HCG Alternative Plans for week of 5/9/2011

[PiDevil]

I stayed off all diet drinks on R1 on subsequent rounds have added diet coke - no more than 1/day, sometimes none.

I drink only black coffee - I got used to it way back when and prefer it that way. On occasion when not on P2, I will add HWC as a treat.

Lynne - you look fab! You are my height and at my goal weight. I don't consider myself small-framed however. 160 looks good on you.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by goddesslynne

[IMG][/IMG]

Let's see if this works, I hope it's not too big!

I started my weight-release journey at 240lbs., and released 95 with medifast. The after pic is at about 92 down, I think. Then, last summer I dabbled with atkins, got sloppy and re-acquired close to 20lbs. As of today, I'm 160. I'm thinking of raising my goal to 140, but even that seems so out of reach right now.

Lynne, you look amazing!! You, like me, also look much happier in your after picture. Thats probably because we are much happier huh? I know I feel better than I did at 240 pounds, thats for dang sure! Nice job, you should be very proud of yourself!!

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Cathy--we are on the same VLCD#, yes? Are you planning to move into P3 next week? I am so wanting to move past this set point I've been stuck on for a few days. Hoping after I bust through I'll lose more. Deciding whether to do a few more VLCDs past 21 and seeing what happens. I'm doing ok with my piddly portions ATM, but Starbucks is so calling my name!

Yes, I think we are on the same schedule. I am giong to try to hold out another week, due to my "error" on Mother's Day. Still up 2 from that, so bascially this week has been a wash! But if... I cannot get it anywhere from this mistake, I will go into P3 next week, and do a 2 or 3 week rotation in P3 and come back to P2 to finish up... If I start losing again, at least 0.5 a day, I think I will stay and stick it out.. but I guess a couple more days will tell what my plans are, since I was hoping at least to have more off this morning than I did... boo!! I could go without the starbucks, no problems, but the variety or the butter! LOL Full fat greek yogurt with berries!!! YUMMY!!! Shall we take a few more days and think it over?? LOL

[catjrow3]

Also, thanks Mimo, Paula, Pat, Melanie, for your comments on the photo.

[CherylB]

Thanks, 2babes! I was due for the whoosh fairy and she showed up!

I thought I had three full weeks of smooth sailing before Memorial Day (picnic) and today I just got invited to a huge family dinner on Thursday. My sister has to go nuts every time one of her kids is in town and her daughter told her late last night that they'll be here Thursday. SOB! Lasagna and the works. The entire family, as if it were a holiday dinner.

I'm going but I'm not thrilled to have all these monkey wrenches in my plans! I know that I can get away with a refeed every 2 weeks or so, but I just went off plan on Saturday. *****.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Thanks, 2babes! I was due for the whoosh fairy and she showed up!

I thought I had three full weeks of smooth sailing before Memorial Day (picnic) and today I just got invited to a huge family dinner on Thursday. My sister has to go nuts every time one of her kids is in town and her daughter told her late last night that they'll be here Thursday. SOB! Lasagna and the works. The entire family, as if it were a holiday dinner.

I'm going but I'm not thrilled to have all these monkey wrenches in my plans! I know that I can get away with a refeed every 2 weeks or so, but I just went off plan on Saturday. *****.

Forgot to mention, congrats on your nice loss this morning!! Whoo hooo!! Okay, send the darn fairy my way now...

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Also, thanks Mimo, Paula, Pat, Melanie, for your comments on the photo.

Hope you didn't miss my post about your pics! Last post on the first page, okay?

Thanks for the congrats on the whoosh! Will send Fairy over. I'll see if I can reach her, cause she's long gone already.

[mousie tartufo]

Originally Posted by 3bees~1flower

any roguers use hwc or half & half in morning coffee? i cannot stand black coffee. and only drink it in the early morning. what about diet pop? love it! helps me stay on plan...when lc'ing, anyway.

Yes, I use no more than 2Tbl in my coffee. I have only the one cup per day. Hasn't slowed me down any.

As to diet soda, that's another YMMV issue. I have some (sucralose sweetened) occasionally (once or twice a week, as opposed to 2-3 cans per day) but I've essentially given it up. Partly because it's just not good for you, partly because non-aspartame soda is difficult to find, and partly because it's been shown that diet soda actually CAUSES weight gain. I've finally learned to deal with drinking water.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Hope you didn't miss my post about your pics! Last post on the first page, okay?

