HCG Alternate Plans for the week of 05/30/2011

[nola baxter]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Welcome, Lorrie!!! Of course there is room for one more!

Nola -- I think in general one does stop ovulating when the period stops, but it isn't a guarantee -- people can and do get pregnant while amenhorreic.

And yes, my hunger is just relentless when it hits -- very strange feeling. I've just been eating when it does hit, and eating enough to feel satisfied -- seems to be working so far.

Based on the mirror, I am definitely losing fat in the butt -- I have some new loose skin that feels very empty at the moment... deflated balloon material... My thighs have firmed up a lot, and the skin there is actually looking good except right where thighs and butt meet, where some floppiness is present.

Awkward stages notwithstanding, I am really liking the direction these changes are going.

I got in my favorite Bar Method workout today, and it felt absolutely wonderful -- that one does kick my butt a bit... and so very worth it

I have also been getting in a lot of physical activity just doing house stuff -- I have been painting the bathroom the last couple of days, and it is finally coming together! I've been pretty much a non-stop motion machine for about a week now.

Oh, and how is this for a cool NSV? Yesterday, I carried a 50 lb bag of pigeon seeds down the block, around the corner, and up two flights of stairs, and it wasn't even very difficult! That, alone, is reason to build muscles... they're handy!!!

Hi Mini

Thanks- it thought thats how it might be with the period cessation- probably less likely to get pregnant- but still possible!

Sounds good what you are doing with your hunger and eating- it will be interesting to see where it takes you in terms of body changes.

The fact that you are still losing in the butt seems to indicate that the HCG is still working to help with reshaping even without the low calorie regimes.
(because you found it hard to lose in this area previously)
Do you think it might be so??

Have a good weekend all!
Nola

[pmartin6618]

Checking in late, but with good news.... I had a small whoosh today... had a loss of -2.6(lbs) today... bringing my total loss in 5-days to 10.4(lbs). WOW.... loving hhcg.

[CherylB]

You too, Nola!

[CherylB]

That's AWESOME! That's not a "small whoosh"; that's a regular fantastic one! Wooohoooo!

[Life4Me]

Oooh, now I'm torn! "stabilizing at non-goal weight" sounds bad, but I just want to eat!!! lol Don't get me wrong, I love waking up to see the scale down another pound!! I'm just SO tired of getting my dh and kids yummy food and not having something. Enchiladas have thrown themselves at me TWICE now, derailing my losses for a few days each time. I can't decide if P3 will help me get my mind in the right place again or if I should just tolerate the occasional cheats to this unending round (52 days so far).

With the homeopathic drops do I NEED to stop? My 40th birthday is in 12 weeks and that is sort of looming in my mind. I'm really happy with my progress, but I'm a bit daunted by how much is left to lose.

Everyone in my life seems to have their own agenda when it comes to what I should do, and honestly I can't trust the judgment of any of them in this. I trust y'all!

Btw, regarding OWL:
Don't forget you can forget the melba toast or breadstick and substitute with POPCORN! oh, yeah, that's right. SmartPop, minibags, butter or KETTLE CORN. yummy.

Oh, I wanted to share a NSV (non-scale victory) - though it's related. My tape measure reports that I have lost 5 inches from my band, 6 inches from my waist, and 5 inches from my hips. And did I mention EVERYTHING in my closet either fits or is TOO BIG?!

[Cruzcrzy]

Liz,

thanks for the OWL information. I think this is going to be a much better fit for me. My ds wants to stay on protocol, but, I am not sure I can do this along with him unless I am using the OWL method. I am just so hungry! And, I am already tired of cucumbers, LOL. I adjusted my afternoon drops down, and I am still starving. I am going to try to adjust my evening ones up and see what happens. I DO love how the hcg is making me feel(less fatigue and sleeping better).

[Cruzcrzy]

Lilac,

I saw where you mentioned on a different thread Walker Diet Low Carb Shake Mix. I used the search feature, so I believe this was in April maybe? Are you using that at all with this plan? I am asking more for my son. I have decided to use the OWL method, but, he is protocol. I thought this may be something he could use in the future during P3. I was wondering if you've had it at all on P2? You are doing so well!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by Life4Me

Oooh, now I'm torn! "stabilizing at non-goal weight" sounds bad, but I just want to eat!!! lol Don't get me wrong, I love waking up to see the scale down another pound!! I'm just SO tired of getting my dh and kids yummy food and not having something. Enchiladas have thrown themselves at me TWICE now, derailing my losses for a few days each time. I can't decide if P3 will help me get my mind in the right place again or if I should just tolerate the occasional cheats to this unending round (52 days so far).

