Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Day 50 - VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 231.5 lbs
Weight loss today – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 35.5 lbs

Well I'm chipping away at it! I've lost a pound and a half the last three days, and I have literally done nothing but lay in bed... wow. Now that I'm up and about, I'm hoping for a slightly higher number in the next couple of days!

I don't have much to report, today! Life is back to normal, and I'm on the mend. My throat is still killing me, but it's super dry here, too. I didn't drink ANY water yesterday. My stomach was too upset for much of anything. Today I'm doing much better, so that has to be a good sign!

I'm in good spirits today, I think I'm getting excited about decorating for Christmas! I love this time of year. :)

Have a good day, everyone!

Cheryl :)

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Day 49 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 232 lbs
Weight loss today – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 35 lbs


Today is much better. I slept in until noon, though! My sweetheart of a husband got up and got my daughter off to school and let me sleep in. I wish I could say I was "all better", but I think today is going to be another low energy day.

Ok, I have a problem! I can't see anyone's blogs after this past Friday? At first, I thought everyone was just taking the weekend off, but today is Tuesday, so I'm doubting that! The only blogs I can see are B's and Biz's. Is anyone else having this problem? All the other blogs stop at last Friday. And I know you are posting, because I see references to you posting on Biz's blog! I wonder why my links aren't working..

If anyone can give me any suggestions, that would be great! I don't really know much about this blogging thing.. I miss your blogs!! I think I'm just going to click on the last blog I can see (Friday's) and then hit newer post and see what happens.

Off to experiment!

Cheryl

Monday, November 26, 2007

Day 48 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 232.5 lbs
Weight loss today – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 1 lb
Weight loss since beginning – 34.5 lbs


Not much to post today... I'm sick :( I guess what I thought was bad shrimp was actually a stomach flu. I've spent the large majority of the day in bed, so I'm not all that hopeful about weight loss. I've stuck to my Hcg and my diet (mostly soup!), so maybe I'll be rewarded in a couple of days. I'm finding it hard to get the water down, but I've been drinking tea!

Hope everyone else out there is doing well! I've missed all your blogs, and hope to catch up with you all soon.

Cheryl

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Day 47 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 233
Weight loss today – 1 lb
Weight loss yesterday – 0 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 34 lbs

This is going to be short and sweet! Hubby has been out of town until late last night, so we're having "family time". Unfortunately, I think I ate a bad shrimp for lunch, and my stomach is sooo upset! I'm drinking Splenda sweetened soda to settle my stomach. I hope it doesn't hurt me! Ah well, you do what you gotta do, right?

Another pound down! Woohoo!

Happy losing everyone! I'll have to check in with all your blogs tomorrow! :)

Cheryl

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Day 46 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 234 lbs
Weight loss today – 0lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 1.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 33 lbs


No weight loss today! I'm not actually surprised. For the past few days, my eczema has been really bad. Yesterday, I couldn't take it anymore, and used my prescribed eczema cream. I had a feeling it would stall me, as it's kinda greasy, but I couldn't take the pain anymore. I knew that it would take care of the eczema instantly, and it would probably only set me back by a day. (hopefully!) Today, I am eczema free! I love that cream. And I'm drinking a gallon of water in hopes that it will get things moving again. I think I only got 2 liters down, yesterday, and I find I need more than that to lose. I try to get half my body weight in ounces. I wish I could say I always do this!

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend! Happy losing, everyone!

Cheryl

Friday, November 23, 2007

Day 45 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 234 lbs
Weight loss today – 1.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 1 lb
Weight loss since beginning – 33 lbs


Woohoo!! Another 1.5lbs dropped forever.. I had to step on my scale 5 times to be sure it wasn't giving me the wrong number!! I wish I'd been on this dose the whole time!

When I started looking into which method to use, I did a lot of research. There were a few people on the boards that were saying that you had to double the injection dose, on sublingual, for it to be effective. They also said that it started to lose potency after about 20 days. So, I bought the 5000 IU and divided it by 20.. gave me exactly double the injection dose! Then, I started reading Paula's posts and she was using 250 IU a day! She was getting really good results, and she was over 200 lbs as well. I thought it would be a good dose for me. She encouraged me to try it and was obviously thrilled with her success.

I did, obviously, lose on 250 IU a day, but it was never as much as anyone else that was doing it "strict" and without deviations. I just told myself that I must be a "slow loser". I went 3 days at the same weight about 3 times! I have to admit that it was discouraging. I would see my friends and fellow dieters deviate a little, and still lose weight! I once accidentally licked my finger after touching my daughter's pork tenderloin and ran to the sink and washed my mouth out with hot water for about 5 minutes! That's how compulsive I was.. hehe

I looked on the boards to see if I should be upping my dose, but it seemed like the only reason people upped their dose was if they were experiencing hunger. I was never really hungry. I would get hungry at meal time, but nothing out of the ordinary. The only reason I upped my dose for this last 10 days was because I had to use a 5000 IU ampoule and I hate to waste! hehe Plus, I thought it would be a good experiment. I will NEVER go back on the 125 IU a day. I feel great! I slept like a baby last night for the first time since starting the protocol, too.

This stuff is truly amazing and I am pleasantly shocked that I can still lose a pound and a half after 47 doses of Hcg! I hope my experiences help someone else out there, someday. I know that when I'm done, I will tell anyone and everyone that wants to hear about it. In a few more rounds, I'm going to look like Wendy!!! Wooohooo! hehe :)

Have a great day!

Cheryl :)

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Day 44 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 235.5 lbs
Weight loss today – 1 lb
Weight loss yesterday – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 31.5 lbs

Today is a good day! I feel great!! I think I've been on too low of a dose all this time. I've been tired since I've started, and often just had to nap because I couldn't keep my eyes open. I never experienced hunger, except for the very beginning and the last days where I thought my Hcg was losing it's potency. Now, my good mood could be the fact that I've lost another pound, too! Woohoo! No immunity for me :)

I hope you are all enjoying your nice long Thanksgiving weekend! In Canada, we just get one day tacked on to our Thanksgiving weekend and I've always been jealous of your long weekend! Which day is actually Turkey day? Is that today?

