South Africa Trip March 2012

I have wanted to go "home" with my friend Pen.  She currently lives in the U.S.A. but is from S. Africa.  I shared this fact with her February 2011 while on a road trip together.  Well of course it took her no time at all to get the wheels rolling.
Next thing I know we are going to a family wedding at the end of March 2012.  That gives me 1 year to save $3,000-$5,000 for the trip.  Most of you know I can't save $300-$500 a year.  But this is on my "Bucket List" so save I must!  That's a lot of saying no and staying at home.  For a once in a lifetime experience-no problem!
I decided I wanted to get in better physical shape as well so I could do more and not feel winded or tired.  Met with a trainer in May, loved him, but decided the money would be better off in savings.  Then in July I met with Dr. Dave who had successfully done the HCG drops well over a year before and has kept it off.  August 6th I got the drops and August 8th I started the program. As of November 16th I have lost over 45 pounds!  Once I get the weight off I will start exercising and toning.  I will be in tip top shape by March!
Pen has given me a bag of goodies from S. Africa to look over and has shown me her personal photos of her trips.  She sent me a copy of the wedding invitation at the beginning of November and we are staying 3 days on a Game Reserve for the wedding!  The wedding is going to be very "Sex in the City" chic, so I am waiting for those February SALES on all those foo-foo dresses.  Black with a touch of Gold is the attire. 
I still have not found my Birth Certificates or Social Security Card that I just replaced 2007.  After a visit with Pen on Nov 11th and her daughter Michel on Nov 12th I went straight home and ordered another birth certificate.  I also paid for half my lodging while I was there.  3 nights at a Game Reserve $177 TOTAL!  3 nights at a family beach house FREE!  Airfare is the biggest expense and we are looking at $1100-1300.  Rental Car divided by 6, Petrol (gas) and Food. 
Michel showed me on a map where the wedding was and they had not been to that area before themselves.  Adventure for us all.  Pen and I, Michel and Pat, Tanya, Mike and Kids all in tow.  It will be the end of thier summer there.  We all know how much I love the end of summer at the beach!
There have been some life expenses that keep making me think I can't afford to go, like $700 on a fallen tree removal, $300 on car repairs, gee that is nearly a plane ticket.  However, I can't afford NOT TO GO!  So I will make it work.
SHOTS!!  Noone mentioned I had to get SHOTS! (well maybe John did a while back ago but of course I blocked that out)  So just how many of these SHOTS do I have to get?  OMG!  I HATE NEEDLES!  No wonder I don't already have a Passport and stamps in it.  SHOTS!!
Ok, shew!  No Shots! 
We are down to planning our itinerary so we can purchase airfare.  Which is now over $1,400 and that doesn't include getting from Texas to Washington.
Christmas Miracle!  Michel received and e-mail this morning that we can fly straight from Washington to Durban for $1085 including Taxes!!  I was so releived I almost cried happy tears!  $400 PLUS Savings!!  And not stop over in Johannesburg or Dubai.  I am sending money to Michel so she can purchase my ticket with theirs to make sure I am on the same plane and close by.  My first trip abroad, I don't want to be left unattended!
Now if ONLY my BIRTH CERTIFICATE would be sitting in my MAILBOX today waiting on me to pick it up, that would be the MOST AWESOME thing!  I know it is there, I know it is there, I know it is there...
I have been checking the mail almost daily waiting on the one piece of paper that I need to get my passport.  5 weeks later I get it, or DO I?  It is a Birth Certificate but it has a RED STAMP across it saying it could not be used for Identification purposes, just infomational.  WTH?  I even went and had the application NOTARIZED to get the Original fully functional one!!  SO I call up the State of California, of course they are CLOSED, most likely until the new year.  Times a Wastin' People!!  I am flying out of Texas March 27th!!  I called the Tyler Post Office and asked her about it, she had never seen one like that, said bring it in and we'll submit it.  She said I had plenty of time.  And they take the photos there too!  So I counted from tomorrow just exactly how much time I did have 12 weeks and 6 days before I leave Texas!  Tyler's turn around time is around 2-3 weeks!
I filled out all the passport paperwork on line.  Let me tell you they drag up some old ghosts.  I had to google and call up relatives and exes.  My mother is deceased, my Father is estranged (heavy on the strange) and I needed my Father's date and place of birth.  I googled the date and had to call my Uncle who is over seas for the place.  Not many of that side of my family left, both grandparents are deceased.  I went blank on the ex-husbands DAY of birth and wasn't sure where since he was adopted.  Good thing we still get along well.  Had a nice chat. Made copies of passport forms and drivers license front and back and asked to come in later to work.
Got to the post office at 9:20am and was first and only in line until about 9:45am.  10am went in got picture made, swore all information was true and the picture was a true representation of myself, wrote 2 checks and was back in my car at 10:10am!  She said she had never seen a Birth Certificate with that stamp on it but would send it in since it has everything on it that the Passport Requires.  So fingers crossed it is accepted.  If not I should know in 2 weeks.
It's New Years Day 2012 and I am so excited about the opportunities for the year!  I mean just in the first quarter I am going to South Africa!  Heck Yea:)
Well on the 4th day of 2012 the Passport people cashed my check, I am hoping that is a good sign!!  Fingers Crossed!
January 11, 2012 I am an official owner of a Passport!!  Went straight to the Bank and got a Safety deposit box for it's safe keeping until the trip!  Brought to work to make copies and then will put it in the box tomorrow morning.  WOW!!  This is really happening...
I was surfing the web tonight and looking at the airfare specials sent out on Tuesday and was excited to see there were several options for around $330 total from Tyler or Dallas.  Then I started plugging in different combinations on Continentals web site and found round trip from DFW to JFK getting in around 2pm Tuesday and getting home around 9pm Wed week for $189.20 TOTAL!  I even made John check me to make sure it was the right airports and times and days.  I saved about $250!!  I had to call them to finalize the booking because it would not let me complete the payment online.  I got a very nice agent at 11pm and I now have all my airline tickets for the trip for well UNDER $1300 which is what I thought I was going to have to pay for just one leg of the trip.
It's all coming together nicely!
Penelope gave me a Mini S. African Calendar! And sent me information on the Game Reserve.
34 days out and details are coming in rapidly as to the logistics of the trip once we land in Durban!!
33 days out I call my bank to make sure I can use my debit card internationally without being charged and arm, leg and kidney.  All good.  They even put the dates I would be gone on my account so it does not get flagged for unusual use while globe trotting.  Pen sent a menu from the restuarant in Ithala and I hope those were TYPOS!!  "Beef Mice Pie"  I kid you not!  And you can ask your "waitron" about Dessert.  Is that a patron that gets up and waits on you as if they worked there.  Is that how you have to work off your meal?  No dish duty??  Working on who gets the privilege of taking me to the airport at the butt crack of dawn Tuesday 3/27. 
I AM SO EXCITED!!
Had some time to kill while waiting to meet a friend so I googled S. Africa weather for March and April, end of thier summer it will be 70-95 degrees!! Beach time!
30 Days and I will be in NEW YORK and 31 and I will be in SOUTH AFRICA!
Trying to get my wardrobe together since I will be gone for 9 days and only the last 3 of that will I be near a washer and dryer, so have to prepare for 6 days of clothing and a formal dress for the wedding!
Oh and they call swimsuits costumes!!
Ok what is casual chic resort wear??  OMGoodness, I am going to have wardrobe stress, lol.  Good thing I have hardly anything to fit me and I need to buy or borrow clothes anyway.  Posted on Facebook for help!
The e-mails going back and forth between the Texas delegation going is quite entertaining.
I will be on planes forever and a day!  Just from NY to Johannesburg is like 16 hours, I have never been captive that long!  Not like you can go outside for some fresh air...
Still SO Excited!!
OMGosh!!  22 DAYS until I fly out of Dallas!  Bought a light-weight, travel friendly bra and shorts at Gander Mountain yesterday.  Today Sam lent me a cute little sun dress.
21 Days and counting, I am driving Pen and Michel crazy with all my questions but I really want this to go very well and want to be prepared for whatever comes our way.  3 weeks from now I will be on my way to New York for a brief visit and then on to Sout Africa the next Day!!
T-shirts, yes we need T-shirts!  Let's get er done!
15 more days!!  I kept Michel up last night discussing NY hotel and transportation options.  Bought a pair of light weight khakis and a cute blouse at Old Navy.  Confirmed and sent a check for our T-shirts over the weekend and Monday sent in the sizes.  Friday I ordered a surprise for everyone going and the bride/groom and beach house hostess.  Paying all my bills for March so I know how much spending money I will have.  Sam is lending me a sundress, Lexi is lending me a maxi dress, swim suit cover and sarong, Brenda is lending me some shorts, Kelly is lending me a flowy pant suit.  Need to go to storage and see what I have in there and look for Texas stuff to give away.
I updated the calendar on the refrigerator last night-OMGoodness!!!  Lots to do before I go :-).
Tuesday went to Target to get dog food and was drawn into the Women's Clothing Dept, hour later and over a $100 spent I left with a few pieces of apparel for my trip.  We are on day 3 of deciding on a hotel in New York for our lay over.  I tried on every questionable thing in my closet and rearranged it.
Saturday March 17th I went CRAZY!!  I went shopping for a one-piece bathing suit and some supportive cami/tanks.  NOT AS EASY A FIND AS YOU THINK on either one.  And I had made an appointment to get fitted for new bras.  I got 3 new bras and spend way too much money but they fit and the lady who fitted me was absolutely wonderful!  Go see Nakia at Dillards if you ever have a need.  I have not bought many new clothes since I lost 60 pounds because I was waiting until I was done losing and closer to my trip.  Well I have made up for lost time.  I did not find a one-piece or tanks on Saturday, what I did find was a dress for the wedding (I already had one) because it called out to me from across the store, a pair of white guazy/linenish pants and a cute sleeveless blouse to go with it, a little olive denim skirt (marked down to next to nothing), another tankini (I already have one of those too) but can never have too many swimming suits, earrings (my little touch of gold), Great American Cookie Company got some of my money too and I still went home without one-piece or tanks.
SUNDAY we are back at it again and John is pushing me to find what I need so I can pack, you know me I hate to shop and 2 days worth is just unheard of!  I find a pair of spa shoes at the first stop (I did need them my others have been glued back together more than once!).  Nothing fit at the next stop and I was ready to call it a day and start over Monday, no sir ree, not with John in tow.  So off we go to stop #3 at which I am whining before we get out of the car that I need food and adult beverage ASAP.  Well lo and behold I find the perfect one-piece at the perfect price and 3 cami/tanks at a decent price.  I SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED TO PACK NOW!!
I did not mention that I was in Target 3 nights last week buying and exchanging clothes as well.  I am shopped out and my closets should be stocked pretty well.  My bank account, not so much...
I FLY OUT IN 8 DAYS!!
I had moved my Wed morning gym to Tue because I had a hair appointment, Dan called and asked me to move it to Thur, no problem.  Tue after I left work my boss calls to remind me to be in early he has an appointment in Tyler at 8:30am.  That means I have to reschedule hair-IF SHE HAS AN OPENING!!  She graciously fit me in Thur morning, which is chiropractor and now gym, lol.  Skipping gym an hope to make it Friday so I will have atleast 2 days this week and rescheduling chiro to Friday and try to fit it in with gym before work.  I waited until the last minute to do all this stuff so it would be fresh for my trip.  Now I am stressing for time, lol.
My closet is all organized and ready for me to start putting things in an actual suitcase.
Packed Sunday from 4pm until Monday around 1:30AM and with help from John got it all in ONE CHECKED and ONE Carry-on and ONE Back Pack personal item allowed!!!
HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

HCG Round 2

I am going to just do one blog this time that will include everything since I have already done this journey once and have three detailed blogs about it.  Please start there if you have not already read them.
HCG is an awesome Weight Loss Cure!  Cure? Yes!  It resets your Hypothalmus to tell your body when to quit eating what to crave to maintain your weight loss.  Yes I have tested and yes it works!  In Round 1 I lost and maintained 30 pounds.  After 6 weeks of maintenance I am starting round 2 and so very excited!!
http://shiftingfrequencies.com/pounds-and-inches-by-dr-a-t-w-simeons.pdf (Actual Manuscript)

Day 1 Sunday October 23rd (185) (Load Day 1 of 2)
8am Drops
9am Tea
9:30am Breakfast Breads 2 slices
10:30am Almonds
11:30am Beef, Green Beans, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Cheese and Creamy Sauce
2pm Drops
4pm Frozen Yogurt, Almonds and a Rum Ball
7:30pm Steak Quesadillas, Beer
8pm Stuffed Chili Cheese Dog, Fries and Beer
9:30pm Makers Bread Pudding 1/2 and Ice Cream
Midnight Drops

Day 2 Monday October 24th (185.6) (Load Day 2 of 2)
8am Drops
8:45am Tea
11am Super Breakfast Burrito and Salsa
1:30pm Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
2:30pm Drops
4pm Almonds
6:30pm Drink
7pm Burrito Maya with Sweet Pork from Villa Montez, Chino Latino Rolls, Chips and Salsa
9pm Shot of Crown
10pm Scoop of Ice Cream and half of a Bread Pudding with Makers Mark
11pm Drops

I think I got the "load" thing down very well this time...

Day 3 Tuesday October 25th (186.1) (1st day of 500 Calories)
8am Drops
8:45am Tea
11am Apple
2:15pm Drops
3:30pm Shrimp and Cucumbers w/Pepper & Cachere's
8pm Grilled Chicken and Celery
11:30pm Drops
Brought my Shrimp to work and stopped by grocery store and bought 2 Apples and a Cucumber.  Will have to go shopping tonight to stock up and cook.  Tomorrow is going to be crazy with John's Soccer game and World Series.  But I can Do This!
Going to the Restroom a lot getting rid of the excess fluids-should be lighter tomorrow...
Went to Fresh, missed it like an old friend. John Grilled me a bunch of Chicken Breasts!
Started using both the Weightloss and Hormone Creams tonight.

Day 4 Wednesday October 26th (183.2) (2.9 Pounds DOWN!)
8am Drops
9am Tea
11am Apple
1pm Shrimp, Cucumber w/Cachere' and Pepper
2:40pm Drops
6:30pm Grilled Chicken, Celery w/SYM Wite Pepper
10pm Drops
11pm Strawberries
Went to John's soccer game, washed hair and dishes.  Got a little hungry about 4:30pm.  Wanted to go buy new jeans, talked myself out of it. 
I am going to post my weight on my google calendar so I can see everyday in one place without scrolling and such.  Should be interesting.

