VLCD Day 24

Down .4 today after I really went to the bathroom (if you know what I mean), though when I first weighed myself it was a big ole ZERO loss.  I've been doing that for the last few days now and its really disheartening.

Skipped my HCG dose yesterday due to the hives, which are still here and still SO ITCHY!  Called the Dr to make an appt and will see what he/she says.

Big dilemma this morning is whether to mix for injection or for SL since I am making a new batch.  I do not want to have to do SL until closer to injection day 38-40, but I'm afraid if I inject with this rash, I'll just make it worse, and its already so bad (ugh!).  And if I mix for injection, I'm not sure if I can use that same mixture to take it SL, and if I can't, then I will be wasting a whole bottle of hcg.  What do I do?

Posted on the yahoo and facebook boards, but got no response...

Guess I'll be flipping a coin.

10:50am update: Just  mixed for injection and took my first one, and so far, no increased reaction...maybe I really am allergic to the antiobiotic...also, a little hungry so drinking hot water and eating my melba toast right now.  Fingers crossed that I keep losing and my rash doesn't get any worse.

VLCD day 23

Covered in hives all over my body and no idea why. Did my hcg batch go bad? I am SO itchy! Took 2 benedryl last night after a shower but it looks like it's getting worse this morning. Hubby wants me to go to ER ( because of course something like this always happens on a weekend) but why go when they'll just tell me I have hives and send me home with an antihistamine? I'm going to tough it out til my dr can see me tomorrow, granted it doesn't get any worse.

Somehow I am down .2 today ( and .4 yesterday) so current weight is 170.8. If it turns out that my body is reacting this way to the HCG now, and I find out that the rash is nothing serious and won't leave me scarred for life ( yes the rash is THAT bad), I might just keep going- that's how committed I am to losing this weight.

I'm so hoping it's not due to the HCG though. But what else could it be?

And do I mix for sublingual now, or make a new batch of the injection mix? I would like to keep injecting til my 40 days are up, but this rash is throwing me for a loop.

Help!

VLCD Day 21

Just had my first injection in two days, so I'm hoping that starts the loss process again.  TOM appears to be on its way out (at least by tomorrow), so hopefully I will lose a few lbs by Sunday.  Today I maintained at 171.4. 

Feel good, though, and just fit into my size 14 (wow, thats scary to say that--fit into size 14?  I never even used to acknowledge that I owned size 14, and now they fit snugly...) pants that haven't even come over my butt in the last few months.  Thats a good thing.  My rings are loose, my bra fits comfortably, and most of the lovely back rolls are gone-YAY!  So even though I'm not losing weight, it appears that my body is still re-distributing, and I'm enjoying the results.  I do agree that this diet helps you look like you had liposuction!

Anyway, off to a meeting.  Hope you guys have a GREAT day~

Measurement #3-Three Weeks Already?

So stayed at 171.4 today...pretty good since I'm so bloated from TOM. And yesterday was normally the heaviest day. Funny thing about yesterday is that I was not hungry AT ALL the entire day. I normally feel a little tinge when its time to eat, and yesterday, nothing. So I actually forgot to each lunch until 2pm (normally eat by 12), and dinner was at 7:30, since I forgot to eat while I was feeding the kids-too caught up in making sure the dishes were done and the kids were having fun.

Measurements this morning were good considering TOM (yes my lovely friend Tom...did you know that was my dad's name? (RIP)).   I'm down 3 inches overall since last thursday. Also, since I started, my body fat % has gone from 25.78 to 25.52 (well, its something) and my BMI has gone from 31.03 (obese) to 28.52 (overweight). Here is the overall table (click to see bigger):

VLCD Day 19

I think its day 19. I'm all confused right now..

Down .2 despite the TOM, but its really light right now (I know, TMI), so that might make a difference? Im hoping it doesn't stick around longer than normal.

So still in the 172 range, was hoping to see the 160's before week's end, but that is the way it goes. I need to be focused on the big picture, and my final gorgeous result, because this is a process and a journey, and I will make it a great, fun, successful one. I am committed.

Of course, my darling dearest hubby, who has been eating better ever since his Budokon weekend, has lost 3.5 lbs in the last 3 days without evening trying. I am so proud of him, but at the same time, frustrated at how easily men lose weight. It will be nice to have us both looking fab soon enough, and maybe I should add as a goal to wear a bikini to the beach this summer. That sounds like horror fun! Was looking at pics of us at my 37th birthday bash in November(awesome time, thanks Honey), and NYE, and boy have we both changed since then. Our faces are slimmer and we are both more relaxed-nice!

Anyway, I have decided to write a book on my experiences with HCG, and get in touch with all the others I have encountered following this path to share their experiences, their successes, and their tips and recipes, so we can get this out there to a wider audience (and I can be a published author). If anyone reading would like share their story for this tome, please reply to this post.

TOM is here!

Very early-well, really only 4 days early, but still! That's a lot for me since I'm so regular. I hope this doesn't have too much of effect on the scale tomorrow, but we all know that's a rare occurrence. Oh well...

