With 4 stone to lose, that would mean months with no fruit or fibre + restricted veg....

Having said that, I found the first part of the book about the psychology of over-eating interesting, especially tips about taking control of one's food intake; if you're feeling sad, eating does not make you happy etc. I was sold on this diet being an answer to my prayers, then I reached pgae 69 and saw the list of things needed from health food shop (multi-vitamin, psyllium husks, chromium supplement, fish oils supplement, Vitamin B complex, coenzyme Q10....).

Ray
don't worry I didn't loose weight straight away but felt thinner. You must stick to it so no carbs at all! Drink more water which fills you up and hydrates you so you loose weight. Stops constipation and other related problems.

I have just completed my first week on the diet and lost 5lbs. It has been easy to follow and I haven't felt hungry - my big problem has been grazing all day, chocolate and alcohol.
I am a bit concerned about the fact that you have double cream and butter, but the scales are'nt lying.
I tell myself each day when I wake up that I am never going to be this fat again, as they advised and if I feel like a glass of wine or whatever I keep saying this and it really helps.

I am on day 13 of the India/Neris diet, and it is fine. You are allowed to eat salads and veg and I have had plenty of that, so no need for the husks. Nothing wrong with a good multivitamin, which is all I have bothered with. The drinking water does help. Most of all India's chatty style, and the psychology of it all is helpful. I don't have masses to lose (under a stone), but I have been trying to lose that for about 35 years!

I don't eat loads, but love carbs much more than sweets. Diets that allow 2 slices of bread a day, or up two 3 crisp bread have been useless because once you start it is hard to stop. For me it has been easier to follow the diet and just have no bread or pasta/potatoes etc. Fewer choices. Saying that there is plenty to eat on this diet - as long as one is sensible - and no calorie counting. Breakfast for me in this first couple of weeks has been a chore; I can't cope with too many eggs or a cooked breakfast, but now I have some cheese/cucumber/tomato as they do on the Continent and I find that much more palatable. Most of all, I keep re-reading India's and Neris' words of wisdom of why we eat and how to gain control and that has been very helpful

Dee Jand Janie
Well done ! I agree with you both having been doing this diet last year and failed I am determined to achieve this year. I find I miss chocolate but can have a little once in a while but otherwise feel fine. I only take a multivitamin. Dont worry about the cream and butter I guess they are good fats so in moderation are good. Did anyone see India in the times 2 on Saturday looking good having lost 5 st! Something to aim at! I hope to lose 2 -3 st eventually but slowly and carefully! Beakfast I think salami or poached egg on ham is good or bacon!

I went on the Atkins diet about 6 years ago (please don't throw your hands up in horror until you've read all of this) and lost about one and a half stone. I had bags of energy, my migraines disappeared along with my mouth ulcers (up to twenty five in my mouth at any one time, OUCH...), I stopped being an insomniac and my frozen shoulder which I'd had for two an a half years suddenly became better. After the two week induction period I started to introduce more fruit and vegetables into the diet as the book suggested. All my illnesses listed above, apart from the frozen shoulder came back. So I cut out fruit and vegetables completely again and was fine.

Listening to friends, doctors and family telling me I was damaging my health and encouraging me to eat a balanced, healthy diet, I kept going back on the fruit & veg with exactly the same results. I once met Amanda Ursell at a dive show where she was promoting her book and we got to discussing the above subject. She gave me a very sensible answer when she said "If something works for you then stick with it." so I have.

Which brings me to the Neris/India diet. It is their adaptation of the Atkins diet, and I started reading it about two months ago. as my weight has been creeping up for the past six months. Anyway I'm back on track and have lost 11lbs since the beginning of January.

I have come to the conclusion that I am a meat eater plain and simple and I never touch any fruit, vegetables, wheat products or starches. I still get well meaning people that tell me I am storing up trouble for myself in the future. Well, I don't care because I am fit, slimmer than I ever was before I read the Atkins diet and I do scuba diving, power kite flying and I still go horse riding.

When I tell people that I am allergic to vegetables they very nearly say straight out that I'm a liar. I think though if you can be allergic to peanuts, milk, gluten, cats, (not to eat of course) or any of the other numerous allergies, then why not vegetables. OK I'm probably not allergic to all of them but as I don't really like fruit or vegetables I can't be bothered to sift through them all to find out.

I am not saying that this would work for everyone as some people thrive on a vegetarian diet. However, for every healthy glowing vegetarian you see there are probably as many vegetarians that look weedy and unhealthy.

