Day 79: 39th Day of Maintenance (Richard) Shopping for fresh produce at the Farmers Market

Day 72: 32nd Day of Maintenance (Richard) Bike run to the Farmers market and Food Front coop

Continuing with the maintenance diet, Richard's weight holding steady just above 200lbs. Headed to the Hillsdale Farmers Market and our local food cooperative, Food Front grocery store.

Loaded up the bike with good food and produce, plus something pretty for Jennifer.

Day 63: 23rd Day of Maintenance (Richard) A martini never tasted so fine!

We hit the end of the third week of maintenance.

What a wonderful martini!

Day 57: 17th Day of Maintenance (Richard) Wonderful wine club pickup party

We had a wonderful time at the annual Fall Pickup event at Phelps Creek.

Day 51: 11th Day of Maintenance (Richard) Good, organic produce at the Hillsdale Farmers Market

Went shopping at our local Farmer's Market in Hillsdale, http://hillsdalefarmersmarket.com/. Had lovely chats with the local producers of great food. Had to get there early for the free range eggs. They run out within the first 30mins or so. Jen picked out some wonderful flowers.

Got half a flat of berries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries from Unger Farms, www.ungerfarms.com. Just love this time of year. And then chatted to another farmer, Brian at www.meadowharvest.com, about organic lamb and beef. We are looking to get a half or whole lamb for the freezer this Fall. But we picked up a top sirloin and New York steaks for our Labor Day bar-B-Q.

Gloriously sunny day, and wonderful weather for the Labor Day weekend. Spent the evening hanging out by the pool and hot tub, Delicious meal of peruvian chicken skewers with chimichura sauce on fresh greens salad with a little vinegrette. Even played a round of pool with my wife which we haven't done much since grad school. Scored a couple of nice shots which is how I impressed her enough to go out on a date with me!!

Onwards and downwards,
Richard.

Day 46: 6th Day of Maintenance (Richard) The After photos

Well finally got around to taking my after photos. at 204 lbs! 36 lbs lost since July 17th and boy, does it show!

Richard's side view - quite the transformation. The belly is gone! You can also see a big reduction in the double chin. 

Richard's rear view - I still have a waist! But definitely thinner. 

And the front view - the photos are not quite equal size. A lot less around the neck and chin, as well as the belly.

And Jen said to notice I look a lot happier!!

Wow, wow, wow!

Onward and downward, Richard.

Day 41: 1st Maintenance Day (Richard) The best omelette ever!

1st day of maintenance and Richard had the omelette he had been craving for the past few weeks!

Day 37: 35th VLCD (Richard)- Camping and Horseback Riding

Another camping trip, this time to the Coastal Mountain Range near Yamhill, Oregon, and a stay at the Flying M Ranch for a day's horseback riding as a birthday present for Jennifer (woo hoo!).

The interesting thing about this trip was that it was out in the back country...no cell signal for Verizon or AT&T!! Of course, people tell me "You are camping. What do you expect?" or "You are supposed to be getting away from it all. Why do you need a cellphone". Well, yes I can agree. However we are so dependent on technology these days. We were trying to call ahead to let them know our arrival time, and we could not make a call. And then we were dong other recreational planning, but the iPhone and iPad weren't working.

Anyway I digress... We had a lovely campsite by a creek/river, and the lovelY sound that makes.

Day 36: 34th Day of VLCD (Jennifer) In the Home Stretch!

Breakthroughs have been plentiful these days! The size 12 white jeans I bought for myself in May as my 'goal' jeans for the end of the summer finally fit!!!! I wore them for my birthday dinner last night and it felt sooooo good to make that goal! I invited a few friends over for a birthday dinner that one could say was far different than any dinner party I've hosted before.....hCG friendly for me and Richard and yummy and abundant enough for our friends PLUS an unending supply of sparkling water rather than alcohol! On the menu: grilled shrimp and asparagus for us, sautéed asparagus, mushrooms, and red peppers for our guests, with an apple for dessert. If anyone told me a year ago that for my birthday I would serve no appetizers, no bread, no alcohol, and an apple for dessert I would have said that was as likely as my losing 60 lbs. and looking hot in a pair of white size 12 jeans! Well, that just goes to show you how much I know about what's possible.... I know Life can turn on a dime and that people can truly transform from their old way of being into newly open, alive, and self expressed beings in a short amount of time. And those are two things we've experienced while doing Operation: Hot Couple. WOW!!!!!

