HCG Living

Do you Like this page?

2011-07-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

I want to post a quick thank you to all of you who take time out of your day to read my blog and post an encouraging comment or two! As you know, losing weight is a constant battle and even when I'm not actively working the HCG, I still love hearing from and being inspired by you! I"d love for you to spread the word about this page. Share with your friends and family and remember to like my Facebook page or +1 me on Google if you are a fan. You can find links to both at the bottom of each post and on the sidebar! Thanks again and Good Luck with your journey!

New Stuff I Love!

2011-05-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

In my quest to remain low-carb and sugar-free to maintain my 85 lb HCG weight loss, I have found a couple new products that I LOVE!

Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Tortillas from Ole Mexican Foods. You can find the nutritional information at FatSecret.com and I bought mine at WalMart, which makes me think you can get them pretty much anywhere. They are tasty and filling and are perfect for Maintenance goals. Definitely not for everyday, but a good choice for wraps or mexican dishes.

I am also totally in love with BEANITOS. They are so delicious and the perfect crunchy salty snack for dips, cheese, and guacamole. I have been looking for something to take the place of crackers and chips which I crave regularly and these are perfect. Plus, my kids hate them which makes me even happier because that means I don't have to hide them to keep to them to myself. :D

Another treat I've found just in time for summer is a new drink flavor from the WalMart knock-off of Crystal Light: Great Value Lime Margarita Sugar Free Drink Mix. I am planning to make slushies and popsicles to cool me off poolside in the heat! Oh yes, I will be poolside this summer! :D

Hope you enjoy these yummy treats!

Phase 3 Begins Monday!

2011-03-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

Today was my LIW day...Grand Total for this round was 34 lbs!! That makes my overall net weight loss with HCG about 80 lbs. My cumulative weight loss would be about 134....if only I hadn't gained back that cursed 50! But I'm looking good again, feeling even better, and more importantly, I'm fitting in all of my clothes again! :)

In gearing up for Phase 3, I came across this great Phase 3 Primer. It had some great tips that I wanted to share! Some of it was pretty basic, but it had a couple great tips that I hadn't seen before so it's definitely worth the 15 minutes to read.

I've also got some pretty great Phase 3 recipes that I can't wait to post too! I'm planning on making these in the next couple of days and taking some good pictures, so check back soon!

One week to go...

2011-03-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

I have one more week of VLCD left to go! My last shot is on Friday. I am so ready to be done. I'm very glad I did this last round, but I am seriously tired of eating the same, same food. I have used all the yummy recipes on this blog and then some which has helped because I know it's not always just chicken and broccoli (actually one of my favorite meals, but you know what I mean!)

Going into Phase 3 is one of the hardest times for me. I always struggle when there are more choices and it's not so regimented. One of the things I am looking into is a way to help me in Phases 3 and 4 and beyond. I am reading a book called Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It by Gary Taubes. It has been very informative and I highly recommend it. It seems to go along with the protocol in that it puts the blame squarely on sugars and carbs, which is exactly what we need to avoid not only especially during P3 but also from now on, if the weight loss is to be permanent. This book doesn't necessarily tell you how to do that, but why it is important. So now I am interested in finding out more about the South Beach or Atkins philosophies to see if that can help with the day to day. I'd really love to hear if any of you have experience with either of these high protein/low carb diets..or any other tips you have. What helps you most in P3 and P4? I'll let you know what I come up with!

3 Weeks In...

2011-02-21T22:15:00.000-08:00

Halfway done with shots and down 25 lbs! It's getting really hard to eat the same old things everyday, although I have tried a few new recipes and treats (posted below) which has been helping.

You know, I really don't understand why I can be so diligent about sticking to this diet when I'm on the shots, but when I'm in Maintenance I have no will power. Does anybody have any ideas? I truly feel like I CANNOT resist yummy foods when I'm off-protocol, but when I'm on and I see my temptation foods, I think it would be nice to have them but I can say no.

At any rate, I'm still impressed with how well this diet works for me! It is a hard diet to stick to, but I know if I do, I will see the pounds drop away! Gotta love that!

Tasty Way to Steam Veggies

2011-02-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

The first time I tried steamed Asparagus Spears, I thought they were digusting. It was very unexpected because I remember liking them as a kid and it seemed unlikely that I would have lost such a sophisticated taste over the years. ;)

But then I discovered a great way to add flavor to my steamed spears...just use chicken broth!

I added about a 1/4 cup of an all-natural, fat free, low sodium chicken broth in with the veggies that I am cooking and voila! Tasty sidedish that doesn't go against the protocol!

