143.4 Lbs.

Well, Hallelujah! That stubborn weight gain finally came off! I took a little more Hcg yesterday which I have found to be helpful when you have a stall.

Even though I am such a numbers oriented goal girl, last night was my last dose of Hcg. I am coming off despite my 3.4 pounds to go. It's all good, though, because I am desperately needing some cooking time in my kitchen as I am preparing maintenance foods for my wonderful clients and experimenting myself for the holidays! Size 4 Joe's jeans is just fine with me-Ha! Hopefully, some more will still come off in these last 3 days of being on the VLCD.

3 days still on the VLCD left to go with today as Day 1. I have failed in the past by experiencing weight gain by not sticking to this rule of staying on the VLCD for 3 days after taking the HCG. It is crucial as it is still in your system.

It amazes me how this diet works. I met with a client yesterday who didn't drop a huge amount from the scale in 40 days but it hugely came off in her inches! She went from a size 10 to a size 4 and lost 21 1/2 inches in 40 days! WOW! We must remind ourselves often that Dr. Simeons' manual is called "Pounds AND Inches." It is both! What you may not see on the scale in numbers, you will see in inches! That's the proof in the pudding, folks!

146 Pounds

Whaaat the heck? Don't have a CLUE what's going on! Taking a full ml. this morning of HCG. Was diligent yesterday to get all my water in and did a 20 minute power walk with high knees in the Publix parking lot in the rain! Not happy about this weight gain...

145.6 Pounds

Okay, I have no clue what happened! The only thing I can think of is that I drank alot of unsweet tea yesterday and not enough water. Also, I stayed up real late on my feet cleaning house which probably explains why I felt swollen this morning. Praying for a BIG drop tomorrow!

So funny...took my kids to a little fall festival thing tonight where we could dress up. Can't believe I was able to wear my 8TH GRADE CHEERLEADING OUTFIT! What could you cheat and eat that would be worth being able to say THAT?! Yahoo!

144.4 LBS.

Yay! So close to my goal of 140! I have taken Apple Cider Vinegar today with "The Mother" in it. You dilute in a cup of warm water and add some stevia to it if you wish. Proven to aid in weight loss plus it's great for your digestion and a good "pick me up!"

Been experimenting in my kitchen today for all my clients who are about to go on "maintenance." I am SO excited I get to introduce them to the chocolate banana pecan bread I made tonight and the YUMMO pumpkin squares! My sweet darlings, my daughter, Lily Grace(4 1/2) and my son, River(6) sat on the counter in their aprons the whole time and were my very important "taste testers." When the pumpkin squares came out, River gobbled up 3! Lily licked the banana bread batter and said, "More!"

Can you really eat that on Maintenance knowing the rule is no starches, no sugars for 3 weeks? Oh, yes! Perhaps this is my new calling in life-to show others how they can reward themselves (after they have worked so hard to get the weight off through HCG) by simply "tweaking" a few things in their pantry yet still having the most amazing, YUMMY results and no extra pounds put on! PLUS, the wonderful benefit of being healthy for life!

Can I really let my 6 year old son have THREE pumpkin squares so close to his bedtime tonight? Absolutely(!) when I know what's in them is SOOOO good for him!

Night-night...

LAST LITTLE BIT...!

145.6 lbs.

Okay, so Looong time since I've blogged! I am now an HCG WHOLE Life Coach and have 15 clients across the country! Hallelujah! I am so stunned and blessed for this awesome opportunity and responsibility God has so blessed me with!

I take each and every person so seriously because they are made in the image of God and their life COUNTS!

I wanted to go back on HCG for a bit to always stay "in touch" with what my clients-my friends, are feeling and to be at my own goal of 140! That would really be nice. So, that's my goal-140.

So funny getting a pair of jeans the other day...unless they're in normal sizes, I don't know what a 28, 29, etc. is. Normal sizes, please. So, I'm leaving Nordstrom Rack with a pair of Joe's jeans (a true designer jean) so I know there will be no "fudging" on the size. Whatever they are will really be what they are-no stretching or spandex involved. The girl at the counter was a friend of mine and as I was leaving, I called out to her on my way out the door,"So what does a size 27 translate to in a normal size?" Without hesitation, she called out, "That's a size 4!"

