2.4 below LDW - what to do?

[BusyMomOf4]

I could use some help. This is really weird for me. I thought for sure I'd end up having to do a steak day, but instead I need to try and gain some weight. I'm on day 8 of P3 and lost another 0.6 lb today which put me at 2.4 lb below my LDW.

Here are my weights: LDW=172.4
VLC1: 172.4
VLC2: 172.0
VLC3: 171.4
P3D1: 172.0
P3D2: 172.4
P3D3: 172.6 (TOM started)
P3D4: 172.8
P3D5: 172.2
P3D6: 171.2
P3D7: 170.6
P3D8: 170.0

I'll post my menus in the next post so as not to make this one too long. I've been eating when hungry and until full. In fact, last night I was a little too full, but finished my dinner anyway.

Thanks for any help/advice!

[bflogurl]

I would assume the latter loss is due to TOM being on his way out, right?? I am curios to see how the veterans answer as I will be ending P2 right around TOM, and inevitably will have a loss after that as well!!!

[BusyMomOf4]

P3D1: 0.4 below LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 2 sausages
L: Salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, eggs, cheese, avocado & chicken) w/homemade Ranch dressing
S: Small apple w/peanut butter & cream cheese & English Toffee stevia
D: small serving of Pepper Steak atop cauli-rice
S: pepperjack cheese crisps; peanuts

P3D2: at LDW
B: Chocolate Protein cookie
S: 2 string cheese sticks
L: carrot stick
S: cream cheese cloud; 2 stalks celery & 6-8 slices cucumber w/pico de gallo wholly guacamole; 3 small handfuls peanuts
D: Pepper Steak atop cauli-rice; salad (lettuce, spinach, cucumber, tomato) w/homemade Ranch dressing
S: pork rinds (plain & spicy) w/sour cream

P3D3: 0.2 above LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 2 ½ pieces bacon
L: Turkey, swiss, mayo, tomato, & pepperocini on Romaine leaves; 6/10 of honeycrisp apple
S: 2 small handfuls peanuts; cream cheese cloud
D: Taco salad (lettuce, tomato, guacamole, salsa, cheese, taco meat, sour cream) w/homemade French vinaigrette dressing
S: pepperjack cheese crisps; peanuts

P3D4: 0.4 above LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese
L: Turkey, swiss, mayo, bacon, avocado, tomato, & pepperocini on Romaine leaves; 6/10 of honeycrisp apple
S: ¼ cup almonds
D: Pepper Steak in a bowl
S: salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cheese, sunflower seeds) w/homemade Ranch dressing; cream cheese cloud; couple handfuls peanuts

P3D5: 0.2 below LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 3 pieces bacon
S: honeycrisp apple (1pm)
L: Pepper Steak atop spinach leaves; cream cheese cloud (2pm)
S: ¼ cup almonds (4pm)
D: Cheesy chicken & broccoli casserole

P3D6: 1.2 below LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese
S: honeycrisp apple
L: 2 string cheese sticks; ¼ cup almonds (in the car)
S: 3 stalks celery w/ garlic herb allouette; bowl cheesy chicken & broccoli casserole
D: 1 ¼ pumpkin bake muffins
S: big salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cheese, sunflower seeds) w/homemade French vinaigrette dressing; pumpkin bake muffin

P3D7: 1.8 below LDW
B: cheesestick (before Curves); Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 4 pieces bacon
S: honeycrisp apple
L: small plate cheesy chicken & broccoli; 3 stalks celery w/ 2 dips BLT dip & rest with garlic herb allouette; pumpkin bake muffin
D: Italian sausage w/Hunts garlic&herb spaghetti sauce (about ¼ cup) and mozzarella cheese; salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, sunflower seeds) w/homemade Ranch dressing

... and today I'm 2.4 below LDW. Just had a Flax MM w/cream cheese and a strawberry banana smoothie (cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1 cup brown cow cream top yogurt, 3 drops liquid stevia) for breakfast.

Gotta go now as I'm late to a meeting, but will check in later. Sorry for the long post, but I thought it might help to see what I'm eating.

Thanks to anyone who's willing to read it through and offer advice/suggestions.

[Deb294evr]

enjoy....

[torister]

Originally Posted by Deb294evr

enjoy....

Haha Deb, but seriously....You are supposed to stabilize in P3....not continue to lose. To reset your hypothalamus.

[torister]

Debby (original poster) - can you give amounts of the meats you are eating, etc. I think you might not be eating *enough*. I know it sounds nutty, but its not...its true! Are you cooking in oil or butter? That is a great way to get good fats into your diet and up your calories a bit.

