The Cookie Diet

Jennifer in PA: For a while, the rule was you can only lose 2 lbs of fat per week, period. However, it's been found that people who are much heavier can lose more than that. Up to about 1% of their body weight per week. So they discovered that it's max(2 lbs, 1% of bodyweight) that you can lose per week of pure fat.

Thanks for the welcome! Yes, I consulted with a clinic today in Burlington MA. I'm sold and will give this a shot. I tasted the cookies and they weren't bad. I'm not much of a junk food eater normally but my 55lb weight gain (discovered the truth today) has been due to mere over eating and not exercise. I eat great/healthy food, just way too much of it and have a tendancy to drink more then should which in turn makes me want to eat more. It's a viscious cycle.

My test results showed that I have more muscle mass then I would have thought and am in fact retaining A LOT of fluid! This I'm sure is due to the alcohol and cheese I snack on. Cheese, carbs and wine are a sure fire way to gain 55lbs in a year. Yes, this time last year I looked great!

Oh well, I'm not going to stress about it. I have set some very clear goals for myself and this is goal #3, get the weight off.

I will continue to stay in touch with regards to my progress.

kim

Hi there! I'm starting the cookie diet on Sept. 26. I went for a tasting and think that all the cookies are pretty gross! C'mon, a cookie is supposed to taste like that? But if I lose 17 pounds, i really don't care what it tastes like. I'll eat dirt if it works! I'm very proud of all of you! Kudos to everyone! Is there an imitation cookie that costs less? As a college student, I think 50 bucks a week plus 265 to sign up is steep! Well wish me luck! P.S. Why did the siegal dr. refuse to sell his cookies to smart for life?
What happened? Cuz the dry cookie story is a lie!

Kim: How did they test your body fat percentage? Some of the testing methods don't work well for obese people. With some methods, every obese man seems to automatically be 30% body fat. This may overestimate your muscle mass.

How did they determine how much water you're carrying? Any body fat percentage test will only give lean and fat weight, nothing else. Also, by water weight do they mean glycogen? If you stop eating carbs, you will automatically drop weight pretty quickly as your glycogen levels drop. Once you start eating carbs again, your body will draw carbs and water into your muscles. This is not bad water retention though. Other water retention though will probably come off when you hydrate yourself properly.

The more I hear about these centers, the more it concerns me. If the nearest center weren't a 7-hour drive away, I'd go have a chat with them. I might start emailing one of them and probe deeper into what exactly they're doing to you.

I finally tasted the new cinnamon oatmeal cookie and it was so good! I was really surprised with the tatse and texture.. better than the old oatmeal raisin cookie..

nancy~
I have tried the new banana, cinnamon oatmeal raisin and the blueberry. They are definately better than Dr. Siegels cookies. The new ones are 80 calories and I believe that Dr. Siegels are 70 calories each.

kim~
if weight loss is set as goal number 3.... what is number one and number two? I am just curious:)

Ryan~
So if I am currently @ 160 pounds, I should only be able to lose 1.6 pounds per week of fat?

Jennifer in PA: If you're not familiar with the max function:

max(x, y) = x if x > y and y otherwise

It's max(2 lbs, 1% of body weight) per week. 2 lbs is greater than 1% of your body weight in your case, so it's the maximum of the two. So you can actually lose 2 lbs per week.

Ryan~
Thank you. Are you a math wizz or something?
LOL:)

Jennifer in PA: I guess you could say that. In computer science, I specialized in analytical geometry and complexity theory. In discrete mathematics, I specialized in logic and combinatorics. I never warmed up to calculus though.

Basically, I'm good at theoretical math and proving theorems, but not as great at actually calculating the answers to things.

Ryan~
Wow!!! So what do you do for a living?

Hi everyone,

I went to see the dr today ... it's been 24 days since I started...had to have my 1st month visit a few days early due to scheduling; anyways, 13 lbs down. Very happy with the results. He said I could continue w/my 3 1/2hr light weight training sessions a week, BP is perfect, pulse perfect. I am feeling great!

