Hcg Rogues and Alternatives 2/27/12

[minimonkey]

Julie -- I am really happy that this round has gone so SO well for you!

Cathy -- yes, it is frustrating -- but at least I don't react by wanting to binge, thankfully. Cheat (minorly) a little here and there, perhaps -- but bingeing just isn't in my nature.

I'm going to end up a little over protocol calories today, actually -- due to an extra serving of nonfat yogurt and some sugar free gum I probably shouldn't be having either of those things -- and I will actually eliminate them for a few days after today and see if that helps.

I think I am ending up somewhere in the 650 range for the day, which isn't bad all things considered I suppose.

I think I am most likely going to see if I can just bully through -- this happened my first round as I recall -- and I bounced up and down the same three pounds for two full weeks -- but then I went on to lose ten more pounds before ending the round -- so, I think I will just keep plowing forward and see if the same thing happens this time.

[minimonkey]

Sass -- that is one MEAN coworker -- I hope she (or he) gains ten pounds for being so mean! I'm grumpy today, and feeling protective of you guys.

What's done is done -- maybe it won't hurt you too much ---

[DisneyPrincess]

Uggg. I had a major breakdown today. I'm so exhausted in so many ways.

[julieboolie]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Uggg. I had a major breakdown today. I'm so exhausted in so many ways.

Aww Jackie!! I'm so sorry!! is there anyone you can talk to IRL? Maybe just some adult girlfriend time? You need a real hug :hug:!! Praying for you!! and dh, and ds!

Mini-we'll all be hoping for the best for you in the morning. The potency thing is a strong motivator to just plug on through. You're such a trooper!! You'll do this thing!! this is it!! you can do it!!

Sas-you're right. It's over, drink that tea and lots of water. You'll recover!!

I am toying with extending this round. I'm feeling really good still. tomorrow is day 21. My only complaint w. extending is the social aspect to it. Dh is trying to be patient until I can eat out and therefore he can too, guilt-free We've got a big social at church and chili cookoff on Sunday, and I'd really like to eat the burger/hotdog and I'm making chili. I need to taste test it. Sigh. I really dont' have a LOT of pellets left anyway, but I can finally see the temptation to keep going. I certainly have plenty of fat left to lose.

We'll see. I'll chat w/ dh about it tonight and hopefully he'll be supportive.

Stay strong ladies!!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Welcome back Cheryl. Me and you starting fresh today

I'm in a HUGE funk today. Cried for 45 minutes while the kids slept. I'm feeling awful in so many ways. I need to hunker down with this cleanse so I can get all the benefits from it.

I'm so sorry you are feeling so low today. Whatever you can do to break through this and feel better, if it isn't harmful to you, do it soon. Is there anything that just lifts you up when you're really down? I know that going for a drive somewhere scenic helps me. Out away from all the traffic and madness. It is like a shot in the arm (or the @$$, whichever you prefer.)

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cheryl -- Netrition is still selling hhcg for now, though it could go away any time from what I understand.

Most countries can no longer ship rx hcg to the US -- and it is getting more difficult to get a prescription too due to tighter controls and so forth.

I slid in right at the last of the available supply from the place I got mine -- and now they have a new supplier at (gasp!) 4 times the price!

So, on the one hand, I am glad I got it when I did -- and on the other hand, it ropes me into doing a round quite soon after I get it. I could probably get away with a week delay though -- the manufacturer did sell two bottle sets for longer rounds --

I will think this through and not do anything too hasty.

I just don't get that. (That they are still selling hhcg.) It's either illegal or it isn't. What are these people doing to us? Sometimes I think it's all a huge marketing ploy to sell more product! Whatever is going on, I'm not falling for it again. I know that I will lose this weight with or without hcg. I really don't think it has nearly the value that people credit it with.

4 x the price? I rest my case. As far as the urgency of using the premixed "real thing", I thought it would keep if you wrapped the bottle in foil, put it in the refrigerator, kept it away from electronics (which is puzzling since the refrigerator is full of electronics), and could even be "reactivated" with a little alcohol.

