~~~Alternative Hcg plans for week of August 28, 2011~~~

[catjrow3]

Love the comparison pics Liz, you have come a long way, great job!

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

I am embarking on a new WOE since I am done with the HHCG for now. I am going to do a calorie cycling, JUDDD like thing. I seem to be motivated to stay low on calories for about a day, so maybe that will help. I won't have any hesitation to do some pellets to help with hunger if I need it.

I have been reading lots of low carb/primal/diet books. Seems like the newest idea circle around more fat rather than high protein. That isn't very easy to do. I keep looking at low fat foods. An OB/GYN that I work with recommends The Perfect Diet if anyone wants to check that out. It allows some interesting carbs, white rice, white and sweet potatoes. 15% protein, 20% carb and 65%fat to lose weight. Oh and most veggies don't count toward your calories.

You look wonderful!! I think I'm going to do a JUDDD type plan, and cycle carbs too (ala Paula). I am embarking on a more intense weight trainign plan (NROL) and they recommend more carbs than I usually do, plus lower fat than I usually enjoy. Not sure how that'll go. I tend to gain quickly on carbs, but usually when weight training I can put on water weight quickly too. I'm sure I'll be battling the scale. On the bright side, CD's work well on a JUDDD type plan. Should work .

Originally Posted by MrsPat

Still on P3/P4--mostly Atkins and doing well. Will see my podiatrist tomorrow and have him evaluate my foot. It has been six months; according to my surgeon I should be be at 70%-80% recovery by now. It is hard to be patient when all I want to do is get up and go. . .well in this heat get up and go to the pool, that is

MrPat just brought in the steaks from the grill so I will close for now.

BTW, I was in Tucson last weekend and in Camp Verde a couple weekends before that. . .Julie, we keep missing each other

LOL!! It would be very funny to run into each other . We're going to CO in a few weeks, any plans to head to cooler weather?

Originally Posted by paulabob

JUDDD is a great plan. I think it works really well for hcg folks since we've got experience doing the down days. I LOVED that I never got that depleted feeling when I did a JUDDD round. Always plenty of energy! I lost just as well on it as hcg - but spread out over longer time since I was only doing 3 down days a week.

Right now I'm going to cycle the carbs a bit...but I mean some days under 20 and some days 40 or so. Want to keep my body guessing a bit, and I'm supposedly in P4. Just healthy carbs and perhaps a corn tortilla or all corn cornbread. I've heard it's good for the thyroid.

I'm liking your plan too. I'm going to do something similar. I am not sure what it'll look like. Do you plan to keep posting here through your next phase? Should we start a post hcg thread? It'd be nice to have a place for hcgers to keep in touch and encourage the maintenance or further losses.

Cat-love your new avi. You're so pretty!! and you look happy. Sorry about your mouth! Hope you heal quickly. Are the shakes helping move the scale down for you? Hope something good comes out of it!!

Cheryl-hope you're doing well. Hang tough, be strong!

Maggie-hope the eggs did the trick for you!! I'm fearing my steak CD will be less than stellar too. Not sure why, but they didn't work for a few others yesterday, and doubt it's "magic". Sigh. Hope we both whoosh tonight!

I did a nice weight training workout here at home tonight. I should go stretch, but don't usually. I'm sure I'll regret that tomorrow

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Hope we both whoosh tonight!

Don't hog the whoosh fairy! I'd really like to see her tomorrow, too.

[minimonkey]

Cathy and Julie -- I love both of the new avatars.... we have some HOT ladies here on this thread

Just saying hi from paper-writing land.... it'll be an all nighter for me, but once it is over I will have a huge (if somewhat enjoyable) albatross removed from my neck, and I can get on with a new semester.

Today was a up day for carbs and calories (planned) -- but stayed in my eating window, and got in a great legs and shoulders workout.

[dazygyrl]

good morning.

down 0.4 today after another 700 cal day. only on fruit and on serving of veggies today. my tummy was happier with that. last round my losses were similar as far as "big" daily drops of 0.4, 0.2, occasional 0.6's. so i will cont the 700 and see how things go. my VLCD21 is sunday. planning on moving to P3....unless of course i change my mind. lol....

it's 6:15am and ds and are getting ready to head to his MRI.

have a great day!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by Cruzcrzy

You've heard the carb cyclying is good for thyroid? I am hypothyroid and on Armour.

