IT's ALL PERSPECTIVE

Yeah - I took my measurements tonight and I've lost a total of 16" all over. 12.5" of that is from my hips, chest, upper chest, ribs and waist! RIGHT ON!!! Wish I'd lose a little faster around my waist and hip so I could fit in my smaller pants :D I'm getting there. So, it's all perspective - isn't it?

VLCD - Day 20 -.2 lbs

Back on track! Down .2 lbs this morning for a total loss so far this round of 13.4. I have three more shots and 6 more days VLCD (including today). My last shot will actually be the evening of May 1 since during my exhaustion episode I fell asleep before I took one of my shots and I want to MAKE SURE I hit that first 23 days described in the Dr. S protocol. I will begin P3 the morning of May 5 I think this is a bit past the 72 hour marker but I take my shot so late in the evening - not sure it would be wise to start eating at that time. So, I'll have a really big breakfast with eggs and turkey bacon on Cinco de Mayo and I'm thinking I need to have a huge steak for lunch and maybe a good chunk of salmon for dinner that day :D

VLCD - Day 18 +.6 lbs

I really expected more of a gain than what occurred. So, am grateful that it didn't go up more. I am back on track today. Feeling better physically and mentally. The exhaustion seems to have subsided so I think it is a GREAT thing that I added back in my thyroid meds. I have way more energy and I feel like I can refocus. It has been really difficult to stay on track with the exhaustion but I feel like I have a renewed sense of being. I feel like I've been pulled out of the mire, muck and mud. It's amazing how hard it is to focus when you're all you literally want to do is sleep. I'd refer anyone to Susan's post "Boy! Did I Blow it Today!" regarding why and when we overeat. I know for me my resolve was very low last night. I was out to eat with friends - very hungry and tired. Bad combination DUH!

I feel like today I'm a new creation - a rebirth so to say. I had a refreshing from church service and fellowship last night which I dearly needed. Our services were canceled last week due to snow - so for safeties sake we didn't have services. Going an entire week without my brethren was also very difficult I need to stay plugged in. I am excited though a couple from my church has opened up their home on Friday evenings for fellowship - I'll have to make sure I either bring things I can eat or eat beforehand.

I would like to extend my thanks to our sponsors as well - Drugdeliver.ca, HCGSupplies.com and Cindy Cook. For believing in us and going on our journey with us as we have our ups and downs. I am excited to keep going and learn as I make this journey to wellness.

I'm going to start my Natural Cellular Defense this week. I haven't been taking it and have to wonder if I had been if I would have had less difficulty with the exhaustion. I believe the exhaustion may have also been toxins releasing from the fat and my body was having a difficult time processing it.

Messed up the whole day

Glad tomorrow is a new day - although I know I'll have a gain. Went to Applebee's after church and plowed through everything that was not on plan - I literally made myself sick. So, some of it was a wasted meal if you know what I mean. My stomach still hurts and I feel really gross. So, my choices were very poor today but thank God for tomorrow.

NEW STRATEGIES

I'm at the tail end of my first round ever and I am doing the short rounds. AGAIN this diet is easy to lose on as far as the hunger goes I haven't really had any except at meal times. However, the battle is more in my mind than anything else with the exception of the physical exhaustion which was a very difficult hurdle to get past. I have been having crunchy craving and let me tell you nothing is touching it. Celery - NO WAY it's crunchy but it's not what I want and I cannot figure out what it is that will cure it either. For the most part I've done very well this round considering the first two times I tried to do this I FAILED MISERABLY.

Even with my determined spirit today I still didn't make it past those darned grissini. I cannot have those in the house obviously with this crunchy munchies I've been battling the last several days.

Anyone have any suggestions? I've been drinking plenty of plain water and herbal tea along with my morning americano. But I am telling you I am craving peanut butter, nuts, anything crunchy and salty and this is NOT my normal MO. Usually my cravings in the past have been for anything chocolate but chocolate is not even tempting at this point. I am wanting cashews, walnuts, crackers. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGG!!! This is frustrating as I am at the tail end of my short round and screwing up which means either less weight loss, stalls or gains. And I don't want that - I'm am so determined to get rid of this weight once and for all.

