Happy New Year's Eve!

Hello, hello, yes I'm still here and getting ready to start some time soon. I'm not sure when, because I think I need to do some cleansing first, getting off SUGAR again--which I indulged in over Christmas! I was doing really well up until just before Christmas, and then once I let that sugar back into my life, the sugar cravings started again. I'm still waiting for my Chocoperfection to arrive, which is supposed to be wonderful sugar-free chocolate that's HEALTHY--that's what I'm looking for! I'm hoping if I can have that on phase 3 and 4, I won't be tempted to go back into the usual sugar route.

So my long break is nearing the end, but I have a couple more holiday events to get through first--we are celebrating my Dad's 93rd birthday tomorrow, on New Year's Day, even though his birthday is Jan. 5. My sister is coming over (two hours away) to pick up her kids, who are staying with us tonight after going to a Christian youth conference. Yes, my two boys have been away for the last two days, giving us some peace and quiet--but I do miss them!

So, my eating went back to the horrible way it was before, and yes, I have gained some back--but I have to say that I would have gained a LOT more by now if I had been on a different diet. In fact, I may have already gained back all 50 pounds--the weight used to come back so quickly! But I think I've gained maybe 12 pounds or so back--and holding. I decided not to do a bunch of steak days, but just to wait until I started the protocol again--partly because I want to make sure I'm losing the right kind of fat. I think I didn't stabilize this last round because I became immune before the 40 days were completed--so this time, I'm going to go for about 30 days and see how that goes. Then, I'm going to have shorter breaks and keep going--hopefully I won't be immune. I will keep you posted!

Anyway--Happy New Year's every one! Let's go do it together! --Merry

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

Okay, I feel like singing even though my diet hasn't done so well. My sons had me buy cookie dough for their fund raiser, and somehow not only did I cook it up, I also ate a bunch! Way too much! I got so sick I don't want cookies right now! It's interesting though that once I started back on sugar I was craving it again. I'm out of my Ferm Plus and Candida G--I think those little Candida's are at it again. My friend used to call them the Yeastie--Beasties and I can see why!

The good new is, even though I gained some weight back, I seem to have stabilized somewhat at the higher weight. With past diets, if I fell off the wagon like this, the weight would come galloping back--and I mean galloping! This really does seem to be different this time! Hallelujah! So I'm trying to gear up to start again in the New Year. It's interesting though--tonight I was also craving my big phase 2 meal, so I fixed it for myself--phase 2 friendly spaghetti, made with Miracle Noodles, onions, and a can of organic tomatoes! Very filling and satisfying too, yet so low in calories and so high in fiber. I usually try to have things I can't have in phase 2, so I don't get sick of it, but I just wanted it tonight.

I'm still working on getting my hubby to join me in hcg-land, but so far he's resisting. I know come the New Year he'll consider it though. I just wish we could do it together.

One other thing I'm a bit excited about is a product called ChocoPerfection that I just read about on the hcg yahoo group--a woman lost over 100 pounds eating her own low carb chocolate, and I'd really like to try it. It's really expensive, but someone on the listserve said she melted it down with other sugar-free chocolate and added in nuts and raisins to make individual little candies--that are legal for phase 3 (without raisins) or 4! So I'd really like to order that for myself for Christmas! I'll let you know--

Well, Merry Christmas everyone! Until next time, Merry

Christmas Spirit!

Hello all, are you getting in the Christmas spirit? We are a bit around here--we had our first real show today, with barely an inch on the ground, but it did stick this time! It's been quite cold--down to 14 F last night--and I'm much colder when I walk the dog! I finally figured out that I'm probably colder because I lost all that weight compared to last year!

Well unfortunately, along with the Christmas spirit comes holiday treats--and I'm discovering I'm not immune to indulging! Drat! I actually did pretty well over Thanksgiving, but it seems I've been craving cookies, and had a few too many. It's okay somewhat, since I'm on phase 4, but I need to learn to reign it in. And when I have MSG and sugar, I always end up craving, I find. So one mistake leads to another. Tis the season....

I guess it won't be long, however, when we all will be back at it, and blogging our victories and defeats in the New Year-- I know I, for one, plan to start afresh with that New Year's resolution! Actually, that's how I found hcg--last New Year's, I began searching for "the" diet plan to try, and was poring over lots of diet books--in the grocery store, bookstores, some I'd bought--and I came upon Kevin Trudeau's book, "The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You To Know About." As I read it, I had new hope that maybe I really could lose the weight--and I felt disappointment too, because I had no idea how to get hcg. But with some searching online, I found the yahoo support group, and began researching everything for a few months. So when the hcg challenge came along, I was VERY ready--and I was so excited to be accepted! I know I've hit some bumps in the road right now, but I lost a lot of weight so far that I never thought I'd be able to lose--and I'm determined to get back on the horse and finish the task in 2009! Anyone ready to join me?

Anyway--happy holiday season in the meantime--and don't eat too many goodies! Until next time, Merry