Day 29 VLCD 120.3 (+.6, total release 13 pounds)

Slight gain - sure it was salt. I really fell into the Bragg's Amino Acids on all my food!

I'm really exhausted. I think it's due to the HCG leaving my system. Wednesday can't come soon enough!!

Well, P3 actually, as I need all the time I can get before my road trip Thursday. I've arranged for an agent to take over for me in case I get sign calls on my listings. My new listing was shown for the first time today and the agent called to let me know they're already writing an offer!! I'd like that to come in before I leave as well! Tomorrow at 11 I have a waxing, and then at 1 I have a photo shoot (FINALLY getting a professional head shot since losing the weight! Last one I had I was at around 150!). Kids are out at 3, and I still need to deliver a for sale sign and lock box to the new listing, and at 5:30 I'm meeting with other buyers and working on getting them qualified for a home they picked out Saturday. That's just tomorrow! I still need to pack, get all my property management stuff done, shop and get my bills paid. GADS!

Hope you're all well!

Day 28 VLCD 119.7 (- 2.4, total release 13.6 pounds) - LAST DOSE DAY

Who knew I was so full of shit? ;)

2.4 pounds released!! I think it was a combo of the water released from the apples, and I was constipated! Good lord, and HOW!

Measurements?

Total loss of inches: 17.25 in 4 weeks.

I would have been satisfied ending where I could drop 2 pounds into the 100 teens so this 2.4 pound drop obviously has me over the MOON! I can drop to 117.7 (just about where I ended last round so I consider this a monumental success!). We'll see how I feel after 2 weeks away and eating P3 style food if I'll want to finish up that last vial. Today I'm thinking I will, as it's such a tiny amount of time, it would give me the experience of a planned interruption.

Measurements since May 3 (and maybe for good this round if I don't do the interruption):

Today is going to be gorgeous. 70 degrees and sunny. It's Sunday and no one expects me to work today (though I'm suddenly SWIMMING in real estate work - I have 3 homes under contract and another offer cooking that should be good by Tuesday, 2 listings and a possible 3rd coming up, and possibly a new rental! YAY!

Massive success vibes your way! Thanks for "listening". :)

Day 27 VLCD 122.1 (+ .1, total release 11.2 pounds)

I'm not surprised for some reason, nor am I the slightest bit worried or disappointed. I'm still riding high from those before and after pictures, and the fact that I'm fitting into 2s and 4s. Seriously? Seriously. Besides, AFTER I weighed, I definitely "lost some weight", if you know what I mean. ;)

I am, however, doing an apple day. Tomorrow is my last dose day, allowing me to restart the protocol when I get back from my road trip if I so choose. Between the potty action and the apple, I'd be surprised if I don't see one last significant drop. Anything below .2 pounds still allows me to stabilize in the 100 teens (I know it's silly, but it's a psychological thing with me!)!. So, we'll see. I may see 118 (point something) yet, with the 2 pound lower window. We'll see, we'll see.

I'm getting really excited about my road trip. I'm telling you, there's nothing like that freedom!! I've downloaded 2 books on CD - "Game Change" by Heilemann and Halprin, and "Oprah" by Kitty Kelley. They're both unabridged and will more than cover my 27 hours on the road. I. Can't. Wait! I've heard "Game Change" is simply mind blowing and since I'm a political junkie, it will most definitely entertain. The other I've not heard any personal reviews, but I expect it will be equally fascinating given no one in the mainstream media will touch it, and that Kitty Kelley has been sued for defamation of character more than once, but never successfully...

I'm busy with real estate today. I'll check in tomorrow after my apple day and let you know the results.

*HUGS*

Day 26 VLCD 122 (- 1, total release 11.3 pounds)

It's not the 1.5 I put on yesterday, but definitely a move in the right direction.

Thank you guys for holding my hands yesterday. It was a tough one, and I needed it. I LOVE you guys and that you're here for me!!

So, my last dose is Sunday. It will be interesting to see where I end up and if I choose to start back up after my trip. I really wasn't feeling that yesterday, but today is a new day and so far, I'm thinking after the 2 week break I'll be ready to start again... I think. With the pressure off, knowing it's for the experience of a planned interruption and not necessarily to lose weight, I think I could handle that.

I'm on my 3rd day of this cursed migraine, but I do think I'm on the mend. I need to throw myself into cleaning and this pain has been kicking my butt making it very difficult to get motivated to do much of anything!

I am taking those jeans back to Costco today, but I did buy some cute jeans on ebay yesterday and today that should fit like a glove. 3 pair of 4P Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft jeans. I have a pair of 2P but they are still just slightly too tight to wear out. I can, but I'm not comfortable with it just yet (though I know they will fit soon enough).

Anyone out there a Petite 6? I have clothes for you! Speaking of, I will be starting a section on my new site called "Honey, I shrunk myself and have nothing to wear!" where people can donate their old clothes and pick up new sizes from others on their journeys.

Thanks again, guys. :)

OK, lovies. It's been a hard day and I'm having some thoughts...

Between the crabbiness, the break outs, the weight gain, work stress, and the 2nd day with a migraine, it's been a hard day. HOWEVER, I've had some time to think about what this round has done for me.

People have already said my face is thinner. At this weight after round 2, I was a size 6. I am now a size 2/4. I bought size 4 jeans at Costco today, sure they would fit. I can pull them off and on without unzipping or unbuttoning them. They go back tomorrow. They don't carry any smaller size either.

I was listening to Pounds and Inches (there is an audio version! I've put it on my site) and was listening to him talk about his experiments with obese patients before he developed the diet, but while still using HCG and he talked about fat not being lost, but that it shifted on the body. Granted, I've lost, but the original spirit of this round to be more about the fit and less about the numbers seems to have won out.

What more do I want, guys? I'm a friggin size 2/4. I look fantastic. I really do. I love my body. Yes, psychologically I'd be happier in the 100 teens, and I know I'll see those numbers again.

The good doctor talked about once you reach your goal if you've not completed 23 injections, to continue the protocol until you do but to increase your calories to 800-1000 a day.

I had an extra lemon today. I wanted it, and I knew it would be okay to have it.

You know what else I did? I'm having a sparkling water with vanilla stevia and a shot of vodka. It's helping my migraine.

I'd call this round done and stop now if it weren't for the fact that I had planned on starting back when I am home from Oregon. I may not start back up, but I want both options available. I need to stop my dosing as of Sunday to have both options.

So that's where I'm at, Lovies. My body has shifted. I'm struggling, and I'm making that struggle a little easier tonight. A size 2/4!  My body has had time enough to recover from surgery and it's time to start exercising full force again, and I'm so ready physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for that! I've also learned I will always have another round in my future, just for detox purposes alone, and all the other benefits are gravy.

