Loading - Labor Day 2012?

[walkingwoman]

Morning Ladies!

Chantel, Your post gave me goosebumps! How exciting for you!

Reddy, so glad the steak day worked When are you leavig for Fla? Wishing you a safe trip

Dawn, I am sooooo jealous! You've worked very hard to get that scale down so many congrats, my friend.

Julie, you're doing so well! Love the addition of exercise. You've got what it takes to keep that scale down! You're gonna be done with p2 before you blink

[walkingwoman]

Whoops! Hit release before I was done typing

Buttah, I love reading your thought provoking posts. You're so helpful on this thread. Just wanted to let you know I really appreciate the information you share with us.

Scale is still not down to my low but I'm close I thought that huge loss one day last week was a bit too good to be true and apparently it was! lol. So, working, working, working and just keeping the faith.

[walkingwoman]

Junkn, glad you came to play on the thread Wishing you a great release today!

Riss, how goes it? Hope the scale is being friendly for you today.

[julieboolie]

Buttah-even w. weight left to lose, you successfully maintained in between. That's certainly credible! I maintaining my 100lbs lost on Atkins for 7 years b/4 finding hcg and losing the last 30. Maintaining in that span was still work, and worthwhile. Appreciate the advice. You're inspiring me to really pay attention and plan while I'm away. I need to stay in control. Balance is key I think. I tend to wait and over anticipate then go hog wild!! I need to give myself permission to only have "some" of whatever treat I want. Even if someone else won't eat it, wasting it is better than finishing it and gaining from it. That's a challenge for me too!

WW-sorry you're still working back down, but for sticking w. it!! You'll be there soon!! I hope it's over that quickly!! Actually, it's not that bad. I just get bored w. not being able to eat out or socialize more. I want to enjoy the losing as it should be my last time doing it.

Sneezing and sore throat . Drat.

[buttah]

EMERGENCY, need help before I eat anything.

Okay, today is day 4 of STS. (week 4 - typical, right? Why did I lengthen the round FOR THIS?!)

And even though I KNOW it's only a water situation, I am strongly considering an apple day, purely for psychological reasons (as Dr. S it was anyway).

But first, please tell me:

As someone whose body NEEDS protein and doesn't love high glycemic foods, how do you FEEL just eating apples all day? I'm already barely managing hunger, and I fear just apples will make me hungrier. I wish it were a protein day. Are there any alternatives to a P2 apple day? Like, from Biz? I know what Robin would say, so I won't even ask her (and I don't disagree with her; I'm just frustrated).

And doesn't a day of just apples make you ravenous by the day after?

Help! I need answers and experiences!

ETA: just wanted to add that is is probably a long-ago set point for me, and since I know I ovulated a few days ago, it may be the beginning of pre-TOM water holding. Who knows.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Stevie Renee

Hi all!
Thanks for the well wishes for upcoming vacation. Schedule busy and we are happy here at the home front. I am doing super low carb, high fat, modified protein and using the hunger scale actually very well right now. So happy about that. I can see that I am not as fluffy as I was and I feel at peace right now. Hitting the gym & walking still.

But I wanted to come on here because I am just SO EXCITED!!

Some of you know I am going to Germany in November to see my DD, SIL as my DD is pregnant ( due 11-20). (First grandchild)

Well, my mom was coming here to exchange some stuff we had for each other....guess what she brought me?!!!

My DD & SIL!!! They surprised me from Germany!!!

We have a big party planned 10-6-12 and we had planned on Skyping her for her baby shower...but now she will be here for it!!!

I was not prepared for that!!!


Isn't that awesome?!

OMG!!! That is the best surprise ever Yippee!!!! How long will they stay???

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by buttah

EMERGENCY, need help before I eat anything.

Okay, today is day 4 of STS. (week 4 - typical, right? Why did I lengthen the round FOR THIS?!)

And even though I KNOW it's only a water situation, I am strongly considering an apple day, purely for psychological reasons (as Dr. S it was anyway).

