The advantage of being a multi-rounder

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Honestly, Jule, I have no idea how to do that.
I can change my avatar, but I don't know how to attach pictures inside a post. I can see if I can add some to my before/afters which are in my albums in my public profile.

don't attach them upload them to a free photobucket account and then use the img code easy [peasy

[Dreamchaser]

Very glad to see you back Marie. Missed you girl!

[Majerus]

I wonder how many times I've read this thread...

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by Majerus

I wonder how many times I've read this thread...

Why?


I'm still in my "skinny" jeans LOL, started therapy again for my hip/leg, learning how to come back from vacay and try to get back in line even though I didn't stray real far.... Life is good!

[Majerus]

Inspiration.

[C'Marie]

Sorting more clothes today. I did experience a little reshaping in P3, for sure. Some of my clothes are even a little looser than at the end of P2.

I have several times already sorted and given away clothes since I've been at this 100+ pound weightloss starting January of 2010. I had held onto a few things, some of my favorite things, that were iffy, but no more. I have several bags more to give away.

I found one pair of pants that was at my heaviest. I kept them in order to do a picture with me in them holding them out. Now I don't know if I can stand doing that.

[ellenalesa]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

I found one pair of pants that was at my heaviest. I kept them in order to do a picture with me in them holding them out. Now I don't know if I can stand doing that.

C'Marie,

Congratulations on your weight loss!

I'd keep the pants. I don't know if I would pose in them, but I'd fold 'em up and put 'em away. I'd keep fat pictures, too. Just as a reminder. You can take them out and look at them, if you want. Because I believe that you are going to get comfortable maintaining a healthy weight, and it's good to remember where you came from.

I have gone up and down the scale a few times, and sometimes I feel fat, even when I'm really not. And sometimes when I AM fat, I don't feel like I"m that big.

I still have my fat pictures, and I will never forget the way I used to feel. I was not a happy person, and I used to use pizza and ice cream to medicate because I didn't believe that I had the personal power to change my own life. Thank God I changed my mind.

I very rarely eat pizza OR ice cream. As a matter of fact, if I find myself craving them, I know I need to check in with myself. It's like a warning signal.

Anyway, congratulations!

[TerriMM]

Hey Marie,
Congrads, what a great feeling, knowing that part of your life is over. But.......... I agree with Ellen, keep a small box that represents where you've come from and what you were. It's easy, in maintenance, with no real losses to excite you, to become complacent and forget the huge gains you've made. That's the time to pull out the time capsule and remember what you've accomplished and realize how powerful you are. Never forget how you've changed your life, and many others along the way.

[C'Marie]

Thanks for the comments. I still haven't decided what to do with the pants... they're saved and put away, but I don't know if I want to take a picture with them. I already have LOTS of fat pictures. Toward the last few years, even though I didn't really let my picture get taken very often, I relented more and there are quite a few vacations etc where I am at my heaviest. So no worries about going "back" because of lack of photographic evidence! LOL

I weighed in this am at 1.6 above LIW and then went out to lunch with some friends who teach English in China, and went to Applebees and had their riblets with honey bbq sauce, a side caesar salad, and onion rings instead of fries. It was alot of food, and I ate it all. Still not hungry many many hours later. I didn't have breakfast and I probably will only have a very small protein snack for dinner. It was worth another correction day if I need it!

My van is FULL of clothes ready to go to the shelter. My smaller clothes take up so much less room!

Weigh daily, all ya'll! It's worth it to maintain. Don't get complacent!

[JunkInMyTrunk]

Hi C'Marie,
I see you are using the RX hcg and wanted to ask you a question, if you don't mind?

I noted that you have done 5 rounds and see you were done with your 5th round in May and then are planning your 6th round maybe 9/1. Are you adding extra time in between rounds progressively as they say to do in P&I or are you finding that is unnecessary? I think P&I says something about immunity setting in and they have the following schedule:
1st and 2nd course: 6 weeks between
2nd and 3rd course: 8 weeks between
3rd and 4th: 12 weeks between
4th and 5th: 20 weeks between
5th and 6th: 6 months between

Have you found that not to be the case and there are no immunity problems? I think they say that if you have immunity, you will always be hungry or rather starving. Are you holding to a schedule or just winging it and starting new rounds when you are done with P3/P4?