Day 34: 32nd Day of VLCD (Richard The amazing blood work results!

Went in to OHSU Gabriel Park yesterday to get a cholesterol screen set of blood work tests. Got the results back yesterday afternoon and was astounded. I have been struggling with a cholesterol level around and above 200 for as long as I have been getting tested/screened as part of my annual wellness exam.

Day 33: 31st Day of VLCD (Richard) Another milestone bites the dust...

Another happy dance at weigh in this morning! Jennifer broke the 200lb mark and I broke the 210lb mark. Yeah! I have lost over 30lbs so far. That's unthinkable for me really. I have not been this weight since I can remember...probably graduate school in the 90s. And people have started to notice the visible difference, and say "Have you lost weight?" (no kidding!) and "You are looking great!".

We also have in sight the end of the VLCD/HcG (very low calorie diet) or Phase 2 by next Thursday. Just in time for a family wedding that we are attending on Sunday. We will be in "maintenance" (Phase 3) which will still mean no refined carbs (bread, white rice, potato chips/crisps, etc). But it will be nice to be able to eat cheese, veggies, salad, etc.

Onwards and downwards,
Richard.

Day 31: 29th Day of VLCD (Richard) Frustration of different results...

This mornings weigh in was very frustrating. Richard was down 3lbs over the weekend trip to 211lbs. But Jennifer was stubbornly at 201lbs, only down 1lb. We have both been eating the same food. Jennifer has begun researching 'stalls' and what to do about them. She has stalled before but never for this long (5 days). And its tough for one of us to be doing fine, while the other is struggling with a seeming lack of progress.

Day 29: 27th Day of VLCD (Richard) Temptations of the feast...

Weekend trip over to my sister and brother in law. Great to see them. But they love to cook and enjoy the vine! So temptations have been everywhere...french bread...chips/crisps...salad...key lime pie. A trip to the Farmer's market with lots of prepared foods wafting across the parking lot. We resisted...valiantly. But we are so committed, envigorated and in love, that we kept on task.

The other interesting aspect of the weekend was the 7 hours on the road. On the way over, we ran afoul of a desert of rest stops and bathrooms. In one case, hunting and stalking a porta-potty for Jennifer who was about to burst. So we were more careful on the return route to stay to the main road/freeway with the frequent oasis of gas stations and toilets.

Onwards and downwards,
Richard.

Day 26: 24th Day of VLCD (Jennifer) Transformations of every kind...

There have been a few times in my life when my breath has been taken away by the absolute beauty, power, courage, and adaptability of the human spirit. This weekend, Richard embodied all of these...and he has taken my breath away. Not only is he looking fabulous on the outside, he has awakened within him a level of aliveness, passion, and authenticity of which no one could have every anticipated! The catalyst for this transformation was his attending the Landmark Forum weekend workshop and we would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge this powerful program. Witnessing someone become alive and present in their lives is a beautiful thing and I'm so thankful to be by Richard's side as he had the courage to look within and really see who he was and acknowledge that he hadn't been living an authentic life. This now calls ME forth to be the best, most alive, and self-expressed person I can be! And that's a bit scary. Our commitment to each other is renewed and re-energized. We are connecting and communicating on a level we've never had before. After 17 years of marriage it feels like we're finally seeing each other for the first time!! WOW!!

Marriage presents huge opportunities to grow as a human being and we are realizing that we were doing a lot of 'physical' growing, i.e. gaining weight, but not a lot of emotional and spiritual growing. Resistance, resignation, and resentment were constant companions, and not much can really grow from there, other than more resistance, resignation, and resentment. We are complete with that, and are ready to see what amazing opportunities will start to present themselves and we create a life together that is full of passion, aliveness, and Whooohooooo!!!!

Onwards and Downwards!!!

Jennifer

Day 23: Day 21 VLCD (Jennifer) Open to the Unexpected...

