HCG Alternative Plans week of 1/24/11

[Mimosa23]

Wow! seems like some big losses happened the last few days!!!!!! Well done everyone!!

Just popping back in to say that tomorrow is my last dosing day, my bottle will then be empty! I am thinking of going to P3 till after I come back from my weeks' trip the USA at the end of February, (visiting my brother and other family there) back on the 1st of March. I will then decide how what and so on I will do about any weight I then need to lose! (I will have a look for hHcg whilst over in the USA) I can then do another short round rogue style to shave off those last pounds if I still need it.

I am finding the whole JUDDD/mindful LC eating is doing me lots of good anyway, so I will keep it up!

[laceymichelle]

Originally Posted by Gremom

This is kinda what I did the first round, but I obsessed about calories and then I got sick and couldn't continue, but I lost about 7lbs in just over 2 weeks. That works for me. I say join me and we can do this together! Everyone here has great plans, you just have to find what works for you and I really like eating LC. Good luck to you!

gremom-
Ok lets do it! So what is a typical day for you? We have about the same stats! I would love to get down to 130-125lbs but I know I look good at 135! I had 1 1/2 cups coffee this morning both with some HWC...im going to switch to half and half tomorrw(less fat). But so far so good today for me. Not hungry at all! Loving it! I plan on shrimp with a tomato for lunch and chicken with spinach for dinner! Have a great day!

[mermaid]

Well, I'm up a pound today. Not worried though. I mean, how much fat could I have possibly gained on 700 calories yesterday? Sometimes ya just gotta do the math.

I got an email this morning telling me what a scam homeopathic HCG is. I was just a tad rude in my response to them. One thing I can't stand is people poking their noses into things they don't understand and haven't experienced. I sure hope the FDA doesn't yank HHCG. I'm going to stock up just in case.

Julie, you said most of what I was thinking. And congrats to you as well. You're just tearin' up the track as far as I'm concerned.

Gremom and Julie, I think your way of doing this is suited to me too. Paula is also similar except for the off-and-on thing, which I could not trust myself to do.

PXH--right on. Looks like you're really cookin' too!

I'm just going to keep plugging away today, staying under 700 cals, drinking plenty of water and getting my vitamins in. The scale may or may not reflect it tomorrow, but eventually it will. Already my clothes are way looser.

Thanks for your posts everybody--it really keeps me motivated and gives me lots of good ideas.

[phxheelgirl]

Originally Posted by mermaid

Well, I'm up a pound today. Not worried though. I mean, how much fat could I have possibly gained on 700 calories yesterday? Sometimes ya just gotta do the math.

I got an email this morning telling me what a scam homeopathic HCG is. I was just a tad rude in my response to them. One thing I can't stand is people poking their noses into things they don't understand and haven't experienced. I sure hope the FDA doesn't yank HHCG. I'm going to stock up just in case.

Julie, you said most of what I was thinking. And congrats to you as well. You're just tearin' up the track as far as I'm concerned.

Gremom and Julie, I think your way of doing this is suited to me too. Paula is also similar except for the off-and-on thing, which I could not trust myself to do.

PXH--right on. Looks like you're really cookin' too!

I'm just going to keep plugging away today, staying under 700 cals, drinking plenty of water and getting my vitamins in. The scale may or may not reflect it tomorrow, but eventually it will. Already my clothes are way looser.

Thanks for your posts everybody--it really keeps me motivated and gives me lots of good ideas.

Oh dear!! Is there talk of hhcg getting yanked? Has anyone else heard this? If so I'm going to buy a warehouse full!!!!

[mermaid]

Oh yeah, Nori. I feel your pain, but don't despair. That was just a mini binge, a little blip in the radar. You most likely did not gain any fat from that, but just some water. I can't really say if it would be good to keep going on VLCD right now or not, but I can say that either way, just relax and don't worry. It's just a part of the process of retraining ourselves for a thinner future.

[mermaid]

Originally Posted by phxheelgirl

Oh dear!! Is there talk of hhcg getting yanked? Has anyone else heard this? If so I'm going to buy a warehouse full!!!!

You know, those emails can be a little over the top, so I don't know if they were full of it or not. They did say that the FDA made some kind of statement about it. When they do decide to yank things, though, they usually do it abruptly leaving no chance to get more. I haven't looked further into it yet.

