HCG Alternative Plans for week of 5/16/2011

[kopeysmom]

GOOD MORNING! and happy weekend!
Its only 830 here so either y'all get up super early or y'all got an hour or two on me!
Its raining here today boooo! I was plannin on gettin out in the yard with the kids today but not lookin like that's gonna happen.
down to 175 today! Was 183 pre load 190 after load days exactly a week ago tomorrow! I've almost made it through the first week of p2!! I was sooo hungry last night!! Weekends r the worst when ur dieting!
Congrats to the losers (I still laugh when I type this ) hugs to the gainers!
Have y'all heard the predictions that today's the end of the world?! Haha hope all our hearts r right today and everyday!

- Lauren

[Lbibclc]

Well I feel like I have been missing out on a lot this week with the forums, lol!. Congrats to the losers and I'm with the gainers this week.
My son was home for the week so it was hard to think about watching what I ate. I guess I my head wasn't in the right place for P3. There two excuses.

Started P3 on the 19th. My LDW was 144.6 then my weight dipped to 142.4. I was so excited. It didn't last though. Today I am 145.8. AAARGH. So I am not stable. I am doing a nut day or egg day today, then tomorrow P3 foods again.

My biggest issue is trying to get enough calories in without doing peanut butter or carbs. P2 is so much easier for me.

Wish the sun would come out today. More rain coming. Everyone have a great day, post away!

[minimonkey]

Morning, everyone!!!!!! I am up, and surprisingly chipper again -- I'm generally not a morning person, so I am not sure what is happening to me

Liz... sorry about the bouncing around... p3 is like that for me, too... and I hear you about the nut butters and calories (although peanuts are iffy at best on, as they are legumes -- I do other nut butters) -- it's hard to eat that much food without some really calorie-packed items.

Cheryl -- I haven't re-measured my bodyfat, so I don't have a new # for that -- I actually suspect the bodyfat percentage has gone down, or at least stayed the same... scale remains at 108.2 today, which is just fine. (It always freaks me out that weight could be EXACTLY the same day to day.... how is that possible?)

I'm definitely seeing some leaning out visually, which I really dig!

Time permitting, I think we are going to do bodyfat and measuring today.

[2BabesMama]

Quick drive by! Happy Saturday, all!

My little bump up from my Hungry day is gone. 199.8 today! Onederland! I hope it sticks because yesterday was a very busy day with not enough eating. So we'll see. I kinda don't want to eat, but I know that is not the way to lose fat properly. Dang it feels good to see a one in front of my weight again. It's been a long time.

Today is my girl's 11th birthday. Luckily most of the celebrating was last night with her friends (movie, pizza, sleepover) but we do have cake. I had a teeny sliver yesterday.

Have a great day everyone!

[minimonkey]

Yahooooooo for Onederland, 2babes!!!!!!!! Congratulations, and may the trend continue

[catjrow3]

Morning everyone,
Late check in for me. I ran a 5K this morning for breast cancer in our local town and it was great fun. I beat my normal "home" time on the TM, and did the 5K in 29 minutes!!

The scale this morning, came back down 0.8, but still up 0.4 from my lowest! UGH! 6 more days until P3!!!!

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by kopeysmom

Down to 175 today! Was 183 pre load 190 after load days exactly a week ago tomorrow! I've almost made it through the first week of p2!! I was sooo hungry last night!! Weekends r the worst when ur dieting!

Have y'all heard the predictions that today's the end of the world?! Haha hope all our hearts r right today and everyday!

- Lauren

Congrats! Don't forget to change your stats over there (under your avi.) The first week is the hardest, so congrats with that, too!

I think we've got about 4 more hours until doomsday. I agree wholeheartedly agree about always being ready!

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

Started P3 on the 19th. My LDW was 144.6 then my weight dipped to 142.4. I was so excited. It didn't last though. Today I am 145.8. AAARGH. So I am not stable. I am doing a nut day or egg day today, then tomorrow P3 foods again.

My biggest issue is trying to get enough calories in without doing peanut butter or carbs. P2 is so much easier for me.

Wish the sun would come out today. More rain coming. Everyone have a great day, post away!

We saw the sun for a few fleeting moments today. Thunder rumbles at times in the distance. We must be on the edge of something wetter. Ready for a break! Sorry you are bobbling up and down a bit, but that doesn't seem too severe of a swing to me. KUTGW! What's a nut day? How many different kinds of correction days are there for P3? Can we just make one up?

