I started out great, went to boot camp. Wednesday, no exercise. I had a doctor appointment. Today I couldn't drag myself out of bed.
Maybe I should write a post on the importance of sleep.
Current weight: 158.0 - so I'm losing again.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Women and Weight Training
Weigh training, or strength training, has been my exercise of choice for as long as I can remember. My dad lifted weights, and I loved the ability to see myself as a strong woman.
Because I do a lot of strength training, my scale weight is higher for my body size than most women. I am 155 pounds and wear a size 6.
2 things brought the importance of building muscle to my attention. One is a friend of mine who lost over 100 pounds on HCG. She is currenly 20 pounds lighter than I am, and wears a 12 - 14 instead of a 6.
The other was a conversation I had with a co-worker several years ago. She was a beautiful woman, but she was overweight and ashamed of her body. She always wore these long, flowing tents. One day she commented on how nice I looked in my tailored suit (I had recently lost 40 pounds at the time). I told her that one of my secrets was lifting weights, so I could weigh more, and eat more, and be smaller.
"I couldn't do that. I don't want to get big," she said.
I really had to bite my tongue to keep from saying, "But you already are!"
In order to gain muscle, it is necessary to produce testosterone. Ladies, this is the MALE sex hormone. We produce testosterone, but in very minute amounts. After all, we don't want to sing bass or put hair on our chests. We do want to be able to gain muscle.
Women gain muscle weight at a much slower rate than men. Our muscles aren't designed to get big. All the working out in the world will not put big huge muscles on us, unless we're supplementing. And even then it is difficult.
What we want is strength and definition. A beautifully toned body is incredibly sexy. We want strength and endurance, and curves where there are supposed to be curves. You know. Breasts, hips, and a little waist.
When we carry muscle, our metabolism increases. We're able to eat more. We get more out of our cardio, because muscle at rest burns calories - fat does not.
Strength training done right is nothing but beneficial for the ladies. Don't be afraid of it. Embrace your inner athlete and enjoy becoming a strong woman.
For top strength and cardio training in Utah, see Mat the Trainer at EXL Fitness in Orem.
Because I do a lot of strength training, my scale weight is higher for my body size than most women. I am 155 pounds and wear a size 6.
2 things brought the importance of building muscle to my attention. One is a friend of mine who lost over 100 pounds on HCG. She is currenly 20 pounds lighter than I am, and wears a 12 - 14 instead of a 6.
The other was a conversation I had with a co-worker several years ago. She was a beautiful woman, but she was overweight and ashamed of her body. She always wore these long, flowing tents. One day she commented on how nice I looked in my tailored suit (I had recently lost 40 pounds at the time). I told her that one of my secrets was lifting weights, so I could weigh more, and eat more, and be smaller.
"I couldn't do that. I don't want to get big," she said.
I really had to bite my tongue to keep from saying, "But you already are!"
In order to gain muscle, it is necessary to produce testosterone. Ladies, this is the MALE sex hormone. We produce testosterone, but in very minute amounts. After all, we don't want to sing bass or put hair on our chests. We do want to be able to gain muscle.
Women gain muscle weight at a much slower rate than men. Our muscles aren't designed to get big. All the working out in the world will not put big huge muscles on us, unless we're supplementing. And even then it is difficult.
What we want is strength and definition. A beautifully toned body is incredibly sexy. We want strength and endurance, and curves where there are supposed to be curves. You know. Breasts, hips, and a little waist.
When we carry muscle, our metabolism increases. We're able to eat more. We get more out of our cardio, because muscle at rest burns calories - fat does not.
Strength training done right is nothing but beneficial for the ladies. Don't be afraid of it. Embrace your inner athlete and enjoy becoming a strong woman.
For top strength and cardio training in Utah, see Mat the Trainer at EXL Fitness in Orem.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Is HCG Safe?
Well, I chose this protocol after realizing that miscarriages would bring on a large drop in my weight. I've been pregnant about 7 times, and given birth 5 times. HCG is the same hormone released by a pregnant mother. It is what is tested for in pregnancy tests.
HCG is used in fertility treatments at far higher doses than are used for the protocol. Releasing weight doesn’t require nearly as high a dose. Using a homeopathic reduces the dose to the "magnetic fingerprint".
