R5P3D15/21 -- Steady as she blows!

November 15, 2012

Round 5 (R5), Phase 3 (P3) Proteins, Day (D) 15 of 21

This Round has been a fairly "easy" Round for me, compared with R3 and R4.  I realize now that my personal life (work) stress made it much harder.  At this point, I am settling into this job (thank you for your prayers and support) and taking it for what it is.  And, it's paying off in the weight-loss front.  I am on Day 15 of the Stabilization P3 (proteins only) and, I have not had ONE correction day yet.  I have broken my record (in R1, it was on D12).  In fact, I came off of P2 (of the Very Low Calorie Days) exactly 2 pounds below (yes, BELOW) Last Dosage Weight (LDW).  I was 90.8 pounds down.  In the 15 days on P3, I have vacilated between 2 pounds under LDW -- which in this phase, is as low as I should go -- and 1.5 above.  That's it!  1.5 above.  Wow!  If you remember (and you might not, but forgive me if I'm recapping too much if you do remember), in this 21 days, I'm supposed to stay within 2 pounds (above or below) LDW (that's the weight I weighed the last day I took drops, on October 28) so my body will recognize this weight as my new "high" so if I do eat off of protocol (aka: junk) for a meal or two, my body won't freak out and gain 5 pounds (which is what happens on most other diets).  If you have to correct (like I have in past Rounds), then, you have to start the whole 21 day cycle of P3 from that date ... keeping at 2 pounds above or below for 21 days.  Well, Praise the Lord, I haven't had to correct yet.  As of today, I'm 1.2 above LDW.  And, I'm not frustrated.  I view that as a victory!  The last two Rounds, I was fighting for every ounce to stay off.  This time, because I slowly went into P3, it's been easier to keep it exactly in that 2 pound window.  Amazing.  Following directions works.  Hear that people?  Why do we all make things worse by trying it our own way?

So, I think I'm starting R6 with my loading days being December 30, 31, and January 1.  But, just today, I was informed that I might be traveling on the Corporate Jet (yes, you read that right) with my VP, Group President (he reports to Cat's CEO) and a handful of other people, to 2 facility openings on January 10 - 11.  Well, if I'm traveling on those days, I will use those days (and probably the 9th) to load, and start in P2 the day I get back (Saturday, January 12 -- Jim W's birthday -- hi, Jim & Abbie!).  That means, I'll do a short 21 day Round 6, instead of 30 days.  But, you know what?  This Round seemed easier to handle, and I think it's because I did a 23 day Round.  A short Round is easier to come off of slow and steady, because 21 days is the minimum you must do, and you haven't done it long enough to be batty sick about the food.  So, it's easier to keep eating it, rather than going hog (or I should say, BACON) wild about P3 food.  Which keeps the weight steady.  Which makes me happy.

P4 is right around the corner.  I start it on Thanksgiving, and have already decided I'm going to eat whatever Thanksgiving food I want this year (I had just started my first P3 last year, and didn't eat it).  I'm planning that day of a "break."  Then, I'll be right back on the next few days, and the weight will come off.  I'm bound and determined that, whenever I start R6 (be it January 2 or January 12), I will be in the 2 pound window.  I'd REALLY like to be at the 2 pounds below LDW.  And, this time, I think I can do it! 

2013 is right around the corner.  I will be traveling to Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia, and Singapore (Singapore) and Shanghai, China for 2 weeks in March, so I better be safely in P4 at that point.  It also looks like I'll be traveling to Grimbergen (outside of Brussels), Belgium, and Peterborough and London, England, in August -- all for work, so this coming year, it will be criticial for me not to chase numbers on a scale and see how low I can get, but to MAINTAIN MY LOSSES in P3 and P4.  Yes, that's in caps because I'm yelling that at my cravings that are to come.  That's the key phrase in 2013.  I'm denying myself now so I can keep on losing and keeping it off.  I feel SO much better than I did 13 months ago (come this Saturday), and I'm LOVING doing things like crossing my legs, wearing Cuddle Dud pjs (which I never could fit into before) and wearing fleece, a jacket and a scarf and NOT sweating.  And, although I'll never look like a model (I'm a bit too funny looking for that with my ears that stick out, big schnoz and gummy smile), it is fun to see myself emerging out of some of this fat, and see what God designed me to look like.  He didn't design me to be 140 pounds overweight, that's for sure.  He didn't design me to be 50 pounds overweight (like I am now), so I know I haven't "arrived" at the finish line.

So, in case I don't write again, HAPPY THANKSGIVING (I'm yelling that, because some of you live very far away and I want you to hear me)!  We're about to enter my favoritemakesmesohappyIcouldburstwithjoy season -- Christmas!  Don't tell anyone, but I'm already listening to Christmas music.