Well I don't have much to say, today.. all is right in the world :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Cheryl :)

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 43 VLCD - Another 10 days of Hcg!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 236.5 lbs
Weight loss today – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 0 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 30.5 lbs

Thank you for all of your comments yesterday! I bit the bullet and made a new batch! I've upped my dose to the 266 IU a day, and I'm excited to see what happens! A few days ago, if you had asked me if I would extend this, I would have said "No way!!". I was pretty bored of the diet. With many of you talking about starting this weekend, it's given me new motivation to keep going. It's so much easier to do this with friends than alone!

I think my biggest worry was that I'd just keep gaining and losing the same pound over and over for the next 10 days. Well, today I lost an additional half pound, and I'm lower than I've been yet! Yay! I think my Hcg had gone south.. I was experiencing some hunger. After making the new batch, I got the headache (just like in the beginning) and my breasts swelled up (TMI, sorry!) also like in the beginning. On a side note, that's what happened when I was pregnant, too! I think the Hcg was already working its way out of my system.. so I'm hopeful that I'll do well in the next 10 days! (Thanks for the well wishes on your blog today, Biz! )

Ok, I'm off to make soup.. ! It snowed here last night; big fluffy snowflakes softly lit with the streetlights behind them. It was magical. My daughter said she felt like she was in a snow globe! Looking out at the trees and roads all carpeted in a blanket of white, I have a feeling of quiet and coziness and peace. It's a good day :)

Cheryl

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Day 42 VLCD - I need some advice!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 237 lbs
Weight loss today – 0 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 1 lb
Weight loss since beginning – 30 lbs

Ok, I think my Hcg has lost it's potency. I've been waking up hungry the past couple of days for the first time in weeks. Hubby left it out on the counter for a a few hours one day last week, and I was worried this would happen.

My dilemma is this... I think I want to go another 10 days! I never ever want to see 240 again. That number causes me terrible anxiety for some reason. I think 240 was the weight I reached when I just "gave up". I need to get as far from that number as I can. Does that sound silly? Plus, I found out that I will not be starting the next round on Jan 2nd as originally planned, because TOM comes that day. I will be starting on the 6th, now, so I have a few more days to play with.

What do you guys think? If I mix up another batch and go the next 10 days, will I lose anymore? Or will I just be beating my head against the wall? I think psychologically, another 10 days is nothing. I could do it with my eyes closed at this point.. but I don't want to risk immunity (which supposedly you don't get with sublingual) and I don't want to spend the next 10 days gaining and losing the same pound. I'm so torn what to do! I haven't taken my dose today, yet, because if I'm going to go another 10 days, then I want to start a fresh package. I'm also thinking about upping my dose to 333 IU a day, instead of the 250 IU I am doing now. Just an experiment, really!

Please help!!

Cheryl

Monday, November 19, 2007

Day 41 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 237
Weight loss today – 1 lb
Weight loss yesterday – +1 lb
Weight loss since beginning – 30 lbs

Oh the mind games this diet brings with it! Well I lost the pound (just like you said cb!) but.. it didn't take any friends hehe :) STILL, I can say I've lost 30 pounds today! yay!

A friend of mine (who is very overweight) was just at my house. She said I looked thinner and I said "thanks!" And she said that she had been to her doctor's and he said that she had to lose weight. He said that she had the beginnings of hardening of the arteries and heart disease. I think she's in her 50s. Anyway, she asked me how I've lost the weight, and I just said, as I've said to everyone, "I'm on a very strict medical diet". And I usually leave it at that. The large majority of my friends are very slim, and I don't think they would benefit from anything I tell them about the diet. I had sworn that I wasn't going to tell ANYONE what I was doing, because I remembered how I felt when I first heard about it. "What?!? You inject yourself with pregnancy hormones?? That can't be safe!!" LOL! Now that I'm converted, all my fears are allayed, but I realize that most people will have the same reaction that I did. SO, I keep my mouth shut.

When my friend said to me that her health was at risk, I couldn't resist "trying to help". She's been overweight for as long as I've know her. (And I've known her for probably 8 years). I took the leap and told her about the diet. It was a big mistake! The more I talked, the bigger her eyes got.. the more horrified she looked. I even showed her my Hcg and she said, "You have to order away for it?" and "500 calories? Oh my God!" ... Imagine if I had told her I was injecting it, instead of sublingually? I think she would have arranged an intervention! LOL I have never had anyone leave my house so quick. She was talking about her doctor's appointment, and she was going to be late.. but I could tell I totally shocked her. It's too bad, I think she would really benefit from the diet. She left with a "Well, Weight Watcher's always works for me." BUT, I have never seen her anything but overweight. I asked her not to tell anyone what I was doing, as it was very controversial, and I didn't want to hear any lectures. She said she wouldn't, but I could tell she wanted to say something!

I think I made a bad call. I should have waited until I'd lost all the weight instead of just 30 pounds. I think it has more impact when you become a completely different person! Sometimes I want so badly to help, that I don't think before I speak. Plus, I think I might have made some comment about skin not being as elastic as we get older.. I have a bad feeling she thought I was saying she was old! I meant me! I lost a lot of weight in my 20s without the sagging skin, but now I'm terrified of it. Oh well, she knows I'd never say anything to hurt anyone, so hopefully she realizes what I meant.

I'm so glad I have all of you. Every single one of us, without exception, has lost weight! Now THAT's a case study! I have to remember that this is the best path for me.. and the only path that has worked. No matter what any of the naysayers say, I'm sticking with this. I was also a pioneer on Atkins.. long before many jumped on the low carb bandwagon! I don't mind being a guinea pig :)

Have a great day my fellow guinea pigs! :)

Cheryl

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Day 40 VLCD - :( Back on the staircase!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 238 lbs
Weight loss today – +1 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 1 lb
Weight loss since beginning – 29 lbs

I'm not so happy, today :( I don't really have an explanation as to why I gained. I know I didn't drink enough water. I had a lot of trouble getting it down, yesterday. I also ate dinner REALLY late. I waited for my husband to get home, and we didn't end up eating until after 11 PM, I think.

