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glassdog
New Member
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Posted: 4 February 2008 04:06 am |
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If you read the "i rules" (by the traffic lights, before you download your menu plan) you'll read one of the rules that states that you'll have unlimited access to the site without ever having to pay another penny. There is no limitation to downloading from the site. If you're worried the site may eventually go down, download a bunch of menus for future use.
Glassdog
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 4 February 2008 03:54 pm |
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Well, I tried to figure my caloric needs based off the last reply, but I think I did something wrong. If I did the mathematical equation correctly, that would put me at intaking 889.9 calories per day! I'd be skin and bones in no time!!! Now, I may be desperate to shed some unwanted fat, but I don't want to look like I'm starving to death!! YIKES!
When I figured what I was eating the other day on the FL4I diet, I was intaking between 1200-1500 calories, which seems a little high, but not out of the ball park high. I am trying the diet for round 3 in a row starting today, but I'm cutting down on the number of nuts I'm ingesting, as well as the bacon. I think that sausage is enough in that diet..it's just too greasy to eat both every day.
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artistjohn
Senior Member
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Posted: 4 February 2008 05:05 pm |
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Hi Erica, why don't you post your stats here, so d troche or nev or me can do the math for you.
I hope you guys don't mind me volunteering you!!
I'm not very good at maths either so I sympathise Erica.
Take it easy, don't be in a rush. It took me a long time to get out of shape roughly 30 years so I can't fix me overnight!! or you.
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 4 February 2008 05:11 pm |
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No problem.....I can always use a 2nd or 3rd opinion! lol
current weight 154
age 30 yrs
i am
height 65 inches
i am moderately active, so 40%
the calculations I came up with are like this:
655 + 1321.5 (weight) + 305.5 (height) - 141 (age) = 1483 BMR
1483 x 40% =889.8
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Tratra
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 February 2008 05:27 pm |
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Not sure how you came up with those calculations, but here's what I came up with using your stats:
So for example, if you consider yourself lightly active, take your RMR of 1951 and subtract 500 calories (1451) to get a 1 lb. weight loss per week.
1.2
Sedentary
Little or no exercise and desk job
1,786 BMR
1,703 RMR
1.375
Lightly Active
Light exercise or sports 1-3 days a week
2,046 BMR
1,951 RMR
1.55
Moderately Active
Moderate exercise or sports 3-5 days a week
2,306 BMR
2,199 RMR
1.725
Very Active
Hard exercise or sports 6-7 days a week
2,567 BMR
2,448 RMR
1.9
Extremely Active
Hard daily exercise or sports and physical job
2,827 BMR
2,696 RMR
Last edited on 4 February 2008 05:30 pm by Tratra
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 4 February 2008 05:36 pm |
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| that's a ton of calories for me! when i was eating that much, i gained weight like crazy! i think if i take in that many calories, i would need to be working out 5-6 days per week at least 3 hours per day to burn those off. the workout i'm doing now with the weights and cardio only burns a little under 400 calories per hour and i make it about 50 minutes now.
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artistjohn
Senior Member
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Posted: 4 February 2008 06:06 pm |
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Thanks tratra. Erica good luck!!
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Hiker
Senior Member
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Posted: 4 February 2008 10:27 pm |
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| Davina, thanks...salsa sounds like a great idea.
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D Troche
New Member
| Joined: | 3 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 5 February 2008 08:52 pm |
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Erica, I think you miscalculated your numbers but I will get to that in a minute. Let me first point out that "artistjohn" took what I said to the extreme... of course if you don't eat anything, in time, you will become anorexic. However, if you eat(like you do) but cut your calories too short(like you are), you will not lose weight, your body will store calories. This is why you are not losing weight.
Think of it like this, if you were in the middle of nowhere and had nothing to eat for 3 days then all of a sudden you found a plate of food, you would probably eat some of it and "store" the rest for later because you don't know when you will get to eat again. Your body does this same thing, it is its natural survival mechanism. Everyday you are eating, but you are not eating enough.
Here is what I calculated based on your age, weight, height and activity, "Tratra" is correct. Your body burns approximately 1,760 calories a day without exercise. Then you add in your workout (add 40%) and you would need approximately 2,460 calories a day to maintain your current weight. With that said, you should be eating somewhere between 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day.
