PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!!

Well after yesterday I was thinking today would be my last injection at 30 instead of 40!!! I was so discouraged with last week starting the stalls and then this week I loss on Sun and Mon am then stayed the same till Friday day after Thanksgiving had a -1/2# but then was back up 1/2# Sat...Ugghhh...was really wondering if I needed to stop..and go into maintenance will after talking to several of my Mentors they reminded me what I knew that the scales were not moving but the tape measure would be....so I got up this am and was anxious to do my measurements and see what the scales had to say!! Had a 1.2 lb loss and hit new numbers...... Well it might have been only a 3.2 lb loss for the week but 8 1/2 inches have melted away!!! Woo Hoo!!!

HIT A NEW BRACKET OF NUMBERS THIS AM AS WELL!!!!! YESSS!!!!!

Neck:                         NO CHANGE
Rt Arm:                      -1 inch
Lt Arm:                      -1 inch
Upper Chest              - 1/2 inch
Chest                         -1 1/2 inch
Midriff                       -1 1/2 inch
Waist                         - 1/2 inch
Hips                           -1 inch
Rt Thigh                      NO CHANGE
Lt Thigh                      NO CHANGE
Rt Knee                      NO CHANGE
Lt Knee                      NO CHANGE
Rt Calf                        - 1/2 inch
Lt Calf                        - 1/2 inch

Woo Hoo!!! Enjoying my journey one step (one pound and inch) at a time!!!

Sweet N Spicy Chicken Wraps

100 grams of chicken

4 to 5 Cabbage leaves whole

1 Small Gala apple cored and chopped

2 TBSP of Braggs Liquid Amino Acids

Water

1 TBSP Tabasco Course Ground Mustard

2 gloves of garlic minced

2 TBSP of Organic Beef or Chicken Broth

Pepper to taste

1 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp Garlic Powder

In one small skillet put 100 grams of chicken in saute pan with 2 TBSP of Braggs Liquid Aminos, Black Pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder cook chicken until done, adding water to deglaze pan and keep chicken moist.

While chicken is cooking take another large pan
( I use a 8"  pan with high sides so the cabbage leaves lay open and will not tear) add water bring

to a boil....add Cabbage leaves one at a time just to cook until cabbage leaf is tender and plyable. (I also remove the hard veins of larger leafs). As they are done take out set to side.

Once the chicken is completely cooked remove chicken from the pan let cool and cut up...keep the juice from cooking chicken add the minced garlic 1 TBSP of mustard and about 2 TBSP of organic beef  or chicken broth ( I had beef opened and used it) bring to boil and cook your apples in this mixture once the apples start cooking down and tender return the chopped chicken to the apples.

Take your large steamed cabbage leafs and spoon in the mixture and roll into wraps... This was so satisfying it was sweet and spicy and very filling...

~Enjoy

1 Protein, 1 Fruit, 1 Vegetable

Marinade for Vegetables

1 1/2 Tablespoon of Braggs Liquid Aminos


1 Tablespoon of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Tablespoon of fresh squeezed Lemon Juice

Black Pepper to taste

Whisk all ingredients together and pour of vegetables in Ziplock bag...let marinate about 30 minutes to 1 hour in Refrig....

Place Vegetables on George Foreman Grill...pour over excess and grill...

I used on Aspargus for Phase 2 but I am sure it would be very tasty on Zucchini for you phase 3 folks

Yummy ~Enjoy

1 Vegetable

Week 5 Weigh In

Sorry to be posting late Hubby was home and tried spending time with him!!...It was great on the first day he was home...he looked at me and said, "it looks like somebody has moved out of the ass of your shorts" It feels good when people notice we are losing weight!!!  We had a quiet Thanksgiving went and did a little shopping it was nice got Friday prices without the Friday MADNESS!!

My favorite purchase was a George Foreman Grill and some other kitchen gadgets since I seem to spend a lot of my time there now....Sad, since my Hubby is the one the chef!! LOL...

Ok on to Week 5 I have been going through some plateaus but still ended with a good week!! Lost a total of 4 lbs, therefore that brought me to a Grand total on HCG to 21 pound with 25 injections!!

My plateau seems to be carrying on this week....stayed the same for 3 days, I did get up this am to a 1/2 lb lose. Which is GREAT for the day after Thanksgiving!!

