Hcg Rogues and Alternatives 1/2/12

[Violet_Dream]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Violet --laxatives can actually cause water retention and scale gains, sometimes. But, the gain could also just be normal variations, stress, etc. I can't really imagine 1 small spoonful of peanut butter and the SF Caramel drink would still be haunting you, but who knows?

Glad the interview went so well! That is what really matters!!!!!

Thank you mini. I seriously didn't know that and the few times I've used them, I've showed a gain every time. I had 2 cups of cofee with some creamer today (I use the powdered kind) and cut the water back to one gallon. I haven't needed to do an apple day and am not about to start now.

Sweet dreams my friends.

[tay65]

I talked to my son todayyyy!!!!! He has his cell phone tonight and all day tomorrow. I'm so happy, though he sounded very home sick. I told him it will get better when he gets busy. He's not sleeping good. But it was a surprise when I looked at my phone and saw his name! I wasn't expecting a call til tomorrow!
Well, hope to have a loss tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Good night....

[minimonkey]

Luna -- that cellulitey appearance is definitely part of the losing process -- don't worry, it does go away once you stabilize... but I always go through a horrible lumpy phase before a loss.

I hope hcg is just the thing you need to get to goal -- I suspect it might be

Disney -- I have lost THREE band sizes! I started out at a 34 F, then a 32, then 30, and now a 28DD/28E (the E fits better -- European sizing is funny).

I seriously can't lose another one for two reasons: one, they don't make size 26E bras! and two, I am down pretty much all the way to the ribs and skin, so there is nothing left to lose except back muscle, which I plan on keeping.

[minimonkey]

Re: Protein powder -- a lot of people don't do well with whey. Hexa discovered that it spikes her blood sugar, and it turns out that it acts a lot like a carb in a lot of people's bodies.

I like the egg white powder a lot, personally.

I used to think I was dairy sensitive, but after healing some longstanding gut problems, it appears I am not -- thank goodness... I love my dairy! Sometimes just taking a break from a problem food is enough to heal a sensitivity.

[minimonkey]

Tay -- hurray for talking to your son!!!!!!!!!!!

Violet -- I bet the laxative was the culprit, particularly since that has happened to you before. Once your body gets it out of the system, the water weight should leave too.

Okay, I am officially hungry now. That low-fat hunger kicked in today (I was pretty active around the house all day.) It's tolerable, but I definitely feel the lack of fat in my diet.

On the plus side, my calves are really starting to thin out. I have a problem area at the upper calf, right below the knee... and that fat just refuses to go away until the very last of my losing -- but today the skin there is all loose and floppy, and it is clear the fat is leaving. The loose skin is reeeeeallly attractive, let me tell you, lol! But... I know it will tighten up in time...

I'm also freezing, which is often a harbinger of a scale loss, so I have fairly high hopes that this lowfat gig will work... I hope so, because I don't know what else to do at this point.....

I'm coming in at around 700-800 calories today, I think... and that's just fine. Carbs were a little on the high side because I opted for berries today -- but calories were on target, and fat almost non-existent. We'll see what that yields. I can do this for a while, but it isn't how I want to live forever, that's for sure.

Low cal/ low carb/ high fat I could probably do on an ongoing basis -- but the low fat? Not so much. Thankfully I won't have to.... I maintain just fine on a moderate low carb plan.

[tay65]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Tay -- hurray for talking to your son!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, I am officially hungry now. That low-fat hunger kicked in today (I was pretty active around the house all day.) It's tolerable, but I definitely feel the lack of fat in my diet.

On the plus side, my calves are really starting to thin out. I have a problem area at the upper calf, right below the knee... and that fat just refuses to go away until the very last of my losing -- but today the skin there is all loose and floppy, and it is clear the fat is leaving. The loose skin is reeeeeallly attractive, let me tell you, lol! But... I know it will tighten up in time...

I'm also freezing, which is often a harbinger of a scale loss, so I have fairly high hopes that this lowfat gig will work... I hope so, because I don't know what else to do at this point.....

