My HCG Journal. Looks like I need to start one!

[CherylB]

This plan I have has really worked well for me, Dessa. I can eat on special days without guilt, knowing that I'm going to fast the next day and the high cal day will be averaged out over the two days (as far as my body knows.) It has worked over and over again on this first round of P2. I could never have accomplished this much by eating that way on Atkins. I'd have been stuck back for an entire week each time!

I hope you are having a better day today. I'm heading over to your thread next.

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Hey, Shelby! I wouldn't have pegged you for a Metalica fan! I got confirmation on Friday that my spit kit was delivered to the lab. Will let you know how it turns out! Hope I'll know soon. And I hope it shows me that there is something I can do to increase my zest and zip!

Yep. Closet head-banger!

And the world will need to look out if YOU have more zest and zip, Cheryl!!!

[CherylB]

Maybe not the world, but this house and property will, for sure! I believe the definition of energy is the ability to do work. That's what I need, more than anything else right now.

Down 1.2 of the 2.6 bump-up from picnic/refeed day on Monday. (I think it might have been more but I drank a diet root beer last night. I don't normally drink soda. I'll skip it until P3.) Only today and tomorrow left for pellets, then June 3/4 are 500 cals without pellets. Sunday will be my first "Atkins" day.

It's going to be so strange trying NOT to lose any weight for 3 full weeks, but I have to remember that P3 is the time for "resetting." That is so important that I will not veer off plan one tiny bit. I will just look forward to my reload with dreamy eyes, and remember how little I got to eat on P2.

Dropped off my doggy at the groomers at 0900. When I go get her, she will be 2 lbs lighter and a lot cooler! God bless that groomer, too. I only just called yesterday to make an appointment and she fit me in first thing this morning rather than making me wait until next week. Now I'll be able to apply her tick meds.

My new weed whacker should arrive any day now. Then I will have my work cut out for me with this yard. I'll be hoping for a cooler, overcast day to do my yard work. We'll see how that plays out.

Can you believe that we're half way to Christmas again? How can the years be flying by the way they do now?

Shelby's a head-banger! Sometimes I like the hard stuff, but try to stay away from anything that seems inspired by the devil himself. Some of that stuff can be down-right disturbing.

[TerriMM]

Hi Cheryl,
Glad your Memorial Day went well! Sounds like your refeed didn't bump you up to badly. I'm really looking forward to mine. Sometimes I need to make an effort not to distract myself by thinking about it.
I've been fluctuating a little the last couple days +.8, -2.3, +1. I think it's to do with TOM & water weight. Hope to level out back to my downward slide soon.
I was wondering about your P3 plans. I'm an Atkins girl myself and was planning to do basically OWL in P3. I've heard to limit cheese and nuts to start with, but I do plan to continue with the lower carb fruit. What are you thinking?

[CherylB]

Me, too! I really have grown to love my apples and strawberries. And since we can have whipped cream (artificially sweetened, or course,) that will be wonderful. I also plan on having jalapeno poppers with cream cheese and bacon bits, as well as decadent salads of all kinds, chicken fingers coated with almond flour and natural coconut, then dipped in my favorite buttermilk ranch dressing, yada, yada, yada.

I don't know how slowly I'll go with cheese, but I will try and go easy with cream. I will wait until at least the second week to try nuts (although I did just mention almond flour.) I don't know! I will be figuring it out as I go along.

I was just reading some P3 threads, trying to get ideas. One thing I love is chicken wings that have been marinated in a big ziplock bag with lots of salsa! Then baked in the oven with salt and pepper. To DIE for. So tender, flavorful and perfect.

I used to love bacon and scrambled eggs while doing Atkins, so I'm sure I'll eat that, too. I might try some sugar-free desert type stuff, too. At the picnic there was a Jello salad. My family always makes that and it would be so easy to do with sugar-free jello and the lower glycemic fruits. It has cream cheese in it, too.

I've read about cream cheese muffins which I have yet to try. I used to make bread out of flax meal. I don't know if I'll be able to manage that in P3, but maybe toward the end. (I hate Oopsies.)

It's going to be quite an adventure! I hope and pray that I can stabilize easily. I forgot to mention, but naturally I'll be making steaks and things on the grill, and lots of sauteed veggies. I just read a good recipe for Alfredo Sauce, so I might make some of that to pour over meats and veggies. Actually, I have a brand new Spirooli gadget that I've yet to try.

This is going to be fun!

Terri, I'm glad your downs are greater than your ups! TOM is to blame. It's always his fault! So glad that part of my life is over.

[TerriMM]

Okay so what's a Spirooli and stop grinning, your cheeks are going to break!

