1.01.2010

On Diets and Dieting

Let's be brutally honest here. I ate too much over the holidays. Did you? Were you nibbling in the kitchen as you cooked? How about the leftovers in the fridge? Now don't get me wrong, I'm a believer in a long term (read forever here) plan to keep your weight under control. And exercise. But there are times when it just doesn't happen for me and I need some incentive to get back on track.



One of the oddest diets I've ever seen was posted on Noble Pig's blog last fall. It was called  "The 11 day, Fit-In-Your-Jeans-Again, Diet". Did you see it? It was off the wall, but an 8 to 9 pound loss is nothing to sniff at. Just not sure I can hang in there with those truly odd ball meals for 11 days. All those nuts and some totally strange food pairings. Not a good diet if you work either. Impossible, actually. Some of the comments were a scream. Read about the diet HERE.....brace yourself .



Years ago a model friend of mine was complaining about a show coming up; she'd been on holiday so needed to lose a few pounds fast. Someone had given her what she called "The 3-Day Model's Diet." She proceeded to sing its praises and then wrote it out for me. This diet has been kicking around for a number of years so you may be familiar with it under its real name: The Cleveland Clinic Diet.



I have used it off and on to kick-start myself, then morph into my "forever" diet; which really never lasts forever no matter how good my intentions. Let's face it: the kitchen is my favorite room in the house. Anyway, it really does work. You will lose anywhere from 4-8 pounds (which must be nearly impossible when you are already a size 2 as my friend is); although realistically, most of that weight is likely due to fluid loss and not the more desirable fat loss. I never lost more than 4 pounds on it but it always did the trick and has the advantage of being easier to take than the 11 day diet. Oh well, any port in an diet emergency storm. Especially if the emergency is fitting into that little black dress in 4 days.

Do any of you have diet secrets to share?


Cleveland Clinic Diet (3 Day Model's Diet)
( Only salt and pepper for seasoning, no fat. Tea and coffee allowed- no cream or sugar; Splenda or Equal allowed)
Hints: I always use fresh veggies and good quality cheese
Let me also add that I HATE canned tuna. So I used canned salmon in one place and broiled fish in the other.

Day One:

Breakfast:
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 slice toast

Lunch
:
½ cup canned tuna ( I eat canned salmon)
1 slice toast

Dinner
:
3 slices any meat ( I eat turkey or chicken, small slices)
1 cup beets
½ cup green beans
1 apple
½ cup vanilla ice cream

Day Two:


Breakfast
:

1 egg 1 banana
1 slice toast

Lunch
:

1 cup cottage cheese
8 saltines

Dinner
:

2 hot dogs
1 cup cauliflower
½ cup carrots
1 banana
½ cup vanilla ice cream

Day Three:


Breakfast
:

3-5 slices cheddar cheese
8 saltine crackers
1 apple and 1 banana

Lunch
:

1 hard boiled egg
1 slice toast

Dinner
:

1 cup canned tuna ( I eat some other kind of fish )
1 cup beets
½ cup broccoli
½ cup any fruit
½ cup vanilla ice cream

49 comments:

  1. I attempted this Cleveland diet way way back in the day (I was probably around 10 years old and my mom thought it was the best idea ever). This is what made me never want to eat beets ever again.

    I need to get back on the healthy eating bandwagon again pronto. I try not to think of myself as ever really falling off the wagon, though. I have good days and bad days and just try to make the best choices that I can. Sometimes I don't but then I just have another chance the next time around.

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  2. My one page diet is a no fail diet..
    "If it tastes good, spit it out"...

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  3. Ummyeah..I too am on the forever diet. My metabolism has decided to shut itself off, so I have to watch everything I put in my face! Sucks!!!
    But I can say that Weight Watchers WORKS. just like everything else, you have to stick with it

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  4. The problem with these kind of things is that unless its an actual "lifestyle change" you will never keep it off. As soon as you go back to normal eating habits your weight will go back up. There is no special secret, unfortunately its only boring old diet and exercise (and when i say diet, I don't mean a fad, I mean a change to your habits). Its a shame. You'd think in this age of technology when we have so much, we'd have some diet pills that worked to keep us skinny, young and beautiful forever.
    Love the little cartoons :D
    *kisses* HH

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  5. If only I didn't like to cook and eat, I would be thin! I think portion control is the real secret to weight loss.
    Sometimes it takes several bite to truly get the essence of a recipe. Those several bites may be too many.
    Mimi

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  6. Portion control, blended with a real passion for dairy... that's my problem. That, and the back thing that keeps me from moving (read: running mile after mile, day after day) the way I used to. I'm trying to stop eating before I feel full and to get at least 20 grams of fiber EVERY single day...

    Oh - and there's a WW soup recipe that always helps me dump a few pounds for a particular dress.

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  7. Joanne: Funny comment about beets! Luckily, I adore fresh beets.