I'm coming in at around 700-800 calories today, I think... and that's just fine. Carbs were a little on the high side because I opted for berries today -- but calories were on target, and fat almost non-existent. We'll see what that yields. I can do this for a while, but it isn't how I want to live forever, that's for sure.

Low cal/ low carb/ high fat I could probably do on an ongoing basis -- but the low fat? Not so much. Thankfully I won't have to.... I maintain just fine on a moderate low carb plan.

I was certainly surprised when he called. Just didn't like hearing him being so homesick.
I freeze too! Especially my feet!!! I'm always under a blanket these days.
I use to always eat low fat to lose weight. I won't do that again.

[tay65]

Oh, about losing 50 lbs in 4 months. I know I may not get there, but I am def going to try! A girl has to have a goal ! LOL

[minimonkey]

Tay -- I hear you about the homesickness... that would break my heart too.

As for the 50 in 4 -- you might indeed make it! Shelby lost 60 in two rounds, and I know others have done some astounding losing in just a short period... so who knows?

Yeah, I used to be a low fat (high carb) dieter too -- that was in the 80s and 90s when the prevailing view was that eating fat made one get fat ... pshaw! I hate it. But... with the hcg, it may well change the equation. In any case, I am hoping it is a stall breaker for me.

I think I am losing inches, though. I am going to go through and try on clothes again tomorrow (trying to weed out things I just don't wear, too) and see where I am with regards to my goal pants. I'm still not sure where I'll end up calling goal on the scale... I'm still thinking of ending p2 at somewhere between 95 and 98 lbs, but if I am losing inches without pounds, that may change the equation somewhat.

I still have a lot of old numbers in my head from the recommended weights I grew up with... I know that those have been modified quite a bit, but I can't shake them.

I also can't shake liking a thinner physique than is sported by many so called "thin" people today -- although I totally see that it is an improvement to have a lot more acceptance of multiple body types, and that it is healthy to show people with some amount of normal body fat, I am deeply indoctrinated into the ideals of beauty that I held from a young age -- at least in terms of the way I want to look.

I don't like an emaciated look, but I certainly do like a lean one.... and even bony, as long as the person still looks healthy. I also love a very cut, muscular build.

I'm probably trying to hold myself to impossible standards. But, there it is, and I am pretty determined to get as close as I can.....

[DisneyPrincess]

Good morning. I had a very emotional night and actually cried myself to sleep. Im sure that didn't help my losses this morning and I'm sure stress is playing a roll. I am still down .6 so I'm not complaining.
I'm going to attempt a metabolic workout this afternoon. I was shooting for another run but my knee hasten acting up so 2 days in a row might just be too much. I AM getting right back into workout though and not making excuses to get up and get them done

Mini- I too like a thinner look, though replace the bony with muscles I know exactly what you mean though. Ive actually lowered my goal to 100lbs. Dh likes me with a little more meat but I'm comfortable a little thinner. I was 98 pounds last may so I plan on stabilizing a little higher this round

Tay- I'm so glad you got to talk to your son! I'm sorry he sounded home sick. It's gets easier for them I promise!

Off to get some coffee. Another quiet day here with just me and DS.

[paulabob]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Disney -- I have lost THREE band sizes! I started out at a 34 F, then a 32, then 30, and now a 28DD/28E (the E fits better -- European sizing is funny).

I'm surprised at where I am band size wise. I suspect the 34Cs and Ds of my youth should have been 32D/E or 30E/F. They never fit me quite right. So far I've gone from 40F to 32E. There's still more to lose although I don't want to. They were my best feature but are now quite wrinkly.

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I don't like an emaciated look, but I certainly do like a lean one.... and even bony, as long as the person still looks healthy. I also love a very cut, muscular build.

I am confident you can get there!

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Good morning. I had a very emotional night and actually cried myself to sleep.

Sorry so sad Jackie. And hugs to Tay, missing her boy. And while I'm at it, hugs for Dazy, hopefully out of hospital this morning? Hope Noah had an "easy" round.

