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.

R5 Phase 2 Day 7

Weight - 147.2

And she's up again.  What I was down yesterday.  I expected a gain after two good days, but not this much.  Plugging along..  and getting a bit frustrated.

Lunch - (260 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery salad
140 g chicken breast, previously cooked
130 g apple
130 g celery
3 tbsp Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar
3 tbsp water
garlic powder and Kirkland No Salt Seasoning to taste
1 piece Kavli Crispbread - garlic flavor

Dinner - (180 calories)
**Chili
112 g 96/4 ground beef
1/2 can No salt added diced tomatoes
Cumin, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder

Total Calories for the day 440
Daily Calorie Composition: 31% from carbs, 14% from fat and 55% from protein.

Fat  7 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 33 g; Sodium 375 mg; Protein 60 g 

R5 Phase 2 Day 4

Weight - 149.2

This is one of those days that leaves me scratching my head.  I'm up one pound.  I'm going to up my protein some today and see if that helps.  

I spent a good part of the day digging around in my spare walk in closet and in the crawlspace looking for a 50 year old baby blanket that was not even in my house.  I didn't think it was, but my daughter-in-law could not find it and was frantic so I started looking here.  It's the blanket I went home from the hospital in.  Both my sons came home from the hospital in it.  My granddaughter came home in it.  My younger son and his girlfriend are expecting their first child later this month.  I want him to come home in it too.  Eventually it will be my oldest son's to pass to my granddaughter.   My daughter-in-law finally found it, but not before I'd pulled everything out of a 7 x 8 x 10 closet that was loaded with stuff.  That stuff ended up all over my bathroom and my bedroom.  Originally when the house carpeting and painting began I was not going to bother with the two master closets because there was so much in them.  Well, pulling most out of one, I saw how badly it needs new paint and carpet.  So, now that's going to have to get done next week.  I can't see putting things back in there for just a few days, so out it sits.  Things will not go back in there like they had been.  It had become storage and overflow for my son and daughter-in-law.  Totally unusable for me.  I'd like to be able to put linens and offseason clothing in there.

Lunch - (269 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery salad
150 g chicken breast, previously cooked
160 g apple
130 g celery
3 tbsp Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar
3 tbsp water
garlic powder and Kirkland No Salt Seasoning to taste


Dinner - (252 calories)
**Chili
112 g 96/4 ground beef
1 can No salt added diced tomatoes
Cumin, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder

Total Calories for the day 521
Daily Calorie Composition: 32% from carbs, 14% from fat and 54% from protein.

  Fat  7 g; Fiber 10 g; Carb 41 g; Sodium 323 mg; Protein 68 g  

R4 Phase 4 Day 111

Weight - 142.0

Well yes, I'm up 1.4 lbs, but I'm really surprised that it's not more like 4 lbs.  After all the sugars and starches yesterday.  I'm floored.   We did brunch today and then I had a nice loaded salad for dinner.  Salads can sure taste delicious in the midst of all this bad eating.   Didn't do much otherwise today.  Now that all the carpet is finally installed in the house, I've got to buckle down and get things back in order and in the rooms they belong in.

Brunch - (1,331 calories estimate)
Black Bear Diner
2 pancakes with syrup
3 eggs with cheese
2 piece sausage
3 pieces bacon


Dinner - (449 calories)
120 g romaine
110 g baked chicken breast)
80 g roma tomato
80 g cucumber
50 g onion
2 radishes
4 tbsp Maple Grove Farms Sugar Free White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Total Calories for the day 1,770
Daily Calorie Composition: 31% from carbs, 50% from fat and 19% from protein.

R4 Phase 4 Day 73

Weight - 137.8

Oh my!  3.4 pounds.  I didn't think based on last night's weight that I'd drop, let alone drop that much.  Nice.  More of the same today with a bit more calories.  I'm going to ride this out.  If I don't see a drop tomorrow I'll do a day or two of higher calories and then go back to it again.

