Is this plan still working for you, Bev? Anyone else? I've been on this plan for over 7 weeks now, and not only have I not cheated, but I haven't even felt like cheating. That's a miracle for me!

This chick will be on a cruise to the Bahamas (weather permitting) in 3 weeks. I'm planning to stick to this diet while on board. I'll be taking along my Odwalla bars, cappucino mix (I'll mix it with milk and pour over ice), and some peanut and almond M&Ms. I believe my only challenge will be the "chocolate buffet" but I've already decided that I will make some smart choices -- e.g., chocolate covered strawberries.

You are one strong women if you can stick to your plan while on a cruise. I am going on a cruise next summer and I will try my best but I am not kidding myself. I know I will gain weight on it. My cruise will be hard food wise because I am going with my whole family, All 21 of us.

I am doing ok- some days I make better food choices than others though. I need to do better since I want to lose about 20lbs for my cruise.

Are you counting calories as you work this plan?

Bev

You can do it, Bev!

At first I thought I'd shoot for maintaining on the cruise -- neither gain or lose. But now, since I've been good for going on my 8th week, I don't want to cheat. So, I'm determined to stay on plan.

I shoot for 1200-1400 calories per day. On occasion, I have 1500 -- usually when I eat out which is rare.

Oh, another tip -- in the beginning, I planned my day at the beginning of each day. But now that I'm used to eating this way, I plan as I go.

TDS, how much have you lost and how much do you still want to lose?

My net loss (I gained back some -- long story, but suffice it to say, I had a broken heart) is 92 lbs. And I want to lose another 80 lbs.

Wow! That is great!

Thanks -- I give all the credit to God! It's a miracle -- an answer to prayer -- a diet that's perfect for me.

Yes, God deserves all the credit, doesn't he?

Yep!

I can't believe how rich tasting Hills Bros. Double Chocolate Mocha Cappucino mix is! So rich, it tastes like a chocolate milkshake (when made in the blender with milk, ice, and Splenda). Mmmm!!! I can't believe I'm on a diet!!!

New snacks to add to the list:

1. Fage yogurt w/ fruit (I add 1 Tbsp or so of Starbucks sugar-free caramel syrup and a dash of cinnamon with fresh peaches or blueberries and Splenda)

2. Bolthouse Farms Cappuccino (has 10 gm protein per cup)

3. Shirataki Alfredo (Adapted from Hungry Girl's recipe: make the sauce with 2 Tbsp fat-free half and half, 2 Tbsp grated parmesan, 1 Laughing Cow Light Cheese wedge, some garlic, a itsy bitsy pinch of nutmeg, dash of garlic powder, and salt & pepper to taste) -- add chicken, crab, or shrimp for a meal

4. Apple & Cheese (Or baked apple with melted cheese on it)

5. Tzatziki w/ pita

6. Jell-O Sugar-Free Temptations Mousse (Mmmmm!!!!) with sugar-free whipped cream

7. Banana Bread

Recipes

Banana Bread

Ingredients (makes 16 small slices):

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup liquid egg whites
3 tbsp. Promise Light Buttery Spread
1/4 cup applesauce
2 medium very ripe mashed bananas

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients :) You know the drill. I left my batter a little lumpy because I wanted to be able to see some banana chunks in the bread. Then I poured it into a greased springform pan and baked it at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes (depending on the oven). The bread should be a golden brown color and cooked around the edges. Nutrition Information per slice - 60 calories



Shirataki Noodles
This is how I prepare it. Several hours to days before preparing, drain and rinse well. Place in fresh water in an airtight sealed container in refrigerator. Repeat draining and rinsing several times.
Parboil noodles for about 3 minutes. Drain well, and place back into dry saucepan. Over medium-high to high heat, stir constantly until noodles resemble well drained pasta and are no longer soggy. If you skip this process noodles will be very soggy.

ToutDeSuite, You have been on this plan for a long time ( over a year). Are you still following it?

Bev, after trying several other diets, I'm back on it. It's the only one that works for me.

ToutDeSuite, I am also going back on this plan. If you would like to chat I am here.

Bev

Thanks for all the great ideas!

Adding DiGiorno 200 calorie portion pizza to the list. They're awesome!

A few more ideas:

Chicken Salad Sandwich
Chicken salad made with diced cooked chicken breast, green onions, celery, grapes or dried cranberries, and low-fat mayo. Serve on reduced calorie bread.

Club Sandwich
Sliced deli turkey (I like Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh)
2 slices crisp bacon
sliced tomato
lettuce
low calorie mayo
reduced calorie bread

Chicken Carbonara Shirataki
Make a sauce with 2 Tbsp fat-free half and half, 1 Tbsp grated parmesan, 1 Laughing Cow Light Cheese wedge (softened), some diced garlic, dash of garlic powder, and salt & pepper to taste. Dilute with water or a little more FF half and half, if necessary. Stir in 1 Tbsp Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits. Add diced cooked chicken and mushrooms. Serve over shirataki noodles.

Originally Posted by Bev:
ToutDeSuite, I am also going back on this plan. If you would like to chat I am here.

Bev

Hi Bev, how are you doing? I'm sorry, I just got this message. I've never chatted before -- is there a chat room?

Bean Burritos with FF refried beans, low calorie/carb whole wheat tortillas, low-fat cheese, green onion, and salsa.

I found some corn tortillas that are only 25 calories each! The brand is Tam-X-ico's. I make chicken enchilasgna with them (layer tortillas, low-fat cheddar, and enchlada sauces (I mix 1 can of green and 1 can of red)).

Well i think that a person should always have something good in the snack time when he feels like to eat something delicious like burgers, chocolate , pizza's etc. But they do not have health benefit that you can get from other things like dried fruits and nuts, you can find wide varieties of fruits and nuts which contain high nutritional content and they also are a rich source of fiber. They will improve your bodied immunity as well digestive system and are stomach filling as well. I think that people should try this........

Speaking of chocolate and nuts, Costco (Kirkland) has these wonderful chocolate covered almonds with just a thin layer of chocolate. You can have 13 nuts for approximately 200 calories!