South Beach Diet - Phase I Beachers - Week starting June 3

This thread is for new folks, old folks restarting and anybody working on Phase I. Post your questions, concerns and helpful hints in here.

(Remember to join us on the Daily Chat too. There's more to life than dieting; it just doesn't feel that way sometimes. )

Today is day 5 for me, and so far still so good! It's amazing, the cravings are getting fewer and fewer. YAY!!!! I've lost quite a bit of weight, 10.5 pounds as of this morning. That seems a little too quick for me? I don't want to lose weight too fast and end up with flappy skin. I'm definitely not watching calories - I'm eating more now than I usually do!

I'm starting (again) tomorrow. This time I've joined a local "fit club" through MySpace and we're doing a weekly contest and a grand prize so I'm hoping that will help keep me motivated.

Hi Everyone!!
I plan on starting tomm., this will be my 2nd time, I only lasted 2 days, but I have more will power now, and sick of Jenny Craig foods`!!

Count me in! I started Phase 1 at New Years, lost 25 pounds, and promptly got off track. I was done in by one dinner! My sister-in-law made me a meal of fried chicken, cornbread, a baked potato, and macaroni and cheese although she knew I was on a diet. It wasn't malicious on her part, that is just the way she cooks (and never gains weight). We can't help it here in Kentucky. We have an intrinsic love of fried chicken.

I love this diet, although my husband calls it the "Starvation Beach Diet." He doesn't understand how it is so effective at naturally eliminating cravings for sugars and binge eating. He just sees me eating celery with Laughing Cow cheese and cringes. Any tips on getting a husband to eat SB style without realizing it?

By the way, I also felt a little greasy and hot when I started. I thought it was just me, but I think my body may have been detoxing due to all the water I was drinking and the types of foods I was eating.

Since you limit carbs, is the belly fat the first to go??
This is my menu for tomm. does this look okay?

b- 2 eggs
s-yogurt
l-salad, wishbone spritzer dressing
s- string cheese
d- flounder, broccoli, garlic

Your meal sounds good, except it seems that you're only eating about 900 calories (give or take). That seems awfully light. Can you do it? Is it even safe to try? Maybe add a handful of almonds somewhere? I'm not sure.

Sorry, this is a rant!!! A little 2 much beer!

Honestly, right now as it is, except on the couple of splurges, like today. Im barely eating 1200 calories, its been like this since I started Jenny Craig a couple of weeks ago, Im very satisfied with the weight loss, considering I eat Junk food, and beer. But I make sure I dont go over 1200 calories. I know this is just awful. When I sit here and think about it, I need something strict. I need something with not alot of carbs. I absoultely love carbs, I love everything that made me fat. And how I got fat was by carbs. I never understood why I was overweight because I didnt eat alot. But I ate awful, carb packed food. Now being 19 with this big belly, I completly get it. Finally!! How could I love something so much that it can make me this miserable? I have no idea, but I cant do this to my self anymore. I just cant, and I wont. I get that carbs could count as a very big part as why Im overweight, I dont eat good carbs. But there probaly is another reason. (still workng on that one) With my weight loss, Ive contemplated ever single unhealthy way to loss weight, even went though with them for some time.

WOW!! So sorry for this long post, just had to get this off my mind.
Okay well maybe if I can detox my body from all the carbs and just not good food. And I find a way to actually stick to something, maybe 900 calories isnt so bad for 2 weeks, why I rid my body all these bad things. If this can get my mind off of constantly thinking of food, maybe its worth it. It will probaly be a little more than 900 calories, Ill probaly add something with dinner, but I jst want a detox from all these carbs.

When I started eating at or under 1200, the first week I lost 3.3, then 1.2, then 1.8, 1.4. And all this food is junk food! I havent started sb yet, I will tomm. And Ill see how that works!! Oh and i love eggs, so If Im hungry I can add a hard boiled egg to my salad. It will probaly be more than a 1000 calories.

I'm on the phase 1 wagon again tomorrow. :)

Tried this a few weeks ago, but had some big milk supply (breastfeeding) issues even though I was making sure to eat 1,800 calories per day. Then I tried doing phase 2, but at least for ME personally, I could not do it without that 2 - week detox from carbs beforehand. I could not stick to phase 2 without going totally off plan here and there... and then it became more and more frequent and I'm back where I started. But I'm done nursing now so no worries there, and my baby is doing great on formula, so back to phase 1 I go! :D No excuse not to succeed this time.

The last time i did SB, the first day wasnt so bad, then the second day I think I had a slight headache and I gave in. What should I expect??

Hi Everyone,

I think I'm going to be joining you tomorrow,as much as the present state of my kitchen will allow. I won't be grocery shopping til Tuesday. But I've got to GET AWAY FROM all these carbs that are making me fat and crazy. I'm reading the Beck Diet Solution, and I'm supposed to start my diet Wednesday but I want to get out of the heavy-cravings state that Phase1 gave me before. So I'll be ditching fruit and starchy carbs for a few days before I cut out the fat on Wednesday.

Hope you don't mind me hangin around on the beach! :D

Lianne

I just think If I do go one day, Im just going to wake up and be skinny in the morning! I need to get over that :(

I'll be starting SB for the first time tomorrow. I have a question about desserts, which I posted in a separate thread, but I'll ask it here too. Can I substitute a savory snack for the desserts in phase 1? I'm really not into sweets on a regular basis and I'm quite certain that I can go without them all together for 2 weeks.

:welcome3: all you Newbies!

Remember to include a serving of beans in your daily menu, it will really help prevent your cravings for starch, and eat at least 4 1/2 cups veggies every day. Both will help keep things "moving" along. ;)

hannah, you can substitute any other SB friendly food for a dessert snack if you like. It doesn't have to be a sweet snack.

1 week down, 1 to go! DAY 9!

I lost 5 pounds the first week! HOORAY!

Day 6! I'm still going strong - I'm just anxious for Day 14 so I can start adding things back in. Plus, I'm anxious for Day 14 so I can tell myself I really did it! I'm almost to the halfway point! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 week down!! I have lost 6 lbs. in the first week :D !!!!

Hi gals! I just found this board and it looks like a great accountability tool. Mind if I join in?

I'm Kara, just started on South Beach four days ago. I'm actually doing pretty well sticking with it and haven't cheated (yet!). Tomorrow will be Day 5 on Phase 1. I'm planning mushroom scrambled tofu for breakfast. Snacks I'll leave open, but I tend to go for the 15 almonds or a string cheese because they're easy. For lunch I'm making Greek salad with tofu, and then dinner will be the Italian-style tofu bake I found in the South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook with some roasted cauliflower. I think I'm going to try the crustless zesty lemon pie that I found on the Kraft website for dessert.

