Simeons HCG protocol--July 2010

[Joleen]

Starting VLCD4 and I'm down a total of 7.2 lbs, released another 1.7 yesterday. I'm sure this will slow way down after TOM leaves, but I'm sure enjoying it for now~! He actually came almost a week early, just a couple of days after I started the drops.

My DH had been out of town all last week when I started researching this and then decided to do it. I hadn't really talked it over with him because I'm sort of a "professional" dieter, so to speak. I've lost weight on various plans (predominantly LC back in the day, though haven't been successful lately), so I wasn't sure if he would want me to start ANOTHER plan.

Well, he was surprisingly VERY supportive, thought it sounded like a great plan. That really shocked me, because, truly, it is pretty extreme.

Anyway, he has had lots of questions and we went grocery shopping together, so he understands the basics of it.

I can't believe my appetite suppression. I mean, I get hungry right before mealtime, but I was a BIG eater and I just can't believe I'm not gnawing off my own arm!

I've been good about drinking water, which is a huge step for me and I'm sure a lot of my loss. It feels so good to not be retaining a bunch of fluid! I've already noticed some loss in my high abdominal area. That is my most hated spot and it sometimes sticks way out. It is much flatter now and I can even breathe better!

[Beth1121]

Originally Posted by Joleen

I can't believe my appetite suppression. I mean, I get hungry right before mealtime, but I was a BIG eater and I just can't believe I'm not gnawing off my own arm!

This is good to hear. I am a big eater, too. I was afraid that I would still be hungry while others were not because of that. I can't wait to start!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Joleen

Starting VLCD4 and I'm down a total of 7.2 lbs, released another 1.7 yesterday. I'm sure this will slow way down after TOM leaves, but I'm sure enjoying it for now~! He actually came almost a week early, just a couple of days after I started the drops.

My DH had been out of town all last week when I started researching this and then decided to do it. I hadn't really talked it over with him because I'm sort of a "professional" dieter, so to speak. I've lost weight on various plans (predominantly LC back in the day, though haven't been successful lately), so I wasn't sure if he would want me to start ANOTHER plan.

Well, he was surprisingly VERY supportive, thought it sounded like a great plan. That really shocked me, because, truly, it is pretty extreme.

Anyway, he has had lots of questions and we went grocery shopping together, so he understands the basics of it.

I can't believe my appetite suppression. I mean, I get hungry right before mealtime, but I was a BIG eater and I just can't believe I'm not gnawing off my own arm!

I've been good about drinking water, which is a huge step for me and I'm sure a lot of my loss. It feels so good to not be retaining a bunch of fluid! I've already noticed some loss in my high abdominal area. That is my most hated spot and it sometimes sticks way out. It is much flatter now and I can even breathe better!

My Dh was a bit shocked when I wanted to start the hcg too. He thought "there is no way this will work, it is only 500 calories!!!". But when he saw what I was eating...he was a bit jealous!!! He said that is great food you are eating and it looks so good!!! The P2 chili--I could no longer eat it in front of him LOL. He always wanted some!!!! Once he saw the veggies, fruit, protein he was on board with me doing it.

[Joleen]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

My Dh was a bit shocked when I wanted to start the hcg too. He thought "there is no way this will work, it is only 500 calories!!!". But when he saw what I was eating...he was a bit jealous!!! He said that is great food you are eating and it looks so good!!! The P2 chili--I could no longer eat it in front of him LOL. He always wanted some!!!! Once he saw the veggies, fruit, protein he was on board with me doing it.

My biggest obstacle so far is my 4YO DD! EVERY time I cook something, she is all over it...."oooh, yummy, can I have some???" She loved the chili, loved the shrimp/apple/celery salad, LOVES the grissini......oh well, I will just have to make bigger batches!

[hay]

what is the chili you guys are eating?

[Joleen]

Originally Posted by hay

what is the chili you guys are eating?

The one I am using is one of the first recipes in the Simeon's Recipe Sticky up above. Basically, hamburger, tomatoes, and spices. It is very close to how I make mine anyway. I plan to do it with chicken, too.

I've had all the "stalling" foods this week without problem (beef, tomatoes, cabbage), so I hope that continues.

