Phase 4 Day 1 111.5 (6.0 over LDW)

I know I've been MIA. To be honest for a good while I was freaking out, I gained (at my highest) 8 pounds during stabilization.

It all comes down to this - your mileage may vary... I was listening to advice that had me eating far more fat and protein than I need at this weight, and it became time to listen to my own body.

I've lost 2 pounds so far, and I am confident I'll make my way back down to 105.5 - if needed, with a round of HCG, but I don't think it's going to be necessary. I'm finding my groove.

And that groove is looking like minimum dairy.Very occasional cheese. I'll try butter again when I can afford good quality butter instead of regular butter. And even then, as a minimum.

So what am I eating that is allowing me to slowly get back to my LDW?

Cream in 2 coffees in the morning with a bit of coconut oil mixed in, is breakfast. It's filling and satisfying.

Lunch is meat (I've discovered I do better with baked or grilled meat, frying is too much for me. So are processed foods, bye bye bacon). I like it with a side of mustard and an apple, or a serving of raw veggies like celery, tomato or a red pepper.

Dinner is chicken or meat or fish, with a salad with olive oil and spices. I've seen a sugar free dressing I want to try, and since as of today I'm allowed starches, and it has a little starch in it, I'm going to try it. I'll let you know how it goes. And if it goes well, I'll post the brand.

I've also been doing fat bombs, usually two a day. My version of fat bombs is coconut oil mixed with the sweetener of your choice to taste, and unsweetened cocoa powder to taste. They're delicious, they taste like good quality dark chocolate - without the sugar craving!

Now, don't get me wrong, being 111 isn't terrible. Not at all. I look good, feel good. But truthfully, I adored how I felt and looked at 105. So I want back there, I want to maintain below 110. If I fluctuate between 105-108, I'll be content.

Onwards!

P3 Day 6 108.6 (-0.3, +3.1 over LDW)

Well, it's a little better anyway.

I thought (hard) about doing a steak day today, then decided I simply didn't want to. And I've always read that you need to do it the day you go over the 2 pound mark, or it's not as effective. Frankly if I'd gone through with it and lost 0.3, I'd be upset LOL. So today, I will continue the no cheese program, drink lots of water, and carry on as normal.

Happy Thanksgiving by the way!!

Being new in town, and not knowing anyone yet, will make for a quiet day. A coworker at my new job invited me over, and I may go, haven't decided yet. I spoke to those I love this morning and wished them a happy Thanksgiving, and that was lovely. The quiet day is not a bad thing for stabilization anyway, no real temptation.

Stay tuned for the progress I hope to see tomorrow!

P3 Day 5 108.9 (+1.0, +3.4 over LDW)

Arrgh and the restaurant food strikes!

Today I kept going, cheese free etc, I had 2 eggs fried in butter for breakfast, bulletproof coffee, egg salad (with sugar free mayo) over mixed salad greens for lunch, chicken thigh and an egg with salad greens with olive oil (and a dollop of sour cream on the chicken) for dinner. Snack was some cream cheese (I'm not including that in my no cheese experiment for now... if I need to, it will go too.)

We'll see what the scale says tomorrow. I bought a huge steak today in case I need to do a steak day tomorrow. I am determined to finish stabilization at my LDW, and I'm sure I'll stabilize to there in the remaining 2.5 weeks.

Oh, and I was called skinny by a very forthright lady (new coworker) at the lunch yesterday! Me! It's a whole new world, I'm telling you!!

Onwards!

P3 Day 4 107.9 (+0.1, +2.4 over LDW)

Okay, another slight gain... not great.

Today was my first day of no cheese, and it's gone great. There's only one thing that I'm worried about, and that is that we went for a going away lunch for the lady I'm replacing at my job. I had to go, and I ordered the most innocent thing I could see on the menu. I ordered a burger (no cheese, discarded the bun) and had a side salad.

That said, I could taste the sugar in everything. And found it very salty. I'm worried about tomorrow as P3 is strictly no sugar, no starch. But I did my best, and if Thursday ends up being a steak day (my version of Thanksgiving lol...) then so be it. I drank a lot of water today,  11 glasses, so hopefully that will have flushed stuff out. Also, TMI alert, had some very, umm, productive BMs today. Much needed.

There was a tiny bit of feta in the salad, and I had one bite of artichoke dip, so there was a little cheese in that too, but other than that, no cheese. I'm quite pleased with how well I did in that area.

Wish me luck with the scale gods for tomorrow!

P3 Day 3 107.8 (+0.7, +2.3 over LDW)

Yes, I know I should run screaming straight to a steak day... however...

TMI alert!!!

With the addition of potassium and magnesium, things are, ahem, moving along better...

I had a comment on yesterday's post that has gotten me thinking... along the lines of every encounter with the protocol being different - maybe at this time, I can't handle cheese as well as I used to. A big part of doing Phase 3 is having an open mind, paying attention to your body, seeing what works, what doesn't.

Thank you Skinny Cow for speaking up and supporting me in that experiment, that having an open mind :)

I'm going to try a little experiment for the next two days.

No cheese. At all. And see what the scale ends up saying on Thursday. Can't hurt, and frankly now I'm curious to see what could happen! Cheese may have to go on the list of occasional foods, which would be sad, but what do I want more? To keep this fabulously lean new me, or to eat cheese? It's only food after all, and trust me, no cheese tastes as good as being this size and weight feels!

I'm not giving up the bacon (or the pork rinds lol, although truthfully I'm finding them a tad salty, so they can sit in the cupboard no problem), so don't even try LOL.

Anyhoo, we'll see what happens, should be fun!

P3 Day 2 107.1 (1.6 over LDW)

Well, not totally unexpected.

It's funny how each experience with HCG is different (kind of like each pregnancy is different, or so I'm told). I've been constipated, so I'm taking some potassium and magnesium with each meal to get things moving again.

Wasn't feeling too good this morning. I woke up at 7am, then went back to sleep until almost 11am. Which is where the K and Mg comes in lol.

Food wise has been much less than yesterday. Bullet proof coffee (which is coffee with butter and heavy whipping cream in it. You can also put coconut oil in it), and 2 eggs with bacon and cheese and butter for breakfast. Some pork rinds (3 or 4), some cheese slices with bacon as a snack. And dinner will be some beef fried up with onion and celery. Then as a side I'll have a tomato with a little mozzarella and olive oil. So all in all, getting closer to being structured again in my eating, 3 meals and a snack.

Onwards!

P3 Day 1 106.6

Well, day one of phase 3 - stabilization went very well. I was lucky that my gut didn't object to the change in food, I think that has to do with the fact that it was already put through the wringer by excessive sugar free gum chewing over the 72 hour weaning off period (sorry for the TMI).