Well, we all thought today would be my 10th day in a row at 127.2. But no, up .6 this morning. This is the WRONG direction, going to try for "slightly" lowered calories today (that means 1500 or so).

[lunagirl704]

Good Morning All! I weighed myself and no losses, I was up .4. So now as I begin vlcd 6 I have nothing to show, except that I can maintain on 500 cal/day. I was hoping for miracles with hhcg, but it's not what I hoped for. Maybe after reading about everyone's spectacular losses I set my hopes too high. I'm using pellets (not sure if I can mention the co.but they are legit hhcg) and I also have Intermountain drops. I just don't know what to do...except keep at it. While I feel a little thinner it may be in my imagination. My jeans feel the same...tight. Anyway sorry to be a downer. I hope everyone woke up to see the numbers on the scale go down!


Mini- you just put in words everything I feel.

Tay- I'm so glad you got to talk to your son. I have a son, and I can't imagine being away from him (he's only 3 though!)

Disney- I hope you are feeling better. I'm going through a rough time at home with family stuff so stay strong and enjoy the down time with your son. I would be over the moon at 98lbs I was 99 last xmas and all my clothes fit so well.

[DisneyPrincess]

It's so hard being so small Luna. Our losses are going to be slower because we have less to lose. I know going strict protocol (besides mixing veggies) has really helped me. How rouge are you?

Uh oh Paula! I hope your "low calorie" day helps out

[agentventi]

It is SO SO hard being so short. I also carry a lot of my weight in my legs and hips. I am for sure a pear shape. I am down .4 ounces this morning after eating at Buffalo Wild Wings last night. I ordered the naked chicken tenders and celery with mild sauce. Even as everyone else was eating cupcakes (Bday party for my BIL) I just sipped my water And just so you know, cake is my all time favorite food.
But I am happy even adding the protein powder, a small bit of coco crack and upping calories to around 730 ish I still had a small loss. If I could just get 5.5 more lbs off the next 2 1/2 weeks, I will be happy. If I continue with the .4lb losses I will be there.
Good luck to everyone, we can do this!!!!

[errihu]

I am up 1.3. I had mushrooms and duck broth and miracle noodles yesterday, so that could be why. Also my poor right hand was so cracked and dry on the back it was bleeding, so I put a tiny bit of coconut oil on it. I'm certain it's water weight, because whenever I pee I can smell the ketones so strong it's almost gross. Ketones means fat is cracking. That means I'm losing fat, whether the scale is showing it or not. I'm probably on a recomposition day. Hopefully it's down again tomorrow, lol.

Last night I had to take both magnesium and potassium, as the cramps were setting in. Cramps are a reliable indicator that I am indeed losing fat, rapidly.

One thing I love about this protocol - I feel great on it. I feel good enough that in P4 I was seriously looking forward to getting back on protocol. The only other 'diet' I have ever felt great on was low carb. Everything else felt like punishment and made me miserable. While there's occasionally times I feel a bit peckish, I never feel miserable on HCG. In fact, I have a sense of well being. It's like a cleanse to me.

[emel]

errihu, if it was broth from domestic duck it may have been fatty. Sometimes I eat wild game birds because they are super lean, but domestic duck is another bird altogether lol.

I had miracle noodles in my faux minnestrone. I liked them. I rinsed 4 times and then cooked them in a dry skillet to dry them out, then simmered in beef broth separately while the rest of the soup was cooking and added them at the end.
--2 c zucchini, 1/2 c onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 c celery, 28 oz can tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, handful of shrooms, water to make the beef broth become 3 cups. 8 servings, equals one veg each.

Then I had the rest of the pack of the noodles in egg fu yung. eggbeaters, bean sprouts, braggs aminos, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, celery, onion, and a handful of bok choy. That was good but I put too many veggies in it so it wasn't eggy enough.

