motivation clinci

Katie_Kiss

hi ladies and gents,

just wondering has anyone any experiences with the motivation weight loss clinic.

can u give me a run down of exactly wat they do and if it worked for u. im a student and its a good bit of money to join the clinic.

help,advice and info very much apprciated.

katie

EileenG

I went along to one, and to their credit, after talking to me, they said there was nothing I was doing that they could add to.

It's basically a low carb diet, where they do try to push their own mixes and bars, but you can eat your own food as long as you keep to the calorie limits. Limits are pretty low, around 1200, so you should lose weight. But you will have to stick to the no snacking rules yourself, and if you have the discipline for that, you could do your own diet for free.

save_our_socks

Currently studying paediatric nutrition and focusing on obesity at the moment and the only type of weight loss clinic/group that is reccomended by any nurtitionist is Weight watchers, any other one puts your body into starvation mode, and quite often expects the participate to survive on a low calorie diet, the daily calorie intake usually equals to that of two crossaints!

EileenG

Huh? Personally, I think Weight Watchers doesn't allow nearly enough calories or protein for good health.

"The only type of weight loss clinic/group that is recommended by ANY nutritionist..." That's a very big claim. Can you back it up?

save_our_socks

"Any" may be an overstatement, but after talking with various nutrionists, weight watchers seems to be the one that is widely approved, when followed correctly of course.

EileenG

Not being rude, but that's hardly a definitive method of evaluating diets or diet groups.

For instance, a year old study at Stanford University School of Medicine put 311 overweight middle-aged women on different diets for a year, and concluded that Atkins was the best, both in terms of weight lost and overall improvement in blood pressure and blood lipid profile. The diet closest to the WW plan was LEARN, and they had around half the amount of weight loss.

The big advantage of WW is the group support, not the actual diet, which from my experience is far too dependant on processed ready meals.

save_our_socks

Yes the group support in WW is an advantage, but as I said it is the most reccomended as the weight loss is over a long period of time, where as a lot of these clinics and fad diets allow a quick easy fix, dropping vast amounts of weight in a short period. WW is about changing your lifestyle completly, incorporating a total life overhaul, and can be followed for life, where as these other diets are only reccomended for short periods of time. So in relation to the question asked by the OP I wouldnt reccommend motivation clinics based on the information that has been presented to me in college, then again Im no expert.

g'em

Eileen G has actually been to a motivational clinic, save_our_socks you're going on second hand information...

Have either of you tried Weight Watchers? Groups vary from place to place, but it's no longer a simple "Points Plan" ethos - you have an option of either points-based dieting or the Core Plan, which does away with points completely and instead teaches you to eat certain foods in bounty and others sparingly. In neither case are participates overly encouraged to rely on ready-meals for sustenance.

It's different strokes for different folks, and there's no "one size fits all" nutrition plan for everyone.

OP I know how difficult and daunting the prospect of weight-loss can be, and centres like the motivational clinic promise to take all the hard work out of it for you. BUT at the end of the day, the best way to be healthier is to learn how to do it, and it's a *lot* simpler than you think.

Sure, there's gazillions of nutrional plans on offer, new get-thin-quick diets in all the magazines and conflicting advise about what the best way to shape up is. but at the end of the day, the same information rings true for all of us - eat less and move more to get into shape.

Once you have a basic idea of what your food intake should consist of (what are fats, proteins and carbs and what do they do) you can start making more informed choices about what's the best food is for you to eat. There's lots of info in the stickies at the top of the page.

Stay away from processed foods (ready-meals, junk food, take-aways), reduce sugar in your diet (fewer cakes, buns, muffins, chocolate, fizzy drinks), drink more water, eat more green veg and fruit and swap 'white' foods for wholegrain.

If you need to track your progress you can start a food log in the Food Diary forum, or even just lookt here for inspiration. I promise you, you aren't the only only who may find the journey a little difficult - I've struggled many times, and it's an ongoing saga. But the amazing thing is, a side-effect of eating better is more energy, better sleep, healthier nails, hair and skin and much fewer mood swings!