It's Sunday and Richard has been at a seminar all weekend...a seminar/ workshop/ bootcamp that promises to show you how to create the life you've always dreamed of but never thought possible. It's big, powerful, deep stuff and words can't express how excited and proud of him I am for his openess to do it! Go Richard! Tonight I get to join him for a guest session and Tuesday night I'll be with him for the evening completion session. This, my friends, changes everything....and Operation: Hot Couple is only the beginning.

So, I was down another pound today (yay!!!) and so I'm hoping I will break 200 by next weekend. It feels SO GOOD to put on jeans and have them look great! I am a solid size 14.... Going for size 10...and resisting the urge to shop. Hey! Here's a tip to take on when your dropping pounds quickly: shop at Goodwill!!! I scored a new pair of white jeans, gorgeous tuxedo shirt, leather jacket (for Josephine)' and 3 Hawaiian shirt (for Richard) for $49!!!!

Looking forward to seeing the 200's gone from me scale. Looooong gone.

Onwards and downwards!

Jennifer

Day 22: Day 20 VLCD - (Jennifer) More than weight loss...

205 lbs.!!!! So if all goes according to schedule, I'll break through to 199 in a week...when I feel the real work will begin. The MENTAL work. The work that includes addressing the fear around gaining back the weight, maintaining the new way of 'being' with food, and who will I be now, with being overweight no longer a part of my identity...

So, Richard is thinking (and saying!) that I'm looking HOT (yay!) and it makes me all tingley inside. He's looking pretty hubba hubba himself and I want to make sure he knows it too! The emotion that comes up the most when I think about the years we spent SO unhappy, in autopilot, not sharing with each other, retreating into our own isolated camps, is profound SADNESS. I want to go back and give the 'old' us huge hugs and great compassion. We forgot how much we truly love each other. And now we are finding our way back to each other and Operation: Hot Couple is no small part of it.

Onwards and Downwards!

Jennifer

Day 21: 19th Day of VLCD (Jennifer) Weigh In!!

Whooohooooo!!!! Richard kisses 20 lbs. Goodbye!! I'm down 19 and will happily accept it...gladly!
Water, more exercise, and patience. Trust the process...follow the protocol and trust the process.

21 more days to maintenance with my birthday, visit to sister-in-law's, and cousin's wedding coming up. Richard is thinking he'll be happy to break the 200 mark and go into maintenance so I'll need to decide if I want to continue on or not. I'm pretty determined to power through and lose as much as possible with this round. I mean, JAMAICA people!!!!!

Go team Hot Couple!!

Jennifer

Day 20: 18th Day of VLCD (Jennifer) Patience is a virtue?

In the realm of hCG weightloss, we get spoiled. We were losing about a pound a day and then it slowed down. What?! Only half a pound? This is taking FOR-EV-VER!! So, I'm bumping up against some things and being challenged....what's different? I know I'm not cheating on the food, so what could it be?! Panic sets in, patience out the window as fast as the spoiled milk we haven't been using (no milk at the moment so it just sat there...). Breathe.."in with the good air...

So, stalls are to be expected and there are definite strategies to move things along: MORE WATER, more green tea, up the exercicse, double check cosmetic, skin care, and topicals for any oil...even too much sun can affect things! Constipation can also slow things up so upping the fiber and taking cal mag capsules help.

When I pause from the whining long enough, I embrace the absolute gratitude that hits me when I realize that 5 months ago I weighed almost 260 lbs. And now I'm poised to break the 200 mark. YAY! So, I totally own my snippy foot stamping moments, and then I moved past them to a more peaceful and happy dance place where the entire contents of my closet actually FITS!!! Huzzah! More about clothes tomorrow.

Onwards and downwards,

Jennifer

Day 19: 17th Day of VLCD - Richard's breakdown

Well, it was Hawaiian Shirt day at Richard's workplace today. And the weather was good, to boot! Unfortuntely it culminated in a Hawaiian shirt contest and Ice Cream social event. And after just over 2 weeks on the diet, Richard was unable to resist. He succumbed to the temptation of a sugar-free popsicle. Definitely not on the approved diet menu. And it was a bittersweet breakdown. His 25 calorie fruit popsicle really did not match up to all the chocolate covered ice cream bars being eaten around him.

However, it was difficult to 'fess up to Jennifer about it. Whilst it is difficult to let yourself down, it is worse to let someone else down. It is also great to have someone to share the success and the failures with...a teammate that can encourage you when things are going well, and that can also help you get back up when you are down. And so I made a commitment to Jennifer to always share my successes AND failures with her.