Originally Posted by minimonkey

My poor belly really, really hates protocol -- every time I've tried it I get a very unhappy gut I do have to dose today, because it is day 21... so I don't need to make any decisions until I see the scale in the morning, at which point maybe I will know more.

Belly, hang in there! Better fattier days are ahead.

Originally Posted by Sasseaux

OMG I just ate 5 bites of cake. Jealous office co-worker brought it to my office and put it right in front of me. I was not prepared!!! Am furiously drinking OOlong tea. Oh gads. the chocolate and sugar is making me feel icky. But it was delicious! Oh well, what's done is done. Get back on the horse.

Thanks for the input. I think I will do a little tanning bed before I go.

That's just evil. Why do women do that to other women? A man would never do that. At least no man I've ever encountered. I hope you get her back good. Something that will really "get her goat."

Well, here's how my day went. I let the dog out to roam the neighborhood freely (do that a few times a week, unless situations are off) and she came back from a fresh poop-roll. She got a full bath. Head to toe, stem to stern. She has long, fluffy hair so it takes mega towels to dry her after she is bathed. Well, she's so touchable now that I'm almost glad she did the deed. She was due for a bath.

Then I went to my sisters with her so she could see how her tail was healing. She thinks it's going to be fine from now on. Cisco wagged her little heart out and was with two dogs over there and if her tail withstood that, it should be good-to-go. One of the dogs is aggressive so we ended up leaving rather abruptly. We got about a 30 minute visit in before we had to go. (It was a juggling match the entire time I was there, keeping the dogs safe.) I hate that dog (Not hers. She's babysitting all week for a guy who's in FL.) He acts threatening to my dog. Cisco has seniority and she always gets the shaft cause of him.

As for me, I drank coffees with cream and didn't eat until around 5 pm when I was back home. Cisco is done with her oral antibiotics as of today. I also drank water and took all those Vitamin C's. How many am I supposed to take to ward-off UTI? Do I need to do it for a few days?

I hear we are getting a nasty storm Wednesday into Thursday. Good thing it isn't an equine care day for me. I go into the office to help the woman there on Thursdays but if the roads are bad she'll just cancel, I'm sure.

I hope everyone has a pleasant evening. Jackie, hugs and comfort to you. Hugs to everyone who needs one tonight!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Uggg. I had a major breakdown today. I'm so exhausted in so many ways.

Julie's right. Send out an SOS to someone who is within reach and ask them for help. Maybe someone just coming over for a cup of coffee (or inviting you over for one) would help lift your spirits. Surely being on-base, there are other wives and moms who are also in your shoes.

Originally Posted by julieboolie

Aww Jackie!! I'm so sorry!! is there anyone you can talk to IRL? Maybe just some adult girlfriend time? You need a real hug :hug:!! Praying for you!! and dh, and ds!

Mini-we'll all be hoping for the best for you in the morning. The potency thing is a strong motivator to just plug on through. You're such a trooper!! You'll do this thing!! this is it!! you can do it!!

Sas-you're right. It's over, drink that tea and lots of water. You'll recover!!

I am toying with extending this round. I'm feeling really good still. tomorrow is day 21. My only complaint w. extending is the social aspect to it. Dh is trying to be patient until I can eat out and therefore he can too, guilt-free We've got a big social at church and chili cookoff on Sunday, and I'd really like to eat the burger/hotdog and I'm making chili. I need to taste test it. Sigh. I really dont' have a LOT of pellets left anyway, but I can finally see the temptation to keep going. I certainly have plenty of fat left to lose.

We'll see. I'll chat w/ dh about it tonight and hopefully he'll be supportive.

Stay strong ladies!!

I have an event next Sunday, too. A sister is turning 53. It's looking like another pizza party. Our family has no imagination, and we are all on tight budgets.

Well, whatever you decide to do regarding extending your round or not, I'm sure it will be fine.

