what a weekend!

I had a very busy Saturday...

We woke up at 4:30 am to get to a 5K race by 7:15 (it didn't start until 8:00).  This was my first one this year and my 'training' had been minimal.  I was a bit surprised to have 2 old men (in their  60s) pass me right away!  I kept one in my sight, the other I didn't see again until a loop and saw him coming the other way, and I saw him break stride!  TWICE!  Walking races have specific rules, one of which is you must have a foot on the ground at all times.  Breaking into a jog results in disqualification.  Bill said he saw him break quite often.

As if having 1 old guy [legally] in front of me, I couldn't shake this other fellow off my tail!  I finally realized he wasn't going anywhere, so I started talking with him.  He's 71!  He races every weekend, he's a nice guy, but when I poured on the juice to try to get a little distance between us, well - the finish line picture can show how far I got.The two ladies to my right were actually runners, as a fast walker I passed a few runners, but no old men:-)

38:00 isn't a bad time, especially since I haven't been training.  A few more pounds off and some good training under my belt I should be able to at least stay with the old man who [legally] beat me.  I did win the overall woman's division though.  I'm told there's a woman who usually races that could probably beat me, but she wasn't at this race.  So I have a goal!

We went from the 5 K in Columbus (Indiana) to Nashville (Indiana) to pick up Bill's award winning painting from the Indiana Heritage Art ShowFrom here we drove into Bloomington to pick up another painting Bill had left with a gallery last year.  Then we headed towards Louisville (KY) to spend some time in the temple.  It was perfect!  It's so nice to leave the world at the door and step into a place of peace and a nearness to Heavenly Father that I just can't get anywhere else.  I heard someone say recently that they can worship God anywhere - they don't need a church.  I agree, we can worship God from any place.  But when I'm in the temple I feel like there's some sort of conduit to my Heavenly Father that I don't have in any other place. 

After the temple we drove home and got to see my sister and her two kids who had arrived while we were gone.  They are now permanent residents of Muncie.  They're staying here until she finds a job and gets enough for her own place.  It's so nice to have family here!

With all this excitement I would have thought that I would have dropped poundage in a major way.  But alas...NO!  I didn't.  While we were on the road I grabbed those little cottage cheeses for my lunch and dinner.  They had 2% milk fat and each was only 90 calories.  I had read from someone else that using cottage cheese for the protein source is fine, but weight loss doesn't seem to be as easy using it.  I think they were right, I lost 1 pound that day. 

I woke up this morning at the exact same weight I woke up yesterday morning.  If someone stalls out on this program for 4 days - which has happened to more than a few people - they're supposed to do a day of apples to kick the body back into gear. 

SO I'm on my 22nd day and have lost 20.2 pounds.  I'm not going to complain...well I can't.

The reason I can't complain is because Bill and I are doing a 30 only positive comments and 'purly praising prayers'.  A speaker in sacrament yesterday spoke of utilizing more gratitude in our prayers and Bill and I had been listening to Klove radio a few weeks ago and they were challenging listeners to be more positive.  So we decided to try it for 30 days - no negative comments!  We had to have some sort of consequence to assure our commitment, so the one who utters negativity owes the other a 5 minute massage for the first, and 5 minutes is added for each until 30 minutes is reached then we reset.  So far I owe Bill 5 minutes...

beds, muffin tins, and weight loss...

Yesterday I pulled the ol' switcher-ooo!  I took out the crib and put in a 'big boy bed'.  Bill ended up sleeping on the floor by his bed because he fell out 5 times.  I'm hoping he quickly gets used to the new sleeping arrangment so I can have my husband back! - By the way, Enoch's is the small white bed with the teddy, Harrison's is the other one!There's something about putting things in a line that fasinates Enoch.  I found carrots lined neatly across the kitchen floor, shoes, blocks, pencils, cheerios, and yesterday he found all my muffin tins and a few mason jars and went to work.  Odd.

