Less Laura is Still Skinny in Seattle!

A month from this weekend it will be one year since I started the HCG diet and today is eight months from the date I stopped using the HCG and went it "on my own". But, first, let me clarify that by "on my own", I am talking about using the tools I learned on the diet and maintaining the weight loss in real life, long term. But that does not mean I have lost the support of Radiant MedSpa and Dr. Dawn, I may not be on the HCG Program, per se, but they are still there for me, just a phone call away (and trust me I have called)

But I digress....

My big news and the reason for this update is:

After six months I have maintained my weight loss and still look better than I have in years!! *Happy Dance*

The program taught me how to eat in "real life" and tools to deal with those unusual circumstances like stress, boredom, vacation and other notorious events that seem to totally sabotage a diet. I spent two months in England on vacation and only gained 5 pounds, despite eating out a lot and more than a few nights with friends at the local pub, yet, once home those 5 pounds came off soon after I returned and have stayed off. (Oh, and for the record *she says grinning happily* My Sweetie asked me to marry him so, visa permitting, England will be my new home before too long)

I wanted to update my blog now because it is one thing to lose weight on a great program with regular support, and another thing to keep the weight off long term and with relative ease!! I have tried a hundred diets, where I lost a hundred pounds and gained back one hundred and five almost immediately, so keeping the pounds off this long is a huge triumph for me!! I am just tickled by the HCG diet, and now that I know how well it works initially and how well the lessons and long term follow up helps it keep working, I hope others will be inspired to try it, too.

I am not employed by or received any compensation for this blog (although, I would be lying if I did not say I am rather flattered they did link my blog on their web page) but if you have questions about my experience with HCG and/or Radiant Medspa do feel free to email me at onehappyhusky@msn.com and I would be happy to help.

Happy New Year

Wow, it seems like forever since I had time to sit down and do a blog entry. I spent all of November and most of December making beadwork to sell at craft fairs and give as gifts. What little free time I had was preparing for Christmas and the arrival of my Sweetie from England. He was here for three amazing weeks and then I had the cold from hell all last week.

First and foremost, I am thrilled to say I looked really great for my Sweetie and the look on his face at the airport was worth everything! Since I last wrote I have lost more weight, hovering around 137 pounds, which is a huge deal as I have not been able to break the 140 mark in more than 15 years!! Even when the weight plateaued I still was losing fat and inches. I started all this as a size 12 and am writing this in some size 6 jeans I got for Christmas!!!

But it is more than numbers and sizes. I think what I am most excited about are things that I see when I look in the mirror. I have a waist and curves again!!! My bra fits better and I have lost that "boob bulge" from the edges of the bra!! I can wear fitted tops! And it felt so great at the holiday events where everyone commented on my weight and how good I looked. Even my brother told me I looked "incredible"!! I just feel good about myself in a way I haven't felt in ages!!

I did not adhere to the diet well during my Sweeties visit, too many dinners out and food on the run while out and about, but still only gained 7 pounds, which is already dropping off very quickly. It is like my body now has a new mind of its own and I LIKE IT!! Will post more details and photos soon. Just wanted to rave about HCG giving me the body I had given up on and how awesome I am feeling!!

I'm back. Anyone miss me?

You know, I thought blogging would be easier. I mean, for someone who loves little in this world more than the sound of my own voice (technically, that would be the look of my own words, but that lacks a certain panache) and I have always kept a journal, I really thought I would be posting these things like popcorn. During the day I would think about things to blog about and every night I would mean to post them, but *shrugs* life just got in the way. Then I thought, "Well, really, why bother? I mean, it is not like anyone noticed I stopped." But something happened this week and I may try this blogging stuff a bit longer.

I was at Radiant Medspa for my weigh-in and pep talk with Dr. Dawn and I met this woman who was considering the program. We were chatting it up and I was excitedly sharing my experiences with her, bragging about my success but also sharing the few problems I had along the way. Later, Dr. Dawn called me and told me that the woman had signed up and had credited my tale with being one of the reasons. That actually made me really happy and I realize maybe this experience really can help someone else, you know, the cliche if it helps just one person.