Oh and someone asked me a few days ago about the tracker that I use.  It's called a FibBit .  I've had one since they first came out a couple of years ago.  It's much like the BodyBuggs that they wear on Biggest Loser except that the FibBit is compact, about the size of a USB flash drive, and costs under $100.  Their only tracking is free, where most others require a monthly fee.  There is an extensive food list for tracking in a food log.  I've previously used FitDay and others, but have used the FibBit exclusively for the last two years.

Lunch - (299 calories)
**Tuna salad & a few Grapes
1 74g pouches Starkist Chunk Light low sodium Tuna
1 hardboiled egg
30 g dill relish
20 g celery
20 g onion
2 tbsp Kraft Fat Free Tarter Sauce (bleck)
1 tbsp half & half in a mug of coffee
handful of grapes

Afternoon Snack - (151 calories)
150 g strawberries
1 square - World Market All Natural 99% Cacao Chocolate

Dinner - (446 calories)
**Beef eye of round steak & Cucumber salad
168 g beef eye of round
1 tbsp Melt Buttery Spread
1 tsp minced garlic
250 g cucumber
20 g onion
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp light extra virgin olive oil
garlic powder, salt and pepper

Total calories for the day 896
Daily Calorie Composition: 15% from carbs, 50% from fat and 35% from protein.

Fat  56 g; Fiber 11 g; Carb 38 g; Sodium 1,184 mg; Protein  90 g

R4 Phase 4 Day 62

Weight - 139.6

Wow.. and there's what a lot of sodium can do.  Up almost 4 pounds.  I'm sure it'll be that and maybe more for Sunday's steak day.  Today we dropped my area rugs at a place for cleaning and went to Senor Moose in Seattle for brunch.   Tonight at this posting we are getting ready to head out to IHOP of all places.  My son's pregnant girlfriend is wanting pancakes.

Brunch - (696 calories estimated)
Machaca con papas (2 eggs over shredded beef that's sauteed with onions and potatoes)
chips and guacamole

Dinner - (807 calories estimated)
IHop
Side salad with light Italian dressing
1/2 Pot Roast Melt sandwich
2 pumpkin pancakes (no whip)

Total calories for the day 1,503
Daily Calorie Composition: 38% from carbs, 42% from fat and 20% from protein. 

  Fat  68 g; Fiber 32 g; Carb 142 g; Sodium 3,397 mg; Protein 76 g

R4 Phase 4 Day 61

Weight - 135.8

I can definitely say after doing a mousse day twice and seeing a little gain and a little loss, I won't be bothering with them again.  Today is a more regular eating day.  In fact we went to dinner at 13 Coins near the airport.  Normally we would go late late at night, but today we went at 7pm.  I'll put a guestimate on my calories.  Holy cow at the sodium total?!

Lunch - (457 calories)
**Garden Salad with Chicken
150 g romaine
100 g cucumber
84 g Kirkland Grilled Chicken Breast Strips
80 g cherry tomatoes
28 g bleu cheese
25 g green pepper
20 g onion
3 tbsp Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette

Afternoon Snack - (295 calories)
**Half a sandwich
1 slice Oroweat HealthFull Fiber & Flax bread
2 slices Oscar Mayer Baked Ham
1 slice Tillamook Cheddar
1 tsp Hain Canola Mayo

Dinner - (1,141 calories estimated)
Shared calamari appetizer
1 slice sourdough bread with butter
Cup of French Onion Soup
1/3rd Ukranian Joe's Special
Shared chocolate cake and warm cookie a la mode dessert
1 shot Patron
1 glass malbec
2 oz pour Navan Vanilla

Total calories for the day 1,893
Daily Calorie Composition: 27% from carbs, 52% from fat and 21% from protein.

Fat  94 g; Fiber 15 g; Carb 110 g; Sodium 5,288 mg; Protein 86 g

R4 Phase 4 Day 57

Weight - 137.6

Boo..  0.2.  At least, it's not a gain.  Eating P3ish today and I'll do a nut day tomorrow.

