Last week I spotted something about the GM Diet on Pinterest. It looked easy and seeing as I have 30lb to lose and I'm not working, (so can attempt such crazy starvation schemes with the option of passing out from hunger with minimal disruption to my day,) I thought I’d give it a whirl. The diet spiel states that you will be 10lb-17lb lighter by the end of the week… this is not precise and probably only applies to those who are grossly obese… I am merely ‘obese’ (although, quite gross) so I lost a little less… but I’m still very happy with the results.
Here’s the diet info that I copied from the internet… you can find it anywhere by searching ‘GM Diet’ and print it off if you want to...
The GM Diet - 7 Day Cleanse
This plan can be used as often as you like without any fear of complications. It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter because you will be lighter by at least 10 lbs. You will have an abundance of energy and an improved disposition.
During the first seven days you must abstain from all alcohol
You must drink 10 glasses of water each day
Day One All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.
Day Two All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.
Day Three A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.
Day Four Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. This will be combined with the special soup which may be eaten in limited quantities.
Day Five Today is feast day. You will eat beef and tomatoes. Eat two 10 oz. portions of lean beef. Hamburger is OK. Combine this with six whole tomatoes. On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.
Day Six Beef and vegetables. Today you may eat an unlimited amount of beef and vegetables. Eat to your hearts content.
Day Seven Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.
Tomorrow morning you will be 10-17 lbs. lighter than one week ago. If you desire further weight loss, repeat the program again. You may repeat this program as often as you like, however, it is suggested that you are allowed two glasses of white wine in addition to the instructions on the program. You may substitute champagne for white wine. Under no circumstances are you to drink any other alcoholic beverages with the exception of beer which is allowed. Any liquor (bourbon,vodka, rum) is forbidden. Cream drinks are especially forbidden. You may have an occasional cordial such as creme de menthe or schnapps, but you must always limit yourself to two drinks. If you wine, drink only wine that day. If you have beer, drink only beer that day, etc. Alcohol adds empty calories to your diet. However, after the first week it will help your digestion and settle your stomach.
G.M.’S Wonder Soup
The following soup is intended as a supplement to your diet. It can be eaten any time of the day in virtually unlimited quantities. You are encouraged to consume large quantities of this soup.
28 oz, Water, 6 Large Onions, 2 Green Peppers, Whole Tomatoes (fresh or canned), 1 Head Cabbage, 1 Bunch Celery, 4 Envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Herbs and Flavouring as desired.
Additional Comments
Vegetables as may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except malt, white or wine vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic, herbs. No more than one tea spoon of oil.
You have been given a recipe for the WONDER SOUP which can be eaten in unlimited quantities. This soup is a supplement while you are on the program and it should be a pleasure to eat. Not everyone likes cabbage, green peppers, calory etc. This recipe is not inflexible. You may substitute vegetables according to your taste. You may add any vegetables you like: asparagus, peas, corn, turnips, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Try to stay away from beans (lima, pinto, kidney, etc.), however, because they tend to be high in calories even though they are very good for you.
Beverages you may consume while on the program :
1. Water (flavoured with lemon/lime if desired).
2. Club Soda is OK.
3. Black Coffee. No cream or cream substitute. No sugar or sweetness.
4. Black Tea = Herb or Leaf.
5. Absolutely nothing else except the fruit juices which are part of day seven. No fruit juices before day seven.
How and Why It Works
Day One you are preparing your system for the upcoming programme. Your only source of nutrition is fresh or canned fruits. Fruits are nature’s perfect food. They provide everything you could possibly want to sustain life except total balance and variety.
Day Two starts with a fix of complex carbo-hydrates coupled with an oil dose. This is taken in the morning for energy and balance. The rest of day two consists of vegetables which are virtually calorie free and provide essential nutrients and fibre.
Day Three eliminates the potato because you get your carbohydrates from the fruits. You system is now prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will still have cravings which should start to diminish by day four.
Day Four, bananas, milk and soup sound the strangest and least desirable. You’re in for a surprise. You probably will not eat all the bananas allowed. But they are there for the potassium you have lost and the sodium you may have missed the past three days. You will notice a definite loss of desire for sweets. You will be surprised how easy this day will go.
Day Five, Beef and tomatoes. The beef is for iron and proteins, the tomatoes are for digestion and fibre. Lots and lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colourless urine today. Your allowance calls for the equivalent of five “quarter ponders”. Do not feel you have to eat all this beef. You must eat the six tomatoes.
Day Six is similar to day five, Iron and proteins from beef, Vitamins and fibre from vegetables. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today, compared to day one.
Day Seven finished off the program like a good cigar used to finish off Victorian meals, except much healthier. You have your system under control and it should thank you for the flushing and cleaning you just gave it.
And that's it. Some of it I felt was a little ambiguous and open to interpretation, but to the best of my ability I followed it to the letter and didn't so much as lick the chocolate fondant icing from my finger after slicing up a delicious chocolate cake for the boys... (ok I DID lick my finger... but that was the ONLY deviation from the plan all week... promise!) Below is the daily diary I kept to track my progress and keep a note of how I felt each day:
Day 1 – Fruit day
Not too bad to stick to, I just kept busy all day in the garden to take my mind off food. By 2pm though, I was ravenous and bored of fruit so I knocked up the wonder soup. Think I made too much. Hope it lasts 2 or 3 days. Was ok… not as great as they made out though. I've had bad headache all evening and brain not working too well. I can’t seem to type properly… keep pressing wrong keys and forgetting how to spell simple words. It’s just gone 10 and I need to go to bed. Not sure what to do about headache. I have been drinking loads of water. Not looking forward to tomorrow… just veg all day. Yuck. Looking forward to jacket potato with butter for breakfast tho… that’s how bad it is!
