P3 Day 7 - 116.4 (- 1.9 -.2 of last dose weight)

You'd think I'd done a steak day! Actually, because I know the socializing had caught up with me over the weekend, I knew super clean eating would knock the weight back down. I know I have 2 pounds over to play with, but I must say psychologically I feel so much better when I'm under LDW.

I'm feeling ultra stressed. I'm not complaining about all the work I have (I have 4 closings within 4 days of one another coming up this week and next), but the details are giving me tummy pains. Being responsible for other people's largest financial investments and making sure they get in alright, that everything is what they expect it to be, etc., etc. is truly overwhelming. I form personal relationships with all my clients and if there's a blip, I feel it. I am particularly worried about a client who not only bought her new home with me but listed her old one as well. It couldn't have gone more smoothly, except the logistics of getting her moved while her buyer moves into her old home. Gads, the juggling! Fortunately everyone wants everyone to win here, and I feel we've got a solution, however not after calls to the buyer's agent, and the selling agent, and her lender, and texts, and emails, all the while writing a lease option for another client and scheduling a walk through and closing for another client.

Needless to say, my home looks like a train wreck. 

I did manage to get my donated clothes donated! Now to separate the clothes for all Y'ALL who are rapidly shrinking as well as the stuff for ebay. If I could make enough to cover what I've bought from there, I'd be more than thrilled. 

Off to check in on all y'all!

P3 Day 6 - 118.3 (- .7 - +1.7 of last dose weight)

Jen said it best, "Long yummy weekends equal steak day mondays :)" INDEED!! Good thing we know they work!

As you can see, it didn't work as well as it could have. I am baaarely in my "zone", however I know why. The steaks I bought from Costco were HUGE. I was too hungry to wait any longer to eat it by about 3, and I had every intention of just having half and then eating the other half later but before I knew it, my plate was empty. I figured no problem, I just won't eat dinner. Well, come 8 pm or so, I was hungry again (which is WAY too late to be eating). I sliced a hunk off another of the steaks and had it... with a lot of garlic salt. All that said, I still consider yesterday a success and I will be very careful the next couple of days to stick to basic P2 style meats with a little cream for my coffee and cheese for good measure. :) I will also look for the steaks I had last time I did an inadvertent steak day - I wouldn't have picked them out myself, but my husband did - VERY lean, but still juicy and I imagine fewer calories.

I think I may have found homes for 2 people looking for lease options! I've emailed the info to one, and I'm showing the other. Think positive moving thoughts for them!! Both were renting and both of the landlords decided to put their homes on the market waaaaaaaay above market value so they have to move.

So, the home my parents used to live in that is right next door is still vacant! It turns out whomever bought it is doing a fix and flip, though there hasn't been movement there in weeks, and there is no sign in the yard. It's so weird to me that no one has lived there since they left. Anyway, as a homeowner and a Realtor, I'm pleased that it will be sold again, most likely this time at a higher value which benefits ALL the neighbors' home values.

Okay, well, if you've made it this far I'd be shocked! :) Morning babble as the coffee makes its way to my brain. FUN!

P3 Day 5 - 119 (+1.8 - +2.4 of last dose weight)

Uuughhh. I think the socializing caught up with me. My tummy feels absolutely miserable.

So, I've been debating whether or not to do a steak day or an apple cheese day, and I believe I've chosen steak, as I am craving red meat right now so I may as well. That and a lot of water. I need to cleanse myself!!

It's Monday, which is always nuts, but there are some things I absolutely must do around the house. Piles of donation bags need to be gathered. Some organization will be coming by Wednesday picking them up so I need to get myself in gear! Ironing needs to be done, laundry needs to be attacked, and I need to buy my steak and epson salts for my foot.

Alright, well, I best get to it, eh? :)

P3 Day 4 - 117.2 ( -.1 - +.5 of last dose weight)

Steady as she goes! :) I'm very pleased about today's weight as I was social AGAIN last night, this time with a couple girlfriends, both of whom have done HCG rounds as well, so they totally understand why I wasn't eating the chips and dip (though I did manage to eat almost an entire cream cheese ball! I was shocked I didn't gain!).

I was soooooooooooo excited, because earlier in the day, one of my friends was at Barnes and Noble and found Thoth tarot cards! They have been out of print for ages and at one point I thought I'd lost my deck and the only ones available were used and over $100. SO, we bought ALL the decks at Barnes and Noble and then drove to another one and bought all THEIR decks as well! I have a new set for myself, one for my mom, and one for my sister. I'll deliver theirs when I visit Oregon again.