[shelbyla]

Hey Cheryl. I just wanted to mention about the flaxmeal that is is usually contraindicted for hypothyroid peeps (flax suppresses thyroid function). Chia seeds too, unfortunately. Just thought you'd might like to know. Btw, I am experimenting with oopsies with a little almond meal and a little plain protein powder (and Fage in place of cream cheese--that's what did me in, the cream cheese) and they are much more bread-like than traditional. When I figure out the best recipe, I'll post it. Happy day!

[CherylB]

A Spirooli is a handy little gadget that turns things like zucchini into curly "zoodles." Once you get your pile of curly zoodles, then you can cook them up and use them in place of pasta. I haven't tried it yet but I think I'll put my zoodles into a steamer bag and cook them up that way. I think they'll end up nice and still very healthy, rather than boiling them and pouring all the nutrients down the drain.

I bought mine online. You can use other types of veggies, even carrots. But they need to be very straight and rather large in diameter. Google it and view a video of how it works. It's pretty nifty!

I am feeling a little antsy today. I'm in P2, but staring down the barrel of P3. I just want to either be in one phase or the other. This Limbo stuff is annoying. I guess if I could know what these last days on VLCD would do for me, I'd be more patient and just go with the flow.

I got my brand new Grass Hog weed whacker today! Got it all assembled and tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to see how much I can get accomplished. The weather pattern we're in for this next week is looking alot like LA, so I'm diggin' it. Low humidity too!

Also got my Sport-brella today. Won't be opening that up until the yard is done. I need to make sure there is nothing wrong with it before so much time has passed that I can't do anything about it. The reviews online warned "car people" not to buy the x-lg one because it wouldn't fit in the car. IT WILL TOO! So glad I didn't listen to them. It'll be great!

Doggy got groomed this morning. Did I already tell you that? Did I post before and afters? I know I did on one other thread. I'll post this and then post the pics if I didn't already. I want to find a lake where me, my sister and both of our dogs can go swimming! I haven't gone swimming right along with Cisco (my pooch) since 2005! Long dang time.

[CherylB]

Thanks, Shelby! I look forward to that recipe, more than you know. I think I heard that about flaxmeal before, but I've never had a problem with it. Maybe some people are more sensitive to it than others. Still, good to know!

[CherylB]

My little Sissy! 8 years old and the love of my life. Seriously! I've spent more years with her than with any one man. I know; sad but true. And before anybody asks me, I don't know what kind of dog she is, but some kind of poodle mix. I rescued her at 8 weeks old. I don't think the doggy foundation had a clue and just went by her looks (they said Spaniel mix.) All I can tell you is she's 50 lbs of lovin'.

[Cruzcrzy]

Cheryl,

Sissy is very sweet. I understand why you love her so much. I lost my Woody dog to cancer in November 2009 and I still talk about him/to him daily. He was a beagle/lab mix. He looked like a beagle but with longer legs. I still miss him desperately. Give sissy a great big hug from me, okay?
Have a great evening!

[CherylB]

I will do that, Marie. I'm sorry for your loss. Animals have special personalities and no two are alike. I believe they have souls and they go on living in the next life. I believe they will be there to great us when we die, along with all those we loved and lost.

I hope you didn't go "petless" since losing him. I know it feels like you can never replace that pet and that the emptiness could never be filled by another animal. And I know you feel like you could never go through that kind of pain and loss again. But when I lose a pet, I always get another one.

In fact, when I adopted Cisco, I had just lost my Miniature American Eskimo two weeks before. Tragically she was hit by a car and killed instantly. But I felt empty without a pet in the house with me. I was acutely aware that mine was the only beating heart under my roof.

I never thought I could grow to love Cisco the way I had loved Keisha, but I have. And when she is gone, I will mourn her as much as I mourned for Keisha. But I'll still get another dog. And I will learn to love it, too.

Sorry for going on about this, but so many times I hear people say that they didn't get another pet after losing one and it just breaks my heart. I know how much love they've been missing all this time.

You may have gotten another pet and I'm just going on and on for nothing! In that case, I'm glad to be wrong in my assumptions.

[Cruzcrzy]

Cheryl,

We have not gotten another pet. I think that is why I still mourn, and the loss is still so great for me even after all this time. This is the first time in our married life(28 years) that we do not have a beloved pet. Dh is close to retirement, and we hope to do a bit of travel. I take care of the budget in our family, and truth be told, I don't think we will be doing much, if any. I tell dh all the time that if we end up being home all the time, I will get another dog. I am home full time so I was much more attached to him. He was MY dog. Woody's death was very sudden, and he was only 12. Our former dog lived until about 17, so it never occured to me Woody would pass so young. When he went in to have some kidney stones removed it was discovered he had bladder cancer. It was too advanced and nothing could be done. It was not anything that showed up on the x-ray for some reason. They were pretty confident the biopys would come back okay, but, when they told me I KNEW he had cancer. I even told them that, and they truly believed he did not. Well, the biopsy came back and he did. He went downhill very quickly. We cared for him as long as his quality of life was decent. I think we probably didn't let him go soon enough, but, it was so hard to do.

