I have been busy getting caught up on the laundry and other pressing house related matters as well as cooking (trying out new recipes on my hubby and plumber friend – so far I’m told they are all keepers even though I haven’t been able to taste them myself).  Some times you just have to reprioritize and use the time to attend to the items at the top of the list, and by the time I got to the blog, I was out of time and energy.

I have continued working the protocol just as I have from the start.  There are only so many ways to photograph the food and I would have been repeating the same old same old.  I still have issues with rosacea, rashes, eczema and sneezing and runny nose on occasion but not too much achiness as the fat my body is burning releases various toxic (to me) material (i.e. gluten proteins, ragweed, soy proteins, etc.) that are stored there.  Dr. Christianson had me up some of the supplements that help the body process and eliminate these so the reactions are not as bad now.

I have been listening to different cds from my collection but I always play the Tao of Youth cd.  Since my bathroom is being worked on, I’ve not been able to take my Epsom salt baths but I do use the aroma therapy oils every day.

Even though I drink over a gallon of water a day, my hydration is still off.  I walk an average of 45 – 50 minutes a day and I have been running up/down stairs (using the upstairs bathroom and doing laundry in the basement) but I still lost some muscle.  Dr. Christianson has me adding the egg white from a hard boiled egg at night as my body seems to require more protein.

Today is the last day of taking the hc3 and Tuesday will be the last 500 calorie day – hallelujah!!  Wednesday I start the transition to Phase II – the reset portion of the protocol.  30 days of a 1200 calorie – low glycemic index eating plan.  Not a problem as I have my hubby on a low glycemic eating plan since he is diabetic – he gets more calories though because he works 10 – 12 hour nights.  During this phase, much more exercise including strength training is required (especially since I lost muscle mass during Phase I).  I will keep you updated on my progress weekly. 

Below is a spreadsheet of my progress to date (sorry the spreadsheet didn't transfer correctly - I fixed it as best as I could):

 Date:  2/18/2011  2/25/2011  3/4/2011  3/14/2011  3/18/2011 3 /25/2011  4/1/2011  Total +/- :

Weight:    206.7        199.5       196.5      192.5 1      91.5         189.8                     - 17 lbs

Chest:   40.25/39.5  40/38.75   40.75/38.5  39.75/39    39/37.5    39/36.75           - 1.25/2.75 in.

Waist:     48.25         47.5            45         43.25       42             40.75                       - 7.5 in.  

Hips:        44               50            48.5       49.5         49             46.5                       + 2.5 in.

Thighs:      25             25            24.75      23.75       23.5           23.5                       - 1.5 in.  

BP:        134/68      138/72        x/x in pain   122/64     118/64       134/66                      

*BMI:       39.1          37.7            36.9         36.1        35.9            35.6                         - 3.5  

Body Fat:  93.4         94              92.2         88.2         86.4            86                          - 7.4 lbs.

Muscle:    113.3       105.5           104.3       104.3       105.1       103.8                         - 9.5 lbs.

Phase Angle: 5.8      6.3              6.6            6.1          6.2             6.1                      

*TBW:         39.8       37.8            37.8         38.8         39.4          39.3                      

*ICW:        47.5        49.1              50.4        49.3          49.4          49.1                    Target 60%

*ECW:        52.5       50.9             49.6         50.7          50.6          50.9                    Taget 40%

*BMR:       1601      1494             1476        1476         1485         1470                      - 131 cal.

*Body Mass Index *Total Body Water *Intracellular Water *Extracellular Water *Basal Metabolic Rate              

Recap of Monday, 3/14/11:

Breakfast at 8:45am – 1 orange (no photo) + oolong tea

Snack at 10:15am – Power Greens (no photo) + oolong tea 

Snack at 3:30pm – 10 gluten free pretzels (no photo) 

Listened to Tao of Youth in the morning.

Walked 60 minutes today – target 60 minutes

Sneezing, stuffy and runny nose all day – went through 2 small boxes of kleenex - nose all red and sore. Spent the day running errands after my chiropractor’s appointment but made stops at different forest preserves in between for a little break from everything. Dealing with old emotional issues from the past brought up by the weight loss.  Didn’t touch the poster for the classical guitar concert.  Maybe tomorrow.