Also, I would ditch the peanuts and peanut butter until P4 as they are not nuts but legumes and are starchy!

[michlady]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

P3D1: 0.4 below LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 2 sausages
L: Salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, eggs, cheese, avocado & chicken) w/homemade Ranch dressing
S: Small apple w/peanut butter & cream cheese & English Toffee stevia
D: small serving of Pepper Steak atop cauli-rice
S: pepperjack cheese crisps; peanuts

P3D2: at LDW
B: Chocolate Protein cookie
S: 2 string cheese sticks
L: carrot stick
S: cream cheese cloud; 2 stalks celery & 6-8 slices cucumber w/pico de gallo wholly guacamole; 3 small handfuls peanuts
D: Pepper Steak atop cauli-rice; salad (lettuce, spinach, cucumber, tomato) w/homemade Ranch dressing
S: pork rinds (plain & spicy) w/sour cream

P3D3: 0.2 above LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 2 ½ pieces bacon
L: Turkey, swiss, mayo, tomato, & pepperocini on Romaine leaves; 6/10 of honeycrisp apple
S: 2 small handfuls peanuts; cream cheese cloud
D: Taco salad (lettuce, tomato, guacamole, salsa, cheese, taco meat, sour cream) w/homemade French vinaigrette dressing
S: pepperjack cheese crisps; peanuts

P3D4: 0.4 above LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese
L: Turkey, swiss, mayo, bacon, avocado, tomato, & pepperocini on Romaine leaves; 6/10 of honeycrisp apple
S: ¼ cup almonds
D: Pepper Steak in a bowl
S: salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cheese, sunflower seeds) w/homemade Ranch dressing; cream cheese cloud; couple handfuls peanuts

P3D5: 0.2 below LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 3 pieces bacon
S: honeycrisp apple (1pm)
L: Pepper Steak atop spinach leaves; cream cheese cloud (2pm)
S: ¼ cup almonds (4pm)
D: Cheesy chicken & broccoli casserole

P3D6: 1.2 below LDW
B: Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese
S: honeycrisp apple
L: 2 string cheese sticks; ¼ cup almonds (in the car)
S: 3 stalks celery w/ garlic herb allouette; bowl cheesy chicken & broccoli casserole
D: 1 ¼ pumpkin bake muffins
S: big salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cheese, sunflower seeds) w/homemade French vinaigrette dressing; pumpkin bake muffin

P3D7: 1.8 below LDW
B: cheesestick (before Curves); Flax MM (minute muffin) w/TBSP cream cheese; 4 pieces bacon
S: honeycrisp apple
L: small plate cheesy chicken & broccoli; 3 stalks celery w/ 2 dips BLT dip & rest with garlic herb allouette; pumpkin bake muffin
D: Italian sausage w/Hunts garlic&herb spaghetti sauce (about ¼ cup) and mozzarella cheese; salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, sunflower seeds) w/homemade Ranch dressing

... and today I'm 2.4 below LDW. Just had a Flax MM w/cream cheese and a strawberry banana smoothie (cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1 cup brown cow cream top yogurt, 3 drops liquid stevia) for breakfast.

Gotta go now as I'm late to a meeting, but will check in later. Sorry for the long post, but I thought it might help to see what I'm eating.

Thanks to anyone who's willing to read it through and offer advice/suggestions.

I love your menu Deb...will you come cook for me???

[droy]

I too am wondering if you are not getting enough protein.

[Deb294evr]

Originally Posted by torister

Haha Deb, but seriously....You are supposed to stabilize in P3....not continue to lose. To reset your hypothalamus.

I know Peggy... she should actually eat more.. I found myself really piling in the food on my first P3... did pretty good actually..

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by torister

Debby (original poster) - can you give amounts of the meats you are eating, etc. I think you might not be eating *enough*. I know it sounds nutty, but its not...its true! Are you cooking in oil or butter? That is a great way to get good fats into your diet and up your calories a bit.

Also, I would ditch the peanuts and peanut butter until P4 as they are not nuts but legumes and are starchy!

Peggy is right!! Eat more food and cook in butter. I slather my veggies and meat in butter when in P3. I would also cut out the bananas until P4 too. They are also too sugary for P3! Remember that Simeons cautioned us against too sugary fruits in P3.

[Deb294evr]

Since it is only .4 below your window, I also think things will even out for you soon... it sometimes takes a bit... you are eating some good stuff!!

[torister]

Originally Posted by Deb294evr

I know Peggy... she should actually eat more.. I found myself really piling in the food on my first P3... did pretty good actually..

