P2 Simeons Protocol Week of 9-24-2012

[cocoapeanut]

Hey Julie! I just wanted to briefly chime in and say that I've also been feeling fat deprived! This week has been very difficult for me..I've been more hungry, tired, irritable, emotional, and unmotivated than I can ever remember being. On Wednesday I was out of the office attending events on Hollywood Blvd and had to follow my co-worker around as she ate things like curried salmon, bread pudding, and a jalapeño pretzel with cheese..considering that I was so tired and ready to eat my own arm, I'm surprised I didn't cave! GAH!!

Anyway, back to my original point..my body has been trying to tell me I'm protein and/or fat deprived, and I'm currently trying to figure out if it's one of them in particular. So with your HNH experiment in mind, I added a 1/2 tbsp of coconut oil into my coffee this morning for my fat experiment (I know you don't do CO but I figured a pure fat source would be best..I also considered butter!). I'm keeping normal P2 meals. I'll let you know if my weight is affected, but I can say that my hunger today was barely even present at lunch time, which is unusual for this round, and my energy is the best it has been all week! Not to mention my mood..haha Tomorrow I may try increasing protein portions a smidge instead to see the difference.

I'm a protocol girl so I feel like I've committed a crime!! But if it helps me not feel like I've been hit by a train half the time, I'm willing to try it. I know you're a curious experimenter too so just wanted to let you know that you aren't the only one putting something extra in your coffee today!! (Which reminds me, I'm curious to see about HC's protein shake day )

On the topic of going to social events..in my opinion, it's not so much whether or not I can be happy without eating the food there. If I'm not hungry, it's usually not a problem (unless there's some food item available that I love and only get rarely, in which case, I get a little sad!). It really just comes down to becoming comfortable with the idea of not fitting in and being okay with the knowledge that some people may judge me or find me odd. Which is hard. I think most people want to fit in, and sometimes, that can drive you to cheat more than anything else. I just try to socialize and enjoy everyone's company as much as I can!

PS Sas -- I usually need industrial strength stuff in terms of being regular too, lol! I take 1000mg of Vitamin C every morning and evening (has a stimulant effect as well), and take 680mg of magnesium citrate every night before bed. That seems to be doing the trick for me at the moment!

Dbunny -- Glad to see you back in the saddle

[Sas]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I will eat before I go to fair. Chicken breast and salad sound good. Lunch was 175 cals and then I had an apple. On 4th bottle of water. I feel hungry, but try to drown that away!

[manders]

Originally Posted by HappyChick

You're so right, Manders! I found myself wanting to eat extra yesterday because my sneaky little devil kept patting me on the back for having a good week despite my cheat last w/e. I didn't go off plan, food wise, but definitely ate larger protein portions than I should have. Result: STS. Booo!!

Interesting study about praise. I can relate to that. I find myself responding to people who pay me compliments with kind of a negative reaction- like: "Thanks, but no- I'm not getting skinny, far from it- I have a long way to go" or "Meh, I'm getting there". I do it because I don't want to become complacent, but- at the same time, I hate reacting that way because I think I'm being rude. My school of thought is that when someone compliments you, say "Thank You"; to do otherwise is kind of rude- it's akin to invalidating someone's thought or opinion. Then again, feedback is good too.. Maybe I just need to keep that dialogue in my head while my mouth says thanks...lol.

Yes, we've done well so far- but, we do have a way to go!! Let's do it!!

Originally Posted by Kateenie

Speaking of responding to praise, I was having a good talk with DH yesterday and realized that I actually feel mad when someone freaks out over me saying how good I look - what the heck did I look like before??!! To me, I just flip it around and think, good grief I must've looked really bad if they are making such a big deal about it.

Just one more little "thing" I'm trying to work on and get my head around, so that I don't have to keep losing weight over and over again!

It's not just a physical journey, it's a mental and emotional one too.

Originally Posted by Fat Eddie

Good morning ladies! Yup I'm still alive and kickin!! I will be back Monday for round 2 after my 3 week break./slight gain but maintained pretty good. Sorry I haven't been around but I needed a computer break as well.

I realized one thing and that is HCG not only is good for my health but for helping me live a better more disciplined life. Alright enough of the serious stuff. See ya Monday God willing.

