SkepticalMe's Musings

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)

02-23-13; VLCD 6; 198.6 (-.8)
02-24-13; VLCD 7; 198.4 (-.4)
02-25-13; VLCD 8; 197.4 (-1.0)
02-26-13; VLCD 9; unknown (on a business trip)
02-27-13; VLCD 10; 197.2 (-.2)
___________________________

Originally Posted by MagieDen

Awesome on the loss of another pound. Have a safe trip!

Thanks, Maggie!

I ate as clean as I could on my trip, but I think there were fats that crept in on my with the balsamic vinaigrette dressing they offered. I am so glad that I took cucumber slices, lean turkey and ham (deli 99% lean slices), and apple chunks in my purse. I kept them each in a separate Ziploc bag. I had frozen the apples the night before, and kept them close to the other foods to keep them cool on the trip. In my motel room, I put them in my ice bucket filled with ice. I ate protein before each meal they served us. That way, I wouldn't be ravenously hungry and I chose to eat lettuce with a tiny amount of dressing (seriously...just a few drops) and a few tomato slices. Dinner at 8:00 p.m. at Ruth's Chris Steak House was another matter, however. I didn't have opportunity to eat my protein, and I had no choice in what they served as in our private room, except for the choice of entree; a filet, stuffed chicken breast, or grilled salmon in a lemon butter sauce. I chose the filet and ate only half, and ate half of my salad. I declined the mashed potatoes as well as the creamed spinach, rolls, carrot cake, and everything else.

I was hoping to have lost more weight than I have since Monday, but I also realize that I didn't get to take my hCG injection yesterday. That, combined with the fact that I might be retaining water from traveling, I hope to lose at least 1 more pound before the end of the week.

And, if not, so what? I did the best I could. It's all good.

Onward...

[MagieDen]

It is all good! Glad you are back safe and I think you did well with all the circumstances. Keep up the good work and keep working the plan and the scale and inches lost will be your reward.

Lots of slushy snow here in MI I hope the weather is better where you are. Have a nice Wednesday!

[SkepticalMe]

Originally Posted by MagieDen

It is all good! Glad you are back safe and I think you did well with all the circumstances. Keep up the good work and keep working the plan and the scale and inches lost will be your reward.

Lots of slushy snow here in MI I hope the weather is better where you are. Have a nice Wednesday!

Thanks for the high fives, Maggie! I went to High School in Michigan where we had lake effect snow. LOTS of snow!! I lived 5 minutes from the lake. Seriously. What part do you live in?

[MagieDen]

I live in the Downriver area in the Lower Pennisula.

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)

02-23-13; VLCD 6; 198.6 (-.8)
02-24-13; VLCD 7; 198.4 (-.4)
02-25-13; VLCD 8; 197.4 (-1.0)
02-26-13; VLCD 9; unknown (on a business trip)
02-27-13; VLCD 10; 197.2 (-.2)
02-28-13; VLCD 11; 197.8 (+.6)
___________________________

Well, I knew it was bound to happen at some point in this round. I'm kind of relieved that it did. I gained .6 from yesterday.

In looking back over my charts from the previous 5 rounds, by VLCD Day 11, I had 3 days of gains.

This is Day 11 of this round, and it's the first gain.

In fact, in looking over the charts, I notice that my weight-loss is right on target:

Weight Lost By Day 11 of VLCD on my rounds:
Round 1: 11.8
Round 2: 15.0
Round 3: 11.1
Round 4: 13.5
Round 5: 8.4
Round 6: 10.6

It's always helpful for me to look at previous stats to let me know that I am on target, and not to worry about the current number on the scale, since it will change eventually.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Originally Posted by MagieDen

I live in the Downriver area in the Lower Pennisula.

Hope you have a great day, Maggie!

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)

02-23-13; VLCD 6; 198.6 (-.8)
02-24-13; VLCD 7; 198.4 (-.2)
02-25-13; VLCD 8; 197.4 (-1.0)
02-26-13; VLCD 9; unknown (on a business trip)
02-27-13; VLCD 10; 197.2 (-.2)
02-28-13; VLCD 11; 197.8 (+.6)
03-01-13; VLCD 12; 196.8 (-1.0)
___________________________

It's been a long week, what with my business meetings in Atlanta, and the school term starting today, and catching up with work on my desk, and still in the throes of planning a family reunion here for 60 people.

But I stayed on plan and still lost weight this week and I feel good about myself.