The last three days looked as follows:

 P2 Day 184 - LDW 105.5 (-0.2) (this is also 0-24 hours in the weaning off period)
P2 Day 185 (25-48 hours) - 106.0 (+0.5)
P2 Day 186 (49-72hours) - 106.0 (-0.0)

And today, P3, 106.6 (+0.6)

I ate my way through today, I was alternately hungry and stuffed, craving a lot of protein and fat. I'm nervous about tomorrow, feeling bloated and full. But, I've felt this way on the first night of P3 before, and nothing terribly drastic tends to happen on the scale on day 2. If it is a scary number tomorrow, I know what to do. And in any case, tomorrow will be more structured (as in 3 meals and a snack), so that will be good.

Anyway, that's it for today's report!

LDW 105.5 - The 72 Hour Countdown Begins

Well here we are in the 0-24 window!

I took my last dose this morning and today's weight is the one I'll go by as I move through P3 and P4. 

Tummy was a tad gurgly this morning but so far that's the only difference from any other day on HCG. 

Onwards!

P2 Day 183 105.6 (-0.2) (-61.1)

Nearly there, tomorrow morning will be my last dose.  Yay! 

It also coincides nicely with my starting a new job. Cool huh? Two weeks in my new locale and I have work!

Not much news, the next three days will be an exercise in patience as I wait to be able to move on to P3. 

Nite all!

P2 Day 182 105.8 (-0.1) (-60.9)

Slight decrease. Guess I'm leveling off. Pretty happy at this weight anyhow. 

Two more days on HCG then the weaning off period of 72 hours. Then P3 starts on Saturday. 

Onwards!

P2 Day 181 105.9 (+0.5) (-60.8)

Well, that was a glitchy little gain, I suspect it was either increased salt intake yesterday, or a reaction to the diet peach iced tea I had late last night. Either way, neither will be appearing in today's menu, so I'm sure it'll be gone tomorrow.

The countdown is here, the HCG is running low, and I am ready to go on to other food, to the fatty goodness of Phase 3 stabilization. Wednesday morning will be my last dose, so whatever I weigh then will be my Last Dose Weight (LDW). It is this number that is a big deal during P3 and P4 (maintenance), where you do corrective days if you go more than 2 pounds over this number.

Whoo hoo!!! Almost there!

P2 Day 180 105.4 (-0.5) (-61.3) GOAL!!!!

Ok a day late, but...

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So excited and proud!!

And that's also 8 sizes down and a total of 75.25 inches lost!

Yay me!!!

P2 Day 179 105.9 (-0.5) (-60.8) GOAL RANGE!

Wow! That latest release puts me pretty much at goal! That dream goal I didn't think was attainable. I will consider myself officially at goal at 105.4 and under (that whole rounding up thing). But I'm basically there!! Wow!!!!!!

My last dose will be Wednesday morning so that P3 will start next Saturday. I'll need that morning near the bathroom as my body adjusts to new food (apologies for the TMI but that's the reality for me the first morning of phase 3). 

Measurements (inches lost, sizes down) and after pics to follow on Wednesday. 

Wow!!!

P2 Day 178 106.4 (-0.7) (-60.3)

Wow!!! I've lost 60.3 pounds and I'm one tiny little pound away from my goal!

So excited!!!!!

Another busy day ahead, with an interview for a temp assignment this afternoon and some library time to start preparing for a test to qualify for an interview for a job with my local city government next week. Exciting times as my life in my new city comes together!

And OMG - one pound to go!

Day 177 Update - 107.1 (-59.6)

Sorry I haven't been updating much, it's been an incredibly busy time. I finally got to move into my apartment the day after my last post. Still working on getting internet at home so blogging is either on my phone (like right now) or at a place with wireless. Either way a little inconvenient. 

Anyhow here's the update:

Day 172 - 108.6

Day 173 - 108.4

Day 174 - 107.9

Day 175 - 107.6

Day 176 - 107.6

Day 177 - 107.1

Soooo close to that dream number of 105!

Very cool thing happened on the weekend. I went to a meet up and got to meet Jimmy Moore, of Livin La Vida Lowcarb fame! He's a great guy, he and his wife are so nice and genuine, and I have huge respect for him for not only his weight loss but his commitment to spreading the word about the health benefits if a low carb way of eating. Check out his blog if you have a chance!

Low carb is how I plan to maintain my weight after stabilization. 

Sleep and energy are good, had such a busy day yesterday I didn't realize I hadn't had lunch until dinner time!

Anyway better get on with the day! :)

P2 Day 171 Update 108.9 (-57.8)

Still trucking along, I should be moving from my temporary apartment to my permanent one today, which will be nice, it will be good to be settled, those additional days of limbo were a little tough although of course I was making the best of it:-)

Here's the update of the last few days:

Day 169 - 109.2 (+0.1) (-57.5)

Day 170 - 109.3 (+0.1) (-57.4)

Energy is good, sleep is good although I did take some melatonin last night to help me get to sleep as my brain was in worry mode. TOM still present. 

Onwards!

P2 Day 169 109.2 (+0.1) (-57.5)

Well, a slight increase that I am attributing to TOM. Very dragged out today, which again I am blaming on TOM. 

Onwards!

P2 Day 168 Update - 109.1 (-57.6)

Here's a little update of the weekend:

Day 167	109.5	0.1	57.2
Day 168	109.1	0.4	57.6

Energy is good,I'm sleeping well, life is good :)

I have to make one comment though, it's very odd to look in the mirror nowadays... when I'd reached goal before, I didn't have this sensation, but this time, and I don't know if it's the extra couple of pounds, that I'm leaner, or that it's because it's been a couple of years since I was last this size, but I'm hardly recognizing the woman in the mirror. I've honestly never experienced this at lower weights. When large, I have, in that I haven't fully understood how large I was.

This is different. Good, but different. I'm looking forward to getting to know that lean woman I see in the mirror, and lord I know I love how clothes look on her LOL.

Physically I really notice a difference. For example, I am so much stronger and more flexible than when heavy. When I was loading the truck for the move down here, I was able to lift more, climb all over the truck getting things in and on it. What a difference from when I was 50 pounds heavier, readying the truck for the last move seven months ago. I am thrilled!

In the TMI department, TOM just showed up, so even if I hadn't wanted to mix another batch today (last of old batch consumed this morning, so I'll mix a new batch for tonight's dosing), I would have had to anyway. You have to have at least a week to ten days (if memory serves) between end of Phase 2 and TOM.

Anyway, on we go!!! Excited!!!!

Day 166 Update 109.6

Yep you read that right - 109.6!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Wednesday I was 110.8 (which thrilled me) but didn't have time to blog as I was preparing for the road trip, packing the truck, saying goodbye to folks etc. 

I have no idea what I weighed on Thursday and Friday as the scale was in the back of the truck. 

So this morning was my first chance to see what was going on and wow!!

Yes, I elected to finish my batch. And I've made the decision to do my last vial of HCG as well. 

Why? Glad you asked lol

Because it's always been my secret wish to reach my dream goal of 105, and since the lowest I'd ever managed was 111, I was being "sensible" and settling for what is actually the midpoint of my healthy weight range. 

But since chasing dreams is the theme of my life of late, I'm going to go for it and see what happens!

