Starting P2 tomorrow, wish me luck!

[caramel]

Hello myna


Your post brought back memories that I can laugh about now. I have four kids who all love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and 40 pounds ago when I was in the low 190's and made their lunches, I had my own happy time between fixings and four fixing can add up, then on top of that it was time for my lunch and like you said, I did it without thinking. When I started on the low carb, JUDDD plans, boy I've been on everything, I had to train myself not eat that stuff.

[myrna]

Another good morning!

-----------------------
Beginning 199
Load day 203.1 (+4.1)
Load day 201.4 (-1.7)
VLCD1 199.8 (-1.6)
VLCD2 198.0 (-1.8)
VLCD3 196.4 (-1.6)
VLCD4 196.4 (0)
VLCD5 194.4 (-2)
VLCD6 193.0 (-1.4)

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by myrna

Another good morning!

-----------------------
Beginning 199
Load day 203.1 (+4.1)
Load day 201.4 (-1.7)
VLCD1 199.8 (-1.6)
VLCD2 198.0 (-1.8)
VLCD3 196.4 (-1.6)
VLCD4 196.4 (0)
VLCD5 194.4 (-2)
VLCD6 193.0 (-1.4)

good job!

[caramel]

beginning weight 155
loading day number 1-157(+2)
loading day number 2-159.5(+2.5/+4.5)
VLCD1-157(-2.5/+2)
VLCD 2-155(-2)
VLCD 3-154.5(-.5)
VLCD 4-153(-1.5)
VLCD 5-153.5(+.5)
VLCD 6-152 (-1.5)


Great job myrna! I am doing a happy . Howya doing Snaggle.

[myrna]

Woo hoo! Good job for you, too!
I just got on to see if you had posted yet, lol.

Your turn Snaggle - come out, come out, wherever you are!

[snaggle]

HI myrna, caramel............................woo hoo on your losses! I am doin' a happy dance to because I am down another pound. I feel good today, vlcd 4.

[dreaminthin]

Hi everyone,
I'm not exactly sure if I should be in this thread or not but I am now starting the drops. I am in my load today. Gosh, I'm happy eating all this food and I can feel myself getting bigger.
Now, tomorrow is the big challenge--day 1 or what do you guys call it? I'm reading about headaches and drinking lemon water. I want to really follow this program well so....what you do you think that I can expect?
I currently weigh 179 pounds or maybe 200 pounds (only kidding--sort of). I am instructed to take 16 drops every day but spaced apart. I will follow a 800 calorie diet. Does this sound doable?
So, my first hurdle will be headaches?

[myrna]

Welcome to the thread!

I don't know if headaches go along with the territory or not, but I had one for 3.5 days. I feel fine now, though.

Good luck with your journey, and my only suggestion is to come to these boards OFTEN b/c there is soooo much info and support here.

[snaggle]

Hi Dreamthin and welcome to the boards! you will find tons of support, as well as information in all the hcg threads. There are lots of specific threads addressing issues, but then there are "phase" kind of threads that have folks that are all in the same phase. For example, there is a p2 thread, since it is so specific, then those in P3 and P4 usually hang together in a thread, then finally, the crazy rogue folks have a thread too. All "rogue" really means is a bit of departure from the strict protocol in Simeons original plan. Their thread is called Alternative plans. From what I can tell, they are for the most part, still in strict 500 calorie mode for p2, but just make minor changes in the foods, etc.
Chime in rogue folks if I have explained it wrong.
As far as what day, most folks define the first loading days simply as loading days, then call the p2 part Vlcd1 through whatever vlcd day you happen to be on. I am on vlcd 4, so that means I have done two load days and am on my fourth very-low-calorie day.

I only had headaches last night. I am not prone to them, so it was kind of uncomfortable, but I took an advil and am fine now. I'm not sure if the advil was okay to take on plan, but I really needed something.
GOod luck to you!

