17 Day Diet Update

  I just completed the Phase 2 of the 17 Day Diet.  This Phase has been challenging for me.  I have not followed it as faithfully as I did the first Phase.  The areas I struggled with where: 

• getting enough protein
• eating my Probiotic Foods
• Drinking my Green Tea
• Not Eating fruits or starches after 2.  I usually ate these items for dinner instead of lunch
• Eating more of the starches then allowed – Instead of 2 – 1/2 servings I had full cup servings.
• Eating corn chips with salsa or having taco with the shell (love my corn)

With that said – I only lost 2 pounds in this phase.  I felt that the first week I was at a stand still…  trying to be as faithful as I could.  The 2nd week I was not as faithful- to the logistics of the diet  but made healthy choices and I finally broke through that plateau.
Physically, I was struggling with these areas: (sorry – might be TMI – too much information) but just trying to keep it real…

• Feeling blotted – like I was retaining my fluids.  I have been on some medications for high blood pressure and a medication for hormone replacement to help with hot flashes.  I stopped the hormone replacement meds, and this help with the fluid retention.
• feeling bound up – I started taking  herbal fiber supplement and that is helping with that.

The benefits that I am seeing from the diet are:

• Over all I feel better – at times I miss my carbs – but I feel better on having so many -
• I feel that my body is loosing fat – even though my weight loss does not reflect it as much as I would have thought.
• I am making healthier choices in eating and developing better eating habits
• I am motivate to make long term change and choices (big one for me)
• I am exercising more – not as much as I need to – but more…

Here are the logistics of Phase 2.
Goal of Phase 2 is: Metabolic restart with alternating low and high calorie days to help shed body fat.

• Warm Water with Lemon
• 8 glasses of Water
• Green Tea - 3 times day
• Coffee allowed - 1 or 2 cups day
• Do not eat fruit or starches after 2 p.m.
• Exercise Daily - if possible 17 minutes a day
• Unlimited Lean Proteins (except eggs)
• Unlimited Veggies
• 2 Servings of Fruit
• 2 Servings of Natural Starches

.Lean Proteins - Unlimited

• Fish
• Tuna
• Chicken Breasts
• Turkey Breasts
• Ground Lean Turkey
• Eggs - 2 eggs
• Egg Whites - 4 whites
• Shellfish
• Lean cuts of meat
• Natural Starches

Grains (1 serving - 1/2 Cup)

• Barley
• Brown Rice
• Bulgur
• Amaranth
• Cocous
• Cream of Wheat
• Grits
• Basmati Rice
• Millet
• Oat Bran
• Oatmeal

Legumes (1 serving - 1/2 cup)

• Black Beans
• Any kind of beans
• Peas
• Slit Peas
• Lentils

Starchy Vegetables

• Corn - 1/2 cup
• Potato - 1 medium
• Sweet Potato -
• Squashes - 1 cup
• Yam

Vegetables - Unlimited

• Artichoke
• Asparagus
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cauliflower
• Cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Garlic
• Green Beans
• Green Leafy Veggies
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lettuce - all
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Spinach
• Tomatoes

Fruit - Low Sugar - 2 servings daily

• Apples
• Berries
• Grapefruit
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Pears
• Plums
• Prunes
• Red Grapes

Probiotic Foods - 2 servings Daily

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Low - fat acidophilus Milk
• Breakstone's Live Active Cottage Cheese
• Sauerkraut

Friendly Fats

• Olive Oil
• Flaxseed Oil

Condiments & Seasonings

• Allowed in moderation

So I am moving on to Phase 3 and have these goals in mind:
   Exercise 4 times week – doing on or a combination of these

• Walk
• Glider
• Calisthenic – stretching exercises
• start T-Tap video (my unique son is going to help me with that)

   Drink my tea
   Continue to take fiber supplements
    Eat/drink  my probiotic
   Watch my portion sizes
For more information on the 17 Day Diet check out these web sites:

• http://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/the-17-day-diet/
• http://17daydiettips.blogspot.com/
• http://www.thedoctorstv.com/forums/527-17-Day-Diet-Recipes

I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
                                                                                                                      Philippians 3:13-15
Pressing on~