I've tried this with asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. Yum!

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Chicken Nuggets

2011-02-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

3.5 oz. Chicken Breast
2 Melba rounds or Grissini bread
Garlic Salt (to taste)
Salt, Pepper (to taste)
Parsley Flakes (to taste) optional

Place rounds or bread and seasonings into a plastic bag. Crush with rolling pin and mix thoroughly. Cut breast into 1-inch chunks. Place moist chicken in bag and coat with breading mix. Place on a baking tray and bake for about 12-18 minutes at 400 degrees.

Use Walden Farms BBQ sauce or Honey Dijon dressing for dipping. Serve with 3.5 oz of your allowed veggies.

I eat this recipe all the time. My kids even beg to let me try them when I do! But I never share...how can I? :)

My New Favorite Thing

2011-02-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

This gum is my new favorite! I went on a long road trip and in lieu of my usual "keep-awake" snacks, I bought some of this gum....and loved it!

I also enjoyed the Sweet Tropical flavor. It was very grapefruit-y/citrus-y...which I enjoyed! Hope you will too!

Here's are links to some of my other favorite HCG items which I've blogged about in the past.
My favorite Makeup! Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze
My favorite Recipe! Lemon Garlic Shrimp
My favorite Freebie! Sharps Container

Oh PIckles!

2011-02-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

I was wondering if it's okay to eat pickles on the HCG diet so I Googled it and came across this good FAQ, which I thought I would share:

http://www.hcgdietfacts.com/HCG-FAQs.php

It turns out that Pickles (cucumbers in vinegar brine) are okay, but they contain high sodium which is not recommended because it can cause you to retain water and therefore weight. Which you already know if you read the FAQ! :) So, I suppose you can choose to pickle or not!

Week One--

2011-02-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

Doing a little better today! I've been uber-grumpy the last few days, which always happens to me during the first week of this diet. It disturbs me to think how focused I am mentally & physically on food every minute of the day. Last night, my dd popped popcorn and it took all my concentration not to think about it. Can't wait until this "detox" phase (my unofficial terminology) is over!

I just have to keep thinking about results--I was down 6 lbs. this morning!!!--so that rocks!

At the Beginning....Again.

2011-01-30T22:09:00.000-08:00

Here I am at the beginning of Round 4 Phase 2....after losing 100 lbs. then gaining 51 back. :'(

My loading days have gone well, but I may have overdone it a bit. I have found that the better you load the easier it is to transition though. Time will tell, but I tried to get as much fatty foods in as I could stand. At this point, I'll be glad to eat next to nothing for the next little while.

I went shopping and stocked up on chicken, steak, and shrimp which are my favorites. I weighed out each portion and put them in baggies for easy cooking later. I went ahead and cooked up about 4 days worth of chicken so that if I need to grab some in a hurry, I can do that. I'm super busy these days so every bit of advanced prep helps.

One of the hardest things, I think, about doing this diet is the fact that the rest of my family still needs to eat. It's easy for me to focus on my meals, recipes, preparations, and forget that I still have children and a husband who want food too. (Go figure.) My oldest, who did the HCG with us last time, has decided that she wants to eat what I eat in a bit larger portions. But the other daughter and DH still need food. I think I'm going to try to let them all eat the basic HCG recipes that I prepare, but cook an extra side or two for them to bulk up their meals. What do you all think? Do you have any ideas for helping your family to keep eating healthy while you are on a restricted diet? Do you have any easy recipes that the kids can make for themselves? Please share your great ideas!

Strawberry Chicken Salad

2011-01-30T21:47:00.000-08:00

This is one I want to try this time around!

"Strawberry Chicken Salad"

3 1/2 oz of lettuce
3 1/2 oz Chicken
6 strawberries, sliced
Sweet N Sour Vinaigrette Dressing

Grill, bake or steam fry chicken. Slice into bite sized pieces. Put lettuce in bowl with sliced strawberries, put chicken in and toss. Drizzle with Sweet N Sour Vinaigrette, salt, pepper and herbs as desired. Toss till lettuce is coated.

"Sweet N Sour Vinaigrette Salad Dressing"

1-3 Tbs of raw apple cider vinegar
salt, pepper
1/2 packet Stevia

Mix ingredients then drizzle over salad, spinach, vegetables, or stir fry.

Biting the Bullet

2011-01-24T13:30:00.000-08:00

Okay...so I realized it's been a while since I posted. In reading over the past few entries, I have not wanted to admit that I have had some major setbacks on my weight loss journey. I was fully committed to running a race in 2010 but that year came and went without me meeting my goal. I have also gained about 50 lbs since the last posting as well...most of that in the past 3 months since having some issues with my thyroid...BUT...I decided to bite the bullet, come clean and start anew!

