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. :)
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