P3 into P4 - Week of 5/16/11

[lemonmama]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

You really want to set that hypothalmus. It gives you an incremental setpoint, which is really helpful. If you lose in P4, that is different than in P3. If you are losing in P4 by eating very healthfully with your new lifestyle, I suppose that is preferable than losing in P3. You definitely want to set that weight with enough calories in P3 so that maintaining is easier. If you are losing weight in P3 you probably need to up your calories (good ones!) a bit until it stops. If you maintain a little below your LDW, you are ok, just as if you maintain a little above your LDW.

Whoops, we were posting at the same time!

Good stuff. Thanks for the clarification. In my little warped mindset, it is hard to imagine losing weight ever being a bad thing for me, but I understand that with HCG it's a totally different ballgame! Effective ballgame, sometimes confusing ballgame, but entertaining ballgame!

[BigBenny]

Went up another 1.4lbs today bringing me to 3.8lbs above LDW. It's been so long since I've actually used salt on a regular basis. Do you think my body is just sucking it up or do I need to do a CD?

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by BigBenny

Went up another 1.4lbs today bringing me to 3.8lbs above LDW. It's been so long since I've actually used salt on a regular basis. Do you think my body is just sucking it up or do I need to do a CD?

Yes, I would do a CD, I'm on one as we speak. This was my toughest challenge, the key is not letting it creep up on you between rounds. Don't make the same mistake that I made.

[BigBenny]

Alright. Thanks lara

[LaraSuzz]

I know it sucks but you will feel better when it's done. It's 2:33 pm here and I will work late then go home and have my steak and tomato. I might even get up early tomorrow and make myself some eggs bacon and coffee.

[BigBenny]

I've gained both days I've used my new celtic sea salt, but I want to keep using it for its health properties. I've been on a very low sodium diet for the past 8 months in a misguided attempt to "keep all water weight off" so I'm just not sure what to do if a CD doesn't fix it. Do I use my salt on the CD? Do I skip it? What happens if I skip it and add it back in?

need Shelbyla or some other salt experts chiming in!

[shelbyla]

Try the correction day and see what happens. How much are you using daily? If you've been on a very low sodium diet, it could be that you need to ease into it. Are you taking potassium? If not you might try adding some potassium as they work in synergy with each other.

[BigBenny]

Yesterday I had 1tsp mixed in with 100oz of water, then perhaps 1tsp spread across the rest of the day.

I haven't been doing potassium but I'll buy some tonight. Gonna do the chicken CD since it's much cheaper =p

[shelbyla]

Might be a little too much to start with. I would cut that in half--1/2 in water and 1/2t in food or all in food. Good luck Benny--keep us posted.

Did I mention that I am starting P3 tomorrow??!!!???

[LaraSuzz]

Whats the consensus on taking tylenol on a steak day? lol my head hurts!!

Yeehaw Shelby happy P3!!!

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Whats the consensus on taking tylenol on a steak day? lol my head hurts!!

Yeehaw Shelby happy P3!!!

Oh my goodness Lara if your head hurts I say take a Tylenol by all means, you shouldn't have to suffer IMO not even on a correction day

[BigBenny]

Awesome, shelby! Even though my p3's been a lil rocky so far, I like it much better than p2. Fatty protein is my comfort food..Some people love mashed potatoes, I love meat.

Gonna drink about 140oz of water today to help flush it out. Added a bit of salt to my chicken for my CD so I won't add any to my water..Not sure how much I used so I'll be on the safe side.

[Ravenj9]

I was down .2 this morning so I guess the peanuts on the plane didn't affect me. TwinMama, apparently peanuts are considered a legume instead of a nut. Who knew!

I'm .6 above my LDW so I'm happy about that. Hopefully this will continue but since I had a crazy R2P2 I'm worried that the other shoe will drop any day now.

Well I'd better get some rest (and drink the rest of my water before it gets too late). Have a great evening.

[kaylem]

So, I guess the CD worked...sort of. Back to 147.5, .5 above my LDW, but thinking that maybe the 147 should be my LDW since that is were my body has pretty much been almost every day for the last month. But today I ate 2000 calories, largely due to the totally yummy hamburger patty w/ swiss cheese and bacon that I had for lunch. (I was totally craving beef...) Anyway, I'll be interested to see what, if any effect it has on my tomorrow morning. Too scared to even dabble in P4 foods (like many of us!)

