FeedBurner - eMail Subscriptions

Hello people! I am in the middle of moving my blog over to the new home. I know alot of you get my feeds via eMail and I would love for you to continue to do so, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how to accomplish transferring all of your emails over to the new place.

So those who do get this post via eMail, could I please get you to go on over to the new site and sign up there for my updates? Please! I am begging here people! Love you MEAN it!

Happily Thinner After

Once I see that you have signed up on the new blog, I will remove you from this blog. How is that for service. THAT I can do!

Bear with me people, we are almost there!

Biz

Moving My Blog Tomorrow

Hello people, I will be officially moving my blog over to the new digs sometime tomorrow, hopefully, until then, let me post here to remind you to head over there and see the new video!

Let me know what you think! You can comment over there ok?

Biz

Happily Thinner After Blog

The Mike and Juliet Show Video on HCG

Here ya go people! Here is the video to watch the show that just happened about HCG!!! Ed and Jenn totally RAWKED the house! OMG! They were so AWESOME!!!

The Mike and Juliet Show Video on HCG!

If you would like to know more, please check out the following sites:

Happily Thinner After

Biz

The Mike and Juliet Show - My HCG Journey

Hello!

If you arrived here via a search for information on HCG by way of watching the Mike and Juliet show that was broadcasted this morning, please find your way to this site:

Happily Thinner After

for all the information you will need about HCG and it's incredible ability to help you lose weight.

Can't wait to see you there!

Biz

The Mike and Juliet Show - Ed and Jenn

Image via WikipediaHello folks. I know I said I wasn't going to do any updates. But there is a buzz going around, and quite frankly, I wanted to let you folks in on what is going on. The word MUST GET OUT. So I am counting on ALL of you to update your blogs with the following information - watch this video, and then make sure you plug the links that follow. Let's create a stir people, this is HUGE!

Now before you folks go all haywire, I did this spur of the moment, it's getting dark so the lighting is pretty bad, but hey, it's me, and it's my voice, and subsequent videos will be LOADS better ok? Anyhow, here are some links:

Ed and Jenn’s Blog

The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet

Now I want you to ANNOUNCE THIS ON YOUR BLOG! Announce it to all your friends. Share this link with EVERYONE! Get the word out, I don't care how, just get it out people! eMail EVERYONE you know! HCG is gonna be BIG! HA! WOO HOO FOR ALL OF US! And a DOUBLE WOO HOO FOR Ed and Jenn, our spokes people for HCG!

For those of you that receive my updates via email? This video will probably not come thru, you need to come to my blog to see it, so please do so ok?

Several Updates

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LIW +4.0
Overnight 0.0

1) I have not disappeared. Since Sunday evening I have been feeling quite ill and have pretty much been down for the count. My head feels like it is full of the yellow stuff that is pretty much everywhere when you step outside the house. There is almost drifts of this stuff people, the pollen is pretty bad this year.

2) I have been the exact same weight since Friday morning. 174 - sure it's 4 lbs over my NEW LIW (and 12 lbs over my REAL LIW) but I am not worried. Shoot, I am going back on P2 in about 10 days. Sure, I will have to spend the first 3 week cycle just losing what I have gained since the last LIW but lesson learned. NO MORE TRAVELING on P3 - that is just wrong.

3) I am working FEVERISHLY behind the scenes to get something ready for release as of May 1, 2008 - something that is taking all of my focus. So I had to make a decision ... I am going to be MIA in my posting on my blog for a bit. Believe me when I tell you that it will be WELL worth the wait!

4) I completed my 50% Raw Food Challenge for one week with absolute SUCCESS! Could that be the reason for the maintaining, even at a higher weight? Who knows? But I am trying to figure out how to incorporate Green Smoothies into my P2 experience. Anyone have any suggestions?

5) Even tho I may be missing here on my OWN blog, I will not be missing in the community! I will be back to visiting blogs later on this morning. Please don't forget me while I am gone!!!

6) I have discovered "Twitter" - it's actually quite the thing in the blogging world. If you do stop by, I will be posting updates via the Twitter add on in my right side bar at the top. You will be able to see daily stats and what I am doing there. If you decide to join up with Twitter, please let me know your Twitter URL and I will start "following" you.

50% Raw Challenge - Day Five Completed - Success!!!

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LIW +4.0
Overnight 0.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: leftover steak and shrimp
Lunch: super salad with bagel and cream cheese
Dinner: chicken wings with mustard sauce, fruit salad
Snacks: green smoothie, cottage cheese and mango and strawberries

A total of 2397 cals divided: 112 fat grams (42%), 172 carb grams (27%), 181 protein grams (31%)

Challenge Totals:
Total of approximately 63 ounces of food eaten - 34 ounces of it was raw! YES! I met my goal again!!! I made it to 53% raw yesterday!

Well finally, my gradual climbing in weight over the last few days STOPPED. Geesh, ever since the french fry night, I couldn't seem to do anything right. That's just wrong. That is all I have to say about that.

There are a couple of new blogs out there that could use a little of our community love:

Phat Lady

Lyndsay

Pay them a visit and give them a little support. It's our duty, as so called 'veterans' to make sure we let the legacy live on!

Two weeks from today, it will be our first injection for our 5th and final round, I seriously cannot WAIT!

Something else exciting ... in my journey through cyberspace in researching the whole raw food lifestyle, I have come across a whole grass roots movement, and have become very familiar with names that keep popping up. Angela Stokes, Karen Knowler, Norman W Walker (when you have some time, look him up and read about this guy, he is simply amazing), Dr Joel Fuhrman, and Kristen - these are just a spot on the map of all the people that are sharing their knowledge and research about living the raw lifestyle. Just a couple of days ago, Kristen paid my blog a visit. How utterly cool is that? She is larger than life in the industry and she came to my little ole blog and commented. That just about made my day.

Green smoothies are still a very big part of my life. I found myself desiring one today, more than anything else. I couldn't wait to get home from our outing this morning to make me one. They are simply just delish. I really cannot tell you enough how good these are. I hope that if you haven't already tried them, that you will give it a shot. Regina (EweWho) and I were chatting the other morning on how we might add be able to add these smoothies to our P2 regimen...well, one can hope! ROFL

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Shelly - no worries darlin, just try to eat more raw, I am sure you do alot of raw already don't you?

Mary - Did you send me an email yet? Did I miss it?

Becca - sweetie, don't use the word fail, you know how I feel about those negative words! LOL - You found what works for you and I say GO FOR IT. You gotta do what you gotta do. My only encouragement for any of this is to offer some better choices for people. I know how hard it's been for me to make sure I got a lot of raw into my body, and I found something that works, and like anything else, I want to share it with the world, ya know?

B - It's about time you showed off your picture! I have seen it before, so I knew what you looked like - you are a most beautiful woman!

50% Raw Challenge - Day Four Completed - Success!!!

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LIW +4.0
Overnight gain 0.8

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: plain yogurt with blueberries, peaches, mangos and strawberries
Lunch: green smoothie with a leftover piece of grilled chicken
Dinner: grilled shrimp, steak with huge kick butt salad with everything in it, grilled asparagus
Snacks: green smoothie, one glass of wine

A total of 1909 cals divided: 73 fat grams (34%), 155 carb grams (30%), 158 protein grams (33%)

Challenge Totals:
Total of approximately 80 ounces of food eaten - 50 ounces of it was raw! YES! I met my goal again!!! I made it to 63% raw yesterday!

Another day down on my challenge. I am starting to figure out combinations of my smoothies that I really enjoy. For one thing, adding the blueberries into the mix is a very good taste. And did you know that blueberries are a super food?

