I know that I haven't posted in awhile but things have been hectic! My husband and I have recently relocated to Lincoln, CA! We are continuing on the path that God has chosen for us, he's transferred to a new store that opened today and I'm a housewife! This is the first time that I haven't had a job in 10 years, so it was a little weird but I'm embracing it because it's what's in God's plans right now. I'm hoping to start school next month but may have to push back to June, I'm determined to get my Esthetician license before the year is up!

We've made some changes since we moved, the main one being that we have switched to a Paleo lifestyle and started working out. I'm going to start posting some of the recipes for you guys to try because I think you will enjoy them. The goal is not only to become healthier but to get pregnant and start our family. I hope that you will continue to tune in as I continue on my journey!

XoXo
Mrs. McCastle

On December 28, 2012, I celebrated my 25th Birthday! I went through the month trying to decide how to spend my day and God put it on my heart to do something to bless others. I opted to spend my birthday in a less than traditional way by doing 25 Random Acts of Kindness in celebration of God blessing me with 25 years of life. I found this experience to be very enlightening and will definitely do it again. I created some cards to give to those that received one of my random acts so that they can see that there truly are some selfless and genuinely kind people in this world. We started our day at about 10:00am and finished at exactly 5:01pm. My wonderful husband supported me (and chauffered me around) all day and I am so thankful for his love and patience throughout the day.  I've posted the acts and some photos below, please enjoy!

R.O.A.K Cards:

1. Took fruit to employees at El Camino Hospital

2. Delivered coloring books and crayons to Labor and Delivery at El Camino hospital

3. Walked up to a family eating lunch at Denny's and placed a gift card on their table. The mom approached me with tears in her eyes! She was so thankful and assured me that I made her day!
4. Gave $5 McDonald's gift card to someone waiting in line.
5. Took cookies to the Fire Department

6. Paid for a ladies Starbucks order (1 pound of coffee and a drink) Shortly after I left, I received the email below!

7. Gave chocolate to front office

8. Opened door for another person
9. Let 4 cars exit from the parking lot onto the street in front of me
10. Gave a homeless man a bag containing gloves, socks and cereal bars

11. Gave $5 to someone for gas
12. Gave 3 other people our parking spots at Target
13. Paid for the person behind us in the drive thru at Starbucks
14. Gave truffles to USPS worker
15. Took pizza to hubby's co-workers in another store
16. Return grocery carts back inside the store from the parking lot
17. Took a case of water to people playing basketball at the park
18. Gave bottles of water to VTA driver
19. Gave bottles of water to a mom and her kids as they got on the train
20. Gave water to a tow truck driver
21. Gave chocolate to a manager at Public Storage
22. Gave chocolate to Pennzoil Speed oil change center employees
23. Gave $3 and a care bag to a homeless man
24. Paid for a guys Subway sandwich
25. Gave a family a $5 McDonald's gift card for dinner

I hope that my acts inspire to do some of your own, you never know when you could make a someones day! I encourage you to pay it forward! As always, I would love to know your thoughts! Leave me your comments!

XOXO,
Mrs. McCastle

So my first journey through weight loss is over! I had some cheat days and gained a little weight back but am proud to say...I lost 35 pounds!!! I feel amazing and can't wait to show you guys our Vegas photos! Vinnie has lost 30 lbs and now we are just working on maintaining through the holidays before we continue our journey in January! We'll be blogging from Vegas, so stay tuned for our adventures!

XOXO

So the first month is over and I'm down 35 pounds!!! This diet really works as long as you're committed it. Vinnie is down 30 pounds on his liquid fast and we both feel and look great.

While I wanted to do the big reveal with our anniversary photos, our photographer had to reschedule. We are going to Vegas in a couple of weeks so I will post photos then for everyone to see (hopefully I will get some posted sooner).

I have 2 more weeks on the diet so I'm anxious to see what my final weight loss total is. I must admit that I've been tempted to cheat many times but I only had 1 cheat day and it was worth it. I didn't lose weight for that day but I learned my lesson so the next two weeks will be on the straight and narrow. Hope you guys are enjoying my blog! I'd love to know your thoughts and if you have any ideas for future posts!

Have a great weekend!

XoXo

Yesterday I started my second 3 week cycle of HCG/B12. The first round, I lost 27 pounds and it hasn't been a full 3 weeks since I started the diet, only the injections. The way I have determined my weight loss is based on the day that I started the 500 calorie diet which was on September 26!

I'm more motivated than ever to get this weight off because my husband and I are both doing so well (he's down 22 pounds on his liquid fast) and we have so much coming up! We have anniversary photos on the 28th and we're headed to Vegas in November. It is all so exciting.

