January 16, 2013
Round 6 (R6), Phase 2 (P2) Very Low Calorie Day (VLCD) 4 of 29
I still can't believe I'm typing 2013. It's hard to believe when I started this blog (and HCG), it was the end of 2011. As of tomorrow, I will have been following the HCG protocol for 15 months. Crazy, with a capital CRAZY!
So, I got my final vaccination for my March Asia trip yesterday, and it didn't seem to upset my weight loss. I was a little concerned, because the Yellow Fever vaccine (which was LIVE culture!) was incubated in egg. I can't have egg right now. But, I had to have the vaccine (and Hep A, Hep B, typhoid, TB). Since none of those were "live," they didn't have to be incubated. Yellow Fever did. Well, I'm happy to say, I didn't gain, I still lost, and (perhaps I should have put this first), I didn't get Yellow Fever. Although, as a Cat employee, I suppose I should have "Cat yellow" fever. Not that I do. :-)
So, I'm down 2.0 overnight. I'm making up some ground. I still have 12 pounds to go to my absolute lowest (when I was exactly 2 pounds below Last Dosage Weight). I'm tracking along with my weight-loss in Round 5, so I will be slowing down any day now. Each of my other 5 Rounds, my weight loss slowed down between days 5 - 9. So, that's what I'm expecting to happen this time. No surprises. And, as you know, I hate surprises (they are almost always bad -- except for the 2 surprise parties I've received and the 4 I've been a part of in the last 3 years). In weight-loss, it's generally not fun to be "surprised" because it's usually in the up direction. But, sometimes not. Today, actually, was a good surprise. Of course, my scale went all wonky on me, and I had to get on and off about 5 times to finally land on the same weight twice. That's the one I took. It actually showed about 0.7 pounds less in one of the tries, but I'm not counting that, as it didn't "stick." I think the battery might need to be replaced. Either that, or it's just wonky. But, I'm not switching scales now. 15 months, it's my friend. And, you don't dump friends, regardless of how silly they are. :-)
I'm hearing a BIG amen to that one -- all of you out there thinking how silly I am and you're not dumping me. Thanks!
So, that's all for today. No yellow fever. Check. Weight still going down on the sale. Check. Two blogs in two days. Check. Making up for lost time and gained weight. Check. Grateful for HCG. Check. Grateful for my friends and family. SUPER check. Signing off. Check.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
R6P2D3/29 -- "Roid" Rage
January 15, 2012
Round 6 (R6), Phase 2 (P2) Very Low Calorie Day (VLCD 2 of 29
No, you're not seeing things. My progress scale went back from 91 (90.8 actually) to 68. Whuh?! Well, I blame myself and I blame "roid" rage. What's that, you ask? It's my pithy way of saying, for the first time ever, I was put on steroids (January 1 - 12) to get over a head cold. What happened? Well, besides eating off of plan, the "roids" helped me gain back my R5 weight. WHAT? You are right to be astounded. I was. Rather disappointed in myself, actually. But, I'm glad I had the medication (to get over my cold) and that I had hHCG (homeopathic HCG) Round 6 to look forward to. I got back on that wagon by loading January 10 - 12 (Happy Birthday, Jim Wallace on January 12!), while I was on my business trip. And, boy, did I load.
Business trip food, coupled with steroids ... I was one uncomfortable camper. Actually, I forgot, until today, that part of my gain was because of those. But, let's be real. After stabilizing like a champ (no correction days for me), I hit the mid-December mark, went to the Hobbit 12 times (yep) and ate enough movie theater popcorn to fill a small theater, but I didn't stop there. I ate other stuff, like candy, and fast food. What did I learn? CONSTANT VIGILANCE. Yep. That's the name of the game.
So, I'm learning as I go, not beating myself up, and moving forward.
Today was my 2nd weigh in on P2. I've lost 8.8 pounds in 2 days, which is my highest (by about 1/2 a pound) loss in all 6 Rounds. I'll take it. I have 12 pounds to go to recover my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) from Round 5 (October 28), but it's do-able.