Now, you said you tried eating more calories but you gained weight. My question to you is what were you eating? Were you eating the foods you spoke about in an earlier post? If so, I think that may be your problem. I know you are following a "DIET" plan, but did you ever consider just eating a health diet. Meaning, eat lots of whole grain foods, vegetables, fruits, nuts, proteins(lots of protein-especially with working out), etc. and just count your calories. Also, make sure you are eating fats(low fat), proteins and good carbohydrates in all of your snacks and meals.
How many times a day do you eat? If you are only eating breakfast, lunch and dinner, you may want to try eating a little differently... a nice size breakfast, a mid morning snack, a medium size lunch (sandwich and fruit), an afternoon snack and then a smaller dinner. By eating regularly throughout the day, you will keep your metabolism going and your body will stop storing calories, it will burn them because it knows you will keep feeding it.
Erica, I know this whole concept seems crazy, but it will work, you have to give it a chance. My suggestion to you is to get off of your "DIET" and just start eating healthy foods. Eat enough calories a day and continue your weight training and cardio. Please remember that the weight training is important if you want to burn extra calories. Your muscles burn calories alone. So build up those muscles
If you are not sure about what foods are good and healthy for you, you may want to check out a book called "Superfoods" RX Diet. The book is full of great information about many different foods and their health benefits... you will be surprised, it is really a GREAT book to have. Also, you may want to prepare a daily menu by the week or month so you know ahead of time what you are going to eat and when.
I hope this has helped you... I would like to hear that you wore a bikini on your trip! Keep up the great work and DON'T get discouraged... get eating
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artistjohn
Senior Member
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Posted: 5 February 2008 09:02 pm |
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yes agree with you this time!!. "starvation mode" I will not go over what you said before as it would be petty and Erica needs good advice which you have given her. Thankyou.
Erica read the tutorials!!
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D Troche
New Member
| Joined: | 3 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 12:12 am |
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| Erica, I am new to this message system and think I hit the wrong reply button earlier. I am sending this reply so you know that I sent a message earlier regarding your calories. Sorry for the confusion
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 03:47 pm |
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I have been doing the Fat Loss 4 idiots "diet", which, when i compare it to most healthy eating plans, is about the same....i eat 4 times per day, with at least 2.5 hours in between meals, and i eat mostly protein, chicken, fruit, veggies and healthy carbs ( no white pastas or breads, cereal, stuff like that). most of my carbs come from fruits and vegetables. i've been eating until i'm satisfied, but not stuffed, which i heard was the right way to eat. honestly, i can feel the difference in my mood and general hunger level when i eat this way, as opposed to eating 3 times a day, whatever i want. i'm also drinking lots of water and no high calorie beveridges ( i have my 1 diet pepsi a day...that's my treat to myself). i havent' really deprived myself of anything. i allow some frozen yogurt or a fruit smoothie once a week or so....it helps me from wanting to overdose on snickers bars! lol
i'm not sure why my body reacts to food the way it does. i do know that eating right without exercise, is pointless. my job is very sedentary, i'm on my butt for 10 hours a day....you sure i'm burning that many calories???? lol i know that's been a lot of my problem with the weight gain. i used to work more physically demanding jobs, and i could eat whatever i wanted to and not gain weight because i was always on the go.
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Tratra
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 February 2008 05:22 pm |
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Erica...
You may have a desk job, but it sounds like you get a good amount of exercise. If this amount makes you gain, then maybe you need to reset your metabolism...and the only way you do that is by eating!
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 05:25 pm |
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| I didn't think that calories mattered on this diet....I thought we were supposed to eat until we were satisfied but could still eat more. Trust me, I take advantage of that as much as possibe, sometimes, I overdo it! lol
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D Troche
New Member
| Joined: | 3 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 05:58 pm |
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Erica,
I know you must be frustrated!!! I am not sure exactly what you are eating in the course of a day, but from a previous post you said you had beacon for breakfast, cheese for lunch and eggs with cottage cheese for dinner. That is not enough calories... even if you are sitting at a desk! It also sounds like the "diet" has you eating high fat proteins instead of lower fat proteins. Can you list for me an average day... everything(including portion size) you eat and drink? We can look at your calorie intake to see what your totals are. If you are eating too small amount of calories everyday, exercising and not losing weight than I think you have your answer.