Again - don't get me wrong I am not at all disappointed in myself I am very proud of the 13+ lbs I have lost this round. I'm taking it in stride and realizing that everyday is a battle for a food addict - some days we WIN - some days we have to evaluate what were my triggers. I don't consider those necessarily failures if you are truly trying to pickup, evaluate and keep moving towards the end result of getting rid of the fat. Thomas Edison said " I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." So, if I can give any encouragement it would be to keep going look at what didn't work and move on. You may make another mistake like I have over and over, but I'm learning what doesn't work, what I absolutely cannot have in my house and a brand new way of life.

So, I need some suggestions for the crunchy munchies... And maybe I need to carry celery with me as it is low in calories and just put a little salt into them - I don't know.

I am going for some new/old strategies - I'm getting out my 3X5 cards suggested by my counselor and getting down my goals in writing. I will share them with you but I need to get them written out first so I can haul them with me everywhere I go.

VLDC - Day 17

Well it caught me +.8... I'll do better today if it kills me!

VLCD - Day 16

Well I must confess with my being so tired I haven't been cooking the way I should although I have prepared and have my meat in the freezer. Yesterday I had a rather stressful moment and ate a granola round and then later I was so tired all I ate was grissini. I did however take some steps to prevent this occurring in the future and decided that the tiredness was just not worth it! I took my thyroid medication last night and doubled the initial dose to get it into my system. I am telling you I feel at least 50% better this morning.

I had a co-worker yesterday tell me I look like I was ready to pass out I was soooooo tired. She said I looked pasty and drawn. I drank all my water yesterday so there's a plus.

The scale was very kind even with my faux paux's yesterday -1.4lbs. Not saying it won't catch up to me tomorrow. But we shall see...

Total for round -14.6 - so, I am almost at the 15 lbs I expected for the short rounds. If I have more than that fabulous! But as I said in my previous posts I wanted to be conservative with my forcasted loss for the rounds. This is why I anticipate it taking until at least September to reach my goal.

Here's to a NEW DAY!

I have 5 more days of shots - my last will be in the evening of 4/30, followed by 72 hours VLCD and into P3 for 7 days.

VLCD - Day 14

I received the strangest call from DD.ca today that they haven't received a blog from me since 4/21... WHAT??? HUH??? You all are reading my blog entries right? Is anyone else having problems with blogger. I constantly get the error message that it's taken longer than expected to publish your post or something or other. Or it goes into this weird cycle of "errors". Did anyone else get a call like that who has been posting regularly?

Anyway - I am going to take David's advise in my comments on my last blog entry to get more water and try the Yerba Mate' - have some but haven't drank any - to see if that is what is affecting my energy level. Who knew slight dehydration can cause lethargy - makes sense though. And I learned something new today. I did much better on my water intake today. So, I am going to hold off on my thyroid meds until I hit P3 and then go back off while I am on P2 again.

Today's Menu:
Americano
Orange

Lettuce
Chicken

Eggs
Onions

Still Exhausted

I think I am going to have to start back on my thyroid medication. I've been so tired even though I am taking B12 shots. Today I didn't even want to go out and get lunch so I opted for the albacore tuna in my desk even though it is not on the protocol.

Menu:

Orange

Melba Toast

Albacore Tuna 4 oz

1 1/2 c Romaine Lettuce

Coffee with a splash of hazelnut creamer (during a stress moment DUH!!!)