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Morning, everyone!!!!!! I am up, and surprisingly chipper again -- I'm generally not a morning person, so I am not sure what is happening to me

Cheryl -- I haven't re-measured my bodyfat, so I don't have a new # for that -- I actually suspect the bodyfat percentage has gone down, or at least stayed the same... scale remains at 108.2 today, which is just fine. (It always freaks me out that weight could be EXACTLY the same day to day.... how is that possible?)

I'm definitely seeing some leaning out visually, which I really dig!

Time permitting, I think we are going to do bodyfat and measuring today.

I thought it was you who said you were 11% body fat. Was it that other lady with the name that begins with an N? She popped in and said she was training for a body building thing, but I haven't seen her much since then. I think I'm confusing the two of you, stat wise. Glad you had a chipper morning! I kind of did, too. Very unusual. Maybe because it's the last day? (Just kidding. That's not funny.)

Originally Posted by 2BabesMama

Quick drive by! Happy Saturday, all!

My little bump up from my Hungry day is gone. 199.8 today! Onederland! I hope it sticks because yesterday was a very busy day with not enough eating. So we'll see. I kinda don't want to eat, but I know that is not the way to lose fat properly. Dang it feels good to see a one in front of my weight again. It's been a long time.

Today is my girl's 11th birthday. Luckily most of the celebrating was last night with her friends (movie, pizza, sleepover) but we do have cake. I had a teeny sliver yesterday.

Have a great day everyone!

Onederland! What a great day! I remember how much I wanted to reach that milestone. It's a great accomplishment! Now keep on truckin'! to your little girl!

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Morning everyone,
Late check in for me. I ran a 5K this morning for breast cancer in our local town and it was great fun. I beat my normal "home" time on the TM, and did the 5K in 29 minutes!!

The scale this morning, came back down 0.8, but still up 0.4 from my lowest! UGH! 6 more days until P3!!!!

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!!

on the 5K! I did a metric conversion on google and discovered a 5K is equal to 3.1068... miles. A lot easier to call it a 5K; that's for sure! WTG, chickie. Six More Days.

I took my body measurements today. It wasn't first thing in the morning, and I'm not at my lowest weight, but I'm impulsive that way. So, I used my new loopy tape measure and I really like it. It has a quirk or two, but I prefer it to the regular kind.

So, all told, compared to my measurements taken three weeks into Atkins (November 15, 2009), I have lost a total of 37.5"! (I measure neck, upper arm, forearm, wrist, bust, waist, abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles.)

I need to drag my lazy keister to the store and pick up a few essentials. Mother Hubbard's cupboards are getting bare!

Hope everyone is having a pleasant day!

[minimonkey]

Yahooooooo Cheryl on the inch loss!!!!!!!!!!!

It was Nola whose bodyfat is 11% -- and as of today's measurement, mine is 11.73%

I've gained 5.2 lbs of lean mass, and lost two pounds of fat... a total net gain of 3.2 lbs... and that makes me very, very happy.

Progress pics being uploaded right now... will have them up tonight!

[minimonkey]

Catjrow -- right on with the 5k!!! Awesome accomplishment

[CherylB]

Mini! You look astonishing! WTG on the new measurements, too. Can't wait to see the progress pics! Can't see the Avi in larger format, so that's just a tease. You must be ECSTATIC!!!

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- you are so sweet, and such a wonderful cheerleader to all of us. Thanks for the compliments!!! I am going to see if I can get links to work -- I've got them up on Shutterfly....

Yes, I am very pleased with my progress, and all the hard work that has gone into it.

[minimonkey]

Lets see if this picture posts...

[poofsgirl]

I know I don't post much but I just wanted to say that Mini you look great!!

It may be time to change my goals!!

[minimonkey]

Looks like it worked... here are some more....

[minimonkey]

Here's a couple of detail shots....

[minimonkey]

Thanks, Poofsgirl!

[CherylB]

Yow! Looks like you're about to nail that door or wall with your fist! You look great, Mini! And you kept your "awesome rack"! I'm so happy for you, You look so happy in YOURSELF, which is what we are all striving for.

See you tomorrow, ladies! Hugs all around!

[minimonkey]

Thanks so much, Cheryl! I am really starting to feel comfortable in my skin, and I think it shows.... plus, the sense of satisfaction in working out hard is tremendous.