Yes, I know, I need to focus in on the super foods. That will be a task for Monday. Have I mentioned how incredibly BEAUTIFUL it is around these parts recently? Oh my, the sun is shining and I am spring cleaning and life is good.

I am up actually EARLY today! Let's hope this lasts! I love the early morning, it's like the only thing that exists in this world is me for a few hours. No phones, no children yelling "I'm Hungry", no kids knocking at my door, no responsibilities!!! This time is MY time. I have been missing my time, now if only I can get my body BACK into this mode consistently I would be THRILLED!

Oh, and don't worry about the gain? My grilled shrimp and steak were incredibly salty and I haven't 'gone' yet this morning. And I also weighed in a bit earlier than I have been. I am trying to get back on a schedule!

Thanks for hanging in there with me!!!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Becca - there are those old habits that seem to want to pop up every once in a while, ugh. I am paying for it that is for sure! Thank you SO MUCH for that bagel site, I am on that like white on rice! I haven't tried it, but I will be ordering some, I absolutely LOVE my bagels!

B - Thanks B! I will be, I know!

Lindsay - I followed you to your blog and posted something there. I have heard of some giving shots only 3 times a week, and I have heard that it does work, but I am sold on the daily injections with one skip day like Dr Simeons stated in his book. If you have any other questions feel free to write me ok?

50% Raw Challenge - Day Three Completed - Success!!!

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LIW +3.2
Overnight gain 2.2

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: broccoli salad
Lunch: bagel and cream cheese, chips and salsa
Dinner: blue cheese salad with broccoli, spinach, pecans, evoo and balsamic, grilled chicken
Snacks: left over pizza, french fries, pepperoni, beer

A total of 2333 cals divided: 119 fat grams (45%), 167 carb grams (28%), 68 protein grams (11%)

Challenge Totals:
Total of approximately 50 ounces of food eaten - 27 ounces of it was raw! YES! I met my goal again!!! I made it to 54% raw yesterday!

No green smoothies yesterday, :( - and I went a little nuts on eating some french fries last night, and I am assured that this is the gain. I didn't even like them, it was one of those "no one else is gonna eat them so I should because I don't want them to go to waste" things. It was awful, seriously, I don't know what I was thinking, and I knew I would pay for it today, and I did. Sadly. UGH

Drinking lots of water today and I intend on getting at least two green smoothies in for the day. Actually as I write this, I have already gotten one green smoothie down, so all I need to do is come up with another one.

Only time for an update today. I have a new program that hopefully will allow me to get back on schedule with my blogging, but it will take a few days to get used to it. So give me a bit of time to get that under my belt and I should be back to normal.

Normal? What is that?

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Jan - yeah, isn't it amazing that we already eat the raw, just think what we are eating in raw with the fruit alone!

Becca - thanks girlfriend!

Tracey - I am so sorry that you won't be able to join the challenge with us. But I'm sure there are people out there that would love to be able to have a clean out every time they ate raw. LOL

B - my point exactly! Yes, I believe that if we did eat more salads that the fiber that you get from eating it will benefit you.

Shelley - just let me know what you want to do about the raw food challenge as I'll probably be doing it another week. So you can join in!!! It will be so much fun!

Mary - yeah, I ate a bagel yesterday! Actually, I have been eating bagels for awhile. And believe me when I tell you it wasn't the bagel that gained the weight, it was in the demon french fries!

50% Raw Challenge - Day Two Completed - Success!!!

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LIW +1.0
Overnight LOSS 0.2

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: coffee with half and half, leftover greek salad
Lunch: bagel and cream cheese
Dinner: broccoli salad
Snacks: 2 green smoothies, ground beef with blue cheese, chips and salsa, wine

A total of 2174 cals divided: 91 fat grams (37%), 204 carb grams (36%), 129 protein grams (24%)

Challenge Totals:
Total of approximately 80 ounces of food eaten - 45 ounces of it was raw! YES! I met my goal again!!! I made it to 56% raw yesterday!

And let me tell you, raw is definitely agreeing with me! YES! I am starting already to feel the benefits (particularly the bathroom benefits!), especially energy. Although, I can't be sure if the energy level is just because it's SPRING and I feel the sun shining and the wind through my hair!

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I am still not on schedule, and I only have time for an update. Geesh, this is starting to irritate me something fierce.

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

B - Look at the calorie and fat count on both, I don't see why not? Try it and see?

Becca - Hmmmm, ok, that sounds like a plan, coming up with some new dips! You know I love a challenge!

Shelly - WOOT! Come on Shelly! Join me!

Liz - sent you an email.

50% Raw Challenge - Day One Completed - Success!!!

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LIW +1.2
Overnight LOSS 0.8

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: coffee with half and half, cottage cheese with mango/strawberries
Lunch: ground beef, blue cheese and raw hazelnuts
Dinner: greek salad, chicken stir fry
Snacks: 1.5 green smoothies - coconut bark - raw broccoli with blue cheese dressing

A total of 1842 cals divided: 91 fat grams (44%), 144 carb grams (29%), 123 protein grams (27%)

Challenge Totals:
Total of approximately 67 ounces of food eaten - 37 ounces of it was raw! YES! I met my goal!!! I made it to 55% raw yesterday!

I am SO THRILLED! I am gonna tell you right now, these smoothies are FILLING! I am sipping on one right now - not as good as the one yesterday, but I am experimenting, and so wanna try different ones until I settle in on some that I like the best:

• 6.8 oz apple (skin still on, but cored)
• 5.8 oz pear (skin still on, but cored)
• 3 oz spinach
• 1/2 cup plain all natural yogurt

Now this one, in comparison to yesterdays, made a TON more - I could fill one of my glass water glasses yesterday with what I made, today, it looks like I will be able to fill this same water glass TWICE. I think I will like the ones made with banana a lot better than the ones made with yogurt, but like I said, I am experimenting.

I wanted to get into "SuperFoods" today, but I am running out of time. Now that spring has sprung, I am finding it harder and harder to get computer work done. I want to spend all of my time outside! And I just haven't gotten my clock regulated back to Eastern Time since I got back from California. I am used to being up at like 4am and then there is plenty of time for me to work on my blog, but lately, I have been getting up at around 5:45am - 6:00am, just in time to wake the kids and get them going, and my day too!

I am just gonna have to figure out a better schedule. I miss my profound posts. I miss my blogging alot. I have so much to share inside this head of mine, and the time just keeps escaping me - give me time to figure out what my spring / summer schedule is gonna be like. I will get up to par, I promise.

Even at over 1800 calories, which is my BMR (with sedentary activity), I lost .8 lbs. What do you think about that? I am thrilled!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

JLO - Oh yeah, raw spinach!!! Do you have any idea what that is doing for your VISION???

Liz - Drop me a line when you get a chance and I will lead you thru the process of putting the link on your blog! Excellent!!!

B - LOL - hey, like I tell my kids all the time, all I want you to do is TRY!

Becca - Yeah, I am starting to keep more and more raw veggies around here just to snack on, they are SO good! I need to discover some new, cool dips for them, got any suggestions?

Mary - Thanks girl!

Jan - Hey, you can do the challenge while on P2 as well ya know? You don't have to do smoothies, but you can concentrate on 50% of your food being raw, what do you think?

