Back again: Reflections on what does NOT work

[kaylem]

Hi friends- I'm back for round 3...with "my tail between my legs," so to speak. I was truly hoping to NOT have to do a third round. However, I have now accepted that a third round was inevitable (for me) due to one key factor.

I dove into a "refeed" experiment during the third week of my last P2 because I was impatient to reach my goal of 145. I was at 148.5 with only a few days left of P2, and I wanted to be at 145 so badly. Anyway, it DID *sort of* get things going again, and I moved to P3 the next week at a weight of 145.5.

I looked great, I lost a ton of inches and had some beatiful re-shaping occur during my second round. I moved into sizes 4 and 6--sizes that I have NEVER seen in my adult life. Or my teenage life. People asked me right and left "what did you do? You look amazing!" That was wonderful, and it encouraged me that I had done the correct thing w/ the re-feed. After all, I reached goal, right?

For those of you who were in P3 with me in April and May, you might remember (maybe) how I struggled to stabilize. I bounced all over the place and became the QUEEN of correction days. Sometimes I would have THREE correction days in a week. Not quite what the good ole Doc intended, I think. I finally *gave* myself two pounds--147--as my "new" weight so that I could ease off having so many correction days. That was easier, to be sure.

Then we went to Texas for my Brother in law's wedding. I was 147, feelin' good, lookin' good...Visiting my in-laws is always tough for me eating wise because they just eat SO BADLY. I mean, it is ridiculous. But I figured I could make it the five days of our planned trip, especially with the knowledge that I could put in a correction day if needed. I packed plenty of healthy snacks, brought my exercise dvds, and felt prepared. Well, folks, 5 days turned into FOUR WEEKS. I held on and fought the "good fight" for about two and half weeks. Then, I just kind of gave up. It was too difficult to try to eat well when all there was around me was the evil junk that I used to eat freely. We went to three weddings. We went camping two weekends. We visited friends we hadn't seen in years. We ate. And ate. And ate. I returned from Texas weighing 162. I went there weighing 147.

I spent last week doing zero carbs--following Phase one of South Beach. I was down to 155 in about 5 days, which was good. Weight gained quickly tends to come off quickly. But I decided that b/c of my crazy fluctuations in P3 (which I extended b/c of my fluctuations), I really NEED to do a "clarifying round" where I follow protocol EXACTLY and truly lock in my new weight.

Today is day two of my loading days. I was up three pounds this morning (as I should be, considering how I ate yesterday! Ha!) I am looking forward to this round as a "veteran" and taking what I have learned from my experience as well as what I have learned from YOU and your experiences to make this my best round yet.

So, for ME, re-feeds do NOT work for the long haul. I believe it really messed up my body's ability to stabilize.

Also, ice cream, chips, processed "crap"....all of those things are foods that simply send me down a spiral of poor eating. And I don't feel better after eating them--I don't feel energized, or even "well fed." I simply want more. Those are foods that will need to be VERY rare experiences for me. As in, almost never. I knew this already. Apparently, I just had to test it to make sure! Well, I learned my lesson!! Sugar is NOT my friend. Not even close.

It is alarming how quickly our body returns to bad habits and to old set weights almost without trying. It makes me appreciate the struggles of alcoholics and others battling addictions even more.

So friends, my one piece of "wisdom" from this entire thing is that while hcg WILL help you achieve weight goals like never before, it will NOT make your body magically able to consume crap without consequences. If you eat poorly, your body will gain weight, period. Eating "normally" after hcg does not mean returning to bad habits. It means CHANGING what is normal and how you eat food. "Yeah, yeah, I know that already," you say. It's one thing to "know" it. It's completely another to LIVE it.


Anyway, thanks for letting me "spill my guts!" I feel much better and ready to move forward!
Kay

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

Bravo! Well said.

I feel confident my body would have done exactly the same thing in those circumstances. I also feel like chances are I would have ended up in the same habits given those circumstances.

Changing long term takes a lot of strength of will. HCG makes taking it off easy. It's the KEEPING it off - especially in the first year that's challenging.

[Lbibclc]

I hear you!. I'm in the same spot as you. I have eaten crap for the last two weeks. Not only have I gained 12 pounds but I have had digestive issues for the first week and joint pain the last few days. I can not eat crap! I have to convince myself of that.