I about ran into the glass door! A 4!!! Honey, the only time a 4 has been involved in my jeans has been with a 1 in front of it! I just couldn't believe it! Even now, as a coach, it is still hard to believe!

So for those of you reading this-it is SO WORTH IT! Don't cheat. Every day you stay consistent you are getting closer to your own "jean testimony!"

STAY STRONG! When your strength runs out-ask God for His! He promises we can trade Him our weakness for HIS Strength!

160 lbs.

156.4 lbs. LOAD DAY

A few days at once...

Okay, so like my last entry said, I did come off a few days to be on phase 3 awhile because because I was feeling weak & hungry despite still taking the HCG. The HCG coaching manual says this may happen if your body is done losing abnormal fat or if you're developing an immunity to the HCG. It's better to come off for a while. Also, anyone who may be reading this, learn from my mistake and be a DAILY WEIGHER! Also, I put on a few because I didn't stay on the VLCD for the 3 days after taking my last dose. I have learned my mistake and won't do it again this time when I come off because the gain is not worth it! Here's my weighs:
Wednesday, March 31, 2010-157.2 lbs.
Thursday, April 1, 2010-154.6 lbs.
Friday, April 2, 2010- 153.2 lbs.
Yesterday, I had the HCG cookbook recipe for French Onion soup and it was so yummy! Can't believe I've been missing it all this time! I used liquid smoke in place of the Worchestire sauce b/c mine had sugar in it. Feel fine, no real hunger pains. Like my friend, Bonnie Shores, told me a long time ago (and I have never forgotten it), you must know the difference between a genuine hunger pang or just your tummy feeling a bit empty. Drink some hot coffee or tea if it's the latter or some chicken broth w/ a bit of minced onion & seasonings.

DAY 14: 153.6 lbs.

Hallelujah! I am happy there was not a huge gain. I wanted to write this Scripture down from Hebrews 10:36 which says,"For you have need of endurance..." This word endurance in the Greek is so powerful. It means constancy, perseverance, continuance, bearing up, steadfastness, holding out, patient endurance. The word combines "under" and "to remain." It describes the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat. I claim that to resist weariness!!

DAY 13: 153.4 lbs.

Yes! I was happy with this almost pound loss. I am so close and don't want to quit now but with me being so hungry and feeling weak yesterday, I did something a bit different today. In a manual that drugdelivery.ca sent me, it gives some tips for the HCG-er. It says you can occasionally add an egg or a few raw almonds if you're feeling weak. Well, I admit, I probably overhauled it today. I had 2 scrambled eggs this morning w/ 2 veggie protein (Morningstar) "sausage" patties. Haven't had anything else all day. We'll see in the morning. Awww, forget it. I had some difficulty tonight in a meeting regarding some personal financial decisions. I must have been upset b/c the next thing I know, I'm eating a bowl of pasta which was my kids & hubby's dinner! Oh, God, like Hebrews 10, yes! I need endurance!! Grant me your endurance. With your help, I shall not be moved! I pray crop failure in my body tonight and the fresh mercy and grace of God to show on the scale in the morning! Yes, I'm crazy enough to pray it!

DAY 12: 154.2 lbs.

I will say I was disappointed with this number today. I have felt hungry all day and according to my research, I could be feeling this way because I need more protein or need a break from the hcg. Every body is different and according to the manual, HCG will stop working when it's pulled all the fat from your stores it's going to pull. Yes, I have a number stuck in my head of 147 but I'm a size 6ish:) right now and I'm fine with it. I think, of course, being my own worst critic, I certainly see where more fat can go. We'll just see what the scale says tomorrow. I am believing for a big drop!!!

DAY 11: 154.8 lbs.

