For those that have had success w/HCG diet

[hollyree]

I'm sorry, I know this question has been asked many times over but its so hard to filter through all the info on these boards. My question is did most of you change what kind of lotion/shampoo/deodorant you used when on the HCG diet? Does it really make that big of a difference to change these products? I've been reading, reading, reading about the HCG diet and have decided to give it a go! My bottle should be here Tuesday so any advice you all can give me would be greatly appreciated. Can anyone recommend brands of the homeopathic HCG? I've ordered HCG platinum but just wondering if anyone else had suggestions

[Gilded Lily]

Hi and welcome!

I don't know if we can suggest brands. I love this place and don't want to violate the TOS but you should be good with what you ordered.

Yes, you do need to avoid as many oils in your personal care products as you possibly can. It's not as big a deal as you would think at first. If there is a product you feel you cannot live without, you have to balance it and decide for yourself. It could slow your loss.

Good luck!!!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by hollyree

I'm sorry, I know this question has been asked many times over but its so hard to filter through all the info on these boards. My question is did most of you change what kind of lotion/shampoo/deodorant you used when on the HCG diet? Does it really make that big of a difference to change these products? I've been reading, reading, reading about the HCG diet and have decided to give it a go! My bottle should be here Tuesday so any advice you all can give me would be greatly appreciated. Can anyone recommend brands of the homeopathic HCG? I've ordered HCG platinum but just wondering if anyone else had suggestions

Yes, I did indeed make the switch for my shampoo, conditioner, body wash and facial soap. Anything that said butter, oil, or lotion is O-U-T out on P2!!!! I am a coconut oil girl and use it for EVERYTHING. I cut it out when in P2, EVERY SINGLE ROUND. When I added back in my Oil of Olay body wash, just one time because I felt my skin was parched and needed a bit of TLC, I gained weight the very next day The only time on that round that I gained on P2 was when I did that!!! Back into the closet it went until I was done with P2. When Dr S says no oils (except mineral oil) he is correct. It is not hard to find oil free products out there. Just make sure to read the labels. And I used the homeopathic hcg--is the platinum a homeopathic or Rx? I don't know what it is you ordered Sorry!

[hollyree]

Thanks for the info girls. I am going to check around and see what I can find as far as oil-free products.

Dawnyama-yes, its a homeopathic hcg, that's just the brand name. Thanks again!

[torister]

I will be switching out all of my shampoo, soap, lotions, deodorant, makeup..everything! I figure if I am doing this...I am going to eliminate anything that might affect my progress. After gaining weight and then staying the same weight while staying true to plan and how frustrating that can be...it would be great to see some downward movement again.

[debkeversole]

78 pounds gone here since October! i was already using Jason for my shampoo and Dr Bronners for my soaps switched to Toms orange toothpaste (yum) and aveeno sunscreen oil free i don't use make up much so not an issue for me but those mineral ones are fine AND i used to use chapstick and lotion a LOT but since i haven't been i don't need nearly as much now when i can have it

is it na pca?? that is a good lotion to use while dosing?? something like that everyone was talking about it this time last year

and corn huskers lotion aloe vera and is baby lotion made with mineral oil?? well anyways HAPPY LOSING

one tip or two (can't resist)

Tip #1

Be committed to at least a clean, by the book, first Round on P2 protocol. Commit to 23 days maximum, even if you feel like you need to do a longer 40 day round.

Committing to just 3 weeks instead of 6 makes this protocol much easier to stick with. Mark it off on your calendar. 3 weeks. After your initial 3 weeks, take it day by day and really check in with how you feel. It is okay to only do 25 days or 33 days or anything in between 23 days and 40 days.

It is the first 3 weeks that are critical to your long-term success. Everyday after is just icing on the cake.

Do not concern yourself with what others are doing. This isn't a contest. This is solely about YOU.

Last edited by articshark; 06-06-2008 at 01:58 PM.

Tip # 6

Expect days of no loss, small loss and slight gains. This is a very normal part of this protocol. In the hundreds of journeys of other people that I have read, NOT ONE person experienced huge losses EVERYDAY while on protocol.