Thanks for being my sounding board. :)

And now for some perspective...

Day 25 VLCD 123 (+1.5, total release 10.3 pounds)

What the hell HAPPENED?

Okay, this has to be TOM, but seriously, I've GAINED almost 2.5 pounds in 2 DAYS. 2 DAYS! And 1.5 was OVERNIGHT AFTER A STEAK DAY.

I am at a loss.

I started having a migraine (day 1 of 3) yesterday. My breasts are not only torturing me, but they have broken out like they used to when I was a teenager. I know, know, KNOW this is hormonal, but still. What a total disappointment... and I only have 3 more days to go before I stop dosing. I really had no doubt in my mind I'd get to 118. That's 5 pounds away. I'll be lucky to get back to 120.7 and that isn't likely. Shit, I hope it comes off as quickly as it came on.

I'm SO glad now that I have that other vial of HCG. I will be needing it! I'll be very curious how my body will respond to it after the break. It would be so grand if I had similar large losses in that first week, though without loading and this far into the game, I'm not necessarily counting on that. Just curious. I am still very hopeful to end up 113-115 after that last box.

I didn't do any cleaning yesterday other than laundry, and that's never ending. Tomorrow my father will be visiting so I need to get the guest room prepared for him, as well as clean the house, as he will be doing a demonstration on the dangers of "dirty electricity" and how to protect your home. I'll need everything spiffy and to buy hor d'oeuvres from Costco.

Thinking releasing and stabilizing vibes for all y'all! Oh, and HAPPY FULL MOON!

Day 25 VLCD 121.5 (+.9, total release 11.8 pounds)

My breasts are killing me and we're nearing a full moon. I do believe this blip is TOM! I'll do a steak day today and see if that corrects this petite blip! I know TOM is near as my chocolate cravings are OUT OF CONTROL. I fell into the Walden Farms chocolate - the dip and the sauce with a touch of peppermint stevia - peppermint patty! Still, the good Dr. never said anything about Walden Farms being P2 compliant.

So, to prepare myself for the interruption on the trip, I went back to P&I to re-read what it had to say. I was a little worried when I read about the increase to 800 calories...

Unforeseen Interruptions of Treatment

If an interruption of treatment lasting more than four days is necessary, the patient must increase his diet to at least 800 calories by adding meat, eggs, cheese, and milk to his diet after the third day, as otherwise he will find himself so hungry and weak that he is unable to go about his usual occupation. If the interval lasts less than two weeks the patient can directly resume injections and the 500-calorie diet, but if the interruption lasts longer he must again eat normally until he has had his third injection.

When a patient knows beforehand that he will have to travel and be absent for more than four days, it is always better to stop injections three days before he is due to leave so that he can have the three days of strict dieting which are necessary after the last injection at home. This saves him from the almost impossible task of having to arrange the 500 calorie diet while en route, and he can thus enjoy a much greater dietary freedom from the day of his departure. Interruptions occurring before 20 effective injections have been given are most undesirable, because with less than that number of injections some weight is liable to be regained. After the 20th injection an unavoidable interruption is merely a loss of time.

So, it looks like the 800 calories really is for those who aren't travelling longer than 4 days, and that my plan to start P3 and go back to P2 so long as it has been less than 2 weeks from the last dose will work. I sure hope so, especially with the blip I just had! I really am depending on that last vial to get me where I want to be with a nice comfortable cushion.

I have so much to do sorting wise and quite frankly, I am procrastinating so I best get to it. :)

Thanks again for the comments! Knowing you're "out there" is such a comfort!!

Day 24 VLCD 120.6 (-.1, total release 12.7 pounds)

Relief. I have to say, I was a little worried I'd "rebound" after my fantastic results from the steak day yesterday. Though the loss was completely minimal, it wasn't a gain which I had mentally prepared myself for.

About the steak - it was that super lean organic Maverick brand steak that is actually fewer in calories and fat that chicken breast. I had 219 grams of it at 6 PM along with an apple weighing 255 grams. That and a LOT of tea and water.

I got clothes! unfortunately the pictures are blurry, but you get the idea.

Lovies. The skirts and the jeans are size...

2 petite!!!!!!!!!!!

The dress is a 4 petite, but that's because of my bust (the tops are all medium petites).

I had so much fun! To think I have more pounds and inches to go! The bottoms will still fit with another 5-7 pound release. The jeans anyway, as they are a liiiiittle tight, but hey, they were originally $60 and I got them for $11 (and I'm wearing them right now)!

I've been working on the website. Kathryn, I loved your testimonial. Thanks so much. I especially appreciated your candidness about how hard this protocol is!! Your testimonial is up, and I've added to the menu. There are now 2 books you can order off the menu and soon we'll have a clothing exchange. I have some to donate myself!

Speaking of books, it's time. I'm beginning to write my story. I'm very excited about this. :)

Okay, blurry pics for you! Have a GREAT DAY!!

Day 23 VLCD 120.7 (-1.6, total release 12.6 pounds)

WOW! P2 steak days WORK!!!!

Less than a pound away from being back into the teens! Woot! Thanks to those of you who experimented with lean P2 steak days and gave me the courage to try it too!

I am on the 2nd bottle of my 2nd vial of HCG as of this morning. As I mentioned. I thought I would have started it on Saturday, so there's no way I'll need to mix my next vial before I leave. I fully expect to be right close to my goal before I leave so it will feel strange mixing up another 2 week supply when I get back, but I keep reminding myself that not only do I want this experience, it will pretty much ensure I'll get to the ultimate goal I want to reach, and I don't HAVE to use it all up. It's inexpensive enough.

I'll get prepared for my next round after the Holidays just in case they make it more difficult to obtain. This time, I'm getting 2000 ius rather than 5000, and mixing more often. Again though, hopefully next round will be strictly a detox/reshaping round. I've healed enough from my surgery that I'm comfortable starting back up with the Pilates and starting Krav Maga classes once I'm done with this round.

It JUST stopped snowing. Seriously? Seriously! Sticking snow on MAY 24! Really?? Ugh. I'm braving the streets though. I have a noon appointment to have my iPhone looked at (it's having issues) and the shopping center I have to go to to do that has WONDERFUL shops! Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, JJill, Coldwater Creek, and though I'm not done shrinking, my top half pretty much is and I have 1 good business blouse. I'm going to see what I can find, AND I'm looking for a dress for my hot date a week from tomorrow! WOOT! I'll take pictures... ;)

Thanks for all the support! I'm off to catch up with you (and thanks for reading for those of you who don't blog but lurk! :) )

Day 22 VLCD 122.3 (+.2, total release 11 pounds)

Up .2... I was asleep by 1 am and up at 6:45 - think THAT could be the problem?? Yikes. I couldn't sleep though and NOW I am exhausted. 2 steps forward, 1 stumble back.

