What exactly does it mean to be stabilized?

[try2basunbeam]

Is this something that automatically happens or is it something you learn.

Like, I know if I eat too much one day, the next day, I eat less and my weight evens out. I do it consciously, though...

It seemed in P&I, that Dr. made it sound as though stabilization happened when your body just automatically doesn't gain even though you splurge a bit.

Thanks!
Becca

[catkin]

When you find out, will you let me know?

[julieboolie]

I think I consider weight "stable" when you can eat almost anything and not have a gain on the scale.

For the purposes of hcg I consider it stable when my weight is relatively constant despite occasional indulgence. In P4 it's tough b/c I'm very sensitive to carbs, so if I overdo it I will always gain!!

That said, it varies by person. Many here can indulge in sugary treats and are still stable!! I wasn't anywhere near that lucky before Atkins and hcg, and I know I won't ever be that person. I can have more sugar than I used to w/o big gains, but I'm also trying to keep it in more moderation.

Sorry, just rambling now !

Good luck!!

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

My last dosing weight was 151. At the end of 3 days without HCG it was 148. In the next two weeks it stayed at 148 and 149 until my TOM, when I knew it would go to 151/152. As I added new foods. like whipped cream, cream cheese, different alternate sweetners, nuts, etc, I watch the scale to examine how my body handles it.

My plan is to continue to do this. I've only stepped out of protocol for agave syrup, (a mistake), and sadly fell in love with it. Broken that rule a few times now, and watching it very closely.

When TOM is over, (and I quit eating like a Samoan), i'm hoping to eat mindfully once again and see the scale return to 148 for the remainder of my P3. If it's up, I will figure out what it is that I over-did. Hope that makes sense.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by try2basunbeam

Is this something that automatically happens or is it something you learn.

Like, I know if I eat too much one day, the next day, I eat less and my weight evens out. I do it consciously, though...

It seemed in P&I, that Dr. made it sound as though stabilization happened when your body just automatically doesn't gain even though you splurge a bit.

Thanks!
Becca

The way I interpret it is this: when you stay within that 2 lb window (up or down) that Dr S tells you do while you are in P3 and P4. Look, no one can stay at one weight forever. It will change daily depending on how much water you get in, if you poop or not, how much salt you ate, if you have TOM and so forth. So as long as you stay in the 2 lbs up or down I say you are stabilized. Even my sick thin, never needed to diet DH has a weight range. He weighs different day to day, but is within a certain range. So even if you splurge a bit, if you watch what you eat the next 2 days and get back down to within your range---you are stable and eating "normally".

[Bierarsch]

If you know that you are over your 2lb window due to TOM or ovulation, should you do a correction day? I am just so paranoid that I feel like I need to do one anyway.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

If you know that you are over your 2lb window due to TOM or ovulation, should you do a correction day? I am just so paranoid that I feel like I need to do one anyway.

Basically, I follow the instructions in P&I. I am a protocol girl and he doesn't discriminate against TOM, water retention, not having a BM or otherwise. His instructions are simple---do a steak day if you are over your limit........period, end of story. That is what I follow and tell others to as well.

But.....if you are doing a CD every other day, then other factors need to be looked at.

[Bierarsch]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Basically, I follow the instructions in P&I. I am a protocol girl and he doesn't discriminate against TOM, water retention, not having a BM or otherwise. His instructions are simple---do a steak day if you are over your limit........period, end of story. That is what I follow and tell others to as well.

But.....if you are doing a CD every other day, then other factors need to be looked at.

Thanks, Dawn! This is my first rogue round. I never did a CD during TOM or ovulation, even when I was over my window, and also I never stabilized well. When I transition to P3/P4, I will be doing that by the straight and narrow protocol book.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

I think I consider weight "stable" when you can eat almost anything and not have a gain on the scale.

For the purposes of hcg I consider it stable when my weight is relatively constant despite occasional indulgence. In P4 it's tough b/c I'm very sensitive to carbs, so if I overdo it I will always gain!!

That said, it varies by person. Many here can indulge in sugary treats and are still stable!! I wasn't anywhere near that lucky before Atkins and hcg, and I know I won't ever be that person. I can have more sugar than I used to w/o big gains, but I'm also trying to keep it in more moderation.

Sorry, just rambling now !

Good luck!!

