HCG Patch

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 23

Weight - 133.6

No loss today.  That's okay.  At least there's not been a rebound.  My calories were on the low side tonight so I did have some chocolate delight in the evening.  That adds about 200 calories of fat that is used by the liver rather than normal means.


Lunch - (193 calories)
100 g beef eye of round roast
150 g cucumber
100 g tomato
P2 dressing
1 grissini stick


Dinner - (139 calories)
1.5 portions of Shredded Tex-Mex Crock-Pot Chicken
100 g romaine lettuce for wraps


Total calories for the day 332
Daily Calorie Composition: 22% from carbs, 16% from fat and 62% from protein. 

Fat 6 g; Fiber 6 g; Carb 18 g; Sodium 196 mg; Protein 51 g  
 

Shredded Tex-Mex Crock-Pot Chicken

This recipe comes from TKSinclair's Blog.  The original recipe was made for use in the 17 Day Diet Cycle 1.  I have modified it for Phase 2 purposes.  The original calls for 1 tbsp of oil to saute the onions.  Instead I added a bit of chicken broth.

Don't forget to weigh your chicken raw to calculate the number of servings you will have when done.  ie 1000 g of chicken would be 10 servings.  Weight the finished product and divide by the number of servings to get your P2 portion weight.

Ingredients:
Serves 4
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup (packed) cilantro leaves, chopped
2 limes
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil  **Not in P2


Directions:

**(Heat the oil in a medium sized sauté pan)  If for Phase 2 of hcg, heat a couple of tbsp of chicken broth or water. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the cumin, chili powder, coriander, paprika and garlic and sauté two more minutes. Deglaze the pan with the chicken broth making sure to scrape up any browned bits. Turn off and set aside.

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to crock pot. Squeeze the lime on top, add the cilantro, jalapeno, and pour the onion and garlic mixture over top.

Cook on low for 3-5 hours, or until cooked through (different crock-pots cook at varying heats) and tender. Remove chicken breasts from the crock pot, shred and place in a bowl. Scoop out the onions and add to the chicken. Depending on the amount of juices produced, you may want to add some or all of the juice back to the shredded chicken.



Kitchen Tip: To easily juice the lime, heat in the microwave for a few seconds and then roll it on the counter top a few times like you are kneading it. Then slice in half and squeeze. Or use a hand juicer.
Recipe Note: You could also prepare this recipe in a pressure cooker.  Cook for about 12 minutes on high pressure.

Monday, June 4, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 22

Weight - 133.6

Well, that's something new.  All prepared for a rebound after 2 lbs yesterday and I get another .8 loss.  Amazing.  Could it be that the rx was just not what my body needed and the MyHCGWay Patches?  I know when I did a planned interruption last round and came back on with the patches, it really kick-started the losses.  This time I switched over from injections to the patch with a couple of days overlap.  Now that the rx is out of my system, suddenly I've lost 2.8 lbs in two days.

Lunch - (210 calories)
100 g beef eye of round roast
160 g romaine
P2 mustard dressing
110 g apple

Dinner - (244 calories)
**P2 Egg Salad & Greek Yogurt
1 large egg, hardboiled and smashed
1 tbsp dill relish
2 tsp mustard
pepper
227 g Kirkland Signature Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
100 g strawberries

Total calories for the day 454
Daily Calorie Composition: 34% from carbs, 17% from fat and 49% from protein.

Fat 9 g; Fiber 9 g; Carb 39 g; Sodium 446 mg; Protein 56 g  

Sunday, June 3, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 21

Weight - 134.4

I had to check the scale several times this morning.  2 lbs?  and in the right direction.  I'm fully braced for rebound tomorrow.


I did my Sunday omelet for lunch.  I've not been doing those this round to date so it was a welcomed change.


Lunch - (229 calories)
**Sunday Omelet
1 large egg
3 egg whites
60 g spinach
30 g red onion
100 g apple


Dinner - (149 calories)
100 g beef eye of round roast
150 g cucumber
10 g red onion


Total Calories for the day 378
Daily Calorie Composition: 29% from carbs, 20% from fat and 51% from protein. 

Fat 9 g; Fiber 6 g; Carb 27 g; Sodium 462 mg; Protein 47 g  

Saturday, June 2, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 20

Weight 136.4

Oh joy.. I stayed the same.  Sucky.  I'm eating somewhat normal P2 today and I did not inject.  I'm going to fly with the patches for a while and see how things go.  I did walk again today.  First time in 6 days.  Since my weight hasn't changed during that time I guess I can safely say the walking is not hampering losses.


Lunch - (220 calories)
**Spicy Beef & Celery Soup
100 g beef eye of round roast
165 g celery, diced
1 tbsp dried minced onion
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp cumin
red pepper flakes to taste
1 cup Pacific Natural Low Sodium Vegetable broth
1 cup water
96 g red apple




Dinner - (134 calories)
**Pico Chicken and A Salad
100 g grilled chicken breast
2 tbsp pico de gallo
150 g romaine
P2 mustard dressing


Total calories for the day 354
Daily Calorie Composition: 31% from carbs, 13% from fat and 56% from protein.

Fat 5 g; Fiber 10 g; Carb 28 g; Sodium 420 mg; Protein 50 g 

Friday, June 1, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 19

Weight - 136.4

I am doing one more day of increase protein and then going back to regular.  I am also including 2 tbsp of chocolate delight tonight in hopes if kicking up my metabolism.

On top of all this I slapped on a MyHCGWay patch yesterday.  I injected yesterday and today, but I am thinking I'm going to roll with just the patches and see if it makes a difference.  My DIL is still doing injections and I can give her the rest of my mixed vial.  I used the patches for 18 days of last round after taking a planned interruption and did very well with them.


Breakfast - (129 calories)
200 g Fage 0% Greek yogurt
35 g strawberries
lemon drop stevia to taste

Lunch - (147 calories)
100 g beef eye of round roast
85 g spinach
P2 mustard dressing

Afternoon snack - (110 calories)
1 scoop Jay Robb Chocolate Whey Protein

Dinner - (127 calories)
100 g chicken breast
150 g cucumber

I am having 2 tbsp of chocolate delight but they claim you don't count the calories in your daily totals.

Total calories for the day 513
Daily Calorie Composition: 14% from carbs, 9% from fat and 77% from protein.


Fat 5 g; Fiber 4 g; Carb 18 g; Sodium 430 mg; Protein 97 g

Thursday, May 31, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 18

Weight - 136.6

Goose-egg.  Blah..  Concentrating on a lot of protein today.

I'm going to the midnight showing of Snow White and the Huntsman so I know the scale isn't going to show anything nice tomorrow.


Breakfast - (99 calories)
168 g Fage 0% greek yogurt
lemon drop stevia


Lunch - (127 calories)
100 g beef eye of round roast


Afternoon Snack - (110 calories)
1 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla Whey Protein


Dinner - (202 calories)
**Ground Turkey Stir Fry
160 g Jennie-O 99% lean ground turkey
50 g celery
25 g onion
2 tablespoon pico de gallo
Spice Hunter Fajita Seasoning



Total Calories for the day 538
Daily Calorie Composition: 11% from carbs, 10% from fat and 79% from protein.

Fat 6 g; Fiber 2 g; Carb 15 g; Sodium 570 mg; Protein 104 g

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 17

Weight - 136.6

Getting pretty frustrated with this scale these days.   I'm pushing the protein today and stopping walking for a bit.

