~P3-P4-Simeons-protocol-week-7/23~

[TiffanyM]

Originally Posted by misslatte

Hello my friends!



Tiffany - Is this the thread you were talking about? Dawn's Loading menu Gosh I really like loading.. lol. I guess I CAN have some of those foods now but just in moderation.

Oh, P.S... I can finally walk around the office (we're on the second floor) and NOT feel like an elephant aka making the floor shake when I walk by!!! Yay NSV!

yep, that's the one!

Bitsky, there are so many knowledgeable people here with the answers you're looking for I'm sure, but I say practice that hunger scale and you should be good to go!

[cocoapeanut]

Originally Posted by dbunny

Coming into P3 on Saturday! I am so ready for it.

Cocoapeanut and Reddy~ I am 5'10" too! My goal weight is somewhere in the low 160's, high 150's. Hoping to make this round stick like super glue, then do one more round to get to goal.

WOOOOO

Congrats on being so close to done with your P2 -- enjoy P3 my friend!

Julie - You're ROCKIN over there!! Love your attitude. Don't sweat it. Everything will fall into place as long as you focus on what you need to do for you! I know how it is to have other people at the table judging what you order..don't they always say that mimicry is flattery?

Lara - NOPE I'm out of window too.. LDW was 161 and during P3 I hovered between 161-162.5. This morning I was 166.2 (which is only 0.2 up from my non-CD eating yesterday, so no complaints). My goal for next Friday is 162 again!

Tiffany - ooh loading! I've decided to bake myself a couple of treats to load on..right now the plan is low carb fudgey coconut bars and low carb peanut butter caramel shortbread bars (no coconut, Lara!! ) Two recipes I've been dying to experiment with. But I get ahead of myself. That's not till next weekend, hehe.

Amy - That's right you are tall too, yay! You and your bacon talk, I need some bacon soon..mmm

Bitsky - Your new metabolism should stick with you, no worries! Fat is the fuel you are designed to run on (which is why we tend to store it!), so you should be eating it! You can also experiment with lowering fat a bit and upping carbs to see how you feel. Everyone is different when it comes to how they eat to feel their best. If you start gaining like crazy, think about what you have changed in your lifestyle (food, exercise, etc) that could be responsible and try eliminating it, as you could be sensitive. Welcome to the world of experimenting to see what's right for you! Good luck

~*~*~*~

Okay, about me: As I mentioned, I'm 166.2 right now. Doing a chicken day today to see if I can get down a bit more. My parents are coming in tomorrow to visit me over the weekend so I'll be eating out a lot but I can make good choices..I lived with them only until very recently and am used to the frequency at which my parents eat out I'm usually fine eating out unless I eat too much or eat a lot of dessert!

This week has been stressful because dbf and I have been having nightly phone conversations (I'm now in LA and he's still in Chicago) about the status of our relationship. He's completely in love with me but I can't seem to be in love with him, even though he's amazingly sweet and funny and fun and he treats me well. Sigh. To make matters awkward, he is currently living with my parents and job searching to move out to LA, mostly because I'm out here. Double sigh. We've been dating for 2 years and I'm currently trying to figure out whether or not staying in the relationship makes sense for me right now in my life..but the timing isn't all that great And it's not easy to have to come home from a 10 hour work day and spend 2 hours having a difficult emotional conversation every night! Oh well..looking forward to seeing my parents. They're very supportive of me.

Sorry - had to get that out! Hope everyone has a great day.

[Reddy]

Ok one more post before I head off for the weekend...

Amy yay for another Tall girl in here! When I'm heavy I feel like a GIANT b/c I'm already big with my height. I suspect you guys know what I mean.

Cocoa, my 2 cents on the bf... as wonderful as he may be, if you're not in love you should tell him before he picks up and moves to LA. Funny, I was in a relationship in College and beyond for 5 years and I was in Miami and he moved to Chicago and I knew I didn't love him but couldn't bear to let him go which in hindsight was just selfish b/c I knew I wouldn't stay forever and so I was essentially wasting his time. I'm sure breaking up would be hard on him AND you, and his living situation may feel compromised but you should break it off if you know in your heart you're not in love with him. I regret not ending my dead end 5 year relationship a lot sooner for the sake of BOTH of us!

Ok, that's all from me. Have a great weekend all. Enjoy your Bacon! mmmm Bacon....

