Please...any advice to a HCG newbie? Thank you!

[JillSully]

Hi everybody! My name is Jill. I would really be grateful for some advice.This is my first post, as I just started HCG and am on VLCD1 Phase 2. My first load day, I thought went well, though my second load day I had a headache and felt very nauseous so I didn't eat enough. Here I am on my fist VLC day in the evening and I am weak, soooo hungry and feel yucky. I am wondering if because this is my first VLC day if I should do another load day? Or will this pass? I see evryone say they feel no hunger or little hunger, I feel like I haven't eaten for a week. I also accidentally left my hcg out overnight and am wondering if I need to make a new batch (I have only had 3 doses). I am taking HCG injections. I have a very physical job and am worried I'm gonna pass out. I even have the shakes. Please, any encouragement would be so appreciated if you might say this will pass and this might be normal and keep going. I am so committed to this, but I also want to be sure I am doing it correctly. So, if after one day...should I reload or keep going? Everyone here seems so nice, commited and encouraging...so glad I found you. I really want to make some friends to also return the favor. I started Load day one at 212.6...I was 216.0 the next day. Today I am at 210.8? Does this seem normal?

[Lbibclc]

Oh, gosh. Sorry you are having a hard time. I haven't had the injections so I don't know about leaving it out. Does the site where you got it give advice? I would ask them. You are losing a lot of weight. I would get some potassium and magnesium, Drink Drink Drink, eat some lean protein. i wouldn't reload.

I hope someone who did the injections posts. What have you had to eat today?

[julieboolie]

Well, since you didn't eat much your second load day and are now on the 500 cal part, that weight loss is very possible.

My first round I was so hungry and tired my first few days I went to bed around 8:30 or 9. I had a headache and was STARVING for 9-10 days! I lost well though, and eventually the hunger went away.

The weakness with a very physical job is tough. You might try more of a OWL plan where you eat up to 800cals/day. With a heavy activity level I'd worry about being hungry and weak. You can search out Omaha Weightloss plan and you'll see more about it. Several here are following it.

I didn't do the Rx, so I unfortunately can't help you there. I hope someone w/ Rx experience chimes in to help. Maybe go post your same question on the Simeon's Protocol thread. It'll get more read and responses.

Hope you feel better and it works for you!

[julieboolie]

Try posting over here :

Simeons Protocol -- P2 Week of 8/29/11

They'll be more likely to know about the Rx.

[JillSully]

You know? Just you guys posting and helping has already made me feel better. Thanks so much. After I did my first injection on Load 1, I felt so nauseous and spaced out, it was strange. But that passed for the most part. It actually kind of scared me at first. I did read I could use a pregnancy test to see if my injection is still potent. Are you both on the drops? I ordered my injections from an RX escrow and it seems really good. But mixing them is tough and you have to be so careful because it is so sensitive. So part of me is wondering if I am not getting a good HCG fix. I am really so sold on the research I have done and am so excited to be in such great company with all of you. It really seems like a God send. I know I can handle the cravings and will stay positive and committed as long as I feel strong and not THIS hungry. I will look up the 800 cal. and also hope I can get some advice on the injections. Today I had:

Coffee (very hungry 1st thing and usually I hate breakfast? I normally can't stomach breakfast until about 11:00 normally)

Lunch - Albacore in water (100g) Side note: I only eat fish, no other meats.
Salad with apple vinegar
Apple
2 small melba rounds
Iced Tea

Dinner - Flounder (100g)
Tomatoes
Apple
2 melba rounds
Water

I saved part of my apple for before bed so I can sleep without feeling
so hungry.

Thank you so much for the support. I will continue on, but 7-9 days of this?
Oh no.... did you guys get nauseous or headaches with HCG?

I love the bible verse...that helps alot Julie.
LIL...I am originally from Missouri.

You both have been a real blessing. I'll let you know how it's going tomorrow.
Congrats on your successes. I will feed on that!

[JillSully]

Sorry, not LIL...Liz.

[JillSully]

9 Days?? Oh wow. But, that actually makes me feel a bit better that you got through it. Did you still lose that first 9 days? You have had incredible results. Are you on drops?
I also did Atkins a few years back and did well. But gained it all back and more unfortunately. Do you feel as though your metabolism has been reset and you are able to eat normally now? That is so exciting to me. I think my metabolism is shot.

[Lbibclc]

Hi Jill

I started with drops then have done pellets. I had headaches but little hunger. Did you test your HCG with a pregnancy test. You can get one from a dollar store for the testing.

You have to decide if you want to stick through this.

[julieboolie]

I lost most of my weight on Atkins. The last 35lbs was several rounds of hcg. I did the drops at first, but like the pellets better. Never did try the Rx. Many have had great success w/ it.

