P3~P4 SIMEONS PROTOCOL OCTOBER 2012

[shelbyla]

Sure...here's what I ate yesterday (slightly higher protein because of fish instead of something else for dinner). High fat menu...

Breakfast - BP coffee: 2.5T butter, 2T HWC, 1T MCT oil
Lunch - Big a$$ salad for lunch: 2T blue cheese dressing, 1 whole avocado, 6oz roasted chicken thighs (green onions, lettuce), apple
Dinner - 7oz white fish, 4oz green beans, 2.5T butter, 1c HWC whipped with cocoa powder and 4 strawberries

Calories: 2868
Carbs: 69.5 9%
Protein: 91.1 13%
Fat: 256.9 78%

[C'Marie]

Wow. I could not eat that HWC. I would blow up like a balloon. I remember the first time I tried it when all you gals were trying it. I'm lactose intolerant and I can have a teensy hnh or a teensy hwc in my coffee, and that's about it - supposedly hwc is not supposed to contain lactose, or so I've been told - well, this one time I whipped up a bunch in P3, and I ended up in pain so I dunno about that. Once in awhile I go get the clemmy's real ice cream that has no sugar "approved for the belly fat diet" lol and it's just real hwc and fake sugar but not the baddest kind.... I can have a little. Now I try to stick to the coconut ice cream with fake sugar - or just skip it - or the sf froyo. sigh. Nice fluffy piled high whipped cream sure does look nice!!! LOL

Well, I only slept 2 hours last night, and after only getting one decent night's sleep in the last 4, I'm doing ok. I hope to sleep tonight. I haven't weighed, I know that only really messes with the scale. I DID HAVE ONE TEENY PIECE OF DARK CHOCOLATE out of the hub's halloween bowl. hee hee hee..... dark with mint, regular sugar. 60 calories. I'm in P4. I own it. Now back to bacon!

[LaraSuzz]

hi guys... I lost 1 lb yesterday. Doing what... I have no clue. wish I knew the secret... heres what I ate...

3 egg omlete with cream american cheese sausage (a lil sugar in the sausage)
almonds (5)
coffee with half and half splenda
home made chili with peppers and tomatoes sour cream cheese avocado
rum and coke zero
roasted pork
spring mix with Bob's blue cheese dressing (has sugar)
1 Werthers coffee candy yum

I just dunno why I lost a pound I was stuffed and afraid to eat any more.
I've been thinking about the Carb Cycling thing that Dawn mentioned.. maybe I did a high fat day without even realizing it.
I am officially out of p4 now. I have dabbled in carbs and some sugar, but is there ever going to be a time where I go back to eating the way I was? no.. but I sure would like to not have to think of carbs as bad.

So, today is the first of November. In my attempt to have a nice calm Thanksgiving and get along with her better I asked my sister lovingly to stop giving me advice about dieting excersize and counseling. Well she wrote me a letter saying that I'm being self destructive and she cannot support me if my heath gets worse. she asked me not to tell her shes being mean and that if I cross her boundaries then she end our conversation, leave or stop talking.
at this point I will end our relationship if she cant respect my request that she butt out of my biz. I'm tired of dealing with her. my mom doesnt even want to deal with her anymore. since the holidays are coming up soon who knows what wil happen.

[julieboolie]

Lara- on the fam. It's such a shame that your sister won't support and encourage you. Makes the holidays hard! Glad you're down. Whatever the reason, keep doing what you're doing

Shelby-thanks!! I did really high fat my first week home from Mexcio and dropped a few lbs. 2. But never got back to window w. it. I think the CO in my BP coffee may have hurt that effort, in retrospect. I may revisit that this week too. My head is kinda' spinning as I try to get a handle on it. I upped cals yesterday (2700, 60% fat, 30% protein, 11% carbs). Guessing it's too much food? I can't seem to get my body to lose a bit. Sigh. Considering some type of cycling? Maybe I'll do more FF levels for a bit w.o. CO and see if I can whittle it down a bit?

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Lara--that is me to a "T"!!! I let my stress get to me and think that being a bit over will lead to a lot over and then I just hop back to P2. You are handling being over just great!!! I would be so panicking that I would run for P2 LOL. I would hate to do 2 CDs in a row too. That would not be fun at all. I am watching Dr Oz right now and of course when it is interesting I have to leave LOL. My kids have piano lessons. But he has on a guest Chris, that is talking about carb cycling so that your body will not get used to low carbing. I wonder if that would work for Julie??!! Something to check out, for sure. He has the show on ABC that is something like "Extreme Makeover" where he takes superhuge people and overhauls their lives in a year's time. Worked for them!!

Carb cycling? Do tell! I'm considering some type of cycling, leaning toward a JUDDD/FF combo right now. Please share some details (if you have them). Thanks! I'm excited for you to be "done" CFA soon!

Buttah-you're doing great! I hear ya'. My dd's were adorable last night, but the little guys (2ish) that toddled by for candy in their cute little costumes stole my heart! So sweet!

