I’m Back – And This Time, I’m Getting the Job Done

Weight loss
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Hey everyone,

It’s been a while. Some of you might remember me from my first attempt at using Huel as part of my VLCD journey. I started strong, I saw progress, but ultimately, life got in the way. Depression, health issues, and just the sheer grind of it all knocked me off course. But I’m back now, and this time, I’m not stopping until I reach my goal.

I weigh 200kg. I have heart failure. I’ve just been told I may be developing Type 2 diabetes. I do not have time to mess around anymore. This is it – the single most important thing in my life right now is fixing my health.

I’ve spent the last few months researching, planning, and getting myself into the right headspace. I know what works and what doesn’t. I know this will be brutal at times. But I also know that the alternative—staying as I am, letting my health deteriorate—is simply not an option.

So, here’s the plan:

  • I’m going full VLCD again – Huel Black Edition will be my primary fuel, mixed with unsweetened almond milk or water.
  • 800 calories a day – based on the Newcastle Diet model, which has shown promising results in reversing Type 2 diabetes and improving metabolic health.
  • Electrolytes, supplements, and hydration – I’m making sure my body gets everything it needs to function properly, including a multivitamin, collagen, and hydration support.
  • Treadmill time (when I can use it) – My mobility is limited, but I’ve got a treadmill ready for when I hit the right weight. For now, I’ll move as much as I can.

I know what to expect—cold hands, some fatigue, the mental battle of sticking to it—but I also know the benefits. Last time, even in the early weeks, I felt more alert, less sluggish, and just generally better. I want that feeling again, and I want it for good.

This journey won’t be perfect. I may stumble. But I will always get back up. And this time, I’m seeing it through to the finish line.

Let’s do this. :flexed_biceps::fire:

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Good luck, hope it goes well! :+1:

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You got this!

Keep us posted how you get on :heart:

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There are under desk trainers, which can be used for both arms and legs. You can sit then.
And if it is not possible now adapt the resistance.
What is most important: Try to do some stretching, even if is just the arms and cervical spine.

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Well folks, I’m three weeks in and already 10KG down! Things are going well. I understand the initial weight loss is always the easiest, and I have my expectations set accordingly to be realistic about my potential progress, don’t you worry. This ain’t my first rodeo!

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@Amy_Huel I noticed this comment you made on another thread, I hope you don’t mind me drawing you into my thread on fighting the flab!

So I am currently using Huel in a VLCD using an augmented version of Professor Roy Taylor’s plan for reversing type 2 diabetes. My plan is to basically keep on this for a year and lose the weight that has been slowly killing me. Extreme, I know, but I’m an all or nothing kinda guy.

I was hoping to pick your brains about the nutrition side of things. I’ve done calculations, and I was under the impression Huel (Black) was actually nutritionally superior to Slimfast for doing a VLCD due to it’s lower sugar, higher protein, higher fibre content against the relatively high carb Slimfast. I would be very grateful if you could correct me if I am mistaken.

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Diet Summary & Approach:

I’m currently undertaking an extreme Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) based on the principles of the Newcastle Diet, aiming for rapid, safe weight loss from 200kg to 80kg within two years. My daily caloric intake is strictly around 800 calories, primarily from Huel Black Edition shakes mixed with unsweetened almond milk or water, accompanied by appropriate supplements (multivitamins, electrolytes, collagen) and careful hydration to support overall health and mitigate potential side effects.

I’ve chosen meal replacement shakes specifically because, according to the Newcastle Diet guidelines, they simplify calorie counting, help in managing hunger effectively, promote rapid fat reduction from internal organs (especially the liver and pancreas), and assist in resetting unhealthy dietary habits​201809 Sample Recipes &….

Why Huel Black Edition Over SlimFast?