Whew. Getting it out makes me feel like I really have to stick with it now.

I'm just trying to get rid of this post-baby jiggle belly. I'm down to pre-pregnancy weight, but that gut keeps on bouncing around...

Thanks for being here!

Kara

I just wanted to say way to go to those who have completed week one! Congrats! Welcome to those just starting out, you have come to the right place for answers and support. 2nd week of phase 2 here, 10 lbs down using SB. :dust: to everyone!

I cant believe I already messed up :( I woke up this morning, and I had 2 bites of some ww ice cream. I realized it, and threw it away, do I need to wait till tomm. to start??

It was only 2 bites - that's probably NBD ... although I'm a newbie too & can't say for sure. Should probably take the time to throw out everything that's going to mess you up though. If you can, that is: I have 2 kids who need their school snacks. I mostly buy things I don't like, but any carb starts to look good after a while.

:welcome: new Beachers and Retreads! :lol:

Stacie, don't sweat the smalls tuff - much! Just get right back on track. Be very careful though as you need to detox onb Phase I to get rid of cravings!

Good going, Pacegal! 10 pounds is a great loss for week 1.

South Beach is good for bellyfat, Kara - for ditching it, I mean!

Hang in there folks! Phase I is the hardest. :dust: to everyone!

Hi all, I'm completely new to the South Beach Diet (this is my 1st day) & I have a few questions:
1. I'm having a hard time getting my head around the "no portion control" part; I had 2 hard boiled eggs + a glass of water for breakfast & was still hungry. I managed to last until snack & then had a hunk of cheese (not big, but not the 1oz they let you have on WW either). Could I have had something more for b'fast?
2. I'm just NOT going to cook my breakfast, snacks, or lunch - any ideas for "grab & go" foods?
3. Can't I just stay on Phase 1 until I reach my goal & then use Phase 2 to maintain?

Thanks in advance!

Stacie. I agree with fishfly Don't worry about the ice cream, but you might think about a housecleaning. Before I started P1 I gave anything in my home that was absolutely prohibited to a neighbor and a friend. Anything prohibited, but belonging to the person I live with (my husband). I keep on seperate shelves in the pantry or refrigerator. I just tell myself that it is not food, and eating it is not only cheating but stealing too.

I also have been known to wake up groggy or come home tired and forget I am on a diet, and then four bites into a cheesecake I remember. I can't just change what I eat. I have to change my eating environment. If I leave ice cream in the freezer - I am setting myself up for failuire at first. Have faith, Stacie. Sooner or later you won't even care that it is there.

Oh, and a couple more things:
1. Are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable in Phase 1?
2. Can I eat more cheese today, say for my pm snack or on top of dinner?

TIA!

Well, I woke up this morning and realized that I wasn't really prepared (grocery and pantry wise) to begin SB, so I decided to dedicate to doing that today and start tomorrow. I have a good friend who's going through some financial rough times and her family will really appreciate all the food.

Hello ladies!!!
Thanks for all the support! :cheer2: So far so good. For breakfast I had 2 eggs, and 1 cup of milk. What else is there for lunch except chicken and salad? I need to go to the store to get some cheese, and flounder. I love chicken just not how I make it!! I dont know how to cook. I dont even try because it all comes out so bad. This morning I had burnt eggs. :joker: My mom will cook the flounder, its a little better when she does it. I just need something simple for lunch. Maybe some turkey roll ups!!!

I really love eggplant!! Maybe I should wait to eat tomato sauce. Has anyone eat eggplant for dinner, and how can I make it as simple as possible? 1/2 eggplant or a whole one?? And is vegetable oil okay instead of olive oil?

Oh I weighed In at 194, I was thinking it would be alot more than that. Since Ive had a few episodes!!! But Ill take it!

Hannah Thats a great idea to donate food!! Some people could really use it!!

I'm back on Phase 1 today. I originally started in mid-March, but have taken the last few weeks off. I just got back from a business trip that set me back quite a few steps.

Stacie - I had a rough time when I started phase 1 the first time. I think I wasn't eating enough. You asked about what to have for lunch.....I really like the taco bake. It was a lifesaver for me the first time. It is a sticky under Entrees - Phase 1 in the recipe section. Like others have said previously, the beans helped with cravings and helped to fill me up.

Fishflyatmidnite--
1. Yes, you could have had a lot more for breakfast! My usual phase one breakfast is two of the veggie quiche cups (recipe is in the book) with a glass of V8 and a big glass of tea with skim milk. If you cook the cups the
night before, you have twelve--enough for six days (some people get sick of eggs--I don't). You can freeze them and pop them in the microwave the next day. The quiche cups have lots of veggies and some cheese in addition to the eggs--they stick with you a lot longer than just hardboiled eggs. You don't have to eat the same thing, but I personally think it is crucial to get some veggies in every chance you get during P1.
2. Salads with any kind of meat are great for quick lunches. I like to make a chef salad with some low-fat mozzarella, turkey and all the veggies I can think of (broccoli, snow peas, etc). I'll also have yogurt, the curried chicken salad (from the quick and easy cookbook, you can make batch for four days). Bean soups can be made the night before and reheated for an entire week. There are also a few commerical soups you can buy (like lentil
soup) that would be appropriate for P1--just keep an eye on sodium.
3. The main issue with staying on P1 for too long is that your body isn't getting a great variety of foods. This can have a nutritional impact and it can also make you bored and more likely to go off plan. I'm not sure what
your motivation is for wanting to stay on P1 for a long time. Are you worried about adding foods back in? This forum has lots of great resources to help us add foods back in--the first time I transitioned to P2, I added
things back way too fast and had problems with stalling and cravings. This time, adding back one fruit and one starchy food a week (with the help of the great advice on this forum), I'm doing great and continuing to drop
weight every week. P2 is still a weight loss phase--P3 is the maintainance phase.
4. Tomatoes are a vegetable. You can indulge through P1 and beyond.

Good luck!

Hi Everyone,

I am hoping that I can join your group. I just began P1 of South Beach today. I am excited about the weight loss stories that I've read about and I have been successful in the past with other similar plans. I am compulsive (OCD) in nature and lose and regain weight like other people take out their trash, and of course I know that this isn't healthy. I am trying my best to remember that it's fine to be compulsive at first on P1, but later I need to believe that this is a do-able long term way of eating. I wish everyone the best, and look forward to meeting you all!
BJ

Hello again ladies.
This is my second go on the beach, lost 31 lbs the first time, gained 10 lbs back after a rough year with 2 friends passing away within 3 months of each other (one was 21, one was weeks shy of her 20th birthday) and used food to cure my sadness. I'm on day 2 of phase 1, no real craving issues or temptation issues as I live alone and stocked up on veggies, chicken, turkey, fish and other good foods and got rid of all the temptation foods i had around. My only problem is my schedule. I have class that keeps me away from home two days a week from 11:30-7:30 at night. What can I take for lunch (snacks, i am ok with) that will get me enough calories and won't go bad without being refrigerated? I don't have the money or the will power to go to the food trucks everyday for a salad. Thanks in advance ladies, and I will let you know the progress i have.

