Many people have had the unfortunate experience of successfully losing a significant amount of weight, only to have it all come back in a short amount of time.  It is important to understand that there is more to dieting than just kicking off the pounds.  It is the start on a brand new road of living a healthier lifestyle.  The following is an article from the Mayo Clinic about assessing if you are ready to begin a weight loss journey.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your weight-loss success depends in large part on your readiness to take on the challenge. If you jump in before you’re ready, your weight-loss plan may buckle under the first challenge. Use these questions to assess your weight-loss readiness.

1. Are you motivated to make long-term lifestyle changes?

Successful weight loss depends on permanent lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods and exercising more. That could represent a significant departure from your current lifestyle. Be honest. Knowing that you need to make changes in your life and actually doing it are two different things. You may have to overhaul your diet so that you’re eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, for example. You’ll also need to find time to exercise for at least 30 minutes nearly every day of the week. Exercise is especially important to prevent regaining your lost weight.

Your motivation for undertaking these changes may be better health, improved appearance or just feeling better about yourself in general. As long as your motivation is a healthy one, it doesn’t really matter what it is. Find your motivation and focus on it.

2. Have you addressed the big distractions in your life?

If you’re dealing with major life events, such as marital problems, job stress, illness or financial worries, you may not want to add the challenge of overhauling your eating and exercise habits. Instead, consider giving your life a chance to calm down before you launch your weight-loss program.

3. Do you have a realistic picture of how much weight you’ll lose and how quickly?

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong process. Over the long term, it’s best to aim for losing 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. To lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day. You can do that through a low-calorie diet and regular physical activity or exercise.

Initially you might lose weight more quickly than that if you make significant changes — just be sure the changes are health supporting. Don’t get discouraged if your rate of weight loss slows a bit after bigger initial losses.

4. Have you resolved any emotional issues connected to your weight?

Emotions and food are often intertwined. Anger, stress, grief and boredom can trigger emotional eating. And if you have a history of an eating disorder, weight loss can be even trickier. Start by identifying your emotional issues related to food so that you’re prepared for the challenges. Talk to your doctor about what weight-loss options are best for you.

5. Do you have support and accountability?

Any weight-loss program can be difficult. You may face moments of temptation or become disheartened. Having someone in your corner to offer encouragement can help. If you don’t have friends or family you can rely on for positive help, consider joining a weight-loss support group.

If you want to keep your weight-loss efforts private, be prepared to be accountable to yourself with regular weigh-ins and a log of your diet and activity. You might also want to consider joining an online program or using a certified health coach.

6. Have you embraced the weight-loss challenge?

If you don’t have a positive attitude about losing weight, you may not be ready. If you dread what lies ahead, you may be more likely to find excuses to veer off course. Try to embrace the vision of your new lifestyle and remain positive. Focus on how good you’ll feel when you’re more active or when you weigh less. Picture yourself celebrating every little success along the way, whether it’s opting for a low-fat cottage cheese snack instead of chips or going for a walk.

You’re ready for weight loss: Now what?

If you answered yes to all or most of these questions, you’re probably ready to make the lifestyle changes necessary to work toward permanent weight loss. You may be able to forge ahead on your own, creating your own lifestyle program for healthy eating and exercising. Or you may feel you need help.

Educating yourself about the process of successful weight loss and maintenance is a start. For example, learn more about the dietary changes necessary for losing weight. See a dietitian or enroll in a behavior-based weight program that can help you change the habits that can interfere with weight loss, such as eating when you’re stressed or bored. If you have a significant amount of weight to lose, you may benefit from medically supervised weight loss with a team of health professionals that may include a dietitian, a therapist or an obesity specialist.

What if you’re not ready?

If you answered no to more than one of these questions, you may not be ready to embark on a weight-loss program right now. And that’s OK. Explore what’s holding you back and face those obstacles. In some cases it may simply be a matter of timing. For instance, you may need to resolve other stressors in your life first. In other cases, you may need to work on related issues, such as your feelings toward weight loss or your willingness to commit to permanent lifestyle changes.

Consider seeking help from your doctor or another professional, such as a certified wellness coach, to help you work through these issues. Try to address the obstacles as soon as possible and then re-evaluate your readiness for weight loss so that you can quickly get started on a healthier lifestyle. Don’t let the chaos of life become a permanent excuse, however. There will never be an absolutely perfect time.

Still unsure?

You may have found that you couldn’t answer all of the questions with a simple yes or no. If you feel generally positive about most of your answers and you’re upbeat about a weight-loss program, consider starting now. You may never have definitive answers in life. Don’t let that rob you of a chance to achieve your weight-loss goals.

The original article can be read here on the Mayo Clinic website.

Many people have found that cleansing the body helps prepare the body for what is to come ahead. A Candida cleanse helps with sugar cravings and a colon cleanse can begin the process of clearing out the toxins and prevent constipation during the protocol. Also, a detox bath can be helpful. See our article on detox baths.

Take the time to read and know the protocol. Also download and read other helpful information in our downloads section.

Give up Splenda, Aspartame and MSG. They all make you hungry and are fuel addictions.

Make sure your schedule is ready to take on your new diet (i.e. no vacations planned, etc.) and that you start right after TOM (Time of Month)

Spend time planning your meals, shopping for the protocol, and checking out the recipes.

Mentally prepare for this protocol. Think about of how you are going to handle the day-to-day situations – the foods you are going to make and how you will handle your family meals. Get prepared to be committed to this protocol. If you are not, then you will not succeed.

Headaches are normal for the first few days of Phase 2 on the hCG diet as the body adjusts to the 500 calorie diet. It is also normal during phase 1 loading due to the extra intake of sugars. While taking hCG it is okay to take aspirin for headaches and other pains.

If you are drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages (coffee and tea), then be sure to also drink a good amount of water or cut back on the caffeine to avoid dehydration which can cause headaches.  If you take an aspirin be sure to use one that has little or no caffeine.

On the other hand you may be experiencing a headache because your body is craving caffeine.  If you normally drink two cups of coffee but today you skipped them and now have a headache, they try drinking a cup or taking an aspirin that has caffeine.

Many people find that drinking chamomile tea helps keep off headaches and it is best to drink it at the first signs of a headache.  Chamomile tea is available in most stores and can also be found in our marketplace under the Tea and Drinks category.

Additional ways to fight off headaches include taking a warm bath or shower or enjoying a relaxing nap.

Visit the WebMD Headache Center for more information on headache prevention and remedies.

Enjoy this list of hCG diet friendly uses of baking soda for all phases!

In our post on the detox bath we discussed using baking soda and Epsom salt to help cleanse the skin and body of toxins.  This article covers a variety of ways that baking soda can be used for personal health and beauty, that can be used while on the hCG diet:

Squeaky clean hair: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your usual shampoo bottle to help remove buildup from conditioners, mousses, and sprays, and to improve manageability.

In emergencies, use baking soda as a dry shampoo on oily hair. Sprinkle on your hair and comb through, then fluff with a blow dryer.

Chlorine remover: Rinse hair with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 pint water to remove the dullness or discoloration caused by chlorinated pools.

Combs and brushes: Hair spray and oil buildup on combs and brushes can be removed by soaking them in a sink of warm water and adding 3 tablespoons baking soda and 3 tablespoons bleach.

Hands: Remove fish, onion, or garlic odor from hands with a solution of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or liquid soap. Rub mixture in your hands, and rinse off.

Elbows: Rub a baking-soda paste onto your elbows to smooth away rough skin.

Feet: Soak tired feet in a basin of warm water with 3 tablespoons baking soda.

Add 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water, and soak feet for 10 minutes to relieve foot itch.

Smooth rough and hardened calluses and heels by massaging them with a paste of 3 parts baking soda per 1 part water.

Soothe minor mishaps: For sunburn pain, saturate a washcloth with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart water. Apply to affected area.

Ease windburn or poison ivy irritation with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Do not use on broken skin.

Relaxing baths: Baking soda added to the bathwater has a softening effect on the skin. Add 1/2 cup to a full bath.

Make bubbling bath salts with 21/2 cups baking soda, 2 cups cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup cornstarch. Mix them together, and store in a covered container. Use 1/4 cup per bath.

Relieve itchy winter skin in a bath with 1 cup baking soda and 11/4 cups baby oil in the water.

Sponge bath: Freshen up with a washcloth dipped in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water.

Deodorant: Apply cornstarch to your underarms with a powder puff first, then apply the baking soda.

Nail care: Clean fingernails and toenails by scrubbing them with a nailbrush dipped in baking soda. This also softens cuticles.

Toothpaste: Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part salt. Add 3 teaspoons of glycerin. Add 10 to 20 drops of flavoring (peppermint, wintergreen, anise, or cinnamon) and enough water to make a paste. Spoon into a small, refillable squeeze bottle.

Sprinkle baking soda into your palm, dip a damp toothbrush into it, and brush your teeth.

Refreshing mouthwash: To freshen breath, use 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water, swish the solution through your teeth, and rinse.

Dentures and other dental appliances: Soak dentures in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in warm water.

• Use baking soda to soak athletic mouth guards, retainers, or other oral appliances.
• Scrub dentures, mouth guards, and retainers with a toothbrush dipped in baking soda.
• Soak toothbrushes in a baking-soda solution overnight.

Facial Care

Baking soda can also do wonders for your face.

Exfoliating: Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, and use as a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub after washing with soap and water. Rinse your face clean.

Mix baking soda with oatmeal in your blender; it makes a great facial scrub.

Shaving: Men with sensitive skin may find that a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water makes a great preshave treatment or a soothing aftershave rinse.

For instant relief of razor burn, dab on a baking-soda solution.

Also check out the marketplace for this book on additional uses for baking soda.

The original article can be read here.

Extra Virgin Raw Coconut Oil. Use this as your fat of choice in cooking. Take two teaspoons per day to stimulate metabolism, improve digestion, and release fat cells.

Useful for everything from hair conditioner to cooking, Coconut Oil is one of the few products permitted and recommended for hCG dieters.

Benefits of Coconut Oil include promoting healthy thyroid function while reducing sugar cravings. Coconut Oil is a Medium Chain Fatty Acid, or ”GOOD FAT” that breaks down quickly, increasing metabolic rate and promoting natural weight loss. Coconut Oil also helps support a healthy immune system and digestion, helps to promote supple skin and healthy hair.

Use: Coconut oil is great for baking, cooking, sauteing, or in your favorite health shake. Also, amazing as a beauty product- for hair and body. Great supplement for butter. Adults may safely consume 1-4 tablespoons per day.

Nutrition value of Coconut Oil: Low in calories, low in fat, and nutritious, while providing the body with an energy source instead of carbohydrates. Typical stats for 16 oz. inclues: Calories (123 -), Protein, Total Fat (13.97 g), coconut oil (14 g) Coconut Oil Diet ”Gourmet Style” (Raw Organic) by Health Support.

This is a great hCG diet friendly treat to have on a hot summer day…

To create this tasty treat, you’ll want to grab:

-A handful of strawberries
-4 cups of ice
-Desired amount of Vanilla Stevia

Throw all of these ingredients into a blender and mix it until the ice is good and crushed. You can decide if you need more Vanilla Stevia after you taste it. (I like to use just a little bit and it does foam some, so add a little at a time).

Enjoy!

There are four phases to the hCG Diet.

Phase 1:

Phase one is preparing for the diet.  This is a preparatory phase that is very important but many skip.  We recommend at least reading Pounds and Inches and trying one of the detox methods as you await your shipment.  You can use this time to read Pounds and Inches, do your measurements( check out the myotape) and work on detoxing your body to prepare for the diet.  Try the Ultimate Detox Cleanse.  Click here for all your Phase 1 information.

Phase 2:

When you start taking the hCG drops is the beginning of phase 2.  The first 3 days of phase 2 you will be eating a high fat diet while taking your drops 3x a day.  Hold the drops under your tongue for a minimum of two minutes to absorb the hCG sublingually.  You will then start building your fat reserves while the hCG is starting to build in your system.  On Day 4 you will begin your start of the VLCD diet.  This will be 500 calories while taking the hCG 3x a day.  There are two programs a 23 day plan and a 43 day plan.  Depending on which you are on you will continue the 500 calorie diet.  Here is an example day on the hCG diet.  Click here for Phase 2 tips and recipe informaiton.

Phase 3:

This phase is one of the most important phases of the diet.  The goal here is maintenance.  You do not want to lose or gain during this 3 week period following your last doseage weight.  Dr. Simeons says in Pounds and Inches you are resetting your hypothalomus to this new weight so your body will remember it and it will keep you from gaining back weight in the future.  You do not want your weight do go above or below 2lbs. of your LDW.  During this cycle you are to have 1500 calories including fats with no startches or sugars.  If  you need more calories to maintain (if you are still losing on 1500 increase your calories to avoid any weight fluctuations, men especially sometimes need to do this to keep their LDW).  After you have reached stabilization you will want to slowly start adding in items one at a time to see how your body responds.   You will monitor this by weighing daily and seeing if a new food has caused you to gain.  Once you have stabilized for 3 weeks you can return to p2 (if you are taking injections this is 6 weeks) or you can move on to P4, which is the phase once you have reached your goal weight and are ready for lifetime maintenance.  If you experience a gain during your stabilization period immediately do a Steak Day or Alternative Correction Day.  Click here to visit the Phase 3 category for tips and recipes.

Phase 4:

Once you achieve your goal weight you are ready for phase 4.  Phase 4 is the “forever” phase.   We do not ever want to return to our previous weight and will want to maintain and stay at our LDW.  Phase 4 is actually easy once you have stabilized correctly.  If you happen to have an off day the weight comes right back off easily and you can continue this process.  In Phase 4 you can begin to add back in limited sugars and startches.  I know for me I love chocolate and have tested this in phase 4, while I do not eat it everyday I have been able to enjoy the “treats” in life i.e. Pizza, a donut, cereal etc when testing the phase 4 lifestyle with no gains.  You will always want to monitor your weight so that if you have a serious gain you can correct it, but it is easier to have a treat in p4 and actually see no gain at all.  Click here for all your Phase 4 category information.

I hope this information was helpful.  I know the phases can be confusing.  You need to know this terminology to get the correct recipes for which phase you are in.  There is a category section on the right side bar of the blog for your convenience.  We are here to help and you will be seeing more p4 information as Carol and I have been in phase 4 for months now.  We are an interactive site so please share any tips or recipes you think others would find helpful and we will all be healthier and skinnier together.

Ultimate Detox

I recently on a trip to Sprouts discovered this product.  I know several have had questions about it.  We added it to the marketplace as it is cheaper online than at the store. 

Here is some information about what the product will do for you.  I have had great results and feel great.  I recommend regular detox cleansing while on the hCG diet as your body is breaking down the fat and you want to make sure all of it is purged from your body.

The body carries out its own spontaneous cleansing process on a daily basis, working to eliminate toxins that we breathe in, ingest or absorb from the environment as well as the toxins that form internally as by-products of natural processes such as breathing and digestion.

The nutrients and herbs contained in Ultimate Detox & Cleanse:

Support detoxification and cleansing of the
•Blood stream and circulatory systemª
•Intestinal tractª
•Hepatic system (liver)ª
The nutrients and herbs contained in Ultimate Detox & Cleanse:

•Promote fat metabolism for more effective elimination of toxins stored in fat tissueª
•Are synergistically blended for optimal resultsª

An easy-to-use, comprehensive detoxification and cleansing program.

Vegetarian, Kosher & Gluten-free

Detox baths are a good way to start your hCG journey. It is recommended to cleanse and detox before loading. You can also do this throughout the protocol.

Pour 1 lb. of Epsom Salt into a very warm bath with 1 lb. baking soda (Arm & Hammer). Soak in tub of warm/hot water – as warm as can take water for at least 20 minutes. Don’t shower off until next day.

You may feel light headed, dizzy, weak and completely drained after a detox bath, so doing it around bedtime is a good idea.. It’s a symptom of weak adrenals.

Epsom Salt “detoxes” your body by drawing out the toxins and replenishing nutrients that your body needs and it make my skin feel very nice and soft. Baking soda increases CO2 levels in the blood, which dilates blood vessels and increases circulation, causing a “tired” feeling. It’s sort of like chemical exercise. All the magnesium and bicarbonate are getting flooded with minerals and nutrients. Magnesium is a natural mild sedative and is great inside and out for reducing muscle spasms and strains.

Sometimes taking fresh squeezed orange juice with a little sea salt and sip during the bath can help this. You can also add a handful of dead sea salts, which will give minerals and micro-nutrients that will feed and improve the skin

Take advantage of the relaxation to get a good nights sleep.

In this video post Carol explains the importance of tea on the hCG diet.  There are many varieties to chose from.  There are teas that help with all kinds of issues.  The Detox tea shown here has amazing benefits and helps you cleanse and have better releases.  Embrace tea while on hCG.  Our drinks are limited to tea, water and coffee and with the large variety of teas available it will keep you from getting the urge to drink something off protocol.