Phase 3 - Week #1 (R2)

P3 Week 1 Weigh Ins:

Day 1: 122.40

Day 2: 125.00

Day 3: 125.00

Day 4: 125.80 (cheated - DH b-day)

Day 5: 129.60 (steak day)

Day 6: 126.40 (detox bath)

Day 7: 124.00

I am going to try and keep better track of my menus from here on out but here is the last few days from this week:

P3 Week 2 Menus:

Day 5:

Breakfast and Lunch: Water

Dinner: 1.05 lb. ribeye steak

Day 6:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, protein shake

Lunch: Barbecue Pork loin and steamed spinach with butter and ACV

Snack: protein shake

Dinner: 2 eggs, 5 oz. ground beef with onions

Dessert: Mug cake with sugar free chocolate chips melted on top, sugar free ice cream

Snack: Diet Dr. Pepper

Day 7:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, protein shake

Snack: 1/3 apple

Snack: Diet Dr. Pepper

Lunch: Chicken Mango Salad with Ranch from Costa Vida (no rice/beans/tortilla)

Dinner: Protein Shake (huge) with Fage and fruit, Cinnamon Flax Bread with butter

Snack: Diet Dr. Pepper (BAD habit is forming!)

Overall, I am doing well. This week was kind of an off week because I had a big event on Saturday then I had Adam's (DH) b-day on Monday and DS's b-day on Wednesday. I was BAD on DH's b-day and ate lots of carbs, which DEFINITELY showed on my weight. Luckily, steak days work wonders for me and I don't really mind them. HOWEVER... I am going to try and avoid them from here on out because the whole point of this round is to stabilize at or below LIW. Currently, I am 1 lb. below my LIW and I am PRAYING I stay within range for tomorrow's weigh in. I am a little nervous about the salad today but I felt I did really well considering the tortilla, rice and beans were on the bottom of my salad and I didn't eat them. I just have to remember P3 won't last forever.

One thing though, I feel I might be a little less sensitive this round. I chewed SF gum all through P2 and I'm hoping that is helping with any sensitivities to sugar alcohols that I may have had last round. That means that I can enjoy my SF gum and diet soda once in a while. Not to mention desserts with sweeteners! :) That Cinnamon Flax Bread is the best. I am planning on trying some flax pancakes with SF (vermont brand) syrup tomorrow but I am also running 4.5 miles so I might see some scale fluctuation in the next couple days.

Well, sorry to post this novel after being MIA for the past couple weeks! Hope you all have a great night and a good weigh in tomorrow!

R2 Results - Pounds

Starting Weight (Load Day 1): 131.80

Load Day 2: 135.00 (+3.2)

VLCD 1: 134.80 (-0.2)

VLCD 2: 131.80 (-3.0)

VLCD 3: 130.00 (-1.8)

VLCD 4: 127.80 (-2.2)

VLCD 5: 127.80 (-0.0)

VLCD 6: 127.60 (-0.2)

VLCD 7: 126.40 (-1.2)

VLCD 8: 128.20 (+1.8)

VLCD 9: 133.20 (+5.0)

VLCD 10: 129.00 (-4.2)

VLCD 11: 127.00 (-2.0)

VLCD 12: 126.80 (-0.2)

VLCD 13: 124.60 (-2.2)

VLCD 14: 125.20 (+0.6)

VLCD 15: 124.40 (-0.8)

VLCD 16: 124.40 (-0.0)

VLCD 17: 127.80 (+3.4)

VLCD 18: 126.60 (-1.2)

LIW: 125.00 (-1.6)

No HCG 1: 125.00 (-0.0)

No HCG 2: 124.4 (-0.6)

P3 Day 1: 122.4 (-2.0)

Total R2 Losses from Day 1 to LIW: 6.8 lbs. (great for only 2.5 weeks VLCD with weekly cheats!)

Training for 10K

Well, its official, I am going to start running. I did a 5K on Saturday and LOVED it! I love how I felt after the race and can't wait to do it again. I did it with no training at all and still enjoyed myself and best of all, I ran the entire time!

So, I am going to follow the last 5 weeks of Hal Higdon's 10-K Training and see how I do. I am just aiming to finish the race and I think it will be a fun race. My sister and friend both run and they love it. I have had a hard time getting into it but I think I am finally starting to see the appeal!

I'll try and keep you posted on my workouts. Have a good night!

R2 - VLCD Day #18

Current Weight: 126.6 lbs. (+1.4)

Dose: 155 iu - TOM

Breakfast: 1 whole egg, 1 egg white

Snack: Apple

Lunch: Eggdrop soup

Snack: 1/2 Apple

Dinner: Lean ground beef and small tomato with ACV, S&P and Basil

I had an eventful weekend! I knew I'd be up because of my carb day on Saturday. If this week is anything like last week though, I will hit my goal very soon! Last week, I lost 9.4 (and gained 5.6) so my net loss was 3.8, which I am very happy about, especially since week 1, I only lost 3.6! If I have similar losses, I could hit 120 within a week. I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that TOM doesn't derail my losses in any way.