Julie, I saw your post and thought I would see how you are doing? Are you just LCing it now? How steady have you been? Just checkin in on you girl! Hope all is well

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Julie, I saw your post and thought I would see how you are doing? Are you just LCing it now? How steady have you been? Just checkin in on you girl! Hope all is well

Hi Cat!! Good to see you!! I'm trying to LC, but keep throwing in choc almonds and frozen yogurt, which makes it a bit less LC . I'm maintaining about 5lbs above LDW, after a great couple of weeks of indulging!! I'll probably do a clean GYCD tomorrow and try to approach my window. It was worse . How are you maintaining? Are you "done" and LCing for maintenance, or are you able to eat higher carbs and maintain?

I'm planning to do another round in late July and get rid of 10 more lbs (hopefully). Until then I am exercising - cardio and weights, and eating well . We go on vacation next week and I know I'll be eating out a lot, but I'm hoping to balance it w/ down days so I can enjoy my up days.

I seem to be stabilized 5lbs up from LDW. But, I'd like to be stabilized lower, so I'm gonn' try to get lower to bump back up. Even if it won't work out, I'm not unhappy here.

Hope you're all stabilizing well!

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Hi Cat!! Good to see you!! I'm trying to LC, but keep throwing in choc almonds and frozen yogurt, which makes it a bit less LC . I'm maintaining about 5lbs above LDW, after a great couple of weeks of indulging!! I'll probably do a clean GYCD tomorrow and try to approach my window. It was worse . How are you maintaining? Are you "done" and LCing for maintenance, or are you able to eat higher carbs and maintain?

I'm planning to do another round in late July and get rid of 10 more lbs (hopefully). Until then I am exercising - cardio and weights, and eating well . We go on vacation next week and I know I'll be eating out a lot, but I'm hoping to balance it w/ down days so I can enjoy my up days.

I seem to be stabilized 5lbs up from LDW. But, I'd like to be stabilized lower, so I'm gonn' try to get lower to bump back up. Even if it won't work out, I'm not unhappy here.

Hope you're all stabilizing well!

Hey Julie, well good for you on the maintaining (even if not where you want it) and the exercise!!

I am in P2 again!! I went to Jamaica, went up pretty high and am trying to recover. Some time in my life i will be able to attempt permanent maintenance, but its not yet!! I am still exercising and such too, but as usual struggling to get back to where I was!! I am sure I could be happy here if I had to, but dont want to be!! I want to get to my goal and keep it there, but alas, its a constant struggle!! Enjoy your vacation!! Where you going?

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Hi Cat!! Good to see you!! I'm trying to LC, but keep throwing in choc almonds and frozen yogurt, which makes it a bit less LC . I'm maintaining about 5lbs above LDW, after a great couple of weeks of indulging!! I'll probably do a clean GYCD tomorrow and try to approach my window. It was worse . How are you maintaining? Are you "done" and LCing for maintenance, or are you able to eat higher carbs and maintain?

I'm planning to do another round in late July and get rid of 10 more lbs (hopefully). Until then I am exercising - cardio and weights, and eating well . We go on vacation next week and I know I'll be eating out a lot, but I'm hoping to balance it w/ down days so I can enjoy my up days.

I seem to be stabilized 5lbs up from LDW. But, I'd like to be stabilized lower, so I'm gonn' try to get lower to bump back up. Even if it won't work out, I'm not unhappy here.

Hope you're all stabilizing well!

Now that is the kind of LC that I like

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Hey Julie, well good for you on the maintaining (even if not where you want it) and the exercise!!

I am in P2 again!! I went to Jamaica, went up pretty high and am trying to recover. Some time in my life i will be able to attempt permanent maintenance, but its not yet!! I am still exercising and such too, but as usual struggling to get back to where I was!! I am sure I could be happy here if I had to, but dont want to be!! I want to get to my goal and keep it there, but alas, its a constant struggle!! Enjoy your vacation!! Where you going?

I'm sure you had a great time in Jamaica!! It's part of life, the indulgence gain. I had my bday 2 week celebration that gave me about 10lbs of extra weight. I'm back down 5, but still would like to drop another 5, w/o having to a round. We'll see. The "constant struggle" continues!! I'm just doing a "staycation" in Scottsdale (about 45 min from home). We swim, lazy river, water slide and volleyball ourselves silly for a week. They have grills so we'll cook at the resort a few nights, but we dine out a lot too. It's such fun!! Relaxing and inexpensive getaway.

Originally Posted by jabbok

Now that is the kind of LC that I like

LOL!! Me too!! It seems to work well for me, I don't really gain on it, but I don't lose either. I can certainly maintain this way!!

Just made baked chicken legs for today. Smells delicious!!

[Maureen in Italy]

Originally Posted by try2basunbeam

Is this something that automatically happens or is it something you learn.

