Welcome to CambridgeDiet.org!

Ok, so you have been doing great on your diet. The weight has been rolling off of you and then suddenly…it stops! Trying not to panic, you step on the scale again and again, only to see that same number blinking up at you. Taking inventory, you note that you have been very good on your diet. You have been drinking your water, exercising, getting to bed on time…what’s going on? Disappointed you decide to give it another day and go have your shake.

Next morning you can hardly wait to jump on that magic scale and see what you just know will be a number to set your day off on the right note. You step up and….what’s this? Nothing?! NOOOO! Not again! OK, this isn’t funny. You deserve to see some loss. There must be something wrong. You must be eating in your sleep. Maybe it’s your period…no, that was 2 weeks ago….maybe, maybe, oh no! Can it be? The dreaded PLATEAU!

Ok, before you completely freak out…take a moment and think logically. You are on a very low calorie diet. If you have been sticking to your diet and can honestly say that you have not been eating here and there adding up calories without realizing it and not losing anything on the scale for a period of time then yes, you are probably in what is commonly referred to in the dieting world as a “Plateau”.

What does this mean? No one really knows. There are plenty of theories and ideas about it, but no hard facts on what causes this to happen to just about all dieters that have a good amount of weight to lose. For some it can happen early on, for others it can take 50 or more pounds lost to stop you in your tracks. It can be very distressing and give you every good reason to abandon your efforts and give up. That is likely what you have done in the past when a diet has stopped working for you, right?

Well, what if it hadn’t stopped working? What if this is just part of the process of losing weight? No one knows what really happens in the body when weight loss is going on. The human body is very complicated and we tend to try and oversimplify things. The thing to focus on is that as long as you are doing your part by sticking to your Cambridge Diet plan you have nothing to worry about.

It is impossible for the body to survive on 420 calories a day without turning to an alternative source of energy, that being your stored body fat. Every day you are on Cambridge you are burning fat for energy. Knowing that, why worry about anything else? Especially what a scale tells you. Most people find that during a plateau they actually drop more inches and sizes then any other time. Again, no one understands why, but it is a happy result.

Your best move if a plateau has settled on you is to STAY OFF THE SCALE for at least 2 weeks. Stick to your diet like glue. If you are not already exercising, this may be a good time to start. If you already are then you may want to step it up a bit. This is not the time to justify cheating or taking a break. That is the worst thing you can do! Make up your mind to ride it out knowing that if you do you will be rewarded with eventual continued weight loss. Check your measurements and the fit of your clothing. Take pictures to gage your progress. Your success does not begin and end with your scale. Ultimately, you will reach your goal and this too shall pass. Consider it part of the process and keep pressing forward.

I often have people ask me what their typical day on Cambridge should consist of. Well, this is about the simplest diet you can be on, but there are still some choices to be made and things to remember to insure success. In this article I will give you a few ideas of how to use the products and what to expect.

Most people come to this diet with a desire to lose a lot of weight as quickly as possible. They are burned out on the diets that only promise 1 or maybe 2 pounds loss per week. Because of this, using Cambridge sole source (SS) is probably the most popular choice. SS means that you are using the Cambridge to replace all you regular food for the day.

I know it sounds extreme, but millions of people all over the world have found success this way and enjoyed the process so stay with me! You have the option of using any combination of the products you want. Some people use only shakes while others like to take advantage of the full line of products. Either way is fine. The important thing is to find what works best for you. Depending on which formula you are using, the Original 330 or the Food For Life (FFL) 420, a typical day can be like this:

Breakfast:

You may choose to have a big bowl of FFL 420 Super Oats. You can spice it up with cinnamon (very good if you have blood sugar issues.) sweetener like Stevia (healthy) or Splenda (I try to avoid artificial sweeteners). I also sometimes will first grind up the Oats powder in my little blender to make a smooth hot cereal if I do not want the texture of the oat. This is a generous serving and will really stick with you all morning and in to the afternoon. You can also use the Oats to make pancakes or muffins. The recipes are available upon request. If you prefer, you can choose to have a shake for breakfast. Some people like using the Vanilla in their morning coffee for their breakfast serving. Be creative!

Lunch:

Since I am usually rushed in the afternoon a shake is the best choice for me. You can mix it up in a variety of ways. If you are home you can of course use your regular blender or your hand held stick blender. If you have a smoothie maker you can make a nice thick frosty! If you are on the road you can get a bottle of ice cold water and drink enough to leave about 8 to 10 oz, pour in your powder, close the cap and give it a good shaking. It comes out great this way. You can also buy shaker mugs that do a good job. Some people use a bar for lunch for the convenience of it. This is fine, but keep in mind that a bar is not a complete meal replacement and you will need to complete your servings for the day with one of the other products. You may also choose to have a soup or the Oats for your lunch.

