Start 199.8

Day 2 202.4 (Load +2.6)

Day 3 206.6 (Load +4.2)   Good CRIMENY!!!

Day 4 203.4 (-3.2)

Day 5 201.2 (-2.2)

Day 6 199.8 (-1.4)

Day 7 199.4 (-0.4)

Day 8 198.0 (-1.4)

Day 9 199.4 (+1.4)

Day 10 198.8 (-0.6)

Total Lost 1.0 lbs

I was confusing myself with the format I was using on counting my days.  So I've redone it.  I will say this......if someone had told me that I would only be 1 lb down after 10 days of HCG, I'd be livid.  Well here I am and I am not upset.  I am actually ok with it and this is why.  Considering all the weight that I gained on my load days and a huge cheat that I did earlier this week.

The family and I were spending a day of shopping and running errands in the big city.  It was getting late and time to go home.  Wife and kids were hungry so they wanted to stop somewhere.  Wife was more than willing to find a place that would work on my diet (there is no such place).  As we discussed it, I was staring at a large Outback Steakhouse sign.  It is my favorite restaurant.  I gave into the craving and rationalized on a small steak and plain steamed veggy.  By the time we got inside, I was smelling the aussie cheese fries (my favorite treat in the world).  The mighty Nate has fallen.  I made it through the entire 40 day protocol earlier this year without a single cheat.  Can't say that this time.  I ended up eating the cheese fries, a delicious salad smothered in ranch, a modest 6oz sirloin steak and steamed broccoli.  It was then topped off with sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting.  Sooooo........is that cheating?   hahahaha

Do I regret it?  Actually, no.  It felt so delicious and comforting.  I wish I had more will power.  It set me back a bit, but not forever.  I'm already back on track and doing fine.  I paid the price and am moving forward.

VLCD Day #4

Start weight 199.8

Day #1 206.6 (+6.8 Sheeeeesh)

Day #2 203.4 (-3.2)

Day #3 201.2 (-2.2)

Day #4 199.8 (-1.4)

Total Lost 0

The numbers over the last 3 days are impressive.  A little overshadowed by 0 for total lost.  Thats what you get when you gain 7 lbs during loading.

I did go on a pretty intense mountain bike ride yesterday morning.  Felt a little weak half way through, but otherwise great.  I do want to do slightly more exercise this time around to see if it will help keep the losses up.

I also have a friend who has been asking questions about the diet.  He will not do it with hcg.  Despite my warnings he wants to prove that it is just the VLCD creating the weightloss and that hcg is just a placebo effect.  He's been doing well for about 3 days now.  He has been eating only meat and veggies with no carbs and probably more realistically around 1000 calories.  He's hungry all the time.

VLCD Day #3

Start weight 199.8

VLCD Day #1 206.6 (+6.8 Sheeeeesh)

VLCD Day #2 203.4 (-3.2)

VLCD Day #3 201.2 (-2.2)

Total Lost +1.4lbs

A little frustrating to know that with 2 great losses, I'm still only losing the load day weight.  Doesn't really count, ya know?

VLCD Day #2

Start weight 199.8

VLCD Day #1 206.6 (+6.8 Sheeeeesh)

VLCD Day #2 203.4 (-3.2)

Total Lost +3.6lbs

I cannot believe that I gained nearly 7lbs on my loading days.  I almost threw up all over the stinkin scale when I saw that.  Doesn't help the fact that I was stuffed to the max anyway.  But I survived.  I can honestly say that I didn't eat nearly as much this time around as I did on my load days the first time.  Kinda funny how I only gained 2 lbs back then and 7 this time.  At least half of it is already gone, now for the other half.

Had the slight headache through the second half of the day yesterday.  So far today I'm doing just fine.  I wasn't hungry all day yesterday.  

11am

an apple   

5:30pm

100g grilled chicken breast with Mrs. Dash

3oz of lettuce smothered in vinegar/seasonings

11pm

100g cottage cheese

apple

Drank about 1 gallon of water throughout the day.

Thats it!

Loaded & Ready

Round 2

Start weight 199.8

Load day #1 203.0

Just finished load day #2.  My start weight for this round is 199.8.  After load day #1 I ballooned to 203.o.  I am dreading what the result will be tomorrow.  I hate seeing anything back over 200 lbs.  Thank goodness it will only last a day or 2 then it's down under 200 forever.  

UPDATE!!!!

My apologies for the delay.  It has been nearly a month of extreme business.  I have been so involved in other projects that my updates on blogging and youtube have been nil.  Fret not for I am still here.

