HCG Rouges and Alternatives- week of 1/9

[mdolph]

I promise I will never go lower than 135. Now I told DH, my friends and coworkers 140, but I like the idea of never going below 135. I'd like to settle around 140.

Thanks for all the support ladies. I need this. Disney, yes I need help. It's getting myself to take the time to get help. I'm the mama. I do everything for everyone, kids, husband, family, friends and coworkers.I take care of my needs last. I'm the kind of person that wants to make everyone else happy. I know I have an issue. I think I'm starting to feel more comfortable to admit it and thought I'd share it with the most supportive women I know first.

Nicole, I'm off to order some jeans. LOL, I don't own a credit card so I've always gotta check my account balances. We paid them off and got rid of them years ago! I hate it sometimes!

Mini, thank you for laying it all out. I keep going back to something a friend said to me last year around this time. She kept saying I was going down a scary road. I just laughed. In May of last year we did a 5k together and she told me I was boarderline obsessive and she wanted to help and I laughed. In September she and her mom saw me and while her mom awed she scoffed. I decided she was jealous and stopped talking to her. Now I see where she was coming from. I promise never to drop below 135. And will not vomit.

[mdolph]

Ok, I wanted to add some pictures. My screenname pic is me in August. I was probably 155 pounds.

This picture was of me in September, I was probably like 153-150ish.


This one is of me early December at 141 pounds. See I'm still a little buldgey in the middle.


I did get a tad lower which I was told by some I looked great and by others I looked sick. Its so hard to know what to believe!

[minimonkey]

Originally Posted by mdolph

It's getting myself to take the time to get help. I'm the mama. I do everything for everyone, kids, husband, family, friends and coworkers.I take care of my needs last. I'm the kind of person that wants to make everyone else happy. I know I have an issue. I think I'm starting to feel more comfortable to admit it and thought I'd share it with the most supportive women I know first.

Dude, this is SO me-- all the way... except that I don't have kids. I have 17 birds, a disabled partner, and a roommate/best friend with a lot of troubling behaviors... and, I'm a professor. It amounts to the same thing in the end.

[minimonkey]

Melanie -- you look incredibly beautiful in that lower picture, and honestly I don't see any bulge... you look fantastic, and you look quite thin. I think you could maybe get away with 135 and look stunning, but definitely no lower... and I really think you look great at 140. That is my honest opinion. I think your face might start to look quite thin any lower than 140, too.... but that often evens out in time.

Big hugs to all of you and a million thanks for all the honesty -- I feel so much less alone than I did 48 hours ago.

[DisneyPrincess]

Good morning. I decided to stay off the scale again. I'm so sore still from my workout Sunday and I'm stressed, sad, and not sleeping. Once I get a good nights rest I'll weigh again and hop on the scale and hope for the best. I will be doing some workout tonight. I'm hoping to run depending on when my last kid gets picked up. Running usually losses my muscles and I know Ds will be all for it

Hope everyone has a great morning. Let's just try our hardest to do our best!

[agentventi]

Scale went in the wrong direction today +.08. I was going to be silly and do an apple day but remembered that is for stalls so it is a strict protocol day for me.
I think 2 things are behind this gain.
Yesterday I had probably 5 fruit servings and only 1 protein
no BM today (TMI but it is usually in the morning right when I get up)

I am starting the day off with eggs and salsa with an apple = 230ish calories
lunch will be grilled chicken and cherry tomatoes =160 ish
snack stawberries =60
dinner burger patty on lettuce wrap with a side of cucumbers. = 180
=630

Melanie you look beautiful in your picture, perfect!

[paulabob]

Yesterday was harder than I expected. Ended at 1000 calories instead of 600. Good enough for almost 2 pounds off of my 4 pound "load" weight.

Have to figure out my menu for today!

[paulabob]

Melanie, think you look great in your 2nd pic. Not too thin at all...could probably be 10 pounds lower than that without getting ribby (just my guess, not that you should go there).

I don't really have an absolute lowest...I've showed my prom pic before when I was around 95 pounds. Didn't really look too thin, but wasn't a normal weight for me. 110 was...have no idea how I will look as an adult at that weight. I know I won't be too thin, as I still am at 28% body fat here in the 120s. The upper 90s probably would be a healthy goal for me...my old auntie's were all my size and maintained in those ranges...but I'm not interested in going that far and being unable to eat anything! I've been pudgy as an adult and obese throughout my college+ years, so it's all uncharted territory for me.

