Tweeking The Virgin Diet

For a Healthier Lifestyle

Fine Tuning the Diet

Cycle 3

Diary of a Virgin Diet Follower

Dear Diary,

I have realized that creating a healthier lifestyle through the Virgin Diet is going to take a bit of work. Work? Work! Work? Yes,and yes...work.

How so? I asked.  So Diary, I thought that after losing my goal weight of 35 lbs. in 6 months, and eating all the right foods, at the right times and drinking glass after glass of good filtered water, why, I assumed that was all that I needed to do...period. I just figured by now, I could eat any those seven forbidden foods and that I have been avoiding for so long. 

Not at all!

Since following The Virgin Diet, I have feeling fabulous and, by all means, want to continue to do so. Although, the forbidden foods sometimes look and appear to be quite tempting, I know that they are not good for me and actually make me feel sick.  Those forbidden foods, Gluten, Corn, Soy, Peanuts, Sugar and artificial sweeteners are the things that made me fat and gain the unhealthy weight in the first place. However, out of the seven forbidden foods, and while in Cycle 3, the diet for life phase of The Virgin Diet, I can eat Eggs(every other day), and Dairy(every 4 days) to sustain my weight and remain feeling good.

So now, I come to the tweeking stage of The Virgin Diet that's where I will develop an easy to follow recipe for continued success.

A few days ago, I talked about how to create a Virgin Diet Lifestyle, I started with The Virgin Diet shopping list because that's a perfect place to begin.

 

In fact, I keep my shopping list tucked away in my wallet so that I have it when I get to the store. It's always the same, so that not only saves me time, but money as well, because I know actually what items I have to get each time.  It's wonderful to finally have some grocery shopping guidelines to follow and not just aimlessly looking around and buying useless food products that do not comply with the diet. I still read the labels on new products   and make certain none of the forbidden food are trying to slip into my shopping cart. There always trying to sneak into my shopping cart, but I always catch them. Look for unusual ingredients or unclear verbiage. Just "Google it", something jumps out at you.

Next, I have to continue to practice strict Virgin Diet discipline and again stay clear of those foods that can hurt me. That means to make sure I have my daily berry smoothie, preferably first thing each morning. Sometimes, I  try some coconut water instead of coconut milk in my smoothie for a lighter smoothie. It is really good and curbs hunger for 4-5 hours. Smoothies are the important part of The Virgin Diet and the key to my success. I must remember to drink water, water and more water, (spring, or filtered water) between smoothie time and meals throughout the day too.

Tweeking for success is not hard to do... the thing is, you just have to do it.

Diary, Keep Calm and Keep Tweeking!

 

 



Creating A Virgin Diet Lifestyle

The Virgin Diet

A Way of Life

Cycle 3

                                                      Diary of a JJ Virgin Diet Follower

Hey Diary, 

Now that I've successfully completed Cycle 1 and 2 of The Virgin Diet, I have to create a plan that is Virgin Diet centered.  Since I lost 35 lbs, I am not interested in gain any of that weight back . So in order to maintain my weight there are somethings that I must do on a daily basis. According to JJ Virgin creator of the Virgin Diet, the rate of weight regain after a typical diet are anywhere from 50 to 95 percent. So, I am not looking to become a statistic, that why it is important for me to set up a Virgin Diet maintenance plan for myself.  

Planning is the a very important element and is key to the continued success of the diet.  So, how should I plan out my maintenance program? Let's see...

For me, its important for me to make sure that I have ample supply of Virgin Diet healthy foods, and the ingredients for my berry protein shake on hand. That's where my Virgin Diet shopping list comes in handy.

Here is my shopping list:

Virgin Diet Shopping Lists

PUBLIX (Local Grocer)

• Fruits/veggies
• Seasonings
• Olive oil

                  Regular for cooking

                  Extra virgin for salad dressings

• Back to Nature cashews or almonds (In GREENWISE section)
• Grass fed beef
• Free range chicken

WHOLE FOODS

• Suzie’s thin rice cakes
• Branford Spicy Vinaigrette salad dressing
• 365 Coconut Water (for smoothies)
• 365 Stevia
• Organicville Gluten free mustard
• Sugar free ketchup
• Arrowhead Mills brown rice flour
• Brown rice crackers
• So Delicious sugar free FROZEN coconut ice milk
• So Delicious sugar free coconut milk
• So Delicious sugar free Almond milk
• Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos (like Worcestershire Sauce)
• Coconut Secret Vinegar
• Whole deli roasted NAKED chicken
• Ground Flax and Chia seeds
• Almond butter

TRADER JOE’S

• Ghee
• Applesauce (First Crush GRAVENSTEIN)
• Nitrate free bacon
• Applegate hot dogs
• Trader Joe’s Guacamole
• Trader Joe's Sauerkraut 
• Frozen string beans (large bag $1.99)
• Frozen blueberries
• Frozen strawberries
• Fresh fruits, veggies
• Coconut oil
• Red palm oil
• Frozen brown rice
• Seafood--Wild caught sea scallops, wild caught shrimp
• Meats--grass fed beef, free range chicken

Sometimes, if I can't find some items like coconut milk, or ground flax seed in the stores, I take advantage of online shopping. Online shopping is great!