Previously, I considered using SlimFast but decided on Huel Black Edition due to several notable nutritional advantages:

  • Protein Content:
    Huel Black Edition has substantially more protein per calorie than SlimFast, crucial for preserving muscle mass, supporting metabolism, and providing satiety during rapid weight loss.
  • Carbohydrate and Sugar Levels:
    Huel Black Edition contains fewer carbohydrates and sugars compared to SlimFast, vital for stable blood sugar management and insulin response, especially as I’m at risk for Type 2 diabetes.
  • Micronutrient Completeness:
    Huel’s comprehensive micronutrient profile surpasses that of SlimFast, offering better overall nutrition coverage, which is crucial on an extreme VLCD.
  • Avoidance of Artificial Additives:
    Huel avoids artificial sweeteners and flavourings, aligning with my preference for cleaner, more natural nutrition.

Concern and Clarification Request:

However, a @Amy_Huel from Huel recently highlighted an important point which concerns me. They indicated that Huel is nutritionally complete at 2000 calories daily and is not specifically designed to meet complete micronutrient needs at the lower caloric levels typical of VLCDs. They suggested that products like SlimFast, being explicitly formulated for VLCD purposes, may actually provide higher concentrations of essential vitamins and minerals per 100 calories, potentially offering more suitable nutritional support for such low-calorie regimens Liver shrinkage diet - ….

Given this, I’m concerned about my choice and want to ensure I’m genuinely meeting my micronutrient requirements. Can anyone offer further clarification or advice on whether supplementation combined with Huel Black Edition sufficiently bridges this nutritional gap, or if switching back to a VLCD-formulated shake like SlimFast would be more appropriate to guarantee adequate nutrient density at my targeted calorie intake?

I’d greatly appreciate insights or experiences from anyone familiar with nutritional science or who has undertaken a similar VLCD journey.

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Check this guy Journey and why it might not be best idea restricting yourself so much, unless supervised professionally, as can be dangerous.

he tried also low calorie diet and it brought him worse results, than on 2k.
on 2k diet he went 111.85 kg - 84.55 kg ≈ losing 27.30 kg

“This is my 4th self-trail. I’ve tested a lower caloric intake on Huel and the weight loss was not as continuous, weight loss was slower than this trial, I felt hungry, metabolism was slowed, and weight gain was very strong after ending that previous trial of around 1200 calories of Huel a day. Yes we all know the answer of eating less does not mean you’ll lose weight if you’re not eating enough but I wanted to see for myself the differences.”

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Thanks for sharing this background information! I wanted to first highlight how encouraging it is to see you’ve clearly done a lot of research on this. Too many people undertake extreme diets like this with no real understanding of the considerations and precautions. I have to point out that diets aligned with the principles of the Newcastle or Cambridge diets are safest with supervision by a doctor, registered dietitian or registered nutritionist, so if you can access this kind of support on your journey, I strongly recommend you do.

Your points of comparison between Black Edition and Slimfast are correct - Black Edition does offer more protein per calorie and it’s lower in sugar. It also offers more fibre per calorie, which is a great nutrient for satiety, as well as promoting healthy cholesterol levels. While Slimfast offers 23 essential vitamins and minerals, Black Edition provides all 26. Much of these are derived through our natural ingredients like flaxseed, and our team carefully select each form of vitamin and mineral we add for optimal bioavailability.

However, my point on micronutrient density still rings true - Slimfast does offer a more concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals per calorie as it’s specifically designed for VLCDs. If you’re supplementing with micronutrients, this could compensate for this. Have you selected supplements based on the gaps left by your diet?

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Thank you for drawing my attention to this. His spreadsheet is very impressive. I had one myself, but it was nowhere near as complex. I’m going to create a new one.

The thing is, his journey and mine are wildly different. He was overweight, but in a much more manageable way than I am. Therefore, it makes sense for him to take a more moderate approach to weight loss.

Here’s the thing about my situation: I’m 5’8’’ and weigh 200kg. Those are extreme numbers. That’s a BMI of 66.8—wild. Anything over 40 is classified as Class 3 (extreme) obesity, and I’m more than 50% above that. I’m an extreme case, and it’s having dire consequences for my health—not just long-term, but short-term as well.

