I've read about it but haven't done it. Let me know how it works for you if you try it.
The thing I don't like about this is the way they emphasize the belly. You cannot spot reduce without liposuction. If you lose anything on the abdomen, it's because you are losing everywhere. Some spots tend to go a little quicker than others, but you do have overall loss. That pushing of "lose your gut" makes me question some of the credibility.
Yeah, it strikes me as a bit odd, as people who have belly fat are usually 'apple shapes' and just prone to gaining it ther (vs pear shapes). I don't see how a specific diet could change your general predisposition to a body shape.
Okay, I did it. I've signed up for the "free 30 day trial" and have an impressive diet all spelled out for me. It starts with a 4 day "jump start" which I started this morning. So far, so good. I actually really like the special water you have to drink (let a pitcher of water sit overnight with fresh ginger, mint, lemon and cucumber) and there has even been a bit much in quantity of food for this first, most restrictive, part. Like I didn't want an entire cup of milk with the cereal, and for lunch I didn't want the entire 4oz of turkey breast slices (mostly because I'm not crazy about them).
Interesting, I just walked by a candy bar in my office room and almost grabbed it to eat it - Then I remembered I couldn't. Then I put it together that I was only going to eat it because A) it was there, and B) I'm a little stressed by my part in getting out the taxes today.
Looking forward to meal #3 - a makeshift "smoothie" soon, followed by a dinner of tilapia (meal #4), a paltry amount of roasted red potatoes (drizzled w/ olive oil), steamed green beans. It's nice because I can just give my husband the same thing in larger quantity and spiced up.
Okay...I completed the "4-day jump start" and today is day 5. Have lost 2.5 pounds. I chose not to do the waist measurement from the beginning because I am too afraid to get the actual number - My gut is the major problem area, and the reason I wear 2 sizes larger than another person of my height/size. But I swear my pants do fit looser now!
The four days were very difficult - So much so that last night I could NOT face the bland dinner again and so I had one of the lunches from the regular plan for dinner. I feel much better today!
Good luck with the next phase!
Since you're doing a 30 day trial, are you planning to just repeat the same routine in another 30 days with maybe some personal changes after you've made it a lifestyle change or is this just to reach a short term goal?
I've had my first noticeably "bad" weight gain in the last couple years, and it seems to go right to my middle, too. I can still wear my old size in jeans because they're all so low (although I am paranoid about muffin tops, so I always wear loose enough shirts that it's never apparent in public), but I'm up a size in business clothes that are supposed to sit at or just below the natural waist.
Although middle weight gain/carrying is less healthy than all over, I'm kinda glad it's just the middle for me. It's absolutely and completely vain of me, but I really like my rear and my legs, so I'm happy that I don't gain there. (Where's the blushing/embarrassed icon when ya need it?)
Today is day eight!!!!!!!!! And I've lost 3.4 pounds!! It is something of a miracle (call the pope!!) that I am sticking with it this long. Only very minor cheating. I think the only cheat all weekend was a *small* martini that I had Saturday night (and man, did it taste good).
Daria, to answer your question, I am hoping to take four weeks to really motivate me and change my eating habits. Since I "only" need to lose 14 pounds I am confident I can do that in 2 months and utilize some of the meal plans and ideas in my diet from there on to help me not gain it all back. So it isn't merely a "short term goal."
Interesting! I wonder how it works to target the gut.
As a woman who seems to ONLY gain weight in her gut, I often just think I'm predisposed to gaining it there and losing it there. Seriously... I gained 10 pounds last month (easter chocolate is my achilles heel) and it's ALL in my gut. I look nine months pregnant. I just figure if I lose the ten pounds, I'll lose it there too.
Jo, here is some info on the gut-targeting:
The Science Behind the Diet
Cut calories from anywhere in your diet and you will lose pounds. Add in cardiovascular exercise and strength training, and you will even lose body fat. But this diet specifically targets belly fat—unlike any other diet. That’s because the Flat Belly Diet contains a significant amount of monounsaturated fats, or MUFAs. These unique fats—brought to our attention by researchers studying the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle—are like little miracle workers in your belly.
Studies show that moderate-fat diets—containing up to 40% fat—are more effective at helping people lose weight and keep it off for life than low-fat diets containing less than 30% fat. The additional fat makes food taste better and boosts satisfaction—key factors wherever food is involved! When you consume a reduced-calorie diet that’s high in the specific type of healthy fat—the MUFA—you not only lose pounds and feel satisfied, but you will also lose visceral belly fat.
What we’ve done here is taken the basic scientifically proven principles of a healthy Mediterranean diet and enhanced them by ensuring that you get a specific amount of MUFA in a specific quantity at each meal.
(Taken from Prevention Magazine's Flat Belly Diet)
Well isn't this just the way it goes....I'm miraculously following this healthy diet and losing weight (just about 5 pounds now on day 12). I start to get itchy. And I mean itchy. The sensation woke me up and kept me up several times last night. Miserable. I call my doctor's office. Wants to see me this morning. I go in to see him. The verdict "Stop the diet now." He suspects food allergy.
Damn it all to hell. Now I am waiting for a CBC and food allergin blood test to come back next week.
Damn, damn, damn.
Have you been eating foods that you have never eaten before? It is allergy season with pollens etc., in the air. I wonder if it's food, or maybe pesticides, etc.
That sucks! I hope you don't have to stop the diet. Did you find out yet what's causing it?
It doesn't seem to be any sort of "contact dermatitis" as there is no rash or other visible skin symptom. I already take Claritin every morning for mild seasonal pollen allergies this time of year, and whatever this is it is surely "breaking through" this.
Still itchy, although not as bad and the edge is taken off by Benadryl, and waiting on blood test results.
My alternative health practitioner thinks my liver revolted in some way due to all of the mono-unsaturated-fatty-acids in the diet.
Fascinating! You're allergic to the diet. I've never heard of such a thing.
EsTea I am so sorry you got a bad reaction to this new diet.
I really feel your frustration.
But I do
applaude your eagerness to lose the weight.
I just wish I had that drive & focus that you have.
Please don't let this minor setback stop you.
And yes it is possible to be allergic to a certain group of foods
on a diet plan.
So I hope your itches go away real soon
And keep on trying
You CAN DO IT
EsTea - how are you doing? Have you gotten better? How's your weight loss even without the diet?
Cats, thanks for asking - See Anemic?! thread for more info. But I have maintained the 4-5 pounds I lost!!!
Congrats on keeping the weight off!
I'll go to other thread.