R2 P3 Day #2

Doing great.  I feel really good today.  Although I still have a slight tickle in my throat.....this cold never really evolved into anything major.   Unfortuanately my husband and daughter haven't been as lucky.  I am completely convinced that eating healthy, taking my plethora of vitamins, and drinking lots of water is key to good health.  I am someone who ALWAYS got sick.  At least once a month I'd get a cold and or the flu.  I just thought that was normal.  I haven't really been truely "sick" for about 5 months now and I LOVE it! 

I really wish I had the money to buy all organic food.  The more I research the more I'm convinced it's the only way to go.  I read many articles that talk about that people could afford organic food if they stopped buying lattes and going out to eat all the time.  Well we have pretty much cut all the fat out of our budget as it is.  We go out to eat about once every other month.  We don't buy lattes, we don't have cable or ditigal tv.  I have a cell phone through my parent's "family plan" and my husband just uses his work cell phone.  We don't have any debt, we don't go on vacations, and I buy most of our clothes on crazy discounts or at thrift stores.  So I'm left feeling frustrated that I cannot afford to feed my family foods that I feel are important.  On the other hand we've elminated much of the garbage I used to buy.  I no longer buy chips or processed foods or sodas.  So we've come a long way from just 1 year ago.  Maybe someday organics will be within my reach.  For now I just need to do I can with what we've been given to keep my family healthy.

BEFORE and IN PROGRESS pictures

Round 2 Phase 3 Day #1

So I made a yummy breakfast today.  I took 2 eggs, added a couple TBS of water, a packet of splenda, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.  I whipped that up together using my immersion (sp?) blender and poured it into a heated nonstick skillet.  Then I took 2 TBS of softened cream cheese and added 1 packet of splenda and 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract.  I mixed it thoroughly w/ a spoon until creamy.  Next I took 1/4 cup of frozen berries, 1/8 cup of water, and 1 packet of splenda and cooked in a small saucepan on med high heat until it turned into a thick "sauce".  Once my "omlet" was done I spread on the cream cheese mixture and topped w/ the berry sauce.  Then I rolled it up like a crepe.  It was out of this world, delicious!!!  I'm so thankful to be into phase 3. 

Today I took my "in progress" pictures.  I'm going to try and scan my "before" pictures and then somehow incorporate them into a vlog for youtube.  Although I can see a big difference in both sets of pictures....it depressed me to see how much further I still need to go.  sigh

I suppose it's not about how fast I get to my goal, it's more important to just keep working toward my goal no matter how long it takes and eventually....eventually I'll be at my goal.   I'm also going to try and get a good workout in today while my husband is at work.  I HATE doing my workout videos while he's home because he makes silly comments and it distracts me.  lol

R2 VLCD #39

Lost .6 lbs today.  Figures I'd lose something after I stop the drops.  Whatever. 
My daughter has a nasty cough and I woke up w/ a very scratchy throat.  Joy.  I've read about lots of natural home remedies.  I really like the apple cider vinegar, lemon, raw honey, and cayenne pepper....but I can't have honey.....so for now I'm just going to gargle w/ cayenne water and hope for the best.  It feels SO much better than it did this morning. 
I have to babysit today and all I want to do is crawl back into bed.  I must be so tired due to my body fighting this cold.  I might be able to sneak in a small nap this afternoon after wyatt get's picked up and before the boys get off the bus.  We'll see.
I hope Bre is enjoying her loading meals.  =)

R2 VLCD #38

No change in weight....again.

I've made a decision to cut this round short by a couple days.  I will not be taking my drops today or tomorrow.  My 1st day of P3 will be Friday the 29th. 

I'm just mentally DONE right now.  I did a 6 week round, took a 3 week break and did another 5 1/2  week round and I can honestly say I'm done until Thanksgiving.  I'm thinking I may start just doing 3 week rounds.  I seem to lose 80% of my weight in the 1st 3 weeks anyway.  I know in the long run it'll take me a little bit longer to get to my goal weight, but mentally I don't know how much more I can handle.  I'm really jealous of those people who can lose all their weight in just one round.  I probably have at least 5-6 more to do. 