Actually what I've heard is there's a minimum amount of carbs you need if you are hypothyroid. What that "minimum" amount is tends to vary wildly between internet sources.

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

Egg day complete. Please, please, please work.

Hope it did...my steak and cheese did! I do think it helps to swap CDs in and out.

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

They have a book called "Perfect Health Diet: Four Steps to Renewed Health, Youthful Vitality, and Long Life". I've heard it called the Pacific Islander primal diet.

That sounds intriguing!

Originally Posted by julieboolie

I'm liking your plan too. I'm going to do something similar. I am not sure what it'll look like. Do you plan to keep posting here through your next phase? Should we start a post hcg thread? It'd be nice to have a place for hcgers to keep in touch and encourage the maintenance or further losses.

I'll still be doing rounds of hcg to get to goal. One day I'll make it. And yup, definitely keep posting here!

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

it's 6:15am and ds and are getting ready to head to his MRI.

I hope he has a good experience today.

Waving hi to everyone.

Down 1.8 after steak and cheese day. Amazing how the same amount of calories that made you gain the day before, gives you a loss on a CD. I will definitely want to do this CD again!

[Solstyce]

Down a tiny smidge to 122.7.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

LOL!! It would be very funny to run into each other . We're going to CO in a few weeks, any plans to head to cooler weather?

Cat-love your new avi. You're so pretty!! and you look happy. Sorry about your mouth! Hope you heal quickly. Are the shakes helping move the scale down for you? Hope something good comes out of it!!

Julie, nice new Avatar... Where are you going in CO?

You would think with liquid diet (mainly) that I would be losing weight, but with me, nope! I started the HCG again to see if it would help with the liquid diet too, but NOPE... LOL My body is quite happy at 161, I however, am not!!!! But... there is little more I can do. Cant hardly eat anything, and I am exercising plenty, so I just plug along and hope for the best. I thought for sure, at least I might lose weight when I cannot eat... but nope... not me... figures! Thanks for thinking about me though!!

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cathy and Julie -- I love both of the new avatars.... we have some HOT ladies here on this thread

Just saying hi from paper-writing land.... it'll be an all nighter for me, but once it is over I will have a huge (if somewhat enjoyable) albatross removed from my neck, and I can get on with a new semester.

Today was a up day for carbs and calories (planned) -- but stayed in my eating window, and got in a great legs and shoulders workout.

Thank mini. I thought you were off from school for a while? I didn't see this paper coming!! Glad you're nearly done. I don't miss the deadlines of school, but I do miss the atmosphere and flexibility. How do you feel the cycling is going? How low are your low days? I'm planning to cycle in the next few weeks (w/ CD's I already kinda' am!). I'm trying to gather info. Some do mid days too, which might help me. I don't know how drastic I want my calorie changes to be.

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Julie, nice new Avatar... Where are you going in CO?

You would think with liquid diet (mainly) that I would be losing weight, but with me, nope! I started the HCG again to see if it would help with the liquid diet too, but NOPE... LOL My body is quite happy at 161, I however, am not!!!! But... there is little more I can do. Cant hardly eat anything, and I am exercising plenty, so I just plug along and hope for the best. I thought for sure, at least I might lose weight when I cannot eat... but nope... not me... figures! Thanks for thinking about me though!!

Thanks Cat. Sorry your weight isn't budging. You sound a lot like me!! At least it's a great set point we won't like gain back above, right? We're flying into CO Springs and staying in Denver for the week. Dh is taking a training class in Denver, and since his company is already paying for the car and room, and the girls and I got great prices on Allegiant Air, we decided to go. A def. plus to homeschooling!! We're looking for slightly educational outdoor experiences while there. Dh will be tied up during the weekdays, but the girls and I will be up for adventure. Any suggestions?

I'm down 3.4 from my steak day but still +1 from my window. Totally expected, and worth it, but I'll keep it clean and do another CD tomorrow if necessary. GY is always a treat!

Do you all eat bfast? Are you naturally bfast eaters? Everything I read says it's so importanat to eat bfast, but I am usually not hungry b/4 10am. I am toying w/ making myself start eating bfast, but not sure it will really add any benefit. Thoughts?

[catjrow3]

Julie, I love CO, although its been pretty hot! But coming from AZ, you will be fine!! LOL

There are tons of hiking/mountain things, but not directly in Denver. You have to drive up into the mountains for alot of it. I dont live in Denver, (60 miles north of it in Fort Collins). I will try to think if I can come up with anything.

