VLCD Day 1 Reflections

Well, yesterday was officially the start of this journey again. I've had mixed feelings about the protocol over the last year. I got to a place where I didn't want to do it again, because it is not the easiest thing to think about doing. That's exactly my problem, however, is thinking too much about things. I would freak myself out about doing 500 calories again, never stopping to think that I may actually LOVE the weight loss portion. Regardless of the program, it takes discipline and determination to succeed. Without either one of those, you are bound to fail. I was in a place mentally where, for whatever reason, I wanted it to be easy and wasn't willing to sacrifice my taste buds for something that might actually benefit my health. Stupid, I know.

I mentioned I am doing the Made to Crave study, and I'm having to teach myself a lot of things that should be common sense. I have to realize that it isn't about what society dictates I should look like. The allure of magazines leaves so many of us thinking we'll find worth if we become a size, 8,6,4, or 2. When we feel unworthy, we obsess about what it takes to look like that. That's why this world is full of eating disorders, whether they be anorexia, bulemia, or overeating. Each one of us who struggles has a different battle. Some of us think we are unworthy because we have a muffin top, so we run to the fridge, sabotaging any potential at reducing the size of our waist. Some of us decide, "fine, I just won't eat at all," while others combine the sabotaging eating and follow it with a huge amount of guilt, and purge what they spent the last hour stuffing in their mouths. This is a real problem in our culture. Our culture has dictated what beauty is, all forgetting what God said beauty is. At the end of this life, it doesn't matter what you looked like, because you will be buried with the worms (or cremated etc but you get my drift). What matters is what your heart looked like. How did you treat people? How did you love those around you? What did you spend your life obsessing about? Were you constantly in bondage emotionally to food (me), worried about what you would eat next? All the while, missing precious moments with your family? Were you always worried about being the perfect size, looking beautiful all of the time so that the world would notice? Those are just a couple of examples, but essentially the problem can be anything and affect your heart in ways that you can't ever go back and do over.

So, my challenge this time is to dig deep into my brain and try to correct the behavior that put me in this predicament to begin with. I want to change the "why" in the reasons I eat and have peace with my pantry. I no longer want to wake up worried about what I will eat all day, where my next "treat" will come from. I honestly see so many similarities between myself and a drug addict. I would hide candy so that my husband wouldn't have any reason to tell me "you shouldn't eat that." I would have binge sessions with bags of cheetos, cupcakes, and M&M's. I would wake up ready to find a sugar fix, try desperately to hold onto good eating and fail half way through the day sparking a desire for McDonald's. I was made to crave GOD not food. If I can run to Him when the cravings hit, He will carry me through the desire for food and give me the desire for Him and for the life I have been made for. A life that is a good example for my kids, a life that is full of wonderful tastes without addiction, a life that is enriched by helping and loving others. As long as I stay stuck here, I will not have any of that to the fullest that I know God has available to me.

Yesterday (VLCD Day 1) was a good day. I was hungry, but that is normal on the protocol the first few days. My meal plan is as follows (yes it varies from the protocol list, yes there are more calories...this is how I've chosen the plan for now but may adapt depending how losses continue)


Breakfast: 1 scoop MRM Vanilla Whey Protein, 1 Cup Spinach, 10oz water with ice blended in a blender. Green tea. Calories=92

Snack: 1 Fuji apple microwaved for 40 seconds (changed the time for the next apple to 30 seconds due to the nutritional content of apples changing when they are cooked...adding more SUGAR) sprinkled with Truvia and cinnamon. 71 calories

Lunch: 4 oz Ground Pheasant with chili powder, curry powder, onion salt, pepper, and cilantro. 1 Tbs. Salsa, 2C. Cucumber with AC vinegar. 1 grissini breadstick. 208 calories

Snack: Same apple as the first snack

Dinner: 1 large egg, 1 egg white, with sauteed (non-stick pan) red onion, red pepper, and 1 jalapeno. Sprinkled with a little Monterey Seasoning. 1 Grissini stick. 202 calories

