YOUR cookie diet

The Cookie diet, LA juice diet, Slimfast, Nutrisystem - the list goes on. Its simple math, yet someone's convinced you that their cookie is magic. There is nothing in the cookie or bar or shake that somehow makes you lose weight. Someone has found an appealing way to control your calories and make a TON of money in the process. You'll lose weight eating 1200 calories worth of ANYTHING consistently. Some things are better choices than others, but calorie control is the only requirement.

Do you need a jump start? Perhaps a re-group? The concept of a food journal is overwhelming you so as a result you've let the "eating healthy thing" go by the wayside. Now you're back to being mad at yourself - STOP IT! Nothing I haven't heard (or experienced). My husband and I need little re-groups occasionally. Not just re-groups, but NO-BRAINERS. August has been a crazy month of birthdays, traveling and state-fairs. And next month I'm sure it will be something else (hint hint - it ALWAYS is and I can guarantee there's a holiday that involves eating just around the corner). You need a "no think" menu, a no-brainer. You need a "cookie diet" for the in-between times or to simply get you started in the right direction, especially if weight loss is your goal right now. Is there something you could eat every day? Surely there is SOMETHING. The sky's the limit. Would I like this "menu" or "cookie diet" of sorts to contain whole grains, good fats, no processed foods, low sugar, high quality and lean proteins? Sure, but I also live in reality, and I'm a firm believer in baby steps. Remember calorie control, simplicity and consistency is the goal.

Here's my husband's "cookie diet":

1) Breakfast - Kashi peanut peanut granola bar, apple, coffee with Amaretto creamer and splenda

2) Lunch - Loaded natural peanut butter and black currant jelly on whole wheat with 1 snack bag of Fritos and berries (or other fruit) Coke Zero

3) Snack - Starbucks double shot with 2% milk, classic syrup and splenda

4) Dinner - Amy's Bowl (these are calorie controlled, whole grain, lowER sodium pre-packaged meals - my personal preference and we both like them) or 450-500 calorie meal of my making (which would involve cooking - not always an option in our household - don't know about yours ;) ) Coke Zero

5) Desert - 3 oreos (or 6 if he felt he got in a good workout this day) 8oz skim milk

He works out 3-4 days a week entailing 45 min cardio or weight training (He's into P90X - whatev')

So that's approximately 1500 calories. For a 5'7" average built man this is weight loss range. He lost 20 pounds in 3 months eating this most days of the week. Is this for everyone? NO. Him? YES. When life gets a little carried away and your eating starts to veer down that slippery slope or you just need a jump start in this eating healthier thang, take a couple of weeks (or so), dumb it down and re-group. If you're at a healthy weight, tweak your current diet with healthier options and keep tweaking. We are all a work in progress. Remember, Its YOUR "cookie diet". Make it doable for YOU (and your family). Just another tool in your toolbox.

Its a life thing, not a fad. So, what's your "cookie diet"?