Day 5 Thursday October 27th (181.0) (Down 2.2 MORE!)
8am Drops
9am Tea
11:30am Apple
1pm Grilled Chicken
2:53pm Drops
4:30pm Cucumber
6:15pm Grilled Chicken
11pm Drops

Did not have but one Fruit and one Veggie all day.  No Grissini or Melba this round.  Watched the Game at Tyler Ranch and drank loads of water.  Resisted Bread Pudding-but the smell was very tempting.

Day 6 Friday October 28th (179.0) (That is 7 since Tuesday AM!)
8am Drops
9am Tea
11:45am Apple
1pm Shrimp and Tomato with Pepper and Cachere
3:30pm Drops
6:30pm Grilled Chicken and Asparagus
9:30pm Drops
10pm Strawberries

Day 7 Saturday October 29th (177.0) (9 since Tue)
8am drops
9:30am Tea
1pm Grilled Chicken and Apple (yummy combo)
6:30pm Steak from  Fresh (not measured) and Tomato with SYM Pepper
8:15pm Drops

Bought 2 new jeans and undies, can't find a bra with a fit I like, a pair of the cutest ungliest shoes and a blouse at Curvy Lady.  Realized I won't be shopping in there anymore since 14 is the smallest size they carry and I am almost in my 12s.  Only had 1 fruit and 1 veggie and missed one of my Drop times so only did drops twice yesterday.  My water intake was down and I sweated and was in the sun.  Worked the Steak Cook-off with Tricky Dix Nation and resisted offers of alcohol and food.  Knew tomorrow was not going to be a 2 pound day.

Day 8 Sunday October 30th (176.4) (.6 not bad for the day I had yesterday)
8am Drops
10am Tea
2:30pm Drops
4:30pm Grilled Chicken and Celery with SYM Pepper
9:20pm Drops
10:30pm Strawberries

I am just not very good at this on the weekends...

Day 9 Monday October 31st (175.5) (Guess the 2 a day have gone)
7:30am Drops
9am Tea
1:30 pm Shrimp and Spinach
3pm Drops
7pm Grilled Buffalo Patty with Grilled and Fresh Red Onion
10pm  Drops
11pm Strawberries

Received a text message at (5:45am) which woke me up and I had a raging headache, fell back asleep and woke up at (6:30am) and did my drops went back to bed and got woke up at 8:30.  Realized my clock was an hour behind so 5:45 was 6:45 and 6:30 was 7:30.  My head felt better but now I had 30 minutes to leave the house!!  Went to the movies after dinner and had water and not craving for popcorn or Dr. Pepper.  MoneyBall is good.

Day 10 Tuesday November 1st (175.3) (No more Buffalo)
8am Drops
9am Tea
10:30am Apple
1:30pm Shrimp and Spinach w/Cachere' and Pepper
4pm Drops
7:30pm Salmon (SO NOT ON PROGRAM) and Asparagus
11:30pm Drops

Had to go grocery shopping before dinner and decided to get something from the To-Go meals at Fresh so I grabbed Asparagus and Salmon.  Half way home remembered Salmon is not on the approved list.  It was that or the Buffalo I had prepared which is also not on the list and I didn't lose as much.  OR Cook something.  I went with the Salmon and Asapargus, I will pay for it tomorrow and move on.  Not doing as good this time around;(.  Bought some mineral oil for my lips, it is on the approved list.  Hope it helps!  My lips are killing me again.  No one else seems to have this problem but me.  Strange.  But I also don't wear lipstick of any kind.

Day 11 Wedsday November 2nd (175.0) (Early AM)
7am Drops
7:45am Tea
10:30am Apple
12:30pm Shrimp and Spinach w/Cachere'
3:25pm Drops
7pm Grilled Chicken
10:30pm Drops
11pm Strawberries

Woke up this morning with my jaw killing me, hope it is just sinus pressure...

Day 12 Thursday November 3rd (173.7) (Did everything right yesterday)
8am Drops
9am Tea
11:30am Apple
2pm Grilled Chicken and Tomato w/Cachere'
4:15pm Drops
7pm Grilled Chicken and Spinach
10:30pm Drops

Day 13 Friday November 4th (173.3) (hmmm?)
8am Drops
9am Tea
11am Apple
1pm Grilled Chicken and Spinach
3:30pm Drops
7pm Strawberries
8pm Grilled Steak and Asparagus (one bite of chicken not weighed)

Day 14 Saturday November 5th (173.3) Stuck?
6:30am Drops
7am Tea
9am Apple
1:30pm Grilled Chicken and Tomato
3pm a bite Sausage & Rice (Bad Girl)
3:30pm Drops
Nap
7pm Strawberries
8:30pm Grilled Chicken and Celery

Day 15 Sunday November 6th (172.0) (40 pounds from 212 in August)
9am Tea
11am Apple
12:30pm Grilled Chicken and Asparagus
2pm Drops
7:30pm Grilled Steak and Tomato
10:30pm Drops

Day 16 Monday November 7th (172.0)
8am Drops
9:30 Tea
11am Apple
1pm Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/Cachere'
3:30pm Drops
7pm Grilled Tilapia and Grilled Asparagus
10:30pm Drops

Went shopping for seafood, was craving it and needed a break from Chicken.  My favorite Orange Roughy is on the endangered species list now and can not get it and all the other fish have increased in price.  I bought a Tilapia filet and a pound of cooked shrimp.  Came home cooked the Tilapia and measured out the shrimp into portions and bagged up for lunches.  Tilapia is not bad but it is definitely not Orange Roughy.  We went to a birthday party at Julian's and John's beer had too much carbonation in it and the service sucked as usual.  We left there and went to Tyler Ranch to finish watching the football game and John ate and got dessert.  That Bread Pudding smelled so good I wanted to sleep with it under my pillow. 

Day 17 Tuesday November 8th (171.5) (getting a little old not losing much, but little better than 0)
7:40am Drops
8:40am Tea
9:40am Apple
2pm Drops
4:30pm Shrimp and Cucumbers
9pm Grilled Chicken and Celery w/HD and Salt & Pepper
10:30pm Drops

I bought make-up today!!

Day 18 Wednesday November 9th (171.1)
7:40am Drops
9am Tea
11am Apple
2pm Drops
3:40pm Shrimp
9:40pm Grilled Chicken and Strawberries
11pm Drops

Day 19 Thursday November 10th (170.4) (was 170 for a long time once upon a time)
7:40am Drops
9am Tea
11:30am Apple
1:30pm Drops
4pm Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
9pm Grilled Steak and Tomato
11:30pm Drops

Day 20 Friday November 11th (170.4)
7:40am Drops
8:30am Tea
10am Apple
1:30pm Drops
3:30pm Grilled Chicken
7:30pm Celery
1am Drops

I took off early from work to pick my car up from shop and head  to a party in Humble so it was a travel day and I spead out one meal instead of eating two.  Not recommended.  It was a late night as well.

Day 21 Saturday November 12th (167.1)  Hallelujah!!
7:40am Drops
9am Tea
10am 1/2 Large Apple
1:30pm Grilled Chicken
weighed here
3pm Celery
5pm Drops
9pm Strawberries
10pm Drops

Had a large bm this morning before getting on the road back home.  No scale available so did not weigh until mid-afternoon.  When I did weight I had lost 3.3 pounds and FINALLY got under 170 which was a mini-goal for me! Another night out with girlfriends!  Drank water and ate strawberries when I got home. 

Day 22 Sunday November 13th (167.1)
8am Drops
Going to load up on water before drinking my tea today
11:30am Tea and Apple w/Cinnamon
1:45pm Tilapia and Tomato
5pm Drops
6pm 1/4 Apple
7:30pm Grilled Steak and Asparagus
10:30pm

Went to Fresh and they had ORANGE ROUGHY!! I bought a pound of it!  Spent $120 (ouch) but that was a lot of meat for John and I both and other staples needed.  Bought a weeks worth of apples.  Grilled half the meat and seasoned and froze the other half.  Weighed and bagged mine for the week.  Had a headache all day, thinking it might be sinus.  Took Arnica Montana, seemed to help but I think it knocked me out.  Barely keep my eyes open.

Day 23 Monday November 14th (166.9)
7:40am Drops
9:40am Apple
12:15pm Grilled Chicken and Celery w/Cachere'
4:30pm Drops
6:30pm Strawberries
7:30pm Grilled Chicken and Asparagus
10:30pm Drops

Felt icky and dispondent today.  Just blah.  Back was killing me.  Took some Arnica Montana and a hot bath, seemed to help the back, not the mood, lol.  Again couldn't keep my eyes open.

Day 24 Tuesday November 15th (166.9) (adding a 16oz bottled water before my tea)
8am Drops
9:30am Water
10am Tea
12:30pm Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
4:30pm Drops
6:30pm Grilled Steak and Grilled Onions
10:30pm Drops

Started!  Explains the headache, backache and dispondency.  It's not a regular occurrence anymore so it is sometimes guess work.  Also explains why I did not drop any weight.  Just glad it wasn't a gain.  So now that is out of the way hopefully 165 by Thursday am.

Day 25 Wednesday November 16th (166.2)
7:40 Drops
8:30am Water
9:30am Tea
1pm Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
3pm Drops
4pm Nilla Wafer (just one but I was ready to kill someone for a sweet)
7pm Grilled Chicken and Tomato
10pm 1/2 Apple

Day 26 Thursday November 17th (166.4) (the cookie did me in!)
7am Drops
8am Water
9am Tea
10am Apple
1pm Drops
3pm Grilled Chicken and Tomato
9:30pm Grilled Tilapia

Day 27 Friday November 18th (166.4) ugh
8am Drops
8:30am Water
9am Tea
9:30am Apple
Noon Grilled Chicken
3:30pm Drops
7:30pm Sip of Red wine and sip of a Mojito
8:30pm Bruno's House Salad and Grilled Chicken, scraped most of the cheese and olives off
11pm Drops

Day 28 Saturday November 19th (166.4) not bad for my cheats
8am Drops
9am water
9:30am Apple
Noon Grilled Chicken
3:30pm Drops
4:30pm Cucumbers
8pm Grilled Orange Roughy and Onions
10:30pm Drops

Day 29 Sunday Novemer 20th (166.0) yeah
8am Drops
8:45am Water
9:30am Apple w/cinnamon
11am Grilled Orange Roughy and Onions
2:20pm Drops
5:30pm Tyler Ranch Ranch Hand Salad (steak, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, red onion)
8pm Walked  the dogs a few blocks
10pm Drops

Day 30 Monday November 21st (165.6)
8am Drops
8:45am Water
9:45am Tea
11am Apple
1:30pm Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
4:30pm Drops
6:30pm Grilled Orange Roughy and Tomato
10:30pm Drops

Day 31 Tuesday November 22nd (165.6)
6am Drops
7am Tea
Got my hair did
9:30am Apple
Noon Grilled Chicken and Cuccumber Salt and Pepper
3:50pm Drops
6:30pm Grilled Orange Roughy and yellow Onion
10:30pm Drops

Day 32 Wednesday November 23rd (164.2) YES!!!
7:45am Drops
9am Water
10am Tea
11:30am Apple
3:30pm Drops
I forgot to eat
5:30pm Cucumber
7pm Villa  Montez Chino Latino Roll
7:30pm Sea Bass w/St. Charles Crawfish Sauce over Asparagus and Rice(didn't eat much of rice)
and John gave me a few bites of his Osso Bucco (Stuffed but dang that was good)
1:30am Drops

Day 33 Thursday November 24th (164.5) not too bad with all I ate last night
8:10am Drops
9:10am Tea
11am Apple
12:30pm Turkey, Ham, Dressing
4pm Drops
7pm Grilled Chicken and Asparagus (sliver of a pecan off a pie)
Midnight Black Friday Shopping-New Tennis Shoes!!
1am Drops

Day 34 Friday November 25th (163.8) I danced a little jig I can not lie!!
7:50am Drops
8:30am Water
9:30am Tea
10am Apple
12:30pm Grilled Orange Roughy and Asparagus (one spoonful of banana pudding)
2:40pm Drops
8pm Appleby's Grilled Tilapia and Broccoli (broc not on list)
11:30pm Drops

Day 35 Saturday November 26th (164)
7am Drops
9am Water
11am Apple
Noon Tea
3pm Grilled Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato
6pm Drops
8pm Grilled Chicken and cucumber
10:30pm Drops

Day 36 Sunday November 27th (162.5)
7:50am Drops
9am Water
11am Tea and Apple (itty bitty bite of dressing)
2:40pm Drops
7:30pm Steak and Tomato (itty bitty bite of bread)
10pm Drops

Day 37 Monday November 28th (161.6) 50 POUNDS GONE!!!!
6:50am Drops
Have eye appointment so early day
7:30am Tea
Realized on way to doctor I had left house with no food for today!!
8:30am Eye exam (left changed a smoodge and right changed a lot for the worse-bi-focals were briefly discussed but declined-trying contacts as a main and glasses as a back-up only)
9:30am ran into wal-mart bought apple, shrimp and onions
9:45am finally made it to work
11am Apple
1pm Shrimp and Green Garden Onions
3:15pm Drops
8pm Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
10pm Drops

Come to the realization that the Grissini sticks help not hinder as some books say.  Everytime I have snuck a bite of anything with carbs I have lost more than w/o carbs. Now that I am near the end of round 2 I figure this out...

Day 38 Tuesday November 29th (161.2)
8am Drops
9am Tea
11:30am Apple
1:30pm Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
4:10pm Drops
6:30pm Walked a Mile
8pm Grilled Steak and Tomato
11pm Drops

(I ate John's steak instead of mine...)

Day 39 Wednesday November 30th (161.4) see above
7:50am Drops
9am Tea
11am Apple
Noon Grilled Chicken and Green Garden Onions
4pm Drops
6:30pm Gyro Salad and Pita Chips w/Hummus and Fries w/Cabbage at WAK
10:30pm Drops

Had L.U.S.H. with the girls at What About Kababos and ate way off the plan.

