117.1 (+.4 LDW) after a steak day drop of 2.5 pounds

I love that steak days work. I absolutely knew I'd have a gain after eating 2.5 portions of this:

Leek and Bacon Crustless Quiche!

This is P3 friendly by the way, as well as a great loading food. Click here for the recipe. It was absolutely worth every calorie and the steak day! I will definitely be making this again, hopefully when I'm under my LDW ;).

Speaking of my steak day, after posting that article about the importance of eating something, anything, for breakfast being better than not eating anything, I experimented with my steak day. Rather than waiting until the end of the day, I had a little bit first thing for breakfast with my coffee, a  little bit at lunch, and the bulk of it at dinner, drinking a gallon of iced tea (slightly sweetened with stevia) and water throughout the day. Obviously, it worked. I am beginning to suspect that Dr. S. was a bit of a psychologist... I'm wondering if the reason he instructs us to wait until the end of the day to eat is to insure we don't eat anything other than that steak. Maybe?

I know I've mentioned how popular the HCG diet is here in Utah but I have to say I was pretty surprised when shopping at my local grocery store to see at the check out bottles of homeopathic HCG! Wow... I wonder if people are going to try it without the support we have, do it wrong, and discount the diet as a fad. I hope that doesn't happen, but it seems that could be a real possibility. 

I'm still working on balance. It's amazing how difficult it can be to change the weight loss habits out for balance and health habits. To hesitate on eating fruits and vegetables worried about the carbs is crazy! I'm working on it. Balance takes constant vigilance. Constant shifting. I am determined to find it and to maintain it.  I think that's one of the reasons some fail at this protocol is that they want it to work and be done (this isn't true for everyone, but you know what I mean). You're never done. Just like cleaning the house once won't keep the house clean. It's constant vigilance. Unless you're in that mind set, it's too hard a diet to do. 

Well, I've just babbled.  I hope you're all well! Thanks for all the support and love!

I have no idea what day in Life Maintenance I'm in and don't care! 117.5 (+.9 of LDW)

Peeeeps! I cannot believe how long it's taken me to check in!

I've been busy. :) All good busy.

It's funny, I thought I would be more available once the kids were in school, not less! I've been busy with training at the clinic as well as assisting a new buyer (YAY!).

I have to say, I am LOVING the HCG coaching at the medical spa! I should say spas, as there are 4 locations I need to travel between. The PA wanted to make sure I didn't have a problem driving all over the valley but I reminded her that I'm a Realtor and do that regardless! It's all tax deductible travel! :) I'm learning a great deal from the PA. She is so well educated (she attended Stanford!), so articulate, very engaging and easily approachable. Our personalities mesh well, I think. I always leave the office feeling wonderful about my experience.  I love too that it's not homeopathic HCG. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing homeopathic HCG at all, and know many who have benefited using that version, however I don't have any experience with that so I'm feeling so much more comfortable to be able to truly speak from experience. Anyway, I only see good things with this new position and hope to help her grow her business and help many people reach their health goals!

Speaking of, I have an admissions interview with the school in Portland this Monday. They appear to start new cycles monthly. YAY!

I am thrilled to have a new buyer as well! It's a couple that was referred by a recent client. Those are the best. They already trust you. :) I am so looking forward to helping them out.

Things seem to be falling into place. Now if I can just get to the bottom of my foot issues. The mobility is back, but it's sore and painful today. I'll let you know what the doctor says on the 15th.

I am so behind! I'll check in on you all next! XOXOXO

Day 41 LM - 118 (+ 1.3 of LDW)

Work was GREAT. I really clicked with the PA and completely related with the patients. A perfect fit! I will meet with her in a different office tomorrow. I am getting more and more excited about this position! In fact, I'm having all kinds of ideas.

I had a call from the school and have an admissions interview Friday at 3! Think good thoughts for me!

I'm exhausted so I'll keep it brief and check in on you all!

XOXOX

Day 40 LM - 116.9 (+ .2 of LDW)

It's an absolute miracle I lost, as my sunburn was more extensive than at first glance. Yikes! So, clean eating worked despite the burn. Probably would have worked a tad better had I not baked! :)

Foot update - still not as mobile as I'd like it to be and swollen, however it seems a little better. I made an appointment for September 15th. In the mean time, I am driving short distances and will start my HCG shadowing at the clinic closest to me tomorrow! I am SO excited about this.