Snack: Sugar-free jello (2 servings), 2C. oil popped popcorn. 130 Calories

Total Calories: 703

Pre-Load Weight: 215.4
Post-Load Weight: 216.4
VLCD 1 Weight: 213.6
Loss: -2.8 lbs


I did wake up ready to eat my arm, but am feeling much better this morning now that my morning meal is in my gut. I changed today's menu up a bit, but will post the final results tomorrow. So far so good, a little headache (normal when detoxing) but other than that feeling pretty good. I will check in tomorrow! Have a wonderful day!

Starting again

Wow, it's been a long time. I've spent the last year (ish) doing a variety of different approaches to weight loss. I did really well working out in the gym 2 hours a day 4-5 days a week for about 7 months. Then we moved and couldn't afford a membership anymore and that's when my eating began....packing on nearly almost all of my weight. So, my approach this time is to dig deep and try to make an earnest attempt to try to crave GOD not food. To change my thinking about the reasons I eat, why I don't stick to a plan, why I sabotage myself etc.

So, here we are, I've decided to start hcg again. This time I am using homeopathic hcg from www.myhcgsource.com. A friend of mine decided to give it a try and has been doing well. Not to mention it's very affordable, no needles, no mixing. A bottle arrives and you are ready to go.

Starting Stats:

Weight pre-load: 215.4
Weight post-load: 216.4

Bust: 47"
Waist: 45.7"
Hips: 45.7"
L Thigh: 27.5"
R Thigh: 28.5"
L Calf: 16.7"
R Calf: 17"
L arm: 14"
R arm: 14"

I am focusing my mental aspect this time in a study called "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst. No matter what diet a person does, success can't be found permanently unless you change your mind about food. I could lose 80 pounds and fit into skinny jeans and feel great, but if I don't solve the reasons I run to the pantry for a binge, then I haven't really changed much of anything because I will end up here again and again and again. This time, it's my goal to be free from the bondage I have to food. Free from emotional eating. I am ready for peace in my head when it comes to how I look, how I eat, why I binge etc.

So, LET'S GET GOING!!!

New Blog

I have set out on a new adventure. I have a new blog up now

me4fitness.blogspot.com

R3P2D11~Wow!

Yesterday's Weight: 202.2
Today's Weight: 199.2 ONEDERLAND!!!!! WAHOO!!!
Today's Loss: -2.9
Total Loss so far: -10.8lbs

Wahoo!!!!! I'm feeling good about this, especially because I've been "less than good." I have been taking these dietary supplements from the company I get my whey protein shake from, however. They are called Solufat. 3 different formulas for 3 times of the day. Lots of Aminos and they seem to be making up for where I fail, which is good because I'm needing assistance right now. I've been struggling emotionally with a lot of things on my plate and I still tend to eat when I feel that way. I am trying to work through it, but it is going to take some time. It's nice to know that I'm doing okay for now.

I am frustrated, I got a bodybugg for Christmas and have been using it for 3 weeks. Yesterday it crashes my internet browser and I can't fix it no matter how hard I try. I technically didn't have the right system requirements for my Mac, but it was working. Now I'm wondering if they did an update that just doesn't work with the Mac. So, now it looks like I'm upgrading operating systems, which stinks....but I LOVE my bodybugg.

It's breakfast time.......until tomorrow.....

R3P2D10~Yesterday's post

Weight Yesterday: 202.6
Weight Today: 202.1
Change: -0.5

Didn't get a chance to finish this post from yesterday. Here are the basics....

R3P2D9~Definition of Insanity

Weight yesterday: 202.2
Weight today: 202.6
Change: +.4

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Albert Einstein

For some reason, I'm inclined to give myself too much breathing (cheating) room when I taste success. That is why other people on this protocol (Hormonallychallengedgal) can lose 80 pounds since August, and I've lost as little as I have since June. Now, I realize that each person is different, but I have got to step up to the plate. I ate like a mad woman yesterday and thank goodness I'm only up .4. I am going to have to open up that cookbook and get creative with different meals if I am going to make it through the boredom of the palate choices.

