Last Monday I wrote a review of The Game on Diet by Krista Vernoff and Az Ferguson; on the same day I began playing The Game on a team of 5 book bloggers, competing against two other teams. If you’re on Twitter you can follow our updates with the hashtag #gameondiet. Else, visit my original post, which has links to each of the participating blogs … we all have a lot to say!
Here’s some of what I’ve experienced and learned over the past week:
- Water: The Game requires us to drink 3 liters of water a day. This was a shock to my system on the first and second day. I thought I generally stayed well-hydrated, but my frequent trips to the bathroom (sorry, it has to be said!) and smoother skin tone (espcially noticeable on my hands) tells me I was fooling myself. Speaking of fools, for the first two days I was filling what I thought was a 1.5 liter of water twice a day, to make sure I drank the required 3 liters. Imagine my surprise on the third day when I discovered that the pitcher was 2.2 liters – no wonder I felt so waterlogged! After that, 3 liters a day was a breeze. And, truly, my body got used to it, and the water requirement is no longer an inconvenient challenge.
- Meals – yeah, this is still a tough one! Eating 5 smaller meals a day (with specific carb, protein, fat, veggie and fruit requirements) is a big change for me. I’m in a good routine for my first two meals, but I need to do better planning from mid-day forward. The book has several recipes and I’m hoping the Game On Diet website includes more. Here’s something neat – all the players (team-mates and competition) have been super about exchanging meal and snack ideas; we really want each other to succeed! We have a homemade yogurt recipe from Kevin (aka Bro Ho Ho), who is a teammate of The Brain Lair, sharing his experience with his friends on Facebook; and Jenn from Jenn’s Bookshelf has promised her husband’s recipe for a Game-friendly version of his Jamaican jerk chicken. Oh, and I really enjoyed my Day Off and Meal Off – everything in moderation.
- Exercise – If I weren’t getting my Game On, I’d exercise 3-4 times a week. Since I have 20 points per day riding on it, I’m sure to get in my daily 20 minutes of exercise. I’ve been walking (a good 3.6 MPH pace for an hour), occassionally running (well, dragging my 4-year-old for a 1 mile on July4th), doing yoga, and – thanks to Stephanie’s nudge – swimming!
- Habits – I lost points this week for neglecting to do my “old” and “new” habit once each (in addition to my Day Off, when we’re granted amnesty from all requirements). Despite my slip ups, I am really working to make these part of my daily routine, and am happy with the changes.
At the end of Week One, I’ve lost 3.4 pounds, and my clothes seem to fit better. I love that I’m doing the daily exercise, it really makes me feel good about taking care of my body. I know I’m eating better and snacking less (well, not at all! No more dipping the knife in the jar for a “taste” when I make those pb&j sandwiches!). Meals are still a challenge, a big challenge … I think better planning will help me with that.
How did our teams do? Here’s the tally for Week One:
- HoHos: 682
- Ding Dongs: 772.6 794.6
- Twinkies: 775.6
I’m pleasantly surprised that we Twinkies are in the lead, but we’re not letting our guard down! With virtual ice cream, chocolate cake, and beer floating around Twitter and emails last week, we all teased and had a lot of fun. And we boosted each other up, teammate and opponent alike.
** update 7/11/09 – remind me to send Jill at Rhapsody in Books a calculator! 
She had mis-calculated her score, so we have a new Week One total for the Ding Dongs: 794.6. That puts them at a comfortable lead, but we Twinkies are doing our best to overtake the #1 slot this week (abiding by the rules of The Game, of course!)
Going into Week Two, I hope we’re all still having fun – especially since this was my idea! We’re playing for some really great prizes … do you want to know what they are?! Game On!
Wow – great job! I need to find a copy of this book and get my own team started…
3 measly points…I’d say we’re neck and neck for the lead!
It does sound like y’all are having a lot of fun with this. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the pics of ho-hos, ding-dongs and twinkies. We don’t have these in Australia, for years I’ve been reading about them in American books and had to imagine what they looked (and tasted) like!
Fantastic update! I can’t believe you were drinking that much water!!! How awful! No wonder it was so hard in the beginning! Yikes! And Yay Twinkies!! But now the HoHos and DingDongs are motivated to catch us!
Great job! It’s always better to start something new with friends and encouragement.
Great Job! Three liters of water seems like a lot, but judging from your results I should try this myself. Can’t wait to see how week 2 goes.
We are so going to catch up this week! Watch out!!!
Excellent job Dawn! I have to tell you, my game officially ended yesterday and I feel kind of at sea without it! I mostly stuck to the meals today, and want to at least maintain this week as next week we’re starting a company-wide game with many many more players. The water really does make your skin feel better, doesn’t it? I did pretty well breaking my bad habit (no email in the evening hours) but was less successful incorporating my good habit (reading during one pumping session at work). I’ll have to think about a different good habit for the next round. About to make my 5th meal and enjoy it before I hit the hay!
Great job Dawn! Keep it up!
That is awesome! That sounds like so much fun! I need some dieting myself, after all those pierogies! Keep up the good work!
We rock!!!!!
Jessi – oh, you should get a few teams together – it’s really motivating. You only need 4 people (2 teams of 2)
softdrink – yeah, neck and neck. I’m not letting my guard down!
Kathy – I think we are all having fun. You see all the tweets going back and forth (teasing and helping!)
Fiona – I’ve seen websites that have recipes for “mock” DingDongs, HoHos, etc. You might be able to make a batch of imposters.
Jenners – yes, I’m glad I discovered the water issue early on! Believe me, I’m on the lookout for DingDong and HoHo temptations!
stacy – the near constant contact is very motivating and helpful.
