Wrap Up Of My Week

So let me tell you what I have been up to lately...Not a whole lot.  That being said, it seems like I have been on a much needed vacation...of sorts.  I have spent a lot of time just resting, watching movies with the kids, taking walks and riding my beloved Choncho (Beach cruiser), lol.  Ya'll know how much I love my bike, right?  Right!  I have not really felt inspired to write much, I just feel like I am blocked, like I need this little respite/vacation. 

When I was on the hcg diet I obsessed over the weight I was losing...how much and how often...Now I am obsessing over the weight that my body is gaining...just a little weight,  Really, it is no big deal, but my brain cannot quit obsessing over it.  I know it is perfectly normal for my body to fluctuate up and down for the first 1-3 weeks as it tries to find it's new normal, that doesn't make it any easier for someone like me.  I have a problem with weight and the number on the scale, see I used to have an eating disorder...when I was a teenager, and then after my second son...14 years ago.

I don't anymore, but this whole hcg maintenance is going to drive me NUTS as my body tries to establish a new normal.  I have barely gotten 1000 calories a day and still gained 1.6 lbs..largely due to my not following the rule of no added SUGAR...I love my salad dressing which happens to have a little added SUGAR in it, as well as my diet Pepsi...one of these two is causing my weight gain because it can't be the calories. It is probably my beloved salad dressing, so I will have to say goodbye to it until my 3 weeks of maintenance are up.

Yes I am done whining, sorry friends.  I am getting ready to do the Relay For Life next weekend and I am a little nervous.  It will be my 1st relay for cancer, and my 1st as a survivor.  It is actually a little exciting, my team is doing well with their fundraising endeavors and we have made the bronze team but would like to get to the silver team.  So next weekend my boys, my mom and I will spend the day walking laps, manning the car smash, and raising even more money to research and cure cancer, but first I will get to walk the survivors lap with many others just like me, I can't wait, I will probably cry...for joy!

Well, my children are setting up the tent in the backyard and I am getting antsy to move around.  May you all have a wonderful weekend, full of BBQ's, fun and family and friends...blessings to you all!
 
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Jesus

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Good Old Maxine

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Mickey And Pluto

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Roasted Peanuts Anyone?

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Psalm 23

Psalm 23:1-6

The LORD is my shephard,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil; for Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou does prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

Thou hast annointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

 I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Survey Bible Reading Plan Days 22~28

This week I will be reading Nehemiah through Proverbs 3.  Please feel free to read along, just click the link next to the passage you would like to read.  Enjoy!

Monday...Nehemiah 1-2, 4, 6
Tuesday...Esther 1-4
Wednesday...Job 1-3, 38-42
Thursday...Psalms 1,8,19,23
Friday...Psalms 51,100,103,139
Saturday...Proverbs 1-3
Sunday Off

This week's inspirational quote is...

Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust his skill and thank him for his prescription.

~Isaac Newton

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

I Am

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

My Cherry Tree By Ellen Bailey

~My Cherry Tree by Ellen Bailey~

I sat watching the birds in my cherry tree

There were so many they out-numbered the leaves

They would flint and flutter and fly all about

Stuffing my cherries in their little mouths

There were bluebirds and redbirds and sparrows

They had come to my tree for the fruit to borrow

They made a lot of noise and were happy as can be

I began to doubt if there would be any left for me

I planted that tree and nurtured it from seed

I watered and pruned it as often was the need

I toiled and labored to protect it from the cold

I was raising prized cherries, or so I was told

But these feathered friends thought not of me

They kept nibbling and gobbling on my cherries

"Stop", I shouted, "and leave that tree"

"You have taken more cherries than you need"

My pleading cries went unheeded

Then I realized just what I needed

I rush to my neighbor's house for a chat

And returned to my cherry tree and sat

With my new found friend, the neighbor's cat

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Follow Me Back Tuesday

Hey ya'll it's time again for Follow Me Back Tuesday.  This Meme is hosted by...Survey Junkie, Little Yaya's, Review Retreat and Boobies, Babies And A Blog. All you have to do is link up on one of these sites and follow your hearts desire! Have a wonderful Tuesday, and Blessings to you all.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

My Experience On The HCG Diet

Days 1-2 I had to gorge myself on fattening foods, I have to admit that I enjoyed that part, sort of.  Let me explain, as some of you may remember I have been on a weight loss journey for awhile now and lost about 19 lbs by eating the right portion sizes and exercising regularly.  Part of me loved being able to eat fattening foods willy nilly, but the other part of me did not want to gain any weight back that I had already lost. Although I ended up losing 1.6 lbs so all in all the first two days were not so bad.

