Morning Jess, I can totally relate to your post the other day, I also feel that I cannot follow any plan.
I feel this way, too. I did LL successfully in 2008 and feel that I've been there, done that and should be able to do this in a more "normal" fashion.
I ordered the Beck book yesterday in the hope that I can get things clearer in my head.
So, did Shanny and I. I liked what Sal (SurfHunny) had to say about it, and also liked the 40ish day programme format metioned in an review. (I should be able to work through the book before I go to the States on holiday. The last time I was there I gained 9 pounds in 3 weeks! I am only going for less than two weeks this time... but still.)
The amount of times I gave up CD because I could no longer do it and the amount of times I went back to it you cannot count on one hand and it still didn't work the 2nd, 3rd time etc.
I did the same through out 2010: start, stop, lose, regain... repeat.
I guess as long as we keep following some kind of plan even if it is different each week we will eventually be in the right place to go forwards.
I finally decided to SS to start (detox, jump start losses, etc.), then after a few weeks SS+, then 810ish. And, that is what I have been doing and still am. I am fully prepared to "change it up" so that I can continue to lose weight.
I have lost 1lb a week for the last 2 weeks on WW and this week I am sure I will have a gain, so am contemplating SW which I know I failed at last year as although I was 100% I shuffled the same 6lb around for 12 weeks.....
I have been losing about 2 pounds a week. One week I lost just 1, another week I lost 3. But, I am losing.
SW would be difficult for me: I am not good with portion control. I would find the green day/red day difficult... I would not want to have to think can I have this today? And the WW new pro-points might work...
but I have joined Rosemary Conely for the fitness class and have their diet, magic measure and portion pots.
I love the Zumba and will need the accountibility of being weighed weekly (by someone else) when I get to goal.
I expect I will use the portion pots and a South Beach Phase Three diet to maintain my losses (the diet is similar to Rosemary Conley's but with lower in carbs, as I know I am carb sensitive).
From Wednesday onwards I am going to have an Oats so simple breakfast, 2 CD shakes throughout the day and a WW ready meal in the evening and see how that goes....
I have an oatmeal sachet made with 1/3 cup boiling water (I like it thick) and 1/4 cup of sliver almonds mixed in with coffee (tab sweetners) for breakfast.
Lunch: is usually a South Beach Meal Replacement Bar (the CD make me ill), and sometimes a lowfat cheese stick (50 cals). -- If I go out I opt for a salad with chicken or prawns w/no dressing.
Dinner: I have a CD soup (Oriental Chili or Chicken and Mushroom are faves)
Later evening: CD shake made into a mix-a-mousse (it is filling and I can sleep better).
My big issues are getting regular exercise and water. I am still trying to "get into the fitness habit" -- and getting enough water consumed. I know that "The more you drink, the more you shrink" -- the week I drank 3L a day w/o fail was the week I lost 3 pounds. I have started making up a jug of Crystal Light flavoured water (2l) each morning -- and try to drink that through out the day. I also try to always carry water with me.
...... xx