A new change to this round; I continued to lose after the injections stopped. No complaints here. I look forward to tomorrow and all the barbecue and cheese. I'll have to take it easy, so as not to frighten my poor stomach and have it running (literally) from all the new foods. I will be good. I will be good. I will be good.

Today wasn't a good eating day. I just wasn't that hungry this afternoon, and threw out most of my steak. I ate well for dinner, than had a few sugar-free treats (getting started a little early, I know). The Russell Stover brand is great in a pinch, but I prefer my Mrs. Cavanaugh's. Thankfully, I don't see a lot of issues with this candy during normal P3 and P4 eating. I have decided they will be my life-long candy. I actually prefer them over the real thing, now.

So, I'm not sure how consistent I'll be about documenting on here through P3, but I'm certainly going to try. Here's what I had today (including my yummy treats):

May 28th, 2011

Net calories: 494

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Flat Iron Steak	0.25	50	3g	19mg	21mg	0g	0g	0g	6g
Claussen Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices Pickles	1.00	5	0g	0mg	420mg	1g	0g	0g	0g
Burger King WHOPPER - Low Carb	1.00	280	20g	75mg	290mg	3g	2g	2g	22g
Burger King Side Garden Salad	1.00	15	0g	0mg	0mg	3g	1g	1g	1g
Russell Stover Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups	0.50	80	6g	3mg	53mg	9g	0g	1g	2g
Russell Stover Pecan Delight Sugar Free	1.00	64	5g	5mg	35mg	23g	0g	4g	0g
Totals:		494	34g	101mg	819mg	39g	3g	8g	30g

So, I ended up at 162.4 at the end of this round (a total of 15.8lbs released this round). Hubby says that, after he gets me on my plan (after phase 3 and our vacation, part of phase 4), I may lose more. I feel good and am happy here, but wouldn't be upset at a little more loss).

All the flushing seemed to work, along with the salt dump. I'm back into loading my salt again (hubby found more crab legs on sale). I had them for dinner and am so excited that I've had crab three days this week. One more batch (I'll have them tomorrow night).

I had to drive into town for work today. It was a nice change from being on the phone all day. I also got to see my colleagues and we had a good time bonding. it was fun being around people. I do miss that aspect of work (socializing online just isn't the same).

They catered the event at the hotel and I tried very hard to be good (they met with us while we were eating, so I couldn't leave). I found a celery/tomato basil salad (the list says feta, but it didn't have any...it was the closest I could find in their database). It had very light oil (thank goodness). The regular salad look so unappetizing to me. I had a few thin slices of roast beef and cheated with one puny slice of Swiss cheese. I drank so much coffee, tea and water that I don't even know how to document. It was so good, though. I didn't think to pocket a few tea bags.

Here's the breakdown:

May 26th, 2011

Net calories: 434

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Cucumber/feta/tomato/celery Balsamic Salad	1.00	113	7g	0mg	0mg	8g	0g	0g	6g
Sunny Acres Swiss Slices	1.00	30	2g	0mg	180mg	3g	0g	0g	1g
Deli Roast Beef (lunchmeat)	3.00	150	3g	36mg	1,221mg	5g	0g	0g	24g
Snow Crab Legs	1.00	95	1g	59mg	572mg	0g	0g	0g	20g
Burger King Side Salad	1.00	20	0g	5mg	0mg	4g	1g	1g	1g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Totals:		434	13g	100mg	1,973mg	27g	1g	1g	53g

I was 163.2lbs (after my shower, that .2 had disappeared). I will count the .2lb, since I did have a little cheat today. Might as well.

I've been flushing and flushing all day (literally). I think the salt is headed out, which makes me very happy. Today was my last injection and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday are my last low calorie days. I actually ended up on a great day, because I can enjoy hubby's barbecue on Sunday. Lovely!

I'm excited about digging back into my low-carb recipes. I discovered that their is a lower-fat option for whipping cream and I can't wait to use it. That was the one aspect of low carb that bothered me; the heavy-laden fat.

