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

[CherylB]

I bought a microdermaroller (something like that) but have yet to try it. That's me! Get right up to the point of doing something and then back out. I don't like that about me, so tomorrow I make steps toward becoming the kind of person who follows through.

[nola baxter]

Cheryl

lol..I dont think contorting your face in all kinds of weird directions would have quite the same effect. It is better to target the muscles more directly - I think 26 muscles are in the face..
Flex Effect is by Deborah Crowley, there is a big website for it and a forum. I havent been on the forum for a long time , but it used to be that anyone could go on there and have a look.
There are some free facial exercises to be found on the net too. I bought the Flex Effect program because was very comprehensive, and adds more resistance than most other programs, which means the potential for better effects(in my mind anyway).
She used to do some bodybuilding long ago and took the same principles and applied them to the face.
She originally wanted a way to combat the sag and aged look of the face that comes with losing lots of fat in order to compete in bodybuilding

Mini
Did you know that dairy and wheat contain opioids-feel good morphine like substances that are addictive, and can also cause various drug like effects in the body.
I love dairy above every thing else, particularly HWC!

[minimonkey]

Wow -- Interesting about the dairy and wheat -- that makes sense, since they are so addictive for so many people... and also the two groups that are apparently most likely to cause sensitivities, as well.

I might be able to do goat's milk, but I don't care to risk that right now.

Paula -- how curious that you find the thighs painful with the dermaroller -- I roll my thighs and butt with a 3 mm, and I find it mostly tickles rather than hurts.... but I have a very high pain tolerance, so I am probably a terrible judge of these things.

[minimonkey]

I ended up working out a second time today -- there's a first for me! I didn't go to class this evening, because my sweetie had to have an emergency infusion for his MS, and I thought it best to stay home with him afterwards....

My roommate wanted to do the heavy lifting legs and shoulders section (Cathe Friedrich) -- so I joined her, since I was feeling good and energetic. I suspect I will be very sore tomorrow -- but I still have a ton of energy even late into the evening. Even odder is that I have only eaten one small meal today -- and I am genuinely not hungry at all. I think I came in at something like 600 calories. I was planning to eat after working out again, but I just have no appetite at all -- this reminds me of my first round, when I felt like I could conquer the world!

[DisneyPrincess]

Good morning. Down another .2 today. Ill take that since I did my first heavy weight trainng session in ages. It felt great. I also ate a little more yesterday as I was dragging and lacking energy. The extra protein really helped. I probably came in around 800 calories. Today will probably be a slightly higher cal day, then tomorrow back to low low for a few days. Cycling seems to be working well for me right now.
I got my run in this morning and now I'm resting until Saturday. My BFF is coming today so it will be a good few days.

[ellenalesa]

Haven't seen that number on my scale since the beginning of February of this year.

How do you determine the length of your round? My understanding is that each round has to be a minimum of 21 days of VLCD, Rx HCG has to stop at 40 days, and hhcg can extend beyond that.

I would like to get to 167 or even a little lower before I transition to P3.

Is there any reason this is not ok?

Are there any indicators that it is time to go to P3?

Thanks.

[minimonkey]

Morning, all!

I woke up again today with next to no hunger -- that's pretty insane, considering what I put my body through yesterday! Also remarkably little soreness, for which I am grateful -- I thought I might be hating life in the muscle-soreness department this morning.

Also, despite having had far too little sleep -- I woke up easily with the alarm, which is a bit rare for me too.

I am going to eat some protein, at least -- but wow -- what on earth is going on?

Could it be that I just finally got the hhcg dosing exactly right? Could it be cutting out dairy that is responsible for this? I'm dumbfounded.

Whatever it is, I'll definitely take it!!! If this keeps up, I'll definitely be able to shed this extra padding quickly -- for which I will be incredibly grateful.

Still on my period (it finally got started for real) so I know I will hold some water weight until that's over -- at which point I will probably see a nice little drop on the scale, as well as visually.

