***HCG Alternative Plans for week of 7/4/11***

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cheryl --

Good luck on your mysterious experiment! Can't wait to find out what it was, and if it worked.

I am really, truly hungry tonight. Not head hunger... stomach screaming at me hunger. This doesn't bode too well for doing 3 weeks or more of this.... harrumph.

I actually came in at about 1000 calories today, maybe a little more... and I'm doing my pellets as directed. Maybe I need to tweak the dose a bit?

I didn't even work out today, though I ended up doing a fair amount of walking. I am going to ride out the hunger for the next few days and hope it subsides.

I'm pretty determined to make this p2 happen in full, hunger or no -- but I was just so blessed on those first rounds, when I had next to no hunger, I got spoiled by it....ah, well. This is the price I pay for doing an experiment that put me in a postion where I need to lean out again.... I will suck it up and cope.

I still reserve the right to grumble, though.... and I hope the losses happen quickly enough to merit the discomfort.

Hunger on Pellets? Very rare, honey! Most people say that when they've done both drops and pellets, their hunger is much better-controlled on pellets. I have never had a problem with hunger and I've only used pellets. I think it's due to not loading. You got away with that in previous rounds because you actually had some fat on you, but this time you pretty much don't have any! Why don't you load for one day and then get back into P2? It would truly suck to do this hungry. It's not too late to take a step back and load.

Also, don't forget what we told you (Nola agreed.) You are going to need to eat more calories this round or you will lose muscle mass. You don't have enough fat for the body to get its necessary energy from your fat reserves. I think the hunger is just telling you to eat more or lose muscle tissue!

Don't be tweaking those pellet doses this soon! Somebody needs to tie you down and knock some sense into you!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Remember me! We are now all moved in and basically unpacked and settled. Our new home is beautiful and I already love it here! I feel like I was on vacation for the last 2 months, and I guess in a way I was. Dh started back work yesterday and I am well into my classes to be certified to open the daycare in my home. I will be taking 2 kids 2x a week starting next week, and then once I am fully certified I hope to get 2 more full time kids. Im really excited.
Also, starting July 24th I will begin training for the OBX marathon. Im pre-training now, working on milage and speed, which also means getting up at 5am to run! YUCK!

Brings me to the point, Ive put on about 5-8 pounds that Im going to work on getting off before training begins. I am starting back on hHCG on Monday after a short trip out of town this weekend. I think I can easily be close to goal at that point and then the training will allow me to play with calories and carbs as I maintain.

Looking forward to joining you all again!

Back! I'm glad you had a wonderful time in that 2 month beach house with your hubby. Where have you moved to? I forgot that part. You look great and I'm glad you are doing so well.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

Morning Ladies,

Welcome back Disney... I am sure those pesky 5-8 lbs will drop quickly for you.

Minimo, great job on the loss... now on to some new loss!!

I was down 2.4 more this morning, so I think things will settle into the lower numbers now... (I was not truly expecting another 10 this morning, but it would have made this quicker) haha... nope! No such luck! But I will take it as it comes, my punishment for losing control of myself again...

Have a great Thursday everyone..

Cheryl...waiting to hear the experiment... do tell.....

Nice losses, kiddo! My experiment got me down 0.6, so I don't know if it had anything to do with the loss today or if I was just due for it. I just ate oranges after a breakfast (at 1pm) meal of strawberries and Ez Sweetz. I googled foods that have a natural diuretic affect and oranges were on the list. I happened to have some, so I ate two meals of 2 oranges each. My calorie total for the day was 400.

Not a whooshy, but I'll take it. Back to my usual eating plan today. I know I keep saying this, but I think I'm going to have to start exercising soon. I mean, really soon. It's time! I want to firm up and get some of the "mush" off me.

Mini, nice loss! Glad your hunger is better today. Also glad you get to enjoy things like VCO. Oh how I wish I could eat cocoa crack on occasion. But I can't.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Nice losses, kiddo! My experiment got me down 0.6, so I don't know if it had anything to do with the loss today or if I was just due for it. I just ate oranges after a breakfast (at 1pm) meal of strawberries and Ez Sweetz. I googled foods that have a natural diuretic affect and oranges were on the list. I happened to have some, so I ate two meals of 2 oranges each. My calorie total for the day was 400.

Cheryl, well, it sounds yummy either way. I am a fruit hound, and would it all the time if I could...love it... almost all of it... probably because its sweet.. I am happy to be down 12.4 in 2 days, but ... still a long way to go to where I was... one day at a time!!

