Your thoughts on Re-feed days?

[12yrslater]

Originally Posted by 2011me

@ 12yslater...

I did 21 days of p3, which ended on 4/4... I am back into treatment phase (2nd day) and am planning on doing this phase for 90 days. One reason why I find this refeed concept so interesting. Believe it will be beneficial during this extended p2.

90 days...I bet those refeeds would be essential on such a long round! I'm excited for you!!

I also can't wait to see how those who are refeeding now will do! I'm keeping everything crossed for them. (I personally think it will work but I'm a true optimist)

Originally Posted by PiDevil

I was the exact same way. I missed the anticipation of the daily weigh-ins. In P3 you hope for the same number, in P2 you dread it!

We are never satisfied

[b_lou_who]

In my experience a "cheat day" can result in loss the next day, but it is a liar. Everyone I know including myself then rebound up to a couple of pounds the following day and often don't lose for the entire rest of the round, just bouncing up and down the same pound or so.

[12yrslater]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

In my experience a "cheat day" can result in loss the next day, but it is a liar. Everyone I know including myself then rebound up to a couple of pounds the following day and often don't lose for the entire rest of the round, just bouncing up and down the same pound or so.

Say it ain't so!

[JeniferCA]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

In my experience a "cheat day" can result in loss the next day, but it is a liar. Everyone I know including myself then rebound up to a couple of pounds the following day and often don't lose for the entire rest of the round, just bouncing up and down the same pound or so.

Everyone is different. Just because it doesn't work for some, doesn't mean it won't work for all.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by kaylem

Well, just call me impulsive....and ready to shake things up! But since I am being a guinea pig for the good of the whole and all....what do you all think, 24, 36 or 48 hours? Hcg or no?

It's probably way too late for my vote to count (cause I'm still reading and trying to get caught up) but I say do it for 48 hours and keep taking your hhcg. If I do a refeed, I won't be stopping the hhcg.

[b_lou_who]

I'm not just talking about me..I am talking about the 19 people I know intimately who inject hcg and have used it for at least 4 years.

[2011me]

Originally Posted by JeniferCA

Everyone is different. Just because it doesn't work for some, doesn't mean it won't work for all.

Very true. This board alone is proof enough of that!!! To each their own, share experiences if one wants... and take away what one wants... learning along the way what may, or may not, work for oneself... personally.

Supporting each other along the way... regardless of what paths taken. As it is obvious there is no one way to live life!

[JeniferCA]

Understood. I also know people on hhcg who have cheated and HAVE gone on to continue losing and stabilizing. I certainly don't condone cheating, but I'm just saying that not every single person that does will fail for the rest of their round.

Like I said, everyone is different. What may work for some, won't work for others.

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

I'm not just talking about me..I am talking about the 19 people I know intimately who inject hcg and have used it for at least 4 years.

Maybe the difference lies between RX and hhcg? Very interesting either way.

I do have one question, why are people using the injections for 4 years? Seems like a very long time

[12yrslater]

Originally Posted by Gracie514

Maybe the difference lies between RX and hhcg? Very interesting either way.

I do have one question, why are people using the injections for 4 years? Seems like a very long time

I was thinking this very thing myself?

I'll tell you what, I did hhcg and rx. With the rx, I was TERRIFIED of going off protocol!

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by JeniferCA

Understood. I also know people on hhcg who have cheated and HAVE gone on to continue losing and stabilizing. I certainly don't condone cheating, but I'm just saying that not every single person that does will fail for the rest of their round.

Like I said, everyone is different. What may work for some, won't work for others.

If I look back in my journal, I had several cheats - but it seems like that was when I got to virgin territory afterwards. So, I'm thinking MY body likes the refeeds (cheats). I also do the hhcg, not RX. It's definitely a YMMV type of thing!

[CherylB]

This one post will be an entire page in itself, so I deeply and sincerely apologize in advance!

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

I'm wondering...
if Simeon had us loading with foods that we liked, regardless of fat content...WHILE we were on HCG...

Why would it be any different for a mini load?

I "get" why a body builder would do it with low fat, while NOT on HCG but working to be more "cut". I just wonder...with HCG thrown into the mix...if it affects things differently.

Yay for people willing to experiment, be guinea pigs...and most importantly, think outside of the BOX!!

Following this thread with RABID interest....

