Dieting SUCKS!

I just wanted to say dieting sucks! It really does and I think I will be doing this for the rest of my life because of the blessing that was passed down to me. Really, I need to break this curse!!! Anyway, that is all I have to say today about this.

Suggestions and my 2 Cents

So I have had so many people ask me questions about HcG. I also have had people tell me that it's too hard or they are STARVING. Really people...starving? We know that we can't be possibly be that hungry if we are contemplating this diet. I mean, like me, I had enough fat content to go around the state of Idaho for goodness sakes! So the reality is this. If you want a change in how you eat, how you feel and how you look then you should really try this diet and stay focused.

You all should know by now from my previous posts that this is not easy. It's simply mind over matter. So here are a few things that I wanted to let you know from some of the questions that I get asked. Now please note, I am not a Dr., however I read the manuscript from Dr. Simeon.

Do you really have to give up your personal hygeine products?
- NO. However, you do need to watch the things that come into contact with your skin that has lots of oils that are bad. It takes a few seconds to read labels. Some products that I continued using were my deodorant (degree), my shampoo Nexxus and Herbal Essence. I use Nexxus conditioner too! I use Dove body soap (the sensitive skin one) and since we can't have lotion, I use baby oil before I step out of the shower. I then blot my skin dry.

Can I survive off 500 calories?
- Yes! You must remember that the key component is the HCG hormone breaking down fat cells which releases fat, calories, vitamins, among other things store within these cells. According to research, your body releases around 2000 a day while on HCG. Thus, combined with your 500 caloric
intake, creates a total of 2500 average calories a day. Since you are getting a total of
2500 calories you are not hungry. You feel satisfied and function even better than if
you ate the calories.

What is the hypothalamus gland?
- They hypothalamus gland moderates the thyroid, adrenals, fat storage and most importantly, your metabolic rate.


If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. I would be more than willing to help where I can.

xoxo,

Amber aka Skinny Mini

Still Maintaining

Another week has gone by and I guess I am not another dollar richer. I am still another pound skinnier though. I will take that anytime. I must say, this is getting harder and harder by the minute. I have failed many times this past week. I hadn't been exercising as much as I anticipated. I think over the last week, I have managed to workout out about 4 days. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on myself. Anyway, the things that I am not suppose to eat, have somehow managed to get down my throat. I don't understand it. I mean, why did Halloween have to come around this year. That was the ultimate test. I guess I get a F for effort! I didnt even try.

Then I throw out some ridiculous excuse that goes a little something like this: "I hadn't had much time to cook or prepare my meals. The boys have me so busy."

Oh, this one was good: "Jason, this school work is stressing me out! I need a sandwhich on wheat bread. Oh and I need a side of toast with butter on it!" If I had another hand, I would have slapped myself...but the two hands I do have were too busy feeding my face!!

Anyway, my sister gave me some wise words after I confessed my horrible choices: It's a new day and a new week. Get back on track. - Jennifer Arvizu-Schaper (at least it went something like that!)

So this week has been a new week and I still feel good about myself as I did two weeks ago. Oh and did I say, I tried on a size 9 jeans and they actually fit. I mean, who doesn't have a little muffin top?! But I actually was standing up, zipping the jeans and the zipper didn't pinch my skin! I didn't have to fight a battle while lying on the bed to get them past my thighs let alone to button across my belly. So I get an A for this long task!! I am approaching 14 days on maintenance. Let's see how I do this weekend. I am hoping to measure in better than I did last weekend!

Until next time, take care!!

xoxo,
Amber aka Skinny Mini

Maintenance Day Day 6

I thought this was going to be easy now that I am off the drops. I mean, really, "go ahead and eat 1500 calories" or "Eat anytime you want" is what I am being told or at least what I read in the manuscript. Holy Hector! This is actually alot harder than I ever imagined. And not because I can only have 1500 calories, but getting my body to eat up to 1500 calories. Jeepers Creepers, I feel like a cow if I even get close.

I felt like giving up on Sunday because I read an article in the Arizona Republic about the "Dangers of HCG". Please, Please, Please.... it was likely the doctors and/or research analysts who have never even tried it, rambling thier jaws and making assumptions on something that has been around for some time now. Anyway, I chose to stay on a straight track and continue my weight loss journey. Who would of thought, me...Amber Renee...would actually finish something that I started!

So today, I feel great. I ate scrambled egg whites with green onion, an apple and papaya today and tons of water. Oh not to mention, the two cups of coffee that had me wired 'til noon! For dinner, I wanted breakfast...AGAIN! LOL So I made this wonderful concoction of crap. Not literally, but it had a bunch of stuff I wouldn't normally eat. And I must say, it was quite tasteful. I call it the HCiG...'Holy Crap, it's Good! I will post the recipe below for those of you who are interested.

