Merry Christmas from the Matlock's

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Here are some photos we had taken for our Christmas card this year.

Brileigh 18 months

Brileigh is 1 1/2 at her check up she is 24 pounds (69%) 33 inches (86%). She is starting to use more words. I fully expect her to be like her brothers and not really use any words and then one day just start speaking sentences. She is still very active and likes to play with her dolls, dog, and brothers. Her favorite is to have people chase her. Brileigh still loves the Wiggles and has started getting into Yo Gabba Gabba.

My New Adventure

I am excited to announce that I have joined a health and wellness company called "It Works!". Over the past year or so, we have started to change our families "bad habits" and introduce healthier overall choices.  I have found that It Works! has all natural products to fit all age groups and lifestyles.  I was so excited about the products​, I chose to join the team!

We offer gluten free options, pregnancy, as well as other supplements to help with fitness, nutrition gaps, and other minor ailments.  I know many of you already use at least a daily vitamin; take a look and see if our products are a better fit.

We also offer one of a kind body contouring products.  Great for post-partum, they help tighten, tone, and firm that "trouble" area you can't seem to get rid of, and maybe give you that final touch before the big day, swim suit season, high school reunions, or any major event you want to impress and look your best.  These products are made with a natural-based, detoxifying body contouring formula.

If you want more information on any of the products you can message me here or go to my website at brittanymatlock.com

If you find that you like our products or know​​ of someone who could possibly benefit from them, please pass this information along to them.

Hope you have a great day,

Brittany

Holden's 4th Birthday

Happy 4th Birthday to Holden! We had Dave's parent's and my dad and step-mom over for dinner on Friday night to celebrate Holden. Right now he really likes watching the Toy Story movies so that is what he wanted for his cake and cookies. If your in the St. Louis area I highly recommend Kathy for your cakes and cookies: Cakes by Kathy Facebook@Kakesbykathy Photos. Not only do they taste amazing her prices are great.

The cake and cookies

Birthday Boy

KK, Holden and Papa Bill

Paw, Holden and Mimi

Our little family

We took Holden and Carson along with their cousins to Six Flags on Holden's actual birthday. They had a great time. During the month of October they have Fright Fest at Six Flags. Once it gets dark outside all the scary things come out like zombies. That was a little much for the boys and they were pretty scared (2 of them crying) so we left shorty after that.

Phase 3 HCG Diet

I have finished the last phase of the HCG diet. Since finishing I'm up a couple pounds but I'm maintaining my weight. I've started working out 5 to 6 days a week for 45 minutes to an hour. I've been using my fitness pal to help track what I'm eating. This helps me to make sure I'm not eating too little or too much for the day. I took more photos and I can see some change. I'm hoping with continued exercise and eating right that I will continue to notice change.

Getting started on the HCG diet

Since my success with the HCG diet I have had a lot of people ask me about the diet and how it works so I thought I would do a post about it.


This is a brief rundown of how the HCG Protocol works...

Days 1 & 2: Gorge.  Eat until you can't eat anymore.  The fatter the food, the better.  Fried meats (chicken wings), hamburgers, pizza, cream filled donuts; pig out.  If you don't feel sick, eat.  This is the most crucial part of this process.  If you don't do this you *will* suffer for the first week or two.  You also begin to take the drops on day one.  They go under your tongue.  Don't eat/drink for 15 minutes before and after you take them, and hold them in your mouth for at least 2 minutes before swallowing.  You do this 3 times a day.  I tended to do it first thing in the morning, then every six hours after that. We started with 8 drops then moved up to 10. I stalled for a few days with weight so I moved up to 15 this was at the end for me, the last week of the 40 days.