As for the exercise, just do it, rather than think about it... makes it much easier to start if you just go do it...

[CherylB]

You and Nike are right! I think too much.

[DisneyPrincess]

Thanks Cheryl! We are in Camp Lejeune, NC

Im glad to be back and have you all as buddies! I ordered pellets a few days ago so Im hoping they are here tomorrow so I can load over the weekend while Im out of town.

Im going to be adding in more calories on days I run, especially on Saturdays where i'll be running 10+ miles. I'll see how I feel and adjust as I go along. Im excited to start again and I know this will be my last round. Im actually happy that I "maintained" about 6 pounds over my window. Thats not to bad considering how much I ate and drank :blush: over the last 2 months

[CherylB]

That is awesome, considering all the celebrating you've been doing. WTG on getting licensed for day care! Great way for a Mom to earn some money and still stay at home with her kids. I salute you!

You should check out the thread Mini started a while back, with her progress pics. I'll see if I can link it for you, so you won't have to go hunting.

Progress Pics -- hhcg and isometrics....

[DisneyPrincess]

I'm excited to start the daycare. As we are unpacking we are setting up. I have a whole daycare room and we are childproofing, etc...it's going to be work but it will be worth it, and I finally feel as if im putting my degree to use!

I saw Mini's pictures. I am so in awe of her work and dedication!

Speaking to you Mini- you have motivated me more than you know! As I start my marathon training I will be supplementing with weighs and isometric work 2-3 times a week as I can fit it in. I'm anxious to get going again starting Monday!

[CherylB]

A padded room! Good idea! We could all use one of those on some days. What is your degree in?

[DisneyPrincess]

Originally Posted by CherylB

A padded room! Good idea! We could all use one of those on some days. What is your degree in?

Shhhh. It's really for me

Psychology with my masters in child Ed

[CherylB]

Wow! You should be able to charge more than a typical at-home daycare center would charge. You are going to be a better caregiver because of all your training. I'd go for it.

[minimonkey]

Disney -- I may need to borrow that padded room from time to time! With all the theory I am cramming into my head right now, I think it is in danger of exploding.

Thank you for your kind words.... please know that you are a huge inspiration to me, as well

Well, not sure what to make of today -- may or may not have been a step the right direction, depending how you frame it, I suppose. I was not only hungry, but dragging badly... so I ate at about maintenance calories (1800-ish), slept a bit in the afternoon (badly needed!) and then did a pretty killer workout. I am going to resume the low calories tomorrow and see how it goes.

I think a couple of vlcds at a time is the best I am going to manage this round -- otherwise I just seem to get too dragged out to function at all well. Given that I am in the middle of a truly brutal summer semester, I can't be doing that to myself.... so I am going to do low cals until I feel depleted, then mini-load, and repeat.

I can't entirely blame the protocol for the depleted feelings -- I am honestly being run ragged by the school schedule (everyone in the summer program feels that way). I think I am finally over the strange flu-ish thing I had, but my partner and housemate are both still sick, so I may not be totally out of the water yet.

Of course being more active and more muscular than in prior rounds is tipping the balance a lot this time out, too. I am going to decrease the frequency of the workouts slightly during the p2, but I hope to keep the intensity about the same... I don't want to lose ground there. I think I could benefit from additional rest days in any event, p2 or no... but particularly with the low-cal days, I think I will really need them.

One thing I am incredibly pleased about: Some of my muscles are getting truly HARD. Not just firm, but hard! I can't tell you how cool that is, although at times it feels a bit like I must be wearing someone else's body!

In fact, I feel that way a lot these days -- this body is a bit foreign to me in terms of nutritional needs, strength and endurance, look and feel, etc. Its a bit like driving a new car, and not quite knowing where to look for the headlights, wipers, etc... I keep reaching for the familiar solutions and they just don't work anymore.

On the positive side....

I'm consistently able to do the arm sets with higher weights now -- it pushes me a bit, but in a good way. I also no longer dread pushups -- there's a first! I can do them on my feet (boy-style, lol), with good form, and I can do many, many of them (I did 3 sets of 20 today). It wasn't that long ago that I could barely make it through two or three pushups on my feet with proper form, so that is a huge leap forward.

[minimonkey]

Oh, and as for the hunger on pellets -- Paula and a couple of other people have said that they actually seem hungrier on the pellets than on the drops... so who knows.

I suspect I may be somewhat hungry no matter what I try, though I hope it can remain within the manageable range.