I returned to a normal diet after stabilization several weeks ago.  As you already know, I seemed to lock in about a 7-8 lb gain when I cheated horribly during the first 1-2 weeks of stabilization.  I have held steady at that "gain/loss".  I have sat rock solid at 200lbs.  Yes, I gained back some weight, but the good part is that despite periods of junk food festivities, I've maintained.

I will be starting another phase of hcg.  My goal for this round will be 175lbs.  My wife's birthday is Sunday, so I will be celebrating with her and calling that a load day.  I'm thinking Sunday and Monday will be load days and Tuesday will start VLCD.  I already have my hcg and other supplies.  Wish me luck and thank you for the support.

A day in the life

It has been a couple of weeks.  Everything is going fine.  I have managed to keep my weight pretty steady since my bumpy road.  I now fluctuate about 3-4 lbs over what I ended on the protocol.  I am happy with the fact that I'm maintaining where I'm at.

As I've mentioned, there is another round of hcg on my horizon.  I'm looking at a start time of around the 3rd week of April.  My goal for the next round will be 175 lbs.  That will require a 20 lb loss from where I am now.  Totally attainable based on my track record.  Boy I sure am looking forward to that.

Just about everyone I know is inquiring and doing hcg now.  Kinda funny how it is taking the world by storm.  I don't even think I could count all the people I know that are doing it now.  I get them coming up to me on a daily basis now asking about how I did it and what they can do to be a part.  Now I am also learning tricks and tidbits from their experiences in addition to my own.  This has been fun and I'm looking forward to what the next chapter will bring.

Since losing 30 lbs, I have picked up my exercise/activity level and plan on keeping it up.  Running is so much easier than I can ever remember.  I went for a run yesterday and was speechless when I finished and wasn't wishing for death.  I am getting an introductory glimpse into the way runners feel when they actually start doing it for the enjoyment.  That has always been so foreign to me.  I've only ever run for stamina and weight loss.  Now I might be able to start enjoying it.

Update

I have been pretty discouraged as you can probably tell over the weight I gained over the vacation.  I just received my most recent shipment of hcg this week and was intent on starting again very soon. 

New plan......I am going to use the next 4-6 weeks to eat right and exercise regularly.  I want to shed these pounds I gained without hcg.  Once I am back down to my LIW, it will be cause for celebration.  I'm doing well so far.  My running is going great with the beautiful weather outside.  I'm sore everyday because of my weight training.  I am not weighing myself everyday because it plays games with your mind when you're not on hcg.  I have lost 2 lbs of the gain so far and am happy about that.  

Stay tuned because my next round of hcg will put me into the 170's.  I will be thinner and healthier than I've ever been in my life.  Lovin it!!

Reality Check

I have gained a few pounds back through  no other fault than my own.  That trip last week was really bad for dieting.  I really didn't think much about it while I was gone so I enjoyed the trip.  It was only once I got home that I really started holding myself accountable.  I didn't want to weigh myself because I knew there would be a gain.  During the vacation I found myself eating exactly how I always have and what got me to the fat stage in the first place.  

Since getting home, I've done very well with keeping up my exercise.  I've picked up the distance in my running and begun weight training again.  I haven't done as much with the diet as I should.  I have cut back the sheer volume of food but not quality.  I had 2.5 slices of Pizza Hut pizza last night.  It's bad that I had pizza but good that I only had 2.5 slices.  In my "previous life" I could have easily consumed 6 slices.  So you can kinda see where I'm coming from.  I've told myself that I will not slip back into old habits.  I am not going to be too hard on myself because all that does is make me miserable.  Instead, today is a new day.  It's beautiful outside so I gotta go do some light cardio.  I will watch more closely what I eat and stay with lean protein and complex carbs.  I will keep the sugar to a minimum.  Thats a really hard part because I have such a sweet tooth.  My portions will remain reasonable.  I will eat slowly and consciously to prevent the overeating.  

Starting today I am going to track everything that I'm eating.  I will track my calories and ensure that I'm not consuming stupidly high numbers.  I may post those numbers here if it doesn't bore you to death.

I know you're wanting to know, so here it is.  My weight now after such a folly filled week +:

LIW 192.8

Current 198.4

A gain of nearly 6 lbs in just over a week.  Unacceptable and "like early stages of some cancers" CORRECTABLE if addressed NOW.

Tomorrow will tell

I was on vacation all this last week.  We departed last Monday and just returned home today.  It was a week full of festivities and dining out.  I BLEW it as far as any dieting goes.  I ended my stabilization phase a week early knowing that this week was coming.  

