HCG Hormone Free Round 5 Progress Update

Today is day 17 on the HCG Hormone Free Drops from HCGDiet.com. I feel great! My energy levels are fantastic, I dont feel hungry. I havent had terrible cravings. Things are just so good!

Im down 11.8 pounds! Considering Ive had 4 different days of cheats, TOM, and an incredible amount of stress at work & school within the last two weeks, Im beyond satisfied with my results. I only have 13.6 pounds to go before I reach my go for this round!

Losing pounds is extremely motivating, but inches are even more motivating because I can see the difference when I wear clothes I havent been able to wear in a long time. Finally wearing my snug-fitting, size 12 skinnies! Wooohoo! I bought them super snug back in March and they are just now fitting the way I want them to.

This round hasnt been a complete breeze. The cheat days were a bit tough to recover from, but I knew going into this round I was going to eat whatever I wanted for my boyfriends birthday parties (per his request). Even after the parties were done, the temptation lingers, but I am trying my best to put my goal at the top of my priorities list. 

Last night I turned down chocolate covered macadamia nuts, pizza, and bread sticks. Im going strong right now, but even if I were to cheat I know that it will be OK just as soon as I get back on track. Im really trying to focus on that idea this round: moving on, not feeling guilty, and getting back on track. Ive grown to recognize that guilt is a trigger for my emotional eating. So no matter how badly I slip up, I brush it off and start fresh the next day. 

Life is good. Youre a strong individual who can only give their best. Stop spending time feeling guilty when you fall a bit short. Stop comparing yourself to others and wallowing in self-consciousness. Go out and do something amazing for yourself.

You can get the hormone free drops Im using for 40% off when you use coupon code MYHCGTRIUMPH. This is an exclusive code for my readers only! 26 day kits are less than $50! Get yours now! 

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7 Ways to Add Flavor to HCG Approved Meals

One of the hardest parts of sticking to any diet is finding recipes that taste good, or adding flavor to simple dishes. Having done four rounds of HCG, I have learned a few tricks that arent on the original protocol, but pose no risk to your weight loss. Here are 7 ways to add flavor to your HCG approved meals:

Franks Hot Sauce

I love using Franks Red Hot Original Sauce on chicken. Its a simple addition that really ramps up the flavor. Plus it only contains a few simple ingredients, all of which are approved for the HCG Diet. The only caution with this is not to use more than a teaspoon per meal because it does contain salt which can cause water retention. Franks Red Hot Original Sauce can be found in the condiment aisle of the grocery store.

Mrs. Dash

Mrs. Dash has a great line of salt-free, MSG-free seasoning blends that are absolutely amazing. Mix them up with some stevia and vinegar for a dressing, or sprinkle them on our meat while it cooks, these are a healthy, simple addition to any HCG Approved meal. Mrs. Dash seasoning blends can be found in the spice aisle in the grocery store.

Lemon Juice

It sounds simple, but adding lemon juice can make all the difference to your Tilapia or asparagus. Its also great on apples, in ice slushies, water and more. Lemons are super cheap, too!

Salsa

Now this one was a life saver for me in round three. I would use Pace Picante Mild salsa. It has no added sugar and its low in calories. I would add a couple tablespoons to chopped chicken and serve it over lettuce. Technically that is mixing veggies, I know, but it never affected my weight loss and it saved me from cheating on the diet on numerous occasions. Look for it in the Salsa aisle in the grocery store.

Onion
Like lemon juice, this seems like another no-brainer, but there are certain veggies that dont seem to pose any problems when mixed with other veggies. Onion is one of those. Try chopping up a small chunk of onion and grilling it with chicken and chopped tomato. Its simple but the onions add a great, fresh flavor that seasonings cant.

Combine your Fruit and Veggie Serving
Did you know that you can make some pretty amazing fruit and veggie combos? Yup. Try mixing your apple with spinach and topping it with chicken, you can also do that with oranges. Or you can try mixing grapefruit with cucumber, strawberries and lettuce, and even apples and celery. Mix and match your fruits and veggies to create new flavor combinations.

Trulicious Powder/Liquid

Trulicous powder is an amazing product of Blue Earth nutrition. It is stevia that is combined with a unique fiber blend to help promote digestive health. It is the best powdered stevia I have ever tasted plus its packed full of health benefits you wont find in Truvia. I love mixing some powdered Trulicious, cinnamon and sprinkling it on an apple then baking it. Its like a mock apple pie! Its also great in tea and coffee. Plus, HCGDiet.com offers Trulicous stevia liquid in multiple flavors.


What are ways you have found to add flavor to Phase 2 of the HCG Diet?

Looking for some health, Phase 2 approved recipes? Check out Eat Well, Slim Down. Its a digital HCG Approved recipe book with over 100 recipes! Plus its only $10! 

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4 Ways to Spruce up your Salad

Todays blog is dedicated to one of my favorite foods: salad. In my mind, theres nothing better than a bed of romaine lettuce topped with all kinds of goodies. I love salad so much I eat it nearly everyday. 