So, we all came back to my home for a Full Moon celebration. One of my friends is actually moving out of state so it was an impromptu going away party for her as well. We lit candles, we burned sage and smudged our new decks, we drank wine, and we did tarot readings. I had an absolute blast. I don't connect very well with most people, but the ones I do connect with, I connect very strongly.

Here we are...

Have a GREAT day! I'm off to catch up... I see SOMEONE FINALLY updated her blog!! :D

P3 Day 3 - 117.3 ( +2.6 - +.6 of last dose weight)

WOW! I'm soooo glad I was as low as I was yesterday. We had a BBQ last night and wine tasting with some friends. I fell into the wine. SPLASH! I'm not worried. I knew I had room to work with and I didn't hold back. I had a wonderful time! I'll be nice a clean today. I don't want a repeat performance! Maybe I'll stick to chicken breasts and cheese today, and loooooooots of water.

Got my hair done yesterday - way red!

I really don't have much to say. Just drinking my coffee and waking up. ;) Have a GREAT DAY! HAPPY FULL MOON!

P3 Day 2 - 114.7 (-2.3, -2 from LDW)

I can't tell you guys how great you all are for my self esteem! Thank you!! I have decided after all the feedback to choose the picture of me sitting down. I had picked the first photo, but I really do like that other one.

114.7! SHUT UP! Really?? Oh my goodness. See what an unintentional steak day will do? I am thrilled. I just received brand new size 2 slacks from Ann Taylor Loft that I ordered from eBay for practically nothing, and they fit so beautifully! I couldn't be happier about my size. I am so ready now to get FIT! Time for pilates, yoga, and I really need to get brave and sign up for Krav Maga! I know that will not only transform my body, but it will totally transform my self confidence. I look forward to never being afraid to show a home to a man again, knowing I can totally kick his ass. :)

Got a call from the doc's office - the x-ray came back negative. :( My mom told me though that she had a hairline fracture in her foot from her ice skating days and it too didn't show on the x-ray. I HOPE that is the case for me! I have a follow up appointment next Thursday.

LOVE you guys!!!

Quick update

I messed up the lunch date - it's the 1st, not today! So, I went to the hospital and got the x-ray instead. I should know in the next couple days if anything showed up.

My photographer had the rest of the photos for me! My professional photographer brother in law said they are all WAY too over processed and that I should get him the raw pictures. Here are my favorites:

I just poured myself a glass of wine... bliss... :)

P3 Day 1 - 117 (-.3, +.3 from LDW)

Hi m'dears!

I just drank coffee with CREAM and WF chocolate syrup. FERYUMMY! It's P3! P3! P3! Oh, sweet cheese, cream, bacon, eggs, avocados, yummies!

I am on day 2 of a 3 day migraine. Full moon is Saturday, and these headaches are cyclical so I do suspect TOM is looming (though I never know for sure without a uterus!). That said, I'm pretty impressed I'm so close to my LDW. I always retain water during this time.

I have a full rest of the week as far as socializing goes, which I'm thrilled about. The title company I use is taking me to lunch today which should be great fun - I'm looking forward to getting to know these ladies more personally. Tonight I am getting a pedicure with a friend (who was also a client) - she's pregnant and will have her baby next month so we get to get pampered tonight! Tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut and dyed, and trying a different kind of body wrap that this salon offers. I'll be interested to compare it to the heat wrap. Then tomorrow evening, my son's 4th grade teacher and her husband and kids are coming over. The men can chit chat, the kids can watch a movie, and she and I will sit by the fire pit, eat cheese and drink some of the Oregon wine I brought back with me from my last trip. Saturday I am hanging with a friend who is moving to the East coast, and Sunday I am driving with my family up north to my natural father's place for a belated father's day meal (steak and potatoes - I'll skip the latter).

So, no rest for the wicked! Next week I have 4 CLOSINGS!!! Well on my way to meeting my financial goals. It will feel so good to pay off some of those business loans!! I need about double that to totally be free, so hopefully I'll make it this year.

My goodness, I've seriously just babbled and babbled.