[nori71]

Originally Posted by lovingthrill

Have any of you started out without doing exactly the protocol? I recall when I was doing this many people did the strict protocol for a few weeks and then went off of it.

With my history of binging while being strict...I have not spent one day on Dr S protocol. Today the plan is to be as close to it as possible - although I already had 4T milk in my coffee!

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Nori -- I have no idea what to tell you -- I have had such a long stall that I am terrified of veering much off protcol at all. Hopefully one of the experts will come along and chime in.... and you are right.. that wasn't an actual binge -- it was eating pretty normally for a single day. Maybe the scale will be kinder than you think.... I hope so!

I decided to stick with it for the intended 40+ days and just go for it. I was up 3 pounds this am, no shock, but better than the scary stories that people gain 8 pounds after eating a piece of bread or something!

[nori71]

Originally Posted by mermaid

Oh yeah, Nori. I feel your pain, but don't despair. That was just a mini binge, a little blip in the radar. You most likely did not gain any fat from that, but just some water. I can't really say if it would be good to keep going on VLCD right now or not, but I can say that either way, just relax and don't worry. It's just a part of the process of retraining ourselves for a thinner future.

Thanks for the pep talk! Yeah, I have no choice but to go for it. And not bring hummus into the house for now!:blush: I am starving today, I'm sure my body is freaking out for more carbs... I may eat an early lunch, but I am determined to stick it out.

[firmforever]

Hi all..I was wondering how long can I do rogue and take hHCG. I started loading on January 11 and have not been followig it as well as I would like. I have a party this weekend and a friend in from out of town the weekend of the 4th. I would like to relax on these days...in between I am doing my best but I am wondering if I should stop the drops and start again in two weeks. I have to say I have so much more engery and feel great on these drops so I hate to quit them. Are the drops somethign we HAVE to take a break from? I hope I am making sense...thanks much.

[Gremom]

Originally Posted by laceymichelle

gremom-
Ok lets do it! So what is a typical day for you? We have about the same stats! I would love to get down to 130-125lbs but I know I look good at 135! I had 1 1/2 cups coffee this morning both with some HWC...im going to switch to half and half tomorrw(less fat). But so far so good today for me. Not hungry at all! Loving it! I plan on shrimp with a tomato for lunch and chicken with spinach for dinner! Have a great day!

Yes, we are very close in stats. I too would love to get down in the 120s, but may stick with 135 when I get there. My friends keep saying I'll be too skinny if I lose another 15lbs or so, but I don't see that I am thin yet. That is a whole other story though! :blush:

Anyway, I have cut out coffee b/c I just can't tolerate it, even decaff. I miss it, but not too much. I also can't tolerate dairy very well and only ever have it every so ofter or so. So, I have been drinking a lot of herbal tea and I put a packet of ideal (xylitol) or some liquid stevia in them. Today for breakfast I had some ground turkey with cabbage and onions. I made a batch with about 1lb of turkey and then half/head of cabbage and a small onion. Cooked it all up with a little chicken broth to soften the cabbage. It makes 4 servings for me. Last night I made a meatloaf with lean ground sirloin and that will also make 4 servings for me. So I will have that for lunch or dinner today. I also like egg drop soup and that is quick and easy. Making bigger servings at once saves me from cooking all the time.

Sorry that was so long. Hope it helps!

[mermaid]

Originally Posted by firmforever

Hi all..I was wondering how long can I do rogue and take hHCG. I started loading on January 11 and have not been followig it as well as I would like. I have a party this weekend and a friend in from out of town the weekend of the 4th. I would like to relax on these days...in between I am doing my best but I am wondering if I should stop the drops and start again in two weeks. I have to say I have so much more engery and feel great on these drops so I hate to quit them. Are the drops somethign we HAVE to take a break from? I hope I am making sense...thanks much.

It's very safe to keep taking the drops. The evidence seems to indicate that building an immunity to the RX is not likely, and homeopathic even less likely. Now whether it will keep being effective or not, who knows. Maybe you'll be the guinea pig on that one? I think someone else made a post about that, but I can't remember who. They just said they were going to try drops for maintaining. Maybe they'll chime in.

[firmforever]

Thanks Mermaid you are also so fast and helpful to me I appreciate.

I just wonder when I want to buckle down and get serious. ( this was my first attempt and although I thought i was mentally prepared i guess not) i am wondering should i load again for two days at some point?