I'm finally done w. the "losing" part, but haven't maintained at this weight long enough to speak to the metabolism reset. Many swear it's happened for them.

I'm moving on to weight training more intensely and plan to start calorie cycling to hopefully drop 5 more lbs. Ideally I'd like to maintain around 149-150.

Overall I'm very happy to have done hcg. I was stuck around 175-180 for the past few years. I was way better than 272lbs, but still larger than I wanted to be.

After the 9 days of hunger, it did finally go away. I was able to lose 19lbs that first 23 day round, including 6lbs of load weight. I was thrilled!!

It does work. Hang in there and come to the boards to post a lot. It's very helpful, support is wonderful, knowing you're not alone, and getting lots of ideas, recipes and inspiration. Glad to have you on "board"!

[Wife of a Pilot]

Yea! Nice to find someone who has started right along with me. I did some research on the HCG after seeing a friend post on his FB what he was doing. I was discouraged to find that the hcg he was on is not available in Dubai as my hubby and I are currently living as expats. So, further research and I found homeopathic platinum here. I was so concerned that I purchased something that didn't actually have the hormone in it. So i thought. Well.. try it for 30 days and if nothing.. then either fly home or head to a closer country that will. I started the drops and my 2 full days of gorging I really didnt eat that much the first day, but day 2 I sure did. So, I went ahead and started my VLCD on day 3 which was yesterday. I am no less than 8 hours ahead of you all so i'm almost finished with day 4. I did not weigh in on Day 1 but since yesterday I have lost 1kg (2.2)lbs. I converted my scale to lbs so that I can keep up better with losing 1/2 to 1lb a day rather than a smaller number as is the kg.

I am a little hungry, but not starving. I just ate a late afternoon apple and feel stuffed.

I am hungry for carbs.. but I am so grateful to know that there is a proven weight loss plan that allows you to go without eating breakfast. I am NOT nor have I ever been a breakfast eater. I've just eaten from the time I do eat, until just be4 bedtime. I just know that what I'm doing now and will have to modify for the rest of my life, will enable me to have a day every now and then to reward myself rather than feed myself. I don't see myself in a bikini... had i been doing this in my early 20's ? Probably. But now its about just being healthy and looking normally overweight, not obese. Once i reach that goal, then i will set another one. I'm 121.2kg today or 267. My first goal is 30 days from now to lose 25 to 30lbs.

[C'Marie]

Jill, if you left your rx out it may or may not still be potent. However, the only way you are going to know is if you take a little of it (not your pee) and put it on a pg test. I never could find one in my dollar store, looked several times. It would've been nice but only actual pharmacies in my town have them.

How are you doing now?

[duece49424]

Hello...nice discussion as I am starting over. Lost a lot on hcg last year but gained back and I am just finishing 2nd load day. For those of you doing pellets, have you found one brand better than the other?

[Wigglesmom]

Originally Posted by duece49424

Hello...nice discussion as I am starting over. Lost a lot on hcg last year but gained back and I am just finishing 2nd load day. For those of you doing pellets, have you found one brand better than the other?

I love the Intermountain pellets that Netrition sells. I had to play around with my dosage but finally found what works for me. No hunger whatsoever.

Good luck to you!

[JillSully]

Hi Liz! Just wanted to let you know I did not give up. I got through yesterday barely...
I even went and bought some glutamine as I heard it helps with the hunger. I decided to try to get some sleep in hopes day 3 was better. I had a strange night of trying to sleep, going to the restroom no less than 10 times, stirring in my bed, feeling hot and restless. Finally I got to sleep and woke up refreshed and a whole lot less hungry and weak. I have lost another 2.4 pounds for a total of 5.4 pounds or 9.4 if you include load days and this is day 5. I also bought a pregnancy test and tested my HCG for injections and it showed positive. So, thank you for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. Wasn't sure I could do it, but maybe I CAN? I really means the world to me to conquer this.

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

Hi Jill

I started with drops then have done pellets. I had headaches but little hunger. Did you test your HCG with a pregnancy test. You can get one from a dollar store for the testing.

You have to decide if you want to stick through this.

Liz...sorry I meant to reply to your post, but posted in the general area. Please see post to you below. Thanks.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Jill, if you left your rx out it may or may not still be potent. However, the only way you are going to know is if you take a little of it (not your pee) and put it on a pg test. I never could find one in my dollar store, looked several times. It would've been nice but only actual pharmacies in my town have them.