So I have been working out a lot lately. I do Zumba at least once a week, usually twice and then this past saturday, I ran my first 5K race! It was really nice and I felt SO good after! It made me want to run more. I actually went again this morning and did another 3 miles or so. Then, because I had planned to all week, I went to Zumba tonight. Needless to say, my legs are KILLING ME! But I did a detox bath and that is helping a lot. I just hope I can walk tomorrow.

I think tomorrow I am going to take a break then maybe run again Wednesday morning. I am hoping to do a 10K in November. I ran this 5k with absolutely no training and it wasn't bad at all.. I ran the whole time! So I think I am able to do the 10K in 33 days...

Well, I hope you all have had success on the scales over the weekend and I'm crossing my fingers for a big loss tomorrow. I am really hoping that all this working out isn't going to stop my scales. Oh well though, I feel GREAT and that is what counts..

R2 - VLCD Day #14

Current Weight: 125.2 lbs. (+0.6)

Dose: 155 iu

Lunch: Eggdrop soup

Snack: 1/2 Apple

Dinner: 1/2 Apple, P2 Chili

Snack: 1/2 an apple

I figured I'd be up today because of my monster loss yesterday (2.2 lbs). I'm fine with it! These nights though (tuesday and thursday) are rough because I eat dinner at 5:00 and get home around 10:00 and I'm really hungry. I know my dose is good because I'm not hungry at all during the day but when I stay up too late, I get super hungry.

I am having some serious cravings though. DH brought home a HUGE 2 foot long sandwich AND made cookies. Are you kidding me?!! Its a rough night but I am still staying strong!

I'm going to have a bath again tonight I think. I've just been feeling like I'm retaining water and TOM will be here in less than a week. Hope it goes well!

R2 - VLCD Day #13

Current Weight: 124.6 lbs. (-2.2 lbs)

Dose: 155 iu

Snack: 1/2 Apple

Lunch: French Onion Soup and 1/2 an Apple

Snack: 1/2 Apple

Dinner: 7 oz. steak and steamed spinach

Snack: 1/2 an apple

Well well well.. I don't know where this loss came from but I WILL TAKE IT! :) I was so excited to get on the scale this morning and see this!! I was hoping to just see a 125.8 at least and I completely bipassed the 125's and went straight into 124. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I don't know exactly what the culprit was but I did do a detox bath last night. I'm sure that had something to do with it but I also ate dinner at 5:00 instead the usual 7 or later. Maybe that helped as well? I did that again tonight so I am hoping that I at least maintain this loss for tomorrow.

Hoping you all had a successful day as well! Goodnight!

R2 - VLCD Day #12

Current Weight: 126.8 lbs. (-0.2 lbs)

Dose: 155 iu

Snack: 1/2 Apple

Lunch: Curry Shrimp and Cabbage and 1/2 apple

Snack: 1/2 Apple

Dinner: Lean ground beef and French Onion Soup

Snack: 1/2 an apple

So my steak day did NOTHING for me today! I woke up with a .2 lb. loss. PATHETIC! I couldn't believe it but oh well. I had a really really tough time today. I was feeling like I wanted to snack all day. I ate WAY too much gum... like.. seriously I felt like I was trying to quit smoking, I kept going for the gum all day.

Because of that fact (and the onion soup) I did a detox bath tonight. I am hoping and praying I see some movement on the scale tomorrow. How can I be eating so little and not be losing?! I know, the classic stall answer but when your in it, it doesn't make you feel better to know "its normal". Okay, enough venting. I know stalls are normal, I just felt like complaining. Here's why:

So, I came home from my new night class and had been looking forward to my detox bath all night. I got home and looked in my bathroom and oops, no Epsom Salt. After a little debate in my head, I decided to run out and go get some. I asked DH if he wanted anything from the store and then my sister and brother in law overheard. My BIL jokingly asked for a Big Mac and DH said that sounds good and my sister said she'd have some too.. Oh and fries... lol. So after grabbing my epsom salt, I head on over and get their stuff then suffered 7 minutes of pure torture as the delicious scent of warm salty starchy crispy McDonald's fries wafted right at me. They were calling my name! But... I did not succumb! I am really proud of myself that not one of those fries made it into my mouth... All joking aside, even though it was tough, I don't mind hooking up my family - :) In fact, I think I like to live vicariously through them... my kids eat more cookies when I'm on this diet than they should!

Well, enough blabbering! Hope your day went well and the scales were in your favor! Good luck tomorrow! :)

R2 - VLCD Day #11

Current Weight: 127.0 lbs. (-2.0 lbs)

Dose: 155 iu.

Lunch: 1 egg white and 1 whole egg

Dinner: Steak and HUGE apple

Snack: teeny tiny bite of a chocolate peanut butter chip cookie...

