< That carrot wouldn't be so happy if he knew his fate.

I successfully completed the ETL 6-week holiday challenge in 2011 and lost 17 pounds. I never should have gone off the program because it was working. I've decided to start the program again with the intention of making it a permanent life-style change. If anyone wants to come along for the ride, maybe we can support each other.

My plan is to clean out the kitchen and refrigerator at the end of this week and start the first day of the program on Sept. 1.

Unlimited vegetables
1 lb raw vegetables daily
1 lb cooked green vegetables daily

Limited
1 cup beans, legumes, bean sprouts, or tofu daily
4 servings fresh fruit daily
1 serving or less cooked starchy vegetables OR whole grains
1 oz. raw seeds or nuts daily or 2 ounces avocado
1 cup sugar-free almond or soymilk, daily

Avoid all
dairy products
animal products
between meal snacks
fruit juice, dried fruits
salt, sugar

I pulled my old, barely used I Will Lose Weight This Time! Diet Journal off the shelf last night and completed the steps for defining my personal goals and describing the program. Tomorrow is "start day," so I'll get my husband to snap my before picture and I'll record my measurements.

I described my plan as Eat to Live and length of the plan as "Every Day." My goals are:

1. No sugar binges.
2. Consume a diet comprised 95% of fruits & vegetables.
3. Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes each day.
4. Lose 52% of my total body weight.

According to my Fitbit tracker, depending on my level of activity, my daily calorie target should be approximately 1250-1600 calories. I want to keep my sodium below 2,300mg and the daily cholesterol between 100-150.

For each day I stick to my program, I will literally give myself a gold star by putting a sticker on the calendar. I have an assortment of cute stickers that have come in the mail with mailing labels that I will use to mark every 5 lbs lost. I'm trying to keep the effort visual and right in front of myself to stay motivated, encouraged, and on track.

Of course, as everyone in this forum knows, it's early days of a new program so enthusiasm is high. I'm trying not to burst my own bubble with that nasty thing called reality, so I'm doing what I can to make plans now to create "Plan B" and make things as easy as I can for myself to transition to a completely new lifestyle.

I looked around the forum but didn't see a place specifically to share recipes. I know it must be here somewhere but still being new on the site, I haven't found it, yet.

Here's what I'm preparing for my dinner tonight:

1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup white wine or additional broth
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons of cornstarch

In a bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients above (skip the cornstarch in this step); set aside 3/4 cup of the sauce. Store remainder of sauce for future use.

2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups julienned carrots
1 small onion, sliced thinly
2 cups shredded Bok Choy, Napa Cabbage, of Cole Slaw mix
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup celery, sliced on a bias
8 oz water chestnuts (optional)
Olive oil for frying (optional)
White wine or broth for steam-frying (optional)

Steam-fry mushrooms in a hot wok until they release their liquid. Remove mushrooms, leaving liquid in wok to steam fry broccoli, onion, celery, and carrots. If wok gets too dry, add a splash of white wine or broth. Steam fry for 6 minutes. Add bok choy or cabbage and steam fry for three minutes or until leaves are wilted. Add water chestnuts (optional) and steam fry for a minute to heat through. Return mushrooms to the pan.

Add 2 teaspoons of cornstarch to reserved 3/4 cup of sauce and wisk with a fork until smooth. Immediately add slurry over the vegetables, bring to a boil, and stir while cooking for 2 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Serving size is approximately 1-1/3 cups. Enjoy the stir-fried vegetables on their own or over a serving of whole-wheat pasta or brown rice.

Look out carrot. You're on the menu >

Hi woththeeffort!

I am starting a similar plan tomorrow called The Engine 2 diet, I would love to share recipes and support each other as we change our habits for good

I have eaten a veggie diet on and off and love it but then get weak and eat bad stuff.

Tomorrow I plan to start a blog to journal my progress.

Yum I will be making this soon!

Hi, Ang. I read the Engine 2 book, also. The programs are very similar, I agree. I've managed to stay on track for two days and starting out this morning. It is easier for me to start each day the same way:

1 cup Fiber One raisin bran
1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2 cup not-from-concentrate orange juice
multivitamins & other daily prescriptions
and coffee.

I'm not ready to give up my caffeine, which is limited to my morning coffee anyway.

I made that recipe I posted for dinner last night (be prepared for several days of leftovers!). The sauce recipe made just a little over a cup so I just put it all in the pan. It formed a nice, glossy sauce for the vegetables. I thought it was good but honestly, it would have been great with pasta! I'm still getting use to eating vegetables again.

P.S. I've been blogging, too.

I typically start everyday the same and simple since I work and go to school full-time. I usually have fruit or refrigerator oatmeal.

I did not get a blog started today as I spent the day baking healthy banana bread, made banana ice cream (blended bananas frozen), a Chinese cabbage salad, and earth burgers. I typically make a bunch of stuff on weekends so I have no excuse during the week.

I too have coffee sometimes

Wow. Today was killer. Day 3 of the program, so sugar withdrawal is spiking. High stress at work. I held a Milky Way bar in my hands twice but managed to put it down and not eat it. Yay! I stuck to my program!

Ihear you there! I had a long rough day as well and a headache to match it. I have 2 days a week where I begin the day at 8 am at school, Ihave class from 8-9 then go to work, then have class from 11-12, then go back to work, then go back for class from 4-5, then home. And it was in the 90s and so freaking humid. BLAH!

But I too prevailed and did not give in to any urges!

Yay for us!

Are you allowed to have smoothies on his program.

Smoothies made with non-dairy would certainly be allowed. The program is very supportive of juicing, though I don't juice personally. Have you seen the movie, Fat, Sick, and Almost Dead? You can find it free on Hulu. That's how I discovered Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live program. The movie is about juice fasting and contains lots of nutritional information. I find it inspirational and it features mostly men and men's diets, though there are interviews with a number of women and one woman who also participates in the juice fast. You might find it interesting, Catman.

I have seen it 2 times and like it very much.
Thanks

Hi everyone, i am starting ETL today as well! I am just so fed up and I know the solution is to cut back the sugar for me (I have a BIG sweet tooth) and eat more fruits and veggies. I eat a mostly vegetarian diet anyway so hopefully it will not be too much of a shock. Bit of a weakness for cheese though so that should be interesting...Also I am not yet psychologically ready to give up my morning coffee! We'll see if it makes any difference.

My strategies will be:

-prepare fresh veggies in advance (this works well- get back from the supermarket and cut and/or cook up some veggies right away so they are sitting in the fridge waiting for me).

-I am also getting one of those weekly veggie delivery boxes so that will help too!

-Going to the gym as well. This is also required for stress relief/mood!

-Checking in with you folks.

Good luck everyone!

Congrats on the willpower!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome rosiem, canadacatman and lorman. I know only rosiem said she was starting so don't think I was pushing anyone

Today was awesome for me, I feel so much better already, lighter and cleaner!

I wore my fitbit to see what my steps are for a "one class day plus work" I was surprised to see it read over 4500 when I got home. Not too shabby.

I have decided I will not be weighing myself daily like my old habits have been. I will weigh and record twice a month for sure.

I made some delicious pumpkin Mac and cheez sauce and had it over an earth burger, so yummy oh I also poured it over steamed broccoli.