[C'Marie]

I followed protocol regarding the break time in between rounds for the 1st and 2nd, and 2nd and 3rd rounds explicitly. For the time between the 3rd and 4th round, I was slightly later due to scheduling issues. I did the 5th round with only a 6 week break after the 4th. I had no hunger issues and would guess that meant no immunity problems. I rationalized it was ok because I was longer between the 3rd and 4th and my doctor told me to do it to get the weight off of my joints. I don't like varying from the protocol.

I plan on starting my 6th round sometime soon. My naturopath said I should have no reason not to. He regularly tells people to do 30 days on and then 30 days off and then back on 30 days, etc. etc. HOWEVER, if I wasn't trying to get the weight off for my hip therapy, I would wait. There are many other reasons to wait the proper length of time between the rounds. One of which is to make sure your body is ready. I have heard from the ladies at my doctor's office that I am the only one they know of that has lost that much weight and kept it off. They say that the people they see gain the weight back. I think that is a sad testament to not following protocol. I am glad my doctor told me about hcg and gives me the rx for it, but really I don't follow any of his other advice at all (I have heard other variations he tells people to do and I don't do any of them-for instance, eating beans in P3 - UGH!). I read the protocol as written by Dr. S and follow that.

I know everyone does whatever they feel is right to them, but the only reason I varied from the strict protocol was because of my health issues, not because I simply "wanted" to lose the weight faster or I was impatient. I have never waited less than 6 weeks.

[C'Marie]

THIS IS A REPOST from the P3/P4 Simeons' thread:

I'm exactly the same as yesterday, exactly 3.0 above LIW, even though all I had was protein and veggies all day long, and a very little super-dark 90% chocolate and 3 strawberries and 1 cup coconut milk. Still retaining water some. It's hot here. I have stepped up my therapy to 3x a week. It is my understanding that it causes some retention in the muscles so I'm not taking any dietary chances. I have to stay stable. If I decide to jump back on P2 I don't want to end up 5-6 pounds up before I load.

DO WE KNOW ANYONE who still POSTS who has done 5-6-7 rounds successfully losing large amount of weight, keeping it off, and who has altered the protocol to start a round earlier than Dr. S. prescribed? In going from R5 to R6 I am supposed to wait 6 months. My medical doctor wants me to get the weight OFF. My naturopath regularly tells people not to worry about the time in between, he only has people go 30 days on 30 days off cycling-but his staff tell me I'm the only one whose lost this much weight AND who keeps it off in between rounds even though I'm doing longer breaks. I have no one else left to talk to about it. I don't know if it's wise to do that many rounds and NOT keep the breaks going longer and longer and longer like Dr. S says. I do Rx and I know some people say the immunity thing isn't "really" an issue like Dr. S thought. But really, how many people do we know who have lost 100 or more pounds, kept it off, and DIDN'T follow protocol as per breaks? I don't really relish the thought of it suddenly not working for me.

Help!

[LilacBruze]

Absolutely NO usable advice from me, sorry. But if you can wait until the beginning of October, I'd be happy to be your P2 buddy!

Does the doc think that the little amount of weight you have to lose (and believe me, considering what you've already lost, it DOES seem like a little lol) will make that much difference in your hip? If yes, then definitely listen to the doc. Your health and comfort are at stake here.

I will be honest, I am no expert. But I have to question Dr S's time-line. I mean, Rx or not, how long does a body hold on to even the tiniest amount of HCG? Has there been any research in that? I wonder if he just picked numbers out of the air "just because" or if there was a definite science behind the time-line.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

THIS IS A REPOST from the P3/P4 Simeons' thread:

I'm exactly the same as yesterday, exactly 3.0 above LIW, even though all I had was protein and veggies all day long, and a very little super-dark 90% chocolate and 3 strawberries and 1 cup coconut milk. Still retaining water some. It's hot here. I have stepped up my therapy to 3x a week. It is my understanding that it causes some retention in the muscles so I'm not taking any dietary chances. I have to stay stable. If I decide to jump back on P2 I don't want to end up 5-6 pounds up before I load.

