Today is Day 28 of VLCD. I started this journey weighing 253.3, and today I am just under 230 (229.8 to be exact) and couldn't be more pleased!!! I'm down 23 pounds since starting hhcg (26 pounds including the 3 I lost before starting HCG)! Last summer I weighed 264 so I am down 34 pounds from then. My heaviest weight ever was 277, so I am down 47 pounds from that!!! I am so glad I found HCG!!!
I finally started TOM 4 days ago. It hasn't been a usual one for me, as mine generally only last 5 days and by the last day it is barely noticable. Today is day 5 and it's the heaviest of all the days thus far. Some women have to stop taking HCG during TOM because of excess bleeding. If that would be the case for me, then I will finish this round a little earlier than planned. If not, my friend and I are planning on stopping the hcg this Thursday. She has a wedding to attend the end of June and would like to be in Phase 4 by then. I am ready to move on. :)
I also read that since we are on homeopathic HCG, we only have to do 2 days of VLCD after we stop the drops (instead of 3), and then we start Phase 3. I am looking forward to transitioning into Phase 3. I am ready to start using my handmade soaps again!
I did a little shopping already for Phase 3. I got some organic whipping cream (for coffee), cream cheese, Chocolate flavored and Vanilla Creme flavored Stevia (for coffee and for Chocolate Delight!) I will get to have a little cheese & nuts (raw cashews are my favorite!) and avocados! I can't eat this all in one day and certainly not all on the first day but I am looking forward to incorporating these back into my diet.
Chocolate Delight is the official name of the homemade "fudge" you make with coconut oil, cocoa powder and Stevia. You can look it up on YouTube and find lots of variations. Some people eat it in Phase 2 but I stopped using my handmade soap because I was told on the Yahoo group not to use coconut oil on my skin (let alone ingest it). That group follows Dr. Simeon's protocol to a "t" and lots of people don't. I decided I wanted to follow it to a "t" also. I don't want to take chances with not being able to stabilize later. I mean, if you're going to put so much time and effort in to get these amazing results, why would you do something that might jeopordize it in the end? I don't think it's worth the risk! Especially when you are only on Phase 2 for 21-40 days.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Another "Dressing"
I picked up a package of Gulden's Spicy Brown Mustard at Panera's one day. I read the ingredients. Sugar is a common ingredient in mustard but is not an ingredient in Gulden's. So, I used it as a dip for my chicken and salad. Later, I had the idea that I could make a little "dressing" by adding my allowed 1 Tbsp. of milk to it to thin it. It isn't so spicy that way but it is perfect for me!
Spicy Brown Mustard Dressing
I use about 3-4 tsp. of Gulden's Spicy Brown Mustard
1/2-1 Tbsp. of milk (depends on how thick or thin you want it)
I bought the mustard at Fresh Market but I'm going to check Kroger next. The mustard is 5 calories per tsp. 1 Tbsp. of 2% milk is 11 calories. On the Yahoo group, they say you should be using whole milk in Phase 2, but I used what I had.
Voila! Another dressing to add to your bland lettuce. :)
Spicy Brown Mustard Dressing
I use about 3-4 tsp. of Gulden's Spicy Brown Mustard
1/2-1 Tbsp. of milk (depends on how thick or thin you want it)
I bought the mustard at Fresh Market but I'm going to check Kroger next. The mustard is 5 calories per tsp. 1 Tbsp. of 2% milk is 11 calories. On the Yahoo group, they say you should be using whole milk in Phase 2, but I used what I had.
Voila! Another dressing to add to your bland lettuce. :)
Strawberry Salad Dressing Recipe
Very Low Calorie Day 23 and I am down 20 pounds since starting hHCG (23 pounds total)! AMAZING! I am in total shock and awe at my results!
I went shopping at Goodwill and the Salvation Army Store yesterday. I found a really nice pair of khaki pants and a pair of jeans, 4 tops, a purse, a clutch, and a dress shirt & tie for my son...all for $32! I can see how shopping at these stores can be addictive! You just never know what you will find! And, as you get into smaller sizes, there are so many more options. I'm not that much smaller yet, but I am excited because I am smaller!
Okay, so on with the recipe! I have been reading many Phase 2 recipes online though I haven't tried any. Reading through them gave me an idea about making a Strawberry Dressing for my spinach (similar to one I have made in the past but with Phase 2 ingredients only).
Stawberry Salad Dressing
I put 2 large strawberries, a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar and 4 drops of liquid Stevia in my small food processor. It's that simple and very, very tasty! You can slice up a couple more strawberries and put it all on a bed (4 cups) of spinach.
This was so good and filling that I forgot to eat my chicken last night! I didn't even realize I hadn't eaten it until my husband found my piece of chicken on a plate in the microwave this morning (I had precooked it and was warming it up)! I couldn't believe that I forgot to eat something! I do remember feeling a little hungry when I went to bed last night but I figured I must not have had enough water to drink.
I haven't started my TOM (which should have started this week), but I have been spotting pretty much everyday since I started the hHCG. I am afraid that once I go off the hHCG, the flood gates will be opened! You're not supposed to stop taking the hHCG at the same time you start your TOM. I'm going to have to ask the experienced ladies on the Yahoo group about this.