Grissini
Apples warmed with stevia and cinnamon

Screwed up a bit today - didn't plan and I know it's because I am exhausted. Been burning my candle at both ends or it's really just the thyroid meds. Just been too tired to make my meals the way I should be. Uh-oh I just should on myself :( Tomorrow is a new day - I will begin taking my thyroid meds again to see if it helps. My only concern is ending up being hyperthyroid like Susan did - I did the last time I tried the HCG diet. I must admit I was a bit bummed the scale didn't move today but not all to surprised since my faux paux on Passover. But I'm an adult and I take full responsibility for my actions. But all-in-all I am pleased. Can't complain about 11.2lbs & 12.5" in 12 days. Where else can you get these kind of results? I'm pleased as punch and excited to carry on and do my best on the duration of this protocol. Will I be perfect - probably not but it's all in the learning. I didn't go off the deep end and go OMG I screwed up... WHIP! WHIP! WHIP! Whine! Whine! Whine! Nope - I used to have a CIO that would say "Pull up your big girl panties" in other words stop whining, get over it, and move forward! Thought it was one of the funniest things I'd ever heard. So, that is just what I am doing.

I'm not making any promises ONLY to myself to do my best and succeed in this process of transformation into the beautiful butterfly that has lived in this cocoon for far too many years and to soar!

ZERO

Well today there was no loss or gain on the scale. Today is 227.6. I'll take my measurements tonight and see where I've landed for this week. I am so full this morning and I haven't eaten since last night. And I didn't get all my food in for yesterday. Sometimes it's just so strange!

VLCD - Day 12

Today's Menu

Americano

Chicken

Cabbage
Onion
Tomato (I've read this is to be considered our Fruit)

Apple (warmed with cinnamon & stevia)

I was checking out the files on the HcgDieters Yahoo Forum today and found this article "A Plan for Surviving P3, P4 and Maintenance" http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HcgDieters/files/

There are some really good tips and information.

Plan%20for%20Surviving%20P3%2C%20P4%20%26%20Maintenance.pdf

Scale was kind anyway -.2

Well the scale was kind to me anyway - I'm still full from last night so probably will not eat my morning fruit. Total loss for the round is 11.2.

I have to admit I would love to get down to 215 this round. I would be back down to the weight I was last summer when I did that other diet. I'm hopeful with the weight loss that I've been having that this is obtainable - it's 12.6 lbs and I have another 9 shots - so maybe, maybe not but I think it will be a close shot (HAHAHA - another pun)... HOPING!!!

PASSOVER & FOOD

Okay - I did eat this evening it wasn't bad food but it was not what I had planned. I had good intentions going in but got side railed. So, I refuse to beat myself up over this as I enjoyed my holiday with my family and friend! Tomorrow is a new day and I'll be back on track!!! I do not expect the scale to go down tomorrow or the next day for my mishap this evening. But again not going to beat myself up... We were chosen for this challenge to document both our successes and our struggles... So, tonight was my first oops...

HAPPY PASSOVER -.2 lbs

I was only down .2 lbs this morning making it a total of 11 lbs in 11 days on protocol. Today is Passover - I'll be taking my chicken and eating salad. I'd love to have some lamb, mashed potatoes and tabbouleh but not this year. My kids will get to enjoy the food along with my good friend.

Oh, I found a source for Grissini and they are more visually appealing than the Melba Toast and have a better flavor in my opinion. Metropolitan Market carries them in their deli section, $2.99 for a rather large package - it will last me a couple weeks if I can keep the kids out of them :D...

Anyway have a BLESSED PASSOVER!!!

Slept the Day Away

OMG - I cancelled several appointments yesterday as I was feeling kind of icky at the end of the day yesterday. I slept the majority of the day until 5:15 PM. CRAZY - and I am still tired. Guess my body needed the rest!

Menu Today

Orange
Melba Toast

Egg (1 whole + 3 whites)
2 grilled onions
Apple (Granny Smith warmed with cinamon and stevia)

24 oz Club Soda w/sugar free coconut syrup

As you can see I didn't get all my water nor food today so we will see what the scale reads tomorrow... I may conk off again here shortly...

Blessings,

Toni

Becky's Short Round Method (Modified Per Simeon Protocol)

NOTE: I have modified this information based on what I found today in the Simeon Protocol on resetting the hypothalamus.