The spoiled brat in me wants to agree with you on the fat and regular loading idea, but we will have to see if it's true or not.

Originally Posted by Christalina

Today is day 13 and I've lost 14 lbs so far. But the last few days I've been obsessed with food and craving like crazy. I knew I wouldn't be able to go another 14 days like this. So this post came at the right time for me.

I'm going to do a 24 hr refeed with the HCG, just like a load day. I think it will give me a huge boost physically and mentally. I have nothing to lose but pounds! Wish me luck!

Can't wait to hear how it works for you! And WTG on the losses so far!

Originally Posted by kaylem

Ok, Christalina, I'm with you. 24 hours, WITH hcg. (48 hours might push me over the edge of nervousness!)

My 24 hours began at 8pm tonight. I will complete it at 8pm tomorrow night.

Here we go, girl!

When I do it, it will be in the morning (or afternoon) when I wake up for the day and end when I go to sleep on the final refeed day. I wouldn't like doing partial days.

Originally Posted by pumpkin

This whole thread is interesting to me, because I was stalled.

Here is what happened to me:

2011-04-05 215.10 Edit
2011-04-02 215.40 Edit
2011-04-01 216.60 Edit
2011-03-31 216.00 Edit
2011-03-30 215.90 Edit
2011-03-29 215.60 Edit
2011-03-28 216.10 Edit
2011-03-27 217.10 Edit
2011-03-26 218.10 Edit
2011-03-25 217.50 Edit
2011-03-24 216.90 Edit
2011-03-23 218.10 Edit

I tend to lose, hover for a while, lose, hover for a while.

On the 3rd, and 4th, I was off plan, and came out of it with a small loss. Back to plan now, and will post tomorrow and the next few day's weight too, to see if my "mini-load" on those days helped.

I was wondering the other day about maybe my body fluctuating so much was due to it thinking it was starving (silly body), so we will see if letting my body have a bit more "tricked" it into letting go of some weight...

Pumpkin! You are our guinea pig, too! Were you still taking your hhcg? Include that info in your final report, please.

Originally Posted by belfrybat

You'll have to do an internet search as this is found on a commericial site selling HCG. I used the string "refeed on the hCG diet" to find it.

I also found a site that promotes a way to do the hCG diet a bit differently that also uses refeeding days. Do a search for Advanced HCG Clinic. I found a 70 page PDF book that was extremely interesting.

Thank you! I saved that pdf for later reading (like when this thread slows down, if it ever does!)

Originally Posted by kaylem

ok, reporting in with a quick update.

First, mirror, thank you for the warning, sweet girl! Since I began this last night, it is too late for me to go back, so I will "take one for the team," so to speak.

I don't know why I am so willing to do this. I think it is because I AM so close to my goal, and I feel like I fit the profile. Also, if I gain a couple of pounds that I know I can lose again, I'm not too scared. I'm not a binger--I gained my weight fairly slowly over a long period of time, and then it just didn't want to go away. So I'm not scared of going off the deep end. I have thought out my meals very carefully and I am not going to go crazy eating everything in sight. (Of course, after P2, ANYTHING off plan feels like binging! Ha!)

I have followed two rounds of P2 VERY STRICTLY. Any deviations have been accidental or due to conflicting information.


So, after adding about 700 additional calories last night of carbs and proteins (avoiding excess sugar), I was up this morning by 2.5 pounds to 150.5.

For breakfast, I made an egg sandwich on a bagel with a slice of ham and swiss cheese and coffee with cream. I ate slowly and appreciated the taste, texture, and the blend of flavors of the food. My psyche feels satisfied, as does my stomach! (and perhaps Bernice will make an appearance finally, as well!)

I will focus on meals with rice, pasta, and bread. I will probably eat out for these meals b/c I don't want to have a lot of that food in my house! But, again, I will choose foods carefully and not just try to "re-load."

So, reporting a feeling of satisfaction as I face a day of good food. Time to get ready for work! I will report back tonight....I'm sure this thread will be hoppin' and I hope I don't get too many tomatoes in my face!

Kay

You poor girl! Such a sacrifice you are making in the pursuit of knowledge and truth. Thanks so much, BTW! We really appreciate what you're doing.

Originally Posted by 2011me

Just my experience, I am in a refeed... sorta... I am on second day loading.

