Doing Well….

Still down 10# and several inches.

Today for breakfast I made mushroom omelet

For dinner: stir-fry turkey breast with mixed organic veggies.

I added a little soy sauce, grated ginger and couple drops of stevia.

In all honesty I did not miss the rice and in the future I know ½ cup will not

affect my weight at all.

Stir-Fry Excellent….I will keep this diet or not!

I’m still struggling with drinking enough water but made

some chilled tea and stocked up on lemons and sparkling water,

so that should help.

Doing ionic cleanse today and sitting in sauna. Gave myself

an Ayurveda facial this morning and skin looks good.

My fruits have been tweaked today…..strawberries and blueberries

Staying out of restaurants makes diet much easier.

Day ??? --- What To Do

Life has been filled with personal challenges. I question if I have the right

mindset for dieting at this time. I decided to do my final round for the wrong

reason (a group dieting together) rather than my sincere motivation to drop

the final 15#. So now what do I do?

I feel great, high energy and no hunger….so what’s the problem?

My Cuisinart® Mini-Griddler arrived and it works great. I am loving the

removable plates making cleaning so much easier than my grills from the past.

I am down 10#. I have been mainly following the protocol but too many

restaurant visits and screw-ups on the weekend to maintain full control.

I have given serious thought to just stopping the diet and accepting that this is not the right time for me…or, since I feel so good, do I forge ahead ….. I have decided to stay on the diet and see what happens.

My system has responded well to hot water and lemon in the morning combined

with the Ayurveda supplements. My use of the herbs has supported the healing of my intestinal track thus dietary changes are not affecting regularity.

Today is another hectic day and I have not planned my food. 

2 proteins, 2 vegetables, 2 fruits….it shouldn’t be that tough and I will do my best!

Day 16---Weekend Recovery

Day 16--- Weekend Recovery

Increased water and tea made all the difference with weight loss…

the plateau has ended.

My energy is high with only change to my

typical regimen herbal thyroid support.

I am not hungry

Over weekend had house guests and wine was involved.

I think we might have gotten 2 hrs of sleep as my friend had

to be at the airport by 5AM. Chocolate wine…highly recommended!

We all did ionic cleanses and saunas…

so maybe the bad was coming out as quickly as it went in.

Monday I experienced a micro-current firming body treatment

with extra connecting pads on my belly to aid digestion plus time in Sauna.

Followed that with trip to beauty shop for cut, color and conditioning and was thrilled to receive a foot and hand treatment too. So it was day of pampering.

Tuesday started with ½ serving of cottage chesses and an orange. This was the day for me to meet the new doctor in town and get the base line labs ordered for myself. It is official there is 60# less of me…but I also shrunk an inch so maybe should loss more weight.

I must confess having hard time being in diet mindset. I ordered a new grill as my previous one broke and did some shopping. I’m sick of snow, I’m sick of soup, I want salads and fruit and ice tea.

I probably look healthier than I have in 20 years and all my clothes fit. I also think this is why I have a hard time being so good. I wonder what the end result will be as when home I eat as I should and when out I eat & drink what I want (small portions). This time I feel I need to balance this last weight loss with toning, belly dancing, yoga meditation, etc,  My waist is also 2 inches from goal but I am flabby, lots of excess skin. Wonder how tight old skin can get. I asked doc about removing it and will pass on the surgery….several months of hell, wearing a tight girdle, and cost was about $8000.

Maybe I could walk around in a wet suit.

Sure wish I had this diet in my 20s when skin was firm.

Day 12--- Frustration

Same weight…total loss 7#

Energy level good

I find myself with greater focus and am taking on projects

I’ve considered for some time:

Organized all spices…..even made labels for jars

Organized all clothes: large give-away bag and a large bag

for alterations…….how nice they will soon be smaller

Today…organizing beads…..this may take days

So while I am frustrated scale is not moving, I feel thinner,

pants looser, and all my body functions are regular.

While it is true last week I was far from perfect with food, I

have been extra good all week long. Having soups ready to

eat has helped a great deal and I have not tired of my apple,

cinnamon, orange combo. I am not hungry at all.

So how come my weight loss has stalled?

My thought is that I’m not drinking enough water and tea.

It is very cold and snowy here in the mountains and in all

honesty I am finding it hard to drink the water.

In the past I use to drink cool tea all day, sometimes with ice,

usually with lemon…..but with my fire burning all day to heat the house, I

just haven’t gotten back into that habit. Also, with my organizing projects

and knowing I have a history of being a klutz, I just don’t have a beverage

with me all day.

So that’s my excuse…now that I see it written, it looks rather weak.

