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I’ve officially survived my first week on the HCG diet and exercise program. Survived may sound dramatic, but let me tell you — when menopause weight gain is kicking your butt, you don’t just “go on a diet.” You arm yourself for battle. And baby, I’m fighting hard because I fully intend to be one of those hotties in their 50s. Damn right.
The Numbers
This week the scale and body metrics gave me a standing ovation:
- 3 lbs down (goodbye, bloaty water weight)
- 0.4% body fat down (woohoo!)
- 1 lb of muscle gone (wait… I didn’t mean that one, come back!)
- Visceral fat down from 7 to 6 (yes, I’m officially less squishy inside).
So, yeah, progress. I’m excited. Like… “text-my-friends-screenshots” excited – but it’s not going to happen.
The Confession (aka My Love Affair with IPA & Cuban Bread)
Now, I’m not gonna lie. Week one was not exactly perfect. There was that one night out. You know how it goes:
- Two glasses of really amazing wine (it was a gift — what was I supposed to do, say no? Rude!).
- Two of my favorite microbrew IPAs (my menopause diet weakness).
- Chicken parmesan for dinner (but, in my defense, it was only three ounces of chicken smothered in glorious cheese… balance, right?).
And then came my true downfall: Cuban breakfast. We hadn’t been in months, so of course I caved for café con leche and a Cuban egg sandwich with the most heavenly Cuban bread. Honestly, that bread could make me forget my own name.
The Exercise “Oops”
I had big exercise and fitness plans but instead I spent my time working on my other fight against menopause: the beauty side. Translation — I got Botox. Twice. My face got the smooth Botox, and my hair got the shiny Botox. Not exactly cardio, but hey, I look fresher while holding my water bottle. That counts for something, right?
Supplement Squad: My Secret Weapons
I also made sure to take all my menopause supplements this week — which, for women in perimenopause and menopause, is like having a tiny wellness army backing you up. Here’s what’s in my lineup:
- Life Extension Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate: helps with brain fog and sleep (aka the two things menopause tries to steal first).
- Nutrafol Women’s Balance Hair Growth Supplements (45+): because if I’m fighting for my waistline, I’m also fighting for every last strand of fabulous hair.
- Sparkle Skin Boost (No Flavor): collagen support so my skin can stay plump and hydrated, not tired and saggy.
- Centrum Silver Women’s Multivitamin 50+: my nutritional insurance policy, covering all the little gaps in case I “accidentally” replace dinner with wine.
- Micro Ingredients Vitamin D3 5,000 IU + K2 MK-7: keeps my bones strong and hormones balanced — because broken hips and crankiness are not part of my hottie plan.
These aren’t magic pills, but together they help support energy, mood, hair, skin, and bone health — basically all the places menopause likes to mess with.
Back on the Wagon
Even with the stumbles, I’m proud of myself. I took all my supplements like a champ, the scale moved in the right direction, and my motivation is sky high for week two. This week, I’m back on the wagon full force, ready to kick butt, and maybe even try to hang on to that muscle next time.
Menopause might be tough, but I’m tougher. And this hottie-in-training is just getting started.
What I Learned This Week
- Wine gifts are dangerous — and apparently irresistible.
- Cuban bread is basically an edible siren song.
- Botox is not a workout, but I’ll take looking good while sweating as a win.
- Progress doesn’t have to be perfect — down is down, and I’ll celebrate it.
- Supplements don’t work if they sit in the cabinet. Taking them = progress.
- Most importantly: falling off the wagon is just a pit stop, not the end of the journey.