Hello again. Thought I'd update on the weight front. I finished 24 days on the HCG, doing the 500 calorie diet, and moved on to the 1500+ calorie phase of eating whatever you want except starches and sugars. I lost 20 pounds during the 24 days (got down to 227) , then did the (what I previously called "break") for a week, and due to my mental attitude that I was on a "break," I ate the things I could again but also starches and sugars (which you're not supposed to eat until a few months after you reach your goal weight and maintain it for a month). I gained some weight, and I just started the HCG (round 2) yesterday. As of today I weigh 229 lbs. My goal for this round is to do it the full 30 days (I ran out of the HCG drops last time) and get down to 200 lbs, losing 1 lb per day.

While doing this strict dieting, I've come to know my body a lot better. I've come to realize how much I love the effects of eating healthy (low/no oils, greases, fats, more veggies and fruits, plenty of protein, lots of water, etc...). My hair doesn't get oily as quickly as it did before, I have SO MUCH more energy, as I create habits of eating healthy I have less tendency to "eat because I'm bored" (which I think has been very common for me before), I sleep better, my skin looks better, and I'm a lot happier (not just because I'm losing weight, but I think the chemical balances and nutrients make me happier, literally). I also notice (for the first time in my life!) how discusting I feel after eating high sugar or high fat foods. During the last week I ate a lot of candy and some icecream and cake, and I felt gross the next day. I have even been sick for several days and I think this is the reason. I'm realizing that I shouldn't stay away from this nasty processed sugary foods simply because "I can't eat them, they're not on the diet" but simply because I don't want to eat them! I feel nasty afterwards.

Anyway... so I've started round two, and I'll keep you updated.

Thanks!
Kalli Dawn