Down into the half pound days, Day 13, down 9 pounds

I am still using my analog scale and the needle was pointing on the left side of the 156, so I THINK that means a little less but for now I will still log it as 9 pound, not 9.5 pound loss.

I have been maintaining a 700 cal diet and taking in more calories for days that I exercise.

Yesterday I had a bit of a cheat day in regards to food choice. I had a vanilla skinny latte from Starbucks and 100 cal popcorn bag for a snack after a long day out of the house wherein I only ate a handful of veggies/apple for breakfast.

I also walked that am.

I wonder how effective this diet would be if I was eating within the calories BUT I was also not eating the recommended food list. I know the diet is meant to make sure your body has the nutrients it needs without added carbs so your body works off your bodyfat and not your food alone.

I think being 1/3 of the way there and reading things on myfitnesspal is confusing me! Many people say that as long as you subscribe to a specific caloric deficit that results will come. If I can have a skinny latte instead of salad I would! But of course my body will suffer.

I have also been making sure to stay active. I'm walking about 3 days a week with the occasional evening hoop session. After measuring today I was somewhat afraid that I would be stuck in a plateau breaking diet for the remaining 40 days. What if I only lose when I have an apple day??? I don't want to be doing those over and over! I will not! I suppose if I plateau again after tomorrow I will follow the diet to a T and see if that works. Perhaps my method from round 1 was better? No bread, 3 veggies, 3 fruits, 3 proteins?? I certainly felt more full and satisfied!

What's on my plate for today? Coffee breakfast then I'll boil a couple eggs as snacks for later (I loooove hardboiled eggs with a smidge of mustard, salt, pepper!). 

I can't wait to get my ketostix to see if my body is actually in ketosis! I hope they come today!

Plateau Breaker, Day 10 Apple Day

"1. The Steak Day
In this method, dieters are required to drink a lot of liquid as much as they can throughout the day. They can drink coffee, water, or tea anytime they want. However, they are not allowed to eat anything until dinner. For dinner, they are only allowed to eat a big steak together with an apple and a tomato.

2. The Apple Day
This effective plateau breaker was developed by Dr Simeons, the same man who discovered that HCG can be used for weight loss. In this technique, dieters are required to eat six apples only for one day. Aside from that, they also need to lower their liquid consumption to 32 ounces. This method should only be used as a plateau breaker and not recommended to be done regularly.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar or commonly known as ACV is very effective in breaking weight loss plateaus. HCG dieters need to add 2 tablespoons of ACV into their daily diet to experience its benefits. For those who cannot stand the taste of ACV, it is highly recommended for them to take ACV capsules instead.

4. The Fiber Solution
This method is not only effective in breaking weight loss plateaus it also works in treating constipation that normally accompanies the HCG diet. The fiber solution technique requires dieters to take a fiber supplement, such as pure pysllium powder, and drink plenty of liquid throughout the day.

5. Light Physical Activities
Doing simple exercises at a moderate level can help increase the body's metabolism. When the metabolism rate increases, the body becomes more adept at burning stubborn fat. Physical activities such as walking 30 minutes daily, dancing, swimming, or cycling are already sufficient to break the HCG diet plateau."

 Source: http://www.rapidhcg.com/HCG-Diet-Plateau.html

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I found this article very helpful at giving more options of small things I can do to keep losing. I don't want to be in a plateau anymore!! I weakened on Saturday because of a discouraging 2 day plateau and indulged in some food at a party (I stuck to 1200 cals). Its no surprise I remained plateaued for the next 3 days as my body decided to run on what I gave it instead of digesting the abnormal fat on my body.

I bought a digital scale and it shows me as being 5 pounds heavier than the analog scale, haha... so not sure which to believe. I'd LIKE to believe the analog but I'll go to my mom's scale for a third opinion. Also the scale I bought gave me 5 different numbers everytime I went on the scale. So that's not promising regarding an accurate measurement.

You Can Only Choose One: Strength of Comfort Food

For me comfort food is not just a slice of pie, its half a pie. Its not cinnamon on black coffee with stevia drops; its a rich, creamy white mocha with TONS of whipped cream.  These past few days have been difficult for me to keep to my diet. Last time I did this diet I started to like salad without dressing. This time around my taste buds are like "spit this bitter crap out!" I have been diligent in keeping my eyes on the prize. I did have one "off" day so far, but after 10 days I am down 5 pounds (5 of those days were stalling, grrrr @ plateaus).

My prize is strength, flexibility, a body temple I can curl up in at night and not feel my stomach strangling my organs if I decide to lay on my back. When I picked up a 25 pound of sugar the other day (to make cotton candy for my mother's business,NOT TO EAT), I realized I was carrying this much around me all the time. I remember being 145 and feeling soooo light and strong and I had energy for days! Now, I am not going to live in LaLa Land in my head. I know I was 5 years younger then and without children.

 However I know that strength is inside me, always holding these 25 pounds. My heels have finally begun to break their promise  to be true. They crack, hurt, as I walk on my floating floor above a cement slab. (Someone said get a heel stick which I am totally going to do!) I am routinely picking up and carrying very heavy children to get them to stop what they are doing, redirect their waste orifices or put them to sleep. The stress of it all lends me to head toward the cupboard or fridge aiming for a snack, some sugary thing to help numb my hunger for strength.

 Do I have to choose? I know I LOVE food and I am always sabotaging myself because I LOVE to cook. I am always the person who chooses something in the middle. It can't be black or white! But right now that is where I am at. I am in a black or white zone, hovering around the middle of the road, feeling comfortable but not feeling successful. I will always feel like I didn't make it if I don't keep trying. I will keep logging in and I won't give up.

This journey isn't a hill that goes up and curves back down in the middle. I really like those kind of hills! No, it goes up sharper after the midway point. It is demanding, treacherous, but rewarding. I thought when I started this diet that I had all the strength I needed to finish, but now I realize I only had the strength to start. It will take more and more of that to keep going for the results I desire. For now I choose strength. When I know I am strong enough to only have one slice of pie or get a small nonfat latte I will be back to those comfort foods.
One promise I already made to myself: candy is for kids, not adults. That was one of my big triggers and I am glad I can finally say I will no longer be eating candy and I don't need to. I hope others out there find the strength they need to do this! We can find comfort in our strength as richly and rewarding as that sugary snack or starchy bowl of pasta.