I'm also not feeling fantastic, today. My throat is really sore, my glands are up and I feel "phlegmy".

I'm just sad that I can't say I've lost 30 pounds anymore :(

I also want to say that I hope you guys don't feel like I'm ramming my own opinions down your throats. I know I can be long-winded, but I really am just trying to help. The supplements post was really just to show what I take, and what makes me feel better. I think it really is personal, and I was feeling really tired and dragging until I went back on them. In my 20s I had two serious bouts of pneumonia, and I think I've been struggling to get my body back on track ever since. The vitamins have helped! I am so open-minded to everything. We all have to do what works for us.

If you get a chance, I highly recommend reading "Ultra Metabolism" by Mark Hyman, M.D. He has all kinds of quizzes in his book that help you self-diagnose any problems you may have.. and tells you what you need to do about them. It's not just a weightloss book, it's a health book, and I refer to it constantly! He really saved my health. Now Dr. Simeon's is saving my weight problem. I feel really blessed.

Thanks again to those of you who take the time to comment on my blog. I really appreciate it! It makes me feel like "part of the gang" and like I'm not in this alone :)

Cheryl

Saturday, November 17, 2007

My Supplements

Lili has asked me what vitamins I am taking, and what I take will be too long for a reply, so I’m posting it here!


Not very long ago, I decided to go back on my vitamin regime. I know that Dr. Simeons says that no vitamins are necessary and that they may even stall some people, but for me, I feel they are necessary to my success. I am over 100 pounds overweight, and I think I am probably very toxic! Before I started the Simeon’s protocol, I did the “Ultra Metabolism” Diet. It taught me a lot about metabolism and supplements. Just by following the protocol, I lost 20 lbs. For me, I think supplements are essential to my body’s ability to run properly. I was really tired until I went back on them and I wasn’t losing very well. There are hundreds of supplements you can take; you’ve all been in health food stores! I did my research, and these are the ones I decided would be best for me. I have forgone my regular multi-vitamin for now.


Selenium – 200 mcg a day (divided into 2 doses) – Selenium helps the body convert T4 into T3. (Thyroid hormones). I have a history of thyroid problems in my family; both my brother and grandmother have thyroid disease. I have tested “clean” but I have many of the symptoms of a sluggish thyroid. Sometimes the problem is just that your body can’t convert T4 (the inactive form) to T3 (the active form). So you make enough thyroid hormone, but you can’t use it! Some symptoms of sluggish thyroid are: thin finger nails, dry skin, cold when everybody around you is warm, cold hands and feet, muscle fatigue or weakness, constipation, have trouble losing weight, brain fog, morning fatigue, mood swings, thinning of the outer third of your eyebrow, depression or anxiety, heavy periods, worsening of PMS, or other menstrual issues, basal body temp is less than 97.8 first thing in the morning, thinning hair, loss of sex drive, fluid retention (swollen hands and feet).

Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) – 800 IU a day (my multivitamin has some… don’t double dose!) - Most people are deficient in Vitamin D, especially those in a northern climate. The sun’s rays are not strong enough in Fall and Winter to provide enough vitamin D in the north. (All of Canada and northern States and anywhere that gets snow!). Being deficient in vitamin D has been linked to breast, colon and prostate cancers. You also need vitamin D to absorb calcium; without it your bones weaken and you are at risk for osteoporosis. It has also been shown to improve your immune system, can help prevent multiple sclerosis and helps boost your metabolism. I believe this is THE MOST IMPORTANT vitamin people should be taking. Be careful though, it is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it needs fat to be absorbed, and can’t be eliminated from the body easily. Maximum dose is 1,000 IU a day.

Chromium Picolinate – 200 mcg daily - improves insulin utilization, reduces the body’s fat deposition thereby allowing glucose and amino acids to enter the muscles. It gives you more energy, and helps you lose fat!

Vitamin B complex – I normally take a multi supplement, but now it’s in my sublingual dose – Improves the metabolism of stress hormones. Stress causes your body to release cortisol. Cortisol causes your metabolism to slow and promotes fat storage. (just a side note, drinking coffee also increases your cortisol levels!) If I am really stressed, I’ll pop an extra B-complex.

Pine bark extract – 60 mg minimum- This is a bioflavonoid and a powerful anti-oxidant. Free radicals are caused by oxygen in its singular form - O - . Oxygen molecules like to be paired, so these single oxygen molecules run around taking electrons from other cells and damaging them. This is one of the causes of wrinkles, too! This is called “Oxidation”. (same thing that happens when something rusts!) Oxidized cells don’t function well and one of the repercussions is weight gain and a damaged metabolism. Antioxidants clear out the free radicals and allow your body to “run” better. This boosts your metabolism and can even help your wrinkles! There are many antioxidants you can take: vitamin C, grape seed extract, Quercetin and Pycogenol (pine bark extract). I take a supplement that contains all, but mostly Pine Bark extract. We have a local doctor of Chiropractic here that has dedicated a lot of his career to studying this supplement. He has found it to be helpful with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, ADD, eczema.. and on and on. My 70 year old mother-in-law takes nothing but this, and people mistake her for a woman in her 50s!

Coenzyme Q10 – 60mg to 100 mg a day – helps with mitochondria production. Mitochondria are the “powerhouses of the cells”. They take in nutrients and convert them to energy for the body to utilize. (Grade 12 Biology coming back to you? :D). If you don’t have enough mitochondria, your body can’t utilize the nutrients it’s taking in, which causes you to make more insulin, which if you don’t have enough mitochondria, you can’t utilize… you get the picture. It’s a viscous cycle. It also causes insulin resistance and can lead to type 2 diabetes. In fact, studies have shown that many diabetics don’t have as many, or have slower, mitochondria than non-diabetics! Oxidation also damages mitochondria and many overweight people (whether genetically, or through damage) don’t have enough mitochondria.

