Day 1 - Stabilization

I weighed 136.8 this morning, so I am stable.

Stabilization Day #1. I decided last night that I was going to "menu plan" what I was going to eat. That way I would know exactly how many calories I was going to partake of, and that way not come up short or too much. I can't believe how hard it was to plan...I thought of all the foods I "wanted" and then came up with a list that I thought was WAY over calories. Um, turned out to only total 1200 calories. Oops. So I started again. Finally, after doubling some of my portions, it turned out okay, and my grand total is 1508 calories. I just wonder how I am going to feel eating all of that! It looks like WAY too much food. Anyway, here it goes...

Breakfast: 205 cal Omelette (3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms) and tea with stevia

Snack: 256 cal Organic Trail Mix and 1 whole fresh Peach

Lunch: 285 cal Boca Burger, 3 slices swiss cheese, asparagus

Snack: 245 cal 3 Rye Melba Toasts, 3 wedges laughing cow cheese, 1 raw apple

Dinner: 347 cal Organic greens with Bacon ranch dressing and tomato, whole can albacore tuna with sweet relish

Late Night Snack: 170 Organic Trail Mix

Grand Total: 1508 Calories - 413 for a total of 1095 calories

It is 5:00pm right now. I am having such a hard time eating all this food. I am only on snack #2 (I pre-blogged all my food last night). This is just so much food, and I feel like I don't "need" it. But I know how important it is to eat it. I ended up throwing away a slight portion of my omelette this morning...it was SO huge with all the veggies! For lunch I forced myself to eat everything, but Alex did have to eat one of my asparagus spears. I didn't have a problem eating the organic trail mix, but didn't have the peach yet. I am now going to eat the melba toast and laughing cow cheese. But I don't think I am going to be able to eat the apple. I am just so full!

Okay, I just thought I was losing it, but I think I actually have a touch of the flu. I just couldn't eat all that food. So everything highlighted in GREEN is what I didn't eat, so my calories adjusted. I have a feeling I am going to pay for it on the scale, because my body is going to go into starvation mode. Bummer. :(

End of Protocol Progress Pics

*****Make sure to click on the photos to make it big!!! Now I just want to tone up with my Beachbody workouts and lose another 6 pounds! I am SO thrilled with the outcome of 6 weeks of hard work. I just did in 6 weeks what it took me 5 1/2 MONTHS to do after baby #4 was born! YIPPEE!!!

Limbo - Day 3

I weighed 136.8 again this morning. :)

0 cal tea with stevia

120 cal tilapia

20 cal breadstick

40 cal onion

19 cal celery

80 cal apple cobbler

150 cal minute steak

35 cal cucumber

30 cal pickles

40 breadsticks

Grand Total: 534 calories

I would rate today an 8. I actually felt a bit more hungry today than I have in the past...I don't know if it is because the hCG is leaving my system...or if it is just because I know I am done today!

Limbo - Day 2

I weighed 136.8 this morning, for a loss of .2 pounds. I feel so great, and I can't believe I am still losing weight. This is fantastic! Tomorrow is my last "Limbo" day, and then I will begin my BMR caloric diet. When I did my BMR, it came out to be 1754 calories. That seems like an awful lot. I am planning on keeping it down to 1500. Here is where you calculate it at:

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

after you get your BMR then you calculate it based on your activity level, to get your "maintenance" calorie count:

To determine your total daily calorie needs, multiply your BMR by the appropriate activity factor, as follows:

1. If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2
2. If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375
3. If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55
4. If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725
5. If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9

0 cal pumpkin spice tea with stevia

53 cal grapefruit with stevia

20 cal breadstick

20 cal melba toast

120 cal tilapia

60 cal tomatoes

50 cal strawberries with stevia and cinnamon

120 cal tilapia

35 cal asaparagus

Grand Total: 473 calories

I would rate today a 9. Great day all around!

Limbo - Day 1

I weighed 137 today for a loss of 1 pound! So I am actually a half pound down from my goal of 137.5 for this round of HCG injections. Today is Day 1 of 3 days of "Limbo" where I will not be doing injections, but I will still be eating 500 calories. On Monday I am back to my workout routine and 1500 or so calories! :)

0 cal tea with stevia

40 cal 2 rye melba toast

120 cal tilapia

35 cal onions

30 cal asparagus

20 cal breadstick

50 cal strawberries with stevia and cinnamon

120 cal grilled chicken breast

35 cal asparagus

0 cal pumpkin spice tea with stevia

Grand Total: 450 calories

I would rate today an 8. Did very well. I just don't want to go off this diet...humpff....

Day 40 - LAST INJECTION DAY!!!