Keep on truckin'

Eddie!!!! Missed ya

--

Well, I didn't weigh thursday so I weighed today as Fridays are my chosen weigh day. 179. I thought I would be down more. That's only 1 pound in two days. I was hoping for more, although I have been eating a lot more veggies than before. I wonder if celery would cause extra bulk in my intestines? hmmm. We're allowed to eat celery, right?

[dawnyama]

Mandy--yes, celery is allowed on plan.

[junkn]

for all of those struggling right now at staying the same, i STS for 2 wks!! and the only thing that broke the stall was adding FATS. i know a lot of you are strict protocol- and so was i but i got tired of staying the same for so long.

so maybe try 3 days of fat fasting- 1000 calories of 80-90 percent fats or add coconut oil.

i did the fat fast, broke a stall, stayed the same again after going back to vlcd, then started drinking bulletproof coffee (1tbs of grassfed butter & 1tbs of CO in my coffee daily) and the scale started moving again

good luck!

[manders]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Mandy--yes, celery is allowed on plan.

Awesome. I think maybe I just have to go to the bathroom. Celery is nice because it's crunchy.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by junkn

for all of those struggling right now at staying the same, i STS for 2 wks!! and the only thing that broke the stall was adding FATS. i know a lot of you are strict protocol- and so was i but i got tired of staying the same for so long.

so maybe try 3 days of fat fasting- 1000 calories of 80-90 percent fats or add coconut oil.

i did the fat fast, broke a stall, stayed the same again after going back to vlcd, then started drinking bulletproof coffee (1tbs of grassfed butter & 1tbs of CO in my coffee daily) and the scale started moving again

good luck!

Thanks for sharing. I may resort to this. I am this close to quitting

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by manders

Awesome. I think maybe I just have to go to the bathroom. Celery is nice because it's crunchy.

Personally I hate celery, but know that almost everyone else does. More power to you And I am sure you will have a whoosh tomorrow. I am hoping for a big one too

[KOO]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Personally I hate celery, but know that almost everyone else does. More power to you And I am sure you will have a whoosh tomorrow. I am hoping for a big one too

I am with you. I can eat it in food cooked, but I can't handle the stringiness of it to eat it raw.

[manders]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Thanks for sharing. I may resort to this. I am this close to quitting

My modified FF saved my sanity. DO IT DO IT DO IT! You will feel SO MUCH BETTER!

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Personally I hate celery, but know that almost everyone else does. More power to you And I am sure you will have a whoosh tomorrow. I am hoping for a big one too

Saying prayers for both of us! I know you've struggled lately. I have so much respect for you and what you've gone through Dawn. I know you can do it!

[Abby1983]

Hey ladies! Can i hop on in here too? I'm on vlcd7 and down 7.2 as of this morning. This is my first round where i really feel 'in the zone' i wanted to get down to 143 but im thinking of changing my goal to ten more pounds to get into the 130s. Good luck to everyone!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Abby1983

Hey ladies! Can i hop on in here too? I'm on vlcd7 and down 7.2 as of this morning. This is my first round where i really feel 'in the zone' i wanted to get down to 143 but im thinking of changing my goal to ten more pounds to get into the 130s. Good luck to everyone!

Good luck to you!!! What a great start you have had

[buttah]

I am so impressed with everyone here, period. We are all heroes.

Sas, I've had two events to go to since protocol. Both times I brought a giant Fuji apple and a bottle of Vitamin Water Zero (I only drink it once in a while - it has 0 calories but just a few carbs from the Truvia or whatever - and loaded with magnesium, vitamins, electrolytes, all kinds of good stuff. It's gotten rid of a couple migraines as well). It's not the same, but it helps. Oh, and I eat right before I go.

My husband has just learned to understand that for a few weeks I am not eating out, at parties, not drinking, not anything. The rewards are too many; the risks not worth it.

Having said that, we all do what we gotta do!

[buttah]

Can I just say that I've become a HUGE TEA drinker since HCG.

I am right now sipping a mug of Raw Green Bush Tea in Plantain Coconut (0 calories, decaf), with a bit of stevia, and I am in Heaven. We may need a tea thread. Tea is so new to me. It was one of the more expensive ones at Whole Foods, but oh so worth it. I'm saving a fortune in not eating out.

I also got a vanilla almond in another brand to try later.

Loving my Genmaicha (green tea with roasted rice flavor) every day as well, but it's got caffeine, so I can only have it in the morning.