Here's what I had today:

May 25th, 2011

Net calories: 437

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Folgers Classic Decaf Naturally Decaffeinated Coffee	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Hood Half and Half	0.50	20	2g	8mg	10mg	1g	1g	0g	1g
Mahi Mahi, Broiled	1.00	90	1g	80mg	95mg	0g	0g	0g	20g
Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes	1.00	35	0g	0mg	320mg	8g	5g	2g	2g
Flat Iron Steak (shoulder Steak)	1.00	189	11g	71mg	65mg	0g	0g	0g	21g
Claussen Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices Pickles	2.50	13	0g	0mg	1,050mg	3g	0g	0g	0g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Ezra Brooks Bourbon	1.00	64	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Totals:		437	14g	159mg	1,540mg	18g	6g	2g	44g

I was up .2lbs for all the salty reasons I've expressed in the past two days. So, if 165.2 is my last inject weight, then so be it. I'm good.

I knew it was coming and was completely prepared. Whenever crab legs are in the picture, there's always going to be salt and more salt. Who knew something so tender and sweet, could be so salty?! I need to up my water, but I'm having a little difficulty with that. I'm going to try to get in more, not only due to the crab salt, but TOM salt is probably doing it's part as well.

(I didn't journal yesterday due to how tired I was so, here's what I had. My calories were a bit high as well):

May 24th, 2011

Net calories: 611

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Mongolian Bbq Good Bowl	1.00	361	19g	0mg	0mg	14g	0g	2g	36g
Black Coffee	1.00	5	0g	0mg	4mg	1g	0g	0g	0g
Half & Half	0.50	20	2g	8mg	15mg	0g	1g	0g	0g
Snow Crab Legs	1.00	95	1g	59mg	572mg	0g	0g	0g	20g
Wendy's Side Salad	1.00	130	0g	20mg	380mg	11g	6g	3g	3g
Totals:		611	22g	87mg	971mg	26g	7g	5g	59g

I was 165lbs this morning. Again, salt is the culprit and will be the issue for a few days, as I purge with my good water.

I can't believe how little I gained. Truly! I was eating out everyday and unable to weigh food. I had no control over the oils and I couldn't be nit-picky about the dishes I chose. I also had $18.00 worth of sugar free candy I was devouring nightly. To see only a slight gain is awesome! Not only that, I'm not on my injections right now; TOM arrived Saturday morning. I am stoked! It really could have been worse. (A friend's brother-in-law, also doing HCG, went on a drinking binge for one night and gained 9 pounds. That's crazy! I eat chocolate covered raisins, cherries and mints and see a "baby" gain. I'd say I got the sweeter end of the cheat).

Our trip was wonderful! The area was quaint, the townsfolk kind and the lava hot pools to-die-for! We will be back again, later this year (we've decided to take our children). The owners of the inn where we stayed even allowed us over to their home to see their Alpacas. Too fun!

The heaviest of TOM is about over, so I will resume my injections tomorrow. The crazy thing is that I only have two left. Then, I have my three days on the diet without injections. I can't believe it's here! I'll enjoy Memorial day with an all out protein fest. I'm thrilled! To end the week, hubby found discount crab legs. I had those for dinner tonight and will have the rest tomorrow night. Here are today's totals:

May 23rd, 2011

Net calories: 394

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
KFC Kentucky Grilled Chicken Breast	1.00	180	4g	110mg	440mg	0g	0g	0g	35g
Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes	1.00	35	0g	0mg	320mg	8g	5g	2g	2g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Snow Crab Legs	1.00	95	1g	59mg	572mg	0g	0g	0g	20g
Claussen Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices Pickles	2.50	13	0g	0mg	1,050mg	3g	0g	0g	0g
Mahi Mahi, Broiled	0.50	45	1g	40mg	48mg	0g	0g	0g	10g
Totals:		394	6g	209mg	2,430mg	17g	5g	2g	68g

I was 164.8lbs this morning. I drank my water like a good girl today, along with several cups of tea and coffee. I'll have one more cup of tea before bed. Thursday, I have to work in town. I'm thinking I'll find a Mongolian place so as not to subject myself to the carb-fat filled buffet they'll have available for us. Thank goodness they're giving us more than an hour to eat, so I can sneak away. Saturday (the first day of P3), I'm going Indian chicken crazy at my local Chinese place. I've been missing you, chicken. My low-carb "forever" life is soon to begin.

