Day 5 of the HCG diet

I have found this diet to be extremely difficult. I did not realize how much I rely on food for comfort. When my stress levels spike I reach for something tasty! I am in phase 2 of the plan where I am limited to 500 calories a day. The foods I am allowed to eat are lean meats such as chicken and white fish. Vegetables include choices like spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, and celery. Fruits are limited to grapefruit, strawberries, oranges and apples. (I'm getting hungrier just thinking about.) This part of the diet only lasts around 25 days, but right now it seems like forever!! I cheated for the first time last night at a Relief Society activity where I sneaked a mini Twix candy bar. Later that night as I was with my husband running errands he insisted on stopping at McDonalds. The car quickly filled with the delicious aroma of french fries, processed meat, and a Reeses Mcflurry to top it off. After my daughter enjoyed a few of the fries I proceeded to kiss her salty little face with maybe a little bit too much satisfaction.

Honestly, I've lost about one pound and I do not feel great. I am starving, I'm cranky and I'm exhausted. I don't have enough energy to take care of my responsibilities. I'm sticking with it because I want to say that I at least gave it my best effort. But, if I don't start losing some weight, I'm going to be disappointed.

Central to His Plan

walk away and hold my breath
appalled at all his nerve
search for validation
doubt what led me here
thoughts race for a reason
how could i have known?
hold tight to irritation
delay my own release
consider independence
a willing detainee

knowledge drawn from whispers
so much work to do
two must come together
it’s not been made forever
and it depends on you

there’s one who validates me
he delights in all my grief
planting doubt when ready
feeding all my fears
convince me of a right to pain
his lonely shadow seeking
destruction of the core

a meek and peaceful knock
grasps my breath again
apologies’ come whispered
enlightened by my shame
if i wish for forgiveness
then mercy i must give
only One was perfect
i am certainly not he

an institute of heaven
built within these walls
without the one’s beside me
there would be no heav’n at all
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The Family: A Proclamation to the World


The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Determined

I first posted about my weight management over three months ago. Sadly, I have neglected my goals frequently since then. In fact I even put on a few pounds. But, with the heartfelt encouragement of my husband, I am still determined to reach my weight loss goals. I have re-committed to the methods that have worked for me in the past. I am happy to report that within the last two weeks I have lost three pounds. I am feeling motivated and happy. I have noticed that my mood and patience improves when I am active and progressing. It is incredibly difficult for me to break these eating habits but it is not impossible. The only thing that is holding me back is ME!