First Month Recap - The Fresh Diet

Well the 31 day diet has come to an end and it went by faster then I expected. My weight is still the same as it was a few days ago which means I've lost 7 lbs on the plan. (Once I remove my braids I will update this post to let you know if they made a difference or not). Most recommendations for safe and long term weight loss in 1-2 pounds a week so I'm doing great in that department. I have been wanting to lose weight since my son was born and thanks to TFD it's finally happening.

I am so thrilled with the plan that I am doing another month! I have noticed a change in my energy and my overall health since starting. I no longer have to take a nap just to make it through the day. My skin has stopped breaking out. And I feel better about myself knowing that I am working towards my goal. 

I would have liked to lose at least 10 lbs during my 31 days so I must admit that bummed me out a little. I increased my calorie intake and didn't start working out so I think that hindered my weight loss. I did want to take most of this month to just focus on eating because it was such a huge change and challenge for me. And taking small steps is better for me than doing everything at once. I guess its pros and cons to my decisions. The end result is 7 lbs closer to my goal so I am not complaining. 

I won't continue to blog daily (since only my mom is reading anyway, lol) but I will update weekly in case anyone finds this blog and is wondering about TFD. This blog has also been a big help to me, one reason is because I forget what meals I liked sometimes, lol. 

The Fresh Diet - Day 31 (Last Day of plan)

Sweet Potato Ginger Pancakes with Fresh Tangerine and Chicken Apple Sausage. This is a breakfast I look forward to and love!

Chicken Quesadilla with Pepper-Jack Cheese & Mango Salsa. I've had this snack before and really enjoy it. 

Hard Boiled Egg Salad with Shredded Carrots, Wax Beans, Grape Tomato, Boston Lettuce and Radicchio Mix with Thousand Island Dressing. The last time I had this salad it didn't fill me up but this time I was more then satisfied. I also love thousand island dressing and most places don't even carry it anymore. I'm happy I gave it another shot. 

Greek Style Meatballs with Feta Cheese, Mint, Parsley and Roasted Bell Pepperwith Whole Wheat Potato Gnocchi Arrabiata and Grilled Asparagus. I love these meatballs and this gnocchi! I always look forward to this meal!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. Finishing on a high note, my favorite cheesecake! Look at all those yummy chocolate chips on the bottom, I could eat this everyday. 

The Fresh Diet - Day 30

Caramelized Onion & Parmesan Cheese Omelet with Turkey Bacon & Seven Grain Toast. I don't have a pic this time but I've had this before and it was really really good, its on my favorites list. 

Grilled Canadian Bacon Over Baby Arugula with Fresh Honeydew & Toasted Pine Nuts. I've also had this one before, its a good refreshing snack, this time they forgot my pine nuts though which I was looking forward to. Not a big deal though. 

Roasted Turkey and Green Bean Wrap with Honey Dijon. Another favorite of mine. The sweetness of those cranberries, the crunch of the green beans and then the honey dijon keeps me looking forward to this lunch. 

Grilled Chicken Breast with Raspberry Chipotle Saucewith Spinach Couscous and Oregano Broccoli Mash. This was ok, I would order it again because nothing was wrong with it. I wouldn't order the broccoli mash though, I think I prefer my broccoli whole, it was too mushy for me.

Raspberry Cheesecake. This was better this time then the last time I had it. I actually loved it this time so I'm happy I ordered it again. 

Week 4 recap

I have completed four weeks on TFD and I am feeling so good about myself! I weighed myself today and *gasp* I hadn't lost any weight. I was really shocked because I felt like I had lost at least 1-2 pounds. I think the problem is that I got a new hairstyle (box braids) and they weigh A LOT! Unfortunately I can't figure out if they truly make a difference until I take them out which won't be for at least a month. So until then I'm stuck wondering. I did eat junk food once this week for dinner but I can't imagine that would've made a huge difference. Especially considering I was sick for a few days and gave a lot of my food to my mom.

I am really excited to report that this is the first week I've been able to fit into my wedding ring and band (that's what makes me suspicious about the lack of weight loss on the scale). My weight had not allowed me to wear them together for some time now. It felt so good to wear them and not feel like my circulation was being cut off, lol. 

I haven't started working out yet because I got sick so that will be my goal for next week once I'm back to 100%. I won't push myself too hard because I still have a 1 year old to run after and he doesn't understand sick days, lol. 

I have a few days left until my 31 days are up and I will do a final weigh in at that point. 

I am still loving all the food and I'm so happy I made the decision to start and stick to it.  

The Fresh Diet - Day 29

Tart Lemon Basil and Raspberry Corn Cakes with Pomegranate Syrup and Chicken Apple Sausage. Good as always. 

Zahtar Spiced Nuts. This was something new for me, I don't know what Zahtar spices are but what I tasted was a slightly sweet glaze on the nuts that I liked. I also liked that there were a mixture of nuts like walnut and macadamia.  

