Had a really good day. Calories under 1000. Wow that doesn't happen often for me. Not hungry though. Hope the scale moves tomorrow. Best of luck to you all. V

Yep I guess everybody has quit the diet or quit the "Thread". So sad. I am still interested in keeping it going. Anyone else beside Lesa??

Hi, I have pretty much been doing this diet for 6 weeks now since I came back heavy from Christmas in Italy. I've lost about 9 pounds since then (which is about 6% of my body weight) and am in normal weight range for my height. I am 5'6" but have a small bone frame so even an extra 5 pounds really shows, and it had been creeping up the last few years. Right now I feel great - at 50+, and am wearing jeans that fit my 19 year old daughter and weigh 10 pounds more than I did as a senior in high school. So although I did not have a lot of weight to lose, it came off fairly easy with this diet.

During my 21 days on the diet I did not cheat on the 7 foods. Not cheating was the key for me. Giving up 7 staples was so radical that I didn't have a chance to concentrate on missing any one! I don't really think I had food intolerance to any of the 7 forbidden foods, but for me giving up sugar was huge: I am like the woman in the book who stole her kid's Halloween candy. And giving up dairy meant no butter or cheese, both of which just pack on weight for me. Still, I ate more fat than she recommends in the book: avocado, nuts, olive oil - although I tried not to go too far over the fat allowance in the daily tracker in myfitnesspal. I'm not embracing coconut products to the extent that she does because of the saturated fat aspect, although I am using some, and find them good for recipes, as well as the less-controversial hemp milk (almost flavorless, so good for recipes) and almond milk. About half-way through the 21 days I started logging all my food on myfitnesspal. I realized then how much I was eating, and this helped me control portions aand achieve better nutritional values. I aimed for 1300 calories a day and usually ended up between 1200-1500. Also about half-way through, I started religiously having a protein shake for breakfast - not using her powder, but Bob's Red Mill hemp protein powder (much cheaper and nutritionally better). This usually kept me until lunch. I definitely needed to plan a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack.

Now my sugar cravings are GONE and I'm satiated with far fewer calories, so I think my body has really equilibrated to this new metabolism. The low carb aspect of this diet has been good for me because I'm borderline pre-diabetic (115 mg/L glucose and A1C of 5.9%).

As others have noted here, my weight did seem to plateau and maybe even creep up a couple times during the 21 days, but the overall trend was downwards. I really think it takes your body chemistry some time to adapt (on a cellular level) its mechanisms to process the different style of fuel coming in.

The only "forbidden" food I have added back in regularly has been 1/4 c whole milk in my morning coffee. I have not eaten bread since Jan 2 and don't miss it. I'm eating only 1/4 c dry per day of grains (brown rice or quinoa or millet or buckwheat groats). I try to base lunch on raw greens (big salad with something like chick peas or lentils in it) and include cooked greens (spinach; chard etc) with dinner, which will have a protein and a nutritious carbohydrate (sweet potato; squash; beets). If you like to experiment with food preparation, look for tips and recipes online from the vegan (no eggs/dairy) and gluten-free (no wheat) communities. Also, the raw food community has some interesting ideas (buckwheat groats; sprouting; dried kale chips). Author Robin Robertson has a new cookbook out on nut butters that I want to get. Also, breaking the habit of "dessert for breakfast" as she discusses in the book was big for me.

Anyway, these are just some things that worked for me. I hope this is helpful!

i use unsweetened almond milk.

Hi Ladies! I'm not viewing much traffic in this group but I'm on day 12 of the virgin diet. Life is good so far. I've been able to drop 8 pounds after being in a terrible plateau for over 3 months. I'm looking forward to introducing new things in my diet. Hoping that some of you out there are still tracking the virigin diet...

DON'T - GIVE - UP!! I finally got my copy of The Virgin Diet book... and I'm reading it now !!

I was actually in the mindset of trying to find foods, or a way of eating, that reduced inflammation/arthritis symptoms in my joints. Arthritis is very bad in my genetic tree. My "theory" was that there had to be foods that could reduce inflammation... however what I landed on was this issue of foods that "cause" inflammation. Hence the Virgin Diet book accidentally emerged.

I came across the JJ Virgin, Virgin Diet book, while looking for books on the Macrobiotic way of eating - and of course instantly hated the name of the book (didn't realize it was her name). Too cheeky sexual, it just annoyed the crap out of my prudish side. *yes i have a prudish side.. that co-exists nicely with my outrageous ho side* :-}

Anywho, ...I picked up the book to leaf quickly through it, and actually saw some things I.. *gasp*.. liked. I put it back on the shelf, too dang cheeky - and moved on. Visions of a chart she'd listed of appealing sources of calcium instead of cow dairy calcium haunted me. SO, I went BACK to the bookstore.. just to take a cell phone photo of that list in her book. DARN me for still hating that book title - and I left.

