See the power of HCG in action.  Watch as we chronicle one woman's journey to health.  The photos below do not just provide a before and after, but they provide a visual path of weight loss.  Check back each week as we add new photos of the INCREDIBLE shrinking woman.

End of Week 1

End of Week 2

End of Week 3

End of Week 4

Last Pictures this Go Round  - From day 10-40, 16lbs down and 10.75 inches lost.

Day 3 VLCD - DOWN 2 MORE LBS!! I'm at 211, 2 more lbs and I'll be seeing some new numbers.  There is something energizing about that. Okay, I am going to say again, apples are just pretty good.  Wonder why I haven't grabbed an apple instead of a Snickers for more of my life?  Went to the grocery store this morning and picked up an onion and some steak.  Going to cut it for my lunch and make some mock fajitas.  (Some of you are saying that I'm simply having steak and onions. Let me dream!)  Still not hungry.  I will admit there have been a couple of times that I just wanted to eat because I just wanted to but those feelings seemed to pass quickly.  I'm pleased. I put on a pair of shorts this morning that I swear fit differently already. Could that be?  Keep your fingers crossed that I hit 210 tomorrow.

Day 4 VLCD - I knew it when I opened my eyes. THIS was not going to be a good day. My hands and eyes were swollen. Yep.  Without too much TMI I'll just say it's TOM. (refer to google if I've lot you at this point.)  Sure 'nuff! Day 4 and up POINT TWO!! Oh well, I'm not sure which is harder to face the weight gain so soon or the fact that I just told the "www" that I'm on my period!

Day 5 VLCD - When Candace asked me if I would do this, I asked her how much room I had to do my own thing. She said basically none. However, I have cleared this with her and so I am not going to weigh for a few days.  I tend to really retain fluid during this time of month and I don't want to get upset or stressed about something that I cannot control.  With that being said, I will not be reporting in on my weight today.  I had a patio steak last night with strawberries and cucumbers.  It was a nice summer meal. Very yummy and left me wanting for nothing.  It is amazing when you eat good food, healthy food, how your body stops craving junk because it realizes that it is getting the fuel it needs.  And I press on.

Day 6 VLCD - I'm sure when Candace gave me this spotlight, she thought I would be a model student. These first six days have been anything BUT  a model to those who want to succeed with this diet.  I know this diet works, I've seen others do it. However, with TOM and being unprepared for my schedule on Saturday, I haven't done so well.  It started out good.  I had baked chicken and a home grown tomato.  We were eating with friends and I had to help serve my children from a pot luck style of eating.  I should have stepped away from the table.  I made some bad choices.  The choices had food on the approved food list but also included many things not on the food list.  I weighed today and it wasn't good. Up 2 lbs.  I've got to get my game on! I have to take pictures today.  I need to retake my measurements and yet I'm dreading both. Not where I thought I'd be a week ago!  But, it is where I am.

Day 7 VLCD - I think the fog has lifted. I feel much better today than I have the last couple of days. It must be that I'm not just eating, eating, eating because it is odd how I could feel the symptoms of TOM more this month. I felt more tired. I had been feeling really good each day and actually less draggy at the end of the day but once TOM hit... I'll take my 1 week pictures tonight. I don't know that there will be a huge difference yet.  I press on. I know there HAS to be others like me out there. They got off to a bad start and think that they should scrap it all. DON'T!!! Let's finish strong together.  These are only a few days of my whole life. I want a healthier me. I want a thinner me.  I know Candace updates facebook each day after I send her my post. Get on the Clinical HCG fbpage shout out to me. I'd love to hear from you. Look for my new photo updates tomorrow. My sugar levels must be low this morning. I can NOT believe I'm telling you to come back and find pictures of me in my bath suit!