Starting right now my large tea and water container is back out and I will drink the suggested ounces.

Still taking HCG drops and supplements

including triphala and herbal thyroid

Day 8 --- Cooking

Same weight

Energy level good

Supplemental therapy: colonic

I made 2 pots of soup that I stored in 20 jars.  Based on the ingredients, while on the diet,

I could eat at least 20% of each pot of soup….but I’m not able to. The point is

to make dishes that can give you large servings and you won’t feel deprived.

Tomato, Fennel, and Crab Soup

Below is original recipe from this link: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/362934

1/4 cup olive oil

3 1/2 cups chopped onions


2 medium fennel bulbs with fronds; bulbs cored, thinly sliced, fronds chopped and reserved


3 large garlic cloves, minced 


2 14 1/2-ounce cans diced tomatoes in juice 


2 cups (or more) vegetable broth 


8 ounces fresh crabmeat, picked over


Additional olive oil 


4 1/2-inch-thick slices rustic whole wheat bread, toasted



Heat 1/4 cup oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, fennel slices, and garlic; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until onions and fennel are tender, stirring often and adjusting heat to medium if browning too quickly, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice and 2 cups broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until flavors blend and vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in crabmeat and add more broth by 1/4 cupful to thin soup, if desired; simmer just until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Season soup with salt and pepper.

DIET NOTE: Naturally I eliminated oil and used water to cook onions, fennel, etc. I used organic diced tomatoes without any added sugar. 
This was a nice variety if you like a seafood soup and should be an example of how you can take a recipe you like and tweak it for the diet.

Day 8

HCG Drops and supplements

Coffee with cream

2 extra Triphala

Large serving of cabbage soup

Chicken stir-fry made the other day

Several mouthfuls of crab soup

Blueberries

Herbal tea and water throughout day

Another diet observation….I’m not eating any melba toast or breadsticks.

I haven’t wanted any….. of course I haven’t been perfect either.

Day 7 --- Weekend Challenge

Down ½ #

Weekends often provide an erratic schedule. I did go walking at LaPlata Canyon for 1-½ hours. It was beautiful and snowy.

Activity followed by grocery shopping as we are heading in to a cold spell and I want to make 2 large pots of soup: Fennel Crab and Cabbage.

I returned home to a message that evening plans were changing time and location. Initially I considered not connecting with friends but decided the socialization with fun supportive people a healthy opportunity. I did not know dinner was part of plan as my intention was merely having water.

Day 7

HCG Drops and supplements

Hot water and lemon

Coffee with cream

2 extra Triphala

Fruit Salad (1 green apple sprinkled with cinnamon & 1 orange cut up)

2 slices of organic beef after hike

Salad

Serving of baked beef roast

Small mouthful of squash and mixed Italian salad

Small mouthful of German chocolate cake (friend’s birthday)

1 small glass organic wine

Herbal tea and water throughout day

My food was certainly a deviation, but my serving size very small. This is also the 1^st

beef I have had while on the diet. I know beef often results in a brief stall but I’m not

worried as I have a colonic scheduled for Monday.

Tomorrow-another day!

Day 6 --- Halleluiah!

Down 2+ pounds this morning!

Starting to think I sould have bought a digital scale….

but as long as I see my old scale going down, that’s

what matters.

Day 6

HCG Drops and supplements

Hot water and lemon

Coffee with cream

2 extra Triphala

Onion & Asparagus Omelet with teaspoon of Salsa on top

Fruit Salad (1 green apple sprinkled with cinnamon & 1 orange cut up)

Baked chicken breast

Salad

HCG Drops and Ayurveda Herbs

Herbal tea and water throughout day

I’m having fun with creative seasonings. Food tastes excellent and I

admit I sometimes want to eat more, but its not hunger.

I’m cooking extra food and packaging right away.

Chicken marinade: Tamari or soy sauce is 15 calories for a tablespoon and mustard

10 calories per tablespoon…..so I figure I’m getting a teaspoon of each on

my serving size and the 8 calories is well worth it. I mixed the two together, coated chicken, chilled in refrigerator, and baked in oven until done. 

Day 5 --- Hoping for Miracle

Weighed in 2# heavier....don't expect any miracles if you eat out twice the day before.

Other than disappointment with myself I feel good and no hunger.

Actually ate very little today.

HCG drops
and usual supplements
Hot water & lemon
coffee with cream
apple
coffee latte (powdered milk, instant coffee, stevia)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
with 1/2 cup pineapple (left over from previous day)
1/2 cup left over German cabbage
Hcg drops
Green tea

Stayed busy all day and seemed better than normal with clarity of thought.

Decided to turn off TV and go to my room to read with a cup of apple cinnamon herbal tea.

