Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes - 01.31.08 - D10P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 171.6
Today - 170.6
1.0 lb LOSS Overnight
4.8 lb UNDER LIW of Round Three (175.4)
13.8 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
80.2 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

I am such a creature of habit! Coffee and Half and Half, apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Ground Beef Patty with Lettuce Salad / Mustard Dressing. Dinner was a Creole Catfish. I think I may be done with this menu for awhile, I will probably change things up a bit today! HA!

A total of around 460 calories divided this way: 11 Fat, 48 Carbs, 45 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Thanks goes to Andrea for answering the survey! Any others willing to approach this subject?

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

Another One Bites The Dust! OMG - 80.2 POUNDS GONE!!!

I am pleased mind you, but seriously, WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING RIGHT??? I mean, come on, what are we supposed to expect come day 10 on the protocol???

What more needs to be said? Here are the numbers for those of you keeping track:

Day 9 (Complete) - Round 4 = 7.48% Body Weight Loss
Day 9 (Complete) - Round 3 = 6.21% Body Weight Loss
Day 9 (Complete) - Round 2 = 5.32% Body Weight Loss
Day 9 (Complete) - Round 1 = 4.55% Body Weight Loss

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

HA! I am sure you are going to go through the day today humming this song, and every time you do, you will think of this post, good thing, cause it's a good one, if I do say so myself. Let me just add, this is a long one. Bear with me.

There are times during the day where something crosses my minds path and I will be like, shoot, that would be something I should talk about in my blog. Sometimes the thoughts disappear shortly without another interest, but then sometimes they grab me and wont let go. Yesterday, I had a thought that wouldn't give me peace it was hanging on so hard.

Let me explain.

Yesterday was a good day. It really was. It was one of those days that seems everything is falling into place for some unknown reason. I was 'flying' and it was working - I was getting my housework done in record time, I was 'chatting' with friends and conversations were motivating and stimulating.

One of my '15 minutes' (you really must check out FlyLady if you don't know how powerful 15 minutes can be) scheduled yesterday was for me to go through a pile of clothes that were sent to me by my SIL - some of them used, but most of them new. There was a Dillard's that went out of business in the area they live and things were marked down dramatically. When they first got here over the weekend, I quickly went through them and saw that there were all 14's and so mentally I said, well, this ain't the round for these clothes, it will be NEXT round, so I wasn't anxious to go through them right away. But yesterday was the day I said I would finally handle them.

Before I go on, yes, I know I am wearing at the moment a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans that are a size 14 - but GV jeans always run bigger and I will tell you why. For us women that have "back" (big butts) GV jeans are the BEST jeans because she designs her jeans with room for the back trunk. Most other designers feel they must design jeans for people with flat butts, so us big butt girls need to usually get a size larger for it to fit over the butt area. Then we have to wear a belt because there is a gap at the waist. All the other pants I am wearing right now are 16's.

I came across a pair of what I like to call 'Daisy Duke' jean shorts. I call them that because they are SHORT Shorts, and when I first looked at them I was like RIGHT, I haven't worn jean shorts in decades, like I am ever gonna wear shorts this short, for heavens sake, I have to hide these fat legs of mine. You know as well as I do that when we are obese, we try to cover as much skin as we can, we don't want anyone seeing all that skin, I mean come on, they might think we are fat if they see skin! (Go ahead, tell me I am not the only one that reasoned this way)

Some alien force possessed me to try them on. O M G - THEY FIT!!! For your viewing pleasure is me in all my glory with these shorts, and might I add a medium top that was sent along also (remember, clickable for larger view):

My legs? They are doing that wiggly jiggly thing right now, which is ok with me because we all know that means that the HCG is doing it's thing. So keep that in mind, but can you believe I could get those dang things on??? I really thought when I looked at them, NO STINKING WAY, but YES, they are on.

Right after I took the picture, I had a brief 5 minute cry. I was beside myself with joy! But then reality stepped in and my mind took over and that blasted song POPPED into my head at that moment. Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Time May Change Me, But I Can't Trace Time

When the muse hit me like it did yesterday, and then wouldn't let go, I had to ponder what the heck did this mean, why was I supposed to write about this? I couldn't understand this lyric, much less how it applied to what was going on at this particular moment in my life.

Thank goodness for the internet world! As I was sitting here at my computer, staring at the screen yesterday afternoon, a little button popped up from my Yahoo window, and it was announcing to me that EweWho had just logged in. I said to myself, she is never on Yahoo, in fact, I invited her as a buddy like months ago and she never accepted the invitation so I just assumed she never used Yahoo Messenger, so since I was sitting here I opened up a chat window with her to say hi!

One thing lead to another and I told her about the Size 14 Daisy Dukes and I sent her the picture. I asked her about this lyric, and what her thoughts were on why this was hitting me as hard as it did. Chatting with her helped put the perspective on why it was that particular lyric that struck a chord with me.

Over time, roughly 7 months, time has changed me. I have changed in so many ways, it's not even funny. I have changed my eating habits, I have changed my emotional well being, I have changed my self esteem, I have changed my confidence, I have changed my physical body, I have changed my wardrobe, I have changed my medical condition, all profound changes to make me who I am today.

But I can't trace time ... I can't copy the time that has changed me because I am no longer the person I was. If I try to 'trace' the steps (time) that got me to this moment it wouldn't be the same because I am a different person. All we have is this moment. We are not guaranteed a future and we cannot relive the past. We are here in the now. We MUST make every moment count. Thank goodness hindsight is 20/20 - it is because of my living in the NOW that I am where I am today. It is because I have followed this protocol and treated it as a gift that I have gotten from a size 24 to a size 14 in 7 months. It is because I know I can't ever relive this moment that I stay true to the protocol. It is because I know that my time is valuable (after all I will be 46 this year) that each and every day is precious and this miracle that has crossed my path is worth doing right.

You can't trace time. You can't make up for lost time. Lost time is just that, it's lost and gone forever. Stay the course. You do that, time will be your friend. It will pamper you. It will caress you.

Time may change me, but I can't trace time. You can't copy what time changes in you. Deep, I know, but think about it.

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

smacmo - I really need to get to your blog! I have been told that before, but I said I wouldn't do it until I was done and maintained for at least 6 months, then I would really know this works! Aren't I just the silliest thing???

Lili - Aww girl, you rule!

CB - Thanks girl, you will be here shortly!

Mary - Thanks!

Wendy - I am supposed to be doing 26 days, but things may cut it short, I wont know until this weekend is over so I will be sure to let the community know my plans.

Jenn - goodness girl, what can be said that hasn't been said already. You are my heart, did you know that?

Mariel - AH YES! Now I know who you are! Thank you so much for stopping by and reading, hey, this thing keeps me honest ya know???

Monica - you have no idea how fortunate you are! Give that man a hug from all of us! I owe you an email, it will be sometime this morning!

Renee - Thanks!

Becca - I sure can't wait to get to your blog! That is my midmorning fun! Thanks for the kind words, and girl, you are TALL!!! You go girl! Thanks!

Time is on my side, Biz

Diet Sabotage - 01.30.08 - D09P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 172.6
Today - 171.6
1.0 lb LOSS Overnight
3.8 lb UNDER LIW of Round Three (175.4)
12.8 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
79.2 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

I pretty much followed the same pattern as yesterday, but not quite as much coffee and cream. An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Ground Beef Patty with Lettuce Salad / Mustard Dressing. Dinner was a Creole Catfish - Oh and I had coffee with half and half (1 tbsp). Before you all think that I am trying to mimic my day yesterday, I only did it because I have a TON of ground beef to use up, and the same with the Cat Fish!

A total of around 476 calories divided this way: 11 Fat, 50 Carbs, 46 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Thanks goes to Katrina, Kat Lee, and Mary Lou for answering the survey! Any others willing to approach this subject?

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

Where Did THAT Come From???