Doing another steak day today to get off the final .6 from before the refeed. Hopefully I lose a little more than that though. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the cookie bite didn't sabotage me though!

I ate the protein earlier in the day because for some reason I was hungry. I might need to adjust my dose a teeny bit if I am feeling hunger. I don't know though, I know these steak days are not technically protocol.

I am PRAYING that I see a "125" on the scale tomorrow, even if it is 125.8. That will be Virgin Territory for this diet and really, I haven't seen that number since high school or early college days! Pretty exciting stuff!

After today, I am going to go back on the regular diet and pray that I continue to lose good numbers this week because on Friday, I plan on doing another refeed day if my losses for the week are substantial.

Hoping you all have an excellent night! Keep your fingers crossed regarding the scale tomorrow!

R2 - VLCD Day #10

Current Weight: 129.0 lbs. (-4.2 lbs.)

Dose: 155 iu

Lunch: Lean ground beef with mustard and tomatoes with ACV, S&P and basil

Dinner: Baked tilapia and tomatoes with ACV, S&P and basil (ran out of all other veggies

So my steak day was a complete success! More than half of my refeed weight is gone and I am nearly back on track! I am going to do a normal day today along with a detox bath to get rid of some more water weight.

I am thinking that if I would have done the carb refeed the right way, I would have had a success in just one day. I am thinking I probably should have only gained 3 lbs. on the refeed (max) and then that weight would have been off pretty much today! Next time though, I don't think I'll weigh the day after the refeed because I get super depressed when I gain. (Even if its inevitable!) So if I do it again, I will just skip the weigh in the next day and make that a steak day. *ps, I seriously love steak days and don't mind them at ALL!

Well, even though I still regret HOW I did the carb refeed, I don't think it was the worst experiment in the world so thats good.

Have a good night!

R2 - VLCD Day #9

Current Weight: 133.2 lbs. (+5.0 lbs.)

Dose: 155 iu

Dinner: 7.5 oz. steak & Large Apple

So let me explain about the insane gain. I decided (on a whim) to try a "carb refeed" day. Now, I had been researching this for my whole first week and kind of fell into it when I came home and DH had ordered pizza (something I have a SERIOUS problem with). I "fell off the wagon" and decided to turn it into a carb refeed.

Well, as it turns out, I did the refeed incorrectly. I pretty much ate whatever I wanted. I shouldn't have eaten fats as freely as I did. It was basically just a gigantic cheat day. I paid for it too. Look at that insane weight gain!

So I did a steak day today and I'm hoping it really helps get me back down. I'm thinking most of this is water weight anyway. I'll keep you posted on how I feel about the refeed. It is supposed to restart your metabolism and help you lose faster so if it does that this week, I may try a more structured refeed on friday (less fat).

Hope you all have an excellent day!

R2 - VLCD Day #8

Current Weight: 128.2 lbs. (+1.8 lbs.)

Dose: none

Breakfast: 2 eggo waffles and SF syrup

Snack: Pumpkin bagel with almond cream cheese & an all fruit smoothie from Jamba

Lunch: Olive Garden - Braised Beef Tortelloni, breadsticks and salad

Snack: Crackers

Dinner: Steak, lobster, bread, tomato mozzerella salad

Dessert: Ice cream and candy.. too much candy

Snack: Toast with honey

Okay, so you probably know (if you read consistantly) that this post is me looking back a couple days ago to my major cheat/"refeed" day. To be honest, it is hard to write this post but I figure, if it can help someone else, I'd better do it.

I had been investigating a carb refeed and decided to go for it when I fell off the wagon and ate pizza. I should have structure it better because I think the concept behind it makes sense. Oh well, if I get all the weight off and continue to lose well this week, I might MIGHT try a REAL structured refeed this coming friday.

Well, I will keep you posted!

R2 - VLCD Day #7

Current Weight: 126.4 lbs. (-1.2 lbs.)

Dose: 155 iu

Lunch: Chicken Curry and Cabbage

Snack: Apple

Dinner: Pizza, breadsticks, soda

Dessert: Anything I could get my hands on pretty much

Came home and DH had ordered pizza... What the FRENCH, TOAST?! Frustrating... I have the hardest time saying no to pizza and I was feeling a little hungry so I indulged a little too much.

After the pizza, I made myself "feel better" by telling myself I was going to have a carb refeed for the next day. So I pretty much gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted. Not the best idea.

While I think the principle behind refeeds is a good one, I didn't follow the rules and I'm going to pay for it!

R2 - VLCD Day #6

Current Weight: 127.6 lbs. (-0.2 lbs.)

Dose: 155 iu

Snack: 1 stick of sugar free gum

Dinner: ~8 oz. lean steak & 1 large apple

So I was glad I got on the scale and didn't see an increase today. I was very relieved! But I also didn't lose a lot either. That makes it a 3 day stall. I did a mini steak day (I like them better than apple days) and it went really well. I am really like my dose this round because I really didn't have any hunger. There might have been a couple times a felt a little something but it went away really fast and water helped a TON!

