Monday, May 12, 2008

Day 23 Sick today! Immune System is low. -Today's weight 252.0lbs. (down 14.5lbs)

Weight up 1.5lbs. Mother's Day no doubt. It was my day, so I enjoyed every minute and tantilizing mouthful. Only, this morning awoke with fever, chills, coughing, nasal congestion, and headache. Sent home from work, so I haven't really eaten anything except an apple and some lean beef already cooked from yesterday. Didn't feel like veggies due to diarrhea. Really wanted some bread. Anyway, haven't planned meals for tomorrow yet, and didn't follow the plan I had for today.

Better luck tomorrow.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Day 21 - "Is it a Habit Now?" Today's weight 250.5 (down 16lbs)

They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Well, I dunno...Is it a habit yet? Let's see. Woke up hunting for my water to drink, and wasn't hungry when I woke up. After about an hour, had a taste for an apple, a staple in this program. Still bored with the list of allowed foods though. So far it's mid-morning and I'm not obsessing about food. Maybe that's the intended goal of the boring food list. Maybe after being restricted, you start to look at food differently. Well, when I look at food, all I think about is what I can't have, what I can have, what I should have, and what I want! Ha! Moving on, moving on!

Almost out of my little bottle of Releana Sublingual HGH drops. This stuff tastes awful, and causes a gag reflex when I take it. Can't wait until it's gone! Looking into the Lipotropic BC injections. I believe more in that than I do the HGH. I just don't believe something that can make you gain weight, can also make you lose it. It has to be the calorie restriction in my case that is making me lose. If I weighed around 150lbs, and took the HGH injections without a calorie restriction I wonder if I would lose? I'm glad for anyone out there that believes it works for them, and are having success on it, but for me I'm not so sure. I'm thinking of it now as more of a supplement of sorts. Although, I can't think of anything that I'm lacking nutrionally that HGH would be replenishing. The real test will be when the bottle is empty, and I get to see if the continued calorie restriction will keep me losing the weight. If it doesn't, I will be the first to admit, that maybe I was wrong.

Meals planned for today:

Releana
Breakfast: Coffee w/ Splenda, 1 Rye Cracker w/sugar-free, fat-free strawberry spread.
Snack: Apple (ate that first)
Lunch: Pan seared shrimp over lettuce & tomatoes w/Parmesan cheese & vinaigrette dressing.
Snack: 1/2 Grapefruit w/ splenda
Dinner: 1 Talapia Fillet w/ broccoli

Friday, May 9, 2008

Day 20. Not A Habit Yet! Todays weight 251.5 (down 16lbs)

Still not a habit with me yet! Getting very bored with it. Weight-in is Monday morning. I have mixed feelings about the whole program. I'm not sure where I'll be Sunday. Anyway...

Meals today were:

Releana sublingual drops.
Breakfast: Coffee w/ splenda, 1 Rye cracker w/ sugar-free, fat-free strawberry spread. (stomach a little upset).

Snack: None

Lunch: 3 Egg whites, Rotisserie chicken, spinach, 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese. Lipo-supplements.

Snack: 1 Orange.

Dinner: Rotisserie Chicken w/ Spinach and parmesan. (went to sleep, all I could cook in a hurry upon waking ravenous).

Releana Sublingual drops.

The end of the day.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Day 19. They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit! Today's weight: 251.5lbs (still down 15lb.)

Feeling very low today! Wondering if I have what I takes to continue on this. I'm very bored with with this. The HGH make me gag now. I'm getting hungry much sooner in between meals, and not staying satisfied as long after meals. It's getting very hard to drink the water, even if flavor it with a no-calorie, no-sugar powder. I'm having constipation, so I've started an all natural laxative at night. I'm really trying to exercise regularly for muscle tone, and keep metabolism from slowing.

Meals today: Off plan for the most part.

Releana Sublingual drops.
Breakfast: Coffee with 1Tbsp milk.

Snack: None

Lunch: Antipasto salad w/ lettuce tomato, black olives, pepperonici peppers, cheese, salami, ham and vinaigrette dressing with whole grain bread & diet coke.

Snack: Apple & water

Dinner: Rotisserie chicken 2 slicess whole grain bread, diet coke.
Vitamin & lipo supplements.

