Last Shot

172.1

Of course, the day of the last shot I show a gain!  Oh well, nothing that I could have done about that and no, there was no cheating involved.  I went to the doc on Monday and I want to post my final results;

32.5 pounds (started at 204.6, down to 172.1)
31.25 inches lost (really have to buy some new clothes!)
1.25 inches from my left arm, 1.25 from my right arm
4.5 inches from my chest
3.25 inches from my ribs
4.5 inches from my waist
4 inches from my hips
2 inches from my left thigh, 1.5 inches from my right thigh
1 inch from my left knee, 1.5 inches from my right knee
1 inch from my left calf, .75 from my right calf

This diet is very impressive.  I wish I had stock in HCG or the ability to sell it myself.  I've recommended this diet to a number of people and I'm always willing to discuss it when people ask what I've done.  For anyone that has had trouble with diets in the past and they still want to lose this is definitely my recommendation.

Now, I went through a doctor, which SS has mentioned before is more expensive then self-medicating but in all honesty I think it was worth the extra cost.  I had the peace of mind that I wasn't doing things wrong and instead of having to research every move I had someone there to give me sound advise (and I'm not talking about SS).  So definitely weigh your options and decide what course you will stick with and what will make you feel the most comfortable.

And last but not least I want to thank my wonderful wife.  Not only did she introduce me to this idea but she has supported me through all the days.  It certainly is easier when you have someone doing it with you but it's even easier when you know that person your with really cares.  You did a great job babe, and thanks for everything.

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!