Cathy Can't really call what I'm doing JUDDD...it's not quite my weekdays plan of last year, but close, with Wednesday and weekends off. Won't be fast weight loss but hopefully slower to crash my shaky metabolism!

[Gremom]

Originally Posted by mdolph

I'm the mama. I do everything for everyone, kids, husband, family, friends and coworkers.I take care of my needs last. I'm the kind of person that wants to make everyone else happy.

Girl, this is sooo me!!! I think it happens when you become a mama. You are not alone in this. I always give and give and give and then I fall apart because I have given all I have and then nothing is left in my tank for me. So very hard to find the balance. But you really need to find time for you. You are just as special and important as everyone that you love and and help.

And you look fantastic at 141! You looked great at 150ish too. Amazing what 10lbs does when you are smaller. You are beautiful!

[Gremom]

Jackie, sorry that you didn't sleep. I didn't sleep well either. I am really trying to get more sleep and am starting to be in bed by 10pm so that I can get up around 6am before my kids. It is really tough since I have been going to bed around 11:30. My body will adjust eventually! I hope you get a run in! I started running last year, but I don't have the time with 3 kids and a hubby who works 60+ hours a week. I really started to enjoy it!

Paula, glad you are down 2 this morning. I remember your plan from last year. I don't know how you kept track of it, but I remembered that it worked for you and you stuck with it for a while.

Venti, sorry you are up today. Maybe the fruit? Hopefully, it will come right back off for you. And as for the TMI, that is when I go too, first thing in the morning. Since I am getting up earlier now, my body is outta whack! Your meal plan for today sounds delish!

[Gremom]

I am down a lb from yesterday which is still in my window, but at the higher end. I am okay with that seeing that TOM should be here soon and I worked out for nearly an hour yesterday. WOO HOO!! That really feels AWESOME! Hoping to get in another hour of exercise today.

I am going to make a greek salad which has tomotoes, cukes, red onion, a little olive oil, cilantro and some lemon juice. SO GOOD!! It calls for feta too, but I am doing my best to stay away from dairy, but I do love some feta!

I am also going to make some chicken stock from the leftover carcass from yestserdays dinner. I made a roasted chicken in the crockpot and it was AMAZING. Super simple and it really was fantastic. So I will make some stock to save for soup later in the month.

I have planned out all my dinners for the month of January and have it posted on my fridge. Makes my life so much easier! And is helps me plan and stick to budget!

This year is going to be fantastic! I just feel it!!

[Trishagrrl]

So, I'm having a really frustrating day today. Just a big downer of a day. I didn't sleep much last night between the babies (who had a half decent night) and a 3 year old with a stomach flu (not such a good night). On top of that I'm getting stressed out about the mountains of laundry that's accumulating and I can't get started on because our dryer broke over the weekend and we haven't yet gotten it fixed or replaced. Add to that, that this week is just a really bad week for me. Thursday is the anniversary of my first husbands death and that always brings up a lot of emotions for me (and makes me want to eat comfort food). And finally, I had a 1.2 pound GAIN on the scale today after what I thought was a really good 1100 calorie day yesterday. That would be just a little less than a 1 pound loss on VLCD8 from my pre-load weight. I'm not sure what to do... I'm discouraged and just want to eat like a normal person. Unfortunately, I hate dieting. Alright... done complaining.

[Trishagrrl]

Melanie- WOW, you look great in your last picture! I think that's a great goal weight, but I could see you getting another 5ish pounds lighter and still looking great. I'm sure it would be nice to have some wiggle room.

Paula- 2 pound loss is great! I hope today leads you to seeing another 2 pound loss tomorrow.

agentventi- Sorry to hear you gained too, no fun! Maybe less fruit and more protein will lead to a better day tomorrow.

[errihu]

Down 0.2 and wondering where my whoosh is. Shouldn't it be here by now? Or is that tomorrow. If I don't whoosh tonight, I'm going to start blaming my hand cream. It's Aveeno and I didn't see anything on the ingredients that are on the verboten list, but you never know. My poor chapped right hand though, two more weeks without fat and I think it'll be bleeding rags of flesh.