And as for the weight, if I could eat, I could go past it up... but its hard to go down below it and stay there... its horrible, cuz I still need to lose at least 20 pounds... maybe a bit more... I am very physically fit from my exercise, but still overweight at the same time. Nasty bit of work. C'est la vive... At least I am not 240 lbs anymore, I try to remind myself of this all the time!! When are you heading to Denver?

I was always a breakfast eater before, until the HCG, but I think its very beneficial and gets your metabolism in motion early. When I am not on HCG I eat breakfast!!

[Bierarsch]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Maggie-hope the eggs did the trick for you!! I'm fearing my steak CD will be less than stellar too. Not sure why, but they didn't work for a few others yesterday, and doubt it's "magic". Sigh. Hope we both whoosh tonight!

Thanks, Julie! How did you do this morning?

Originally Posted by paulabob

Actually what I've heard is there's a minimum amount of carbs you need if you are hypothyroid. What that "minimum" amount is tends to vary wildly between internet sources.


Hope it did...my steak and cheese did! I do think it helps to swap CDs in and out.

Down 1.8 after steak and cheese day. Amazing how the same amount of calories that made you gain the day before, gives you a loss on a CD. I will definitely want to do this CD again!

Paula, I am hypothyroid. I am interested in this minimum amount of carbs thing. Can you elaborate some?

I'm glad your steak and cheese day worked!! That is a good whoosh.



My egg day (12 eggs overall with a little bit of cheese) gave me a 1.9lb loss. I am on CD3 and still on my period.

I couldn't find a water pill that wasn't a crazy stimulant, so I ordered one from Iherb and it will be here tomorrow.

How often can I do CD's? The egg day was convenient for work because I can't not eat breakfast or lunch because I end up feeling sick or getting low blood sugar. I'm not a greek yogurt fan. Hmmmm. I'm wondering if I should do another CD or try the water pill and see what happens?

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

Paula, I am hypothyroid. I am interested in this minimum amount of carbs thing. Can you elaborate some?

There's a post here by nonstickpam that talks about it:
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ma...her-carbs.html

Seems like it doesn't bother some folks, and others stop losing/stall when they go too low. Pretty much like everything else (dairy, nuts, too much fat, too little).

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cathy and Julie -- I love both of the new avatars.... we have some HOT ladies here on this thread

Just saying hi from paper-writing land.... it'll be an all nighter for me, but once it is over I will have a huge (if somewhat enjoyable) albatross removed from my neck, and I can get on with a new semester.

Today was a up day for carbs and calories (planned) -- but stayed in my eating window, and got in a great legs and shoulders workout.

You are one type-A personality, girlfriend! I hope your paper writing goes/went well. Proud of you, woman!

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

good morning.

down 0.4 today after another 700 cal day. only on fruit and on serving of veggies today. my tummy was happier with that. last round my losses were similar as far as "big" daily drops of 0.4, 0.2, occasional 0.6's. so i will cont the 700 and see how things go. my VLCD21 is sunday. planning on moving to P3....unless of course i change my mind. lol....

it's 6:15am and ds and are getting ready to head to his MRI.

have a great day!

Doing great, Dazy! I hope you continue to lose and feel better on the higher calories. I hope all goes well at the MRI today. See you later!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Julie, nice new Avatar... Where are you going in CO?

You would think with liquid diet (mainly) that I would be losing weight, but with me, nope! I started the HCG again to see if it would help with the liquid diet too, but NOPE... LOL My body is quite happy at 161, I however, am not!!!! But... there is little more I can do. Cant hardly eat anything, and I am exercising plenty, so I just plug along and hope for the best. I thought for sure, at least I might lose weight when I cannot eat... but nope... not me... figures! Thanks for thinking about me though!!

Cathy, I'm sorry I missed the post that talked about your oral surgery (I think that's what you had, and that's why you are drinking your food through a straw.) I hope all is going well! When can you begin eating soft foods again? I hope you can get a nice whoosh out of this!

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Thanks Cat. Sorry your weight isn't budging. You sound a lot like me!! At least it's a great set point we won't like gain back above, right? We're flying into CO Springs and staying in Denver for the week. Dh is taking a training class in Denver, and since his company is already paying for the car and room, and the girls and I got great prices on Allegiant Air, we decided to go. A def. plus to homeschooling!! We're looking for slightly educational outdoor experiences while there. Dh will be tied up during the weekdays, but the girls and I will be up for adventure. Any suggestions?