Well, I was good yesterday. Did higher cals just to reassure my body I'm not out to starve it to death. I'm up. Surprise, surprise! I was about 2700cals, 60% fat, 30% protein and 11% carbs. So, now what? Do I try a CD today? I don't really want to, but I do love the IDEA that I could be back in window w/ a successful one. But, what happens the day after that one? Do I just do a really high fat, lower calorie day?

I'm considering a JUDDD attempt. I could do a DD today, on the higher fat side, and then start rotating from there. But, in 2 weeks I'll be away on vacation and know I won't be able to do true DDs very often while away. Those w/ JUDDD experience, how does that work? Can I just transition to a moderate lifestyle that week and jump back to JUDDD when I get home? How does that impact weight? Do you immediately regain your losses?

Maybe I'll just do FFish for a few days and see if I can wiggle down? I am tired of thinking about it. There isn't really a reason, that I can see, that I'm up (2lbs out of window now) . In looking back at my past 2 rounds, it's been the same thing. Some reason I gain (usually travel) and then I can't seem to get the weight to go back down, regardless of CDs or careful eating. Then I eventually decide to do another "round" and try to get my LDW low enough that the inevitable gains at the end won't be too high a stablized weight. I'm not sure that's the best way to handle it. I don't want to do it that way, but it appears most of my other attempts to lose, or re-lose, aren't effective. Kinda' in a bit of a quandry .

I'm wondering if it's a basic metabollic issue w. me (and my screwy hormones). Lowering cals doesn't help me lose weight. This seems to indicate that my basic metabolism isn't humming along like it should. My refeed (back in April) seemed to work well for me, and maybe all this recent calorie restriction has slowed it down again? Trying to add some cynoplus to my meds this week. Hoping it'll help me w. my temps and basic hypothyroisism. Sigh. I just want to be "done" and live my life. I don't mind "watching". and am very careful, but going up while being careful is upsetting me. AND, I want to work out and tighten everything up. Another opportunity to gain there. Even though I'm doing "the right thing". Oh well. Part of the great experiment in losing weight and keeping it off for life. Remembering it's just one part of my life and in the grand scheme of things I'm WAY better off than I used to be, and happy where I am. Regardless of what the scale says.

Advice welcome, btw.

[shelbyla]

Yesterday's menu (high fat again)...lost 0.3

Breakfast - BP coffee + coffee w/HNH: 2.5T butter, 2T HWC, 1T MCT oil (7am-11am)
Lunch - Steak & gorgonzola salad for lunch (restaurant): 2T lemon vinegrette dressing, 5oz flank steak, 2oz gorgonzola (tomatoes, lettuce), asian pear (12pm-1pm)
Dinner - 6oz chicken thighs, 4oz green beans, 2.5T butter, 1c HWC whipped with cocoa powder and 4 strawberries (7pm-8pm)

Calories: 2933
Carbs: 73 9%
Protein: 95.3 13%
Fat: 261.0 78%

@Julie - I would really try a more FF proportion of macros instead of 30% protein--if I'm calculating right that's somewhere around 200g of protein? That much protein CAN cause gains. Have you read the recent Jimmy Moore article on "My 5 Low-Carb Mistakes"? Very interesting stuff around glucogenesis. I think it's the other Marie, Cruzcry, who is having some good luck with cutting her protein back? Or maybe it's Paula? Anyway, it's worth a shot! So frustrating! But as always, GREAT attitude!

@C'Marie - I used to have that issue with HWC but something changed for me. I think it may have been the lasering of the dairy. Who knows? If you want to try it, you could just start adding more butter or olive oil, stuff like marscapone cheese, or my favorite, a whole can's worth of coconut cream pudding. That's about the equivalent in fat and calories as a cup of HWC. Sorry for the continued insomnia! I understand so well how rotten that is!

[shelbyla]

@Julie - The reference to the Jimmy Moore article was in no way to imply that you are making any sort of "mistakes"--sorry if it read that way! I'll blame it on early with not enough coffee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other than the menu above, not too much to report here. I rowed and did squats again yesterday but blew off the whole thing today and slept in--til 5:30am! Down a little more after another high fat/high calorie day yesterday (0.3 to 143.7). I'm beginning to think there is something to this N/K thing...and I sure do enjoy eating like this, for the most part.

I was talking offline with my friend cocoapeanut about the feeling of fullness on carbs vs. the feeling of fullness on fat and protein. We seem to have differing experiences (kinda) so I was wondering about others. I feel MUCH fuller if I eat a lot of carbs but I more prone to overeating them--even though it's easier for me to recognize when I am too full. This tends to happen more with starches than with sugars. I feel less full on the same number of calories of protein and/or fat but I am far less likely to overeat them. I just kind of stop and don't want more. I feel the LEAST full on the same number of calories of mostly protein. I can generally eat and eat and eat protein without getting that full feeling--but I don't really. Again, I just kind of stop. The only time I EVER get that "can't eat another bite and I feel nauseated" feeling is with VERY high fat, VERY high sugar/carbs--too much regular cheesecake, comes to mind. Just wondering what others experiences are...

