Put down the sugar

I am sitting here this Saturday morning, sipping my sugar free protein shake, which I look forward to having every morning. Who would have thunk it? It has definitely been a couple months of lots of surprises.

I am noticing all these things more and more as I go through this process.

I don't feel right if I don't exercise. I am not just calorie, carb or fat counting, but when I go to eat something I am looking for the nutritional value and trying to balance out each meal and make sure my body is getting what it needs.

I have already scheduled my appointment to start Round Two of the protocol. Yep, another surprise. I am at the end of the 3 weeks after the hCG injections and the VLCD, having been allowed to add in different foods and add in breakfast again, but still no adding in any starch or sugar. In about two days I would be able to add starch and sugar into my diet again in small portions. I had already made a decision about 2 weeks ago that I wasn't going to add them back in, at least for now. It is all about knowing yourself, and I know that I need more time without starch and sugar. I really want to learn not to be dependent on them for satisfying meals. I want to continue to come up with meals full of protein and fruits and vegetables, that are low in fats and carbs. It is a challenge. But it is also rewarding.

It has been 53 days since I started my journey. At my final weigh-in with Dr.G, on May 30th, I had lost 28lbs. That was my last day of the shots. The goal at that point is while adding in breakfast and some other foods that were not allowed on the VLCD phase, you were to continue eating healthy, exercising, and to continue to maintain or hopefully continue to loose more weight. I have now lost 34.4lbs total. I am excited. My energy is great, my health, and all the other changes in my health I listed in my last posting have continued to improve.

Because of what the hCG does within the body (allows it to tap into your body’s abnormal fat deposits (shoulders, upper arms, stomach, hips, thighs, and buttocks) which are deposits that are not usually accessible to the body for fat consumption, and thus releasing the abnormal fat into the blood stream and out of the body, as well as affecting the hypothalamus and base metabolism) I want to get going on Round Two and to continue to "reset" my body. Yes, that means no more of my yummy protein shakes in the morning, and no more mixed vegetables with a sprinkling of cheese, but those things just don't even compare. I am still about 90lbs from my goal. I am kind of in an all or nothing state of mind.

I see my Mom's excitement in seeing me really pushing myself and her love as she helps me shop for food and prepare food and is supporting me with her eating habits as well.

My Dad came to me one afternoon and said "I just wanted to say I am sorry, I am so quick to tell you when you are doing something wrong and then when you are doing something great I don't even recognize it". He hugged me tight and said "I am so proud of you Kate, you are doing amazing". I can't tell you how much that meant.

My coworkers make comments each day when I come in about how much my body is changing and already the amazing difference they see. We started the "Biggest Loser" challenge again at work and I have a pretty good feeling about it this time around.

My church family encourages me and prays for me and I get so many hugs and words of encouragement from them.

My friends have been amazing and amazed. I think both the determination and willpower I have exhibited, as well as the results, have really taken them back. They have been there with me through so many failed attempts and so many issues with my health and it is fills my heart with joy to see their excitement and enthusiasm.

The biggest one though is my son. Hiking with Will on Sugarloaf Mountain. When we would stop so I could catch my breath, he would pray for me. Although one prayer was, "God please don't let my Mommy die on the mountain" - but, I just think he is kind of in awe because it wasn't very long ago at all that I was winded from going up the stairs. He encourages my choices in food, and tells me so proud he is of me. He is quick to tell me that my "shoulders look smaller" or my "belly isn't that big anymore". I think he is really proud of his Mom, which means more to me than I could ever express.

So here I am, 34lbs lighter, and ready to keep going. I start back up on July 3rd. Until then I will continue exercising, eating right, and most importantly praying. God is so good and so faithful. He brings me through each minute of the day and continues to reveal Himself to me through this experience.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the beginning of their summer. I can't say it enough - don't wait to make a difference in your health. Don't let what ever that "thing" is that is standing in your way, stop you. For me it was doubt. Doubt from and of doctors. Doubt that I could do it. Doubt that it would work. Doubt in God. I am so glad that I didn't wait for that doubt to go away, because the truth is, it never would have. It only could by going around it.

My Mom always says to me when I get frustrated at how much further I have to go. "Katie, think of carrying around a 5 lb bag of sugar all the time and how many of those you have put down".