My Special K diet experiment

"Special K diet didn't work for me - but here's how I lost 20 pounds in 20 days - without saying no to my favorite foods or exercising hard..."

- by Lara

Yes, it's true. I lost 20 pounds in 20 days:

- without dieting
- without saying "no" to my favorite foods (like chocolate cake)
- without joining a gym or exercising like crazy

In a minute, I will tell you exactly how I did it. But before that, allow me to tell you a bit about myself and how my life used to be not too long ago (you'll see that we probably have a lot in common).

So, until about 6 months ago, my life was a mess. I was about 45 pounds overweight. And, they may tell you that "fat people are cute" (most of my friends used to tell me the same) - but the reality was that:

- I was treated like a lower life form. I remember at least two people calling me "fat ass" while in the bus. Is that rude or what?

- I was unemployed and I couldn't find a job either - even though I knew I was smarter and more qualified than others. Yes, the "thin and sexy people" would always get the job. What does my weight have to do with how I perform in my work?

- Although I have a cute face and a reasonably nice personality, I couldn't find someone to have relationship with. My friends had set me up with a couple of "blind dates" but those went sour faster than you can say "chocolate cake." My last relationship had ended about 3 years ago - and I knew what the reason was when I saw my ex 1 month later with a super-sexy blond he met at the gym...

- I couldn't fit into my favorite jeans. I had to wear these extra large clothes - that actually made me look even fatter than I was...

- My self-esteem was at an all-time low. When everything in your life goes wrong, it's not hard to imagine why. There where days when I was almost afraid to look myself in the mirror. I didn't really want to have an "honest look" at myself. And, eve if I did, I didn't think that there was a way for me to change my life...

- Because of my depression, I was doing the last thing I should be doing: eating even more. I'm very much what you would call an "emotional eater." Whenever I would feel sad, I would eat a double serving of pasta or some chocolate cake ( I love chocolate cake). I admit I was goinga little over board with it as at some days I would eat 3 "normal servings" of chocolate cake in one sitting...

- Because of my eating habits, I was feeling sluggish and very low on energy all day long. I was getting tired very easily and didn't feel like "living" at all. I'd much rather sit on the couch and watch TV...

I had tried everything you can imagine but nothing worked (I even tried the special K diet but got no results).

One day, a relative of mine whom I hadn't seen for 6 years, didn't even recognize me when she saw me. She wasn't mean or anything but I could see it in her eyes that she felt pity for me - which was even worse...

I had already tried several (rather expensive) weight loss programs and weight loss drugs and I was never able to lose weight and maintain it. I would lose 10 pounds and 3 weeks later I would gain it all back with interest - plus, I was out my money and time...

But I'm not telling you all this to feel sorry about me. As you'll see, all this changed very soon. Keep reading to find out how I did it and how you can do it too...

One day, I saw an ad for a new weight loss product. I didn't think much of it, as ads for weight loss products are a dime a dozen. Most of those products are just overpriced and ineffective junk (do I sound bitter?). So I just forgot about the whole thing...

But a week later, I met a friend of mine whom I hadn't seen for over 3 months. She used to be overweight too - only this time she wasn't. In fact, she looked great! I asked her how she did it and she said she was usng this new weight loss product. And what do you know, it was the exact same product I had seen being advertised a week ago!

I thought to myself: "I have to get my hands on some of this stuff." And I did. There was a free trial available so I took advantage of it.. It arrived at my doorstep 2 days later.

Now, what I conveniently "forgot" to tell you is that I hate dieting or exercising. I mean, I'm not an Olympic athlete or something. What I have found is that, if I don't like my weight loss program, I won't stick to it...

In my opinion, self-discipline and willpower are grossly overrated in our society. For how long do you think you can be disciplined and "tough it out"? 1 day? 2 days? 2 weeks? That's how most people are and that's OK - that's just human nature. So I won't pretend I'm someone I know I ain't.

I had read some weight loss advice on some weight loss forums I used to hang out at. It's not that I didn't really know what to do: It was just that I hated going to the gym or "eating right."