[buttah]

Julie, I feel your struggle. But I think you look AMAZING, and you've clearly come SO FAR. So I have to ask: is 2 lbs out of your window really that bad a place to "live" in the grand scheme of things? Maybe where you are now is a far easier weight to maintain than even just 2 lbs less? (Like you said, you're doing everything right, but your body wants to creep up a little. Maybe it's just showing you where it wants to stay?) Or maybe you've got to stay at that +2lbs weight for a good long time before trying to tackle a bit more and get it to stay gone?

But again, I'm guessing you're tall enough that you are not even overweight at your current weight.

I know Simeons said plus or minus 2 lbs, but I have to wonder what's so magic about 2 lbs. Is it really that different from 4 lbs, as long as you can stay there?

Granted, I may need to be asking myself the same questions when I get to goal, or closer to goal.

I'm just trying to be supportive. I hope it's coming across!

[LaraSuzz]

I have been thinking about the 2lb rule as well buttah and all I can think of is that its 2 lbs cause one correction day will usually fix it and if its more you woll usually have to do several days of correcting to fit it at that point.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

Yesterday's menu (high fat again)...lost 0.3

Breakfast - BP coffee + coffee w/HNH: 2.5T butter, 2T HWC, 1T MCT oil (7am-11am)
Lunch - Steak & gorgonzola salad for lunch (restaurant): 2T lemon vinegrette dressing, 5oz flank steak, 2oz gorgonzola (tomatoes, lettuce), asian pear (12pm-1pm)
Dinner - 6oz chicken thighs, 4oz green beans, 2.5T butter, 1c HWC whipped with cocoa powder and 4 strawberries (7pm-8pm)

Calories: 2933
Carbs: 73 9%
Protein: 95.3 13%
Fat: 261.0 78%

@Julie - I would really try a more FF proportion of macros instead of 30% protein--if I'm calculating right that's somewhere around 200g of protein? That much protein CAN cause gains. Have you read the recent Jimmy Moore article on "My 5 Low-Carb Mistakes"? Very interesting stuff around glucogenesis. I think it's the other Marie, Cruzcry, who is having some good luck with cutting her protein back? Or maybe it's Paula? Anyway, it's worth a shot! So frustrating! But as always, GREAT attitude!

@C'Marie - I used to have that issue with HWC but something changed for me. I think it may have been the lasering of the dairy. Who knows? If you want to try it, you could just start adding more butter or olive oil, stuff like marscapone cheese, or my favorite, a whole can's worth of coconut cream pudding. That's about the equivalent in fat and calories as a cup of HWC. Sorry for the continued insomnia! I understand so well how rotten that is!

Originally Posted by shelbyla

@Julie - The reference to the Jimmy Moore article was in no way to imply that you are making any sort of "mistakes"--sorry if it read that way! I'll blame it on early with not enough coffee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other than the menu above, not too much to report here. I rowed and did squats again yesterday but blew off the whole thing today and slept in--til 5:30am! Down a little more after another high fat/high calorie day yesterday (0.3 to 143.7). I'm beginning to think there is something to this N/K thing...and I sure do enjoy eating like this, for the most part.

I was talking offline with my friend cocoapeanut about the feeling of fullness on carbs vs. the feeling of fullness on fat and protein. We seem to have differing experiences (kinda) so I was wondering about others. I feel MUCH fuller if I eat a lot of carbs but I more prone to overeating them--even though it's easier for me to recognize when I am too full. This tends to happen more with starches than with sugars. I feel less full on the same number of calories of protein and/or fat but I am far less likely to overeat them. I just kind of stop and don't want more. I feel the LEAST full on the same number of calories of mostly protein. I can generally eat and eat and eat protein without getting that full feeling--but I don't really. Again, I just kind of stop. The only time I EVER get that "can't eat another bite and I feel nauseated" feeling is with VERY high fat, VERY high sugar/carbs--too much regular cheesecake, comes to mind. Just wondering what others experiences are...

I always appreciate your advice! I read about Jimmy on the NK thread, but didn't read his stuff directly. I'll go look into it further. I like the idea of higher fat and think my protein may have been too high all week. I think the CO scared me off the higher fat (I've gained from it both times I've tried it for long enough to accept it's not for me). I am lowering protein for a bit and will see where I land.

On fullness? I seem to more easily overeat carbs. It seems to take a while to catch up with me, but when it does its the most uncomfortable feeling. Fats and proteins don't give me that same "stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey" feeling.

Originally Posted by buttah

Julie, I feel your struggle. But I think you look AMAZING, and you've clearly come SO FAR. So I have to ask: is 2 lbs out of your window really that bad a place to "live" in the grand scheme of things? Maybe where you are now is a far easier weight to maintain than even just 2 lbs less? (Like you said, you're doing everything right, but your body wants to creep up a little. Maybe it's just showing you where it wants to stay?) Or maybe you've got to stay at that +2lbs weight for a good long time before trying to tackle a bit more and get it to stay gone?

But again, I'm guessing you're tall enough that you are not even overweight at your current weight.

I know Simeons said plus or minus 2 lbs, but I have to wonder what's so magic about 2 lbs. Is it really that different from 4 lbs, as long as you can stay there?

Granted, I may need to be asking myself the same questions when I get to goal, or closer to goal.

I'm just trying to be supportive. I hope it's coming across!