[Gilded Lily]

Hoping my drops will come in the mail today. Y'all are so encouraging!!!

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by canadiandina

thanks everyone. i am using hhcg...i am mainly eating chicken (100 gms), lettuce, an apple and half a grapefruit. i am also drinking 3L of water and 1 cup of coffee black. maybe i loaded wrong...i found myself eating carbs and fat, not mainly fat. i don't know....i am hoping this gets easier and it's worth while for me.
am i supposed to be shaking the bottle? i really hope my drops are good.

you are doing 100 grams of chicken twice a day aren't you??
2 meals consisting of one meat one fruit one veggie and one melba

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by hay

what is the chili you guys are eating?

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ot...ipes-only.html

here is one but it isn't the one i use mostly of course i can't find it now but i will did out my P2 notebook and hand type it if i must!*sigh*

Chili
Ingredients:
100 grams lean Veal, ground beef, buffalo or chicken
(cook with 1-2 T Malt Vinegar for a good flavor)
1 tsp sugar free tomato paste
handful ripe tomatoes ( 2 large Romas )
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 tsp chili powder
cayenne pepper to taste
1/8 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp basil
1/2 tsp fat-free cocoa powder (optional)
sea salt/black pepper to taste
water or broth for desired consistency

Directions:
Brown meat with onions and garlic. Drain fat from meat.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste and remaining seasonings
Simmer until onions are to desired tenderness.
Top with one crushed grissini bread stick or melba toast

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by metqa

Easy Hearty Flavored Chili
100g 95%lean ground beef
160g Hunts Fire Roasted Tomatoes w/ Garlic, or home roasted tomatoes
1/2t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t Hershey dark Cocoa powder ( don't leave out, it is crucial)
pinch of salt, and black pepper to taste, and a shake of cayenne for punch!

Add raw beef, onion pwder, garlic pwder, S&P, and cocoa powder to sauce pan and cook till it crumbles easily. I added the juice from the tomatos to help start the heat transfer. Stir in tomatoes and let simmer 5 minutes till hot. Serve with grissini stick crumbled on top or take chomping bites with each spoonful (warning grissini get soggy really quickly)

ETA: the beef. grissini and Tomatoes add 190.8 cal, the garlic and onion powder(1g carb per 1/4 tsp) add 16cal, and cocoa powder add 2 cal(12.5cal/T). On the spices, I went according to the carb, protein and fat numbers not the reported cal. according to that it's 208.8 cal.

ok today is R5P2D4 vlcd1 for me and R4P2D4 vlcd1 for DS15

i am up 6 pounds from loading and he is up4.6 pounds from loading

we walked a mile this morning and he has gone back to bed i am thinking about it myself:blush:

[Healthy and Happy]

That chili looks interesting. I'm done w/ my loading b-fast and don't feel too miserable, probably since it was fairly low carb. Tons of fat though!

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by hay

down .2 lb this a.m. i'll take it.
-still waiting on tom to pass through, i can still feel it coming.
-didn't sleep well last night
-tmi: haven't 'gone' in like 4 days
-i ate tomatoes at dinner last night...i know those stall some people.
-i weighed 2-3 hours earlier than i have been since i started this woe, so it could've been lower had i weighed at the regular time. darn work!

hopefully i get a nice big loss someday soon to make up for these little ones.

for Bernice (Bowel Eliminations aRe NICE) try some Natural Calm or if needed some Smooth Move tea

[RenoMom]

Dawn - Thanks for the warning on break through bleeding, being on Darvo. That's exactly what happened yesterday and today. It's nice to know it's the norm, LOL.

Hay - You are doing great, and by looking at your pic in your blog I can't see where you are going to lose 20lbs from, you are tiny.