    BD: Spit it out? Too funny!

    Leslie: Yeah, Weight Watchers does work. I know lots of people who really like WW.

    HH: I know, I know. A pill. To lose weight and keep it off. Thinking Samantha here from Bewitched. Just a nod and you're back to normal.

    Mimi: I agree. It's really tough to love to cook and eat and not have what you want. It was a LOT easier when I was younger!

    Channon: Share that soup recipe, please!

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  8. I need to lose some holiday pounds too! But probably can't do this diet. Thank you for sharing, though! I probably should just drink less wine, eat fewer sweets, and exercise more...starting tomorrow!

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  9. The second cartoon made me laugh. I saw someone dressed up like that at Halloween. She stuffed her dress with pillows so she was plump and then sewed a stuffed puppy to her booty. She carried around a "Lost Dog" sign and went up to each door asking after her dog. As she turned to leave you would see the joke.

    Too funny

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  10. Hi Barbara,

    Yes - to all of the above!
    Ate too much and always do over Christmas.
    My husband and I have been walking most mornings and that has been great.
    I love all the little cartoons you have shared.

    Have a great week and good luck
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  11. I love the cartoon of the lady in the yellow dress...too funny! I wish I had some diet secrets to share...the best thing I've got is everything in moderation. Try not to deprive yourself of anything or consider anything "off limits" because then the whole forbidden fruit idea tortures your mind.

    Happy New Year to you and yours, Barbara!

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  12. Hungry: I know. Everything in moderation.

    Tricia: Great Halloween costume!

    Carolyn: Things will get better around here...half my kids leave today, the other half tomorrow. Then I can get back to normal.

    Faith: Starting tomorrow for me.

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  13. Hot dogs? The diet has hot dogs? That just cracks me up! :)

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  14. Good luck with it all Barbara. I only ever tried to diet once in my life and it lasted for one (utterly miserable) day. The minute I tell myself I can't have something, I immediately crave it :). You sound like someone with much more willpower!

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  15. I'm a terrible dieter. I just can't do it! And, of course, I've been eating way too much and too much rich and sugary stuff lately. My only plan is to exercise more in the coming weeks and get back to 'normal' meals. Happy New Year!

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  16. Diets are impossible!!! When you love cooking the best I can do is try not to put everything in my mouth... moderation is the best I can muster.. that and cutting down on the wine which really does help!

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  17. Barbara everything in moderation and think long term, no good or bad foods, consider seeing a registered dietitian to help you, I am one, feel free to email for support

    rebeccasubbiah at yahoo dot com,

    keep a food diary its a powerful weight loss tool and get support from friends and fam its not easy

    love Rebecca

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  18. I don't diet, but try to eat as healthily as possible and in a moderate manner!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  19. first of all, i love those cartoons! secondly, diet shmiet, although this 3-day plan looks pretty interesting. any diet that includes ice cream can't be half bad. :)

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  20. I reckon everything in moderation and portion control is the best way to go :)

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  21. Happy New Year to you and your family. May this year bring lots of happiness.
    Cheers,
    elra

    p.s
    I am totally agree with Ellie. Moderation is the key.

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  22. i actually have tried the cleveland clinic diet, but only made it to the second day! i usually do weight watchers. it's a lot harder to do now that i have kids, but back in the day i lost thirty pounds! good luck to all of us this new year!

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  23. Good luck with your diet! I just walk up to 5 miles a day and it seems to keep my metabolism from dying on me, which is a good thing! I hope you had a wonderful Holiday.

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  24. Karly: Weird, huh? Hotdogs and ice cream!

    Shaz: Unfortunately, not much progress can be made in one day! I don't like diets either, but this one gets me in the mode to change my eating habits which got way out of kilter in the last 3 weeks.

    Lisa: Exercise, no booze and light meals. That's the answer.

    Long Past: Now that the major eating and parties are over, I'm cutting out booze for the duration.

    Rebecca: Thanks. I have a nutritionist....just have been "off the wagon" for 3 weeks!

    Rosa: Moderation is difficult when there is a housefull of people to cook for!

    Sophie: Glad you found it a fun post. That's what I tried to do!

    Grace: Tell me about it. I look forward to dessert all day!

    Ellie and Elra: Yep- calories in, calories out.

    Teresa: I can usually make it the three days but look forward to a healthy change after.

    Bridgett: Walking 5 miles a day is really impressive. I go to the gym- am not self motivated enough so the gym classes push me into it. The older you get the more your metabolism sinks!

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  25. That diet is completely freaking disgusting!!!! Hot dogs and saltines? Get out!!!!!

    Laughing at your pictures, of course!

