10 Pounds in 10 Days: Can I do it? Day 2

(Editor’s note: Staff writer Mary MacVean tried out trainer Jackie Warner’s diet and exercise plan from her new book “10 Pounds in 10 Days.” Here’s her experience. Read about her first day here.)

Day 2

I basically follow rules; it makes me nervous not to. But there’s no way I’m going to drink just one cup of coffee each day – all that’s allowed on Warner’s plan. I dutifully bought the almond milk she called for, but most mornings it stays in my frig. How bad can it be to use a little 2%? I’m already thinking: If it’s only nine pounds in 10 days, that’s not too shabby.

Besides, I did everything else right on Day 1. I was panicked that I’d be chewing on my pillow in the night in hunger. Especially when I saw my breakfast directions: 1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 walnut and 1/2 grapefruit. ONE walnut?? My go-to is Irish oatmeal with walnuts and raisins and a dash of maple syrup.

Quickly, however, the editor in me sees that these directions are up for at least a little interpretation. A quarter cup before or after it’s cooked? Doesn’t say, so just guess how I interpreted that one? And not that it matters much, but I concluded that one whole walnut was two halves – woo-hoo, huh? It seems a little sad when I break them up into pieces to toss on that tiny blob of oatmeal sitting in the bottom of my bowl. (Recommendations: Use a small bowl. And make steel cuts oats, which have a bigger flavor than rolled. Toast the walnuts. Same reason.)

My husband and son (thin as a rail despite eating a refrigerator full of food in 12 minutes flat) found this all pretty funny.

Lunch – a veggie sandwich – poses another problem. I really don’t like avocado – mortal sin in California, I know. So that leaves me a sandwich of sprouts and spinach and a slice of tomato. Not going to work. I decide to switch the avocado to feta cheese – just a little.

Dinner is six ounces of boneless, skinless (of course) chicken breast, with three small new potatoes and a cup of broccoli – prepared with 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Really, it’s better than it sounds. (More recommendations: Get the best chicken you can afford, and farm-fresh, flavorful potatoes.) OK, truth? I probably ate 2 cups of broccoli.

The result? Surprise, surprise. Not hungry, all day.

Tomorrow: Give me some food!!