Friday, July 31, 2009

Essential P2 Tips

Supplements I can't live without:

L-GLutamine (500mg x 3 daily)for hunger and cravings
Taurine (1000mg x 3 daily) for water retention
Biosil (6 liquid drops in water daily) for beautiful skin/hair/nails
LifeCaps for the first few days of P2

I don't eat anything until 11am at minimum and my first food is always an apple.

I later eat chicken for lunch with celery sticks.
Steak for dinner with spinach.

Apple or 1/2 cup of raspberries after if I'm still hungry.

A min of 100 oz of pure, non sparkling water daily. I simply take 4-5 bottles with me to work and chug away, and then have 2-3 more at night before bed.

Zevia organic soda which is sweetened with stevia and doesn't have caffeine, calories, sodium, or gluten. It's a treat. Black cherry and lemon-lime are my favorites.

R2P2 VLCD 4

Hunger suffering paid off...was 200.8 lbs this morning! And I'm not hungry at all today...it's 1pm and I haven't eaten anything yet! This gives me such hope...I'd love to be back to LIW of 198.0 lbs by Sunday, and then start losing fresh weight in the remaining two weeks. I only need to lose 10 lbs then to safely get into the 180s AND start my 6 week P3/P4 break. :)

Today I am feeling great, and optimistic. YAY!!! :)

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Dreaming about...P3

So I'm not gonna lie. Having major cheesecake cravings. It's probably the Cheesecake Factory is publicizing a new flavor. And I would probably maim someone to get a slice RIGHT NOW.

But, the cheesecake fantasies aside...I've changed. After a few simple days of "bad foods", I don't crave them anymore. I don't want anything fried. I don't want cake loaded with sugar. I don't want McDonalds, or a Taquito.

I am longing for more fruit (peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, berries). I am wishing for cheese (muenster, cheddar, alouette) and nuts (macadamia, almonds, cashews)...I have a craving for sugar free dulce de leche pudding. And gluten free pretzels with fat free sour cream. And big juicy steaks and green beans and broccoli.

Yes, I guess my biggest problem is that I'm still longing for granola. I've always loved muesli/granola with dried fruit and nuts, but it doesn't love me. It's very healthy, but I know it's a detriment to my eating, definitely now and probably forever.

But I'm happy to know that I might have some self control in the future. I'm really looking forward to 3 weeks of P3 and then 3 weeks of P4. All I really will want in P4 is the ability to make gluten free cakes and brownies (and I can't wait to try them with Stevia and not sugar-it might make them guilt free as well!) and adding brown rice and lentils here and there.

R2P2 VLCD 3

I only lost 1 more pound. So, 3 days into VLCD, and I'm still 6.6 lbs away from my LIW less than a week ago. So sad. These are hard lessons to learn.

I'm still hungry. If it doesn't go away in the next day or so, I will have to wean myself off HCG (which is excruciating if you're already hungry) and then take the 6 week break.

I hope that before that happens I can get back into the 190s again. And I'm still hoping that the hunger will clear up, the weight loss will start being rapid again, and that I can get to my 3 week goal of 188!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

R2P2 VLCD 2

Well...started yesterday at 208...yes folks, in 2 days of rather mild loading, I gained nearly 10 lbs. It was depressing. I thought for sure I'd drop it quickly...but today I was at 205 lbs. And unfortunately, I'm hungry. I pray that it's just the shock to my system at being on the VLCD and not a sign that I'm immune already or that I screwed myself up irrevocably simply by taking a gamble.

It's my plan to do the HCG injections for 23 days (and then 72 hours of VLCD minus HCG). Originally, I wanted to drop 10 lbs just to get myself into the 180s...but considering that I gained so much weight in a few days, I need to lose nearly 20 in that short time to get into the 180s. I'm annoyed at myself, but hey-at least it's been a lesson. I REALLY don't do well with sugar, and starch is fine if it's a rice...but not wheat or gluten, and definitely not combining sugar and starch together.

So...today I am at 205. I have until my last injection on 8/17/09 to lose at least 17 more pounds. 17 more pounds would put me at 188, which is totally manageable. I know I sound like a broken record; it's to remind myself to keep my focus. I pray that this goal is possible.