I haven't been getting enough sleep OR water, I know that. This is an extremely nutty week, but things will calm down soon. I'm super sleepy tonight, so I am going to turn in EARLY. Night, all!

Kay

[Stampe63]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

Did I mention that I am starting P3 tomorrow??!!!???

Welcome to P3 shelbyla

[TwinMama]

Wow so much to read! I love how busy it is here. Back tomorrow to respond. Night all!

[torister]

Still loving P3 here.....

[LaraSuzz]

Hi all, I'm down a little over 3lbs today and I plan on eating very clean today. I did take tylenol, and got lots of sleep and maybe I will do another correction day because I'm still 2 lbs over!!! Argh!! lol
It wasn't actually that bad, kinda nice not thinking about food, until I got that headache. I even had a bit of Rum in my coke zero with dinner.

Have a happy day.

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Hi all, I'm down a little over 3lbs today and I plan on eating very clean today. I did take tylenol, and got lots of sleep and maybe I will do another correction day because I'm still 2 lbs over!!! Argh!! lol
It wasn't actually that bad, kinda nice not thinking about food, until I got that headache. I even had a bit of Rum in my coke zero with dinner.

Have a happy day.

Now that's what I call an effective correction day

[KelliC]

I started P4 two days ago but haven't really added anything yet other than about 3 oz of pinapple and I did have about 1/4 of a hamburger bun. So far I see no difference on the scale Do you usually see a gain from a new food the next day or can it take 2 days to show up? Thinking maybe I should skip a day in between trying things. Also, This was my first round and I lost about 1/2 of the weight that I want to lose total. My P3 has been incredibly stable, no correction days and the last 7 days have had no movement on the scale I do plan on another round in Sept. but am a little anxious seeing others struggle with stabilizing, is it possible that a long break will help stabilization come easier??

[lemonmama]

Originally Posted by kaylem

So, I guess the CD worked...sort of. Back to 147.5, .5 above my LDW, but thinking that maybe the 147 should be my LDW since that is were my body has pretty much been almost every day for the last month. But today I ate 2000 calories, largely due to the totally yummy hamburger patty w/ swiss cheese and bacon that I had for lunch. (I was totally craving beef...) Anyway, I'll be interested to see what, if any effect it has on my tomorrow morning. Too scared to even dabble in P4 foods (like many of us!)

I haven't been getting enough sleep OR water, I know that.
Kay

Glad you had good results from the CD. Did you do Fage? I hope the scale was kind to you again this morning. I bounced back up .4 after my CD, but then am down again today. Such a roller coaster! I think the lack of sleep has been a big part of my problem, too, but I work at night, and take care of my babies during the day, so my body just has to get used it it!

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Hi all, I'm down a little over 3lbs today and I plan on eating very clean today. I did take tylenol, and got lots of sleep and maybe I will do another correction day because I'm still 2 lbs over!!! Argh!! lol
It wasn't actually that bad, kinda nice not thinking about food, until I got that headache. I even had a bit of Rum in my coke zero with dinner.

Have a happy day.

Great job on the 3 lbs. gone!

Originally Posted by KelliC

I started P4 two days ago but haven't really added anything yet other than about 3 oz of pinapple and I did have about 1/4 of a hamburger bun. So far I see no difference on the scale Do you usually see a gain from a new food the next day or can it take 2 days to show up? Thinking maybe I should skip a day in between trying things. Also, This was my first round and I lost about 1/2 of the weight that I want to lose total. My P3 has been incredibly stable, no correction days and the last 7 days have had no movement on the scale I do plan on another round in Sept. but am a little anxious seeing others struggle with stabilizing, is it possible that a long break will help stabilization come easier??

I usually notice a gain the very next day, but it may be different for others. I think the P4 advice is usually to try something wait two days and then try something else.

It's possible that going through all of the phases in full will help stabilization, but I'm not really sure. I think it just comes easier for some than for others for no real rhyme or reason. For example, a friend of mine did HCG with me, dropped the same amount (25 pounds) in the same amount of time. Also had a couple of cheats during Phase 2 (like me), and then (unlike me) she just started adding in everything in P3--honey, agave, gluten-free snacks, etc. and I had a pretty strict P3, except for one little cheat-ish meal. My friend even had a week of vacation her first week of P4 where she ate basically anything and everything she wanted. She has stayed on the very LDW pound, while I have fluctuated wildly the entire time in P3/P4. Can't figure it out!!!

