Just want to report some success.  Just finished the first 17 days and lost 14.5 pounds!  I feel great and can’t wait to start the next 17!!!!

beautifulat50: The honey mustard dressing that I use is sugar free/fat free. As we are not to use any more carbs than what is listed in the books, I don’t know if using honey would be a good idea.

At first I was disappointed in my weight loss. I think I only lost 2 pounds in the 1st week. I re-read the first cycle in the book and identifed some mistakes I made and corrected them. Well, guess what?? I am down 3.1 pounds in the past 4 days! WOO-HOO!!!
Mark and I are going to mexico in Feb 23 with another couple. This couple are police officers and are both in PRISTINE shape. My friend Janice (the wife) has a porn star body, complete with breast implants. I know it will be hard for me to wear a bathing suit around her, but I am praying I will look better than I do now. I guess thats all I can hope for…..

markandamanda: I know where you are coming from – it is hard to be overweight and out of shape. Don’t give up!! Just take it one day at a time and eventually you will have a body that you can be proud of and you will feel so much better! It is so nice to be able to talk with other people that have the same problems that you do, it really motivates me even more when I come here and see what everyone else has to say!

@markandamanda: what was your starting weight? What did you do wrong on the first cycle? I am still gearing up for it….trying to understand what I should eat and not eat, feeling overwhelmed at the moment with it all.

Well it’s day 13 of Cycle 1 and I have lost 11lbs. I feel great and have lost the weighed I gained 2 years ago when I moved from GA to Virginia. It feels good to watch this transformation and see the weight come off. The absolute best part is that I’m eating healthy and see results. This diet has been the answer to my prayers. Looking forward to ending cycle 1 and moving onto cycle 2. I wish everyone the best and just keep at it, don’t give up!!!!!

@ sassycheryl- I thought I read in the book that you could use natural sugar, and honey is one of the natural sugar.

Hi rivsmom! A few things I did wrong: cream in my coffee, all of my fruit at night, ate ham (I assumed it was on the list for cycle 1…it is not) ate pineapple…lots of it.
Those are just the few that I remember. My starting weight was 181 and I am 5’7". I’m down to 176.1 so I am thrilled. This is day 12. It’s not the amazing weight loss everyone else is posting, but I did at least 5 of these day WRONG because I did not read the book thoroughly enough.
Don’t be overwhelmed. The diet is the easy part. Lots of good stuff to eat! It’s exercising everyday that you really have to gear up for.

Is honey ok to use, by what the book says?  I am waiting for my book.  I have been using a little everyday to dring the lemon juice in water, but dont know if it is really ok to do.  I use raw honey.

Melissa.

Hi everyone, My name is Robin, from WI. I am 46 yrs old, my startin wt is 239 my long range goal is 165. I am starting my 17 day diet on Monday. Exercise will be a problem for sometime do to a major shoulder surgery 12/29. I am going to try treadmill and see if that works. I am very eager and ready to do this. I am hoping that I am doing the posting the right way, so I can keep in touch with all of you, and you of course with me. Let me know of some tips. Thank You and good luck to everyone!!!!

robinsue….Welcome to the Board!  You posted just right!  You have come to the right place for support, motivation, tips, hints, etc with the 17 Day diet, and overall.  There is a lot of info in the threads to begin with in cycle 1, with tips and hints, and what-not.  And if there is a question that you have that hasn;t been answered then please post it; your question might be one others have too.  Again, welcome to he Board!

Melissa.

beautifulat50 & melissaw72: I believe that the only sweetener recommended in the book is Truvia which is a natural sweetener with no calories or carbs. So, I would say, no honey! To robinsue: Any exercise is good, especially if you have not been doing any. A brisk walk for 30 minutes is great and will get you heart rate up.

Melissa, I do not see HONEY anywhere in the list or the book recipes for Cycle 1. So if you are following the book to a T, then I would say that honey is not allowed. Try agave nectar instead – it tastes similar to honey to me.

I have been on the diet 13 days and have lost 9lbs. I am a real “sweets” lover and am amazed that I am doing so well without them. So far, I don’t really crave them anymore. The only thing I really still miss is my Cold Diet Coke! :{ I still occasionally crave them, but just go and made me a cup of green tea instead. I feel good and am staying motivated. So Far So Good! It helps me to read the posts and keep up with what others are doing.

Melissa- what a coincidence – I was going to ask the same question.  Can’t find any mention of honey in the book.  Wish there was an index to look up specific foods.  Since I couldn’t find anything, I’ve been using a little agave nectar.  It is used in the kefir smoothie recipe. I use some in oatmeal, and some in tea and the smoothie.  I know it’s a lower glycemic index ingredient than honey.

Hi Robin! Welcoem aboard!

Oops! * Welcome*

Thank you for looking in the book about the honey.

Melissa.

I am so glad that there is this forum so we can discuss and share with others that are experiencing the same things.  I wanted to share some of the things I have experienced.  This is day 13 and I have lost 9 lbs which to me is amazing.  The first 4-5 days were hell for me.  It was hard for me to realize how much my life centered around eating constantly.  Especially at night.  I would snack on chips (POP or Veggie Sticks) and ice cream (skinny cow) not to mention a slice of bread with peanut butter and marshemellow cream.  I went through withdrawals but I finally got past it and it has gotten much easier.  The craving aren’t as severe.  What was even more shocking to me is that I survived PMS without eating all the salty and sweet food I could find.  On other diets I craved what I couldn’t eat, such as fast foods.  Always thought of all my favorites.  I would always cheat when I ordered my boys pizza but not this time.  I had no desire for it.  All I keep seeing is my goal.  So when you think you cant’t get past those first few hard days you truly can.  I even lost during that time of month (SHOCKING) sorry if too much information for the men but the women will appreciate it..lol  Hang in there and thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

Where do you buy agave nectar?  If in a grocery store, what is it near?

Melissa.

I have another question if you are on cycle 1 and screw up and go off a day or 2 would you just start cycle 1 again? and can you continually stay on cycel 1 and lose more than to move onto cycle 2? just thinking…..

Hello, thanks for the welcoming. I lied yesterday when I said I was going to start on Monday, I started today, could not wait another day, first 2 meals in and a snack, feeling very good. I have drank almost my 64 oz of water, and still a long day to go, I have no problem drinking water as it is what I like the best. We managed to get my treadmill back from some friends so that is going to be my 30 min workout today, just letting it warm up a little bit, very cold here in WI. I would like to know where to buy agae nectar also. Thanks again and will try to post daily!!! again GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

Hey Otherrien-what do you think of 2nd cycle? I’m on that,too? What kind of weight are you losing? I’m nervous about cycle 3!! Have you read that? I love agave nectar! Very sweet!

I bought mine at costco. But, I read in another forum it is near the honey, I guess the “sweetner” section.

Hi Everyone!! Im from CT, I am 45 years old, my starting weight is 152, Ive been on the 17 day diet for 5 days and have lost 3 pounds, Im 5’ tall. I think its a good start. I love reading everyones stories and its keeping me really motivated. I just realized that Ive been eating low fat yogurt with fruit in it. Ive eaten it after 2pm. Should I be eating only plain? Can you workout more than 17 minutes a day? Ive been working out about 60 minutes a day, I hope that’s not too much, I thought I read something in the book about it. Thank you everyone!! Good luck to us all!!!!