This love for salad has been an advantage for me as Im losing weight. Not only is it nutritious, but its a great way to fill up while still slimming down. I have had to modify my list of toppings to fit my diet, though. For example, on the HCG diet, dousing my salad in ranch is not really an option. I also have to cut out the cheese, the croutons, the olives, the ham, and the cottage cheese. It may seem to you that cutting these things out ruins the whole thing, it makes it boring.

Well maybe it does make it boring, but there are certain flavor packed, diet friendly toppings you can add in place of the not-so-diet-friendly ones. 

Here are my four favorite HCG friendly salad toppings: 

Salsa - Some people who do the HCG Diet are pretty strict about the mixing vegetables. I personally have never had a problem mixing tomato products with lettuce. Knowing this I set out to find a delicious salsa with no added sugar or oil. :) I didnt have to look to hard because luckily, Pace makes their picante salsa simple and delicious. I use a couple tablespoons on top of my lettuce. 

Franks Hot Sauce - The great thing about using hot sauce on salads is the way spicy foods help me slow down. Because my mouth is burning from hot sauce I usually drink more water and I get fuller faster. Franks Hot Sauce has a great flavor and it doesnt contain sugar or oil. The spicy flavor in combination with chicken and tomato makes a delicious dinner. Just make sure you use the hot sauce and not the wing sauce (it contains oil).

Lime Juice - This is one of the cheapest ways to tantalize your taste buds. I love squeezing half a lime over a bed of lettuce topped with a bit of salsa and lean ground been. Its a healthy taco salad!

Banana Peppers - Now these arent technically on the HCG protocol, but they happen to be one of my favorite things to eat in the whole world. I have to use them in moderation but banana pepper rings fro Mezzetta are packed with tangy flavor that is extremely satisfying on a bed of lettuce with no dressing.

What healthy toppings do you put on your salad? 

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The Night Before

Ok, so Ive been waiting for something to grab me for a while. I stumbled across The Fast Diet this morning and in fine British mode, theres no time like the present. 

Ive planned to start my fast diet tomorrow and with it being Monday might be a tough task. Id rather start off tough though whilst I have the motivation, with the intention of it becoming easier, rather than the other way around...

Ill be posting a series of posts detailing how Im doing along the way and offering advise to anyone who may be following me and taking part also.

Wish me luck!!!!

D x

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4 Mistakes that could be Ruining your HCG Diet

This isnt your first rendezvous for the HCG Diet. You know what youre doing. But for some reason, every once in awhile your weight loss seems to slow or stall. And that is frustrating, even for an HCG Diet veterans like you and me.

 We like to think we know what were doing, weve read Pounds and Inches, weve gone through every page of the guidebook, and maybe even got our hands on Lose 50 Pounds Guaranteed, but somehow even us veteran HCG Dieters miss details that could be slowing down our weight loss. 

Here are 4 things that may be ruining your HCG Diet:

Not Measuring
OK, lets be honest after our second or third week on the diet we lose interest in measuring everything we eat, at least I did. However, trust me when I say you need to measure, no matter what. The thing is, we think we know what 3.5 ounces of meat looks like but its easy to add an extra ounce and sometimes even two. Those extra ounces add up to extra calories and they can be slowing down your weight loss. So do it a night ahead or pack a food scale in your purse. This is one fine detail that when skipped adds up over time.

Over Compensating
Have you ever eaten something you were supposed to and thought, "I can fix this, Ill just do a Cali Kicker, some sit-ups, take green coffee, go for a walk, take my appetite control, and cut back on dinner." Im guilty of that train of thought. But you dont need to freak out like that. Just get back on track at your next meal and let your body correct the problem itself. If you do too many quick fixes at once youll confuse your body and the problem will only get worse.

Deviating from Protocol

I went through this phase where I was eating banana peppers because they are low-calorie and didnt have any oil, but the thing is they arent on the original protocol for a reason and that reason is sodium. There are also a lot of other things that seem like theyd be fine but they arent. For instance certain fruits like mango and watermelon are too high in sugar for the diet and can slow you down. Even unlisted veggies can cause problems. So simply put, if its not on the approved foods list... dont eat it.

Skipping Calories

Toward the end of Phase 2, I have a hard time getting all of my 500 calories in. I know that sounds crazy because Im not eating very much as it is, but the appetite suppressant in HCG Triumph drops is pretty powerful. So its tempting to skip out on your fruit or veggies, but then your body (even though it doesnt feel hungry) goes into starvation mode and you stop losing weight. Eat all of the food youre suppose to eat.

And for those of you who arent quite HCG vets, you may not have slipped into these bad habits yet, and thats good news. So take notes and make sure you never start. :) 

Are you guilty of any of the above diet blunders? What other bad habits have you found slow down your weight loss?

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10 Ways to Boost Your Confidence

They say we are our toughest critics. Just another cliche youd seen plastered on a scenic stockphoto on Pinterest, right? Maybe, but cliches are usually true. I know that Im my toughest critic. I expect myself to be a certain weight, exercise 3 or more times a week, have awesome hair, get a 4.0 in school, be a rock star at work, not to mention be the best friend, daughter and girlfriend my loved ones could ask for. Writing it all down like that seems like a lot, and really it is because the truth is sometimes I go a week without running, sometimes I go 3 pounds over my target weight, sometimes my hair is frizzy, I might fail a test, and more frequently than Id like to admit, I drop the ball on a commitment with a friend. And sometimes when its all too much and I feel like a failure standing at the bottom of my mountain of expectations, I just need a little confidence boost.

