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...