Hi,
I'm planning on doing my first Take off today and tomorrow and just want to clarify a couple of things. I'm going to substitute the oranges and Luna Bars for the original "recipe", so I am supposed to eat the following:

6 oz chicken TOTAL
2 cups raw veg TOTAL
4 oranges
2 bars
8 glasses of water

Is this correct? Are you allowed any condiments? And what is the actual result of this torture? Do you actually lose any weight these two days if you survive it? Is it meant as a cleanse?

I would appreciate your help! Thanks, Maria

You have it right. It can be 6 oz, though, of any protein (beef, fish, lamb, liver, tuna, veal); Your veggies can be fresh or frozen...but green. if you cook them you get 1/2 cup; if it's raw - 1 cup

You can have 1/2-3/4 tsp morton lite salt and no more than 2 regular cups of coffee. That's it.

I can lose 3 lbs doing this. I think of it as a way to curb out of control cravings.

Let us know how the oranges work.. I usually use cantalope, but as they're not in season, they're pretty expensive right now.. Liz and I will more than likely be doing an "emergency" TO on Monday and Tuesday, to rid us of the mexican food we're likely to ingest during the super bowl..

Well-oranges aren't gonna be cheap either-with the destruction of the crop in California.

Fair point, JM.. Fair point...

It's not a bunch of food, but it's certainly doable. I broke up the portions to spread it out through the day. I followed an example menu I found on one of the threads here, but subbed the oranges and Luna bars. I did it like this:

Breakfast: 1/2 orange; 1/2 Luna bar
AM Snack: 1/2 orange; 1/2 Luna bar
Lunch: 3oz protein; 1 cup green veggie; 1 orange
PM Snack: 1/2 orange; 1/2 Luna bar
Dinner: 3oz protein; 1 cup green veggie; 1 orange
Late Snack: 1/2 orange; 1/2 Luna bar

I really didn't feel too hungry. Good luck!

Dan mentioned using cantalope, could a person use honeydew melon or anything besides citrus fruit??

I'm on Day 2 of my TO right now, and I just got back from WI - down 1.4 pounds already.

Don't forget Megan.. What you're seeing today, is a result of what you ate (or didn't) a couple of days ago.. You shouldn't see results from your TO until Sunday, or even Monday... Or at least that's what they told me at Ye Olde COD...

That said, CONGRATS on losing heading into your TO...!

That's even better news. *excited!*

Also, as a tip, on your first day of 'real' food after TO, stay away from anything considered "heavy". In other words, try to have some fish(not salmon) or chicken as your proteins.

No beef, pork or tuna, neither for a few days following TO. Or CC

I'm a NEWBIE & on day 2 of Take Off but my instructions say "unlimited" amounts of beef, chicken, turkey, fish, etc and "unlimited" fresh raw green vegetables. Plus 2 whole eggs, the TakeOff drink, and water. How come mine says "unlimited?" I'm feeling sort of sick to my stomache. Anyone else have this feeling on TakeOff? Thanks!

You might be confused with the menu plan for the Jump Start.. That is VERY similar to Take Off, but you're allowed the unlimited veg and protein.. I was confused about that in the beginning too.

For Take Off to work, you must stick to the limitations.. Talk to your COD for clarification..

The first time you do a TO, it can be quite a shock to the system.. Sometimes it almost seems like going on a fast.. You'll get used to it.. Also, I've learned by experience, that if you're planning on any really vigerous activity, it's best to avoid doing a Take Off at the same time..

Now I have a question myself.. Where has it been said that we can't have beef, tuna, pork, etc, right after a TO? I've never been told that...

Unlimited is actually "Fast Forward" and that is what is done at the beginning of the plan. The "limited" comes later as a way to jump start you or get cravings under control. Some people that don't do the lites also do the Fast Forward instead of Take Off as well.

Dan - It's not official, but they just suggest eating lightly after a TO to maintain the loss. Stick to chicken and fish. Like, no big ol' T-bone the day after TO.