With the homeopathic drops do I NEED to stop? My 40th birthday is in 12 weeks and that is sort of looming in my mind. I'm really happy with my progress, but I'm a bit daunted by how much is left to lose.

Everyone in my life seems to have their own agenda when it comes to what I should do, and honestly I can't trust the judgment of any of them in this. I trust y'all!

Btw, regarding OWL:
Don't forget you can forget the melba toast or breadstick and substitute with POPCORN! oh, yeah, that's right. SmartPop, minibags, butter or KETTLE CORN. yummy.

Oh, I wanted to share a NSV (non-scale victory) - though it's related. My tape measure reports that I have lost 5 inches from my band, 6 inches from my waist, and 5 inches from my hips. And did I mention EVERYTHING in my closet either fits or is TOO BIG?!

12 weeks is a very long time, considering you've already been doing this for over 50 days. You have to break this up in sections. You've got a lot still to lose, like you said. Try to work it out that you are in P4 during times of celebration, vacation, etc, and see how many rounds you can comfortably fit in on this years' calendar. I use the calendar as my guide.

They say that P3 is the most important phase of them all! We have to give our bodies time to reset and to recharge for the next big loss. We aren't in a hurry, are we? No! I didn't think so. Believe me, I hear you. I have no interest in this P3, but I know it's time for one.

on the loose-fitting clothes! Get ready to pack those puppies up and give them away when you buy some smaller ones. Don't keep them! You'll never need them again. And if you don't have tons of cash, I highly suggest shopping at Thrift Stores. You'll save a bundle and you won't be wearing those clothes for very long, either! Save the big bucks for your permanent clothes!

[dazygyrl]

whew! what a day! the zoo was great. all the kids were great. the weather was great.

i do feel like the scale may not be kind to me tomorrow though. not b/c of what i ate, b/c i only ate my own food which wasn't much. but b/c of all the walking and the heat...was 90+. i feel like i'm pooofy.

and this is what's incredible. i felt so amazing. i felt like i could have walked around another 5 hours. my legs weren't sore, my feet weren't sore. i truly felt amazing. i arried my 4month old niece for 2 hrs and not once did i feel like, "here! take this kid from me!" and NEVER felt hungry. i did eat lunch but that's only b/c i didn't want to be caught later and be starving and no way to eat lunch. but i didn't get truly hungry till on our way home about 7pm. ate a salad with some deli ham from walmart. not the best protein source, i know, but i wanted more than just lettuce and didn't feel like cooking a chicken breast.

cheryl, i will try and get some pictures soon. thanks for asking.

ok, i'm off to bed. i sat and chatted with my hubby while i ate my salad and then got tired. so, nighty-night peeps.

[CherylB]

Dazygyrl, sounds like you had an amazing day! So glad you had so much stamina and energy! Wooohoooo! Bring on the pics! And Lord, please take her poofiness away so she can have a good scale event in the morning. (AMEN)

[paulabob]

Great days for everyone! Dazygyrl, would love to have your energy!!!

We're picking up our DD from her sleepover - they were watching an R rated horror movie. Love this family, but this isn't the first time, and DD is awfully sensitive. Off to go watch some Ratatouille with her till she falls asleep. Let's hope DS and his friend don't keep us awake, we have church in the morning!

[Bierarsch]

Originally Posted by Lorrie200

I just read the whole thread.. You all are a great group... funny and supportive. This is my second round and I dont see alot of familiar faces from my first round. They are probably off enjoying being skinny..lol Got room for one more?

Welcome, Lorrie!!

Originally Posted by Beezer Louisiana

Thanks, Lilac!

I absolutely can't wait to see the 150's! I need to go shopping for a dress to wear to my 25 yr. highschool reunion next weekend. I may put on my stretchy shaper and go to Kohl's today to check out the dresses.