So, my next big adventure is preparing for my Asia (India, Singapore, Shanghai) trip from March 9 - 22. I'll be safely ensconced in Phase 4 (eat what I want in MODERATION). Since I can stabilize like a champ (at least, I proved THAT to myself), my next goal (or one of them) is to stay stabilized in P4. That will be right when I travel. Yikes! But, I'm not giving into fear. I'm going to do what I can to pack protein bars (I'll take suggestions on what ones are low carb too) and eat those. So, buckle up. I plan on zooming at jet speed back to my LDW, and hopefully, in 29 days of P2 (instead of the 23 days that I did last time), I'll be able to make up ground and deplete a few more pounds from my scale to boot.
Sorry about the radio silence in December and 1/2 of January. Not sure where the time went, but it wasn't spent blogging, that's for sure. I'll try to be better about staying plugged in and accountable.
Round 6 (R6), Phase 2 (P2) Very Low Calorie Day (VLCD 2 of 29
No, you're not seeing things. My progress scale went back from 91 (90.8 actually) to 68. Whuh?! Well, I blame myself and I blame "roid" rage. What's that, you ask? It's my pithy way of saying, for the first time ever, I was put on steroids (January 1 - 12) to get over a head cold. What happened? Well, besides eating off of plan, the "roids" helped me gain back my R5 weight. WHAT? You are right to be astounded. I was. Rather disappointed in myself, actually. But, I'm glad I had the medication (to get over my cold) and that I had hHCG (homeopathic HCG) Round 6 to look forward to. I got back on that wagon by loading January 10 - 12 (Happy Birthday, Jim Wallace on January 12!), while I was on my business trip. And, boy, did I load.
Business trip food, coupled with steroids ... I was one uncomfortable camper. Actually, I forgot, until today, that part of my gain was because of those. But, let's be real. After stabilizing like a champ (no correction days for me), I hit the mid-December mark, went to the Hobbit 12 times (yep) and ate enough movie theater popcorn to fill a small theater, but I didn't stop there. I ate other stuff, like candy, and fast food. What did I learn? CONSTANT VIGILANCE. Yep. That's the name of the game.
So, I'm learning as I go, not beating myself up, and moving forward.
Today was my 2nd weigh in on P2. I've lost 8.8 pounds in 2 days, which is my highest (by about 1/2 a pound) loss in all 6 Rounds. I'll take it. I have 12 pounds to go to recover my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) from Round 5 (October 28), but it's do-able.
So, my next big adventure is preparing for my Asia (India, Singapore, Shanghai) trip from March 9 - 22. I'll be safely ensconced in Phase 4 (eat what I want in MODERATION). Since I can stabilize like a champ (at least, I proved THAT to myself), my next goal (or one of them) is to stay stabilized in P4. That will be right when I travel. Yikes! But, I'm not giving into fear. I'm going to do what I can to pack protein bars (I'll take suggestions on what ones are low carb too) and eat those. So, buckle up. I plan on zooming at jet speed back to my LDW, and hopefully, in 29 days of P2 (instead of the 23 days that I did last time), I'll be able to make up ground and deplete a few more pounds from my scale to boot.
Sorry about the radio silence in December and 1/2 of January. Not sure where the time went, but it wasn't spent blogging, that's for sure. I'll try to be better about staying plugged in and accountable.
Monday, November 26, 2012
R5P4D5/48 -- I shall overcome!
November 26, 2012
Round 5 (R5), Phase 4 (P4) Eating What I Want In Moderation, Day 5 (D5) of 48
Well, for someone who Stabilized like a pro (I didn't have 1 correction day in P3), P4 Day 1-3 killed that record-breaking NO correction day. Yes, it was Thanksgiving and the day after, and the day after that. Actually, I'm pretty proud that I'm "only" up 5 pounds from LDW after 3 days of Carbo-load. I think I probably gained 10 pounds before HCG. The great thing is, I am over-coming. I lost 2 pounds on Sunday morning, but lack of willpower (eating with reckless abandon, in my life, will make me want to keep eating that way) meant that I ate onion rings AND a Hardees chocolate chip ice cream sandwich AND 2 Lara Bars yesterday. Yes, I found those 2 pounds again. AND, I jumped headlong into a vat of fat. So, I'm correcting today.