I lost almost a half pound after TWO grilled cheese last night, lots and lots of whole milk (which seemed to be causing a gain in my p3) and even a chocolate donut. I had NO starchy carbs or sugar duiring p3... so adding the bread alone I thought would show an increase.

Anyhow... interesting.

Brutal, man.

Originally Posted by mermaid

I did a one-meal refeed of homemade pizza and homemade cookies last night. It was fun just eating what I wanted. Like Kay, I took my time and enjoyed what I was eating. It was not a binge, just an enjoyable meal. All I ended up eating was one piece of pizza and three small cookies before I was satisfied. I did take some Chinese herb pills to bring down my blood sugar because I am diabetic. Then I just sat and enjoyed the full feeling a while then went to bed.

This morning I did not weigh, but will tomorrow. I have been stalled for about 10 days now (partly due to PMS/TOM).

This morning I feel great! I am WANTING to go back to low calories today and continue the losses. I do have a very long history of binging, but I did not want to binge last night, and I have no desire for carbs or excess food this morning. It's so good to have better control. I attribute a lot of that change to the HHCG, so I am of course continuing on with that too.

I did a refeed meal last night, too. (Ambien greased the skids for that idea.) I made a "pan pizza" so it wasn't low fat. It's something I made often on Atkins. It consisted of a few handfuls of shredded pizza cheese, couple spoonfuls of spaghetti sauce, grated parmesan cheese, seasonings and canned shrooms. I lost not one smidgen of weight today, but I didn't go up either. Time will tell, I suppose!

Originally Posted by mermaid

Hey, I just realized this was the original post that Cheryl made. Sorry Cheryl! Oh well, now it's repeated on this page!

Can you tell I am just LOVING this thread? I have done refeeds for a few years when in weight loss mode and I am super excited about combining it with HCG, since that seems to be the missing link for the time I was struggling with my weight.

Thanks Cheryl and everyone else for keeping this going. I think a lot of people who would have just quietly disappeared thinking that HCG wasn't working for them can take another stab at it using refeeds and maybe be able to continue on now.

Oh yeah, one more thing. A lot of bodybuilders (male and female) are using HCG these days to get lean for competitions, so I guess the flow of information is going both ways.

I started to read the article you posted and thought it looked familiar! You are welcome! I had no idea it would take off like a wild fire, but it's so cool!

Originally Posted by belfrybat

I really went off the wagon yesterday, so in essence did a refeed, just didn't follow any rules. I ate an entire bag of lightly salted potato chips (9 oz), which led me to a 5 oz chocolate bar which in turn led me to 2 glasses of red wine. Very little protein as I only had a yogurt and 3.5 oz chicken breast. Total calories for the day was 1900 calories. I only took the morning dose of hHCG since I figured I'd blown it so badly. I was up 2 lbs. this morning. But I'm back in the saddle today. It will be interesting to see if what I thought was a day really blowing it actually ends up helping me. I'm on VLCD 22.

Another guinea pig in our midst! Bet you didn't expect to get praised for your little indiscretions.

Naturally we all need to research this thing before jumping into it, or anything else in life, for that matter. I don't think anyone here would just throw all caution to the wind and take a chance on blowing their hard work!

[Christalina]

Update~
I planned to do 1 day refeed today because I was obsessing over food and craving like crazy. I'm doing 30 days of injections and am on Day 14. This refeed thread came at the perfect time for me! I felt I had nothing to lose by doing it because I really didn't think I could for another 15 days feeling like this and would fall off the wagon anyway...

Well, I started last night and have been eating whatever I want, just like on a load day, and took my HCG today. I won't weigh in for a couple of days and will go back to the VLCD tomorrow.

This day isn't even over and I'm stuffed and satiated and feel I can go back to protocol and go another 2 weeks! I'm sure it has a lot to do with one's attitude. I definitely needed a break, got one and am ready to continue now. No guilt...

Now the proof will be in the pudding (ha-ha). Only the scale will tell the true benefit in a couple of days of having done this. I'll report back, but for now, I'm having some pasta!

[2011me]

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

I'm wondering...
if Simeon had us loading with foods that we liked, regardless of fat content...WHILE we were on HCG...

Why would it be any different for a mini load?

I "get" why a body builder would do it with low fat, while NOT on HCG but working to be more "cut". I just wonder...with HCG thrown into the mix...if it affects things differently.

Yay for people willing to experiment, be guinea pigs...and most importantly, think outside of the BOX!!