White Albacore Tuna Salad Sandwich in a Whole Wheat Pita with Lettuce and Tomato. I don't have a pic of this one because I didn't eat it. I wanted to skip a meal anyway since I ate at the game last night and once I saw this one it worked out. The tuna was really watery in the container and just turned me off. My mom said I could've just mixed it and it would've been fine. Maybe it's me being sick but it just wasn't appetizing to me so I passed on it. 

Thai Coconut Curry Chicken with Bamboo Shoots and Broccoli Bitswith Southwestern Corn Saute and Red Bell Pepper Orzo. I've had this once before and it was really good, TFD is making me a lover of orzo which I'd never had before I started this plan. The corn is always good and this chicken is very flavorful.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, I will never pass up these when they are offered. So sweet and moist and chewy. Wish I had some right now to eat after looking at this picture!

The Fresh Diet - Day 28

Polenta Breakfast Pudding with Apple Compote. You already know by now that I love polenta. So it should come as no surprise that I loved this dish. I've never had a sweet version on polenta before but I can't wait to have it again. The grapes on top and the sauce on the bottom really added to the flavor of the dish. The yogurt went great with it. 

Mini Veggie Egg Rolls with Peanut Sauce. These were good and perfect with the sauce. Tasted just like regular egg rolls you'd get a any Chinese restaurant. 

Whole Wheat Pizza Topped with Tri-Color Bell Pepper, Mozzarella Cheese & Marinara Sauce. My son ate this with me, it was really good just like the last pizza I had. So far the only one I didn't like was the one with the sun dried tomatoes on it. The others have been wonderful, they are at the top of my list when they are offered. 

Boneless Pork Chop with Zahtar Spice Rub and Demi Glacewith Spaghetti Squash Fritters and Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Fennel and Fresh Lemon Zest. I went to a basketball game tonight so I didn't eat this meal, I will eat it tomorrow instead. At the game I had one slice of pizza, half a huge chocolate chip cookie and water. I am really proud of myself because normally I would've went crazy. This was a work thing for my husband so we were in a suite that had catered food and dessert. There were chicken fingers, sliders, pretzels, ice cream and brownies just laid out on the counter. Then the dessert cart came around and we were able to pick anything off of there that we wanted, that's where my weakness for chocolate chip cookies took over. But I stopped at a half because it just wasn't that good therefore just not worth the calories. I'm still a little surprised that I did so well. But knowing I get a sweet fix daily and I love the food on this plan it really helps me with my cravings. 

(Update: This meal was good, the pork cop was flavored nicely, the sauce didn't have much flavor compared to other sauces I receive on the plan. Although I am still sick so my tastebuds are off at the moment. The brussels sprouts were good once again. The fritters were new and I liked them, they gave me a bread/carb fix although they are a veggie). 

Key Lime Cheesecake. I also ate this the next day and it was the first disappointing cheesecake I've had on the plan. And no I'm not blaming my tastebuds on this one. It tasted like a block of cream cheese in a pan. No key lime taste whatsoever. And I am a huge key lime pie fan so I was really excited for this one. Even if it tasted like a plain cheesecake it would've been better. I think someone made a mistake when cooking this one, I will order again because it had to be an accident. 

The Fresh Diet - Day 27

Bacon & Cheddar Breakfast Cornbread Muffin with Pineapple. Still feeling sick today. I've been taking allergy and cold medicine because I'm still not sure what's going on. I didn't let it stop me from enjoying this muffin though. It was delicious, the bacon was more like bacon bits and I didnt taste the cheddar, I'd definitely order this again. The pineapples were sweet and fresh also. 

Asian Style Brocco-Slaw with Shredded Turkey. I've had this before. But since I didn't have much of an appetite I gave it to my mom. She loved it! 

Crispy Chicken Salad with Corn, Carrots, Tomato and Romaine Lettuce with Ranch Dressing. This salad was good. I warmed the chicken and cut it into smaller pieces before adding to the salad. I didn't think there would be enough ranch but I really stretched and it was just enough. I surprised myself by actually liking a salad and I would definitely order this one again. 

Lean Turkey Meatballs with Thai Ginger Chili Sauce with Wild Rice & Cranberry Pilaf and Fall Vegetable Saute. I also shared this dinner with my mom. Another winner for her. I liked it as well. The pilaf I've had before and always enjoy. The sauce was a new one for me and it was really good. Had a sweet and spicy taste that went well with the meatballs and the veggies. 

Strawberry Balsamic Trifle. Surprise I shared this with mom too. I just felt like if I'm not hungry why waste the calories if I have someone here that I can share the love with! I wasn't a fan of this, it was too light and fluffy. I prefer cheesecake, cookies or even a muffin. Something more substantial. However my mom really liked it. She liked the flavor the balsamic sauce added and the sponge cake part of the dessert the best.