I've never been addicted to coffee, no wait I don't LIKE coffee (meaning I've had it and hate it and found the only other man in the world who also doesn't care for it), but I love tea. Anyway, I wouldn't beat myself up over it. What *I* think is you could lose *faster* following all his recommendations to a T. But I also think there are somethings people have to do. For example, tonight I am going for Italian food. We are meeting friends and it's $5 spaghetti night. I am not 100% sure I'll get spaghetti, I was but now I'm kind of irritated because I overate yesterday due to stress or PMS, not sure. But anyway I ate 1900+ calories. I try to keep it at around 1300-1500 or 1200-1500. It will be 2 days over. I could be all pissed off and not go or eat a salad, bring my dressing, avoid the sourdough bread, etc., but I'll feel like I wasted money on a salad that really isn't as good as my salads (it's a cheap Italian place so we are not talking great salads and they probably use some generic bottled Wishbone-type dressing anyway which I'm sorry for $7-11 for salad I would like GOOD dressing). I also recently added 5 minutes to my bike time AND increased that from 13 MPH to 15 MPH so my appetite may have been increased from that...I dunno. But I'm still going to be on plan 90% of the time PERIOD. I have to do it for me. I think your 10% time (which is probably less than that) with your coffee maybe slow it down, so you lose your weight 10 days farther than skipping it all together, big whoop. At least you're going in the right direction.

And also that reminds me of when I tried that Truvia or something soft drink. HOLY CRAP that was the worst stuff I'd EVER had. Very pricey at that time and nasty. No one drank it and I threw 9 cans out (I tried 2 different flavors and no way). I'd rather have water and I did during that period of time.

Yeah, I'm trying to stop my coffee all-together. I LOVE coffee but I put too much crap in it so I figured I'd just stop and just drink green tea. There's caffeine in it too and there's 0 calories and it's good for you so why not? I had my cupcake. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be. If I'd known, I would've skipped it and just eat my fruits. Ah well, it's done and over with.

Ok, I weighed myself this morning and I weighed 177.4 so down .8 since Monday, yay! I'm really enjoying this diet but I'm hoping that when I reach my goal weight, the change won't mess me up too much. This is REALLY easy for me. Just put it in the microwave. I'll probably continue eating frozen entrees for my lunch though. It's more convenient for me. I didn't go walking yesterday. It was SOOO HOT out! I know it's not a good excuse but I just couldn't get myself to go outside.

Do you guys have a goal outfit? I have so many clothes that are all in a bin, waiting for me to lose weight so I can finally wear them! I also have a swimsuit that I bought online that's too small for me. I need to lose this weight!

I'd just like to say that although I am not on The Simple Diet, I do have the book and think it's a really good book. I bought it because after a lifetime of cooking...I am done with slaving in the kitchen...and wanted some ideas for simple, low calorie meals. I agree that nothing could be simpler than shakes and frozen meals. So even though I'm not on his plan per sey...the book is really excellent, and I got some great eating tips from it.

Good luck everyone on your journey!

Originally Posted by walktheroad:
I'd just like to say that although I am not on The Simple Diet, I do have the book and think it's a really good book. I bought it because after a lifetime of cooking...I am done with slaving in the kitchen...and wanted some ideas for simple, low calorie meals. I agree that nothing could be simpler than shakes and frozen meals. So even though I'm not on his plan per sey...the book is really excellent, and I got some great eating tips from it.

Good luck everyone on your journey!

Thank you very much :) I agree with you 100%

Thanks WalkTheRoad I agree :) I do like to cook, but for me right now weight loss is more important...well I am cooking anyway because the kids and husband are not eating this stuff (well my kids do have the occassional frozen pizza for lunch).

Sophie I have two, sort of. This little black dress I've had for years that is cute and then my high school junior year (1986) jeans. I have gotten into them after EACH kid and while I certainly would NOT wear them in public (high waisted and dated), I full on plan on being able to fix in them. Otherwise, there are some high end jeans my girlfriend gave me when she lost weight (she got to a 00 and I will NEVER be that small) and these are 4 to 10s and at least $100 a pair (something I have yet to spend that much on).

