December 31, 2007 - Day 12 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 180.6 lbs
5.2 OVER LIW

HA!

I sure did know that was gonna happen. Went a little NUTZ yesterday! I seriously don't know what possessed me, but I totally wanted to bake cookies. Yup, so that is what I did. Baked these babies here:

Magic Peanut Butter Middles

I had about 4 of these delectable babies, and let's not forget the constant licking and tasting as the preparing is going on. Then I wanted to try a new recipe that I had in NOLA when I went called "Moussaka". This didn't turn out so great, but it was dinner so I ate.

Backing up to lunch, we headed to Zaxby's and I had a Blackened Chicken Salad with Blue Cheese and Blue Cheese dressing. HA! But I grabbed some French Fries from my daughter's, son's and husband's plate. Again, I have no idea what powerful force was involved in these food choices but it is what it is.

I can actually TASTE the added salt in my system. My mouth is so dang dry right now it's not even funny.

I totally expected to see this much of a gain. There was no way I could keep up with the necessary water to dilute the salt in my system, so it's holding on to every single drop. Wednesday will be my day to get back to the grindstone. I will do an egg day on Wednesday and then some strict dieting to get this back to normal proportions. I will NOT let my Round 4 start out at 5.2 pounds above my LIW like I did the last time! HA! OMG! I crack myself up!

All in all, I had about 1900 cals divided up 100 fat, 140 carbs (OMG!!!) and 95 protein. Yes Biz, 140 carbs is a BIT much! Listen to this though, according to my FitDay, I had about 4000mg of Salt - normal daily salt should only be about 2500 so as you can see, I went WAY over my salt intake. OMG

Ok, so that over with ... this is the last day of the year 2007. I can honestly say that I have never ended a year on such a high note in my life. This year will go down as one of the best I have had because I have certainly gotten my life back. Thank you Dr Simeon's!!! To think that just a short 6 months ago I was over 250 pounds, and now I am not is just too much to comprehend.

To think that I do not have to add my "gotta lose weight" this time for things to do in a new year, wow. Oh sure, I still have a ways to go, because truly I have NO idea where the HCG is going to take me, but I am certainly in a way better place NOW then I ever have been before. I know this will all come off, and I know that in less than a year from when I started (June 23, 2007) I will be at goal. WOW - on what other weight loss program could that ever be accomplished?

I am so far ahead of the game. I have learned so much about my health, my body, my emotions, my relationship to food. 2008 will be a different year for me that is for sure. There is so much I want to do, who cares that I am starting my life finally at 45! I got places to go and people to see and things to do!

Let's try this today - all you blogger's out there, and even you NON bloggers (since I have a little contact form now on my right side bar near the bottom that you can join in on the fun with) let's make a list of all the things we KNOW we will be able to do in 2008 (even if we wont have a chance to get them done) - things that are weight related that we couldn't do before, or that were next to impossible to do. Things that we just didn't want to do because we were morbidly obese. I will start, but first, here are the rules ... you only have 10 minutes to spend on this, no more - no less. Take ten minutes out of your busy life and let your mind run wild. Think of things you just couldn't do before and wanted to ...

• I will be able to walk into a high end department store and pull of a size 6/8 off the rack.
• I will be able to go to the doctor's and get on the scale without being afraid of what it says.
• I will be able to take my daughter to Disney and not have to look at the signs about not being able to ride rides if you are too big.
• I will be able to take belly dancing lessons.
• I will be able to start a walking program to get 'heart healthy' - my goal is to be able to walk 5 miles 3 times a week - maybe even start running again!
  
• I will be able to take shag dancing lessons.
• I will be able to get on a plane without worries about the seat belt fitting me so that I can visit my mom and my sister.
• I will be able to go to the mall, and look like a normal person window shopping, and actually enjoy it.
• I will be able to go swimming in our community pool and actually be able to do 50 laps without being out of breath.
• I will be able to wear a bathing suit without hiding behind towels and wraps.
• I will be able to go to the park with my daughter and actually climb and play like she does.
• I will be able go to a restaurant with my family and not be aware of everyone looking at me wondering why I cannot control my eating.
• I will be able to help other people with their goals of weight loss because I would have accomplished mine.
• I will be able to go on a cruise and not think about how terribly fat I look.
• I will be able to wear high heels again and my feet not hurt because of too much weight.
• I will be able to say good bye to my chiropractor except for maintenance visits because the weight that is gone is a blessing for my back!
• I will be able to walk anywhere with my family and not feel like I am the odd man out because I was the only one that looked big and frumpy.
  

Ok, my timer went off. I am thinking 10 minutes wasn't enough time, but it is what it is. If you look at my list and want to copy some, go on ahead! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Thanks to all of you that made my year a very exciting one. All you people out there, too numerous to mention, that were an integral part of my success, thank you. Without all of you, I would not be where I am today. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

See there, that wasn't TOO sappy was it???

On to my commenter's:

Jennifer - HA! You noticed that eh??? Listening to my body has been the GREATEST gift I have given myself this year. I have learned SO much about what makes it tick and work, and I will never again allow that knowledge to be clouded by anything! MMM, the only thing about these Boiled Peanuts, is they are not my FAVE, my FAVE are the ones that are CAJUN! OMG! They are SPICY and HOT and they just RULE! Have fun in WY!!! Thanks for slapping your hubby, that made me feel better! ROFL

Mary - I may have spoken too soon! I might be ready for P2 again now too! I was like, OMG! There is a "1" and an "8" as the first two numbers, WTH??? hehe - but I know it's all water weight, I haven't eaten all that much food, just the WRONG things! ROFL - 2008 will RULE for us Mary!!!

BB - Please tell me you have had boiled peanuts before? If not, you must be the FIRST person I have ever met that has never had them. If so, we have to educate you proper my friend! They are TOO DIE FOR! And if you like beer (like me!) they are the perfect snack with beer! So glad you are back among the living my sweet! Can't wait to read your update! Yup! Throwing caution to the wind on this P3 again, what is WRONG with me??? hehe - I will get it under control, I am not starting P2 again for a few weeks, so I have some time!

TTFN everyone! Have a great and SAFE night tonight. We are all just staying home, will be splurging on some wine tonight. Please don't anyone drink and drive. I want a full accounting of everyone tomorrow!!!

Biz

December 30, 2007 - Day 11 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 178.6 lbs
3.2 OVER LIW

HA Again!

You might think that I didn't change anything on my stats above, and that would be because I didn't! ROFL

I am the same weight today that I was yesterday! I just KNEW it would STOP going up!!! I am in the "ZONE" once again. I truly felt it kick in yesterday. Now it just needs to settle around here and I will be truly happy.

I pretty much ate what I wanted yesterday. Let's see here, I had coffee with half and half, cottage cheese with banana's, a Venti Starbucks Coffee (Breve Latte) with SF Hazelnut, my own concoction of Chicken Salad (shredded chicken, grapes, apples, walnuts, celery, mayo/must/vinegar dressing) for lunch AND dinner, and two beers. Oh yeah, let's not forget the BOILED PEANUTS I had snacked on all day. OMG! I just LOVE boiled peanuts! All in all I had about 1600 cals broken down around 84 g fat, 84 g protein and about 72 g of carbs (it was all that banana and the peanuts!).

Funny, this time I am not wanting to go back on P2 as quickly as my other breaks. I am by NO means comfortable at this weight, it's just not as much as a "gotta do it" as it has been before. I am enjoying not being on protocol right now. I am sure by the time the 20th of Jan rolls around I will be ready, but I am not focused on it right now.

Just by way of an announcement of sorts, I would like to start the BOOK CLUB discussion on the 2nd - which would be this coming up Wednesday. How does that sound to everyone?

My son is maintaining, eating everything he wants. JPS snuck in some cookies one morning with some coffee and lost 1.2 pounds that day! So she is doing just peachy as well. It looks like we all have settled into P3 now, which is nice.

Not in the rhythm yet of blogging, but I am getting there. The turn of the year will produce much more interesting reading. Thanks so much for dealing with the break with me. I have been making my rounds on blogs, but they seem scarce as well, which actually makes me feel better about the way I have been treating my blog. Don't worry, I am not going anywhere. I am here for the duration! ROFL

On to my commenter's:

Lili - {{{{{Hugs for you}}}}} - I wrote you a reply to your email this morning, I had a couple of questions for you - hoping you can answer. I am thinking constantly of you my sweet. I am wishing the best of success to you in your Costa Rica trip.