So... long story short, there's nothing inherently wrong with the motivational clinic, but don't write off the free resources you have at your fingertips

Katie_Kiss

thanks everyone for the comments. i appreciate them all. i was really kinda looking for people who have tried the clinic and get the opinions on it. ive tried weight watchers and i didnt really like it to be honest cant give specific reasons why though.

im not scared of the hard work, tough times and commitment that goes with weight loss. so fingers crossed this is my time.

ill let you guys know how i get on, going for a free consult with the clinic soon so ill b more informed.

oh and if anyone else out there is currently trying to lose weight, i wouldnt mind a diet buddy. just sending a quick email to report back progress extra

EileenG

Yes, I've been to WW, and to Unislim (I got kicked out because I don't eat chocolate biscuits!), but of the two, I thought Unislim had a better emphasis on eating fresh whole foods. WW definitely plugged all their ready meals and cakes and sweets, and the leader I met had very little knowledge of the role of protein in the diet.

Also, my sister is a long time member of WW, and I've helped her calculate her points and work out how many extra points she gets for a half hour walk etc. I got really worried when she refused to take the fish oils she had been prescribed because she felt they were a waste of two points. I've got to say, I find it pretty easy to maintain a low carb lifestyle, but put a plate of cheese near my sister and all thoughts of points disappear.

neuro-praxis

Eileen, I imagine you aren't giving the full story when you say you got kicked out of a weight-loss community because you refused to eat chocolate biscuits.

Secondly, at the two meetings I have attended, neither has once plugged a WW meal. In fact, they state repeatedly that while they are adequade to fill a gap on a busy day it is not advisable to eat them habitually.

Thirdly, we have been told straight up that fish oils are to be counted as zero points.

Fourthly, the WW literature on nutrition has an emphasis on including protein with every meal.

Maybe things have changed dramatically since I started the plan, but I am just not seeing in my own experience over the last 25 weeks the same wild disregard for health that other people report with the organisation.

EileenG

I imagine they may be some variation in leaders at different WW meetings. The ones I went to, the top table was literally covered with the wrappers of different ready foods that were low points, and the leader handed out order forms for WW sweets (only 1/2 point a roll).

To be fair, the biscuits were the final straw with Unislim. The rot started when I pointed out that according to their calculator, 1000 calories worth of eggs, salmon, broccoli, spinach and almonds was much higher units (the Unislim version of points) than 1000 cals of Frosties, cheeseburger and pasta with tomato sauce. They weren't very happy when I wanted to know how many extra units you get for a heavy leg day in the gym. Then there was a pep talk about reducing the number of chocolate biscuits you eat. I said I didn't eat any chocolate biscuits. When they finally grasped that I really didn't, they told me that "Unislim couldn't meet my unique needs."

Katie_Kiss

Katie_Kiss wrote: »

ive tried weight watchers and i didnt really like it to be honest

the thread i started is about the motivation weight loss clinic. please stick to the topic. and id really like to here from someone who has used the clinic.

thank you! :rolleyes:

EileenG

EileenG wrote: »

Then there was a pep talk about reducing the number of chocolate biscuits you eat. I said I didn't eat any chocolate biscuits. When they finally grasped that I really didn't, they told me that "Unislim couldn't meet my unique needs."

Does she look familar ?



I've been to a couple of ww meetings, and the leader was plugging lots of Lidl food. So I'd guess that your leaders own diet has an infleunce on what is on the table. She was really good actually she gave proper lectures on nutrition.




Sorry Katie couldn't resist.

From the website it seems to be a low carb diet, with a 15 minute weekly pep talk. My friend was telling me about System 10. Its is a tailored diet and work out regime. I don't actually know anyone who has tried either though.

The leader are quite heavy so I don't know if it would be any good to you, but Operation transformation seems cool. www.rte.ie/ot

Why did you give up WW? What put you off?

EileenG

Definitely sounds as if there's a lot of variation in WW leaders.

