The Diet

After my first visit with my new ND I mentioned that we were looking at a new diet plan. Well, I got my blood work back and basically I'm as healthy as a horse, albeit a chubby horse. That gives me the go ahead for the diet.

The diet I will be participating in is called The HCG diet. Yes, the same hormone that is present in pregnant women is going to help me bring sexy back. Let's start this introduction with a disclaimer, just to cover our bases...

This diet is NOT for everyone. Please do not start any diet without consulting your doctor. Pretty please.

After some great conversation with my doc, we decided that this is a great option for me. I've learned to eat healthy balanced meals for the most part (we all have those days). I'm working out consistently (GO ME!). But, I'm still not seeing results. Basically your body can have muscle memory. It can pick a weight and say, "If I weigh any less than X, I AM GOING TO DIE." Well, that weight for me has been 200lbs. I was able to get down to 185, but that was torture. Folks, I really hate going to the gym 4+ days a week for what feels like no reason. Who wouldn't?

HCG alone WILL NOT lose the weight for you. It is not a magic cure. What the HCG does is communicate to your body that instead of collecting fuel and calories from your muscles and bones (which is your bodies first source if you're not taking in fat), it is to get those from your fat stores. Now, if you continued to eat poorly, it would just get that from your food. Speaking of which, here comes the hard work part - the food.

Another disclaimer - there are a LOT of HCG diets available on the internet. If you choose to go this path, which for what it is worth I do not recommend, please please please do your research. A lot of these online versions get their product from over seas. These can come from questionable sources, be expired, or worse yet, tainted. Another reason to talk to your doctor. Have I pressed that point enough yet?

We (doc and I) developed a diet plan that is very very low fat/carb. For the next 6 weeks I will be eating about 800-900 calories a day. (Please do not restrict your caloric intake without talking to your doc - you could end up gaining weight - no beuno!) I will be receiving my HCG through injections and meeting with my doc on a weekly basis. Helloooo accountability. She prefers injections because taking these meds orally is less controllable, everyone has different levels of absorption. Best of all, how likely am I to cheat if I have to go weigh in and get measured with my skinny hot doc? I'm not above being shamed into behaving myself.

What do I get to eat? That part is pretty common sense stuff. No fat. No carbs. I shouldn't say NO fat/carbs, because I get a very small amount. Some fats and carbs are good for you! I will be mainly eating lean proteins (chicken, turkey), loads and loads of veggies (from a specific list), fruit, and a couple of complex carbs per day. Oh, and water. Lots and lots of water. At least 65oz per day. We talked a lot about creative ways to make the food list fun and I really think it will be doable. It isn't too different from what we've already been eating.

Can we just take a quick moment of silence for the pasta I will miss for 6 weeks? That's going to be tough!

In addition to the food is the gym. Because my calories have been restricted, doc has recommended a whey protein shake for the days I work out. That way I'm getting some much needed calories and energy needed for hitting the gym. After hearing I got more intake on gym days, I was much more on board with the diet plan. Overall it is pretty common sense - don't eat crap that isn't good for you and do the work.

Folks, starting Sunday it is GAME ON. There's a new sheriff in town, time to get with the program. Coming soon will be my measurements (blech) and weight (double blech). Hopefully I won't be saying 'blech' for long. Because in the great words of JT - I'm bringing sexy back.