The weather predictions indicated rain for today and tomorrow (Thursday). I envisioned lovely, warm spring storms with quiet thunder to soothe me to sleep. Well, what I got was blustery gusts of white stuff blowing in my eyes and up my nose.. What happened to my spring? I woke up frozen this morning and felt like winter had returned. I drove to work with limited visibility and never saw the sun once all day. Granted, we typically have one or two snow storms in the early part of spring but I really wasn't expecting what we go today.

Cold = Cravings. I craved hot tomato soup and grilled cheese, I wanted clam chowder and cocoa. Cold brings on memories of warm, comfort foods. It was a difficult day. Drinking warm drinks helped and L-glutamine in the late afternoon made a huge difference. I hope this snow high tails it out of here by tomorrow. I seem to have more strength when there's sun. So, I guess now I'm Superman...needing the sun for strength?

Oh, but I had a loss at least: .8lbs today. Sweet! Here's what I had today:

March 31st, 2010

Calorie goal: 1,045; calories consumed: 346; calories burned: 0 Net calories: 346 Write in your diary: How do you feel today?

Mood:	- choose - Hungry Full Guilty Tempted Motivated Frustrated Content Okay Tired Hyper Excited Relieved Hungover Stressed Anxious Happy Pleased Sad Sick Healthy Good Proud
Notes:	Today, I feel...
Your diary is currently set to public. Make my diary public to all members

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Flat Iron Steak (shoulder Steak)	1.00	189	11g	71mg	65mg	0g	0g	0g	21g
Popeye Fresh Tender Spinach	1.00	25	0g	0mg	80mg	4g	0g	2g	3g
Napoleon Balsamic Vinegar	1.00	10	0g	0mg	5mg	2g	2g	0g	0g
Publix Orange Roughy	1.00	76	1g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	32g
Hunt's Whole Tomatoes (organic)	1.00	20	0g	0mg	130mg	4g	3g	1g	1g
Folgers Classic Decaf Instant Coffee 8 oz	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Totals:		346	12g	71mg	280mg	17g	5g	3g	58g

This morning I weighed in at 162.2 pounds.

I think this is very good advice for the entire protocol but more specifically for fatty fish. The Roughy, obviously, needs a day or so to move on out. Once it does, the weight leaves too. I was down one pound this morning. Woohoo! I'm still feeling good and looking pretty good, too. When I have to go out of town next week (to 80 degree weather and higher), I will be sporting my shorts with pride. Will I get into my two-piece? That remains to be seen.

I brought the rest of the cake to work and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Most people were amazed that I hadn't even touched it. "How can you not," they would say. I would have liked to have answered, "The Force is strong, with this one," but I probably would have gotten some crazy looks. That's really how I feel. I'm tapping into energy and resolve I never knew I had. Granted, I am starting to look forward to the P3 items, but I'm not as scared about it as I was. A coworker reminded me that I've started some great habits and neither my mental being or my body will allow me to go too off course. Well said, "H"...well said.

Here's what I had today (by the way, I have still have yet to hit 500 calories ever on this plan):

March 30th, 2010

Calorie goal: 1,051; calories consumed: 302; calories burned: 0 Net calories: 302 Write in your diary: How do you feel today?

Mood:	- choose - Hungry Full Guilty Tempted Motivated Frustrated Content Okay Tired Hyper Excited Relieved Hungover Stressed Anxious Happy Pleased Sad Sick Healthy Good Proud
Notes:	Today, I feel...
Your diary is currently set to public. Make my diary public to all members

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Blue Star Lump Crab Meat	1.00	45	0g	65mg	220mg	0g	0g	0g	11g
Flat Iron Steak (shoulder Steak)	1.00	189	11g	71mg	65mg	0g	0g	0g	21g
Fresh Strawberries	1.00	28	0g	0mg	0mg	4g	5g	2g	2g
Asparagus, Boiled	1.00	20	0g	0mg	13mg	4g	1g	2g	2g
Hunt's Whole Tomatoes (organic)	1.00	20	0g	0mg	130mg	4g	3g	1g	1g
Totals:		302	11g	136mg	428mg	12g	9g	5g	37g

I weighed 163 pounds this morning.

I had a slight gain today (.2lbs), but I did eat Orange Roughy, yesterday. I also just had an oily void so, maybe things will improve tomorrow. I'm tired this evening, so I'm going to make this quick and turn in early.

I have not shared with anyone what I am doing, in regards to HCG. They just believe that I am eating "clean" (which I am). There is a lady in my office who has just begun the program and she is very loud and opinionated about it. She's complained a lot and griped a lot to coworkers and everyone has been around to hear. My own coworkers insist that she's crazy for doing this.

It's definitely unusual and I don't think it's possible for everyone. It will be interesting to see if she can stick it out. Despite the discomfort, she still seems optimistic. Again, it will be interesting to see where this goes.

Here's what I had:

March 29th, 2010

Calorie goal: 1,059; calories consumed: 338; calories burned: 0 Net calories: 338 Write in your diary: How do you feel today?

