The Breaking-Free Round--VLCD 1 on 5/14 Join Me! :)

[minimonkey]

Skinnywish -- yes, that is just exactly what I mean about weighing --- I hate that business of freaking out if the scale is up some fraction of a pound! Weight fluctuates, and we all know this... but daily weighing tends to make the most rational people turn into obsessive, irrational basket cases.

I will probably give in and weigh next weekend -- we'll see. Right now, I am just going to stay the course and let the plan do its good work.

[Crazy PreK Teacher]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Skinnywish -- yes, that is just exactly what I mean about weighing --- I hate that business of freaking out if the scale is up some fraction of a pound! Weight fluctuates, and we all know this... but daily weighing tends to make the most rational people turn into obsessive, irrational basket cases.

I will probably give in and weigh next weekend -- we'll see. Right now, I am just going to stay the course and let the plan do its good work.

I am evidence of this....I finally quit worrying about the daily numbers...I weigh-in on Mondays to TOPS, and I never failed to lose less than 2-3 pounds every week...even as much as the scale bounced during the week. So now I record once a week...but still weigh daily...just to know how to adjust if I ate something different...kwim?

Good luck...have a great week!!!

Angela in TX

[TerriMM]

Hey Julie! I'm keeping on exercising too. I've started to get back into lifting and really feel great. I may scale back a little. But I'm not giving it up this time. I want to be thin and lean not skinny-scrawny

Hi Lilac, congrads on the journey back to body normal"ish".

I've sure found I know my body a lot better since this whole HCG thing and don't stress as much over what I know is just a temporary reaction like I used to, but I can't exactly say I'm not scale obsessive either.

[minimonkey]

I won't be starting intense workouts again until I am done with p2, unless I feel genuinely strong and energetic -- but I must say that I am looking forward to getting this body back in the gym.

I do think I will start doing the bodyweight resistance training again as soon as my body heals a bit more from this recent onslaught of overwork -- I can usually handle some of that even when on p2.

Once all the inflammation goes down and I shed a few lbs of fat, I suspect I will see that I packed on quite a bit of muscle during the last two months of hauling and heavy lifting! One thing my body does amazingly well is bulk up -- I build muscle like nobody's business when I am lifting regularly.

I do need to be super careful about over-training, though -- because of having Lyme disease, my inflammatory response can get out of whack very easily, and I definitely pay the price when that happens.

After I am done with this round, however, I am heading into a concerted muscle building marathon... I want to be a genuinely buffed out little thing!

[minimonkey]

Okay, I am done eating for the day, and I think I am coming in at about 500 calories on the nose. I'm declaring today a success.

So far, I am not particularly hungry, and the protocol food is enough to satisfy me. Let's hope that bodes well for the rest of the round....

Hope you are all having successful vlcds/loading days I think I am ultimately going to be very glad I decided to do a good load -- it really does seem to make a difference.

[amylou]

So much for me staying off the scale...I just can't resist in the mornings! I stayed the same today, which I expected after my losses the last 2 days. Not expecting much if anything tomorrow either, as I had steak for dinner and meat typically eaten in the evening doesn't produce any losses. That's okay though...I've been doing really good on plan and I'm better than where I was a week ago

Lilac...I was on Depo many moons ago. Holy cow it threw me for a loop...mostly mentally than anything. I was not myself at all! After about 3 rounds of it I stopped it and didn't look back! Shouldn't be long for it to started weaning out of you hopefully!

Mini glad your first VLCD went well!


I'm exhausted...cleaned ALL day, then took the kids to swim lessons. I am having a hard time right now dealing with just some of the behavior stuff that 3 & 6 y/o do. Before I would stuff my face to help deal with the frustrations of it...but now I'm feeling like I'm lashing out more on them which is resulting in a crappy mommy feeling I'm all alone with them all the time right now too (except when they're at school; my time away from them is T-F mornings until 12:30). Somedays I am close to a breaking point and just don't know what to do. Ugh. Like right now...my 3yo is throwing a major tantrum b/c he wouldn't stay in bed so I took something away from him. Thanks for letting me vent...

[TerriMM]

One of my mantras..... "The only thing I have complete control of is what I put in my mouth". Sometimes I wonder why I don't chose to control that But I do know I have no control over anything else. At the very best maybe a little influence, but definitely not control.