I found the diet just didn't suit me. I lean very heavily towards low carb, with most of my meals being based on eggs, meat, oily fish and lots of green veg. On WW, that ate up the points at a shocking rate. If you look at a WW points calculator, you'll find that fats are much more heavily weighted than carbs, even sugary carbs. So if you try to make protein and fat (say, something like salmon) the main part of a meal, you could eat a day's worth of points in one sitting.

Ok, and this is entirely personal, I don't like the public weigh-ins. I'm close enough to goal now that weight loss is very slow, and I didn't like the little "must do better" pep talks. And as a body-builder (even if I am never going to compete) I found I didn't have much in common with the other dieters.

foxy06

EileenG wrote: »

The big advantage of WW is the group support, not the actual diet, which from my experience is far too dependant on processed ready meals.

Have to disagree with that. they always recommend you make all your own meals and most leaders will tell you those ww ready meals should only be used if you have absolutely no time to make something. They even give recipes for your own soups and tews ect. Unislim is the same as ww but more emphasis on low GI

Adagiodiva

:rolleyes:Hi There,

I went to the Motivation Clinic in Dawson Street and found them very good. I managed to lose 7.5 stone in total. It seems that the low carb way of life suits me better as I also have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and low carb keeps my blood sugars stable.

Motivation provide you with literature, food plans, a tape programme to listen to at night and yes, you can buy supplements there as well to add to your diet. The supplements do add up so I wuld suggest maybe looking into buying protein shakes in Holland and Barrett when they have them on sale.

Now to be honest- These was four years ago and I've put on a half of this weight again and have started to attend OA in an effort to control my eating BUT I do fully intend on re-joining motivation as it did work for me.

Just my two cents worth!

S

EileenG

Interesting to know.

Katie_Kiss

Adagiodiva wrote: »

:rolleyes:Hi There,

I went to the Motivation Clinic in Dawson Street and found them very good. I managed to lose 7.5 stone in total. It seems that the low carb way of life suits me better as I also have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and low carb keeps my blood sugars stable.

Motivation provide you with literature, food plans, a tape programme to listen to at night and yes, you can buy supplements there as well to add to your diet. The supplements do add up so I wuld suggest maybe looking into buying protein shakes in Holland and Barrett when they have them on sale.

Now to be honest- These was four years ago and I've put on a half of this weight again and have started to attend OA in an effort to control my eating BUT I do fully intend on re-joining motivation as it did work for me.

Just my two cents worth!

S

thank u thats exactly what i was wanting to know.

can i ask how long it took to lose all the weight. some people say u will lose alot in 6months - how did u find it?

Adagiodiva

It took me about a year and a half to lose the weight. I did stop going to motivation after about a year as I felt that I had the tools to continue on successfully on my own- which I did. My current weight increase is really due to an addiction to food, which wasn't addressed at motivation, but I didn't raise the issue, I don't think I was ready to admit it.

It is worth noting that it has taken me a considerable amount of time to put up the three stone- 3 years. So unlike other diets which put ur body into starvation mode and then u pile back on the weight quickly. This wasn't the case for me.

Also, for what it is worth, if u have a considerable amount of weight to lose, u won't lose it in 6 months..Be fair to yourself, U will have bad days and good. There are NO QUICK FIXES. Be prepared for the long haul and be as committed as you can..you are trying to break habits that you have had for most of your life.

S

Solas35

As one who feels that I have bought an entire building for WW in my particular town.. and still continued to get bigger over time.. I have in the past no. of weeks began the motivation clinic and Hurrah! I m not hungry.. I m not thinking about food constantly.. i don t feel the need to eat stupid low fat food that I would not have previously wanted.. I greatly enjoy the food I am eating.. YES! it is a lot of money and YES I did really question the price of it.. but does it work? yes! how much have I lost? 1 stone 10lbs in almost 6 weeks. It s not lipotrim or any other starvation method but simply reprogrammes your entire bad habits and makes you realise you can eat without pigging out! EUREKA!:) before you judge sometimes it s sooo much better to ask someone who knows...

