***Alternative Hcg plans for week of July 17, 2011***

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by Bierarsch

Thank you! I am 131.2 this morning. I am bargaining with myself on staying on a few days longer. I am so bipolar with this!!!! I just still feel so bloated. It's very hard for me to stay on P2 on the weekends, but I bet I could manage this one weekend. I have another luncheon at work tomorrow and I'm worried about that because it's my first day without pellets and I have almost no control over what I eat at these luncheons.

That sucks! What will you do at the luncheon? Can you eat a salad? I hope you are able to successfully navigate through tomorrow. It's crucial to start P3 off right. I'll be sending you strength!

[kaylem]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

On a different note -- has anyone else noticed antiaging qualities to this since starting hhcg? I swear my skin looks younger than it did before starting... better elasticity, fewer wrinkles, etc.
If it is the hhcg, that alone is reason to continue taking it!!

I DEFINITELY have noticed! I teach high school, and toward the end of the year, people would mistake me for a student...for only a brief moment, but still! (I'm 19 years older than my oldest students! Ha!) My skin tone improved for sure.

On a different but related note, I've developed a sort of rash during this round. I had the same thing during my first round. It isn't raised or itchy or anything, and if it hadn't happened the first time in JANUARY I would have called it a heat rash. It looks more like tiny red freckles on my legs. It goes away in P3, so I'm guessing it is definitely related to the hcg. Perhaps toxins leaving my body? Who knows.

I woke up to 151.5 today--two pounds down from yesterday and two pounds away from my pre-camping weight. I am hoping to be back to 149 by the weekend and have accepted the fact that I will probably need to extend this round to 30 days instead of 21. I want to be solidly in the mid 140's instead of just "kissing" 145 before moving to P3.

Definitely with you girls who are ready to be done with the dieting! I'm making lists of meals I want to make and pulling out yummy recipes from magazines!

I have lots to do today and I've been lurking on the site for way too long this morning. Better get to it!

Have a great day-

Kay

[CherylB]

WTG, Kay! I forgot to address Mini's subject of skin tightening on the face and neck. I noticed it alot during R1 and noticed that in P3 my face took on a more weathered and haggard look (was not thrilled to find out it wasn't a permanent change in P2.) I think I look pretty good in the mirror but the pictures my sister took of me last week at the lake have me thinking differently. I look like ****.

[MM2011]

Good morning! I actually opened this up to write over an hour ago-got talking to DH (who is on the other side of the state working), and just now got back to it. We were talking about work, and our daughter and her fiance, their plans, wedding plans, etc. Wow. So excited for them and their lives. Oh, to be 22 again!

Anyway, I had computer issues in the office last night-was out there until 8:30 or so, setting up new fax/multi machine, router, etc. Ugh! I was so hungry for dinner, but didn't get to eat until around 9. I had that steak that I had to cook up, and that is all I ate-just steak. I did eat salad with turkey for lunch, along with one of those little sandwich flat bun things.

So, here's the good news. I was down 1.6 pounds today!! Woo hoo! I have officially lost (slightly) over 30 pounds since the end of May!! You guys-it feels so good! I also noticed this morning how much easier it is to roll over in bed!

You all were talking about skin issues with the hcg. I definitely have more pimples than I ever had in my life. But, its ok! I will take more pimples (I get one or two a month) if it means the weight is coming off!

My sister will be joining the hcg bandwagon soon. When I told her I had lost that much, she asks if I think the hcg is why. I told her YES! Haha. I also know that she can be an emotional eater-I told her she has to be tough. I think her weight contributes to her depressive moods-you know, eat because you think it will make you feel better, only to feel worse from the guilt of eating poorly and gaining more weight.

Ok, I better get busy. I am having a meeting today with a young woman who wants to start a (of all things) cupcake business. Haha! The irony of it all. However, when I worked in the food service industry, I was very thin...I will be doing her books, anyway, not taste-testing!

You all have a wonderful, losing day!!

[BlueMonday]

Hi all ,

I have been away from all of the boards for a few months, but just started checking back in at Atkins '72 a couple of days ago.

I did about two and half rounds of HCG. After that I just concentrated on maintaining by following a mostly Atkins kind of lifestyle. Although even when doing HCG, I did not do the fruit or melba/breadstick and substituted with extra protein. Plus I allowed 700-750 cals instead of the 500.