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- the reactivating/ potency thing you are quoting is only for the homeopathics -- the real deal does need to be refrigerated, but it loses potency rather steadily once mixed. I guess foil can help a bit with light, but mine comes in a dark bottle anyhow.

Hhcg is in a legal flux -- the FDA is trying to ban it, but they haven't yet -- they have made companies change their wording and such, and it may be banned completely at some point -- it isn't an either/or proposition with legality.

The problem with the real deal right now has to do with overseas imports -- the price increase from the place I got it was due to switching to a US supplier that actually keeps "doctors" on staff to prescribe for you -- it's a legal loophole for the most part, I think... anyhow, they can't get the overseas supply anymore, which is the reason for the change of vendors.

I tried reactivating my old hhcg drops at one point, but I don't think it worked. I ended up opening a new bottle anyhow.

[minimonkey]

Disney -- major hugs to you!!! I'd be having a breakdown too if I were in your shoes. I hope things ease up a bit for you -- I can't imagine having all that to handle alone

[minimonkey]

Julie -- thanks for the motivating words! Since this is likely to be the last real-hcg round I ever do, I think I will just plug on forward -- though I may try a fat fast day if the stall doesn't break rather soon.

For now, it's very near protocol for me -- I figure it has to give at some point, if from the low calories alone.

I'll give it another week of clean eating before breaking out any rogue guns.

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- I'd go at least 5000 mgs a day with the vitamin c, and more if your gut can handle it. The worst thing that will happen with a super high (like 20,000 mgs) dose is that it will flush a lot of water through your gut, which is supposed to be good for the lymph system anyhow -- a lot of people do that regularly.

I've done it myself -- and it will definitely make you need to run potty a lot, but it goes away fast.

I'd keep up the 5000 or whatever you can tolerate daily for a good week, at least -- adding some apple cider vinegar to water and drinking that can help, too -- but drink LOTS and LOTS of fluids -- and NO SUGAR or carbs if you can manage it -- they feed the bacteria.

[DisneyPrincess]

Thanks you guys.
I got to skype with my sister, and then my brother and niece. That helped. I am putting Kyle in daycare Saturday evening for a few hours so I can just do nothing. I'm going to run alone, take a bath and just relax. Im looking forward to it. Unfortunitly my best friend lives over 4 hours away so it's not easy ti see her, especially with a 2 year old

Anyways... Tomorrow will be better. Sometimes I just need to breakdown to put myself back togethwr

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cheryl -- the reactivating/ potency thing you are quoting is only for the homeopathics -- the real deal does need to be refrigerated, but it loses potency rather steadily once mixed. I guess foil can help a bit with light, but mine comes in a dark bottle anyhow.

Hhcg is in a legal flux -- the FDA is trying to ban it, but they haven't yet -- they have made companies change their wording and such, and it may be banned completely at some point -- it isn't an either/or proposition with legality.

The problem with the real deal right now has to do with overseas imports -- the price increase from the place I got it was due to switching to a US supplier that actually keeps "doctors" on staff to prescribe for you -- it's a legal loophole for the most part, I think... anyhow, they can't get the overseas supply anymore, which is the reason for the change of vendors.

I tried reactivating my old hhcg drops at one point, but I don't think it worked. I ended up opening a new bottle anyhow.

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cheryl -- I'd go at least 5000 mgs a day with the vitamin c, and more if your gut can handle it. The worst thing that will happen with a super high (like 20,000 mgs) dose is that it will flush a lot of water through your gut, which is supposed to be good for the lymph system anyhow -- a lot of people do that regularly.

I've done it myself -- and it will definitely make you need to run potty a lot, but it goes away fast.

I'd keep up the 5000 or whatever you can tolerate daily for a good week, at least -- adding some apple cider vinegar to water and drinking that can help, too -- but drink LOTS and LOTS of fluids -- and NO SUGAR or carbs if you can manage it -- they feed the bacteria.

