Holy crap, I'm a SLOW loser!!!

[Dreamchaser]

Today is Round 1, VLCD15. Not including my load day gains and losses, I am only down 5.5 pounds! I am wanting to lose around 60 pounds.

Yes, I do have sleeping problems. That is always going to be a BIG challenge for me and I know that makes a huge difference but I am following strict protocol and I sure did expect to be down more by now!

Nothing is going to make me quit. I'm still in it for the long haul.........

but JEEZ, let's get the show on the road already! Good GAWD, my body is stubborn!!!

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

WE DON'T GET MAD.....WE GET THIN!!!

No. Seriously. Sometimes when I get mad, it just increases my focus and determination. I'm glad to see you doing the same!!! I was SO determined not to fail, I even avoided the creams and lotions and all of that.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

[Gilded Lily]

I am a slow loser too, but keep on going with it and one day soon you will wake up at goal! In hindsight, I can't believe how fast it happened for me... the world's slowest loser.

[chicamala]

Have you considered tweaking it a bit to see if some of the ideas others are doing, maybe not necessarily protocol, would work for you? You could try one new idea every few days to see if your body will respond? I've seen people change things as simply as moving fruits to different times of day or with protein. I've seen those doing fruits, eliminate all and then add back one at a time for a few days to see how that fruit affects them. I've seen one lady realize her body is so sensitive to foods, she couldn't lose and she is now having success with lasering. I'd be on a treasure hunt!

I'm happy for your 5.5 lbs loss, though. It is definitely worth it, especially if you couldn't lose before!

[porkfatrules]

I sympathise, because it's so NOT fun to have results come that slowly.

I remember, a few years back here on LCF, a man posted who was low-carbing with his wife. He had lost pretty fast (as men usually do -- $%^$& them!) and she had lost 1/2 pound PER WEEK for the entire time. His conclusion? Guess what, she lost 65 pounds over the slow and steady course of a few years, at that 1/2 per week. In those same years, a lot of the rest of us had gained, lost, gained, lost, etc. -- and it was such a frustration to feel like, "If I'd only only 1/2 pound a week and kept it off, I'd weigh 52 pounds by now." OK, I don't want to weigh 52 pounds . . . but you get the idea.

Anyway, this idea gives me some solace when I'm dieting and losing at a snail's pace -- I hope it's as little bit comforting!

[mymy3377]

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

but JEEZ, let's get the show on the road already! Good GAWD, my body is stubborn!!!

I'm in the same boat as you with the slow losses and this round, I'm on day 15, I've only lost around 5 pounds as well (not including load) after a pretty decent start to the round too but I knew it was too good to be true It's just the way it is sometimes but like you I'm going to see this round out but you're not alone we sick low losers gotta stick together

[Beezer Louisiana]

What hair products are you using? I suspect my hair conditioner stalled me a few times. (I stopped it, then started again later on and it stalled me again.)

What soap are you using?

What meat are you eating? I switched from ground meat to boiled chicken breast and noticed a difference.

[chicamala]

Originally Posted by porkfatrules

I sympathise, because it's so NOT fun to have results come that slowly.

I remember, a few years back here on LCF, a man posted who was low-carbing with his wife. He had lost pretty fast (as men usually do -- $%^$& them!) and she had lost 1/2 pound PER WEEK for the entire time. His conclusion? Guess what, she lost 65 pounds over the slow and steady course of a few years, at that 1/2 per week. In those same years, a lot of the rest of us had gained, lost, gained, lost, etc. -- and it was such a frustration to feel like, "If I'd only only 1/2 pound a week and kept it off, I'd weigh 52 pounds by now." OK, I don't want to weigh 52 pounds . . . but you get the idea.

Anyway, this idea gives me some solace when I'm dieting and losing at a snail's pace -- I hope it's as little bit comforting!

Great Thinking!!

[catkin]

Sorry to hear this!
Did you measure before starting? Is your clothing looser?
Hang in there. Something unseen is happening when the scale shows no loss because we could barely survive on so few calories if not for the hhcg in our systems.

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by RedL.I.

WE DON'T GET MAD.....WE GET THIN!!!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

Originally Posted by Gilded Lily

I am a slow loser too, but keep on going with it and one day soon you will wake up at goal! In hindsight, I can't believe how fast it happened for me... the world's slowest loser.