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  26. Happy New Year Barbara!! Love the adorable cartoons, a riot :).. I exercise 7 days a week and eat healthy BUT I always have dessert each day, I never ever skip it and on the weekends I eat whatever I want. I'm 44 and have been doing this since my teens..it is so much harder to keep the weight off now, but exercise helps me so much..I also refuse to stress over 5lbs here or there. Life is too short for that nonsense. Plus I can't imagine life without cupcakes!!
    Have a great day.

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  27. I'm not a big believer in diets, but after the holidays, I agree it's important to be a little stricter about what we eat. After these few weeks of too much cheese and meat, I'm going vegan for a month!

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  28. When I need to cut weight, I just cut portions and go with lean, light protiens and lots of fruit.

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  29. TKW: I probably got some of the cartoons on your site!!! You always have such great ones.

    Devon: Great idea. I'll be checking your blog to see what you come up with!

    Duck: You are way to busy at the Pond to worry about weight!

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  30. perfect post for after the holidays! Love the cartoons. I give up, I'm just buying bigger pants!

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  31. Love those cartoons! They made me smile.

    I have learned over the years, that the math is simple when it comes to weight. Eat less, move more or Move more to eat more.. I stopped dieting years ago, food is my passion. When my pants are feeling tighter ( which they are!) I just eat a little less and move a little more.

    Cheers to you!

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  32. If you don't work out regularly any weight loss is in vain.

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  33. We started South Beach today for 2 weeks. Works best for us. Hang in there. It is hard when you love to cook.

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  34. I think most of us eat way too much over Xmas - I love the celebration of it though. I am hoping that by reverting to my notmal eating patterns, the weight will go away.

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  35. I hope I can work out and lose those holiday pounds. I hate to diet!

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  36. Dishes: There were so many cartoons on weight to choose from, I hardly knew which to pick!

    Velva: I think everyone eats more over the holidays so it is a universal problem.

    Michele: Hate to tell you but I work out 6 days a week and still can gain over the holidays!

    Susan: I'm starting SouthBeach today too...my last guest left yesterday so I cleaned out my fridge and got out the SB book. It is the most successful plan for me and really works long term.

    Cakelaw: If you're young, it will.

    Kathleen: Ditto!

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  37. I should try this, but I don't do beets. What's a good substitute?

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  38. Love those cartoons! haha... Never go on diet purposely but just go with the flow. Never ever force ourselves to go on serious diet, otherwise you'll eat even more than usual!

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  39. Katherine: Luckily, I love fresh beets. If you don't, try turnips. Not close in color, but in nutrition.

    Kristy: As I've aged, weight control has become more difficult. And over holidays when I am entertaining and being entertained, I eat and drink more than usual. So...a diet is a must for me to get back on track.

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  40. Those are some fun cartoons! Good luck with your diet!

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  41. I don't believe in diets but the picture with the dog (is it?) stuck in the fat butt. HILARIOUS!

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  42. happy New Year Barbara!

    I've just been given an award for my blog and am now passing it on to you as one of my favourite blogs. To collect the award go to my blog
    http://cookingatmarystow.blogspot.com/2010/01/blog-award.html

    It does take a while to do this, so please don't feel obligated :)
    Love Lucie x

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  43. There was an article in the daily mail yesterday about the metabolism b diet...it was fascinating!

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  44. This was a cute post! I loved your cartoons. Now I am off to the gym for one hour of cardio!!!

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  45. Happy New Year Barbara! Love the cartoons :-) I heard of this diet, but never tried as I am very bad in follow "what to eat" so I do not even attempt...although it seems very interesting...hot dog, ice cream...

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  46. These are certainly odd diets... I guess when I want to lose weight I start by going for a walk or run (getting your cardio on and getting your heart racing is the only way to burn fat) and then eat healthy veggies, fruit, and meat to replace the lost fat with muscle so I don't up fainting.

    I'd be curious to see which diet you're going to try...if any of them!

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  47. This 3-day diet may work as an emergency one for me before my little getaway this weekend. At least before THE dinner on Saturday, then I expect to gain the four pounds back. But at least I'll fit into my dress before dinner :)

    Happy New Year!

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  48. Francesca: Thanks!

    Jessica: Hope you read the comment above about the Halloween costume a woman wore like that.

    Lucie: I am honored to receive your award and have already posted it!

    Duck: I'll have to look it up...I didn't see that one.

    Teacher: Absolutely. Diet AND exercise!

    Juliana: It's an odd one all right.

    Phoenix: I confess: South Beach Diet. It's the healthiest and easiest.

    Natasha: Exactly what this 3 day diet is for: fast weight loss. It just doesn't stay off.

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  49. Like Lost post remembered I am just not a dieter. But if my pants are tight, I try to keep off the sugar, and go to the gym more. It's amazing but I find if I skip the bread and sweets things come back into line. Oh well. However I loved buffolodick's comment about spitting it out.
    I could never do the Clinic Diet. I hate eggs and hot dogs! Pam

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