You know, this type of race is not won by quitting but getting back up again and again. In this recovery, I just got so tired of being in the house! Beef O' Brady's has Tues. Night kids eat free night. We went there and they have the best reuben-I won't say anymore. Drinking a ton of water to try to flush out some extra junk. I'm gonna win this race with some skinned knees from falling down, that's for sure, but I WILL WIN through CHRIST's enabling power!

DAY 10: 154.6 lbs.

Yay! Continuing to stay focused to get this last bit off. I have been taking a Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar diluted in warm water for the past 3 days. Think that's worth noting. For all you Chick-fil-A lovers, my hubby buys me a gallon of Diet Lemonade at a time and I dilute it a bit with some water and pour over ice for a tasty treat. Definitely has helped.

DAY 10: 155.4 lbs

Yay! Keep it comin'! Hallelujah!

DAY 7 THRU 9

Okay, shoot! I have forgotten to blog the last couple days!
DAY 7: Friday, March 19th: 158 lbs.
DAY 8: Saturday, March 20th: 159.4 lbs-I was weak here. Hubby got me out of the house for a bit during my recovery and wanted to go out to eat. It was a place in Athens we've been wanting to try called Transmetropolitan that's supposed to have the best pizza. BAD mistake for me. Just until the end of this thing, I am not going to subject myself to going out to eat. You must know your boundaries and not step outside! So close! Need the staying power of God to overcome and finish this thing! Thank You,God, that You overcame in the flesh and have given me the SAME overcoming power! I still believe for supernatural amounts of losses from this time on.
DAY 9: Sunday, March 21st: 157.4 lbs. Praise GOD!

DAY 6: 158.8 lbs.

Okay, have NO idea the deal here. Had a lot of pain yesterday and had to take some extra strength Tylenol. I know the HCG protocol says to only use aspirin so maybe that's it? Or, my body may be getting ready to release another fat gusher! Definitely need some fat gone from above my knee caps, thighs, mid line, awwh-heck! Just all over. Must stay focused! Help,God!

DAY 5: 158.4 lbs.

Hallelujah! Wahoo! Keep it comin'! I'm declaring a short, supernatural round this time!!!
P.S.-Drank 2 big CFA cups of water before bed again and took some Bragg's apple cider vinegar...

DAY 4- 161.2 lbs.

DAY 4- 161.2 lbs
Whew! Can you believe that? Okay, because I know only certain ones will see this blog, I do believe a bit of this loss is attributed to a large BM I had just before weighing. Of course, not all of it, but it's amazing from the two load days, how much your body retains water from the high sodium content of Five Guys, Bacon Cheeseburger and fries, Haagen Dazs chocolate peanut butter ice cream, okay-I'll stop there.
Just before bed last night, I drank 2 large Chick-fil-A cups of water. Lots of water is so important on this diet. I'm gonna do the same thing tonight. Wow! I am believing for good consistent pound or more losses everyday so I can get to my goal a bit quicker. I really would like to be at my goal of 145lbs. by Thursday, March 31. That way, I'll be done before Resurrection weekend, continue on the VLCD and be off by Resurrection Sunday! Believe me, I will have a PHASE 3, almond/toasted macadamia nut crusted lemon/lime cheesecake awaiting me! Come on, come on-remain focused, Abigail! Keep your eyes on the satisfaction of crossing this finish line!

LAST ROUND!!

DAY 3: 166 lbs.
Okay, after loading the last 2 days (164lbs. on Saturday, forgot to weigh on Sunday) this morning I was not too happy about the weigh in!
Brief recap: I had some female surgery on Feb. 16th and have a 12 week recovery where I can't do any aerobic exercise or lift a gallon of milk! I did good the first couple weeks of recovery but the pain was so intense certain foods were comforting, I will admit. Aaah! Going into surgery weighing 155 and now today, a month later 11lbs.up! So tired of these inconsistencies! I really believe about 145 will be my finishing, final and desired weight. For me at a height of 5'10", this is a bit "under" the normal charts for where I should be at my age and height but where I believe will be comfortable for me. Still, though, we'll see. At 155, I was fine but still saw where I could lose some more unnecessary fat. Believing to stay focused. Trying some new soups, etc., to not get so bored. I cry out to the Lord to grant me His finishing power!
*FYI: For those reading, it is crucial to load with as many FATTENING foods as possible. This stokes the hypothalamus gland and is essential. If you do not do this, you could very likely be hungry the whole time you diet.

