HCG Alternative Plans week of 1/31/11

[Deb294evr]

Hi and WELCOME to everyone!



This is a thread to discuss those of us using HCG and following our own paths, doing our own experiments, or following the original Simeons Protocol as written.

We wanted a place to talk about what we are doing no matter what it is... anyone and everyone is welcome to join in the discussion or just read and maybe take some ideas away...

Our original Thread:
HCG - Non Simeon's Protocol

Most recent:
HCG Alternative Plans week of 1/24/11

[Gremom]

Good Monday morning all!

Up .5 today due to TOM being here. I really don't like him coming a messing with me! Just going to keep at it. Drink plenty of fluids and stay on plan. I think I am going to lower my dose of drops b/c I was really hungry and I hear that if you take too much, it will make you hungry. So I am backing off a bit.

It was nearly 70 degrees yesterday, so still on a high from spending time outside. Hope everyone has a great day.

[minimonkey]

I think you will find the lower dose a good call, Gremom... it helped a lot with my hunger.

I am off to an early day, on no sleep again (I gotta stop that!) -- so no weigh in this morning. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe just at the end of the round... not so sure about that just yet.... but off to another exciting week of p2 changing of the body!

[bflogurl]

Hey Hey!!

I am starting up again, this time I am realizing I may be following more of an "alternative" plan vs strict protocol... Still hoping I see some losses! Loaded over the weekend, VLCD1 is today

[Gremom]

Originally Posted by bflogurl

Hey Hey!!

I am starting up again, this time I am realizing I may be following more of an "alternative" plan vs strict protocol... Still hoping I see some losses! Loaded over the weekend, VLCD1 is today

Good luck to you! I am sure you will do great!

[Gremom]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I think you will find the lower dose a good call, Gremom... it helped a lot with my hunger.

I am off to an early day, on no sleep again (I gotta stop that!) -- so no weigh in this morning. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe just at the end of the round... not so sure about that just yet.... but off to another exciting week of p2 changing of the body!

That is what I wanted to hear Mini. I did less drops this morning and have no desire to eat so far and that was over 2 hours ago. I think I'll be able to make it to lunchtime with just having tea and water. Hoping to break into the 130s by the end of the week.

[Kateenie]

Down another 1.6 overnight! I'm lovin' these big releases and I'll miss them when they slow down, but I'm venturing into territory I haven't seen in 4 or 5 years.

My hunger was totally gone yesterday and I had to actually remind myself to eat. Today will be different because I am working and will be sitting at my desk probably thinking about food/eating more than I was yesterday when I was busy with other stuff.

Wishing everyone good releases!

[Gremom]

Originally Posted by Kateenie

Down another 1.6 overnight! I'm lovin' these big releases and I'll miss them when they slow down, but I'm venturing into territory I haven't seen in 4 or 5 years.

My hunger was totally gone yesterday and I had to actually remind myself to eat. Today will be different because I am working and will be sitting at my desk probably thinking about food/eating more than I was yesterday when I was busy with other stuff.

Wishing everyone good releases!

AWESOME!!!

[paulabob]

Joining in for the week. Going to try JUDDD this week... Shooting for 490 calorie target on my down days (25%). I'm starting at 152.4...really full of water from the sodium and carbs I had yesterday. Hope this works...if not, seems like I should take several maintenance weeks to reset things.

[Kateenie]

You know, I just keep going over and over something in my mind......

I know HCG has gotten some bad press lately and there are certain people who always say "well of course you'll lose weight - it's 500 calories a day!!"

Well, prior to this round of HHCG, I was eating around 900-1100 calories a day low carb and I was losing exactly NOTHING. I wasn't gaining any more, which was good, but there were no significant losses, literally a pound or 2 in several weeks. I eat low carb regardless because I have to be gluten free, but still, very frustrating.

So, I start taking the drops, drop my calories very little to the 600-800 or even 900 range (very similar to before), and I drop 8 lbs in 4 days. Mind you, this is NOT load weight, because I didn't load. It grossed me out so bad last time, I just couldn't do it. Plus I couldn't bear to see the scale go up.

People don't believe these drops work, but I sure as heck do! My dietary deficit over 4 days compared to how I was eating before was probably a whopping 800-1000 calories, yet I lost 8 POUNDS. I didn't have any glycogen stores because I was already in ketosis when I started the drops!

Phooey on the news.......

[Sun_Luvin]

Originally Posted by Gremom

Good Monday morning all!

Up .5 today due to TOM being here. I really don't like him coming a messing with me! Just going to keep at it. Drink plenty of fluids and stay on plan. I think I am going to lower my dose of drops b/c I was really hungry and I hear that if you take too much, it will make you hungry. So I am backing off a bit.