All of these are 0 everything and fully approved by the dietician/HCG guru at my clinic, so I'm confident.

[manders]

Originally Posted by Abby1983

Hey ladies! Can i hop on in here too? I'm on vlcd7 and down 7.2 as of this morning. This is my first round where i really feel 'in the zone' i wanted to get down to 143 but im thinking of changing my goal to ten more pounds to get into the 130s. Good luck to everyone!

Of course! Jump in here! This thread has been so great for all of us and keeping ourselves accountable. You're doing great!

I just found out that I will be eating out tomorrow I'm excited to go but it will be dinner and a movie. I'm checking out the menu for the restaurant right now. I searched and it looks like the restaurant doesn't provide nutritional information. Great.

I guess I should probably get the smallest steak possible with a veggie. No oils, no butter, no nothing!

[ravr]

Is dill pickle a vege? lol since cucumber n vinegar are allowed?? WhaT WOULD BE proper serving? 1 whole pickle?

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Julie--I am toying with ending this weekend as well. I figure if I can stick to 125 so well--6 days is a long time!!!--I will probably stick to 125 on P3 too. I mean the food is not even that good. I would rather have a nice salad and STS than eat anything P2 right now. It is hard to soldier on while not seeing any reward. That stupid scale.

What do you think of the FF? I've never done one, and am not sure what the final outcome would be. If you lose on it during the transition, does the weight stick?

Junkn-can you elaborate on the FF? Did you use it at the end of a round? To transition like someone else did. Was that you? I can't remember who it was? I'd love to drop a bit more, but I'm afraid of the FF.

Originally Posted by cocoapeanut

Hey Julie! I just wanted to briefly chime in and say that I've also been feeling fat deprived! This week has been very difficult for me..I've been more hungry, tired, irritable, emotional, and unmotivated than I can ever remember being. On Wednesday I was out of the office attending events on Hollywood Blvd and had to follow my co-worker around as she ate things like curried salmon, bread pudding, and a jalapeño pretzel with cheese..considering that I was so tired and ready to eat my own arm, I'm surprised I didn't cave! GAH!!

Anyway, back to my original point..my body has been trying to tell me I'm protein and/or fat deprived, and I'm currently trying to figure out if it's one of them in particular. So with your HNH experiment in mind, I added a 1/2 tbsp of coconut oil into my coffee this morning for my fat experiment (I know you don't do CO but I figured a pure fat source would be best..I also considered butter!). I'm keeping normal P2 meals. I'll let you know if my weight is affected, but I can say that my hunger today was barely even present at lunch time, which is unusual for this round, and my energy is the best it has been all week! Not to mention my mood..haha Tomorrow I may try increasing protein portions a smidge instead to see the difference.

I'm a protocol girl so I feel like I've committed a crime!! But if it helps me not feel like I've been hit by a train half the time, I'm willing to try it. I know you're a curious experimenter too so just wanted to let you know that you aren't the only one putting something extra in your coffee today!! (Which reminds me, I'm curious to see about HC's protein shake day )

On the topic of going to social events..in my opinion, it's not so much whether or not I can be happy without eating the food there. If I'm not hungry, it's usually not a problem (unless there's some food item available that I love and only get rarely, in which case, I get a little sad!). It really just comes down to becoming comfortable with the idea of not fitting in and being okay with the knowledge that some people may judge me or find me odd. Which is hard. I think most people want to fit in, and sometimes, that can drive you to cheat more than anything else. I just try to socialize and enjoy everyone's company as much as I can!

PS Sas -- I usually need industrial strength stuff in terms of being regular too, lol! I take 1000mg of Vitamin C every morning and evening (has a stimulant effect as well), and take 680mg of magnesium citrate every night before bed. That seems to be doing the trick for me at the moment!

Dbunny -- Glad to see you back in the saddle

Oooh, yes!! I love a good experiment!!! I bet you'll lose even better and at least you're feeling better from it. I love CO, but it doesn't love me . That crack !! I may try the bullet proof coffee. Sunday is my last dosing day, and I will probably not even dose that day if I'm still stalled. I'll gradually add more fat in during my 2 days transition and plan bullet proof coffee as one of my experiments . Thanks!! keep me posted

Manders-sorry it's not more, but I'd take it!!

Angela-good to hear from you. Whittling it down!!