All was well until.... and I think you know where this is going.... we went on vacation. I gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted on vacation. I was sure I was up a few lbs, with intentions of returning to strict Atkins/cutback after returning home. As you can probably guess, I kept putting that off because of one thing or another, and now its been a full month. And I am up 8.5 lbs +

So here I am, back to the LCF boards. I started back with just regular Atkins induction about 5 days ago and I already feel so much better. I am going to follow Atkins (it is just the easiest thing for me) for now and try to start hitting the gym by the end of the week.

I do feel better and less bloated for sure, but the weight isn't moving the way I would like. I have ordered some HCG, but until the kids are back in school and we can resume a more normal schedule I don't know if I can follow a strict plan. DD's b-day is next week and it is really hard for me at restaurants.

I am perimenopausal and the weight just does not come off all that quickly anymore (but it sure can come back on quickly... sigh). HCG just seems to be the only thing that helps a diet to actually work for me.

So.... glad to join you here on this board again.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by BlueMonday

Hi all ,

I have been away from all of the boards for a few months, but just started checking back in at Atkins '72 a couple of days ago.

I did about two and half rounds of HCG. After that I just concentrated on maintaining by following a mostly Atkins kind of lifestyle. Although even when doing HCG, I did not do the fruit or melba/breadstick and substituted with extra protein. Plus I allowed 700-750 cals instead of the 500.

All was well until.... and I think you know where this is going.... we went on vacation. I gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted on vacation. I was sure I was up a few lbs, with intentions of returning to strict Atkins/cutback after returning home. As you can probably guess, I kept putting that off because of one thing or another, and now its been a full month. And I am up 8.5 lbs +

So here I am, back to the LCF boards. I started back with just regular Atkins induction about 5 days ago and I already feel so much better. I am going to follow Atkins (it is just the easiest thing for me) for now and try to start hitting the gym by the end of the week.

I do feel better and less bloated for sure, but the weight isn't moving the way I would like. I have ordered some HCG, but until the kids are back in school and we can resume a more normal schedule I don't know if I can follow a strict plan. DD's b-day is next week and it is really hard for me at restaurants.

I am perimenopausal and the weight just does not come off all that quickly anymore (but it sure can come back on quickly... sigh). HCG just seems to be the only thing that helps a diet to actually work for me.

So.... glad to join you here on this board again.

Welcome back Blue, your story and mine sound very similar!! Good luck getting back on track..

[lebebe]

New to this board but I've been reading/lurking for a while. Hope all is well with everyone and I wish ya'll the best of luck!!!!!

[minimonkey]

Welcome back, BlueMonday! I don't know you yet, but I look forward to getting to know you.

Wow, ladies -- with this core group of people, maybe we should change our name to the "perimenopausal raging hormonal alternative HCG monsters?" lol.

Disney -- that is one HECK of a whoosh! You must feel so much better!! Congrats on that success!!

I am hoping for the same thing... the water retention I've been experiencing is brutal, and I suspect I'd drop a significant amount on the scale if it went away.

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- I'm (lovingly) envious of your time at the lake! That sounds so wonderful. I love your spirit of adventure, and your energy... so glad you aren't leaving this thread even though you are taking an hhcg break... I would miss you terribly, and I think many others would, as well.

Diet plan sounds good, and I bet it kickstarts some losses for you, too. I definitely support eating at least 1500 cals if you aren't doing the hhcg anymore.... protecting our metabolisms is so important.

[minimonkey]

Lebebe --- please come out of hiding!!! We're neighbors.... I live in Alameda too !!

Please stop lurking, or PM me -- so cool to have someone who is almost literally next door to me --- how likely is that, with Alameda being such a strange little island???

I see you are also an aspiring gym rat... come on over to the exercise thread as well

[minimonkey]

Ladies-- I HAVE HIT THE SWEET SPOT!! I woke up today feeling like a million bucks -- absolutely zero hunger, great energy, feeling rested (although I have been having super-emotional dreams, too!) -- hot dayum, I want to bottle this feeling! I am particularly surprised at the zero hunger, since I worked out so hard last night, and really pushed my body. Oddly, I am not very sore at all this morning, which is surprising... I thought I'd be dying today I'm sure I'd feel it if I tried lifting right now, but otherwise there is no soreness to speak of.... I think some of the anti-inflammatory supplements I'm taking are really starting to work.

