I was well under. I found once i started eating up to my points level the weight started comign off. I was eating around 8-9 points most days previously, now i'm on 23 (started on 26) and i've lost a stone and a half. If i'm more than about three or four points under my 23 for more than a day or two i slow right down on the weight loss. that said, I earn 4.5 points a day weekdays cycling and I don't eat them.

Well 1st they get you to do 3 little tests and the results ofthat determine if you are carb intolerant. The shake is a Curves one but I'm thinking maybe a protein shake is a protein shake? I dunno.

Test 1 check any symptons you have on a regular basis and have no medical or logical explanation for:

Nervousness
Irritability
fatigue/exhaustion
Faintness/dizziness/coldsweats/shakiness/weak spells
Depression
drowsiness especially after meals and mid afternoon
Headaches
Digestive disturbances
forgetfullness
insomnia
needless worry
mental confusion
rapid pulse -especially after eating certain foods
muscle pains
antisocial behaviour
overly emotional crying spells
lack of sex drive
leg cramps/blurred vision
shortness of breath/sighing/excess yawning
cravings for startch and sugar rich foods.

Test 2
Check those that apply
Carb intolerant:

you are more than 25 lbs overweight
You have had a tendency to have been overweight all your life
You havebeen overweight since you were a child
You have poor appetite and often skip meals
You have food cravings that go away when you eat sugary or starchy meals
There are foods you could absolutely not do without
Your waist is bigger than you r hips
you check most the symptons on test 1

Test 3
Calorie Sensitivity

You had normal body weight when younger but gained weight after age 30
You are presently overweight by less than 25 lbs
You have a normal appetite and get hungry at meal times
you have few food cravings
You have had the same basic eating habits all your life
You eat 3 meals a day
You have gained a certain amount od body weight but the gain has tapered off
you checked few or none of the symptons on test one.

If you check more statements on test 1 and 2 you are likely to be carb intolerant and should follow a higher protien diet
if you checked more on test 3 then you follow the higher carb plan.

Do you think I'm allowed to tell you this?

that sounds almost like insulin intolerance though?

Yeah your right..the diets going ok so far, stayed way from the fridge and the bickie tin....doing the walking thing and feeling the blisters.. but it's now or never

thats the spirit! besides, nothign tastes as good as losing that extra pound or two feels!

Do carbs not turn to sugar and affect your insulin levels? I don't know it's just what the book says.

Well that is quite reassuring to know that I am doing the right thing....even though it doesn't really feel like it at the moment....we will have to see what the weigh in on Wednesday shows.....so I've got 3 days to put right the minor excesses over the weekend....

Well.......The first weigh in for my curve diet = 3lbs weight loss

YAY, way to go piff.

Hmmmm interesting.

i'm now down another 5.5 to 97.9.

ladies and gents, i not only lost 10% of my weight, but I also broke the 100 kg barrier, and i'm now at my lowest since getting to ireland

Oh well done you How much more do you want to lose???

i'm chuffed! i have another 38 or so kilo to lose...but hey, thats 12 and a bit down, so its getting there!

Its a great feeling when youv'e figured out the best way for you to lose the 1lbs. I think thats the hardest part........but once you've cracked it Whooohoo and Good Luck