Final HCG Diet Update

After posting last night, I realized that I failed to include measurements and some personal thoughts about the overall success I experienced. My starting point with weight was 150lbs and the official weigh in this morning was 119lbs.



Before...................After Waist......... 24"......24" Hips...........42"......35" Bust...........36"......33" Thighs........26"......20"

I did experience a reduction in cup size, this is a bit troubling. It's not that I'm upset about having a smaller bust size, it's just now I have to purchase new braziers. In a previous post, I mentioned my fear in finding size 2's or 0's, but a friend from New York replied that size 2's and 0's are plentiful in his region. He's suggested a shopping trip in the Big Apple. I've never been to New York, I'd like to go. This friend also suggested since I've never seen a waterfall, that we go alleviate that problem as well by going to Niagara Falls. In about a week, I will be seeing my very first water fall, suggested by another friend. These falls are in Oklahoma.

AND besides, since I'm now a bimbo...jetting off to exotic places with mysterious older prominent men seems the only logical next step.

HCG Diet and Weight Eradication Update

Jesse, my usual work out partner only finished half our routine opting to play racquetball instead even though he broke his nose last week when he played. The men in the weight room challenged me to do some free weights, and considering that I'm highly competitive, I accepted.

Just like with running on the treadmill and then taking it to the track, free weights are another whole level of difficulty and intensity. First, you have to concentrate not only on doing the exercise properly, but maintain your balance and not wobble around. Well, I did a bit of wobbling tonight with the four exercises I was introduced to.

The fellows wanted to know what I'd like to work on...I hesitated a bit, not because I didn't know, but because I was a teeny tiny embarrassed to tell them. So, finally I said that I'd like to workout my pectorals. They looked at me a little stunned, I suppose wondering why I'd want to do that, so I sighed heavily...basically explained that I'd like a natural breast lift. Well, they understood that right away and knew exactly what exercises I would need to do.

Exercise number 1: Bench press, 3 sets of 8 bar only 45lbs
Lay down on bench, place hands on bar spread apart as far as comfortable. Lift bar from supports and slowly lower bar to chest, but don't rest on your chest. As you lower weight, you'll inhale and as you raise the weight you exhale.

Exercise number 2: Declined Dumbbell press, 3 sets of 8, 2 dumbbells
25lbs each
This isn't an incline bench, but it's close to the floor and then extends upwards in a 45 degree angle. Lay with your head towards the floor, legs going upward away from the floor. Take a dumbbell in your right hand, and while using both hands lift the dumbbell above your chest, arms fully extended. Then a spotter will hand you the other dumbbell for your left hand. Lower the dumbbells slowly down towards your chest pulling outward across your body. This was a difficult exercise to master, and I needed a lot of help to steady my arms.

Exercise number 3: Upward Dumbbell Press, 3 sets of 8, 2 dumbbells 25lbs each
Same as exercise number 2, except now your feet are towards the floor and your head is laying upwards on the bench.

Exercise number 4: Inclined Dumbbell Press, 3 sets of 8, 2 dumbbells 25lbs each
In a sitting inclined position you do the same motions as in exercises 1 - 3.

HCG Diet Update Maintenance Phase

I know I've skewed the results a bit from my diet because I've started running daily and I have a regular weight lifting routine that I attend to at least 4 times a week. A regular exercise program or daily activity has always been my bane. I usually did very well in the beginning, staying with it for a few months, but then I'd lose interest and the program would fade away like billowing smoke. I've maintained the program this time around now for 8 months. I think I've been successful in part due to the HCG Diet and that also for the reason of having a workout buddy. Having support is vital to anything you're trying to accomplish.

I keep noticing that people are searching for information on the HCG Diet. The best article is the one that Dr. Simeons wrote, and well it should be because he's the one that created the diet. I recommend reading the good doctor's article because there's more in it than just the diet. The psychology behind creating the HCG diet is very interesting. One part of the article addresses unresolved sexual stimulation. I found this very interesting because the antidote would be uninhibited sex. I've yet to try that cure.

I wouldn't suggest ordering the diet off the internet unless you're doing a follow up and you know what you're doing. First timers should initially go to a clinic and get the starter kit, which includes, in my case, a food scale (which by the way, I never used) list of foods and serving size, an intial weigh in and all the doses of HCG that's required. My doctor didn't require weekly weigh ins or an initial blood work up.

I've said before that the diet works as well as the dieter. Dr. Anna told me that women will come into the clinic after being on the diet for a week and report they haven't lost any weight. The first week is usually the week where one would see a huge decrease in weight, in some cases like 7 - 10 pounds. That's a lot...that's usually a whole dress size. I don't think the women realize when she looks at their food journal that they've gone over the daily food allowance in some cases by 1000 calories. 500 calories of food isn't very much and the foods on the list are the only foods you can have. I've talked with a few of the women while waiting in the office to see my laser tech. One lady told me that she's only eating a salad twice a day, but still hasn't lost weight. So, I inquired, "What's in your salad?" Lettuce, tomatoes, cuccumbers, cheese, chopped ham, eggs, cottage cheese, bacon bits, crutons...and then ranch dressing. Salads aren't even on the diet. In fact, you're not supposed to mix your vegetables! AND if you have dressing, it's suppose to be a vinegarette!