Def came across that way, thanks! you're so right that 2lbs is kinda' random. I am a "normal" weight for my height, (but still padded). No where near like I used to be, but I feel like I'm settling if I regain some. It's an odd feeling of not wanting to slack off and regain, but not being able to budge it despite doing all the "right" things. I esp. take your point of stabilizing first, then considering shedding a few more. Makes good sense . Thanks again!

Thanks guys. Doing a light egg day today (4 HB eggs, heavy on the mayo) and coffee w/ HWC. Hoping for a nice whoosh tomorrow.

Hey you Cali girls, have any of you been to Slaters 50/50? May be too far for you guys, locations in Hunt. beach, Anaheim hills, san diego, opening a new one in Pasadena soon. All about bacon!! Gonna visit the Anaheim one in 2 weeks .

[cocoapeanut]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

I was talking offline with my friend cocoapeanut about the feeling of fullness on carbs vs. the feeling of fullness on fat and protein. We seem to have differing experiences (kinda) so I was wondering about others. I feel MUCH fuller if I eat a lot of carbs but I more prone to overeating them--even though it's easier for me to recognize when I am too full. This tends to happen more with starches than with sugars. I feel less full on the same number of calories of protein and/or fat but I am far less likely to overeat them. I just kind of stop and don't want more. I feel the LEAST full on the same number of calories of mostly protein. I can generally eat and eat and eat protein without getting that full feeling--but I don't really. Again, I just kind of stop. The only time I EVER get that "can't eat another bite and I feel nauseated" feeling is with VERY high fat, VERY high sugar/carbs--too much regular cheesecake, comes to mind. Just wondering what others experiences are...

After reading your explanation, I would have to say that our experiences are actually quite similar! I probably just didn't word it right when I said it, lol. On lots of carbs, I feel much fuller (a lot of times, a little too full, as they make me feel heavier) and will still keep wanting to eat them anyways. They are much easier for me to overeat. The only possible difference is that I can generally stop with starches that aren't wheat..haha. UNLESS I'm hungry and am only being fed a starch..THEN I will totally eat a large amount of it and not feel full! Sugar, though..eating sugar makes me want lots more sugar and more food in general.

I feel most satiated with fat, but I also will get nauseous on too much fat. I twice did a FF with straight cocoa crack that was 99% fat, and I was nauseous at night both times. The only time I would get actually nauseous on carbs is if I was nauseous from overeating, Thanksgiving style! And I'm the same with protein, I could probably eat a lot of low-fat protein before I felt full.

This is how I am about it now, because I think being on a LC diet for a while does affect these things, in my mind. If I went back in time to a point where I was eating the standard "weight loss" diet of low-fat/high-carb stuff, it might be different, because I did feel full from things like oatmeal and low-fat protein shakes, but I would get hungry 2 hours later in spite of that. Now I feel full from something and can actually make it to the next meal time without raging stomach pain!

[cocoapeanut]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Hey you Cali girls, have any of you been to Slaters 50/50? May be too far for you guys, locations in Hunt. beach, Anaheim hills, san diego, opening a new one in Pasadena soon. All about bacon!! Gonna visit the Anaheim one in 2 weeks .

NO and I've been wanting to go ever since I read about it!!! Bacon burger

[dawnyama]

The problem is once you accept that you are over by that 2 lbs forever and stabilize there, what happens when you travel (like Julie will in about 2 weeks) AGAIN?? You have this fear that I gained the last trip I went on, will I gain yet again? And then be up another 2 lbs AND stabilize at that new weight??!! That will bring you to 4 lbs up from your window. It may seem like not a lot of weight, but for someone at my height it IS a lot!! So that is the fear. The upward TREND, not necessarily the going over your LDW by the 2 lbs, but the upward swings and the not going back down.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

I always appreciate your advice! I read about Jimmy on the NK thread, but didn't read his stuff directly. I'll go look into it further. I like the idea of higher fat and think my protein may have been too high all week. I think the CO scared me off the higher fat (I've gained from it both times I've tried it for long enough to accept it's not for me). I am lowering protein for a bit and will see where I land.

On fullness? I seem to more easily overeat carbs. It seems to take a while to catch up with me, but when it does its the most uncomfortable feeling. Fats and proteins don't give me that same "stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey" feeling.


Def came across that way, thanks! you're so right that 2lbs is kinda' random. I am a "normal" weight for my height, (but still padded). No where near like I used to be, but I feel like I'm settling if I regain some. It's an odd feeling of not wanting to slack off and regain, but not being able to budge it despite doing all the "right" things. I esp. take your point of stabilizing first, then considering shedding a few more. Makes good sense . Thanks again!

Thanks guys. Doing a light egg day today (4 HB eggs, heavy on the mayo) and coffee w/ HWC. Hoping for a nice whoosh tomorrow.

Hey you Cali girls, have any of you been to Slaters 50/50? May be too far for you guys, locations in Hunt. beach, Anaheim hills, san diego, opening a new one in Pasadena soon. All about bacon!! Gonna visit the Anaheim one in 2 weeks .

