Rogues and Alternatives, Week of 12/26

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by Violet_Dream

Good Morning! R3VLCD31 and I'm down .6! Yesterday, I had a cafe breve (made w/ half and half) and that was my splurge. Back to protocol today. When I was out yesterday, I got my husband and son coffees too. In the past, we've always gotten our son a frappucino (minus the coffee) and I forgot to tell them to leave it out. So....he's been up all night!

Back to work today....my interview for one of the positions I applied for is this Thursday and I will keep you all posted.

Congratulations to everyone and make it a great day!

Best of luck to you this Thursday at your interview! WTG on the 0.6!

Originally Posted by paulabob

Down .8 - 127.2. Will try to trim that back down closer to maintenance this week.

Got some holiday sales shopping to do today, hope everyone has a great day!

Nice, Paula! Enjoy your shopping. I hope you find some amazing deals. If it were me, I'd be waiting a few days for all the gift-returners to go away.

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Yes, the new years dieters. pop in for a few weeks and then all start to die off again! LOL ... The questions will abound. I never hardly go to the main lobby and read, just stick with the normal ones i "frequent"... I might go have a peek today!!

Me too, Cathy. Yet another something we have in common. I have enough to keep up with in just my subscribed threads, and I have enough lovely ladies to keep track of! I'd be lost if I sought out new peeps and issues. Hopefully some of the newbies will really commit and stick around.

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Yay mini! Looks like you found your groove. I'm basically in p3 right now maintaining nicely while enjoying a few "off plan" foods. I think I'm going to hit p2 starting the 5th. Maybe do a fast day or 2 and then strict protocol to goal. Im undecided but do know I want to be at goal by shorts season. Right now I'm enjoying myself and my family.
We lost a good friends mom today so its a very sad morning. Trying to absorb that she won't be around

Going to spend a few days with my sister so I'm going to try to keep it semi light.

I'll check In again soon

I'm so sorry, Jackie. May the Lord comfort all of you in your grief. Remember the good times and laugh about the funny ones. I find it helps so much to go through pictures and letters and videos. It's wonderful to know that you can hear their voice and see their expressions anytime you want to. I hope you have lots of things like that to help you through this sorrowful time.

As for me, holiday festivities are finally gone and I can refocus and get the job done. I don't know of a single planned event in the near future and so this is my window to act. No obstacles in my way! (Reminds me of that old Creedance Clear Water Revival song: "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.")

Got my first barn-duty today at 3pm. Here comes the rain! I borrowed a ginormous yellow raincoat from my bro-in-law last night so I can at least have the top half dry. I will be shopping for a full raingear set after I get paid on the 3rd. I want pants, too. Hey! I just remembered some waders I bought back when I was getting into fishing again. I wonder if that would keep the bottom of me dry? I'm going to look like a moron but frankly, on really wet days, I'm not going to care how I look.

Have a great day, ladies! I've missed you and am glad to be back. Now I need to look over the calendar and pick my new starting date. Not sure if it will be an HCG run, but it most likely will be. I will have to do it rogue and pick a plan of foods that I can live with. I'd rather eat eggs than meat.

[minimonkey]

Hi lovelies -- this is a quickie -- I'll be back for personals later.

I'm up .4 today --- that, and the migraine I had yesterday, indicate TOM is impending. I'm about due for it, so that's expected. And, as such, so is a temporary gain.

I'm going to keep walking the walk, TOM or no -- and goal will get here when it does.

As for the new year dieters, I am not going to the LC lobby -- I'll let the usual LCers take care of those questions -- but I will try to be helpful to the new HCGers.

[CherylB]

Mini, this one's primarily for you but anyone with an answer can chime in. I have really been suffering from hip and knee problems lately. I feel so stiff and sore. I want to know what the best anti-inflammatory diet is. Is it low carb? If so, that would explain why I hurt so badly right now. I want to take this information and apply it to my next hcg round, which will be starting on January 1.

Thanks, ladies! Here's to better health and not just fitting into our skinny jeans!

[CherylB]

Oops! Cross-posted with you. Sorry for the bump-up but it's due to nasty old "impending TOM", so it's easier to handle. You are just doing remarkable lately, Mini! It's great to see.

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- thanks -- yes, a TOM gain is inevitable with me, and often it is a couple of pounds -- so I am not stressing it.

Anti-inflammatory diets-- what I know is this:

Yes, lowcarb is definitely the best start there -- and for most people, a gluten-free diet(low carb generally IS gluten free unless you are doing lc products that contain wheat). Above and beyond that, identifying individual food sensitivities is key -- those contribute to inflammation as well.