But first, please tell me:

As someone whose body NEEDS protein and doesn't love high glycemic foods, how do you FEEL just eating apples all day? I'm already barely managing hunger, and I fear just apples will make me hungrier. I wish it were a protein day. Are there any alternatives to a P2 apple day? Like, from Biz? I know what Robin would say, so I won't even ask her (and I don't disagree with her; I'm just frustrated).

And doesn't a day of just apples make you ravenous by the day after?

Help! I need answers and experiences!

ETA: just wanted to add that is is probably a long-ago set point for me, and since I know I ovulated a few days ago, it may be the beginning of pre-TOM water holding. Who knows.

I did fine on the apple day. Actually not hungry at all. I didn't want to eat apples, and that was my only choice, so I didn't eat much at all. Biz would suggest a mini steak day if you don't want to do an apple day. You take your 2 servings of protein (that would be 7 oz) and have them at dinner--in the form of steak. Then have an apple or tomato with it. That is it for the day--but you can drink all day and have tea, coffee too.

[dawnyama]

My apple day loss didn't stick. While I am up a smidge, I am still below my plateau/stall weight though!!! So all is good!!! I am hoping for a good scale day tomorrow.

[dawnyama]

Julie--when I am sick on P2 I do have chicken broth. I do as my doctor suggests: chicken broth, fresh crushed garlic, and a bit of cayenne pepper. tastes yummy!! Hope it gets you to feeling better.

[shelbyla]

buttah - one other thing that I have seen recommended for P2 (that is at least somewhat protocol) is what they call a mini-steak day. Basically, fast during the day then eat both portions of protein at night in the form of a 7oz (raw) lean steak or burger with a good sized tomato. Don't know if this is something you would consider but I thought I'd throw it out there.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

buttah - one other thing that I have seen recommended for P2 (that is at least somewhat protocol) is what they call a mini-steak day. Basically, fast during the day then eat both portions of protein at night in the form of a 7oz (raw) lean steak or burger with a good sized tomato. Don't know if this is something you would consider but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Just posted this Shelby (see post #549) Great minds think alike

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Biz would suggest a mini steak day if you don't want to do an apple day. You take your 2 servings of protein (that would be 7 oz) and have them at dinner--in the form of steak. Then have an apple or tomato with it. That is it for the day--but you can drink all day and have tea, coffee too.

Jinx!

[buttah]

Thanks, shelby and dawn, but too late! I already had fish/cabbage for lunch. And then a major visit from the bathroom fairy. So I have hope yet.

If tomorrow doesn't show a loss I will do a mini-steak day. That I think I can do! Although I remain unconvinced about stall-breaking helping long run in P2. I know the water will flush out eventually no matter what I do. But at least I think I can survive a mini-steak day if my psyche needs it.

[julieboolie]

Buttah- I hear ya' on the stall sit. It's tough to be "good" and see the scale stay the same day in day out. I know the "stall breakers" are mental, but sometimes this diet is more mental than anything else. Hope your visit from the "fairy" helps!! You're due!!

Dawn/Shelby-yep. that was what I thought of too. I haven't tried one yet but I'm sure it works.

Made some yummy chicken soup. It was soooo good!! and I love the homemade chicken broth!! Forgot how good it is!! Hope it kicks out my cold .

[buttah]

Yup, the Natural Calm magnesium has been wonderful. And I know it's better for me than senna or any other laxative. I don't want my body to be addicted to those.

See you guys tomorrow!

[buttah]

So I thought I'd share a few blurbs from Robin's "Mind Body Method Workbook" that I thought might be of interest to those in or soon heading to P3 and curious about what "eating to hunger" REALLY means. (I've already posted Robin's descriptions of various points earlier in this thread, so I thought this was a good place to put the P3 stuff - keep it all together).

Most important (me summarizing, not Robin) is what "eating to hunger" DOES NOT mean:

-It DOES NOT mean eating until you are FULL!
-It DOES NOT mean you can't enjoy food during a celebration (you can and should, as long as you are hungry!)
-It DOES NOT mean placing quantity over quality of food, and thus, it is a WOE that is truly celebratory of good food. Only amounts are restricted. That seems to be the thing most people really don't want to accept. It's up to you how you want to live!

