My Virgin Diet Tool Box

Tools For The Virgin Diet Life

Cycle 3

Diary of a Virgin Diet Follower

 

Dear Diary,

As a follower of The Virgin Diet, I can surely say that it's been one of the most positive lifestyle changes I could have made. The Virgin Diet has really changed my life.

And here's are some of the reasons how it's made a difference in my life:

• I celebrate my weight loss goal of 30 lbs., in which I ended up losing total of 35lbs. instead(okay call me an overachiever)
• My sleep time is wonderfully enriched(wake-up refreshed not groggy)
• I have more energy throughout my day
• My focus is sharper and the brain fog has dissipated
• I have a greater knowledge about foods and how they can affect my system
• It's helped me develop a sense of healthy consciousness
• I drink more water and know the importance of doing so
• I have a feeling of lightness
• It's urged me exercise daily, even if I just do short walks
• I now practice food portion control with each meal
• The smoothie is the key to the success of The Virgin Diet

 

I can go on and on and on about The Virgin Diet because there are so many amazing thing about it. However, now that I am in Cycle 3 of the diet, it's imperative that I create a Virgin Diet centered system for continued success.

So, I've decided to build a Virgin Diet Tool Box.
I remember when I was a kid, my mom and dad would take us fishing. I used to have a little tackle box(it was a colorful little box) with all the things that I needed to catch a big fish. Inside my little tackle box, I had hooks, tiny, the cutest little red and white plastic bobble corks,fishing line, tiny lead weights, and a little snack in case I got hungry or bore, which ever came first(mom always packed a snack for me). Before I went on my fishing trip, I would check my tool box to make sure I had everything that I needed then off I'd go.

So... I started thinking that just as I was prepare to catch the biggest fish, I'd need to prepare myself for continued success with The Virgin Diet to ensure dietary sustainability . In order to accomplish that, I need a Virgin Diet Success Tool Box. A tool box chocked with all the tools needed to create a Virgin Diet Life.  Hmmm... So what things should I pack in my Virgin Diet Success Tool Box.

The first thing I need for this Virgin Diet lifestyle journey is a copy of JJ Virgin's Virgin Diet book. Oh yes, I'll definitely need to include The Virgin Diet book. Although I have read it, I will need to refer back to it often.

Well, let's see, what else should pack in my tool box?  Since I like to start my day with my berry protein smoothie because it's a healthy nutritious blend that energizes me and satisfying until lunch time(Oh yeah, I've got to my sure that's in my tool box. Okay, what else. Oh, oh , oh, I know, what about some Clean lean protein such as; grass-fed chicken, beef , pasture-fed pork, wild caught-salmon, scallops and shrimp (yum-mee!), and what about some High-fiber-low glycemic carbs like: apples, beets, black beans, lentils, lima beans, brown rice, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Healthy fats help controls hunger and is a mood balancer as well as supports vein and artery health. Okay, so, I'm going to need some of that in my tool box too. Healthy fats are in foods such as: coconut oil and milk, olive oil, raw nuts(no peanuts-never), raw seed(chia, flax, hemp), or wild cold water-fish. The next thing is some organic Nonstarchy vegetables like: kale, mushrooms(love it), red onions, arugula(great in salad),  broccoli, swiss chard, greens( collards, turnip and mustards), spinach and garlic.

Finally, I have to make sure and put The Virgin Plate in my tool box because that will help with portion size and prevent overeating.

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've 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.