There are some interesting articles about food and inflammation on the leptin-reset blogs -- I'll see what I can find. I have a couple of the articles saved, but don't think I can repost the whole thing due to copyright laws.

There are some great supplements for inflammation as well -- I've had a lot of success with systemic enzymes.

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- also, intermittent fasting is supposed to have a profound anti-inflammatory effect, as well.

I've been doing that a lot lately, and it is really easy once you get used to it -- I often do one meal a day in the morning, as you well know.

[CherylB]

Thanks, Mini. I don't think I'd ever go gluten-free. I recall eating LC usually makes me feel pretty good in general. I'll skip the grain again (and the fruit, for the most part) this next round and that should fix me up pretty quick. I just hate feeling like this. I feel old again.

Yeah, I'm a fasting gal too. Good idea!

[minimonkey]

I haven't found it difficult to give up gluten -- since I don't eat grains anyhow.

I will try adding some alternative baked goods in p4 (made with coconut flour, almond flour, flax, etc.) but I can easily live without wheat products.

I'm doing a normal fat-fast day today -- my one meal, and that's it -- I will probably opt for a couple of higher protein days after this -- eggs, meat, what have you -- if this is indeed TOM, the next few days will be a wash on the scale, so I won't really know what is working vs what isn't.

I think we are going to try a very easy barre workout today! Roommate is feeling quite a bit better, and we are both jonesing to get back to the gym... so we are going to build up some endurance and strength with the barre work, and then progress from there.

Workouts or no, I am determined to keep losing to goal -- darn it. If I am starving, I will just deal with it for a bit --

My appetite is so decreased at the moment that I feel hopeful I can weather the rest of p2 ok, even with the workouts added in.

[minimonkey]

Just a fly by with a quick victory -- I had to retire three pairs of pants to the "ridiculously too big" pile today I am losing inches in my butt like crazy right now!

A little bummed about the scale blip, but assuming that is PMS and just hoping it comes and goes rather quickly.

[HexaTheAmazon]

Happy Holidays Ladies. Congrats to all those who have lost, maintained or gained and continue on their journeys.

Well, I have not weighed since I had tons of carbs over the holidays and I am afraid. I am continuing to weight train and now dead lifting 75 pounds and chest pressing 30 pounds (15 pounds each). My trainer had me do lower body today and I could hardly walk after class. I have decided to add Capoira to my training. That should help me burn more calories. Terrible eating for the past 4 days but, no regrets. I think out of everything I ate the sweet potato pie was my favorite.

My exercise routine should kick in and kick butt. I will weigh at the end of the week. I plan to train myself into the ground this week. I have weight training again in the morning (upper body) and Samba/Afro Brazilian dance in the evening. .

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Just a fly by with a quick victory -- I had to retire three pairs of pants to the "ridiculously too big" pile today I am losing inches in my butt like crazy right now!

A little bummed about the scale blip, but assuming that is PMS and just hoping it comes and goes rather quickly.

Yippee! When things are clicking along for you, they are unstoppable! May it be a trend that continues without delay.

Originally Posted by HexaTheAmazon

Happy Holidays Ladies. Congrats to all those who have lost, maintained or gained and continue on their journeys.

Well, I have not weighed since I had tons of carbs over the holidays and I am afraid. I am continuing to weight train and now dead lifting 75 pounds and chest pressing 30 pounds (15 pounds each). My trainer had me do lower body today and I could hardly walk after class. I have decided to add Capoira to my training. That should help me burn more calories. Terrible eating for the past 4 days but, no regrets. I think out of everything I ate the sweet potato pie was my favorite.

My exercise routine should kick in and kick butt. I will weigh at the end of the week. I plan to train myself into the ground this week. I have weight training again in the morning (upper body) and Samba/Afro Brazilian dance in the evening. .

Hey, Hexa. It's been a while! Maybe you've been around and I haven't been, but it's good to see you again.

I had been tempted to rejoin a local gym (it has a pool and dry sauna, as well as a hot tub), but after my barn experience today, I'm not spending money on a gym membership. I'm going to get all the exercise and work I can handle at the barn.

It started to lightly rain as I backed the car out of my driveway around 2:30 and it continued non-stop the entire time I was at the farm. After a while it was coming down hard and the wind was blowing like crazy. I could see the tops of tall trees bending over and hear the force of it.

I am as tired and hungry and wet as I've been in a very long time. I don't think I've been out in rain like that since I was into horses back in my early teen years. Why else would you be outside in that kind of weather? I will be investing in some appropriate clothes.

