Trail Blazers and Path Takers

[TerriMM]

I'm so looking forward to that day!

[garnet10]

Well, I'm trying something different this round (#6!) I had to do an interruption after about 17 days (exhausted, weak), and now I'm doing 10 days and then another interruption. Totally out of character for me, I usually never veer off protocol, so we'll see how this goes.

I'm unintentionally cycling (although I had been very interested in it and its outcome) so I'm curious to see if I can stabilize after all this.

[CherylB]

Dazy, I didn't quote you but congrats on the 0.6 drop and your neck improving!

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Sounds like a lovely day, enjoy. Glad you're feeling a little better.

Not only does maintenance take as much work, it's much harder because you don't have the loses to keep you motivated. But .60 sounds more like losing, nice way to start the day. Just to eat without counting or planning, I think I forgot what that's like

Well I'm down 1.20 today. I actually ended up with over 1700 calories; I forgot to count the HWC in my morning coffee. So I'm going to give alternating calorie FF a try.

Have a wonderful day!

Nice drop, Terri! Yeah, I hate the "no losing" part of P3 and P4 (though I've yet to do a P4.) The only times in my life I have eaten without counting or thinking about what I put in my life have led to disaster. I can't go there again, at least just yet. Maybe someday it will feel natural and I'll gravitate toward healthy foods in moderation. I'm hoping for that!

Originally Posted by privatediva

It will happen. The first couple of months of maintenance, I was a zealot about tracking everything that went in my mouth. I find that now I only do it when I'm having something really different...and mostly I do that to check the fat/protein balance. I honestly don't think anything about calories or carbs anymore (heresy, I know)

I had forgotten (or didn't realize) you were still trying to keep protein and fat ratios equal. How are you finding that? I know you are maintaining beautifully but is it difficult to keep the two of those in balance? What do you eat on a typical day?

Originally Posted by garnet10

Well, I'm trying something different this round (#6!) I had to do an interruption after about 17 days (exhausted, weak), and now I'm doing 10 days and then another interruption. Totally out of character for me, I usually never veer off protocol, so we'll see how this goes.

I'm unintentionally cycling (although I had been very interested in it and its outcome) so I'm curious to see if I can stabilize after all this.

Lots of people cycle. I hope you find stabilizing a breeze! I think if you do P3 to the letter, that's the most important phase of all.

I'm down another 0.8 today and I'm so psyched because the 750 ml of Chardonnay I had two nights ago didn't cause a rebound on the scale! I am so thankful. Plus the wine wasn't nearly as enjoyable as I thought it would be. The buzz was a bit too much and it made me feel a tad nasty the next day.

I'm hoping that everyone is having a lovely day today, including Amy, Dave, Noah and all our loved-ones.

[privatediva]

Nope, it's really easy to keep protein and fat grams in balance. Lots of things are already pretty much "pre-balanaced"...eggs, sausage, bacon, full fat gy...those things are in balance in and of themselves. If I have a lean protein, then I have it with a fatty, cheesy salad dressing. If I make my protein pancakes, I eat them with lots of butter. As long as the grams match up at the end of the day, I can eat lots of calories and quite a few carbs...no problemo

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by garnet10

Well, I'm trying something different this round (#6!) I had to do an interruption after about 17 days (exhausted, weak), and now I'm doing 10 days and then another interruption. Totally out of character for me, I usually never veer off protocol, so we'll see how this goes.

I'm unintentionally cycling (although I had been very interested in it and its outcome) so I'm curious to see if I can stabilize after all this.

So are you eating protocol on your P2 cycle?

Originally Posted by CherylB

I'm down another 0.8 today and I'm so psyched because the 750 ml of Chardonnay I had two nights ago didn't cause a rebound on the scale! I am so thankful. Plus the wine wasn't nearly as enjoyable as I thought it would be. The buzz was a bit too much and it made me feel a tad nasty the next day.

I'm hoping that everyone is having a lovely day today, including Amy, Dave, Noah and all our loved-ones.

Woo Hoo Cheryl WTG. It's amazing when we have something we "used" to love, but have stepped away from, just to find it's just not as good as it used to be.