Here are ten things that always seem to give me the confidence to keep meeting the expectations I have for myself:

1. Get Ready

Yup, its that simple ladies. Wake up, take a shower, do your hair and put your face on. Pick out a cute outfit and accessorize. And then... take a selfie and post it on Facebook or Instagram. Show the world that youre proud of who you are! Even though wearing yoga pants and putting your hair up in a sock
bun seems tempting, youll feel better if you spend more time on yourself. It completely sets the tone for your day.

2. Exercise

Ive blogged about this before, but basically Exercise = Endorphines, Endorphines = Happiness. Go for a walk, turn on some music and just go. You can jog, you can run, you can kick box, Zumba, or rock climb, it doesnt matter. Just go do something you enjoy even if its only for 30 minutes. Taking care of your body will always make you feel confident.

3. Make a To-Do List and do Everything on it

Theres something magical about a to-do list. I love writing a list of things to do around my apartment on Sunday mornings. Each task I cross off my lists makes me feel more and more accomplished. Its a good way to stay organized and get a lot of stuff done!

4. Paint Your Nails

This is my go to! I am constantly painting my nails. Its almost therapeutic for me. People seem to compliment my nails frequently and it makes me smile. Compliments are always appreciated. If youre not good at painting your nails yourself, go get a mani! Make yourself feel pampered. By taking the time to do something for yourself, youre reinforcing the idea that even though you have a million things going on, you deserve some time to relax and do something nice for yourself.

5. Make a Small Change

Cut your hair, form a new healthy habit, set a goal for work, color your hair, apologize to a friend. Make a small change that feels like a step forward. It doesnt have to be major, it just has to be a gesture of progress and commitment to your goal of being an awesome individual.

6. Do a Detox

Is it just me, or is it completely impossible to feel confident when you feel bloated? Sometimes your body just needs a little break from the toxins in artificial sweeteners and process food. I love the way I feel when Im doing a detox. I feel fresh and revitalized, but best of all I dont feel groggy and bloated. My favorite way to detox is by drinking Lemonade Diet and eating clean. Lemonade Diet is a cheap and effective way to detox, and all you do is drink it twice a day.

 7. Get a New Outfit

Sometimes a new pair of jeans and a cute top is the perfect way to boost your confidence. When Im on a tight budget, I like going to Forever 21. I can usually find a cute outfit on clearance and spend less than $40! Saving money and looking cute? Yeah, thats awesome and definitely worth smiling about.

8. Dish out Compliments to others

When we are able to recognize the good in others, its easier to see the good in ourselves. Try to find something you can compliment on for each person that you come in contact with (even if its with the girl in apartment #208 who steals your Victoria Secret Coupons). I am a firm believer in positive energy and that the more of it you put out, the more of it you will get in return. Think of this one as investing in your bank of confidence. You pay out a compliment and in return you will have more positivity in your life!

9. Do a Service Project

I feel good when I help other people. My favorite way to volunteer is serving breakfast at the homeless
shelter in my area. It only takes a couple hours, but its infinitely rewarding helping people who truly need it. Its a humbling experience that helps me recognize the blessings in my life. After I leave the shelter, it almost seems selfish to feel down on myself. After all, I have a job, warm place to stay and food on the table each night. Being too critical of myself is a waste of energy. That energy should be focused on helping others, not a pity party. There are hundreds of opportunities you can get involved with visit your city, church, or community center website for information.

10. Get out of the House

I know the weather is cooling off and all you want to do is curl up and watch the latest episode of New Girl by yourself with a pint of cookie dough ice cream, but this setting can make even the most popular person feel a bit lonely. I know how hard it can be to resist that temptation after a long day of work. But just try to get out of the house a couple times a week after you clock out. Go to an arcade with a friend, start your Christmas shopping early, go to the gym, go to a karaoke bar with your girls, go on a date! There are hundreds of options, just make sure you try to find a place where you can have fun, meet new people and enjoy new environments. Its a good reminder that theres life beyond television.

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And Its All Thanks To HCG Triumph

If one year ago I had been approached by someone from the future and told how much my life was about to change, I wouldnt have believed them. If they told me I was going to lose the weight of a European supermodel, I would have laughed in their face. So how did it start? How did I go from an obese diet skeptic to a much healthier diet blogger? Simple. It all started with HCG Triumph.

HCG Triumph is one of the few legitimate HCG brands left. Despite a lot of misconceptions, HCG Triumph drops still contain the HCG hormone, but more than that they contain a powerful blend of amino acids that help support your body during the low calorie portion of the diet. I did a lot of research before I decided to start the diet. I read a lot of articles on HCG and calorie restriction, and when it came down to it I knew that using HCG Triumph would be healthier than resigning to a life of obesity.

The HCG Diet was hard, but it worked. What a lot of people dont understand is that when you have over 100 pounds to lose, losing a pound a week, while better than nothing, makes the task seem impossible. With the HCG Diet, I lost about 1 pound per day. Each morning I felt rewarded for my hard work and suddenly losing all that weight seemed doable. And even though my caloric intake was restricted to two meals of lean meat and fruit and vegetables, I felt satisfied because of the amino blend in the Triumph drops.

