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

[TerriMM]

That’s awesome Skinny, thanks for sharing. I printed it to share and re-read until I cement that in my brain.

I've been hearing a lot about Wheat Belly Mini. I think that might be my new health research book.

Hang in there Amy. If I were you I'd treat this weekend like a re-feed, start HCG tomorrow, load very low carb and finish your round as planned. You were going to do another round later anyway. Make this a bump in the road, not a ditch. I probably wouldn't even weigh in until you're back on HCG. The mental reaction to a big (temporary) gain could easily derail me. YMMV of course.

Supplement sharing would be appreciated Mini.

[minimonkey]

Amy -- hugs!

First off, I am curious -- were you any hungrier without the hhcg than you were while on it? If not, that is a pretty good indication that the hhcg wasn't working for you

One possible option for you would be to go straight to p3 now, and then restart p2 with the drops after the rafting trip -- I think that is probably what I would do if I were you.

I think I would call this round a wash, and give yourself a couple of weeks off, and then begin fresh -- but obviously I understand the arguments against that, too.

Terri's plan is very do-able too -- so you have some good options.

Hope you get some clarity on the matter -- but one thing I am learning (finally) is that it isn't worth it in the long run to let dieting interfere with living life, at least not often. Sometimes it is necessary -- but doing it too often becomes a cycle of deprivation.

[minimonkey]

I'm just popping in quickly tonight, but will put together a post on supplements tomorrow -- I am glad to share this information because it has helped me a great deal!

Today was easier for me -- fruits and veggies only -- probably came in around 300 calories all told. I was hungry at times, but mentally wasn't fighting it nearly as much today. I'm on board for the same kind of day tomorrow -- then will go back to protocol for a day or two.

I really am going to do a fat fast next week, I think -- I hope I can milk it good, too

I'm hoping I can at least get within shouting distance of goal by the end of it -- but trying not to be too discouraged if that doesn't happen. I am definitely losing a lot of inches, and my body is starting to feel like it should again in terms of size and shape, and that is enough to keep me going for the moment.

[minimonkey]

I think I am going to bite something of a bullet, and go get some of a lesser psyllium/bentonite cleanse at the health food store tomorrow. The one I am thinking of is a good cleanse, it just isn't as great as the one I love so much -- but it also costs a whole lot less, and it will get the job done.

If I continue this now, I can get in a full cleanse while on p2, accomplishing a lot in a short time.. and my body is loving this -- it is part of the ongoing project to heal my gut as completely as possible, and each time I have cleansed in the last 4 years has been easier, and has left my gut feeling progressively better --

So... I am going to do it, and go for a full seven to ten day cleanse, with the majority of it limiting my food intake to fruits and veggies. I still may throw in a day or two of fat fasting, on just coconut milk and oil, since those are really conducive to cleansing and help mediate any detox symptoms as well.

Sorry about the bowel talk...lol! I am a huge believer that ill health starts in the gut much of the time, and that healing the gut is imperative if one is ever to be healthy and well ... it has certainly been a huge factor in my recovery from Lyme and all the related problems.

Somehow, I have much less of a mental block to adhering to the cleansing diet than I do to calling it a p2... even though the cleansing diet is far more restrictive in many ways.... funny how we can play mind games with ourselves...lol! Whatever works, right?

[TerriMM]

I hear ya Mini, I really think it's all about the mind

Well part of me is happy, I made it through a weekend of on the road eating and family get togethers and am still down .40. The other part of me feels like I was on such a roll and totally lost some great first week loses. Oh well, water under the bridge. Second week here we come. I usually stall about 1/2 way in to week 2, so I'm keeping alternating or fat fast in my back pocket just in case, but will try to break those out only if really needed. I did fat fast too frequently the last couple months so it lost its pop. I will try to wait as long as I can on that one.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a terrific and successful week!

[skinnywish]

Originally Posted by amylou

hi girls!

I'm so frustrated and discouraged with myself right now...getting ready for an early bed...will check in on you all in the morning.

Amy don't beat yourself up, you've got options as both Terri and Mini provided. Choice is yours. This doesn't wipe out all the progress you've made. Minor setback, move forward today. We're here for you.

