Showing posts with label HCGprotocol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HCGprotocol. Show all posts

Thursday 4 September 2014

Why do you eat?

This is something I have been thinking about lately.  

We know that to survive we have to eat.  
But when we eat and why we eat is something I am working on at the moment.  Changing your lifestyle is such a huge thing.  It isn't just about ditching the crap and embracing the good stuff.  I have found it to be a massive psychological journey too.
In online support groups I see multiple posts daily from people lamenting that they have 'fallen off the wagon' or 'cheated'.   
These folk know that eating certain foods will make them feel ill, gain weight or have some other reaction.  Yet, despite this they still eat them.  This could be due to cravings, emotions, peer pressure, habit, boredom or time restraints.
For me, I don't tend to crave anything much since changing my diet.  I attribute this to being so ill beforehand and feeling so much better within six weeks of starting the protocol.   There is no way I want to go back to feeling like I did!  This doesn't mean I don't have the occasional flare up, but this is mostly due to testing something and finding it doesn't agree with me.  On the rare occasion (okay the other day), I will have something I know will react but do so anyway.  Damn that kebab was good!   Yes, I had a gain and my body aches but I doubled my ACV and water intake to try and flush it through faster.  
This isn't my biggest challenge though.

Ask yourself this.  
Are you hungry?  



Seriously, when you sit down to eat tonight really think about that.   

Do you have set meal times?



How often do you look at the clock and think about breakfast, lunch or dinner?
I know, right!!

I do it too.  

Because I home educate my kids I have two kids harping for food often LOL  Actually, I should correct that because since going LCHF (low carb, high fat) in our house they don't harp nearly as much as they used to.  
But they also clock watch!
"it's 12.30pm we have to have lunch now!"

Something I am trying to teach, not only them but ME! 

 Is to stop.  Just stop.  

Then ask "am I really hungry?" 

Because we start our day later than most because we can and arent you jelly around 9am we don't have breakfast until late, this means we don't really NEED lunch until later.   We have also been having high protein breakfasts, which we know is filling and will keep you going.  
Another reason to ask that question, "am I really hungry?"

Recently I went to the Primal Living conference in Hobart.  The food provided was very high protein, high fat.   This challenged me, I was full for two days and was not hungry at all, yet I struggled with that demand of the clock.  It is meal o'clock so I should be eating!
I ate a meal the following day and felt ill.
The next day I decided enough was enough and I didn't eat for 1.5 days after that.
You know what, I survived!  
I did not need to eat, I was not hungry.

I am trying very hard to break this habit of eating because the clock says to.  

Another question I ask is 

AM I THIRSTY?

We often mistake thirst for hunger.  When did you last have some water?  Go have a drink now!
If you think you should be eating, go have a glass of water and wait 30 minutes then ask yourself if you are really hungry.

Do we need to snack?



I say no.
Again, I find myself offering food to my kids and I am trying to stop this habit.  IF they are truly hungry they will ask.  No doubting that!
When I think "oooh it is 3pm I better get them a snack" I am trying to stop myself.  
Again, LCHF they shouldn't need a snack.  If I fill them up with good food for main meals that should sustain them.
For myself, I rarely snack now. 
I will have the occasional raw date/nut ball and I often feel like something salty so I will sometimes sprinkle some himalayan salt on it for that hit.  When I am not in phase 2 I rarely eat fruit and again feel fine with that. In phase 2 I want that extra snack as my protein is reduced and all fats stopped for the duration but in phase 4/5 I am full most of the time. 

So, why do you eat??

Saturday 30 August 2014

What a year


You have to remember that I didn't start the HCG protocol until Feb 2014 and had gained more weight than you see in the first two pictures!!

Many people have mocked what I am doing, questioned it's validity and whether it works.  

I think the pictures speak for themselves don't you!



Monday 4 August 2014

Post Protocol living - guest post by Anna Kurz Rogers

I thought it might be nice to have a piece talking about life after the protocol.  As I am quite some time away from this I asked the lovely Anna from HCG Protocol Companion and Changing Habits if she would share her thoughts and she has kindly accommodated me.  If you don't have a copy of Anna's book, do yourself a favour and buy it today!
Enjoy xx



Walking and talking the protocol  three years on.