Day 40 Thursday December 1st (162.3) see above-last day on Drops
8am Drops
9am Water
11am Tea
11:30am Apple
1pm Shrimp and Tomato
4pm Drops
6:30pm Grilled Chicken
9pm 2 slices of tomato, 1 pickle slice and 1 slice of onion
11pm Drops

Day 41 Friday December 2nd (162.3) No More Drops-3 more days of 500 Calories
9am Tea
11:15am Apple
1pm Grilled Chicken and Onion
4pm I went to go take my drops, lol, good thing I took them out of my purse...
7pm Tyler Ranch Ranch Hand Salad

Day 42 Saturday December 3rd (162.3)
7:30am Tea
8am Registered for the Reindeer Run
9:30-10:30 Walked 3 miles
1pm Grilled Chicken and Apple
7pm Potpourri House Strawberry Salad and Grilled Tilapia w/mango sauce and Green Beans

Bought Almonds!  Did I mentioned I walked 3 miles?  lol It's a lot different when you don't have a 130 lbs dog pulling you...
Day 43 Sunday December 4th (161.8)
11:30am Water
12:45pm Tea
1pm Apple
4:30pm Grilled Steak and Tomato
9pm Grilled Chicken and Pickle wedge

Organic Tomato was really tasty! 
Day 44 Monday December 5th (160.8) I LIKE That #
No Drops - Can eat anything but Sugar and Starches
8:30am Egg
9am Tea
10:45am Apple
1:45pm Dairy Queen Beef Taco Salad w/o Cheese and Shell added Onions
4:30pm Almonds
8:30pm FRESH Grilled Salman and Grilled Mix Veggies
11:15pm Arnica Montana for cramps and lower neck

Day 45 Tuesday December 6th (161.4) BP 126/79
8am Dental Cleaning
9am Water and Almonds
1:40pm Orange and Shrimp
4pm tomato
4:30pm Almonds
7:30pm Hamburger Salad with Onions, Pickles, Lettuce, Spinach, Olives, Salsa and Beef

It was very YUMMY!  I love mixing stuff together and eating it!  Going to do it again for lunch tomorrow with left overs.

Day 46 Wednesday December 7th (160.9)
9am Tea
10am Apple and Almond butter
1pm Hamburger Patty, Grilled Veggies, Buffalo Flavored Artichoke Hearts
7:30pm Vodka Tonic w/Lime
11pm Apple w/Cinnamon and Almonds

Day 47 Thursday December 8th (160.7)
8:20am Egg
9am Tea
12:30pm Apple
1:30pm Hamburger, Artichoke and Cucumber
4pm Almonds
8pm Mixed Green Salad with Strawberries, Grilled Chicken and Aspargus (too spicy)
10:30pm Almonds

Day 48 Friday December 9th (160.5)
8:30am Water
9:30am Tea
10:30 Almonds
11:30am Orange
1:45pm Mixed Green Salad, Pickle Wedge, Olives, Onion, Salsa and Grilled Chicken
4pm Almond Butter
7pm Green Chili Stew-chicken, onions, chiles, chicken broth, turkey, beef broth, cajun bell pepper, carrots and potatos(I picked them out), Tricky Dix Hott

Day 49 Saturday December 10th (160.5)
9am Water
10am Tea
10:30am Almonds
12:30pm Grilled Turbo fish and sauteed veggies at Fat Katz
1pm Vodka Tonic
7:30pm Steak Fajita with Baja Veggies and Hot Sauce Side Salad with jalapeno vinagarette
12:30am almonds

Day 50 Sunday Decemer 11th (160.5)
11am Apple w/cinnamon and Almonds
1:30pm Walked a Mile
2-4pm Walked around WalMart
4pm Almonds
4:30pm small Spicy V-8
5pm Grilled Chicken and Pickle
7:30pm Vodka Tonic
8pm few bites of Steak
9pm Bloody Mary
10pm Almonds and Strawberries

I helped John make Rum Balls last night and did not even want to sneak a nibble.  See Below on the REWARD for my Good Behavior!!

Day 51 Monday December 12th (158.7) I had to weigh again to make sure!!
7:30am Water
9:30am Sonic Steak and Eggs without the burrito, lol, 2 Salsa Packets
1pm Mixed Greens, Olives, Cucumber, Jennie O seasoned turkey, Salsa and Pepper
3:30pm Apple and Almond Butter and Almonds
7pm Grilled Pork Chop and  Grilled Mixed Veggies soaked in Itiallian Dressing
10pm Roasted Cinnamon Almonds

Day 52 Tuesday December 13th (159.4) too much almond maybe
8:30am Tea
9am Apple
11:30am Jennie O Turkey, Mixed Veggies and Cucumber
1:30pm Tangerine
9:30pm Grilled Chicken Taco Salad w/o Cheese, Sour Cream and Guac from Taco Bueno

Day 53 Wednesday December 14th (159.6) going wrong way...
7:30am Water
8am Tea
11am Almonds
1pm Green Chili Stew and Salad
7pm Blood Orange
9pm Grilled Chicken, Onions and Green Beans

Day 54 Thursday December 15th (159.4) much better-might be the Jennie O turkey
7:30am Tea (forgot my water)
8am Sonic Fiesta Burrito MINUS the tator tots, cheese and tortilla
9:30am Almonds
12:45pm Green Chile Stew
3pm 1/2 Tomato, Olives, Pickle, Mixed Greens and Salsa
7pm Shoguns Filet, Shrimp. Scallops and Mixed Veggies (I skipped the Rice and Potatoes)
8pm Walked around the Mall and Resisted Nut House and Great American Cookie Company!!

Day 55 Friday December 16th (159.4)
7:15am Water
8am Tea
8:30am Sonic Fiesta Burrito WITHOUT Cheese, Tots and Tortilla with Salsa
11:30am Grilled Chicken and Salad with Squash and Salsa
2:30pm Apple
8pm Tyler Ranch Wings/Fries, Skewers with Veggies

Day 56 Saturday December 17th (158.5)
8am Water
9am Tea
11am 1/2 Apple
1pm Turkey, Ham, Dressing, Apple slices and a couple of bites of dip (caramel, cream cheese, powdered sugar)
7pm Carinos Jalapeno Garlic Tilapia and Salad few bites of pasta and one bite of bread

Day 57 Sunday December 18th (157.8) Even after Dressing
9:30am Water
10:30am Tea
11am Eggs, Turkey Sausage, Peppers, Onions and a smidgeon of Cheese
4pm 1 bite size piece of Filet Mignon
4:30pm 3 bites of Turkey Chili
7:30pm Chilis House Salad and Chicken Enchilada Soup with Cheese and no tortilla strips

Day 58 Monday December 19th (158.4) oops
7:30am Water
8am Sonic Fiesta Burrito without the Tots and tortilla
10:30am Tea
Noon Apple and Almonds
1:30pm Grilled Chicken, Mixed Greens, Squash, Pickle, Olives and Salsa
6:30pm 2 bites of Cheese, strawberries, blueberries and kiwi (just a couple of each)
7pm Walked about 30 minutes
8pm a couple of chips and salsa, Argentina Steak Salad from Villa Montez (YUMMY) and a Vodka Tonic

Day 59 Tuesday December 20th (158.5)
7am Water
8am Sonic Fiesta Burrito without the Tots and tortilla
9am Tea and 3 almonds
11am Almonds and Strawberries, Blueberries and Kiwi
1:30pm Grilled Chicken, Squash, Mixed Greens and Salsa
4pm Almonds
7:30pm Dressing, Turkey, Ham, Green Beans and Corn
9pm 1/2 Sugar Cookie and a few bites of Chocolate Chex Mix with Powdered Sugar (I WAS AMPED)
11pm 1/2 Rum Ball

Day 60 Wednesday December 21st (158.4)
7:30am Tea
8:15am Fiesta Burrito no tots/tortilla
11:30am Apple
12:30pm Grilled Chicken, Green Beans, Mixed Greens and Squash
4pm Almonds
6:30pm half a slice of cheese
9pm Peach and Vanilla Braums FroYo

Day 61 Thursday December 22nd (156.7)
7:30am Water
8:30am Tea
9am Apple and Almonds
Noon Beef Tenderloin and Green Beans
4pm Almonds
6:30pm two bites of a cheese slice
8pm Chuy's House Salad and Tortilla Soup with Creamy Jalapeno Ranch and a Tito's Bloody Mary
10pm Rum Ball

Day 62 Friday December 23rd (158.1) I'll blame it on the Rum Ball
7:00am Water
8am Tea
8:15am Fiesta Breakfast Burrito without the tots or tortilla with salsa
8:30am Almonds
12:30pm Mixed Greens, Pickle wedge, Olives and two pork tamales crumbled up
4pm Apple and Almonds
7:30pm Cinnamon Pear Mojito
8pm Villa Montez Pescada Azteca Fish with Rice and Beans (only ate a few bites of rice and beans)
9pm shot of Drambuie
10pm 2 Bloody Mary's at Scooters

Day 63 Saturday December 24th (158.7)
10:20am Apple
11:30am Tea
5pm Sirlion Brisket Tamale at Fresh
5:30pm Tyler Ranch 1/2 Sirlion, 4 fried Shrimp, 1/2 cooked Carrots and Bloody Mary
6pm Few bites of Maker's Mark Bread Pudding
10pm Red Walnuts

Day 64 Sunday December 25th (158.7)
10am Zyrtec and Emergen-C
10:30am 1/2 Blueberry Muffin
11am Tea
1pm Turkey, Ham, Dressing, Green Beans, Corn and Rolls
7:30pm Vodka and Republic Beverages Jalapeno Lime and Prickly Pear, Taco Soup, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Rum Balls, Cheese and Apples (snacked at a party)
Midnight 1/2 Cigar (gonna regret that in the morning...)

Start the SLOWLY adding in Sugars and Starches for the next 3 weeks and then I am DONE!

Day 65 Monday 26th (159.4) Not to shabby for all I ate yesterday and I still blame it on the Rum Balls
9am Tea
10am Apple and Almonds
2:40pm Turkey, Ham, Green Beans, Corn and Dressing
7:30pm Outback Sirlion and  mixed Veggies

I woke up feeling like crapola, Vodka or Cigar or the combination?  We'll go with Combo!  But dang I had a LARGE time yesterday!!

Day 66 Tuesday December 27th (159.4)
8:30am Tea
9:30am Emergen-C and Water
11am Apple
2pm Steak, Carrots and Green Beans (one bite out of jalapeno toast)
4pm Red Walnuts and Emergen-C
6:30pm Wings, few fries, Celery, Carrots and Ranch
9pm Low Fat Trisket-just one-ick!

Day 67 Wednesday December 28th (159.0) I like this direction better ;)-
9am Tea
10:30am Apple and 1/2 pack of Roasted Cinnamon Almonds
11:30am nibbling on Red Walnuts (nervous energy I guess)
1pm Ham, Turkey, Green Beans
4pm 1/2 pack of Roasted Cinnamon Almonds
6pm Emergen-C
7:30pm WAK few bites of Kimchi Fries, 2 Gyro Al Pastor (gyro meat, corn tortillas and veggies)

Day 68 Thursday December 29th (158.7) finally maybe levelling off
8am Eggs and Garlic roasted Monterrey cheese Bread (few small bite size pieces)
9am Tea
Noon Apple and Emergen-C
2:50pm Spicy V-8 smallest can
4pm Roasted Cinnamon Almonds
8pm Tyler Ranch Ranch Hand Salad
9pm few bites of Bread Pudding

Day 69 Friday December 30th (157.4)
8:20am Cereal with Almond Milk
9am Tea
11:30am Apple and a few Red Walnuts
3:15pm Gyro Al Pastor (my last one -they are GREAT!)
7:30pm Grilled Chicken and Salad w/italian dressing

Day 70 Saturday December 31st (156.5)
9:30am Tea
11am Apple
3pm Almond butter, Granola, Cranberry and Bluebery ball
7pm Chopped Salad and Roasted Tomato Soup from Corner Bakery about 1/2 of each
9pm-2am Snacked on various stuff and drank a bloody mary
3am Fro-Yo

Day 71 Sunday January 1st (156.5) Happy New Year 56 Pounds Down!
10am Tea
11am Breakfast Tacos and Guacamole with Blue Corn Flaxseed tortilla chips st home
3:30pm three bites of tamales
6pm Steak, Sausage, black eyed peas and asparagus and 2 bites of loaded baked potato
7:30pm little bite of special K (wanted a sweet)
9pm Fro-yo, fruit, and Special K mixed up

Day 72 Monday January 2nd (157.6) YIKES
8:30am Special K Cinnamon and Pecan and Almond Silk
9am Tea
12:30am Strawberries, Blueberries and Kiwi
2pm Rest of my Soup and Salad from Corner Bakery
4pm Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
6:30pm Sausage, Tomatoes, Black-eyed Peas and Cornbread

Day 73 Tuesday January 3rd (157.6)
8:30am Tea
10am Strawberries, Blueberries and Red Walnuts
11:30am Grilled Chicken, Asparagus and Carrots
4pm Red Walnuts
8pm Chuy's Green Chile Pork Enchilada and 1/2 Rice a few chips and salsa

Day 74 Wednesday January 4th (156.5)  Better~~
8:30am Special K Cinnamon Pecan Cereal and Silk Almond Milk
9am Tea
11am Grilled Chicken, Tomato and Carrots
3pm Red Walnuts
4pm 2 Vanilla Wafers with Peanut Butter
4:30pm Peanuts
8pm BJ's Brewhouse LIT, Meat Lover's Pizza (1/2 LIT down and I was buzzed!)