Releana

Will try to continue. Didn't weigh in this week, but will first thing Monday.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Day 17 & 18 Novelty wearing a little thin! -Today's weight 251.5lbs (down 15lbs)

The novelty is wearing a little thin over the past couple of days. I'm getting very bored! Struggling to drink all my water, and the HGH sublingual drops makes me gag! doing OK with the weight loss. I'm modifying my food in order to keep from getting frustrated. I have been very hungry the past 2 days, today especially! It was all I could do to make it to 9:00 a.m. before I ate my snack which was an apple. Then by 11:00 a.m. I was extremely hungry again. Lunch at 12 made me feel better and I had my snack shortly after. Then by 3:00 p.m. I hungry again, and still had 2 hours to go before quitting time. Didn't get home until 5:30 p.m. and I was famished! Grabbed a hard boiled egg out of the refrigerator (79) calories. That helped a lot, and I was able to make it 'til dinner. However, the fatigue came down on me, and I didn't feel like cooking. So, my husband and I stopped at a barbeque restaurant and he picked up a pulled pork sandwich, and I got the BBQ chicken sandwich with the sauce on the side. Took it home and pulled the meat off and put it over a bed of romaine lettuce with vinaigrette dressing. I'm OK now.

Meals for today:

Releana
Breakfast: Coffee with Splenda

Snack: Apple & water

Lunch: 2 Egg white omelette with spinach and bacon bits & 1Tbsp Parmesan Cheese.

Snack: Orange

Dinner: Above described chicken salad & water. Supplements!

Releana

Monday, May 5, 2008

Cinco De Mayo! Celebrating life! Day 16- Today's weight 251.5 (still down 15lbs)

Today was a good day at work. I didn't yield to temptation of eating the celebretory food at lunch. I went home and ate a 3 egg white omelette w/spinach for lunch with Melba toast. I was proud of me. I added the calories and there were only 244 calories. I'm learning how to make better choices with regular food. Hopefully this will continue giving me the results I'm seeing.

Meals today:

Releana HGH Sublingual drops
Breakfast: Coffee w/Splenda

Snack: None (too busy at work)

Lunch: 3 egg white omelettes w/ spinach, Real-Bacon bacon bits, 1 Tsp Parmesan Cheese.
Melba toast & Diet Coke.

Snack: None

Dinner: 1/2 Boneless chicken breast, 3/4 cup Asparagus & NO-calories, NO -sugar beverages.

Releana Sublingual drops.

Oh well, until tomorrow, Good Night!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Moving Right Along!

Day 15 -Things have certainly swung in the right direction! Today's weight 251.5lbs (down 15lbs).

Well, the shock is still resonating in my mind, with the image of the scales this morning! It seems that modifications in my VLCD to fit MY lifestyle, is proving to be beneficial. Dr. Simeon (sp) said in his 'Pounds and Inches Protocol' that the most tiresome patient's are those that use their little books to come up with all kinds of combinations that equal 500 calories, and then wonder why they don't get the results they desire, when one has spent many years of research putting the right foods together". Well I can't quote him verbatim, but you get the idea. Well, they may be tiresome to him and doctors like him, but when you have 125lbs to lose, any GREAT reduction in calories done over a long period of time consistently will produce a loss! Such is the case with me apparently!

Meals for today: (my modified VLCD)

Breakfast: Chai Tea w/Splenda
Releana Sublingual Drops

Snack: Nothing. (no time, at church)

Lunch: 2 Egg whites lightly scrambled with 2 tbsp milk, salt & pepper, 1 handful baby spinach, and 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese. 1 sv Melba Toast & water.
Vitamins and Supplements.

Snack: Apple & No-calorie, no sugar beverage.

Dinner: Will be eating out today. Very special occasion. Cannot back out.

Motto: Eat what I can, share the rest. Above all NO GUILT!

Happy Sunday!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

WOW! All I have to Say!

Day 14 -Today's weight 253.5lbs! (down 13lbs)

Wow is all I have to say! Scales show a loss of 2lbs! Did not expect it! Will not pre-judge the program anymore.

Meals plan today:

Breakfast: Coffee w/1Tbsp milk & Splenda

Snack: Apple & Water

Lunch: Crabmeat salad over Romaine Lettuce and vinaigrette dressing, 1 piece Melba Toast.

Snack: 1 Orange & water

Dinner: 1/2 Boneless chicken breast broiled and cut up over lettuce with tomato basil salsa. and taco seasonings. No-calorie, no sugar beverage.

Bedtime: Chai Tea at bedtime.