Went to see Avengers this afternoon, finally.  It was good that there was hardly anyone in the theater.  Thursday night I won't be so lucky.  Midnight showing of Snow White and The Huntsman.  There will be tons of people munching on popcorn.


I split my lunch into two portions.  Ate one early and one at lunch time. 

Lunch - (164 calories)
**Ground Beef and Celery Stir Fry
100 g 96/4 ground beef
150 g celery
1/4 cup beef broth
shake of onion powder, garlic powder, pepper



Afternoon Snack - (133 calories)
1 scoop Jay Robb Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
8 oz water
crushed ice
grissini stick on the side
 
Dinner - (207 calories)
**Halibut and Green Beans
150 g Kirkland Wild Alaskan Halibut
240 g No Salt Added Green Beans




Total calories for the day 504
Daily Calorie Composition: 16% from carbs, 15% from fat and 69% from protein. 

Fat 8 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 19 g; Sodium 523 mg; Protein 82 g

Monday, May 28, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 15

Weight - 136.6

Well I'm clueless.  Totally clueless.  Up 1.4 and no idea why.   I'm doing a rogue sort of day today.  Skipping lunch and having a protein shake before a good walk, then coming home to a mini-veal dinner.  With a sauna tonight.  Take that scale!!

Afternoon - (149 calories)
**Strawberry Protein Smoothie
1 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla Whey protein powder
127 g strawberries
crushed ice
water


Dinner - (258 calories)
**Lemon Pepper Veal and Braised Spinach - Mini-veal day
220 g veal cut thin
juice of half a lemon
pepper
85 g spinach
splash of low sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp minced garlic



Total Calories for the day 407
Daily Calorie Composition: 15% from carbs, 10% from fat and 75% from protein. 

Fat 4 g; Fiber 6 g; Carb 15 g; Sodium 398 mg; Protein 75 g

Sunday, May 27, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 14

Weight - 135.2

Well back up 0.4 which could be due to all the walking yesterday or the lack of sleep.  Who knows.  Today was family Sunday.  Hung out at home and watched a few sports things on TV, ran to Target for a bit, and I made chili dogs for the family (both the vegetarian and the omnis).

Plugging along.  Tomorrow starts week 3.  I am hoping that means some losses.

Lunch - (220 calories)
**Mexi Beef n onion soup with cilantro
 100 g beef eye of round, from a batch cook in the crock pot
100 g onion
45 g green onion
1 cup beef broth
1 cup water
1 tbsp fresh cilantro
dash of cumin, garlic powder, chili powder
1 grissini

Dinner - (190 calories) 
**Grilled Chicken with Cucumber Salad
150 g chicken, previously grilled
185 g cucumber
25 g radish
10 g onion
2 tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar


Total Calories for the day 410
Daily Calorie Composition: 20% from carbs, 17% from fat and 63% from protein. 

 Fat 7 g; Fiber 5 g; Carb 20 g; Sodium 951 mg; Protein 64 g

Saturday, May 26, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 13

Weight - 134.8

Well it's about time!  1.2 lbs this morning.  My net loss so far for week two is an entire 0.6 lbs.  ah well.. it is what it is.  Perhaps this coming week will be better.  I do still have one more day though.   Eating a regular menu today with extra protein and up to my calorie limit.   I also did two walks today.  The first one was just two miles, but we had my granddaughter in tow in a stroller and she was much more interested in getting to the playground.  I came home and did almost 4 miles around the neighborhood.

Lunch - (273 calories)
**Turkey Chili
150 g Jennie-O 99% lean ground chili
1 can (400ml) no salt added diced tomatoes
oregano, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, minced onion
1 grissini stick




Dinner - (213 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery Salad
150 g chicken breast, previously grilled
150 g celery
150 g apple
juice of half a lemon
cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, stevia - more cinnamon than anything




Total calories for the day 486
Daily Calorie Composition: 36% from carbs, 9% from fat and 55% from protein. 

Fat 4 g; Fiber 10 g; Carb 43 g; Sodium 406 mg; Protein 66 g

Friday, May 25, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 12

Weight - 136.0

Down 0.6 and still no where near where I was 5 days ago.  Driving me crazy, but at least my hunger situation has been resolved.  I spent 5 hours this afternoon helping a handyman friend of mine troubleshoot a wiring issue with my outdoor lights.  Blah.. did not get any of the errands done that I had planned.

I did manage to get in an hour walking this evening though.

I am pulling an old and very ROGUE trick out today for my eating plan.  This is definitely not protocol.

Lunch - (213 calories)
227 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
1/2 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla protein powder
80 g strawberries
stevia


Dinner - (219 calories)
227 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
1/2 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla protein powder
1.5 tsp Navita Naturals 99% Cacao Powder
stevia


Total calories for the day 432
Daily Calorie Composition: 29% from carbs, 1% from fat and 70% from protein. 

Fat 1 g; Fiber 4 g; Carb 31 g; Sodium 328 mg; Protein 75 g

Thursday, May 24, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 11

Weight - 136.6

Stop the rollercoaster!  I want to get off!  I am up 1 lb again.  Second time in several days.  Seems I just whittle most of it back off and boom. 

I am pulling an old trick out today.  A mini-steak day.  Nothing for lunch, plenty to drink, and a double portion of steak with an apple for dinner.   Here's hoping.


Dinner - (438 calories)
**Mini-steak & Apple
280 g eye of round steak
150 g apple
2 tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

Total Calories for the day 438
Daily Calorie Composition: 19% from carbs, 21% from fat and 60% from protein.

Fat 10 g; Fiber 4 g; Carb 20 g; Sodium 163 mg; Protein 65 g

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 10

Weight - 135.6

Gee down 0.2  weeee.. NOT.  Still not down to the low for this round that I saw on Sunday.  I'm getting pretty frustrated with this week.  I'm at a loss for what to do to shake things up.

Lunch - (172 calories)
**Beef & Spinach Soup
106 g 96/4 lean ground beef
90 g baby spinach
1 cup beef broth
1 cup water
no salt seasoning, cumin, oregano


Dinner - (274 calories)
**Chicken & A Salad
150 g grilled chicken
210 g romaine
P2 dressing
1 grissini
Strawberry Slushy with 150 g of strawberries

Total calories for the day 446
Daily Calorie Composition: 25% from carbs, 17% from fat and 58% from protein. 

Fat 8 g; Fiber 11 g; Carb 28 g; Sodium 876 mg; Protein 70 g

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 9

Weight - 135.8

Well I'm down 0.8 of the unexplained gain.  Keep on trucking on.  Maybe I'll see that 130ish some day soon.

Rainy days here in Washington so we ended up walking the local mall to at least get some walking in.

** Note that I am doing extra protein at both meals.

Lunch - (269 calories)
**Strawberry Lemonade
 100 g strawberries, diced and mushed
1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice
stevia
ice and water
**Mexi Beef n onion soup with lime n cilantro
 150 g beef eye of round, from a batch cook in the crock pot
100 g onion
45 g green onion
1 cup beef broth
1 cup water
juice of half a lime
1 tbsp fresh cilantro
dash of cumin, garlic powder, chili powder



This soup is a play on things I already had made.   On Saturday I did a beef eye of round roast in the crock pot.  I put onion slices in the bottom of it.  When it is finished, I split the remaining broth and onions into portion sized containers.  I just add back in some of the already cooked beef, a few more onions, some seasoning and ta dah.