Seriously. This is day 9 for goodness sake. How can I still be having this kind of success this late in the game? Jenn asked me a question yesterday - She said "So does this round "feel" like R3?" - my answer to her was - "Believe it or not Jenn, this round is screwing with my mind big time. I am like in this perpetual weirdness phase right now, not believing it's real. Kinda like my first few weeks on Round 1 - waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's like, can this really be happening to me AGAIN???? There is no way on God's Green Earth that this can be as successful a FOURTH time??? I am in awe of myself, does that sound weird??? I don't mean it to, it's just surreal."

This morning I got on the scale, saying to myself, 171something, 171something, but in the back of my mind fully prepared to see a smaller loss, after all, this is DAY 9 - so seeing 171.6, a whole pound gone, was just too good to be true. This protocol is truly a blessing. You people out there need to thank whoever it is that you believe your higher power to be for giving this gift to you. It's truly a gift.

Are you treating it that way? Are you appreciating it as a GIFT? If not, then by all means, you need to wrap your head around what it means to get a gift of this magnitude and treat it as such.

For those keeping up with the numbers:

Day 8 (Complete) - Round 4 = 6.94% Body Weight Loss
Day 8 (Complete) - Round 3 = 5.80% Body Weight Loss
Day 8 (Complete) - Round 2 = 4.57% Body Weight Loss
Day 8 (Complete) - Round 1 = 4.55% Body Weight Loss

Diet Sabotage

We all know about "Self Sabotage" right? I have approached this subject in the past, but under the guise of "Fear of Success" - which is pretty much the same thing. I have always been one that tends not put the blame for my mistakes on other people because I am a free moral agent, able to make my own choices, so ultimately I am the one to blame for any issues.

Well by now you folks know how I operate. I see something happening in our little community and automatically it becomes fodder for my brain and I want to research it. So I saw some "Diet Sabotage" taking place, and of course, here goes the ole fingers and mouse looking for information on how to deal with it.

Come on, we all get "Diet Sabotage" from all angels. Whether it's from our family or friends that tell us "You look GOOD! You don't need to lose anymore" - to the more subtle husband bringing home flowers and chocolates, when he just KNOWS you are on a "Diet". Whatever the source is, we have to know how to deal with these SABOTEURS.

Most of the time, they have no idea they are doing the sabotaging, not consciously anyway. With the example of the husband bringing home flowers AND chocolate, I am sure it's more of a "well honey, you have done so well, here is something for you because you have worked so hard on this for so long".

But sometimes, the giving could have links to something deeper.

Please understand that the following can come from either a male or female point of view.

I found a very interesting article from the New York Times from back in 1993 and it's worth a read:

Diet Sabotage: The New Battle of the Sexes

Just for kicks, I sent this article to Lili - we all know that Lili is pretty much wise beyond her years, and I felt I needed her input on this one. She has this really unique way of getting to the meat of in issue and provide you with a straight, no holds barred way of looking at things. Lili does not have a pretentious bone in her body and so I value her opinion, and besides that, she is older than me! (HA! Only by less than a year!)

Anyhoo, very interesting reply she sent back to me. I have asked her permission to repost her reply here and she said GO FOR IT! Thanks Lili!

First she says this:

I think it brings up some valid points. My boyfriend complains that we haven't had dinner together since late last summer -- when I started Hcg at the end of august, did P2, then P3, then P2 again, then began to eat according to my appetite. Which ended up being eating my main meal at around 3:00 pm. He would get home and want to make a huge dinner, and I'd say "sorry. But I'll sit with you". He finally confronted me, saying it was really a big issue for him, that we did not sit down and eat dinner together at night. I explained my side, and said "we'll have to work out a compromise. I am not a huge dinner eater anymore -- and it's working for my weight. But perhaps I can have a salad, or sometimes eat dinner with you". I still have another round of P2 (or 2) left, and we agreed to address the issue again when I'm done, but it's interesting -- the article is right -- if the tables were turned, I'd adapt to his schedule. It'd be a no-brainer.

WOW - can you see how compromising your position can lead to going back into habits that got you fat in the first place? I have had to deal with this same issue in my home. My husband prefers to eat later, like around 7pm or 8pm - well that just doesn't work on the protocol, in fact, for life! I have told him time and time again that I have to eat no later than 6pm. If I eat any later, there isn't enough time between dinner and bed and that is not good for the body.

Then she goes further:

I am NOT willing to go back to nightly huge meals. I am willing to compromise. He's usually reasonable, so it will hopefully work out fine. But -if it's keeping my weight loss or keeping him -- well, girl, there's alot more fish out in that sea. Call me a *beeyatch* (I prefer "determined woman") but I've worked too hard to figure out my body and health to give it up for a man, even one that I love as much as I do him.

Now see there? Ultimately, we do have to make a stand, or we are putting ourselves in the same place we were when we were FAT - and do we want to be FAT again??? We have to let go of our old selves and embrace the new ones. We have found what is a miracle to get us to the weight we never dreamed we could be - don't give it away.

Oh but there is MORE!

Guys don't realize that we women just don't care that much about their bodies -- my guy has a little gut, is balding, and just so cute in his little red arty glasses and geeky bow ties! He should stand up straighter, exercise more, and I adore every inch of his 55-year-old body -- with all its imperfections.

Men are funny creatures sometimes. They are not as forthcoming as us women on their feelings and such and they tend to hide what it is they really want. So we feel compelled to try to mold ourselves to what we FEEL is what they want. Well, in regards to this protocol, and for the life of maintaining? We can't do that anymore. We need to make a stand. It's our bodies, and until we are comfortable in them, NO ONE else is gonna be comfortable either.

When MOMMA isn't happy? AIN'T NO ONE HAPPY!

There, nuff said.

Little update on JPS - she broke into the 140's yesterday!!! She is FLYING HIGH!

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

Lili - Yeah, just going on it for 3 weeks and it answers all their questions! THANKS for yesterday, OMG - I LOVE YOU!!!

Wendy - Infomercial? OMG - NO!!! I don't want to be lumped in with KT!!! HA! Thanks girlie girl! You size 8 thing you! Does that just blow your mind???

Ed & Jenn - I learned a while back, when the student is ready the teacher will appear. Girl, you have got the world at your fingertips! Just keep doing what your doing with your blog. The more information on success we have out there, the more this will become widespread and then they will be BEGGING us for our information!

Monica - HA! I will take and post pics next Tuesday. I didn't feel right taking pics until I had at least 5 lbs under the last pics I took at my LIW! LOL - there will be a time when your people will have to stand up and take notice. Right now, just bask in the sunshine of the protocol!

Renee - HA! Isn't it amazing? All it takes is just a couple of days of eating normally and we are like, OMG, when can I go back to the protocol??? ROFL - we are such creatures aren't we???

Becca - HA! Oh yeah, sleep is the KEY! Girl! Get some rest!!! Lili and I were talking yesterday on the phone, she tells me that your 5'7", I think that is what she said? Is that true? I don't know why I thought you were shorter than that! HA!

Have a wonderful day! Biz

Success in 21 Days - 01.29.08 - D08P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 174.0
Today - 172.6
1.4 lb LOSS Overnight
2.8 lb UNDER LIW of Round Three (175.4)
11.8 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
78.2 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Ground Beef Patty with Lettuce Salad / Mustard Dressing. Dinner was a Creole Catfish - Oh and I had coffee with half and half (1 tbsp) and then some Non Dairy Creamer after that.

A total of around 499 calories divided this way: 12 Fat, 54 Carbs, 55 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Thanks goes to Lili, Myisha and Becca for answering the survey. Any others willing to approach this subject?

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

Now That Is What I Am Talking About!

HA! See what a little sleep will do to a girl??? It will let her lose. Ok folks, today it really hit me, do you see how close I am to the 160's??? That pretty much BLEW my mind! It just became real, seriously real and I am about to freak. What is even MORE freaky than that? I have less than 25 lbs to lose to make it to goal. Do you know how easy it sounds to have to lose just 25 lbs??? (22.6 to be exact)

That's not really fair though. My goal weight is arbitrary, I had to pick something so I said 150 - it sounded like a great number to shoot for, after all that was 100 lbs from where I started. But we all know I am going until the HCG tells me to stop. And if it tells me to keep on going past 150, which I have a suspicion it will, I will keep on keepin' on!

