Off the diet and down another 2 1/2 pounds!

I officially went off of the HCG diet on October 16,  I thought my appetite would increase right away, but actually, just the opposite has happened.  I am still not hungry!  I am trying to increase my calories, but my stomach has shrank so much that I am still loosing weight.  I was hoping with starting to work out again I would be able to eat more, but I am easing back into my workout routine with a run/walk combo and strength training 3 times a week, but I am not as hungry as I was thinking I would be.  During the HCG process your stomach shrinks because you are not eatting as much, so at the end, you have this nice small stomach, and if you listen to your body, it tells you when you are full.  I thought keeping it off would be hard, but actually, I am continuing to loose weight and will soon be at my actual goal weight, which is just finger tips away at 3 1/2 more pounds!

I finally starting buying clothes for my new body and I want to post my new jeans because all of my friends really noticed the difference in weight loss when I started wearing clothes that fit.  This also increased our HCG calls to come in and start the diet as people are seeing a live result!  We have some other pictures of other patients online that have consented us to show their results as well, feel free to take a look.  http://mngaclinic.com/AestheticServices/HCGDietWeightLoss.aspx

Here is the proud pictures of the jeans!

New Pictures!!!

Here I am, only 6 more pounds to go!!!

In case you forgot, here are the before pictures.

Only....6...more...pounds...

Why is the home stretch always so difficult?  It seems when you get close to your prize of a goal weight, your mind starts going "well, you're so close, you can eat blah blah blah", then you step on the scale, fearing the number and realizing it hasn't moved, GREAT! It didn't move up, but booo, not down either.  I did have a weekend of shame, eating anything I wanted, and feeling sick all Monday for it.  My body went into carb overload and I had to take a hour long nap both days this past weekend, I think my sugar high crashed.  Right away Monday I got right back into the grove of the diet and even did an apple day to make up for the weekend.  I was surprised that I hadn't gained any weight, and extremely happy that I didn't.  I only have a little 6 pounds to go, but if I don't get serious, that 6 pounds could take me another 6 weeks.

I had dinner out twice this week and both times, I was better than I have been in the past.  Although that pan fried, Parmesan crusted walleye sandwich was calling my name, with fries to top off the deliciousness, I opted for the salad both times and felt much better after my meal knowing I made the right choice.

I am going to post some pictures next week, I keep getting requests and apologize for not getting to this sooner, I thought about posting them at the end of the weight loss when I reach my goal on the scale, but also want to engage people to see how well this works.

If you are reading this and thinking about the diet, I am going to offer you a special promotion, that is not listed anywhere on our website and we are currently not running, but just for reading my blog and thinking about the diet, if you decide you want to try the diet and start by November 30th (why not look amazing for the holidays) just mention "Allison's blog price" when you call in to set up your HCG appointment and I will give you an additional off discount.  We currently have a sale for the fall only of $900 for the HCG diet, but I will give you an additional discount down to $749 for the HCG diet!!!  

You have to try this, it really works.  Just call the office at 952-473-6642 or email me at info@mngaclinic.com and I will get you all set up, just remember to mention my blog to get the discount.

Last week of shots, only 7 pounds to go

If you would have asked me when I began, if I thought this would truly work for me, I would have said "hopefully".  23 pounds lighter in such a short time and I feel like I did a lot of cheating along the way, that I could be at my goal today but I had some days of eating out and not making the right choices.  However, I am still human and I feel FANTASTIC!!!  I love hearing from everyone how wonderful I look.  Although I am starting to get the "7 pounds, you don't need to loose any more weight".  7 pounds will put me at my goal in my mind, dead center in the average weight for my height (125-160), and especially, put me below my husbands weight.  

I am nervous about this weekend, heading to the cabin with friends for a weekend of drinking and eating, but I am hoping to control myself and make some good decisions.  I have learned to eat better, healthy, how to fill up on proteins, fruits, and vegetables.  My stomach has shrank so small that I cant eat uncontrollably without feeling gross, a feeling I do not enjoy.  I am looking forward to phase two of the diet, where I increase my vegetables, fruit and meats, reintroduce some foods into my diet.