[lunagirl704]

Good morning all! I am down 1lb, and starting vlcd8,. I'll take it.
This morning I had a tbsp of peanutbutter...I need the fat...and miss it. If it means my losses will be even slower so be it, but I can stick with this long term if I include a little healthy fat in my diet. I also plan to try coconut oil even thought I don't really care for the taste.

mdolph- I really like Gap Curvy Bootcut jeans- they don't stretch out for me and i wear them often. I don't put them in the dryer. Though some of the reviews say they stretch out and that may be the case as gap often uses different materials. The pair I have is 2 years old.
I will check out Jag!

Mini- You are so right...we are all kind of on a slippery slope; I do not want ED to make an apperance ever again. It's surreal though, how when you get to a certain number, you just want it to go down. I had been stable for about 5 years at 107ish (kind of where i am now) and ate normally. After a bad stomach bug 2 years ago, I lost 4 lbs and felt so much thinner I kept going til i got to 98. My goal is 95 and no lower really. It would be impossible to maintain. I do want to enjoy life and have some wine with dinner, the occasional dessert and pizza with the family without worrying it make my weight skyrocket. That's why I hope the stabilization part of this works.

I worry how all this dieting is affecting my 7 year old daugher. I never mention it and serve healthy food 80% of the time, but when I eat salads she asks why I don't eat what the family eats...She is tall and a little heavy for her age...and I worry about her weight....part of it is my diet mentality and part is I worry about her becoming heavy- which is a possibility. I don't ever want her to feel like she has to diet.

[lunagirl704]

PS- Mdolph- you look great!!!!!

Agentventi- sorry you are up...that's why I don't weigh everyday. The fluctuations are upsetting.

Errihu- hopefully the woosh will come tomorrow!

Gremom- yay!!!!

Trishagrrl- don't get discouraged...It's so hard dieting with babies...you have twins right? And a toddler?! I don't know how you do it!!! The laundry will get done when it gets done. And I am down about 1lb too on vlcd8 too...and it may be up again tomorrow who knows?

[Nicole T]

Finally broke my stall of 169.6 for the past 3 days---down 1.2 lbs. today I knew it would happen but man are those 3-4 day stalls frustrating!

But again, in looking at the big picture (which I think is SO important to do!), I lost 9 POUNDS in ONE week--even with a 3 day stall! Now tell me what other diet would produce those kinds of results????

[catjrow3]

Well, I was down a swoosh of 7.2 lbs this morning (remember I gained over 11 on Loading) so I feel a little bit better this morning at least!! Long, long way to go still but a good kick off. I dont count my load weight, so am still in the negative by 4 lbs, but I can hope tomorrow will have at least another 2 lb drop of water if I am lucky!
Trish, its so hard with you nursing and such, could be you need more cals, could be what you are eating, could be the higher calories, it really is so hard to tell! And oohhh the stresses of housework/laundry and sick kids, I so remember and feel for you. It will sort itself out eventually... hugs in the mean time!

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by Nicole T

Finally broke my stall of 169.6 for the past 3 days---down 1.2 lbs. today I knew it would happen but man are those 3-4 day stalls frustrating!

But again, in looking at the big picture (which I think is SO important to do!), I lost 9 POUNDS in ONE week--even with a 3 day stall! Now tell me what other diet would produce those kinds of results????

Great job Nicole!! Whoo hoo!

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

MELANIE, VENTI, LUNA ---this is for you, and anyone else to whom any of this applies....

Melanie!!! So glad you are posting again -- I missed you terribly! I hear you on the struggles, loud and clear! At the end of the day, only you can determine what weight is right for you -- but, as we are discussing -- it isn't always clear on that front either.

You are absolutely welcome here no matter what eating plan you are/are not following -- you know that, right?

AgentVenti -- you are at my goal weight right now -- and you are my height. I am also a bit worried that I won't feel "done" when I hit goal, and what that might mean. I also carry my weight in my lower body, and it is stubborn as heck to get off. I bet you look much better than you realize!!!

Regarding your vanity weight.... 92 lbs is getting pretty low, even for a 5 footer -- I looked pretty darn thin at 92 lbs in high school, even with a tiny frame... of course I couldn't see that at the time.

