Running to where?

So it's been nearly 3 weeks since I ended my second phase of my second run of HCG. Since then I've taken on a personal trainer at the gym three times a week and I've begun running five times a week. As a result managing to maintain my lowest weight has been easy in Phase 3.

It may seem like a lot of physical activity, especially for a full time working mom with four children and shared custody. But truthfully, coming from a girl who a year or so ago had critically high blood pressure and weighed nearly 50lbs more, I think it is a small price to pay, and really not that much time out of my week to really take care of ME!

Not hauling around an extra nearly 50lbs of flubber doesn't hurt, in fact it's pretty damn liberating to run and not see your ass jiggle in the shadow running beside you.

I'd be lying if I said I knew where this new found motivation has come from, or why I'm finding easy to go to the gym and do my run without whining about it. Maybe it is just getting older and accepting my world for what it is and being truly happy where I am. I'm sure that is a component of it, I have other suspicions I may share some other time.

I am going to attempt to post my progress, to hold myself accountable to the challenge and to maybe invoke some public accountability too.

Hopefully in September I'll be crossing the finish line of a half marathon a stronger and better person than I am today.

In the interim if you are struggling with losing weight or staying motivated could I suggest you take a look at www.myhcg.ca, as I know that it changed my life. It may not be right for everyone but it is great for those of us who seriously lack willpower.

I fought the fat and I won!

Back in October, having eaten my way through LA, Miami and Las Vegas, and hit an all time weight high of 170lbs, I was frustrated, unhappy and unsuccessful in my attempts to lose the weight.

I had been seeing a personal trainer and was getting stronger and happier with my self, however, as the saying goes "Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym" and my eating was controlling me.

(Black Dress, October 1, 170lbs)

After much research and contemplating, I decided to try HCG as I've no willpower and can make every food excuse in the book to eat the things I love, like chips, or well buttered popcorn with flavors on it. I've never said no to a steak, and rarely met one I didn't like. I love bread, smothered in butter, and even though I am not huge into sweets, I had gained so much weight that I found myself wanting muffins and desserts and chocolate much more than I ever had before in my life.

Reading about HCG on www.myhcg.ca, a website run by a friend of mine from childhood, combined with harassing her with questions, googling, watching Dr. Oz commentary did not change the 'fear factor' in starting such a restrictive diet. I have no will power, how the HELL was this going to work???

I was shocked and amazed that after the first couple of days I was able to actually stick to it! I tracked everything on a printed calendar, and watched the pounds drop off. Even my spousal equivalent, Kyle was impressed with the daily changes to

my body. We would literally go to bed and in the morning, he'd be able to see areas of me that were no longer sporting fat deposits. I felt strong and empowered and was so amazed with myself.

Following my first round of HCG I lost 23 lbs, and was at 147, that was immediately followed by a short flu and I dropped down to 144lbs, and as such I gained that back within a week.

My first round of HCG was just pre-Christmas and over the Christmas break I gained (and make no mistake, I expected to gain) approximately 8lbs back. Right after Christmas I started back to the gym and maintained at 152-154lbs, which after being a little over 170 was a vast improvement.

This March, I decided I still wanted to lose more, so starting March 1st, when Kyle left to spend 10 days in Toronto I began HCG again, and to m

y amazement lost 12lbs in the first 10 days. The look on his face when he returned and saw how much I'd already lost was invaluable to me.

Today I am at 135lbs and begin my 3 days per week training at the gym for the next 2 months. In September I am planning on running a half marathon.

Having turned 40 this year, I feel like I'm just beginning my journey, and they say "Do something every day that scares you." So today I'm posting pictures of fat me, and the me that has finally begun conquering that fat. And I can honestly say, I'm damn proud of me. :) THIS is only the beginning.

(Me at 135lbs--please excuse the unfolded laundry--I've been busy becoming the best me I can be!!)