I cannot believe it! It is my last injection day. I am so sad. :( Seriously. I have just loved this protocol so much. I will have three more days of eating VLCD, and then I will go to my maintenance plan of about 1500 calories a day.

I weighed 138 this morning for a loss of 1.6 pounds. I couldn't beleive it. I had to weigh myself 4 different times! :)

0 cal tea with stevia
120 cal tilapia
20 cal melba toast
64 cal onion

50 cal strawberries with stevia and cinnamon

20 cal Melba toast

120 cal grilled chicken with a dash of lemon

35 cal asparagus

Grand Total: 429 calories

I would rate today a 9. I just can't rave enough about how much I have enjoyed the experience of the HCG diet. It has been an amazing transformation for me. I am pursuing some new business opportunities and doors are opening all around me! :) I can't wait to see how the stabilization process goes!

Day 39

I weighed 139.6 this morning for a loss of .2 pounds.

0 cal tea with stevia

120 cal tilapia grilled

35 cal cucumbers with apple cider vinegar

50 cal strawberries with stevia and cinnamon

150 cal chicken breast, grilled

35 cal asparagus

64 cal onion grilled

Grand Total: 454 calories

I would rate today an 8. I should have drank more water! :)

Day 38

I weighed 139.8 this morning so that is a loss of 1.4 pounds! YAY! Oh my gosh! It feels SO great to be in the 130's!!!! I only want to lose 2.5 pounds by the end of this week...I think I can do it!!!!

0 cal tea with stevia
175 cal Grilled Tilapia
63 cal onions
40 cal 2 rye melba toasts
50 cal strawberries with cinnamon

Grand Total: 328 calories

I would rate today a 9. I wasn't hungry at all (reason for low calories) and had lots of energy! Excited for all the good things to come!

Day 37

I weighed 141.2 again today. But that's okay...I think I am going to do a Mini Steak Day today. I will just drink tea and water in the morning and then at night I am going to eat steak, onions and an apple. Normally on modified correction days, you eat just steak and apple, but I am going to throw the onions in there for good measure! :)

0 cal lots of tea with stevia

175 cal steak

64 cal onions

80 cal apple

Grand Total: 319 calories

I would rate today a 9. Even though I didn't lose since yesterday, I am still not hungry, and I feel much thinner. I am excited to take measurements tomorrow. I didn't do measurements last week because I was bloated from my visit with TOM!

Day 36

I weighed 141.2 this morning so I am down one pound from 2 days ago! YIPPEE! Have I mentioned how much I just love this HCG protocol diet??? :) My goal on this round was to lose 20 pounds, and so far, I will be really close to that goal. If I lose 20 pounds, I will be 137. My "ultimate" goal would be to get to 128-130. My short term plans are to go on the three week HCG maintenance plan, and then another 3 weeks of eating healthy. I am hoping my weight will stay stable at 137 or so. Then, I would like to do a short 23 day HCG body cleanse in April/May or so, to detox my body and also to drop the last 7-9 pounds...and to get ready for the Bellin Run and other events that we plan to do as a family this summer! I am so excited that in just 7 days I will be able to start a regular exercise program again...I really want to tone up!

0 cal stevia with gingerbread tea
120 cal tilapia grilled, blackened
64 cal onion, grilled
20 cal Rye Melba Toast
53 cal grapefruit with stevia
40 cal 2 grissini breadsticks
150 cal grilled chicken
45 cal asparagus grilled

Grand Total: 489 calories

I would rate today an 8. I didn't exercise, but I am okay with that! :) It was a good day with no cravings! I am on my final countdown of one week to go...I can't believe how well I have done!

Day 35

I don't know what I weighed this morning, because I was camping with 7th graders! :) But my menu will be the same today as yesterday.

0 cal tea with stevia

80 cal apple

150 albacore tuna

36 cal english cucumber

150 cal chicken

64 cal onion

25 cal strawberries

60 cal melba toast / breadsticks

Grand Total: 565 calories

I would rate today a 9.  Only because of the success I had at camp! :)

Day 34

I weighed 142 this morning. I am posting what I will be eating today and also tomorrow...since I am packing my food.

0 cal tea with stevia

80 cal apple

35 cal tomato

90 cal crab

80 cal apple

150 albacore tuna

18 cal english cucumber

40 cal melba toast

Grand total: 493 calories

Day 33

I weighed 142.2 this morning, so another .2 loss!