Like, I know if I eat too much one day, the next day, I eat less and my weight evens out. I do it consciously, though...

It seemed in P&I, that Dr. made it sound as though stabilization happened when your body just automatically doesn't gain even though you splurge a bit.

Thanks!
Becca

I had a hard time stabilizing and was really frustrated. About a month ago I had company and took a break from P2. After a week of a bit more than normal eating I was shocked when a few Correction Days took me back to within 2 pounds of my LDW. I had intended to go back to P2 when my company left but since the CD's took care of it I didn't bother. Now I eat what I want and when I stay within reason I'm able to maintain.

I didn't really believe in that resetting thing before but now I do. Watching my intake for a few days brings me right back down. That said, I weigh daily and stay on top of it.

[try2basunbeam]

Originally Posted by Maureen in Italy

I had a hard time stabilizing and was really frustrated. About a month ago I had company and took a break from P2. After a week of a bit more than normal eating I was shocked when a few Correction Days took me back to within 2 pounds of my LDW. I had intended to go back to P2 when my company left but since the CD's took care of it I didn't bother. Now I eat what I want and when I stay within reason I'm able to maintain.

I didn't really believe in that resetting thing before but now I do. Watching my intake for a few days brings me right back down. That said, I weigh daily and stay on top of it.

Ok, so if you overdo it, you just kind of diet till you are back to where you want to be?

When I asked the question originally, I didn't think I was stable, only because I had to consciously fix myself if I overindulged a bit. Like if I gained too much one day, I would just eat a lighter dinner that night and I would be right back to a comfortable number, for me, on the scale the following morning.

OK, so, NOW I think I am stabilized. I am on day 17 of p3, have done one "protein deficiency day" on day 6--not a steak day. I have stayed in my window pretty much. Last night I had popcorn doused in butter--a NO-NO for p3 but I didn't gain. I actually lost this morning so I am wondering if I am stable. I am also wondering if I should start adding in other starches. Is it possible to be stable before the 3 weeks are up?

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by try2basunbeam

Ok, so if you overdo it, you just kind of diet till you are back to where you want to be?

When I asked the question originally, I didn't think I was stable, only because I had to consciously fix myself if I overindulged a bit. Like if I gained too much one day, I would just eat a lighter dinner that night and I would be right back to a comfortable number, for me, on the scale the following morning.

OK, so, NOW I think I am stabilized. I am on day 17 of p3, have done one "protein deficiency day" on day 6--not a steak day. I have stayed in my window pretty much. Last night I had popcorn doused in butter--a NO-NO for p3 but I didn't gain. I actually lost this morning so I am wondering if I am stable. I am also wondering if I should start adding in other starches. Is it possible to be stable before the 3 weeks are up?

You can do what you want, of course, but having gone this far and being stable, I wouldn't monkey with success. No offense to monkeys,
I wouldn't add any starches/sugars as per protocol until you've gone 21 days on P3. You got away with an oops, doesn't mean your body is full-on ready for them. YMMV.

[Maureen in Italy]

Originally Posted by try2basunbeam

Ok, so if you overdo it, you just kind of diet till you are back to where you want to be?

When I asked the question originally, I didn't think I was stable, only because I had to consciously fix myself if I overindulged a bit. Like if I gained too much one day, I would just eat a lighter dinner that night and I would be right back to a comfortable number, for me, on the scale the following morning.

OK, so, NOW I think I am stabilized. I am on day 17 of p3, have done one "protein deficiency day" on day 6--not a steak day. I have stayed in my window pretty much. Last night I had popcorn doused in butter--a NO-NO for p3 but I didn't gain. I actually lost this morning so I am wondering if I am stable. I am also wondering if I should start adding in other starches. Is it possible to be stable before the 3 weeks are up?

The part I bolded is exactly what I do. I never expected to do anything but fight to stay at this weight and I really don't have to. If I over-indulged for a few weeks I'd no doubt climb back up if I didn't take care of it.

Depending on what your body did this morning, 48 hours after the popcorn (If you didn't gain) you can decide what to do as far as adding starches. You're close to the 21 days so it may not be a problem.

[try2basunbeam]

That's what I thought with the popcorn, just wait 48hrs. My gains tend to show up 2 days later. I've actually lost weight the last two days, not gained, so I'm not going to worry. It's crazy to eat 2300+ calories. SO much fat AND lose weight!

