The weight melts off

I've made it half-way through the strictest part of the diet. I'm trying to work out what I'm going to be eating when I'm done dieting. I'm not thrilled about the chicken and fish that I've been eating daily, so I need to work out a good protein source that's easy to cook and low fat, low carb. I'll figure out something.

I've been reading lately about all the GMO crops that are taking over our food supply. Sugar beets are now almost all GMO (thanks monsanto) and they become refined sugar... then I read yesterday that they are about to release GMO wheat. So, on my "do not eat" list is already corn and corn products (high fructose corn syrup, frito-lay chips), plus any animal that eats the GMO feed. Now sugar and everything that's made from it... and soon wheat. This mess is really making it hard to survive in the winter time.

Anyway, that's pondering for another day. The graph indicates my weight loss since the 25th when I started this fun.

The Diet, day 9

I'm almost half-way through with the first phase of my diet. I've lost 8.8 pounds. Yesterday wasn't good, everything I ate tasted horrible. Even the pear tasted odd and I couldn't finish it. Today, on the other hand, went really well.

I'm trying to eat as much local foods as possible. I'm getting a lot of greens from my CSA farmer as that's what's growing right now in this part of the country. Greens. Radishes. Asparagus. Green Onions. That's about it for fresh veggies. There are a few places that grow hot-house vegetables, but they don't have the same earthy, natural flavor that rain-fed veggies have (IMHO). So, twice a day I get 4 oz of vegetables. Have you ever weighed 4 oz of greens? It's a LOT of greens--a BIG Salad.

Fruits in this area consist of berries (ALL berries) and stone fruits. There are apples, of course, and a random pear tree here and there, but those ripen much later in the year. I like berries, but plain and raw hasn't been my favorite way of eating them. Raw, plain blueberries always taste weird to me, tart and bitter, strawberries the same. But I realized that I haven't ever had "real" strawberries; those picked fresh that are less than an inch in diameter (normal sized). So, I bought some from the farmer's market. Picked and eaten on the same day... they were sweet, juicy, a touch of tartness and bright red all the way through! Delicious. It's only fresh strawberries for me from now on. $2 for a pint of those gems is a deal that can't be beaten!

VLCD or Starvation Diet

DAY 6
Lost: >5 pounds

I am nearly a week down in my super diet and everything is going well! It's not as hard as I thought it might be. I'm trying to change my eating habits and lose weight and get healthy!

I've signed up for a 5k run in September and my training has been difficult due to the extra weight I'm carrying around. I decided I had to drop some weight fast and found a plan that will help me lose weight, eat more healthily and change my eating habits.

I did a lot of research, starting with a trip to a medical weight-loss clinic. I settled on a very low calorie diet(VLCD). A VLCD must be low in fat and carbohydrates and very high in protein; the high protein will help protect your organs and muscles from being damaged while your body searches for fuel.

I eat every 2 hours and must get at least 3 liters of pure water (nothing in it). I decided anytime I feel the need to eat, I will either clean the house or read a book. Here's my diet:
8:00 One egg
10:00 4 oz fruit
Noon 6 oz chicken breast, grilled
14:00 4 oz vegetable
16:00 4 oz fruit
18:00 6 oz fish
20:00 4 oz vegetable
any time: 1 packet liquid protein drink

It doesn't seem like a lot, but it's been plenty for me since I am eating every 2 hours. My body is getting used to having food on a regular basis and it's healthy food.

I'll follow this diet for at least 20 days. At the 20-day mark I'll decide if I want to continue the diet for another 10 days. Then I'll very gradually add 100 calories until I get to 1200 and stay there until I reach my goal weight.

Stay tuned...

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