The numbers don't lie:

Day 7 (Complete) - Round 4 = 6.40% Body Weight Loss
Day 7 (Complete) - Round 3 = 5.28% Body Weight Loss
Day 7 (Complete) - Round 2 = 3.54% Body Weight Loss
Day 7 (Complete) - Round 1 = 3.75% Body Weight Loss

Everyone, say it with me: BIZ IS KICKING BUTT AND TAKING NAMES! HA!

Success in 21 Days

You folks have all heard it: "Try it for 30 days, if your not completely satisfied, you get your money back" or better yet this one is from the software industry: "Try this piece of software for 30 days before you have to make a commitment to buy". Ever wonder why companies offer this jewel?

It's because they are so sure of their product that they are convinced if you only TRY it, you will like it and then you will BUY it. That is simple logic and it works really well. Who in their right mind wouldn't try anything for free? Or with the promise that you can have your money back should it not live up to what you want.

I have approached telling people about HCG in real life using this little gem. There are several people right now (4 total) that I had a little talk with them to give HCG a try for 3 weeks. That is all I am asking, just 3 weeks out of your life to see if you can handle the program. (Don't worry, I explain to them the whole 26 day thing)

My reasoning is this. We all know that it takes 21 days for us to develop new habits. If they give this protocol a chance for 21 days, they are going to see miraculous results, and I know they will want to continue.

Those of us that have 100 or more pounds to lose, even with this protocol, the end seems so daunting. But if you split it up into 20 lbs increments (very realistic on 21 days - especially if you are heavier), then to think you could lose 20% of what you need to in just 3 weeks, OMG - that is simply miraculous.

And really, who couldn't follow this plan for just 21 days??? We ALL know it's pretty simple those first 3 weeks. Shoot the weight loss itself is a huge motivator! Getting on the scale every day and seeing losses big and small convinces us to do another day. And if we commit to only 21 days, the end of the phase is in sight and it makes it that much easier to maintain control!

Our minds are funny things. Yes, we have to play around with them to get them to work in the way we ultimately want to go. When you think, geesh, I only have 14 more days to go, smcak, that's EASY! When you think, I can stop injections in 14 days and eat what I want (reasonably), you're like BRING IT ON.

When you let your mind focus on the baby steps of the future, but the big pictures of the past - it's amazing how much stronger our commitment is. And what I know will happen at the end of those 21 days, they will be like, sign me up for another week! I just know it, don't you???

Once people live this life for 21 days, see that it is indeed possible to live (and lose) on 500 cals, see their bodies begin to transform, they are SOLD. Lock, stock and barrel. If they follow the program, I can guarantee them results. Miraculous results. SUCCESS!

Of course, I don't tell them they can get their money back. MUHAHAHAHA!!!

What do you think?

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

Lili - I just love the way you threw that "BTW - I'm starting P2 today" - like I wouldn't notice it or something??? Sorry I missed your phone call yesterday, will get with you today!

Monica - yeah! I remember that dream you had. And when I woke up and thought about mine, my mind immediately went to yours and I was like, is there something to this? I am wondering if your right, if when our sleep is interrupted, does our losing process interrupted too? Interesting.

Marshall - It all ties together doesn't it??? Well, I had a great nights sleep last night and had a pretty powerful weight loss today, so maybe you can play "catch up"?

Ed and Jenn - OH YEAH! That was YOU with the Mt Dew! LOL - I forgot about that! We are cyber connected, how weird is that??? I was shocked to find out JPS weighs herself multiple times during the day. ROFL

Wendy - ME and SLEEP? Let me just tell you this, I have ALWAYS needed my sleep to function. In high school I used to come home and take a nap even before I could do my homework. And still I was in bed by 9pm. I wish I could survive on less sleep. Geesh, life would be grand!

Mary - Like Wendy said, it's all subjective. The trick is to find out what YOUR needs are and then MEET them!

BB - Nice to have you back again! I think you may be right on the REM thing, that is when most of the restful sleep comes from, probably letting the body processes that are important take over.

Becca - Do you find yourself a bit more sleepy on HCG (after the first week that is) then off? I do. During my 2nd round I noticed it more than any other so far. I just had really REALLY good sleep. Like making up for lost time or something???

Make it a good one people!

Biz

Do You Dream About Your Weight? - 01.28.08 - D07P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 174.2
Today - 174.0
0.2 lb LOSS Overnight
1.4 lb UNDER LIW of Round Three (175.4)
10.4 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
76.8 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Chicken - Fajita Style. Dinner was a Creole Chicken (Cajun Chicken and Tomatoes)

A total of around 447 calories divided this way: 3 Fat, 46 Carbs, 53 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Thanks goes to Mariel for answering the survey. Any others willing to approach this subject?

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

It Was a Good Run!

I knew it had to slow down, a body can only do so much in just 6 completed days! Not gonna over analyze it, I am WAY more than half way to my goal and I am just gonna let the HCG perform it's magic.

The numbers don't lie:

Day 6 (Complete) - Round 4 = 5.64% Body Weight Loss
Day 6 (Complete) - Round 3 = 4.97% Body Weight Loss
Day 6 (Complete) - Round 2 = 3.54% Body Weight Loss
Day 6 (Complete) - Round 1 = 3.35% Body Weight Loss

Want to hear something interesting? On Rounds 1 and 2 on Day 7 I stalled. On my 3rd round that didn't happen, but I feel it's interesting to note that it did on my first two rounds! Is my body this consistent???

Do You Dream About Your Weight?

I just so happen to have been woken up this morning in the middle of a dream. My husband was looking for something and had to wake me up to find it. It was some medicine that he needed to be able to sleep the rest of the morning.

Since I am not one to remember my dreams very often, I forced myself to stay awake so that I could remember this one. It was a good one! It involved a scale. And yes, I loved the scale and the scale loved me.

I tell you where this came from. For the first time since starting this protocol, I have gotten into this weird habit of weighing myself at different times during the day, just to see what is going on. And so since it's becoming sort of a habit, I guess it has gotten into my subconscious mind and now I am dreaming about it.

My dream was about me stepping on the scale and it reading back 128 - now where did THAT come from??? I have NO dreams about being that small!!! I have my theories on where that came from, and it was YOU JENN! I remember talking to my sister yesterday on the phone and I was like, there is this girl that has a blog that is your height and she is like at 128 or so - that means you can get there too! I told my sister that this girl started at almost the same weight as she did, and that this was her third round (which my sister was about to embark on too) and that she has already gotten down to this weight after being around 140 to start. My sister was just thrilled!

So anyway, having this dream made me think about dreaming and sleep and such so I did a little research this morning and I found this article:

The Dream Diet - Losing Weight While You Sleep

Most interesting this article is! It has pretty much confirmed a lot of things that JPS have talked about extensively, that you need your sleep in order to lose weight. Some of the article spends time on sleep apnea, which is a different topic all together, but what I focused in on was the fact that these two hormones, "leptin and ghrelin" can be responsible for our ability to lose weight during the day.

Evidently, they are discovering that these two hormones are produced while we sleep, and these have the ability to control our appetite. They feel there is a relation to having a lack of sleep and obesity - if we don't allow these hormones to be produced while we sleep, then while we are awake our appetite soars and we start eating more things to help us 'get energy' and to stay awake.

Wow, what a vicious cycle this is eh?

Another article that was interesting in this regard was this:

If You're Planning to Lose Weight in the New Year, Experts Say "Think Sleep"

In this article, it's basically telling us sure everybody has a New Year's Resolution to lose weight, but they do nothing to help them sleep better which is a big factor in our ability to lose weight. But what I found most interesting is when it tells us that lack of sleep can contribute to lack of the "Growth Hormone" being produced which is needed for adults to regulate the proportion of fat and muscle.