Heidi24

HI - I know this thread started quite some time ago but for those who did the motivation can you give me an update on how you are doing? Katie Kiss did you decide to go ahead and do motivation or not? I started in Motivation in Jan of this year and I love it - I do have a lot of weight to lose (8 stone) but in the 11 weeks that I am going Im down 2 stone 3lbs. There are negatives (low carbs, expensive) but there is always a price to pay and its working for me at the moment so just wondering how those of you who are a little further on then me are getting on.

newsizedbooty

well done Heidi thats a fantastic result. Its obviously working for you. I know the way that I would tell myself that the suppliments are okay and not too expensive, is that the money would have been spent on junk food otherwise!

My own sister in law lost 3.5stone with motivation 3 years ago. SHe started in october and got to her own personal target in the following april. she has managed to keep the weight off now since.

I attend a nutritionist who was a leader in motivation, she doesnt do the motivation plan but she fully believes in the no processed foods and protein with every meal rule and I think she is great. She said that motivation has turned into more of a "business" than a caring service now though and that she is happy she worked there before it went money mad.

In saying that I know two other people who atteneded and didnt keep the weight off. You need to use the tools the give you and think beyong the 20 weeks

Transform

newsizedbooty wrote: »

well done Heidi thats a fantastic result. Its obviously working for you. I know the way that I would tell myself that the suppliments are okay and not too expensive, is that the money would have been spent on junk food otherwise!

My own sister in law lost 3.5stone with motivation 3 years ago. SHe started in october and got to her own personal target in the following april. she has managed to keep the weight off now since.

I attend a nutritionist who was a leader in motivation, she doesnt do the motivation plan but she fully believes in the no processed foods and protein with every meal rule and I think she is great. She said that motivation has turned into more of a "business" than a caring service now though and that she is happy she worked there before it went money mad.

In saying that I know two other people who atteneded and didnt keep the weight off. You need to use the tools the give you and think beyong the 20 weeks

a low carb approach will work for almost everyone that is in need of dropping weight, that combined with a good exercise program would be best.

almost all the best nutrition only focused current approaches to weight loss use a low carb method.

most of the protein products these people sell can be bought at a fraction of the price and better quality also elsewhere

fionnmar

I am also thinking of going to motivation clinic but cant seem to figure out from their website exactly how much it costs - can anyone advise? Money tight here...

EileenG

Two payments of €270, plus supplements. But as Transform says, you can usually buy better quality protein supplements for a lot less.

ON whey do a taster box of different flavours which works out much cheaper than their supplements. I don't like their bars which seem to contain a lot more sugar than is appropiate in a low carb diet.

El_Dangeroso

fionnmar wrote: »

I am also thinking of going to motivation clinic but cant seem to figure out from their website exactly how much it costs - can anyone advise? Money tight here...

500 euro for 12 weeks, but they pressure you into buying various supplements and frankenfoods that cost 25 euro a week, so about 800 all in all.

Used to know a counsellor who worked for them and she had to quit because the meetings became less and less about support and more and more about high-pressure sales situations. She gave me one of the binders that you get with the program and tbh, there was nothing revolutionary, mostly how to deal with cravings/emotional eating yada yada..along with a low carb diet.

Worth mentioning that the counsellors aren't trained dieticians, they are just normal staff given a two week induction and then given clients to deal with.

They use all the Proti brand stuff, which is filled with modified soy junk.

I think the success of the program can be largely put down to the fact that you have paid 500 quid, and are motivated not to feel like you've wasted it!

€500 buys a good diet book of your choosing, a lot of fresh food, plus a few personal training sessions and a session with a CBT counsellor to deal with the emotional side of things, that in my opinion would be a better use of your hard earned cash.

fionnmar

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

I think the success of the program can be largely put down to the fact that you have paid 500 quid, and are motivated not to feel like you've wasted it!

€500 buys a good diet book of your choosing, a lot of fresh food, plus a few personal training sessions and a session with a CBT counsellor to deal with the emotional side of things, that in my opinion would be a better use of your hard earned cash.

Thanks Temple_Grandin - this seems sensible to me.

Transform

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

500 euro for 12 weeks, but they pressure you into buying various supplements and frankenfoods that cost 25 euro a week, so about 800 all in all.

