Thread: MissM's second time around

And I'd like to note here for myself that my goals in this round are actually much larger than a number on the scale. They have to do with continuing my journey of healing around emotional eating and body image. To put to rest the impulse to binge as a numbing response to pain and suffering (my father's legacy that is my responsibility to lay down); to find new ways to celebrate and express love beyond food, and yet to retain my joy and appreciation for good food and the farmers and industry and land that genuinely nourish me; and to learn to turn inward and naturally/automatically listen to and respond to hunger and satiety cues that are rooted in my body's needs--allowing space for my spiritual and emotional needs to be met in more appropriate and fulfilling ways than food and drink.

Not a tall order at all.

Originally Posted by FlirtyFlo

You have it in the bag girl.... your determination is an inspiration !!! I know you will do it!
With a stressful few months ahead, I will have to make an effort to walk or swim more and meet my daily step goals
Cant wait go see your progress!!

Thank you, friend! I'm selfishly so glad you decided to just jump on in and do a round--it's so lovely to be in this together. . . .

I feel ready!!

Post-loading weight: 153. YIKES. I managed to gain SEVEN POUNDS in the last two days. And that's with a major slow down yesterday afternoon and evening. I made a beautiful shepherd's pie with real organic potatoes whipped with heavy cream and Kerrygold butter for boyfriend and I to enjoy as my last supper, but both of us had funky tummies and just weren't very hungry. After weird snacking in the afternoon, I ended up having a couple of my magnificent homemade, warm-from-the-oven cookies and a few handfuls of macadamia nuts for supper. But obviously I'd eaten plenty in the lead up to FULLY LOAD. I am nothing if not a good eater, LOL.

And it has done the psychological trick of making me feel really happy to ease off on food, to get empty on a couple of levels, and to stay curious about the contours within when I allow myself to get empty. I'm embarking on another yoga training during this P2--completely online--and it's dedicated to mindset, so I'll probably be going deep and connecting some of the work I'm doing there to the work I'm doing with HCG. I didn't fully realize the two would be happening in tandem, but it's a perfect pairing.

No teaching today but several meetings with students, some prep work, a zoom writing session, pilates, the infrared sauna, a couple walks, and picking up a few items at the grocery store to get fully stocked for week one on P2 are all on tap for today. I love these kinds of catch-up days I get to design myself--and it's especially gratifying to start my week this way. Teaching tomorrow, so my aim is to prep class early enough today so I can simply relax tonight.

I've put away all my foods and body/face oils and products that are incompatible with P2 for the moment. I mourn the loss of them but fully appreciate that this separation is a temporary pause, ultimately for my own good. My black coffee tastes just fine, and I'm going to be mindful about drinking plenty of water today as well.

Question for folks: I know oranges are an accepted part of the protocol, but they're not on my doc's list of approved fruits. They only recommend grapefruit, apples, and strawberries. I happen to have a lot of oranges at the moment. Any reason why I shouldn't eat them? I have read some people gain with shrimp, tomatoes, oranges, and steak, but I didn't have any trouble at all last round with shrimp. I did limit beef to twice a week, but I am not sure I needed to. I'm also a little concerned that my doc's office has me pursuing a 47-day round without any skip days, so I'm going to shoot them an email and find out the reasoning behind that. It's my body, obviously, so I'll ultimately make the decision about what to do and how to do it, but I would like to gather all the information before I make those decisions.

Happy Monday and cheers to what I hope will be a very successful P2--and the last one I'll need!

Originally Posted by Dubbles

Miss M, way to go on the load! You have quite a interesting past--not all great for you, but much is very impressive! I'm so grateful that I've always been extremely healthy--my brother, on other hand had childhood cancer, and later in his life had the whole gamit of health issues, diabetes, heart disease, and died way too early of stroke. And I've had a sibling die of suicide--I know much of where you are coming from. The fact that you have decided to defy your father's legacy is wonderful. Hope your introspection with yoga, doc, even this forum is helpful and promotes further healing. We just can't stop working on ourselves.

I'm not using as many products myself this round, but man, I miss a good handcream, especially during winter. Do you, or Flirty do you use any, suggest one to purchase? I hate the feeling of dry hands. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great, how much more do you want to lose--doesn't sound like you have much left!

Thank you, new friend! It's amazing how deeply we can connect on a forum like this. I'm sorry for the suffering you've witnessed and experienced in your life. I have come to simply accept what comes (after a whole lot of suffering and struggle generally, don't get me wrong) and when I'm at my best appreciate that the biggest challenges and obstacles in life are what have led to my greatest growth. I'm learning to trust and surrender more and more as time goes on. This is the gift of aging. . . .

As for the question of dry skin, my doc's office set me up with a bottle of this lotion last round and another one this round and it's been so incredibly helpful to me: https://www.amazon.com/Stony-Brook-L.../dp/B00016WVAK They also recommended an oil free facial moisturizer from Trader Joe's of all places. It's cheap and quite good.

Now I'm looking for a lip balm. Just one day of VLCD this time of year and I have chapped lips! Leez? Any suggestions?

I did follow up with my doc's office about skip days and oranges and it's based on their experience with patients over a couple of decades. The response was immunity doesn't happen until after 45 days and that folks don't lose as well with oranges. I compared the rest of their recommendations with Simeons (I've read and reread Pounds and Inches as well as Linda Prinster's book many times) and they allow green beans during P2 and recommend 8 weeks of P3. I do like an extended P3, so I'll do that, and I don't mind skipping oranges, but I'll also forego the green beans and I'm not sure what I'll do about those skip days. Honestly, I don't know how long this round will be for me. It's all a process of discovery at this point in terms of finding a natural, sustainable weight for my body. So, we'll see. But I certainly appreciate everyone's input and expertise!

Originally Posted by FlirtyFlo

Hi girl... finally you are on board! yeah!! Here we take round two by storm... really hoping you get to the goal with this round...

I only realised tonight that my last week of P2 is over the craziest part of my hectic project... i may have to take it just a few days over to not have to do my 72 hours without shots in the middle of the crazy... I am hoping to break 79kgs but if I fo the same as the Previous round (22lbs) i may have to do a short round after... but will possibly do a 4 week P3 and double back into a short round.... but at my age I will be ok to be just below 70kgs... not sure if I can maintain mid 60kgs tho.... but i do have a couple of favourite outfits waiting..

I do think your load will help you slip into P2 effortlessly.... I did not load as much as I could... thus very unusually a bit peckish late afternoon... which is really good.... I think the past 4 months structured eating brought some hunger back...so I will not fall back into bad habits of not eating....

Should get my car back this week.... finally! While i do have my friends car while she us in isolation, it would just be nice to have my own back.... still sore but manageable... still waiting on paperwork but decided I would rather live with the discomfort than being in a hospital ag this stage with our second wave if Covid in full force.... will focus on that after this project is over and at least I have P2 to keep my focus

Happy first day girl friend... fingers crossed for a great loss tomorrow!!

Thank you, dear friend! And UGH, I'm so sorry you're still dealing with the many aftereffects of that car accident. I didn't realize you still don't have your car. . . . And yes, cheers to focusing on something productive, like P2, during this incredibly stressful time. I'd like to think we'll all be able to look back with gratitude that we used this time for HCG. Even amid all the obstacles, I have to believe it's perfect timing. There's learning to be had for sure. . . .