Hi beachers,

Last Monday I hopped on the scale after my first week on phase II, and found that I had stayed just the same. No big deal, I thought, but when I got back on this morning, I hadn't dropped anything at all! So I thought I would post a sample of my menus here, and you guys could maybe tell me what I'm doing wrong - and what I could do more of, as well as what you've done to bust plateaus in the past! I'm reevaluating my Valentine's Day goal, but I'd still like to see a bit more of a loss by then!


Wednesday, Jan 24th
Breakfast:
1/2 Bagel, whole wheat, 100%
2 slices Turkey bacon, cooked
Coffee w/milk & splenda

Snack:
Friendship Cottage Cheese, 1% milkfat, small container

Lunch:
Small salad with...
-Kidney Beans
-2 tbsp blue cheese dressing
-Raw Broccoli
-Feta cheese
-Hard Boiled Egg
-Romaine Lettuce
-Scallions
-Cherry Tomatoes
-Dry tuna

Nestea Enviga Drink

Snack:
Mozzarella cheese stick

Dinner:
Omelet w/fat free feta cooked in canola oil
Brussels Sprouts, steamed
Asparagus, steamed
Glass of red wine


Thursday, January 25th

Breakfast:
2 slices turkey bacon
Coffee w/milk
Small Dannon Yogurt, vanilla

Snack:
Cottage Cheese, 1% milkfat
Mozzarella cheese stick

Lunch:
Wrap with
-Avocado (1/4 cup)
-Lettuce
-1 thick slice Turkey
-Tomatoes chopped
-1 tbsp Honey mustard dressing
- Tortilla, whole wheat (approx 9")

Nestea Enviga
Soy Chips

Snack:
Mozzarella cheese stick

Dinner:
egg white Omelet with fat free feta cheese & sliced deli turkey (2 oz.)
1 glass red wine

Saturday, January 27th

Breakfast:
2 slices turkey bacon
1 scrambled egg
1 glass milk

Lunch:
Wrap with:
-medium small chicken breast
-Boston lettuce
-grilled onions
-white flour tortilla
-vinaigrette dressing

Dinner:
Chili with:
-1/4 pound ground turkey
-1 tbsp chili mix
-7 oz. diced tomatoes
-1/4 yellow bell pepper
-1/4 medium onion
-8 fl. oz V8 juice
-7 oz. Dark Kidney Beans
-1 oz. Cabot 50% reduced fat cheddar cheese
-3 tbsp. reduced fat so. cream

If you guys need any more information, please let me know. I'm exercising about three days a week, for 30-40 minutes at a time. During the work week, I get more than enough water, but I tend to slack off on the weekends just due to the fact that there's no water cooler to walk to!

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me - I called my mom this morning to complain that I hadn't lost anything (as she's my accountability partner) and she reassured me that it would happen, but I shouldn't get frustrated, and then she suggested that I post on here, since you guys are a great support system!

--Jenny

Jenny, have you run your food and amounts through Fitday? It'll give you an idea of the number of calories you are eating per day plus the fat/carb/protein ratios as % of calories.

I'm not sure from your menu if you are getting 4 1/2 cups of veggies a day (and not just lettuce). I do see lots of veggies so if the quantity is enough then that should be great.

Sodium can cause you to retain water. Also sometimes when I am working out regularly, I will plateau. If that is it, just give it time and the plateau will be broken.

I agree that using Fit Day would be a good idea.

I actually have been using Fitday - I should have mentioned that, sorry! That's where I got the menu from. It's been telling me that I'm averaging around 1200-1400 calories a day, which is what I was aiming for. But I agree that I'm probably not getting enough vegetables - I was eating a lot more during phase I. Thanks for the tips!

I'm on week 5 and gained a pound back. I think it's due to the wine.

What should those percentages be?