I got my lipotropic with B complex injections today.  It was easy doing it myself.  The area where I did it is a bit sore today, but I've heard that's normal.  I had to giggle when the nurse told me that there was so little fat on my butt I could probably use a half inch needle instead of a one inch.  I went with the one inch anyway so that I know I'm for sure in the muscle. 

Brunch - (535 calories)
2 AmyLu Sweet Caramelized Onion Chicken Burgers (Costco)
10 g Nutiva Coconut Oil
40 g dill pickle
20 g onion
1 tbsp Hain Canola Mayo
1 tbsp Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup
2 tbsp half & half in 1 mug coffee

Afternoon Snack - (303 calories)
1 Ready Pac Chef Salad
40 g Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette

Dinner - (320 calories)
300 g veal, sliced thin
1 Green Giant Just for One Cauliflower & Cheese sauce

Total calories for the day 1,158
Daily Calorie Composition: 8% from carbs, 50% from fat and 42% from protein.

 Fat  65 g; Fiber 3 g; Carb 24 g; Sodium 2,730 mg; Protein 125 g

R4 Phase 4 Day 48

Weight - 137.0

Can you hear the sound of me pounding my head against the wall?  It sure feels like that is what I am doing.  Oh well onward and seems like upward.  To add to my downfall, we are going out to dinner tonight.  Well, tomorrow will be a steak day for sure.

I spent much of the afternoon doing laundry and uncluttering my kitchen area, because I know it's coming time to paint there pretty soon.

Brunch - (276 calories)
**Salad with Chicken strips
100 g red leaf lettuce
100 g roma tomato
100 g cucumber
85 g Kirkland Chicken Breast Strips
20 g onion
3 tbsp Newmans Own Light Italian Dressing

Dinner - (1,417 calories estimated)
**The Ram Restaurant and Brewery
Spinach and Artichoke dip
1 mozz cheese stick
Side salad with light dressing
Fish and Chips (didn't eat much of it)
Shared Bread Pudding

Total Calories for the day 1,693
Daily Calorie Composition: 28% from carbs, 61% from fat and 11% from protein.

 Fat 107 g; Fiber 13 g; Carb 109 g; Sodium 2,881 mg; Protein 43 g 

R4 Phase 4 Day 14

Weight - 132.6

Nice results from my steak day yesterday.  I'm down 3 lbs from yesterday's weight.  Right back around where my body seems to like from my 'stick it' time under 135 lbs.

I spent about 6 hours at a local water park today with my grandbaby, daughter-in-law, and younger son's girlfriend.  We had a blast.  I ate a small pizza, but I was hungry and got a lot of exercise so hopefully it will all be good.

Tomorrow I have a first appointment with a prominent local naturopath.  I'm excited and a bit anxious to see what they feel they may can do to improve my day to day health.

Breakfast - (590 calories)
**Veggie Scramble with Chicken Andouille Sausage
3 large eggs
1 AmyLu's Chicken Andouille Sausage (Costco)
70 g mushrooms
70 g onion
70 g bell pepper
2 tsp bacon grease
1 tbsp half & half
28 g monterey jack cheese
1 mug coffee with 1 tbsp half & half

Lunch - (844 calories estimated)
6 inch personal pan pepperoni pizza
1 large chocolate chip cookie

Dinner - (297 calories)
**Garden Salad
125 g green leaf lettuce
80 g cucumber
50 g tomato
35 g red onion
35 g radish
28 g colby jack cheese
3 tbsp Newman's Own Light Italian Dressing

Total calories for the day 1,731
Daily Calorie Composition: 28% from carbs, 52% from fat and 20% from protein.

Fat 100 g; Fiber 11 g; Carb 120 g; Sodium 3,375 mg; Protein 87 g  

R4 Phase 4 Day 11

Weight - 132.6

Back down to nearer my average weight.  Nice considering the corn and other goodies I've had the past few days.  I'm trying Ezekiel bread this afternoon.  I finally made it over to Great Harvest to get some fresh baked.  It's got it hands down over the Ezekiel 4:9 bread found in stores.