I’ve been in and out of hospital, seriously unwell, and at the point where my weight was severely impeding both my mobility and my quality of life.

Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures—and these are truly desperate times.

I’m not someone who rushes into things. I’ve carefully analysed my situation and developed a plan which, although extreme, is proportionate to the severity of my condition. I’ve discussed it with both my GP and my cardiologist, and they’ve all said it sounds like a solid strategy.

My goal isn’t simply to lose a few stone. My goal is to defeat obesity entirely and reach a healthy weight for the first time in my life. I’m now in my 40s, and if I don’t fix this now, I’ll probably be dead within ten years. That’s what’s at stake.

I appreciate that most people will look at my diet plan and instinctively say, “This guy is an idiot—crash dieting never works!” And hey, it hasn’t worked for me in the past. Last time, I lost 30kg and ended up gaining it all back—with interest.

But last time, I had far more going on in my life, including trying to relocate to a different country. That’s all changed now. My life is far more stable, which gives me a better shot at making this work. I’m committed for the long haul, and I’m determined that this time—this time—I’ll see it through.

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Posted link to recent post that was about someone close to your journey that was prescribed this diet by nhs, but they used Altralife shakes.

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This the NHS stuff where they tried these 4x meals, could be option too for you on its own or along Huel to mix things up. Anyways that’s it for me, just gonna post the nutriotional values I found and somethign from their FAQ so it’s more usefull for you.

"How does Altralife work?
Open tab](FAQs – altralife)

Altralife is formulated to provide energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals for total diet replacement for weight management.

The recommended dosage is 4 servings per day (each 52g serving to be mixed with 200ml water). These 4 servings can be taken at any time in the day, and this is down to personal preference.

We would suggest trying our starter pack before purchasing any full plans so that you can try all the flavours we offer and ensure you enjoy the shakes/soups. The Altralife
Starter Pack can be purchased by clicking here.

If after trying the starter pack you would like to try one of our plans, you can choose from an 8 week programme, or build your own length plan using our single 1 week pouches.

Please note that Altralife must be used under medical supervision if using as a total diet replacement for longer than 8 weeks."

Told chatgpt to tell me nutrition values for 4x shakes from them.

Per 208g (4 Servings) Combined

Per 208g % RI (NRV)*
Energy (kcal) 896 kcal 45%
Fat (g) 25.6 g 37%
- of which saturates 9.6 g 48%
- of which monounsaturates 8.4 g —
- of which polyunsaturates 7.6 g —
Carbohydrate (g) 74.8 g 29%
- of which sugars 34.4 g 39%
Fibre (g) 28.8 g (96%)
Protein (g) 87.6 g 176%
Salt (g) 2.6 g 44%
Nutrient Per 208g % RI (NRV)*
Vitamin A (µg) 992 124%
Vitamin D (µg) 14 280%
Vitamin E (mg) 24.4 204%
Vitamin K (µg) 120 160%
Vitamin C (mg) 172 215%
Thiamin (B1) (mg) 2.1 170%
Riboflavin (B2) (mg) 2.1 156%
Niacin (mg NE) 44 276%
Vitamin B6 (mg) 2.3 162%
Folic Acid (µg) 576 288%
Vitamin B12 (µg) 8.4 336%
Biotin (µg) 49.6 166%
Pantothenic Acid (mg) 10.8 180%
Potassium (mg) 3240 162%
Chloride (mg) 2400 300%
Calcium (mg) 1404 176%
Phosphorus (mg) 1248 178%
Magnesium (mg) 416 111%
Iron (mg) 20.8 149%
Zinc (mg) 20.8 208%
Copper (µg) 2080 208%
Manganese (mg) 2.1 104%
Selenium (µg) 112 204%
Chromium (µg) 212 530%
Molybdenum (µg) 136 272%
Iodine (µg) 464 310%
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Huel Black Vs Slimfast Keto Nutritional analysis
Huel Black Vs Slimfast Keto Nutritional analysis474×544 34.3 KB

So I looked at the nutritional values of Huel black at 45g (200 calories) vs. the recommended 200 calories of SLimfast Keto and took the nutritional values of both and put them in a side by side comparison. It doesn’t look like Slimfast is actually much more nutritionally complete than Huel, there are some differences but I can’t see a clear “winner”.

