Why no weight loss?

[nectar]

I have 12 pounds to lose and I lost 20 early last year (gained 5 back) so I'm back on protocol. Has anyone else gained weight after day one of VLCD? I really needed that pound drop boost to get back into it. Love to hear what you all think...I understand that as I get into it pounds go slow, but the first day nothing at all?

[Sassine]

Have patience. It will happen. I gained on my 1st vlcd day (Round 1) and then balanced on Round 2. I think we can't forget that we just loaded the day before

Hang in there.

[Arctic_Mama]

Also, are you just trying to reshape the remaining bit of your body? If you don't have any abnormal fat left after the last round (remember women's bodies often like to carry more fat, naturally, than the BMI recommends) then the protocol won't do anything but make you hungry and possibly be causing hunger edema, if your caloric needs aren't being met with fat from your stores.

Give it a few days, but if you still see gains or absolutely no loss and have hunger issues, I'd say you're about at your happy weight for your body's health and building muscle mass might be a better way to get the 'look' you might be seeking.

I don't know your age or height, so this could be off base. A 25 year old 5 footer with a tiny frame might need to lose more fat at 120, but a 5'4" 55 year old with an average frame might be underweight at the same point, and would benefit from strength training and building muscle, to counteract the natural fat storing that happens as she ages.

It all depends.

[SunnyFL]

Remember the closer you are to a normal healthy weight it will be a slow loss. The more people have to lose, the faster the weight comes off. It sucks, but it's just our body...I know some people have been doing round after round trying to get to this "miracle" number and have a hard time reaching it due to the fact that your body might not want to be at that weight, aka it's too low...so with that being said, hang on....you might not see a pound a day losses but that's ok, it just means you are getting close to what your body considers "enough"...try to not focus on a number. Also last round for me I didn't see many pounds right away but I saw inches coming off in insane amounts so it might be a good idea to measure yourself once a week.
Keep chugging along! I'd love to be at 120 lol

[Arctic_Mama]

120 is like a mythical dreamland to me, I agree! I think my rock bottom weight is probably ten pounds above that, though. I'm built like a mesomorphic linebacker - naturally broad and muscled. But not everyone is like me

[minimonkey]

LOL, Taryl -- I, on the other hand, am built like a hummingbird -- tiny, with bones that need a microscope for proper viewing! I look best at 100 lbs, or less.... (I'm that 5 footer you mentioned, though I passed 25 years old a while back....)

[Arctic_Mama]

Haha, I was thinking of you and a friend of mine with a build like yours - on paper, the differences in height and weight are small. But taking into account the builds and nutritional needs of real women at various ages? All the sudden the span of what looks normal and healthy and 'not overweight' changes dramatically!

And I know way too many women chasing a size or number on the scale when their bodies genuinely want to be higher, or at least maintain the same body fat. That's where gaining lean mass can make such a visual difference. Some women are just naturally bigger and some are naturally smaller. It's so tough to give advice on why certain weights are or aren't working for someone without seeing and knowing more.

[Lildrew]

I got down to 151 and my ultimate goal is 135. As of this morning I was at 158.4 (R2P3).

[errihu]

I'm 5'6" and built like a brick shithouse. The chart says my 'ideal' weight range is 115-150 lbs - if I ever got down to 115 they'd be trying to hospitalize me for being nothing but skin and bones. I have large, heavy, dense bones, and I'd like to keep them that way. I figure I'll probably be at my healthiest somewhere between 145 and 165. If it's over the BMI chart - well, the BMI chart is a load of crap anyway.

Don't fixate on a number. It's only a number. It is not a reflection of what is the most healthy for you, as an individual. It is not a measurement of your worth or willpower, beauty, or success. It is only a number.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by nectar

I have 12 pounds to lose and I lost 20 early last year (gained 5 back) so I'm back on protocol. Has anyone else gained weight after day one of VLCD? I really needed that pound drop boost to get back into it. Love to hear what you all think...I understand that as I get into it pounds go slow, but the first day nothing at all?

Depends on what you ate??? More info is needed before we can give any advice on what to do! Did you get in lots of water, did you load well, did you eat only protocol foods or did you have "other" items? What specifically have you eaten?

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by SunnyFL

Remember the closer you are to a normal healthy weight it will be a slow loss. The more people have to lose, the faster the weight comes off. It sucks, but it's just our body...I know some people have been doing round after round trying to get to this "miracle" number and have a hard time reaching it due to the fact that your body might not want to be at that weight, aka it's too low...so with that being said, hang on....you might not see a pound a day losses but that's ok, it just means you are getting close to what your body considers "enough"...try to not focus on a number. Also last round for me I didn't see many pounds right away but I saw inches coming off in insane amounts so it might be a good idea to measure yourself once a week.
Keep chugging along! I'd love to be at 120 lol

None of my rounds h ave been like that. I lose 15 pounds on every round I do. I can get to my goal weight just as fast as it came off when I was at a higher weight. So don't sell yourself short or even think it won't come off!! Because with hcg it will I love hcg and come back to it because it works.