I'm so excited! Still working on the energy part. Did some research last night on VLCD. There are a lot of mixed opinions. I'm still going to follow what I think is best for me and my body! As long as I can feel good doing a weight loss plan, I will be able to continue it. Weight loss is easy, keeping it off is the goal!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Start Stop! Start Stop! What?...Day 13 Today's weight 255lbs (still down 11.5lbs.)

Not moving at all! Beginning to wonder if this is worth it? It's like car with bad gas in it. The motor sputters and stalls over and over. I haven't had any energy lately. I'm wondering if the lack of carbohydrates is causing this. I'm not use to not being able to eat whole grains for digestive health, dairy for bones, even carrots and other colored vegetables for the betacarotene, heart healthy fatty fish like salmon, and eggs or egg whites for muscle building protein. I'm not sure this diet is a way of life. It seems to me, that it's too long of a weight loss phase, not eating foods that are proven to be healthy for you and necessary. The HGH may be doing something to the fat, and the lipotropic supplements I take maybe breaking down some fats in difficult places, but I'm not so sure how this will continue. Especially, without exercise to build muscle as you lose the fat. With the HGH working on fat, and the lipotropic supplements working on fat, what's working on muscle building? The heart is a muscle, and it needs to be strengthened as well. Also Carbohydrates are very important to cardiac health and boosting metabolism and brain function! I'm having significant brain fog, forgetfulness, and problems concentrating.

By the same token, I'm still afraid to just abandon this altogether! After all, calorie restriction will produce a weight loss, but it will also cause a slow down in the metabolism, which will in turn slow weight loss. I need exercise! I don't know what to do! I need to do more research on VLCD's and the benefits versus risks.

Meals today were:

Coffee w/ 1Tbsp Milk & splenda

Apple & Green Tea flavored water at mid-morning

Grilled chicken salad with vinaigrette dressing & more flavored water at lunch

No snack

Dinner: Broiled white-fish, cole slaw with vinegar dressing, salt & pepper, and Crystal Lite to drink.

Took Releana upon awaking and just before starting dinner.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Same Ole' Same Ole'....Day 12 Today's weight -254.5lbs. (down 11.5 pounds)

Well, up .5lbs. No biggie! Will try and add a little weight training after this week. believes metabolism is slowing down somewhat. That happens to people who have a history frequent dieting, as I do (mostly women). Still feeling great and full of energy!

Today's meals:

Chai Tea w/ Splenda

Snack: Nothing

Lunch: Green Salad w/vinagrette dressing, melba toast

Snack: 1/2 Grapefruit w/Splenda

Dinner: 3 1/2 oz bonless grilled chicken breast, Asparagus & Tomato slices.

It's gonna be a great day!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Day 11 Motor started! On the move again! Today's weight 254.5lbs (down 12lbs)

Probably won't have time to blog later today so I'm doing it now before I go to work. Yesterday was a great day, and I'm hoping today with be just as great. I feel better, I some energy and I'm thinking positive these days.

My meals planned for today are:

Breakfast: Coffee w/ 1Tbsp milk

Snack: Apple & water

Lunch: Shrimp & Broccoli w/tomatoes & unsweet tea

Snack: Apple & water

Dinner: lean pork chop & green salad w/vinaigrette dressing.

Bedtime: Green/Mint tea

I'm looking forward to another positive day.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

A day full of surprises! Today's weight 255lbs. (down 10.5lbs)

Today was full of surprises. First day back to work, flowers left at my desk this morning, patient's who missed me and the most surprising of all was that lunch was catered today. It was grilled lean steak fajitas, green salad w/tomatoes, and a variety of dressings, as well as unsweetened tea. I measured out my steak strips, made a small salad with lettuce and tomato only, and uses 2 Tbsp of Vinaigrette dressing. It was good not having to come home for lunch today. While everyone else ate sugary chocolate cake with white icing, I had a valencia orange that was just as sweet, but more satisfying. I felt good!

Meals today:

Breakfast: Coffee w/1 Tsp milk & Splenda

Snack: 1 apple & melba toast

Lunch: Steak fajita strips, above mentioned salad w/vinaigrette dressing & unsweetened Tea. 1 Orange.

Snack: Nothing

Dinner: Microwaved boneless chicken breast w/ broccoli and a slice of tomato with water to drink.

Bedtime: Nothing

Monday, April 28, 2008

STOP! LOOK BOTH WAYS! - PROCEED! Traffic has slowed today! Day 9 - Today's weight 255lbs (holding down 11.5lbs)

No disaappointment about no weight loss! I know exactly what happened! I didn't get in all my water yesterday, and that for sure is what affected my weight. I think I will see a change tomorrow (I hope). It will be a new routine for me as I go back to work. Will have to put in place my new "staying on track" plan so I want yield to the tempations that will be waiting for me at lunch time everyday when I go to work. That's what life is about! Challenges, and setbacks, Hills & valleys, Ups and Downs. Bring it on!

