Stephanie,

Thanks for sharing your success.  Great work!  Sounds like the plan has really worked for you.  Good job, good job. 

One thing in particular that you mentioned that stood out to me was about the ridgy nails.  I've had that problem for as long as I can remember, so I can't really say that the old excuse of it's an 'age thing' works, just like you said.  I'm 30 years old, but have had this problem for at least the last ten years.  It's so irritating.  Not only are my nails ridgy but they are thin and break very easily.  I've asked many medical doctors about this but all I ever hear is that it's a deficiency of some kind, but they never really attribute it to one particular thing.  I would love it if the nutritionist could offer some insight into this and anyone else who has any information regarding this problem.  Do you all think that my nails may change after doing this plan and with this diet change?  Hmmm...that would be nice if that happened. 

Thanks,

Sasha

Hi Stephanie -
I finished the week, lost 8 pounds, 2 inches off my waist, an inch off my hips, and my health quiz score went from 80 to 48. It's a good, and promising start! What's been most significant has been having energy again (once I got past a couple of rounds of detox headaches etc) - I've actually felt like doing things (like a bunch of long-needed housecleaning over the weekend)!! It also seems like I have a bit less acheyness in some joints, and my mood is better - some of that I'm "wait and see" about longer-term.
I've avoided "diets" for a long time (did the yoyo trip and won't go there again), and settled into a pretty stable tho overweight status for a number of years - about 5 years ago, after I quit smoking, I became hypothyroid (or it became apparent then).... and the substantial new weight I gained then hasn't wanted to depart, and my eating patterns didn't change. 
I'm continuing, starting to add a few things in line with his USD transition guidelines (much as I enjoy rice, I was ready for some variation). My big curiosity is if gluten is a culprit for me as far as weight goes, or just general toxicity. Time will tell.  :-)
I'm with you about not particularly wanting to blog this stuff, based on their privacy statement. 
And yes, yay us!  :-)

I have been on the Ultra Simple Diet for 3 1/2 weeks - and just found out I achieved my Weight Watchers Goal!!  I have lost several inches also and can fit into a pair of pants I haven't worn for two years.   I am so happy.  Now I need to reintroduce the food.  The great thing about the diet is not desiring anything special.  Before diet I had chocolate several times a day.  Now - I don't even desire it.  I have no cravings - because my body is getting all it needs.  The sugar in the fresh fruit must do the trick.  I never could have immagined me without sugar or chocolate or scotch.  But I have done it!!

Regarding the nails - I used to own a flower shop.  My nails were destroyed from constantly being wet.  After I sold the shop, took off the acrylic nails, my doctor put me on to the gooey stuff people put on horse hoofs.  I put it on every evening before going to bed - and in just a few months my nails were tough as, well, nails.  Now I just use it once in a while.  She also had me take biotin for one month only.  And, of course, no nail polish, which means no polish remover.