Why am I encouraged? Because I did an about face and am stopping the crazy food frenzy. I never would have done that before. I happily (actually, unhappily, because it was so defeating) threw in the (food) towel and kept binge eating. Lord-willing, NO MORE! I have stopped myself time and time again, with the Lord's mercy, and, even though I am not 88.8 pounds off today (that's my Last Dosage Weight), or the 90.8 pounds off that I stayed at for a while in P3, I'm still 83.7 pounds off. And, that's better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Tonight, after a hectic and VERY productive day at work, I plan on going home and eating my correction meal of a T bone steak and a tomato. Of course, as I type this, I realize, while I cooked it yesterday (knowing I'd have to bite the bullet and correct today), I put it in the freezer. Yep. It's frozen. Well, I'll thaw it out somehow! And, that's dinner. Lord-willing, I'll be 3 pounds down tomorrow, and then I'll eat clean (NO carbs, except maybe some fruit), and that other 2.1 pounds will come off within the next week.
That's the whole point of this. We all have indulgent days with food. Some (me), more than others in my life. But, I don't have to be a slave to that sin in my life anymore. When I have a "bad food day" -- like I did yesterday, I have the power (thank you Lord, for giving it to me!) to stand up and brush off my dirty, skinned up knees and say, "Today's a new day." And, it is. For about 7 more hours. Then, it will be an old day, because tomorrow will be here.
Okay. I better stop writing. Lack of food, lots of water, and a whole heap of work stress have made me batty.
Oh, but before I go. Here's the whole reason I wrote today. I got my fasting blood test results back. Here they are ... for those of you who scoff that this whole thing works, here are my numbers (I'm not bragging, just encouraged). I hope you aren't color-blind, or you won't be able to see these:
Glucose (between 70-99)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 107
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 102
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 91
Cholesterol (<200)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 199
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 194
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 176
Triglycerides (<150)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 148
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 88
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 56
HDL (>40)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 57
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 62
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 65
LDL (<130)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 112
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 114
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 100
VLDL (10-50)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 30
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 18
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 11
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (0-4.4)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 3.5
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 3.1
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 2.7
And, those numbers (even the December 2011) are better than before I started HCG. Awesome!
Round 5 (R5), Phase 4 (P4) Eating What I Want In Moderation, Day 5 (D5) of 48
Well, for someone who Stabilized like a pro (I didn't have 1 correction day in P3), P4 Day 1-3 killed that record-breaking NO correction day. Yes, it was Thanksgiving and the day after, and the day after that. Actually, I'm pretty proud that I'm "only" up 5 pounds from LDW after 3 days of Carbo-load. I think I probably gained 10 pounds before HCG. The great thing is, I am over-coming. I lost 2 pounds on Sunday morning, but lack of willpower (eating with reckless abandon, in my life, will make me want to keep eating that way) meant that I ate onion rings AND a Hardees chocolate chip ice cream sandwich AND 2 Lara Bars yesterday. Yes, I found those 2 pounds again. AND, I jumped headlong into a vat of fat. So, I'm correcting today.
Why am I encouraged? Because I did an about face and am stopping the crazy food frenzy. I never would have done that before. I happily (actually, unhappily, because it was so defeating) threw in the (food) towel and kept binge eating. Lord-willing, NO MORE! I have stopped myself time and time again, with the Lord's mercy, and, even though I am not 88.8 pounds off today (that's my Last Dosage Weight), or the 90.8 pounds off that I stayed at for a while in P3, I'm still 83.7 pounds off. And, that's better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Tonight, after a hectic and VERY productive day at work, I plan on going home and eating my correction meal of a T bone steak and a tomato. Of course, as I type this, I realize, while I cooked it yesterday (knowing I'd have to bite the bullet and correct today), I put it in the freezer. Yep. It's frozen. Well, I'll thaw it out somehow! And, that's dinner. Lord-willing, I'll be 3 pounds down tomorrow, and then I'll eat clean (NO carbs, except maybe some fruit), and that other 2.1 pounds will come off within the next week.
