HCG Alternative Plans for 5/2/11

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by Amity79

Have I read on here that some of you on rogue plans eat greek yogurt? I could be wrong and it may have been the main forum, but wanted to check becasue I am headed to the store and that sounds good for breakfast for me one I am done loading.

I am using 0% greek fage yogurt on P2... plain, not flavored.

[mousie tartufo]

Originally Posted by doxielove

Of course I'm not upset - I DID ask for opinions and I am grateful for them.. It just seems to me that since we ALL eat 500 calories a day that ALL of us will always have to be extremely diligent for the rest of our lives - and 500 calories is still 500 calories. Just mulling it around - it's really hard for me to just eat the 2 meals (I'm hungry in the morning!) and spacing out shakes means 5 a day - one every three hours. If my doctor can't lower my cortisol levels I don't suppose it will matter if I get 100 calories a day, I still won't lose any weight!

Meh. I'm on my third round, and all through this thing my breakfast/lunch (depending on what time of day it is ) is a protein shake (mine are with low carb skim milk, and the total is 175 calories after adding the powder). Hasn't slowed me up any. That said, I DO eat solid food for dinner, and on weekends. Just during the week do I have the shakes, because they're fast and I don't have to worry about taking a huge amount of time during the day to stop and make some food. YMMV, obviously.

Good luck, whatever you choose!

[mdolph]

So I went to take some stuff back to Kohls today and managed to spend what I got in returns and some, lol! But the interesting part was how different each brand was size-wise. I bought 3 pairs of capris, one an 11, one a 9 and one, get this, a 5! The 11s and the 5s are nearly the same in the waist. I bought 4 shirts, all size medium. They were having a sale and they had a coupons, a great clearance section and kohls cash! This was the first time ever I felt confident enough to buy cago style pants. I've been wanting some for years. I bought a pair of brown ones and camo ones (to impress my son). My summer wardrobe is complete! I don't see myself dropping much more size wise and this stuff will look fine a little lose (I bought on the tight side).

I also can't believe I bought in the Junior's department, but I was looking for a shorter jean skirt and happened upon the clearance rack there and couldn't pass up pants for $8!

Didn't get my run in as it was too windy. Instead I'm counting trying on clothes as a workout. It was a workout!

[Life4Me]

Originally Posted by Gracie514

When I'm in P3 and P4 (long-term maintenance) I can eat 2500+ calories per day and not gain...

As long as I don't go crazy and carb up like a maniac, I can easily maintain and stabilize.

Remember, treat this as a treatment - it is curing you of obesity. Best of luck to you.

This is SO wonderful to read. This gives me SUCH hope.
Is it true? I mean, is it crazy for me to hope that????

[mousie tartufo]

Originally Posted by Life4Me

I mean, is it crazy for me to hope that????

No, of course not. Look around at all the success stories! But, like any treatment, you have to stick to it for it to work.

[mdolph]

I truely beileve that this plan works. With that said I KNOW I'm very sensitive to carbs and will always have to keep myself in check with daily weigh-ins and watching my carb intake, but I believe I'll have no problems maintaining at a higher caloric level.

[minimonkey]

Hi all -- just a quick evening check in --- need to keep up with everyone's progress!

Cheryl --- thank you for everything you said.... you don't know how much it helps. I love my partner more than anything/anyone in the world... and I am completely grateful for each day we have together -- but it is terribly hard on both of us when he flares up badly. This was the worst flare to date, and it was genuinely quite scary.

My period seems to have stopped.... like, actually stopped! I still feel a bit hormonal, but the bleeding has ceased....wow. Wonder if it really is the drops, or if it is total coincidence??? Either way, I just hope it stays gone.

Did a good p2 day (about 700 calories of mostly protein) -- and a killer workout to boot. Hope the scale relents a bit in the morning, but am not really stressing it if it doesn't ... at least I am on track with something that I know and understand.

