September 19, 2010 - Update

132 lbs. Well, it's been 2 months since the end of round 2. I wasn't able to maintain the 125 or whatever lbs. from my last injection date. Mostly due to the loss of commitment. For whatever reason, I could not stay away from popcorn! I'm not talking the bagged kind. I'm talking the regular kernals popped in olive oil in the Orville Redenbacher microwavable multi-popper. Plus, we went on vacation to see family in Montana. It was inevitable that some pounds would be gained back...6 lbs. in 8 days. But hey, eating and drinking with the family will do that.

So now I have to reconcile myself to the fact that round 2 was a bit of a bust because I can't seem to find the willpower to get below 132. There have been plenty of steak days in the past 2 months. I even shared that tidbit with my family in Montana and they got the same two pound loss results. I proved it to them. The partaking of a round 3 is in my future, but there will be no popcorn in the house when that takes place!! I'm still on a bit of a bender on the stuff. Not that eating a bunch (I mean a bunch) of popcorn is all that horrible for one's diet. There are many other things that would be much worse. But, I need to somehow regain the commitment I had under round 1. My stash of mixing vials is depleted, but I have enough of everything else to run a 5000 hCG semi-cycle. If I were committed, I could probably lose the last 12-15 lbs. To be honest, I'm not sure my body will allow me to lose what I want. My body might put a stop in at 125 or so because most of the "bad fat" is gone. It's worth a shot to try it one more time knowing what the pitfalls are and how to navigate them. Knowledge is power. Maybe round 2 was destined to play out the way it did. There were certainly no popcorn cravings under round 1. And, that popper hadn't popped popcorn in practically forever since I too, was a quickie baggie type for the last 10 years or so.

Another round will be started before the end of  this year. I have to know whether I can achieve my desired weight. Even though most of the pounds are off, it hasn't really changed my blood pressure. This needs to be taken care of and an appointment must be scheduled in order to go back on meds. While this was never a first choice, it's necessary after all.

I'll be back....

I'm Back for Round Two!!!

Today is Day 4 of Round 2. I started out this round at 140 lbs. It's not as bad as it sounds. I maintained 132 lbs. or less for most of the last couple of months. I gained 3 lbs. over Memorial Day weekend and knew that I would be starting the next round shortly. The other 5 lbs. came from the last three days of gorging!! I don't know if I ate enough, but the scales sure tipped, so that must be a clue.

I've mixed up 5000 of the hCG at about 150 IU. It took me forever to figure out the dosing! I swear that's the hardest part of all this. I knew I didn't want to run into the same lower abdomen (or ovarian) issues as before, so I mixed the dosage somewhere in the middle and expect about 28 injections this round. I can't imagine it will take that many more days to drop the last 15 lbs. I do (already) have a dinner engagement next Saturday and a birthday celebration coming up on the 23rd. I managed before, I can do it again.

I hope I can find some motivation to do some brisk walking. It has been so stifling hot around here lately. I'll be lucky to get the lawn mowed without a stroke. Speaking of strokes, my blood pressure has not been that great. If, after this round, my blood pressure does not significantly go down, I promise to go see a doctor and get back on some meds. I owe it to myself and my child.

It feels good to eat healthy again. Plus, I need to clear out the freezer! After all, it is hurricane season and one can't be stuck with a full freezer. I'm just saying.....

Day 118

133.5 lbs. Man, what a weekend! Eating, drinking, sunning and funning. It has been nearly 4 months since I began the hCG diet and I've been able to maintain my weight pretty easily. Phase 4 is really a piece of cake. When you take what you learn and actually apply it, the difficulty of getting back into the same old trap becomes more and more remote. Steak days can fix anything. Who can't stay committed for one day? If we can't, then we are truly weak and destined to fail. I really believe I am past all of my former thinking about food. Just about any slip up can be fixed in one or two days of eating properly. I'm enjoying life again. 

However, my blood pressure is still on the rather borderline high side. This really was to be expected....by me, at least. The book indicated that it might go down because of the weight loss, but that it might also return to previous levels. I've never felt like I might explode. Nonetheless, I need to keep a close check on this item. 

As I go past the six week mark since my last injection, I'm eagerly anticipating round two. Haven't really decided when it will start, but it may be as soon as this weekend. I'd like to be in phase 4 by the middle of August since we will be going to Montana for about ten days. To be on a diet at that time would certainly not be optimal!

I'd like to shed the last 15 lbs. This round I think it might be important to get more exercise. I don't want to look as though I've lost weight quickly and my skin is just hanging. That is the way I feel right now. Even though I can fit into a size 4 at 132 lbs. or so, I don't think of myself as thin. I still have a somewhat fat, flabby and poochy self image. Exercise is on the menu with this next round. I hope I can stick to it since it is so hot here in the southeast! 

Looking forward to gorge days!!!!

Day 69

129.5 lbs. Wow, I wasn't even trying to lose yesterday! I just wasn't hungry. I admit there was a time when I wanted to snack and I grabbed those peanuts. But, I was satisfied (convinced that I wasn't going back to old ways) with the one oz. instead of a cup and a half.

The other day when I gave blood my blood pressure was 130/90. This morning is was 135/75. I'd say this diet is agreeing with me. It was a frightful day (I think it was load day 1) when my blood pressure shot up to 192/88 and I had to sign a release for the Life Line people to let me leave their premises. I was a walking time bomb. I didn't feel like I was ready to explode, but I definitely didn't feel great. Living in fear like that is not my idea of optimum health, especially if you have someone who depends on you. I had to do something quick. It's great waking up in a much better place now. 
 
I'm really going to have to get some new pants. Everything is falling off of me.

Day 8

150 lbs. That's a gain of 0.5 lb. For the first week on this hCG diet it's a net loss of 8 lbs. I'm perfectly fine with that and already feel better. Plus, I had that lobster last night! Although, it's very low in calories. It must be the butter, which I missed, that really packs it on for people.

Since I skipped an injection last night, today will be the first day without the hCG backing me up or fighting off hunger. We'll see how that goes. So, far I only have to work in the afternoon, but I'm prepared in case that changes. Cooked up some chicken this morning.

My blood pressure this morning, which I should have been taking more frequently I suppose, was 145/84. That's a significant drop from last Friday's screening when it was 190/88. No wonder I feel better!

Today I stuck to the 500 calories really well. Not having the hCG last night didn't seem to effect my appetite at all. I'm a little tired, though. Maybe it's the cold and rainy weather, but I just want to go to bed and watch a movie. Sounds like a plan of action!