Buttah-I'm into tea, but not very exotic. I love the orange spice one from Bigelow. I have several mugs a night now w. this stupid cold!!

Plotting the end of this P2!! I am happy to be below 145, that was my real goal. But disappointed in a long stall after so little actual weight lost. Each round is different, and I'm close to goal, blah, blah, blah!! Still and !!

[manders]

Originally Posted by ravr

Is dill pickle a vege? lol since cucumber n vinegar are allowed?? WhaT WOULD BE proper serving? 1 whole pickle?

NOPE!

Loaded with sugar.

Originally Posted by julieboolie

What do you think of the FF? I've never done one, and am not sure what the final outcome would be. If you lose on it during the transition, does the weight stick?

Junkn-can you elaborate on the FF? Did you use it at the end of a round? To transition like someone else did. Was that you? I can't remember who it was? I'd love to drop a bit more, but I'm afraid of the FF.


Oooh, yes!! I love a good experiment!!! I bet you'll lose even better and at least you're feeling better from it. I love CO, but it doesn't love me . That crack !! I may try the bullet proof coffee. Sunday is my last dosing day, and I will probably not even dose that day if I'm still stalled. I'll gradually add more fat in during my 2 days transition and plan bullet proof coffee as one of my experiments . Thanks!! keep me posted

Manders-sorry it's not more, but I'd take it!!

Angela-good to hear from you. Whittling it down!!

Buttah-I'm into tea, but not very exotic. I love the orange spice one from Bigelow. I have several mugs a night now w. this stupid cold!!

Plotting the end of this P2!! I am happy to be below 145, that was my real goal. But disappointed in a long stall after so little actual weight lost. Each round is different, and I'm close to goal, blah, blah, blah!! Still and !!

I used the FF for transition before vacation and lost about 5 pounds on it. I probably would have stuck it if I didn't go and eat like a crazy person on vacation. I can't wait to do another FF.

[ravr]

you sure a dill pickle has sugar? it says less than 1 carb and 0 sugars....??? I know its a safe snack on atkins/low carb diets...

but i dont wanna mess things up..i can just have sliced raw cucumber...a freakin pickle aint worth risking it..lol

[HappyChick]

ravr- You can eat pickles! Keep in mind their high sodium content- it makes some people hold water weight. You'll have to judge for yourself how much salt you can tolerate.

Are you keeping a food journal, tracking your calories?

edited to add: oooh, Just saw your post, Mandy, re: sugar in pickles. That's why I asked if he is tracking his food and macros. Pickles have nowhere near as much sugar as any of our fruits and even less than some of our veggies and powdered spices. (We're talking kosher dills here, right? I mean- sweet gherkins are definitely out- as are bread and butter pickles..lol)


re: Fat Fast. I used it as a transition into P3 my last round and it worked perfectly. Without looking at my journal- I remember that I dropped 1.8 below LDW on the second morning and ended up at .8 below LDW by the third- where I stayed for the duration of P3. I'm definitely going to use it as a transitional tool again at the end of this round. It's too early in my round right now to even consider it..

I added some Benefiber to my shakes today- my plumbing is all clogged up, too. I figure for a trade-off of 15 cals worth of almond milk- it's worth it. Drinking some Smooth Move, too.. lol.

At least I'm not starving tonight.. sheesh, I thought today was going to be a disaster!

Keep on Keepin' on, everyone! We got this!

[HappyChick]

Refrigerator Garlic Dill Pickles -Sugar-free
Makes a couple of jars (depends on the size of your cucumbers and your jars, etc)
2 pounds local gherkin cucumbers (you can also use any other small firm cucumber of your choice)
2 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups white distilled vinegar
10-15 drops of clear liquid alcohol-free stevia
3 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
4 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
a couple of sprigs of fresh dill (or a couple of teaspoons of dried dill)
Optional spicy add-ins: 1 or 2 spicy dried peppers, red pepper flakes or you can add some sliced jalapeños in with the cucumbers.

Clean the cucumbers very well and slice them as thin as you would like them, I would say I cut mine to about 1/4″ thick rounds. You could also cut them into spears or leave them whole depending on their size. Place them in a large glass preserving jar or two smaller jars.

In a non-reactive saucepan, bring the other ingredients to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes.

Remove from heat and pour the brine over the cucumbers. Place the lid on the jar and let cool. Once cool, refrigerate. You can start enjoying them the next day, but obviously they are better after a couple of days. They’ll keep for about 2 months in the fridge.

