The Revolving Diet

Day 320 ~ Summary of Cabbage Soup Diet

Cabbage Soup is packed full of healthy vegetables and cabbage on it's own has lots of nutrients as do all of the other ingredients, which is great. This diet gets you to eat more fruit and vegetables while cutting out the sugary foods and snacks that you usually eat – definitely a good thing!

The soup tastes good, but I got bored of it after the third day, and it does give you gas (lots of gas) and contains lots of onion and cabbage so taking the soup to work needed to be strategic (thankfully I have a bathroom nearby) and expecting people to stick around you for long if you release any of that gas accidentally will not win you any friends (NO... I did not have that issue)

Cabbage Soup while being a filler is not nutritionally balanced, there is hardly any fat or protein in the diet aside from the small amounts in the vegetables of the soup. We need small amounts of fat and a larger amount of protein every day to keep ourselves healthy, so they should not be cut out of your diet. If not for the days of potatoes, banana's (that was a hard one) to the day of steak, this diet would of been REALLY HARD!!! 

If you were planning to do this diet, I  recommend fruit salad for breakfast or raw vegetables if you can on the veggie days, having the oniony-cabbagey vegetable stew for breakfast is not the best way to start the day…I did not have the soup for breakfast any day for this reason!

The Cabbage Soup Diet claims you can lose up to 10 pounds in a week....I again have been dieting for sometime so there was no way I was going to lose 10 pounds....but I am down 1.8 pounds and a loss is a good thing!! Losing 10 pounds of fat in a week is not realistic, oh sure 10 pounds is possible, but from all the diets I've read and all the research I've seen, then losing over 2 pounds of fat a week is extremely hard to do, the rest of the weight in most claims comes from water and muscle loss. You do not want to lose muscle if you can help it and water loss is temporary so when you start to eat normally again then suddenly you put back on a lot of the weight you lost.

Would I do this diet again?  Probably not.  I am not a huge fan of soup to begin with (unless it's chicken noodle or a creamy soup) and cabbage is good for a meal - - but not everyday (Gas, Smell, etc....).  The loss for the week of course is a positive and I am happy about that - - BUT NO MORE SOUP FOR ME!!!!

*DO NOT DO ANY DIET WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR FIRST *

Day 318 ~ 12/4/10

 Happy Saturday to ALL!!

I begged out of the cookie making at my mother in laws today (to make sure I didn't sample as much as we baked)  But I did stop by and picked (only 3 cookies)....

Breakfast: 1 box string beans w/almonds, 1 small steak (pan seared with salt & pepper)

Lunch: 2 cups Cabbage Soup, small side salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber), water

Snack: 1 cup cup Cabbage Soup, 2 Chocolate chip Cookies, 1 small sugar cookie

Dinner:  2 grilled steaks (w/garlic, salt & pepper), grilled tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, ice tea

Snack: 1 piece of See's chocolate (sample at store)

I did have a couple of snacks today between the cookies and chocolate sample - but realizing how much worse I could have been - - it wasn't a bad day.  I took matters in my own hand by almost entirely avoiding the cookie baking frenzy at my mother-in-laws....One small step (it could of been bigger if I avoided the house totally - but I can not say no to my mother-in-law)

Did a little running around today and got some lights up - - will finish the lights tomorrow!

Have a SUPER night!!! 

Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.

Day 317 ~ 12/3/10

Today's menu made special note to make sure to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.  I try to remember to note if I had water with a meal - - but I more than cover 6-8 glasses of water a day on a regular basis.  I probably drink over a gallon of water a day.....

Banana's were a great filler yesterday - - but an awful blocker today.  Banana's tend to bind me up..hopefully all the tomatoes today will correct "that" situation!!!!  I felt kinda miserable all day!