As you have read, I was having numbness in my legs which only subsided when I stopped trying to run so that's what I did. I still have dreams of running a race and I've not completely given that up yet...just put it on hold until I can build up to it. Another reason (excuse) for my setback is that last May I began my Master's Degree and it has taken a lot of time/energy which up until then had been focused eating right/exercising. The good news is that I am almost half way toward earning my degree, the bad news is that I now need to learn how to incorporate my old healthier eating habits into my new busier life! I know many of you will agree with me that it is so much more convenient and easier to just swing by a burger joint on the way home from school/work/etc to grab dinner for the fam than to spend the time to shop, prepare and serve a healthy home cooked meal. :( Unfortunately, that convenience shows up very plainly on my scale each new day.

So, like I said, I am starting anew...

Wednesday I have an appointment to meet with my doctor to begin another round of HCG! I am finding myself less motivated this time around, but I know that if I don't commit to this that the scale will keep creeping up and I'll find myself right back at 300+ lbs or worse. I can't let that happen and I'm grateful that I know this diet works and that having found success once, I'll be able to do it again!

Lesson learned: This struggle for me is a lifelong process. I think I was thinking that once I hit my goal weight I would love how I looked so much that I would never be tempted to eat again, but I found that I still have the same stress and eating issues as a skinny person as I did when I was heavier. HCG is not a magic bullet, but for me a way to learn to manage my portions, master my bad habits and create a healthier base to build on going forward. So now I will begin with that new end in mind and hopefully have good news to report on my next post!

Good luck to me and good luck to you, too, wherever you are on your HCG Journey!

Let the Training Continue...

2010-04-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

I always thought runners were crazy! Why would anyone want to subject themselves to the torture that even they admit is inherent in the act. Blisters, sore muscles, jarred joints, lactic acid buildup, burning lungs, blood vessels pounding--in a word: PAIN!

Yet, today as I climbed back on the treadmill after a two week break, I think I had a mini-epiphany; the beginnings of a breakthrough. It was hard. I had all the symptoms described above and then some, but as I started to find my rhythm, it felt as though my body were thanking me. I had the distinct impression that my physical self was saying, "Finally. This is what I was made for. I'm not just a receptacle for food or soft spot to rest my bones. I was made to move." It felt as though my soul was singing and the music drowned out the pain.

I know... a little melodramatic, but the sentiment is true. I guess I've always wanted to be a runner, elsewise why would I be doing it now? I knew there must be something to it since so many people are addicted to it. I've always felt the draw of challenging myself and overcoming my weaknesses...but until I lost weight I never had the physical strength to do anything about it. There is a great satisfaction in knowing that I conquered in that battle and now I'm facing my goal of running a 5K with a new understanding. I guess I'm one of the crazies after all! :)

I picked up today at Week 2 Day 1...right where I left off. I'm not giving up on my goal. I will keep you posted on my progress. I wanted to thank the many of my followers (friends) who checked in on me and offered me great advice while I was down. Keep posting and commenting. I love hearing from you!

Inevitable Setback

2010-03-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Isn't it usually true that when you are trying to make changes for good in your life, things always happen to de-motivate, discourage, and generally put a damper on your plans? It shouldn't surprise me, then, that I am experiencing one of the first hurdles in my C25K journey...but it's still a bummer!

I have been having numbness in my left leg for about 3 weeks now. I'm sure it is a pinched nerve and I keep hoping it will resolve on it's own. I did get 4 successful training sessions in before the discomfort level got too high for me to continue, but the time has come for me to seek professional intervention! My problem is that I never know who to go to...this is my nightmare: I go to my family doctor and he says, Hmmm...maybe you should go to PT, I go to the PT and they tell me I need to see a Chiropractor, I see the Chiro guy and he tells me I have to come back every week for the next millennium. Money, time and no results! I want to just go to the place that will fix me... I know I'm a whiner baby...I've had too many bad experiences for this to be an easy thing. But, it is what it is and I have to do it. This is why I began my weight loss journey in the first place....so I can be a more active, more fit person! I can't give up now that I've come so far!

I'm hoping to see someone tomorrow! I'll post when I have more news.

First Day of Training

2010-03-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

I have reached another milestone in my transformation journey! I started my Couch-to-5K training today. I finished Phase 2 of the diet 3 weeks ago on Friday and my original plan was to start training on Monday but I read my cousin Steve's blog and he inspired me to get going a bit earlier. He said, "It's not cheating if you start early, right?" and I thought, "Right! Let's go." I lost the weight and now it's time to lose the old sedentary lifestyle!

