R3P2D15 -1.2 (-12.2lbs/8.75" total)

Considering the temptations I faced...yet I stilled stayed perfect on protocol...I'm a little disappointed at the miniscule loss these past three days. Ah well, tomorrow is another day.

The photo at right is just a small portion of the food surrounding me on Saturday night. But I was good. Not even a finger taste...just green tea. Impressive, no?

And to add insult to injury...I had to face the many leftovers at the "morning after" recap visit. Cruel, I tell you. Just. Plain. Cruel.

Speaking of Saturday's fete (and gosh, what a fun time), I had a few of the girls ask me about hCG. I guess they are intending to start on April 1. I gave them my blog eddress and figured I'd pop in this "hCG 101" for them (tho, gals, do google and read "Pounds & Inches" (http://www.thehcgdiet.com/pdf/pounds-and-inches-by-dr-a-t-w-simeons.pdf)).

Here's the short story:

Phase 1: 2-3 loading days of eating anything you want (higher fat content, the better). Take drops.

Phase 2: 21-40 days of very specific portions and limited choices of foods (google Pounds & Inches, see link above)...if it's not on the list? You. Can. Not. Have. It! This is called VLCD (very low calorie diet); drink at least half your current weight in ounces of water, only up to 45 mins of light walking and no cheating (not even a finger taste). Sweeten with stevia only (truvia had added sugar). No fats, sauces, alcohol. Take drops.

P3: 21 days of 1500 cals per day (or google BMR calculator and get the exact number of calories your body needs to maintain). Consume no starches or sugar. Add in dairy (full fat...to many hidden sugars in low-fat), olive oil, avocado, nuts, cheese, other proteins (salmon, tuna, pork, turkey, etc.); all fruits (except bananas...too starchy); all veg (except potatoes, winter squash, peas, corn...again, too starchy). Stevia only. No alcohol. No drops.

P4: lifetime...enjoy anything in moderation. Stay away from processed foods (just plain bad). No drops.

I can guess what you are thinking...I could lose weight if I just did this. And you would. You'd also be starving and would lose mostly muscle. The hCG takes care of that. So, though realllllly boring food wise, the results are incredible and -- at most -- it's only 6 weeks...You. Will. Live.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!
That's essentially it.

R3P2D11 -.8 (-10.4 total)

Woo-hoo! I hit the -10lbs mark. I. Love. Double. Digits.

Bad me, though. I failed to eat dinner last night. I was so caught up in work, next thing I knew it was 7:30, I was still a ways out from getting home and I have a steadfast rule: I don't eat after 8:00 p.m.

Amazingly, I did not have a stall...so that is good. Bet tomorrow's loss is even more generous. By the by, I'm back on track with eating today (remember, skipping a meal is really bad in P2...can easily throw you into starvation mode and you actually store what meager calories you take in! Eeeeeekkkk.

Today, I've had an apple, my lunch (a Mock Taco Salad) and 60oz of water already. Plus I went for a lovely walk with my honey and Scamps (about 40 mins.). All good, I'd say.

It is another incredible day here on the Gold Coast...I'm heading down to Starbucks for coffee and work.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D10 -.4 (-9.6 total)

Still shy of that magic first 10...oh well. Still focused and feeling great about this round.

I can not get over the difference eating clean and drinking gobs of water makes in relation to my hair, nails, skin...even sleep. Yes, this from the Ambien queen. Not to mention, dressing is a joy again...even with just 9.2lbs gone. Makes. A. Big. Difference.

Also, I noticed my focus is a bit better. Almost a case of "Look like a sloth? Feel like a sloth." "Look like a Goddess? Rule the world." Just sayin'.

Enjoying my Chicken Cacciatore with a 1cup shredded cabbage (sorta like spaghetti) for lunch today. I add it and a little extra water when I'm reheating my serving on the stove top. Key to do it there and not in the microwave...gets too mushy. The dish is quite good...I'll even eat it post-P2. The recipe is below.