Fortunately, the impact seems to have been limited. Richard's weight loss is down a bit from the pound a day. But it seems to be consistently at about 0.6-0.8lb/day at the moment...regardless of "popsical-gate". And a 222lbs, the halfway milepost of 220lbs is approaching.

Onwards and downwards...

Day 15: 13th Day of VLCD (Richard) Richard's happy dance

Richard broke 225lbs today, weighing in at 224lbs. He has not been this weight since he can remember weighing himself. Probably over 10 years when he was at OHSU. There are now certainly visible differences in his physical appearance. Belly is still there, but certainly diminiished. He has been able to put on his skinny jeans without stuffing himself into them. So he did a little happy dance once he got off the scales :-)

The weekends are definitely more of a challenge on the diet. It's harder keeping on schedule being out and about.

Day 11: 9th Day of VLCD (Richard) Richard recovers...

Yesterday was a challenge. As near we can figure it, I had a lower calorie day on Sunday, coupled with some vigorous exercise tubing with my daughter. As a result, I was somewhat mentally zoned. I felt exhausted most of the day, and very cranky. I certainly felt that I had hit a wall. And certainly got very worried that I would not be able to keep the diet going if I was going to feel this way everyday.

Day 10: 8th Day of VLCD (Jennifer) Richard crashes...

It's been a week now and we're both down 11 lbs. Since last Monday! Richard broke the 230 barrier this am, weighing in at 229. Whoopwhoo for Richard! We went camping overnight on Saturday in beautiful Hood Canal WA and celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. Rather than champagne with indulgent and yummy food to toast the accomplishment (and being together for 20 years IS an accomplishment) we had sparkling water with a slice of lemon, steamed kale, and poached tilapia...still yummy, just not the fare we've been used to. Of course, that's the point of Operation Hot Couple-to start doing things differently. Newly. Out of autopilot.

So, I confess I was bummed this morning, having only lost 1 lb. over two days, especially since I have been so diligent (I'm sure Richard would concur)! All day I've been wondering and questioning....is it the kale? Too much salt? Not enough water? All of the above?? So tomorrow I adjust. No kale, a LOT more water, and easy on the salt.

As for Richard, today was a challenge...he felt low energy, kind of wiped out. Again, my questions (that probably drive him nuts...) enough water? Not enough veggies? Too much time between meals? So, we tweak. And notice any changes. I gave him some extra Vitamin B6 to help. He'll write more about it later, but right now I'm going to take my hCG drops an snuggle up with him and get some sleep.

Onwards and downwards!

Jennifer

Day 6: 4th Day of VLCD (Jennifer) hCG - It's working!!

Well, we're on the fourth VLCD and getting into the groove of things. I branched out from my previous menu routine and made tilapia with a diced tomato, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar and Richard raved about it. Go Team! I love to be creative in the kitchen and with our new and future eating plan, I'll just need to get super creative with HEALTHY food. Will people still want to come to our parties? Will word get out that we only serve carrots on toothpicks and tofu sausage rolls in gluten free dough? I hope not....if anything, I'll just need to learn to tweak our favorites. Of course we won't be giving up alcohol so there's always THAT incentive to accept an invite from us

Today was a bit of a torment since I took Josephine to the mall to run some errands...Yummy aromas wafting from the food court assaulted me and we headed to Pandora Express. I was strong and she got it to go so I didn't have to watch her eat. And Richard took her out for ice cream last night and resisted the urge to have a taste. Well done, us!!! Temptation, thy name is Josephine.

Lastly, we are officially booked (flights and reservations!!!!) to go to Jamaica in November!! We are beyond exited about this since we haven't been on a proper vacation since our honeymoon 17 years ago. Bathing suits always have a way of incentivising weight loss.... JAMAICA!!!

Onwards and downwards,
Jennifer

Day 4: 2nd day of VLCD (Richard)

Added half a grapefruit in the morning to keep base sugar level up for brain function.

Had a bit of a headache in the afternoon. Took some ibuprofen.

