Stabilization...Day 86

At my lowest weight since I can recall...161.

Spent last night with friends...fab, stabilization meal for me...two splits of champagne (250 cals. and a big treat), 3.5 oz. steamed Gulf White shrimp and a beef carpaccio...plus my pal's band JazzPort entertained with an updated spin on all the old lonnge classics. (Think Route 66, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Ain't Misbehavin', etc.)

Anyway...I feel great and can't get over that I'm able to eat a reasonable number of calories each day (tho still no sugars (as in candy, cakes type, not fresh fruit) or white/grain starches) and I've still lost 10 more pounds since finishing my 40-day round of HCG!

Long way of saying, I've spoken for years of the need to make a life change in relation to food particularly...and, I'm proud to say, I believe I'm on the correct track! Woo-hoo for me!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 82

82 days since I stopped the HCG drops...was down 26.3 lbs. then, down an additional 9.3 lbs. as of this morning...accomplished this just by staying on the recommended 1400 calories a day (for my BMR), engaging in moderate exercise (at least 10,000 steps) and partaking of no sugar or starches (despite the protocol allowing it). I still do enjoy an occasional glass or two of bubbly, but that's it. No red or white wine and absolutely no hard liquor.

I. Feel. Great. Made a really yummy smoothie this morning...recipe makes two servings at 235 calories each and contains a ton of protein (between the yogurt and the whey)...I share it with my honey, who is also down 20 lbs. just because of my meal prep:

1 7oz. tub 2% Greek yogurt

1 medium banana

1 Cup frozen, unsweetened whole strawberries (MUST BE FROZEN)

1 Scoop Whey Protein

Lemon Poland Springs Seltzer to loosen

1/4-1/2 packet of Stevia (optional)

Place all in blender...add seltzer to make blending smoother. Taste...if not sweet enough, add Stevia (sparingly...a little bit goes a long way). Enjoy.

Need to head to the farm stand for some veggies...making a white bean vegetable soup...if the recipe is worth sharing, up she goes!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 63

Down another .6 lbs.

Met up with a gal pal...no cocktails for me, but the company was fab. I feel great...my neighborhood bartenders, however, miss my large tabs and the subsequent large tips? Oh. Boo. Hoo. For. Them.

Tomorrow I celebrate five years of wedded bliss with my honey...even talked him into taking the day off...fun will be had...oh, yes...Fun. Will. Be. Had.

Must get back to work,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...33 days since my last post...

62 days since my last weigh in (LWI)...and (drum roll, please)...down an additional 4 lbs...total lost to date: 30 lbs.

Yep...consuming my required 1400 calories a day, but staying away from starches and sugars. Plus, my alcohol consumption continues to be exceptionally low...the occasional two glasses of champagne is my limit. No beer, red/white wine or mixed drinks. And, I love not having hangovers!

Still 16 pounds from my goal weight...but I've decided to do it the old fashioned way...moderate food intake, more exercise. HCG successfully jump started my effort, but now it is about making permanent life changes.

I find I don't miss the excessive boozing and eating...plus, now, by not eating bad-for-me foods, I can indulge in the new-good-for-me-foods I've come to appreciate. A green apple with all-natural peanut butter? YUM. A tiny box of raisins? SINFUL. The occasional (and I do mean, occasional) Smart-Pop 100 calorie Kettle Korn bag? LUSCIOUS. Who needs bread? Chocolate? Bailey's Irish Cream? Not me, that is for darn sure.

As for cooking...butter is out...olive oil in. Never used a ton of butter, but I've let it go...a moment of silence, please.

My fridge is a work of art...lots of good veggies; tons of mustards and hot sauces; plenty of San Pellegrino; fresh cooked, organic chicken breasts for the taking; and a wide variety of cheeses, in one-ounce portions for those hungry-horror episodes.

All in all, it's good...I feel great...look better and am still motivated...this, almost two months post-HCG.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 4/Day 13

At last...Flo has made her appearance. The bee-atch has been threatening since last week...and finally, she shows...with a vengeance. Honestly...menopause can not come soon enough.

Up .6 this morning, but between bloating and such, I'm not too worried. It is, in fact, the life of a dieting woman.

T-minus 8 days and counting until fun-in-the-sun. Yep. My honey and I are giving each other a tan for Christmas. Rather than face our families, we are leaving the country. Does it get any better?

Must work for at least an hour or two.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 4/Day 11

Down 30 lbs. as of this morning.

Can technically eat "what I want," but have been opting for proteins, good carbs and limited alcohol...obviously paying off...down 4.7 lbs. since official last weigh-in. Not surprised. Staying within my caloric range, drinking upwards of a gallon of water a day and engaging in moderate exercise...it's how weight would normally be shed, no?

It's not exactly difficult, this maintenance phase...but it's also not that easy. The hard part is slowly working in new foods and eating everything (good or bad) in moderation. I understand now that part of my weight issues have been poor eating choices, but the bigger problem is eating Too. Much. Food. No one needs 12 ounces of protein at dinner. No one needs a salad with more calories than a Big Mac. My favorite trick is to use my salad plate for all meals. It is plenty large and if my food doesn't fit? Chances are, my portions are super-sized.

So all that said. I'm learning to adopt these new habits as second nature. For example, had a lovely tomato based black bean soup for lunch...was served with decorative tortilla chips on the top. Technically, a small thing like that at this phase would not be a problem, but I figured, I don't 'loooove' them so why eat the wasted calories...small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Found a Cooking Light recipe for meatloaf (289 calories a serving) that I'll make for dinner tonight...will serve with a tomato, cucumber, feta & basil salad (say a 1/2 cup)...good protein and veggies. Will try to save room for a piece of fruit for dessert. I know, similar to the VLCD meal plan...with a few exceptions. Again, trying to look at my HCG journey as a life change, not just a diet.

To my plugging along,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 4/Day 5

So, still down 28.3 lbs. Go me. Slowly working in more and more foods, but still no sugar or starches. Think I'll stick with that rule indefinitlely. Drinking more, primarily champagne, but not to excess. Basically trying to execute good and reasonable choices.

And, it's not that hard. I really do eat way more food than ever before (about 1300-1400 calories each day), with a strong focus on protein. Thank god for Greek yogurt (love the 2% Fage)! Breaky is usually a tub of that, small tub of sugar-free pineapple tidbits and one tablespoon of sliced almonds. Filling and really yummy.

Also readjusting my fave recipes now. Made my signature "Hamburg Soup" with 93% burger, sausage and only green veggies (onion, spinach, celery)...no potatoes or barley.

My honey and I both have a nasty cold...thinking Chicken Pot Pie...only, no potatoes, peas...minimal carrots and lots more meat! Will still bake with puff pastry, but won't eat any. I'm learning it's all about planning and making good, healthy choices.

We'll see. Need to rest now.

Sorry for being an absentee blogger,

Jane Doh!