Today my little boy turned 10! I just cannot believe it's been 10 years. His presents didn't arrive so I canceled the order and went to a store and just bought him his presents there. They're wrapped and waiting for him. Today is also the first day of school so we had to rush his little party this morning. We had cheesecake (me too, though only a sliver - sugar truly makes me ill now), and tonight we're having cheese fondue (though I'll have mine with an apple rather than bread) which is our tradition. I'm not sure how it ended up our tradition, but it did. I kinda hope my kids continue it when they're grown.

Thanks again for all your loving support! Hope all y'all update me soon!

Day 39 LM - 117.4 (+ .7 of LDW)

4.6! Bwah! I knew I'd have a gain because I ate anything and everything I wanted to last evening. Breakfast and lunch were nice and healthy, and then  baked brownies. I figured since I was so under my LDW that I could afford one. Well, then I got the left over champagne and had that over ice in the afternoon. THEN, friends came over to drop their kids off for a sleepover and they ended up staying late into the night and we ate pizza (I had several slices with jalapeños which ALWAYS make me gain) and polished off some wine from that Castle Creek Winery. The food combinations were a guaranteed gain. 4.6?? Wow. However, this worked well with the carb cycling (AR, kinda sorta doing this! Working on it!).

So today I've been eating clean, however we spent 4 hours at a water park and I do have a slight sunburn, which I know can also translate into a gain, so no matter what the scale says tomorrow, I shall not freak. I shall not.

My foot has about the same mobility as it did yesterday. I'm anxious to get to the bottom of this and fix it I did drive today and was okay to do that. I do have an offer from my friend to be my chauffeur if need be. Thank GOD for good friends.

And now, you absolutely owe it to yourselves to check out this article. I had no idea this hormone was banned in Canada and 27 European countries!

Thank you again SO MUCH for being in my corner and expressing your concern for me. Love you.

Day 38 LM - 112.8 (- 3.9 of LDW)

I was shocked by this morning's weigh in, though I suppose I shouldn't be. I was still in disbelief about yesterday's weigh in and half expected it to be the same or back up to 117 or so, however because of my scare with my foot, I really couldn't eat. My stomach was in knots all afternoon and all I had yesterday was coffee with cream, and 2 chicken breasts with tobasco and sour cream. I had lots of iced tea and water, so I believe the high protein low carb caused the drop.

I'm feeling a little better today. I have a bit more mobility in my foot and ankle, though I'm resting it as much as I can. I'm hoping I can drive Monday as I really cannot afford to be stopped in my tracks, so to speak. Fortunately this happened on a Friday and my husband can take care of the driving this weekend, and I'm very lucky this happened so close to home that he could walk to the parking lot and pick up my car. I am so very grateful this didn't happen on my road trip!

NO MORE SHAPE-UP SHOES FOR ME. I will make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon as soon as I can as I'm almost positive it's an issue with my tendon, not a broken toe after all. Hopefully it won't take much to fix it and hopefully it's as simple as that. The whole thing has had me so unnerved. At first I thought it might have been neurological because I was telling my foot to flex up and it just wouldn't, but now I am having physical sensations in near the base of my toes and up through part of my calf that I'm not having on the other side. Clearly this is some physical damage to the area. I reckon it was due to the years of hardcore exercise I'd done and I've somehow re-injured some part that never fully healed. I pray this is the case and it's nothing scarier.

I've been concentrating on eating a lot more balanced today. Breakfast was 2 hardboiled eggs, lunch was a whole wheat tortilla with lemon wasabi sauce, a half a tomato and half an avocado. Lunch was divine. I also ate an entire lemon (I know, I'm weird).

That's my little update. My son's birthday presents appear to be lost in transit (DOH!). We're taking him and some friends to a water park tomorrow for a little party. MAYBE his presents will arrive today!

XOX

Day 37 LM - 114.7 (- 2 of LDW)

What the...