So, somehow I miscalculated my last batch. I thought I'd done everything the same as my first batch, which would have had me out of my first bottle by Friday. I am still on it, though it will be out by tonight. I may not need to mix until I'm back from my trip, which feels kind of weird, as it gives me the option not to do a planned interruption at all if the last box is unmixed. I really want to try it though. I want that experience.

I thawed pre-weighed meat yesterday but it's not thawed enough to cook today, but will be by tomorrow. I do have a steak that could be used for a steak day, so I may as well give it a whirl! I am so impressed with others' results. It could be interesting! The only thing is I hate showing homes on an empty stomach which is what I'll need to do if I do a steak day today. I can handle it.

Wishing you lots of luck today!

Day 21 VLCD 122.1 (-.7, total release 11.2 pounds)

I can't tell you how happy I am to have 2 nice drops in a row!

It's been a nutty, nutty day. I showed homes all afternoon (including my own listing) and have 1 verbal offer, and one offer on paper to submit tonight. Buuuuuusssssssssssssssyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! NO COMPLAINTS! I've really bonded with my new buyer. She and her sons are delightful. We're going to look at vacant homes tomorrow around her home for sale to get an idea of the competition. Should be fun!

CHANGE OF PLANS. U2 has postponed their concert because Bono had emergency back surgery in Germany yesterday, so rather than waiting until the 8th to do the Oregon road trip, the kids and I will leave right after school on the 3rd. I'll be back before the 13th so I can resume dosing when I get back with the 2 week break in between. If I make it to 117-118 by the 30th, who knows! I might be able to make it to 112-115 by the time we're all said and done!

My husband and I will go out the night before since we're missing our concert, which means my last dose is on the 30th so I can have a nice, fat porterhouse steak with Caesar Salad (hold the croutons), and a NICE glass of red wine on the 2nd! I am SOOOOOOOOOOO looking forward to that! Not only the food, but the company. I love going out with my husband. I'm also getting professional pictures taken that morning. I've not had one taken since I was 150 pounds! That WON'T do. I need them for new real estate business cards, e-letterhead, and both websites.

Eek, dinner time! Off to go broil asparagus and grill my chicken (and mix my sorbet for later!)!

Day 20 VLCD 122.8 (-.8, total release 10.5 pounds)

Hooray! Nice drop. Granted, it's still making up the .7 gain, but I won't complain... and this was before I "released" some more weight, if you know what I mean. :)

The wrap was JUST what I needed. They plugged me into a mediation specifically to release stress. You know what a foul mood I was in before my wrap. I left feeling so calm, energized, and renewed. Worth every cent. I swear by it for this reason alone! Here's more information on the meditations they provide.

For those of you in Utah, here's a link to the place where I'm getting the wraps, and here's a link to their coupons.

So, to steak day or not to steak day, that is the question.

My husband is concerned about me mixing things up. I find that so funny, and so sweet that he cares! I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, since it's a P2 friendly steak. I could even split the steak in 2 and cut out the veggies and just have 1 apple as my fruit with dinner and I wouldn't be straying from the protocol AT ALL. Here's my dilemma. I have quite a few cucumbers that are still good, but won't be for long. Not eating them now may mean throwing some out and I'd HATE to waste them.

The other thing is I'm not nearly so driven to get to 117 by the end of this batch (I'm still hoping for 118). I do want to get to a weight where I can stay within 2 pounds and stabilize at 115. According to the Mayo BMI calculator which takes into account sex and age as well, 112 is my ideal weight.

Here's why I'm not so driven to get to 117 by May 29th. I've never had an interruption in any of my rounds. One vial of HCG will last me 2 weeks. If I mix the last vial I have and extend this round by a week, I may very likely reach the weight I want to, leave for my trip to Oregon on the 8th and start P3 that evening, and have my 2nd vial of 1 week's worth of HCG waiting for me in the freezer when I get home. Assuming I've not gone more than 2 weeks between doses, I can start right back on HCG with that 2nd vial when I come home from my trip without reloading. Why would I want to do this you may ask? For the experience of it. If I'm going to help people with the protocol, I'd like to be able to share my personal experience when it comes to things like a planned interruption, and apple days (finally tried that too!).

It may seem silly, but it gives me a large cushion of time to reach my goal, and gives me the experience of a planned interruption (and there would only be a week to go when I get back which is TOTALLY doable). The other thing it gives me a chance to do is to make a mixing video for my website.

So, those are my thoughts. I'll think about whether or not I'll do a steak day today or not. :)

Thanks again EVERYONE and Lis, I got your testimonial! It was just wonderful and will be on the site today! Thanks again!

OH!! And if you're comfortable sending me a before and after picture, you know they are worth 1,000 words! Thank you!

EDITED TO ADD:

My new facebook page promoting the new site!

Day 19 VLCD 123.6 (+.7, total release 9.7 pounds)

Deja vu and not in a good way. :(

Thanks to all of you for the extremely sweet words and encouragement on my new project! Lis, I would love a blurb, thank you!!

So I'm up .7 which makes my goal by the 29th seem impossible, however I won't let it get me down. It just means I may have to mix one more batch.

I planned on doing a P2 steak day experiment yesterday but didn't. Today (in 15 minutes so this will be brief!) I have another body wrap, so I don't want to try the steak day today, as I truly want to see if the wrap makes a difference in my releases. Tomorrow I'll do the P2 steak day experiment. I hope it shakes things up enough that my original goal will return within reach.

I hate that the gain has impacted my mood. My husband told me he's staying out of my way today as I am extra nasty. Quite frankly, I'd love to simply tuck myself back in bed, but I have my wrap and then it's off to show more houses this afternoon. No rest for the wicked.

Later, I'll work on my site again. I need to:

Set up PayPal for my services (thanks for the idea LD)
Add a sign up for my newsletter
Work on submitting to search engines and design an add for facebook.

K, peeps. I'm off to my wrap. I hope it cheers me up. I was so energized the last time!

Wishing you success in all things!

Day 18 VLCD 122.9 (-.7, total release 10.4 pounds)

Woot! I'll take it! My average daily just jumped up to .6 per day with that release. Yay!!