Yup...I don't think she is eating enough either. You should eat as much as you want as long as you maintain. If you lose some in P4...no big deal, but it is important in P3 to stabilize.

[BusyMomOf4]

Peggy, I can't really post amounts, because I haven't been measuring (which is totally freeing!).

I feel like I am getting enough, because I've been full (most of the time). But... maybe I'm not. I've been eating on the run a lot lately, but not yesterday. hmm...

I am wondering if I should have my thyroid checked. I seem to be more tired than usual (I'm always tired as a homeschooling mom with 4 kids ages 20 months, 3 yr, 5 yr and 8 yr). Maybe I'll see if my doc will take my thyroid levels. Any thoughts anyone?

[BusyMomOf4]

Originally Posted by michlady

I love your menu Deb...will you come cook for me???

Thanks, but sorry... can't do that.

I have been eating as much as I want, except for times when I haven't been able to because of the crazy schedule we've had this past week. I need to have more easy to grab stuff on hand, I guess. That's why I'm going to try to make some of those protein bars that Peggy posted about in another thread.

I've been eating like I used to on Atkins (not worrying about butter or a lot of full fat dressing) with the addition of my daily apple. Perhaps I need to change that somehow?

Is it possible I'm drinking too much water, and it's making me full and not hungry enough? I drink at least 3 quarts a day. It's just a habit.

Dawn, the book that I have from Linda Prinster (that I know you don't care for) says that bananas are a caution on P3 which is why I haven't used them before now. But, being below where I'm supposed to I thought it might be okay to have 1/2 of a small banana. I used to make my smoothies this way when I was on South Beach (I was trying not to use AS as I was nursing my daughter at the time). I guess I could make them with just strawberries and add stevia to sweeten.... maybe add some banana flavoring or some chocolate protein powder. Oh.. and BTW, I love your new profile picture. Haven't had a chance to tell you that anywhere else. Very nice.

I guess I'm going to have to start thinking differently. Of course, there's still the possibility that my thyroid's off.

Thanks all of you for your thoughtful replies.

[torister]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

Peggy, I can't really post amounts, because I haven't been measuring (which is totally freeing!).

I feel like I am getting enough, because I've been full (most of the time). But... maybe I'm not. I've been eating on the run a lot lately, but not yesterday. hmm...

I am wondering if I should have my thyroid checked. I seem to be more tired than usual (I'm always tired as a homeschooling mom with 4 kids ages 20 months, 3 yr, 5 yr and 8 yr). Maybe I'll see if my doc will take my thyroid levels. Any thoughts anyone?

I hear ya on the not measuring. I don't measure either...just a guestimate. Like I had a whole chicken breast in my chicken salad I had for lunch. That is most likely 6-7 oz. KWIM?

Wouldn't hurt to have your thyroid tested. I know I feel very run down when my levels are off.

[Mindfulness]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

Peggy, I can't really post amounts, because I haven't been measuring (which is totally freeing!).

I feel like I am getting enough, because I've been full (most of the time). But... maybe I'm not. I've been eating on the run a lot lately, but not yesterday. hmm...

I am wondering if I should have my thyroid checked. I seem to be more tired than usual (I'm always tired as a homeschooling mom with 4 kids ages 20 months, 3 yr, 5 yr and 8 yr). Maybe I'll see if my doc will take my thyroid levels. Any thoughts anyone?

Hi Debby!

I'm a homeschooler too! (only with 2 kids though, ages 7 and 10)

[Stevie Renee]

Thread jack...Homeschooler here also! Yeah! 10 year old boy.

[BusyMomOf4]

You gals are too funny! The only reason I had the time to post this today is that my kids are on "fall break". Up at Grandma and Grandpa's for a few days. Gotta love it! Although, I did send up some schoolwork for my 3rd grader and my kindergartner.

Okay... so for lunch I had a lettuce leaf sandwich with one slice swiss, 3 slices turkey, BLT spread, and peperoncini, along with a bowl of homemade LC coleslaw. It was very filling, and I haven't been hungry since.

I think sometimes when the kids are gone I get wired up to get stuff done and forget about food.

I plan on having the same dinner as last night, but am going to add a glass of Pinot Noir. We'll see what the morning brings.

Oh... and I did email my doctor about my thyroid. He's going to test for that as well as "other things" that could cause fatigue. Plus, need to do a fasting cholesterol test (since apparently it's been 8 yrs since I've had that done). Oh, joy! Can't wait 'til morning.

[BusyMomOf4]

Well... I was up a pound this morning which puts me at 1.4 below LDW. It would be nice to stay here.

Had a few questionable things yesterday...