0 cal stevia with tea
53 cal grapefruit
150 chicken breast sauteed with garlic
64 cal onion, sauteed with garlic
50 cal 1 c strawberries with stevia and cinnamon
120 cal grilled shrimp
85 cal onion, sauteed with garlic
0 cal tea with stevia

Grand Total: 522 calories

I would rate today an 8. I am not really sure why I keep going over my calories...what the heck? Today I even cut out all my starches with no breadsticks. I am not hungry at all, so I should just make sure to watch it more closely. I did drink a lot more water today though. Thursday and Friday I will be MIA because I will be camping with a whole bunch of 7th graders...fun, fun! :)

Day 32

I weighed 142.4 this morning...steady progress at another .2 loss! Still have TOM, but should be better by Thursday (good thing, I am going camping for 2 days/1 night with a bunch of 7th graders!).

0 cal tea with stevia

50 cal strawberries with cinnamon and stevia

150 cal large chicken breast, grilled and blackened

35 cal asparagus grilled

64 cal onion grilled

40 cal 2 Rye Melba Toast

50 cal strawberries with cinnamon and stevia

36 cal english cucumber sliced with apple cider vinegar

120 cal albacore tuna with old bay seasoning

Grand Total: 545 calories

I would rate today an 8. I have been busy trying to do some work, so I am not being as active as I would like, but my food "stuff" is under control. Need to start looking at my water intake closer though.

Day 31

I weighed 142.6 this morning for a loss of .6 pounds! YAY! I really want to see the 130's by the end of this week!!!

50 cal strawberries with sprinkled cinnamon and stevia
50 cal brussel sprouts with garlic
110 cal tilapia grilled with cajun seasoning
20 cal plain breadstick
20 cal Rye Melba toast
150 cal boneless skinless chicken
64 cal onion
20 cal Rye Melba toast
35 cal asparagus
50 cal strawberries with sprinkled cinnamon and stevia

Grand Total: 569 calories

I would rate today an 8. Didn't have any cravings, but I need to drink more water.

Day 30

Whew! I was down a 1/2 pound, weighing in at 143.2 I am just so excited to reach the 130's... :) Still have TOM, and I feel so incredibly bloated. Was scared to weigh this morning, so thrilled with the loss! I have long cycles, 32-34 days each, but TOM stays for a visit for 5 FULL days. And he actually just arrived officially last night. Yuck.

0 cal tea with stevia

20 cal breadstick, plain

80 cal raw apple

110 cal 200g of sauteed leeks

120 cal tilapia fish

20 cal Rye Melba toast

150 cal lean steak

64 cal onion, sauteed

o cal Miracle noodles with garlic

Grand Total: 575 calories

I would rate today an 8. I went over calories...um...just because? There really wasn't a reason. It wasn't because of hunger, more just because I didn't count right. And the leek was a big part of it.

Day 29

Well, I am bummed today. When I got out of bed, I told myself just NOT to weigh in, but of course, I gave in. I gained .3 pounds so today I weigh 143.7. I know that I have a visit from TOM, but I just didn't want to see that gain. So, alas, I decided to do a "mini-steak day". Which means I will drink tea and water all day and then eat a steak and apple for dinner. Hopefully I will be down a half pound tomorrow.

LOTS of water

2 large cups of tea with stevia

150 cal steak, blackened

80 cal apple cobbler

Grand Total: 230 calories

I would rate today an 8.  I can't believe how NOT hungry I was not eating until 8:30 pm (when I got home from taking the kids to a movie).  This HCG is pretty amazing stuff with the natural energy it is using.  I really hope I weigh 1/2-3/4 of a pound less tomorrow.  Even with TOM...

Day 28

I weighed 143.4 which is a loss of -2.  I woke up this morning feeling really bloated and I was MAD.  I thought, what the heck?  And then I remember, that "Time Of the Month" (TOM) is due tomorrow.  Okaaaay.  So, when I got on the scale, I fully expected a weight GAIN, which is what I have been told would happen.  So I was pleasantly surprised with a loss.  I am expecting to stay the same, or even gain a bit for the next 5 days or so, and then (it should) drop off rapidly once TOM leaves.

0 cal tea with stevia

64 cal sauteed onion

20 cal rye melba toast

130 cal 4.25 oz chicken breast, blackened

20 cal rye melba toast

120 cal tilapia

64 cal onion sauteed

80 cal apple cobbler

Grand Total: 498 calories

I would rate today a 7.  I can't really explain why.  Might just be TOM.  This is the lowest rating I have given myself so far on this diet... :(

Day 27

I weighed 143.6 this morning again, but I am not discouraged.  I ate my dinner last night (more than half my calories yesterday) at about 10:30 pm, and then weighed myself this morning at 6am.

o cal stevia with tea

110 tilapia grilled

25 cal tomato

10 cal lettuce

(I mixed the lettuce and tomato with my apple cider vinegar dressing for a salad)

20 cal rye melba toast

65 cal strawberries with cinnamon

110 tilapia grilled

64 cal onion

20 cal rye melba toast

60 cal strawberries with cinnamon

Grand Total: 484 calories

I would rate today an 8.  I was a bit hungrier going to bed tonight, but I think it is because I ate dinner too early, and then I needed to make some brownies at like 10pm.  So I think those looked tempting, not enough to try them, but just tempting, instead I ate strawberries! :)

Day 26

This morning I weighed 143.6, so that is a loss of -2!