There are no excuses for doing what I'm doing other than I must not believe I am worth the efforts. Am I afraid? I have no idea. I just know that I'll never move forward if I do not get off my bum and give it an earnest effort.

With that said, we have company coming this weekend and next and I know I won't stick to protocol.....or choose not to. However you look at it. So, between now and Saturday, I'm going to have to pull together what I can. Take a break, then back at it M-F (with earnest efforts) and take a break next weekend and back at it until I hit the 20 pound mark. Period. That's my goal. That is what I've pledged to do, that is what I NEED to do. My starting weight before loading was 210. If I can make it to 190, I will be satisfied in taking a 6 week break.

R3P2D8~Sleep

Good Morning! Today's Stats:

Yesterday's Weight: 207.2
Today's Weight 202.2
Loss: -5.0 lb


WHOA! 5 pounds! Mercy! That is great! One thing I have to make a point of doing is getting plenty of sleep. The better I am rested, the less I want to deviate from the plan. The better I am rested, the more efficiently I seem to burn fat. I made a point of going to bed at 10:30 last night instead of 11:30 or midnight. I also nap when my little ones nap, or at least try to rest during the day. Our resting environment has a lot to do with how well rested we become. If we have a cluttered, disorganized room, then we tend to be anxious. I made a point yesterday of making my room a more relaxing place. I added some candles for relaxation as well.

The Importance of Rest

"Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that lack of sleep can affect how your body regulates your appetite. Sleeping less can cause you not only to crave more food, but also to crave foods higher in fat and carbohydrates. In addition, bouts of insomnia can alter your metabolic rate, slowing it down and causing you to burn fewer calories. Lastly, people who sleep less tend to feel more fatigued and, therefore, exercise less.



But don't despair. There are ways that you can combat your sleepless nights. First of all, don't drink caffeine for approximately six hours before your bed time. Caffeine is a stimulant and will block your brain's ability to produce adenosine, one of the chemicals that help induce sleep. In addition to caffeine, most doctors will recommend that you keep your fluid intake to less than one cup in the four hours leading up to your bedtime. This will limit your body's need to relieve fluids in the middle of the night and allow you to sleep more soundly throughout the night.



Another important tip in falling asleep easily is to set aside thirty minutes to an hour before your bedtime. Use this time to allow your brain and body to relax. Rather than stimulating your brain with television, computer games, or Internet usage, calm your brain by reading a book, taking a bath, or meditating. Furthermore, if you perform these relaxing activities at the same time every night, your brain will train itself to recognize these signals, and you will have fewer and fewer difficulties falling asleep at your allotted bedtime." (courtesy of http://www.helium.com/items/1238913-how-sleep-can-affect-weight-loss)

The Importance of The Sleep Environment

Better Sleep Tip 1: Create a better sleep environment

if your sleep is continually being disrupted through the night, your body is not getting enough of the restorative deep sleep it needs. You will feel the effects of sleep deprivation, even if you are on the surface getting enough hours of sleep. The key to better sleep might be as simple as making minor changes to your sleep environment to minimize sleep disruption.
Your Bed

* Is your bed large enough? You should have enough room to stretch and turn comfortably, including with a bedmate present.
* Your mattress, pillows and bedding. Waking up with a cramp in your back or a sore neck? Experiment with different levels of mattress firmness, foam toppers or egg crate toppers, and pillows that provide more support.

