January 31, 2012
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 30/35
I'm not sure if it's because I'm doing HCG (where you pay very close attention to the days in the Phase that you are in), but January has FLOWN by. I still am in denial that we're in 2012 ... I keep thinking it's 2002. So, there went 31 days (and 23.8 pounds) before I knew it.
Something else seemed to disappear ... that 1.5 pounds (and an extra 0.3 to boot) that I gained on Monday morning is gone today. I was Perfectly on Plan (POP) and dropped 1.8 overnight. Yep, that large number at this stage in the game tells me, my little oopsies on Sunday (however good-intentioned they were) created the gain on Monday morning. I've lost a total of 54.1 pounds since October 17. Praise the Lord!
Here's something I have just discovered about myself. This Phase, I can't seem to get enough of tomatoes and honeycrisp apples. I slice the apples really thin at each meal, and they really do a lot to boost my "lots of food" feeling. Well, I had run out of them, so I was eating no sugar added Mott's applesauce. It's yummy -- don't get me wrong -- but I found I was hungrier when I'd eat it. You know what? I think it's because of the fiber in a real apple that is missing in applesauce. My mouth needs something to munch and my tummy needs something to process (I mean, applesauce looks processed going IN, so not a lot of tummy work needed there). So, I've decided, for the duration (no matter if my last day in R2P2 is Sunday, or I extend it), I'm having honeycrisps at every meal.
That brings me to what my title is talking about ... I'm on the fence. Do I start P3 on Monday (meaning, I end my drops on Friday night, making that my Last Dosage Weight), or do I go on? I really don't know. I'd like to be in P3, but I LOVE.LOVE.LOVE losing weight and (if you remember), P3 is not about losing (but maintaining) already lost weight. Here's something I love about P2 ... this morning, I put on (and am wearing right now) a pair of knee-high boots (again, that I bought on major sale in December) which were too small last week. They fit perfectly! It's exciting. Although, that makes the argument for the "start P3 on Monday" thing, because, my current clothes (most of them) are getting so baggy that if I keep going, I'll have to buy MORE winter clothes (which I don't want to waste my money on) to get me through. I really don't want to spend money getting something altered, only to have to get it altered again in early May when I'm done with R3. Or, buy new stuff that will only work for 2 months. What an awesome "dilemma" to have! I believe, this weekend, I will be going through my closet to make a donate, alter, can-wear-now and can-wear-next-round piles. It's going to be a bit overwhelming. But, in a good way.
So, there I am. Undecided. Perhaps my journey into the depths of my closet will decide for me.
Oh, and here's another praise to share --> remember how I shared (yesterday) that Sunday I went to my cousin's teenage childrens' baptisms? Well, when I got there, I knew 2 people outside of the family (one is a friend of my Mom's who has known me from the moment I was born, and the other is my cousin's mother-in-law). Both (separately) said they wouldn't have recognized me (which I still say, "huh" about) because I have lost a "ton" of weight. Well, thank you God -- I've been telling people that I'm not sure if my loss is noticeable by those who aren't reading my blog (and, I swear I'm not begging for a fake compliment). So, that brings me to this request ... I have decided that since I have those 2 pictures (front and side) of me from November 19 (my first day on Round 1 Phase 3), I need someone to take full body pictures of me this time when I start P3. Any takers? I can't BELIEVE I'm asking this, but I'm wondering if they will look different to me. Evidently, I am the one who needs convincing! I will need the pics taken Monday (on my camera -- I'm not giving them to anyone!). If I'm in P3, that is. : )
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
R2P2D29/35 - The old "slip up"
January 30, 2012
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 29/35
Yesterday was a slip up, but a well intentioned one. First, I didn't eat anything until after 2 p.m. (because I was at church & then ran errands with my friend Linda). By the time we got back to her house, it was after 2. I scarfed down my lunch. Then, I got a call from my cousin's wife inviting me to a 6 p.m. (30 minutes away) baptism for 3 of their 4 children. So, off I went, but I scarfed down my dinner before going, thinking I'd need to eat before I'd get home at 8 pm. So basically, I had all of my food within 2 hours of each other. Since I'm not supposed to take the HCG drops until 30 minutes after eating has passed, I waited until I got to Morton before taking my drops. But, I forgot! So, I didn't get to take them until AFTER I left the church (at 7:45). By the time I got home, I had completely forgotten that I had eaten dinner already, so, in an attempt to not scarf my food, I ate my 2 tomatoes and thought I'd sit and wait for the rest. Um, yeah. Right after I ate them I remembered ... I ALREADY ATE MY DINNER. Uh huh. So, I overate -- TOMATOES. Funny. And, to top off my colossal bumbling yesterday, I couldn't get to sleep until after 1 a.m., so I ended up with 5 hours of sleep (no sleep is a no-no on this diet).
