~Firecracker Girls !~ Week Starting July 4th

[Lildrew]

Originally Posted by shannashimmers

I just didnt want everyone to think my husband is a big old jerk when he isnt . I get a weird reaction from alot of people about how fast you lose the weight. I have tried to encourage several of my friends that are overweight to do it and some people just seem to be so scared of it...I dont know if it is the hcg or what. I think they just do not want to be disciplined enough to do it, I also know lots of people who try and cant because of the calories

It sounds like you have a great husband that is just worried about you.

I feel you on the weird reactions. I haven't told ANYONE about the HCG for that very reason.

[shannashimmers]

Do any of you take potassium supplements? I have been feeling kinda funny, achy, tired and wondered if it may be that.

[Zbunny]

I do, Shanna -- just when I'm in P2. I also took a B-12 supp last time, but the intermountain pellets have B-12, so I don't need it anymore. Hope you feel better soon!

[shannashimmers]

Yeah I can not figure out what it is, I'am fine until around the evening and then I start feeling dizzy, headache just blah. I dont think it is b-12 because I take a b vitamin supplement too.

[lbecker28]

Good morning everyone. Today is VLCD5 and I'm down 7 pounds. I do have a few questions. First, I am still a bit hungry, even after my meals and plenty of water. How do I know if I need to up my dose a little, or it will just pass? I am doing the injections. Also, at night I can hardly sleep because my leg muscles get really tight and heavy, almost cramping.

[Dreamchaser]

Silly question time ~ I see some of you are eating a half an apple at a time. When it's time to eat the next half, isn't it really brown and yucky? Is there something you do to keep it from doing this?

[Balance101]

Originally Posted by lbecker28

Good morning everyone. Today is VLCD5 and I'm down 7 pounds. I do have a few questions. First, I am still a bit hungry, even after my meals and plenty of water. How do I know if I need to up my dose a little, or it will just pass? I am doing the injections. Also, at night I can hardly sleep because my leg muscles get really tight and heavy, almost cramping.

Congrats on your loss! I'm afraid that I can't help with injection dosage, but I believe there is some info on that a page or so back.

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

Silly question time ~ I see some of you are eating a half an apple at a time. When it's time to eat the next half, isn't it really brown and yucky? Is there something you do to keep it from doing this?

I just stick the other half in a baggie in the fridge and then just take a thin slice off when I am ready to eat. It's as good as new!

Down another .8 this morning! I don't want this to stop!!

Total Calories yesterday 482. Feeling satisfied!

Have a great weekend everyone!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by lbecker28

Also, at night I can hardly sleep because my leg muscles get really tight and heavy, almost cramping.

I use magnesium, taken before bed. Some people find potassium works as well.

On the hunger issue after meals...I tend to have that too. It's a bit like the floodgates have opened. As long as it's not severe, and not between meals, I wouldn't worry too much. Would love to hear what others think too. Seems to help if I get myself a nice drink after I eat and drink up, maybe take my vitamins too.

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

Silly question time ~ I see some of you are eating a half an apple at a time. When it's time to eat the next half, isn't it really brown and yucky? Is there something you do to keep it from doing this?

You can also rub a cut lemon on apple slices, that will keep it from going as fast, and gives a nice flavor. I am pretty addicted to using up those lemons on protocol!

Down .2 to LDW. Not much, but the body fat showed a .2 loss today as well (29.9). I've been waiting a LONG time to break that barrier! Bernice finally showed up again after leaving me on Wednesday! I doubled my magnesium last night...

4 VLCDs completed 19 remaining!

[Ravenj9]

Down .6 this morning. I was hoping the 1 lb a day would last a little longer but I'm still losing so that's great. I'm close to my goal so I knew the losses would be slower or lesser than my other rounds so I'll just take one day at a time and hope for the best.

Update: I just went to the bathroom again and I'm down another .4. So I'm officially down 1 lb this morning. Woohoo!


Have a great weekend!

[lbecker28]

Thanks Paula! I have magnesium, and will try it tonight.

[Dreamchaser]

Originally Posted by Balance101

I just stick the other half in a baggie in the fridge and then just take a thin slice off when I am ready to eat. It's as good as new!