My weakest time of day is 4 a.m. when I groggily stumble down the stairs to warm a bottle for my baby. Standing there while it warms, thinking about the crispy cookies in the cupboard and the creamy whole milk (for my preschool-age child) in the fridge... and nothing to do for about a minute and a half til that bottle is warm.... THAT is the hardest time. But before bed I am going to cut up some bell pepper and put it next to the hummus in the fridge, so I can at least have an alternate snack! (though who NEEDS to eat at 4 am - besides babies of course :) ).

But day 1, did great! Hooray for me!

Day 1 is over and this was my menu!!
B-2 eggs 1 cup Milk
L-2 cups Lettuce, cheese string, Salad pritzer 10 sprays
D-eggplant, 1 egg, Ragu Light no added sugar, cheese
Maybe a porkchop if im still hungy.

Hope this wasnt too much/ not enough let me know what you think.

Heather- good thinking on the peppers near the hummus, just thinking about the peppers will most likely get your internal voice to stop thinking about the cookies and keep the will power up. Oh the power of babies and nighttime feedings. No children for me, but enough baby cousins to know that when they want to eat, it makes you want to eat too. But good job on the handy healthy snack!

Stacie- GET YOUR SNACKS IN TOO! By eating 5-6 times a day (with the snacks) you are forcing your bodies metabolism to speed up naturally. If you still felt hungry during the day, you aren't eating enough. The key is to eat the good stuff to where you don't feel hungry. First time around, i neglected the snacks the first week and didn't lose as much weight as when i put the snacks in during the second week.

Good job ladies!

Argh. I'm feeling like I'm losing my motivation. I'm on Day 5.

First two days I lost nothing. Third day, three pounds. Then yesterday nothing again. And today, yet again, nothing. Why the nothing-nothing-three pounds-nothing-nothing? I was expecting a gradual drop. I'm religiously sticking to the Phase 1 menu. Not even a lick of applesauce off my finger when feeding the baby!

Please, someone just tell me to stick it out and it'll be worth it. It's hard to put up with this Phase 1 without the reward of seeing the numbers on the scale go down.

Thank goodness for you guys. I would have given up if I was doing this myself!

Kara

Im trying to get the snacks in but, I feel so bloated after I ate eggplant. And I wasnt hungry during the day. I dont think Ive sayed that before, But I feel like I cheated because Im not hungry, and actually full. I dont know whats wrong with me!! The last time I tryed SB, I think I felt good the first day also, it was the end of the 2nd day that got me.

Good to hear all of your progress reports today. I am starting day 1 on Wednesday, but am gradually lowering carbs so it is not so much of a shock. I did great this morning: coffee with milk and a piece of cheese for breakfast, then a "naked burrito" (in a bowl, no tortilla) for lunch. I stayed full for a long time with no cravings whatsoever. Unfortunately, I worked late and had nothing to eat when I got home but a sandwich. The bread put the sugar monkey back on my back and I ate a mint candy. But I am still congratulating myself (like the Beck Diet Solution book tells me) for having made it all day.

Tomorrow I am buying groceries for Wednesday's Day 1 of Phase 1. Today I threw out everything tempting in the house (except those mint candies that belong to DH). I'll be joining you on the Beach on Wednesday! :)

Thanks, missmess. You made me smile. Onward!

And I would try protein for the tired spells. Are you eating a mid-afternoon snack? What about 15 nuts, or a quarter cup of soy nuts or a sliced red pepper with a slice of mozzerella?

Kara

Day 10...
I cheated a little lastnight...well I had 2% milk I just can't have 1% or skim. I had it with Kashi cereal. Double bad! So I hope that this didn't mess me up??

I also went to the gym lastnight. Last week I only went 1 day, and took it easy, this week I need to kick it up a notch!


for snacks I love celery sticks with a dab of natural peanut butter!

How much do you love that natural peanut butter? I've been hooked on that stuff since high school. Try to sneak in Skippy or Jiff and I throw a hissy fit!!!

Good job on the gym! Maybe you evened yourself out with the milk and cereal?

Kara

Chickies, remember that dairy is allowed on Phase I and, IMHO, is essential. You also should be eating legumes. These slow carbs will help with the draggy feelings.

By the way, if you are seeing only 20 posts per screen, go to your User CP at top left and change posts per page to 40 using the Edit Options. That means this post will be on Page 2 instead of Page 3. Remember to save the change! :)

I agree, Ruth. Since I don't eat meat, I have beans pretty much every day and I haven't faced any of the constipation issues I've read about. My biggest issue is grumpiness, but I don't know if I'm PMSing or if that's the diet making me crazy!

Kara

Day 2 for me, trying to make myself get up to make breakfast. It's pretty sad that I'm already tired of eggs and turkey bacon and it's only day 2! I have to make a run to the store for a few little things I forgot so I think I'll get the stuff to make the veggie quiches. No exercise yesterday but I'm going to meet some girls tonight to go walking. Yesterday they walked 3 miles so I'm hoping to do at least that. Also going to make the taco bake today or tomorrow so I'll have it for lunches and dinners this week. I work 2nd shift and my hubby doesn't like the taco bake so I get it all to myself!

Stacie - I have the problem with not feeling hungry too. I just make myself eat something between meals, usually just some cheese or celery with natural peanut butter. It helps a lot!

Hi there! :wave: I've been way off track for the past month or so and here I am, back at Phase 1, Day 1. I started making poor food choices and reduced my exercising. Now I'm feeling sluggish, my clothes are snug and I'm ready to take control. Ready, set, go!! :cheer2:

You can have dairy! Check out the Revised Food List in the FAQ Section. It's a total of two cups per day. The book food list is out of date.

goodmorning Ladies!!
missmess Congratulations!! :cp: I think we can have 2 serving of milk or yogurt per day.

Is this right im not sure if Im eating 2 much, It feels like it!! This is what Im planning on having for today, let me know what yall think please!

B-2 eggs, 1 cup 2% reduced fat milk
L-Left over eggplant, (its about 6 pieces),
D-1 pork chop, spinach, lettuce
S- SF jello, or cheese stick.