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 5 oz baked chicken, 1/2 cup marinated tomatoes, water

Lunch: 1 cup Cabbage Soup, water

Snack: 5 oz grilled hamburger, 1 cup marinated tomato salad, water

Dinner: 2 cups Cabbage Soup, 5 oz grilled chicken (added to soup) , ice tea

Snack: 1-1/2 cups marinated tomato salad

Since an abundance of tomatoes were on the menu today, I searched the web for a recipe I could make quick that would be flavorful and low fat - - this is what I found (I made with 4 tomatoes & 1 Tablespoon olive oil vs 1/4 cup) ...and it was delicious and refreshing!!

Marinated Tomatoes

 Ingredients:

• 5 large ripe tomatoes
• 1/4 cup good quality olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 small to medium garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Preparation:

Peel tomatoes and cut in 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices; arrange in a large glass bowl or dish. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over tomatoes. Chill thoroughly, gently stirring once or twice.
Serves 6

The weekend is here and time to start getting serious about getting some holiday decorations up in addition to the usual weekend rituals of cleaning and laundry.  I am already starting my  morning tomorrow by doing two returns.  Gifts bought in a mad frenzy because I had a 30% discount off at Kohl's - I am a total impulse buyer....second thoughts now have me returning almost 1/2 of what I bought!

Time to get cracking!!  Maybe if I get laundry done tonight I can sleep a little later tomorrow!!

Have a GREAT night!!

We can't become what we want to be by remaining what we are 

Day 316 ~ 12/2/10

Last night I made a new batch of Cabbage Soup - so my house, that just about lost that Cabbage Soup smell.... which permeated every square inch..... is now back.

The banana's were rough today....I ended up eating 6 of them...no way could I get another one down...unless it's Banana Bread or pudding!!!

Breakfast: 2 bananas, 1 glass skim milk, hot tea

Lunch: 1 cup Cabbage Soup, 1 banana  water

Snack: 1 banana, water

Dinner: 2 cups Cabbage Soup, 1-1/2 banana, ice tea

Snack: 1 glass skim milk, 1/2 banana

It was another morning of no exercise.  Booby has had an additional set of horns up that has made her feel it's okay to wake me at 2am and then every 15-20 minutes until it is time for me to get up at 6am...bottom line I am resetting my alarm for 7am and running out the door ten minutes later than I need to be getting out the door - which should be 8am.  No time or energy to get exercise in. 

Looking forward to tomorrow being Friday!  Got an invite to my mother-in-law for an ALL DAY COOKIE baking day on Saturday - - which I know will be dangerous.  I think I may pop by later in day (as hubby wants samples) -  -but I do not want to put myself in that situation.  With the holidays right around the corner - baking and snacking are inevitable - but it will only be the 4th day of December and only 9 days after completely eating like a pig on Thanksgiving....PLUS....I have a Holiday party next Saturday...I want to fit into something smaller (or at least have breathing room in something I already own and be able to pick then....)

The sacrifices we make to be able to lose weight (or at least not gain) and still enjoy the holidays - right now it's about picking and choosing the battles!!!

 Have an AWESOME NIGHT!!!

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

Day 315 ~ 12/1/10

 Day three and I am still okay with the Cabbage Soup. The potato last night made a big difference. I am actually full enough with just the soup for dinner tonight.  Today we are mixing the soup with fruit and veggies - no potato. No exercise today - - too tired this morning (dark & gloomy outside) and just not in the mood!!!

Breakfast: 1/2 cup grapes, 1 tangerine, hot tea

Lunch: 1 cup Cabbage Soup, 1 cup raw carrots, 1/2 cup raw broccoli, water

Snack: 1/2 cup grapes, small apple, hot tea, water

Dinner: 2 cups Cabbage Soup, ice tea

Snack: 1 cup grapefruit juice

 

More Holiday Ideas:

If you are a cook or a baker and want to share your favorite recipes with family and friends you can copy them into a colorful purchased journal. Or, print them on pretty recipe cards fitted into a categorized recipe box.  Staples and Office Max can even put into a book format for you if you are not overly creative and need a little help!

