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

does anyone have some fab recipes?

Mammy, feel not too bad but incredibly tired.
Have lost a total of 8 pounds in 3 weeks and am into my smaller clothes. Cravings are so far at bay, which I am very pleased about. I have had one night off each week when I have had a meal out with plenty of wine.

Mr H has also lost a total of 8 pounds , with some bizarre gains and losses along the way. He is not feeling great but I have to admire his determination. I think he looks slimmer, but not healthier!

Great news Hambler! well done on the losses to you and Mr H.

I have been baaaaad over the last few days. I was meant to get back to it today but I had such a horrible and stressful day that I didn't get time to organise myself so ended up eating junk.

Will do better tomorrow.

8lbs is great, well done.

Cesario, for dinner today I had a curry with a shedload of mixed veg, prawns and coconut milk, it was delicious! I seem to remember upthread someone said coconut milk was ok, hope so. You could make the same thing with yogurt.

coconut milk def ok sputnik - even recommended as it's healthy.

HI Hambler - what great news congratulations . Really happy for you and glad you stuck with it!

Mammyto1, that is fantastic. Well done you!

And Hambler - that is really good. Its a huge incentive isn't it?

I've just got the recipe book, the curries look good.

I love the way we are all tweaking this diet and making it work just like Zoe wants us to do.
Cesario
the other night I made this dish, very filling.

Pounded a turkey steak til thin,
put a wafer thin slice of ham in the middle and a small piece cheese in the middle of that. Rolled up and wrapped whole thing in bacon and cooked in the oven for 20 mins. I just served it with loads of veggies.

The curry sauce in her book is great as you can have it veggie, tofu/quorn veggie or with chicken or meat.

Hi all

I have had trouble loading this page for some reason. Anyway. I made a lovely moussaka - lamb mince, garlic, onion, mint and tomato or tom puree if you can have it. Brown and drain off fat. slice lengthways and grill an aubergine. put half the mince mixture into oven proof dish, then layer of aubergine, crumble feta on if ph2, then rest of mince etc, aubergine and on the top approx 250mls nly and 1 egg beaten - add pepper to taste, garlic / feta if desired . Pour on top (makes like a white sauce) Bake for 25 mins gas 4/5. It is delicious. lovely with a salad. quite filling as well.

That sounds really nice Stopshouting - I don't like lamb but it should still be quite good with mince or even turkey mince and feta?

Today I have had so far
a nly for bgreakfast as was on the move
rice and tuna and last nights roast veg for lunch
dh has made a curry for tonight and I think i wil ahve that cold with rice tomorrow as am away working again.

I need ot get that recipe book but it is a bit on the pricey side for the moment

made the most fab oatmeal porridge today.

Half a small cup of pinhead oatmeal.

Pour over one cup of boiling water and add a peeled chopped apple and a shake of cinnamon .

Nuke on full power for two minutes and allow to stand for 20 minutes or so.

I make it in a tupperware tub as I am leaving the house and it is ready to eat when I get to work

Morning all.

Hambler that sounds yum, where do you buy the pinhead oatmeal?

Today I am having
NLY
Chicken salad
Chicken and roasted veg.

I had a very bad day yesterday
I had biscuits for lunch
and pizza express pizza for dinner

So back on phase 1 today!!

Hope you all have a good day

Day three has started well.
breakfasts are a bit boring but it won't be for long!

Hmabler that does sound nice - I will hae that once I go into phase 2

Yes I am getting a bit bored with eggs for breakfast. Day 5 here and feeling fine, despite DS waking me at 4 and never really getting back to sleep.

Hi all, still struggling with the chocolate addiction but am going cold turkey again as of today.

So far:
porridge with blueberries
rice salad with red onion and chilli flakes for a nice kick; fat-free NLY with a chopped nectarine
not sure about dinner yet as am doing pizza and garlic bread for a kids' tea!

That lunch was delicious - good reminder how lovely healthy food can be

I just drank a whole bottle of organic veg juice.
do you think that is allowed

AFAIK juice aren't allowed, Cesario. ZH: "Don't eat processed foods - only eat real food. For example, oranges grow on trees; cartons of orange juice don't. Fish swim in the sea; fish fingers don't - you get the idea!"

that lunch does sound lovely Franch.

Phase 1 starts for me tomorrow - put it off another day as had friend over last night and we shared a few wines and a takeaway.

Really looking forward to getting healthy again

oh bugger!

mad a lovely dip of nly, garlic, pepper and herbs and ate with carrots and broccoli
feel the need for sugar now though

Yep that's the cravings kicking in Cesario - ride it out

I'll hold your hand through the cravings Cesario if you'll hold mine!

1st day without chocolate for about 2 weeks today - finally. Dodged the kids' tea and heated up some homemade bolognese sauce from the freezer - had that with the raw veggies they were having, followed by loads of NLY and blueberries.

Cesario my trick for beating that after-dinner sugar craving in phase 1 was to eat loads of NLY and then brush my teeth. I didn't need to do that after a while, but have gone back to it now.

mammy i got the pinhead oatmeal in sainsbury's. It comes in a tin.

It is nothing like porridge (which I am not keen on- too sloppy), more nutty in texture

Thanks for that hambler - I shall check it out.

Today I am having
Eggs and tomatoes
chicken in a tomato sauce with brown rice & veggies
Thai green curry with lots of veg.

Hope you all had a good day

p.s I had some chocolate fudge brownies yesterday - I am so crap at the moment for sticking to the diet

Please take me back into the fold
I have been very bad (combination of stress and cravings kicking back in)

Today I'm having

porridge
nly
butternut squash soup
chicken and salad