Hey Losers!

[Balance101]

I am 47 and in perimenopause. I have been on about 20-25 net carbs a day for a month, have been exercising 4 days a week, keeping my food counts in ******, watching sodium and drinking my water and ....*drumroll*....I am only down 5 pounds! At a lower weight, that wouldn't be bad, but at 200 pounds... it just makes me sad. I am going home to see my family in September (whom i haven't seen in 5 years) and I am desperate for them not to see me at this weight.

So, I have been lurking a bit and trying to pick up what info I can. I have read the stickied posts and although my husband said he doesn't want me to try this, I think I need to for my own well-being. If anyone would like to point me to any websites you think I should read, I would appreciate it. also, do you prefer drops or pellets?

You guys are all doing awesome! I hope I can join you.

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

Wait...You are living my pre-HCG life!!! (Dietarilly anyway)

I prefer drops. And I would recommend this site only, as well as reading Pounds and Inches.

And i know some extraordinarily CONSERVATIVE, careful people that have done really well on this. I was a cynical nay-sayer for two years before starting!

[Balance101]

Originally Posted by RedL.I.

Wait...You are living my pre-HCG life!!! (Dietarilly anyway)

You poor thing! Is Pounds and Inches a book I have to buy or is it available online to read?

[Balance101]

I found it online! Here's the link if anyone else needs it. Pounds and Inches pdf

[Balance101]

One more question: Besides the hcg, do I need to buy anything else? Is a scale mandatory?

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by Balance101

One more question: Besides the hcg, do I need to buy anything else? Is a scale mandatory?

You would want to weigh yourself everyday so you can keep track of your progress, also a food scale is good so you can weigh your meat.

Take vitamins, potassium, vit B, some take Biotin for hair loss.

[Balance101]

Originally Posted by jabbok

You would want to weigh yourself everyday so you can keep track of your progress, also a food scale is good so you can weigh your meat.

Take vitamins, potassium, vit B, some take Biotin for hair loss.

Thanks jabbok! I should have specified that I was asking about a food scale. I do indeed have a wonderful *sarcasm* scale to weigh myself on. There is a product on Netrition called fusion that includes vitamins. Is 2 oz. enough to get me through 2 months?

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by Balance101

Thanks jabbok! I should have specified that I was asking about a food scale. I do indeed have a wonderful *sarcasm* scale to weigh myself on. There is a product on Netrition called fusion that includes vitamins. Is 2 oz. enough to get me through 2 months?

I used the fusion drops my 1st round but I ran out on day 19 and had to take an interruption until I could get more in. I prefer the pellets then I know I will have enough for 40 days.

[Balance101]

Thank so much. I really appreciate your help! After reading this forum, I am so excited to get started.

Hoping to load up on the 4th!

[Balance101]

Ok, just put in my order!

NOW Biotin, 1000mcg
Nature's Way Vitamin B-50 Complex
Nature's Way Potassium, 99 mg
Intermountain HCG Oral HCG Drops 4 fl oz

I'll pick up a food scale this weekend. Wish me luck!

[dawnyama]

Just an FYI....I have done this hhcg for 2 years now. I take all the breaks in between rounds. So I have not been on the low calorie diet for that long LOL. But I have not needed to take any biotin---I have not had any more than normal hair loss. I know some do experience that, but not me. I have decided to spend my money on that supplement for others I feel that have helped me on my hcg journey. And a 2 oz bottle of homeopathic drops lasts a round for me, but I do the 21 day rounds. I am not sure how long it lasts when going longer.

Oh, and I forgot to add my "good luck" to you!!! So now I have!! Enjoy your loading weekend!

[chicamala]

I would look at the differences between a completely P&I protocol way of doing this, and the alternate or "rogue" way of doing this. If you plan to do protocol, make sure you know exactly what that is, cause I kind of got stumped a few times with various posts from different people saying they are doing this or that and it was going great for them. That is all totally wonderful and each person's decision, but if you are desperate to try your first round as true to the book as you can, make sure you know what that is. Just my two cents. I wanted to do it by the book the very first time for sure. I am actually not as it turns out cause I am using Walden Farms dressing on one of my meals each day. I could stop using it, but I ended up not having problems and just couldn't bare to be without that added flavor.

Enjoy your journey!

[chicamala]

You will maintain without it. There is a phase 3 and phase 4 that will help you with this. Again, very important to follow by the book.