Your Room

* Better Sleep Tip 1: Create a better sleep environment
Keep the noise level down. Too much noise- loud outside conversations, televisions blaring, traffic noise - can make it difficult to sleep well. To help mask outside noise if it can’t be blocked, try a fan, white noise, or recordings of soothing sounds. Earplugs may also help.
* Keep your room dark during sleep hours. When it’s time to sleep, make sure that your environment is dark- bright lights, especially those from TV, can confuse the body clock. Heavy shades can help block light from windows, or you can try an eye mask to cover your eyes.
* Room temperature and ventilation. If you can, experiment with the room temperature. Most people sleep best in a slightly cooler room with adequate ventilation. Check your windows and doors to make sure that drafts are not interfering with sleep.
* Reserve your bed for sleeping. If you associate your bed with events like work or errands, it will only make it harder to wind down at night. Use your bed only for sleep and sex.

Better Sleep Tip 2: Discover Techniques for Falling Asleep

With busy schedules and family lives, it’s hard to leave the worries of daily life behind when it is time to sleep. Worrying and anxiety trigger the “fight or flight” mechanism in the body, releasing chemicals that prepare us to be alert and ready for action. That not only makes it difficult to fall asleep, but can wake you up frequently in the night as well. Even with the stresses of daily life, if you make an effort to relax and wind down before bed, you will sleep easier and more deeply.
Cue your body for sleep by making a relaxing bedtime routine

A consistent, relaxing routine before bed sends a signal to your brain that it is time to wind down, making it easier to fall asleep. Make the time before sleep a time of peace and quiet, and find your unique routine that relaxes you.

Ideas to help prepare for sleep

* Reading a light, entertaining book or magazine
* Listening to soft music or radio broadcast
* Making simple preparations for the next day

* A light bedtime snack, a cup of hot tea or a glass of warm milk
* Hobbies such as knitting or jigsaw puzzles
* Listening to books on tape

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation is beneficial for everyone, but especially if you are struggling with sleep. Practicing relaxation techniques before bed is a great way to wind down, calm the mind, and prepare for sleep. Some simple relaxation techniques include:

* Deep breathing. Close your eyes, and try taking deep, slow breaths, making each breath even deeper than the last.
* Progressive muscle relaxation. Starting at your toes, tense all the muscles as tightly as you can, then completely relax. Work your way up from your feet to the top of your head.
* Visualizing a peaceful, restful place. Close your eyes and imagine a place or activity that is calming and peaceful for you. Concentrate on how relaxed this place or activity makes you feel.

Antibiotics

Good morning, I hate to report that I weighed in at 207.2 this morning after being "off" protocol this weekend after the Dr. put me on antibiotics on Friday. It had been hard to stick to the protocol with the mucousy stomach issue and then add antibiotics to the mix.....well, I chose to go off for the weekend. I'm going to give it my earnest effort to stick to it today, however. We'll see how my stomach does, I may need to get some acidophilous or something to help. I have a very sensitive stomach when it comes to antibiotics as it is, but add a diet with very little carbs and high in hard to digest veggies, and I will admit that part worries me. We'll give it a go, however. I have half a mind to start at day 1, but I think we'll just keep on going.

I'll report more tomorrow! Have a great day!

R3P2D7~Sickness

Down .3 today, but still pretty sick. Probably off to the Dr. at some point today. I may have said that yesterday, but it's difficult for me to WANT to go to the Dr. lol. The sinus infection has spread to my eye now, so I don't think I have any other choice. It is also tremendously difficult to stick to the plan with a tummy full of mucous. Yesterday I did well until the evening, today I'm already feeling sick so I'm going to halt the plan again here on day 7 until I am well enough to eat what I'm supposed to without gaining. I may hover around this spot, and hopefully be back at in in a couple of days max.

Weight today: 202.7
Change: -.3

R3P2D6~Up a little

Good morning, still pretty sick here and up .3 to 203.1. I expected it with having to eat some bread before bed and some cheerios in the middle of the night to calm my upset stomach (too much mucous...tmi). So, hopeully I can hang in there today, though it is a bit difficult when you feel so crummy. I'm starting to wonder if it could be strep, and I think I woke up with pink eye.....ugh.

Nothing fun to say today either, so until I get well, I'll just bore you to death....