Day 75 Thursday January 5th (156.3) WOW even after pizza
8:30am Special K Cinnamon Pecan and Silk Almond Milk
9am Tea and a few Red Walnuts
12:30pm Grilled Chicken, Tomato and Carrots
3pm Cocoa Roast Almonds Dark Chocolate(I like the Cinnamon better)
8pm Tyler Ranch Ranchhand Salad and Bloody Mary

Day 76 Friday January 6th (157.6)  hmmmmmm
9am Tea
9:30am Fiesta Breakfast Burrito NO Tortilla from Sonic
1:30pm Carrots
2pm Roasted Cinnamon Almonds
6:30pm Tuna Taco, Steak Taco and Vodka Tonic Tall from Sadler's
8pm 1.5 Bottled Beers Bowled 2 Games
10:30pm 1 Draft Beer Sadler's

Day 77 Saturday January 7th (157.0)
9am Special K and Almond Milk
10am Tea
10:30am Donated Blood
11am Nutter Butters and Strawberry Kiwi juice
2pm Chuys Green Chile Enchiladas and Granny's Rockin Rite chips and Salsa
(ate too much and felt like poo for about 2 hours)
9pm 3 Tamales

Day 78 Sunday January 8th (157.0)
10am Tea and Almonds
11:30am 1/2 Garlic Jalapeno Tilapia w/Pasta and Lemon Butter Cream Sauce, Bloody Mary
4:30pm 1 Onion Ring, Few Bites of Sirlion Kabobs, Bloody Mary
9pm 1/2 Bread Pudding, 1 scoop ice cream, Maker's Mark and Water

Day 79 Monday January 9th (158.5) Good thing I am headed to the Gym!
6:30am Milk and Cereal
7am Water
7:45am Gym Introduction Workout
9:30am Tea
10:45am Apple
12:30pm Pot Roast and Potatoes from Carinos
6:30PM Walked
8pm Steak and Salad
9pm Tangerine and a few Almonds

Day 80 Tuesday January 10th (159.2) I am blaming it on the exercise!
8am Water
8:15am Milk and Cereal
9am Tea
Noon Apple
3pm Grilled Chicken and Carrots and a few Walnuts
8:30pm Jucy's Crispy Chicken Salad (did not eat all of it) with fat free ranch

Day 81 Wednesday Janaury 11th (159.4) Ok I am cutting out the milk and cereal to see
6:30am Water
6:45am 1/3 Jack In the Box Steak and Egg Burrito (mostly the insides, just a bite of the tortilla)
7:20am Gym
9am Emergen-C
9:30am Tea
9:45am the rest of the burrito insides and 1 bite of the tortilla
12:30pm The rest of my Garlic Tilapia Fish with a little of the Pasta and Spinach
3pm Apple and Walnuts
6:30pm Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich and 1 waffle fry

Day 82 Thursday January 12th (158.3) Much more like it!!
9am Tea
11:15am Crispy Chicken Salad left overs, 1 Tamale, Grilled Chicken, Pickle and Olives
8pm Genghis Grill (it was not great)

Day 83 Friday January 13th (158.3)
7:30am Hair did
8am tea
10am Apple and Almonds
3:30pm Double Cheeseburger from McD's (wasn't as good as I remember)
5pm Fruit and Granola Parfait from McD's (It WAS good)
8:30pm Brick House Fried Olives, Grilled Tilapia and Broccoli and Red Wine

Day 84 Saturday January 14th (did not weigh-travel)
8:30am Eggs with cheese
2pm Smashburger Grilled Chicken Baja, Fried Pickles and a bite of Chocolate Milk Shake
4pm Blood Orange and Almonds
8-11pm Vodka, Juice, Ginger Ale, Blue Cheese stuffed Olives, Mini Pig-n-blankets, Pinwheels

Day 85 Sunday January 15th (156.7) weighed after 1pm when I got home
10:30am few  Almonds
11:30am Starbucks Chai Latte Tea and a Breakfast Roll
5pm Tyler Ranch Bloody Mary, Wings, Ranch, Carrots, Celery, Chili Dog, Fries (ate too much)

Last day of Maintenance ^  212 to 156.7 from August 8th to January 15th and 2 Rounds of HCG Drops. 

I hope to drop 6-11 more pounds just eating right and toning up.  I would love to be 145-150.   However I will not obsess about it.  It is more important to be healthy and happy then worry about a number on the scale I perceive to be the perfect weight for me.
I will also continue to keep a food and weight diary just to make me more accountable and to keep up  with what works for me and what doesn't.

#LoveMyLife!

September 2011 aka Birthday Month

What a CrAZy Birthday month ever!  Sept 1st I was suppose to meet 5-7 people to discuss the Jr. Rodeo in Jacksonville and plan our trip to the one in Baytown.  I was the only one there at meeting time and and waited about 15 minutes as I was leaving 2 more show up and we were the final 3 going to Baytown so we made our plans. 
Labor Day weekend I usually make a Birthday trip somewhere but not this year, the farthest i got from home was the KOA camp grounds in Rusk to see my friend Penelope at the Potjie, I try to go atleast one day/night while she is there every year.  I am still on my diet and have almost made the 30 day mark so I take my apple and tea for my visit.  Spent time with Kelly and Cory Saturday and Pool time with Kelly Monday.  Misty colored my hair Monday night.  Way past due!
My BIRTHDAY DAY would be my last day on the drops as I was due to travel a couple of weekends in September.  Decided to eat Seafood at home instead of going out-loved it!  Very Quiet Birthday this year but I am almost 30 pounds lighter, one heck of a present to myself!
Friday afternoon the Tobler's and I head to Baytown and I am on 500 calories with no drops and I forgot my evening meal.  We stop at Brick House Pub and Grill in Humble and I LOVE THIS JOINT!  Very cool place and good food, I got a steak salad and passed up the fried stuffed olives.  Up early, Cari has to show me how to use the coffee pot to make my tea, lol.  Take my apple for later.  Off to the Baytown Special Rodeo.  Huge sign in honor of Ron is at the Registration desk and I wonder if he will make it to the rodeo as he was still in the hospital Friday. We know this will be the last one for Ron and he wants to be there.  This is such a special event and I was extememly excited for the Tobler's to see as it has grown a thousand fold from our little one in Jacksonville.  Rene' did a nice presentation honoring Ron and mentioning the start in that small town in East Texas.  Ron was still not there but his son's were on stage with Rene'.  Very moving, glad I had my sunglasses on...
Ron finally shows up and those who had not seen him in a while did not recognize him.  I have seen him from time to time and I was  still shocked when I hugged him and felt his shoulder blades he is so thin.  He remembered the Tobler's and Tanya.  We go eat and then come back to help clean-up as I always help clean-up each year, that's when most people disappear.  The small group after party was so much fun as usual, we laughed until we cried, I was worn out and very content.  I love my friends.
It was J.R.'s Birthday too, he, Wendy, Ron and I all have Sept Birthdays!!  We decided to drive home and arrived in J'ville sometime after 2am.  We talked all the way home!
Work is busy due to a new Rental Software I am training for and we have an auction planned-crazy, I think I worked two weeks solid until after 6pm each night.
I didn't make it to the Longview Fair ;(
Went to my first US JCI Senate Meeting in Fort Worth. Took off Thur and Fri.  Tuesday got the call Ron only had a few days to live around 10:30am at 4:30pm he had passed away.  Not unexpected but i don't think I had cried that much in a very, very long time.  All day at work and after work and then some.  I physically hurt for his family and friends, Ron was a great man, husband, father and friend.  I flet selfish but could not help myself.  Tues night a friend called and wanted to go have a beer, sounded good to me as I was tired of being with my own sad company.  It was a nice distraction.  Wed night I had a meet-up and DAvid and Sam showed and we had a drink or two and snacks and I flet loved by my friends and warm hearted again.  Then we went to John's soccer game and ended up closing the bar down.  Felt like crapolo the next morning.  Thurs I met Kelly after her classes and we hung out together, miss her loads but so proud of her!  We went to see Dr. Dave and she got more drops, she has lost over 20 pounds at this point and we both got adjusted!  Delicious! We kidnapped Logan for dinner and had a blast messing with the young waiter at Abuelo's, Kelly was on a roll.
Friday I got to tour Jerry Land aka Texas Stadium-AMAZING!  I want to go back and do the VIP Tour with John.  That place is awesome. Had fun with the Older Crew of the Jaycees-the Senate.  Friday night I managed to bust my toe/tailnail open, Nurse Hilda looked at it put a bandage on it and said I would live, lol.  It really didn't hurt, just looked really gross. Sunday I had to leave early to pick up John and go to Ron's visitation in Cleveland.  We had guest in our room until after 5am and I had to be up and gone by 10am, I was up and gone by 9:30!  Stopped at a Starbucks and get Chai Tea!  Got home ate, showered and took an hour nap then got on the road again.
Ron's visitation was  scheduled from 5-9 which I thought was unusually long.  We got there about 5:30 and Monra had already left.  She had brought the boys up early before people got there.  There was a nice slide show and a Scrap Book Connie had made from the first Baytown Special Rodeo.  We also brought more photos of Ron from various Jaycee things.  Got to see Shawn C and George from the old days.  Very nice to catch up.  J.R., Glenn and Karen were there. A young lady in a wheel chair who had been to all the Rodeos since the beginning was identifying herself in the scrapbook, was very neat to see.  Ron will be missed by so many but he left many legacies behind from Boyscouts to BSRA.  I pray for the family daily.
The last day of my birthday month we went to Villa Montez and my favorite Bartender Jessica was BACK!!  Ate on the patio and then hung out in the bar-I miss that place!  But not the 30 pounds.  My toe nail came off finally-looks weird.
October 1st we start celebrating Meredith and Kelly's Birthdays and I am so ready to say Goodbye to September!

My Granny

My Aunt Barb, which is an awesome female role model, sent an e-mail out to the family that Granny decided she wanted to move into the Angelina House and a second e-mail that is was Granny's 87th Birthday that day.
I had not been to visit my Granny like I should nor have I really called her as often, I know shame on me.  So I decided to go see here for her Birthday.
I brought in her mail which was filled with Birthday cards.  I enjoyed watching her open them and read each one to me. (sometimes more than once)   Granny also informed me she had received 4 in the mail yesterday as well.  She gets such a kick out of such gestures.  One of them even had a hand written note inside which is a lost form of etiquette.
My Granny still sends hand written letters!
Uncle Mark had sent her a huge beautiful floral arrangement and his son Kevin called as I was leaving.
Uncle Mike and Louise were on their way to pick her up and take her to Aunt Barbara and Uncle Tommy's for a Birthday dinner.
My Granny is 87!!  Happy Birthday Granny and many more!

