The Special K Challenge

I realized this year that I needed to start doing something to at least maintain my current weight, since I've put on a few pounds (ok, it's been more than a few pounds since we got married). After seeing commercials and talking with a few friends who had tried it, I decided to venture out and try the Special K challenge.

The Verdict: I love it! I've been doing this for about 8 days and I will keep going for awhile longer. I'm not starving all the time like I thought I would be. And so far I've lost more than 4 pounds! I feel really good and have all the energy I need to get through the day. I've also started working out again so that also helps me feel healthy and energetic.

The Routine: I start with 3/4 cup cereal (my favorite is Vanilla Almond, pictured above), 2/3 cup skim milk and fruit (usually a banana to top off my cereal). My mid-morning snack is a cereal bar and more fruit if I'm hungry. For lunch I have either a protein meal bar or protein shake. Both taste great, but the meal bar is a little more filling. I have some more fruit or veggies in the afternoon, as well as some Italian tomato and herb crackers. For dinner I eat whatever I normally would - enchiladas, spaghetti, etc.

The Biggest Change: This is a tie between cutting out sweets and eating a smaller lunch. I realized I was often eating sweets just because they were there (someone brought them to work, I was at an event with dessert, etc.). I often ate stuff I didn't really like because I just needed something to satisfy my sweet tooth. But the cereal bars have just enough icing that I don't feel tempted to sneak in a candy bar. And I've actually felt OK eating a small lunch because I have been running errands during my lunch break instead of sitting in the breakroom and eating my meal bar in under two minutes. I get the most hungry right before dinner, but it's nice that I can always snack on fruits or veggies whenever I feel a craving coming on.

The Best Part: Dinner. I look forward to my one normal meal a day. I love that you still have the freedom to eat whatever you want for one meal a day and can still see results.

The Cost: I was worried about this diet being too expensive, but so far it's been pretty manageable. Here's the breakdown of what I've bought:

Cereal (12.5 ounce or 14 ounce box): $2.50-$3.00 (Price Chopper, Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee, Target)

Cereal Bars (36 count): $10.79 (Costco - plus they even have a coupon that's good through January 24th for $3.50 off so I've gotten two boxes for $7.29 each or $0.20 per bar! They're closer to $0.40 each at the grocery stores and only come in boxes of 6 or 12)

Meal Bars (6 count): $5.00-$5.99 (Cheapest is at Target or Wal-Mart, they're closer to $6.00 at Price Chopper and I haven't seen the box at Hy-Vee)

Protien Shakes (4 count): $5.00-$5.99 (Same as the meal bars - cheapest at Target and Wal-Mart)

Crackers (8 ounces): $2.50-$3.00 (Price Chopper, Target, Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee)

Coupons: One of my cereal boxes had three coupons on the back for $1.00 off cereal/meal bars, cereal/cereal bars and cereal/protein shakes. I also used several Target coupons and definitely the Costo coupons! Costco also has a coupon for $2.00 off a 37-ounce box of Special K Red Berries Cereal good through January 24th.

I would recommend the Special K challenge to anyone wanting to shed a few pounds. There's a ton of variety in what you can eat so you're not eating the same things all the time. I'll keep you guys updated on my next few weeks on the challenge!