Luna -- you too? Wow, we are a group of diet addicts! Like you folks, the idea of not dieting is a bit scary to me.... which is why I have lowered my goal, and why I keep wondering if I'll be done when I hit that number, etc. Being so tiny, it is a whole different ball game for us to set goal weights and sizes....

I am going to be the unpopular voice of sanity here, and say that we are ALL on dangerous ground right now. I don't know who among us has crossed that thin line from "normal" to "disordered" -- and that line is just not clear, even to professionals -- but I know we are all staring at it.

Maybe Disney will chime in here... she's very open about her ED past, and her continued struggles with recovery.

I haven't technically been "eating disordered" since I was 18 years old (an ungodly amount of time ago!) -- but I do get more obsessive and more self critical every time I get below 110. I think there's a lot of fear associated with being thin, for me.

Can I make a suggestion that we all set, and publicly state, a number that we refuse to drop below? An absolute "stop whether we still feel fat or not" number? That might be something of a safeguard for us not taking things too far.

For me, that's 95 lbs. I will not voluntarily drop below 95 lbs as a maintenance goal, meaning that I can go as low as 93 for an LDW. (I'm having doubts about that even as I write this... wondering if I should say 90.) I am making this promise to you ladies -- and I'd like you to hold me to that. If I am not satisfied at my level of thinness at 95, I won't ever be satisfied. Below 95, I look scary skinny -- so if I am not happy at 95, I will just work on getting more fit, not skinnier.

Anyone else care to make this statement? I don't know what I'll do if I get to that weight and still feel fat, but I suspect I will head towards some active recovery in the body image department.

As sick as this could sound, taken wrong, it gives me great comfort that others here are struggling with the same issues. We are all adult, accomplished women -- not insecure 15 year olds -- and yet we are fighting the very same demons that I fought at 15... it's disheartening.

How are you doing? I see the low fat diet has aided in your quest. As far as weight, I do not want to drop below 140. I happen to love curves and I am more interested in building up my muscles rather than looking skinny. Unfortunately, when we were little girls society told us that skinny was beautiful and feminie. Look at our Barbie Dolls. The were all thin and curved in the right places. Plump breasts, smal waist, curvy hips and skinny legs. The only plump dolls were the baby dolls because babies are supposed to be well fed but, then we grow up and the television and magazines brainwash us. It is such a sad thing. When I was younger I was so skinny that you could only see my bones. My sister was well shaped but for me I was "bony". I gained weight when I became diabetic so, it's the insulin that has caused my problem. Yet, I will not submit to society's idea of what is beautiful. I am beautiful because God designed me to be beautiful. Whether it is my smile, my laughter, sense of humor, compassion, or whatever. All of these things compose me and make me beautiful. Until we as woman open our eyes and comprehend this we will always be doing something or seeking something else to "make" ourselves beautiful. Unfortunately, it is these same actions that can destroy our bodies and keep our minds enslaved. Preconceived notions, television, magazines, voices in our heads can be our enemies. Look in the mirror and inside yourselves and find the beauty within. I will guarantee you it is there. If anyone thinks anything different then they don't need to be around you. There is beauty within each and every one of us. We just have to acknowledge it and let it shine

[bkm]

Originally Posted by errihu

... I'm going to start blaming my hand cream. It's Aveeno and I didn't see anything on the ingredients that are on the verboten list, but you never know. My poor chapped right hand though, two more weeks without fat and I think it'll be bleeding rags of flesh.

Many women whose skin has in the course of years become adjusted to the use of fat containing cosmetics find that their skin gets dry as soon as they stop using them. In such cases we permit the use of plain mineral oil, which has no nutritional value. (from Pounds & Inches by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons)

[errihu]

Originally Posted by bkm

Many women whose skin has in the course of years become adjusted to the use of fat containing cosmetics find that their skin gets dry as soon as they stop using them. In such cases we permit the use of plain mineral oil, which has no nutritional value. (from Pounds & Inches by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons)

There's a flaw in that. I generally do not use skin creams or ointments or cosmetics at all. My right hand periodically gets this chapping, though, and then I use hand cream only. This is not happening because my skin is accustomed to moisturizers. It's just something that happens and I wish I knew why. Eating a fat-rich diet seems to help, but that's not an option while on HCG.

I don't know if plain mineral oil will help, but I'll see if I can find some.