:white_check_mark: Benefits:

Huel Black Edition:

  • Higher Protein: Superior muscle preservation, better satiety, and metabolism support on a VLCD.
  • Comprehensive Nutrition: Delivers all 26 essential vitamins/minerals at recommended intake (but supplementation may still be needed at 50% servings).
  • Balanced Macronutrients: Healthier fat profile with significantly lower saturated fat content.
  • Higher Fibre: Supports digestive health and long-term satiety, crucial during extended low-calorie dieting.
  • Cleaner Ingredients: Generally avoids artificial sweeteners and additives, appealing if cleaner nutrition is a priority.

SlimFast Keto:

  • Strong Ketosis: Easily maintains stable, deep ketosis due to lower carbohydrates, maximising rapid visceral fat reduction.
  • Lower Carbohydrate Content: Reduces insulin response, helpful for stabilising blood sugar and reversing metabolic conditions like pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes quickly.
  • Designed Specifically for VLCD/Keto: Directly formulated for sustained low-carb intake.

:red_exclamation_mark: Drawbacks:

Huel Black Edition:

  • Borderline Ketosis Risk: Higher carbohydrate intake places you near the upper boundary of ketosis thresholds. While achievable, ketosis will be less stable and potentially harder to maintain consistently.
  • Lower Fat Content: Might slightly decrease satiety compared to higher-fat keto products, possibly increasing hunger sensations on an extreme VLCD.
  • Reduced Micronutrient Intake: You’re consuming only half the recommended serving per shake, requiring extra supplementation to ensure adequate micronutrient coverage.

SlimFast Keto:

  • High Saturated Fat: Very high saturated fat intake (~39 grams/day), raising potential concerns regarding heart health, especially relevant given existing health conditions (e.g., heart failure risk).
  • Lower Protein Levels: Protein intake (~40.5g/day) is suboptimal for muscle preservation and satiety, potentially increasing hunger and negatively impacting metabolism.
  • Nutrient Incompleteness: Provides fewer micronutrients than Huel, necessitating rigorous supplementation to prevent potential deficiencies.
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Unfortunately, the nutritional profile of that product is quite high in carbohydrates, which would cause issues for me to enter and stay in ketosis.

The Newcastle Diet, developed by Professor Roy Taylor at Newcastle University, is a medically supervised Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) specifically designed to rapidly reduce visceral fat, particularly in and around the liver and pancreas.

Its core objectives are to:

  • Reverse Type 2 Diabetes:
    By drastically reducing calorie and carbohydrate intake (~800 kcal/day), the diet induces nutritional ketosis. This state forces the body to burn stored fat for energy rather than glucose, quickly reducing fat accumulation within critical organs (liver and pancreas). This reduction in visceral fat significantly improves insulin sensitivity and can restore normal blood sugar regulation.
  • Rapidly Decrease Visceral Fat:
    This is fat stored around organs, notably liver and pancreas. Excess visceral fat leads to inflammation, insulin resistance, and impaired metabolic function. Quickly reducing visceral fat is crucial for improving metabolic health and reversing associated conditions.
  • Initiate Significant, Rapid Weight Loss:
    By placing the body in a caloric deficit severe enough to trigger fat-burning ketosis, participants typically lose significant weight quickly, which aids motivation and adherence.

The diet typically involves replacing meals with nutritionally balanced liquid meal replacements and consuming small amounts of non-starchy vegetables to maintain fibre and micronutrient intake.