Whatever is causing this, I am certainly going to run with it, and not change a thing -- I haven't felt this since early, early in my hhcg journey, back when the lbs just melted right off... and I was beginning to think I would never get this feeling back/

Hoping everyone's morning is as great as mine is turning out to be!!!!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Paula -- how curious that you find the thighs painful with the dermaroller -- I roll my thighs and butt with a 3 mm, and I find it mostly tickles rather than hurts.... but I have a very high pain tolerance, so I am probably a terrible judge of these things.

Yeah, I thought weird too. Pretty much everything else was okay...bit painful on the thin skin of the chest, forehead, but the thighs were off the charts.

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

Are there any indicators that it is time to go to P3?

The weight loss can slow down...even beyond a normal stall. Plus, if you start feeling extra tired and depleted, that's another great sign that it's time to move on. I hate going too long, but I feel pretty great right now...

Oh, meant to say I stayed the same today, which I expected after the big drop yesterday.

[minimonkey]

Paula -- you are doing great -- keep on keeping on, and you'll be at 110 in no time!

I'll meet you there, at 110! I believe that is roughly what I am aiming for, too.

I was at 121 even this morning...and honestly, I don't look bad at this weight with all the added muscle... but I am roughly aiming for 110. If I look lean enough before hitting that goal, I'll jump ship early.

[kaylem]

Had a 1 pound loss this morning, but I am still "recovering" from my weekend. I am hoping to be back to 149 tomorrow and then on to the real loss next week.

I've added some cardio to the mix, which I hadn't done in previous rounds. Also, yesterday I went a bit rogue and "mixed" some on protocol veggies on my salad (I know! GASP! Ha!) It was in very small amounts, but it sure tasted good. So, it looks like I am officially "rogue," which is funny to me! (I find it funny that mixing 4 grape tomatoes, 2 rings of red onion and 4 small broccoli florets is rogue, but oh well!)

I will continue with the cardio, as at the very least, it is not hurting anything. I won't know if it is speeding things up until I get under 149, where I was before the weekend of gluttony!

Hope everyone has a fabulous Thursday! I am off to the pool with the kiddos today!

Kay

[Bierarsch]

Down a pound this morning. I took a dose of pellets. 130.2 was the weight. I will find out if I continue dosing the rest of the day based on my luncheon.

Congrats to the losers!!

[minimonkey]

Great job, ladies!!! I'm not expecting to see much (if any) drop on the scale until TOM leaves, but I'm hoping for a little whoosh when it does. As long as I can see some leaning out, I am really not worried much what the scale says.

[lebebe]

Stayed the same this morning. I think I know why... I had a steak for the first time yesterday and I KNOW it wasn't 3.5 oz (that's an awfully small steak.. mine was more like 6 oz). But MAN was it good... so good, I had another one for dinner. Guess I have to stick to the chicken breasts, tilapia and occasional egg/egg white combo. I'm determined to lose this last 30!!!!!! Contemplating doing an apple day today. *sigh*

Good luck, everyone.... Stay strong!!!

[lebebe]

Hi Ladies!!!

Okay...I'm confused. I read Dr. Simeon's original manuscript and it distinctly says to have the same four choices for dinner as you had for lunch. Now I'm reading that you should NOT have the same meal for lunch and dinner. Any thoughts on that? Should I just figure out through trial and error what works for me? I don't mind going rogue somewhat as long as I keep on losing!!!

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by lebebe

Hi Ladies!!!

Okay...I'm confused. I read Dr. Simeon's original manuscript and it distinctly says to have the same four choices for dinner as you had for lunch. Now I'm reading that you should NOT have the same meal for lunch and dinner. Any thoughts on that? Should I just figure out through trial and error what works for me? I don't mind going rogue somewhat as long as I keep on losing!!!

Simeons meant that dinner has the same OPTIONs as lunch, not that you have to eat the exact same meal. He's referring to the various meat, fruit, and vegetable options available.

He actually doesn't caution against eating the same meal, that is more of a modern idea floating around the web.

Personally, I prefer a different dinner, but I do make batches ahead and repeat foods fairly often.

I think variety is a good thing, but some people lose best on beef only or on chicken only or seafood only, etc. Work it how you want to!