Jennifer - SLAP YOUR HUSBAND! Just for good measure. LOL - I will do the same to my son. UGH, MEN! Anyhoo, I have my OWN thoughts about immunity. There was a post not to long ago on the "other" HCG Yahoo Group about a woman that was not breaking at all. She had phoned the Weight Loss Clinic in Texas (they have been doing this for 35 years) and they said that the immunity issue was a theory of Dr S, one that they have proven unsubstantiated since he released his findings. I found that very interesting. My first round I went 8 weeks. I didn't develop immunity whatsoever, but did feel the need to stop so I did.

This is what I feel. If you do a 26 day course, you need to inject everyday, because Dr S says you need 21 EFFECTIVE doses to enable the diencephelon to rest, but if you go OVER the 21 days, at that point skipping a day a week IMHO would be a good idea, just for good measure.

I truly believe that if you LISTEN to your body, it will tell you what to do. If it's ready for a break, then give it one. If not, then don't. Remember, if you do LESS than 2 weeks of a break, then you don't need to LOAD again. That is another subject for discussion! ROFL

And don't worry, I am not going anywhere!

Mary - No worries mate, NOT going anywhere, this is my daily journal as well. It helps me remember where I have been! I am in the ZONE now so no worries!

CB - Funny you mention the shakes. I see how well the veggies are doing on this protocol using the shakes, so I am inclined to believe they might work. Like in anything else, you would have to try them to see if they worked for YOU. I am still on the fence FOR MYSELF in putting all that artificial stuff in my system while I am doing the protocol, but that is just me and what I want to accomplish during my P2 experience. For some, if it worked, it might prove to be the blessing they need to get them thru the protocol with flying colors. It seems to be working for more than just one!

And girlfriend, don't be sorry for being silent. I truly understand. {{{{{CB}}}}}

Take it easy folks!

Biz

December 29, 2007 - Day 10 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 178.6 lbs
3.2 OVER LIW

HA!

Well, well, lookie there. Seriously, not worried yet, so don't you all be either ok? I am just settling into Phase 3 here, and giving my body a chance to get used to food. I am not eating anything out of the ordinary, I think I might have done a disservice to myself by kinda going off plan when I was traveling, and now my body is trying to figure out where I am wanting it to be.

One other thing, I am not 'regular' as of yet, so that is a definite issue and will correct itself soon.

What did I eat yesterday? For breakfast, I of course had my coffee with cream, and then some cottage cheese and strawberries. For a snack I had Salami and Cheese. For lunch I had a large salad with a bit of leftover steak. For dinner I had salad, green beans, hashed radishes, broccoli, and grilled country style ribs. All in all about 1700 calories, divided 127 g Fat, 39 g Carbs, and 101 g Protein. Not to bad, but way different than I have been eating, so the gain I would imagine.

Seems like more than a few of us regular bloggers will be starting another round of Phase 2 come the first of the year. Some of us immediately, and some more in the middle of the month. This will be exciting to be all doing this together again, getting back into the routine of losing the pounds and inches.

What are we all going to do come summer time when most of us are done? Or at least close to it. Are we all going to give up blogging? In my opinion, I believe that the maintaining part of the protocol is JUST as important as the protocol itself. I know I for one will continue to need the support of all of you, so I am know I am being selfish, but I hope all of you keep updating and letting everyone know how things are going.

Ok, that is about it for today - things really will pick up after the first of the year.

On to my commenter's:

Mary - HA! It will be a good sappy Mary, no worries. And anyhoo, sometimes we all need a good cry! ROFL

B - HA! I am glad YOU have some faith in me! My body doesn't seem to have it! hehe - Really tho, I am not worried, it will settle.

Becca - We will have a lot of fun with the book club Becca, it is a little weird starting off, but it does get quite interesting. I certainly ate enough yesterday, now to let my body settle into this weight thing.

Take care!

Biz

December 28, 2007 - Day 9 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 177.8 lbs
2.4 OVER LIW

Honestly, I don't think I am eating enough.

I am not keeping track of my cals, that needs to stop so I can see what is going on here. I am not worried, just need to gather it under control. Yesterday, all I had was a salad for lunch with a bit of leftover pork chop, and then a snack of some salami, cheese and pickles, and then for dinner just another salad with chicken. (Let's not forget the two beers) Looks like I had about 1300 cals, and that just isn't enough. Today I will concentrate on getting more cals.

Ah yes! I finally got to all my daily reads yesterday! That felt good, slowly getting back into routines. Although, this blog will probably not get 'busy' until after the first of the year. I know you folks understand. I am just wanting to get through this time of year and then get back into the true thick of things.

You all will notice I placed a "Contact Me" form on my blog, I have already had people use it, how fun!

Well, as usual, during this time of year, I am running late, so I will bid you all adieu. Have a wonderful day!

On to my commenter's:

Mary - Don't worry, sappy wont happen until Monday! There you go, fair warning!!!

Crystal - Great chatting with you yesterday! So good to hear your in the 'right' place and I just KNOW you will do great this round!

Wendy - HA! Boozer, too funny! I just about drank my dinner last night! ROFL - After I drank the beers I surely wasn't hungry!

B - WOO HOO FOR YOU! I know you will be happy to be back on protocol, get that weight moving again!

Becca - Looks like we are BOTH just barely maintaining! HA! We will work it out, no worries ok???

Biz

December 27, 2007 - Day 8 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 177.4 lbs
2.0 OVER LIW

All I can say is, do not attempt Chinese Food.

I can still FEEL the salt permeating throughout my body. I just can't do it anymore. I didn't eat much, but I feel every single ounce of that food running through my veins. It was not worth it.

I ended up heading to work with my husband yesterday, spent the day with him running around and he wanted Chinese for lunch. I thought to myself, I could handle a little Chinese. Nope, I feel drugged up this morning and nasty. I mean seriously, it's 6:50am in the morning and I just woke up like 10 minutes ago - what does that tell you about the junk that is in Chinese? Anyhoo, I didn't pass that magical 2 lb mark, but I am certainly gonna do a very even keel day today. Mostly Atkins type stuff with little or not salt, and LOTS and LOTS of water.

So because I headed with my husband to work yesterday, I didn't get to any blogs, and that saddens me. I can see tho from the activity over at the Yahoo Group that things are slow all over, everyone I am going to assume is now gearing up for the new year. Can you believe this year is over? I am eternally thankful for Dr S - he gave me back my life this year. I didn't even ask for it, he handed it to me as a gift.

I treasure that gift. I hold it in my hands as the most delicate precious thing that it is.

Wait, I am not ready to get all sappy yet, I will reserve that one for my end of the year post next week! ROFL

I noticed I haven't given you an update on my son ... let's not talk about it. OMG! He is eating all kinds of junk, and maintaining his weight. UGH - I want some of what he has inside him, youth and testosterone. ROFL

JPS is doing fine as well. A little over her LIW but working to get it down.

Again, not so prolific today, sorry, I really got to get back into the swing eh? Even I miss my posts, it's very freeing to journal everyday.

On to my commenter's:

Lili - Glad I am back too!

Crystal - Going over to see how you did this morning...girl, whatever has happened, it can be fixed, you know that right?

Mary - Thanks sweetie! It's good to be home!

Take care everyone, have a wonderful day!

Biz

December 26, 2007 - Day 7 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 176.4 lbs
1.0 OVER LIW

How nice it is to be home! YES! Now if I can just get my house together I will be JUST fine! I am not completely up to my routines yet. We pretty much just spent the day lounging yesterday. The trip to see family was certainly whirlwind and we all just needed a break when we got home to just do nothing.

Thanks for all the visits while I was away, I really appreciate them.

Now I will be back to my old antics. I have to catch up on everyone today, so give me some time to do that.

I am quite pleased that my weight was stable throughout my entire trip! That was just fab! I ate what I wanted (sometimes that meant not P3 friendly foods) didn't panic about anything and I came home to less than two pounds over my LIW - yesterday I was at 1.4 above and then I lost .4 today, I just attribute that to being home in my own element.

I don't think I have ever said this in my life, but I was tired of Mexican food by the time I was done with my visit. It was Mexican EVERY day! ROFL

Ok...tomorrow is a new day, I will be gearing up for some good posts, I have LOTS to talk about.

Take care,

Biz

December 24, 2007 - Day 5 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 175.8 lbs
0.4 OVER LIW

Well then, there it is. I am now OVER my LIW! HA!

I am still not eating near enough food. Yesterday I had coffee, a small homemade taco salad for lunch and then just chips and guac/salsa for dinner. Oh yeah, and some beer. We went to Karaoke last night and simply had a blast. Food was just nowhere near what I wanted to even consider. Where is THAT coming from.

Today we are headed home. So my menu will be much better. Love going away and seeing friends, but REALLY looking forward to being home.

JPS asked me if I was ready to go back to P2 yet, and I surprised myself by answering, NOPE! Not yet! Having TOO MUCH fun, not with FOOD but with not being attached.