Hopefully after lunch today I'll have time to swing by the hospital and have my foot x-rayed. I am so hoping they find something. To have a non-scary answer would be grand! I don't know what I'm going to do about shoes though...

TTFN!

EDITED TO ADD - I ordered more HCG from All Day Chemist on the 18th - it arrived this morning! WOW! That is FAST turnaround! I'm all set for my round at the end of the year!

72 Hour Holding pattern - 117.3 ( +.6 of last dose weight)

Morning lovies!

So, I had a realization about my weight recently. I couldn't understand how I could be back down to this weight but a good size smaller and it dawned on me that not only was the HCG shifting things around, but I have new breasts. I wasn't counting the extra weight from the implants so pre-implants, I weigh a little less. I'm not going to play that game as I did immediately post op with how much I weigh without them. I weigh 117.3 this morning, period!

I'm not surprised about the .3 gain... in fact, what surprises me is that it isn't more. I upped my protein yesterday and have 2 vodka waters. I must say, it felt so good to unwind. I knew the whole medical thing was weighing on me, but I didn't realize just how much. My level headed husband laughed at me, of course! Seriously though, sometimes Google is NOT your friend when looking up symptoms. Not to say our mystery is solved. Hopefully I'll have time to get the xray tomorrow. Think fracture thoughts for me! I know, that sounds twisted. :)

Last week my husband came home on the day they were pre-selling the new iPhone 4 and said he couldn't get his order through because it was too busy. I purposely didn't look up the new features as I am a gadget nut myself and I didn't want to want it, however I went on the site to try my luck at ordering it and VOILA! First try, it went through. He tried and tried and never managed to get an upgrade for his phone and the next thing you know, they'd sold out. Because I wasn't coveting it (yet) as he was, we checked to see if he could take the phone without messing my account and that's no problem. SO, today it will be here! He is so excited, but this also means I am stuck in the house until it arrives. I have some projects here I must get to.

I have loads of clothing that simply need to be donated. I have other clothing that are seasonal and need to be stored until Fall. I have some things for my mom, and some things to be made available to HCGers in need of smaller sizes, and then the last pile is the pile that consists of clothes I barely wore that I want to try selling on ebay. I've never sold on ebay before and it may not be worth it, but I thought I'd try anyway. So, as you can imagine, I have lots of piles and I'd like to at the very least get the donation piles in my car so I can get rid of them. They are just taking up space here and someone out there could really use them. Then there's my desk... we're not even going to go there. :)

Guys, thanks again for being here for me. I was really scared and having you all here to cheer me on is invaluable.

Post doctor UPDATE

I really liked him. He's got a dry sense of humor, which I appreciate.

The lumps in my neck are not lymph nodes, nor are they anything to be concerned about. It has to do with the tension I hold in my neck.

He looked closely at my foot, and he suspects either a hairline fracture (which would explain pain I experienced in that same foot while working out on the elliptical before) that is being triggered by stepping funny or wearing shoes that are irritating it, or a growth on the middle bone. He's ordered an x-ray for it to confirm or rule that out. He also is checking my thyroid and various hormone levels. He wasn't concerned about cancer, cirrhosis, nothing scary at all!

What a relief!

I'll get the x-ray Thursday most likely and I'll keep y'all posted.

THANK YOU FOR HOLDING MY VIRTUAL HAND!!

72 Hour Holding pattern - 117 ( +.3 of last dose weight)

NO MORE DOSING! HOORAY! This means cream in my coffee Thursday morning... just 2 more mornings to go! I have bacon wrapped filets thawing for Thursday night. I know what I'm doing! The triple cream brie is waiting for ME! :)

Today is D day - Doctor Day! As nervous as I am to find out what is causing my symptoms, I am also really relieved to be finally taking care of this. Whatever it is, I'll deal with that. It could be nothing. It could be I need to move this body and get the circulation moving. I doubt the lump in my neck would shrink if it were something dangerous (I cannot even type the word). Anyway, today we'll start getting to the bottom of it. I'm going to take my last set of labs in, as well as print out some of Dr. Daniel Belluscio's work for him to go over as far as sublingual HCG treatment. Well, maybe that would be overwhelming. I've got it printed, but perhaps I'll hang onto that for a more appropriate time since the reason for my visit has nothing to do with HCG.