I went shopping at Goodwill and the Salvation Army Store yesterday. I found a really nice pair of khaki pants and a pair of jeans, 4 tops, a purse, a clutch, and a dress shirt & tie for my son...all for $32! I can see how shopping at these stores can be addictive! You just never know what you will find! And, as you get into smaller sizes, there are so many more options. I'm not that much smaller yet, but I am excited because I am smaller!
Okay, so on with the recipe! I have been reading many Phase 2 recipes online though I haven't tried any. Reading through them gave me an idea about making a Strawberry Dressing for my spinach (similar to one I have made in the past but with Phase 2 ingredients only).
Stawberry Salad Dressing
I put 2 large strawberries, a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar and 4 drops of liquid Stevia in my small food processor. It's that simple and very, very tasty! You can slice up a couple more strawberries and put it all on a bed (4 cups) of spinach.
This was so good and filling that I forgot to eat my chicken last night! I didn't even realize I hadn't eaten it until my husband found my piece of chicken on a plate in the microwave this morning (I had precooked it and was warming it up)! I couldn't believe that I forgot to eat something! I do remember feeling a little hungry when I went to bed last night but I figured I must not have had enough water to drink.
I haven't started my TOM (which should have started this week), but I have been spotting pretty much everyday since I started the hHCG. I am afraid that once I go off the hHCG, the flood gates will be opened! You're not supposed to stop taking the hHCG at the same time you start your TOM. I'm going to have to ask the experienced ladies on the Yahoo group about this.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
It's called Pounds and Inches
I took my measurements just before starting hHCG about 3 weeks ago (May 1) and I took them again yesterday. I have lost 11&3/4 inches from my body in 3 weeks! Yes, almost 12 inches! That is amazing!!! And I lost another 1/2 pound since yesterday to put me at a total of 19 pounds lost!
I am so confident that I am going to reach my goal that yesterday I cleaned out my closet & drawers, and I am giving away all my 3x clothes (summer and winter). I am only keeping what fits me now. I think I have about 5 garbage bags full of clothes! And since I shop at Goodwill, I don't have any problem buying clothes that will only fit me for a period of time until I do reach my goal. My closet & drawers are so spacious and neat looking, but I am looking forward to buying some new-to-me clothes!
I was talking to my friend, Amy, who is following the Protocol also. Without telling her I was thinking about staying on Phase 2 for another 2 weeks, she said she would like to be done on June 6th (my thoughts exactly!) I know we can do this for 2 more weeks and I am hoping to reach (or even exceed) my goal of losing 25 pounds this first round.
Many who are on the Protocol believe the next Phase, Phase 3, is harder than Phase 2 because the only restrictions in Phase 3 are no sugar & no starch and you have to maintain the weight you stopped the hHCG doses within 2 pounds. If you go 2 pounds over your last dosage weight (LDW), you have to do a correction day (there is one outlined in Pounds and Inches and several more outlined in another manuscript that someone else wrote). They are designed to bring your weight back down quickly. If you go 2 pounds under your LDW, you have to eat something (without sugar or starch) that will get you back up to within 2 pound of your LDW (many say cheese or nuts will do this). And obviously, in Phase 3 you get to eat more calories, but you have to determine what your body needs to maintain. It sounds like a bit of a balancing act until you figure out how your body reacts to different foods.
One thing I can't wait to try in Phase 3 is a homemade healthy fudge made from coconut oil, cocoa powder, and Stevia (plus you can add other good goodies). Here is a link to a blog with the recipe by Noell Hammer, whom I discovered just a week or so after hearing about HCG from my cousin, has been on her own HCG journey for the previous year. Scroll down to find her Healthy Coconut Fudge recipe. And if you have a chance, read more about her journey with HCG. She has lost 80 pounds! She has been an inspiration to me.
I am so confident that I am going to reach my goal that yesterday I cleaned out my closet & drawers, and I am giving away all my 3x clothes (summer and winter). I am only keeping what fits me now. I think I have about 5 garbage bags full of clothes! And since I shop at Goodwill, I don't have any problem buying clothes that will only fit me for a period of time until I do reach my goal. My closet & drawers are so spacious and neat looking, but I am looking forward to buying some new-to-me clothes!
I was talking to my friend, Amy, who is following the Protocol also. Without telling her I was thinking about staying on Phase 2 for another 2 weeks, she said she would like to be done on June 6th (my thoughts exactly!) I know we can do this for 2 more weeks and I am hoping to reach (or even exceed) my goal of losing 25 pounds this first round.
Many who are on the Protocol believe the next Phase, Phase 3, is harder than Phase 2 because the only restrictions in Phase 3 are no sugar & no starch and you have to maintain the weight you stopped the hHCG doses within 2 pounds. If you go 2 pounds over your last dosage weight (LDW), you have to do a correction day (there is one outlined in Pounds and Inches and several more outlined in another manuscript that someone else wrote). They are designed to bring your weight back down quickly. If you go 2 pounds under your LDW, you have to eat something (without sugar or starch) that will get you back up to within 2 pound of your LDW (many say cheese or nuts will do this). And obviously, in Phase 3 you get to eat more calories, but you have to determine what your body needs to maintain. It sounds like a bit of a balancing act until you figure out how your body reacts to different foods.