Hmmmm

I didn't get GOOD sleep last night. Baby girl is sick and I spent the night with her and with all her coughing and sneezing keeping me up, and then hubby waking me up to find medicine, my sleep was interrupted all night. Hmmmm, could this be the reason for the small .2 loss?

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

Mariel - What name do you go by on the discussion board??? I have two dressing in my sidebar that I use pretty much extensively. With the mustard dressing I have switched now to using Dijon and have enjoyed it MUCH more! Thanks for the nice words!

Mary - Thanks girl!!!

Ed and Jenn (Gotta add Ed in there now, knowing that he looks over your shoulder) - Added protein? Hmmm, I have had more than the amount allowed on several occasions with no harm done, but would I recommend it??? Not all the time, no. I get all my oriental stuff from the local Asian Market, I am sure there is one in almost every big city!

Monica - I think you have a plan, just make sure they don't throw any sauces on it and you should be just fine! Thanks girl, and LOOK AT YOUR PICS!!!

Becca - Thanks girl! Loving life at the moment!

Take it easy, Biz

Are You Prepared? - 01.27.08 - D06P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 175.8
Today - 174.2
1.6 lb LOSS Overnight
1.2 lb UNDER LIW of Round Three (175.4)
10.2 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
76.6 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Ground Beef Cajun Style - with tomatoes. Dinner was a large lettuce salad. As you can see, I didn't have my 2nd serving of protein yesterday, lack of planning caused this and this subject will be approached below.

A total of around 318 calories divided this way: 7 Fat, 39 Carbs, 29 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Only two answers so far? Any others willing to approach this subject?

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

Seriously

Another 1.6 Overnight! Where did that come from??? Well, I am BELOW my LIW and with a bit to spare! WOO HOO FOR ME! After 5 completed days, I lost all that I gained on my break and I am in the "Gravy Zone" - oh yeah, that's the way I like it!

Let's see the winners from my little contest?

Oh Yeah! Good Guess Gals!

• Cathy - Day 6, which would be Sunday
• Monica - Sunday

Oops, Didn't Happen

• Jennifer - Friday - Sorry :(
• Rosie - Friday - Sorry :(
• Becca - Friday - Sorry :(
• Martha - Saturday - Sorry :(
• Mary - Saturday - Sorry :(
• Wendy - Saturday - Sorry :(
• Page - Monday - Sorry :(
  

Sorry Page.

Most excellent! Monica and Cathy, please contact me, you folks already know how ;) and let me know your snail mail addy. Please don't post it here ok? You should have my email addy or use the contact form on the right side of my side bar. Thanks for playing all of you! That was fun!!!

You know I love my numbers - let's look at them again!

Day 5 (Complete) - Round 4 = 5.53% Body Weight Loss
Day 5 (Complete) - Round 3 = 4.24% Body Weight Loss
Day 5 (Complete) - Round 2 = 3.54% Body Weight Loss
Day 5 (Complete) - Round 1 = 3.35% Body Weight Loss

JPS showed me how to do something with the Excel Chart, what do you think of this? It really shows how well my rounds are doing. And how much better each round has gotten! Totally cool!



Speaking of JPS - here is an update on her. She was at 7.8 lbs above (161.2) her LIW (153.4) when we started this round, and today she is 1.8 below (151.6) - she lost all of her gain (and then some) while on the last break yesterday, so since yesterday everything is gravy for her. She has lost a total of 9.6 in 5 completed days or 5.96% loss from starting weight. She is doing well and loving HCG!!!

Lack of Preparation

Yesterday was a strange day. We had a going away party we needed to attend. We have known about this for a couple of weeks, so this wasn't an issue. But what I didn't know was that our family was asked to bring some food to the party. So I had to scramble to prepare something quickly.

Ok, so that wasn't such an issue. The party was to start at 4pm, but my husband was asked to be there at 3pm since he was DJ and was providing all the sound equipment. He went ahead and left and we were to follow.

Before we left, JPS asked what were we going to do about dinner. This was around 3:15pm and quite frankly I hadn't thought anything about dinner. So I said, look, the party is close enough that we can excuse ourselves around dinner time for a few minutes, come home and cook ourselves some dinner and then go back. We said this because we both thought it was going to be a plain ole party, something we wouldn't mind leaving.

Well, when we got there, we found that this was gonna be a FUN party, and that we weren't going to want to miss a minute of it! So I told JPS, look, I saw some bagged lettuce greens in the kitchen, and I just KNOW someone will bring some fried chicken (after all, this IS the south!) and we can split a breast (after taking off the skin) and we should be fine.

Well, do you know, not ONE person brought fried chicken??? Oh they brought chicken alright, but baked and only thighs and legs!!! ROFL - JPS took a chance on a thigh - I didn't, not wanting to chance it - she still lost a pound!!! So since there was nothing else there for me to nibble on, I just stuck to a dry bagged lettuce salad! That is why I didn't have my 2nd protein.

Preparation is the Key

Yes, this is the key to the success of this protocol. Sure, I still lost 1.6 today, but had this been further into my round, I can almost guarantee you that something different would have happened.

JPS and I got to talking about this this morning. We both agreed that if ever in this situation again, we would spend a few minutes and boil us an egg so that at least we would have our protein. As much as I am toying with a different "diet" for the protocol, what I will not ever recommend is going without our protein. This is dangerous stuff. Dr Simeon's tells us we are on the verge of Protein Deficiency during the protocol, so anything less than our 7 oz of protein a day will lead to horrible consequences. Especially if we are wanting to maintain day to day living activity.

So word to the wise, be prepared, don't throw caution to the wind and just HOPE things work. Plan your work, and work your plan. Being haphazard can cause inconsistent results.

I wont be doing that again!

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

Mary - VERY interesting! I about died when I heard that from Lynne! It was like, oh yeah, that makes sense! You wont be sorry about the Thai Soup, mmmmm.

Jenn - Sambal Oelek - and yes, I usually make my own broth, but recently, I have found this organic broth available at my local grocery store Food Lion called Nature's Place and it's quite good and I have used it extensively. I get the LOW SODIUM variety and it works just fine for me. Oh, sorry I didn't live up to your request, but hey, I just have one thing to say, HA! LOL - tell Ed he could be where I am if he would quit cheating! ROFL

Monica - Gosh, if I couldn't have cabbage on the protocol, I would go NUTS!

Wendy - MMMM, corned beef! I love me some corned beef and cabbage! What a very Atkins Friendly Meal eh???

Have a great one people!

Biz

Let's Learn About Cabbage - 01.26.08 - D05P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 177.4
Today - 175.8
1.6 lb LOSS Overnight
0.4 lb Over LIW of Round Three (175.4)
8.6 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
75.0 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Ground Beef Patty with Red Cabbage Cole Slaw. Dinner was Baby Bok Choy Soup again.

A total of around 432 calories divided this way: 7 Fat, 47 Carbs, 56 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Ok! I have formatted and put up the FAQ on "TOM - Aunt Flo Issues"!!! Yeah! I actually accomplished something yesterday!

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Thank you Jeanne and Ann for helping me with the FAQ yesterday. Any others willing to approach this subject?

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

HA! 1.6 Overnight! I am on my way! 8.6 of the 9 lbs above LIW gone in four completed days, gotta love my HCG! Only 0.4 more lbs until I am at LIW - when will that be??? Who is a part of my little contest from Wednesday?

Still In The Running:

• Cathy - Day 6, which would be Sunday
• Monica - Sunday
• Page - Monday (But was late so not part of the prize package)
  

Oops, Didn't Happen

• Jennifer - Friday - Sorry :(
  
• Rosie - Friday - Sorry :(
  
• Becca - Friday - Sorry :(
• Martha - Saturday - Sorry :(
• Mary - Saturday - Sorry :(
• Wendy - Saturday - Sorry :(

Sorry Martha, Mary and Wendy - I feel like I let you gals down. But still it was a good loss yes??? It would have been SWEET to already be done with the above LIW numbers, but still, I don't think I am doing all that bad??? I am doing everything according to plan, not deviating yet (like some people out there 'wink wink').