The road trip was good, a bit challenging food wise as normally I'd junk out at least a little bit, so there was some arguing going on in my head from time to time, but I knew I'd regret not giving it my all. My HCG was in my thermal bag along with some bottles of froze water and kept quite nicely. 

And now, sleep time!

P2 Day 162 111.0 (-0.7) (-55.7)

Wow I didn't expect that!!!

And of course, it has me debating just when my LDW should be... have to give it more thought!

Doing well, had a wonderful day today, at a field trip with my sis-in-law and her two daughters - they're so cute!

Sleeping well, great energy, almost packed for the road trip to my new city. All is well in my world!

P2 Day 161 111.7 (-0.6) (-55.0)

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!!!!!!

P2 Day 160 112.3 (-0.5) (-54.4)

Nice! Although I feel like the scale gods are playing with me lol. Soon I shall see 111 (my goal weight), I am sure of it!

Had a brutal headache yesterday morning, I'd gone out shopping and had to turn around and come home and lie down. After a two hour sleep I woke up feeling great - there's nothing to make you feel grateful for feeling good like recovering from a headache!

It just occurred to me - right now - that the headache might have been as a result of the foods on Friday at my goodbye lunch, with restaurant eating, you don't know what the ingredients are, and with the sugar in the piece of cheesecake, well that could have affected me as well.

Anyway, all better now, but something to keep in mind!

Come on, goal weight!!! Onwards!

P2 Day 159 112.8 (-0.0) (-53.9)

Well, all I can say is that I got off easy! Hopefully it will be gone tomorrow, I tasted a lot of salt in the food at yesterday's lunch (such a good lunch though!), and some if not all of that gain is water retention, I hope.

Anyway, back to full on P2 today. I'm debating whether I'll stop on next Wednesday after all. Maybe I'll just power through for another week to week and a half and finish that batch of HCG and see where it leads me. Decisions, decisions....

Happy Saturday everyone!

P2 Day 158 112.5 (-0.0) (-54.2)

Well, a day of rest I guess. Sigh.

It was my last day of work, so the girls took me out for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. I had the petite meal, of a scoop of mashed potatoes, broccoli and about 4 oz of steak. That and the salad bar. And a slice of cheesecake when I got back to work (small slice).

I enjoyed my food, and now am having my standard P2 dinner, so we will see how bad the damage is tomorrow.

Onwards!

P2 Day 157 112.5 (-0.1) (-54.2)

Well I had been hoping for more if a release than that, but hopefully tomorrow!

Challenging day at work. Someone brought in Panera bagels for everyone and the smell is wonderful! However with one pound till goal AND knowing that sudden exposure to wheat would result in a painful morning spent in the bathroom, I'll resist and just enjoy the smell. 

Hopeful that I'll hit goal tomorrow!

P2 Day 156 112.6 (+0.1) (-54.1)

Sigh, slight gain, so near and yet so far to goal...

Junk food abounds at my job (yesterday alone, birthday cake, donuts), and I resist all of it. However, when someone brought in the "best cheesecake ever" and said "you've GOT to try this!!", I had about a tablespoon. Yes, it was extremely good. Not worth wanting more all afternoon though. And not worth not hitting goal.

Ah well, tomorrow hopefully!!!

P2 Day 155 112.5 (-0.4) (-54.2)

Wow! One more pound to go!!!

Feeling good, slept a little restlessly, but I think that's more because I have a lot of planning for the road trip/move on my mind, etc.

I've felt a little light headed the last day or so, debating whether to go back on the potassium or not, but it's only for another week (!!) and then I'm onto Phase 3 Stabilization (P3), so I think since I'm not having any cramping (or very little), I'll just ride it out.

I spoke to my cousin last night, it was her birthday, and told her I was a pound away from goal, and she was so pleased and proud for me - as she said, it's been done under not the best of circumstances (rooming with others, almost constant stress over work and home situations, living in limbo trying to figure out next steps), so I've really achieved something. I'm pretty proud of myself too!

That said, I'm well aware that in many ways the real work is ahead, and that's fine, I'm looking forward to it!

Onwards!

P2 Day 154 112.9 (-0.1) (-53.8)

Okay a small release today but still a step in the right direction and now I'm 112!!

One more pound (and a bit) to goal!

Excited!!!!

P2 Day 153 113.0 (-0.4) (-53.7)

And another nice release! I'm sooooo close now to goal!

Had a great night's sleep, and have a lazy day ahead of me today I think, which bothers me not at all lol.

Twelve days to go!

Day 152 Progress Pics

Thought I'd post progress pics (this was at 4 pounds till goal, I will post pics that I take from my LDW day as well).

BEFORE (around when I started, the week 18th of May 2013):

And my progress after (like I mentioned, this is last week, about 4 pounds to go):

P2 Day 152 113.4 (-0.7) (-53.3)

Woo hooo!!! So excited about that release! 2 pounds to goal!!!

I really need to find my tape measure and do my measurements, I know I'm smaller than the last time, all my zeroes are a perfect fit now!

Had a great night sleep (other than the dog wanting out at 3am), got a good 9 hours sleep in, which I'm sure doesn't hurt.

I mixed a new batch of HCG for the last two weeks, the last batch was almost done so I figured what the heck, see what a new batch does.

Only 13 more days on HCG, and then the 72 hour weaning off period will coincide with my road trip/move to another state, in a way being on the VLCD will make a road trip easier, I won't have to think about food at all, no gas station/fast food temptation!

My leg cramps have been very mild the last week or so, I haven't been taking potassium or magnesium at all, and my energy has been very good as well.

Anyway, better get on with my Saturday, I have a dog show to go to! Happy Saturday!

P2 Day 151 114.0 (-0.4) (-52.7)

And another nice release!

I am stoked at being so close to goal, I mean I'm basically 2.anything, less than 3 pounds away now. 

Where I'm working there are daily temptations, today it's two different kinds of cookies from our Amish market. And it's so easy to resist at this point. Why would I mess up now when I'm so close?

Also the fact is, adding a carby food like that to the mix would result in a lot of bathroom time (sorry, TMI) when I haven't been eating like that for months. 

But the real reason is that I'm so close to being done and moving on to Phase 3. 

Yep, happy and excited here!!

P2 Day 150 Update 114.4 (-52.3)

First of all, wow, I've been on HCG for 150 days (minus the two pauses)!

I totally spaced out posting yesterday, which is funny actually because I was discussing my blog with a dear friend yesterday.

So yesterday (Day 149), I was 115.5, which was an increase of 0.3.

Today, I was 114.4, a release of 1.1, for a total of 52.3 pounds lost, and only 3 to go!!!!!

Yay!

P2 Day 148 115.2 (+0.4) (-51.5)

No idea why the slight gain, but I'm not worried about it. I figure it's the classic stair step pattern that Dr. Simeons spoke about in Pounds and Inches. I'll likely see a good release tomorrow.

My energy and mood were a bit off today, but I'm sure with a good night's sleep (early night) tomorrow I'll be back to normal.

