The diet thats not a diet except when I want it to be a diet

Well thats what it is!

Robin says I'm fat, I think of it as being more or less pudgy. :) Well I got up to 225 lbs. and yes my ideal weight should be around 170 lbs. I think the extra weight is from my shoes to be honest.

About 2 years ago I found an on line diet generator that I got for Robin since shes been trying to lose weight for sometime now and all of the others failed. This one is different from all the others because you get 4 meals a day with no limit as to how much you eat at each meal as long as you don't turn it into an all you can eat until you can't stand up no more affair. You eat what is generated on the diet for 11 days and then you can eat what ever you want for 3 and then start the process again. You can create a different menu for each cycle which changes things up and it doesn't get to boring.

If you follow the diet strictly you can lose around 10 lbs. per 14 day cycle. Now I have never dieted in my life so I have never experienced what it is that one goes through in being on one. It didn't take long for me to see why people don't stick to them, so being the way that I am I informed Robin that a diet ain't no good if you can't stick to it, seeing how I like to cook I got creative with the menus and gave them some flair, so I guess I will start a blog and let yall keep an eye on me and see how I do and I will post what we are doing and how.

We have been on the diet now for a month more or less with a trip to Washington state that interrupted the process some but I have still managed to lose 10 lbs. in that time because I don't follow the diet strictly seeing hows I am just a little pudgy anyway and I am still learning how to be creative with what they give me to work with.

Start weight 225 lbs.

April 8 / 08 (215 lbs.)

I don't see me, or anyone, as fat. I'm fluffy. Maybe I'll start "fluffing down" with you.

Wow, 10 lbs that is great.

Well last night was a not a diet night. Robin came home craving a chili dog. So off we went to the nearest Dairy Twin and got the nastiest chili dog they have. :) But we were on the diet during the day does that count?

I have started the blog giving the basics of what it is that I am doing and how it works. I will be posting our progress and sharing how I prepare the meals in such a way that it will make it easier to stay on the diet along with my observations.

Bona petite dude.

http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/t/snipe/8841/

This message was edited Apr 9, 2008 3:23 PM

I clicked on your link and it says "Access Denied".

I am not used to Daves blog system forgive me I got it fixed. I made the change on the previous post but here it is again. :)

http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/t/snipe/8841/

Okay, thanks...

Okay I posted the 10 rules for the casual side of this thing. I will add tabs to separate the weight loss site and what it is that I am doing to keep things simple and less confusing.

Thanks for posting this and for starting the blog. I read through all of it and right now I actually have the order page up in another tab for this diet...so I think you've convinced me. I looked around the web for reviews and they seem pretty good, taking into account that nearly ANY diet is going to get some bad reviews from someone.

I've done WeightWatchers, eDiets, Body for Life and Atkins in the past, just to name a few. They all produce results when followed, but when I find myself constantly counting calories or measuring food...when all I think about is food, it just doesn't work for me. I really like the sound of this diet because it seems very simple and down to earth. How many of us have actually counted out the number of baked potato chips that make up a serving? I used to do that every single day at lunch when I was on WW. I can still remember it's 14 chips! How many of us have forced ourselves to eat egg white omelets....I always hated those. DH and I also aren't big fish eaters, so that always posed a problem. Actually, I can't be in the same building when fish is being cooked most of the time.

I talked to my doc about the Alli pill and she said it's a good thing to do, so I picked some up but haven't started using it yet. They tell you in the info that comes with Alli that if you're not on a low fat diet (I think 20% of your diet can be fat) then you'll spend most of your day in the restroom. I think this idiot proof diet would probably work with Alli, I'm going to check it out more once I register...but I'll let you all know how it works out for me once I start. The cool thing about Alli is you loose 50% more weight than dieting alone...so for every 10 lbs you lose from dieting Alli will cause you to lose an extra 5 lbs, equaling 15 lbs lost. I think it's worth a shot.

I also just got new shoes for walking...and at my puppers last Vet appt. they said he needs to lose weight too, so we'll be walking together.