[myrna]

Not sure I'll ever get used to this - I still worry if I'll see a loss, and I am almost shocked every single morning! Love it! Can hardly believe it! Lol

-----------------------
Beginning 199
Load day 203.1 (+4.1)
Load day 201.4 (-1.7)
VLCD1 199.8 (-1.6)
VLCD2 198.0 (-1.8)
VLCD3 196.4 (-1.6)
VLCD4 196.4 (0)
VLCD5 194.4 (-2)
VLCD6 193.0 (-1.4)
VLCD7 191.0 (-2)

[caramel]

beginning weight 155
loading day number 1-157(+2)
loading day number 2-159.5(+2.5/+4.5)
VLCD1-157(-2.5/+2)
VLCD 2-155(-2)
VLCD 3-154.5(-.5)
VLCD 4-153(-1.5)
VLCD 5-153.5(+.5)
VLCD 6-152 (-1.5)
VLCD 7-151 (-1)

Me to mryna, sometimes I look in the mirror and say Nope I didn't lose any weight and am surprised when I step on the scale. Yesterday was especially wonderful because I basically wasn't hungry all day and practically made myself eat. This is so good! to you myrna on your loss.

[dreaminthin]

Thanks for all the replies. Is everyone doing the 500 calorie diet? I'm reading "Pounds and Inches" and that's what recommended. My center recommended an 800 calorie diet. That's because they recommended 3 protein drinks that are about 210 calories each. That would make me rougue?
I decided against the protein drinks today. So, I'm going with the 500 calorie diet.
My breakfast was: 6 large strawberries, 3/4 cup Egg Beaters. Are Egg Beaters ok?
What do you normally eat?

[wmac]

Originally Posted by myrna

Not sure I'll ever get used to this - I still worry if I'll see a loss, and I am almost shocked every single morning! Love it! Can hardly believe it! Lol

-----------------------
Beginning 199
Load day 203.1 (+4.1)
Load day 201.4 (-1.7)
VLCD1 199.8 (-1.6)
VLCD2 198.0 (-1.8)
VLCD3 196.4 (-1.6)
VLCD4 196.4 (0)
VLCD5 194.4 (-2)
VLCD6 193.0 (-1.4)
VLCD7 191.0 (-2)

Great Job! I know what you mean about the scale, I keep thinking its going to go back up to where I started.....sometimes I worry that it got moved and its out of wack. LOL But then the next day it still shows that I lost So I guess it's working! (the HCG)
I didn't measure myself and I really wish I would have. Did you?

[wmac]

Originally Posted by dreaminthin

Thanks for all the replies. Is everyone doing the 500 calorie diet? I'm reading "Pounds and Inches" and that's what recommended. My center recommended an 800 calorie diet. That's because they recommended 3 protein drinks that are about 210 calories each. That would make me rougue?
I decided against the protein drinks today. So, I'm going with the 500 calorie diet.
My breakfast was: 6 large strawberries, 3/4 cup Egg Beaters. Are Egg Beaters ok?
What do you normally eat?

I have the protein shakes too. I have had one this round just because I was hungry it was before dinner and I didn't want to cheat! I also have thought about having a shake as a meal replacement if I need to or if I am not very hungry. (I have not done this yet)
I don't think egg beaters are allowed, for breakfast I have my water and coffee. I don't eat until lunch.

[myrna]

I did take measurements but not until about day 3 or so.

I do the same as you. Coffee with 2T milk and stevia for bfast, then I start chugging water. For lunch and dinner, I do the 100g (weighed raw) lean protein with an approved veg, and the Melba. Then I usually use the fruit for dessert or snack. Most of the time I'm doing the handful of frozen whole strawberries, a cup of water, squirt of lemon, and a bit of stevia in the blender. Yum. I've also had apples as my fruit, but I'm loving the strawberry smoothy right now.

The lean protein I've tried so far includes chicken breast, LF cottage cheese a couple times, lean gr beef, and lean steak. The veggies I've had so far include asparagus, lettuce, cukes, and tomato.

I usually eat them simply with no recipe or whatever, but the lemon comes in handy. I've used it where I would normally use olive oil (like the roasted asparagus where I used it to season with salt n pepper), and as a dressing (I dice the protein, cut up lettuce, squirt the lemon, and toss w salt n pepper. I've done this with chicken, steak, and gr beef.). It helps me not think about how much smaller the protein portion is, bc I used to eat at least twice the size of what I'm having now. But dice it in a salad and I still have sone w every bite. I was so close to "cheating" and using balsamic vinegar on the lettuce, but tried the lemon juice and it was surprisingly tasty!