Day 4 (Complete) - Round 4 = 4.66% Body Weight Loss
Day 4 (Complete) - Round 3 = 3.62% Body Weight Loss
Day 4 (Complete) - Round 2 = 3.17% Body Weight Loss
Day 4 (Complete) - Round 1 = 2.95% Body Weight Loss

Do you folks see a pattern here? OMG! Isn't that funny to look at??? Who would have thought? You all know how important I think these particular numbers are, and it's not letting me down!

I know how important it is to put it out there in the universe the things that we want. But have any of you been afraid of putting out there what we know might be TOO MUCH? Like we are getting greedy or something?

I have never been one to be greedy. Selfish yes, but greedy? I am one always content with what I have at the moment. Maybe I need to rethink this. Maybe this is why I was overweight all those years??? Hmmm...food for thought...



Before I get into this discussion, I want to thank all of you that saw what I saw yesterday. It's good to know that I am not the only one that feels this way. There was a time that I was very strict about the protocol, shoot, I still am - I still believe deep in my heart in order to maximize losses, you follow exactly as written.

But for those of us that are on this thing for multiple rounds ... If taking a day of eating broccoli or brussel sprouts is the difference between losing it all and going off the deep end, or taking a chance of slower losses for that day, then, well, you figure it out.

That being said...

The Cabbage Family

The cabbage or cruciferous family is a group of vegetables named for their cross-shaped flowers. These include the following:

• Arugula
• Beet greens
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Chinese cabbage (Napa)
• Collard greens
• Daikon
• Garden cress
• Horseradish
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Mizuna
• Mustard greens
• Radishes
• Rutabaga
• Swiss chard
• Tatsoi
• Turnips
• Turnip greens
• Watercress
  

So, if we go into what we were talking about yesterday, then look at all the things that would be available to us should we decide to 'read between the lines' and use the entire cabbage family? I have highlighted what she allows per his "diet" menu (for Italian Patients).

Do you see what I see? Look at all the members of the cabbage family that is native to the Orient alone? Watercress, turnips, tatsoi, Napa, Bok Choy, and Daikon! WOW! Do you think he didn't include these because these were not native to his country??? I need to do an Excel sheet comparison to the nutritional make up of each and every one of these things. That is a project for another day.

Ok, so did you know this? That the cabbage family has been known to have properties that fight cancer??? They are nutrient dense and full of vitamins, and we are recommended to eat cabbage at least three times a week.

The cabbage family is an "antioxidant" and we all know how important this is to our health. In particular, the cabbage family have what they call "isothiocyanates" which is a phytochemical that combats carcinogens by neutralizing them and reducing their poisonous effect. In other words, it's even good for us to combat 'second hand smoke'.

The cabbage family vegetables also help reduce "homocysteine" levels (this is an amino acid in the blood stream - too much and your risk for coronary heart disease increases) so they reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

So, who is eating cabbage with me today???

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

Lili - make sure you keep GOOD records, as this is all for experiment sake. I would think carrots would be a big no no, along with potatoes and tubulars in general. I know, when Marshall said green beans I about died! ROFL

Shelly - I miss my turnips as well. And I always thought that turnips and radishes were the same thing ya know? Kinda like Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage are the same to me. Maybe it's me just trying to justify, but it hasn't affected my losses. Or maybe it has, but I am happy with my losses so far! ROFL

Marshall - Thanks for chiming in Dude! HA! I never thought of green beans, and do you know that is one of my FAVORITE veggies??? Gosh, I love green beans. My mom uses to say my snack when I was real little would be green beans right out of the can in a bowl. I would sit and watch TV with them!

Wendy - HA! Isn't that funny??? Same wavelength, we have done that before! Are we cybersisters or something???

Jenn - I went into it a bit with JPS yesterday, and she was agreeing with me. Funny how we are both leaning towards the menu not being that important as we once believed, but ask her or I to do anything about it this round? Um NO - we want to stick to what we know works! ROFL - we are both planning a trip at the end of this round so we are like, why chance it???

Mary - Sorry Charlie...just didn't make it. The Dijon Dressing was the dressing I posted, but I used Dijon Mustard instead, it made it all the more sweeter! OMG! I was loving life that day! I do really love my salads, but it is so soup weather!

I have to dig out my notes. Lynne from the HCG2 board mentioned that the doctor she used on her first round with Releana mentioned that he worked with Dr Atkins at one time. He also mentioned that Dr Atkins and Dr Simeons spent time together in Switzerland many moons ago. She also said that Dr Atkins believed that his diet was a "Golden Shot" opportunity, that the first time you did it and did it right, you would have great success. He mentioned that he would not see a patient that had a relapse. Hmmmm....

Ewewho - I might try green beans this round, but I am not sure yet! Maybe if I get to goal quick, but you know I am planning a trip so I want to maximize losses, so I am a bit apprehensive at the moment! ROFL

Becca - see, this is the thing. We are all doing this "self doctoring" bit, we are doing our own research. That is why I love our little community, I can throw things out there and get 'case studies' as it were to see what works and what doesn't. How much better can that get???

Take it easy!

Biz

How Many Times Have YOU Read Pounds and Inches? - 01.25.08 - D04P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 178.4
Today - 177.4
1.0 lb LOSS Overnight
2.0 lb Over LIW of Round Three (175.4)
7.0 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
73.4 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Chicken & Lettuce with Dijon Mustard Dressing. Dinner was Wet Pipikaula (Hawaiian Sweet Meat, OMG! This was good!!!) and Red Cabbage Cole Slaw.

A total of around 432 calories divided this way: 7 Fat, 46 Carbs, 52 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Ok! I have formatted and put up the FAQ on "TOM - Aunt Flo Issues"!!! Yeah! I actually accomplished something yesterday!

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

HA! 1.0 Overnight! I am on my way! 7 of the 9 lbs above LIW gone in three days, gotta love my HCG! Only 2 more lbs until I am at LIW - when will that be??? Who is a part of my little contest from Wednesday?

Still In The Running:

• Martha - Saturday
• Cathy - Day 6, which would be Sunday
• Mary - Saturday
• Wendy - Saturday
• Monica - Sunday

Oops, Didn't Happen

• Jennifer - Friday - Sorry :(
  
• Rosie - Friday - Sorry :(
  
• Becca - Friday - Sorry :(
  

Becca, Rosie and Jenn, I am so sorry I didn't make it. But girls??? 9 lbs in 3 days??? What do you think I am? Some fat burning machine or something??? HA! Do you realize that for me to lose 9 lbs, that is 4.88% of my starting weight??? That usually doesn't take place until the 5th - 11th completed day - I guess I should have let you know that little tidbit of information eh???

I know, I know, you all were being extremely sweet to me. Just being my little cheering section!!! I feel like I should offer you a 'trying' prize...hmmm...let me think on this a bit...



So Really, How Many Times Have YOU Read Pounds and Inches?

Me? I seriously couldn't tell you. It's been alot! During my first round, that manuscript was by my side each and every day. I printed the original manuscript out, put it in a binder and I looked at it every day. When I first got it, I read it twice the same day - front to back. It was so enlightening, everything this dear man said rang so true in this feeble ole brain of mine.

While on the forums, I would be tested as to my knowledge, so there I was, looking it over time and time again. Someone (bless their soul) had taken the time to convert the manuscript into a digital format, so now I could use the SEARCH feature to find the exact excerpt that I wanted and be able to answer a question from it - in HIS words, not in mine.

So I say this because it literally BLOWS my mind when I see something I missed. I am like, what the heck happened? Did I just skip this the first 18,000 times I read it??? This happened to me the other day, with Monica when she mentioned something about Brilliantine - not that I doubted her or anything but I had to pull it out and see if for myself. And by George, it was there. I did totally skip it.

That is why I am so blessed to be a part of this community. You folks always keep me on my toes. I am always checking and rechecking, and each time I do, I seem to find out something new.

