Day 35 – evening update

Overall, the day went well, food-wise.  I even took my lunch with me to eat after the memorial service I attended today, and I stayed away from the buffet table.  Well, except for 2 very large strawberries that were scrumptious!

Then, when I got home, I finished my apple.  I still wanted a bit more, even though my stomach was actually full.  I got into the mixed nuts again, so we’ll see how the weight falls tomorrow.

Apparently, thinking of the next weight drop wasn’t enough motivation to stay away from the pantry!  It would have been easy to say “the heck with it” and had a drink, too, after this day of sadness and celebration.  But my hubby has been so supportive about everything, giving up would be a disrespectful action to him, as well.

So, I sat on the couch and watched TV with him and worked on knitting a helmet liner for the soldiers who are due to deploy in September.

And now, going to bed.  It’s been a long day.

Day 35

Weight: 175

Today the scale fluctuated between 174.5 and 175, so it’s probably right in between.  Either way I am on a downward trend!

I have a bad habit of weighing more than once in a row.  Bad, I say, because when the scale fluctuates back and forth between two weights I never know which one to pick.  Most people would take the low weight, but I don’t like to fool myself.  Thus, the conundrum.

I am also starting TOM which brings up another dilemma.  Pounds and Inches says to suspend use of hCG for 3 days during this time.  I was told not to last time, and I didn’t, with no apparent side effects.  I’m so close to being done with the prescribed duration of the protocol, though; it takes 3 days for the hCG to get out of your system, and if I suspend it, then will I have all of those hunger issues going on again when I resume?  Or, will it start me on another push of weight loss?

As I was reading the protocol over again, it says I should have been skipping a day every week, which I have not been doing.  So, maybe that also explains why my weight loss has slowed.  I haven’t heard back from the clinic yet, so will just have to do more research on my own until I do.

Day 34 – midday update

 

Well, I’ve been a bit hungrier this morning than I have been the last 2 mornings when I took the fiber drink.  But certainly nothing compared to before!

I’ve eaten my normal lunch of salad and grilled chicken with a WASA cracker and half a grapefruit.  I am saving the other half for the afternoon, in case I get hungry before it’s time to leave for the weekend.

I’m also thinking that I should have been skipping one day a week on the hCG cream.  In re-reading Pounds and Inches, I saw that should be a once a week thing if you are going the full 40 days.  So, I’ve sent my doctor’s office an email asking about that.  Will post what they say!

Fifth Week Summary

I’ve lost a total of 19 pounds in 5 weeks, and a total of 32 pounds since mid April.  I wish it were a larger overall total, but I feel very hopeful about my weight, and my overall health at this point, and going forward.

I feel really good, my energy is great and I’m sleeping well.  I’m loving having my clothes fit loosely and I am looking forward to buying some more flattering clothes.  I can’t wait to surprise my friend  in Tacoma when I visit in September; she will take me shopping!

I can actually see an hourglass shape emerging!!  And, my face has come out of hiding!  I am having a bit of a hard time believing that is my face staring back in the mirror.  There is still fat to lose around my middle, but when I see it, I think “this is manageable, I can do this” instead of having the overwhelming sense of impossibility rear its ugly head.  I can do this!

I was showing off a couple of days ago, wearing a tank top, and I flexed my biceps.  The gals I was talking to exclaimed that I must be lifting weights.  I assured them I have not been, these 14” biceps are left over from my power lifting days some 17 years ago.  They were having a hard time believing it, but I am used to my arms looking good!

It almost made me want to jump right back into a mass building routine!

Day 34

Weight: 175.5

Yay!  Another pound down the drain.  That makes 3 pounds since last Friday!

Yesterday was a great day as far as not being hungry goes, and that lead to keeping my calorie count down, too.

I have decided that I will continue the hCG cream until it is gone, which will probably extend beyond 40 days.  Two reasons factor into this decision.
The first is that the prescription expires in August, and I’m certain that it will not keep until October, if I need to do another round.  I can check on that, though.

Second, the protocol is self limiting in that Dr. Simeon’s manuscript states that when a person goes into hCG immunity they become very hungry and they don’t lose weight (or the weight they do lose is essential fat) and they look drawn, not healthy.

So, if that is the case, I will know if the medication is effective or not and can then begin the correct transition into the lock-in phase.  I am SO close, I really want to just finish in this round!

Day 33 – midday update

I had the fiber again this morning, and I have had no hunger so far today, even at lunch!  Woo Hoo!  Now *this* is what it’s supposed to have been like the whole time!  I still have a week left to go, though and I’m pretty sure I can get to the low 170’s.

I’ve been reviewing one of the online manuscripts for Pounds and Inches, and it definitely says no longer than 40 days of hCG.  I want to find some way around that, but obviously don’t want to cause any other problems, either.

I also *just* figured out that I'm not supposed to have tuna, which I've had several times so far.  Probably not supposed to have shark, either, and my husband makes that for me, too!  Oh, well...too late now, can’t take it back!

Day 33

Weight:  176.5

I felt good yesterday and good this morning about this weight.  Yesterday the scale was fluctuating back and forth, and this morning it was solid.  So, still going down!

I also am thinking that, because I am so close to reaching my goal, that I am going to go back to the original prescription dosage of cream, then use the extra dosage I recently got to extend the time.  I’ve been reading in some of the forums that people are doing that, and in re-reading Pounds and Inches I saw that Dr. Simeon said he even went to 45 days.  I have to double check that, though.  I don’t want to be hungry and I don’t want the time and money to be a waste of effort, and I want to preserve my health.  But I just need a few more days!

Off to read the manuscript again!