The hhcg magic has kicked in, and hunger is gone.... what a nice feeling. I do p2 well.... now, if I could just get the hang of p3 for more than a couple of weeks at a time... and if my body would cooperate.... sigh.

I am done with the semester this week, and am hoping I can swing finishing all but one class (in which I am taking an incomplete.) I am just going to hang back and chill in p2 until life settles down a bit, and then I will attempt p3 again.... the stress can't be helping the menstrual weirdness one bit.

[mdolph]

Yeah for TOM up and leaving! Sounds like your life, may, be getting a little less stressful for ya mini!

I had a huge surprise on the scale this morning.... 1 1/2 pounds less than yesterday! Thank you mousie for releasing the woosh fairy! She seems to have paid me a visit. This is really surprising since I didn't get my run in and I had added more calories and fat to my diet yesterday.

In total rogue fashion I've decided to eat meatballs with homemade spaghetti sauce for dinner tonight. Lunch will be the usual hard boiled egg and yogurt.

Cathy, I think it's you who asked, my name is Melanie!

Have a great one everyone!

[paulabob]

Hope everyone's ready for a good morning!

Into virgin weight...dropped 1.2 overnight and am now 137! FINALLY!

Congrats on all the losses, and thanks everyone for sharing so much on the thread. I'm enjoying getting to know everyone better.

[ahealinglady]

What is the source of protein for these shakes? I too seek to use shakes but find whey not good for me.

[mousie tartufo]

Originally Posted by ahealinglady

What is the source of protein for these shakes? I too seek to use shakes but find whey not good for me.

Mine are whey protein. But if you look around there are shake mixes made with egg protein, soy protein, casein (not whey, but still dairy derived), and probably one or two that I've missed. I personally avoid soy protein like the plague - unfermented soy is known to mess with hormonal systems and has been linked to a tonne of health issues, including early onset menarche in girls (like as in at 8 years old). My hormones are whack enough as it is, thanks to perimeno. YMMV, obviously.

[tinatina]

Good Morning!

down 1.2 this morning after my .6 gain yesterday! 161 even, hoping to see a new low number tomorrow!

[mousie tartufo]

Mini - yay for TOM leaving! Stinks that you're back on P2 again though. Perimeno SUCKS.

Mdolph - you're welcome! I figured if I let the whoosh faerie leave, she'd be more willing to visit more frequently. No sense trying to keep her captive!

Congrats to everyone else for the successes, and to those who either slipped backwards a bit or STS. Hang tough, we'll all get there eventually!

I'm down another .5 today. Not much to report other than that, but at least it's progress!

Cheers, and hope everyone finds the droids they're looking for today! And May the Fourth be with you!

[Terilynn]

Good morning everyone. I have been M I A for a while. Went on a mini vacation to see husbands family in AZ. Good time, but...... I stayed good on P3 until the last couple days and then all hell broke loose with my eating. I am not weighing until Sunday (yeah, my little trick that I use to trick my cheating self..... ) I am hoping that with a few good days and a correction day I can be back to my low by Sunday. That would be the end of my P3, but I think I will do one more week of P3 and then load and do another P2. No need for P4 yet.

You all are rocking this thing.....looks like everyone is doing pretty darn good. I don't have time to do a lot of typing....back at work and I guess I need to get some work done before playing.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by mdolph

I had a huge surprise on the scale this morning.... 1 1/2 pounds less than yesterday! Thank you mousie for releasing the woosh fairy! She seems to have paid me a visit. This is really surprising since I didn't get my run in and I had added more calories and fat to my diet yesterday.!

Melanie, the woosh fairy came to me next.... congrats, very respectable loss!!

Originally Posted by paulabob

Hope everyone's ready for a good morning!

Into virgin weight...dropped 1.2 overnight and am now 137! FINALLY

Paula, yeah!! VT .... Great job!!!

So this morning, I was blessed with a new decade!!! The woosh fairy gave me a whole pound!! Unheard of!! But yeah!!!