I went up 1.5 today as a result of my shenanigans yesterday, but I'm okay about it. I didn't cheat. I didn't even plan to cheat. And, I ate real food when I waltzed backwards into extra food. So, in the big picture, it's okay. Today's a new day, and at least I've lost 52.3 pounds!
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 29/35
Yesterday was a slip up, but a well intentioned one. First, I didn't eat anything until after 2 p.m. (because I was at church & then ran errands with my friend Linda). By the time we got back to her house, it was after 2. I scarfed down my lunch. Then, I got a call from my cousin's wife inviting me to a 6 p.m. (30 minutes away) baptism for 3 of their 4 children. So, off I went, but I scarfed down my dinner before going, thinking I'd need to eat before I'd get home at 8 pm. So basically, I had all of my food within 2 hours of each other. Since I'm not supposed to take the HCG drops until 30 minutes after eating has passed, I waited until I got to Morton before taking my drops. But, I forgot! So, I didn't get to take them until AFTER I left the church (at 7:45). By the time I got home, I had completely forgotten that I had eaten dinner already, so, in an attempt to not scarf my food, I ate my 2 tomatoes and thought I'd sit and wait for the rest. Um, yeah. Right after I ate them I remembered ... I ALREADY ATE MY DINNER. Uh huh. So, I overate -- TOMATOES. Funny. And, to top off my colossal bumbling yesterday, I couldn't get to sleep until after 1 a.m., so I ended up with 5 hours of sleep (no sleep is a no-no on this diet).
I went up 1.5 today as a result of my shenanigans yesterday, but I'm okay about it. I didn't cheat. I didn't even plan to cheat. And, I ate real food when I waltzed backwards into extra food. So, in the big picture, it's okay. Today's a new day, and at least I've lost 52.3 pounds!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
R2P2D28/35 - One week and (hopefully) at least 4 pounds left to go
January 29, 2012
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 28 of 35
I lost 0.9 pounds this morning! Yesterday, it was 0.6. That means, since I upped my drops last Monday, I have consistently lost weight every day. Thank you Lord! I'm thinking I like this "more drops" thing. Gee, following the correct dosage works? Go figure.
So, my grand-total of weight loss is at 53.8 pounds off (or 21.3 this round -- I'm not counting the loading weight I gained and lost). Not bad. I would like to lose another 1.8 (for sure) to put me in the next decade (the decade I hoped to be at the bottom of when I started Round 2 all large-and-in-charge ... pun intended). Ideally, I'd like to lose at least 6.7 pounds in the 6 weigh-ins that I have left (taking me to Saturday's Last Dosage Weight weigh-in), so I can be solidly below the top end of that decade, so if I do go 2 pounds above my LDW (which will happen, probably at least once in P3). That'll bring my total dreaming of loss to 60.5 pounds. I know that sounds greedy, but I at least want to challenge myself. No senior-itis or coasting in the last days for me!