Following this thread with RABID interest....

Found this... may help explain...

What Should You Eat On A Refeed


With regards to what foods you should be eating on a refeed, it will be similar to the types that were described in the postworkout meals after a depletion workout - higher in carbohydrates and moderate in protein. You will want to stay away from additional fat as much as possible on this day however as since you will be in a surplus already, when you add fat to this meal there is a higher chance that the calories you over eat will be stored as fat, rather than going into the muscle cells (since the muscle cells can only hold so much, the spill-over from the additional fat will then go to fat stores).

[pacetbostic]

I am considering a refeed this weekend. My kids are all home and oddly they are complaining about the frozen pizza,corn dogs, chicken patties and such I got them so they (the older 2) could make their own meals and I don't have to cook all of that junk. My middle child asked me when i was going to cook "real" food again. What kids COMPLAIN about junk food??? Especially when it's a rarity in the house?!?

Anyway, I think Saturday will be my refeed day and back to protocol on Sunday.....I will let everyone know how it works out....

[CherylB]

Good luck with it, Pace!

[kaylem]

All righty, girls, here is my update on my re-feed day.....

I am finding that I am feeling a lot like Christalina...I definitely feel like I can go back to the VLCD for the next week and tackle the last of my pounds.

Here is my "full" report:

While the actual EATING of my meals has been very enjoyable, the after result has NOT been. My stomach has been upset and I have felt bloated and gassy. This happened at lunch and dinner. (I was fine after breakfast). The other thing that I have found interesting is that I have immediately experienced that weird feeling of fullness, but not satisfaction....remember that? When you eat empty carbs and you feel stuffed but for some crazy reason you still think you want something? It has been crazy!! While I definitely get hungry while on VLCD, I feel satisfied after I eat. The same is true for me during P3. It's when I start reintroducing carbs that I feel off.

I did have one sweet: a piece of dark chocolate, but that has been my only "direct" sugar. I did not worry about the incidental sugars in my other meals.

As posted earlier, for breakfast I ate an egg sandwich on a bagel. I also had a 1/4 cup of blackberries b/c I just miss berries! For a snack I had a cashew and date LaraBar. (Not refined carbs, I know, but 24g of carbs nonetheless). For lunch I had mexican gumbo from Qdoba w/ a side of chips (a former favorite). This had rice, beans, and meat...and it was after this meal that I started feeling poorly. I was thinking that I would have an afternoon snack, but really didn't feel like I could even think about it. For dinner, the kids were BEGGING to go to Jason's Deli, so that's where we went. (We haven't eaten out in ages b/c of my diet!) I ate a half sandwich (a ruben on wonderful rye bread! It was soooo good!) and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup w/ a side of blue corn tortilla chips and salsa. For "dessert" I had two of their little gingerbread mini muffins. In my "old days," this would have been nothing. But now, I feel like I ate an entire Thanksgiving feast!

So, now I am home and I just don't know if I will be able to eat anything else. My stomach is having a tricky time digesting all of the food, and I definitely feel like the article described--unable to eat more. (But when I look back, I really didn't eat all that much). Anyway, I will see how I feel in an hour or so, but I may "call" this experiment done a couple of hours early!

Mentally, I feel pretty good--re-energized to say the least. I THINK THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING IS THAT I WENT INTO THIS INTENTIONALLY AND HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF IT AS A "CHEAT" OR A "MESS UP." Therefore, I'm not obsessing about how many calories I ate today...although I admit, I haven't put them into ******, yet....I'm kinda scared to know!

Moving forward, what I am most afraid of is that I might have completely undone the last 21 days and gained 8 pounds in 24 hours. I believe that they will come off as quickly as they came on, but I am praying that the scale KEEPS moving so that I can finish strong. Even though I now feel that I can continue with this round for a little longer, I am still very ready to move on to maintaining my new body and to learn how to care for it and strengthen it!

I admit that I am fearful of what the scale will say tomorrow, but I'm intrigued by what it will say on Friday.

So, that is my report. In some respects, today was VERY enjoyable, in others, I have learned that my body doesn't necessarily LIKE what my brain craves.

I will let you know the weight results tomorrow and on Friday. Thanks for your support while I try this!

--Kay

[CherylB]

Now THAT's a report! Good job, Kay! Now get some sleep and know you did your part to advance the cause of science! Sweet dreams and hope you don't suffer too much, bowel and digestion-wise.