Today is officialy day 19.  I have found that some people refer to the first 2 days of the hCG plan as 'phase 1', then the next 24 to 40 days of eating 500 calories as 'phase 2' and then the last three weeks of 1500 calories as 'phase 3'.  In my little booklet the 2 starting binge days are considared part of phase 1.  So I have been counting my days from my first binge day. 
As you may remember I had gained a pound last post - then I woke up yesterday and Boom! I lost those stubborn pounds- and then this morning I lost .2 ....weird!  But I'm attributing it to TOM (time of month).
So here's the run down: weight minus 19.2 pounds, waist minus 5.84 inches, arms minus .75 inches. 
If you're still wondering what on earth I'm talking about you can go here.  On that blog there's a comment from Cindy Rademacher.  She has a website that sells hCG Platimun here: www.tryhcgtoday.com and it's the same stuff I'm taking.  Her price is the same as GNC, (unless you're a Gold Card memeber and get it in the first week of the month). So if you're looking for it - there you go!  She also has been great about answering my questions!

Family Friendly

"Family restaurant" is a by-line for many eating establishments hoping to attract customers with children. When eating at a place like that one can expect to hear children crying and/or laughing, food flying, and see crayons as part of the table decor.

Using 'family friendly' is important - parents need those kind of places so they don't go crazy either from never getting out, or trying to keep their kids quite.

One of the main points to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is 'the Family is Forever'. We are the epitome of a 'family friendly' church. If you come to our service you can bet there are children around. You will hear them laughing, and some crying (although most parents take fussy kids out to the foyer), you will see them peering over the pews and trying to reach for toys from the kids in the row behind, and you can bet that they’ll be Cheerios on more than a few benches once everyone has cleared out.

I love that!

Happy Father’s day! (should get that in…)

We made our special man waffles with fresh strawberries and [real] whipped crème. For lunch he got lemon meringue pie (dessert first) and egg rolls, bread rolls, and 2 half gallons of chocolate ice crème from Tawny. So another day of me being elbow deep in amazing food and eating my 500 calories on the side. It’s hard, but I don’t feel like I’m suffering… allot.  (side note: I've decided to let my grey hair grow out, but I have mixed feelings.  Do you think it ages me?)

So far: 15.5 pounds, 5 inches from my waist, ½ inch from my arms. I slowed a bit these last few days, I’m hoping it’s a very temporary platue and I’ll start burning like crazy SOON.

Questions to answer:

*Yes my clothes are starting to feel different. It’s been slower than I though it would be for that. I guess it’s harder to shrink down into clothes.

* I’m taking the homeopathic drops – not the injections.

good food and no food

Have you seen this? It's Plum Organics baby food. I first found it in Toys-R-Us, but nobody else carried it around here. Then when I was making an order from Diapers.com I saw it there (Go here - if you do order from there - use my referral code: KRIN1327 - we'll both get some great discounts)! I love this stuff! It doesn't spill, it's healthy, and Enoch loves them. They're perfect for car trips, camping out, of anytime you need your little to have a meal but don't have time for the sit down meal. Enoch hadn't been feeling tip top and I couldn't get him to feed himself so I broke one out, knowing he would get some good nutrients this way.

Speaking of food (how's that for a segue?)
I am now 13.5 lbs lighter than I was 1 1/2 weeks ago. I noticed this morning that it's not hard for me to get out of bed anymore. I'm able to wake up without an alarm between 5:30 and 6:30 in the morning and have energy. Now - as for the other end of the day, I'm ready for bed by 7:00pm!
The battery in my digital scale died so I had to buy another (can't go without weighting...) they came in a 2 pack and I realized that it was the same kind the my Bp cuff needed. My blood pressure had been hovering around 190/100 for the past year and a half. Not good, but I refused to get on medication for it (stupid reasons). So I put the other battery in the cuff and took my blood pressure, 120/74. Weird - but I'm not complaining!
I used to wake up with a headache every morning, it went away eventually, but it wasn't enjoyable none the less. Since I've started the hCG, I've only had a headache once - a few days ago.
Again - I don't know if these changes are due to the hCG, or the way I'm eating now, no sugars, nothing processed, no fats, etc... (If you don't know what I'm talking about go here).
I hope you don't mind if I answer questions or address concerns through the blog, that way if anyone else has the same thoughts they can get answers as well.
One concern was that once I started eating normal again, wouldn't the weight come right back on? So I copied this from a website that answers a lot of questions about hCG:

Will I gain the weight back after the hCG diet?