I just stepped on the scale..............192.5 :cloud9::cloud9::cloud9::cloud9::cloud9: I still look like im 200+ pounds though. I really need to start doing strenth training!!

Stacie, can you add some protein to your lunch next time? Congrats on the loss! See! It does work.

B-2 eggs, 1 cup 2% reduced fat milk
L-Left over eggplant, (its about 6 pieces),
D-1 pork chop, spinach, lettuce
S- SF jello, or cheese stick.

Personally I'd be ravenously hungry if I didn't have my mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks as well. I can't stand to eat a huge amount of raw veg (like a salad) at one sitting, so I eat a small/medium and then eat a snack in about 2 hours.

I feel like I eat ALL the time. :)

Well the dreaded headache just begun. :( But on a happy note, I stepped on the scale ( which I do atleast 5 times a day).....191!!!!!! I used to get heavier during the day, now Im getting smaller. I dont understand, but Ill take it!!

kara - I finally got a chance to read posts but I want to make sure you don't get discouraged if you don't lose much. You don't have a lot to lose (frankly, my goal is about your current weight and I'm an inch shorter than you). I just wanted to say that I did a perfect phase 1 when I started South Beach years ago and I still only lost 4 pounds and that was starting at 197. I didn't have a lot of water weight to lost. Even with that the weight came off eventually.

Thanks, Barbara! So, is it mainly water weight that comes off in the first two weeks then?

Kara

OK, I thought I had this dairy thing figured out but now I'm questioning myself and I want to make sure I have it right.

Two servings of dairy a day, right?

So if I have a half cup of cottage cheese for snack, does that count as one of my dairy servings? How about a cheese stick?

I've been having a glass of milk (about 16 oz.) with dinner every night, without regards to what other dairy I had during the day, so I wanted to make sure I got it all together before I start my second week of Phase 1 on Friday.

Edited to add: And what kind of yogurt is allowed?

Thanks!

Kara

The two CUPS of dairy doesn't include cheese (cottage cheese is considered cheese). The dairy would be your milk, yogurt, etc. There isn't a limit on cheese, but you will want to be mindful of consumption because those calories can add up really quickly. A typical day for me would include a cup of milk, a cup of yogurt, and then one serving of cheese on top of that--a cheese stick, or some cottage cheese, or a bit of cheese on my salad.

Acceptable yogurts would be fatfree or lowfat plain yogurt (I usually put a bit of Splenda with mine and some vanilla extract). I believe you can also have fatfree/lowfat vanilla yogurt as long as it is no sugar added.

By the way, I've seen some of your earliest posts and I wanted to let you know that, in my experience, the weight doesn't drop as fast on P1 for those of us who don't have much to lose--but that doesn't mean that the plan isn't working. I recently returned to SB after a haitus of several months (got married, got a new job, moved--mistakenly dropped my commitment to maintain healthy habits) and I lost about four pounds when I redid P1. But I'm about three weeks into P2, and the weight is still coming off. And my clothes are already fitting much differently.

Good luck!

Hey, thanks, Betsy! You're doing awesome, by the way!

Kara

Day 11- I have a terrible stomach ache this morning. I cheated had a wrap (low carb wheat tortilla) Flour is an evil thing. That is the only thing I can blame my ache on. :(

I am getting a bit tired of salads for lunch...Yesterday I didn't even finish it. It made me gag, I think I had a bad tomatoe and it didn't taste good with my tuna. So I was starving when I got home! A piece of Colby cheese was my friend.

Do you like portobello mushrooms? The portobello "pizza" is a great lunch!

Kara

Good morning ladies!
weighed myself today for the first time since I have started phase 1...down 3.5 lbs. Not bad for the beginning of day 4. I know that if i kicked up my exercise i would probably be losing more, but walking to class everyday in 90 degree weather takes alot out of me, and then to come home and work on my clinical thesis makes me not want to move an inch. I figure, I walk 20 minutes to class everyday, 20 minutes back, plus the 50 trips to the bathroom from all the water I drink...thats enough exercise for right now, on the weekend I can kick it up and actually use my punching bag for some better cardio.
Today is a dreaded 11:30-7:30 class day. Had my breakfast of two eggs scrambled with spinach and broccoli, turkey bacon and glass of milk. Packed my snack of celery and snow peas, and will go to the salad truck on campus for a "vegetarian" salad (romaine, snow peas, broccoli, peppers, cucumbers, spinach, onion, tomato) with my own dressing from home (that way i can monitor it). Another snack of pepper rings and hummus, and then when i get home at 7:30 i will probably reheat the turkey I made last night, blanche some broccoli and snow peas, cut up some cucumber and spinach and eat. and then work on my Thesis until about 10, and fall asleep.
Oh the joys of being 12 weeks from graduation!

Okay, I finally start today. I ended up being a bit of a lazy butt on my days off (M&T) and didn't get to the grocery store until last night. But now I am really well stocked and ready to start. I'll check in this evening to let y'all know how things are going. :)

I weighed myself today, after 2 days of phase 1 (Mon & Tue) I actualled GAINED a pound?!?! :(

So I really need to watch my portion sizes. I have to get out of this mentality of "eating for two." :lol: My baby is almost 3 months old, and I'm practically all dried up milk-wise as well. I only need to eat for ONE. And that one is on a diet, even!!!

Question about my fravorite bars....How bad are Fiber One bars for phase 2???

I looked up the nutrition info (http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/brands/product_image.aspx?catID=23347&itemID=24420)...looks like a great big no-no.
the ingredients read like a list of SB "Poison"

Good Lord! I just read the ingredients. SBD poison indeed! :yikes:

Question about my fravorite bars....How bad are Fiber One bars for phase 2??? I love them and they have SOOO much fiber but also carbs! Give me the skinny on those!

The SB bars are pretty good, maybe a little too good. You might check them out once you get to phase 2. I loved the cinnamon raisin ones when I did SB last time.

Day 2 and feeling good. I had friends over this afternoon and made a quick bread. I didn't eat any -- just stuck to my coffee. I can't wait to see some losses!

I made the taco bake for Lunch, and it was pretty good. I had some for dinner too. I eat the usually eggs for breakfast. I had breakfast at like 8 this morning and didnt get to make the taco bake till around 3, so I was starving and I probaly had more than I was supposed to. But at around 6, I started feeling really week, and I was still full from lunch, so I made a choclate smoothie. It doesnt contain cornstarch, it has soy in it. And some other chemicals, and not alot of carbs. I had one yesterday but it tasted more like water because I put so much ice in it. I hope those are okay. I also had a sugar free jello, it was chocolate. Is all this chocolate okay? I rather just have a protien shake so I dont feel so week? Any recommentions?

