I'm presenting at a conference in less than two weeks, and I've never been heavier.  I'm nervous enough about my paper, I don't want to be that fat girl presenting, too.  I do not watch daytime TV and do not subscribe to any talking heads, but someone stumbled on to a diet that seems to make a lot of sense; it's actually the Dr. Oz 2-week diet.  The claims seem fantastic (20 lbs in two weeks! etc.), because the advice has always been to lose a pound a week.  Yet for the first time in my life I know two people who have gone on drastic medically supervised diets at the same time. They both look and feel great, and are reducing rapidly. I'm hoping I can get off to a similar start, although looking good and feeling good are more important to me at this point...and being able to fit into clothes that aren't sweats!  Anyway, I've joined three diet bets, and have loaded up on what I need to make protein shakes and veggie meals.  Here we go, folks!