I feel like crap.  The only thing that has kept me together is that my wife tells me that I am still skinny.  I don't feel it.  In fact, I'm scared of what my weight will be in the morning.  I have probably gained 8-10 lbs over this week.  If so, I'm kicking my own #*($.  I have already promised myself that I will eat healthy for the next 3 weeks, then its on to my next round of HCG.  Next stop, 175 lbs.

On a good note, we stopped at the outlet mall on the way home from our trip.  I had to buy 2 new belts because my old ones don't fit anymore.  I also brought a pair of my regular jeans on the trip.  When I tried them on, the were just HUGE.  Not even a belt was gonna work.  This particular pair of jeans are gonna have to officially retire.  Maybe I'll take a pic of how big they are on me and let you be the judge.  It's pretty funny.

Status Quo

Everything is still going fine.  I've been maintaining within the 2 lb limit for over 2 weeks now.  I am actually considering today my last day of stabilization because the family and I are going on a week long vacation starting tomorrow and I don't want to be diet restricted during the vacation.  I will still be more cautious.

I plan on doing my next round pretty soon.  I've already ordered the HCG and will find a good spot to begin another round.

This diet is a miracle.  It has worked amazingly well for me.  It is also working great for everyone that I know who is doing it as a result of seeing my success.  It's contagious, and more importantly, its for real.

Still stabilizing

I just got home from a 3 day business trip out of state.  It was extremely difficult to remain on a protein only diet when I had obscene peer pressure from friends/colleagues.  I did ok.  I did end up having a small bowl of soup that had about 10 pasta shells in it.  I also had a small gelato.  Shame on me.  Now I'm sure I will have to be doing some extra dieting over the next several days to knock myself back in line.

I'll weigh myself in the morning to see just how much damage was done.  Shame on me.

A day during stabilization

I am about 5 days into stabilization. So far I've managed to stay under the 2 lb gain limit but not by much. I'm up about 1.5 lbs from my last injection weight. I'm not panicking but I am growing concerned. I'm afraid the steak day may be in my future.

I've been eating in a way that has brought some guilt along. I think I've done pretty well at avoiding the starches and the sugars. Dr. Simeon says you can eat "anything you please" except starches and sugars. I've done just that by consuming lots of meats, eggs, nuts, cheeses and sugar free jello/pudding. I originally thought it was going to be very difficult building menus in this phase because you are left on your own unlike the very structured diet on hcg. Once I started fixing "eggy" and "cheesy" breakfasts it got pretty yummy pretty quick. I also found out that it can be quite a challenge to find foods without starch or sugar.

The question I ask is this...... If a food item has "trace" amounts of sugar or things like modified food starch or potato starch is it a big no no? I'll read the label and find these listed way down at the bottom. The nutritional facts will say 0 carbs or "less than 2%". I have been using a few things that list those and I'm wondering if I'm screwing things up. I will NOT allow myself to regain beyond 2 lbs so I am really addressing this right now to prevent any future battles.

Can I eat cheese? Block cheese seems to be just fine but shredded cheese has those trace amounts of starch. I've heard some people say you shouldn't have cheese at all, but don't you think Simeon would've addressed that if it were true? I read somewhere to stay away from the "sweetest fruits". Is that true? I can't find where I read it but I know it isn't in the manuscript. I love oranges and eat them often and can't imagine them being bad since I had them through hcg. Are bananas ok?

I am regularly eating sugar free pudding to calm any sweet tooth. I've come to love the sweetness of the pudding. Just as good as regular if you ask me. Is this ok?

So if an experienced person has any input, please chime in.

Last injection weight was 192.8. Current weight: 194.2

VLCD Day #42

Starting weight: 222.0
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading)
Day #2 221.0 (-1)
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8)
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Day #36 195.6 (000000) Apple Day

Day #37 193.4 (-2.2)

Day #38 193.8 (+0.4)

Day #39 193.8 (000000)

Day #40 193.0 (-0.8)

Day #41 192.6 (-0.4)

Day #42 192.0 (-0.6)

Total Lost 30 lbs

Nothing quite like accomplishing a goal. My goal was 30 lbs and I hit it realistically with one day to spare. Talk about cutting it close. So here I am 30 lbs lighter. How does it feel? Well, pretty awesome I must say. As I've mentioned before, everything is fitting so loosely on me now. I need to get some of my more important clothes taylored. I'm thinkin when I lose the next 15 lbs I will go do some clothes shopping. I figure by that time I will only have one pair of jeans that will fit me. Get this, that pair of jeans are pegged at the ankle. What does that tell you? I haven't worn those things since high school (the big 80's). I actually looked in a box and see that I still have some acid wash jeans too. How funny is that? Don't worry, I will not be wearing them and getting those looks from passerbys. Speaking of....Remember these????