[tay65]

Originally Posted by errihu

I am up 1.3. I had mushrooms and duck broth and miracle noodles yesterday, so that could be why. Also my poor right hand was so cracked and dry on the back it was bleeding, so I put a tiny bit of coconut oil on it. I'm certain it's water weight, because whenever I pee I can smell the ketones so strong it's almost gross. Ketones means fat is cracking. That means I'm losing fat, whether the scale is showing it or not. I'm probably on a recomposition day. Hopefully it's down again tomorrow, lol.

Last night I had to take both magnesium and potassium, as the cramps were setting in. Cramps are a reliable indicator that I am indeed losing fat, rapidly.

One thing I love about this protocol - I feel great on it. I feel good enough that in P4 I was seriously looking forward to getting back on protocol. The only other 'diet' I have ever felt great on was low carb. Everything else felt like punishment and made me miserable. While there's occasionally times I feel a bit peckish, I never feel miserable on HCG. In fact, I have a sense of well being. It's like a cleanse to me.

I feel good on hHCG too. My sleep is better and I wake up sooner than I do when I'm not on it. I do monitor my BP bc I was on hHCG before and had to stop it bc my Bp bottomed out and I got real sick. The Dr said it was the adrenal in the drops and ordered me to stop. But this time is so much better and I'm eating more.
I get the cramping too! I read that happens when you're losing fat around the muscles. They sure hurt at times! Definitely worth it though!

[Nicole T]

VLCD 6 for me and stayed the same today (169.6). So here is where i start my pattern of stall for 2-3 days and then a small whoosh (1-2 lbs) and then stall for 2-3 days and repeat. I am now on my last 10 lbs so I knew this was coming and that I'll have to fight hard for every one of these 10 lbs! Bring it on baby...I'm in this until I hit 160!! Shoot, if I could stay on P2 for 63 days last round, I know I can stick this out for as long as it takes (hoping for 2 more weeks or so).

Hope everyone else is doing great today!

[errihu]

Originally Posted by emel

errihu, if it was broth from domestic duck it may have been fatty. Sometimes I eat wild game birds because they are super lean, but domestic duck is another bird altogether lol.

If I made the broth myself and skimmed off all the fat, would it still be fatty? I was under the impression that any fat in the broth rises to the top and can be skimmed away. It was domestic duck, but it was homemade broth.

Domestic duck IS lovely and fatty, which is why I loaded with it .

[tay65]

Originally Posted by agentventi

It is SO SO hard being so short. I also carry a lot of my weight in my legs and hips. I am for sure a pear shape. I am down .4 ounces this morning after eating at Buffalo Wild Wings last night. I ordered the naked chicken tenders and celery with mild sauce. Even as everyone else was eating cupcakes (Bday party for my BIL) I just sipped my water And just so you know, cake is my all time favorite food.
But I am happy even adding the protein powder, a small bit of coco crack and upping calories to around 730 ish I still had a small loss. If I could just get 5.5 more lbs off the next 2 1/2 weeks, I will be happy. If I continue with the .4lb losses I will be there.
Good luck to everyone, we can do this!!!!

Good for you staying away from the cupcakes!

[tay65]

Originally Posted by lunagirl704

Good Morning All! I weighed myself and no losses, I was up .4. So now as I begin vlcd 6 I have nothing to show, except that I can maintain on 500 cal/day. I was hoping for miracles with hhcg, but it's not what I hoped for. Maybe after reading about everyone's spectacular losses I set my hopes too high. I'm using pellets (not sure if I can mention the co.but they are legit hhcg) and I also have Intermountain drops. I just don't know what to do...except keep at it. While I feel a little thinner it may be in my imagination. My jeans feel the same...tight. Anyway sorry to be a downer. I hope everyone woke up to see the numbers on the scale go down!
Tay- I'm so glad you got to talk to your son. I have a son, and I can't imagine being away from him
(he's only 3 though!)

I would be over the moon at 98lbs I was 99 last xmas and all my clothes fit so well.

I talked to him this morning too. Hes more upbeat today and he definitely has the right attitude.
Don't be frustrated. I've been doing this 20 days and have only lost 4 pounds!!!! LOL I've been really distracted, but now I'm on track and focused.

[emel]

Originally Posted by errihu

If I made the broth myself and skimmed off all the fat, would it still be fatty? I was under the impression that any fat in the broth rises to the top and can be skimmed away. It was domestic duck, but it was homemade broth.

Domestic duck IS lovely and fatty, which is why I loaded with it .

You're probably right.

Sometimes I look at my rogue choices and laugh at myself when I recall the words in P&I..." Some people do not realize that a tangerine is not an orange and that chicken breast does not mean the breast of any other fowl, nor does it mean a wing or drumstick." I don't mind using myself as a guinea pig for rogue ideas, but I have to accept that sometimes my brilliant ideas don't work. Sometimes my substitutions work out just fine, but sometimes Simeons was right, darn it.

[baabng4ever]

Happy Noonish Roguies! (Central Time, lol)

Yesterday I was down .2# and this AM I was down 1#. That is 8# lost on 6 VLCD days. Good.

I have mostly not been hungry. Any hunger I have experienced has been long periods between eating (due to my on the go schedule), and a little bit of head hunger/cravings - but manageable.

mini - sorry you have hit hungry, cuz being hungry sux!

tay - so glad that you have gotten to speak with your son. Glad he is sounding better

DisneyPrincess - sorry you had a rough night. Hope you are feeling better. Great job on the loss though!

lunagirl - sorry you aren't seeing results! Maybe give it some more time, people lose in all kinds of different ways, but certainly I understand your frustration

Nicole - here is looking forward to that wooosh!

errihu - yes, BIG woosh tomorrow *fingers crossed* I am sure it is water retention!

agentventi - way to stay strong at a bday celebration and in the face of CAKE!! woot woot!

Paula - it's possibly just a normal fluctuation - hope tomorrow it jumps back down

Well everyone - wishing continued losses, maintenances, productive workouts etc!! Have a great day!

[lunagirl704]

Thanks everyone I'll keep at it. It's just disappointing to see no losses and I am very impatient

Disney- I'm rogue in the sense that I eat a plain greek yogurt a few times per week, shirataki noodles once in a while, whey shakes (0 carb and allowed on the 800 cal protocol) and a tiny bit of evoo on salad (1 tsp). I think that's it. My meats have been chicken, baked cod, lean steak...so far. I haven't had any fruit (though I bought grapefruit) or melba. So very low carb and lowfat.

What's a strict protocol day for you?

Tay- I'm so glad you got to talk to your son again and that he was more comfortable/upbeat. The worst thing for a mother is to see her child upset or in pain.

agentventi- Congrats on your resolve! I've been refusing cake for so long I
don't even think about it lol. And I love cake too..icing especially

errihu- you should be able to skim the fat off after the soup has cooled.

Nicole- Ugh these last 10 lbs are the worst. It's war.

[Violet_Dream]

Good Morning! R3VLCD43 and I'm down 1.6 even though I had four cups of coffee yesterday and three of them had powdered creamer. That is the only rogue thing I do and I always lose the next day. I'm doing the exact same thing today because I want to see what the scale says tomorrow.

I thought I was in a stall and was contemplating an apple day. No need! I'm on PTO, don't return to work until next Thursday I WILL be in the 140's when I return.

Congratulations to everyone and make it a great day!

[DisneyPrincess]

Luna- right now I'm doing protocol but I mix my veggies. I only do one fruit a day and no Melba. When I'm really rouge I add fat in.

I just did a hard workout so I'm betting my scale is stalled tomorrow but that's ok. If m y body changes and my jeans fit I'll be happy.

I think I'll nap now since I'm exhausted from lack of sleep and still very emotional

[minimonkey]

Disney -- HUGS!!! Sorry you are having such a rough time of it! You must miss your DH terribly when he is gone

Luna -- well, grrrr, about the scale not moving! I rarely lose at the beginning of a round, but in the second week the losses kick in for me ... I hope that happens for you!

Are your pellets homeopathic, or are they the actual hormone? You can say that, and you can mention brand names, but not say where to get it, per the rules. Especially if it is prescription hcg, you can't talk about how you got it, unless it was prescribed to you.