155.0 lbs.

Okay-I really have no explanation for this. I always have had a big drop after I teach a spin class and drink all the water I have been drinking.

Need to say that this is my last day on HCG. Actually, yesterday was my last day taking it and today was weaning off, trying to stay pretty strict to the VLCD. The reason I have to come off is that I have to have some surgery and I can't be on any type of diet. I will need to prep with a 2 day, all liquid diet and then I will be recovering for 12 weeks! Yikes! I am very much wanting to adhere strictly to the 3rd phase (no sugars, no starches) as I will NOT be able to exercise-very weird for me...

Anyway, it's a good thing and I will have lots of time to come up with my phase 3 cookbook! I experimented today, with my wonderful, adorable, I'm so in love with hubby, on dark chocolate cherry cordials and almond butter nut cups (recipes found at elanaspantry.com). This chick is amazing with almond flour as a sub for any carbs and agave nectar in place of sugar! I used some of my non bitter stevia for these and a bit of agave nectar and they turned out awesome.

I will say I know I am suppose to be on the VLCD for 3 days after taking the HCG but I have been on it for so long I went ahead and ate some protein today not included on the VLCD. I am hoping and praying for no weight gain in the morning. I jumped on my trampoline today and did 3 sets of push ups and sit ups. Over a gallon of water today...We'll see...

I will blog one more time tomorrow to see my results from today and then I'll blog periodically throughout my recovery, attempting to keep up with recipe ideas, new inventions, etc. I do believe this is the thinnest I can remember seeing myself...Wahoo and Praise God!!!

155.8 lbs.

Not happy at all with this. Taught spin tonight, did upper body weights and drank lots of water, sticking strictly to diet. Expect a HUGE loss tomorrow!

155.0 lbs.

Hmmm, let's hope this was a repeat of the weights thing at the gym. Want to see a big drop in the morning...didn't drink enough water today, I know...

155.0 lbs.

Really good to see an even 155. Let's keep it droppin'!

157.8 lbs.

Sweet! Rockin' and Rollin'!
Celery (raw) has become my new found love. For some reason,I am just lovin' it. Crunchy and satisfying. Ok, I need to note that if you're out alot as I am, a Chick-fil-A grilled chicken breast and a large Diet Lemonade-2/3 Lemonade & 1/3 Unsweet Tea is like so great!Usually I'll bring a tupperware container of celery or sliced cukes in a little bag cooler so I won't be tempted to cheat.
Worked out with weights today and did 35 minutes cardio. Tried to drink alot of water. We'll see in the morning!

158.6 lbs.

Wahoo! Yes! Definitely big loss!
Was hungry today-probably will take a bit more hcg. Jumped on the trampoline and did good all the way until 9 pm when I was experimenting w/ a new Agave Nectar cookbook. So, I make my family brownies thinking I'll be able to resist them-didn't happen. I must go back to my rule of not baking until I'm off the VLCD. I am just getting ahead of myself wanting to experiment with all these phase 3 recipes but I am simply going to have to wait.

162.4 lbs.

Expecting a big loss tomorrow. Taught spin class tonight, lots of fluids, very strict on the diet. We'll see...

163 lbs.

Ok, don't even want to talk about how I feel about this number. The problem w/ going off the HCG even for a little bit, is that I find that I just crazy binge! NOT a good thing at all.

Modeled a bridal show in Athens, GA, this afternoon for the first time in years! It was nice putting on Casablanca size 8 wedding gowns but really want to be in those 6's again! Don't get me wrong, I am so THANKFUL for modeling in this show period! They have asked me to do another show at the end of February, so guess what? NEW goal! Definitely 150 (or even a bit under) by then! I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME! Enough of this yo-yo stuff. Now it's just getting plain embarrassing...