This diet helped me get into a healthy lifestyle, really think about the choice I have made and how those choices effect the bottom line, and my bottom, literally.  I am excited for my weigh in next week and hope to at least be only a few pounds away from my goal.  I will post pictures of my "after" body, with measurements of everything next week!

2 more pounds this is incredible!

We went up north this past weekend to Grand Marais for some hiking and a 4 day get away.  I was nervous that my eating habits would stray, and they needed to in order to have enough energy for our 6 mile, 9 mile, and 18 mile hikes.  I still ate far less then I would have before the diet.  Half a granola bar for breakfast, the first hike I tried to eat a full sandwich, granola bar, and apple, and I was miserably uncomfortable for the rest of the hike, that night I had a small plate of spaghetti I made in our cozy cabin.  

The second day I ate my sandwich and an apple, just right. I used low calorie bread, with only one slice of fat free cheese, a tablespoon of fat free ranch dressing, and roast beef, ummmm!  Plus the deliciousness of honey crisp apples that are ripe for the season right now, it was a treat!  For dinner we went to the angry trout where I had lake trout, a salad, and in lue of fries, asked for cooked vegetables, still a bit much but the fish was so worth it!

Next day we were in for an 18 mile treat!  I knew I needed some calories for this day but I was just not hungry, so I made myself eat half a granola bar, when lunch rolled around I stuck with the sandwich and apple since that was just enough.  My husband complained he was starving, but with this diet, I am just rarely  hungry, however knowing I needed calories for my strenuous hikes, I continued to eat more calories then normal.  For dinner, Sven and Oles Pizza!  What a treat!  I could only eat two slices where normally I could scarf down 4 plus ice cream if you let me!

I stayed the same weight throughout my trip, I was ok with that, happy to enjoy myself and still eat in moderation.  The past two days, starting the diet back in full force was a little different then I expected.  On Monday I was actually hungry, possibly having stretched out my stomach during my past 4 days.  Tuesday I was not hungry at all, and seemed full on less food.  

I am happy to report the Tuesday scale did move a full pound, and today another 1 1/2 pounds!  Sometimes I feel like it just melts off of me, what a wonderful feeling!  I can't wait to see the scale back in the 140's, hopefully tomorrow morning will tip the scale the right way.  I only have 10 pounds left to go, so much easier to stay motivated when I am so close to my goals!

Down another 4 pounds, still going strong

I was on a plateau this week. Its sad that my whole day is down when the scale doesn't move. The last couple of days the scale has been steadily at 157 but my clothes were fitting looser so I was not too concerned. Then hurray, the scale dropped a whole 4 pounds this morning! I completed a 4 mile briisk walk yesterday but I was exhausted afterwards, I guess the diet is right that I shouldn't be working out. I was hungrier this week then I have in the past, but quickly realized I needed to drink more water, sometimes I mistake hunger for dehydration. Especially because when I go out with friends I am drinking diet pop instead of alcohol, but want to still be able to go out and have a good time. Today I am going to be hanging out with my mom, so I made sure our food choices are still healtthy so I don't deter too much.I'm excited, only 13 pounds left!

The Apple Day Worked! Back down another pound

I completed the Apple Day, where all I ate was 6 apples throughout the day.  I was surprised how full I felt, with all of the fiber in apples I was not hungry at all.  This started the scale moving again and by morning I was down another pound and feeling back in the saddle again!  I am missing my work outs for my mental stability, so I have started doing just 30 minutes on the elliptical at a very low resistance, nothing near what I used to be able to do.  My goal is to burn only 300 calories at the most, but at least get in some exercise for my well being.  This has done wonderful things for my little bit of fatigue and for my mind.  