So you are not the only one. I understand exactly what you mean about going back to bad habits. I had always felt like I would need a "clarifying round" but never thought I would need one just to lose the weight I worked so hard to lose. I hope now that my daughter's wedding is over I can focus more.

Maybe because I feel so good on P2 even though it is hard, I want to be back on it. I have to give my body a break though and eat clean for a while. I also want to get back to working out before I start another round of P2.

So zero carbs? What does that menu look like? Protein and fats? no veggies or fruits?

[Cruzcrzy]

Kay,

thanks so much for sharing. I really appreciate you taking the time so that others can learn from your experience. I am in R1P3D10 and it is so much harder maintaining than losing. Your "one piece" of wisdom is very true! I have a feeling I will be reading your post over and over. So far, no correction days for me, and I am really trying hard to retrain myself and my thinking. It's not easy. Thanks again for your post!

[Nicole T]

I'm new here--can you explain what a "refeed" is? Thanks and good luck! It sounds like you are going into it with a whole new appreciation for it!

[LilacBruze]

I believe EVERY leg of the journey is necessary, even the ones that kind of hurt. How else do we learn? Certainly not from EASY lessons!

Congrats to you for getting back on the horse! I wish you the best of luck!

[Cruzcrzy]

Originally Posted by LilacBruze

I believe EVERY leg of the journey is necessary, even the ones that kind of hurt. How else do we learn? Certainly not from EASY lessons!

Congrats to you for getting back on the horse! I wish you the best of luck!

I agree! I keep telling myself P3 is a necessary evil. I will say the same thing for P4 too! It's all about retraining and keeping it off. Before hhcg my husband and I had a routine of going to Krispy Kreme EVERY Sunday and consume a few doughnuts each! Those days are over for good. I may be able to indulge one time per few months, but, not like I had if I want to keep the weight off, and I do.

[Balance101]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us Kaylem. I for one will keep it close as I could see myself trying a refeed. Good luck this time around!

[jabbok]

Thanks for sharing Kay, I do remember you having a hard time to stabilize.

I bombed P3 in R3 I gained almost all of it back so now I am again in P3 working really hard to stay in my window. It is a learning experience to see what foods make you gain and what doesn't, how much you can eat etc. For me P2 is way easier because you are limited to what you can eat and how much, P3 is a challenge.

[Zbunny]

Thanks for sharing your story, Kay, and I wish you all the best as you embark on losing this gain. I can completely relate with the astonishing quickness with which we can jump off plan and regain -- it is truly frightening. I had a 1-1/2 day bout of madness set in when I was traveling/got overly hungry/had excessive amounts of "goodies" in front of me for just one too many days. I overate (fell into a vat of carbs is more like it) and gained like mad (6 lbs. in 1-1/2 days). Luckily I caught myself quickly enough to do a CD and get it off, but I could easily have gone down the same path you did -- too easily, which is scary.

I wish you all the best as you start your next round. I'll be right behind you (loading Day 1 is today). You've learned some valuable lessons to take with you -- and again, thanks so much for sharing your re-feed lessons in addition to your P3/P4 lessons. I was never tempted to go that route, but reading so many negative results from so many people, shows me that there is absolutely no reason for me to do a refeed. Not in Dr. S's plan, and not gonna happen with this girl. Thanks again and we'll be cheering you on!

[nmbnancy]

Thank you for your post. I know it will help alot of us to keep from making the same mistakes

[Angel In TN]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am on P3 and plan on continuing on it for a couple months at least to be sure that I am completely stable and where I want to be. I am going on a 10 day vacation starting Friday with a friend to their Mom's house and then the beach. I know I will be faced with some major choices and challanges. Your story helps me know that I have to stay strong and eat right. Thank you for allowing us to learn from your "oopsie". You are in my prayers that you reach your goals and completely get where you need to be to stay for life.

[Lildrew]

Originally Posted by Balance101

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us Kaylem. I for one will keep it close as I could see myself trying a refeed. Good luck this time around!

Ditto!!!

[porkfatrules]

Excellent post! Sorry you went through that (and believe me, as one who's 4 pounds above my low weight two years ago, I feel your pain about having to RE-lose weight! it stinks!).

But, thanks for the helpful post with some of the wisdom you gained!

[kaylem]

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

So zero carbs? What does that menu look like? Protein and fats? no veggies or fruits?

