I am back

Good morning everyone.

I am back at the very low calorie diet. I had to stop the shots back in August because I was trying to stop smoking and found that doing both just didn't work for me. I paid for that with some weight gain, but As of this morning I am down 11.6 lb and on my second week.

I have had a number of questions about stalls. What causes them and how to get around them.

First I am not a doctor, but through experience I have found illness, stress, not followiing protocol to the letter and the lack of sleep has cause me to not loose weight.

Second, could be our expectation of what loosing weight is supposed to look like. "I want it now" (great line from Willy Wonk film), is not how it looks. That is a Yo-Yo diet, quick and fast. Where has that gotten most people, weight gone and then regained.

If nothing else, HCG should be a time of learning. If you eat healthy, get rest and pay attention to what your body does and says, then you will have success.

I look at this whole thing as a rebirth. We are born, but can not walk, we learn to roll over firt, then on our hands and knees. From their we learn to pull ourselves up and then we take our first steps. Not long after that first step we learn to run.

Our weight didn't magically appear, but with the help of HCG in can disappear. That is up to you. You have to be realistic in your expectation. Average loss is .2 -.75 lb per day, not 5 and 6 lbs (if that happens it is a bonus)but with that you have to know that there will be stalls. Your body has to catch up. Inches are just as important as pounds lost.

A word to the wise HOLIDAYS ARE COMEING be prepared if you are on the diet or if you are on maintance. There is no written law that you have to over indulge. You can enjoy the holidays and the over abundence of food. Be wise in your choices of what you eat and don't set yourself up for failure. If all else go off the diet (shot or drops) inadvance and get on maintance. Then again be wise in the food choices. The time you have been on the diet should have taught you what you should be staying away from, small amounts of unhealth food, eat on a small plate (7 inch or so), bring your own side dishes that are healthy. It all works and you will feel better about the holidays.

Have a great day and happy loosing.

First Week Down

I started back a week ago and the scale has been very good to me...I am down 13 lbs and I went shopping because none of my clothes fit me anymore. I am in a straight 18 now that was from a 24/26 in January.

I take the shots and find I have soooooooo much energy and I am going to need all this when school starts in 2 weeks. I am a student, full time and I carry a full load of studies ontop of everything I have chosen to quit smoking after 50 yrs. I need to be healthy all the way around.

If you are on HCg and are a follower, jump on in with questions or comments.

I hope to post about every 4 to 5 days so you all can help me track my progress.


Happy losing....

My 12 Weeks are over

As of August 1st I finished up my 12 weeks of maintance and was a success, no weight gain.

I have dropped 9.8 lbs and the week isn't up yet. I am back on the VLCD and am loving it.

Success is all in how much you want it and I want to be at my ideal weight for my health.

I am back again...

Waving at everyone...School is over until mid August...now I can concentrate on me.

Good news is I have been off HCg since the second week of May and have maintained my weight. I still have another month to go, but it has become easy to know exactly what I can eat and what I can't.

I devised a plan, figured out the calorie count and know what will cause me to gain.
I do go out to dinner, I do enjoy the foods I allow myself to have, but I DON'T go overboard with my eating. I do eat 3 times a day and a couple of healthy snacks also. I don't skip meals....very important....that is how you put on weight...being very hungry and over eating.

I have learned to listen to my body..that little knawing isn't hunger so I feed it Ice tea, water or coffee (both iced and hot), I have learned to have food cooked MY WAY and substitue what I want. If not I get up and leave.. My husband eats like I do because it is healthy and he is beginning to see and feel the difference.

The best advice I can give anyone about dieting is:

Be realistic with your goals
Make a plan and stick to that plan
Don't beat yourself up if you slip up...move on

Getting Enough Sleep

Did you know if you don't get enough sleep every night it will affect your weight loss? I didn't believe this until I had to do a long turn on homework (1am Math). I got up the next morning at the normal time 6am, made my sleepy way to the scale. OMG I know I stuck to the diet to the letter. I was up a 1.2 pounds...I was stunned and went back to bed because I just couldn't function. Slept 3 more hours solid. I weighted once again and low and behold I as not only down the 1.2, but another pound. So I lost a pound for that day..this was back in my 2nd round.
A healthy body is a rested body. I have proof that getting enough sleep is all part of this weight loss. I feel better and can focuse on what I need to do during the day and at school. ( I am a full time college student and a senior citzen), so be warned "Sleep is important" your body needs time to rest...do this and your body will be good to you.