Dinner - (219 calories)
**Grilled Chicken & a Cucumber Salad
150 g chicken breast, previously grilled
165 g cucumber
15 g onion
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder
1 grissini


Total calories for the day 488
Daily Calorie Composition: 27% from carbs, 15% from fat and 58% from protein.

Fat 8 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 32 g; Sodium 798 mg; Protein 70 g

Monday, May 21, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 8

Weight - 136.6

Well I sure don't know what happened, but I am up 1.2 today.  Two steps forward and three steps back.  Sucks.  I an mimicking my meals from Saturday in hopes of seeing another loss.

Today was hair day..  it's a ritual every 8 weeks.  My daughter in law and I get our hair done back to back and the same salon with a great friend who has been doing our hair for years.   It's a long day but fun.

** Note that I am doing extra protein at both meals.

Lunch - (155 calories)
**Grilled Chicken & a Cucumber Salad
130 g chicken breast, previously grilled
200 g cucumber
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder
stevia

Dinner - (249 calories)
**Bronzed Tilapia & Asparagus & Strawberries
140 g Kirkland Tilapia Loins (Costco)
Spice Hunter Key Lime Pepper Blend
160 g Asparagus spears
1 tbsp lemon juice
pepper
150 g strawberries
1 grissini stick

Total calories for the day 404
Daily Calorie Composition: 25% from carbs, 11% from fat and 64% from protein.

Fat 5 g; Fiber 6 g; Carb 25 g; Sodium 175 mg; Protein 65 g

Sunday, May 20, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 7

Weight - 135.4

Wowzah.  That is a surprise.  1.6 lbs today.  I'll take it and run so maybe it can't find it's way back.  Not sure if it was the lower carb, high protein day or the fact that the new vial of hcg is working it's way into my system.  My hunger is quite a bit better, but not completely gone.  Hopefully in the next 24 hours that will change.

Sunday is typically family day, but one son and my granddaughter are sick so it was more a lonely day.  I did however have two fantastic meals that left me stuffed after each one.

** Note that I am doing extra protein at both meals.

Lunch - (270 calories)
**Spicy Beef & Celery Soup
150 g 96/4 ground beef
150 g celery, diced
1 tbsp dried minced onion
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp cumin
red pepper flakes to taste
1 cup Pacific Natural Beef Broth, minimal ingredient
1 cup water
1 grissini stick



Afternoon refresh - (24 calories)
**Strawberry Limeade
80 g strawberries, diced and smashed
juice of half a lime
8 oz of cold water
crushed or cube ice
stevia to taste



Dinner - (205 calories)
*Ground Turkey Tacos & A Salad
150 g Jennie-O 99% Lean ground turkey
2 tbsp water - to keep turkey from sticking
1 tbsp Pace Chunky Salsa
1 tbsp minced onion
1/2 tsp chili powder
shake of cumin
Romaine leaves for shells
130 g of romaine as a salad



Saute the turkey and onion with chili powder and cumin adding water as needed to keep it from drying out and sticking.  Add salsa when near done and let the liquid cook out.  Serve on romaine leaves.

Total Calories for the day 499
Daily Calorie Composition: 21% from carbs, 19% from fat and 60% from protein.

Fat 10 g; Fiber 9 g; Carb 26 g; Sodium 1.177 mg; Protein 74 g

Saturday, May 19, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 6

Weight - 137.0

No change in weight today.  I guess a zero is better than a gain.  Still not much for sleep overnight, but perhaps tonight will be better.  I'm really watching my hunger today, especially tonight.  Second injection with the fresh vial was this morning.

I did a great walk in the neighborhood.  4.8 miles in just under 90 minutes with the equivalent of 52 flights of stairs walking during it.  I have a love/hate relationship with the roads around where I live.

I added in a bit extra protein today.

Lunch - (181 calories)
**Grilled Chicken & a Cucumber Salad
138 g chicken breast, previously grilled
200 g cucumber
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder
stevia


Dinner - (171 calories)
**Bronzed Tilapia & Asparagus
135 g Kirkland Tilapia Loins (Costco)
Mrs Dash Caribbean Citrus
167 g Asparagus spears
1 tbsp lemon juice
pepper




Total Calories for the Day 352
Daily Calorie Composition: 14% from carbs, 11% from fat and 75% from protein. 

Fat 4 g; Fiber 2 g; Carb 15 g; Sodium 151 mg; Protein 65 g


Friday, May 18, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 5

Weight 137.0

A drop of 0.6 this morning, but the hunger woke me up at 7:30 am after just 5 hours sleep and I was unable to sleep through it.  I decided to dose early today since I was awake and ravenous.  So I injected 175iu from a freshly mixed vial from a completely different batch of hcg.  Perhaps out of the 15 vials in the box there was one dud.   Hopefully as the level of hcg in my system comes back up I'll get some relief.

Today is my son's girlfriend's birthday.  I made her brunch this morning, then made my lunch.  We went walking late in the afternoon for a while.  She's still gearing up and building stamina.  We did 3 miles.  I stopped on the way home and got her Indian food take out.  Cooked dinner, worked some more, and then jumped in my infrared sauna for an hour.


Lunch - (195 calories)
**Ground Turkey & Spinach Soup & an Apple
100 g Jennie-O 99% lean ground turkey
1 cup Kirkland Organic Chicken Stock
1 cup water
90 g baby spinach
1 tbsp dried minced onion
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp minced garli
1/2 tsp pepper
105 g yellow apple



Dinner - (292 calories)
**P2 Chili & Strawberries
112 g 96/4 ground beef, browned
1 can (411 grams) no salt added diced tomatoes
1 tbsp dried minced onion
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin or black pepper
150 g strawberries
1 grissini stick



Total Calories for the day 487
Daily Calorie Composition: 40% from carbs, 13% from fat and 47% from protein.

Fat 7 g; Fiber 13 g; Carb 48 g; Sodium 528 mg; Protein 57 g

Thursday, May 17, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 4

Weight - 137.6

Down another 1.2 lbs.  Weight loss is doing okay, but the hunger is not.  After skipping my injection yesterday, I've not got anything definitive.  Usually with a skipped injection, you either see relief, meaning the dose was too high and should be lowered, or see no change or an increase in the hunger.  For me, it's been no change, but I find it hard to believe that I need a much higher dose.  So today in a fit of major hunger this morning, I injected a high dose, 200iu, and the hunger has not really changed.  The level of hcg in my body is lower than normal because of the skip day.  I am questioning whether I happened on a bad vial of hcg this time.  It has happened to people in the past.  I am mixing a fresh vial from a different batch tonight and will move forward with that one.

Today I had a nail fill and a pedicure.  Took my son's girlfriend for a mani/pedi and then signed up for a new gym that is going in nearby.  They won't open until July, but I'm looking for somewhere to treadmill, etc indoors when the weather is bad.


Lunch - (185 calories)
**Halibut Ceviche on Romaine
Recipe here
 150 g strawberries


Dinner - (263 calories)
**Grilled Chicken & a Cucumber Salad & A Strawberry Protein Smoothie
100 g chicken breast, previously grilled
200 g cucumber
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder
stevia
1 grissini stick
150 g strawberries (Costco)
1/2 half scoop Jay Robb Vanilla Whey Protein

Total Calories for the day 448
Daily Calorie Composition: 38% from carbs, 9% from fat and 53% from protein.