2.8 oz of Firm Tofu

1/4 red Bell Pepper (sweetness)

About 4 oz of broccoli pieces

1 chopped green onion

1/4 c of egg whites

Spray bottom of pan with PAM olive oil. Saute veggies and tofu and when the tofu is lightly cooked, pour in egg whites and scramble together. And VOILA! You have HCG!

Anyway, 'til next time!

XOXO,

Amber aka Skinny Mini

Time to Maintain

Ok, so it has been a while since my last post. I went through some very difficult times and my mind was trying to get the best of me. I am now at the end of my VLCD and have managed to lose 22.4 pounds and 31.75 inches around my body! Although, I would have loved to see more weight drop, I blame my TOM for that and the two cheat days that I did! Anyway, I will be posting pictures later on of what I look like now. Here are the results of the last 28 days of my progress:
Starting Weight: 181.4 Current Weight: 159
Measurements (in inches):
Neck: 14.5 Current Neck:13.5
Rt. Arm: 13 Current Arm: 12
Upper Chest: 39.5 Current Upper Chest: 35
Chest: 40 Current Chest:38
Midriff: 43.5 Current Midriff: 38.75
Waist: 38 Current Waist: 33
Hips: 43.5 Current Hips: 38
Rt. Thigh: 24.75 Current Rt. Thigh: 21
Under Boobs: 38 Current Under Boobs: 33.5

I am so happy to also say that I don't have to shop for bigger clothes afterall. I refused to let this weight take over my life. I have been able to drop comfortably down from a size 13/14 (tight fitting) to a comfortable size 9 and 11 depending on the clothes! My self confidence is back and I feel really good about myself. I also don't mind the comments and compliments from my close friends and family who have noticed a change! :)

Take care,
Amber aka Skinny Mini

Mother Nature and Her Favorite Female Pal, Aunt Flo!

So it has been agony. Since my last post which was almost a week ago, I went through a hard time. PMS and me do not get along. I am sure I am not the only one. Anyhoo, as I prepare for my TOM (time of month), I tend to get cravings such as chocalate chip cookies and milk. I also get a huge craving for something greasy. I thought I was stronger than that (and I did NOT have the cookies and milk!) but I had a wonderful and tasteful TORTA! Ahhh, why did I do it! I was down on Friday 10/8 to a great 165 pounds! Well they say when you cheat, you will stall and gain a few pounds and have all this regret. I didn't regret eating the torta because I made that choice and...it was GOOD! But I was completely angry with my body for having such cravings and for Mother Nature to come in and do what she does! Ughhh, the bloatness would not leave my body for days!!

So I tried to figure out why this was happening and why I gained the two pounds that gained! So I took out the good 'ol manuscript and read that YOU SHOULD NOT START HCG UNTIL AFTER YOUR TOM!! So I started the diet almost two weeks before my TOM!!! WHAT A FOOL!

So I am back on track and as of today, I am almost down 20 pounds thanks to AUNT FLO and her luggage!

I will post my weekly stats of how many inches I am down in a bit. Until then, I am preparing to drop off Mother Nature and Aunt Flo in the gutter!!!

XOXO,
Skinny Mini

Starting Weight: 181.4
Current Weight: 163.0 - Day 17

Day 11 - Oh Mr. Temptation - Why do you bother me?

So today is Day 11 on the VLCD of HcG! Whew, it has been a trying week and half, but I will say that I am not even close to giving up. Who cares if I "cheated" yesterday and had a ham & turkey grinder with onions, tomatoes, pepperoni, lettuce, cheese and that evil word...BREAD! AHHH Ok, so temptation got the best of me!! I was like a little child and I can hear my mother saying, "Don't touch that!", and I touched it anyway! So I knew I would be doomed. The protocol doesn't call for such a thing. To top it off, the night before last I gained .2 pounds! So the reason behind the so-called "cheat" was because last night I lost almost 3 pounds! Yes 3 pounds - so I deserved that sandwich! ha Well I went to bed sweating and thinking. Was that sandwich worth it?? YES!

I did my daily weigh in this morning and I still managed to lose 1 pound! So that brings my total weight loss to 16 pounds on day 11! Do you know how thrilled I am? Temptation and the cold sammy has nothing on me! I just have to hope it doesn't catch up with me! Anyway, I can say that I didn't cheat because this diet is difficult, because it is - but I did it because I have no will power! (I bet you thought I was going to say something clever and of complete substance!) Anyway, I made a promise to myself that I would stay pure until I am done with the program. I explained this to my loaf of bread too that we need to break this relationship so temptation will not prevail. I hope this works. So off to dreamland and until the next weigh-in...

P.S. The pic at the very was taken on Day 11 of my transformation!

Hugs,

Amber aka Skinny Mini

Current Weight:165.4lbs

Statistics as of Sunday 10/3

So I haven't posted in a few days because I felt that it would be pretty crazy to repeat myself of my eating habits and all the weight I am losing. LOL! Anyway, I will give a brief update of what has traspired over the last week or so.