[tinatina]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

So this morning, I was blessed with a new decade!!! The woosh fairy gave me a whole pound!! Unheard of!! But yeah!!!

[mdolph]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Melanie, the woosh fairy came to me next.... congrats, very respectable loss!!


Paula, yeah!! VT .... Great job!!!

So this morning, I was blessed with a new decade!!! The woosh fairy gave me a whole pound!! Unheard of!! But yeah!!!

Yes, yes yes! I'm totally jealous though as that's about where I want to be and plan to be by the end of the month! Good for you! You had to have been doing the happy dance!

On a totally tmi and unrelated note... I finally replaced my underwear with ones that fit and wow, did that make me feel better about myself. I should have done this sooner!

[kitten1972]

Originally Posted by mdolph

I truely beileve that this plan works. With that said I KNOW I'm very sensitive to carbs and will always have to keep myself in check with daily weigh-ins and watching my carb intake, but I believe I'll have no problems maintaining at a higher caloric level.

I agree. I really think that I will be able to eat a lot of fat and calories if I keep my carbs low. I can live with the low-carb if I can have my fat . I was happy eating Atkins, I justed stopped losing (or was losing like .5lb/month).

Originally Posted by catjrow3

So this morning, I was blessed with a new decade!!! The woosh fairy gave me a whole pound!! Unheard of!! But yeah!!!

That is AWESOME!!!



I was down another whole pound today, (was down .5 yesterday, I don't think I posted that) so I am at 120. I'm pretty sure I haven't weighed this since I got pregnant with my DD (8+ years). I'm hoping to see the teens in the next few days.

[goddesslynne]

Congrats, Cathy!! Awesome job by all the "losers"!!

Yesterday's food-frenzy (all low-carb, but too much) brought me back close to where I started: 162. Also wondering if it has anything to do with my workout on Monday. I'm working out again today, so we'll see. Did much better with the water yesterday, but too much salt on that big ol' salad. And, I felt to big and lumbering yesterday. Ick!

But, in other news, I got a great on-line review I wasn't expecting!! If anyone's interested, you could google Ask Miss A and look under the L.A. tab to see the cute salon where I work. They mis-spelled my name, but it's close enough.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by kitten1972

That is AWESOME!!!

I was down another whole pound today, (was down .5 yesterday, I don't think I posted that) so I am at 120. I'm pretty sure I haven't weighed this since I got pregnant with my DD (8+ years). I'm hoping to see the teens in the next few days.

Thanks Kitten, and NICE LOSS!! 120, now I am the jealous one!!!!

Originally Posted by mdolph

Yes, yes yes! I'm totally jealous though as that's about where I want to be and plan to be by the end of the month! Good for you! You had to have been doing the happy dance!

On a totally tmi and unrelated note... I finally replaced my underwear with ones that fit and wow, did that make me feel better about myself. I should have done this sooner!

Melanie, Thank you. Not my goal, but was a mini one at least!! on the underwear! Glad its all "sorted" out!! Great job!

Originally Posted by goddesslynne

Congrats, Cathy!! Awesome job

Thanks Lynne, nice to hit even a mini goal!

[kitten1972]

Originally Posted by goddesslynne

But, in other news, I got a great on-line review I wasn't expecting!! If anyone's interested, you could google Ask Miss A and look under the L.A. tab to see the cute salon where I work. They mis-spelled my name, but it's close enough.

That is GREAT, she was very complimentary! If I could ever get to the 'city', I would love to visit your salon.

[goddesslynne]

Thank you, Amy!!

[CherylB]

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS! You are making my eyes pop out of their sockets and my jaw hit the floor! What an amazing day for whooshes! Even the guy/gal on the scale is jumping up and down with glee!

Originally Posted by mousie tartufo

Cheers, and hope everyone finds the droids they're looking for today! And May the Fourth be with you!

Originally Posted by goddesslynne

Congrats, Cathy!! Awesome job by all the "losers"!!

