Stabilization...1 year, 138 days...+3.5lbs

Working back down to my goal weight. Taking a bit more effort than I'd hope, but at least the scale is moving down. Phew. Literally and figuratively, here's a step in the right direction...

...not certain who was more excited to go on a long walk this morning...Scamps or me or my sweetie. But, alas, a Nor'easter is due late tonight through early Saturday morning. It being Spring and all, we'll have little to no accumulation, but still...I am so done with this winter. Argh.

Need to run to the store for a few staples...dreading that.

So, how's this for crazy? My pal has chicken pox. CHICKEN POX? He's 47 years old, for goodness sakes. How is that possible? Sensitive soul that I am, I promptly banned him from the house. Yes, I've had them, but, ewwwwww. All that puss and gross icky-ness. Not in my crib...uh-uh.

Anyway, need to think about what to put on the menu for this evening...perhaps a homemade tomato basil soup? Mmmmmm, that sounds very good. Decision made.

Off to the store...woo-hoo!

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...1 year, 135 days...+3.8lbs

Yep...I'm 3.8lbs over my goal weight. Though I will not being doing a steak day. Why? Because I started Hormone Replacement Therapy (perimenopause symptoms are taking their toll on me) and I realize my body needs to adjust to this new addition. Not to mention, I've been eating clean, clothes still fit great (think my brand new size 8P jeans)...so, I'll give myself a few weeks to get a handle on things.

Make no mistake tho, it is tough to see that number rise...valid explanation or not! But I'm watching it closely...was back within the +/-2lb range a couple of times last week, that's why I think it's my body trying to stabilize.

Otherwise, all is good in my little dieting world. My gal pal is trying for the third time...happily, she hit the one week mark yesterday (-5.2lbs.). Granted, not as fast as some, but she has less weight to lose and we all know that means the dreaded .1-.3 range loss mode.

Of course, her husband cut out butter and has dropped 10lbs...men...can't diet with 'em, can't shoot 'em. Well, you can, but rarely do you get away with it...but I digress.

Getting ready for Spring...can't come soon enough.

Okay, back to work.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...1 year, 115 days...?

Had an very early meeting this morning and in my haste to get out the door, I failed to weigh myself. But the other day I was 142.3...well under my goal weight, but, as you can see, still not hitting the 130s.

That said though...guess who fit quite nicely into size 8 petite jeans? Oh yeah. As my sweetie said, "Button, you are smokin' hot." 8P...I was born an 8P for chrissakes!

Have a lovely Mexican Black Bean Soup simmering in the crock pot for dinner tonight. Looking forward to that.

And heading to the doctor on Thursday to talk possible hormone replacement...perimenopause and night sweats are killing me. In the meantime, my regular doc gave me a scrip for Ambien...actually slept 7 straight hours last night...first time since before the new year. Woke feeling fabulous.

Must fly...conference call coming up.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

PS: here's the Mexican Black Bean Soup recipe:

Mexican-Style Bean Soup
(Combo of several recipes, with my own changes tossed in for good measure…very filling at just 200 calories per 1.5 cups; 6 g of fat and 16 g of protein! From Colleen Turner)

8 servings, prep time: 10 mins., cook time: 4-6hrs (low), 6-8hrs (high)

1 Tbl extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 qt reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 28-oz can pureed tomato
1 cup frozen corn
1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp salt
Tabasco to taste (I like 5 good shakes, at least)
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
6 Tbl crumbled feta or bleu cheese (optional)
1. Add all to crock pot, stirring to mix
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, high 4-6 hours, or until veg are tender.
3. Ladle 1.5 cups into individual bowls and serve garnished with cilantro and 1 Tbl of crumbled cheese of choice.

Stabilization...1 year, 75 days...140.3 (-4.7 under goal)

Another day, another low. Once again, I flirt with the 130s.

HCG is being slammed in the media...again...the FDA warns that it does nothing and to sell a product with HCG in it is illegal. Here is the article from USA Today:

FDA: HCG weight-loss products fraudulent
by Nanci Hellmich - Jan. 24, 2011 11:25 AM
USA TODAY

A popular type of weight-loss products, heavily promoted on the Internet, is fraudulent and illegal, Food and Drug Administration officials say.

HCG weight-loss products that promise dramatic results and claim to be homeopathic are sold as drops, pellets and sprays on the Web, in drugstores and at General Nutrition Centers. They are supposed to be used in combination with a very low-calorie diet of 500 calories a day.

Many of the labels indicate the products contain HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone made by the placenta during pregnancy. The hormone itself is approved as a prescription treatment for infertility and other conditions.

There is no evidence the oral over-the-counter products are effective for weight loss, says Elizabeth Miller, FDA's leader for the Internet and health fraud team. While they may not be dangerous, they're at least "economic fraud," she says.

Because the products do not seem to be "a serious direct health hazard or a serious indirect health hazard," they have been a lower priority for FDA action than other products. Still, Miller says, "they could be subject to enforcement at any time."

