[ma26]

Anyone still interested in this thread. I'm on day two of ETL and if this forums active that would be great support.

[JBrum1224]

I have started (again) on the Eat to Live plan after a 2+ month break. I ate and drank like wild over the holidays and now, 10lbs heavier, I come crawling back. I lost 40lbs following this plan from 2/24/10 - 08/2010 and need to do it one more time.

[ma26]

JBrum- hi! I'm glad to see a fellow Eat to Live'er.
This is my first time to actually follow the plan. I've owned the book for a few years now, but never managed to follow tue plan past a few days. This time is it. I'm now on day 6 and feeling confident that I'm going to male it happen this time.

While I say I'm doing this, Im not really spot on 100%. I told my self that I would focus on only eating foods allowed on the plan. But I haven't been only eat 1 serving of whole grains everyday. I have had no dairy or processed or fried foods. But I have had dressings containing more oil than Dr. Fuhrmun recommends. To avoid stopping the program because weight isn't falling off I'm not weighing until the six weeks is up.

How vital is it not to have too many starches and light dressings under 20 cals a tbsp? I feel incredible and healthy and vital. Bit the last few days I feel like weight loss has stalled.

[ma26]

Your previous weightloss is inspiring. Gaining ten pounds is discouraging. But your nipping it in the bud now before it becomes all the weight you have lost. Good luck!

[JBrum1224]

Originally Posted by ma26

How vital is it not to have too many starches and light dressings under 20 cals a tbsp? I feel incredible and healthy and vital. Bit the last few days I feel like weight loss has stalled.

ma, I'm not perfect either. I do what seems to work best for me. I personally keep the starches to a minimum, the book said it would result in faster weight loss and I wanted the excess gone quickly (plus I was a low-carber before it was "cool" so it was really normal for me). As far as the dressings, I am eating a salad with light blue cheese (there's that cheese ) with 40 cal. I'm picky about dressings and if I hate the dressing I won't eat the salad, so I think, within reason, you can get away with more oil/calories/etc. If you are feeling healthy I think you're doing it right.
I know you said you weren't going to weigh in for six weeks but maybe in a week or two if you're still feeling good about the plan you should check the scale. You may be inspired by losing a few pounds or decide to tweak something before you've invested 6 weeks.

[Snowflake13]

Hello there I've been reading E2L so I thought I would do it for 6 weeks and see how I feel. Really need to lose at least 50 lbs. That number looks scary. I've been following McDougall and just can't seem to keep away from the junk. I have no problem giving up meat, dairy, poultry etc but the junk food is hard. So far today I've had a green smoothie with collard greens, raspberries, and blueberries quite good. Any support would be greatly appreciated. I help when I can too.

[JBrum1224]

Hi Snowflake. What's your plan for the 6 weeks? Are you doing the aggressive vegan 6 wk plan or the more moderate one? That smoothie sounds pretty good--I normally only use spinich so it's good to hear thar collards mix well too.

[Snowflake13]

Hi JBrum1224 I'm going to be doing the aggressive vegan plan. I figure it can't hurt for 6 weeks. Kale works well in smoothies too. I think that raspberries cut the "green" taste. I also found a recipe for 321 blueberry dressing but made it with raspberries instead for my salads. It does use maple syrup but the 21 calories for a tbs isn't bad and it tastes so good.

[JBrum1224]

Sounds like you're off to a good start Snowflake. I agree the maple syrup shouldn't be an issue, but if you use it a lot, maybe take a look at Walden Farms syrup, it's calorie free and it tastes pretty good too.

You mentioned not wanting to give up the junk food, have you tried kale chips? Obviously they are still kale, but they're crunchy and can satisfy the urge to snack.

[Snowflake13]

I'm just worried about the "sugar free" things too many chemicals. I've tried Kale chips, wasn't too impressed but different. I think I would rather drink my greens that eat a ton of salad.

[JBrum1224]

Originally Posted by Snowflake13

I'm just worried about the "sugar free" things too many chemicals.

Fair enough. Natural is best.

[JBrum1224]

Hey Snowflake, it's been a few days, how's it going so far??

[ma26]

Hey Sorry I've been Mia. In over two weeks on and loving it. Jbraum- still not really keeping the starches down or only the low at salad dressings. But I feel great. I did have a day yesterday when hibby amdbi celebrated valentines and I had cheese. And it was not even good! I know not limiting my starch intake, and eating regular, though dairy free, dressings slow the weight loss, I am very happy with the ETL lifestyle. I think getting this much vital, healthy nutrients is working wonders. I've been working out HARD and feel better and have more energy than ever before.

Loving this way of life and loving how my body's changing. While not weighing all my cloths are hanging off me. I'm down an entire size in just 16 days!

Hope everyones doing well.

[JBrum1224]

I'm so glad it's working for you and that not only are you losing weight but that you actually FEEL good while doing it. You put a smile on my face today. Keep it up, it only gets better!

[ma26]

And hearing it gets better Puts a smile on my face. I really wish people could open up their minds to this and be brave enough to give it an honest try. Like I said before I first read the book years ago but didn't get past a few days when I attempted before. Once you get past that first week and the cravings it just gets so worth it.