One thing I can't wait to try in Phase 3 is a homemade healthy fudge made from coconut oil, cocoa powder, and Stevia (plus you can add other good goodies). Here is a link to a blog with the recipe by Noell Hammer, whom I discovered just a week or so after hearing about HCG from my cousin, has been on her own HCG journey for the previous year. Scroll down to find her Healthy Coconut Fudge recipe. And if you have a chance, read more about her journey with HCG. She has lost 80 pounds! She has been an inspiration to me.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Keep at It!
Today is VLCD19 and I have lost 15 pounds on hHCG & 3 pounds prior to hHCG for a total of 18 pounds!
I am getting closer to my goal of losing 25 pounds for this first round! My thoughts right now are to keep going for another 2 weeks, then begin Phase 3 just before my weekend trip.
It's hard to wrap my mind around not being able to lose weight again for another 6 weeks, but I understand the concept of resetting the hypothalamus (as described in Pounds and Inches). I will still have time for another round before school starts again in the fall. I could potentially be half way to my goal by then, which means I could very well reach my goal before my 39th birthday (Oct. 2012). That would be awesome!
Of course, I have had some moments of wanting to eat something that isn't on Protocol. Yesterday, for example, was tough. I wasn't able to get home to eat until about 2:30pm, but I wasn't really hungry before that since I had been pushing the water (I had 10 cups of water in by that time!) By the time I did eat, I didn't feel full and within an hour I was hungry. I ate again within a couple hours and felt fine after that. We were heading to the theaters to see the new Pirates movie and I knew I needed to not be hungry while we were there. Popcorn is one of my very favorite foods! I have hope that some day I will be able to eat some again (but likely not in the quantity that I am used to eating it in!) It was tempting to think that I could eat one bite and it probably wouldn't hurt, but I know myself well enough to know that one bite would not satisfy, it would only encourage. And besides, why risk ruining what I have been working so hard to accomplish for these (almost) 3 weeks? It will likely be at least 5 more weeks before I can even attempt to eat popcorn, and I certainly won't be eating theater popcorn anytime soon! I will make it myself with healthy coconut oil. I've even heard it is wonderful with coconut oil on it instead of butter, but I do love my butter!
By not cheating last night, I saw a 1.4 pound loss on the scale this morning! That was so worth passing on the popcorn for!
My only option is to keep at it. I will press on. I will reach my goals. I will finally rid myself of this extra person that I have been carrying around with me...once and for all!
I am getting closer to my goal of losing 25 pounds for this first round! My thoughts right now are to keep going for another 2 weeks, then begin Phase 3 just before my weekend trip.
It's hard to wrap my mind around not being able to lose weight again for another 6 weeks, but I understand the concept of resetting the hypothalamus (as described in Pounds and Inches). I will still have time for another round before school starts again in the fall. I could potentially be half way to my goal by then, which means I could very well reach my goal before my 39th birthday (Oct. 2012). That would be awesome!
Of course, I have had some moments of wanting to eat something that isn't on Protocol. Yesterday, for example, was tough. I wasn't able to get home to eat until about 2:30pm, but I wasn't really hungry before that since I had been pushing the water (I had 10 cups of water in by that time!) By the time I did eat, I didn't feel full and within an hour I was hungry. I ate again within a couple hours and felt fine after that. We were heading to the theaters to see the new Pirates movie and I knew I needed to not be hungry while we were there. Popcorn is one of my very favorite foods! I have hope that some day I will be able to eat some again (but likely not in the quantity that I am used to eating it in!) It was tempting to think that I could eat one bite and it probably wouldn't hurt, but I know myself well enough to know that one bite would not satisfy, it would only encourage. And besides, why risk ruining what I have been working so hard to accomplish for these (almost) 3 weeks? It will likely be at least 5 more weeks before I can even attempt to eat popcorn, and I certainly won't be eating theater popcorn anytime soon! I will make it myself with healthy coconut oil. I've even heard it is wonderful with coconut oil on it instead of butter, but I do love my butter!
By not cheating last night, I saw a 1.4 pound loss on the scale this morning! That was so worth passing on the popcorn for!
My only option is to keep at it. I will press on. I will reach my goals. I will finally rid myself of this extra person that I have been carrying around with me...once and for all!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
My loss is showing :)
Day 13: I have lost 11 pounds on hHCG, plus 3 pounds before starting the hHCG, for a total of 14 pounds.
I discovered today that the jeans I was able to wear yesterday were a size 22, and the only jeans I have been able to wear lately were a size 24. It appears that I am down a size! Yahoo!
Yesterday I went to Goodwill. I don't wear dresses very often, but I found myself looking through the dresses they had and I found one that I really liked. It was a size 20, and I knew I wasn't a size 20 yet but was hopeful that I would be able to wear it by the time I finish this round. Again, I don't wear dresses very often, but I thought it might be nice to have a dress for a special occassion, so I held on to it. I found a few shirts too. When I was done perusing, it came time to make a decision about the dress. Should I buy it or not? Finally, I decided to buy it.
This morning I tried on the dress to see how close it might be to fitting me. I asked my husband to zip it in back and told him not to force the zipper up. He said, "I don't think I'm going to have to force it" and he zipped it. It actually fit me...and it looked good! I was shocked! And when I was looking at myself in the mirror, I realized that my "muffin top" is smaller.