That's the whole point of this. We all have indulgent days with food. Some (me), more than others in my life. But, I don't have to be a slave to that sin in my life anymore. When I have a "bad food day" -- like I did yesterday, I have the power (thank you Lord, for giving it to me!) to stand up and brush off my dirty, skinned up knees and say, "Today's a new day." And, it is. For about 7 more hours. Then, it will be an old day, because tomorrow will be here.
Okay. I better stop writing. Lack of food, lots of water, and a whole heap of work stress have made me batty.
Oh, but before I go. Here's the whole reason I wrote today. I got my fasting blood test results back. Here they are ... for those of you who scoff that this whole thing works, here are my numbers (I'm not bragging, just encouraged). I hope you aren't color-blind, or you won't be able to see these:
Glucose (between 70-99)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 107
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 102
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 91
Cholesterol (<200)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 199
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 194
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 176
Triglycerides (<150)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 148
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 88
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 56
HDL (>40)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 57
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 62
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 65
LDL (<130)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 112
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 114
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 100
VLDL (10-50)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 30
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 18
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 11
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (0-4.4)
December 2011 (right after Round 1): 3.5
June 2012 (right after Round 4): 3.1
November 2012 (right after Round 5): 2.7
And, those numbers (even the December 2011) are better than before I started HCG. Awesome!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
R5P2D22/23 - I made it!
October 30, 2012
Round 5, Very Low Calorie Day 22 of 23
This morning, I hit exactly 90 pounds off! Now, keep you wig on, I stopped taking drops on Sunday, so this is the time when I have to keep eating P2, but the weight off doesn't count. This weight is below my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) & it probably won't stay off long (this 1.2 pounds down from LDW) once I start eating P3 food. My plan it to keep cheese and nuts out of my diet for at least a week more, so I should stabilize well. Lord-willing!
My doc appointment went well on Friday. He was very excited about my weight loss & talked about my fasting blood test labs from April (I'm scheduled to take another one in the middle of November, once these HCG drops are out of my system). From October 2011 to April 2012, my cholesterol (which was just starting to creep up there) dropped 40 points in the bad and went up 20 in the good. My triglycerides are completely in the normal range & my blood sugar dropped from 107 to 101. Dr. Piers said he normally doesn't see changes in cholesterol like that unless the patient is on medication for it. So, losing 90 pounds had been good for a lot of reasons! My blood pressure, which was about 120-130 over 80-90 was 96/64. My pulse, which used to be around 90 was 56. I laughed out loud! Dr. Piers called it (jokingly) "obscene" when he took it an hour after the nurse and my BP went up 95/64. :-)
That's all for now.
Oh ... in case you wondered, I resisted the meatballs.
Round 5, Very Low Calorie Day 22 of 23
This morning, I hit exactly 90 pounds off! Now, keep you wig on, I stopped taking drops on Sunday, so this is the time when I have to keep eating P2, but the weight off doesn't count. This weight is below my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) & it probably won't stay off long (this 1.2 pounds down from LDW) once I start eating P3 food. My plan it to keep cheese and nuts out of my diet for at least a week more, so I should stabilize well. Lord-willing!
My doc appointment went well on Friday. He was very excited about my weight loss & talked about my fasting blood test labs from April (I'm scheduled to take another one in the middle of November, once these HCG drops are out of my system). From October 2011 to April 2012, my cholesterol (which was just starting to creep up there) dropped 40 points in the bad and went up 20 in the good. My triglycerides are completely in the normal range & my blood sugar dropped from 107 to 101. Dr. Piers said he normally doesn't see changes in cholesterol like that unless the patient is on medication for it. So, losing 90 pounds had been good for a lot of reasons! My blood pressure, which was about 120-130 over 80-90 was 96/64. My pulse, which used to be around 90 was 56. I laughed out loud! Dr. Piers called it (jokingly) "obscene" when he took it an hour after the nurse and my BP went up 95/64. :-)
That's all for now.
Oh ... in case you wondered, I resisted the meatballs.
Friday, October 26, 2012
R5P2D18/23 - Dreaming of meatballs
October 26, 2012
Round 5 (R5), Phase 2 (P2) Very Low Calorie Day (VLCD) 18/23
I smell meatballs. At 1:25 on a Friday. At work. Meatballs. I want meatballs. I am resisting meatballs. I still want meatballs. But, I still resist meatballs.
