Do losses get less when closer to goal?

[porkfatrules]

Originally Posted by laylabean

my hubby is starting next round with me and some recipes for him would be fantastic! im not able to help him much in that area if you don't mind posting them?

thanks in advance.

There's a good HCG cookbook by Tammy Skye. A lot of her recipes are online also, in a PDF you can download. So far, every recipe I've tried has been good!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

So... Dawn, how do you cook your tilapia?

I have two recipes that I really love for chicken. One is Schezwan chicken w/celery, and the other is a Mexican chicken soup (made w/tomatoes). Let me know if you'd like either of them.

NO, no special way. I just add spices I have on hand (usually onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper) and bake in the oven. I cook all 4 pieces at once and then have a few meals ready to go. Just heat it up as I need a piece. I am not fond of celery, but I sure wish I did like it because I think I could get more veggies in if I did.

[Emi]

Debby.. checking in... how's it going?!??! Please give me hope and tell me you are continuing to lose!!! And.. I would LOVE those recipes!!!!

[BusyMomOf4]

Emi, thanks for checking in on me! It makes me feel good to know somebody's thinking of me.

Well... the losses aren't doing any better. Yesterday I was down 0.2 lb, and this morning nothing! So... today is VLCD14, and I'm down a whopping 5 lbs (can you hear the sarcasm?). At this rate I will definitely NOT lose the 10 lbs I was hoping for. I'm only 0.2 lbs below the lowest weight I saw in R3. My DH is trying to be supportive, but he just doesn't understand. All this sacrifice for what feels like nothing! Went to the parish picnic yesterday and didn't eat a thing! Ate perfectly on plan yesterday, too. I even had 4 cups of green tea! UGGHH! I am NOT having fish tonight. Just can't do it. Perhaps tomorrow. There's a part of me that just doesn't care and is kiind of giving up. I know I won't cheat,, but right now (today, at this moment) my heart's not in it. I did make it back to Curves this morning and did a wimpy workout. Maybe that will help.

Anyhow... at this point, all I can hope for is reshaping and better stabilization (last round I stabilized 5 lbs above LDW). I am REALLY hoping for those two things. If they don't happen I'll be REALLY disappointed, and it will feel like this round was for nothing.

I'm ready to be done. I sometimes think about extending this round to get to the 10 lbs, but just don't think I can do it. It takes a lot of mental energy for me right now, and there are SO many other things that energy could be going towards. I also can't imagine ever doing another round. So... I guess I'll just have to figure out how to be happy where I end up. I am in a healthy weight range... just don't look how I would like. I guess after 4 kids that's to be expected.

Sorry I can't offer any hope... at least not today.

As for the recipes, I realized that I use particular spice mixes, so I don't know how helpful they'll be. But... I'll try and get them posted soon in the protocol recipe section. I'm starting off the week behind, so don't know if I'll have time to get to it today.

[Emi]

I TRULY can relate w/you on so many levels!!!! I REALLY wanted this to be it.. the last round ever and the way my weight is moving it doesn't look like that is going to happen!!! I'm not going to cheat because that only adds more weight and makes me feel really bad about myself.. but the thought is there because, it just isn't working like it should.. it has to be because we are almost there?!?!!?! On a good note, I'm down a little in my measurements.. did you check yours?!?! I'm doing a planned P3 interruption for a wedding and other social events... I wasn't going to but I think it will also help me out mentally to keep on going!

I'm curious to hear about your measurements.. let me know.

And no hurry on the recipes.. just let me know when I should go look for them!!!

We can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

[Maureen in Italy]

Another way to cook your fish or chicken is in those cooking bags. Chicken makes me gag at this point but since I started cooking it in the bags I'm liking it again. I add some low salt seasoning and lemon juice or Franks or sf bbq sauce. (any legal liquid will do)

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

Emi, thanks for checking in on me! It makes me feel good to know somebody's thinking of me.

...

As for the recipes, I realized that I use particular spice mixes, so I don't know how helpful they'll be. But... I'll try and get them posted soon in the protocol recipe section. I'm starting off the week behind, so don't know if I'll have time to get to it today.

Big hug for you--I know it's really hard!

On the spice mixes, have you checked the ingredients for sugars? Some of the oddest things have sugar in them...garlic salt, lemon pepper seasoning, Italian spices...

[BusyMomOf4]

Shelby, thanks for the hugs. I really need them today. And, yes, I've checked them. And, actually, I haven't eaten these two very much this round as my focus has been diverted to (yucky) fish.

[Emi]

Debby... I tried your fish solution tonight!!!! We will see how it goes!

[BusyMomOf4]

Emi, wishing you the best in the morning! Hope the fish works for you. I had eggs for lunch and chicken for dinner. Just couldn't do fish today.

Today was a hard day. I think days when I don't lose are always harder, plus it was Monday and I was starting off the week behind. Anyhow... my family's food looked (and smelled) so good tonight. I really haven't been truly hungry today... just wanting junk. None of the food I could eat sounded good (and didn't seem to taste all that great either). Although, I could have eaten a whole box of breadsticks. Hopefully tomorrow will be better both scale-wise and emotionally.