If that isn't enough, I was told that I looked like I was losing weight by someone who doesn't know that I'm following the Protocol (and we were sitting down, so she was only looking at my face)! What a great feeling!
On Friday, I felt like I was losing my resolve. I didn't cheat, but I just wasn't sure how long I could keep going. I was pretty sure I couldn't go much beyond the 21 days. After today, I can definitely keep going! I think I need to change up my meals a bit to help with the boredom of the food. Don't get me wrong, I love chicken (and it's a good thing I do!), but I think the spinach with nothing on it (besides the chicken) is wearing on me. I know it's nutritious and very low in calories, but it's getting old.
I will say again, I am not hungry at all! I am totally satisfied when I eat my small meals. Today we had a potluck at church and I took my chili, apple and Melba Toast. It didn't bother me to sit at the table with others and eat my meal. Now, I'm not going to say that the Strawberry pie my husband was eating didn't look good, but I didn't feel like I had to have some. I didn't feel sorry for myself either. I know that some day I will be able to have something sweet once in a while (after all, that's why it's called a "treat") but like one of the people on the HCG Diet Yahoo group says, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". I need to cross-stitch that onto a pillow. :)
Oh, and today I remembered that I have a wedding vow renewal ceremony to attend in 3 weeks, and I have the perfect dress to wear!
I discovered today that the jeans I was able to wear yesterday were a size 22, and the only jeans I have been able to wear lately were a size 24. It appears that I am down a size! Yahoo!
Yesterday I went to Goodwill. I don't wear dresses very often, but I found myself looking through the dresses they had and I found one that I really liked. It was a size 20, and I knew I wasn't a size 20 yet but was hopeful that I would be able to wear it by the time I finish this round. Again, I don't wear dresses very often, but I thought it might be nice to have a dress for a special occassion, so I held on to it. I found a few shirts too. When I was done perusing, it came time to make a decision about the dress. Should I buy it or not? Finally, I decided to buy it.
This morning I tried on the dress to see how close it might be to fitting me. I asked my husband to zip it in back and told him not to force the zipper up. He said, "I don't think I'm going to have to force it" and he zipped it. It actually fit me...and it looked good! I was shocked! And when I was looking at myself in the mirror, I realized that my "muffin top" is smaller.
If that isn't enough, I was told that I looked like I was losing weight by someone who doesn't know that I'm following the Protocol (and we were sitting down, so she was only looking at my face)! What a great feeling!
On Friday, I felt like I was losing my resolve. I didn't cheat, but I just wasn't sure how long I could keep going. I was pretty sure I couldn't go much beyond the 21 days. After today, I can definitely keep going! I think I need to change up my meals a bit to help with the boredom of the food. Don't get me wrong, I love chicken (and it's a good thing I do!), but I think the spinach with nothing on it (besides the chicken) is wearing on me. I know it's nutritious and very low in calories, but it's getting old.
I will say again, I am not hungry at all! I am totally satisfied when I eat my small meals. Today we had a potluck at church and I took my chili, apple and Melba Toast. It didn't bother me to sit at the table with others and eat my meal. Now, I'm not going to say that the Strawberry pie my husband was eating didn't look good, but I didn't feel like I had to have some. I didn't feel sorry for myself either. I know that some day I will be able to have something sweet once in a while (after all, that's why it's called a "treat") but like one of the people on the HCG Diet Yahoo group says, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". I need to cross-stitch that onto a pillow. :)
Oh, and today I remembered that I have a wedding vow renewal ceremony to attend in 3 weeks, and I have the perfect dress to wear!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Making Due
Some of you reading this may not know that I was a Dunkin' Donuts coffee addict before starting this Protocol. I had been buying DD coffee nearly every day for at least 2 yrs. It was my daily "treat" to myself. Afterall, over the years, I had cut out other various treats...soda, junk food (processed foods), cut down on eating out, etc. I even switched from regular coffee to decaf. Large decaf with cream and sugar. (Most days they began getting my order ready when they saw my vehicle!)
The Protocol allows me to have coffee but I am limited to 1 Tbsp. of milk a day. Milk is not the same thing as cream and 1 Tbsp. is not nearly enough! Obviously, I can't have any sugar either but I have been using Stevia in tea occassionally. It's been 13 days since I've had any coffee. I decided today I would treat myself to a small DD coffee and see how much I can drink with 1 Tbsp. of milk.
So, here I sit, sipping my 1/4 cup of coffee with 1 Tbsp. milk and 3 drops of liquid Stevia. :-) Sometimes you just have to make due with what you have.
I'm looking forward to Phase 3 when I can actually have heavy cream (no half & half or milk because of the sugar content). Now that I have gotten accustomed to the Stevia, I no longer need sugar. Yay!
On a side note, I have a couple pair of jeans that I hadn't been able to zip up until now. I have a few other pairs that I'm hoping to be able to wear in the next couple weeks. :)
The Protocol allows me to have coffee but I am limited to 1 Tbsp. of milk a day. Milk is not the same thing as cream and 1 Tbsp. is not nearly enough! Obviously, I can't have any sugar either but I have been using Stevia in tea occassionally. It's been 13 days since I've had any coffee. I decided today I would treat myself to a small DD coffee and see how much I can drink with 1 Tbsp. of milk.