I haven't posted any updated pictures because I want you guys to see how much we have changed when I post our anniversary photos! How are you doing on your journey? Whether it be weight loss or something else, I would love to hear from you. Be blessed and encouraged!

Xoxo

So I've officially finished week one and I feel fantastic. I've had a ton of support on this journey so far so thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I've made great progress this week. I've lost 15.8 pounds in the first week! Here are my current stats:

Weight: 359.6

Bust: 56"

Waist: 47"

Hips: 60"

I'm trying new foods and this week, it was Bison. I must admit its a new favorite of mine and its not heavy.

What would you guys like to see on my blog next week? Meal Plans? Pictures? A different subject? I would love your feedback so please let me know!

I'm so excited!!! I went to the doctor on Monday and started my HCG/B12 injections and I'm required to give myself the injection every morning. I wouldn't normally publicize my stats but this is very important to me (so don't freak out).

Starting Weight: 375.4

Bust: 58"

Waist: 51.5"

Hips: 60"

As of Wednesday morning, I'm in "diet prison" and the journey has officially begun! The first day was much easier than I expected, I even struggled to finish my dinner. What I eat is minimal but very filling and I don't feel hungry. Below is my food for the day!

Breakfast:

A cup of coffee or tea with Stevia (surprisingly tastes really good)

Lunch: 3 1/2 oz. of protein (whitefish, veal, beef, chicken breast, buffalo, shrimp, etc.)

2 cups of ONE vegetable from a very short list of options (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, asparagus, etc.)

1 medium size Apple, Orange, 1/2 of a grapefruit OR a handful of strawberries

1 Grissini breadstick

Dinner: Same 4 items as above, but what I have or lunch…I CAN'T have for dinner.

The spices I can use are limited and I can really only use vinegar and juice of 1 lemon per day but I'm getting very creative in the kitchen. With my husband being on a liquid diet, not having to cook him a meal that might tempt me is making this way easier for me. Plus I have a lot of support thanks to all of you!

I've already lost 6.4lbs

I met with my doctor on Tuesday to discuss a few things prior to starting my weight loss journey next Monday. He made sure that I had a clear understanding as to what my journey will entail and that I must follow his instructions exactly from start to finish in order to be successful and I assured him that I'm ready.  As for the diet that I'm doing, many people won't agree with it but I have seen it work for a few people and I have no doubt in my mind that it will work for me.

The diet that I will begin will consist of daily combined injection of hCG and B12, Dr. Andrews is the only doctor that I have been able to find that offers the combination which he calls SUPER hCG. Please keep in mind this is not a diet you should do without doctor supervision! DO NOT purchase the drops or anything on the internet, if you are interested in this diet you need to work with a doctor, PERIOD!

Beginning on Saturday, I will begin the 4 required “splurge days” in preparation for starting the diet; which sounds like I’m binge eating but it really just means that I can eat whatever I want and make a little fattier, for example instead of grilled chicken, have fried chicken. Days 1 and 2 I’m able to eat like normal and since I’m going wine tasting and to a BBQ on Saturday, this is the perfect weekend to start. On Monday, the injections begin. While Monday and Tuesday are still splurge days; I’m not able to actually have any alcohol since the hormone will already be in my system. I’m looking forward to my weekend of freedom but don’t plan on overdoing it at all. Starting on Wednesday, I will enter “Diet Prison” for the next 6 weeks; the diet is a restrictive 500 calories per day and I can only eat certain foods which I’ve mentally prepared myself for.

I will have weekly weigh-ins and checkups with my doctor. Which will be my weight loss blog days and can’t wait to see how the first 3 week cycle ends; by my calculations, I should be down anywhere from 30-65 pounds in the first 3 weeks and anywhere from 60-120 pounds in 6 weeks. While it seems like a drastic loss the fact that I’m only eating 500 calories a day will make a huge difference.

Is anyone else on a weight loss journey? Share your journey with me!

My name is Lea McCastle and I've decided that I should start blogging!! I'm turning 25 in a few months and am working to improve myself by losing weight, getting more in tune with God, my husband, starting a family all while working full time and running my own business (I'm quite a busy bee!) Blogging is going to be my way of sharing my experiences with you. We are all masterpieces in the making and I'm improving daily in different areas of my life and I would love to help you do the same. I hope that over time you learn from my experiences and if you have any questions that you would like me to address in future blog posts...I will gladly do so. I will be featuring my weight loss journey with weekly updates, marriage advice (for those who are interested), my journey to becoming a new mom and most importantly tools that I'll be using to improve myself. Thanks for tuning in...we’re in for the ride of our lives!