[dawnyama]

Debby

I am sorry you are having a rough round. I know that feeling of doing all you can to lose weight and nothing to show for it. But you have to have faith. You will get through this rough spot. I am wishing good thoughts for a great weigh in this morning for us all!!

[Emi]

So.. Debby.. up 4.4 lbs today.. nice, right.....URGH!!! I think (hope) it was my scale running out of batteries!!!! I don't know whether to laugh or cry.. I guess I'll laugh because I don't like crying! Oh well... what are we to do but keep moving forward!!!

How did your eggs and chicken treat you!?!?!? I see you were asking about an interruption... did you decide if you are going to do it?

[BusyMomOf4]

Well... I was up 0.2 lbs this morning. Could be from the Curves workout (I think I will drop that for this round, but I hate paying for it and not using it), or it could be that I'm right around ovulation time. So... trying not to take it too hard. I will have fish tonight, though. Considering having beef at lunch even though I'm nervous about it. P2 chili just sounds so good!

Emi... get yourself some new batteries right away! If you didn't cheat, I'm sure that's what it is. When are you doing your interruption? Do the VLC days w/out drops count as part of the two weeks off before starting again? As for me, I was wanting to interrupt now, but then I remembered that you have to go the 21 days first. Bummer. I'm not sure what I'll do. If the rules for an interruption are the same as going off a round, I'll probably just wait and see how things go and how I feel. Most likely I'll just end the round (and try to be satisfied with where I am) rather than making it an interruption. I suppose it depends on how well I stabilize.

Dawn, thanks for the kind words. I know I'll get through it, but if I could quit now I would. Unfortuntely, the HCG protocol doesn't work that way, and I don't want to lose the little bit of ground I've gained. Like I said, I'm really hoping for some reshaping and good stabilization. My DH hugged me this morning and said, "Skinny. There's nothing there." I told him that's true on the top, but there's some on the bottom (saddlebags and abs). He said, "Well, maybe we'll just have to turn you upside down." Funny guy.

[Emi]

Debby... I did get batteries after yesterday.. and I didn't cheat.. NEVER do.. I want off P2 as quick as possible!!!!!! I really think mine is scale related.. like it was powering down for a while and it's been off.. I don't know but there is nothing I can do so I've got to write down the weight and move on (boo hoo)... I am not counting the VLCD w/out drops as part of the 2 weeks.. as they are VLCD's... I'm planning on stopping mine Thursday... I've got an event Sat and Sun and then the following Sat and then I'll got back to VLCDs that Sun ... I think it will be a nice break to come back on and hopefully see some better results.. or even just a little more of a result! I hate taking a break and not getting it over with.. I just think it will help me right now! How about you, when are you thinking?

[BusyMomOf4]

Originally Posted by Emi

Debby... I did get batteries after yesterday.. and I didn't cheat.. NEVER do.. I want off P2 as quick as possible!!!!!! I really think mine is scale related.. like it was powering down for a while and it's been off.. I don't know but there is nothing I can do so I've got to write down the weight and move on (boo hoo)... I am not counting the VLCD w/out drops as part of the 2 weeks.. as they are VLCD's... I'm planning on stopping mine Thursday... I've got an event Sat and Sun and then the following Sat and then I'll got back to VLCDs that Sun ... I think it will be a nice break to come back on and hopefully see some better results.. or even just a little more of a result! I hate taking a break and not getting it over with.. I just think it will help me right now! How about you, when are you thinking?

Well, good for you for never cheating. I don't either. It's just not worth it. Although, I have been tempted a lot. As for not counting the VLC days w/out drops, that's what Dawn said to do in another thread, so you're on the right track. I'm wishing you a nice break, and really do hope that your losses are better when you come back. I might post a thread asking about people's experiences with that... even though I know we're all different. Still, it would be nice to know.

As for me, most likely I will just call it good and not do an interruption. I'm on VLCD15, so I have (after today) 6 more days on drops. I'm really tired and just have too much on my plate right now to have such low energy. I also don't know if I would have what it takes to go back on P2 again after being on P3 for a bit. Plus, Dawn says that you should go back on P2 for a week to 10 days (which makes sense), and I just don't know if I could do it. I guess I'll just have to see how things are going. My DH is losing his job at the end of September, so I was hoping to get it all done before then. I just don't think I'll want to drag it on any longer.

I really wish I hadn't started this round, but I did. It feels like a waste. And, I always forget how much I don't like P2 and how low energy I am (although I think it's worse this time). My DH says he can't understand why I don't remember and compares it to pregnancy/childbirth... the whole forgetting how bad it was thing. So, I suppose if I "forget" again I might do another round some day. But for now, I'm thinking I'll just try to be content where I am. It's not a bad place... just not where I wanted to be.