I went down .3 today, which is good considering my weigh in yesterday was larger than I ever could have expected. Have to laugh because I got on the scale and I was up .1 and then jumped back on after I took off my pj top and I was down .3....I usually weigh naked. But sometimes I don't care because I figure its not the clothes.....if you are going down, you are going down on the scale....but this morning was just too close and I really needed the scale to give me a good sign.

There you go I'm just transferring my addiction to food to my addiction to the scale. LOL

I',m very tired this morning. Jumped up because I thought I overslept, thought the alarm said 8:44 and I was late....really it was 6:44 and I feel like I need a shot in the arm to get to work.....maybe will jump in car and get some starbucks black joe.

Here's to a good week to all

[skinnywish]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

but one thing I am learning (finally) is that it isn't worth it in the long run to let dieting interfere with living life, at least not often. Sometimes it is necessary -- but doing it too often becomes a cycle of deprivation.

I think this is good to hold onto.....if while on P2, if I start to feel deprived instead of on track......I will know its a sign I'm in trouble.

I've got an out of town conference for 8 days in June...right when I still will have 13 days on protocol. I'm working to put my plan in place to stay on protocol but I'm also putting my head together that if I feel its not doable while there then opt to go straight into P3 but have the plan for what P3 will look like while out of town.

I think I can do this, I'm flying in a day early so I can rent a car the next day and go to grocery store. At least I will have everything with me in room to stay on track, I might just have a couple of days with dinners out with vendors and one banquet evening......lets face it usually a protein and a vegie carb is always offered.....so is the alcohol....which I love a good wine or martini with dinner, but I also like my progress right now and would like to skip the drinks....so will have to decide.

But we'll see where my head is at that time.

[amylou]

Thanks you guys! I know what you mean about not letting dieting interfere w/ life Mini...I feel like sometimes I stress so much about events/celebrations because I'm following a certain WOE. I know I can never ever ever in my life (whether I'm on maintenance or still trying to lose) let my guard down, bc that's when the downward spiral begins. Esp w/ sugar...once I entertain sugar into my system it just makes those cravings even harder to resist. As I'm reading Weight Loss Apocolypse though...and she talks about how get togethers/celebrations should not be about food...I realize that it IS a lot of times but how to break that connection? We host the majority of the get togethers at our house (big house, pool, kid's play area, etc) so I'm usually in charge of the food. But I love entertaining...and I've waited for years to be able to do this I enjoy it so much! I am a party/event planner at heart

Well I faced the music and weighed in 3 lbs higher after this weekend. You know Mini....I did notice less hunger this weekend off the hhcg. I actually noticed I got fuller faster, but I'm sure that has more to do with my stomach shrinking a bit from eating less than the hhcg. My plan is to do the fat fast for 2 days and then dive back into P2 for 2 weeks and then transition to P3. July will be a busy month with camping and other vacations, and then in August I'm heading to Reno (alone...no kids ) for a convention. I will probably look at another P2 round after that.


Looking forward to your supplement info, Mini. I'm definitely affected by sugar and dairy. I blow up like the Pillsbury Dough Boy after having dairy!!

Skinny...what your trainer friend said is so so true. I am a total yo-yo'er, and I need those results to keep me going. I know that it's true, it should be in the process...but how do you flip that switch to make that process the priority, not the results? That's my biggest struggle

Terri, good job on making it through the weekend! I hope your 2nd week is good to you! ...and you said you were in Sac, correct? (I meant to comment on that before!). I swear I've lived all over Cali...I moved to Sac after I finished my degree in San Jose for my internship. I Sac, and even moved back after working as a traveling therapist for 2 yrs. I always tell people, if I were to move back to a city...it would be Sac! I lived right on the American River...it was such a turning point in my life living there and I think that's why it will always be a special place for me!

Dawn if you out there . I know you've been dealing with so much on the homefront that you just don't need one.more.thing! Hang in there! Hope P3 is going well!

[minimonkey]

I am down 2.2 lbs today! Even better, I woke up without hunger this morning, too

I think the hcg magic may finally have kicked in for me.

