Surprised my Dr. with 23 lbs lost :)

I am back home from my surgical adventure! All is well so far, and if it continues to go that way, I will begin round two as planned. It feels good to be reclaiming my body and my health...powerful. I am already scoping out the best hikes(both locally and around the Buffalo River) to begin adding into my calendar for late winter early spring ;-) Easy to moderate at first. Any suggestions?

I did want to say that my Dr was surprised and congratulatory about my weight loss (23 lbs officially on their records.) She did not ask how, but since my surgical check up is in six weeks (about the time I will be finishing R2) I suspect there will be questions forthcoming!

I hope you are all having an incredibly delightful holiday week!

Blessings,
Angela

Another Day, Another Pound!

Today is VLCD # 27 and I am down another lb today. My friend had a slight gain. We have 11 more injection days to go, 13 more VLCD days (there is a 72 hour period of releasing the remaining hCG from your system, during which the low calorie diet must be maintained.)

I have been researching P3 (the first 3 weeks of our 6 week stabilization period) today, and am beginning to get excited about the new menu possibilities coming our way. Essentially, a no starch/sugar plan. Here is a nice summary page:

http://www.hcginfoonline.com/maintenance%20phase.htm

And a fantastic recipe thread:

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/lowcarb-recipe-help-suggestions/

First on my list: Pumpkin Toffee Coffee. I have a new recipe that has been brewing in my head and luckily, it's the perfect time of year for it!

Happy Wednesday everyone :) OH! And for those of you following on FB, you can access the original blog here @ Blogger.com by hitting the read original post link at the bottom of the note. It is much easier to read and follow if you do (especially if you want to read my earlier blogs!)

Steady as she goes!

Today is VLCD# 21 and I am down to 201.6, for a total of 18 lbs so far ;-) It has been a happy October! My friend is holding at 195, but still seems to be losing inches. There is a corrective measure called and Apple Day, I will research that just in case. Friday evening is "Inch Day" or the happy day we measure our inch loss.

My size 12's are fitting comfortably now, and I am feeling hopes of getting into a size 10 by the time this round is over.

Happy almost Halloween everyone. I have a busy weekend planned, but I promise to stop in and update our stats a time or two.

18 vs 12

The new pics are the first in each set (no necklace ;-)

Seven and Nine

Before I begin, I want to tell you that my friend and i went shopping last week, a few days into our program, and I purchased a beautiful sweater in a size medium. I did so despite the fact that when I tried it on it was very tight, but I could tell the shape and color would be very complimentary eventually. I normally wear XL or L, depending on the cut. Then, only four days later, I felt that I had begun to shift in the inches department...so I tried it on fully expecting it would still be tight and unattractive. I was wrong! It was smooth and lovely on me, and though still snug, it looked fabulous ;-) I am thrilled to be re-shaping so nicely! OK, on to the details...

Today is VLCD # 11. I have been doing the mini-stall thing again this week, with my last three weigh ins being a gain of .6 lbs, a gain of .2 lbs, and a loss of .4 lbs. Leaving me in basically the same weight loss category as last check in (209.8...a total of nearly ten lbs gone in 10 days, so still impressive.) However, we measured on Friday, and I have lost an amazing 7.25 inches thus far!!! Seven inches gone!

My anonymous friend has had a steady loss of nearly a pound each day, and has, so far, lost 9 inches! Woo HOO! She is also officially in ONEderland, having reached 198.6 lbs today :) Nearly 11 lbs in 10 days *happy dance!!!*

Once again, I am still registering heavy ketosis, I can feel my body changing dramatically, but I am not seeing the numbers on the scale drop as quickly as I would like. Stay tuned!

I am eliminating splenda for a couple of days, and making certain I have adequate water intake. I will also start a more detailed journal of my activities to see if there is something I may be missing which is causing the stall on the scale. Honestly, I suspect I will have another big drop (2 to 4 lbs) soon...like I did the last week when this same pattern was unfolding.