 Printable Recipe Cards: http://www.merriershopping.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Recipecards.pdf

  Continuing with the “cooking theme” – you can purchase (cheap) a nice sized basket and several different potted herbs (usually in small pots) combine together, add a small pair of scissors for cutting (attach with ribbon to basket) and include a note card for each herb and how to use.

 What if your gift recipients like wine or movies?

 A big bowl (big enough to hold a micro waved bag of popcorn)- - Get 1-2 DVD’s, or even movie tickets (a lot of good offers out there), a couple big boxes of candy and a box of microwave popcorn….fill bottom of bowl with tissue paper or other filler and arrange your items in bowl. Wrap with cellophane and a big bow and you have a low cost, enjoyable gift for a family.

 With wine you can do basically the same thing – pick out 1-2 reasonably priced bottles of wine (1 red, 1 white) – you can do the movie thing here –or- a bag of nuts, ,crackers, cheese (non-perishable) and you have a great hostess/friend gift.

Have a FANTASTIC NIGHT!!!

Past experiences can not help you, if you cannot learn anything from them

Day 314 ~ 11/30/10

Today was pretty good (other than the gas) - I feel great!  I feel lighter...stomach bloated feeling - but not bloated (did I mention gassy??)

The potato was a GREAT filling addition to today's meals - it was WONDERFUL having BUTTER!!!!!  I know I shouldn't get too excited about BUTTER ( Good chance....I may be a long, long , long misplaced 3rd cousin removed from Paula Deen!!) But it was soooooooooooooooo GOOD!!!

Breakfast: 1 box stringbeans with almonds (quick zap in microwave & breakfast was served!)

Snack: 1 cup raw carrots

Lunch: 2 cups Cabbage Soup, small side salad (lettuce, tomatoes -sprinkle  salt & pepper)

Dinner: 1 cup Cabbage Soup, baked potato and 1 cup broccoli with BUTTER!!  I blobbed it on...what an awesome addition on fatty warm goodness!!!

Another day of Cabbage Soup and I am positive the baked potato got me thorough dinner tonight...if I had to have just soup and veggies and/or fruit - I might of thrown in the towel!

Got my 30 minutes of exercise in this afternoon (ran too late to hit tread climber) I ended up doing a couple of laps around my companies building...

I am working on some more holiday ideas - watch out for!!

Have a SUPER NIGHT!!  

No one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending

Day 313 ~ 11/29/10

Today was a shock to the system.  First off, soup for two meals.  Let me rephrase that - Cabbage Soup for two meals.  Forget feeling bloated....more gassy than anything.    The hot soup was a welcome change from a salad or sandwich at lunch and having the warm soup actually made me feel fuller - could be because it took me longer to eat because it was hot; letting my brain register after 20 minutes that I was full...who knows - but it worked!

Breakfast: 1/2 cubed cantaloupe, hot tea

Lunch: 1 cup Cabbage Soup, 1/2 cup grapes, water

Snack: 1/2 cup grapes, small apple, hot tea, water

Dinner: 2 cups Cabbage Soup, ice tea

Snack: 2 small tangerines

I am not sure if I am going to be able to hang on for the week - - Cabbage Soup is okay - - but it takes (A LOT OF) getting used to.

ONE DAY AT A TIME......ONE DAY AT A TIME........

No exercise today.  Got to bed late last night and Booby woke me at 4am and I couldn't fall back to sleep...would of been a great opportunity to blow out the tread climber but I couldn't even see straight I was so tired!!!

Wearing exercise clothes to bed tonight so that tomorrow there is no excuse!I hope your day went well and you have recommitted to your diet and/or exercise program.....December 1 is this week and the baking goodies, holiday parties and festivities are picking up speed...the next couple of weeks are going to fly by and if we are not careful now, we won't be able to nibble with little to no guilt later!!

Have a SUPER night!!!

Not being able to do everything, is no excuse for not doing everything you can.