Weightloss Challenge: 10lbs in 2 Weeks

It seems like these days everyone is dieting, trying to get into that summer swimsuit or just trying to get healthy. The world of television and internet media has challenged everyone to get fit, or be considered a part of the vast overweight or obese community. I have taken the challenge, at 210 pounds I was miserable. It is hard to fathom ever losing ten pounds in two weeks, but I know it can be done. I'm living proof.

The diet I started was given to me by a nurse who works in the same medical office as I. It was called simply " A Cleansing Diet." It called for eating certain foods at certain times of the day, and cutting off any eating after the last meal at 6:00pm. The foods, for the most part, were tolerable, no calls for tofu or wheatgrass. There was only a slight problem with the diet and that was the issue of eating prunes everyday at 3:00pm. Now I consider myself and openminded individual, and overall I think prunes are quite tasty. However, the mere fact of knowing everyday at 3:00pm that I had to choke down those four prunes was absolutely nauseating. Repeatedly, I kept reminding myself of the ten pound loss that could occur. With the additon of the prunes, the diet did offer somewhat of a cleansing feel after completion.

The cleansing diet I recieved called for set mealplans including, the first day at 8:00 a.m., I had to consume eight ounces of water, one slice of dry wheat toast, one piece of fruit,and one bowl of cereal, I had to follow this meal with another eight ounces of water. I was also allowed four ounces of black coffee or juice with this meal.
At 10:00a.m. I had to drink eight more ounces of water and eat a piece of fruit. Lunchtime or 12 noon was a bowl of soup or a sandwich, eight ounces of water, and another piece of fruit. There are no specific limitations on variety of soups or sandwiches, but I found it best to be realistic with your selections. If you eat a doubled cheeseburger from McDonald's with extra everthing, I doubt it will help in your journey to losing ten pounds in two weeks. I find it best to be sensible and use fair judgement when it comes to proper food choices.

At 3:00p.m., it was time for prunes which were washed down by yet another eight ounces of water. If you check around at the local grocery stores you will find many varieties of prunes. They come seeded, unseeded or even dehyrdrated and individually packaged. I prefer the individually packaged for both taste and convenience.
Six o'clock dinner allowed for eight ounces of water, a salad with no dressing or fat free dressing, broiled or grilled meat, and 1 piece of fruit. The major stipulations of this diet are no eating after 6:00p.m., no food exchanges and drink the required amounts of water.

I followed this meal plan for two weeks, and with the addition of thirty minutes of exercise every other day, I managed to lose thirteen pounds total. Exercise was not cited on this diet and not a requirement. However, I wanted the opportunity to meet my goal of ten pounds, and felt exercise would increase my chances of such results. I would not consider this diet as a lifestyle. Perhaps instead it could be used as a jumpstart to weightloss and eating better. I am sure results are not typical and will vary from person to person with the variance in active lifestyles and metabolism. But with the loss of thirteen pounds it was worth the effort, and I have found myself more cautious of food selections and trying to lead an overall healthier lifestyle.