Simeons Protocol -- P2 Week of 6/27/11

[shelbyla]

New thread for everyone following Simeon's original HCG protocol in Phase 2.

Happy losing everyone!!!!

[1moretry]

Shelbyla,

I thought the week started on Monday, but am glad to see you putting up this thread today. I will be moving over to P3 at the end of this week and while I will still peek in on the P2ers and join them again in mid-August, I am ready to move on. Can I assume you will continue to put up a new P2 thread each week? I had filled in the gap before because no one else was doing it, and am glad to pass the baton.

I did post a number of replies on the prior thread before I saw this one, so will just report that I had another 0.4 loss today and am getting close to the end of this round. I did hit the 20-pound mark today, and that helps my mental attitude a lot.

[Sleepy]

good morning
waiting a return call from the dr.
day 11 of TOM with no end in sight
she may want me to get off the injections til it stops
im afraid to do that
ive lost 17 lbs in 13 days but have stayed the same since
today is day 17
i want to get this weight off!! but i cant keep bleeding like this
i feel so drained
will see what she says to do since she is the expert

[1moretry]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

good morning
waiting a return call from the dr.
day 11 of TOM with no end in sight
she may want me to get off the injections til it stops
im afraid to do that
ive lost 17 lbs in 13 days but have stayed the same since
today is day 17
i want to get this weight off!! but i cant keep bleeding like this
i feel so drained
will see what she says to do since she is the expert

My recall is fuzzy on this and I don't feel like taking the time right now to go back and read P&I for the answer, but I seem to remember (correct me if I am wrong) that Simeons said something about not doing the injections during the TOM. I am postmenopausal, so that part didn't register with me as much as the rest did. It isn't just about getting the weight off -- it's about keeping it off and that requires a long-term attitude. I can relate to your impatience and have had to put up with the disappointment of averaging less than 0.5 lb a day (am at a steady burn right now of 0.4 lb a day), but if you follow protocol as it is designed to be done, you will lose that weight. It might just take longer than you want it to. Work WITH your body, not against it. Your body is giving you a message. Listen to it (and your doctor).

[shelbyla]

It IS Monday, at least in California... I just put up a new thread because I saw no one else had. Feel free to post one next week. (I'll be out of town anyway.)

ETA: I am already in P4 so it doesn't matter what phase you're in--anyone can post the new threads.

[Sleepy]

Originally Posted by 1moretry

My recall is fuzzy on this and I don't feel like taking the time right now to go back and read P&I for the answer, but I seem to remember (correct me if I am wrong) that Simeons said something about not doing the injections during the TOM. I am postmenopausal, so that part didn't register with me as much as the rest did. It isn't just about getting the weight off -- it's about keeping it off and that requires a long-term attitude. I can relate to your impatience and have had to put up with the disappointment of averaging less than 0.5 lb a day (am at a steady burn right now of 0.4 lb a day), but if you follow protocol as it is designed to be done, you will lose that weight. It might just take longer than you want it to. Work WITH your body, not against it. Your body is giving you a message. Listen to it (and your doctor).

P&I does say that
but my dr never told me
when i called last week she said it was ok to dose during TOM most of the time
but since mine has gone on so long i may have to get off for a few days
i hardly ever got TOM due to my PCOS, so this is quite unusual
fine with me to get off for a few, and fine with me if my weight stays the same, i am not being impatient, i am thrilled with my loss so far, i just want the cramps and the period to end and continue on with my journey

[1moretry]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

It IS Monday, at least in California... I just put up a new thread because I saw no one else had. Feel free to post one next week. (I'll be out of town anyway.)

ETA: I am already in P4 so it doesn't matter what phase you're in--anyone can post the new threads.

Oops! I thought it was still Sunday! You're right! :blush:

I'll be happy to put up the new thread for next week and will write it into my planner right now.

I just discovered that I only had enough HCG left for today's injection, so I will have to end P2 one day early and begin P3 on June 30. I will have to talk to my doctor about this, because I was supposed to get 40 injections from the bottle and only got 39.

I'm not that upset, though. I did make the 20-pound mark today and am looking forward to a nice piece of steak instead of the home-ground beef I have been eating for almost 7 weeks. If no one else wants to (or is available) to post the P2 thread, I will be willing to do it, and will be back here on a regular basis in mid-August.