***End of Week 1

Day 8 VLCD - I think if I stare at my butt long enough one of two things is gonna happen. 1- I can see where I lost those 4 inches last week and 2 - I'm never gonna eat ever again! Yeah, right! I have learned a couple of things this week. That it is better to face the facts, good or bad, because they cause you to press on.  If you avoid the facts then you can't change and you can't grow.  And even with a not so great 1st week behind me, I realized that my strides did bring some good things.  And those good things encourage me to do more good things.  The other thing I learned was, after talking to Sandra one of the diet coaches at Clinical HCG, is that I have legs that carry me places. I have arms that are able hug my husband,  to carry my children, drive myself to work.....and put food in my mouth.  I am fortunate and blessed.  I AM happy with where I am.  But, I want more for me. I want more for my family. I want to be a more active mother for my children.  Today, I'll make choices that will bring those goals into sight.

Day 9 VLCD - I made some good choices last night. You're probably thinking - it is about time!  We had family in from out of town.  The evening had been so busy, someone made a run through a drive thru, picked up some burgers and brought them back to the house to eat. I simply ate the hamburger, without the bun, and a tomato.  Not sure I got all of my veggies in with that meal - but I didn't eat off of the meal plan.  Hooray for me!  I need to stick my fruit in my bag for the day.  I didn't have one serving of fruit yesterday purely from not planning and not being home all day. This diet is not hard to follow. It is strict but easy to follow.  I keep my food list with me so I can remember what I can and can't have to eat. That helps on those days that lunches are eaten away from home.  My downfall is in the planning -or not planning. Walked on the wii fit yesterday. Tried to walk too fast and fell two times.  Only I could fall on a virtual stroll - TWICE! Kudos to me for at least getting up and moving, right? I'm assuming you agreed. Until tomorrow...

Day 10 VLCD - I have no great inspirational thought today.  I was down a pound.  I have the day off today and will be doing laundry.  I'm wearing a pair of pants I hadn't worn yet. My husband bought me a pair of yoga style pants this summer.  I hadn't worn them because they were just a biiiiiiiiit too tight in the butt. I thought I'd give them a try this morning. They fit differently today, without a doubt. That was encouraging. I'm going to need some encouragement along the way. I have many pounds to lose and not everyday is going to be exciting. Some days, like today, it is just about making the right choices over and over in order to get to where I so desperately want to be.

Day 11 VLCD - I've decided to go shopping today.  I need to stock up on strawberries and apples.  Going to try some new recipes this weekend.  I also think I'm gonna get some retail therapy. aka - I'm going to SHOP.  Not just grocery shop, but shop for some clothing.  I don't want to invest a lot because I don't plan on it fitting for long.  Perhaps I won't buy anything. Maybe I'll just do some window shopping. I want to see some of the new things out for fall so I am reminded of what I want to be wearing this winter.  For me, I have to keep reminding myself what I am working towards because the here and now cries so loudly at times.  I wish those size 6 jeans had a louder voice than those stupid brownies. Until they do, I'll have to continue to remind myself that "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels. Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." Say it with me. "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."  Okay.  Off to shop!

Day 12 VLCD - I was going to post my weight loss today but I think I'll save it until Tuesday's picture reveal.  Before the big reveal I'm sure I'll be able to hear you shouting, "MOVE THAT BUTT." Or is it Bus? IDK. Yesterday was a good day.  Since I was away from home I ate at Sonic.  I ordered a grilled chicken wrap-dry. I pulled out the chicken and the veggies. I was under my veggie allotment but it got me through until I was at home. I ended up not eating anything for dinner. I just wasn't hungry the rest of the day.  I had eaten an apple about 3:00 and that set me for the rest of the evening. I think the fact that I was about ready to claw my eyes out from allergies put my cravings to rest.  Off to start my day. It's a full day with lots of opportunities to eat off plan - but I'm not gonna.

THIS IS CANDACE CHECKING IN - I have some great news! We have  a Shrinking Man joining our forces on Tuesday.  There will be pictures posted on Tuesday along with the Shrinking Woman's new photos.  I know you will not want to miss an opportunity to see how Clinical HCG can help men with their weight loss goals.  Check in tomorrow to see how the Shrinking Woman did over the weekend!