Fat 4 g; Fiber 12 g; Carb 43 g; Sodium 536 mg; Protein 60 g

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 3

Weight 138.8

Down 1.4 today.  2.6 in two days.  Well it's better than being up more.

Spent the afternoon walking around the mall with my son's girlfriend and my grandbaby.  Hit the Skechers store and also found a new swimsuit.

I am dealing with hunger issues this round.  I skipped my injection today in hopes that by tonight I would be able to tell if my dose had been too high.  I ended up going over 7 hours between lunch and dinner, so of course I was very hungry when I got home.  Tonight I am hungry as well.  I am going to go with my gut, so to speak, and lower the dose tomorrow.  Many people need a lower dose in subsequent rounds.  I am hoping that's the case for me.  Hopefully I've chosen the right direction.


Lunch - (245 calories)
**Halibut Ceviche on Romaine
Recipe here
Strawberry Slushy with 1/2 scoop of Jay Robb whey protein
 150 g strawberries
1/2 scoop Jay Robb Protein powder
crushed ice
water
1 tbsp whole milk in coffee




Dinner - (238 calories)
**Grilled Chicken & a Cucumber Salad & Fresh Strawberries
100 g chicken breast, previously grilled
220 g English seedless cucumber (Costco)
25 g red radish
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder
stevia
1 grissini stick
180 g strawberries (Costco)



Total Calories for the day 483
Daily Calorie Composition: 43% from carbs, 9% from fat and 48% from protein.

Fat 5 g; Fiber 15 g; Carb 52 g; Sodium 626 mg; Protein 59 g

Phase 2 Recipe - Ceviche

I love ceviche.  It is typically made from fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juices such as lemon or lime and spiced with chili peppers.  Additional seasonings such as onion, salt, coriander, cilantro, and pepper may also be added.There is something about fresh fish or seafood mixed with fresh ingredients that tastes so light and decadent.   This recipe can be made with any white fish or shrimp or scallops.

This recipe makes two Phase 2 size portions and does mix vegetables a bit.  In this case, I used Alaskan halibut purchased frozen from Costco.  It turned out wonderfully.  I've also had it using tilapia ( I love the Kirkland brand Tilapia Loins), scallops, sea bass, and shrimp.




CEVICHE - 2 portions

200 grams (7 oz) white fish, shrimp or scallops, diced
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced (mine came to about 260 g or about 9 oz)
2 tbsp (15 grams) red onion
6 tbsp lime juice (can substitute lemon juice)
2 cloves garlic, minced (I use 1 tsp of minced garlic)
handful of cilantro (I use the leaves only), chopped - comes to about 1 tbsp
1 to 2 green chilis, diced or you can use hot sauce, jalapenos or chili peppers
pepper to taste
salt before serving if desired


In this instance I choose to steam the fish for a few minutes to speed up the cooking process.  I was worried that the halibut I used might take longer to 'cook' in the lime juice.  It is not necessary to steam it though.  Dice the fish or seafood and place in a glass bowl.  Add lime juice, garlic, cilantro, chilis and pepper and toss evenly.   Add tomatoes and onion, toss again.  Cover tightly.  It can be left out to 'cook' for a few hours but I prefer to refrigerate mine over night.

Serve in lettuce cups.


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 2

Weight - 140.2

Well this is definitely not off with a bang. It's more like a whimper.  Well at least it's in the right direction. 

Now you may notice that I've had chicken for all my meals yesterday and today.  Not because that's all I want to eat, but because that's what I had on hand and ready to go.  I grilled up 15 portions of chicken last night.  I batch cook a lot in Phase 2 so that I have thinks that are readily available on their own or to be added to recipes.

Today I hit Costco and Fred Meyer's (our local Kroger).  I've got chuck eye roast to crock pot, 96/4 lean ground beef, tilapia, and some halibut.  Of course while I was out shopping I had grand plans on what I would make for dinner tonight.  By the time I got home, got it all put away.  Cooking something, even if it only took 5 minutes was the last thing I wanted to do.

So the day's menu goes like this....

Lunch - (194 calories)
**Dijon Chicken and a Salad with Mustard Dressing
100 g chicken breast, previously cooked
1 tsp dijon mustard
squirt of lemon juice
160 g romaine (costco)
1 tbsp yellow mustard
3 tbsp water
garlic powder, onion powder, pepper to taste

**Berry Slushy
70 g frozen whole strawberries
60 g Kirkland Triple Berry Blend
8 oz water
1 tsp lemon juice
stevia to taste


Dinner - (185 calories)
**Grilled Chicken & a Cucumber Salad & Fresh Strawberries
100 g chicken breast, previously grilled
160 g English seedless cucumber (Costco)
30 g red radish
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder
stevia
150 g strawberries (Costco)
1 tbsp whole milk in coffee


Total calories for the day 379
Daily Calorie Composition: 40% from carbs, 8% from fat and 52% from protein

Fat 4 g; Fiber 12 g; Carb 38 g; Sodium 174 mg; Protein 50 g

Monday, May 14, 2012

R6 Phase 2 Day 1

Weight - 141.4

Hello friends.  Yes it's day 1 AGAIN.  After battling up and down the last month+ I am fed up and need the control that Phase 2 gives me for a short time.  I did have a successful Round 5 using hhcg and patches, but I currently have some many vials of rx hcg in my house that I thought I'd use some of them instead of letting them expire.

I loaded Saturday and Sunday.  I didn't load that well, but it is what it is.  Leave it to this past weekend to be the one when I'm not hungry.  Figures.     So I'm injection 175iu of Hucog hcg that I purchases overseas and mix myself.  That does is the one I've used in my previous two rounds of rx.

And we're off and running.

Lunch - (204 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery Salad
100 g chicken breast, previously cooked
130 g celery
120 g apple
3 tbsp Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and stevia to taste




Dinner - (188 calories)
**Dijon Chicken and A Spinach Salad with Mustard Dressing
100 g chicken breast, previously cooked
1 tsp dijon mustard
squirt of lemon juice
85 g baby spinach
1 tbsp yellow mustard
3 tbsp water
garlic powder, onion powder, pepper to taste

**Strawberry Slushie
150 g frozen strawberries
8 oz water
2 tsp lemon juice
stevia



Total Calories for the day 392
Daily Calorie Composition: 42% from carbs, 6% from fat and 52% from protein

Fat 3 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 40 g; Sodium 431 mg; Protein 50 g

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Yes I am alive

I'm peeking in sheepishly.  Yes I am alive.

Some of you might be happy to know (others may not, like myself) that I'm starting another round.

Why you might ask?  Some regain in the last few weeks that is being stubborn.  So I'm being a guinea pig once again.  I know where I have strayed and the situation presents itself at this time to be able to avoid the pitfalls I've faced in the past four to six weeks.   Soo....  are you ready for a ride?   I'm off and running.

Monday May 14th is VLCD 1.  I'm gonna be such a loser :)

Sunday, March 11, 2012

R5 Phase 3 Day 3

Weight  132.2

Not doing too bad so far.   I did stray a bit tonight.  When I added up my calories for the day I was well under 900.  Stomach was a bit growly tonight so I had some macadamia nuts.  I've been safe with that in the past so here's hoping I still am.