Oh, how nice it would be if I could get back to goal this round!!!

Plan for today is same as yesterday -- fruits, veggies, cleanse. I am going to hop down the road shortly and get my cleanse, so I can keep this going.

[minimonkey]

Good plan, Amy! I love that we are all finding ways to keep our resolve strong -- it is days like this, for me, that the reinforcement from the scale goes a long, long way with that!

Terri -- I know what you mean about fat fasting losing its punch if you do it too often -- I've been there. I am saving that as a stall-breaker this round, or a sanity-restorer, if it comes to that.

Supplements post is forthcoming today.

[minimonkey]

Have any of you ladies ever tried the lasering method for treating food sensitivities? I know there is a post about it here somewhere -- Shelby has done it, and others too I think -- there is a lot of talk about it on another board.

I haven't tried it, but I plan to this round before adding things back. I figure it can't hurt -- I bought a laser pointer a while back for doing it, but just haven't gotten around to trying it.

I would so love to think I can eat dairy -- but I definitely have my doubts on that one. I can eat yogurt to a certain degree in moderation I think, but it does cause cravings for me (for more yogurt!) and a lot of people believe that indicates an intolerance to a food. Hmph.

Thankfully, there are a lot of good dairy alternatives that I enjoy, so the world won't end if I can't eat it ... but yogurt is something that I will definitely, definitely miss if I can't have it again.

[amylou]

Nice loss Mini!! I've never tried the lasering. I can't seem to wrap my head around the concept lol.

I only miss my dairy in my mochas...well, that and ice cream I've pretty much given the mochas up b/c of the combo of milk and sugar in them is just not good for me. SF chocolate syrup and milk alternatives in them just doesn't do it for me. That's ok...I love my Americano's w/ cream!

Trying out my bluetooth keyboard w/ my iPad. Can I just say !

So what would you guys think is too often for the fat fast? Once a week? Every other week? Once a month?

[minimonkey]

I'm thinking one fat fast (of two or three days running, or as long as the losses keep coming) per round is optimal. You could maybe get away with doing two during a long round. That isn't science, btw -- just my best guess..lol!

[minimonkey]

So, here's my plan -- Today is day nine of this round... I am going to do the cleanse protocol (fruit, unlimited veggies, and a coconut fast thrown in there for a couple of days) until day twenty. Days 21 though 23 (my hcg free days, if I have enough rx to get that far) I will re-introduce meats/proteins at p2 levels, and then on day 24 I will transition to a p3/JUDDD plan. I will add foods one at a time, and I will laser everything that I suspect might be problematic for me.

If I am still losing well and feeling good at the end of the round I will consider extending it longer on the hhcg -- but otherwise, that is the road map for the next couple of weeks.

I can't wrap my head around the lasering either, but anecdotal evidence indicates that it may work. Heck, even if it is the placebo effect, that still often does something -- placebo effects can have profound results!

[TerriMM]

I think that's a great plan Amy! Reach around and pat yourself on the back for not quitting!! And three pounds over the weekend really isn't that bad as things go, I've gained that in a day many times I really do love Sac. It's close to everything, the climate is awesome and you have space and nature at your door step.

Woo Hoo Mini, that's the way to kick some butt! I have tried the lasering. And I swear it helped me with dairy. If I think something might be an issue I just give it a go. We'll see if it helps me with Coconut oil, that's a big gainer for me. I tried it after the downfall last time, but I haven't touched it since. I think I'll try it on some of my nut flours before I get to P3. I've never done real well with them and I really want to try the Almond flour pound cake for my birthday. I don't really care if it's a placebo effect, or real. It doesn't take anything to do and I can have cream in my coffee and sugar free whip cream at will. Of course my cat chases me around the house when I do it

Very ambitious on the road plan Skinny. I don't as I could do that.