I downloaded the Podrunner interval training (a hot tip from another fan...thanks) and I loved it! It follows the C25K plan and I didn't have to time my intervals or think about anything. I just started the track and followed the tempo of the music. And the best part is...I SURVIVED! I don't think I have run since high school, honestly! I was a bit worried that my body would just not handle it. I even put the clippy thing on the treadmill on my shirt just in case I might fall so the treadmill wouldn't eat me! (Me? Worry much?)

Surprisingly, I felt very good and was ready to run one more time before I realized it was over. I'm glad I got this first session over with...now I know I can do it and can move forward with confidence! I'm ready for this change. It's going to be good!

Dee-lish Side Dish for Phase 3

2010-03-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had a very yummy side dish with a Meatloaf recipe that has been a favorite of ours for a while. This is a phase 3 recipe so it is low carbs and no sugar. I loved it! And even better...my husband thought it was terrific. And for the trifecta...it was super easy!!!!

Better Than Mashed Potatoes

1 large head of cauliflower
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. heavy cream

Steam or boil cauliflower until very tender. Mash in bowl with other ingredients. Place entire mixture in food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to casserole dish and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

So Good!!! Let me know if you like it. And check back for more recipes soon!

98 Pounds Gone Forever!!!

2010-03-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

And I feel better than ever! I'm starting my 5K training today and got my first walking session in. Proud of myself since I've been so sedentary for so long! I'm ready to change my lifestyle.

The End is Near! Or is it the Beginning?

2010-02-23T08:55:00.000-08:00

Only 3 more day of shots for me and my family. This Round Three of Phase 2 has definitely been the hardest one for me, not necessarily in terms of being hungry...though I have had bad days...but because I'm reaching my diet saturation point. I've been doing the HCG diet since March of 2009 (almost 1 whole year) and I think I'm just ready to be independently healthy. I only need to drop 1.5 pounds in the next week to reach my goal of losing 100 pounds!! Once I've reached that goal...and I know I will...I can move on to others that I've set for myself. I've determined to run in a 5K this year and I've already scheduled my training sessions to begin when this round is ended.

I am completely sedentary now, so this will be a challenge for me! I know I can do it though. I'm going to start the Couch Potato to 5K program (C25K) starting in mid-march. Once again, my husband and daughter will be joining me. I'm hoping to get my younger daughter running with us too! I'm so glad to have had my family supporting me all this time. My husband has lost 32 pounds and my daughter has lost 20 pounds. We all look and feel great! We've surely learned a lot along the way too...

You must drink your 2L of water each day! I'm convinced that this is how the fat is "rinsed" from your system. I'm no scientist and have done no research other than my own experience but I know my loss is accelerated when I drink plenty of water.
You can NOT cheat! We have found that any variance from Dr. Simeons original protocol leads to plateaus and frustration. I do think that things like soda, Walden Farms, artificial sweeteners can lead to slower weight loss, but sometimes it's worth it! :)
This is a hard diet for teenagers. Well, for anyone really! My daughter has done very well, but being a teenager she has not had the patience to wait out the results. Any sign of a plateau or slow loss would send her into a depression and she would succumb to temptation. She has struggled but her 20-pound loss has also encouraged her to start running, play the Wii Fit, put more effort into healthy habits, like keeping a food journal, etc. In a way, I think this has been the most effective for her since she is beginning to develop LIFE LONG healthy habits that can benefit her now and in the future! If we were to do it again, which I'm not sure I will encourage her to do, I would opt for the shorter 23-day session. I think that's about all a teen should have to endure. I'm proud of my girl though! She's done an amazing job!
HCG really works!!! There is no way that I could have accomplished this 100 pound weight loss without the aid of this diet. I have tried other programs from Weight Watchers to Phen/Fen to Exercising and Eating Right. I have always maxed out at about 40 pounds lost then bounced right back up to where I was before. This diet has been hard, but not as hard as being fat has been! My challenge now will be to keep the weight off. It has always been my plan to lost the weight that has been keeping me from doing the things I want to do so that I can go walk, run, bike, hike, swim....and be healthy! I couldn't do any of those things 100-lbs ago!