The only thing I did use that isn't listed is a tiny but of low-sodium Dales on the steak. Then put them on the grill. So far it hasnt stalled me, but if it does, I will cut it out and try lemon on those too lol.

Ok didn't mean to write a novel but I was in the shower earlier and thinking I should document how/what I'm doing, if only for myself to come back and read in later rounds or if I get discouraged. One thing I can totally tell that helps me so much is the water. I have water in my hand alllllll day long, and at night try to get two more bottles in before I lay down. Yes, I'm up a lot before I fall asleep but I usually watch some tv or surf the net an hour or so before I fall asleep anyway.

[dreaminthin]

No food till lunch? Whoooa, isn't that tough? Am I doing this wrong? How did anyone start? Did you read "Pounds and Inches" and take it from there? And then check the boards?
I guess I'm so used to being food feed diet plans such as Weight Watchers and such. But, I was thinking if you read Dr. Siemons' work and get HCG at a reasonable price, then this diet doesn't cost a fortune.
I feel like I just spent a fortune on my previous diet plan. The protein drinks were not the protein shakes. We were required to have at least three a day and I think that they ran about 9 dollars a box! The good think about them though, is that they are high in protein and low in calories. But expensive! The center that I go to now recommended three protein drinks a day with this plan. Well, cha ching! That adds up! Plus, I probably paid too much for the HCG there but I really don't know prices or the difference between brands.
Ok, if it's not too much trouble---what do you eat on P2?
Thanks for all your help!

[myrna]

I haven't been hungry at all. I've had moments of 'mm, that peanut butter I'm slapping on a sandwich for my kid would taste really good right now' - but none of the 'I'm starving! Give me food!" moments.

Yes, I read Pounds and Inches from cover to cover, after reading online on a cruise board about the hcg diet in general. Then after I had ordered my pellets, on another board, someone brought it up, just wondering if anyone had done it or known someone who had done it. Of course, it was promptly blasted (the diet, not the poster) with replies of, "You can't do 500 calories forever!" and "That's dangerous! You have to change your lifestyle, this won't last, you'll gain it back!" and "The only thing that works is eat right, and exercise!" etc etc etc. FWIW, some of the ppl who posted these replies have been on a continuous diet for years and AFAIK haven't lost anything. I'm going to guess 0 of them had actually read Pounds and Inches, or done any other research about it. I'm not saying that to be snarky, it just is what it is.

For me, though, what caught my attention was the fact that the only time I've ever been able to lose weight easily was when I was pg. My first and early-second trimesters I could lose 15-20 lbs without even trying. Did I have morning sickness? Yes, lots. But, as the weeks went on I ate my share of everything, and would still lose weight.

Then I found this board, and lurked for about a month before I actually ordered the pellets. What sold me were a couple pictures, and the fact that HARDLY ANYONE who was doing the plan DIDN'T lose weight. Some lost it slower than others, and some stalled and had hurdles and what-not, but everybody had what I would call amazing results. I'm not talking 2 lbs a week, either. I've done WW, and tried LC and was at the 1400 cals/day and exercising 5x/week (cardio and strength training every day) and was not. losing. a. pound. And the ones who stuck with it and did it all the way through (meaning didn't stop after P2, went on and did P3 and P4 like you're supposed to) WERE keeping it off. (ETA: I did lose on WW and didn't want to imply that I didn't lose a pound doing that. After my first son was born, I lost 15 lbs in 5 months, which was still nowhere near what I weighed before I got pg - I was small/med up until I had kids. I gained it back, and then some, when I stopped counting points, though.)

So far, what's keeping me on plan? Results. Good results, and I get them every morning. Even the morning I didn't lose, I did lose later that day, I just didn't count it as official. Also, coming here to be accountable and supported. The fact that I'm really not hungry helps a ton, too.