So, I am considering doing a 2nd round in a couple of months. When I started I figured that 190lbs would be an ideal weight for me. Now that I am here, I realize that I can stand to lose a few more. My new goal? 175lbs. I figure with that final 15lbs gone I should be able to see my abs. As I sit right now, that is just not the case. So stay tuned for round 2 in a couple of months. Don't worry, I'll still be doing updates between now and then about stabilization and life after HCG.

VLCD Day #41

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Day #36 195.6 (000000) Apple Day

Day #37 193.4 (-2.2)

Day #38 193.8 (+0.4)

Day #39 193.8 (000000)

Day #40 193.0 (-0.8)

Day #41 192.6 (-0.4)

Total Lost 29.4 lbs

VLCD Day #40

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Day #36 195.6 (000000) Apple Day

Day #37 193.4 (-2.2)

Day #38 193.8 (+0.4)

Day #39 193.8 (000000)

Day #40 193.0 (-0.8)

Total Lost 29.0 lbs

VLCD Day #39

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Day #36 195.6 (000000) Apple Day

Day #37 193.4 (-2.2)

Day #38 193.8 (+0.4)

Day #39 193.8 (000000)

Total Lost 28.2 lbs

One more shot to go.  My body is just as stubborn as ever.  Today and tomorrow are going to be perfect days to see if we can get to the 30 lb mark before stabilization.  That's my goal.  Not that I haven't been perfect up to this point.  It's just that after every single day I try to evaluate if I could have been better.  Inevitably I always think that I could have.  The biggest thing is that I've been doing this diet for so long now that I've pretty much gotten out of the habit of weighing my food.  I've felt that I have a grasp on how much I can eat.  That, I guess, is something that I can "improve" on.  So for the next 2 days I am going to treat things as if it is day 1 and 2 of VLCD.

VLCD Day #38

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Day #36 195.6 (000000) Apple Day

Day #37 193.4 (-2.2)

Day #38 193.8 (+0.4)

Total Lost 28.2 lbs

So I gained 0.4 back after that 2.2 loss from the apple day.  I guess I'm ok with that since I just did my measurements today and they were good.  Check this out.

             Start     Now

Neck      17.5      16.5      -1

Chest      46.5      43.5      -3

Dunlop      45        40         -5

Waist      38.5       36      -2.5

Thigh      25.75      24      -1.75

VLCD Day #37

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Day #36 195.6 (000000) Apple Day

Day #37 193.4 (-2.2)

Total Lost 28.6 lbs

Apple Days are funny.  I think they are a facade because all you're doing is dehydrating your body.  The whole fat thing hasn't changed, just the scale.  But I don't care, it still makes me feel better.  So I did the apple day yesterday.  The first time I did one, I was somewhat amazed at how easy it was.  This time?  Not so easy.  I don't know why but with each apple I got nauseous.  So I only made it through 3 of the 6 apples.  So the last thing I had to eat was an apple at about 2pm.  Nothing for the rest of the day.  My lips got chapped, I got thirsty and had just a couple of drinks of water to quench the thirst just as Simeon prescribes.

I'll tell you what was hard last night.  My wife and I went on a date.  Because of our 2 small kids we don't get to do that very often at all.  This date was a treat.  We went and saw Jerry Seinfeld live.  It was a terrific show.  The hard thing was trying to go on a date without a meal involved.  It felt sooo wrong.  Right after the show ended it was about 9:30pm.  Both of us were hungry and I wanted nothing more than to go and enjoy a nice meal together.  I kept thinking about Outback Steakhouse and those cheese fries.  I was thinking that this was the perfect  time to go because  they wouldn't be crowded at 9:30.  I told my wife that I wanted to cheat.  She said NO WAY YOU'RE CHEATING THIS FAR INTO THE PROGRAM.  Thank goodness for my wife.  She kept me sane.  We just made the pleasant drive home, I had another sip of water and we retired for the night.  Another day DONE!