[Arctic_Mama]

Originally Posted by errihu

I'm 5'6" and built like a brick shithouse. The chart says my 'ideal' weight range is 115-150 lbs - if I ever got down to 115 they'd be trying to hospitalize me for being nothing but skin and bones. I have large, heavy, dense bones, and I'd like to keep them that way. I figure I'll probably be at my healthiest somewhere between 145 and 165. If it's over the BMI chart - well, the BMI chart is a load of crap anyway.

Don't fixate on a number. It's only a number. It is not a reflection of what is the most healthy for you, as an individual. It is not a measurement of your worth or willpower, beauty, or success. It is only a number.

I'm sorry, but this had be almost choking on my tea. I'd never describe myself that way, but it's hilariously accurate and the mental image....

[Arctic_Mama]

Originally Posted by dawnyama

None of my rounds h ave been like that. I lose 15 pounds on every round I do. I can get to my goal weight just as fast as it came off when I was at a higher weight. So don't sell yourself short or even think it won't come off!! Because with hcg it will I love hcg and come back to it because it works.

How long are your rounds? That is fabulous that you can take it off at the same rate, regardless. I like that is my hCG dream, right up there with fixing my set point at goal so I can maintain without excessive effort and few correction days (for things like holiday overeating or the occasional icecream).

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Arctic_Mama

How long are your rounds? That is fabulous that you can take it off at the same rate, regardless. I like that is my hCG dream, right up there with fixing my set point at goal so I can maintain without excessive effort and few correction days (for things like holiday overeating or the occasional icecream).

I do the short ones. I cannot last longer than the 21 days minimum. I lose most of my weight in the first week, don't get me wrong on that, but I have not slowed down in any round I do. I still lose at the same pace now as I have in the beginning of my journey (my original start weight was 155).

[Arctic_Mama]

I'm afraid to do a 21 day round, honestly. I'm looking to do P2 as infrequently as possible, since gearing myself up for that mindset is harder for me than staying in it

I see what you're saying about losing most in the first week - it's funny how our bodies respond to the calorie/nutrient stimulus, isn't it? I am the exact opposite - I am losing the same almost every day, no spikes or major plateaus, and thus a longer round seems to bode well for me. Despite crazy loading I never had a day where more than about two pounds came off.

Hmm. Part of me wants to do a poll as to how different people lose on hCG, and see what is prevalent. I might go do that!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Arctic_Mama

I'm afraid to do a 21 day round, honestly. I'm looking to do P2 as infrequently as possible, since gearing myself up for that mindset is harder for me than staying in it

I see what you're saying about losing most in the first week - it's funny how our bodies respond to the calorie/nutrient stimulus, isn't it? I am the exact opposite - I am losing the same almost every day, no spikes or major plateaus, and thus a longer round seems to bode well for me. Despite crazy loading I never had a day where more than about two pounds came off.

Hmm. Part of me wants to do a poll as to how different people lose on hCG, and see what is prevalent. I might go do that!

It took me 3 rounds to lose all I wanted and that was just fine with me. I needed to lose 40 or so pounds when I started. If I had more to lose I would probably think the same way as you. But then again, I hate P2 I so miss my fats and lotions and regular shampoo. I might just only last on P2 the min. number of days regardless. I seem to think that the hcg we get has more to do with it too. I use the homeopathic and would love to compare how I would do with the Rx. Just never get around to ordering that one. I know of one who has done both the homeopathic and the Rx and has had no difference in her rounds with either. Just makes you realize we are all different.

[Arctic_Mama]

I miss fat, too! I am fantasizing about ribeye and buttery green beans

That's why I'm so afraid to get out of P2, I might not want to go back

We are definitely so different in chemistry, and from what I can tell even among the same user there are good and bad rounds for some people (like my mother - one good round, one rough round, no discernible difference besides the load). It just makes troubleshooting when something goes wonky (like gains a few days in a row on a 500 calorie diet!) all the more challenging.

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Arctic_Mama

I miss fat, too! I am fantasizing about ribeye and buttery green beans

That's why I'm so afraid to get out of P2, I might not want to go back

We are definitely so different in chemistry, and from what I can tell even among the same user there are good and bad rounds for some people (like my mother - one good round, one rough round, no discernible difference besides the load). It just makes troubleshooting when something goes wonky (like gains a few days in a row on a 500 calorie diet!) all the more challenging.

oh yeah. You are sooo right Very hard to troubleshoot.