Back on Plan~

This morning I was up to 202.7 after my carb filled day yesterday in attempt to keep my stomach calm. I'm not to worried, but am back at it today, just finished the injection and am brewing some coffee for my morning protein smoothie. I will report more tomorrow, still under the weather, and going to have a movie day.

Have a great day all, sorry the posts are a bit boring lately! Hopefully they'll improve once I improve.

P2 on hold~sick as a dog

In spite of being sick as a dog, I am down 1.4 to 201.4 this morning. I am sick sick sick and have not stuck to the protocol at all. I don't plan to until I can stomach the foods, which for now needs to be rice, grissini sticks, and cheerios.....carbs......lots of gunky stuff in my tummy.

So, not a great update, but I'm going to go lay on the couch now....until tomorrow....

R3P2D5~That's Better

I started injections yesterday and really watched my intake by reducing my protein shake to 1/2 serving and today I am down 1.4 to 202.8. MUCH BETTER results.

I'm under the weather today, sore throat, headache, earache, body aches. WAHOO....ugh. So I have no idea what the day will bring, but hopefully it doesn't affect the plan.

Until tomorrow....

R3P2D4~Injections

Down .5 today after having more calories than any other day after a trip to the movies with my daughter. With that said, I don't believe I'm absorbing the hcg orally like I should be. Either that, or it's bad. My deficits calorie wise are in alignment with losses that I've been seeing without hcg in my system....so today I will mix and inject this morning and see if the results aren't better. I will also stick to my eating plan and if in a couple of days, my results aren't better, I'll re-evaluate. I may reorder hcg at that point, but I would test mine first.

204.2 today. See you tomorrow!

R3P2D3~Elimination

Well, it's time for the process of elimination. While I am still losing, it is not at the rate that I did the first time on the protocol. There are a few things I need to cross off my list as I try to determine the cause. Today I am 204.7, down only .3 again. My average losses over 3 days is still 1.1 pounds, but I'm still not as low as I should be. So, here is the list:

* Reduce protein shakes to 1/2 serving in the am and pm rather than a whole
* Make sure calories are 700 or below
* Calories may need to be at 500 if 700 doesn't work
* Switch from oral hcg to injections
* Stop exercising so much
* Drink more fluids/aim for ketosis
* Get more sleep
* Change soap to bar goat's milk
* Change from egg protein to whey protein (used whey in R1)
* Test the hcg for potency, order new if necessary (some discussion on the boards about how they are now including ice packs in the shipments. Wondering if somehow too many people's hcg got to them after being exposed to too much heat and it wasn't working properly)


Those are the things that could be hindering the losses. I will push through this frustration and realize that I am still losing, the scale is still moving in the right direction, and I CAN figure out the cause. So, I sit here with 1/2 the protein shake serving to start out the day. I can say, I've not really been ravenously hungry which is good. Then again, my calories are higher than they should be. They were nearly 800 yesterday so it's definitely time to cut back. Some people have succeeded on 1000 calories while doing the hcg, but it doesn't seem that will work for me. I have a lot of theories floating around in my brain and I realize this is a fine science so if all else fails, do it the way Dr. Simeon's instructed and ONLY exactly as he instructed. That means injections, 500 calories, etc.

So, I suppose that is it for now. Until tomorrow.....

R3P2D2~ Beef

Good morning! Down only .4 this morning after a battle with beef. lol. Yes, thanks to the body bugg program, I realized that even the leanest beef is way too high in calories for this diet. I can eat so much more of other things for the calories that the beef cost me yesterday. I found myself over 900 cals which was almost 200 above the day before. My goal is to narrow down the things that are fewer in calories so that I may eat more of them. I am still doing the egg protein shakes as well, 2 of them per day. I will continue to do so until I know that it is a problem. I don't anticipate it being a problem as much as my choices of foods. I may try some fish for variety, but need to figure out the leanest fish on the approved foods list.