DO WE KNOW ANYONE who still POSTS who has done 5-6-7 rounds successfully losing large amount of weight, keeping it off, and who has altered the protocol to start a round earlier than Dr. S. prescribed? In going from R5 to R6 I am supposed to wait 6 months. My medical doctor wants me to get the weight OFF. My naturopath regularly tells people not to worry about the time in between, he only has people go 30 days on 30 days off cycling-but his staff tell me I'm the only one whose lost this much weight AND who keeps it off in between rounds even though I'm doing longer breaks. I have no one else left to talk to about it. I don't know if it's wise to do that many rounds and NOT keep the breaks going longer and longer and longer like Dr. S says. I do Rx and I know some people say the immunity thing isn't "really" an issue like Dr. S thought. But really, how many people do we know who have lost 100 or more pounds, kept it off, and DIDN'T follow protocol as per breaks? I don't really relish the thought of it suddenly not working for me.

Help!

i have just completed my 8th successful round i had a failed round in April yes there is an immunity issue can you do a round with HHCG? if it helps i have used intermountain successfully i have done RX injections and drops and HHCG drops i HAVE cycled before and plan on doing it this round, but haven't cycled on an RX round
i have been keeping it off except when my best friend died OCTOBER09 and i went out of control but even after that failed round in April(and all the drama that caused it BAD BAD TIME) i only gained 8 pounds(and i am still a BIG lady) from April to July eating JUNK every day this round went right on target and this P3 seems to be doing it too, how long since your last round?? if you had a full P3 and use HHCG you should be fine with RX since your naturopath approves maybe aP3 and 3 week P4 might be ok for at least one round??

[debkeversole]

oh i haven't lost 100 pounds yet i am right at the 65 pound mark

[JunkInMyTrunk]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

I followed protocol regarding the break time in between rounds for the 1st and 2nd, and 2nd and 3rd rounds explicitly. For the time between the 3rd and 4th round, I was slightly later due to scheduling issues. I did the 5th round with only a 6 week break after the 4th. I had no hunger issues and would guess that meant no immunity problems. I rationalized it was ok because I was longer between the 3rd and 4th and my doctor told me to do it to get the weight off of my joints. I don't like varying from the protocol.

I plan on starting my 6th round sometime soon. My naturopath said I should have no reason not to. He regularly tells people to do 30 days on and then 30 days off and then back on 30 days, etc. etc. HOWEVER, if I wasn't trying to get the weight off for my hip therapy, I would wait. There are many other reasons to wait the proper length of time between the rounds. One of which is to make sure your body is ready. I have heard from the ladies at my doctor's office that I am the only one they know of that has lost that much weight and kept it off. They say that the people they see gain the weight back. I think that is a sad testament to not following protocol. I am glad my doctor told me about hcg and gives me the rx for it, but really I don't follow any of his other advice at all (I have heard other variations he tells people to do and I don't do any of them-for instance, eating beans in P3 - UGH!). I read the protocol as written by Dr. S and follow that.

I know everyone does whatever they feel is right to them, but the only reason I varied from the strict protocol was because of my health issues, not because I simply "wanted" to lose the weight faster or I was impatient. I have never waited less than 6 weeks.

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of doing another round earlier than prescribed and since your doctor's office regularly tells people 30 days on and 30 days off, then I don't see the problem with it. I'm assuming that they see many patients at all stages and don't see a problem with immunity. I don't know what I will do, but I just wanted to get someone else's experience who might not have strictly followed protocol.

My mom did hcg in the 70s and I don't remember that she had to wait any great time between successive rounds, but I was a kid and probably didn't pay that much attention.