Day 1 is almost over for me. I am in the last 2 hours of a 10 hour shift at work and have done well so far:
Breakfast: 3/4 cup 2% milk in my coffee, Splenda, 3 pieces of Oscar Meyer center-cut bacon (no time to cook an egg...running late)
Snack: 1 slice ham rolled up around celery, 1/2 oz Colby cheese and tsp mayo
Lunch: 1 chicken breast with 1 cup each of broccoli and cauliflower
Snack: 1 SF jello, celery stalk, 3/4 oz Cojack cheese
Dinner: Lean Cuisine beef portobello with broccoli and another 1 cup of broccoli

I probably won't have another snack because I'm just not hungry, and I don't want to get myself started eating just to be eating.

I really love this diet. I've never felt freer of cravings than when I've kicked starchy carbs to the curb. My body doesn't drive me mindlessly for "more" "more" "more". Then all I have to fight is the monster in my head that keeps telling me to eat when I see something that looks like it tastes good.

L

Stacie--is the chocolate sugarfree Jell-O that you're referring to a pudding? If you're trying to stay OP for P1, pudding should be avoided until P2--stick to the fruit flavored Jell-Os.

If you already knew this, then ignore me butting in. :) Are you eating all your snacks? Having protein-filled snacks really helps me with the hunger on P1. Mozzarella cheese sticks and almonds are great and I also enjoy hummus with veggies.

Sometimes I just cant get the snacks in. I think I need to start being a little sticter with this diet. I dont even know why I had that pudding. I dont crave food. Oh I saw a glimpse of the 180's today, even if it was 189.5. I was still happy. I think I need a couple of days of just strict food. Fish, Chicken, Vegies, Eggs, and cheese.

OH MY GOODNESS! I just made the most delicious smelling dinner! Indian-spiced lentils and spinach stuffed mushrooms. I *had* to share!

Indian-spiced lentils (from the South Beach Quick and Easy Cookbook):
4 t extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced (I used three because I happen to love garlic!)
1 t curry powder
1 c dried lentils (I used a cup and a third because of the broth issue, below.)
1 1/2 c lower-sodium chicken broth (I used vegetarian vegetable broth and the can had 2 c in it, so I upped the lentil amount to make it work. I ended up adding a cup of water at the end of the cooking time because the lentils didn't look done and the broth was all absorbed.)
2 T chopped fresh parsley (I used dried.)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Basically just sautee the onion in the olive oil, add the curry powder and lentils, stir, and add the broth. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, although I cooked them for more like 30. Top with parsley for garnish.

Spinach-stuffed mushrooms (from about.com):
12 large mushrooms (My package had 17 and it worked.)
1 pkg. frozen spinach
1/2 c reduced fat cheese (I used cheddar.)
(I added 2 cloves of garlic, minced - see above for love of garlic!)

The recipe called for removing the stems of the mushrooms and sauteeing them in olive oil, which I did with the added garlic. I defrosted the spinach for three minutes in a covered dish in the microwave on high. Then I added the spinach to the sauteeing mushroom stems even though the recipe didn't say to. I threw all that in a bowl with the cheese and a little salt and pepper. The recipe said to saute the mushroom caps in olive oil, but I just stuffed them and threw them under the broiler for a couple minutes.

YUM! How is this a diet?!

Kara

Great recipes, Tara! Could you post them individually in the Phase I Entree section, after adding number of servings, of course. I'll approve them later on. (We need to approve recipes as too many were being just bunged in there without proper information. :( )

Steacie, I missed the chocolate Jello part of your post. Yes, you must be very strict on Phase I as detoxing is the whole point. Betsy is right - snacks are important and will keep your blood sugar stable.

Day 12- My clothes feel so much looser! WOW!

Yea, Dolphingirl! I just made it through my very first week and I'm super excited! Keep up the good work!

Kara

Ruth, those recipes were both sides that I combined to make a dinner. Where should I post them?

Kara

Well I am on Day 12 so far I have lost 10 pounds on my diet. I did add some Honey bunches of oats in with 2% milk. But I dont think I should have done that. I am really frustrated with myself because I gave into cereal. I do eat a lot veggies during the day. My worst problem area is my belly. And last week it was shrinking and you could totally tell. My pants were lose and everything. Now my pants and shirts are loose, but I feel my belly slowing creeping up on me. I just feel like I let myself down. My fiancee will be here in 2 weeks and I havent seen him in 2 months and I want to be a knockout when he gets here. Granted I have only gone 1 time to the gym this week.

Sorry for my rant!!! Just frustrated.:(

Awww, Sunshine! He's going to think you're a knock-out no matter what you look like! My husband left for Korea over two months before I brought the kids over and I was stressing about looking perfect for him...until I realized that I would be walking off a seventeen hour plane ride with seven checked bags and six carry-ons and there was no way I was going to even be presentable! I don't think I remembered to brush my hair before getting off the airplane.

Jump back on the wagon and keep your chin up. You can do it!

Kara

Thanks Kara I am just so frustrated!! I am going to get myself back on track and do this, thanks for the support!!!

Hey all, just checking in quick before I head off to work. I started yesterday and did pretty well. I think today I need to take a lot more snacks to work. I work in retail, so it's hard to predict what level of activity I'll have. Yesterday turned out to be a very active day. Probably the hardest part of the day was lunch. I had to sit with my back to the snack machine because that habit is soo strong. But I ate quick, then went outside to talk on my phone. I was also exceptionally hungry by the time I got off work at 9 and ended up gobbling my dinner (thank goodness I packed it too) at a friend's house.

Yesterday's eating:
B: 2 microwave scrambled eggs w/ fresh mozzarella, V8, sliced tomato
S: 15 almonds, string cheese, celery with hummus
L: Salad, 1/2 giant grilled chicken breast, 1/2 avocado
D: Kim Chi Guk (Korean Kim Chi soup), salad

Hello everyone! I'm on Day 3 and feeling good. I had 2 slices of turkey bacon, a cheese stick and V8 for breakfast and celery w/hummus for a snack. Not sure what I'll make for lunch yet ...
I'm showing a loss on the scale already but will wait until next week for an "official" weigh-in.

Kara,
Aren't those Indian spiced lentils the best? If I don't control myself I want to eat the entire pan whenever I make them. My Mom (who also does SB) and I both usually make them at least once a week. One of these days I'm going to get around to making up a lentil soup that uses the same seasonings . . . then you can get all the benefits of a broth-based soup and the excellent taste of these lentils.

