The apple day went well, though I never thought I could get sick of apples, it turns out six in a day is indeed about the threshold for me! I was 188.2 yesterday and 186.8 today, so that is about a pound and a half of loss there. Is it enough to break through the stall and have me consistently going down again? Who knows but time, eh?

I'm still feeling energetic and not hungry at all, still losing inches, too. My complexion has continued to be clear despite an almost complete cessation of my skin care treatments, something that is unheard of, for me. I haven't noticed any unusual fatigue, though I am not getting enough sleep some nights and I can definitely feel that in the morning, it doesn't seem to be diet related. And while I'm definitely plotting and planning some of the lovely dishes I am going to make when I get into P3 (can we say short rib roast? Perfectly compliant, perfectly delicious!) I'm not really struggling to subsist on any of the P2 foods, nor am I really fighting any cravings or desire to cheat. I'm totally committed and it isn't a struggle. That's incredible, given how restrictive this diet is. But the lack of sugar and all but the tiniest allowed starch has obliterated my cravings, while the hCG circulating my fat stores for consumption has made up the caloric difference I am not taking in through chewing.

My goal for this week is to see 184 before Friday, if I can. That is the new threshold the insurance lady informed me I had to meet to get a 35% discount off my current rate of coverage. Unfortunately I have to be there or below that for a ear before that kicks into effect, so my husband greatly desires that we notify them of that as soon as possible, to reap the rewards of it sooner than later. I think, on a plan like this, that is a doable goal. And if I don't meet it by Friday, I should be there by Monday, for sure. But either way, I'm really getting into 'normal' territory with my weight and looks and it is thrilling.

Yes, I'm still high on the BMI and will be until the high 160's, but practically? Nobody is going to point me out as 'the fat one' in the room, if pressed. More and more I am hitting weights that suit my figure and are attractive, as opposed to 'not particularly horrid' or 'still kind of cute' despite the fat. You know how that is? The 'you have such a pretty face!' saying, that basically all but screams that everything else about you is unfortunate and a darn shame? I am getting out of the realm of getting such backhanded compliments and I'm grateful.

As for energy, can I say how much lighter I feel?! That twenty pounds makes a difference in how much spring is in my step, for sure, and the feeling of being more limber and light is quite satisfying.

All in all, I'd say the apple day was a success, but moreover I'd say the protocol, itself, is a huge success for me. 20.6 pounds off forever, without much struggle, and a solid plan in place to solidify and maintain it before dropping even more? What more could I ask for, really, after several years of being less than fruitful with the calorie counting and not addressing some health issues my food choices were creating. Calorie counting wasn't fixing the cravings for junk, or my immune issues, or my hunger and energy issues. This protocol is. And yes, it requires some major paradigm shifts, and I have to constantly defend it as NOT being a fad/crash diet, but I know and am living out the truth - hCG when properly used has been a miracle worker for my health and weight loss, and enabled me to lose the pounds I have struggled with shedding for years.

So apple day or no, how could I call myself anything less than successful and thrilled?