As for me, I just lost my will to give a crap yesterday after seeing the scale go back up after my CD and day of complete, perfect clean-eating. Plus, I was dealing with yucky TOM, a husband who totally thew his back out at the gym (and is unable to move---joy!), and four small children who seemed to be on crazy pills yesterday. I just lost it and ate a meal my friend brought over---egg casserole (with whole wheat bread crust, eggs, bacon, basil), tomatoes, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and fruit salad). I ate it all quite defiantly, as if to say, "Take that you stupid, stupid scale!" I even had a handful of sugar-free chocolate chips at 9:30 p.m.!

To my great surprise, I was DOWN a pound today, so now I'm comfortably back in my LDW window. Is that crazy or what?!?

I'm getting ready to leave first thing in the morning for a weekend away with my husband (hopefully, he can actually move is body by then). My parents are taking the kids. We are flying to Denver to see the U2 concert! It's our first time away in years. I may relax with my food choices a little and see what happens, but I'm strongly considering Round 2 on June 1! Anyone else going back to P2 soon?

Okay, long update. Sorry! Everyone have a great day!

[TwinMama]

Peggy - It was me that asked in another thread for the Mug Cake recipe! Thank you so much, it sounds delish!

Shelby - Welcome to P3!!!!!

Lara - Woo Hoo on a successful CD!

Kay - Your hamburger patty sounded so good. I'm so making one of those!

Lemonmama - What the?! That is crazy weird that the scale went up after a perfectly clean eating day and then down a whole pound after your feast. Well take it! Right? Oh enjoy getting away, how fun!!

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by mymy3377

I wish, today I'm five pounds below LDW.

Mymy, I just read this from Yahoo's hcg group page....

If you are still losing weight, then increase your vegetable consumption. Add back green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and other low glycemic veggies. (See the Glycemic Index Chart in the HCGDIETERS YAHOO GROUP files.) If you are still losing or maintaining nicely, then add some new fruits and berries, such as blueberries and cantaloupe.

For a bunch of excellent tips check out the following website...
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HcgDieters/files/ you have to register and then go back in and click on files.... you will get access to p2 3 and 4 tips charts foods to eat and stay away from, it's my favorite site well besides this one with all of you awesome people in it!!

[BigBenny]

My CD had me drop 1.4lbs but I'm still 2.4 above LDW. I'm going to drop my salt back down and slowly added it back in..maybe an additional 1/8th tsp back in every couple of days. I tried googling how to add salt back into the diet, but, surprise surprise, all the links all say how to reduce it =p

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by TwinMama

Lara - Woo Hoo on a successful CD!

I will do another one tomorrow Thanks!

Originally Posted by lemonmama

Great job on the 3 lbs. gone!
I'm getting ready to leave first thing in the morning for a weekend away with my husband (hopefully, he can actually move is body by then). My parents are taking the kids. We are flying to Denver to see the U2 concert! It's our first time away in years. I may relax with my food choices a little and see what happens, but I'm strongly considering Round 2 on June 1! Anyone else going back to P2 soon?

Omg have fun!!! I'm starting another round June 1st too =)

Look what I just read from yahoo groups...
P3-How Long?
In my opinion we must figure out what works for us as an individual. Some people may not need any P3 at all and can continue on P2 indefinitely. Some of us may need a full six weeks or more between rounds. However, after following the newsgroup posts for quite some time, I feel that we might need to continue P3 for a few weeks AFTER the weight becomes stable. In other words, if your weight only stabilizes (no ups and downs to speak of) at or near the end of the 3 weeks, it might be very beneficial for long-term success if we continue maintaining that weight for an extra week or so before moving into a new P2 or on to the extended and lifelong maintenance of P4.

Originally Posted by KelliC

My P3 has been incredibly stable, no correction days and the last 7 days have had no movement on the scale I do plan on another round in Sept. but am a little anxious seeing others struggle with stabilizing, is it possible that a long break will help stabilization come easier??

You are doing awesome!

Originally Posted by mymy3377

Now that's what I call an effective correction day

Yay for steak days!

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Mymy, I just read this from Yahoo's hcg group page....

If you are still losing weight, then increase your vegetable consumption. Add back green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and other low glycemic veggies. (See the Glycemic Index Chart in the HCGDIETERS YAHOO GROUP files.) If you are still losing or maintaining nicely, then add some new fruits and berries, such as blueberries and cantaloupe.