I will be doing a CD tomorrow. Not sure which one yet, but maybe an egg day. I love them and have plenty! And egg salad sounds yum right now I didn't weigh myself this morning and I am glad I didn't. I started TOM today and might not weigh in the morning either. But if I want to see how the egg day goes, I will have to. We shall see what I feel like doing. I also answered the 2 lbs rule in another post, but will repost. I think the fear I have of the accepting of the "I will just stabilize 2lbs + above my LDW" is that there is a fear of GAINING upwards of that! Right now I am fighting to stay in the window, if I stop fighting I will probably have a run away weight. And all my P2 will be lost Cannot have that happen. I worked hard to lose this weight, I will keep it off

So, I am with ya girl. I am trying to figure this thing out. I didn't watch Dr Oz yesterday as just as they were discussing what to do with carb cycling I had to leave. But I am sure it is on his website. Chris Fowler I believe is the guys name. But I would think it would be the same as a JUDDD type thing. Maybe Hmmm.....I think Marie is doing great with JUDDD, so for now that is what I am looking into. I think it is the same as doing CDs every other day. I have an ebook from Biz that is about correction days. She has a rotation if you are above your LDW by a bit and need a few CDs to get back down. I know you probably don't have the book, but she recommends doing a CD then a P3 day, then a CD then a P3 day. Maybe you can do a rotation of some of the CDs in the sticky thread above. You know, a shake CD, a clean P3 day, a nut day, a clean P3 day, a GY day, a P3 day. That is how she would recommend you get back into the window. Remember that Dr S says (this is Taryl/Taryn--boy I haven't seen her in a while posting now I don't even recall her name -- ) you can get back down if you diet your way. It may a few days, so be patient. But you can do it Good luck!!

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

The problem is once you accept that you are over by that 2 lbs forever and stabilize there, what happens when you travel (like Julie will in about 2 weeks) AGAIN?? You have this fear that I gained the last trip I went on, will I gain yet again? And then be up another 2 lbs AND stabilize at that new weight??!! That will bring you to 4 lbs up from your window. It may seem like not a lot of weight, but for someone at my height it IS a lot!! So that is the fear. The upward TREND, not necessarily the going over your LDW by the 2 lbs, but the upward swings and the not going back down.

That's my problem exactly! The gains when you've earned them are fine. But when you go up for no off plan reason, and then it won't go back down, what do you do? Very frustrating! The every other day CD plan is basically what I've been doing. Did a GYCD earlier in the week, clean VLCarb and cal day, then regular P3 day (higher cals, but low carb) and am right back up . I did an egg CD today (only 4 eggs w. mayo-salad basically), and coffee w. cream. If I'm not down tomorrow I'll be really at the end of my rope. Hoping for the best. I coudl use a bit of encouragement on the scale!

Cocoa-I am sooo looking forward to visiting Slater's. BBB burger - bacon in it, on it, and w. a new "dressing" "bacon island" My cream come true . Can't wait!!

[Shrinking]

Here's hoping I successfully entered P3 today. I don't think I ate enough calories, had to force lunch on myself. I guess it will all show up on the scale in the morning whether I'm doing this right.

I have a question for anyone! What does BP stand for? I can't figure it out!

Shelbyla thanks for posting menus, they are a big help to me

[shelbyla]

BP - Bullet Proof (as in coffee). Google if you want to know what it is and how to make it.

[LaraSuzz]

Ok so this is strange, I'm down 1.4 today and now I'm only 1.6 from liw!!!!!!!!

I didnt do anything different, had my omlet with sausage cheese coffee with cream babybel cheeses(2) lettuce with blue cheese dressing and pork roast some cheddar and I actually lost weight? Interesting. It was meaty tho...
Did I do p3 and p4 so well that my hypothalamus is reset and my body is actually ready for some carbs on a regular basis? hmmm

I've been thinking about the question Shelby asked and I know that I feel way fuller when I eat carbs, sleepy even... protein seems to satisfy and sugar might make me more hungry? Just a guess its been so long. I just knw when I eat all three I'm ready for a two hour nap lol.

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Ok so this is strange, I'm down 1.4 today and now I'm only 1.6 from liw!!!!!!!!

That sure sounds like...da da DUM!!!!!...IN THE WINDOW, BABY!

[junkn]

hi guys!! well i started P3 two days ago. my LDW was 108.2 and i've been holding steady at 107.8.

i did the slow re adding of calories on the last day of taking hhcg and had 1400 calories yesterday. i could have sworn i would have a gain today but i didn't. i even had two T of crunch peanut butter. i know i wasn't supposed to but i couldn't help it. i am so happy!

i was on hhcg for almost 4 months with only 1 one week interruption. my goal was 105 but i was afraid i wouldn't stabilize after reading on here how its not good to be on it for so long so i decided to quit at 107-108. whats two pounds right?

i also decided to up my calories to 1500 after reading how its good to do that so our bodies get used to it. it was difficult to eat a lot of food but its so easy to add calories with coconut oil and olive oil.

i HOPE so much that i continue to stabilize this well.

i'm happy to hang out here with you guys

[julieboolie]

Shrinking-you'll be fine. Take it slow. Not sure about forcing yourself to eat. Your appetite will increase, so I'd wait for that. If you're not hungry, wait. If you are, go ahead and eat. you'll do fine!