One of the issues is the homeopathic label. Homeopathy is an alternative medicine practice of using very small or diluted preparations of medicines or remedies to treat a condition. Miller says, "We are aware of HCG products that claim to be homeopathic, but it is not recognized in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia." Therefore, these products "are not recognized by the FDA as homeopathic drugs, so they are unapproved drugs and are illegal," she says.

Miller says HCG began being used for weight loss in the 1950s when a British physician had a theory that it could help people on a near-starvation diet not feel hungry. "Since then, a lot of research and clinical trials debunked that theory."

Samuel Klein of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis agrees: "Data from most randomized controlled trials show that HCG is no better than placebo in achieving weight loss or reducing hunger."

Stephen Barrett, a retired psychiatrist who operates quackwatch.org, says, "The bottom line is there is no reason to think the product works."

Even experts in the supplement industry say the products aren't legal and don't work. Andrew Shao of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, an industry group, says HCG is "not considered a legal dietary ingredient and therefore cannot be sold as a dietary supplement. I am not aware of any scientific evidence that supports its use when taken orally."

Because HCG is a peptide hormone, it would be broken down by the stomach and rendered ineffective, he says. He says the products are mostly sold over the Internet, so it's difficult to track sales.

Kevin Wright, president of HCG Platinum, says his company made HCG products until about two months ago; it stopped because it found a formula that doesn't use the hormone. Some bottles of the HCG formula are still on store shelves, selling for about $70 an ounce.

Many other companies are still selling HCG products, and there are weight-loss clinics that use the prescribed injectable hormone, he says.

FDA's Miller also has concerns about injectable versions of HCG for weight loss. The drug is not approved for weight loss, she says. Dieters getting injections of the hormone from people who aren't licensed to do so run the risk of getting infections and can't be sure what product they're getting.

In October of 2009, I used a homeopathic version that had the "imprint" of HCG in it, not actual HCG.

Placebo effect or not, there was no denying that I was not hungry (despite eating a mere 500 calories a day for 42 days). Ever.

And, amazingly, that six weeks of eating clean and healthy completely changed my tastes in foods. Once a "the sweeter the better" girl, I can barely stomach anything remotely sugary. In fact, even fruits are sometimes too cloying. As a result, I do not indulge...even now. Hence why I'm hanging steady at a 57lb./55" loss...this over a year after taking HCG.

Sure, I work hard at maintaining. I drink about a gallon of water each day, always try to select lean proteins, opt for no dressing on plain salads, keep away from breads, pastas and starchy fruit/veg. I still love cheese, olives, nuts and such, but enjoy these in moderation. And I've cut back dramatically on my alcohol consumption. So much so, the only bevvies I now partake of are champagne or the occasional dry martini/skinny margarita.

Most importantly, the HCG protocol itself taught me the importance of portion control. Prior to embarking on my HCG journey, my eating habits were out of control. I refused to moderate how much I ate and it showed...all over my body.

So, who knows what will become of HCG...it would be a shame if people no longer had it as a choice for weight loss. It's not easy, but it is, by far, the most successful life changing diet plans I have ever tried...and I've tried a whole bunch!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...1 year, 62 days...142.7 (-2.3 under goal)

Arrgh...I hate being a woman. It's that "time"...huge bloating and such...alas, it is the cross we divas must bear.

So, I've come to a big conclusion...drum roll please...a calorie is not just a calorie.

I don't care what Weight Watchers, Dr. Oz or any other pundit says. The scale does not lie. And 1300 cals of lean proteins, leafy veg and light fruits is processed in this almost-50-year-old-body way easier than even 500 cals in say, a slice of veggie pizza. So, the concept of "saving" calories for a splurge is, really, all wrong. And, customarily, I don't indulge. Not only does it not taste that good, but it really makes my tummy ache. And is a life without bread, sugar, pasta, etc., one worth living? Absolutely! Thought I'd miss them, but I don't.

So, why the big switch?

Who knows? All I know is my taste buds are completely different. I like spicy food...a lot. I dig a dry martini...yeah, me, Miss-Appletini! Tho, I do still love me my salt. Less, granted, but...well, we all need some sort of vice, for chrissakes.

That's it for today!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...1 year, 34 days...141.9 (+1.0)

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Except for the excessive opportunities to eat...argghh. And all things considered, I'm not faring too badly, but still...today's pound is tomorrow's 4-stone as the Brit's might say.

This weekend is sure to be a challenge...three parties on Saturday, one on Sunday...and my honey wants to go out to dinner tonight.

Eek!

I'll certainly keep my eye out for diet friendly fare...shrimp cocktail, crudite, hummus (no bread, I'll eat it with celery, cukes and such)...maybe some roast turkey or chicken. With the exception of a glass or two of bubbly at home, I will refrain from drinking while out...that will help too. And, of course, I'll drink lots and lots of water with lemon. Okay...I have a plan...I feel better now.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...1 year, 20 days...140.9 (-1.7)

And yet again, I tempt the weight Gods, flirting with the 30s. Yeah, right! In my dreams.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!