Diary, I got my shopping list now let's go shopping.

Hoorah! Cycle 3 The Virgin Diet Graduation

Living The Virgin Diet Life

Cycle 3

Diary of a Virgin Diet Follower

 

 

 

 

Dear Diary,

 

 

 

It's My Virgin Diet Graduation Day! Yep! That's right, go ahead and congratulate me because I have just completed both Cycle 1-Elimination(that's where, I dropped 7 foods from my diet for 21+ days), and Cycle 2-Reintroduction(that's where I added some of the 7 foods back into my diet).  According to JJ Virgin of the Virgin Diet, that's a huge achievement.

The Virgin Diet has taught me so much about the 7 foods; Sugar and Artificial sweeteners, Corn, Soy, Eggs, Dairy, Peanuts, and Gluten, and how they affect my body, product labels enrichment, enabling me  to both identify and verify the ingredients to avoid eating the 7 foods, portion control, and healthy snack alternatives. 

In completely Cycle 1 and 2 of The Virgin Diet, I have loss a total of 35 lbs., I'm feeling lighter, sleeping better(like a baby), I'm  more focus with improved concentration(no foggy brain), skin appear smoother, brighter outlook and food taste so much better.  I can go on and on about the marvelous benefits of The Virgin Diet but I will hold off for now. It's just fabulous! 

So with that..., I'll just get my Virgin Diet diploma and go off into the world.  Ahhh!  But wait,... not so fast, there is one more phase(the last cycle) of  The Virgin Diet left and that is Cycle 3.  Oh!Cycle 3:The Virgin Diet For Life, is the crème de la crème of diet because it's going to assist me in adopting and managing a new dietary lifestyle. 

I have graduated to Cycle 3 and my reward for all my hard work is be to treat myself,...not with food( as I have done in the past), but something much more lasting.

Maybe, I'll get a new outfit with my new size to celebrate. Or, maybe a picnic lunch in the park, Orrr, maybe, take a trip to someplace special. Whatever it is, it's going to great!

Now, in order to maintain this successful weight loss,continue feeling great and initiate The Virgin Diet For Life In Cycle 3, I'll need to continue to discipline myself and follow these rules:

• Stay with The Virgin Diet Plate meals assembly, focus on clean, lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, low glycemic carbs, and non- starchy veggie(no French fries, right)
• Stay away from sugar, artificial sweeteners, gluten, corn, soy, and peanut. (JJ Virgin say to avoid these 95% of the time)
• Based on my Cycle 2 tolerance test,  I tolerated eggs, and  some dairy(I reacted on day 3), I can have them every 4 days(but not everyday)
• Follow the Golden Rules on Meal Timing
• Have 3 meals substituting one meal with a smoothie/shake daily
• Drink water
• Exercise
• Get 7-9 hours sleep each night
• Take a mental health break at least 15 minutes a day

Okay Diary, so turn the tassel, because I have been promoted to Cycle 3, The Virgin Diet For Life.

 

Getting Off This Dairy Train

The Virgin Diet Day 3 of Testing Dairy

Cycle 2

Diary of a JJ Virgin Diet  Follower

 

Dear  Diary,

It is important to test one only one hi-FI food at a time. So I have to test dairy and only dairy and not add any of the eggs, gluten or soy while test dairy. According to JJ Virgin of The Virgin Diet, it would be hard to evaluate the food tolerance results if I added more than one hi-FI foods at a time.  JJ Virgin also says that it would confuse the body, making it harder for me to find what I can and cannot tolerate.

JJ Virgin is absolutely right. Here is how I know she's right. Every since I passed the Egg Test , I have been able to tolerate farm eggs in my diet, however, I've noticed that I cannot tolerant more than one-two days of eating eggs. I also discovered that adding eggs while I'm reintroducing dairy just does not work because I have now developed some bloating, more belching and burping and not sure which one to blame. Is the eggs or the newly reintroduced diary or both.