So my journey continues.....

Chicken Chili

100 grams chicken breast


1 Cup chopped tomatoes (I removed the skin)

1 1/2 Cup of Water

1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar

Onion powder to taste

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 Tsp Garlic powder

2 Tsp of Chili powder (or to taste) DIVIDED

2 Large Dashes of Hot Sauce DIVIDED

Dash of Cayenne Pepper

Salt and Pepper to taste.

In one saucepan put 1 cup of water, 1 TBSP of Chili powder, 1 tsp of Garlic powder, Large dash of hot sauce, Salt and pepper bring to boil and add chicken. Once chicken is done take out to cool and shred.

In another saucepan, I use the smallest on I have put in 1 cup of tomatoes, 1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar, onion powder, minced garlic, 1 TBSP of Chili powder, large dash of hot sauce, and salt and pepper to taste, bring to a boil to cook tomatoes down. You might need to add more seasoning to taste or water to get to the consistency you desire one the tomatoes are cooked down add the shredded chicken and let simmer.

This had lots of flavor and I really enjoyed the sauce it even thickened some and was dark brown like chili sauce would be~

Served with a Grissini Bread stick.

~Enjoy

1 Protein, 1 Vegetable, 1 Bread

Orange Ginger Chicken

100 grams of chicken

2 cups Cabbage cut in strips

1/4 cup of chicken broth

1/2 lemon juice

1 orange, peeled and squeeze the juice and add the pulp to sauce

1/2 tsp for fresh ginger, slivered or grated

4 TBSP of Bragg's Liquid Aminos

Salt, Pepper to taste

In a small bowl add all the ingredients except the chicken and cabbage and whisk together. Place in a small frying pan and add chicken. Cook chicken until done remove chicken and add the cabbage with about 1/4 cup of water. Cook cabbage add back chicken until Cabbage to desired tenderness. I had my cabbage cut long almost reminded me of lo mein.

Very good flavors!!

~Enjoy

1 Protein, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable

Plateau

Well I hit it!!! From November 19 - November 22 was at a plateau. Even though I knew it would happen it still is hard to face! I stuck it out did not do an apple day!! I dont know if it was just patiently waiting, all the water I drank yesterday or the Detox bath I did last night.............. But this am I am proud do report down a pound!! Woo Hoo....

I had an amazing week last week; therefore the plateau could have been my body just catching up with what I had already lost. Other reasons to hit plateaus include approximately at the 1/2 way point of your round as well as returning to a weight you were previously at for some time.

Guess what I was at all of the above: had just had a great week before, Days 22-25 of my shots, plus at a weight I maintained for some time.

Not to say it was easy because after the great week last week and close to new numbers I was really hoping this week would have broken through, but that is not going to happen but as long as this ball keeps rolling I will hit new numbers maybe by Thanksgiving Day!! That would be something Great to be thankful for!!

Week 4 Weigh In!!! and Measurements

Well I have completed half of my first round with 20 injections! I knew that going to the Dr today was going to be good with my measurements because I had been able to wear some clothes out of the closet that I could not wear; however, the measurements were GREAT!!!!

So according, to Dr scales down 17.6lbs!!

Measurements:

Arm down 1/2"
Bust down 1"
Waist down 5" ......... Can we say WOO HOO!!
Abdomen down 3.5"
Hips down 3"
Thigh down 1"

Grand total........... Down 13 INCHES

BYE BYE POUNDS AND INCHES!!!

Closet Shopping

Woo Hoo....another day being a loser!! Down another 1.2lbs this am This brings me to at total loss of 18lbs on HCG under Dr supervision. I am still waiting for mh HCG I ordered online so I can increase to the 6 shots per week vs. the 5 I have been doing!!

Today was a great day when I was able to go to my closet and put on a pair of shorts I could not wear a month ago at all...and they are loose tabo!!! and a Shirt that I bougtht in April never wore much because the sleeves were too tight!! Guess what not to tight today! =D

Well tomorrow I will go to the Dr office to get what I hope will be my last 5 shots from them because my order should be here this week! and will be measurement day!! Cant wait to see what it is because I now it is going to be GREAT!!!!