Honestly, I think I might extend my P2 days if I'm not where I want to be. I'll take a page from my HCG guru friend, Abbie, who just wrapped up 60 days on P2. That's right ... 60! She just hit 80 pounds off (she started in May 2011, I believe) and wrapped up her 3rd Round. That's amazing in my book. And, I told her that -- if HCG were an Olympic sport, she'd have a gold medal. I'd like to try for maybe a Bronze this time around. My Round 3 is going to be a short one (compared to the 31 days + 2 loading days I did in Round 1, and the (at least) 35 days + 3 loading days I'm doing in Round 2, because I want to start Round 3 loading days over Easter (also, my Dad's birthday) and end before my Gram's 98th birthday (and Mother's Day weekend). I plan my Round around special days. Brave Abbie just goes right through them! She did P2 through Christmas! See, brave. Not me ... I try to be out of P2 for business trips (I think the China or UK business trip is still on for the end of March when I'm in P4). But, since my Round 3 will be a short Round of 25 days, at best, I'll only lose about 15 - 20 pounds in that Round. Unless I take a "planned break" -- which are on protocol, but I don't understand them, so I'll have to probe Abbie's wealth of info on how to do it before I even contemplate doing it. If I do it, I'll tell you what it means at that time.
Okay, enough about me already! I think I'll end today's post as I did last week --> let's all sign off of our computers and go to church!
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 28 of 35
I lost 0.9 pounds this morning! Yesterday, it was 0.6. That means, since I upped my drops last Monday, I have consistently lost weight every day. Thank you Lord! I'm thinking I like this "more drops" thing. Gee, following the correct dosage works? Go figure.
So, my grand-total of weight loss is at 53.8 pounds off (or 21.3 this round -- I'm not counting the loading weight I gained and lost). Not bad. I would like to lose another 1.8 (for sure) to put me in the next decade (the decade I hoped to be at the bottom of when I started Round 2 all large-and-in-charge ... pun intended). Ideally, I'd like to lose at least 6.7 pounds in the 6 weigh-ins that I have left (taking me to Saturday's Last Dosage Weight weigh-in), so I can be solidly below the top end of that decade, so if I do go 2 pounds above my LDW (which will happen, probably at least once in P3). That'll bring my total dreaming of loss to 60.5 pounds. I know that sounds greedy, but I at least want to challenge myself. No senior-itis or coasting in the last days for me!
Honestly, I think I might extend my P2 days if I'm not where I want to be. I'll take a page from my HCG guru friend, Abbie, who just wrapped up 60 days on P2. That's right ... 60! She just hit 80 pounds off (she started in May 2011, I believe) and wrapped up her 3rd Round. That's amazing in my book. And, I told her that -- if HCG were an Olympic sport, she'd have a gold medal. I'd like to try for maybe a Bronze this time around. My Round 3 is going to be a short one (compared to the 31 days + 2 loading days I did in Round 1, and the (at least) 35 days + 3 loading days I'm doing in Round 2, because I want to start Round 3 loading days over Easter (also, my Dad's birthday) and end before my Gram's 98th birthday (and Mother's Day weekend). I plan my Round around special days. Brave Abbie just goes right through them! She did P2 through Christmas! See, brave. Not me ... I try to be out of P2 for business trips (I think the China or UK business trip is still on for the end of March when I'm in P4). But, since my Round 3 will be a short Round of 25 days, at best, I'll only lose about 15 - 20 pounds in that Round. Unless I take a "planned break" -- which are on protocol, but I don't understand them, so I'll have to probe Abbie's wealth of info on how to do it before I even contemplate doing it. If I do it, I'll tell you what it means at that time.
Okay, enough about me already! I think I'll end today's post as I did last week --> let's all sign off of our computers and go to church!
Friday, January 27, 2012
R2P2D26/35 - Out with the old, in with the new
January 27, 2012
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 26 of 35
I lost another pound over night. That brings my grand total to 52.3. I think it's safe to say, I'm rather happy about that. Big surprise! According to my "What Have You Lost Comparison" chart that I linked to in November, I am smack dab in between losing a small bale of hay and a 5,000 BTU air conditioner. Awesome.
I'm wearing (for me) skinny jeans to work (jeans day on Friday) today ... a comfortable 3 sizes smaller than when I started. I'm starting to think a little differently about when I end Phase 2 and go through my wardrobe. At the beginning of this Round (a mere 27 days ago), I thought I would keep my old clothes "just in case." I even bought 2 Rubbermaid containers on sale after Christmas just to store them. And, if you know me at all, you know how I HATE holding onto things that aren't useful anymore, so I was definitely giving into the "what if I screw this up" fear. Now, I'm thinking, "Um, yeah. I'm donating those clothes. I'm NEVER getting that high again (Lord willing)." This reality JUST might be sinking in. After 3 months & 10 days (but who's counting?) of being on this and 6 weeks of planning before-hand, I'm JUST deciding this isn't a fluke or short term? Hm. I'm an interesting duck, that's for sure. But, I've never, ever lost 50+ pounds, I've never stuck with something this long (and had a full-steam-ahead mentality about it) and, frankly, it'll be fun to jettison those clothes to the Esther House.