Okay, this is truly a mystery to me. I skipped dinner because I knew we'd be having wine and snacks last night with the representative from the winery, which we did, including a wine with a very high sugar content. I had chips and dip, and was still hungry when I got home so had leftover chicken in a white sauce (a total no-no as it was made with white flour), and later (close to 11 at night!) a handful of cashews. I was expecting a steak day. I weighed myself 4 times in disbelief. First it showed 114.3 - got that twice. Hopped off the scale and waited a minute. 115.6. Okay, hmmm... waited one more minute and got 114.7. Since it was in between, I chose that number to post. I told my mom I thought perhaps the scale needed new batteries. She told me to get over it. :) I have a zit over my lip, so the higher weight I believe must have been hormonal and I must have started my cycle. It's the only way I can explain it, but hey, I'm not complaining!! So much for my old habits, right? It will be better when the kids are in school and I can start exercising again and focusing on that - good health, balance, peace.

LD, I still need to talk to the counselor at the school, but their classes began Aug 16. I'm not sure when the next set starts. I'll keep you posted! Speaking of, I sure miss your posts but am so glad you continue to check up on me!

Lis, anything you buy at the State Liquor Store has a "normal" alcohol content, including beer, though they sell the "light" alcoholic beer in regular grocery stores. The laws here are nutty!!

I need to prepare for my son's 10th (!!!!) birthday party. I can't believe it's been 10 years...

Okay, off to check on you! XOXOX

Edited to add...

I just had to have my husband pick the kids and I up from the store because I can no longer flex my right foot up. I was afraid to drive. I'm still having trouble with it but will keep you posted. In the mean time, my car is sitting in the store's parking lot.

Update...

Husband walked to the store and picked up my car, that dear man. I found an orthopedic surgeon and will make an appointment first thing Monday morning. My potential new boss understands. Please think healing thoughts for me. I'm guessing this has something to do with my tendons. I wore Sketcher's Shape Ups today and we know I have damage to my foot. I thought it might be a good supportive shoe but I think it may actually have caused the damage. Healing thoughts, healing thoughts, healing thoughts...

Day 36 LM - 117.3 (+.6 of LDW)

Thanks to ALL of you for your encouragement regarding my decision to further my education in holistic health nutrition! Your faith in me means the world to me!

Yesterday I was at 118, did a modified steak day and today I'm down .7. Hmmm. Full moon is coming up. I highly suspect this is TOM.

I did pick up size 2 Calvin Klein jeans at Costco yesterday and they fit like a glove.

I realize I need to switch gears (I know I've said this before, but old habits die hard) and stop worrying so much about the # on the scale, and more about exercise, balanced diet, and how I feel.

It's storming here and I'm waiting for the storm to pass. I need to run to the liquor store and buy some wine from Castle Creek Winery in Moab. I and the other 2 co-organizers of the Utah Wine Club are meeting this evening with one of the representatives from that winery. I'm really looking forward to it!

I'm off to check in on all y'all! Sorry I've been so scarce...

Day 34 LM - 117.8 (+1.1 of LDW)

School.

I've decided to get my Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting, and eventually my Diploma in Holistic Health Practice. I found a school that I'm very much interested in that does correspondence courses! I'm thinking I'll start after my next closing. I believe it's the perfect match for what it is that I want to do. I missed a call from the school but I will wait to call them back when I'm not telling my kids every 5 seconds to stop whatever annoying thing it is they're doing. Ah, the end of Summer!!

I'm up a bit again today. I am far more comfy in my skin when I'm closer to 115. I know, I know. I'm within my range, I shouldn't complain, but 3 extra pounds on a 5' tall person makes a huge difference, believe me. I had champagne last night to celebrate my listing going under contract. I suspect that may be the culprit. Eating clean.

Though this is not so clean, here is a very interesting article about how important it is to eat something, anything, for breakfast.

Hope you're all well - off to check! :)

Day 33 LM - 117.3 (+.6 of LDW)

That's better. Must have been hormonal.

