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.

VLCD Day #15

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)

Total Lost 14.2

Talk about slowing to a crawl.  As you can imagine, the last 3 days have not been full of excitement and cheer as I step on the scale.  It has gotten to the point that when I step on the scale, I close my eyes, take a deep breath and hope for a "happy" number.  I then open my eyes and get the result.  Lately, no cheers, no fist pumps, no smiles.  Just start with a smirk and move on to another day.  Some people will say hang in there because a rewarding big drop is coming.  I sure hope it is sooner than later because I need it.  I know its only 3 days but that is an eternity on this diet.  I can't believe I am under a 1 pound per day average now.  That is way too soon in the protocol to be experiencing that.  I only have 40 days to reach my goal and at this slow down, I won't make it.

Because of the poor weigh in yesterday, I did a reevaluation of all of my intake throughout the day.  I had been chewing sugarless gum for a couple of days and drinking 8oz of Crystal Light for dinner.  I eliminated both of those to see if either was causing the slow down.  Since there wasn't a big difference on the scale today, I wonder.  I'll give it another day.  If my weighin tomorrow isn't more positive, I'll go postal.  

I am grateful to have lost over 14 pounds in 2 weeks.  I am grateful to have been able to shed a bunch of this weight that I've carried for over a decade.  But the journey isn't through.  I still have 25 days of this ahead.  I fully suspect to have many positive entries until the end of this protocol.

VLCD Day #13

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!!!!

Total Lost  13.2

I hate days like this.  I knew getting into this that there'd be some.  The idea of making it through another day and not being rewarded on the scale is frustrating.  I know, I know, I know it happens.  Still doesn't make it any easier though.  Sometimes I feel that my body short changes me.  It has to get me fat in the first place.  Then every time I try to lose weight it requires an "extreme" effort.  It has never worked for me to "just eat a little better and exercise a little more".  For me its always been "eat perfectly and exercise like a freak" to lose anything, otherwise even an improved effort will get no results.  

I should be ecstatic with a 13 lb loss in as many days.  I am.  What bothers me is that I am a guy and I should be losing on this program like what I've seen in other guys.  I should be around 1.5 lbs per day loss, not 1 per day.  I should get more reward for being perfectly obedient on this diet.  My body doesn't recognize that.  It's a stubborn mass of goo.

VLCD Day #12

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)

Total Lost  13.2

VLCD Day #11

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)

Is this cheating or an expression of shear determination and self discipline?  You be the judge.

Today brings about the biggest struggle that I have had on this.  Not because I got hungry or the hcg just didn't do its job.  I went into the big city today with a couple of friends to do some shopping.  I knew that it was going to be a day long event so I prepared my lunch early this morning and packaged it for the trip.  While in town lunch time came around and the guys started discussing where to eat.  Both of them know that I am on a "diet".  So they asked where I could eat.  I told them to pick wherever they wanted because I had my sack lunch.  I got ribbed pretty good from the guys and I could tell they were embarrassed about being with me and my sack lunch.  Being the good guy that I am, I caved.  I returned my sack lunch to the truck.  They said, "So what are you gonna eat then?"  I looked on the menu hoping to find something the would be approved.  Asian Chicken Salad.  Sounds harmless enough, right?  Ingredients were simple.  A couple different types of lettuce and grilled chicken in a vinaigrette.  So I ordered it and hoped for the best.  When it arrived, it was HUGE.  So I definitely would only eat about 25% of it.  I got 4-5 bites into it and realized that this was the best tasting salad that I have EVER had.  I wanted to die right there on the spot.  At that point I came to a crossroads:  

1.  Finish the salad and know that I "cheated" cuz it just had to have something in it that couldn't be ok on this diet. 

or

2.  Have the discipline to not eat it.

I immediately asked the server for a to go box and packaged the salad up.  I told my buddies that my wife would love this salad for dinner.  They said, "Thats it?"

"That's it!" I said.

"So what are you gonna eat then."

"I'll eat my sack lunch as we drive."

So thats pretty much what I did.  In all truthfullness, that was an awful experience.  I thought I would feel good about myself after being able to resist, but instead I just feel bummed because I really deprived myself.  I sure do hope that 3 weeks from now I will look back and say this wasn't such a big deal, but tonight its stuck with me.  

Was it worth it?  I hope so.