Yesterday's food-frenzy (all low-carb, but too much) brought me back close to where I started: 162. Also wondering if it has anything to do with my workout on Monday. I'm working out again today, so we'll see. Did much better with the water yesterday, but too much salt on that big ol' salad. And, I felt to big and lumbering yesterday. Ick!

But, in other news, I got a great on-line review I wasn't expecting!! If anyone's interested, you could google Ask Miss A and look under the L.A. tab to see the cute salon where I work. They mis-spelled my name, but it's close enough.

WTG, Lynne! I'll have to go check out that review. You made the papers! Sorry for your weight bump-up. I'm joining you today in that sad group.

I ran out of my liquid Splenda yesterday (Ez Sweetz) and I started using the powdered kind in the packets. Today I'm up 2.2 lbs from yesterday! I hope it isn't the stupid splenda. I will have to order more of the EZS from Netrition, and I really don't need anything else from them right now. I hate to have a small order, since it's a one-rate flat shipping charge. Oh, well. I'm going in!

Mini, bless you and your sweetie. I hope he doesn't have any more rough patches for a very long time. It's so hard on both of you. (((HUGS)))

As for me, I am going to take the first day off in four days of hiking at the park and enjoy hiding inside as it rains. (The hiking might have played a part in the weight jump, too.) I'm going to drink lots of fluids and order my Netrition stuff right now.

Have a peaceful, pleasant and healthy day!

[2BabesMama]

Buzzing by! -1.6 today! The whoosh fairy is making the rounds today!

Congrats to all!

[CherylB]

Quote: "My esthetician, Lynn Shirbandeni, was so accommodating and very knowledgeable about the waxing process. Before my lip wax, I warned her that I have sensitive skin, but she assured me that Beba’s products were extremely gentle. Besides my trusty waxing goddess back in Chicago, Lynn was the only other esthetician I’ve had who preps the waxing area with baby powder in order to ensure the least amount of pain and irritation. She was quick but also precise, a characteristic that was glaringly absent among other LA estheticians I had tried—perhaps that’s why Beba won Allure Magazine’s award for Best Waxing in LA."

I thought that was funny that she used the word goddess in the same paragraph that she was speaking of your great service! Was that a coincidence? Your spa sounds heavenly.

[goddesslynne]

I know, Cheryl!! I am not sure if I gave her my email addy, which mentions goddess, but I'm so excited about this!! Thank you for the recognition!!

[Life4Me]

I realize that it doesn't reeeeeaaaalllly matter, but my scale was playing with me this morning. Yesterday was 272.8lbs, then when I first stepped on it totally blearyeyed and barely upright this morning it said 271.6lbs. That's a 1.2lb loss.

I would have been happy with that, but I stood there and woke up for a minute or two, made sure the scale was set on clean level floor, and reweighed just to be sure, and it said 270.8lbs - tried several times, but that's what it said!!! That's a 2.0lb loss.

I went and layed (laid?) back down for 5 minutes (going to put on some progesterone cream) and realized I had forgotten to take my am dose of drops. So I went back to the bathroom, suspicious of the scale, tried one more time and got 271.0lbs consistently. That's a 1.8lb loss.

I realize the variance in the scale has a little bit to do with waking, but either way I look at those numbers wow it feels good. :-) yes I want NORMAL but this part sure helps with the waiting.

Today is R1 P2 VLCD28. I know I can "legally" go 14 more days or I could quit at anytime. Mentally, I'd like to see 256 or so, but that seems like a dream. I need to prepare grocerywise if I'm going to transition to p3, and honestly probably a bit emotionally too.

Originally Posted by kitten1972

I was happy eating Atkins, I justed stopped losing (or was losing like .5lb/month).

That is exactly what happened to me - I was happy, I was healthy, my weight just wouldn't budge, and unfortunately it had stopped moving in the 290's! No matter how healthy everything else is, that's a lot of poundage to heft around as I age...

