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Favorites like brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, are forbidden in the 40 day fat-burning phase, which always raises an eyebrow. Not all food groups and calories are created equal, which is why many people who try to lose weight on their own by counting calories fail.
Like retired teacher Claudette D’Arco of Eastchester.
“I’m in Florida for the winter and I had gained 20 pounds. I’m short, so that extra weight makes a big difference on my frame. My nephew’s engagement party was coming up in August and the dress I planned on wearing had become snug. I tried to count calories on my own and just couldn’t lose it,'' Claudette said.
“Then one day, I was on Facebook when Can’t Lose Diet came up on the newsfeed as a new business opening up in Mamaroneck. I researched it and when I got home from Florida, I gave owner Pat Hall a call and signed up right away. I started on June 1.”
Claudette is Italian so socializing around the dinner table and food is a celebrated part of her culture. How would she handle the preparation of meals and all of the social situations that are a part of her daily life?
She started by inventing new ways to reformulate her favorite dishes within the limited choice of foods allowed on the Can’t Lose Diet.
“Luckily, I was able to eat tomatoes on the Can’t Lose Diet. Tomatoes saved my life! For example, I would take a veal chop and brown it with garlic and then add fresh tomatoes and let it cook very slowly,” Claudette said. "It's called Pizzaiola and basically it means cooking anything with fresh tomatoes. Another recipe I created was my own shrimp cocktail sauce. I bought sugar-free ketchup, mixed in a bit of horseradish, added lemon juice, Worcester sauce, salt and pepper and would dip in my portion of 3.5 ounces of shrimp.”
The next challenge was the socializing with family and friends. She avoided most social activities, and ate at home before going to a few gatherings. “My friends and family were very supportive, but they were incredulous at the lengths I would go to. I remember going out to dinner with a friend of mine, and I brought my own salad dressing. My friend said, 'I can’t believe you’re doing this!' But I was determined to get back into my clothes,'' she said.
Losing weight frustrated D'Arco before she found Can't Lose Diet. Now she won't look back.
"I went to my nephew’s engagement party and I wore the dress I bought and received a lot of compliments from my relatives. I want to lose a few more pounds this fall and I’m confident that it won’t take long because I know how my body works and what to do. No diet is easy, but this one really works.”
