R3 P3 D2 - Monday, May 10, 2010 =) 130.0

Saturday I think I lost my mind... I was already due for a steak day from the last day of P2, lol, and I ate like a pig. Nothing I wasn't supposed to have in P3, but I ate tons of it. And I ate pork rinds. I know from Round 1 P3 my body does NOT like pork rinds, but I was hungry, and it beat the alternative of cheating as I was in an environment with hot dogs, bbq, funnel cakes, etc. I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and was 6.2 lbs ABOVE LIW! Holy cow! =O I was going to wait until today (Monday) to do steak day, but decided I'd better go ahead & get my steak day on yesterday lol! I'm now 1.8 above LIW, so I'm glad I did. I'm not mad about my "highest" weekly weight being under 135. Before R3 my "highest" weight (on Monday mornings after the weekend) was on the average around 143. I was NOT okay with that. I'll just say, I LOVE my low weight, and I even LOVE 130. I can't tell you how many compliments I've gotten since the end of R3!!! Huge difference =)

R3 LIW.... drumroll......................................................................... 128.2!

That's goal enough for me! I'm a few days behind on posting... but I wanted to post this one first =)

R3 P2 VLCD 17 ... Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 129.4 - UP .6

BOO!!!! Today WAS going to be "LIW".... cutting it short so I'll be in P4 for my anniversary. WELL... guess what? I wanted 128.0, and THAT I WILL HAVE! going P2 for another day baby! I'm pissed! LOL! Knowing all I had to eat yesterday was an omelet and that's NEVER caused me anything but loss! And I got out there and busted my ass (attempting to) playing tennis for two hours!!! WTH!!!! =O

All I can think is either (1) RANDOM... look at the pattern of the last four days. -1.6; + .4; -1.6; + .4 .... so tomorrow would have to be a loss... TOMORROW. LIW. Moved up because I said so lol!

R3 P2 VLCD 16 ... Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 128.8 - down -1.6 - 120's are BROKEN!!!

I'm excited and stunned at the same time! I NEVER thought I'd see the 120's again. Even after my divorce!

This was after a P2 steak day and walking 6 miles throughout the course of the day.

R3 P2 VLCD 15 ... Monday, May 3, 2010 - 130.4 - UP .4

Whatever... it happens. Lost 1.6 the day before, so there. Ha!

R3 P2 VLCD 14 ... Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 130.0 !!!!!! -1.6

This is after hosting a tupperware bridal shower at my house and being VERY risky eating a lot of homemade salsa with cucumbers, two meatballs, whipped cream and fruit salsa on cucumbers (hey at least I didn't touch a tortilla chip, the cheeseball, or choc cake), etc. ;)

R3 P2 VLCD 13 ... Saturday, May 1, 2010 - 131.6 !!!!!! -.8

Sorry.... yesterday I was down .8 as well and I'm not too sure how much, though smaller than .8 before =) Been too busy to update!

5 more days of drops, 8 of VLCD's and I want to see 128. Originally 125, but I now realize how incredibly slow the losses are when you get so close to goal and I know that isn't going to happen LOL! If my LIW were 128, 130 would be my "ceiling" - immediate caution - hello steak day lol!

Bound & determined!

R3 P2 VLCD 10... Wed. April 28, 2010 - 133.4!

Here we are... finally, a number I haven't seen on the scale in three years. Now... hoping to be down after a P2 steak day!!! 132... come on baby! SO CLOSE!

R3 P2 VLCD 9... Tuesday, April 27, 2010..... 134.4 - 2.6 down from yesterday

This one is tough..... I suppose since I don't have alot to lose and I'm far into the normal range but just "want" a few more lbs... hcg doesn't cooperate like it used to lol! Going for another 10 days on P2, so we'll see. If I see 120-ANYTHING on my scale, I will be HAPPY!!!!! Even 129. Middle number needs to read "2"... Everyone cheer me on! My not even 3 lb loss in this round is a tough pill to swallow... but I know I'm working on the last SERIOUSLY... few lbs. I look great in clothes. Super skinny. I'm putting on a bikini in 5 wks though for my beach trip, and I wanna be hawt!!!!!

R3 P2 VLCD 5 in da howse.... Friday April 23, 2010 - 135.0 - down - .2

BOO =P That is all I have to say about that.

R3 P2 VLCD 4! Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 135.2 - down -1.6 lbs

Breakfast - 2 hardboiled eggs

Dinner - 2 servings of this protein shake: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3711199&CAWELAID=390901572
(YUM)

Post dinner I'm going to die if I don't put something in my mouth SNACK... romaine lettuce with 2 wedges of laughing cow swiss spreadable cheese... breathtaking.

:) 10 lbs till goal!

R3 P2 VLCD 3! Wed., April 21, 2010 - 136.8 - down - 1.4 lbs

1.4 down, 1lb under my pre-load weight, still 1.8 lbs above last rounds LIW... had two hard boiled eggs this AM and tonight I'm going to have the Dynamatize Elite Whey Protein Shake - PB Chocolate flavor (with water) =) 250 calories for a double serving. So that's what I'm doing!

Crossing my fingers... the goal of 125 needs to happen!

R3P2 VLCD2 April 20, 2010 - 138.2 - Down 7.6 lbs!

You read THAT correctly! :) Down 7.6 lbs - so .4 more to go before I'm down my loading weight, and 3.2 to go before I'm at R2 LIW. =/ that's annoying... Anyhow! I did a P2 "steak day" and was seriously down 7.6 lbs. I swear by these steak days lol! Had hamburger patty on the GF (extra lean) with del's sauce, a laughing cow wedge, low sugar ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes and grilled fresh mushroom. :) Crossing my fingers for good loss!

R3 P2 VLCD1!!!! April 19, 2010 - Starting weight 137.8 - Post loading weight - 145.8 +8lbs =O

Yes, you read correctly. Apparently, that's how I roll! Every weekend in P4 for me has been a massive gain & I've brought it down every Monday with a Steak Day.