Socializing on HCG

When I committed to the HCG diet plan I knew there would be no drinking or snacking and I also knew I had a Pool Party coming up on Day 6.
So to keep me honest I called a friend who I knew was going and offered to be the Designated Driver.
The Day of I packed a cooler with my Grissini Bread Stick, Steak, Celery and an Apple.  I made a cup of White and Green Tea and kept it in my Tervis Tumbler so if I got hungry I could just add water.  Lots of Water.
I spread out my lunch and drops a little longer since I would be out later.
Got there and started socializing and having a great time, sweated a bit as it was a tad balmy.  Drank Water and when people started eating I got out my bread stick and had some tea.  Later after everyone was done eating I went and got my food out and ate.  The steak was great. I saved the apple for later.  We got there about 5:30 and left around 11:30. 
Normally after a night of snacking and drinking I would make a trip thru Whataburger or McDonald's.
I passed all those places and headed home-I didn't even want my apple!
You don't have to eat everything on the list each meal so I didn't.
I had a great time visiting with friends, people watching and playing in the pool.
AND I woke up feeling great with no hang over or dehydration and I lost weight!!
~~~~~~~~~~
I phoned a friend with a pool and invited myself over to visit and swim, told her I would eat before I came and would be there after dinner.  I ate my protien, veggie and Grissini and saved my apple for after the swim as I am usually starving afterwards.  Took my water and off to have some quality girl time and pool time.  The East Texas Sky is awesome and so is my friend!  After a few hours in the pool we were caught up and I was getting a tad hungry and water logged.  Got home took a shower, found a stray Salamander!! and then I could only eat HALF my Apple.  Took my drops late because I had forgotten until then.  No harm no foul-I still lost weight by the next morning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had committed to serving on an Advisory Board in Tyler a while back and our first meeting was Thur 8/18 in the evening.  So I saved my strawberries from lunch and ate them around 4.  The meeting was at 6 and I didn't know how long it would be before dinner.  We got out around 8:15 or so and I went straight home to eat. 
At this meeting they had Spring Creek BBQ and Brownies (Dessert Addiction).  I walked right by the BBQ as I came in didn't bother me (not a BBQ fan any way) then the offers of food once I got there. No thank you I am good-and I was!
Our last meeting room we came to had the Brownies and everyone was enjoying-still no twinge.  Did I mention they are my favorite?  lol  I had to write something down for Sherry and the Brownies were now withing my smelling area.  Yep I got hungry then.  But was ready to go home and eat my dinner, no desire to pick up and munch on a Brownie.  THAT's PROGRESS FOLKS!
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Went to the movies Saturday around 11:30am, since that is the time I normally eat, I ate a little earlier and carried my bread stick with me incase I got the urge for some popcorn. Sat next to a friend eating popcorn and drinking a soda.  I had purchased a water on my way in.  No twinges for popcorn or the soda.  It was a long movie so about 30 before it was over I started getting a little hungry (it was also about time for my second round of drops) so I ate my bread stick, I had broken it into pieces to make it easier to snack on.  It's not popcorn, but it did the trick.  I enjoyed the movie, the company and resisted the temptation! PS. Go see "THE HELP" it is GOOD!
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I had a stressful 24 hours leading up to the Parrot Head Social and knew I would probably be tempted to have a drink or 10.  I had decided before all that I would go home and eat and go a little late that way I was full and not tempted.  After the day I had had I went and checked on my fallen tree removal at the lake and then went home and ate and just chickened out of going.  It's ok tho, I got some shopping done for things I needed and spent time with my favorite guy.  All's good.
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Friday night we went out with friends to Buffalo Wild Wings to visit and play trivia, I was having withdrawals.  I came home and grilled shrimp and ate a Grissini Bread Stick before we left.  At BWW I had water with lime and a side order of Celery when everyone got thier food. Had a good time.  Met out of town guest at Chuy's later and drank water.  Only lost .2 but may have been the shrimp, it's on the list but also one of the things to cut out if you get stuck.
Saturday was CRAZY!  Got up did my drops, started my tea, showered and got ready to go grabbed an apple and put in my purse and off I go.  Went and picked Kelly up ran some errands met Dr. Dave at Hotel and headed to the Seminar.  Seminar went a little long so it was straight to a birthday party for a one year old (sober mind you).  I ate my apple when every one fixed thier plate.  Way past eating time and right around drop time. Water, Water and Water.  Got out of there and had to go do my drops and grab my FRESHIE Bag.  Went to FRESH to buy groceries for the week and got a steamed Lobster went straight home and started on the claws, do not care for Lobster meat.  Good thing even on sale that thing was a two day grocery bill! John ate the rest.  I was so far off my eating and drops I didn't even try to get the full 500 in.  I got hungry I ate some spinach, I got hungry again I ate a Breadstick, did my last drops and finished the evening with Strawberries.  Tomorrow will be better.
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Been a week already and it is only Wednesday.  Tuesday night I went to a visitation right after work then had to go buy something to wear to funeral that fit me(nice problem to have).  On my way home I passed BJ Brewhouse and I so wanted to turn in and go have a drink or 5 and eat and just relax.  I almost called one of my HCG support lines!  I needed a "sponsor".  But I didn't I headed home fixed my dinner of Steak and Cucumbers and took a hot bath and vegged out in front of the boob tube.  Proud of Me!
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My girlfriends and I get together on every 5th Wednesday of the year for Ladies Undefined Social Hour.  Basically about 4 times a year.  Last night was one of them and we had chosen FRESH as a gathering place at the last L.U.S.H. and since starting this program I was even more excited about the venue because I could find something to eat and drink with them.  I grabbed a bottled water and some strawberries and ate and drank with them.  Wished we could have done the patio, it is awesome, but alas, it is still too freaking hot!  Went straight from there to John's soccer game and got home to a few slivers of steak I had trimmed off one to make it 3 cooked ounces and paired that with cucumber and called it a night.  John thought I was completely out of my protien even at work and he got up early went shopping and cooked chicken breast for me!  He is AWESOME!!  Now I have 5 more meals of protien!!  That's thru Saturday night!!  Will go shopping probably Friday night for some seafood, veggies and fuit.
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Had a meeting at Chili's last night and I had tea and celery.  Got home had Chicken and then strawberries later.  Next Morning dropped 2 pounds!!  Reward for being good!
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Saturday went with Kelly & Cory shopping at FRESH and we grabbed lunch there.  We had Shrimp and Celery.  We were stuffed.  Went to see Penelope at the Potjie in Rusk and did a walk-a-about and then while she was cooking I noshed on an apple and we visited.  I shared my weightloss advernture with some new folks.  Went home and John cooked.
Sunday was a bit of a lazy morning, then we ran errands, I went a got the boys some fruit snacks by Nutro at Petsmart as they are ga-ga over my fruit when I eat it and they don't get people food.  So bought them some Blueberry snacks.  John harnessed the boys up after dinner and we went for a walk, about a mile.  Of course I was complaining at 300 feet!  John pushed me on and glad he did!  Didn't think Seven was ever going to cool down, I broke a sweat too!
Monday went floating in the pool with Kelly and got caught up with her finally and then to Misty's to get rid of my Roots!
My weekend eating schedule is getting worse not better, you would think I had this figured out better by now. 
I have a 4 day convention coming up Sept 22nd so Dr. Dave suggested I stop in Day 30, which is also my Birthday and start again in October when John is at Haunt and I am home more.  Great idea!  So today is my last day on Drops and Friday will be my last day on 500 Calories.  Still shouldn't eat Carbs or Sugar for 3 weeks or more but can increase my calories. 
Friday we are leaving for Baytown for the Special Rodeo Saturday so this is good timing.
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I decided to spend my Birthday at home and eat right and spend time with my boys!  Loved every minute of it.
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I am traveling this weekend and I am on Day 3 of the no shots and 500 calories on Friday and then tomorrow I can increase my calories but still eat about the same stuff for the next 3 weeks.  Well so far I have run off and left my evening protien at home so tonight on the road it may be just fruit and veggies.  I did plan well, just lacked on execution...  Tomorrow will be interesting as I can eat more calories but still can not have Sugar or Starches.  Lunch tomorrow is Hamburgers or Hot Dogs served with Chips, Fruit and a Drink.  I can legally have the Fruit and Water.  If I am really in need of protien I guess I can eat the hamburger patty after wrapping it in paper towel to remove excess grease.  Now doesn't that sound appetizing.  I also stopped at the Farmer's Market today and got Tomatoes and Cucumbers so I will have fresh veggies.  The hard thing is with the restaurants is they all cook with butter or oils on most everything.  Those are still a no-no at this point.  Maybe I'll ask about doing and Apple Day.  I am at 187.2 and holding.  I guess that is where I am going to maintain until I start again in October.  Still way better than 211, but not quite where I want to be.  October will be easier, I now know all the saboteurs an what works for me and doesn't and John will be busy with Haunt and it will just be me eating at home.  Cooler weather so I can walk the dogs.
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Friday night we stopped in Humble to eat at a really cool place called Brick House Tavern.  I ordered a Grilled Steak Salad without condiments and it was the bomb!  I ate a little over half the steak and all the tomatoes.  Was so good!  Got to Bayotwn late checked in went to bed.  Saturday morning I fixed a Chai Tea in the hotel coffee pot once Cari told me how, lol.  When everyone ate lunch at the Baytown Special Rodeo I ate my apple and made sure I had plenty of water.  About 2pm I started getting hungry so we left and went to Luna's Mexican Restaurant and I ordered a grilled chicken breast and lettuce with Tea.  Chicken breast was huge and very good.  Lettuce is Lettuce is Lettuce. I ate half the chicken breast then had the other have wrapped in foil to put in cooler for later.  Then I left in my purse all day-ick.  We went to the after party at Shaky's and I drank water and declined pizza and wings.  Had a great time.  Left there late and headed home.  Got a water at Whataburger in Livingston and got home and went to bed.  I can now have anything I want except Starched and Sugars as I am in Phase 3.  I lost 2.2 pounds from Friday morning to Sunday morning with eating out and traveling!!
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John wanted to go out to eat yesterday so we discussed places I could have stuff off the menu more or less and I thought about Applebee's because they have the Weight Watcher's Menu and that might help to order.  So I read thru all the WW stuff on the menu and of course there was something on each and everyone of them I shouldn't have.  I hate being a painintheass orderer.  So I picked the least of the evils and ordered the Grilled Tilapia that came on a bed of White Rice(no-no) covered with Salsa w/beans(no-no) and Steamed Broccoli.  I pulled the Fish off the Rice and out from under the Salsa and it was very good and ate all my Broccoli.  I was so STUFFED!  Scale still registered 185.2!
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Apparently Applebee's is healthier then the ready-to-go food at Fresh.  I maintained after eating at Applebees but gained after eating from Fresh.  NOTED.  I have gained .4 and .2 pounds respectively in the last two days.  Which means I need to stop eating out and go back to eating at home.  Which is what the program says anyway, lol.  Prepared food has Sugars-again, also in the book.  And it isn't relaxing as I thought to go out anymore, I have to worry about what to order so I don't screw up these next 3 weeks which are very important on resetting the hypothalamus. (yep looked it up last night).  So back to eating at home until the convention at then end of next week. As of today I have 2 more weeks on Phase 3.  Then I want to do another 30-40 days starting Oct. 1st.  I think my load day will be at the State Fair of Texas!
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Well I wanted Seafood and didn't want to cook it at home so we headed to try out Montez Brother's Steak and Seafood that our friends Mundo and Carlos Villapudua opened this summer.  I wanted the Sea Bass as it is AWESOME at Villa Montez and they do it a little different here.  However when I saw Osso Bucco on the Menu I HAD TO HAVE IT!  It's a rare treat at VM so of course I wanted it.  Had a house salad with the house dressing which is a vinegarette with some other  stuff thrown in-I scraped the little carafe it came in it was so good.  Then the Osso Buco came out and it had already fallen off the bone on the way to the table-OMG!  The veggies had CAPERS in them!!  The White Potatoes looked yummy but I was not tempted at all.  Not even the Bread.  I could not eat half of what was on my plate!  Down to 184.5!  I figured as yummy as dinner was last night I would be a plus 2 pounds not DOWN.  I am now liking Phase 3 a little better. I love me some Montez Brothers!
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Had 6 Shrimp and 3 beers for Dinner and Lost down to 181.9.  Went to convention then next day and tried to eat really good the 1st day and succeeded pretty well. 2nd Day was good until dinner and same with 3rd day.  Dinner and evening at fairly bad and drank beer. Sunday had to travel a lot at had a bite or several of some fried chicken strips.  Now back up to 184.5.  Which 2.6 traveling 4 days at a convention is't horrible.  Especially since I am suppose to be on Phase 3 and not having Sugar or Starches which I did both of.  Just goes to show Phase 3 is very important to reset your Hypothalmus and should be very strict on those 3 weeks no matter what.  I am not as worried as I will start my Round 2 on October 1st.  I am going to do a "Steak Day" today tho and try to get back down to the 182 area.  I did realize I am not really missing anything, while the "bad stuff" tasted real good, I can so live without it.  What I CAN EAT tastes just as good and way better for me.  Have not and do not want to drink a Dr. Pepper.  Can live w/o beer and chips.  It's all good.  I am still under my maintenance weight even with the 2.6 gain.
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Went out to eat at Villa Montez (my favorite place ever) and I ordered the grilled fish with olives and red sauce and substituted the rice and beans for a bed of grilled veggies.  Ate almost all of the veggies and had 1/2vthe fish left, very delicious.  John ordered a mojito and I had a sip or two of it and then after dinner we went to the bar and ordered a jalapeno cucumber drink and I had a sip or two of it.  The next morning I got up early and weighted and don't remember if the scale said 181.7 or 182.7, either way not bad after eating out.
Off to the State Fair of Texas and my first want is a Fletcher's Corny dog with a cold Coors Light!  Ate half the corn dog and got a buzz before I got half way done with the beer, gave both away.  Had a bite of a fried oreo (ick) and a bite of fried cookie dough (ick) and a bite of fried Coca-cola (taste like soda bread, lol) Had another beer I gave half away again and was buzzing. I think I had two more partial beers thru the day and I had a Nathan's Hot Dog with Chili & Cheese, I managed to finish it ;(.  Made sure I drank lots of water the rest of the evening.  I did start my morning off with apple and almond butter so the whole day wasn't BAD.  Scale registered 182.1 the morning after!!  That means that maintanence is WORKING!!  Sunday I ate when I got hungry and tried to eat healthy.  LOVING IT!!
