P4 Hangout

[kimberlybimberly]

Originally Posted by jabbok

Congrats on stabilizing that is good to know that is can be done.

How much more do you want to lose?

Well, with the extra I gained back, I need to lose 20lbs more. I wanted to do a short round and now will have to do a long one (and probably won't lose the whole 20). I will be done, regardless of the outcome.

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by kimberlybimberly

Well, with the extra I gained back, I need to lose 20lbs more. I wanted to do a short round and now will have to do a long one (and probably won't lose the whole 20). I will be done, regardless of the outcome.

I will have about 2 more rounds I have to lose about 38 pounds but I am looking forward to losing weight again and to get back into shape.

Have you been doing any exercising while in P3 or P4?

[kimberlybimberly]

Originally Posted by jabbok

I will have about 2 more rounds I have to lose about 38 pounds but I am looking forward to losing weight again and to get back into shape.

Have you been doing any exercising while in P3 or P4?

Yes, I have been exercising.

Don't know if you have read or remember any of my previous posts - I don't post often. But, I became sick about 4 years ago which was the cause of my weight gain. Finally had a turn around this summer and my doctor said OK to losing weight (trying) and exercising (also trying). Even with the diet, he said I might have to stop at any point. So, after this round, I was able to start exercising, very slowly, very small increases, but I have reached a point where I am happy with what I am able to do (compared to others, it's laughable but I no longer compare myself to others). Also, I am hoping that maybe a little of my weight gain is muscle - wishful thinking, though. The exercising and attempt at putting some muscle on is actually the reason for my very long P4. I am more than ready to lose more weight - just need to keep the bigger picture of regaining my health in mind. I definitely have to stop exercising when I diet again. Also, I need to completely start over with the slow, small workouts when I am allowed to start them again. This whole thing is kinda frustrating but, again, can't complain about the progress I have made.

BTW, my doctor and I knew the medication could interfere with my stabilization and cause me to gain weight. Decided to do all this between rounds so that I would have an oppurtunity to "clean up" the weight gain during my final round and not have issues with my final stabilization.

That was probably much more than you wanted to know! Have you been exercising? or have plans to?

[dawnyama]

kim,

What health issues are you dealing with? I have adrenal fatigue and other hormonal health issues and my increase in salt has made me gain so much. My doc is scaring me thinking I need to increase it, but every time I do I gain. In my lab tests it shows I do have low sodium levels, but I sure want to stop gaining!! I know that once I incorporate it my body will quit rebelling, but I just don't know how to slowly do anything!!!

As far as exercising, once you stop in P2 it is hard to get going again. I felt so lazy not doing it while in P2 but I just cannot do it. It tires me out too much. But once in P4 I don't have that push to start again!! Lazy is what I call it!!

[kimberlybimberly]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

kim,

What health issues are you dealing with? I have adrenal fatigue and other hormonal health issues and my increase in salt has made me gain so much. My doc is scaring me thinking I need to increase it, but every time I do I gain. In my lab tests it shows I do have low sodium levels, but I sure want to stop gaining!! I know that once I incorporate it my body will quit rebelling, but I just don't know how to slowly do anything!!!

As far as exercising, once you stop in P2 it is hard to get going again. I felt so lazy not doing it while in P2 but I just cannot do it. It tires me out too much. But once in P4 I don't have that push to start again!! Lazy is what I call it!!

Dawn, they are all hormonal. I did have some adrenal issues that were resolved with an adrenal stimulant - I still need to use it on occasion. I think I have everything on your list. This summer, when I finally got my thyroid meds optimized, my blood pressure came up to a near normal level. That is good. I use salt at every meal - I think consistency is key. From what you said, I think you get that.

Re: exercise. I have tried to exercise at various times throughout my treatment. Until now, I was unable to. Fancy name for it - exercise intolerance. So, hopefully, next time I try, I will be OK. I still want it bad enough (to be able to) that that is my push.

When I was only allowed to exercise 5 mins per day, I did it at the gym. To build the habit of going every day. In this P2, I plan to go every day to stretch or walk slowly on the treadmill for 20 mins if I can, so that going there remains part of my day. We'll see! Last P2, when I took my son, I could barely get up the steps to get in the building. I sat and read while he worked out.