THE SITE IS LIVE!!! Thanks to those who submitted testimonials! I'm hoping to complete it with 3-4 more. The only thing missing is a way to order my services. I'll work on that today or tomorrow. Jen, I have Pounds and Inches Away as my source for HHCG - I would love for you to get credit for those purchases so let me know how I can do that, okay? :) My business cards came in yesterday and I've already handed one out to a potential client. :)

So yesterday I showed a home in Sugarhouse again. It's sort of a mini-Portland neighborhood here. Every other home has Tibetan Prayer Flags hung. In thinking about it very carefully, I've come to accept that if we had to stay here, living there would be acceptable. It's still not my first choice, but I could live with it. It's funny what happens when you let go. My husband had his yearly review that went fantastic and was encouraged to look for management positions. I came home from showing the home and told him I wasn't pressuring him, but I needed to know now that he was looking for those types of positions, was he looking only here, or was he open to other locations. He said he was open. WOW. Just wow!!

The other just wow? I stopped at Ann Taylor Loft before coming home and the size 2 pencil skirt fit! :) Not on sale though, so I passed.

That's it for now! I am off to catch up with all y'all! :)

Day 17 VLCD 123.6 (-.1, total release 9.7 pounds)

Morning, Peeps!

I tried Walden Farms ranch as well as chocolate sauce yesterday. I have no idea if that accounts for the .1 loss or not. I'm not getting enough sleep, and I suspect that has more to do with it. I need to go to bed earlier! I hope it's not the Walden Farms, as mixing the ranch with Tobasco sauce made a nice dip for my chicken and asparagus.

Regardless of the small loss, this is still an average loss for someone who is considered a healthy weight/BMI of .57 per day. Last round? I think I was at .1 average per day at this point. If I continue at this rate, I'll be at 117.33 by May 29th, which is when I will stop or remix one more vial. If I'm at 117, I won't mix another batch, as I can safely stabilize at 115 at that weight. I. Would. LOVE. That. Yesterday, my average was still .65 per day which would have me at 115 last dose day if I kept that average up. Now, I have no idea what my weight will do, but I expect I'll have another decent loss coming up given the last 2 days were minimal.

I'm going to schedule another body wrap, hopefully for Thursday. That may shake things up too. :) I may also do a steak day with the super lean steaks I found. 1 steak is about 300 grams of protein. I am debating trying one day of following p3/p4 steak day rules, only using 1 of these steaks. That would be still around 500 calories if I ate it with a tomato or apple. I have no idea if it would work, but it's all p2 friendly foods so I figure it can't hurt.

Busy week - I picked up 2 new buyers! I am so happy about this. If it all pans out, I will be close to achieving  my financial goals between the 2 homes I have under contract, the listing I have when it sells, the other 2 listings coming up, and the 2 new buyers I have. Now that I know how much I need and how I need to allocate it to make sure my taxes are also covered, I am feeling confident I will be out of business debt this year. What a complete relief THAT will be! Still, I have learned my lesson the hard way. DO NOT count your chickens before they hatch, especially in this business.

Okay, I've TRULY babbled on long enough. :) I hope it's a wonderful day for you! Now, POST AN UPDATE. Y'all have been slackery lately!

Day 16 VLCD 123.7 (-.5, total release 9.6 pounds)

Decent release. I won't complain. Still, I was calculating whether or not making my goal of 118 by the 29th was possible and though it is, juuuuuuust barely. I plan on throwing the kids in the car and driving to Oregon once I'm in P3 and they're out of school so I was looking at the timing. If I stop on the 29th, my first day of P3 is the evening of June 1. June 3, my husband and I are going to the U2 concert. I won't want to make that long drive the following day, and then it's the weekend. I will want to spend that with my husband before taking off, so that would mean leaving on the 7th. Now, I have more HCG and could go another week if I felt I needed/wanted to, in order to hit a very comfortable number (and though I said this was more about inches, I still have a hard time letting go of the number on the scale. Bad habit. I digress). THAT said, I'd be in P3 the evening of the 8th. I could leave that day and do P2 the first day on the road, which would be easy to do if I prepared my cucumbers, chicken, and threw a couple apples in a bag. That has me leaving only 1 day later. SO, I won't let the timing of the trip dictate what I decide to do round wise. I hate to get SO CLOSE to my goal and then stop just short of it. Besides, if I could go on one more week, I have the possibility of actually hitting my REAL goal of 115. That's my favorite weight ever. It would be nice to be within 2 pounds of that so I could stabilize there.

Thanks for all the input on the tattoo! I found a GREAT artist in Portland:

http://www.abovethepearl.com/

I can't get this during my round since I'll need to use lotion and oil while it heals, so I thought I'd get it done while on my trip. Opinions, ladies. Right bicep, or in between my shoulder blades? If it were a design that would lend itself to looking good on my belly, I'd do that as I still have no sensation between my belly button and the incision on my tummy. Here's a picture of someone who has it on their back - I don't want it that large - I would need to be able to conceal it given my line of work:

This would be far too large for me! I'm thinking 1/2 to 1/3 the size!

Ok, off to take the kids to school and then I need to get ready for a funeral for my friend's mom. 

Oh, SUSAN! How did the apple day go for you?

Talk to you all soon!

XOXOX

Day 15 VLCD 124.2 (-.2, total release 9.1 pounds)

OUCH!

Two words: Krav Maga! I went to my Women's Self Defense course offered by Krav Maga Salt Lake City. I'd hoped it would be just techniques, as I knew any major physical exertion would be too  much 14 days into VLCD. I was wrong (though not disappointed totally). It was very physical. After the first hour, anytime I stood up I began to see stars. It was a 4 hour class. I grabbed the wife of the instructor and told her I was on very limited calories and had to leave but I'd sign up again for the next self defense course. I was close to tears that I couldn't complete yesterday's class. It did, however inspire me. I used to be the Tae Bo queen, and loved it. This is a lot more intense than that and it teaches self defense. I checked their website and normally they charge $85 a month for unlimited classes. They are offering a special ending the first week in June for $65 a month for the same. The self defense class alone was $50. I've decided I need to do this. It will be life changing for me and a fantastic work out, as well as teach me the skills I need to kick ass if I need to (as a female Realtor, this is essential). I'm going to do it!!! Of course, I'll wait until AFTER the VLCD! Here's a video about it:




This is the studio where I'll train:



So, all that said, I think the work out accounts for the very small release. My muscles are feeling it today.

I have 2 tattoos. I promised myself I wouldn't cover myself with tattoos, but I saw a design today I really would love.