Dinner:

Here you have some choices. If you are a fan of the soups, this is of course a nice hot satisfying meal to end your day. You can get creative with them too with seasonings and using broth or meat base to punch up the flavor. Some people add some of the free veggies (list is available on request) while others will have half a serving of soup and half a shake. Many people like to have Oats for their dinner too. The thing to remember is to not boil any of the products when cooking. It will destroy some of the vitamins. Also, never put hot liquid in a covered blender! The steam will pop the top and you can get burned. I do not encourage the use of microwave ovens for preparing your Cambridge. Microwaves will destroy the majority of the nutrients in the products and you will not receive the full benefit that is needed for safe weight loss. Use the stove if you can to heat your Cambridge.

Snack:

For a snack you may choose one of the delicious Cambridge Diet Nutrition bars. You have 4 flavors to choose from. I usually saved my bar for the evening, but you can have it anytime as long as you limit to no more then one per day. The directions you receive from the company suggest you to not use the bars while on sole source, but I did with no problems. If you find that you have a hard time limiting them then you may want to avoid them for now. If you have been a big sweet eater the bars may be too much of a temptation at first.

I choose to allow myself limited amounts of additional protein on the days I felt the need to eat something non-Cambridge. You have the flexibility to make a choice like this as long as you can manage it. I limited it to egg whites and fat free chicken or turkey breast. It was enough to satisfy my appetite without stimulating it as carbohydrates would have. I only did this on days I felt the need for it. There is no nutritional need for additional protein. It is just the best option if you really want to eat something.

For those who decide to do the Regular Program and choose to add a meal to their Cambridge it is recommended that you keep it to no more then 600 calories, but preferably 400 for the best results. The meal should consist of a pure lean protein such as a chicken breast, about 4 oz, no skin or breading, and a green vegetable. You can have 2 cups of leafy greens with a T of low calorie dressing or 1 cup of green vegetable such as green beans or broccoli. Try to avoid starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas, or other high carbohydrate choices.

You may drink non-caloric beverages. Water is your best choice, but coffee, tea, and diet sodas may be consumed, again in moderation. You want to try and drink at least 10, 8oz glasses a day of water, but more is better! I always have a bottle of water near me.

That’s pretty much it! I told you it was simple! Cambridge takes out all the guess work of weighing and measuring food. It allows you to temporarily abandon your obsessive thoughts and behaviors where food is concerned. You will find that as time goes on and your body rids it’s self of the addictive chemicals most processed foods contain that you will lose your cravings for them. Once you reach your goal and go back to eating conventional foods again, your tastes will have changed and the bad stuff won’t appeal to you any longer. My past weaknesses were pizza and chocolate. I would have done anything to get them, but now pizza does nothing for me. I still like chocolate, but it has to be worth it. It has to be a good quality dark chocolate and a little is all it takes for me to be satisfied. No more rich desserts or pints of premium ice cream.

If you have any special concerns about how you should use the diet, or you are wanting assistance in designing the right program for you, please feel free to contact me. Cambridge works for everyone, but the key is to find what works best for you.

It is important to make water a part of your daily diet. Many of us have gotten in the habit of drinking other beverages and counting that as our necessary fluids for the day. However, most sodas and coffees and teas contain caffeine which can act as a diuretic in the body causing excessive fluid loss. They can also be high in sugars and artificial sweeteners, neither of which you want any part of.

Many people find that once they are on Cambridge, their normal intake of caffeine products needs to be reduced or eliminated. They find that it can over stimulate them and cause nervousness or even interrupt their sleep. This may be due to the fact that there is no bulk in the digestive tract to absorb some of the drug and it goes straight to the bloodstream. If you find that you are experiencing this problem, try cutting back and see if that helps. If not, it may be a good time to kick the habit!

Your best choice is good quality water. Tap water contains many chemicals and impurities that are not good for you. Many bottled waters are nothing more than tap water that has been run through a filter, still leaving unwanted chemicals behind.

Just about the best water you can drink is a brand called Fiji. You can read about it on their website at www.fijiwater.com. You can read about it as well as find local stores in your area that carry it. You can even arrange for home delivery. It is a bit more expensive then typical bottled waters, but it is far superior to anything else you can buy. Even if you only add a few bottles a week to your normal water intake, you can reap the benefits of drinking a water that contains all the natural minerals and PH balance that nature designed, and in it’s naturally occurring state.

Most diet plans stress the importance of water for weight loss. Cambridge is no different. However, recent research is saying that we may be overdoing it, or at least drinking more then we really need. It is true that water can help with elimination and that problems such as fluid retention can be a result of too little water intake, but it is not necessary to force it beyond what is comfortable for you to drink.

Previous recommendations have said 8 to 10, 8oz glasses a day for good health. Many weight loss plans encourage you to push beyond that up to 120 oz a day or more. Some do feel that increasing their water intake helps with weight loss, but that has yet to be proven The best way to tell if you are drinking enough water is to check your urine. If it is dark then you are not drinking enough. You want it to be pale yellow or almost clear.

If you are taking medications that can affect the color of your urine you may not be able to rely on that. You can also just listen to your body. We all have a natural thirst signal in place to tell us when we need fluids. Some of us have learned to turn that signal off from years of ignoring it, but once you start drinking water again it will switch back on and should be an accurate signal for you to depend on.

