I’m not very good at dieting, but this is one diet that includes many of the foods that I enjoy.

Many people at one time or another have been on a diet, myself included. Some have worked for me and others have not. Basically, it is a matter of being happy with the foods that are allowed on the particular diet that makes me stick with it. I have one diet that both my life partner and myself have used with success. He lost 60 pounds over the course of about 18 months time, I only lost 20 pounds but I honestly did not stay with it as long.

This diet was given to us by a close friend whose first husband had been and airline pilot. He frequently went on this diet to stay within the weight limits required by his job. I've added it here in its entirety exactly as it was given to us in case you would care to give it a try.

Please consult with your doctor before going on any diet found here or elsewhere. It's the right thing to do for your own health and safety.

The Cabbage Soup Diet

We promise that you will lose 10 to 17 pounds in 7 days, and eat as much as you wish. The secret of this diet is the food eaten takes more calories to burn than it gives to the body in calorie value. So eat as much as you want. This eating plan can be used as often as you like without fear of feeling ill. If followed correctly, it will flush your system of impurities and give a feeling of well-being you never thought possible. Continue this plan for as long as you wish and notice the difference in both your mental and physical disposition.

Day One - All Fruits (except Bananas). Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want, except bananas. For all of you melon lovers this is your day. Two fruits which are lower in calories than most other fruits are watermelon and cantaloupe. Should you eat only melons your chance of losing 3 pounds the first day is great.

Day Two - All Vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with all the fresh raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. Try to eat green leafy vegetables and stay away from vegetables such as dry beans, peas and corn. These are good for you, but if you are trying to reduce calorie intake, it is best to avoid these. Eat as much vegetables as you wish. SURPRISE, you may also have a baked potato with butter on your vegetable day.

Day Three - Fruits and Vegetables. Same as day 1 and 2 except no baked potato.

Day Four - Bananas and Skim Milk. Eat as many as 8 bananas and drink as many as 8 glasses of skim milk on this day. I am sure you have heard that bananas are very high in calories and carbohydrates, and so is milk, but on this particular day your body will need these essential carbohydrates, protein and calories which will lessen any craving for sweets.

Day Five - Beef and Tomatoes. You may have a serving of 10 to 12 ounces of beef and tomatoes on this day. Try to drink at least 6 glasses of water in order to wash the uric acid from the body.

Day Six - Beef and Vegetables. Eat until your hearts content of beef and vegetables (no potatoes).

Day Seven - Brown Rice, Vegetables & Fruit Juice (unsweetened). Again stuff, stuff and stuff.

Beverages: Coffee (decaffeinated), tea, fruit juices (only on fruit days), unsweetened vegetable juices (only on vegetable days).

Soup: 6 large onions, 2 green peppers, whole tomatoes, fresh or canned, 1 large head of cabbage, large bunch celery, season with dry onion soup mix, or other herb seasonings if you wish. Cut vegetables in medium pieces and boil covered with water for 10 minutes. Then lower heat and simmer until vegetables are soft.

Soup can be eaten at any time that you feel hungry. Eat as much as you wish, and as often as you like, any time of the day. This soup will not add calories, so eat all you want, the more you eat, the more you lose. In fact, if eaten alone for indefinite periods, one would suffer from malnutrition. So fill a thermos in the mornings if you will be away from home during the day.