Today was kind of blah for me too. I weighed in the highest I can remember in a long, long time. I really felt like I had lost almost everything I had gained (or lost) over the last year. I dabbled in crap this weekend but certainly didn't go crazy and didn't have anything worth the gain. Today was first day of load, trying to keep it low carb, not doing bad, but not stellar either. I know this first week is always the hardest. Despite the great losses of week one, it seems just a fight to get back to square one. Very anxious to get this show on the road. I’m off to do a little lifting to boost my mood a bit.

Wishing kindness from the scale fairy tomorrow for all!

Great start Mini

[minimonkey]

I think I needed to read that about the first week being the hardest, Terri! I am out of practice with this p2 stuff, lol!

I'm kinda grumpy today ... grumpy that I need to do this again. Hopefully once the results really start showing I will remember that this does work, and quickly, too I just hope that the 21 days gets me back to feeling at home in my body and that I won't need to do a long round... I hate the dragged out feeling that comes from extended bouts of protocol.

[minimonkey]

Amylou -- I don't know how you do it, with the kids.... I just don't have that kind of patience. Vent all you like --- one of your major (albeit self-defeating) coping mechanisms has been taken away, and that requires some adjustment.

Terri -- I'm feeling much the same way, that I'm back to where I started many months ago, and it is discouraging. I don't think I honestly am, because I think a lot of this is inflammation rather than fat gain, but it is still very discouraging.

We should get extra gold stars for being willing to keep our chins up and just do what needs to be done... and extra fast losses, too, don't you think?

[TerriMM]

Me too! Although I'm a little dubious with as much as I've back tracked. But I know I can get there, I've been there and I'm hoping I've learned enough to do this more effectively this time.

[minimonkey]

To be honest, I am feeling a little dubious too, but I am just going to keep going. I'm hungry tonight ... hope that is a short lived thing. I've had rounds where I was hungry nearly the whole time, and rounds where I had almost no hunger.... the hungry ones are pretty miserable. I've never figured out what made the difference in terms of whether I was hungry or not.....

I am absolutely determined to keep the weight off this time, too -- I don't think there was too much I could have done differently over the last few weeks given all the horrid demands on my body, but I won't be going through anything even vaguely like that again soon... or, ever, if I have my way!

[TerriMM]

I really believe that my biggest mistake was not respecting the weight loss and working harder to keep it off. I thought HCG was such a "magic pill" I could loss it again anytime. Which in some respects it is, but somehow I forgot what a challenge the diet was. This time will be different. Just like any health concern, it's much easier to prevent disease then cure it.

Did you mess with your dose at all for the hunger? I have a friend who suffered terrible hunger her first round. She went from 3-3-3 pellets to 3-2-3 and it instantly fixed the issue. One thing I read, that I try to remember is "your body is different every round, don't expect it to react the same".

My weekend bloat is beginning to subside with the help of a low carb load. I'm down exactly 1# today. The goal is to keep it low carb, finish off any high fat perishables in the house and get my head screwed on correctly to start tomorrow.

Hope the scale was kind to all!

[lemonmama]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

I really believe that my biggest mistake was not respecting the weight loss and working harder to keep it off. I thought HCG was such a "magic pill" I could loss it again anytime. Which in some respects it is, but somehow I forgot what a challenge the diet was. This time will be different. Just like any health concern, it's much easier to prevent disease then cure it.

THIS....is exactly my mistake. Oh, how I wish I could go back and just be a little bit more disciplined and correct instead of continuing to indulge...like 12 pounds ago!!!

But, I can't dwell on it, and have to keep moving. It seems like it is coming off more slowly than before. I'm not weighing today, but I don't "feel" like it's dropping fast. Still, I know I'll get there.

I'm a little nervous, because I made the mistake of miscalculating my homeopathic pellets. Thought I had more than I have. I placed an order last week, but it shouldn't get here until the end of the day tomorrow, and I only have one more dose of pellets for mid-day today. That means, I may have to go 24 hours without pellets. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'm a bit put-out by it all.

Planning to make P2 Chili tonight. That is the only recipe I've found in P2 that truly satisfies me and makes me feel like I'm not starving! Anyone have other "hearty" recipes like that they want to share?

Do I sound grumpy? Because I am! Haha.... Hope everyone has a great day!

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by lemonmama

[B]
Planning to make P2 Chili tonight. That is the only recipe I've found in P2 that truly satisfies me and makes me feel like I'm not starving! Anyone have other "hearty" recipes like that they want to share?