My First Week Back On VLCD

I am so excited that I am back on the road to weight loss yet again. I managed the 6 weeks off with a 2 pound loss (still in the realm of ok). I only gained 1.2 lbs on my load, kind of scratched my head at that because I loaded like a starving pig (and sick as a dog).
I can happily report that as of this morning I am down 10.8 pound and feel wonderful. There will be another closet cleaning in the next few weeks, everything is just baggy on me. Wooooooooohooooooooo.
It is important that you stick to the protocol because it works. Don't do your own thing because that is why the diets in the past have not worked. Put you first along with your health and you will win. Have a wonderful Mothers Day All

I have borrowed information from my Daughter.

This is important stuff to know because the not knowing why things happen can cause you to stop what is working.



Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Break through that awful Plateau!
okay...here I am 4 weeks into Round 4, P2 and only down 5 lbs -
but I have to explain...
I experienced a very rare type of plateau
And I want to let you know about my experience and how you can push through it...
Essetially your hypothalamus creates a blueprint of what it "thinks" your perfect weight should be - how this happens, is if at one time in your life you have lost a significant amount of weight - maintained it for some period of time - and then rather quickly, gain weight back + more.
So my experience started about 11 years ago, when my youngest son was almost 2 years old...I worked my bootie off for about 6 to 8 months - exercising everyday for more than an hour each morning - and changed my eating habits - really trying to lose the baby weight that I had packed on from the previous 6 years (4 boys were so worth each of those horrible little pounds :o) ) I did a good job - losing about 45 pounds in that period of time. I kept it off over a year - continuing to exercise and eat right.
After that first year though, I started experiencing some horrible "female" troubles. No matter how much I exercised, I slowly started to gain weight....then I ended up having a hysterectomy and that's all it took - I gained 65 lbs back (20 more than I had lost!) I was so depressed but at least I was not having those "problems" I was having so I had to count my blessing where they were...
Fast forward to right now...When I reached 181 pounds - my body went back to that previous weight that I spent about a year at all those 11 years ago...My body was saying that 181 was the perfect weight and didn't need to go lower - although I know for a fact that 165 is my ideal and goal weight.
More than TWO WEEKS at 181 and no fluctuating...I was getting depressed...I was being other's cheerleader and yet even after losing 70 lbs, I was not happy with this stall!!!
I went in research mode - I read everything I could get my hands on - and finally found an article about plateaus and stalls and found the information that I just gave you - but now to fix the problem -
Basically all I could do was to stick it out - NO CHEATING!!! which again was a little depressing with no downward movement on the scale...but keep with the injections and keep up with the 500 calorie diet...and eventually your body will get with the program and start dropping the weight again.
And I'm happy to say - this morning I am weighing 177.2!!!! the 170's!!!! I haven't been there since before baby #1 almost 18 years ago!!!!
So again - at week 4 I have only lost 5 lbs - but so grateful for those 5 lbs being gone!
Two more weeks and I'll take the loss that I can get...but I will take the summer off and if need be, I will do one more round to lose those pesky few last pounds! I'll keep you updated on that when it happens.
On a super amazing note - I went shopping the other day - and i put on a size 10 jeans - AND THEY FIT...zipped up, fit like they were made for me and will be going back when I lose 5 more pounds (I reward myself when I hit little goals). And bonus - my blood pressure and heart rate were "that of a runner" quote from Dr. Hottie!
Keep going because you are worth it! I am living proof that this protocol works! I am here for you all and I'm grateful too for all the support I get from readers and my family and friends!
take care and happy mother's day to everyone!
Posted by my family is 4ever at 2:30 AM

One Week to go Before Load Day

I am so excited to be getting back in the process of weighloss. I have been stable now for almost 6 weeks and haven't lost or gained a pound. I have myself set at 1350calories per day and exercise when I can. It works, I am thrilled that I can now keep this weight under control, not eat everything that is loose.

Yah for HCG and the lessons it has taught me....