Originally Posted by paulabob

You can also rub a cut lemon on apple slices, that will keep it from going as fast, and gives a nice flavor. I am pretty addicted to using up those lemons on protocol!

Aaah, thanks ladies, appreicate it!

[Lildrew]

I had to share!! I am down 1.8 this morning!!

[Dnoake]

Hi everyone - I'm late to the thread but loaded on 7/4 and 7/5 so can I be in the firecracker club?!?!?

Down 5 lbs total - gained 4 on my load days (holy hell) and was on the brink of clinical depression!!! Hee hee

I'm fine now, just need to get my butt in gear. I had waaaayyy too much salad yesterday and am hurting today for it, but I'm down .2. Better than up for me, as I'm just getting back to preload weight.

And the fight continues! You all are a great group to follow with helpful posts. Glad I made it back here!! Love love love that you all post your daily menus - gives me new ideas too!

Thanks all and fight the good fight!!

[GooeyMochi]

I gained .4 lb today ;( Why? I followed protocol to a T, except I had a small nectarine for fruit for lunch and had my dinner early cuz I had to work late.

[HellsBelle]

Hi Ladies! I've been mostly posting in the rogue thread but I see a lot of familiar faces here, so I thought i'd chime in here too! Looks like everyone is overall doing great! I just finished my first week of VLCD's and i'm down 7lbs!

I feel good, too...my hunger is really low, to the point where some nights I have to make myself finish off my 500 calories. I have been battling head hunger though! I am a children's librarian, and we've been doing a lot of food related programs, sweets and candies and baked goods...that's been tough! I am considering maybe NOT weighing myself every single day...not sure yet. I did have one 0 loss day this week and it put me down in the dumps for the whole day, unnecessarily, since I ended up losing 7lbs this week!

My goal this week is to break the 120's!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by GooeyMochi

I gained .4 lb today ;( Why? I followed protocol to a T, except I had a small nectarine for fruit for lunch and had my dinner early cuz I had to work late.

It's horrifying, but normal. I've had a gain every round...once an overnight 1lb TOM gain, but usually one or two gains around .4. Plus a 4-6 days stall every round. But there's always a whooshie around the corner...hope she comes for you soon.

[kaylem]

Originally Posted by Balance101

My husband wasn't thrilled with me trying hcg either. Actually, he told me "no". (LOL, silly husband.) I had a talk with him and told him that I was not happy with my life and that I needed to do this for myself. I told him that I understand that he is not happy with my choice, but that if he doesn't want this to be another waste of time, I need his support. He's been great since then. And he is enjoying seeing me happy rather than dragging around feeling sorry for myself because nothing else is working.

As for camping, hmm... I have never been but if you have your husband on your side it will make things easier. I don't think there is anything wrong with letting people know you are trying to lose a few pounds.

Good luck Kay. I your new avatar!

Thanks, Balance! both for the tips and and support. My husband seems "ok" now. He's just come off of a year of crazy health issues that included surgery and complications, so he's hyper-sensitive about health issues. He is one of those folks who CAN lose weight easily by only making small changes to diet and exercise, so it is difficult for him to relate to my experience. I know he's just looking out for me. I think I will take the suggestions to "pre-prepare" some foods, and steer clear of the "goodies." It should be ok. (I hope!)

Originally Posted by BigBravesGirl

Colorado? Does that mean you're a Rockies fan?

Look at your awesome new avatar! You look great!

My husband wasn't thrilled with this plan either. We agreed I'd go to all my doctors (three of them) and if any of them said I shouldn't do it, I wouldn't. They all gave me their blessing. Yesterday morning he said, "maybe I'll do the next round with you." Are you kidding me? He won't be able to do it, but it was funny he has come full circle on it.

As for camping, just preportion out your foods and label them. Friday lunch, Friday supper, whatever. You don't have to call attention to it, just say you're not hungry or something. Or telling them you're eating this way for your healt. You are, aren't you? YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Thanks, sweetie! Yep--Rockies and Broncos! It is encouraging that three physicians totally supported this plan. In fact, one of the reasons that my husband supported me during my first round was that the doc who delivered my first daughter did it herself and looked amazing. That was good enough for him. He just doesn't want me to "USE" hcg as a crutch, Which I wholeheartedly agree with!