Thanks for the congrats on the whoosh! Will send Fairy over. I'll see if I can reach her, cause she's long gone already.

Cheryl, thank you!! Must have missed it the first go round! I think the next time she visits me, (the dang fairy) I am going to tie a string on her, so I can yank her back when she tries to leave

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by mousie tartufo

Yes, I use no more than 2Tbl in my coffee. I have only the one cup per day. Hasn't slowed me down any.

As to diet soda, that's another YMMV issue. I have some (sucralose sweetened) occasionally (once or twice a week, as opposed to 2-3 cans per day) but I've essentially given it up. Partly because it's just not good for you, partly because non-aspartame soda is difficult to find, and partly because it's been shown that diet soda actually CAUSES weight gain. I've finally learned to deal with drinking water.

I dont know how you feel about Stevia, and I have never been much of a soda drinker and actually like water... but I Have found that if I buy sparkling water (carbonated water) and add stevia vanilla creme drops or grape drops to the water, its just like creme soda or grape soda... and it helps with my urges if I start thinking about sweets or maybe thinking I am a tad hungry. I dont have them everyday, but sometimes I do, and sometimes twice a day and its still water!! Its nice alternative... and no aspartame!

[2BabesMama]

Who (besides Cheryl) has been holding the Whoosh Fairy hostage? Or is someone holding her for ransom. I'm sure we can take up a collection.

Cathy, I think I'm in the same frame of mind as you are. I haven't had a slip up to fix, but I am inching along around this freakin' set point # (205 fyi). I'm hoping tomorrow to blow past it and if my losses pick back up, I'd consider staying on P2 a bit longer. Besides a Starbucks treat (Fridays only) I am also missing variety and stuff that I took for granted like butter, cream, salad dressings, burgers!

Cheryl: Oh no! Monkey wrenches bite! There are too many social events this month with end-of-the-school-year stuff (for my 2nd & 5th graders) and grraduation parties and my DD's birthday, Mother's Day, and on and on!

So how do you work your refeeds? Maybe that's what I'll need to do to keep on trucking with P2 for a bit longer.

[2BabesMama]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Cheryl, thank you!! Must have missed it the first go round! I think the next time she visits me, (the dang fairy) I am going to tie a string on her, so I can yank her back when she tries to leave

Uh uh! I will fight you for her! LOL

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Cathy, I think I'm in the same frame of mind as you are. I haven't had a slip up to fix, but I am inching along around this freakin' set point # (205 fyi). I'm hoping tomorrow to blow past it and if my losses pick back up, I'd consider staying on P2 a bit longer. Besides a Starbucks treat (Fridays only) I am also missing variety and stuff that I took for granted like butter, cream, salad dressings, burgers!

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Uh uh! I will fight you for her! LOL

Or mixing your salad veges with more variety thats good too!! If I go to P3 though without hitting goal, I will cycle back in, and just make it an interruption instead. A refeed is like "cheating" basically, where you eat alot of carbs, trying to stay away from sugar for 24-36 hours...

[2BabesMama]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Or mixing your salad veges with more variety thats good too!! If I go to P3 though without hitting goal, I will cycle back in, and just make it an interruption instead. A refeed is like "cheating" basically, where you eat alot of carbs, trying to stay away from sugar for 24-36 hours...

So would you say a refeed is one meal or a day of food? Or is it more like another load? I suppose there are a variety of ways to do this. I would think eating more carbs helps with the depleted serotonin levels, which is supposed to be what gives us that sense of well being. And not deprivation!

[goddesslynne]

Originally Posted by 3bees~1flower

any roguers use hwc or half & half in morning coffee? i cannot stand black coffee. and only drink it in the early morning. what about diet pop? love it! helps me stay on plan...when lc'ing, anyway.

I use hwc in my coffee (2 cups, so about an ounce of hwc) along with s.f. flavor syrup. I do drink 1-2 diet A&W sodas a day.

[goddesslynne]

Originally Posted by PiDevil

I stayed off all diet drinks on R1 on subsequent rounds have added diet coke - no more than 1/day, sometimes none.

I drink only black coffee - I got used to it way back when and prefer it that way. On occasion when not on P2, I will add HWC as a treat.