Actually looking forward to weigh-in tomorrow.

Day 4 –––– No Loss No Gain

Same weight....what a relief

Day 4

Hot water & lemon....
HCG Drops and all the usual supplements
(Trim Support includes Triphala)
Coffee & 1/2 & 1/2
Vegetable omelet in restaurant...asked server not to bring toast or potatoes to table

Sat outside in the Hot Springs for 2 hours looking at snow-covered mountains

Grilled chicken salad with salsa for dressing in Mexican Restaurant

Attended board meeting for artist gallery & healing arts center...
got home at 9pm and took my final drops and supplements.

BIG CHALLENGE.....company from Texas. I did not know when
starting this final round I would be eating out and socializing...possibly
going to Santa Fe for a day or two.

Diet easiest when one does not eat out....so this is going to be tough.

I plan to make the lemon and water a lifetime habit...maybe this will offset my eating out !

Lemon juice is extensively known for its medicinal properties. It contains large amounts of nutrients such as Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Warm lemon water acts as a tonic to the liver and stimulates the bowel to eliminate accumulated waste if it is taken before anything in the morning. It helps to lower blood sugar and can lower the glycemic impact of any meal. Lemon juice with hot water reduces its sour flavor and cancels out some if its acidic qualities. Taking warm lemon water helps to solve problems like heartburn, indigestion or bloating. It is a natural antihistamine and will reduce congestion. 

Day 3–––Book Club Challenge

Down 5# and good energy level.
My food choices still not perfect as I have not been
to the grocery store since last week. Colorado had
a few feet of snow followed by the deep freeze.

Day 3
HCG drops
hot water and lemon
Ayurveda Trim Support
B-12
Coffee with 1/2 & 1/2
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup pineapple

left over German cabbage

Did an Ionic Foot Cleanse

Then left house at 1pm planning to return at 8pm
I should have packed food....but nothing to pack!

Went grocery shopping
Bought a piece of roasted chicken at the deli and an organic vegetable tray to take to
my book club meeting with sparkling water..so far so good.

Many errands to run before meeting at 5:30pm.

I received a massage...not sure of the lotion used...but it felt so good.

At meeting glad I brought the veggies as everyone else brought nuts, cookies and wine.

I ended up having a glass of organic wine thus lowering my resistance, so I had some nuts too. Before I had the second glass I drank my sparkling water.

Once home after 8PM, I finished another 1/2 cup of pineapple and my second dose of supplements.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

• internet issues..unable to post before going to bed.

Day 2

Much to my surprise with my deviation of whisky last night, I was down 3 pounds.
I was feeling energetic today, cleaned kitchen cabinets, everything related to baking or my large supply of beans and nuts was put away in a pantry. I decided it is easier while on the diet that everything in the kitchen within my sight or reach, should be an allowed food.

I am also finding that the warm water with fresh lemon first thing in the morning reduces my appetite...may have increased energy too.

Day 2
hot water & lemon
HCG drops
coffee with 1/2 & 1/2
B-12
Ayurveda Trim Support
Adrenal supplements & herbal thyroid
salmon with spinach...leftover from last night
orange
grilled chicken with a spice mix
German red cabbage made with apples & an onion (outstanding)
sparkling water with lemon
HCG drops
Ayurveda Trim Support

15 minutes in sauna

I did feel a little hunger..but when I looked at the clock realized it was 5PM...so
my hunger right on schedule.

My Final Round

With so many people starting the diet with the New Year I have decided to shed my final 15#. Now I must admit that the final 15 has not bothered me much considering the weight I started at and I am comfortable in my size 10 jeans. But looking at the BMI charts I share with everyone, I can lose a little more.

I am also happy to report that officially I only regained 5# of the 55-60 that I originally lost. My plan for this blog is the next 21 days I will log what I eat, the additional therapies I am using, the supplements I take and how much weight I am losing on this final round.

I will tell you all right up front that I am not perfect. I know the diet, but if I need to make tweaks based on what's available, I do. And yes...sometimes I go with the moment...
so lets see what happens.

Day 1
HCG drops
Hot water with lemon
B-12
2 Ayurveda Trim Support
1 cup coffee with a little 1/2 & 1/2
onion asparagus egg white omelet with hot sauce (excellent)
Herbal thyroid support
2 Adrenal support
orange
ginger tea
HCG drops
salmon baked with a little soy sauce and grain mustard (outstanding)
spinach with lemon and spice
2 Ayurveda Trim Support
Apple

Water throughout day.....not enough

Major deviation: My contractor stopped by and brought me some fine apple flavored whisky as a New Year's gift...I had a large shot on ice