Throughout the day - (120 calories)
6 tbsp half & half in 3 mugs of coffee

Lunch - (304 calories)
**Garden Salad with Roasted Turkey
130 g Jennie-O Roasted Turkey Breast
75 g Baby Spinach
40 g tomato
40 g sweet mini peppers
20 g onion
4 tbsp Marie's Yogurt Ranch Dressing

Dinner - (448 calories)
**Smothered Turkey Patties
5 g Nutiva Coconut Oil
2 Jennie-O All Natural Turkey Patties
50 g mushrooms
50 g onion
50 g sweet mini peppers
1 tbsp Kraft Mayo with Olive Oil



Evening Snack - (173 calories)
23 g Safeway Dry Roasted Macadamia nuts

Total Calories For the Day 1,045
Daily Calorie Composition: 9% from carbs, 42% from fat and 49% from protein.

Fat 61 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 30 g; Sodium 2,418 mg; Protein 157 g 

Saturday, March 10, 2012

R5 Phase 3 Day 2

Weight - 132.0

I always worry on day one of Phase 3.  I dream of waking up the next morning a bazillion pounds up.  Not the case which is nice.  I'll carry on with my plan and add a bit more fast in today, but still staying away from the goodies like eggs and cheese.

Throughout the day - (120 calories)
6 tbsp half & half in 3 mugs of coffee

Lunch - (246 calories)
**Tuna Salad
104 g Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore, very low sodium
40 g celery
40 g onion
30 g mini sweet pepper
30 g dill relish
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard

Dinner - (695 calories)
**Pesto Chicken & Garden Salad with Vinaigrette
230 g chicken, pan fried
20 g Cibo Naturals Basil Pesto (Costco)
100 g romaine
40 g sweet mini peppers
30 g tomato
20 g onion
2 tbsp Maple Grove Farms Sugar Free Italian White Balsamic dressing




Total Calories for the day 1,061
Daily Calorie Composition: 9% from carbs, 39% from fat and 52% from protein.

Fat 45 g; Fiber 5 g; Carb 23 g; Sodium 1,201 mg; Protein 137 g

Friday, March 9, 2012

R5 Phase 3 Day 1

Weight - 132.2

So today starts Phase 3, yet again.  I gear my calories up slowly the first few days.  I'm mimicking what I did last phase 3 since I did so well.



Throughout the day - (120 calories)
6 tbsp half & half in 3 mugs of coffee

Lunch - (250 calories)
**Tuna Salad
104 g Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore, very low sodium
40 g celery
40 g onion
30 g mini sweet pepper
30 g dill relish
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard



Dinner - (624 calories)
**Burger Patties with Artichoke Aioli
2 Omaha Steak Beef Burgers
80 g artichoke hearts packed in water
20 g onion
2 tbsp mayonnaise



Total Calories for the day 994
Daily Calorie Composition: 12% from carbs, 56% from fat and 32% from protein.

Fat 61 g; Fiber 4 g; Carb 28 g; Sodium 1,637 mg; Protein 78 g

Thursday, March 8, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 58

Weight - 132.0

Last day of Phase 2.  Yes I know I do some mega long rounds.  At this weight and body fat % my body battles me all the way.  Planning to slowly ease into Phase 3 tomorrow, pretty much like I did last July.  Two meals tomorrow and around 1000 calories and then I'll go from there.

Lunch - (268 calories)
**Burger Salad & An Apple
100 g 96/4 ground beef patty
100 g romaine
60 g dill pickle (had to snack on one and dice one)
30 g tomato
15 g onion
Burger dressing which is
Yellow Mustard
Reduced Sugar Ketchup
Pickle juice
water
garlic powder
200 g apple

Dinner - (134 calorie)
100 g chicken breast
140 g cucumber

Total Calories for the day 402
Daily Calorie Composition: 40% from carbs, 13% from fat and 47% from protein.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 57

Weight - 132.2

I'm in a holding pattern for the next few days.  Trying to stay in this range going into P3 on Friday.

Lunch - (288 calories)
**Spicy Beef and Spinach Soup
100 g beef eye of round roast
100 g baby spinach
60 g mini pepper
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
1 c water
garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes
190 g apple



Dinner - (147 calories)
**Salsa Chicken
100 g chicken breast
120 g baby zucchini
3 tbsp Pace Chunky Salsa

Total Calories for the day 435
Daily Calorie Composition: 37% from carbs, 13% from fat and 50% from protein.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 56

Weight 131.2

Well here's for a roller coaster scale the last 12 hours.  Yesterday evening, I stepped on the scale as I usually do to get an idea of what the morning will bring.  I was floored to see that I had gained 6 pounds from morning to evening.  Now I can usually expect to see 3.. sometimes 4.. but 6???   I had myself convinced that this morning's scale was not going to be pretty.  Based on my averages I thought it would end up between 134 and 135.  No reason at all for the increase.

Well, this morning, I get on the scale.  131.2.  Which means I lost 6.8 pounds from last night to this morning.  Again, unheard of.  I did have a fair amount of output overnight and because of that I did not sleep well.   It's a mystery and I will likely see a rebound tomorrow.

Lunch - (279 calories)
**Burger Salad & An Apple
100 g 96/4 ground beef patty
180 g romaine
70 g dill pickle (had to snack on one and dice one)
30 g tomato
20 g onion
Burger dressing which is
Yellow Mustard
Reduced Sugar Ketchup
Pickle juice
water
garlic powder
192 g apple


Dinner - (129 calories)
100 g Jennie-O 99% lean ground turkey patty
130 g green beans, no salt added

Total Calories for the day 408
Daily Calorie Composition: 40% from carbs, 13% from fat and 47% from protein.

Monday, March 5, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 55

Weight - 132.0

Playing seesaw between 131 and 133 which is fine for me.  It gives me some breathing room under 135.

Sailing on and stopping hcg tomorrow morning, then I'll do either 48 or 72 hours of VLCD without hcg before transitioning to Phase 3 slowly.

Morning Snack - (69 calories)
130 g orange

Lunch - (174 calories)
**Burger Salad
100 g 96/4 ground beef patty
140 g romaine
70 g dill pickle (had to snack on one and dice one)
40 g tomato
20 g onion
Burger dressing which is
Yellow Mustard
Reduced Sugar Ketchup
Pickle juice
water
garlic powder



Dinner - (136 calories)
100 g chicken breast
2 tbsp salsa
140 g cucumber
60  g celery
2 tbsp white wine vinegar

Total Calories for the day 379
Daily Calorie Composition: 31% from carbs, 16% from fat and 53% from protein.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 54

Weight - 131.6

Back down 0.6 and pretty much where I want to be for the next few days.

Spent a lazy Sunday with the family.  The past few days have been very sedate which is good.


Lunch - (170 calories)
**Spicy Beef & Spinach Soup
100 g beef eye of round roast
100 g baby spinach
1 c Pacific Natural beef broth
1 c water
crushed red pepper
garlic powder

Afternoon Snack - (104 calories)
200 g apple

Dinner - (132 calories)
100 g chicken breast
2 tbsp salsa
130 g green beans, no salt added

Total Calories for the day 407
Daily Calorie Composition: 36% from carbs, 11% from fat and 53% from protein. 

Saturday, March 3, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 53

Weight - 132.2

Up a pound today, but no worries. I had no output and very little sleep. I'm working to stay below 133 pounds until I start to transition off on Tuesday. There was a matter of a few Girl Scout cookies today. My son's girlfriend has them in the house. There are new lemon ones this year. Not as good as I remember. Now I know though.