[skinnywish]

Originally Posted by amylou

I feel like sometimes I stress so much about events/celebrations because I'm following a certain WOE. I know I can never ever ever in my life (whether I'm on maintenance or still trying to lose) let my guard down, bc that's when the downward spiral begins. Esp w/ sugar...once I entertain sugar into my system it just makes those cravings even harder to resist. As I'm reading Weight Loss Apocolypse though...and she talks about how get togethers/celebrations should not be about food...I realize that it IS a lot of times but how to break that connection? We host the majority of the get togethers at our house (big house, pool, kid's play area, etc) so I'm usually in charge of the food. But I love entertaining...and I've waited for years to be able to do this I enjoy it so much! I am a party/event planner at heart

Skinny...what your trainer friend said is so so true. I am a total yo-yo'er, and I need those results to keep me going. I know that it's true, it should be in the process...but how do you flip that switch to make that process the priority, not the results? That's my biggest struggle

You so described me in all that you wrote, and probably a lot of us. I don't know how to flip that switch either. I too have been the entertainer and my garage has cabinets full of all that is needed to host a large event....wine, champagne glasses, chargers, by the dozens, platters, etc. I have cabinets set aside by large holiday events.
I actually need a garage sale....gotta break the habit somehow and maybe a garage sale will do it. I actually stopped being the food event planner two years ago....its helped me attempt to get my head on straight.

A long time ago my doctor told me, "everyday is not a party", but that is how I lived for so long......long time habits are hard to break. But now I am not known for my parties, or food event planning. Although some event planning is still in my life, but now it involves, speakers and vendors...........I'm better for it and don't miss it.

But I know she (the entertainer) still lurks within.....so I have to be on guard, and I don't volunteer anymore, except for small gatherings and those are rare and healthy.

[minimonkey]

I've always envied people who like to entertain -- I really don't. I can buck up and throw a good party every once in a great while, but it wears me out and stresses me out.

I absolutely agree that most social gatherings are centered around food, drink, or both -- and I find them stressful for that reason, along with the fact that I am an introvert by nature -- I can have fun at a party (and I LOVE to go out dancing!) -- but I do find it all very tiring in the end.

[minimonkey]

I don't want to jinx this, but MAYBE I am over the hump with this round-- no hunger today, and feeling strong in my resolve to keep going -- what a difference from my waffling two days ago!

[skinnywish]

That's great mini!

I was so busy today with work, when I cooked lunch I didn't weigh my piece of fish, just cut a large fillet in half...first time I've had fish since starting protocol....so I was already gobbling it down, when I realized it might be too much, weighed it and it was......ugh....so had just a tad bit of protein at dinner...hoping to balance it out...trying to unfix my stupidity earlier.......

Terri, we shall see if I really can do the travel bit.....it hasn't been my norm, that's for sure, just hoping having a plan might keep me out of trouble.

Amy, I forgot to say that the reason why my recent entertaining is healthy, is only because my friends are all thin, fit and have no eating issues. They also, the majority of the time eat great to maintain their weight, so if we get together, the food prepared is healthy because that's what they would want.......keep thinking its going to rub off on me. LOL

Didn't exercise today as I spent a good solid day at desk...time to shut down for the night.

[minimonkey]

Skinny -- don't stress the fish -- I'm sure you came in close enough on the calories. One minor deviation won't hurt you much, if at all (said by a rogue, mind you...)

Today has been good! I am probably coming in about 500 calories -- fruit, veggies, and about a tablespoon of MCT oil on my veggies (rogue as can be) -- no hunger, and the cleanse is making me feel very good about what I am doing, and also REALLY helping kick the hunger to the curb.

I am hoping this helps my belly tolerate fiber more easily -- I tend to have problems with that sometimes (fiber from veggies, shiritake noodles, that sort of thing), though I am doing better this round than I have in a long time, in that regard.

Tomorrow I will go shopping for more fruits and veggies -- and also the coconut milk and unsweetened cocoa powder for some coconut bark on my fat fasting days.

At the moment, I'm totally content with the fruits and veggies -- so I think I will be doing that for the majority of the remaining p2 days.

I AM DONE GRADING! That means that I am really, and truly, on vacation for the next few months (unless I can find a summer job relatively quickly). Hooo Yah!

My house is going to get cleaned head to toe, and everything is getting meticulously organized and beautified! Does this tell you a little about my personality???? LOL!