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Went to Chuy's last night, they have nothing healthy on thier menu and that's ok!  Now that I am in Maint phase I can eat a bit more normally now.  I ordered the Roasted Pork Enchiladas, I love roasted pork and had been craving tortillas.  It came with Green Chili Rice and Refried Beans.  I ate 1/3 of the Rice and a spoonful of Beans an only 1 Enchilada.  I had 3 chips with Salsa and 2 chips with the Creamy Jalapeno Ranch and a Michelob Ultra and I was nearly to the point of feeling stuffed.  I don't like that feeling-ick.  I had 3 almonds before bed.  Woke up to a 1.5 pound LOSS!  I believe the Hypothalamus is RESET!  Can not wait for Round 2!
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Long Island Ice Teas and Rum balls down .5!
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I ate JUNK and Maintained!
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Went to Sadler's last night to meet some friends and crash the JHS Class of 1969 Reunion (my mom's).  Had 3 Wellers and Water Talls, Flounder with Crawfish Sauce, Spinach and Asparagus.  Went through McDonald's got a Quarter Pounder and Fries, ate all of the QP and a few of the fries.  Had lots of water throughout the evening.  Woke up a bit hung over at 8:30 am weighed and was up 1.5 pounds, took Emergen-C and went back to bed.  Woke up at 11am and weighed and I was down 1.5 pounds!  Weighed a little later and was down .2 pounds.  So basically lost .2 pounds after a night of parting like a Rock Star!  WOW!
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Well it's Tuesday and I continue to eat junk and have gained a couple of pounds and my tummy is not happy with me since Sunday!  I can not wait to start back on the program and eat at home!  Life is easier and more satisfying that way.  Better food, better service, better Me!  Way less money.
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Went to Six Flags and Snuffers my last day of Maint.  Ended at 185!  That is over 30 lost and maintained at 26 down!
Started a new blog for Round 2
Chow!

FOOD-HCG

I thought I would do the food separate as the other blog will be long with my daily ramblings.
If it is listed together on a line I ate it all together, if not I ate it separately during the day.
I weigh in the morning when I get up and take my drops.

Day 1 - Load Day -Anything I want (Didn't have scale-but Doctor office said 211 on 7/26)
Super Sonic Breakfast Burrito
Broccoli, Chicken & Rice with Cheese
1/2 Maya Burrito with Sweet Pork, Chips, Salsa and Chino Latino Rolls and 3 or 4 Mojitos

Day 2 - Load Day -Anything I want (211)
1/2 Maya Burrito with Sweet Pork
Ice Cream Sandwich
Long Cheese Coney and Cheese Tots with a Dr. Pepper
Brownie

Day 3 - 500 Calories (211.5)
Black Tea
Grilled Chicken and Fresh Jacksonville Tomato w/Salt & Black Pepper
Grissini Bread Stick
Pink Lady Apple
Loads of Water all day and night
Grilled Chicken and Celery w/Slap Your Mama seasoning and Grissini Bread Stick
Green Apple

Day 4 - 500 Calories (forgot to weigh)
Black Tea with Stevia (don't care for Stevia)
Grilled Chicken, Fresh Jacksonville Tomato w/Black Pepper and Grissini Bread Stick
Strawberry slices
Grilled Sirlion, Cucumbers w/SYM and Grissini Bread Stick
Pink Lady Apple

Day 5 - 500 Calories (206.6)
Green & White Tea Blend
Grissini Bread Stick
Grilled Chicken and cucumbers w/SYM
3 slices of a really tart Orange
Grilled Chicken, Celery w/salt&pepper and Grissini Bread Stick
Green Apple w/cinnamon (very yummy)

Day 6 - 500 Calories (204.4)
Black Breakfast Tea Blend
Grissini Breadstick
Grilled chicken and Celery w/SYM White Pepper Blend
Golden Delicious Apple
Green & White Tea Blend
Grissini Bread Stick
Grilled Steak and Celery w/SYM WPB
(went to pool party took my own food and only drank my tea and loads of water played in pool)

Day 7 - 500 Calories (202.4)
Black Breakfast Tea
Grissini Bread Stick
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/SYM
Strawberries
Grilled Orange Roughy and Tomato w/SYM
Pink Lady Apple w/cinnamon

Day 8 - 500 Calories (202.6) OOPS
Black Breakfast Tea
Grilled Chicken and Cucumbers w/Salt & Pepper
Grissini Bread Stick
Grilled Orange Roughy and Grilled Asparagus w/Salt & Pepper
Green Apple
(One of the seasonings used on the fish was found to have sugar in it, I used regular toothpaste and it is the beginning of my cycle-all lead up to the increase in weight-I hope)

Day 9 - 500 Calories (201.7)
White and Green Tea Blend
Grilled Chicken and Tomato w/Salt & Pepper
Orange
Grilled Chicken and Asparagus w/Salt & Pepper and Grissini Bread Stick
Greep Apple (tart)
(Went swimming)

Day 10 - 500 Calories (200.2)
Black Tea Breakfast Blend
Grilled Chicken and Asparagus w/Salt & Pepper with a dash of Tony Cachere
Green/White Tea Blend
Green Apple
Grilled Chicken and Tomato w/SYM and Grissini Bread Stick

Day 11 - 500 Calories (199.7) TAKE THAT!!
Black Tea Breakfast Blend
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/Salt & Pepper and a Grissini Bread Stick
Half of my Strawberries
Grilled Chicken and Tomato w/SYM and Grissini Bread Stick
One Bite of an Apple

Day 12 - 500 Calories (198.6)
Green and White Tea Blend
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/Pepper and a Grissini Bread Stick
Sliced Strawberries
Grilled Chicken and Tomato w/SYM and a Grissini Bread Stick
Apple

Day 13 - 500 Calories (198.2) (I started using Medicated Blistex last night)
Black Breakfast Tea w/Stevia (still don't like it)
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/SYM
Grissin Bread Stick (at the Movies instead of popcorn)
Can't remember if I ate any fruit (w/o internet since Friday afternoon-didn't write it down)
Grilled Shrimp w/Mexican Lime Seasoning, Celery w/SYM and Grissini Bread Stick
Strawberries

Day 14 - 500 Calories (197.7)
Black Breakfast Tea
Grilled Tilapia w/Juice of 1/2 Lemon 1/2 Lime and Garlic Salt w/o all the junk in it, Celery w/SYM and Grissini Bread Stick
Strawberries
Grilled Steak Medallion (not sure what John seasioned it with but safe stuff) Spinach w/SYM
and Grissini Bread Stick with Greenand White Blend Tea

Day 15 - 500 Calories (196.8) (Will stop using the Medicated Blistex to see if that helps weight loss)
Green and White Tea
Grilled Tilapia (see above) Cucumber w/Pepper and Grissini Bread Stick
Grilled Buffalo Patty w/Onion, Grilled Red Onion and Grissini Bread Stick
Strawberries

Day 16 - 500 Calories (195.8) (back to dropping a pound instead of 1/2 w/o Blistex)
Black Breakfast Tea (feeling a bit nausiated)
Grilled Chicken, Celery w/Pepper and Grissini Bread Stick
Apple
Grilled Steak, Tomato w/SYM and Grissini Bread Stick
Strawberries

Day 17 - 500 Calories (195.8) oops
Green and White Tea Blend
Grilled Chicken, Tomato w/Tony Cachere' and Grissini Bread Stick
Tangelo
Grilled Buffalo, Grilled Red Onions and Grissini Bread Stick

Day 18 - 500 Calories (194.8)
Black Breakfast Tea (going to have to change soon-getting old)
Grissini Bread Stick (started my day at 6am-needed a snack before lunch)
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/Tony Cachere'
Grilled Steak, Spinach w/SYM and Grissini Bread Stick
Apple

Day 19 - 500 Calories (194.2) (guess too much red meat this week? or too much stress yesterday)
Earl Grey Tea (nice change)
Tangelo
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/Salt & Pepper
Grissini Bread Stick
Grilled Shrimp and Spinach

Day 20 - 500 Calories (194.0) (maybe the shrimp?)
Earl Grey Tea
Orange
Lobster claws (ick)
Spinach
Grissini Bread Stick
Strawberries
(I don't recommend following this day-not good for you)

Day 21 - 500 Calories (191.9)
Earl Grey Tea
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/Pepper
Tangelo
Grilled Orange Roughy and Tomato w/ SYM

Day 22 - 500 Calories (192.6) UHG!-will do Fish on Goerge Foreman next time instead of grill
Earl Grey Tea (Iced)
Grilled Orange Roughy and Cucumbers w/Tony Cachere'
Grilled Sirlion Medallion and Red Onion

Day 23 - 500 Calories (191.8)
White and Green Tea Blend Iced
Grilled Chicken and Tomato w/Tony Cachere'
Orange
Grilled Steak and Cucumber with 3 different seasonings

Day 24 - 500 Calories (191.1)
Black Breakfast Tea ICED -it helps
Grilled Chicken and Tomato w/ Tony Cachere'
Strawberries
Grilled Steak, maybe 2oz and Cucumber w/o anything

Day 25- 500 Calories (190.5)
Earl Grey Iced
Grilled Orange Roughy and Tomato w/Tony Cachere' (my 2 favorites)
Celery w/Salt & Pepper
Grilled Chicken
Strawberries

Day 26 - 500 Calories (188.5) Hellyeah!
Earl Grey Iced
Grilled Chicken and Apple
Grissini Bread Stick (out of desperation)
I don't remember what I finally got to eat, I think a piece of fruit and called it a night

Day 27 - 500 Calorie (188.something)
Earl Grey Tea
Boiled Shrimp and Celery w/Salt in Pepper
Apple
Grilled Chicken Strips and Tomato
(started taking Vitamin B)

Day 28 - 500 Calories (188.something)
Chia Tea
Grapefruit
Grilled Chicken and Tomato
Apple
Grilled Breakfast Steak and Grilled/Fresh Onion

Day 29 - 500 Calories (188.7)
Chia Tea
Grilled Chicken and Tomato
Tangelo
Green and White Tea
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
(colored my hair)

Day 30 - 500 Calories (188.1)
Earl Gray Tea
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
Grilled Steak and Tomato (they are starting to get a little icky-sigh, will miss them)
Green and White Tea
Half and Apple

3 DAYS OF NO DROPS AND 500 CALORIES FOLLOWS
Day 31 - 500 NO DROPS (187.6) I got out of the 188's!! (DAY 1 OF 3)
Black Breakfast Tea
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber
Grilled Steak and breakfast Steak and Spinach w/SYM
Apple

Day 32 - 500 NO DROPS (187.2) (DAY 2 OF 3)
Earl Grey Tea
Grilled Chicken and Tomato w.Tony Cachere
Apple
Grilled Shrimp and Tomato (other half from lunch)

Day 33 - 500 NO DROPS (187.2) (DAY 3 OF 3)(guess this is the weight I am maintaining until I start again in Oct)
Earl Gray Tea
Grilled Shrimp and Tomato w/Salt and Pepper
Grilled Sirloin Strip and Tomatoes with a few bites of greens

3 WEEKS OF NO SUGAR AND NO STARCHES FOR MAINTENANCE PHASE
Day 34 - No Drops only Restriction No Sugars or Starches for 3 weeks
Chai Tea
Apple
Grilled Chicken and Lettuce
Water Logged

Day 35 - No Drops No sugars or staches (185)
Earl Grey
Apple w/cinnamon
Grilled Chicken and Cucumber w/SYM
Grilled Breakfast steak and yellow onion

Day 36 - No Drops, Sugars or Starches (185.2) oops
Black Breakfast Tea
Apple
Grilled Breakfast Steak and yellow onion
Grilled Orange Roughy and 3/4 of a Tomato

Day 37 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (185.2) Guess this is my maintenance weight until Oct
Earl Grey Tea
Apple
Grilled Orange Roughy and Cucumbers
Grilled Tilapia and Broccoli (Applebees)

Day 38 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (185.2)
Eggs w/Cheese and a tad of butter
Green and White Tea Blend
Small Apple
Grilled Shrimp and Cucumber
Strawberries
Grilled Herb Chicken Breast and Mixed Grilled Veggies (Red Onion, Squash, Zucchini) from Fresh Deli

Day 39 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (185.6)
Earl Grey Tea
Small Apple
Smoked Salmon and Grilled Asparagus from Fresh Deli
Steak Kabobs with grilled onion, tomato and bell peppers from El Chico Ranch

Day 40 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (185.8) Not to panic, suppose to have some fluctuation (wk 1 down-2 to go)
Chai Tea
Apple
Grilled Chicken from El Chico Ranch and Cucumber
Strawberries
Grilled Steak, Grilled Tomato and Asparagus with 3 bite size slivers of cheese
2 bites of a jalapeno dill pickle wedge

WEEK 1 COMPLETED OF PHASE 3 MAINTENANCE
Day 41 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (185.4) better!
Earl Grey Tea
Apple
Grilled Chicken, Celery and Onion
Salad with Italian Dressing
Osso Bucco with Grilled Veggies at Montez Brothers

Day 42 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (184.5) wow!
Early Grey Tea
White Peach and Tangelo
Eggs, Left over Osso Bucco, Steak and Cheese with Tomatoes and Peppers
Ranch Hand Salad from El Chico Ranch (Steak, Lettuce, Tomato, Carrot, Cabbage and Cheese)

Day 43 - No Drops, Sugars, Startches (184.5) cool!
Left over Breakfast from yesterday^
Grilled Chicken and left over Veggies from Montez Brothers
1/4 of an Apple
Grilled Chicken,  Grilled Peppers and Onions

Day 44 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (184.5)
Eggs with Cheese
Apple
Grilled Chicken, Grilled Asparagus w/Tomatoes
3/4 of a Rolling Rock Bottled Beer (didn't taste as good as I remember)

Day 45 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (182.5) oops-did not eat lunch yesterday
Tea
Fried Egg with 2 small pieces of cheese
Rest of the Ranch Hand Salad with added Grilled Chicken Strip
6 Shrimps out of a Mexican Shrimp Cocktail at FRESH and 2 Michelob Ultra's
1 Coors Light Draft

Day 46 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (181.9)
Tea
Eggs and Cheese
Shrimp, Crab and Salad
Tilapia and Fresh Veggies

Day 47 - No Drops, Sugars, Starches (at Convention did not weigh)
Tea
Chicken Skewers and Veggies
(and we went downhill from here, lol)
3 Tamales, Few Chips and Cheese Dip with Coors Light
Coors Light

Day 48 - No Drops, Sugar, Starches (see above already blew that-suppose to be starting week 3 of maintenance)
Tea
Greek Salad at Cowtown Dinner Rahr & Sons Blonde Beer
2 Michelob Ultras
1 Coors Light
Snacked here and there and had a Rum Ball

Day 49 (see above-at this point it is mostly out the window)
Chai Tea from Starbucks
Apple and Cheese
Few bites of Fried Chicken Strips
3 Naked Chicken Strips, Green Beans and half a biscuit

Day 50 (184.5) UP 2.6 lbs in 4 days of Convention (Realize Phase 3 is VERY IMPORTANT)
Tea
Going to do at Steak Day
Steak and Tomato

Day 51 (184.7) GRRRRRRR (Steak Day didn't produce overnight results-maybe tomorrows weigh in)
Tea
Apple
Cheese
Grilled Pork and Cucumbers
Small V8
Grilled Tilapia and Broccoli from Applebees

Day 52 (182.1) STEAK DAY WORKED!!!! No Drops, Sugars, Starches
Tea
Apple and Almond Butter (YUM!)
Grilled Pork, Cucumber, Garden Onion and a tad bit of Cheese
Blueberries, Blackberries and Strawberries
Lean Hamburger Patty Salad-Lettuce, Tomato, Onion and Cheese

Day 53 (182.1) I can live with this for a few more weeks ;)
Tea
Apple and Almond Butter
Steak, Cucumber and Tomato and Swiss Cheese
Blackberries, Blueberries and Strawberries
Kabob Salad (Gyro meat (lamb and beef) and Greens with sauce)

Day 54 (182.3) Kabob Salad had sugar...
Tea
Hamburger Patty, Purple Onion, Lettuce, Swiss Cheese, Pickle Wedge and Banana Pepper
Strawberries, Blackberries and Blueberries
Grilled Fish with Red Sauce and olives over Grilled Veggies at Villa Montez
a few sips of adult beverages

Next 3 weeks slowly add sugars and starches
Day 55 (182.7 or 181.7-can't remember) Today is day 1 of add sugar and starches slowly and fair day
Apple and Almond Butter
Tea
1/2 Corn dog 1/2 beer
1/2 beer
Bites of fried oreo and cookie dough-both nasty
3/4 beer
Nathans regular Chili Cheese hot dog with onions and beer

Day 56 (182.1) IT FREAKING WORKS!!!
Eggs, Cheese and a teaspoon of fresh Guacamole
Pomegranate White Tea
Small Apple
Few bites of left over grilled veggies
12 Almonds
Grilled Steak, 1/2 Sausage, Grilled Asparagus w/Banana Peppers and 2 Stuffed Mushrooms

Day 57 (182.1) Week 1 of the last 3 weeks of Maint
Eggs
Tea
Left over Grilled Fish from Villa Montez and left over Grilled Asparagus
Pepper Jack Sliced Cheese
Pork Loin with Feta Cheese Roll, Mac & Cheese and Green Beans with Muenster Cheese (WTH? lol)
Strawberries and Almonds

Day 58 (182.1) surprised with all that cheese yesterday!
Dozen Almonds
Tea
Half a very large Apple and Almond butter
Grilled Chicken, Green Beans and Hot Banana Pepper
Chuy's Roasted Pork Enchilada (1) 1/3 Green Chile Rice and a Spoonful of Beans, 3 Chips w/Salsa
Michelob Ultra and 2 Chips w/Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
3 Almonds

Day 59 (180.6) Hello 1.5 DOWN! (lowest weight since starting program AND eating normally)
Eggs, Meat, Cheese
Tea
Grilled Chicken, Squash, Cucumber and Green Chile and one itty bitty bite of Almond Butter (luv)
Steak and Veggie Skewer with Green Beans from El Chico Ranch-ate half of everything 1 beer
1 and half Long Island Ice Tea
1 Rum Ball
Half a Large Apple and Almond Butter

Day 60 (180.1) down .5 with alcohol!  It has been 60 Days of FUN Filled FOOD Adventure!
Tea
Apple and Almond Butter and 2 Almonds
Left over Steak and Veggies from El Chico Ranch, Squash, Cucumber and Banana Pepper slices and Cheese all mixed up in a bowl
Grecian Salad with Chicken at Joe's Italian and a Corona (I ate the whole thing!)

Day 61 (182.1) there it is-that maint weight (cycle)
Tea
Kolache (ate only half the bread part
2 bites of a French Puff Breakfast Pastry (gave me a head rush)
Apple and Almond butter
Almonds
Sausage, Rice, Cheese, Veggies and Chips (I know really bad)
FroYo and Rum Ball

Day 62 (182.1)
Few bites of the French Puff
Tea
Grilled Chicken, Squash, Cucumber, Tomato, Banana Pepper, Green Onion
1/2 Chili Cheese Dog, 1/2 LIT, 2 Beers, 1/3 Chicken Nachos and 1/2 Bread Pudding El Chico Ranch

Day 63 (182.1) (had to stay near the bath room all say Saturday-surprised I am not lighter, lol)
Tea and 3 Almonds
Eggs, Cheese and Ham