Day by day and pound by pound I conquered my weight loss. I lost, 100 pounds, 90 inches, revamped my wardrobe on a couple occasions, and dieted through every holiday and social event imaginable. I survived the HCG Diet, and whats even better: the HCG Diet gave me my life back. I no longer have to worry about living in discomfort, shopping in the plus size section, or not being able to cross my legs and its all thanks to HCG Triumph.

HCG Triumph made me a new person. It has transformed me and hundreds of others completely. Now imagine what it could do for you.

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High Protein Treats for Phase 3 of the HCG Diet

Im always talking about how awesome Triumph Slim is. Its the best protein shake I have ever tasted and it has been key to my success on the HCG Diet, and its still a key part of my diet now that  Im working to maintain my weight loss.

Last night I finished running and was rummaging through the cupboards for something delicious. Ive been craving chocolate all week, but knew that wouldnt get me the protein I needed to recover from my run....or would it?

Here are three tasty, high protein sweet treats, perfect for post-workout recovery on Phase 3 of the HCG Diet.

Protein Sundae
I had this last night. It was a spur of the moment creation that kicked my chocolate craving in the butt.
1/2 cup plain or honey Greek yogurt (I used honey Greek)
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
A Pinch sliced almonds
Mix all the ingredients together and enjoy right after your workout. This snack has about 12 grams of protein and about 200 calories.

Banana Chocolate Shake
This is my FAVORITE thing to have post run. Its incredible. It does require a blender, but it only takes a few minutes to mix up.

5-6 ice cubes
1/2 c. - 1 c. water
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
1/2 c. spinach
1 frozen banana
2 tbs peanut butter

Add the ice, then the water, the protein powder, spinach, banana, and peanut butter blend until smooth. Drink immediately. I swear you cant taste the spinach. :) This has a lot more calories than the first recipe, and it should be noted that I use this one as a meal more than a snack. It has 25 grams of protein and about 460 calories.

Berry Pudding
1/2 cup plain or honey Greek yogurt
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup fresh berries
A pinch of sliced almonds (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy! This has about 12 grams of protein in it and 220 calories in it.

A not about protein powders: not all protein powders are created equal. I prefer a low calorie, natural protein powder like Triumph Slim. Its the best tasting protein powder Ive ever had. I strongly recommend looking in to getting some. It has made my weight loss journey phenomenally better.

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5 Exercises to Do At Your Desk

Life is busy and finding time to exercise after a long day at work can be nearly impossible. There will be days when you just dont have the time to hit the gym on your way home. When those days happen, here are 5 exercises that you can do at your desk while at work! Not only are they easy to squeeze in and spread out among you breaks during the day, but doing them will make those hectic days a little less stressful. Endorphins for everybody! 

Tricep Dips - Stand in front of a desk or chair facing away from the cushion. Place your hands, with your arms straightened, on the cushion behind you. Extend your legs out in front of you keeping most of your weight on your upper body. Bend your elbows dipping your body low to the ground. Re-extend your arms to the straight position. Do this 10 times three times per day. 

Assisted Squats - Stand with your back against a wall and your feet shoulder width apart. Bend your knees and lower your body into a squat. Keep your back and buttocks straight and against the wall, and keep your knees behind your toes. Get your butt as close to the ground as you can and then come back to standing. Do this 10 times three times per day.

Desk Pushups - Stand in front of a sturdy desk. Place your hands on the edge of the desk. Make sure that your hands and your shoulders line up. Angle your body so you are on the balls of your feet and the majority of your weight is on your upper body. Lower your body into a push up. Extend your arms to straight. Repeat this 10 times twice per day 

Chair Holds - Sit cross-legged in your office chair. Contract your abdominal muscles and use the arms of your chair, to hold yourself up for 10-20 seconds. Repeat this three times per day. 

Kettle Bell Curls - Kettle bells are a great way to add strength training to your day. You can pick them up at a fitness store or even Wal-mart. Keep your kettle bell under your desk and when you have some free time do some curls with it to start building up your arms. Try to do at least 12 curls twice per day.

Other healthy tips for sneaking in a little more exercise:

-Park at the back of the parking lot and walk

-Take the stairs

-If you get a lunch break, try walking a few laps around the building. 

Have you ever tried exercising at the office? Which exercises did you try?

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6 Reasons Why Your Last Diet Didnt Work

If youre at the end of your rope with trying diets and eating programs that arent working, it might be time to face the music. You might be falling into diet sabotage without even realizing it. Diet sabotage can happen to anyone, and usually we dont realize how harmful simple ideas or words can be to our day to day actions until its too late. Here are 6 reasons why your last diet didnt work, and of course, some tips to help avoid these in the future.

You Went In Expecting to Fail

If you go into a diet program feeling skeptical of it, or feeling insecure in your ability to do it, youre setting yourself up to fail. With each new opportunity you approach, you need to feel 100% confident in the process and in your ability to stick to it.

• The wrong mindset: "Ive failed at everything else Ive tried, Im sure this will be no different. But Ill give it a try."
• The right mindset: "This time its going to work because Im going to make it work."