I hope you all don't see me as giving up.  This diet is really hard and I need a break so bad I can hardly stand it.  I did the best I possibly could .  I don't want anyone to feel like I'm letting them down.  =(

R2 VLCD #37

Nothing on the scale today.  bummer  =(

I'm suprised....it's the 1st time I haven't lost anything after a detox bath.  Oh well.  I'm so close to 50 lbs I can taste it and yet my body just doesn't seem to want to cooperate.  At this point I think stressing about it isn't going to do anyone any good.  I just need to go with the flow and be thankful that I've come as far as I have.  4 more days of drops, 6 more diet days and then I can relax and enjoy Phase 3. 

R2 VLCD #36

Not much to report today.  No gain, no loss. 

R2 VLCD #35

I lost that .6 that I gained yesterday as well as an additional .4 lbs making my new low 225.4 and 46 pounds GONE.  I'm inching closer and closer to 50 lbs. 

Yesterday was a good day.   A good friend of mine took me out to coffee and then to a movie.   We laughed a lot and enjoyed every minute away from the husband's and kids.  It's so rare to get away w/ out them.  It was much needed. 

I think today we're going to be doing a lot of painting.  There are a few little things we need to fix in the living room, and then we're working our way up the stairs and into the hallway. 

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday.♥

R2 VLCD #34

Well I gained back that .6 of a pound that I lost yesterday.  Grrr
I'm not really sure why...although i have a few theories.  I ran a ton of errands yesterday and started craving a Diet Dr. Pepper.  I ended up going to Arby's and getting a large diet dr. pepper.  Then last night my daughter was up every 30-45 minutes throwing up.  So I kept getting up w/ her and cleaning up the messes she kept making.  I followed the protocol to a T yesterday, minus the soda....so who knows.  Apparently my body is really fighting losing 50 lbs before the end of this round.  Grrr!!!!

On a fun note, a friend of mine is taking me out for my birthday today.  We're going to go get coffee (i'll be ordering drip and i'll be bringing along some choc. rasp. stevia) and then we're going to go shopping and then off to see a movie.  I'm going to bring along a baggie of cooked diced chicken and celery w/ me to eat during the movie. 

I'm really getting excited to start P3.  I want to start exercising and toning my muscles.  I think working out now that I've lost 45 lbs is going to be a whole lot easier. 

Hope you all have a lovely Saturday♥

 

R2 VLCD #33

Woke up to a .6 lb loss today.

45.6 lbs lost total

I'm feeling really good.  I sauteed some cabbage and chicken last night in some coconut oil and braggs amino acids....it was DELICIOUS!  I'll be having that again for lunch today, mmmmmm!

New VLOG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cikLAGXiKuI

R2 VLCD #32

I have to say I about passed out when I looked at the scale today.  I got on like 10 times to make sure it was right.  It said I lost 2 full pounds since yesterday!!!!!!   Yahoo!!!!!!  That helps make up for all those days I lost NOTHING.  I'm now officially down 45 lbs, 50 lbs here I come!

R2 VLCD #31

The scale FINALLY moved today.  I dropped a pound, putting me back to where I was at my lowest weight so far since starting HCG.  228.4 lbs
I have 7 more lbs to go to hit 50 lbs lost. 

I'm starting to get sick, which has me a bit frustrated.  My glands are swollen and my throat is sore.  I'm hoping that eating clean and taking my supplements will help nip this before it turns into something worse. 

Stay strong girlies.♥

R2 VLCD #30

No loss today.  sigh   I'm hanging tough though and am not quitting.  I'll tell you what......the fish crackers, apple bars, and kettle corn were SOO not worth this stall.  =( 

I've made a deal w/ myself that when I hit 50 lbs lost I'm going to get my hair done.  I'm going to get it styled and dyed and highlighted.  I haven't had my hair done professionally EVER!  I've had highlights done a couple times, but never ever styled.  I'm so excited!!!!!  7 more lbs to go!

ETA:  I meant 8 more lbs to go!!!  Ooops I forgot I gained a pound a few days ago.  Grrrr

R2 VLCD #29

Dr. Simeons wrote in Pounds and Inches that cheating can cause a 3 day stall.  I didn't lose anything today.  Oh well, I knew I cheated badly, so this stall was completely expected.  I'm going to stay the course, and stick to protocol 100% through the end of this round.    I suppose it's life.  We mess up, we ALL mess up....but what counts is getting back up and trying again.  Not giving up.  Not losing sight of your goals.  I think that's always been my downfall.  I'll do great, then mess up and then give up.  I'm not giving up.  I'm not quitting.  I had a weak moment and I will pay for it.  Erica is no longer a quitter.  Erica is no longer a person who will let food run her life.  Erica is strong.  Erica can win this battle with her weight.