The number on the scale is also nice considering I walked over 5 miles yesterday afternoon and a fairly quick pace.  I feared I might retain some water, but it appears not.

Brunch - (539 calories)
**Garden Salad with Turkey
112 g Jennie-O Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
150 g romaine lettuce
100 g cucumber
60 g bell pepper
50 g onion
40 g Tillamook Vintage White Cheddar
30 g radish
3 tbsp Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette
1 mug coffee with 1 tbsp half & half

Afternoon Snack - (375 calories)
1 small container Fage 2% Greek yogurt
80 g plum
stevia to taste
1 slice Great Harvest Ezekiel bread
2 tbsp butter

Dinner - (689 calories)
**Crock Pot Roast, Potato and Onions
8 oz bottom tip roast
250 g yukon gold potato
50 g onion
2 tbsp sour cream
1 tbsp butter

Evening - (120 calories)
5 fl oz Apothic Red Blend wine

Total Calories for the day 1,723
Daily Calorie Composition: 27% from carbs, 46% from fat and 27% from protein.

I had to come back after the fact to adjust my menu for the day.   After the glass of wine it went downhill quickly and all around 1 am.  

1 shot Patron silver
2 kavli crispbread crackers
1 100 calorie tortilla
2 oz Mexican cheese blend
2 pieces of bacon
1 servings mini chocolate chip cookies


Total Calories for the day 2,505
Daily Calorie Composition: 32% from carbs, 48% from fat and 20% from protein.

Fat 127 g; Fiber 25 g; Carbs 188 g; Sodium 3,047 mg; Protein 120 g  

R4 Phase 4 Day 8

Weight - 134.6

Ouch.. 3 lbs, but there's several things at work here. First loads of sodium yesterday without some potassium to counteract it. Second, lack of output (it's been 36 hours). Then there's carb overload yesterday as well as very little sleep overnight. Today will be a P3 type day with no added starches or sugars. I'm going to give my body a day like this to see if the fluid finds it's way out on it's own. If not we'll see for tommorrow. All in all, I'm only 1.2 above LIW but 2.2 above my P3 average weight. So many numbers to track.

Breakfast - (20 calories)
1 mug coffee with 1 tbsp half & half

Lunch - (685 calories)
**Steak Salad
8 oz NY Steak, leftover
125 g romaine
80 g cucumber
60 g tomato
40 g bell pepper
35 g onion
3 tbsp Annie's Natural Green Garlic Dressing

Afternoon Snack - (311 calories)
2 oz cheese
1/2 ounce pecan halves

Dinner - (502 calories)
**Salsa Chicken & Cucumber Salad
8 oz chicken bake in salsa
3 slices hickory smoked bacon (snacked on it)
1 tbsp Kraft Light Mayo with Olive Oil
250 g cucumber
30 c onion
2 tbsp Pompeian balsamic vinegar

Total Calories for the day 1,518
Daily Calorie Composition: 9% from carbs, 61% from fat and 30% from protein.

 Fat 103 g; Fiber 17 g; Carbs 35 g; Sodium 1598 mg; Protein 114 g  

R4 Phase 4 Day 5

Weight - 132.8

Well up .4, but I had a very sleepless night.  Still under LIW though.   Very long afternoon.  I got my latest tattoo today and was gone for almost 4 hours.  Also, finally the fire pit is working on the deck so perhaps we can enjoy a few evenings outside.

Breakfast - (489 calories)
**Beef & Gorgonzola Salad
112 g Boar's Head LondonPort Deli roast beef
120 g red leaf lettuce
85 g roma tomato
80 g cucumber
50 g onion
35 g bell pepper
32 g Athenos gorgonzola
4 tbsp Newman's Own Light Italian Dressing
1 mug coffee with 1 tbsp half & half

Lunch - (124 calories)
1 small container Fage 0% Greek yogurt
50 g raspberries
stevia to taste

Dinner - (588 calories)
**Jalapeno & Jack Turkey Burgers
1 4.5 oz patties made with Jennie-O 93/7 Ground Turkey
1 ounce jalapenos
1 oz jack cheese
1 tbsp Kraft Olive Oil mayonnaise
1 tbsp ketchup
30 g tomatoe
large lettuce leaves for wrapping

Total Calories for the day 1,201
Daily Calorie Composition: 13% from carbs, 48% from fat and 39% from protein. 