Happy Monday everyone!

Supplies and Inspiration Links

I thought I'd share my supply and inspiration links:

ESSENTIAL reading for those considering the protocol or who have questions: Dr Simeon's "Pounds and Inches" which explains the protocol:
http://www.hcginfoonline.com/ORIGINAL_Dr_Simeons_Pounds_and_Inches.htm

Some current hCG research:
http://www.hcgobesity.org/

For the hCG itself:
http://www.alldaychemist.com/

Note: hCG can be mixed for oral subligual use rather than the injections I chose. It is also availble in homeopathic drops or spray, which do actually contain hCG but seem to be nearly as effective. There are also clinics available, at a much higher cost, if you feel daunted by the idea of doing this yourself!

For the injection supplies:
http://www.researchsupply.net/

NOTE: there are other suppliers for the hcg and supplies, these were the ones I chose based on good pricing.

An incredible group of people using hCG, in its oral, injection, and homeopathic forms:
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/index.html NOTE: search for hCG in the bulletin boards and the group will come up. It is a high volume thread, new each month, so between the current month and past archives you can read to your heart's content and see real results.

Another great group for information and support:
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/index.html

And finally, I highly recommend searching YouTube for "hcg diet," "dr. simeon's protocol," etc...there are many vlogs and informational videos from a wide variety of people using hcg. Read with discretion of course! My favorite you tubers: mamaclok and delmem

Enjoy!

VLCD # 7: Nearly 8 lbs GONE!

Today's weigh in brought me down to 211.2...a total of 7.8 lbs WOO HOO! The great news is that my clothes are already feeling loose, especially the pants ;-) My protocol buddy has lost exactly 8lbs so far, most of that early on since this is her TOM. I can't wait to see what next week brings!

No hunger issues for the last several days. Injections going smoothly. No side effects I can note. So far, so good!

We're MELTING!!!

VLCD 3

Ok, today's weigh in was -.2 lb (4.2 lbs total) for me, -3 lbs (6lbs total) for my buddy. A little less than I had hoped for myself, but I am feeling the shift in my body and down is good by any degree, lol. I am also using a keto-stip to test for ketones in my urine, which indicate the body is burning fat. I am solidly in ketosis, so I am looking forward to both a more dramatic loss tomorrow, and a good showing of inch loss on Friday!

My issue today has been increased hunger. Luckily, my partner in protocol is not experiencing the same issues. My sources tell me this will pass soon, and if not there are adjustments which will need to be made (more protein or high iu's of hcg.) I'll definitely keep you posted! Honestly, I think my metabolism has been down so long it is just jumping back in the swing of things.

Thus far, no temptation has been enough to even coming close to swaying me, even though I have been around odious amounts of social eating every single day. Friday was a party with homemade cookies, Saturday was the VW lover's Halloween gather with tons of food and alcohol, and today was the big Chili cook-off at church. I just keep telling myself there is plenty of time to indulge later, and feeling fit and healthy makes it all worthwhile!

I am proud of myself (and my wonderful friend.) We're MELTING!

4 lbs!

My VLCD 2 weigh in was a shocking 4 lb loss! WOO HOO! That puts me a solid lb under my pre-loading weight ;-)

I am enjoying that floating on air feeling for day 2, and though I do not expect quite such dramatic results every day...it is nice to begin with a bang. I became quite hungry by 2:30 this afternoon, while attempting to wait for my protocol buddy, who was planning to lunch with me today. I finally gave up and enjoyed a yummy spinach and chicken soup, along with my melba. I had my apple earlier for mid-morning snack. I am planning to bake my apple this evening with cinnamon and stevia to add a dessert like touch to my lemon pepper tilapia salad dinner ;-)

I did experience stinging with my shot this morning...perhaps because I was so giddy and impatient after my morning weigh in, lol.

My silent partner ALSO lost enough to put her below her pre-load day weight, coming in at 3 lbs lost. I will be posting her stats and pics along with mine, but leaving her information private at her request. SO, you get to see the results in double time, lol.