Today, I added Half and Half(cow milk) to my coffee, and a bowl of oatmeal with milk... and an omelet with kale and mushrooms. Enough already! That was breakfast. The symptoms have now developed into bloating, and continued belching. At this point, I surmise That I am not able to tolerate dairy. I don't like this feeling, it's not very good. 
Although, I have one more day, tomorrow, of this dairy testing.  Right now, I'm done! No more dairy and that's it!
I going back to coconut milk and coconut creamer in my coffee and oatmeal cereal. It not only taste better, but, my system tolerates it much better.  As of now, and future, the dairy test is over.
I failed the dairy test. Dairy out!
So diary, let's just keep on keeping on!



Back On The Dairy Train

Virgin Diet Dairy Test

Cycle 2

Diary of a Virgin Diet Follower

Dear Diary,

This week, I started testing dairy to see if my system can tolerate it, and so far, so good. I like to start my food intolerance testing on Mondays, at the beginning of the week because its easier for me to manage and documents any symptoms that I might have.

So, yesterday... first thing in the morning, I had a cup of coffee with Half and Half creamer, then later a had an omelet with cheese and brown rice cakes for breakfast.

The only thing I immediately noticed after drinking the coffee with the dairy creamer, Half and Half, was that I started belching and burping. Interestingly enough, I have not had any belching of burping after eating or drinking since I started my Virgin Diet journey back in January...it felt strange. There was a slight  stomach discomfort as well,  but not unbearable. The next meal(lunch) was a regular meal with grass fed chicken and organic green beans, and dinner I had a Bodacious Raspberry Smoothie(I love my smoothies).

                              Bodacious Raspberry Smooth

1 cup frozen red raspberries

1 cup of unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk

1 scoop of Growing Natural Vanilla Pea Protein

1 scoop(1-2 tablespoons) Black Chia seeds

Couples sprigs (2-4) of kale

Blend until smooth and drink up

Yep, and I  made sure I drunk my smoothie 3 hours before retiring for bed too-that is very important. JJ Virgin of The Virgin Diet recommends that my evening meal be 3 hours prior to bedtime.  



Day 2-Today, I had coffee with Half and Half creamer again. I experience more of the same.... belching and burping afterward. Not to the extreme, but none the less, I experience it so I made a note of it.  I still had my morning smoothie within 1 hour of getting up this morning. No omelet today, diary.
The only other dairy I had today was cheese on my broccoli.
So far, while riding the Dairy Train and drinking cow milk in the form of Half and Half in my coffee, the only symptoms are belching, burping and mild stomach action.
I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings.
 



If The Shoe Fits...Then

Why Are My Feet Shrinking?

Is It The Virgin Diet?

Cycle 2

Diary of a Virgin Diet Follower

 

Hey Diary,

If the shoe fits...wear it!

I have been on The Virgin Diet since January and have lost 35 lbs., experiencing boundless energy with great sleeping nights. And now four months later, and in Cycle 2 part of the diet, something very interesting is happening to my body. It's my feet. They seem to be getting smaller. What I mean is, that they seem to be shrinking....and right before my very eyes.

At first, I thought that I had imagined it all or that I was living in some sort of dream of my shoes not fitting. But honestly speaking, I just never thought that my weight loss as a result of The Virgin Diet, would cause me to have shrinking feet. This is so incredible, my stomach shrunk, my waist  shrunk, my thighs shrunk, my hips shrunk....everything shrunk and now, even my feet.



Flipping and Flopping
Get Shoes at Zazzle

During the past months, the weight loss seemed so subtle,  I hardly noticed my shrinking shoe size, until I put on a pair of my favorite shoes(gorgeous pair of high heels... no, not the stilettos) and found that they were literally slipping off of my feet. It was really strange because this seemingly happened overnight. I was totally unaware the my feet were losing weight along with the rest of my body.

It was quite noticeable as the appearance of my feet went through its own metamorphosis, my toes became long and slender and no longer touched(I could see space between each toe again)the ankles and foot itself slimmed down and had no signs of swelling or puffiness and the skin, softer and smooth to touch.
And it not just the how my feet look, not to mention the way my feet feel. It's like walk on a cloud... Now mind you, I've never walked on a cloud before but, my feet sort feel as if I were floating along, effortless walking. No heaviness went lifting my feet. I know this sounds bizarre, but its real.
In the past, I thought my cute fat feet were a family trait and that I was stuck with them forever, but I guess I was wrong about that.
Anyway, I had no idea. Right now, I  can even place two fingers in the back of my shoe while wearing it and still have extra room in them. My regular pumps became like flip flops, flipping and flopping along the heel of my feet when I walked. Extremely annoying too!  It's time to buy some new shoes and certainly some that fit my feet. This is totally unexpected and unbelievable!

