Round 1/Phase 4/Day 13

At last...Flo has made her appearance. The bee-atch has been threatening since last week...and finally, she shows...with a vengeance. Honestly...menopause can not come soon enough.

Up .6 this morning, but between bloating and such, I'm not too worried. It is, in fact, the life of a dieting woman.

T-minus 8 days and counting until fun-in-the-sun. Yep. My honey and I are giving each other a tan for Christmas. Rather than face our families, we are leaving the country. Does it get any better?

Must work for at least an hour or two.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 4/Day 11

Down 30 lbs. as of this morning.

Can technically eat "what I want," but have been opting for proteins, good carbs and limited alcohol...obviously paying off...down 4.7 lbs. since official last weigh-in. Not surprised. Staying within my caloric range, drinking upwards of a gallon of water a day and engaging in moderate exercise...it's how weight would normally be shed, no?

It's not exactly difficult, this maintenance phase...but it's also not that easy. The hard part is slowly working in new foods and eating everything (good or bad) in moderation. I understand now that part of my weight issues have been poor eating choices, but the bigger problem is eating Too. Much. Food. No one needs 12 ounces of protein at dinner. No one needs a salad with more calories than a Big Mac. My favorite trick is to use my salad plate for all meals. It is plenty large and if my food doesn't fit? Chances are, my portions are super-sized.

So all that said. I'm learning to adopt these new habits as second nature. For example, had a lovely tomato based black bean soup for lunch...was served with decorative tortilla chips on the top. Technically, a small thing like that at this phase would not be a problem, but I figured, I don't 'loooove' them so why eat the wasted calories...small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Found a Cooking Light recipe for meatloaf (289 calories a serving) that I'll make for dinner tonight...will serve with a tomato, cucumber, feta & basil salad (say a 1/2 cup)...good protein and veggies. Will try to save room for a piece of fruit for dessert. I know, similar to the VLCD meal plan...with a few exceptions. Again, trying to look at my HCG journey as a life change, not just a diet.

To my plugging along,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 4/Day 5

So, still down 28.3 lbs. Go me. Slowly working in more and more foods, but still no sugar or starches. Think I'll stick with that rule indefinitlely. Drinking more, primarily champagne, but not to excess. Basically trying to execute good and reasonable choices.

And, it's not that hard. I really do eat way more food than ever before (about 1300-1400 calories each day), with a strong focus on protein. Thank god for Greek yogurt (love the 2% Fage)! Breaky is usually a tub of that, small tub of sugar-free pineapple tidbits and one tablespoon of sliced almonds. Filling and really yummy.

Also readjusting my fave recipes now. Made my signature "Hamburg Soup" with 93% burger, sausage and only green veggies (onion, spinach, celery)...no potatoes or barley.

My honey and I both have a nasty cold...thinking Chicken Pot Pie...only, no potatoes, peas...minimal carrots and lots more meat! Will still bake with puff pastry, but won't eat any. I'm learning it's all about planning and making good, healthy choices.

We'll see. Need to rest now.

Sorry for being an absentee blogger,

Jane Doh!

round 1/Phase 3/Day 5...down .6 lbs.

And I continue to be dazzled by how this protocol...Just. Plain. Works. It's crazy...I'm telling you.

Had a delish piece of "naked" grilled salmon (about 3 ounces) on top of a lightly dressed caesar salad (parmesan yes, croutons no)...lovely. With, of course, 32 ounces of water and two cups of black coffee, lightly sweetened with Stevia. I am the picture of discretion.

Looking forward to dinner already...thinking an omelette (my first) is in order...two large eggs, a spot of cream, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar and some diced tomato...oh yeah...bring it on.

Breaky today was another favorite: small tub of 2% cottage cheese, sugar-free pineapple tidbits and 1 tbl. of slivered almonds...talk about stick-to-your ribs...and all for just a measly 203 calories.

Trying to work/write at the library this afternoon...hoping for a few less distractions.

Must get the day going properly.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 3/Day 4...holding steady!

Amazingly, I'm eating in the 1300 range for calories each day...enjoying treats like all-natural peanut butter on my apple; olive oil in my dressings and loads of protein...yet, I'm still exactly at my last weigh-in...or minus 26.3 lbs. Sweet!

Also making every effort to get to exercising...been walking at least 10,000 steps each day...so, it's a start...small one, I know. Now to motivate to "really" exercise...as in hop on the elliptical or work out with the medicine ball...firm up my hot new bod.

No matter how you slice it, I feel great...and don't look half bad, either.

Fretting a bit over Turkey Day. Heading to my honey's family's house for dinner...can only eat turkey, so do I bring my own veggies and insult my hosts or just not eat anything but the bird? I don't know. I do know...I'm not cheating...to be honest, she (the sister-in-law) is just not that good a cook! Not to mention, every vegetable is cooked to shit, so the desire factor is low to none. But again, a plate with just a few slices of turkey on it is not going to make me any friends.

Ah, screw it...I'm a princess and I'll do as I damn well please. So there!

Back to work...eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 3/Day 3

.4 lbs. below final weigh-in, so hovering between 25&26 lbs. off.

No cocktails yesterday, but plenty of protein and good carbs. Also lots of H2O too.

Feel good today. Motivated to get cracking as far as work and responsibilities go. I've been a little deliquent what with completing projects and staying focused. But that's done. Today starts a new page.

Off to take the pooch on a brisk walk; shower; work; visit Dad after lunch; then more work. All good.

As for food...hmmm, might need to buzz to the store for some meats...prep a few chix breasts (for easy eating) and pick up a steak for tonight! Yum!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Round 1/Phase 3/Day 2

Up 1.0 lb. from yesterday, putting me exactly at my last weigh-in figure. That with consuming more food than I've had since the load days AND partaking of 2.5 glasses of champagne! Dare I say, I'm feeling confident that the HCG process works. Of course, it is considerably harder now given the myriad food choices available, but I'm working hard to stay focused. Plus, when in doubt, I pound back a big ol' glass of water.

Thinking of getting my honey to make me some eggs and cheese for breaky...just a thought. A little hungry, so I'm needing a little somethin' somethin'!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!