Spicy White Fish

The best part is my George Forman...quick and easy

100 grams white fish (ex. Orange Roughy, Tilapia)
Chili Powder
Paprika
Garlic Salt
Sea Salt

Sprinkle both sides of the fish with spices.
Place on preheated George Forman grill.
Turn over after 2 minutes.
Fish is done when flakes easily with a fork.
Serving: 1 Protein

Strawberry Smoothie

I borrowed this from my daughter blog cuz it is sooooooooooo good
8 to 10 medium FROZEN strawberries
1 tblspn non-fat milk
1 pkt of Tru-via/Purevia (stevia sweetner)
Approx 10 to 12 oz water (just enough to cover strawberries)

Blend in blender until smooth (add a little water if needed)

Optional Alternative:
Replace the Tru-via/Purevia sweetner with a Strawberry Crystal Light packet
and/or
Add the juice from 1 lemon to the mixture and blend for a Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie

This is legal on the VLC and so refreshing.

Do You Need Inspiration

When we started this diet we were excited and a bit scared that it could be another failure.

What can you do to keep moving on when you feel down and unsure that this is going to be the one diet that works for you?

Grab a notebook. Write, write,and write somemore.

Put your goals in, your feelings at a particular stage of the diet, what you like about it, what you hate about it.
Keep a food diary, weight diary, write why you think you gained or why you are on a stall.

Put a picture of your progress (end of 1st round, 2nd, 3rd etc)and always go back to re-read where you started at. I find that gives me modivation to see where I can go.

When you start the maintance P3, make a plan...how many calories are you going to consume, what you are never going to put to your lips again, receipes that you have found or developed....what you like or dislike about P3...

Writing helps you realize who you are and where you have been.

I hope this helps some struggling or those that just feel lost...Important*** alway find someone who is traveling the same road you are...you can boost each others confidence to see this through..

Live life to its fullest..you will really like it that way

New Picture

Ok don't know that I truly like this phone picture stuff, but hubby was insistant...New Hair, Make-up and new top..hummmmm

I feel wonderful and will keep on keeping on.

Exercised my stomach and upper arms today and will continue until I get them toned up...

School today so this is shot and sweet.

Happy Easter

Thought I would vent for a few minutes.

I would like those that keep saying that this 500 calorie diet is BORING, to think about how boring being overweight is.

It is boring to go to a regular store to try to buy a regular size of clothes.
It is boring to have to listen to those that don't have a weight problem give you advice on how to loose it.
It is boring to listen to the news programs that tell the overweight people about increasing seat prices on a plane because they are overweight.

This diet is limited in what you can eat when you are on protocol, but it is not boring to see the scale showing a weight loss or the tape measure showing inches melting away, is it?

I think those that are bored haven't gotten their heads wrapped around the big picture of a thinner person fighting to get out.

I look at the fact that this diet has been researched and tried for 75 years. Then why do people want to keep adding to something that does work?

I am on P3 for the second time and 72 lbs lighter, am I going to add to this diet? NO, I am going to stick like crazy to it because for me it works.

Ok enough of the venting...

I am loving the new me and hope to get a new picture up soon...

Headaches

In the last few months I have had a number of different people ask why they are having headaches when they start this diet.

I did some asking and have come up with this answer: Detox.

When you go from eating thousands of calories a day, most of which are startches and sugars, then cut your intake down to 500 calories a day of protien, veggies (non startchie)and fruit, you are bound to feel some reactions. When you Detoxify your body your body will let you know about it this is usually short lived, but if they persist then there may be underlying causes and a visit to the doctor should uncover the reasons.

I also strongly advise that before you start any diet, that you consult your doctor.

Pictures

Before Picture


End of 1st round and 40 lbs lighter


60lb gone forever

Well Here I am again

It is amazing what will power and the threat of serious health issues can do to a person.

I finally decided to do something about it. Loose weight, eat healthy and exercise.
Sounds like a broken record to some, but since January 9, 2010 I have dropped 72lbs and feel wonderful.

The how did you do it is always the question. HCG and I will be forever greatful to my wonderful daughter for not telling me what she was doing.

I proded her until she gave up the information. (She is also down 70lbs).

I plan on posting information about this diet, pictures and answer question if anyone should have any.

Keep watching because this is a work in progress..

Sharon