The Cheesecake Diet

I’ve lost eight pounds since the beginning of the year.  When people ask me how I did it, I can’t really explain it.  The truth is I am always trying to lose a few pounds.  This is just the first time it’s ever really worked.  And the only thing I can think of that I’ve done differently than all my other attempts to lose weight was to add cheesecake to my diet.

My former boss’s wife (his current wife, my former boss, in case that didn’t come out right) makes the best cheesecake.  When I had lunch with him a few months ago, he gave me a couple slices to take home, and I made it last an entire week.  I wouldn’t let Doug have any of it.  I would eat about three bites a day, I loved it so much, I wanted it to last forever.

I finally asked her for her recipe so I could make it for a dinner party I was hosting.  Then I brought another one to a dinner party the following week, and then to another one the week after that.  When the stream of dinner parties dried up, I decided what the heck, I just want to have this cheesecake in my house all the time.  So I made it just for us (with a whole cheesecake in my possession, I also allowed Doug to have some.)  Whenever it runs out now, I just make another.

Honestly, I’ve made nine cheesecakes this year and lost eight pounds.  Coincidence?  Who knows but I’m not messing with the formula. 

And lest you be worried about my cholesterol, I got all my tests back from my little skirmish with my doctors:  all my blood work is normal, my blood pressure is normal (except in the doctor’s office of course), and it turns out I already went through menopause without even knowing it.  So maybe I’ve accidentally discovered the antidote to menopausal weight gain too! 

Here’s the recipe in case I’ve made you hungry:

Debbie’s Cheesecake

Crust

16 graham crackers (crushed)

½ cube butter (softened)

Mix together and press to the bottom of a springform pan. 

Bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling

3-8oz packages of cream cheese (soft at room temperature)

3 eggs (beaten until thick)

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Blend cream cheese with electric mixer until soft and creamy.  Add beaten eggs, sugar, and vanilla and blend with mixer until smooth and creamy. 

Pour mixture onto crust and bake about 25 minutes at 300 degrees, until the middle doesn’t wiggle when you shake it.  Let cool for at least 20-25 minutes before adding topping.

Topping

1 pint sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

Blend and dollop on top of cooled cheesecake.  Spread lightly with spatula.  Bake 5 minutes at 300 degrees.  Best when chilled overnight.

 Related Posts:

    Am I Really Getting Older Like Everyone Else?

    Retirement Calories

    Don't Blame the Fat Lady

 

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Comments

[Tamara]

Hmm, not sure whether to thank you for the cheesecake recipe or not!

I suspect your weight loss results are a bit like the impact the Great Recession had on retiree spending - you're being more calorie conservative than you probably need to be as a result. But just like with finances, it has a net positive outcome, so good for you!

[Retired Syd]

Well you can test it out for yourself next week--I'm going to bring you some on Monday!

[retireby40]

I just weighted myself this morning and I came in at 134 lbs. That's pretty normal for me. If I hit 140, then it's time to worry. Baby is only 26 lbs. He probably need to eat more cheesecake.

[Retired Syd]

RB40: Luckily cheesecake is safe for babies too!

[Rick]

Well .... it's raining here so no golf this morning and I thought I'd read instead of go to the health club ... but now I'm headed off to workout so I can make (and eat) some of this cheesecake later .... Thanks (I think)!

[New at this]

I thought this blog was supposed to be focused on discussing politics...? eh em, I mean retirement...

[Retired Syd]

New: Aaah, I believe you were misinformed. This blog discusses MY retirement. Hope yours is going well!

[Retired Syd]

Rick: Maybe that's the key to the Cheesecake diet, you feel like you have to workout instead of read if you eat it!

[Lily@Connecticut limos]

That looks yummy! I love cheesecake and will definitely try this recipe! RetiredSyd that was great! This blog is about your retirement and I cannot wait for mine! Great posting, keep it up and enjoy retirement!

[Ali]

You are absolutely right, Cheesecake is a surprisingly great way to lose weight due the high fat content. Google "Low Carb High Fat" and read all the success stories. I've lost 55lbs in 9 months. We are so misinformed about diet. We are made to believe fat makes us fat and instead we have replaced it with carbs and sugar which is even worse. Cut the sugar, cut the carbs and embrace the fat (eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, cheese)!

[Me]

Calcium is necessary for weight loss/control, and low carb for most overweight people. And you did portion control.

[Ed]

I wish I could eat 10 cheese cakes in two weeks and gain only minimal weight. :-)
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