Lunch - (178 calories)
**Spicy Beef & Celery Soup
100 g beef eye of round roast
180 g celery
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
1 c water
crushed red pepper
garlic powder

Afternoon Snack - (104 calories)
 200 g apple

Dinner - (139 calories)
100 g chicken breast
180 g romaine
P2 dressing

Evening Snack - (112 calories)
4 Savannah Smiles Girl Scout cookies

Total calories for the day 533
Daily Calorie Composition: 44% from carbs, 16% from fat and 40% from protein.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Motivation Marbles

I ran into this idea the other day and thought it would be fantastic for someone just starting a diet or in the middle of it.

It's called Motivation Marbles.   Essentially, you create two jars - one for pounds to go and one for pounds lost.  You purchase marbles or decorative stones for the total number of pounds you want to lose.  As you drop weight, you move the appropriate number of marbles from the "Pounds to Go" jar to the "Pounds Lost" jar.

The idea is something similar to what we did to help potty train my granddaughter.  She had two jars.  In the beginning, she'd start with a certain number of marbles in the treat jar.  Each time she went to the potty and stayed dry, she got another marble.  If she had an accident, a marble was removed.   When her treat marbles got to a certain total, she got to take them to the store and trade them for a toy of small value.   Each time they'd start with less marbles in the beginning, so she'd have to work at it to get her treat earned.

Anyway, I like the ideas of the motivation marble jars, because it makes our goals and progress very tangible.  We easily get lost in the day to day battle of pounds or tenths of a pound or gains.  We then lose sight of where we started and how far we've come.  I had to chuckle at the thought of putting 349 marbles in some sort of container (the highest I ever weighed) and removing 218 of them to represent the total pounds I have lost from highest to lowest.  It really is sobering and uplifting.

I found some examples of jars people have made so I'm going to give credit where credit is due

R5 Phase 2 Day 52

Weight - 131.2

Whoa..  I did not expect that at all.  Three days of major drops 1.2, 2,2 and 1.0 pounds.  Too good to be true.  I thought for sure with the drop yesterday that I would have a gain.  One thing that may factor into it was that I slept in this morning big time.

So now what to do.  I will likely see if I can hold here for the next few days.  Go ahead and stop hcg on Tuesday morning and transition to Phase 3 on Friday.

Lunch - (127 calories)
100 ground turkey burger
120 g romaine lettuce
Burger salad dressing

Afternoon Snack - (99 calories)
190 g apple

Dinner - (132 calories)
100 g chicken breast
127 g green beans, no salt added

Total Calories for the day 358
Daily Calorie Composition: 38% from carbs, 8% from fat and 54% from protein.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 51

Weight - 132.2

Oh my.  I had to step on the scale about five times this morning.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  2.2 lbs all at once and below where I like to be by just a smidge.  I've said this before I'm sure.  It may be odd, but I can tell when I hit below 133.  My upper abdomen, right below my bra band thins out all at once.  It's crazy.  My flesh there just seems to deflate with that number.  I also know from the past that these few pounds between 130 and 133 are where I get to feeling too thin.

The good drop can be attributed to several things.  One - the massage (maybe), two - the mini-steak day (fasting all day until dinner time), three - quite a bit of output overnight (I mean a lot), and four - getting a major decent night's sleep without early morning interruptions like the dog wanting out or the phone ringing several times.

I am also certain, based on the past, with a drop like this I am likely to rebound tomorrow.  So I'm sure I'll be back above 133.  I just hope it's not back to that 134 - 135 range I've battled for 5 or 6 days.

Lunch - (193 calories)
**Salsa Chicken & Cucumber Salad
100 g chicken breast, diced
3 tbsp Pace Salsa
140 g cucumber
20 c onion
2 tbsp white wine vinegar

Dinner - (162 calories)
**Pan Fried Tilapia & Riced Radishes
150 g Kirkland Tilapia Loins
Chef Prudhomme Magic Salt Free Seasoning
150 g radishes, riced
4 tbsp vegetable broth
garlic powder



Evening Snack - (31 calories)
100 g strawberries

Total Calories for the Day 386
Daily Calorie Composition: 20% from carbs, 11% from fat and 69% from protein. 

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 51

Weight - 134.2

Down 1.2 pounds but only 0.2 of this is new this round.

I have a massage today in the late afternoon.  Like I've done when not in Phase 2, I'm going to do a 'steak day' P2 style.  I'm going to drink coffee, water, tea throughout the day.  For dinner, I'm having a double portion of beef as my protein and an apple.  I'm also taking some magnesium citrate tonight to try to get things moving in the output department.


Dinner - (371 calories)
220 g 96/4 ground beef
190 g apple

Total calories for the day  371
Daily Calorie Composition: 28% from carbs, 22% from fat and 50% from protein.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 50

Weight - 135.6

I'm still playing seesaw with the dang scale.  I've been up and down the same pound about 3 times now.  Not unheard of after the great 7 days coming off my Planned Interruption.  It definitely served to shake things up a bit.

Yesterday was the grandson's one month checkup.  He's doing fantastic.  He's gained 2.25 lbs and grown an inch.  Not shabby for a breastfed baby.  He's starting to goo and coo just a bit.  The next few weeks he'll become much more reactive.

On the batch cooking front. I went to town tonight with it.  The other day I did 26 portions of beef eye of round roast in the crock pot.  Cooked it with a few slices of onion, some broth, water and seasonings.  At the same time, I sauted up 8 portions of yellow onions, then put then in a second crock pot with broth to heat for a while.  I used 8 of the portions of roast with broth and onions to make 8 servings of beef and onion soup.

Tonight I did twelve turkey patties, 12 beef patties, and 35 portions of chicken breast.  Between the two cooking sessions that's 85 portions of protein which is 42 days worth of food for one person and 21 days for two people.   Now I am only on Phase two until the end of next week.  My son will likely be on for another month.  What does not get used, I can always double up and use in Phase 3.   I love having the proteins already cooked.  I can add them to things or eat them as is with a veggie.

Lunch - (245 calories)
**Beef & Celery Soup
100 g beef eye of round roast
200 g celery
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
120 g orange

Dinner - (131 calories)
100 g chicken breast
92 g baby spinach
P2 dressing

Total calories for the day 376
Daily Calorie Composition: 27% from carbs, 13% from fat and 60% from protein.

Monday, February 27, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 49

Weight - 135.0

And I've been here before.  A couple of times in fact.   Tomorrow is another day.  Another chance for the scale fairies to find my house.  Please.

Lunch - (167 calories)
** Beef & Spinach soup
110 g 96/4 ground beef
100 g spinach
1 c beef broth
1 c water
Franks hot sauce, fajita seasoning

Afternoon Snack - (165 calories)
**Apple smoothie
180 g red delicious apple
17 g Jay Robb Vanilla
dash of cinnamon

Dinner - (139 calories)
100 g chicken
160 g zucchini
3 tbsp salsa

Evening snack - (31 calories)
100 g strawberries

Total Calories for the day 502
Daily Calorie Composition: 35% from carbs, 11% from fat and 54% from protein.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 48

Weight - 135.6

Arggghh..  I'm hating the sale lately.  It's an indian giver. 