Also I have learned so much with this journey, you really can even eat limited foods and make them exciting! I am enjoying posting recipes and ideas that I have found, becaues variety is so hard! Also planning ahead is a key to any success and that is with your lifestyle changes as well. You just have to think outside the box!! Also remember when shopping at the store the outside perimeter is your friend and the inside isles are your down falls.....

Stawberry Vinaigrette on Baby Spinach

10 Medium Strawberries
1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
1 TBSP Lemon Juice
Dash of Garlic powder
Pinch of Sea Salt
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Pinch of Stevia to taste

Take 7 of the strawberries and quarter them. Place the Stawberries in food processor (I use the small container of my NINJA). Then add all other spices and blend till smooth. Take your additional 3 Strawberries and slice to garnish and mix on Baby Spinach or Mix them in with the cucumbers.

When I make this I place in a small container in refrigerator to let the flavors blend. Then I mixed on 2 Cups of  Baby Spinach.

I have also used this same Vinaigrette on Cucumbers. When doing that I went ahead and mixed cucumbers, and strawberries then tossed in Vinaigrette and refrigerated together!

Chili ~ Phase 2

100 grams of lean ground meat
1 Cup chopped tomatoes (I removed the skin)
1/2 Cup of Water
Onion powder to taste
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tsp of Chili powder (or to taste)
Dash of Cayenne Pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste.

I had browned some ground meat earlier in the week with spices such as chili powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper and had put in refrigerator. So tonight I just made my soup once cooking added the meat to warm and flavors marry.

Put your 1 Cup of tomatoes and water with all spices in a small boiler pan (if making just one serving I use the pan like you would boil water to make tea in) bring to a boil. Once this got to a boil I turned to lower heat so the liquid would not cook out! Once I turned to simmer I added the hamburger meat.

This had lots of flavor and I really enjoyed teh sauce even thickened some and was dark brown like chili sauce would be~

Served with a Grissini Bread stick.

~Enjoy

1 Protein, 1 Vegetable, 1 Bread

Orange Coleslaw

1 Cup of Green Cabbage
1 Cup of Red Cabbage
1 Medium Sized Orange
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
2 TBSP Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 TBSP Lemon Juice
1/4 teaspoon of onion powder (or to taste)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Stevia to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste

Chop or shred Cabbage to slaw consistency. Peel orange and segment. I keep about 4 segments whole to add chuncks to slaw use the remaining segments and squeeze the juice from them you can add the pulp to the dressing if you wish, I did. Then mix all remaining spices and in a bowl with organge juice, whisk well. Put your cabbage in bowl pour sauce over and toss well. Then place in the refrigerator go marinate well.

I sauted my chicken and put chunck of chicken on my plate.

~Enjoy

1 Vegetable, 1 Fruit, 1 Protein optional

Complete Lifestyle Changes

Was really excited this am under following the new protocol the scales are going in the right direction. This morning I was down 1.4 lbs which took care of my .4 gain from yesterday PLUS lost one more...Woo Hoo!! Following the original protocol is so much better I cant wait to get my HCG in where I can completly follow by having 6 injections in a week!!! I was writing to a fellow HCGer this am to give them some encouragement and this is part of what came out to them....and I am glad to see I have finally made this realization myself and can express it!

"This is really a great journery with a new lifestyle I can live with one step (one pound) at a time! It might also mean that I am getting old...LOL and ready to change the aspects of my life that I can change because I have spent too much time trying to change the things I couldn't!"

I am so glad that this diet is not only changing my healthier eating habits but bringing to a completely new lifestyle in all aspects of my life!

So with this said this brings my total weight loss to 19.6lb in 28 days, 24 of these days are using the HCG with a total of 14.6lbs, But want to share since changing diet to "ORIGINAL" Protocol in 5 days 5.4 lbs!!!

Continueing my JOURNEY one step (one pound) at a time!

"Original" Protocol Menu Plan ~ The Plan I am following now

BREAKFAST:

• Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar.
• Only one tablespoonful of millk allowed in 24 hours. Liquid Stevia may be used instead several flavors available (Vanilla Creme, English Toffee, Chocolate Raspberry and more).