YOU will be NO different. It is NORMAL. DO NOT FREAK OUT!!!!! Stay true to protocol and you will clock good losses as soon as your body has either recovered from working so hard and shedding HUGE losses or your cells release the water with which your body fills up empty fat cells.

The cycle seems to be about every 7-10 days, your body will need a period of rest to reset and get ready to work hard again releasing unwanted fat and pounds and inches.

Once again, DO NOT FREAK OUT!!!!! It is normal. You are normal. The protocol is STILL working.

[torister]

Deb....awesome post!!

[hollyree]

@debkeversole - Thanks so much for those tips! I appreciate it! I just got my hhcg today. It was really warm when it came-like the mail truck was sitting in the sun or something so I hope the heat doesn't affect the efficacy of the hhcg

Anyway, I am going on vacation next week-leaving the 6th. Although its gonna be a pretty low key trip, just hanging on the beach for 4 days, should I just wait til I get back before starting?? I REALLY want to get started NOW, because I could have two weeks behind me by the time I get back, but I also don't want to screw up my first round. What do y'all think??

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by hollyree

@debkeversole - Thanks so much for those tips! I appreciate it! I just got my hhcg today. It was really warm when it came-like the mail truck was sitting in the sun or something so I hope the heat doesn't affect the efficacy of the hhcg

Anyway, I am going on vacation next week-leaving the 6th. Although its gonna be a pretty low key trip, just hanging on the beach for 4 days, should I just wait til I get back before starting?? I REALLY want to get started NOW, because I could have two weeks behind me by the time I get back, but I also don't want to screw up my first round. What do y'all think??

When my Hhcg came I put it in the fridge til it got cooler. I was not concerned about it not working, just wanted it cooler!! As for starting----how much in control of the food will you be when you go away? If you are in total control then by all means go ahead. But if you would be dependent on others for preparing your food or mainly eating out at restaurants then wait. When we go to the beach, we have a time share and make all our food right at the condo. I would also figure TOM into the equation--unless you are over it! When will that arrive?

[hollyree]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

When my Hhcg came I put it in the fridge til it got cooler. I was not concerned about it not working, just wanted it cooler!! As for starting----how much in control of the food will you be when you go away? If you are in total control then by all means go ahead. But if you would be dependent on others for preparing your food or mainly eating out at restaurants then wait. When we go to the beach, we have a time share and make all our food right at the condo. I would also figure TOM into the equation--unless you are over it! When will that arrive?

I don't really know when TOM will arrive LOL I have PCOS and my periods are SUPER sporadic-which is reason #1001 to get the weight off since it will help regulate my periods and ease my symptoms. So I really can't factor that into the equation of deciding to start, because who knows?! lol They are usually MONTHS apart anyway.

We will be staying in a condo so I would be able to cook my own meals and all but I will be on the beach all day and you can't use suntan oil (bummer) so *sigh* I don't know. Maybe it will be better if I wait. I'll mull it over tonight and then decide. Maybe I should spend the next week doing a body cleanse or something??
Thanks for the help!!

[walkingwoman]

There are oilfree suntan lotions available if you decide to go ahead with starting Google around and you'll see there are plenty of options.

[silkandsand]

Hi hollyree!

My friend, Tyler, and I were just talking about about products to use instead of shampoo, etc. I already love using baking soda and salt to brush my teeth. I am going to use a watery mix of baking soda and water to wash my hair (more baking soda if your hair is oily, less if it is dry) and then apple cider vinegar as a rinse to condition my hair...again, more cider if your hair is dry and less if it is oily. My hair is dang dry.

And I am going to use baking soda to wash my body...kind of like a pasty scrub. I may add salt for extra exfoliation. I love baking soda!!!

As for makeup....I guess I will not be using foundation but I do still plan to use eyeliner (eyeshadow that I wet) and mascara. My lipsticks mostly all use glycerin and not oil anyway because they are all day, dry on types.

[hollyree]

Originally Posted by walkingwoman

There are oilfree suntan lotions available if you decide to go ahead with starting Google around and you'll see there are plenty of options.

I know, I just really love Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil. Smells so good! I thought about just using baby oil just to keep my skin from drying out. I'll have a look around the next time I go shopping to see if I can find some other oil free tanning stuff. Thanks!

During P3 you can go back to using your lotions and other stuff with oil, right?