So, I asked myself: "How can I create a weight loss program that I actually ENJOY?" Sounds like a tall order, right? When most people hear the terms "weight loss" or "diet", they immediately connect that with months of starvation and sweating their butts off at the gym. Well, I knew that there was no chance I would do that - so I came up with a more "manageable" plan...

1) The first thing I did was make sure that I was drinking enough water a day. Now, most people drink almost no water during the day - or a couple of glasses max. On the other hand, super-athletic types may drink a gallon a day (about 5 liters). I wanted to avoid these extremes so I just made sure I drank about 1,5 liters of water a day (about 51 oz). Not too much but not too little either. I found that water kept me fuller and I wasn't having that many cravings. I would drink some first think in the morning and then a glass about 30 mins before a meal. I would also drink a small glass immediately after any meals that contained fat, while I was using my new weight loss product.

2) As I said, I don't like exercising. But I knew I needed to become more active. I knew I wouldn't join a gym. I hate too much effort. Plus, I didn't want the "gym rats" who where in great shape to laugh at me behind my back. So what I did was make a list of all the activities I enjoyed. NOT activities that would make me sweat - just activities that would burn a few more calories than just sitting on the couch.

For me those activities where:

- Going for a 30-minute brisk walk at the park while listening to my favorite music in my portable MP3 player.

- Riding my stationary exercise bike at home at level 3 (it went from 1-10) while watching my favorite TV shows like Desperate Housewives or Seinfeld.

I'm not saying that I would do both of them every day - but I would try to do at least one of them a day. If at some point I was getting tired or bored, I would immediately STOP exercising as I didn't want to develop an aversion for that type of exercise (very important - you have to like your exercise program - not hate it). Consistency is the name of the game. As they say "you are either consistent or non-existent." That said, I found that, while I was on my new weight loss product, I had more energy (without feeling jumpy) and I could "keep going" without feeling tired. That's probably because the food I ate was being digested more slowly and gave me sustained energy rather than energy spikes that would "dive" later.

3) What about diet? Even though I know its healthy, I admit that I don't like "diet food" too much. I knew I had to find a way to continue eating my favorite meals while also losing weight. I know this may sound hard to believe but I didn't really changemy diet all that much. Because I was drinking a glass of water 30 mins before each meal, I wasn't feeling as hungry so I naturally ate less (without feeling hungry). I also made sure that I was taking my new weight loss product religiously.

A very important lesson I learned is that you should strive for PROGRESS - NOT PERFECTION. Perfection doesn't even exist - besides, it's very tough to stick to...

4) Something else that will help you stick to your weight loss program is motivation. And nothing is more motivating than seeing RESULTS. Once every 5-7 days I would weigh myself as well as measure my waist and hips. No need to drive yourself crazy and do this every day. This isn't necessary or even logical. The bodyweight may fluctuate from day to day. But over longer periods of time, you should see consistent success. Keep in mind that the fat we have around our hips and belly is usually the last to go - so don't worry if you don't see results for the first few days. That's normal. Something else that I did was put on my clothes and see how they fit. I saw that they would feel looser and looser on me. And after a while, I was able to wear the smaller sizes that I had somewhere in my closet. Seeing that I was losing weight, losing inches and droping sizes added fire to my motivation!

After 20 days (the 4th time I had weighed myself), I had lost 20 pounds. I had also lost 5 inches around my thighs and 6 inches around my belly! And after 2 months total on this program, I had lost all my 45 extra pounds!

So, how did losing weight actually change my life?

- First of all, my family was giving me compliments all the time about the new way I looked. My friends also gave me compliments although I could see that some of them where feeling very jealous deep down (which is fine by me - I'm not complaining :-))

- My self-confidence skyrocketed. Not only did I look different - I also acted different. I was more outgoing and "chatty" (before losing weight I was really introverted and closed in myself).

- I managed to land a new office job. I admit that I was qualified for the job but the fact that I also looked good during the interview didn't hurt a bit! I had been interviewed several times in the past for similar jobs but never got them. I wonder why?

- Now that I was feeling more confident and had a job, I also started going out more. And I see how guys look at me now. The same guys wouldn't even notice me a couple of months ago. I know this may sound shallow but it's really nice to feel wanted and liked...

