The Revolving Diet

Day 363 ~ 1/18/2012

Last day of the Cycle 1 - 17 Day Diet.  Went as well as the others (even after my small celebrating last night!!)  I was good yesterday until a wonderful birthday dinner last night of crab cake, rice and green beans (not too bad)...then two glasses of wine and a Baileys Chocolate Mint over rocks...blew it on the cocktails - but really needed it (more on that tomorrow)...

Breakfast: Green Smoothie (it's really good - trust me on this one!)

Lunch: Tuna salad (1 can water packed tuna with mustard), over chopped lettuce with sliced tomatoes

Snack: Low Fat Trader Joes Chocolate yogurt

Dinner:  Shrimp Scampi (in foil with fresh lemon, garlic & 1 teaspoon olive oil) and a bag of steamed broccoli & cauliflower

17 Days of each cycle is 78 days (if you go straight through) - its basically 6 weeks. If you review any number of diets you will find 6 weeks seems to be the norm.    The 17 Day diet is balanced and gradually let's you add foods to keep things interesting.  I can see where after 17 Days you will be looking for the next level to start just to get something different added into the diet.

6 weeks of a doing a diet, exercise program or anything for your health the repetitive daily in and out of it will get you on a habit that you can stick too.  We are only in the third week of the New Year and if you have been sticking to a program on your own - you are 1/2 way there to making it a habit. Half way there!!!!  Three more weeks and it's going to be second nature....KEEP GOING...

Why not let this year be the last year you swear to make yourself healthier??!!

LET'S DO IT and DO IT RIGHT!!!!

Day 362 ~ 1/17/2012

It's my Birthday...No Post tonight!

(NOT Booby Cat - She refused to pose, she thought the hat was ridiculous)

 

Have a wonderful night and I'll talk to you tomorrow!!

Day 361 ~ 1/16/12

M.O.N.D.A.Y....ARGGGGGGGGHHHH!!      You know what I said about getting behind someone doing their Sunday "no where they have to be" drive, I had that person this morning and yes I was running late.  But only because I was trying to think of somehting to "MIX IT UP" for breakfast and in my search I found this recipe.....

GREEN SMOOTHIE Recipe

This recipe is super simple. All you need is a blender and the following ingredients:

• 1-2 bananas
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• a couple handfuls of spinach
• water
• ice (if desired)

Add enough water to blend and enjoy, that’s it! Forget the dehydrating morning latte and get the glow with a Green Smoothie instead.  You can use any fruits too!!!

Bananas are not on Cycle 1, but I used 1 small one (the one on the left), frozen mango cubes and spinach....there are two bananas in picture because hubby took "before picture an grabbed two becasue that's what the recipe called for....it was delicious!!!!!!! And now my new breakfast, if I have veggies and fruits I have to eat during the day, this is an awesome start tothe day - a real EYE OPENER and so EASY!!!

Breakfast: 1 small banana, about 10 frozen mango cubes (approx 3/4 to 1 cup) a large handful of raw spinach and some water

Snack: Chobani non fat vanilla yogurt (thought after the fact I could have added this to smoothie...maybe tomorrow)

Lunch: Lettuce wraps with tuna (canned tuna in water mixed with chopped scallions & mustard), 1 small orange

DInner:  Chicken burger, raw onion, lettuce tomatoe and raw cauliflower & broccoli - used non fat plain yourt and added a little ranch seasoning - it was a nice creamy dip for the veggies and on the chicken burger!

I hope your Monday went well and you haven't given up...a good portion of people give up their New Years Resolutions for being healthy and exercising more after the second week....I know if you are reading my blog you are keeping yourself in check and on track.....

You are getting healthy for YOU!!!

Have an AWESOME NIGHT!!!!!

 

Day 360 ~ 1/15/2012

Only a few more days of the Cycle 1 portion of this diet and I am continuing to feel pretty good.  If you have considered doing this diet, I do suggest you check the book out of your local library, better to review it and make sure you are ready to do each cycle.  Each Cycle is well laid out with meals for each cycle.  I have done a couple of days exactly by meal plan but majority on my own - if you have others in your household to feed it might work out for you to try to eat what is on hand (for each cycle) instead of buying extra special stuff for yourself...dieting should not put you in the poor house!!