Hello Everyone!!!
Im droping pounds like crazy!! Monday I was 194.5, today Im 189.5!!! Im 5 pounds away from my first goal. If I could finish phase 1, and be at 184. I would be sooo happy!! I even think I could probaly have lost more, if I atejust chicken, salad, cheese and eggs. But this is so much better :) Im making some brownies I got on this website, they look so good!! And Im going to try another recipe on here for the shrimp scampi. I love all these recipes!! I really think I can do this!! Goodluck Everyone!!

Day 9 for me! Still down 10 pounds - let me go update my ticker! It's great seeing everyone's progress and motivation and tips. :)

Congrats Stacie! Much more motivation to stick with it huh? Don't limit yourself to just the chicken, cheese, and eggs...go wild, eat a variety of things and you won't feel deprived. The brownies on the website are exactly what i needed for a chocolate fix. Keep up the good work chickie!

Go Girlies! This is the zippiest Phase I Thread since we started the first one.
There's loads of support and encouragement in here. You chickies rock!
:cheer: :woohoo: :cb:

Thank You Stardust!!! I think I just found my new love!!! The shrimp scampi, OMG!!! Its sooo good.. I got it on the phase 1 entrees. I added a little low-fat cheese to it, and it came out like a fondu, on top of brocolli. ITS AMAZING!!!

Has anyone heard about how cereal prices are going up?? First gas, now this??? I love special K, I used to eat it everymorning, sometimes for lunch too. I surely am glad about being on South Beach! After phase 1 is done, what carb do you add in? I was thinking about cereal, but I quess I wont beable to afford it!! :(

Stacie,
I recently re-added brown rice the first week and whole wheat bread the week after that and it is working very well for me. Oatmeal is another great thing to re-add--it will introduce some more variety into your breakfasts if that is something that you had wanted the cereal for.

I can't wait to try the shrimp scampi! Shrimp is one of my absolute favorite foods. The first thing I will add back is oatmeal. I've been dreaming about it for days now. I'm having a hard time gagging those eggs down every morning. Then I'll add some strawberries. The picking season here is almost over, and I usually go with my kids and pick a bunch to freeze, make jam, and just eat. I've really been missing it this year. I hope there's still some left on Saturday when I hit DAY 15!!:carrot:

The Shrimp Scampi, has got to be the best thing Ive had in a very long time, including all my carb-ulicious foods. Let me know what you think of it!!! Add cheese if you'd like for some fondu!!! I have no idea what food I want back. Maybe some cheap whole grain cereal. I dont want pasta and bread anymore!!:cheer: Very weird.. But I just dont seem to interested in it anymore. Those were my weak spots. So when we start phase 2, is it just one kind of carb per day??

does anyone shop at the whole foods market?

Stacie - Wish I could. That's one thing I miss about the States!

Missmess - Glad you had a good shopping trip! What an ego booster!!!

I had read in the South Beach Diet book how people were nervous to go from Phase 1 to Phase 2 and I thought to myself at the time, "Wouldn't you just be glad to add stuff back into your diet?" but now I understand why that nervous feeling happens. We've found we're doing well eating this way so I'm worried I'll stall everything out by adding things back in. I think what I'm going to do is start with the "wholest" grain thing I can think of and add that back in and wait a couple days to see if it triggers cravings. If not, I'll add some other Phase 2-approved thing back in, and so on. I can't wait for the strawberries, either, Schmoodle! I've been drooling over them every time I pass them in the produce section to get my peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and romaine! You could always go picking this weekend and freeze them, if that wouldn't be a temptation for you.

Good work everyone! We should figure out at the end of the week how much we've lost as a group!

Kara

Day 2 went well, except for a bite of english muffin at breakfast.

B: sausage, egg, cheese, one (Big) bite of English muffin, coffee with milk and splenda
S: ham roll-up
L: chicken caesar salad, no croutons
S: 2 slices of bacon, 8 cherry tomatoes
D: South Beach savory pork frozen entree

No cravings yet. I'm lovin' this!

L

One week down, one to go! Hope you guys don't mind if I post some goals for myself. Making them public makes me feel more accountable to them.

*Some kind of EXERCISE every day - On days we have to be on base for something, I have a four mile round trip walk and I am definitely counting that as my exercise for the day. But on the days we're just bumming around the house, I want to get my rear in gear and do something after Tom gets home from work.

*NO CHEATS! If I made it through one week without cheating, I WILL make it through the whole Phase 1. My mantra is going to be "Don't ruin it now!"

*Try two NEW recipes - Keeping things interesting has helped me feel less deprived.

*ONLY weigh on Friday. I weighed this morning (it's Friday here) so I'd like to go the whole week without worrying what the scale says. If I'm sticking to my diet, there's no need to be worried about the numbers. I'm hoping this will keep me from getting discouraged if the scale won't budge.

OK, I think that's good for now. Don't want to overwhelm myself!

Kara

So it is day four. I had to send out an email today to get support from friends. I was so sad yesterday. Its my own fault I did not plan my meals well at all. I had a talk with a friend who is on fat smashers and she introduced me to spaghetti squash. I had it for lunch and loved it. I had a renewed hope that I can do it. I have been looking for recipes and I am so glad I found this sight. I am going to try the waffles tomorrow!! Good luck to everyone!!
http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/heartbar/slider-hearts/lb/225/175/223/.png (http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker/)

:welcome: Nikleej and anyone else I missed in this long and active thread. Nik, I've put your ticker into your signature so it will now appear automatically when you post.

Day 13!!- I feel very good. It's Friday and I am ready for the weekend! :)

Hello to everyone. This tread literally exploded overnight!

For me, the first thing I will add back in phase 2 will be: oatmeal. Yum!

I am on Day 13 as well!! Doing ok !!!!

Happy Friday Ladies!!!!! :)

Can I join ya again? I fell off once again and am back and am determined to do this. Today is day two for me on phase 1 my weigh in is tomrrow but it prolly won't show much since I just started SB again. Or I might change my weigh in to Thur debating on that one.

Good Morning Everyone! I'm gagging down my morning eggs for the last time! Tomorrow it's oatmeal. I am going to go very slow adding things back in, just one or two things the first week. I am nervous too about being around those temptations. I did SBD once before and did great until I hit Phase II, then I think I followed the menus in the book and it was too much too soon. My cravings came back and I ended up quitting. After dinner last night, a friend came and got me and we walked for half an hour. It was fun! I haven't been worrying about exercise until I got past the Phase I weakness (also, because I hate to exercise), but I know it's time now. Today, I'll go to the pool and swim because it's going to be HOT!!!:flame:

WELCOME!!!!
Wow, this thread is really active!
I think im going to go check out the whole food market. I still cant get over how good that food was last night. But a little too much garlic. Im thinking about some good chicken.
Happy Friday!!!