Lynne - you look fab! You are my height and at my goal weight. I don't consider myself small-framed however. 160 looks good on you.

Thank you!! And thanks to everyone for the nice comments. This "after" pic is closer to 145-146 lbs., so I'm not quite here right now. *grrrr, cute dresses from last summer don't fit*

[goddesslynne]

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

So would you say a refeed is one meal or a day of food? Or is it more like another load? I suppose there are a variety of ways to do this. I would think eating more carbs helps with the depleted serotonin levels, which is supposed to be what gives us that sense of well being. And not deprivation!

The whole idea of re-feeding is so confusing to me!! I know, it should be simple. But, for about 2 years I've not eaten traditional "carby" foods, (bread, pasta, potato, rice, beans, fruit, etc.) so when I "go over" it's on stuff like fat, dairy, nuts. I really wonder what's going on with my serotonin levels!

[mousie tartufo]

okay, it occurs to me I have yet to weigh in today

Down another .5 today. May or may not see a new decade, since Saturday is my last day on this round. Might eke out one more day just to be greedy, if I need to Just seems like I'm condemned to losing 9.5 pounds of new weight each round, no matter what Oh well, it is what it is I just have to keep reminding myself that I didn't get this heavy overnight, so I'm not going to get light overnight either. Doesn't stop me from dreaming, though!

OTOH - despite my measurements not changing, on a whim this morning I tried on a pair of capris I bought in anticipation of wearing them to my next show. I bought a size 10, figuring that I **might** be able to squeeze into them, just for one day (When I bought them, I'd tried on a size 12, and they were TIGHT, I could barely get them zipped). Well, they went on and zipped right up. Mind you it caused a muffin top, but hells. A size 10 The mind boggles. I just sort of stood there looking in the mirror in disbelief.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

So would you say a refeed is one meal or a day of food? Or is it more like another load? I suppose there are a variety of ways to do this. I would think eating more carbs helps with the depleted serotonin levels, which is supposed to be what gives us that sense of well being. And not deprivation!

I cant say I would do it, but I have read the threads about it... basically 24-36 hours or some do 12 hours, or some just do a meal... but the original idea was 24-36 hours, of high carb, low sugar refeeds to refill your glycogen stores.. and let your body know its not starving. You will go up in weight 2-5 llbs depending... but supposed to kick up the losses after. I would binge and eat junk, sweets and probably not let it work right, so as stated, I will not do it, as I know what will happen if I do... but others here have done them... Not a load in eating high fat, whatever foods..

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by mousie tartufo

OTOH - despite my measurements not changing, on a whim this morning I tried on a pair of capris I bought in anticipation of wearing them to my next show. I bought a size 10, figuring that I **might** be able to squeeze into them, just for one day (When I bought them, I'd tried on a size 12, and they were TIGHT, I could barely get them zipped). Well, they went on and zipped right up. Mind you it caused a muffin top, but hells. A size 10 The mind boggles. I just sort of stood there looking in the mirror in disbelief.

Mousie, nice job on the 0.5 and WTG on the size 10s!!!! Amazing. Doesn't that feel amazing... before you know it, you will be in single digit clothes!!

[2BabesMama]

Originally Posted by goddesslynne

The whole idea of re-feeding is so confusing to me!! I know, it should be simple. But, for about 2 years I've not eaten traditional "carby" foods, (bread, pasta, potato, rice, beans, fruit, etc.) so when I "go over" it's on stuff like fat, dairy, nuts. I really wonder what's going on with my serotonin levels!

I know you've had some stress in your life recently, Lynne, but aside from that do you overall feel "well?" Perhaps you do have low serotonin levels. I have also read that trytophan helps in some way with the production of serotonin. I don't know the chemisty specifically, but perhaps that's one (low carb) way to increase serotonin production.

[2BabesMama]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

I cant say I would do it, but I have read the threads about it... basically 24-36 hours or some do 12 hours, or some just do a meal... but the original idea was 24-36 hours, of high carb, low sugar refeeds to refill your glycogen stores.. and let your body know its not starving. You will go up in weight 2-5 llbs depending... but supposed to kick up the losses after. I would binge and eat junk, sweets and probably not let it work right, so as stated, I will not do it, as I know what will happen if I do... but others here have done them... Not a load in eating high fat, whatever foods..