I will be honest with you, I do not struggle with weight myself, however, I study nutrition and fitness as well as practice it myself. I helped my 59 year old mother shed 25 lbs. and my 93 year old grandmother shed 35 lbs.(and counting). Now, if my 93 year old grandmother (who sits on her butt all day) can lose weight, then I am sure you can get rid of an extra 15-20 lbs., especially if you workout as much as you do!
My mother had trouble with this same concept, she kept cutting down her calories... she got down to 1,000 calories a day but didn't lose any weight! It took me months to convince her that she needed to eat more and not less. After she started eating a balanced diet with the proper amount of calories, she started losing weight.
You said you sit at a desk all day... but don't you also get ready for work, fix your meals, walk to and from your car, pick up/clean your house, deal with a boyfriend/husband?(that's at least 250 calories burned there )... you get the picture. You don't have to be on the treadmill or at the gym to be burning calories... you burn calories just breathing. When you work out you accelerate the amount of calories you burn, and the more muscle you build, the more calories you will burn just sitting around.
Anyway, let me know if you want to go over your calorie intake.
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 06:08 pm |
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counting portions was always a concept that i obsessed over, so this diet really threw me for a loop when it said to eat until satisfied! ok, i'll give you a breakdown of my day.
meal 1:
1/3 cup of egg beaters and 1 real egg (scrambled) with 1/8 cup of cheese
meal 2:
1/4-1/3 container of nonfat or lowfat cottage cheese
3 pieces of string cheese
meal 3:
1chicken breast, 1 cup of either peanuts or cashews (i was horrified to see the calorie content in that!!)
meal 4:
5 sausage links or pieces of bacon, 1 apple
that's an average of my day. it changes every day, but when i figured it out, i'm taking in between 1200-1500 calorie per day. there are veggie only days in there and a day where it's 3 meals of fruit and 1 meal with a deli meat sandwich. the idea with this weight loss plan is to change up the calories you take in every day, so your body doesn't get used to burning the same amount of calories every day and won't burn any more than it's used to.
does that help?
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D Troche
New Member
| Joined: | 3 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 06:38 pm |
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Wow! I don't want to criticize the "diet" because I haven't studied it, but that is a lot of protein and fat! I don't see any health balance. Also, it doesn't appear that you are eating enough calories which is probably causing your metabolism to slow down.
Here is an idea of what I'm talking about when I say a healthy diet...
Breakfast: Two eggs, slice of whole wheat toast, 1/2 cup fruit and glass of low fat milk.
Snack: Apple(or any fruit) and a cheese stick
Lunch: Turkey and cheese on whole wheat bread w/ lettuce and tomato, side of fruit or raw veggie and a glass of low fat milk
Snack: 1/2 cup mixed nuts(low salt) and dried fruit(raisins,blueberries,etc.)
Dinner: Roasted chicken breast with any steamed veggie, whole wheat rice or lentils and a glass of milk.
This is a balanced day of eating... all healthy and nutritious. Please note - I didn't count all of the calories in this to make sure it added up to the 1800 - 2000 calories you need, I just listed some ideas for you. If you calculated the calories, I am going to guess that you may have to eat more! Another way you can add calories is to drink a high protein shake mixed with milk after your workouts (great for maintaining your muscles).