Your Goal Wasnt Realistic

While confidence is crucial to success, over-confidence is not. Going into a diet with the idea that its going to fix all your problems and help you lose half your body weight with a few weeks of better eating is just plain unrealistic. Its also worth mentioning that if your goal involves dropping below a healthy weight, its not realistic. Be sure to check out your BMI while you set your goal, then create a realistic timeline to help you reach your healthy weight. There will be good days and bad days, its all a process and its important to acknowledge the process when defining your goals.

• The wrong mindset: "Im going to lose 30 pounds this month and finally get down to 110." 

• The right mindset: "My goal is to lose 2 pounds per week and get out of the overweight category on the BMI chart by end of the year."

You Didnt Ask For Help

At times you might feel like youre all alone in your weight loss battle, and when youre struggling, that can be hard to deal with. The truth is, youre not alone. Even if none of your friends and your family support you, there are forums and Facebook Groups out there dedicated to supporting people who are trying to lose weight. You can always find encouragement and get answers to your questions when youre struggling. All you have to do is reach out and ask for help.

• The wrong mindset: "No one understands what Im going through."
• The right mindset: "I am going to look for people who can help support me."

You Failed to Plan

If you know you have a huge party coming up or if youre planning around a vacation, you might not want to start a diet until those events are completed. Starting a diet and having to take a break mid-way through and start up again can be really difficult. Its not impossible to navigate events, but it does require planning, including taking lunches or setting a timeline for getting back on track after the event is over.

• The wrong mindset: "Oh, I forgot I have a wedding coming up. I guess Ill just quit my diet now since Ill be eating cake."
• The right mindset: "I know I have a wedding coming up, I need to make sure I eat before I go and avoid the cake table so I can stick to my diet."

You Werent Committed

Commitment issues arent just for relationships. Committing to a diet can be just as tough as finding a lover you can settle down with. Commitment means staying focused on what you want long-term and giving up what you want in the moment. Being committed to your diet means avoiding the doughnut shop on Friday mornings and hitting the gym instead. Just like you wouldnt cheat on your partner, you shouldnt cheat on your diet. If you cant commit to that idea, then you shouldnt start a diet until you can.

• The wrong mindset: "One little cheat wont hurt."
• The right mindset: "I know I want this treat now, but I want to fit into my size 7 jeans even more."

You Werent in it for the Long Game

Its so important to remember that dieting is not a permanent fix. If you go back to how you were eating before you started the diet, youll most likely gain the weight back. Remember that once you finish your diet program, youll still need to make healthy, balanced choices. While it may only take a month or two to reach your goal weight, its going to a much longer commitment to smart choices in order to maintain your weight loss.

• The wrong mindset: "Once I finish this diet, Im going to eat a large pizza all by myself."
• The right mindset: "Once I finish this diet, Im going to make sure I plan healthy meals so I dont go back to eating fast food every night."

Have you done any of these? Remember that you can lose weight. Dont sabotage your own success and always make sure youre mentally prepared before you start. Being involved 100% in your desire to get healthy is critical for success. When you prepare mentally, youll see success physically!

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Free Weight Loss Webinars Join the AskLowery Series

Im excited for a new opportunity with HCGDiet.com. Every Tuesday I will be answering your questions in a live Google+ Hangout series called #askLowery. Leading up to each broadcast, you can submit your questions to me using the hashtag #askLowery. Ill collect the questions and choose five of them to feature in my broadcast. Submit them on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Google+!

This project started in July, and Ive had the opportunity to answer some really great questions. Since this is a newer project, I want to be sure my readers have the opportunity to see all of the videos. Here are the first four YouTube videos starting from the first continuing on to the most recent. Ive included a brief description with the questions being answered! Feel free to comment with your questions for next Tuesdays broadcast in the comment section below. :) As always, stay focused on your healthy goals & thanks you for the support.

#AskLowery - July 8th

If youre viewing on a mobile device, watch the video here. 

Questions discussed in this video:

“Im worried that by starting HCG I wont be able to balance my weight after I stop using HCG. After the weight comes off, can you ever have a "normal" relationship with food?” - Mattie "How do you stay on track when I have sweet cravings during Phase 3?" -Pamela"What do you do when you crave cheese on Phase 2 of the HCG Diet?" -Bridgette"What is your favorite Phase 2 meal?" - Kaycee"Whats the difference between the New Blue and the Triumph 40 drops?" -Bridgette

#AskLowery - July 15th 

If youre viewing on a mobile device, watch the video here. 

Questions discussed in this video: 

"How do you combat the urge to binge eat, and if I end up bingeing, how do I bounce back from that and get back on track." -Brice

"How much water do you drink each day, how much do you recommend for someone else, and how do you stay motivated with hydration?" -Mattie

"After Phase 3, how do you figure out what is the best amount of calories to lose weight without HCG?" -Bridgette

"After starting the maintenance phase, at what point did I start doing more intense workouts?" -Bridgette

#AskLowery - July 22nd

If youre viewing on a mobile device, watch the video here.