And I'm not going to lie - knowing that I have stuff scheduled where ppl who don't see me everyday might be able to notice I've lost weight is a big motivator, too. I have a visit to my MIL's next week - I'd like her to notice, but even if she doesn't she will the NEXT time we visit, for sure. I have a girls' weekend to NYC planned in Oct. I desperately want to be at a place where I don't run from the cameras on this trip. I hate cameras right now. Haven't had pictures taken of myself since I had my 9 year old (except when I was pg, lol) - not voluntarily, anyway. Then in Nov, we are going on a cruise. Oh, how much I would love to wear a cute little sundress, or even a tank top, and to have pictures of my family all dressed to the nines for formal night... I just hate to see myself in pics so much right now. And finally, next summer is my 20 year high school reunion. I skipped the 10 year because of my weight. I'm not doing that again.

So that's what keeps me going. It really is one day at a time with this, b/c every day is a good day if I just keep doing what I'm doing. Or at least, I'm hoping it is... (I still can hardly believe I've lost almost 12 lbs in 7 days counting the load weight. It's like, I think I'm going to wake up and this won't be real, lol.)

[myrna]

Originally Posted by caramel

beginning weight 155
loading day number 1-157(+2)
loading day number 2-159.5(+2.5/+4.5)
VLCD1-157(-2.5/+2)
VLCD 2-155(-2)
VLCD 3-154.5(-.5)
VLCD 4-153(-1.5)
VLCD 5-153.5(+.5)
VLCD 6-152 (-1.5)
VLCD 7-151 (-1)

Me to mryna, sometimes I look in the mirror and say Nope I didn't lose any weight and am surprised when I step on the scale. Yesterday was especially wonderful because I basically wasn't hungry all day and practically made myself eat. This is so good! to you myrna on your loss.

We are rockin' this thang! Nice loss!
(Meant to post to you earlier, then wrote that novel and forgot, lol.)

[wmac]

I have a cruise booked in July that really motivates me! And a trip to Vegas. I wish I would have started earlier But it really keeps me focused.

This is what I usually eat:

Breakfast: coffee
Lunch: Chicken or beef, lettuce or celery
(sometimes p2 chili)
Snack: Apple
Dinner: Chicken, hamburger or steak
salad with walden farms dressing
Snack: strawberries, 2 wasa crackers
LOTS of water and I usually have 1 crystal light with a water in the afternoon if I have head hunger. :blush:

This works for me....some days I don't have crackers.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by myrna

I haven't been hungry at all. I've had moments of 'mm, that peanut butter I'm slapping on a sandwich for my kid would taste really good right now' - but none of the 'I'm starving! Give me food!" moments.

Yes, I read Pounds and Inches from cover to cover, after reading online on a cruise board about the hcg diet in general. Then after I had ordered my pellets, on another board, someone brought it up, just wondering if anyone had done it or known someone who had done it. Of course, it was promptly blasted (the diet, not the poster) with replies of, "You can't do 500 calories forever!" and "That's dangerous! You have to change your lifestyle, this won't last, you'll gain it back!" and "The only thing that works is eat right, and exercise!" etc etc etc. FWIW, some of the ppl who posted these replies have been on a continuous diet for years and AFAIK haven't lost anything. I'm going to guess 0 of them had actually read Pounds and Inches, or done any other research about it. I'm not saying that to be snarky, it just is what it is.

For me, though, what caught my attention was the fact that the only time I've ever been able to lose weight easily was when I was pg. My first and early-second trimesters I could lose 15-20 lbs without even trying. Did I have morning sickness? Yes, lots. But, as the weeks went on I ate my share of everything, and would still lose weight.

Then I found this board, and lurked for about a month before I actually ordered the pellets. What sold me were a couple pictures, and the fact that HARDLY ANYONE who was doing the plan DIDN'T lose weight. Some lost it slower than others, and some stalled and had hurdles and what-not, but everybody had what I would call amazing results. I'm not talking 2 lbs a week, either. I've done WW, and tried LC and was at the 1400 cals/day and exercising 5x/week (cardio and strength training every day) and was not. losing. a. pound. And the ones who stuck with it and did it all the way through (meaning didn't stop after P2, went on and did P3 and P4 like you're supposed to) WERE keeping it off. (ETA: I did lose on WW and didn't want to imply that I didn't lose a pound doing that. After my first son was born, I lost 15 lbs in 5 months, which was still nowhere near what I weighed before I got pg - I was small/med up until I had kids. I gained it back, and then some, when I stopped counting points, though.)