Originally Posted by SerenityDiva:
Sophie I have two, sort of. This little black dress I've had for years that is cute and then my high school junior year (1986) jeans. I have gotten into them after EACH kid and while I certainly would NOT wear them in public (high waisted and dated), I full on plan on being able to fix in them. Otherwise, there are some high end jeans my girlfriend gave me when she lost weight (she got to a 00 and I will NEVER be that small) and these are 4 to 10s and at least $100 a pair (something I have yet to spend that much on).

Oh wow! You're lucky to have nice expensive clothes given to you. That would really motivate me to lose the weight haha!

Ok, I have a dilemma today, my mother-in-law is making a dinner tonight, (don't know how to call it in english) It's potatoes, salted meat & veggies all boiled in a big pot... IT'S DELICIOUS!! She invited us over to have some... what should I do?? I said no in the beginning but my boyfriend made me think otherwise (damn him!). I was thinking of eating there for dinner and instead of the pepsi I would normally drink, drink water. What do you guys think? Ugh! I hate that it's all in the first week. It feels like I can't control myself...

I'd drink water and probably eat just ONE serving, SLOWLY. I don't think cutting things out entirely works for me especially if it was MIL serving because I wouldn't want her to feel bad (although my MIL wouldn't, but some might feel slighted or something). Especially since you like it :)

Originally Posted by SerenityDiva:
I'd drink water and probably eat just ONE serving, SLOWLY. I don't think cutting things out entirely works for me especially if it was MIL serving because I wouldn't want her to feel bad (although my MIL wouldn't, but some might feel slighted or something). Especially since you like it :)

Thanks, that's what I'm going to do :) Water & only 1 serving, no dessert.

I feel SO good today! For some reason, don't feel hungry. I almost have to force myself to eat the recomendations. I missed one or two fruit/veggie yesterday (but I had my cupcake so...). I really feel good about this diet. I feel more controlled of what I eat. I need to do exercise though! I haven't done any all week and it's raining today so chances are, I won't go walking today. What I SHOULD do is bring some shoes to work and walk during my lunch hour and get it over with. Ok, it's settled, tomorrow, bringing workout clothes and sneakers to work :D

How are things going for you guys, SerenityDiva & kln75a?

I get the same way where I'm simply not hungry. I think it's my body adjusting to correct calories. Good luck to tonight! With a plan you'll do great:carrot:

I highly recommend some kind of calorie tracking app if you have a smartphone. That was really helpful the other day when we were visiting friends at the lake, I was able to eat small portions of what they had and just enter that and still stay on track calorie-wise. It's not perfect (and a little shocking how many calories "real" food has!) but it helps.

Since Sunday I've been walking for a half hour to 40 minutes with my kids and two dogs. They love it! We go just after dark so it's cooler and there are fewer people and other dogs out. I noticed yesterday I could go up two flights of stairs without getting out of breath! :)

I know what you mean about not feeling hungry. I've been doing two entrees and two shakes, plus fruits and veggies, and I usually don't even want to think about a third shake! Sometimes I have half of one before bed if I feel hungry.

As far as clothes, my mom just gave me a bag of size 10 and 12 clothes, there are some really nice Nordstrom things in there. She meant for me to give them to Goodwill or something but I'm keeping them to see if I can fit in them eventually!

Kristin

Originally Posted by SerenityDiva:
I get the same way where I'm simply not hungry. I think it's my body adjusting to correct calories. Good luck to tonight! With a plan you'll do great:carrot:

Thanks! I did great.. I think haha! I did exactly what I said I would. I ate potatoes, meat, carrots & green beans. The only thing I did (without realizing) I added butter to my veggies. I only struck to me this morning... Have to be more concious of what I add. It was SOOOO good though <3

Originally Posted by kln75a:
I highly recommend some kind of calorie tracking app if you have a smartphone. That was really helpful the other day when we were visiting friends at the lake, I was able to eat small portions of what they had and just enter that and still stay on track calorie-wise. It's not perfect (and a little shocking how many calories "real" food has!) but it helps.