I'm doing an "off protocol" P2 steak day today because I KNOW they work... and ell... with 8 lbs I NEED it lol. My LIW last round was 135. SUCKS starting at 137.8 but whatever. I'm going to make it to 125 if it kills me!!!!! (holy crap that's 20 lbs from this morning's weight).... Stay tuned!

Last P4 day for awhile! April 16, 2010 -- 136.6 lbs (1.6 above R2 LIW)

Hope to be down some more in the morning for my first loading day!!!! =D Sushi anyone?

R3 - Here I come!!! =D April 15, 2010 -- 137.0 - 2lbs above LIW

Well, I decided to do a very short round ... didn't think I'd be doing it... but I REALLY want to reach my goal of 125-127 before I go to the beach. I've come this far, WHY NOT!? And I know it can be done because this diet is amazing! I'll be loading Sat. & Sun. & starting VLCD's on Monday. Yippee! What I'm doing is completely off protocol (13 day round) but if you want to try & talk me out of it... don't bother =) I've done plenty of risky type off-protocol stuff before and the only thing that has really caused me a problem was CHEATING my last round lol. It was a bad cheat... and I look at it this way - if I'd behaved that one night I wouldn't be doing another round now. I lost a week!!!

Let's get skinny!!! =D

R2P3 - Last week of P3! February 26, 2010 - 134.8

So .2 under LIW this morning -- which is a far cry from what the scale said just two days ago! It's much harder for some reason this round to keep the fluctuation under control! It can be done... been here before :) Off to eat my mug cake and drink my protein latte :)

How to mix sublingual HCG ordered from Alldaychemist.com =)

This is a video I made to show a friend of mine how to mix her HCG. It's not difficult at all, or I couldn't have done it ;) Ignore how I look in this video. I was sick, and my teenager thought it funny to interrupt with some kind of random comment on paper in the background. You get the gist though.



http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0603/amyleigh/?action=view¤t=MVI_0984.flv

P3 YUMMY Treats! ***RECIPES in here!****

*GROWL* (that was my tummy) Do not read this if you are hungry! But it's fyi... :) New good recipes I've copied off the forum.

"Coco Crack:"

Coco crack is chocolate made with 2 TBSP virgin organic coconut oil, 2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa, and sweetener to taste. Blend together and pour on a paper plate and put in fridge. It will harden and then you can break it into pieces. Like a dark chocolate. Additionally, you can add crushed nuts or coconut when you can tolerate them. I use it to coat my other treats or fruit also. Very good.

"Coco Crack Mousse:"

My fave thing right now is a cocoa crack mousse. It's 2 parts heavy cream, 1 part cocoa, and sweetener to taste. I personally use truvia now that I'm in p3, couldn't wait to stop using stevia. Anyway, I use a hand beater and whip the mixture until it's fluffy and just a little bit thicker than whipped cream. Sometimes I add pecans to it to give it a little crunch. Omg, it's soooo good. Even my husband loves it.



"Strawberry cream cheese pie:"
(Note - I also made this recently and it's to DIE for!!!)

It was so good I think it would be unfair not to share with P3ers! This wasn't a real sweet treat but very creamy and flavorful with just a right amount of sweetness to make it great. (I don't care for art. sweeteners or sugar subs. so I did the best I could) But it turned out so good.
Here it is:

The crust

1 and 1/2 cups almond flour
1/4t seasalt
1/4t baking soda { Stir wet ingredients into dry until thoroughly combined.
1t cinnamon Press dough into 9" pie plate.
1/4 cup grapeseed oil (note - I used olive oil)
1 T sweetener of choice
1 t vanilla
Bake @ 350 for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Cool.


The filling

1 pkg cream cheese (check your labels some had not P3 friendly things)
1 Cup whipping cream (whip this up good and thick)
About 5-10 strawberries, chopped with 1 T sweetener of choice (I used frozen berries)
1 t vanilla
Whip cream cheese and strawberries together until its a pretty pink :)
Fold in the whipped cream to this mixture until mixed (don't over do it) then pour into
cooled crust. Refrigerate for a couple hours.


"1-minute Muffin Recipe:"

1/4 cup flax meal or almond flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 packet Splenda
1 teaspoon Cinamon
1 Egg
1-2 teaspoons Butter

1.5 Carbs

Mix the dry ingredients in a large coffee cup. Add egg and butter; mix well. Microwave for 50-seconds to 1-minute. Muffin pops right out.

"Cream Cheese Buttercream Icing:"
(I made this icing this weekend and it's HEAVENLY!!!)


Ingredients

* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup Splenda
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 2 cups heavy cream

Directions

1. Combine the cream cheese, splenda, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until smooth. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.


"Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:"


Substitute Splenda for the sugar (and reduced the amount by 2/3). I used the 3/4 cup of cocoa powder to make it very rich and chocolaty, and used a little extra whipped cream instead of the Cool Whip she mentioned on the side panel.


Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened (you can use margarine but the flavor will not be the same)
2 2/3 cups Splenda
1/3 cup half-and-half cream or milk (can use unwhipped whipping cream in place of half and half)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (for light)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (for medium)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (for dark rich)
Directions
1
Cream the butter in a small bowl.
2
Blend in the cocoa powder (the amount desired for a light, medium or dark flavor), vanilla, splenda, alternately with the cream.
3
Beat with an electric mixer, until the desired texture is achieved.
4
**NOTE** because of the additional cocoa powder more cream may have to be added in to reach desired consistency.


Also see recipe posted in R1 of P3 "Chocolate Mug Cake"... AMAZING and still one of my favorites!

If you need to know how to get Almond Flour, you can order it here:
(it's where I get mine, and it lasts FOREVER believe me!)
http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/blanchedalmondflour5lb.aspx

If you have a Trader Joe's (I don't) I heard that it's cheapest to get it that way. Whole Foods carries it, but it's super expensive, so for me, Honeyville is the way to go!

Enjoy!!!

R2P3D3 Wed. Feb. 15th, 2010 -- 135.0 - Stabilizing!

I think my body likes 135. Really. :)

I'm happy though I didn't reach my final goal. Bought two bikinis this weekend! :) On P3, Moe's is a GREAT place to eat. Just have them throw everything P3 friendly into a bowl and it's DELICIOUS!!!