Here are the steps from the HCGDiet Yahoo Group... The method was mentioned on Joy's blog (fellow HCG Challenger) and I wanted to make sure I was very clear on the steps before I started the diet when I return from my vacation...

23 Day Rounds
NOTE: 23 days is the minimum requirement per Simeon to reset the hypothalamus


Step 1 - Load Days

• 2 days of shots
• Loading to capacity

NOTE: I am loading the healthy way Load%20Healthy.pdf


Step 2 - VLCD (very low calorie diet) Days

• 20 days of shots
• VLCD - see Simeon Protocol
  

Step 3 - STOP SHOTS

• 3 days or 72 hours VLCD following LIW (last injection weight)
• Empties the system of HCG per Simeon Protocol

Step 4 - P3

• Minimum 7 days P3
• OR P3 until weight is stabilized
• DO NOT go into P4

Step 5 - Did You Reach Final Weight?

• Yes - Follow Simeon Protocol for P3 & P4

• No - Cycle back to Step 1
• Do the load days again - it was suggested to do the healthy loading so you don't gain mass amounts that you just took off in the 20 day round
• Do until you reach final weight

1ST Short Round

I went back to Dr. S Protocol - to make sure that I was proceeding correctly... for the first Short Round it is 23 days of shots not 20...

"Patients who need to lose 15 pounds (7 kg.) or less require 26 days treatment with 23 daily injections. The extra three days are needed because all patients must continue the 500-calorie diet for three days after the last injection. This is a very essential part of the treatment, because if they start eating normally as long as there is even a trace of HCG in their body they put on weight alarmingly at the end of the treatment. After three days when all the HCG has been eliminated this does not happen, because the blood is then no longer saturated with food and can thus accommodate an extra influx from the intestines without increasing its volume by retaining water.

We never give a treatment lasting less than 26 days, even in patients needing to lose only 5 pounds. It seems that even in the mildest cases of obesity the diencephalon requires about three weeks rest from the maximal exertion to which it has been previously subjected in order to regain fully its normal fat-banking capacity. Clinically this expresses itself, in the fact that, when in these mild cases, treatment is stopped as soon as the weight is normal, which may be achieved in a week, it is much more easily regained than after a full course of 23 injections."

So, I will do 23 days worth of shots which include my 2 load days to ensure that my hypothalamus is reset. Then I will do the 7-days of P3.

VLCD - D10 - 1.8 lbs

What a pleasant surprise this morning on the scale - 1.8lbs for a total of 10.8 lbs gone in 10 days of the protocol. I'm pretty sure TOM has stopped - THANK YOU JESUS! Yesterday was a bit of a challenge in the place we decided to eat didn't have any white fish that I could have so I went for the tuna being that it's leaner than the salmon.

2 americano's
Strawberries

2 - Tuna Sashimi Salad - no dressing

Bunch of Celery
Apple warmed with cinnamon and stevia

VLCD - D9 -.4

Today I'm down .4 for a total of 9 lbs in 9 days of VLCD. So, now the average is 1 lb per day. Just starting the day. I am planning on sashimi for lunch so not sure exactly what I can have. I'll have to look at the types of fish I can have {:-/

L8R

Speaking of Temptation

Today we had an all staff/potluck there were lots of choices and lots of cookies, cupcakes and all around bad stuff... But I had my salad with chicken before I went. There were strawberries so I had some of those and grabbed some for my breakfast tomorrow YUMMY!!! I avoided everything else so feel victorious!!!

Americano w/sugar free coconut syrup (not sure if this is protocol or not I'll have to check)
Orange
Melba Toast

Chicken w/ACV & Liquid Braggs
Romaine Lettuce w/Liquid Braggs

Strawberries
1.25 liter of seltzer water

Steak
Melba Toast
Spinach

Seem to be a little more hungry today - so, not sure if I should lower my dose or raise it?