I've lost 11.6 pounds so far this round, and today marks the end of two weeks.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-1.8)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
___________________________

Well, I've started the week off well with nearly a 1-pound loss. So far in this Round, I've lost a total of 11.6 pounds.

Not too shabby. 11.6 pounds in 14 days. And, if I count from my highest load weight, it's 11.6 pounds in 12 days.

For the past two nights, my feet and toes have started cramping, and I was craving sweets last night which means that my hormones are running amok and I will most likely have weight gain and bloating again.

Deal with it. Just deal with it.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
03-03-13; VLCD 14; 195.2 (-.8)
___________________________


I studied microeconomics 8 hours straight yesterday, taking time out only for potty breaks and to order pizza, wings, and bread sticks for everyone to eat, since I didn't have time to cook. All I ate all day was 2 ounces of shrimp, coffee, tea, 6 radishes, and 2 ribs of celery.

Today will be a carbon copy of yesterday, except I won't order pizza. Instead, I'll take a break to make a 3-pound meatloaf for the family.

Aside:
I cook all weekend long, enough food to last the coming week. There are 4 adults in my house, and while I work first shift, the hubby works third shift, and the grown boys (men -- 26 and 23 years old) work second shift. We never sit down to eat together, since we never see each other. So, I cook food and then put it in the 'fridge. The boys take food to work in their lunch bucket, and my hubby eats his fur "lunch" during his 11pm to 7am shift. When I am an a round of hCG it is quite difficult not to sample the foods I make, since they smell so delicious, but I don't touch it.

Time to study...

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

I've made a mistake in the posting of my weight loss here in my secret public journal. I will correct it now and post the true figures, going forward. According to my Excel spreadsheet, these are the correct figures:

Week 1
208.4 to 199.4 = -9

Week 2
199.4 to 196.8 = -2.6

Therefore, I've lost a total of 13.2 pounds in 14 days of VLCD.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Originally Posted by MagieDen

I live in the Downriver area in the Lower Pennisula.

Each May, we travel back to Michigan to meet with old friends. This time, we will stay in Mishawaka at a friend's house and travel back and forth to the St. Joe/Bridgman area. I can't wait to go!

[MagieDen]

Dropping in for a bit. It looks like you are doing very well. I have 2 adult sons as well, one is 24 and the other will be 21 in a few months. My oldest just got back from serving 5 years in the Army and my youngest just moved out last December, they grow up so fast. I am glad you are doing well on your plan, keep up the good work!

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
03-03-13; VLCD 14; 195.2 (-.8)
03-04-13; VLCD 15; 195.8 (+.6)
___________________________

I wasn't hungry yesterday, yet I wanted to eat all day. I am definitely starting the hormonal surge and, thus, will perhaps retain water.

I'm also enduring a lot of stress just now and that is never helpful.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Originally Posted by MagieDen

Dropping in for a bit. It looks like you are doing very well. I have 2 adult sons as well, one is 24 and the other will be 21 in a few months. My oldest just got back from serving 5 years in the Army and my youngest just moved out last December, they grow up so fast. I am glad you are doing well on your plan, keep up the good work!

Hi, Maggie! I'm doing okay. I need to remind myself that the closer I get to goal, the slower the weight loss happens.

Ours are moving out together in May. Not only are they moving out, they are moving across country.

Frankly, I think it's good that they are. They need to experience life...all of the ups and downs.

I'm excited for them.

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
03-03-13; VLCD 14; 195.2 (-.8)
03-04-13; VLCD 15; 195.8 (+.6)
03-05-13; VLCD 15; 196.0 (+.2)
___________________________

Unexplained gain. I'm not going to allow it to bother me, since I'm on plan. I'll chalk it up to the stress I'm under right now, combined with hormones surging. I ate 2 ounces of shrimp, 3 ounces of chicken, 4 ounces of lettuce, 2 ounces of cauliflower yesterday, and 2 sugar-free popsicles (I've had them on previous 5 rounds with no weight-loss hindrance). Today I will eat more -- all of my allotted food -- and see if that helps.

Back to studying for my exam. Once I pass it tomorrow at noon, much of my stress will disappear.

Onward...

[MagieDen]

Originally Posted by SkepticalMe

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
03-03-13; VLCD 14; 195.2 (-.8)
03-04-13; VLCD 15; 195.8 (+.6)
03-05-13; VLCD 15; 196.0 (+.2)
___________________________

Unexplained gain. I'm not going to allow it to bother me, since I'm on plan. I'll chalk it up to the stress I'm under right now, combined with hormones surging. I ate 2 ounces of shrimp, 3 ounces of chicken, 4 ounces of lettuce, 2 ounces of cauliflower yesterday, and 2 sugar-free popsicles (I've had them on previous 5 rounds with no weight-loss hindrance). Today I will eat more -- all of my allotted food -- and see if that helps.