I know that some of you came on the HCG Train using the book from Kevin Trudeau. Not that I have anything against the man, but let me just leave it here - I have lost this weight without ever touching his book. And although I sure appreciate him for bringing this information to the masses, I wouldn't follow his book for all the money in the world.

Now, that being said, if those of you have ONLY read KT's book and not Dr Simeon's manuscript, then I beg of you, stop what you are doing and read it. The original scanned manuscript can be found here:

Pounds and Inches - It's a PDF so it will take a bit of time to load!

How Did I Miss This?

Ok, that whole prelude right there leads me here. I was on the HCG2 Yahoo Group yesterday, looking up some information for an answer to a post, and I came across this little tidbit, that I have completely missed, yes, the first 18,000 times I read it:

The Diet

The 500 Calorie diet is explained on the day of the second injection to those patients who will be preparing their own food, and it is most important that the person who will actually cook is present - the wife, the mother or the cook, as the case may be. Here in Italy patients are given the following diet sheet.

Notice what I have highlighted in bold - now, as most of the blogging community knows, I take everything that DR S says as literal. He meant every single word he said, and he meant it for a reason. If he left something out, then it didn't need to be considered, but if he added something in, then it DID need to be considered.

Now, this might not strike you as odd, but it did me. Why would he say "Here in Italy" - my ultimate question would be, if he were in "Mexico" would his choices of fruits / vegetables / meats be different? Quite frankly, I don't think his meat choices would be any different, as he was very specific to make up and fat content and how much we should eat. But were his fruit and vegetable choices made because that is what was available there in ITALY??? Like I said, would it have changed if he were in Mexico? Or if he was in Hawaii? Or what about Japan? Each culture has it's own native fruits and vegetables, would he have chosen different ones had he been in a different place?

This has had me wondering for some time. For instance, I use alot of Napa Cabbage and Bok Choy during my Phase 2 - did he allow it? No, he said 'cabbage' - but both of them are from the cabbage family, and I have used it with no issues. So I wonder how far I can go with this. Releana, we all know, allows Broccoli and Cauliflower on their menu with no apparent issues.

Dr S allows radishes, which is a root vegetable. Would he have allowed turnips if he were in Japan? Or jicama if he were in Mexico? Do you see where I am going with this?

I would love some discussion on this, help me out people, tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree. Tell me that Dr S saying "Here in Italy" means nothing. Go ahead. I will be watching.



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

Lili - oh yeah, you smarty pants! I corrected it as soon as I saw your comment! I was hoping everyone would be saying, what the heck is Lili talking about. See? It takes it off of me being the dunce! Gotta love me right???

HA! That video is too much, you are TOO funny! I hope you are feeling better my sweet, I hope they found out what was wrong with you.

Mary - HA! Not swiftly enough my friend! I want it GONE and GONE now! But hey, I will take a pound a day loss anyday!

Crystal - Nope, not sold on them yet. I have read so many pros and cons, and I actually have a friend that has one. I haven't chatted with her about it yet (she is in Augusta) but I have chatted with friends of hers that believe its all a bunch of huey. Now granted, they also believe HCG is all a bunch of huey so they can't be trusted! LOL - Enjoyed our chat yesterday!

Jenn - I still should NOT be talking to you, I am still sulking - but hey, I need to get over it. At least SOMEONE is testing my theories!

CB - Thanks girl! I thought you were traveling??? I didn't expect to see you this morning???

Monica - Recipe? HA! I will write it down and post it.

Becca - Sorry Charlie, only good tasting ... forget that. But I still lost, so that still makes me a loser right??? I haven't wanted to put in my vote because, we know we all have self fulfilling prophecies right? I don't want it out there in the universe. I am so silly!

When you see that Becca, that means the person that wrote it removed it. In my experience what happens is one of two things. Something crazy happens in cyberspace and it gets posted twice. Or, what is more apt to happen, is that I hit the publish button too quickly and I didn't proof what I wrote and then I notice there is way too many mistakes and because I can't correct them, I just delete and write over. HA! It's not as sinister as you think!

Biz

What You Should Know About Brain Fog - 01.24.08 - D03P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 180.6
Today - 178.4
2.2 lb LOSS Overnight
3.0 lb Over LIW of Round Three (175.4)
6.0 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
72.4 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Beef and Napa Cabbage, Thai Style. Dinner was Chicken and Baby Bok Choy Soup.

A total of around 432 calories divided this way: 7 Fat, 41 Carbs, 55 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

Ok! I have formatted and put up the FAQ on "TOM - Aunt Flo Issues"!!! Yeah! I actually accomplished something yesterday!

Our FAQ Question this go round is the following, please spend some time if you can answering this survey:

Foods on Phase 2 - Do Some Work Better Than Others?

HA! 2.2 Overnight! I am on my way! 6 of the 9 lbs above LIW gone in two days, gotta love my HCG! Only 3 more lbs until I am at LIW - when will that be??? Who is a part of my little contest from yesterday?

• Martha - Saturday
• Cathy - Day 6, which would be Sunday
• Mary - Saturday
• Wendy - Saturday
• Monica - Sunday
• Jennifer - Friday
• Rosie - Friday
• Becca - Friday
  

WOW! I like the way you all think!!! Let's see what is gonna happen! I am doing everything exactly as programmed in the protocol, no deviations of any kind, so you have my word I am working on it!!!



Brain Fog

What is brain fog? I am sure that each and every one of us has experienced this perplexing problem. You just don't feel quite right, your spacey, your forgetful, you lack focus, everything around you seems overwhelming.

Well, this is how I have felt, I would say, over the last 10 or so days. Actually, I would have to pinpoint it to the day I went completely berserk and ate all that crud. Yup, I would have to say that is when this whole day to day living in a fog just about started.

Causes

In doing some research (isn't that what I am always doing?), I was shocked to find out the many things that can cause "Brain Fog". For example:

Insomnia - Your brain needs sleep for optimal function. Your brain is working all the time and requires a tremendous amount of energy to function properly. And when you are deprived of rest, then your brain is one of the first organs to suffer. So we must give our brains a chance to rest. Are we all getting enough rest? I am working on this one.

Candida - Oh yeah, we have heard of this before haven't we. And what causes Candida? SUGAR. And did I have sugar? Um, YES! What is interesting to learn is that you are hit from both sides of this little puppy. From the GROWING of Candida in your system, and also from the DIE OFF!!! It got you coming and going! I tell you, this might be what I am going through right now, a die off of Candida because of being on the protocol. You think?

Adrenal Fatigue - This is something I am just starting to learn about, so I don't have enough information on this to give you a synopsis, but I did find that this is also a cause of "Brain Fog".

Metal Toxicity - Lots of talk recently about Ion Foot Baths over at the HCG2 Yahoo Group, something I am not completely SOLD on yet, but I am looking into it. But it seems that our bodies are full of metals from all sorts of places, and these metal toxins like to take root in the brain and this could cause "Brain Fog".

Overuse of Artificial Sweeteners - Oh yeah, there is that nasty subject again. Fortunately, since I have been off of Coffee, I haven't had occasion to use much Artificial Sweeteners so this particular one might not be the reason for my latest episode of "Brain Fog". Some Artificial Sweeteners are considered "excitotoxins" and that means they are toxic, and can disrupt brain function.

Constipation - HA! This could be a cause of "Brain Fog"? Well, when you think about it, what are our bowels supposed to do? Get rid of waste. If the waste is there and it's not going anywhere, what does it do? OMG - let's not think about that this early in the morning.

I have only SKIMMED these causes this morning, this is much more to be learned. It's actually good to know that there is a reason that I am feeling this way, and it's not just that I am getting old. ROFL

So what can we do to help "Brain Fog"?

• Get Rest
• Take a Walk in Fresh Air
• Avoid Sugar (and Artificial Sweeteners)
• Clean Out Your System (Bowels)
• Cleanse metal toxins
  

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

Mary - HA! The fog is lifting, slowly but surely! I got your vote recorded!

Wendy - Thanks girl! I got your vote recorded!

