2 gained - 6 lost. A great result!
@Sandra1952 (6047)
Spain
January 11, 2010 6:31am CST
As some of you may know, I've lost about 21lbs over the last few months, without really trying. It has been a hot autumn here in Spain, so I've been swimming a lot and eating a lot of fruit and salads. I feel and look so much better, I want to lose some more, so I decided to carry on with the healthy eating.
Like most people, I put on a little over Christmas. Only 2lbs, but if it's not tackled now, 2 becomes 3 and before you know it, you're back where you started, so I decided to take action.
I take a cocktail of drugs for my 3 types of arthritis, and this makes dieting difficult. However, I asked my doctor about the Cabbage Soup Diet some years ago, and he said as long as I adapted it to include a little protein or carbohydrate each day, it was a healthy way to kick start weight loss.
So, last Sunday, I headed down to the market and bought my fruit and vegetables for the week. This morning, I weighed myself and I've lost 6lbs! That's the 2 I gained plus another 4.
Have you ever tried the Cabbage Soup Diet? Did it work for you? Have you a favourite (healthy) way to shift weight quickly for a special occasion, or to kick start your weightloss programme?
8 people like this
18 responses
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 Jan 10
All my diets failed and my dream of regaining my hourglass figure of yesteryears remains an unfulfilled dream. I don't have that strong will power to stick to a slimming diet for long. The foods are too tempting and I just fall for them without thinking that it will add the kilos back.
3 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
11 Jan 10
Hello, Zandi. I've had trouble losing before - I think you do as you get into your 50's. However, I seem to be well on the way now, and looking and feeling so much better is a great incentive. I'm like you, though - I love my food.
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
11 Jan 10
Hi Sandra, I'm sceptical about diets in the first place even though I've never tried one, I heard somewhere years ago that dieting makes you fat, and its always stuck in my mind, as it seems to lead to starve then binge. I think you'd do better just sticking to the Mediterranean diet and being sensible.
Here's the big one, what on earth would be the difference if you substituted your cabbage for leeks, or some other healthy veg, instead of eating cabbage every day, it sounds like torture. I only ever eat it in coleslaw or fried up with crushed juniper berries. Anyway I'm glad that you lost weight but I'm sure there's a way to do it without sticking to cabbage for a week. On the bright side does that mean you get a vodka tonight?
2 people like this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
11 Jan 10
We don't really get coleslaw here, in the tavreanas at this time of year the salad is usually shredded cabbage and lettuce with olive oil. Actually it was quite peppery when I think of it but I wouldn't want to eat it for a week. Now, if you were talking celery.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
11 Jan 10
I think the important thing for me is to get enough sleep. I understand about the arthritis pain, and can see why it would be hard. Clear soups, vegetable soups, are supposed to be so good because they have lots of vitamins and minerals and are filling without many calories. It sounds like you have a plan that works for you.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
11 Jan 10
es, Gerty, it does seem to do the trick. The great thing is it seems to speed up the metabolism as well, so if I eat sensibly for the next few weeks, I carry on losing a little more. It's no hardship to me, as I love soups, and fruit and vegetables, and here in Spain they're so cheap and tasty.
1 person likes this
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
11 Jan 10
Happy to hear that you have lost 6 pounds and I hope that you continue to loose weight until you are at the weight you desire.Personally too I gained a little weight over the christmas but am hoping to loose it over the coming months.I have never tried the cbabage soup but it may be something that I will try in the future
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
11 Jan 10
Hello, Ronny. Yes, I'm really pleased about it. The thing with this diet is, you never need to go hungry, because you can eat as much soup, fruit and vegetables as you wish. The hardest part for me is not being able to have bread, because I love bread with soup, but it's only for a week.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
22 Mar 10
Good for you! I don't really worry about my weight because as you know women go up and down at certain times of the month. As long as my tight fitting clothes are normal again a week later I am usually ok, lol.
I tend to eat light, a lot of salads and whenever possible lots of fruits and vegetables. The end result is that sometimes I have to take glucose to avoid that swooning feeling that diabetics can get when they don't eat properly.
I eat seafood, but no meat and very little bread so weight gain isn't much of an issue.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
24 Mar 10
Congratulations! It's always best when you feel comfortable in your own skin. Sounds like cabbage is working out well for you. What a change from paella and tapas!
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
22 Mar 10
Hello, Canellita. I've always had a problem with my weight - I only have to look at something high calorie and I gain 1lb, but now I seem to have it under control. I've just done another week on the Cabbage Soup Diet, and I've lost another 5lbs, so altogether I've lost over 28lbs in 7 months. I look and feel much better - perhaps slaving over a hot keyboard at Helium is helping!
