The Cabbage Soup Diet

So the last month of summer didn't exactly go as planned. With cookouts, parties and the constant pressure to take advantage of every last gorgeous afternoon al fresco, it's hard to get back on track! I finally decided to take some drastic measures. The Cabbage Soup Diet - eek. Sounds gross, I know, but after a little research it became increasingly tempting. Sure there's a lot out there reminding you that crash diets never result in permanent weightloss, but there were also a lot of reviews encouraging it as a great jumping off point for a healthy diet (and a quick drop in 8-15 lb's).

7 days of a very restricted diet in addition to all the cabbage soup you can eat and all the water you can drink. I decided to take the plunge. I haven't quite figured out whether I have an advantage or disadvantage working in an office that provides endless amounts of food...

Starting Weight: 148 lbs

Day 1 - All the soup and fruit you can eat.
I got to work yesterday expecting to find ripe plums and peaches in the kitchen - it would be an easy Day 1. Instead I arrived empty handed to find only apples. Call me spoiled, but I don't exactly swoon for apples. I lucked out and found 2 red delicious apples...and quickly hid them at my desk. Surprisingly, the first apple filled me up. Followed by about 4 bottles of water and the distraction of a busy work day, I didn't experience one hunger pang before lunch. This is going to be eeeasy breezy!

I was dead. wrong. I sneak into the kitchen to grab a plate of freshly cut fruit and there it is...greek salad day. (Side note: I could eat greek salads every day of my life.) A glance to the prep area and I spot Jimmy whipping up a massive batch of guacamole and that can only mean one thing: tomorrow is fajita day! FML. I pile my plate with melon, mango, grapes, berries and pineapple and get the hell out of there. In a moment of weakness I frantically email my sister if it's ok to start the diet on Friday...but then I start shoving the fruit into my mouth and the temptation whithers. I'm ok...I'm going to stay on track. The rest of the day was water, water, unsweetened green tea, more water and that last red oh-so-delicious apple. 5pm and I've made it!

After work I hit the grocery store to buy the ingredients for my cabbage soup. My basket is filled with 2 very heavy heads of cabbage, green peppers, green onions, celery, mushrooms, chicken stock and 2 cans of diced tomatoes (I spiced it up and went for the fire roasted). Of course Courtney's basket is filled with all the ingredients for the most delicious mexican chicken. We get home and I start chopping up my veggies while Court digs into the tostitos and salsa...I almost lose it. I managed to keep my focus on the soup and start pounding the stuff as soon as the cabbage is cooked. Not so bad if I do say so myself! This is actually the type of soup I would make for a regular meal! Mind you, I would most definitely add some shredded parm and some fresh bread for dippage. 2 large bowls down and I'm so full that I dont even want to look at Court's mexican chicken. A bunch of water down the hatch and its off to bed!

Day 1 = success!
I can't stop thinking of Day 2 as Fajita Day but need to remind myself of how svelt I'll look for next weekend's wedding! Did I mention I'm going with my ex? Hence....the CSD