Day 21

Weight:  180
I am on a roll again!  Down another pound, when it's only been 1/2 pound every couple of days this week, for a grand total of 3.5 pounds this week so I am really encouraged.  I am delighting in my newly evolving shape!

I don't know enough to say what actually got the weight loss going again, it could be a combination of skipping the HCG cream yesterday and doing 15 minutes on the elliptical trainer, which never hurts anything...EVER!

Possible causes:

• Set point
  
  I do know that I maintained my weight in this weight range for almost 2 years, about 2 years ago, so I think this is a set point area for me, which the manuscript says can be the reason for an apparent stall.

• Stress
  
  I've also read that stress can cause a stall, and this has been an exceptionally stressful week, with my husband getting hurt, and an overdue paperwork fiasco.

However, I am not inclined to do anything more drastic, such as an "apple day", as the manuscript also says that is mostly for psychological benefit of the patient, and that the body is changing in ways that aren't apparent on the scale.  Besides, I want to eat real food!  Eating only 6 apples a day is not psychologically satisfying to me, in ANY way!
I have been trying to remind myself that *any* loss is a step in the right direction, but considering the drastic nature of this weight loss approach, I have reservations in the back of my mind that I'm not working hard enough or that this is the "easy" approach, and I am also worried about the rebound effect, if I am unable to maintain my weight afterwards.  All my life I've experienced the adage “if it's too good to be true, it probably is”.  I am hoping that this HCG diet is the exception, and that I am truly able to reset my metabolism.

I’m going to the quilt show today, going to be there late so I am eating my lunch late and planning to take my snacks with me into the convention center, against their “no outside food” rules.  They don’t even offer “real” food, only hot dogs and chips!  How dumb!!