[DisneyPrincess]

More muscle needs more fuel, so it makes sense that you feel depleted Mini. I think your idea to do a higher cal day every few days is a good idea.

Today is P90x day and then I'm taking the weekend off because we will be out of town. I'm going to do slightly higher cals and start VLC days Monday

[mousie tartufo]

FINALLY broke that barrier! Into the 170s!! YAY! At this rate, it'll be a tough stretch to hit 175, but it is what it is. I know I'll lose it eventually, but having a goal to hit (and actually making it) is a good psyche boost on the self-achievement meter. Be nice to have one of those!

On a somewhat related note, I took my measurements (which I usually do every 2 or 3 weeks), but this time I did it a week apart. Three out of four measurements went down an inch each (good!), but my waist measurement went UP an inch. Has this ever happened to anyone else? It's so freaking weird, like all of a sudden I've got this *major*spare tire around my middle! Not only is it weird, but it's nasty looking, and interfering with how my shirts fit. Thoughts?

Thanks for all the support gals, I appreciate each and every one of you. I truly hope each of you is doing well on your journey here!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by mousie tartufo

On a somewhat related note, I took my measurements (which I usually do every 2 or 3 weeks), but this time I did it a week apart. Three out of four measurements went down an inch each (good!), but my waist measurement went UP an inch. Has this ever happened to anyone else? It's so freaking weird, like all of a sudden I've got this *major*spare tire around my middle! Not only is it weird, but it's nasty looking, and interfering with how my shirts fit. Thoughts?

I have to take my waist measurement before I've had any liquid in the morning. If I start my morning drink...my waist can go up an inch. Don't know if that's a factor for you, but thought I'd mention it!

Hoping you are just noticing some jiggly puff...hopefully there's a whooshy and some tightening there soon!

Mini I also couldn't get thru yesterday without eating more...ended at 1100 calories. Felt so much better after I ate. :blush: Might have been hormonal (ovulation?) hunger for me. Today's a new day for both of us!

I still dropped .8, so not going to beat myself up for it!

19 VLCDs to go!

[minimonkey]

Mousie -- my waist measurement varies quite a bit due to TOM, time of day, what I've had to eat and drink, etc. That said, it does seem that my waist is actually a bit thicker in general than it used to be relative to everything else. A woman on the exercise thread was saying the same thing this week, too --- so perhaps fat/inflammation sort of move to the middle before leaving???

Disney -- I know, about the muscle -- it's just hard to figure out how much food is enough vs. too much... How's p90x going for you? I am doing a rebounder series based on similar principles and I love it, but it is very physically depleting sometimes.

Yesterday's eating notwithstanding, I am down .4 today, so that's just fine. If I can calorie up every few days and still keep losing, so much the better.

I am going low cal today -- don't know if I will get a workout in today or not. If I do, it'll be late in the day. Not hungry this morning, so that's good

Paula -- great that you lost even with eating more Hope we are both successful with lower cals today.

[CherylB]

Good morning, ladies. Nice to see you all again today! WTG, Mousie! That's a great accomplishment! Sorry about that inch gain. I think taking measurements can be so inaccurate. I know darn well I'm not getting bigger anywhere but sometimes I may measure in a slightly different spot than the time before. When I measured yesterday, it was in the afternoon and it was probably not a bright idea.

Down another 0.4 today. The losses are small but they are every single day! I'm going to go back to a "less rogue" plan, which will be close to what I ate in R1 (aka OWL plan.) I found out that I still enjoy the 100 cal. popcorn if I just use the butter spray and skip the popcorn cheese powder. So, back to an occasional popcorn too.

I hope everyone has a lovely day! See y'all later on.

[doxielove]

I can't find ground chicken and I don't have a grinder or food processor. Has anyone tried using turkey? I want to make the P2 chili using 99% fat free ground turkey breast meat, but I don't know the reason no one allows turkey on their protocols. Has anyone ever used turkey? Did it stall you?

[CherylB]

I haven't tried turkey but it can't be any worse than the ground veal I've used, which is much higher in fat. I still lost eating that. We're rogues here, so try it and report back to us how it went!

[catjrow3]

Morning Ladies..

Mousie, I have noticed this off and on too about the waist, weird huh??

On that note, notta for me this morning a big o' 0 BOO!! LOL... I am pretty sure it should not be a 0 yet.. but I will plug on and see what happens tomorrow. Might be exercising too much. Walked twice for 30 minutes and did Tae Bo for 45 minutes yesterday...

