HCG

[Mootzee]

I have read that it actually can help with hypothyroidism. Some people report that they could cut back on their dosage under a doctor's supervision.

Of course, the opposite occurs with hyperthyroidism. But then again, pregnancy can trigger hyperthyroidism.

YMMV

[DivaHerself]

I will speak up here and say that manuscript is not well written, and it's bloody painful to read.

Someone needs to publish cliff notes and save us from reading it - sorry it's the old editor coming out in me- but it's not an easy read.

Linda Prinster's book is excellent, and has a great deal of information on the different types of HCG.


I wish I'd had it when I was starting!

[Kiley2801]

Originally Posted by stinastina

Did you read my posts ? I posted several pages of testimonials.



If you go to a doctor's office, it is very expensive. The hhcg is very cheap.



P3 is not low carb. You double your protein and veggies and start introducing fats. Are you stabilizing ? If not, then can you post your menu ? Did you adjust your drops to deal with the hunger ? I had a particular brand that I ended up taking 15 drops 4 times a day before the hunger went away. Then I switched to a different brand and now only take 10 drops 3x a day. So different brands have different effects.

Well, I mean I am eating no starches and sugar. Low-ER carb, I should say. Fruits like berries and apples and yogurt- yes, I eat. Lost 7 lbs and have kept them off. I'm not knocking the plan whatsover--- it clearly works very well for tons of people. I just didn't enjoy my experience, and wanted to give another perspective.

[shebasmudder]

Originally Posted by Kiley2801

Well, I mean I am eating no starches and sugar. Low-ER carb, I should say. Fruits like berries and apples and yogurt- yes, I eat. Lost 7 lbs and have kept them off. I'm not knocking the plan whatsover--- it clearly works very well for tons of people. I just didn't enjoy my experience, and wanted to give another perspective.

How many rounds did you do ? How long was your first round ? I have to say I did not ENJOY round 1 except for my losses ! But I have since figured out that shorter rounds work better for me mentally and to avoid VLCD during TOM when I have really bad cravings. You just have to find a program that works for you. This protocol is great for me because I know it works and I have learned to stabilize well and not feel starved or deprived.

As long as you don't have commercial yogurt and make sure it is low sugar, high fat like fage or greek yogurt, that sounds perfect.

[Healthy and Happy]

Originally Posted by Gracie514

Kiley~ I remember you from the Simeons thread. I know you followed the plan to a "T" but I also remember that on your 4th 500 calorie day you started TOM. It is highely recommended to start the protocol right after TOM and not before. That could have been why you were so hungry, couldn't it? I always start a round immediately after TOM and end it right before. I have been on TOM once while in P2 and I remember that I was hungry and had some cravings.

Gracie, can you explain a little more in detail, this is still confusing to me. So, why do you do 23 days instead of 40? Is it 23 days total on the HCG or 25 days total, (counting the 2 load days). I'm trying to plan out what my first cycle would look like and would like to start after TOM as you suggested. So would the first 2 HCG days, (load days), start the day after TOM ends? TIA!

P.S. DId you get my last PM?

[Screamer]

Originally Posted by soontobesexy'ntx

this has been a very interesting thread,
until netrition gets thier hhcg in I've found a source for the spray going to order on the 1st and if it comes in in time
I'm going to "load" 4th of July weekend (I would overeat on that weekend anyway) and start on the 6th w/ 500 cals
I've taken a 3 ring binder and printed off "pounds and inches" and a TON of recipes. my fav so far is the "hobo" pouches
take your 2 cups of veggies and your meat put in a foil "pouch" season as desired (no sugar) place these in the freezer
when you are ready for a meal, take the pouch place on cookie sheet, place in oven @ 350 for 25 min
DINNER IS SERVED!!
by "making them up" ahead of time you dont have to think or worry about mesuring out each meal, do them all at once for the week.

Also great on the grill.

