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.

Wink to Balmorea to Fort Davis and back

A bad weather day unused led to a wonderful adventure for myself and my darling daughter Annie. After her Korean feast at school, which included delightful dishes of Bulgogi and Saewoo Twigim , we took off in our Nissan pickup truck and traveled just a few miles up the road to Balmorhea State Park. The swimming pool is open year round from 8AM until sunset, out here that could be around 7PM. The swimming is free for children under the age of 12 and only costs $7 for adults and teenagers. We didn't swim, but instead dabbled in our most favorite past time...fishing. After purchasing a park permit for only four dollars, we found a lovely little spot and endeavored on fishing. My daughter thought it funny, that some people refused to pay four dollars when upon getting caught without a permit would cost you a hundred bucks. She chuckled over that for quite some time.

The weather turned sour, lightning and a bit of rain, and we packed up the truck and headed for the next destination of Fort Davis. We had reservations at the Stone Village Tourist Camp, we never stayed there before and our eagerness to arrive and check out the camp escalated. Before arriving, I spoke with the camp manager, Randall, and found him most pleasant over the phone. The pleasantness did not end with the phone, his attentiveness and enthusiasm to ensure a pleasurable stay endeared me to this little camp.

The next morning, we went hiking at the Fort Davis State Park. I chose a 1.5 mile hike that ended at the Indian Lodge, but somehow we must have started on the wrong trail and what should have been a leisurely hike turned into a 3 mile trek. Although, three miles doesn't sound so bad, try it with a grumpy, hungry and tired 8 year old. Annie endured and we finally made it to the lodge and had a wonderful lunch.

We spent the evening at the camp, with our host Randall attending to our every need. He built a fire for making s'mores, played his guitar, brought plenty of towels for the pool and pretty much spoiled us rotten.

Stages become milestones

Stage 1: Denial is the first step to accepting. During denial I couldn't accept the fact that something needed to change. I harbored myself in a false sense of security by ignoring the problem, hoping that it would just go away. It didn't.

"Inside of change, truth is ultimately more helpful than good news."

Milestone 1: I have to have the faith that no matter what the facts are, I will come through. I will succeed. I have to understand the change and what is causing the need for it. I'm at a crossroads in my life where I either need to find a new town to live in so that I'm not limited in choices or I need to further my education in order to become more marketable. Even if by some miracle, the Texas Senate resolves it's demand to have the facility closed where I work...they will always continue to use Pyote as a bargaining chip. Previous employees, including my father, have stated this fact...that it's been going on for 20 years.

Hugs and Kisses to all the moms out there...

My daughter made a heart out of cornstarch and water. It will never harden completely, but always remain soft and malleable; allowing the receiver to be able to always shape it and fashion it into a most beautiful gift.

Some mothers expect lavish gifts on this day; expensive jewelry, costly lunches, lovely bouquets of flowers...but the best gift I truly believe...is the smile on my child's face, knowing that she thinks I hung the moon...;)

Happy Mother's Day

What Am I Clinging To?

William Bridges, in his book Managing Transitions, shares that inside of every change there is an ending, middle, and beginning. You have to let go first which causes us to feel a loss. I'm feeling that right now. Sure, I've been wanting to get out of DODGE for quite some time, but I wanted to do it in my own time...now I'm forced to make that transition right now...not three years down the road like I had planned.

Today I spent 9 hours online applying for every opening available. The problem is this...there are actually plenty of teaching jobs; which means hundreds of possible locations. I'm having trouble deciding in which direction I go. I have at least figured out that I don't want to go West, so right now...I'm looking East. I've also concluded that I will stay in Texas.

I experienced a feeling of being overwhelmed today; what do I do with my house? Do I sell it or rent it? My son doesn't want to leave; he's begging to stay in Wink with a friend. I completely understand the way he feels...I moved in my Junior year, thank goodness a transplant from Kermit made me feel at home. Where will I go? How do I pay for all the expenses? Should I leave the kids with my mom and dad and then move them up later? The questions go on and on.

The irony is that a few months ago, after being contacted by a long lost love, I contemplated and even considered moving out to where he lives. After things cooled down...and the reality of changing everything settled in...I adamantly refused to leave. Of course, by not attempting to build that relationship and giving serious thought to moving...I crushed any hope of rekindling the romance. It's ironic because originally, the plan was that when the school year was over...I was selling the house, moving to "that place" where I would have some sort of support system. Now, I'm selling the house, moving to "unknown place" where I will not have a support system. Hmmm...lesson learned...give things a chance, make room for change, accept love willingly and for heaven sakes don't turn away open arms.

It's time for a new beginning. The stages of accepting change are just about the same as the stages of accepting death. First, I was definitely in DENIAL. "I can't believe this is happening." Well, I had better believe it and be prepared for the next stage, RESISTANCE. I resisted because I felt out of control; I was completely exhausted today and disoriented. The next step is EXPLORATION. This is when I'll see the positives and imagine the possibilities. I'm not there yet, but I will be. The final stage is COMMITMENT. This is when I embrace the change.

Next time, I'll demonstrate how I'll take the stages of change and turn them into milestones, which allows me to actually control the process, move forward, and remain powerful.