- 1/2 a banana in my smoothie (which I'll drop)
- protein bar made with coconut oil & coconut flour (taking one to have right after my blood tests since I'm hungry already)
- 2 glass red wine... planned on having only one, but... anyway, will be dropping this too as I didn't sleep well as a result.

So, hopefully I'm back on track. Thanks again everyone for your input!

[Stevie Renee]

Deb,
hope it works out. Keep us posted. And I am joining in on your 2 glasses of red...tonight!

And by the way, I love homemade coleslaw. Yum!

[BusyMomOf4]

Just wanted to give an update....

My weight seems to be stabilizing a bit better now. I'm not losing every day. In fact, this morning I weighed the same that I weighed yesterday.

Also, my doc emailed me this morning and said all my tests looked good. My TSH was low (which would normally mean dropping my dose), but the free T-3 and free T-4 were on the high end of normal (not really sure what this means)... so he's not changing my dose of thyroid meds right now.

They email me my test results. I saw some interesting things. My potassium was on the low end of normal. I had dropped from 5 potassium pills down to 3. Am going to take it back up to 5 a day.

Also, my protein levels were a little low. So... trying to add more protein in.

[BusyMomOf4]

Doing it again! Yesterday I was at the low of my range (170.4). This morning I weighed in at 169.2 (3.2 lbs below my LDW). Now, I must say that I liked to see that number since it is a new decade, but I know I shouldn't be that low.

I did go to curves in the morning and maybe didn't really eat a whole yesterday, but I was full and never really felt hungry (except about a half hour before dinner). Guess I'll have to try to eat more food/protein today? It might be hard as it's a run-around kind of day.

Anyway, here's my menus for the past few days...

Saturday - weight 172.2
B: 5 pieces bacon; Flax MM w/cream cheese
L: grilled ham and swiss on coconut bun, dipped in ranch dressing; rome apple
S: Almond Flax Blueberry muffin w/butter: stalk of celery w/garlic herb cheese
D: Chicken artichoke skillet
S: 3 small handfuls of peanuts

Sunday - weight 171.8
B: 2 pumpkin bake muffins; 2% milk w/scoop chocolate protein powder
L: salad (lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, tomato, pepperoni, mozzarella, egg) w/ ranch dressing; Almond Flax Blueberry muffin w/butter
D: Enchilada Chicken; 3 stalks celery & slice crispy cheddar cheese with Wholly Guacamole
S: handful of peanuts

Monday - weight 170.4
B: 1/2 homemade protein bar (before Curves); 2 string cheese sticks, 1/4 cup almonds
S: jonagold apple
L: Chicken artichoke skillet; tsp peanut butter
D: Pork roast w/veggies and creamy sauce; spaghetti squash w/butter, romano, & parmesan
S:small handfuls of peanuts

This morning... down 1.2 to 169.2.

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

Doing it again! Yesterday I was at the low of my range (170.4). This morning I weighed in at 169.2 (3.2 lbs below my LDW). Now, I must say that I liked to see that number since it is a new decade, but I know I shouldn't be that low.

I did go to curves in the morning and maybe didn't really eat a whole yesterday, but I was full and never really felt hungry (except about a half hour before dinner). Guess I'll have to try to eat more food/protein today? It might be hard as it's a run-around kind of day.

Anyway, here's my menus for the past few days...

Saturday - weight 172.2
B: 5 pieces bacon; Flax MM w/cream cheese
L: grilled ham and swiss on coconut bun, dipped in ranch dressing; rome apple
S: Almond Flax Blueberry muffin w/butter: stalk of celery w/garlic herb cheese
D: Chicken artichoke skillet
S: 3 small handfuls of peanuts

Sunday - weight 171.8
B: 2 pumpkin bake muffins; 2% milk w/scoop chocolate protein powder
L: salad (lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, tomato, pepperoni, mozzarella, egg) w/ ranch dressing; Almond Flax Blueberry muffin w/butter
D: Enchilada Chicken; 3 stalks celery & slice crispy cheddar cheese with Wholly Guacamole
S: handful of peanuts

Monday - weight 170.4
B: 1/2 homemade protein bar (before Curves); 2 string cheese sticks, 1/4 cup almonds
S: jonagold apple
L: Chicken artichoke skillet; tsp peanut butter
D: Pork roast w/veggies and creamy sauce; spaghetti squash w/butter, romano, & parmesan
S:small handfuls of peanuts

This morning... down 1.2 to 169.2.

Your menu looks yummy. Have you measured your protein levels to make sure you are getting the min. amount?

Do you know what your calorie count is and what you need to eat to maintain that weight.

As Peggy said you need to maintain the weight so that you can reset your hypothalamus.