I am determined to keep going!!! I am avoiding all oils in my beauty products as well.

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by chicamala

Have you considered tweaking it a bit to see if some of the ideas others are doing, maybe not necessarily protocol, would work for you? You could try one new idea every few days to see if your body will respond? I've seen people change things as simply as moving fruits to different times of day or with protein. I've seen those doing fruits, eliminate all and then add back one at a time for a few days to see how that fruit affects them. I've seen one lady realize her body is so sensitive to foods, she couldn't lose and she is now having success with lasering. I'd be on a treasure hunt!

I'm happy for your 5.5 lbs loss, though. It is definitely worth it, especially if you couldn't lose before!

I don't know, to me it seems kind of early in the game for me to be trying to start tweaking things already!

No, I wasn't losing anything at all before, so yes, I am definitely grateful for the 5.5 loss.

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by porkfatrules

I sympathise, because it's so NOT fun to have results come that slowly.

I remember, a few years back here on LCF, a man posted who was low-carbing with his wife. He had lost pretty fast (as men usually do -- $%^$& them!) and she had lost 1/2 pound PER WEEK for the entire time. His conclusion? Guess what, she lost 65 pounds over the slow and steady course of a few years, at that 1/2 per week. In those same years, a lot of the rest of us had gained, lost, gained, lost, etc. -- and it was such a frustration to feel like, "If I'd only only 1/2 pound a week and kept it off, I'd weigh 52 pounds by now." OK, I don't want to weigh 52 pounds . . . but you get the idea.

Anyway, this idea gives me some solace when I'm dieting and losing at a snail's pace -- I hope it's as little bit comforting!

Thanks pfr. Great story and I will remember that slow and steady wins the race. But I've already been an avid lowcarber for the past 10 years. I think I've waited long enough already!!!

Originally Posted by mymy3377

I'm in the same boat as you with the slow losses and this round, I'm on day 15, I've only lost around 5 pounds as well (not including load) after a pretty decent start to the round too but I knew it was too good to be true It's just the way it is sometimes but like you I'm going to see this round out but you're not alone we sick low losers gotta stick together

I'm stickin with you chic, misery loves company!

What round are you on? How much have you lost so far and how many more to go?

Originally Posted by Beezer Louisiana

What hair products are you using? I suspect my hair conditioner stalled me a few times. (I stopped it, then started again later on and it stalled me again.)

What soap are you using?

What meat are you eating? I switched from ground meat to boiled chicken breast and noticed a difference.

I changed soap and hair products and all beauty products and toiletries. Everything, as far as I can tell, is p2 friendly. I eat a variety of chicken, beef and fish. I do eat beef quite often (although never more than once a day). I don't know. That is definitely something for me to consider and to keep in mind.

Originally Posted by catkin

Sorry to hear this!
Did you measure before starting? Is your clothing looser?
Hang in there. Something unseen is happening when the scale shows no loss because we could barely survive on so few calories if not for the hhcg in our systems.

Hey cat, I measured on, I think, 2nd loading morning. At the time I wished I would have measured before then. But yeah, at least I did do it in the beginning. My clothing is maybe a little looser, not a lot. Yes, I've been thinking something must be "going on in there" for me to be able to survive on so few calories. I'm hangin the best I can, girl, I'm hangin!

[LilacBruze]

Awww, I am very sorry to hear this. Has it been 15 days already? Seems like you just started in my mind!

Yes, sleep is very important to losing, but seems to me you should at least be farther down than this at VLCD15. I would look to other things. Are you using artificial sweeteners too much? Drinking enough water? Alternating foods?

I lost pretty well my 2nd week eating NOTHING but 96/4 ground beef, cabbage, and strawberries. Then the 3rd week, my losses slowed until I changed up to shrimp. Now I alternate shrimp, chicken breast, and the 96/4 ground beef so every meal is different. I also alternate between cabbage, diced tomatoes, and cucumbers. But I stick with strawberries due to my diabetes.

I had no problems using a very rich and thick foot cream by first two weeks, but now am using a self tanner that I think is stalling me.

I really do hope you are losing inches. I think no matter what, hang in there, and trust that your body is undergoing some amazing changes behind the scenes! I know that even though I have stalled today, my measurements have dropped significantly in only one week. Even though I have only lost about 3.5 lbs since I last measured, I lost 2 inches on both my waist AND my hips. So I take comfort in that!