Anyhoo, this is short and sweet once again. Got to get a move on.

Take care!

Biz

December 23, 2007 - Day 4 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 175.0 lbs
0.4 UNDER LIW

MUST.EAT.MORE.FOOD

Yes, quite honestly, I am not having enough protein. Nope. Not enough. Yesterday I only ate twice. Lunch and dinner, and both were not HUGE meals by any stretch of the imagination. One was a blackened chicken blue cheese salad from Zaxby's, and the other was a bowl of chili w/o beans. Not enough protein, what do you all think? I had just a BITE of a grapefruit, so another thing I need to concentrate on is eating some fruit, and oh yeah, one more thing. I had some Bailey's in my coffee...come on Biz, you don't remember the Kahlua and Cream incident? ROFL

Let's not forget that piece of cornbread you ate with the chili last night. Ok, that's it! ROFL - I crack myself up!

I had a few this morning to visit some blogs, that felt good to be slightly in my 'routine' - seems I am not the only one that is busy this time of year.

We are having fun! The visits are going well, just wearing us all out. Will be happy to head on home tomorrow, that is for sure.

Everyone, have a happy day!

Biz

December 22, 2007 - Day 3 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 173.6 lbs
1.8 UNDER LIW

Really quick post today, got up late, but I did wake up earlier at my required time to weigh, so still maintaining well. Got in super late last night so decided to do some catch up on my rest. Today is another busy visiting day and we are getting ready to get out of here.

More people I hadn't seen, more cards being passed out. Fun was had by all!!!

I ate a big cheese-steak omelet at the Waffle House with a side of tomatoes, mmmm, yesterday for breakky. For lunch was more of that chicken salad thing made with apples and grapes. Dinner was MEXICAN again, this time I had chicken soup (it was so stinking cold here that I really just wanted it) and maybe about 5 chips and salsa. Ooops, in the interest of full discloser, I did have 3 Miller Lites - I had a DD so no worries.

Thanks for tuning in. I really need to go. I am fully aware of your visits, and I do appreciate them, just bear with me until I am in my own element again please!

Biz

December 21, 2007 - Day 2 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 174.0 lbs
1.4 UNDER LIW


Road trip yesterday! We started our first P3 day this round at home with a OMELET!!! What else is there??? My husband is pretty much the world gourmet on omelet making and he made me a steak and cheese with tomato and scallions omelet, and for a few minutes I just sat there looking at it, admiring it, imagining what it was gonna taste like. Finally I dove in ... HA! I noticed I was eating very slowly, and when I got to about half way? I really couldn't stuff another bite in my mouth! OMG! What was THAT about??? Of course there was always COFFEE with LOTS of Half and Half, mmmmmm.

We got to our destination after lunch time, and decided on Mexican because all of us were a bit hungry ... mmmmmm ... my favorite! I ordered the steak fajita salad, got thru about 1/3 of it and had had enough! OMG! There we go again! Where is my appetite??? I even snuck in a few tortilla chips, decided it really was NOT what I wanted and dropped that whole idea.
So, my mother decides to make this chicken salad thing for us that requires grapes, and so JPS (did I tell you she was traveling with us?) and I head out in a quest for grapes, which proved to be rather daunting! We had to go to three different stores until we found some! HA! But that chicken salad was wonderful – made with shredded chicken, grapes, apples, walnuts, mayo, lemon juice and some other spice things – but two small spoonfuls was all it took to satiate me for dinner!

A group of friends that I hadn’t seen in a LONG while decided we would all meet at Chili’s late last night and a grand time was had by all. JPS and I decided to be a little risky and we ordered the triple dipper sampler with Hot Chicken Wings (there were 5 of them and they went all to my daughter), these OMG delicious Southwestern Egg Rolls (which JPS and I had two each, they were not that big at all) and some Chicken Crispers (there were 3 and JPS took one and I had two) – complete with all the dips. Everything was good, but we by no means stuffed ourselves, but by the end of this night we sure feel like we pigged out all day.

People were ooooing and ahhhhing and gushing all over me last night. That felt good. Some of these people knew me at around this weight, but most of them knew me over 225 so they especially were just amazed. Some of these people saw me in June at 250 and they were especially blown away. I was prepared last night. I didn’t want to take away from the fun occasion of being gathered together with friends, so I gave them all a card I had made up and told them to email me to find out more. So all in all the day was awesome.

Oh, and did I mention I only gained .2 from all of that? WOO HOO FOR ME!

Sorry, I am not able to get to my commenter’s again today. Tomorrow I will be on a full wireless connection and things should be better.

Thanks for tuning in anyway peeps, and have a wonderful day.

Biz

December 20, 2007 - Day 1 of Phase 3 (Round 3)

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 173.8 lbs
1.6 UNDER LIW

Here is my menu for yesterday.

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!!

Preview Commercial:

Dire Super Emergency Teeth Fundraiser for Lise Who is Scared Witless About Being Toothless in Ohio!

End of Preview Commercial!

Here is the eMail form for signing up for the New Book Club! eMail Address Form

My 500 cal FAQ is now linkable under my FAQ's area!!!

Thanks goes to David Yancey, Ed & Jennifer, Dave, and Marshall that answered my FAQ about men yesterday. If there are any more men out there we all would appreciate it if you could fill out the form! If you would like to give the information but prefer to remain anon, just let me know ok???

Men and the Protocol

Ok, I am running WAY late today folks. So this is just an update post.

We are all doing fine. JPS, my son and I are all starting our Phase 3 today UNDER our LIW! WOO HOO FOR US!

Sorry peeps, I don't have the time to reply to my commenter's. I will try to accomplish that sometime this evening when we arrive at our destination, or tomorrow morning.

Take care everyone!

Biz

December 19, 2007 - Day 24 of VLCD (Round 3) - 48 Hours Completed

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 173.8 lbs
1.6 UNDER LIW

Here is my menu for yesterday.

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!!

Preview Commercial:

Dire Super Emergency Teeth Fundraiser for Lise Who is Scared Witless About Being Toothless in Ohio!

End of Preview Commercial!

Here is the eMail form for signing up for the New Book Club! eMail Address Form

My 500 cal FAQ is now linkable under my FAQ's area!!!

Thanks goes to Winston and Jeanne that answered my FAQ about men yesterday. I know there are more men out there (Marshall, Paul, Jeff, Dave to just name a few) that I would just LOVE to hear from!!! If you could just take a moment to fill out this form, we all would appreciate it! If you would like to give the information but prefer to remain anon, just let me know ok???

Men and the Protocol

Ok, what did I eat yesterday? More of my Thai Hot and Sour Soup with Chicken, really lovin' this stuff I tell ya! For dinner it was Catfish Creole, but I threw in some cabbage, didn't eat my evening fruit so I subbed tomatoes for my fruit. Drank my coffee in the am with 2% milk and ate an apple.

So now I am 1.6 under my LIW - that is what I am talking about. I am starting this P3 like I started my FIRST P3 - going down, down, down! I love that wiggle room I tell you. I feel differently going into this R3P3 - I feel I will again just breeze thru it like I did my first one. I don't know why I feel that way, I just do.

Thank you all for the really nice words for my son. He is looking forward to seeing family tomorrow!!! Good for him! He gets to get all the accolades and such from them and he deserves it I tell you. Even tho he struggled this time, he really outdid himself. Over 40 lbs for a teenager is really saying something ya know?

Well guess what people, I am going to find it very hard to remain "profound" over the next week or so. Things are going to be extremely hectic visiting people we all haven't seen in quite a while. I will check in daily, but it will be more like what happened when I went to NOLA - but don't worry, I will be staying on the straight and narrow, at least I think I will! ROFL

Updates on son and JPS? Doing just peachy! She lost another .6 so that puts her at 152.8 - she was thrilled to see that number, and my son stayed the same.

On to my commenter's:

Mary - Yes, he is a brave soul, especially since no one knows what he looks like out there in cyberspace! LOL

Crystal - I am sure there are more than a few men on the brink of doing this. It has to sound so incredibly 'foreign' to some, what with what we are injecting and then surviving on 500 cals to boot? OMG! I will be sending positive thoughts to you about your father, hoping he makes the right decision!

Amy - HA! I didn't notice that until you said something! I would think it is just the nature of the beast ya know? The whole male/female dynamic. Men (sorry guys, but this is my perception) still have to give off that "macho" vibe and maintain a certain amount of 'indifference' I would think. Men also apply this protocol most of the time very logically. When they journal in their blogs, if they have one, they do it JUST as a journal. But we as women do it for support. But I am just guessing here. I have yet to understand the male psyche. And they say WE are difficult! ROFL

Tracey - Thanks girl!