How are you doing now?

do you have like a dollar tree or savalot?? they have them for a buck at my dollar general they are with the baby supplies

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by Wife of a Pilot

Yea! Nice to find someone who has started right along with me. I did some research on the HCG after seeing a friend post on his FB what he was doing. I was discouraged to find that the hcg he was on is not available in Dubai as my hubby and I are currently living as expats. So, further research and I found homeopathic platinum here. I was so concerned that I purchased something that didn't actually have the hormone in it. So i thought. Well.. try it for 30 days and if nothing.. then either fly home or head to a closer country that will. I started the drops and my 2 full days of gorging I really didnt eat that much the first day, but day 2 I sure did. So, I went ahead and started my VLCD on day 3 which was yesterday. I am no less than 8 hours ahead of you all so i'm almost finished with day 4. I did not weigh in on Day 1 but since yesterday I have lost 1kg (2.2)lbs. I converted my scale to lbs so that I can keep up better with losing 1/2 to 1lb a day rather than a smaller number as is the kg.

I am a little hungry, but not starving. I just ate a late afternoon apple and feel stuffed.

I am hungry for carbs.. but I am so grateful to know that there is a proven weight loss plan that allows you to go without eating breakfast. I am NOT nor have I ever been a breakfast eater. I've just eaten from the time I do eat, until just be4 bedtime. I just know that what I'm doing now and will have to modify for the rest of my life, will enable me to have a day every now and then to reward myself rather than feed myself. I don't see myself in a bikini... had i been doing this in my early 20's ? Probably. But now its about just being healthy and looking normally overweight, not obese. Once i reach that goal, then i will set another one. I'm 121.2kg today or 267. My first goal is 30 days from now to lose 25 to 30lbs.

Hi there WOP...How is Dubai? Fabulous? So nice to hear from you. I am also a pilot. I decided to wait until the 3rd day no matter how bad it got. And it WAS bad. Last night I went to the restroom no less than 10 times, tossed and turned, felt hot, restless, hungry...finally fell asleep. I woke up feeling well...OK. I wasn't as hungry, I had more energy and had lost another 2.4 pounds. So officially down 9.2 counting load and 5.2 from beginning. I am day 5. How is it going for you? I also don't ever see myself in a bikini, but I want to feel good in my own skin again. It has been a long time.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by JillSully

Hi Liz! Just wanted to let you know I did not give up. I got through yesterday barely...
I even went and bought some glutamine as I heard it helps with the hunger. I decided to try to get some sleep in hopes day 3 was better. I had a strange night of trying to sleep, going to the restroom no less than 10 times, stirring in my bed, feeling hot and restless. Finally I got to sleep and woke up refreshed and a whole lot less hungry and weak. I have lost another 2.4 pounds for a total of 5.4 pounds or 9.4 if you include load days and this is day 5. I also bought a pregnancy test and tested my HCG for injections and it showed positive. So, thank you for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. Wasn't sure I could do it, but maybe I CAN? I really means the world to me to conquer this.

there might be some suggestions in here to help
TIPS FOR P2 OF DR. SIMEONS PROTOCOL
yerbe mate or oolong tea help too

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by debkeversole

do you have like a dollar tree or savalot?? they have them for a buck at my dollar general they are with the baby supplies

Thank you Deb! I went and got a pregnancy kit and tested my injections. It is good. Thank goodness, as it takes so long to get!

I had a hard first 2 days on VLCD. But woke up and felt less hungry with a bit of energy today. SO glad I did not give up. I have lost 5.2 (9.2 include load).

Maybe I can do this after all!

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by JillSully

Thank you Deb! I went and got a pregnancy kit and tested my injections. It is good. Thank goodness, as it takes so long to get!

I had a hard first 2 days on VLCD. But woke up and felt less hungry with a bit of energy today. SO glad I did not give up. I have lost 5.2 (9.2 include load).

Maybe I can do this after all!

HAPPY LOSING!!

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Well, since you didn't eat much your second load day and are now on the 500 cal part, that weight loss is very possible.

My first round I was so hungry and tired my first few days I went to bed around 8:30 or 9. I had a headache and was STARVING for 9-10 days! I lost well though, and eventually the hunger went away.

The weakness with a very physical job is tough. You might try more of a OWL plan where you eat up to 800cals/day. With a heavy activity level I'd worry about being hungry and weak. You can search out Omaha Weightloss plan and you'll see more about it. Several here are following it.

I didn't do the Rx, so I unfortunately can't help you there. I hope someone w/ Rx experience chimes in to help. Maybe go post your same question on the Simeon's Protocol thread. It'll get more read and responses.

Hope you feel better and it works for you!

