P2~ Newbies Going For It! Week 1~ January 1

[azjacque]

Uh-oh - Lucky..that's the tea I've been drinking all yesterday and today! OOPS! Well, that's out of there! Thanks so much for telling me!

I would like to get down to 150 which is 37 pounds away. I know I will have to do a couple of rounds, but hopefully I can do it by the time I turn 40 in July!

[lucky_d]

Well I had like 4 cups of the orange one yesterday and lost fine, but who knows? I just looked on the ingredient list and it says it also contains spearmint leaves. I am thinking that the idea is that you don't want anything strongly menthol flavored when doing the homeopathy. I wouldn't like pop an altoid in my mouth right before/after doing the drops, but I'm not going to obsess about it. With the tea being so dilute, I bet if you waited long enough and drank some water between it and the drops it would be okay.

Now I think I will go make some!

[hollyree]

Originally Posted by JeniferCA

I believe green and black teas are allowed per protocol, but I don't think anything with a fruit 'flavor' would be considered 'approved'. I could be wrong though. I actually hope I am because there is some apple/cinammon tea in our kitchen that I would like to try. LOL I've been sipping on green tea, but I don't love it.

Peppermint tea is ok to drink every now and again. It's been suggested to me when I was having tummy troubles. I tried the Yerba Mate and hated it. Blech.

The search for yummy tea continues!

P&I says "Tea, coffee, plain water, and mineral water are the only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times."

So from that, I take it to mean any tea is ok as long as there are no additional ingredients that would add calories. I am definitely going to drink chamomile and I have some lemon zinger that I'm going to try. I LOVE peppermint tea but since I'm doing the homeopathic hcg I think that will be off limits That's really unfortunate since I could drink that all day. Oh, well. Has anyone tried a yerba mate tea that they like? I heard it tasted bitter and just overall not very good but it's supposed to be really good for suppressing the appetite. If I come across any teas worth sharing I'll will let you all know!

[JeniferCA]

Another board I was on was super firm about teas saying that we could only have certain types.

I am THRILLED to learn that I can finally try that apple/cinammon in the kitchen. Woo hoo!

I am bummed about the whole mint thing though because brushing my teeth before taking my drops helps tremendously with that alcoholy taste. Sigh.

[minimonkey]

Good day, everyone!!! Welcome new people!

This is just so exciting I can barely stand it. I am down another .8 lbs today! I keep thinking this must be a fluke, but apparently not.

I love tea... pretty much all kinds of tea. I have been drinking green tea through this, along with my water and coffee... it is good for one, and I love it too. I think probably any kind of tea (minus additives) would be fine, personally -- but I am far from being an expert. I have cut out diet soda -- I can't believe it! (I'm a coke zero addict) I don't even miss it.

GREAT JOB everyone... keep it comin'!!!! I am so excited reading everyone's successes!

[minimonkey]

LUCKY -- I must know what you do to take care of your skin... it's gorgeous (and you are gorgeous all around)! Spill the beans, lady.

[JeniferCA]

Here are the ingredients in the apple/cinnamon tea:

Apples, cinnamon, hibiscus, orange peel, natural flavors (soy lecithin), rose hips, lemon peel, rose blossoms, licorice root

It's made by bigelow. Think it's ok?

[hollyree]

Originally Posted by JeniferCA

Another board I was on was super firm about teas saying that we could only have certain types.

I am THRILLED to learn that I can finally try that apple/cinammon in the kitchen. Woo hoo!

I am bummed about the whole mint thing though because brushing my teeth before taking my drops helps tremendously with that alcoholy taste. Sigh.

I guess the best thing to do is just try whatever kind of tea you want and see how it affects your weight loss. If it seems to interfere, then stop drinking it. Since most herbs and spices are allowed for seasoning food I would just think that most herbal teas are allowed along with green and black, again, as long as they didn't have added calories or definite non-protocol ingredients. But this is just my own opinion and interpretation of P&I.

And I'm like you, I'm bummed I can't use my minty toothpaste anymore. I love that stuff!!

[phxheelgirl]

R2 started yesterday for me! So posting here to join you all!