VLCD Day #36

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Day #36 195.6 (000000)

Total Lost 26.4 lbs

Even though it hasn't been 4-6 days of plateau like addressed in the protocol, I am doing an apple day today.  I am almost at the end of HCG and don't have time to screw around waiting for 4-6 days of plateau to occur.  Soooo, the joys of extreme apple consumption are mine.  Every time my results are less than stellar, I avoid making a vlog on youtube.  In the beginning my entries both here and there were slanted toward negativity and I don't want that because ultimately this has been the best thing I've ever done.  I am 195 lbs and will never ever ever see 200+ lbs again.

VLCD Day #35

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Day #35 195.6 (-0.6)

Total Lost 26.4 lbs

For quite a few nights I'm sure I will be having nightmares with the numbers .4 & .6 recurring over and over and over and over and over and over.  Turns out I should just be known as the "1/2 lb guy".  I can shed 1/2 lb daily on this diet no problem......ask me for anything more and I can't make any promises.

VLCD Day #34

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Day #34 196.2 (-0.2)

Total Lost 25.8 lbs

When I first started this program I knew that I would go the entire way without cheating.  So far I've been right.  I also knew that I'd lose close to 40 lbs in the 40 days.  So far I haven't been right.  I've concluded that there is just no way that is going to happen.  I figure the revised goal is gonna be 34 lbs.  Thats the maximum that Dr. Simeon wanted to see in any 1 round anyway.  So that means I need to reach 189 lbs in 9 days.  8.2 lbs in 9 days.  With my track record I think even that will be amazingly tough to reach.  I'm shootin for it though.

I now see the light at the end of the tunnel.  6 more days of injections and 3 after that for HCG elimination.  Then its on to stabilization.  I'm excited for my menu to broaden and to be able to consume a bit more food throughout the day.

VLCD Day #33

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Day #33 196.4 (-1.4)

Total Lost 25.6 lbs

I'm really thinking that I may have found what it is the has continually plagued my losses.  I keep bringing it up, but I really think it is the sodium.  So for the rest of the protocol I am LOW SODIUM.  

I went for a brisk walk yesterday.  What a great experience.  As I was walking I was realizing that there sure was a lot less jiggling than what I was used to.  About half way through I decided that I needed some more intensity....So I ran.  I didn't run far, probably only 1/2 mile because I made it home.  The cool part is how I felt as I ran.  Again, there was a huge difference in jiggling.  Also, my legs just felt so much better.  I seriously felt lighter and it was wonderful.  My run actually felt quite effortless.  The only exertion that I even felt was in my lungs.  No leg pain at all.  It was awesome.  

So the 2 changes I have made recently that I wish I had used from day 1 are no sodium and some cardio.  Thats what seems to be working for me.

VLCD Day #32

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Total Lost 24.2 lbs

Boy, I guess .4 lbs is my number.  It seems to be the one that shows up the most often.  I frequently think that .5 is actually my number.  The reason I say that is because my scale is digital and only reads in .2 increments.  Frequently when its a .4 loss, the scale is jumping back and forth between a .4 and a .6 so I think that its actually a .5 loss.  Does that sound like I'm justifying every 10th of a pound that I can get?

The last couple of days I've really focused on trying to keep the sodium down.  I've stopped adding salt to my meals.  The only sodium that I'm getting now is usually from salsa.  I'm still consuming a ton of cabbage.  It's really the only vegetable on the diet that I actually enjoy eating.  I'm really surprised I haven't gotten sick of it yet.  My typical meal is now cooked cabbage with salsa mixed in and some sort of meat whether its steak, ground beef, chicken or fish.  I eat less of the fish than anything else.  Not because I don't like fish.  I love white fish.  The reason I don't eat it more often is because 100g of fish seems like soooo little.  I get so much more satisfaction out of the beef and chicken.  When I'm done eating 100g of fish, it seems like I barely got anything.  Kinda sucks really because I do like it and I have a ton of it in the freezer.  I occasionally put a green salad in there.  Green salads are just ok.  The only dressing option is a home made vinegarette which really isn't that good.  If you are venturing on this diet you're gonna notice some real common staples especially if you use the T Skye cookbook.  Those staples are apple cider vinegar, garlic, cabbage, water (of course), lemon juice and tons of seasonings.  

VLCD Day #31

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Day #31 198.2 (-0.4)

Day #32 197.8 (-0.4)

Total Lost 23.8 lbs

VLCD Day #30

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Day #30 198.6 (-1.8)

Total lost 23.4

Thank the Lord for good friends.  I owe you one Tim.