So now, I am down two dress and pant sizes, and one shoe size. Who would have thought, that losing weight would have such a positive impact on the body... the entire body, even my feet.  I certainly didn't. Such visible signs, as well as the subtle changes in my body during my Virgin Diet weight loss journey have helped me to become more in tuned with my body... from head to toe!

That's why I say, "If the shoe fits.... wear it!" And if the shoe doesn't fit get a new pair! No money for new shoes? No problem! My local consignment store had a wonderful selection to choose from(many of them never worn).

Amazing, that's The Virgin Diet, simply,  amazing.

Just saying!
Until later diary.

Passed The Virgin Diet's Egg Test

How Do I Know If I Passed?

Cycle 2

Diary of a JJ Virgin Diet Follower

Dear Diary ,

I just passed my Egg Test.  The Egg Test in Cycle 2 of The Virgin Diet is where I reintroduced my eggs back into my diet and track adverse symptoms. Sooo, just what sort of adverse symptoms was I really looking for? Bloating, gas, stomach upset, heartburn or anything that made me feel badly during the Egg Test.

The Egg Test consisted of my eating good organic, free-range, clean eggs(to be exact, I ate an omelet) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, then I went egg-free on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The entire time I track my symptoms looking for anything that would indicate I am egg intolerant.

Since, I had no symptoms and feel really great with no apparent signs of an egg intolerance, I conclude that eggs are certain to become a part of my routine diet.

 

So, I passed the Egg Week, now what? Well, the next test is the dairy challenge to see if I can tolerate cow's milk. But, for now, I'll just eat eggs in extremely moderation. Stay tuned for the dairy challenge.

Although, I used to love eggs and formally included them in my diet daily, I  can only have eggs a few times per week according to JJ Virgin.  That's fine,  because in the past, (before starting The Virgin Diet journey) I was probably eating more eggs that I should have been eating anyway.

 

 

Frozen Organic Food Recall Alert

Costco, Trader Joe's and Safeway Stores

Cycle 2

Diary of a JJ Virgin Diet Follower

 

 

Dear Diary,

Today, I received a recorded robo call telephone message from Costco letting me know that CRF Frozen Foods are recalling all products due to listera. The frozen food products that are in question are: organic broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, edamame, green beans, potatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, but read the FDA notice for a complete list. 

I'm checking my freezer for any of these frozen foods and tossing them.  For a complete list of brand name product go to the CRF recall website.

 



Eggcellence

Passing The Egg Test

In Flying Colors

Cycle 2

Diary of a JJ Virgin Diet Follower

 

 

Dear Diary,

I am nearing the close of my Eggs Test, where I reintroduced eggs back into my diet.  This is the fourth day that I included eggs in at least on of my meals. So far, I have had no symptoms and indicating intolerance to eggs. Another interesting thing is, I've discovered that eggs do not excite me as much as they did before starting The Virgin Diet.  They didn't even taste as good as I anticipated. Before the diet, I thought that I could not have breakfast unless I had eggs. For instance, every morning I use to have scrambled eggs(not free-range, antibiotic-free... just any ole eggs), bacon(not nitrate-free bacon...just bacon, grits(corn, corn, corn....no good...I had no clue) for breakfast. I thought that breakfast, my first meal of the day was a somewhat hearty, get-me-started, kind of meal. Until, The Virgin Diet! I don't think that I will be gorging out on eggs...they just don't seem to wow like before. Oh well! Anyway.

 From now on,  my morning breakfast will consist of a yummy smoothie with one of the wonderful organic berries, such as: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and occasionally dark cherries. I'll put the berries in the blender along with some So Delicious coconut milk, black chia seeds, and yellow pea protein. Blend it all together and Voila! Drink up! It's soo good too! 

In order to complete the Eggs Test throughout the rest of the week, from Friday to Sunday, I have to go eggs-free... no more eggs in my diet and continue to track any symptoms. 

Right now, I feel great, sleep well, have lots of energy, sharpened concentration and most importantly have still maintained a weight loss of 35 lbs.

Tomorrow, its breakfast smoothie on tap!

I can't hardly wait.

I created a Eggs Tester Journal and noted everything that I ate during the Eggs Test and the results are in a word... "Eggcellent"!

Thank Diary for being there for me.