I should probably clarify when I say zero carbs--I mean NO bread, NO sugar, NO starchy veggies, NO fruit, very LIMITED dairy (Pretty much P3 but w/o fruit & some of the dairy that I enjoyed like yogurt and milk)

Originally Posted by Cruzcrzy

Kay,

thanks so much for sharing. I really appreciate you taking the time so that others can learn from your experience. I am in R1P3D10 and it is so much harder maintaining than losing. Your "one piece" of wisdom is very true! I have a feeling I will be reading your post over and over. So far, no correction days for me, and I am really trying hard to retrain myself and my thinking. It's not easy. Thanks again for your post!

Good job of getting to day 10 w/o any correction days!! I DREAM of being able to do that this round!! Nicely done!

Originally Posted by jabbok

Thanks for sharing Kay, I do remember you having a hard time to stabilize.

I bombed P3 in R3 I gained almost all of it back so now I am again in P3 working really hard to stay in my window. It is a learning experience to see what foods make you gain and what doesn't, how much you can eat etc. For me P2 is way easier because you are limited to what you can eat and how much, P3 is a challenge.

I agree about P2 being so much easier in so many ways! As someone mentioned, though, it is ALL an important part of the process so that we finally learn what we are supposed to in order to succeed. Hang in there! I'm rooting for you!

[kaylem]

Wow, ladies.

Thanks so much for your shows of support and "I've been theres!" It is just one more reason why this site has been so instrumental in my weightloss journey. I appreciate it more than you all can know. I will keep ya'll updated with my progress. Right now, I'm going to thoroughly enjoy my load day at our block party..... (Funny, by this time next week I will probably be dreaming of P3, but right now, I'm missing P2. One of those funny things about this diet, huh?)

Happy Fourth!

Kay

[Tricialy]

One thing I've learned is that it's a slippery slope - I've learned I can't indulge for even one meal, once I do - all I can think about is eating junk food. The first day, I usually don't even enjoy the food all that much - but if I let it happen again, then I can't seem to stop. I have to think for some of us (or at least me) - it may take some baby steps until I finally break all those years of bad habits - and if it takes another round (I'll be starting my 4th round in August) to lose those last 10 lbs. and help solidify better eating habits - it is totally worth it.

This is a bit off topic - but I have realized that I can go out to eat with friends or relatives and enjoy myself just as much if I order a grilled-chicken salad as I would have ordering a chicken fried steak. Old habits die hard. Keep going - you're going to do great!!!

[LilacBruze]

Originally Posted by Tricialy

This is a bit off topic - but I have realized that I can go out to eat with friends or relatives and enjoy myself just as much if I order a grilled-chicken salad as I would have ordering a chicken fried steak. Old habits die hard. Keep going - you're going to do great!!!

Actually, it seems pretty on-topic to me!

This is an important (and therefore, difficult lol) part of this particular diet I think - the whole learning new and better eating habits. I think one thing above all others that hcg has taught me is a new-found appreciation of food. Real, honest food. Not from a box. Not made with chemicals and preservatives that I can't pronounce.

I find the foods that I crave now are totally different than the ones I craved even a month ago. This extended round (tomorrow will be VLCD60 for me) has really helped me with that. I don't crave starches and sugars now. I crave low-carb foods high in protein or fresh fruits and veggies. I have new-found respect for these types of food as well. For example, to savor the flavor of a well-seasoned steak or fresh lettuce picked straight from my garden tossed with just a bit of lemon juice and fresh cracked pepper.

I look forward to putting these new habits into plan. I'm a little scared, having been overweight for so much of my life, with a lifetime of bad habits and food addictions to overcome. But with hcg I am closer to those goals then I had ever dreamed possible.

You can do it! I can do it! We all can do it!

[LindaCC]

Originally Posted by Nicole T

I'm new here--can you explain what a "refeed" is? Thanks and good luck! It sounds like you are going into it with a whole new appreciation for it!

I am wondering what a "re-feed" is as well.... can someone please explain???

[porkfatrules]

Originally Posted by LindaCC

I am wondering what a "re-feed" is as well.... can someone please explain???

A refeed is an idea that some believe spurs weight loss -- the idea is that, after a number days of restricted eating (whether it's low carb, or low cal, or both) you have a period (a meal, or a day, or some specific number of hours) where you eat more. So, for low carbers there may be a bunch of regular low carb days, then a "carb-up" day. For people doing more classic low cal, there may be a day with a lot higher calories. The point is to keep your metabolism from adjusting too well to the restriction, and convince it that "food's still coming, go ahead and burn fat!"

