Day 31 VLCD

I will be brief, picking up the 'other' half at the airport late this evening and this weekend is ours... There's been shopping and cleaning to do, errands to run and today I'm just relaxing, enjoying the peace and quiet. It's not too often that we get warm weather in Anchorage and today is a day in the low 70's making it perfect for open windows, a visit to the park, and a walk in peace! I have found for myself personally that this journey is one best shared with my higher power. Getting to know both myself and Thy self better has made all the difference. If you haven't taken the time to do so, take a moment and talk to yourself, listen to your body, spend a few moments in active meditation coupled with active meditation, ask for the answers you seek, and be sure to write them down... Miracles are happening all around us every day... each breath we take is proof of that! Enjoy your weekend, your journey, and happy releases!

Day 28-30 VLCD Reshaping and firming

Very busy days with shopping, cleaning and work... scale is up as I'm up early and inches are down! 164.2 is a great way to head into the weekend... As I am just under ten lbs from my last end weight the distribution is different from what it was four months ago! Reshaping is happening, the legs are more defined and arms firmer... waist is smoothing around the edges and the lumps and bumps that were there are nearly gone! I hear all the time the fears of 'loose skin' and I'm here to tell you, just as I was told, it will diminish as the time passes... there are things you can do to help that process! Skin brushing, MSM, and stretching, massaging yourself. These are just a few of my favorite methods however there are many more... Understand that your skin will firm up over one year, after that you are basically done... you can at that point do another short round for finishing touches. If you've been following my blog from the beginning you know this is my 'nearly half way to a year reshaping round' I've lost a shoe size, three ring sizes and many bra sizes! Using a measuring tape to track your own progress is a wonderful way to keep motivated, see the changes and put a number to the physical... Seeing a difference is more than a picture, new pair of jeans, or the looks we get from others... it's a mental picture and changing that one is motivation in ways that can't be described in words! What change have you loved the most, and why... hold on to that and it will keep you going! Happy releases and sweet dreams!

Bruchetta P2

Using homemade or store bought melba toast are ok in this recipe.
Using skim milk cottage cheese place a dollop on your melba toast, followed by a slice of tomato, piece of onion, and then season to taste with salt and pepper! For a fancy appetizer you can top with cilantro. These are great fun to snack on and require little cottage cheese leaving plenty for cheesecake or a delish strawberry n cottage cheese salad!

Creamy Asparagus Soup P2

4 spears cooked Asparagus
1/4 C skim milk cottage cheese
1/4 C water
1/8 C diced onion
salt n pepper to taste
*Puree all ingredients in blender, heat in saucepan till warmed through and serve! You can choose to omit onion from blending and add to saucepan while warming. Season your soup any way you like to spice it up, curry, garlic, basil, even celery makes for some yummy variations! Celery can also be substituted for asparagus for cream of celery soup!

Day 27 VLCD Whoo Hoo to Miracle Shower weight loss!

When looking at the week ahead, I've got some cooking to do! 4 days of chicken weighed, cooked, and ready. Shrimp weighed, cooked, ready! Cabbage n onion cooked, portioned, ready... whew... tomorrow off to the store for lettuce, tomato, onion, cute little bottles of water for purse, coconut oil, lemons, and checking the mail for Capella drops!! Also... it finally happened... I took a shower and weighed less after the shower by 1.3 lbs?? The crazy 'miracle' of the shower weight loss happened to me! I ask others, are you scrubbing off lbs of skin? Isn't hair heavier when wet? And of course... you must be tinkling in the shower??? !!! Nope, tho I did notice some bloating subsided... so... My final thoughts on the miracle shower shrinking... reduction in swelling = reduction in weight! Who knows, however I'll agree that it is a lovely way to end the evening! Happy releases and sweet dreams! Tomorrow I'll be posting some of my favorite P2 recipes!

Day 25-26 VLCD It's Father's Day weekend...

This can mean a time of joy and celebration or of great stress... even depression as we think of those we've lost. How to cope??? We all have our ways don't we? Some shop, some visit, some have elaborate parties, some simply pretend it's a day like every other... and some CHEAT!!! There are many reasons we do what we do however the bottom line is, it's still our choice! Did you plan ahead, reflect back on other holidays? What ever your plan of attack, mine was simple... Keep Mushing! I celebrated with good friends, honored my Father and those that have been father figures in my life and had some amazing meals all on protocol... reward = 3lbs loss! If you faltered this weekend, or were successful, take a moment to analyze it... how did you make a success, or what could have been different. Taking a moment to reflect can make the next hurdle that much easier. Two weeks to go till this round ends, I am taking it day by day... already the inches are moving around and I can see the 'firming' goal of this round happening! Again, if you finish your rounds and don't like the 'shape' noworries, enjoy the P3 n P4 and in 4-6 months you can do another round to polish those edges... plan it with your medical provider, keep in mind, after a year our skin has 'shrunk' all it's going to, so use the year wisely and love the you that's you! Happy releases and sweet dreams!

Day 24 VLCD Shedding the unwanted 'other' weight

I've had the pleasure to be a part of several on line support groups and in every one of them there is a constant... 'fake fb pages' to protect anonymity! I myself have added friends to share recipes and advice as well as to give support. I understand the need for privacy however there is a deeper concern. Some of these ladies as well as men are harassed, teased, judged, even un-friended and blocked after being ridiculed for HCG. One lovely lady's own sister called her a bi*@h at a family gathering for having lost over 50 lbs! I understand that we all have roles we play in our friendships and in our families and to open yourself up and to have honesty can at times lead to hurt and pain... however I shall share with you some words of wisdom that were shared with me 15 years ago... You Don't Want Those People In Your Life! We have enough struggles and hardships, as well as challenges and hurdles in our lives to have to be challenged and hurt by 'friends and family' When you are no longer fulfilling the 'fat person' roll, or the jolly aunt at Christmas, or the friend that makes everyone else look skinny, and you're targeted for that... well my friend, they never saw the YOU that was inside and they as well as their energy, and all the extra lbs you're shedding have got to go!!! We carry far more weight in life than merely lbs on our body and you will be amazed at the difference when you are shedding ALL the unwanted garbage! Keep shedding those lbs n inches, and the rest of your dead weight... I did!!!