It's noted you should not do any strenuous exercise.  Although I miss my daily runs, with the calorie restriction and the HCG hormone you should not be partaking in any vigorous activity.  When you do this, it counteracts the HCG hormone and does the opposite of what you are trying to succeed.  Vigorous workouts will burn too many calories and cause your body to go into starvation mode where it holds onto each calorie you take in because you are burning muscle, not fat when you are working out that much and with the low calorie intake.  A brisk walk, easier workout session where you barely sweat and your heart rate is not raised to fat burning level is suggested for those that want or need to work out.  

Most of our patients that are successful do not do any workouts or very little, maybe a walk a day and loose weight at the same rate as our "workout addicted" patients like myself.  Read more about the HCG diet http://mngaclinic.com/AestheticServices/WeightLoss.aspx

Smiling and down to 155!!!!  Only 15 to go, I CAN do this!

2 weeks-scale is not moving fast

Why is the weekend so hard on my diet?  I tend to be a social eater, so when there are chips around and I am out with friends, they find their way into my hand and into my mouth.  Unfortunately, this is not helping with my weight loss.  I was wonderful when I was out, didn't have a sip of any alcohol so as not to collect extra calories from a drink, however the chips made up for it.

I am asking my friends and family to help in my weight loss by making plans with me to do things that are not centered around food, eating, or going out to dinner.  Most friends and family are very supportive and we head out for a walk, do some shopping, or partake in one of my favorite things, Fishing!!

Today in an effort to re-kick start the weight loss I am doing the "apples only" day.  This is a day where you only eat apples for each meal throughout the day.  This helps to keep your insulin level up with the natural sugar in apples, with feeling full in the fiber of the skin, and in general, eating apples are a treat!

I am actually back up a pound so weighing in at 157, with an 11 pound weight loss.  I will blog in the morning with the apples only day to let you all know how successful it is!

Wish me luck!

14 pounds in 10 days, I am still going strong!

It has been a few days since I have had time to check in to tell everyone how excited I am to be down 14 pounds!  Even people that see me every day can see the difference in my weight loss in my face and clothes, but mainly in my smile and happiness in being successful.  As of this morning I am down a whole 14 pounds in just 10 days! 

Week two is definitely 100% easier.  My stomach has shrunk already and I no longer have the hunger pains. I truly do not feel hungry, which is an odd thing for me, I am always the one that is hungry, even after I have eaten.  I am not tired like I was at the end of the first week.  I feel more back to normal and have even added some light exercise.  I walked 3 miles on Sunday, did 30 minutes on the elliptical on Monday and walked another 4 miles on Thursday.  I have to do the exercising at a very low impact and do not burn a lot of calories, but it helps me to stay toned and feel like I am still getting my stress relief.

Now the honesty.  On Monday, I had a piece of Dairy Queen cake, I felt so guilty but it was worth it.  Tuesday night I ate out with a friend, although I told myself I wanted to order healthy and put half of my food away for later, when the waitress took my order, sweet potato fries left my mouth before I even know what I was saying!  

I have forgiven myself for my food sins and got right back on the diet following it closely.  Sometimes you are  just human, as long as you start right back up, you will still be successful.  I am learning to not be as hard on myself.

September 13, 2012- 10 days in- down 14 pounds!  

Weight 156.

Down 11 pounds in less than a week!!!

I have not checked in for a couple of days.  We had a booth at the James J Hill Days and life in general, always busy.  I am officially down 11 pounds since Monday September 2, 2012.  Each time I get on the scale, I am in disbelief and have to re-weigh myself 4-5 times in a row.  I am not the weigh yourself every day type person, but with this diet I wanted to really watch as the pounds came off.

 

The first 2 official diet days were very easy, I wasn't hungry and I was able to strictly complete the diet.  Day 3 I was very hungry at breakfast so I added a piece of Melba toast (20 calories) and drank a ton of water, realizing I was more dehydrated then hungry.  I was find after that, until about an hour before bed, so I had another extra piece of Melba toast, I was still down another 2 pounds the next day.