Last night I lit a fire in the fire pit and celebrated Summer Solstice. I bought loose sage as well as a smudge stick earlier that day. I threw the loose sage in the fire and said a little prayer for new beginnings, clean health, prosperity, and hopes that all have their needs met. I then lit the smudge stick and did the same; smudging myself, kids, and general space around us.

This morning will be spent working, getting the kids to their martial arts camp, and listening to music that makes my soul sing. I want to surround myself with music that truly lifts me up before I have the blood work done.

Have you ever heard of the book, "The Hidden Messages in Water"  by Masaru Emoto, David A. Thayne? I have it, though it's been awhile since I picked it up. I heard about it from an independent film I saw a few years ago. Here's a clip from that film which explains the basic premise:

It's important we surround ourselves with loving feedback, and that goes for the movies we watch, the music we listen to, the friends we surround ourselves with, and the words we tell ourselves.

Thanks for surrounding me with such loving feedback!

Day 9 P2 after the interruption 116.7 ( - .5 total LOSS since interruption 1.4, total loss since LDW prior to interruption, 2.9)

Good morning my dears. Happy Solstice!

I'm sipping my coffee and waking up. Today is going to be extra crazy work wise.

I am pleased with the .5 - given how heavy my stomach felt, I wouldn't have been surprised had it stayed the same or even gone up a little. So, I dosed and I have just enough for one more dose. Because I'd prefer to count the 72 hours from morning to morning rather than night to night, I'm skipping that dose tonight. If I release tomorrow, I'll take that dose tomorrow morning and count that as my last dose day. If not, 116.7 is my last dose weight. How great is that?!

I am so ready for P3 and to start pilates, yoga, Krav Maga, and Wii Fit! SO ready. I've not done steady exercise really since I started HCG back in Sept 2008. I am craving regular exercise like a man with his head on fire craves a lake.

Tomorrow is my doctor's appointment. I am surprisingly calm about it, though the nerves are just beginning to creep up a little. Just a little though. Pretty amazing given I come from a long line of over reactors. :)

Okay, I need to get my attack plan going for today. I'm anxious to catch up with y'all. A few of you haven't posted in weeks. Hey. You all know who you are. I miss you!

Day 8 P2 after the interruption 117.2 ( - .4 total LOSS since interruption .9, total loss since LDW prior to interruption, 2.4)

Dosed today! At this point, knowing I can stop and I will be thrilled with that weight, I am just having some fun. I don't need an apple day, but I'm going to do one today for the hell of it. I can tell you despite the large drop I had after my P2 style steak day, I am constipated. I am hoping the apple day today will take care of that. I'm not expecting much of a drop, but it can't hurt to try it! I fully expect tomorrow to be my last dose day.

Happy father's day! I hope for those of you who still have father's alive that you can reach out to them today and for those of you who have lost your dads that you can remember them fondly today.

My friend took my kids last night as her husband is out of town until tomorrow and they have boys and girls close to my kids ages, so they had a sleep over. That left the husband and I totally alone for the night and morning. It was lovely. :) I think he's having a good father's day so far... :)I know I am despite it not being my day! :D

OK, more coffee! I don't skimp on the coffee despite it being an apple day.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Day 7 P2 after the interruption 117.6 ( - 2.8 total LOSS since interruption .5)

YAY!!!

I can't tell you the happy dance I did this morning. I literally blew my scale a kiss. :)

117.6 is EXACTLY the number I reached after R3.

I thought perhaps today would be a good day to choose as a last dose day, then it occurred to me I can do what I've done in past rounds, and that is dose when I lose, and if I don't, don't dose. So, if tomorrow shows another release, I'll dose. If not, I won't, and today will be my last dose weight. This gives me a sense of total control, and total satisfaction since I am thrilled with 117.6!

Thanks for all the feedback on the pictures! #1 is my favorite. I like the last one as well. She took a ton of pictures. I am so anxious to see the others!

My doctor's appointment is Tuesday. I've been checking on the lump in my neck and it has reduced in size. I think that may actually be a good sign. My foot is less swollen now too. I'm really anxious to meet this doctor. He is a D.O. and apparently an expert in thyroid and bioidentical hormone treatments. The fact that they offer HCG is icing on the cake. I love that I don't have to endure skeptical stares from him and his staff.  Here is a video of a news report featuring him:

Okay, I need to get to work! First, I'll check in on all y'all... :)

Day 6 P2 after the interruption 120.4 ( -1 total gain since interruption 2.3)

Heeeey lovies.