I haven't been to any of the other reunions, so I'm nervous. (This is the first time there's a reunion and I'm not pregnant or at a weight that I'm not ashamed of.)

Y'all KNOW how bad I freaked out about mine! Barely anyone showed up! I ended up wearing slacks and a nice top instead of a dress. Check with the person organizing and ask what kind of attire it will be. I almost overdressed because it ended up being outdoors (nothing said it would be outdoors ahead of time - this was so unorganized!), and it is 100 degrees in Texas! It was so hot and humid... we were all dying. It was a great time seeing the people that did show up, though. You will have fun!

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

So close!! I didn't have much luck with dresses at Kohl's. I did much better at Penney's. I was able to get my Mother of the Bride dress and the rehearsal dinner dress there at a good price. The MOTB dress was three times more at Davids and it was the exact dress. Have fun!

Macy's and Dillards have a lot of stuff right now, too. Dress Barn is also a good spot to check.


Okay, y'all. Yesterday, I ate Chick Fil A for lunch and then went to a steakhouse for dinner before the reunion. I was 143.3 this morning. My body is really liking this 143.3. I am yo-yoing, and have been 143.3 4 times in the last 7 days!!! I am getting so fed up with it. Last week was a complete waste of time despite being on protocol for 6 days straight. I ate off protocol for lunch today, and that's all I've eaten today. I am hoping the scale will move next week. We'll see what happens.

Congrats to all the losers! Praying for the Woosh Fairy!

[minimonkey]

You guys are all doing a fantastic job staying the course.... so proud of us all!

I posted a more thorough update in the exercise thread -- but in short, something is dramatically helping with reshaping. I think a good deal of it is the isometrics, but I think the hhcg also has a role in it. Lord knows I tried everything known to man to get rid of the butt floppines, and this is the first time I have really had success doing it.

[dazygyrl]

morning ladies!

well, the scale was kind to me inspite of my worry about all the walking and heat yesterday. i was down the 0.4 i was up yesterday, so the am the same as i was on friday.

still no TOM yet. i won't call it late till tues. but if it doesn't show up then, then it will appear that hcg has delayed it.

[Beezer Louisiana]

160.2 lbs.!!!! -1 lb. since yesterday!!!

I've lost a total of 10 lbs. from my starting weight (not counting load gain and loss.)

I ended up going to DressBarn and hit the jackpot! I went shopping for 25 yr. highschool reunion dresses yesterday and it was FUN! Shopping at a smaller size was exhilarating!!! I found six dresses that I loved, but had to pare it down. (I only needed ONE dress! LOL!) I wound up buying three dresses. :blush: One can be worn to church, the other to weddings or special events, the one I got for the reunion is so . . . racy I don't know if I'll have the courage to wear it! I also bought a pair of shoes to go with the reunion dress and a strapless bra. I'll post pics of all three later this week, after I get my hair done. I also need to spray tan my legs.

Bummer on the outside runion, Maggie! (It is Maggie, right? I don't want to call you Beerbutt. LOL!) Our reunion is inside, it's at a party place/hall. I posted on fb to ask what people were wearing and only one lady replied. She said she'd be wearing a sundress. So I'm thinking 'dressy-casual.' My husband will wear slacks and a polo shirt.

[Cruzcrzy]

Donna,

Way to go. I can't wait to see pictures! I've already rambled to you on another thread, so I won't repeat here. I am so happy for you!.

[paulabob]

Yes, please post pictures!

Mini I love hearing all your "butt" talk! You crack me up! I noticed mine was looking really good when I am lying down drying off after the pool. Definitely some of the wrinkles have disappeared from the earlier weight loss.

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!

[nmbnancy]

Weighed today -- Lost 1.5 lb since June 1st. Very happy with it as I had a Martini that night and dinner out. Will measure tomorrow.

[Lbibclc]

After a disaster of a P3 I have lost 6.2 in 5 days to be below my LDW of last round but not my lowest that came the next day. So I hope I continue to go down. I would expect my losses to slow down and that is all right. I am right at 89 pounds lost since I started trying to lose weight almost 2 years ago. I find it hard to believe unless I write it down.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by paulabob

Great days for everyone! Dazygyrl, would love to have your energy!!!