So, here I sit, sipping my 1/4 cup of coffee with 1 Tbsp. milk and 3 drops of liquid Stevia. :-) Sometimes you just have to make due with what you have.
I'm looking forward to Phase 3 when I can actually have heavy cream (no half & half or milk because of the sugar content). Now that I have gotten accustomed to the Stevia, I no longer need sugar. Yay!
On a side note, I have a couple pair of jeans that I hadn't been able to zip up until now. I have a few other pairs that I'm hoping to be able to wear in the next couple weeks. :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
10 Pounds Gone!
1.8 pound loss today! That's a total of 10 pounds in 8 days and I am feeling GREAT! I am beginning to see why some people choose to weigh themselves only once a week. I seemed to be stuck within a half pound range for the past 3 days, and then today almost 2 pounds. However, I know I won't be able to go a week without weighing myself to see where I'm at. I like to see that reward first thing in the morning!
I was tired of my usual spinach, so today I sliced an onion and put it on the George Foreman grill. YUM!!! It was like eating onion rings without all the nasty oil that gives you an upset stomach later! I put a little of my onion in my burger also, so it was a nice meal out of the norm. I will definitely do that more often!
1 full week down, at least 2 more to go in Phase 2 this round. I've been trying to decide whether I want to do an extended round or if I want to just do the minimum right now, and then move into Phase 3. I know I have enough hHCG to last approx. 60 days and I'm looking at many more rounds if I stick to the minimum. And every time I do a round, I have to stay on Phase 4 (maintenance) for an additional 2 weeks, which will prolong reaching my goal.
I also have to consider my TOM. You aren't supposed to stop the hHCG at the same time as you begin TOM, and mine is set to start at the end of my 3 weeks on hHCG. Also, I am planning to be out of town the second weekend of June, so I will either have to stop before that or do an "interuption". I was thinking I might stay on the hHCG until June 1 for a total of 30 days. However, if I did an interuption, I would basically be off the hHCG for the 4 days I am gone, and then start right back up when I was home, allowing me to continue on an extended round.
Dr. Simeons' Protocol allows you to stay on HCG for 40 days, but many people stay on hHCG for much longer (some more than 100 days). I'm not looking to lose all my weight in 1 round. I believe it is important to move into Phase 3 (stabilization) to help reset the hypothalamus. I personally would like to see a loss of 25 pounds before I stop this first round of Phase 2, so perhaps I will just let that guide me and see where I'm at.
I was tired of my usual spinach, so today I sliced an onion and put it on the George Foreman grill. YUM!!! It was like eating onion rings without all the nasty oil that gives you an upset stomach later! I put a little of my onion in my burger also, so it was a nice meal out of the norm. I will definitely do that more often!
1 full week down, at least 2 more to go in Phase 2 this round. I've been trying to decide whether I want to do an extended round or if I want to just do the minimum right now, and then move into Phase 3. I know I have enough hHCG to last approx. 60 days and I'm looking at many more rounds if I stick to the minimum. And every time I do a round, I have to stay on Phase 4 (maintenance) for an additional 2 weeks, which will prolong reaching my goal.
I also have to consider my TOM. You aren't supposed to stop the hHCG at the same time as you begin TOM, and mine is set to start at the end of my 3 weeks on hHCG. Also, I am planning to be out of town the second weekend of June, so I will either have to stop before that or do an "interuption". I was thinking I might stay on the hHCG until June 1 for a total of 30 days. However, if I did an interuption, I would basically be off the hHCG for the 4 days I am gone, and then start right back up when I was home, allowing me to continue on an extended round.
Dr. Simeons' Protocol allows you to stay on HCG for 40 days, but many people stay on hHCG for much longer (some more than 100 days). I'm not looking to lose all my weight in 1 round. I believe it is important to move into Phase 3 (stabilization) to help reset the hypothalamus. I personally would like to see a loss of 25 pounds before I stop this first round of Phase 2, so perhaps I will just let that guide me and see where I'm at.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
P2VLCD8
day 8 and i have lost a total of eight pounds. my dog chewed my laptop cord so i am typing on my android which wont let me use any symbols or capitalize. strange. so i'm going to make due with what i have. :)
today i didn't eat until about one thirty in the afternoon and i wasn't hungry all morning. that amazes me. i was even pplanning on eating lunch earlier but didn't until i was feeling hungry.
i found a place that i can eat out and still stay on protocol...panera. I had lunch with my friend, amy, who is doing the protocol with me. we had a salad with chicken breast without dressing and we took off the extra veggies they put on except for the onion which a lot of prople on the protocol find they can have a little onion with their one veggie and it doesn't hurt. i know it is always best to eat at home because i can control the ingredients but it is nice to know that i could go to lunch with a friend and stay on protocol. i didn't even feel deprived with bread all around me. honestly it was nice to know that i was in control and i could be satisfied without it
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Phase 2 Chili Recipe
The chili was good and satisfying too! It is good to mix it up a bit. So, I thought I would share what I did.