Today is family Sunday.  Older son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter came over, but the little one was acting up so they went home as 'punishment'.  Now why do I feel like the one punished? 

I have about 10 more days to get this weight down and it's kicking me big time. 

Lunch - (199 calories)
**Sunday Omelet
1 egg
3 egg whites
50 g onions
30 g mini-peppers
20 g onion
120 g red grapefruit

Dinner - (206 calories)
**Beef & Onion Soup
100 g eye of round roast
150 g onion
1 cup Pacific Natural Beef Broth
1 c water
salt/pepper/garlic to taste

Total calories for the day 405
Daily Calorie Composition: 42% from carbs, 8% from fat and 50% from protein.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 47

Weight - 134.6

Down 0.4 today.  Come on.. two more lbs.. please :)

Took my granddaughter for a mani/pedi today and a local place to play for a while.  She had a blast.   This afternoon I fired up the crock pots with onion soup and eye of round roast.  Boy did the house smell good.  I wanted to devour it all.  I'll wait until tomorrow though.

Lunch - (231 calories)
310 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
160 g strawberries

Dinner - (140 calories)
100g chicken breast
260 g cucumber

Total Calories for the day 371
Daily Calorie Composition: 33% from carbs, 4% from fat and 63% from protein.

Fat 1g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 31 g; Sodium 212 mg; Protein 59 g 

Friday, February 24, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 46

Weight - 135.0

Up 0.2 today, but after 8.2 lbs this week I'm not surprised at all.  I did not go to bed until 3am and then once I did I awoke several times with coughing fits.  Coughing so hard to the point of gagging.  Sooo not fun.   Because of that my sleep was terrible.   I'm hoping tonight will not be a repeat.  You definitely need a good night's sleep when in Phase 2.

Lunch - (165 calories)
**Salsa Beef & Zucchini
100 g eye of round steak
130 g baby zucchini
3 tbsp salsa

Dinner - (213 calories)
**Chicken and Salad
100 g chicken breast
50 g half & half blend lettuce
50 g roma tomato
P2 dressing
150 g red grapefruit

Evening Snack - (24 calories)
80 g strawberries

Total Calories for the day 402
Daily Calorie Composition: 37% from carbs, 12% from fat and 51% from protein.  

Fat 5 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 38 g; Sodium 480 mg; Protein 53 g 

Thursday, February 23, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 45

Weight - 134.8

Color me surprised!  Down another pound today.  Five straight days of losses.  Now of course I was up several pounds from my lowest this round.  I thought for sure last night I was not going to see a drop again.  In fact, based on my evening weight I planned to see a rebound gain today.  I'll take it and set myself up for the rebound tomorrow.   Cynical much?

I am feeling a bit better.   I'm not sleeping well at all.  My blood sugar tanked at about 5 am.  I got up to use the bathroom and found myself clammy, sweaty, stumbling, and disoriented.  I know that scenario all too well.  I grabbed my meter (Type 2 diabetic in remission is what they call me - controlled by diet and exercise).  Sure enough it was 58.  Below 60 is dangerous.  Much lower and you risk going into a coma.  I had a few strawberries and a slice or two of apple and felt better within 10 minutes.  By 30 minutes, my blood sugar was 78. 

When I'm in Phase 2, my blood sugar and my blood pressure tends to drop lower than normal for me.  I've seen it each round with doctor visits during that time.  Once the blood pressure was so low, the doctor was worried.  I told him what it was.  He is aware of my dieting.  I knew that once I moved into Phase 3 it would return to normal.

Feeling a bit more human, I ventured out after lunch to get my nails done and do some grocery shopping.  Since there are three people (two in my household, the third being my daughter-in-law) currently in phase 2, I find shopping for some of the produce and proteins at Costco works well.  I can buy in bulk and split it between the two households.   I got 5 lbs of eye of round roast to crock pot and portion out.   Also, going to make onion soup. Finally, they had the tilapia loins back in stock, so I grabbed two bags of them. 

I was out for six hours.  By the time I got home and got things put away, I was exhausted.  I still had dinner to make.  Now if I can just get the coughing fits that turn into gagging fits to go away.

Lunch - (192 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery Salad
100 g chicken breast
130 g apple
125 g celery
3 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp water
stevia to taste
garlic powder, pepper, onion powder

Dinner - (164 calories)
**Fajita Tilapia & Roasted Asparagus
140 g Kirkland Tilapia Loins
1/2 tsp Spice Hunter Fajita Seasoning
150 g asparagus
shake or two of Spice Hunter Key Lime Pepper
50 g strawberry ( I just had to have one)



Total calories for the day 356
Daily Calorie Composition: 29% from carbs, 10% from fat and 61% from protein.

Fat 4 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 26 g; Sodium 211 mg; Protein 55 g 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 44

Weight - 135.8

Wow...  I had to check and recheck the scale this morning.  1.8 lbs.  I figured after dropping .8 yesterday that the slow crawl was starting again.  Not sure where this one came from , but I'll take it.  It's almost like week 1 all over again.

I am still sick.  I'm very weak from it all.  It's been a week now.  Yesterday I had a fever in the late afternoon. I am hoping maybe that means it's going to burn it's way out.  I've had a difficult time eating.  I made beef and cabbage soup for lunch today.  I might have eaten 4 bites before I gave up.  I realized that I was literally choking it down.  I put it in the fridge for my son to have and made myself a protein shake instead.  I did better for dinner.

One thing I've noticed this week compared to before the interruption, I am not hungry.  I'm sure part if it is being sick.  I'd like to think perhaps it's not.  I'm also not finding myself cruising the kitchen in the evenings.  Stopping and checking the cupboards every time I get up for something.


Lunch - (174 calories)
A bit of beef and cabbage soup - 46 cals
65 g Jay Robb Whey Protein - Chocolate

Dinner - (145 calories)
**Salsa Chicken & Zucchini
100 g chicken breast
110 g baby zucchini
3 tbsp Pace Chunky Salsa



Total Calories for the day 319
Daily Calorie Composition: 13% from carbs, 9% from fat and 78% from protein.

Fat 3 g; Fiber 3 g; Carb 10 g; Sodium 760 mg; Protein 62 g

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 43

Weight - 137.6

I am down another 0.8 today.  I'm almost to my lowest this round.   About 6 more pounds and I'm good to go.  Not having much hunger at all which is good and bad.  Couple with being sick, I'm not eating as much as I should.  I'm lucky to get through lunch and dinner.  Forget about the fruit.  If this continues I may need to increase my protein to get the calories in.

Lunch - (175 calories)
**Spicy Beef & Bok Choy Soup
100 g 96/4 ground beef
180 g baby bok choy
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
cumin to taste
pepper to taste
garlic



Dinner - (132 calories)
**Chicken & Salad
110 g baked chicken breast
50 g Safeway Half & Half Lettuce Blend
P2 mustard dressing

Total Calories for the day 307
Daily Calorie Composition: 13% from carbs, 18% from fat and 69% from protein.  

Fat 6 g; Fiber 4 g; Carb 10 g; Sodium 861 mg; Protein 53 g 






Monday, February 20, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 42

Weight - 138.4

A drop of 1.2 from yesterday.  I'm still majorly sick.  Did not sleep worth a nickel last night.  Tried to nap this afternoon, but that did not happen either.  I had soup for lunch, an apple smoothie in the afternoon, and chicken for dinner.  My evening weigh in looks promising for tomorrow.