We're picking up our DD from her sleepover - they were watching an R rated horror movie. Love this family, but this isn't the first time, and DD is awfully sensitive. Off to go watch some Ratatouille with her till she falls asleep. Let's hope DS and his friend don't keep us awake, we have church in the morning!

Awww! Ratatouille will fix her right up!

Originally Posted by minimonkey

You guys are all doing a fantastic job staying the course.... so proud of us all!

I posted a more thorough update in the exercise thread -- but in short, something is dramatically helping with reshaping. I think a good deal of it is the isometrics, but I think the hhcg also has a role in it. Lord knows I tried everything known to man to get rid of the butt floppines, and this is the first time I have really had success doing it.

Yea!

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

Welcome, Lorrie!!

Y'all KNOW how bad I freaked out about mine! Barely anyone showed up! I ended up wearing slacks and a nice top instead of a dress. Check with the person organizing and ask what kind of attire it will be. I almost overdressed because it ended up being outdoors (nothing said it would be outdoors ahead of time - this was so unorganized!), and it is 100 degrees in Texas! It was so hot and humid... we were all dying. It was a great time seeing the people that did show up, though. You will have fun!

Macy's and Dillards have a lot of stuff right now, too. Dress Barn is also a good spot to check.

Okay, y'all. Yesterday, I ate Chick Fil A for lunch and then went to a steakhouse for dinner before the reunion. I was 143.3 this morning. My body is really liking this 143.3. I am yo-yoing, and have been 143.3 4 times in the last 7 days!!! I am getting so fed up with it. Last week was a complete waste of time despite being on protocol for 6 days straight. I ate off protocol for lunch today, and that's all I've eaten today. I am hoping the scale will move next week. We'll see what happens.

Congrats to all the losers! Praying for the Woosh Fairy!

An outdoor summer class reunion in TX? You poor things! TX in the summer is brutal unless you are tubing down a lazy river. I hope you break through your stall soon! I know you will. Is this a set-point for you? When I finally broke through 177, the losses got easy again.

Originally Posted by Beezer Louisiana

160.2 lbs.!!!! -1 lb. since yesterday!!!

I've lost a total of 10 lbs. from my starting weight (not counting load gain and loss.)

I ended up going to DressBarn and hit the jackpot! I went shopping for 25 yr. highschool reunion dresses yesterday and it was FUN! Shopping at a smaller size was exhilarating!!! I found six dresses that I loved, but had to pare it down. (I only needed ONE dress! LOL!) I wound up buying three dresses. :blush: One can be worn to church, the other to weddings or special events, the one I got for the reunion is so . . . racy I don't know if I'll have the courage to wear it! I also bought a pair of shoes to go with the reunion dress and a strapless bra. I'll post pics of all three later this week, after I get my hair done. I also need to spray tan my legs.

Bummer on the outside runion, Maggie! (It is Maggie, right? I don't want to call you Beerbutt. LOL!) Our reunion is inside, it's at a party place/hall. I posted on fb to ask what people were wearing and only one lady replied. She said she'd be wearing a sundress. So I'm thinking 'dressy-casual.' My husband will wear slacks and a polo shirt.

You're doing GREAT, Donna! Can't wait to see those pics. Do you trust that lady who said "dressy/casual"? Maybe she's getting all decked-out and wants to be the best looking one there! Men! They spend all of 20 minutes figuring out what to wear, if that!

Originally Posted by paulabob

Yes, please post pictures!

Mini I love hearing all your "butt" talk! You crack me up! I noticed mine was looking really good when I am lying down drying off after the pool. Definitely some of the wrinkles have disappeared from the earlier weight loss.

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!

Yea, butt talk! Woohooo! WTG, Paula!

Today is my first official P3 but I'll still hang out here with y'all if that's okay. I can still cheer you on as you shrink!

I went grocery shopping yesterday and had major "sticker shock." Things sure seem alot more expensive than back in the early part of March when I last bought Atkin foods. My, my, my. Between food and gas, it's a wonder anyone's mortgage or rent is getting paid!

There is a strange bird call outside and I just went to try and see what kind of bird it was, but it's so high up in the trees that I can't see it. I wish I could! Anything that sounds that sweet must be very interesting to look at.

Have an excellent Sunday, girls. I will probably not post here again until the new thread gets going tomorrow.

