So, on my 25 Random Things list I shared that I had lost 49 lbs since August 15th.  Make that 54 lbs as of today.  Several of you asked how I’m doing it – so here is your answer.

I was lean as a teenager….  but, everything changed with my first pregnancy.   My weight has been up and down a lot over the years – far more up than down the past 10.   And at 47 was finding that nothing was working… didn’t matter how little I ate, how active I was, I just wasn’t seeing results. 

I felt better when I went on regular walks, went to Curves 3 times a week, and watched what I ate – but I wasn’t losing any weight.   In fact, I had vowed to never “diet” again – since it seems like every time I do, I lose weight, but then gain it back plus more.  My doctor suggested I look at the Lapband (it had worked for her), but I wasn’t prepared to consider a surgical option.

Last summer, I was made aware of this weight loss protocol – and was completely resistant to it at first. But I started researching it and (even though I had vowed I wasn’t going to tell anyone, in case it didn’t work), I enlisted the help of my sister – who was also looking for alternatives to shed some weight. Honestly, she did most of the research Kristin and I both decided it was the best option we had. So I found a local naturopath who offered it, we made an appointment and jumped in.

hCG Protocol by Dr. Albert Simeons 

It’s not for the faint of heart, though it is the simplest, most effective way I’ve found.  There are naysayers who claim it doesn’t work… but I and many others are living proof it does.  And, frankly,  if you have a negative view of the hCG diet, I’d prefer you keep it to yourself.   I’m not sharing this information to recruit others to try this – just to share what is working for me, because I was asked.

It is more detailed than this, but here is a general overview of what I do…  (Phase 1 was invented by Kevin Trudeau – I don’t use it)

Phase 2  (VCL – reduction)

• Daily injection of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) for a minimum of 23 days (yes, I inject myself).  It can also be taken sublingually, but for me it is too much work to mix it up and take it more than once a day.
          
• VCL – very low calorie, very restricted diet (500 calories per day with no sugars, fats or starches).   The good news is, the hCG seems to prevent cravings, sugar withdrawal headaches or hunger.   Unbelievable, but true!
      
• This is what I had for lunch today.  My daily diet consists of tea for breakfast, and two meals containing 3.5oz chicken breast or lean beef, and either celery, cucumber, romaine, spinach or onion.  An occasional apple, orange or handful of strawberries.   A protein drink sometimes.  Like I said, very limited choices…. it gets really boring, but I’m rarely hungry.  Oh, and I have to drink lots of water.

How does it work, you ask? It’s a bit more complex than this, but a simple explanation is the hCG fools my body into releasing 2,000 – 3,000 calories daily of the hard-to-access abnormal fat.  My average loss per day while on this phase is 0.7 lbs – and the composition change in my body is pretty amazing.

6″ off my chest (all from the back), 7.5″ off both my belly and my hips. 70″ lost overall, from 16 different measurements. With results like that, it’s easy to stick with the boring food.

Phase 3  (stabilization – resetting my set point)

• This lasts a minimum of 3 weeks, and is the most challenging part, because we have to maintain – within 2 lbs up or down, our LIW (last injection weight).   If we gain more than 2 lbs, we need to do a “steak day” – where all we eat is a steak and an apple.  
         
• I love Phase 3, because I get to eat cheese!  And mayo, butter, olive oil and nuts….  and pretty much any vegetable I want…. and many more fruits.  I typically have a cream cheese muffin (made with cream cheese, eggs, xylitol instead of sugar, and cinnamon) for breakfast every day. Yum. Found a fabulous recipe for a chocolate torte made with almond flour. Can eat basically anything I want, as long as it isn’t starch or sugar.
          
• It’s actually the most important phase, because it’s where the body is trained to recognize the new weight as normal.  It can be challenging to figure out how much to eat to maintain – not gain, not lose – because it is different for everyone, and everyone’s body responds differently to new foods as they are introduced.  Last P3, my ideal calorie intake was around 2100.
        
• During this phase I try to eat 10% carbs, 25% protein, and 65% fat.  I eat a lot of chicken salad, and cheese, and taco salads.  I would be lost without fitday.com, which I use to track all this.

At this point, I can go back into another Phase 2, or move to Phase 4.

Phase 4 (maintenance)

• After weight has become stable, we gradually start adding starches – rice, potato, beans, etc.  Basically transition into eating “normally” – though hopefully with better habits than before. I was on Phase 4 all of December and maintained pretty well til the last couple of weeks…  all that sugary wassail and caramels did me in and I gained about 7 lbs back.

I’m feeling and looking much better, feeling healthier, stronger and I have more energy.  I’m eating lots more fresh, natural, “real” foods.  The only negative side effect I’ve experiences is that my hair fell out in handfuls all during December, so it’s much thinner than I’m used to – but not noticeable to most people.   It’s finally stopped doing that and I can see new growth of about 1″ long.  

I’m not quite ready to post a fully body pic (maybe I will from my upcoming trip to Kauai) , but for those of you who have seen me in the past 5 -8 years, you should notice a change in this picture.

I’ve released 54 lbs of fat, and I’m almost half way to my ultimate goal – so I’m not sure how many rounds it will take.  I’m just finishing up my 3rd round of P2, and really looking forward to eating cheese and mayo again on Wednesday!   

Kristin and I will be on P3 until we leave for Hawaii March 8th, and eat P3/P4 while there… and start back into another P2 as soon as we get back. 

So that’s how I’m doing it.    As I mentioned, this is not for everyone, but it is working well for me.   Some important things I’ve learned… having an hCG buddy has been IMMENSELY helpful for support, encouragement, cheerleading.  I’m so glad Kristin is doing this as well. We even successfully stayed on P2 during our trip through the peninsula last fall. And finding a good online support forum made a huge difference in the success of Phase 3.  Plus, it’s where I get most of my fabulous new recipes.

If you’re interested in looking into this protocol for yourself, the first step is to read Dr. Simeons brief book online, Pounds and Inches.