[dawnyama]

I totally understand!! When I was in P2 I laid on the couch literally doing nothing after trying my normal exercise routine!! Totally not worth it to me. But I found out that I lost better while walking. So, I walked the dog WITH my 4 yr old!! No power walking for me. On the return trip home from the pond, the dog had to practically drag me on his leash!!! Sad, very sad indeed. So when my neighbor mentioned that I must have lost my weight walking, I just laughed!!!! It was too funny. It was also very easy to assume since I was outside in the neighborhood walking every single day, rain or shine. I am so glad you got your adrenals fixed. I am still not convinced about my adrenal fatigue, but it does make sense. In talking to my mom, it seems my grandma faced the same issues as me. I am currently reading about The Diet Cure, a book I bought before starting Hhcg and never finished reading. I saw a thread about it in the main lobby and got re-interested. I find nutrition and supplements very fascinating!!!

[dawnyama]

This P4 has certainly been interesting. I have maintained at my LDW for the entire P3 and I consider that stable. Then my foray into P4 has me maintaining at 120-122. That is between 2 and 4 lbs above my LDW. I was pretty upset about it at first, but have decided to just roll with it. If I can just be stable through the holidays bouncing between the 120-122 ( I leave for a week's vacation the day after Christmas) I will consider that a miracle!!!! And stable. I always have time and enough Hhcg for another round come Feb/March. I totally didn't want to see the 120s on the scale but couldn't do P2 any longer so this is a compromise. My clothes fit and I am healthy. Just putting things into perspective is all. And maybe when I add in exercise after I get home from vacation things will shift then too!!! Maybe, just maybe.......OH, and yes, I will be bringing my scale with me on vacation along with a few steaks!!!!

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

This P4 has certainly been interesting. I have maintained at my LDW for the entire P3 and I consider that stable. Then my foray into P4 has me maintaining at 120-122. That is between 2 and 4 lbs above my LDW. I was pretty upset about it at first, but have decided to just roll with it. If I can just be stable through the holidays bouncing between the 120-122 ( I leave for a week's vacation the day after Christmas) I will consider that a miracle!!!! And stable. I always have time and enough Hhcg for another round come Feb/March. I totally didn't want to see the 120s on the scale but couldn't do P2 any longer so this is a compromise. My clothes fit and I am healthy. Just putting things into perspective is all. And maybe when I add in exercise after I get home from vacation things will shift then too!!! Maybe, just maybe.......OH, and yes, I will be bringing my scale with me on vacation along with a few steaks!!!!

This is so true sometimes we just have to remember as long as we are healthy the couple of pounds above where we want to be really isn't that bad. Have a Merry Christmas and have a relaxing vacation.

[CJoy]

The other day I tried a couple of refried bean tostadas which turned out to be a BIG mistake. So, needless to say I had to eat another steak (prime rib) and tomato and boy did I have a nice size woosh, 3.4 lbs. I was so excited that I can lose as quickly as I can gain. It's hard to believe that I can gain that much so quickly.

But, I have come to accept it. There are some foods that I cannot eat.

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by CJoy

The other day I tried a couple of refried bean tostadas which turned out to be a BIG mistake. So, needless to say I had to eat another steak (prime rib) and tomato and boy did I have a nice size woosh, 3.4 lbs. I was so excited that I can lose as quickly as I can gain. It's hard to believe that I can gain that much so quickly.

But, I have come to accept it. There are some foods that I cannot eat.

wow that is a big whoosh good for you.

[CJoy]

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I'm so giddy today as I prepare my list for R2 especially my loading days, Christmas and Sunday and THIS time I'll be eating a lot less starch than I did on R1.

I weighed in at 145.8, .02 oz below my LDW this morning. I did pretty good on P4 considering I'm new to all this. I kept my weight in check, doing what I had to to keep it within the required range. I've kept a comprehensive journal that shows me what I can eat, what helps to facilitate more losses, what I shouldn't eat and what I can't eat that causes weight gain and bloat. What a journey! I'll see you back on the P2 thread.

~Carol