 

There are so many pluses of this diet, but the one I am quickly learning is to really LISTEN to my body.  See how I feel when I am hungry and decide if my body truly is in need of food, or if I am dehydrated.  I am waiting to eat lunch, dinner, snacks, until I am truly hungry and my stomach is growling, something I never used to allow myself.  I don't remember the last time I actually waited to eat until I was hungry, I typically eat because it's time to eat or because I am bored.

 

I did sneak in a diet coke one day, which Dr. Erhard said was perfectly fine, as long as I am still drinking my two litters of water (not a problem, water keeps my stomach full).  I am excited about my official 1st week weigh in tomorrow morning, to see what the first week has accomplished. 

 

Recap:

• Week one
• Beginning Weight 168
• Day 1-ate high fat, high calorie food
• Weight 168
• No loss
• Day 2-ate high fat, high calorie food
• Weight 168
• no loss
• Day 3-HCG diet only
• Weight 168
• no loss
• Day 4-HCG diet only
• Weight 164
• 4 pound loss
• 4 pound total loss
• Day 5-HCG diet, diet coke
• Weight 160
• 4 pound loss
• 8 pound total loss
• Day 6-HCG diet, 2 extra pieces Melba toast, diet coke
• Weight 158
• 2 pound loss
• 10 pound total loss
• Day 7-HCG diet, Hersey's kiss, 2 extra pieces Melba toast, diet coke
• Weight 157
• 1 pound loss
• 11 pound total loss

Ending weight today 157

Total loss to date 11 pounds

Weight loss to goal 17 pounds

 

Yeah, tomorrow I am done with week one!

Day 4 down 4!!!

I have not jumped back on the scale since Monday, day one of the diet.  So to my surprise, when I got on this morning and saw the numbers at 164 I said out load (to no one but my cat) "no, something is wrong".  I shut the scale off and got back on 4 more times and the scale didn't budge.  4 pounds in 4 days, that's amazing!!!  I am a tad hungry this morning so ate Melba Toast for breakfast and drank a lot of water. 

I came into work at Minnesota Gynecology and Aesthetics and had one of our Medical Assistance give me my B12 shot.  The B12 shot is to assist your liver metabolize fat and give you a boost of energy.  I have had no shortage of energy so far, but anything to help my body get rid of those fat cells, I am happy to say yes.  The shot was painless and quick.

On with my day.  Oh, I wanted to post my measurements in the beginning as well:

Chest       40.25
Waist       30.5
Hips         39
Forearm 12
Calf          18

Day 4 weight 164 total loss 4 pounds!

The First 3 days

I have watched patient after patient walk through the doors of our clinic, successfully weighing less than their first visit, smiling at the success of the HCG diet.  After paging through before and after pictures, and hearing personal successes from our patients, I think to myself, this actually works.  Being a member of the "the last 20 pounds club" I am happy to share my news with friends and family and hear their words of encouragement and interest in the results.

 

The hardest part of the first three days of the HCG diet was the weigh in on day one.  I am a firm believer in not using the scale as a means of telling me I am gaining weight, but instead I judge my weight by how I fit into my jeans and clothes in general.  That is how how the scale ended up at 168 on weigh in day.  At 5'7 that puts me 28 pounds over where I would like to be.  It's always that "last 20 pounds" that everyone can't seem to get rid of, which brings me to attempting the HCG diet. 

 

Day one and two you are supposed to eat high calorie, fat filled food to open up your fat cells.  I started with Day One at the Minnesota State Fair (an odd place to begin your first day of a new diet).  Day Two I ate my favorites, Cake for breakfast, my favorite doughnut as part of lunch, a Chipolte Burrito for dinner, and Cherry Berry frozen yogurt ending to my day.  The HCG hormone was already kicking in as I was barely hungry and it was difficult to eat my favorite foods, even knowing I was "allowed" them as part of the plan.  Off to bed with a stomach ache and excitement of seeing this actually work. 

You can read more about the HCG diet on our website  http://mngaclinic.com/AestheticServices/WeightLoss.aspx

Visit the HCG True Diet Website: http://www.hcgtruediet.com/what-is-the-hcg-diet/

Today's Weight: 168