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by LilacBruze

Awww, I am very sorry to hear this. Has it been 15 days already? Seems like you just started in my mind!

Yep, 15 days already. And it feels like every darn bit of that 15 to me and then some! lol

Yes, sleep is very important to losing, but seems to me you should at least be farther down than this at VLCD15. I would look to other things. Are you using artificial sweeteners too much? Drinking enough water? Alternating foods?

No artificial sweeteners, nothing but NuNaturals stevia. I get in at least the required 2 liters, sometimes more. I do alternate foods.

I lost pretty well my 2nd week eating NOTHING but 96/4 ground beef, cabbage, and strawberries. Then the 3rd week, my losses slowed until I changed up to shrimp. Now I alternate shrimp, chicken breast, and the 96/4 ground beef so every meal is different. I also alternate between cabbage, diced tomatoes, and cucumbers. But I stick with strawberries due to my diabetes.

I alternate everything all of the time. A variety of beef, chicken and fish for protein. Veggies are alternated between cucumbers, radishes, asparagus, tomatoes and cabbage. One day I had spinach, one day celery. I alternate between oranges, apples and strawberries for the fruit. I don't have diabetes but still have wondered if I might be better off with strawberries only. It's force of habit for me to think this way after being a lowcarber for so long. Might be something for me to test out.


I had no problems using a very rich and thick foot cream by first two weeks, but now am using a self tanner that I think is stalling me.

I have switched all of my beauty products that were not p2 friendly. As far as I know, there would be nothing like that stalling me.

I really do hope you are losing inches. I think no matter what, hang in there, and trust that your body is undergoing some amazing changes behind the scenes! I know that even though I have stalled today, my measurements have dropped significantly in only one week. Even though I have only lost about 3.5 lbs since I last measured, I lost 2 inches on both my waist AND my hips. So I take comfort in that!

I hope I'm losing inches too. I'm not quite ready to bust out the measuring tape to check though. Hopefully SOMETHING is going on in this stubborn body! Don't worry, I'm hangin on for dear life!

[LilacBruze]

Well then, ya got me hon! But I hope the whoosh fairy visits you soon!

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by LilacBruze

Well then, ya got me hon! But I hope the whoosh fairy visits you soon!

Yeah, I'm stumped too. I'm just going to keep on doin what I'm doin and hopefully it will work itself out soon!

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

For what it's worth, on the days that I kept stalling, (and since I was following such strict protocol - no lotions, etc), I found that on the days we ate beef, I didn't lose. I tried hard to cut every single tiny bit of fat off too.

I'm not sure if it was coincidence or not, since my body seemed to like to stay the same weight for 2 or 3 days and then I'd wake up down 2 pounds. Toward the end of my round, I did stop with beef all together. I seemed to do best with broiled chicken breast, roasted asparagus, and of course....my beloved spinach. :-) (to clarify, HCG has resulted in some sort of culinary love affair between spinach and me; we are even talking about going on a cruise together now....)

[jabbok]

I started having cream in my coffee every morning and I am losing really good, I don't know if you drink coffee or not but I found it is working for me.

I also found if I have fish for one meal and chicken for my other meal my losses aren't as good as when I have ground beef for one and fish for the other meal it seems like I need to have that little bit of fat to keep losing.

[2011me]

Originally Posted by jabbok

I started having cream in my coffee every morning and I am losing really good, I don't know if you drink coffee or not but I found it is working for me.

I also found if I have fish for one meal and chicken for my other meal my losses aren't as good as when I have ground beef for one and fish for the other meal it seems like I need to have that little bit of fat to keep losing.

I agree... adding a little fat to my days 'usually' increases losses (for me)...either fattier red meat, full fat cheese... or a 'fat' creamy dressing on my salads. Not over the top, of course, but definitely more fat than the original protocol allows.

[LilacBruze]

I am the exact opposite now. Too much fat slows my losses. I can't have ground beef for both meals like I did earlier on. Which makes me sad, because it is my preferred protein.

[porkfatrules]

So interesting -- I thought I'd do better on shrimp/chicken days, but I've had two surprisingly good days of losses (especially for days 38-39) when I did two meals of ground beef. Go figure. (And, one guess what I'm eating today?)