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 06:47 pm |
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i know the fat content is outrageous! i'm not going back on that same food list again. i like keeping the nuts in my diet because of the nutritional value, but i was eating too many of them, so i'm cutting back. also, the bacon and sausage are so greasy that i'm considering dropping one or both out. i seemed to do better when i didn't have them in my diet.
the diet you are describing sounds a lot like what i was doing a few years ago when i purchased my bowflex. they had an eating plan in there, which included a lot of sandwiches, soup, and certain lean cuizine meals. it was an ok diet, but very expensive! the guidelines there also said that i needed to consume no more than 1200 calories per day. i guess i've always used that as a guideline because i see that number all over the place.
i've tried a few of those protien shakes after weights, but i'm not totally sold on them....haven't given up on it yet though! it still blows my mind that i would have to eat MORE!!!! lol
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 6 February 2008 09:05 pm |
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Hi everyone. First of all I would like to apologise for the confusion. When I moved Erica's topic from the "Please Help Me, I'm Stuck!" forum to the "Fat Loss 4 Idiots" forum that I felt it belonged in, I left a 'redirect' at the original location, which is why Erica has been receiving a lot of (good!) general advice and not that much FL4I-specific advice.
Secondly, about calories. Erica, your unadjusted RMR is 1419. I would therefore caution you against eating less than that [see discussion about 'starvation mode' above]. You mention that previous days have worked out at 1200-1500. Remember that you always have the option of bringing calories up becase you control the amount of food you eat - your portion sizes are up to you. Even on your veggie day you can add higher-calorie ingredients such as the allowed 'pinto beans' to ensure you eat the right number of calories.
You've estimated your exercise as "50 minutes at 400 calories per hour", that works out at 333 calories. When you add that to the 1419x1.2= 1703 calories you would have burnt on a non-exercise day, we're only talking about a total of around 2000 calories burnt. I would like to highlight a numerical mistake by D Torche above:
D Troche wrote:
Your body burns approximately 1,760 calories a day without exercise. Then you add in your workout (add 40%) and you would need approximately 2,460 calories a day to maintain your current weight. With that said, you should be eating somewhere between 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day.
I am disputing the bit I highlighted in bold. The 40% has given you an estimate of an extra 704 calories, but even if it was the right multiple to use, it should have been applied to the base number [a number like 1419] not to the sedentary number [a number like 1703, which already includes a 20% markup]. Otherwise you're marking the number up twice +20%+40% . So summary: I suggest you eat in the 1419-1600 range.
So, my version of the numbers: on a non-exercise day you are burning 1703 calories; on an exercise day you're probably burning 2000-odd calories. A 'conservative' 20% deficit suggests you eat 1600 calories (400 calorie deficit). A deficit of 500 calories (to lose 1lb a week) has you eating at 1500 calories. And please bare in mind my caution above about not going below 1419.
The way that the FL4I diet is constructed, some days are high in protein and fat and lower in carbohydrates. This low or moderate carb approach does give some carb-sensitive individuals an advantage. Not all days are like that (the fruit day would be a high-carb day, for example). I think that FL4I is healthier than the Standard American Diet that most people eat when they are not dieting, but it is high in animal products and, overall, low in vegetables, fruits and legumes and I would hope that FL4I followers eventally 'graduate' to healthier ways of eating [ for example, snipurl.com/erapdf ]
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D Troche
New Member
| Joined: | 3 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 6 February 2008 11:33 pm |
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Nir, I am sorry you do not agree with my calculations. I have calculated them correctly, in fact, you came up with the same 1,700 + calories per day (for non exercise days) yourself.
The other percentage is something that Erica is going to have to play with based on how intense her workouts are. The main point here is that she is not losing weight because she is not eating enough calories.
To Erica, I wish you much luck girl!!!
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 7 February 2008 02:54 pm |
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| ok, that makes a little more sense with the 1400 calorie range diet. i think that i need to restructure the foods in my diet as well....i'm just consuming too much salt and feel like it's dehydrating me. do you have any recommendations for a good balance of foods that doesn't contain so much salt? i've tried playing with the diet a little, but i'm finding that when i take something out, such as bacon, suddenly, i'm eating sausage twice a day.
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 7 February 2008 03:06 pm |
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Hmmm. In my non-FL4I world, I find that most of my sodium comes from (1) deli-style meat/fish (2) salted peanuts (3) spice mixes that include salt. Most of what I eat is natural (fruits, vegetables, legumes, unsalted nuts/seeds) so I don't have this issue.
When I cook my own meat/fish I don't have the sodium issue. I know some people on FL4I are doing substitutions such as eating ham instead of bacon. A good place to ask about this would be where most FL4I people are hanging out, here.