Last night, I went to a visitation with my Mom. She hadn't seen me since I started back at this in early January, and when she came to the door, she said she really noticed a difference. Good! I'm not sure when my brain is going to catch up with the reality that my eyes aren't playing tricks. My brain just doesn't compute what my eyes are seeing. Maybe it's my inner self-critic that, until I see the scale register at (what 99 pounds?!) something small, my head won't believe my eyes? That's just plain silly. I have to remember the adage, "Progress, not perfection." And, after all, I don't want to be 1) ungrateful for the success I've had with God's help (and yours) and 2) constantly begging for affirmation. It's like my brain is telling me, "This isn't real until you get enough random encouragement from people who don't know you're doing this." Really, Julia? Really? So what would that look like? A random person, maybe a stranger? Oh yes, how many of us walk through the day and tell a random person that they look like they've lost some weight? Um, how about none of us? But, yes, that's the irrational loveliness that is me. Meh. (That's me sticking my tongue out at myself.)
I have 9 days left on hHCG (homeopathic HCG for you newbies to the lingo), which means, next Saturday will be my last weigh-in weight that I need to stabilize at in Phase 3 (proteins) for 3 weeks (at least). At this point, I'm beginning to play fast-and-loose with my schedule, because I found out I can be on it longer, and I don't have to be in Phase 4 as long as I thought (as long as I stabilize in Phase 3 long enough). Funny, how I'm wanting to extend the rigid low-calorie Phase 2, and decrease the sensibly-eat-carbs Phase 4. Who am I, and what have I done with the old Julia. Oh yes, she's melting. : )
Have a great weekend! See you tomorrow!
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 26 of 35
I lost another pound over night. That brings my grand total to 52.3. I think it's safe to say, I'm rather happy about that. Big surprise! According to my "What Have You Lost Comparison" chart that I linked to in November, I am smack dab in between losing a small bale of hay and a 5,000 BTU air conditioner. Awesome.
I'm wearing (for me) skinny jeans to work (jeans day on Friday) today ... a comfortable 3 sizes smaller than when I started. I'm starting to think a little differently about when I end Phase 2 and go through my wardrobe. At the beginning of this Round (a mere 27 days ago), I thought I would keep my old clothes "just in case." I even bought 2 Rubbermaid containers on sale after Christmas just to store them. And, if you know me at all, you know how I HATE holding onto things that aren't useful anymore, so I was definitely giving into the "what if I screw this up" fear. Now, I'm thinking, "Um, yeah. I'm donating those clothes. I'm NEVER getting that high again (Lord willing)." This reality JUST might be sinking in. After 3 months & 10 days (but who's counting?) of being on this and 6 weeks of planning before-hand, I'm JUST deciding this isn't a fluke or short term? Hm. I'm an interesting duck, that's for sure. But, I've never, ever lost 50+ pounds, I've never stuck with something this long (and had a full-steam-ahead mentality about it) and, frankly, it'll be fun to jettison those clothes to the Esther House.
Last night, I went to a visitation with my Mom. She hadn't seen me since I started back at this in early January, and when she came to the door, she said she really noticed a difference. Good! I'm not sure when my brain is going to catch up with the reality that my eyes aren't playing tricks. My brain just doesn't compute what my eyes are seeing. Maybe it's my inner self-critic that, until I see the scale register at (what 99 pounds?!) something small, my head won't believe my eyes? That's just plain silly. I have to remember the adage, "Progress, not perfection." And, after all, I don't want to be 1) ungrateful for the success I've had with God's help (and yours) and 2) constantly begging for affirmation. It's like my brain is telling me, "This isn't real until you get enough random encouragement from people who don't know you're doing this." Really, Julia? Really? So what would that look like? A random person, maybe a stranger? Oh yes, how many of us walk through the day and tell a random person that they look like they've lost some weight? Um, how about none of us? But, yes, that's the irrational loveliness that is me. Meh. (That's me sticking my tongue out at myself.)