Thank you to all who posted both positive and negative. I've lost and kept off the weight with Herbalife. I work out heavy cardio and weight lifting and I am wondering if I would have the energy on 500 calories to do what I do. When I have my 2 and 3 hour workouts (sat and Sun) I fuel the night before with protein and veggies to accommodate the level of my WO. I was DX with Hashimoto's in 2005. My thyroid is under control.

I don't have much to lose. My fighting weight is 135 (Lightweight) and I'm stuck at 138-140. I would love to get to (126) featherweight.

yes I know I'm not talking massive fat loss but what sparks my attention is the fat loss v. the muscle loss. I am willing to try for 23 days.

On to more research...

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by thin in 2010

Gracie, can you explain a little more in detail, this is still confusing to me. So, why do you do 23 days instead of 40? Is it 23 days total on the HCG or 25 days total, (counting the 2 load days). I'm trying to plan out what my first cycle would look like and would like to start after TOM as you suggested. So would the first 2 HCG days, (load days), start the day after TOM ends? TIA!

P.S. DId you get my last PM?

I do short rounds, not the long ones. I find it easier to commit that way. Actually with the homeopathic hcg you can pretty much do as many days as you want because there is no immunity with it. I've never done a 40 day round but I'd guess it's like this:

Days 1&2 - Load Days w/hhcg
Days 3-43 - 500 calorie diet w/hhcg
Days 44-45 - 500 calorie diet without hhcg

Once you get past the 21 effective days (500 calories with hhcg) you can pretty much do as many days as you want. You need to complete at least 21 days though to reset your hypothalamus. I've done 30 days, 26 days, etc. The rules Dr. Simeons set were for the prescription RX kind of hcg and the rules for hhcg are different.

I did get your last pm

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by thin in 2010

Gracie, can you explain a little more in detail, this is still confusing to me. So, why do you do 23 days instead of 40? Is it 23 days total on the HCG or 25 days total, (counting the 2 load days). I'm trying to plan out what my first cycle would look like and would like to start after TOM as you suggested. So would the first 2 HCG days, (load days), start the day after TOM ends? TIA!

P.S. DId you get my last PM?

it is easier to commit to a short round 23 dosing days which includes your 2 load days and 2 days after stopping HHCG that are still VLCD
so days 1 and 2 take your HHCG LOAD and Gorge on high fat foods and anything you might miss
days 3-23 dose and VLCDs(longer if you feel like it)

Dasy 24-25 VLCDs without dosing (if you do RX take 3 days at the end takes longer to get out of your system)

AVERAGE weight lost for women is >5 a day so for a 23 day round you could reasonably expect an 11-12 pound loss my first round i lost 21.8 pounds as did my 14 year old son

my DH who started out over 100 pounds smaller than me lost 26.6 in the same round (the RAT!)
so it is possible to have more loss just remember average for the rounds would be 11-12 pounds for the short rounds

yeah i would do it the day after your TOM ends and remember you dose while loading HTH

[RenoMom]

What is the benefit to the 2 load days?

[soontobesexy'ntx]

Originally Posted by Gracie514

I do short rounds, not the long ones. I find it easier to commit that way. Actually with the homeopathic hcg you can pretty much do as many days as you want because there is no immunity with it. I've never done a 40 day round but I'd guess it's like this:

Days 1&2 - Load Days w/hhcg
Days 3-43 - 500 calorie diet w/hhcg
Days 44-45 - 500 calorie diet without hhcg

Once you get past the 21 effective days (500 calories with hhcg) you can pretty much do as many days as you want. You need to complete at least 21 days though to reset your hypothalamus. I've done 30 days, 26 days, etc. The rules Dr. Simeons set were for the prescription RX kind of hcg and the rules for hhcg are different.

I did get your last pm

then how many days/weeks of LC w/o hhcg before you re-start
(I have about 70 lbs to lose)

[JustKim]

Originally Posted by soontobesexy'ntx

this has been a very interesting thread,
until netrition gets thier hhcg in I've found a source for the spray going to order on the 1st and if it comes in in time
I'm going to "load" 4th of July weekend (I would overeat on that weekend anyway) and start on the 6th w/ 500 cals
I've taken a 3 ring binder and printed off "pounds and inches" and a TON of recipes. my fav so far is the "hobo" pouches
take your 2 cups of veggies and your meat put in a foil "pouch" season as desired (no sugar) place these in the freezer
when you are ready for a meal, take the pouch place on cookie sheet, place in oven @ 350 for 25 min
DINNER IS SERVED!!
by "making them up" ahead of time you dont have to think or worry about mesuring out each meal, do them all at once for the week.

would you be willing to share your recipes??