[JunkInMyTrunk]

Originally Posted by debkeversole

i have just completed my 8th successful round i had a failed round in April yes there is an immunity issue can you do a round with HHCG? if it helps i have used intermountain successfully i have done RX injections and drops and HHCG drops i HAVE cycled before and plan on doing it this round, but haven't cycled on an RX round
i have been keeping it off except when my best friend died OCTOBER09 and i went out of control but even after that failed round in April(and all the drama that caused it BAD BAD TIME) i only gained 8 pounds(and i am still a BIG lady) from April to July eating JUNK every day this round went right on target and this P3 seems to be doing it too, how long since your last round?? if you had a full P3 and use HHCG you should be fine with RX since your naturopath approves maybe aP3 and 3 week P4 might be ok for at least one round??

Debkeversole,
What I think I'm reading is that you've switched between Rx hcg and hhcg. Is that correct? Have you waited the prescribed amount of time between each round where the time between each round gets longer and longer?

Say your 3rd round was Rx hcg and you didn't want to wait 12 weeks to start your 4th round with Rx hcg, are you telling me that after 30 days (4 weeks or whatever you deemed appropriate) you started with the hhcg? Have you only had immunity issues when you went from Rx hcg and didn't wait long enough and then started back with Rx hcg again? You don't have that same problem with going from Rx hcg and not waiting long enough and then going to hhcg?

I'm glad that some people have "tweaked" the regimen and have some experience. I've been searching all over the internet to find other people who may have done this differently.

[JunkInMyTrunk]

Originally Posted by LilacBruze

I will be honest, I am no expert. But I have to question Dr S's time-line. I mean, Rx or not, how long does a body hold on to even the tiniest amount of HCG? Has there been any research in that? I wonder if he just picked numbers out of the air "just because" or if there was a definite science behind the time-line.

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. There is a clinic in town and I guess I could call them and ask what they do. I like to have options and was happy to find some people who may have done this differently.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by JunkInMyTrunk

Debkeversole,
What I think I'm reading is that you've switched between Rx hcg and hhcg. Is that correct? Have you waited the prescribed amount of time between each round where the time between each round gets longer and longer?

Say your 3rd round was Rx hcg and you didn't want to wait 12 weeks to start your 4th round with Rx hcg, are you telling me that after 30 days (4 weeks or whatever you deemed appropriate) you started with the hhcg? Have you only had immunity issues when you went from Rx hcg and didn't wait long enough and then started back with Rx hcg again? You don't have that same problem with going from Rx hcg and not waiting long enough and then going to hhcg?

I'm glad that some people have "tweaked" the regimen and have some experience. I've been searching all over the internet to find other people who may have done this differently.

no after an RX round i have done the full 3 week P3 and whatever length p4 i am supposed to... i have cycled with HHCG 3 weeks p3 and then back on or 3 week P3 and 3 weeks in p4 and then back on

[C'Marie]

Thank you for your opinions, this is not a decision I'm taking lightly.

Junkinmytrunk, do what you want, but please don't take my saying what my doctor said as any kind of evidence that it is or is not good.... because like I said, his staff tell me no one is as successful as me - (VERY SAD) - which makes me think what they are routinely doing is NOT working long term. Sure, people can lose weight all sorts of ways... but can they KEEP it off? I for one do not want to re-lose weight or not be stable because of doing rounds too close together. It's a freakin' waste of time and energy.

IF I decide to do this, it will be only because I think my health risks are less doing it that way.

I just wish that people who lost the weight didn't all take off and kept posting. The information might be valuable.

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by LilacBruze

Absolutely NO usable advice from me, sorry. But if you can wait until the beginning of October, I'd be happy to be your P2 buddy!

Does the doc think that the little amount of weight you have to lose (and believe me, considering what you've already lost, it DOES seem like a little lol) will make that much difference in your hip? If yes, then definitely listen to the doc. Your health and comfort are at stake here.

I will be honest, I am no expert. But I have to question Dr S's time-line. I mean, Rx or not, how long does a body hold on to even the tiniest amount of HCG? Has there been any research in that? I wonder if he just picked numbers out of the air "just because" or if there was a definite science behind the time-line.

Re: the hip - from what I understand, it's 5 pounds of pressure at the hip joint for every pound, so 25 pounds more lost means 125 pounds less pressure.