Not long now! My last dose day will be Friday, November 1st, so that the Monday is my first day of Phase 3 - Stabilization.

Onwards!

P2 Day 147 114.4 (-0.8) (-51.9)

Wow! And now, only 3 pounds until goal! Yay!

Still feeling good, great moods and energy, loving the size zeroes I'm wearing :)

Have a happy Monday everyone!

P2 Day 146 115.6 (-0.1) (-51.1)

Well, that was a small release, but still in the right direction!

I am so looking forward to hitting goal and moving on to stabilization (P3), it will be good to move forward.

Onwards!

Day 145 115.7 (-0.4) (-51.0)

Very nice! 4 pounds and counting!

Lazy day today, a little cleaning, laundry, shopping... just what a saturday should be.

I also went through my bags of clothes (being in a roommate situation for months, many of my clothes are still in vacuum bags), and a lot of my sweaters look so cute on me! I am a size 0 or 1 depending on the brand, and putting on my tiny XS sweaters and looking good in them is such a gift, it makes every time I've said no to a treat soooooo worth it!

Not long now until I reach my goal! I'm so excited :-)

Day 144 Update - 116.1 (-50.6)

I really need to post more often! Anyway, as you can see below I've passed the 50 pound mark. Yay!

Day 140	117.9	-0.2	48.8
Day 141	118.4	-0.5	48.3
Day 142	116.8	1.6	49.9
Day 143	116.5	0.3	50.2
Day 144	116.1	0.4	50.6

I had to laugh on day wednesday when the scale gods were teasing me at 49.9 pounds released. And now, I'm just thrilled where I am. Five little pounds to go! Woo hoo!

Energy is good, sleep is good, mood is good. My meals are chicken at both meals now, mustard is my best friend, and veggies are still cukes and tomatoes. I do eat an extra apple every day and it's really working for me, I feel good.

Yay!

P2 Day 139 Update 117.7 (-49.0)

Wow you can tell it's been a super busy week, I haven't posted for 5 days!

I moved into some dear family friends home for a little bit (long story, more changes are afoot!) So the week's been hectic.

Here is the update:

Day 135	119.1	0.0	47.6
Day 136	118.6	0.5	48.1
Day 137	118.8	-0.2	47.9
Day 138	118.1	0.7	48.6
Day 139	117.7	0.4	49.0

I'm feeling great, now fitting a size zero (!!!!!), it feels great to be this size again! I have six pounds to go till goal, and will likely (not committed just yet) try for another three pounds after that, as I tend to gain three pounds once I hit maintenance. It really bugs me lol, so I'd rather have that gain mean I'm right at my happy weight, instead of just above it.

Anyhoo, sleeping well, enjoying my food with my extra protein and apple, and enjoying this last little piece of phase 2!

Onwards!

P2 Day 134 119.1 (-0.0)(-47.6)

Well, it's a rest day, which is fine, hopefully we resume the releasing tomorrow! I am still so excited to be in the teens and 8 pounds away from my goal weight of 111!

Physically, I feel so much better with that extra 20-30g of protein at every meal, and that extra apple in the morning, I am now only taking potassium in the mornings, no cramps for a few days. Sleep is good, energy is good.

We will see if I need to make any further adjustments in the next couple of weeks, I'd really like to see some regular releases coming, as you can imagine I am definitely ready to move on to Phase 3, stabilization - it's been a long haul, even without the two pauses in this round!

Anyway, off to work!

P2 Day 133 119.1 (-1.1)(-47.6)

Yay!!! The teens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Continuing with my extra and apple today to see if the trend continues!

So thrilled!!!!

Day 132 Update

Well, with yesterday's gain, I came within inches of quitting P2 and moving straight on to P3 with no 72-hour weaning off period.

Day 131	121.8	-0.6	44.9
Day 132	120.2	1.6	46.5

Instead, I just ate more. I was actually hungry! So I had an apple for breakfast with coffee, lunch was 2 hamburger patties (well, more like 1.5, there was a half sized one in the container that I'd cooked up) with tomato and basil, dinner was over 100g (cooked weight) of chicken, cucumber and strawberries (with sweet n low, I'm a bit suspicious that the Stevia I bought has dextrose in it so I'm leaving it be until maintenance).

And that was quite the release this morning! 0.3 away from the teens!

I followed basically the same meal plan today, except that both meals were chicken. Chewed some gum, so we'll see if that's a problem or not...

I order to talk myself into sticking to it, I worked out that if I stick to my plan of staying on it until the last week of October, then that (according to projections based on the averages of the last couple of months) would mean another 5 pounds gone. Okay, I won't be at goal necessarily, but 4 pounds away is better than 10 for sure.

I'm pumped again, so....

Onward!

P2 Day 130 121-2 (-0.0)(-45.5)

Well, guess my body is taking a rest day, that`s fine. We shall see what happens tomorrow!

Off to work!

Day 129 Update 121.2

Soooo close to the teens!!!

Day 128	121.9	-0.6	44.8
Day 129	121.2	0.7	45.5

Things are trucking along, 10 more pounds until I reach my happy weight. I`m going to get a bit stricter over the next little bit, salt gone, no gum (it`s been irritating my jaw and intestines, sorry TMI), cutting down on diet soda, and decreasing the protein (I`ve been eating around 90g of cooked chicken, it should be no more than 78g cooked weight), and buying a lower fat beef for my patties. I`ve been buying 90/10 beef, I`m going to scale back to 93/7 or even better 94/6. We`re getting down to the nitty gritty and I want to get the work done and move on to Phase 3 stabilization.

I`m currently a size 2, when I started I was a size 14. I`ll have to post pics sometime soon...

Onwards!!

P2 Day 127 Update

Eeek! Been a whole week since I posted. Sorry about that!

I've had a very eventful week, but since this blog is about the HCG protocol, I'll stick to that (mostly) in this post.

Here is the update:

Day 121	123.0	0.0	43.7
Day 122	121.9	1.1	44.8
Day 123	121.7	0.2	45.0
Day 124	122.9	-1.2	43.8
Day 125	122.7	0.2	44.0
Day 126	123.5	-0.8	43.2
Day 127	121.3	2.2	45.4

So, the blip over the weekend was due to me being a bit stupid. I decided to start taking D3 again. Bought gel caps. What is usually in gel caps? Oil.

Oil.

Duh! You can't have oils or fats on the HCG protocol!

Anyway, once I clued in and stopped taking it, the weight dropped off plus 0.4 more. Lesson learned. I will buy some more D3 as I feel great when I take it, but I'll make sure it's in the tablet form that I was taking before with no gains, and nice releases.

Just finishing up TOM (I was initially blaming the gains on that until I clued in).