I'm often surprised at people who are afraid that this is bad for them somehow. All I can figure is that they are poorly informed. You see, HCG is nearly a cure for obesity. The medical establishment would like to keep that quiet - because the diet industry is a multi-billion dollar part of the economy. When that much money is involved, someone is going to come up with a bunch of specious arguments about the safety of this product and overlook the extant studies that proclaim its efficacy.
HCG, used properly, is very safe. Just follow the protocol. And yes, I recommend the homeopathic, since there's no mixing involved. It is every bit as effective as the injections
To purchase HHCG, please contact me. I can get you a screaming deal.
HCG is used in fertility treatments at far higher doses than are used for the protocol. Releasing weight doesn’t require nearly as high a dose. Using a homeopathic reduces the dose to the "magnetic fingerprint".
I'm often surprised at people who are afraid that this is bad for them somehow. All I can figure is that they are poorly informed. You see, HCG is nearly a cure for obesity. The medical establishment would like to keep that quiet - because the diet industry is a multi-billion dollar part of the economy. When that much money is involved, someone is going to come up with a bunch of specious arguments about the safety of this product and overlook the extant studies that proclaim its efficacy.
HCG, used properly, is very safe. Just follow the protocol. And yes, I recommend the homeopathic, since there's no mixing involved. It is every bit as effective as the injections
To purchase HHCG, please contact me. I can get you a screaming deal.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Loading Days
When you follow the HCG protocol, the first 2 - 3 days are spent doing something totally counter-intuitive. They are loading days.
The first 3 days of taking HCG, you load up on fats. Lots of fats. Literally - you gorge until you're sick, and then you gorge some more.
It seems bizarre to start a diet by gorging on high fat, high calorie foods, but there is a method to the madness. You are going to be eating NO fat at all for the rest of the round. You'll be living on lean meats, veggies, and small amounts of fruit and breads. And I do mean small.
Loading does 2 things. One is that it signals the body that it is OK to release bodyfat, as you're providing all the fat it can use. It prevents the body from going into starvation mode while the HCG is building up. Another is it curbs hunger, which will be vital the first few days of the protocol. If you don't load properly, you're going to have a terrible time with the round. (Ask me how I know. :/ )
You want as much good fat as you can possibly eat. Avocados, full-fat dairy, olive oil, butter, high fat nuts… I always took the opportunity to work through my fast food addiction by eating out as much as I could and eating things that would totally gross me out normally. I'd eat Wendy's and McDonald's till I thought I was going to be sick, and then go eat ice cream, and put sour cream on everything.
If you load properly, you'll REALLY look forward to the first day of the very low calorie diet (VLCD). It'll be a relief NOT to be eating.
I will be loading the weekend of July 4 to begin VLCD July 5. Anyone want to join me?
The first 3 days of taking HCG, you load up on fats. Lots of fats. Literally - you gorge until you're sick, and then you gorge some more.
It seems bizarre to start a diet by gorging on high fat, high calorie foods, but there is a method to the madness. You are going to be eating NO fat at all for the rest of the round. You'll be living on lean meats, veggies, and small amounts of fruit and breads. And I do mean small.
Loading does 2 things. One is that it signals the body that it is OK to release bodyfat, as you're providing all the fat it can use. It prevents the body from going into starvation mode while the HCG is building up. Another is it curbs hunger, which will be vital the first few days of the protocol. If you don't load properly, you're going to have a terrible time with the round. (Ask me how I know. :/ )
You want as much good fat as you can possibly eat. Avocados, full-fat dairy, olive oil, butter, high fat nuts… I always took the opportunity to work through my fast food addiction by eating out as much as I could and eating things that would totally gross me out normally. I'd eat Wendy's and McDonald's till I thought I was going to be sick, and then go eat ice cream, and put sour cream on everything.
If you load properly, you'll REALLY look forward to the first day of the very low calorie diet (VLCD). It'll be a relief NOT to be eating.
I will be loading the weekend of July 4 to begin VLCD July 5. Anyone want to join me?
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Doing better
I weighed in this morning at 159.0, which means I lost .8 pounds since yesterday. Sugar seems to be the culprit. Well, carbs in general. I have to be very careful with carbs.
It seems that french fries, bread, pasta, and sweets have found a home on my body. Right on my midsection. Ice cream doesn't seem to bother me, but perhaps that's because it's mostly fat, and less carbs.
I'm tickled that the out-of-control spiral seems to be stopping.
It seems that french fries, bread, pasta, and sweets have found a home on my body. Right on my midsection. Ice cream doesn't seem to bother me, but perhaps that's because it's mostly fat, and less carbs.
