Diet tips

I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. After a week in Norfolk I've only gone and put on half a stone. I'm so annoyed. Of course, I take no responsibility for this. I totally blame my parents. If it hadn't been for the trifle, the fish and chips, the chinese takeaway, the meal out at the pub, the scones and jam, the chocolate shortbread, the maple pecan cereal, the lemon possets, the meringues, the other various chocolates which came out on an hourly basis, not to mention finishing off all the children's meals, then my clothes would all still fit me. I tried to tell them it wasn't a good idea. I almost said 'No, I can't eat all this food. It's not good for me. I just won't do it.' But when push came to shove, I couldn't quite get the words out. I am so weak when it comes to food.

So this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to go on a diet. As of tomorrow. Now please don't panic or think I'm ridiculous or vain. Well, actually you can think whatever you want because it's a free world, but you know what I mean. I've been through all this before. I think I may have mentioned somewhere (possibly in Labour Day Part 1) that I put on 5 stone during my first pregnancy. What I didn't mention is that I also put on 3 stone during my second pregnancy. And, despite being told by a number of people that if I were to breastfeed my children, then the weight would 'just drop off', it didn't. In fact, 4 months after giving birth to Renée I hadn't even lost a pound. And it wasn't until I suffered a terrible bout of food poisoning that I lost any weight at all. No, the only way I managed to shift those excess pounds, was not by going on a mad fitness regime (in fact, and I shouldn't really advocate this, I did no exercise at all), but to go on a diet. Plain and simple. Shocking I know, but I can't just say the weight fell off because I was running around non-stop after the children. That would be a lie.

Anyway, in case you're interested (apologies if you're not), I did manage to lose that combined total of 8 stone. And because I'm that sort of person, I'm going to share my little secret with you. It's called the Scarsdale Diet.

THE SCARSDALE MEDICAL 14-DAY DIET

BREAKFAST EVERY DAY: One half grapefruit, One slice of bread, toasted, no spread added Coffee/tea (no sugar, cream or milk, no honey).

MONDAY

Lunch: Assorted cold cuts of meat. Tomatoes - sliced, grillled, or stewed. Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.
Dinner: Fish or shellfish, any kind, combination salad, any greens and vegetables as you wish, One slice bread - toasted, grapefruit. Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.

TUESDAY

Lunch: Fruit salad, any combination of fruits. Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.
Dinner: Plenty of grilled, lean hamburgers, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, olives, cucumbers, brussel sprouts, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.

WEDNESDAY

Lunch: Tuna fish or salmon salad (oil drained off) with lemon and vinegar dressing, grapefruit, or melon, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.
Dinner: Sliced roast lamb, all visible fat removed, salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.

THURSDAY

Lunch: Two eggs, any style (no fat used in cooking), low-fat cottage cheese, courgettes, or string beans, or sliced/stewed tomatoes, one slice of bread, toasted, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.
Dinner: Roast, grilled or barbequed chicken (skin and visible fat removed before eating), plenty of spinach, green peppers, string beans, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.

FRIDAY

Lunch: Assorted cheese slices, spinach, one slice of bread, toasted, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.
Dinner: Fish or shellfish, combination salad (any fresh vegetables desired, raw or cooked), one slice of bread, toasted, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.

SATURDAY

Lunch: Fruit salad, any combination of fruits, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.
Dinner: Roast turkey or chicken, salad of tomatoes and lettuce, grapefruit, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.

SUNDAY

Lunch: Cold or hot turkey or chicken, tomatoes, carrots, cooked cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower, grapefruit, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.
Dinner: Plenty of grilled steak, (all visible fat removed before eating), salad of lettuce, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes (sliced or cooked), brussel sprouts, Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda/Water.

SECOND WEEK OF SCARSDALE MEDICAL DIET - Repeat all menus of the first week.

So that's the plan. I'm just going to do it for a week...and not because I'm hideously vain and obsessed with my weight, (contrary to what you may think having just read this post), but because I just want to fit back into my clothes again. (And my parents in law are turning up in a week and I know I won't be able to resist all these cheese and wine and saucisson they're going to bring over from France).

So give me a week and I'll report back to you next Sunday....and in the meantime, spare a thought for me in the mornings when I'll be eating my half a grapefruit and dry toast.