Has anyone tried the Special K challenge? If so, how did it work for you?

It's really just a way to curb down the calories for breakfast.

If you take the special k challenge, then eat a large burger for lunch, and a HUGE dinner, it won't do much.

Part of the challenge is that you replace lunch with the cereal as well. And seeing as how my chef is a boyfriend, I mean my boyfriend is a chef. :P I can eat a little better because he's doing this with me...

I did it. Leaves youhungry. Ad tobe honest with you... any slight consistent chage will have you lose as much weight

A recent study showed that the most important thing concerning diets and weight loss wasn't which diet was chosen... low fat versus low carb versus whatever... it was the ability of the person to stick to a sustainable diet of decreased calories... for all the talk about picking and choosing what kinds of calories you will or will not consume, the result was simply "calorie reduction = weight loss" if the person could stick to it.

Any chance that boyfriend of a chef can make your breakfast be the best meal of the day?

The idea of "eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper" is a pretty good one. Sure... dinner is often when its most convenient to have a more elaborate meal, but hitting your body with loads of calories at the end of the day makes no sense.

My wife is in great shape. She works her tail off at work, but makes time for exercise. That might mean getting up at 5am... but one thing she's done is occasionally replace lunch with a decreased cal meal... sometimes a slimfast.

So the idea of a decreased cal lunch, I think, is fine... but if it leaves you ravenous at dinner... it's the opposite of what you want to be doing.

I did it and it worked, but it is so hard to stick to because let's face it - cereal is boring.

I did it and it worked, but it is so hard to stick to because let's face it - cereal is boring.
Touché, we got Vanilla Almond, Chocolate, Yogurt and nuts, and Blueberry! How is that boring? I got to admit, I can't do skim milk, so I use 1%. How much did you lose in two weeks?

any chance that bf of a chef can make your breakfast be the best meal of the day?

the idea of "eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper" is a pretty good one. sure... dinner is often when its most convenient to have a more elaborate meal, but hitting your body with loads of calories at the end of the day makes no sense.

my wife is in great shape. she works her tail off at work, but makes time for exercise. that might mean getting up at 5am... but one thing shes done is occasionally replace lunch with a decreased cal meal... sometimes a slimfast.

so the idea of a decreased cal lunch, i think, is fine... but if it leaves you ravenous at dinner... its the opposite of what you want to be doing.

Thanks for all the advice, no he can't make breakfast. That's when our schedules clash. We only see each other from 5pm-10pm every day. But that theory sounds like a good one, really. I'll have to put that into action as soon as I'm done with the Special K diet.

Unfortunately I don't have time for working out. I wish I did, I miss it so...

Touche, we got Vanilla Almond, Chocolate, Yogurt and nuts, and Blueberry!! How is that boring?? I gotta admit, I can't do skim milk, so I use 1%. How much did you lose in two weeks?

About 5 pounds. When you go back to eating like you were before, the weight creeps back.

I plan to do it longer than two weeks. Seems like a good plan.

Any plan to eat less calories or be more active is a good plan... unless you don't do it or do it solely for a short period.

Ill post this and stop getting off track from the special K diet focus... maybe this can help play into your other meals around the diet...

Saved this ezine article that helps with foods that keep your metabolism running... not the same as a workout, but the same idea... crank up the metab to burn more calories or keep you satiated so you eat less...

20 Superfoods For Weight Loss - AOL Health (http://www.aolhealth.com/healthy-living/longevity/weight-loss-superfoods)

Our mornings are nuts too, so one thing I've done is prepare some stuff ahead of time... for ex, eggs, chiles, lentils, and steak are all mentioned as calorie burners or filling foods that keep you sustained. Most of this you can make ahead of time... hard boiled eggs are easy to store, and even scrambled eggs can be reheated gently in the microwave while you get ready for the day.

Ill commonly mix scrambled eggs with chopped, leftover, lean steak, toss in some cooked lentils, hit it with some a splash of hot sauce (love Cholula), and toss a little lowfat cheese on top. Heat gently. A small bowl 'o breakfast to get your morning going right.

We'll do this maybe 2-3 times a week for a fast, good breakfast. Again, you can make it all up ahead of time. Prepare enough on the weekend to make it through the week.

Yogurt is one of the top foods mentioned over and over, and on that list, as are blueberries for their antioxidant properties and fiber (again, filling)... so some fresh blueberries mixed in with yogurt is another good morning start that can get you running.

I split many of those mornings with a good whole grain bread or english muffin (NOT white eng muffin... its terrible for you) with peanut butter and a banana for variety.

Also... if you are on the go or have little time for lunch, take some nuts. Almonds are mentioned on that list, but also macademias, cashews, sunflower seeds... any that's dry roasted and not bathed in salt or sugary coatings... these are GREAT for a late day snack. They have good, healthy oils and can take the edge off before dinner. When we come home, one of the first things we will do is snack on a few nuts, and maybe raisins or dried cherries. Its good for you and you'll find yourself not starving when dinner comes.

Mkay... sorry for the threadjack. Jus' trying to keep your other meals satiating and good so that the cereal lunch won't drive you mad. As much as I push and push to find time for exercise, I can tell you honestly that some of the diet changes we've made have really made a difference in maintaining and eating less, spending less, etc.

You could alternate lunches with cereal one day... slimfast the next..

Off the soapbox. I yield to others.

Glad you are still searching for what you can reasonably use in your crazy, busy life. There's a lot of good ideas, but if you can't sustain it in your corner of the world, it doesn't work.

Another helpful source for long term changes is the YOU: The Owner's Manual series. There is one about dieting as well. You can find more info on it online.

They break down how your body uses food and exercise in an easy to read, no nonsense way. They are quite humorous and provide many tips and suggestions on how to incorporate changes easily into your lifestyle.

The biggest hurdle is to stick with it long term... quick fixes are just that, and you won't sustain long term weight loss or health benefits with them.

For most people, the key is to just get moving in some way each day and make healthier food choices for meals and snacks.

THe whole scam about the special K Challenge is that its telling you to only eat 1 measured serving WITH fat free Skim milk and exercise. Hey, its basically reducing your calorie intake via portion control. I doubt that eating Special K in itself will make you lose weight. Cereals like that are processed full of sugar and basically are cross promoting their cereal bars as well. Cereals are not ever necessary to eat.