I doubt Dr S just picked a timeline out of the air - I wonder what his 40 years of clinical experience showed - I wish we knew! I wish P & I was more definitive.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Honestly, Jule, I have no idea how to do that.
I can change my avatar, but I don't know how to attach pictures inside a post. I can see if I can add some to my before/afters which are in my albums in my public profile.

LOL! to post a pic right from your computer, hit the paperclip icon at the message line, then select browse to find your picture file on your computer, then select upload. The only trouble I have is that sometimes my picture file is too large. I open the picture in MS picture manager and compress it (so the file is smaller). then you can save it and upload it more easily. HTH!

I have done several rounds, all homeopath., and although I don't think I would call it immunity, I do think it gets less effective in subsequent rounds. Whether it's b/c you've got less weight to lose, you haven't waited enough time in between rounds for your body to be ready to lose again, or the hcg is less effective - I don't know. But I have certainly experienced it myself.

I'd hate for you to have a failed round after so much success w/ the plan, but if you go into P2 sooner, I'd suggest the pellets. Less likely to be immune coming from the Rx, and they are way better (imo) than the drops.

Good luck to you and keep us posted as you go along!

[JunkInMyTrunk]

Okay, I went back and read the section in P&I that talks about multiple rounds and below is the whole section on this issue:

Further Courses
Patients requiring the loss of more than 34 lbs. must have a second or even more courses. A second course can be
started after an interval of not less than six weeks, though the pause can be more than six weeks. When a third,
fourth or even fifth course is necessary, the interval between courses should be made progressively longer. Between
a second and third course eight weeks should elapse, between a third and fourth course twelve weeks, between a
fourth and fifth course twenty weeks and between a fifth and sixth course six months. In this way it is possible to
bring about a weight reduction of 100 lbs. and more if required without the least hardship to the patient.In general, men do slightly better than women and often reach a somewhat higher average daily loss. Very advanced
cases do a little better than early ones, but it is a remarkable fact that this difference is only just statistically
significant.

It seems that the only reason given for adding additional weeks between successive rounds is to make it easier on the patient. Probably due to diet fatigue. He does not mention immunity as a reason for progressively longer break times.

Immunity is mentioned in a separate section and that happens usually during a round that is over 26 days without taking the one day a week off from injections. He mentions nothing about immunity in relation to the time between rounds.

Glad I went back and referred to the manual.

[C'Marie]

Too bad after 100 pounds I can't hit the *reset* button and go back to the beginning LOL

like control/alt/delete

and just do 6 weeks again.

Who knows why he wasn't specific about the reasons other than the generic "least hardship to the patient" which we can only speculate. Everyone will read into it what they want to hear, unfortunately, I think.

Wish I believed in speaking to the dead! That's one conversation I'd like to have, "Doctor, can you explain what you meant here, here, here, and here?!?"

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Wish I believed in speaking to the dead! That's one conversation I'd like to have, "Doctor, can you explain what you meant here, here, here, and here?!?"

I'm pretty sure we'd be the patients that he dreads coming into his office. You know, the ones he complains about who want to make recipes and tweak everything.

But WHY doctor, WHY!

[MyKidLoves]

Originally Posted by JunkInMyTrunk

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. There is a clinic in town and I guess I could call them and ask what they do. I like to have options and was happy to find some people who may have done this differently.

Lilac and Junk:

I don't know how much this information is helpful in this instance, but here goes. I went through several years of not-quite-fertility-issues, but multiple miscarriages. I remember that when I was given hcg injections to help with ovulation, I had to wait a longer than usual amount of time to test for pregnancy until the injected hcg was out of my system. At least one week longer, I believe. That is to say, in order to know if I was *really* pregnant, we had to wait until the injected hcg would have cleared out and any positive hcg reading would therefore indicate pregnancy.

That said, I did have a couple of experiences AFTER being naturally pregnant and than miscarrying, where it took longer than expected for the hcg to clear from my system. In those cases, I had to wait until all of my pregnancy hcg was out of my system before I could 1) expect TOM to arrive, and 2) start trying to get pregnant again. My period actually would not come until the hcg was all 'out'. I don't have specific numbers for you, but I can remember calling my doctor worried that I hadn't gotten my TOM yet. My body seemed to be hanging on to it, as I recall.