Wow, Mini! I'm really being "schooled" tonight! No wonder I've been peeing so much today. I was wondering what was up with that. I took 4,000 mg and have had to majorly pee twice so far. But there was urgency, like my bladder was suddenly full. I don't have any burning on urination but discomfort "down there." It does feel better so far. I'll take more Vitamin C tomorrow and keep drinking lots of water. Thanks, cutie!

That's pretty amazing, all that info about the hcg. They have to keep doctors on staff? Good grief. All I've ever had for hhcg is the pellets so I guess I remembered all those "special maneuvers" to be for the real thing. I guess it's just for the hhcg drops. Since they are so time-sensitive, you might as well just keep motoring along.

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Thanks you guys.
I got to skype with my sister, and then my brother and niece. That helped. I am putting Kyle in daycare Saturday evening for a few hours so I can just do nothing. I'm going to run alone, take a bath and just relax. Im looking forward to it. Unfortunitly my best friend lives over 4 hours away so it's not easy ti see her, especially with a 2 year old

Anyways... Tomorrow will be better. Sometimes I just need to breakdown to put myself back togethwr

Thank God for skype! That run all by yourself and that hot, relaxing bath sounds perfect. I hope and pray that you and your son rest peacefully tonight. I'm sure he needs the rest as much as you do.

[minimonkey]

I took a nap, and woke up hungry -- so I had a little more food -- that puts me at about 800 calories for the day -- I started to feel really bad, and guilty, and then...

I had something of an epiphany, I think -- (and I can say this here because we are all rogue anyways, lol...)

People are weirdly superstitious about this protocol. Yes, I know that Simeons did research, and he found what he thought was the best plan, and all that -- but the protocol and hcg aren't magic, and some people tend to treat them as if they are. We don't, or we wouldn't be here on this thread. Sometimes we pay the price for our adventures in dieting, but sometimes what we do works, too.

I've fallen into that "magic" mentality myself this round -- to the extent that I've been willing to live with a lot of GI discomfort in order to stay on the protocol and to avoid fat ---

Well, I am shifting that thinking right now. Many people lose just fine on an 800 calorie alternative protocol and hcg-- many of us here have done it -- and I am going to give that a fair chance to work for me. One bad scale day does not a conclusion make, particularly given how messed up my stomach has been this week.

So, that said, I am not going to freak out about today's weight jump, nor am I going to freak that I ate 800 or so clean calories today -- I read a bunch of threads earlier (on a different forum) from people who had the very same thing happen while sticking to protocol 100 percent.

So -- I am changing my thinking a little, here. Barring further gains, I'm going to stick with the next few days rogue, on an 800-ish calorie plan, and add a little bit of fat. I've got enough drops in my current bottle to get me through tomorrow, at least, and maybe through Wednesday -- so I will use those up and see how it goes.

I'm looking at at least another 3 weeks of dosing -- so I may well take a few days off before starting the second leg of this. If I do, I'll still keep it low calorie -- but I may do a fat fast day or two and see if I can get the scale to drop that way.

If my bottle is unopened and still in its little foil package, a few days shouldn't make a huge difference in potency --- the distributor sold two bottle packs for long rounds -- so I should be able to take up to a week off without losing much ground.

I'm tired of feeling dragged out and of having my stomach in knots -- I want to find a compromise that allows me to feel functional while I lose the remaining weight, even if it takes a bit longer to get there.

I don't want to lose ground from where I am right now, though -- so if I continue to gain, that's another story altogether.

[txladymedic]

I'm stressing out about school! I have hit a small stall (I lost no weight this morning) but I know it was because of the salt and the HCG breadstick I put in my tomato soup. I know that both the breadsticks and the salt will cause me to stall but I really wanted that soup. Oh well, my last shot day is the 2nd of March.
Tomorrow will be a better day!