Becca - how much does your hubby have to lose? Have you shown him my son's pics? That has convinced some men to start.

Take care!

Biz

December 18, 2007 - Day 23 of VLCD (Round 3) - 24 Hours Completed

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 174.2 lbs
1.2 UNDER LIW

Here is my menu for yesterday.

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I received another 'comment' on the FAQ question yesterday, thanks goes to Marilynn! I am now going to put that question to rest now, and we can start on a new one ok? Take a look at what I put together, and tell me what you think?

500's Cals FAQ

Here is the NEW question!

I would like men to really dive into this one ok? Let's talk about males and the protocol. Many women who read my blog also have husbands/SO's that are on the protocol with them and I think it would be nifty to get your perspective as well!

Men and the Protocol

Ok, so where did THAT over one pound loss come from? You think it would have given it to me YESTERDAY for my LIW! But NOOOOOOOOOOOO, I had to get it the day after! OMG! Anyhoo, that just gives me a little more wiggle room for my trip out of town! What did I eat yesterday?

Just my coffee with 2% milk, grapefruit, my Thai Hot and Sour Soup, Ground beef patty with lettuce and pickle/mustard, and a bit of homemade french dressing, used my tomato as a sub for fruit again.

With fooling around with the 500 cal FAQ today, and getting my sons pics and stuff ready, again, I am losing time, what is with me lately??? I am sure you folks understand. This time of year is difficult for so many people when it comes to managing time isn't it???

Here are some nifty pics of my son - clickable for larger view!










Here are his stats for this round:

Started at 185.8 lbs, ended this round at 172.4 - so a total of 13.4 for this round, but more amazing than that, is that he has lost a total of 43.2 lbs!!! He is THRILLED! He is glad it's over tho!

He lost 12.75" this round!

Neck Bicep Forearm Chest Waist Hips Thigh Calf
16.00 13.50 10.750 41.50 38.00 37.75 21.000 15.500
15.25 12.75 10.000 40.00 33.50 35.75 19.750 14.250

0.75 0.75 0.75 1.50 4.50 2.00 1.25 1.25

Hopefully you can read that!!! He says he is DONE tho, he doesn't want it anymore. NOPE! If he needs to do anymore he said he will do it with exercise! He is fitting in his fathers clothes so he is just about freaking about that!

Update on JPS - the turkey! She finished out at 153.4 - so her weight loss this round is 15.8 - but more impressive than that she is 59.6 lbs lighter than when she started! WOO HOO FOR HER!

On to my commenter's:

Lili - yeah, still obese, can you even believe it? Where in the world did they get those figures??? Oh well, next round I will be OVERWEIGHT! Who would have GUESSED I would be happy about that??? OMG! I already wrote you an email about the 'competition' thing ... this is a SUPPORT group, so go ahead and SLAP me, I deserve it!

Mary - Thanks! You too!!!

Tora - I think with the new year coming up that there is gonna be a need for all sorts of information about the protocol. I am sure that books and such will be flying all around, so any information about this journey no matter what phase you are on will be invaluable. So go girl, start that blog, start talking about something every day. There is a wealth of information among our little blogging community. Every day's experience is worth writing about.

Marshall - THANKS DUDE! We are all doing it aint we???

Amy - Thanks girlfriend! I have enjoyed watching your journey as well! It's fun to take a peek into the hearts and souls of everyone we have in our blogging community. The ups and the downs, they are all sources of incredible support and information! So girl? Thank YOU for being there!

CB - And girlfriend, you inspire me as well! And oh yes, that CHIN is definitely GONE! Can you even believe it??? Girl, check your email, you have a present...

Crystal - Man, the 2nd round is the pits, I know that for sure. Just make it thru this and I promise, the next one will be better. Keep seeing the prize, it's there, honest!

BB - My girlfriend doing this with me, JPS has always mentioned something about my Tat! Yes, it is moving. Funny, it was around the 165 mark that I got that tat, so it is actually moving to where I first got it! HA! One thing that I noticed with me is that my stretch marks are not doing to bad, I don't have many on my legs, so I will be able to wear a bathing suit with no issues, how bout them apples???

Tracey - Thanks girl! I am thinking about you ok? I wanna be able to help you if I can, so don't hesitate to write me if you need to!

B - OMG! Your back! How cool! Thanks! Can't wait to see your update!

Brooke - YOUR BACK TOO!!! WOO HOO!!! Girl, that might just be where I take my post tomorrow, talking about the comments I have been getting...Good call! I have missed your cheery disposition my friend!

Becca - I thought I was the only one that used the word "goosepimply"! LOL - we are TOO much alike my sweet!!! Thanks for the kind words!

Ok, done for today! Take care!

Biz

Biz

December 17, 2007 - Day 22 of VLCD (Round 3) - LIW

R3P2 Starting Weight 193.2
Yesterday - 175.4
Today - 175.4 (LAST INJECTION WEIGHT)
0.0 lb LOSS Overnight
12.0 UNDER LIW of Round Two (187.4)
17.8 Lost Since Start of R3 (VLCD) 11/26/07
38.2 Lost Since Start of R2 (VLCD) 09/16/07
75.4 Lost Since Start of R1 (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday.

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I received another 'comment' on the FAQ question yesterday, thanks goes to Jeanne! I am going to leave this question one more day, and then we will go to the next one ok? Tomorrow I will post all the answers.

1st FAQ Question - Is 500 Calories for Real? How can you survive? Aren't you HUNGRY?

Ok, so I didn't lose anything for my LIW - nevertheless, I am completely pleased with this round. By far it has been the EASIEST round I have been on since I started. I couldn't tell you why, it just was. I went into this round with a completely different mind set than either of the other two. I seriously did not know that this round would end up as well as it did. I really didn't care at the beginning, I just knew it was for only 3 weeks, and I could do anything for 3 weeks, so bam, I did, and I lost almost 18 pounds.

If there is ANYTHING I am 'disappointed' in, and I don't like calling it disappointment, is that I am still OBESE!!! HA! But look how close I am to being OVERWEIGHT! Next round, I will only be overweight! WOO HOO FOR ME!

What did I eat yesterday? Coffee with 2% milk, Apple, Chili, Grilled Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing with Tomatoes (subbed Tomatoes for my 2nd fruit)

Because of all the picture taking and the measuring and last day stat taking, I am seriously running out of time. I will have more to say tomorrow.

Wont have stats for son until tomorrow - but today is his LIW as well.

Update on JPS? I am not sure, I messed up her numbers or something but I think she is at 154.2 which would put her at 15 lbs as of yesterday for this round. She is very pleased as well for this round. Completely pleased.

PICTURE DAY!!!

Remember that these pics are clickable for larger view!








MEASUREMENT DAY!!!

Neck Oct 28th = 13" / Dec 17th = 13.0" (NO LOSS)
Bicep Oct 28th = 12.50" / Dec 17th = 12.25" (LOSS OF .25")
Forearm Oct 28th = 9.50" / Dec 17th = 9.50" (NO LOSS)
Chest Oct 28th = 39.00" / Dec 17thh = 38.00" (LOSS OF 1")
Waist Oct 28th = 35.50" / Dec 17th = 33.75" (LOSS OF 1.75")
Hips Oct 28th = 46.00" / Dec 17th = 43.00" (LOSS OF 3.00")
Thigh Oct 28th = 24.50" / Dec 17th = 23.00" (LOSS OF 1.50")
Calf Oct 28th = 15.75" / Dec 17th = 15.00" (LOSS OF .75")

Total Loss is 8.25"!!!! Keep in mind this is the total loss THIS ROUND! I lost an additional 4 inches from last week! WOWZERS! I think this round can be counted as SUCCESS!!! WOO HOO FOR ME!

All in all, a very great round, for a short round, doncha think?

On to my commenter's and then I will call it a morning:

Lili - I am so psyched that you will be doing another round! I know you are too! And to be doing it with me! WOO HOO FOR US! We can make it a little friendly competition! HA! As the time get's closer, we can make plans. BTW - will you have any internet access while abroad???

Ewewho - The trip is up in the air at the moment, it all depends on what the Dr says tomorrow. So I will let you know. My sister has Fuch's Dystrophy, it's all about the eyes. I will keep you posted!

Mary - HEY GIRL! WOO HOO for the BOTH of us! I know it's been a hard round for you this time, but hey, you can go into the new year with a fresh resolve and know you have something that actually WORKS!

Crystal - I heard the violin! I did! NAH! Just kidding with you sweetie. Crystal - my son was like you, he has had a 'weight' problem his whole life, I really think it was all the medications he went on as a child. Look at him now, isn't he LUCKY??? He doesn't have to weight until his 30's, 40's, or 50's to discover this secret, he has it at 17 and now he wont have to go thru the stuff we did growing up with EXCESS! WOO HOO FOR HIM! WOO HOO FOR US for being brave enough to try something this radical and it work! WE ARE DA BOMB!