Day 3: 1st day of Very Low Calorie Diet (Richard)

Had a somewhat restless night and felt "hung over" in the morning. Took hCG drops first thing and then my huge breakfast of half a grapefruit!! I did allow myself one cup of black coffee. Jen made me my lunch of chicken breast and asparagus, and my snack of an apple. And then off to work.

Continued to feel "hung over" probably from the overindulging Gin & Tonics the night before. Certainly felt hungry as the morning progressed. Also had bit of a headache. Invited Jennifer to join me for an organized walk along the Portland Waterfront Park at lunchtime. I ate beforehand (didn't want to pass out during the walk)! Chicken breast and asparagus.

Had my half an apple for a snack. Plenty of water and tea during the day, which led to plenty of bathroom breaks. Interestingly, I had very strong smelling pee in the afternoon, I assume from the multivitamin I took at lunch!

Took the bus home at around 530pm, and Jennifer provided dinner. Tilapia and spinach. In the evening I continued to setup this blog. Another half apple snack, along with some fiber capsules and an extra glass of water.

Day 2: Before photos of Jennifer and Richard

Words fail me...and remember, this is AFTER losing 40 lbs. On my first round of hCG in the Spring.

Face forward, chest out, smile, and TRUST THE PROCESS... This will be our mantra.

Richard's side view - the most revealing in terms of where I carry my weight...my belly.

Richard rear view - ah yes, the 'love handles'

Richard's front view - this is me at 240 lbs (105 kg)

Day 2: 2nd Load Day - Carb Comas & Photos (Jennifer)

Well, this is day two of our loading - never really thinking that we'd ever have the conversations that sound like this: You want another corn dog? You need to eat more donuts? Have you had enough fat? It makes me laugh, actually CONSCIOUSLY eating fat & sugar laden food and having more resistance than enjoyment. It reminds me how UNCONSCIOUSLY I (we) make our food choices.

Following the hCG protocol means being very present to what I eat and drink, savoring the flavors and quantity that's allowed. It also means that less mental energy is expended on thinking, dreaming, planning, or cooking food. More time for doing other things together.

In the spirit of 'culinary accounting', this is what we enjoyed today:

Breakfast: Sesame Donuts! Maple bars with added BACON a la Voodoo donut style (we split one), Apple fritter (1 each), 1/2 coconut cream filled donut.

Snack: a corn dog at Albertson's to stave off hunger (!!) while shopping for breakfast items.

Brunch: Home made Dutch Baby (german pancake) with lots of butter and maple syrup.

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzZZZzzZZZzzzzzzzz - Afternoon nap!
Carb coma overtook us and we hunkered down for a nap with the french doors open, letting the soft summer rain (and CARB overload!!) lull us to sleep.

Carbs (combined with fat & sugar) is the drug of choice for many. As for me, it takes me out, sapping me of energy and any ability to focus on getting things done. It's the numbing agent of choice, and has been for many years, although I didn't really realize this until I did the first round of hCG this Spring. I look forward to mental clarity, energy, and groundedness that comes with eating clean food and drinking lots of yummy water.

After our 2 hour nap, we needed to get set up for the week so we went to WinCo and stocked up. And then our last indulgent meal for a while.

Dinner: Cheese fondue, steak, and fries!

Before pictures have been taken (Gasp! Do I really have the courage to post this?!) and chicken portions have been prepped. Tomorrow is Day 1 of our VLCD (very low calorie day) and so it begins...

Day 1: 1st Load Day - Would Sir like a wafer thin mint? (Richard)

"F--- off, I'm full!" -- Monty Python, The Meaning of Life

That about sums it up for the first phase of the program, the Load Days. We started by going to Fat City in Multnomah Village. Jennifer for the Chicken-fried steak and Richard for the Omelette and Cinamon roll. Lunch was a Burgerville pepper-bacon burger and fries. And dinner included sirloin steak and fries, with a lovely bottle of Phelps Creek "Le Petit" Pinot Noir (a wonderful winery by the way), and a shared Blueberry cheesecake.

You would think it sounds great to be able to eat all the bad food you want. And it is...initially. But once your body starts sending you signals it has had enough, you feel full and begin to resistant to have more. The pleasure is soon replaced with dread and humor about having "some more fries" or "just one more doughnut".

Well, it will be fun while it lasts. But only one more day before the serious dieting begins...