JULIE!!! I did not give up and prayed about it. Decided to wait until Day 3 and see how I felt. After a difficult night I woke refreshed and ALOT LESS HUNGRY.
I must have used the restroom 10 times and felt very hot and restless all night. I had a hard time sleeping, it was strange. Thank you for your encouragement, it really did give me the strength to wait it out. Thank you my friend. I also tested my injections with an EPT, it is still good thank goodness. It take a long time to get and is pricey. I wasn't much good at work yesterday and was very irritable I hope everybody still likes me

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

Hi Jill

I started with drops then have done pellets. I had headaches but little hunger. Did you test your HCG with a pregnancy test. You can get one from a dollar store for the testing.

You have to decide if you want to stick through this.

Hi Liz! Just wanted to let you know I did not give up. I got through yesterday barely...
I even went and bought some glutamine as I heard it helps with the hunger. I decided to try to get some sleep in hopes day 3 was better. I had a strange night of trying to sleep, going to the restroom no less than 10 times, stirring in my bed, feeling hot and restless. Finally I got to sleep and woke up refreshed and a whole lot less hungry and weak. I have lost another 2.4 pounds for a total of 5.4 pounds or 9.4 if you include load days and this is day 5. I also bought a pregnancy test and tested my HCG for injections and it showed positive. So, thank you for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. Wasn't sure I could do it, but maybe I CAN? I really means the world to me to conquer this.

[Lbibclc]

Day by day is a good way to look at it. You need 23 days of VLCD to reset your metabolism. After that it is up to you to when you stop. Although I think most people have a limit if they are doing injections but I'm not sure what it is.

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by debkeversole

there might be some suggestions in here to help
TIPS FOR P2 OF DR. SIMEONS PROTOCOL
yerbe mate or oolong tea help too

Debbie...thank you so much. I do have a bunch of oolong? That helps? GREAT!
I saw the poem, did you lose a pet recently? Me too. I thought that was lovely.

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by Lbibclc

Day by day is a good way to look at it. You need 23 days of VLCD to reset your metabolism. After that it is up to you to when you stop. Although I think most people have a limit if they are doing injections but I'm not sure what it is.

Liz...I think 23 days is a great mini goal. Great advice. I didn't think of it that way. I was wondering have you ever had to travel on a road trip for about 4 days and kept things going?

[privatediva]

Originally Posted by JillSully

Liz...I think 23 days is a great mini goal. Great advice. I didn't think of it that way. I was wondering have you ever had to travel on a road trip for about 4 days and kept things going?

Jill,

I went on vacation to Colorado for 7 days and nights about 3 weeks into my P2. We rented an apartment, so I did have a kitchen, but there were two nights in a hotel (going and coming home), so I begged for information on this board and people had some really great ideas for me. Long story short, it wasn't a big deal. I took a cooler in the car since we drove, and had cooked chicken, fruit, and blanched asparagus packed (I really love it that way, but realize it might not be everyone's deal). I also took along some Myoplex low carb protein shakes because my Dr said that would be an okay meal replacement if I got in a bind. I didn't use them though. I cooked in the apartment when we got there and packed my food for our road trips during the days. I also took some little individual packets of cottage cheese, but only ended up using one of them in a P2 smoothie (I packed my food scale and Magic Bullet blender). It can be done. Several folks have gone camping and done well. Verbqueen is running around ALL THE TIME and has had good success also.

[JillSully]

Originally Posted by privatediva

Jill,

I went on vacation to Colorado for 7 days and nights about 3 weeks into my P2. We rented an apartment, so I did have a kitchen, but there were two nights in a hotel (going and coming home), so I begged for information on this board and people had some really great ideas for me. Long story short, it wasn't a big deal. I took a cooler in the car since we drove, and had cooked chicken, fruit, and blanched asparagus packed (I really love it that way, but realize it might not be everyone's deal). I also took along some Myoplex low carb protein shakes because my Dr said that would be an okay meal replacement if I got in a bind. I didn't use them though. I cooked in the apartment when we got there and packed my food for our road trips during the days. I also took some little individual packets of cottage cheese, but only ended up using one of them in a P2 smoothie (I packed my food scale and Magic Bullet blender). It can be done. Several folks have gone camping and done well. Verbqueen is running around ALL THE TIME and has had good success also.

I am in Colorado! Hope you had fun here. Great state. I really hit the jackpot meeting you. I am going on a small car trip to a music festival my son is playing in , across hot Kansas and staying in a tent. I am trying to think of how I am going to eat at a festival full of festival food for 3 days and keep my injections cool and not too shaken up from the drive. The shakes are a great idea. Do you think the myoplex lite low carb in the ready to drink cartons would work for me? And does that count as just the meat? It is going to be hotter than the blazes of hell there. But I want to keep going. I promise I'll quit asking questions for the night.