Hi everyone,

I went to see the dr today ... it's been 24 days since I started...had to have my 1st month visit a few days early due to scheduling; anyways, 13 lbs down. Very happy with the results. He said I could continue w/my 3 1/2hr light weight training sessions a week, BP is perfect, pulse perfect. I am feeling great!

Jennifer in PA: I program drivers for 3D hardware. I found out halfway through college that I like writing system-level code.

Jennifer ~ Goal 1 was to sell my house and relocate to a new city. Moved her in July and LOVE IT! Goal 2 was to find a job that I will be happy at. I've been out for work for 3 months and looking hard and think I have found it. I went for my 2nd interview today and they may be brining me back for a 3rd. I think that is because they may be considering me for a mgmt role. We'll see, but I'm 99.9% sure I got it. But, I have to
I start the diet tomorrow. Purchased my stuff today and met with the doctor. I was very impressed by her and feel comfortable that I am in good hands.

Ryan? I was just wondering why you are so concerned with everyone on this site and what they are doing? What's in it for you? Not being rude, just curious. If you goal is to educate then why not wright a book or start up your own program/website. I'm sure you will find PLENTY of people who will see thing your way. I mean you seem like you know what you are talking about but then again so did the doctor I met with today...hmmm you both may be right. Wouldn't that be funny. ;)

Tova
Congrats on the great weight loss.. you are doing so good!

Kim~
Good luck with everything. Where are you located?

So today is day 2 on the program and so far so good. The hunger was worse yesterday then today but certinaly not tortuous. The hardest part was dealing with my tendancy to eat when I'm bored. So instead I went for a walk. I know they told me to limit my exercise the first 4 wks and keep it to a minimum, but I didn't know what else to do with myself.

I started my period today so I should see a pretty substantial weight-loss this week due to the extra bloated and gain we all get around that time of the month.

Overall, I feel great, no problems to report.

Well, what I thought might happen did. I had been perfect for 3 1/2 weeks knowinn that this past friday night would come, RoshHashannah. After being on track all day, we went to a friend's for dinner. I ate what she cooked, (in the past for shabbos dinner I came with my own food) leaving out the bread except for a pinch for hamotzi, a tiny sip of grape juice. Ate the salads she made which had already been dressed and the veggies and some salmon. Ok. not perfect but I was so aware of what I was eating and what I shouldn't have eaten, I felt good about it.

Then came 1st day of the holiday,Saturday, and after being in shul for hours, I got home at 3:30 and for lunch here had a salad w/some protein that I had made.ame thing happened at dinner Needed it because the walk is over 1 mile each way.

Then came 2nd day ... did the same thing for lunch and then skipped dinner.

Got on the scale this morning, down a 1/2 lb and today is a FAST day for Jews (usually the more religious ones). So, by tomorrow on track again til Yom Kippur, and then we have 2 weekends of holidays again.

I am not upset that I wasn't perfect, nothing ever is. What I am happy about is that I was more aware of what I eating (right, wrong or indifferent). At least between the 3 days I walked 6 miles so that would've helped!

Have a great day

Tova~
Dont be hard on yourself:) You have lost a great amount in your first few weeks which is great and if you have a day here and there that you are bad and eat some things that are forbidden~ just think that you still lost a half a pound while enjoying food and friends while celebrating a religious finction. The other days of the week you were strictly sticking to the cookies and your dinner. We will all have days where we eat somethng else and if someone can say they have been 100% compliant than they are either lying or just have great willpower which is totally awesome and congrats to anyone that can be 100%. Are there any of you out there that were 100% the whole time??? if there any success stories for beig 100% please post on the board!!

Tova, enjoy your holidays and most likely you will lose a pound or more even if you eat something you shouldnt have:)

Hey everyone I'm back! I caught the flu last week and I've been miserably sick for days! But the good news is I'm feeling a lot better today.