UPDATE

Ok, Thursday's weigh in was at 158.6 lbs. Woo Hoo. Haven't blogged in a couple days b/c Greg and I had a planned romantic night away which involved some amazing food and I already planned to go off for this so we'll see what the damages are in the morning and I'll be back on again!
Oh, by the way, didn't even take the hcg while I was off these 2 days. Didn't want to waste it. I took some tonight to get it back in my system and of course, will take it again in the morning along with being back on the VLCD.

159.8 lbs.

Man, I'll be glad when that number is down to 150...

161.0 lbs.

Okay, now we're talking. I worked out today with weights and 40 minutes cardio. I think I'm going to back off a bit because I'm just torturing myself burning all those extra calories as it is just making me unnecessarily hungry. Jumping on trampoline from now on for 2o min. and some push ups and sit ups. Dr. Simeons in his manual is not a proponent of alot of heavy exercise.
I will go ahead and say I was so hungry today that I cheated tonight when I made my family fish tacos for dinner. When I began to make the refried beans, it was all she wrote. Down the drain as I began to vacuum the stove. Ok, I could really beat myself up for it but I'm just not gonna. I choose to forgive myself and move on-no matter what the scale says tomorrow, I CHOOSE a grateful, thankful heart! I have a wonderful hubby and 2 amazing children, a dog that acts like a person and an overweight, demanding cat. What more could I ask for? Praise God! Goodnight...

162.8 lbs.

Okay, let's keep it going. Good day today-didn't have any hunger issues, that's good. Taught my spin class tonight. We'll see what the scale says in the morning...

163.6 lbs.

Ugh...

162.8 lbs.

Have no idea what's going on but I will not let this affect my day. This IS the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be glad IN it!

162.4 lbs.

Whaaat!? Okay, I did not cheat at all, even jumped on my trampoline for 20 minutes! However, I do remember Dr. Simeons saying something about your cells filling up with water and that could cause a stall or what would feel like "swelling" and then there would be a flushing out and significant weight loss. If that is the case, let's hope this happens fast!

162 lbs.

I am telling you, that cheat day last Sunday cost me 3 or 4 days of serious stall!! If you're reading this, don't do it! I could've been in the mid 150's by now!

162.4 lbs.

Still not happy about Sunday but slow and steady wins the race.

159.8 lbs. (Sunday) 163.8 lbs. (Monday)

Okay, so Sunday I forgot to blog. I was so excited to get in the 150's...too excited. I thought, Sundays are always so difficult to stay on, I'll just make Sundays my "cheat day." FORGET IT! Look at my gain this morning! 4 POUNDS!!!! What the huckleberry?! Have totally learned my lesson from that. I have a bridal show to model in at the end of the month and it is just not worth it!!!
Refocused!

160.2 lbs.

Yippee! Really had a moment where I wanted to eat Mexican my hubby made but I made me some HCG hot chocolat, had my Hebrew National hot dog and kept going. Praise God!

162.2 lbs.

Yay! Let's just keep it going. Focus, focus, focus...

164.6 lbs.

Yuck! 4 fried pickles(w/ranch sauce) sooo not worth it! Had a few mad moments today just being sick of being on this diet. However, it's my yo yo dieting that has caused me to be on it this long so I MUST stick with it to get these final pounds off so I can be free from HCG! Although, don't get me wrong, I have been extremely grateful for it, I just don't want to be on it eternally!

164.0 lbs.