Right now, I'm hungry AND I have a sinus headache AND I'm at the office. Not the best combo, but I'll live. :)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

R2P2-Load Day 1

So, I finally gained last night...I ate so much crap yesterday that I totally deserved to gain more than the 2.9 lbs I did. Chicken sandwich from a fast food place, buttered popcorn & Twizzlers at the movies, ice cream...I ate it, felt lousy, and felt even lousier this morning.

I decided to start HCG today...had my injection...IM 125iu, at 11am. I figured that today I would eat normally with an emphasis on fatty foods (incl cheesecake) so that today would be a mini load day. And then back to the VLCD starting on Monday. I hope that my hunger is minimal and that I'm able to lose a min. of 14lbs in 23 days of HCG, making my weight 188. Then I will break for the full six weeks and resume again in early October. Then I will try to lose 20 lbs during a full 43 day round of HCG, getting down to 168 by mid November...then breaking for the holidays, and trying to lose the last 15-18 lbs in a final January round. Here's hoping! :)

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Planned Interruption Day 9

I was SO bad yesterday. I ate trail mix, Chinese food, and a huge ice cream cone. I expected the worst when I stepped on the scale this morning-instead, it said 199.8. I don't know how it's possible to eat all this and still be maintaining my weight, but I'm ecstatic!

And looking forward to starting P2 again on Monday. I just want to do 3 weeks on protocol, and try to lose 10-12lbs...if I can do that, then I'll be ready to take my full 6 week break. I just want to be at a more manageable weight, so to speak. And being in the 180s is just more manageable to me.

Happy Saturday!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Planned Interruption Day 7

How weird/cool is it that I am eating 2100-2200 calories a day, all delicious, and I'm maintaining my weight? Despite hydrocortisone? Despite the fact that I'm indulging in some starch/sugar? I think it means this HCG thing is real and that my hypothalamus really has reset. It's frigging awesome.

I look forward to doing 3 weeks on protocol next week-if I can just break into the 180s I will be very happy to then take my full 6 week break, do P3 and P4 properly, and then attack a long 3rd round of HCG in October. At that point, I hope that I'm only 37lbs away from my goal weight and can reach it (150lbs) by Christmas 2009.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Planned Interruption Day 6

Back down to 200 lbs, so safely within the 2 lbs of LIW, but I have to toe the line. Yesterday, instead of a steak day, I did a fat flush day...smoothie with raspberries, heavy cream & Stevia...cheddar cheese...macadamia nuts...steak...fat free pudding...nectarines...and some garlic hummus with garlic pita chips. Not exactly on protocol but hey-I dropped 4 lbs!

So...today I will do more of the same with the cheese, nuts, smoothie, and chicken. If I gain any weight, I'll have to figure out which of the above ingredients is causing me grief.

Relief to be near my LIW again, though!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Planned Interruption, Day 5

Did my steak day yesterday but it didn't help much. I am 204.7lbs. It's better than the 207.8 I was on Sunday, but I'm still really worried. I know I can go back on HCG on Monday, but I don't want to have to do a full week of steak days.

I think I will try a fat day today-macadamia nuts, cheese, chicken, and steak. More water, more tea. And see what happens. I just want to get back under 200 in the next few days so that I'm not starting the diet in the hole, so to speak.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Planned Interruption Day 4

Well, in 72 hours of P3/P4 eating, I gained 9 lbs. You read that right. I did eat sugar and starch, but no more than the 2000 calories a day that my body supposedly needs to maintain my weight. TOM also arrived 2 days early. So...I feel like a horrible, fat failure. I'm bloated and my stomach hurt all day yesterday. All this from fruit, meat, cheese, and yes, cookies & cheesecake. But nothing horrible, and not anything like a loading day. Scientifically speaking, I needed to consume 31,500 calories in order to gain 9 lbs. I consumed 6000 calories in 3 days. So, it's a little terrifying. Not sure if it's the hydrocortisone, the TOM, or just the fact that I didn't follow protocol. All I know is that as soon as my period is over (hopefully by Saturday), I am going right back on HCG and hoping to lose at least another 10 lbs (not including this sudden awful gain) before I hit immunity. It's my plan to start the shots, do 21 days, and then take a full, proper 6 week P3/P4 break before starting another cycle.