Wow, the things I have learnt along the way is incredible - and not only from my own experiences but learning from all of the wonderful people that I coach every day.  Everyone has something to bring to the table so to speak, and I am so lucky and blessed to be here every day assisting others.
These days my eating is very, very simple and basic - something I truly enjoy and I never get stressed over food let alone feeling sick from the humongous amounts of cadbury I used to eat!!
My back pain from damaged discs is gone - truly gone.  Three years of full nights sleeps and no longer living daily with the debilitating pain - it's like a new lease on life.
My stress levels are much calmer and not very much fazes me these days - if for some reason I do get a bit hot under the collar, the time it takes to settle down is very quick compared to yesteryear.  My thought patterns are clearer therefore I find it easier to work through my mind chatter and clear it quickly.
My monthly cycles have settled nicely.  Pre protocol I was always 28days but never understood the significance back then with our cycles corresponding with the moon.  So yes my cycle was a bit out of whack for several months until it finally settled and aligned with the moon.  Perfectly fitting with my age too now as every few months it will switch around – this is peri-menopause whereby we are given still a small timeframe of fertility.
My body shape has changed completely now - I was in P2 for 18days with a loss of 6.5kgs and left P2 with still noticeable 'rolls' around my thighs but weighed in just under my ideal which was 64kgs..  I don't know when it all happened but it's now all gone and has been for some time.  My body is sculptured (if that's the right word) – and yup, no more thigh rubbing - woot woot.  No gym or harsh exercise either – in fact I don't even walk every day, only a few days out of the week but tend to make sure I incorporate exercise into my daily chores - you know like mopping or parking the car a bit further away from the supermarket and school. 
My weight has been interesting too - leaving P2 back then I weighed in around 63kgs then the following two months I went up to between 64 & 65kgs.  As I left P2 below my ideal weight I knew that my body was putting some of those good fats back that perhaps it had consumed.  But then summer came, and bam, I went down to 62kgs like overnight!!  Quite shocked really but knowing what I know now, I realise that my body was releasing that winter storage ready to start building up again in late Summer/Autumn.  Each season since, I have noted and begun to see patterns emerge in regards to my weights and how this ties in with our innate body and what it requires for each season.  Taste buds changed every season too – coincidence?  I don’t think so.  When we become so in tune with our body, we listen, and we eat what our body is requiring and not what others say or what we think we should be eating. 
I feel brilliant and very youthful at the age of 48, and I believe my body shape has continued to change too - change back to how it was when I was 21.  Along with this body shaping (hmmm, if that's the right word) so to has my body released more - I now hover at the 60kg mark - yup in the old scale, that yes I'm still used to, is 9. 3/4 stone and as I said I haven't been that weight since I got married at 21!!.  Yet I eat more steak everyday than my hubby, I scoff at least a litre or so of almond milk everyday and god knows how many date balls.  I use coconut oil in everything.  I eat masses of zucchini and eggs.  I even make my own custard in the thermie using almond milk.  I eat only a few apples these days but will easily eat a punnet of strawberries in one sitting over the summer months.   And I also drink my fair share of freshly ground coffee beans. Truly, I never go without nor do I every feel that I'm missing out on anything.  My taste buds have changed that much I still find it astounding.  Blown away really!
My life is full in so many ways and I cherish every moment.
xx



Monday 28 July 2014

Awaken your skin - Twenty8 Essentials Skin Care Range Review by Coach Kate

I have to admit that I have heard so many positives (and no negatives) when it comes to the Twenty8 Essentials skin care products that I could write a fabulous post recommending them myself.
However, I personally have not used them. It isn't that I don't want to, because I do. But, being a sole parent on a carer's pension means that I have to budget very carefully and unfortunately this does not include such a purchase at the moment. 

But, when I put the call out asking for someone who uses the products to write me a review Kate from Coach Kate kindly stepped up to the mark and offered.