Looks like I'll have an accepted offer on my listing today. Thank heavens! I plan on taking the rest of the summer off! :) Not that there's much of a summer left to take off. Kids are back in school as of the 23rd, and that's also when I start my HCG coaching training. It's also when I plan to FINALLY start working out. I just couldn't get into a routine with the kids home. I will at the very least start with yoga, but I'm determined to make use of the pilates DVDs I bought. I'll be damned if I let them gather any more dust!! I know I'll feel better and have more energy once I have a routine down, and I'll have 3 months before we go to the Netherlands on vacation. I want to be in tip top shape!

Nothing to report of any great consequence. :) Off to check on you!

Day 32 LM - 118.6 (+2 of LDW)

I'm late. Sorry. It's been a nutty couple of days. I had a completely unexpected gain Saturday (I ate so clean P3 Friday because I had a wine meet up on Saturday and wanted to feel totally free to eat what I liked without thought - I was up 1.5 pounds! HAS to be hormonal as I should have lost). That night I went ahead as planned so I knew I'd have a gain and the HCG Gods have smiled leaving me EXACTLY 2 pounds over LDW. Hopefully tomorrow I won't need a steak day but if so, cest la vie!

Now. I am giving you homework! You MUST, MUST, MUST watch this video. I absolutely insist.

Love you all and will try to catch up!

Day 30 LM - 116.1 (-.6 of LDW)

Thank you for the sweet comments. LD, that was incredibly insightful of you. It hadn't completely occurred to me that given his situation, he simply didn't have the energy to put up the facade any longer.  I went over what happened with my husband and that man is 100% in my corner. I am so incredibly grateful. I'm grateful for your support as well. Thank you!

My migraine decided to leave me a little earlier than it normally does. HOORAY!

I've been working on my real estate website today. Still in my jammies at almost 1 pm! I am going to get dressed and do some shopping. Gotta get out of the house!

OH, the woman who hired me for her clinic is going to start training me once the kids are back in school later this month. I know good things are coming my way and I'm thrilled!

Off to check in on all y'all. Thanks for checking in with me!

Day 29 LM - 117 (+.3 of LDW)

I'm back home.

It was a whirlwind of a trip and quite emotional.

The situation with my brother came to a head. It was very enlightening and freeing. I'd not realized how long I've been trying so hard to gain his love and acceptance. He's going through the process of ending his marriage now and I know it's tearing him up and he used that as an excuse not to deal with me now, however we've had a lifetime to work things out and he's never made any effort to do so.  He showed his true colors this trip, and I finally was able to see him for who he is, and let go. I'm done being rejected by him once and for all. I have spent so much time and energy working through my childhood traumas and letting them go so I can live a full life. Unfortunately, some people just can't let go of their pasts and continue to blame their current circumstances on it rather than moving on. Anyway, I was sad about this but truly am feeling very free now about it all. I will never have the relationship I wanted with him and that's okay. I think I imagined who he was instead of seeing him for who he is. I think his situation is allowing those true colors to be seen.

I'm exhausted. It was a very, very long drive. I have so much to do (unpack, work, etc.) and no energy! I'm moving slowly today. That, and I am working on a 3 day migraine. It's day 2...

I have SO much catching up to do with all of you. I'm going to wrap this up and check you out before I move on and actually get my butt in gear!

Day 27 LM - ?

Day 25 I was way up at 119.9. Yesterday and today I have had no access to a scale, nor will I tomorrow.

I have a lot I need to say but I spent 9 hours on the road without coffee or food (turned today into a steak day given the circumstances). Needless to say, I'm spent. I have had some serious epiphanies that I need to share and will when I have both the time and energy.

I'll catch up with us all ASAP.

Day 25 LM - 117.2 (+.3 , + .5 of LDW)

Thanks for all the support! Unfortunately AR, it did ruin my day. These were clients we've had for 2 years.

It's a new day, however!

I am pleased as punch about my weight as I had a hogie, potato salad, and loads of dark chocolate covered blueberries! YUM! It made me smile to see that I'm still within range despite all that!

Yesterday we went to a county fair. My daughter wanted to go on the ferris wheel. I'm deathly afraid of heights, however she couldn't ride it by herself, so I gathered my courage and we all rode on it. Gads! I thought my stomach would lurch out of my mouth! I finally relaxed enough to actually enjoy it a little bit. Not my thing, but my daughter was thrilled. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

I had a visit with my brother and his family yesterday evening. It was great to spend time with them, but I fear we won't ever be truly close without actually living closer. It's complicated. :)

Today I need to take my kiddos to the beach and let them run out all their wiggles!

