On the road again

Very cloudy day, but I know that above those clouds, the sun shines bright.

There has been a question on my mind since I measured myself last Friday.   I lost 5 inches and only 2 lbs last week.  How could that be possible?  I measured several times.  It is what it is.  How?  I chose to pause to celebrate the results. Now its back to accessing my journey.

From Dr. Simeon's "Pounds and Inches", section 'Fluctuations in weight loss': The weight registered by the scale is determined by two processes not necessarily synchronized under the influence of HCG. Fat is being extracted from the cells, in which it is stored in the fatty tissue. When these cells are empty and therefore serve no purpose, the body breaks down the cellular structure and absorbs it, but breaking up of useless cells, connective tissue, blood vessels, etc., may lag behind the process of fat-extraction. When this happens the body appears to replace some of the extracted fat with water which is retained for this purpose. As water is heavier than fat the scales may show no loss of weight, although sufficient fat has actually been consumed to make up for the deficit in the 500-Calorie diet. When such tissue is finally broken down, the water is liberated and there is a sudden flood of urine and a marked loss of weight. This simple interpretation, of what is really an extremely complex mechanism, is the one we give those patients who want to know why it is that on certain days they do not lose, though they have committed no dietary error.

It is my third day in transition from phase 2 to phase 3.  The last day on the Very Low Caloric Diet Phase.  And I lost 1 lb. 

On the road again...Melting the fat Away!

Transitioning to Phase 3

After measuring and weighing myself yesterday, I decided to move on to phase 3 the 'Stabilization Phase'. The primary reason; my weight has been the same for about 3 days and I started  getting a little hungry.  I believe my body was no longer burning fat from my abnormal reserve. 

At 150 lbs, 5' 6" and a small frame my recommended weight is between 123 - 133 lbs.  Sure, I should lose at least an additional 10 - 15lbs. But, I have got to be honest.  At this point this is my normal fat.  I mean really, paella, fettuchini alfredo, Cuban sandwiches, Chinese New Year's Celebration, fudge, flans...not to mention the number of visits to to the unlimited brunch tables in New York City and Phoenix.  Lets not dismiss 'stress' binges.  I got to fess up, in the past, once I had given up on losing weight, I ENJOYED.

So yesterday, I stored my little bottle in the refridge.  It keeps for 6 months.  If I should decide to do another course within the next 6 months, my HCG drops will be waiting for me.

Since yesterday I  started transitioning to Phase 3.  NO HCG but still on the Very Low Calorie Diet, (VLCD), 500 calories a day.

After being use to not being hungry, I now find that I am hungry.  Drinking teas and more water to fill up.  Definitely do not want to mess up at this stage in my journey.  30 lbs in 28 days deserves my respect. A very successful journey, indeed.

Dr. Simeon; "Somewhere between 21 and 42 days of taking the HCG drops, whenever you decide to stop the VLCD Phase  continue on the 500 calorie a day diet for the next 3 days, but STOP taking the HCG drops.  This is to let the HCG exit your system. If you do NOT do these last three days, YOU WILL GAIN."

Warning heeded. 

4th weeks Results!

Measurements for week 4 of Phase 1, (using HCG drops) inches lost;

bust:  same

           rib: same

belly: - 2
hip:   - 1/2
butt:  - 1/2

          thighs: L -1, R  -1,

arms:  L same, R  same

Total number of inches lost, week 4 = 5  inches

Grand Total of inches lost within the 4 weeks = 22  1/2 inches

Grand total weight lost within the 4 weeks = 30 lbs

30 lbs in 28 days!  Today is my One Month Anniversary on the protocol.  Started on Feb 11th.

Excuse me while I celebrate.  Dancing, Dancing ... Melting the fat Away!

♯ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪  ♫ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪  ♫ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

Standing in Awe

Today, I had the honor and the previlege of witnessing someone awakening to Possibility.  Darkness lifting from their brow.  The cloke of despair called 'why bother' dropped.  Enthusiam built up.  The Light went ON!  Wow!

Moving and Inspiring others has touched me profoundly.  This journey has been much more then I ever imagined.  Namaste.