I'm down 3.4 from my steak day but still +1 from my window. Totally expected, and worth it, but I'll keep it clean and do another CD tomorrow if necessary. GY is always a treat!

Do you all eat bfast? Are you naturally bfast eaters? Everything I read says it's so importanat to eat bfast, but I am usually not hungry b/4 10am. I am toying w/ making myself start eating bfast, but not sure it will really add any benefit. Thoughts?

I was surprised that Mini was not still in her semester break, too. Glad your steak day was such a success! If you do the GY day, enjoy that, to. I was in Denver for 7 weeks a LONG time ago. Things have certainly changed a lot in all that time. It's so wonderful that you home-school your children and can make these trips and have special educational outings! As far as BF goes, I sleep through it! I often don't eat until mid-afternoon.

Originally Posted by paulabob

Actually what I've heard is there's a minimum amount of carbs you need if you are hypothyroid. What that "minimum" amount is tends to vary wildly between internet sources.

Hope it did...my steak and cheese did! I do think it helps to swap CDs in and out.

Down 1.8 after steak and cheese day. Amazing how the same amount of calories that made you gain the day before, gives you a loss on a CD. I will definitely want to do this CD again!

I'd like to know what that minimum carb level for hypothyroid peeps is, too. Yea for steak and cheese day results! Do you eat the steak and cheese all day or just in the evening? I forget how that CD goes.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

My egg day (12 eggs overall with a little bit of cheese) gave me a 1.9lb loss. I am on CD3 and still on my period.

I couldn't find a water pill that wasn't a crazy stimulant, so I ordered one from Iherb and it will be here tomorrow.

How often can I do CD's? The egg day was convenient for work because I can't not eat breakfast or lunch because I end up feeling sick or getting low blood sugar. I'm not a greek yogurt fan. Hmmmm. I'm wondering if I should do another CD or try the water pill and see what happens?

Now, that just doesn't make sense to me. A dozen eggs, a little cheese and drop almost 2 lbs? It makes me wonder what kind of crazy CD's we can create ourselves, just to mix things up and keep things fun and interesting. Did you eat them HB'd? I like butter on mine, or at the very least, zero cal butter spray and salt. I'm glad you will be getting that diuretic in the mail soon! I hope it helps you.

Originally Posted by paulabob

There's a post here by nonstickpam that talks about it:
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ma...her-carbs.html

Seems like it doesn't bother some folks, and others stop losing/stall when they go too low. Pretty much like everything else (dairy, nuts, too much fat, too little).

Thanks for that link, Paula. It's worth a look-see.

As for me, just read my siggy. Not much to add on a positive note, so mums the word right now! Have a wonderful day today, ladies! Be well.

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by CherylB

CI'd like to know what that minimum carb level for hypothyroid peeps is, too. Yea for steak and cheese day results! Do you eat the steak and cheese all day or just in the evening? I forget how that CD goes.

According to that post I mentioned, it's anywhere from 20 to 50 (depending on what source folks are using).

For the steak and cheese, you have two eggs for breakfast and lunch / dinner are a large portion of steak followed by a generous helping of cheese.

I certainly enjoyed it! Wonder if there's an all cheese CD...maybe I should rogue that and give it a test sometime.

[Bierarsch]

Originally Posted by paulabob

There's a post here by nonstickpam that talks about it:
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ma...her-carbs.html

Seems like it doesn't bother some folks, and others stop losing/stall when they go too low. Pretty much like everything else (dairy, nuts, too much fat, too little).

Thank you so much! That was a very interesting read. I really respect Dr. Broda Barnes. I was contemplating trying to get in to see him before I found the two doctors that I see now. I most definitely feel better on more carbs. I have had a hard time reasoning with myself on that one.... the whole "carbs are bad" thing, especially being Hashimotos Hypothyroid and having PCOS. Thanks for the info, Paula!

Originally Posted by CherylB

Now, that just doesn't make sense to me. A dozen eggs, a little cheese and drop almost 2 lbs? It makes me wonder what kind of crazy CD's we can create ourselves, just to mix things up and keep things fun and interesting. Did you eat them HB'd? I like butter on mine, or at the very least, zero cal butter spray and salt. I'm glad you will be getting that diuretic in the mail soon! I hope it helps you.