I'm really kinda leaning towards starting before I leave for vacation. Even if I'm in the sun, but avoid a sunburn, does anybody know if it will affect my weight loss? If it does, would it most likely be due to water retention? Which would be just temporary, right? I just don't want to screw up if I'm doing this on vacation. Its amazing how so many events in our lives revolve around food!

I don't think I'm going to change my makeup or shampoo/conditioner. My makeup is a powder foundation by Clinique. Pretty sure its oil free. I HAVE to have some conditioner on my hair, I'll just be sure not to get it on my scalp. I think I read somewhere, it may have even been in P&I that your normal shampoos & conditioners were ok as long as they were rinsed well and the conditioner wasn't applied to scalp. Anybody else know for sure about this? I know it differs for everyone so I'll give it a try with what I have and if I think its affecting my weight loss, I'll do something different.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by hollyree

During P3 you can go back to using your lotions and other stuff with oil, right?

I'm really kinda leaning towards starting before I leave for vacation. Even if I'm in the sun, but avoid a sunburn, does anybody know if it will affect my weight loss? If it does, would it most likely be due to water retention? Which would be just temporary, right? I just don't want to screw up if I'm doing this on vacation. Its amazing how so many events in our lives revolve around food!

On P3 I slather myself in my coconut oil!! Yes, it is fine on the first day of P3 to use your "regular" products. I don't know about the suntanning. I never did it in the time I was doing P2. But, before and after I love getting color!!! I use coconut oil as my tanning lotion so that was a definite no-no during P2 and the main reason I stopped while in P2.

[dawnyama]

Holly

I found this in another thread--posted by Okinawamary:

"I don't tan anymore, tried it once while on HCG, but I actually put on .2 pounds that next morning. I read that supposedly your body holds onto water because of either your skin being dried out trying to replenish, or if you burn it holds onto water because you swell a little. Either way, for me it was true. The gain was nothing I ate, because I have been 110% on plan since starting. I started 10 July 2010 with P1, then went into P2 on the 12th. It's the 23rd and I have lost almost 18 pounds in 12 days....can't complain!!!

I'm on hHCG, by the way, VLCD12"

************************************************** ********

If you look through all the threads all the info is there--you just have to set aside some computer time and sift through everything!! At least now it is easier as the threads are all in the same spot!

[hollyree]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

Holly

I found this in another thread--posted by Okinawamary:

"I don't tan anymore, tried it once while on HCG, but I actually put on .2 pounds that next morning. I read that supposedly your body holds onto water because of either your skin being dried out trying to replenish, or if you burn it holds onto water because you swell a little. Either way, for me it was true. The gain was nothing I ate, because I have been 110% on plan since starting. I started 10 July 2010 with P1, then went into P2 on the 12th. It's the 23rd and I have lost almost 18 pounds in 12 days....can't complain!!!

I'm on hHCG, by the way, VLCD12"

************************************************** ********

If you look through all the threads all the info is there--you just have to set aside some computer time and sift through everything!! At least now it is easier as the threads are all in the same spot!

I had read that post before-that's why I was thinking that if you were in the sun, any weight gained would most likely be water retention, therefore coming off later. As long as I could keep that in mind and not freak out, I think I would be ok. I'm still mulling it all over. I really want to get started but my whole vacation centers around being on the beach, and to NOT sunbathe is not an option, lol.

I have been reading, reading, reading but I start to forget what/where I read something. I think I get information overload, lol. But it is SUPER helpful now to have our own section for HCG. Much easier to navigate through all the threads!

[Victrola]

Originally Posted by silkandsand

Hi hollyree!

My friend, Tyler, and I were just talking about about products to use instead of shampoo, etc. I already love using baking soda and salt to brush my teeth. I am going to use a watery mix of baking soda and water to wash my hair (more baking soda if your hair is oily, less if it is dry) and then apple cider vinegar as a rinse to condition my hair...again, more cider if your hair is dry and less if it is oily. My hair is dang dry.

And I am going to use baking soda to wash my body...kind of like a pasty scrub. I may add salt for extra exfoliation. I love baking soda!!!

As for makeup....I guess I will not be using foundation but I do still plan to use eyeliner (eyeshadow that I wet) and mascara. My lipsticks mostly all use glycerin and not oil anyway because they are all day, dry on types.