  

Eggs Test

My Food Journal

 

Monday:

                Breakfast: Omelet

                Lunch:     Grass-fed beef meatballs, organic spinach salad

                Dinner:      Roasted Free-range chicken wings, organic broccoli,

                                  brown rice

Symptoms: _None_____________________________________

 

Tuesday:

                Breakfast:  Strawberry smoothie

                Lunch:        Grass-fed lamb, organic avocado and diced tomato

                                    salad with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar

                                  

                Snack:          Suzi Thin brown rice cakes with almond butter and

                                     blueberry preserve

                Dinner:        Wild caught seasoned shrimp, organic mixed greens

                                     salad, apple crunch(crust made with free-range

                                     chicken egg- yummy!)

    Symptoms: _None_______________________________________

 

Wednesday:

                   Breakfast: Omelet, coffee

                   Lunch:      Avocado salad with cilantro, balsamic vinegar and

                                     olive oil, leftover chicken wings

                   Dinner:     Dark Cherry smoothie made with almond milk and

                                     chia seeds

     Symptoms: _None_______________________________________

 

 Thursday:

                   Breakfast: Omelet, coffee

Lunch:      Cinco De Mayo Avocado Salad

               Dinner:      Raspberry Smoothie with coconut milk

   Symptoms:  None_________________________________________

         Friday, Saturday, and Sunday-Eggs-Free 



Eggstravaganza

The Eggs Test

Cycle 2

Diary of a JJ Virgin Diet Follower

 

Dear Diary,

Today is Day 3 of the Egg Test. Oh, that's where I'd reintroduced eggs back into my diet and write down any symptoms or signs of food intolerance or my inability to tolerate eating eggs. 

Here are the results of the first three days:

 



Eggs Test

My Food Journal

 

Monday:

                Breakfast: Omelet

                Lunch:      Grass-fed meatballs, organic spinach salad

                Dinner:      Roasted Free-range chicken wings, organic broccoli,

                                  brown rice

Symptoms: _None_____________________________________

Tuesday:

                Breakfast:  Strawberry smoothie

                Lunch:        Grass-fed lamb, organic avocado and diced tomato

                                    salad with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar

                                  

                Snack:          Suzi Thin brown rice cakes with almond butter and

                                     blueberry preserve

                Dinner:        Wild caught seasoned shrimp, organic mixed greens

                                     salad, apple crunch(crust made with free-range

                                     chicken egg- yummy!)

    Symptoms: _None_______________________________________

 Wednesday:

                   Breakfast: Omelet, coffee

                   Lunch:      Avocado salad with cilantro, balsamic vinegar and

                                     olive oil, leftover chicken wings

                   Dinner:     Dark Cherry smoothie made with almond milk and

                                     chia seeds

     Symptoms: _None_______________________________________

 

 

 

Staying hydrated throughout the day was very important. So I made sure to drink, drink, drink.

My weight loss remains at 35 lbs. and I feel fabulous.

One more day of egg testing, then I can rest from eggs for three days. 

Okay Diary,

Until tomorrow. 

Eggstrordinary Success

Reintroducing Eggs

Cycle 2

Diary of a  JJ Virgin Diet Follower

Dear Diary,

Standing at a 35 lbs. total weight loss by following The Virgin Diet, I now get to reintroduce another food back into my diet and test for food intolerance. During Cycle 2 of The Virgin Diet, four foods are reintroduced to check my system for system intolerance. They are: gluten, soy, eggs, and diary. I've already tested gluten some weeks back and discovered that my system did not tolerate it at all. So I no longer eating gluten.  I had if a food intolerant response to soy years ago, so don't eat soy either, no further test required.  At this There were two more foods for me to test, eggs and diary. As I mentioned last week, the next food up for testing is eggs. I wanted to start the Cycle 2 with eggs on Monday, so that I could precisely follow JJ Virgin's instructions on how to reintroduce a food back into my diet.

Here are JJ Virgin's instructions on how to test the eggs:

Week For Eggs Testing

• Monday-Thursday add 1 meal that includes eggs to my meals
• Friday-Saturday Take a break from eggs(No eggs)                  
• Track my symptoms every day                                                  
• Have at least one protein smoothie a day                                  
• Drink plenty of filtered/spring water                                           

This morning, I could hardly wait for the my "Egg Testing Monday".  I'd plan to have an omelet for breakfast.  That exactly what I had this morning.. an omelet with free-raged, no antibiotic, eggs, spinach, mushrooms, nitrate-free bacon, and lightly seasoned with sea salt and pepper. It was eggcellent! Delicious with a big, "D".  The rest of the day followed with drinking plenty of water, a regular meal and a berry smoothie.

So far, no symptoms... in fact, I feel great!

Tomorrow, I will have my breakfast berry smoothie and have the eggs with a later meal to change it up a bit.