[Balance101]

Awesome! Yep, will read it tonight!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Balance101

This is a newb question, but.. once I finish my run through, can I maintain without hcg, or do I have to buy it for the rest of my life? That might be pushing hubby a bit. LoL!

No, no need for hcg for life. But there are those of us who do maintenance rounds--use it for detoxing purposes or if we gain too much while on vacation, that sort of thing. There is a plan laid out for maintaining once you get to goal. Just read all of Pounds and Inches. Dry and boring but well worth it!

[Viola De Lesseps]

Originally Posted by jabbok

You would want to weigh yourself everyday so you can keep track of your progress, also a food scale is good so you can weigh your meat.

Take vitamins, potassium, vit B, some take Biotin for hair loss.

Biotin!! That's what I need. Off to the store!!

[Balance101]

I skimmed through Pounds and Inches on lunch and am so excited!

Please tell me if I got this right:

1. You begin with 2 days of eating as much as you want, concentrating on good fats and adding in a couple treats.

2. On day 3, you begin 28-40 days of eating 500 calories a day, choosing only from the foods listed.

That's all I need to know to begin except this, are we supposed to continue taking hcg during TOM? I know it said no injections.

[NeekoM]

Originally Posted by Balance101

I skimmed through Pounds and Inches on lunch and am so excited!

Please tell me if I got this right:

1. You begin with 2 days of eating as much as you want, concentrating on good fats and adding in a couple treats.

2. On day 3, you begin 28-40 days of eating 500 calories a day, choosing only from the foods listed.

That's all I need to know to begin except this, are we supposed to continue taking hcg during TOM? I know it said no injections.

Sounds like you've got the basics down! Keep your copy of P&I handy, you'll probably need to refer to it several times throughout your round. Most people take hcg straight through TOM and do fine with it. I had to stop for a couple days because mine got way too heavy.

Good luck to you!!

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

Originally Posted by NeekoM

Sounds like you've got the basics down! Keep your copy of P&I handy, you'll probably need to refer to it several times throughout your round.
Good luck to you!!

What she said!!!!

[Balance101]

Thanks Neeko and Red!

[BigBravesGirl]

Make sure you're reading the original Pounds and Inches, too. There are many copycats out there!

Originally Posted by Yond

Here is a link to download Pounds and Inches by Dr. Simeon.
Pounds and Inches

[Balance101]

I didn't get additional potassium or B vitamins, they're in the Intermountain drops. But it probably can't hurt!

Ack! I hate wasting money!

We can P2 together! I'm loading 7/3 and 7/4 too.

I'm looking forward to it!

You can do this. And we're here to help! Good luck!!

The people here are the best! I love you guys already!

[Balance101]

Originally Posted by BigBravesGirl

Make sure you're reading the original Pounds and Inches, too. There are many copycats out there!

This is what I got: The file link that you requested is not valid.

[Balance101]

The one I am reading is By Dr. A.T. W. Simeons, 55 pages. Link

[BigBravesGirl]

Hmm, I'll have to check my link.

[BigBravesGirl]

*yawn* Yep, that's it. LOL

[Balance101]

I am so excited, this is like the happiest I've been in awhile. There IS hope!

[jabbok]

Originally Posted by Balance101

I skimmed through Pounds and Inches on lunch and am so excited!

Please tell me if I got this right:

1. You begin with 2 days of eating as much as you want, concentrating on good fats and adding in a couple treats.

2. On day 3, you begin 28-40 days of eating 500 calories a day, choosing only from the foods listed.That's all I need to know to begin except this, are we supposed to continue taking hcg during TOM? I know it said no injections.

Day 3 you begin vlcd for min. 21 days and can go up to 40 days (some people go longer) then after your 21 days you do another 2 days of 500 calories but no drops.

[BigBravesGirl]

I felt the same way. I've been on so many diets, but never felt hope. This time I have hope. Not so much faith in the diet, but faith in myself. That makes a difference.

Good luck!

[chicamala]

Originally Posted by BigBravesGirl

I felt the same way. I've been on so many diets, but never felt hope. This time I have hope. Not so much faith in the diet, but faith in myself. That makes a difference.

Good luck!

Call me a crazy softy, but I swear hearing other people talking about hope makes me so very, very happy. Everyone needs a hopeful future!