I feel spoiled

This afternoon my husband took me to the Fashion Bug in spokane, since the one here in CdA is gone.  They had some super cute pea coats on sale for $39 regularly $69.  I bought one last year, but it's two sizes too big and looks really sloppy.  I was able to buy my new coat in an XL instead of my usual 2X or 3X sizes, yay!!  It's slightly snug, but by the end of my 2nd round and then a short round before Christmas it'll fit perfectly.  It's a black and grey plaid, I LOVE ITAs we were leaving Fashion Bug a really really large lady walked past us and my 5 yr old son said, "Apparently that lady needs to go on a strict diet like you, mom."!    EEEEK!!!!!  Luckily the woman didn't hear him.   Needless to say, Benjamin took him outside and explained why saying such things can really hurt people's feelings.  Even if what you say happens to be true.
Then we went to JCPenny.  I had a 20% off coupon I wanted to use to get my oldest son some socks and undershirts.  We ended up just browsing the store and we found ourselves in the kitchen dept.  They had the large 7 cup cuisinart food processor on sale for $99 regularly $149.  So I was able to get another $20 off making it basically $80.  Woohoo!  Hubby went ahead and bought it for me for my birthday since he won't be here to celebrate with me.  He'll be out of town managing the setting up of the Christmas displays at the remaining Home Depots. 
Anyway with the new coat and my food processor I'm feeling like one very spoiled girl.  =)

R2 VLCD #28

Well yesterday was supposed to be an apple day.  I ended up being a moron and not following the diet at all.  =(    Saturday's tend to be my hardest days to stay strong.  Dang it!  I started off doing great.  I had an apple in the morning and one again around lunch time.  When we got home from green bluff I ended up eating some chicken.  Then later I had 2 apple crumb bars, 3 handfulls of goldfish crackers, and 2 handfulls of kettle corn.  UGH!  How the heck am I ever going to get to my goal if I can't stay on course?  I was shocked I only gained a pound today.  I thought for sure I'd be up 17.6 lbs or something like that.  haha

Seriously though, I need to get my head in the game and finish out this round on a strong note.  I have 12 more days of drops and 14 more days of VLCD.  I wish this 2nd round wasn't so much harder than the 1st round was. 

I can do this, I can do this, I CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

R2 VLCD #27

No weight loss today, phooey!!!  We're off to Green Bluff to go pick some apples.  Might as well turn today into an apple day.  I do really enjoy some of the rare varieties up at the farms.  Now I can eat a few apples with the kids while we're there. 

R2 VLCD #27

My mini steak day was a success.....or maybe it's because my 2nd TOM is FINALLY FREAKING OVER WITH!!!!!!!!!  Either way I woke up to a 1.4lb loss.  So I'm actually down .4 lbs from my lowest since I gained a lb last week.  Yay!  I'm now down a total of 43 lbs.  I REALLY want to be down a minimum of 50 lbs by the end of this round and my last dosage day is the 29th of Oct.  So I have another 7 lbs to lose in 14 days.  fingers crossed

R2 VLCD#26

Another goose egg for me.  It's been almost a week!!  UGH!  I don't think I can bring myself to do another apple day.  blech

R2 VLCD #25

No change on the scale today, not an ounce.  Phooey!  CURSE YOU TOM!!!

HCG Round 2 VLCD #24 RECIPES

R2 VLCD #24

Only lost a few ounces since yesterday.  I drank a little over a gallon of water and steered clear of the salt.  It's my mom's bday today, so the kids and I are going out to get her a gift and then I'm going to go visit w/ her a while.  I'm anxious to see the scale really start moving in the right direction again. 

Emergency Room

Got a call from my mom at 4pm today.  She was crying and asked me to come and pick her up and take her to the hospital.  Apparently her abdomen hurt so bad she couldn't walk.  It's been almost 2 hrs and the Dr.'s still don't have any idea what's causing her pain.  I feel so bad for her!  Tomorrow is her birthday, well happy freaking birthday, huh?  My high stress is making me want to eat anything and everything.   I haven't cheated and wont' cheat.  I'm going to continue drinking my water.  
ETA:  Just got a call from my father.  He said that my mom is passing a kidney stone.  So in the scheme of things, she's just fine.  They have her on some heavy duty pain meds until the stone passes. 