Thanks again for the support!




YOU CAN DO IT!!

Originally Posted by amylou

<<Crashing in on your thread >>




Kay, I went camping last weekend. Are you trailer, or tent camping? We do trailer...so of course that makes things a little easier. I just took pre-portioned chicken, had salad ready to go, took my ACV. Apples and oranges are the perfect camping fruit! We took some other meats...BBQ'd a lean tri tip one night with some grilled asparagus, then lean hamburgers the next with more grilled asparagus. I had chicken salads for lunch, and I made a cold chicken salad concoction...cut up chicken, celery, cucumbers, apples, mixed with a dressing I made of ACV, mustard, and stevia. Mixed it all together and it was really very good (and this is coming from a mustard hater!).

Of course...if you're tent camping, without a cooler that puts a different twist on things . Maybe canned chicken for your protein...then your veggies are limited without refrigeration...

[Millenia98]

I loaded Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Yesterday was R2VLCD1 for me and I lost 2.6lbs overnight. Woohoo! That's my biggest loss ever on hcg. But, I know it's b/c I loading so heavily on Thursday. Hope it keeps coming off FAST b/c I'm still 3lbs over my lowest weight.

[kaylem]

VLCD5, down to 151--2.5 less than yesterday! I will take it and smile! Apparently, my bod likes red meat, specifically, very lean filet... Here was my menu for yesterday:

B: strawberries +coffee
S: melba
Lunch: 3.5 oz. chicken, mixed greens, red wine vinegar+apple
S: melba
D: 4 oz steak + 2.5 C asparagus
100 oz water, lots of coffee, 1 cup of tea
B vitamin complex, Biotin, and magnesium

I ate a bit more at dinner b/c I was pretty darn hungry. I *hoped* that an additional 1/2 oz of meat would be ok--I wasn't too worried about increasing my asparagus by a 1/2 cup.

Anyway, even though I am "recovering" from a quick wieght re-gain, I am still surprised at a 2.5 pound loss on day 5....AND TOM started yesterday. Remarkable! I've also shrunk a few inches as well. There is no doubting that this works.

My experience THIS round has been much better than last time. I think the main difference is that during round 2, I was fighting through a set point that was decades old. Now that my body has been below 154, I think it broke through it more easily. Also, last round, I was very doubtful that the drops I was using were still effective. I ended up using two different brands at the same time and fought my way through it, but it was HARD. I had headaches and irritability and hunger. This round has been so much better. My drops are from Intermountain, and I have felt really good. While I have been hungry, it's really only when I SHOULD eat, you know? Like right now, I haven't eaten breakfast, and I need to put something in my tummy. Anyway, I'm having positive feelings about this third round, and I am praying that this truly WILL be the "clarifying" round that I am striving for.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Kay

[Balance101]

Glad to see new faces! (Heya Belle!) Everyone is doing great!! (Mochi, hang in there. You'll be fine. Maybe stop the nectarines? )

I hcg. I just wish I found it sooner.

Keep it going girls!!

[kaylem]

Originally Posted by lbecker28

Good morning everyone. Today is VLCD5 and I'm down 7 pounds. I do have a few questions. First, I am still a bit hungry, even after my meals and plenty of water. How do I know if I need to up my dose a little, or it will just pass? I am doing the injections. Also, at night I can hardly sleep because my leg muscles get really tight and heavy, almost cramping.

I agree with the suggetion to drink some water after you eat. Also, for me, whenever I eat, I will still think I'm hungry, until the signal from my stomach reaches my brain that I'm not. that's where drinking something after you eat really helps. Try hot tea at night...it helps warm you up when you are cold from losing weight and it will curb your appetite. I especially like Celestial Seasonings cinnamon apple. I make it double strength, and the cinnamon really curbs my hunger. (I've read somewhere to avoid teas that have fruit in them, but I have used this tea since my first round with no adverse affects).

