Hi. I've been around 3FC for a looooong time. In the past I mostly did WW and then went through a time with Jenny Craig. Anyway, w/o getting into all of that, I'm now going to give SBD a try. I've bought the book. I'm reading it now. I have a question:

In Phase I, 14 days of menus are given. Are these just guidelines or can I follow them loosely? I don't have all the groceries I need to start off with Day 1. So for example, this morning, I made an omelette (2 eggs) w/2% low fat cheese, drank tomato juice along with it. For my morning snack I did happen to have 2% low fat string cheese in the house so I ate that. I'm heading out to McDonald's for lunch and I plan on ordering the grilled chicken caesar salad. Will that be okay to eat? I know I can't eat carrots so if there are any on it they have to be put to the side. On my way home from work I plan on buying groceries...

So. Do I have to follow the 14 days of menus or can I just make up my own?

Thanks!

Gail

Welcome, Gail!
Yes, we all vary the menus to suit ourselves. As long as you stick to the general guidelines, you'll do well!

Oh thank you, thank you, ellis!

I'm really looking forward to starting this journey on SBD. I already feel liberated from counting points! <picture me running wild through a daisy-filled meadow>

You might want to go to McDonald's web site and check out which of their dressings have 3 grams of sugar or less before you go to prepare. I haven't eaten there in awhile so I don't know. Or bring your own container of dressing. Welcome to the Beach!

Thanks Barbara. I went to McD's website and the low-fat Balsamic Vinegarette has 3g sugar. So I'm good to go! I do plan on making the salad dressing in the Phase I recipes in the book.

Whew!

Welcome Gail! I'm re-starting this diet! It's great because you really see results in the first 2 weeks, especially if you're working out. Good luck to you! I've also done WW and counthing points gets very exhausting!

Interesting, Gail... most people still WANT to count calories or points or SOMETHING! I'm glad you're grasping the concept so early on in the program.

LegallyBlonde and ellis, I'm worn out from counting points! I had thought at one time that I would keep going to WW while doing SBD...but that's just going to make me crazier. I'm tired of weighing and measuring....unless its for a recipe. I want to eat healthy instead of like an insane person. I have access to a scale at Curves so I can weigh in there. Honestly, I'm even tired of weighing on a scale! I just want to be a normal person again. I honestly don't remember what that feels like! But then again, perhaps I was never normal?!