[C'Marie]

YOU ROCK!!!!!

Originally Posted by shelbyla

Afternoon everyone.

I am in a contemplative mood today so here is something that I have just been musing about...

I finished P4 of my second hhCG round last year, right around this time (end of July 2011). I ended my round at 154, which is a great weight for me at 5'9. In puts me right smack in the middle of a healthy BMI and on the lower end of a healthy weight range according to most scales (especially for a 45 year old woman!). I remember having a conversation with my hero, C'Marie, during P4 and beyond, that I was making a vow to myself (and her!) that a year from then, I would not have gained any of my weight back. That I would maintain my 60 pound weight loss, by hook or by crook!

I have done a couple of rounds in between then and now to try and take off a few vanity pounds and have seen some good reshaping as a result. I am probably going to give it one more go when I return from my vacation in the coming weeks, as this last round's weight loss hasn't seemed to have set as I had hoped--although I am still a full size smaller than when I started.

But I digress...the point here is, I realized today that I have achieved and surpassed that goal! I HAVE KEPT OFF THE WEIGHT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR! (In fact I am still about 10 pounds lower than where I was maintaining last year! ) I have done it with all sorts of hormonal issues, including being hypothyroid, hypo-adrenal, and on BHRT supplements. I did it through some significant personal, work, and relationship stress. I maintained this weight loss having been on my first cruise, having traveled to visit family for the holidays, and having multiple "eating vacations" in Chicago and Mexico. I have done it by doing 100% clean rounds (no cheating!), eating a LOT of great food in P3 and P4, keeping an eye on the scale and correcting when I have gone over (for the most part), and moderately exercising without killing myself.

And I have done it by coming to this wonderful support network here as often as I can and sharing my struggles and disappointments as well as the knowledge that I have gained in the 18 months of doing this protocol. I have made a lot of online friends here and have been incredibly privileged to meet and become friends with some of the wonderful ladies on here in real life! (You know who you are! )

Thank you all SO much for your ongoing support and give yourselves ALL a great big hand! You all played a huge part in helping me achieve this milestone. And I'll say here and now, that next year at this time, I'll be making a similar post, to mark my two year anniversary!

Muah! You are all fantastic!

[christyb]

Ok guys, I'm supposed to be heading into P4 tomorrow. I honestly don't really know what to do. What should I add back in? What should I expect to see happen with my body? Going from P2 to P3 wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be, but I did have some tummy issues. I've stabilized pretty well, which surprised me, but it's hard to imagine that I can add sugars and starches and still stay steady. You know?

[julieboolie]

Christy-start slowly w/ your favorite goodie. I usually add chocolate (if I haven't already) or sweet potato . They're the 2 things I miss most. And shoestring French fries from Freddy's. They're fab! Oooh, I'm gonna like P4!

I feel full! I had a second serving of GY tonight at band practice. I was still hungry after grabbing a quick GY dinner, so I packed the other half the container and some strawberries. I ate it, so it wouldn't go bad and be wasted, but it wasn't necessary. At home I wouldn't have eaten it. Oh well. Learn from it and move on. Guessing about 1900 cals today. We'll see how tomorrow looks. It'll have to catch up w/ me eventually, right? I feel like I'm overdoing it every day! but I love P3!!!

[misslatte]

Christy - Welcome to P4! I took it really slow in my P4, the only thing I've really added in were some corn chips and corn tortillas. My normal 'woe' is pretty much P3 (low carb, no sugar) so I didn't feel like I wanted to add much else. When I'm back to P4 I'll do the same, slowly add in things that I like but just take it easy, I know how wheat and sugar can affect me so I know what to avoid and what will be okay. Besides the corn chips/tortillas I think I will try to add in some sweet potato eventually and oatmeal also. No rush, right? I think the main thing that changed in P4 was how nitpicky I was with ingredients. Specifically in P3 I couldn't go to my favorite wing place because there was a slight amount of sugar in ALL of the sauces and dry rubs they have. That sucks, but, in P4 I am able to pick my battles and I *could* have them if I wanted to and it was okay. I still have to watch the sugars though because of the craving monster but those wings were mighty tasty!! yummm. Have some wings, ok?

[misslatte]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

And shoestring French fries from Freddy's. They're fab!