Raw Foods and Green Smoothies

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LIW +2.0
Overnight LOSS 0.4

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: WW bagel and cream cheese, coffee with half and half
Lunch: (kinda ate breakfast late, and dinner early)
Dinner: Chinese buffet, two times to the Mongolian Grill using shrimp, scallops, squid, zucchini, green onions, onions, cabbage, Kalbi, chicken wings
Snacks: banana, broccoli and blue cheese dressing, beer

A total of 1753 cals divided: 47 fat grams (24%), 137 carb grams (31%), 153 protein grams (36%)

Raw Foods

My focus recently has been on the benefits of raw foods - you heard me tell this story before, but the more I preach about it and the more people start to listen (including myself) the more I believe in the full benefits of eating "mostly" raw.

I started my challenge today - my goal today will be to eat at least 50% of my food (in weight) raw - with the focus on anything that is "green". I made a little button for us to put on our blog somewhere that shows that we are doing the challenge:

What would be extra cool is if you went ahead and linked it back to this post so that whoever wants to join in can. I haven't really thought about any 'prizes' - I still owe more than a few people prizes from pasts contests (and don't think I have forgotten because I haven't!) but I am sure they will be forth coming. I just really want to start creating a BUZZ on doing at least 50% raw.

I already provided you with some links to the benefits of 'green', but today, I want to focus in on the benefits of eating 'raw'. Tomorrow, if all goes well, I will be focusing on what are termed "superfoods" - that is quite an interesting topic I tell you!

I guess it pretty goes without saying how beneficial it is to eat raw foods whenever we can. Some of the other benefits of eating raw foods are:

• Increased Energy
• Weight Loss
• Reduced chance of heart disease
• Better digestion (includes great colon health)
  
• Better skin
• Ease of preparation (one of Regina's favorites)
• Ease of cleanup (again, one of Regina's favorites)

Now people, I hope you don't think that I have completely gone bonkers with my pushing of 'raw foods' - I am still in the real world, still living the fast paces life that causes one to have to deal with outside influences. All I am doing is trying to get into this body a bit more nutrition so it can last longer. My eventual goal is to go 75% - 85% raw. That would mean pretty much that the only thing I would be eating that was cooked would be my proteins. And even some of that can be 'raw' (can you say SASHIMI???)

Here is an excellent article on Green Smoothies - I am actually drinking one right now, and for the person that has constantly said - I would rather eat my meals than drink them, I am actually enjoying this quite well. I made it with:

• 3 oz spinach
• 4.5 oz banana
• 6 oz of mango / strawberry

If you can get over the green look, the taste is pretty nice. In fact, at first I thought it had sort of an aftertaste, but have now discovered, after consuming about one third of it, that the after taste has disappeared. I have also discovered how incredibly FILLING this is. GOOD GRIEF! After my first smoothie, I do believe I am sold.

You willing to try?

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Lili - Actually, it's not at all bad, I am very much enjoying my drink this morning!

Mary - Mary, my sweet Mary, eat more RAW! Find SOMETHING you like raw and eat it ok? Make me that promise, I need you to live a long healthy life!

Regina - YES! I knew you would be in my corner! I can't believe it girl, I honestly cannot believe how much I am enjoying this smoothie right now! Thank YOU for making me do the research.

B - try some different salad greens, spinach, spring mix, romaine, all of those are HEALTHY! We will get you on the Green Smoothie kick, I promise you! ROFL - shoot, if I can do it, anyone can!

Crystal - You starting again? WOO HOO FOR YOU! Excellent my friend, totally excellent. I sure hope you keep up with your blog on your progress!

Spring Cleaning Challenge!

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LIW +2.4
Overnight GAIN 0.6

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: WW Bagel and Cream Cheese
Lunch: Mango and Strawberry Salad with Cottage Cheese
Dinner: Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Meat), squash and onions, large salad with blue cheese dressing, Beer
Snacks: banana, leftover hamburger patty, almonds

A total of 1965 cals divided: 83 fat grams (37%), 150 carb grams (29%), 121 protein grams (25%)

Spring Cleaning Challenge

As spring finally makes her appearance here in Coastal South Carolina, I find myself busier with offline pursuits. Yesterday for example, I got up a little later than normal so I didn't have time to get online and post a post, or visit blogs or much of anything that was computer related. Once I did get up, I was pretty much going all day long.

Yesterday was glorious! The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, my plants were enjoying the warmth (as was I). While enjoying the rejuvenation that spring brings to the earth, I thought about how I might take the whole "spring cleaning" thing and apply it to my body.

As humans, we all develop a certain cushion when winter comes around. It's just the time of year where we tend to throw all caution to the wind and allow ourselves to huddle down for the winter with warm, homey, comfort foods - but when spring hits, we all tend to think, let's get ready for summer! Let us use the spring to bounce ourselves with all eagerness into all the fun that summer brings!

Spring is the time we normally prepare our homes, our yards, our lives, and we get ready for the rest of the year. How about we get our bodies ready also???

Now is the time for us to take advantage of all the good things that nature can provide us that is new and fresh. Fresh greens, fresh herbs, fresh veggies, fresh fruits, all the first produce from the season are at optimum levels for health! Are you taking advantage of the spring?

I am! I want to take advantage of the spring time offerings and want to concentrate on getting more veggies, more fruits, trying more herbs, getting in more greens - how about you? I propose a challenge to all my readers. Let's take this next week and concentrate on going for at least 50% of our food to be from the "raw" and preferably GREEN category. Whether you are on P2, P3 or P4, we can all accept this challenge!

Let's concentrate on "green" - WHY?

• Leafy Green Vegetables May Help Keep Brains Sharp Through Aging
• Fight cancer with dark green vegetables
• Green Leafy Vegetables - Nutritional Powerhouses

So what are some "green" vegetables (and fruits) that we can concentrate on?

• GREEN FRUITS & VEGETABLES

What I find completely interesting about the above list is how similar the veggies are to the ones that Dr Simeons asked us to eat on protocol. Isn't that amazing?

What do I mean by 50% raw? If you eat 3.5 oz of chicken (using P2 weights) they you must match that with at least 3.5 oz of a RAW veggie. You would have eaten 7 oz of food, but 50% of it was raw. Get it? Normally, on P2, I try to eat one meal with a cooked veggie and one meal with a raw veggie:

4 oz fruit (raw)
3.5 oz protein (cooked)
6 oz raw veggie (raw)
4 oz fruit (raw)
3.5 oz protein (cooked)
5 oz cooked veggie (cooked)

As you can see from my P2 menu example above, I am getting 13 oz of raw food and then 13 oz of cooked food. That is 50% eaten raw - this is just an example to show that you can do this on P2 as well as P3-P4.

Who is with me???

Ewewho has started making green smoothies every morning, and she has already made the commitment to go at least 50% raw (for her and her husband) and is already experiencing a noticeable difference in her health - as well as PHENOM changes in her husbands health. And it's only been a FEW days!

If you decide to take on this challenge, let me know. I have all kinds of ways you can contact me, either here by commenting, or my tag-board, or I have a contact form in the left side bar of my blog. We will start the challenge tomorrow, MONDAY APRIL 14th, and continue it for 7 days. I will come up with all the particulars by tomorrow morning and post them, rules and such. Like I said, it doesn't matter if you are on P2, P3 or P4 - everyone can participate!

Oh! I am getting excited again! Starting to get my MOJO back! It's spring people, time to LIVE-IT, not DIE-IT!!!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to Friday's comments:

Mary - Nope, not beating myself up at all. I am doing MOST excellent! Don't ever associate bad vibes with eating girlfriend, get over that ok?

Liz - Ah yes, we have to be reminded of what is real eh? I think what I have proposed as a challenge will get us ALL on the right track. What do you think?