Originally Posted by privatediva

Nope, it's really easy to keep protein and fat grams in balance. Lots of things are already pretty much "pre-balanaced"...eggs, sausage, bacon, full fat gy...those things are in balance in and of themselves. If I have a lean protein, then I have it with a fatty, cheesy salad dressing. If I make my protein pancakes, I eat them with lots of butter. As long as the grams match up at the end of the day, I can eat lots of calories and quite a few carbs...no problemo

So Deb do you pretty much balance as close as possible or do you lean one way or the other?

Today went pretty good, 1118.5 calories, 112.25 fat, 91%. I'm actually feeling the loss now. I have a good feeling for the scale tomorrow.

How'd your day go today Bud? Did you have a great time?

[TerriMM]

Well I redid my numbers and I was only at 82% yesterday. Down .10. Funny I go do bed feeling light thinking I'll have a good drop and not much. Other days I go to bed stuffed and worried and whoosh. Today I'm doing FF up day.

Have a great day everyone!

[dazygyrl]

good morning! yes, terri, we had a great time!! got our nails done. then mom said since we'll ALL have hubbies this valentines day (meaning her, too) that we had to go the hallmark store and get cards for them. then she bought our cards for us...after we picked them out, of course.

let's see, then we headed over to our favorite tattoo/piercing parlor. and mom got this for me. it's still red (the piercing, not the tat...have had that awhile)


my sister got one hole in her ear re-pierced and then another in the little piece of skin by the earhole. not sure how to describe that...lol!

then we had a yummy mexican supper...carbalicious and all! then....some shopping at target and a shoe store and then a blizzard stop at DQ. THEN home. it was a good day!! AAAAnD....after all that good eating....i was only up 0.6!

i bet you'll be down after you UFFD, bud....you ALWAYS have a good whoosh after an UD...so NOT fair!! LOL!!!

cheryl...WTG on your continued downward trend! very cool!

deb...thanks for the maintenance info! just need to figure out what works best.

so, will keep things on the lighter side today so i can enjoy supper. having ds's birthday party tonight. i making regular chili and white chicken chili in a cheesy creamy base!

[privatediva]

Terri, I keep them balanced (in grams, not percentages) as close to exactly as possible. I don't know how that works out in terms of percentages because the actual percentages will change depending on how much I eat and how many carbs I have (both of which don't seem to 'count' as much as the fat/protein gram balance)

[privatediva]

Oh...and David posted a pic of his scale reading this morning. 199.9 He is in Onederland, if barely. Less than 10 pounds to the "best of all possible" goals.

[TerriMM]

Woo Hoo David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool Tat Carrie. How does the piercing work? How does it stay in?

[dazygyrl]

it's sounds a little barbaric, but he pokes a hole with about a 14 guage needle then sticks the stud in the hole. it has a little foot on the end of the very short post. it heals around the foot which holds it in place. i have one in my hand for almost 17 mos with no problems. they are called microdermal piercings.

here's the one in my hand

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by privatediva

Nope, it's really easy to keep protein and fat grams in balance. Lots of things are already pretty much "pre-balanaced"...eggs, sausage, bacon, full fat gy...those things are in balance in and of themselves. If I have a lean protein, then I have it with a fatty, cheesy salad dressing. If I make my protein pancakes, I eat them with lots of butter. As long as the grams match up at the end of the day, I can eat lots of calories and quite a few carbs...no problemo

Gottchya! Thanks for explaining.

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Woo Hoo Cheryl WTG. It's amazing when we have something we "used" to love, but have stepped away from, just to find it's just not as good as it used to be.

It's true. That's true about just about everything in life!

Originally Posted by privatediva

Oh...and David posted a pic of his scale reading this morning. 199.9 He is in Onederland, if barely. Less than 10 pounds to the "best of all possible" goals.

Wow! WTG DAVE!!!

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

it's sounds a little barbaric, but he pokes a hole with about a 14 guage needle then sticks the stud in the hole. it has a little foot on the end of the very short post. it heals around the foot which holds it in place. i have one in my hand for almost 17 mos with no problems. they are called microdermal piercings.

Dazy, so glad you had a great day and that you ALL got to buy Valentine's Day cards for a sweetie! I was wondering the same thing that Terri said aloud about how those studs stay in. I can just picture that hand stud getting snagged everytime I went to put my hand into a pocket or a glove. NO THANK YOU! I have one hole in each ear and that's all I care to have as far as piercings. (I do love that signature of your Dad's, though.)

I have news so if you want to see what it is, I posted it on my journal and also the weekly rogue hcg thread.