Originally Posted by junkn

hi guys!! well i started P3 two days ago. my LDW was 108.2 and i've been holding steady at 107.8.

i did the slow re adding of calories on the last day of taking hhcg and had 1400 calories yesterday. i could have sworn i would have a gain today but i didn't. i even had two T of crunch peanut butter. i know i wasn't supposed to but i couldn't help it. i am so happy!

i was on hhcg for almost 4 months with only 1 one week interruption. my goal was 105 but i was afraid i wouldn't stabilize after reading on here how its not good to be on it for so long so i decided to quit at 107-108. whats two pounds right?

i also decided to up my calories to 1500 after reading how its good to do that so our bodies get used to it. it was difficult to eat a lot of food but its so easy to add calories with coconut oil and olive oil.

i HOPE so much that i continue to stabilize this well.

i'm happy to hang out here with you guys

Nice!! So happy to have you here with us!! WTG!! You're doing great!! Keep it up!

Originally Posted by LaraSuzz

Ok so this is strange, I'm down 1.4 today and now I'm only 1.6 from liw!!!!!!!!

I didnt do anything different, had my omlet with sausage cheese coffee with cream babybel cheeses(2) lettuce with blue cheese dressing and pork roast some cheddar and I actually lost weight? Interesting. It was meaty tho...
Did I do p3 and p4 so well that my hypothalamus is reset and my body is actually ready for some carbs on a regular basis? hmmm

I've been thinking about the question Shelby asked and I know that I feel way fuller when I eat carbs, sleepy even... protein seems to satisfy and sugar might make me more hungry? Just a guess its been so long. I just knw when I eat all three I'm ready for a two hour nap lol.

That's wonderful news!! Happy for you!! Maybe you're all reset? You relaxed and accepted being out of window, went on to eat "normally" and now you're back down. Run with it!!

I'm down a bit from my CD yesterday. Not in window, yet, but closer to it. 0.4 out of window, which is close for me these days. Going to stop messing w. my thyroid med, and just stick w. what I'd been doing. I have had more fogginess and my temps are down, which is a bad indication. So, dropping that, CO and upping my fats, lowering my carbs and protein for the next few days. Hope to lock in my loss and maybe do a steak/burger CD tomorrow and get back to window? It would be great!!

Keep on keeping on ladies!! Weekend is here. Be strong!!

[buttah]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

The problem is once you accept that you are over by that 2 lbs forever and stabilize there, what happens when you travel (like Julie will in about 2 weeks) AGAIN?? You have this fear that I gained the last trip I went on, will I gain yet again? And then be up another 2 lbs AND stabilize at that new weight??!! That will bring you to 4 lbs up from your window. It may seem like not a lot of weight, but for someone at my height it IS a lot!! So that is the fear. The upward TREND, not necessarily the going over your LDW by the 2 lbs, but the upward swings and the not going back down.

Well, I almost hate to say this because it seems to rile people up... it IS possible to travel without regaining. I know it's hard, okay? But it really is possible. Gain w/ travel does not have to be a given.

I think learning to handle life's disruptions without disrupting one's dedication to maintenance is THE KEY to living at a healthy weight. In all these forums, you see the same reasons for regain over and over (emotional stress, kid stress, moving, traveling, vacations, break-ups, falling in love, you know the drill). I truly believe that once we can overcome what those situations do to our eating habits, or at least learn to "self correct" by immediately making up for splurges with de-feeding (much like CDs already do, and JUDDD does, and naturally thin people do without even thinking about it)... we'll have it made.

I know for me, my paranoia about gaining makes me super diligent during travel and "life's disruptions." My issues are more about letting my guard down on regular ole' normal days. Weird, I know, but there you have it.

As for gaining when you're not doing "anything wrong," that's the thing that makes me wonder if our bodies aren't trying to tell us one of two things.

1. We are simply eating more than our body needs on some days... (I won't say the evil "H" word) even if the foods themselves are "correct"... or...

2. Our body just wants to be at a slightly higher healthy weight (say 4 lbs above LDW), and once there, perhaps we WON'T gain for "no reason"; maintenance will be become easier - less propensity to gain, less sensitivity to one little error.

I don't know. I'm simply positing some responses to the discussion.

I've been steadily back at just above LDW for a few days. Keeping that "not hungry anymore" feeling as the status quo in stomach really works for me. When I eat past that, I do gain.

[tarheelkris]

I've decided to stop being a stalker and join the fray! I have done one round of the Rx HCG and I still have about sixteen pounds to lose. I coach basketball and our season started this week. I can't go in the evenings to weigh-ins at my doctor's office so I am thinking about doing a round of hhcg. My question is this, for those of you have used the hhcg, which one do you recommend and have you had success with it? Thanks in advance!

[shelbyla]

Hey Chris! I've done a number of rounds, both rx and hhCG, and had about the same luck with both. I used both drops and pellets for the hhCG and again, had about the same experiences with both. See my signature for results, round duration, etc. A lot of people here use the Intermountain brand of hhCG, both drops and pellets.

HTH

[junkn]

i like intermountain pellets. very convenient.

[shelbyla]

Hi guys!