CB - Awww, look at you sweetie, you are MY hero!!! I am on your coat tails, following your lead!

Becca - I remember that show! I could NEVER do that, my brain just doesn't work that way. Did you ever watch Frasier? There was an episode where Martin (the father) got a vanity plate, and I was like, um, uh, I don't get it! I felt just like FRASIER - HA! Girl? It aint nothin but a thang! LOL

B - Oh gosh B, thank you so much!

Lili - HERE! HERE!

Amie - Glad it was of some good! I sit here and have constant conversations with myself, trying to always weigh the pros and cons of any decision that I make. I am always glad when someone gets some good use out of my ramblings!

Logical Decisions

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LIW +1.8
Overnight GAIN 0.8

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Mock Danish
Lunch: Ground Beef with Lettuce, Salsa, Cheese and Sour Cream
Dinner: Oopsies with grilled hamburger
Snacks: pepper jack cheese, pepperoni, vienna sausage, small salad with blue cheese, ground beef patty with hidden feta cheese (yummy)

A total of 2216 cals divided: 168 fat grams (68%), 20 carb grams (3%), 151 protein grams (29%)

Logical Decisions

It's amazing when you are not in the throws of TOM how your brain can work logically. I came up with a decision yesterday morning which I am quite happy with.

I know that I came up with a plethora of reasons why I was determined to make it down to LIW before I started my next round, and well, I got to thinking yesterday morning how I might be setting myself up for failure.

You all know that I set my goals as something that is reasonable. I don't think my wishes to get down to LIW were reasonable, especially with the never ending fact that my weight for almost an entire month was hovering at 170 while I was in California - I do now believe that I set myself a new set point, and that for the last three weeks of being home, I keep coming back to that number. Easily I might add.

I went over some of my round first four round numbers, aw come on, you know I enjoy doing that! And this is what I found. That even if I start my next round at 10 lbs over my LIW I should be able to get that off with in a week, maybe two - ok, so what that I might only lose a net 5 that cycle, that would still be most awesome, and then I wouldn't be in this predicament again. I would continue after my planned interruption at a decent weight and then start almost immediately losing weight that was never lost before.

So with all of that in mind, I am now considering my LIW at 170 - I will strive to not go over the 2 pound mark, just like in a real Phase 3, and if I happen to go below, way below, I will consider it a bonus and move on.

I know I will receive alot of I TOLD YOU SO's from the community, and well, quite frankly, I deserve them. All I can offer you is that Aliens had invaded my soul and I wasn't thinking clearly.

I have already reflected that decision in the above numbers. And I have taken off my weight graph. So bear with me people while I attempt until May 3 (1st injection of 5th and final round) to stick pretty much to Phase 3 - I will strive to be a model student this time!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Mary - Well, things have taken on a new look, what do you think?

Becca - You crack me up with your security word thingies. LOL Weather is simply GORGEOUS!

B - TOM is leaving! YEAH! Things can get back to NORMAL!

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

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LIW +9.0
Overnight GAIN 0.4

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Coffee with Half and Half, leftover shrimp and broccoli
Lunch: chicken with huge blue cheese topped salad with blue cheese dressing
Dinner: ground chicken, green beans and tomato sauce
Snacks: pepper jack cheese, iced mocha

A total of 1450 cals divided: 78 fat grams (47%), 61 carb grams (12%), 122 protein grams (37%)

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Yup, this is the way with Atkin's Induction - it's up and down, up and down. I was chatting with a fellow HCG'r yesterday telling her that I was so not prepared to do Atkins Induction this week. I had none of the supplies needed to complete this program. Not nearly enough "fatty" foods to up my calories since I am not eating hardly any carbs.

My calories were low yesterday, yet I stuffed my face. I also spent a good hour outside (finally a GLORIOUS day to work outside) doing yard work and was very sore and tired when done. One more thing is that I ate late (around 7pm) and I ate WAY too many carbs for induction. But I insisted I wanted green beans with tomato sauce. Oh yeah, one more thing, TOM is still here!

So if you ask me, I am not worried about the temporary gain. It will come off. I am one of those that loses as TOM leaves the building, not while he is here.

I am running late again today folks, I don't know what it is, but I seem to be finally catching up on some much needed sleep. Have a great day!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Mary - Thanks girl!

Becca - Thanks to you girl!

Shelly - Thanks!

B - It's worth a read if you have time, it's a pretty healthy way of eating. Very similar to Dr Simeons.

Just the Stats, Ma'am

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LIW +8.6
Overnight LOSS 0.8

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs in EVCO, some cheese and bacon bits thrown on top
Lunch: two ginormous pork chops (I snacked on these during the day)
Dinner: shrimp and broccoli from the Chinese Fast Food place (just steamed)
Snacks: coconut bark and pepper jack cheese, a full tomato with EVOO and balsamic and blue cheese

A total of 1823 cals divided: 135 fat grams (66%), 29 carb grams (6%), 124 protein grams (28%)

Just the Stats

I only have time for the stats this morning. Was flat on my back almost all day yesterday because TOM was ruthless, so I gotta get started early with the stuff I neglected to do yesterday, in other words, play catchup.

Thank you all for the really comforting words helping me thru my 'time' yesterday, it's such a joy to know I am not the only one that has to suffer! ROFL

If you haven't figured out by now I have decided, since I have the time, to do a strict week of Atkins Induction and see how far that might bring me down. So my goal until Monday is to go 20 net carbs or less. So far so good.

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Shelly - feeling better today! Charleston is a great place to live, I do really like it here. I am a beach girl so being this close is just wonderful!

Mary - I did, I pretty much laid flat on my back with my trusty heating pad and loved every minute of it. But today is back to the grindstone!

Jan - Oh yeah, down goes the weight!

Becca - I can at least FOCUS now that TOM has made his appearance. Geesh, it was messing with my mind BIG time!

B - yeah, it got pretty bad yesterday, but I am like a new person today! YEAH!

Liz - I wish I would have seen that yesterday about the lotion, I needed SOMETHING!

Topic is TMI - TOM is in the Building!

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LIW +9.4
Overnight LOSS 1.6

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs in butter
Lunch: one can of water packed tuna with mayo, 2 hard boiled eggs, spinach, tomato, red onion, sf relish
Dinner: grilled chicken, squash and onions, green salad with crumbled blue cheese and blue cheese dressing
Snacks: some monterey jack cheese, a leftover pork chop and some coconut bark

A total of 1830 cals divided: 127 fat grams (62%), 22 carb grams (4%), 149 protein grams (34%)

GEESH! FINALLY!

I actually feel like my life is on an upward trend, and not my weight! This has been a pretty excruciating two weeks waiting on TOM to arrive. When he arrived, in the middle of the field trip (a WALKING field trip mind you) was a bit more than I wanted to deal with yesterday, but I dealt with it, he is finally here, and now, he can leave and I can return back to normal.

First, about the field trip - we went here - Charles Towne Landing - when I left yesterday morning, I didn't know it was supposed to be a walking field trip. I honestly didn't know what it was. This place was closed down in Charleston for years and only recently reopened so I had never heard of it. I thought it was closer to the river and we were gonna see some ships and cannons and stuff, but it was a spot inland where the settlers of Charleston had landed and started forming this city. There was LOTS of walking involved. There was a history trail, an animal forest and a museum.

With TOM arriving almost within one hour of our trip, the rest of the day walking really played havoc with my back. OUCH - since I hurt my back in Jan of 2007, it gets very tender during the first few days of TOM and with all the walking yesterday, and not wearing the correct shoes, well suffice it to say that I was down for the count as soon as I got home.