Wahoo! Not bad at all! So, great time to say that YES, the hot chocolate does work! It's Wonderslim Wondercocoa. For those of you that have the online cookbook, she mentions it in there. You can buy it on Carbsmart.com or just google it. It has no fat and no sugar, no artificial junk, all natural and so good! I follow the directions on the can for making hot chocolate but use mostly water and some of my Land O Lakes Fat Free creamer and my NuNaturals, non bitter stevia powder. Man! Best hot chocolate and you totally cannot even tell you are drinking sugar free!
Okay, on the way to pick up River from preschool today, Zaxby's had out on their sign to try their new fried pickles. I cannot tell you the weakness I have for GOOD fried pickles. I wish I could tell you I gave in to my first dose of strength and just rode that wave and went home but I didn't. Got a side order, ate 4 and saved the rest for my hubby. Actually, I am happy I only ate 4. Hesitant what the scale will say in the morning but I only have myself to blame. I really am focused this time-dang it!I just didn't need to give in like that. Also have found a great carbonated water called Crystal Clear in all kinds of flavors. Wally world has it or Publix, etc. Really yummy. I am drinking Strawbery right now. Okay, finishing cleaning out my closet. My hubby was in there cleaning today too and he said he was praying for me and that I was supposed to throw out everything over a size 6. To "make no provision for the flesh" as the Word says, because I was not going to go back to any of the bigger sizes again. Praise the Lord! I totally receive and possess this Word from this time now and forever! So, gotta go and finish my new closet. Yippee!

Moment of Truth: 165.4 lbs.

Sooo, I am not excited about this number at all but I choose to look ahead! It is January and the fact that I will be at my goal WELL before summer (bikini) weather gets here, makes me ecstatic! So, as I said, looking ahead.
Must admit today was really difficult because I have gotten use to cheating. Sad to admit that but I believe blogging again is also gonna help keep me on track. Taught my spin class yesterday and did my weight routine. Cleaned house today but feel like I'm retaining water...hmmm, we'll see in the morning. Had my version of hot chocolate w/ Wondercocoa, water, a bit of FF Land O Lakes creamer and the non bitter Stevia. Suppose to be HCG safe but again, we'll see in the morning. If a decent loss occurs, this hot cocoa is simply a must have for all you chocolate lovers. Before we get too excited, let's see what the scale dictates. Good night!

BACK ON THE HCG BANDWAGON: MY FINAL RIDE!

Okay, so I've been on and off HCG over the Holidays. Still have seen good results when I've been off but judging by how easily I have been falling into food temptation, it's definitely time to start back hard core. I was on for the past three days, kinda as a partial fast for the first 21 days of January, but completely cheated Sunday and Monday (today). My hubby asked me if there was anything "HCG" I could eat at Mirko's (an amazing homeade pasta place here in Athens) and that's all it took-BOOM-fell right off. I have found in this semi-weak state, to completely stay away from eating out for a while. I believe it is a smart person who knows their weaknesses along the path to making them their strengths.

So, here I am. Will weigh tomorrow and post the results then. I don't have a specific number weightwise I want to be at although around 147 would be nice. We will see how I look at that point. Being 5'10", believe it or not, I can look too skinny in the low 140's. This is where I was when I did the Miss GA pageant and because I had too little body fat on me, I had a period for 6 weeks! Yuck!
I will say, and my friend, Bonnie Shores agrees, when you see some really great results, it seems the hardest part is staying focused to lose those last 10 or 15 pounds and honestly, you just get sick of being on HCG! However, if any of you reading this are at that place, I say, take a few days off, eat some things you have been craving so badly, have your "last supper" if you will with the bad stuff, get back on for one final round and just complete your weight loss goals. I found doing this made me actually look forward to getting back on because I was so sick of seeing the scale fluctuate so much due to my inconsistencies. My thoughts were, "No food is this good! No food is worth being just shy of my goal!" Plus, I was so stinkin' bent on having a stupid mint ice cream blizzard from DQ tonight before my final round beginning tomorrow, that after I had it, I thought how silly of me to be so fixed on having something so temporal. It made me want to uproot any lack of self control that got me in this predicament a long time ago!
So, here I am. Wanting the Spirit fruit of self control to really develop lusciously and fully on the branches of my life! No regression anymore, only PROgression!
I am making around147 lbs. my goal but for now, I KNOW I want to be completely out of the 160's and no where near it again! So, that's my short term goal. I'll think about the long term stuff later. January is a good month to just go cold turkey and completely shed these final pounds because everyone is settling down from the holidays, not much planned in the way of travel this month, which by the way for me, makes HCG extremely tough to stay on while I'm on the road. So, let's just get 'er DOOONE, shall we??!!