One thing that has been helping keep me full this round (g*d please let it be the last! ) is to make various concoctions in the evening with cabbage or bok choi and lean ground beef. I put a LOT of broth in a skillet, simmer 200g/7oz of cabbage or bok choi until it's done to my taste, add the raw beef and whatever spices I'm in the mood for, a sprinkle of guar gum (to thicken it), and cook just until the beef is done (overcooked hamburger is nasty IMHO). If necessary, I add some more broth until I have a good quantity of liquid. Simple, easy, quick, and filling, especially if the beef is pre-portioned and the cabbage is already shredded. Also heats up well for lunch.

So far I have added the following with great results...
Curry powder, garlic powder, S&P, and a little stevia - Sweet beef curry
Chili powder, cumin, S&P - Mexican beef
Chili powder, cinnamon, S&P, and a little stevia - Cincinnati chili style
Garlic powder, onion powder, S&P - Hamburger helper style
Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, S&P - Italian beef
Bragg's aminos, garlic powder, onion powder - Asian beef

ETA: This also works with chicken and shrimp but I find beef satisfies me more.

[amylou]

Guess the hunger bug is biting a lot of us. I have been hungry too, but know that a meal is coming...or that the hunger will subside. Usually I just down a bunch of water and that helps too.

Talked with a friend today (Lilac...this friend has MS too), who is going through a very rough time physically. She has the progressive type, and is having so much spasticity & tightness it's becoming increasingly difficult for her to walk so she's had to succumb to her wheelchair a lot more often. It really put things in perspective to me...and I start to feel guilty for griping about poor little me with my mundane problems. I guess I need to remember when I'm having a pity party that things could be worse...


Confession...I've never really had cabbage before, except shredded in tacos or salads! I think I need to expand my menu and cook some up, sounds like it could be a filling meal.

[skinnywish]

Didn't weigh today.....I'm drinking tea like crazy, hunger isn't unmanageable, but I seem to be looking forward to the next meal. LOL
Amylou, I know what you mean about really putting things in perspective. My sister had a stroke at 50, has complications with mobility and no longer has use of her left arm. Life is a real challenge for her. So when I go out and walk I think of her, and then I realize that I need to be mindful about weight and health and not waste my ability to enact change.
However, even knowing my family's risk for diabetes and stroke, didn't stop me from gaining weight and losing weight and then gaining it all back.
So as Lemonmama said, "wish I could go back and be disciplined" well I'm the same way, so everyday I'm trying to remind myself why this time I need to really do it, but do it everyday.
Went for a two hour walk with a friend this morning, might have pushed it a bit, got dizzy, so maybe just an hour or hour and half of exercise might be the limit with 500 calories or less.
Shelbyla, thanks for all the suggestions and combinations....yummy

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

I really believe that my biggest mistake was not respecting the weight loss and working harder to keep it off. I thought HCG was such a "magic pill" I could loss it again anytime. Which in some respects it is, but somehow I forgot what a challenge the diet was. This time will be different. Just like any health concern, it's much easier to prevent disease then cure it.

Did you mess with your dose at all for the hunger? I have a friend who suffered terrible hunger her first round. She went from 3-3-3 pellets to 3-2-3 and it instantly fixed the issue. One thing I read, that I try to remember is "your body is different every round, don't expect it to react the same".

My weekend bloat is beginning to subside with the help of a low carb load. I'm down exactly 1# today. The goal is to keep it low carb, finish off any high fat perishables in the house and get my head screwed on correctly to start tomorrow.

Hope the scale was kind to all!

Wow!! This is so me I have been following all kind of these threads with interest and think this is what my issue is too. Hcg will be here for a long while (at least I hope so ) so I have always said "I can lose it just like last time". Kind of like a get out of jail free card. Every time I was up in weight while not on P2, I would hop back on....too quickly I might add

I have decided that I cannot waste any more time or money. If I cannot stay on plan 100% this week I am quitting hcg. I just have to either do or get off and quit wasting my time and money. I am on Day #2 of my "restart" to this round (this freaking long round that was to be over with at least 3 weeks ago ) and so far so good. Why oh why can I not stick with it? I have been doing it too freakin' much, that is why!!! Just venting there, sorry. Just letting y'all know you are by no means alone.