Becca - HA! A little travel down memory lane never hurt anyone ya know? OMG! We used to talk to TRUCKERS! Back then, truckers were COOL! It was a whole culture into itself back in the 70's - remember the song "Convoy"? OMG! hehe - Yes Becca, you will also be here very soon, able to fit in those smaller clothes that are calling your name in your closet! WOO HOO FOR YOU!

Tracey - Oh yeah baby, I am such a LOSER!

Peeps, we are going away to family on Thursday. I will still post on my blog and such, but I don't know how much I will be able to get around to others. I will play that by ear. One house we are staying at only has DSL - which means I have to "hook up" to the internet, and that is BAH HUMBUG based on how I have to accomplish that. The other has wireless, but I don't know how long we will be staying there. I will be sure to let you know my stats tho. We will be gone from Thursday till Monday afternoon some time.

Take care all, this is a very busy time of year for everyone!

Biz

December 16, 2007 - Day 21 of VLCD (Round 3)

R3P2 Starting Weight 193.2
Yesterday - 175.8
Today - 175.4
0.4 lb LOSS Overnight
12.0 UNDER LIW of Round Two (187.4)
17.8 Lost Since Start of R3 (VLCD) 11/26/07
38.2 Lost Since Start of R2 (VLCD) 09/16/07
75.4 Lost Since Start of R1 (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday.

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!!

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I received another 'comment' on the FAQ question yesterday, thanks goes to KatLee! I am going to leave this question up for a few more days hopefully more of you will JOIN in on the fun!

1st FAQ Question - Is 500 Calories for Real? How can you survive? Aren't you HUNGRY?

What did I eat yesterday? Coffee with my 2% milk, grapefruit, Thai Hot and Sour Soup for lunch, Chili for dinner and another day I forgot my afternoon fruit. What is up with that?

People, I was riding high yesterday. Seriously, nothing could have ruined my mood! Thank you ALL for the incredibly nice words, not only on my blog and at the Yahoo Group but in private emails as well. I hope you all know that I get just as much motivation and inspiration from each one of you that you all seem to get from me. We are sharing this incredible journey together, and we are ALL doing it. It’s not just working for some and then not for others. It’s working for each one of us. Unreal results for all of us.

Just for kicks I tried something on from my closet, you know, that piece of clothing that has been sitting in the back of the closet for decades, hoping against hope that someday you would be able to wear it again. It didn’t matter that it has been in and out of style about 6 times since the last time you fit in it. It’s there as a ‘reminder’ of sorts to tell you that indeed, there was a time when you were ‘that’ small. It’s a bit of your past, something special that you wore that you never wanted to forget that you were a different person once.

Actually, there are ‘3’ things like that in my closet. The Wedding Dress I wore to my Wedding in Feb of 1995 – a black dress that I purchased for a special occasion when I lost a tremendous amount of weight in April of 1993 (I was going thru a divorce at the time) and a top I purchased because I was in a “line dance” competition in Summer of ’93. Please keep in mind, for about a two year period (Spring 93 – Spring 95) my weight was stable around 165. I was OVER 200 before that, just really can’t remember how much above I was.

So for kicks, I tried these things on. JPS was with me at the time. I told her I was doing it for kicks, to see how long it would be till I fit in them. I did this because she had brought over a pair of green slacks that she wore in her starting days in college, and they were a size “4”! She also put on and wore a size 8 skirt yesterday and she was already flying high! HA!

The black dress was a Size 12, my wedding dress a Size 14 and the top was a ‘medium’ – so the unbelievable happened. The black dress fit perfect, the wedding dress is TOO big, the ‘medium’ top? This one needs just a ‘few’ more pounds taken off! ROFL

Here is the interesting thing. I am 10 pounds heavier NOW then I was when I fit in these things, yet, I fit into all but one of those. What is up with that? What does that say about HCG? I am getting SMALLER at a HIGHER weight then I thought possible. OMG – How weird is that? Have you all noticed that happening?

Too Weird!

This pretty much proves to me that the closer you get to goal, the more dramatic just 5 or 10 pounds does. 5 or 10 pounds at 250 won’t produce much change in clothes sizes, but at the weight I am now, it produces a HUGE change.

Tomorrow is all of our LIW – an extra day for JPS and I and a day less for son. We are all going out of town for a few days on Thursday and we don’t want the pressure of P2 on us while we go, so that is our schedule. JPS and I have plans to restart P2 on Jan 20th for another shortened round, but probably 4 weeks this time, not three. We shall see when we get there how this will all work out. It really depends on my sister and her next scheduled surgery. Looks like I might be going to California!

Update on son: Remember, that weekends we don’t weigh, just not a good thing because he doesn’t wake up at the same time, so next update will be on Tuesday as I am already done posting when he gets up in the mornings for school. Tomorrow is his LIW.

Update on JPS: She had a bounce back, up .4 lbs, but she totally expected that after the “apple day” – she hasn’t taken any measurements or pictures or anything this round. I HOPE she will be taking them tomorrow as tomorrow is our LIW.

On to my commenter’s:

Lili – Yes, I sure did! And I too need my daily dose of Miss Lili! Thank you so much for being around for this milestone! WOW! I was flying all day!

Crystal – OMG! I would have LOVED to gone shopping! I am SO not a shopper, usually, but lately I have been DYING to go into a “normal” store and buy “normal” clothes! I did go to the thrift store yesterday and bought me 4 dresses for less than $5 – I needed something to get thru the next few weeks on break. This round has been the most dramatic in the area of clothes. Simply UNREAL. Thanks for visiting. And thanks for being there to share this joy with me!

Tracey – HA! I know it happens. I know your there! Party time! I am going away next week Thursday to see people I haven’t seen in a while, and I will get all the “party time” then! WOO HOO FOR ME! Thanks for being around to share this milestone with me!

Michaela – OMG! I am so embarrassed about the whole “Crystal/Cheryl” thing. HA! Really showing my age eh??? It was an awesome milestone to reach, truly, I am still in awe of it myself. YOU will be here soon my sweet. It’s coming your way. Thank you so much for being around to share!

Winston – THANK YOU!!!! You losing machine you!

CB – Girlfriend, thank YOU for being there, to test my knowledge, to keep me thinking, thank YOU for not getting offended at the gentle reminders, THANK YOU for proving to me that indeed this works, and I cherish you also. Thank YOU for sharing this journey with me.

Becca – Funny thing about the camera. About 4 days ago I started taking it with me into my closet (that is where my scale is) just to be ready, and when I hopped on the scale yesterday morning, and saw that number, I almost freaked and for a second or two couldn’t find my camera! HA! I was just in this other world. I swear. There is still this part of me that just cannot believe this is happening ya know? Like I stared at it in disbelief that it was gonna change on me if I got off and got back one, but it didn’t! ROFL Thanks for sharing this adventure with me my sweet! OH YEAH! Foxy Momma here! LOL – how ‘bout this mark in time – did you have a CB RADIO? Remember when that was the craze? My “handle” used to be “Disco Kid” – HA!

Have a good Sunday people! Tomorrow is final picture and measurement day for this round.

Biz

December 15, 2007 - Day 20 of VLCD (Round 3)

R3P2 Starting Weight 193.2
Yesterday - 176.6
Today - 175.8
0.8 lb LOSS Overnight
11.6 UNDER LIW of Round Two (187.4)
17.4 Lost Since Start of R3 (VLCD) 11/26/07
37.8 Lost Since Start of R2 (VLCD) 09/16/07
75.0 Lost Since Start of R1 (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday.

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I received a few more 'comments' on the FAQ question yesterday, thanks goes to Page, Marshall and Amy! I am going to leave this question up for a few more days hopefully more of you will JOIN in on the fun!

1st FAQ Question - Is 500 Calories for Real? How can you survive? Aren't you HUNGRY?

I ate yesterday: Coffee with 2% milk, grapefruit, cream of asparagus soup with chicken, grilled beef patty with lettuce with a pickle, I completely forgot to eat my fruit.

Now get this...remember, click for larger view - and don't worry about the Body Fat #'s or the Body Hydration #'s - they don't phase me.



I am all verklempt.

I woke up late today, not late enough that I couldn’t take my weight, because that happens usually at 5am – but too late to have a meaningful post worked up in my head. And plus, there is really TOO much running around in my head right now for me to make any sense of it.

I cannot believe I am 75 lbs lighter that I was less then 6 months ago.

I am seriously at a loss. Tomorrow is another day, and I promise I will have more to say. But please know before I sign off, that I appreciate each and every one of you helping me make my journey possible. It’s because of the motivation that I receive from each and every one of you that I have been able to make it thru this adventure. Thank you.

