This could change your life

[fraggletits]

Anyone doing Zoe Harcombe?

I would never have known about her had I not tried her diet that was serialised in the news of the world magazine 3 months ago.

It appealed to me because it was proper food, no calorie counting - but I was going away on hols so decided to do a kerry katona last blow out and then I'd start it when I got back.

I've bought the book and am so far 5lbs lighter and I am only on day 4 of the 5 day kickstart. Phase 2 looks really good and Phase 3 is a return to completely normal eating and drinking with just a couple of simple rules to follow.

It's brilliant. I can't recommend it highly enough. I thought I was a hopeless big dinner portion fan - a crisp and chocolate addict with alcoholic tendencies. But she has just blown all that apart for me. (It's more than just a diet - it's an explanation of why we crave things and why we feel helpless - phase 1 and 2 eliminate these cravings pretty painlessly so that by phase 3 you can eat all the things you used to but with a couple of simple rules and with a new found awareness and control over food, gained from phase 1 and 2)

She's got a couple of websites - one under zoe harcombe, one under thedietguru I think.

Hope this helps anyone struggling with calorie counting and exercise

I'd like to know if any of you exercise and do you alter the diet, with more carb meals for example?

I need to start running again, but also want to stay on phase 1 (with the odd doughnut).

OFFS I must admit to doing hardly any exercise. The reason I stopped losing weight was that I didn't have time or energy to exercise. I know people say you can spare 20mins etc but I find it sooo difficult to get motivated. I have 2 young children, a husband who works really long hrs so I do all the chores and housework and I work part time too.

Anyway, I just dropped in to say 'mmmmm home made fresh cream and strawberry gateau''

Yep half a block of butter OFFS (or thereabouts). That's quite a thought - I've lost about 16 blocks of butter in total ... I'm just imagining all that piled up ...

I haven't started exercising again OFFS but am planning to. Do you think you'd have energy problems on phase 1? I'd guess loads of people exercise on Atkins without problems - ?

Squid! That's almost within phase 2!

OFFS I cycle to and from work 4 days a week which is 30m each way. I haven't altered my diet but a fitness experts say you should eat protein after exercising.

Hope that helps

I am have chicken tikka and sag aloo from the indian tonight

mammy! at the cycling - deeply impressed

and at the curry ...

Wow mammy the cycling!! You must be superfit!

I never thought of 1/4 pound of fat in such a way, thanks everyone. It seems miniscule on the scales but when you compare it to a packet of butter it suddenly seems fairly impressive!

You deserve a curry after all that cycling Mto1

Have a great night everyone

Aww thanks ladies. I just refuse to pay for buses plus I would have to get 2 which takes an hour to get to work.

Chicken was lovely and I forgot sag aloo had spuds but was very yummy!!

I ended up having a bit of rice with my Thai meal yesterday and quite a large slice of cake.

Back on track today.

I think I'll make another soup today as I find it really filling.

Hope you are all doing well....

Hi everyone, can I join? I've been alerted to the diet and this thread by the lovely Foxy (OFFS), and impressed by her results.

So started phase 1 today. I decided this morning to get stuck straight in, but I had already had coffee by then. Caffiene will be difficult for me I think.

I am still here! And Mr H is still on the plan despite feeling really unwell off and on the whole time.
I will weigh in on Monday morning as won't be near scales till then.
Good luck all !

Morning all, I was veyr naughty last night as we have FIL staying, so that meant a babysitter for the first time in (literally) months and we went out for a drink, but I only had a glass of wine.
And I did a full shop in Asda without sticking anything I shouldn't have in the trolley which I was pleased with

I am really surprised at some things though, it is Day 5 of my Phase 1 today and I was woken by DD2 at 6 but I felt awake enough to get out of bed and bring her downstairs. And yesterday I was up and about with them at 7 instead of trying to hide back under the duvet again, I just have a bit more ooomph in the morning, made even more shocking byt hte fact that I came on yesterday and DH and I had no idea! I am not very regular, every 4-5 weeks, so we know I am due on by the vicious PMT I get. I am a complete nightmare to live with for about 2 days, so I get warning, btu this month nothing, very strange!

Hi all and welcome sputnik - good luck with phase 1

Hambler well done on keeping going with the diet. How are you feeling these days?