So there are some changes in Cycle 3....some alcohol (1 daily is optional/okay) and some nice additoons in fats, breads and pasta - this is where some of the boredom will start going away...

Information for Meal Planning Made Easy for Cycle 3:

Controlled portions of proteinsfrom an expanded list

Liberal amounts of veggies from an expanded list

Two servings of natural starches from an expanded list

Two servings of fruit from an expanded list

One or Two servings of yogurt, low fat dairy or daily substitutes

One serving of fat from an expanded list

Optional snacks

Optional daily serving of alcohol

Summary of what you can now include:

Natural starches include pumpernickel, rye, gluton free, multi  grain, oat bran and sugar free breads, whole frain bagel (1/2) whole wheat pita pocket, etc

High Fiber cereals allowed/suggested, All Bran, Fiber One low sugar granola, etc

You can have pasta that is whole wheat, vegetable based, gluton free or high fiber. 

Veggies are unlimited and fruits you can add bananas and virtually any fresh fruit.

Low calories cheeses, low fat ricotta, daily substitutes including sugar free rice, almond or soy milks, etc

Friendly Fats you can now add avocado, light and regular mayo, nuts or seeds, salad dressing, etc

Snacks that are under 100 calories including microwave popcorn, frozxen fruit bars, reduced sugar & fat granola bars, etc

My Meals for today:

Breakfast: 2 HB eggs, 1/2 grapefruit

Snack: Yogurt Smoothie (non fat vanilla yogurt, a pinch of xylitol, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla)

Lunch: Spinach salad with grilled chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olive oil & balsamic vinegar

Snack: Another yogurt smoothie but added an orange, vanilla and pinch of xylitol (same as yesterday...it was good!!)

Dinner:  Chicken burger with carmelized onions, mixed steamed veggie medley

I hope your weekend was productive!! 

 Have an AWESOME NIGHT!!!!

Day 359.2 ~ 1/15/12

HELLO....EVERYONE!  Another late post tonight, it seems I have been getting so hung up on getting organized (yes, still working on the garage) that I lose all track of time.  I actually just ate dinner (@10:00pm!!!)  Keeping busy does keep your mind off food!!

How was your day?  Have you been working on your "other" resolutions?  If anyone is interested....January is National Hobby Month...I had no idea, but I did get an email from Michael's (craft store) telling me so.  I love drawing, painting, crafting, cake decorating, etc....just no time for it all.  When you work full time and try to fit in all the regular daily activities, time just slips by so quick!

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 1 cup grapefruit juice, mixed veggie omelet (chopped onions, tomatoes & spinach)

Lunch: 1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese, 1 can tuna (mixed with a little mustard, put both over a bed of chopped iceberg lettuce

Snack: plain non fat yogurt blended with an orange, a little vanilla, ice cubes, 1 teaspoon xylitol (sort of like a tart Orange Julious (pretty good)

Dinner: Chicken in the crockpot - seasoning.... olive oil, garlic, chopped tomatoes, onions and eggplant.

Snack: While watching SNL - vanilla low fat yogurt and a Lemon Zinger tea

Good Day - down one pound as of thsi morning and I am back on track!!!  SO far down 6 pounds and starting to feel like my old self!

Have a WONERFUL NIGHT!!

BE HAPPY NO MATTER WHAT.  WHY RUIN A GOOD DAY BY SOMETHING YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER AND IF YOU DID HAVE CONTROL OVER IT - REMEMBER, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES AND WE WILL ALL CONTINUE TO MAKE MISTAKES, THAT'S JUST LIFE LESSONS.  IF WE WERE ALL PERFECT, LIFE WOULD BE BORING!

 

Day 358 ~ 1/13/2012

I had some problems sleeping last night (too much sugar after not having much).  Back on track today.

With that,  here is the information for Meal Planning Made Easy for Cycle 2:

Liberal amounts of proteins and cleansing veggies.