1/2 8 oz Steak, Green Beans and 1/2 cup Broccoli and Carrots a few bites of a roll a few sips drink from Outback Steakhouse
FroYo from Orange Leaf-no toppings

Day 64 (181.7)
Tea
1/2 large Apple and Almond Butter
Grilled Chicken, Squash, Cucumber and Banana Pepper
Fried Chicken, Cheese roll things from El Chico Ranch and most of a Corona
1/3 bowl of Tortilla soup from El Chico Ranch
2/3 Marker's Mark Bread Pudding

Day 65 (181.7)
Tea
Eggs and Ham (I think)
1/2 Large Apple and Almond Butter
Left Over Steak, Veggies and 1/2 Chili dog
Almonds
Salad and 2 Slices of Pizza and the toppings off another small piece

Day 66 (182.3) (I figured it would be more after the pizza)
Eggs, Ham and 1/2 cheese toast
Tea
2/3 Tortilla  soup
6 almonds
Chocolate and a bite of pizza
Half a footlong Italian BMT Subway Sandwich and 3 chips
10 Almonds

Day 67 (181.9)
Tea
Apple and Almond Butter
4 mini corn dogs
Almonds
3 Mini Tacos, Rice, Beans, Chips, Salsa and Creamy Jalapeno Most of a New Mexican Martini Chuy's

Day 68 (181.9)
Almond Butter and Apple
Chicken Salad
Almonds
3 Wellers & Water Talls, Flounder w/Crawfish sauce, Spinach, Asparagus
Quarter Pounder and a few Fries

Day 69 (183.4) at 8:30am (181.9) at 11am and (181.7) at Noon!!!
Tea
Schlotsky Sandwich
Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms, Swiss Cheese, Green Beans and Cheesy Mash Potatoes, 1.5 Beers
1/2 Bread Pudding with 1 scoop of ice cream

Day 70 (182.3)
Tea
1/2 Large Apple with Almond Butter
Eggs, Cheese, Chicken, Broccoli, Rice, Corn and Cheese Toast
Almonds
Pulled Pork Sandwich with Wing Sauce, Onion Rings and a Pickle Wedge
FroYo from Toppings with some chocolate chips

Day 71 (182.8) I think
Tea
Apple and Almond Butter
Almonds
Smoked Chicken Salad
Almonds
Grilled Marinated Shrimp Tacos, Cheese Fries, Rice, Beans and some of a Presidente Marg at Chilis

Day 72 (184.3)
Tea
Smoke Chicken Salad
Almonds
1/2 Chuychanga, Rice and Beans
Almonds
Peach froyo

Day 73 (183.6) better
Tea
Steak annd Egg burrito from Sonic
Apple and Almond Butter
4 mini corn dogs
Almonds
Steak, Green Beans, Cheesy Potatoes and lots of Landshark

Day 74 (183.4)
Tea
2 Jalapeno Cheese Pigs
Apple and Almond Butter
Cheeseburger Mini Deep-Dish Pizza and LIT

Day 75 (184)
Went to Six Flags and Snuffers enough said?

Day 76 (185)  Thank Goodness I am starting Drops today!!
See New Blog

The End of Chapter 1

The HCG Journey

Spoke with Dr. Dave off-handedly on July 30th about possibly doing his HCG diet he and Gaye have successfully completed and kept off the weight for well over a year in exchange for some word of my big mouth advertising.
August 6th we did a counseling session and I received the drops and information and a Buddy to do it with.  We agreed we would start on 8/8 because the first 2 days you "load" you can eat any and everything you want.  So my buddy thought it was cute to do "we ate on 8/8"  easier to remember I guess. 
8/7 I scanned back thru the packet to see what I needed to do for the next two days and made a mental note of what I needed to go shopping for before day 3 starts with the 500 calorie limitation and no oils or sugars in anything from food to make-up.
8/8 I got up when my alarm sounded and did my 1st 12 drops and then went back to snooze for about 15 minutes.  Put my bathing suit on and took some BEFORE photos.  Got dressed for work and then grabbed a Super Sonic Breakfast Burrito (i'm going to miss those-but not the pounds) and drank my last Cranergy.  I did not purchase a scale yet but my last doctor visit July 22nd I weighed 211!!!
Almost time to take my second round of Drops-taking them every 6 hours or so to kind of keep them even during my awake hours.
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I bought a scale and verified the 211 was correct.
I made a grocery list and bought 4 days worth of groceries for $37-NICE!
I ate at Villa Montez on Load Day 1 and Sonic on Load Day 2 to say good bye to my favorite friends.
The drops work-on Load Day 1 I didn't want to Load-eat as much as I normally do.
8/10 I weighed and had already lost .5 lbs!!  That is with the 2 Load Days!
I am faithfully doing my drops at 8am but the 2pm and 8pm are fluxuating an hour or so here and there, but still seem to be doing thier job.
Today is the 1st Day of Phase 2 the Low Calorie Days-I am aiming to do the max 40 which is actually 41 LC days.  Went to FRESH and bought 7 oz pieces of Natual Chicken Breast and Beef , Apples, Strawberries, Cucumbers, Celery and Jacksonville Tomatoes and a package of Grissini Breadsticks.  After Grilling the 7oz meat I cut it in half and I have lunch and dinner portions. So far so Easy!
Oh and bought some Herbal Tea-did a English Breakfast Black Tea this morning-Kuerig's ROCK!
Ate chicken and one tomato for lunch and saved the apple and breadstick incase I get the 3pm munchies.
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Yesterday went great on the 500 calorie day!  I woke up hungry and drank black breakfast blend tea and was good until lunch.  I got really tired about 5pm so when I got home I took a nap.  Went to John's soccer game and didn't even miss having a beer. Started getting hungy a bit before dinner, but I ate late.  Had an Apple for dessert. So on with Day 4!
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Love Herbal Tea, don't care for Stevia, but really no need for it in the tea.
I forgot to weigh today but that will make tomorrow that much better!  I did step on the scale last night just for fun and it was .2 or .3 down!  You always weigh more at night so that is great news.
Grissini Beadsticks are the BOMB!  I don't think any breakstick could taste any better!
I am sorely missing my Burt's Bees Lip Balm and can not find a Lip Balm that does not have any digestable oils in it.  Aloe Vera did not do the job ;(
I spoke with another friend who has done this so now I have another support system who has been there and done that and highly recommends it.
I am also removing all the food and alcohol related pages from my Facebook page so I won't be bombarded by temptation.  It might take me the whole 40 days to get them all-WOW!
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Well I am on Day 8 of Drops and 6 on Low Calorie and I managed to drop 3 pounds between Saturday and Sunday morning and gain .2 by Monday.  So I need to look back and see what I added or did differently to gain.  I am not discouraged tho-still down over 9 pounds in a weeks time and I love the stuff I am eating.
I went to a party Saturday-I did a seperate blog about that-I was down 3 the next morning!
Sunday I did absolutely nothing but watch tv and read-I am almost done with the Blue book about the HGC program-interesting stuff and somewhat funny in spots. 
Well here is to Week 2!
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I woke up Monday to an increase in weight-Bummer-was determined to figure out why.
So glad I am keeping a Food Blog too.  Got home and looked at one of the spices used on the fish and it had sugar as an ingredient, I had used Regular toothpaste Sunday night and I am at the beginning of my cycle.  I hope that is the answer.
Tuesday (Day 9 or 7 LCD) I woke up 30 minutes early and weighed - I was down about a pound and did my drops.  By the time I got to work I was starving and the tea wasn't doing much good.  I lasted until lunch tho.
Will stay on track with my drops.
My elbows are hurting when I wake up-no idea if that has anything to do with the diet or not-will ask.
Other than that I feel fantastic and not tempted by other people eating or drinking.
I now know why we are fat after a day of watching TV w/o the DVR to fast forward thru commercials-there are food commercials in abundance! Back to DVR'ing!
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I went swimming with Misty Tuesday night and ate before I went saving my apple for later as swimming always makes me hungry.  Took a bottle of water and stayed for a few hours.  Came home and so glad I had saved my Apple but then could only eat half of it!  I had forgotten to take my drops so I took them late, around 11. 
Back on track Wednesday Day #10 and .2 pounds from being UNDER 200!!!!!!
Day 11 and I am 199.7!!  Heck Yes!  I am under 200!  Short Term Goal MET!
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Day 12 and I am 12.5 Pounds Lighter!!!  Ok people this stuff works!  And I am enjoying life.  Yes it is restrictive but it is easy stuff.  Shopping for the right stuff is the hard part and with places like FRESH, Central Market and Whole Foods it is EASY PEASY and FUN.  The Meat Market staff at FRESH know me well and they are so super duper nice.
I shop about 2 or 3 times a week just so I get the freshest stuff.  I make 3 or 4 days worth of meals up at a time so I am not cooking every night (or John).  I'm not hungry, cranky, splotchy or anything that comes with dieting.  My lips are dry and crackly but that was because of my Burt's Bees HABIT!  Still looking for a good alternative.
I am a Believer!
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Broke down and bought some Medicated Blistex as that is listed as somewhat safe in the book, used it for 3 days and only lost .4 or .5 each of those days.  Stopped using it!
Went to the Movies and didn't crave popcorn or soda! (more in my Social Blog)
Went to FRESH and bought several meals worth of meat and John grilled for me. Still only spent like $64 including some fruit and veggies.  Again the meat market and seafood market guys are the absolute best!  I give them a challenge and I think they enjoy it! (let me think it ok?)
Loved the Shrimp I grilled on the George Foreman, not so much the Tilapia I did.
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I was nauseated a bit this morning.  Feeling fine now at lunch.
Ocaasionally the last week I have had those moments where I felt like I was just going through the motions-don't really care for it much but I CAN DO ANYTHING FOR 40 DAYS!!
I like grilled red onions.
Another friend of mine starts the program tomorrow-so proud to be making a difference by example!
Day 16 felt nauseous and weak-went home and went to bed
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Day 17 weighed and did not lose and ounce POO!  But today is a new day and I feel better! So onward we go!!
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Day 18 some realizations-If I cut my protien into small single bite pieces it seems to go farther and I get to savor the flavor, it really is good.  I can feel bad or stressed and not have a need to eat everything in site.  I seem to roll with the punches a bit easier (I have been working on that a while so don't know if it has anything to do with diet or not)  Whatever the day or evening brings I can adjust with it and still remain true to the program.  Preparing a week's worth of protien is the ideal situation.  Fruit and Veggies for about 4 days and then I want them fresh.  Black Breakfast Teas is getting old to my taste buds, need to go Tea shopping, I don't do coffee.  Not losing anything one day does not end the world-makes you more careful about the next day.  I am actually enjoying what I am eating and how.  One of the easiest, least expensive weight loss programs I have tried with the quickest results!
I have Parrot Head Social this evening, I think I will go home and eat first and show up a little later, helps resist any tempations.  I have a Plan and I am Working My Plan and My Plan is Working.
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I had a fallen tree I had to go check on and John was home so I skipped the Parrot Head social. (chickened out mostly I think, but that's ok I got other stuff I needed done, done.)
Went and purchased new antipersperant and condition because I ran out of mine.  Found ones w/o surgar, corn starch or digestable oils at Drug Emporium.  Used the anti last night.
Went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and got Earl Grey Tea and used it this morning.  It was a nice change up.  Trying to locate a Chai Tea without sugar.
I also switched my fruit to before lunch as I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that you should digest fruit before anything else as it is lighter and more acidic so it helps in digestion later.  Also if you eat an apple before a meal you get fuller faster. High water content too.
Last two days have been a bit stressful and I only lost .6, which is better than 0.  I have also had red meat for dinner every night since Sunday.  Probably should only do it twice a week max.
Dr. Dave is coming here tomorrow to share the program with some friends-I am SO EXCITED for them and I get my second round of drops-going for 40!!
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I LOVE Orange Roughy!  Needs to be on the George Foreman vs. the Grill, the grill holds in the fat because you grill it in foil.  GF drains off the fat.
5 more ladies got the information they need and the drops to start the program and I bought two of the creams, one for weightloss and one for hormonal balance.  I also bought a lotion HCG approved-using it on my lips!!
Friday we went out and I stayed on the program.  Saturday I had events one after the other starting at 11ish until 4ish so I was way off my schedule of eating and drops.  I managed, just don't recommend it.
Sunday was back on track.
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Went to the Granary-interesting...
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For the first time in 20 something day I truly wanted to go out and eat and drink and just chill-I missed it sorely.  I considered calling a "sponsor" to talk me off the ledge, but then I remembered I always wear my big girl panties and so I pulled them up and moved on.  Went home at ate my steak and cucumbers took a hot bath and just vegged out.  Much better plan!  I am now past DAY 23 which is the minimum amount of days you can be on the program-I still think I am going for 40!!
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I am almost 189!  My second short-term goal!  Next is 170.
I have cut out my Grissini Bread Sticks to see if they make a difference, so far I haven't notice a significant weightloss w/o them, but will keep doing it for a while.  I have one in a baggie I keep with me incase I am somewhere and can't get to my food or just get the munchies.  I went to L.U.S.H. and stayed on the program.  Visitation, Funeral, Tree Falling, Unexpected large Expenditure and I have yet to cave or really get sideways about any of it.  LIFE IS GOOD!  Started a Multi-Vitamin Night before last.  Upsets my tummy a little bit but not long.  John is back to being my personal chef, my chicken and fish taste like crappola!  He's so awesome! So very proud of my friends who are giving this a try and doing so well on it!  Bought a new outfit off a Mannequin the other night!  They put the smaller sizes on them! I find when I blog at lunch I eat a lot slower and savor every bite.  Peace Love and Happiness this IS my Birthday MONTH!!
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I ate an apple with my chicken for lunch instead of my veggie.  Not bad!
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Crazy, crazy crazy!  These last two weeks.
Went to FRESH Friday night and bought loads of groceries for John and I.  Ended up having to go back because we were over charged for something and didn't realize until we go it home.  They comped the whole thing-so it was free minus the gas and hassle.  So needless to say I was late eating dinner so I just had fruit and called it a night.
Saturday I ate at FRESH with Kelly and Cory and helped her shop.  Went to see Penelope at the Potjie and then home to eat.  Sunday was somewhat lazy except a few errands and we did walk the dogs about a mile. Monday floated around the pool with Kelly and then Misty colored my hair.  Figured out it might be the Vitamin B I added that is keeping me at 188.something since Friday morning.  Will stop as of Tuesday to see if it helps.
Tuesday is birthday!  Going to do seafood at home!  Also going to stop taking the Drops as this is day 30 and I am going to be traveling some.  So Wed-Fri I will be without drops and on the 500 Calories, should still drop some weight in these 3 days.  Saturday I can eat more just no Sugars or Starches for 3 weeks or more.  Then can add sugar and starches slowly back in.  If I maintain my weight for 6 weeks after the drops I can start another round.  Which October will be better for me as John won't be around for dinner much if at all with Haunted House going.
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If you have dogs and they show an interest in your fruit intake, go to PetSmart and by them the Fruit Snacks by Nutro!  They are awesome.  My dogs have never had people food but have gone nuts over the smell of my fruit when I am eating it.  Problem solved.
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Was a little aprehensive about no drops today and staying on the 500 calories, but I am eating Lunch about an hour later just because I wasn't hungry.  Still not real hungry but was time to eat.