Fat 62 g; Fiber 11 g; Carbs 38 g; Sodium 2697 mg; Protein 116 g 

R4 Phase 4 Day 3

Weight - 131.2

Dropped .6 overnight.  Switching things up today and adding some starchy carbs to dabble in P4 foods a bit.  As it was, I planned on the sourdough English muffin in the morning, but I was out running errands well past my lunch time and ended up stopping for lunch at Panera Bread.  I didn't do too bad, I think.  The scale will tell the tale tomorrow.  As it stands, my calorie total is low, but my total carbs are more than double what I've been having.

Breakfast - (221 calories)
1 Franz Extra Sourdough English Muffin
1 tbsp homemade pear preserves
2 tsp butter

Lunch - (590 calories estimated)
1 cup Low fat Lemon Chicken Orzo soup
Large size Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken Salad
1/2 side French baguette

Dinner - (350 calories)
200 g center cut pork chops
100 g cucumber
90 g roma tomato
30 g onion
2 tbsp Newman's Own Light Italian dressing

Total Calories for the day 1,161
Daily Calorie Composition: 38% from carbs, 28% from fat and 34% from protein.

Fat 36 g; Fiber 12.2 g; Carbs 108.6 g; Sodium 2105 mg; Protein 97.6 g

R4 Phase 4 Day 2

Weight - 131.8

That luscious, so worth waiting for pound of USDA Prime New York Steak dropped me 2.4 lbs.  Gotta love it.  Sticking to P3 foods for the day before making some ventures into Phase 4 foods later this week.

Today was my monthly facial, brow tint and wax, and eyelash tint.  Nice to have a relaxing 90 minutes.  Then I went to check on the artwork for a tattoo I'm getting this Friday.  It's an extension of one I already have on my left shoulder/back area.

By the way, if you are ever in the market for a contact grill somewhat like a George Forman Grill but more versatile, I highly recommend the Cuisinart Griddler.   I love this kitchen gadget.  I used it for the chicken breast in tonight's dinner.  It's quick and easy when you don't want to fire up the grill.

Lunch - (596 calories)
**Garden Salad with Deli Turkey
130 g Boar's Head Lower Sodium Deli Turkey
150 g mixed lettuces
50 g cucumber
50 g bell pepper
30 g onion
28 g Tillamook Vintage Sharp White Cheddar
4 tbsp Brianna's Real French Vinagrette
2 mug coffee with 1 tbsp half & half in each

Dinner - (479 calories)
**Chicken and Braised Greens
9 oz chicken breast
75 g baby bok choy
60 g radicchio
28 g Yancy's Fancy Jalapeno Peppadew Cheese
1 tbsp Brianna's Real French Vinagrette

Evening - (120 calories)
5 oz glass ApothicRed Winemakers Blend

Total Calories for the day 1,195
Daily Calorie Composition: 6% from carbs, 53% from fat and 41% from protein.

R4 Phase 3 Day 16

Weight - 132.6

I stayed exactly the same today.  I'm 0.8 below LIW today.  My schedule was a bit off today because of a midday appointment for my son's GF to get an ultrasound.  I ended up eating lunch later than usual and moved my dinner back a bit because of it.

