[taben07]

Well, looking over the book I got in the mail and wondered how bored you will get with just eating SF jello and Ricotta mix for a dessert at night? I have 10 pounds to lose and it takes FOREVER. I need to do something to shock my system basically and do eat pretty healthy to begin with. I found the Deep Dish Pizza for Phase 1 and I have made it several times. Granted, I haven't started perse on Phase 1 but have been eating pretty closely to what they offer on the food lists. No weight lost...Just maintaining. I exercise 3-4 a week and drink a lot of Crystal Light and only diet hot chocolate. Don't eat fried foods and stay away from the chocolate. HMM?!

Your thoughts.

[grneyedmustang]

If you are only trying to lose ten pounds, it will be harder than if you needed to lose a large amount.

What do your menus look like? If you're exercising you might not be eating enough.

With these two factors, you might need to move to phase II.

As far as desserts (and I love dessert ) my favorites that usually "keep me out of trouble" are peanut butter delight (natural peanut butter topped with light whipped cream mixed with cocoa), Blue Bunny Fudgesicles, dark chocolate pudding, and even dark chocolate strawberries or blueberries occasionally. There are also some really good recipes posted in the desserts recipe section - most notably the peanut butter cookies. I haven't tried the warm brownie recipe but I've heard it's really good.

[judyo]

I have been trying the different Phase I desserts and am not bored at all. Sure, it takes a little effort but most of the recipes are pretty easy. Plus, I've lost 5 lbs. in my first week of Phase I by eating per the book. And it brought me to a weight I haven't seen for almost a year (135 reached today).

I'm not just eating salads & meat, which would be boring. I'm eating beans & nuts and the allowed veggies and avocados & lf cheese, etc. Eating "close to Phase I" isn't eating Phase I.

Jump in and give it a try - I am pleasantly surprised at how well it has worked for me so quickly.

[taben07]

Well, last night I made a Basil Pesto Chicken recipe from my SB recipe book (phase 1) and had some cottage cheese to go with it.

B-fast: Everyday: Two fried (no grease) eggs and two slices of turkey bacon.

Lunch: Either cod, tuna, deep dish pizza. With the cod, either some green beans or cottage cheese. Then for dessert, jello.

Dinner: can be either the chicken (have a George Forman grill), or make it in the oven. Then basically the same for a side, either cottage cheese or green beans or stuffed tomatoes (recipe from book-phase 1).

Dessert: ricotta mix with almonds. YUMMY or SF jello.

If I get the munchies, I eat no carb, LF turkey or ham lunchmeat, string cheese (take a piece of string cheese and nuke it for about 1min. 8 sec. and it is a crispy piece of heaven).

This is basically it in a nutshell. Funny to say, don't think I am eating enough am I??? I so want this 10-15 pounds to drop off for good and I have worked out off and on for 10 years and I still have the pear shape body. I have Julian Micheal 30 day shred, Firm tapes/dvds, Billy Blanks, Hip Hop Abs, and a couple other I can't think of right now. GRR! Guess this Italian girl is destined to be chunky. I am only 5'1" too.

At least I am healthy!!!

[zeffryn]

First, you're not getting nearly enough veggies in. Your menu is almost entirely protein -- try getting some dairy, legumes (beans), and more veggies. Try to get 4.5 cups of veggies in daily and try to include them at each meal. With the amount of protein you are getting, maybe Atkins is a better plan for you? You also should be incorporating some good fats into your diet -- don't be scared of fat, your body (especially your brain) needs it to thrive. The key is eating good fats instead of bad fats.

Now that you have the book, make sure to really get to know the plan before starting. You should be eating snacks in between your major meals. It will help jumpstart your metabolism -- especially if you're working out. Try logging your daily meals for a few days in some calorie counting software (www.fitday.com is one) and see what your average is. It shouldn't be below 1200 and if you're exercising, should probably be up around 1500 or more. There are many websites available (just google "how many calories do I need") that can tell you how many calories you need to take in to lose, maintain and gain.

Also, there is nothing you can do to change your body type. If you are a pear shape, you will always be a pear shape -- it is just where your body stores fat. The only thing you can do is lose the excess fat deposits.

[jenne1017]

Zeff said it all!!!

I would say more regular water (apparently Crystal Light just isn't the same, sad but true -- something about how the body breaks down the mix), less lunchmeat (salty!) and more veggies. Dive on in to Phase 1 for a week and see if you move that scale. If not, no love lost and move on to Phase 2.

Good lucj!

[baristamon]

I agree, more veggies, more snacks, just go for phase 1 wholeheartedly. don't quit exercising, but make sure your eating enough to keep your metabolism working and out of starvation mode. its easy once you get started.