After the hCG diet, not only will you have lost physical weight, former hCG Dieters also report a change for the better in appetite, and a natural course of modified eating behavior. They also report this as being an ideal situation for easily transitioning into a healthy relationship with food.


With all of these changes and experiences, the hCG Diet is the perfect opportunity to adopt that healthy lifestyle to maintain your weight.


Will you gain the weight back after hCG? There is no reason you should, so long as you have replaced any former negative eating and inactive lifestyle habits with new, healthy perspectives on food and exercise.


Most post-hcg dieters find a minimum amount of daily activity is sufficient to maintaining their hCG weight loss goal. A minimum amount of exercise is recommended not only for weight maintenance, but also for the added health benefits. Recommended activities include: Yoga, 20 minutes of cardio, or any number of activities you may enjoy, that gets your heart moving. With your hypothalamus, "reset" and your metabolism will reflect these differences. and you will be able to eat moderately without feeling the need to overeat.


For articles and resources about adopting a healthy lifestyle, visit hCG Diet News.


When I compare this program with the phentermine that I was taking last year, I can see the difference - first of all this is quicker:-) But much harder! I am able to say no to food now, with the Phentermine I didn't have to, I could eat whatever I wanted. Granted I added in the 2 liquid fasts a week, and the herbal sips, but the rest of the time I didn't exercise great restraint, I didn't need to.

I don't know if everyone loves food as much as I do, sometimes I think my obsession is unhealthy, I even have nightmares about eating. I remember meeting a girl at Ricks Collage out at the equine center. She was as slight as a fairy, very petite. She hated eating, she felt it was a waste of time, I just sat and stared at her like she was from another planet.
Food has ruled my life, that's why I packed on 30 pounds inside 7 months. They say it takes 30 days of doing something before it becomes a habit. I'm thinking that saying no to eating whatever I want for 30 days is part of the magic of this program. I'm hoping that when it's over I'll have the strength to portion and be in tune with my body enough to know when I am satisfied and not over eat. I feel an incredible amount of strength just doing what I'm doing. We're put here to overcome the 'mortal man', to exercise control over our appetites and passions. I am excited about this venture.

Since this is getting me closer to perfection, I'm wondering, what weakness will I conquer next?

A 'youth-enizer'!

OK, I'm a vet's daughter and grew up around animals,
 I know what euthanasia means!

But that's not what I'm referring to.

7 days ago I went to eating 500 cals a day, and as of this morning I've lost 11 lbs.

I have noticed that my skin is looking younger. I don't know if it's because I'm eating water filled veggies and fruit as 1/3 of my daily food intake, or that I'm not eating foods that contain impurities, maybe a mixture of both. Anyway I like it! (Please keep in mind all you young wipper snappers that you're looking at a 41 year old mug there!)

Yesterday some very sweet neighbors brought over 1/2 a cherry pie. They also gave as a bucket of fresh cherries after they picked them last week - which we had so much fun with! So I cheated just a little bit and took a bite, I had to taste it so I can tell them how delicious it is, and it is! I also only lost 1/2 a pound yesterday, hmmmm.

From the comments I see that there are others out there doing the same things...please keep me posted on their (your) progress, and invite them to read my blog, this is all so new. Also - to answer the question about getting pregnant after using hCG, I don't see that being a problem, it doesn't do anything that causes any side effects. I just wouldn't use it while pregnant, especially since your body already produces it.