Awaken your skin, your senses and your soul: Twenty8 Essentials Skin Care Range Review by Coach Kate

My skin is naturally dry and can be flaky without some kind of topical moisturiser, and unfortunately the HCG protocol is very limited in the types of personal care products you can use whilst on the protocol.
Kim Morrison, the founder of Twenty8, has developed a HCG approved skin care range based on the oil from the jojoba seed. Fortunately, the molecules found in jojoba oil are too large to deeply penetrate the skin and be absorbed into the blood stream. Technically it's not really an oil, but rather a liquid wax. It sits on top of the skin, more like a protective barrier from the environment and therefore preserving the skin's natural sebum to keep the skin hydrated.
I purchased both the Spritzer Toner and the Ester Plus (+) Face Serum to use whilst I was following the HCG Protocol by Cyndi O'Meara (4 Phase Fat Elimination Protocol). I have quite sensitive skin and for the past year have switched to all-natural preservative-free personal care products, which has dramatically changed my skin. As such, I am extremely fussy with the skin care products I choose to use.




 I was very impressed with the range! I found it thoroughly hydrated my face, without affecting my weight-loss results. 


My only qualm was that it left my skin quite shiny, which was fine of an evening, however it meant that most days I chose to use a mineral foundation powder over the top. I normally only wear foundation for special occasions as I find it can clog my pores and feel quite heavy on my skin.
The Twenty8 bodycare range is such a beautiful indulgence. I found it almost therapeutic to massage the Ester Plus (+) Body Serum into my skin after dry body-brushing. Having a routine after dinner, such as dry body-brushing and then massaging the jojoba-based oil is a fantastic distraction from those night-time nibbles that are a big no-no whilst following the HCG protocol.
Whilst on the HCG, you are going through a significant detox - physical and emotional. I found that using the Detox and Strengthen Synergy Blend in my oil diffuser was very grounding and satisfying. It was like the smell in the air reminded me to stay true to my commitment to the HCG and myself.

If you would like to find out more about me and my own health journey, please visit my website 




NB. Kate and I received no payment or product for this review.  If you purchase via any of the links I will receive a small percentage of sales as an affiliate.

Saturday 26 July 2014

The 'C' word

I don't mean that C word.  
I mean the other one that polite ladies don't usually mention in public!



Candida!

I know right!   

Everyone at some stage gets up close and personal with it but no one likes to talk about it!

If I do a search on the changing habits forums I come up with the maximum 20 pages, so over 200 posts where 'it' is discussed.  Certainly not uncommon while doing the protocol.

How do I know this exactly?  
Well, during my first round I became re-acquainted with candida and started searching to see if it was common during the protocol.  

Computer says "YES"

Because our bodies are detoxing when we do the protocol it is completely normal for it to go into overdrive as it tries to eliminate all the build up of crap.  During phases 2 & 3 we stop feeding the candida which is a naturally occurring yeast bacteria that lives in our digestive system.  When we have an unhealthy diet based on sugar, wheat and other highly processed foods it thrives and can go into overdrive causing unpleasant symptoms such as:

*bad breath
*itchy skin
*throat infections
*vaginal infections/discharge/itch
*irregular bowel movements
*wind/bloating
*CRAVINGS

I put that last one down simply because I am constantly reading about people doing the protocol and having cravings.  Even without the protocol how many of you had sugar cravings?  

what does candida need to survive?  

Yup, not just warmth and moisture but like any other bacteria.

This wants sugar!


So, are you wondering why you get this on the protocol.  Particularly when you are eating a healthy diet and taking your probiotics?
They say it takes a month of good health to make up for every year of crappy diet and health.   So this too will take time.
The candida symptoms you might be battling are simply a sign your body is fighting to become healthy.  
I have found that after phases 1-3 I have to be careful not to eat fruit that is too sweet or use any sweeteners like honey/agave/rapadura/maple in excess.  It is as if the candida knows it is dying off and will grab whatever it can to survive.  I have something wrong to eat and start to feel the onset of candida overload.  
The sugar cravings you get are simply the candida channelling through your body and wanting to be fed.

What can you do to beat candida and heal your digestive system?


Make sure you take them daily because they are high in good bacteria which help to kill the bad bacteria.  If you are in phase 4/5 then why not try 
All of these will help the good bacteria grow and are known for their gut healing qualities.
Foods to avoid are sugars, yeast products, moulds like mushrooms, alcohol and I personally would avoid wheat products too.  
Some people say to eat yoghurt but when you consider most yoghurt has only about 3 strains of bacteria compared to the 60 that the average kefir/kombucha has, I wouldn't waste my time on it.   
Having said that if you have an outbreak and need soothing in your nether regions you can apply plain, good quality yoghurt straight onto your pink bits!

AAAAAAAHHHH!

At the end of the day, if you are following the protocol by the book, all you can do is trust that your body is doing what it needs to do to achieve wellness.         All you need to do is be patient. 







Tuesday 8 July 2014

Phase 4 and counting

I am at the end of week one of phase four.  Haven't loss much weight at all which is disappointing.  I just don't get what is happening this round, nothing seems to make much difference at all.

So far I have tried butter, olive oil  and a tiny bit of coconut oil.  The latter isn't conducive to my blood type (A) so I find  I can have small amounts but that is all.   I haven't had any gains at all which is good news though!

I have been enjoying mixing up my veg though and love that I can have a stir fry again LOL
It really is the simple things in life isn't it!

This coming week will be much of the same as last week. Oh, and because I am right into fermenting 'stuff' at the moment I have been having some water kefir daily and putting whey from my milk kefir into smoothies.  All great for your gut and inner health.



Sunday 29 June 2014

Phase two complete for another round and

looking at having a successful phase 4 and 5.
I feel a bit disappointed with this phase as I didn't lose nearly as much as last round.  I attribute this to not paying enough attention to phases 4&5 last round.  I think  I carried across a lot of inflammation and it really affected my losses.  Lesson learnt!

I also believe that our body's needs change each round.  Last round I couldn't tolerate fish, other than small amounts of tuna.  I ate loads of beef (which I love) but this round I found that fish was much better than beef (*sob*).  I also think tomato in large amounts affect me negatively.   I hope that by the end of my rounds I will be ok eating all of these in balanced amounts.

Over all I lost 8.6kg which is bugger.  HOWEVER, it is 8.6kg lighter than I was 6wks ago and that is good :)

Preparations for p4 this time include:

  • Reading Anna's book The HCG Protocol Companion over and over.  I cannot recommend this book enough. It has fabulous advise and tips that can mean the difference between a successful or average  round.  Particularly for phase 4
  • Make sure I keep up with drinking loads of water.  And then, drink some more!
  • Following the list for food introduction strictly.  This means I will only introduce a food every 3 days and not try to rush.
  • Not getting down.  I know I have another 2-3 rounds until I have reached leptin sensitivity. This is all part of a bigger picture of health.
  • Be thankful everyday for what I have achieved so far and enjoy my improved health. 
  • Continue sharing with others on the Changing Habits forums and the HCG facebook page.  The support, ideas and camaraderie is invaluable.
  • Slowing down and not being so impatient!!!!
For the blog we move onto a new phase as well.   I still have a couple more phase 2 recipes to share and then we will move to my phase 4 foods.   I look forward to sharing these and hope they give folk some ideas for meals.   I also want to document what foods I am introducing and whether they have an effect. I know how challenging it can be at times to be inventive on such a limited range of foods.

However, I have learnt through this journey that sometimes we alter flavours of real food so often that we forget how great they taste when we leave them alone.  We also combine food way too much and lose the individual flavours.   I am really enjoying food rather than just seeing it as a means to an end and relish the natural flavours.  I know I am putting in good raw ingredients and gaining so much from them.



Wednesday 11 June 2014

ALL the supplements

On the changing habits HCG protocol you do have a suggested list of supplements.  I know that some other protocols don't have these and I know that people question why you need them.
I myself wondered this when I was researching the protocol.  Was it just a money making scam or are they really necessary.  One round in and I believe they truly help.
Firstly, you are eating a VERY reduced diet for much of the round and need to supplement that diet.
Secondly, you are de-toxing all that built up crap and anything that helps do that is good in my opinion.
Thirdly, you are going to get side effects from the detox and the supplements help that big time!


So, what do I take?  How?  When?

Firstly I have my apple cider vinegar on waking up.   I put 2tsp in a glass of water and skull it.  It ain't pretty, but if it's quick it isn't so bad LOL   The benefits to ACV are enormous.  Taken orally it can help stimulate circulation and break up mucus thus aiding detox.  It is an alkaline too so helps with digestion and another great benefit during the protocol is it's ability to fight candida (thrust).  There is a great list of benefits at MindBodyGreen that aren't just body related.

