HCG Alternative Plans week of 1/10/11

[droy]

Originally Posted by Lil Donna

How far off protocol are some of you going? Induction? Induction with fruit?
No fat? No sugar? No starch?

I add in 1/2 protein shake a day, I am a believer that more protein is important. I don't use melba. I also don't freak if I have a cheat bite here and there. Round one I was more strict and this round I am still losing the same exact amount of weight.

[droy]

Originally Posted by ollie

Hi Everyone,
Just checking in (man this board moves fast!!!)

Today is VLCD #9, down 8.8 lbs. I ate rogue most of this past weekend, dinners out - though I stuck to salads with meat. On Saturday, I did indulge in the "sassy salad" at Famous Dave's: mixed greens, ommited cheese and potato strings, but forgot to have them omit the carrots. Came with sliced brisket (no sauce) and I dabbed on their blue cheese dressing (YUM). I have also been eating a small handful of walnuts per day and one russell stovers SF dark chocolate.

I stalled over the weekend with all the eating out I did, but didn't gain - so I was happy with that. As soon as I was back on track for Monday, I saw another 2 pound loss. and a little over .5 this morning.

I am so loving this new "rogue" way to do this diet. I really struggled my first round following by the book. This is so much easier to stick with, and I don't feel like I'm starving!!

Kay

This is my plan for this weekend. Great job on not gaining! That is awesome!!!! I have been reading some "roguers" believe a cheat meal or day breaks stalls. Starting to believe it as well!

[j4Christ]

Hello all! Just a quick post to say hi! Weight is still at 136 today. That's okay. I feel great that I actually did a 500 cal. day yesterday.

To reply to what plans most of us are doing, I'm now trying JUDDD. Keep in mind that whenever someone posts their success on a certain plan I switch over to that planSo that is my plan as of NOW! Today is an up day but I will keep it LC with some wine!

Have a great day!

[Deb294evr]

Originally Posted by j4Christ

Hello all! Just a quick post to say hi! Weight is still at 136 today. That's okay. I feel great that I actually did a 500 cal. day yesterday.

To reply to what plans most of us are doing, I'm now trying JUDDD. Keep in mind that whenever someone posts their success on a certain plan I switch over to that planSo that is my plan as of NOW! Today is an up day but I will keep it LC with some wine!

Have a great day!

HEY WHATEVER WORKS!

[Gremom]

Morning all! A big Hello to those I haven't met yet. So glad to have you join us!

Thank you to everyone for sharing what you are doing. It is great to see that this plan works for so many of us and we are doing it differenty. I have to agree with Deb that protocol is a bit outdated. I think you do have to limit calories, but I believe that you need to do that for many different weight loss plans, even low carb, but that is just my opinion.

Paula-I don't know how you keep track of all that! My head was spinning thinking of doing all that! I am not an organized person at all. Don't tell DH I admitted that or I'll have to kill ya!

I didn't lose today, but no worries. I am still getting ovet this dreadful uti. I was able to get in a light workout today and it felt great. I may need a nap later though. I also think that I let too many things that allow yeast to grow back in my diet and I am starting to feel bad from candida again. Mainly the peanut butter, flax meal and the coffee. I hate to give those up again, but I need to feel better. It doesn't help that I am on an antibiotic either, but I am taking heavy doses of probiotics while on them and also taking some antifungals. It kinda stinks, but I'm not gonna whine about it if I feel better. Sorry for the rambling! :blush:

Hope everyone has a great day!

[phxheelgirl]

Morning everyone! Reporting in today with a 1.0 lb loss! That puts me at -14.6 in 9 completed days!

[Turkeywings]

I'm down 13.9 lbs on day 9 of VLCD! I ate half a snack packet of peanuts yesterday because I was so hungry (they were delicious!) so I was worried. It took me into the 3rd week my first round to get this far and I did by the book then. This time I'm mixing veggies, having splenda,truvia, diet drinks, turkey, tuna, eggs and it's been way easier.
I'm within a pound of what my driver's license says. I've never been even close lol

[phxheelgirl]

Originally Posted by droy

I add in 1/2 protein shake a day, I am a believer that more protein is important. I don't use melba. I also don't freak if I have a cheat bite here and there. Round one I was more strict and this round I am still losing the same exact amount of weight.