I have considered volunteering at the humane society or fostering dogs to get my "fix". I have fatigue issues so it is hard for me to commit. However, since being on the hcg it seems I am feeling better. Well, I have rambled long enough......Thanks for your kind words.

[CherylB]

My sister and her husband went through the same thing when they had to put their last Lab to sleep. They loved dogs so much but the pain and turmoil that they went through with all of their labs (over the years) was finally too much. They too wanted to keep themselves free'er (sp?) so they could go on day trips and such and not have to worry.

That worked for about a year and then my sister just suddenly felt she needed to have another dog. Bro-in-law was trying to pursuade her not to, but deep down he wanted one, too. They have a lab-mix (rescue dog) now and she's great (the dog.) It definitely does cost a great deal of money to care for an animal well, find him/her a good place for boarding when necessary, etc. Not to mention any health issues that arise. But love always comes with a heavy price; at least in my life it does!

How much longer before DH retires? I hope you get your dog. In the meantime, your idea to help out as a volunteer at the shelter is a great one. But if you are anything like me, I dare you not to come home with one or two of 'em! LOL!

[C'Marie]

Cheryl, I know it's late, but I know you're a prayer-er.... CMac has been admitted to the hospital tonight. She posted about going to the ER. They said something about her heart muscle. If you get up and get this in the morning, prayer for her, please.

I've prayed now, so I can sleep for awhile. I sure don't like to hear of one of our community in trouble.

[Cruzcrzy]

Originally Posted by CherylB

How much longer before DH retires? I hope you get your dog. In the meantime, your idea to help out as a volunteer at the shelter is a great one. But if you are anything like me, I dare you not to come home with one or two of 'em! LOL!

Cheryl, he is 62, so it could be anytime now. We just paid off the house a few months ago. We have some other goals, so our plan is August 2013 unless life gets in the way, and it is sooner or later. I am 48 and have mainly been a stay at home wife/mother.

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Cheryl, I know it's late, but I know you're a prayer-er.... CMac has been admitted to the hospital tonight. She posted about going to the ER. They said something about her heart muscle. If you get up and get this in the morning, prayer for her, please.

I've prayed now, so I can sleep for awhile. I sure don't like to hear of one of our community in trouble.

Adding my prayers!

[obraxton]

Morning Cheryl!!!!

I touch and agree on CMac's healing!

[CherylB]

C'Marie, I just now read these posts and prayed for C'Mac. I don't think I know her/him, but I really hope all is well and that they find something that can be easily corrected. Let us know how she is, okay?

Marie, well if you guys will be doing some fun things in his retirement (which sounds like it'll be soon,) then maybe it is best to wait a while on the dog. Probably after you've both had time to enjoy his retirement, you'll get tired of all the excitement and want to slow down and relax some. Then you can get the pooch! In the meantime, get your fix at the shelter, but be strong! Leave them there when you go back home at the end of the day.

Good morning to you too, Terri and Dessa! It's gorgeous out today so I must hurry and go do some lawn work. It won't be a very long deal, though. I'm just not able to do that kind of activity and effort for long periods. So I'll be back in a while and write more.

[dazygyrl]

hello, lovely lady!! hope you have a fabulous day!

[CherylB]

Thanks, dazygyrl! Such a nice thing to say.

I whacked the entire front yard! I couldn't believe how well it went. A couple of times I had to stop and pull some long strands of tough grass from around the spool thingy, but only twice I think. I never expected to do the front lawn all in one shot, but it was so great!

As soon as I stopped and rested, my left shoulder felt like it wanted to seize up on me! I could lift it, but it felt like I wouldn't be able to. Tomorrow I may be paralyzed on the left side!

The back yard is going to be much, much harder. It's 50% weeds. The thick kind that look like bushes? Yeah. It's scary. And God only knows what's living back there. Wish I still owned cowboy boots. I'll have to do that yard bit by bit. I am going to try and get some it done in a few hours, when the sun is lower. The back yard faces South, and I don't do intense sun well.

But what a gorgeous day! It couldn't be any better. Right down to a strong breeze and like 15% humidity. Ahhhhh.

[TerriMM]

What a wonderful morning, I'm jealous! I love to work in the yard. Hope to do some gardening tonight after work as the DH is out of town. So the evening belongs to me

I have two "go to's" when I overdo it in the yard.
#1 Potassium - learned that from a personal trainer years ago.
#2 Epson Salt Bath. Really works on those muscles before they have a chance to seize on you.

[CherylB]

Potassium? I will take a couple right now. I happen to have Epsom Salt, so I'll take a bath tonight. Thanks!