Since Sunday I've been walking for a half hour to 40 minutes with my kids and two dogs. They love it! We go just after dark so it's cooler and there are fewer people and other dogs out. I noticed yesterday I could go up two flights of stairs without getting out of breath! :)

I know what you mean about not feeling hungry. I've been doing two entrees and two shakes, plus fruits and veggies, and I usually don't even want to think about a third shake! Sometimes I have half of one before bed if I feel hungry.

As far as clothes, my mom just gave me a bag of size 10 and 12 clothes, there are some really nice Nordstrom things in there. She meant for me to give them to Goodwill or something but I'm keeping them to see if I can fit in them eventually!

Kristin

I have a calorie tracking on my phone but I forget to use it. I should start again though. I use MyFitnessPal and it works GREAT! There's so many foods on there, it's unreal!
Good for you for walking! I should copy you on that idea and go walking in the evenings when it's cooler. CRAP! I just realized I forgot my workout clothes for today! :o
Free clothes are always awesome! Just imagine the feeling of when you can fit those clothes. You'll get there! ;)

Ok, this morning, almost cheated! I REALLY didn't want to have a fruit and shake. I need to go back through the shake recipes in the book. I need something different. I also need to go buy more shake mix. I'm so afraid of buying some, I never know how good they'll taste. Any brands I should look out for that are tasty? I'm looking for a vanilla flavor.

Kristin yay for the clothes! I joke with BFF because Nordstrom's is her favorite store and when they have that sale (anniversary I think?) she actually plans it in her schedule. And ITA about the food tracking application. Right now I'm using Lose It. I initially was unsure if I wanted to track calories and stuff, but for me this works. And WTG on the steps without being winded! I remember about 6 years ago I was WINDED VACUUMING. I wanted to die. I couldn't believe it :( But I can vacuum now...just have the kids do it most of the time ;)

Sophie it's good you at least became aware of adding the butter after, next time you'll probably realize it during or before hand and every step forward is good!

I can't really recommend any specific shakes because I'm trying to go cheap AND am lactose intolerant. I tried taking Lactaid and drinking Slim Fast (which I like the ready to drink) and Special K. I HATED Atkins. I threw out Atkins. I do like the powder egg white generic one GNC sells, but it's like $40 for 25 servings...so um no. Right now I'm using powdered Muscle Milk in chocolate, not RTD. I don't really want to deal with making smoothies at this point so I have not, but I bet you can use any powder one and get some great smoothies out of it. I was really into smoothies a few years ago (my son bought the Magic Bullet thingie and so I did them daily) and my dad does Jay Robb's protein (egg I think) smoothies with peanut or almond or other nut butters and fruits, usually bananas and something else BUT he needs to gain weight so his shakes are really geared towards protein and calories. Anyway there were some rice powder ones at Amazon I was going to buy if I ever get bored. Keep in mind I'm NOT a breakfast person so I basically drink the shakes to get it out of the way. I don't love eggs, bacon, biscuits, grits, cereal, none of it. I don't even really like donuts or toast. I'm weird...but dinner, OMG I miss steak and shellfish. Sorry there is no frozen entree "steak" meal that works.

Sophie an idea?
 

I just had a thought. Sophie you might consider joining the daily accountability thread and/or posting your calorie counts here? Then you might get into the habit? I'll start and if you join in, I'll post here (unless you start posting at daily accountability as I don't need to post all over lol).

Thursday August 2nd
Calories 1740
Cycling 25 minutes
Power Yoga 50 minutes

I have yet to post the exact meals, but I'm hoping to do so. It's really hard for me to say what I eat because I feel judged (not saying anyone here has done that but other places have and people offline do). Anyway I thought this might be a way to get you in the habit (Sophie) and of course anyone else that wants to join in.

Ok, I'm in! :) Thanks SerenityDiva! I've kept track of what I ate so far so I'll post tomorrow morning my results.