I ate 8 eggs hardboiled. 3 for breakfast, 5 for lunch. I ate two colby jack string cheese sticks. Then I had a 4 egg omlete for dinner with two slices of american cheese. I wouldn't really mind doing another Egg Day tomorrow, but I have heard people get better results with Steak Days. They're just harder for me to do at work.

Originally Posted by paulabob

According to that post I mentioned, it's anywhere from 20 to 50 (depending on what source folks are using).

For the steak and cheese, you have two eggs for breakfast and lunch / dinner are a large portion of steak followed by a generous helping of cheese.

I certainly enjoyed it! Wonder if there's an all cheese CD...maybe I should rogue that and give it a test sometime.

Hmmm..... I eat two hardboiled eggs for breakfast every day usually. Does it have to be a certain cut of steak? Can I have my husband cook me a smaller steak for lunch that I could reheat at work and then a separate steak for dinner? Does it matter how much cheese we have? I could seriously overeat on some cheese. I love cheese!

[Bierarsch]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

And as for the weight, if I could eat, I could go past it up... but its hard to go down below it and stay there... its horrible, cuz I still need to lose at least 20 pounds... maybe a bit more... I am very physically fit from my exercise, but still overweight at the same time. Nasty bit of work. C'est la vive... At least I am not 240 lbs anymore, I try to remind myself of this all the time!! When are you heading to Denver?

My husband just had surgery to remove a cyst and some tissue, and has ended up gaining 5lbs. I think it is because his body is stressed while it's healing. Could that be why you're gaining?

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

My husband just had surgery to remove a cyst and some tissue, and has ended up gaining 5lbs. I think it is because his body is stressed while it's healing. Could that be why you're gaining?

No clue... I am weird and have a terrible time losing weight anyway, but yeah, only protein shakes and yogurt and froyo .... cant even really get scrambled eggs down... cuz I cant push up to mush them... LOL and still, no loss. My surgery was last Monday, so its been 7 or 8 days... boo! ahh, well, such is the way. Maybe the antibiotics too? I thought maybe the pain killers, but have not been on those for like 4 days now... still no love!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

Hmmm..... I eat two hardboiled eggs for breakfast every day usually. Does it have to be a certain cut of steak? Can I have my husband cook me a smaller steak for lunch that I could reheat at work and then a separate steak for dinner? Does it matter how much cheese we have? I could seriously overeat on some cheese. I love cheese!

Let's see, he doesn't mention portion sizes. I cooked a huge steak for lunch and simply ate the leftover for supper topped with some melted butter. Looking at my ****** yesterday, I ended up with 7 ounces of cheese, 2 1/2T butter, 2 eggs, and 7 ounces cooked steak for the day - 1500 calories, 5 carbs. I ate till I was full but not stuffed.

[dazygyrl]

ok, paula, big congrats on your loss, BUT....i just gotta say...

7oz is NOT a huge steak! that's an appetizer.

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

ok, paula, big congrats on your loss, BUT....i just gotta say...

7oz is NOT a huge steak! that's an appetizer.

You're right! I cook a huge steak, then cut the heck out of it taking out bits I don't like. I am very, very picky! The dogs end up with lots of goodies! This particular steak not sure what it was, but it had gristle in it and was too marbled for my taste. I prefer a t-bone.

[dazygyrl]

ah, gotcha!

i'm a ribeye gal.... but why must they be so danged e'spensive?

[minimonkey]

Hi Ladies!

Cheryl: yes, I am Type A, through and through -- you got that one right!

I really didn't get much of a break this year, academically -- I did a full time summer semester (4 complete classes in an 8 week period...wow, was that intense!!) and then there was a three week period with no classes before the fall semester, which begins this week.

The paper in question was a special project I took on; rather than write smaller, unrelated papers in two classes (with the same professor, and related themes) I opted to write one larger paper (40 pages) that would fulfill the writing requirement for both courses.

This will lay a lot of the groundwork for my thesis, which I am writing this year.

The current paper is a behemoth, but it is coming together, finally--I have today to finish writing it, and then until Friday to submit my final edits.

I genuinely enjoy writing papers, in a masochistic sort of way -- but it is definitely exhausting. I'm neurotic and obesessive about my writing... and about pretty much everything else, too

[Bierarsch]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

No clue... I am weird and have a terrible time losing weight anyway, but yeah, only protein shakes and yogurt and froyo .... cant even really get scrambled eggs down... cuz I cant push up to mush them... LOL and still, no loss. My surgery was last Monday, so its been 7 or 8 days... boo! ahh, well, such is the way. Maybe the antibiotics too? I thought maybe the pain killers, but have not been on those for like 4 days now... still no love!

