I also have great coaches at my center which helps, but this site has proven itself over and over again to be my #1 source of information. Reading about everyone's victories keeps me motivated on a daily basis:cheer3:

I am going to try that!! I do like the butterscotch pudding but the chocolate didn't even taste remotely like chocolate!! Thanks for sharing!!

EXCEPTIONAL!! WAY TO GO:carrot:

I did the exact same thing! but back on track today! We can do this!!!

What is the Novi Cleanse??

I have a tip that might work for you - when I would visit the markets to buy fish for the restaurant I would ALWAYS make the fish mongers let me smell the fish - raw fish should have a oceany smell - perhaps a bit sweet -- if the fish is fishy fishy fishy there is NO AMOUNT of spicing and seasoning that can cover that up. You can also tell how fishy the fish is when you cook it - if the fish is fresh and good I rarely have to turn on my stove vent (unless I am making blackened fish and then it has to do with heat and smoke and not smell) -- some good fish to try (if they are fresh) are Talapia, Haddock, Sea Bass, Sole, Arctic Char (a bit like Salmon only sweeter), lemon sole, mahi-mahi (which if cooked correctly tastes a bit like steak)

I think it also matters where the fish come from - for instance farm raised catfish has a very different taste (sweet and mild) then pond/river catfish - same with trout - I have had fantastic stream caught trout and absolutely terrible almost muddy tasting trout (again depends on what they eat) - as for Salmon same thing (king, coho and sockeye and occasionally Scottish are the only ones I buy) salmon is a meater and therefor stronger flavored fish -- This year has not been my favorite year for cod so I tend not to buy it

Preparation for fish is key (DO NOT OVER COOK)- currently I am poaching fish in things like a lime, cilantro, mild chili base - or I am pan searing using Vindaloo (indian spices) or Tandori seasoning - last night I poached mahi mahi in a porcini/morrel mushroom stock-- another AWESOME and easy fish dish is to lightly pan sear fish - when finished remove from the pan - add some lemon juice and capers to the pan to deglaze - a little salt and pepper and pour over your fish topped with some flat leaf parsley - quick, easy and light (but not on taste) -- if the fish, meat or poultry are quality and good - you will need very little seasoning to turn out a fantastic satisfying dish.

I tell my co-workers and friends I am on a protocol to reset my pancreas (which is true - of course I want to lose weight but I am more interested in whether or not this in fact does reset my pancreas-- one of my tests will be to see if I get gestational diabetes again with my next pregnancy- lack of weight and pancreas reset my prevent this --fingers crossed) and in order to do it I have to be on a very regimented and very strict diet -- most of the time (unless I am talking to the doctors and scientist I work with) that ends the conversation. I skip the whole diet/weight loss discussion all together because it seems to me some people don't really want you to succeed with weight loss but those same people are super supportive if it has to do with something like a pancreas:)

Thanks y'all!!!.. it really does feel good to be back in the saddle again... already, I'm feeling some changes... all last summer, I was cold all the time, but from about Thanksgiving 'til now, I haven't been feeling that... today, I'm suddenly freezing again, which I'm going to take as a good sign that things are on the move again... also, even though I haven't drunk any more water today than I usually do, I've spent lots more time in the bathroom... not sure what to make of that, but I'm gonna think of it as a good thing too... maybe all signs of getting into ketosis again???..

hugs :hug:

I've decided to keep my diet to myself and my family...I haven't told anyone at work because the people I work with tend to be negative about the whole low carb thing, too. It is so strange, two of my best friends are overweight and don't seem to think they have a problem..they seem to enjoy harassing me about my diet choices and how we only live once and they will eat whatever they want.:mad: I know we only live once, I want to be healthy and thin, not overweight and unhappy!!!
This chickie isn't going to be unhappy because of weight issues anymore!!

I get leg cramps if I forget my magnesium. I know at work, people who suffer from severe leg cramps are often prescribed magnesium, however they are often caused by not enough salt, water etc. See what works for you!

Wonderful cooking advice! Thank you!

I didn't tell people for a long time at first, only because I was a basher before that. LOL!

I still battle almost constant hunger! Lately I have been eating a 4th packet and drinking water all the time. For the first four weeks I had almost no hunger, but since that time (seven additional weeks), I have been hungry much of the time. I follow protocol strictly, don't drink caffeine of any kind or use artificial sweeteners (except for occasional use of WF dressing), and don't exercise. Please let me know if anyone else is having this same issue. I hope to stick with Phase 1 through the end of January at a minimum, but it is getting tougher by the day....

I started this journey back in early September with what seemed to me to be an almost impossible amount of weight to lose. Well fast forward 4 months and I am realizing that I can do this. I love the program, I love cooking ( I was a fast food junkie before), I love the way I feel, I love that I no longer have high blood pressure, and most importantly I love all of you who take the time to share your weight loss journey and knowledge. I have lost 83 lbs. and 47 inches and I will be thin in 2011!!!!

just back from WI 2 and i'm down another 5.6 lbs. i love this diet. 2.5 inches off my waist in 13 days! i wish i had found this program sooner. can't wait till WI 3!!

:welcome3: Congratulations on the 24 pounds lost!!

THAT IS AWESOME!! You must have been so excited driving away from there! :)


Sounds like you found a method for tonight. I tend to do mine seared with asian spices and a light dressing with a seasoned soy based sauce. I have also breaded the fish with a little egg white or water (egg white is best) and crushed soy puffs. I then only use a 4-5 oz portion of fish because of the extra protein in the soy puffs. Then baked it til a bit crisp.

Glad to know you reigned yourself back in! You sound like you are moving forward just fine!

WOO HOOO!!! An NSV. I must say, clothing NSVs are my favorite of all victories!

I am sure you will see a difference.

I didn't like the pudding much either until my 2nd or 3rd month. Until then I dressed it up! I added a few drops of mint extract and splenda to the water, shook well then added the pudding, mixed again, let it get cold and enjoyed. It was like and after eight or andes mint treat.

spinach is zero carbs raw and roughly 6g per cup cooked. The difference is spinach cooks down so much and a cup cooked is not much. Also, the same quantity raw is just a few carbs like 1.5 or 1.7g depending on the source. The problem is people see the small amount of cooked spinach and over eat.

YEP, garlic powder is something that has carbs per tsp. It is like the sweeteners, it will sneak up on you!

IGNORE ATkins guidelines. We are not Atkins and Atkins only uses those levels for a few weeks during induction. There are some great principles but, it is a totally different diet.

The cellulite issue! Yes, the diet will help a huge amount. Work in the jello and blueberry pom drink, I used them a few times a week and I think they do help some. The low fat alone and all the cleansing vegetables with that create the biggest impact.

It is possibly a lack of sodium, low magnesium, need for more calcium and not just a potassium issue. Are you getting in all of your supplements? When are you taking calcium?

The diet is balanced enough to handle the sodium of the soup. I wouldn't cut back on your sea salt. Congrats on the weight loss!

You sound like a fantastic cook!! I look forward to seeing your recipes.

I also became very hungry but, after week 6. Definitely add the extra packet, small lean protein portion, or start adding a restricted food into your day. You do not want you body to think it is in starvation or to start burning muscle. I didn't do that and I created a serious slow down, burned muscle, ultimately, after 5 weeks, I started moving again but, not before side effects and when I started up I had much lower losses.


CONGRATULATIONS!! yes!! You will! :)