VLCD - D8 -.6lbs

Even though TOM is still here I went down another .6lbs. I wish it would fly off faster but not bad at all average daily loss of 1.075 lbs. I know we are with the instant gratification society - that's what got me here in the first place. And I know it would take me much longer on any other diet I've tried. Plus, I'd gain it back with 1 or 2 days of indulgence. So, all-in-all I am quite pleased. Still hoping when TOM ends I'll see a significant loss.

Apprehension

I was a bit apprehensive this morning to crawl on the scale. Still having TOM and feeling very bloated. However to my surprise I was down 1.8 lbs for a total of 8 so far this round. So, I lost the .8 gain from yesterday plus another pound. YIPPIE!!! Maybe they'll be more once TOM stops (HOPING)!

Until Later,

Toni

Feeling Better

I'm feeling a bit better. I went to counseling tonight and discussed ways to deal with cravings and stress. She gave me some really good pointers.

AFFIRMATIONS

• Writing out affirmation on index cards
  
• Yep heard it before but I'm actually doing it now
• Write on the opposite side of the card things you've already implemented
• This is to overcome negative self talk, the nagging oh you know you can't... or Yeah right - come on you know how you are...

FOOD CRAVINGS

• To deal with those craving food like my brownies the other day
• Pinch your thumb and middle finger together
• Visualize the brownie
• Visualize the brownie covered in gross things
  
• For me this is sauerkraut & snot
• Then you visualize getting it near your mouth to take a bit
• This should invoke a gag reflex
• If you don't start to gag it's not a gross enough thing
• You may have to do this several times to not have the craving
• When/If the craving returns repeat the steps each time
  

I also, discovered in counseling tonight that from being so poor as a child and having to eat potatoes and top ramen for long periods of time - it was an emotional trauma and food is not only comfort for me it's also security. I hadn't quite made that link but it's very true! I fear being without food and going intentionally into a self inflicted deprived state (and I stress here - not that I'm hungry this isn't a physical hunger) it's caused me to mentally to go into stress - thinking I am being deprived and doing without. So, this is were the affirmations come in very strong!!!

I felt even better after I ate my apple
Warm Apples
Fuji Apple cored, sliced & chunked
Cinnamon (about 1/2 tsp)
2 packets Stevia

Mix ingredients and cook in microwave for about 3 minutes (they were still slightly crunchy)

Warm apples not only did they taste really good, they were satisfying and very comforting! I may have to do this more often so I feel like I am getting a treat. So, I'm not feeling deprived. Oh, here's the key message - it's feelings... HAHAHAHA

VLCD - D6

TOM IS KILLING ME!!!! ARRRRRGGGGGGG... Feeling a bit down... TOM does that to me just feeling blah!

We'll see what tomorrow brings... Hopefully a move down on the scale?!?!?!?!? Does anyone skip weighing during TOM? Or do you just weigh anyway?

Orange
Americano
Melba Toast

1/3 of a 10 oz. Applebee's Bourbon Steak w/ no oil or butter
Grilled onions and mushrooms no oil or butter
Romain lettuce

Not feeling too hungry so I may just have a warmed up apple with the Melba toast for dinner and some hot tea. It's really cold here too and winter like conditions. I'm ready for the warm sun already - this may be attributing to my blah mood too between TOM w/awful cramps and this yucky weather. :(

TOM D2 & VLCD D6 +.8

Mannnnnnnn... Not sure if it's the full blown TOM visit (I was not expecting with the type of BC I use) or what I ate yesterday but I'm up .8 lbs today :(

I know I didn't get enough water yesterday AGAIN!!! And I forgot my water container at home which makes it difficult to remember to drink the water all day...

So, I'll count it as a wash and keep plugging away...

Photos

These are prior to HCG Weight loss


















TIME SQUARE

Food for Today

Okay so I wanted a sweet treat after avoiding the brownies today...

Lemon Cream
Cottage Cheese allotment
Stevia
Lemon Juice (I used a whole one - this was a little too much but still good).