Guessing about 1900 cals today. We'll see how tomorrow looks. It'll have to catch up w/ me eventually, right? I feel like I'm overdoing it every day! but I love P3!!!

I might have to try those fries! A Freddy's just opened up down the street but I've never been in there.

Hope you number goes down or stays the same tomorrow! Today I ended up at 1478/96/36.7(23.3 net)/104.8. I'm at the top of my window so depending on how things go in the morning I might try to push the numbers a bit, pending hunger.

[jt_gmotu]

Hi all,

Another week of P3 and then into a long (for me) P4. September will be a bit of a push as DH and I are going back east to visit family (with all the potential stress that family brings)... I'm trying not to stress about this...And some minutes...I'm successful in doing that. Planning to eat P3-like with occasional bites of P4 stuff...though I can see a bunch of salads with steak/chicken/shrimp in my future.

Sitting at LDW+2. and using the Hunger Scale...which is getting easier as I have been more conscious about my eating. Just got back from a week-long conference, where I exercised every day but one..and kept my weight in my range.

Jodie in AZ
R4P3

[LaraSuzz]

Ok my one hour meal yesterday locked in the 3 lb loss on the steak day the day before so I'm still at 4 over liw and okay with it. I will start loading Saturday morning but I'm not thrilled about it. In the past I had done 3 days loading, but doing these one hour meal days has given me a chance to get it out of my system so I will stick to two days... Sat and Sun.

Maybe I wil get a couple pints of my fav haagen dazs and call it a day, because I have a feeling that the one hour meals have also upped my fat intake for the last week lol. I will probably be more prone to a sugar or carb withdrawal if anything.

You guys are doing well! Good to hear the losses, hope to have a great first week... excite dto get started and get smaller!!!woohoo!!

Julie are you in a band? lol it's probably your kids? I used to sing for a couple bands.

Cocoa~ tough situation, I hope that things work out for the best possible scenario for you...

[Reddy]

Hi all- today is my first day in p3!!! Felt great to put on some makeup, wear my regular deodorant and use real toothpaste!

I thoroughly enjoyed my Starbucks with cream and putting lotion on!!!

I'm having my hair straightened today- I do it once a year! It takes 6+ hours so I'll be here at the salon most of the day.

I was looking at the menus to see what to order for lunch. My first P3 meal. Not hungry yet but let me ask if this seems like an ok choice or if it's too heavy/ much to start...

Antipasto salad:
Mixed greens, artichoke, olives, pepperoni, peppercini, fresh mozzarella, salami, tomatoes and Italian dressing.

Is that a good or bad choice?

Another option would be just chicken salad over greens but I'm so sick of chicken lol!

Oh and Lara - what is a one hour meal?

[Reddy]

Ok scratch that antipasto- too much processes meats
And too heavy I think for a first meal. Going to get chicken salad over greens instead.

Also, drank my usual (PRE-HCG) Starbucks drink- 4 shots espresso with cream and since I haven't had coffee in almost a month I feel all jittery from it..

[julieboolie]

Reddy-what a great way to start P3!! You'll look great!! The antipasta sounds devine, but will have loads of salt. Just drink plenty of water and enjoy!!

Originally Posted by cocoapeanut

WOOOOO

Congrats on being so close to done with your P2 -- enjoy P3 my friend!

Julie - You're ROCKIN over there!! Love your attitude. Don't sweat it. Everything will fall into place as long as you focus on what you need to do for you! I know how it is to have other people at the table judging what you order..don't they always say that mimicry is flattery?

~*~*~*~

Okay, about me: As I mentioned, I'm 166.2 right now. Doing a chicken day today to see if I can get down a bit more. My parents are coming in tomorrow to visit me over the weekend so I'll be eating out a lot but I can make good choices..I lived with them only until very recently and am used to the frequency at which my parents eat out I'm usually fine eating out unless I eat too much or eat a lot of dessert!

This week has been stressful because dbf and I have been having nightly phone conversations (I'm now in LA and he's still in Chicago) about the status of our relationship. He's completely in love with me but I can't seem to be in love with him, even though he's amazingly sweet and funny and fun and he treats me well. Sigh. To make matters awkward, he is currently living with my parents and job searching to move out to LA, mostly because I'm out here. Double sigh. We've been dating for 2 years and I'm currently trying to figure out whether or not staying in the relationship makes sense for me right now in my life..but the timing isn't all that great And it's not easy to have to come home from a 10 hour work day and spend 2 hours having a difficult emotional conversation every night! Oh well..looking forward to seeing my parents. They're very supportive of me.