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Erica
New Member
| Joined: | 25 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 7 February 2008 03:11 pm |
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that's actually where i started looking when i got into this website. very interesting results, and most people are doing very well. i felt like the oddball since this wasn't working as well for me, and wasn't sure where i should post my topic.
i think you're right with the meat issue. i try really hard not to add anything to the foods on the menu, especially anything salty. i have to admit though, some foods ( such as peanuts) are really hard to stomach without salt! lol
the ham seems like a good idea, and is still filling. i'm going to start a new diet on monday, so hopefully, i can get this down to a science!
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 7 February 2008 06:22 pm |
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D Troche wrote (in PM): My apologies, after recalculating Erica's numbers, I found that I added the 141 instead of subtracting it from 1,622.7... giving me 1,763.7 instead of 1,481.7. (Good lesson for everyone... always check your calculations several times).
While my calculations were off, my advice to her remains true. If she shorts herself on calories (under the 1400+) she will slow her metabolism down and her body will go into "survival mode"... she will not lose weight. In prior posts, it appeared she was not eating enough calories (and in my opinion, high fat and very salty proteins). I would hope you support me on that.
Hi D Troche, thank you for double-checking those numbers and yes I do agree with you about the other concerns: about eating too few calories and about high saturated fat and high sodium. I see Erica is planning to try something new on Monday so let's hope it is a step in the right direction!
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Eli
New Member
| Joined: | 7 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: 7 February 2008 08:20 pm |
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I just came across this diet on the internet and I am interested. I need to lose that last 15 lbs. and they just won't budge even on a very low calorie diet. Couple of questions. Can you have coffee in the morning and a cocktail in the evening if it is low carb on the 11 day cycle?
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Eli
New Member
| Joined: | 7 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: 7 February 2008 10:32 pm |
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| Okay, I have just discovered this site today and I have done a lot of reading and I think all the advise from TRoche might help me. I have been on a diet called Almased, it is a liquid fast and you can lose up to 20 lbs. in 2 weeks. This diet used to work for me but it no longer does. I think my body is in starve mode between taking diet pills and comsuming approx. 700- 800 calories a day. I usualy lose a pound a day at this and now I am losing nothing. I walk 3.5 miles 3-4 times a week but I cannot get my last 10-15 pounds off. I am starving and feel like throwing in the towel, I am 5' 10' and way 165 so people do not think I am fat but I know I have a lot of fat on my body and need to lose more weight. I have never counted calories, just dieted on fad diets, any suggestions on where to start???
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 7 February 2008 10:43 pm |
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| Eli, that's your problem right there. Your BMI is 'normal' so you should not be going under your unadjusted RMR which is approximately 1550 calories. You are eating half of that [I didn't know your age so I inputed 30 into the calculator]. I suggest you check out the tutorial and try counting calories using the food calculator.
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Eli
New Member
| Joined: | 7 February 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: 7 February 2008 11:13 pm |
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I am about to turn 36 and I have a fairly good metabolism, but it has been so messed up thru all the dieting and I am not sure how to count calories and measure my portions. I stay so busy with a 3 little boys and a husband it is easier to starve myself to lose weight than calculate all that. But, I think it is time to change all that and get healthy for the long term, although it is so much easier to do a quick fix. Any ideas for an easy approach in a real world where we eat out on weekends and have one cocktail almost every evening and several on Friday nights??? I am going to join a gym soon to add to the walking but I really want to lose 15lbs. before April for a big trip with friends and spouses to Cabo!
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 7 February 2008 11:37 pm |
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I appreciate you are busy, no time to read the tutorial, no time to count calories, and you want the weight lost in no time.
Please make the time, it will be worth your while.
(Or alternatively try whatever else you want to try, and if it doesn't work, come back here and do it the slow boring way.)
EDIT: this website has recently had a facelift. Beforehand, it had a second tagline which read "How many more diets do you want to go on?". Such a shame it had to go in the facelift!
Last edited on 7 February 2008 11:39 pm by Nir
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D Troche
New Member
| Joined: | 3 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 8 February 2008 02:12 am |
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Hi Eli,
I understand exactly what you mean by busy... I have two little boys myself (three if you count my husband...lol). Have faith, eating healthy is not as hard as it may seem. Like most things, you have to get used to it.