[SunnyFL]

Sunny wants to do as little rounds as possible
Sunny hates P2

Yes I wrote in third person LOL

[nectar]

You guys are so great! Thank you for all of your responses. Update: down 5 lbs this morning..I must have been retaining a ton of water although I drink the required amount and then some everyday..I have a slight cold, do you think that could be it? I do agree with the working out..never got back into it when I went into P3/P4, but plan to this year, so hoping that I won't have to do P2 next year at this time. AND, I too miss fats and red wine and all of that variety, but I know this works. I am small boned and 49 so I'm hoping that a short VLCD will get me to my goal...only 7 to go...boy I know it won't be fast! LOVE, LOVE, HCG..wish I had found it sooner!

[dawnyama]

I know when I do protocol when sick with a cold I don't lose well. Glad to see you had a whoosh today!! Fantastic news!!

[Arctic_Mama]

Originally Posted by SunnyFL

Sunny wants to do as little rounds as possible
Sunny hates P2

Yes I wrote in third person LOL

Taryl agrees with Sunny! If I can get this down in three long rounds, I'd be thrilled!

[Arctic_Mama]

Originally Posted by nectar

You guys are so great! Thank you for all of your responses. Update: down 5 lbs this morning..I must have been retaining a ton of water although I drink the required amount and then some everyday..I have a slight cold, do you think that could be it? I do agree with the working out..never got back into it when I went into P3/P4, but plan to this year, so hoping that I won't have to do P2 next year at this time. AND, I too miss fats and red wine and all of that variety, but I know this works. I am small boned and 49 so I'm hoping that a short VLCD will get me to my goal...only 7 to go...boy I know it won't be fast! LOVE, LOVE, HCG..wish I had found it sooner!

It definitely doesn't sound like your weight is too low, then. Excellent progress and I'm glad you're not retaining water anymore. I am wishing you the very bets to meet your goals this round and maintain ad infinitum!

[minimonkey]

OMG, Errihu, I just about rolled on the floor at your self description... I am so surprised that it got through the auto-censor function, but so glad it did!!!! (She's a brick....house! She's mighty mighty... lettin' it all hang out...)


Nectar -- excellent loss! I typically don't lose a lot the first few days, but at the end of the first week I start seeing weight drop off. This is so different for everyone, but I am so glad you are having such success.

[errihu]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

OMG, Errihu, I just about rolled on the floor at your self description... I am so surprised that it got through the auto-censor function, but so glad it did!!!! (She's a brick....house! She's mighty mighty... lettin' it all hang out...)


Nectar -- excellent loss! I typically don't lose a lot the first few days, but at the end of the first week I start seeing weight drop off. This is so different for everyone, but I am so glad you are having such success.

I totally thought it would get censored out, which is why I didn't censor it myself. But yeah, I'm built heavy and strong and if I'd work out (I hate exercise with a passion) I'd get pretty muscular for a girl.

[catkin]

Great thread!
I have less than 10 to go and am just waiting it out no matter what the scale says. I'm counting on having to go at least 30 days (prepared for this mentally before beginning) but we shall see!

[Nicole T]

Originally Posted by errihu

I totally thought it would get censored out, which is why I didn't censor it myself. But yeah, I'm built heavy and strong and if I'd work out (I hate exercise with a passion) I'd get pretty muscular for a girl.

I'm built the same way except I'm 5'8. The BMI chart says I should be 145 which would make me look sick and emaciated! Even in high school when I was thin and playing field hockey and lacrosse, I was still a size 12. I hate that these charts never take bone structure into account! I have a friend who is also 5'8 but she is small-boned and looks great at 135 lbs. Bone and muscle structure make a HUGE difference!

[emel]

To answer the original question, I think how you loaded has a lot to do with early losses.

If you had a lot of carbs, or if you had a stingy load, I would expect small losses until you got rolling with P2.

If you did a good load with lots of proteins and good fats, I'd reexamine my expectations of the plan, if I were you.

I'm not far from ideal weight. My losses are slow. However, I can lose 10 lbs on a 23-day round, so that's what I'm doing.

[Zbunny]

Originally Posted by Nicole T

I'm built the same way except I'm 5'8. The BMI chart says I should be 145 which would make me look sick and emaciated! Even in high school when I was thin and playing field hockey and lacrosse, I was still a size 12. I hate that these charts never take bone structure into account! I have a friend who is also 5'8 but she is small-boned and looks great at 135 lbs. Bone and muscle structure make a HUGE difference!

Nicole I'm exactly the same as you: 5'8" and muscular/large boned. There is no way I could be 135 or even 145. I'm trying to figure out if I should be 155 or 160 or 150 or what looks best and is maintainable. It's not easy to know what is our best weight when the charts tell us we need to lose more, and our eyes are not always dependable because we are biased/don't always see what's in front of us.

[ldrof]

Originally Posted by Lildrew

I got down to 151 and my ultimate goal is 135. As of this morning I was at 158.4 (R2P3).

We have the same goals and are on the same round. Would LOVE to get to 135, but will be happy w/ 140. How tall are you?
Keep up the good work! Lyn