A while ago there seemed to be lots of new people on the Alizonne forum, and I wrote a post about things that every newbie should know.
Since then, I've found that quite a few people read my blog, but don't visit the forum, so I thought I'd add it here too. If you're starting your own Alizonne journey, I hope you find this useful. If you're already on your way, please feel free to post additions - I'm sure there are other tips too!
Good luck,
Dawn
1. We are all very different - we react differently, feel different, lose different amounts and in some cases have different treatments / lists and advice - but we are here for the same reason, and that seems to give us a strong bond.
2. Weight loss - sometimes is biggest in week 1 (mine was) sometimes not. Everyone develops their own pattern, sometimes little losses followed by a bigger one. It generally helps to look at your loss over a month, not each week. It isn't often anyone gains - unless they've been cheating!
3. Excercise - generally excercise helps, if you can fit it in and have the inclination. You may also get an endorphin "high" from it (I don't) but you will feel proud of yourself afterwards. I have been advised to have an extra sachet (making a total of 6) on days when I excercise strenuously (i.e. more than 45 mins of Cardio) - you should check this with your clinic if you are excercising. (Otherwise your body might think you're starving and stop processing your fat)
4. Toilet habits - OK, I've warmed you up now. Some people get a bit constipated, and most generally poo less (less in = less out I supposse). Eating rhubarb helps, as it's very fibrous. Many of us eat it everyday. You will probably pee more (with drinking 2 - 2 1/2 litres of water) and this is a good thing. Don't panic if your wee looks quite yellow (especially mid morning) I think it's the colouring from the multivitamins! It's also brighter if you drink orange and pineapple!
5. Routines - I find it helps to be a bit organised and get into some routines. For instance, on a Sunday night I dish out my tablets into 7 pots, one for each day, and check there are more than 7 left in the bottle - that way I know when to order more from the clinic. I also do my food list at the same time
6. Keep track of those tricky highlighted sachets - there are some sachets highlighted on the list that you can only have 3 of per week. You can have them on consecutive days, but not on the same day. (Basically they are higher in calories than the others, that's why they are limited). I only have mine on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and call them my weekend treats - that way I keep track and feel like the weekend is special.
7. Therapy - the first few may hurt, or at least be uncomfortable. A paracetamol or similar before you go helps, but it does get easier. As you (and your skin) gets used to it, it won't be as bad - by week 10 you might even enjoy it, and by week 20 (if you need that long) you'll be looking forward to the massage!
8. Supplements - some people find the tablets hard to swallow - if you are really, really finding them difficult, talk to the clinic about other options. I take mine with a huge glass of water. The quinton (in the vial) will taste horrid when you start, but you will get used to it (I used to wince and have something ready to wash mine down with, now I pour it straight in and it doesn't bother me at all). If you're finding it too horrid, add it to a drink or food - apparently it doesn't spoil the taste (of your food)
9. Food - experiment as much as you can. We all like different things, so keep trying until you find something you like. It is possible to do this plan on just drinks, or just desserts or just one type of sachet, but it is a bit boring. There are lots of recipes together in a booklet, and new ones appearing all the time on the recipe forum, so go wild! I also find it helps to use lots of fresh herbs (especially in my salad) and spices. If you miss meat, try having a big field mushroom to get that meaty texture.
10. Use the forum - even if you only read it, you'll find some great ideas, motivation and inspiration. But better still, join in - tell us how you feel, what you do, how you cope (or what you're struggling with). I find it quite cathartic, and it does help you feel more supported and less like it's just you against the world.
11. Measure your progress - obviously you will get weighed at the clinic every week, but take your measurements too, and see how many inches you lose in 2 months etc.
12. Celebrate all those little victories (even if it's only with us on the forum). It might be the first time you can paint your toenails (you know who you are and I love you!) or the first time you don't create a dam in the bathtub (seriously, I shouted my husband up from downstairs so he could marvell in my newfound ability to have water flow past me!). They are all little triumphs along the way and should be marked.
13. Keep going - it will be hard, some days will be awful. The first week you are likely to feel tired, irritable and headachey. Then you might get spots. Ladies, sorry to say you might also be hit by time of the month more frequently as the oestrogen gets released (you might also feel a bit more frisky or very tearful too!). But all of these will pass. Your body will settle into its new routine and stop protesting, and then it will become compliant as it understands you're doing it for your body too.
Remember that help is always on hand - on the forum, at the clinic and in your own belief in yourself that you can do this!
Good luck with your journey,
Dawn