[tay65]

DP, I feel so bad for you. My heart goes out to you. I hope my son doesn't have to get deployed right away or I'll be breaking down too.
Mini, I love reading your posts!
Cheryl, glad your doggie is getting better.
I really can't wait to lose weight again. I just don't know if my mind is in the right place for hHCG yet. The last thing I want to do is waste another bottle of drops! And my last bottle! I'm between a rock and a hard place.
Good night everyone! Big whooshes for all of you!

[minimonkey]

TxLady -- Hugs!

I am seriously stressed about school as well -- I am finishing a dual graduate degree in art, and it is absolutely brutal right now trying to complete two thesis projects and a major end-of-year art show. I am a big pile of stress, with too much to do, and no time to do it all -- not to mention I am teaching the equivalent of three college courses myself, and have lots of personal responsibilities on top of all that.

The stress certainly doesn't make losing weight on this protocol any easier, does it?

Hang tough -- a stall is temporary, especially when it is caused by sodium. I hope the rest of your round goes well!

[minimonkey]

I've decided NOT to let this diet stress me any further -- I am stressed enough as it is. I'll finish the rx hcg on a protocol that allows me to function, and lose as much as I can, and call it good.

I can always do hhcg later on, from my stockpile, if I am really still feeling the need to lose more -- but right now, I need to focus on my real life, and I can't do that with my stomach in knots and feeling weak as a kitten.

If I can end this round at less than 105 and stable, I'll be fairly satisfied -- and if I can end it at a little under 100 and stable, I am willing to call it goal and move on with my life.

[Sasseaux]

Doesn't OWL allow like 800 calories per day?

[Sasseaux]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Sass -- that is one MEAN coworker -- I hope she (or he) gains ten pounds for being so mean! I'm grumpy today, and feeling protective of you guys.

What's done is done -- maybe it won't hurt you too much ---

She is exceedingly toxic while being nicey nice to your face. The best thing to do is avoid her, but its almost impossible.

See usually if I'm going to the office birthday party I know there will be cake and I get mentally prepared, but I wasn't prepared for it to be there in my face on my desk looking pretty dang good. The dang sugar has made me crave, too. Tried to eat plain chicken for supper. Just did not do it for me. Had to down a good bit of Walden's farm jelly and peanut spread and some fat free cream cheese on Melba this evening, but I finally feel stuffed. Also went to my boyfriend's for a little "booty call." Hee hee. Counted up my calories: 873. So not good. Oh well, yesterday was good only had 239 cals all day yesterday. In the morning I'm having an egg white scramble to start the day right and then try not to eat late in the day. I should go to bed early and then I couldn't eat late at night. We need a term for getting washed out in P2, like "P2 fatigue" or "f-it my body is craving some FAAAT." I wish I could go back one day to that day I was not very hungry. Maybe I will get another day like that tomorrow.

Disney, glad you're better. Praying for you, Hon. I am a single mom, but only ever had the one kid and that was hard. I don't know how you guys deal with several kids!!!! Blows my mind.

OHH P.S I saw a thigh muscle in my thigh today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay I'm ging to cal today kind of a reload and back to strict protocol tomorrow and for the rest of this round
!!!! Only 2 more weeeeeks. I can do it. And I can have a reasonable amount of cream cheese and other fatty stuff after that!!!!!!! Bread, meh who cares. I want BACONNNNNNNN

[minimonkey]

It does, Sass -- and so do several other non-Simeons plans. I've done well on 750-800 calories myself, in the past, on no particular protocol at all except calorie control --

I've had it with protocol -- my poor GI tract can't take it -- if I have to lose more slowly, so be it -- I still think I can lose on 800 or so calories. If not, I can drop back to lower calories, but higher fat -- it's the lack of fat that kicks my body into fits.

If this really backfires, I'll rethink it, but for now, I am giving it a try.

[minimonkey]

P2 fatigue is pretty accurate I think -- and it is physical fatigue, at least for me, not just mental.

You know, Sass -- I really like most of the Walden Farms products, but that peanut spread is just nasty in my opinion!

[Sasseaux]

Mini, I got so constipated earlier in this round. My boyfriend did a healing on me and I had 3 BM's in one night. Good thing I went home right after the healing!!! I haven't been constipated since then!! LOL.