JoAnn – I was amazed what a difference drinking the water makes on my skin! (I feel like an ad for H2O!)
Julie – I’ve been warned
My slip ups are the habits, so I have to be diligent about doing them.
BCG – If I play again (thinking October), I’ll choose decluttering the house 30 minutes a day. We have things that I haven’t used since our move 2 years ago.
Dar – we’re still having fun!
Beth – we DO rock! But we have to keep rocking if we want to win those awesome prizes
3.4 pounds?! Wow. Congrats! I have been trying to drink more water too. I do cheat and put Crystal Light in it though…
Let me know when you’re playing again. This sounds neat.
Fabulous work!
I admit I’ve always been a water drinker so I completely understand the issue of having to piddle every two minutes. It goes right through you….though I suspect that is the point. Flushing the toxins out of your system while keeping you from being hungry all the time.
Good luck and keep up the great work. i suspect the first week is the most difficult.
Hi! It’s me. The Ding Dongs don’t get extra points for my comment!! That’s just crazy cheatin! Awesome! Bold! But crazy! Second, you are all so awesome for playing our game and writing about it — and yes, my hot Australian co-author and I are both followin your game. (seriously, did you see his biceps on GMA???) Third, congratulations on your incredible scores. Keep in mind that the later weeks get harder — so keep playing all out! Remind yourselves that you set a goal and why you set it. I’m playing Az right now. He’s all muscley and athletic and I’m…um… Me. And still? Preeeeetty sure I’m kicking his ass this week. So no excuses! Play all out. Play to win. And know that it thrills us that you’re playing! Truly. Game on!! xxoo Krista
Congratulations on the weight loss! I hope that some of your new habits stick with you and that you continue to lose more weight. I will be rooting for your team!
Miriam – I like Crystal Light (peach iced tea is my fave), but Game On Diet bans artificial sweeteners
I’m used to the water now, it’s no problem.
Monica – BookingMama and I have talked about doing it again in October. You may be able to put together a group by asking on Twitter
Michelle – yes, like I said to Miriam, the water habit is natural now.
Krista – yes, I sunk to grovelling so the author would visit my blog. I admit it. I’ve also taunted my opponents with TwitPics of donut displays and ice cream boards. I have no shame; I’m in it to win (but, yeah, we’re all winners for playing the game …)
zibilee – thanks! I realize the first week often has the most dramatic results … we’ll see where we go with this adventure
[...] if you’re not sure what I’m referring to, you can see my review of the book here, and results from Week One [...]
We just started the Game On diet. Do you know where I can find more ideas for recipes? There are a few in the book, but not nearly enough. I love all aspects of this program, but I need more suggestions on how to incorporate the good fats to make things tastier. Thanks for any help you can send my way!
We are starting the Game On diet in 2 days – look out! Has anyone found a source for additional recipes? That is where I feel most vulnerable – equipping myself with a variety of meal options so I don’t get bored or caught empty handed. Thanks for any help! Good luck to all playing!
Hi all,
We just started yesterday and I’m swimming in water. But loving all the meals. I’m stuffed… plus I get hungry in the evening so I’ve been spacing my meals out 4 hours during the day then do them every 2 hours at night. The scale will tell me whether that works or not, but it’s been great for avoiding my usual late night snacking.
My new recipe: Gina Bean and Tuna Salad. Half a can of tuna, a fist sized serving of canned beans, two tablespoons of fat free yogurt, cucumbers, celery, salt and pepper. Yummy and filling.
Please share any and all recipes, because the book has so few!
Thanks!
Gina
Thanks, Gina! What is the fat in your salad? I so appreciate the sharing of recipes!
Oops, sorry Trish. Forgot. Throw a few slivered almonds in.
Yesterday’s night’s dinner:
Tofu Stirfry: 4 sprays olive oil. 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 onion chopped. 1 small tomato, 1 head of baby bok choy, handfull of snap peas, 1 carrot, 1/3 large red red pepper, 1 tbs. or so of soy sauce, palm sized piece of tofu, 1/2 thumb sized serving of almond slivers. (already have fat from olive oil)
In frying pan or wok, sautee onion and garlic in 2 sprays of olive oil. Chopped up veggies and add to soy sauce. Brown the tofu in 1 spray of olive oil (pat tofu dry to get it to brown a bit). Top veggies with tofu and almond slivers.
One big serving for one peson, or two small servings for two (would add more tofu for two.)
P.S. Salt and pepper to taste.
Thanks for the recipes, Gina! We’ve been sending out some mini/quickies on Twitter.
Yesterday @jennsbookshelf told me how to make a faux tortilla bowl for “taco” salad out of a whole wheat wrap.
I’ve had the same Meal #1 for 3 days, and I love it: I chop an onion and put most of it in Tupperware to use throughout the week. Saute 2 tbls onion, wilt a handful of baby spinach, add two eggs worth of egg whites (I buy a big carton), and 1 tbl fat free feta cheese. season with pepper (and salt if you like). Serve with 1 slice dry whole wheat toast.
The biggest morning adjustment for me is not having a glass of orange juice.
Meal #2 is a navel orange, 2 cheesesticks, and 6 cashews. I get my orange flavor (but less juice, so not as many calories/sugar), and more fiber.
Game On!
Where is this homemade yogurt recipe? I’d love it! 4th day on Game On! and it is FUN. Who would’ve thought?
Cheryl in Boise, Idaho
I’m reading the book now and feeling inspired; but overwhelmed by the meal requirements. Where do you think I could find a compilation of some good recipes or simple meal plans? Thanks, Angie