If you put a healthy food menu together (whole grain breads, healthy fats, good carbs(fruits) and lots of protein) you will only have to figure out the calorie content once. You can then create a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly menu to help you save time. This way, you will not have to think about what you are going to eat last minute as well as know ahead of time what you need at the market. After a while it will become second nature. The hard part is doing your "homework" and organizing snacks and meals to meet your caloric needs (see formula in earlier post).
Also, you mentioned starting at a gym... sounds great! You may want to see if they have a personal trainer for first time members. If so, tell the trainer what your goal is so they can help you design a weight training and cardio program. Weight training is great... muscles burn extra calories.
You can do it... keep your goal in mind and go for it!!! GOOD LUCK!
Edit note: Always check with your doctor before doing a workout program, especially if you have any health issues.
Last edited on 8 February 2008 02:18 am by D Troche
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Jules41
Senior Member
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Posted: 8 February 2008 01:09 pm |
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yes you can have the coffee, but with very little low fat milk/creamer--- NOT FULL FAT
The cocktail you can also have but with the small amount you have to loose, this will slow your weight loss down( unless you are talking say 1 or 2 in a week)
I waited till I had lost half of the 22lb I wanted rid of before I had any alcohol, then I just had 2/3 glasses over the period of my'cheat' days.
BUT, basically its up to you- my plan was --- if it is not on the list- cant have it till the 'cheat days'
Hope this helps
Jules
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Eli
New Member
| Joined: | 7 February 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: 8 February 2008 04:19 pm |
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Okay, by doing the math it looks like I need 1450 in calories to lose weight, but I am not sure I did not mess that up. Am I calculating that correct for being 5'10'' and weighing 165 and being 36 years old?
I am going to start getting some meal plans together for next week. I actually had a bowl of cereal for breakfast this morning, it felt good. First time I have had real food in the morning in weeks. I usually do a protein shake for breakfast and lunch.
Thanks!
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 8 February 2008 09:02 pm |
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| (Female, 36, 5'10", 165lb) => unadjusted RMR is 1519. My recommendation is to go no lower than this amount (so if you require a bigger calorie deficit achieve it by exercising more rather than eating less)
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Eli
New Member
| Joined: | 7 February 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: 8 February 2008 09:28 pm |
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| That helps. Have most people found that Fat loss 4 idiots is a good diet to follow? It does not seem that well balanced to me.
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 8 February 2008 09:33 pm |
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As its name and nature suggests, the diet's strength is that it tells you what to eat - some people find it helpful to be told what to eat. It is a personality thing. [contrast it for example with the BFFM program, which is a 340-page book you have to study and then design your own personalised program of nutrition, cardio and resistance training, where you take responsibility for your own progress]
Some believe there is some sort of magic or secret or mystery to the way it works so this helps to motivate them.
Staying power does not seem remarkable - there seems to be a lot of 'turnaround' in terms of the forum members using the diet [though i think one currently reporting member has been on this diet on-and-off for 3 years though they are the exception rather than the rule.
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D Troche
New Member
| Joined: | 3 February 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: 8 February 2008 11:50 pm |
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(This message is not directed to anyone specific.) Let me point out that the following is just my opinion...
I would like to know why everyone feels they have to go on a "DIET". What happened to good old HEALTHY eating... it does work!
Besides, just by thinking your on a "DIET" will make you feel more restricted about what you are eating (why most people get discouraged and quit), verses just eating sensibly.
Also, eating healthy is something you will continue to do for the rest of your life... not like many of the "DIETS" out there. What are you supposed to do after you have completed some of these programs and your on your own (you haven't really learned anything about making healthy, well balanced choices)?
The list of healthy and delicious foods goes on and on. It is very easy to eat 1,500 calories of healthy food a day (and enjoy it).
Again, this is just my opinion...
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Mamanita
Member
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Posted: 11 February 2008 08:09 pm |
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D Troche - I respect your opinion and always agreed with you...until the past year. For months and months I ate very healthy foods and kept my calories around 1500 per day. I did take off some weight, but verrrry slowly and I came to a plateau where I just stopped losing (and yes, I do exercise regularly). That is frustrating.