That's what just went through my head. Real time people, real time.
I have been SURROUNDED by food temptations today. And, I have resisted. Why? Because what is the point of letting food and food cravings be my master? But, as you can tell from my meatball-related thoughts above, I'm not much of a "need chocolate" kind of girl. I am, however, a need meatballs kind of girl.
I am currently at exactly 88.5 pounds off, and I have 2 more weigh-ins until my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) day (Sunday). I'll probably count Monday's weight as my LDW, since I'll take my last drops before bed on Sunday. I'd love to ink out another 1.5 pounds to be at a "cool" 90 off. But, 88.5 is within a chin hair of 90 pounds down. So, who am I to be greedy?
This afternoon, I have a 6 month doctor appointment with my General Practitioner. I'm not sure how we got on a 6 month cycle instead of the 1 year cycle to renew my prescriptions, but, there it is. The only reason I'm mentioning this to you is because, I'm excited to go step on that scale and see the difference since the last time I was there in mid-April. I think it's about 35-40 pounds difference. Depending on the day I went, of course (which, I don't remember). 6 months ago, I was up to my eyeballs in the new job, freaking out, and R3P2. This time, Dr. Piers is going to be very surprised at how much I've lost. He actually told me when I saw him last that in about another 20 pounds, he wanted to take me off of my water retention pills (the only prescrip I can come off of ... the others are for allergies, asthma and my hormones after my hysterectomy ... and I'm not stopping those). He thought I "had a good chance" to be 20 pounds lighter in 6 months. Based on the day I went to the doctor last / what my weight was (and you can bet your bippy, I'm checking my chart), I do believe I am between 35-40 pounds lighter. I think Dr. Piers will be pleased. I know I am.
On Thursday, next week, I will officially start P3. I plan on easing into P3 like an old man climbing into a lifeboat. SLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLY. But, one of my encouragements NOT to go overboard (what's up with all of these nautical references?) is that I will measure myself on Thursday morning. I want to see how many inches I've lost. I know it's a lot. I just checked myself out in the full length mirror last night, and I think I see a difference. So, that means it's going to be several inches total off. I'll let you know.
It still smells like meatballs.
Round 5 (R5), Phase 2 (P2) Very Low Calorie Day (VLCD) 18/23
I smell meatballs. At 1:25 on a Friday. At work. Meatballs. I want meatballs. I am resisting meatballs. I still want meatballs. But, I still resist meatballs.
That's what just went through my head. Real time people, real time.
I have been SURROUNDED by food temptations today. And, I have resisted. Why? Because what is the point of letting food and food cravings be my master? But, as you can tell from my meatball-related thoughts above, I'm not much of a "need chocolate" kind of girl. I am, however, a need meatballs kind of girl.
I am currently at exactly 88.5 pounds off, and I have 2 more weigh-ins until my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) day (Sunday). I'll probably count Monday's weight as my LDW, since I'll take my last drops before bed on Sunday. I'd love to ink out another 1.5 pounds to be at a "cool" 90 off. But, 88.5 is within a chin hair of 90 pounds down. So, who am I to be greedy?
This afternoon, I have a 6 month doctor appointment with my General Practitioner. I'm not sure how we got on a 6 month cycle instead of the 1 year cycle to renew my prescriptions, but, there it is. The only reason I'm mentioning this to you is because, I'm excited to go step on that scale and see the difference since the last time I was there in mid-April. I think it's about 35-40 pounds difference. Depending on the day I went, of course (which, I don't remember). 6 months ago, I was up to my eyeballs in the new job, freaking out, and R3P2. This time, Dr. Piers is going to be very surprised at how much I've lost. He actually told me when I saw him last that in about another 20 pounds, he wanted to take me off of my water retention pills (the only prescrip I can come off of ... the others are for allergies, asthma and my hormones after my hysterectomy ... and I'm not stopping those). He thought I "had a good chance" to be 20 pounds lighter in 6 months. Based on the day I went to the doctor last / what my weight was (and you can bet your bippy, I'm checking my chart), I do believe I am between 35-40 pounds lighter. I think Dr. Piers will be pleased. I know I am.