Protocol vs Diet

The word 'protocol vs diet'.. A matter of semantics? That prompted me to double check the dictionary.

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Definition of Protocola detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure

Definition of DIET
a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed
b : habitual nourishment
c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason
d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight <going on a diet>

I choose to call it a 'protocol', being that Dr. Simeon conducted a scientific, medical experiments to come up with his treatment of obesity.

Once on this journey, one starts to realize that it is much more then a 'diet', although 'diet is an intergal part of the protocol.

I lost 28 lbs in 21 days, and continue to melt away the fat. 
My energy & vibrancy has increased.
My creativity has awoken.
I am taking responsibility for my health. Self empowering.
Not only am I releasing fat but releasing residue of old issues that the fat helped store in the abnormal reserve.
Huge savings on my grocery bill. So protocol is recession prof. lol
My garbage, is low... Contributing to the NYC, NY state, our nations recycling efforts and in a very small way lightening our beloved planet's load, by reducing my carbon foot prints.
Because I am lossing weight, I am sure that I have prevented many personal health hazards in the future.
I have inspired many family, friends and familar strangers to do the same. In so doing I am contributing to, I want to say, war...against insurance companies and the medical institutions that have gone to 'the bottom line' instead of 'human line'.

.

All, quietly at home. 

'And the meek shall overcome'  lol

This is not just a 'diet'  ...its a revolution. The benefits are exponential. 

Melting Away on Dr. Simeon's Protocol.

Recipes.

Before I started on this journey, when my interest was peaked, a new friend in Arizona gave me: 

101 Worry - Free Hcg Diet Recipes Plus Hints & Tips From Experts: Great Taste Yet Strict Adherance To Dr. Simeons / Trudeau Hcg Protocol by Linda Prinster and Leanne Mennemeier (Apr 30, 2008)

Paging through the recipes, I questioned their taste.  But I was reassured time and again by family and friends on the protocol, that they were "Good".  No butter.  No fats.  No starches. One vegetable, one protein, one fruit.  How good can they be?  Spices, Herbs and seasonings to the rescue.  After 3 full weeks on the protocol, I too now say, "The recipes are Goooooood!".  They are also easy to make, most within 5 minutes.

In addition 'the hints from the experts' came in very handy.

While on this journey I've been learning so much about physiology, HCG, Dr. Simeon, Kevin Trudeau, blogging and most of all myself.

In the past, rarely did I start something without a plan.  On this trip I am often reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said something like;  "Take the 1st step, and just like the light from the headlights of a vehicle, which only exposes the 200 feet in front of you, know, that as you move forward, the next 200 feet  will be revealed." 

Go to ' Recommended Links', on the upper right, so you can see the myriad of choices and cookbooks that will assist you in making your journey fun and tasty; while, you too, are Melting the fat Away. 

Spices, Herbs and Seasonings

No butter.  No fats.  And as for seasonings, better check the containers for hidden sugars.

One lemon may be used per day. Spices: Salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic. Herbs:, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, marjorum.

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and Bragg Liquid Aminos: I've come to depend on these products. They can be found in Health Food Stores. Both have tremendous benefits to your well being.

Bragg Products

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, raw, unfiltered, contains the amazing Mother of Vinegar which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules. It’s a wholesome way to add delicious flavor to salads and veggies. Apple Cider Vinegar has been highly regarded throughout history. NO refrigeration required.

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is: rich in enzymes & potassium, supports a healthy immune system, helps control weight, promotes digestion & ph balance, helps soothe dry throats and helps remove body sludge toxins. 

Bragg Liquid Aminos is a vegetable protein, All Purpose seasoning. A natural soy sauce alternative.  Great on salads, veggies, dressings, soups, poultry, fish and meats. It contain 16 healthy amino acids and very tasty.

Bragg's has been in business since 1912.  You might want to take advantage of their offer to send you samples of their other products;   Sprinkle & Sea Kelp, Delight seasonings, and Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast, by going to Free Goodies and clicking on  Bragg Sample Packet.
 
My mother has been using these products for over 50 yrs.  I expect to continue the tradition.