Here is to a great round for everyone

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Hey Julie! I'm keeping on exercising too. I've started to get back into lifting and really feel great. I may scale back a little. But I'm not giving it up this time. I want to be thin and lean not skinny-scrawny

Hi Lilac, congrads on the journey back to body normal"ish".

I've sure found I know my body a lot better since this whole HCG thing and don't stress as much over what I know is just a temporary reaction like I used to, but I can't exactly say I'm not scale obsessive either.

Thanks!! I'm actually going to postpone this round. I'm going to focus on exercise and my overall metabolism for a while. I am just not up for it metally to really do what it'll take.

Originally Posted by amylou

Guess the hunger bug is biting a lot of us. I have been hungry too, but know that a meal is coming...or that the hunger will subside. Usually I just down a bunch of water and that helps too.

Talked with a friend today (Lilac...this friend has MS too), who is going through a very rough time physically. She has the progressive type, and is having so much spasticity & tightness it's becoming increasingly difficult for her to walk so she's had to succumb to her wheelchair a lot more often. It really put things in perspective to me...and I start to feel guilty for griping about poor little me with my mundane problems. I guess I need to remember when I'm having a pity party that things could be worse...


Confession...I've never really had cabbage before, except shredded in tacos or salads! I think I need to expand my menu and cook some up, sounds like it could be a filling meal.

on the kids. My girls are a bit older now (8 and 11) and it is SOOOO much easier. I loved when they were little, but now I have a lot more peace and freedom. I'm still rarely alone and stress abounds, but seem to have hit my stride. Hang in there and be gentle w. yourself! And cabbage? I love the angel hair cabbage you can get at Walmart!! It's the only kind I like (shredding my own is a drag!!). Try it w. beef - yum!

So, as I mentioned above to Terri, I'm skipping the planned round. Like many of you who are in this boat, I'm going to focus on CD's until I'm back in window then just relax and maintain. Exercise feels great, I'm strong and happy. I like eating!!! And I want to keep doing it. So, here I am. I'm "healthy" and active, my weight is "normal". So, contentment here I come!!

But, I wish you all great success and good losses. May maintenence be a dream for you at the end!!

[lemonmama]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Thanks!! I'm actually going to postpone this round. I'm going to focus on exercise and my overall metabolism for a while. I am just not up for it metally to really do what it'll take.

Good choice! I sometimes wish I would have done that, but I am sooo undisciplined when it comes to working out, so I just couldn't get myself in gear. P2 really is so very mental and requires a lot of mental energy, so I think you are being wise!

Dawn--I want you to know that you ARE NOT alone. I have seriously started, stopped, started stopped, 5-6 times this year. (I lost count!) I'm not even joking. It's ridiculous. When something tempts me or I'm feeling stressed, I'll just say....."ohhh...what's another day? I'll start up again tomorrow." It's pure insanity, and I felt like I was literally losing my mind with all of the back and forth. One minute, I decided to go with P2, the next minute I convinced myself I was ruining my health with HCG, so I needed to do something different...then, 3 days later, I would be running back to P2. I'm still hanging by a thread here on P2, but I gave myself the same ultimatum this time around.

Shelby--thanks for the great recipe suggestion. The sweet curry version sounds amazing! I appreciate you taking the time to type that out and give us the ideas.

Ohhhh, this is another tough day for me today. It's my anniversary, and all celebrations mean food, right??? I'm making something for my husband and kids to enjoy--a banana, PB, chocolate cake. It's not as tempting to me as some things would be so I think I'll survive.

It's really a mind-battle for me. I go back and forth with myself about why I am doing this and why cheating is not worth it. Hoping by the end of this week, I'll be over the hump and it will get easier.

[dawnyama]

Good luck lemon. I attempted cake balls to make for a company picnic. That was a month ago. They are still in the fridge, not rolled into balls, and probably growing mold. They need to be finished up because I don't want to throw them away, yet know that if I start to roll and dip them in the chocolate I won't be able to abstain. I know better than that. So I just let it sit in the fridge, hoping that one of my kids will pick up where I left off. Last night they had chocolate fudge cake (just a thaw and eat kind). It was hard to resist but I did it. I am so glad I have stayed on track at least for one day. Now, why didn't I do this when I started a month ago All about will and determination and mindset. So down 0.6 overnight and knowing I will see a smaller number on the scale tomorrow

Happy Anniversary!!! Besides cake, anything else going on? Grilling steaks at home or going out? We try to at least get a meal without kids when our anniversary rolls around.