For today, I am doing a steak day. Nothing but water until 6pm, where I will have a big juicy steak with butter and oil and an apple. And hope that the scale slides back to under 200 again! :)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Dreaded 72 hours

So, I took my last injection on Tuesday at 730am. My last injection weight was 198 lbs. I am on Day 2 of the 72 hours post injection where you follow the VLCD as HCG exits your system. Yesterday, I noticed no difference. I felt good, and wasn't hungry at all.

Today, I'm still not hungry (a blessing-but let's remember that it's only 1130am)...but I definitely feel a huge difference in my energy level. I have a slight headache, and I'm very sluggish and a little moody. I am hoping that's all the negative side effect I have. If I can get through today successfully, I can start P3/Planned Interruption tomorrow (Friday) at 730am...we're going shopping tonight in anticipation.

On Tuesday night, I had an extra apple (2 that day instead of 1) to see if it made a difference to my weight loss. I gained 1/2 a pound. Yesterday I eliminated the second apple and was back to LIW. This is a valuable tool for me for future rounds. I can only do chicken, steak, spinach, celery, and 1 apple a day and that's that.

4pm update. It's strange, but if anything, I've felt LESS hungry than ever. Finally ate at 130pm (chicken) and then had my beloved apple at 4pm. I hope this feeling continues...that will make the rest of the evening MUCH easier.

Having dinner with my family, and then home for reality (aka mindless) tv. And really, really, really looking forward to tomorrow's menu.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

VLCD 40

My last injection was this morning. I weighed in at 198.0, bringing my total weight loss to 26.7 lbs in 40 days, which is awesome. My belly was 39 inches, down from 50 inches. I will do a complete measure tonight, but I must say I'm proud of myself. :)

Now, to get through the 72 hours of VLCD without the full power of HCG. That will be challenging. I'm working the whole time, so at least I won't fall to temptation while at home.

My first P3 meal? I'm thinking scrambled egg whites with garlic and dill and 1 oz of cheddar cheese and an apple. For snack, 1 oz of almonds. For lunch, celery sticks with garlic & herb alouette spreadable cheese. For snack, raspberries. For dinner...a thick steak with broccoli at Lonestar. For dessert? Homemade cheesecake. And if I don't have time to make it until Saturday, blueberries in heavy cream.

I look forward to making fruit and cream smoothies in the blender we never use. I'm desperately looking forward to cheese and nuts. Here's hoping they are not a trigger food that causes me to gain weight!

I've decided to do 3 full weeks of P3 and then try another round of HCG. It may backfire, or it may work nicely. I'm hoping for another 20 lbs down the second round...bringing me to 178, which was my weight when I got married 2 years ago. It's still 28 lbs from my goal weight, but I was a lot happier (and a size 10) at 178.

Have a marvelous Tuesday. :)


Monday, July 13, 2009

VLCD 39

199.3 lbs this morning...for which I was grateful. Especially since I had two count em TWO Zevia sodas yesterday, ate at a restaurant twice (sticking to protocol but still) and haven't had a BM in 3 days. But I still lose 1/2 a pound, yay!

Feeling really good about myself today. Can't believe tomorrow is my last shot. If I can survive the 3 non HCG VLCDs, I can eat real food and lots of it starting on Friday! This seems unfathomable to me but also awesome. I'm psyched!

It's a beautiful Monday.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

VLCD 38

Finally! Woke up to 199.9 lbs this morning! I was so excited that I took a photo of that number on the scale. :) And...I lost another inch off my belly...10 inches off my belly!