Questions discussed in this video:

"How did you transition into Phased 3 of the HCG Diet?" -Bridgette "How much water should you be drinking on the HCG Diet" -Rita"Could lack of sleep be causing me to stall?" -Krista"How do you get back on track mentally after a vacation?" -Kristin"Do you have a good recipe for detox water?" -Kristin"How many times per day can you use Triumph Slim to replace a meals?" -Tami 

#AskLowery - July 29th

If youre viewing on a mobile device, watch the video here.

Questions discussed in this video:

"Is there any other meat besides steak that I can eat during a steak day?" - Heartzone
"Is the maintenance phase really required before doing another round of HCG?" -Anonymous
"How do you motivate yourself daily?" -Anonymous
"How do you stick to healthy eating goals when youre out with friends?" -Mattie
"Have you gained any weight throughout your journey and how do you deal with weight gain?" -Meegan

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FEED YOUR BABY 7 UP!

I just found these great (great?) ads from the days of old, when we were told that sugar was health food.  You can find more ads like this here.

The small print on this one says: "Babies who start drinking soda have a higher chance of fitting in during those awkward pre-teen years. Start them on a strict regimen of cola and other sugary carbonated beverages right now, for a lifetime of guaranteed happiness!"

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How to Stay Consistent With Your Goals

Do you have a hard time being consistent? Have you ever wanted to try something completely new? Youre so pumped to do it, and you start off strong... and then...it never really takes off? Story of my life. Heres how these things usually happen:
"Hey self?"
"Yeah self?"
"You would be an awesome painter."
"Pffft. Yeah I would. I have the artistic vision of picaso."
"And the social anxiety."
"...and that. Lets try it!"
"In order to do that we need to buy $100 worth of stuff!"
"This is an investment in your creativity. You will use this stuff everyday."
-One Month Later-
"Hey look, remember that time I wanted to be a painter? Heres all that stuff I bought for it and never opened. I should use it someday." *proceeds to stuff painting supplies back under my bed*

Yeah, you know youve done it. And its not that you dont want to be a painter, its just that you arent really consistent with what it takes to do it.

That changes today! Say goodbye to fleeting hobbies and hello to consistency!

How To Stay Consistent

If theres something that you really want to try, but you dont want it to end up like one of your typical abandoned projects, then its time to learn how to be more consistent. Heres the facts:  whatever youre trying to accomplish, whether its losing weight, learning a new hobby, or becoming a better person, its going to take work. So be sure that youre serious about whatever youre doing.

The first step to staying consistent with your goal, is knowing what youre in for. Do research to be sure you understand exactly what its going to take to see the process through start to finish. Next, create a plan. Pull out a calendar write down when you are going to start, and write down when you are going to finish. Then take note of any days that might interrupt what you are trying to do. Come up with a detailed plan and schedule to keep you on track and consistent with your goal.

Next, create a list that outlines every step of the process. Make this list something that you can cross items off of. It is a lot easier to be consistent when you know exactly what is supposed to come next in your process.

As you create your list of steps, incorporate incentives into your steps so once you hit a land mark (maybe you lost 20 pounds or played your first recital) you are rewarded with something that is completely awesome that you would normally have a hard time justifying.

Once youre ready to start, set reminders on your phone to help you stick to the schedule youve developed. If youre practicing an instrument, or trying to set time aside to work on your book, have a reminder go off when its time to get to work!

Finally, track your progress. Its so important to be able to see the progress youve made.

Its amazing what a little consistency can help you accomplish. So now that you now how to be more consistent, the real question is what are you going to do?

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How to Stick to Your Diet During the Weekend

Am I the only one who has to fight the urge to stuff my face during the weekend? Theres something about Fridays sweet, sweet arrival that makes me want to eat all the food in the world, and its really frustrating the way eating poorly for a couple days on the weekend can completely undo all of my work to lose weight from the week before.

This has been such a struggle for me lately and its one Ive been trying to deal with and figure out. Heres the thing: I work so hard during the week to let two little days ruin everything. Ive tried a few things that Im please to report have worked and since the weekend is fast approaching, I figured Id better pass those along to you!

Tips for Weekend Dieting 

Start your day with a morning workout - First thing Saturday morning, 

wake up and workout. This sets a precedent for your weekend. Do your workout first thing in the morning before you day starts getting really busy. One of the things that has worked for me is going for a run Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.. It helps me wake up and taking the first few steps is like making a commitment to myself that Im seriously about being strong this weekend.

Follow your workout with a healthy breakfast - Skip the indulgent breakfast of waffles and bacon and spend time making something healthy instead. Eat a piece of fruit, shake up a protein shake, or scramble eggs. The healthy options are endless, but the point is to make sure that your first meal of the day during the weekend is healthy. It will set the tone for the rest of the day.

Take water with you everywhere - Theres just something about carrying around a bottle of water that makes you want be healthier. Not only are you less likely to cave to sugary/carbonated beverages when youre sipping on H20, but youre also staying hydrated which is important for controlling your appetite.

Set limits for yourself - Dont go into the weekend with a free for all mindset. As much as wed like to think weekends dont count, they do. All of the calories you are eating add up, so set limits for yourself. Maybe you do increase your calories a little bit on the weekend. For instance maybe instead of eating 1500 you allow yourself to eat 1700 calories. You still feel like youre getting a little splurge, but youre still tracking what youre eating and staying conscious of where you are for your daily caloric total. You can also make your weekend reward not associated with food. Set the limit to stick to your diet, but reward yourself with a new pair of paints or a purse. Its completely possible to enjoy your weekend without going off the deep end.