Actually, today will be a day of being lazy. The cramps are strong, they will be today, and today will be the worst of it.

Thanks for hanging in with me while I was a little crazy over the last two weeks. Now that TOM is here, I know that I will be able to better focus on things like blogging, weight loss, getting back to LIW - all these things WILL happen, I have no doubt.

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Lili - HA! The problem was I was an hour away, in an auditorium of 1000 people and I looked for something to savor, and do you know that not one person had any chocolate? It was like the whole place was on some sort of health kick. So you know that made me even angrier. LOL - what, we worry?

Ewewho - Fun? That is a loose term I tell you! The kids had fun, and I put on my best face while I was with them. So that is important, that the kids had fun.

CB - you and me, we have been chatting back and forth since yesterday about this. I will be posting my thoughts in coming days. And thanks girl, all of this community is the pillar of which my foundation with this protocol is set.

Jenn - as you know by now TOM finally showed up, geesh. On the field trip no less, what is up with that?

Mary - how can this dorm school phenomena happen across the internet? You, me, Jenn, I wonder who else??? Geesh!

B - Looking forward to seeing your progress in subsequent days!

Alien Abduction

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LIW +11.0
Overnight GAIN 3.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Skinny Latte from StarBucks, couple of eggs with mayo, some leftover chicken nuggets my husband made from the day before
Lunch: My MIL's famous Waldorf Salad - ingredients are chicken, grapes, apples, celery, onions, mayo, mustard, vinegar and lemon juice (yum, yum) - then I went on a hunt for bad foods, all I could find was some baked Lays, a banana, and an apple
Dinner: 2 pork chops and a rather large blue cheese salad, and my husbands famous stove top onion rings
Snacks: Couple of bunless double cheeseburgers from Hardees, some potato chips and hot sauce

A total of 3449 cals divided: 205 fat grams (53%), 146 carb grams (16%), 235 protein grams (28%)

Alien Abduction

Yeah, that is exactly what I am gonna call it. It was one of those days again. One of those, I don't care what happens, I have to satisfy the need and I have to satisfy it NOW and I don't care what is in the way when I do satisfy it. Those little space invaders took over my body and I had one of those I don't care days.

Isn't it amazing tho, I seem to have those days when I am away from my support system. I was away for the weekend, not checkin in on my buds, not doing the whole community thing, and I went massively off the deep end.

That other alien, TOM, is so close, seriously, there was one more sign Saturday that says he is close, a sign I don't need to share with the world, but a sign none the less. Add one more thing to this whole equation, I still haven't gone.

Is there more? Of course there is ... I have to go on a field trip today, with the whole 2nd grade class, and I was the ONE parent that was asked to ride the bus with the students, and I am into heavy PMS mode right now.

Ask me if I am gonna have a fun day. NOT. I am really hoping the Aliens let me go today, but as I sit here and type, I feel a massive sense of foreboding - alien abduction. What experiments are they going to try today? What massive amounts of bad foods will they pump into me to see how much more I can gain? Oh please, will you let the GOOD ALIENS take over today, the ones that turn off the craving thing?

Send good vibes my way ok? I need them bad.

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Mary - seriously, this time I am so over TOM - sure, I am smack dab in the middle of menopause, but does that give him cause to ruin my life???

BB - Well, I have sucked with the downward trend over the last few days, ugh.

Becca - I am SO jealous. Seriously. More now than ever. Oh gosh, it's so not a good day for me.

The Maintain Game

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LIW +8.0
Overnight LOSS 0.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Skinny Latte from StarBucks, banana and some strawberries
Lunch: My MIL's famous Waldorf Salad - ingredients are chicken, grapes, apples, celery, onions, mayo, mustard, vinegar and lemon juice (yum, yum)
Dinner: Fats Cafe - Caesar Salad, with three little rolls
Snacks: Strawberries

A total of 1454 cals divided: 77 fat grams (46%), 108 carb grams (28%), 67 protein grams (19%)

The Maintain Game

To maintain is a wonderful thing when you are traveling and sitting all day. I am attending a convention this weekend. The drive is 45 minutes away, and I am just sitting for about 5 hours while I am there, plus the drive home. Not being in your own element can definitely produce havoc, so when one maintains while this is happening it is a plus.

And I have gotten sort of used to that 170 number ya know? It kinda just keeps showing up there - ha! Not really! Well yes really that I am getting used to seeing that number, but it sure felt good to see the 16's again, even if for just a short, short time.

How can I even be concerned? Two weeks ago yesterday I was 16 lbs over LIW, and as of yesterday and today, I am only 8 - 8 lbs in two weeks is protocol losses. And what I am doing is definitely NOT protocol! So I am resting easy.

Count in there another little factor. I still haven't 'gone'. What is totally up with that?

I got up a little late this morning so I am gonna get to my commenter's and get myself ready to leave at 7am my time.

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Lili - your rant was straight on Lili so thanks for taking the time to rant on! Little punkin is sick, ugh, fever and stuffies, send her get well thoughts if you could!

Mary - You don't need to apologize Mary, silly thing. I will fix this in a flash, first day I am back home, it will turn normal.

B - Will do the water thing, as per normal! Thanks!

My, My - Isn't That Interesting?

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LIW +8.0
Overnight GAIN 1.6

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Skinny Latte from StarBucks, banana and some grapes
Lunch: Greek type salad with Italian dressing and feta, grilled tuna melt made on those oopsies
Dinner: Grilled porkchops, huge salad with blue cheese and blue cheese dressing
Snacks: Orange, coffee with half and half

A total of 2007 cals divided: 111 fat grams (49%), 118 carb grams (21%), 119 protein grams (24%)

Interesting

I find it very interesting, not that I gained because I fully expected that, but that I gained to exactly 170 - wow, that is simply interesting. Don't you find that interesting?

Let me tell you WHY I gained.

• I added too many carbs too soon after the fat fast
• I ate LATE last night. My eating time is usually before six, and I was eating up until 8pm
• Grilled - and usually when we grill it's my husbands job, and he is a saltoholic - didn't take that into consideration and so didn't get enough water with dinner.
• Speaking of water, I was only at 1.5 liters yesterday.
• Haven't 'gone' in two days.
  

All of the above can account for the gain, so ask me if I am worried, um, NOPE.

Ok, this wishy washy dynamic duo (JPS and I) have decided to wait to start our 5th round. As of yesterday morning, we had completely forgotten about our commitment to a weekend function held in Augusta during Cinco de Mayo weekend. This function is something my husband is a part of, and yes, it's alot of fun and it involves the whole family.

We had three choices:

1. To start the protocol as planned on the 12th of April, and we would be on protocol during this function - in fact, the last day of the function would be our 21st day on protocol - ok, so we decided this was not an option.
2. Start the protocol earlier. In order to be able to eat the scrumptious foods that would be available to us FOR FREE all weekend long, we would have to start the protocol Monday (two days from now) - something we were both not ready for at all. So, scratch number two.
3. Wait to start the protocol right after the function, and we both agreed that this was a choice that we would take.
   

So our first injection will take place on May 3rd. And when working with the calendar we figured out our breaks right thru the summer and all the way to JPS starting school again. She was hoping to be done with the protocol by the time school started up again and it looks like she will be, lucky dawg.

Anyway, so that is where it stands. Our next round begins May 3rd.

My goal is still to get as close to LIW by the 12th of April, I am still on a mission. And I believe it's very doable, if I would just be MORE careful with what I am doing eating wise.