From Wikipedia: In Zen Buddhist painting, ensō symbolizes a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body/spirit create. The brushed ink of the circle is usually done on silk or rice paper in one movement (but the great Bankei used two strokes sometimes) and there is no possibility of modification: it shows the expressive movement of the spirit at that time. Zen Buddhists "believe that the character of the artist is fully exposed in how she or he draws an ensō. Only a person who is mentally and spiritually complete can draw a true ensō. Some artists will practice drawing an ensō daily, as a kind of spiritual exercise."^[1]

It's so pretty. I may have to get it.

Positive vibes your way!

Day 14 VLCD 124.4 (-1.6, total release 8.9 pounds)

IT WORKED! Yay for the apple day!

I have to be on the road in 2 minutes to get to my class but I wanted to report my apple day results!

Thanks to all of you who helped coach me through it!

Quick update

I decided to eat all my apples today. I have 1 more to go. I have a class I need to leave for tomorrow at 9:30 and there's no way I'll want breakfast that early. I have my chicken and cucumber prepared for lunch and will bring an apple with me to have before I have to show houses after my class.

I am starving. It's the first real hunger I've experienced so far. I mean REAL hunger. I haven't been thirsty, but I could eat an entire orchard of apples (hence why I'm not splitting them up for tomorrow). I am on my last day of my first box of HCG and get to mix fresh tomorrow morning. I hope that helps!

So, I thought the apple day was supposed to work as a diuretic, however I've only gone to the bathroom twice today. Is that normal? I would have thought I would have been making multiple trips to the toilet. What's your experience been?

Cravings... I have them. Red meat and chocolate. As I said before, I was going to go buy the ultra lean steaks I found, and I did. I'll have 100 grams for my dinner tomorrow night. I am SO looking forward to change! This is what I bought:

Unfortunately, I didn't take a very sharp picture of the nutrition info, so here it is:

Serving Size: 4 ounces (112 grams)

Calories: 120

Calories from fat: 20

Sodium: 50 mg

Carbs: 0

Fiber: 0

Sugars: 0

Protein: 26 g

So, tomorrow night I get my red meat fix. A much needed one!

Day 13 VLCD 126 (+ .8, total release 7.3 pounds)

Apple day.

I'm going to attempt the original instructions from P&I:

The Plateau

The second type of interruption we call a “plateau”. A plateau lasts 4-6 days and frequently occurs during the second half of a full course, particularly in patients that have been doing well and whose overall average of nearly a pound per effective injection has been maintained. Those who are losing more than the average all have a plateau sooner or later. A plateau always corrects, itself, but many patients who have become accustomed to a regular daily loss get unnecessarily worried. No amount of explanation convinces them that a plateau does not mean that they are no longer responding normally to treatment.

In such cases we consider it permissible, for purely psychological reasons, to break up the plateau. This can be done in two ways. One is a so-called “apple day”. An apple-day begins at lunch and continues until just before lunch of the following day. The patients are given six large apples and are told to eat one whenever they feel the desire though six apples is the maximum allowed. During an apple-day no other food or liquids except plain water are allowed and of water they may only drink just enough to quench an uncomfortable thirst if eating an apple still leaves them thirsty. Most patients feel no need for water and are quite happy with their six apples. Needless to say, an apple-day may never be given on the day on which there is no injection. The apple-day produces a gratifying loss of weight on the following day, chiefly due to the elimination of water. This water is not regained when the patients resume their normal 500-calorie diet at lunch, and on the following days they continue to lose weight satisfactorily. 

Now I KNOW the good Doctor says I don't need one, and I know I don't need one. I've never done one and I'm sick of the plateau. Day 6 of either no loss or a gain. I'd love it if the scale had read 125.something today, but alas it's 126. .6 less than my load weight and almost 2 weeks in.

I knew, being considered a "healthy weight" and so close to my goal that this type of round may occur. I'd so hoped given the great load weight and the equally great losses in the first few days that perhaps this would be different. I've not given up hope of getting to the teens again. These stalls ARE normal. I've been 100% loyal to the protocol and know that I'm reshaping and giving my body a nice detox. All of that is worth it.  I still plan on another round, not to lose weight , end of December for detox/reshaping.

So, I don't know if it's psychosomatic, but on the days of no/little loss/gains I feel hungrier and have more cravings! It's either that or hormonal (who would know since I have no uterus). I'm craving chocolate and red meat. I'm going to buy extra lean steak today that have the same calories as chicken to appease that red meat craving. They carry it pre-packaged at our local grocery. When I get it, I'll post the brand and nutritional stats.

Have a great day!

Day 12 VLCD 125.2 (- .0, total release 8.1 pounds)

Same as yesterday. An honest to goodness stall! Day 5 of 125.sumthin'.

So, I've been trying to figure out Simeon's apply day, and it appears you can eat normal protocol foods the next lunch day, however I know many of you have done apple days all in one day. I know I don't NEED to do one at all. The idea of nothing but apples doesn't bother me, but I fear feeling dehydrated. That I would rather not experience. So, I think what I'll do is one more normal protocol day today and if my weight is still taunting me tomorrow, I'll do either a Simeon's apple day or a modified one (all in one day).

I have been feeling smaller so I whipped out the measuring tape yesterday. I've already lost 2 inches on my waist! Half an inch on my neck (really??) and an inch off my chest. Woah!

I've been researching disclaimers for my site and have found several very good ones that I'll intergrate into my site. I'd hoped to launch today for the new moon, however that is a tad ambitious! I'm really close though.

Massive success vibes your way!!

The New Moon in Taurus on the 13th is a very dynamic one despite the natural placidity of the Taurean energy.

At the New Moon the solar principle of conscious mind and will is fused with the lunar principle of instinct and emotion, making New Moons the perfect time to begin something new.

In Taurus the Moon is moving from the initiation of Aries to an appreciation for a life that is more grounded. There is a greater need for security and for a life that feels connected to the earth in some way, either through the natural cycles of life or through the five senses of the body. More than any other sign, Taurus values all aspect of life in a body and this is a good place to start in this New Moon period.

The New Moon here is squared by Mars in Leo, suggesting some conflict between the urge for a more earth-bound life (Taurus) and the need for more action and self-expression (Leo).  Challenging aspects can create some tension between two differing impulses, and then it is up to us to integrate and balance.  So with this New Moon we are being asked to find that comfortable place of strength (Taurus) while still attending to the need to assert ourselves (Mars) in a way that helps us to find the truest self-expression (Leo).

The energy of the Saturn/Uranus opposition is also present here, presenting a dilemma that necessitates creating balance between the past and the future.  This opposition has been moving in and out since the fall of 2008 and is nearly complete, but in the meantime that balance between bringing in something new, fresh and different (Uranus) and relying on reliable structures from the past (Saturn) continues to require our focus.