[lebebe]

Thanks, paulabob... I have been eating the same thing for dinner and lunch only because I'm too lazy to make something different up for dinner (I make both lunch and dinner together in the morning). Chicken seems to work better for me.. i love beef so much that I tend to overdo it when I have it. Maybe I'll try buffalo because of the lower fat content. I've heard of people doing well with that.

Thanks for the quick reply!!! Have a lovely day!!!

[CherylB]

I DID IT!!! I dove 6 times and jumped off cannon ball style twice. I am wasted! And speaking of wasted, this just happens to be my 6 month anniversary for sobriety! I'll always remember this day.

Now I have to practice not drowning. Even when I dive in I get water up my nose. I have something to work on for next time.

My advice to those of you who have a fear they don't think they can get past? Just stop thinking about it and jump in. Fear is irrational and so thinking it over and trying to talk yourself into doing it is futile. "Just do it!"

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by nola baxter

Cheryl

lol..I dont think contorting your face in all kinds of weird directions would have quite the same effect. It is better to target the muscles more directly - I think 26 muscles are in the face..
Flex Effect is by Deborah Crowley, there is a big website for it and a forum. I havent been on the forum for a long time , but it used to be that anyone could go on there and have a look.
There are some free facial exercises to be found on the net too. I bought the Flex Effect program because was very comprehensive, and adds more resistance than most other programs, which means the potential for better effects(in my mind anyway).
She used to do some bodybuilding long ago and took the same principles and applied them to the face.
She originally wanted a way to combat the sag and aged look of the face that comes with losing lots of fat in order to compete in bodybuilding

Mini
Did you know that dairy and wheat contain opioids-feel good morphine like substances that are addictive, and can also cause various drug like effects in the body.
I love dairy above every thing else, particularly HWC!

Thanks for all the information, Nola. I didn't know that about wheat and dairy! Very interesting.

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I ended up working out a second time today -- there's a first for me! I didn't go to class this evening, because my sweetie had to have an emergency infusion for his MS, and I thought it best to stay home with him afterwards....

My roommate wanted to do the heavy lifting legs and shoulders section (Cathe Friedrich) -- so I joined her, since I was feeling good and energetic. I suspect I will be very sore tomorrow -- but I still have a ton of energy even late into the evening. Even odder is that I have only eaten one small meal today -- and I am genuinely not hungry at all. I think I came in at something like 600 calories. I was planning to eat after working out again, but I just have no appetite at all -- this reminds me of my first round, when I felt like I could conquer the world!

Sorry your sweetie isn't feeling so good right now, Mini. I hope the infusion did the trick for him. WTG on your energy level and sense of well-being! You're a little tiger!

Originally Posted by ellenalesa

Haven't seen that number on my scale since the beginning of February of this year.

How do you determine the length of your round? My understanding is that each round has to be a minimum of 21 days of VLCD, Rx HCG has to stop at 40 days, and hhcg can extend beyond that.

I would like to get to 167 or even a little lower before I transition to P3.

Is there any reason this is not ok?

Are there any indicators that it is time to go to P3?

Thanks.

I go by the calendar. If I have the "window" to do a long round, that's what I do. My first round was around 80 days, but I had about 7 refeed days interspersed throughout. If you aren't doing the shots, you can go as long as you want to.

[MM2011]

Good afternoon, everyone!

I was curious, Mini, if you take your measurements quite often. Does that help you figure out if you are getting leaner?
I do my measurements every couple of weeks. It helps soften the blow when the weight isn't coming off very quickly...Just to see the inches going down!

So, I was down another pound, and, like Mini (yay! btw!) I seemed to have found a sweet spot with the pellets. I take 3 pellets 4x/day. Three times just didn't seem to do it for me. Man-I am so excited to be taking the weight off! I want the next day to come just to see how I am doing! Is that weird? Not that I want my weeks to fly by---just want to get back to my old self again. I haven't been at a healthy weight for probably (gasp!) 15 years. Man, that is awful to think about!! Onward and downward-not something to dwell on. Keep looking ahead, never down or behind!