LUNCH:

• 100 GRAMS OF MEAT all visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking and meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat.
• Veal
• Beef
• Steak lean
• 95% lean ground beef
• Beef, Roast
• Buffalo
• Chicken breast (MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE BIRD)
• Fresh white fish
• Lobster
• Crab
• Shrimp
• SALMON, EEL, TUNA, HERRING, DRIED OR PICKLED FISH ARE NOT ALLOWED.
• VEGETABLES ONE type only to be chosen from the following per meal NO MIXING:
• Lettuces of any kind 2 cups
• Spinach (baby) 3 cups
• Asparagus 2 cups
• Cabbage
• Tomatoes
• Cherry 1 cup
• medium 1
• Cucumbers 2 cups
• Chard 2 cups
• Onions (White, Yellow or Red) 1 Cup
• Beet Greens 2 Cups
• Red Radishes 2 Cups
• Celery 2 Cups
• Fennel 1 1/2 Cups
• Chicory greens 1 Cups
• FRUITS only 1
• Medium sized Apple
• Medium sized Orange
• 1/2 Medium sized Grapefruit
• Handful of Strawberries 10 med 1 to 1 1/4in
• CARB (ONE - OPTIONAL)
• Grissini Breadstick (1 stick)
• Melba Toast
• 1 rectangle
• 2 rounds

DINNER:

• The same four choices as lunch.

If hungry you can split your meals into smaller meals, ie have your fruit for breakfast with melba toast. Have your Dinner fruit as a snack in afternoon or later in evening best not to eat after 7pm with Dinner or snack. Another easy rule don't eat anything 3 hours before going to bed.

SEASONING:

The juice of one lemon daily is allowed for all purposes. Salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram, etc. may be used for seasoning, but NO OIL, BUTTER, OR DRESSING in this phase.

BEVERAGES:

WATER: should consume 2 to 3 liters per day (one rule of thumb is take your wieght dived by 2 and you should consume at least that many ounces of water per day. Example: 200 lbs divided by 2 = 100 ounces of water per day).

Tea, coffee, plain water, mineral water are teh only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times.

Balsamic Spinach and Chicken

Please forgive me for not having exact measurements.

100 grams of chicken breast
Mrs. Dash to taste
Sea Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Cook Chicken with above seasonings I spray my pan with a quick spray Pam Olive Oil. After searing each side with seasonings then I add water to the pan to assist in cooking chicken without drying it out. Once Chicken is done set to the side.

2 Cups of Baby Spinach with stems removed
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 TBSP of Chicken Broth
3 TBSP of Balsamic Vinegar
2 to 3 TBSP of Water (depending how much you want to cut the Balsamic Vinegar I like the kick of it.)

First I left the juice from cooking my chicken in the skillet added the broth garlic to saute garlic.  Then added the Balsamic Vinegar and water. Once it cooked down some and garlic tender I added the baby spinach and quick saute to the tenderence you prefer.

** Keep in Mind Spinach will cook fast!

Then I placed the spinach with garlic and small amount of liquid on my plate then I placed cut up chicken on top and added my Melba Toast to help soak up the small amount of liquid.

~ ENJOY

Phase 2 Protein, Vegetable, Carb (optional)

Week 3 Weigh In

Woo Hoo.....Love changing over to the new protocol. Yesterday I followed it to a T even though I still do not have the HCG I ordered to up to 6 injections per week! I was kind of concerned because yesterday I was tired and sluggish feeling; however, when I got on the skills this am "HAPPY DANCE" biggest one day loss so far down 1.8lbs.

When I went to the Dr this am I lost 5.2 lbs this week! This brings me to a grand total of 13.6 pounds on HCG injections in 21 days!! I am enjoying my journey one step (one pound) at a time. My blood pressure was great 115/72, even with a stressful phone call on the way to the Dr..LOL!!

Note on changing protocol

Well as I am making the progression of changing to the original protocol my weight loss has picked up. Since I only get 5 shots from the Dr until the HCG comes in I have not completly converted to the 500 calories, but the changes I have made My losses have picked up ;-D. The last three days 2.6 lbs this brings me to a total of 11.8lbs in 21 days on HCG program and a grand total of 16.8 in 25 days!! Woo Hoo!!! I have a long way to go to get to my goal wieght; however, it is one pound at a time with one step at a time in this journey.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Changing Protocol

Well after further research and my friends and supports I have meet through the facebook page YourHCG, I have gone ahead and ordered my HCG injections online to follow the "Original" protocol by Dr. Simeons, M.D. I will continue on the Doctor supervised program I have been following until my HCG arrives which can take up to 2 weeks. I have started altering some of the choices that my doctor is providing me know because on the original protocol you reduce to 500 Calories a day. I will not longer have my Diary or Carbs on the original protocol, and will get one more injection per week.