Day 13 VLCD - Great weekend.  Got out an exercised some yesterday.  Ate on plan but was minus all of my water. I'm going to drink extra water today and forego the pop.  I know water is an important part of this plan.  Sundays are crazy for our family and I don't always have a bathroom accessible when I need it, so I tend to not drink what I should when I should.  Tomorrow is the big reveal.  I'll take pictures and post how much I have lost since last Tuesday.  I'm not dreading it as I was last week.  It is going to Monday all day long.  I have to make this a great day because I'm the only one who gets to decide how I react to the day.  My day may not go as planned, but I get to decide how I react to what happens in my day.

****End of Week 2

Day 14 VLCD - Woot! I was down 5.5 lbs this week.  I am wearing a pair of pants today that were tight 2 weeks ago. I'm ready for a belt.  As I look and look and look at these pictures I do see the changes. They may not be glaring but they are there. There is more difference between week one and three than two and three but the changes are there.  For me, the weight is not all about behavioral changes in eating.  This weight is about me eating because I'm mad or feeling guilty or overwhelmed.  As the pounds come off, and as I share with friends and family some of the thoughts about eating, I'm hoping that my behavior will change and that will change my eating.  I'm amazed at how quickly my body is changing. It can only be attributed to the HCG.   It may be hard to see it in the pictures, but I feel it.  It encourages me to keep at it and work towards where I want to be.

Day 15 VLCD - I ate lunch with a friend yesterday.  I had a taco salad with NO chips and NO cheese. Basically, it was a a bed of lettuce with a few tomatoes and some hamburger meat.  Okay, it wasn't exactly a taco salad. The layout was different so it felt like a change.   The food was filling and the company was great. It helps to have a friend that I can text when I need someone to tell me not to eat off plan. Doing this with someone is much better than doing it alone.  I'm at home all day today.  I'll need to keep myself busy.  It seems easier to do this when I have a schedule, when my day is planned.  I need to plan what I'm going to eat today.  What is that saying, "If you don't plan, you plan to fail?"  That will not be me!  As always, I'll check in tomorrow and let you know how today went.

Day 16 VLCD -  I think I could eat the same thing everyday for this entire diet. I am not one of those people that get tired of the same food. However, I am going to try something different today. I am going to try a new recipe with my veggies.  I think it is something that my family will eat.  Going to head to the store today and stock up on fruit.  I really look forward to my daily servings of fruit.  Who knew that would EVER be the case?!

Day 17 VLCD - At the end of the day yesterday I knew what I was going to write about today.  Remember those yoga pants that my husband had bought me and were too tight but then a week or so into the diet they were loser.  Well GET OUT if they weren't LOOSE in the butt when I wore them last night.  They were loose enough that I may have to dry them all the way so they don't look stupid on the next wearing.  YAY for me!!!  That was the incentive I needed to over look the late night feast my family had.  This HCG must mess with my brain because I'm looking forward to doing laundry to see how they fit after they have been dried all the way.  WHO looks forward to laundry day - I guess the Shrinking ME!!

Day 18 VLCD - I was once told that every time you repeat a behavior, that you don't want to continue doing, that is a step towards permanent change in action.  And, each time you make a change in that behavior, think about why you are changing it and what you are wanting to accomplish by doing so.  Whoop Whoop for the Shrinking Woman!!  TWO times yesterday I started to make purchases that would result in me buying something for my family that they liked but I knew deep down inside that I was really buying it for me. I stopped. Thought. And, rolled on down the aisle (or road).  One step closer to the changes I'm wanting to make.

Day 19/20 VLCD - Sorry I was MIA yesterday.  To quote a friend, "I'm a cheater by heart." I have this horrible habit of making things work for me.  I'll find a great plan and then tweak it. It is like an old recipe. Often times you go back and you realize the recipe you are making resembles very little the original recipe. I realized yesterday that I have tweaked a few things in this diet and I think it may be slowing my weight loss some. I'm pulling out the original diet today and going by the book.  In addition, about 2 weeks ago I switched facial cleansers. The cleanser was oil free but it didn't do a very good job removing my mascara. I had pulled out an eye CREAM to remove my eye makeup. Last night I realized I CAN'T USE A CREAM ON MY EYES!!! I'm half way in and realized I have already created some bad habits on a diet that is only 40 days long. A cheater by heart, I tell you. Today, I pledge to be faithful.