Magnesium Citrate 300 mg (split into 2 doses of 150 mg twice daily) – Magnesium is the relaxation mineral. It is helpful in times of stress because it helps us “loosen up”. Your whole body tightens up if you don’t have enough magnesium… you get headaches, muscle cramps, constipation, and you get irritable! If you feel these symptoms, try magnesium! I suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome, and I’ll often take 300 mg of magnesium before bed to relieve it. Oh, and if you tend toward constipation (as many do on this diet) use the Magnesium citrate, if you tend towards diarrhea, use Magnesium Glycinate.

Vitamin C – 1000 mg split into 2- 500 mg doses – supports your immune system, supports your adrenal glands and helps rid your body of heavy metals (such as the mercury in fish!)

Milk Thistle – 150 mg a day- detoxifies your liver. If you have eaten your fair share of processed/take out foods, chances are you have a fatty liver. Your liver is responsible for processing fat and sugar, and helps coordinate both storage and burning. If you have a fatty liver, it’s not doing a very good job!

Calcium - 1410 mg split into 3 doses a day - I am lactose intolerant, and have always taken calcium. Calcium has also been shown to help with weight loss!

When I’m not on P2, I’ll go back to taking Omega 3-6-9 and Vitamin E.

Taking supplements is a personal choice, and I was nervous to go back on them. I didn’t know how they would affect me. I always pick supplements that say “no sugar, no starch, no salt, no gluten and no lactose”.

More information than you wanted to know, huh, Lili? Wait until I post my thoughts about re-alkalizing the body on your blog! Hehe

Day 39 VLCD - Another one bites the dust!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 237 lbs
Weight loss today – 1 lb
Weight loss yesterday – 1.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 30 lbs

I made my 30 lb goal!! Yay!! Thanks so much to everyone who has continued to support me. Thank you for sharing all your experiences.. good and bad! And especially thank you for sharing your knowledge. Every time I wanted to freak out about the scale (and there were a few times), I just remembered something one of you said, and it helped more than I can say!

Amy, I want to say a special thank you, to you. I was so concerned about doing the protocol "right" that I forgot to listen to my own body. Since I've been reading your posts and advice about vitamins, I started up my vitamin regime again. I've been losing steadily ever since!! So thank you for sharing your vast knowledge. I was so discouraged, and now I'm so happy!

Ok, now just pray for me that the scale either stays the same tomorrow, or goes down! I really want to keep my 30 lbs off! I think I'm "done" on Tuesday (taking the Hcg, that is), so if I can even lose a little more.. that would be fantastic!

Have a great day, all!

Cheryl :)

Friday, November 16, 2007

Day 38 VLCD - Another great day!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 238 lbs
Weight loss today – 1.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 2 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 29 lbs


I'm shocked! I never lose well two days in a row! Well maybe at the very beginning, but that was still rare!

Looking back on the last 37 days, my body has really resisted letting go of all this weight. A lot of the weight gain came after 2 serious bouts of pneumonia, and I wonder if that has anything to do with it. It's been almost impossible to lose any weight for at least 5 years. I'm always strict on a diet. I figure if I screw it up, I only have myself to blame if it doesn't work out. This time has been no different. I haven't cheated, I've done everything I can to do it "right", but still, I was a bit of a slow loser. I just accepted it, and kept moving forward. It was still better than ANYTHING I had done, by a long shot.

One more pound, and I'll be down 30 pounds. I really can't believe it. I don't think that has set in, yet. I'm so automated now, as to what to do, I don't even really think about it anymore. And many days, the scale has not been kind. I take as long as possible to get on it, whereas I used to jump out of bed and right on the scale (after peeing and stripping, of course ;) )

I have a game plan for phase 3, because as I've stated, I like to do things right! BUT, I'm terrified. There is such a feeling of "what if it doesn't work?" isn't there? I've watched so many of you go through the ups and downs these past couple of weeks, that you think I'd be prepared, and I guess I am, but can you ever really be prepared? It's such a trial and error process! I think I've got about 4 or 5 days of Hcg left, and then I'll be entering this new and scary territory. (Just in time for many of you P3'ers to be back on P2!) I think that's why I'm psyching myself out. Thanks to all of you that have been posting your P3 ups and downs. You have no idea how helpful it is. When I gain, I'll remember your experiences and, hopefully, calm down.

Ok, enough obsessing.. and procrastinating! Hope you're all having a great day! If you get a chance, check out B's blog. She is starting today! Good luck B!!

Cheryl :)

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Day 37 VLCD - I did it!!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 239.5 lbs
Weight loss today – 2 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – +0.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 27.5 lbs

2 pounds gone!!! WOOHOOO!! I'm so happy! AND I'm in the 230's!!! I could cry, I'm so happy. I avoided the scale as long as I could today, but finally bit the bullet.. and then had to go back several times just to be sure.

I'm guessing I lost all the water weight from TOM and plus maybe a little bit more. I'll take it! I haven't been in the 230's for years and years.. I don't even know how long ago. I'm truly speechless (which is hard for me!)

It looks like it's a good weight loss day for many of us, and I'm so happy I can be a part of it, too!! Did I mention that I'm happy?? hehe

Have a good day, all!

Cheryl :)

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Day 36 VLCD - I want off the staircase!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 241.5 lbs
Weight loss today – +0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 1.5 pounds
Weight loss since beginning – 25.5

Ok, I'm really tired of the stair-stepping!! I just want to see the 230s before I'm done! It's completely my fault, though. I ate less than 300 calories yesterday. I think I kept waiting for the repercussions of the cocoa to kick in, that I sabotaged myself.

I've done much better, today. I made it to 457 calories, even though I didn't feel like eating and I drank 3 1/2 liters of water. Cross your fingers for me that it will be enough. The good news is that I think I can say goodbye to TOM by tomorrow. Yay! And good riddance!!

Goodnight all!

Cheryl

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Day 35 VLCD - Take that water weight!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 241 lbs
Weight loss today – 1.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – +2
Weight loss since beginning – 26 lbs

Almost back to where I was! Hopefully in the next few days I'll have dipped into the 230s. That would make me ecstatic! I drank 4 liters of water yesterday, so I think I got a lot of the water weight "pushed out".