Taking if from the Gym to the Track in Wink Texas.

OOOO-RAAAH! If I were a marine that's what I would of said tonight. I decided since the gym was closed and I couldn't do a work out to take the running and stepping I've been doing in the gym to the track. A couple of weeks ago I decided in my mind that I'd like to do a marathon. Of course, it would be a short one, like a 5K and of course it would be somewhere with pretty landscape.

With that said, I determined to try running (more like jogging) a mile tonight on the track at the school. I started off pretty good, nice straight form, arms close to the sides, wide stride, steady breathing and lots of focus. My legs ached a little bit because of the strenuous work out the day before and my chest burned slightly. Running on a treadmill differs greatly from running on a track, I'm not sure why, but it does.

I completed the mile run in about 14 minutes. I know, not great, but hey...it's a start! I felt really really really good. I mean really good. (that's for my boy toy ;)


Since that went pretty well, I've decided to wake up an extra 30 minutes earlier in the mornings to include a brisk run before work. Durango does skinny dipping in his pool before work, but I don't have a pool. I doubt I'd skinny run, even though Durango has tried skinny hiking.

Wink Woman Working With Weights

Thursday is usually diet update, but since I didn't get around to working out last week due to an over abundance of stress and a lot of procrastination; I've decided to post about it tonight. The stars are in alignment and I have this week off from work. I had already upped my workouts to 2 a days, but since I have this extra time and since I failed to attend one single work out session last week, I decided to go to 3 a days...just for this week!

I'm in the maintenance phase of the HCG Diet, which means I've upped the caloric intake to 800 calories per day. I'm eating things like boneless skinless grilled chicken breasts, steamed veggies (corn & peas don't count) and apples. Apples are my choice of fruit, they're cleansing and have the least amount of natural sugar. I've eaten so many apples that now I crave them!

I have three sessions a day this week. The early AM session I work my inner and outer thighs. Leg presses, lunges with ankle weights, stair stepper, birthing chair and squats. The afternoon session I concentrate on cardio and my abs. I do standing crunches, lying down crunches, side abdominal pulls, 40 minutes on the elliptical trainer, and 20 minutes on the stationary bike. The evening session I focus on my arms. I warm up with 20 minutes on the cross country setting on the stationary bike, then move to doing all my weight exercises for my arms. My trainer (Jesse) commented last night that he noticed an improvement in the definition of my arms and my wings. The wings are the latissimus dorsi muscles of the back.

I blogged earlier that I started this year as a size 10. That's not too bad, but being that I'm only 5'3" I should carry less weight. So, just a couple of weeks ago I purchased a size six jeans. They were snug, but I didn't have to struggle to get them on. Friday, I wore the sixes and they're baggy. For grins, I kept a size 4 capris around not ever really thinking I'd ever wear them, but keeping a small glimmer of hope tucked away in the back of my mind. Saturday, I wore the size 4's with no problems. :)

A few interested friends have asked if I'm attempting to go smaller. I'm not sure. My biggest concern was when I was out looking for jeans, checking in Walmart and Target, the smallest size that either store carried was a four. Where would I find a 2 or even a 0? Would I have to have clothes custom made? I've never been a big spender on my clothes, always been kinda thrifty. So, for now...I'm just working on maintaining my current physical state and having a blast!

HCG Diet Update Weight Eradication

Okay, another week has passed and I'm still on round two of the HCG diet. My goal for this round is to eradicate 10 more pounds, which means I'm only shooting for about 1 - 2 pounds per week.

I'm now doing two a days for the workouts. The first hour consists of stair stepping for 40minutes, resistance 8, cross ramp 20. Then onto what I refer to as the birthing chair. I now do 100 reps, ankles raised in order to force the inner thigh to work harder. 4 sets of 12 leg presses, 4 sets of 12 thigh raises and 4 sets of 12 butt kicks.

I break for about an hour, eat a little bit, drink some water...cook dinner for the kids, wash dishes, wash clothes...that kind of thing then head back to the gym.

Second hour I work on arms and tummy. I posted my original work out and have added a few more to the mix. 4 sets of 12 butterfly press...hold weights out, arms extended, keep arms shoulder height parallel to the floor and bring arms to meet in front of body. 4 sets of 12 incline vertical press. 4 sets of 12 arm extension, pull handle from the machine across chest, both arms. 4 sets of 12 pull from behind head to moderate extension in front of head (that one's hard to explain).

On Thursday evenings, I try to end with about 20 minutes in the steam room applying organic coconut oil to help keep skin elastic and moisturized. Well, back to the gym for that second hour :)

Continuing the HCG Diet Update...Preventing Saggy Skin

I couldn't bear to post an actual picture of a person with extreme saggy skin after weight loss. Yuck! I've lost now a total of 30 pounds since January of this year. I have experienced some skin sagging and of course I'm now dealing with stretch marks. I just finished an hour work out and have decided to head back to the gym for another hour to do a bit more weight lifting and spend some time in the steam room applying organic coconut oil.