Mood:	- choose - Hungry Full Guilty Tempted Motivated Frustrated Content Okay Tired Hyper Excited Relieved Hungover Stressed Anxious Happy Pleased Sad Sick Healthy Good Proud
Notes:	Today, I feel...
Your diary is currently set to public. Make my diary public to all members

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Flat Iron Steak (shoulder Steak)	1.00	189	11g	71mg	65mg	0g	0g	0g	21g
Napoleon Balsamic Vinegar	1.00	10	0g	0mg	5mg	2g	2g	0g	0g
Popeye Fresh Tender Spinach	1.00	25	0g	0mg	80mg	4g	0g	2g	3g
Blue Star Lump Crab Meat	1.50	68	0g	98mg	330mg	0g	0g	0g	17g
Hunt's Whole Tomatoes (organic)	1.00	20	0g	0mg	130mg	4g	3g	1g	1g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Folgers Classic Decaf Instant Coffee 8 oz	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Totals:		338	11g	169mg	610mg	17g	5g	3g	42g

I was 164lbs this morning. Hoping for better numbers tomorrow.

Hubby is coming home this evening. I'm so excited! To reward him for his success, I've picked up and made goodies for him to enjoy. As a bodybuilder, he restricts himself from many tasty items (sort of like what I've been doing for a little over one month). After a show, they can eat all the good things again. Hubby's favorite happens to be lasagna. So, I picked one up from the local Papa Murphy's (his second favorite). My recipe makes entirely too much and he can't splurge for more than two days. I'd be throwing money away.

The cheesy bread that they sell is only $.99 if you buy the lasagna, so I caved. Why not dip bread into your leftover lasagna sauce. Then, I did the ultimate; I made a cake. Man, I must be a glutton for punishment. My whole house smelled of Italian food and chocolate. Yep! I'm Looney Toons. I had a bit of cake on my finger and put it in my mouth without even thinking but, you know what? I caught myself. Spit it right out. I didn't even get a chance to taste it! Probably better that I didn't. I can only imagine the consequences.

Had a loss today (.2lbs) and lots of compliments from one of the male chorus members at our church. People are noticing! My hour-glass figure is returning. Hooray! I've never been a raving beauty, but back in the day, I had a bod for days. It probably didn't hurt that I was rocking a super hot dress and my Italian heels. Hey! Italian must have been my theme for the day. It's one of my dream places to visit so, oh-so appropriate.

Here's what I had:

March 28th, 2010

Calorie goal: 1,057; calories consumed: 235; calories burned: 0 Net calories: 235 Write in your diary: How do you feel today?

Mood:	- choose - Hungry Full Guilty Tempted Motivated Frustrated Content Okay Tired Hyper Excited Relieved Hungover Stressed Anxious Happy Pleased Sad Sick Healthy Good Proud
Notes:	Today, I feel...
Your diary is currently set to public. Make my diary public to all members

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Jennie-O All Natural Turkey Burgers	0.50	80	3g	40mg	185mg	0g	0g	0g	15g
Popeye Fresh Tender Spinach	1.00	25	0g	0mg	80mg	4g	0g	2g	3g
Napoleon Balsamic Vinegar	1.00	10	0g	0mg	5mg	2g	2g	0g	0g
Publix Orange Roughy	1.00	76	1g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	32g
Hunt's 100% Natural Stewed Tomatoes	1.00	30	0g	0mg	370mg	7g	6g	1g	0g
Folgers Classic Decaf Instant Coffee 8 oz	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Fresh Strawberries	0.50	14	0g	0mg	0mg	2g	2g	1g	1g
Totals:		235	3g	40mg	640mg	15g	10g	4g	51g

It was a somewhat friendly 163.8lbs on the scale this morning.

Today was my skip day and boy did I notice it. Dr. S. wasn't kidding when he said people were noticeably hungry on their skip days (even with placebos, people definitely missed the hcg). I'll be glad to have it again for tomorrow, so I'm not looking to lick the ketchup, chocolate or worse off my fingers. Arby's was the dinner stop I made for my girls and the beef and cheddar melts were nearly impossible to resist. I don't even like those things! Grrrrr!

I took my girls to the movies this evening and allowed them to buy snacks before we went. The M&Ms, cheddar chex mix and the smell of hot-buttered popcorn were calling my name. This probably wasn't a good night to go, but it sure tested my willpower. Anyway, they had a good time watching the Chipmunks and it got them out of the house for the evening.

Hubby returns tomorrow and I'm so glad. It will be later in the evening but I don't care. The human furnace will return to the marriage bed and that's better than cake. I'm sure he's going to do well this evening at the show. He said, during the morning portion, that the judges kept moving him around which is a good sign. He figures he placed in the top three. I'll know by morning.

