Amelia Freer - The 10-Day Plan

[KingstonWood]

Hi, I've bought the book and made a lengthy shopping list - has anyone done the 10 day plan? Is it good, does it work as a kick start/lifestyle change? I have 2 stone to lose and want something (not juicing - i've tried that) that will help me change my relationship with food and not crave sweets, chocolate, biscuits and cake 24 x 7 :-) :-)
I can't find anything anywhere apart from 'celebs' who say it's great. OH is going to hate it and have to eat something else as I know he'll not take part so I'll have to deal with food still as well as for my 3 year old. Would love to hear from someone who has had a go.....

No idea about the diet book, but her recipe books are good and if you need a bit of an attitude shift she has some useful thoughts. I'm tempted to buy the 10-day book but I'm too broke atm. Let us know how you get on!

I bought the book last week and just finished my Tesco shop. I'm doing prep day tomorrow then starting Monday. When are you starting??
I'm in a very similar situation in that I've ordered separate food for 3 kids (6yrs old and under) and husband as he won't eat this. I've kept it very quick and easy for them as I'm abit daunted by what I will be eating.
I love how it's all thought through for you with the prep for the next day listed out.
I have 3 stone to lose and am hoping this kick starts a complete attitude change in me :-)
Would be great if we could go through this journey together?

Mrs L - will definitely keep you posted! I bought the 10 day plan book but since then I did grab Eat. Norish. Glow. from the library and have had a good read. It all makes so much sense and her recipes do look fab and the idea is doable for a more long term commitment if I can go with the more family friendly side of it all and keep my head in the right place!!

Hey Octopus, ME TOO - tomorrow is the big day. Just eating up last few easter eggs and having thick buttered toast!!! I hope I have the willpower to steer clear of the rest of the food in the house during the 10 days and it 'cures' me of this ridiculous snacking. I've got the chia pot in the fridge and am looking forward to it. Seeing myself in a swimming costume today next to my little girl put me to shame. So let's do this, it's only 10 days and each day is a day closer to a new healthier more confident person. I think the books are brilliant, my only disagreement - to the point i'm not bothering - is the filtered water bit, I am sure tap water is fine and I'm waiting for a delivery of sparkling water in cans instead of the cans of coke zero to make it feel like I get the same daily treat. Little beach trip to stay with younger family is end of June so at least a stone is definitely coming off by then. One day at a time though and the journey starts with the first 10 days. Roll on tomorrow good luck and let's see how we do xx

Yeah! So good to know we are in it together. All prep done and looking forward to the beetroot humus but I'm sceptical if the chia. I'm not a big breakfast fan but I've vowed to stick to it no matter what. As you say it's only 10 days 😀😀 xx

I Have her other books and love the, so I'll be watching this thread with interest. Good luck!

So...what happens after the 10 days are up? Is the idea that in 10 days you'll replace bad eating habits with good ones? Some of my bad habits are quite entrenched!

MrsLupo - I'm thinking I might have to go this more than once as I'm similar 😂
First breakfast was just as I thought it would be but managed to eat the mango at least. Lunch however was delicious and I'm really full! I've also possibly eaten more veg in one meal than I have in the previous month!!! Xx

10 days is the kick start, after that you stick to the principles of The ‘positive nutrition’ pyramid. You could probably live on the 10 day plan if you have the time, inclination, probably live alone or with an adult happy to eat similarly and didn't get bored with the same old food. For me my intention is to follow the 10 days to the letter and then build a weekly food plan which incorporates the principles but allows us me to feed my husband and daughter with nutritious food they will happily eat (definitely less processed carbs and meat for my daughter as her diet is the best in the house but still includes white pasta, rice, bread and potatoes). I am hoping we will all improve our diet massively, I am sure I won't be able to stick to it 100% but AF seems to advocate sticking to it most of the time is good enough to be wholly healthy. I will seek her other book from the library to get more recipes and Dr Xand van T's recent diet book/TV series had quite a few recipes that would fit into AF's principles that are easy.
I can't remember the timescales AF quoted in her book but bad habits don't take long to change I think 10 days without evening chocolate in front of the laptop working should get me out of the rut and I won't have bought any. I need to ensure there is no more mindless filling of the supermarket trolley with 'treats' on special offer, or having a frozen pizza when late home from work. However it's all good intentions and we'll have to see what happens after the 10 days and I need to get through those first!!

So breakfast was odd, last couple of mouthfuls felt a step too far. I am a breakfast person and even I did struggle a bit. IMO it wasn't disgusting or anything just sort of slightly gritty jelly and the spices were very strong, I don't think I'll be making it again as other breakfasts definitely look more appealing but you've got to try it all. Lunch I even checked it wasn't a portion for 2 it's a huge portion and i didn't eat it all. It was delicious would be fab if someone had made it for me as it was a bit of a faff to be fair, and I hadn't had time to make the seed sprinkle stuff so I just popped a tbsp of seeds on the top but so tasty overall probably worth the effort and it was getting ahead with other meals so OK in the long run I think.

Hey Octopus - How did day 1 go? I feel I've eaten so much! Great delicious food day, though was more effort than I expected - I think you doing full prep sunday as instructed was good I tried to do a lot of mine on the fly today but supper was nice and easy and feel a lot is now done. Don't see me losing any inches and lbs though in 10 days. At least it's lovely tasty meals though...so much so I lost a portion of roast chicken tonight to my husband so I'll have to fix that later in the week and just roast a crown or something quickly!!

I have had a headache most of the pm though....assume probably lack or caffeine/sugar bringing that one hopefully will pass quickly.