Day 24 LM - 116.9 (-.8 , + .2 of LDW)

I had a hard day yesterday. I had to fire one of my clients. You'll never believe this story.

I do property management and had a vacancy that needed to be filled. True to form, I got this home rented within 3 days of advertising it but the story is more than a little bizarre.

The owners of the home moved to Colorado. The first people to make an appointment to see it from my online ad, are from Colorado. Turns out that the owner of the home is their Bishop! We purposely didn't tell the owners who was applying because we didn't want to put ourselves legally in the position to discriminate in case they didn't want to rent to them. Over and over the tenants said that the owners said the home was already rented when they'd inquired about it to them directly.

We approved their application and told the owners. They FLIPPED as they didn't want these people renting their home. They later accepted it, but freaked when we took our finder's fee and insisted they referred them to us. I cannot deal with liars. So, we've fired them. I absolutely hate confrontation. The whole thing left a sour taste  in my mouth for the rest of the day, and my tummy is in knots this morning.

Today I'm visiting with my brother and his family. I think we'll all go to the county fair. I'll be heading home after the weekend. I love hanging with my family but I so miss my husband. I know, I sound like a broken record!

Off to check in on you all...

Day 23 LM - 117.7 (+.5 , + 1 of LDW)

I've no idea why I'm up today. Could be hormonal? Not sure, and not sure I care. It is what it is, and I happen to have steaks from Costco that will go bad if they aren't eaten so I'm doing an impromptu steak day, though throughout the day, not at the end of the day. I've already had a small filet.

I am definitely having husband withdrawals. I plan on leaving here Tuesday or Wednesday. I need to get back home.

Day 22 LM - 117.2 (+.5 , + .5 of LDW)

We ate out for lunch with my sister yesterday and had the most delicious meal! We shared a grilled portobello mushroom appetizer with some divine sauce, a wedge with blue cheese, and then I had grilled salmon with lemon cream sauce, and pinot noir. For dessert, creme brule! Soooooo good!

I'm feeling anxious today. Part of it is missing my husband. I really do have withdrawals.

Day 21 LM - 116.7 (-2.5 , +/- 0 of LDW)

Good mornin', my dears!

Thank you all for the congratulations! I am very excited about this new position. It couldn't be a more perfect. It has me thinking that I may take some courses, most likely in holistic health. The more I learn, the more fascinated I become.

Today I need to update my advertising on a listing that just dropped in price before hitting the road to visit with my sister. I'm so looking forward to it! That said, I have a lot of updating to do so I best get to it. Of course, I'll check in on you guys first. ;)

Day 20 LM - 119.2 (+1.8 , +2.5 of LDW)

Okay, 2 blips? What is this? Gah! Well, I know I said I'd push the water and I was better than the day before, but obviously not good enough. I went over my calories with some salty food and I had champagne (hey, it was the season finale of The Bachelorette!)!

Not to worry. Steak sounds scrumptious, especially in light of the fact that...

I'M HIRED!

She won't need me 10-15 hours a week in the beginning so it should work out really well with my real estate and property management schedule, and hopefully together we can build those hours up as new clients sign on. We're giving it a trial run for a week or two to make sure we work well together, though I anticipate it will work out perfectly. This position is absolutely ideal for me and I could not be more thrilled! So, we'll celebrate with a steak dinner!

I didn't realize how much I needed this trip. After my whirlwind of real estate transactions last month, I was left not knowing what to do with myself, and therefore not doing much of anything. I needed this pattern interrupt!

I am wishing you wonderful stabilization/releasing vibes!

Day 19 LM - 117.4 (+1.4 , +.7 of LDW)

The eagle has landed! I'm in Oregon visiting family.

I didn't weigh in yesterday as I didn't bring my scale with me, but am using the one here now. I also hardly had ANY water yesterday. I just wanted to get here and didn't want to stop for bathroom breaks along the way. I know, bad. I am really upping the water now that I'm here and will flush my system!

Still no word... I'll keep you posted! Think good thoughts...

I'm off to check in with you!