* This brine is great on lots of other veggies. You can also add onion slices to the jar with the cucumbers, if you wish. Play with the recipe and make it your own.

[nspeedracer]

I started a fat fast today, i am also on the verge of quitting. i only lost water weight the first day and nothing since, im on vlcd 5 i think.
im worried this wont work, and if a fat fast dosnt work, well nothing will.
1000 cals close to 90% fat as i can get.
see ya tomorrow

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by nspeedracer

I started a fat fast today, i am also on the verge of quitting. i only lost water weight the first day and nothing since, im on vlcd 5 i think.
im worried this wont work, and if a fat fast dosnt work, well nothing will.
1000 cals close to 90% fat as i can get.
see ya tomorrow

I am eagerly awaiting your results. I would love to know in the end what all you ate today. I hope it works I know, it sucks to not lose anything for 5 days Makes me want to do bad things to the scale......among other things Good luck to us all. Hope the whoosh fairy visits us all. I promise I won't hog her if she comes.

[junkn]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

What do you think of the FF? I've never done one, and am not sure what the final outcome would be. If you lose on it during the transition, does the weight stick?

Junkn-can you elaborate on the FF? Did you use it at the end of a round? To transition like someone else did. Was that you? I can't remember who it was? I'd love to drop a bit more, but I'm afraid of the FF.

no, im still on hhcg. going on 3 months i think.

i used the fat fast to break a long 2 week stall where i stayed at 116 (gained .2 or lost .4 here or there but still 116)

i was on it for 4 days. ate about 1000-1200 calories of 80-90 percent fat. lost 2 pounds after it was over. went back to VLCD and STS again. started drinking bulletproof coffee & using a little more coconut oil and got to 110 a couple of days ago but am at 111 for the past 2 days.

my goal is 105.

i read sooooooooooo much about the FF and it looked so appealing.

felt really weird to eat fatty foods after so many days of vlcd. tbh, i was kinda hungry even eating all that fat

i read a few success stories of people who transitioned to p3 using the FF. but since i was hungry on it i dont think i want to use it for my transition. i think i will be doing JUDDD instead.. if i can ever get these 5-6 pounds off

[junkn]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

I am eagerly awaiting your results. I would love to know in the end what all you ate today. I hope it works I know, it sucks to not lose anything for 5 days Makes me want to do bad things to the scale......among other things Good luck to us all. Hope the whoosh fairy visits us all. I promise I won't hog her if she comes.

here is what i ate on my FF. (i copied/pasted from a post i made elsewhere)

here's day 1 and day 3 menu.

both left me at about 83-84% fat.

the first day didn't feel like very much food. so i played around with the food a bit and had more bacon & eggs on day 2 & 3 and lost the same as i did on day 1.

[nspeedracer]

Coffee w lots o cream, mac nuts, 2 choco cream cheese muffins, hot cocoa -- just cream water cocoa powder n splenda.
Let you know in the am if I lose anything.
Nat

[manders]

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/be...ease-read.html

[HappyChick]

((((Mandy))))

OH. MY. GOD. You are a hero!!

My eyes are filled to the brim- and my heart is swelling.

Originally Posted by manders

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/be...ease-read.html

[HappyChick]

Yahoooo!!!!

Protein shake day was a success! -1.6, eminent stall- broken!! Maybe more- if this Smooth Move would kick in...lol.

The only thing I did differently, than I said I was going to, was to add 5 frozen strawberries to my dinner shake.

I *may* try and stay on the shakes today- it's too early to tell if I have the schmaltz to handle it. As I think about it- I wish I could do 40 days of them.. Isopure made with almond milk is like the perfect "food" for this diet. 2 meals, 500 cals, moderate protein, low carb and low fat with plenty of vites and minerals; with the benefiber- it's nearly complete. Totally rogue...hahaha!

Um, no way I could do it- but, man- I wish!!

Interested to know how everyone made out last night?

[dawnyama]

Happy--I got my whoosh too!!!! Down 1.6!! That must be the magic number of the day. WoHoo to both of us i said I wouldn't hog the whoosh fairy I have not been this low for 2 months. I am just soooo excited!!!!!!

I think I had a little help with the magnesium finally kicking in. Funny how much that impacts weight loss.