[nori71]

Originally Posted by mermaid

It's very safe to keep taking the drops. The evidence seems to indicate that building an immunity to the RX is not likely, and homeopathic even less likely. Now whether it will keep being effective or not, who knows. Maybe you'll be the guinea pig on that one? I think someone else made a post about that, but I can't remember who. They just said they were going to try drops for maintaining. Maybe they'll chime in.

Originally Posted by mermaid

It's very safe to keep taking the drops. The evidence seems to indicate that building an immunity to the RX is not likely, and homeopathic even less likely. Now whether it will keep being effective or not, who knows. Maybe you'll be the guinea pig on that one? I think someone else made a post about that, but I can't remember who. They just said they were going to try drops for maintaining. Maybe they'll chime in.

I had thought about using them for maintaining, basically as an appetite suppressant? Seriously, with my binge yesterday, if you call it that, at 1600 something calories, I was STUFFED! Miserable feeling. Typically it would take 3000 calories to get me feeling that way, and from junk. My binge was on *healthy* food, just too much of it.

But I hate to mess something up?

Who needs the FDA for research, we're doing it! Kinda scary, but...

[lucky_d]

If we buy a bunch of extra drops, would they last awhile if kept in the fridge? I bought two bottles last time and am on the second half of my second bottle. It seems like it's already getting a bit weaker (not as alcohol tasting) I have kept them in my medicine cabinet the whole time. I think stocking up would be a great idea but only if the stuff can be made to last.

Hopefully they will just classify it as "homeopathic" like all the other homeopathic stuff that they don't understand but keep it on the market because people say it works. If it isn't shown to be actively harmful, I don't think they will pull it. Could be wrong, though. If the pharma industry lobbies against it to try and make us take their dangerous diet drugs instead then we might have a problem. FDA is notorious for being in the back pocket of pharma and other illness-producing industries.

[lucky_d]

Originally Posted by mermaid

It's very safe to keep taking the drops. The evidence seems to indicate that building an immunity to the RX is not likely, and homeopathic even less likely. Now whether it will keep being effective or not, who knows. Maybe you'll be the guinea pig on that one? I think someone else made a post about that, but I can't remember who. They just said they were going to try drops for maintaining. Maybe they'll chime in.

I am continuing to take the drops while maintaining. They make me feel awesome and I see no reason to get off them, then get back on them later if I want to lose more. While I don't think they work in exactly the same way as the injections, I do believe that they are doing something very positive for my body. It helps me to be more moderate about my food choices because I'm not starving all the time! I just got back from exercise class and had a protocol meal and feel just perfectly full and happy. Normally after exercising, I would be wanting to eat everything that wasn't nailed down!

[nori71]

Where is a link to whatever is going on with the feds and hhcg? I couldn't find anything current in a fast search/

[firmforever]

lucky..what do you mean you take them for maintenance and "then get back on them" when you want to lose..do you take a difference does during maintenance verses losing? thanks

[lucky_d]

Originally Posted by firmforever

lucky..what do you mean you take them for maintenance and "then get back on them" when you want to lose..do you take a difference does during maintenance verses losing? thanks

What I meant was that I don't see the point (for me) in getting off the drops for "P3" then getting back on them later for another "P2". I'm just going to stay on the drops and watch what I eat and hopefully continue to lose gradually/maintain while on the drops. I am still taking the same dose as I did during P2.

This is just totally my own plan, though. I don't like the idea of getting off the drops and doing a low carb plan because I simply don't like doing low carb. I always feel like crap on it and I like to exercise a lot so I am going to do it with the foods that I know work for me but just try to eat less of them. The drops help me do this. This is my first week trying it though so I can't say one way or the other if it's working but I feel great and have plenty of energy so far. Scale is actually a bit up because I have been eating a bit more and working out. Being strict with protocol today to see if I can get scale to move down tomorrow.

[firmforever]

great thanks for explaining lucky good luck i will be watching and am experimenting myself as well.

[lovingthrill]

Originally Posted by nori71

With my history of binging while being strict...I have not spent one day on Dr S protocol. Today the plan is to be as close to it as possible - although I already had 4T milk in my coffee!



I decided to stick with it for the intended 40+ days and just go for it. I was up 3 pounds this am, no shock, but better than the scary stories that people gain 8 pounds after eating a piece of bread or something!

Thanks for the comment, Nori. I definitely need to get back into the groove and figure out my own path again.