It was nearly 70 degrees yesterday, so still on a high from spending time outside. Hope everyone has a great day.

I got to work outside yesterday, too! People think I'm crazy for enjoying yard work, but it's my therapy. I love getting dirty and being in the sun

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I think you will find the lower dose a good call, Gremom... it helped a lot with my hunger.

I am off to an early day, on no sleep again (I gotta stop that!) -- so no weigh in this morning. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe just at the end of the round... not so sure about that just yet.... but off to another exciting week of p2 changing of the body!

Does HCG cause insomnia issues for you? I noticed I have a harder time sleeping when I'm on my drops. I also notice my losses slow down so I need to think about that for the next round.

Originally Posted by bflogurl

Hey Hey!!

I am starting up again, this time I am realizing I may be following more of an "alternative" plan vs strict protocol... Still hoping I see some losses! Loaded over the weekend, VLCD1 is today

and Good luck!!

Originally Posted by Kateenie

Down another 1.6 overnight! I'm lovin' these big releases and I'll miss them when they slow down, but I'm venturing into territory I haven't seen in 4 or 5 years.

My hunger was totally gone yesterday and I had to actually remind myself to eat. Today will be different because I am working and will be sitting at my desk probably thinking about food/eating more than I was yesterday when I was busy with other stuff.

Wishing everyone good releases!

Great job on the loss!!

Originally Posted by Kateenie

You know, I just keep going over and over something in my mind......

I know HCG has gotten some bad press lately and there are certain people who always say "well of course you'll lose weight - it's 500 calories a day!!"

Well, prior to this round of HHCG, I was eating around 900-1100 calories a day low carb and I was losing exactly NOTHING. I wasn't gaining any more, which was good, but there were no significant losses, literally a pound or 2 in several weeks. I eat low carb regardless because I have to be gluten free, but still, very frustrating.

So, I start taking the drops, drop my calories very little to the 600-800 or even 900 range (very similar to before), and I drop 8 lbs in 4 days. Mind you, this is NOT load weight, because I didn't load. It grossed me out so bad last time, I just couldn't do it. Plus I couldn't bear to see the scale go up.

People don't believe these drops work, but I sure as heck do! My dietary deficit over 4 days compared to how I was eating before was probably a whopping 800-1000 calories, yet I lost 8 POUNDS. I didn't have any glycogen stores because I was already in ketosis when I started the drops!

Phooey on the news.......

I agree, Phooey on the news. At 500 calories without the drops I don't lose a thing. My body goes into freeze mode and refuses to release anything. I know this plan works.


OK, well I'm on P3D3 and I'm 1 pound under my LDW for 2 days now!! If I can stay right here for another 2 1/2 weeks I will be super happy! I might venture into P4 for a week or two, then right back into another round for some more losses. I know I can do this!!

Good luck today ladies!!

[minimonkey]

Kateenie-- I am with you 100% on this one. I was the ultimate skeptic about the drops, but I read so many testimonials I had to try them... they WORK. DO THEY EVER WORK! I couldn't survive on 500 calories very well without them, and I certainly wouldn't be losing like this, even if I could. I am losing from my problem areas almost exclusively (read as: my upper body is NOT getting scrappy and gaunt, and my thighs and butt are vanishing!) and I feel good, have energy, and am losing consistently without a metabolic shutdown. Furthermore, I am not hungry... at all.

I can't argue with that, at all. I have starved before, and it was NOTHING like this!!!!!!

[nitenurse]

Marking my spot-I'm taking a lower dose of drops this time, too, twice a day instead of three. Seems to work ok, less appetite.

[Ginaxoxo]

Kateenie: I agree!! Great job on the loss! It is fun being in new territory, isn't it!

Mini: I am still jealous of your thighs!

I have been asking questions here and reading old posts. I have finally come up with a plan that will help me with my fears so that I can follow my own HCG protocol. I started a new thread to post this but wanted to put it here also because you are the ones who inspired me and this is where I will spend the rest of the round reporting my success and struggles and reading about yours.

I am having a hard time getting focused this round. In December I went completely off any kind of program . . . and I have to admit that I kinda enjoyed eating junk and the freedom of not having a plan. It is hard to quiet the monster.

I read a post yesterday from someone who said that at the end of the protocol they really weren't interesting in what use to be "normal" food. I remember feeling that way too. That inspired me to do the protocol, without cheats, but my way.