So far, what's keeping me on plan? Results. Good results, and I get them every morning. Even the morning I didn't lose, I did lose later that day, I just didn't count it as official. Also, coming here to be accountable and supported. The fact that I'm really not hungry helps a ton, too.

And I'm not going to lie - knowing that I have stuff scheduled where ppl who don't see me everyday might be able to notice I've lost weight is a big motivator, too. I have a visit to my MIL's next week - I'd like her to notice, but even if she doesn't she will the NEXT time we visit, for sure. I have a girls' weekend to NYC planned in Oct. I desperately want to be at a place where I don't run from the cameras on this trip. I hate cameras right now. Haven't had pictures taken of myself since I had my 9 year old (except when I was pg, lol) - not voluntarily, anyway. Then in Nov, we are going on a cruise. Oh, how much I would love to wear a cute little sundress, or even a tank top, and to have pictures of my family all dressed to the nines for formal night... I just hate to see myself in pics so much right now. And finally, next summer is my 20 year high school reunion. I skipped the 10 year because of my weight. I'm not doing that again.

So that's what keeps me going. It really is one day at a time with this, b/c every day is a good day if I just keep doing what I'm doing. Or at least, I'm hoping it is... (I still can hardly believe I've lost almost 12 lbs in 7 days counting the load weight. It's like, I think I'm going to wake up and this won't be real, lol.)

First, I have not read the book. I have only been lurking and I really don't understand it all. Which, is probably because I have not read the book. I will find it and read. HOwever, may I ask your age? I am 42 y.o. female, 3 kids, youngest one is 3. I had her, and had the Myrena device put in, after my postpartum visit. I was size 8 when I gave birth, went down to a size 6 no problem. Teetered on a size 4/6, but could never get to my old size 4 (which I had achieved doing Atkins and had gone from size 11/12 to size 4 in 7 months - maintained through my second child up to my third). Then, I started to have severe neurological problems. In the end, it was the progesterone in the Myrena; had that removed and recovered. Started ballooning - even though I was STILL low carbind at an OWL level.

Now, I have been doing low carb induction and exercising 4-5 days a week (weights and cardio) for 7 weeks. NO lbs. lost, NO inches. I only feel stronger because of the exercise, which destresses me.

I have been lurking to see if this is something to try. Low carbing is becoming price prohibitive for me because I am not able to cook separate meals for myself and my family all of the time.

Sorry for the novelette, but I was wondering if age was a factor (certainly not the only factor) and if the diet seems like something that is "less" expensive than WW or Atkins? Eating mostly meat is getting cost prohibitive and no results makes it a lose lose ((not weight)).

Thank you!

[myrna]

I'm 36 until our girls' trip in October, which is my bday present to myself. I have a 9 year old and a 3 year old.

I find that I'm spending LESS money on myself to eat. Like the other day I bought steak - one for DH, one for the kids to split, and one for me. I made like six portions out of the one I picked for me, though. (It was too big for one regular meal, but it was lean and didn't have much marbling/fat, which is why I chose it.)

Pounds and Inches is online, and I think the link is in one of the stickies on the HCG board (maybe the P2 tips?). I'd definitely read that soon, because it will answer a lot of questions you might have too.

[myrna]

Oops, the link is in the recipes thread, here:
Simeon's Protocol Recipes Only

[Buttercup]

My amazing hubby found it online and I have read it. I come from a biology background and the science seems logical to me. I am willing to give a go.

However, perhaps I found an old copy, but his book talked about injections. What are the dosages when you are not using injections? Are they to be taken over the course of the day, or once at the same time of day? Before, with, or after meals? The copy I had was very clear about what to eat, but I am unclear about how much to use (200 i.u./day?)

