When I first quit smoking I vowed I would NOT replace my smoking habit with an eating habit. The week before I quit I went on the cabbage soup diet for 1 week (not one I would stay on for any length of time but its great for a kick start) I lost 6 lbs and then when I quit smoking I stayed eating healthy and WALKED and WALKED, 2 miles in the morn and 2 at night, then I biked, exercised and swam when I could fit them in. I didnt gain weight when I quit in fact I have lost weight so yes it can be done.
This is the soup and the diet if anyone is interested. There are other ones similar, if you google them there are actually quite a few. Hope this helps some of you. I am still watching what I eat and I am still holding my own. It takes ALLOT of work but like quitting smoking it is worth it!!
6 large green onions
2 green peppers
1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
3 Carrots
1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms
1 bunch of celery
half a head of cabbage
1 package Lipton soup mix
1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)
Season to taste with salt, pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder, etc.
Directions:
Slice green onions, put in a pot and start to saute with cooking spray.
Cut green pepper stem end off and cut in half, take the seeds and membrane out. Cut the green-pepper into bite size pieces and add to pot.
Take the outer leafs layers off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot.
Clean carrots, cut into bite size pieces, and add to pot.
Slice mushrooms into thick slices, add to pot.
If you would like a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now.
You can use beef or chicken bouillon cubes for seasonings. These have all the salt and flavors you will need.
Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the V8 juice), cover and put heat on low. Let soup cook for a long time - two hours works well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Remember: This diet should only be followed for 7 days at a time, with at least two weeks in between.
Day One:
Fruit: Eat all of the fruit you want (except bananas). Eat only your soup and the fruit for the first day. For drinks- unsweetened teas, cranberry juice and water.
Day Two:
Vegetables: Eat until you are s