I've been so busy at work and out of touch that I even had enough threads to read to get me through 30 minutes on the treadclimber this morning. In addition, 70 situps (hard ones! I've been getting lazy!) and 20 pushups. That's 4 days this week with two days of rowing/weights and two days of treadclimber/calisthenics. So back into the swing of things, exercise-wise. I don't really enjoy it but I never feel WORSE after I do it, I always feel better, so that's something at least...if only for the non-guilt factor!

My weight stayed about the same this morning--up 0.3 from yesterday--which I'm calling right around the same. So here's some philosophical pondering for y'all. It's Friday--why not??? I am really coming to believe that I weigh 1-2 pounds more at my weekday crack-o-dawn getting up time (4:30-4:45am) than I do when I sleep in slightly on the weekends (7:30-8am). I consistently weigh 143-145 during the week and my sleep-in day (usually Saturday) weigh-in is consistently 141-143. I've been thinking about it as my weekly "whoosh." This phenomenon is kind of odd to me but I think this idea may help with my discomfort at being "out of my window." Here's what I mean...

So almost every round, including my last, my LID falls on a weekend or a day when I am able to sleep in and I usually have a good sized drop on LIW. The end of this round was no different. This time, LIW was 140.6, giving me an upper limit of 142.6 to remain "in my window." BUT...what if I had weighed for LIW at that ugly ugly hour when I normally get up? I am betting my "LIW" would have been about 2 pounds higher, for a LIW of 142.6 and an upper limit of 144.6. And where have I been sitting, as an average during P3 and P4? Average weights as of this morning, was 143.7, certainly outside of my regular window but well within my "adjusted for weighing super early window." I think I am going to give myself 2 LIW's--one for weights on the weekend (call it 143 as an upper limit) and one for weights during the week (145). I am going to roll with that and look for anything outside THOSE weights as cd-worthy. Anyway, just thinking/typing out loud...

Have a fantastic weekend everyone...

[julieboolie]

Kris!! I used Intermountain pellets and liked those MUCH better than the drops

Shelby-you are on to something there. I too weigh less when I sleep in. Interesting observation on LDW and windows. Run w. that!

Originally Posted by buttah

Well, I almost hate to say this because it seems to rile people up... it IS possible to travel without regaining. I know it's hard, okay? But it really is possible. Gain w/ travel does not have to be a given.

I think learning to handle life's disruptions without disrupting one's dedication to maintenance is THE KEY to living at a healthy weight. In all these forums, you see the same reasons for regain over and over (emotional stress, kid stress, moving, traveling, vacations, break-ups, falling in love, you know the drill). I truly believe that once we can overcome what those situations do to our eating habits, or at least learn to "self correct" by immediately making up for splurges with de-feeding (much like CDs already do, and JUDDD does, and naturally thin people do without even thinking about it)... we'll have it made.

I know for me, my paranoia about gaining makes me super diligent during travel and "life's disruptions." My issues are more about letting my guard down on regular ole' normal days. Weird, I know, but there you have it.

As for gaining when you're not doing "anything wrong," that's the thing that makes me wonder if our bodies aren't trying to tell us one of two things.

1. We are simply eating more than our body needs on some days... (I won't say the evil "H" word) even if the foods themselves are "correct"... or...

2. Our body just wants to be at a slightly higher healthy weight (say 4 lbs above LDW), and once there, perhaps we WON'T gain for "no reason"; maintenance will be become easier - less propensity to gain, less sensitivity to one little error.

I don't know. I'm simply positing some responses to the discussion.

I've been steadily back at just above LDW for a few days. Keeping that "not hungry anymore" feeling as the status quo in stomach really works for me. When I eat past that, I do gain.

Maybe the bolded part above is why the travel/vacation issue is harder for me. The "next" day when you're still away and eating out for every meal, is a hard time to correct? Not sure. The real issue that scares me, and I try not to focus on, is when I "correct" by eating less, and the weight doesn't go back down. That's happened to me several times this round, and requires drastic, and often multiple attempts, at drastic measures to get the new weight to go. But, hopefully, over time, if I can train it to go back down, it'll just go back more quickly and easily. That's the stabilization part for me. Convincing my body that less of me is just fine

Your second point, about our bodies "wanting" to be at a higher weight is also something I'm kicking around. I'm afraid to experiment w. that theory, though. What if I dabble at allowing my body to stay up around 147, and then I keep gaining above that? I'd love to find a low weight I can maintain with ease. I think my body would "like" to go back up to 175. I used to be able to maintain that w. very little effort. Sigh. But, this? 145? My body and I are not in agreement. But, hopefully, persisitance will pay off and I can convince my body it WANTS to stay here . We'll see.

And I do agree, that it IS possible to travel without gaining weight. But, it's very HARD to eat out 3 meals a day for a week or longer and stay the same weight. Especially if your body longs to weigh more than it currently does. Even being sacrificial, careful and mindful while you eat out, you'll still likely gain some weight while away. I know others have managed it, (are you the one who didn't gain on a cruise? I think that's you!).