Meeting with the cupcake lady went well. I am excited for her. Yes, she gave me a cupcake, and yes, I ate it. I knew she was bringing me one, and I tried to figure it into my plan yesterday. I fear the results will show up tomorrow or the next day, since they didn't today...I will let you know!

One thing I noticed about me, when I am freezing at night, I am usually down in the morning. Or, if I am extremely hot, I am usually down in the morning. Weird hypothyroid thing, I think. I do need to go get blood drawn-just haven't taken the time to do it...

Have a good afternoon and evening! Oh, and hello you Lebebe! Hope Cheryl has fun at the lake. We are experiencing Julanuary here in WA. Brrrrr. Quite chilly-need a jacket, and inside my house it is 66 degrees...

[CherylB]

It is a hot one here today! Still not quite like what the mid-section of the country and the South has been suffering from and it will only last through Saturday. But when I got back to my car and turned it on, the thermometer said 103! As I drove away, it went down to 97 and then 93 closer to my house.

Being at the lake was the perfect place to be today. We were in the water most of the time, as last week when we went. When we were huddled beneath her beach umbrella it was still okay, but when I left the shade to go toss something in the trash can, it really hit me! I'm so glad that we have very few days like this in CT.

So now I'm showered and cool, laying here in front of the fan and I feel very good about my day. I caved and weighed myself this morning. I'm 166.2. I have been in that weight range for going on 3 weeks. Not bad if I wasn't trying to lose! I will have to make more tweaks to my off-hcg plan that will last through August. I have to find a way to drop some more poundage.

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by CherylB

I DID IT!!! I dove 6 times and jumped off cannon ball style twice. I am wasted! And speaking of wasted, this just happens to be my 6 month anniversary for sobriety! I'll always remember this day.

I'm so proud of you Cheryl!

And I hear you on the nose thing...I have a deviated septum and it's impossible to keep water out of there, since there's not enough air pressure on one side of my nose. I should get it fixed one day, but I'm a bit of a baby. The doctor said it would cut down on my sinus infections...

[julieboolie]

Cheryl-WTG!! Good for you!! and Congratulations on your sobriety anniversary!! Dh has been sober for 7 years now.

Mini- So glad you're feeling so great, pushing those heavy weights and in the zone. No hunger w/ all that exercise? You'll be down those lbs in a short time.

MM-good job!! Hope the cupcake doesn't get you tomorrow.

lebebe-I do the same thing for dinner and lunch many times. I just make several portions ahead of time and leave them in the fridge. Lately I've been trying to do beef for lunch and chicken for dinner.

Kay-you're working your way back down there!! You're doing great!! Have fun at the pool.

Paula-you know the pattern, no loss, big drop, no loss . The right direction at least .

I'm down a bit more today, lost the load weight, and I hope to be back to LDW/P3 weight by Sunday. We'll see. Feeling great, loads of energy, not much hunger. Kinda' in the zone (like MM and mini). Just had lunch (1:30) and had a thing of yogurt earlier.

I made the best soup today. Got grass fed ground beef on sale and made a big batch of it. Made P2 chili, then tried an italian beef soup. Lots of garlic, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt/pepper, crushed red pepper, fire roasted tomatoes and beef broth. Completely delicious!!! I used a lot of garlic, and the pepper made it a bit spicy too! I didn't want to burn out on the chili. Yummy!!

Going to the "homeschooling convention" this weekend. I'm new to homeschooling and they're having lots of seminars and exhibitors-curriculum options etc. I just won free tickets from the radio too!! Woo-hoo!! Not sure what I'll do about food there. I'll be there through dinner today, and tomorrow, and lunch on Sat. P2 doesnt' travel well .

[CherylB]

Thanks, Paula! I feel really good about it. I didn't die, either! I'm not paralyzed or anything. Pretty good day.

Is that surgery a day surgery thing? I hear you about not wanting to go under the knife but maybe it would be a good thing to have done. You can do it!

I am going to try and hold the air I am holding down in my lungs next time. I think right before I dove I was taking in a big breath which was mostly being held in my mouth. I will work on it! Probably next week again, hopefully.

[CherylB]

Thanks, Julie! I appreciate that. Have fun at the seminar! How many kids will you be home-schooling? I hope you love doing it! They'll be much safer with you at home than out in those public schools.