[minimonkey]

Morning, everyone!

Dawn, I've done the same thing you've done -- jumped back on p2 waaaay too many times in the past year! It had become something of a lifestyle for me. At least this time, I have a solid few weeks of p3 under my belt, so that should count for something, I hope.

The bummer with me is that I never really cheated on p3 (I had sugary cough syrup a couple of times, that's all) -- this last few weeks, I absolutely had to eat a fair amount, or I never would have survived the intense physical and mental pressure I was under.... and eating enough to sustain myself resulted in some crazy gaining, though I suspect a lot of it is still residual inflammation from all the work, and from a two month bout of the flu.

I think I shot myself in the foot by doing p2 for way too long, and I probably damaged my metabolism in the process. I also think I was trying to attain and maintain a weight/bodyfat level that was unrealistic for my body and musculature.... though I don't much want to admit that, I think it is true. I'll probably settle for a higher goal this time, and then do another round later if I want to drop more.

This time, I am planning on a 40 day round, max... and then a diligently maintained p3 and p4.

[minimonkey]

Today is going fine -- so far, the hunger is manageable, and p2 food is doing the trick.

Terri -- yes, I have tinkered with the dose, and sometimes it does make a difference -- though I have had rounds where I just couldn't seem to get it right no matter what I tried. I am doing rx drops right now (left over from a prior round) , though I am not going to have enough to finish the round, so I will be switching to hhcg once I run out. The rx drops have been frozen, and still tested potent, so I am using them.

So far, the hunger isn't bad -- I'm just resisting any hunger at all because I am grumpy! Once I get in the groove of things, it'll be fine.

[minimonkey]

Okay, today is proving to be much easier than yesterday. I ate all my food except one fruit, which I will have later if I am hungry, and I am feeling satisfied. I did mix veggies, and I did have lean turkey for one of my proteins (but only half a portion) -- but I am coming in around 500 calories, assuming I have my fruit. I am delighted at the lack of hunger -- I suspect that means the hcg is doing its magic.

Now, let's see some inches start disappearing!!!

[minimonkey]

Shelby -- I made a cabbage and chicken hot dish this evening, seasoned with msg-free broth, and it was delicious and filling -- thanks for the suggestion!

[amylou]

What do you guys suppose the reasoning is for not mixing veggies? I find it hard to believe that combining salad and asparagus, or cucumbers and celery for example would have ill effects. I guess I'm a little rogue then, because I do that.

[TerriMM]

Sorry to see you go Julie, I was looking forward to your company on this journey. I do however completely understand and was planning the same lifestyle until DH announced, surprisingly, that he wanted to do a round on Sunday. Although it was his idea I feel more committed then I have in a long time and plan to see this through, regardless of what he decides to do.

Okay just finished loading. Stayed low carb (for the most part), feel pretty good about that and hope it will pay off at my beginning weigh in tomorrow. There is nothing more frustrating or disheartening then deciding I need to do another round and then gaining more weight before I start losing. It makes those first loses seem so wasted. I‘ve been going over my journals from my previous rounds for ideas and motivation. One thing I have not done since the first round is read pounds and inches start to finish. I usually just go over “the diet” section and then off I go. I started last night and will read the whole thing through in hopes that it will help me get a hold of that first time motivation. I’ve already picked up things I either missed or just plain didn’t get the first time. I’m starting off a little rogue, mostly to accommodate DH that can barely stand asparagus or cabbage. I’m adding green beans, broccoli, squash, cauliflower, cantaloupe, possibly other low glycemic options and I intend to mix veggies. I may indulge in an occasional diet soda or sugar-free jello to get by. Other than that I plan to stick with “the diet”. I eat a lot of beef, it satisfies me and I lose well on it. So although I will work at keeping it down to 500 calories by alternating other protein to keep them down and eating a lot of lettuce as my veggies, if I occasionally fluctuate up to 700, 750 tops to accommodate beef and/or all the veggies and fruit I’m allowed, I will endeavor not to do it as a rule. I’m planning a 23 day round, after that I will reassess. Three days later we celebrate my birthday. A couple things I have considered. I may just move to traditional P3/P4 and work at maintaining what I’ve lost, I may continue for a 40 day round or I may take a P3/refeed brake for a couple days by stopping pellets for two days, following P3 strictly for 3-5 days restarting pellets for two days maintaining the P3 diet and continue for the 40 day round. I’m kind of leaning towards the last option, but will decide when I get closer. But I will do the 23 day round and go from there. If I have a day where I can not completely control the menu (family dinner) I will endeavor to choose the best options available, not over indulge, compensate with other meals during that day and count the calories the best I can honestly, and then put the day behind me and continue on. I also plan to continue my fairly mild lifting/Pilates style workouts every other day and power walk at any opportunity. Not that anybody asked just getting my own head screwed on straight before I step in to the abyss. See you all on the other side tomorrow.