For me? I do allow more "off plan" foods when I travel. There are many things I'll experience only that one time, or only really rarely (like a cheesesteak when I'm in Philly). I gain if I eat even a small poriton of that food. I can "correct" the very next day, eat less, but it's still restaurant food and even keeping it "clean" and small portioned, I've been up. I hope I'm the exception. I hope other people's bodies do respond to the "correction" the next day and not gain. I think that does happen for many. But, for me, my body is too efficient and reluctant to release the weight. I am sure my lifetime of obesity, low thyroid and screwy hormones, sensitivity to carbs, and generally slow metabollic rate contribute to it greatly.

This is particularly challenging to me right now as I plan my next trip. I wish I could have been at this weight, and nice and stable, for a loooonnng time before my upcoming trip. I think barely getting back in "window" for the week and a half before I'm gone, will make it tougher to stick the LDW. We'll be eating out for every meal (except a few we'll be smuggling into Disneyland, but that's nuts, protein bars etc. which are tough to maintain on anyway). I'm planning to stick LC as best I can. But, we'll be going up to SF w. our BFFs and we'll hit Ghiradelli sq, chinatown, etc. and that'll be tough to do LC. I will only eat *some* bites of things. I'm not planning to gorge myself, I'm planning to dabble in the "off plan" things. That's progress, in and of itself. But I suspect that even "dabbling" will net me a gain. We'll see when I'm home.

Hopefully my precaution and fear will keep the gain to a minimum and clean P3 or even a CD will help me get back down to LDW. Just in time for Christmas, and Tollhouse cookies .

Ok, that's a lot of musing on my part Sorry girls!

[dawnyama]

Shelby--I know exactly what you are talking about. I weigh in at 4:45 AM on the weekdays and then on the weekends, 7:30AM. I always weigh in lower on the weekends due to the later weigh in time. Knowing that has helped some, although not a lot, during the week. I am waaay over, and way out of, my window today. I had TOM arrive yesterday and am doing some sort of a CD today. I am not hungry so have not eaten anything all day. Don't know what to eat for dinner, but might just not eat if I don't feel like it. I usually eat everything (and want to eat a house!!) the day before TOM and the first day of TOM want to eat nothing. So taking advantage of my lack of appetite and will see where it gets me tomorrow on that lovely weigh in day called Saturday!!

Have a great weekend!!!!

[C'Marie]

I slept last night. Hallelujah! I have schoolwork due tonight, so I've been reading but not posting much. Nice discussions here, wish I had time to jump in.

[buttah]

Julie, I have every faith in you that you'll figure it out one way or another. The good news is that you do know how to lose weight, so if you do any experiment where, say, you try to maintain a couple pounds higher - if it turns out to be just as hard as maintaining a couple pounds lower... you'll be able to repair the damage and throw that theory out. What you've already accomplished is mind boggling. You (and many others here) are like a superhero to me.

JUDDD was really wonderful for me in that it taught me to be used to scale ups and downs, as well as "eating ups and downs."

But I'm no expert, that's for sure. So far I've "maintained" reasonably well half way through this journey, and again, now for two and half weeks. That ain't much!

However, as for travel and eating out, I have a life where this is the norm. If I'm not at home in my office trying to be creative for a living (it's own food temptation nightmare with the fridge down the hall and nobody watching), I'm frequently traveling or someplace where, trust me, all day temptations abound. And even when I'm home, I'm having "business" lunches and dinners literally multiple times a week. (This was the hardest part of HCG protocol for me - I was a hermit). I've literally HAD to make that work for me, and in general, I do. I could give you long lists of where I go and what I order and/or don't order, how I plan the rest of the day around the most potentially dangerous part of the day, etc... It IS REALLY HARD, but it is doable. If I can do it, anyone can.

And yes, I'm the one who doesn't gain on a cruise. Nor a vacation. Not since my twenties. Like I said, it's "normal" times that bad habits creep up on me.

[Shrinking]

Julie I completely agree with Buttah, you are a superhero!! I can't believe how far you've come with your posted stats. You've inspired me to believe I can attain more than I thought I could. I've told all the girls at work about what you've accomplished( they don't criticize hcg). I don't believe you won't recover from your holiday.
I'll give you an experience I had. Back in the day between child number 2 and 3 I managed to lose my pregnancy weight. I had been following closely Suzanne Somers' food combining. My weight loss was in fits and starts but not going as consistently as I would have hoped. I went on vacation with hubby and left our then 2 kids home with grandparents. I decided that Hawaii was an awesome place to be if everything went sideways during Y2K!!! Anyways...we were gone 2 weeks and I mostly followed my plan with the added drinks, ice cream(daily) and a few other treats. I drank lots of water, walked some but I cheated. In the end I came back from that vacation 20lbs lighter!!! I had to find a Ross a week in to get a new bathing suit because mine fell off in the ocean!! So there is a point to all of this. Earlier in this discussion someone (I forget who, sorry!) mentioned carb cycling. When I look back, that is technically what I did on my vacation. It actually jump started my weight loss. You may find that staying LC with a few cheats will keep you where you need to be? Regardless, you do need to enjoy your vacation and rest up. Maybe things will just fall into place if you just do your best!!
During my one round of hcg drops I did manage to lose weight and I ate at McDonalds once a week!! That should inspire you somewhat!!! LOL!!!