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by privatediva

Terri, I keep them balanced (in grams, not percentages) as close to exactly as possible. I don't know how that works out in terms of percentages because the actual percentages will change depending on how much I eat and how many carbs I have (both of which don't seem to 'count' as much as the fat/protein gram balance)

Thanks Deb!

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

it's sounds a little barbaric, but he pokes a hole with about a 14 guage needle then sticks the stud in the hole. it has a little foot on the end of the very short post. it heals around the foot which holds it in place. i have one in my hand for almost 17 mos with no problems. they are called microdermal piercings.

here's the one in my hand

Now that just makes me grit my teeth I would be concerned about the same thing as Cheryl said, catching it on stuff.

Originally Posted by CherylB

I have news so if you want to see what it is, I posted it on my journal and also the weekly rogue hcg thread.

Big that everything works out. Looks like God is keeping an eye on you!

Well I'm down another .60 down today after a 1628 calorie day. Mostly due to my Latte Breve. That makes 6.2 for the week or 7.3 since I started to Fat Fast last Thursday. I'm going to stick with it for the next couple days at least and see if I can't get to goal.

Have a wonderful day all!!

[dazygyrl]

bud!

I'm going the wrong direction. am 1.4 over the top end of personal window. will get it reigned in after the wedding.

surprisingly, I never catch my hand on anything.

[privatediva]

I've seen that tat and it's extra special! I have two holes in each ear. If I was still a kid, I'd probably do my belly button and possibly my nose. I like really tiny sparkle of nose jewelry on some noses. But I'm too old for either of those things, so I'll live vicariously.

David's at 198 today...down from a high of 240. Pretty remarkable. 8 more lbs to goal. He bought large shirts yesterday. He bought XLs earlier and I told him they were already too big and he needed to get an L. He said he would never be able to wear a Large. But he can. I think he's going to end up somewhere between a 34 and 36 inch waist in his britches...that's a good lookin size on a 6'2" man. I'm guessing he'll be starting P3 around the 22nd or 23rd. That will be fun.

He bought me a Cache dress that I tried on at Christmas time when I went shopping with Amy. It's so pretty. When he gets to P4, we're going on a date

Merry made a grade school style Valentine box for Amy and we took packages of little kid Valentines around for all her friends to sign and stuff in the box. We also made out cards for the other 17 women in her company. 18 out of 250 is special...so we sent them Skittles too. Mailed all that this morning so I think she will get it by Valentines Day.

Sorry for the bump Carrie. Don't worry...be happy...get it off later

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Big that everything works out. Looks like God is keeping an eye on you!

Well I'm down another .60 down today after a 1628 calorie day. Mostly due to my Latte Breve. That makes 6.2 for the week or 7.3 since I started to Fat Fast last Thursday. I'm going to stick with it for the next couple days at least and see if I can't get to goal.

Have a wonderful day all!!

He always does. There is a peace that comes with making a tough decision. I'm there.

WTG on the losses so far, Terri! This round is really working great for you!

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

bud!

I'm going the wrong direction. am 1.4 over the top end of personal window. will get it reigned in after the wedding.

surprisingly, I never catch my hand on anything.

Hate those bump-ups. Hope some of that departs tomorrow. The wedding is for your Mom, right? When is it?

Originally Posted by privatediva

I've seen that tat and it's extra special! I have two holes in each ear. If I was still a kid, I'd probably do my belly button and possibly my nose. I like really tiny sparkle of nose jewelry on some noses. But I'm too old for either of those things, so I'll live vicariously.

David's at 198 today...down from a high of 240. Pretty remarkable. 8 more lbs to goal. He bought large shirts yesterday. He bought XLs earlier and I told him they were already too big and he needed to get an L. He said he would never be able to wear a Large. But he can. I think he's going to end up somewhere between a 34 and 36 inch waist in his britches...that's a good lookin size on a 6'2" man. I'm guessing he'll be starting P3 around the 22nd or 23rd. That will be fun.

He bought me a Cache dress that I tried on at Christmas time when I went shopping with Amy. It's so pretty. When he gets to P4, we're going on a date

Merry made a grade school style Valentine box for Amy and we took packages of little kid Valentines around for all her friends to sign and stuff in the box. We also made out cards for the other 17 women in her company. 18 out of 250 is special...so we sent them Skittles too. Mailed all that this morning so I think she will get it by Valentines Day.