This Round I've found alot of AMAZING P3 sweet recipes. I'll be sure to post them when I have time in the next couple of days.

The most important factor now - stabilizing and maintaining under 137. NEVER again do I want to see anything above 137 on my scale! Abiding to steak & high protein days is UTTERLY important in maintaining your weight. I found out last round and got burned when I let go... so that's not going to be the case this time :)

R2P2 Wed. Feb. 10, 2010 "VLCD" 22 -- 135 12 lbs R2 total loss

Oh yeah. I do have to report a massive CHEAT on Friday evening! Look at my last post - VLCD 16, and look at my post today - VLCD 22 - notice I'm .2 UP from a WEEK ago!!! I gained three pounds in that cheat. It was a "social event" at my house... my son's 13th birthday party. Nice.... cookie cake, nachos, rotel dip... yep. I paid for it dearly. Up three pounds the next morning. I managed to get it all off, but for the past three days I have STAYED at 135!!! Took my last drops this morning...P3 starts Friday evening!

R2P2 Wed. Feb. 3, 2010 "VLCD" 16 -- 134.8 12.2 lbs R2 total loss

=O =O =O

Wow. I'm not sure if anyone reads this really, but I am STOKED!!!! Below 135! I'm really at "goal" and though a couple more pounds won't hurt I would like to stay here!!!!

:) Yaaaay for Carb Solutions protein shakes! (off protocol, but look at my loss)

R2P2 Tues. Feb. 2, 2010 "VLCD" 15 -- 137.2 9.8 lbs R2 total loss

WELL! I've been up and down... up and down... since Thursday... what can I say. I'm nearing the end of this round and I'm well into the normal weight range so I can't be thinking it works the same way when there is less abnormal fat to lose!
We shall see.... I can't wait to start working out. :)

R2P2 Friday. Jan.29, 2010 "VLCD" 11 -- 139 (up .2) 8 lbs R2 total loss

GRRRRRRR! Yeah no clue what caused the .2 gain, but BOO! =(
Probably eating late. Heck it could just be random. Whatever. I know it happens and had a feeling yesterday (though I didn't try anything new) I would be up this morning!

R2P2 Thurs. Jan. 28, 2010 "VLCD" 10 -- 138.8 (down 1.2) 8.2 lbs R2 total loss

Back into the 130's! And still 1.2 above last round's LIW =/ But it's okay. 11 lbs to go until GOAL! =)

Yesterday I didn't have lunch because I had to work through. I had "Linner" at about 6:00 -- omelet with spinach and cheese. Yup. Cheese. Just a tad. :)

Glass of wine (had to finish the unopened bottle before it spoiled lol), and this morning down again. Yaaaay!

R2P2 Wed. Jan. 27, 2010 "VLCD" 9 -- 140.0 (down 1.2) 7 lbs R2 total loss

Well, I checked and in R1 I was down a total of 7 lbs on VLCD 10 so I'm still a little ahead this round, meanwhile having diet cokes, my sugar-free redbulls, wine here and there, amongst mixing veggies which is NOT on protocol. =) My modified round is proving to be a success. Yaaay!

I had about 9 macadamia nuts last night because the girls on the forum are talking about a little "good" fat every now & then being a help to their loss, macadamia nuts specifically. So I did it. How can you really ENJOY 9 little macadamia nuts? LOL! I also had 2 glasses of chianti (red wine) off protocol. Huge burger (prob 6 oz) with sugar free ketchup and mustard, and a wedge of laughing cow cheese (I wouldn't use a REAL piece of cheese on P2) spread over the burger, along with 3 tomato slices - lunch/dinner because my chicken I took to work to put in my salad went bad =( But the burger was fantastic. Still lost 1.2! =D I sure can't wait to break back into the 130's again. I'll be where I'm supposed to have left off last time!

I'm going to tell whoever is reading this now.... DO NOT go back to your old eating habits at ANY point in P4! One week of not paying attention and eating what I wanted caused me to have to re-lose the weight from last round! Steak days (or high protein days) when you are up 2 lbs above your LIW are DETRIMENTAL.

R2P2 Tues. Jan. 26, 2010 "VLCD" 8 -- 141.2 (down 1.4) 5.8 lbs R2 total loss

Finally... moving again! I know better than to get discouraged when a stall or a gain happens, because it always evens back out. :)

R2P2 Monday, Jan. 25, 2010 "VLCD" 7 -- 142.4 (UP)

=( WELL! I had a .6 loss Sat. AM, and then a 1.4 gain Sunday AM. All I can figure I did was eat ground beef twice in one day...

OR...

If you look back in my first round, I had a gain right around VLCD 5 or 6! I'm wondering if this is just how my body handles hcg!

I was down .4 this morning and I'd BETTER be down tomorrow morning. I'll pitch a dirty little fit!

R2P2 Thurs., Jan. 22, 2010 "VLCD" 4 -- 141.8 (down 2.4) 5.2 lbs R2 total loss

OMG. I heart this diet... and I heart extra lean ground beef!

I had extra lean ground beef on the GF last night - made a patty... with a tomato, along with sugar free ketchup and mustard and OMG IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOD.

Word to the wise (apparently I didn't get it the first round) ... don't go to the grocery store before you've had dinner! It about killed me last night lol!

I absolutely cannot BELIEVE I'm down 2.4... honestly, I know that patty had to be 5 ounces. Guess what I'll be having again tonight? LOL!

I think switching it up a bit may help!

R2P2 Thurs., Jan. 21, 2010 "VLCD" 3 -- 144.2 (down 1.4) 2.8 lbs R2 total loss

Last night was hard. I got hungry before I made it home from work, even though I'm trying to eat lunch at 1:00 or later, my tummy was still growling at 5:00. I wasn't hungry like this last round... I don't remember being anyway. I've been doing the same spring mix salad for lunch as I did round 1 but a tad different. This week I'm having grilled chicken and clementine in it, and I made a dressing with 1 cup of chicken broth, 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons of splenda, celery salt & garlic powder. I put it in an empty salad dressing bottle & took it to work. It is much tastier than just using a cap full of apple cider vinegar.

