Almost a Month Later...

Gee, I'm really good at this blogging thing huh? Well. No excuses really except for that I have been job searching, working hard in graduate school and busy with family and all this holiday stuff. To catch you up:

Thanksgiving was tough for me. I cheated and didn't think I cheated too much but it was the little things here and there. Being at my parents for so long was difficult, especially at the very start when I was just getting used to the diet. The temptations were around. Cheating on Thanksgiving through me off about a week and I'm sure I would be at least 6 lbs lighter today if I hadn't, but you can't change the past and I believe you have to forgive yourself a little on this diet or else you'll feel guilty constantly and then quit.

Once I got back to my home in Seattle it was much easier. There aren't the same temptations and for some reason I just felt more focused (probably because I equate going there to relaxing). And also because I have friends there that want to go out to dinner and stuff. Going to get coffee or tea is not a problem and I'm thankful I can still do that. Not getting my normal Grande Soy Chai (250 calories and $4.00) every day has done wonders for my pocket book too. Now I spend a 1.50 every time I go to Starbucks, which isn't every day.

I have lost 15 lbs so far. I thought I would lose more but considering it is twice as much as what would be expected in a months time (6-8 lbs if you lose 2 lbs. per week). If I did things perfectly I know I would have lost more. Still, I believe I'll be at goal by the end of January for sure.

I started at 162 and I'm now at 147. I also gained back and fluctuated on my period and freaked out. I searched the web entirely it seemed for topics on periods and stalls. I had stalled for a week and was sure that the HCG quit working. So, to ease my mind I just decided to keep recording calories, follow the plan but only weight every 5 days. I feel good about this plan because I'm still measuring and I can hardly fit in any of my pants anymore. My clothes are getting bigger consistently. What is most exciting is that I am losing in my belly, thighs, hips and arms and of course waist too. I have always had a pear shape and even at my heaviest (186 lbs.) I still had a hip to waist ratio of around .65-.70. So, right now I still am a pear. Everything is just smaller. I heard that later in Phase 2 you will see your body to start to reshape. Thankfully I have not lost much in my breasts.

Other things I've noticed: I feel flabbier. I am thinking of starting to do mild weight lifting to start to tone up. Not sure if that is advised but I'll do some research. Hopefully at age 29 my skin will get tightened up. It's not like it's hanging there, I just notice that where there was harder fat on my thighs, it is much more squishy. Sorry if this is graphic. LOL. I guess that means it is working.

I started my HCG through a clinic but I'm not following their plan. They have a 800 calorie diet with shakes. I'm doing the Simeons protocol 500 calories a day. I do, once in a while, have a sugar-free/fat free swiss mocha, the International Coffee stuff. I also substitute egg whites once in a while and occasionally have a peice of Ezekiel bread for my protein. I don't do this too often, mostly as a treat on the weekend because although low in calories, one slice is only 4 grams of protein, good for bread, but not as good as the protein level in fish. I don't eat beef or chicken and I needed to mix it up a bit.

I like having coffee to start my day and originally thought I'd give it up, but when you don't have much in ways of luxury in this diet food wise, the coffee is a treat. I also havn't had soda in 2 years but started drinking Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper occasionally as a treat too.

So far the real treat is seeing my body change and feeling better. I feel healthy. The first two days of the diet I thought I was going to pass out. I don't think I loaded properly. You really need to focus on high fat foods and not just "fattening" foods. The whole first week I was starving and only thought about food. After the first week I felt fine and the 500 calories was enough.

There has been some times that I have been out and about all day and have only had coffee and an apple and come home pretty tired, but surprisingly not like I thought I would. And I was walking most of the day. (This was not smart but it happened) I advise eating all your 500 calories and in a timely fashion. I also stopped eating the grissini breadsticks and just eat the apple. I have to eat gluten-free and did find some grissini gluten free, but honestly would rather have my swiss mocha then that crusty bread that doesn't fill me up. I can sip and enjoy the drink and get some water vs. that.

I did go out to eat on a date one night to a Mexican restaurant of all places! I looked at the menu online ahead of time and ordered a grilled fish taco. I ate 7 chips and only ate the fish (and hoped my date didn't notice my odd eating). I also accounted for all those calories too and didn't eat until dinner.

For social outings it is tough but once you've lost a decent amount you don't want to ruin your success and hard work so you'll stick with it.

Sorry so long!