[mdolph]

I think 5 pounds and toning will do it for me. I normally run about 4-5 miles 5 days a week but I've let it go due to holiday stuff and I've been remodeling my son's room. I just finished it last night and the treadmill has been brought in so I'll be running again. I need more than just that though so I've consulted with a friend who's a personal trainer and he's going to help me for FREE as long as I join his gym so maybe that'll help!

I lost three pounds since yesterday. All that with a 1200 calories in yesterday. I know it's mostly water but now that puts me at 140 which is where I should be. Now this is where I've got to figure things out. Go lower or try to hold steady. I promise it won't drop below 135!

As for the quest for a great pair of jeans, I was sitting and browsing online and it occured to me that my most favorite pair has been my Big Stars. They fit great, were of good weight and never lost their shape. Then I looked how much they cost. I got mine for $30, yikes! Now I'm wondering that if I forked out $100+ for a pair of jeans if I'd be willing to stay in my current size so I don't grow or shrink out of them. Hmmm....

Cathy, that was a great loss! That's what happen when I load too. I always gain a good 10+ pounds!

You guys are great will all your compliments! Thanks!

Nicole, 9 in one week IS great! I know how you get used to those big drops at first and get sad when they stop though!

Trish all that stress is releasing cortisol. It'll come off!

Ok, I've been so productive at work this week. Have I mentioned how hhcg helps me focus longer? I've got to keep the trend going so I'm off to call harrass my families for missing things from thier files!

Oh and the sun is shining and we're having 2 unseasonable warm days here in Indiana so I'm determined to get an outside run in after work today! Thursday they're calling for a bad snowstorm. Guess I should count my blessings that we got a few warm days in January!

[CherylB]

Just a quick post with not too many personals. I too did some skimming through, just to get an idea of what's going on.

Melanie, I LOVE your second picture! That is definitely a good weight for you. If you have love handles or something still at that weight, then go ahead and take it down a few more lbs. I wouldn't go much lower, though. You really do look amazing in that picture. And when I think of where you started from, that gives me a jolt of hope and inspiration!!

Trish, I'm sorry you are having a tough day. I doubt you want to talk about it but I lost my husband, too. But at least you have a new hubby and new kids and a new life and lots of laundry to do! I hope you can get that dryer fixed in a big hurry. Can you have someone come look at it? Sorry for the sick kid, too.

I am down one lb today after following a LC plan yesterday. I wasn't even going to weigh because I want to go for longer-range and more permanent results but I couldn't help myself. It was a loss and for that I am grateful. No more saying, "but it was regain weight." I'm just going from where I am at. If I lose something, I lost something. Case closed.

Barn today at 4. Will check back later on and see what's going on. Major jumping up and down for those who are losing and who have broken through a stall/set point, back-slapping for those who are beginning again on a plan after mainenance, etc, etc. Hugs to everyone!

Nola, you out there?

[catjrow3]

Good job Melanie, 140 is my dream number!! LOL maybe some day!!

[minimonkey]

Hi everyone!

So glad to have you back, Cheryl!

Whoohoo on that great initial loss, Cathy! Way to go!

I'm up .4 today -- no good reason for it, but that's my body these days -- it creates gains out of nothing. But, the more it fights, the more I fight back ... and so we continue the wrestling match.

Nicole -- Excellent about your stall breaking!! Boy do I know the frustration of stalls... but mine last weeks at a time, not a few days.... so at least you can be glad that doesn't happen to you.

Luna -- LOVE the new avatar!! I love having a face to put with a name... and you are SO pretty! Gorgeous hair!!

I'm giving the low fat at least another few days -- I am not loving it, but I am also not hating it too badly yet...and if it gets results, I am all for that. Jury's still out as to whether it IS getting results, or if this is just the stall doing its stally thing with the same few pounds.

[tay65]

I'm down 1 lb! I behaved yesterday and it payed off. Gotta keep this up! There's nothing like stepping on the scale and seeing a smaller number.

[tay65]

Melanie, I'd love to get to 140! My 24 y/o daughter and I would probably be the same sz.

[tay65]

Nicole, you're doing great! KUTGW!!!

[tay65]

Originally Posted by paulabob

Yesterday was harder than I expected. Ended at 1000 calories instead of 600. Good enough for almost 2 pounds off of my 4 pound "load" weight.

Have to figure out my menu for today!

Yayyyy!!! Thats good!