The "original" protocol has been tested and researched for many of years and after seeing how others are losing weight a little faster than my Dr protocol, I am making the change as well.

"CHANGESRGOOD" and moving forward to a skinner me!!

Week 2 Weigh In

Ok followed up at the Dr this am, to report a total of 9.2 lbs (14 days Dr. supervised)lost with 3 inches Lost 1 inch in my waist, 1 inch in my hips and 1 inch in my thigh. This is a total of 14.2 lbs in 19 days!

My triglycerides are back to the normal range; however my cholesterol is still on the high side. Hoping that this gets back in control with diet!

It is time for me to go prepare my lunch just wanted to make a quick note of the reportings this am!!!

We are taking the Journey one step at a time!!!

Braggs Liquid Amino's

Great seasoning for Salads, Vegetables and much more!! Healthy with amino acids!

Use like Soy Sauce, Salad dressings and more!!

They have on the website if you want to try products free samples, I am going to order the apple cider next!!

Website Link:
http://bragg.com/index.html


Free Sample Link:
http://bragg.com/samples/samples_16.php

Cheesy Asparagus Pasta

1 Cup of Asparagus

1/2 Cup Baby Portobella Mushrooms

1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Pasta

2 1/2 oz Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded

Garlic powder to taste

Mrs Dash to taste

Cook Pasta to desired tenderness.

Saute the Asparagus and mushrooms together with the Mrs Dash and garlic powder for seasoning. Combine Asparagus with the pasta in a shallow dinner bowl, stir in cheese to melt.

Enjoy

Lunch: 1 Vegetable, 1 Complex Carb, 1 Dairy

Chicken Veggie Rice Soup

I took an HCG recipe for Chicken and Asparagus Soup and did an alteration. I am under a different protocol than the "Original Dr. S protocol" therefore I have a few things available like mixing vegetables and at lunch I get a Carb so I added my rice. (I had at lunch and only used 1 oz of cooked chicken so I could have Protein at night, PLUS it was a left over portion so it was already cooked to help make it easy for a lunch menu).

1 Cup of Fat Free No Sodium Chicken Broth

1 Cup of Asparagus

1/2 Cup Baby Spinach

Garlic powder to taste

Mrs Dash to taste

1 oz of Cooked chicken, shredded

1/2 cup of cooked brown rice

In a saucepan place your chicken broth with spices for seasoning and bring to boil. Once to a boil add the asparagus and cook to tendercrisp. At that time you will add the baby spinach, chicken, and rice all you are doing at this point is to soften the spinach to desired texture and warming the chicken and rice.

Enjoy ~ This was quick from leftovers and tasty!

Lunch: 1 Vegetable, 1 Carb with 1 oz of Protein. For my lunch diary I drank milk.

Will Post picture next time I fix.

Chicken and Zucchini with pasta

4.5 oz of chicken cooked
1 Cup of Zesty Zucchini (previously posted)
1/2 Cup of Whole Wheat Spiral Pasta
2 TBSP Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing
Mrs Dash
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper

Took my chicken breast and sliced into thin long strips to cook fast seasoned with the Mrs Dash, Pepper and Garlic powder. Added a small amount of water as finished cooking to keep moist. Then remove and set aside.

While Chicken was cooking; make pasta.

In the same skillet that I cooked my chicken, I put the Zucchini that had marinated in the balsamic vinegar and garlic in fan and cooked till tender crisp. Removed the sections from pan and cut into bite size chunks.

After cooking pasta and drained return to pan and combine your chicken, pasta, and zucchini and toss with the Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing and enjoy!

Serving: 1 Vegetable, 1 Protein, and 1 Complex Carb.

Will post a picture next time I make!

Zesty Zucchini

1 Zucchini, I cut into halve then 1/4 to make wedges.
3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced

Balsamic Vinegar

I put the zucchini and garlic into ziplock bag pour over enough vinegar to cover in bag, remove air from bag and refrigerate at least an hour.

Great on Grill, George Foreman, broiler pan in the over or sauteed in pan on stove!

Serving: 1 Cup for Vegetable