I have a convention this weekend, so lots of sitting and lots of driving. I am quite sure my little 'set point' will prove to be handy and that I will probably stay at 170 during the entire weekend.

So asta la vista baby!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Shelly - HA! I am surprised how many of us have 8 year olds out there! Thanks girl!

Liz - And you too! This is really a neat age, I just love it!

B - Thanks! Oops, I gained! Nothing but a thang!

Descending!

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LIW +6.4
Overnight Loss 0.6

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Coffee with Half and Half, went to Paneras and had their version of a Skinny Latte
Lunch: Blackened Chicken Blue Cheese Salad from Zaxby's
Dinner: Steamed Chicken and Broccoli from the Chinese takeout, plain
Snacks: During the day I snacked on about 12 ounces of leftover grilled hamburgers, piece of coconut bark, and some WINE

A total of 1896 cals divided: 61 fat grams (29%), 37 carb grams (7%), 179 protein grams (39%), 50 alcohol grams (18%)

Descending!

Lookie there, I was only trying to maintain yesterday, yet I still lost! What is THAT about? I said I would stick to strict Atkins Induction levels yesterday, and some EVIL TEMPTRESS out there decided to convince me to drink a glass of wine, so I did. And then I did again. She is EVIL I tell you. But still, it was a great loss for not planning on it! I didn't want a bounce back from doing the Fat Fast, so it worked as far as I am concerned! Today? I am missing my fruit, so I think I might do a mostly fruit day until dinner.

I have to share with you a story about my trip on the airplane with my daughter while we were traveling back and forth to Cali last month.

Most of you know I am phobic about flying. But I knew deep down in my heart that I had to remain calm for my daughter. I didn't want her to develop any unnatural fears of flying, at least caused by me. Now keep in mind that this was the 4th time my daughter had been on a plane, but the first time that she really remembers the experience. The other times she was 3 months, 18 months, and then at 4 years. This time she was 8.

So trying to be a good mom, before we got on the plane I had described to her the different sensations she would feel, telling her like it would be as if she was riding one of the rides at the fair (which incidentally, she does not enjoy!). On our first junket, we flew from Charlotte to Atlanta - maybe a 45 - 50 minute excursion, so a pretty quick lesson on take off, landing and turbulence in the air.

She was so funny to watch, so much so that I was not as panicky as I have been in past times. Each time something would happen on the plane, I would tell her why it was happening, why it was important that it was happening, and this seemed to work. Until our descent into Atlanta, when she pretty much screamed out "We're Going Down!!!"

It was loud mind you, and although it wasn't a frightened, horrified scream, it was still a scream. If you didn't see her body language as she was saying it, you would assume that this little girl was petrified that the plane was falling out of the air!

I pretty much laughed, which put the people around us more at ease that I had control of the situation, and then proceeded to teach my daughter some airplane etiquette.

Mommy: Baby, you don't ever say on a plane "We're Going Down" - some people on a plane (MOMMY ESPECIALLY!) are very scared about riding planes, kinda like how you are scared of spiders, and if they hear those words, they imagine all kinds of dreadful things happening!

Daughter: But mommy, we are going down, look outside the window, I can see!

Mommy: Yes, you are right baby girl, but let's choose a different expression ok? Something that doesn't sound so scary ok? How about we say, "We're Descending", because that is what we are doing when we are in the process landing the plane. When we take off it's called ascending, and when we land it's called descending.

Daughter: Ok Mommy ...

Fast forward to one of the most incredibly BAD landings I have ever experienced in my life, and I have flown quite often. It was so bad that the particular plane I was on, which was scheduled to carry passengers on to Salt Lake City after the Atlanta people got off actually ended up staying in Atlanta. As we were pulling into the gate, the head steward got on the loudspeaker and proceeded to announce that there was a 'change in plans', that everyone was going to be required to leave the plane at that time.

Daughter: Mommy, I didn't like that descending!

Mommy: Believe me when I tell you baby girl, that mommy didn't like it either. That is NOT how they usually go!

Conclusion to the story is that I had to ease her mind to get on the plane again, and our flight from Atlanta to Sac was without incident. She braced herself for the landing in Sac, thinking it was going to be the same, and the pilot landed that plane like he was landing in butter. So no fear factor for my daughter. AND, she did say "We're Descending"!!!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Marshall - oh no, not while on HCG should you do this trick, I guess I should have been MORE clear. I think people should realize that, as we are not supposed to have ANY oils while on the protocol, you think?

Mary - Thanks for the heads up about the YahooGroup Mary - I will go post there today. I am just starting another round and you are finishing up one. We will get on similar schedules yet!

Becca - Curiosity was the only reason I asked. It's funny because JPS and I have totally different ideas about HCG - I guess the paranoia in me thinks that this will NOT last forever (our ability to get HCG) and I don't want to use HCG as a crutch to maintain weight. JPS on the other hand is like, if I have to 3 or 4 times a year take a 3 week break of eating what I want to lose the excess I might gain, I will do it. And I am like, um, NO WAY. So it's just perspective.

Amie - how incredible is it to have you back among the bloggers!!! YES! Lots of new faces for you eh??? This is a GREAT community!

Karen - YES! Look at you too! Coming out of hiding! I will be paying a visit there today!

Liz - you have to do what works for you. I keep telling people that this is a mind game, plain and simple. If you can work out a schedule that works, all you have to remember are these rules.

*You MUST have 21 effective injections, after that it doesn't matter when you stop.

*If you break for less than 14 days, then you MUST go directly into VLCD with no gorging. When your break is over, you start your shots, and that very same day you do VLCD.

*If you break for more than 14 days, then when you go back to the shots, eat normally for 2 days and then start VLCD.

If you follow those rules, you will be ok.

B - I am the so wrong person to ask about working out and VLCD. I know alot of athletic people are waiting until they are done with the protocol to tone up. They feel that its counter productive to try to exercise while on the protocol. YMMV

The Trick Worked!

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LIW +7.0
Overnight Loss 1.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Fat Fast Items: Coffee with Half and Half, Cream Cheese, Natural Peanut Butter, Tuna, Mayo, Coconut Oil, Cocoa and a Pickle

A total of 1002 cals divided: 88 fat grams (78%), 18 carb grams (6%), 31 protein grams (13%)

The Trick Worked!

I told you folks I had another trick up my sleeve. I am hesitant to tell you about it, only because it should be used only in the direst of circumstances. If you do some research on it, you will find that there is a lot of negative press about it. It's not fun, it's hard, harder than the protocol if you ask me, but it can work.

Only use it with discretion.

Again, this is something that I found worked while I was doing Atkins and would have those weeks and weeks and weeks with no loss, you all know those times I am talking about. The diligence of following a plan, no deviations, and to wake up morning after morning with no loss. That was discouraging.

In Dr Atkins original book, he mentioned the "Fat Fast" - if your an old Atkinsite, you will remember this, but it most consisted of cream cheese and mac nuts. VERY BORING. Over the years, it has been modified to be a bit more palatable. Still, it is NOT easy to do this. It is NOT fun. But it does work, as you can see, I finally got to see the 160's for the first time in over a month. That feels good, I have to say.

Here is a description of the "Fat Fast".

Here are some incredible modifications for it.

So it worked, what do I do now? I am gonna concentrate on a "maintaining" day today, but I will be sticking to Atkins Induction levels, don't want to introduce too many carbs into my system too quickly. Tomorrow? I will do another "Fat Fast" and will see where I end up on Saturday.