I've also been embarking on some body care that has been too long neglected -- I did a skin peel on my face and neck today, and just ordered a new skincare cream that shows tremendous promise with aging and so forth -- I can't afford it, but I did anyhow.

I'll be doing a lot of beauty/self care stuff, which I am good about doing when I am not under stress, but I tend to let it fall by the wayside when I am pressured.

I'm going to spend some time surfing Netrition and a couple of other sites for supplements, food products, etc. too -- I don't have much of a living-expenses budget, but there are some things I simply make room for -- skincare and nutrition are top of the list.

Oh, so many things I've been wanting to do, and now I have time to do them! Yippeeeee!!!!

[minimonkey]

I also think I am going to start with some easier Bar Method workouts this week -- I'm feeling well enough to do it, and I am getting seriously antsy to start the workouts again. I do promise to take it easy though -- exercise on p2 needs to be kept pretty minimal in my experience -- and I am only two weeks away from being done with the round, so why push it?

[TerriMM]

Originally Posted by skinnywish

I was so busy today with work, when I cooked lunch I didn't weigh my piece of fish, just cut a large fillet in half...first time I've had fish since starting protocol....so I was already gobbling it down, when I realized it might be too much, weighed it and it was......ugh....so had just a tad bit of protein at dinner...hoping to balance it out...trying to unfix my stupidity earlier.......

I'm with Mini, you should totally be okay. Fish is one of the least amount of calories per oz of any of our choices, except for shrimp or crab maybe.

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Today has been good! I am probably coming in about 500 calories -- fruit, veggies, and about a tablespoon of MCT oil on my veggies (rogue as can be) -- no hunger, and the cleanse is making me feel very good about what I am doing, and also REALLY helping kick the hunger to the curb.

I AM DONE GRADING! That means that I am really, and truly, on vacation for the next few months (unless I can find a summer job relatively quickly). Hooo Yah!

My house is going to get cleaned head to toe, and everything is getting meticulously organized and beautified! Does this tell you a little about my personality???? LOL!

I've also been embarking on some body care that has been too long neglected -- I did a skin peel on my face and neck today, and just ordered a new skincare cream that shows tremendous promise with aging and so forth -- I can't afford it, but I did anyhow.

I'll be doing a lot of beauty/self care stuff, which I am good about doing when I am not under stress, but I tend to let it fall by the wayside when I am pressured.

For summer Enjoooooooooooooooooy!!

Happy to hear you've found your sweet spot Mini, it's so great when that happens. I did pretty well for my first day back walking the straight and narrow. A little hungry in the afternoon, but a diet Dr. Pepper got me through. About 550 calories. I'm finding that Bernice prefers an apple a day vs. just strawberries. TMI

So what new skin cream did you go for? I have one in my cart at Netrition awaiting my next order, Flex Appeal Contouring Cream to tighten up the loose skin I hope to have back in a couple weeks Still trying to talk myself into spending the money.

[amylou]

Skinny we do mostly BBQ-type get togethers, although when it comes to my kid's bday parties...I like to get a theme going. The guys are your typical meat n potatoes-guys...the girls..are whatever. The food is definitely mixed to accomodate most WOE.

Mini congrats on being done grading!! I still work over summer, but I'd hardly call it work as it slows waaaaay down for me.

Well I finished my first day of the fat fast! I came in at:

76% fat
8% carb
16% protein
1224 cals

A little over cals, and not as much fat as I had planned but still think I came in good. Other than a headache today I've felt pretty good. A little bit of hunger but not bad at all. Going to shoot for a higher fat% tomorrow.

[minimonkey]

Hooo Yah on the Fat Fast Amy! Hope it treats you well!

I'd work this summer if I had a class, but the budget didn't allow for me to get one this time around. It does look like I will have at least a part time teaching job in the fall, though ... two classes -- and that is a good thing indeed.

Terri -- I like the Contouring Gel -- I do find it helps, and am on my second bottle of it. I will buy it again.

The cream I bought is called Nerium -- a google search will pull it up for you -- looks pretty amazing, but it WAS out of the budget... but I needed a treat after all I have been through!