So even though this round is coming to an end, I still feel like we have long way to go! I am scheduling a family portrait session very soon. We haven't had one in over 3 years! It's funny how we're all looking forward to getting our pictures taken again. I will also keep you posted on our 5K progress. I wish all of you the best of success with your HCG journeys. I hope you will share your success here. I love to hear your inspirational stories and lessons learned.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp

2010-02-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

I am proud to say this is my own creation! I have been experimenting lately to find new yummy meals...and snacks...as you can tell from my previous posts. This one was delicious and easy! It took less than 10 minutes to prepare and maybe 5 minutes to cook.

LEMON GARLIC SHRIMP

3.5 oz of cooked, peeled shrimp with tails removed

3.5 oz of peeled and shredded zucchini

1/2 lemon

Garlic Herb Seasoning or 1/2 clove garlic and seasoning to taste

Heat skillet on high and place lemon slices into pan. Add shrimp and shredded zucchini and seasoning. Stir-fry until shrimp are heated through. Remove lemon slices, dish and eat! So good!

I hope you enjoy this yummy recipe. Next time I think I might try Lemon Pepper too!

Yum of the Day!

2010-01-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

(My pictures are not uploading lately. I'm working on this problem.)

Lately I have been trying out some new recipes and this is one of the BEST I've found. My family was definitely ready for a tasty HCG-friendly treat! If you love apple pie or apple crisp, you'll LOVE this!

Cut one apple (per snack allowance) into cubes, and place in bowl.

Sprinkle with Cinnamon and one packet of Truvia.

Microwave for 3 minutes.

Stir, cool and eat.

If you want more of an apple crisp taste, you can crumble the allowed Melba Toast or Grissini in before cooking as well. I have also been toying wit the idea of mixing in a spoonful of Walden Farms Caramel Sauce, which to me sounds almost too decadent for dieting. Enjoy and please let me know what you think!!

One of My Favorite Things

2010-01-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

One of my friends is just beginning the HCG protocol and asked me the following question:
"Wanted to see if you know of a good lip balm that can be used on the program. My lips are already dried out and bothering me. Have you or one of your followers found something that works? I'm not too crazy with the Corn Huskers lotion - it just doesn't seem to moisturize as well as my hempz lotion but I'll keep using it. Something has to happen with the lips, though! Thanks!"
I told her about my favorite lipstick/gloss-- Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze!

My doctor also approved Eucerin Original formula used sparingly for dry skins and hands. I imagine it would work pretty well for lips as well.

What are the products that work for you? Do you have any favorites? Be sure to share them here.

Free Sharps Container

2010-01-26T21:50:00.000-08:00

When I started my HCG adventure, I looked high and low for a Sharps Container to hold my used needles. I was told that I could get one from my local pharmacy but when I asked at two different places, they looked at me like I asked them to lick my shoes. Today I found the answer...Visit this link to order a free sharps container!

I just ordered mine and it said I will get it in 7-10 days. I'll let you know when it arrives.

Variation on a Theme

2010-01-24T14:30:00.000-08:00

So, I told my husband about the Orange Slushy recipe that I posted previously and he really wanted to try it. Unfortunately, I was feeling too cheap to buy the Orange and Vanilla Stevia from the Nutrition store (total retail value $30). He suggested that I use a packet of Orange Sunrise Crystal Light (although we use the Walmart brand) that he had for his water bottle. I tried it and he raved about it. It's the same recipe that I use for the Strawberry Smoothies, but we substituted one orange for the 6 strawberries, added 1Tbs. of milk, ice and drink mix reconstituted. It was delish!

So, here it is!
Orange Julius
1 orange
1 T. milk
Orange diet drink (Crystal Light)
Ice

Blend until ice and orange are liquified. Pour into glasses and enjoy!

This recipe and the Strawberry always makes more than I can drink! So I get to share with the kids. It's fun to turn the tables on them. Usually they're eating something that makes me want to beg! LOL

Hot Chocolate on A Rainy Day

2010-01-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

It's been incredibly rainy and cold here where I live, and I happened to post on Facebook that I was missing my daily Hot Cocoa. A friend of mine suggested that I try 8oz. of hot water with 5 drops of chocolate flavored Stevia, and 5 drops of vanilla Stevia. She'd never tried it, and I haven't either but I thought it was worth posting. As soon as I can manage the trip to Dixie Nutrition, I'm kicking back with a mug and a good book!

She also told me about an Orange Slushy recipe that I really want to try! Combine 2 Tbs. Milk, Ice, an orange, Orange flavored Stevia and Vanilla flavored Stevia in a blender. Sounds delish!

Do you have any other suggestions for Hot Chocolate substitutes or other drinks? I'd love to hear them.

BTW, after 7 days: I've lost 9 lbs., hubby's lost 9, daughter's lost 7.5!!! Doing pretty good, if I do say so!