Pure water, adequate sunlight, daily exercise, organic unprocessed foods, and proper sleep are all components of a healthy lifestyle. You can’t ignore any one of these things if you want to enjoy optimal health. Choosing a good source of water and making sure you drink what your body requires is a very important part of your success, both while on your Cambridge diet and then as you go on in to your new healthier life.

Being on a diet like Cambridge can be socially isolating. Most social events include food and drink at their center and it can be hard to deal with.

Family gatherings, holidays, birthdays, even just going to the movies will force you to make food related decisions. If you have already made up your mind that your health is your number one priority then your decision has been made. It makes it easier when you are in that moment and are facing a food challenge. If you leave yourself open by not making a firm commitment to your health and your diet then it is easy to justify abandoning your diet and diving in.

No one likes to be left out and when everyone around you is eating it just doesn’t seem fair that you can’t participate. You may feel like everyone is allowed to have a good time but you. It can be depressing and take over your best judgment if you let it. This is when you need to be the most honest with yourself. Your ability to justify and rationalize eating your way to obesity is why you are in this situation. It is now time to pay the piper as they say. Either you want to get healthy, or you want to remain as you are.

It is all about choices. Yes, you may have to decline some invitations and yes, you may feel left out for a short period of time, but instead of focusing on the negative of what you are doing, why not focus on the positive direction you are taking your life! There will always be another holiday right around the corner when you have finished your diet. You may have a whole different perspective by then though and realize that it is not about the food, it is about being with the people you love and care about.

The food will always be there. Whatever you want so badly today will still be there tomorrow and the next day and the next year. This is a temporary detour for you and even if you are traveling this road alone, in the end it is up to you to save yourself. No one else will do it for you.

When well meaning friends and family are tempting you to eat in spite of you saying no, just remember that it is probably more about them then it is you. No one wants the truth of their own poor choices brought to light and by you remaining strong in your resolve to improve your life you are forcing them to evaluate their own situations. Bringing you down will make them feel better, not you.

Stay strong! Do what is in your own best interest. You may think that refusing to participate in a family gathering will make people think less of you, but in truth, it is soon forgotten. Put yourself first and let everyone else sort out their own feelings and issues about it.

Losing weight is never easy. It is rarely fun, (although losing weight as fast as you can on Cambridge can be pretty exciting!) and it is hard to function in our food obsessed society, but this is only a fraction of your life that will bring you so much joy once you are through and is worth any small sacrifices you must make to get there!

We are often told by the medical profession and the dieting industry that a healthy weight loss goal should be one to two pounds per week. Most of the current accepted theories about weight loss are very outdated and are just that, theories. They are not even proven facts or documented results. They are simply theories that have been recited so much over the years that people have learned to think of them as factual. In truth, there is no advantage in losing your weight slowly over losing it rapidly.

Some say that you will gain it all back as soon as you have reached your goal. Again, not true. You are not more prone to gain it back. Statistics do not support that idea. Regaining weight is something that anyone is prone to do if they resume their previous eating habits and lifestyle. If this were not true then dieting establishments like Weight Watchers wouldn’t rely so much on repeat business. The actual fact is that losing weight slowly causes many people to quit before reaching their appropriate weight. It can be discouraging and boring to stay with a restricted eating plan for months or years at a time. Only losing 15 or 20 pounds in 6 months when you have 100 or more to lose is more likely to put you in a state of mind to gain it back then if you quickly reach your goal and were able to start enjoying your healthy new life.

The stress that obesity puts on your body is cumulative. Over time the wear and tear ads up and increase your chances of weight related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Taking a year or more to lose 100 pounds is forcing your body to endure that stress months longer then it would have to if you lost that same 100 pounds in 4 or 5 months with Cambridge.

Some people worry that there might be negative health consequences to rapid weight loss. If you were on a crash diet that would be true, but on a completely balanced diet like Cambridge, you have nothing to worry about. More then 8 years of clinical research have proven it to be safe and healthy. Any lean tissue loss was immeasurable and people actually experienced improved health that was documented in every case!

Another concern and false warning is that you will end up with lots of loose skin if you lose your weight rapidly. Again, this is yet another theory that has been falsely thought of as fact. The reality is that any damage to the skin has already been done long before you begin your weight loss.

Because we now live in a unique time where many people are losing large amounts of weight with gastric bypass surgery, there is a torrent of people pouring in to plastic surgeons offices with loose skin issues. It is being thought to be a result of the rapid weight lose they experience, but again, the damage to their skin was done long ago when it had to accommodate the excessive volume of fat. Also, their bodies are dealing with the fact that their weight loss was a result of malnutrition and malabsorption which can contribute to the situation, but the rapid loss is not to blame.

Because you are feeding your body so well on Cambridge you are definitely decreasing any additional damage that most face on conventional diets and surgery, but if you have lost a lot and depending on other factors like age, how long you were overweight, complexion, and previous health problems, you may be left with some redundant skin. It is a small trade off to what losing the weight will give you though.

You can rest assured that the choice you have made to lose your weight on Cambridge is a proven healthy one. Because you will lose the weight quickly you are much more likely to reach your goal. Once you do, you are less likely to ever gain it back.