Hubby is finished taking hcg as of today! He weighed 182 lbs 23 days ago, and now he weighs 159.8 lbs (his goal was 160). That is over 22 lbs in 21 VLCD days! I'm so proud of him. His clothes are falling off, so I told him that enough was enough! hehe He said, "I can't believe losing weight was this easy. Why doesn't everyone do this?" I just laughed and said that maybe that day is coming. Wouldn't that be amazing... if every overweight person found out about this diet, and commited to it? That would be the end of the obesity epidemic! I guess it will be up to us to spread the word, and hopefully be living proof that it works!

My hubby was originally going to go to until I finished (originally this Friday), but now that he's done early, I'm going to go until the bottle is empty. I can't bear to throw out the hcg. I think we were originally going to be tossing out a little bit, because I had mixed one batch on the heavy side.. but I really don't want to. I was going to stop, so that by my birthday I'd be on P4. I'll be on P3 if I continue and that's ok with me. I figure the best present I can give myself is the gift of health. I created a cheesecake recipe years ago (Atkin's friendly) that we all love and that will be my birthday cake this year!

Now about last night.. sounds ominous, doesn't it? The cravings were insane. I think for about an hour I listed every food I wanted to eat until hubby told me to "Shut up, already!!" hehe. I think I took some glee in torturing him, just a tiny bit! I wanted chocolate soooo bad, and I knew my daughter still had chocolate from Halloween. The temptation to cheat was intense! All I could think about were those mini chocolate bars and how they'd make the migraine go away... BUT I am proud to say, I didn't cheat. I did however compromise. I've been using cocoa as a spice in some of my cooking (my chili recipe calls for cocoa) and I carefully watched to see if it affected me, and it didn't. In fact, on the days after, I usually had a higher loss. Anyway, I decided to make "legal" chocolate sauce for my strawberries. I made these little pots of warm chocolate sauce and hubby and I had "chocolate fondue" for our dessert last night! He ate every last drop, licked the pan, the spatula, and told me over and over again that he loved me... did I know that I loved him... that I was a genius, etc! hahaha It was hilarious, and it satisfied my craving! I was terrified to step on the scale today, because that was the most cocoa I had eaten in one sitting (about a tablespoon's worth), but I lost! Now, I don't think I'll do this every night... although I would! .. but it helped in a pinch.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for replying to my post yesterday. I'll just answer those posts here! I'm what my dad calls a "bleeding heart" because I have so much empathy for the pain of others. I think it's what makes me a good writer. I can take a moment and step into other people's shoes and *feel* what they are feeling. I think it also makes me a better person, because no one likes to be hurt! I do tend to say what I feel, whether or not it's "popular" and I do think it's important to speak up for what you believe in. Thank you for your support, it means a lot.

CB, your comment was the first one, and you really touched me. Thank you for your kind words! You are a wonderful person! :)

Crystal, thank you for having the courage to post your feelings on the subject on the board itself. It takes courage to go against the grain, and I am proud of you!

B, thank you for taking the time to post! It's encouraging that so many of my blogging friends feel the same way!

Amy, I think that's so funny that you found out about Kevin's book AFTER you were on the protocol! That's the best way in my opinion!! I can tell you are really empathetic, too. We are all here to fight the "obese demon" (<-- I like that!), I couldn't have put it better myself!

Lili and Biz, I greatly respect both of you, and you have helped me so many times. I am sorry to hear that David has hurt you both. Perhaps there is some Karmic balance at play, I don't know. I just can't help but wonder if we hurt our own Karma by slinging mud. What goes around comes around, after all. Lili, I never noticed your post about the trunks, it was the "gross" comments and the laughter that I thought was particularily hurtful.. no matter what they say to excuse themselves. I would like to hear the back story, but there is no rush!

My favourite comment on the subject was from BohemianBlue. Her words are still resonating with me (I think she's a bit of a writer, too, perhaps!) she said, "Everyone wants to be right. No one knows how to be humble anymore. We all have this "as a matter of fact" mentality." Right on the nose, BB. I loved your comment and I wish more people thought as you did. Maybe someday we can share our before and after photos and pat each other on the back for all our hard work! :)

And last but not least, Wendy! Wendy, you make me smile. You just have a smile in your typing, even when you feel like crap! I love to read your blog, and I'm glad you are having such success! And I am feeling much better, thank you!!

Ok, that's all I'll say on the subject, I'll officially put it to bed.. back to the weight loss! Come on 230s!! Thanks again, all. This blog has saved my life, as have all of you. I am almost out of the "morbidly obese" BMI where I face all kinds of health issues. I hope you realize how much a part of my success all of you are!!

{{{{{{{BIG HUGS TO EVERYONE}}}}}}}

Cheryl :)

------

Oh my gosh, I forgot Amie!! I don't know how I forgot you, you are the first blog I read every day! LOL I think having 2 Amie/Amy's throws me off sometimes! Anyway.. thank you, too, Amie. I love your attitude in life. I love how you don't take any crap from anyone, and still manage to keep this soft sweet side to you. I loved your reply to my post, so thank you!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Day 34 VLCD - Water Rention sucks!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 242.5 lbs
Weight loss today – + 2 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 2 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 24.5 lbs

Hey all!

I was prepared for a gain, so I'm not going to let it get me down! I feel like a stuffed sausage today, I'm so bloated. AND, I take back what I said about TOM being easier this time around. It just decided to fool me into submission! Today has been HORRIBLE! Cramps so bad that I've slept most of the day away, and a migraine so bad I want to cry. *sigh* I think I'll take days off for my period the next round. This is killer. I'm grouchy, too.

Ok, there is something I need to get off my chest. I left the message boards a little while ago (posting that is) because I got so tired of all the cattiness and the pettiness. I guess because in my life, I forgive anyone anything. I can't see the point wasting energy in fighting over pointless things. I've been feeling guilty about not posting on the boards, taking information, without contributing anything. Today, I don't feel guilty. I've been scouring the boards for some homeopathic remedies for cramps, or headaches.. etc, and I came across a disturbing "mob mentality" post about David Yancey (sp?).

