Wait, chocolate isn't part of this diet?

I'm still doing the four day diet by Dr. Ian Smith.

http://www.amazon.com/Day-Diet-Ian-K-Smith/dp/0312373589

 I really want to do ALL the modules even though I think that the Transition module was honestly the best one for weight loss for me! The other modules are a little too high in calories for my needs I think, especially Smooth and the Protein module! Though, saying that, I still havent tried the vigorous module and I've heard that is where the weight just DROPS off!

 The BEST thing is that I've been doing ALL the working out- my worst week so far I only went FOUR times to the gym (LOL- in the past that would have been my best week!) I'm getting SO much leaner and stronger, its amazing me!! And my body aches virtually every day, but its a good ache :D

I've been slipping a little though- a few drinks with friends at social happenings, cheese (my friends said 'come on, you have been so GOOD' and it was too hard to NOT try different types of cheeses while playing Apples to Apples!! Cheese is my weakness! Greek yogurt and cheese are the reason I will never be able to be a vegan) and I got this awesome Endangered species Dark Chocolate at my local organic store, it is 70% dark, proceeds help wildlife and it has a mint filling...mmmm....but no, not on the diet! Not even under the 'snacks' section!

Something else that has been killing me with the eating plan is the limited flexibility to be able to try new recipes! Just before I started it I brought TWO new cookbooks, and some of my favorite bloggers have also been posting drool inducing recipes I cant wait to try! But I can't! When Dr. Smith says "two servings of vegetables' he really means just that. Boiled or baked. Limited seasoning (I do lemon juice, pepper, salt, chili, braggs, and onions to add a little flavor) I feel guilty if I use marinara sauce at all, and forget about any fancy recipes involving lots of ingredients! Its not on the meal list....oh well...

I'm also not sure I will be able to stick to it 100% this coming Thursday onwards, as I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed and will only be eating SOFT food!

I do like the fact that I can sub in all my vegetarian protein:

Dr. Ian Smith says: On my diet, The 4 Day Diet, vegetarians are having great success, because they can make the substitutions they need to make. The program is very flexible for all types of eating styles whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, etc. If you want non-animal protein, you can load up on legumes and beans and things like chickpeas and lentils. If you eat eggs, egg whites are full of protein also.

Here is a cool sample menu plan I found online at http://www.3fatchicks.com/free-sample-menu-plan-for-the-4-day-diet/

The 4 Day Diet was created by Dr. Ian Smith. This diet is designed with 7 different modules, each lasting 4 days. Each module is unique and designed with specific goals. The 7 modules are: Induction, Transition, Protein Stretch, Smooth, Push, Pace and Vigorous. Below are free sample meal plans for each phase of the diet.

Induction

Breakfast:

• 6 oz plain yogurt
• 1 to 2 tsp psyllium husk
• 1 serving of fruit
• 1 cup of coffee with one packet of sugar and 1 tsp of milk or cream

AM Snack:

• 1 pear

Lunch:

• 2 cups leafy green vegetables
• ½ cup brown rice
• 1 apple
• ½ cup blueberries

PM Snack:

• Small side salad with 2 cups of lettuce and 3 tbsp fat free dressing

Dinner:

• 1 cup cooked beans (lentils or chickpeas)
• 1 cups steamed vegetables
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 orange

Transition

Breakfast:

• 1 cup of coffee with 1 tsp milk and 1 packet sugar
• 6oz yogurt
• 1 tbsp low fat granola
• ½ cup berries

AM Snack:

• ½ cup low fat cottage cheese

Lunch:

• ½ cup cooked black eyed peas
• 1 cup berries
• 1 cup raw carrots

PM Snack:

• 1 fat free pudding snack

Dinner:

• 4 oz grilled fish
• 2 cups green salad
• 3 tbsp fat free dressing

Protein Stretch

Breakfast:

• 2 egg whites scrambled with a strip of turkey bacon

AM Snack:

• 1 hardboiled egg

Lunch:

• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 4 oz lean roast beef
• 1 tbsp low fat mayonnaise
• ½ banana
• 1 cup bell peppers and cherry tomatoes

PM Snack:

• Small protein shake (200 calories or less)

Dinner:

• 1 cup navy beans
• 1 cup brown rice, cooked
• 1 cup steamed vegetables

Smooth

Breakfast:

• 1 serving cereal
• 1 cup fat free or skim milk

AM Snack:

• 2 oz cheese
• 3 to 5 whole wheat crackers

Lunch:

• 2 cups green salad
• 3 tbsp fat free dressing
• 1 cup cooked lentils
• ½ cup strawberries

PM Snack:

• 1 apple
• 2 tbsp peanut butter

Dinner:

• 2 medium slices of pizza (no meat)
• 1 cup green salad
• 1 cup steamed vegetables

Push

Breakfast:

• 6 oz plain fat free yogurt
• 1 smashed banana
• 1 tbsp wheat germ
• ½ tbsp peanut butter

AM Snack:

• 2 cups baby carrots

Lunch:

• 2 cups green salad
• 3 tbsp fat free dressing
• 1 cup raw carrots
• 1 pear

PM Snack:

• ½ large banana

Dinner:

• 5 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast
• 2 cups steamed vegetables
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemonade with 1 tsp sugar

Pace

Breakfast:

• 2 whole wheat frozen pancakes
• 2 tbsp low calorie syrup

AM Snack:

• 1 apple

Lunch:

• 1 cup vegetable or chicken noodle soup
• 2 cups green salad
• 1 cup green tea
• 1 apple

PM Snack:

• 1 pear

Dinner:

• 5 oz grilled fish
• 2 servings of steamed vegetables

Vigorous

Breakfast:

• 6 oz fat free yogurt
• 1 tsp psyllium husk
• 1 apple
• 1 cup of coffee with one packet of sugar and 1 tsp of milk or cream

AM Snack:

• 2 oz lean roast beef

Lunch:

• 2 cups green salad
• ½ cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup steamed vegetables
• 1 orange

PM Snack:

• 1 reduced fat cheese stick

Dinner:

• 1 cup green salad
• 1 cup steamed vegetables
• 1 ½ cup broth based soup
• 1 pear

The meal plans above are designed for each module of the 4 Day Diet. For several modules, Dr. Smith provides strict meal plans that remain the same for each day, yet with other modules, the meal plans vary from day to day. In addition to following the meal plan, be sure to add the recommended exercises to your daily routine. Within 28 days, you should start to have healthier eating habits and see some change in your weight and body fat.