Thanks again! I'm waiting to see your updates. ^_^

Ok, I joined, generated my menus and went grocery shopping. Let the weight loss begin!! This really does look super easy. I'll be starting tomorrow morning. In about 3 days I'll start the Alli...they recommend 2 or 3 days of a low fat diet before starting on it.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the reports as I should but I found a LARGE number of copperheads not 15 feet from the back of the house where my granddaughter likes to play so I have been on a murderous rampage killing them. I have actually caught one of the young offspring trying to get in the house, this will not do at all!

hearthjoy if you wish for something to accelerate the diets effect I have connections to some products that will do that without all the problems that pills like Alli can cause so if you are interested I can give you the link as well as recommendations as to which ones to use. They are safe natural and actually do what they say they will do with no side effects.

As for the food as I said I like to cook and I need to start posting as to how we are preparing the meals. If a diet becomes boring or repetitive you lose interest in it and will quit, so I have ways that will keep it interesting.

Good luck! So far in the six weeks I have been on it I have lost 15 lbs.

I will also include some myths and facts about weight loss and muscle gain. Its the muscle gain that makes people think that diets don't work when you start exercising in conjunction with a diet. The reason for this is that muscles weigh more than fat, so as you start replacing fat with muscle there will be times that the scale will tell you that you aren't losing weight, so don't rely to heavily on the scale but instead watch the tape measure.

Another thing to watch for is the dreaded plateau. Which is why this diet does the change ups that it does as well as having you take three days off to help prevent this.

I was wondering what happened to you. How's the murderous rampage going? We visited my DS in TX and I just couldn't believe how y'all live with the copperheads down there. No, that wouldn't ever do for me either. I'd be afraid to garden! Sheesh!

I've been sticking pretty well to the diet, other than coffee. I've been trying to limit my amount of coffee each day. Some days are better than others. As we all know, it's not the coffee itself but what's added to it. I've been using Splenda and got some *sugar-free* french vanilla creamer to replace my regular. Now that it's been about a week on the sugar free I'm finally starting to get used to it...it's a bit watery compared to normal, but it's worth it.

I know I'm not supposed to weigh myself until the end of the 11 days, but who can resist that scale when dieting? So, I'm very happy to say that so far I'm down 6 lbs. I know that there's always a good chance of variation in weight because of water gain/loss, but I'm still saying I lost 6 lbs! LOL!

I'm not finding the food too bad. I've been surprised to find that some of the strangest sounding combos they have are actually good together. It does get a bit boring sometimes eating the same foods over and over...but it's worth it. I've been on diets that were much worse because it seemed like all I ever did was measure food and cook. This diet is so quick and easy...no measuring, easy and quick things to cook (no ingredients that I've never heard of!). There's no thinking about food all day long...just grab the list and see what's next to eat.

I will say though that I've had a hard time getting all four meals in. I don't think I've done it yet. Three meals is the most I've had, sometimes only two. I'm getting used to it more and more though and eventually I'll get that fourth meal in!

Yeah, I'd appreciate the info you have on diet aids. I haven't started the Alli yet simply because I just haven't been able to find the time to sit down and read how exactly to take it.

One other note for anyone else who may be reading all of this...I'm one of those people who would always crave goodies...cookies, muffins, donuts, etc. Especially when I was having my yummy coffee. Somehow this diet has broke those cravings. We had some cinnamon rolls sitting on the counter and I've ignored them. DH just chucked them the other day because they were too old. I haven't been craving any of that stuff and I'm very surprised. I don't know how that happened, but it did and I'm sooooo glad!!

Thanks again for sharing all of this, I'm very excited and glad I found it.

One other thing I wanted to mention that I forgot to...I have a bit of hypoglycemia and I was concerned going on this diet that my blood sugar would get messed up. It hasn't. Things have been real good and that's encouraging too.

It is strange some of the effects it has. To get private my bowl movements have changed and I was starting to have hemorrhoid problems and that has cleared up.