Anyway, last night I came home & was starving... so after reading a post on the forum about someone trying 2 eggwhites, 1 egg, scrambling & putting spinach & salsa in, I did just that with about 2 oz of grilled chicken (to keep the protein high). I also had like half a gallon of Milo's Splenda Tea last night. It was soooo good... I'm steering clear of stevia this round. So far, I'm doing just fine & I've been very "risky" against protocol.

Example - the eggs, splenda tea (not stevia), been having a diet coke every evening (making sure I get my fluids in first), I had one sugar free redbull Tuesday and TWO sugar free redbulls on Wed. I lost 2.8 and 1.4.... so far so good!
I've also had broccoli, because I added it into my p2 round1 at the end and it had no ill effect.

I DO NOT encourage anyone doing the protocol for the first time to be a rebel like I am this time. You NEED to experience it the way it's supposed to be, get a feel for what your body is saying by experiences with gains and losses in P3 and P4, and then for the second round, experiment and "push" the protocol then if that's what you want to do. Some people say "why mess up a good thing when you KNOW it works?" Well, I feel okay personally with experimenting this round. I'm not "overweight" anymore though I'm not where I want to be, I've learned how to listen to my body, and it's my choice.

I learned in P3 that eggs, diet cokes, and red wine never made me gain. So the next thing I try off protocol - that's right - a glass of red wine. :) Someone on the forum told me that when your body is in ketosis it burns off alcohol first. This person has also experimented with red wine & still had a loss the next morning. Otherwise, I'll have to think about what I'm willing to experiment with. No sugars and starches for sure... I am not going to push it. :)

ROUND 2... Here we go! Wed., Jan. 20, 2010 "VLCD" 2 -- 145.6 (down 2.6) 1.4 R2 total loss

I know... it's depressing. I'll tell you what happened.

Round 1 P4 - did FABULOUS... UNTIL. (drummmrollllll) Christmas week. Yep. Stayed 137-140 until the week before Christmas. And I caved. Ate everything. Refused to pay attention & do "high protein" or steak days because there was something going on every day.... Was 144lbs. steady until (drummmmmrollllll) MY BIRTHDAY PARTY. Mexican. Margaritas. ALOT of margaritas. Tequila. So my "start weight" Sunday... a whoppin' 147 lbs. Guess what my LIW was? 137.6! GROWLLLLLLL!!!!!

So. I gained 1.4 lbs in loading (Sunday and Monday) and the first VLCD dropped 2.8.

I originally planned on a short round, just to get be into the 120's.... but the short round ain't happening this time lol!

LESSONS LEARNED: NEVER use a holiday as an excuse to pig out. You will be so mad at yourself for having to re-lose weight! ALSO. Never skip weigh-in. EVER. Never skip a protein or steak day when your scale says you are 2 lbs above LIW!

So, I can't believe it's time and I'm doing this again, but I think this time around will be easier, since I've done this before and know what to expect. :)

P4 - First Starch! 137.2 (.4 below LIW!)

I had to eat "on the run" last night... and was soooo hungry. I stopped at the BP gas station on the way to take my daughter to dance & got a slice of the "Hunts Brothers" Pizza. I hadn't planned on adding in a starch yet, but it is what it is and I was seriously starving!

I knew I would be up this morning... just knew it. I stepped on the scale prepared for the worst and had to step back on the scale because I couldn't believe my eyes! 137.2 both times! How could this be?

I looked up the nutritional info on the pizza I had and was astonished. 54 grams of carbs!? WHOA. Amazing. But I'm going to be careful and not push my luck. Nice to know that I can possibly eat "normal" and in moderation have these things and not gain!

Granted, I made the mug cake for breakfast and that and the pizza slice were the only things I ate yesterday. But it is possible to enjoy a starch in moderation and to me, it was heavenly! =D

P4 - Maintenance Phase - Here we are! 138.0 lbs -- (.4 up from LIW)

I really started "P4" yesterday, but have yet to add in a starch. I must say, I'm paranoid because I ended up doing back to back steak days early this week! BTW... don't do that. The second one hardly made a difference. ;)

You definitely find out what causes a gain in P3! I'll be staying away from as much of that as possible in P4! I'll possibly add in a starch this weekend, but for now, I am having the Mug Cake for breakfast, skipping lunch, and then scrambled eggs with spinach, cheese, etc. for dinner.

I have planned my next round! Loading days will be Sat. & Sun. Jan. 16th & 17th - my birthday weekend ;) My goal for the next round - 125 lbs, so I can stabilize under 130. I just want to be a hot mama in a bikini for swimsuit season! =D

P3 Day 18 ...... 137.6 lbs =D

I'm back at my "floor" today WOOHOO!!!! I was actually shocked to see 137 anything on my scale this morning, considering I was left alone with the halloween sugar cookies I baked for my kids last night and TWO OF THEM bit the dust... right in my mouth =/ I felt terrible after eating them! Hopefully my weigh in this morning will keep me from screwing it up tonight when all of the trick-or-treating commences!

P3 Day 15 (I checked!) 138.6 lbs =D ....and a cake recipe!

So yesterday I felt yukky, my tummy wasn't right. I had a small banana at work because the apples were rotten in the breakroom. We aren't supposed to have bananas on P3 but apparently it caused me no ill will. I'm down a pound from yesterday after a banana, tons of scrambled eggs with cheese & spinach, and most of all the SCRUMPTIOUS chocolate mug P3 friendly cake I had last night! THIS... will be carried over into P4 with me no doubt!

The biggest issue - finding Almond Flour. Even my health food store didn't have it. Whole foods is a good 45 minutes away from me, but people say you can find it there. I ordered it online from honeyville.com. WARNING - EXPENSIVE lol! But I have a 5 lb bag and I bet you it lasts a lonnnnnng time. It's so worth it to me to have this cake! The cake is special to me lol! Oh, I've also heard if you have a Trader Joe's or a Kroger you should check there for Almond Flour. You can also use coconut flour in this recipe. I'm just showing how I made mine :) And I think coconut flour is one of those things you can only find online. Anyway, enjoy!