I was very happy to see the loss. Still a net gain of 2.3 since resuming VLCD, but I won't complain. It could have gone the other direction!! :)

I have a close to 500 gram ultra lean steak from Maverick Ranch (slightly leaner than lean chicken breast) for dinner. That brings my total calories today at about 500 calories. I will drink iced tea, water, and coffee until then. Tomorrow I'll do a normal VLCD menu, and either Sunday or Monday I'll do an apple day. I really want to time the apple day to be the day before my last dose day so I can count that lowest weight as my LDW.

Here's hoping I can release for the rest of my dosing days!

I got 3 of my professional photos back from the photographer. She is getting the rest to me on Tuesday. Here they are...

Thanks again for all the support you guys. I'm feeling pretty great about my present and future!

Day 5 P2 after the interruption 121.4 ( +1 total gain since interruption 3.3)

This will be short and not so sweet.

I am beyond discouraged. I knew that doing a planned interruption was delving into unknown territory, however I never in my wildest dreams thought it would mean a steady move up in weight, rather than down! I'd accepted staying the same weight even, but this is simply ridiculous and beyond depressing. If anyone asked me for my advice on this now, I'd say DON'T.

Could it be hormones? Could it be the new mix? Could it be the new dose? It's certainly not what I'm putting in my mouth. I've been completely clean.

I miscalculated how many days I have as well, not counting the days I'd already done, so it looks like Monday or Tuesday will be my last day.

Now I'm debating - do I continue a normal P2 day, 3.3 pounds up from when I started VLCD again, or do I try a P2 lean steak or apple day? I plan on an apple day the day before my last dose day for maximum results. If I do one now, I don't know if that will mess with that given I don't have long to go.

*deep sigh*

Edited to add, I just had the self talk that this couldn't POSSIBLY be real weight. I've not eaten enough calories for this to be a honest to God weight gain of any real consequence.

EDITED TO ADD

For some reason my comments won't let me post, so here is my response here:

I ate P3 style during the interruption.

Since starting VLCD again, I've been drinking at least 2L water per day, and my calories of clean P2 foods has been between 480-530 per day.

*shrug*

Day 4 P2 after the interruption 120.4 ( -.7 total gain since interruption 2.3)

Well, that's the right direction, though of course I'd hoped for more. I released EXACTLY what my fitness program, which tracks my metabolism, said I'd lose.

Guys, THANK YOU for all the loving support you've given me! It makes this upcoming Dr's appointment less scary knowing I have you all here for me.

Slight change of plans...

I had forgotten that I'd increased my dose in previous rounds. 3 sprays = approx 125 iu. 4 sprays = approx 166 iu. SO, with the new mix, I've actually been dosing at 332 iu twice a day, NOT 250 twice a day as advised. Gads! So this means I will actually gain 2.5 more days this last vial by dosing correctly at 3 sprays twice a day. So, Wednesday morning will be my last dose day. Let's hope with the new dosing amount that the drops will be better, and this gives me that many more days to make up for the gains I've experienced.

I had my wrap and I have to say that is a truly euphoric experience. I leave feeling energized, clear, happy, and calm. It is so wonderful. I had very clear visions of my future. I dreamed about it last night as well. I also realized that I've been carrying some deep fear of my future and the changes coming.

I've been told that certain ailments are your body's way of trying to get your attention. The wrap I did before my trip, I had the very clear message that my swollen foot had to do with me not knowing how to take the next step in my life. That was truly an ah-ha moment for me. Still, my foot (though less) continued to swell. Yesterday, I realized how afraid I am of taking that next step (which is funny, as my motto has always been "leap before you look"). I've been in the same home for 8 years. I've been in the same city for 9. I'm VERY comfortable. My business is suddenly really taking off (I just picked up another buyer!). The fear of leaving all that has been very strong. I felt reminded yesterday that I've always been taken care of. That when I didn't get what I thought I wanted, even better things came along. That I never gained anything by being timid. I wouldn't have the marriage I have today if that was who I was. I wouldn't have the business I have today if that was who I was.