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

Silly question time ~ I see some of you are eating a half an apple at a time. When it's time to eat the next half, isn't it really brown and yucky? Is there something you do to keep it from doing this?

I agree with the other responses--I put it in the fridge in a baggie, and if necessary slice of the brown bit. But normally it hasn't been THAT long since I ate the first half, so it doesn't have time to brown much. My favorite right now are Braeburns. Red Delicious seem to brown the worst.

Originally Posted by GooeyMochi

I gained .4 lb today ;( Why? I followed protocol to a T, except I had a small nectarine for fruit for lunch and had my dinner early cuz I had to work late.

Sorry, Gooey! It may have been the nectarine. Who knows? There have been times where I have followed everything perfectly, and have had a slight gain. All you can do is make sure you are totally on protocol, and keep moving forward. I know you will lose that .4 and then some tomorrow!

[shannashimmers]

Only lost .2 yesterday, but I have had a 10lbs loss in 5 days so I'am ok with it. This is my first time to take hhcg and I have been feeling so strange. To the point where I have actually thought about skipping them today to see if I feel better. Not sure if it is the pellets or just losing the weight fast or what. I have been trying to check my sugar and it seems fine but for several days now my bp has been running alittle higher and I have not been feeling right. I really want to be able to continue the diet because I know I will gain it all back. I do take several meds throughout the day and just wonder if it could be that and not eating enough with them....I just have no idea

Oh and I think I'am ovulating and I swear everytime around ovulation I either do not lose or gain weight, it seems to bloat me.

[sails92]

I started on Monday, the 4th of July...It's Saturday and I have so far lost 9.6lbs....I am still in awe on how this is really working for me - LOL

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by shannashimmers

I do take several meds throughout the day and just wonder if it could be that and not eating enough with them....I just have no idea

Oh and I think I'am ovulating and I swear everytime around ovulation I either do not lose or gain weight, it seems to bloat me.

Are any blood pressure medications sensitive to potassium? I know that can be a problem on this diet...

Yes, on the ovulation thing, me too!

[shannashimmers]

I'am really not sure I changed meds several weeks ago to what I'am taking now and my bp has been great until a few days ago. It is not through the roof or anything my top number is good but my bottom one is creeping up to 88 sometimes. I know some meds are sensitive with the potassium thing but I didnt seem to find anything mine is a calcium channel blocker. I do know I can not eat or drink grapefruit while on it because of something to do with it absorbing.....I just can not figure it out

[Zbunny]

Hi girls Just wanted to post that I'm down my full load weight as of today (10.6 lbs. exactly -- I still find that hard to believe that I gained that much in 2 days, but there it is ). So now I'm ready to tackle the rest of this flabola

[Buttercup]

Can join too? I just started today with my hubby.

First load day today. Hubby refuses to weigh or measure; he says "he'll know". Whatever.

For me start weight is 174 (gained my 4#'s back from last week. LOL) Those 4 pounds love to come and go. 174/173 is the weight I have been at the longest recently. Previously it was 154. The lowest I ever got was 133# doing Atkins for the first time. 135-140 is my goal weight.

I am not hungry and neither is hubby be we forced ourselves to eat. I bought chocolate for the fat and can't seem to open it. THAT's an amazing thing. I read this happening to others; it MUST be the HCG because hubby actually thought he was going to throw up at lunch time. And, I only could eat one soft taco at dinner which gagged me. I am relying on my heavy cream for my coffee and cheese. I will go have another hunk of cheddar in moment.

I am enjoying reading about your successes; it keeps me hopeful for myself.

[miamiloca]

BROKE THE SETPOINT! Was down 3 lbs this morning to 218! I havnt been under 220 in years! That being said i think i ate a lil too much today so im gonna chug water the rest of the night.

[Zbunny]

Buttercup! Or should I say, Welcome Back?

Congrats, miamiloca! Breaking a set point is a HUGE accomplishment! Chug that water, girl, and now you're ready for some smooooth sailing!

[miamiloca]

Thanks Zbunny! I was so not feeling this round (#3) so maybe this will get me pumped to finish!