On Thursday, next week, I will officially start P3. I plan on easing into P3 like an old man climbing into a lifeboat. SLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLY. But, one of my encouragements NOT to go overboard (what's up with all of these nautical references?) is that I will measure myself on Thursday morning. I want to see how many inches I've lost. I know it's a lot. I just checked myself out in the full length mirror last night, and I think I see a difference. So, that means it's going to be several inches total off. I'll let you know.
It still smells like meatballs.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
R5P2D14 of 23 - Another 1/2 Pound Bites The Dust
October 23, 2012
Round 5 (R5), Phase 2 (P2) Very Low Calorie Day (VLCD) 14 of 23
No, your eyes aren't crossing. Last blog, I reported that I was in Round 6. I'm not. I'm in Round 5. Not that ANY of you care, aside from me and my Rainman-like-obsession with numbers.
So, this week has been a pretty eventful one, as far as weight-loss is concerned. The first week in Phase 2 (October 9 - 15), I lost 12 pounds. The second week in Phase 2 (October 17 - 23), I lost 5 pounds. That's my 2nd best Round in totals (right behind Round 1, which, for everyone following HCG, is the best). I'm in completely new territory ... well, completely new in the sense that I haven't been here since the end of 1995 (at best). I'm praying I can lose another 3-ish -- but 7.7 pounds would be the best, not because it's two primes (my head might explode from the fun of losing TWO primes -- but because I'd be in a new decade before Last Dosage Weight (LDW). To refresh your memory, LDW is the weight I weigh the morning I stop my drops. Us HCG-ers only take drops in P2 (when we eat the 500 calories of "wonky" food), and that's the only time we lose weight. The rest of the time, we're supposed to maintain. Which, honestly, feels like the hardest part. So, I'm going to rise to the challenge and tackle this maintaining thing head on. This is what I plan to do.
FIRST -- Keep Eating P2 Foods, Just More Of Them (aka: P2+)
Yes, I said it. In fact, I did more than just say it. It's in WRITING, so it's even more official. I'm not going to run with reckless abandon into P3's open pantry that is filled with cheese and nuts and low sodium bacon and avocados and olives of all colors, shapes and sizes. I'm going to fill up on mostly P2 foods like chicken, fish, lean beef/bison/veal (for meat), tomatoes, cucumbers, onions (for veggies). I will add in things like colorful peppers and celery (maybe with a bit of peanut butter, if I can resist going hog wild). I'm going to do that for another week or so of P3. Since this is my shortest Round of P2 ever (23 days), I not only want to maintain my losses, but I feel like I've had more willpower in this Round, because I know it's "short." Around D21-28, it's drudgery. I can't say it any other way. The losses slow way down, the food is NOT fun anymore, and it seems like the end is not in sight. Now, with this little shorty, I feel I have the gumption to stick with this food (again, eating more of the protein and adding in veggies I can't have in P2) for at least another week, before introducing things like Brie (HEAVEN in the form of cheese) and bacon (could there BE a more perfect meat?).
SECOND -- Continue Not Eating Carbs And Count My Calories (P3)
This is vital. I've done the first part correctly every time. No processed (bread, potato, rice, sugar, honey, agave, chemical sugars) carbs. But, I have stunk it up like a shunk warding off an enemy when it comes to counting calories. And, the problem isn't that I'm eating too much. Bet you thought it was! The problem is, I'm not eating enough. I can get by on very little now-a-days. But, our bodies weren't designed for that. We need fuel. Ironically, the HCG diet is about eating ENOUGH calories most of the time. It's only when you take the drops that you eat so few. Most of us who are or have followed this have found out that when we don't eat enough, we gain. Yet, I find myself gaining by not eating enough, and what do I do? Yep. I eat less the next day. Go ahead. Call me a moron. I agree. So, counting calories should give me a good idea of how I CAN eat to maintain. Am I kidding myself that I'm not eating enough? The few times I've tracked in P3/P4 in the last year, every time, I wasn't eating enough. Am I eating too much? Tracking will show that to me too.