I am hoping this helps bring me down a little. My first round, I always lost well with mini steak days (always over a pound) so I'm really hoping for the same results tomorrow!

Have a good night!

R2 - VLCD Day #5

Current Weight: 127.8 lbs. (-0.0 lbs.)

Dose: 155 iu

Lunch: Grilled Chicken and Baked Onion

Snack: Apple

Snack: 1 tiny strawberry

Dinner: Steak (too big), an apple and steamed Spinach with ACV - might be paying for this tomorrow!

Didn't have any movement on the scale tonight. It was to be expected though. After my giganto loss yesterday and working out last night, I figured I'd be up. Luckily I wasn't but I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. I have a bad feeling that I'm going to be up tomorrow.. :( Not happy.

Have a good night!

R2 - VLCD Day #4

Current Weight: 127.8 lbs. (-2.2 lbs.)

Dose: 155 iu

Snack/Breakfast: Apple

Lunch: Curry Shrimp and cabbage "stir fry" (cabbage in a frying pan with a little broth and braggs, onion powder, and garlic powder)

Snack: Apple and 1 whole hardboiled egg and 1 hardboiled egg white

Dinner: Tilapia and steamed spinach

Good day! I can't believe that monster loss this morning! A-Mazing! :) I also worked out today so I am going to do another detox bath tonight. I am hoping to at least stay this weight through tomorrow because I know exercise can often make me gain.

Zumba was so fun and its great to be doing it regularly! I hope to do it at least 3 times a week but I don't know if the ol' schedule will let me do that!

Have a good night!

R2 - VLCD Day #3

Current Weight: 130.0 lbs. (-1.8 lbs.)

Dose: 155 iu

Lunch: Curry Chicken and cabbage "stir fry" (cabbage in a frying pan with a little broth and braggs, onion powder, and garlic powder) & an apple (and maybe 2 pickles... oops)

Snack: 3 strawberries

Dinner: Chili

Snack: 7 strawberries

So even though I felt pretty hungry today. I haven't been consistently drinking my yerba mate but it just hasn't sounded very good. I will drink some tomorrow morning and maybe that will help with the hunger. I had 2 of my favorite P2 recipes today! It all tasted very good. I also tried to have strawberries in place of one of my apples (I've been having 2 a day) so we'll see if that helps the scales a little bit.

I am feeling like I might be retaining a little bit of water today. Maybe the sodium intake? I'm toying with the idea of doing a detox bath to help with that but I might also want to work out tomorrow so I thought a detox bath tomorrow would be good also... hmm. I guess I will let you know what I decide.

I tried (and succeeded) to have all my food eaten by 8:30 tonight. I don't know why I try to push things until later in the day... I think I'm paranoid that I'll be too hungry at night and cheat. Oh well, I am going to consistently try and finish eating AT LEAST 3 hours before my bedtime. Anyway, I'm off to go play games with DH and my sister and bro-in-law. Have a good night!

R2 - VLCD Day #2

Current Weight: 131.8 lbs. (-3.0 lbs.)

Dose: 150 iu

Breakfast: Yerba Chai with 1/2 tbsp. milk

Snack: Apple

Lunch: Chicken and Steamed Spinach with ACV

Snack: Apple

Dinner: Tilapia with mustard and 1/2 tomato with ACV, S&P and Basil

Today was a lot harder than yesterday. I am a lot hungrier and I'm hoping that changes tomorrow. I had a lot of cravings today as well. A couple times I almost gave up! I can do this I can do this!

I just have to keep going until I reach my goal then I feel I will have more control. Anyway, I am so tired so I better go! Goodnight!

R2 - VLCD Day #1

Current Weight: 134.8 lbs. (+3.0 from loading)

Dose: 150 iu

Breakfast: Yerba Chai with 1/2 tbsp. milk

Snack: Apple

Lunch: Curry Shrimp (Curry Chicken sub Shrimp) and Cabbage

Dinner: Lean Ground Beef with mustard and 1/2 tomato

Snack: Apple

Here we go again with Round 2!! I can't believe it! I started loading on a whim and now here I am on VLCD day 1 and picking up right where I left off. As I lay here in bed I'm a little hungry but I really haven't had a lot of hunger today. I am hoping that my dosing is going to be right on the dot this time but that probably won't happen! I have had a lot of energy today as well. I don't know why but I feel like I've been go go going all day! Maybe it was the 2 Yerba chai's I drank earlier!

I am hoping to post more details about my Round 1 P4 but I just haven't had the time to catch up quite yet. Hopefully soon! I have a scrapbooking retreat I am trying to get ready for (its in 2 weeks.. ahhh) and so when that's over, I hope I can devote more time to my blog!

Have a good day and if you are in P2, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a loss!

Phase 4 - Day 1

Current Weight (LIW): 130.2 lbs. (+1.6)

From LIW: 2.6 lbs.