Chocolate Mug Cake

This recipe is for one serving and is cooked in a coffee mug in the microwave
Ingredients:

4 Tlbs. Almond Flour
4 Tlbs. Sugar Alternative (I use baking splenda)
2 Tlbs. cocoa powder
1 egg
3 Tlbs. milk
3 Tlbs. oil (I used olive oil)
Splash of Vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Mix all dry ingredients in mug, add egg and blend thoroughly. Add milk, oil and vanilla and mix. Place in 1000 watt microwave for three (3) mintues. (I am doing 2 minutes in my 1250 watt microwave) Do not cover mug. Cake will rise over top - do not be alarmed. Let cool and place on plate. Add a little whipped cream to top.

I tried this for the first time last night (my almond flour just arrived!) and it was HEAVENLY!!!!!

P3 - Week 2 - What I have learned about this phase! 139.8 lbs (up 2lbs)

Well, I guess experimenting in P3 is something you have to do, and just see how your body reacts to different foods.

Things that I know cause me to gain: Sugar-free ice cream, Sugar-free pudding, getting the SUGAR-FILLED latte at McDonalds instead of the sugar-free latte I ordered!

Things that haven't caused any problems: my red wine. WOOHOO! Peanut butter cookies (1 cup all natural PB, 1 egg, 1 cup splenda, dash of vanilla, mix, spread on cookie sheet & cook 10 mins at 350), YUMMY stuffed bell peppers -- stuffed with extra lean ground beef, and rotel dip (including reduced fat sausage!), I've had no problem with cheese at all. Scrambled eggs - good stuff. I've even used cream cheese (fat free) in TONS of recipes and with no gain!

The last two pounds, in case you are wondering - came from the darn sugar free snacks I posted above. I will not be fooling with those again! I've been told that in P4 it's better to have the sugar-filled ice cream than sugar free because sugar free is a bunch of CHEMICALS! I believe it!

I have had a total of 3 steak days. They work like a charm each time & bring me back down! I did a steak day yesterday & I'm doing high protein today. Friday I was 138.0. I'd like to go back there lol!

I'll be attempting my first Almond Flour recipe probably tomorrow. It's called "Chocolate Mug Cake" =) I'll post how that goes, and the recipe!

P3, Day 5! -- 138.2 lbs.

First I have to say -- I LOVE P3!!! No, we don't get to lose, but stabilize and FINALLY eat something different lol!

I'm doing much better than I thought I would so far. I'm within a pound of my last "drop" weight.

Monday, October 12, 2009 R1P3 - Stabalizing!

After much consideration Sat. and Sun. I decided to take my last drop Sunday morning (just a day 1/2 earlier than originally planned) because the Prednisone was literally making me starve. I needed some eggs! 2 egg whites/1 egg & spinach = made me feel MUCH better. I found that I could only eat 1/2 of it. Amazing how your stomach will shrink after 28 days of hardly anything lol! Since I was at 137.4 yesterday morning, I've decided that if I ever hit 140 on the scale again, it will be time for a "steak day".... to bring my weight back down.

Bought lots of P3 food last night at the store. Starting with adding in scrambled eggs only right now since I've just come of the drops. I'm not *supposed* to add in anything and stay on my VLCD's through tomorrow evening, however, note the steroid/hunger problem above & you'll see why I'm adding in eggs. Some of the first things I plan on making when I begin to add to that -- stuffed bell peppers, P3 friendly jalapeno poppers, P3 low carb all natural peanut butter cookies (maybe this weekend on those)!

P3 here we go -- NO SUGAR NO STARCH for the next 3 weeks! I can totally do this. Just so glad to have some scrambled eggs! =]

Sunday. Oct. 11, 09 "VLCD" 28 -- 137.6 (down .4) total loss = 17.4 lbs

Exactly four weeks ago today I weighed TWENTY POUNDS MORE than I do right now ;) (Post loading). How cool is that?

I stalled yesterday - getting close to the end - close to goal of 135. I broke my stall with VODKA! Someone on the forum lost 3.5 lbs drinking vodka, so I had two shots in my mineral water/vanilla stevia. It was NASTY, but I'm back down again hahaha! I feel dehydrated, a bit. Five more days on P2! I'd BETTER make it to 135. I take my last Hcg drops for this round tomorrow.... I can't believe it!

Here is a picture - sort of an "after" even though my after won't be until Thursday. :)



Again, here is a before:

Friday. Oct. 9, 09 "VLCD" 26 -- 138.0 (down 1.2) 15.8 lbs total loss

138.0 this morning at weigh-in time, I seriously can't believe it! I thought I was going to be gaining due to the Prednisone I'm taking? 3 more pounds and I have enough for my goal this round! YAAAAY! My abs still hurt from doing the jacknife on the Wii Fit night before last....

Thurs. Oct. 8, 09 "VLCD" 25 -- 139.2 (down .8)

I'VE BROKEN THE 130'S!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!! =D

That's all I can say. I LOVE this diet, despite the jealousy I've had over everyone else's food the last 25 days lol!

Wed. Oct. 7, 09 "VLCD" 24 -- 140.0 (down .6) total loss = 13.8 lbs

WELL! I was hoping to break into the 130's today, but weighed in this AM at 140.0 LOL! Tomorrow will be the day!

The doctor put me on Prednisone and Bactrum for my sinus infection from hell.

And guess what? Prednisone makes you HUNGRY and RETAIN WATER!!! Goodygoodygoody. I can deal with the hungry part, but I really REALLY want my goal weight in the next 7 days. No water retainage!!! I'm just going to keep on doing things right, and if I GAIN - I won't be posting on the blog until the effects of the Prednisone are long gone & my true loss shows up!

I played Wii Fit for the first time since May. I was so HAPPY seeing that my BMI is 23 something now!!! I tired easily though. Don't let it fool ya, you don't have extra energy on a 500 calorie diet!

Tues. Oct. 6, 09 "VLCD" 23 -- 140.6 total loss = 13.2 lbs

I forgot to post yesterday evidently. But I am SICK, so there you have it.

