A Question from Blog World

Here's a question from Jen:
I'm desperate to hear all the details on this. Did you get all of their shampoo/lotion/sunscreen/cosmetics? Are you using normal stuff? TALK TO ME! Because my stress eating over the last month hasn't been a great thing...

Okay, so here we go.  I stuck with my Pantene shampoo and it hasn't seemed to have any negative effects on weight loss.  Don't ask how often I wash my hair though.  It probably couldn't hurt to use an oil free shampoo like Neutrogena.  I've avoided cosmetics but apparently mascara and lipstick are fine.  If you want a sunscreen or lotion make sure it says "oil free".  I'm using Neutrogena sunscreen (make sure you do this...the very first day I didn't have an oil free sunscreen so I didn't wear anything...I was so burned!!!)  

I'm using Secret deoderant.  I wasn't ready to do that crystal stick thing.  Those are for the hard core hcg'ers.  Secret hasn't hurt me so far.  I use Tom's toothpaste.  You can find that at CVS or Walgreens.  It's not cheap and it tastes kinda yucky but I haven't minded it too much.  I think you could probably use a plain Crest but I decided not to risk it. 

The thing I like best about this HCG protocol is that it has changed my appetite and restarted my hypothalmus.  I no longer crave chocolate after each meal (although it still sounds yummy).  Miracle, people.  Miracle. 

I would stress NOT to cheat.  In 12 days I lost 10 pounds.  In the past 7 days I've lost and gained (a half pound 2 different times) and I'm still at that 10 pound mark.  Why?  I cheated 3 times in the past 8 days.  I know.  Thankfully though I can add on a few days and make up for this.  I plan to be good over the next 6 days and see where that takes me.  I may go for a few more days depending on the progress I have.

By the way, my cheats consisted of:  one chocolate chip pancake and 2 chocolate chip cookies on Day 12, organic mac and cheese on Day 14, and the catered yumminess that I encountered at Red White and Boom on Day 16.  It's now Day 19 though and I'm back to my lowest weight so far.  Here is a key:  Don't let yourself get hungry.  If you plan well and constantly eat the allowed foods you won't be tempted to cheat because you won't be hungry.  The days I cheated (except for the catered yumminess) were days that I wasn't feeding myself like I should have been.  I waited too long between foods and didn't snack appropriately.  I have a new resolve now (since the catered yumminess) and I'm finishing strong!!!