[girlsaidwhat]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

In my experience a "cheat day" can result in loss the next day, but it is a liar. Everyone I know including myself then rebound up to a couple of pounds the following day and often don't lose for the entire rest of the round, just bouncing up and down the same pound or so.

I think everyone is a little different on this...because I've cheated about once a week each week I've done this round (VLCD32 today) and lost consistently each week.

After each cheat, usually I lost! And then lost the next day, and the next too. Every once in a while, my weight the day after a cheat would be the same...and then losses the next day, and the next. Once, I went up a bit after a cheat, but I think it was the foods I cheated with (peanut products being the big culprit).

(My daily average this round is .7 lbs a day....)

[girlsaidwhat]

Originally Posted by 2011me

Found this... may help explain...

What Should You Eat On A Refeed


With regards to what foods you should be eating on a refeed, it will be similar to the types that were described in the postworkout meals after a depletion workout - higher in carbohydrates and moderate in protein. You will want to stay away from additional fat as much as possible on this day however as since you will be in a surplus already, when you add fat to this meal there is a higher chance that the calories you over eat will be stored as fat, rather than going into the muscle cells (since the muscle cells can only hold so much, the spill-over from the additional fat will then go to fat stores).

Thanks for finding this...
Only thing is, was this from information for bodybuilders/weightlifters who want to do a refeed, or from information for folks on hcg?

Because, as I said...I understand why a bodybuilder would choose to do a low-fat refeed, but as Simeon didn't have us do a low-fat /load/...I'm wondering if a low-fat refeed is really best for hcg-ers.

[girlsaidwhat]

I think it's important that our wonderful refeed guinea pigs keep in mind...that it's at least possible and probably likely that the scale may reflect a gain the day after...

But that the days /following/ that may show good or even bigger losses. At least that's what we're hoping for! So...if you weigh/ed the next morning after a refeed, and you're up, or the same...let the next couple of days /after/ that be the determining factor of whether or not the refeed had the desired effect.

It'll be important, too, to know how you guys maintain in P3/4...
Thanks so much, everyone!

[pacetbostic]

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

I think it's important that our wonderful refeed guinea pigs keep in mind...that it's at least possible and probably likely that the scale may reflect a gain the day after...

But that the days /following/ that may show good or even bigger losses. At least that's what we're hoping for! So...if you weigh/ed the next morning after a refeed, and you're up, or the same...let the next couple of days /after/ that be the determining factor of whether or not the refeed had the desired effect.

It'll be important, too, to know how you guys maintain in P3/4...
Thanks so much, everyone!

I already decided not to look at the scale the day after. Sunday will be my day of rest. no scale= no worries

[2011me]

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

Thanks for finding this...
Only thing is, was this from information for bodybuilders/weightlifters who want to do a refeed, or from information for folks on hcg?

Because, as I said...I understand why a bodybuilder would choose to do a low-fat refeed, but as Simeon didn't have us do a low-fat /load/...I'm wondering if a low-fat refeed is really best for hcg-ers.

This excerpt was not from a body builder forum, it was a hubpages site (that had and advert for hcg, so I did not want to link or name it as per tos)... the article is basically explaining the difference between a cheat day and a refeed day... the first paragraph is:

While most people are familiar with the concept of a 'cheat day' when they are dieting, whether they plan one in regularly on their diet or they just happen to have one accidentally every so often, fewer people know about the concept of a refeed.

Even on the BB sites tho... refeeds reference more of carbing up as opposed to sugaring up. And most BBers are NOT with a surplus of fat... they prefer protein. hth

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

Thanks for finding this...
Only thing is, was this from information for bodybuilders/weightlifters who want to do a refeed, or from information for folks on hcg?

Because, as I said...I understand why a bodybuilder would choose to do a low-fat refeed, but as Simeon didn't have us do a low-fat /load/...I'm wondering if a low-fat refeed is really best for hcg-ers.

That's my question as well. My doc tried to get me to do a refeed and I told him no way. (Always done very strict protocol by choice) But if one was to do a refeed, seems like the above information is about carbs whereas the information talks about there being already fat in the diet - that's not the case with the VLCD. There is no fat in our diet - or very little.

[mirroravoider]

Okay, so I know I'm the skeptical one here Anyone with over 25 lbs. to lose going for this experiment? Hey, I'm open to whatever works (obviously weight loss hasn't yet become an exact science). Just curious to watch your results over a week or so... ???