As stated before, I started my journey weighing in at 181.4 pounds. YIKES! I can't believe I was in the 180's!! On Sunday (and every Sunday thereafter) I will be weighing in (besides my daily weigh in) and taking my measurements to see what progress is being made. My sister made a wonderful suggestion and that is to start taking photos of this transformation. So I will also be updating with current photos and maybe a reminder of what the "old" Amber used to look like!

10/3 -
Weight: 169 (YES!)
Starting Neck: 14.5" - Current Neck - 14"
Starting Rt. Arm: 13" - Current Rt. Arm - 12.5"
Starting Upper Chest: 39.5" - Current Upper Chest - 38"
Starting Chest: 40" - Current Chest - 40"
Starting Midriff aka THE GUT: 43.5" - Current - 41.5"
Starting Waist: 38" - Current Waist - 35"
Starting Hips: 43.5" - Current Hips - 40.5"
Starting Rt. Thigh: 24.75" - Current Rt. Thigh - 23.75"
Starting Rt. Knee: 16.5" - Current Rt. Knee - 16"
Starting "under boobs": 38" - Current 36"
Total Inches lost: 12.5" and Total Weight loss: 12.4lbs (as of Sunday!)

OMG...I gotta pee!!!

So here is a quick recap:
Starting weight (starting weight on Day 1 of VLCD): 181.4
Yesterday's Weight: 173.2
Today's Weight: 171.4
Total Weight loss to date: 10 POUNDS!! Whoo Hoo

Anyway, today was a little different. I was late taking my drops all day today. I don't get it. I was late getting my coffee this morning as well! I really needed a do over. One thing I didn't do was cheat! And one thing I did do was PEE! I probably went pee about 15 times between the hours of 8:30 and 4:00. I was seconds away from driving down to the local Walgreen's to buy some depends. I just got tired of getting up and down to use the facilities.

I feel good today. I had another slight headache, but it wasn't as bad as yesterday. I feel thinner in my stomach under my ribs which is, Oh my gosh, the best feeling!!

Well we will see what goes on tomorrow morning! Hopefully I don't have the urinary issues like I had today.

Smiles,
Amber

Day 5

So today was as easy as yesterday...well that is until I went to work today and had to stare at the neverending itty bitty worksheet. I am grateful however, that I have a job and my HcG! I felt fine today and was happy as can be. I must say that the iced coffee that I made myself lasted me until about lunch. I used the Stevia English Toffee and the Stevia Vanilla drops which made it delish!

Anyhow, here is a quick meal recap of what I ate today:
Coffee for breakfast.
Strawberries for snack.
Chicken and spinach for lunch.
Orange for snack.
Lean steak for dinner with spinach and a grissini snack.
With all this, I had tons of water, green tea and more water!

I did get a small headache today but I beleive that is a sign my body is doing some serious detoxification!

Smiles,
Amber aka SKINNY MINI
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Catch Up!

I wanted to make sure I capture every step of the way on this HcG protocol. Well if you know me on a personal level, I fail at following my own rules...everytime! Anyway, here is a quick rundown of what has happened over the last 4 days of the sublingual drops that I am taking:

Day 1 - Took my HcG drops @ 8am and GORGED all day! It was fantastic! I ate cupcakes, pizza for breakfast, cereal, and well you get the idea. I took the remaining doses at 2pm and 8 pm, respectively.

Day 2 - Repeat of Day 1 and I feel like I actually have energy. It could be from the orange cupcakes and 3 Musketeer candy bar that I endulged mid-afternoon. Again, I took my 3 dosages of the HcG according to the protocol. I ended the night with a 1900 calorie meal at my favorite mexican restaurant.

Day 3 - First day on a 500 calorie diet. I amaze myself. I prepared my food for the week, and managed to not cheat. Even the Costco hot dog had nothing on me and my perseverence! I ate grilled chicken, some veggies, and a handful of strawberries. Oh and my breadstick. I did the same thing for dinner!

Day 4 - Today I had the challenge of doing this diet while at work. After reading so much from different websites on how tired I would be or how hard it would be to keep it up, I actually felt extremely well. I have energy and I was told that I am not a stress basket like I had been from other diets that I was on.

Until tomorrow....Have a good day!

The Beginning of HCG

So how many times do people say, "I will start my diet tomorrow." Well I have been doing that for about 15 years now. I have to tell you that I have thought about starvation to liposuction over and over again. And then, there were fab diets....Oh my!
Yes, I have tried them all and yes, I will be trying another. The difference is, this is not a pill I have to take or a soup recipe that I have to stomach for a week. I decided to try HCG. I should't really say it's a fab diet, but rather the next best thing. So from here on out, I will shed my tears, share my laughter, and smile as I take a journey to a place I haven't seen since 1994. I hope you follow along and see the transformation as I chronicle my new life.

Smiles,
Amber

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