Meals planned for today:

Coffee w/1Tbsp milk.

Snack: Apple & Melba toast (as I will be away from home)

Lunch: Crabmeat over lettuce and sliced cucumbers & water

Snack: 1/2 Grapefruit w/ Splenda

Dinner: Talapia w/asparagus

Bedtime: Green Tea.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

On The Move Again!

Day 8-The Scales are moving again! Today's weight - 255.0lbs. (down 11.5) pounds.

Well a move in the right direction this morning. Good to see, especially since this is the first day of the 2nd week on the VLCD. I have my first weigh-in at the doctors office on Monday. I have prepared a list of questions for her concerning the plan and hopefully she will be able to give me some answers. Also, answers to questions regarding the cardiac workup that peformed on my first visit. I need some results.

Truly, the water is the most important thing on this plan or in any plan for that matter. There is a difference when you do not get in at least 90% of your water in daily. It seems that anything less than 90% results in a gain or a stand still in your weight.

Meals for today:

Breakfast: Coffee w/Splenda & 1tbsp milk.

Snack: Apple & water

Lunch: 3 1/2 oz Whiting fillets seasoned and broiled, Cabbage slaw (made with allowed spices), Melba Toast.

Snack: 1/2 Grapefruit w/ Splenda

Dinner: 3 1/2oz Steak or boneless lean pork broiled, Asparagus & Romaine salad w/ Vinaigrette dressing, Grissini breadstick.


Bedtime: Coffee or Green Tea

Today is Sunday, so the lean steak will be good to have. Looking forward to week 2. The goal according to the Doc is 20lbs in a month. I'm halfway there alreaday!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Truck Stop Mode!

Still NO LOSS Today's weight 256.0lbs (down 10.5lbs). I guess it could be worse. Last Saturday this time I was 266.5lbs. 10 pounds is nothing to "Shake a stick at". I 'm thankful. Just longing to make my first mini goal I set for myself, and that was to be below 250lbs in a month. I'm impatient because it's only been a week! LOL!

Anyway will be busy today, but have meals planned:

Coffee w/1 Tbsp milk, splenda

Apple & water

Broiled boneless chicken breast (3 1/2oz), Spinach 3 1/2oz) sauteed with some onion powder, and garlic & water

1/2 Grapefruit with Splenda

Steamed shrimp and Broccoli

Optional: Green Tea.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Keep on Movin' Day 6 - Today's weight still 256lbs. (down 10lbs)

Trying to keep motivation going. I've dieted so much in the past that it doesn't take much to lower motivation. The weight loss is a good motivation, but it's gonna take more than that this time! I'm learning. Weight loss is about more than the weight. It's about changing your life, including the way you think about yourself, not just the way you think about the food. I haven't really experienced this personally, but others, I know, that have successfully changed their lives, as well as their bodies all tell me the same things. You can see it when you look at them, even from a distance.

Any hoo....

Meals for today are:

Coffee w/1Tbsp milk & Splenda

1/2 Grapefruit

3 1/2oz lean beef sirloin broiled, 3 1/2oz boiled cabbage, water

Granny Smith apple

Steamed shrimp and broccoli, water.

Out for coffee with a friend

Thursday, April 24, 2008

OK...I'm still hungry What This?

I'm still hungry! No real loss either! Today's weight -256.0lbs No loss

It could be because...Well I'm not sure why! Today I weighed my food as instructed, but I did eat 2 Grissini bread sticks at dinner. Maybe that's the reason. I went back to read the Simeons Pounds & Inches Manuscript, and went over the Releana VLCD that was given to me by my Doc. All I can come really come up with, is that because I'm a woman, I lose weight differently and a different rate. I leanred that even though the amount of weight lost during Phase II is pretty much the same for both men and women, that the amount of loss on a daily basis is different. Example, where a man may continue to lose at the rate of 1 to 3 pounds a day, a woman may lose a pound one day, then gain nothing another day, and have a dramatic loss the next day. I understand the lack of a weight drop, but I'm wondering why I'm hungry?

Well, I'm not quitting, just want some answers or reassurance. Will see the Doc on Monday to weigh in. Will see what she has to say.