Okay, here we go (and I've eliminated some parts; these are partial quotes) and note that in Robin's lingo, P3 is phase 2:

Week one:

"The first few days of the second phase [this is P3 to most of us] you're not going to notice a lot of hunger. DO NOT eat just because you think you should.

"Proceed with caution. Avoid super fatty foods like bacon and sausage to start. Your stomach is not used to digesting fats so introduce these foods slowly. If you get too excited and eat more fat than you should, you may end up feeling like you have the flu - coming out of both ends."

"You shouldn't need the scale to tell you you've eaten too much. Food weight after eating and fecal fluctuations will return, so expect some weight increase. It's normal for your guts to fill with more foods, so expect to feel that in the waste."

"Only eat when hunger gets uncomfortable and just enough so that hunger is gone. Avoid satiation or fullness. Absolutely no sugar or starchy processed foods. The goal is to mimic the same feelings of hunger and satiation as you had during the first phase."

"If you mimic the hunger scale felt during the first phase, your body should continue to change. This is your time to build confidence in your body, so give it a try and after three weeks you'll be pleasantly surprised."


Week two:

"You may notice this week your hunger creeps back a little bit. Continue to be prepared and add a variety of protein and fat sources. Add different types of nuts, cheeses, and attempt to eat at a restaurant."

Week three:

"The third week of the second phase is usually when hunger starts picking up. We've noticed significant increases in resting metabolic rates during this time. DO NOT get sucked back in to the world of gluttony, attempting to eat more than you need to see if your body gains weight back. In fact, you shouldn't need to weigh yourself anyway."

"Start planning what carbohydrates you're going to attempt to eat once this phase is over. Is it pizza, sushi, or a danish? Whatever you choose, observe your body's hunger response, gage how quickly it satiates, and how long the satiation lasts before hunger presents itself again." [this is how you PLAN for parties, dinners and special events - me speaking, not Robin.]

"You'll notice sweet foods taste too sweet, and what you thought was tasty before just isn't worth eating. Choosing to eat for taste and quality is far more rewarding than eating for quantity, and without the obvious side effect of weight gain. Eating what you want and allowing your body to decide when and how much is a true "win win" situation."

[julieboolie]

Buttah-thanks! That's good stuff!! Love this quote "continue to be prepared". That is gold!! Being prepared is key to all of this!! I also am working on the paradigm shift that P3 isn't "done" w. the protocol!! I tend to "struggle" through the VLC phase and look at P3 as the promised land - I get to "eat" again!! I need to not do this!! I need to work on listening to hunger and denying the idea that "I can have X". It doesn't mean I should have X. Thanks for this!! And "avoid satiation and fullness". That's gonna' be tough. That empty feeling in the VLC phase is not really pleasant for me. I need to be mindful when I'm eating. Why am I eating? Am I truly hungry? That's where I'll need the practice.

I'm up 1lb today . Some type of water retetion - leftover from Monday's softball or this stupid cold (or the yummy soup I made for the stupid cold). Whatever, I'm sure it'll go. Not sweating it .

Have a great day ladies!!

[dawnyama]

Bummer Julie. But I am sure you are retaining because of the cold. Just know that it will come back down.

I am down ---lower than my apple day weight!!! So a success it was!!!!! Apple day truly worked. I am losing again. Thank goodness.

Hope ya'll have a great day.

[Kateenie]

Buttah - just wanted to say that I think you are AWESOME. I truly appreciate your info and incredible ability to explain it! It has helped me immensely as I transition into another P3.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Kateenie

Buttah - just wanted to say that I think you are AWESOME. I truly appreciate your info and incredible ability to explain it! It has helped me immensely as I transition into another P3.

I completely agree. I know it takes time to post the things you have and I appreciate it. Thanks go much buttah

[buttah]

Aw shucks, you guys.

There is one thing I wanted to add, or re-emphasize if I have said it before.