We've had rain for days, now. I'm pretty sure I didn't sign-on for Washington state weather. It's, at least, lush and green there. Even still, I would certainly miss the sun. I'm missing it here and we live in the desert! Where did it go?! According to the weather reports, we may get a small break on Saturday, but then it starts right back up. I've simply had enough (it's getting a little depressing).

The day went okay, despite staying wet. I had to buy glitter hair spray for my youngest. We made a little field trip out of it. Afterwards, we picked up sugar-free chocolates and lunch. Earlier this evening, we picked up her costume which is too cute!

Here's what I had today (I kept it low, trying to prepare for our big weekend):

May 19th, 2011

Net calories: 452

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Wendy's Ultimate Chicken Grill (no Mayo Or Bun)	1.00	120	2g	65mg	610mg	3g	1g	1g	23g
Wendy's Salads - Caesar Side Salad (without croutons or dressing)	1.00	70	4g	15mg	250mg	2g	1g	1g	7g
Maple Grove Farms Sugar Free Raspberry Vinaigrette	1.00	5	0g	0mg	140mg	1g	0g	0g	0g
Fresh Flounder - Broiled	1.00	132	2g	77mg	119mg	0g	0g	0g	27g
Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes	1.00	35	0g	0mg	320mg	8g	5g	2g	2g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Ezra Brooks Bourbon	1.00	64	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Totals:		452	8g	157mg	1,439mg	21g	7g	4g	60g

I didn't lose or gain today which is okay (especially after the salt fest I had, yesterday). So, I'm holding steady at 164.2lbs.

After work this evening, I went over to the local nail shop for a pedicure. It had been pouring down rain all day and my kids were exacting a unique sort of stress on me and my hubby. Interestingly, the trip had been planned several days in advance. The timing just happened to be right.

So, I enter to an empty salon and two ladies who looked a might bored, watching their Korean soap operas. Abby took me to the pedi chair and began her work...and oh what wonders she worked! I've had lots of pedicures, but she had serious skills. She even wrapped my rain-chilled feet an calves in hot towels, when she was done. The process took around 40 minutes, but was well worth it. I love the color (seen to the right - Model Colour) and may have to hit up my local Sally's, so my fingers can match my fabulous toes.

She sent me out in the rain in my pink spongy flippies, imploring me to be careful. My feet were soaked by the time I got to my car (but my toes were/are extra cute). Here's what I had today:

May 18th, 2011

Net calories: 432

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
85/15 Beef Patty	1.00	213	13g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	22g
Cabbage, Green	1.00	22	0g	0mg	16mg	5g	0g	2g	1g
Claussen Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices Pickles	1.00	5	0g	0mg	420mg	1g	0g	0g	0g
Mahi Mahi, Broiled	1.00	90	1g	80mg	95mg	0g	0g	0g	20g
Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes	1.00	35	0g	0mg	320mg	8g	5g	2g	2g
Grapefruit, Half	1.00	26	0g	0mg	0mg	7g	0g	0g	1g
Folgers Classic Decaf Naturally Decaffeinated Coffee	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
1 Tablespoon Skim Milk	1.00	11	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Edward & Sons Trading Company Miso-cup	1.00	30	1g	0mg	690mg	3g	1g	0g	3g
Totals:		432	16g	80mg	1,541mg	24g	6g	4g	49g

I was 164.2 this morning and now, after the Miso, I wonder if I'll have a loss at all tomorrow. It really hit the spot on a cold night (40's in May? Really?!) but the salt content is outrageous. Only time will tell.