Breakfast: 1 Fried Egg White cooked in butter, Chocolate almond milk Protien Shake, 2 slices of an apple

Snack: Apple, couple bites of leftover steak

Lunch: Delicious homemade salad with veggies, deli meat, grilled chicken and Bolthouse Ranch

Snack: Precious Sticksters Colby Jack Cheese, Zevia RB, SF Chocolate Chip cookie

Dinner: 6 oz. grilled chicken, 2 cups fresh spinach with butter and vinegar, 1/4 a peach with cream and almond milk and Truvia

Total Calories: ~1200

Breakdown: 36.3% Fat/ 43.6% Protein/ 20% Carb

I know I've been MIA! I'm sorry... I went camping over Labor Day weekend and didn't have my laptop and I've been having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. But here I am, ready and raring to go!

Had a low calorie day today, mostly due to uninterest in any food in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong, I was having cravings but luckily, all the cravings were outside of the house! I can't tell you how much I wanted pizza or mexican food today.. it was killing me!! But luckily I got through the day pretty unscathed (as far as I know) and I'm hoping for a drop on the scale tomorrow. I am not too concerned about the gain today because yesterday I indulged and TOM FINALLY came to town. I had a preggo scare for a while there but he is finally her and although I'm relieved, I'm going to be honest and say I was a little excited about the possibility of baby #3...

Well, I'm sitting here sweating after my 35 minute detox bath and I'm falling asleep. I'd better go but I promise not to be a stranger anymore! COMMENT if anyone is reading this! :)

Phase 3 - Day #28

Current Weight (LIW): 129.0 lbs. (+0.0)

From LIW: 1.4 lbs.

Breakfast: 1 Fried Egg cooked in butter

Snack: Peaches and cream and a protein shake

Lunch: Tuna and cabbage

Snack: Couple tastes of fruit smoothie

Dinner: 8 oz. ribeye and steamed spinach

Snack: Apple

Total Calories: ~1300

Breakdown: 43.5% Fat/ 38.7% Protein/ 17.8% Carb

Too tired to chat but had a low calorie day for some reason... Probably all the shopping I did.

Phase 3 - Day #27

Current Weight (LIW): 129.0 lbs. (+1.4)

From LIW: 1.4 lbs.

Breakfast: 1 Fried Egg cooked in butter, Cinnamon Flax Bread (banana), 1/2 an apple

Snack: Raspberry (homemade) Chobani 0% (With cream and PP)

Lunch: Jimmy John's Unwich (Beach Club), Almond milk and agave mango ice cream

Snack: Peach Fage with Almonds, 2 pickles spears, cheese

Dinner: 6.5 oz. Hamburger with sauteed onions, tomatoe slice, SF ketchup and mayo on Romaine Leaf

Total Calories: ~2000

Breakdown: 50.2% Fat/ 32.5% Protein/ 17.3% Carb

Went much higher on the calories today, mostly due to the Unwich. It was SO good though! I am really hoping that my detox bath tonight gets rid of any potential water weight that may have happened from working out yesterday or from eating a little adventurously today!

Phase 3 - Day #26

Current Weight (LIW): 127.6 lbs. (-2.2)

From LIW: 0.0 lbs.

Breakfast: 1 Fried Egg cooked in butter, Chobani 0% (Cream, PP, 5 raspberries)

Snack: 8 Almonds, String Cheese, 3 baby carrots

Lunch: P3 Chili, Snall salad with bolthouse dressing

Snack: Chocobanana Protein Shake, Raspberry Chobani 0% (Chocolate Almond Milk, PP, cream, banana Capella Drops)

Dinner: 6 oz. Chicken grilled on BBQ, broccoli, and 1/2 apple

Total Calories: 1450

Breakdown: 34.3% Fat/ 51.3% Protein/ 14.4% Carb

So I couldn't believe my eyes this morning when I saw that 2.2 drop!! :) So happy to see the detox bath/protein day did it's work! I am really at least hoping for stabilization tomorrow but I'm not sure because I worked out today and added a few fruits so I guess we'll see!!

My carb percentage and calories are a bit higher today but my protein was at 192 caloric grams. Hopefully that's enough to stay the same weight overnight (at least). Well, I gotta get some rest for my first day of class tomorrow! Have a good one!

Phase 3 - Day #25

Current Weight (LIW): 129.8 lbs. (-3.4)

From LIW: +2.2 lbs.