Hey Kingston. One day down 9 to go :-) feel like I've eaten absolutely loads and really loved it too (apart from breakfast) but totally agree on the prep side!! I was making the stock tonight think - you know I could just buy stock ;-) liked the idea of roasting extra veg for future meals though. Looking forward to all 3 meals tomorrow and feeling so proud that I haven't even been tempted to snack :-) xx

Ps Hope your headache clears soon. Sounds like it might be lack of sugar/caffeine :-(

Hey O, How's day 2? Everything today was delicious.....would have loved some feta in the frittata this morning to give it a bit more kick and the faff of the pate I think I would just do chicken salad with same ingredients but not get the blender involved. I seem to be using everything in the kitchen every prep :-)
....but I cheated - I am useless only got to day 2 - I had a real slump at 3pm and succumbed to a date, the packet was just sitting there from yesterday's breakfast and I was desperate for something sweet!! But resisted cake that I served my in-laws this afternoon I didn't fancy it which is amazing! I had another mid-afternoon headache and took paracetamol couldn't work through it today. Probably good, indicates my body is trying to adjust and needs to clearly.
I am definitely enjoying the food, I need to get more efficient in the kitchen, my nutribullet arrived today - hurrah no need to have the massive mixer out with liquidizer on top. Looking forward to simple smoothie for brekkie and lunch is going to be as delicious as supper, so def looking forward to tomorrow will be an easy day just curry to cook and no real prep for Thursday which is nice.

How did you get on? Did you resist snacking again today? Did you enjoy it? Hope so xx

I borrowed book from the library and started reading bits of it on Friday night.
I made some shopping on Sunday and decided to slowly get into it. I felt I had too much meat lately so am trying her vegan recipes.
Aubergine and chickpea curry is very nice. My dd wants me to cook it again but asked me to make it spicier.
I had puy lentils with roasted veg 2 evening meals in a row and that was yummy! I am used to taste of chia seeds and also like the texture so no problem with that for breakfast.

I am prone to dry skin (feet and actually hands too :( ) if I eat too much processed food so my motivation here is mainly to get good nutrients and I feel her advice is sound.

I had to buy fresher tumeric because what I have at home I think is a bit bitter.
In fact I just finished making second batch of chia pot p 148 and I only used cinnamon and cloves, I omitted turmeric and (it made it bitter last time) and also am still missing ground cardamom.

I will try to stick to those recipes for the next 2-3 weeks as much as possible,

Thanks for starting this thread!

Hey Kingston,
I agree - today's food was delicious - really enjoyed ever meal but all this prepping is killing me!! I feel like I'm using every bowl, knife, chopping board and pan in the house ;-) At least I know breakfast and lunch are really easy tomorrow :-)
I can't get over the fact that it's all filling me up. Don't get me wrong the portions are huge but I thought I needed carbs and sugar etc to feel satisfied!
Hope you enjoy tomorrow as much as today and the headache eases xx

I'm going to join too. Only I don't have the 10-day plan book, I do have the 1st 2 books though, on loan from the library as e-books. Really like the recipes (mostly). I'm going to start properly tomorrow evening, but I'm planning a healthy breakfast. Need to re-read the 1st book to remind myself of the guidelines.
I also find that quite a few of the recipes from Alice Liveing's books are similar in style (slightly heavier on protein as her emphasis is working out / gym).

Thanks antimatter, I wasn't looking forward to the curry on plan for tonight but for you to call it out as good gives me a more positive view. Something I wouldn't ever have considered cooking as I don't eat curry, more of a tagine and casserole person so I'll go easy on the spices as once they bed in it might get hotter tomorrow for lunch :-)

if ou prefer it less hot them add just a pinch of chilli instead of the 12/ of teaspoon

HI antimatter and Lego :-)
I'm really struggling today. Very tired due to lack of sleep and cold so I'm good obsessed. Lunch was lovely but I've had to succumb to some gluten free roast as I felt very wobbly after the gym. Looking forward to my curry though and fingers crossed prep tonight!! How you doing Kingston? Xx

I'm not officially starting yet as I'd already got today's lunch sorted. Going to do a meal plan tonight, needs to include things I can prepare ahead for some weeks as I work shifts - I finish at 8pm this week.

Poor you Octopus, but sounds like you've done the right thing eating something quick but sticking to gluten free. I am sitting here with a hotwater bottle so appreciate the cold comment :-) well done for going to the gym nevertheless. The exercise bit needs to come for me when I've lost some weight and find the time during working hours - that elusive lunchbreak - but I've using every spare minute on food prep the last 2 days. Today's food easy so far... Hope you're feeling OK now xx

Hi Lego, if you can get hold of the 10 day plan book it might help with portable ideas. The back up plan she suggests for lunch: simple fridge salad or shop bought veg soup topped with 1/2 tin of drained beans or chickpeas and a couple of tablespoons of toasted seeds and drizzle of olive oil plus piece of fruit (hardly portable the salad sounds the easier option!). I intend to do a houmous, salady packed lunch on Friday as i will be eating in the carpark of either a customer or a service station and a quick frittata of soft veg, 2 eggs on gluten toast with some leaves sounds like an option when I get home late on friday. Good luck when you start xx

How did you like your curry Kingston?

Hi a-m
:-) it surprised me and actually was really nice - I left out the chilli powder totally as it had so many spices in I decided I didn't need it. I don't know a lot about curry and putting it in a bowl it was like soup with lumps in but it grew on me after just a couple of mouthfuls. I was thinking some naan to mop up the juice would be good but by the time I got to the end of the dish I used a spoon and felt fully satiated no longer thinking bread would be good.

Should it be runny? AF made a comment about 'if it needs water it down' but I barely had a lid on it as I wanted to reduce the sauce. How does yours look when you make it?