I gained .2 from the onion soup though! Down .6 this morning. 5.4 lbs to go!

Going to the ENT tomorrow, again. Maybe if I can get rid of the awful massive amounts of congestion behind my ears, I'll drop another couple of pounds, I swear!

Sun. Oct. 4, 09 "VLCD" 21 -- 141.0 (down 1.0) total loss = 13 lbs

Another pound down!

Well, I have a feeling the scale won't be moving down in the morning. Had a birthday party at the Japanese Steakhouse - ate some (though very little) of the onion soup. It was too good. Ate some lettuce with spicy lump crab meat. I just have a feeling!

I grilled 8 servings of extra lean ground beef on the George Foreman today. :)

Sat. Oct. 3, 09 "VLCD" 20 -- 142.0 (down .6) total loss = 12 lbs

Today has been great. I feel re-charged & ready to finish up this round with results I'll be happy with. I was only down .6 this AM, but it's okay... I certainly like it better when it's a whole pound, but finally being so close to the 130's is getting me pumped, and I have decided I can do this an extra week. :) So 30 VLCDs it is! Went to Publix and bought some more EXTRA lean ground beef & tomatoes. My new favorite dinner lol. I cut the middle out of the smaller tomatoes & put the ground beef in the middle & bake them with some garlic powder and stevia. (I grill the ground beef on the george forman first). 8 more pounds to go - hopefully I can do this!

Fri. Oct. 2, 09 "VLCD" 19 -- 142.6 (down .8) total loss = 11.2 lbs

Moving on down in the numbers! I am still not happy here though. I couldn't quit.. nope!

Had a luncheon at work today. I had lettuce, with some chicken (verrrrry little) because they had Chicken Marcela ... hope I didn't screw anything up, I scraped everything off of it, and picked out fat. My salad dressing ... some tabasco lol! We'll see if this screws up my loss in the morning. I hope not!

Thurs. Oct. 1, 09 "VLCD" 18 -- 143.4 (down 1.0) total loss = 10.4 lbs

I'm feeling better, happy & re-energized today! I've lost half of the weight I need to drop in this round. I'm thinking of extending this round to 30 days in order to achieve my goal.

I can't believe I've gone 17 days with no sugar, starch, wine, lattes, lol! Not cheating helps me to know I've done my best.

. Wed. Sept 30, 09 "VLCD" 17 -- 144.4 (total loss 9.4 lbs)

Well, I'm back on track this morning after my apple day yesterday (noticed I skipped yesterday). Being sick makes you retain water, I know, and I'm still not well. I'm only down .6 at all this week and it's Wed. though, and I'm not happy about that. The mustard thing put me back last weekend and the sick thing has put me back now, so I may stay on Phase 2 another week, not sure yet. I need another ten pounds.

I'm getting sick of shrimp now though so I may grill up some more chicken this weekend.

Mon. Sept 28, 09 "VLCD" 15 -- 145.8 (up .8) total loss = 8 lbs.

What the hell. Really. Up .8 after I was so sick yesterday I was only able to eat 1/2 my calories???? Someone on the forum told me that when you are sick you retain water... so I'm going to guess that had to be it.

The good: 2 of my friends told me they could REALLY tell in my waistline that I've lost weight. My dad also commented today & he guessed I'd lost 12 lbs. ;) I'm already fitting clothes sooooooo much better. I hope hope hope I get over this sickness & make my goal. I want to be no more than 135 and I'm well past halfway through the protocol.

Sunday Sept 27, 09 "VLCD" 14 -- 145.0 (down .2) total loss = 8.8 lbs.

Sick sick sick today. Sinus infection hell. Only ate 1/2 my calories.

Sat. Sept 26, 09 "VLCD" 13 -- 145.2 (down .6) total loss = 8.6 lbs.

Friday Sept 25, 09 "VLCD" 12 -- 145.8 (down .80) total loss = 8 lbs.

Down .8 this morning. Yaaay! I'm 8lbs down, was hoping for 12 more, but I REALLY need 10 more!

It's the weekend again.... I get nervous about the weekend, because I'm not exposed to good food and boredom during the week. LOL!

Thurs Sept 24, 09 "VLCD" 11 -- 146.6 (down .2) total loss = 7.2 lbs.

WELL! .2 down doesn't make me happy, but I SUPPOSE it's better than zero! I did everything I was supposed to, so I just expect the loss to fluctuate.

Wed Sept 23, 09 "VLCD" 10 -- 146.8 (down 2.0) total loss = 7 lbs.

The evil dextrose infested Tyson chicken breast strips had no bearing on my weight loss! I got up this morning and weighed and was pretty shocked that I was down 2 lbs! I'm going to back off chicken for awhile. I don't really like it how we cook it. Shrimp and fish are better. :) Essentially I've lost 7lbs in 9 days, so I'm happy with the way everything is going! I'm more envious of others who lose a pound per day, but I haven't been able to lose weight like this in AGES, so I'm really happy!

Still not hungry at all. I'm happy about the diet today!

Tues Sept 22, 09 "VLCD" 9 -- 148.8 (down 1.0)

Back to where I was Sat. morning.... lost the pound I gained over the weekend messing with that organic mustard! Not hungry at all, haven't been. Just frustrated!

I'm going to have the same ol' salad for lunch today - fine with me. Going to probably have shrimp & tomato and an apple for dinner. I need something quick that I don't have to cook, so it works.

I hope to see some more LOSS tomorrow when I step on the scale!

Updating - This evening I found out the pre-cooked chicken strips from Tyson have DEXTROSE in them! I ate a little in my salad... I hope this doesn't have an adverse effect! I'll find out in the morning!

Mon Sept 21, 09 "VLCD" 8 -- (UP .6)

Very discouraging... I'm up a pound in the past two days. HOWEVER. I think I found the culprit. ORGANIC MUSTARD. I read where someone used it and it was fine, I read the ingredients before purchasing it. Nothing harmful it seemed... but you just never know. So! Back to the basics it is.