Take ownership - Its easy to say, "Well, Im so busy on the weekends, its just impossible to eat healthy." Thats a cop out and you know it. Weekends are busy, of course they are.  We all know this. And since we all know this, we can plan around this. Own your diet. Own your health. Decide that you are going to eat healthy no matter where you are or who you are with, because deep down you know that your health is mor important than any celebration with food. You also know that youll feel 100 times better come Monday morning when you weigh in and see a number that is lower than what it was on Friday. You know all of these things. So own it. 

So those are the things that Ive tried. I hope that helps you a little bit. What are some things that youve tried to stay focused on the weekend? Post them in the comments section below!

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Low Carb Pumpkin Fluff

Pumpkin season. Love it or hate it, its still gonna happen. I am a pumpkin lover. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice Oreos, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin spice lattes, but all those carbs? Im gonna have to pass. So heres my way of getting a pumpkin fix without getting all the carbs that traditional pumpkiny goodies bring. LOW CARB PUMPKIN FLUFF topped with stevia whipped cream!

Pumpkin Fluff

8 oz low fat cream cheese
8 oz pumpkin puree
1/4 cup Trulicious Powdered Stevia
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine ingredients using a handheld mixer. Refrigerate 10 minutes.

Whipped Cream
1 pint whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup Trulicious Powdered Stevia

In a separate bowl, whip together ingredients on high until light and fluff. Spread on top of pumpkin fluff and refrigerate 10 minutes before enjoying.

This recipe yields 8 servings. Each servings is about 286 calories, 5 grams carbs, 4 grams protein.

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Woah...More Food Ideas?

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Celebrate Your Victories Even the Dirty Ones

Last week I blogged about how excited I was to do the Dirty Dash for the fourth time since starting my weight loss journey and as promised, here is a race re-cap and some pictures!

Saturday morning rolled around and it was race day. I was incredibly nervous. I wasnt sure if I would be able to do all of the obstacles, I was nervous that maybe I hadnt trained enough. With all the nerves, the hour long drive up to Soldier Hollow seemed to take for-EVER.

Luckily my roommate Mattie was coming with me. This was her first Dirty Dash, and I wanted to make sure it was a good experience for her. Shes not really into running, so I told her she would control the pace and we were just going to have fun.

Pre-race:

I gave Mattie all  my Dirty Dash advice: make sure your shoes are tied tight, stick to the edges of the start line, its less muddy, ect.. We were both pretty nervous, but we were also ready to conquer the course.

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During the race, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to do all of the obstacles with relative ease. We jogged parts and walked parts. Since its not a timed race and since there were so many people, we didnt feel pressure to rush. A lot of the times the groups of people made it difficult to walk anyway. Even though we didnt do too much running, I felt like I could have run the whole thing. With the Dirty Dash, you have the option to do a 5k or a 10k. By the time we ascended the final hill before the 5k/10k split, Mattie was pretty wiped out. She did incredible too! She did twice the amount of obstacles I did when I did it for the first time. We opted for the 5k and made our way to the giant slip n slide. With a running start, I supermanned down that slide SO FAST. :) It was pure joy.

Post-Race:

I kept thinking the whole time how proud I was of my body. I  felt strong and empowered through the whole thing, and it was a major confirmation to me that my working out is paying off.

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Sometimes I get frustrated with myself because I dont feel like Im where I need to be weight wise, and then things like this happen and I realize that there are many different types of progress, and the scale is only one of them. For me the victory of seeing how much easier this race is this year compared to last year was worth celebrating.

What small victory can you celebrate today?

Ive come so far. My weight will most likely always be a work in progress, but as long as Im not stagnant, as long as I take the time to celebrate my small victories, its all going to be worth it.

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7 Unique Incentives for Your Weight Loss

So youve set a goal  to lose weight, and youve found a program that works for you. But how can you stay motivated during your weight loss journey? I faced this same problem. While the thought of a hot new body is motivating, it can often seem too far away and the thought alone doesnt offer the instant gratification that we so often crave.

Heres a little tip that really helped me when I was doing the HCG Diet: successful weight loss comes from having a an incentive program set up that rewards your progress start to finish. Ive written about how to set up your incentive program in the past, so today is dedicated to sharing some unique incentive ideas to implement into your weight loss journey. 

When youre setting up incentives, dont make them food related. Try to pick other stuff. A lot of people use clothes as an incentive, but that can get pricey. Try some of these suggestions: 

Massage - Losing weight can be stressful, then on top of that theres work, family and friends. So take some you time to reward your efforts with a nice massage. If youre trying to stick to a budget, try looking for a massage school in your area. They usually provide pretty good massages at a discounted price!

Night of Dancing - What better way to show off your weight loss than heading to the dance floor! Take your significant other or the girls and enjoy the music and the atmosphere. Its a great way to celebrate that doesnt involve food.

New Panties - Theres just something about cute underwear that makes me feel confident. Plus, you can usually buy several cute pairs for cheaper than a pair of jeans! Even if though no one sees, wearing cute panties always makes me feel pampered.