Also, did you really stop using your face creams? My mouth actually dropped when I read that. Also, foundation? Really? Did you stop? A lot of people will be asking me if I am sick. LOL.

Also, I see a lot about p2, p3, and p4 (phases) which were not really discussed as such in the book that I read.

I exercise regularly. Did you? If so, did you stop, or did you just continue with a relaxed regimen?

This really seems to make a lot of sense to me now, where it didn't before.

[myrna]

I hope some other (read: more experienced) ppl start answering some of your questions, too. I'm new to this, and by no means an expert, lol. Just relaying my experience so far...

I take the Intermountain pellets that are linked from netrition. They say to take 3 pellets, 3 times a day. I took the advice of another poster and set my cell to alarm at those times. For me, I use 9am, 3pm, and 9pm. When the alarm goes off, if I have been eating or drinking I wait 15 mins then take them, then wait 15 more mins before I eat or drink anything else. They melt under your tongue, so I start the 15 mins once they're gone (sometimes I don't let them melt ALL the way b/c they can take forever, but once at least one is completely dissolved, I'll just swallow the rest.)

I didn't stop using any lotions or conditioners, but I don't wear foundation anyway. It's too hot here to get all dolled up and be a mom, lol.

Before I started, I was doing cardio and strength training every weekday. I haven't gone since I started but not because of the diet - the first week was TOM and I had bad headaches the first few days, and the second week my oldest son was in scout camp. We work out after dad gets off work and the whole family goes, so we skipped this since he was already gone most of the day...

I'm planning to start back on Monday. I think I'll take it easy and see how it goes. I usually did the treadmill for about 30 minutes then about 30-45min on the weight machines. I am planning on doing lower weights and maybe more reps instead of pushing the weight as heavy as I could with fewer reps, like I normally did. If I start to stall, I'll probably just skip the weights and keep doing the treadmill - hopefully that won't hurt. My husband enjoys the gym time and so do the kids (in the kid watch area) so we're definitely not going to drop it altogether, lol.

ETA about phases. I think that came from another version of this diet where phase one (p1) is a cleanse I think? The cleanse is not in P&I, p2 refers to the injections/diet according to Pounds and Inches protocol, p3 refers to when you up your calories but avoid sugar and starch - stabilization, and p4 refers to when you slowly introduce things back into your diet- maintenance.

I hope I got that phase part correct. Since I'm new and haven't done p3 or p4 yet, I don't feel like I know it as much as p2.

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

My amazing hubby found it online and I have read it. I come from a biology background and the science seems logical to me. I am willing to give a go.

However, perhaps I found an old copy, but his book talked about injections. What are the dosages when you are not using injections? Are they to be taken over the course of the day, or once at the same time of day? Before, with, or after meals? The copy I had was very clear about what to eat, but I am unclear about how much to use (200 i.u./day?)

Also, did you really stop using your face creams? My mouth actually dropped when I read that. Also, foundation? Really? Did you stop? A lot of people will be asking me if I am sick. LOL.

Also, I see a lot about p2, p3, and p4 (phases) which were not really discussed as such in the book that I read.

I exercise regularly. Did you? If so, did you stop, or did you just continue with a relaxed regimen?

This really seems to make a lot of sense to me now, where it didn't before.

Buttercup, if you need some more questions answered, I'm here.

I will try to answer what I see here:
the 125-200 iu is for the injections of Rx hcg. Some also use an Rx hcg that they prepare in a sublingual solution. Most here use the hhcg delivered via pellets or drops. for injections, it's once a day, try to do the same time each day (that's what I used). For sublingual Rx, It's twice a day, I think twice as much because of what is lost in the delivery, but if that's an option for you, I could check. for the hhcg either pellets or drops, you just follow whatever the manufacturer of those particular products recommends, and tweak it a bit if you need to - most tweak DOWN or change frequency.

I use oilfree face products anyway
Some do NOT quit, but the reasoning behind it does make some sense to me, even though people do seem to lose ok for the most part regardless. Who knows if they would've lost better. The theory behind that one is that when the hcg goes looking for fat cells to gobble fat out of, if we give them a ready, available source to get to INSTEAD either in our diets or on our bodies, they take that first and not as much stored fat. People don't really understand that, I think, and make fun of that rule, saying things like they don't gain weight from lotion, they don't absorb it the same through the skin (really - what about a pain med or nicotine patch?) but they miss the point. It's not that putting on lotion makes you fat while on hcg, it's that the hcg you are using doesn't get to as much stored fat as it might have.