Just to give you a little history, my mother-in-law approached me about Kevin Trudeau's book, "The Weight Loss Cure". She has been on my case about my weight for about 10 years.. anyway, I digress. I am not a fan of Kevin Trudeau and I've always felt that he's a bit of a con artist. (very sorry if that offends anyone!) Anyway, I started to research the book so I could go back to my mother-in-law, who thinks the sun sets on Kevin Trudeau, and show her that it was a scam. For the most part, MANY MANY sites bashed Kevin and his book. I couldn't find any that supported it. THEN, I found a post on Amazon.com from a supporter of the diet, saying that it helped him and to check out the hcgdieters group on Yahoo. So, I joined. This was David Yancey's group. I started reading, and reading and reading some more. I probably read for 2 weeks straight, every minute I got. The more I read, the more open I became to this diet. The site introduced me to "Pounds and Inches" which was the scientific approach to the diet and not just the "Flash and Dash" part.

So... here I am, maybe 3 months later, 25-ish pounds lighter and that is thanks to David's site. I NEVER would have given this diet any credence if it hadn't been for that site. I have sinced joined as many of the Yahoo groups about hcg that I could, but have never posted on any except David's.

What's my point, you ask? Well, as I've said, I stopped posting, but continued to peruse the information. Then I came across a "mob mentality" post that completely horrified me and made me ashamed to be a female. This post was completely about bashing David and a company I guess he is a partner in: hcgsupplies. Not only did this post question his integrity, but it criticised his weight loss photos. Why does this offend me as a female? Because men don't do this!!! Why do women feel the need to say hurtful things that don't help anyone? We are like sharks, and we smell blood in the water, and we go into a frenzy. I don't get it, I really don't. Maybe that's why I never fit in on those boards. I don't feel a need to be a part of the "clique" by hurting someone else. And yes, he was hurt. He posted that the comments made him cry. That brought tears to my eyes. And what did it help? He cleared up all the misconceptions, admitted to being a partner in the hcgsupplies site, but never withheld the information. What is the crime in that? I just can't figure out how that is "sneaky". If I had a product and a webpage, I think I would advertise it, too. Perhaps he should have said, "And my company... etc". But we all make mistakes. Still, why make fun of his photos? (And yes, I've seen them. He has lost a ton of weight, and they are inspiring.) They were photos that he obviously took of himself naked. As far as I have been able to gleen, he took these photos for himself, to see the change in himself. I hope this is the reason we all take the "before" photos. From what he has posted, he was begged and pleaded with to share. He blotted out the "private parts".. maybe a little conservatively.. but posted them with the intention to inspire others. He was probably proud of those photos and the evidence of his weight loss. Now he is ashamed, and hurt, and he will never look at those photos the same, without remembering the hurtful words.

THIS is the reason I don't post on message boards. Every day we are faced with choices. We can hurt or we can help. I choose to help. I will never willingly hurt anyone, and I will do my best to turn the other cheek if someone hurts me. If someone does something I question, I will ask myself if there could possibly be another side to it.

Years ago, a woman I worked with sent in a complaint about me. The rest of my co-workers were up in arms, and couldn't believe it. *I* couldn't believe it. I've never made an enemy in my life. I blamed myself for it, and felt bad that I made someone feel bad and I apologized, eventhough I didn't know what I'd done wrong. Years later she approached me and told me that she has lived with the guilt of that complaint. She admitted that she was jealous of me and my "people skills" and felt that she was invisible next to me. I forgave her, but it made me question myself for years. We have to think harder about our decisions and even our words. Words can really do damage.

Message boards seem to bring out the worst in people, and only make women look worse. Many women bond and form great friendships, and many rise above... but I think these boards also make it *ok* to say whatever we think. Just because they are words on a screen, doesn't mean that we don't still have responsibility for what we say.

I, for one, will probably never post my pictures now. I, too, am only in underwear in them. For me, I hope that someday I will be able to look at them and have a great sense of pride at how far I've come. In my photos, I am over 100 pounds overweight, and I am sure to many, a fat woman in her underwear is "gross". I don't like them either. I think people post their "before" and "after"s to show how far they have come. Many people haven't finished yet, and are still "fat". Can you imagine how you'd feel if you posted your progress photos and someone said "ewww gross" and how hurt you would be? I can't imagine it. It must be horrible.

Ok, I think I've made my point... stepping off my soap box now. I just hope all of us will rise above these petty things, and think before we type. I don't know David Yancey personally, in fact I don't think I've ever even posted a reply to him, or him to me. I feel a kinship, in this whole weightloss journey, to ANYONE that struggles with weight. These places are supposed to be our safe places to post, and I hope they continue to be.

Ok.. I feel better... hubby will tell me later I'm PMS'ing.. and I probably am!

Cheryl

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Day 33 VLCD - TOM has arrived!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 240.5
Weight loss today – 2 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 0lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 26.5 lbs


Tom arrived like a thief in the night.. as it always does! The cramps aren't any where near as bad this time. I think maybe they were really bad the first time, because it was too close to starting the hcg and my hormones were still adapting! Today is manageable, although I have taken aspirin a couple of times. Even without the hcg I get bad cramps/migraine around this time. I guess I'm continuing on the hcg straight through!

And now my happy news! I lost 2 pounds!!! I can't believe TOM came and I still lost.. it's blowing my mind! I'm trying to not get too excited, because I feel more bloated now than I did in the morning, so I'm still trying to stay "prepared". If the scale goes up tomorrow, I'll know it's water gain. STILL, I'm smiling! I'm only 0.6 pounds away from the 230s!

My house is finally quiet. My daughter's friends are gone and I can hear myself think. Ahhh I can't tell you how nice that is! I love the girls, and I love having them around, but I like my "me" time, too. I think I'm just going to curl up with a nice hot cup of tea and a good movie and relax.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Cheryl :)

p.s. Don't forget to take a few minutes today and think of our men/women in service - past and present. No matter what your stance is on war, we have to remember that we are so blessed to live in free countries because of the bravery of these fine soldiers.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Day 32 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 242.5
Weight loss today – 0lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 2 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 24.5 lbs

Hey all!