I have 9 days left on hHCG (homeopathic HCG for you newbies to the lingo), which means, next Saturday will be my last weigh-in weight that I need to stabilize at in Phase 3 (proteins) for 3 weeks (at least). At this point, I'm beginning to play fast-and-loose with my schedule, because I found out I can be on it longer, and I don't have to be in Phase 4 as long as I thought (as long as I stabilize in Phase 3 long enough). Funny, how I'm wanting to extend the rigid low-calorie Phase 2, and decrease the sensibly-eat-carbs Phase 4. Who am I, and what have I done with the old Julia. Oh yes, she's melting. : )
Have a great weekend! See you tomorrow!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
R2P2D25/35 - Daily Inspiration
January 26, 2012
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 25/35
I lost 0.6 pounds over night. That brings me to 51.3 off since October 17!. Woo hoo! Just a few more days to go until I move into Phase 3 (the low/no carb 3 weeks) and I'm starting to gear up. I'm going to make tuna/salmon/egg/chicken salads to eat during that Phase this time. Also, I saw a pizza "recipe" on Pinterest that was zuchini cut long ways with pizza toppings on it. Well, I can modify that (with my homemade, no sugar sauce) and then cheese and sausage and pepperoni and mushrooms and onions. OH MAN! That sounds so good. My favorite part of pizza is the toppings anyway, so I've wondered how to make it (without having to make almond flour or coconut flour crust -- which I can do, I just haven't tried it yet).
So, I've reached the time in this Round where I'm starting to think about Phase 3. Smack dab in the middle, I try not to think about it. But, when I'm around the 10-days-til-Phase-3 mark, I start plotting what I will eat. Cottage cheese and yogurt and salad with chicken breast and blue cheese and oil & vinegar or my YUMMY homemade dressing ... ah, February will be a yummy month. I love the food in Phase 3 (can anyone say Lara bars?!). I'm praying I will end well in Phase 2 this time, and that I will stabilize well in Phase 3.
Here's today's Bible verses that have inspired me today (and I hope they will for you too) because God is in control:
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 25/35
I lost 0.6 pounds over night. That brings me to 51.3 off since October 17!. Woo hoo! Just a few more days to go until I move into Phase 3 (the low/no carb 3 weeks) and I'm starting to gear up. I'm going to make tuna/salmon/egg/chicken salads to eat during that Phase this time. Also, I saw a pizza "recipe" on Pinterest that was zuchini cut long ways with pizza toppings on it. Well, I can modify that (with my homemade, no sugar sauce) and then cheese and sausage and pepperoni and mushrooms and onions. OH MAN! That sounds so good. My favorite part of pizza is the toppings anyway, so I've wondered how to make it (without having to make almond flour or coconut flour crust -- which I can do, I just haven't tried it yet).
So, I've reached the time in this Round where I'm starting to think about Phase 3. Smack dab in the middle, I try not to think about it. But, when I'm around the 10-days-til-Phase-3 mark, I start plotting what I will eat. Cottage cheese and yogurt and salad with chicken breast and blue cheese and oil & vinegar or my YUMMY homemade dressing ... ah, February will be a yummy month. I love the food in Phase 3 (can anyone say Lara bars?!). I'm praying I will end well in Phase 2 this time, and that I will stabilize well in Phase 3.
Here's today's Bible verses that have inspired me today (and I hope they will for you too) because God is in control:
God Is Our Healer: "Father, I praise You because You are the God who heals me physically, emotionally, and spiritually" (Exodus 15:26).
God Is Our Burden Bearer: "Praise be to the Lord, to God my Savior, who daily bears my burdens" (Psalm 68:19) & "Father, I praise You because You are a shield around me. O Lord, You bestow glory on me and lift up my head when I am weary or despised (Psalm 3:3).
God Is Justice: "Lord, I praise You and magnify You because You are just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Your Son Jesus Christ" (Romans 3:26).