:dna: Metabolic Mechanism: Why the Newcastle Diet Works

  • Ketosis:
    Limiting carbohydrate intake forces the body to shift from glucose metabolism to fat metabolism, significantly accelerating visceral fat reduction.
  • Fat Reduction in Organs:
    Early and pronounced fat loss from liver and pancreas rapidly improves insulin sensitivity, facilitating metabolic “resetting” and restoration of normal glucose metabolism.
  • Reduced Insulin Levels:
    Lower carbohydrate intake leads to reduced insulin secretion, improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic function overall.

:broccoli: How I’m Augmenting the Newcastle Diet for Long-Term, Larger-Scale Weight Loss

While Professor Taylor’s Newcastle Diet is traditionally conducted for 8-12 weeks to reverse metabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, my objective is longer-term and significantly more ambitious. Starting from 200 kg, my goal is to safely reduce weight to 80 kg over approximately 24 months. To achieve this, I have carefully augmented the diet with several modifications:

1. Extended Duration & Medical Oversight:

  • I’ve expanded the diet timeline significantly (24 months versus 8-12 weeks), carefully balancing aggressive caloric restriction with medical supervision, regular blood tests, electrolyte monitoring, and medical check-ins to ensure safety.

2. Customized Nutritional Balance (Meal Replacements + Whole Foods):

  • I use Huel Black Edition as my primary meal replacement because it provides a balanced macro- and micronutrient profile, high-quality protein, and fibre.
  • I also include eggs and non-starchy vegetables daily to provide additional nutrients, fibre, and whole-food benefits while keeping carbohydrates low enough to maintain ketosis and facilitate rapid fat loss.

3. Enhanced Supplementation & Hydration:

  • To ensure nutritional completeness, especially over an extended period, I supplement carefully:
    • Electrolytes: Crucial for managing fluid balance, preventing muscle cramps, dizziness, and fatigue.
    • Multivitamins & Collagen: Supporting overall health, skin elasticity, and joint health.
    • Omega-3 supplements: Providing essential fatty acids for heart and brain health.
  • I rigorously manage hydration and electrolyte balance, addressing one of the primary risks of extended VLCDs.

4. Incorporation of Mild Physical Activity:

  • Given initial mobility limitations, I’m planning gentle, gradually increasing exercise (initially indoor treadmill walking as weight decreases) to protect muscle mass, improve cardiovascular health, and maintain metabolic rate.

5. Structured Medical & Nutritional Reviews:

  • I have monthly reviews of weight, nutritional intake, energy levels, and medical symptoms.
  • Quarterly adjustments based on blood tests, medical feedback, and personal tolerance are planned to ensure metabolic health and overall safety.

6. Gradual Metabolic & Caloric Adjustment:

  • As weight loss progresses and as I approach target weight, I plan a structured, gradual caloric increase to prevent metabolic adaptation (“starvation mode”) and to establish sustainable long-term eating habits.
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Slimfast looks very low on protein tho, so would have to supplement with chicken breast and eggs etc. From what I see, but just my observation, I’m not nutritionist.

But yeah whatever u do.

If you really wanna be protecting your muscles and increasing fat burning, it be key to include weight exercises on the machines;

for example 2-3 times a week (leg press, chest press and overhead press, lat pulldown, cable row) 12 repetitions with 3 sets each, find weight until it really burns you on the end of each set.

At the end always end with some sort of low impact cardio like seated bike or elliptical for 30 min minimum. It helps increase blood flow to muscles helping recover

I got fingers crossed for you.

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I would recommend buying renpho weight scale, the one I got starts working from 180kg. It’s good, as tracks your fat, muscles amounts etc. It has easy app to show these stats to keep u rolling and show off.

I brought one for 20£.

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I have one of those. My wife actually bought it a few years ago and I started using it over the past year. It’s associated app is very user friendly and informative and you can get very useful data from it. I too would recommend it.

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Yeah I’m totally up for that. I just need to get my weight below 180KG and then I’ll get one. The whole body analysis tickles my geeky nature.

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