Sun. Sept 20, 2009 "VLCD" 7 - 149.2 lbs (UP .4)

BLAH! Well I knew it was coming. I made lettuce beef wraps yesterday. Even though it was lean lean beef, I had a feeling. Plus, I had lunch and dinner almost directly together because I was shopping all day and didn't eat anything until about 5:30 PM.

Did better today.... but was just reminded of what a long way I have to go when looking at pictures from Friday night. EWWWW my arms are BIG! YUCK. =/ I'm going to keep on keeping on!!!! Tomorrow is Monday, thank God, it's much easier to diet when working!

I do have to say the lettuce beef wraps with organic mustard were scrumptious. So were the steamed crab claws I had today. Treat over!

Sat. Sept 19, 2009, "VLCD" 6 148.8 lbs (-2.2!) total = -5 lbs

I could hardly believe it when I stepped on the scale this morning!!! 2.2 lbs! And yesterday was the WORST day in VLCD history I've had so far! It was worth it! YAAAAAY! Thinking about going to buy some more interesting stuff to cook today, and paint some in the house. Maybe finally get my wedding pics together in my album! Tan, maybe a little shopping, nap, things I like. :) I need a reward! I really wish I could fast forward to next weekend. It's been a tough week detoxing off food aka the love of my life (lol) and 5 lbs is alot for 5 days, but not alot where I can actually tell I've lost anything. I don't feel slimmer... 10 more pounds I'm sure I will ;)

Fri. Sept. 18, 2009 "VLCD 5" 151.0 lbs (down .6 ) = total -3.8

Not real happy with the scale this morning =/ I know I lost but only .6? They say the majority of the rapid weight loss happens at the beginning. When I think rapid I think a pound or more. Hmmm.

This was the HARDEST day ever! I had a wedding and reception, then a birthday gathering, then a car ride through a drive through at McDonalds with a 15 minute ride back with FRIES in the car. They smelled so good. Everyone had my favorite wine at the birthday gathering. OMG I really suffered this day!

Great video explaining how the HCG diet works!

http://www.advancehcg.com/player.html

One of my fellow HCG dieters found this link from an HCG clinic. The first of this video is great and explains medically how the diet works!

About my Links of Recommended Sites!

HCG INFO
This is a great place to get a lot of HCG info. It has a wealth of information and it's not trying to sell you anything, so you are not getting a sales pitch version of info. Here you can check for places to find clinics in your area. It does have a lot of google ads, so if you decide you want to order HCG, DO NOT pick a place based on a google ad there, but instead, go to the forum there (another link I posted) and do searches there for recommended places to buy. I posted two popular places to order from in my links as well. It is also important to decide if you are going to do homeopathic HCG drops(HHCG), RX HCG drops, or RX HCG injections, and this place has a lot of info to help you decide. I am doing the RX HCG drops, so I don't personally know much about the others.

Dr Simeon's Pounds & Inches Protocol -

This is basically the "bible" for the HCG diet. Dr. Simeons wrote the protocol for the original diet, and is the doctor responsible for the majority of the research on this diet. It also gives the list of foods, amounts, etc. you can eat during the 23 or 40 day protocol.


HCG DIET FORUM
This is my FAV HCG forum, and trust me, I have checked a bunch out. This place is very active, lots of experienced HCG-ers who are very kind and helpful. There are people who are doing homeopathic (HHCG), HCG drops and injections. Other forums tend to have all of one type.

There are several threads directed at newcomers, so use the search option and search for newcomer in the title and read those before you start asking questions That will get you more informed to ask better questions and at the same time, cut down on re-posts of the same questions. The SEARCH option answered most of my questions!

In case you can't tell, I LOVE this place and highly recommend it.


WHERE TO ORDER (more expensive but faster delivery)

First of all let me say that going to a clinic or through one via internet will give you DR supervision, but will be MUCH more costly than ordering on your own. Some choose to go the first round through a clinic for the supervision. I almost did, but after much research, chose to do it on my own. I also choose to do HCG injections rather than homeopathic drops(HHCG), to stick to the original protocol as much as possible. Many have reported good results with HHCG. I have not posted any links to HHCG sites as I am not experienced with it.

If you are going the non homeopathic route, and on your own rather than through a clinic, this is the place to go. I got my HCG kit in 3 days. Bob and his wife have lost a lot using HCG and now help others out by selling it and other health products. The instructions for mixing were very thorough and easy. Bob is a trucker and is on the road sometimes, but I got email responses very quickly from both him and his wife. They have a forum there that does have some good info, but it is not very active. So I would recommend if you have a question, email them. There are also a lot of folks on the hcgdiet forum mentioned above that are using his product so you can get info there if you are needing immediate response to a question like mixing, usage, etc.

NOTE - They ship 5000IU amps, which will last 21 days. Many recommend that you mix every 10 days as HCG loses potency over time. So, if you want 2000IU amps so you can mix more often, contact him for the price difference of shipping those instead. I didn't know about that before I ordered, so I am using the 5000IU as per mixing instructions, but throwing out after 10 days and have ordered more 2000IU to finish this round.

If this is your first round and you are nervous about mixing and such, this would be a good place to start, rather than ordering separately on your own, as you order from one place and can get questions answered. I personally went the long route and ordered from the "cheaper" place (in India) and asked alot of questions on the forum. But here is good place to order if you need it quicker!


Where to order(longer delivery but least expensive)

This is where I ordered from. It takes 2-3 weeks to get as it is shipped from India. (It took me exactly 2 weeks) I did the sublingual and each amp cost me $13.52 (I ordered 3 - one extra, just in case). The shipping is $25 no matter where it's being shipped to, so order what you think you will need for your rounds at once to take advantage of one shipping charge, unless you are just starting and don't want to invest a lot until you have tried it out and are confident you want to proceed with multiple rounds. I was told to order the Hucog/Novarel 5000 i.u. - and 3 viles (each vile lasting 12-14 days. I am doing the sublingual prescription grade drops, so the mixing was easy. I had to go to the health food store & buy a couple of things, and then to the pharmacy for "mixing needles." Here is the link to the page for the Novarel: http://www.alldaychemist.com/931_Novarel

Mixing instructions can be found very easily doing a search at the HCG diet forum link that I've posted.