Breakfast: Chobani Greek Yogurt (plain, nonfat w/ 2 tbsp Half n Half and scoop PP), chai with cream

Lunch: 6 oz. Grilled Chicken and small salad (green leaf, red pepper and sunflower seeds) with "honey" mustard

Snack: Eggnog Protein Shake (Almond Milk, PP, cream, egg, sweetener, eggnog Capella Drops)

Dinner: Curry Chicken with 6.5 oz. Chicken, cabbage (cooked with CO) and broccoli

Snack: A few bits of Chobani Greek Yogurt mixed with cocoa and sweetener (yuck)

Total Calories: 1110

Breakdown: 26.4% Fat/ 62.5% Protein/ 11.1% Carb

I have to admit, I was quite pleased with my steak day results. I lost a total of 3.4 lbs. which makes it my best steak day yet! I ended up doing high protein today (as you can see from above) and I am pretty pleased with how it went. I am just hoping that the scale sees things the same way I do! I keep thinking "there is no way I only ate 1110 calories today" but I guess its true! I keep going to my counter to make sure I didn't forget anything but I am pretty sure everything is accounted for! Pretty cool...

I am going to start working out tomorrow. I have basically completed P2 and P3 but I am going to try and continue P3 eating for a while. I want to eat bread and stuff but it is not that strong of an urge. Today, the family all had carrot cake which looked and smelled AMAZING! Luckily though, I was able to say no and keep going on my high protein day.

I also had a detox bath tonight. I was hesitant about this but I'm hoping it helps relieve me of some excess fluid my body may have encountered while traveling.

Well, I hope you all have a great night and thanks for reading! :)

Phase 3 - Day #24

Current Weight (LIW): 133.2 lbs. (?)

From LIW: +5.6 lbs.

Breakfast: Chai with Half and Half (throughout day)

Dinner: 15 oz. Ribeye and an Apple

Total Calories: ~969

Breakdown: 50.3% Fat/ 36.2% Protein/ 13.5% Carb

Steak day from my travel/TOM/fruit weight gain. A little frustrated all day today because of this massage jump. This is the furthest I've been away from my LIW (Even more than the CHEAT DAY!) I couldn't believe my eyes on the scale this morning. I honestly don't understand how I could weight more today than the day after my megacheat. I am hoping it is water weight from traveling and hoping that TOM makes his appearance. I've been more emotional than usual and I am just praying that he comes soon so I can drop this added water weight!

Well, I am hoping this steak day does the trick. It is extremely disappointing to be this high when I didn't have the delicious cheat food to go with it!

Phase 3 - Day #23

Current Weight (LIW): ? lbs. (?) No weigh day

From LIW: ?

Breakfast: 7 oz. Fage with Raspberries and protein powder

Snack: Apple, string cheese

Lunch: Grilled chicken salad (salad bar) from Jason's Deli with Blue Cheese Dressing, Pineapple, Cantelope

Snack: Apple, almonds, cashews, 2 slices cheese

Dinner: Grilled Chicken Breast, Broccoli, Red Pepper, and salad with ranch

Total Calories: ~2000

Breakdown: 52.4% Fat/ 24.5% Protein/ 23.1% Carb

Too much fruit!! I'm expecting a gain tomorrow.

Phase 3 - Day #22

Current Weight (LIW): 129.4 lbs. (+0.0)

From LIW: +1.8

Breakfast: 2 Fried Eggs, Cinnamon Flax Bread (banana) with butter, Mini pepperoni, 2 strawberries

Snack: Protein shake with Raspberries, 5 strawberries with Truvia

Lunch: Grilled chicken salad (salad bar) from Jason's Deli with Blue Cheese Dressing

Snack: French onion soup (jason's deli)

Dinner: No Break California Club sandwich (jason's deli)

Total Calories: ~2000

Breakdown: 55.0% Fat/ 30.2% Protein/ 13.8% Carb

Too much sodium. But I love Jason's Deli!

Phase 3 - Day #21

Current Weight (LIW): 129.4 lbs. (+0.8)

From LIW: +1.8

Breakfast: Fried Egg, 3 Slices of SF bacon, Cinnamon Flax Bread (banana) with butter

Snack: Protein Shake w/ Almond Milk

Lunch: 3.5 oz. Ground Beef, Homemade Marinara, and Shirataki Noodles

Snack: 7 oz. Fage Total, 6 raspberries, 1 packet truvia, 1 scoop protein powder

Dinner: Saladworks salad (blue cheese dressing, swiss, egg white, double chicken, tomatoes)

Total Calories: 1721

Breakdown: 55.4% Fat/ 39.2% Protein/ 11.9% Carb

Today has been a very busy day but I've tried my best to stay on protocol. I had a salad on the plane but was able to get a salad that I've had before and done okay on. I also didn't end up having a night snack and I wasn't really hungry at all anyway. It is really late and I don't know how much sleep I will get tonight but I didn't bring my scale and I'm considering not even weighing tomorrow (on SIL's scale) because there are so many factors. If it is high, it is most likely travel/water weight and the fact that it isn't my scale. I haven't decided what I'm going to do for weigh in yet. I guess you'll find out tomorrow! I just hate when a bad weigh-in ruins my whole day!

I'm glad to *almost* be home. We are the majority of the way there. We are in Phoenix and are leaving for SLC on Friday. It will be nice to be back in Utah and starting school on Tuesday. Busy but that is normal for us!