Back to studying for my exam. Once I pass it tomorrow at noon, much of my stress will disappear.

Onward...

I am sure the scale will be back down. I am only weighing at least 2x's a week because I just hate to see the daily fluctuations. I know that maybe I should weigh myself to see if certain foods effect me but I pretty much stay with the same foods and just rotate the meals and days I eat them. Keep up the good work!

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
03-03-13; VLCD 14; 195.2 (-.8)
03-04-13; VLCD 15; 195.8 (+.6)
03-05-13; VLCD 15; 196.0 (+.2)
03-06-13; VLCD 16; 196.0 (0)
___________________________

I got up at 4:30 a.m. so that I could study for my exam before I had to go to work. Right before I went outside to shovel snow and clear my car (we got 6 inches of snow last night), I had a "bathroom experience" so I'm quite sure I might be down a few tenths of a pound tomorrow.

Oh, and I passed my exam today with flying colors. On to microeconomics.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Originally Posted by MagieDen

I am sure the scale will be back down. I am only weighing at least 2x's a week because I just hate to see the daily fluctuations. I know that maybe I should weigh myself to see if certain foods effect me but I pretty much stay with the same foods and just rotate the meals and days I eat them. Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Maggie, for being my cheerleader! Sounds like you are doing awesome with your weight-loss!

[MagieDen]

on passing your exam!!!

It seems that is not the only thing you passed. Here's hoping the scale cooperates tomorrow.

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
03-03-13; VLCD 14; 195.2 (-.8)
03-04-13; VLCD 15; 195.8 (+.6)
03-05-13; VLCD 15; 196.0 (+.2)
03-06-13; VLCD 16; 196.0 (0)
03-07-13; VLCD 17; 195.6 (-.4)
___________________________

Finding myself a bit discouraged with my weight loss this round so far, I performed a quick audit of prior rounds and discovered this:

Round 1: Week 3 Total = 19.4 Weekly Average = 6.5
Round 2: Week 3 Total = 22.6 Weekly Average = 7.5
Round 3: Week 3 Total = 10.0 Weekly Average = 3.3
Round 4: Week 3 Total = 15.3 Weekly Average = 5.1
Round 5: Week 3 Total = 10.8 Weekly Average = 3.6
Round 6: Week 3 Total = 12.8 Weekly Average = 4.3

It's good for me to have a visual such as that when I feel that I "should" have lost more at any given time. I need to quit thinking in terms of "should" and just remember that I am doing the best I can since I am staying on plan. Let the chips fall where they may.

Per my 5-pound rule, I've got .6 pounds to lose and then I'll be at my goal.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Originally Posted by MagieDen

on passing your exam!!!

It seems that is not the only thing you passed. Here's hoping the scale cooperates tomorrow.

LOL!! Thanks, Maggie! The scale did cooperate, thanks! How are you doing? What days do you weigh?

[MagieDen]

Originally Posted by SkepticalMe

LOL!! Thanks, Maggie! The scale did cooperate, thanks! How are you doing? What days do you weigh?

I weigh publicly on good ole' Monday on my journal(One life to life, one day at a time, one pound at a time) you know going to start my diet on Monday. I think it is great when some of you guys can keep track like you do and go back and see your numbers but for me it drives me batty so I don't do it. I took a peek at the scale today and the trend in downward so I am a happy gal. It looks as though the scale is cooperating with you as well. Right now my motivation is fitting in an outfit I bought last year and it sits in my bathroom to remind me to stay on plan, it does help. I am so tired of having my muffin top and feeling like a stuffed sausage in my clothes(especially my pants). I like how I feel in my clothes when on Hcg because of the inches lost, the pounds lost are great but the inches, wow! Anyway I talked your ear off once again, have a splendid Thursday!

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)

03-02-13; VLCD 13; 196.0 (-.8)
03-03-13; VLCD 14; 195.2 (-.8)
03-04-13; VLCD 15; 195.8 (+.6)
03-05-13; VLCD 15; 196.0 (+.2)
03-06-13; VLCD 16; 196.0 (0)
03-07-13; VLCD 17; 195.6 (-.4)
03-08-13; VLCD 18; 196.4 (+.8)
___________________________

Hmm. I don't know what's going on with the weight-loss this round, but it's out of my control, apparently. I ate less than 300 calories yesterday, and everything I had was on plan, so I'm not going to worry about it (much).