For a bunch of excellent tips check out the following website...
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HcgDieters/files/ you have to register and then go back in and click on files.... you will get access to p2 3 and 4 tips charts foods to eat and stay away from, it's my favorite site well besides this one with all of you awesome people in it!!

Thanks for this Lara I actually had a green smoothie for breakfast with all kinds of greens...I put kale, romaine and parsley in it close to six cups so hopefully it works. I'll up my lunch and dinner portions as well.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by lemonmama

I usually notice a gain the very next day, but it may be different for others. I think the P4 advice is usually to try something wait two days and then try something else.

It's possible that going through all of the phases in full will help stabilization, but I'm not really sure. I think it just comes easier for some than for others for no real rhyme or reason. For example, a friend of mine did HCG with me, dropped the same amount (25 pounds) in the same amount of time. Also had a couple of cheats during Phase 2 (like me), and then (unlike me) she just started adding in everything in P3--honey, agave, gluten-free snacks, etc. and I had a pretty strict P3, except for one little cheat-ish meal. My friend even had a week of vacation her first week of P4 where she ate basically anything and everything she wanted. She has stayed on the very LDW pound, while I have fluctuated wildly the entire time in P3/P4. Can't figure it out!!!

As for me, I just lost my will to give a crap yesterday after seeing the scale go back up after my CD and day of complete, perfect clean-eating. Plus, I was dealing with yucky TOM, a husband who totally thew his back out at the gym (and is unable to move---joy!), and four small children who seemed to be on crazy pills yesterday. I just lost it and ate a meal my friend brought over---egg casserole (with whole wheat bread crust, eggs, bacon, basil), tomatoes, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and fruit salad). I ate it all quite defiantly, as if to say, "Take that you stupid, stupid scale!" I even had a handful of sugar-free chocolate chips at 9:30 p.m.!

To my great surprise, I was DOWN a pound today, so now I'm comfortably back in my LDW window. Is that crazy or what?!?

I'm getting ready to leave first thing in the morning for a weekend away with my husband (hopefully, he can actually move is body by then). My parents are taking the kids. We are flying to Denver to see the U2 concert! It's our first time away in years. I may relax with my food choices a little and see what happens, but I'm strongly considering Round 2 on June 1! Anyone else going back to P2 soon?

Okay, long update. Sorry! Everyone have a great day!

Well, that's wonderful!! Have a great trip!! Bring some ibu for dh and have a blast!! Sounds like your body may just have wanted more food? Just go with it!!

I'm doing a CD again today!! I'm trying the P4 thing, this is my last day of week 3, and I think between that and the exercise the scale is not gonna' see LDW. My bday is next week and I know I won't eat clean then. I'm actually considering a short P2 after that before my vacation. We'll see. I don't really want to do one. I want to enjoy my vacation. I may just try to LC and lower my cals a bit next week to get back to LDW before ganing again. I was hoping for a reset metabolism that would handle my BMR calories well. But alas, so far that's not the case. We'll see.

[shelbyla]

So after thinking and planning for my first P3 meal for lunch today almost since the beginning of P2, I went to the restaurant today and they have TAKEN MY FAVORITE SALAD OFF THE MENU!!!! I canNOT believe it and it was SOOOOO good! Oh well...I ended up with a lovely Cobb salad with a side of guacamole. Not bad at all!

[Ravenj9]

I was up .8 this morning. I'm not sure why but I did have an organic pork kielbasa sausage for a late dinner so maybe my body had trouble digesting it. I am now 1.4 above LDW so I had full fat GY for dinner tonight since I tend to eat late. Hopefully I'll still be in my window tomorrow.

Welcome to P3 Shelby! Sorry about your favorite salad. Hopefully your alternate salad was satisfying.

[shelbyla]

Alternate salad was fine--and I made SURE the management knew how unhappy about the other salad that I was. I know the host slightly so maybe...??? Dinner was awesome though--chicken thighs and broccoli with BUTTER. Plus I snuck a few crumbs of the bacon that I was cooking up. And I had a nice big apple. Total of a little over 2000 calories today. YUM! Now we'll see how the scale behaves tomorrow! I have a nice big P3 day planned for tomorrow--protein shake, egg, sausage, salad with avocado, chicken, bacon and blue cheese, apples and yogurt, berries and cream, and a nice stir fry with scallops and lobster. Oh and a couple of glasses of WINE!!!!! I love P3!!!