Jackie from Boston,

Be thankful you have the new cookies lol I was on the old cookies while I was on the program and basically I had 2 flavors to choose from for 4 months because the old coconut flavor was hideous. Since I completed the program now they have 5 flavors and all of them taste better than the old ones...hands down :)

It sounds like your clinic charges more for cookies than mine did but $50 a week for breakfast and lunch is still pretty good. That's breakfast and lunch for about $7 a day. Take a look at how much you were spending on those two meals before you started the cookie diet. Look at how much you were spending on dinner every day too. Personally, I ended up saving about $10 a month while I was on the cookie diet. Even with the doctor fees and the cookies because I was spending so much less for food every day.

From what I heard, it's not that Dr. Siegal refused to sell cookies to Smart for Life it's the other way around. Smart for Life wanted new flavors and wanted to print the nutritional content on each package because of FDA requirements. Dr. Siegal didn't want to budge on those so Smart for Life and Dr. Siegal seprated because of that. It seems like Dr. Siegal didn't want to offer the diet outside of his area and Smart for Life is wanting to spread into different states. It sounds to me like a difference of opinion as far as the two companies were concerned so they've both gone their separate ways.

I'm on maintenance but I still go in to weigh in and talk to the staff and everything because they really became my friends while I was on the program. It looks like since the split, they are doing better than ever so maybe it was a good thing for everyone involved.

Jenny from PA

I was 100% compliant my whole time on the program. I didn't deviate at all. Not sure how I pulled that off exactly! I just wanted to get it done with as fast as possible and the doctor told me that it would be faster the more compliant I was. A couple of my friends who've done the diet lost slower than I did but they deviated which is probably why.

I'M CONSIDERING STARTING THE DIET MY APPOINTMENT IS IN 2 WEEKS. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS TO ASK SOMEBODY PLEASE.
1. TOTAL COST OF PROGRAM FIRST TIME AND MONTHLY.
2. ANY SIDE EFFECTS
3. DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE ANY TYPE OF PILLS ETC.
4. WHAT FOODS CAN YOU EAT.
THANKS A LOT!

PLEASE E -MAIL ME WITH THE ANSWERS FINNMA2005@AOL.COM

TEE
the biggest side effect is you will loss weight! :)

Has anyone tried the new soups? I haven't but am considering trying a soup.

Hi All! I haven't checked in for a while but its good news. I got weighed in yesterday and lost another 8lbs to total 47lbs since 7/17/06. I can't tell you how happy I am with this program!
My clinic here in Braintree,Ma only got in two new flavors of the new cookies so far....banana and blueberry. I really loved the banana and stocked up. I also got about 10 chocolate shakes because I drink them with my supper. The shakes are worth two cookies each.
I wish everyone else great success too!!!

Boston Deb: That is amazing weight loss! May I ask how much more weight you are looking to lose? Just wondering if the heavier one starts out the more they lose esp the first few months. I have been on the plan for a month and have lost about 14 lbs and have another 60 to go to get to their goal .. I would be happy with another 50. Other than over Rosh Hashannah I have been staying right on plan and even w/the holiday I didn't gain even an ounce.

Hello All,
Sounds like everyone is having great success. I lost another 3lbs yesterday. Considering i spent the day at the bar in east hampton, ny with the guys drinking dirty martinis and watching the football games. b

I will take the 3lbs and be happy.
Its a new week!

Kim: I have nothing to gain really; sometimes it even drives me nuts. However, it pains me to see how some people lose weight in this country. I think that any weight loss plan should be focused around making you stronger/healthier and not just thinner. You'll naturally get a boost in health by losing the fat, but there's so much more that can be done.

I don't think the obese should have a different way of losing weight than other people. You don't have to train with the intensity of an athlete; just train hard enough to challenge you. You are the only person you should be competing with. Plus, when you're obese, you will get the greatest results from exercise.

People need to start watching body fat percentage and lean mass and not just the scale. People who are only aware of the scale get screwed with bad diets.

Also, some doctors, while well-meaning, have very bad ideas about weight loss. I know; I was raised by one. I think it comes back to how they are trained. The type of mindset that they are programmed with in med school doesn't lend itself to healthy, natural weight loss. I tend to distrust a doctor's opinions on weight loss unless they can show me they are educated enough on the subject.