Sorry - had to get that out! Hope everyone has a great day.

Cocoa- That's quite a dilema!! Emotionally draining to boot!! Esp. w. his plans to uproot and move accross the country for you!!! That's a lot of pressure. Have you been honest with him? Continuing to date him knowing the incongruity is ok, as long as he is making an informed decision. You're young, beautiful the total package!! Don't limit yourself. My advice (which my young girls 9 &12 already know) is be picky!! Don't settle for less than God's best for you. Not out of obligation, guilt etc. If he's still willing to move once you're honest and up front with him, that'll be on him. Take a bit of time for "you" and see how it goes. Enjoy your weekend w. your folks!!

Originally Posted by TiffanyM

Julie, here's a couple.

The Best Ice Cream Ever

Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream

Thank you!!! I'll have to experiment!!

Originally Posted by TiffanyM

Size 12?? Lara that's awesome! I can't wait to be in a size 12. Maybe this time.. I have a pair of 14 levis that I can get into and zipped up, but it ain't pretty OR comfortable!

I am going to try and do pilates throughout this whole round. That and my normal walking.

I need an exercise buddy! Anyone want to join me on that?

And yes, a baked potato sounds delicious!!!

I should be your exercise buddy. I've really slacked off, but the scale is nice and steady. I'm afraid to add it back in as I always gain!! But, I also know I need to. At least the weight training again. What's your plan?

Originally Posted by Bitsky

Morning everyone,
I strolled into P4 this week, I've stabilized well since the start of P3 and I think I know what I need to avoid and what I can play with etc. Can I trust my body is set at what it needs to be at now?
I have this worry that I'll just be chugging along as I've been doing, enjoying my coffee with cream, whip cream on berries, butter on things and using coconut oil, ya know keeping up the good fat intake...then WHAMMO I'm going to start gaining like crazy because I'm eating high fat things. If I ate this stuff before I did HCG I would be gaining lbs like crazy!
I guess I'm STILL having a hard time believing I can maintian my new body while eating high fat. I'm seeing the miracle daily after I do my morning weigh in but for some reason I keep waiting for this awesomeness to end. I'm happy sticking with my P3 foods, I have a sugar or a starch every now and then but I'm not too concerned with adding them back into my diet. I just want to make sure that I am not going to wake up one morning and all of a sudden be back to gaining weight every time I even look at an iced capp made with cream. Will my 'new metabolism' stay with me now as long as I don't start eating starches and sugars in high quantities again??

Wow!! This is exactly how I feel!! I'm doing great in P3, defying logic and past experience!! It's wonderful!! I'm only at the end of my first week, but already "borrowing trouble" from P4 eventually. I have seen and learned that fat + carbs = weight gain. So, when I dabble eventually in P4 I plan to limit 1 or the other in each meal and see how it goes. Like Cocoa mentioned, we all have to experiment for ourselves. What works for one, won't work for others. Also, like Amy mentioned, I do dabble in corn chips early in P4 too. Easy and yummy. You'll have to be your own guinea pig. Just take it slowly and in control. You'll be fine!!

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Ok my one hour meal yesterday locked in the 3 lb loss on the steak day the day before so I'm still at 4 over liw and okay with it. I will start loading Saturday morning but I'm not thrilled about it. In the past I had done 3 days loading, but doing these one hour meal days has given me a chance to get it out of my system so I will stick to two days... Sat and Sun.

Maybe I wil get a couple pints of my fav haagen dazs and call it a day, because I have a feeling that the one hour meals have also upped my fat intake for the last week lol. I will probably be more prone to a sugar or carb withdrawal if anything.

You guys are doing well! Good to hear the losses, hope to have a great first week... excite dto get started and get smaller!!!woohoo!!

Julie are you in a band? lol it's probably your kids? I used to sing for a couple bands.

Cocoa~ tough situation, I hope that things work out for the best possible scenario for you...

Woohoo for sticking the steak day losses!! I sing in our praise band at church. I used to be in a band, when I was younger. Sang in most of my friends' weddings, including my own. Not much call for singing at this stage in my life. I'm wicked at kareoke . I miss it, but defnitely in a different season in my life. Enjoy your loading!! I'm jealous!! I love loading!!

