UP 4 POUNDS -what the heck?

I have my midway check up with the doctor. I will be weighed and re-measured. (Need to make sure I get copies of the firstones and this one, also my labs) I will probably have more labs done. Need to have the 2nd half meds mixed for me.

Hopefully, the Doctor will be happy with my progress, I know that I am.
Well, I just stepped on the scale and was horrified. I gained 4 lbs..yes 4 lbs. I stepped on the scale 2-3 times to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

How the hell does that happen. Lot's of water, lots of peeing, perfectly on protocol, That's alot of weight to gain. This is the kind of crap that makes me want to quit. I'm suffering, there, I said it suffering through this diet and what, to gain 4 pounds. Crap, I didn't even gain that much on load day eating crap.
I need to cool off.

Wll, I just got back from the doctors. She encouraged me and said I was doing great, and that it is probably water waiting to woosh away. I showed her all my food journals, my weight graphs and nutrition pie charts.
She told me that the scale has a good and evil side and that weighing daily could be joyful or painful. One of the FB Page members said that she was going to put her scale in the closet for a week, stay on protocol and see what happens at the end of the week. I just may do that too.

The doctor upped my dosage from 150 to 175. And she also said that my thyroid function is very very sluggish. 3 points above where it should be. She started me on Synthroid. I will start taking that tomorrow. Back for a checkup 10 days from now.
It's funny, every time I have had thyroid tests done, they have come back fine. Surprising, because when I was 12, I was diagnosed with an adolescent goiter and hypothyroidism. I was taking synthroid then. My endocrinologist died and my mother never took me back. Then all my tests appeared within the normal range. So nothing more was done about it.

We'll see what affect the meds have.
I told her about the egg whites in the am and showed her the correlation to the weight loss. She asked what the "protein juice" was, I told her and expressed my fear that I was losing too much muscle mass.
She seemed okay with it even though it isn't on protocol.
She also wanted me to keep track of my sleeping as it relates to weight loss/gain. She said that not getting good REM sleep contributes to fat retention. So I will add that to my daily journal.


All I can do is KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.......

I did have a bit of an issue with the way that the assistant measured me. According to her, I have only lost 1 inch in each, waist, hips and chest. I cant see how thats accurate since I have gone down in clothing size and have no ass to put in my jeans.  She measured me fully clothed with baggy jeans and shirt. I am going to measure myself tomorrow when I get up. Keep track of it  myself.

I'm going to work out for a bit. Maybe sweat out some of this water. Then I will make my lunch and then off to work.

Menu for the day:
Lunch:chicken, spinach
Snack: Orange
Dinner: Shrimp on a salad
Snack: 1 sm grapefruit (they look like oranges)

Halfway there......

Today starts the second half of my 42 day HCG Diet Round. I have endured through 21 full days of the VLCD (very low calorie diet). Have I been tempted, sure, often. But have deicded that I am worth staying true to the diet. I have made some modifications on days that I know I will have strenuous activity. If I get really hungry, I have made better choices on what to "cheat" on.

My goal for this round was 36lbs, although, from the information I have read, it's 42 days or 34 lbs, whichever comes first. Not sure why the 34lb limit.

My son and I are at odds. The air is so thick in the house you can cut it with a knife. It shouldn't be this way. He leaves in 15 days for the Air Force. But, it seems he doesn't have any need or desire to spend quality time with me before he leaves. What does that say about me? I feel very stressed and I don't like it. Even if he doesn't feel the need, why wouldn't he do it for me, knowing that "I" need it? All I know, is that I don't need the stress in the house. Enough about that....on to me.

I can honestly say that I am so happy that I decided to start this journey. I am pleased with the results so far. It's just a shame that this process costs so much money. Not everyone had $600 buck to throw down every 3 months. When I am done with this round, I will do the 3 week stabilization and then on to maintenance.
I really need to find out if it is okay to continue to lose while on Phase 4 (maintence) or will I gain back what I lose then. I really want to get back to working out hard.
I will probably do another round. I have already earmarked part of my income tax return for a potential 2nd round. We'll have to see how I do on phase 4. That is still 6 weeks away. No need to worry about that right now. (I'm a planner, what can I say)

Let's get back to the present. Not sure what my plans are for the morning. I need to get some work done out in the shed. But also work later. Don't want to wear myself out.