Used to know a counsellor who worked for them and she had to quit because the meetings became less and less about support and more and more about high-pressure sales situations. She gave me one of the binders that you get with the program and tbh, there was nothing revolutionary, mostly how to deal with cravings/emotional eating yada yada..along with a low carb diet.

Worth mentioning that the counsellors aren't trained dieticians, they are just normal staff given a two week induction and then given clients to deal with.

They use all the Proti brand stuff, which is filled with modified soy junk.

I think the success of the program can be largely put down to the fact that you have paid 500 quid, and are motivated not to feel like you've wasted it!

€500 buys a good diet book of your choosing, a lot of fresh food, plus a few personal training sessions and a session with a CBT counsellor to deal with the emotional side of things, that in my opinion would be a better use of your hard earned cash.

€500-€800 would go a long way with a good trainer that has an excellent nutrition background.

I was asked to join them a few years ago - saw what they offered and said 'ok so its low carb and a bit of a banter on how you are getting on every week?' Nothing special there but as mentioned some people need a kick in the butt every week to stay in track.

My advice would be to read the stickies here and then use the cash to join bootcamp/yoga/gym classes/ a trainer etc and then set up a food log here.

Heyes

Have to say a very mixed bag on what people think re motivation.

I personally started 2 weeks ago (just going into my third week now) and have lost 9 pounds, im thrilled with that, and im more motivated to keep going the more i see the pounds drop.

I know its a lot of money, but i have tried tons of other ways before and id like to think that this WILL work for me.

newsizedbooty

Heyes wrote: »

Have to say a very mixed bag on what people think re motivation.

I personally started 2 weeks ago (just going into my third week now) and have lost 9 pounds, im thrilled with that, and im more motivated to keep going the more i see the pounds drop.

I know its a lot of money, but i have tried tons of other ways before and id like to think that this WILL work for me.

good for you its whatever works for you is best for you. It is expensive alright but at the end of the day if it makes you happy with your body then there is no better way to spend money imo

Heyes

newsizedbooty wrote: »

good for you its whatever works for you is best for you. It is expensive alright but at the end of the day if it makes you happy with your body then there is no better way to spend money imo

I 100% agree with that. I think everyone should concentrate on themselves and see what works for them instead of worrying what everyone else thinks / says.

Everyone is different, there is no one "right" way

By the way, Congrats on your 27lbs thats fantastic.

Heidi24

hi - i just wanted to come back on and tell you that I have finished my first 20 week course at motivation and TBH I agree what people are saying that low carb intake will make you lose weight and that the motivation is all talk but I have to say I didnt find that they pushed the selling part that much, they mentioned the CDs and books a couple of times and just said I would buy them the next week but never did. I am one of those who needs the kick up the ass and the threat of having to stand on the scales and justify myself to someone, I have paid many gym memberships but end up never going so I found that motivation worked for me, I still have a lot to lose but Im 50lbs lighter then I was 20 weeks ago and Im delighted with that so whatever works for you good luck with it.:D

newsizedbooty

Heidi24 wrote: »

hi - i just wanted to come back on and tell you that I have finished my first 20 week course at motivation and TBH I agree what people are saying that low carb intake will make you lose weight and that the motivation is all talk but I have to say I didnt find that they pushed the selling part that much, they mentioned the CDs and books a couple of times and just said I would buy them the next week but never did. I am one of those who needs the kick up the ass and the threat of having to stand on the scales and justify myself to someone, I have paid many gym memberships but end up never going so I found that motivation worked for me, I still have a lot to lose but Im 50lbs lighter then I was 20 weeks ago and Im delighted with that so whatever works for you good luck with it.:D

50lbs, oh my goodness thats amazing you must be like a new person!!

So now you are out of the 20week do you think you have the tool to carry it on and maintain this?

Heidi24

newsizedbooty wrote: »

50lbs, oh my goodness thats amazing you must be like a new person!!

So now you are out of the 20week do you think you have the tool to carry it on and maintain this?