Chicken Cacciatore (P2)
• Makes 6-1 cup servings (130 cals)

14oz Chicken breast, raw and trimmed of all visible fat
2 med. sized onions, chopped
Splash Red Wine vinegar
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tsp. Italian Seasoning, separated (Morton & Bassett makes a great hCG friendly blend)
1 28oz can Whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand (Red Pack is a good brand)
1 tbl. tomato paste (again, check label for no added sugar, etc.)
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
1/2 tsp. granulated onion
Salt & pepper
Optional: pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Bring 2 cups water and 1 tsp Italian Seasoning to a boil. Add chicken breasts and simmer 10-15 minutes until done. Let cool, then shred to bite size pieces.

Bring 3 tbl. water to simmer, add chopped onions, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, vinegar and pinch of salt. Cook until translucent, about 5 mins. Add garlic. Cook 1 minute.

Pour in hand-crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, garlic and onion powder (optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes). Simmer for approximately 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Add shredded chicken, salt & pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes more.

Let cool and transfer to 1-cup plastic containers. Freezes well.

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Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D9 -.4 (-9.2 total)

Another day, another loss.

Very pleased with this round. I'm focused and just feel better...already. Particularly in relation to my hair and skin. I'm sure that's the increased water intake. I'd been slacking for awhile. I trained my body to expect it for the past two years, then...BAM!...I start easing up and simultaneously drying up! YIKES.

Made 6 servings of Chicken Cacciatore...I'll post the recipe tomorrow. Need to still get some work done. Sooooo....

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D8 -2.2 (-8.8/-5" total)

It is a sad sign on the times when a diva needs to dye the hair on her head and bleach the hair over her lip! Ugh...getting old is not for sissies.

But hCG is...I'm loving this round. Feel great. Dropping "Pounds & Inches," a mere one week in. All. Good!

Been working and out of the house a lot...so eating on protocol, but also on-the-run. Today I'll be in Boston for a meeting most of the day. I've already packed 3.5oz lobster and a baggie of celery stix and radishes, plus I'll bring an apple. That should hold me until the evening's repast. It's all about preparation.

About the "mixing" of veg...purists will say, "You can't do that!" But, I'm still happy with my losses, so to heck with it. Not to mention, I don't do it EVERY meal, so there.

Need to also work in a run to the grocery store...low on fruit and veg. Otherwise, pretty well equipped to face week two of Round 3.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D6 -1.5 (-6.6 total)

Never did get to the blog yesterday...down 1.5lbs over the last two days. I'm pleased.

Of course, my honey has lost the same...and he is not near as diligent as I am, nor is he taking hCG...arrrggghhh, men and weight loss, the bane of being a woman. But then it's not all bad...my sweetie wants to go for lobsters today, a perfect P2 nosh. Count. Me. In.

Still trying to get back into the ACV with water habit...doesn't taste as good as I remember. I'm thinking another week of staying on protocol should completely cleanse my system of all the less-than-desirable tastes I re-acquired in the last year or so. I'll give it a shot then.

Also, I'm not sleeping well...even after taking 5mg of Ambien last night. Not only are both not getting zzz's and the Ambien not good for me, but I know a lack of adequate sleep in general is not good for the diet. Water and sleep appear to be key to stellar results, ya know? Again, I'll give it another week or so and see where we are. I vaguely recall this occurring at the start of my first round back in 2009. I had so much energy, I just didn't know quite what to do with it! At least I'm not cranky like I was with the night sweats and hot flashes (hence why I started HRT and am now doing a third round to permanently lose these same 8lbs I keep gaining...over and over again).

Not sure I mentioned it, but hoping to drop 15-20lbs total this round. I've decided I want/need a "comfort" buffer. Hovering +/-2lbs of my goal weight is waaaaaayyyyy too stressful. I'd like to be 5lbs below...then focus on the +/- of that figure...always 3lbs below my goal...make sense? Well, in my addled little brain it does, so there! SMILE.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!