I know that this may not sound fair but overweight people are not treated the same in our society. They just don't get the same chances, you know?

If you are overweight now, ask yourself:

- What are you missing on right now by having all that extra weight?
- How much better will you feel when you lose all your extra weight?
- How much more confidence will you have?
- How more liked and accepted will you be?

If you want to lose all your extra weight without suffering in the process, then I can't recommend highly enough that you use the same weight loss program I just outlined. You may want to modify it here and there to suit you better but remember to KEEP THINGS SIMPLE AND FUN.

Above all, take advantage of all the shortcuts you can and let "modern technology" do the heavy lifting. By using the weight loss product I used:

- You will have more energy

- You will not feel as hungry or have as many cravings

- You will boost your metabolism and burn more calories even while you sleep

I have used many weight loss products and programs in the past and I was very dissapointed. If you haven't lost weight until now, it's NOT your fault! Most popular programs don't work for average people.

It's nice to find one that works for a change. The company that makes this product is so confident that they offer you a free trial.

Hope this helps a little...

To a new slim you,

Lara

Quick and easy diet

Here is one of the easiest ways that I have found to lose weight. You do not have to follow a ton of rules, and you do not have to buy a whole lot of groceries either. You may already have the main part of this diet in your pantry! I have done this for 2 weeks and lost 7 lbs without feeling like I was dieting. What is this main food you will be eating? Kelloggs Special K Cereal. Here is the plan:

For breakfast and lunch, eat 1 bowl of Special K Cereal.

For dinner, you eat a well balanced meal with 4 ounces of meat, 2 cups of veggies or a salad (stay away from the fatty dressings), and a small baked potato topped with salsa or any other non or lowfat topping. Have any kind of fruit for desert.

Keep your dinners interesting and keep away from fats. You can have fruit for snacks. I add half of a sliced banana to my cereal for a change. If you are one of those people who dump a lot of sugar on your cereal, substitute the banana for that. You can keep a little diary of what you eat, it will help you keep an eye on your habits. If you work on the computer a lot, just make a diary on word or notepad. Keep a piece of paper on your fridge that you can write on. When you leave it on the fridge, people will see what you have been eating. Now that really motivates me to be a good girl. I also drink a lot of water to cleanse my body.

In two weeks, you will feel great and will most likely have lost up to 7 lbs without starving!

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Two weeks diet

Everyday people are looking for new get thin quick diets. They see the commercials and hear about these new diets that promise results in very short periods of time. The real question on everyone's mind is, do they really work?

I have investigated a few popular fad diets to find out for myself. The information below might help you to decide if any of these are right for you!

In Just Two Weeks, Diet - South Beach - This diet has 3 basic phases that you have to follow in order to maintain weight loss and healthy eating habits. The first phase lasts around 2 weeks and is designed to eliminate cravings for sugary food. After you've completed the first phase you will go on to the next phase, which introduces more carbs, etc. Finally, you will begin the third phase and you can now eat more of the basic food groups minus the sugars and bad fats. (the occasional indulgence is okay)

In Just Two Weeks, Diet - Special K - According to the Special K diet, you can lose up to 6 pounds in two weeks if you follow the plan. You should substitute a bowl of Special K cereal or a Special K bar for breakfast and lunch, and then eat dinner as you normally do. If you do this for 2 weeks you should be able to shed a couple pounds.

In Just Two Weeks, Diet - Slim-Fast - Slim-fast has been around for a while now, but how many people are really benefiting from it? According to this diet, you should replace your normal breakfast with a Slim-fast shake or bar. You have something small for lunch along with another shake or bar. For dinner you should eat approximately 500 calories, your plate should consist of half veggies, quarter lean meat, and a quarter of starch (preferably whole-grain.) You are also allowed one snack that may be something small such as an apple or a slim-fast bar. Exercise is encouraged with this diet.

These are just a few of the many diets that people have tried and will continue to try in order to lose weight. Seems like everyone has a hard time keeping up with these diets and most of the time you get sick of the same old food every day.