[CherylB]

Pellets are history, as of today. I put them away for 3 weeks with a bit of sadness in my heart. They've been so good to me! I love shrinking!

So today and tomorrow are low calorie days, just like I've been doing all these weeks, then Sunday I will venture into Atkins-type eating. I am planning what to buy and make and I think a nice Ribeye with a salad and my favorite buttermilk ranch dressing would be a good place to start.

I'll remeasure my body parts on Sunday, so I can compare the pre-P3 to the post-P3 and see if I actually do lose inches and reshape some during that round, as they say people often do. That would be cool!

Though eating as if on Atkins, I am going to keep eating at least one serving of fruit per day. I've grown to really enjoy it and I want to see if I can keep eating it without problems.

It's still so beautiful here but it's chilly! Feels more like Fall than Spring or Summer. But I'm so enjoying it! I know it won't last long and I'll be panting like a dog and sweating like a pig. Going to work on whacking the back yard later in the afternoon, I hope. I feel very lazy today. Nap time?

I hope everyone is doing well today and that you have an excellent weekend! Shelby, I haven't gotten my Cortisol test results back, but when I do I'll post them.

[obraxton]

How long is your P3 break? Do you cycle or just rounds? Maybe the fruit every other day if it begins to bother you a little bit.
Have a great weekend! I'll be around!

[CherylB]

Thanks, Dessa. I'm be around, too! This round I'll be just doing 3 weeks of P3 then reloading and heading back into P2 for about 24 days. Then I'll do 3 weeks of P3 and 3 weeks on P4. I have to be in P4 during most of August, because that is the month that has the most going on.

In fact, it was last August that I lost my Atkins momentum and ended up not being able to "get it back." This time I'm going into it with my head on straight and I'll get through it with victory!

I'll be on P3 for my birthday, but about one week later I'll be able to have my cake. I imagine I'll have to do quite a few correction days this August, but I will try my hardest to do it well enough not to have to.

But here is what I face each August:

1- My birthday, 2- The Town Fair (which I LOVE; a 3 day event,) 3- My bro-in-law's birthday, 4- Family camping trip for a week or so down at the ocean, 5- Sister Robin's birthday, 6- Labor Day festivities. (Last two are technically in September, but it's all part of the succession of hurdles I have to get over.)

I just want to add that I just ate 200 grams of Low Fat Cottage Cheese and I am SUFFERING. My gut is distended and I'm in pain. I must not be able to handle dairy just yet. I will not eat that again for a long time!

[obraxton]

Oh wow! August seems fun Sorry you're not feeling well, but good that you took your time introducing foods!

[CherylB]

I'm going to have to be careful about dairy, apparently. Maybe I've been lactose intolerant but didn't know because I ate cheese every day of my life! I'll use this P3 to timidly test different food groups to see how I do. I feel better now, but MAN! I wasn't expecting to feel like that after eating cottage cheese!

Yes, August will be fun. I hope it's not a scorcher like last year! The weekend of the Fair last August, we were around 100 degrees. I drank alot of beer! Don't know what I'll drink this year! Hope they have good iced tea!

Good night, all you cutie pies! Have a nice night and great weekend!

[CherylB]

I didn't post here yet today? For shame! I am doing fine. Still not jazzed about P3, but I'm doing it anyway, beginning tomorrow. Actually, I kind of already began tonight. I boiled 2 hot dogs and ate them with sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard. Sounds good, huh! I must still have hcg in my system because I just didn't care to eat it.

But, I plan to also eat a string cheese before bed. I put all my food and drinks into ****** and all told, I'm around 875 for the entire day. Tomorrow will be the big day, when I try to eat at least 1300 calories or so. I need to work up to about 1800-2000. We'll see how that goes. That would be no problem at all if I could just eat PIZZA!

When I was out shopping for groceries today, I swung by the local liquor store. Don't worry! I bought non-alcoholic wine and champagne. I called them yesterday to see if they carried Fre brand and they did. So, I will sit on those for a week or so, until I see how well I've stabilized. You're supposed to be able to have wine on P3, so this should be fine in moderation. I'm sure it won't be so great that I'll want to down the whole bottle, like I used to with real wine.

So, I'll have some eggs tomorrow when I get up. Then I'll marinate some chicken thighs in some salsa and maybe grill them outside later on. I might just bake them; they'll probably come out better that way. Then I'll have a nice salad with my favorite buttermilk ranch dressing and some cheese. That should be enough for day one of P3. I might also try making an iced coffee with cream and DaVinci syrup.

The journey continues, ladies. Just a different leg of the same journey.

[Zbunny]

Hi Cheryl! I thought I'd catch up with you a bit over here since we're doing P3 together! What a great thread you have going on!

By the way, my Bday is in August too, and I have backward planned so that I'll be right at P4 when it hits Are you a Leo by any chance?