[Beezer Louisiana]

Just wanted to add that I changed all of my beauty products, but on the two times during protocol that I used a product that contained glycerin, I stalled for two days afterwards.

So watch out for glycerin. :blush:

[Dreamchaser]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Since I've been having a variety of proteins and alternating them, I haven't noticed any one particular protein to affect me negatively or positively.

Today is day 16. I had beef for lunch yesterday (chili) and fish for dinner. I did lose one pound since yesterday for a total of whopping total of 6.5. Not wonderful but I'll take it. Of course I'll have to see if it sticks. I've had a couple of days so far where I went up a half pound the next day.

From what I understand, what you ate yesterday doesn't necessarily reflect itself on the scale the next day. It might not affect the scale for a couple of days or so.

I think trying to find out what my culprit might be is kind of like trying to find a needle in a haystack because there could be soooooooooooo many reasons for it!

I'm thinking the only way for me to find out if a certain protein is working well for me is to have the same protein for every meal and see how I'm doing after 3 or 4 days. But then again, I could do that for nothing because maybe it's one type of fruit affecting me negatively........who knows! Again, needle in the haystack thing!

I am not a big coffee drinker but I do love my hot tea every day and there is nothing I would love more than to put cream in my tea but I'm scared to try that at this point!

OK, rambling on and on but at least the scale is showing a 1 pound loss today so I'll just have to see if that continues or not. I may just continue to be one of those stubborn, super slow losers even on hcg..........boy I hope not!

[Dreamchaser]

OK, one more thought.......

I've been using 90% ground beef because it's the lowest fat I can get around here that is hormone/antibiotic free. But they just expanded our grocery at target. I just noticed a couple a days ago that they started carrying Laura's Lean ground beef, hormone and antibiotic free, that is 96/4. It is really pricey, like $6.50 a pound. But I think I might get some of that and try using only that for a while and see if it helps any.

[paulabob]

Just wanted to encourage you...you're not the only slow loser. I lost .5 a day in all my early rounds, but can't seem to lose faster than .2 a day since Christmas time (whether roguing or more traditional). I'm hoping a nice long P3 will reset me and I can lose a bit faster on my next round. Nevertheless...as slow as it's been...I'm still 13 pounds less than last December. Downwards always better than up!

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by paulabob

Just wanted to encourage you...you're not the only slow loser. I lost .5 a day in all my early rounds, but can't seem to lose faster than .2 a day since Christmas time (whether roguing or more traditional). I'm hoping a nice long P3 will reset me and I can lose a bit faster on my next round. Nevertheless...as slow as it's been...I'm still 13 pounds less than last December. Downwards always better than up!

Awe, thanks Paula. That really does help to know I'm not the only one! And I love your attitude and I do know that I need to work on getting a better one. I'm trying, just frustrated right now!

[2011me]

I averaged .64 my first round... averaging .3 this time... remember to keep track of the inch loss... it can be amazing! Slow and steady can be good... kutgw!

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by 2011me

I averaged .64 my first round... averaging .3 this time... remember to keep track of the inch loss... it can be amazing! Slow and steady can be good... kutgw!

Thank you!

[metqa]

I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling with slow losses! Glad for yesterdays 1lb though.

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

OK, one more thought.......

I've been using 90% ground beef because it's the lowest fat I can get around here that is hormone/antibiotic free. But they just expanded our grocery at target. I just noticed a couple a days ago that they started carrying Laura's Lean ground beef, hormone and antibiotic free, that is 96/4. It is really pricey, like $6.50 a pound. But I think I might get some of that and try using only that for a while and see if it helps any.

Try to use that Laura Lean. I like it, and I don't like lean meat. I use it and it's so lean there is no fat to drain off. Yeah, it's a ripoff, but it's worth it for this short time on P2. It has a better flavor to cook 94% than to get a fattier meat, cook it and rinse it as some do. I rinsed once... never again. it tasted like rubber. there is enough fat to keep it tasty while still being very low in fat.

Also, ask your store meat manager when they mark down meats and try to be there when they do. I get the LL when it's marked down in fact I just bought one marked down to $3.71/lb and I buy as many as I can.

[LilacBruze]

Hey! I rinse my 96/4 and it doesn't taste like rubber!!