I guess I could form my own book or program, but there are other programs out there that would be pretty much identical to mine.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COOKIES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SELL. THIS DIET IS TO EXPENSIVE FOR ME BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TRY IT, I ONLY WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS I'M 5'7" 174 PDS SO LOSING ANYMORE THAN 20 JUST WOULDN'T BE RIGHT.

Kim: I have nothing to gain really; sometimes it even drives me nuts. However, it pains me to see how some people lose weight in this country. I think that any weight loss plan should be focused around making you stronger/healthier and not just thinner. You'll naturally get a boost in health by losing the fat, but there's so much more that can be done.

I don't think the obese should have a different way of losing weight than other people. You don't have to train with the intensity of an athlete; just train hard enough to challenge you. You are the only person you should be competing with. Plus, when you're obese, you will get the greatest results from exercise.

People need to start watching body fat percentage and lean mass and not just the scale. People who are only aware of the scale get screwed with bad diets.

Also, some doctors, while well-meaning, have very bad ideas about weight loss. I know; I was raised by one. I think it comes back to how they are trained. The type of mindset that they are programmed with in med school doesn't lend itself to healthy, natural weight loss. I tend to distrust a doctor's opinions on weight loss unless they can show me they are educated enough on the subject.

I guess I could form my own book or program, but there are other programs out there that would be pretty much identical to mine.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COOKIES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SELL. THIS DIET IS TO EXPENSIVE FOR ME BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TRY IT, I ONLY WANT TO LOSE 20 POUNDS I'M 5'7" 174 PDS SO LOSING ANYMORE THAN 20 JUST WOULDN'T BE RIGHT.

Joined yesterday. I am excited that there is a way to lose the weight. I lost 60 pounds over a course of a single year by moderate exercise and calorie awareness. Then got married and well, I did not stay as aware of the calories I was consuming and exercise has not fitting into the schedule of my new life. Boom..two years later, I weighted in 33lbs heavier. WOW- I have been trying to squeeze into my suits. I am banking this program will give me the jump-start to feeling lighter so that I add back moderate exercise into my routine. I am also hoping to fit into my clothes again. I am seeing many of my co-workers lose weight, so it seems to work. I am optimistic. I will keep up with this blog on my progress—it seems like a great support network.

Is everyone required to eat 6 a day, or can some people eat less? JUst interesting on how many of you choice to eat them thoughout the day? All 6 by 5pm?

Jenny from Tampa~
Thats awesome. No cheating at all. You had some major discipline. How much did you lose and how long did it take?

Lynn
I usually always eat all 6 by 5 (dinnertime) Once in a while I have one left over for after dinner but that is often on a weekend not a workday.

Hi everyone! I have been on the diet since September 1st and had my first doctor visit today. To-date, I have lost 16 lbs! No side effects, no downfalls, nothing negative at all to report! I feel the best I have felt in a long time! Dropped a size in clothes already too! People starting to notice a change..wow! Good luck to everyone...thanks for the support on here! Will continue to check in and update you on progress!

P.S.- The blueberry cookies taste great w/ a spritz of "I Cant Believe Its Not Butter" spray and microwaved for ten secs..taste like a blueberry muffin!

Gina
you are doing great!

Gina~

I've noticed that too...I feel great! My sinuses are clearer, I sleep better and my head is clear. I did have one bad day where I felt light headed, dizzy, a bit confused and very tired. Turns out I needed Iron and needed to stick to the 64oz recommended allowance of water. I was drinking TOOO much water and my electrolyts were all off. That is the nice thing about being doctor monitored. You have someone who can tell you these things. I wouldn't have known on my own.

My weigh in is tomorrow morning, I will let you all know how it goes.

Good morning!

My first weigh in today...9lbs!! What a great way to start off! I feel great.

Oh and I am not taking anything other then vitamins (B6 2x's a day, Multi w/Iron, Calcium 2x's a day) and drinking 64oz of water in addition to my morning coffee. That is the nice thing about being monitored by the doctor, they tell you what you need to be doing. I really don't feel hungry, headaches only the first couple of days and I'm sleeping great.