At least I've found lots of cool blogs to follow that will inspire me to keep going no matter what the scale says. Hopefully they'll like reading me too...

VLCD 18

Down 1.1 lbs this morning, total down 17.4 lbs since 9Jan10, the day I started the VLCD. Funny and wonderful how much can change in less than three weeks. A mini goal of mine to be down 20 lbs by this Friday, so I have 2.6 to lose in three days. While my body will decide if thats possible (especially since my TOM is due Friday and most people either gain or dont lose anything right before or during their TOM), its nice to have small and large goals (42.6 lbs to go) to focus on.

I love how my body is changing. Hopefully you will too, next time you see me. And I wonder what my measuring tape will find this Thursday am (outside of a painfully inept measurer, that is)?

Lots of work to do today. And an idea that I want to bring to fruition: Im going to contact the people I have seen on the forum regarding whether they would like to be interviewed about their HCG successes and tips, and then I will create an ebook out of it. What do you think?

No loss today :(

My Wii failed to record my weight yesterday, so today it indicated a .7 loss this morning. I was excited until I saw the weight, which is at the same number as yesterday. So, no loss today on VLCD Day 17.

I ate less than 500 calories because I had two servings of strawberries instead of an apple and strawberries, so that could have accounted for the lack of movement. Or perhaps the fact that I'm 5 days til my TOM (guess what that is)...probably not. Maybe its just where I am.

Here's hoping for better numbers tomorrow...

Nourishment

This diet is really getting me in touch with myself. I've been drinking lots of hot water- and that just triggers in me a let's relax response- so lovely. When I eat, I pay full attention to my meal- no distractions- and that too is lovely. When I do this, I am aware of the flavors in every bite. And though I eat so little, I enjoy every meal, and have started experimenting with Apple Cider Vinegar and spices.

I also cook EVERY meal now- and I haven't done that in forever even though I know how much better that is for my health and my wallet. I also cook one day and eat for 4 or 5- which is a timesaver, and makes menu planning easy. Though I'm not going to be eating from a normal menu anytime in the next month, the fact that I can do this successfully now will allow me to stick with this as a basis and easily add in (or when I am feeling overwhelmed by all my choices as a grounding point).

I am losing weight, and gaining something so important- my mental and physical health...And lots of good tips and firsthand experience to make me a better health and nutrition coach. Pros-endless; cons- none so far. Win win all the way.

VLCD Day 16

Down .7lbs today. Skipped my Melba toasts (40 calories) yesterday so not sure if that contributed to lower loss or if it's just where my body is at. Current weight 172.7-back to the weight I was right before I got pregnant with both boys. That's nice.

But Im going make it to 130-a number I haven't seen on my scale (unless I put a picture of the number on top of the digital reading, that is) since college, and maybe even high school. Silly, but one of the things I am enjoying with seeing the number go down is hitting those numbers where I had such good experiences, and I revisit them- like this one with my pregnancies and the weight when I did my first Tri. And when I get to 153, my wedding day and honeymoon in Hawaii. And 138- which I got down to from 148 back in 1996 while doing WW and playing on Covance's intermural basketball team - they called me Mauler-a play on my maiden name Naylor (yes, I have heard that joke- and the about Kelly, Kelly, Kelly), and I was the only girl on the team for a long while. That was definitely fun for a nice single girl.

Hubby commented that he notices a difference in my waist and hips (while grabbing a quick feel this morning :). For him to notice is something since I could get my hair colored a different color or something just as extreme and it takes a few days for him to notice (no criticism here- just the facts, mam).

Feeling better but still contagious so staying away from the kids once again. Will probably try to go for a brief walk later if it warms up, and if it doesn't rain. Gotta get out of the house.

Side note: I visited a great low carb recipe blog today (look in blogs I'm following later this week) that will be perfect for P3. Really mouth watering stuff.

Off to cook up my food for the week. Enjoy this last day of the weekend!

VLCD Day 15

Down 1.1lbs today despite the strep throat diagnosis and oregano oil use yesterday. Weight this morning was 173.4-love it!

In bed trying to avoid the kids and Mark. Definitely don't want them catching this. Though from the sounds outside my door, Kieran sure is fussy this morning. He has been throwing crying tantrums is he doesn't get what he wants, so not sure if he is in pain or just not getting his way.

Either way, he is in good hands.

Not hungry but the smells emanating from the kitchen (breakfast sausage, perhaps?) are very tempting. Just gotta wait til P3.

Which will start after immunity or til I get to 130 (43 lbs to go). I'm going to switch to SL after my 28th injection day (I think).

Anyway, have a great weekend!

VLCD Day 14

UGH! My throat is so sore and swollen. Made a doctors appt for 2:30. Had to reschedule my review at work.

My main concern, outside of passing this onto my family, whatever this is, is that I will not be able to swallow all the food and water I need to take in today (and tomorrow, etc). And that will lead to a gain tomorrow :(. I already think there will be a gain since I used some oregano oil on my neck to help with the pain and swelling, and we all know, no oil on the skin for P2.