So, today I weighed 205. What's funny is several nights ago I weighed (yes I weigh twice daily) and was 214, last night I was 207.4. So, the scale in the evening is moving more than the morning. lol. Anyway, my WI time is am before my shower, so that is what I'm sticking to. It is nice to be on the downhill slide and nice to see that certain food choices, though approved, can hinder the losses.

Today's goal, to try to mimmick the meals I ate on the first day, and see what we come up with tomorrow. So far, I'm off to a good start. See you tomorrow.

Round 3, VLCD Day1

Well yesterday was a total success. I felt great all day. It's amazing to be back in the losing direction. Down 2.5 this morning to 205.4. I have a massive headache however and sicknesses seem to be circulating the household......yikes.


I love my body bugg, love seeing huge deficits tho I know that the hcg allows more to be burned that is tracked. I do have to say that the body bugg is picking up some of that. The comparison from the day before when I was active is astonishing. Burning nearly the same amount being sedentary. Pretty cool.


I'm tired, under the weather and going to go rest a while...until tomorrow...

Wal Mart Neighborhood Market

So, we have these Wal Mart stores here that are just a grocery store. I went in the other day to get items to prep for the protocol. Normally I don't shop there because I found that a local store was much cheaper.....however, it has been so snowy, this was closer so I braved it. Boy was I disappointed! It looked like they hadn't had a produce shipment since before Christmas. All of the cucumbers were mushy, the celery wilted, the lettuce brown or expired, it was bad. I bought what I could, but still need to venture out to the other store at some point for more lettuce, cucumbers, etc. And guess what?! It's snowing again. POO!

So far, I feel good today. The body bugg shows a 937 calorie deficit by noon, so that's fantastic. I also noticed that I am actually burning more calories while on the protocol. Just like it says you do. Twice as many as yesterday by this time and hardly moving at all....yesterday I was up and down stairs moving boxes etc. Today, I've sat here on the computer most of the morning trying to get all of my hcg tracking stuff in order. YAY body bugg, yay hcg!

Ready, Set, Go!

Today is the day, not tomorrow, today. Today is the first day of the new me, with the upcoming new year, and this year WILL be different than all the rest in this way.

Stats:

Weight: 207.9

Measurements:

Chest: 46"
Waist: 45.5"
Hips: 44.5"
L Thigh: 26.5"
R Thigh: 27.5"
L Arm: 13.5"
R Arm: 13.75"

The weight is up a whopping 15.2 from my LIW of round 2, which was a complete failure round (this happens to many whether it is because they didn't give their body enough of a break or for some unknown reason). My measurements are off by .5 inch in chest, 1.1 inches on waist, hips are the same, thighs are the same, Arms are about .5 inch less. So, I am up, but it's still "fixable."

So, here we go........until tomorrow......

2010, A New Year, A New Me

Welcome back friends! It's time to get started again. I plan to make a lot of changes within "me" for this upcoming new year. Santa was good to me and brought me a body bugg, which will be a great addition to the protocol in order to stay on track. I will get to my goal weight in 2010 and I will start doing some things for "me" that I enjoy doing. I've neglected "me" for so long, I've forgotten that I am important too.

So, today is loading day #1....though I have been loading for about a month.....if that says anything about my eating. I am up 16 pounds from my LIW. Yikes. Admitting that is hard. It really is. My weight as of today is 207.9. I was shocked to come back from Christmas vacation to a huge gain....but enough about failure and onward to success.

So, HCG here we come. I am doing sublingual this time again. I am going to experiment with something this time, exercise. As a SAHM of 2 children under 4, I realized I need some productive time alone. Hitting the gym is the perfect way for me to achieve that. I am aware that it is not recommended on this protocol, but thought I would increase my intake with protein shakes by the amount of calories that I burn at the gym (thank you body bugg for the opportunity to track burned cals). So, my plan is to do the 500 cals on the days I am not at the gym and increase it by 200-500 for hitting the gym.

I am excited and nervous about doing this after being a complete failure the last round, but am utterly tired of being fat...so here I go.