[1moretry]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

P&I does say that
but my dr never told me
when i called last week she said it was ok to dose during TOM most of the time
but since mine has gone on so long i may have to get off for a few days
i hardly ever got TOM due to my PCOS, so this is quite unusual
fine with me to get off for a few, and fine with me if my weight stays the same, i am not being impatient, i am thrilled with my loss so far, i just want the cramps and the period to end and continue on with my journey

Sleepy,

I apologize for projecting MY impatience onto you! From what you had written, it sounded like you were impatient to get the weight off and were willing to endure a long TOM to do that. I find it interesting that you had a change in your PCOS pattern. I have had that as a possible diagnosis and had an ovarian cyst removed in 1993, but am postmenopausal now and don't think in those terms. In any event, I am glad you have a doctor to guide you.

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by 1moretry

Shelbyla,

I thought the week started on Monday, but am glad to see you putting up this thread today. I will be moving over to P3 at the end of this week and while I will still peek in on the P2ers and join them again in mid-August, I am ready to move on. Can I assume you will continue to put up a new P2 thread each week? I had filled in the gap before because no one else was doing it, and am glad to pass the baton.

I did post a number of replies on the prior thread before I saw this one, so will just report that I had another 0.4 loss today and am getting close to the end of this round. I did hit the 20-pound mark today, and that helps my mental attitude a lot.

you seem to like the .4 losses, it all adds up to lots lost. I will be moving to P3 at the end of the week as well so I will see you over there.

Originally Posted by Sleepy

good morning
waiting a return call from the dr.
day 11 of TOM with no end in sight
she may want me to get off the injections til it stops
im afraid to do that
ive lost 17 lbs in 13 days but have stayed the same since
today is day 17
i want to get this weight off!! but i cant keep bleeding like this
i feel so drained
will see what she says to do since she is the expert

wtg on the huge loss you are doing really good over a pound a day most women average .5 pounds per day.

[jabbok]

Thanks Shelbyla for starting the new thread even though you are in P4.

I am down .2 today so almost at the R3 ldw, I will continue in P2 till the end of the week and then see where I am at.

[Sleepy]

Originally Posted by 1moretry

Sleepy,

I apologize for projecting MY impatience onto you! From what you had written, it sounded like you were impatient to get the weight off and were willing to endure a long TOM to do that. I find it interesting that you had a change in your PCOS pattern. I have had that as a possible diagnosis and had an ovarian cyst removed in 1993, but am postmenopausal now and don't think in those terms. In any event, I am glad you have a doctor to guide you.

oh no thats fine! i just dont want to get off the injections since i am doing so well, even if i maintain for a few days, i like the losing pattern
and i am doing a 42 day round and id like to stay on it without interuption!!

[vli1127]

I was up the past two days due to staying on plan, back to 197.8 today. I am almost out of the drops that don't contain HCG, but the stingy one that I am, I am going to finish them (don't want to waste them LOL). But, I started using the pellets once a day for two days now and will continue using up the drops. The pellets are to last for 40 some days, so I think I will continue on P2 until bottle of pellets are gone. This should take me to vacation of which it will be easier to manage when on P3.

I have been dealing with constipation though and have started taking psyllium once to twice per day for a few days now. What have others done to deal with constipation?

[Violet_Dream]

Thanks for getting us started shelbyla ...I'm down .02 this morning...onward and downward.

Yesterday, I told my mother-in-law about what I'm doing and she was intrigued. She said that MDs don't have a clue about what goes on in the naturopathic world...interesting. She asked me about keeping it off and I told her that there are stabilization and maintenance phases. Now, if I eat carbage then I will pack some weight back on, but I will follow the plan. I am so happy to be here with all of you!!!

Congratulations to everyone and let's all have a great day!

[Viola De Lesseps]

Good morning, everyone!

I don't have time for personals this am, but congrats to all that lost, and "stick with it" to all that maintained or gained.

I'm down .4, for a total of 6.6#s lost (2.6 net)... vlcd4

I'll swing by later and catch up

[snaggle]

Good morning to all thank you Shelbyla for posting the new thread. Down a half lb today. I guess I am happy, but felt so good yesterday and kept so strict over the weekend that I hoped I would be rewarded by a 1 lb loss at some point.
waaa waaa. Just have to whine a bit.
Done.

Vicky- did the non hcg drops work for you? I would nt want to waste my vlcd efforts if they may not be doing anything. I don't know what pellets you have, but mine are the IM ones from netrition and the bottle seems to have a ton of pellets. I think enough for 40 days at least. How long do you plan to go?

