MellyBelly - thanks for the kind words. I got another "mini-earful" from Mom last night on the phone. Apparently, Sis got on the phone with Mom and told her that I was on another diet (based on last weekend's experience of me not eating as much as she thought I should when I visited her at her house.). Mom then calls me, starts out with 15 minutes of chit-chat crap (I saw right through it the minute I picked up the phone) then I got "So, I hear you on a new diet? Are you doing WW again? Your dad is concerned that you are loosing weight." Funny thing, I haven't seen Dad in over 2 months! Nice try, Mom! Whatever... I said "Mom, I haven't seen Dad since [family event]. How would he know?" Then she does a little dance around her words and switches topics. Again, I say Whatever...

Regardless, I am staying on this path that I have chosen. I love the way I feel inside and out. I love the numbers I'm seeing on Mr.Scale. And there is no way I'm going to cave in to their insecurities. PERIOD! (Now, if I could get that tatooed on my brain and remember that when I go home in 2 weeks again...)

Smash Away, Friends! Check in with you soon!

Day 4
 

AuntiCiCi, Its too bad you have to fight your family on your decision to be healthy and of a normal weight. Maybe its their way of expressing their jealousy at your resolve. Next time one of them gets into the nag stage, ask them to join you. Your not dieting, your going to get healthy and extend your life. And you'd like for them to be healthy too.

Thanks everyone for the good words. I didn't know I would have so much support in my endeavor.

Since we can't have pnut butter or cream cheese, anyone have a good recipe for stuffing celery??.

My only problem is that I seem to be always thinking of food now. Now that I'm always wanting it, but how am I going to prepare something. I know it will get easier over time.,

I wish I could exercise more. But I'll do the best I can.

Happy losing everyone!

All is well for me I am down another 2 pounds I am going to try detoxing for 3 days out of every week and see if that works

One down...8 to go
 

My first day Smashing has gone off without a hitch...except I haven't eaten everything that I am supposed to eat. I just haven't been hungry today....maybe the diet or maybe just the day. I made the banana/oatmeal cookies and I really like them. I did not use any sweetner per say but I did add a tiny bit of molasses...less than 1/2 a teaspoon and a handful of cranraisins....they are sweet. They turned out a bit rubbery but they are good and feel like a treat. thanks for sharing the recipe. I am hoping that the rest of the detox will go as well.
Kelly...I think I will try your soup recipe in the next day or so. I have a huge pot of beans that I need eat up first.
Auntie CICI - Good job on standing up for yourself.
Dweeb - I know what you are talking about when you say you are always thinking about food....I do that when I am WW. I am not sure how to get around that..I haven't had that trouble so far ...hopefully I won't.

Keep up the good work Ladies....Leslie

HI Smashers! Glad to see everyone doing well. I feel great today, I think it being Friday made me feel Much better!! It seems like I stick to plan more when I have my homemade veggie soup on hand. Its been almost 4 weeks now and Im not sick of it yet. I coudnt resist weighing myself though. I kept the battery out of my scale, but then I used the one at work today and I was down 3 pounds, so then I had to check the one at home and sure enough 3 more pounds. I guess I should just realize im a habitual weigher!! Guess there are a ton of other things that could be worse huh. I hope there a few of you around for the weekend, thats when I tend to be online more. I'll be back later..Happy Smashing!

Phase 3 Day 1
 

Hi everyone! :)
Well I am starting phase 3 today! Hello whole grain bread!! :) and dessert! I'm a little nervous but I have been so good and I am still so determined that I think I will be fine. He suggestdoing one day of Phase 1 during each week of Phase 3 and I will do that.

I weighed in and lost 3 pounds this week. I am very happy with that.

Good luck everyone! :)
:) :)

hi everyone -
i have been off the program for a couple weeks now. I had a really severe upper respiratory infection and am having a hard time recovering. am still eating phase 2 foods but am not exercising becuase my body just doesn't seems to have the energy. Am finally starting to feel better so am going to restart the exercise part on Monday. Haven't gained but have only lost a pound or so. THat is okay -at least I was able to maintain a healthy diet.