Happy Friday everyone!

[minimonkey]

Cathy -- if you are prone to inflammation (which you clearly are), exercise can cause a lot of it. I suspect that is the reason you didn't see a drop today.

I'm rather surprised I did lose.... I think mine is the residual TOM bloat leaving, but that's fine -- a loss is a loss, and I definitely look leaner than I did just three days (and 4.2 lbs) ago.

At this point, I may start seeing losses more from fat and not primarily water, which is most of what I have lost to date, I think... I needed to drop the water, so no complaints there... but it'll be nice to see some fat melting off as well. I am only 8 lbs above my tentative goal, so I'd be pretty happy with even a 2.5 lb a week loss from here on in.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cathy -- if you are prone to inflammation (which you clearly are), exercise can cause a lot of it. I suspect that is the reason you didn't see a drop today.

I am an avid exerciser though and do it once or twice a day (mostly all cardio though). Yesterday I did tae bo for the first time in a while (billy blanks dvd) but I usually do turbo kickboxing classes twice a week. I should be used to it!! LOL

We will see what tomorrow brings. Gonna try not to exercise today.. (this is hard for me to do believe it or not...)

[doxielove]

Originally Posted by CherylB

I haven't tried turkey but it can't be any worse than the ground veal I've used, which is much higher in fat. I still lost eating that. We're rogues here, so try it and report back to us how it went!

Thanks, Cheryl, I will!

[minimonkey]

Cathy --

Oh, I believe it -- I have a terrible time cutting back on workouts -- I am far more in danger of overtraining than I am of under-working my body.

For reference, competitive bodybuilders/figure competitors will often cut way back on workouts for a week or so before a competition, to decrease inflammation and allow the muscles to drop water, separate, etc. Even their bodies don't get used to exercise to the point that it ceases to cause inflammation.

You are also just coming out of a very bad bout of inflammation/water retention, so your body is probably more reactive than it might be at other times.

I won't be surprised if I see a big old stall for a few days from here, and that would probably happen even if I were sticking to protocol 100% -- my body tends to let go of weight in jigs and jags, and then stall, and then lose again. I'll be happy if it is more steady this time around, but won't be surprised if it isn't.

[minimonkey]

I'm shooting for 1000-ish calories today, and hopefully a cardio workout at some point this evening.

Hunger is MUCH better today Let's hope it stays that way.

[HellsBelle]

Hi ladies! I'm down .6 today, which is just fine by me. A couple replies to some things I've read: regarding hunger on the pellets-my hunger has diminished SO much that I'm actually having a hard time getting in my 500 calories most days! I'm making myself eat at the end of the day when I'm not hungry, which I hate doing. The only time I'm "hungry" is when I'm doing a food related program at work (I'm a children's librarian)...yesterday the kids made chocolate chip cookie dough balls covered in milk chocolate, and a box of them sat in the staff room ALL day-that sucked! But I'm sure that's head hunger. Also, regarding the ground turkey breast, I plan on using some in some p2 chili this weekend too-we can experiment together! : ) sorry for the wall of text-posting from my phone, which doesn't allow for line breaks. Hope every one has a great day!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by HellsBelle

Hi ladies! I'm down .6 today, which is just fine by me. A couple replies to some things I've read: regarding hunger on the pellets-my hunger has diminished SO much that I'm actually having a hard time getting in my 500 calories most days! !

I'm going to hope for that! I took just one pellet this morning and was shaking with hunger within 15 minutes. So I think I'm overdosed, and will drop down to 2 pellets this evening, and my drops this afternoon, and see how tomorrow goes!

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by paulabob

I'm going to hope for that! I took just one pellet this morning and was shaking with hunger within 15 minutes. So I think I'm overdosed, and will drop down to 2 pellets this evening, and my drops this afternoon, and see how tomorrow goes!

One pellet?? Aren't you supposed to do 3 or 4 pellets 3 times a day? that might be why you are hungry. Or were you taking 3 or 4 and then you were hungry? I took 4 on the pellets and was not hungry at all... ??

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by catjrow3

One pellet?? Aren't you supposed to do 3 or 4 pellets 3 times a day? that might be why you are hungry. Or were you taking 3 or 4 and then you were hungry? I took 4 on the pellets and was not hungry at all... ??

3 or 4 before. It was definitely just one pellet this morning, and really bad hunger right afterwards...must be some powerful pellets, huh?

I'm backing way off, and then may have to up a bit to find the sweet spot.