I'm ready for the change. I'm thrilled to be so busy with my business, but I also know that it's very stressful work, and I don't do well with stress. I'm great at what I do and I'd always wanted to do this and now I can say that I have, and have done very well at it, and I can move on. I want to go out with a bang and on  my terms when I leave it, but I do want to transition to the HCG coaching, write my story about it, and perhaps get a job pouring wine (which would be so fun and a whole lot less stressful than being responsible for most people's biggest financial investments!). Of course as long as we're here, I'll continue doing what I'm doing, but I'm no longer afraid of the changes, and am actually really excited about the idea. I can see very clearly what I want and am excited. I can see my husband and children happy and excited too.

Wow, this was a lot longer than I'd anticipated writing! If you made it this far, thanks! :D

EDITED TO ADD

I think I messed up my math - I've already done 3 days and at 3 sprays twice a day I'd have 10 days total, but I've already done 3, plus the extra sprays which would equal one day lost so that makes my last dose day Monday. Agh! Isn't that right? I think it is...

Day 3 P2 after the interruption 121.1 ( +1.5 total gain 3 in 2 days!)

Not. Liking. This. At. All. I can now speak from experience and say perhaps doing a planned interruption with just a week of doses may NOT be worth it.

You know me, lovies. I am all about the plan. Here's mine.

Continue clean P2 until my veggies are gone.
Do a lean P2 steak day.
Do an apple day on Saturday, as Sunday should be my last dose day.

That's the plan. I suspect hormones may be at play as I have one of those painful, ginormous zits in the center of my chin. It's all I can do not to touch it. I keep having to remind myself I can't wear cover up so I need to leave it alone, otherwise the world will see it.

I didn't make the call to the doctor until after hours last night, as my day was insane. I did call and leave a message and have every intention of calling today during office hours. I'm also going to schedule my wrap. I know that will help my nerves. Hopefully I can get in this afternoon or tomorrow. Edited to add, I have an appointment for my foot, natural hormones, and the lump in the back of my neck on Monday. I have my wrap today at 2:15. :)

Thanks for checking in!

Day 2 P2 after the interruption 119.6 ( +1.5)

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh. Weird. Not going to worry about it. I did everything right, and I often notice a blip mid month. This was all experimental anyway. It's time for me to concentrate on health, not weight. I love my figure - just need to tone up now so as soon as I'm done with this week, I'll start that back up.

Speaking of, I signed the kids up this morning with their summer martial arts camp at the same place where I took that self defense class so when I drop them off, I'll sign up for Krav Maga classes as well. I won't be able to start those until I can truly eat, but it will most certainly provide the workout I need while teaching me how to kick ass. :)

OK, I'm off to get dressed and then to get brave about making a doctor's appointment. I know getting to the bottom of this mystery will be a load off my mind. I'm terrified it's something scary, but if it is, I need a doctor, right?! Sheesh. Oh, and now I have a lump at the back of my neck for them to check out as well. *shiver*

My bikini is back ordered until August (gah!) but I'll show it off when I get it! :) So excited - I've never had one!

Thanks for listening!

Day 1 P2 after the interruption 118.1 ( - 2.6)

Steak day WORKED!

I mixed my new batch, this time a total of 10 ml rather than 20, so I spray the same 4 sprays under the tongue but get twice the dose, all of it mixed in sterile saline solution and nothing else.

I'm so glad to be starting out at lower weight! I really think I may make it to 114. We'll see! That would be grand.

I'll make 2 appointments tomorrow. 1 for the doctor to figure out why my foot is swelling, and 1 for the body wrap place as I have 2 more appointments prepaid there. I've always had a nice drop after doing that, as well as a euphoric feeling during and after the appointment.

So, if I calculated it right, I'll be in P4 by Bastille Day, July 14. How appropriate!

Okay, well thanks for everything. I'm off to sip my coffee with vanilla stevia. :)

Edited to add...

I just bought this!

Day 11 P3 120.7 ( - 1.2, + 1 over LDW)

Doing a steak day, though I've also had coffee with cream and wine. We shall see! It's odd doing a steak/load day!

I have my saline solution, my last vial of HCG, chicken, apples, and cucumbers! I am so curious about this last week after the planned interruption!

I need to make a doctor's appointment. My periodic swelling foot has now been swollen for a month and a half. The tests came back negative for a blood clot, but something is up. I am trying not to be afraid. From what I've read, the possible causes are down right terrifying. I'm trying to stay positive. I'm hoping it's a blocked lymph node that can be easily treated. I do believe it may have something to do with not being clear as to what my "next step" is.