****End of Week 3

Day 21 VLCD - Here I am again. The dread of posting pictures is fading, a little. I was down 5.5 lbs , again, this week.  Let's just forget that first week on the diet. It wasn't so great.  Let's just say I really started on about day 10. Eleven days later, I'm down 10 pounds.  Wish I had really been committed that first week but there are no do-overs with time.   I'm interested to see what changes will happen since I have stopped using the cream on my eyes.  I'm told that can make a big difference.  To bring you up to date on the yoga pants. They were baggy in the butt yesterday. YAY ME!!  I have informed my husband that shopping is on the horizon.  He liked that idea about as much as  he likes the weight shedding in those somewhat noticeable areas, not so much so. Yeah, that's all I'm going to comment on that one.

Day 22 VLCD - I think I have finally crossed over. I have reached that point where the losing is more important than the food.  There was a day (if you've forgotten, I think it was about day 11 when I was craving brownies and they were screaming at me) that I would have had to fight off the urge to cheat.  The last week has been much easier.  There is even a half pan of brownies on my kitchen counter right now and they are silent. I will tell you, I am not weighing every day.  It is too hard.  I judge how well I have done based on what the scale says. Too much pressure for me, personally.  The scale is not always a reflection of how well I am doing. It will not be my judge.

Day 23 VLCD - Okay, here's the deal.  I have an issue with Thursdays.  It goes waaaaaaaaaay back. I can remember in 7th grade I was on a diet.  And, I can distinctly remember thinking that I could eat anything I want on Thursdays.  I have no idea why I correlated Thursday and a freedom to eat but many years later, the thought still hits me. It is Thursday. And, it is going to be Thursday all day long. I have already headed to the kitchen one time in search of something. But instead of eating that something, I grabbed a WASA cracker. I'm going to fix some coffee or something.  But I will not fix anything off plan. I am pledging this to my readers and myself. Today, I will break the Thursday curse.  Today I make new habits to a healthier me.

Day 24 VLCD - Thursday went pretty well. Shew... it is Friday and I don't face the weekend with the fear I face Thursday.  Here is my thought, after watching dvr'd shows last night.  I spent the evening with my family watching shows on our dvr.  The interesting thing is, our dvr was also recording a show last night. However, none of us want to watch live TV anymore. We don't want to mess with the commercials. We want to watch what we want to watch and WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!!  I have to imagine that type of thinking seeps into our thinking about everything. We don't have to wait to get to a computer for our email, because it is on our phone. We don't have to wait to get home to eat, because we can go through a drive thru.  How often to do I grab something OFF protocol because I don't want to wait until I can fix something that is on the protocol???  I wonder if my patience would increase if my weight would decrease? Something to chew on, besides food.

DAY 25 VLCD - Busy day filled with family activities. I love Saturdays.  Have my meals planned and my target in sight.  Ready for a day full of successes.  

Day 27 VLCD - Had some ups and downs with my weight this weekend. I had several comments about my weight loss but on the other hand, I tried on a skirt that didn't fit.  UGH! That just ticked me off!  The odd thing was even though I am losing weight, the fact that I had ONE thing that I had tried on didn't fit made me want to eat. That's genius isn't?  EAT because your clothes are too tight. But I didn't it.  Grabbed an apple yesterday when everyone else was grabbing junk.  It will be nice when these thought processes are second nature.  I hope that day will come.  I will admit that today, I'm just not there yet. Weigh in tomorrow.