I am going to cycle---but differently that I have seen anyone do it. I am going to do the protocol today---500 calories. Tomorrow I am going to do an Atkin's induction type day. Last round I lost a lot of hair. My DR said that it was because of too little protein . . . so, this should help me keep my hair and also give me a little freedom.

I am not eating the melba or breadsticks. They are trigger foods for me and I somehow justify one more . . . until I have had too many. Also, I am positive that I am sensitive to processed carbs . . . enough already. I need to accept that as the truth and stop eating processed carbs.

I will keep you posted. I have a huge fear of losing my hair again and I think that is a big reason I haven't been able to follow the protocol. I am taking biotin and increasing my protein every other day . . . now I can do this without reservations.

For those of you who think the only way to do an HCG diet is to follow the protocol to the letter I want you to know that I have done that (April 2010). I didn't cheat my first round. I lost 30 pounds and my cravings for processed foods. I also didn't feel good, was freezing cold, tired, and lost a lot of hair two weeks after taking injections. So, I am going to try this my way and see if I am able to lose weight with HCG but feel better and keep all of my hair.

xoxo

[lovingthrill]

Hello All,

I am starting my VLCD today.

I tried to load Saturday and Sunday but I just could not eat.
I had class all day Saturday so I didn't really get to sit around and stuff my face like I wanted. Then Sunday, I just wasn't interested. I did more carbs than good fats so I anticipate a tough first week.

I am sticking to the 500 calories for this first week and as close to the protocol foods as I can.

With that said, I woke up too late so I forgot to make lunch. My campus has a really good chicken caesar that I ate all during my last round so I am going to get that for lunch. I usually just hold the croutons, some dressing and most of the cheese .

I am starting at 177.6 lbs which is 4.6 lbs higher than my lowest weight. I hope to lost 13 lbs so I can be in normal BMI range.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

[Turkeywings]

Hey Guys!! I was MIA last week, just no time to get on here lately. I am off the drops, I'm on day 3 of VLCD. The last 2 days one of my meals has been a handful or so of peanuts in the shell & a veggie or fruit. So tired of p2 foods. I had a little ham, one slice of cheese & a couple baby pickles for breakfast yesterday. I lost 20.5 this round so I'm happy as 20 lbs was my goal. And I wasn't even close to strict this time, I had a few little things off plan (lo card though) I seemed to do much better this round than my first round in terms of happiness. I wasn't worried so much this little bite here or there would ruin my entire round.

I have lost a LOT of hair in these 2 rounds though and I'm not sure I want to do this again and chance losing even more hair. I have been taking B12 & Biotin, and just added Zinc, but I love my hair and it's starting to feel really thin. Every morning there's quite a bit combed out and ever shower I pull several strands.

With my 20 lb loss I'm at numbers I don't remember ever seeing. It really was only a 10 lb net loss though from last round because I gained 5 over the holidays and 5 loading but I'll sure take it. Looking forward to a cheese omelette in the morning and real cream in my coffee.

Not sure how much I'll be checking in now but I'll try to. I need to take my after shots for this round too.

Happy losses girls!!

[lovingthrill]

Originally Posted by Kateenie

You know, I just keep going over and over something in my mind......

I know HCG has gotten some bad press lately and there are certain people who always say "well of course you'll lose weight - it's 500 calories a day!!"

Well, prior to this round of HHCG, I was eating around 900-1100 calories a day low carb and I was losing exactly NOTHING. I wasn't gaining any more, which was good, but there were no significant losses, literally a pound or 2 in several weeks. I eat low carb regardless because I have to be gluten free, but still, very frustrating.

So, I start taking the drops, drop my calories very little to the 600-800 or even 900 range (very similar to before), and I drop 8 lbs in 4 days. Mind you, this is NOT load weight, because I didn't load. It grossed me out so bad last time, I just couldn't do it. Plus I couldn't bear to see the scale go up.

People don't believe these drops work, but I sure as heck do! My dietary deficit over 4 days compared to how I was eating before was probably a whopping 800-1000 calories, yet I lost 8 POUNDS. I didn't have any glycogen stores because I was already in ketosis when I started the drops!

Phooey on the news.......

Thanks for sharing your story. Congrats on the loses. I would be doing the happy dance all day. My boss was really interested in the diet but was scared of the actual HCG so she was going to do 500 calories by itself!! I told her absolutely not so she stuck to weight watchers. The HCG is so essential.

It sounds like you started your P2 just low carb and low cal. Is that correct? I was trying to figure out if I need to start a week or so with just the protocol stuff or should I be daring and start off rouge.

Currently I plan to do very close protocol for a week, then up my calories for the next week with the same protocol foods then do low carb.