Mermaid, I really hope they don't take away my hHCG. This is the only diet I keep coming back to because it works and I generally keep most of the weigh off. This is the first time in years where I truly feel that I will make it back to 165. I have no doubt in my mind.

I just ordered two bottles. Hopefully they arrive soon.

Does anybody crockpot protocol meals? I want to make a few days of meals in advance. ALL i can think of is protocol chili.

[nitenurse]

Just started back on the drops today, spending a lot of time reading up on other folks journey, figuring out how I am going to do this round. Have to get past this setpoint where I have always stuck for decades. Appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

[mermaid]

Here's the email:

Homeopathic HCG products are fraudulent, FDA says

UPDATE: We have tried to keep you informed regarding proper HCG Diet information, and many snake-oil sales people have tried to push Homeopathic HCG on innocent people throughout the United States.

Over the past two years, we have tried to educate people on the dangers of Homeopathic HCG and a very-low-carloie-diet.

Finally, the USA TODAY has written an article regarding the FDA's stand on Homeopathic HCG, how fraudulent it is, and even illegal.

For Full Article and Information, please visit the USA TODAY site directly.

Nu Image Medical
*******************(web link removed)
888*********

FULL ARTICLE LINK:
HCG weight-loss products are fraudulent, FDA says - USATODAY.com

****end email********

These are the same people who used to sell skin products (NuSkin) that had human fetal tissue in it. I saw it on the label myself. What *****s.

Here is also an excerpt from the article link above:

There is no evidence the oral over-the-counter products are effective for weight loss, says Elizabeth Miller, FDA's leader for the Internet and health fraud team. While they may not be dangerous, they're at least "economic fraud," she says.

Because the products do not seem to be "a serious direct health hazard or a serious indirect health hazard," they have been a lower priority for FDA action than other products. Still, Miller says, "they could be subject to enforcement at any time."

One of the issues is the homeopathic label. Homeopathy is an alternative medicine practice of using very small or diluted preparations of medicines or remedies to treat a condition. Miller says, "We are aware of HCG products that claim to be homeopathic, but it is not recognized in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia." Therefore, these products "are not recognized by the FDA as homeopathic drugs, so they are unapproved drugs and are illegal," she says.

So there you go. Guess it just might be time to stock up. BTW, homeopathics can last for many years without losing potency if you keep them out of sunlight, heat, and away from strong odors. Refrigeration would not help.

[redhotbean]

Hello all I am a newbie here. I have started HCG a week ago through a place called Transformations. It is a 800 cal plan. I have lost 7 lbs in 7 days. I did this back in 2006 and lost 40lbs so I know it works. Today is my birthday and anniversary and we wanted to go out but I don't want to cheat to bad. My instructor at Transformations told me to not take injection today and take carb blocker pill before dinner and have fun. Previously when on this plan I would cheat almost every Thursday night with having about 3 or 4 drinks and did just fine so we will see tonight. I have noticed that cheating every now and then without out going completely crazy doesn't have any effect as long as you just do it like one meal and I usually have a drop the next day in weight. We will see this is different this time since I have hypothyroidism and I am on two different medicines for it this time. But I am happy with weight loss for the first week so far and my pants are already feeling the difference. My husband is following Jillian Michaels plan this past week and has lost 20lbs ridiculous and he gets 1900 cal go figure!

[phxheelgirl]

I had ordered 2 more bottles this morning, I wrote the company and am attempting to up my order (x4)!! I want to be sure I have enough on hand in the event any of this is true and it does get yanked. I would cry!

[lucky_d]

I had ordered 2 bottles yesterday. Just went back and ordered 5 more. This may alter my "taking it all the time" strategy. Now I feel like I need to be more thrifty with it.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by lovingthrill

Thanks for the comment, Nori. I definitely need to get back into the groove and figure out my own path again.

Mermaid, I really hope they don't take away my hHCG. This is the only diet I keep coming back to because it works and I generally keep most of the weigh off. This is the first time in years where I truly feel that I will make it back to 165. I have no doubt in my mind.

I just ordered two bottles. Hopefully they arrive soon.

Does anybody crockpot protocol meals? I want to make a few days of meals in advance. ALL i can think of is protocol chili.