Ingredients:
100 g. very lean ground sirloin (4% fat)
1 c. diced tomatoes (I bought a can of organic, measured out 1 c. and stored the rest for another day)
1/2 tsp. chili powder
garlic powder (a few shakes)
onion powder (a few shakes)
salt & pepper to taste
I used a medium saucepan and began by cooking the meat (added S&P). It cooked quickly and there was no grease to drain off. I added approx. 1/2 c. of diced tomatoes to the pan. I put the other 1/2 c. in my Magic Bullet and blended it into juice & added it to the pan. Added the additional spices and let it simmer for a few minutes.
According to My Fitness Pal, this single serving is 176 calories. I was wondering if perhaps I would be able to eat half in the morning and half at lunch, but for me, there wasn't enough to split, so I just drank my water all morning and saved the chili for lunch. I added an orange and a piece of Melba Toast for a total of 283 calories. More than half my calories but it was worth it. I will stick with my standard grilled chicken on top of 3 c. of spinach for dinner and an apple for a snack tonight.
Ingredients:
100 g. very lean ground sirloin (4% fat)
1 c. diced tomatoes (I bought a can of organic, measured out 1 c. and stored the rest for another day)
1/2 tsp. chili powder
garlic powder (a few shakes)
onion powder (a few shakes)
salt & pepper to taste
I used a medium saucepan and began by cooking the meat (added S&P). It cooked quickly and there was no grease to drain off. I added approx. 1/2 c. of diced tomatoes to the pan. I put the other 1/2 c. in my Magic Bullet and blended it into juice & added it to the pan. Added the additional spices and let it simmer for a few minutes.
According to My Fitness Pal, this single serving is 176 calories. I was wondering if perhaps I would be able to eat half in the morning and half at lunch, but for me, there wasn't enough to split, so I just drank my water all morning and saved the chili for lunch. I added an orange and a piece of Melba Toast for a total of 283 calories. More than half my calories but it was worth it. I will stick with my standard grilled chicken on top of 3 c. of spinach for dinner and an apple for a snack tonight.
And the Journey Continues
Yesterday was day 4 and I weighed in 1 lb. less than the day before. It's obvious the weight loss has slowed now to what will likely average out to be about 1/2 lb. per day, and I am perfectly happy with that! In fact, today I didn't lose at all. I have read on the HCG Diet Yahoo group forums that it is common to show no loss one day and then lose a pound the next day (still an average of 1/2 lb. per day). So, we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Some people choose to weigh themselves once a week during this phase rather than daily. That way they aren't seeing the non-losing days, they only see how much they have lost. Makes sense. I have debated on what to do but I like weighing every day & I will have to weigh every day in the next phase (stabilization) so I think it's good for me to stay in the routine. I know there will be days I don't see a loss on the scale so I won't let it bother me.
I know that I am also losing inches. My wedding rings are slipping around on my finger. I noticed this first in the shower yesterday and I thought perhaps it was because of my soap, but throughout the day this strange phenomenon continued. :)
I decided yesterday that I am going to mix it up a bit today. I'm going to make chili with my allotted ground sirloin and tomatoes. Thank God for spices! They really can add so much to food. You just have to make sure there aren't any hidden ingredients in the spices. It always pays to read labels.
I also discovered from the Yahoo group that we can spread out our intake of food throughout the day. Of course, you have to use the exact amount of food and type of food allowed and make sure you don't go over the 500 calorie limit. I have only done this slightly by choosing 1 of my vegetables to snack on in the morning & the afternoon. I've also been saving my apple that I would normally eat with dinner to eat later as a snack so I don't go to bed hungry.
It seems to require more thought, but it is good to mix things up a bit once in a while. I may experiment with it more today since my chili is going to require more thought as well. Hopefully I'll be able to post positively about the experience!
Some people choose to weigh themselves once a week during this phase rather than daily. That way they aren't seeing the non-losing days, they only see how much they have lost. Makes sense. I have debated on what to do but I like weighing every day & I will have to weigh every day in the next phase (stabilization) so I think it's good for me to stay in the routine. I know there will be days I don't see a loss on the scale so I won't let it bother me.
I know that I am also losing inches. My wedding rings are slipping around on my finger. I noticed this first in the shower yesterday and I thought perhaps it was because of my soap, but throughout the day this strange phenomenon continued. :)
I decided yesterday that I am going to mix it up a bit today. I'm going to make chili with my allotted ground sirloin and tomatoes. Thank God for spices! They really can add so much to food. You just have to make sure there aren't any hidden ingredients in the spices. It always pays to read labels.
I also discovered from the Yahoo group that we can spread out our intake of food throughout the day. Of course, you have to use the exact amount of food and type of food allowed and make sure you don't go over the 500 calorie limit. I have only done this slightly by choosing 1 of my vegetables to snack on in the morning & the afternoon. I've also been saving my apple that I would normally eat with dinner to eat later as a snack so I don't go to bed hungry.
It seems to require more thought, but it is good to mix things up a bit once in a while. I may experiment with it more today since my chili is going to require more thought as well. Hopefully I'll be able to post positively about the experience!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Round 1, Phase 2, Very Low Calorie Day 3 (R1P2VLCD3)
I weighed myself this morning and have lost another 2.5 pounds for a total of 6 pounds lost in 2 days!!! I am *thrilled* with my results, as you can imagine!