He suggested that I try a little somethin to break this stall and it wasn't an apple day.  The suggestion was to eliminate any sodium from my diet for the day and include a 30 minute brisk walk.  That's exactly what I did and I got my biggest one day loss since Day #4.  How cool is that?!?!  So lets just say that I'm happy for just one more day.  Does that mean I need to cut sodium everyday?  I don't know if I can do that because I need it for the flavor sanity to remain.  Maybe I'll just be a little more conscious about it.

VLCD Day #29

Starting weight: 222.0
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading)
Day #2 221.0 (-1)
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8)
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Day #29 200.4 (000000)

Total lost 21.6

VLCD Day #28

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Day #28 200.4 (000000)

Total lost 21.6

Gee!!  Days like this are just wonderful.  No loss whatsoever.  This can really be an emotional roller coaster.  A 1lb loss and you're jumping up and down for joy.   No loss or worse, a gain, and you're pouting around like you just lost a pet.  Today's the pet day.  No matter how you look at it, the uneventful days are hard to swallow.  When the only thing keeping you going on the diet doesn't materialize its hard to take.  Makes me want to quit.  I am a long way from quitting.  I've come too far and want my goal too bad.  Like I've said before, even if all I ever lose for the rest of this diet is a total of 21.6 lbs, that is weight that I will never see again.  That in itself is a success.  Heaven forbid I lose nothing for the next 2 weeks because noone will want anything to do with me because I will be breaking and maming everything in sight.

If I don't have a loss tomorrow, I will do my 2nd apple day.

VLCD Day #27

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2 221.0 (-1) 
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Day #26 201.0 (-0.2)

Day #27 200.4 (-0.6)

Total lost 21.6

My average is sticking right around 0.8 lbs per day.  To be truthful, I thought my average would have been closer to 1 lb than that.  I've been disappointed in that aspect.  I want to lose faster, but then who wouldn't.  Fortunately, the changes that have been occurring in my world have overshadowed the disappointment.  It is pretty regular that I am "slightly" grumpy every morning because of my disappointment in the scale.  Then as the day goes on and I get compliments and look in the mirror, I start to feel a little better.  Bottom line is I weigh less after 3 weeks of dieting than I have most of my adult life.  I CANNOT wait until my stomach is flat.  I have absolutely no memory of ever experiencing that.  I know I did in high school, but that was a time when it just wasn't on my mind.

This program is getting me there.  Like I said, its slower than I wanted and anticipated, but it is progressing none the less and I guess that is all I can ask for.

Now that's keeping it real.

VLCD Day #25

Starting weight: 222.0
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading)
Day #2 221.0 (-1)
Day #3 218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4 216.4 (-1.8)
Day #5 214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6 215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7 213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8 212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9 212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)
Day #25 201.2 (-0.6)

Total lost 20.8

Weird experience with the scale today. I typically do a 3 step weigh in. I weigh myself 3 times and take the average for my weight. Today I got readings kinda all over the place. First it was 200.6 then it was 201.6 and several more times it was somewhere in between. I think I must've weighed myself 8-10 times. I guess I should probably replace the batteries just to be sure. So needless to say, I picked the number that appeared the most. 201.2.

So there you go. The saga continues.

VLCD Day #24

Praise the Load...Amen can I get an AMEN brothas and sistas.  Amen.

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2   221.0 (-1) 
Day #3   218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4   216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5   214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6   215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7   213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8   212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9   212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0)  

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2)  Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0)  

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #22 203.6 (+0.4)

Day #23 203.2 (-0.4)

Day #24 201.8 (-1.4)

Total Lost 20.2 lbs

Now I mean no disrespect with the preacher ranting above, but those are kinda the voices going on in my head as I weighed in this morning.  I had several days of mediocrity this past week, so the 1.4 loss today was welcome.

I've been holding strong and sticking to the program like gum to the shoe.

I have concluded that Crystal Light doesn't appear to affect my weightloss.  I'm glad about that because it does help with the water consumption.  I don't have a lot of it, usually just once for dinner.

So now I can say I'm over the 20lbs lost mark.....FINALLY!!!  Come on, its been a eternal 24 days.  Hahahaha

VLCD Day #22

Its a good thing that today was a day for measurements.  I'm sure you can guess why.

Day #21 203.2

Day #22 203.6

Total GAINED 0.4 lbs

Isn't it wonderful to see a gain on the scale when you're consuming 500 calories per day.  It's kinda like taking a 3000 mile roadtrip across the country to Wally World and finding out it is closed when you arrive.  Oh the joys and entertainment of the human body.