Oh, and jeez am I ever the queen of bernice talk... especially when I am cleansing (my poor household!)

Honestly, though, digestive problems tend to be the biggest drag of a protocol p2 for me -- I am hoping the long cleanse helps fix some remaining gut problems with me. I am about 80% healed from a nearly-destroyed gut, and am pleased as punch with how far I have come with it ... but there are still some remaining things needing fixing. Every cleanse (followed by lots of coconut oil and probiotics -- hello, p3!) gets me further along the track to digestive health ... and they have gotten easier over time, too (less discomfort, almost no detox reaction now, etc.)

[minimonkey]

SO: For inflammation, I have found the following things really helpful

A good blend of systemic enzymes. These can run you a lot of money -- Wobenzyme, for example, is just way out of the price range.... I do occasionally splurge for Enzymedica's Repair Gold formula (which is excellent), but I generally do okay with a more generic "systemic enzyme" formula. Just make sure that the formula isn't specifically digestive enzymes, but includes a whole range of systemic enzymes.

Anti Inflammatory Herbs Blend: I like the synergistic blends that are made by a company called Zyflammend. Usually these blends contain Turmeric, Ginger, Astragalus, Holy Basil, Ginger -- and often a number of other herbs as well.

White willow bark is a great anti inflammatory, but if you are sensitive to aspirin, avoid it -- they are both salicylates.

I also like a supplement called Inflamma Trim -- it contains the anti-inflammatory herbs, as well as a bunch of herbs that have diuretic/lymph and liver cleansing properties. It is pretty good value.

FISH OIL -- lots, and lots, and lots of it. This is an excellent way to keep inflammation at bay.

I find that lemon and apple cider vinegar and cayenne, mixed in water, is a great drink that seems to help as well.

I've also found that olive leaf extract, pycnogenol, and astaxanthin seem to help.

Adequate levels of vitamin D also seem to go a long way to helping with inflammation.

That's a start!

[amylou]

I actually had my gallbladder removed (and a hernia they found during surgery!) in Dec of last year. Never had any issues w/ stones or otherwise. I almost wonder if it had anything to do w/ my first P2 round earlier that year. I was worried how a low carb diet would affect me after that, as it's usually harder to digest some fats. For me it seems if it's a "clean" fat...avocado, oil, butter, it isn't a problem, but if it's too much greasy food a 'la McDonalds or similar than it may be problematic. I was actually wondering how today would be for me, being such a high% but so far so good!

[minimonkey]

I haven't tried this particular enzyme blend, but it looks pretty good, and the "about this product" description gives a lot of info on how systemic enzymes help with inflammation and recovery.

Labrada Sorenzyme

[minimonkey]

Wow Amy -- sorry to hear about the gallbladder! Really rapid weight loss can cause gallbladder problems in some people from what I've heard.

It is great that you can eat good, clean fats! (The thought of greasy fried food actually turns my stomach a bit, lol.) No loss to your health from having to avoid fast food, that's for sure.

[amylou]

Down 2 lbs this morning!!

My doc told me that many women in their 40's have gallbladder issues, b/c of hormone fluctuations. IDK, but after the few attacks I had...I'm happy that sucker is out!!

[minimonkey]

Amy -- YAHOOOOO! The fat fast is your friend!!!

Gallbladder attacks are awful -- I nearly lost mine several times during Lyme treatment (the meds were notorious for that, plus the lyme itself causes problems) -- but I opted to live with the pain and attempt treatment for the problem. I took Actigall (a prescription version of a bile salt that is available OTC) -- and watched my diet, and so forth -- but my gallbladder was pretty cranky for a few years. I was in so much pain, head to toe, when this all happened, that one more source of pain didn't add much to the total picture --- but it DID hurt, and then some.

Last year, during one of my oxygen cleanses, I passed a whole bunch of gallstones ... and continued to pass them intermittently for months after that -- and my gallbladder has been a pretty happy little organ since that time.

I was doing a lot of herbal supplements that are known for healing liver/gallbladder problems in natural medicine, and they did the trick. I think finally getting over the hump with the Lyme is what made that possible, though.