Two daily servings of natural starches (carbs)

Two low sugar fruits

Two servings of yogurt, kefir, etc (probiotic foods, you can use supplements)

One daily serving of friendly fat

You do not have to count anything except the 2 daily fruits , 2 yogurts and the fat.

For the most part the only change from Cycle 1- is one less fat and adding natural starches (sweet potato, beans, etc)

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 2 HB eggs, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice

Snack: Chobani lemon Non fat yogurt

Lunch: Grilled chicken breast , 2 sliced tomatoes, 1 apple

Dinner: Baked Tilapia (seasoned with garlic, lemon and 1/4 teaspoon parmesan cheese), sidesalad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and olive oil, salt & pepper

Snack: Lemon Zinger Tea, Chobani non fat vanilla yogurt

First full work week done. Do you have any weekend plans?  Part of my Resolutions (other than finish up losing weight and firming up) is getting organized.  Started last weekend and this weekend is all about getting the garage in order.  Between cutting down boxes for recycling, going through what is currently in boxes (stuff from when we moved in, many, many years ago) and have never used, determining what is a keeper, what is going to be donated and what is going to be trashed, then turning around and getting what remains in some sort of organized manner.  I am tired just from typing that....this organization thing is going to take longer than 1-2 weekends.....we have A LOT of crap!!!

But that is what New Years Resolutuions are about - getting rid of the old and welcoming the new.  New doesn't mean all pretty and sparkly, it can mean just making it new to you.  For us finding stuff we forgot we had is like opening a birthday present!!  The bad part will be making the decision to continue to hoard stuff we haven't used or getting rid of it!

Whatever your plans this weekend - start working on your other resolutions - healthy goals are good, but if other areas in your life need some "newness" GO FOR IT...don't procrastinate until next year!

Have a WONDERFUL NIGHT!!!

Day 357 ~ 1/12/2012

TODAY.WAS.NOT.GOOD.

Let me just outline today's meals ~

Breakfast: 1 Chocolate Covered Entemanns donut

Snack: 1/4 cup Dry Roasted Wasabi soybeans, 4 slices Turkey Pepperoni

Lunch: 1 Boston Cream DD Donut, 1 DD Hazelnut Coffee

Dinner: 1-1/2 cups Homemade Turkey Chili

AND........that's not the worse of it, I blew off kickboxing tonight

First thing as I walked into work, I do not know what came over me....the donut was offered to me and I took it.  The decline signal in my brain just completely shut off.  The donut was gone in seconds and not long after I was thinking about what I was going to have for lunch.  Let me stop here and tell you - I run late for work the majority of the time.  It's not on purpose - it's just that I have a problem with getting out of the house in a timely manner and the days I actually do get out of the house on time, it's a fair bet that there will be a fender bender, the road is flooded, the traffic lights are out or grandpa/grandma Moses decide to take their Sunday afternoon drive at 8:05am in the morning and I am behind them. Having said that, I was running late this morning and  all I packed was the turkey pepperoni (quick grab, thought it was carrot sticks)...

Now once the sugar hit my system, it was like I couldn't stop thinking about SUGAR or something cakey.....being I was late and normally I only take a 1/2 hour for lunch, I had 15 minutes to think of where I could get a quick something/anything....Dunkin Donuts is close and convenient and fast.

Once I got home all I wanted was something substantial THAT WAS NOT SWEET. The turkey chili (thankfully frozen and ready to go after a quick nuke) brought my sugar levels back down and I will NOT be having anything else the rest of the night except WATER to flush out anything sweet still in my system.

Now I need a nap......Tomorrow is another day...

Have a FANTASTIC night!

FAILURE ISN'T FALLING DOWN, IT'S REMAINING WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN

 

 

Day 356 ~ 1/11/2012

Since I have a few more days on this diet - I thought it best to point out in each cycle (or chapter in book) there is a brief outline for "Meal Planning Made Easy"

For this current cycle (Cycle 1):

As much as you want of specific proteins and cleansing veggies.

Supplement these foods with 2 low sugar fruits daily, 2 servings of yogurt, kefir, etc (probiotic foods), low sodium broth, sauerkraut (1/2 cup serving) and 1 to 2 tablsepoons friendly fat.