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by soontobesexy'ntx

then how many days/weeks of LC w/o hhcg before you re-start
(I have about 70 lbs to lose)

Phase 3 - 21 days of no sugars/ no starch (no hcg)
Phase 4 - 21 days of adding them back in SLOWLY (no hcg)

* With hcg some people "cycle" - they do the 21 day P3 then go right into another round. It's totally up to you. I like to do P4 so my body stabilizes before I try to lose more. Plus, I'm stronger mentally then when I start another round.

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by RenoMom

What is the benefit to the 2 load days?

You need to fill up your fat stores before starting the 500 calorie diet. It helps eliminate the hunger til the hcg is fully working in your body. On all 3 of my rounds the load weight was off in 2-3 days.

Download "Pounds & Inches" by Dr. Simeons and read, then re-read so you fully understand how and why the protocol works. It's truly amazing!

HTH

[soontobesexy'ntx]

Originally Posted by JustKim

would you be willing to share your recipes??

just google hcg diet and pick the ones you like
the ones I saved are mostly chicken breast/ lean flank steak
2 cups of veggie and mrs dash wrapped in foil pouches
one thing I did read is with the drops/sprays you can mix veggies
say broc AND califlower or frozen stirfry veggies

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by soontobesexy'ntx

just google hcg diet and pick the ones you like
the ones I saved are mostly chicken breast/ lean flank steak
2 cups of veggie and mrs dash wrapped in foil pouches
one thing I did read is with the drops/sprays you can mix veggies
say broc AND califlower or frozen stirfry veggies

No you can't!!!!! That is not following the Simeons Protocol!!! That is tweaking it and you will not have the same losses. You cannot have broccolli or cauliflower or stirfly veggies on Simeons Protocol either. Did you read "Pounds & Inches" by Dr. Simeons? The food list is right in the manuscript. Please reread Dawnyama's post above about doing the protocol to a "T"!!!! It's when you start "tweaking" it when it doesn't work. Most of us on here are avid Simeons protocol followers. He researched this for 30 years - what foods to eat and what not to eat. For some reason he did not include broccolli or cauliflower - but I'm sure he had a reason. Maybe trouble stabilizing in P3? Don't know for sure, but "tweaking" will lead to problems.

[soontobesexy'ntx]

:blush:
goes to show not everything on the needernet is true!!
over in "other plans" there is a thread of HCG recipes
I'm going over there to get new ones!!

[Kiley2801]

Originally Posted by stinastina

How many rounds did you do ? How long was your first round ? I have to say I did not ENJOY round 1 except for my losses ! But I have since figured out that shorter rounds work better for me mentally and to avoid VLCD during TOM when I have really bad cravings. You just have to find a program that works for you. This protocol is great for me because I know it works and I have learned to stabilize well and not feel starved or deprived.

As long as you don't have commercial yogurt and make sure it is low sugar, high fat like fage or greek yogurt, that sounds perfect.

Yep, just the one round. 26 days. And yep- only plain, no-sugar Fage. I hate the pre-sweetened ones, as luck may have it.

I feel really good eating this way-- I may add some oatmeal or Ezekial bread in Phase 4, but other than that--I don't foresee myself straying too much.

So I will credit my hcg round with giving me a whole new appreciation for the foods I once found somewhat dull!

Originally Posted by Gracie514

Kiley~ I remember you from the Simeons thread. I know you followed the plan to a "T" but I also remember that on your 4th 500 calorie day you started TOM. It is highely recommended to start the protocol right after TOM and not before. That could have been why you were so hungry, couldn't it? I always start a round immediately after TOM and end it right before. I have been on TOM once while in P2 and I remember that I was hungry and had some cravings.

