stalled 5 days, strict protocol

[smfarmgal]

Hi everyone! I need help.

I started homeopathic HCG drops two week ago tomorrow and lost 11 pounds, with one week to go. It's now Day 14 on 500 cals and I've been stalled at exactly the same weight for five complete days on strict Simeon's protocol, which I have printed out and read several times, so I know and understand it well.

I weigh everything I eat and record it all along with my weight every day on ****** so I know as well as anyone can know how many calories I'm getting. I weigh myself the same time of morning, am vigilant about staying on protocol, haven't strayed once or eaten more than I should or foods I shouldn't; I avoid fats & oils, internally as well as externally; I'm not doing more or less exercise, etc etc etc. ad infinitum... I'm a model example of how HCG should be done. Inches have dropped, but not since stalling. I know what Simeon says about empty fat cells filling with water, etc, but even so, at 500 calories x 5 days more should be happening than absolutely nothing... inches lost, something??

What to do? I'd really, REALLY like to get this going again before the next week ends.

[belfrybat]

Oh, how I feel for you. The same thing happened twice to me. My body just doesn't like to lose weight. Just don't do what I did and quit mid-stream. I'm a model child on how that doesn't work since I gained back all the loss plus some. At this point, Dr. S would recommend an apple day. I honestly don't know how that works, but apparently it does.

Other than just hanging in there through the stall, I don't have any words of wisdom. What I do know is if we stay at 500-600 calories for any length of time weight loss is inevitible -- HCG or not, it just has to happen. Sending good thoughts your way.

[LaraSuzz]

Sometimes you come across a set point where you may have held a weight for an extended period of time. Dr S talks about some stalls that last 10 days but it will pass. I suggest an apple day to break the stall. Keep going, dont quit you can do this. Apple day it and see what happens tomorrow.

[Gracie514]

Sorry you are struggling with a stall - they can make you crazy! Would you mind posting your menu for the last few days? Maybe we could find something that is stalling you. I know cabbage stalls some people. Also, have you checked your spices? Back in my 2nd round I was using a garlic salt that had high fructose corn syrup in it and I didn't know. It was causing me to stall. I think an apple day would break the stall for sure. I've done a couple of them in the past but they upset my stomach. I've also done modified steak days to break a stall and they work too. I would normally not eat until maybe 4-4:30 and then have my double portion of protein in a ribeye or any type of steak (honestly I would have at least 8 ounces) plus a tomato. Also, some people are doing Fat Fasts to break stalls - it goes totally against the Simeons low-fat but it's working! Youtube has some videos on it - a macadamia nut day is a popular Fat Fast day.

Hope you get some movement tomorrow!

[smfarmgal]

I use pure spices and herbs, not flavored salts; don't use sweeteners except stevia 1-2 x week; don't like cabbage much, so rarely buy it. I've been relatively LC for 5 years (lost 80 the first year, regained 50 slowly the next four), so I rarely eat grains. I was eating melba toast once a day, but stopped at the first stall. Been using Lite salt with much higher potassium. Here's my menu for the last three days... the previous days have been fairly similar:

Fri: Lunch: 100 g tomatoes, 120 g tilapia, 100g apple; Dinner: 100 g chicken breast, 100 g celery, 120 g orange. 484 cals

Sat: Lunch: 4 oz grassfed veal patty (raw weight); 100 g cucumber, 100g strawberries; Dinner: 100 g chicken breast, 150 g lettuce salad, 100 g apple. 474 cals

Sun: Lunch: 100 g tomatoes, 4 oz veal patty , 100g apple; Dinner: 100 g tilapia, 150 g asparagus, 100 g apple. 450 cals


Will try the apple day today and see how that goes.
I thought the steak/fat fast days were for Phase 3 and 4? I'm confused!


Forgot to say, I drink up to a gallon of water every day, as well as herbal and green teas and way diluted half-caff black coffee.

[Lildrew]

I think per Dr. Simeons (someone correct me if I am wrong) Pound and Inches, CDs are for psychological reasons, not to really "break" a stall. Your body will get back to losing when it's ready . If you feel like you are in danger of quiting, then definitely do an apple day! I did one when I was stall for seven days and it worked fine, but I did it more because I was starting to waffle on continuing and didn't want the stall to beat me. Ya know?