Started a fever late this afternoon, so maybe my body is finally going to try to burn this out of me.

Lunch - (180 calories)
**Lemon Pepper Beef & Spinach Soup
110 g 96/4 ground beef
100 g baby spinach
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
juice of one lemon
pepper to taste
garlic
capers



Afternoon Snack - (145 calories)
**Apple Smoothie
180 g Ambrosia apple
15 g Jay Robb Vanilla Protein Shake
1/2 tsp cinnamon
8 oz cold water and ice chips



Dinner  - (132 calories)
**Chicken & Salad
110 g baked chicken breast
50 g Safeway Half & Half Lettuce Blend
P2 mustard dressing

Total Calories for the day 457
Daily Calorie Composition: 24% from carbs, 15% from fat and 61% from protein

Fat 7 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 27 g; Sodium 971 mg; Protein 68 g

Sunday, February 19, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 41

Weight - 139.6

Well that's a nice thing to see after day one back on Phase 2.  Down 3.4 lbs.  Of course, it was 3.4 lbs that I had gained.

Still sick.. just not fun and not much appetite.  Making myself eat.

One nice thing, my son is loading again.  He is starting Phase 2 tomorrow for his third round.  At least there won't be all of his goodies around to tempt me.   His girlfriend, of course, is still nursing the new baby so she can't start at this time.  There will be here goodies around to call at me seductively.

Lunch - (188 calories)
**Lemon Pepper Beef Soup
110 g 96/4 ground beef
100 g baby spinach
20 g shallots
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
1 c water
juice of one lemon
pepper to taste
a few capers

Dinner - (160 calories)
**Chicken Strips & Cuc Salad
100 g Eating Right Grilled Chicken Breast strips (yes I was lazy)
245 g cucumber
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp horseradish mustard

Total calories for the day 348
Daily Calorie Composition: 16% from carbs, 21% from fat and 63% from protein.

Fat 8 g; Fiber 5 g; Carb 13 g; Sodium 1,327 mg; Protein 53 g

Saturday, February 18, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 40

Weight 143.0

Yes I've been absent.  Things went crazy here for a bit with the new baby, etc.  My head just totally feel out of the game primarily because I was so stalled.   I took a 7 day Planned Interruption and started back on P2 today.  I have to move to P3 by March 8th so I'm up against a time limit.

Also on top of this, I am sick with some sort of respiratory bug.  My entire family is sick.  Didn't help that we spent 4 hours in a car with my son who was battling it at the time.  I've not felt much like eating so my calories are very low.  I'm also taking cold medicine, herbal medicine and drinking loads of tea.

Lunch - (161 calories)
**Protein shake
1 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla Whey protein
150 g frozen strawberries

Dinner - (168 calories)
**Steak and Cuc Salad
110 g beef eye of round steak
160 g cucumber
50 g roma tomato
3 tbsp white wine vinegar

Total calories for the day 329
Daily Calorie Composition: 24% from carbs, 11% from fat and 65% from protein.

Fat 3 g; Fiber 3 g; Carb 19 g; Sodium 233 mg; Protein 51 g


The Smarter Science of Slim

I'm just getting into this book, but I read the short course info beforehand and it really hits on some fantastic ideas.  The book is The Smarter Science of Slim: What the Actual Experts Have Proven About Weight Loss, Dieting, & Exercise, Plus, The Harvard Medical School Endorsed Program To Burn Fat Permanently by Jonathan Bailor

 


Bailor's  investigation uncovered all kinds of scientific findings:
- Studies stating how certain foods cripple our ability to burn fat
- Scientists showing how to burn fat while eating more food
- Researchers revealing how to get all the benefits of traditional exercise in a tenth of the time
- Physiologists finding out how eating less sets us up to gain fat in the long run
- Doctors discussing how a few minutes of a new form of exercise immunizes us against fat gain
- Endocrinologists explaining how we fix the underlying condition causing us to gain fat

We deserve to know the proven facts about fat loss, but who has time to read tens of thousands of pages of scientific studies? The study took him more than a decade. It should not take you that long because the facts have been summarized in this book. They have also been simplified, so anyone who wants to lose weight can understand them. Make no mistake. Tons of clinical studies have shown the best way to trim off those unwanted pounds.

It is time to stop listening to marketing myths about how to lose weight. We tried it. It failed. It is time to move on to a smarter science of slim.

 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 33

Weight - 138.4

Seesaw again.  Started today with a yummy orangesicle protein shake.  Had the grandbaby out for a bit of shopping.  Getting things together for the gang over tomorrow for the big game.

Lunch - (302 calories)
**Orangesicle Protein Shake
140 g Fage 2% Greek Yogurt
1 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla Whey Protein
165 g Cara Cara Orange
8 oz water

Dinner - (175 calories)
110 g beef eye of round steak
110 g cucumber
90 g radish
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
minced dried onion
garlic powder

Total Calories for the day 477
Daily Calorie Composition: 28% from carbs, 14% from fat and 58% from protein.

Fat 7 g; Fiber 6 g; Carb 31 g; Sodium 311 mg; Protein 65 g

Friday, February 3, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 32

Weight - 138.6

Well..  I guess I should not stay up late and watch a movie with the kids, then stay up even later with the new grandbaby.

I'm so not looking forward to Superbowl Sunday in my house.  Dang these last 5 pounds.. AGAIN!  It's like pulling teeth.

I did not get enough calories today at all.  I was out in the afternoon so did not get a protein shake or fage in.

Lunch - (222 calories)
**Salsa chicken salad and an Apple
110 g chicken breast
2 tbsp salsa
85 g romaine
150 g apple

Dinner - (145 calories)
110 g Jennie-O Extra lean ground turkey (burger)
95 g romaine
60 g tomato
P2 dressing

Total Calories for the day 367
Daily Calorie Composition: 33% from carbs, 9% from fat and 58% from protein

Fat 4 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 30 g; Sodium 389 mg; Protein 54 g

Thursday, February 2, 2012

R5 Phase 2 Day 31

Weight - 138.2

Arrggh.. well yeah, I expected it..  just didn't like that it's almost 1 pound.  Didn't sleep well last night at all.  Today I managed to get out of the house for a massage.  I'd not had one in over 2 months.  Seems I overdid the half century old body a couple of weeks ago shoveling snow, chopping and sawing downed limbs, etc. have to go back in 2 weeks for a redux instead of a month. Any excuse for another massage ;) 

I also managed to aggravate my lapband at dinner time.  I ate some steak that was drier than normal and it got stuck.  I typically don't have issues with my band. Heck for all intents and purposes, you'd think it wasn't there anymore.  One in a while it reminds me.  So, part of my dinner and anything else I tried after, didn't stay down.  I'll likely use the steak I have left in soups or something when I do eat it.

Lunch - (218 calories)
**Fage & Jay Protein Shake
123 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
47 g Fat 2% Greek Yogurt (only because I need to use it up)
1 serving Jay Robb Strawberry Whey Protein
8 oz water
some ice cubes

Dinner - (177 calories)
110 g beef eye of round steak
140 g cucumber
85 g baby spinach
P2 Sweet Mustard dressing

Total calories for the day 395
Daily Calorie Composition: 14% from carbs, 12% from fat and 74% from protein.

Fat 5 g; Fiber 3 g; Carb 13 g; Sodium 355 mg; Protein 71 g