Monica - Got your vote recorded. It's sweet when you load your "gain load" the first night.

Jennifer - I sure enjoyed chatting with you yesterday, you are so crazy! ROFL - I think it's too much too hope for me making my LIW by tomorrow, but stranger things have happened that is for sure! Although my average right now is higher on two completed days then any of my other rounds, so who knows!

Renee - Thanks girlfriend!

Crystal - I honestly cannot believe what I did to my body during this last break, I swear, I am loving eating natural foods again. OMG! I know exactly what you are talking about. You are going to SAIL thru this girlfriend! WOO HOO - summer? Get ready for us!!!

Becca - I need to update about JPS! She didn't load on lemon bars, no, she was just the evil temptress who made them! ROFL - no, she loaded on Nutter Butters!!! LOL - She went a little nuts on those puppies! I will post a complete update on her tomorrow. We are in this for the duration. She is a bit shorter than me, so her goals are lower than mine, and we pretty much have hung around the same spread throughout the protocol, so I think we will be doing rounds together until we are done.

Take it easy folks!!!

Biz

Ok, So I Loaded! - 01.23.08 - D02P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 184.4
Today - 180.6
3.8 lb LOSS Overnight
5.2 lb Over LIW of Round Three (175.4)
3.8 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
70.2 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

An apple and a half a grapefruit. Lunch was Beef and Napa Cabbage, Thai Style. Dinner was Thai Hot and Sour Soup.

A total of around 444 calories divided this way: 7 Fat, 47 Carbs, 55 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it! Maybe Wednesday?

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

It seems like I am always explaining! PROMISE! I will have the new FAQ's ready by tomorrow.

So I Loaded!

I still sit here thinking to myself, I really didn't eat that much. In fact, I know for a fact that I have eaten WAY more on other rounds compared to this one and yet this round was KILLER in the gain department. Let's look at some numbers, shall we?

• 1st Load - June 23 - 26, 2007 ~ I was with NHW and I loaded for THREE days, and do you know that I didn't gain ONE OUNCE? I loaded almost entirely on FAST FOOD. Sonic, Burger King, Captain D's, McDonalds, and then finally I had Mexican on the third day.
• 2nd Load - September 14 - 15, 2007 ~ Self mixing by now, so only a two day load. I went into this load BELOW LIW 2.4 lbs, so when I was done loading I was only over my LIW by .6 lbs, so this was a "gain on load" of 3 lbs. I loaded on Sushi and Italian Food.
• 3rd Load - November 24 - 25, 2007 ~ Remember now, I was in NOLA during this break. I went into this load at 3 lbs above my LIW and with the load I went up to 5.8 lbs above my LIW - so only 2.8 lbs were gained on the load itself. This time I loaded on Chinese Food and Carrot Cake.
• 4th Load - January 20 - 21, 2008 ~ Now, this is the killer load, but when I really look at the "load" itself, it's not all that far out of whack. I have to remember that I went into the load already above my LIW - I was 5.2 lbs above LIW, so my load only consisted of a gain of 3.8 lbs!
  

Now isn't that interesting - the day I started my injections I was 180.6 lbs, and today I am 180.6 lbs. So I have technically lost all my "gain on load" in just one night. When I look back on my 2nd load? The same thing happened, 3 lbs gained on load, 3 lbs lost the first night. On my 3rd load? 2.8 lbs gained on load, but this time I only lost 2.4 the first night.

If you ask me? This is pretty remarkable! Seriously, think about it. I can reasonably assure myself that whatever I 'gain on load' will be gone by the first night. Now I am not talking about what is OVER LIW, because that isn't fair to think that my body can recover that quickly, but to be able to lose the 'load' overnight, for me anyway (YMMV) is pretty sweet.

Still I think about this past load, and seriously, the only thing I indulged in were those lemon bars. And I had JPS (evil) with me keep asking me, you gonna have another? Remember, this is your load, you wanted these. She was like this little chihuahua on my heels begging me to eat those dang lemon bars. HA! I say that, but she didn't tie me down and make me eat them, I am still a free moral agent and it was my own HAND TO MOUTH that did it, but isn't it nice sometimes to place the blame on someone else?

So there, I guess I did load. And loaded on something that I don't think I will do the next time. I would rather spend my time on good things - those dang lemon bars made me go thru sugar withdrawals yesterday, I swear, my head was in a major fog all day. I couldn't think straight, I couldn't concentrate, it was a wash yesterday.

But I am ON MY WAY PEOPLE! Now, I just need to drop this extra 5.2 lbs to be back to my LIW and then it's all gravy after that!

How long do you think it will take me? Let's have a contest - and the winner(s) will receive and personal gift from me, something "crafty" - that's all I can afford! ROFL

Tell me, how long do you think it will take me to get to my LIW? What VLCD day do you think I will be on when I either HIT my LIW or surpass it (but on that day)? Either leave me a comment here on my blog, in my Tag Board on the left side bar, or my comment form on the right side bar, or email me at bizadventure at comcast dot net


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

Lili - Yeah, I know, I couldn't believe I could find it. OMG - that video gives me goose pimples from head to toe, that song does, just thinking about it right now gives me them! Can you even believe I dropped my LOAD in one night? Ugh, that sounds kinda nasty...ROFL...enjoyed our chat yesterday!

Mary - I am so glad it was here when you needed it. It looks like it fit the bill for so many different people, I am so happy. It helped me as well!

CB - I didn't post yesterday's post to anyone in particular, but it seems that there was more than one that needed it. I know you are not giving up, but sometimes we all need reminders that there are others out there that are facing similar things and just knowing that sometimes makes that journey a little more livable. Get your head on straight, and come back. Don't leave us tho, keep posting ok?

Monica - Thanks girl! I hope you see GREAT LOSS results today, after your "peeing" fest.

Jennifer - Seriously, JPS has NEVER seen me eat something like that before. Sure she was egging me on, but in the end she looked at me and said, "you really liked those didn't you"? I was like, um YEAH, what was your first clue??? HA! It was an indulgence, and one I paid for yesterday with massive sugar withdrawal. SUGAR IS NOT MY THING! I should have stuck with the BEER! ROFL - I so crack myself up sometimes! Hey girl, maybe you can help me with the "closet eater" post? Drop me a line when you can ok?

Wendy - I can so relate, thank you my sweet! How cool! Your favorite BRA! Would could be better???

Crystal - Am I to assume you are starting another round soon??? WOO HOO FOR CRYSTAL! You go girl!

Paul - It's because of all of you that I am where I am today. Thank you for being there.

Ann - Girl, just what I mean, you need to go take a look at Becca's Blog, she had an AWESOME post about attitude adjustments and it was so SPOT ON! I am so happy yesterday's post provided some help for you.

Becca - Seriously woman, we were of the same mind. I don't know if I should be worried? ROFL - but your post, dang girl, that was a GOOD one. It ties right in to Cathy's (Veggie #1) motto - Cheating is NOT an option. LOVE IT! Thank you for being there!

Shelly - Another one bites the blogging world! WOO HOO! Thanks for the visit, and I will be visiting your blog sometime today! THIS SO ROCKS! You are so right!

Take it easy!

Biz

Don't Give Up - 01.22.08 - D01P2R4

R4P2 Starting Weight 184.4
Yesterday - 181.6
Today - 184.4
2.8 lb GAIN Overnight
9.0 lb Over LIW of Round Three (175.4)
0.0 Lost Since Start of R4 (VLCD) 01/22/08
66.4 Total Lost Since Start of Protocol (VLCD) 06/26/07

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

8 Lemon Bars, countem, 8. A small amount of leftover Somen Salad. A ChickFilA sandwich. And a Regular Size Sub from Quizno's.

A total of around 3034 calories divided this way: 136 Fat, 361 Carbs, 103 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it! Maybe Wednesday?

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

I got busy with the kids yesterday so I didn't have the time to make a new FAQ, that is on my list for today. I will have the two FAQ's ready by tomorrow and a new survey ready for the taking.

