Under the Belt

With Day One under the belt, I can say with some confidence that this program really isn't as terrible as it sounds in theory.  A few days ago, I remember thinking to myself I can't live on vanilla shakes, but the truth is a shake packet can be turned into a LOT of combinations of things.

I started my day yesterday with an HMR 70+ vanilla packet.  I made a shake straight up because I didn't have the time to get creative.  For lunch, I packed a Beef and Bean Enchilada entree with 1 cup of frozen corn and 1/2 cup of black beans.  I added some salsa to spice it up.  I also made a pudding from an HMR 70+ chocolate packet and packed some fruit with me to snack on.

I had my first challenge last evening in that I had a work function to attend.  I knew this would likely entail cocktails and rich foods.  I thought about different strategies and once I arrived, I decided that the best thing to do was to get a sparkling water with lime and park myself near the crudite platter.  This way, when I was tempted to eat something, I didn't have to search it out.  Also, the platter was in a back corner where for most of the night, the servers didn't bring around too many other hors d-ouevres options.  It worked out perfectly.

Except that by the time I got home, I was famished.  I mean, a few grape tomatoes and some cukes during a cocktail party isn't really enough to hold anyone over, especially me.  I made it home a few hours later and was so grateful that the entrees only take a minute (literally!) to heat up.  I started eating a Beef Stroganoff entree while waiting for my veggies to cook.  I finished off my dinner with a pumpkin pie pudding (an HMR 70+ vanilla packet with 2 TBsp canned pumpkin - not pie mix! - and some cinnamon and nutmeg).

I reached my 3+2+5 goal for the day AND I managed to drink 72 oz. of water vs. the 64 oz. they recommend.  A very successful start!