HCG Diet

I had to be put on steroids after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  My stomach lining was minutes away from tearing, it was membrane thin.  After taking them for 8 1/2 months, I resembled a Thanksgiving Day Float at the Macy's Parade.  Nothing seemed to help get the weight off.  I did not go overboard in the effort department - but the little I did, made no difference.  I did have my Gallbladder removed this April and lost 7 pounds - but I suspect that was from being in so much pain for 6 weeks prior to my surgery, I barely ate.

At the beginning of May I had seen two friends shedding pounds before my eyes.  I inquired - they shared.  Both of them were on the HGC Diet.  I researched it, read about it, thought about it, and decided I had nothing to lose - except maybe 25 lbs.  I promptly made an appointment with the doctor both of my friends use and anxiously awaited my appointment.  She went over my medical history, discussed the diet and before I knew it, I had a prescription for the nasal spray that would send me off into weight loss bliss.

First two days of diet are gorging (loading) days.  Eat everything fattening and gross that you normally would never eat in a month, let alone in two days, should be consumed.  Being that I have Celiac - fast food joints (other than Chik-Fil-A) are off limits.  I ate every gluten free goody in my house that I could find.  My daughter looked at me and horrifyingly asked why I was eating the entire pack of cookies with a bologna sandwich for breakfast.  I told her I was on a diet - I am pretty sure her response was - "uh uh - you're gonna get super fat if you eat like that!".

This diet is SUPER restrictive, but (being my anal retentive self) I planned ahead and prepared all of my protein portion sizes for the entire week, in advance.  The first two days of the 500 calorie portion of this diet sucked.  I was hungry, tired, and had a perpetual headache.  Day three was different.  I was all revved up and ready to go!  No headache - no hunger and 4 lbs. gone!  This is a 40 day plan and 6 weeks of maintenance.  The closer I get to my goal weight - the slower the weight comes off.  I am down 18.2 pounds as of today (24 days in).  Yesterday's loss was only .2 lbs., but it was a loss nonetheless.  

Aside from the glorious weight loss, this diet has taught me that my body prefers not to have processed food.  I have felt better than I have in years.  I can't wait for the maintenance phase, so I can start to enjoy my recently discovered recipes and a stomach ache free existence!  (I also discovered every flavor of Stevia - I am a fan for life!!)