This is a classic technique in body building, and there are researchers who have whole protocols on how to do it. And, it's definitely a YMMV thing -- for some people it seems to give them a metabolic kick-start that keeps their metabolism from slowing down, and for others it just slows down their weight loss, takes a week to recover from, and increases cravings.

[kaylem]

Originally Posted by porkfatrules

A refeed is an idea that some believe spurs weight loss -- the idea is that, after a number days of restricted eating (whether it's low carb, or low cal, or both) you have a period (a meal, or a day, or some specific number of hours) where you eat more. So, for low carbers there may be a bunch of regular low carb days, then a "carb-up" day. For people doing more classic low cal, there may be a day with a lot higher calories. The point is to keep your metabolism from adjusting too well to the restriction, and convince it that "food's still coming, go ahead and burn fat!"

This is a classic technique in body building, and there are researchers who have whole protocols on how to do it. And, it's definitely a YMMV thing -- for some people it seems to give them a metabolic kick-start that keeps their metabolism from slowing down, and for others it just slows down their weight loss, takes a week to recover from, and increases cravings.

Thanks, porkfatrules! I meant to explain that earlier, and I forgot about it. I would add that for ME, it did seem to give my body a little push, but it also extended my phase 2 by a week. The biggest VALUE was that it gave me a mental break and I felt I was able to go longer on P2. The DOWNSIDE is that I discovered that my body wasn't able to stabilize at my weight of 145 when I moved to P3. To be absolutely honest, I won't know for sure that it was the "re-feed" that messed me up until I finish THIS round strictly on protocol and see how my body handles it. It's all an experiment, right?

[catjrow3]

Kay, we are really running along the same tracks. I also just fell off, thinking I could keep going and could not. I got to 146 and then bounced all the way back up to 167... very quickly I might add... I did Atkins 72 for a couple weeks, got back to 155 and then started losing it again... and went back to 167 and decided its time for a nice long disclipined round of HCG again. I hope I can continue to control myself after this round. I losed and went up 7 lbs more... I feel like a hot air balloon!! I sure hope I can get at least a good 10 down in a few days (as it has to be mostly water weight) but I am with you, its sooo easy to fall back into the bad ways and eat crap, and my body hates it too, just retains water like no other, and I swell terribly, so why do I do it??? I have no idea!!

So I am glad to be back in the good company, and lets get back to where we were in May!!!! Us bad FoCo girls!!!

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by kaylem

Thanks, porkfatrules! I meant to explain that earlier, and I forgot about it. I would add that for ME, it did seem to give my body a little push, but it also extended my phase 2 by a week. The biggest VALUE was that it gave me a mental break and I felt I was able to go longer on P2. The DOWNSIDE is that I discovered that my body wasn't able to stabilize at my weight of 145 when I moved to P3. To be absolutely honest, I won't know for sure that it was the "re-feed" that messed me up until I finish THIS round strictly on protocol and see how my body handles it. It's all an experiment, right?

Kay, another thing I read, you should stay in P2 at the weight you hope to continue at least 3 days before moving on to help you to "maintain" this. I also bounced straight out of P2 when I hit that number and could not maintain it at all... something else to think about during this round. Are you doing a short round or a long one? I am thinking I will need the 40 days to get back to where I was, if I am lucky enough to !!

[LindaCC]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Kay, another thing I read, you should stay in P2 at the weight you hope to continue at least 3 days before moving on to help you to "maintain" this. I also bounced straight out of P2 when I hit that number and could not maintain it at all... something else to think about during this round. Are you doing a short round or a long one? I am thinking I will need the 40 days to get back to where I was, if I am lucky enough to !!

I am very glad to read this about the 3 days before going on to P3. Makes a lot of sense. I posted this in another thread yesterday but would love your input:

My DH and I are on P2D10 of 23 day protocol. We are doing very well...both down 10lbs as of today and staying completely on protocol. We have just realized that we will be at a very formal wedding and reception with sit down dinner the last day of HHCG. (We will be flying a few states away for the event).
I am hoping to be able to ask for the salad with no dressing when we are there and perhaps just move food about while trying to only nibble on the protein. I know there will likely be a bit of fat content with in it that we are not consuming now. I have read that it can take 3 days to correct a situation like this...... I am concerned about stopping our HHCG that day....moving into the 48 hour VLCD without it and onto P3 with potential "non protocol" in our system. I know this transition is critical to creating the new set point and maintenance. So my question is...should we stay on our HHCG and P2 for at least 3 more days to clean out whatever damage may have occurred? Or is there some other strategy.