Therefore, I have decided, I am going with the pizza tonight. I do make my own pizza and it is the absolute thinest EVER so I think it's a cautious choice, really. An apple has more carbs than half of one of my pizzas! (For C'Marie--can you tell I am trying to convince myself going off protocol is OK? and when I started p3, I was SO ridiculously full all the time I referred to myself as a stuffed MONKEY!)

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

If that were my post, the friends here would be telling me: "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE PIZZA!"....because they've picked up on the sort of things I need to hear to be supported. I'm a tough love kinda gal.

However, I don't know you that well! So, I'm going to say that you're a big girl and you know what's best. We've got your back no matter what you decide :-)

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by try2basunbeam

That's what I thought with the popcorn, just wait 48hrs. My gains tend to show up 2 days later. I've actually lost weight the last two days, not gained, so I'm not going to worry. It's crazy to eat 2300+ calories. SO much fat AND lose weight!

Therefore, I have decided, I am going with the pizza tonight. I do make my own pizza and it is the absolute thinest EVER so I think it's a cautious choice, really. An apple has more carbs than half of one of my pizzas! (For C'Marie--can you tell I am trying to convince myself going off protocol is OK? and when I started p3, I was SO ridiculously full all the time I referred to myself as a stuffed MONKEY!)

isn't FULL nice!?

Hope the pizza works for you! Really! But just to be clear, the "carbs" aren't the issue - it's "starch" and "sugar" - I eat plenty of carbs in P3 - just not starch/sugar. I bet you'll be fine. If it was me, well, I'm the one that can get a ticket in a parking lot LOL - and always got caught cutting class....

[try2basunbeam]

I always got caught cutting class too, but somehow I always sweet talk my way out of trouble! LOL

Pizza.
Good.
OMG, I missed you...

I ate super late-like 9pm-ish (so I ALWAYS show a gain on Saturday mornings because of eating after Bible study anyway). Well, I ate quite a few pieces. Many more than I ever should've--- woud've. Probably more than any normal day just because I had missed it so.

So, now, Big question. Did she gain? And the answer is....wait for it...wait for it...YES!

But wait! Next question. Did she gain any more than she does any other time she eats too late? NO!

So, I feel super good. I'm not going to go crazy on starch now or anything. Still going to wait and see what tomorrow brings, but I can have my pizza again!

Because of alot of info I had read about people never having starch, I thougt I'd have to give up my favorites, like pizza and popcorn and homemade bread so I am glad that those sort of issues don't apply to me. I know everyone is different and I don't advocate trying things too early. I just felt that for me, I was going to be OK.

Oh, and I definitly think it makes a huge difference because it was homemade, not processed. I knew exactly what was in there and on it. That can't be said for store bought or even restraunts. I have asked people if sugar was in their stuff, but if you ask for the container and read the ingredients yourself, I've found those hidden sugars that regular people just don't see as sugar.

I was so afraid of p3 and p4 and now, well, I'm not as afraid as I was before!

[Zbunny]

Good for you, Try2! Keep us posted on how it's going. The fact is, we are all different, and what works for one may or may not work for another -- it sounds like you are "listening" to your body, which I think is one of the best things about this whole journey, so keep on listening and doing what works for you.

Originally Posted by RedL.I.

If that were my post, the friends here would be telling me: "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE PIZZA!"....because they've picked up on the sort of things I need to hear to be supported. I'm a tough love kinda gal.

However, I don't know you that well! So, I'm going to say that you're a big girl and you know what's best. We've got your back no matter what you decide :-)

Just for the record, we would also say things like, "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE CRAZY TREE!" and "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE AGAVE SYRUP!" and, of course, "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE UPS DRIVER WHEN YOU'RE COVERED IN WING SAUCE AND LOOK LIKE A SERIAL KILLER!" cuz we love you!

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

Originally Posted by Zbunny

Just for the record, we would also say things like, "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE CRAZY TREE!" and "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE AGAVE SYRUP!" and, of course, "RED, STEP AWAY FROM THE UPS DRIVER WHEN YOU'RE COVERED IN WING SAUCE AND LOOK LIKE A SERIAL KILLER!" cuz we love you!

Hahahaha!!!! OMG!!!! LMAO!!!


THANK YOU!!

I feel truly loved :-)

[Zbunny]

Originally Posted by RedL.I.

Hahahaha!!!! OMG!!!! LMAO!!!


THANK YOU!!

I feel truly loved :-)

You are. Now step away from the plumber's crack.

Oh, and <end> threadjack. Sowwy OP! Just having some fun up in here!

[try2basunbeam]

LOL!
My threads always get highjacked! LOVE IT!

[Zbunny]

LOL -- Isn't that always the way, Try? We love our tangents around here!