[minimonkey]

Whooohooo on the thigh muscle, Sass!

And yes, that's what I have been dealing with as well, as far as the gut goes -- and bloating and gas -- I don't like having to take cleanse products just to go normally Wish I had someone to do a healing on me....

[txladymedic]

UGH! I do not like it when people do the "OH come on, one little piece won't hurt you!" I want to scream "YES, YES IT WILL!" My mom is doing a round with me too and if we go out say to a Mexican restaurant or a steak house and the bring out chips or bread she's like please take that away! She says even having it on the table makes her want to eat it! Me I don't care...I know I can't have it so I don't.
I know TMI but I too have been having issues with constipation this round. However, noticed every time I've gone off protocol and had say a vinaigrette dressing on my salad or some cheese on my chicken or beef that it has both made my stomach feel better and relieved the constipation and with no impact on my weight loss. However, breadsticks and salt will stall me EVERY time and make me feel like crap!

[txladymedic]

Got a question about the dreamfields pasta, I have a recipe for a pizza casserole instead of bread or flour it uses pasta, They have you cook the pasta up, and layer it with tomato sauce, cheese, already browned ground beef, and put pepperoni's on it. But you bake it till all the cheese is melted. Now the question is, could you partially cook the dreamfields pasta, put your cheese, ground beef, tomato sauce (and in my case onions, peppers, etc) and pepperoni's and when you bake it it would cook the rest of the way and not lose it's low carb-ness?

[Sasseaux]

Mini, well, I hate P2 protocol as much as the next gal, but I'm up 2 pounds (was down to 156.4 now up to 158 and it threatens to set in if I don't shake it. Therefore, I am not going to f'ing break protocol again. I really hope to eat nothing today. I want my losses!!! I'm afraid to measure to see if that's any better because if its not then I'm going to be totally freaked out today.

OK gratitude list, I am healthy, my child is healthy and safe, I have true friends who love me for who I am, my Higher Power loves me and watches over me, I have a nice warm house, my problems with food are from the overabundance available to me whereas there are people in this world who have nothing to eat.

OK, that's a lot better. Carry on people!!!!!!

[DisneyPrincess]

Good morning.

Mini- I think you made a wise decision. If you can't lose on 800 calories something is wrong!! Best of luck

As for me, I'm down a little today but not holding my breath until I have a few solid days behind me. I feel awful this morning from pure mental exhaustion. I could sleep for days. And it's only Tuesday! Thank goodness the sun is shining so I'll be taking the kids outside and going to run this evening.

Hope everyone has a good morning.

[Gremom]

Sorry that you are so exhausted Jackie! I know what it's like to have kids and be exhausted and have to rest in sight. I hope you have a great day!

Mini, I really hope you can switch it up and make it work for you like it did in the past. Glad to hear that you are not gonna let it stress you out. Stress is just do bad for us. Hope you see a good number on the scale today.

Sass, seriously, I love that I can come on here and you crack me up!! Thank you for that!! Sorry that you are up today. At least when we screw up, we can see the consequences and move on. Here's to a better day for you!

Good morning to everyone else!

I am down another .5 today bringing me to 137.5! My goal for Feb was to get to 137, so maybe tomorrow! Would be nice.

DH and I are going away for our 10 year anniversary this weekend. Headed to the beach for 4 nights. Got a great groupon and are staying at a nice place that has a full kitchen! Love it when it all works out!

Happy Tuesday!

[paulabob]

Morning, good day yesterday (870 calories, good for my easy going 'plan'). Back to Saturday's 124.4, am sure I"ll see 123 soon. Although ovulation is probably in the works soon, tends to put on some water weight in unpredictable fashion. Still hope to see progress this week.

Got to listen to son's concert last night,he had a quick solo. Makes me so proud!

[Sasseaux]

Gremom, thanks dear. Hope you have a very fun time with your hubby. Gratz on 10 years.