Enjoy all those chili's and soups! You're right; P2 isn't made for a woman on the go!

[BlueMonday]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

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

Wow, same here. I got three pairs of great jeans and now after the gain it is major muffin top and tightness around the thighs. Gotta get this off!!

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I ended up working out a second time today -- there's a first for me! I didn't go to class this evening, because my sweetie had to have an emergency infusion for his MS, and I thought it best to stay home with him afterwards....

Two times... wow.... I am trying to get myself there even once. It is just so hard when different tasks keep coming up. Next thing I know my day is shot.

Originally Posted by CherylB

I DID IT!!! I dove 6 times and jumped off cannon ball style twice. I am wasted! And speaking of wasted, this just happens to be my 6 month anniversary for sobriety! I'll always remember this day.

Now I have to practice not drowning. Even when I dive in I get water up my nose. I have something to work on for next time.

My advice to those of you who have a fear they don't think they can get past? Just stop thinking about it and jump in. Fear is irrational and so thinking it over and trying to talk yourself into doing it is futile. "Just do it!"

How great that you conquered your fear! That is a great accomplishment and you should feel so proud of yourself.

Fun hearing the discussions about Alameda/Oakland/SF Bay. Though I live in Austin now, I am from Marin County. My dad had relatives in Alameda and my grandparents lived in Oakland (near the border of San Leandro) for many years when we were growing up. I used to take the ferry from Larkspur to SF for work for a couple of years. I'll never forget the first time I drove across the Golden Gate at 16 -- there are no dividers and the oncoming traffic is the the next lane! That was scary!!

[lebebe]

Originally Posted by BlueMonday

Fun hearing the discussions about Alameda/Oakland/SF Bay. Though I live in Austin now, I am from Marin County. My dad had relatives in Alameda and my grandparents lived in Oakland (near the border of San Leandro) for many years when we were growing up. I used to take the ferry from Larkspur to SF for work for a couple of years. I'll never forget the first time I drove across the Golden Gate at 16 -- there are no dividers and the oncoming traffic is the the next lane! That was scary!!

It'll take me a while to work up the courage to cross the Golden Gate!! I'm working on one bridge at a time and the Bay Bridge is the one that scares me the most! Soooooooo... have plans to do a ferry ride to Saucilito and Muir Woods when it warms up out here. I hear it's gorgeous!!!

That's one great thing about this diet.... you have SO much more time to do things besides eat!! lol

[CherylB]

You ladies are making me want to head West again ASAP! I have never been to SF but I'd love to go. That does sound freaky, driving with one lane on that massive bridge and no dividers! Age 16??? I would have lost my lunch!

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- WAY TO GO on the diving!!! I am so proud of you, and I knew you could do it!!! It takes a lot of courage to conquer fear that way!

[minimonkey]

Lebebe -- wow, look at your gorgeous new avatar! Assuming that is you and your S.O. in the pic -- you two are quite a stunning couple!! (It is always nice to have a face to go with the name, too.) I'm so very glad you decided to de-lurk and come meet us

The Bay Bridge isn't too bad once you get used to it -- a little harried trying to change lanes at times, but nothing too horrid. The Golden Gate still makes me a little nervous because of the divider situation, but it is worth it --the Marin Headlands and that whole area are just so, so beautiful!!!

[minimonkey]

I ended up being a bit hungrier later today -- so I think I came in more at the high end of my rogue-plan-goals -- about 1200 or maybe a bit more, even (I'm estimating on the counts.)

I was thinking for sure I'd need a rest day today, but actually think I may do a rebounding workout tonight... I am feeling surprisingly good given how hard I pushed for the last two days. I took a long nap after I got home this afternoon, and that helped, considering that I was pretty sleep deprived ....

Maureen -- I do bodyfat tests every so often (my roommate and I do them with calipers) -- but mostly I go by visual indicators and also how my clothes fit. I can tell a lot about my bodyfat based on the amount of visible muscle definition I have -- even a little change will make a big difference in that. Of course water weight can also obscure visible muscle, so that's not an exact science, either.