Amy-yes!! try Freddy's!! They make delicious burgers and will wrap it in lettuce if you ask them. I load there usually!! Their fries? To die for!! Be careful (I sneak a few anyway).

I STS!!! I'm thrilled!! I overate yesterday, coming in near 2000 cals again!! I can NOT explain it!! I am so thankful!!! I am not taking it lightly!! This is a total blessing!! I'm not the type to maintain easily. I'm a quick and easy gainer. I usually struggle and wrestle t/o P3. This is truly a miracle!! God is so good to me!!! I am at 147.6 today again!! Thrilled!! Love it!! First week of P3 is done, and I'm enjoying myself immensely and ecstatic!!

I took my temp today and it's down again . I'm back to 96.4ish. That's a concern. I suspect the LC nature of my diet is involved. I won't be upping the carbs again for a few weeks. I need to see what else I can do to raise my temps and metabollic rate. Hmmm. I'm a science experiment.

My inlaws arrive tonight and we're broke . It'll be a challenge to make dinner each night that all will eat!! My FIL is super picky and so is dh. But they like completely different things!! I love a challenge!!

Have a great weekend ladies!! We got this!! Make mindful choices!!

[TiffanyM]

Morning ladies! I'm loading today, so I guess I should be in the P2 thread, but I had to come in for a sec! I feel like a hog today, and I really haven't even gotten started! The mind does funny things to us, doesn't it?!

Julie, I walk 5 - 6 times a week, 2 miles. I want to add in 20 min of Pilates 4-5 times a week to tone up. And do a few tricep dips and push ups. I just want to tone.

[LaraSuzz]

I feel the same way Tiffany! Like I'm already full... weird huh?

[dbunny]

Less than 24 hours until cream in my coffee!!!

[TiffanyM]

I swear its in my head! I haven't eaten much at all today. But i did go get myself 24 oz of greek yogurt and some mixed berries to put in it. I'm going to force it down! I don't want to be hungry this round.

My really bad food I'm going to eat (in moderation because of all the sugar) is 'Perfect Couple Pie'. Google it! I can't wait to make that tonight!

[LaraSuzz]

I saw last night on Triple "D" (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) a recipe for Amish Peanut Butter Pie.

It was pie crust baked off, cooled and then filled with 3 mixtures.

1. Chunky Peanut Butter mixed with Confectioners Sugar(to form crumbs).
2. Vanilla Pudding
3. Homemade Whipped Cream(shlag).

Some Peanut Butter Crumbs place in bottom of baked pie crust.
Layer with Vanilla Pudding.
Layer with more crumbs.
Layer with Whipped Cream
Sprinkle with crumbs.

OMG sounds good huh?

[fatnomore]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Yes, were so very close. 9 days until p2. I'm my usual scared yet excited self. lol Oh ya and seriously no cheats not worth it girl!!!! get your mind straight!!

Thanks I'm trying but didnt do very well with my one hour meal I think that it may have backfired.... im up 2 lol now up 6 ugh. Gotta find another plan lol.

Hi Shelby~Misslatte~Happy blated bday Taryl~
Julie~sad we will miss each other in out rounds too but I will still be here in P3 thread if I can handle it lol

What is the hour meal you speak of?

[TiffanyM]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

I saw last night on Triple "D" (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) a recipe for Amish Peanut Butter Pie.

It was pie crust baked off, cooled and then filled with 3 mixtures.

1. Chunky Peanut Butter mixed with Confectioners Sugar(to form crumbs).
2. Vanilla Pudding
3. Homemade Whipped Cream(shlag).

Some Peanut Butter Crumbs place in bottom of baked pie crust.
Layer with Vanilla Pudding.
Layer with more crumbs.
Layer with Whipped Cream
Sprinkle with crumbs.

OMG sounds good huh?

Oh my lordy yes!!!

[LaraSuzz]

Originally Posted by fatnomore

What is the hour meal you speak of?

When im in p4 if I know that I'm going to have to have carbs, like out to dinner or having a dessert etc... I eat one meal lasting no more than 1 hour and I have whatever I want within 60 minutes.
no snacking in between ... water and diet soda is ok and I dont gain weight... its based on the Carb addicts diet which used to be on this site a while back until I found hcg and then there was no turning back. The diet is based on tricking your bodys insulin triggers.