God Is Our Provider: "I praise You today, Lord, as the Lord who will provide, who makes all grace abound in me and generously provides all I need" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
God Is Our Protector: "Father, I praise You because You are a shield around me. O Lord, You bestow glory on me and lift up my head when I am weary or despised (Psalm 3:3).
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
R2P2D24/35 - I've begun pulling out clothes from 2001!
January 25, 2012
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 24/35
11 more months til Christmas (don't kill me)!
I lost 0.8 ounces this morning. That brings my total weight-loss to 2.8 in the 2 days of week 4 as opposed to 2.1 in the entire week 3 (last week). I am praying that trend of consistent loss (can it be called a trend when it's only 2 days in a row?) continues. I've lost 50.7 pounds since October 17. That number hardly seems real, but I know it is. I still struggle with this idea ... do I look different to people? I look different to me ... I feel different ... but, I just don't "get" that I look different to people who don't know I'm doing this (or even those who know I am). Yet, when I was dreaming about / plotting / planning to do this, when I thought about what I'd look like at almost 51 pounds off, I figured I'd be getting stopped all the time with people saying, "Wow! You've lost weight!" I'm not getting that a lot, but it is happening from time to time. Uh, wait ... that sounds like I think the world revolves around me. Yikes! Talk about the good, the bad and the ugly, Julia. But, I'll leave it in this blog. My belief is, it's better to be transparent about my personality pit falls, because that'll help me change. Yowsah, am I self-centered.
Okay, enough self-depricating.
This morning, I pulled out a dress that I bought on major sale (kind of like those 2 pairs of corduroys I talked about on Sunday) in December, which is 3 sizes smaller than when I started. It fits perfectly. Awesome. I also pulled out 3 dresses that I saved over the years (only 3, but I loved them) from 2001 & 2003 that I was able to wear when I weighed about (at most) 10 pounds less than now. I fit in them (1 is actually too big, so I believe I'll be donating it after wearing it once or twice)! Of course, I look like a sausage in the other 2, so I'll wait for the public debut until I lose another 10 (or close to it). But I couldn't even get these over my head when I started this on October 17! Perhaps I can wear them as Phase 2 wraps up in 11 days? I know, for sure, one of the dresses I wore (and I have a picture of myself in it) on Mother's Day in 2003 (and it was getting just a bit tight). So, I'm pretty certain that I will be able to wear it (it'll probably be too big since I will just have finished Round 3 before) Mother's Day this year! If you see me that day, look for a very long lilac colored dress (with me in it). : ) That's my favorite and my "blue dot" of mini-goals for now. After that, I'll have to buy the services of my friend JoEllen to alter the clothes I actually like or start buying new (discounted!) clothes. It's rather exciting to think about being able to buy off of the sale rack. When you are a plus-sizer, clothes that look normal are almost never discounted, or if you find something that fits and you're comfortable in, you have to snap it up right away, or you'll never find it again. I'm looking forward to buying discounted, regular-sized clothes!
Here's a lovely verse for today from Job. "... the hand of the Lord has done this. In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:9-10
Upwards and onwards today, folks. See you tomorrow!
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 24/35
11 more months til Christmas (don't kill me)!
I lost 0.8 ounces this morning. That brings my total weight-loss to 2.8 in the 2 days of week 4 as opposed to 2.1 in the entire week 3 (last week). I am praying that trend of consistent loss (can it be called a trend when it's only 2 days in a row?) continues. I've lost 50.7 pounds since October 17. That number hardly seems real, but I know it is. I still struggle with this idea ... do I look different to people? I look different to me ... I feel different ... but, I just don't "get" that I look different to people who don't know I'm doing this (or even those who know I am). Yet, when I was dreaming about / plotting / planning to do this, when I thought about what I'd look like at almost 51 pounds off, I figured I'd be getting stopped all the time with people saying, "Wow! You've lost weight!" I'm not getting that a lot, but it is happening from time to time. Uh, wait ... that sounds like I think the world revolves around me. Yikes! Talk about the good, the bad and the ugly, Julia. But, I'll leave it in this blog. My belief is, it's better to be transparent about my personality pit falls, because that'll help me change. Yowsah, am I self-centered.