[Kateenie]

Originally Posted by lovingthrill

Thanks for sharing your story. Congrats on the loses. I would be doing the happy dance all day. My boss was really interested in the diet but was scared of the actual HCG so she was going to do 500 calories by itself!! I told her absolutely not so she stuck to weight watchers. The HCG is so essential.

It sounds like you started your P2 just low carb and low cal. Is that correct? I was trying to figure out if I need to start a week or so with just the protocol stuff or should I be daring and start off rouge.

Currently I plan to do very close protocol for a week, then up my calories for the next week with the same protocol foods then do low carb.

Yes, I was already doing LC, pretty low cal because I just COULDN'T get any weight off. I was in ketosis already, so I ate LC the first day I used the drops, probably 1200 calories, and then just started the VLCD. I couldn't bring myself to load. I disliked it a LOT last time.

I will say that I tried a round back in October and I think I had bad drops. The hunger never went away and I didn't lose weight. This go-around, hunger is gone and weight is dropping like crazy. That can only mean one thing, THESE drops are working for me.

The benefit of a group like this is that I don't feel like I'm "failing" because I'm not "doing protocol." I get sick of hearing "that's not protocol" sometimes LOL!

I said in another post, the only plan that works is the one you can stick to.

[mermaid]

Originally Posted by Kateenie

Yes, I was already doing LC, pretty low cal because I just COULDN'T get any weight off. I was in ketosis already, so I ate LC the first day I used the drops, probably 1200 calories, and then just started the VLCD. I couldn't bring myself to load. I disliked it a LOT last time.

I will say that I tried a round back in October and I think I had bad drops. The hunger never went away and I didn't lose weight. This go-around, hunger is gone and weight is dropping like crazy. That can only mean one thing, THESE drops are working for me.


The benefit of a group like this is that I don't feel like I'm "failing" because I'm not "doing protocol." I get sick of hearing "that's not protocol" sometimes LOL!

I said in another post, the only plan that works is the one you can stick to.

Of course we all want to know which drops you are using?

I don't think I'll ever do a loading day either. I also have done pretty low calorie diets. One was 700 calories a day medically supervised diet for a year. I hardly ever cheated but only lost 80 pounds in a whole year. I was weak, fog-brained, miserable, beechy, flabby, and could not stop thinking about food. As soon as I went into "maintenance", even with the guidance of the weight loss clinic, I gained 90 pounds back in six months. That was one of the saddest and most humiliating experiences of my whole life. To have everyone raving about how skinny I was, and then a few months later I looked (and felt) worse than ever.

I have also done the 1200 calorie thing many times, both low carb and just normal, and I had pretty much the same miserable experiences, but most of the time the loss would stop after 20 pounds or so and I would give up.

I'm currently on a long stall even with the HCG (rogue plan) but I feel a lot better, and I have disappearing belly fat even when the scale stays the same. I don't really know
what kind of losses I'll see and in what time, but just having the edge of not feeling so crappy is worth the drops for me and helps me hang in there. I will never try to lose weight again without HCG.

Hi everybody else. I read all your posts and wish I had time to discuss more, but gotta go. Have a great day!

[Kateenie]

Originally Posted by mermaid

Of course we all want to know which drops you are using?

I bought the Intermountain brand this time and they've been great. I can't remember the other ones I used (I threw the bottle out), I think it was some brand like Professional Health Products or something. The first bottle worked pretty well, I killed one of them keeping it too close to computer, and then the last bottle just plain didn't work even though I was careful where I put it and how I used it.

[hilly4118]

Originally Posted by Kateenie

Down another 1.6 overnight! I'm lovin' these big releases and I'll miss them when they slow down, but I'm venturing into territory I haven't seen in 4 or 5 years.

My hunger was totally gone yesterday and I had to actually remind myself to eat. Today will be different because I am working and will be sitting at my desk probably thinking about food/eating more than I was yesterday when I was busy with other stuff.

Wishing everyone good releases!

You are truly an inspiration! Good for you. That's gotta feel awesome!

[hilly4118]

Originally Posted by Kateenie

You know, I just keep going over and over something in my mind......

I know HCG has gotten some bad press lately and there are certain people who always say "well of course you'll lose weight - it's 500 calories a day!!"

Well, prior to this round of HHCG, I was eating around 900-1100 calories a day low carb and I was losing exactly NOTHING. I wasn't gaining any more, which was good, but there were no significant losses, literally a pound or 2 in several weeks. I eat low carb regardless because I have to be gluten free, but still, very frustrating.

So, I start taking the drops, drop my calories very little to the 600-800 or even 900 range (very similar to before), and I drop 8 lbs in 4 days. Mind you, this is NOT load weight, because I didn't load. It grossed me out so bad last time, I just couldn't do it. Plus I couldn't bear to see the scale go up.