I've no idea why I'm nervous about starting again tomorrow, but I am. Nervous and excited. This should be interesting. I am also really ready to start the exercise again. I can't wait for pilates.

I'm home. I missed out on some visits with brothers and my sister that I regret, but business kicked my butt while I was gone so I'm planning another trip out next month and really hope to get quality time with everyone.

Think release thoughts!

Day 10 P3 121.9 ( +1.8, +2.2 over LDW)

GADS I need a steak day, but with my travelling, it's a no go. I've basically eaten nothing but cheese. I hope to see a drop tomorrow. We'll see!

I definitely need more trips to Oregon. I have had 3 offers go under contract while gone! I got the call this morning about a short sale that had been waiting for approval for months and months get approved TODAY. The one home I have not under contract is being shown tomorrow. I'm hoping for some more on the road magic. ;)

It's been a looooong day. I'll get home tomorrow, and then I need to get prepared to mix my last vial with saline for one kick ass week of losses. :) Steak day tomorrow! :)
XOXOXOX

Day 9 P3 120.1 ( -.7, +.4 over LDW)

Thanks all y'all for the advice to RELAX. Great advice which I am taking. I am thinking I may do a steak day on Saturday (I'll be driving most of the day anyway) with the fattest steak I can find, and consider that my loading day before I resume the VLCD on Sunday. It may serve 2 purposes that way.  I like it. I'm all about a plan! Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time. ;) By the way Meg, that's what I do on a steak day - about 1-2 pounds of steak, nice and FAT!

Today is my last day here. We're going to have a fire in the fire pit and maybe a soak in the hottub while the kids roast marshmallows. It's been a great trip. I miss my hubby though and will be so glad to be back home with him. I just wish he'd find a job out here so I didn't have to constantly miss someone.

It would be nice to have a killer year at my work and go out with a bang first. My goodness, every time I travel, I get business. I put a home under contract without ever seeing it every time I travel this way. It looks like I will have a closing next week, and 4 (!!) next month. I need another 4 or so more sales to reach my financial goals. I would love to achieve that this year.  Maybe I should plan more trips! That seems to be the ticket for me with getting business! :)

I'll catch up with you all next (I hope). :) Thanks for being there for me - means more than I can say. :)

Day 8 P3 120.8 (+2.1, +1.1 over LDW)

Woah, Nelly! I was liking the other direction SO much better, but I've yet to have to do a correction day so far. I shall not complain! Besides, I'm on vacation... sorta. I've actually had to work since being out here. Had to withdraw an offer on a home and write a new one on another (accepted!) so there has been some added stress.

So, I was at the store yesterday and decided to look for saline solution that would work in case my saline solution doesn't arrive in time when I get home. Simply Saline wound cleanser appears to be the same stuff as what I ordered, so in case it doesn't come in, I can go to Walgreens and pick this up. I am anxious to try that last week of HCG with the new mix and see what happens!

The sun is shining so I'm off for a walk on the prom! I need to take time to check in on all y'all. I hope things are going great for you!

Day 5 P3 118.7 (+2.7, - 1 under LDW)

Salt and hardly any water. No worries, still 1 under LDW. Today, however, I ate an entire HALF POUND of Chinook smoked salmon (that was to DIE for) which is very salty and nearly 1,000 calories! I have been drinking water today though so hopefully that will compensate for all the salt. I may have another gain tomorrow, though I have to tell you guys that all the size 4 jeans I bought are now very loose. I am still losing inches in P3 and becoming a true size 2!

I'm having a blast. God, I LOVE the Northwest, and I love spending time with my parents. The kids are having so much fun, especially with their Grandpa. I've decided my dream job would be pouring wine at a winery with the HCG stuff on the side. If (when?) we move this direction, I will focus on that. My sister works at a winery and said she knew how to get me in. There is money to be made with the tips, and a lot less stress than real estate! I would love, love, love that.

OK, pictures!

Mom insists I buy a bikini - said this wasn't revealing enough!

Size 2 Ann Taylor Loft jeans

On the ferry to Washington

Maritime Museum

Day 4 P3 116 (- .7, -3.7 under LDW)

Holy crap!!

This will be super duper quick as we are about to go out and play in the sunshine, but I wanted to report in. I'm so not complaining! I'm glad though that I'll have a week back on VLCD/hcg when I get home. It looks like I could actually get down realistically to around 112-114 which is my ideal weight, and I can stabilize there. YES!