JB sounds like the diet is really working wonders for you and am sure your DH is happy

This morning I have had porridge and banana.
Haven't decided about the rest of the day but will probably be something with chicken.

Thanks everyone
So, day2 and not feeling so great so far, got woken up much too early and had a terrible headache. That may have happened anyway, but probably the caffeine withdrawal isn't helping.

Other than that food wise it's going ok, not really to different from what I would normally eat. I nearly aways have huge salads for unch anyway, just would probably have beans or crackers with them.

Which is the hardest day of phase1 do people think?

Nice to read of other people's progress.

Day 3 is pretty awful Sputnik.

I have a de-caf latte most days (Lavazza is by far the best de-caf for a machine) so I still get my morning 'treat'.

I'm going to try and scan that article for you right now.

Welcome Sputnik You'll feel better soon!

I haven't been able to keep away from the chocolate entirely the last couple of days but at least it's all gone now Have done v well with cakes etc tho.

Yesterday I had:
porridge & blueberries
the lovely soup again; rye bread; NLY & blueberries; chocolate
delicious lamb & chicken curries with spinach and aubergine dishes

Today:
porridge & blueberries
picnic at DD1's school so rather than succumb to sandwiches and cakes I had lots of kallo before leaving, and just a satsuma at the picnic!
pork chop (plain; I glazed the rest of the family's with mango chutney); roast courgettes & leeks; NLY; chocolate

Monday seems a good day to get strict again ...

Hey Sputnik, day 3 was horrible for me, and the coffee withdrawal has been horrible but I am all done tomorrow morning!
Although, I might have a few days on phase 2 and then move back onto phase 1 as it has been a lot easier today. I had
bacon and eggs
beef stir fry with egg fried rice
homemade basil and tomato soup
Roast chicken and roast veg and some NLY.

I have had another glass of wine though and a banana earlier.
Bad Jack

Hello
I am on day 1 of phase 1!
I have detoxed before so not relaly looking forward to the headaches but am determined to stick with it. I have 1 stone to lose and would really like to change my eating habits

Cesario - well come and good luck with phase 1.

I think I have been on a high this weekend. I managed to get into my size 14 next jeans that I bought at christmas!!! I also managed to get into a size 14 dress from new look. WOOHOO I have gone from a size 20 to a size 14!!!!!!!
It has taken 2.3yrs but I am getting there.

Today I am having
Shredded wheat and banana with milk
Something with chicken for lunch
Going to see Colin Fry tonight and will be eating out.

Welcome Cesario! Good luck

WELL DONE mammy!!! That must feel fantastic. How great that you're going out tonight - you can treat it as a celebration - enjoy!

Well I lost 5lbs overall last week but have put on 1lb as I had a really naughty weekend food and drink wise so I am starting Day 1, Phase 1 again this week. I like the food in Phase 1 so I am hoping it will make it easier for me to stick to that Monday to Fridays.

I am hoping, after my weekend, that by tomorrow I would have lost 2lb of that and continue downwards with a loss of about 4lbs by the weekend so that could mean roughly half a stone in two weeks which I would be very pleased with.

I keep picking up the book and reading more just so that I can keep inspired.

ommlette for breakfast
I think I might try the salad niscoise for lunch
not sure about dinner though -
fish and rice I guess!

Congratulations candle - that's great news

welcome cesario - good luck with everything.

Hi everyone else.

Well - I'll start phase 1 tomorrow. I have been so beyond naughty this weekend it's obscene. I really admire people who can go out socially and still be responsible with their food and wine. I'm just greedy and use it as a free license to stuff my face

One plus is that my friend said she thought I looked really slim which was nice

Have a great day everyone - I can't wait to get back on it again

Congratulations to everyone who's doing well here, it's great to be able to get into smaller clothes. This is my aim too as most of my clothes are too tight or don't look good, or don't fit at all, would like to be able to wear everything in my wardrobe!

Slipped up a little yesterday unfortunatly as we had dinner at MIL's, but back on track today. Still suffering lack of caffeine and decided to have some black tea before driving off to pick up DD, my caffeine-free driving this morning was not that great.

I don't actually feel hungry at all, but sort of light-headed, is that normal?

Foxy, just checked my email, thanks you very much!