Today I didn't wake up and think to myself, "Today, I will cheat". But that's what I did. And to be honest, I don't necessarily feel all that bad about it. Let me explain.

I have been on the HCG diet for 20 days. For anyone who has ever been on this diet I think they will agree with me whole-heartedly when I say it is incredibly difficult. It's not the lack of calorie consumption but the very restricted meats, veggies, and fruits you are allowed. It leaves very little in the way of variety. I was in all honesty getting bored. I had gone 20 days without cheating a tiny bit, not even in seasonings. I have spent 20 days saying no to dinner invitations with family or coffee with friends because I have such a restricted diet it is impossible to go out. Today, my office decided to treat all of us to pizza for lunch. As soon as I got the OK to send in the order, something inside my head snapped and I decided I am going to have some pizza today. One meal, for me this time, will not be the be all end all of my diet. I was tired of feeling like I always have to say no. So, I had some pizza, and of course didn't feel all that great. It tasted good don't get me wrong, but I didn't physically feel great for the rest of the day. I was sleepy and all around blah.

Having that pizza actually made me realize even more than before that I am eating to live, not living to eat. 20 days ago, I would have eaten a ton of pizza, topped it off with soda and then had something fattening and nasty for dinner! Today I came home and am not hungry at all. Instead of laying on the couch, I got up and did some exercises games on the Kinect and then did a mile on the elliptical. Having that pizza made me realize that all of the fattening things I have been dreaming about being able to eat once I am off HCG are not worth it. They don't make my body feel good because there is nothing nutritional about them. All my cravings that have been in the back of my mind for the last 20 days are gone. I don't want the sugar, cheese, butter, or chocolate. Even the thought of soda is repulsing me right now. Experiencing how my body feels on healthy foods in a direct comparison with the unhealthy is a world of difference and such a wake up call. I have come to the realization that I am not depriving myself, I am allowing myself thrive instead.

For me, cheating today actually was a positive thing for me and my entire outlook on this weight loss journey. I have been saying "No thank you, I can't have that" and from now on I'll be saying " No thank you I would like to have a healthier option."

I do not regret doing this diet, and I know I have the will power behind me to finish these last 23 days and way beyond!

The big 2-0

I hit it! This morning my total tally weight loss on day 18 was a wonderful 20.2 lbs lost! I can actually say I am thrilled. I know it's a drop in the bucket compared to the 100 I would eventually like to lose but it's my first big milestone. With any other diet I've done I've quit by this point. Never have I made it 18 days on such a strict diet ( or even a relaxed diet for that matter) and not cheated at all. When I cook for other people ( mothers day or a dinner for others) I usually taste to make sure it has the right flavor but for 18 days I haven't even done that! I have cooked by smell and that's about it, not once sampling the meal.
I am really proud of myself and I can't wait to finish off these last 25 days and hopefully be 40 pounds lighter!

Yesterday's food
4oz chicken breast, sliced tomato, and apple for lunch
4oz lean 97% beef homemade patty and tomato for dinner
3+ liters of water through out the day, which I need more of.

HCG; Week Two

After today, I have completed week 2 on the HCG diet! I had a rough week and hit a substantial stall for a good part of the week. I do have to say even while I was stalling, I didn't cheat. Not one single time! It is much easier to stick to the restrictions when the weight is dropping at 2+ lbs a day, but I really overcame my worst day yet yesterday. I was moody, tired and just having a blah day and all I wanted was a pack of frosted zingers and a small bag of movie theater popcorn. All day long I craved it, badly. I made it through without those and stuck to it, and I was rewarded with a 1 lb weight loss this morning.

Today I discovered Shirataki Tofu noodles (which are allowed because they are basically nothing) and have had those with both meals today. YUM

In other news, Ricky has decided to join me on HCG. He has loaded the past two days and is currently preparing to start the VLCD (very low calorie diet) tomorrow.

Sorry this entry is so short, but In the next few days I will share some recipes I have found quite tasty, and HCG friendly, so stay tuned!

Here is to a fabulous upcoming week. This is the week I am going to up and over 20 lbs lost, I can feel it! 18 AND COUNTING!

HCG; Week #1

As I mentioned before, I have started the HCG diet.  For those of you that don't know what the HCG diet is, it's simply a very low calorie restrictive diet paired along with HCG, either in pill, drops, or injection form. Before everyone freaks out, I am not doing the injections, I am doing the oral drops.  I purchased them at Maxx Nutrition in Silverdale and they answered my questions for about 45 minutes and were very knowledgeable.

You stick to this diet and the HCG for a maximum of 43 days, and then you need to take a 3 week break and then can start another cycle if you have more weight you want to lose. I take 5 drops under my tongue 4 times a day for a total of 20 drops. Also, at the urging of the worker at Maxx Nutrition I purchased some "Green Zone" which is a powder that you add to water to make sure you are getting all of the vitamins you need no matter what.

I have tea for breakfast and then at about 9:30 am I drink the green zone stuff. The green "goop" as I call it is not exactly delicious looking, but it actually doesn't taste bad.

I'll take another set of drops around 11 am, and then at 11:30 am I'll have lunch. My lunch usually is the same as my dinner and consists of one 4 oz serving of protein, 1 serving of vegetable, and 1 serving of fruit. I have this twice daily and drink a ton of water. I have been sticking to kale and tomatoes as my vegetable and I can choose from an apple, orange or strawberries as my fruit serving.



These were my "chicken tacos" for May 5th.
I was attempting to be festive!

Overall, it has been hard to stick to the diet but for a week straight I have been seeing fantastic results. This morning when I weighed, I didn't lose anything which is the first time that's happened, but in 8 days I've lost a total of 15 POUNDS!

I know if sounds crazy and it kind of is, but I feel pretty much normal. I haven't had really any side effects and I know some of you consider this an incredibly risky diet. My response to that is, until you try it you have no idea how it is going to make you feel. I don't believe it is more risky to my health than staying the size I was. That weight is so unhealthy and is causing my body damage every single day. I feel great on this diet. Granted I am going to come off of it in 35 days, but when I do I will have a new habit of eating a veggie and fruit with each meal and I will be accustomed to leaner meats. I will still splurge occasionally but I will keep with my good eating habits.

So, my goal for 43 days was 40 lbs lost. I've lost 15, so I've got 25 more to go!

HCG

Today I bought HCG drops. I have been talking about it for a few weeks, then I had the episode with my back and then I was just downright procrastinating. Tomorrow is the day I start. May 2- June 13. Wish me luck!