Actually, perhaps the feeling IS bottled, if the pellets are the cause of it

If my hunger level is this non-existent, I may go for a seriously low calorie day -- protein shakes, and perhaps nothing more. If I get truly hungry, I'll eat -- but if I don't, I am going to run with this.

Paula, thank you, thank you for sharing your experience with hunger and hhcg dosing... I decided to drop my dose incrementally, and wow! did it ever make a difference. I am now doing 3 pellets 2x a day, and that seems to be the magic place for me.

Maureen: Congrats on your losses --- wtg!

As for the acne -- ugh. I had a horrendous, almost indescribably horrid acne outbreak when I did my first round.... I literally broke out in weeping sores (my scalp in particular) and my face was a big mass of cystic acne... it was seriously nasty. That is much better now, but I do need to keep up with salicylic acid peels regularly, or my chin breaks out again. The body and scalp cleared up, though, and the problem hasn't returned.

I read another hcg board sometimes, and the subject of rashes on p2 has come up a lot there -- apparently that is a pretty common reaction to being on p2, and it clears when people transition phases.

[CherylB]

Well, we'd have to include us postmenapausal women too, so how about this:

"Alternative HCG plans for all phases of female hormone misery for the month of...."

That's so cool that you both live in the same place. I didn't realize you were on an Island, Mini. Cool!

Welcome all you newbies and returners to the fold!

Maureen, Yippee! Happy for you. No cupcakes!

[minimonkey]

Paula -- yay for dermarolling!!! I'm due for a good, deep roll myself -- but am opting for a peel today, and a roll later in the week -- the peels really keep my acne under control.

Have you tried dermarolling your "turkey neck" and chest? It's fine to roll there, particularly with a smaller-needle roller -- I use my 1.5 on the neck and chest, and it seems to help a lot. I started out rolling gently, and have gotten more aggressive with continued rolling. Since I do the deep rolls, I only do them a maximum of once a month... but I really go at it when I do!

I'm considering getting a smaller needle roller for some more regular rolling in between the deep rolls.

[CherylB]

Mini! So glad you are on top of the world today!

I'm sorry for missing so many topics that you ladies have brought up. I guess it goes right out of my head when I don't multi-quote you. But I think the red bumps you are experiencing (whoever said that) is from the stuff that is stored in your fat cells that is being released and the body is passing it out of its system. It will get better.

I remember in the very beginning of R1 I had a much-decreased oily complexion and I thought it was going to stay that way! Nope. I had the cystic zits at times, too. Who knows what causes all our ailments? We just roll with it!

Mini, thanks for saying all that about my adventurous spirit. I wish I was as adventurous as I'd like to be or that I think of myself as. Way too often I let fear get in the way.

Speaking of weird dreams, for about a week or so now I've had a dream (at least one) every single night that is about an ex-lover. (Just the three I had for six years a piece.) I don't know what is going on with that! Last night I even dreamed about my first true love. We were still together and still in love. What is up with all these dreams???

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- Alameda is a funny little manmade island in the SF bay area -- it is offset by bridges on all sides, and is walking distance from Oakland (over a bridge.) You can also take a ferry from Alameda to the SF ferry dock, which is a pretty cool way to commute to SF, but it is expensive.

It doesn't really feel like an island, to me -- but the locals like to make a big deal out of the island bit, for some odd reason. I ended up here by chance -- but I do like it a lot --and where I live is extremely convenient since I don't have a car... I can walk to just about everything I need on a daily basis.

I'm really more of an Oakland girl at heart, though -- I can't fully get used to the suburban charm and ease of Alameda. I'm used to the grit and heart of truly urban ghetto neighborhoods, which is where I've spent most of my adult years.

We have a truly cool living space, though... and that is why we ended up here. We are in a loft-like situation in an historic building.... and I have ample space for an art studio, music space, my numerous birds, and a truly functional home gym.... hard to beat that.

[Bierarsch]

Originally Posted by CherylB

That sucks! What will you do at the luncheon? Can you eat a salad? I hope you are able to successfully navigate through tomorrow. It's crucial to start P3 off right. I'll be sending you strength!

That's why I'm starting to consider sticking it out through the weekend and starting P3 next week.... I don't want to inadvertently sabotage stabilizing because I can't eat on protocol.

Originally Posted by MM2011

You all were talking about skin issues with the hcg. I definitely have more pimples than I ever had in my life. But, its ok! I will take more pimples (I get one or two a month) if it means the weight is coming off!

Maybe it is the detox effect of being on the hcg diet that causes your breakout?