[BusyMomOf4]

Okay... a couple of additional thoughts here. Was just talking with a friend (fellow HCGer), and she said that she'd heard that different drops may produce different results. Well... I'm using different drops this round. I use my old/other drops in the morning (since I had some left) and use the new drops the other 2 times. I just ran out of my old drops today. SO... perhaps these new drops aren't the best ones for me. The bummer is that I can't afford to buy my old kind, and I wouldn't get them in time anyway.

Also if I don't lose well tomorrow (doing beef/fish today), I'm thinking of doing a mini-steak day tomorrow. Here are my weights the last 4 days:

17-Sep - 137.2
18-Sep - 137.0
19-Sep - 137.0
20-Sep - 137.2

Seems dismal. (sigh) I don't think I could handle an apple day. Anybody have thoughts on the mini-steak day?

[dawnyama]

I have done a mini steak day and they have worked for me. I ate 7 oz of steak for dinner along with a tomato. No other food for the day, just like in P3, but on a much smaller scale. Good luck!!

[BusyMomOf4]

Thanks! Don't know if I'll do it if I see a drop tomorrow, but tomorrow would be a good day time-wise so that I don't end up doing one too close to the end of my round. My book says to only have 3.5 oz. of steak for dinner and an apple. How much of a loss did you see Dawn? I hope I'm not hungry tomorrow. I'm a bit hungry today.

Do you think I should do one even if I see a loss? It just seems that it might help my measly losses this round. Today I'm sitting at the lowest number that I saw my last round (the second day of VLC no drops)

[dawnyama]

I would do it. Just for the mental part of it. I lose just like I do when I do an apple day--about 1.5 lbs. I am in bootcamp and have seen others do a much larger steak than I do (I always do 7 oz when I am in P2) and those people have seen great losses as well. So I would suggest you do at least 7 oz when you have steak tomorrow. I have even done it with ground beef and done well.

[BusyMomOf4]

Thanks, Dawn! I think I'll plan on it. I think I might have chicken tonight instead of fish then. Just really not in the mood for fish (but I never am).

I have some sirloin steaks and some new york steaks in the freezer. I'm thinking that since it's P2, I should probably do the sirloin since it's a lean steak. Should I cut off any visible fat? At least I'll be able to drink all day.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

Thanks, Dawn! I think I'll plan on it. I think I might have chicken tonight instead of fish then. Just really not in the mood for fish (but I never am).

I have some sirloin steaks and some new york steaks in the freezer. I'm thinking that since it's P2, I should probably do the sirloin since it's a lean steak. Should I cut off any visible fat? At least I'll be able to drink all day.

yeah, I would still follow that rule from P2 no fat on the steak.

[BusyMomOf4]

I looked at my sirloins, and they look pretty well marbled. I'll try and pick the one with the least marbling, and then cut off any "extra" fat that I can. Will that be okay?

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by BusyMomOf4

I looked at my sirloins, and they look pretty well marbled. I'll try and pick the one with the least marbling, and then cut off any "extra" fat that I can. Will that be okay?

[BusyMomOf4]

Cool! Thanks for all your help! I'll let you know how it goes. Here's wishing you a nice release in the morning.

[dawnyama]

You too Debby!!!

[BusyMomOf4]

Hope this morning's weigh in was better for you than me, Dawn. I weighed in with no loss. Still sitting at 137.2. Definitely doing a mini-steak day today. Sure hope it helps.

I'm really starting to think that my problem is the drops I'm using. But, don't have time (or money) to get different ones right now. UGGHH! Like I said... hopefully the mini-steak day will work... otherwise I might just give up and quit this round early.

[dawnyama]

Oh, I am sorry. But you are right. Could be the drops. My second round was so bad I thought it might have been the drops too, but when I picked them back up for round 3 they were perfect!! Bummer for you though.

I have had a great first week. I am only on day #4 and have already lost 7.2 lbs!!!! I could not be happier. I have a bit to go before I reach the stats as posted to the left but I am getting there. I hope to be 125 by next week. Hope the mini steak day works for you today!!!

[Emi]

Debby.... let me know how your mini steak day goes!!!!!

[BusyMomOf4]

Thanks, Dawn! I'm going to try and get some drops today. My DH is being SO supportive. He has amazed me. He totally wants me to get a hold of some of the drops I used before, and even suggested that I extend my round if they work. I him! I'm glad your round is going well for you. Maybe I'll be able to say the same if I get my old drops. Anyhow... I've been wondering how your DD is doing. Are things going okay?

Emi, I'll let you know. Got my fingers crossed.

[BusyMomOf4]

I'm gonna get more drops! I'm gonna get more drops! I'm so excited I just HAD to share! I had bought 2 bottles of drops (my old brand) for a friend as a gift, and it turns out she never used them. She's dropping them off at my house around 5 pm today. I'll be able to dose with them tonight. I'm so excited. I don't even have to spend any money right now. Woohoo!

Still doing a mini-steak day today. If the drops work, I just might extend my round. We'll see...