Okay, enough self-depricating.
This morning, I pulled out a dress that I bought on major sale (kind of like those 2 pairs of corduroys I talked about on Sunday) in December, which is 3 sizes smaller than when I started. It fits perfectly. Awesome. I also pulled out 3 dresses that I saved over the years (only 3, but I loved them) from 2001 & 2003 that I was able to wear when I weighed about (at most) 10 pounds less than now. I fit in them (1 is actually too big, so I believe I'll be donating it after wearing it once or twice)! Of course, I look like a sausage in the other 2, so I'll wait for the public debut until I lose another 10 (or close to it). But I couldn't even get these over my head when I started this on October 17! Perhaps I can wear them as Phase 2 wraps up in 11 days? I know, for sure, one of the dresses I wore (and I have a picture of myself in it) on Mother's Day in 2003 (and it was getting just a bit tight). So, I'm pretty certain that I will be able to wear it (it'll probably be too big since I will just have finished Round 3 before) Mother's Day this year! If you see me that day, look for a very long lilac colored dress (with me in it). : ) That's my favorite and my "blue dot" of mini-goals for now. After that, I'll have to buy the services of my friend JoEllen to alter the clothes I actually like or start buying new (discounted!) clothes. It's rather exciting to think about being able to buy off of the sale rack. When you are a plus-sizer, clothes that look normal are almost never discounted, or if you find something that fits and you're comfortable in, you have to snap it up right away, or you'll never find it again. I'm looking forward to buying discounted, regular-sized clothes!
Here's a lovely verse for today from Job. "... the hand of the Lord has done this. In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:9-10
Upwards and onwards today, folks. See you tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
R2P2D23/35 - Keep Your Friends Close
January 24, 2012
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 23/35
I have found a helpful key to success in this program. Being on Facebook, and taking part in the private (meaning, it's only open to those 3,000 people accepted by the page owner) HCG forum. It's run by the ladies who run the two websites called Miracle Skinny Drops (MSD) & Little Choices Matter. They aren't selling anything (in fact, they don't care what type of HCG you use because), they'll answer any HCG question you have. They (Carol and Shawna) are now my FB friends, and can give private advice to me, just as a real friend would, in my FB private in box. Some times, I love technology (how many times can we actually converse, at the drop of a hat, with an owner of a business and website?)!
For example, I had a discussion with Shawna yesterday when I asked the question, "Can you stall from taking too much hHCG?" In Round 1, I was taking 6 drops under my tongue 3x a day. This round, I've been more liberal with them, and have been using about 8 - 10 drops 3x a day (and holding them under my tongue for at least a minute before swallowing (which I found out from Abbie C., I should have been doing in Round 1!).
Shawna asked me the hHCG formula I've been using (not their brand) -- she wanted to see the % of hHCG, among other things. After she got the formula from me, she wrote back that I actually have been way under dose, and that people usually increase drops in subsequent rounds. She suggested that I go to the "normal" dose (what this company, healingpowerwithin, and others selling this particular homeopathic formula) say to use -- 80 drops a day or 1/2 a dropper 4x a day. I had been massively underdosing (my 18 - 30 drops compared with the 80 drops I should have been taking each day)! So, I immediately upped by drops around lunchtime yesterday, and I did 4 doses instead of 3. You want to know what happened?
So, I've lost 49.9 pounds as of this morning. My new goal, set a bit higher than it was when I started this Round, is to lose at least another 8.6 pounds in the 10 weigh-ins I have until I get to my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) on Saturday, February 4 (meaning, my last day is Sunday, February 5). I'd like it if my LDW was a perfectly round number (and, of course, prime) so I can remember it easier when I'm trying to stay within 2 pounds up or down of it in Phase 3 (proteins). 8.6 is a HUGE goal, but it's less total off than I had hoped when I started (I wanted to be at 30 - 35 off in this Round, and instead, that would bring me to 26 off ... but that's better than the other direction)!
