Must be update time

Round two is drawing to a close for me.  I am planning on starting my third round of HCG Protocol on 27 September.  It was going to be a bit earlier but have had an upsetting week with the death of a good friend, so decided I need a clearer mind to concentrate on phase two.

Round two hasn't been as successful as my first round and despite expecting that and knowing it wouldn't be I am still disappointed.  I guess the positive is that I haven't gained and I have maintained well in phase four.

I certainly don't feel like I have missed out at all.  I have celebrated birthdays, had time away and eaten what I have wanted without any real drama.

The two things that upset me most is rice and almonds.  I gain on both and rice tends to make me feel a bit heavy and stodgy in the gut.  Luckily the only time I have it is if I get sushi with the kids, I don't use it at home at all.

We have really hit the ground running with the LCHF (low carb high fat) and the kids are transitioning well and feeling great with the change.  I am fortunate to have two intelligent and open kids who will look at research and discuss what and why.  (even at 10 and 12)

Cut to the chase I hear you say LOL

So, my stats for this round are as follows:

R2/P1/D1                 90.7kg

R2/P2/D42               82.3kg

current weight          76kg

Total loss                 14.7kg

Phase 4/5 has been up and down in weight but have sat in that 76-77kg range for the past few weeks.

Measurements haven't changed dramatically, however I feel that my skin has tightened a bit.  Might be my imagination but it just feels that way.  And, yeah I am a bit slack with measurements.  My excuse that is has been too cold to swan about in the raw measuring LOL   More regular with warmer weather LOL

DATE	WAIST	HIPS	THIGH	ARM	CHEST	CALF
2 Feb 14	112	141	71	41	119
wk3	109	136	68	38	119
wk4.5	107	135	66	38	116
17 Mar '14	107	130	63	38	112
3 Apr '14	105	125	63	38	112
12 May'14	103	120	61	38	111
25 May'14	103	120	59	35	109	40
13 Jun'14	98	107	59	35	105	36
29-Jun-14	98	110	55	34	104	36
19-Sep-14	94	110	55	32	102	34

I think I am going in to round three with less inflammation and feeling much better than I did when entering round two.  I hope this means I will have a more successful round this time.

The biggest thing I have got from this round is that if you are doing multiple rounds then there is no need to introduce too much.  Just take it easy and stick to your tried and tested with good fats.  When I ended the first round I felt terribly inflamed with pain and bloating because I tried to do too much.  This time I have stuck to foods I know are ok, eaten really high fat and I think this is why I feel so much better.  

Anyway. onwards and upwards, tally ho and all that!  Tell me how you are going on your journey!

Primal Living Tasmania conference - Part One

I was fortunate enough to grab a last minute ticket for the Primal Living, Changing The Way We Eat conference held this weekend in Hobart.  Talk about spur of the moment and the planets colliding stuff! Tickets = no money, Money = no tickets and then someone had a ticket and couldn't go KAPOW!    

Hobart I am in you!!

I headed down to Hobart on Friday afternoon.  An 8am registration and icy morning roads didn't appeal to me.  Now, if you haven't heard of airbnb for accommodation I suggest you check it out!!  Some great places to stay and at a reasonable price.  I stayed with Sarah (and Ruby) in Harrington St.  Nice and close to the north Hobart eateries, quiet area and a lovely home.

Take your own water bottle!

Seriously, if you are going to the Wrest Point, take your own.  $4.70 for a small bottle of water is just crazy!  I had run out and forgot to go to the supermarket on the way, so was pinched.   I also thought the set up might have been tables to sit at with water.  It was theatre style auditorium so I was busted!  Fortunately, the conference had water filters dotted around the trade room so I could refill my bottle.

I am Bulletproof, hear me roar!

So, if you haven't heard of the bulletproof phenomena that is taking us by storm you have obviously been living under a rock.  Me, hadn't had one because I don't think any cafes serve them and I am basically lazy.  So I broke my cherry yesterday (twice)
The OptimOZ team providing the coffee use their brand of MCT oil to make their coffee.  I did find it incredibly creamy and tasty, however it did react and I was very bloated afterwards.  Will test with home made to see if it has the same effect or is just their blend.

There were around 20 trade tables and they all offered great deals on the day, samples and plenty of information about their products.  Many of them contributed to the food served which was great.
One thing I dislike when I go to something like this is being harassed by the stall holders and all but one avoided doing this.
I didn't buy a heap of stuff.
What I did indulge in was some raw honey from Miellerie,  King Island Beef Jerky 
and some Rumbles Paleo bars.

Who doesn't like a goodie bag!

I love a goodie bag.  Mind you my kids do even more.  This one didn't fail to please and had loads of samples (although a few were missing from mine so I am thinking they may have run out.  Which was a bit disappointing).
Loved the magazines included and the discount vouchers that last longer than a week.
A suggestion for future events would be that they avoid including brochures for trade table holders.  Because no one gets a chance to have a good look through until they get home they tend to grab brochures off the table.  This is a complete was of paper and money (on the business's part) because it is a double up that ultimately ends up in the recycling.  If I go past a table and am interested I will grab their brochures etc  I don't need them in the bag as well.
It was awesome to see Urban Farm Tasmania including seeds in the bags too!

The food!  OMG!  THE FOOD!!!!!

I only wish I had written it all down so I wouldn't have to go from memory.
Did I mention it was awesome!
OMFG!
I am sure it was quite alien for the hotel chef to cook this way and I hope it was a learning experience for him and his staff.
It truly was delicious.

Morning tea consisted of bone broth, pumpernickel bread with pesto and butter, Kind Island Beef Jerky,  Mt Gnomon sausages, organic apples, terrines, nuts, cured meats and more coffee!

A few hours later lunch was served.  Again, we were not disappointed.
It is so nice to go to an event that I can actually eat at and not have to take my own food.
I cannot remember all the dishes for lunch but the ones I do remember wet dishes of beef, lamb, offal, wallaby kofta (divine!), meatballs, veg, salad, sauerkraut, spiced cauliflower 'cous cous', sweet potato, chia puddings and raw coconut rough chocolates.

So much happening and I haven't even started on the speakers!  
Watch this space or subscribe for updates
and I will share my thoughts and notes on all the speakers on the day.