Day 28 VLCD - Two things to report this morning. 1.  I haven't lost anything for a few days.  I am told this is normal.  There is often a stay before the fall. I hope to see a bigger drop this week.  So, I am down 4.5 lbs and am into new numbers. THAT is reason to celebrate.  2.  I may see a reason on the horizon that I could be slowing down on my weight loss.  You only have to look back about 24 days to see what is in my future.  UGH!  However, I still am amazed at how the inches are still disappearing even when the numbers on the scale will not.  I look forward to Tuesdays now with a feeling that I can liken to New Year's. I always feel like there is a clean slate before me to do great things.  A new week ahead of me.  There will be new victories and, I'm sure, some new challenges.  Here we go!

Day 29 VLCD - I am 11 days out from the end of my protocol. I have been contemplating going back to back on my rounds.  This is the decision I have to make.  The holidays are approaching.  There will be a lot of family time and pictures. That is a motivation to stay with it.  The bigger question truly is this: If I go another round am I willing to put myself out there each day (week) and put my successes and short comings on the www for all to read.  Since this is not in a blog form and you can't comment to me directly, I've asked Candace to post this on the Clinical HCG facebook page.  If you have an opinion on whether I should continue to post for another 40 days - let me know.  Click Here

Day 30 VLCD - I have no great words this morning.  Perhaps I never have.  It is  Thursday, again. Perhaps some of you still think I'm a nut job from last Thursday's post. Believe you me, you would not be the first person to think that.  I am going to have to drink extra water these next few days to keep from retaining water.  UGH!  My great plans for the day - to drink extra water.  I encourage you to do the same thing.  Did you know that we often misread a need for water as a need to eat? How odd. The old saying is Eat. Drink. And, be merry. When we do that, based on the info above, we are getting fat. Then, we aren't any happier. Perhaps we should DRINK. Eat. And, be merry. If we would do that, we would either be thinner or  some would be so drunk, they wouldn't care.  

Day 31 VLCD - I about forgot about you today. I had to get a call to be reminded to check in.  I had a couple of incidents this morning that threw me off my normal routine and being the Shrinking Woman was forgotten. Sorry.  For those of you who check in with me daily, sorry to have kept you waiting.  A quiet weekend is on the radar.  Glad for that. It's a beautiful day where I am.  I think I'll get outside and take advantage of it. I think there are some things that I should do before the cooler weather comes.  Maybe I'll make a to do list and get those things done this weekend. Or, maybe not. Hope you have a great Friday!

Day 32 VLCD - I had this great epiphany today.  I really do have some work I need to do outside.  I need to power wash the house. I will need to rake in a few weeks. I should do some weeding in my flower beds. I need to, I need to, I need to. But, instead of doing all of that I am in the mood to buy some pumpkins and mums.  Then it hit me.  Instead of doing the work that needs to be done, I just want to spruce up the current look. I guess that is a lot like buying new clothes instead of losing weight.  I tend to go shopping NOT when I have lost weight (goodness knows I have plenty of skinny clothes in my closet) I tend to go shopping when I need something new to ease the bumps of NOT losing weight.  A cheater's heart, I tell you. A cheater's heart.

Day 34 VLCD - Checking in is a good thing.  Journaling is a good thing. Even pictures are a good thing.  If you are on this weight loss process with me, then you should do all of the above.  It isn't pleasant to have to face your shortcomings but it is something that can teach you.  I learn from rereading my thoughts. I learn from looking back and seeing I have made progress.  I have only one week left on this diet.  I have not been a stellar student but I have learned. I have gained in knowledge and I have made progress even when I haven't had 100% days.  Yesterday was one of those days. So if you see the wagon - stop it. I need to get back on. I feel off yesterday.  

Day 35 VLCD - My photographer had to leave town for work and so I didn't get pictures done for this week. I will post but they will be a few days late.  Sorry about my forgetfulness. Fall is here where I am and I am finding in these cooler days of fall I don't feel as hot and so I am not drinking as much.  And, when I'm not drinking as much I tend to think about food more.  In an effort to drink more, I started my day with 2 bottles of water. I'm going to be on the road some today and wanted to have my water with me.  Of course, that will mean I'll need to have a bathroom nearby, too.  When one has to pee more I just count that as more exercise.  Bonus for me. Drink up today! It's not only a necessity for this diet but it also keeps your tummy feeling more full and less focused on eating.  And, in case you were wondering, I found the wagon and am back on. 

