Day 18 (22 to go)

I crossed the 20 pound mark today!!! And Im back in love with my scale! Down 20.2!!!

Day 17 (23 days to go)

Feeling really great about life today! No change on my scale. But I am questioning its accuracy since I showed a gain on my scale (without clothes), and a loss on the doctor's scale (with clothes).

Day 16 (24 days to go)

Official weigh today: I am down a total of 18 pounds!!! I lost five pounds this past week -- all of which was fat. I am becoming a believer!!! That's amazing. Funny thing was my scale at home this morning showed a 2 pound gain. Ugh. But I'll go with the official numbers.

I am not cheating -- I continue to stay true to the diet. No alcohol!!! That's not easy! But it's working, and I am excited to losing this weight. I really have hit a stride. I feel great. I am not hungry. I am not having any cravings, or compulsions to eat off the diet (pizza, chips & queso, etc.).

Day 15 (25 days to go!!!)

I was surprised to see that I was down 1.2 pounds this morning. Total weight loss: 17.8 pounds. I was feeling a little bloated, so I thought I might stall out again. I also had a tiny amount of blue cheese yesterday on a cobb salad. But that was it. I am really sticking to the protocol and do not want to "cheat." I know the moment I give myself some slack, I'm doomed. This diet is working so well, and I am feeling so good. I just need to keep working the plan! Weigh in day is tomorrow! Yippee.

Day 14 (26 days to go!)

I went up .2 pounds today. (Total loss to date: 16.6 pounds) I am not frustrated, as I knew this was bound to happen. I have had such tremendous loss so far. I stuck to the diet yesterday, so I know the weight loss will show up tomorrow or the day after. I was mentally prepared for a stall, as that seems par for the course.

Still motivated -- I am feeling great. I am so proud of myself for actually sticking to a diet. It's been a long time since I've been this dedicated. I love that pants are beginning to feel loose.

Day 13 (27 days to go!!!)

I am down 16.8 pounds so far!!! I broke the 220 mark, weighing in at 219.4 this morning. Woo hoo. 220 is a psychological blocker for me. My weight has hovered at 220 since I had my first baby over nine years ago. It's gone down (all the way to 201 when I got pregnant with Baby #2). It's gone up a lot too. It's been easy for me to lose weight down to 220. It's difficult for me to lose much more than that. So I am really looking forward to leaving it behind forever. Good bye 220s!!!

I've had some good days, and some tough days so far. I am encouraged by reading other people's HCG blogs. I get discouraged when I read anything scientific. Am I really starving my body, or does the HCG really help with the weight loss. I don't know.

I do know that I am losing. I am eating healthily, with lots of veggies and lean proteins. I am surprisingly okay without carbs. I have lost the craving, so sticking to the plan is actually easier than I anticipated. My cravings are under control, and that feels great. For example, last night, I was able to join my family for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant. They ordered chips, guacamole and queso (my favorite), and I wasn't tempted. Instead, I stuck with my iced tea and really enjoyed my grilled shrimp and veggies. It was very satisfying. I didn't feel the urge to eat the junk!

On with the rest of the day!

I love apples.

Apples have never tasted so good to me. I love them. Just had to say that!

Day 4

Well, I showed a total loss of 8 pounds so far. That is pretty remarkable. It's easy to be motivated when the loss is there -- I'm bracing for the day when I lose .2, or go up .2 as will inevitably happen.

I received lots of compliments this morning -- someone even commented that I was "glowing." I guess the hormones are working.

I had lots of challenges yesterday -- and I succeeded at each of them, even making 48 blueberry muffins (for son's birthday celebration at school) without so much as licking a finger. I tried the Fage yogurt with a bowl of berries, and that was delightful!

I am still headachey today. We'll see how the day goes... Can't wait to have more yogurt and berries for an evening snack.

Day 3

So, I actually woke up feeling great this morning. I had a slight headache, but it was gone by noon. Got 1/2 of my water in by Noon (that's my goal -- makes it much easier to get all the water in).

I am so thrilled with myself for two reasons:
1) last night, after church choir, the kids had pizza. It smelled delicious. But I had enough will power to pass. When I got home, I had delicious roasted pork tenderloin & tomatoes for dinner.
2) today, I met some friends for lunch at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. I ordered my grilled chicken (without any oil or fat) and steamed vegetables.

I weighed in. As of today, I have lost 4 pounds.

Starting Weight: 236.2
Today's Weight: 232.2 (3.3 of which was fat)

Day 2

Today, I woke up feeling pretty darn good. I was afraid I would be starving. I made it through dinner (3 ounces orange roughy poached in vegetable broth with steamed asparagus spears, and the vegetable broth), and then made it through the "witching" hours. The worst time for me when it comes to binging are the hours between 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., and I love to indulge in high fat snacks.

I did not get my water in this morning, as I had to be in court and did not want to be running to the bathroom every three minutes. I just had my first 16 ounces of the day, and have a lot more to drink.

I am feeling a little light headed - maybe even slightly "loopy." I am more excited about the diet today than I have been in the past. I feel like I can actually do this.

For breakfast, I had egg & salsa. For lunch, I had salad with chicken and an orange.

On to the rest of the day!

Day 1

Today is the first day on the restricted calorie plan -- approximately 500 calories. I started the day with the injection. Then, I enjoyed 1/4 c. Egg Beaters (microwaved for one minute), with a dab of salsa to spice things up.

I had 20 ounces of water before I left this morning. Just finished a morning snack of carrots, and a pint of water.

For lunch, I enjoyed 1/4 of a can of chicken on a bed of lettuce, with cucumber, bell pepper and tomatoes. I also through on some Salsa. I can't find the fat free dressing I am supposed to be using. Drank a lot more water.

Afternoon snack is cucumbers.

I am sad. I love food. I received an invitation for lunch this morning, and I need to pass it up because it will be painful sitting in a retsaurant not being able to eat.

I know I am not supposed to be hungry. But I am. I keep telling myself that I need to do this for 30 days -- one day at a time. I will feel so much better at the end. I've lost myself in the layers.

Half way through the first day. Now if I can just make it through the evening hours (my hardest!).