This is a really great website for suggestions on dealing with saggy loose skin.

Lose the weight gradually. Although you may be impatient to drop the pounds, a gradual weight loss at about a pound or two a week can prevent the saggy skin from forming.

Make time to weight train. Many people who try to lose a large amount of weight have a tendency to focus on cardio exercises. Yet, if you weight train as well, you are going to build muscle and keep your body firm.

Stay well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water over the course of your diet can maintain the skin's elasticity.

Eat muscle building foods. Protein menu options and healthy carbs, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can help you build muscle and prevent saggy skin.

Try a skin-firming lotion. As you begin to lose weight, use a lotion that contains ingredients that are going to help keep your skin firm, even as you drop the pounds.

Trouble Keeping It Off...Try Weight Eradication with the HCG Diet

Several friends of mine questioned my ability to keep off the weight once lost. Pondering these questions inspired me to create a new phrase for weight loss...one that inferred permanence. The word "lost" can lead one to think...it can be found again. I thought about the word, "vanished"...is that permanent enough? I vanished weight. Maybe...but then you could think about a magic act, like the ones the Great Houdini performed or David Copperfield and once again it could reappear. Then I pondered the word "eradicate". I eradicated weight. I don't think anything ever came back after complete eradication.

Now to answer those burning questions and give you my plan to weight eradication:

1. Weigh frequently. Don't wait for your clothes to become snug before realizing you've put on a few pounds.

2. Get rid of all your fat clothes. Seriously, this must be done! Don't keep the 16's and 14's...ask your skinny friends for hand me downs until you can get new clothes. In fact, one of my friends offered me a pair of size 8 Capris...I took them with no shame!

3. Avoid diet foods...they're a scam! Fat free foods have more sugar, sugar free foods have more fat...don't fall for it! Granola bars, cereal bars are loaded with processed sugar.

4. Avoid these three ingredients when shopping at the grocery store: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Enriched Bleached Flour and Partially Hydrogenated Oils. BAD, BAD, BAD...

5. Start some kind of physical activity; walk to the post office, swim, have a water gun fight with the kids, try lifting weights. Did you know that lifting weights reverses the aging process...no kidding...I saw it on Ripley's Believe It or Not!

6. Think like a skinny person that hasn't been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

Yes, things have to change, because I have changed. Organic pasta, cereals and bread fit into my lifestyle changes well, they don't contain the processed and refined sugars. I eat plain old grocery store fruits and veggies, skinless boneless chicken breasts, fresh fish, wild rice and I might try tofu, but not just yet...;)

HCG Diet Update Week 4

Week 4 of the HCG diet led to disappointing results on the scale; I remained at 125 pounds, however, I could definitely tell that my size 8 clothes fit; not only do they zip up easier, but now my snug jeans hang loosely...so, I'm thinking possibly a size 7 now and a summer shopping trip to Target or JC Pennys. I believe that since I increased weight training, I lost inches instead of pounds.



I took measurements when I started:

Before After

Waist 24" 24"

Hips 42" 40"

Bust 36" 36"

Thighs 26" 22"

I acquired a workout buddy at the gym and his advice on upper arm exercises have produced some incredible results in just a short period of time. My description of the exercises may lack in detail, but I'll do my best. My upper arm workout consists of the following:

Pull bar down to waist high, hands over. Push bar down towards thighs and bring bar back to waist height. 4 sets of 12.

Pull bar down to waist high, hands under. Pull bar down towards thighs and bring bar back to waist height. 4 sets of 12.

Lower bar to shin height, reach down and pull up to waist...this is the starting point, with hands close together and over...pull bar up to under chin and release back to waist. 4 sets of 12.

That's what I've started with, using 60 pounds.

I also do 4 sets of 25, standing crunches...as well as 2 miles on the elliptical trainer. Resistance set at 6 and cross ramp at 15, so that I mimic doing bleachers at the football stadium.

Not ready to wear the dreaded swim suit...maybe, in a couple of months. Whatever the outcome, I feel fantastic...and that my friend is what matters the most.

HCG Diet Update --Weight Eradication

It's been one week since I started the HCG diet, and I have some wonderful news to report. This morning I stepped on the scale (drum roll) and it read: 138lbs. That's a whopping 7lbs lost!

The first two days weren't so bad, because those days I got to stack. I was supposed to eat high fat and high carbohydrate foods, and boy did I! It was fun eating without guilt...haven't had that much fun since pregnancy!

Days 3 - 5 were a bit difficult; it would be the first day I could only consume 500 calories from the limited food list. I stuck with skinless boneless chicken breast and broccoli. My snacks were apples.

Day 6 was the worst of all, due to the activity at school...I sorta stress ate. I didn't consume what wasn't on the list, but I think I ate double portions!

Finally, Day 7...I got back on track.

Overall, I haven't noticed any extra room in my cup size...so good news there. I did notice a vertical line appearing down the middle of my abdominal section...does this mean I'm getting a six pack?!? The waddle under my arms appears to have diminished somewhat. There also seems to be more room between my thighs. Overall, I would say that week one has been very successful.