Used diffuser with special anti-stress oil mix in the morning.

Used the C-Pap machine for 0 hrs. (still sneezing and eyes bothering me – possibly caused by ragweed held in the belly fat being released as my body is utilizing the fat for fuel – have to ride it out – it’s a good thing) Got to bed after midnight. Woke up at 4:45 – awake for an hour before nodding off again - slept a total of 6 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/15/11 am – 189.5 vs 190 yesterday Ketones – 3 – medium - body burning fat.

Menu for 3/15/11 – Breakfast – 1 cup strawberries + oolong tea; Snack – 10 gluten free pretzels + oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz ground beef, 1 cup salad with MCT oil dressing; Snack –1/2 apple; Dinner – 3.5 oz chicken breast and 1 cup cabbage

See you tomorrow ♥

Recap of Sunday, 3/13/11:

Drank full gallon of filtered water + 2 cups oolong tea, 1 cup green tea and 1 cup tangerine-orange tea (out of chamomile).  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times

Listened to Tao of Youth, Energy and Energize & Focus (Brainwave Symphony – Vivaldi, Bach, Hayden and Mozart) cds. 

Walked 20 minutes today – target 60 minutes

Sneezy, stuffy and runny nose in the morning better as the day wore on. Took it easy. Had a hot bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts and ½ cup of baking soda in the afternoon. Read a magazine, watched some tv. Finished promo piece for e-mailing, but still have the poster to do for the classical guitar concert.

Used diffuser with tangerine oil in the afternoon.

Used the C-Pap machine for 6 hrs. (used eye drops - eyes still slightly dry) - slept a total of 6 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/14/11 am – 190 same as last 3 days Ketones – 0 – body not burning fat.

Menu for 3/14/11 – Breakfast – 1 orange + oolong tea; Snack – Power Greens + oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz Chicken breast, 1 cup spinach with MCT oil dressing; Snack –10 gluten free pretzels; Dinner – 3.5 oz ground beef and 1 cup cabbage

See you tomorrow ♥

Recap of Saturday, 3/12/11:

Breakfast at 9:00am – 1 small apple with cinnamon(added the cinnamon after I took the photo) + oolong tea

Snack at 3:00pm – ½ grapefruit

Drank full gallon of filtered water + 2 cups oolong tea, 1 cup green tea and 1 cup chamomile tea.  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times  

Listened to Tao of Youth cd. 

Walked 20 minutes today – target 60 minutes

Tired and a little achy. The rosacea was in full bloom along with a rash. Didn’t even touch the posters/promo for classical guitar concert.

Used diffuser with special anti-stress oil mix in the evening.

Used the C-Pap machine for 8 hrs. (no eye drops- eyes slightly dry) - slept a total of 8.5 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/13/11 am – 190 same as yesterday 

Ketones – 3 –medium level, body burning fat.

Menu for 3/13/11 – Breakfast – Power Greens + oolong tea; Snack – 1 cup of cucumber + oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz crab, salsa, MCT oil and Creole seasoning and  10 gluten free pretzels; Snack –1 small apple; Dinner – 3.5 oz tilapia, spinach, purple onion, MCT oil and 10 gluten free pretzels.

 See you tomorrow ♥

Recap of Friday, 3/11/11:

Breakfast at 8:00am – Power Greens + oolong tea

Drank full gallon of filtered water + 2 cups oolong tea, 1 cup green tea and 1 cup chamomile tea.  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times  

Didn’t listen to any cds (busy running errands).

Walked 60 minutes today – target 60 minutes

Still some intermittent back & hip pain but not too bad.  Stretched throughout the day. Used the ‘stick’ on my back before bed. The rosacea is better. Spent the day running errands with my husband – nice together time. Very tired when we got home late afternoon.  Didn’t get posters/promo finished for classical guitar concert.

Used diffuser with rosemary oil in the evening.

Used the C-Pap machine for 8 hrs. (no eye drops- eyes slightly dry) - slept a total of 8.5 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/12/11 am – 190 vs 191.5 yesterday – down 1 ½ lb.

Ketones – 3 –medium level, body burning fat.