I'm fighting boredom a fair bit at present, I'm ready to move on to P3 mentally anyway, but I am bound and determined to get that last 10 pounds off before I do. As I alluded to earlier, lots of stuff going on, a move to a new house, potentially even a new city depending on what happens on the work front in the next very short while. No matter what, I am determined to keep on going with the protocol. It will be easier and cheaper to stick to that even while adjusting to a new temporary (a few weeks at most) living situation, and a potential road trip of a day and a half wouldn't be a big deal on protocol either. Anyhow time will tell. If things work out I may be finally getting both a permanent work AND permanent living (as in alone, my own kitchen...ahhhh) situation. Fingers crossed! But both situations have pluses, so we shall see.

Day 120 Update - 123.0

Here's an update, I know I'm slacking again lol... lots going on at present.

New batch this evening, so we'll see if that impacts anything.

Here's the update:

Day 118	123.1	0.4	43.6
Day 119	123.1	0.0	43.6
Day 120	123.0	0.1	43.7

Other than the number, life is going along well. I had a mini bug for a day or so that I beat, so that was good. As I said, lots going on, I'm a bit stressed, but all is well, life is good!

Onwards!

Day 117 123.5 (-0.3)(-43.2)

And with that weight, I find myself in the weight range and BMI that are considered normal for my height.

NORMAL!

That pleases me enormously! Yes, I still have 12 pounds to go, but... normal! Big smile here!

Today is a big day on an emotional level as well. Two years ago today I was going through some of the worst stress and sadness of my life, saying goodbye to people and the life I loved. So to be able to sit here, and look at all of the blessings in my life, the dreams I've achieved... well, it's a pretty wonderful day. And then you add "normal" to it.

Life feels pretty sweet today!

Hope yours is too!

Day 116 Update - 123.8 (-42.9)

So the week's going along well, kept meaning to blog, but just not getting to it.

Here's the update:

Day 113	124.4	0.2	42.3
Day 114	124.3	0.1	42.4
Day 115	124.0	0.3	42.7
Day 116	123.8	0.2	42.9

All in all it's going well, although not as quickly as I'd like. Still, down is down :)

I'd been experimenting with a slightly higher dose, and unlike other rounds, I'm actually feeling better on the recommended dose. So back to that I went this morning.

Sleep is well, food is good, moods are good although I'm a tad cranky in the mornings, but that may be due to the dark, gray skies we've been having. It's so hard for me to get up when it's dark outside. But of course, I do... eventually. Thank goodness for coffee!

I'm still taking my potassium and magnesium for the leg cramps, and I certainly do notice an increase in cramps when I slack off on that, so it's important this round. Interestingly, there's been very little dizziness (by which I mean headrushes when I stand up quickly, or a weird, echoey sensation at times when standing around), so that's good.

And... it's Friday! Yipeee!!

P2 Day 112 124.6 (-0.6)(-42.1)

Yay! Great release! What a great start to the week THAT is!

Day 111 Update = Going Strong!

Going strong! Here is the update since Thursday:

Day 109	125.6	0.6	41.1
Day 110	126.0	-0.4	40.7
Day 111	125.2	0.8	41.5

I'm sleeping well, eating well, and feeling great. With continued use of magnesium and potassium, the leg cramps have gone away and my energy is good. Man I love this program!

P2 Day 108 126.2 (-0.1)(-40.5)

Well it was a little release, but still in the right direction, so that's great!

Not much to report, I'm sleeping well, and the appetite has subsided so that's a good thing.

Onwards!

P2 Day 107 126.3 (-0.9) (-40.4)

Nice release! Won't be long at all until I'm past the 125.5 mark and hitting new lows this round!

I love HCG for that, in that unlike many other programs, I will lose as fast as I gain, no taking twice as long to lose thing.

Slept well, still dealing with a bit of hunger, I'm toying with upping my dose slightly for a couple of days, but seeing if I can just tough it out.

On with my day!

P2 Day 106 127.2 (-2.2) (-39.5)

Well, that's 2.2 down, and 1.7 to go until I've resolved the pause damage. All good!

I'm feeling good being back on HCG, it's truly amazing how healthy I feel on it. The only real drawback is the boredom with food, but that's something I can (obviously) deal with.

Sleeping well, good energy, not much new to report! Onwards!

Day 105 - Back on HCG and P2

As of today I am 129.4, with a net gain of 3.9 over the three day pause. I’d gone out on Saturday night, thrown caution to the wind, had a few drinks followed by a late night omelet at Denny’s, and yesterday experienced increased appetite as a result of the alcohol consumption and basically ate my way through yesterday. Now granted, it was phase 3 foods, but essentially acted like a loading day as far as my body was concerned.

Live and learn. I enjoyed myself, now back to it. This is not how I eat on phase 3, which is very structured, 3 meals and a snack a day, and certainly no alcohol. So, while at first my confidence took a hit, I reminded myself that I DO know how to do a successful stabilization phase and that I will do that when I’m through with Phase 2. Then I shook it off and got on with the day.

Today, I took my HCG this morning and have been just fine. It feels good to be on it, back to normal, especially since I hadn’t really wanted to go off it to begin with.

Onwards! No regrets, lessons learned and off we go!

P3 Day 2 - Now Just a 3 Day Pause

Well, my HCG arrived today. Thank goodness! It sat in customs for five days, and I was starting to wonder if they were going to reject it.

Anyway, so that means I'll stay on P3, or my pause, for today and tomorrow and get back on P2 on Monday.

Yesterday was rougher than usual for the first day of P3, there's a reason I try to set it up for weekends. My usual hour or so of diarrhea lasted a whole morning, and unique to this particular pause, even the cream in the coffee made me nauseated. I was not reacting well to the fat at all. Had to take Zantac for the stomach acid too. Plainly my body was not at all ready to do a stabilization phase. Go figure! Normally the whipping cream in my coffee makes my body practically sing as it absorbs the fat it’s been without for so long! Ah well, just as every pregnancy is different (or so I’ve been told), so is every round of HCG. Which I guess is appropriate lol.

So I’ll enjoy today and tomorrow off the VLCD, and Monday get back at it with a vengeance. I have a LOT of stuff in the works for this fall and would love to be finished with the weight loss piece of this, and on with focusing on maintaining my weight.

Onwards!

Day 102/Phase 3 Update

So, I ran out of HCG and my order has not come, which means that I've had the 72 hour weaning period and today is the beginning of Phase 3 (P3) Stabilization. If my HCG comes within the next 2 weeks, I'll consider this a pause (much as I did when I went to my dad for his birthday) and resume P2.

Results for the last two days are:

Day 101	126.0	-0.5	40.7
Day 102	125.5	0.5	41.2

Last Dose Weight (LDW) is 125.5. The aim is to stay within 2 pounds of that weight.

Here we go!

Day 100 Update

Oops! Skipped yesterday's post, it was a bit of a frustrating day, with a gain, but today's release was great. Here are the stats for the last two days.

Day 99	127.2	-0.8	39.5
Day 100	125.5	1.7	41.2

It's amazing to me that it's day 100! I took my last dose of HCG yesterday morning, I'm hoping that my shipment arrives today so that I can continue on, but at the moment the 72 hour countdown to P3 is on. Fingers crossed it shows up today!!