I'm tickled that the out-of-control spiral seems to be stopping.
How to begin with HCG
The first thing to do is to get your supply in. I can't help with ordering or mixing information - I thought it was too difficult, so I opted for the homeopathic route. You can purchase HHCG from me for $40 per bottle. One dose in the morning, one at night.
The next thing is to get your mind straight. WHY do you want to lose weight? Just for looks? For your health? Are you prepared to spend three weeks on a very strict protocol with no cheating? (I'll discuss cheating later.) I've tried to do rounds under great emotional pressure. It does not work. I do too much emotional eating! That's not to say that crises won't happen while you're on protocol, but I think spending some time preparing yourself mentally and emotionally is beneficial. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it is vital.
Read Pounds and Inches. And then read it again. And print off the page with the list of allowed foods. Pounds and Inches is your guide to your journey. It's your textbook, your roadmap. If you ask me questions, I'll refer to it. (I love answering questions. It makes me feel important, LOL)
As you read P&I, keep in mind that it was written in the 50s. Some of the information in it may be dated (it is no longer necessary to avoid personal grooming products or makeup, for instance).
Look for HCG friendly recipes. Some that claim to be HCG friendly are not. But you'll want to be able to shake things up a bit from time to time.
Ask questions! I'm offering support through this blog for anyone on any fitness and nutrition program, especially HCG. Comment, and ask, and get the answers you need for success!
The next thing is to get your mind straight. WHY do you want to lose weight? Just for looks? For your health? Are you prepared to spend three weeks on a very strict protocol with no cheating? (I'll discuss cheating later.) I've tried to do rounds under great emotional pressure. It does not work. I do too much emotional eating! That's not to say that crises won't happen while you're on protocol, but I think spending some time preparing yourself mentally and emotionally is beneficial. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it is vital.
Read Pounds and Inches. And then read it again. And print off the page with the list of allowed foods. Pounds and Inches is your guide to your journey. It's your textbook, your roadmap. If you ask me questions, I'll refer to it. (I love answering questions. It makes me feel important, LOL)
As you read P&I, keep in mind that it was written in the 50s. Some of the information in it may be dated (it is no longer necessary to avoid personal grooming products or makeup, for instance).
Look for HCG friendly recipes. Some that claim to be HCG friendly are not. But you'll want to be able to shake things up a bit from time to time.
Ask questions! I'm offering support through this blog for anyone on any fitness and nutrition program, especially HCG. Comment, and ask, and get the answers you need for success!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Still gaining...(Emotional Eating)
And I'm not happy about it, either. Not. Happy.
It's emotional eating. I know exactly what it is. It's anger washed down with Little Debbie Swiss Rolls and Bavarian Cream Eclairs. Frustration garnished with Big Macs and french fries.
Emotional eating.
When I'm on protocol, I become very, very aware of how much I stuff emotion with food. One of my friends has pointed out to me that I do stuff my emotions. It wasn't till I got in a fight with my (now ex) husband one night, and found myself at the Wal Mart check out ("Just give me the eclairs and no one gets hurt!") shoveling down those frozen treats and not tasting them that I really got it.
Some people suffer from depression due to anger turned inward.
Me? It's obesity.
M&Ms as medication. Ice cream as antidepressant.
Recognizing it is the first step. The second step is holding yourself accountable. That's what I'm hoping to do here. It's going to be a personal and emotional challenge to continue to post my weight every day, along with both my triumphs and my defeats.
Let's get through this together!
It's emotional eating. I know exactly what it is. It's anger washed down with Little Debbie Swiss Rolls and Bavarian Cream Eclairs. Frustration garnished with Big Macs and french fries.
Emotional eating.
When I'm on protocol, I become very, very aware of how much I stuff emotion with food. One of my friends has pointed out to me that I do stuff my emotions. It wasn't till I got in a fight with my (now ex) husband one night, and found myself at the Wal Mart check out ("Just give me the eclairs and no one gets hurt!") shoveling down those frozen treats and not tasting them that I really got it.
Some people suffer from depression due to anger turned inward.
Me? It's obesity.
M&Ms as medication. Ice cream as antidepressant.
Recognizing it is the first step. The second step is holding yourself accountable. That's what I'm hoping to do here. It's going to be a personal and emotional challenge to continue to post my weight every day, along with both my triumphs and my defeats.
Let's get through this together!
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