Can you tell me your recipe for the protein shake? Or the product you use?

[phxheelgirl]

Originally Posted by Turkeywings

I'm down 13.9 lbs on day 9 of VLCD! I ate half a snack packet of peanuts yesterday because I was so hungry (they were delicious!) so I was worried. It took me into the 3rd week my first round to get this far and I did by the book then. This time I'm mixing veggies, having splenda,truvia, diet drinks, turkey, tuna, eggs and it's been way easier.
I'm within a pound of what my driver's license says. I've never been even close lol

The good old drivers license weight lie! Too funny I think almost ALL women do this! Congrats on your results! We are very similar...I've lost 14.6 in 9 completed days. We can be weight loss twins!

[droy]

Originally Posted by phxheelgirl

Can you tell me your recipe for the protein shake? Or the product you use?

UltraLean Body Composition Formula Chocolate 14 Servings by Biogenesis Nutraceuticals
these are the ones I use. I get them from my dr and this is the site she orders off. The vanilla is delicious in iced coffee - tastes like a vanilla latte. They are sooo good. I also noticed the muscle milk light has very similar nutritian facts. I only do 1/2 of one in the morning and do another half at night if I start craving sugar or something.

[phxheelgirl]

Originally Posted by droy

UltraLean Body Composition Formula Chocolate 14 Servings by Biogenesis Nutraceuticals
these are the ones I use. I get them from my dr and this is the site she orders off. The vanilla is delicious in iced coffee - tastes like a vanilla latte. They are sooo good. I also noticed the muscle milk light has very similar nutrician facts. I only do 1/2 of one in the morning and do another half at night if I start craving sugar or something.

Great! Thank you so much!

[ollie]

Hi Everyone,
Just checking in this morning. VLCD #10, down another pound today for a total loss of 10.2 lbs

Regarding the question posed earlier about how far off protocol we are eating: for me, I am eating more of a very strict atkins induction. I am not counting calories, but I only eat two small portions of food a day, I think I'm probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 800-900 calories per day. I'm eating eggs, chicken and sirloin as my main protein sources. I mix veggies. I add a little fat for cooking and use it in salad dressings. I reward myself daily with ONE russell stovers SF dark chocolate candy and a small handful of nuts. I also drink one cup of coffee per day with 2 splenda and about a tbsp of heavy cream.

I did the protocol in July - by the book!! It was very difficult, but I did lose about 17 lbs in 21 days. I am pretty much on the same track weightloss wise as my first round. So I would have to say that if you are careful about how "rogue" you go, or if you don't mind losing a bit slower, you can experiment with adding foods and see how you do. If you stall, you can try sticking closer to protocol.

Happy losses everyone!!!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by Gremom

Paula-I don't know how you keep track of all that! My head was spinning thinking of doing all that! I am not an organized person at all. Don't tell DH I admitted that or I'll have to kill ya!

I have to admit that I log it in an Excel file, as well as keep info in ******. I really overobsess about this stuff too much! But that's me.

As far as organized...only my excel files. Everything else around here is a mess! :blush:

[lostfox]

Originally Posted by mherb

Hi ladies,

I hope you don't mind me joining your group. I have been silently following along with you since December. I am currently in P4 of my first round of hcg. I did the pellets and lost about 16 lbs. total. I am up almost 4 pounds from my lowest weight. I have been eating a lot of whole grain carbs lately and need to cut back! I have also been exercising for 1/2 hour daily so I am not sure if that is making a difference.

My first round was a bit rogue. I am mainly vegetarian and was having a very tough time at the end of the last round. I started using Greek yogurt, Jay Robb shakes, and some coconut oil. It didn't make the scale go up so I stuck with it. I would really like to do a more liberal round but am not sure where to begin?? I would love to stick to a more vegetarian plan. I would be happy with shakes, Greek yogurt, and nice big salads with olive oil dressing. I will eat canned tuna and fresh shrimp so those are options too.