This is my 3rd day eating the same thing (except I had radishes today instead of celery) and I don't care! I don't have to eat that way but it's simple and I am just enjoying the food I eat. I even went to Bible study last night where there were lots of treats but I took my allowed celery and apple, and was surprisingly satisfied without feeling deprived! Wow!
I told my friend Amy today that I already feel smaller and said she felt the same way. For curiosity sake, I took a couple measurements today and compared them to the measurements I wrote down a few days ago. I have lost 1 inch around my chest and 1 inch around my waist! No kidding!!!
I can honestly say I haven't even been that hungry for being on such a low calorie diet, but that is just one area where the hHCG is supposed to help. It seems to be doing the job for me. I believe drinking lots of water is a big key also. I have never drank so much water in my life (averaging 12 cups a day)! I have a stainless steel Thermos that holds 2 cups of water, so I just keep refilling it throughout the day. Anytime I feel hungry, I reach for my Thermos first.
I am adding a "pounds lost" ticker to my blog from My Fitness Pal. I joined My Fitness Pal 2 weeks ago and it has really been a great tool to help me keep track with my food intake (counts calories for you) even before I started the Protocol. You will notice that the ticker shows I have lost 9 pounds so far and that is accurate as I had lost about 3 pounds the week prior to starting the Protocol. I gained 1 pound on my 2 loading days, but have obviously lost that and more since starting the low calorie diet.
Here are some tips for those who are on the journey or thinking about starting it:
1. Get a George Foreman grill! I posted on Facebook that I was looking for one and I had a couple of friends offer to give me theirs! I was planning to look at Goodwill and garage sales. I know they aren't expensive to buy new, but I was already investing money in this Protocol with the hHCG, so that was a wonderful blessing! The GF grill makes cooking your meat super fast and easy! I replaced my toaster space on my counter with the GF grill.
2. Buy your meat and then weigh it and put it in individual zipper bags. I bought just over 3 pounds of chicken breast (antibiotic-free and hormone-free) and cut it up into 16 individual servings. I put each serving in a sandwhich zip bag, and then I put most of the small bags into a large zip bag in the freezer. I did the same with my lean ground sirloin. Now all I do is take one portion of each out of the freezer at night and put them in the refrigerator. By the time I'm ready to make lunch, my meat is ready to be cooked.
3. If you don't already have a digital food scale, get one! You need it for this Protocol. They are much more accurate. Average cost is $20. You won't be sorry you did!
Enjoy the journey!
This is my 3rd day eating the same thing (except I had radishes today instead of celery) and I don't care! I don't have to eat that way but it's simple and I am just enjoying the food I eat. I even went to Bible study last night where there were lots of treats but I took my allowed celery and apple, and was surprisingly satisfied without feeling deprived! Wow!
I told my friend Amy today that I already feel smaller and said she felt the same way. For curiosity sake, I took a couple measurements today and compared them to the measurements I wrote down a few days ago. I have lost 1 inch around my chest and 1 inch around my waist! No kidding!!!
I can honestly say I haven't even been that hungry for being on such a low calorie diet, but that is just one area where the hHCG is supposed to help. It seems to be doing the job for me. I believe drinking lots of water is a big key also. I have never drank so much water in my life (averaging 12 cups a day)! I have a stainless steel Thermos that holds 2 cups of water, so I just keep refilling it throughout the day. Anytime I feel hungry, I reach for my Thermos first.
I am adding a "pounds lost" ticker to my blog from My Fitness Pal. I joined My Fitness Pal 2 weeks ago and it has really been a great tool to help me keep track with my food intake (counts calories for you) even before I started the Protocol. You will notice that the ticker shows I have lost 9 pounds so far and that is accurate as I had lost about 3 pounds the week prior to starting the Protocol. I gained 1 pound on my 2 loading days, but have obviously lost that and more since starting the low calorie diet.
Here are some tips for those who are on the journey or thinking about starting it:
1. Get a George Foreman grill! I posted on Facebook that I was looking for one and I had a couple of friends offer to give me theirs! I was planning to look at Goodwill and garage sales. I know they aren't expensive to buy new, but I was already investing money in this Protocol with the hHCG, so that was a wonderful blessing! The GF grill makes cooking your meat super fast and easy! I replaced my toaster space on my counter with the GF grill.
2. Buy your meat and then weigh it and put it in individual zipper bags. I bought just over 3 pounds of chicken breast (antibiotic-free and hormone-free) and cut it up into 16 individual servings. I put each serving in a sandwhich zip bag, and then I put most of the small bags into a large zip bag in the freezer. I did the same with my lean ground sirloin. Now all I do is take one portion of each out of the freezer at night and put them in the refrigerator. By the time I'm ready to make lunch, my meat is ready to be cooked.
3. If you don't already have a digital food scale, get one! You need it for this Protocol. They are much more accurate. Average cost is $20. You won't be sorry you did!
Enjoy the journey!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Day 1 of VLCD Complete
Yesterday was Day 1 of the VLCD. I will say I was surprised at how well it went! I know it helped that I drank 12 cups of water plus 2 cups of hot green tea! (I was in the bathroom all day and night but it was worth it!)