With today's weight report, I'm averaging a 4-pound loss each week. I start week four tomorrow.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)
Week 3; (-.4)

03-09-13; VLCD 19; 194.0 (-2.4)
___________________________

What a great way to start Week 4 of Round 6...the scale says I lost 2.4 pounds since yesterday. I'll take it.

14.4 pounds gone so far this round. Three weeks to go.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)
Week 3; (-.4)

03-09-13; VLCD 19; 194.0 (-2.4)
03-10-13; VLCD 20; 191.6 (-2.4)
___________________________

I was pleasantly surprised after I weighed this morning to see another 2.4 loss. I can scarcely believe I'm so close to being in the 180s.

I'll try not to set myself up for disappointment if, in the next few days, I gain. It will all work out in the end, as long as I stay on plan.

Onward...

[MagieDen]

Originally Posted by SkepticalMe

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)
Week 3; (-.4)

03-09-13; VLCD 19; 194.0 (-2.4)
03-10-13; VLCD 20; 191.6 (-2.4)
___________________________

I was pleasantly surprised after I weighed this morning to see another 2.4 loss. I can scarcely believe I'm so close to being in the 180s.

I'll try not to set myself up for disappointment if, in the next few days, I gain. It will all work out in the end, as long as I stay on plan.

Onward...

Yes it will all work at the end. 180's here you come!

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)
Week 3; (-.4)

03-09-13; VLCD 19; 194.0 (-2.4)
03-10-13; VLCD 20; 191.6 (-2.4)
03-11-13: VLCD 21; 195.8 (+4.2)
03-12-13; VLCD 22; 190.8 (-5)
___________________________

I think my scale is simply temperamental. It showed a gain of 4.2 pounds yesterday morning, and a loss of 5 pounds this morning.

I keep telling the hubby that, perhaps, the battery needs to be changed and he just keeps saying, "It's consistent with MY weight loss. It's got to be you,and not the scale."

Whatever.

So far this week, I'm down 5.6 pounds. I'll see what the scale says tomorrow. It's kind of like a game at this point.

Onward...

[SkepticalMe]

My daily menu is very, very boring, but it works for me (and my doctor's plan allows for all of these things):

5:30 a.m.:
1 ounce (cooked) sliced deli ham or Canadian bacon or frozen shrimp (cooked and thawed)

10:00 a.m.:
1/2 grapefruit or 1/2 apple (oranges are too much sugar for me)

1:00 p.m.:
Salad of 4 ounces iceberg lettuce, 4 cherry tomatoes, 2.5 ounces (cooked) sliced deli ham or sliced deli turkey or frozen shrimp (cooked and thawed)

3:30 p.m.:
2 radishes or 2 ounces sliced cucumber

6:30 p.m.:
6 ounces sliced zucchini, 3 ounces canned chicken breast (rinsed thoroughly under hot water) all cooked together in a bowl with lots of sugar-free spices such as garlic and onion powder, thyme, basil, salt and pepper, and a pinch of paprika.

Snack before bed:
"Thimble" popsicles I make from 1/2 packet of grape sugar-free powdered drink mix (the kind you add to a bottle of water). I have an ice tray that makes tiny, thimble-sized ice cubes. I suck on these for a treat before bed sometimes.

Beverages:
Coffee with Sweet-n-low
Celestial Seasonings Teas with Sweet-n-low
Flavored sparking water from WalMart (zero calories)
Water with Mio drops to flavor it (zero calories)

[SkepticalMe]

Week 1; (-9.0)
Week 2; (-2.6)
Week 3; (-.4)

03-09-13; VLCD 19; 194.0 (-2.4)
03-10-13; VLCD 20; 191.6 (-2.4)
03-11-13: VLCD 21; 195.8 (+4.2)
03-12-13; VLCD 22; 190.8 (-5.0)
03-13-13; VLCD 23; 192.0 (+1.2)
03-14-13; VLCD 24; 191.4 (-.6)
___________________________

Down five pounds this week, so far. Still don't know what's up with the scale ricocheting all over the place, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Still staying on plan and can't wait to see what the number will be tomorrow.

Onward...

[MagieDen]

Hang in there, that is one reason I weigh only here and there because I don't care to see the fluctuations in weight. I am still learning not to let the scale effect me but know I will definitely keep an eye more on it in P3 because that is really where I get into trouble. Keep up the good work!