Soups On, Mofo...

Ok, so I have been really shitty about the fact that I can not seem to get rid of the final 5 kilos or so on my belly. I lost about 15 kilos over the course of the last year, but this last bit just doesn't seem to be coming off. If anything, it's making me a bit slack at the gym, because I'm so frustrated. So, I've decided to be a fad diet victim and give the famous "Soup Diet" a go. Even if it doesn't work, I think it will be quite a kick in the pants to log how I go. I'm sure after day three I will be picking up a nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a T-Bone, and a big block of chocolate, but, you can all witness the fun. Ms. B is also planning to get her soup on as of Wednesday, so I will have an partner in crime. Diet is as follows:

The Kick-Start Soup Diet recipe
(Makes enough for one person for two days.)

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tomatoes
• 2 large cans of crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans of liquid stock (beef, chicken or vegetable)
• 2 cups of water
• 1 packet of vegetable or French onion dry soup powder
• 1 bunch spring onions
• 1 bunch of celery, including leaves
• 2 cups of green beans
• 3 green capsicums
• 1kg carrots
• 2 stock cubes (chicken, beef or vegie)

METHOD

1. Chop all the vegies into small pieces and put them in a big pot with the remaining ingredients.
2. Add salt and pepper (not too much salt).
3. Boil rapidly for two minutes and simmer until it's nice and tender.
4. If you want it thinner, add a bit more water.

Have as much of the soup as you want, whenever you want.

Seven-day eating plan

The quantities recommended are per day.

Avoid toast and cereal for breakfast while on this plan. Stick with the recommended foods for each day.

You should only follow this seven-day eating plan for a maximum of three times in six months.

• DAY 1. SOUP AND FRUIT: Eat any fruit except bananas because they are high in kilojoules. Eat as much as you want. If you don't want soup for breakfast have a fruit salad instead.
• DAY 2. SOUP AND VEGIES, NO FRUIT: Eat as much fresh, raw or lightly steamed vegies as you like. Leafy greens are great but avoid peas, corn and beans as they are high in sugar. Reward yourself at night with a jacket potato, a little butter or better still, some yoghurt.
• DAY 3. SOUP, VEGIES AND FRUIT: Eat all you want but no potatoes.
• DAY 4. SOUP AND BANANA SMOOTHIES: Make a banana smoothie with low-fat or skim milk - it's a great source of potassium. Have a maximum of three large bananas per day.
• DAY 5. SOUP, BEEF AND TOMATOES: Eat a piece of lean beef or a skinless breast of chicken no bigger than a deck of cards with six luscious tomatoes. Vegetarians can substitute tofu. These quantities are per day. You can go easy on the soup today.
• DAY 6. SOUP, BEEF AND VEGIES: Eat plenty of beef (or skinless chicken or fish) and vegies today. Again, vegetarians can substitute tofu. You mightn't need soup as much but your body will tell you. No potatoes.
• DAY 7. SOUP, BROWN RICE, VEGIES AND FRUIT JUICE: You might need more soup today.

Remember: do not eat any bread, fried foods or oil on the seven-day plan.

Drinks

• While on the plan, do not have any soft drinks or alcohol.
• You can drink unsweetened fruit juice or cranberry juice; black, green or herbal tea (you can have skim milk with black tea); coffee; skim milk and plenty of water - six to eight glasses a day.

I have already run into a bit of a snag, as I am having lunch with my boss tomorrow. I really don't want to say, "Oh, I'm not eating, I'm on the soup diet." However, I am allowed vegtables, so hopefully I can have a salad with nothing on it. I really hope I don't pass out at the gym, as it could cause a scene.

 So as of day one, I am 82 kilos (180 lbs) Wish me luck...