Weight today:
At 5am, no loss. At 8am, loss of .7 (thanks #2-no, dont tell me TMI-Ive been waiting for that for 4 days!). So currently, 174.5 lbs.

Hopefully Ill feel better tomorrow. For today, lots of hot water and tea, and maybe some chicken blended with water in the Vitamix for a tasty souplike creation? Ugh, again.

On a side note:
UM! I love me some Teavana tea. I have been drinking a blend of their chai and mate teas with a little chocolate stevia (about 6 drops), and boy is it good. I have been using the leaves for more than a week and decided to change them this morning, wow what a difference! Its definitely expensive, but so worth it.

Update: Strep it is. Amoxicillan for the next 7 days. Oh well :(

Time to Measure Again

Its been exactly two weeks since I started taking my injections, and my current weight is 175.2. Lost .9 from yesterday. Here are my measurements (just click the table to show it bigger in a new window):

.

So all told, down another 3 inches or so. That's pretty good, and my belly is definitely flatter. Another cool side effect is that my scars are starting to fade, including the one for my c-sections, my appendectomy, and these weird bug? bite marks I have on my left upper thigh.

This morning my throat is killing me, and my dog was found in the neighbor's yard. I have a lot of work to do, and after I pick up Connor from school, I have to take him to the dentist (he is definitely not looking forward to that, though I told him if he was good there he could play Wii later, a privilege he lost due to back talking yesterday. But all is good, I didn't stall.

And tomorrow is Friday!

Oh, and big news, had take out last night with Mark's parents. 3.5 oz ribeye steak (delicious) on top of romaine hearts with some salt and pepper. It was GREAT! and it didn't cause any gain. That so makes me feel good.

Skip Day 2

So for this skip day, I increased my weight by .2 lbs. Now, granted, that is not much, about 3 oz. But for someone who's been losing consistently, its a little depressing. Its Day 12 of my VLCD, and most who stall don't do so until their last few days of the protocol.

But I am not going to panic. I reviewed my intake yesterday, and while it was under 500 calories, I realized that this might be due to a couple of things:

1) I drank about 2 cups of tea more than I usually do
2) I ate 3 strawberries before bed because I was only at 450 calories for the day (I think this is the one that did it...just because of the amt of food, not the calories)
3) I went for a little walk with Connor last night
4) I had a freshly broiled bison steak that I just cooked, and it might have had a little extra fat due to the juices from the other bison I cooked at the same time
5) I could be ovulating (this is also a good possibility)
6) I had a little extra salt yesterday

Today, I am going to stick with what I normally eat (chicken for lunch and bison for dinner), not count calories, and see what happens. I also took a potassium-magnesium tablet in order to get those bowels a moving and to curb any hunger I might have on this skip day. I'm hoping this supplement will not change the movement on the scale for worse, but if it does, I will know that it was definitely due to that since I will introduce no other new variables into the picture.

After rereading a few pages of the protocol this morning, Simeons is very clear that any changes to the plan will merit changes in weight loss (not talking about the supplement, but my food intake), and this is blaringly apparent to me now. Here's to 176.1 today and 174.5 tomorrow, right?

And also just read that its normal, due to the reduced food intake, to only move the bowels every 3 to 4 days on this diet...so I'm not so worried about that now...wish I read that before I took the supplement.

VLCD Day 11

Down 1.3 lbs for a total of 13.1 lost since my highest loading weight.
Current Weight: 175.9

Still have my cold, and a little hunger, though I'm sure that because I forgot my tea in the kitchen, again! (distracted by work). That always fills me right up.

Anyway, in the last few days, I've been thinking a lot about why I went on this type of diet instead of doing it all natural, the way I've been trained to do it (at school) and the way I know works if you work it, albeit much slower.

The real answer, outside of the ones I give everyone, like I want to use this with my clients but needed to make sure it was safe and works (yes, that is a little bit of it), is that I wanted a quick fix. I wanted something down and dirty that was a little hard, but something that got me results FAST. Something that would jump start my motivation, make me feel and look great, and get my back on my path. And this is definitely doing it. I was also was drawn to the fact that I can't exercise on it, since Ive been plagued by injuries over the last Tri Season, and I didn't want to get depressed about that if it happened again, and most likely, stress eat about it. And most of all, I needed a plan that was very basic, didn't have room for cheating (ie I needed to get all the sugar out), cost me some money and makes me work for it (in the sense that I give myself injections when I hate shots!). Strange, but true. And my losses have been consistent. And I have learned so much about myself as an eater. And all those lessons I've been taught and read about, and NEVER TOOK TO HEART, are coming into play naturally. I really love that.

I researched this diet for 3 months before doing anything, and I felt it was safe enough, and tempting enough to try it. I have found alternatives (since starting the injection) to the injections (SL), and alternatives to even getting the HCG from abroad (homeopathic), and that is cool. That will help when I do my next round, and if any of my clients decide to try it.

And I'll have a rocking hot bod in addition. Where's the harm in that?