Speaking of workouts, let me know when you get the tapes... I sent them media mail, which is cheap, but a little bit slow as well.

[minimonkey]

Well, today ended up being an up day for me... lots of eating.. much more like p3 than p2, and a generous p3 at that! I'm liking this calorie cycling business... and it seems to be working... so it is another down day/partial fast day for me tomorrow.

I still can't quite wrap my head around the idea that refeeds are a good and necessary thing, and that scale gains can be too, when building muscle. I wish I could get rid of my old dieters mentality for good!

As I get fitter, leaner, and even more active, my caloric needs are only going to go up, . not down... so I'd better get used to that idea.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend!!!!

[kopeysmom]

Up day for me.. 2 WHOLE POUNDS! What the heck.. I did come in at about 700 cal yesterday instead of 500 but 2 POUNDS!? didn't eat any off plan foods! Grilled chicken with grilled veggies last night (mushrooms, zucchini, and asparagus) the hubby marinated everything and it was kinda salty (but I drank an extra LITER of water) but maybe its Just water retention from the extra sodium.. ugh hope so.. so I don't do fruit so no apple day for me, so would y'all say a steak day, fat free fage day, or fasting day today? Which have ya had the best results with?
And hate to get the bm talk started but I'm pretty sure there's at least 6 lbs of food slowly moving through my intestines for the past week! and the gentle meds aren't helping.. r laxatives OK?

Mini u look AMAZING! !

[MrsPat]

This is such an inspiring thread! Thank you for your honesty in posting your successes and frustrations. Yesterday, after a long conversation with myself and my husband I decided to shorten my 40 day round. I made it through VLCD 20 on protocol except for two days when my body was acting wonky so I added an egg each day. The last week, I was eating off protocol, eating more food but still low-fat/low-carb with continued losses. As of this morning I am down 16lbs and down a full-size in clothing; but, I am burned out mentally. I think that I need to simplify my life for a few weeks.

I was just released from my foot surgeon, a month earlier than the average patient. It takes up to a year for full recovery so I have nine months to go. This phase of my recovery will probably be the toughest because I am learning to use my foot as my foot allows; you might say we are getting reaquainted! There has been a lot of reconstruction on it. . .when all the swelling is gone it won't even look like my old foot let alone act like it!!

MrPat has been amazing through this whole surgery/diet thing but I think that we want our lives back to some semblance of normalcy. . .eating Atkins-style will be our first "step." I will continue to read these forums and post if you all will have me. Looks like I start P3 on Tuesday.

Happy Sunday!

Diane

[CherylB]

Mini, I'll let you know the day the tapes come. Thanks again for doing that!

Originally Posted by kopeysmom

maybe its Just water retention from the extra sodium.. ugh hope so.. so I don't do fruit so no apple day for me, so would y'all say a steak day, fat free fage day, or fasting day today? Which have ya had the best results with?

And hate to get the bm talk started but I'm pretty sure there's at least 6 lbs of food slowly moving through my intestines for the past week! and the gentle meds aren't helping.. r laxatives OK?

Mini u look AMAZING! !

Yes, she does! She's a maniac! If you aren't doing the apples, I suggest a fast day with lots of fluids. I don't eat the Greek Yogurt, but others love to do a GY day. I haven't heard any positive things about the steak day. I guess it's really hard to do.

Far as laxatives go, I take Mag 07 daily for Oxygen cleanse of colon. Still, somehow it isn't enough and once or twice a week I end up taking a full dose of Milk of Mag (aka liquid plumber.) If you don't know how you will respond with it, take it first thing in the morning, on a day when you will be home all day and hopefully won't have to wait in any lines to use the bathroom!

Originally Posted by MrsPat

This is such an inspiring thread! Thank you for your honesty in posting your successes and frustrations. Yesterday, after a long conversation with myself and my husband I decided to shorten my 40 day round. I made it through VLCD 20 on protocol except for two days when my body was acting wonky so I added an egg each day. The last week, I was eating off protocol, eating more food but still low-fat/low-carb with continued losses. As of this morning I am down 16lbs and down a full-size in clothing; but, I am burned out mentally. I think that I need to simplify my life for a few weeks.

I was just released from my foot surgeon, a month earlier than the average patient. It takes up to a year for full recovery so I have nine months to go. This phase of my recovery will probably be the toughest because I am learning to use my foot as my foot allows; you might say we are getting reaquainted! There has been a lot of reconstruction on it. . .when all the swelling is gone it won't even look like my old foot let alone act like it!!