Menu for 3/12/11 – Breakfast – 1 small apple + oolong tea; Snack –4 stalks of celery + oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz shrimp, salsa and  10 gluten free pretzels; Snack – ½ grapefruit; Dinner – 3.5 oz chicken breast, spinach salad 6 cherry tomatoes and 10 gluten free pretzels.

 See you tomorrow ♥

Recap of  Thursday, 3/10/11:

Snack at 3:00pm – 10 gluten free pretzels (used the salsa for the chicken)

Drank full gallon of filtered water + 1 cup oolong tea, 2 cups green tea and 1 cup chamomile tea.  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times  

Listened to Tao of Youth, Energy cd. Solo Banjo and Om Guitar

Walked 20 minutes today – target 60 minutes

Back and both hips much better, but still twinging once in a while. Stretched throughout the day. Used the ‘stick’ on my back before bed. The rosacea is better. A little stiff and achy all over – almost like when I first started seeing Dr. Christianson except the pain is comparatively minimal. Spent most of the day in the kitchen or on the computer.  Have to get posters and promo for classical guitarist Vladislav Blaha’s April 10 concert in LaGrange, Illinois ready and distributed.  One of the best in the world and a personal friend.

Used diffuser with rosemary oil in the afternoon.

Used the C-Pap machine for 7.5 hrs. (forgot eye drops- eyes slightly dry) - slept a total of 8 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/11/11 am – 191.5 vs 191 yesterday – gained ½ lb.

Ketones – 3 –medium level, body burning fat.

Menu for 3/11/11 – Breakfast – Power Greens+ oolong tea; Snack –10 gluten free pretzels + oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz ground beef patty, 1 cup romaine, 5 cherry tomatoes with MCT oil dressing; Snack – ½ apple; Dinner – 3.5 oz shrimp, 1 cup cabbage.

See you tomorrow ♥

Recap of Wednesday, 3/9/11:

Breakfast at 9:15am – 1 orange (naval) + oolong tea

Snack at 10:30am – Power Greens + green tea 

Snack at 4:00pm – 10 gluten free pretzels 

Drank full gallon of filtered water + 1 cup oolong tea, 2 cups green tea and 1 cup chamomile tea.  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times

Listened to Tao of Youth, Energy cd. Solo Banjo and Om Guitar

Walked 20 minutes today – target 60 minutes

Did breathing exercises with stretching before breakfast.  Back and both hips a little achy – did ice packs and stretches. Used the ‘stick’ on my back before bed. The rosacea was still in full bloom – not as bad in the evening

Used diffuser with special anti-stress mix in the morning and afternoon.

Used the C-Pap machine for 4 hrs. (used eye drops) - slept a total of 7.5 hrs.

Had this really weird dream last night put it into a poem- no title yet:

Awoke - half past four

Dreamt of war

 Perimeter of dead

Bodies used as cover

Abandoned baby 

More dead bodies

Good looking blonde

More dead bodies

Quarry with ledges and

‘Siren’ like pull – baby -

Blonde sucked into pit

Blonde  dead - baby vanished

I fight forceful lure

Break free from its song

More dead bodies

Now what does THAT mean?

Ketones – 2.5 – Low/medium level, body burning fat.

Menu for 3/10/11 – Breakfast – 1 cup strawberries + oolong tea; Snack –1cup cucumber and 5 cherry tomatoes + oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz chicken breast, 1 cup romaine with MCT oil dressing; Snack – 10 gluten free pretzels and salsa; Dinner – 3.5 oz cod, 1 cup romaine, 5 cherry tomatoes with MCT oil dressing

See you tomorrow ♥

Recap of Tuesday, 3/8/11:

Snack at 4:00pm – ½ grapefruit

Dinner at 7:15pm – 3.5 oz top sirloin with garlic pepper & garlic sea salt (med) , 1 cup salad (1/2 spinach + ½ romaine) with MCT oil dressing (1 tbsp MCT oil, lemon, mustard powder, garlic sea salt & pepper)

Drank full gallon of filtered water + 2 cups oolong tea, 1 cup green tea and 1 cup chamomile tea.  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times  

Listened to Tao of Youth, Energy cd. Solo Banjo and Om Guitar

Walked 20 minutes today (a little over all achiness) – target 60 minutes

Used diffuser with tangerine oil in the morning and special anti-stress mix in evening.