My energy level hasn't gone up, but it hasn't gone down. I feel motivated by the results and hope my energy level will steadily increase as my weight decreases.

Bill looked at my dinner of fish and celery with a cracker last night and said, “You’ve got to be getting sick of that.” I’m actually not, I use lemon and some herbs as well as an amino acid spray, I’m surprised I’m not burned out on it yet! I did find some recipes here but since I’m not eating meat, that leaves most of them out, but there are some fun dessert ideas.

I figure I’m going to get to my weight that I just came up from in this cycle. Which is good because those are the clothes I have in my closet that will fit me. Since I pudged out I have been wearing the same few outfits that I can actually squeeze my body into because I refuse to buy any more ‘fat’ clothes!

I’ll enjoy that for a month or so then start another cycle to get the last 20 off. That’s the plan anyway!

hCG

human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)

This is what it looks like:

I won't go into the specifics of how it does what it does, you can find that out here: http://www.hcgplatinum.com/.

It's no secret, I GOT FAT!  I gained back over 30 lbs since November.  What's depressing is that I looked at my calendar from last year as I was losing weight and saw that on the exact smae day in June I weighed the same as now.  Yuck!  June through September were so agonizingly slow to get that 30 pounds off.  And then I go put it right back on so quickly... it's really enough to make a lesser woman hate herself. 

But not me!  (anymore)

I had heard of hCG when I was pregnant and attributed my ability to not gain much weight and tone up easily to it.  It used to have to be given by injections, but now they have developed a sub-lingual homeopathic drop.  Cool!

Here's a brief over view of the program:

Days 1 & 2 - take drops (7-10) 3 times daily.  Eat as much as you want of anything you want.  This is called the loading phase.  I really had no problems acomplishing that!

Days 3-24 - take drops the same way. Eat only 500 calories a day.  I know, that's like 1/2 a normal meal- for an entire day!  There are specific foods that are OK and those that are not OK.  Here's a picture of my lunch today:

That meal was around 2oo calories.  No oils, fats, sugars, breads, milk, juice, and on and on and on....This has actually been my lunch and dinner going on my 3rd day now.  For breakfast I have chickory coffee (don't worry fellow Mormons, it's all herbal, no real coffee beans or green tea - it;s realy good: http://www.teeccino.com ), and an apple, or 5 strawberries, or an orange. 

I know - how can you survive on 500 calories a day?  Well that's the beauty of hCG, the rest of the calories that my body requires are being taken from my handy dandy storage pockets of FAT.  Bill keeps asking if my energy is waning, not really.  I was always tired before, so no dif there.  I went out for a 3 mile fast walk last night (I'm entered in a 5K Walk race  in 2 weeks and thought I better get a move on my training), I didn't feel dizzy or starved or anything.  All the reviews I've read say the 1st week is the hardest to get through, so next week will be easy street!

Days 24-44 If have reached my goal (I don't know...30 lbs in 3 weeks?) I stop the drop and bump up my caloric intake to 1500 calories, this is 'set pointing' my body, or making it comfortable with the weight it's at so I don't balloon out 30 pounds in 6 months. 

There are little helps for any weight gain that might occure along the way after that.

It's expensive! $77.00 with my GNC Gold Card. (that takes me through one cycle...or 44 days - I think)

But then the phentermine I took for my last weight loss extravaganza cost $23.00 a month.  Plus I did suffer some side effects, I lost 1/3 of my hair.  It's growing back in and making me look like a candidate for the fuzziest hair contest.  Plus my energy dropped like a lead ball when I stopped taking it.  Bill thinks it messed with my thyroid or metabolism, maybe it did. 

So far, from all the things I've read on hCG, there have been no side effects.  So I'm happy about that. 

I'll keep you updated from time to time as I go along this program.  According to the scale this morning I have lost 4 pounds, YEAH!

I was going to take a 'before' picture, but I'll let this doozy from our hiking trip do the job: