starting again in the new year

[Kimboroni]

Caffeine is allowed in moderation (1-2 servings?). Somehow, somewhere people got the idea that's off limits. By all means, have your soda, as long as it's diet.

Headaches can also be caused by not getting enough carbs, so your blood sugar gets low. Make sure to eat lots of veggies, including at least half cup at breakfast and at least 2 cups at both lunch and dinner. Include some beans/legumes (half cup). And get in your 2 cups of dairy, which is milk and yogurt, but not cheese.

[HokieSpirit4Life]

Re: starting again in the new year
by rm1026912 » Sun Jan 01, 2012 5:19 pm

I found a recipe for Kale chips. Sounds gross but was actually really good. Another recipe I have seen and people rave over (I don't care for) is roasted chick peas.
Also what helped me a lot was to take one day a week and chop all my veggies for salads. I used to chop every day. That got old fast. Someone told me that a diet will fail if you're not prepared.
Make stuff ahead of time and freeze it. My biggest problem is breakfast.....I don't eat it because I am to lazy to make it But I would make a bunch of egg muffins and freeze them. Then pull them out and in the microwave it goes. Fast and easy.
There's so many great ideas and recipes on this board. You just have to take the time to go through all of them. And your questions are always welcomed.

NanKat,

I love sharing recipes!!! Please pass on your recipes to me! I'd love to try it all....your Kale chip, the egg muffins, and the roast chickpeas recipes. I get so bored getting the same thing, its always nice have different options!!!

What would you compare the kale chips to? Similar to that of tortilla chips? And what exactly do you eat them with? I've made quiches and I've seen where folks have make them until egg muffins. Is that what you did? Feel free to post them on the wall or PM me!

Thanks!

[ThinkTink]

A little bit about me before I post my menu. I can't typically eat before about 2:00 in the afternoon. I know this is definitely going to change, but it's baby steps for me. I work in a "virtual" office, i.e., at home and am expected to be on the computer almost 24/7. I am married, but my DH lives in another state until he finds a job here in Georgia (we've been living like this for 18 months). I also have two DDs (13 & 11). Being that I work virtually, I almost never stand up. I have so much work that it's hard sometimes to put together dinner for the 3 of us gals.

I have made a menu for dinners for this week - I only make them 1 week in advance. Too far out and it's just too much for me to compute. I went shopping yesterday and spent the typical gobs of $$$ that goes with getting a slew of produce, and was reminded this morning when my mushrooms were almost gone just how often I have to go to the grocery store eating SB .

Here's my menu for today:
B - 2 slices of canadian bacon with a slice of 2% cheese between and a ton of cherry tomatoes. 2 cups of coffee.
S - cheese stick/peanuts
L - Large salad with tomatoes, mushrooms, shredded cheese
S - Celery sticks w/ cream cheese
D - Roast (very lean no fat), HUGE bowl of steamed broccoli and another large salad with tomato/cheese/cucumber
S - glass of SF chocolate milk

I know that my breakfast wasn't up to snuff. I get sick if I eat fried/scrambled eggs , which I LOVE. I had a recipe somewhere for a bread-free french toast (was basically eggs and spices) but I can't put my hands on it. For some reason I was able to eat that and not get sick. I also need to make some Cinnamock muffins to munch on, just haven't had time.

[ThinkTink]

I just started today. I got prepared by shopping for all the allowed foods on Phase 1. I have written a list for 7 days of what i plan to have for each meal and what snacks i am going to have and intend to prepare each days meals the day before. This is the only way i will stick to it and avoid cravings, being organised makes me feel better. Good luck to everyone out there.

Jules

I am a compulsive organizer as well - don't feel bad! Some people are more 'visual' than others and have to SEE what they're doing. I have my dinner menu stuck to the refrigerator door. It helps me and my DDs know what to look forward to (tacos--taco salads for me) and what not (chili ) on which nights.

[dropEm]

I managed to make it through day 1....YAY. It really wasn't bad, I enjoyed everything I had-just a little hungry before bed:( I also had a terrible headache all afternoon. Wondering if this is diet related?

Here is what I ate for the day:
B: Canandian Bacon and zucchini cooked in the broiler for a couple minutes
MS: Mozzarella Cheese Stick
L: Salmon patties (w/egg, 1 tbs mayo, lemon juice, onion, garlic, yellow pepper, spices)
AS: V8
D: Broiled marinated Sirloin tips, Green beans (cooked with beef bouillon) and cooked cauliflower cut up with 1 tbs mayo, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of lowfat cheddar on top.
Dessert: 1 fudgesicle

Hope everyone else is doing well today! Stay strong!!