[2011me]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

That's my question as well. My doc tried to get me to do a refeed and I told him no way. (Always done very strict protocol by choice) But if one was to do a refeed, seems like the above information is about carbs whereas the information talks about there being already fat in the diet - that's not the case with the VLCD. There is no fat in our diet - or very little.

No fat is being taking in during the VLCD, but the blood is loaded with fat that is being released...therein lies the reference.

[girlsaidwhat]

Originally Posted by 2011me

This excerpt was not from a body builder forum, it was a hubpages site (that had and advert for hcg, so I did not want to link or name it as per tos)... the article is basically explaining the difference between a cheat day and a refeed day... the first paragraph is:

While most people are familiar with the concept of a 'cheat day' when they are dieting, whether they plan one in regularly on their diet or they just happen to have one accidentally every so often, fewer people know about the concept of a refeed.

Even on the BB sites tho... refeeds reference more of carbing up as opposed to sugaring up. And most BBers are NOT with a surplus of fat... they prefer protein. hth

Ok...it wasn't from a bodybuilder site...
but it wasn't from an hcg site either...just a site for dieters.
Which is cool, all information is great and important to consider since we're rogue-ing, being guinea pigs, etc...

I'm still wondering about the difference in "loading/refeeding" on hcg vs. NOT on hcg. : )

There has to be good reason for loading with fatty things on loading days on hcg. I'm wondering why that reason wouldn't also apply to a refeed. Hope that makes sense!

[2011me]

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

Ok...it wasn't from a bodybuilder site...
but it wasn't from an hcg site either...just a site for dieters.
Which is cool, all information is great and important to consider since we're rogue-ing, being guinea pigs, etc...

I'm still wondering about the difference in "loading/refeeding" on hcg vs. NOT on hcg. : )

There has to be good reason for loading with fatty things on loading days on hcg. I'm wondering why that reason wouldn't also apply to a refeed. Hope that makes sense!

See my response to C'Marie... maybe google about depleting leptin and hcg refeeding... too much info to try and explain here without links (that are not allowed)...

[2011me]

Originally Posted by mirroravoider

Okay, so I know I'm the skeptical one here Anyone with over 25 lbs. to lose going for this experiment? Hey, I'm open to whatever works (obviously weight loss hasn't yet become an exact science). Just curious to watch your results over a week or so... ???

I will be doing this... but not until 21 more days go by in this treatment phase! lol Will lyk tho!

[LoosinItNow]

Originally Posted by mirroravoider

Okay, so I know I'm the skeptical one here Anyone with over 25 lbs. to lose going for this experiment? Hey, I'm open to whatever works (obviously weight loss hasn't yet become an exact science). Just curious to watch your results over a week or so... ???

I've got nearly 60 lbs to loose, still. I am in R1P2D17 and I've lost a total of 21.6 lbs so far this round. I didn't gain on the load days, in fact I lost 1 lb (if my crazy scales could be beleived). I have lost almost every day, the biggest which was nearly 5 lbs! I have gained twice, about a pound, but then lost that and a little more the next day.

I was going for a 43 day round, but had decided to stop at the 23, now I may change my mind again and continue on. I did a 6 hour refeed, which included lunch and dinner - I have been struggling with weakness issues in the morning, though I think I may have tweeked things enough to have solved that problem via advice from several of you guys. (Thanks!)

I ate lunch at Subway (12" Chicken/Bacon/Ranch with Sun Chips and a cookie), then ate a snack at Panera Bread (a choc croissant & an Assiago cheese bagel), then for dinner ate some Buffalo Stew from Whole Foods with a cheese buscuit - oh, and a whole bag of Taro chips! , err,, as well as a rice dream bar).

I felt very full, this is the most that I've eaten since my load days. I have cheated, but it was with zucchinni chips and cauliflower popcorn, with a little chocolate crack thrown in, so I really haven't gone too far off protocol before today.

I am using the Pellets, which are obviously doing VERY well, though the hunger the first week was fierce! I think I decided to do this refeed purely from a psychological need, but also to see if I can maintain my great losses into and beyond the third week of P2. I will post my gain/losses tomorrow morning, as well as the next few days. I will temember to comment on this break during my P3 phase, to see how that responds to this refeed!

Fingers crossed!