R2D1: -5.4

[lucky_d]

Why thank you mini! I hate to admit it but I am a fan of tanning beds. (assuming ducking position) I only do it about once a week for 10 minutes but it keeps me from looking/feeling pasty. I only do the facial tanner part of it for 5 minutes then turn it off. I wash my face with California Baby organic body wash/shampoo. I use Dr. Hauschka rose day cream lotion (when not on HCG). I think the best thing I have done for my looks is working out though. Since I started doing that like 7 years ago I have totally transformed myself. You look as good as you feel IMHO!

Another good herbal tea that I love is Ginger tea. Just plain ginger root is the only ingredient in it. I haven't had any of that yet since starting HCG. It's great for when you are cold as it seems to really warm you up inside. I like it best with honey or agave, but a stevia packet will also suffice in our present condition.

[lucky_d]

Jen I would totally not be afraid to drink that tea. When you think about it, what you are drinking is really just water that has been passed over those ingredients. You aren't actually eating the ingredients.

[JeniferCA]

So true. I'm drinking it and it's yummy! Now if it just had caffeine in it. LOL

[minimonkey]

Lucky -- the tanning bed thing doesn't surprise me, actually. I had a series of treatments on my face a few years ago for acne (from a cosmetic derm.) and they were essentially a tanning bed with an accelerator on my face ... called PhotoDynamic Therapy -- they helped a lot! Your regimen is clearly working, so I say keep it up!

I am a huge skincare addict, always searching for the fountain of youth. I can't wait to get back to working out again.. I kinda fell off the wagon this last year, due to a crazy schedule and a minor Lyme relapse, but am feeling ready to start again. I think I will wait until I am done with p2 though... just trying to abide by protocol. I tend towards an all or nothing attitude... so I am dying to start! I'm pretty active generally, but have been on winter break and have been doing a lot of sitting on my booty.

[minimonkey]

PHX--- so glad you are here with us! You are doing great!!!!!!!

[lucky_d]

Mini, I was thinking what I might try on the exercise thing is this... I'm taking a break right now while I am adjusting to the protocol. If the hunger/droopiness improves I may go walk on the treadmill for like 30 min or so, but I'm not pushing for it. It's only 3 weeks. After that I will definitely start my exercise back up during P3. I may not be able to go full throttle with no carbs, but I can definitely do something.

Then once I stabilize myself, I am thinking I might do another P2 but do 800 cals instead of 500 along with a light workout. I have heard some other people say that it works and I would be interested to see if so. But I want to get the first one done "by the book" and not tamper with it.

[minimonkey]

I was thinking along the same lines, Lucky. I hope to hit goal this round, and then do a very solid p3, and start working out at that point. I was thinking about doing a second p2 round (maybe at higher calories, or drop a bit below goal?) just to lock in the results. We'll see.

Or, maybe I will just do this round until I am 5 lbs below where I'd really like to stay, and then be super religious about the stabilizing part. This whole thing is a work in progress.

[emel]

Celestial Seasonings Morning Thunder is black tea and yerba mate. It's an intense flavor. Kind of woody. You can get it at some health stores. You can order it online.

[hollyree]

emel - thanks for that suggestion. I will consider giving that a try. Not sure a "woody" flavor sounds appealing though.

Does anyone know if you have to stay within the 2 lb range of the LDW during P4? You all were talking about exercise and I am really wanting to get back into running so I thought maybe I would wait until I got to P4 to start working on it but didn't know if you were supposed to be stable throughout that phase as well. Just curious, as I have a ways to go before p4 gets here

[azjacque]

Originally Posted by hollyree

I guess the best thing to do is just try whatever kind of tea you want and see how it affects your weight loss. If it seems to interfere, then stop drinking it. Since most herbs and spices are allowed for seasoning food I would just think that most herbal teas are allowed along with green and black, again, as long as they didn't have added calories or definite non-protocol ingredients. But this is just my own opinion and interpretation of P&I.

And I'm like you, I'm bummed I can't use my minty toothpaste anymore. I love that stuff!!

That's what I'm going to do!!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by hollyree

emel - thanks for that suggestion. I will consider giving that a try. Not sure a "woody" flavor sounds appealing though.