Usually don't see the copperheads around but they do hang out at the cow pond. Minor irritation, so far I have killed 4 and run off several because I couldn't catch them. I will put a fifty foot kill zone between them and the house giving them no cover which is what they seek, there are a few other remedies as well. I thought about a mongoose. :)

I'll get with you on the product line to help with the diet.

AND YES VIRGINA I will NOT live without my coffee and smokes in the morning, I just use it to replace the fourth meal. :)

Like I said depending on how strenuously you stick to the diet will determine the speed in which you lose weight. My view is more casual therefore it is not as fast.

Depending on your like or dislike for spicy. Tonight is chicken which I will prepare as follows.

2 large chicken breast.
olive oil (for stickiness)
Spicy Montreal Steak seasoning (McCormick)
Salt
Diced Bell Pepper (Yellow, Green, Red)
Yellow Onion
Chopped Jalapeño (I use already chopped in a jar)
Pepper Jack Cheese (Sliced)

Coat the breast in olive oil and season with the Montreal Steak and salt. (The Montreal Seasoning is mild or hot depending on how much you use.)

Fry chicken in a pan until golden brown.

After frying add chopped jalapeño to top of the breast to taste.
yes I am real TexMex. :)

Cover chicken with a slice of pepper jack or the cheese of your choice.

Cover all with diced bell peppers and onions. Stick this in the oven or micro wave and heat until the cheese begins to melt.

Sometimes I add a salad but the chicken is quite filling on its own.

I have several other ideas on preparation that I have come up with and I will share those as well.:)
There is a special way to handle the roast beef and turkey slices that I do and I will pass those along too.

Any Ideas you have pass them on.

Oh! And 6 pounds go way to go!!!!!!!

That chicken sounds great! I'm not into super spicy, but now and then it's good to have something different. I think I"m going to copy your recipe and save it.

I'm really not a good cook...just ask DH. He does most of the cooking around here. One time we saw on a TV show where a man asked, "How can you have something burned and raw at the same time?" to a woman who was a bad cook. DH just looked at me and said, "See, you're not the only one, hon!" Sheesh. So, simpler is better for me. Lunch meat is fantastic. Eggs, I can usually cook them without much of a problem.

Since I'm not a very good cook, I don't come up with recipes easily. About all I've come up with is when I have the scrambled eggs to make it an omelet and add the ham and some veggies in the eggs. Wow, super creative, huh??

Over the years I have learned that enough salt, pepper and garlic will cover the taste of almost anything...including my bad cooking.

I have started to play around with switching out some of the foods. As long as it's a carb for carb or protein for protein I don't know if there's much difference. I've also kept everything to what is on the list, just changing things up a bit. I don't know if it matters much, but I'm sure I'll find out. For instance, instead of having grapes, bacon and cheese I've replaced the grapes with a tomato.

I also have a banana or two everyday and that's not going to stop. My doc informed me that I need those to ward off leg cramps. I did quit the bananas for about 2 days and the leg cramps came right back...hadn't had them in about 2 years. Amazing what a banana can do! So, I guess I'm with you...the bananas and coffee do make up the fourth meal.

I've been buying flavored water too. It's actually the best "diet" stuff I've had. Crystal Light isn't bad, but sometimes gives me heartburn. Diet sodas are the pitts to me. I'm sure you've heard of this water, it's called, "Propel Fit Water" and it's by Gatorade. It comes in lots of yummy flavors like berry, raspberry lemonade, kiwi strawberry and others. It has 10 calories per serving and 25 calories per bottle, so it fits with the diet...but it also has vitamins in it (C, E, Niacin, B6, B12 and Pantothenic Acid). Extra vitas are always good when dieting, at least to my thinking. I was one of those people who swore I'd never buy bottled water...but this stuff is well worth it. I did go and get one of those PUR water filters for on my faucet that has the flavor cartridge in it. It's horrible! It has an aftertaste that's way worse than diet soda...so save yourself some bucks if you've considered that. I do like having just the filter though.