I plan on eating seafood today - love, love, love the Northwest and their food! :)

I'll try to catch up with all y'all soon. :)

Day 3 P3 116.7 (- 1.1, -3 under LDW)

EEEKS! I'd worry about stabilization if I weren't going right back on the HCG when I get home. I'm celebrating that I have some wiggle room on this trip. Speaking of wiggle room... my size 4 curvy 4P jeans from Ann Taylor have already reached "fat pants" status. I'm SWIMMING in them!

Kids are hungry and the road is calling me...

Day 2 P3 117.8 (-.5, -1.9 under LDW)

Wow, I didn't expect to see that drop!! I'm not complaining... :)

Okay, so I came across a link from one of the HCG yahoo groups about a new study that shows higher sublingual doses are more effective in weight loss, and that mixing with sterile saline solution is the best way to go. I've noticed my 2nd week of doses are weaker than the 1st week's despite freezing my solution for the 2nd week and thawing when I was ready to use it and had concluded I would be buying 2000 iu instead of 5000 and to mix more often for future rounds. I have the 1 vial of 5000 iu left for me when I come back from my trip to use after the planned interruption, so THIS time, I'll mix it with half the solution and use it just the one week and see how it goes! YAY, experimentation AND it cuts my time to 1 week instead of 2 when I get back! Here's a quote from that group:

Dr Belluscio Study 22

Dr Belluscio is the world expert on hcg and the only one to do good studies on it. Yesterday I found his newest research. He found that increasing the sublingual (RX) dose to 250iu 2x a day increases weight loss. Interesting! hcgobesity.org/research/The_Original_Internist_Dec_2009.pdf

He also found the buffers he'd been using of Sodium Bicarbonate and glycerin to buffer the hcg degraded it so just uses sodium chloride.

I found sterile solution here:

http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/2716-Sterile-Saline-Solution.aspx

Hopefully it will be here when I get back!

OKAY, off to finish everything before I hit the road! I'll have my laptop with me and update along the way... of course, my scale is coming too! :)

Ta ta for now!

Date night!

I'm afraid the portobello mushroom may have had some breading in the stuffing which is a HUGE P3 no no. I didn't suspect until I was already half way through. I've never made a mistake in P3 before so hopefully I can get a grip!

PICTURES!

What I DIDN'T eat!!!

Day 1 P3 118.3 (-3.3, -1.4 under LDW)

I'm drinking coffee with creeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam and some WF chocolate syrup and it's a MOCHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. YUM! I'm also sitting in my new jeans I got from ebay - my new "fat pants" size 4 petite curvy boot cut... they're too big! The other 4s aren't "curvy" and fit like a glove. I'll wash these and stick them on high heat in the dryer. They'll be perfect for the road trip! Kelly, I'll put your package together of my 6s when I get back!

Oh my goodness, what a DAY yesterday! I can't wait to see the pictures from the photo shoot. Want to hear about a small world? My photographer is my surgeon's niece! Considering what an artist he is, I am in good family hands! She was a delight. It will take about 3 weeks to get all the pictures but she'll touch up a couple ahead of time that I can use right away. :)

I SOLD MY LISTING! I've had it less than a week. I didn't even have the lock box on it and was actually going out there to put the sign up when we got a FULL PRICE OFFER (from the ONE showing it had had). I'm so glad to have that taken care of!

Today I am getting another home under contract for dear friends. I really hope it works out for them! Their landlord put their rental on the market and it's priced out of their range so they have to find a place... and I do believe we found just the perfect one! Oh say it's so, Gods of Real Estate!

SO much to do to get ready! Gotta go! *HUGS*

Day 30 VLCD 121.6 (+1.3, total release 11.7 pounds)

5 words:

WALDEN FARMS BLUE CHEESE DRESSING.

Apparently I gain every time I use it. Why I decided yesterday would be a good day to experiment with that RIGHT before my photo shoot is anyone's guess. .1 away from the upper 2 pound limit! GAH!!!

Mini steak day or apple day (since I still can)?

P3 tomorrow after 7:35 AM ... the half n half and cheese are calling me... as is the steak for dinner I'll be having when I go out with my husband on a date!

Gotta go! Mad rush to get things done today!

Edited to add...

So, it turns out I got a sunburn while weeding yesterday which explains part of the gain and the exhaustion! I also had a MAJOR release after I posted ;)