Menu for the day:

Snack: 1/2 grapefruit, protein juice
Lunch: crab salad and asparagus
Snack: apple
Dinner: Roast beef fajita lettuce wraps, brussel sprouts

Neat Visual Affirmation

I saw this idea on Facebook. I decided it would be a great visual reminder.

I went to the dollar store and purchased 2 cylinder vases and a bag of glass marbles (total cost 3 bucks)

I counted out the total number of pounds I wanted to lose. I removed marbles to equal what I have already lost and put them in the pounds lost vase. I put the remaining in the pound to go vase.

It is sitting in the window sill of my kitchen. I thought it was a great reminder tool. I'm not at all intimidated by the number of marbles left in the to-go vase. But I am inspired by the number in the Pounds Lost vase.

I also found this bottle koozie while out shopping yesterday. Thought it was appropo....you really do pee alot on this diet.

hahahahaha

It's a Beautiful Morning

Good morning, I'm up at 5am and don't have a clue why, but I'm pleased to say that I am down another 1.3 lbs for a total of (drum roll please) 25.1 pounds in 20 days. Less than 1lb to my 220's. havent been there in a while. And I'm less than 5 lbs away from rewarding myself with another pretty ring! How great is that? I wasn't sure what the scale was going to say after indulging in eggs for breakfast yesterday. I was very active and did alot of mall walking, on top of my workout.
Regardless, I'm happy with the results. I have a mid-program checkup with the doctor in 3 days.
I am only 11 lbs to goal for this round and I am only halfway through the program. Here is my weightloss chart so far.

I wrote yesterday that I had purchased Calcium Pyruvate- here is what I found on it.

 Many consider it a "gateway compound" in a process within the body called the "Krebs Cycle". The "Krebs Cycle" is a part of the process in which calcium pyruvate aids in the conversion of glucose to energy and boosts fat metabolism. People call it a fat burner, though it does not have any thermogenic qualities.
According to Pyruvate Natural & Alternative Treatments, in some studies conducted on about 150 individuals, found evidence that calcium pyruvate can support weight loss, by changing the composition of the body.
In the study, one-third of the people took 6 grams of calcium pyruvate daily or they received a placebo or no treatment at all. Over the six-week period of the study, everyone participated in an exercise program. Those that took calcium pyruvate lost, on average 4.6 pounds and 2.6% body fat, compared to the placebo and non-treated group. They also found that their muscle mass increased by about 3.3 pounds.

Anyway, I don't think that taking the supplement can hurt.

Plans for today? Hmmm. not sure. It's still very early. No menu ideas either. Be back later for both.

Menu:
1whole egg, 2 egg whites, small handful spinach (yes I'm doing it again because I have to mow the yard)
Snack: Apple
Lunch: shrimp with organic fire roasted tomato sauce and miracle noodle vermicelli
Snack: strawberries
Dinner: roast beef lettuce wraps (cant get enough of them) brussel sprouts

Finally!

Well, it's day 20 of Phase 2. And I'm happy to annouce that after 4 days of up and down, I finally lost 2.1 pounds. I am so close to another mini-goal. Getting into the 220's . I was getting nervous and am so glad that I didn't have to do an apple day. bleck! I even worked out yesterday, so I'm glad I lost. Usually, the day after I work out, I stall or gain. Hopefully this downward movement of the scale will continue.

I'm feeling like a little reward today of getting out of the house. I've always wanted to try paddle boarding. But there is also a seafood festival in the Keys. I know that the better option is probably paddle boarding. What to do.... What to do.....

I have to confess though, I had a bit of an emotional evening. Clashing with my son. Not really a clash, but something he said really hurt my feelings, badly. I didn't say anything at the moment, just walked out of the room. He left the house and I texted him that what he said was very hurtful. He played stupid, huh, what, what did I do. He knew what he said...and he knew that it hurt me because I shut down and walked out of the room. All this after I jhad just gone out and bought him everything he needs to prepare for his trip to Air Force Military Training. One of my resolutions, was to stop giving so much. It's difficult because I am a very giving person. But, my cup was empty, too much giving and nothing going back in the cup. I told everyone, friends and family, that if nothing goes back in the cup....there's nothing coming out. Last ight, my son flipped the cup over and smashed it with his words. So all the things I bought him are now mine. Vindictive, perhaps, but it's what I needed to do for ME.

