Personal Questions
The “Stop Counting Calories” book contains more than 100 Questions & Answers – some asked frequently, some quite personal and particular to individuals – but you may find that’s exactly the question to which you’re looking for the answer. These are the specific personal questions asked by readers of The Harcombe Diet. If you find that these don’t answer your own specific needs, I now offer consultations. Please see this page.
Q) Over the last four years, I have been putting on weight, regardless of the fact that I am definitely not eating as many calories as most “normal” people. I read your book and understood how my metabolism should be shot. I am writing to you as I hope with your research and experience you may be able to tell me if this is normal for people with eating disorders and the best way to sort out the metabolism. (This reader shared lots more info in the email, so I’ve just shared the headlines of the query and the bits of my reply that I think may be of general benefit to other readers).
Q) My eyesight has improved – is this related to the change in diet?
Q) I am trying to have a baby. Common sense tells me this diet is healthier than my ‘Sir Scoffs-a-lot’ diet before, but if I am fortunate enough to conceive what will happen? Will I continue to ‘naturally’ dispose of UNnecessary body fat? Even allowing for a pregnant lady there is still a good 2 stone of excess fat adhered to various bits of my anatomy! Obviously at some point I will put weight on (as you do with another person inside you) but that is not usually for a good 2/3 months. Any ideas?
Q) My wife and I are following the principles as laid down in your book but are finding that, whereas we both lost weight in Phase 1, we are stuck whilst following Phase 2. Is this normal? I have only been on Phase 2 for a week so I may be expecting too much but my wife has been on it longer and her weight loss has all but stopped.
We are following the rules religiously and are finding that cravings have ceased and hunger is minimised. So there has been some good! I would appreciate your advice.
Q) I have noticed that I get into ‘virtuous’ and ‘vicious’ circles. I start eating healthily and it goes well for a few days. Then I have something I shouldn’t and the cravings come back – why is this?
Q) I was so excited by your book! I started a month and a half ago just before my holiday and stuck to it all week. I have now been happy with no cravings and in control (I believe I suffer from Hypoglycaemia, as I had huge cravings for bread, cereal, chocolate and would binge till sick) but I haven’t lost any weight. I am eating so well I just don’t understand how I can go from binging and eating so much sugar and refined products to eating healthily and no weight change. I am getting so tired of feeling trapped in a fat me, any suggestions welcome?
Q) I looked up ‘Biotin’ as you say it inhibits Candida. I understand it is found in mushrooms, watermelon, strawberries, peanuts and yeast. All these are banned on the five-day anti-Candida diet. Can you explain as I would have thought one should eat more Biotin to inhibit Candida rather than less?
Q) I’m on the first day of Phase 2. Feeling very proud of myself for getting through Phase 1 and I’ve lost 6 lbs. I’ve suffered from terrible indigestion for years and during the five days of Phase 1, I haven’t had any problems at all.
I was convinced I had Candida, as I’ve had terrible sugar cravings, but I’ve just had a bowl of porridge and my indigestion has come back with a vengeance. Does this mean I might have Food Intolerance, rather than Candida, or possibly both?
Q) After reading your book, I have two of the conditions (Food Intolerance and Hypoglycaemia) and am treating them as advised in your book. The only thing I am worried about is what to do each month, as in previous attempts on any diet/change of eating plan, my efforts have always been sabotaged two weeks before my period with the unbelievable cravings for refined food, especially bucket-fulls of chocolate.
Please can you advise me if there is anything different I need to do two weeks before my period, and during my period, to combat any cravings because I get hit badly with bad fluctuations of low blood sugar?
Q) I could do with some help! I’ve four children aged 10, 11, 13 and 14yrs and they love things like Spaghetti Bolognese, Lasagne, chilli con carni… do you have any suggestions for cooking for the whole family on Phase 2? I’m really enjoying all the salads, but already they are saying “not salad again mum!”
Q) I just can’t get my fiancé to eat vegetables – please can you help?
Q) I start work at 7.00am at the latest and therefore normally eat my breakfast at work (Melon and Strawberries or Cereal). Do you have any ideas for ‘packed’ breakfasts, especially for Phase 1?
Q) Can you give me a diet plan for the first five days of Phase 1? I am very busy and need this help, I am a theatre sister.
Q) I’m a bloke, I don’t have an eating disorder and I’m not really overweight. Can I just adopt the rules loosely (i.e. mix carbs and fat at some meals) – I’ve just got about 4 kilos to lose?
Q) We started Phase 1 on Wed 28th April it is now 9th May and we have lost quite well. “A” who has never had to diet shed 7lbs and I, who have dieted almost all of my life, managed 11 Pounds. How long is it safe to continue Phase 1? Would it be better to change to Phase 2?
Q) I started Phase one on Monday it is only Friday tea-time and I have lost 8lbs – I am absolutely delighted! I am heading off to Mexico in a couple of week’s time – is it safe enough to go through another 5 days of Phase 1? Would the weight loss be roughly the same?
Q) Don’t laugh because this is a serious question – how do you stop losing weight in Phase 3?