You do not have to count anything except the 2 daily fruits , 2 yogurts and the fat.

Easy Peasy!

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 2 HB eggs, 1 non fat yogurt, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice

Snack: Green tea (not a big fan of this tea)

Lunch: Take-out  Large mixed salad (red & green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce), sliced grilled chciken breast, olive oil/red wine vinegar on the side), 1 apple

Dinner: Quick & Easy Shrimp Scampi (popped shrimp, garlic, olive oil and lemon slices in foil - baked in oven), 1 bag frozen steamed culiflower, broccoli & carrots

Snack: Lemon Zinger Tea, Chobani non fat vanilla yogurt

Shoprite has Chobani on sale this week, 10 for $1 each....makes the yogurt consumption a little easier on the wallet...!  If you are not a yogurt, Kefir type person, it is noted in the book that you can substitue a Probiotic supplement - if you are interested in going this route the book states you are to look for a probiotic supplement that contains 10 to 20 billion colony-forming units (CFU's) and read label as to how to store.

Good Day overall...going to workout at home tonight to make up for my blowing off kickboxing last night.

I hope your day was active, healthy and you are feeling a little bit lighter!

Have a WONDERFUL night....If you didn't exercise yet - get 20 minutes in while watching TV tonight (that's my plan!!)

 

 I hate those low hanging pants!!!                                                                                                         I just want to walk up to someone wearing them and pull them down!

 

Day 355 ~ 1/10/2012

Super quick update tonight (and late too....) 

Up late last night at my sisters house for a sleepover and I have been dragging butt ever since.  I blew off kickboxing and basically came home put the pj's on and vegged...then did a HOLY SHIT....I forgot to post!!

So here I am with a meals update.....

Today's Meals:

Breakfast:  1/2 cup grapefruit juice, Chobani non fat vanilla yogurt

Snack: Chobani non fat lemon yogurt

Lunch: Lettuce Wraps with the leftover Barbequed Chicken

Dinner: 2 scrambled eggs and 2 mini turkey sausages

Snack: No late night snack....going to bed  - NOW!!

I hope your day was AWESOME!!

Have a TERRIFIC NIGHT!!

Isn't this the TRUTH!!! 

Day 354 ~ 1/9/2012

Here we are into the 2nd week of the New Year.  Your motivation should be pretty high after last weeks start.  I am down a few pounds and feeling pretty good.  The PF Chang's yesterday didn't mess me up (no weight gain....but no weight loss).

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 1 slice turkey bacon, 1/2 grapefruit

Snack: Chobani non fat vanilla yogurt

Lunch: Lettuce Wraps (Recipe from book below) This was a great make ahead meal - and delicious!

Dinner: Oven Barbequed Chicken (Recipe from book below)

Snack: Chobani non fat vanilla yogurt

Lettuce Wrap Recipe
1 baked chicken breast, diced
1 scallion, diced
1/2 cup chopped red grapes
2 tablespoons chopped celery
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
2-3 Boston or iceberg lettuce leaves

Mix together all ingredients (except lettuce).  Chill for about 1/2 hour - then take a lettuce leaf and fill with a heaping spoonful of the chicken filling. Makes 1 serving

Oven Barbequed Chicken
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
3/4 cup reduced sugar ketchup (got mine at health food store)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon agave nectar (I used honey instead)
1 teaspoon chili powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place chicken breasts in a baking pan that has been sprayed with vegetable cooking spray.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  While the chicken is baking - mix all wet ingredients to make the BBQ sauce.  Remove chicken breasts from oven and coat with sauce.  Return to oven and bake for 10 more minutes.  Makes 4 servings

The Oven baked BBQ Chicken was really good. A bonus was that there is extra and it saves me from making something different for lunch tomorrow!! A little side salad and I am ready to go!  This is one of the best tips for dieting - make a little extra and it saves time and energy in gettnig another meal together!

Running out the door....Sleep over at my sisters tonight. Looking forward to some good quality sister time....

Have a wonderful night!!!