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Day 2 w/o the drops still not hungry.  Only lost .4 pounds but it's a loss.  So not sure the B Vitamins was the cause.  Will be traveling Friday night so will have to pack my dinner for travel.  Saturday I can eat more normally, just have to stay away from Starch and Sugars for atleast another 3 weeks.
If this part is done correctly then my Thalamus(sp) should be reset to tell my I am full before I am stuffed and change my cravings to better stuff like fresh fruits instead of sugary desserts.  Will be interesting to see how all this works on me.  I know it can be done, have several great examples of it working long term.  My fresh tomatoes are losing thier taste, so sad to see them go.  One of my favorites on this program.
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Day 3 w/o the drops and got a tad bit hungry about the time to eat.  I had plan to bring my chicken and my shrimp for lunch and dinner so when I was traveling this evening I could still eat right.  I LEFT MY CHICKEN!  So I will eat my shrimp for lunch and will have to wing it best I can tonight on the road...
Tomorrow I will be in Baytown for the Special Needs Rodeo and lunch is hamburgers and hot dogs served with chips, fruit and a drink.  I will eat fruit and have a water.  I stopped and bought cucumbers and tomatoes at the Farmers Market this morning.  So I have veggies to travel with and fruit.  My only problem will be the protien.  Most restaurants cook with oils and butters-still a no-no at this point. 
We'll see-I'm pretty good at making do with what I have...
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Friday night we stopped in Humble at Brick House Tavern (very cool place) and I ordered a Sirlion Strip Salad w/o condiments.  Ate half of the steak and all the tomatoes and a few greens.  Lots of water.
Saturday I am off any restrictions except No Sugars or Starches.  Chai Tea for Breakfast, Apple for Lunch and then we went to a Mexican food place in Baytown and I ordered a chicken breast with lettuce.  Ate half the Chicken Breast and some of the lettuce with tea and water.  We went to after party at a local watering hole and I drank water and more water.  Skipped the adult beverages, pizza and wings.  We left there and decided to drive home.  Stopped at Whataburger I got more water.
Sunday was home and down 2.2 pounds from Friday morning!  Still eating what I was eating the last 30 or so days just not obsessed with measuring it.
Cari told me that eating the apple first during the day made a lot of difference so I am trying to do an apple before lunch.  Tanya told me she doesn't lose as much weight if she does not eat everything on the list.  I shared with her about the Apple first Cari told me.  I love my support group!
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I think I am at my maintenance weight until the next round in Oct.  185.2.  I took my After photos this morning-haven't looked at them yet nor compared them to the Before.  Went shopping last night and reading labels realized I should just stick to what I have been eating for the 3 weeks maintenance.  Everything has Sugar and/or Carbs.  I am starting to miss the carbs a bit.  But just a bit.  I like the missing 26 pounds more than I am missing the carbs.  Going to the Longview Fair this week-no corny dogs ;(  but maybe by Texas State Fair in Dallas I can have a bite or two of one.  I should make my trip to the Fair one of my Load Days in October!  I hope to lose about 35 more on round 2.
IF I get brave and figure out how to post pics on the blog I will post before and after shots...

Before are 1st 3-Last 3 are after 26 pounds-can't tell that much difference in this suit... (But I can feel it!)

Apparently I have been doing Phase 3 incorrectly!  But it's ok for a the first few days.  Sat, Sun, Mon and Tue were not as directed.  So Wednesday I am trying to do it correctly.  Had Scrambled Eggs with a tad bit of cheese cooked in very little butter for Breakfast.  Yes you have to eat Breakfast now.  Fixed my Tea to go as usual and then around 11:30am had an Apple.  You are suppose to eat 6 times a day.  Prefer you to have 2 Apples and a Grapefruit.  Grapefruit ain't happening... So I will try to eat something every 3 hours-ish. Double my protien and add more veggies.  I have also read that these 3 weeks are the MOST IMPORTANT for resetting your Thalmus.  That thing in the brain that tells you to stop eating and what to crave.  NO SUGARS and NO STARCHES ALLOWED but can add in some fats.  I am at 185.7 since Sunday morning and haven't fluctuated!  Last night I was rubbing my face and shouted out "I can feel my cheek bones!"  John just laughed.  So while my before and after photos aren't very good-I can tell physically I have lost 26 pounds!
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I have 2 more weeks on the Phase 3 with is no Starches or Sugars.  Then I will start over and do another 30-40 days.  Which will actually take me a week past Thanksgiving, but I will be eating normally by Christmas, so it is all good. Thanksgiving will be in Phase 3 so it won't be as limiting, just no dressing ;( or Rolls.  John will be excited-more dressing for him.
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Ate 2 fruits yesterday and stayed home for dinner and ate right-skipped breakfast.  Down .4 of the .6 I had gained in the last two days.  It pays to stay at home and eat.  Will add breakfast back in tomorrow morning and see how that goes.
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Skip the sauces, bread and butter and potatoes and give me the Protein and Veggies!!  Eating out doesn't have to be banned for life, you just need to know how and where to do it.  Weight Watcher's stuff on the menu's aren't all good, you have to read the descriptions and make your own decisions.  If it is not marked "healthy" doesn't mean it is all bad, again READ and make a smart choice.  Don't be afraid to ask for stuff to be left off or on the side.  Or ask how they prepare it.  It can be done.
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I didn't eat any fruit until yesterday evening and man could I tell a difference.  Need my fruit early and often.  It helps with water level and energy level.  Decide to stay home Wed night instead of starting my weekend early so I can eat right Wed night and Thur morning.  Thursday from lunch until Sunday night will be eating out.  Still on Week 2 of Maintanence Phase 3 so trying to be careful as much as possible.  Really excited about starting again!  Have some friend struggling with it, want to help them without seeming pushy or bossy.  I understand you have to be in the right place in your life mentally, physically and emotionally.  Afterall I carried my weight around without worry for quite a few years.  I was just ready in all those aspects when I started my program AND I had seen it work and last on others I knew. ( found out a friend who I know had limited time has 3-5 days to be here on earth today, not a shock but still very devastating) Normally this would send me to the nearest Restaurant with Adult Beverages and just be indulgent.  I realize that is no way to handle life's stresses.  I can handle anything when I am physically fit and mentally clear.  So I will continue to strive for that goal.  My heart hurts but I will not stuff it with food.  I will surround myself with good people and good things and good deeds.  I CAN DO THIS!
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So this is what I did, a whole lot of bawling my eyes out over the period of the day(Ron passed away around 4:30pm), drove straight to my nail place and got the works, went home like a good girl and ate good.  I didn't really want to be by myself but I would deal with it.  Then a friend called who was in town wondering where we were out drinking and I said "where you wanna go".  John was in a meeting and I needed someone to distract me from my thoughts.  So we met at El Chico Ranch and I had 1 Beer and didn't even finish it.  Did not taste as good as I remember it, lol.  This is a good thing.  Was pleasantly distracted with catching up with a friend and then John joined us when he got done with his meeting and it was a better evening than day.  I didn't go out and splurge on eating or drinking and didn't even really like the 1 adult beverage I had.  I am liking this new life!
I lost 2 pounds from Tue am and Wed am-don't know if it was the skipped lunch or all the water weight in tears.  I am eating lunch today I promise, just wasn't in the mood yesterday.  I am not suppose to be losing weight during maintenance, but I will take 28.5 down over 26.5 anytime.
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Well I did eat lunch Wed however I had 6 Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Shrimps and 3 beers for Dinner and on Thur morning I weighed 181.9.  So still losing weight on maintanence.  Thank goodness because I put 2.6 pounds on over from Thur am to Mon am traveling to convention and then to Ron's Visitation I didn't exactly eat appropriately the whole time.  I had sugars and starches here and there.  I will do a Steak Day and see if I can get that down a pound or 2 today and tried to keep eating right until Saturday.  Saturday Oct. 1st I will start my 2nd Round of Drops-My Load Day 1 will be at the State Fair of Texas!!  Corn Dogs here I come!  I am so excited about Round 2 now that I know all the kinks and sabatours!  We will do much better ;)
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Ok PHASE 3 IS VERY IMPORTANT!!  I did a steak day yesterday (not as hard as I thought) and I am up .2 lbs.  GRRRR!  However this has convinced me to do the whole 6 weeks before starting again as stated in the Protocol.  Either way I am in maintenance by Thanksgiving and done before Christmas Eve.  Might as well do it right.  Any other time I have questioned the protocol or not followed the directives it has not been good.  As the book states the Doctor did research this for over 25 years and he knows what he is talking about.  So Friday will be my last day of No Sugar, No Starches at all and Saturday I get to slowly add them in for the next 3 weeks.  Then I should be able to start Round 2 with my Hypathalmus reset at a lower weight point then when I started 8/8 and then Round 2 will reset it even lower and then I can eat what I want when I want without much fluctuation and I will have learned to eat a lot healthier better tasting real foods.  PHASE 3 IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
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Steak day WORKS-be prepared to visit the ladies room a lot tho-it gets rid of all your excess fluids.  I am back down to 182.1.  My lowest point was 181.9.  I'm happy with that.  This is my last week of the first 3 on Maintnenance aka Phase 3 then I get to slowly start adding sugars and starches for 3 weeks and then I will start Round 2!!
Went to Drug Emporium last night and looked for some Peanut Butter without sugar and discovered Almond Butter.  Tried the Almond Butter with my Apple for breakfast this morning and it is YUMMY!
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Yesterday I went to a friends Kabob/Gyro joint as I had been craving the lamb/beef combo.  Got it on a bed of greens with a sauce and it was so good.  I was up .2 this morning but so worth it. Today is my last day on the No Sugar, No Starch Restriction.  Tomorrow I get to start the 3 weeks of slowly adding in Sugars and Starches and see how that goes.  Hopefully my Hypothalmus is reset at 182 and I won't fluctuate much.  October 22nd I will start round 2!  So very excited.  Tomorrow we go to the State Fair of Texas and I will have to have a bite or two of a Corny Dog!  It's just going to happen and I am ok with that.  Might have to do another steak day but maybe not.  Another friend started the plan Monday and has alreadly lost 5 pounds!!  It is so exciting to hear the success stories.  Keep em coming ladies.  Another friend has asked me about the program and is very interested.  I love being the good example for a change, lol.  Life is good, God is great and People are Crazy and that is what it is!
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Went out to eat and to the State Fair of Texas and still 182.1 come Sunday morning which means the maintanence is working!  Can not wait to start Round 2!!  Who's in?  This truly is amazing :)
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I am still 182.1 and eating when I want and pretty much what I want within some reason.  Still feels good to eat healthy so I am.  But yesterday I had a lot of Cheese, not on purpose, just worked out that way and still weigh 182.1.  It is so tempting to start round 2 NOW, but the protocol says wait 6 weeks after the last 500 cal day.  So I will wait.  Have 2.5 weeks to go.  I am not in a size 12 yet but the 14s are fitting nice and loose.  Nice change from an 16W and 18! Size 8/10 is my goal!  I am ready to start exercising too, we will see how that goes...
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Went to Chuy's last night ordered what I wanted and stopped eating before I got stuffed and lost 1.5 pounds!! 
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Had 1.5 Long Island Ice Teas and a Rum Ball last night and still dropped another .5 pounds!  Weird.  I am so ready for Round 2! But going to wait until I have completed Maintenance.
That's all for now-but way more to follow
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Beginning of that whole cycle thing-ugh.  I have been hungry last couple days and I do eat when I get hungry and fill up pretty fast and have managed to still lose.  Last night I ate a whole Grecian Salad with Chicken-all of it!  Had the dressing on the side and used it more of a dip so didn't use a lot of it but the rest was all gone.  It was GOOD too.  Had a Corona too.  I weighed back at my maint weight of 182.1 today.  180.1 was nice for a whole day, lol.  This morning I headed to Addie's Pantry for Breakfast and got a Kolache and French Puff Breakfast Pastry and ate half the bread and all the meat of the Kolache and after 2 bites of the pastry I had a sugar rush, didn't finish it, maybe afternoon snack.  LOL!  Funny how things affect me now.
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I was very bad all weekend long!  I ate junk and I paid for it but didn't gain.  I stayed near a bathroom all day Saturday.  Sunday was a little better.  But I remained at 182.1 until Monday morning where I weighed 181.7!  Lessons learned:  My body is not accustomed to junk anymore and will tell me so.  I can not eat very much at one setting but I am hungry more times a day, which I think is how it is suppose to be.  Several small meals rather than 3 big ones your body can not digest at once and therefor stores the excess as bad fat.  I can eat junk and not gain weight as long as I listen to my body/brain tell me when I am full and STOP!  It's ok to leave food on your plate.  It's ok to have left overs or share with a friend.  It's actually kind of cool to go out and pay for one meal and have 2 or 3 from it.  Wearing clothes that fit the new weight makes you feel skinnier!  I gave some clothes that don't fit anymore to another friend who is on the program losing too-that felt awesome too.  Resale shops are your friend while you are still losing or inbetween programs like me.  I bought a pair of capris and two blouses for around $20!  I have 12 more days of Maint and then I will start again for 30 more pounds!
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I found the one thing you probably can never eat again without some gain-PIZZA!  Yep it is a gainer.  Not much, like 1/2 a pound, but it's a gain even in maint.  I did have a huge salad with that, hoping it would help and only ate 2 full slices and the toppings off a small slice but the scale showed .6+.  Oh well I only like to eat pizza occasionally, so I am good.  Even Bourbon Soaked Bread Pudding didn't make me gain like Pizza!  LOL
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Partied like a Rock Star woke up like One!  Weighed 1.5 MORE then yesterday morning.  Went back to bed slept a couple of hour more weighed again and was DOWN 1.5.  So back at yesterday's weight.  Just out of curiousity I weighed later and was DOWN .2 MORE!!  I am RESET!
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Sunday was a bad tummy day-guess I have earned it...
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Still crappy Tuesday.  Last night I told John I was so ready to start eating healthy at home again.  We had bad food at BWW and Bad Service at Chili's with mediocre food.  I get good food and service at home consistently!  I have also managed to put on a couple of pounds since Friday.
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Tummy better today.  No alcohol yesterday and only half my food at dinner.  Scale going back down too.  2 and half more days before I start the HCG Drops again for 30-40 days!  I am so excited about the potential of losing 30 more pounds!  150ish here I come!
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Ended at 185 from 211-no too shabby
Start a brand new blog for Round 2
Bye