Day 42: End of an Era

Perhaps that's a bit dramatic.  It's really only the end of Phase 2, and I'm stopping a day early.  I hadn't gotten around to do my shot this morning before I saw the doc, and after talking to her, I decided to forgo the last day so I can get onto eating a little bit sooner.  She agreed with me that my body is "done" for this round, and she said that happens sometimes and is one of the reasons that we're limited to six weeks in Phase 2.  According to her scale, I only lost one pound in the past week (two, according to my scale), and the only place I lost inches was in my hips (and I'm not sure I even trust that measurement, but whatever!).  She also confirmed that my blood sugar levels are still within the normal range--they're just lower than what I'm used to, which can make me feel icky.  The same applies to my blood pressure (which is, by the way, lower WITHOUT medication than it was seven weeks ago WITH medication!)--I'm not quite used to it being low yet.  We're going to do bloodwork when I return in three weeks to see how everything has changed.  


I was looking forward to getting detailed Phase 3 guidance from the doc today, but I'm actually going to have to put some thought into it.  Doc said to add back foods (except for sugar, starch, corn, and potatoes).  To determine my daily caloric needs, she advised me to register on SparkPeople, a website dedicated to health, nutrition, and weight loss.  The site has a lot of helpful tools, but there's almost too much going on there--charts, graphs, blogs, forums, fitness plans, recipes, food diaries, and some sort of point system that I still don't understand.  I did figure out what my nutrition goals should be for the next several weeks, and I'm sure it will be doable.  


I also spoke with the doc about my plan to add back one thing at a time, and she said that probably isn't necessary as long as I stay within the caloric guidelines.  She suggested I wait a week before I re-introduce dairy, but I don't think that's going to happen!  I'll either be returning to a "regular" diet tomorrow or Thursday--doc said I'll know when it's time to begin eating because I'll have hunger unlike I've had for the past six weeks.  So....back to the drawing board!


My totals for the six week protocol:


POUNDS LOST: 27 (or 30.4 from my post-load high weight)
ARMS: 2.5 inches each
BUST: 5 inches
RIBS: 3.5 inches
WAIST: 4.5 inches
HIPS: 5.5 inches
REAR: 4 inches
THIGHS: 3 inches each
KNEES: 1 inch and 2 inches
CALVES: 1.5 inches and 1 inch
ANKLES: 0.5 inches each
_________________________
40 inches lost!  (Doc says 39, but she added wrong somewhere)
Plus, my blood pressure is down from 132/80 to 120/78 and I'm off of the medication.


On to Phase 3!