Out of curiosity, can I ask what size you wear? I'm always curious to compare to others who are roughly the same height/weight as I am.

It is rough being short, and even rougher if your goal weight is on the low side for your height (as mine is). I'm doing a lot of questioning about why I want to lose this weight --

Like you, Disney, my man likes me with a little more on my frame. He already thinks I am on the too-thin side as it is, but he is also willing to respect what I want.

I was down another .8 this morning -- whoohoooo!! Hoping, hoping the scale stall is broken. Still not quite back down to my low this round, but am within a pound of it.... so I guess the low fat is actually working.

That's a blessing and a curse, lol, because now I need to keep doing it... but I am ok with that for now. I will need some more Fage 0 though -- that stuff saves me when on low fat.

I got miserably, painfully hungry last night, but then after my evening pellet dose, the hunger went away completely --- so that's encouraging.

We're going in for a Bar Method workout today -- not a particularly hard one, but good nonetheless...... and I am going to try on a few clothes today too.

[minimonkey]

Whoohoo Violet -- glad those losses kicked up again!

Adrienne -- nice losing so far!!!

Paula -- sorry that the weight jigged up a bit, but seriously, you are doing amazingly well with maintenance. I bet that "low" day gets the weight right off again!

Also, with regards to the loss of bra size -- I suspect at some point the losses will start being primarily from the lower body, and you will feel a lot more proportionate again. Loose wrinkly skin does tighten up (as you well know) but it takes some time... I have a bunch of it myself at the moment.

[dazygyrl]

hi, ladies...haven't had a good day...woke up at 6am nauseated with diarrhea. stayed in bed till 2pm and still feel blehh. nausea gone, but my back hurts and i have a horrible headache. i am sipping on broth and water.

i'm going to step back from hcg. i was starting to obsessed with food and i do NOT like that place in my mind. for some reason i cannot find the focus of my first round.

paula...noah is great! thank you for asking. friday night he only got sick a couple times after he got his chemo and only felt yucky for a couple hours. he slept all night and woke up ready for pancakes and bacon by 8 am! dr was in he was dismissed before 11! but we had to wait for dad to come get us so we left about 1:30. he's feeling great! better than me!

best of luck to all you ladies.

[minimonkey]

AgentVenti -- whoohoo on the loss, and on resisting the cupcakes. That's the way to go!

Luna -- like you, I have been turning down "real" cake and other treats forever, so it is just what I do at this point -- but I do remember loving cake during the rare non-dieting days!

There is a lovely low-carb version of chocolate cake that one can have in p3... but I won't talk about it now with us all being on p2 at the moment. I will say that it is heavenly, though.

I'm a natural pear shape too -- I don't look pear shaped at goal really, but I definitely still carry more fat in the lower body than in the upper -- and when I am heavier, I am distinctly a pear.

I am fighting hard for this last few pounds because they DO finally come off the lower body ... at a point there just isn't much in the upper body left to lose -- and I am there now.

[minimonkey]

Dazy-- good decision to step back from the hhcg, if obsession is kicking in. I hear you on that one -- it happened to me badly on my first round... and I have had moments of it here and there since then. I also get very wary when that happens... I know where that obsession can go if left unchecked!!!

For me, it is lack of dietary fat that kicks off that loop -- it's like clockwork! Once I've been fat deprived for any length of time, I start ruminating and obsessing, running numbers around in my head, thinking about what I can and can't eat, etc.

It's such a foreign thought pattern for me that it sets off big red flags immediately -- I am normally not like that at all, but I certainly was when I was eating disordered... and I know the warning signs. Great decision to stop now. I think a diet as restrictive as p2 has the potential to set that off in anyone.

You look fantastic now, Dazy, and I am not sure that you should even be trying to lose at this point. I know that is hypocritical coming from me (since everyone is telling me the same thing) but it's true.

Thank GOODNESS that Noah is doing so well!!!! That boy is really astoundingly strong, and it sounds like his body is accepting the chemo and working with it really well!!

I continue to pray for you and your family regularly!