Meals today were:

Coffee w/ 1Tbsp skim milk 1 packet Splenda

Apple & water

3 1/2 oz micro-steamed shrimp over spinach leaves topped with pureed tomatoes, cucumbers, allowed Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt & pepper, 4 tbsp water. & water to drink. 1 Grissini breadstick.

1 orange & water

3 1/2 oz Boneless chicken breast seasoned and oven broiled, 3 1/2oz Asparagus tips w/garlic powder, Crystal lite to drink.

Nothing before bed.

I did drink all my water today plus! I will leave off the Grissini or melba toast tomorrow and the Crystal lite (even though the Doc says it's OK). I'm not allowed to do cardio exercises because of the severe calorie restriction, it's not good for my heart. I'm allowed to start some mild weigh training twice weekly though. I have a home gym (my husband's) so I will start there. Bought a new machine that came today called the Body Energizer! It's a body vibrator. My Doc has one in her office and patient's that are enrolled in the weight loss programs are allowed to use the machine twice a week for free. Since I will be working, and not able to get to her office, I managed to find a machine for personal use online at Amazon.com. It vibrates the body thus causing the unwanted fat cells to breakdown and be absorbed into the blood stream and then be excreted from the body via the kidneys. I'm really sure about the science of this machine, but supposedly using this machine for 10 minutes is the equivalent of 1 hour of aerobic exercise. I tend to believe that based on the way I felt after trying it in the office! I felt as if my legs, arms and hips were burning, like they do when I walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes to an hour. I'll use this twice a week until I can add more food to my diet and begin light cardio workouts.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

HUNGER!...Oh, the HUNGER!

Being away from the house IS going to be a problem for me next week. I need to start planning what I will be taking to lunch daily, and figure out a way to split my meals to carry me through the day. I thought focusing on working would help, but even after I had lunch today, I was still hungry an hour later.

I think I'm going to need some help!

I'm scheduled to weigh-in on Monday 4/28. I wonder if I can see the Nutritionist or something? Something else is gonna have to be done. If I can't take and appetite suppressant, I'm not sure what I will do. I pray that my cardiac evaluation turns out negative. I also hope that if I can't do an appetite suppressant, maybe my allowed foods can be changed or expanded.

Something has gotta give...a little!

I have committment, I understand that this is not something I can put down and pick up at will. I'm willing to stick it out as long as necessary if I could just control the hunger! I feel a little stupid after touting this plan to a friend, and talking about not being very hungry! Well, to correct my misinformation, you DO get hungry after being on the plan more than 3 days. An appetite suppressant, if you can take them, will be extremely helpful!

I'm still hangin' in!
Just trucking along! - Day 4 - Today's weight 256.5lbs (down 9.5lbs)

Another good day for me. No frustration yesterday. Excited about the loss. Almost 10lbs gone. Will be out of the house today, so I will get a chance to see if that will make a difference in my hunger. Will make sure to take a snack and water.

Planned meals for today:

Breakfast: Coffee w/ Splenda 1Tbsp milk

Snack: 1 Apple & Melba Toast

Lunch: 3 1/2 oz Steamed Shrimp & Broccoli w/Tomato, water to drink.

Snack: 1/2 Grapefruit w/ Splenda

Dinner: Micro-steamed boneless chicken breast, sauteed Zucchini & Tomatoes.
Water to drink.

Green Tea at bedtime.

Really looking forward to next week when I'm back to work. Set to go back on Tuesday 4/29.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Out Of The Gate...and I'm Off! - Day 3 Todays weight 259.0lbs (down 7.5lbs)

Feeling good! Able to resist temptations yesterday but was a little frustrated. Surprised at the weight loss. Down another 4.5lbs. Looking Good!

Followed my meal plan yesterday with a few changes. I wasn't very hungry yesterday. I'm sure that will change once I'm back to work.

Here are my planned meals for today:

Breakfast: Coffee w/1Tbsp milk & Splenda

Optional: Apple (if I should get hungry before lunch time)

Lunch: 3 1/2oz Broiled boneless chicken breast w/Spinach salad and homade dressing, water to drink.

Snack: 1/2 Grapefruit w/ a little Splenda, water to drink.

Dinner: 3 1/2 oz Free-range beef seasoned with steak seasoning & onion powder, garlic and broiled, Zucchini slices sauteed in garlic, salt & pepper, Diet soda to drink.

Night Cap: Green Tea

Didn't do my 30 minute walk yesterday due to it being too hot when I was ready to walk. I'm on my way out the door this morning while it is still cool out.