I am going back for another 20 week session, I took 2 weeks off to make sure that I could do it on my own and I think I have retrained myself so now that way is just normal, portions are smaller, I dont like the taste of fried food, sugary foods just dont taste the same so I think I have the tool to continue but I want to lose another 50lbs so I am going back because its working for me. I think when you have reached your goal weight there is a maintenance programme so you can still go but by then I think I'll be OK to go it alone.

Heyes

Heidi24 wrote: »

I am going back for another 20 week session, I took 2 weeks off to make sure that I could do it on my own and I think I have retrained myself so now that way is just normal, portions are smaller, I dont like the taste of fried food, sugary foods just dont taste the same so I think I have the tool to continue but I want to lose another 50lbs so I am going back because its working for me. I think when you have reached your goal weight there is a maintenance programme so you can still go but by then I think I'll be OK to go it alone.

Wow well done thats fantastic, and keep at it your doing great. Im on my third week, have lost 9 pounds so far, nothing this week though so im a little disapointed, but will keep at it.

banquet

Heyes wrote: »

I 100% agree with that. I think everyone should concentrate on themselves and see what works for them instead of worrying what everyone else thinks / says.

Surely when you post on a public forum asking about something you want to know what people think / say ?

Heyes

banquet wrote: »

Surely when you post on a public forum asking about something you want to know what people think / say ?

Well obviously but what i ment was that there is no one way for everyone, what works for some may not work for others, so everyone should concentrate on what works for them.

newsizedbooty

Heyes wrote: »

Wow well done thats fantastic, and keep at it your doing great. Im on my third week, have lost 9 pounds so far, nothing this week though so im a little disapointed, but will keep at it.

9lbs in three weeks is a good weightloss. i know its disappointing when you dont lose in a week but so long as you stick at it and are honest with yourself that you are then you will lose it. What are you hoping to lose in the 20 weeks?

Heyes

newsizedbooty wrote: »

9lbs in three weeks is a good weightloss. i know its disappointing when you dont lose in a week but so long as you stick at it and are honest with yourself that you are then you will lose it. What are you hoping to lose in the 20 weeks?

I would love to loose 3 stone - 4 stone, but if i got a large bulk of that i would be over the moon.

millb

fionnmar wrote: »

I am also thinking of going to motivation clinic but cant seem to figure out from their website exactly how much it costs - can anyone advise? Money tight here...

some good posts.. some franchises offer a 10 week program which is ~290€ .. I took my hols during this so it's streched now to over 3 months.

Again after a few weeks you can reduce the protein supplements and save that way.. the books and tapes are good for me and obviously spending and monitoring help with the motivation..

16lbs lost at halfway stage - bang on target..

Heyes

millb wrote: »

some good posts.. some franchises offer a 10 week program which is ~290€ .. I took my hols during this so it's streched now to over 3 months.

Again after a few weeks you can reduce the protein supplements and save that way.. the books and tapes are good for me and obviously spending and monitoring help with the motivation..

16lbs lost at halfway stage - bang on target..

congrats on your loss millb thats great

all_smilz

EileenG wrote: »

Huh? Personally, I think Weight Watchers doesn't allow nearly enough calories or protein for good health.

"The only type of weight loss clinic/group that is recommended by ANY nutritionist..." That's a very big claim. Can you back it up?

AND lets not forget nutritionist is not a protected TERM! i'm a nutritionist, You're a nutritionist and so are my cushion chewing puppies! gettit!

theparish

Check out www.avidlite.co.uk(the high protein section).
I did the 20 week motivation programme back in 2008,costing 600euro
and 30 euro a week for 2 boxes of protein bars.It did work for me and I lost
a nice bit of weight(I had a lot to lose).I then lost my job so could not afford another 20 weeks.I scoured the web and found avidlite whose products are much cheaper.I have continued to lose weight but now I just eat more fish and chicken and 3 carbs a day and exercise more.I now only eat a supplement bar if I ever get the urge to raid the biscuit tin or fridge.I still have serious doubts about the bert testing and cd's and books and the 25euro for a bottle of Calcium tablets(check out your local health shop).