[Cel]

Its's day 3.

Always a tough one. Bought that bathroom scale yesterday, not as bad as I had imagined. Hubby was not as bad either, but still need to lose those 10 inches. Got a nice long walk in before dinner and then had some nice hot chilli for dinner. I put zuchinni, onions, celery and peppers in the food processor and then saute. It makes a nice thick chilli so you can use less meat and beans, making it a bit more healthy, plus you get all your veggies in. Great served with a dollop of low fat sour cream. It is good for lunches too during the week. Am making souvalaki for dinner tonight, great with a greek salad and some tatziki sauce made with low fat yogurt and cucumber and mint.

Have a great day everyone!

[ThinkTink]

Morning all - looks like we've survived the first few days!

I must confess I'm a complete scale surfer. I know it's advised not to weigh yourself more than 1 time a week, but I got so good at reading the numbers in the morning vs. in the evening that I could tell when I was losing weight even when the numbers were going up. I forgot to weigh myself this morning so now it's going to bug me......I don't like being kept in suspense, but since I've already started drinking my coffee my number would be skewed.

Here's my menu for today:

B - Canadian bacon, cheese, tomatoes, coffee
S - glass of milk
L - salad with tomato, cucumber, shredded cheese, mushrooms and a side of edamame beans
S - edamame beans
D - MEGA huge taco salad with homemade salsa, tomatoes, puruple onion, cheese, dollup of sour cream
D - glass of sf chocolate milk

[Kimboroni]

I managed to make it through day 1....YAY. It really wasn't bad, I enjoyed everything I had-just a little hungry before bed:( I also had a terrible headache all afternoon. Wondering if this is diet related?

Here is what I ate for the day:
B: Canandian Bacon and zucchini cooked in the broiler for a couple minutes
MS: Mozzarella Cheese Stick
L: Salmon patties (w/egg, 1 tbs mayo, lemon juice, onion, garlic, yellow pepper, spices)
AS: V8
D: Broiled marinated Sirloin tips, Green beans (cooked with beef bouillon) and cooked cauliflower cut up with 1 tbs mayo, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of lowfat cheddar on top.
Dessert: 1 fudgesicle

Hope everyone else is doing well today! Stay strong!!

The headache could easily be diet related-- doesn't look like you had enough nearly carbs-- see my post on that at the top of this page. You can also have an actual snack before bed, not just the fudgsicle.

[nankatfog]

Re: starting again in the new year
by rm1026912 » Sun Jan 01, 2012 5:19 pm

I found a recipe for Kale chips. Sounds gross but was actually really good. Another recipe I have seen and people rave over (I don't care for) is roasted chick peas.
Also what helped me a lot was to take one day a week and chop all my veggies for salads. I used to chop every day. That got old fast. Someone told me that a diet will fail if you're not prepared.
Make stuff ahead of time and freeze it. My biggest problem is breakfast.....I don't eat it because I am to lazy to make it But I would make a bunch of egg muffins and freeze them. Then pull them out and in the microwave it goes. Fast and easy.
There's so many great ideas and recipes on this board. You just have to take the time to go through all of them. And your questions are always welcomed.

NanKat,

I love sharing recipes!!! Please pass on your recipes to me! I'd love to try it all....your Kale chip, the egg muffins, and the roast chickpeas recipes. I get so bored getting the same thing, its always nice have different options!!!

What would you compare the kale chips to? Similar to that of tortilla chips? And what exactly do you eat them with? I've made quiches and I've seen where folks have make them until egg muffins. Is that what you did? Feel free to post them on the wall or PM me!

Thanks!

The roasted chickpeas I found on here viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19927&start=15 Scroll through the pages there's a lot off different ways to make them.
The kale chips I found on http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2010/03/re ... h-sea.html
The kale chips well taste like kale but when roasting they get sweeter. I just eat them by themselves. I'm a big chip eater so when I get in the mood for some crunch these help
With the egg muffins...That's exactly what I did. I get out my muffin pan and liners whip up the eggs and some cheese. Pour into muffin pans add some veggies to it and bake And they freeze well to.