Update on son: He is at 175 now, so he lost .4, and it is like he is a different person.

Update on JPS: Apple day worked for her! She came down 1.4 so she is at 155.2 – she is hoping she doesn’t have much of a bounce back so keep sending those vibes.

On to my commenter’s:

Lili – Hmmm, I really like that line of thought, something I hadn’t really thought of! Being as effective as possible. Wow, Lili, thanks so much for that little pearl. A spin on it that is profound, if I do say so myself! Thanks again sweetie for the visit! Love ya!

Crystal – I am really embarrassed, I did the same thing TWICE to you! Calling you Cheryl. HONEST, I know who you are when I am writing, it’s just a case of serious old age getting in my way. OMG! Please forgive me. Crystal – you are in a good place. An excellent place. You will prosper.

Amy – thank you for the thoughts on the 500 cals! Thank you also for the thoughts about my son, and for JPS – they were forwarded. He was like a different person yesterday! And YIPPEE!!!! I made it!

Brooke – It wasn’t bad at all. It is so hard to ‘convey’ proper feelings using the typed word ya know? Hon? I think anything you add to the discussion would be relevant. There are those of us that only need to lose 15 pounds and then there are those of us that need to lose 100’s – each one has a journey that is worth journaling. Your thoughts and how you handled the protocol are very relevant to people out there, so don’t let that hold you back ok? Again, information is priceless, and people can only make informed decisions with all the facts.

Mary – something you have to understand about me, there are times were the ‘paranoia’ I live with get’s expressed in my words. Not often but they do. I sometimes will take the wrong assumption at some things I read or hear and I express them. Bad me. I am working on it! And thanks for the good vibes, they worked! WOO HOO!!!

Wendy – HA! CAUGHT THEM! WOO HOO FOR ME! I am gonna look like a SEXY HOT MOMMA LIKE YOU YET!

Thank you all, seriously.

Biz

December 14, 2007 - Day 19 of VLCD (Round 3)

R3P2 Starting Weight 193.2
Yesterday - 176.8
Today - 176.6
0.2 lb LOSS Overnight
10.8 UNDER LIW of Round Two (187.4)
16.6 Lost Since Start of R3 (VLCD) 11/26/07
37.0 Lost Since Start of R2 (VLCD) 09/16/07
74.2 Lost Since Start of R1 (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday.

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Again, any loss is a good loss! And I am inching my way to 75 pounds! It will make getting there that much more sweeter!

What did I eat yesterday? Coffee with 2% milk, grapefruit, beef chili, apple, and chicken soup with spinach, nothing interesting.

This post will be short and sweet. Been doing just a bit too much thinking over the last week or so, and I am at a blank again! I know I have to venture into the world of deviation, so that will be where I go probably on Monday. Hopefully you folks will see me reach the 75 pound mark this weekend, and I am sure I will have lots to say when that happens.

About my post yesterday. Seriously, I should know better then to journal at 3am in the morning, my thoughts are not clear and I can’t get across what I have running thru my head. I honestly just wanted to be understood that this has not been as easy as I made it look. I wanted my readers to understand that that in the beginning especially I had a motivating factor in my adherence, and yes, that was money. Everyone must find their own way. Again, I apologize to anyone out there who read and got offended.

I received two really fantastic comments about my first FAQ question! WOO HOO, we are on our way! Thank you Crystal and Becca! I am going to leave this question up for a few more days hopefully more of you will JOIN in on the fun!

1st FAQ Question - Is 500 Calories for Real? How can you survive? Aren't you HUNGRY?

Update on son! Yup, he broke his ‘stall’ finally, with a 1.6 drop! He was at 175.4 – so there was a little lilt in his step!

Update on JPS – she decided to do an apple day. She gained .4 again so she has been playing with the same half a pound for 4 days. She had gotten up late for work anyway so she just decided to apple it for the day. Will let you know her results tomorrow. Of the two of us, she is the only one that has ever done an apple day, and it worked tremendously the last time, so she is hoping to at least get to 155 this round.

On to my commenter's:

Lili – Coming here and finding you here so early in the morning, is like a good cup of coffee…and you know how much I love my coffee! WHEW! I am so glad the weight stabilized for you!

Crystal – Thanks for getting where I was coming from. I truly wanted to come from the standpoint that this has NOT been ‘easy’ for me. They make a ‘raspberry/chocolate’ stevia that JPS has used with much success! She loves it in her seltzer! As you can see, son is back on track, so those good vibes helped!

Mary – Thanks for understanding! I hope you break thru whatever it is your going thru. Perseverance will pay off in one way or another.

CB – Thank you my sweetie! Thank you for understanding my ramblings.

Brooke – Funny, because I get emails from commenter’s, I got your first one, and I was in the middle of writing you an email wondering if I came across wrong, but then before I sent it I got your 2nd one and then I let out a sigh of relief! Totally in sync with your 2nd paragraph. I certainly did not want to come across as people SHOULD feel this way, I had just tried to convey that this hasn’t been as easy as I might make it look. And then I rambled on and on, which I have a habit of doing. Just a wondering out loud sort of thing. Also, I wanted people to understand what focused me, and that surely was the money aspect, so being the human being that I am, I suddenly wonder if everyone else has the same focus as me, and I make assumptions. Yeah, bad me, but it’s my story and I am sticking to it! Brooke, I love the way you analyze, you are very much a balanced, look at it from all angles kind of girl, and I really like that.

Amy – As you can see, and quite well imagine, son is doing MUCH better. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Improvement is certainly the key. And I hope that I didn’t offend anyone with my rambling, like I told Brooke, sometimes I just write my thoughts out loud, no rhyme or reason and certainly coming from my perception. Everyone has their own path and must follow it.

Thanks for everything people!

Biz

December 13, 2007 - Day 18 of VLCD (Round 3)

R3P2 Starting Weight 193.2
Yesterday - 177.0
Today - 176.8
0.2 lb LOSS Overnight
10.6 UNDER LIW of Round Two (187.4)
16.4 Lost Since Start of R3 (VLCD) 11/26/07
36.8 Lost Since Start of R2 (VLCD) 09/16/07
74.0 Lost Since Start of R1 (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday.

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Any loss is a good loss! But dang if it aint making me wait now for that 75 lb milestone! OMG! How funny is that???

Seriously, you folks have to go here and see the progress Michaela made on this last round. Look at how just 20 lbs can transform a person!

Michaela Progress Pictures

What did I eat? Just the basics, Coffee with 2% milk, Grapefruit, Steak over lettuce with mustard dressing, apple, and Catfish Creole. Nothing spectacular. Food just really isn't appealing.

I need to start doing my "FAQ" but I thought it would be fun to have you all help me! Doesn't that sound like a blast??? hehe - Actually it's just my way of not having to work so hard! Anyhoo, let's go question by question and I would like for you to give me your best answer to the question. I have set up a form for you to be super simple - and by filling out the form, you have given me permission to use part or whole of your answer in setting up my FAQ - with credit going directly to you. What will be cool is that when it is done, everyone will be able to link to it from their blogs! WOO HOO FOR US! We are the pioneers in this thing ya know? Doesn't that feel GRAND!!!

1st FAQ Question - Is 500 Calories for Real? How can you survive? Aren't you HUNGRY?

I am gonna ramble a bit. I seriously hope no one takes offense at what I am about to say. I base this rambling on more than a few things that have come across my plate over the last few days and not necessarily from the Yahoo posting or blogging community. Remember, I have helped numerous people on this protocol that are 'offline'.

I have been told by some that I make this look easy. In reality I go through and have gone through the same struggles that you all have gone thru. Most of you have to remember that I am on my third round and have been doing this protocol for almost 6 months. I have basically been thru it all. The stalls, the cravings, the hunger, the deviations, the sickness, the depression, the non cooperation of the scale, you name it, I have lived it.

When I first started this protocol, I paid over $400 to get started for just 6 weeks. When I started I knew nothing about mixing my own, purchasing it from a overseas pharmacy, and I was totally ready to spend more and more money to enable me to accomplish something medically proven to work. All in all, I was prepared to pay between $1200 - $1500 to get this weight off. That is what I estimated I would need for me to continue thru the clinic I started with.

I considered it a proven medical program. Nothing but exact adhereance to the protocol was in it for me.

You see, I am cheap, very cheap. I absolutely HATE spending money, and it took every ounce of my being to approach my husband back in June to ask him for permission to do this. I just HAD to make it work if I was spending over $400 for just 6 weeks. I HAD to make it work or else he would NEVER agree to let me do it for another round.