I was just my personal thing im not advocating it but once in a while its ok...
This was my experiment two weeks ago because they were catering lunch at work five days in a row and I didnt want to be left out, it was my 8th week out of p2... so I was legally in P4.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by TiffanyM

I swear its in my head! I haven't eaten much at all today. But i did go get myself 24 oz of greek yogurt and some mixed berries to put in it. I'm going to force it down! I don't want to be hungry this round.

My really bad food I'm going to eat (in moderation because of all the sugar) is 'Perfect Couple Pie'. Google it! I can't wait to make that tonight!

Oooh, chocolate, peanut butter and cream cheese. Wonder if that can be remade into a LC dish? I bet it can. Hmmm...

Lara-same idea!! Choc and PB!!

[LaraSuzz]

Yesterday I saw pre made cheesecake filling by Phillips near the cheese section... all you have to do is pour it into a graham cracker crust and done...

[cocoapeanut]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

I saw last night on Triple "D" (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) a recipe for Amish Peanut Butter Pie.

It was pie crust baked off, cooled and then filled with 3 mixtures.

1. Chunky Peanut Butter mixed with Confectioners Sugar(to form crumbs).
2. Vanilla Pudding
3. Homemade Whipped Cream(shlag).

Some Peanut Butter Crumbs place in bottom of baked pie crust.
Layer with Vanilla Pudding.
Layer with more crumbs.
Layer with Whipped Cream
Sprinkle with crumbs.

OMG sounds good huh?

Holy wow, maybe I'll make that!! I'm gonna need more loading days...

[Reddy]

Ugh I'm not sure I did so well on my first day of p3.

I think my lunch was ok (chicken salad on a bed of greens with olives, feta and balsamic vinegar. There was alsO eggplant in there - is that ok in p3? I didn't eat tr whole thing I ate til I was full.

Dinner was another salad. Egg salad over greens but the salad had carrots, beets and sprouts - thinking carrots and beets are not ok? Also the dressing was good but I wasn't certain of the ingredients (was at a restaurant) and I worry there could have been sugar in it.

The biggest thing is that I felt pretty sick after eating that even though PRE- HCG that would have been a really light meal to me - but it felt so heavy and i didnt even eat that much. I mean of course that's only natural given how little I've been eating for the past month but the craziest thing is that I'm now craving sweets more than I have since starting so I really nervous now!

How bad did I dO?

[christyb]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Christy-start slowly w/ your favorite goodie. I usually add chocolate (if I haven't already) or sweet potato . They're the 2 things I miss most. And shoestring French fries from Freddy's. They're fab! Oooh, I'm gonna like P4!

I feel full! I had a second serving of GY tonight at band practice. I was still hungry after grabbing a quick GY dinner, so I packed the other half the container and some strawberries. I ate it, so it wouldn't go bad and be wasted, but it wasn't necessary. At home I wouldn't have eaten it. Oh well. Learn from it and move on. Guessing about 1900 cals today. We'll see how tomorrow looks. It'll have to catch up w/ me eventually, right? I feel like I'm overdoing it every day! but I love P3!!!

Thanks for the advice! I got up this morning and my scale was broken! Of all the days for it to break. . .the day I start P4?!?! I'm wondering if God is trying to tell me something here because Mark picked a new scale up for me this evening and brought it home and IT DIDN'T WORK EITHER! Thinking I'm meant to do this WLA style and not weigh! But that totally freaks me out! How do I know if what I'm eating is ok? I am sticking like glue to hunger, but I still struggle with it a bit (though I think I've been erring on the not eating enough side).

I had to pick my older daughter up at church camp today, so we picked up lunch in the car. I've been wanting a chick-fil-a patty for a while, so I ate that without a bun and a salad. At dinner tonight I had a tiny amount of pasta just to test the waters.

I really want french fries from Five Guys but I was scared to eat potatoes so soon. One, because they are so starchy, but also because potatoes are my favorite food and I don't trust myself. I know I need to go there at some point. Robin would tell me to go and order a large and see if I can stop myself. I will. Just not yet!

I am in the middle of TOM and I'm feeling pretty hungry today. Wondering if I'm genuinely hungrier, or if having some carbs is triggering something? How do you know?

Sounds like you're rocking P3! Hope it keeps going well!