Blended all in my BlendTec Blender on "Sauce" mode - I was going for mock cheesecake but ended up with Lemon Cream. I could probably bake it into a mock cheesecake but was not patient enough tonight.

Orange
Americano

Steak
Spinach

Apple
Melba Toast

Lemon Cream
Celery
Melba Toast

I'm just now writing this I think I went over a bit on my cottage cheese - I was eyeballing it and I may have had an extra Melba Toast - I didn't write it down and I am quite honestly not sure?!?!?!?!?! We'll see what the scale says tomorrow. Oh, and what the heck - TOM I'm not supposed to be getting this on the BC I am using for my horrific cramping. But what do you know - here it is some cramping and all yippie... :P~~~ I am so not stopping injections though - not 8 days in...

Today is hard...

My co-worker brought in brownies with walnuts - AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH... EVIL!!! I'm avoiding that area like the plague. Again, it's not because I'm hungry! It's not because I'm craving it! It's a visual, I know it's there - hurry up and finish them already!!!

So, I'm getting ready to head home to make my lunch. Trying to figure out how I can spice up my little meal... Maybe that's exactly what I'll do... Throw some extra garlic and spice on my steak. Gotta try it...

So, off I go - I will blog more later to let you know that once again - I AM RESOLVED TO NOT CHEAT!!! I'm 8 days in... I can do these short rounds! That way it's almost like a TREAT to wait for those load days :) I might even have a brownie with walnuts when I load next time. :D

TTYL...

VLCD - D5 -.4lbs

Less of a loss today - I think it's because I didn't get my water alottment in and ate dinner really late. Hopefully tomorrow will be more :D

VLCD - D4 -1lbs & Weird Dreams

Was down another pound this morning :)))))

I think the HCG is giving me weird dreams or maybe because my body isn't having to process massive amounts of food it's freeing my body up at night for my brain to have a hay day???? Just weird dreams last night - couldn't even tell you what they involved.

I discovered too late yesterday that I hadn't really eaten enough. I use Fit Day on my computer to calculate my calories and I only ate 374 yesterday. I was quite hungry that evening and ate almost a whole bunch of celery.

So, I was bored with the food already yesterday so decided to mix it up and have the nonfat cottage cheese for one of my protein portions. Not sure if it's normal to slow down this quickly in the weight loss or if it was the lack of calories yesterday or the cottage cheese choice... We'll see tomorrow.

Today I increased my lettuce intake to 200 gm & the plan was to increase spinach to 300 gm with my two respective meals today but only got to the lettuce - I was too tired to cook my planned chicken and spinach.

Orange
Americano

Beef
Romaine Lettuce
Melba Toast

Apple

Nonfat Cottage Cheese
Celery
Melba Toast

Nightmares About Food - Becoming a Blog Addict

Couldn't believe it - I've not cheated at all the temptation has been there slightly but not unbearable. So, wouldn't you know - last night it seemed like the whole night all I dreamed about was FOOD AND CHEATING ON THE PLAN!!! No... No stress in my life HA!!! I was like AHHHHH Come on! I need my sleep too!!! Well I will pray about this tonight that the Lord give me peace and relief as I travel on this journey to health and wholeness!

But I've been doing really well again today... Didn't get started on eating until late though which was BAD! Made temptation much higher. I'm home today though so part of it was just being lazy - coming down from the vacation high, being sick and just plain ole needing some rest! I hit an apple and a piece of Melba toast at about 11 AM which is the first thing I had today. Lunch was late too 3 PM. So, I'm still battling a little bit of hunger but staying on track. I AM SO PROUD of myself I can't hardly stand it.

I told my child today I was down a total of 5.6 lbs, and they said they could really see it already especially around my waist. :D

So, through this I am becoming a BLOG ADDICT! I cannot wait to get into my google reader to see if any of my fellow HCG Challengers have posted an update and to see how they are doing :)))) Or to see if anyone has questions or encouragement for me... Sounds a bit psychotic - but really I'd rather be addicted to this BLOG than to obsessing about food... Wouldn't you agree?

