OK, I know it is two days early for next week's weekly support post, but I couldn't help but notice there are quite a few people that are starting on May 14. I thought it might be nice to get started early so we can psyche ourselves up!

I did EFS in April, followed by a week of Weight Watchers, which I am just wrapping up now. I did not lost the advertised "12 pounds in Three Weeks!", but was happy with the 5 lbs. I did lose. I pretty much stuck to the plan the first two weeks, but week 3 we had company and went out to eat A LOT. I ended up tweaking my food choices a bit to the, well, extreme....for example, I justified a chocolate dipped Rice Krispie bar as my two snacks for the day (it was good, though!). So, I decided to throw in a week of Weight Watchers after the three week rotation, so any food I was craving I could have (in moderation, of course!). This is the plan I intend to follow, three weeks of Extreme followed by one week of WW. I may toss in one "Woo hoo!" dinner between the weeks, just to change things up a little. Plus, my birthday falls at the end of week 1, so I could use that as my "woo hoo dinner day" and not feel guilty!

So, good luck to everyone this week. Those of you starting Extreme for the first time, it might seem a bit scary at first, but don't give up! The first day is the worst, but it does eventually get better.

Scoutie,
Thanks for getting things started early this week. I'm planning on giving EFS a try. I did 6 days of detox with out much results then went out to dinner last night like every Fri night and over indulged. I'm going to use the next 2 days as a cleansing.

I have noticed that in week one of exercise it's all cardio, no strength training. Is there a reason for this?? I know during the detox I really didn't seem to have the strength to lift weights as I normally do but it's still so important to me. What is everyone doing for weights?? I like to do The Firm and Cathe DVD's. My usueal cardio is kick boxing with Cathe and Cardiosculpt with Cathe's bootcamp and The Firm step and weight routines. I also have a treadmill that I try to mix things up with like 10% incline and run walk routines.

A little bit about myself. I'm 46 y/o female. I'm married with no children and now have 1 elderly dog. (we had one put to sleep last month) and my elderly Mother lives with us also. I work for a busy ENT (ear, nose and throat) practice full time. My time to myself is early morning and at night. I work out at 5:30 am and veg out in front of the tv at night after everyone goes to bed. I get 5-6 hours of sleep on a good night but can't remember the last time I got to sleep all night. I feel that really interferrs with my weight loss. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is under control currently. Lots of exercise helps this.

I have been following 6 wk body makeover for 2 yrs now. I like my weight at 135 lbs but vacation and some elective surgery did a number on my stability and now I seem to be stuck between 145-150. I was hoping the change in foods will help jumpstart me back again and get me down to 130. It's been years since I've been that low.

So all that being said I'm looking forward to starting the EFS journey with all of you. Good luck to all of us and may we lose what we wish!

Bebe

Congrats on the 5 pound loss, Scoutie

Bebe, if you are used to doing strength training, then I'd suggest keep it up and not cutting back for this diet. Most diet books start out with the approach that the reader is new to diet and exercise, so they ease you in. Sleep may well have something to do with your weight loss. Some studies have shown a clear connection between how much sleep you get, and how successful you are with your diet. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now, but are balancing the best you can. Maybe trying a new approach will help shake things up a bit to get you to goal. Good luck

I am starting EFS tomorrow and would love to keep in touch with folks starting ths week as well. Please keep in touch and good luck to everyone.

Hello Ladies, I am still unsure of which version of fatsmash I want to embark on. I got the EFS book yesterday and I have been going thru it and it seems to be a completely different diet from the original fatsmash. But my biggest fear is will the weight stay off even after I lose it. I did the original fat smash last year and had good results till the holidays. But I felt the original diet helped me change my eating habits, will EFS do the same thing? I don't want a quck fix I want to lose and keep the weight off for good this time.

Hello to all,
A am a newby to the forum and started EFS on Friday 5/11. So far - so good as far as the cardio and eats go but I have a lot of questions. Hope y'all don't mind if I tag along with your group and make a few inquiries along the way.