FYI....typically I would forgo the reception in a situation like this, however in this case we are very high profile and will be in a place of honor and can not gracefully bow out. As well it will be a catered event that we do not feel liberty to request concessions.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by LindaCC

I am very glad to read this about the 3 days before going on to P3. Makes a lot of sense. I posted this in another thread yesterday but would love your input:

My DH and I are on P2D10 of 23 day protocol. We are doing very well...both down 10lbs as of today and staying completely on protocol. We have just realized that we will be at a very formal wedding and reception with sit down dinner the last day of HHCG. (We will be flying a few states away for the event).
I am hoping to be able to ask for the salad with no dressing when we are there and perhaps just move food about while trying to only nibble on the protein. I know there will likely be a bit of fat content with in it that we are not consuming now. I have read that it can take 3 days to correct a situation like this...... I am concerned about stopping our HHCG that day....moving into the 48 hour VLCD without it and onto P3 with potential "non protocol" in our system. I know this transition is critical to creating the new set point and maintenance. So my question is...should we stay on our HHCG and P2 for at least 3 more days to clean out whatever damage may have occurred? Or is there some other strategy.

FYI....typically I would forgo the reception in a situation like this, however in this case we are very high profile and will be in a place of honor and can not gracefully bow out. As well it will be a catered event that we do not feel liberty to request concessions.

If it were me, I would suggest that you go to your reception, eat as cleanly as you can, but take 2 days or more after still on P2, see if you maintain the weight from the day of the reception and if after 2 days you are still stable, then transition into P3... that way you will not have the "after effects" from the meal, and if you go up from that meal, just wait a couple more days until steady and then transition...

[LindaCC]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

If it were me, I would suggest that you go to your reception, eat as cleanly as you can, but take 2 days or more after still on P2, see if you maintain the weight from the day of the reception and if after 2 days you are still stable, then transition into P3... that way you will not have the "after effects" from the meal, and if you go up from that meal, just wait a couple more days until steady and then transition...

Thank you catjrow...that is exactly what we will do. Feel better with a good strategy.

[catjrow3]

You bet, Linda, helps to know what to expect! Good luck!

[Kiley2801]

Originally Posted by kaylem

Hi friends- I'm back for round 3...with "my tail between my legs," so to speak. I was truly hoping to NOT have to do a third round. However, I have now accepted that a third round was inevitable (for me) due to one key factor.

I dove into a "refeed" experiment during the third week of my last P2 because I was impatient to reach my goal of 145. I was at 148.5 with only a few days left of P2, and I wanted to be at 145 so badly. Anyway, it DID *sort of* get things going again, and I moved to P3 the next week at a weight of 145.5.

I looked great, I lost a ton of inches and had some beatiful re-shaping occur during my second round. I moved into sizes 4 and 6--sizes that I have NEVER seen in my adult life. Or my teenage life. People asked me right and left "what did you do? You look amazing!" That was wonderful, and it encouraged me that I had done the correct thing w/ the re-feed. After all, I reached goal, right?

For those of you who were in P3 with me in April and May, you might remember (maybe) how I struggled to stabilize. I bounced all over the place and became the QUEEN of correction days. Sometimes I would have THREE correction days in a week. Not quite what the good ole Doc intended, I think. I finally *gave* myself two pounds--147--as my "new" weight so that I could ease off having so many correction days. That was easier, to be sure.

Then we went to Texas for my Brother in law's wedding. I was 147, feelin' good, lookin' good...Visiting my in-laws is always tough for me eating wise because they just eat SO BADLY. I mean, it is ridiculous. But I figured I could make it the five days of our planned trip, especially with the knowledge that I could put in a correction day if needed. I packed plenty of healthy snacks, brought my exercise dvds, and felt prepared. Well, folks, 5 days turned into FOUR WEEKS. I held on and fought the "good fight" for about two and half weeks. Then, I just kind of gave up. It was too difficult to try to eat well when all there was around me was the evil junk that I used to eat freely. We went to three weddings. We went camping two weekends. We visited friends we hadn't seen in years. We ate. And ate. And ate. I returned from Texas weighing 162. I went there weighing 147.