I can't wait to see once everyone receives their supplies and how they do on the plan... My meals are pretty simple at this point - but I do see how it can get boring. I'll have to look at some recipes to see what I can vary without too much effort. I still have to cook for my kids and last night it smelled so good I am bagging and freezing some of it for my next load days.

Blessings and I pray everyone health and wholeness on THEIR journey to health :D

VLCD - D3 -2.4

Down another 2.4 lbs today for a total of 5.6 lbs. YIPPIE!!! How exciting so it's going in the right direction.

VLCD - D2 Continued

I've been a little hungry today but nothing that isn't manageable. I think I will go and have some hot herbal tea as I am am still a little hungry :( I have not done the Melba toast or grissini as I think this was a problem for me the first time I attempted to utilize HCG. Not sure if it was that or just not being mentally prepared. When food has been you're entire life - eating when happy, sad, mad, depressed or with every whim of a feeling it's really hard to get your mind off of food even when not hungry. Yah, know what I mean?

So, today started with...

Apple
Americano w/ a splash of non-fat milk & sweet-n-low

Steak
Spinach
Americano iced w/ stevia

Grapefruit

Chicken
Cabbage

Will post my results in the morning...

VLCD 2 - Down 3.2 total

How exciting down to 235.6, a total of 3.2 lbs from load - almost all that I'd gained during vacation too :D. My joints hurt quit a bit this morning :( hope this subsides.

R1P2 - VLCD1

Well I weighed this morning and to my surprise I was down .4 lbs... Although I did load yesterday - I PROMISE!!! I must have loaded correctly this time as I was only hungry around the time to either have my snack or eat... YIPPIE - I've found my loading foods even though I felt so gross afterwards. I did really well today - even though I was at a conference that provided our lunch meal I still ate ONLY my chicken and cabbage I cooked up last night. So, I'm very excited to see what the scale reads tomorrow!!!

R1P2 - LD2

Went up 1.4 lbs with the load yesterday - so I am not too concerned with all the posts that state I will take this off in the first day :D... I am pleased with the Healthy Load.

I'm having a lot of difficulty loading today - the HCG must be kicking in because I am not hungry. I am eating anyway to make sure I have loaded properly so as not to be hungry for the next week. I am going to try Salmon croquettes for lunch - a friend told me how to make them so I am going to try it. We'll see???

The salmon croquettes were delicious - 1 can salmon, 2 eggs, 1/2 onion and 1/4 c cornmeal - fried up in EVOO... So, now I know I can load with the canned salmon if its prepared correctly.

Load Day 2
Orange juice, coconut milk, heavy cream
1 1/2 can olives

Orange juice, coconut milk, heavy cream
2 salmon croquette patties
Walnuts

2 2/3 Avocado
Sugared Almonds

Loading today was much harder... I couldn't really eat like I'd planned. Tomorrow is the first VLCD Day. So, I have prepped...

Breakfast
1/2 grapefruit

Lunch
1/2 head cabbage fried up in liquid braggs
100 g Chicken

Snack
Orange

Dinner
Spinach
100 g Beef

First Load Day - R1P2 - LD1

Alrighty - I took my first injection last night. I'm doing 150 IU and am loading today and tomorrow. Also did a B12 injection. I'm planning on doing the Becky Short Round Method described in my blog - I think it will work best for me with wanting to rid my body of 81.4 lbs of fat. Calculating on the conservative side (averaging .8 lbs per day) I figure this will take between 5 and 6 months.

My starting weight is 237.4 (so I really didn't gain during vacation - must have been all that walking YIKES!)