On those private matters, I've been waiting for some changes. Nothing to speak of so far. Actually, about a year and a 1/2 ago I had my gall bladder removed and ever since then I've been right as rain. Almost as good as bananas!

And about those snakes...wouldn't a mongoose be just as nasty? LOL! My DS had a little stream that ran through the woods behind her house and I guess that's where her local copperheads would congregate. I stayed in the fenced in yard with the dogs where there was grass...or no grass because it wouldn't grow. Yes, I'd definately be putting up a 50' no slither zone! Good luck with that and please be very careful.

heathrjoy Copperheads are in the water moccasin family so they do like to congregate at the water.

Your dead on about the protein and carb thing, mixing them or replacing one for another is fine. I have also started using pork to replace some of the chicken as long as its white meat.

I also keep plenty of fruit on hand for snacking on through the day even if its not on the menu.

And now a picture of night before lasts evening meal of the pepperjack chicken.

This meal I think you will like a lot. Part of the menu generated I used the deli roast beef.

Thick sliced roast beef.
Chopped bell peppers. (Yellow, Red and Green)
Onion (What ever kind you like)
Mushrooms
Chablis White Wine (Brings out the flavor and adds moisture)
2 slices of white bread toasted. I prefer bolio's myself but Robin said NO ROLLS!
Sliced cheese (I prefer pepper jack its doesn't make it hot but has real flavor to it)

Chop up the all of the ingredients but the cheese.

Pan fry all of the above but do not add the cheese that will be used last.

After you have fried everything until the veggies have sauteed pour in some wine it doesn't require a lot, and continue frying until the wine is almost gone.

Lay the sliced cheese on top and when it has started to melt stir it all together.

Put this on the toasted bread. :)

If you use a Bolio roll pass a knife on its flat side from the center of the long end to the other end. Then cut the top starting from one of the ends that you cut and go to the other end. This will allow you to open the roll, press the bread back and stuff the roll with the chopped beef mixture.
Then add another half slice of cheese on top of the opening (I usually use a different kind of cheese for this). Place it into a toaster oven and toast until the cheese has melted. This makes the Bolio easier to chew as it will be less tuff.

You can also use chicken, ham or turkey in place of the roast beef.

Wow! That sounds and looks delicious. YOu know, if I ever have a restaurant I'm going to hire you as the low-fat chef! But, um, don't hold your breath on that.

I was up on the "muscles weighs more than fat" thing. Years ago we bought a scale that actually measures body fat %. Not that I'm going to tell you what my % is though! LOL! I may share my weight, but never, never my body fat %. I would consider sharing it if I were one of those 3% twig-people, but I know that's never going to happen.

Would you believe last night was my "dessert" night and I skipped it all? Someone please smack me up side the head! I could have had the frozen yogurt and fruit salad w/ cool whip...but I just really wasn't hungry for it, so I skipped it. I keep thinking that maybe I'll have it tonight instead. I don't know. I'm down 7 lbs now, that's a lot for 10 days. My clothes are actually starting to fit a little looser already, which is something I always look for. I'm more concerned about body size and health than the scale numbers anyway...but I do have a goal weight...135. I'll get there, and you'll get to your goal too (well, to your goal weight, not to 135). I really do think this diet is just the thing for doing it. Starting tomorrow DH is off for a week and we have lots of outside projects planned, if it doesn't rain. If it does rain he's talking about tearing out a wall and putting a new one up. So, either way there will be lots of exercise to be had. I'd rather be out in the sun and fresh air though.

Yesterday I took one of my dogs to our local park. It has a swimming pool...no, I didn't go near that pool...that's a good 20lbs away, lol. There was no one else there, it was so quiet and peaceful. I found a great place to walk...and watch the squirrels and birds and bunnies. I think this summer I'll have to get out there pretty early before anyone else shows up, but that sounds nice and I'm looking forward to it.

How are things going with those copperheads? Hopefully you've gotten most of them thinned out by now? Ok, the answer to this may be more than I want to know, but how exactly are you carrying out your murderous rampage? A shovel? A hoe?