Yeah, TBH, I have trouble with bingeing and I don't know if I could handle a refeed without going off the rails. I wonder though, would it be different on hhcg. I assume one would keep doing the hhcg while on a short refeed, right?

[tinatina]

2babes - I started the same day as you and am thinking of hanging onto phase 2 for another weekish since I had my off plan mothers days treats. (which were DELISH :blush I'm down about 9 lbs right now and would like to see about 15 gone. Taking a wait and see approach.

[2BabesMama]

Originally Posted by mousie tartufo

okay, it occurs to me I have yet to weigh in today

Down another .5 today. May or may not see a new decade, since Saturday is my last day on this round. Might eke out one more day just to be greedy, if I need to Just seems like I'm condemned to losing 9.5 pounds of new weight each round, no matter what Oh well, it is what it is I just have to keep reminding myself that I didn't get this heavy overnight, so I'm not going to get light overnight either. Doesn't stop me from dreaming, though!

OTOH - despite my measurements not changing, on a whim this morning I tried on a pair of capris I bought in anticipation of wearing them to my next show. I bought a size 10, figuring that I **might** be able to squeeze into them, just for one day (When I bought them, I'd tried on a size 12, and they were TIGHT, I could barely get them zipped). Well, they went on and zipped right up. Mind you it caused a muffin top, but hells. A size 10 The mind boggles. I just sort of stood there looking in the mirror in disbelief.

9.5 lbs is nothing to sneeze at! Certainly better than I've lost on anything else before (except maybe phen/fen)!

What a great feeling that must have been to zip up those size 10s!

[2BabesMama]

Originally Posted by tinatina

2babes - I started the same day as you and am thinking of hanging onto phase 2 for another weekish since I had my off plan mothers days treats. (which were DELISH :blush I'm down about 9 lbs right now and would like to see about 15 gone. Taking a wait and see approach.

Hi Tina! I think you, Cathy and I are all taking the same outlook. Let's see what else happens this week. This is my first round so right now, I feel like I can go longer, but it may be that my body needs the return to more food before it gives up more fat.

On Mother's Day, my family had strict orders to keep treats away, but I had a bad jones for chocolate on Sunday! Good thing we didn't have any! You'll get back on track. Keep on truckin'!

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Yeah, TBH, I have trouble with bingeing and I don't know if I could handle a refeed without going off the rails. I wonder though, would it be different on hhcg. I assume one would keep doing the hhcg while on a short refeed, right?

I do believe they continue the drops while they do the refeed. There is a thread on refeeds on here, where some people posted their experience and how they did it...

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Hi Tina! I think you, Cathy and I are all taking the same outlook. Let's see what else happens this week. This is my first round so right now, I feel like I can go longer, but it may be that my body needs the return to more food before it gives up more fat.

On Mother's Day, my family had strict orders to keep treats away, but I had a bad jones for chocolate on Sunday! Good thing we didn't have any! You'll get back on track. Keep on truckin'!

I think my first round I went like 33 or 35 days... and I am sure if i put my mind in it, I could go longer this time, not sure if i want to though ... Yep...alll these and more "need to know" questions. will have to wait until next weeks' show...

[mousie tartufo]

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

9.5 lbs is nothing to sneeze at! Certainly better than I've lost on anything else before (except maybe phen/fen)!

What a great feeling that must have been to zip up those size 10s!

Well, considering that (1) most people manage to lose more, and it's still less than the average 1/2 pound per day for women; and (2) I'm GREEDY I'm still a bit disappointed in a loss of less than 10 pounds in 20+ days. Heck, my last round, I lost only 9.5 new pounds, and that round was 30 days. Phooey.

As to the pants, I was more surprised than anything else. I won't truly believe I'm that small until I can put on a pair of size 10s that I'd bought many years ago. Which is to say, I don't believe that sizing hasn't changed (vanity sizing). When I go back upstairs later, I'm going through the closet to see...

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

but I Have found that if I buy sparkling water (carbonated water) and add stevia vanilla creme drops or grape drops to the water, its just like creme soda or grape soda... and it helps with my urges if I start thinking about sweets or maybe thinking I am a tad hungry. I dont have them everyday, but sometimes I do, and sometimes twice a day and its still water!! Its nice alternative... and no aspartame!