During those 6 weeks, I discovered that I could do this on my own, and for lots less money than I was spending thru the clinic. But it didn't dampen my enthusiasm to stick to it according to plan. Everytime I had some sort of set back I was more than determined because by golly I still spent that $400 at the beginning. That may not sound like a lot of money to you folks, but to me and my family? We are a family of 5 and there is only one income. Every dollar is precious.

Sometimes I feel that some have come by this protocol a little too easy. They didn't have to spend huge bucks in the beginning to start, so it's just another "diet" to them. No, this is a medically proven program. Most of us are not doing it under Doctor's care, but I bet you that if you were, and you were spending $1000 to get it done, you would not allow yourselves this defeatest feelings that I see of some. Sure, if you were doing it under $200 for a couple of rounds, what is the big deal to deviate or to say the heck with it.

If you were spending $75 bucks a week (about the going rate) I would think most would have a totally different attitude about it. Now granted, I understand that at $75 bucks a week you have the benefit of being able to call someone and get answers to your questions and maybe coming from a doctor/nurse these things might hold a little bit more 'weight'. You might be able to accept their advice a bit more because you spent the money with them, and in doing that, you put a certain degree of trust in them to be able to help you thru the program.

But for those of you that haven't done that, you are pretty much scrambling around. Not knowing which way is up sometimes. Always assuming that your doing something 'wrong' when in reality you are not. But when not getting the numbers each and every day, you automatically believe, OMG, this isn't working, why isn't it working for me? You really cannot keep doing that to yourselves. Basically, for those doing this ON YOUR OWN you have to be mature about this. You chose this road of self doctoring, then stand up and face it like a doctor. Dr Simeon's laid out the protocol for you easily to attain to this. He told you the things to look for so look for them and if you haven't done anything wrong, then move on. If you see something in your 'diet' that isn't up to par, then fix it and move on. All doctors can do is play detective. So do it to yourself. Look at yourself with DOCTOR'S eyes and really asertain what the haps is. Pretend this protocol is life saving. Then maybe it will be treated differently.

Ok, let's step back for a moment. Most of you know that I have deviated from the protocol at times. But if you look back on those times, you will see that I never once came to my blog or anywhere else and whine about it. I knew what I did, and I was prepared for the consequences. That was my decision. Whether it was to eat pork, or use half and half, or have that beer, those were conscience decisions I made and was prepared for the outcome. What is interesting to me? The only deviations I did were when I had self mix HCG - not the stuff I paid out the nose for, so yes, even I am guilty! ROFL

This whole thing is nothing but a thing ya know? We are ALL growing up by use of this protocol. Figuring the little nuances of our body is worth it's weight in gold. We are learning invaluable things about our bodies. Listen to them and heed.

Ok, over my ramble.

Update on my son - well, hmmm, what can I say. Having a hard time with this one. I can't really share what I think is going on, but suffice it to say, things are not going well for him. As of yesterday he had gained .4 lbs. I did his pictures, but decided not to share them because he actually gained some inches as well. So I am just going to leave it alone at the moment. Please send him some positive vibes - he needs them.

Update on JPS? She lost the .4 that she had gained! WOO HOO FOR HER! So she is back down to 156.2 - She really wants at least 155 this round, so send some good vibes her way if you please.

On to my commenter's:

Lili - That seriously shocked the life out of me let me tell you. I totally didn't expect, that I guess when it is the sweetest ya know?

Mary - Good vibes being sent your way my sweet. Sorry you are having a tough time of it. I am wondering if people are having a rough time of it being the time of year it is??? Especially with shopping and stuff I can only imagine how hard it would be to not have cravings this time of year. And because of the stress of thinking about this, it adds the cortisol which brings on the stalls. I don't know, but I feel for all of you experiencing the stalls.

Wendy - Girlfriend, you MUST post it, please??? I would love to see other comparison photo's. OMG! I am in awe of you every day! Thanks for the visit and the very kind words.

Crystal - Thanks!

Brooke - I would love to hear your thoughts. I love how the blogging community we all belong to gets pretty philisophical about things. All perspectives are invaluable to me. We are all on the same journey, but we have all taken different paths. I learn so much from each one of you!

Michaela - I just have four words for you OMFG - there, nuff said

Jennifer - Do you have the digital version of P&I? On page 27, under the subheading of "History Taking" it says this: "The degree of overweight is then calculated, and from this the duration of treatment can be roughly assessed on the basis of an average loss of weight of a little less than a pound, say 300-400 grams-per injection, per day." If you convert those grams to ounces, that is how I came up with that figure. HTH - Oh, my stomach growls ALL the time. Growling is NOT hunger! Remember that ok?

Becca - Yeah, I was joking. I have a really weird sense of humor. Sometimes, only I get my jokes! ROFL - the funny thing is Becca, I am starting to see the 'me' that was 15 years ago. That is freaky!

Tracey - Just call me a windbag! I just chat too much I think! hehe - but hey, it's my blog right?

Whew, what is with me lately. Geesh, I am just a chatting machine!

Biz

December 12, 2007 - Day 17 of VLCD (Round 3)

R3P2 Starting Weight 193.2
Yesterday - 177.8
Today - 177.0
0.8 lb LOSS Overnight
10.4 UNDER LIW of Round Two (187.4)
16.2 Lost Since Start of R3 (VLCD) 11/26/07
36.6 Lost Since Start of R2 (VLCD) 09/16/07
73.8 Lost Since Start of R1 (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday.

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Ok people, I quit trying to figure this out and just let whatever happens happen. In other words, I am just gonna enjoy the ride. Obviously something is working this time that has never worked this way before. I don't want to spend any more time going over my menu or what I am doing different, I am just gonna enjoy the ride. I am here to tell you tho, that I am getting UBER excited and giddy about getting to that 75 pound loss mark! WOO HOO FOR ME! Look how CLOSE I am!

A couple of months ago, my sister sent me some clothes, things that had gotten to big for her because she had lost so much weight on the protocol. Some things fit, mostly the 'stretchy' things, but some things didn't and had to be put away for later.

There were these particular pair of jeans however, a size 14 Gloria Vanderbilt, still with the tag on. They were IMPOSSIBLE to get on when I got them. Last week I tried them on, but couldn't button them. For kicks yesterday, I tried them on again. LOW AND BEHOLD I could get them on, and button them, STANDING UP! I could even take a picture of me in them! I completely FREAKED and then I was flying high all day.

For comparison I pulled up a picture of me standing up from last November. You know how we all feel about the camera when we are BIG, so pics are few and far between, but I found one that pretty much shows, I was BIG. What do you think, do you see a difference? HA! I crack myself up!



Lookie there! WOW!

Ok, I know I was supposed to chat about 'deviations' but you folks should already know it takes me a little while to wrap my head around these things, so I will leave that for another day. Also, I got up a little later than normal and am barely having time to get thru this! UGH

Update on son - no loss from one day to the next, but he did tell me according to our scale that his body fat went down, and he is now at 22% - geesh.

Update on JPS - she gained .4 - but guess who is in town???? Oh yea, so no worries for her.

On to my commenter's:

Crystal - I have never done an apple day either, and only one steak day. I can tell you right here and now, I will not do another steak day! ROFL - that was about the hardest day I have ever been thru on this protocol! hehe

Mary - Yup! You will have to wait, just like me to turn you all on and then walk away, I don't know why you folks keep coming back! hehe - Sometimes blogger goes all haywire, sorry I didn't see your comments from the day before.

Amy - Thanks for the good thoughts about my son. I think he is doing well, now that he is back in his own environment that makes a big difference! I don't know what that was, but it seems my daughter had a bit of an upset stomach last night as well, so it could be a bug???

Lili - I am SO glad you are still with us, it would not feel right without you! I think you may be right! My body is saying, oh, I get it, you want to lose this fat, ok, here ya go! hehe

Winston - Yes, I remember you coming to me with worry, and look at you NOW???? OMG! You have BLOWN by the averages! You lucky DAWG you!

Wendy - HA! Thank you girlfriend. I still go to your pics and I am like, OMG! I can look like THAT shortly! Your pictures AMAZE me Wendy, thanks so much for posting them!

Brooke - Hey girl! Good to have you back, I sure missed you! The journey is all the same no matter if you have 100's or just 10's to lose. It's all a process and I enjoy watching each and every one of you find your way!

Michaela - Oh yes! All the things you say are SO true! Thanks for sharing them! I just love your blog!!! Thanks for being a part of mine!

B - I don't know what is going on, I have stopped trying to figure it out and just enjoy the ride. This is unreal, for a woman first of all, and then for me most of all! ROFL

Becca - yes, the average is the key. That is the 'big' picture, not just the steps along the way. That pot of gold is within our grasp!

Short and sweet today folks, running late.

