Taking a Break

Hello to all of you wonderful readers.

It has been a while since I  have posted, and there is a reason for it.

There have been some things within my life that have been a bit more difficult than I thought they would be, and therefore am needing to take a break from the hCG aspect of my day-to-day. This is just temporary, and I am asking for your prayers to help me keep myself in a place of right eating habits until I am ready to jump back into the swing of things.

I am not quitting, though. I can't. But sometimes we just need a break.

Thanks for your support and understanding. I WILL be back. :)

Much love,
Sarah

Week One DOWN... 5 more to go...

Okay folks. Here we go. Week one of the "Very Low Calorie" section is done, with little to report in the way of troubles. :)

We like no troubles.

Weight: 328.8
BMI: 57.9
Body Fat: 59.0%
Muscle: 18.7%
Body Age: 79
Visceral Fat: 11

It has been a while since I've put up a consistent blog, and I apologize. It's been a bit difficult when I haven't been on the plan. However, now that the diet is back in full force, so is the blog.

Keep on reading and sharing my story with others. I certainly appreciate the following and the support. Comments are always welcomed. And I hope and pray that I encourage you to go after your dreams.

Much love,
Sarah

AAANND... We're off!!!

Here we are, another new year, and another round of hCG. I admit it has been a bit of a struggle these last several months, not having to be accountable to the food log. "Being good" is much harder than keeping to the strict low-calorie plan of this diet.

Today is my second day of loading, and tomorrow (Monday the 9th) I begin the next cycle, beginning with 30 days of low-calorie diet. I know that some of you have been wondering, and now you know. I hope you are all ready to jump back on board with me through this journey.

Weight: I have gained. I know that, and I'm deciding not to let that get the best of me. I can't change the past, so I look forward to steering my future in the right direction.

I will update with actual numbers tomorrow hopefully. Please stay tuned, share my blog with everyone you know who would be encouraged with it, or who would be an encouragement to me in my journey, and let my journey be an encouragement to you to walk in the direction you want to be heading in, this new year.

Much love,
Sarah

Long Time + No Blog = SORRY!!

Hey everyone, Sarah here. I realize it's been a while since I've last been on here, and for that I apologize. However, I am here now, and ready to report!!

First of all, let's get some of the "why" out of the way. I recently have been helping a friend with her chronic illness, and in the middle of that, I myself landed in the hospital with severe kidney stones and infection! I had a stint put in to help and also a procedure to zap/disintegrate the stones, only to have more to be done later. I am now waiting to hear the good word that all is well and passed, and am finally in a lot less pain. I am staying at my mom's place for this time, so I can have help when needed. But I am seriously, finally, feeling much better. Almost back to normal!

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty! My weight. I am happy to report that through this hardship, I have not looked to food for my comfort. I have not gained... I actually have lost more weight.

Weight: 306.8 (down 10.4 pounds from last time!)

BMI: 54.4 (down 1.5 points)
Body fat %: 53.8 (down 0.7%)
Muscle %: 21.3 (up .8%)
Body Age: 72 (down THREE more years!)
Visceral Fat: 11 (same)

I feel so great to be #1, in better health with regards to my kidneys, and #2 to be continuing in this journey. I have even been able to treat myself to a few goodies without gaining. I don't go overboard and know that moderation is definitely the key.

Thanks to you all for keeping up with my story and for your kind words of encouragement and prayers. Sorry for missing October!

Much love,

Sarah

Round 4, Week 4 Complete! Phase 1 Complete!!

Hello everyone! I've made it through the first phase of my 4th round!!! I am very happy that I made it, because this time wasn't the easiest. I had many ups and downs, giving into temptation and kicking myself for it, followed by forgiving myself.

I have to say that if you are on any sort of discipline program, whether it's to lose weight or stop smoking or whatever, DON'T CHEAT!!! It's never worth it. Never. It's never worth it to lie to yourself and be disobedient to what you have promised yourself in the first place.

With that being said, here is a look at how I ended up after this phase...

Weight: 317.2 (down 3.6 pounds from last week)

BMI: 55.9 (down .4 points)
Body fat %: 54.5 (down 1.8%)
Muscle %: 20.5 (up .4%)
Body Age: 75 (down TWO years)
Visceral Fat: 11 (same)

I'm glad to be done, like I said, but it was very worth it. I feel so much better and know that I will only continue to grow (by that I mean grow in maturity, and SHRINK is size!).

I finally bought a pair of jeans that have an actual button and zipper! I haven't had pants without just an elastic waist in so very, very long!!! I'm so full of joy and happiness. This is a great feeling!

Now onto phase two!

Much love,

Sarah

Round 4, Week 3

Oh, dearrrrrrrr......

Well, I really have had some struggles again, but I think that the worst has passed and I am ready to be back on track and live through the rest of this low calorie phase with the right attitude. I really broke down this week and ate Subway... like a sandwich. I can say it wasn't my proudest moment. I gained two pounds from it, and felt awful afterward. Cheating is never the answer!!! In spite of my indiscretion with Subway, I have still managed – truly only by the grace of God – to lose fat and weight. I know that I could have lost more, but sometimes life is what it is, and we just have to pick ourselves up and keep walking through the tough times. 


Weight: 320.8 (down 4 pounds from last week)
BMI (taken yesterday): 56.3 57.4 (down 1.1 points)
Body fat %: 56.3 58.4 (down 2.1%!!!)
Muscle %: 20.1 (up 1.1%)
Body Age: 77 (down one year)
Visceral Fat: 11 (same)


Something happens during a tough disciplining event in life: if there is any amount of rebellious attitude anywhere inside of a person, it WILL come out. I have found that through this dietary restriction and cleansing time, other areas in my life are beginning to be affected – for the better. Because when something ugly rears its head, then I have the opportunity to take care of it, cut it loose, and never let it back into my life again.


I am content with where I am at, but I do still struggle. I am thankful for friends who are true, and for God in my life, always protecting and guiding me.


Keep up your own fight, battle daily, and be victorious.


Much love,
Sarah

Round 4, week 2 complete!

Okay, so here's this week's numbers. I will say that I tried to revisit my love for the Melba Toast and found that I cannot have them around. The temptation was just too great and I ended up eating a lot of them. (We are allowed one toast per meal on this portion of the diet.) I ended up giving them away again, and will not be buying them again. For some reason, they call to me and I just can't say no. So this week my numbers are just a bit off. I'm still down in pounds, but I have gained fat and lost muscle. This is NOT typical of this diet, I want you all to know. Typically the fat percentage goes down while muscle increases... unless you cheat. Oops. So I declare to all of you, my witnesses, I will not be buying the Melba Toasts again while on this portion of the diet. 

Today's weight: 324.8 (down 4.2 pounds from last week)
BMI (taken yesterday): 57.4 (down .9 points)
Body fat %: 58.4 (up 1.7)
Muscle %: 19.0 (up .9)
Body Age: 78 (up one year)
Visceral Fat: 11 (same)

As far as the rest of my week, it was alright. I have had bouts of hunger, but it wasn't as bad as in the past. This diet does get physically easier as you go, but for some reason I am being pulled emotionally in many directions. I want to give up sometimes, but I am not a quitter. I will not give up. (Except the Melba... that I will give up!) I will persevere. 


Thank you to you all for your care and prayer.
Much love,
Sarah