I have been asked some questions about why I want to get down to LIW - or as close as possible before I start again. This was a mutual decision between the girl I do this with offline. We had already discussed making our 5th round our last. We were gonna go until the HCG tells us to stop. That is our PLAN anyway. How we decided to do this is to do it in short 3 week rounds with 10 day breaks. Being that this is the case, we both want to be at least CLOSE to LIW because there is no wiggle room until we are done. Every pound loss is going to count, and we cannot gain anything in between. We don't want to spend half the time losing just what we gained. We both feel that 4 lbs over LIW is acceptable, but not 8 lbs over LIW. 8 lbs would take me at LEAST 6 days to lose on HCG, if not more, and with only 21 days on HCG, well, you see the dilemma.

We did however both agree last night that our first injection for round 5 will be on the 12th of April. We did decide that we would both actively work on getting our weight down as close as we can until that date, and come heck or high water we were gonna start. So we established a deadline. Doable I feel.

Any questions? Just ask ok?

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Shelly - HA! It worked! Today is strict maintaining! Thanks for the support!

Mary - I am sure it's a number of things, and since TOM still hasn't shown up, I might be able to see another drop soon!

Becca - Do you understand a bit better why we wanted to wait? This will be our final round. No more traveling plans, no more long breaks, just gonna go until done. Question for you Becca - if you are not discipline enough to do the 'strict dieting' how on earth are you going to maintain after goal? Will HCG be a part of the rest of your life? Just a thought. Hope the egg day worked for you!

Jan - Do you understand a bit better now why we are wanting to wait until we are closer to LIW? We can't have this attitude that the HCG will be the answer each and every time. We spend too much time losing what we gained, when that time could be better spent in losing what hasn't been lost yet. Wait, did that make sense?

Hazel - thanks for the support! I think I shook things up a bit yesterday! YUP! That is the way to show this body who is boss!!!

Jenn - actually getting back into my routines of waking up at 4am! LOL - Being that I ended up at 170, which was the weight I was almost the entire time I was in Cali, not losing on the egg day proved that it was a set point for me and that I needed to do something that my body hadn't experienced for along while. Shock it into fast ketosis, and that is what I did, get that fat burning back up and RUNNING!

B - thanks for the support my friend. Yes, you knew I had something up my sleeve didn't you??? And once again, the Bizinator comes thru! LOL

Huh? A Set Point?

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LIW +8.0
Overnight Loss 0.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with shredded cheese, Coffee with half and half
Lunch: 2 eggs hard boiled mixed with mayo
Dinner: 2 eggs over easy, coffee with half and half
Snacks: cheese

A total of 952 cals divided: 74 fat grams (69%), 12 carb grams (5%), 50 protein grams (23%)

Ok, in all my experience of doing an egg day, I have NEVER EVER gone from one day to the next without a loss. That is about the weirdest thing ever. I am wondering if all that time I spent in California hovering around the 170 mark has reset my hypo to obey that weight? Geesh - I am NOT giving up! NOPE! There is a way to combat this, I just KNOW there is!!!

Today will probably be another modified protein day. Proteins with veggies.

JPS told me last night she is now of the opinion I was at when I got home from Cali, that I wanted to be as close to LIW as possible before we started our next round. We both said right before she left the house last night that being within 4 lbs will be sufficient. If either of us get there before the other, we will wait on each other. So, since I had already had the mind set that we were most likely gonna start this upcoming weekend, I want to lose these additional 4 lbs QUICKLY! I am finally ready for my next round! WOO HOO!!!

I am wondering if no loss on yesterday's egg day has anything to do with TOM lurking? I swear, I was in some serious pain yesterday, and yet, NO TOM. I have had cramping since Saturday and NO TOM. What is up with that? I just KNOW that once he shows up, I can make some headway with this weight. I have been at 170 since Sunday morning. No matter what. It has to be TOM - geesh. Someone send him my way please?

I have to find another trick - break through this barrier.

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Shelly - Aw, you poor thing, but guess what girlfriend? I will still be doing the protocol then, so you will still have buds! And new ones are showing up all the time!

Mary - Ok, you should have full access now. Check it out and see. Round 5? Whenever JPS tells me I can start! ROFL

Becca - Oopsies are a great alternative to bread. Indulge? I have done quite enough indulging for now, I will probably be eating just regular. ROFL

Jan - Strong and determined to not start my next round without getting closer to LIW - who wants to do a round just to lose weight you gained? How much fun is that? ROFL

B - First time since I discovered the egg day that it didn't work for me. It's a really good kick start to awesome weight loss, but alas, this time it didn't work. I think TOM is the culprit.

Jenn - blah blah blah - you got to goal, why do you need us now? ROFL - who loves you baby???

Another Update!

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LIW +8.0
Overnight Loss 0.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Coffee with Half and Half, slice of ww bread spread with coconut oil, pb and a banana
Mid Morning Snack: Cheese
Lunch: Hamburger with all the fixings (made with Oopsies - not bread)
Mid Afternoon Snack: Tortilla chips and salsa
Dinner: Grilled Pork Loin with Horseradish Sauce, a Italian Veggie Casserole, Large Salad with Italian Dressing, and a Pasta Dish, Rigatoni with Roasted Red Peppers
Dessert: Wine

A total of 2642 cals divided: 158 fat grams (53%), 117 carb grams (17%), 119 protein grams (18%), 41 alcohol grams (11%)

All that eating, and no gain, how about that. I was testing the limits yesterday. I actually started thinking that I am about to embark on my 5th round and so I wanted to get in some things that I don't normally eat in before I do. Pasta is one of them. There was a dish I saw on Everyday Italian one day a long while ago that I wanted to try. Well, I am glad it's out of my system now, I tried it, it was good, but not awesome, but it gave me the taste and now I am over it.

I was actually quite concerned that I would be up this morning based on that fact alone, and plus the pork was kinda salty but oh so yummy, and nope, I did just fine.

Today is an egg day for me. I am actually looking forward to it! I wont be saying that tonight, that is for sure. I start my egg days loving eggs, and then by dinner time, I am OH SO OVER IT!

Thanks for understanding my 'fogginess' - this time I don't think it's the sugar like it was the last time, since I have pretty much been off the processed stuff for a week now. No, I think it is more the whole getting acclimated to this time zone again and TOM lurking. Seriously, I have been feeling TOM around since I got back, like almost 10 days ago!!! So, give me a few days of just updating, and I will be back in full force.

You hear me say that a lot eh?

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Mary - Thanks girl! HCG Convention? HA! That is TOO funny! No, no convention, I just think spring has sprung and people are starting to get active!

Jan - HA! Well, sure, when you look at it that way, my weekend was killer!

Becca - Get to the forum when you can, it can be overwhelming, but we have a lot of fun there. Our blogs are fun, but the forum is more interactive ya know? Oh, I know how it is, wanting to be with friends but wanting your own space again. Let me know when you plan to start ok?

Crystal - WOW! Two days in a row! I almost put you in my missing category section, now you are not! ROFL - will be checking your blog later on this morning to see what your plans are.

Liz - better to wait then to be on protocol and deviate. Hey, that rhymes! I crack myself up. It will happen my friend, I had to come to grips with it taking a little longer than I had hoped also, but I am ok with it now. I have basically lost almost 90 pounds in less than 9 months, that is OUTSTANDING when I count how long I was actually ON the losing portion ya know?

B - I am waiting for TOM to start before I start my next round, actually both JPS and I are. It's a good thing to have that out of the way before you begin a round. Surely! Can't wait to see your progress!

Updating...