Unless you really, really love all this baking soda, it's not all that necessary! I mean, there are lots of oil-free products out there that will not adversely affect the ph level of your skin if you do this everyday. I think washing your hair with only baking soda and vinegar for a month...well, you say your hair is dry now; I don't think this is the greatest idea!

[silkandsand]

Originally Posted by Victrola

Unless you really, really love all this baking soda, it's not all that necessary! I mean, there are lots of oil-free products out there that will not adversely affect the ph level of your skin if you do this everyday. I think washing your hair with only baking soda and vinegar for a month...well, you say your hair is dry now; I don't think this is the greatest idea!

I'm in Mexico so finding the oil free products is a bit of a challenge for me. However...I am not thrilled about all the baking soda in my hair, either. I love it for brushing my teeth and as an exfoliant though.

[Victrola]

Originally Posted by silkandsand

I'm in Mexico so finding the oil free products is a bit of a challenge for me. However...I am not thrilled about all the baking soda in my hair, either. I love it for brushing my teeth and as an exfoliant though.

Ah, I see. Hmm. Maybe try and not wash your hair very much then. I mean, I have read about baking soda used on hair, but if your hair is already dry, eeep!

And not washing your hair too much is actually very good for it!

[mybigbutt]

My hair isn't doing too well on this protocol. I used to use Wen, which was awesome for my thick coarse curly hair. But, it has oils in it so I had to switch to Pantene. It has wrecked my hair. I bought some Suave today to go back to condition-only washing.

[walkingwoman]

VO5 is ok, right? It's on sale at Kroger for .69 a bottle Cheap and ok! Yippee

[mybigbutt]

Originally Posted by walkingwoman

VO5 is ok, right? It's on sale at Kroger for .69 a bottle Cheap and ok! Yippee

Yes, I think Dawn used this

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by mybigbutt

Yes, I think Dawn used this

You betcha!! Cheapskate that I am!!! Worked for me!!

[mybigbutt]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

You betcha!! Cheapskate that I am!!! Worked for me!!

I'm a big spender... I spent 99 cents on my Suave.

[silkandsand]

V05 is ok?! I can get that here!!!

[Gilded Lily]

Just check the ingredients. I use Paul Mitchell and I don't see anything on the ingred. list that's off protocol.

[hollyree]

After much deliberation, I have decided to wait *sigh* until I get back from vacation to start the hcg. I'm so excited to get going but I don't want to have anything derail me, especially the first go round. So I won't be starting until Aug. 13 or 14 Reading the tips that debkeversole posted really helped me make my decision, so thanks for those!!. Until then, I will just keep reading and reading!

[ColleenMA66]

Holly,

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks so I won't be starting till the 13th as well. I've been waiting for over a month to start because I knew the time just wasn't right for me so I understand..lol

My first loading day will be Aug 13th! I can't wait. I've been reading and reading and so happy for everyone's successes.

[hollyree]

Ok, I know I have been completely wishy-washy about when to start, and had totally made up my mind that I would wait until I got back from vacation, so I completely understand if you all think I am not serious at all about this. Because I have changed my mind (again) and I am going to start loading tomorrow!! My vacation is just with my mother and my son and it is going to be really low key, not really eating out or anything. No one really has the $ to spend eating out the whole time anyway. So I spoke with my mom about it to make sure she understood if I start this before we go how strict I'm going to have to be so not to be disappointed if I don't go to dinner or don't want to eat certain things. I have a week to plan and cook what I need to take with me so that is what I am going to do. I just really hate the post-vacation bloat and don't want to come home with 5+ more pounds to lose. Plus, ever since I realized we have these loading days at the beginning, I've been somewhat "loading" everyday, lol. I can't seem to get my diet back to where it was before, which I know is just mental. So I don't want to spend the next two weeks "loading" and have even more weight to take off. So that's where I'm at with this. I've firmly made up my mind to start tomorrow and not stray one bit. I'm taking my scales with me too! One for the kitchen and one for me so I can stay on track. I feel good about my decision and I'm excited to get started!!

[mybigbutt]

Good for you, Holly. Seems like it will work out well for you since your mom knows what's up.