The phases were made popular lingo by Kevin Trudeau, author of a book he wrote about hcg. Phase 1 was the detox phase that was about a month long. Most of us do not do it. Sometimes I think it would've been helpful in not detoxing like heck during my first "round" of P2 (the hcg phase).....
Phase 2 is the loading 2 days plus the 21+ days of Very Low Calorie Diet or VLCD (it can be longer, just not shorter) and then 3 days or 72 hours of OFF hcg and still continuing the VLCD because the body takes some time getting it out of the system. P3 begins after those 3 days and is 21 days of strict no starch, no sugar. It resets your weight and enables you to stay close to your Last Dose weight (LDW) or your Last Injection weight (LIW). There's more to it but that's the basics. P4 is after those 21 days, and you begin by adding in a very little bit of starches or sugars, very carefully and maintaining still to see what your body does with the new additions.

Exercise - if you're used to it, just lower the intensity because your body needs more protein than you're getting on the VLCD to be healthy and repair muscle. If you're not used to it, don't start something new.

[myrna]

Well, no loss today. Again.
I'm blaming it on my (lack of) sleep lol. Yeah, that's the ticket.
My sleep schedule is a little wacky this weekend, need to get to bed early tonight.
-----------------------
Beginning 199
Load day 203.1 (+4.1)
Load day 201.4 (-1.7)
VLCD1 199.8 (-1.6)
VLCD2 198.0 (-1.8)
VLCD3 196.4 (-1.6)
VLCD4 196.4 (0)
VLCD5 194.4 (-2)
VLCD6 193.0 (-1.4)
VLCD7 191.0 (-2) Total Week 1: (-12.1 inc load; -8 from start)
VLCD8 191.0 (0)

One day, I'll have enough time under my belt to make a signature and won't have to copy/paste this every day, lol.

[wmac]

I bought an oil free moisturizer from walmart to use during p2, I stopped using body lotion, I did not change my shampoo or conditioner, I still use my Deorderant, I use bare minerals for my foundation. I was going to Zumba 3 times a week and I still do that. I usually walk 2 miles 2 or 3 times a week.
I am doing injections.
I am down .7 today....thats 17.6 total! I am loving it!!!

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by myrna

I hope some other (read: more experienced) ppl start answering some of your questions, too. I'm new to this, and by no means an expert, lol. Just relaying my experience so far...

I take the Intermountain pellets that are linked from netrition. They say to take 3 pellets, 3 times a day. I took the advice of another poster and set my cell to alarm at those times. For me, I use 9am, 3pm, and 9pm. When the alarm goes off, if I have been eating or drinking I wait 15 mins then take them, then wait 15 more mins before I eat or drink anything else. They melt under your tongue, so I start the 15 mins once they're gone (sometimes I don't let them melt ALL the way b/c they can take forever, but once at least one is completely dissolved, I'll just swallow the rest.)

I didn't stop using any lotions or conditioners, but I don't wear foundation anyway. It's too hot here to get all dolled up and be a mom, lol.

Before I started, I was doing cardio and strength training every weekday. I haven't gone since I started but not because of the diet - the first week was TOM and I had bad headaches the first few days, and the second week my oldest son was in scout camp. We work out after dad gets off work and the whole family goes, so we skipped this since he was already gone most of the day...

I'm planning to start back on Monday. I think I'll take it easy and see how it goes. I usually did the treadmill for about 30 minutes then about 30-45min on the weight machines. I am planning on doing lower weights and maybe more reps instead of pushing the weight as heavy as I could with fewer reps, like I normally did. If I start to stall, I'll probably just skip the weights and keep doing the treadmill - hopefully that won't hurt. My husband enjoys the gym time and so do the kids (in the kid watch area) so we're definitely not going to drop it altogether, lol.