Thinin10 - I didn't know the answer to your question so I didn't answer. Your loading looks great

Deb - Have fun loading, a mile is great, I need to get my lazy butt out there.

canadian - I felt hungry for a few days, but now on day 6 I feel great, I know when I read the book it said some might feel hungry the first week so hang in there. Your menu looks good

Joleen - I am surprised my DH is on board too. He said it sounds like it will work, and is amazed at my sticking to it and the results thus far.
WTG on your losses girl, you're doing great

Paisley - I LOVE your attitude, you are going to go far I can tell

Okay gang yesterday morning I did add in some coffee and SF creamer (tiny bit) It did not seem to effect me. Funny thing was last night we had a neighbor for dinner and DH grilled ribs, fried potatoes, corn bread, and asparagus. I ate my chicken and asparagus and was satisfied.
I even had strawberries for desert last night while they were eating chocolate Ice Cream and I felt like I was cheating, LOL. I was worries about this mornings WI and I am down 1 lb this makes 11.5 so far and I am only on VLCD6. i am so happy with this so far. I have been drinking a lot of water and I think that's key. It has also helped me from having any bowel issues.
Yesterday I went shopping and bought some ground beef, more chicken, and very lean beef. I'm going to make some chicken noodle soup, I figure I can use shredded cabbage in place of the noodles. I'm also going to make up some crackslaw. I was wondering..... my DH makes a yummy homemade salsa, can I have this on ground beef? I know protocal says to choose one veggie from the list, and this would mean mixing tomatoes,onion,peppers,cilantro etc. Any thoughts?

[hay]

thanks reno, that's actually the weight i want to get back down to. i'm about 15 lbs heavier than that right now.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by RenoMom

Dawn - Thanks for the warning on break through bleeding, being on Darvo. That's exactly what happened yesterday and today. It's nice to know it's the norm, LOL.



Okay gang yesterday morning I did add in some coffee and SF creamer (tiny bit) It did not seem to effect me. Funny thing was last night we had a neighbor for dinner and DH grilled ribs, fried potatoes, corn bread, and asparagus. I ate my chicken and asparagus and was satisfied.
I even had strawberries for desert last night while they were eating chocolate Ice Cream and I felt like I was cheating, LOL. I was worries about this mornings WI and I am down 1 lb this makes 11.5 so far and I am only on VLCD6. i am so happy with this so far. I have been drinking a lot of water and I think that's key. It has also helped me from having any bowel issues.
Yesterday I went shopping and bought some ground beef, more chicken, and very lean beef. I'm going to make some chicken noodle soup, I figure I can use shredded cabbage in place of the noodles. I'm also going to make up some crackslaw. I was wondering..... my DH makes a yummy homemade salsa, can I have this on ground beef? I know protocal says to choose one veggie from the list, and this would mean mixing tomatoes,onion,peppers,cilantro etc. Any thoughts?

Glad to have warned you then about the Darvo !!

What you could do is this as far as mixing veggies on the list: some people count the tomato as a fruit. Therefore the chili (as mentioned above) is "legal" when you count the onion as your veggies and the tomato as your fruit. And I have seen people, just not me!, use salsa on P2. And if you are making it homemade, then just leave out the peppers 'cause they are NOT on the list at all!!! The cilantro is an herb and counts as a spice.

[mutantmomof4]

Ok, I'm FINALLY finshed reading all of the posts

I ordered my hhcg on Saturday and have been stalking the tracking information since...it looks as if it will be at my house when I get home tonight..

Question: Will this go bad? There is nobody at my house to get it out of the mail box...we are to have 100 degree temps today, will it go bad? I won't be able to get to it unti about 5:30 this evening...

I've started loading, rather it comes today or tomorrow I want to get this going. I do not plan to offically start until tomorrow morning (if it is there) so today I am loading with carbs (I've had three THICK cheese sandwiches and one hamburger). When I actually start the hcg I will switch completely to low carb high fat...I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!

[Victrola]

Ladies, so far P4 is NOT agreeing with me! I jumped up to 208 today after having a few servings of carbs the last three days!

And since the calories I've ingested in NO WAY account for a gain like this, I must have hella carb bloat. Wow.

You know, it's stuff like this that make me want to say "bite me, you ignorant ****" to all those fools out there who are so smug and sanctimonious in their "calories in, calories out" mantra.

I think I'm going to be doing a steak WEEK.

[RenoMom]

Originally Posted by mutantmomof4

Ok, I'm FINALLY finshed reading all of the posts

I ordered my hhcg on Saturday and have been stalking the tracking information since...it looks as if it will be at my house when I get home tonight..