Any words of advice would be great. Lostfox I have really been following your info. You are such a great help! I would love to hear more about your enzymes and Chinese beauty tea

Hey jherb - I think your plan and your foods sound great, they sound very healthy and balanced for being mainly vegetarian. You had a great success in your first round. I'm sure you'll do great this time around too and figure out some more choices. I like to load up on the veggies and make lots of fairly low carb, low-glycemic and low cal soups. Sometimes I'll throw a bit of lentils in there too. Definitely I use hemp protein and fiber powder to make protein shakes as often as possible - not quite daily, but just about. I use 2/3 cup almond milk, 2/3 cup of berries and 1 serving of hemp, and it's only about 140 calories. About as much protein as 2 eggs, so it's a pretty good little meal. I also use almond bread - about 150 calories a slice, it goes great with a veggie soup.

I just wanted to reply to your question before I forgot! I found this Chinese Beauty tea at the local store that has a lot of imports, I'm in Canada. It's called Bojenmi Beauty Tea and it was very cheap too. It has about 12 Chinese herbs I'd never heard of... I started looking it up online and was really impressed with these herbs which are known to reduce both fat and cholesterol... but I was a bit disappointed that it had fermented wheat and/or barley (can't remember quite which, right now). So, it's not gluten free. It also contains a tiny bit of Senna, but it's only a mild laxative/diuretic - it's nothing like Dieter's tea and its effects aren't due to BMs or dehydration. Since I wanted to eventually use this tea, when I found some good looking enzymes for digesting protein of wheat and dairy for $17 recently, I bought them and started taking the tea.

You can find the enzymes anywhere, some are quite cheap, but I'd look for something at least middle of the line - these were labeled specifically for gluten/casein digestion. I have also heard that for people who are unable to lose weight, enzymes can be a really helpful addition. Here's hoping.

Ok guys, I've got some news... lol, something I've learned lately that surprised me and gave me some hope - next post, just to break this up so it's not too long.

[12yrslater]

Everyone. Forgot to weigh this morning which upsets me but it may be good thing as well

I am still on the hhcg and atkins induction. Man what a difference I feel eating this way than on P2. I am almost skipping around when I walk, I'm happy! I am being mindful of not overeating tho. I eat a normal portions.

I'll weigh in tomorrow to see what this week did for me...

[lostfox]

Oh guys, I've been sick especially today and yesterday - it explains why I've been falling asleep on the couch the past few nights instead of exercising, it's my body's way of telling me - NO WAY!!!

It's just a cold, but it started coming on last Friday, and i was fighting it, but the last couple of days, it has made it's presence known Need lots of extra sleep, that's for sure, and I wish I could have a day or two of just lounging around the house. But alas, I'm a mom...

Ok so here's what I learned lately that is really exciting for me. I had learned earlier of leptin, and of the effect of 'cheat days' while dieting in boosting levels of leptin, and reducing hunger. Well, it turns out, that's only part of the story. This kind of thing isn't going to help much in the long run if you're leptin resistant.

In leptin resistance, we already make too much leptin, so what we want to do is lower leptin levels and increase our body's sensitivity to it (just like insulin resistance). In that case, it seems, a cheat day is probably just going to aggravate cravings and resistance to losing fat in the long run... if you're not leptin resistant, boosting leptin levels like that is great, but if you are... doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore.

I know I've been spinning in circles with these carb cravings and inability to stick to plan over the past month or two. Learning about leptin resistance and how to heal it is really going to help me, I think.

The best resource for describing this, for me, was the Rosedale Diet book. It is one way to definitely heal your leptin resistance. It's a high healthy fat, moderate protein and non-starchy diet.

However, the author also refers to the exact same kind of studies that the JUDDD author speaks of - the lab animals on long term calorie restriction. It turns out, they had low leptin levels too - that calorie restriction also heals the leptin resistance. Putting two and two together, it would seem then that the JUDDD plan heals leptin resistance... so there are two possible avenues right there. Do a Rosedale diet plan (where you actually have to limit your protein as opposed to an Atkins plan where protein is unlimited). Or do a solid alternate day diet plan.

There's one more great thing we can do to heal leptin. Woohoo! It's an herb! It's called African Mango and is the only known substance in the world that can help to heal leptin resistance!

