Taking the Special K challenge

By Lauren Johnston, amNY.com |

June 11, 2007

The rules of the Special K diet are simple: substitute two meals a day with the Kellogg's cereal or meal bars and -- Voila! Drop six pounds in two weeks.

If that sounds like savvy advertising designed to herd dieters into Kellogg's corral well that's because it is. The cereal box even has a new sleek design featuring a yellow tape measure cinched around an hourglass shape.

But if you can stick to it -- the "Special K Challenge" (they don't say diet) also actually works.

Special K is not a miracle weight loss solution on its own; any similar cereal would likely make a fine substitute. But for me, sticking to the low-sugar, low-calorie routine and eliminating cubicle grazing produced slimming results.

I tried the Kellogg's plan for one week (that equaled two boxes of cereal, and two boxes of cereal snack bars) and dropped just under three pounds.

Warning: Special K twice a day gets old fast that's part of the challenge.

There are some alternatives to jazz up the straight cereal diet. The plan, which is outlined on the packaging, calls for a Special K breakfast and lunch plus two snacks, then a normal dinner.

Kellogg's has put out an entire line of products for the weight loss challenge, including protein bars and fruity protein drinks, so any combination will do.

Extra fruits and vegetables are allowed.

I've never followed a fad diet. I exercise frequently, and though occasionally I cave to egg-and-cheese cravings or the office "free bagel Fridays," as a vegetarian I tend to follow a healthy routine. Or so I thought.

I learned something on the Special K plan: I am a big-time desk snacker. Before the Kellogg's plan, I never noticed how frequently I'd grab a bag of pretzels or handful of peanuts in between meals.

For the first few days I was hungry between cereal servings. The diet gets a bit dull but it forces discipline and it's easy to follow. I think I'll stick with Special K at least for breakfast.

Not a long-term weight loss solution by any means, but a good way to squelch manic workday munching.

Lauren's Diary:

Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
-1 bowl Special K cereal with skim milk
-1 banana
-1 large coffee with skim milk

Snack: 10:30 a.m.
-1 Special K cereal bar with blueberries

Lunch: 1 p.m.
-1 bowl Special K cereal with skim milk
-1 nectarine

Dinner: 7 p.m.
-1 mesclun salad with sundried tomato, sunflower seeds, balsamic vinagrette
-2 slices of pizza with green peppers

Dessert:
-2 chocolate chip cookies