Biz

December 11, 2007 - Day 16 of VLCD (Round 3)

R3P2 Starting Weight 193.2
Yesterday - 179.2
Today - 177.8
1.4 lb LOSS Overnight
9.6 UNDER LIW of Round Two (187.4)
15.4 Lost Since Start of R3 (VLCD) 11/26/07
36.6 Lost Since Start of R2 (VLCD) 09/16/07
73.0 Lost Since Start of R1 (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday.

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OMG! Where did THAT come from??? I was all ready to come here this morning and write that I was a bad girl yesterday. I didn't eat any dinner. I was prepared to tell you that I honestly don't know what happened but around 5:30pm last night I started feeling very rough, very sick to my stomach, and the thought of food seriously repulsed me. I couldn't imagine putting anything in my mouth. So I just went to bed, and I was out like a light at 7:30pm.

Do you think that maybe my body was doing some chemical thing to dispense with all that fat I just lost overnight and I needed to give it a rest? WHO KNOWS but I will TAKE IT! WOO HOO FOR ME!

Seriously tho, I was NOT feeling good last night, and it came on me all of a sudden. And my husband grilled London Broil last night for us, and I couldn't bring myself to eat it! Something was up. I am feeling better today, and I certainly do NOT recommend going without food, and I wont be doing that again, but still, this is amazing for me.

This round has blown my mind, seriously. I do NOT know what is going on. I am just "letting go of the wheel".

All right, let’s discuss plateaus/stalls. I am sure this is all information you folks are already familiar with, but repetition is the mother of retention, so it doesn’t hurt to go over the material again.

Let me preface this discussion that I am talking about plateaus/stalls that happen when you have done everything you’re supposed to be doing according to Dr Simeon’s manuscript.

Dr Simeon’s told us that plateaus/stalls most likely would occur, and that there would be several different reasons for them to happen. Interesting that the words he uses to preface this section of his manuscript is “Interruptions of Weight Loss”.

Interesting here too, right before this subheading he tells us “After the fourth or fifth day of dieting the daily loss of weight begins to decrease to one pound or somewhat less per day.” So before we even start, he basically is telling us that we are to NOT expect the decreases we saw in the beginning to last throughout the course of treatment. Elsewhere in the manuscript he mentions that our averages should be around 300 – 400 grams loss per day, or 10 – 14 ounces loss per day.

We are SO excited with those first few days, or even a week or more of one pound or more losses each and every day. He simply tells us this will NOT continue. We cannot expect to maintain those losses throughout the protocol. He does mention that there will be SOME men that “often continue to lose regularly at that rate, but women are more irregular, in spite of faultless dieting.” So the women need to really pay attention!

He tells us that “these fluctuations are entirely due to variations in the retention and elimination of water, which are more marked in women than in men.” Then he goes on to tell us the process by which or cells break down, fill with water, blah blah blah.

Now, back to the subheading “Interruptions in Weight Loss” – Dr S first tells us about the “Plateau” – interesting that he starts with this. And interesting to that he describes a plateau as being 4 – 6 days. A plateau isn’t two days at the same weight, a plateau isn’t three days at the same weight, a plateau by HIS definition is 4 – 6 days at the same weight. I see most people start to fret because the scale didn’t move one day, and then all of a sudden they are scrambling to find out “what went wrong”, when in reality, NOTHING. Now don’t get me wrong, at the first sign of a stall, it’s a good idea to look over your menu in previous days to see if there was anything that might have contributed to the lack of weight loss.

Some things to look for:

1. Did you get all your water/liquids in? (Dr S mentions at least 2 liters)
2. Did you have a lot of sodium? If so, you need to drink more water than he recommends.
3. Did you do ANYTHING to deviate off the protocol according to “his” plan? I say this because I know there are people out there doing different plans, and when all else fails, look to the one that started it all. In other words, go back to the basics.
4. How are your bathroom habits?
5. If you are a woman, is it time for Aunt Flo/TOM or is ovulation near? Dr S this could even cause a GAIN!
6. Some people are very sensitive to chemical additives, ie Diet Soda, Artificial Sweeteners and the like.
7. Any new medications?
8. Any new cosmetics, lotions, deodorant, bath lotions?
   

Ok, so let’s say you looked at all of this, and you did everything right, then you know what? DON’T FRET! Let the process happen. Or as Paul (Imago Embraced) said, “LET GO OF THE WHEEL!”

Let me tell you that I have experienced stalls. In my first round, I had 9 separate times I stalled, 4 times I was the same weight 2 days in a row, 4 times I was the same weight 3 days in a row. In my second round I had 7 occasions at 2 two days the same weight and then 1 occasion where I was three days at the same weight. But in the big picture, look at the weight I have lost.

Sure, I am human; I want to see something happen every day just like the next person. But when it doesn’t happen, I look back, did I do anything to deviate from the protocol, if I didn’t then I just “let go of the wheel” and move on to the next day. Things will even themselves out.

Ok, so let’s go back to this “4 – 6 days at the same weight”. Dr S gives us an answer for that. He calls it an APPLE day. He is very specific about this, “In such cases we consider it permissible, for purely psychological reasons, to break up the plateau.” He gives us this apple day for purely psychological reasons. In other words, he does this to make us feel better. Totally warranted. We are after all, only human, and it’s discouraging to be on 500 cals and not see a weight loss of any sort for 4 – 6 days. But get what he ALSO says, “It is useless to give either an apple-day or a diuretic unless the weight has been stationary for at least four days without any dietary error having been committed.”

So what is THIS telling us? HA! The apple day is ONLY to be used and in fact is ONLY useful if you have been stellar in your eating habits, following the rules to the letter. This is NOT the answer following a deviation. It is NOT useful for that purpose. So it would NOT be wise to veer off course and then think to yourself “hmmm, I will do an apple day to lose everything I just gained” – nope, this will NOT work. The apple day is for a specific purpose.

The next thing he mentions is “reaching a former level” – This one I can truly vouch for. I had a set point in my 220’s, and it took me FOREVER to get thru that decade. You are forcing your body to obey your will, get passed it. What is interesting about this? He tells us that this ‘plateau’ could last for TWO WEEKS despite being good. WOW – that one would be hard. But it is being done. I have known people to be stationary for 10 days, and then BAM their weight loss resumes. I have known one person in particular that was stationary the entire 14 days, on the 15th day? BAM – 3 pounds loss and then her weight loss continued. Disheartening yes, but he warned us about it.

He mentions the dreaded AUNT FLO interruption, well, we all don’t need to discuss this one. We know how this affects our ability to lose. One thing to remember, and in doing research I have seen this time and time again. Us women are putting our bodies in some extreme chemical processes, our menses, which are usually fickle to begin with, could rear its head at almost any time. From what I have seen, there is no rhyme or reason when our menses can appear. So, when us women have a stall, always expect that this might be the cause!

And then of course he talks of dietary error. HA! I don’t need to delve into that one. But I will, but I will leave that one until tomorrow! HA! Gotcha! This is already too long!

Update on my son: From Thursday (the last day we weighed him) to Monday, he lost a net of .2 pounds. Something happened, but they are not telling me. That is ok. He is back on track now, and home and his environment can be controlled. One day at a time for him. He is at 176.6 - Tomorrow is his picture and measurement day, so I will post those results on Thursday, so stay tuned.

Update on JPS: She is at 156.2 which is 13 lbs for her, she lost .6 yesterday. She is LOVING life! She has now lost a total of 56.8 since the start of her protocol in July. WOW! We sat around lamenting about clothes yesterday. She says she is really going to have to buckle down and buy things. The size 14 skirt she was wearing yesterday was WAY too big!

On to my commenter's:

Amy - Thanks for the vibes for my son, he seemed to be doing better yesterday, so we are just taking it one day at a time. Can't wait to see your update sometime this morning.

Crystal - Figuring it all out, that is what this protocol is good at, forcing us to really LISTEN to our bodies for the first time ever!

Jennifer - OMG! Ba-donk-a-donk, that was TOO FUNNY! Someone told me I was losing all my "junk in the trunk"! Crack me up! The only thing I can tell you about the scale is that I feel that during the week of my deviations, I had much slower losses. The kinds of losses you could expect on being on a "normal" diet, you know, like only 2 pounds. HA! I can't even believe I typed that! 2 lbs is hard on ANY diet! ROFL Your hunger? You drinking enough water???

Michaela - Thanks girlfriend, for the nice words on the pics, and for the vibes for my son. One day at a time ya know?

Tracey - HA! Even I see the difference! How cool is that??? Will you ever be posting some pics???

Whew, another windbag post! ROFL - I am so surprised you folks aren't tired of me yet! ROFL

Biz (Miz Skinny Minny)