Yes It Works
I understand that lifestyle change is important and we all need to get healthier in our food and portion choices. But when you find yourself overweight and frustrated with all the diet choices and ways to slim down, it is important that you do something that actually works for you, personally. No matter how great something is, if you cannot stick to it, of what worth is it to you?
I gained around 40 pounds over two years, and finally I was discovered to have hypothyroidism. While I was ecstatic to find the cause, get medications that got my thyroid under control, and no longer pack on the pounds, I was still faced with the tedious task of finding some way to lose the excess.
I have a problem sticking to a plan that is not spelled out for me. I came across the 11 day diet (actually my boyfriend did) and it sounded like something that I could do. Since I was able to choose the foods I wanted from a list they prepared, that worked for me! And the fact that you get to generate the diet online and print it out so meals are planned out for you, it took all the brain work and frustration out of dieting.
I just finished my first 11 days yesterday and I lost a total of 8 pounds. I think that is pretty amazing. I was very disciplined, and stuck to the diet exactly, except for 4 glasses of wine over the 11 days. As a matter of fact, I only had 1/2 to 3/4 of a glass and topped it off with a little bit of diet 7up to make a cooler, and make my drink go farther. That was my little treat every other couple of days or so, while on the diet. Other than that, I stuck to it religiously. I made my food appetizing so it would not be blah, but I stuck within the realm of what was allowed.
I feel great about the weight loss and very hopeful for the next sets of 11 days. While I am on my 3 day break, I am still sticking to smaller portions where I am satisfied but not full, and eating 4+ meals. I am going to eat things I have missed while on the diet, but I am not going to go crazy and ruin what I have done these past 11 days. I am going to eat different foods, though, so I do not get stuck on the same foods from the diet.
I don't think you can say that is a bad thing. I have hope now and I am inspired to lose more. Seeing this type of result encourages me to keep going. Even if I only lose half as much next 11 days, that is still better than gaining weight or staying the same. And the time period in which it is lost is not long, so you don't feel like it is going to be forever until you feel a change. Those are the things that discourage people and why diets often fail.
The other thing I wanted to point out is that I did this with no exercise at all, due to a knee injury. I can only imagine how much better this would be with exercise.
Also the other thing I want to point out is it is important to drink the recommended minimum of 6 glasses of water, and preferably 8-10 glasses. If you sip them throughout the day, it helps you feel full, and you don't eat as much at the meal times.