He was on antibiotics, too. He had a rough time with the painkillers as they made him vomit, so he lived pretty much solely on Tylenol. It very well could be the antibiotics. I hope you heal quickly and can get back to losing!

Originally Posted by paulabob

Let's see, he doesn't mention portion sizes. I cooked a huge steak for lunch and simply ate the leftover for supper topped with some melted butter. Looking at my ****** yesterday, I ended up with 7 ounces of cheese, 2 1/2T butter, 2 eggs, and 7 ounces cooked steak for the day - 1500 calories, 5 carbs. I ate till I was full but not stuffed.

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

ok, paula, big congrats on your loss, BUT....i just gotta say...

7oz is NOT a huge steak! that's an appetizer.

Same here! I could eat two of those 7oz steaks for lunch and be hungry for dinner. I think I will make two separate steaks, one that I can reheat for lunch and then another for dinner. I did some googling and found a few places and Youtube videos where people have done this. If it works, great. If it doesn't work, I'll do an egg day the next day.

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

ah, gotcha!

i'm a ribeye gal.... but why must they be so danged e'spensive?

Same here! And I agree.... a good ribeye is expensive.

[minimonkey]

Even after a night with next-to-no sleep, the scale was fairly kind to me this morning -- 118.4, which is the low end of that 2 lb window that I keep jumping around within. Given that I am premenstrual (see exhibit A, the giant acne cyst on my jawline) --that's not bad.

I am, however, squishy fat central right now! I have all the markers of impending/in progress fat loss: loose skin, dimply fat that feels like beans under the skin, water-balloon consistency to the fattier areas of my body -- yow! Glad I have no plans of being scantily clad in public any time soon -- not that I ever really have those plans, lol.

[minimonkey]

Julie -- I'm not really counting anything right now -- calories or carbs -- just eating within my 5 hour window, and keeping my diet clean. I do have a tendency to mentally keep track of what I eat, though -- so here's a rough estimate of my current cycling pattern:

Low days tend to be somewhere in the 1000-1200 calorie range, with carbs usually coming in around 40-50 grams, sometimes lower, sometimes a bit higher.

High days range from 1800 (rounghly my maintenance level) to a bit higher... 2200-2500 cals? If I go high carb on these days, I think carbs end up being in the 150 gram range, or even a bit more (fruit, oatmeal, a little molasses, milk sugars, higher-carb protein powder) ... if I go keto for the day, I keep them really low (20-30 grams).

I am upping the carbs a little at a time -- with the weight training, my body seems to be doing pretty well with them overall. I try not to do two higher carb days back to back. As calories go, I think it ends up being about 3 high days, 3 low days, and 1 maintenance day per week -- on average.

I think this is working for me. I am sometimes hungry in the evenings on low days, particularly if I work out hard, but it is a very tolerable hunger. For the most part this is really easy, and I do seem to be leaning out, slowly but surely.

Maybe the scale will even decide to show a real loss one of these days

[minimonkey]

Cathy - sorry you are having such a rough time right now! Antibiotics will definitely stall weight loss, or even cause a temporary gain (I was on the darn things for over 3 years) -- plus inflammation from healing is probably also playing in.

Looking at your recent pictures, you don't look overweight to me -- you look really fit, muscular, proportional, and all around great

Seems like a few of us are at a set point that just doesn't want to budge... but like Julie said, that may actually end up being a good thing in the long run. In time, that weight has to give up the fight

[catjrow3]

Aww thanks Minimo... I wish that was the case, but... alas, nope! My recent avatars were from Jamaica and my all time low of 143-145...not there anymore!!! Sitting right about 161 now... boo!! I just dont want to change to "fatter" pictures... LOL

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Julie -- I'm not really counting anything right now -- calories or carbs -- just eating within my 5 hour window, and keeping my diet clean. I do have a tendency to mentally keep track of what I eat, though -- so here's a rough estimate of my current cycling pattern:

Low days tend to be somewhere in the 1000-1200 calorie range, with carbs usually coming in around 40-50 grams, sometimes lower, sometimes a bit higher.

High days range from 1800 (rounghly my maintenance level) to a bit higher... 2200-2500 cals? If I go high carb on these days, I think carbs end up being in the 150 gram range, or even a bit more (fruit, oatmeal, a little molasses, milk sugars, higher-carb protein powder) ... if I go keto for the day, I keep them really low (20-30 grams).