But the New Moon forms a harmonious trine to this opposition and to Jupiter (confidence and abundance) as well, enabling us to more easily integrate all of these divergent impulses in order to create powerful intentions that help us to move forward with clarity. This clarity is aided by a trine from Mercury to Pluto that helps us to probe deeply beyond the surface into a multifaceted and multidimensional reality.

The New Moon energy is already available to us, and is perfect for beginning any new project connected to the Taurean desire for beauty, comfort and security.  Saving money for the future, spending time relaxing, working in the yard and connecting to the Earth Goddess, or finding the inner strength to persevere through adversity - all of these are valuable Taurean themes to consider now.

- http://blog.beliefnet.com/astrologicalmusings/2010/05/taurus-new-moon-may-13-2010.html

Day 11 VLCD 125.2 (- .4, total release 8.1 pounds)

Day 4 of 125.something. I know I don't need to do an apple day, but I've never done one and now seems as good a time as any to try one! I have 6 pink lady apples (my FAVORITE) and will have a breakfast of apple sauce (diced apple, a little water, vanilla stevia and cinnamon microwaved for about a minute - Yum!). I've been wanting to make some but have been too lazy.

So guys, I'm getting excited. I'm going to talk with my friend today about her life coaching experiences. I never heard back from that company yesterday after asking them Monday about the non-compete and what it was they were offering (as I said, I'd sign it if the reasoning was compelling enough). I feel this may be the universe guiding me to start my own coaching services. Besides with my real estate schedule, this may work out just perfectly. SO, I secured a web address (yourHCGcoach.com - not live yet), I designed my business cards, and am working on the website (not the permanent address but you can see what I've done so far here.

THANK YOU Lisa and Lis for offering to write testimonials!! That is so key, and I really appreciate it! I have 4-5 others to ask for theirs as well.

Can you tell I'm excited???

Up? :( Day 10 VLCD 125.6 (+ .3, total release 7.7 pounds)

Darnit! Day 10 and only 1 pound under my load weight, and a GAIN. It looks like my rounds closer to my total goal weight are up and down rounds, however at least I've gotten some nice solid drops. If I'm not significantly down by tomorrow, I'm doing my first ever apple day.

So yesterday I was on facebook and noticed an HCG group I belong to that sells HHCG was hiring coaches in Utah. I sent them a note with a before and after picture and received a very positive response, only they want a 4 year non-compete agreement. What is up with that? They called it standard which I thought was odd since the diet hasn't been popular that long in recent years. That aside, I explained that I turned down a similar position for that very reason, and had it not been hourly but salary and a true career move, I may have entertained the thought of signing it and joining the team, that and I don't know what my future holds or how long I'll be in Utah. I don't want my hands bound. That said, I'm now investigating starting my own coaching services. Something I can do online and from anywhere. I have a friend who is a life coach and am going to ask her about her experiences with starting that company. I want to make sure I don't ever cross the line in giving medical advice. I'm currently brainstorming the logistics and have some ideas, even some that would be compatible with referring people to the company that had hired me for various supplies, etc. Anyway, just thinking about this now. It may go nowhere, but I think it's worth some consideration. I've secured a website and designed the logo, just in cases. :)

I'm hungry but want to wait for the new dishwasher installer to leave before I fix myself a pound of cucumbers! :)

Hope you're well!!

Day 9 VLCD 125.3 ( -.2, Total release 8)

Not much, but as I said last post, if things continue as they have, I'll be happy. Every couple days a nice big fat release makes me very happy. Hopefully it will continue. I keep pounding the water (I'm drinking sparkly water flavored with stevia) and sticking 100% to protocol. I've learned a new trick with the sorbet. Now rather than making 2 a day, I am having an apple as one of my fruits (probably not a bad idea given the fiber) and having my sorbet in the evening. This way rather than splitting my lemon between 2 servings, I am using my entire lemon for the 1 sorbet which allows me to add more water, making it one HUGE ass sorbet! We're talking more than 2 cups worth. I don't want for more after I'm done with it, and it's still like 60 calories! My kids love it (though I'm not sharing until we get our new dishwasher when it will be easier to make them theirs separately in the blender with bottled lemon juice which has oil in it an a no no for P2). This Summer when I'm in P3, we'll all partake - sugar free, full of vitamin C, totally healthy and soooo good for you. I may add heavy cream as a treat now and then! :)

I figured out my financial goals yesterday - what I need to make to pay off my real estate debts and still be able to cover my taxes. I've written them down and printed them out. They are in front of me on my desk so I can't miss them. They are very specific in amount of money and time. In front of them, I have pinned up the quote, "Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail!" - Charles Kettering. This was the quote I hung onto during my previous rounds. If I can go from a size 16 to a size 4, I can do anything.

I'm off to design a post card to send to my list. :)

All positive thoughts your way!

Day 8 VLCD 125.5 ( -1.5, Total release 7.8)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (deep breath) HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

1.5 overnight. .9 past my load weight, FINALLY! I needed this. If the rest of the round goes like this, I'll be beyond thrilled. I have 7.5 more pounds to release to get to my goal and a minimum of 14 more days to go (to do a very short round of the minimum 23 doses), 21 more days to go to use up the remaining pre-mixed hcg (if I stop in 14 days, I still will have a week of premixed hcg left). Doable? If I continue to drop, absolutely doable. This means May 22 (if I choose to waste 1 week of premixed HCG) or the 29th if I use that last week's worth. This still leaves me with a box not yet mixed with another 2 week supply. I'm hoping I can save that for my next round end of December (hopefully nothing more than a reshaping/detox round). Of course I'll need to buy more. I'm considering 2000 iu and not freezing half my mix, but I'll need my husband's mad math skillz to figure that out if I do. I know it should be simple, but my brain freezes at the mere thought. :)

Yesterday my husband could sense my angst and suggested we take a drive, bless him. I so appreciate him. I had some grocery shopping I had to do, so we drove to Park City to do that. It may seem silly to drive a half an hour away to do your shopping, but it was exactly what the doctor ordered. Park City is like a Brigadoon for me. The change in scenery was perfect. We went to the liquor store to pick up more vodka for mixing and bought an interesting brand that was highly rated (I have no idea how one rates vodka - they ALL taste the same to me). While there, we picked up a malbec that was on sale for $3 a bottle, as well as a really nice Scotch (which I later found out was what my husband was drinking with his boss in Portland on his last visit). We then went to the grocery store and picked up apples, cucumbers, and asparagus. I am totally out of my frozen strawberries and almost out of my lemons, so we'll hit Costco today for those. I LOVE my sorbet. Can't live without it!