Question: Will this go bad? There is nobody at my house to get it out of the mail box...we are to have 100 degree temps today, will it go bad? I won't be able to get to it unti about 5:30 this evening...

I've started loading, rather it comes today or tomorrow I want to get this going. I do not plan to offically start until tomorrow morning (if it is there) so today I am loading with carbs (I've had three THICK cheese sandwiches and one hamburger). When I actually start the hcg I will switch completely to low carb high fat...I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!

You are suppose to Load on Fats, not carbs.

[RenoMom]

Originally Posted by Victrola

Ladies, so far P4 is NOT agreeing with me! I jumped up to 208 today after having a few servings of carbs the last three days!

And since the calories I've ingested in NO WAY account for a gain like this, I must have hella carb bloat. Wow.

You know, it's stuff like this that make me want to say "bite me, you ignorant ****" to all those fools out there who are so smug and sanctimonious in their "calories in, calories out" mantra.

I think I'm going to be doing a steak WEEK.

That stinks... This is the problem I have with my Endo, due to my Hypo I cant lose a pound, I was staying under 1000 cals most days and still not losing ad all my Dr would say is you have to burn more than you take in.
Ummm Yeah try exercising your butt off with fatigue and no calories.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by mutantmomof4

Ok, I'm FINALLY finshed reading all of the posts

I ordered my hhcg on Saturday and have been stalking the tracking information since...it looks as if it will be at my house when I get home tonight..

Question: Will this go bad? There is nobody at my house to get it out of the mail box...we are to have 100 degree temps today, will it go bad? I won't be able to get to it unti about 5:30 this evening...

I've started loading, rather it comes today or tomorrow I want to get this going. I do not plan to offically start until tomorrow morning (if it is there) so today I am loading with carbs (I've had three THICK cheese sandwiches and one hamburger). When I actually start the hcg I will switch completely to low carb high fat...I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!

OK, get this straight. Without the Hhcg in your system you are NOT loading. So if you don't have the drops you CANNOT load. You will only gain weight that you will have to get off!!! It is best to load WITH the drops. So you have to wait to load.

Second, I got my drops in the heat of summer too. When they came out of the envelope they were pretty hot so I stuck them in the fridge for a bit. Just to cool off!! But they still worked fine. No need to store them in the fridge--I did just so they would cool off. Once they did I kept them in the cabinet.

[hcground1]

Originally Posted by mutantmomof4

Ok, I'm FINALLY finshed reading all of the posts

I ordered my hhcg on Saturday and have been stalking the tracking information since...it looks as if it will be at my house when I get home tonight..

Question: Will this go bad? There is nobody at my house to get it out of the mail box...we are to have 100 degree temps today, will it go bad? I won't be able to get to it unti about 5:30 this evening...

I've started loading, rather it comes today or tomorrow I want to get this going. I do not plan to offically start until tomorrow morning (if it is there) so today I am loading with carbs (I've had three THICK cheese sandwiches and one hamburger). When I actually start the hcg I will switch completely to low carb high fat...I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!

I don't know if it will go bad in the heat, but you do know you're supposed to be dosing on your load days right? You can load now, but I wouldn't think it would actually count as loading until you are dosing along with the loading.

[hcground1]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

OK, get this straight. Without the Hhcg in your system you are NOT loading. So if you don't have the drops you CANNOT load. You will only gain weight that you will have to get off!!! It is best to load WITH the drops. So you have to wait to load.

Second, I got my drops in the heat of summer too. When they came out of the envelope they were pretty hot so I stuck them in the fridge for a bit. Just to cool off!! But they still worked fine. No need to store them in the fridge--I did just so they would cool off. Once they did I kept them in the cabinet.

Ha, Dawn! You must type faster than me!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Victrola

Ladies, so far P4 is NOT agreeing with me! I jumped up to 208 today after having a few servings of carbs the last three days!

And since the calories I've ingested in NO WAY account for a gain like this, I must have hella carb bloat. Wow.

You know, it's stuff like this that make me want to say "bite me, you ignorant ****" to all those fools out there who are so smug and sanctimonious in their "calories in, calories out" mantra.