[CherylB]

Yea Liz and Nancy! Wooohooo!

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- I laughed reading your birdcall posting, since my little ringneck doves are chattering up a storm as I type -- they really sound a lot more like a bunch of chimps than birds sometimes! I have a friend who refers to them as my "monkeys." Funny little creatures

Glad you p3ers are sticking around this thread -- I like to be able to follow everyone through the cycles of change, and more importantly, I run the risk of missing peoples' updates when they scamper off elsewhere. I am very attached to you all!

[minimonkey]

Liz -- you are getting so close to goal!!! Yahoo! Glad you are off to a good start with this phase, and hope it keeps up and gets you where you want to be! Great work... really amazing progress

Paula -- I posted in the pics thread -- you look amazing! That last round yielded a ton of reshaping for you, and your legs/butt are not just smaller, but visibly much tighter and firmer too .... fantastic results!!!! You should be very proud.

[minimonkey]

Dazy --sounds like you have definitely hit the sweet spot --- excellent! Glad you are feeling so great, and so energetic It makes all of this SO much easier when the body cooperates with the journey!!!

Glad the scale is being so kind to many of you -- that is really gratifying.

I'm a little afraid to get on mine -- I know it has to have gone up by quite a bit -- my little body is getting SOLID! I don't plan to weigh until my bodyfat measurement day, when I will have another number to counterbalance the scale -- I'd almost bet money on my bodyfat having gone down.... but I still can't quite divorce myself from that old idea that lower is better where weight is concerned, which is ridiculous when you are training the way I am. Muscle adds weight, and my muscles are getting harder and more dense by the day.

[minimonkey]

Life4me -- wow is that ever some impressive inch loss!!! Way to go!

I think Cheryl's advice is right on the money -- P3 is a necessary break, and it resets the whole metabolic system.

Realistically, that is the biggest benefit of this over other protocols --- it allows you to preserve your metabolism. I know it is a bit of a buzzkill in the short run, but in the long run, you will be able to maintain your losses with relative ease. It sure beats the other option (the one a lot of low calorie diets provide) -- reaching goal and then having to stay on low calories forever or risk regain.... that's no fun.

[minimonkey]

Those of you who have followed my journey since the beginning of the year will notice I have had a big paradigm shift --- at first, I was impatient, trying to race to a number goal, and really resistant to the ups and downs of p3, etc.

After hitting goal, I realized that I wasn't done -- not nearly so -- and since that time, I've developed a lot more patience for this process. Fitness and body care are an ongoing endeavour, and I am learning to enjoy the interesting changes that happen from day to day.

[Beezer Louisiana]

So I tried on my dresses and now I can't decide which one to wear to the reunion.

Please help me choose!

This one was the one I was planning to wear, but now I'm chickening out! It's not something I would normally wear and I'm afraid I'll feel like I'm out in only my underwear all night. (I thought it would make me feel sassy, but now I just feel awkward in it.) I know I need a lot of self-tanner to be able to wear this one. I bought some today.
tn_Donna 048.JPG

This one I feel comfortable in it, but it just looks like a church dress to me.
tn_Donna 050.JPG

This one I love, but I am afraid I'd be over-dressed for the occasion. It looks more like 'attending a wedding' dress to me.
tn_Donna 051.JPG

So what do I do? Buy ANOTHER dress? There was another one I almost bought . . .

[paulabob]

They are all beautiful...you so definitely have the body for #1, flaunt it and enjoy it!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Those of you who have followed my journey since the beginning of the year will notice I have had a big paradigm shift --- at first, I was impatient, trying to race to a number goal, and really resistant to the ups and downs of p3, etc.

After hitting goal, I realized that I wasn't done -- not nearly so -- and since that time, I've developed a lot more patience for this process. Fitness and body care are an ongoing endeavour, and I am learning to enjoy the interesting changes that happen from day to day.

Yes, Mini. You do seem much more at peace about the whole thing. You are a maniac in the workout department!

I have a big favor to ask all of you. I just posted a major vent post on my Journal thread (believe it's page 11). Would you please all go and read that and tell me what you think? I'm in a panic right now and I need some objective insight into this new matter that just came up a few hours ago.

[CherylB]

Donna, I prefer the tropical one in the first photo! It looks summery and breezy and it looks great on you!