Starting Stats
Weight - 237.4
R-Wrist - 6.75
L-Wrist - 6.5
R-Forearm - 12.25
L-Forearm - 11.5
R-Upper Arm - 16
L-Upper Arm - 15.75
Neck - 14.5
Upper Chest - 41
Chest - 43.5
Rib - 39
Waist - 44
Hips - 48
R-Thigh - 27.5
L-Thigh - 27
R-Calf - 18.5
L-Calf - 19

Breakfast

• 2 - Orange Juice mixed with Heavy Cream and Coconut Milk
• Whole Can Olives
• Walnuts

Seriously full - ate until I was almost too full...

Snack

• Orange Juice mixed with Heavy Cream and Coconut Milk
• Walnuts

Lunch

• ewwwwww tried to eat the canned Salmon mayonnaise IT WAS GROSS!!! Had to dump it.
• Orange Juice mixed with Heavy Cream and Coconut Milk
• Walnuts
• Candied cashews

Dinner

• Pot Roast
• Mashed potatoes made with coconut milk
• Gravy
• Carrots & Onions
  

So I feel completely gross from all the fat & food even though it was all healthy fats. I STILL FEEL GROSS... And I have a slight headache too :( And has anyone else had the runs from their loading days?

Did my second injection tonight - evenings work better for me as I am way too tired and busy in the mornings.

Oh and I received my HCG from DD.ca today... 6 vials of 5000IU - that should get me through my entire program. I'm so excited - and a little scared to start. I think the scared is both the fear of failure and the fear of success. I really need to get past those fears on both ends of the spectrum.

Ta Ta for now...

Gratitude - Praise - Anxious

PRAISE GOD

I am so thankful, and I PRAISE God that He heard my prayers and blessed my family with a vacation this year.

I also, PRAISE GOD that I've been chosen for this challenge. I've been struggling financially and I've been praying to the Lord about my weight - and I knew that the HCG would work for me - I just didn't have the finances to be able to go through all the rounds. I may have covered this already - if so - well - I am so very grateful to the Lord for once again providing my every need.

GRATITUDE

My friend Doug who I’ve known for 18 years, flew us out to Philadelphia and gave us the gift of this marvelous vacation which we would not have had without him.

We toured some of the historical sites but as some of you know – “vacation plans” can change…

In Philly – we ate at Jim’s for a Philly Cheesesteak and it was fantastic! We rode the “Duck” a city tour on a vessel they drive around town and also goes into the water. Took a carriage ride which gave some of the same historical information but some was more detailed. We rode a subway – which my kids have never done. Did some shopping at a place called “Foreman Mills” it’s an outlet type store and oh did they have some fantastic prices.

We saw Hairspray the play in New York. By the time we were done there – I didn’t want to go back. We were supposed to do two days in NY but the traffic and the people stepping out in the middle of the street made me a nervous wreck!!! So, I saw the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Ground Zero as we drove through – I can say I have seen them in person :D

We went to Lancaster, PA – saw the Amish Country. We also were able to take a tour of a full size reproduction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness discussed in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers – located at the Mennonite Information Center. We stopped at a general store and I picked up some various no sugar butters – apple, peach, pumpkin and something else I cannot recall at the moment.

Hershey, PA – I was pretty tired by the end of this – the kids and Doug rode a whole lot of the Level 4 & 5 rides – which are the most extreme rides at the park. I don’t do the rides, since I had my kids the rides make me G R E E N! Got my sweatshirt – although I am expecting it to be quite big by the time I am done with my ROUNDS (plural) of HCG.

HOMEWARD BOUND - ANXIOUS

Tonight we fly back to the Pacific Northwest and I am anxious because I want to get to loading and starting the HCG. I do with vacation were a little longer just because I have really needed the time off work and have enjoyed the trip. But I do have to make a living and blah blah blah all that adult responsibility stuff. I am also looking forward to being back at church – I really miss it.

Signing off for now – I’ll be checking in tomorrow as that is my first load day – CAN’T WAIT! Or is that WEIGHT??? Okay – I know corny – Toni… I ate so much junk on vacation - not looking forward to the scale tomorrow - however, it will be a true starting point. I don't think I gained too much for all the walking we did... We shall see once I step on that thing in the morning :D