My time schedule is similar to yours because I work the evening shift (3pm-11pm) at a hospital. I usually wake up around 1030-1130 am and go to bed around 2am. I eat my "breakfast" within about an hour of waking up then have a snack around 3. My "lunch" is around 6 or 7 and sometimes I have another snack around 9. Then my "dinner" is usually around midnight. I don't usually have a big lunch and big dinner the same day. My DH works a similar schedule so if we are planning on having a big dinner together I will keep my lunch light, like a salad or deli turkey w bell peppers and cottage cheese. Or if I don't have to work and have my bigger meal around "normal" dinner time, I still make sure to have a substantial snack later on. It's just as important to make sure you are eating enough food. Get your 4.5 cups of veggies, 2 cups dairy, and enough protein and good fats everyday. Also try adding in some beans. You may not be eating enough and when your body thinks it is starving it will hold on to fat. The first time I did this I ate a lot. Not like over ate, but ate big salads and lots of other veggies, lots of steak, chicken, cheese, yogurt.... I thought there was absolutely no way the scale was going to go down. But it did! And it will for you too if you keep up with it!

Hello and Welcome to 3FC!! Like others have said, 5 pounds in 1.5 weeks isn't bad.

The reason your not losing as much as some do on phase one is probably a portion size issue. If you eat too much of the right foods you still gain weight. You didn't mention how many eggs, how much chilli etc. Sometimes people think if your eating healthy foods you can go nuts. I would go through the sample menu in the book and make sure your portions are similar to the suggested ones. Make sure that your getting your snacks in and are not going too long without eating.

Still, your doing great. I'm sure alot of the junk is now out of your system.

I just finished phase one and only lost about 5 pounds...I was terribly discouraged! But, I am going to stick it out and see what happens over the next month..thanks to the wonderful ladies on here! Keep reading posts, you get great ideas for snacks, recipes, and just healthy living!

If you are looking for some exercise options other than the dog walking, what do you feel about exercise videos? There are many available online on netflix streaming, exercisetv.tv, or even on youtube (Pop pilates beginner workout is great).