Nail Polishes - Treat yourself to an at home manicure. Buy a new color and spend the night in with some girlfriends painting your nails. For me, building up my nail polish collection is one of my favorite rewards.

A Nap - Maybe this is just me, but I always feel guilty when I take a nap. Heaven knows there are a million other things I could be doing instead of sleeping. The older I get the more sleep becomes a luxury. If youre like me, if you go a week without cheating on your diet, reward yourself with a good, long nap. Seriously, try it. Its amazing.

Candle Lit Bath - Baths are another one of those relaxing things we seldom take time to do. Unwinding in the tub surrounded by candles gives you some time to reflect on how far youve come in a comfortable atmosphere.



Tickets to a Show - One of my favorite incentives for reaching a goal is tickets to my favorite sports team or to a play Ive been wanting to see. Most plays or sporting events give you the option to choose your price range, too. Skip the concessions stand and grab your seats to enjoy a well-deserved evening. 

What are some of the incentives you give yourself to stay motivated to lose weight? 

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Cheating on Your Diet Coach Yourself off the Ledge

 Recently, our office at HCGDiet.com has kicked off a biggest loser challenge. I now have 6 people in the office doing the diet with me! Im so proud of how everyone is doing so far. I know its been hard for them to avoid cheating with some of the delicious food around our office, just like it is for me. Overcoming the temptation to eat unhealthy food is a daily battle, but much like me theyre starting to see that its worth it.

Today, I went and asked a few of my new diet buddies what they tell themselves to avoid cheating, because lets face it: we all have those moments when we have to talk ourselves off the diet suicide ledge.

Check out what they had to say below:

Before you decide to cheat on your diet, take a minute to coach yourself out of it. Think ahead to how youll feel tomorrow, you know it wont be worth it! Save yourself the feeling of failure and stay strong. Whatever you want to cheat with now will still exist when you finish the diet. Just be patient. 

What silent coaching advice do you give yourself to avoid cheating? 

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8 Negative Thoughts Ruining Your Weight Loss

Staying positive while youre on a diet is hard. Especially when you have, what I like to call, a Bad Body Day. You know, the days where your clothes dont seem to fit right, you feel 10 pounds heavier, and all you want to do is lay in bed and spend some quality time with your good buddies Ben & Jerry.

Remember the dressing room scene from White Chicks where Lisa has a complete meltdown? Yeah,  thats a Bad Body Day.

What happens when you have a Bad Body Day in the middle of your diet? If you let it go too far, your negative frame of mind can wreck your progress.Theres no room for negativity in your life if youre trying to lose weight and get healthy. A body transformation comes from self love, not self hate. Here are 8 common thoughts that are ruining your weight loss.

Im starving - Are you starving or are you sad? Theres a big difference. If youre truly hungry, cut up some celery. If celery doesnt sound good, youre not hungry. Youre trying to feed your emotions. Emotional eating leads to indulgence and, often times, overeating.

I cant have that. - Well you can, but you know that its not going to help your diet. Instead of saying, "cant," try saying, "I dont want that." Seriously, try it. Remember that if you really slow down and think about it, you want to be healthy more than you want a cupcake. So dont tell your friends you cant have it. Tell them you dont want it.

I am so fat. - No youre not. Plain and simple. What does that even mean? How can you be fat, youre a

person. You may have some fat, yes, but you also have skin, and bones, and a soul. Instead of, "Im so fat," try, "Im a work in progress. Today is a new day." You still acknowledge that you have room to improve but you dont use any terms that society has created to deem you less of a person.

I cheated, the day is ruined. - If you slip up, it doesnt mean the day is ruined. Just get back on track as soon as you can and  drink a ton of water! Dont dwell in guilt, just move on. You cant undo it, just do better.

I wish I looked like her - Comparison is the thief of joy. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Youre not that person, you have different body types, different genetics. You are your own person and you dont need to be anyone else. When you compare yourself to some unattainable figure, youre setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead of wanting to be someone else, try naming off one thing you like about your body and one thing you can improve. "I like that I have long legs. Im working on toning them."  Do this every time you find yourself wanting to look like someone else.

I cant do this - With a bad attitude, its hard to accomplish anything. So if you think you cant you wont. Never say cant. You can. You will. Repeat that daily, "I can do this. I will do this."

Im never going to reach my goal - Reaching a goal takes time. It wont happen over night. Set a timeline for yourself. If you know youre losing two pounds every week and youre trying to lose ten pounds, you will reach your goal in 5 weeks. 5 weeks isnt long at all. You can totally do that! Never is a strong word that can be discouraging. Be patient with your weight loss.

I should just give up - No you shouldnt. Youre doing this because you want it. So dont give up on yourself. Ever. You deserve to be happy and you deserve to put effort into being healthy. Instead of giving up, say, "I had a bad day today. Tomorrow will be better. I deserve to be happy and healthy. I deserve to have my dream body."

Bad Body Days happen. Dont let negative thinking get the best of you and your goals. Change those negative thoughts into something positive. Move on. Give yourself some credit for the beautiful person you are and the beautiful person you are trying to become. Youre may be under construction, a work in progress, but you are NEVER a failure.

Are you guilty of saying any of the Bad Body Day phrases?

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