I believe the dosages for hcg injections in these cases are much higher than what is used for the hcg diet, and certainly WAY more than hhcg!

interpret the information as you wish...for what it's worth!

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by paulabob

I'm pretty sure we'd be the patients that he dreads coming into his office. You know, the ones he complains about who want to make recipes and tweak everything.

But WHY doctor, WHY!

I'm positive you are right about that.... I always want to know WHY about everything... I get told that with every class I take. "That's a good question, but it's not within the scope of this course."

WELL, so far, I've decided to stay on P4 for a little while longer. I'm holding my weight down ok and although I am really anxious about getting some more weight off, I need to continue to work on my hip therapy and that takes extra protein. I could change my mind at any point, but probably at least for another week or so I'll stay right where I'm at.

Steak day today! I had a planned indulgence and planned to do a steak day today. Very nice tool, and yummy, too!

[C'Marie]

OREGON and PAC NW HCG MEETUP
AN IRL (In Real Life) Meetup I'm going to - coming up soon!

Details:

Saturday, August 20 · 12:30 pm - 7:00 pm RAIN OR SHINE - we have a covered area!
Location
The Oaks Amusement Park
7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 233-5777

Area 12 is reserved for us-straight back from the main entrance
River view area, covered, electricity

There will be tables with foods for P2, P3, and P4 - so come whatever stage/phase you are on!

NO BEVERAGES ALLOWED IN - the contract for the picnic area states that emphatically - all beverages must be purchased from the park. There will be a free will donation bucket to help defray the cost of the picnic area rental and the cost of the required water purchase already taken care of by the planners.

Bring: lawn chairs, coolers, and a P2, P3 and P4 food each to share, BBQ's.... but no beverages. Cost of the water is $18 for 24 bottles. Plan to eat as soon as you arrive and we may eat again for dinner time.

FREE admission to the Park
FREE Parking
Deluxe ride bracelet 14.75
Limited ride bracelet 11.75
Individual ride tickets are available
Golf and Go-Karts also

This is a 44-acre shady park established in 1905
20 amusement rides, roller skating
horseshoe pits, concessions, arcade, and grassy areas.

Organizers:
HebbieDobby Hcg, Nili Simeons

If you can get here by plane, train or car and you are a fan of hcg, YOU ARE INVITED! Not only you, but the whole family (socialized leashed doggies too!)

It looks like there may be an adults-only evening planned as well - Karaoke and beverages at a local place.....

[C'Marie]

Thanks, Julie, for the explicit directions. As soon as I scan in some more pics, I will post

[C'Marie]

UPDATE on ME

I'm doing well, still @ 100# loss and ounces above that, and maintaining, although to get stable I had to adjust my LIW upwards of about 3 pounds to compensate for a colonic I had right at the end of P2 which I believe made my weight at the end of P2 artificially low and unable to maintain as soon as my digestive system somewhat refilled.

I am mostly low STARCH by choice, although not really all that low CARB (I eat fruit etc). I have to stay away from WHEAT mostly except Ezekiel bread. It's not that I gain so quickly from it, I have some issues with it with arthritis flare ups. I would have never known that if I had not done hcg and the VLCD with its detoxing effect. Also, I choose to stay away from corn for the same reason. I also have decided to (loosely) follow the Eat Right 4 Your Type blood diet, choosing from the list of good available P3/P4 foods mostly the ones that go along with that. I am a type O. I also am limiting dairy. It is one of the things that make me gain, sadly - because my favorite treat is plain, unsweetened lowfat yogurt with blueberries. I now can have it like 2-3x a week and appear to be better for it pain and inflammation-wise. Once in awhile I have a little frozen chocolate yogurt with sugar like everyone else and do ok with it.

So far I am still in P4. No decision yet about when I may return to P2 and do Round 6.

If anyone sees or hears about anyone else who has lost 100 (or so) pounds with multiple rounds of hcg, I would like to talk to them-have them pm me. Not only am I personally interested for reasons I stated above, I am also gathering information for another study.

Hope everyone's Monday is WONDERFUL!!!