Day 36 VLCD - The alternative to aging is not a good one. If I am not aging, then I'm not living.  But there are things I DON"T like about aging.  I watched my weight in HS but I didn't really think about the effects on my health.  It is not as fun to eat junk now knowing what I do about cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease etc.  When I do eat those things that are not as good for me, my body feels it sooner, longer.  I can tell a difference in my energy on those days I eat on plan and those days (like the weekend) when I throw caution to the wind and eat what I shouldn't. I feel sluggish and irritable.   Even though I THINK I want that food, it is only an hour or so later that the wave of regret hits me.  Although I'm doing better, I need to figure out how to get the shore line in front of me instead of the waves knocking me down.  I want to be able to enjoy the view instead of running from imminent danger aka eater's remorse.  I have 4 days left and I want to go out strong.  Wish me luck!

Day 37 VLCD - Again, no earth shattering news to proclaim.  I decided since I missed the picture taking on Tuesday that I would save the big reveal until this next Tuesday. I have been told by Candace that there is another Shrinking Woman on the horizon.  I'm going to let her take center stage for awhile. I may go ahead and keep journaling and taking pictures along the way but you wouldn't be getting live coverage.  I was out doing errands today and had several compliments about my weight loss. It was encouraging, however, today I don't feel very thin.  However, I will continue to make my actions in accordance with how I want to be. Hopefully by doing so, I will become what I'm not feeling but want to feel. 'Cause nothing tastes as good as being thin feels. 

Day 38 VLCD - Heading into the last 3 days and the last 3 days are the weekend.  No fear. I bought some yummy cuts of steak last night and am ready to hit the grill.  I can almost taste it now.  I have found that since I don't eat breakfast on this diet, I tend to eat lunch about 11:00.  It works out well.  In the afternoon I will have a Diet Coke, and then go into the evening.  I like the fizz of the drink.  It's not really about the caffeine at all. It's about the fizz. I will get a big glass and fill it with a lot of ice and so it appears that I have a lot to drink.  I KNOW it really isn't anymore but it appears as if I have a big treat in front of me.  Now come ON! You know the feeling.  How many of you haven't bought an article of clothing because it perhaps had been mislabeled?  I once bought a pair of shorts that SAID  size 4. They fit but everything else I was wearing was a 12. I'm sure they were sized incorrectly. I bought them. I wore them. Those size 4 shorts were my favorite!!  Heck, I probably still have them - in a box labeled SKINNY CLOTHES. 

Day 39/Day 40 - Here I am.  Done with 40 days and done with X amount of pounds.  (I'll tell you that when I post the pictures on Tuesday)  It has been a good experience.  I have learned a lot through this time.  I have not been a model student.  I do think I am like many of you who have been reading this. I am someone who wants to be more fit. I want to be thinner. I want to have more energy and I want to just flat out feel better. I believe I have accomplished all of those things, to some degree.  While I was trying to accomplish those things I was also trying to be a good wife, a good mom, a good employee, a good friend, a good daughter, a good sister, and a I occasionally try to be June Cleaver.  At this time in my life I don't have quite enough brain power to focus on me as much as I would like to.  If I can give just a little bit to me each day, I think I will continue to work towards the goals mentioned above.  I feel I am getting closer each day.  My recommendation would be this: 1.  Give this program a try. There is a lot of support and Candace and her staff (even if she is my friend) do try their very best to be a help to those who are struggling. They have been there before and want to see others find the success that they have. 2. Face your fears. Face the photos and face the scale.  The journaling is a essential to growth.  Even after only 40 days I can look back and see how some of my thoughts have changed from Day 3.  I think you may find you are the same way.  I was recently told that 20 minutes of journaling each day is as good as therapy.  Maybe so.  Give it a try.  What do you have to lose, besides some unwanted weight? Until next time - The Shrinking Woman