I am too tired to tell of all that I did in my 3 hours but I did A LOT! I'll write in depth on my journal for anyone who is interested in details. I'm glad I didn't commit to more than 2 days a week. That might be all I can handle for a while, until I get in better shape.

[tay65]

hi everybody! I'm down 1.5 of the 3.2 lbs I gained from xmas. So just a little more (1.7) to go! Hope to see it gone in the morning. I've been doing my own fasting. Just eating 3 ff beef hot dogs a day then just drinking water and tea. I did it yesterday and again today. I think tomorrow I'll eat "normal".
You all are doing great! I can't do personals right now. I have the baby right now. BBL

[HexaTheAmazon]

Congrats on your endurance working on a farm. What people don't realize is that farm work is harder than any 8 hour office day. Unless you're physically tackling your employees... then it can be hard. LOL. I think it's just great that you are doing this and it is definitely a form of exercise. As my trainer says, work it girl You should take pictures and post them. I am sure we would love to see you in knee thigh boots. LOL.. Sport those boots, girl I think working on the farm will help you with your weight loss. Any exercise helps.

[minimonkey]

Whooohooo on the killer exercise Hexa -- you are living up to your username to be sure!!! So nice to see you back on the thread... we miss you when you are gone!

Cheryl -- you ain't kidding about the amount of labor involved in barn work -- when I was riding, I was in great shape -- not just from the riding (which is killer exercise) but from hauling hay, mucking stalls, moving tack, lifting buckets, etc. It's hard work!

You are getting the genuine horse experience, really -- hauling out in all sorts of nasty weather to do the things that need to be done -- I actually enjoyed doing that stuff, but it is a lot of work, and it is fairly brutal in the winter, even in California -- I can only imagine in a colder climate!

[minimonkey]

Nice work correcting that gain, Tay! Good girl! Bet the rest will fall off very soon too

No TOM yet here, but still suspecting that is the reason for my gain today-- I usually get a gain a couple of days before it happens.

We are waiting till tomorrow to work out -- roommate is still a bit under the weather, so why push it? We've waited this long already, we might as well give ourselves the best fighting chance. We ran errands today -- did a big grocery, and other little putzy things that needed to be done.

I think I am going in for a high protein day tomorrow -- I suspect I need it. Once TOM gets rolling I will likely fast again, but for now, I think amping up the protein isn't a bad idea. I'm staying away from protein powder after reading Hexa's blood sugar experience with it ... I'll stick to eggs, meat, etc.

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Whooohooo on the killer exercise Hexa -- you are living up to your username to be sure!!! So nice to see you back on the thread... we miss you when you are gone!

Cheryl -- you ain't kidding about the amount of labor involved in barn work -- when I was riding, I was in great shape -- not just from the riding (which is killer exercise) but from hauling hay, mucking stalls, moving tack, lifting buckets, etc. It's hard work!

You are getting the genuine horse experience, really -- hauling out in all sorts of nasty weather to do the things that need to be done -- I actually enjoyed doing that stuff, but it is a lot of work, and it is fairly brutal in the winter, even in California -- I can only imagine in a colder climate!

You are sooooo encouraging. I really appreciate it It is hard and scary to approach weights and lift. The apprehension, at times, can make you run for the door screaming. For me, it takes that extra courage but, it feels so good once it's done. Like victory. Even though you and I are not in close proximity, I still feel like you are my workout partner. Thank you.

On another note, congrats on your journey. You are doing it. You go Minimo....

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- these are WELL worth the investment if you can swing it:

TuffRider Ladies Snow Rider Tall Boots - Statelinetack.com

Check out that whole site -- they have amazing sales sometimes!

[minimonkey]

Hexa -- you are seriously rockin' the weights, woman! Your lifts have increased SO fast -- I think you were made to do lifting!!

I will be joining you in the gym this week, starting tomorrow.

We got our new Cathe Friedrich series, and cannot wait to get started with them... it'll be a couple of weeks of barre work to get stamina back, and then we will be rockin' the weights too

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I think I am going in for a high protein day tomorrow -- I suspect I need it. Once TOM gets rolling I will likely fast again, but for now, I think amping up the protein isn't a bad idea. I'm staying away from protein powder after reading Hexa's blood sugar experience with it ... I'll stick to eggs, meat, etc.