Days 3 - 21 (up to 37): Continue the drops each day.  You will now only eat 500 calories a day.  Your lunch and dinner will consist of 3.5 oz. of meat/fish, 1-2 cups of a vegetable, 1 piece of fruit, 1 melba toast.  You can only drink water, black coffee, and tea.  The only sweetener you can use is Stevia.  I recommend the liquid version because it mixes in drinks better.  You can go without the fruit and melba toast if you like or you can have it for breakfast and before bed.  Detailed instructions and lists of acceptable foods are in Dr. Simeon's manuscript (see below).

3 days after you stop the drops: Continue the 500 calorie/day eating.

3 weeks after you stop the 500 calorie/day eating: No sugars and starches.  You can eat as you normally would, not overdoing it (1200-1800 calories/day).  The only restriction is no sugars and starches.  This is basically the Adkins diet.

After the 3 week of no sugar and starches, you are finished.  Eat well and exercise and you should be able to maintain your weight.

You should weigh yourself every morning and keep a record of your weight.  You will know if certain foods prevent you from losing weight.  You should lose at least .5 lbs per day.

There is a *lot* more information in the manuscript which is linked to below.  If you have questions, let me know.

Here are some links with information about the HCG Protocol.

Pounds and Inches Away

This website is for a store here in St. Louis that sells HCG approved foods and spices.  They also have some supporting books and information about HCG. You can order things online and have them shipped to you. If your planning on doing the 40 days I recommed getting the 2oz  bottle of HCG. They also sell the approved haircare and body care products.

http://www.poundsandinchesaway.com/

Dr. Simeon's Manuscript

This paper is your guide to the HCG Protocol.  Read it, understand it, love it.  This paper dictates what you can and can't do. 

HTML Version - http://www.poundsandinchesaway.com/dr-simeons-manuscript-download/

Brileigh's 15 month check up

Brileigh had her 15 month check up today. She weighed 22 lbs 8 oz (69%) and 31 in (67%).

Brileigh now has 10 teeth. 

She loves playing with her baby dolls.

She gets so excited when she sees the cats, because most of the time they are hiding from the dog. 

She loves to wave and say hi. 

She is getting more sociable and not scared of people as much. 

She is on a great schedule: gets up at 7 naps from 1-4 and goes to bed at 8:30.

HCG results

I finished the 40 days on the hcg drops. I lost a total of 30 pounds. I lost 5 inches in my chest, 8 inches in my waist, 6 inches in my hips, and 2 inches in my arms and thighs. I'm now starting the no card no sugar phase. This will last 3 weeks. I'll post pics and weight and inches lost once I complete this phase. Here are my before and after pictures. If you have any interest in doing the diet I recommend visiting this website  Pounds and Inches Away it will give you all the information you need. You can also purchase drops from them, I did the 2oz bottle. Here is a link to a post I did about the basics of the diet and how it works if you have any interest in doing the diet I recommend reading this post Getting started on the HCG diet

Holden's 1st day of preschool

Holden had his first day of preschool today.  He is going 2 days a week from 9-12.

First day of 1st grade

Carson had his first day of 1st grade. He was very excited and really enjoys going to school.

HCG Week 2

I have now been on the diet for 2 weeks. I'm down 16 pounds. I had a couple days were I gained weight and a day that I stalled. I know that's not uncommon when on the diet but I'm pretty sure mine was a sodium issue. So I have cut that out and seem to be doing fine. I was down 2 inches in my hips and about an inch in the waist.

Panama Cith Beach Florida

This July we went to Panama City Beach Florida with my Dad, step-mom and nephews along with Dave's parents. The trip was a lot of fun and Brileigh had a lot of first there. First time on an airplane, fist time really walking, first time at the beach. She also slept amazing while we were there. I guess maybe we should put her in the pack-n-play in our closet at home!

My Family: Dave, Me, Carson, Karen, Brileigh, Dad, Blake, Nathan and Holden

Dave's family: Dave, Me, Brileigh, Mary, Steve, Holden and Carson

4th of July

We had our annual 4th of July party at our house. It is so nice that we can see the fireworks show from our house so we don't have to go anywhere. We had a great time with family and friends.