Here's what I had today (oh, and a .6lb release):

March 27th, 2010 Calorie goal: 1,059; calories consumed: 308; calories burned: 0 Net calories: 308 Mood: Hungry Today was a skip day and everything smelled worthy of devouring. I bought Jr. cheddar ham melts for Indy at Arby's. I wanted to rip it from her hands (and I'm not even a big fan of those things). Oh, well. Tomorrow will go more smoothly I'm sure. [edit this diary entry] Food Item Servings Cals Fat Cholest Sodium Carbs Sugars Fiber Protein Sirloin Steak 1.00 166 6g 76mg 56mg 0g 0g 0g 26g Hunt's Whole Tomatoes (organic) 1.00 20 0g 0mg 130mg 4g 3g 1g 1g Asparagus, Boiled 1.00 20 0g 0mg 13mg 4g 1g 2g 2g Publix Orange Roughy 1.00 76 1g 0mg 0mg 0g 0g 0g 32g Grapefruit, Half 1.00 26 0g 0mg 0mg 7g 0g 0g 1g Folgers Classic Decaf Instant Coffee 8 oz 1.00 0 0g 0mg 0mg 0g 0g 0g 0g Totals: 308 7g 76mg 199mg 14g 4g 3g 62g

Today's weight was 164 this morning.

Finally, finally a release...at the tune of 1.4lbs today. I skipped the Melba toast at lunch and dinner. Not sure if it was that or the oily void, yesterday. Whatever it was, it worked and 166 has gone bye bye. For now, I'll forgo the Melba. It could be that those few extra carbs are just not agreeing with me right now. Maybe I'll bring back the ole girl later.

I'm also wondering if getting enough sleep last night made a difference. Hubby is now in Vancouver, so I'm not waiting up at night to talk to him. It's just me and my early bed time, which may have made a huge difference. The boards say good rest is pivotal, since that's when the releases happen. When hubby gets back, I'll have to remind him of this. Talk time will have to be around 8:00pm rather than 10:00pm.

Here's what I had today:

March 26th, 2010

Calorie goal: 1,064; calories consumed: 352; calories burned: 0 Net calories: 352

Mood: Happy

Finally had a loss and boy, was it a nice one; 1.4lbs. Woohoo! I had my injection today, although I was supposed to skip so, I'll skip tomorrow. My sheet is all screwy now from TOM and the skipping and inaccuracies so, I think I'll redo it online and print it out. That way, I won't get more confused. [edit this diary entry]

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Sirloin Steak	1.00	166	6g	76mg	56mg	0g	0g	0g	26g
Popeye Fresh Baby Spinach	1.00	20	0g	0mg	65mg	3g	0g	2g	2g
Napoleon Balsamic Vinegar	1.00	10	0g	0mg	5mg	2g	2g	0g	0g
Bigelow Green Tea	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Asparagus, Boiled	1.00	20	0g	0mg	13mg	4g	1g	2g	2g
Tyson Chicken Breast	1.00	110	3g	55mg	180mg	0g	0g	0g	23g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Folgers Classic Decaf Instant Coffee 8 oz	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Totals:		352	9g	131mg	319mg	15g	3g	4g	54g

Woke up to 164.6 pounds. Hooray! Oh, and it was supposed to be skip day, but I forgot and gave myself a painless injection. I'll skip tomorrow for sure.

It turns out Orange Roughy, as wonderful as it is, is a fatty fish. I had an oily void today. It was so weird! Hubby said that the fish was making it's way out. Wonder if that's the culprit for my stall/plateau or whatever it is. Anyway, I still feel good and am optimistic that things will "kick in" again.

I injured myself with the injection again. Ugh! I pushed in too far to the side of the vial and dulled the needle. It didn't hurt going into my skin, but the area of contact is still very, very sore. I really have to be careful. It seems I'm getting sloppy.

My eldest was sick, so I worked from home today to take care of her. My sister has bronchitis but I'm hoping my eldest is immune (she's already had it). If things don't improve, I will take her to the doctor in the morning. Better to get her started on antibiotics now then to have things get worse over the weekend.

Here's what I had (with more "roughy"):

March 25th, 2010

Calorie goal: 1,075; calories consumed: 298; calories burned: 0 Net calories: 298

Mood: Okay

Still the same, but doing okay. I fainted this morning! So weird! It's never happened before. I awoke to my eldest asking me if I was okay.

Had a BM today that was oily. Another weird thing! Hubby says it's the Orange Roughy. The oil is passing through me. I've had some for several days. Wonder if that's what's slowing me down? [edit this diary entry]

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Sirloin Steak	1.00	166	6g	76mg	56mg	0g	0g	0g	26g
Kroger Kosher Dill Spears	1.00	5	0g	0mg	220mg	1g	0g	0g	0g
Folgers Classic Decaf Instant Coffee 8 oz	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Publix Orange Roughy	1.00	76	1g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	32g
Hunt's 100% Natural Stewed Tomatoes	0.75	23	0g	0mg	278mg	5g	5g	1g	0g
Fresh Strawberries	1.00	28	0g	0mg	0mg	4g	5g	2g	2g
Folgers Classic Decaf Instant Coffee 8 oz	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Totals:		298	7g	76mg	554mg	10g	9g	3g	60g

I'm still hanging tough at 166, but am hopeful for change.