Is it effective

The Special K diet has been heavily promoted by Kellogg's over the last few years as a great way to lose weight. In fact, the company boasts that you can lose 6 pounds in 2 weeks. But, does this really work? Is this a diet plan that everyone should try? Here's a closer look.

What Is The special K Diet?

The basics behind this diet are pretty simple. You are told to eat one bowl of any brand of special K cereal with 2/3 cup of skim milk. You are to eat this, along with a serving of fruit, for 2 meals each day.

Your 3rd meal can be whatever you would like. Snacks can be eaten during the day, but only if they are fruit, Special K bars, or fresh vegetables. You can also drink anything you want, but water is recommended.

How Does It Help You Lose Weight?

The Special K diet is another in a long line of low fat, high carb diets. But substituting a bowl of Special k for a fast food lunch, you will naturally be eating fewer calories and fat. And that's the real premise here.

People lose weight when they eat less and take in fewer calories and fat each day. That isn't hard to understand.

Will You Lose 6 Pounds In 2 Weeks?

If you stick to this diet plan just like it directs you, I believe you can lose 6 pounds in 2 weeks. With that said though, the Special K diet will be difficult to stay on for any length of time. How many people can continue to eat 2 bowls of the same cereal every day, day in and day out? It's only natural that you will get burned out quickly.

Parts of the diet are right on the money as far as losing weight goes. Eating fresh fruit and vegetables during the day is healthy and good with weight loss. The same with drinking more water instead of high calorie sodas. But, there are better ways of losing weight that won't leave you feeling hungry or getting burned out.

Special K diet plan

While there is no shortage of diet and weight loss plans available, one that has been getting some attention lately is the Special K diet plan. So, what is this diet plan all about and more importantly, does it work?

Kellogg's has been making Special K cereal for decades now and recently came out with a diet plan to lose 6 pounds in 2 weeks. The Special K diet plan is not overly complicated to follow and basically works like this:

1. Eat a bowl of Kellogg's Special K with 2/3 cup of skim milk for 2 meals a day.

2. Drink liquids like you always do.

3. Eat whatever you like for your third meal.

4. Eat fruit, vegetables or a Special K bar as a snack.

As you can see, the Special K diet plan is pretty simple and anytime you are substituting 2 bowls of cereal for meals, you should lose weight. The research by Kellogg's shows an average weight loss of 4.4 pounds over the two week period for those following the plan.

Is this the best diet plan?

I don't think so. Once you try it for a few days you will find yourself still hungry after eating a bowl of cereal. Since your fiber intake is greatly reduced with the Special K diet plan you will need to add more fiber or you'll find yourself getting constipated.

The other reason why I wouldn't recommend this type of diet is because you quickly get tired of eating the same bowl of cereal day in and day out. The novelty wears off because you can only take so much. Although Special K is better than many people's daily diets, it is not a long term weight loss plan.

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The challenge of special K diet

Have you taken the Special K Diet Challenge?
The Special K Diet Challenge is a popular cereal diet promoted by Kelloggs and the goal is to lose 1 inch on your waist in 2 weeks. Kelloggs promotes the diet on cereal boxes and with their other Special K products like waffles and protein bars. The basic idea of the diet is to substitute a meal with Special K cereal or another Special K product like waffles. Of course your snacks can also include Special K protein bars.

Anyone who tries the Special K Diet Challenge may lose weight, but its probably not because of any magic behind the Special K products. Most people who replace a meal with Special K cereal are lowering their daily caloric intake which can of course result in weight loss. Special K products have sugar so you maybe even do better just switching to old fashion oatmeal.

Kelloggs has however done a nice job by including some interesting features in their website. You can find a Special K Diet Challenge buddy to share your ups and downs with. Having a partner to lose weight with is extremely important and can't be overlooked. Another nice feature is the ability to pick a coach to sign up with. There are 3 coaches to chose from, a fitness coach, life coach and a nutrition coach. This combined with some other features make the website worth a visit.

The Special K diet is easy to follow and it will probably save you some time each day as you have one less meal to prepare during the day. Overall you might lose the weight and inches but could probably do just as well with a common sense approach to restricting calories on your own by making better meal plans.