Goodbye, HCG. It's been good knowing you!

I will post a pic as soon as I combine looking cute with an adult capable of taking the pic. I have reached my goal and I'm hovering right around 148 pounds. During this last 30 day round, I tried to follow all of Dr. Orchard's tweaks and I saw really good results. I lost 18 pounds and 22.75 inches. I think it will be somewhat of a fight to stay this low, but I am willing to do it. I just need to train my system that this is it. In fact, the great news is that a couple of nights ago I tried on my wedding dress and I zipped it right up. I feel great and in control. Pics soon.

Fresh Start

So I have learned a lot of things since my last post. When on HCG, you must complete at least the short round according to the protocol. I quit early at 18 days and I kept it off only a couple of months. So, if anyone is tempted to do HCG, I think it is extremely important to read and understand the protocol. It will tell you that the main purpose of the diet is the reset your system and that is why you are able to keep the weight off. If you don't complete a full round, you will not reset your system and most likely gain the weight back.

Having said that, I have wandered a little from the protocol and I went to see a local naturopathic chiropractor who is running something of an HCG clinic. I have gone to him before for other things and I really like him so I decided to see if he had any insight going into a third round. Dr. Orchard tweaks the diet a little according to individual needs. He will asses your over-all health and recommend additional supplements and he offers a website with a lot of helpful features and live question and answers. So here is my modified protocol:

• Start at 27 drops. Increase by seven drops on day 5 and every 7 days thereafter. This will help maintain good results and resist immunity to HCG.
• 8 hours of sleep beginning at 10 pm.
• 1 slice of melba toast per day only. Use rectangle, not round because they have sesame oil.
• Spread meals out to 4 times a day to maintain metabolism.
• EXERCISE 25 minutes twice a day. Those who perform moderate exercise twice a day will lose up to 1.5 inches per pound, compared to half an inch.
• Vary protein. Chicken: 3 times per week. Fish: daily. Buffalo, Beef, Lean game: every other day. Hard boiled eggs and Cottage cheese: four times per week.
• Limit my fruit to Apples, Strawberries and Grapefruit. According to a muscle test, I am not compatible with oranges while on HCG. (This is individual.)
• Supplements for energy and adrenal replenishment: Cobalacin, Drenamin, Cataplex D
• No table salt, but Sea Salt is okay.
• He suggested I change to a few different products as well: Arm and Hammer deoderant, Burts Bee Chapstick, Mango and Pomegranate SoftSoap Bodywash, Johnson and Johnson Baby Lotion. So I am discontinuing my use of lip gloss, mineral oil, etc.

I am on Day 5 of the diet I think (at this early stage) that I am seeing great results. The first morning I was down 2.8 pounds and the second I was down 2.4. I have never had losses that big, nor have I had big losses consecutively. So, I am encouraged that these changes will maximize my results. I am doing 28 days per Dr. Orchards recommendations. I will post a link to his website where you can read more, but you also have to subscribe for $20 for a 90 day membership. So, more details to come. But because of his website, I will not be posting daily weights. I will check in with my progress though. :)