[privatediva]

Originally Posted by JillSully

I am in Colorado! Hope you had fun here. Great state. I really hit the jackpot meeting you. I am going on a small car trip to a music festival my son is playing in , across hot Kansas and staying in a tent. I am trying to think of how I am going to eat at a festival full of festival food for 3 days and keep my injections cool and not too shaken up from the drive. The shakes are a great idea. Do you think the myoplex lite low carb in the ready to drink cartons would work for me? And does that count as just the meat? It is going to be hotter than the blazes of hell there. But I want to keep going. I promise I'll quit asking questions for the night.

I think the shake would replace the protein yes...they don't have too many calories. I am in Kansas (and am a musician) where is your son playing??? Tent...ick...I am so not likely to agree to that in this lifetime I think the shakes would work fine for just three days. It's possible it could slow you down, but it wouldn't be like you just went out and ate a whole bunch of food. I'd have some in case I couldn't forage and/or carry anything better suited. Some people do "interruption days" but I don't even know what that means, so I won't be helpful on that topic. The ready to drink shakes are the ones I took (and didn't use) but my Dr said to get.

You don't have to stop asking things until you run out of things you want to ask

[privatediva]

oh and PS...we had the time of our lives in Colorado...what a glorious place!

[Wife of a Pilot]

Hi Jill and all !

Yesterday was the devil himself trying to take this from me. NOT HAPPENING!

My day started off fantastic. Woke up fine, no hunger pains. Weighed, all was good. Drops, glass of tea and then water. Client calls to finally give me information i had been waiting on but ran me late for 1pm showing. That started the ball rolling... I didn't get an opportunity to fix my lunch ( hence why it should definitely be planned ahead of time). So now not only have I not eaten a thing yet, it's 1pm and I'm just enroute. Grabbed a salad from Burger King and off we went ( took hubby as we were headed to mall afterwards to go look for the right shampoo, conditioner, body lotions, miracle anything that I would be able to eat ) Eat the salad enroute, and oops! remembered I had to wait 15min b4 taking drops. So here I am, pulling into the development with liquid under the tongue to meet a new client, a buyer at that! Not only was I late but then I can't talk to him EPIC! Long day with him 4 hours and we're off to the mall. All i've had was the salad that did have grilled ckn in it. I feared how it was prepped but one thing about living outside the US, is that food is not full of preservatives and additives and the meat usually halal. We get to the mall and hit up GNC. I have no idea what shampoos or anything that I can use. I didn't recognize any of the brands there with the names I found on here ( probably because I left the list at home) So we go trekking off to every natural food store and bio green stores searching for everything from the noodles to shampoo to body lotion not full of oils. It is now 7pm and I'm starving. While walking in a crowd of hundreds ( it is EID holiday and the UAE is packed) I'm doing drops while enroute to find food. I am hungry and I need to eat! First food court ( yeah they have more than 1, the malls here are like small cities!) I go to every single counter and find nothing I can eat nor did I expect to. Got to the 2nd food court and found a " make your own salad" store called Eat Big Stay Thin. So i gave it a try. I did add bean sprouts but stayed away from the rest of the goodies. It included grilled ckn and grilled steak pieces. The guy assured it was all organic but still... I was so hungry by then I ate it. .The guilt.. OMG.. you would have thought I was eating a burger and fries I felt so guilty. But I didnt. I stayed away from diet coke as well since I didn't have my tea. I only drank water and drank alot of it. I went to bed at 1am and by 6am was up peeing every hour or so. Slept in, got up and BAM! down nearly another 3lbs. since the day before Whew..
So i'm at nearly 7lbs since I started weighing myself which was on the 28th. The day after my first load day.

I am having so much trouble finding the items above and shipping is crazy expensive to here. I have alot of friends who fly for Emirates but I don't want anyone knowing what i'm doing and don't want to ask them to bring anything back from the US for me.

I have read Dr. Simeon's protocol pdf file and understand the physiology part of the diet but still not quite informed on just which veggies I can go ahead and have and which ones I can't except for corn and beans and then which fruits I can have with the exception of bananas, canteloupe and pineapple.

I know to do what best works for me, regardless of what I see others doing ( TY Deb for the tips!) but I am a bit confused seeing the recipe's that did include eggs, cottage cheese and balsamic vinegar ( which i just used to marinate a New Zealand top side roast for dinner tonight). Sorry so long winded.. guess I should create a blog rather than post it all on here. I just needed to get it all out. I am proud I made it thru a very hectic day that would have been so easy to justify to stop and start over at a later date. And frustrated I can't find the things I am looking for...