@birdlady41465 (223)
• United States
12 Jan 10
I have never tried this and as far as I can remember never heard of it either. Sounds interesting and I can see where it can be healthy to your body and help kick your body into losing but still being healthy. Congraulations on the 21,and the 4 more. That is alot and I know u can tell. I myself have been losing weight since I moved to KY and can notice when driving the truck for before it was a hassel and now I can because I can fit better under the wheel. Thanks for sharing your weight loss Good Job.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
15 Jan 10
Hello, again. Sorry about your health, and I do hope the steroids don't make you gain weight.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
13 Jan 10
Hello, Birdlady, and welcome to MyLot. I put a favourite pair of trousers on yesterday that I hadn't worn for a while, and had to take them off, as they were far too loose, even with a belt. I certainly feel much better. Thanks for the good wishes, and well done for your own weight loss. I'm quite short, and have to have the seat well forward, and I'm much more comfortable driving now.
@birdlady41465 (223)
• United States
14 Jan 10
I know what you mean about being short. I am 5ft and weight 272 last time weighed. I have to have seat way up to drive to and i do find some vechiles I cant drive because of my height and belly that just makes me mad and asshamed. Tonight had to go to hospital and though i had a stroke but was bells palsey the shot me up with a lot of steriods and wrote me a script for a few days to help with this new problem I have. This of course will result in weight gain for I have been on them before and gained 100 lbs on one set which i just hope this does not happen when I am finally see my weigh go down after 18 years instead of up. Good Job on the pants sad though you like them and cant wear them maybe you can find someone and help them by giving them to them. Good Luck on your goals with your weight.
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
17 Jan 10
This Cabbage soup sounds familiar. Something like it has been used in both Finland and Sweden. I even might have cooked it some time long ago.
I have found some interesting information about getting both healthy and lose weight without any extreme diets, but following the Glycemic Response diet with less carbs and more protein, vitamins, minerals and last but not least the good oils that our bodies need to get rid of the waist in our cells and benefit from the nutrition.
For those who can afford it, I know that the shake and the GR2 program really work. One of my friends lost 40 kilos and felt so much more energy that she raised up from her wheelchair. Earlier she looked like her own grandmother 
but now she looks totally different. I can show her in Facebook if you wish.
You can see the information here: www.gnld.com
Due to the great food supplements, I have got rid of arthritis, asthma and many aces and pains.
It is great to find a Spanish person who can write such a good English. I like to speak Spanish too, but English is easier for me..
but now she looks totally different. I can show her in Facebook if you wish.
You can see the information here: www.gnld.com
Due to the great food supplements, I have got rid of arthritis, asthma and many aces and pains.
It is great to find a Spanish person who can write such a good English. I like to speak Spanish too, but English is easier for me..@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
17 Jan 10
Hello, Buenavida. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm English and living in Spain. However, after two years here, my Spanish is coming on well. I like the sound of that Glycaemic Response diet, and it sounds as if it would suit me, with the extra protein. I'll look into it. Well done to your friend, and to you.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
12 Jan 10
You have done very well indeed. Do you have a support group you can asttend that will help you with your weight loss?
I have been going to weight watchers for years. ver the past two to three months I started having a littlke success. I have only lost about 2 kilos, as I only loose about 0.35 each week. I would like to be able to loose 0.5 each week.
The way I did it was to reduce the overall fat content. I kept a record for a few weeks counting grams of fat, wityh the aim of not exceeding 30 grams of fat each day.
I didnt gain wright over Christmas.ut I did gain weright over the past 4 days when I was away on my daughters two swimming carnivals. So I need to loose that quickly.
Tell me about the Cabbage Soup diet? Can I have a recipe to make the soup?
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
16 Jan 10
I was going to ask for a link to the soup you made..but seen the response in Oreo discussion that it was down here..thanks..it is a big help..Don't forget to take a vitamin supplement..
@mrsjbelle (1640)
• United States
12 Jan 10
Thats so awesome. I have read thru this discussion and found some great tips that I am going to try. Since the 1st I have been trying to eat healthy cereal with whole grains fat free milk cans of boneless skinless salmon lots of water and I haven't dropped a pound. I am so bummed. I found out in order to lose weight you can only eat like half a cup of cereal and likewise for the milk. If I only ate that much I would be starving in a little while. I may try the cabbage soup diet. Not to be gross but I work in a small office building does it cause a lot of gas or do you know if you can take beano or something to prevent it?
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
13 Jan 10
Hello Mrsjbelle. Well, it didn't cause me any gas this time, but it affects different people different ways. This diet does boost the metabolism, so you should lose weight even after the week on Cabbage Soup. Good luck.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Jan 10
lol well I didn't say home made.... Sometimes it was.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
11 Jan 10
Hello, Dawn. Yes, home made soup is a good aid to weight loss, because you know exactly what's in it, and it's filling. The cabbage we get here in Spain has a lovely flavour - really peppery, so it flavours the soup very nicely.