Day 2 – Vegetable day
I woke up with all my muscles aching today, as if I’d done a major workout. It may have been partly due to gardening yesterday and also the lack of food. I really enjoyed my jacket potato for breakfast. It said use a pat of butter so I used a little garlic butter and lightly fried some chestnut mushrooms and spinach to top my potato with. It was surprisingly delicious. That kept me going for the morning, but as the day wore on I found it a real struggle and was craving all kinds of food. I got really tired about 2pm, couldn’t stay awake, so went for a lovely little nap. Survived mostly on loads of water, and bowls of veggie soup today, spiced up a little with a stock cube… mmm luxury! Kept fairly active today doing housework… but probably not enough. Just before bed I had some sliced tomato and cucumber with fresh basil leaves and ground salt and pepper… very tasty!
Day 3 – Fruit and Veg day
Weighed this morning… 5lb lighter in just two days whoohooo!!
Was a luxury to have fruit again after yesterday. I started with a big mug of lemon water and a bowl of chopped melon, nectarine, strawberries and raspberries. Lovely! Had an apple for elevenses and a huge bowl of veggie soup, this time with some chicken stock, for lunch… yummy! I went for a nice walk with Meg this evening for a bit of exercise. Today wasn’t too difficult.
Day 4 – Bananas and milk day
Found today amazingly easy. Had 2 big bananas blended with half a pint of milk for breakfast and was delish and satisfying. Haven’t felt hungry or craved anything today and just stuck to my milk and bananas no problem. Even managed to resist (with ease) fish and chips with the girls. I ate my bananas while they ate their chips and it wasn’t difficult. Feel awake and full of energy… not hungry at all. Oh and had lost 6.4lb in total this morning! That works out at over 2lb a day so far… brilliant!
Day 5 – Beef and tomatoes day
Was 7lb lighter this morning after just 4 days. I should have prepared yesterday for today. I decided to put beef and tomatoes in slow cooker with a little stock and seasoning. This meant I had to wait till the afternoon before I could eat. Wasn’t too bad though, my appetite seems to have diminished and I’m not craving food or sweet stuff at all. The beef and tomatoes was tasty and I just had bowls of it when I felt like it, until it was gone. I went on a nice walk with Aaron and Meg this evening for a little exercise.
Day 6 – Beef and vegetables day
I am a 1lb heavier than I was yesterday morning. :-/ Not too worried as I know you’re not meant to weigh every day and I’m still hopeful that two or three more will come off over the last two days as I haven’t deviated at all from the plan and it says today I go into 'maximum weight loss mode'. So we’ll see! I didn’t learn from yesterday and had to wait till the afternoon to eat again. I guess I could have munched on some veggies while waiting for slow cooker, but really didn’t fancy it or feel the need. Just kept going with lemon water and herbal teas. By the end of day six I think I may never want to eat any kind of beef hotpot ever again. Ugh.
Day 7 – Brown rice, veg and fruit juice day (LAST DAY… YAY!!!!)
This is HELL!! Can’t wait for tomorrow. I weighed this morning and it’s still showing a 6lb weight loss. Disappointing as it was showing 7lb two days ago and today is the last day. Mind you… with today’s menu I may well lose another 7lb before tomorrow. Have cooked my brown rice and it tastes like pap! I had a bowl of veggie soup which tasted like poop… but the fruit juice is a bonus! I just cannot bring myself to eat the rice and veg… this is torture!! As a result I have eaten very little today, so still hopeful about tomorrows final weigh in. But sheesh… these last 2 days have made it feel like a long week, and I doubt I will ever try this detox/7 day diet again. I’m so looking forward to some salmon or mackerel and a bowl of muesli. Roll on tomorrow!!
One week on… my final weight loss after a week on the GM Diet was… 8lb! The spiel said I would look a lot different by the end of the week… but I don’t. I feel better, I can move a little easier and my tummy has gone down a lot, but I look pretty much the same. Still, it’s not bad for a kick start to a proper diet. I’m going to carry on now, not following any specific diet plan, but I will bear in mind things I know from having done Slimming World and Weight Watchers and just eat healthily and sensibly and try and get more exercise (I’m thinking more walkies with meg and maybe a skipping rope challenge.) I would like to carry on losing a steady couple of pounds a week until I reach my goal of 30lb weight loss. I make that another 11 weeks, which will take me to about the middle of October… that’ll do nicely! :-)
Maybe I will put a little update here in a weeks time, to let you know if I have put back on any (or all) of those 8lb… or (fingers crossed) I have lost some more... and how I get on with my 30lb weight loss goal over the next 11 weeks. :-)
Oh and if you've managed to get to the end of this rather boring blog (I really should have taken a photo of my vegetable soup to make things more interesting) here's a little reward for you by way of a relevant video... with some very good tips towards the end on how to lose 14 stone in a day!! (Please do not watch if easily offended by coarse comedians or bad language)