Have a good night and I hope the traveling won't hit me too hard tomorrow!

Phase 3 - Day #20

Current Weight (LIW): 128.6 lbs. (+0.2)

From LIW: +1.0

Breakfast: Fried Egg, 3 oz. Ground Sirloin with Mushrooms and Onions, Cinnamon Flax Bread (banana) with butter

Snack: 3 oz. Fage Total, 6 raspberries, 1 packet truvia, 1/3 scoop protein powder

Lunch: 2 - 3.5 oz. Cheeseburgers w/ SF ketchup, sliced tomato and Duke's Mayo on Romaine Leaf

Snack: 3 oz. Ground Beef with Mustard and Apple

Dinner: 4 oz. Salmon, 1 cup Cauliflower, 1 Roma Tomato, 1 oz. Mozzarella Cheese

Dessert: Chocolate Mug Cake with 1/2 almond 1/2 protein powder and whipped cream

Total Calories: ~2000

Breakdown: 57.6% Fat/ 33.1% Protein/ 15.2% Carb

Once again, I ate a lot today. I am keeping fairly consistent with my percentages but I am wanting to increase my protein a little and decrease my fat. As long as my carbs stay under 20% until I'm done with P3, I feel like I will have done well.

I had another mug cake tonight but I am a little worried about this one because I ate it at about 9:40 pm. The thing is I stay up until like 2 am so I am hoping that it won't make a difference.

Tomorrow is a big day for us. The kids and I are flying to AZ then to SLC on Friday. DH and FIL are driving across the country and we will finally be back in Utah! I am a little worried about the plane ride and traveling because technically I'm still in P3 until Thursday. I am going to extend P3 a little further because I just want to make sure I am stable. I am having a little bit of a tough time negotiating what I can and cannot eat and I just don't feel ready to take on P4 until I have totally stabilized in P3. I feel I should be able to eat more carbs (fruits) than I have been but it seems every time I venture over 1 a day, the scale kicks my butt in the morning. Well, I guess tomorrow it might be kicking me to the curb!

Phase 3 - Day #19

Current Weight (LIW): 128.4 lbs. (-1.4)

From LIW: +0.8

Breakfast: Fried Egg, 3 oz. Ground Sirloin with Mushrooms, Cinnamon Flax Bread (banana) with butter, 1/2 protein shake

Snack: 2 oz. Fage Total, 6 raspberries, 1 packet truvia, 1/3 scoop protein powder

Lunch: 6 oz. Ground Sirloin, SF ketchup, mustard, sliced tomato with Balsamic and EVOO

Snack: 3.5 oz. Fage Total, 1 packet truvia, 1/3 scoop protein powder

Dinner: 6 oz. Shrimp, Tofu Shirataki Noodles, 1.5 tbsp. Pesto

Dessert: Chocolate Mug Cake with 1/2 almond 1/2 protein powder and whipped cream

Total Calories: 1960

Breakdown: 56.9% Fat/ 36.1% Protein/ 13.7% Carb

Holy cow I ate a lot today but I didn't really feel overly full all day, so thats good. I am feeling a little dry mouth though so I am really worried about sodium intake. My daily amount is 2000 because I didn't know that shrimp had so much sodium! Oh well, all I can do is hope I don't go up tomorrow. I added Fage today and I am in LOVE with it. It tastes so yummy, I am just hoping that it loves me as much as I love it!

We went to the zoo today and walked around for about 2 hours. I tried to drink a lot of water today but I am still worried about water retention. I cut the water intake off around 9:00 though so I am hoping I don't see a gain from it.

Hope you all have a happy night and that the scales are good to you tomorrow! :)

Phase 3 - Day #18

Current Weight (LIW): 129.8 lbs. (+1.8)

From LIW: +2.2

Breakfast: Tea with Cream

Dinner: Big ol' steak and an apple

Dessert: Tea with Cream

Well, today was a steak day because of this mornings crazy gain. I don't know what made me jump up so high but I am hoping this steak day brings me back down again. I am really worried I might be sensitive to xylitol or walden farms products. I really enjoyed that mug cake last night!

I think that maybe I overdid it on calories or something? Or maybe the 2 fruits? I don't know, P3 is so hard. I have been loving pancakes in the morning once in a while and I will be really sad to see them go. Secretly, I keep waiting for TOM to start so I can blame the gain on that!

I'll keep you posted on my steak day tomorrow. I am really hoping for a big loss!

Phase 3 - Day #17

Current Weight (LIW): 128.0 lbs. (-0.4)

From LIW: +0.4

Breakfast: 1 egg in butter, 2 slices SF bacon, Flax Protein Pancakes w/ WF syrup

Snack: Chocolate Banana Protein Shake and a Peach with Cream (half n half)

Lunch: Saladworks Salad (amazing... yum!)