[dawnyama]

During my first round when I started P3 I noticed that I would lose weight when I did not have enough protein. I suggest upping your protein. I would cut out the muffins in the morning and have real food--eggs are great!! That would be a great start. You also should weigh/measure your portions until you have it figured out. I have doubled my proteins this P3 and it is working out for me. I have leftover cooked protein that I have portioned out from P2 and I am taking 2 of those baggies and frying in butter--lots of butter!!!--and having veggies with them. It just makes it easier so I don't have to measure.

If you are doing another round then I seriously would not worry about still losing. I know of someone who ended up 4 lbs below LDW. She actually posts here, maybe she will pop in soon. She has IBS so she cannot eat certain things and has to follow a bit more restrictive diet than we are allowed in P3. But she is feeling well. Hope you are too!!

[paulabob]

The thing I've noticed in P3 is that you generally have to eat so much...especially as the fatty foods in P3 are very satisfying, and you usually start to feel full halfway through your meal. But if I keep eating, I never get that bloated feeling you get from a carby meal. Just a very full feeling without the bloat.

I'm excited I'm at my LDW today. It's day 6 of P3 for me, and my #s have been on the high side of my window till now (with one day over).

[BusyMomOf4]

Originally Posted by jabbok

Your menu looks yummy. Have you measured your protein levels to make sure you are getting the min. amount?

Do you know what your calorie count is and what you need to eat to maintain that weight.

As Peggy said you need to maintain the weight so that you can reset your hypothalamus.

I have no idea of what calories or amount of protein I should be eating. I don't know that I'm up for counting calories and protein. I'm enjoying not counting, and my life is so busy that I just can't fathom adding in that extra "chore". I'll think about it.

Dawn, you know I used to always have eggs (mostly egg casseroles and crustless quiches) for breakfast, but I just haven't been in the mood for them... and haven't had the time to fix them up (that was when I only had 2 little ones). I've been having the MM to make sure I get enough fiber to stay regular, and it's worked. I usually try to add bacon or another protein with it, but don't always get it done.

I'll try upping my protein (again).

I just was so busy yesterday and felt satisfied with what I ate. Like I said, I know today will be hard as I'm driving the 3 littlest to their grandparents to stay for a few days. Maybe I'll have time (although I have a lot planned wit my oldest) to make some stuff ahead. Very stressed and busy right now!

Oh... and I am on Day 20 of P3 today, so I'll be starting P4 on Thursday.

[BusyMomOf4]

Okay... meant to say a BIG Thank You!!!! for all of your thoughtful replies. I really do appreciate all of you!

Sorry, I was in a hurry to get over to my parents house to fix breakfast for my ailing father since my mother has come down with a nasty flu. I sure hope we don't come down with it. She was at my house for an hour and a half yesterday while I took my 5 year old to Irish Step class. I also hope my dad doesn't get it, as it could do him in. So... to any of you praying people, please pray for my mom and dad. Thanks!

[dawnyama]

OK, are these the ones who will be caring for your kids????!!!! I sure hope not!!! Or at least that the little ones have gotten a flu shot. Prayers for all to get well. And I hear ya on the busy mornings. I have 3 kids that go to 3 different schools at different times. And my youngest stays with me 24/7. A cup of coffee with plenty of cream does it for me until I can get my "proper" breakfast in at 9 or 9:30!! LOL. That is when I have the time to make the eggs and heat up the bacon I have pre-cooked. Good for you for starting off P4 so low on your LDW!! That is fantastic!!!

[BusyMomOf4]

Oh no!!! It's my in-laws who will be caring for my kids. With only my oldest home, I will be better able to care for my parents.

Also, you know what's weird? I was really looking forward to having cream in my coffee again after P2, but now I don't like it anymore. Strange, huh?

Okay, just had about 3 scrambled eggs (my son shared) w/2 slices american cheese and salsa for breakfast. I'm still hungry so I'll see what I can grab to eat in the car.

[dawnyama]

OH, so glad to hear you are not dropping off kids with sick grandparents. I am relieved now. Just make sure you take some extra vitamin C and perhaps some of that Airborn stuff. I make the kids have it when one of the other's get sick. It usually works. If you don't like cream maybe you can try half and half? It is what Biz recommends over heavy cream anyway. I love either one. I usually just have a cup of whipped cream when I get to work. We have those whipped cream whippers and they are so much fun!! When they get low there is still whipped cream in there but makes a mess in the drink, so we have to pour it down the sink. Instead of wasting it I usually just squirt it it into a cup and slurp away! LOL. But I do notice my lips are awfully greasy after having it. Not so nice a feeling on your lips. But mighty tasty!!