Thurs. Sept. 17, 2009 "VLCD 4" 151.6 (down 1.4 ) = total -3.2

I'm home from work today, which is a scary thought, knowing that in the past being at home was detrimental to my eating habits. But I'm not hungry! :) So far so good! I read in the HCG diet forum that it usually takes until VLCD 4 for the HCG to kick in & control the hunger. Maybe I'm there!!! :)

Wasn't hungry at all -- all day. Had cod & asparagus for lunch, and shrimp and sliced tomato, and a clementine for dinner.

Wed Sept. 16, 2009 "VLCD 3" 153lbs (down .8)

VLCD 3 - not hungry at all during the day, however, work didn't permit me to eat my lunch (strawberry/chicken salad again) until after 2PM! I made it just fine, but then when I got home had to face the issue of the step-kids coming to the house and the husband picking up PIZZA for himself and our four kids. Normally we just "wing" it and the kids eat sandwiches, micro-wave dinners, soup, etc., but with the two extra kids... I know they have to have a meal, even if pizza or fishsticks & fries.

I overcame the pizza! I cooked my dinner (Cod, tomato, baked with lots of spices, and a cinnamon stevia apple) and it was almost ready when the evil pizza entered my kitchen. ONE TIME I looked at the pizza and slammed my fist on the counter and yelled "FAT ROLLS FAT ROLLS FAT ROLLS!" They all looked at me like I had 27 heads, but it worked out just fine for me lol!

3 hours later I went to bed & found that I was hungry... not like stomach growling hungry, but like burning sensation in stomach/empty feeling hungry. So I had a glass of stevia sweetened tea & just went to bed. :)

Note: Today I used Splenda in my one cup of coffee rather than stevia. I'm fine with stevia in anything else, but it's just NASTY in my coffee.... so I'm going the Splenda route (this one time of day) and we'll see - hopefully it won't cause any problems!

Made it through day 3!!!

Pictures...before

Pictures - Labor Day Weekend...

(I'm the short one)

My husband and I




May 30, 2009 - My wedding dress was a size 14, I was a size 6 a year before this!
I have to admit, the dress hides it all very well :) From my wedding until Sept I gained 8 lbs!

Tues Sept 15, 09 "VLCD 2" 153.8 (back down to where I started!)

So I dropped 4.4 pounds on my first day, WOOHOO!  Everything I gained during loading! 
I added a packet of Splenda to my coffee.... I'm sorry, the Stevia is just plain NASTY in coffee!  Some people do well with Splenda, I'm determined to be one of them!  I can use Stevia in anything .... but COFFEE!  Don't mess with my coffee.  I can't handle it.  It's what makes or breaks the start of my day! 

For lunch I had the same as the day before (strawberry/grilled chicken salad).  It was wonderful. 

Night-time proved to be an issue.... why?  Because I went straight from work to the PTA meeting/Open House, then to the grocery store for my weekly family grocery shopping.  I walked in fine.  I walked out about in tears and STARVING!  Apparently just thinking of cooking even hamburger helper for the family threw me into starvation mode and I couldn't even bring myself to buy a box.  I've never cared about hamburger helper before!?   I got home and as QUICKLY as I could, baked some of the tasty flounder I had the night before.  I also boiled cabbage & seasoned it with everything I could think of.... I cut up an apple & sprinkled cinnamon & stevia on the apple and cooked it in the microwave for 1.5 minutes.... this meal was INCREDIBLE!  I felt 100 times better after eating it, although I'm thinking all of that cabbage may have caused me to retain water.  I went to bed with my hcg diet friendly "cream soda" and absolutely crashed. 

Long way to go from here, but I'm optimistic! 

Mon Sept 14, 09, "VLCD 1" 158.2 (down .4)

Monday morning I took my HCG drop with enthusiasm!  I took my salad to work, along with some apple cider vinegar and a half of a lemon (to use as dressing).  I drank my cup of coffee.... except sweetened with Stevia, and a little non-fat milk.  YUK!  ={  It was gross.... For lunch I ate my salad & realized Stevia isn't so bad on strawberries, in fact, it's just as good as sugar!  When I got home, I made my dinner -- baked flounder in chicken broth with Tony C.'s Creole Seasoning, Cilantro leaves, and red pepper, also with some squeezed lemon juice.  I steamed 4 stalks of asparagus with garlic powder, salt and lemon juice.  I also had one clementine orange.  I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty my lunch and dinner were!  = ]  Instead of my beloved glass of shiraz, I took my sparkling mineral water with vanilla creme liquid stevia drops to bed with me... it was like having a cream soda!  I was not hungry... ALL DAY LONG!  Great day number 1!!!

Sun Sept 13, 09 "Loading Day 2" 158.6 lbs (up 4.8!)

Stepped on the scale Sunday morning & was almost up 5 pounds!!!  HOLY COW!!!  =O 
I did what I was supposed to do and continued to load.  Just not as heavily.  ;)   I had a big meal at the mexican restaurant, cheese dip included!  I ate two more slices of cheesecake, and after that, just couldn't eat anymore!
Psyched myself up for the first "very low calorie day".... grilled 6 3.5 oz pieces of chicken and put them in the refrigerator in baggies.... made my lunch for the next day (grilled chicken and 5 cut up strawberries on top of spring mix salad) and had my last glass of Yellowtail Shiraz for the next (at least) 23 days.... you bet I savored every last sip! 

Sat Sept 12, 09 - "Loading Day 1" 153.8 lbs

So this diet calls for two "loading days" ... basically you eat all the fat you possibly can.  It's supposed to help jumpstart the diet, and help you to not be hungry later in the diet.  So I took my HCG drops Sat. morning, went grocery shopping for food items on the protocol with my best friend also starting the diet.  Then we went to Applebees & each had a gigantic appetizer sampler platter, AND a desert!  We also bought an entire cheesecake (Cheesecake Factory) to split... that's the most fattening thing I can think of!  I ate two slices of the cake and was so full I could barely move!  Later that night I went to dinner at the Japanese Steakhouse for my brother's birthday and couldn't eat but 5 pieces of sushi.  I was stuffed to the max!