Sorry for the bump Carrie. Don't worry...be happy...get it off later

I love her tat of her Dad's signature too. Dave is motoring right along and I'm so happy for him, and for you! Must be nice to have a skinny hubby! I feel the same way about piercings. Even though they look cool, I can't see how they would work in real life. I blow my schnoz a lot. I can just see a little stud in the side of my nose ripping up the tissues!

I love that you did that for Amy. She's going to love receiving that package. You are just too cool.

Down the 0.4 bump from yesterday plus 0.4 new weight! I have my total losses in my siggy. This is my best round ever! I'm keeping up with Dave, aren't I? I hope it continues. If so, I can be at goal by April.

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

bud!

I'm going the wrong direction. am 1.4 over the top end of personal window. will get it reigned in after the wedding.

surprisingly, I never catch my hand on anything.

Don't worry Bud. You'll drop it quickly after the wedding. Just enjoy yourself.

Originally Posted by privatediva

Merry made a grade school style Valentine box for Amy and we took packages of little kid Valentines around for all her friends to sign and stuff in the box. We also made out cards for the other 17 women in her company. 18 out of 250 is special...so we sent them Skittles too. Mailed all that this morning so I think she will get it by Valentines Day.

You guys are so thoughtful and creative. All Amy bud will be so jealous.

Originally Posted by CherylB

Down the 0.4 bump from yesterday plus 0.4 new weight! I have my total losses in my siggy. This is my best round ever! I'm keeping up with Dave, aren't I? I hope it continues. If so, I can be at goal by April.

Rockin' Girl!

[shirleychef]

My hubby did hcg and reached 185, his goal weight. He is 6'2". He'd like to tone up a bit but he looks great, (just turned 40 and looks MUCH younger) wears Large shirts (depending on the sleeve length) and 34 pants now. He is maintaining really well. :-) Congrats to your hubby on his success with the protocol too. Mine says he will never do anything else to lose weight b/c hcg works so fast and is relatively easy to follow.

[privatediva]

My guy is 58, and he's like me...never going to need another diet I'm determined to just stay this way now that I'm at goal. I don't need to have to do this whole thing again, so I'm just gonna stay thin. Congrats to your DH Shirley! Nice to 'meet' you!

[garnet10]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Lots of people cycle. I hope you find stabilizing a breeze! I think if you do P3 to the letter, that's the most important phase of all.

Thanks, CherylB. I've had both stable and unstable P3's (even despite doing the same things!), so I'm anxious before each P3. Good luck with everything you have going on--I can't imagine how difficult that is.

Originally Posted by TerriMM

So are you eating protocol on your P2 cycle?

Yes, I am not very adventurous. I call it rogue if I eat salsa instead of just tomatoes, and I have ventured out in this round to add 1 tsp of unsweetened cocoa to my coffee, as well as 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa to my non-fat cottage cheese/frozen strawberries/spinach "dinner" smoothie (as well as about 6 packets of Truvia in 1 1/2 cups water and 6 ice cubes).

I'm so afraid of screwing something up, I find it just easier to follow Simeons' instructions. When I stalled for 10 days before my interruption I was sure it was the Truvia, but this week I have had no problem with it! This weight loss thing sometimes is just a mystery.

Good luck to you!

[CherylB]

Garnet, looking at your ticker makes me envious! You've done so well! I wouldn't change a thing if you've come this far doing it "the right way." What is that in your Avi? Do you live in that green place? It's very pretty. (Oh. And thanks for the support. Whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.)

Deb, let's all just stay skinny! That's my plan, too.

[privatediva]

It sure seems like less trouble to me, Cheryl...once you get the stuff off, let it stay off!

Kristopher Estes-Brown Choreography Project Premiere '11 - YouTube

That's the new ballet company promo vid...it's pretty cool. Merry is the first dancer you see, after that it's pretty easy to find her. She is featured throughout. These are all my girls though (and boys). I'm so proud of our dancers. There are three professionals dancing in this program with our girls. One is their teacher (pretty obviously older than the others) and one is about 27...she is dancing with the guy (who dances with Colorado Ballet). We do this mixed rep program each summer with the young dancers and pros together...it's a great experience for the girls to see and work with working dancers. Anyway...enjoy...these kids are golden...the light of my life. Hope for a bright tomorrow...the best of the best. None of them "just dance"...they are all beautiful, morally sound girls, and excellent students. Disciplined and delightful in every aspect of their lives. I love them all dearly.

