Planning and Preparing

Last time I did the hCG, I don’t think I prepared myself for maintenance.  I really feel like I went into it pretty blindly.  All of the sudden I had so many choices and I failed to adequately adjust my mind to the next phase of the diet.  I ate the wrong things and I ate too much of the right things.  I have a new plan that I’m trying to wrap my head around.

Here it is, step-by-step.

1. When it is time to start maintenance, I’ll figure out how many calories I need per day to maintain that weight.
2. I’ll use www.caloriecount.about.com to track my food and calories.
3. I’ll continue to eat the sensible food items that I eat on protocol, just with more variety.
4. I’ll measure each item.
5. I’ll keep blogging for a sense of accountability.  This really helps me stay on track while I’m on protocol – I’m sure maintenance will be just as successful if I continue to blog about my food choices and weight changes.

My maintenance dates are as follows:

• No sugars/starches – March 6 – March 27
• Adding in sugars/starches – March 28 – April 17

If I feel the need (based on weight at shape/size) I’ll do another quick round from April 18 – May 11.

I know I tend to gravitate back to sugar far too soon, so I’m going to be excessively careful with my food choices for the entire six week period.  My grocery list will contain the following items each and every week!

• Granny Smith apples
• Almond butter
• Chicken breasts
• Buffalo (ground)
• Eggs
• Tuna
• Grapefruits
• Some cheese products
• Onions
• Asparagus
• Cabbage
• Mixed berries

And the like.  I just have to keep eating similarly to how I’m eating now – just a little more fat and variety.  And a few more calories.  When it’s time to introduce sugars and starches, I’m going to start with whole grains – like brown rice, whole grain breads, and beans.  I’m still going to take it easy – I know my body tends to go into overdrive when I re-introduce these things.  I think I’ll avoid sugar all-stop.  I need to stay away from the habit of sugar.

Do you have a plan for maintenance?

Wish List

So, time to compile some inspiration to keep going!

Here’s a running wish list

Super Cute Chambray Dress from Old Navy

Another cute dress – this time a maxi dress from Old Navy also

Again: Old Navy distressed bermudas

A fun top from Old Navy

Kimono dress from Athleta

Serendipity tankini from Athleta

And that’s just for today!

Chugging Right Along

So, I drank 2 Zevia sodas yesterday during the merriment of Super Bowl.  I only had a .3 loss this morning.  I’m not overly concerned with it.  I still think that if I wake up on Wednesday morning at 145.anything I’ll be jumping for joy.  That will be an almost 10 pound loss in 12 days!  I’m really aiming to get down to at least 142 before my husband gets home next Monday.  I have 22 days left.  I don’t think I’ll get down to 125 without some serious miracles.

I’m hoping to to get down to at least 130 this round.  I think I’ll quite possibly have to do another 23 day round in May.  Especially if I’m not down to 130.  I think if I get to 130, I’ll just get through maintenance and work on the last five with running and high protein.  Anything over that, I’ll just do a quick 23 day round.

I’m looking for the next ten pounds or so to come off pretty easily – the last 12 pounds might be a little more difficult since they are the last 12 pounds.  I am determined to not give up short of my goal.

Must Be The Saints!

When I got up this morning, I expected almost nothing.  I was pleasantly surprised by a 1.2 pound loss!!

147.6

I could hardly believe my eyes! I’m eating almost the same exact things every single day – and it’s working.  I eat grapefruit at both meals.  I eat chicken and asparagus at lunch.  I eat buffalo with tomatoes at dinner.  I drink a ton of water.  I lose a bunch of weight!

And the Saints won the Super Bowl!  Awesome!

EAT THAT, FLABBULA!

Gettin’ Done

Stepping on the scales this morning was nothing short of awesome.

148.8

And I have that lovely monthly visit thing going on.

I feel like I’m kicking serious Flabbula ass lately!

Evil Monthly Visitors

I’m sitting at 149.8 today.

I’m delighted to be under 150!  However, I’m not delighted that I was a few days ago, went back up and have been creeping back down for four days!

Here’s hoping a few more days will look more like the mid 140’s!

Shrinky-Dink

150.3

I’m starting to think that my scales were whacked the day I weighed in at 149.8.  No matter, I’ll clearly be there tomorrow!

I’ve lost 30 pounds since October!

THIRTY FREAKIN’ POUNDS!!!

I am within 25 pounds of my final goal – that feels amazing.  I’m more than halfway there.  This second round has been so much easier.  I’m well aware of what to eat and what to avoid.  I’m able to enjoy my meals.  I’m able to say no to cravings.  Losing a pound a day more than rocks.

This is the greatest diet, ever.

Queen Grapefruit

I’ve done a little experiment.  I don’t know if this will work for you, but it does seem to do the trick for me.

I’ve eaten grapefruit for both of my fruits twice now.  And both times, I’ve seen at least a 1 pound loss on the scale.

I am now the queen of grapefruit.

I’m up to 151.6 today – it’s time for Aunt Flo to make her monthly visit with her nasty sister, Rose.  It’ll be off in a few days.

Until then, please pass the grapefruit.

A New Favorite

Last night I was making chili for my family.  I love chili. 

I had to have some. 

So, I came up with an hCG friendly way!

100g ground buffalo
1c. tomato
mexican seasoning blend
salt

I browned the buffalo and then threw in the tomatoes and seasoned it to taste.  So yummy!

Mind Over Matter: After hCG

I’m on day 15 and things are rocking and rolling.  I’m so excited to be the SMALLEST I have been in my adult life.  That’s right kids, I’m 149.8 pounds.

And it feels great.

But, I know the beast of life after a diet.  I know the struggles – because I went through them.  I didn’t do well on maintenance.  I gained a bunch of weight back.  Like 15 pounds.

If you’re thinking about just doing your own thing on maintenance, don’t.

The days that it worked (the first two weeks), I was careful to eat about 1500 calories.  If I ate a little more than that some days, it really didn’t matter. Steak days were always there.  I filled up on high-fiber foods like apples and peanut butter or almond butter.  I ate plenty of protein.

The one thing I failed to do?  Be consistent.  I got impatient and just wanted to eat.  I was going through the stress of the holidays.  My plumbing was acting up.  I just gave up after about two weeks.  And, I paid.

What is my plan this time?

Stick to the list. If I need an extra egg one morning, I’ll eat it.  I drink a ton of water and tea and I’ll tell myself then the same thing I tell myself now when I get hungry:  Get over it. There will be a time and a place for splurging.  The difficult part of maintenance is 21 days.  On Day 22, you can start add in more starches (think whole grains).  Slowly, your diet becomes more normalized and you learn how to eat and how to stay thin.

This diet is a miracle, but the real miracle is learning how to tell yourself that hunger is just a gentle reminder that at some point, you need to eat.  I think that sometimes, my body tells me it’s hungry because that’s what time I used to eat.  I know that around 4:00 in the afternoon, I get hungry – or my body thinks it’s hungry.  I usually drink a cup of tea and manage to hold it off until dinner at 6:30.

I think the real trick is to feel it out as you go along.  If you’re hungry, drink something.  If your still hungry thirty minutes later, eat a light snack, like celery or a grapefruit.  If you do happen to over indulge, never forget the beauty of a steak day.  You can undo so much with those magic tricks, I promise!

Here’s to a losing month in February!