MrPat has been amazing through this whole surgery/diet thing but I think that we want our lives back to some semblance of normalcy. . .eating Atkins-style will be our first "step." I will continue to read these forums and post if you all will have me. Looks like I start P3 on Tuesday.

Happy Sunday!

Diane

Hey, Diane. You must be excited to end the round! I am feeling really burned-out, too. I had been getting second wind after second wind, but it seems to be all blown out now! It might have something to do with my current state of health today, though. What kind of foot surgery did you have? Heal up well!

I woke up feeling putrid. I imediately felt I had a very acidic stomach. I took my morning thyroid meds then my morning hcg, then waited a while and chewed up 2 Tums. I can't recall the last time I needed those, but probably over a year ago. I still felt wretched afterward, so I made myself barf. (TMI) I'm starting to feel achey and I'm wondering if I'm coming down with a Flu. I hope not! I am such a big baby when it comes to getting sick.

Today, I'm going to focus on fluids and try to give my digestive system a break. I hope I can take a nap soon. I will take some Ibuprofen and crawl under the covers. My poor doggy is bored, and she's going to stay that way.

I hope everyone is well today. See y'all tomorrow, or later on today.

[ahealinglady]

Originally Posted by kopeysmom

Up day for me.. 2 WHOLE POUNDS! What the heck.. I did come in at about 700 cal yesterday instead of 500 but 2 POUNDS!? didn't eat any off plan foods! Grilled chicken with grilled veggies last night (mushrooms, zucchini, and asparagus) the hubby marinated everything and it was kinda salty (but I drank an extra LITER of water) but maybe its Just water retention from the extra sodium.. ugh hope so.. so I don't do fruit so no apple day for me, so would y'all say a steak day, fat free fage day, or fasting day today? Which have ya had the best results with?
And hate to get the bm talk started but I'm pretty sure there's at least 6 lbs of food slowly moving through my intestines for the past week! and the gentle meds aren't helping.. r laxatives OK?

Mini u look AMAZING! !

We don't talk about it much but I think we all have to deal with sluggish bowels because we are eating so little and especially so little bran type of fiber. When I don't eat very whole grain type of bread and cereal then I definitely have to supplement with some type of fiber and for me magnesium as well. I've run out of magnesium and await my shipment on Tuesday and found myself constipated so I've upped the inulin fiber and got results.
Finding a source of fiber that is not loaded with aspartame and other junk is not always easy which is why I've chosen the NOW inulin which netrition sells. It is an easy to mix powder that makes things taste slightly sweet so works perfectly in a cup of tea or coffee. That's how I take mine both morning and night. Works a treat LOL
Have a nice Sunday afternoon.
Cynthia

[minimonkey]

Morning, Ladies!!!

Kopeysmom... don't stress the jumps up and down the scale... they are not a fat gain... and we all have them. I know its frustrating, but remember that the scale is only one tool for measuring overall success, and a pretty lousy one at that sometimes.

MrsPat -- wishing you continued success in healing -- what a journey that is.... and also kudos on the decision to stop your round if you are burnt out. I wish I'd learned that one a bit earlier myself... I dragged my first round on longer than I should have, in retrospect.

OMG.. do not get me started about bowels... I might never shut up!

Inulin is great stuff... not only is it a good fiber for regularity, it is also a pre-biotic, meaning it promotes the growth of probiotics. It makes some people very gassy at first, but that generally goes away with upping the dose slowly. It's worth it.

I love the oxygen cleanses... I take a maintenance dose of OxyPowder now, and that completely does the trick. I did the full cleanse earlier in the year, and loved it (as much as one CAN love a bowel cleanse....lol!)

I also really like a product called "smooth food." It is capsules of very gentle, slippery fiber that are soothing to the gut lining. I tend to find Psyllium irritates my gut, unless it is very, very finely ground (there is one psyllium cleanse, made by a company called Blessed Herbs, that I love).

Gut health is imperative to overall health... our immune systems and neurotransmitters are seated in our guts... and our ability to use and assimilate nutrients is dependent on gut health, too. It really is a shame that we are taught not to talk about such an important part of our wellbeing.