That means, I still have a lot of hard work to do. But, I'm definetly on the home front of this Round (meaning, I have less than 2 weeks left in this Round of Phase 2). I feel a bit like I did last Round this time -- relieved that I am coming to an end with this Phase (ready for proteins in Phase 3!) and like I might, just might, be able to extend this a little longer. Funny, that's what I felt like when I was graduating from college ... "I could go on to get my Masters," but I decided to be sensible and get a job to pay off my loans. I'm betting I'll follow suit and be sensible and move into Phase 3 so I can start Round 3 on time, the day after Easter. After all, I want to load on Good Friday - Easter (which also happens to be my Dad's birthday).
Okay, that's enough of me for the day. Happy Tuesday. See you tomorrow, hopefully, a bit lighter.
Round 2, Phase 2 (Very Low Calorie) Day 23/35
I have found a helpful key to success in this program. Being on Facebook, and taking part in the private (meaning, it's only open to those 3,000 people accepted by the page owner) HCG forum. It's run by the ladies who run the two websites called Miracle Skinny Drops (MSD) & Little Choices Matter. They aren't selling anything (in fact, they don't care what type of HCG you use because), they'll answer any HCG question you have. They (Carol and Shawna) are now my FB friends, and can give private advice to me, just as a real friend would, in my FB private in box. Some times, I love technology (how many times can we actually converse, at the drop of a hat, with an owner of a business and website?)!
For example, I had a discussion with Shawna yesterday when I asked the question, "Can you stall from taking too much hHCG?" In Round 1, I was taking 6 drops under my tongue 3x a day. This round, I've been more liberal with them, and have been using about 8 - 10 drops 3x a day (and holding them under my tongue for at least a minute before swallowing (which I found out from Abbie C., I should have been doing in Round 1!).
Shawna asked me the hHCG formula I've been using (not their brand) -- she wanted to see the % of hHCG, among other things. After she got the formula from me, she wrote back that I actually have been way under dose, and that people usually increase drops in subsequent rounds. She suggested that I go to the "normal" dose (what this company, healingpowerwithin, and others selling this particular homeopathic formula) say to use -- 80 drops a day or 1/2 a dropper 4x a day. I had been massively underdosing (my 18 - 30 drops compared with the 80 drops I should have been taking each day)! So, I immediately upped by drops around lunchtime yesterday, and I did 4 doses instead of 3. You want to know what happened?
- I felt satisfied with my food. In fact, I ate a little less because I wasn't hungry like I'd been feeling in pretty much all of this Round. Not ravenously hungry, but, for lack of a better term, pining.
- I wasn't tired. I've been struggling a bit with the sleepies at around 8 - 9 pm (usually, I'm a midnight go-to-bed-er).
- I lost 2 pounds overnight. And yes, I ate the same food I had the day before (but I did up my water a bit to 3L, since I probably had 2 the day before).
So, I've lost 49.9 pounds as of this morning. My new goal, set a bit higher than it was when I started this Round, is to lose at least another 8.6 pounds in the 10 weigh-ins I have until I get to my Last Dosage Weight (LDW) on Saturday, February 4 (meaning, my last day is Sunday, February 5). I'd like it if my LDW was a perfectly round number (and, of course, prime) so I can remember it easier when I'm trying to stay within 2 pounds up or down of it in Phase 3 (proteins). 8.6 is a HUGE goal, but it's less total off than I had hoped when I started (I wanted to be at 30 - 35 off in this Round, and instead, that would bring me to 26 off ... but that's better than the other direction)!
That means, I still have a lot of hard work to do. But, I'm definetly on the home front of this Round (meaning, I have less than 2 weeks left in this Round of Phase 2). I feel a bit like I did last Round this time -- relieved that I am coming to an end with this Phase (ready for proteins in Phase 3!) and like I might, just might, be able to extend this a little longer. Funny, that's what I felt like when I was graduating from college ... "I could go on to get my Masters," but I decided to be sensible and get a job to pay off my loans. I'm betting I'll follow suit and be sensible and move into Phase 3 so I can start Round 3 on time, the day after Easter. After all, I want to load on Good Friday - Easter (which also happens to be my Dad's birthday).
Okay, that's enough of me for the day. Happy Tuesday. See you tomorrow, hopefully, a bit lighter.
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