0 cal Tea with Stevia

150 cal lean steak with spicy seasoning

64 cal onions, sauteed

35 cal beets

120 cal tilapia

35 cal asparagus

64 cal onions, sauteed

50 cal strawberries

Grand Total: 518 calories

I rate today a 9.  I didn't work out, but I took all three of the little ones by myself to Disney Princesses on Ice...I did my fair share of walking carrying 30 pounds of TJ! :)

The "Naked" Truth....

Okay, first off you MUST click on the photo and make it BIG...you need to get the effect to see all the ROLLS!!! LOL! I think it is a great transformation for only 13 pounds of loss. Anyway, I would still never be caught DEAD in this swimsuit out in public. It will definitely take me 10 pounds more to feel that way (even though I still wouldn't wear it anyway), but I think I could definitely feel "okay" in a one piece swimsuit right now. I can't wait until P3, where I can bring in some exercise and start toning my body. TurboJam is calling my name! :)

Day 25

I weighed 143.8 this morning, so another loss of .4 pounds. I am one happy camper! I even have a enough guts to post photos, showing half way through my transformation! I will make it a seperate post!

Ooops! Missed this today...0 cal stevia tea
120 cal grilled tilapia blackened
64 cal onions grilled with blackened seasoning and garlic
******I really made a mistake on my calorie count for onions. It is 64 cal for 160 g. I don't know WHERE I got 12 cal on all my other days???? I have been probably eating 200 cal of onions per day!!!!  Can't believe I still have been losing...

150 cal lean beef blackened
64 cal onions grilled with blackened seasoning and garlic

80 cal raw granny smith apple

Grand Total: 479 calories

I would rate today a 9.  I remember when EVERY Tuesday we would go down to dance and eat at Sonic.  What a difference this 3 1/2 weeks has made in my life.  I now make dinner for the kids, and take it down with us, with homemade trail mix and milk in sippie cups.  That has to be better for everyone all around! :)

Day 24

I weighed 144.2 this morning which is -.4 pounds.  YIPPEE SKIPPY! ;)

0 cal cranberry tea with stevia

150 cal minute steak, blackened

24 cal onions sauteed with garlic

80 cal apple cobbler

130 cal tilapia with Old Bay

12 cal onions

35 cal asparagus

50 cal cup of strawberries with cinnamon and stevia

Grand Total: 481 calories

I would rate today an 8.  Didn't work out, but I feel great! :)

Day 23

I weighed 144.6 again this morning.  I am not too surprised, because I don't know how accurate my weigh in was yesterday.  I am going to cut my breadsticks out today.  Hopefully that will help. I would cut out my american beef (the minute steak) but I really need to eat it, or it will go bad...

0 cal tea with stevia

80 cal raw apple

130 cal catfish blackened

24 cal sauteed onions (double portion today!)

120 cal albacore tuna with Old Bay seasoning

24 cucumber

24 cal onions sauteed (I ate TWO whole onions today!)

Day 22

I weighed 144.6 this morning which is a loss of -.6 and it also took me to CLOSER to 140 than 150! YAY! Also- my weight was a bit messed up today. It was a super busy day. We left this morning at 7 am to run a 5K at Seroogy's chocolates (don't worry, my chocolate went to the girls!). Okay, so running a 5k while on this diet was NOT the most brilliant idea I have even have. Would not recommend it, and I wouldn't do it again. I ran the first 1 1/2 mile and then I started getting dizzy so I walked a mile and ran the last 1/2 mile or so. I have NEVER walked in a race. But I signed our family up in the race back in December before I planned to do the diet. Still- I am not eating enough calories to sustain a run like that. Lesson learned. Okay, before we left I quickly gave myself and injection and made a cup of tea for the road. After the horrible race, I ate an apple. Then we went about 20 minutes away and we watched Alex in a forensics meet. By then it was 11:30, so everyone was hungry (um, but me), so we went to Tom's Drive In and I watched everyone eat greasy burgers (not a temptation at all, and this used to be one of my fave places). So, we got home at 12:30pm and both Brian and I crashed for a 2 hour nap. I woke up at 2:30 and weighed myself for the first time. It is now 2:45 and I am getting ready to eat "lunch". Whew- that was lengthly.