[shirleychef]

Originally Posted by privatediva

My guy is 58, and he's like me...never going to need another diet I'm determined to just stay this way now that I'm at goal. I don't need to have to do this whole thing again, so I'm just gonna stay thin. Congrats to your DH Shirley! Nice to 'meet' you!

Very Nice to meet you too. CONGRATULATIONS on reaching your goal... you must feel AMAZING!!! I will soon be at goal or close enough. I'm on my third hcg round having shed 85 pounds since Feb 14 2011. 12 pounds detoxing, so technically phase 1, and 73 pounds doing the VLCD/hcg. I'd like to lose another 10-15 but am getting totally tired of strict VLCDing... I've never veered from protocol... until now.. being rogue for a while to see if I can make it through and get close to my goal. Actually I have met my original goal of 155, I'm down to 151 (gained 3 pounds over my lowest on my Planned Interruption), but I still see lots of abnormal fat that I'd like to see GONE. LOL! I'm 5'6" and large framed so at a normal BMI for the first time in my adult life. I'm thinking 135-140 would feel even better. WE'll see if a FF and some other rogue steps might get me within spitting distance. :-)

I've enjoyed reading about all of you on this thread and in the FF thread too. You all seem like a great group of cheerleaders for each other!! So glad to see a place where there is SOOOO much positive energy!

[TerriMM]

Hi Shirley, welcome!

You've done fabulous, congratulations!

You're welcome to hang with us and share your journey

[shirleychef]

Terri... I have a picture posted in my profile. Do you know by any chance why it does not show up? Is it because I'm new to the group. Will it take a while for my status to allow the picture to post? I know this it totally not hcg talk but I'm so techy challenged... and was just wondering if it is b/c I did something wrong or if it is b/c I'm new to the forum. Thanks for the warm welcome!!

[privatediva]

I think it may take a while for profile pic...can't remember. I know it's a while before you can private message. It is GREAT to meet you and welcome welcome welcome. You're very successful! (and yeah...it feels awesome to be at goal. I'm 5'7" and between 135.5 and 136.5 lately...which is 4 to 5 lbs below my LDW at the end of August. P3 and P4 have been a cakewalk for me...I've been super lucky. I am curious about your nickname since my oldest kid (a boy) is in culinary school.

[shirleychef]

I was an upper level sales consultant with The Pampered Chef for 10 years. Plus, my degree is in home economics. Cooking is my thing. I love throwing things together though I'm a very simple cook, not fancy like a professional chef, but it is always very nourishing and tastes good! I have 6 children ages ranging from 6-15, so I seem to spend a lot of time in the kitchen! We don't eat any franken food... so everything is from scratch and with real foods, whole foods, etc. And we raise all our own organic grass fed beef, pork, chicken and turkey along with our laying hens for eggs and a 1/2 acre garden. Actually this year I think I'm going to decrease it to about 1/4 acre. We've gone through some major changes in our diet over the years due to being blessed with an Autistic child. His needs sent me spiraling into years of research. Now we have landed on a Nourishing Traditions/Paleo type diet for our family.

Sorry... maybe I'm posting too much.

[beachagain]

Coming soon to a thread near you....round...whatever...
Got my drops...getting ready to load....I just want a great round, with a great P3
I am hoping with a no cheat P2 and P3...I'll not have any problems with a P4....I HAVE to have success this time

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by shirleychef

Terri... I have a picture posted in my profile. Do you know by any chance why it does not show up? Is it because I'm new to the group. Will it take a while for my status to allow the picture to post? I know this it totally not hcg talk but I'm so techy challenged... and was just wondering if it is b/c I did something wrong or if it is b/c I'm new to the forum. Thanks for the warm welcome!!

Under Settings and Options go to Edit Avatar. Scroll down to custom avatar, browse to where it is on your computer and save.

And nothing is off limits to talk about here. It's all part of the journey. Don't hesitate if you have any questions here or on the Forum. I seems there is always someone whose been there, done that or has a completely different and intriguing perspective to share.

This is a special place.

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by beachagain

Coming soon to a thread near you....round...whatever...
Got my drops...getting ready to load....I just want a great round, with a great P3
I am hoping with a no cheat P2 and P3...I'll not have any problems with a P4....I HAVE to have success this time

Hey Cristen,
Welcome back! What's the plan?

This has been the wackiest one yet for me, and that's says something