[lebebe]

Thanks for the welcome, Mini and Cheryl.

Mini, I can't believe you're in Alameda.. how funny!! wow. lol

I'm still working on my profile and learning how to navigate this site. I did post a little hello on the exercise board, speaking of which...just got home from my first workout since being on the VLCD and I'm feeling great at the moment. Tomorrow may be another story. heh! I go to Bladium.. have u ever been there?

@Cheryl... I fully believe dreams are your subconscious trying to tell u something.

[lebebe]

@ Mini... I ended up here by chance too. Been here since last September and still feeling my way around. I'm staying in an old Victorian with high ceilings and turned the living room into a workout room... lots of similarities here!! kind of mind-blowing!

I've been in Oakland a few times and it's SO much like L.A., I feel right at home. Sometimes I walk the lake when it's nice out but can't keep myself away from the beach here.

I love taking the Ferry into SF.. the bay bridge still terrifies me. lol BART is a good alternative to both.

Glad to find some people who are doing an "alternate" version of the hcg. There are a lot of options available now that weren't around when Dr. Simeons did the original, so I think it's fair to say that one can adapt the diet to their lifestyle using the products that work for them. (i.e., splenda versus xylitol versus whatever). I'm still learning what will work for me, and this forum has been extremely helpful and informative!!! YAY!!!

[minimonkey]

Lebebe -- thanks for coming out of hiding!!

I have been in Alameda for over three years, and I am still feeling my way around, too.... lol.

I've never been to Bladium but it looks very cool! I do all my working out at home, presently -- but I want to start running on the beach.

[julieboolie]

On the age thing - I looked old and haggard after my first (by the book) round. Completely depleted and old!! I look better w/ some more fat in my diet and more weight too, sadly. I am hoping to find the balance this round.

mini-love that feeling!! So happy you're in the zone!! I like the pellets too!! Think the energy is much better on them.

Just a pop-in!

[nola baxter]

Re aging and skin and turkey waddle etc.

I do facial exercises, and I think that helps a lot.
I bought the "flex effect" program, and another one (forget the name of it),
and have been doing it a few years.
I started off doing it a lot, every day, and now just do it twice a week to maintain.

The only issue I have is that for some reason I have never been able to get my eyes to respond to the facial exercise- I dont know why..
For most people the eyes respond first , by lifting and opening more.
But for me- nada!

But for the rest of my face , it has kept it in pretty good shape.
The muscles of the face sag with age, just like the muscles of the body, and take the skin with it, drawing it down and making it look older and more worn than it is.
By exercising those muscles, you can keep the face looking younger and buffer. It holds the structure of the face up, no sagging chin, jaw, cheeks etc.
I have 4 sisters, one younger and 3 older, so I can see the course their faces are taking, and see that mine is not going quite the same way.

[minimonkey]

Nola -- I may have to look into facial exercises -- I'm a member of a skincare forum, and there is definitely a dedicated group over there who swear by them.

One of the things I have loved most about hhcg is that I *didn't* look haggard and old upon hitting goal -- I don't think I lost much fat in my face at all, which has always been a problem for me when I get too lean.

Julie -- You certainly look neither haggard nor old now! You have beautiful skin, and you look young and radiant.

I'm not willing to do this protocol with the super low fat diet again -- that was too depleting in the long run.... and I value my skin far too much to do that to it. I never gave up my skincare products, but I did give up dietary fat on my first round. Every round since that has included coconut oil, and I feel worlds better when I eat that. It doesn't seem to stall my losses, either.

[minimonkey]

Wow, I'm chatty today -- lol!

I noticed something: As soon as I cut out the yogurt (and all other dairy), my hunger diminished tremendously. Yogurt is one of the few things I truly crave in a "can't get enough" sort of way... I'm really beginning to suspect I need to cut out dairy for good.

I had food allergy testing done a couple of years ago (the skin injection/reaction method) -- and I tested allergic to literally everything we tried. My doctor recommended I work with a nutritionist, but I couldn't afford to do it (I was paying out of pocket for everything.) I did a bunch of research and started on a protocol to heal leaky gut syndrome, and I think that really helped in the long run -- but cow's milk may still be a strong allergen for me.

Two days dairy free, and I've already lost the craving for it -- so bye bye milk products for a while. I think I may cautiously try whey protein, but other than that, no milk for me right now. (Whey is supposedly fine for a lot of people who are milk sensitive.) In general I prefer the egg white protein anyhow, but I don't want to develop an egg sensitivity too -- so I want to mix it up with the proteins.