I think I'm going to be doing a steak WEEK.

Did you see my post on how to incorporate those carbs in?? He states right in P4 to do it slowly!!! Not all at once or too much at a time. I also gave good tips on how to do it. I hope you go back and read it. You do need to give your body time to adjust to the carbs after not having them for so long. Good luck. And it is not a good idea to do back to back steak days. I would suggest a steak day and then a good P3 eating style day and then another correction day if needed.

[hcground1]

I have a question for ya. I'm on P3 and TOM has caused me to gain (at least I think it's just from TOM). Will a steak day work if TOM is still here? I know you're not supposed to put off correction, so I'm doing a steak day today, I'm just curious if I should expect much out of it...

[Victrola]

Originally Posted by RenoMom

That stinks... This is the problem I have with my Endo, due to my Hypo I cant lose a pound, I was staying under 1000 cals most days and still not losing ad all my Dr would say is you have to burn more than you take in.
Ummm Yeah try exercising your butt off with fatigue and no calories.

I'm hypo, too. Sigh. I haven't been exercising, either. I should while I have the chance. My body decided that being in heels for 12 hours on Sunday was exercise as my quads have been aching since yesterday morning! That's kind of pathetic.

[shebasmudder]

Originally Posted by Victrola

I'm hypo, too. Sigh. I haven't been exercising, either. I should while I have the chance. My body decided that being in heels for 12 hours on Sunday was exercise as my quads have been aching since yesterday morning! That's kind of pathetic.

If your muscles are aching, they may be holding water to repair themselves. Maybe you'll see a whoosh after the pain goes away.

[Victrola]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Did you see my post on how to incorporate those carbs in?? He states right in P4 to do it slowly!!! Not all at once or too much at a time. I also gave good tips on how to do it. I hope you go back and read it. You do need to give your body time to adjust to the carbs after not having them for so long. Good luck. And it is not a good idea to do back to back steak days. I would suggest a steak day and then a good P3 eating style day and then another correction day if needed.

I did and I have. The amount of carbs I've eaten in the past few days combines to not even a day's worth, really. Maybe 100 - 150 grams of carbs over three days.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by hcground1

I have a question for ya. I'm on P3 and TOM has caused me to gain (at least I think it's just from TOM). Will a steak day work if TOM is still here? I know you're not supposed to put off correction, so I'm doing a steak day today, I'm just curious if I should expect much out of it...

Yes, you should do a steak day. Dr S states in P&I that you should do a steak day once you are 2+ lbs over your LDW. He does NOT say, "wait until TOM is over, you didn't drink enough water so wait"....he SAYS do a steak day ANY TIME YOU are out of range!!!! So do one. It may do ya good!!! Also you don't know what is causing your weight to go up. If it is from TOM, that is good. At least you know what caused it, but what if it is up for some other reason. The longer you wait to correct, the harder it will be to get back down. How much are you up?

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Victrola

I did and I have. The amount of carbs I've eaten in the past few days combines to not even a day's worth, really. Maybe 100 - 150 grams of carbs over three days.

What did you add in? The reason for the slow and steady rate--and ideally it should be one carb at a time in one day--is to see how your body reacts. You may not be able to incorporate all carbs back in. Your body may not like white bread, or tortillas or oatmeal. Even if they are your favorites. You really should go slow and see how your body reacts. Don't have potatoes and bread in the same day. That way you will know if your body likes sweet potatoes but cannot handle oatmeal. It is not necessarily the amount of carbs, but where they are coming from. You know the good ones versus the bad ones!!

[hcground1]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Yes, you should do a steak day. Dr S states in P&I that you should do a steak day once you are 2+ lbs over your LDW. He does NOT say, "wait until TOM is over, you didn't drink enough water so wait"....he SAYS do a steak day ANY TIME YOU are out of range!!!! So do one. It may do ya good!!! Also you don't know what is causing your weight to go up. If it is from TOM, that is good. At least you know what caused it, but what if it is up for some other reason. The longer you wait to correct, the harder it will be to get back down. How much are you up?

I'm just under the 2 pounds but have been so much lower for the most part of P3. I want to take care of it today instead of waiting till it's officially over 2!