Days 3-9 1st week on HCG and 500 calorie food plan.  Feeling pretty good.
Days 10-16 2nd week on HCG and 500 calorie food plan.  Tired and weak.
Days 17-23 3rd week on HCG and 500 calorie food plan.  Tired and weak + constipation.
Days 24-30 4th and final week on HCG and 500 calorie food plan.  Constipation.


Day 3 down 3.4lbs
Day 4 down 4.8lbs
Day 5 down 4.8lbs
Day 6 down 6.4lbs
Day 7 down 7.6lbs
Day 8 down 8.0lbs
Day 9 down 9.6lbs
Day 10 down 10.6lbs
Day 11 down 11.4lbs
Day 12 down 12.2lbs
Day 13 down 12.2lbs
Day 14 down 13.2lbs
Day 15 down 13.2lbs
Day 16 down 14.0lbs
Day 17 down 14.4lbs
Day 18 down 13.8lbs
Day 19 down 14.8lbs
Day 20 down 15.8lbs
Day 21 down 16.0lbs
Day 22 down 16.8lbs
Day 23 down 17.2lbs
Day 24 down 17.2lbs
Day 25 down 18.6lbs
Day 26 down 19.2lbs
Day 27 down Same
Day 28 down Same


Days 29-31 no HCG but still on 500 calorie food plan.
The next 3 weeks...1500 calorie maintenance plan. Limit added sugars and starches/carbohydrates.

Total weight lost...21.4
Final BMI reading...30.0
Weight left to lose to 50lbs...10.2

What was my overall impression of the HCG Diet?  Well it works, but I felt so tired and weak most of the time and had a real problem with constipation, so it was not a wonderful experience for me.  I seemed to be able to handle the 500 calories without much hunger and that was a good thing.  Even though the literature states that a person should feel energized and have little to no hunger, I have to say I did not feel energized after the 1st week at all, in fact it was a problem for the last 2 weeks of the diet. 

Would I suggest the HCG Diet to anyone? No, it is far to restrictive and does not give you the essential nutrients your body needs, and I fear the claims made regarding not losing  lean muscle mass, etc...are hugely misleading.  I have felt weak and exhausted for 2 weeks straight.  The one thing I would give this diet kudos for...it is great for losing a lot of weight fast but, this diet is just that, a diet, and in no way can be sustained for too long a time.  This diet does not teach you how to eat sensibly at all.  Before I went on this diet I learned what a real portion size looks like, how to eat 1200-1500 calories a day, and to get regular exercise, all these things are important to making a lifestyle change that will last, well...a LIFETIME. 

My suggestion? Find a good calorie counter online and track what you eat for a week, then learn to eat within your bodies caloric needs, read labels and eat one portion of whatever you put in your mouth, and finally get moving.  Incorporate some sort of exercise into your daily life.  It could be swimming, walking, running, jogging, bicycling, etc...whatever it is you like to do...just do it!  If a calorie counter isn't your thing, maybe join your local gym or weight watchers support group, whatever you do, make it a lifestyle change not a diet, and good luck, you can do it.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Mothers

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

A Message From Me To You

I just found out Saturday that my dear sweet cousin Melinda is in remission just like me.  The joy this family feels is just WOW! We have been praying for this moment for a long time and I am so excited for her and her boys to get on with their lives. 

For anyone who has had cancer or has someone in their immediate circle with cancer or even lost someone to cancer...you know what I mean when I say Cancer Sucks! Cancer takes so much away from you and gives little to nothing back. 

I am so thankful to all who prayed and encouraged me in my fight, it truly helped. If you know someone who is fighting this battle, pray for them, encourage them and love on them, it will be a blessing to them and to you as well.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Worthy The Lamb

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Sunday Funnies

 I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*