For those who don't know this, I have a hyper-reactive immune/inflammatory response as a result of being sick with Lyme disease for a very, very long time. I'm mostly well now, but I do have a chronic condition that I need to be mindful about managing.

[Lbibclc]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

On a different note -- has anyone else noticed antiaging qualities to this since starting hhcg? I swear my skin looks younger than it did before starting... better elasticity, fewer wrinkles, etc.

Now, the acne outbreaks are another matter... but I think something is really helping collagen production. I'm not sure if it is the hhcg, the homeopathic hgh I added a few months back, or another variable entirely... wondering if anyone has seen similar effects....?

If it is the hhcg, that alone is reason to continue taking it!!

No, for me I have more wrinkles since being on the HCG. But I have lost weight so that's the reason. Oh and I have tanned more this year so that doesn't help. In the last month since I gained 10 pounds some of it went to my face and smoothed things out.

The other interesting thing is I gained weight in my upper abdomen rather than lower abdomen. I know HCG makes the fat move around, that's for sure.

[Lbibclc]

Originally Posted by CherylB

WTG, Kay! I forgot to address Mini's subject of skin tightening on the face and neck. I noticed it alot during R1 and noticed that in P3 my face took on a more weathered and haggard look (was not thrilled to find out it wasn't a permanent change in P2.) I think I look pretty good in the mirror but the pictures my sister took of me last week at the lake have me thinking differently. I look like ****.

Yeah I love my mirror compared to pictures of me. Thank heaven there weren't very many pictures of me at my daughters wedding. I looked horrible. Three days of hardly any sleep, high stress and eating crappy and it showed. I'm staying away from cameras!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cheryl -- Alameda is a funny little manmade island in the SF bay area -- it is offset by bridges on all sides, and is walking distance from Oakland (over a bridge.) You can also take a ferry from Alameda to the SF ferry dock, which is a pretty cool way to commute to SF, but it is expensive.

It doesn't really feel like an island, to me -- but the locals like to make a big deal out of the island bit, for some odd reason. I ended up here by chance -- but I do like it a lot --and where I live is extremely convenient since I don't have a car... I can walk to just about everything I need on a daily basis.

I'm really more of an Oakland girl at heart, though -- I can't fully get used to the suburban charm and ease of Alameda. I'm used to the grit and heart of truly urban ghetto neighborhoods, which is where I've spent most of my adult years.

We have a truly cool living space, though... and that is why we ended up here. We are in a loft-like situation in an historic building.... and I have ample space for an art studio, music space, my numerous birds, and a truly functional home gym.... hard to beat that.

Sounds like a fun place to live! Pics please? I wanna see that apartment you live in! The beach and stuff, too. Yes, I love pictures. I want to see how the other half lives. I hope that "man-made island" stays put!

Originally Posted by lebebe

Thanks for the welcome, Mini and Cheryl.

Mini, I can't believe you're in Alameda.. how funny!! wow. lol

I'm still working on my profile and learning how to navigate this site. I did post a little hello on the exercise board, speaking of which...just got home from my first workout since being on the VLCD and I'm feeling great at the moment. Tomorrow may be another story. heh! I go to Bladium.. have u ever been there?

@Cheryl... I fully believe dreams are your subconscious trying to tell u something.

Well, only time will tell what the dreams are about. I know that I never or very rarely ever had dreams about my husband or anyone else who was in my past. Not even my Dad who passed in 2001. It will be interesting to see what the coming attractions will be!

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Re aging and skin and turkey waddle etc.

I do facial exercises, and I think that helps a lot.
I bought the "flex effect" program, and another one (forget the name of it),
and have been doing it a few years.
I started off doing it a lot, every day, and now just do it twice a week to maintain.

The only issue I have is that for some reason I have never been able to get my eyes to respond to the facial exercise- I dont know why..
For most people the eyes respond first , by lifting and opening more.
But for me- nada!

But for the rest of my face , it has kept it in pretty good shape.
The muscles of the face sag with age, just like the muscles of the body, and take the skin with it, drawing it down and making it look older and more worn than it is.
By exercising those muscles, you can keep the face looking younger and buffer. It holds the structure of the face up, no sagging chin, jaw, cheeks etc.
I have 4 sisters, one younger and 3 older, so I can see the course their faces are taking, and see that mine is not going quite the same way.

