2010-02-14T20:18:00.000-08:00

So I began the HCG diet journey January 30th. I decided to share my experience after reading hundreds of other people's blogs, mainly because no one (that I have found) has written about only wanting to lose ten pounds, lifting weights, doing the diet with an increased amount of calories so you can still lift, and thyroid function. And trying to get a 4.0 while taking Algebra and Chemistry. Yuck. The brain does not function well for me at 500 cals a day, thus making it extremely difficult for me to study.
My main criticism from others has been that I don't need to do this diet because I don't have much to lose. Still, those who suffer from underactive thyroid know how hard it is to budge a single pound. I work out 90 mins a day, six days a week, and I lift hard and heavy baby. I had a p.trainer for four years who whipped me into shape. I know how to transform my body with the beauty of clean eating coupled with an awesome resistance training program. All that to say, the clean eating and working out has not been enough for me to drop. I had been considering this diet for a long time. My main concern is that it will futher negatively impact my thyroid, because I have known people who began without a problem and developed one afterwards. But I have also heard of people who began with a thyroid condition and this diet 'reset' their hypothalmus, thus resetting their thyroid function to optimal levels. I will have it retested when completed with this diet.
My second main concern is taking real HCG versus a placebo. Obviously a VLCD diet of 500 cals is very dangerous, and usually this diet would result in weight loss due to MUSCLE loss. The theory is that the HCG hormone targets release of abnormal fat deposits, adipose tissue, and preserves muscle tissue. Alot of companies, most HCG companies out there, are bogus and not real HCG. I do believe we found a good product, as the lady who did her round of 27 days before me had tons of energy, no problem sticking to her low calorie diet, and lost 25-30 lbs. She said there's no way she could have done it without anything to help her through it.
However, I have had an extremely difficult time with this diet. I think it is because I started somewhere at 21-23% body fat and maybe not enought adipose deposits to sustain me through the low calorie diet. For the past four days, I fell off the wagon and ate about 800-1000 cals a day, and did gain back. Weird. The first 12 days I lost several inches of my waist, which is where my fat is stored. I only lost 3 lbs, but it was all from my stomach which was incredible! Five days later, my waist is back to its original --haven't measured, but my pants say it all. So does the mirror.
Another issue is I began the loading phase of the diet when my period started. I have read that you're not supposed to begin the diet when you start your female sick cycle, but I ignored it and began anyways. So I didn't budge any weight the first five days---on my loading days gained four pounds that didn't come off for another five days.
Anyhow, I have in totality been on the diet for 16 days now. I have at least eleven days more to go. DO not CHEAT on this diet, not even once. Because once you do, it is hard to stop.

Oh yes, and weight training and exercise. It is my favorite part of my day, and not being able to do it was horrible. So I would do it anyways, then come home and lay down until I would be forced to move again. And I slept 12 hours a night for the first 9 days of the diet. I still nap whenever I can. THe energy levels have been a real issue. SO I have decided for the rest of the diet to up my calories by 200-300 on my heavy lifting days, which I will add to my pre and post workout meals, to power through. These calories will be half protein, half carbs. My carbs will be fruit, oatmeal, or popcorn. And when I absolutely cannot study anymore ( I am in college), I will slowly ingest some clean carbs into my system, not to exceed 50 calorie intervals. I want to do well on this diet, but I also want to do well in school! I think the latter should be a priority and brain power has been real low.

By the way, the hcg I am on is oral but NOT homeopathic. From what I understand, the homeopathic is not real HCG. My oral HCG must be refrigerated and I take four drops, four times a day. It is really strong, like 13,600 units in a 2 oz jar. It came from pureh202.com

My starting weight was 112. My current weight is 111. Note: I am not concerned primarily with weight but distribution of weight and losing my waistline, which is usually the same size as my hips.

2009-12-21T16:16:00.001-08:00

Fudge Cake or Muffins --Lowfat, low cal, and so delicious

1.5 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder(or chocolate)
2 T oil (optional, I usually omit this)
1.5 t white vinegar
1.5 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
1/2 c fat free sour cream
1/2 c SPECIAL DARK HERSHEY's cocoa--retailed at Kohler's, Maceys--not walmart or smiths
1.5 c sugar or splenda
1.5 c water

Mix together dry ingredients, then in seperate bowl mix together wet; add together. Bake at 350 for 15-20 mintues for muffins. For cakes, maybe check at 12 minutes.

Nutrional Analysis per muffin (makes 12): 108 calories, 7.2 protein, 14 carbs, and 4 g fat (if oil was used; i actually find they bake better without it--?)

My Lilly Pad