The potassium and magnesium are still keeping the leg cramps at bay, and contributing to a great sleep, I'm happy about both of those things.

Onwards!

P2 Day 98 126.4 (-0.0) (-38.3)

Well, the body was taking a day of rest, which is just fine.

The potassium is doing it's job as far as the leg cramps go, no doubt the magnesium is helping there too, and man oh man does that magnesium ever knock me out. It's great for getting you to sleep!

Not much else to report, I'm waiting for my shipment of HCG, hoping and praying it shows up tomorrow, as I'm nearly out. I don't really want to take any kind of a pause. I have a feeling it'll show up tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

I'm getting a lot of comments on how skinny I'm getting, which is nice. I started at a size 14, and am currently in a 4. I anticipate being a zero or double zero once done, if the last time was any indication.

In any case I feel great, most of my aches and pains are gone, the rest will go once I hit the teens. My energy is good over all. No appetite, and I'm rarely tempted by off program foods, and then only for a moment.

Onwards!

Day 97 Update

Feeling a little like Britney Spears here, as in "oops I did it again"... sorry about that, here's the update.

Day 94	128.7	0.4	38.0
Day 95	128.6	0.1	38.1
Day 96	128.0	0.6	38.7
Day 97	126.4	1.6	40.3

So as of today, I'm past the 40 pounds lost mark!!! Yay!!!! And solidly in the 120s! Yay again!!!

It's been a very stressful week, dealing with a roommate situation, and relocation options, and a ton of other stuff, I got sick for a couple of days with a bug due to too much stress depleting my immune system, but after a fairly restful weekend I'm much better.

Those wicked calf cramps reared their ugly heads (if cramps have heads, that is) and I had to start taking potassium and magnesium again. Sleeping well over all, still not hungry, and all is well!

P2 Day 93 129.1 (-0.6) (-37.6)

A very nice release!

I wasn't at all sure what I would find on the scale this morning, yesterday was an incredibly stressful day on a personal front. But all will be well, I am sure.

I woke up with a terrible leg cramp this morning, so back on the potassium I go. Between that and the D3, that should help not only the leg cramps, but also with the anxiety I'm feeling right now.

Breathing...

Sleep still better than it was, and I did well with the gum yesterday, didn't even crave it all day. I did have a piece just before bed, but only because I was parched and didn't want to drink more water. So I'm happy on that front too!


And... onwards! I'm soooo excited about being in the 120s again!!

P2 Day 92 129.7 (-0.3)(-37.0)

The elusive 120s have been reached!!! Yay!!!

My sleep was a bit heavier last night, a bit more restful, which is good.

I am excited! I'll try to write something that sounds intelligent later!

Woooo Hooo!!!

P2 Day 91 130.0 (-0.2) (-36.7)

I was laughing this morning, the decades never do give themselves up easily! Ah well, perhaps tomorrow...

A challenge I'm facing is an addiction to sugar free gum. Unlike most of my rounds, this time I've gotten into chewing gum. A lot of gum. And today I looked up the carbs and sugar alcohols, and realized that I need to stop. It may or may not be slowing me down, I don't know, but that's a lot of artificial sweeteners going into my system. So, tomorrow I will refrain from gum and see how it goes.

My energy wasn't the greatest today, I felt blue and well, leaden in body and spirit. I'm guessing it's just one of those funks I've been facing on this round. This too shall pass.

My sleep hasn't been the best either, lots on my mind, and the roommate's son is right above me and given to playing music and playing video games until the wee hours. Sigh.

Onwards!

Day 90 - Sunday Update

I`m going to try to get back to my daily blog entries, even if they`re short ones. I feel more connected to the protocol, and for that matter, to this blog when I have daily involvement.

So the numbers are as follows:

Day 84	131.7	0.1	35.0
Day 85	131.6	0.1	35.1
Day 86	132.3	-0.7	34.4
Day 87	130.9	1.4	35.8
Day 88	130.6	0.3	36.1
Day 89	130.0	0.6	36.7
Day 90	130.2	-0.2	36.5

The twenties are very close at hand! I was right, the hold up has been going through that artificial set point I had after spending years in the low to mid 130s.

I was at a girlfriend`s son`s 1st birthday party today, goodies were everywhere. And it was tough not to indulge. Tougher than usual. But the surprise was, it wasn`t the cupcakes and chocolate birthday cake that was tempting me (I mean they were, but not terribly so)... it was, ready for this - the pepperoni slices and cheese cubes and slices! The bean dip and chip dip were too, but not the tortilla chips or potato chips. I found that very telling. That means, I think, that my mind is ready to adopt a high fat, moderate protein, low carb (that`s LCHF) lifestyle once I`m on to the maintenance phase of the HCG protocol. And that`s a good thing!

Anyway off to bed. Nite!

R2 Day 83 Update

I took a few days away from the blog, hope nobody missed me!

Here's the update from the last few days:

Day 78	133.2	0.0	33.5
Day 79	132.9	0.3	33.8
Day 80	132.4	0.5	34.3
Day 81	132.2	0.2	34.5
Day 82	132.4	-0.2	34.3
Day 83	131.8	0.6	34.9

Just been trucking along food wise, being more careful to weigh and log the food. Although this weekend was a bit hit and miss, I've started a part time job in addition to my fulltime work, and regular mealtimes were non existent during my training shifts.

The good thing about that was zero hunger (have I mentioned I love HCG for this?), and my energy is good, definitely holding up through the transition. My low blood sugar thing hung on until I was done working, at which time I wolfed down my meal that I'd brought with me, in the car on the way home lol. The only real effect seems to be a peckishness at night, and I think that's due to the upset in routine, and is easy to ignore.

I'd gone away from taking potassium for a while, and now the leg cramps are returning with a vengeance, so I went back on it today, and it's already feeling better.

We'll see how the two evenings I work this week go! So, I'm basically at 35 pounds lost, which is thrilling, and starting down being back in the 120s, which is even more thrilling!

Onwards!

Day 77 - Weekend Update

Day 74 - 133.8

Day 75 - 133.8

Day 76 - 132.8

Day 77 - 133.4

I've decided to start weighing everything I  eat again and to get stringent again. I've been a touch relaxed about portions and I'm thinking that may be the cause of this up and down progress. 

Onwards!

Day 73 update

Day 72 134.3 (+0.4)

Day 73 133.8 (-0.5)

Well the scale has been frustrating, hopefully this is the start of a real downward trend.  

However, that said, interesting things have been happening from an inches perspective. This morning I wore my size 4 jeans to work. Last time I was able to fit them I was 8 pounds lower than I am now. 

I'm thrilled!

And it also reminds me that there is more to the protocol than the number on the scale. 

Yay!!!

P2 Day 71 133.9 (+0.4) (-32.8)

Well, this down a lot, up a little thing seems to be a pattern of late... I'm choosing to be philosophical about it. Each round is different, and while I've never had this happen before, I'll roll with it.