Day 3, VLCD #1

Here I am, closing out day three of injections, but my first day of the restricted calorie diet. I have to say I spent the greater part of the day with absolutely no hunger. I ate lunch a bit late, and had dinner around 5:30. I reserved my grapefruit for around 7pm. I was feeling hungry for the first time all day by 8 pm and demolished that feeling with a cup of coffee minus the cream.

If I had been wiser I would have gone to bed early, lol. Now it is after midnight (because I went to see a movie: The Hangover, definitely worth it) and I am finishing my last 20 oz of water. I am mildly hungry again, but honestly, I am OK with that. If I had been in bed by 11, as planned, I would be blissfully unaware of craving food just because my teenage son is eating it in front of me.

So, yes...day 3: success. I'll let you know how weigh in goes tomorrow ;-) I'll also try to post my original measurements, in preparation for my week 1 weigh, measure, and pics.

Official "Before" Pics

These were taken the night before my first injection. My official starting weight: 219 lbs. There are also more scantily clad ones, lol, but I'll save you the pain until there are some good differences for you to note.

A Brief History of My Weight Loss Journey

I want to start by saying that I have an amazing, magical life. I am surrounded by wonderful people. I have transformed my life continually...coming from extreme poverty, drug and alcohol infused family life, physical and sexual abuse, and pretty incredible odds to become a healthy, happy woman. It has been a journey filled with joy and despair and pretty much every challenge I can imagine facing. I may allow my story to unfold for you some day. But for now I am here to talk about one particular aspect of my story, a part that I have yet to transform...my struggle with weight.

Now, I have been working on this problem for 16 years, and suddenly I find myself in a unique place...I feel confident that I have found the solution, but I am waiting for the materials to arrive so I can begin. I have never felt so certain of something for which I have no personal evidence. Do you want to know what it is? Good. I would LOVE to have you along for my journey! No, I am NOT selling anything. I have no purpose for blogging here other than the desire to keep myself accountable and perhaps help others discover a new inspiration to dig deeper into their own success.

First: I am not new to the idea of weight loss, nutrition or fitness. I have been looking for a solution, researching and in some cases attempting various diets, exercise programs, lifestyle changes, and healing modalities related to the topic. I have worked the low calorie and low carb programs. I have worked out consistently( and still do,) doing both cardio and resistance training (tweaking and shifting every variable I could imagine.) I have read a library of books. I have tried supplements, shakes, and cleanses. I have worked on emotional healing, energetic healing, and homeopathic balancing. I do not have a food addiction (these days I eat a balanced diet with very few processed foods.) Yet, I remain between 80 and 100 lbs overweight, carrying 220 lbs on my five foot frame...year, after year.

SO. Why now? Why do I suddenly feel I have the solution? I have no idea. The research is sound: Dr Simeon's protocol has been in use for decades. The science is fascinating (I am a biology major, in my senior year.) The evidence, for others, seems impeccable. But the real reason I am here, is that sometime during my second reading of "Pounds and Inches" I began to become excited in a way I have NEVER been; became certain that I was reading about myself, my future, my path out of this dark battle with my weight, my self esteem, my well meaning family and friends, and my physical limitations.

What is my plan? Follow the protocol as laid out by Dr. Simeon in the aforementioned text (available for free online, simply google "Pounds and Inches.") If you have any interest in this program, I cannot stress to you the importance of reading (and perhaps re-reading) this book. There are plenty of online resources, which I will gladly share with you in the coming blogs. The basics: daily hcg injections. A specific and very precise diet. An intentional commitment to conscious living.

My hcg and supplies are in the mail. As I await them, I will lay out the plan specifics and resources, as well as giving you my before pics. See you tomorrow!

My Beatiful but Overweight Self: Current Pics

These are a few of my current pictures. Official "Before pics" coming soon!
All of these are this year: while working out and eating a moderate diet. Size 18 and weighing 220 lbs.