ETA about phases. I think that came from another version of this diet where phase one (p1) is a cleanse I think? The cleanse is not in P&I, p2 refers to the injections/diet according to Pounds and Inches protocol, p3 refers to when you up your calories but avoid sugar and starch - stabilization, and p4 refers to when you slowly introduce things back into your diet- maintenance.

I hope I got that phase part correct. Since I'm new and haven't done p3 or p4 yet, I don't feel like I know it as much as p2.

Thank you for being so patient to answer me! It's very helpful.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Buttercup, if you need some more questions answered, I'm here.

I will try to answer what I see here:
the 125-200 iu is for the injections of Rx hcg. Some also use an Rx hcg that they prepare in a sublingual solution. Most here use the hhcg delivered via pellets or drops. for injections, it's once a day, try to do the same time each day (that's what I used). For sublingual Rx, It's twice a day, I think twice as much because of what is lost in the delivery, but if that's an option for you, I could check. for the hhcg either pellets or drops, you just follow whatever the manufacturer of those particular products recommends, and tweak it a bit if you need to - most tweak DOWN or change frequency.

I use oilfree face products anyway
Some do NOT quit, but the reasoning behind it does make some sense to me, even though people do seem to lose ok for the most part regardless. Who knows if they would've lost better. The theory behind that one is that when the hcg goes looking for fat cells to gobble fat out of, if we give them a ready, available source to get to INSTEAD either in our diets or on our bodies, they take that first and not as much stored fat. People don't really understand that, I think, and make fun of that rule, saying things like they don't gain weight from lotion, they don't absorb it the same through the skin (really - what about a pain med or nicotine patch?) but they miss the point. It's not that putting on lotion makes you fat while on hcg, it's that the hcg you are using doesn't get to as much stored fat as it might have.

The phases were made popular lingo by Kevin Trudeau, author of a book he wrote about hcg. Phase 1 was the detox phase that was about a month long. Most of us do not do it. Sometimes I think it would've been helpful in not detoxing like heck during my first "round" of P2 (the hcg phase).....
Phase 2 is the loading 2 days plus the 21+ days of Very Low Calorie Diet or VLCD (it can be longer, just not shorter) and then 3 days or 72 hours of OFF hcg and still continuing the VLCD because the body takes some time getting it out of the system. P3 begins after those 3 days and is 21 days of strict no starch, no sugar. It resets your weight and enables you to stay close to your Last Dose weight (LDW) or your Last Injection weight (LIW). There's more to it but that's the basics. P4 is after those 21 days, and you begin by adding in a very little bit of starches or sugars, very carefully and maintaining still to see what your body does with the new additions.

Exercise - if you're used to it, just lower the intensity because your body needs more protein than you're getting on the VLCD to be healthy and repair muscle. If you're not used to it, don't start something new.

Thank you so much for all that information! I will have to order the pellets or drops from online, because my primary doc is a new one that I won't see until July and my GYN will definitely not be open to this as he doesn't "endorse" homeopathic remedies - for insurance reasons.

Well, the face cream is going to be a doozy. I will have to find an oil free version; I think Almay or Neutrogena make one. I finally figured out that mineral oil, which was okay'd, is actually baby oil. I am good with that for my body. I used Accutane years ago for severe acne (worked beautifully), but now I have dry skin since then. Hubby gets paid Thursday, so I will order hcq and go to it.

Does anybody know if the ones we can purchase without Rx are made from Human or animal sources? I went to the companies websites but could not find an answer.

After this, I am done rat-holing your thread. I watch your stats and it is wonderful to see that you are all reacting exactly like he wrote. I remember this excitement when I first did Atkins. I hope I have as much success with this.

It really provides a solid explanation for why Atkins and any other diet are just NOT working this time around.

[myrna]

I was on Accutane too! I had a severe situation when my first son was born. My whole body just went nuts! Gained weight, cystic acne, GREW 2 INCHES TALLER (I didn't even know that was possible! I had him when I was 27!), even my shoe size went up. I have lots of scarring now, but the Accutane (2 rounds) did clear it up for good. Like you, I was also left with really dry skin especially around my nose and eyebrows.