The Next Step

This marks a first for me, my sweets.  I'm blogging without a computer. I'm actually sitting in a (very) hot bath, relaxing, reflecting, and detoxing.

Yesterday was my last day of my first round of Phase II. I could stay on P2 for up to 40 days, but I decided to end it at the minimum of three weeks, instead.

Couple reasons.

1. The holidays. I know I CAN do it (proved that to myself at the Gingerbread Party), but I don't WANT to do it. There will be Christmas Eve with my parents, Christmas Day with my inlaws, and, possibly, the day after Christmas with more inlaws. I don't want to be trying to stick to 500 calories on these days. It will be interesting enough avoiding sugar and starch, forget about packing my grilled chicken and spinach.

2. I want to load again. Hey, don't judge me. Haters.

3. I want to see big losses again. And this is really the crux of the issue. I'd deal with everything else, if I was still losing a pound or so every day.

I had an awesome first week which was very motivating and exciting. Exciting enough to start blabbing all over Facebook and Twitter. Exciting enough to start a blog.

Then...dun dun DUNNNNNNN! I got my ever loving period. I know, I know. Shut the hell up about it already! I will--right after this.

So, I totally stalled while my fertility was again confirmed. (Really--can we stop this now? I promise, I'm not having any more kids. For realz.) and I never really recovered. Consider, my water percentage is still at almost 55%, despite sweat inducing detox baths, and three metric tons of liquid consumed. I've avoided caffeine. Heck, I've even resorted to Smooth Move tea. (Not such a smooth move, if you catch my drift.) Cut back on salt consumption, which wasn't too huge to begin with. Still, I retain water.

Almost done with this, stay with me. Just one more mention of my Aunt Flo, I swear.

And so, I will take a few weeks to encourage my hypothalmus to reset (Read the book and you'll know), and after my next round in the ring with TOM (last mention! I promise!) I will begin my second, and probably last, round.

So, where do I stand at the end of Round I Phase II?

I stand 15.2 pounds lighter, which averages out to about 5 pounds a week. (That's up a little bit. I ate half a Danish butter cookie yesterday. Half a Danish butter cookie equals a pound, apparently. Let this be a lesson, no cheating on HCG).

I stand in size 12 jeans, only because I only own one pair of size 11 jeans. (Size 10 mommy-waist jeans! Woot!)

I stand with my ENGAGEMENT RING back on my finger.

I stand in the dress department at Kohl's, looking for something A-MAZE-ING to wear on Christmas.

And I stand confident and relaxed. Ready to recharge, eat some cheese and prepare myself for my next round.

For now, though, I'm going to stand and get the heck out of this tub, before I turn into a prune.

Next time, let's talk more about the end of P2. Sound goood?