I spent last week doing zero carbs--following Phase one of South Beach. I was down to 155 in about 5 days, which was good. Weight gained quickly tends to come off quickly. But I decided that b/c of my crazy fluctuations in P3 (which I extended b/c of my fluctuations), I really NEED to do a "clarifying round" where I follow protocol EXACTLY and truly lock in my new weight.

Today is day two of my loading days. I was up three pounds this morning (as I should be, considering how I ate yesterday! Ha!) I am looking forward to this round as a "veteran" and taking what I have learned from my experience as well as what I have learned from YOU and your experiences to make this my best round yet.

So, for ME, re-feeds do NOT work for the long haul. I believe it really messed up my body's ability to stabilize.

Also, ice cream, chips, processed "crap"....all of those things are foods that simply send me down a spiral of poor eating. And I don't feel better after eating them--I don't feel energized, or even "well fed." I simply want more. Those are foods that will need to be VERY rare experiences for me. As in, almost never. I knew this already. Apparently, I just had to test it to make sure! Well, I learned my lesson!! Sugar is NOT my friend. Not even close.

It is alarming how quickly our body returns to bad habits and to old set weights almost without trying. It makes me appreciate the struggles of alcoholics and others battling addictions even more.

So friends, my one piece of "wisdom" from this entire thing is that while hcg WILL help you achieve weight goals like never before, it will NOT make your body magically able to consume crap without consequences. If you eat poorly, your body will gain weight, period. Eating "normally" after hcg does not mean returning to bad habits. It means CHANGING what is normal and how you eat food. "Yeah, yeah, I know that already," you say. It's one thing to "know" it. It's completely another to LIVE it.


Anyway, thanks for letting me "spill my guts!" I feel much better and ready to move forward!
Kay

Great post and I can VERY much relate! I am starting round 3 now not much lighter than I started R2. All because I let my eating fall in the crapper come P4.

So you are NOT alone.

I get so mad at myself, especially when I see my girlfriend who looks great. She and I started hcg at the same time last fall and both lost the same amount of weight (about 20 lbs). She has totally kept it all off because she modified her eating properly, whereas I did not. **sigh**

[kaylem]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Kay, another thing I read, you should stay in P2 at the weight you hope to continue at least 3 days before moving on to help you to "maintain" this. I also bounced straight out of P2 when I hit that number and could not maintain it at all... something else to think about during this round. Are you doing a short round or a long one? I am thinking I will need the 40 days to get back to where I was, if I am lucky enough to !!

Hey Girl! I plan on doing a short round (I hope!) Of course, suddenly we are going camping in two weeks, friends are coming to town, etc... and I am *praying* for the ability to stay on protocol. I'm not worried about having company, but the camping thing might be interesting as we are going with friends, and you know how fun it is to explain this diet to others...NOT! You will get back to your 146, no problem! Your body has done it before and will remember how...but like me, the *magic* will be KEEPING it at 146!! We'll do it!

Originally Posted by LindaCC

So my question is...should we stay on our HHCG and P2 for at least 3 more days to clean out whatever damage may have occurred? Or is there some other strategy.

I'm absolutely w/ Cathy on this--stay on the hcg and P2 for a few days after the reception and THEN move on to P3. There's no harm in going a few extra days, especially on a short round! Have a lovely time at the wedding!

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by kaylem

Hey Girl! I plan on doing a short round (I hope!) Of course, suddenly we are going camping in two weeks, friends are coming to town, etc... and I am *praying* for the ability to stay on protocol. I'm not worried about having company, but the camping thing might be interesting as we are going with friends, and you know how fun it is to explain this diet to others...NOT! You will get back to your 146, no problem! Your body has done it before and will remember how...but like me, the *magic* will be KEEPING it at 146!! We'll do it!

Good luck with the camping thing then. I would not think it would be too easy, but it might not be too bad. Where you camping at?

As for the 146, I dont want to be there, my goal is 135, but 146 was the low of that round, so as disgusting as I feel right now, 146 would be heaven!! Onward and downward.... we can do it!! You only fail when you quit trying... right?