I spent some time yesterday morning looking at homes for sale in Oregon and found my dream home, 8 miles from his office there. I know, I know. It does give me pleasure in looking though and there's no harm in that, right?

 Check it out!

Isn't it lovely??

Anyway, I did get to sleep in today for Mother's Day (HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, Y'ALL!!) which was lovely. The sun is out. It's cleaning day and I'm leaving that totally up to my little people to handle for today. :) Maybe another little drive is in order.

Okay, I've truly babbled on long enough. I'm off to see what you all have posted. :)

Day 7 VLCD 127 ( -.3, Total release 6.3)

Still .4 away from pre-load weight. I weighed at my normal time exactly the same as yesterday but tried again this morning and was .3 lighter. I'll take it. I fear a repeat of my last round. Forever to get rid of the load weight and then little ups and downs for 3 more weeks before finally making a little progress.

I'm dosing as I type to remind myself I dosed. I'm now on the bottle I'd frozen. You'd think by now I'd at least be past my load weight.

I'm fairly emotional right now. I had strange dreams, especially of my husband and his constant withdrawal by napping. He told me last night I got the entire weekend to sleep in, which I was so looking forward to. I was sick  yesterday (too much potty action, and hardly anything to show for it) and I really need the rest. My daughter woke me up by putting the cat on me. Half asleep and cranky, I told her to take the cat and go downstairs. At this point I really wanted to try to get back to sleep, but my husband wanted to connect. I was just too cranky and sleepy to respond the way he wanted. He then decided to go watch our daughter and at THAT point, I couldn't sleep anymore. I sent him a text trying to connect with him but he flat out rejected me and sent our daughter up to snuggle. I hugged her, got out of bed and sent her away so I could get dressed. As soon as she was gone, I just burst into tears. I'm still crying. I'm just so tired and there's something I'm not quite seeing that I know is just beyond my sight.

I'm really, really tired.

I found an old psychic reading on tape that I played into my computer mic and recorded an .mp3 for my parents to hear that I emailed them. I've not listened to it completely again, but need to. I'm going to download it to my iPhone and listen to it again when I'm driving. I'm hoping for some insight. I may split the file and upload a portion for you all to hear as well. She's really good.

For now, here is something we can all benefit from watching.



Edited to add...

Here is that reading I was telling you about:


Part 1 Reading
Part 2 Reading

Day 6 VLCD 127.3 ( +.4, Total release 6)

First and foremost, lavendardiva, I want you to know you're in my thoughts and I'm here for you in whatever capacity you need me. HUGE hugs to you and I hope today looks better than yesterday.

+ .4 on day 6.

?

Perhaps salt. Perhaps any number of things. I did buy tobasco yesterday as the P2 compliant hot sauce I was using had 200 mg of sodium per teaspoon as compared to tobasco at 35 mg per teaspoon. Maybe the salt monster got me. In any case, today is a new day, a new hot sauce, new tea and water to drink, and a whole lotta sunshine outside to soak in. 

I'll keep this short. Still experiencing some swelling in my foot. It hurt a lot more after the podiatrist played with it. Not sure if that's related!

Have a great day, y'all. Release, stabilize, enjoy!

Day 5 VLCD R4 126.9 ( - .5, Total release 6.4)

Nothing to complain about but definitely not the 2 pound releases I've had! Still in load weight territory. I have .3 to go to get to my pre-load weight. Could be the normal flow of things, or it could be due to 2 different factors. I bought mineral make up lipstick (which is gorgeous) that I later read has sesame oil in it, despite the woman assuring me it was HCG friendly. It may be. I know Dr. S. said you could use ANY lipstick. I may need to switch to "normal" lipstick as this may be more "organic" rather than HCG friendly. The other thing was the gel from the ultrasound, though I cannot imagine that would be an issue, except for the glycerine perhaps. I found the ingredients online:

Propylene Glycol 57-55-6 N/A N/A
Glycerine 56-81-7 as a mist 10mg/m 10mg/m
Phenoxyethanol 122-99-6 Not Established Not Established
FD&C Blue #1 2650-18-2 N/A N/A

Who knows. I'll avoid BOTH today. :)

So some have asked what I'm doing this round as far as my dosing. It's Corion brand, 5000 IU that I mix with 3 ML vodka and 17 ML distilled water, split into 2 vials, 10 ML each, one in the freezer, the other I am using with a measured spray bottle, 4 sprays under the tongue morning and night. I am sticking 100% to the protocol. No stretching my strawberries or protein. I eat anywhere between around 400-450 calories a day. No hunger. I am also taking a dropper full of milk thistle, dandelion root, and turmeric in about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar 1-2 times a day to help my liver and gallbladder along, as well as my BMs. So far, I've had one daily.

I'm going to sign up for 6 more wrap sessions - not for weight loss, but for detox and meditative purposes. It was such a wonderful experience (except for the full bladder! Go to the bathroom before they wrap you up!). I plan on going once a month.

I'm writing another offer today - hooray! I hope it goes through. Short sale, but the rules have changed so hopefully it won't be as difficult as it has been in the past.

I really love you guys! I can't wait to read what you've been up to (or down to! Release, my friends!)!

Day 4 VLCD 127.4 ( - 1.9 total down 5.9)

6 pounds in 3 days?? WOW. Just WOW. I've got another .8 to go to be rid of the load weight. I can't believe how much I gained during those load days but am equally astonished to see how quickly I'm releasing it. 9.4 pounds away from my goal weight and 26-40 more days to go.

Thank you ALL for your kind words and support! It's been kind of a strange couple of days. On the one hand, so far this is the easiest round I've had. Hunger? What hunger? Consistent large losses one after the other (I know it's week one but I've never in all my rounds experienced this as others have), and I feel confident and good. On the other hand, I'm going back and forth with feeling of doom about my health and doing my best to remain calm. I sure hope to know more this afternoon.

The wrap was awesome. The only thing they didn't do that I expected them to was wrap my arms. I've done this before, so I somewhat knew what to expect. I was given a mediation to listen to that guided me through empowerment, as well as glasses that flashed lights to take you to an altered state to help with the guided meditation. That alone was worth it!! Forget losing weight so much, but I could feel my body detoxing, my mind relaxing, and my spirits lifting. I may sign up to go in monthly for those benefits alone.

Ack, I gotta take the kids to school! I better leave. THEN I NEED TO DOSE. I haven't yet (here's my reminder to me - ha!)!

Love you guys. Thanks for being in my corner!