My breakfast 95% of the time is a berry smoothie.  In the summer we pick 20kg at least of organic blueberries and freeze to use throughout the year.  These are my staple breakfast.  In my smoothie I put the standard cup of berries, 3/4c water and a heaped teaspoon of Supreme Green powder,  Probiotic powder and of camu camu.  Supreme Green powder is as the name suggests, loads of green veg in dehydrated and concentrated powder form and so so good for you! The probiotic is really essential as the changing habits one is made from fermented veg.  we all know how great fermented foods are in aiding digestion and assisting in the healing of the gut and bowel.  This is what we are trying to do by detoxing so it makes sense to take something that will help this process.  The Camu camu powder is basically dried and ground berries that are incredibly high in VitaminC.  It helps boost immunity and clean your system out.  Also, because we are on reduced diet I think anything to boost vitC levels is good at this stage.

Some people take their seaweed salt off the spoon in the mornings.  I sometimes put it in my smoothies but mostly I put it in everything I cook.  It is high in minerals and vitamins and also great for respiration (the himalayan salt).  Due to the high iodine content it also helps in regulating the thyroid gland.   It tastes great in food too!

Lastly I take colloidal minerals.  Not only is it great taken orally to help in boosting mineral levels but I have found it really helpful with leg and back cramps and since taking them I haven't really had any.

I haven't really believed in supplements in the past but when starting the protocol six months ago I saw the need for these in helping  my body heal.  At that is what is doing really.  Getting rid of inflammation, candida and other toxins that have built up over the years of eating the wrong foods for me.  Anything that is going to help me achieve wellness faster has to be good. right!






Tuesday 10 June 2014

Changing Habits Affiliate

You will have noticed I am now advertising Changing Habits products.   I believe in this product so strongly that I have become an affiliate.
I haven't done this on a whim and would never endorse anything I wouldn't use myself.
Having done the protocol for almost six months and being well into my second round I believe it is something that can help you make amazing changes to your health and well being.

For me, I chose the Four Phase Fat Elimination Protocol but there are many other products available from Cyndi's online store.
The Hunter Gatherer Protocol is another great program that helps you change your eating habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  It isn't focused on weight loss but more on maintaining a healthy balance.

I will try and do a regular product review so you can get to know the products that I am loving and see for yourself how great they are.




Saturday 7 June 2014

Hints and Tips





I really think being organised is the key to making phase two easier.  The first couple of weeks of this phase can be challenging.  Firstly you are feeling not so great due to the awesome work your body is doing in eliminating the toxin build up.  Hooray for your body!!
Secondly, you really have to think outside the square when it comes to your meals.  It is challenging cooking without butter, cheese, oil. This are things we take for granted and to suddenly have to cook without them is hard.

Thirdly, you are quite possibly cooking regular meals for other family members and your kitchen has suddenly become a restaurant!   I know this one well as I also have one child who has chosen to be vegetarian, one child who will eat pretty much anything and then me!

For me personally I find the following makes things much easier for me:

* I buy my meat in bulk from the farmer (Conmurra Farm), the day it is delivered I immediately trim and bag it up into 100gr lots.  I also do this for chicken breast.

* Add spices and herbs to your meats before freezing to save time and to add flavour

*Don't be scared to use herbs and spices.  I find I use them heaps more than I used to because I am not relying on oils etc

*Cook in bulk where you can.  If I make a soup I add at least 500gr of meat and 5 cups of allowed veg then divide and freeze.   I also do this for bolognaise sauce.

*Make your own stock and freeze in smaller portions for quick soups.

*Use a non-stick pan.  Normally I wouldn't touch these but it does make cooking without a lubricant much easier.

*Use a splash of water in your pan to fry onion etc

*If you have a phone that you can set reminders do so for your drops so you don't forget.

So, what hints or tips do you have for making this phase easier?  Please share them in the comments and I will eventually create a page with them all.  

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Another blog to hit the webiverse

This is another blog to add to my bedpost notches.  Hey, can't have too much of a good thing can you??

I decided to create this blog to share my journey on the CHanging Habits HCG protocol and show you how easy it is to create delicious meals on a limited list of allowed foods.

When I first started the protocol back in February I took one look at the allowed foods and freaked.  I am sure anyone starting out would do the same.  However, after a week or so I started to get my rhythm and found I could create some really yummy dishes.

I don't have a thermomix or a vitamix, just a pan and a stove and a love of food.  So, if you want to eat some healthy food whether you are following the protocol or not, tag along for the ride.
I hope you enjoy

Kelli x