Auntie CiCi - so sorry to read that your family is unsupportive of your efforts to get healthy. that has happened to me before - not with family but with a couple girlfriends that I really think like me more when I am struggling with weight. When I am really trying to keep eating healthy and stay on an exercise program they always drop by with Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We all talk about wanting to lose weight but when I start to straighten out bad habits there isn't a lot of support there. So I deal with it by just not talking about my efforts at all. It is just easier.

Phase I is done!
 

Hey! I finished Phase I on Tuesday but I haven't had a chance to come post. I lost 10 lbs so far!! Goodie for me!! I'm a few days into Phase II and I haven't really changed much from Phase I. I did add a little chicken and a cup of coffee, but aside from that it's been the same. I actually like the tea better than the coffee, if you can imagine that! I used to say that if they went to take blood from me they would get Maxwell House! Go figure!
The one thing I have to do is get into the habit of exercising. I took the bike out (an exercise in itself!) and that was it. Well, the road to good intention....
Here's to wishing you all a "smashing" day!
Helene:carrot:
http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar027...9/140/189/.png

HI all! I'm starting Phase 1 on Wednesday and was wondering about a couple things, like are olives allowed? They are pretty fattening;) or what about salsa? I like to add Salsa to my rice once in awhile to add some zip! Oh, and what about soups, like vegetable soup, is that allowed?
Thanks!

Hello Everyone. Hope everyone is doing great. I am doing good, It seems I lost my enthusiasm for a couple days, but its back now..Yippie!! I am going to be moving in about six months and I have to put my stuff in storage, so I can put in some new carpet and paint the walls...YUK. So I have tons of junk to go through and pack to put into storage for next weekend.

Olivia86- Glad to see you back and feeling a little better...Great job maintaining!!

Jenne1017- :welcome: and congrats on your wedding!

It's Time- WOO HOO! Way to go!

Happyface- Good for you, your really movin along. Im scared to move on. Im more or less on phase 1 with occasional meat. I think if i add cereal, I will screw up big time.

Tofu
 

Hi Smashers, when I first started this diet about a month now, I really wanted to experiment with tofu. I really like the soy or veggie crumbles...cant tell them apart from regular hamburger. But as for the soft, firm extra firm tofu, I just couldnt cook it well enough for my liking. Today I came across a thread in Alternachicks, under sub forum veggie chicks that gave some tofu tips from member Mauvarsroux. Here is what I really enjoyed and it works SO well.

Pressing the tofu

Split the block of tofu lengthwise. lay several layers of paper towel on a flat surface; place the tofu cut side down on the towels, put another couple of layers of paper towel on top, cover with something flat and rigid like a cutting board with a large can of tomatoes or such on top for weight.

Let the tofu sit for 45 minutes or longer so that theexcess water in the tofuis pressed out which will help to make it chewier and less likely to crumble. It can then be grilled or baked, or cut up for use in stir-fries. If marinating, it is better to press the tofu first as this seems to allow the marinade to be absorbed better by the tofu.

I tried this and let me tell you I liked it better than chicken..I just put some lemon pepper on it. But the flavor was amazing I used a little butter flavored pam and it tasted like real butter. So I bet a marinade would be awesome with it.

This probaly seems like a no brainer to some, but I never would have thought to press the water out.

Goofed
 

Hi gang,

Today was day 6. I haven't really had a problem except for tea. I drank gallons of decaf daily. But, I'll get through.

I accidentally goofed today by fixing Uncle Ben's wild rice. It didn't dawn on me that that was regular rice also. Oh well, I'll not do that again.

I made the oatmeal cookies. The recipe calls for 1TBLsp of cinnamon. I thought that a bit much so I cut it to 1 tsp. I used splenda brown sugar. The cookies were delicious. I don't think I'll do that often though, maybe a treat now and then, cause they were definitely sweet enough. And I had a problem with sweet cravings and don't want to get that started again.

I've been battling a virus and can't exercise either. So hopefully I can lose some. I know I'd do better if I could walk or something.

Wishing everyone a good weight loss.

Well today is the day.I have been test driving this diet for a week but not 100% faithful.I wanted to see if i can do this and discovered that some foods are not as bad as i thought.Phase 1 begins today with no side cheating like I was doing.The advice I have been reading here has given me the strength to commit.Wish me luck!

Good Luck Fitbyforty!!!!!

Thanks Wide in Winnipeg.I have a brother in Calgary,I am displaced Nova Scotian myself.It is always nice to see Canadians:)