The premise of this "diet" which I prefer to call a lifestyle, is that you keep shifting your calories around, therefore stimulating your metabolism to rev up while trying to find your "norm." Since it can't find that norm, it continues to rev... and you DO lose weight, or at least I am and I feel great. I feel confident that I will keep my weight down after I have reached my goal because I DO know what good, healthy foods to eat to maintain.
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 12 February 2008 12:41 am |
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D Troche wrote: (This message is not directed to anyone specific.) Let me point out that the following is just my opinion...
I would like to know why everyone feels they have to go on a "DIET". What happened to good old HEALTHY eating... it does work!
Besides, just by thinking your on a "DIET" will make you feel more restricted about what you are eating (why most people get discouraged and quit), verses just eating sensibly.
Also, eating healthy is something you will continue to do for the rest of your life... not like many of the "DIETS" out there. What are you supposed to do after you have completed some of these programs and your on your own (you haven't really learned anything about making healthy, well balanced choices)?
The list of healthy and delicious foods goes on and on. It is very easy to eat 1,500 calories of healthy food a day (and enjoy it).
Again, this is just my opinion...
What you write makes perfect sense. In fact, if you read the Tutorial on this website, that's what it says.
However, everything that makes sense isn't always so easy for everyone to do. And when it comes to weight loss, many people just do better following a very specific diet plan.
Ideally, the purpose will be to kickstart their weight loss, and at the end of their "diet" they will have learned how to continue to eat in a healthy way for the rest of their life... and maintain their weight loss.
This is why fad or crash diets are such a failure. Even IF you lose weight on them, at the end of the diet you are lost and the weight returns.
Peter
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LLcoolB
New Member
| Joined: | 21 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 6 |
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Posted: 13 February 2008 11:47 pm |
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I would say the answer is yes-with restrictions to the coffee and a definite no to the cocktail. The diet is really strict about not drinking any drink that has more than 10 calories per glass. You could have coffee but no sugar and a very, Very miniscule amount of low fat/skim milk (one cup of skim milk has 86 calories). You can use artificial sweetner if you like. I cannot think of any cocktail that would be 10 calories or less.
Of course after the 11 day cycle you get 3 cheat days and you can have whatever you'd like.
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sethsdad
New Member
| Joined: | 9 November 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 14 February 2008 11:24 pm |
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New update!!!!!
Feb 14, 2008 (Happy Vanentines Day everyone), I started back on the diet 3 weeks ago after a break for the holidays (November 20, 2007 - Jan 22, 2008). My body is down 101 lbs (over 24% of my original body weight) and 49 to go. I joined a gym and have been going for about 5 weeks now and I honestly will tell you that the loss slowed down. I think it is because I am adding muscle (which weighs more than fat), but every pond of muscle burns an additional 50 calories each day. So, I'll take the muscle.
Good luck all.
Sethsdad
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sunshine
Senior Member
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Posted: 15 February 2008 01:53 am |
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Sethsdad...please come over to general discussion and go to the end and post your progress...we would love to hear your story and be encouraged by your amazing results!!! We have a fellow there who also lifts weights and is quite the expert on adding in the weight training to the equation of FL4I, he may be able to offer some encouragement to your new gym efforts . You are such an inspiration!!!
All the best as you continue
Sunshine
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LLcoolB
New Member
| Joined: | 21 January 2008 |
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| Posts: | 6 |
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Posted: 15 February 2008 09:45 pm |
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Green beans are allowed. They are specifically named as being good.
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bunny000
New Member
| Joined: | 18 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 13 |
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Posted: 18 February 2008 10:36 pm |
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Is it okay to switch from scrambled eggs to say like soft boiled?
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StillaKiwi
Senior Member
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Posted: 19 February 2008 07:57 am |
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Bunny
It should be fine. You're not adding any extra calories (in fact might be reducing them) by changing the method of cooking the eggs.
Join us in the general thread you'll find similar questions like this discussed and helpful suggestions given.