So, I am back and will try hard to post with a bit more due diligence. Did anyone miss me? Maybe you just didn't notice me because there is less to notice? *Stupid Grin* Yeah, I know, stick to the diet blog and leave the comedy to the professionals. It's just that I am really excited about my numbers and did I mention liking to read my own words?

Day one by the numbers:

Weight - 160 pounds (I really hate the way those numbers look)
Waist - 35"
Hips - 42"
Fat Ass...er...Buttocks - 40"
Bust - 40-1/2"
Thigh - 22"

Today:

Weight - 140 pounds
Waist - 32"
Hips - 38"
Butt - 38"
Bust - 39" (but I can spare it)
Thigh - 21"

*Does a small happy dance, then returns to keyboard*

I gotta admit that is better than I thought I would do and better than I deserved to have done considering along the way I made a few faux pas...(anyone know the plural of faux pas?) I actually set myself back at one point by getting so excited by the falling numbers that I thought I was smart enough to make a few adjustments to the program. I remember someone telling me once that with chocolate, one was never enough and ten was never too many - it was their variation on the thought if one works well, then two can work better. Come to think of it, I think that person is now in a recovery program, but I digress. Although, it does remind me I still have my one Xocai Chocolate to eat today. I don't know how to say the chocolate that comes with this diet, but it is some of the very best dark chocolate I have had. Again, the digressing...sorry.

Faux Pas Un (I had to look that up, I took Spanish in High School. Hola!)
Changing the program on the fly. I was losing weight, felt awesome and I really wasn't hungry, so, I skipped my half shakes at snack time. Less calories better results? I knew better deep down but I was being lazy and wanted to be at my goal weight last June so it seemed like a good idea at the time. And it worked the first couple days and then I discovered that the brain and the body have their own plans and they didn't like my plan at all. Technically, I put my body into starvation mode by denying myself the calories I need, and since the shakes are full of other nutrients and necessities, I was robbing myself of pretty much everything else one needs to function on any kind of functioning level. It was like someone pulled the plug on me, I was so tired and run down I mostly I wanted to sleep, surf the net and watch TV. It almost seemed too hard to just go upstairs and make something to eat, especially as I was not driven by hunger. I did get myself in for my weigh-in and imagine my disappointment when this time Dr. Dawn did not greet me and rave about how skinny I was getting, but instead she was concerned. Apparently I looked as run down as I felt.

So, I got a stern talking to and a reeducation about the program, how the shakes work in concert with the actual menu to make sure the body has what it needs and weight loss can be obtained in a healthy and safe manner. And a reminder that the full program includes weaning off the HCG and super calorie restrictions and learn how to eat in a healthy way to maintain the weight loss. *Baaa, I felt sheepish* (Oh right, no jokes, I forgot) She told me to go off the program for a day or two and eat, build back up my strength and then start again, but this time smarter.

Faux Pas Deux
Well, as long as I have already messed up why not just give in to my temptations and then I can start fresh again...soon. I took the instruction to eat and build up my strength to be an invitation to eat and drink with wanton disregard and by the time I had built up my strength I had also built up about 5 of my precious lost pounds. I also lost some of that mental momentum I had going before, which made it even harder to get out there and walk every day - especially, now that the weather has turned.

But, I got back into things properly and I limit my changes to the program to the order I do meals, snacks and shakes, but at the end of the day make sure I have stuck to the deal. And when the weather is just too much to face, well, I make myself run up and down the stairs, twenty times up and twenty down at least four times during the day. It is a start.

So, it has been three weeks and I am very happy with my progress and thrilled people are noticing. I saw my daughter, Amie, today and I really liked to see her beautiful smile as she told me how great I looked. I am also happy with the fact I have had to relegate my fat clothes to the back of the closet and am working in to the next level of clothing on my way to the one pair of skinny jeans I kept as a reminder that one day I would wear them again. *Though, truthfully, I was just too stubborn to throw them out, I never really believed I would actually wear them again* Today....I got them up and over my hips -- though not even remotely close to bringing the button to the button hole, let alone dream of zipping them up. Gonna have to work on that flab a bit and add sit-ups to my routine...but I have time and I know I can do it! As long as I do it by Christmas!! I have big plans to look fabulous for someone special ... and he doesn't wear a red suit and play with reindeer. *winks*

Crazy Eight

Just a quick note as I am too amazed/excited to wait till evening post! I lost EIGHT pounds! Had my doctor not signed off on this I would almost be alarmed, but instead I can be thrilled!! I am told this kind of drop in one day is really just the high end of a first day weight loss and should not expect another weigh in like this, but I really have a great feeling about this diet!!