I started at a 50 inch belly...if in the next 5 days of the diet I could get to 197.7 and 39 inches, I'd be in great shape. That puts me in a great frame of mind to take off the next set of weeks and focus on stabilizing in P3. I am so looking forward to more food, with more variety. I can hear the fruits and cheeses and nuts calling my name! Although I know that cheese and nuts can be triggers for people, so I will have to be really careful with them. I am hoping, though, that since I am allergic to seafood, fish, some fruits, and all breads, that God will allow me to eat my fill of nuts and cheese...otherwise, it'll be a boring existence! :)

Have a wonderful Sunday!!! :)


Saturday, July 11, 2009

VLCD 37

Well, waking up to 200.8 lbs (only a 2 ounce loss and that after cutting out my precious second fruit) was super disappointing. But I measured (for good measure!) and I lost another inch in my belly, .5 inches off my hips, and another inch off my bust. So...there you have it. While my mind ferociously needs to be no more than 199 for my LIW (preferably lower, but at this point, that may not happen), at least I'm losing inches.

It's going to be a long day. Seeing the in laws, and then a social occasion. Joy.

But, I keep it in mind that my last shot will be on Tuesday, and by Friday, I'll be enjoying the fruits (and so much more!) of P3. That is what keeps me going right now.

Friday, July 10, 2009

VLCD 36

Last night was really tough. I got very hungry, and super depressed. I was ready to quit early. Not losing any weight in a week when I'm trying to hit my goal has been tough. BUT...as of this morning, I only dropped half a pound (201.0), and that was after 5 bowel movements during the night and in the morning (sorry for the TMI!), but when I measured, I found that I've lost 36 total inches since the beginning, including an amazing 8 inches off my belly alone. I took pics too, and I can finally SEE the change, esp. from the side. I went from looking pregnant to chubby. And after chubby can come normal, then thin. :)

I tried on jeans (3 pairs) that I haven't worn in more than a year...they all fit. Shirts that have been tight are loose. So, things are happening for me.

My last shot is on Monday. I am still hoping and praying to break into the 190s before that. If my LIW can be 199, and then I can lose 2 more pounds in the VLCD 3 day period that follows, I will be content.

I have decided to do P3 for 3 weeks, then load again, and then do HCG/VLCD for the 3 week session. I want to see how I fare on it. If it's not well, I'll stop and finish my 3 week break. I think 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off makes sense to me, and seems more bearable, more manageable.

Wish me luck! :)


Thursday, July 9, 2009

VLCD 34 & 35

home for 2 days now...following diet to the letter of the law. And no weight loss. I am 201.7, which means I've lost 23 lbs. I've also lost 34 inches. These things are great...but I desperately need to break into the 190s and soon. I don't know what's wrong. I only have a few days left on injections...was hoping to hit 190 by 7/16 but since it's 7 days away and I have 11 lbs to go, it seems a pipe dream.

I AM looking forward to P3. I've printed out my list of allowed foods. Will try to do 1600 calories a day despite the BMR calculator saying 2111...that seems high, esp. with my cortisol. But if I start to gain, I'll have to experiment. Thank God for steak and apple days in case I screw up.

Hoping I have a break through in the next week and really get down as close to that goal as possible. At this point, even 195 would be a blessing.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

VLCD 32 & 33

...were spent on the road due to a conference. I did extremely well, despite mega temptations to cheat. Seriously-my mind was playing terrible tricks on me. Didn't bring the scale but stayed to the protocol. 2 apples a day, 2 servings of chicken a day. Tons of water and hot tea.

I will weigh in the morning. Praying to be down to 200 or dare I think it? 199.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

VLCD 31

Ate broccoli with my steak tonight and went up to 203.1 which is a huge bummer-to gain almost a pound for a veggie without butter or oil just doesn't seem fair! I wish I'd just gotten a dessert...I probably would've done the same damage but enjoyed it a whole lot more!

I'm off to a conference out of state-packed my HCG in a cooler, got my apples, and am hoping for the best. It'll be tough to do my diet during roadtrips...that is always when I indulge in chips, diet coke, and pop tarts as well as my favorite candies. For me, this will be apple, water, plain chicken...not that exciting.

Today I had my water, chicken, and two apples. Not really hungry for anything else despite the steak in the fridge. I guess that's something. Have a good week, my friends!

VLCD 30

202.3-not quite the drop I was seeking, but I'll live. Off to try to get through a day of bbqs and other 4th of July festivities!