Here's a breakdown of what I ate.
Snack at 10am: 3 stalks of celery (23 calories)
Lunch at 2pm: 100 g. lean sirloin burger cooked on George Foreman grill (171 cals), 1 orange (87 cals)
Dinner at 6pm: 100 g. boneless, skinless chicken breast on GF grill (90 cals), 2 c. raw spinach (14 cals), 1 piece Melba Toast (20 cals)
Snack at 8pm: 1 apple (80 cals)
I stepped on my scale this morning to find that I lost 3.5 pounds!!! I am SO excited! I know I won't lose this much every day but it sure feels good that my efforts were well rewarded!
I am hungry this morning but I'm getting ready to take my HCG and make myself some Yerba Mate (it's a type of tea), so hopefully that will stave off the hunger for a few hours.
One day down, at least 23 left of the VLCD before moving into the next phase (though I may stay on it a little longer, depending on my TOM). It can be done for 24-43 days before moving into the next phase, which is as crucial as this phase in order to reset the hypothalamus. You get to eat more food, but you have to stay within 4 lbs. of your last dosage weight (LDW) for 3 weeks. Many people think the next phase is harder, but they say to stick to the same foods as Phase 2, just eat more of them and take in good fats to make up more calories (still no carbs or sugar).
I'm just going to plug along on this journey 1 day at a time and thank the Lord for giving me the strength I need each day.
Dinner: Grilled chicken on a bed of spinach
Here's a breakdown of what I ate.
Snack at 10am: 3 stalks of celery (23 calories)
Lunch at 2pm: 100 g. lean sirloin burger cooked on George Foreman grill (171 cals), 1 orange (87 cals)
Dinner at 6pm: 100 g. boneless, skinless chicken breast on GF grill (90 cals), 2 c. raw spinach (14 cals), 1 piece Melba Toast (20 cals)
Snack at 8pm: 1 apple (80 cals)
I stepped on my scale this morning to find that I lost 3.5 pounds!!! I am SO excited! I know I won't lose this much every day but it sure feels good that my efforts were well rewarded!
I am hungry this morning but I'm getting ready to take my HCG and make myself some Yerba Mate (it's a type of tea), so hopefully that will stave off the hunger for a few hours.
One day down, at least 23 left of the VLCD before moving into the next phase (though I may stay on it a little longer, depending on my TOM). It can be done for 24-43 days before moving into the next phase, which is as crucial as this phase in order to reset the hypothalamus. You get to eat more food, but you have to stay within 4 lbs. of your last dosage weight (LDW) for 3 weeks. Many people think the next phase is harder, but they say to stick to the same foods as Phase 2, just eat more of them and take in good fats to make up more calories (still no carbs or sugar).
I'm just going to plug along on this journey 1 day at a time and thank the Lord for giving me the strength I need each day.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day 2 of hHCG
Yesterday I began taking my hHCG. 6 drops 3 times a day. Today is my 2nd and final Load Day of my first round. I haven't enjoyed loading like I thought I would and I didn't gain any weight at all today. I haven't had any Avanti's food as I had planned but opted for Qdoba today instead. Though I may have pizza for dinner after all. We'll see what the scale says tomorrow.
So, tomorrow begins day 1 of the very low calorie diet (VLCD). There isn't much to plan ahead, other than perhaps to weigh my meat and wrap it in individual servings. So far I only bought lean beef from Fresh Market (they had run out of chicken so I will have to pick that up on my way home tomorrow). Next time I will buy grassfed beef (or perhaps Buffalo) from Pottstown Meat and Deli instead. Amy & I were confused about the beef at Fresh Market and thought it was all hormone-free, but only the chicken is. They do have grassfed beef but only in the premium cuts. Live and learn, and ask LOTS of questions before you purchase!
I will likely start planning more next week, as I'm sure it won't take long for the same basic foods to get boring. There are lots of creative recipes on the Yahoo Group so that will help me. I'm just planning to start out simple this first week. I am all about the acronym KISS (keep it simple, sweetie)!
I wrote down my measurements and took pictures yesterday. Yikes! I won't be able to post them until I lose a good amount of weight. I can't wait for that day!
I am curious to see if this hHCG really curbs the hunger. Time will tell.
So, tomorrow begins day 1 of the very low calorie diet (VLCD). There isn't much to plan ahead, other than perhaps to weigh my meat and wrap it in individual servings. So far I only bought lean beef from Fresh Market (they had run out of chicken so I will have to pick that up on my way home tomorrow). Next time I will buy grassfed beef (or perhaps Buffalo) from Pottstown Meat and Deli instead. Amy & I were confused about the beef at Fresh Market and thought it was all hormone-free, but only the chicken is. They do have grassfed beef but only in the premium cuts. Live and learn, and ask LOTS of questions before you purchase!
I will likely start planning more next week, as I'm sure it won't take long for the same basic foods to get boring. There are lots of creative recipes on the Yahoo Group so that will help me. I'm just planning to start out simple this first week. I am all about the acronym KISS (keep it simple, sweetie)!
I wrote down my measurements and took pictures yesterday. Yikes! I won't be able to post them until I lose a good amount of weight. I can't wait for that day!
I am curious to see if this hHCG really curbs the hunger. Time will tell.
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