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Saturday, March 29 Checkin

LIW +8.6
Overnight Loss 0.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Coffee with Half and Half, orange
Lunch: large green salad (spring mix, romaine, spinach) with feta and evoo/balsamic and an apple
Mid Afternoon Snack: Cottage cheese and banana (OMG--NUMMY)
Dinner: mostly protein, a piece of chicken and a couple of pieces of cubed steak
Dessert: Wine and Coconut Bark

A total of 2172 cals divided: 121 fat grams (49%), 93 carb grams (16%), 108 protein grams (20%), 14 alcohol grams (5%)

Discovered coconut bark on Friday. Thank goodness I only made four servings because I ended up eating the whole thing. You can tell TOM is lurking because chocolate craving is unusual. No gain, no loss.

Sunday, March 30 Checkin

LIW +8.6
Overnight Loss 0.0

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Leftover 1/2 of a grilled chicken breast, 2 hamburger patties with a slice of swiss cheese and mayo
Lunch: 2 eggs scrambled in EVO, bacon bits and cheese
Mid Afternoon Snack: Houston Dip
Dinner: Salad with blue cheese dressing, hot chicken wings and beer (2)

A total of 2590 cals divided: 178 fat grams (61%), 52 carb grams (8%), 151 protein grams (24%), 26 alcohol grams (7%)

Saturday was a VERY BAD DAY for me. I had one of those days that I couldn't stop eating. Thank goodness I stuck with proteins and I didn't attack the sugars or it would have been DISASTROUS. No gain, no loss.

Today's Checkin

LIW +8.0
Overnight Loss 0.6

Here is my menu for the day before - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Coffee with Half and Half, orange, 2 eggs scrambled in coconut oil with bacon bits and cheese
Mid Morning Snack: 1 slice whole wheat bread w/banana and pb and coconut oil
Mid Afternoon Snack: Tortilla chips and salsa
Dinner: My hubbies famous chili and a slice of cornbred
Dessert: Coconut Bark

A total of 1958 cals divided: 110 fat grams (50%), 165 carb grams (31%), 78 protein grams (16%)

Back on track today. TOM is STILL lurking, and I just wish he would hurry up and show his face because I am totally over him, and he isn't even here yet. Yesterday was much more calm day for me, but I can't tell that my emotions are still all over the place.

I am sorry I was MIA over the weekend. I think I had something similar to post traumatic stress syndrome or something. I pretty much needed a couple days to myself. After spending all that time in Cali and then coming home and going and going since I got here, I think I crashed. I literally stayed on my couch all day on Saturday, totally vegging until I had to pick up JPS from the airport at 5:30pm - then we went to Wild Wing and I actually started to feel a bit better. Maybe it was the beer

Whatever it was, I feel it slowly leaving my body. The only thing is, that since TOM is lurking, my thoughts are all garbled and I can't seem to concentrate on any one thing. For example ... I usually pick a title for my post before I write anything. That way it helps me keep focused and I have a general theme I write from. I am this far into this post and I have no title. Nothing that I can focus on.

I know I told you I would let you know my theories on weight loss after indulging on this protocol, but I haven't been able to get my thoughts in any logical order to be able to publish anything, so again, I must ask you to wait. That being said, I guess this shall remain an update post, and I will strive on getting myself back on track. I need to, cause it's seriously disrupting my routine.

By the way. I cannot be disappointed in losing 8 pounds since that Saturday when I stepped on that scale and I was 16 lbs over LIW - 8 lbs lost in 9 completed days. Not bad. Those are protocol averages, for a man at least!

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to Friday's comments:

Shelly - sorry sweetie, theories will have to wait. Gotta get my head into the game here. It's taking all I have right now just to put those theories into practice.

Becca - I think we got everything working out with the forum for you? Why don't you post an introduction or something? You will love it there.

Jan - oh yes, the egg day, I am doing another one tomorrow - they are truly a blessing.

B - master? HA! I don't think so, just plowing thru the journey like all of you, finding what works and what doesn't along the way. Looking forward to your updates.

Misto - thanks! It's good to have you back as well. I hope things settle for you. I think it's time for spring to get here, everyone is ready for it ya know?

Crystal - wow, look who showed up! MY GOODNESS! Out of the woodwork. Thanks for the link - I had actually already found that one, and am gonna study it over the next few days. I like their mission statement.

CB - HA! Close to doing fruits. It's all part of the raw, fresh thing ya know?

Liz - well kudos to you to do what you can to make sure the word gets out there. It's a struggle, but one worth the effort.

Until later folks!

The Sweet Taste of Recovery! - Part 2

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LIW +8.6
Overnight Loss 1.0

Here is my menu - this is what I ate:

Breakfast: Coffee with Half and Half
Lunch and Dinner: All during the day I ate about 1.5 lbs of Ground Beef
Dessert: A plate of sliced tomatoes covered with EVOO/Balsamic and then sprinkled with blue cheese and Parmesan cheese - and a bit of grilled chicken

A total of 1379 cals divided: 66 fat grams (43%), 16 carb grams (4%), 166 protein grams (51%)

Tomorrow marks a week when I stepped on the scale and I discovered I was 16 lbs over LIW - today, 6 completed days later, I am only 8.6 - a loss of 7.4 lbs - that is what I call REMARKABLE. That is P2 kinda losses!

I woke up late again today, so I wanted to rush with my numbers and then I will return with an update - I want to talk more about the recovery process. I have some 'theories' that are beginning to be proved correct with my attempt to get down to LIW in a short time, one in particular I am gonna test today!

For my early morning readers, come back by 10am Eastern and I should have updated by then, along with my shout outs to my commenters!

Until then, stay tuned for Part 2A ...

Part 2a of The Sweet Taste of Recovery! (Edited at 10:00 am Eastern)

Time is running away from me today, so my post on the theories I have will have to wait until probably Monday - SORRY CHARLIES! I will still update my progress over the weekend, and you will see my theories actually at work, so don't miss it!

Just to let you know what my plans are today. Today, I am gonna focus in on lots and LOTS of fruit - lunch and dinner will be normal but low carb.

On to my commenter's - these are my responses to yesterday's comments:

Lili - I totally understand, don't get that bladder all upset again, NO WAY JOSE! It needs to be NORMAL if you ever hope to go on another P2!

Shelly - I had several people send me some links. I am gonna spend some time tomorrow going over them. I didn't get an email? I know your busy with your upcoming MASSIVE RUNNING weekend so get with me when you can!

Mary - I will DEFINITELY keep you posted! Looking forward to see if you had a better day yesterday!

Becca - I have found some accredited course that actually offer the natural way to disease prevention thru food and lifestyle choices, right up my alley! I will post about it after I do some research. Also, I read the ZONE years ago, I am gonna have to go back to it and see what it says. I just remember it being way too complicated for me to adhere to. That is why I really like the Med Diet, OMG! I am learning so many new things on that one! A Biz Book! How cool would that be??

I just read something in the last few days that in 2010 they are going to redesign the Food Pyramid and there are TONS of people lobbying for a correction. I will have to find the article and post it.

Jan - Energy? I fake it, that is what I do! I am so glad you got your blog working! YES - now we can all comment!

Ed & Jenn - HA! My calling! My calling is to follow in your footsteps, that is what MY calling is! LOL

Liz - OMG - thank you SO MUCH for sending me to that site! It's amazing and deserves a really thorough look through, and I will do that this weekend. I will give you ALL my thoughts. What is funny is that I have a DEVIL of a time trying to get my daughter to eat Veggies, but she will snack on fruit, so that is cool. Growing up I always liked my veggies, couldn't stand fruit. Really it's been since doing this protocol that I have discovered a new LOVE for fruit! I will get with you my sweet!