If taking a few supplements a day means that I can stick with what I am doing, I think it's worth it.

Patricia

Sounds as if you do what works for you to stay happy!

We must have given up at the same time, Jackie!

It's whatever works for an individual. We are all different and if this approach works for you then fine!

I'm not personally so convinced by the "I lost x lbs in the first week" revelations, although I'm sure it may help some with the motivation. It's the long term effects that interest me more. I'd rather be a tortoise

I started my diet last monday 28-01-08 and have lost 7 lbs. in a week. I didn't really follow a plan 'cause I had ordered The Idiot Proof Diet book from "Play" and was waiting for it to arrive. It finally arrived on Saturday so I will start it in ernest today. The diet I followed this week was low-carb and low fat. But that will be changing as I see from IPD that I can have plenty of oils, mayo and even butter! I, frankly don't see how this diet can work, but I have blind faith and will stick rigidly to all the rules.

Why can't I register on the pig2twig forum (it keeps telling me my username is wrong, but not why, whenever I try to register)? I am computer-literate and I really don't understand why it is impossible to register for this site!
Help!!

I have just registered ok... I just think the username you chose has been taken so keep trying. I had to do it 3 times. After reading about Susans loss in a week I am going to give this a go. I have not purchased the book yet as I have reserved it at the library.

Thanks Fleur,
I took your advice and you were right (now I just have to remember my username!)
I'm a fan of the IPD - I've lost 4kg (about 10lbs) in 3 weeks fairly painlessly and with none of the side-effects or the supplements. I think that my diet is much healthier now than it was as I've cut out the alcohol and am eating mountains of vegetables.
Good luck

Good luck to you too. The alcohol I find so hard But I will try.. it will be worth it

I have had my first days food intake for IFD and I can't be doing it right. I feel stuffed and feel I have eaten so many calories-I cannot believe I can lose weight!

I must be an idiot. I have called this diet IFD. I, of course meant IPD.
Sorry!

Forgive me for butting in, but I am doing Atkins at the moment and finding your comments very interesting.

I have just read Gary Taubes 'The Diet Delusion' in which he explores the causes of obesity and the effectiveness (or not) of various diets on weight and heart disease through many published studies since Banting.

Not only does he conclude that it is likely that low-calorie diets don't work very well, but you will feel hungry while you are dieting. He suggests that low-carb diets are the most effective way to lose weight. This is a gross over-simplification of his 450+ pages, but if you are interested, the following link will give you a flavour of it

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/diet /interviews/taubes.html

How is everyone doing with the diet? I have been doing it for a month and lost 7b upped the exercise and feel better.

I have had my first weeks weigh-in yesterday and I have lost another 3lbs. I am quite impressed as I have eaten a huge amount of cream, butter and olive oil this week. I have not been hungry at all, although I too have missed the alcohol, coffee, diet coke and even tea. I have mainly drunk water, which I hate. But India and Neris bang on about drinking the correct amount of water so I have done everything "right".
I have upped my walking and even the dogs are exhausted (especially the pregnant one!) I am gasping for a proper drink right now, but I am going to give the wine a swerve for now as I really want to lose another 2 stone, before the summer. Ambitious!!!

Susan

Sounds as if you are doing fine. Think of being thinner and resist the wine I know that it is hard but worth it. I too am trying to loose 2 stone so goood luck also. I have taken up running (jogging really as well as walking) and have taken Matt Roberts advice on the times experts section so do that as well most days and I feel great! - am up to 12 mins a run todays effort now and when I started a week ago I found a minute a problem. Re drinks try decaf tea or coffee if you really miss them or green tea. Decaf coffee with cream is really nice. I am up to 12 glasses a day so hope that will help despite all the trips to the loo. You look lovely in your picture!

Thanks Pippa,

You look great too! I'm impressed with your running, I haven't run for years. I do walk for miles and really enjoy the fabulous weather at the moment.
I don't like instant decaf with cream, but I do like Cafe Nero's Decaf Americano with cream...... That is heaven in a cup.
I have 3 of my own children and 2 foster children. My 2 eldest kids have left home so I have my own 13 year old, and a foster son who is 17 and his sister who is 12.
I went out for lunch today and had a plate of chilli with no rice, just some salad, and I picked out all the red kidney beans and left them on the side of the plate...... I did have a diet Coke. But I guess it's better that wine.
Bye Susie