VLCD Day #10

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)

Total lost 11.2 lbs

VLCD Day #9

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)

Total lost 9.8 lbs

Why is this slowing down over 2 days. It's gotta be something I'm doing. In response to my most recent vlog on youtube, someone commented that any medication at all can affect results. Well, I am currently on antibiotics for this bronchitis. I also take prevacid for chronic heartburn. I wonder if either of those could cause the slowing. I don't really have much of a choice on either one if I want to live another day. I believe I have 2 more days left of the antibiotic then its done. I hope its the culprit so we can move on. I can try a day or so without the prevacid but if my guts start to boil, I'm back on it again. Plus, I've been taking the prevacid all along. So it was in my system even on the big loss days.

Anyone have any input on this one? Obviously, I am still burning fat on only 500 calories despite whatever meds I'm on. Right? The only other answer is water weight, right? So I am retaining some water. I can live with that because once I'm done with the antibiotic I'll see.

Confession:

Remember how I said that the chicken broth might be a culprit because of the sodium? Well, I had chicken broth again last night. My rationalization was to just cut the amount by 75%. So I had 1/2 cup of it in my dinner soup. Originally the recipe called for 2 cups. So I just did 1 1/2 cups of water & 1/2 cup broth. Now I'm thinking with all the spices I add, I don't need broth at all.

Todays lunch was:

100g Talapia with lemon pepper grilled on the foreman
green salad (iceberg lettuce, chard, radishes, cherry tomatoes, strawberry vinegarette for dressing)
Water

VLCD Day #8

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)

Total lost 9.6 lbs

Since today was the one week mark from the start of the VLCD part of the program I did my measurements.

So far:

Neck -.25in
Chest -.5in
Stomach -1in
Waist -.75in
Thigh -.75in

VLCD Day #7

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)

Total Lost 8.8 lbs

Well what a relief!! I was actually quite nervous to step on the scale this morning. Kinda funny.

I will tell you that based on my 7+ days of experience with this protocol it pretty much consumes your life while you're doing it. I'm not saying that its a bad thing because for me I just find myself always thinking about what is to come. I am always thinking about how neat it will be when I drop under 200 lbs. I am anxious every morning to do that weigh in. If I were to give any advice first to myself and then to others is...... try not to let the result on the scale dictate what your day is gonna be like. When I had that slight weight gain yesterday I was NOT happy. It started my day off on the wrong foot. I had no intention of leaving the protocol or doing anything irrational (like cheating) but it made me a bit grumpy for a little while. My previous post was evidence of that. But I quickly got over it and began to do as detailed an inventory as I could to explain the change. Once I felt I isolated the problem (nyquil) I moved on and was anxious for my next weigh in. Fortunately, I was rewarded with a positive outcome. I don't want to think about what my attitude would be like if I was given another unattractive number. So here we are on a positive track again.

I am such a simple person when it comes to eating. I started out eating literally just a plain foreman grilled chicken breast and some raw vegetable like cabbage or tomato. It got really boring really fast and I found myself very frustrated over what I would eat next. I went online looking for some approved recipes and found a few. I tried one last night from Tammy Skye's online cookbook. I had her Tomato Basil Chicken recipe. It was soooo good. I loved it. I let my wife try it and we both agreed that it is something we'd enjoy even before the protocol. I will try one more recipe from her free preview and then decide if I wanna buy the book. I probably will. I never thought that I would say this for myself, but variety in my diet has suddenly become a very important aspect in making this journey enjoyable. I am just scratching the surface of a whole new world that is available through SPICES.

So here we are. I am almost 10 lbs down from my start weight. I already feel a slight difference in the fit of my clothes and see a slight difference in the mirror(very subtle, but there). And this all has occurred in a week. What a DANG MIRACLE!

STAY TUNED...Tomorrow I'll be doing my first measurements.

!(&)%@#&^

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) GRRRRR!!!!!!

Total Lost 6.6 Lbs

And I thought I did so good yesterday. I was good on my diet. In fact I was 100 calories short of 500 because I didn't eat a fruit and a grissini. I drank so much water that I had to pee every 2 hours or less. I resisted the temptation to order a Taco Bell burrito as I sat in their restaurant eating my chicken & cabbage. I was real proud of myself for sticking to it on New Years Eve and despite being sick.

AND what kind of reward do I get for it? A 0.6 lb gain. What's up with that CRAP!!!! I am not happy. What a great Happy New Year gift from my body. Thanks body!!

As I sit and think about what I may have done to cause the bump, I came to only one conclusion. NYQUIL. I figure it must have a bunch of sugar in it to make it taste good. It doesn't list anything on the ingredients about sugar, but it has to. So if Nyquil is the reason for my gain.....OH WELL.....because I needed it. I am on antibiotics now so I hope this crap is behind me so I can move on. I better have a good weigh in tomorrow or heads will roll.