So that's my plan - JUDDD and I'll get in some African Mango asap. I just can't do the Rosedale diet, I'd like to continue eating healthy starches such as beets, carrots, legumes, etc. It's too restrictive. And if we can get the same effects by alternate day dieting regardless of the specific foods we eat, I'm all for that.

What I am really looking forward to is the results of healing the leptin resistance. Less cravings for sugar and carbs. Less appetite, and so on. This is what I've really been struggling with. Now, for starters, I need to stick solidly to JUDDDing... I messed up and turned a DD into an UD yesterday, so it's a reboot today. Wish me luck

[julieboolie]

Just a pop in. (Back) down to 155.6-.8 this morning (between probably). YEAH!! Back down to LDW (more or less) and hoping to move into virgin territory tomorrow!!

I am probably gonna' do a bit higher cals on the weekend. I'm torn b/c if I'm losing I want to keep it up but afraid if I don't take a little break I will stall out sooner. Thoughts, opinions?

[lostfox]

Yay Julie! You hung in there and you made it back!

I don't know, maybe go slightly higher on the weekend and - as Deb says - hopefully, lock in your losses?

[12yrslater]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Just a pop in. (Back) down to 155.6-.8 this morning (between probably). YEAH!! Back down to LDW (more or less) and hoping to move into virgin territory tomorrow!!

I am probably gonna' do a bit higher cals on the weekend. I'm torn b/c if I'm losing I want to keep it up but afraid if I don't take a little break I will stall out sooner. Thoughts, opinions?

WTG on getting to your LDW!!!!

Take the break Just don't over do it!

[minimonkey]

Hi Ladies! Great work!

Gremom, I am so sorry to hear you are battling that UTI/Yeast mess... I struggled with that for years (thankfully, not so much anymore) ! They are painful and awful, and then the antibiotics make the yeast worse, ugh. Hope you recover quickly! I found that taking a lot of vitamin C tends to help knock out a UTI.

Julie -- I am wondering whether to try to do a day or two of higher calories as well... I am getting so used to just eating one small meal a day, that I am almost afraid to mess with it. My losses are slowing, though, and I had a weird jump UP today, so perhaps something like that is in order. I will ride it out this way a couple more days, and decide.

So proud of all you ladies who are losing well, and also those who aren't yet, but are sticking to the program.

[jolenethequeen]

LD1: 293.6
LD2: 294.4
VLCD 1: 294.0
VLCD 2: 291.8
VLCD 3: 290.4
VLCD 4: 288.0
VLCD 5: 287.2
VLCD 6: 286.0
VLCD 7: 286.0
VLCD 8: 287.2
VLCD 9: 286.6
VLCD 10: 284.0
VLCD 11: 283.0

Did 35 minutes on the elliptical last night, dont know if it helped with the 1 pound loss or not, but enjoyed my workout!

Going to try it again tonight!

Have a good day everyone!

[Gremom]

Julie! Glad you were able to get back down to LDW. WTG!! I think you can have a little more on the weekends, but don't over do it. You will know by Monday what your body can handle.

minimonkey, it is nice to see someone who understands, but so sorry that you had to deal with that too. I talked to my chiro today and she too recommended vit C along with cranberry pills and rest. HA!! Rest?!? I have 3 kids, so I will just take what I can get when I get it!

jolene-great job on the workout and the loss. i really like my elliptical too!

Carina-great info! I wish I had the time to get all that info in like you, but I guess I have you to do the work for me! I am so tempted to try JUDDD as well. Maybe I will start on Monday.

12yrs-maybe you will get a super big whoosh tomorrow. I hate when I forget to weigh too.

phx and turkey-GREAT LOSSES!!!! KUTGW!!!!

paula-i can't even organize on excel! I am mess too! I hate it, but I have come to know that that is how I am.

Hope everyone is having a good evening. I am going to go make myself a ribeye. Haven't had one in a while and I wanted one. So I am giong to enjoy it!

[minimonkey]

Lostfox -- thanks so much for posting that -- it was very informative!

[minimonkey]

Gremom -- I've never tried this myself, but I know a couple of people who swear by the Azo products... they make a yeast one, and also one for UTIs.

Also, there is now a urinary antiseptic/anaesthetic available over-the-counter at Walgreens. I used to use a prescription version of it, but I can't remember what it was called. Anyhow, it greatly reduces the discomfort while you are getting better.