THIRD -- Only Add Higher Fat Items When My Calories Are Too Low
I will keep cooking with butter. I have for years, including this last year when I've lost 87.9 pounds. But, I can still drink skim milk (I don't have to drink whole). I can have 1/2 and 1/2 in the house for occasional use, but not every day. I will eat eggs (they really are the perfect food) and maybe add avocado, if my calories are low. But, not every day. It's great to eat real, whole food. Just not a ton, and not every day. I know I should know that, but I don't. It's either low fat (NO THANK YOU, that has just as many bad side effects, some of which is weight gain!), or high fat (only when I have to).
FOURTH -- Eat Clean Instead Of Correcting
I think one of my problems has been that I use Correction Days a little too freely in P3. Yes, you are supposed to correct the day after you go 2.1 pounds over LDW. That, I've nailed. BUT, if you keep going up and down, there's a problem. That's my problem. I correct like a champion. The next day, I eat P3 again, and, boom. The scale goes up a few ounces or a pound. Wrong-o. Why? Because what I should be doing is eating "clean" (P2+) the next few days to solidify the weight the Correction Day has lost. AND, as a side note, once I do a Correction Day, I'm supposed to maintain that weight for 21 days. So, all of this P3 correcting, but being done in 21 days (from the start, not from the last Correction Day)? I've been doing it wrong. So, since I'm on a schedule (you know how I love my schedules!), I'm not correcting more than 1 time in the beginning (it happens to the HCG champions that a CD has to happen in the first week). But, after that, I'm just eating clean. It might take 4 days for the weight to come off, but it'll come off. I know it. I've experienced it first hand.
FIFTH -- Assess My Round Length In R6 (January)
If I have the stamina to stabilize well this time, it's because I had a short Round. I'm planning on doing a doozy of a Round (30 days) in January, so I might rethink that, if I stabilize well. If I (I should say WHEN I) stabilize well this time, I'll be within spitting distance of a MAJOR goal for me, so if it takes me another 2 Rounds to get to goal, who cares? A shorter Round that is successful (meaning, I don't gain back 1/2 of what I've lost) vs. a longer Round where I hang on by white-knuckling the last week, and run with reckless abandon into P3 food at the end will mean I gain back part of what I lose. And, I'm not willing to do that.
So, in short, I'm learning to be flexible in rigidity. Huh? Yep. I'm having to be rigid about some things (the plan), but flexible in how long I do it. So, here I am ... the HCG equivalent of Mr. flexible, Gumby.
Round 5 (R5), Phase 2 (P2) Very Low Calorie Day (VLCD) 14 of 23
No, your eyes aren't crossing. Last blog, I reported that I was in Round 6. I'm not. I'm in Round 5. Not that ANY of you care, aside from me and my Rainman-like-obsession with numbers.
So, this week has been a pretty eventful one, as far as weight-loss is concerned. The first week in Phase 2 (October 9 - 15), I lost 12 pounds. The second week in Phase 2 (October 17 - 23), I lost 5 pounds. That's my 2nd best Round in totals (right behind Round 1, which, for everyone following HCG, is the best). I'm in completely new territory ... well, completely new in the sense that I haven't been here since the end of 1995 (at best). I'm praying I can lose another 3-ish -- but 7.7 pounds would be the best, not because it's two primes (my head might explode from the fun of losing TWO primes -- but because I'd be in a new decade before Last Dosage Weight (LDW). To refresh your memory, LDW is the weight I weigh the morning I stop my drops. Us HCG-ers only take drops in P2 (when we eat the 500 calories of "wonky" food), and that's the only time we lose weight. The rest of the time, we're supposed to maintain. Which, honestly, feels like the hardest part. So, I'm going to rise to the challenge and tackle this maintaining thing head on. This is what I plan to do.