Well, this is a bit late in the day. Weekends are crazy! I've got my daughter's two friends here for the weekend, and I'm finding it hard to get a minute alone to post!

Not much to report today. TOM is due tonight, so I'm not too worried about the weight not moving. If TOM arrives, I'm expecting a gain tomorrow, so I'll be prepared for it. This is my second TOM this round. The first one I just kept going (as I believe the Releana people do), but the cramps were pretty bad the first day. I think I'll probably keep taking my hcg straight through again. I guess I'll see how it goes! I still haven't really found any information on why Dr. Simeons felt we should stop during this time.

I hope you are all having a great weekend!

Cheryl

Friday, November 9, 2007

Day 31 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 242.5
Weight loss today – 2 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – +1 lb
Weight loss since beginning – 24.5 lbs

Good afternoon all!

Unfortunately I'm still not 100% yet, today. My daughter and a couple of her friends (who are always here!) had the stomach flu last week, and I thought I managed to escape it. I guess I didn't manage to completely. On the plus side, it's definitely a milder case than I've ever had. No throwing up, as of yet!

2 lbs lost today, which is great! But I'm not really trusting that number with what's going on with me. I think I'm all out of balance. PLUS, TOM is due. Stomach flu and TOM. Someone is testing my dedication!! hehe

Today is definitely a soup day.

Hope you're all having a great Friday! Thank goodness it's finally here. I'm looking forward to checking out everyone's blog.

Cheryl :)

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Day 30 VLCD - Blech

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 244.5 lbs
Weight loss today – + 1 lb
Weight loss yesterday – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 22.5


Well, today is not a good day. I woke up in the middle of the night with diarrhea and have been back and forth to the bathroom ever since. In my morbid twisted little brain I thought, "Well at least I'll lose weight! Don't models take laxatives to lose?"... It seems I am mistaken. Not only did I not lose an ounce, but I GAINED a pound! The worst part is that I weighed after I woke up.. saw the one pound gained.. went back to bed.. got up to the bathroom again, and gained another 1/2 pound!! What was that physics law? Matter cannot be created or destroyed?? I don't care, I'm taking the first weight and sticking with it.

My hubby isn't happy with the scale today either. He said he stepped on it 3 times and got 3 different numbers. We just changed the battery so that can't be it. Maybe we've just worn the poor thing out. Can anyone give me a scale suggestion? I'm going to buy a new one.. preferably before we're done the protocol!

Anyway, I'm sick and grouchy and I'm going back to bed! I'll have to check in with you all later! Thanks for the advice on the rebounder, Lili. I hope it is water.. !!

Have a good day everyone!

Cheryl

p.s to Biz - Restless Leg Syndrome sort of feels like you can't keep your legs still. It is sort of like a tingling feeling, but you can't get any relief unless you move your legs. I literally bicycle in the bed until the magnesium kicks in. I also get it in the car on long trips, and have to get out and walk a bit, too. Tell JPS to try the magnesium and see if that relieves her symptoms. It literally kicks in within 20 minutes for me!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Day 29 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 243.5 lbs
Weight loss today – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 2 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 23.5


I guess hoping for 2 big losses in a row was a bit much to ask! Ah well, back to the 0.5's! I did everything exactly the same as yesterday, just to see what that would yeild. The only thing I changed was that I jumped on my mini trampoline for about 15 - 20 minutes. Nothing strenuous! I suffer from insomnia, and I thought maybe the extra little exercise would help me sleep... oh, that's the other thing that was different. I didn't fall asleep until 2:30 AM! I really think I don't lose if I don't fall asleep before midnight. We'll see what the scale says tomorrow!

Well, I don't have much to report, today! Wednesdays are my busy/crazy days. I always feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done.

I hope you all are having a great day! If you didn't see my reply to ALL the comments yesterday, let me say it again THANK YOU!! Your support is really getting me through this. I am really enjoying everyone's blogs, and I cheer just as much for you as I do for myself when you have a good day! What a wonderful group of women I've found. I feel truly blessed.

Ok, off to read blogs!

Cheryl :)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Day 28 VLCD - WHOOOOSH!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 244 lbs
Weight loss today – 2 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 23 lbs


WHOOOOSH!! Yeah baby!!! Ok, 2 lbs for me is a whoosh to all of you who can drop multiple pounds in a day! :P

Needless to say, I'm really happy today! I drank 3 1/2 litres of water yesterday, drank my green tea, choked down my apple cider vinegar.. and low and behold, I was rewarded. Being home definitely made a difference. When you're in your car, and you aren't sure when you'll see the next bathroom, you don't chug down litres of water!! I feel so good about staying true to plan. I see so many people who are able to cheat and still lose. I know I can't, and I accept it. It's all or nothing! Today is a good karma day for me.

I hope I've gotten some momentum on this diet. I'd like to see some pounds lost in the next 10 days! I can't believe I only have 10 days left. Part of me is so happy to be almost done this round (denver omelet, here I come!) but part of me is sort of saying, "but.. but... I want to lose more!" I'm sure all of you can relate.

I've decided to stop after 40 doses, because my birthday is coming up in December, and my husband wants to take me out to dinner and a movie.. etc. I struggle with really bad depression on my birthday every year (have since I was about 13) and it's always hard on my family. This year I am trying to be positive ahead of time and believe that it will be a great day. I'll enjoy the holidays and start fresh on Jan 2nd. I'm already looking forward to it, and I'm not done this round, yet!

Hope you're all having a wonderful day!

Cheryl :)

Monday, November 5, 2007

Day 27 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 246 lbs
Weight loss today – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – ?
Weight loss since beginning – 21 lbs

Yesterday at the hotel, the scale said 245 and I didn't believe it, because I had barely any water, and spent most of the day in a car! Sure enough, today I step on the scale and I am 246. I don't know if I gained a pound yesterday or if I didn't lose... whatever! The scale is lower than it was on Saturday, and I have to be happy with that! Every 0.5 pound I lose is 0.5 pounds closer to my goal.