[julieboolie]

Thanks guys!! I will listen to my body and see what happens. If I'm hungrier over the weekend I'll allow myself some more calories. All LC, no carbs though. I like the idea of keeping the metabolism revved up and mixing it up, but I'm a chicken too! I am afraid to mess when it's working. If I wake tomorrow to no loss, I'll reevaluate .

Mini-love your new avi pic! So cute!! I agree, if it's still working and you're happy with it, why mess? It's when I stall that I start to get fidgety with my plan.

Stacey-feel better and enjoy that steak!

Carina-interesting. So limiting calories and doing up days would help heal Leptin resistance if I read that correctly. I've definitely been doing calorie restriction, and now I'm probably gonna' do more cycling too. Wonder if that's why the hcg plan "resets" the metabolism? Thanks for sharing.

Pati-bummer you didn't weigh, but you'll have a nice drop tomorrow .

Gotta' run. you guys!!

[minimonkey]

Thanks about the avitar pic, Julie -- that's one of my recycled clothing designs. I am having a ball with this project!

[Somewhat Damaged]

I think leptin def plays a big part in 'this whole thing'.

I'm increasingly of the opinion (*checks to make sure she's on the alternative plan thread*) that there really is not a lot of magic to hcg.... that it's primarily the calorie restriction, and the hcg just helps with hunger.

Anyone else? Or should I prepare for gunfire? lol

[Turkeywings]

SOMEWHAT DAMAGED: I've wondered the same thing. I wondered if thats why i have intense hunger the first few days or in round one, for a week, and that the body just adjusts to the lower calories & doesnt get hungry as quickly? I also thjnk the cutting out all the crap we eat & being restrictive makes people so scared to try other foods, that there is less "cheating" therefore more success?

Woman's world apparently had an article recently that said hcg diets were just a starvation diet & the hcg just helped curb the appetite.

If its true i guess it doesnt really matter, because it works for me. I am curious though.

I also wonder if me using lotion can cause the hcg not to work because it's supposedly working on thelotion is really true? My hands are ridiculously dry, it's gross.

[Deb294evr]

Originally Posted by Somewhat Damaged

I think leptin def plays a big part in 'this whole thing'.

I'm increasingly of the opinion (*checks to make sure she's on the alternative plan thread*) that there really is not a lot of magic to hcg.... that it's primarily the calorie restriction, and the hcg just helps with hunger.

Anyone else? Or should I prepare for gunfire? lol

I totally agree with you to my dismay.... I wanted it to be a magic potion, but I think it is an appetite suppressant and does help in some fat burning while the calories are the reason we lose so fast... no gunfire here.

[Somewhat Damaged]

Originally Posted by Turkeywings

SOMEWHAT DAMAGED: I've wondered the same thing. I wondered if thats why i have intense hunger the first few days or in round one, for a week, and that the body just adjusts to the lower calories & doesnt get hungry as quickly? I also thjnk the cutting out all the crap we eat & being restrictive makes people so scared to try other foods, that there is less "cheating" therefore more success?

Woman's world apparently had an article recently that said hcg diets were just a starvation diet & the hcg just helped curb the appetite.

If its true i guess it doesnt really matter, because it works for me. I am curious though.

I also wonder if me using lotion can cause the hcg not to work because it's supposedly working on thelotion is really true? My hands are ridiculously dry, it's gross.

I feel the same. I mean, I've lost 35 lbs so... something's working!

I haven't been diligent avoiding oils on my skin through any of my rounds (on r4) and no problems here. My opinion is lotion away!

Originally Posted by Deb294evr

I totally agree with you to my dismay.... I wanted it to be a magic potion, but I think it is an appetite suppressant and does help in some fat burning while the calories are the reason we lose so fast... no gunfire here.

Whew!

I think I read a study that basically said hcg does act on the hypothalamus similar to the way that leptin does, which would explain the hunger suppression and any effects on the metabolism. I think there is definitely an immunity effect that takes place (with rx at least) because the more rounds I've done, the hungrier I get. Today, I had another fat binge. If I'm not careful I might screw this round up =\