People don't believe these drops work, but I sure as heck do! My dietary deficit over 4 days compared to how I was eating before was probably a whopping 800-1000 calories, yet I lost 8 POUNDS. I didn't have any glycogen stores because I was already in ketosis when I started the drops!

Phooey on the news.......

Again - Wow! thanks.

[julieboolie]

Kateenie-nice loss!!

Mermaid, Paula, Mini-and others who are stalled. Hang in there. Seeing the size go down is so nice, but I know how much seeing that scale go down would mean. Hoping for a great week for you all!!

Originally Posted by Turkeywings

Hey Guys!! I was MIA last week, just no time to get on here lately. I am off the drops, I'm on day 3 of VLCD. The last 2 days one of my meals has been a handful or so of peanuts in the shell & a veggie or fruit. So tired of p2 foods. I had a little ham, one slice of cheese & a couple baby pickles for breakfast yesterday. I lost 20.5 this round so I'm happy as 20 lbs was my goal. And I wasn't even close to strict this time, I had a few little things off plan (lo card though) I seemed to do much better this round than my first round in terms of happiness. I wasn't worried so much this little bite here or there would ruin my entire round.

I have lost a LOT of hair in these 2 rounds though and I'm not sure I want to do this again and chance losing even more hair. I have been taking B12 & Biotin, and just added Zinc, but I love my hair and it's starting to feel really thin. Every morning there's quite a bit combed out and ever shower I pull several strands.

With my 20 lb loss I'm at numbers I don't remember ever seeing. It really was only a 10 lb net loss though from last round because I gained 5 over the holidays and 5 loading but I'll sure take it. Looking forward to a cheese omelette in the morning and real cream in my coffee.

Not sure how much I'll be checking in now but I'll try to. I need to take my after shots for this round too.

Happy losses girls!!

Me too!! I think I must be going bald b/c I am losing HANDFULS of hair!! All the time, it's falling out by the root too!! Not breakage. I'm thinking it's b/c of the rapid weight loss, and I think I have low thyroid, but it's really scary!! I'm on P3 too, and gained back 3 lbs, all while under 1500cals a day!! I decided to go off the drops and see if that doesn't help me stabilize. Hopefully the appetite will be ok w/o the drops. I'm wondering if that might be effecting me.

anyone I forgot!! Sorry! Working .

[shelbyla]

On hair loss - most VLC diets or even radical diet changes like going from the SAD to LC can cause significant hair loss. As do thyroid issues (which many of us have). I have finally gotten close to optimized on my thyroid meds so I'm not sure how helpful this is BUT I wanted to keep the hair I have so doubled by biotin daily doses to 5,000mg 2x per day (am and pm). I have not noticed significant hair loss--which is good since I don't have the greatest hair anyway (always been fine and thin so I can't afford to lose any!). FWIW

[nitenurse]

FWIW-I always have to up the protein to stop hair loss. Biotin is good, too.

[lakme]

Glad to hear that Biotin will help. I've already lost tons of hair also doing B12 injections once a week.

[minimonkey]

I lost a ton of hair when I first went on low carb -- it was pretty awful, but it did grow back.

[julieboolie]

Great!! So, we'll be thin and bald Actually, fortunately, I have thick hair, so there's room there, but I am hating it!! It's growing back, but all short and sticking up all over my head!! Dh mentioned it the other day, asking if the clump of hair he found in the drain was mine or his. He was quite worried !

[Ginaxoxo]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

I have so doubled by biotin daily doses to 5,000mg 2x per day (am and pm). I have not noticed significant hair loss--which is good since I don't have the greatest hair anyway (always been fine and thin so I can't afford to lose any!). FWIW

ShelbylaYou said you haven't noticed any significant hair loss and I have a follow up question. Does that mean you have lost some hair? Also, I didn't losing any hair, aside from the normal amounts, until 10-15 days after stopping the HCG dosing.
Hair loss: I hope the biotin works! I am taking it and eating more protein.

Protocol length: The Omaha Med Spa said that people do not become immune and can continue the second round after finishing the first round. Has anyone done that or do they go on to P3 before starting the next round?

[hilly4118]

Originally Posted by Kateenie

The benefit of a group like this is that I don't feel like I'm "failing" because I'm not "doing protocol." I get sick of hearing "that's not protocol" sometimes LOL!

I said in another post, the only plan that works is the one you can stick to.

I am eating so far OFF protocol that I'm sure no one would recognize it as "the hCG diet".

-Jenny