Breakfast - (20 calories)
1 mug of coffee with 1 tbsp half & half

Lunch - (698 calories)
**Rotisserie Chicken Mock Waldorf Salad
175 g leftover rotisserie chicken
120 g gala apple
80 g celery
35 g red onion
28 g walnuts
2 tbsp canola mayonnaise
salt and pepper

Afternoon snack - (36 calories)
80 g pluot

Dinner - (555 calories)
5.5 oz NY strip steak, previously cooked
150 g green leaf lettuce
90 g roma tomato
35 g bell pepper
30 g red onion
3 tbsp Newman's Own Light Italian dressing
1 mug of coffee with 1 tbsp half & half

Total Calories for the day 1,424
Daily Calorie Composition: 15% from carbs, 58% from fat and 27% from protein

R4 Phase 3 Day 15

Weight - 132.6

Aye yi yi yi!  Up 2.0 pounds but I know what it is.  Absolutely no output in two days.  Not feeling so hot with it either.  Taking it a bit easy today and hoping this gets better.

Lunch - (698 calories)
**Rotisserie Chicken Salad
175 g leftover rotisserie chicken
80 g celery
35 g red onion
30 g dill relish
3 tbsp canola mayonnaise
salt and pepper
1 mug of coffee with 1 tbsp half and half

Afternoon snack - (124 calories)
7 oz Fage 0% Greek yogurt
50 g blueberries

Dinner - (411 calories)
**Beef Carpaccio
112 g Boar's Head LondonPort Roast Beef (deli)
60 g arugula
2 to 3 tbsp Brianna's Real French vinaigrette
20 g parmesan cheese, shaved with a potato peeler
1 tsp capers

Total Calories for the day 1,233
Daily Calorie Composition: 9% from carbs, 56% from fat and 35% from protein.

R4 Phase 3 Day 3

Weight - 132.2  

Nice.  Still 1.2 below LIW. 

Spent a bit of the day cleaning cupboards in the kitchen.  Tonight the painter came over and tossed up some of the colors I've been looking at.  Now it's time to see which one I might could live with.  I got half my dinner down before he showed up and didn't eat the rest until 10pm.  Ouch.

Morning - (40 calories)
2 mugs of coffee with 1 tbsp half & half in each

Lunch - (530 calories)
**Chicken Salad with Caesar dressing
215 g chicken, sauteed previously in coconut oil
180 g Spring mix lettuce
70 g roma tomato
35 g onion
3 tbsp LiteHouse Caesar Dressing

Afternoon Snack - (32 calories)
70 g apricot

Dinner - (464 calories)
Grilled Chuck eye steak with Red Radish & Cucumber Salad
185 g chuck eye steak, grilled with Montreal Steak Seasoning 
Red Radish & Cucumber salad (half portion)

Total Calories for the day 1,066

Red Radish & Cucumber Salad

**Red Radish & Cucumber Salad
200 g red radishes, sliced thin
200 g cucumber, sliced thin
60 g green onion
6 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp extra light olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp fresh dill
few drops of stevia
salt and pepper to taste

Combine everything but radishes, cucumber and onion in a bowl and mix well.  Pour over veggies and incorporate.  This makes two 105 calorie portions.

R4 Phase 2 Day 4

Weight 144.4

Down 0.6 today and I'm wishing it were more.  5.6 lbs in three days.  If the losses are already this low what's this mean for the days to come?  I upped my protein today for both meals to get to 500 calories.

Sun was shining this afternoon so I managed to get out of the house for a brisk 3 mile walk in about 55 minutes.  Now this evening I'm pooped out.  Hopefully that means I'll sleep well tonight

Breakfast 
Coffee with KAL stevia
with my Keurig Coffee Maker.  A lot of the flavored coffees available are P2 friendly.  Today I had Donut House Chocolate Glazed Donut and Timothy's Wild Mountain Blueberry

Lunch - (221 calories)
**Fiesta lime fish & salad with mustard dressing
165 g Kirkland Wild Caught Alaskan Cod
Mrs Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning
200 g romaine lettuce
1 tbsp yellow mustard
2 to 3 tbsp water
pepper and no salt seasoning
145 g strawberries


Dinner - (269 calories)
**Steak & Spinach Salad
150 g eye of round steak (batch cooked 4 portions)
garlic powder
pepper
140 g baby spinach
mustard dressing

Total calories for the day 490
Daily Calorie Composition: 30% from carbs, 12% from fat and 58% from protein.