Now the reason I say that it is a good thing that today was also a measurement day is because without these measurement figures below I woulda blew my stack.  I was mocked by the scale for being so good but fortunately given some great numbers in measurements.  

Check it out.

   Start Current   Lost

Neck 17.5 17 .5

Chest 46.5 44 2.5

Dunlop 45 42 3.0

Waist 38.5 37 1.5

Thigh 25.75 24 1.75

Total inches lost is over 9 inches.

I guess the thing to remember is what Dr. Simeon says.  "The weight registered by the scale is determined by two processes not necessarily synchronized under the influence of HCG. Fat is being extracted from the cells, in which it is stored in the fatty tissue. When these cells are empty and therefore serve no purpose, the body breaks down the cellular structure and absorbs it, but breaking up of useless cells, connective tissue, blood vessels, etc., may lag behind the process of fat-extraction.  When this happens the body appears to replace some of the extracted fat with water which is retained for this purpose. As water is heavier than fat the scales may show no loss of weight, although sufficient fat has actually been consumed..."  

Thank goodness for reasonable doctors because I woulda gone insane without that quote.

VLCD Day #21

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2   221.0 (-1) 
Day #3   218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4   216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5   214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6   215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7   213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8   212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9   212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0) POOP!!!!

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0) Thank you apple day

Day #21 203.2 (-0.4)

Total Lost 18.8 lbs

Come on everyone, we can do this!  We can still win!

I think the above picture portrays my experience right now quite perfectly.  2 weeks ago I was a 1976 Winnebago with over 400,000 miles on the engine.  Now I am a 2005 Chevrolet based Nascar that is having a rough spell.  When I weigh in with less than a half pound loss, I can hear the sputtering engine in my head.  Don't get me wrong, I am still a RACECAR.  I'm lean, I'm mean and I'll kick your butt if given the opportunity.....but just not today.  

Hey, at least it wasn't a gain.  A part of me would not have been surprised if it had been a gain considering that I am now rehydrated from the apple day.  I am glad it wasn't a gain.  I wish it had been a bigger loss.  That woulda really lit my fire today.

You're probably gonna think I'm stupid for this.  I have to evaluate again if chewing sugarless gum and drinking Crystal Light can affect loss on this protocol.  I know, I know....didn't we already hash this?  I'm a hard study at times.  I drank Crystal Light yesterday and chewed several sticks of sugarless gum throughout the day yesterday.  Can these things really affect weight loss?  It is difficult to believe that something as simple as gum could do that.  Today will be the textbook perfect day of lots of water and precisely measured and prepared meals according to Simeons.  If its another weewee loss tomorrow then I will know that its just my body and not other factors. 

VLCD Day #20

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2   221.0 (-1) 
Day #3   218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4   216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5   214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6   215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7   213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8   212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9   212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0) POOP!!!!

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Day #19 205.6 (-0.2) Apple Day

Day #20 203.6 (-2.0) Thank you apple day

Total Lost 18.4

The apple day was finally necessary.  Dr. Simeons said in Pounds & Inches that a plateau is inevitable in just about all cases.  This week was mine.  I hope I only have one because it was a little hard on the psychi.  The apple day was a little easier than I expected.  The thought of making it through an entire day with only apples was a bit daunting.  Not only do you only consume apples, you do NOT consume any water.  He specifically states that you can only drink water to quench extreme thirst.  You are supposed to eat 6 apples throughout the day.  With my schedule I managed to only get 4 in.  It was enough though.  I wasn't hungry and was just starting to get tired of apples by the last one.  Not too bad.  So it rewarded me with a 2 lb loss.  Thats great considering the pattern over the last week.  Other HCGers have told me that not only does it reward you on the following day, but it also jump starts the trend downward.  So lets hope that the 20 lb loss is come and gone by this weekend.

Things are really getting fun now.  Just about everywhere I go comments are made by friends and associates.  Everyone is now noticing the weight loss.  Thats been the funnest part of all.  Some people will say, "you look different, have you lost weight?"  I will sometimes respond, "No its probably just my hair cut."  It is fun playing with it.  The funny thing about this diet is that I am losing the weight so fast that many of the people haven't seen me since before Christmas.  They are the ones that really notice the change.

I know that I am only at the halfway point, but I have decided that I have been so good with this diet that a big reward is in store in February.  I know it is contrary to what I'm doing, but when I am done with this I am going to Outback Steakhouse and eating a plate of Aussie Cheese Fries and a Victoria's Filet Mignon.  I'm sure it will make me sick, but I have been dreaming about it lately.  I know I will probably gain 2 lbs from that meal alone, but it will just be the one meal so the weight will come back off in a couple of days after that.  If I can manage this whole protocol without cheating, I think I deserve it.  What do you think?