EDITED TO ADD:

The scan came back CLEAR. No blood clots! I'm in no immediate danger so I'll keep on with the protocol and keep investigating!

Day 3 VLCD R4 129.3 ( - 1.8, total down 4)

BACK to the 120s! PHEW! No teasing THIS round!

Just a little over 2.5 to go to be below my load weight. I am pretty amazed at the 2 days of high losses, even though this is just the beginning of my round! I am thrilled. 11.3 from my goal and 27-41 more days to go.

I'm feeling calmer. The podiatrist did recommend a cardiologist to have the ultrasound on my lower vascular system, but I'm asking around first. I've got an email into my plastic surgeon to see who he'd recommend, as well as asking some friends. The podiatrist was under the impression this started after my surgery, which I could see would lead him to thinking this may be a DTV, however after driving away, I remember this happened when my in-laws came to visit us for my husband's 40th which was Dec. 2008. Looking at all the symptoms, it looks like a blocked lymph node is most likely the cause. This can be as simple a procedure as exercise, and as complex and draining it. My mother had this happen to her (different node). The podiatrist said the wrap may actually help with getting my circulation moving so let's hope it helps. My foot is far less swollen today. He wrapped it up at the office. I have one of those ankle/foot support thingies that I'll wear after I get dressed.

It'll be a busy day today - showing homes, body wrap, and my son has an audition to go to so I'll be running around. Probably a good thing, no?

Dosing as I type...

Thank you ALL so very much for the support and advice. I promise, I'll take care of this and get to the root of the problem.

*HUGS*

Edited to add


I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon for the ultrasound. I will keep you all posted. Think clear thoughts.

Scared.

The podiatrist couldn't tell me what was wrong but suggested I talk to an expert on veins who can perform a Doppler on my leg to see if there is an obstruction. He repeatedly asked if I was awakened in the night by pain, which I'm not. After coming home and researching, I can see he was wondering if it might be gout. After reading all that it could be sans foot injury, gout looks the least scary compared to everything else I'm finding.

I just don't know what to do. If it were constantly swollen, I'd be more scared I think, however this is occurring more and more often (started Dec 2008, recurring maybe once more in 2009 and now a couple times in 2010). It's been all I can do to force myself to eat today.

I wonder if the gel they apply for the doppler would be non-HCG compliant? I really hate to stop this round, especially knowing this swelling will go away. It always does.

*deep breath*

R4, VLCD 2, 131.1

- 2.2! YES!!! I remember a round where day 1 loss was less than a pound and I was so disappointed. Knowing this was a possibility, this had me extra happy about today's release. This has me about 13 pounds from my goal with anywhere from 28-42 more days to go. In looking at the calendar, I will be done with this round either the Full Moon this month or the New Moon next - either way, appropriate.

I've had a couple moments of hunger, but nothing I can't deal with. For the most part, it's been almost non-existent (or at least not noticeable).

I'll be very curious as to what tomorrow brings. I'm hoping very much to be back into the 120s.

CRAP! I just remembered I've not measured!! I'll do that right after this post.

I have a call into a podiatrist that is less than a mile from where I live. If I don't hear by 9, I'll call back again. I'd really like to be seen for that before the body wrap (also just up the street) at 10:30.

With that, I best scoot and get dressed! Hugs and sunshine and all that good stuff your way!

Oh boy. VLCD 1, R4. 133.3!

That is 20 pounds higher than my lowest weight. It's 15.9 pounds higher than my LDW. It seems so insurmountable. Gads, I had really hoped this round would get me back into that territory but I can honestly say I have no idea if that is possible or not. I'm really trying to remain calm. I'd said this was going to be my INCHES and pounds round, less focus on the pounds and more the fit but I'm telling you with numbers like these, that's going to be tough for me. I can't believe I gained 6.5 on my load days!! I don't think I've ever done that before.

Okay, I've dosed. It's 10:30 - I slept in this morning. Time for some coffee with vanilla cream stevia and then I need to figure out if I want my fruit now, or my protein. I'm not particularly hungry and after 2 days of loading, absolutely nothing sounds appetizing!

So I'm also not sure how long this round will be. I have enough for 42 days. I hadn't planned on going longer than 28 days, but that was when I thought I would be starting out at a much lower number.

I hate feeling out of control.

Body, we know this works. I want this to be a flawless cheat free round. I'll do my part by following the rules. Please do your part by releasing. Expect lots of tea, water, and praise from me. I love you. Let's DO THIS THING!

I forgot to mention, I have this weird thing happening with my right foot. Every now and then, it swells up like a balloon and one spot near the front feels sore. I thought it was one particular pair of shoes, because I switched them and the swelling and pain went away. Only it comes back every now and then despite what shoes I'm wearing. I made an appointment with a doctor last time this happened but by the time my appointment came up, the swelling was gone so I cancelled. It's BACK! Part of me is scared to be seen in case they want to prescribe something not HCG friendly. I know it will go away again. I wonder if I should be seen now or when it happens again post P2?

Stuffed

I've had around 3000 calories and 200 grams of fat. Good. Lord.

Thanks to ALL of you for the encouragement! HCG works. It does. I've been extremely successful with it. Still, there is part of me that is afraid it won't work. Silly, I know. Very silly. I also know I have more soul searching to do and this should be very exciting.

I didn't have a hamburger or pizza, but I did get my tortilla and cheese as well as my fondu, and a taste of halva. The milk shakes really did my appetite in, but it also accomplished the goal of massive fat in one shot.

I forgot to measure before loading. I'll measure tomorrow. Should be fascinating to see if there is a massive difference after the body wrap. I'm very excited to try this in conjunction with the VLCD! I am hoping it will help me release not only the load weight, but to stimulate my metabolism enough to propel me forward (behind?) a bit more quickly.

OH, we're pregnant. I tested the HCG with a home pregnancy test and I've never seen it show positive so quickly! SUPERCHARGED!

Hugs and love to you guys. You truly lift me up.

Ouuuuch!

Load day 2 - 130.2 (+3.6!!!! pounds. Gads!)

130s. I'd suspected I'd see them again after loading, but after 1 day of loading? Good lord.

I have a headache. Threw our annual Queen's Day party and between the food and the booze... blech.

I had toyed with the idea of loading for 3 days but after this gain, I'm rethinking that. I was so disappointed to see that number again. I remember it taking a week to break into the 120s. I really hope I can avoid that this time.

I'm just exhausted. I did dose - I remember from previous rounds being very forgetful about whether I dosed or not, so here it is, in writing, I dosed. :)

I'm going to catch up with you guys, grab something fattening and sprawl out on the couch.