Does anyone know if you have to stay within the 2 lb range of the LDW during P4? You all were talking about exercise and I am really wanting to get back into running so I thought maybe I would wait until I got to P4 to start working on it but didn't know if you were supposed to be stable throughout that phase as well. Just curious, as I have a ways to go before p4 gets here

Oh, I know I am not a newbie but just had to comment. I will bust this party up only on this point, I promise!! P4 is your life maintenance so you can do what you want in P4!!! You can be lower or higher than your LDW while in P4. Yes, any exercise is great!!! I have been in P4 for weeks now and just realized that I can add back in my exercise. I don't know why I keep forgetting about it! I started back to my Walk away the pounds/The Firm routine today and I love it!! What hcg and exercise has done for me that is!!! While in P2 I just never had the energy to do my normal exercise routine so I cut it to a 20 mins stroll with my dog and 4 year old. Good luck to y'all who are newbies!!

[tlk2678]

So glad this thread was started. I'm R1P2D1...this morning my first VLCD I was down a pound. The dreadful TOM came yesterday so its kinda hard to know what my normal weight should have been...but it's a loss and I will gladly take it. Thankfully I havent been hungry today...but day 2 is tomorrow I'm sure it coming! lol Thanks for all the encouragement!!! We can do this...I Know we can!!!!!

[minimonkey]

I started TOM after my first VLC day, too. It hasn't slowed anything down, but it does make it hard to know what's what. For whatever reason, I am on day 6 and still not hungry much at all... I'l take it!

My jeans are not as tight today! Whoohoo! Can't wait until this pair is falling off, and the smaller ones are fitting again. Goal, here I come....!!!!!!!!

[JeniferCA]

That's it .... I'm throwing out my grissini. I don't know what my problem is this round! It's like I have no self control! I overate them yesterday and overate them AGAIN tonight. Instead of 2 breadsticks today I had six! I was so hungry when I got home from work that they were in my mouth before I even knew what was happening.

Welll, they are now in the garbage. Sheesh.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[minimonkey]

Goodbye, evil breadsticks.. be gone!!!!! Sorry you are feeling so much hunger...that is definitely not pleasant. Hope you get the "day 10" effect sooner this time around.

[JeniferCA]

You and me both, Mini! I was like my evil twin tonight. Good grief!

[Lil Donna]

Lets talk about HHCG... what are some things you know about it, little or big

do not keep it near electronics
tap the bottom of the bottle before dropping to activate it


Go!

[Lil Donna]

Good night all!

19 days to go! Keep on keeping on!

[Turkeywings]

JeniferCA: I'm glad to hear I wasn't alone in the awful first round first days. I almost quit by day 8.. I was so sick, detoxing bad and starving all the time. But it finally went away and I'm so glad I stuck with it.

I used Stash Orange Spice tea last time because I think plain green tea is gross. There is a tea called Good Earth I think it was. On their site it says it's totally without sugar, but it tastes sweet. It's very cinnamony, so much more flavor than other unsweetened teas.

As far as protocol, I'm going to push my limits a little this time. I stuck by the book, and the board I was going to was always quick to tell you that what you were doing wasn't allowed. I feel that there's got to be some things around now since Dr. S wrote this that weren't considered. Such as ground turkey or buffalo vs beef, adding in another low glycemic veggies like broccoli, etc.

I tried broccoli tonight and I had a coke zero earlier today. Guess we'll see if it slows my losses down, I sure hope not because a little variety will help me stay on plan. It's only day 1 of VLCD and I don't want to do it anymore lol

[azjacque]

Dang! Tap the bottom to aactivate? I didn't know this...eeekk!

Here's hoping for great WHOOSHES tonight in dreamland!

[JeniferCA]

I know the feeling, Turkeywings. The last board I used to frequent was brutal. I'm so glad I found LCF for this round. I know this crazy hunger will subside .. I just need to be patient! That said, I'm glad I threw out my grissini. They were EVIL. Haha.

I always think about trying out new things, but I'm too scared!

Jacque, I've never tapped my bottle and I did just find my first round (21 pounds in 23 days). I also used mint toothpaste my whole round and even used to brush my teeth before my drops and I don't believe any harm was caused.

That said, now I wonder if my losses could have been greater if I *had* done those things. LOL