1 person likes this
@RachelleNH (1396)
• United States
16 Jan 10
I found the discussion! Yay! You were right-lots of good tips here. I'm going to check this out. I can also see where the apple diet would work-it's high fiber!
I just bought some bananas and on it there was this sticker: dolebananadiet.com
So I thought about it..but I'm not sure yet. 2 weeks is hard for me. I don't have the discipline. I know the back where you started thing! Congrats to you!!
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
16 Jan 10
Hello, Rachelle. Yes, there's plenty to get your teeth into - so to speak! Thanks for your good wishes, and good luck with your own weight loss campaign.
@good2go2001 (915)
• United States
18 Jan 10
Hey Thanks Sandra for encouraging all of us. After reading your discussion it encouraged me to give this diet another try. I did this diet back in 1993 and it really did work except i got so very sick and dizzy so im going to modify it slightly like you did and i bet it works great this time. I would have never thought to try it again with modifications. Even if i dont lose as fast since the modifying im good with it. The soup can be made to be like-able lol. Spicing it up a bit goes a long way. I think i need just the little bit of protien (lean) to keep me going and some whole grain type carb like a brown rice. Im going to stick with totally avoiding bread too. Thanks if it wasnt for your post wouldnt have thought about tryin it again.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
18 Jan 10
Hello, Good2go. We weightwatchers need to stick together, and I always pass on any tips, as I'm grateful for help and support myself. Yes, the soup can be really tasty. I use curry sauce in some of mine, and Worcestershire Sauce adds a nice flavour as well. I never got dizzy with it, but I know some people do. Glad I reminded you of how effective the Cabbage Soup Diet can be.
@carblover (51)
•
15 Feb 10
I've tried it and have lost weight but it didn't last. A friend recommended it to me because he lost 25 pounds in a month doing the diet. The idea behind this diet is that the ingredients in the soup takes more calories to digest than it provides. So essentially, it like eating negative calories because your body has to put in more work to digest it. I don't know if this is true because it sounds too good to be true, right?
The soup isn't very tasty because it doesn't have enough salt. It feels like your drinked diluted tomato juice with a ton of cabbage and veggies. But you won't be hungry (just unsatisfied) because you can have all you want while you have a limit of something else, like fruit and sometimes meat. Good luck with it. I suggest you take a multivitamin while trying it.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
15 Feb 10
Hello, Carblover, and welcome to MyLot. I use herbs and spices to flavour the soup, so it's quite tasty. What I do find is that it speeds up the metabolism even when you finish the week on the diet, so I carry on losing more weight. It works for me.
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
3 Apr 10
Hello
My weight was 105 kgs, i am 6 feet 2 inches tall, i don't look obese, but my doctor friend advised me to reduce, i did breathing exercises as taught by Ramdev baba of India in tv channels, i lost 10 kg , that is 22 pounds in 4 months and it is steady at that for six years, these exercises are unique in the sense that if you are over weight you lose, if underweight you gain and maintain a steady weight with no food restrictions
Cheers,
MAPPY EASTER
Prof
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
3 Apr 10
Hello, Professor. That sounds interesting. I do belly dancing, and we do breathing exercises. I've found that, sine I started in January, I've lost inches, although I haven't lost a lot of weight. Sounds like something similar to what you did.
@BarBaraPrz (47343)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
11 Jan 10
I've heard of the Cabbage Soup Diet but never followed it. Although, I do love cabbage soup.
Someone I worked with would go on it when he wanted to drop a few pounds.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
15 Jan 10
Hello, Barbara. Sorry I missed this. Yes, it's very good for shifting a few pounds quickly. It's particularly good for men, because they never need to go hungry. My husband doesn't join me on the diet, but if there's any soup left over, he's quite happy to have it for lunch when I've done my week's diet.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
11 Jan 10
Hello, Pikey. I could do that as well! I'm not into cream cakes, which helps. In October, we had temperatures of up to 30 degrees, which is unusual here. It's a bit cold now, though - 10 degrees, but warming to 15 over the next few days. Much warmer than England.
1 person likes this
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
11 Jan 10
Whenever I have felt the need to lose weight I have gone on the simple principle that just eat a little bit less than you normally do and drink more water. What that means for me is if I would normal have 5 roast potatos then I have 4 and basically do this with everything. It works for me, because I generally eat big meals but can see it causing issue if you only eat small meals. But the good thing is there is no depriving yourself of the things you love, you just eat less of them and sometimes that can lead naturally to stopping eating certain foods which are not good for you.
Well done on the weight loss, and hope it continues in the same manner.
1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
11 Jul 10
Hello i never tried any quick weight loss programme for any special occassion, but with regular yogic breathing exercises i could lose 15 kg of my weight, and it is constant there no gain in 5 years..
Thanks for sharing.
Welcome always.
Cheers.
Professor
Cheers.
Professor