R2 VLCD #23

Today is just not my day.  I just typed out a super long blog and then my computer stopped working and I lost all my info. 

Quick recap.  I hopped on the scale this morning and didn't quite get an accurate read out because the kids were banging on the door to use the restroom.  It looks like I gained between 3 and 4 lbs!!  I know I drank less than half of my normal water intake yesterday AND I totally oversalted my food.  I don't know why but I've been craving salt like a crazy person.  I need to get on the scale again after my kids are done w/ their baths.  I don't know what I should do today.  Up my water back to 4 liters and cut way back on the salt?  Apple day?  Steak day?  Grrrr!!!!!

Then I saw a gal who subscribed to me of youtube waaay back when I made a couple vlogs when I joined the gym commented on my latest video .  She basically said things like everyother person says when they don't take the time to research this diet say.  I don't even know how to respond, or if I even should respond. 

Good news, the kids are no longer getting sick.  So hopefully that ship has sailed.  I just need to figure out how to get this sudden weight gain to go away and  never come back.  I'll have to research and ask some HCG pro's out there and see what they have to say.

ETA:
I was able to get back on the scale to see what exactly I had gained.  1.8 lbs, so not as bad as I had thought it was.  WHEW!  I'm going to make sure I get my gallon of water in today and will take a detox bath this evening before bed. 

R2 VLCD#22

No gain, no loss today.  That's ok. 

Two of my 3 kids have been barfy today and now i'm starting to get a slight stomach ache.  Hoping I don't end up getting sick too. 

R2 VLCD #21

Down another .6 lbs today.  Yay!  Not much else to report.  I feel really good.  Hunger has pretty much completely vanished and I'm drinking between 3 and 4 liters of water a day.  Today we're going to be continuing the work on the house.  Sooooo much to do.  sigh

Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!♥

Newest Youtube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orIemhD5AEc

R2 VLCD #20

Overall things are going well.  Lost .8 lbs today. Putting me in the 220's (yay!) and also putting me at a total of 42 lbs lost.  I also took my measurements today and have lost 44  3/4 inches.  I'm really having to force myself to drink my water.  I'm getting it all down, but when it's chilly out it's so much harder. 

Stay strong girls, we can do this!

FOOD

I came SOOOO close to cheating today.  I had made my kids some peanutbutter chocolate chip cookies yesterday and today I transfered what was left on the plate into a ziplock bag.  They smelled SO FREAKING GOOD!  I thought to myself.....what harm would one cookie do?  I picked it up and smelled it.  It was soft, just the way I like my cookies.  Chewy and soft.  mmmmm    Anyway as I thought about how good the cookie would taste I realized that once I started there would be no way I could just stop at one.  I knew I'd eat the remaining 6 cookies within 2.8 seconds.  Then I'd feel sick, and even worse, I'd feel guilty.  PLUS I know that would cause a crazy stall and or gain.  Niether of which is getting me closer to my 50lb goal I want to get to within the next 2 weeks.  UGH! 
I don't know why we are so addicted to food.  What is it that causes such deep emotions within us?  I was feeling sorry for myself again today and was bummed at how little variety there is in this diet during phase 2.  Esp considering I can't stand beef or seafood.  Then I thought of people from other countries who are on the brink on starvation.  How they eat pretty much the same thing day in and day out and they are thankful.  Can you imagine how thrilled they'd be if they had even the little variety we have during phase 2?  They'd be over the moon with all of it.  Yet here I am, ticked.  Mad that I've allowed myself to get fat so that I'm now forced to do this crazy diet. 

I go back and forth I guess.  I'm shocked that this diet works as well as it does.  Like I was telling Cindy earlier this week.  This diet is easy.  Esp since they don't encourage any crazy exercising.  It's simple, the rules are easy to understand.  It's easy.  Mentally this diet is HARD!!!  You're forced to face all your food demons.  You're forced to look inside yourself and see what caused you to get to this point in your life.  Mentally this diet is awful.  There are good days and bad days.  For the most part the longer you're on it, the easier it gets.  Now and again (like today) you have a moment where you feel so weak.  You're cravings become so very strong.  You start to think crazy thoughts and feel sorry for yourself. 