Snack: Peach Flavored Protein Shake & an Apple

Dinner: 9 oz. NY Strip, Caprese Salad, and Broccoli with Hollandaise

Dessert: Chocolate Mug Cake with Whipped Cream and WF chocolate sauce (wow)

Total Calories: ~1900

Calorie Breakdown: 50% Fat /39% Protein /12% Carb

I had another very nice day today. I feel stuffed to the brim all day long but I think I need to start eating earlier in the day. I have been getting up too late in the day and trying to fit all the necessary calories in very limited hours. I try not to eat very late but sometimes getting everything in before it gets late is very hard!

Tomorrow I have to get up early for church so I think I will make sure I have time to eat breakfast. I need to or I won't be eating until after 12. That is worse than today! Hopefully that will help my metabolism get a good start on the day.

I have been focusing a lot on getting the right amount of protein in. I am still thinking I might be a little high but I don't know. Many people say they get 2000+ calories in a day and that is where I am so I guess I am on the right track. My biggest fear tonight is that I had a peach early in the day and then an apple in the evening. I've haven't added peaches yet so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I also had a mug cake and even though I've already added all the main ingredients, its still scary to step on the scale tomorrow! (Just like every day.) I hope that I don't have to live the rest of my life in fear of that scale moving above the 2 lb. mark...

Well, I'm off to sleep. Hope the scale is nice tomorrow... :)

Phase 3 - Day #16

Current Weight (LIW): 128.4 lbs. (+0.8)

From LIW: +0.8

Breakfast: 1 egg in butter, 3 oz. ground beef, Cinnamon Flax Bread (banana)

Snack: Chocolate Banana Protein Shake

Lunch: Saladworks Salad (amazing... yum!)

Snack: 3.5 oz. Baked Salmon

Snack: Chocolate Banana Protein Shake & an Apple

Snack: Eggnog Protein Shake

Dinner: Chicken Parm with Homemade Marinara

Total Calories: ~1900

Calorie Breakdown: 55% Fat /37% Protein /9% Carb

Today was a very nice day except for the fact that I was so stuffed tonight, I couldn't finish my delicious meal. I finally got around to making my own sugar free marinara. It turned out very good! I put it on a chicken breast with some mozzarella and BAM - Chicken Parmesan. the Saladworks Salad was also to die for and I'm secretly hoping to gain so I don't go purchase another one tomorrow!

I'll keep you posted about my weigh ins. I'm getting close to p4 but I might take it even slower when I get to P4. craze! Have a good night!

Phase 3 - Day #15

Current Weight (LIW): 127.6 lbs. (+0.2)

From LIW: 0.0 !! :)

Breakfast: Flax Protein Pancakes, 1 fried egg, 3 oz. Ground Beef

Snack: 1/2 a Protein Shake with orange and almond milk, 2 raspberries

Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salad (6 oz. Chicken, lettuce, tomato, red pepper, mushrooms, cucumber, 1 oz. cheddar cheese)

Snack: Cinnamon Flax Bread (Banana) & Protein Smoothie with almond milk, 1/4 avocado, peach flavoring

Dinner: 5 oz. Steak, Tomatoes with Balsamic and Steamed Asparagus with Hollandaise

Snack: 6 cherries

Total Calories: ~1900

Calorie Breakdown: 55% Fat /36% Protein /9% Carb

Still going strong under my 2 lb. limit! I woke up today with only a .2 lb gain after feeling like I was eating all day yesterday. Those protein shakes really fill me up and hopefully they are doing the trick!

I am adding a few more fruits in as I get closer and closer to P4. I am hoping and praying that they aren't causing me to gain weight because I love fruit!

Hope I have a happy weigh in tomorrow!

Cinnamon Flax Mug Bread

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Flax Meal

2 tbsp. Almond Flour

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder Substitute

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 Egg

2 tsp. Butter (softened)

2 packets Truvia (ground to flour)

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl. In the bottom of a mug, blend butter and egg until well mixed. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Put in microwave for about 2 minutes and then let cool.

ALTERATIONS:

I added 10 drops of Banana capella drops and it tasted like a delicious Banana Bread!! :)

Love this recipe!

PS. In this pic, I had already eaten 2 of the pieces.. :) It makes about 4 of those pieces.

P3 Week 2 Results - Pounds

Aug. 11th, 2011 (P3D8): 128.8 lbs. (+1.2 above LIW)

Aug. 12th, 2011 (P3D9): 132.2 lbs. (+4.6 above LIW)

Aug. 13th, 2011 (P3D10): 129.2 lbs. (+1.6 above LIW) Steak Day

Aug. 14th, 2011 (P3D11): 128.2 lbs. (+0.6 above LIW) High Protein

Aug. 15th, 2011 (P3D12): 128.2 lbs. (+0.6 above LIW) High Protein

Aug. 16th, 2011 (P3D13): 128.8 lbs. (+1.2 above LIW)

Aug. 17th, 2011 (P3D14): 127.4 lbs. (-0.2 below LIW)

P3 Week 2

Steak Days: 1

High Protein Days: 2 (unnecessary)