I admit, I dream (there's that word again... it's less really than Hope, and the other side of the galaxy from Plan, but still, I can see that star from here) of being normal sized, and eating carefully, but also okay with the occasional indulgence... will I one day be able to have an ice cream cone with my kids on vacation or a baked potato if my husband ever took me out on a date? Ever?

At this point, I'm already living a dream fulfilled, because 2 months ago I didn't think I would ever see the 270's again, and now here I am nearly in the 260's again, a weight I haven't seen since my first golden days of lowcarb SEVEN YEARS AGO. (Lots of life happened in those years.) So, I dream a little more: the 250's, and a
french fry every once in a while when I finally move to p4!

I'll just stay away from tomatoes.

[Life4Me]

Oh, and I meant to say, thanks to your explanations about how the drops work & your suggestions to play with my dosing, I am now doing 10 drops 4 times/day. I had tried sticking with 3x and going up/down with the amount, but it didn't feel right. So far I'm really happy with this new arrangement. . just wanted to share & say thanks... the info & support here is amazing.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by Life4Me

I realize that it doesn't reeeeeaaaalllly matter, but my scale was playing with me this morning. Yesterday was 272.8lbs, then when I first stepped on it totally blearyeyed and barely upright this morning it said 271.6lbs. That's a 1.2lb loss.

I would have been happy with that, but I stood there and woke up for a minute or two, made sure the scale was set on clean level floor, and reweighed just to be sure, and it said 270.8lbs - tried several times, but that's what it said!!! That's a 2.0lb loss.

I went and layed (laid?) back down for 5 minutes (going to put on some progesterone cream) and realized I had forgotten to take my am dose of drops. So I went back to the bathroom, suspicious of the scale, tried one more time and got 271.0lbs consistently. That's a 1.8lb loss.

That'll teach ya! I'll never understand how your weight can fluctuate so much in so little time, having not had anything to eat or drink. WTG, though! A whoosh is a whoosh is a whoosh.

I admit, I dream (there's that word again... it's less really than Hope, and the other side of the galaxy from Plan, but still, I can see that star from here) of being normal sized, and eating carefully, but also okay with the occasional indulgence... will I one day be able to have an ice cream cone with my kids on vacation or a baked potato if my husband ever took me out on a date? Ever?

This is so cute and precious! I am quoting your post because of its darlingness. (New word.) I Believe (in a closer galaxy than Hope?) that we will all be able to lose our weight on this plan, that we will be able to maintain within our 2 lb window (if we are faithfully weighing and doing our corrections days right then and there, when needed,) and that we will also be able to have an occasional indulgence without losing all we've worked so hard and long to acchieve.

At this point, I'm already living a dream fulfilled, because 2 months ago I didn't think I would ever see the 270's again, and now here I am nearly in the 260's again, a weight I haven't seen since my first golden days of lowcarb SEVEN YEARS AGO. (Lots of life happened in those years.) So, I dream a little more: the 250's, and a french fry every once in a while when I finally move to p4!

I'll just stay away from tomatoes.

Yes! Tomatoes are a mad sort of trigger for you. They are your gateway drug to binging, I suppose. "Lot's of life" happens, doesn't it? But we come through to the other side and the sun comes back out and the birds begin chirping again and we can breathe a sigh of relief. At least for a while, anyway.

[doxielove]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

I am actually SUPPLEMENTING cortisol and am doing fine. Just fyi...

I have been under extreme stress for well over a year - my dad had Alzheimer's and finally passed away 6 weeks ago, in addition to losing my home 11 months ago, having both daughters move away for college (and paying for two daughter in college!), and after going back to school at 42 and getting a BA, MA, and teaching credential finding that, thanks to our great California government, I will probably lose my teaching job and not be able to find another one any time soon! Yeah, lots of stress! Took a Cortisol saliva test, have WAAAAY too much of it (indicated also by a tube of fat in the upper abdomen so that the upper part sticks our further than the lower) and trying to control it. Too much cortisol not only adds weight but stresses out organs, as well. You're lucky you need it - I think most of us have too much.