0 cal gingerbread tea with stevia

80 cal raw apple

150 cal catfish fillet blackened

12 cal sauteed onions

53 cal grapefruit

20 cal grissini breadstick

20 cal grissini breadstick

20 cal regular breadstick

150 cal minute steak, blackened

35 cal asparagus

12 cal onions

Grand Total: 552 calories (I know I went over, but I really feel like I could with the race this morning)

I would rate today a 10!  I worked out with running in the race and resisted the temptations (which, truthfully, were few!)

Day 21

I weighed 145.2 this morning which is a loss of -.6  I can almost TASTE the 130's!!!! ;)

o cal cranberry tea with stevia

120 cal catfish blackened

35 cal beets

20 cal breadstick

35 cal asparagus

120 cal catfish blackened

12 cal onions

40 cal grissini breadsticks

80 cal apple

50 cal strawberry slushy

Grand Total: 512 calories

I would rate today an 8.  I just wish I could work out...but tomorrow I am running in a 5k race!!!  YAY! :)

Day 20

I weighed 145.8 this morning! That is a loss of -.2 YIPPEE! I also just realized when I wrote "Day 20" that I am halfway through my injections! WOW! I can't believe how fast that went! My goal was to lose 18-20 pounds during this round, and I have already lost a little over 11, so I am well on my way there!

I also noticed how nice my skin is looking. When I have lost weight before my butt has kind of sagged! :) But this time it seems more firm. Weird, because I know it isn't from working out, because, um, I haven't been!

0 cal tea with stevia

125 cal catfish, blackened

20 cal breadstick

12 cal onions

150 cal minute steak

35 cal asparagus

35 cal beets

50 cal strawberries

Grand Total: 427 calories

I would rate today an 8.  I should have worked out again, but everything else was good! :)

Day 19

WHOO HOO! A loss of -.5 as I weighed 146 this morning! I was a little worried because I had american beef yesterday (for some people this can stall weight loss) AND catfish, which I am pretty sure isn't the best for you (given that they are total bottom feeders, I can't even have "regular tuna" I have to get albacore tuna)

o cal Almond Sunset tea with stevia

150 sirloin steak with old bay

12 cal red onions sauteed

35 cal asparagus sauteed

53 cal 1/2 grapefruit (it's getting better)

50 cal 1 c strawberries

20 cal 1 breadstick

130 cal 4.5 oz chicken breast (boneless skinless)

35 cal asparagus

Grand total: 485 calories

I would rate today an 8. I should have worked out. And, I know my calories don't reflect it, but I think I ate too much. ?

Wow! Another great HCG story!

This is a great blog to follow:

http://hcgprotocoljourney.blogspot.com/

She has had some amazing progress...

Check out her photos here:

http://hcgprotocoljourney.blogspot.com/2009/10/progress-pictures.html

What I liked to hear is her post just made yesterday said what her doctor had to say about her weight loss! :)  I like!

Day 18

I weighed 146.5 this morning, so that is a loss of -.3! :) That's what I am talking about.  And yesterday I would say I had very yummy meals!

0 cal Almond Sunset tea

150 cal chopped sirloin with Old Bay

12 cal onions

35 cal beets

80 cal apple

115 cal Catfish fillet (oops, I don't think I was supposed to have this)

55 cal asparagus

Day 17

Breakthrough! I weighed 146.8 this morning. Good thing, because I was going to get pretty discouraged.

6:00pm, I am eating dinner.  Everything else today I kind of ate randomly, when I had time.  But I am so excited for dinner!  I am trying stuff that I haven't had in such a long time, and I think it is great because it is GOOD for me!  I am having sauteed red onions (okay, I have had those), chopped lean sirloin steak with Old Bay seasoning and BEETS!  I don't even remember the last time I had them!  They are so tasty!  And I bought some grapefruit, which I remember NOT liking, we will see as I am having it for a dessert!

um, well, okay, the grapefruit was a little gross.  Actually, eating it wasn't bad, but the after taste was horrible.  I am sure I will try it again, but yuck!

0 cal gingerbread tea with stevia
60 cal breadsticks
80 cal apple cobbler
100 cal claw crab meat

150 cal chopped lean sirloin steak with Old Bay

35 cal beets

12 cal red onions

53 cal 1/2 grapefruit

Grand Total: 490 calories

I would rate today an 8.  I didn't work out this morning because TJ wasn't feeling well and I was up throughout the night with him.  But this diet is getting to the point of just being super easy.  I would definitely say it isn't hard at all now.