Was a good day over all, although I was very tired (it was a tad slow at work which doesn't help), and I came home and had a one hour nap. Now it's not even 10 and I know I'll be asleep by 10:15! HCG does tend to do that to me, I sleep a lot, and I sleep deeply. All part of the releasing of those pesky pounds!

And that's all for today!

P2 Day 70 133.5 (-0.9) (-33.2)

Nice release!

It was a good day, I've been a great mood all day, although tonight I'm tired, drained, and a tad empty/hungry as I go to bed. This too shall pass!

Another 9 weeks (give or take a day) till I move on to Phase 3 (probably) - I can do 9 weeks, what's another 9 weeks? I'm just finishing week 10 now :)

Onwards!

P2 Day 69 135.4 (-1.0) (-32.3)

The body sure works in mysterious ways!! Today the scale was moderately cooperative. I got one number at my first step on the scale. Let my dogs out, weighed again, half a pound over that number. Walked away, did a couple of other things, stretched a little... then I saw 134.4 several times. So, 134.4 it is. I really do need to be upright for about half an hour to get any kind of consistent readings... wonder if anyone else goes through that?

Anyway, it's a Monday, that's a nice release, and I'm off to have a great week! Hope you do too!

P2 Day 68 135.4 (+0.5) (-31.3)

Again, NO idea what's going on... for that matter, I'm not really sure that that's the number at all. I weighed myself 10 times this morning, that number came up twice - not consecutively. And I was not going to stress over it, or spend half my morning weighing myself.

I remember having the occasional morning like that on previous rounds. Sometimes you just have to shrug your shoulders and move on... as I did this morning.

I'm still continuing on with my potassium and magnesium dosing, and will continue with that for a few more days, I think. We shall see.

And now, time for bed. Monday morning comes way too early!

P2 Day 67 134.9 (-1.3) (-31.8)

Wow that's great!

What a difference a day makes - or should that be what a difference some magnesium and potassium makes lol.

We shall see what the morrow brings!

P2 Day 66 136.2 (+1.1) (-30.5)

Okay. I'll admit to being frustrated.

It was either the grissini (had them last night, don't do that often, won't do it again),the diet raspberry drink I had (it's gone too), or just plain old water retention, and needing to go.

The new job is reception, so I'm sitting, and um, holding it a lot. That's probably not doing me much good.

Also, I haven't been terribly regular the last few days. So, going to take some potassium and magnesium today after work to get things moving.

Wish me luck!

P2 Day 65 135.1 (-0.6) (-31.6)

Yay, a nice release!

Feeling very happy with what I've accomplished so far, and also just trying to think of this in no more than 5 pound increments, one pound, one day at a time!!

Had a great night's sleep last night, and lately have been waking a few minutes before the alarm, which is just how I like it. I was a bit blue the last couple of days, but I recognize that as part of the HCG thing, it happened at the 3 week point when I started this round, so I took it in stride.

I'm still eating about 480 calories a day, still eating the same things. I find that easier, since I'm not hungry anyway. And that way it teaches me to look at food as fuel instead of a pleasure. And ultimately, while food IS a pleasure, I want to think of it as a way to fuel my body, for the most part.

Love that it's heading in the right direction :-)

P2 Day 65 135.7 (-0.7) (-31.0)

Well that's better! I'm wondering if my Fresca is stalling me, or if the scale just had a hiccup and gave me too low a number the other day?

Either way, this is in the right direction, so I'll take it!

P2 Day 64 136.4 (+1.0) (-30.3)

All I can say is huh?!???!!!

Well I could say more, but I am keeping it clean... no idea what happened. I can only say that what goes up must come down.

We'll see what the scale has to say tomorrow.

Onwards!

P2 Day 63 135.4 (-1.1) (-31.3)

Yay!!!! Very nice!

Good day yesterday. I've been forcing the water and yesterday I realized that I will naturally drink 8 glasses of water a day, it's an ingrained habit. That maybe I don't need to force myself to drink 10-12 a day. I haven't been drinking more than 8 for the last week. So maybe this is a good opportunity to begin the process I listening to my body. When I'm thirsty, drink. And after HCG, when I'm hungry, eat. 

I think this eating or drinking when I'm supposed to has done me a disservice in terms of being able to hear my body's signals. Water is a good place to start in the road to hearing those signals again. 

Oh  - I forgot to take my dose last night. No problem. Take it this morning and carry on. Don't forget it takes 72 hours for the HCG to leave your system. Just thought I'd mention it (since it just happened to me and was fresh in my mind) so that if someone new to the protocol is reading, they'll know to relax. 

And yesterday was a new batch of HCG. My batches seem to be lasting 19 days. 

Onwards!

P2 Day 62 136.5 (-0.1) (-30.2)

Well after my scale did a whole lot of jumping around, it finally settled on 136.5, which is a 0.1 release. That's fine! 

Onwards!

P2 Day 61 136.6 (-0.7) (-30.1)

Woohoo!!!!

Just over thirty pounds lost! 30.1 to be exact!

25 to go! And believe me, today's result is excellent motivation to keep on going!!!!

Did I say woohoo? :-D 

P2 Day 60 137.3 (-0.2) (-29.4)

Well shoot, I was hoping to reach the 30 pounds lost mark today. Which was unrealistic after yesterday's release. 

Ah well, I'm still pleased, things are going along nicely. 

I'm starting to think about whether I should take a break (meaning full phase 3 stabilization and 3 week maintenance) soonish. To get the last 26 pounds off I'm looking at 52-60 more days.  Food for thought (pun intended). 

Anyway, I have plenty of time to mull it over, I'll be staying on this part of the HCG protocol for another month I would think. 

Happy Friday!

P2 Day 59 137.5 (-2.0) (-29.2)

Now THAT'S more like it!!!!!

I stayed away from salt and diet soda and sodium in all forms yesterday. Drank 8 glasses of water. Coffee with all meals. And wore gloves religiously when in the kitchen. Looks like it worked!!!

Yay!!!! Love this program!!!!

P2 Day 58 139.5(+1.4) (-27.2)

No idea what prompted the gain... well, theories, but no thing stands out.

Lots of sodium yesterday could be the culprit. Had a fair bit of diet peach drink, maybe I've gotten sensitive to it. And lastly, ended up with bacon grease on my hands last night, I'm wondering if it absorbed. I forgot, didn't put gloves on before I started cleaning the kitchen (one of the roommates had cooked bacon, bless her, saved the fat for my dogs, but I didn't think to put gloves on before handling the container, and doing general cleaning). Live and learn.

So, zero salt, nothing with sodium in it, and lots of water today, and things should look better tomorrow!

P2 Day 57 138.1 (-0.2) (-28.6))

And down it goes!

Felt better after getting more water yesterday. I'm up a bit earlier today as I start a new job so less sleep also affects the scale. Still,  I am pleased!

Onwards!

P2 Day 56 138.3 (-0.4) (-28.4))

Another very nice release. I was a tad worried about what today's result would be ad I had very little water yesterday and a whole bunch of diet soda and diet peach drink. Today I will make sure I get all of my water intake.  