[amylou]

Goodmorning ladies and happy Monday! (yes...a Monday can be a happy one sometimes!!). I didn't post my first loss yesterday; was out and about all day long which is a good thing when you want to keep your mind busy away from food! I lost 1.4 my first day, and then another 2.4 today!! Was very surprised to see 176 back on my scale so soon! Yesterday was my first challenge, eating wise as we went to a graduation party. No veggies in site...no tray, no salad . They did have pulled chicken and strawberries, so that did it for me! I had just eating a chicken salad maybe 2-3 hrs before for lunch, but was definitely hungry. I wasn't planning on eating anything but my husband gave me the "they fixed this food-don't be rude" speech. I was just worried about eating my second meal so early, but I ended up not being hungry for the rest of the day so it worked out fine! They did have a nice dessert buffet set out, which I didn't touch of course...and felt really good about not even taking a nibble from my kid's plates!

I do want to add a personal little victory...my hobby on the side is cake/cookie decorating. I know...it's not a good hobby for one that does best doing a low-carb way of eating lol. BUT I love doing it, and I am good at it, and it actually keeps my mind off of things and keeps me busy. Well, I have an order in for some baby shower cookies...and typically I end up eating a couple cookies to "sample". This time I haven't had one...or even any dough! The only thing I did try was my icing...just a drop of it to test the flavor since I always wing it (really!). This is profound for me...b/c usually the smells make me succumb to more testings of everything. I told myself..."self, you have made this recipe many times before...you know how it tastes, you know how it comes out...you don't need to test taste any dough or any cookies!"...and it's true. I had hubby sample and as long as his reaction is good, I know they're good to go! I also have come to the point in the past several months that I either have to totally give up this hobby or I have to not let it derail me. I enjoy this too much to give up...so my only option is to let it be like any other hobby. Anytime I feel an urge coming on I take a big swig of water. Guess the lesser evil would be to chew some gum too!

I'm sorry in advance for the multiple posts that are coming. I want to respond to some others...and I want to get my posts up to 25 so I can start blogging

~Amy

[amylou]

Originally Posted by Abby1983

Good morning everyone and happy saturday! Down 1lb today BUT i had three beers last night so i may be a touch dehydrated. Hopefully i dont pay for it in the scale tomorrow. The good news it that i am down 30 lbs! I got a few compliments from people i barely knew so im feeling pretty happy today I hope everyone else has a great day!

30 lbs!!! Awesome! Heck, I can't wait to be at your starting weight!! Keep up the good work!

[amylou]

Originally Posted by jabbok

On a sad note we had to put down one of our 14 year old dogs this morning

So sorry! We had to put one of our dogs down right before Thanksgiving last year. I think the hardest part for me was answering questions from my then 4-1/2 year old. (((HUGS)))

[amylou]

Originally Posted by snaggle

The problem, for me, is that low carbing has given me a taste of the good life (fats) and it is very difficult for me to enjoy things like salads or vegetables without any fat. This is fine if I stick to protein and veggies, but stuff like pizza and pasta, must be handled in strict moderation. There is a lot of interesting info. being put out now about how the combination of fat, sugar (and carbs react like sugar), and salt are highly addictive and it is the wicked combination of them that has gotten us all so fat.

I totally agree! I know I am very carb-sensitive, and even when I start re-introducing carbs I have to be very strict. I have found that I just need to find substitutes for those carb/comfort foods that I have given up, like doing a veggie based cauliflower pizza crust, or spaghetti squash in place of pasta. My mind knows that it is not the same, but it still satisfies some of the tastes I am craving.

I have been doing a lot more reading about the whole carb reaction thing too. One book I've found interesting is "How I Gave Up My Low-Fat Diet and Lost 40 Pounds..and How You Can Too: The Ultimate Guide to Low-Carbohydrate Dieting" by Dana Carpender. When she starts explaining some of the stuff behind carb intolerance, I'm like..."yes! I get it!". I haven't read any of the Gary Taubes' stuff that 1moretry mentioned, but it sounds like it is along the same lines. I will have to check it out too. I feel like the more backup reasoning I have to follow this way of life, the better convinced I will stay that I need to keep on it!

[amylou]

Originally Posted by chicamala

Was down .6 yesterday morning and 1.2 this morning. I took my scale camping, so that kind of kept me honest...and believe me, it was so, so, so tough to eat my prepared protocol foods when everyone else was eating it up camping style! The other downfall, I forgot my dressing preparation and had to eat my salad dry. So not satisfying!