The subject of my gain will be handled tomorrow. I had this topic in mind from yesterday and couldn't let it go.

Don't Give Up!

Don't give up ~ cause you have friends
Don't give up ~ you're not the only one
Don't give up ~ no reason to be ashamed
Don't give up ~ you still have us
Don't give up now ~ we're proud of who you are
Don't give up ~ you know it's never been easy
Don't give up ~ cause I believe theres a place
Theres a place where we belong

Not so long ago I was in a very low place. It had gotten so low I honestly didn't know how I was going to crawl out. I remember one day in particular well because it was the day that I saw light at the end of that tunnel. I walked out to my car after work and taped to my window was a note from a very dear friend. A friend that I had avoided because of me being in this low place, but a friend that had never given up on me. The note contained the words to a song by Peter Gabriel "Don't Give Up".

If you have never heard the song, you need to hear it. If you have heard the song, you know the effect that this song can have. This song played a significant role in bringing me back to reality. Since that time, listening to this song has always lifted me from feeling that I am all alone in my struggles.

There are those of you out there that struggle, especially in regards to the protocol. There are enough of us in our community that have been on the protocol long enough to pretty much have experienced everything there is to experience in doing it. I don't think there is anything that someone would post that one of us couldn't step up to the plate and say, oh yeah, that happened to me too. Isn't there comfort in the fact that we are all here to help each other? Isn't there a measure of security in knowing that no matter where we turn in our little "protocol home" we know someone out there will be able to know exactly where we are and what we are going thru?

We are a support group. Our little community of bloggers, some vocal, some not so much, is our very own daily therapy session. I can't speak for everyone, but just knowing that you all are out there is a daily dose of sweet goodness to me.

Please remember that we are here. We are ALL here to help.

Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That rivers flowing

That river is our community. It flows with comfort. No matter what. Don't give up. You have friends.



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

Monica - HA! I guess 8 lemon bars DOES constitute a load! LOL - didn't eat much of anything else, but I had to get rid of those lemon bars. OMG!

Lili - I SEE I SEE - WOO HOO!!!! I jotted you an email this morning...

Jennifer - If 4 was almost 1000, imagine 8. OMG! That is what I call YUMMY! I can officially say now tho, I am completely over Lemon Bars! ROFL - Oh gosh Jenn (I hope you don't mind me calling you that) - I need to do a post on "closet" eaters. I was one! I was one that people said, why is she so big, she hardly eats anything. FOOLED THEM! This will be a good topic I think!

Mary - I will post the recipe for the soup later on today ok? I had a lemon bar for you, did you taste it???

Ewewho - After I read your comment, I looked up those donuts to see how many calories were in each one, just to do a comparison! OMG! They are like 200 each! I was like, so I can have a dozen of these lemon bars and do what "R" did! So, I ate "8" of them just because of that! hehe - am I bad or what? Didn't eat much else all day, just those dang lemon bars. OVER IT!

B - Today is the day, and I couldn't be happier! WOO HOO FOR ME!

Renee - Ok, now you will be able to read my posts! I am officially on Phase 2! Now what I did yesterday is DEFINITELY loading to me. OMG - 9 lbs over LIW? First time since I started this protocol I am this high for a start. Oh well, live and learn. That will be the subject of my post tomorrow.

Later gaters,

Biz

What Constitutes a Load? - 01.21.08 - Round 4 - 2nd "Load" Day

LIW - 175.4 lbs (12/17/07)
Today's Weight - 181.6 lbs
6.2 OVER LIW

Here is my menu for yesterday. This is what I had:

Not much of a load, although I did consume a bunch of calories! Dang those Lemon Bars! So this is what I ate yesterday, no set schedule. A banana, sliver of Red Velvet Cake, some Oreos, some of my Mock Potato Salad, a Lemon Bar, some Fritos, oh yeah, another Lemon Bar! For dinner we had something I have been hankering for for some time, Somen Salad - and then, you got it, another Lemon Bar. A total of around 1643 calories divided this way: 80 Fat, 168 Carbs, 68 Protein

GO HERE AND SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING HCG NEWSLETTER!!! It's coming honest! Just waiting on my partner to put the finishing touches on it!

Let's not forget the HCG BOOK CLUB - join in on the fun! If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do so now. eMail Address Form

I have taken down the latest FAQ - I have now two FAQ's in my possession that I need to work on to get uploaded. By tomorrow I will have those available, as well as putting up a new FAQ question for us to get ready for.


What Constitutes a Load?

I feel I didn't load yesterday, yet I had over 2300 calories. Funny how odd that number looks. There was a time on Atkins when I was eating anywhere from 2000 - 2500 calories a day, and I was pretty much eating a ton of food. Do you know how much you have to eat in order to get 2500 calories in and not touch carbs? It's pretty darn hard.

I didn't eat much yesterday, but I had 912 calories alone in those dang Lemon Bars. I have to tell you, JPS outdid herself with these things. I haven't had a lemon bar for almost 10 years. When I lived near Augusta, GA there was a Fresh Market there, and they had about the best Lemon Bars on the planet, put all others to shame so that when I left that the area, I pretty much gave them up.

Don't ask me why I had a hankering for them before I started my round 4, but I did and JPS delivered! They are awesome. But here is the thing ... each one of those little 2" x 2" squares run about 228 calories a piece, eat four of those puppies and you're up to 912 calories on them alone.

Did they fill me up? NOPE, but almost 1000 calories on that alone? That gave me about 1300 calories to eat on "regular" food. Not much really, when you consider all I ate extra was a little of my Mock Potato Salad and the Somen Salad (oh yeah, forgot about a few fried wontons as well) among other things.

Does that qualify as a load?

To me? Nope. Sure I ate things I wouldn't normally eat, but did I fill myself to capacity? Nope. Did I gorge? Nope. The mock potato salad and the somen salad with wontons I would have normally eaten during the day. Sure I would never have eaten 4 lemon bars in one day, but that doesn't constitute a load, does it?

When I compare what I ate yesterday to some of the menus I have had in the past, there is really no comparison, and then reality hits me. I used to eat a LOT of food. Good gracious. If I was FULL on what I ate yesterday, how did I never get full on twice that amount of food in the past???

Shoot, I used to "load" daily before HCG. No wonder I was 'morbidly obese' - I ate a ton of food.

So did I load or didn't I? I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. It's nowhere NEAR what I did my first OR my 2nd round. It is sorta what I did for my 3rd round. Just pretty much ate what I wanted with some Carrot Cake thrown in.

Oh well - we shall see yes?

BTW - I feel the HCG already in my system. It's flowing because my interest in food is waining. I felt it start happening yesterday late afternoon. I love my HCG.


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

Wendy - WOO HOO! You are back among the living! So we will be one day apart you and I yes? We have a BUNCH on this round to join us! How cool is that! We shall most assuredly compare notes!

Jennifer - HA! Did you call it today? One pound gain! I am sure it's from all that salt yesterday, oh yeah, Somen Salad is LOADED with it! Cream Cheese on a lemon bar? Interesting, must remember that little trick for my 5th ROUND! LOL - Good to hear no hunger. But I don't know if it's just a 3rd round thing or what, because everyone seems to do really well on the 3rd round! About the no coffee thing? It just happened that way. I am not "desiring" it so why drink it. I am actually really enjoying drinking tea again. Go figure.

Mary - The coffee thing? I really wasn't trying to kick the habit, it just happened that way. I was really starting to get concerned about my doing coffee on my 4th round because I had really gotten into the cream, but so far I am not wanting it, so we shall see. It's ON GIRL! LOL

Ewewho - Yup, back among all you LOSERS! Excellent! I can't wait to see that 100 lb lost moniker! I don't think it will happen this round, but I can almost be sure it will happen NEXT round! Won't that be a hoot???

Renee - Thanks sweetie! Now you will have to watch me post my phase 2 recipes and it wont be so bad...LOL

Monica - see there? Everything works out! I love your blog by the way! Good for YOU!

Almost back to my regular self peeps!

Biz