A lot of people think that if you eat this way, you will be eating junk/desert/fatty foods all the time. Not at all. The amazing thing about HS freedom and not demonizing ANY food is that you find you don't want things just because they're there, because it's a holiday, because whatever. You only want them when you want them. You find that you often CRAVE tasty healthier foods. Just like a thin person who doesn't "watch their weight" often eats healthy when they COULD indulge in something "less healthy."

When I ate this way for years, I picked my "guilty pleasures" only when I really craved them. I didn't give myself any other excuses to eat them. So much more often I craved the protein and veggies (with sauces and dressings of course), not the starches and sugars. But I certainly ate those, too.

I hope that makes sense.

[julieboolie]

Buttah-it's the "guilty pleasures" that I'm afraid of!! I think a little fear is good though. Makes me pay attention and take it all seriously! I wonder if I get to the point where nothing is "forbidden" if I'll want the healthier options?

Repost from P2 thread - skip if you like
I'm in the same range today. Been 144.4ish for 5 days now (got down to 143.8 on Tues. morning, but that's not sticking). Bummer . I'm only on the "juice" for 3 more days (if I do the short round) and am disappointed the scale isn't down further. I'm hoping it's from the cold. But, what can you do? I don't think I want to do an apple day this close to the end? I'd likely bump back up and have a hard time maintaining. Thoughts?

I'm leaning toward riding it out and see what the scale says Sunday. I could go a little longer, but I really don't want to. I leave for Mexico Oct. 13 and would like to have as much P3 and stability in me before I go. NOt sure how the food will work while I'm there. Hoping I get to help shop and cook so I know I'll have P3 options. Really thought I'd be down today .

[Stevie Renee]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

OMG!!! That is the best surprise ever Yippee!!!! How long will they stay???

3 weeks!! They did a hotel room as they are night owls and need their privacy. They are coming over tonight for dinner.

Just got caught up reading everyones posts!



We leave tomorrow for our trip


Be good all!! Love reading your journey!

[Reddy]

Hi Everyone!

Just got back from Miami!

It was a quick trip because I really can't afford to be away from my business or my son for too long. Luckily my Nana was released from the ICU last night so that made leaving today a bit less difficult.

I realized I never actually explained here why I was going... It was such a fast decision to leave.

This past weekend my grandmother (93) was admitted to the hospital due to afib and rapid heart beat. She went for a regular doctors visit and when he found her heartbeat to be irregular they sent her to the hopital in an ambulance. They found that there was some fluid around her heart as well so there were some concerns but they managed to get it down and more regular pretty quickly. Then apparently Sunday night things took a turn and her heart rate went up, she was having trouble breathing and there were concerns her heart was failing and it didnt' look good so they took her to ICU.

When I called to check on her Monday I learned about this and although things were looking much better than the night before, hearing that was enough that I knew I needed to go see her right away.

Had to rent a car as we are a one car family so I left Tuesday morning. By the time I got there she was doing MUCH better. Heart beat down below 100 and breathing back to normal. She was in relatively high spirits (my grandmother had a few falls that have left her with two torn rotator cuffs so she's not very mobile anymore and is definitely on the decline) But it was reassuring to see her doing well and I believe seeing me lifted her spirits quite a bit.(My Aunt lives with her and my parents live near by so she has had them there through all of this thank goodness)

So last night they determined she was stable enough to leave the ICU which is wonderful. If she continues to remain stable she may be able to go home in a few days. Of course there is concern about how she's going to get around and her quality of life at this point but at least she'll be able to go back home. I got up at 6am and drove home this morning. Missed my son so much... so very glad to be back although I hated to leave my nana in the hospital.

Anyway, I managed to do ok and eat well while I was there. I did have flavored cream in my coffee b/c that's all my mom had at her house. But otherwise I ate Salads at the hospital. Did have mushroom soup yesterday but hopefully wasn't too bad.

This morning I slipped up b/c it was 6:30am and my choices were limited but I could have done better and instead I gave into a pumpkin craving at starbucks.

Haven't been on the scale since Tuesday morning (when I was down 4lbs from my steak day) so we'll see what it says tomorrow. Hopefully I'm still in window.

