ok i am on day 3 of phase one and i have done my best at sticking to the guidelines of this plan. i woke up this morning before my alarm and i have energy!!!! i mean energy like i have not had in a long time. i drank a half a cup of coffee and didn't want anymore (so very unusual for this caffein addicted woman) is this how it is supposed to be? or am i gonna crash? anyone else out there feel really good this quick?
also i have a few questions now that i have gotten into this plan a bit. i have a hard time with a few of the daily menus is it ok to just stay in the guidlines during phase 1 if i don't feel like having a chicken breast is it ok to have salmon or something else for dinner without messing it up......is it ok to have my ricotta creme at 8 or 9 at night instead of right after dinner? i guess i want to know how set in stone is this entire meal plan? any advise is appreciated.....lastly i wanted to thank you all for just being there i know i don't know you very well but last night right after dinner i was feeling pretty weak since i ate salmon and veggies and the family had marie calender's chicken pot pies. so i logged on and read some of your posts and just the support in here got me through the eve. untill i did not want to cheat even with a little bite. huge thanks!!! i can do this !!!!

jodi

Hi Jodi!
I would say this is an ultra free plan. You can definitely have what you like within the guidelines and mix it up. I never can or want to stick to suggested menus. Some people like to , but that is not my style at all. And dont be hungry!! It is possible to over eat on the legal foods, but my feeling is that it is only at first that you will want to over eat, and so just go for it and then handle quantity later. Dont be hungry. Have a ham roll up or some nuts, or even the (bizarre) celery with cheese. Or make a pot of soup with legal veggies and have a bowl when you are peckish.

Get some other views too, but I would say do this diet ('eating plan' in pc language) as it works for you. Stick to good carbs and good fats and you wont go far wrong.

I have lost somewhere over 12 lbs so far and have flexed it around quite a lot and even broken it a couple of times (bad idea, back come the cravings, like going down a snake on snakes and ladders).
Good luck

Jodi, the first time I did it I felt good almost immediately, too. Detoxing from sugar was such a treat for my body.
Like Clovey said, mix your meals around however you'd like. I don't think any of us stick to the meal planner. It's just there for suggestion. Eat when and what you want, as long as you stick to the allowed foods.
Hang in there!!

Yes, it's true, ya feel great! I am doing a mostly vegetarian version of the diet-(subbing legumes, sf yogurt, cheeses, nuts, soy nuts for meats) and I have so much more energy--rarely get that lagging energy thing in the afternoon anymore.

I am in Phase 1, have lost 6 pounds, and this morning shocked myself. I was going to the doctor this morning, and my DB told me to make sure I asked about my fatigue. I told him I didn't need to! It was amazing to think back on the week and not have had one instance where I needed my crash nap after work.

I, too, do not follow the meal plans at all. I use all the "goods" and mix up what I like. If there's something I'm not sure on, I'll either post, or look at some of the menu plans/recipes to see if an ingredient I'm unsure of is listed. So far, so good. I thought I had energy when I tried Atkins. Comparitively speaking: not so!!

thats good to know, i am not complaining mind you i love the energy i am feeling, so much better than before. i am glad to hear the plan is as flexible as i hoped since i have not been rigidly following the menu plans. thanks for all the advise

jodi