I started researching the book more online - and THAT is where I found out it was her name!! *argh* Okay now I can only give her nods for using the ploy as a marketing tool. *dagnabbit* Apparently she is well known, and I'm sure if I had TV for any of the past decade.. I'd have known that. *oh well*

So I found a YouTube video of her being interviewed for some radio show, yet it was taped with the DJ and then her on her laptop camera. LOVED IT. This gal is SO right on, it is easy to see the marketing BS versus what is actual facts - so okay I'm in. I went back to the bookstore - the book is SOLD OUT. I order the book, but continue to view and read information on it to grasp the concept of what to expect when the book came. I also (knowing how I am) .. know I must actually get rid of anything in the cupboards, fridge, and freezer of the Naughty 7 No-No's.. which are *gasp*.. Eggs, Dairy, Corn, Soy, Sugar/Sweeteners, Gluten and Peanuts. My daughter and grandbrat LOVED the food donation.

If you would have asked me last Sunday morning if I really ate soy or corn - I'd have told you No. Actually out of all the things on the list, I thought those two items would be the breeziest things to get rid of. Actually they have been the HARDEST. As I went through the cupboard and read labels.. soy and corn products are in EVERYTHING. I felt the panic set in. =O

Still, being brave - I put them all in the giveaway bag. If I had them, I'd use them. They had to go.

I saw J.J. did this protein stuff for a breakfast smoothie.. but instead I researched protein mixes that met the criteria of the book.. and came across some great information. Based on reviews, I went to The Vitamin Shop and got two kinds. I must say that just winging it for smoothies in the morning instead of my former egg sandwich, was a bit of an adjustment Hmm - but I will say that in knowing what is IN the protein powder makes me comfortable, and after the first 4 days, I CAN say I made it over some sort of speed bump the last two days and that I can now FEEL I have more energy and mental clarity than before. Okay maybe it's just I have A/C on again after too many days of it being on the fritz... *shrug*

But what is REALLY impressive was the 3rd DAY of just following the general concept of what the book will require................ I lost one and a half inches around my waist, stomach and hips.. (and no it wasn't from the A/C being out). BUT...as far as the inflammation goes, which was the whole point.. I'd say 10-15% better, but again that is just starting to follow the concept of the book.

NOW, it has been one week and the book is now here.. I know that putting the No-No food in my mouth this week prior to "Officially" starting the "diet", has definitely kept my Buddah Belly from budging after that miraculous day 3 shrinkage.. but my goal? I want to be joint pain free, and even though I've just been leaning heavily toward what I know must do in a life change to what goes in my pie hole, I can say the improvement is already 20% in one week.

My stats?
I'm 51 (5'11) - and need to lose 20 - 25lbs, which is mostly abdominal weight.

A week ago...
Joint Pain/Inflammation - Not Good
Bust: 40
Waist: 35
Buddah Belly: 39
Hips: 44

One week later (after cutting out A LOT of the 7 No-No foods)
Joint Pain - 20% Improved
Bust: 40
Waist: 34
Buddah Belly: 38
Hips: 34.5

As a footnote: I've not tried this Stevia, and not sure that I will. I hate the flavor of black licorice, which someone likened it too. I'm not keen on the negative health issues it can cause in SOME people, as I just feel I'd be in that percentage of people it doesn't go well for. I'm much more inclined to keep using Turbinado sugar, or Agave syrup - but will stay open to that.

As far as carrageenan in Coconut Milk for coffee creamer and other products, my research has found a lot of conflicting information on that. Most key being carrageenan (which is used), versus Poligeenan, which is a "degraded carrageenan" (and the alleged not cool). Anyway, not totally sure there needs to be a scare on it, but read and decide for yourself. http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2013/refuting-myths-about-carrageenan.html

Hi all, I just finished the book and I'm really excited/nervous to get started. My start date for the 21 day elimination is 7/8 since I have a vacation coming up. I'm now trying to prep everything and make sure I can succeed at this (I love researchig all the foods and grocery shopping). I have about 100+ to lose and feel that this would be a good starting point so that I can eliminate anything that could get in my way. I've already started the water schedule, 4x4 exercises and cutting down on things that will soon be gone so I don't miss them as much.

I'm glad to have a group to share this experience with!

Hi Amy, thanks, I just added you. Any extra support will be helpful. I'm officially starting Monday7/8 and this weekend I am stocking up on good foods, so I am not tempted or have any excuses. I think I'm most intimidated by the dairy and gluten elimination, because they have been such a big part of my life. They could also be hindering me too, so at the same time I'm excited to see how my body will respond.

Good luck with your gluten reintroduction and with camp. My vacation was crazy and off track but because of the extra movement I was getting, it actually evened out (thankfully). Shopping was crazy, even Trader Joes was like a minefield. All of the things that have hidden soy, sugar, eggs are just everywhere. I'm going to search through whole foods next and see if I can find more options.

My favorite peanut butter alternative has been Almond Butter, is you have a Costco you can get too it is reasonably priced too. The brand is Maranatha and the only ingredient is almonds (makes me think it might be easy just to make my own too). I'm officially on day 4 of the full elimination and I feel really good. I was nervous that I would want to get into things, especially since I still have to be around it with cooking for the family and prepping lunches but I haven't even had cravings.

Going out to eat is definitely a big fear of mine, I will try and plan ahead and check wherever it is on-line first and see what I can have and then double check ingredients once I actually order too.