Good Morning... I'm new here and would like to join you... Today is Day 14 of Phase 1 for me. :carrot:

I'm a little nervous to start Phase 2 tomorrow. I think I'll add an apple every afternoon next week and see if I still lose weight and if it adds any cravings. My plan is to add foods very slowly.

It's day 5 for me and it's also my weigh in day. I'm excited to see how I've done so far. I did a pretty good job of not cheating (except for one lunch with my mom on Tuesday) but I didn't do much exercising. I work for the postal service and do a lot of standing, walking and lifting heavy trays of mail for 8 hours a night though so I think that counts as a little bit of exercise :)

I'd love to try the shrimp scampi recipe! My hubby hates shrimp but I work 2nd shift so we don't eat the same dinners most of the time anyway. I'm not sure what I'm going to add back first in Phase 2. I was thinking about whole wheat tortillas so I can take wraps to work for dinner but I may try oatmeal for breakfast instead. Last time I did SB I had the same problem that Schmoodle had, I added things back too fast and ended up quitting. This time I'm going to stick with it!

I need a little break from eggs, so I found a recipe on here for a chocolate cheescake smootie, it just sounds so good. Ill tell yall how it goes!!!

Oooh, Stacie! Please do update on that smoothie. Sounds yummy!

Kara

Morning P1 chickies!

Weighed myself today because I will be spending the weekend where there is no scale, down 5 lbs. However, it is that time of the month, so i am probably retaining some water and would probably be down more, but 5 lbs in 6 days is good enough for me. I have a long list of exercise activities planned for this weekend, tonight includes walking the parent's puppies probably down to the playground and around the path there (3 blocks to the playground, about a 1 mile course once there), tomorrow is a bike ride (not sure how long or how many miles, but its exercise), and sunday is probably a hike with the puppies. Then I get to drive back to my apartment and work on a thesis paper.

So when I weigh in monday I should be down a little more, and once my lovely "friend" is finished, hopefully a little more will come off!

Have a good weekend ladies, I will be back to chat on Monday!

Great idea, Kara, about posting goals! Being accountable to each other is better than carrying around all your unspoken intentions in your head. It's so easy to change them a little at a time til they really don't even exist anymore.

Here are mine:

*To continue to follow The Beck Diet Solution so that I can finally change my behavior around food on a *permanent* basis, and not have a "Diet" phase which I follow to lose weight and then gain it all back by eating like a feral child when the diet is over.

*To go back to the regular exercise program that I had before which kept my body in great shape, even though it has always been slightly larger than the charts say it should be.

*To think of this way of eating as a lifestyle change and not a diet, thereby being grateful to lose only an average of a pound a week, instead of hoping to transform overnight from Monique into Halle Berry.

*To avoid the carbs that I know are as addictive as a drug for me because they send me on binges that are devastating to my body and my mental state.

*To stay close to my support group (that's you all) because the group dynamic is what makes it work for me.

That's pretty much it for me too.

I know what you mean about that scale, Kara. I only want to weigh on Wednesdays but I just couldn't resist this morning. I'm on Day 3 and have lost a pound already. I know it's just water but it made me so very happy!

More tonight when the day is done.

L

This is awesome!!!! These are my goals:

-Drink My Water, atleast 8 bottles a day.

-Dont stop doing Couch25k, keep at it every other day.

-Try once again to quit smoking, it seems like I try to quit every other day, Ive been succesful at it before, but for not that very long. Somewhere in my mind, I think quiting smoking will make me gain weight. I know it happends for some people, I think it has something to do with your metaboilism becoming slower, and of course you eat.

Good job, Stardust! 5 lbs. is my first mini-goal. I'd be buying myself a present if I were you.

KeeperoftheHome and Nikleej, welcome (and anyone else I missed in this long thread). I'm on day 3 of phase I so I'll be here with you for the next couple of weeks.

All you ladies who are going into Phase 2, I feel ya' on that fear of what to add in next. I know I'll be sick of eggs too in 11 more days but I'm also afraid of adding in any kind of starchy carbs. They have been my downfall so many, many times. I'll be looking for a Phase 2 thread to see how you all are doing so I can draw inspiration from your progress.

L

Miss Mess- im jealous - I loved D-land, I used to live in Fullerton.

Go and have a Dole Pineaple soft serve cup-right infront of the Tiki Room in Adventure land it tastes just like ice cream-but it's not ;)

Don't wait or it might be all gone-they sell quick, so they do shut down early.

Back from my first weigh in. Only down 2 lbs :( I keep telling myself that it's ok though because I've only been doing SB for 5 days and 2 lbs in 5 days is pretty darn good. Didn't help though that the guy who weighed me at the gym where I have to go to weigh in told me that since I'm on SB I should lose at least 5 lbs by next Friday. Even worse is that another girl that's doing the fit club with me lost 4 lbs this week and all she did was cut out fast food and started walking every night after work.

So my goal for this week is to get up every morning at 7 am and exercise before my 3-year-old gets up. Once he's awake all plans for exercise go out the window so I just have to make time before he wakes up!

Rachel don't be discouraged. I didn't lose anything at all the first week and I didn't eat any foods that weren't on the legal list. I felt like I was being really, really good. I just decided to quit weighing until the end of Phase I and I'm focusing more on getting all my water in, exercising, watching my salt, and limiting portions on things like cheese and dairy. It will come off eventually, it has to! Maybe some people have a metabolism that takes a little longer to get with the program. I am going to weigh tomorrow and even if I only lost a few pounds, that's progress! I've got a lot to lose, so I can't be in a hurry.

Thanks for the open arms. I love this board. I "studied" the recipies until about 2am last night. I went to the grocery store this morning before work (I didn't have to be in until 11 today) but it was bad because I didn't eat anything and went to the grocery store which is a no no for me. But I finally made it to work and made the waffles. I like them. It was alot of work especially since i burned them so I am going to try the pancakes instead. I am doing the "fried" zucchini for lunch or dinner haven't decided yet. I still have another half of my squash. So many choices whats a girl to do?! Good luck everyone!!!

Well, it's Day 4 for me and so far so good. I'm feeling great and have passed up more food in these four days than I ever imagined. Good luck over the weekend, everyone!

Day 14 for me - down 12.5 pounds. YAY!

It is so great to read how everyone is doing! I don't have any special tips or treats - right now my big treat is the Sugar Free Jello, about every other night.