I'm happy to report that I didn't cheat.  I put the cookie down, I changed my attitude, and I forced myself to do something outside of the kitchen. 

What is it about food that has us so addicted? 

R2 VLCD #19

Lost .6 lbs today, putting me at 230.2 lbs.  I should be definitely in the 220's within the next day or two at the very most.  Yay!! 

I've had a bad back for years.  For some reason my back and knees have really been bothering me lately.  I'm wondering if losing weight is causing things to shift and that's what's causing the soreness.  Any thoughts? 

All last night I could hear the trains coming and going out of post falls.  The horns are SOO loud!  I'm such a light sleeper that I wake up each time one blows it's horn.  Then my son woke up and threw up.  Needless to say I'm exhausted today.  Usually when I get poor sleep I tend not to lose much weight the next day, so I was suprised to have a .6 lb loss. 

My goal for this 2nd round was to get to a 50lb loss by my birthday.  Well it's 2 weeks away and I have another 8.8 lbs to lose by then.  I'm not sure if I'll make that goal, but I'm going to give it my best. 

R2 VLCD #18

Lost .6 lbs today.  40.6 lbs lost so far.  Getting SUPER close to being in the 220's! 

I didn't sleep very well last night.  I kept hearing weird noises and it was freaking me out.  Despite bad sleep I feel very upbeat and happy today.  I'm getting a bit hungry so I think I'm going to get a bowl of sliced strawberries sprinkled w/ a packet of truvia (stevia).  Yum! 

I got my Idaho driver's license today, and the picture turned out great!  I was so excited!  What a huge difference from my last picture. 

Hope you all have a great day!♥

R2 VLCD #17

FINALLY!  Dropped .8 lbs today, putting me at EXACTLY 40 lbs lost.  WHEW!  I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever get there.  YAY!
My steak day yesterday went great.  I felt good all day long.  My next goal in to get into the 220's .  =)

R2 VLCD #16

I never did get to weigh in yesterday and today I got on and lost NOTHING!  Zilch, zero, nadda.  Dang it!  I'm wondering if I'm at an old setpoint.  I've read a lot about people who hit old weight setpoints they'd been at for a length of time.  Like maybe I weighed this same amount years ago and stayed here for months and kind of "locked" in this weight.  It can be a bit of a pisser to move past.  I'm going to try a detox bath this evening and do an apple day today.  I've been teetering on the ege of 40 lbs for too long and it's making me go crazy. 
ETA:  Actually deceided to try a mini steak day.  Hope it helps break this stall.  =)

R2 VLCD #15

I have no idea what I weigh today.  We went to the early service at church and my husband didn't wake me up when the alarm went off.  It was a rush as soon as I woke up at 6:30 to get the kids fed, dressed, hair done etc etc.  Then we ran some errands and didn't get back home until noon.  I ate an apple and drank water while we were out and about. 

Last night was hard for me.  The family wanted pizza. So we went to papa murphy's and got pizza and cookie dough.  I ate my chicken and asparagus while they chowed down on all the yummy stuff.  Grrrrr
This would be SOO much easier if I didn't have to prepare my family their food.  lol     No fair!

On a good note, while we were out shopping my husband commented on how horrible my jeans looked (since they're so baggy) and that totally made my day.  =)  My new jeans are already getting too big.  I'm back in the inbetween sizes again.  Looking forward to getting into the next size.  =)

R2 VLCD #14

Down .2 lbs today.  I figured after my 1.8 lb loss yesterday that today would be pretty small.  I don't seem to lose big two days in a row.  Oh well.  So 39.2 lbs down now.  Inching closer to 40 lbs.  Lots of deep house cleaning to do today.  Then we're taking the kiddos to Chuck-E-Cheese's to play and then off to go buy a curtian rod.  Exciting day, huh?  =)

Updated YouTube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1AHITKrN9k

R2 VLCD #13

TOM must officially be over because I lost 1.8 lbs this morning!!!!!  I had to get on the scale like 5 times to make sure I wasn't missing something.  YAY!  I'm now at 232.4 lbs and have lost 39 lbs.  I'm soo freaking close to losing 40!  I can hardly believe it!  If I could do cart wheels I would be doing them right now.  lol