[minimonkey]

The running joke around our house is that I am a devoted follower of "Colon Bowel" --- my poor household has been subjected to my journey of gut healing from the point of nearly needing surgery, to a place of pretty good health. I'm still healing some residual damage from years of antibiotics (they were necessary, but they do damage the gut) -- but I am worlds better than I was!!!

[nola baxter]

Hi Cheryl

Yes, I am the one doing bodybuilding with 11% bodyfat - though I am sure it is lower now.
Nearly 2 weeks using HHcg will have seen to that.
I should be having a bodyfat test at the gym in the next couple of weeks- so it will be interesting to see.

Using the HHCG has enabled me to accelerate fat loss- even with large departures from protocol.
But no reshaping as such yet- I am just losing weight in my normal pattern- albeit at a faster rate.
I have been doing
1 heavy load day- 6500cals
2 low cal days - 700cals
1 med cal day - 1400 cals
2 low cal days - 700 cals
then repeat the 6 day cycle
I have been feeling okay on this- though pretty hungry at times.
However the last two low calorie days just about did my head in- I was feeling too depleted and hungry- HHCG or not!
But still, without the HHCG, I would be a great deal worse off- I sincerely doubt I could go this low calorie (for me), otherwise.

Hi Mini
I too use oxypowder as a colon cleanse- I think it is probably the most gentle thing out there- though on the pricier side.

I come from a history of irritable bowel- mainly gone- so I can relate to where you are coming from.

Being nearly all wheat free and dairy free has helped a lot for me- as well as realising that a lot of fibrous foods create problems for me.

Have a good day all!
Nola

[minimonkey]

Thanks for posting that link, Nola -- lots of good info there.

I had the IBS diagnosis for years, too -- wheat is definitely a problem-causer for me, though I seem to do okay with dairy on the whole. I've tried cheaper knockoffs of the OxyPowder... they work fairly well, too.

I am excited to see your results when you get your bodyfat measured

If you want to see my reshaping results... click on my gallery, and check out the swimsuit pic of me taken in 2004 --- big, big legs on me there, even though I had been eating LC and working out like crazy at the time, and my weight was within 10 lbs of where it is now.....

I'd link the picture, but I can't figure out how to do it.... it is a real testament to reshaping, though.... you can see how pear shaped and generally soft around the edges my body was then, even when I was doing a lot to stay in shape.

[nola baxter]

Hi Mini

Just took a look at your gallery- and OMG , yes you are right, a huge difference with the reshaping in the lower body (and overall)!!!
Good encouragement.
I will keep going with the HHCG.

I will keep you updated on the bodyfat.

I tried Colozone- a cheaper knockoff- it seemed to work fine- but I went back to Oxypowder because of the convenience of the capsules,
(the colozone was a powder and it tasted digusting- and you had to have lemon juice or cider vinegar with it too- and it the end it was just easier to swallow a few pills).

My lower body is mainly good- it is just around the saddlebag/lower butt area where I have cellulite, sadddlebags, gushy fat.
Though it is very little now because of the low body-fat;
but still, for someone who has exercised as hard as I have, and has the muscle, there should be no gushy fat there! And it does make my backside look soft and untrained, when it sure is not!

Nola

[dazygyrl]

mini....what a beautiful transformation! THANK YOU for sharing your journey.

i am starting TOMORROW!

but i have a question about taking the pellets in relation to eating/drinking. i get up at 5.30am. i don't plan on taking my pellets till 8am. can i have coffee, something to eat till 7.30? take my pellets at 8am and then nothing till 8.30? is this correct? but i have read 15min before and after, too....which is it?

[minimonkey]

3bees

I use the drops.. and honestly, I've been pretty bad about adhering to the 15 minute no eating or drinking rule... and it still hasn't hurt my results.

Best of luck with your journey -- it certainly is an exciting one!!!

Nola -- I still have a squishy backside in comparison to the rest of me, too -- but I have faith that time and continued training will help that -- or at least I hope so. Frustrating to have good muscles hidden by squish, isn't it? Most of my cellulite is visibly gone too -- but I don't have the kind of tone in that area that I do elsewhere.... hoping continued reshaping (and harder glute/hamstring work, for me) will fix that. I've always had a hard time building that area of my body... I have strong quads that tend to want to take over when I do leg work, so I am really working to target that now.

I really appreciate you posting here, Nola -- your bodybuilding wisdom is very valuable and I am learning a lot from you -- so thank you!!!!