VLCD Day #18

If you read only one of these blog entries, make it this one!!!!

It was recently brought to my attention that the entire last week of blog entries have been less than enthusiastic.  I realize now that I've been kinda pouting a bit and being hard on myself for not losing 1lb per day.  I've been complaining and whining.  Well, let me make this clear:

This program works.  I have lost over 16 lbs in just over 2 weeks.  Just about every physical aspect of "ME" has improved.  I am thinner in all measured categories, I feel more in sync with my body, I have no indigestions like I did so regularly before, all my functions are normal for a change and I no longer have to take a daily prescription medication for acid reflux.  I am so happy about how far I have come so quickly.  My sense of accomplishment is only overshadowed by my over anxiousness to lost 16+ more over the coming weeks.  Believe it or not, the first 18 days have gone by very quickly.  I think I'll be to my goal weight by valentines day.  How cool is that. 

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2   221.0 (-1) 
Day #3   218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4   216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5   214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6   215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7   213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8   212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9   212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0) POOP!!!!

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Day #18 205.8 (-1.0)

Total Lost 16.2

After nearly a week of mediocre losses it was suggested to me that I try an apple day.  People who have done it report between a 2.5 and 5 lb loss the next day.  In Simeon's protocol he states that a plateau is when there is no weight loss.  I guess I didn't consider it a plateau because I was still losing even though it was slowing.  So since it was suggested yesterday, I thought I might give it a try pending my weigh in this morning.  I told myself that if it was another 0.6 weight loss or worse, I'd do the apple day.  Well, as you can see above, I lost 1 lb.  I swear that is right on the bubble of making up my mind.  So I've decided I will forego the apple day for today.  Tomorrow is a different story.  If I revert back to my previous pattern, I will do the apple day.

So we stand at just over 16 pounds gone in 18 days of dieting.  Gotta love it.

VLCD Day #17

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2   221.0 (-1) 
Day #3   218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4   216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5   214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6   215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7   213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8   212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9   212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0) POOP!!!!

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Day #17 206.8 (-0.6)

Total Lost 15.2

I see a serious trend developing here and it is only a mediocre one in my book.  The good news is I'm still losing.  I am being pretty much perfect on the diet, so at this point it is just up to my body to decide when and how quickly it will shed the weight.

I am tempted each and every day by "normal" foods and sweets.  For lunch I had 100g lean beef with cabbage in a tomato style broth with chili powder and other spices.  It was good, but not nearly as good as what my wife was eating across the table.  She had a delicious home cooked taco soup with sour cream and corn bread with butter and honey.  I almost had to remove my own arm to prevent an easy reach and theft.  It is a constant war waging in my head as I fight out thoughts of foods that I miss.  Recently my wife purged the pantry and found 4 grocery bags worth of candy.  I am not a fan of hard candy, so that part was easy to turn away from.  However, when she revealed the bags and bags of chocolate kisses, snickers, peanut butter cups and bite size bars, I cried.  In fact, now that I've mentioned them I think I'll go cry now.

VLCD Day #16

Starting weight: 222.0 
VLCD Day #1 223.0 (result of loading) 
Day #2   221.0 (-1) 
Day #3   218.2 (-2.8)
Day #4   216.4 (-1.8) 
Day #5   214.8 (-1.6)
Day #6   215.4 (+0.6)
Day #7   213.2 (-2.2)
Day #8   212.4 (-0.8)
Day #9   212.2 (-0.2)

Day #10 210.8 (-1.4)

Day #11 210.0 (-0.8)

Day #12 208.8 (-1.2)

Day #13 208.8 (0.0) POOP!!!!

Day #14 208.4 (-0.4)

Day #15 207.8 (-0.6)

Day #16 207.4 (-0.4)

Total Lost 14.6

Come on 15!!!!!  Talk about being elusive.  I haven't said to anyone that I have lost 15 lbs because technically I haven't yet.  I'll say that when another .4 comes off.  

I am still hangin in there and operating specifically per the protocol.  I've finally gotten over the sick bugs and am feeling like a normal human.  It's been a while.  I am taking vitamin c, b complex and potassium.  Not because I have to but just because I wanted to just be sure I get better and feel better.  Seems to help a bit although I timed it so that I started taking the vitamins as soon as I was coming around from sick.  Whatever the case, I'll stick on the vitamins.  Can't hurt.