Keep in mind that your body can't help but continue to lose weight taking HCG and VLC eating. It might slow down a little when you are close to you goal, or it might "stall" for a week or so, but it will continue to come off. Just give it time. We're all here for you!!!

[smfarmgal]

If I were anywhere near goal, I could accept this as my loss for the round and continue on to P3, but I've another 50 pounds to go before I reach to goal of 160, would accept even 170; either way, I have a long way to go, and accept that it will probably take several rounds, and am prepared to do them. But it sure would be nice to lose more than 11 pounds every three months.....

Good point about CDs being for psych reasons rather than break a stall, I forgot about that. I will do an apple day today to see if that helps, however, as I do feel psychological pressure... I need to see some reward, however small, for what I'm undergoing.

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by smfarmgal

If I were anywhere near goal, I could accept this as my loss for the round and continue on to P3, but I've another 50 pounds to go before I reach to goal of 160, would accept even 170; either way, I have a long way to go, and accept that it will probably take several rounds, and am prepared to do them. But it sure would be nice to lose more than 11 pounds every three months.....

Good point about CDs being for psych reasons rather than break a stall, I forgot about that. I will do an apple day today to see if that helps, however, as I do feel psychological pressure... I need to see some reward, however small, for what I'm undergoing.

I totally understand. Those stalls can be hard on the psyche.

[Lildrew]

Originally Posted by smfarmgal

Good point about CDs being for psych reasons rather than break a stall, I forgot about that. I will do an apple day today to see if that helps, however, as I do feel psychological pressure... I need to see some reward, however small, for what I'm undergoing.

I totally understand!!!!!!! Let us know how it goes!!!

[smfarmgal]

Well, down 1.4 lbs today! Not sure if it's the apple day, or if it was going to happen anyway, or even if it was placebo effect... but who cares!

Going back on 500 cal protocol today... we'll see what happens after that, eh??

[Arctic_Mama]

That's great news! Apple days have worked for me, too, and I don't think it is a placebo effect. Between the diuretic nature of the apples and the fiber in them, they can really chug the system along and help with the excretion of waste, including metabolized fat!

[belfrybat]

Great news. I'm glad it worked. In another thread, someone also stated than canteloupe helps to take out the water from fat cells. Eat a half a canteloupe and a large glass of water before bed. The canteloupe would substitute for the second fruit. Not strictly protocol, but if it works ....

That is something I am filing away for a time when I might stall (heaven forbid!), as I can't do an apple day due to being diabetic.

[smfarmgal]

Oh, I like the cantaloupe idea! Apples are rather sweet. I had only 1 small Macintosh at noon and one pf several gigantic yellow Delicious I bought yesterday, that I cut in half for afternoon snack and "dinner."

After eating mostly Macs these last two weeks, the giant Delicious was almost horribly sweet. Won't be getting those again!

[belfrybat]

Well, it looks like I'm following in your footsteps. <pits!> I was up a pound, down a pound, then no loss. This is the dreaded week 2, so I'm not dismayed, just disgruntled. I'm buying a canteloupe this afternoon and if I don't show a loss tomorrow am will eat canteloupe and drink a large glass of water before bed tomorrow.

How's it going for you at present?

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by belfrybat

Well, it looks like I'm following in your footsteps. <pits!> I was up a pound, down a pound, then no loss. This is the dreaded week 2, so I'm not dismayed, just disgruntled. I'm buying a canteloupe this afternoon and if I don't show a loss tomorrow am will eat canteloupe and drink a large glass of water before bed tomorrow.

How's it going for you at present?

I just looked at my last 5 days and I seem to be at a standstill too! TOM was due yesterday though and still not here Here's how mine looks:

VLCD#7: 188.8
VLCD#8: 188.4
VLCD#9: 189.2
VLCD#10 188.8

I just seem to be bouncing along! I'm going to wait and see if TOM shows up and that should explain the water retention. If not, I'm definitley going to try the canteloupe.

[smfarmgal]

Staying around 208, so no gain/no loss. I was rather hungry today, but then realized I had forgotten my morning hhcg drops, so will take them at my usual 1-2 pm time. Stuck to protocol with a salad with chicken.

Actually, this is the first time I've forgotten them since starting over two weeks ago... remarkable for me, who can barely remember to take antibiotics or supplements after 3 days!