And just know, he left for work...not bye, hi or kiss my ass.

Anyway....the moral of this story is that I, very easily, could have gone to the fridge for comfort, BUT I DIDN"T. I realized that if I had caved to the emotional eating, that he would win. And that the only one who would pay, would be me. I deserve better. I am in control. So I'm proud of myself for that.

Keep Calm and Carry on!

Now, all that being said, today is going to be all about me. No matter what I do.
I found this little wall sign while out shopping (for his things) and it is now handing, in front of me. I will read it and read it often.....

Soon I will be able to recite this without thinking. The very bottom line is the top resolution for 2012 and beyond.

Be back later for more!!!

Menu

Breakfast: I know eggs aren't on protocol, but I planned a busy day so I had 1 whole egg, 3 whites with a little bit of spinach in it. (we'll see what the scale says tomorrow)

Lunch: Roast beef lettuce wraps

Dinner: shrimp and brussel sprouts

(plus, I worked out)

After the episode with my son, I decided to go shopping. I'm not a shopper, a mall shopper. I ususally just go buy what I need. I walked around, bought myself some new perfume, a new bedazzled case for my cell phone, a new navel ring. (yes, I'm 50 and have had it for a while). Passed by the food court, torture, but I didn't stop for anything. Later I went and bought a frame and found some calcium pyruvate. It's supplement supposedly good for weightloss. I'm going to research it and let you know tomorrow what I found out.

Long Weekend

It's Friday January 27th and I have a 3 day weekend. Yay for me. I have lots to do. I'm up early and ready to go. The one thing I vow NOT to do is obsess over this HCG diet. I haven't gotten on the scale this morning. After yesterdays gain, I'm not real anxious about it.

My favorite little Blue Jay, who I've name "Blue", (I know, not very creative for the creative type like me), is sitting outside my bedroom window. As he does every morning. Sometimes he stares right in at me. Other times he shows off on the branch and turns to see if I'm watching. My little guardian bird. He gives me inspiration every day to keep moving along.

I need to run to the store, do a little housework and get some work done on the e-stores. I have been neglecting them horribly.

Now, as afar as the diet goes, I need to do some ab-work. Seems the only place that I am not losing is my waist (or lack of it). I also need to take in some jeans.

I can honestly say that the one thing that I don't like about the HCG Diet Protocol is the fact that you CAN"T work out. I know this seems odd. This would appear to be the perfect diet. Lose alot of weight and don't work out. But I am frustrated by not being able to work out. It really goes against the grain of years of dieting and research. Can't wait until Phase 4. I want to sweat!

Be back later for the menu and stats for the day.

Snack: apple, protein juice
Lunch: roast beed lettuce leaves, asparagus
Snack:
Dinner:

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Phase 2 day 18....and another gain! WTH? Up .5lbs. This really sucks. That's the bottom line. I know, I know. Look at the end, it will even out. Quit focusing on the scale, if you're not losing pounds, you're losing inches. The problem is, being so big to begin with, even my 22 lb loss is still eluding me visually. I can feel some change in my clothing, but everything around my gut (my worst area) seems to be staying the same.
I really don't want to get discouraged, and I know that I have lost alot in 17 days, But to limit yourself so severely and stick to protocol to a T and see stalls and gains, is just disheartening. The thought of doing the infamous "Apple Day" (nothing but 6 apple for a whole day plus water), seems like torture to me. But I see it in my future.

I will try not to obsess with the lack of losing. I will carry on and continue staying on protocol. It's hard not to throw in the towel and just say "well, I'm not losing anyway, why not just eat what I want"

But I will suck it up and move forward.

Back later for the menu

Snack: apple, protein juice

Lunch: tilapia, spinach

Snack: strawberries

Dinner: onion crusted veal steak with roasted brussel sprouts