Day One - Diet Time

Well, I survived my first day on the HCG Diet and I must admit I am really feeling good about this, very optimistic. First thing, I was very happy to discover two things I had worried could ultimately make this diet hard to commit to, were not going to be an issue. The HCG itself, drops that you put under your tongue (sublingual, I always liked that word) tastes actually quite pleasant, sort of sweet but not sugary. Now I just need to find a way to hold it under my tongue without making a face that makes my roomies laugh. Second, and even more important, the shakes are not just tolerable, but they are really good and easy to make, no blenders or ice or other fuss that I don't do well in the morning! Just a scoop of powder in 8 ounces of water, shake it up and drink. I like the chocolate better (but then again, I would) but the vanilla is also good. None of that chalky or bland "why I am being punished for wanting to lose weight" taste than other protein shakes have. And, true to advertised, they are amazingly filling.

And the hunger issue seems like it can be workable. I did find myself hungry today now and then, but attributed more to the brain and habit than actual hunger, especially since I forgot I was hungry the second I stopped thinking about it.

Anyhow, got up and did the HCG drops and made a shake, then hit the computer to drink my tea and check my email. So far, so good. Mid-morning I had a half a shake and half a grapefruit (Splenda, no sugar on top). For lunch I had chicken breast and a salad (oil and balsamic vinegar with some lemon pepper in it...yum). Another surprise there, I got a food scale and to my delight 100 grams of protein (meat) is MUCH more than I expected, about 80% of the chicken breast! Mid-afternoon another half shake and an apple. Dinner more drops (still made funny face) and another chicken breast and another salad, making a note to head to Safeway after dinner to get a bit more variety in my protein. I did go to Safeway after dinner, a brisk walk there and back with more chicken, turkey ham, boneless pork chops and some steak. I took the time to weigh and cook, package and freeze for convenience this week and make sure food is easily accessible if I need to eat and don't want to be tempted to snack while it is cooking. I did battle the hungries a bit later in the evening, but I know that was because that was my prime grazing time, though I am glad I can have a full shake at bedtime, which I plan to drink when I am done posting this.

So, all in all I am much more confident that I will be able to hold to this. So far all my biggest "failure fears" have been non-issues, good shakes, plenty of snacks to keep me from feeling like I am making this great sacrifice of food denial and the relief that in the end it was much easier than I expected and seems to be a plan I can live with.

Starting weight - 160 pounds (ugh, I really hate admitting that) but hopeful that tomorrow there will be less Laura!!

Diet T-minus Two Days - Loading up

My name is Laura, I am 47 years old and permanently disabled due to a pesky steel cage in my spinal column between my tailbone and my 2nd vertabrae. Before the car accident that broke my back, I never had a weight problem, but it became a problem when I ended up spending months and months on bed rest or severely limited activity. It does not matter what or how little you eat, if your only activities of the day are trips to the bathroom...you are going to gain weight. A surgery in 2003 gave me much of my life back, I still can't really work, but I can leave the home without excruciating pain ...I can live now. Except, I am really unhappy with how I look.

After failing at a number of diets and/or failing to keep what weight I did lose off, I was pretty excited when Dr. Dawn told me about the HCG diet, even more so when my family doctor gave me the go ahead. Right now it is easy, the 48 hour loading up period is, quite honestly, an odd sort of eating" Get out of Jail Free” card and I am playing that card like it was the poker game of a life time. Between bites, I have been researching the plan and I can see physiologically how it works (I have taken a few anatomy classes) but what scares me of defeat is the psychological issues....will I be hungry? I HATE being hungry!! Can I sustain this? And most of all, how good can I look before December when when my long distance sweetie arrives for our very first Christmas together.

Eeeek. Nervous. Must be time to continue my loading up and eat ice cream. Drat, another fear...can I overcome nervous/comfort eating? I have to....I just have to. I decided the most honest blog starts at square one with the hope of success and the fear of failure. I really don't want to fail. Cross fingers for me please