Where do you buy these, Cathy? I'd love to give those a try. I have been into Seltzer (or club soda) with a fresh squeeze of lime or lemon in it, but haven't had that while on hhcg. Probably could, just haven't had it.

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Cheryl: Oh no! Monkey wrenches bite! There are too many social events this month with end-of-the-school-year stuff (for my 2nd & 5th graders) and grraduation parties and my DD's birthday, Mother's Day, and on and on!

So how do you work your refeeds? Maybe that's what I'll need to do to keep on trucking with P2 for a bit longer.

Well, technically, I've only done one intentional "refeed." That was for 2 days (actually I started around 8 pm one night and ended when I went to sleep the following night, but that's splitting hairs.) I did another load but I was uncomfortably full and regretted eating as much as I did. Since that refeed, I've taken Easter weekend off and ate whatever I wanted, then one day for Mother's Day. I eat whatever I want, no guilt.

This last time I did a 24 hour fast the day before and I think it helped to lessen the blow of all the calories on Saturday. I will do that each time I take a planned day off from now on.

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

So would you say a refeed is one meal or a day of food? Or is it more like another load? I suppose there are a variety of ways to do this. I would think eating more carbs helps with the depleted serotonin levels, which is supposed to be what gives us that sense of well being. And not deprivation!

There is a thread about refeeds. It has a bunch of pages of posts but also a couple of great articles. Go check it out! Some people do a one meal refeed, but I haven't done that yet. I figure if I'm going off, I'm going all the way off.

Originally Posted by mousie tartufo

Down another .5 today. May or may not see a new decade, since Saturday is my last day on this round. Might eke out one more day just to be greedy, if I need to Just seems like I'm condemned to losing 9.5 pounds of new weight each round, no matter what Oh well, it is what it is I just have to keep reminding myself that I didn't get this heavy overnight, so I'm not going to get light overnight either. Doesn't stop me from dreaming, though!

OTOH - despite my measurements not changing, on a whim this morning I tried on a pair of capris I bought in anticipation of wearing them to my next show. I bought a size 10, figuring that I **might** be able to squeeze into them, just for one day (When I bought them, I'd tried on a size 12, and they were TIGHT, I could barely get them zipped). Well, they went on and zipped right up. Mind you it caused a muffin top, but hells. A size 10 The mind boggles. I just sort of stood there looking in the mirror in disbelief.

Awesome! NSV's are great! WTG on the .5 lb today, too. Any reason why you can't extend your P2 until you lose a few more lbs? I wouldn't stop if I wasn't happy with the total loss. I forgot what your rogue plan is. Can you revamp it a little and see if your losses improve?

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Yeah, TBH, I have trouble with bingeing and I don't know if I could handle a refeed without going off the rails. I wonder though, would it be different on hhcg. I assume one would keep doing the hhcg while on a short refeed, right?

I was/am a binge eater, but I am addicted to losing weight right now. So when I have taken the day or two off for a special occasion, it was because I was doing a long round (which apparently has no definite end in sight.) And when I have a day when I can satisfy every possible urge and desire, there is nothing left to miss when I get right back in the saddle! And knowing I can do that every couple of weeks (or whenever something comes up), it takes all the pressure and worry off.

I guess I've become a "closet dieter"! I eat regular foods when I'm with family and diet when I'm alone. Since I'm almost always alone, that is working well for me. No worries!

This thread is white hot today! Hard to keep up!!! PS: I kept up with the pellets, same schedule as a regular VLCD.

[mousie tartufo]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Awesome! NSV's are great! WTG on the .5 lb today, too. Any reason why you can't extend your P2 until you lose a few more lbs? I wouldn't stop if I wasn't happy with the total loss.

NSV? That's a new acronym on me... and thanks for the props!

And no, due to my show/travel schedule, my P2/P3s have to be very regulated. Plus, I'm having company come in on Thursday next, and need time to come off the hhcg and get at least 1, maybe 2 days of P3 in beforehand. Good thing is, he's going to be coming off of a P2 at the same time, so we'll both be on P3, which makes meals a lot easier.

[CherylB]

Non scale victory! He? Who's this mysterious "he"? Well, you have to work your plan out the way it works for you. No matter what, we will all get to where we want to go if we stick to what works!