I tried to google flex effect and even tried youtube but I couldn't see any specific exercises. Can you just contort your face and neck muscles in every imaginable direction and get the same results?

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Wow, I'm chatty today -- lol!

I noticed something: As soon as I cut out the yogurt (and all other dairy), my hunger diminished tremendously. Yogurt is one of the few things I truly crave in a "can't get enough" sort of way... I'm really beginning to suspect I need to cut out dairy for good.

I had food allergy testing done a couple of years ago (the skin injection/reaction method) -- and I tested allergic to literally everything we tried. My doctor recommended I work with a nutritionist, but I couldn't afford to do it (I was paying out of pocket for everything.) I did a bunch of research and started on a protocol to heal leaky gut syndrome, and I think that really helped in the long run -- but cow's milk may still be a strong allergen for me.

Two days dairy free, and I've already lost the craving for it -- so bye bye milk products for a while. I think I may cautiously try whey protein, but other than that, no milk for me right now. (Whey is supposedly fine for a lot of people who are milk sensitive.) In general I prefer the egg white protein anyhow, but I don't want to develop an egg sensitivity too -- so I want to mix it up with the proteins.

For those who don't know this, I have a hyper-reactive immune/inflammatory response as a result of being sick with Lyme disease for a very, very long time. I'm mostly well now, but I do have a chronic condition that I need to be mindful about managing.

Jeez, Mini. Yes you ARE loquacious today! You've given up dairy and are doubling down on the keyboard! What is it about cravings and food allergies? I don't understand that. Why would the body crave something that makes it sick or unbalanced? Maybe it's the same reason why people get hooked on drugs and booze.

Welp, tomorrow is going to be in the upper 90's and high humidity and we are going to the beach. I will be hiding under an umbrella as much as I can, and will most likely be camped-out in the water with my fish of a nephew. Please say a prayer for me to leave my diving fear behind me! I am going to bust through this brick wall, head-first!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

Yeah I love my mirror compared to pictures of me. Thank heaven there weren't very many pictures of me at my daughters wedding. I looked horrible. Three days of hardly any sleep, high stress and eating crappy and it showed. I'm staying away from cameras!

Me, too! :blush:

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

No, for me I have more wrinkles since being on the HCG. But I have lost weight so that's the reason. Oh and I have tanned more this year so that doesn't help. In the last month since I gained 10 pounds some of it went to my face and smoothed things out.

The other interesting thing is I gained weight in my upper abdomen rather than lower abdomen. I know HCG makes the fat move around, that's for sure.

I 100% agree!! My re-gain is 90% muffin top!! I didn't really gain much elsewhere, but maybe a bit in my thighs.

Mini-I agree. I'm doing higher fat than protocol, but not high fat by any stretch. Some hnh, and more beef than others enjoy, but I'm not doing full fat gy or anything too decadent. I feel much better being rogue! Bummer on the dairy sensitivity . Especially cream in my coffee and yogurt!! Have you tried kefir? Isn't that supposed to be goat's milk? Just a thought .

Gotta' go make dinner for the rest of the fam. I overcooked earlier in teh week and have many meals to choose from for dinner. P2 chili for lunch so it'll likely be chicken something for dinner. Not too much variety this round, but I'm fine with it so far.

[CherylB]

Enjoy your "chicken something", Julie! I think the next round I'll do a bit higher fat. I know for sure that higher carb and Hcg don't mix; at least not if you want to lose weight!

Nite, girls. I'll see you all again tomorrow, after I've conquered my fear. Please pray for me!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Have you tried dermarolling your "turkey neck" and chest? It's fine to roll there, particularly with a smaller-needle roller -- I use my 1.5 on the neck and chest, and it seems to help a lot. I started out rolling gently, and have gotten more aggressive with continued rolling. Since I do the deep rolls, I only do them a maximum of once a month... but I really go at it when I do!

Yes, I do use the 1.5 on that area. I've actually used it on every area, but decided I'd rather live with my loose thighs than do them again - OUCH those hurt. Nowhere else hurts much though...as sensitive as I am I guess my skin really isn't. Maybe I'll see more results in the future, I've heard it takes quite a few months before collagen begins building. I have a little .5 I use for my face once a week or so just to put my olay regenerist in. My skin always looks nice the next morning after I do.

I think it's been 6 weeks since I last "rolled". Time to go again!