Did use the C-Pap machine for 2 hrs. (really leaking and drying my eyes out) - slept a total of 7.5 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/9/11 am – 191.5 vs 192 yesterday

Ketones – 3 – medium level, body burning fat.

Menu for 3/9/11 – Breakfast – 1 orange + oolong tea; Snack –Power Greens + green tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz ground beef patty, 1 cup cabbage; Snack – 10 gluten free pretzels; Dinner – 3.5 oz chicken breast, 1 cup romaine with MCT oil dressing

See you tomorrow ♥

Recap of Monday, 3/7/11:

Breakfast at 9:00am – 1 small apple (McIntosh) + oolong tea

Snack at 10:30pm – 10 gluten free pretzels (skipped the salsa) + oolong tea

Lunch at 1:15pm – 3.5 oz ground beef patty, 1 cup romaine, 5 cherry tomatoes with MCT oil dressing (1 tbsp MCT oil, Lemon, garlic sea salt & peppercorn medley) + green tea

Snack at 3:15pm – 10 gluten free pretzels

Dinner at 7:45pm – 3.5 oz tilapia, dash of MCT oil, lemon, paprika, sea salt & peppercorn medley and 4 asparagus spears

Drank ¾ gallon of filtered water + 2 cups oolong tea, 1 cup green tea and 1 cup chamomile tea.  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times  

Listened to Tao of Youth, Energy cd. Solo Banjo and Om Guitar

Walked 30 minutes today (some pain) – target 60 minutes

Back and hip still achy – did ice packs and stretches. Ran some errands. The rosacea was in full bloom.  Was very tired by the time I got home.

Used diffuser with tangerine oil in the morning and special anti-stress mix in evening.

Did not listened to hypnosis track, Did use the C-Pap machine for 2 hrs. (really leaking and drying my eyes out) - slept a total of 7.5 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/8/11 am – 192 vs the 192.5 for the last 3 days

Ketones – 2 – low level, body burning fat.

Menu for 3/8/11 – Breakfast – ½  apple (red delicious) + oolong tea; Snack – ½ cup cucumber, 5 cherry tomatoes with MCT oil dressing + oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz shrimp, 10 gluten free pretzels and salsa; Snack – ½ grapefruit; Dinner – 3.5 oz top sirloin, 1 cup salad (1/2 spinach + ½ romaine) with MCT oil dressing

See you tomorrow ♥ 

Sorry this is late – not enough hours in the day.

Recap of Sunday, 3/6/11:

Breakfast at 9:00am – 1 cup strawberries + oolong tea

Snack at 10:30pm – 10 gluten free pretzels + oolong tea

Lunch at 12:30pm – 3.5 oz ground beef patty, 1 cup romaine with MCT oil dressing (1 tbsp MCT oil, lemon, garlic sea salt & peppercorn medley + green tea

Snack at 3:00pm – 1/2 apple (fugi)

Dinner at 7:15pm – 3.5 oz chicken breast, 1 cup cabbage

Drank my gallon of filtered water + 2 cups oolong tea, 1 cup green tea and 1 cup chamomile tea.  Took my hc3 along with my meds and supplements at their appropriate times  

Walked 10 minutes today (in pain) – target 60 minutes

Back and hip still achy – did ice packs, some stretches.Not as tired.  Felt almost normal. Stuffy and runny nose. The rosacea was in full bloom but my eyes were not as red and itchy.  

 Used diffuser with Rosemary oil in the morning and afternoon.

Did not listened to hypnosis track, Did not use the C-Pap machine at all - slept a total of 7 hrs.

Weight per my scale 3/7/11 am – 192.5 for a third day.

Ketones – 2 – low level, body burning fat.

Menu for 3/7/11 – Breakfast – 1 small apple + oolong tea; Snack – 10 gluten free pretzels, salsa+ oolong tea; Lunch – 3.5 oz ground beef patty, 1 cup romaine, 5 cherry tomatoes with MCT oil dressing; Snack – 10 gluten free pretzels; Dinner – 3.5 oz tilapia, 4 asparagus spears

See you tomorrow ♥