Hey Gracie!
You are correct-- good memory! I did start TOM like 3 or 4 days in. You know, it's entirely possible that b/c I didn't time it right (starting after TOM like they recommend) that my round was so unpleasant. Food for thought!

[mama MIA]

Originally Posted by Gracie514

No you can't!!!!! That is not following the Simeons Protocol!!! That is tweaking it and you will not have the same losses. You cannot have broccolli or cauliflower or stirfly veggies on Simeons Protocol either. Did you read "Pounds & Inches" by Dr. Simeons? The food list is right in the manuscript. Please reread Dawnyama's post above about doing the protocol to a "T"!!!! It's when you start "tweaking" it when it doesn't work. Most of us on here are avid Simeons protocol followers. He researched this for 30 years - what foods to eat and what not to eat. For some reason he did not include broccolli or cauliflower - but I'm sure he had a reason. Maybe trouble stabilizing in P3? Don't know for sure, but "tweaking" will lead to problems.

To all who is interested, Please listen to this post! Please read up on what foods make up the 500 cals.

[JustKim]

I pretty much live on the "basic" chili recipe. Always my go-to meal

[Healthy and Happy]

What are y'all using for the 'breadstick' or 'melba'? Are there any gluten free options?

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by thin in 2010

What are y'all using for the 'breadstick' or 'melba'? Are there any gluten free options?

I love the roasted garlic melba toast - yummmmyyy!!!!

I like the grissini's too - garlic flavor. (they are $1.00 at Big Lots)

[shebasmudder]

Originally Posted by Kiley2801

Yep, just the one round. 26 days. And yep- only plain, no-sugar Fage. I hate the pre-sweetened ones, as luck may have it.

I feel really good eating this way-- I may add some oatmeal or Ezekial bread in Phase 4, but other than that--I don't foresee myself straying too much.

So I will credit my hcg round with giving me a whole new appreciation for the foods I once found somewhat dull!



Hey Gracie!
You are correct-- good memory! I did start TOM like 3 or 4 days in. You know, it's entirely possible that b/c I didn't time it right (starting after TOM like they recommend) that my round was so unpleasant. Food for thought!

I P3 !! I'm diabetic, so staying there will be perfect for maintenance for me. I will occasionally have a low carb tortilla or high fiber bread or brownies made with almond flour when I hit goal.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by thin in 2010

What are y'all using for the 'breadstick' or 'melba'? Are there any gluten free options?

there are some flax cracker recipes i think might qualify!

[JustKim]

Originally Posted by Gracie514

I like the grissini's too - garlic flavor. (they are $1.00 at Big Lots)

this is my fav. Pizza is second. I did find a rosemary one at a different Big Lots and it had a unique flavour

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by JustKim

this is my fav. Pizza is second. I did find a rosemary one at a different Big Lots and it had a unique flavour

I like the pizza ones too! I don't like rosemary so blech

[Healthy and Happy]

So you lost eating flavored breadsticks?? Hmmm, this is very intriguing.

[DJ]

i'm supposed to be loading today and i'm so.not.hungry. lol. oh the irony.

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by thin in 2010

So you lost eating flavored breadsticks?? Hmmm, this is very intriguing.

I remember when I first started the protocol and how amazed I was at everything!!

I like to take grilled chicken and put it on a bed of spinach then break up my garlic melba toast and put on top like croutons - YUM! I also use the Waldens Farms zero sugar/carb/calorie dressing.

[Healthy and Happy]

I don't think I'll have a problem loading... there is a delicious donut shoppe in town that I always have to resist going to. I will be stocking up there on the 2 load days!

Is it important to eat plenty of protein on load days also, or is the emphasis solely fat?

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by DJ

i'm supposed to be loading today and i'm so.not.hungry. lol. oh the irony.

Y'up, happened to me too. But, I will GUARANTEE you that on your second round you will load like a ROCKSTAR!!!! I always look forward to my two load days - I keep a list of the stuff I want to eat. Think ICE CREAM CAKE