[julieboolie]

Christy-no scale!! But that 2 scales died!! I'd be scared!! Esp when you're adding in carbs. But you're handling it well!! Good for you!! If you'be been nice and stable for a while now you'll be fine!! I agree, not sure about the hunger being carb driven, but you can tell whether you're eating just to eat or actual hunger. A lot of times I want to eat, but truthfully I'm not hungry. I just *want* to eat. I'd buy a new scale and see where I was in the morning. I'm not as brave as Robin! I like the daily accountability. So far, I like the scale. That could all change if it goes up on me!!

Reddy-that doesn't sound bad at all!! Those are all "legal" things, especially in moderation. The dressing could have added sugar, but overall you'll be fine. Your appetite will be back soon enough. Enjoy the calm before the storm . Just take it one day at a time .

Enjoying P3 still. I'm defnitely feeling indulgent, but so far, so good!!

[Reddy]

Thank you Julie! I've been checking this thread over and over hoping someone would help me assess the "damage"

I saw that carrots and beets are on the list to avoid an worried but really it wasn't that much of it.

In addition to my two salads I had a peach tonight.

Scared about my appetite coming back with a vengeance and getting me into trouble!

[christyb]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Christy-no scale!! But that 2 scales died!! I'd be scared!! Esp when you're adding in carbs. But you're handling it well!! Good for you!! If you'be been nice and stable for a while now you'll be fine!! I agree, not sure about the hunger being carb driven, but you can tell whether you're eating just to eat or actual hunger. A lot of times I want to eat, but truthfully I'm not hungry. I just *want* to eat. I'd buy a new scale and see where I was in the morning. I'm not as brave as Robin! I like the daily accountability. So far, I like the scale. That could all change if it goes up on me!!

Reddy-that doesn't sound bad at all!! Those are all "legal" things, especially in moderation. The dressing could have added sugar, but overall you'll be fine. Your appetite will be back soon enough. Enjoy the calm before the storm . Just take it one day at a time .

Enjoying P3 still. I'm defnitely feeling indulgent, but so far, so good!!

You know I'm going to break down and get a scale! I'm so freaked out tonight about what I've eaten today I have to know what's going on! But how will I know if any difference in weight is because of my eating or because it's a different scale!?!? I could drive myself nuts!

As far as hunger, I'm not great at it yet but I honestly don't think I've eaten without hunger at all. The degrees of hunger are confusing to me still. I haven't mastered her scale at all. Right now I'm just trying to deal with hungry vs. not hungry! I have definitely noticed plenty of times that I just plain WANT to eat! Eating has been my best friend for so long. It's a hard break-up!

Maybe I should get the new scale and if I don't like what it says take that one back too!

I think I miss P3! It was so safe and comfy there!

Originally Posted by Reddy

Ugh I'm not sure I did so well on my first day of p3.

I think my lunch was ok (chicken salad on a bed of greens with olives, feta and balsamic vinegar. There was alsO eggplant in there - is that ok in p3? I didn't eat tr whole thing I ate til I was full.

Dinner was another salad. Egg salad over greens but the salad had carrots, beets and sprouts - thinking carrots and beets are not ok? Also the dressing was good but I wasn't certain of the ingredients (was at a restaurant) and I worry there could have been sugar in it.

The biggest thing is that I felt pretty sick after eating that even though PRE- HCG that would have been a really light meal to me - but it felt so heavy and i didnt even eat that much. I mean of course that's only natural given how little I've been eating for the past month but the craziest thing is that I'm now craving sweets more than I have since starting so I really nervous now!

How bad did I dO?

I think you did really well! The only marginal thing might be the dressing, but I don't think it's a deal breaker. If you are keeping an eye on your hunger and only eating then I think you'll be surprised how much you can actually eat without gaining. I know I was! These past 3 weeks of P3 I truly just ate when I was hungry and stopped when hunger went away and I stabilized really easily. I was never 2 pounds under or over my LDW.

The first three days adding fats back in made me ! And it took several days before I felt my appetite coming back, maybe longer. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom (sorry, TMI) and I added fats in slowly. So I think feeling the way you're feeling is normal and it'll get better really soon!

Great job on your first day! Keep it up and you'll rock this phase!

[christyb]

Reddy - I just posted and was talking a lot about the hunger scale and stuff. I was thinking I was in the Weight Loss Apocalypse thread. Sorry about that!