It's been easy to stick with because my husband is still gone for training. I'm nervous about him coming home! It's not that he loves junk food, he just eats a lot. Oh, and he has a lot of desserts! LOL

Good luck everyone!!!! You're doing great!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to shout out a general congrats to EVERYONE who's lost weight. We're all doing so great and I think it's because we're leaning on each other! Thanks for being my support!!!

I was so glad to read the goals that were posted, too. Seeing other people's goals helps me realize different ways I can improve my attitude and outlook as well! Thanks for putting yourselves out there!

Keep up the good work everyone!

STACIE - I am going to personally be checking on you with the smoking! Take it a day at a time. I know this is a weight loss board, but even if you gain a few pounds, isn't it worth it to have healthy lungs again? I tend to think, though, that now that you're commited to the weight loss, you're not going to replace the smoking habit with eating. Get yourself some sugar-free gum. You can do it, girl!

Kara

:welcome2: To all you Newbies!

Wow, the support and enthusiasm on this thread is amazing! Keep it up, Chickies! :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

Alright, it is the end of day 3 for me and as of this morning I appear to be down 3 lbs already. I have to admit to cheating a bit last night by having 3 drinks, but I only tend to drink once a week (on Thursdays), so I gave myself a free pass. Tomorrow I'm supposed to go to a friend's birthday and I purposefully made myself designated driver so that I won't be tempted. The hostess of the party is making some SBD friendly food, since there are a few of us doing it right now. I was really proud of myself as far as eating goes last night. My friend made himself a tortilla with cream cheese and jelly for a snack. I was soo tempted to have some and I stupidly hadn't brought any snacks, but instead of giving in I asked him if he had some beans, cheese and salsa, which he did. I heated it up in the microwave and was totally satisfied.

Yea Hannah! Doesn't it feel good to stick to your guns? Keep it up!

Kara

So I just have to keep posting cuz I just love this sight and I am excited to share my progress. So I didn't have any snacks after lunch so by the time I got home from work I crashed!! Some friends came over and brought mexican food!! Its funny because I just took the stuff out the taco shell and made taco salad. I had refried beans too....is that a no no on south beach? I forgot you can have beens but I was not sure what kind I need a taco salad recipe because that was really good. I had my sugar free fudge pop ...I took it off the stick and microwaved it for about 10 seconds. It was like I was having some ice cream! Well I guess technically it is. I have been having more of those than I should so I need to watch it. Its day 5 and I am still alive and kicking!! Later Dolls!

Yea, Nik!

I believe refried beans that do not have lard are allowed. I buy the vegetarian ones anyway since I don't eat meat, and they're quite good. You should check out the Taco Bake recipe in the recipes section. I just made it last night and it was lick your lips delicious!

Kara

Hi Everyone! Today is day 15 for me, so I am gently easing into Phase II and I'm going to eat some oatmeal this morning.:carrot: I'm very proud of myself, the first 5 pounds are gone. I think there's a bunch of us in this thread that are "graduating" from Phase I this weekend - let's have a graduation roll call and we can celebrate! :hug: Maybe we can start a Phase II beginners thread.

Today is my first day of Phase 2 as well...

I lost a total of 9.0 lbs on Phase 1... I am very happy with that... :carrot:

I'm also slowly easing into Phase 2... My plan is to add an apple for my afternoon snack everyday this week. I'll watch the scale and pay attention to my cravings to see how it affects me.

Good luck Schmoodle, I'll join you in a Phase 2 thread. :goodluck:

Good luck you brave Phase 2ers! Can't wait to hear how it goes! I've got five days left on Phase 1, so be sure to check back in here and pass on your tips!!!

Kara

:carrot: CONGRATULATIONS, YOU MADE IT! :carrot:

Congrats to all who made it through Phase I, lost some weight, and are ready to get moving on to Phase II. You are our role models now, and we will keep your success in our sights as we follow you down the road to better health.

Yesterday was my Day 3, and I did okay. I flipped back and forth between first and second shift this week so I was really really tired, and that usually triggers overeating for me. But I stayed on plan (except for yet another couple bites of bread) and took in about 1700 calories because I ate a lot of meat. I work at a clinic and a drug company rep brought in boxed lunches, one of which my friends dutifully saved for me (even though I didn't ask) when I came in at 4pm. It had a roast beef sandwich, chips and a cookie. Because I had forgotten my frozen SB Entree at home, I took off the meat and rolled it around the lettuce and tomato to eat. Then I gave away the chips and cookie. I did have a couple bites of bread crust but then threw that away too.

Bread is my weakness and will likely be a lifetime battle but I have to make peace with it and learn to live with it. Years ago I told a friend that bread is "the gateway drug" for me and he laughed at me. But I really meant it. I once heard marijuana referred to as a gateway drug because kids start to smoke it, thinking it's harmless, and then move on to the harder stuff. Bread is like that for me: first "harmless" slices of bread, then tempting wedges of cake, then full-blown addiction. Unfortunately, you don't need to find some back-alley dealer to get a loaf. <sigh> I kinda wish it was illegal...

Anyway, Good Luck Ladies Of Phase II! We'll miss you, but we'll soon be joining you -- after we kick butt here and make you proud!

Happy Weekend to All.

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to share the yummy lunch I made today--a crustless personal pizza. I baked it in a little glass pan I have (slightly bigger than a DVD or CD) after spraying it with olive oil spray.

I layered:

very thinly sliced zucchini strips (to form the bottom crust), then
crumbled cooked Italian sausage, then
1/2 cup of sauteed (with spray) chopped onions, bell peppers, garlic,
1/2 cup of Barilla chunky pasta sauce (no added sugar!),
1/2 cup finely shredded Sargento mozzarella,and
sprinkles of oregano.

I baked it for 20 minutes at 400 and let it cool about 5-10 minutes. You can't eat it with your hands like a pizza but it was AWESOME anyway. And only something like 350 calories.

YUM YUM!

:D

I did really well today despite some stumbling blocks. The first, and hardest to deal with, is PMS. My usual way of dealing with it is to eat a whole bunch of chocolate and fatty meat, so finding new ways to get through has been rough. The second is that I thought I had made hard-boiled eggs last night, only to get to work and find that they were actually soft-boiled. But instead of being overwhelmed and not eating them I just found a spoon. My third, and proudest, is that I went to the party tonight and didn't eat any cake or drink any alcohol. I did eat 3/4 of a piece of briskit with a tiny bit of barbecue sauce though, but I didn't drown the meat in sauce and I only had the one piece.

Questions: I still have some of the soft boiled eggs, can I cook them for a few minutes more to get them to be hard boiled? :?: Does anyone out there live at a higher altitude? I live at 5,000 ft. and I suspect that I need to cook my eggs longer because of it. Am I right?