You know, I was thinking today that so many of us have the word "journey" in our blog titles. It just seems so appropriate. As we were driving down these long country roads on the weekend, I couldn't help but feeling that I was on my own weightloss journey. Sometimes it's beautiful, sometimes it's a bit rocky, sometimes there is a sharp unexpected bend in the road, sometimes wonderful people are met along the way, but one thing never changes.. it's exciting to see where I'll end up.

I hope all of you are in good spirits today, whether you've lost, gained, maintained, or haven't started yet. We're all travelling this road together.

Now I want a big hill of a whooosh! hehe

Night all.

Cheryl :)

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Day 26

Hey all!

Unfortunately I can't update my stats today, as I stayed in a hotel last night, and I forgot to bring my scale! I used the one in the hotel gym, but I don't think it was accurate. I guess tomorrow morning will tell.

This weekend was good. I managed to go away for a couple of days with the family and still stay on plan! I did have a diet drink.. hopefully that won't affect me! It was so hard not to cheat. We went to this great Italian bakery, trying to find grissini... oh the smells! I would love a nice fresh piece of bread and butter.. mmmm! I'm having a hard craving weekend. I guess it's because I wasn't in my comfort zone. French fries.. that's what I'm dying for. Hubby would like a big t-bone. I keep telling him he can have that in a couple of weeks. I have to wait longer for my fries!!

I don't have time to look at all the blogs tonight, but I'm looking forward to getting to them, tomorrow! It's nice to see a couple of new people posting comments. I'll check out your blogs, tomorrow, too!

And look, Amie! I got my ticker working!! Thank you :) Did you know (probably a stupid question) that amie is the french word for friend? I think that's so cool :)

Ok all I'm off to bed as it's almost midnight! Thanks again for all your words of support. I hope I can do the same when you all need the extra encouragement. I keep telling myself that I can do anything for a day, so as long as I get through "today" I'll be ok. It's working for me!

Goodnight all!

Cheryl :)

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Day 25 VLCD

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 246.5
Weight loss today – 0.5 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 2 lbs
Weight loss since beginning – 20.5 lbs


Good morning all! I figured I'd post earlier since I'll be out all day. Normally I like to post at the end of the day.. sort of a record on how I did!

Well, another 0.5 lbs gone. Yay! As long as the scale is moving, I'm happy! And you know what's funny? My scale doesn't only measure in 0.5 increments, I just seem to lose/gain in 0.5 increments! My hubby gets 0.2s and 0.8s.. etc. Maybe it's more accurate for a lighter person, I dunno!

I really enjoyed catching up on all your posts! It sounds like everyone has had a good week with some ups and downs. I guess it's all par for the course. I really enjoy this little blogging community we've got going. I don't think I could do this without you guys. Who else would listen to me complain about gaining and who else would share their knowledge and let me know everything will work itself out in the wash?

I think you really do need a support group when you're trying to lose weight. I think, for me, so many people think, "Oh another diet".. or "Just eat less and exercise more". They really have no clue about the struggle of weight. You guys get it. Granted some of you don't have a lot to lose, but you know that feeling of not feeling comfortable in your own skin. I alway say to my husband, "Ok, I'm ready to take off the fat suit, now." And to me, that's what this weight is. It's a big fat suit, and I'm hiding underneath it. I can't wait for the reveal!

Well happy Saturday everyone! Do something nice for yourselves today, you deserve it!

Cheryl :)

p.s. - can someone tell me how I can put a ticker on the top of my blog? Or do I need to change my template to do that? I feel so lost with all this html stuff!!

Friday, November 2, 2007

Day 24 VLCD I'm back!

Round 1
Date started – October 8th, 2007
Starting Weight – 267 lbs
Weight today – 247
Weight loss today – 2 lbs
Weight loss yesterday – 1 lb
Weight loss since beginning – 20 lbs

Hey all! Wow, it was so nice to come back to so many comments! I really never thought I'd be missed! You guys are so sweet, you brought tears to my eyes. Never would I imagine that people on the internet would care and support me as much as you guys have. I feel truly humbled.

Everything is good, it has just been a crazy busy week. I was averaging 4 hours sleep a night, and didn't sleep at all on the 30th. (I was finishing sewing my daughter's Halloween costume!). I just didn't have the energy to come online; sleep had to take precedence. My hubby has been great. I think I might not have eaten at all if it hadn't been for him. On the days where I was exhausted he cooked for me, made me eat, brought me my Hcg.. etc. I was terrible about drinking water, but he made sure I ate! I haven't cheated one single morsel, honestly, I didn't want to eat at all.

The Saturday after I posted last, I gained another pound. I went up to 251.5. I'll admit it, I broke down. I never cheat, I have cut out melba toast and oranges. I really wanted to just give up and accept that I'd never get below 250 lbs. My husband hugged me and told me to stay strong, and that I was doing great, and to not give up. And I didn't. I believe that stress, and not sleeping, really inhibits weight loss. I stayed at 251.5 pounds for 3 days and still kept putting one foot in front of the other. I made 40 chocolate-covered apples for my daughter's troop and never once licked my fingers! I just had to believe that my perseverance would pay off.

So, here I am a week later, and I am 4.5 lbs lighter! It was worth it. I slept for probably 8 hours last night for the first time in a week, and I woke up 2 pounds lighter. I can't tell you how light my heart felt. And then I opened my email for the first time in a week and found all of your comments. It was so wonderful, I can't tell you how much you've all made my day.. my week! Just knowing that you all are pulling for me, and want me to succeed touches me more than I can say. I feel great that I can come on here and let you all know that I didn't give up. I stayed the course, and I had faith in the protocol.

SO, my theory is this... you must sleep to lose weight. Studies say that fat is burned between 10PM and 2 AM, and if you aren't sleeping during these hours, you aren't burning as much fat. You have to drink the water. There is no way around it. Now that I'm back on track with these two things, the weight loss has begun again. I'm still a believer! My husband has done wonderful, too. He has lost 14 pounds in 10 days. I'm really proud of him!

Now I have a week of blogs of all of yours to read! I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks again for your comments, I really appreciate it!

Cheryl :)