Embracing Change in West Texas

Endings signal new beginnings

It's appropriate and ironic that my post about change is occurring simultaneously with a possible major life changing event.

Previously I posted about taking risks and mentioned that I stepped out of my comfort zone and accepted a position with West Texas State School; for those who are not familiar with this school, it is a correctional facility for boys. Throughout the school year...I've experienced tons of changes; I had to develop a persona that allowed me to function within this new setting. Trial and error were my best and closest friends; over all...I maintained and continued on.

Today, I found out that the Texas state senate has ordered the closing of West TX State School as well as Victory Fields. No big deal, right...I can just hop over to the next little town and teach there.

I knew that the winds of change were coming...as quoted from a dear friend of mine...and I don't just want to move onto the next little school. We tend to think that during change we are losing stuff, that it subtracts something from us. We cling desperately to what we think is our life line...when maybe, the true life line is out there and we have to let go in order to grasp our saving coil.

I was going to post about something in my past and how I was able to undergo changes, but since I am now experiencing a major life change...get ready for the journey!

Diet Update...Week 3

End of week 3 brought wonderful results...10 pounds more shed and now I present myself at 125 pounds! I've gotten used to eating very small portions, doing without breakfast and sticking to the "correct" foods.

I'd have to say...that last night as I was undressing for my bath...I admired...that's right I said it...admired my body in the mirror for a full 3 minutes. I enjoyed what I saw, and for the first time in ages...I felt sexy. That's kinda of strange saying it out loud, but it was so cool!

I'm wearing a size 8 comfortably which does pose a slight problem...I own only one pair of size 8 pants...oh, well...that's a problem that makes me completely happy!

What I've noticed about the weight loss is that...the weight is dropping from the "right" areas...normally, I would see a drastic drop in my face and breasts...only the upper body, but this time, with the help of the HCG drops...fat reserves in my thighs and buttocks have diminished. So, my bottom half is matching my upper half...way cool.

Goodbye pear shaped body...hello barbie...;)

Handy Dandy Anti-Toxic Scripts

I know I told you that I would share my scripts when dealing with my toxic neighbors, co-workers...and it's just really about accepting people for who they are. For instance, if you "know" that Jane is irritable and her favorite past time is making lewd comments about everyone she sees...then if you "know" this about her...why should you expect her to act any differently? Basically, the only thing that I'm going to be able to do with Jane...is teach her how to treat me or don't spend any time with her.

Someone makes a sarcastic comment to you about you
response: "I think I hear some feedback in there somewhere. Is there something you're trying to tell me?"

Someone gossips about another person to you
response: "I would feel horrible if someone said that about me."

Someone who constantly whines and complains to you
response: "What can you do to make this better? What pieces of the problem do you control?"

When creating your handy dandy anti-toxic scripts, remember to use "I" statements...that way you're letting the toxic culprit know exactly what you expect from them. Sometimes it's just a toxic behavior that you're trying to squash...not the person.

As you assess the relationships in your life, you can decide how to deal with toxic behaviors or people. Remember, this is not about changing a person...we don't get to do that. The goal is to manage our responses, protect what we value, and create highly functional relationships.

Now go out and become a TOXIC AVENGER!

Toxic Alliances in Wink Texas

Sometimes we must end relationships that are toxic or dangerous which can be very painful and difficult. Staying in a toxic relationship can derail you, paralyze you, rob your integrity and even your happiness.

We don't choose to align ourselves with toxic people on purpose, but at times we passively accept their behavior. Which means we endorse it by default.

There are basically two groups of people in this world, those who give us encouragement and those who suck the life right out of us! We can have bad days where normally we would be uplifting and encouraging, but find ourselves struggling just to smile, so that doesn't count. These life draining people; I've read about and have experienced first hand. In of my readings, I found that they were called physic vampires.

At work these people look like this: "argue incessantly, debate trivial points, gossip, terrorize meetings, whine, draw others into negative conversations and manage the rumor mill"

In life these people look like this: "criticize, attack, divide, they insinuate things and then leave you wondering, they love exposing your weaknesses to the world, they use sarcasm, twist the truth and cross the line of integrity"

Ask yourself these questions to see if you may be involved in a toxic relationship:

1. Is there anyone planting negative, critical beliefs into your life right now? When you are with this person, how do you feel?

2. Is there a relationship in your life that is pulling you backward, blocking your growth, and undermining your progress? What is that costing you?

3. Is there a relationship marked by broken trust, unresolved conflict, and destructive communication? How much of your strength are you giving to this?

4. Is there someone in your life who compromises your boundaries or ethics? What impact is that having?

5. Are there behaviors you are passively endorsing to avoid conflict? What do you risk with your silence?

Sometimes I held onto toxic relationships because I got something from it. You're wondering what could I have gotten? In one instance my grievances were validated. Another time I stuck around because of loyalty. I didn't want to abandon or hurt this person so I stayed. I only became weaker. A big mistake is to try and diagnose their problem...don't do it! You'll get sucked into their weird dysfunction!

Next post, I'll show you the scripts and ground rules I've created in order to deal with some of the toxic relationships that were in my life. These rules and scripts are new for me, I've only worked with them for a few months, but it has changed my life!