Enough about me... Julie, I think an apple day may not be a bad idea. I did one on my second to last day. Had I not cheated at the game I think I would have been fine and I believe I am going to be stabilizing just fine. Of course it's tough to say so I can't speak 100% from experience but if you want to break the stall and are up for an apple day... go for it.

Sorry this round has been tough on you. I can certainly relate!

Buttah, you are such an inspiration and i really appreciate your knowledge and insight. I love how serious you are about this being more than a quick fix but a lifestyle change. Not looking at things like vacations as a "cheat pass" and learning how to really be in control of eating! You will undoubtedly be successful b/c of your attitude and commitment.

How was the scale today? I truly hope it moved for you b/c you have been so good!

If not a mini steak day may be a good idea!!!

I don't have time to catch up in the P2 thread but maybe tonight so if you posted there already, my apologies!!

Tomorrow Friday so woo hoo for that right?

Hope everyone else is doing great!

[buttah]

Reddy, it moved yesterday and today. I'm thinking maybe if I don't tell you exactly, you'll just HAVE to visit my journal. And no, I did not do an apple day. And never will. Too much sugar. Makes no sense to me for just a psychological boost. We have to learn to accept that the daily scale (nothing more than gravity and ever-changing water in our tissues) is not an accurate reflection of what's going on in our bodies long term! (She says, while she keeps weighing... but she swears to stop on maintenance.)

And yes, I am determined not to let hcg rapid weight loss be some sort of "earning" of future over-indulging and gaining as I suspect it becomes for many. I refuse, do you hear me?!

I hope your grandmother continues to improve!!!!!!!

[Reddy]

Buttah I will 100% read it. I am just now catching up on emails and sooo behind right now> I knew you weren't going to do an apple day but I thought you might try a steak day if you stalled. So happy to hear you haven't stalled and have dropped some! (will read tonight or this afternoon)

Now can we all just talk about something right now? I have lost 50lbs in the past 6 months right? Right. I'm "skinny" now right? Right.

So why did I JUST take the photo 5 minutes ago where I look 20 weeks pregnant? I could 100% send this to people and tell them "It's a girl" and they would believe me. I'm bloated I know it's bloat but WTH????

P.S. PLEASE don't quote this.... I am totally deleting the picture later but still...

[buttah]

Reddy, do you have diastis recti (separation of stomach muscles, often from pregnancy?) Nearly all women who need a tummy tuck (need is the wrong word, but you know what I mean) have muscles that split open vertically during pregnancy. And they do not repair them when they do a C-section!. Virtually nothing but sutures gets those muscles back together, and it's part of a full tummy tuck. BUT...

I have recently purchased an exercise program specifically geared to re-knitting those muscles back together, even if you're doing a tummy tuck (it helps keep them sutured, etc.) Google "Tupler Technique" and you'll read all about it. I hope I spelled it right.

I just started doing it, so I can't report on results yet.

And anyway, you still look great. We know you're sticking that out on purpose!

[Reddy]

I honestly don't know If I have that but it's entirely possible. I've never heard of it but I'm going to google it and read into That as well as the exercise program you mentioned. I'm not above a tummy tuck but will wait until after I'm done having children for that.

Yes I'm sticking it out and exaggerating it but sill it's nuts that it looks that way. I was on the phone with a client and caught a glimpse if my reflection in the window and I was like Woah!!!!

Frustrating!

[Reddy]

Soo googled it and I'm not sure if I have it or not. Says only 5% get that after pregnancy and most after more than one but it's possible.

What kind of doc would diagnose that? OB?

What I found interesting was how it said if you do have it that traditional an exercises will actually make it worse. Well ****..
Wish I would have known sooner then if I DO have
It!

[buttah]

Not sure if an OB would diagnose it - maybe. I think there's a way you can tell yourself. The PS's I saw for consultation said I definitely had it. But I can't feel it myself. (And when I was pregnant, I stuck out REALLY FAR.) I know that virtually all full TT's include "muscle repair." Maybe google how to tell if you have it? I thought perhaps it was on the Tupler site.