P2 Day 55 138.7 (-0.2) (-28.0))

And another smaller release, but going in the right direction!!

P2 Day 54 138.9 (-1.0) (-27.8)

Wow!! Really pleased and surprised by that release!

I went shopping today and am right in between sizes 6 and 8 jeans. So I'll live with my baggy jeans for a bit longer- on the HCG protocol I move through sizes lightning fast and it's not worth buying something that will only fit for a couple of weeks - even if it did come from a thrift shop. 

P2 Day 53 139.9 (-1.5) (-26.8)

Yay!!!!!!! The thirties!!!

Nice too that the last two days of being the same and the slight gain has resolved so well! Now I feel like I'm getting somewhere!

P2 Day 52 - 141.4 (+0.3) (-25.3)

Not sure at all what happened, but just in case I'm upping my potassium and magnesium a little, and losing the mustard for a couple of days, I'd been using a lot of it.

We'll see what happens tomorrow!

P2 Day 51 141.1 (-0.0) (-25.6)

Guess we're having a rest day today... ah well, that's okay.

I was scrupulously sodium free yesterday, right down to no diet soda, perhaps that will pay off tomorrow rather than today.

Feeling a lot of stress right now, out of work again, domestic situation feeling a tad stressful as well, and perhaps that is not helping either.

This too shall pass...

Can't wait to see the 130s! Oh that's right, I wasn't going to focus on that lol.

Post July 4 Holiday Weekend Update

Apologies for the absence... the holiday weekend was a major distraction from blogging. However you'll be glad to know (and I am VERY glad to say) that it was NOT a distraction from sticking to the HCG protocol!

Here is the update from the last few days:

4-Jul-13 Day 45 145.5 -0.4  -21.2
5-Jul-13 Day 46 144.3 -1.2  -22.4
6-Jul-13 Day 47 143.7 -0.6  -23.0
7-Jul-13 Day 48 142.1 -1.6  -24.6
8-Jul-13 Day 49 141.4 -0.7 - 25.3
9-Jul-13 Day 50 141.1 -0.3  -25.6


I am very pleased with how I'm doing, and trying to keep my mind off hitting "the thirties" as it usually slows me down when I get too attached to an outcome.

There were a few social events during that time, drinks (diet coke in my case) and appies (none - and it was crab dip...go me!) at a dockside restaurant to watch fireworks on July 3, a cookout on July 4 (I ate before we went and only had diet 7-up - such an understanding host and hostess!), going out to the movies and only having diet soda. I'm in the zone, which is great!

I'm definitely wanting other food, I'm spending a lot of time on sites and pages dedicated to the LCHF (Low Carb, High Fat) and moderate protein WOE (way of eating) that I will be pursuing as my maintenance once P2 and P3 are done. That said, nothing is going to stop me from taking this to the end -  I've done this before, I know this protocol works, and I know my timeline is correct. And that makes other food a lot less tempting. Not being hungry (the very best part of the HCG diet in my opinion) doesn't hurt either.

Thirty pounds, and two months (approximately) to go! I can do this!!!

Pause Results - P2 Resumed at Day 43.

Well, I'm back from my trip!

My total gain was 4.7 pounds. I weighed in at 147.5 yesterday morning, and went back on P2 and HCG yesterday. Today I'd lost 1.6 pounds and am weighing in at 145.9. So over all, I'm pretty happy with it all, I'd hoped for no more than a 5 pound gain.

What did I eat? Well, over all, with the exception of dad's party (where sandwiches and one piece of the most decadent cake ever were consumed), and my last night, where my friend that I stayed with had a get together that involved beautiful wines and appys, I stuck to high fat, high protein. If it was sandwiches, I didn't eat the bread. Mornings were scrambled eggs with extra butter. I love eating that way and can really see that being my lifestyle once I'm done with HCG.

So... I'm baaaack!

P2 Day 37 142.5 (-0.1) PAUSE

Well day one of phase 3 eating while on my temporary pause went well. I was bloated last night and a bit afraid of what I'd see on the scale this morning but I should just have trusted the protocol. All was well and I dropped the 0.1 I'd gained yesterday. Siting 0.3 below LDW. 

Ha bad heartburn despite taking Zantac for it. I think it was the bacon. I went through the usual mild tummy pains and loose stools (sorry TMI) for about 4 hours mid morning then all was well. 

My sleep was not terribly good, partly due to the heartburn and also I think to being off the HCG. Back on my melatonin and valerian combo tonight. 

All in all I'm pleased with day 1, and still planning my eating on the trip. The only real indulgences I'm planning are a piece of dads birthday cake (it IS his 90th after all!) and some wine at my friends that I am staying  with. She's planning a dinner party and I am going to ask her to make it low carb friendly. 

Onwards!

P2 Day 35 142.5 (-0.1)(-24.2) PAUSE

I am 0.3 below LDW. Not bad!

Tomorrow morning my pause will start, resuming dosing and phase 2 eating next Tuesday. 

Unlike other 73 hour weaning periods, my tummy is gurgling and I'm feeling a little hunger but it's not too bad. 

 Visions of phase 3 eating are dancing through my head, purely psychological. My one fear in all of this is losing my motivation, but that's just a fear. I'll be fine once the HCG is back in my system. 

P2 Day 34 142.6 (-0.2)

So now I'm-0.2 below LDW feeling good,  

Preparing myself mentally for my pause. 

P2 Day 33 142.8 (-0.5)(-23.9)

LDW (last dose weight) = 142.8

I finished my batch of HCG a day early so today is the beginning of my 72 weaning period before my brief Phase 3 break for my dad's birthday.  Average loss per day was .72 pounds. 

I continue eating phase 2 style for 72 hours, so on Tuesday morning after 9:30 I begin eating phase 3 style - high fat, high protein, no sugar, no starch and about 1500-2000 calories a day. I'm essentially feeding my body all the fat it's been consuming from my fat stores, or it'll go into starvation mode. 

I'll resume phase 2 and taking HCG on Tuesday July 2. I will do my level best to maintain all of my releases until I resume P2. Wish me luck!!

P2 Day 32 143.3 (-0.8)(-23.4)

Very good release ! 

Cutting out the diet soda definitely seems to be doing something as does the additional water. 

I'm feeling excited about my diet again! It's feeling doable, and my goal weight is feeling achievable again. Yay! 

P2 Day 31 144.1 (-0.7)(-22.6)

Wow nice release! I think I'm on to something by getting rid of the diet sodas.

I also drank more water yesterday, coming in at 12 glasses, rather than the usual 9 or 10, so that might have helped. I've also resumed taking potassium 3x a day, as well as D3 twice a day.

Still sleeping heavily, still have good energy, I've had the odd headache from time to time, but I'm not terribly worried about that.

I'm changing my veggies up here and there, having asparagus, cabbage and celery instead of the usual cucumbers and tomatoes. Not everyone tolerates cabbage well, resulting in stalls, but I'm lucky that it doesn't affect me negatively, because I really love cabbage.

Onwards!