Ok, I wasn't going to share this even though I've been thinking about it since the first time you mentioned copperheads and I noticed that you are from TX. I decided that maybe it'll give you a laugh though....

My DB and DN lived near Corpus Christi a while ago. My DN was about 12 at the time. When they moved back home here my DN had a "rattle" from a snake on a necklace that he wore. That absolutely grossed and freaked me out. One day I finally asked him about it. He told me had killed the snake himself...but then he went on to tell me a little more about rattlers in TX. He told me that the rattlers are *so bad* in TX that it's tradition that you *have* to kill them. He said that even if you're driving down the road and see one...it doesn't matter where you are going...you *have* to stop and kill it. He said that's just how things are in TX.

Maybe his story is true, I don't know, but every time I think about it, it cracks me up! So, please, carry on the tradition!!

I have been kinda busy so sorry about the delay. I have repaired 2 cars, one riding mower, abused the parts counter people at the Mazda dealership since they were the only place to get the idler pulley and they raped me for $103 for a $20 pulley and I let them know about it. That was on Thursday, on Friday I had to make an hours drive to get a nut for the pulley at another Mazda dealership because they were the only ones in North Texas who had it. :( Cleaned up the front part of the building, built my two work tables and fabricated a jig for the miter saw so I can make PVC furniture and gather all the stuff no longer used or needed to take to auction and since Larina is highly allergic to poison oak I can not play in that part of the woods except when she stays with her father and is not around which is TODAY!

As to how I kill the snakes I start a fire and go hunting, find them brake their backs pick them up and throw them into the fire. The soil is so soft and thick in the woods its the only way to get them. I want their heads attached because of the fangs, even if the snake is dead you can still be injected with poison.

I don't go out of my way for rattlers but when I do come across one I kill it, it wouldn't bother me if all poisonous reptiles became extinct, the reason that nonpoisonous ones are scarce is because the ones that are poisonous kill them.

At the rate that you are losing weight it won't be long before you have that 20 pounds gone. Then look out pool!!!!!

Oh yes and I mowed my sons front yard which has grown about six inches high since his mower is down and I have another 1/2 acre to go before its finished, his place is as large as mine yard wise which is about an acre plus.

Other than that its been kinda slow.

Have a nice weekend i got work to do and I'm burning sun light. :)

LMBO! Yeah, sounds like it's been slow! Well, you certainly are getting lots and lots of exercise, that's for sure. I thought we had been busy around here. DH is doing most of the work, I admit, but we're still busy. He just finished up a raised veggie garden (YEAH! finally!), he's putting in a privacy screen as I type...to give us a bit of privacy on the new patio (old slab foundation of a shed), we picked up patio furniture and put it together the other day (again, YEAH! finally!). Today he's building me a screen for screening the old soil from my window boxes, so I'll get that finished up today and then I can stain the window boxes. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll actually be planting things, although it's still very early for us, around here we usually plant on Memorial Day weekend...and then still have to watch for frost. Even with all of this going on I'm not getting as much exercise as you are.

I wanted to tell you about something cool I got a little while ago. It's called Nike+. It hooks up to an iPod. There is a little sensor that goes in or on your shoe and then your iPod sends signals back and forth. You can then keep track of the distance you've walked, how many calories you've burned and a few other cool things. The other neat thing is that you can challenge people to races...or to burn more calories in a week than they have. My sis lives in TX, and if she'd get one of these do-hickeys, then we'd both know how far and how fast we walked...and then could razz the other one because they didn't walk on Friday. It's just something to make walking or running more fun. I think I paid about $30 for it. I think it's pretty nifty.

You know, I thought I had heard one time that even if a snake is expired it can still inject poison, but I never knew if it was true. Not something I'd want to mess around with. We do have rattlers around here, in the deep woods, but they are few and far between. They don't come into yards or any populated areas. You may see one on a golf course or in a camping area, but other than that you kinda have to be hunting them to find them. Nasty things!

Today I'm back on the eleven days. The three goof off days sure were fun. Oh, memories!