[minimonkey]

Terri --

That sounds like a great plan!

I'm working on taking this day by day, and just staying committed. I'm not going any more rogue than eating turkey on occasion, and mixing veggies/eating off plan veggies. I have no idea why Simeons had the rules he did... but I know I am breaking some of them, lol! I will also eat extra veggies if I am really, truly hungry.

No jello for me this round, and I am staying away from the sodas for the most part, though I will do the occasional zero-carb energy drink if needed.

I'm thinking of this as a detox as much as a weight loss plan, so that should help me keep my head in the protocol game.

I will take stock of where I am at the 23 day mark, and decide from there if I want to do a long round, or move to p3. I may go the short course this time, even if I am not quite where I want to be in terms of goal. I am definitely not going over the 40 days.. that has backfired on me, and I really hope I learned my lesson on that one!

[TerriMM]

Awesome Mini! Sounds like we’re pretty much on the same track. WE CAN DO THIS!!

How are you feeling?

Thought I’d share this excerpt I missed from pounds and inches the first time that makes me feel a little more okay with doing things a little differently, based on my experience.

“To make the text more readable I shall be unashamedly authoritative and avoid all the hedging and tentativeness with which it is customarily to express new scientific concepts grown out of clinical experience and not as yet confirmed by clear-cut laboratory experiments. Thus, when I make what reads like a factual statement, the professional reader may have to translate into: clinical experience seems to suggest that such and such an observation might be tentatively explained by such and such a working hypothesis, requiring a vast amount of further research before the hypothesis can be considered a valid theory. If we can from the outset establish this as a mutually accepted convention, I hope to avoid being accused of speculative exuberance.”

[minimonkey]

That passage made me laugh, Terri! I totally agree with you -- I will trust my own experience on this one, and I have plenty of it at this point.

I'm feeling better day by day -- the rest is helping a lot, and my energy is coming back. I think I am finally kicking the flu to the curb!

I was a bit hungry tonight, but decided to ride it out ... a little hunger is not a bad thing.

I do have to get more diligent about water intake, I'm realizing.

You're right... WE CAN DO THIS!

[minimonkey]

Dudes! I just had to share this -- I took stock of my body in the shower tonight... and now that the inflammation is starting to go down... HOLY COW did I gain some major muscle over the last 8 weeks!

I shouldn't be too surprised -- the amount of heavy lifting and lugging I had to do was equivalent to two months of hard gym workouts (and for the last month or so, I ate like I was in a bulking phase, albeit low carb) -- but WOWZA! I have glutes and hamstrings that are much more developed than I have ever had in my life, even when I was involved in serious athletics! I knew I had gained some mass in the upper body, but I have a terrible time building muscle in my glutes and hams, so this is astounding to me.

I also have giant quads, but those are much more normal for me -- I tend to be very quad dominant when I lift with the lower body.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this! I've been jonesing to get through this MFA degree so I could hit the gym in earnest, and now I feel utterly gleeful that my body seems to think I've been doing it all semester -- tee hee!!!!

THAT was all the motivation I needed to keep me going through the rest of the round, I think... I want to pare off the flab so I can see these new legs of mine Maybe, for once, I will have a firm butt -- or at least a firmer butt than I had before.

I don't know if it is hcg, or just my hormonal profile due to aging, but I am gaining muscle so much more easily now than I did when I was younger -- I know that happens to some women as they near menopause, and I say BRING IT ON! I love being muscular!

I think it was all the lifting up and down stairs that did it ... so guess who will be doing weighted steps from here on in???

Darn it, now I can't wait to hit the gym, and I still have nearly three weeks of p2 and rest to navigate before I can bring in the big guns.... but I do think I will start doing Bar Method again next week, assuming I feel well enough to do it.

This is testament to how much better I am feeling today... a few days ago, I couldn't even look at the gym without groaning in pain (our gym is in the middle of our house, so it is impossible to ignore!)