[msjessica]

Hubby and I will be starting again in the coming week - we've been in a fairly sloppy Phase 3 for about 18 months, and we've both gained weight back. We wanted to get back into it before we were all the way back at square one.

We started South Beach the first time because DH made a random comment that he was tired of being overweight. I took this by the horns and got us into South Beach - my dad (a doctor) had recommended it for my mom when she started having blood pressure issues. She lost 45lbs, which is a TON for someone who is 5'1! It was rough at the beginning for both of us, but once the pounds started coming off, it was much easier to keep motivated.

He started with a goal weight of 10, maybe 15lbs, since he thought that was all it would take to get rid of the gut. Having looked at the BMI measurements, I knew it was closer to 30lbs, but I didn't say much. When he saw the results AND saw that 10lbs DIDN'T do it, he stayed on board losing all the way to 30lbs. Once we got on Phase 3 though, life got really hectic - we started new jobs, etc. And the weight started coming back. I gain less quickly than he does (I know, rare!) but also lose less quickly (rare), so I'm looking for about 10lbs, at most.

We have interesting constraints - we're mostly vegetarian (meat once or twice a week) and we keep kosher, which makes the diet more challenging, but not impossible, by any means. Looking forward to sharing our journey

[karma75]

Well day three is almost over! It's funny, while at work, someone has a bag of jolly ranchers on my desk. The thing is, i typically really dont care for them, but they were calling my name all day! lol...but just grabbed my sugar free pomegranate jello and forgot about it.

today's meals were:

bfast -scrambled eggs and two slices tukey bacon
snack - sugar free jello
lunch- salad with tomatoes and chicken
snack milk
dinner- steak and steamed broccoli and cauliflower

My husband is getting a little cranky as he really just started today(and he's done this before - but you know how they are! ;p) and i have to watch him like a hawk as he tends to wander off if not careful(his work often has chicken day or pizza day) but once he gets into the swing of things I am sure it will be aok. I am off for the next few days so am going to have to keep myself occupied so i dont get bored and snack!

Anyway, have a great day!

[Beaching It]

Day 2 on a fresh Ph1 for me, and I'm feeling pretty cranky (and a little hungry)... but mentally strong and physically better already. I know from past experience it gets easier and easier... Will try to stay off the scale and UP the water...

[dropEm]

Phase 1 Day 2
I made it through another day and I was craving sweets all day long!!!!
Here is what I ate:
B: Salmon Patty and green bean
MS: V8
L: sirloin, sauteed spinach and cauliflower
AS: cheese stick
D: Buffalo chicken soup (1 tbs smart balance butter, onions, celery, chicken, chicken broth, FF milk, franks hot sauce, low-fat cheddar cheese) and artichokes
dessert: Fudgesicle and small "milkshake" (FF milk, spenda, cocoa powder and vanilla)
I also had some SF powdered drink mix.

[Cel]

It's day 4

Down 2.5 lbs, hubby was up 1 lb and was a bit discouraged by this, not drinking enough water I suspect. Am feeling a bit more energetic this morning. Have been really trying to get my water in as I find this to be a big challenge, but I know it pays off in the end. For dinner tonight having lean pork steaks, cauliflower mash (add a bit of chicken stock and garlic) and an arugula salad.

Did not get a long walk in yesterday, as I had a hair appointment after work. Hope to do so tonight with hubby. It helps with hunger to get the walk in before dinner.

Hope everyone is doing okay, stay strong!

[ThinkTink]

It's day 4

Down 2.5 lbs, hubby was up 1 lb and was a bit discouraged by this, not drinking enough water I suspect.

Glad to see I'm not the only scale surfer here! I was down 1.5lbs so far. . Don't let your hubby get discouraged by going up! Eventually that cycle will reverse. PH2 is frustrating to me, bc my weight typically goes up before it goes down. I've GOT to start working out. I've just worked 2-12+ hour days. No time to even venture to the basement and get on the dreadmill. Hopefully today I can do that, as it appears work may be 'calmer' and let me get away from the computer.

Meals today:
B - 2 slices canadian bacon with a piece of 2% cheese in the middle, edamame beans
S - Celery with NPB
L - Ham & cheese rollups, edamame beans, cherry tomatoes, pickle
S - Glass of milk
D - chicken stir-fry with sauteed mushrooms, steamed squash/zucchini, small salad
S - Glass of milk with SF chocolate syrup

Have a good day all!!!