Mini, unfortunately I cannot say that I have continued to use the powder. Quite frankly, I am afraid because of the blood sugar spike. I think Nola was correct when she said that some protein powders are absorbed so quickly it might act as a carb. It does for me. I don't know how others will fair with it. It's hard because with lifting I need as much protein as possible and I do not get in what I need during the day. My stomach just does not hold that much. I will need to try another powder and mix in a raw egg. I think it will be the only way that I will be able to get in all the grams of protein I need. If you are going to mix a raw egg into your protein make sure the egg is organic and cage free. It is safer.

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Hexa -- you are seriously rockin' the weights, woman! Your lifts have increased SO fast -- I think you were made to do lifting!!

I will be joining you in the gym this week, starting tomorrow.

We got our new Cathe Friedrich series, and cannot wait to get started with them... it'll be a couple of weeks of barre work to get stamina back, and then we will be rockin' the weights too

I know that you can do pull ups. I can't wait to get some advice from you. It will be great to have a partner. I am excited.

My trainer believes in me and this really helps me. She makes sure my form is on pointe before she increases my weights so that I am victorious. It makes a difference. Also, she is my cousin (LOL) but she is an excellent trainer and builder.

[minimonkey]

I can't do pull ups yet, Hexa -- but I will be working on that this year. Nola can do them, I believe -- so we can both rely on her expertise

Part of this new exercise program is designed to train one to do them... and I am determined to get there.

It's great that you have a good trainer who believes in you -- that makes a huge difference.

[Trishagrrl]

Hi ladies, I'd love to join you as I start my next round of hhcg next Tuesday. I'll be loading at my big extended family christmas party on the 1st and my birthday on the 2nd. I'm looking forward to starting, but also dreading it at the same time. My last round I eeked out 14 pounds over 39 days. P3 was brutal... I couldn't keep my weight anywhere close to my window despite very low carb and lots and lots of CD's. I kinda gave up a little bit around the holidays since it seemed my weight was inching up every few days and ate to my hearts content 3 days around Christmas... left me up another 8 pounds (just 1 pound shy of where I started my last round). I have no doubt my trouble losing during P2 and part of the maintenance during P3 was that I'm currently breastfeeding and with each of my children have had terrible trouble with my weight while nursing them.

As I'm looking back at my last P2 round I don't feel like I ever really got it right as far as how much to eat. I pretty much stuck to protocol except added a couple of extra servings of meat. Towards the end of my last round I was sticking straight with the 500 cal's and losing very slowly.

I know there probably isn't anybody here with my exact set of circumstances, but I'm looking forward to learning from your tweaks and hearing your ideas regarding alternative plans that I could utilize to hopefully get my weight loss going.

[minimonkey]

Welcome Trisha!!!! Glad to have you aboard!

Hexa -- yes, I am avoiding the protein powders too -- I suspect they may be a staller for me. I may be okay with them in maintenance... we'll see.

I was very interested to hear about the blood sugar effects... it makes a lot of sense, I do tend to be hungrier on days when I use them.

[minimonkey]

Trish-- I am assuming those two beautiful babies in your avatar are the ones you are breastfeeding? They are gorgeous!

[mdolph]

Just wanted to stop in and say Howdy and Happy Holidays to all my buddies here! Life has been pretty crazy so I havn't really been online. Anyway I got to a low of 138 pre-Christmas and when hog crazy and shot up to 146. Sniff, sniff! Anyway, not too worried as to be honest 138 was a little too low for me and quite frankly I find dieting quite comforting. Strange I know! Anyway this year my goal is to learn how to eat more (since 2011 I was so focused on hhcg) and work out more.

Hope everyone has a great New Year!

[Trishagrrl]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Trish-- I am assuming those two beautiful babies in your avatar are the ones you are breastfeeding? They are gorgeous!

Thank you for the welcome... and yes, they're my sweeties. Dylan and Elliot, 7 months old and so far wanting NOTHING to do with food. I must have premium quality milk because none of my 4 kids have wanted to starting eating until close to a year! lol I don't mind too much, other than the fact that I do lose much easier once I'm not nursing exclusively.

[minimonkey]

Hi Melanie!!!!!!! So nice to see you!

In a way, I find dieting comforting as well --- so that doesn't sound strange to me. I am just hoping that I can learn to find that comfort in maintenance... I think I can.

Hope you will be joining us more often -- we miss you!

[star a.d.]

trish, I'm planning to load on thursday! can't wait! I need to load up on stock!

and your babies are soooooo cute! squishy little faces!

[minimonkey]

Star

Wow, another round already? Well, here's to it! May it be a stellar one

[star a.d.]

yeah, I'm impatient! I might have to go away in march, so getting at least one more round completely finished and under my belt, so to speak, before then would be great.