I am upping the carbs a little at a time -- with the weight training, my body seems to be doing pretty well with them overall. I try not to do two higher carb days back to back. As calories go, I think it ends up being about 3 high days, 3 low days, and 1 maintenance day per week -- on average.

I think this is working for me. I am sometimes hungry in the evenings on low days, particularly if I work out hard, but it is a very tolerable hunger. For the most part this is really easy, and I do seem to be leaning out, slowly but surely.

Maybe the scale will even decide to show a real loss one of these days

Cool! Glad you're experimenting before me . Doing a larger paper that will apply toward your thesis is great!! Way to build some synergy in that schoolwork!! I'd like the scale to reward your hard work eventually, but knowing all the muscle you're building holding steady definitely means you're losing fat. Any clothing reinforcing that idea? And the squishies are always a good sign!! KUTGW!

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

Same here! I could eat two of those 7oz steaks for lunch and be hungry for dinner. I think I will make two separate steaks, one that I can reheat for lunch and then another for dinner. I did some googling and found a few places and Youtube videos where people have done this. If it works, great. If it doesn't work, I'll do an egg day the next day.

Same here! And I agree.... a good ribeye is expensive.

Good job on your egg day! I only lost 0.4lbs on my last egg day and ended up hating eggs from it. I have good success w/ the steak day and GY CD. I dropped 3.4 from yesterday's steak day (small ribeye for lunch 8oz uncooked and trimmed, and 12oz for dinner ) I do a handful of cherry tomatoes after each steak. I was nicely full yesterday. I also allow coffee/cream on CD's. Hope it works for you if you give it a whirl!

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

ah, gotcha!

i'm a ribeye gal.... but why must they be so danged e'spensive?

I got a great deal at my Sprouts - $6.99 for grass fed ribeye? Couldn't resist!! Yum and good for you too!! How'd it go today at the MRI? I was thinking of you.

Originally Posted by paulabob

Let's see, he doesn't mention portion sizes. I cooked a huge steak for lunch and simply ate the leftover for supper topped with some melted butter. Looking at my ****** yesterday, I ended up with 7 ounces of cheese, 2 1/2T butter, 2 eggs, and 7 ounces cooked steak for the day - 1500 calories, 5 carbs. I ate till I was full but not stuffed.

I don't remember reading Simeon's steak, egg and cheese day. I'm liking that idea!! I prefer to be free to eat t/o the day. That sounds like a good one! Glad it worked!!

Originally Posted by catjrow3

No clue... I am weird and have a terrible time losing weight anyway, but yeah, only protein shakes and yogurt and froyo .... cant even really get scrambled eggs down... cuz I cant push up to mush them... LOL and still, no loss. My surgery was last Monday, so its been 7 or 8 days... boo! ahh, well, such is the way. Maybe the antibiotics too? I thought maybe the pain killers, but have not been on those for like 4 days now... still no love!

Cheryl-sorry you're not having a good losing day! Hang in there. It'll come off soon!

Cat-btw the pain pills and antiobiotics, not gaining will likely yield a loss once your body is straightened out! Hang in there. I could easily lose 20 more lbs myself, but am not going to. I'm hoping to lose 5 more lbs, but am giving myself until the end of the year to get there. I am done w/ hcg and drastically cutting cals. I am going to do a cycling program soon and excited to lift some heavier weights. I like the NROL. I hope it does what I want it to for my body!! Can't hurt, right? If I bulk up too much I'll have to re-evaluate. We'll be in CO Sept 11-18. Can't wait for some cooler weather. We're still dealing w. about 110deg here, so your 80 sounds perfect!! We'll hit the zoo, possibly the aquarium, hike to some waterfalls at RMNP, visit Garden of the Gods in CO Springs, and Glen Canyon sounds cool-alpine slide, giant swing etc. Any outdoor activity will be welcome to us a/c loving AZans!!

Doing well today. Not overly sore, just "aware" of the muscles I worked last night. Feel much better from Sunday's heat exhaustion. Dh is down w/ a migraine today from Sunday's heat hike . I will likely still need a CD tomorrow, so it'll be GY. I'm supposed to lift tomorrow too, but I don't like doing it on CD's!! Gotta' get back to stable so I can lift w/o cannibalizing my already existing muscles!! I'll probably skip tomorrow and lift Thurs. instead. That'll work

Have a good night all!