LindyZ

I went by the farmers market this weekend and picked up all the fruits and veggies for week 1. I am thinking about getting a rice cooker. Does anyone have one if so which brand do you recommend

THanks

Well I made it thru day 1 of EFS. I am shocked at the calories I ate. Only 567 and that was with 2 snacks 100 cal. each. I really expected it to be higher and more balanced. Such low amounts of protein. I just don't get it. But I will stick to it and see what happens. Did 45 min cardio this am and 30 min this pm. I'm worried how this low calories will affect my real workouts. I do weight lifting in the am and my normal cardio is a lot more strenous (sp?) I hope I will keep my energy levels.

Chuclez I have a Black and decker rice cooker and I really like it. Good jopb on getting stocked up on the veggies and fruit.

LindyZ welcome and ask away. I'm new to EFS and FS but I will help any way I can.

Bebe

Hey everyone, I made it through day one of EFS as well. Wow, what I would do right now for a rack of ribs covered in bbq sauce....just kidding. I was wondering, does it matter in which order we each the meals? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I didn't see it written anywhere in the book. Any suggestions always welcome.

cheers

I believe that I will have to watch my weight for the rest of my life, but I also believe that if I monitor my weight weekly, I will be able to cut back a few days or go back to Phase one like Dr. Ian said to get the weight back off. Also, I plan on eating healthy during the week and splurging only on the weekend.

Hi everyone! I'm on Day 1 of Cycle 2, the Extreme FS. Last week was rough on me, but I think this week will be easier. I have to say I'm so excited at the thought of a bowl of Cheerios, lol.
I only lost 1.8 pounds last week, which I was disappointed at. However, given my track record of not being able to make the scale budge, I'll take that. And I was blown away to realize I lost 2 inches on my waist and 1 on my hips!! So there is cause for a bit of happy dancing.
Best wishes to everyone else this week!

Day 2 of EFS almost under my belt. Felling pretty good so far. I was glad to get some fish in. I think I'll have under 900 cal today but a nice increase in protein. I worked some extra in with 1/2 scoop of protein in my yogurt and 2 egg whites in my rice and brocolli. (egg whites are a free food) I did make it thru my weight lifting today but I had to decrease my weights by 3 lbs. Still kept my heart rate up and worked up a good sweat x 45 min. I will try to get 30 min on the treadmill tonight.

Betty I'm not sure about mixing the meals. I haven't seen anything about it. I know it has been mentioned before. I would like to change meal 1 and 2 so I can have my smoothie like my normal routine. I may do that tomorrow. I don't think I can eat the oatmeal 1 st thing.

Rainbow grat job on getting thru the 1st week!! 2 inches off the waist is amazing!! You should be so proud!!

Have a great night everyone and stick to the plan.

Bebe

I am detoxing for the first 3 days on homemade apple sauce and chamomile tea and water only. i took a laxative too. I hope thats ok. With all my meds I needed it and just eating that is a good way to keep me cleaned out and get back on track. I hurt so bad Sat I cried and it was my daughters prom I had to help her get ready I felt bad I made a scene on her day.I felt better Sunday then I kicked my own but Monday doing laundry and up and down the stairs too much. I am going to the nuerologist again today hopefully they can FIX me so I can start to exersize. I am usinf va muscle stimulator I thnk that helps. (Does that count as exersize??) LOL Good luck all. I will never again think of exersize as a chore but a blessing that I am thankful that my body moves and can be strong. Girls be encouraged I took alot of things for granted when I was healthy and slim just getting by. Now I want to live and I understand how important treating yourself right is . GO FOR IT!!!!

I finished day 1 of EFS. Everything went well, I basically ate what was listed in the book. I wasn't really hungry at the end of the day, but I can say I wasn't overjoyed with the black beans and asparagus for dinner. Got in my full 65 minutes of cardio as requested. I plan on listing all my daily food intake and exercise on my blog listed below if you want to check it out.

See ya,

I'm now on Day 2 of Cycle 2, but hit a snag yesterday. Could be a couple different things I skimped on to blame, since I was having a strange day yesterday, but I pulled something in my calf on my right leg while running on the treadmill. It feels better today and I did the 3 mile walk away the pounds this morning, but for a minute there, I was pretty upset thinking I had "wrecked" all the progress I've made.

Hope everyone else is doing well!!