The challenge is on!

[Michaela]

Okay, this is the challenge:
show a good friend that you are better off losing weight with a measured diet and tough work-outs than using "hcg".
Winner will be determined by change in body fat content end of February.
We weighed in last Saturday (thank you Jim!).
First check-up will be end of October.

Aside from working-out with Jim and starting Taek won do I plan to do a mix of physical activities to keep things interesting.
And I am "armed" with a Bodybugg to track calories burned.

The tough part will be to not be tempted by foods at work (hospital - food and reasons to eat are everywhere!). And since I work mostly nights it is often tough to keep the work-outs going when I am on.

Hope to keep the momentum going by posting my progress.
Am open for advice and suggestions.
Wish me luck!
The "dark side" (aka hcg) can't win!

[Brent Brown]

You are so going to rock this challenge!

[Michaela]

Thanks for your support guys!

Thanks for those links Brent. 

My diet is loosely based on the first phase of the 17 day diet - am not planning to go through the other phases of the diet at this point. I am a sucker for certain processed carbs and want to stay away from them as much as I can. ;-) 

The main difference to Paleo is that it includes some dairy products - for me that will be plain greek yoghurt (has 22g of protein in a cup for 120kcal in the non-fat version). A convenient food that provides me with some extra calcium.

Otherwise it is low carb and recommends fresh, non-processed foods similar to Paleo.

A shame that chocolate couldn't just grow on a tree... ;-))

[Pam Benedick]

Sounds like you have all the proper tools that you need to be the victorious one in this challenge. And like it has been said.....we are all here to cheer and help you along. We all need that!!! :)

[Rachelle Lowder]

You got this!!! Proper diet and hard training rules all. You will have lots of support here as well. =)

[Brent Brown]

Here's a couple articles that might be useful. 

HCG Diet: The Diet Disaster From Hell

What is the Paleo Diet?

[Rachel Benedick]

So excited to see you on here! :)  You will do fabulously, and training the hard way will most definitely garner the best long term results. 

[Brent Brown]

Awesome!  Game on!