I make crockpot chicken taco soup. It's a bit rogue though. : 1 Can ro-tel tomatoes, chicken broth (homemade is yummier), cut up veggies of your choice (I did bell pepper, onion, and celery), seasonings to taste - chilli powder, paprika, chipoltle pwdr, onion, garlic, salt, pepper etc. and 2 raw chicken breasts. Cook on low for 4 hours (give or take, frozen go longer). Take out chicken and shred (I do it w/ 2 forks in the crockpot). Stir back in and let cook a while longer to really get the flavor mixed in. Separate into portions and freeze.

I also did a crockpot beef vege soup - also rogue. I cooked a roast in the crockpot w/ italian seasonings, stewed tomatoes, onions, celery and carrot. We had a bit of it for dinner that night, and with what was left I poured in beef broth, another can of stewed tomatoes, garlic, garlic pwd., salt, pepper, more italian seasoning, shredded cabbage and a strained can of green beans. Delicious!!! Froze great and was even better re-heated. Again, not strict protocol b/c of the mixed veggies, but yummy!! HTH

[nori71]

Originally Posted by lovingthrill

Does anybody crockpot protocol meals? I want to make a few days of meals in advance. ALL i can think of is protocol chili.

I haven't crockpot-ed yet, but I do lots of prep before hand. I use my GoeForman grill for chicken breasts and then freeze, cooked... I fry up ground beef into crumbles with seasoning already on them and freeze - for versions of taco salad, tacos using cabbage leaves, chili... I use my meat grinder on chicken breasts and grind it up for chicken larb. The larb along with chili are my favs. Larb is a Thai (I think) Dish where you cook the ground chicken with red curry paste and then serve it in cabbage/lettuce leaves with cilanto, onion, cucumber, hot chili paste and lime juice. So yummy!

[pjsmom]

Goodness...wanted to thank you guys for being so open and honest with the way you are doing it. I feel like you understand the way I am approaching this too. I am on Day 7 and only down 5 but Tom is here. I can't seem to tow the line with protocol and am totally ok with it. I eat low carb menu but usually do some splurging. Once again I am ok with it. I know my cals are within reason when I try this way. I know I don't need to lose super quick but just want the scale to move in the right direction is why I am taking the drops. It amazes me that it cuts the edge off of simply wanting to eat everything in sight and gives me the power back. I've done everything diet and get over obsessive with rules so I've cut myself some slack and do it my way. I'll be glad to see how things land after Tom is gone but JUST feeling in control and not emotionally eating/binging every night is worth the cost of the drops. I am very thankful for your thread and though I don't post all the time I know I can find advise over here! Awesome people in here!

[laceymichelle]

Originally Posted by pjsmom

Goodness...wanted to thank you guys for being so open and honest with the way you are doing it. I feel like you understand the way I am approaching this too. I am on Day 7 and only down 5 but Tom is here. I can't seem to tow the line with protocol and am totally ok with it. I eat low carb menu but usually do some splurging. Once again I am ok with it. I know my cals are within reason when I try this way. I know I don't need to lose super quick but just want the scale to move in the right direction is why I am taking the drops. It amazes me that it cuts the edge off of simply wanting to eat everything in sight and gives me the power back. I've done everything diet and get over obsessive with rules so I've cut myself some slack and do it my way. I'll be glad to see how things land after Tom is gone but JUST feeling in control and not emotionally eating/binging every night is worth the cost of the drops. I am very thankful for your thread and though I don't post all the time I know I can find advise over here! Awesome people in here!

This! I agree with this completely!

[Tazcat]

Originally Posted by Deb294evr

So good to see so many new faces here! The famous Tazcat! ( hi Becky! ) You don't know me from a hill o beans, but always enjoy reading your posts in the PG. Glad you are here! Adding extra protein was the only way I could get through round 1 ! Still had a pound a day loss!

Julie, you put everything into words beautifully on how the alternative thread works.. It is whatever experiment WE as individuals want to try. It is through trial and error that we figure it out for US.

So many folks here have done tremendous amounts of research... I love being informed, and everything all of you are adding to the discussion is helping someone else! I wish I had time to do some individual posts, but I must get to the salt mines here soon.. ( Accountant in Tax Season is busy)

Down 3.6 pounds today, since I got more serious yesterday! I will update my stats at the end of the week, but this is weight I already lost... BOOOOOOOOO... Oh well, new attitude, new week, new ME..

Hey to you too - thanks for the greetings.
I'm digging this thread - lots of real life application