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bunny000
New Member
| Joined: | 18 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 13 |
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Posted: 19 February 2008 05:37 pm |
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Hi all:
I am on day 6 and I have really been good with this. Not hungry and lot's of energy.
I am giving a lot of thought to the 3 days off and trying to soak up as much info as I can from those of you who have been doing this for a few cycles.
I think the key is to keep up your water and exercise and stick to the four meals a day. Just make very smart choices and portion control. One question I have is the one thing I miss is my cereal. I like to have a small bowl of Special K with a banana cut up into it with skim milk for breakfast. Think this is too many carbs for the off days? Also, should we stay away from the bread? I worked hard this week and am not going to go nuts on the upcoming 3 days. This diet is similar to the way I felt when I did south beach, not hungry and lot's of energy. I lost 75 lbs. on that one, only to gain it all back and some by going back to my old eating habits. I think I will always need to follow the basics of this plan to permanently keep the weight off. I have many health issues and it is very important that I do this. I love all the support that I have found on this site. I didn't think there was anyone else out there that was doing this diet. When I have told a few people about it they look at me like I am insane and say it's not healthy. I happen to disagree. It's 1:30 in the afternoon and usually I am stretched across the couch watching tv or listening to music. Laying down is the last thing I feel like doing now. I have been dancing and cleaning, not always in that order. Anyway, thanks all for being here.
Bunny
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dennymas
Senior Member
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Posted: 19 February 2008 09:29 pm |
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Hi Bunny,
Having your cereal with banana will be fine. Remember, the cheat days were designed for a reason. This is a diet so different from anything else you have done so you kind of have to forget the "old" rules. You get to have fun for 3 days and then your body will work better when you get back to your 11 days. Even if you gain weight, it will be water weight which will come off faster.
Some of us eat a balanced breakfast and lunch and then splurge some for dinner; something that you have been really craving. Don't stress so much about the 3 days. Just enjoy them and get right back into it, after awhile you will look forward to getting back into the 11 days.
Denise
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hunter
New Member
| Joined: | 20 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 7 |
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Posted: 20 February 2008 01:54 pm |
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| My question is what is the ideal weight? Also, after you have reach the ideal weight how do you maintain it? I have completed one cycle and lost 10lbs. I have completed the second 11 day phase and lost 3 lbs this time. I am now starting my 3 days off. It seems like throwing a little workout actually jump starts the weight lose. I have been thru this before with adkins diet but the weight slowing came back after over the next 18 months. Any insight would be helpful, thank you.
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 20 February 2008 04:09 pm |
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Be sure to check out Calculating Ideal Weight and Calculating Body Composition
You might like to continue with 11-day cycles for the rest of your life.
If that does not sound appealing, be sure to check out the tutorial !
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ChrystaM89
New Member
| Joined: | 20 February 2008 |
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| Posts: | 1 |
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Posted: 21 February 2008 12:26 am |
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Hello everyone,
I am on my first FL4I cycle--day 3. So far I am down about 3 pounds, so I hope this keeps up!
Anyway, I am kind of a picky eater so the same foods come up multiple times in my menus. The question I have is secifically about peanuts. Am I allowed honey roasted peanuts or do they have to be plain? They are my favorite and they are a sweet treat, which is good because I am easily tempted by all of the junk food in my office. We ususally have them in the house and it is easier to not have to buy different foods from the rest of the family. What do you all think? Thumbs up on the honey roasted peanuts??
Also, does anyone have any tips to help increase weight loss with this program? Are there any components of the diet (i.e. portions sizes, exercises, water intake), that you find particularly important?
Thanks in advance for any help!!!
Chrystal
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sunshine
Senior Member
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Posted: 21 February 2008 12:39 am |
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Hi Chrystal...welcome to the diet group....sorry but I would say "no"...because peanuts are a protein and honey roasted are a protein/carb...quite different and this diet program is all about the protein carb mix they assign each meal. Some in the discussion board (try posting there at the end for more opinions and tips) have rolled nuts in sweetener or sweetener and cinnamon for a sweet treat...almonds are nice this way.
Hope this helps.
There are lots of new fl4i dieters on the discussion board who are also on day 3.
Sunshine
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