FIRST -- Keep Eating P2 Foods, Just More Of Them (aka: P2+)
Yes, I said it. In fact, I did more than just say it. It's in WRITING, so it's even more official. I'm not going to run with reckless abandon into P3's open pantry that is filled with cheese and nuts and low sodium bacon and avocados and olives of all colors, shapes and sizes. I'm going to fill up on mostly P2 foods like chicken, fish, lean beef/bison/veal (for meat), tomatoes, cucumbers, onions (for veggies). I will add in things like colorful peppers and celery (maybe with a bit of peanut butter, if I can resist going hog wild). I'm going to do that for another week or so of P3. Since this is my shortest Round of P2 ever (23 days), I not only want to maintain my losses, but I feel like I've had more willpower in this Round, because I know it's "short." Around D21-28, it's drudgery. I can't say it any other way. The losses slow way down, the food is NOT fun anymore, and it seems like the end is not in sight. Now, with this little shorty, I feel I have the gumption to stick with this food (again, eating more of the protein and adding in veggies I can't have in P2) for at least another week, before introducing things like Brie (HEAVEN in the form of cheese) and bacon (could there BE a more perfect meat?).
SECOND -- Continue Not Eating Carbs And Count My Calories (P3)
This is vital. I've done the first part correctly every time. No processed (bread, potato, rice, sugar, honey, agave, chemical sugars) carbs. But, I have stunk it up like a shunk warding off an enemy when it comes to counting calories. And, the problem isn't that I'm eating too much. Bet you thought it was! The problem is, I'm not eating enough. I can get by on very little now-a-days. But, our bodies weren't designed for that. We need fuel. Ironically, the HCG diet is about eating ENOUGH calories most of the time. It's only when you take the drops that you eat so few. Most of us who are or have followed this have found out that when we don't eat enough, we gain. Yet, I find myself gaining by not eating enough, and what do I do? Yep. I eat less the next day. Go ahead. Call me a moron. I agree. So, counting calories should give me a good idea of how I CAN eat to maintain. Am I kidding myself that I'm not eating enough? The few times I've tracked in P3/P4 in the last year, every time, I wasn't eating enough. Am I eating too much? Tracking will show that to me too.
THIRD -- Only Add Higher Fat Items When My Calories Are Too Low
I will keep cooking with butter. I have for years, including this last year when I've lost 87.9 pounds. But, I can still drink skim milk (I don't have to drink whole). I can have 1/2 and 1/2 in the house for occasional use, but not every day. I will eat eggs (they really are the perfect food) and maybe add avocado, if my calories are low. But, not every day. It's great to eat real, whole food. Just not a ton, and not every day. I know I should know that, but I don't. It's either low fat (NO THANK YOU, that has just as many bad side effects, some of which is weight gain!), or high fat (only when I have to).
FOURTH -- Eat Clean Instead Of Correcting
I think one of my problems has been that I use Correction Days a little too freely in P3. Yes, you are supposed to correct the day after you go 2.1 pounds over LDW. That, I've nailed. BUT, if you keep going up and down, there's a problem. That's my problem. I correct like a champion. The next day, I eat P3 again, and, boom. The scale goes up a few ounces or a pound. Wrong-o. Why? Because what I should be doing is eating "clean" (P2+) the next few days to solidify the weight the Correction Day has lost. AND, as a side note, once I do a Correction Day, I'm supposed to maintain that weight for 21 days. So, all of this P3 correcting, but being done in 21 days (from the start, not from the last Correction Day)? I've been doing it wrong. So, since I'm on a schedule (you know how I love my schedules!), I'm not correcting more than 1 time in the beginning (it happens to the HCG champions that a CD has to happen in the first week). But, after that, I'm just eating clean. It might take 4 days for the weight to come off, but it'll come off. I know it. I've experienced it first hand.
FIFTH -- Assess My Round Length In R6 (January)
If I have the stamina to stabilize well this time, it's because I had a short Round. I'm planning on doing a doozy of a Round (30 days) in January, so I might rethink that, if I stabilize well. If I (I should say WHEN I) stabilize well this time, I'll be within spitting distance of a MAJOR goal for me, so if it takes me another 2 Rounds to get to goal, who cares? A shorter Round that is successful (meaning, I don't gain back 1/2 of what I've lost) vs. a longer Round where I hang on by white-knuckling the last week, and run with reckless abandon into P3 food at the end will mean I gain back part of what I lose. And, I'm not willing to do that.
So, in short, I'm learning to be flexible in rigidity. Huh? Yep. I'm having to be rigid about some things (the plan), but flexible in how long I do it. So, here I am ... the HCG equivalent of Mr. flexible, Gumby.
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