I am heading out camping too this weekend. I plan to just pre-portion out my meats, but I'm still a little concerned about the change in environment. Usually camping for us involves s'mores and the like. I will have to make some of the chili I've seen around here to get me by too.



Any other tips from anyone for camping during P2?

[amylou]

delete

[amylou]

Originally Posted by Viola De Lesseps

I'm down .4, for a total of 6.6#s lost (2.6 net)... vlcd4

That's great!!! Keep it up!!

[chicamala]

amylou-I have to do the same "testing" of food and I spit it out afterwards. Good for you! You are doing great!
1moretry-I wish you well in P3! You did a great job and it sounds like this has been a learning time for you as far as food sensitivities go.
snaggle-That's a nice half pound loss you have there!
Viola-Yeah!!!
Moonstruck-Look how close you are to ONEderland!!!!
Vicki-Doing great! You are headed down! I take magnesium twice a day to keep me regular. Have you tried it?
Sleepy-I hope you get your situation figured out to your liking, and return to losses, or better yet, don't stop losing!

[chicamala]

Jabbok- You are getting close! Best wishes for you for the rest of the week!

I am down another pound today. Camping activities didn't set me back, but it did make me hungrier! I got through it. Now today, I have a 3000 sf house to clean that is having the AC replaced today. That means, it will be boiling hot (it's getting 112 easy here in Mesa) and I will be sweating bullets. That has me a bit worried.....Tomorrow's weight is gonna be "iffy."

[amylou]

Originally Posted by 1moretry

Now you have also learned what DOESN'T work for you, and that opens the door on a new opportunity to find what DOES work for you. We are all very different and it begins with our genetics. Coming to terms with the deck we were dealt is the first step to accepting our limits and enjoying ourselves within them. Beating ourselves up for something we have no control over doesn't help anything. Accepting ourselves as we are and working within that is empowering, once one gets over the judging of ourselves as having been "bad," when we were just being driven by our body's natural forces. Taubes explains this in such a reasonable and non-judgmental way, it's like sunlight on a dark day.

Okay...one more point and then I'll stop my marathon of posts


I have also really come to terms with that fact that I am different from a lot of people. I know that what works for some may not work for me, and vice versa. I also have to just get over what people may think when they know/see me eating low-carb. Most of friends support me fine...it's more of my husband and other relatives that question and lecture me. Of course, my husband thinks I'm fine just the way I am; which is wonderful on one hand, but on the other it opens my thinking up to believe I can and should just have ice cream, chips, etc. etc.

Bottom line is I need to get over what everyone else may think and just stick with it for my own sake and health!

[dbunny]

What I love about this site is that you all share your struggles AND solutions that you have come up with. So nice to have such positive people posting about their experiences

My update: 11.5 pounds since last Monday GONE!
Measurements: lost 11 inches!
Woot!

[snaggle]

Originally Posted by amylou

I have been doing a lot more reading about the whole carb reaction thing too. One book I've found interesting is "How I Gave Up My Low-Fat Diet and Lost 40 Pounds..and How You Can Too: The Ultimate Guide to Low-Carbohydrate Dieting" by Dana Carpender. When she starts explaining some of the stuff behind carb intolerance, I'm like..."yes! I get it!".

Did you know Amylou that Dana used to be on this board way back when? I remember her being a very active member and source of good advice back when I first joined. Just thought I would mention it.

[amylou]

Had no idea! Interesting!

[vli1127]

Originally Posted by snaggle

Vicky- did the non hcg drops work for you? I would nt want to waste my vlcd efforts if they may not be doing anything. I don't know what pellets you have, but mine are the IM ones from netrition and the bottle seems to have a ton of pellets. I think enough for 40 days at least. How long do you plan to go?

The Not sure if the non HCG drops worked or not. I have lost (see stats and siggy) but that could be because of VLCD too. The drops are from NiGel. I got IM pellets after reading about several people using them. I am thinking of just going until those are gone. I know that ends up being longer than Simeon recommendation, but OWL says there isn't immunity and no reason to do the phasing off of the HCG. Besides, if I go until the end of July, vacationing will be more manageable.

Originally Posted by chicamala

amylou-
Vicki-Doing great! You are headed down! I take magnesium twice a day to keep me regular. Have you tried it?

I take Magnesium daily, but haven't tried it for constipation. How many mg do you take?

[debkeversole]