Friday, July 3, 2009

VLCD 29

So, despite a lack of BM, I went to 202.7 lbs this morning, bringing my one month total loss to 22 lbs. Not bad! I also lost 10 inches, for a total of 25 inches lost since the beginning. Then I finally had the BM...no more lost, though, which is crazy since it was a lot. Sorry for the TMI! :)

I am debating whether to continue past the 40 injections. Part of me desperately needs a break...the other part wants to make up for the three major setbacks I had in one short month...period, cheat, illness. Now, the cheat was totally my fault. My period is natural and was expected. But the illness really sucked.

Still hoping to be 199 by Sunday...don't know if I can make that happen but I sure will try. I am aiming to eat more since the board ladies tell me I'm not eating enough...maybe they were right-with two fruits and two proteins yesterday, I lost 2 lbs. Today I will add some veggies. Fingers crossed for more success!


Thursday, July 2, 2009

VLCD 28

So, after last night's intense cravings and hunger, and skipping my evening protein, I thought for sure there'd be a loss this morning. Nope. 204.0. It's so depressing to know that I did nothing wrong and still nothing to show for it.

Hubby mixed a new batch and I got my first new HCG injection this morning. Nurse on the board says to definitely try IM instead of sub Q injections...will try tomorrow and hope that I start seeing some results. I mentally need to be in the 190s this weekend no matter what. Even 199.9 on Sunday would make me feel like the diet is really working and that there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Despite losing 20 lbs and inches, I am still wearing the same jeans, the same skirts, the same tops. I can see a small difference in my overall circumference, but I should be down 2 full sizes. Instead, things are just a tad looser. I know I need to be patient, that I'm working against the odds here. I take a medication daily that is notorious for weight gain (I gained 15 lbs in 2 months on it before I started HCG)...and in my less than 30 days on the diet, I've had my period, I cheated once, and I got a horrible cold. So, I've had three stalls and I know that means that I should be patient. I just need to see the scale move in a downward fashion SOON. I am praying I can still make my first goal of 190 by July 16th. I do have 2 weeks. Right now, it's 15 lbs away, but with a quick loss of stuff I've been stockpiling and then a normal 1 lb loss a day, it's not impossible. I just have to keep that thought in the back of my head.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Starving

So, I'm struggling today. It's 8pm and I'm starving. 110 oz of water, a LifeCaps pill, and a cup of Yerba Mate tea...and my stomach is growling. Hubby just mixed up new batch...HCG loses its potency after a month and it's been exactly that. This is the first real hunger I've had in about 10 days, so I'm guessing that's the reason.

I'm torturing myself thinking about the things I'd eat right now if I could. Bear me with me as I list them...maybe writing them down will help me purge my food demons.

Sweets (my current biggest craving):
cupcakes. Vanilla ones with frosting and sprinkles.
cheesecake. NY style, slightly frozen. Plain.
butter cookies, plain & raspberry filling. Sprinkles.
Ice cream...two scoops...cookie dough and black raspberry or mint chocolate chip. With sprinkles and waffle cone pieces.
Cherry or blueberry pie with whipped cream or cool whip.
1 brownie

Savory foods:
3 taquitos from 7-11
a beef hot dog in a potato roll bun and mustard
2 dominos oven baked sandwiches (chicken bacon ranch)
1 small thin crust cheese pizza from Dominos
1 small thick crust pizza from Papa Johns with garlic dipping sauce
1 loaf of French bread smothered in garlic/herb Alouette cheese

That felt better. I think I just came up with my Round 2 Loading Day list. :)

Here's hoping to get through the night. I'm in bed super early and avoiding the kitchen.

VLCD 27

Up a pound this morning...must be the pickles I added for the first time last night (3 small ones). They were tasty, but not earth shattering, so I don't think I'll be risking the sodium.

I had a lot of cravings today...work ordered several pizzas to be delivered and they smelled like heaven. I've also been kind of in a funk, but my marvelous hubby rescued me at lunchtime to just take a little walk and enjoy the sunshine. And I felt that much better.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to see a 2lb drop. I really want to be in the 190s this weekend!!!