Took the plunge...

hockeygrrl · 04-20-2012, 11:09 AM

I've been seriously debating giving HCG a try for a while now; I had some really good success on Atkins a couple years ago (went from 340 to 250, then life literally fell apart & I gained back most of it, I'm around 315 these days), but I can't motivate myself back there for some reason. HCG, I think because it's so strict & so structured may just be the kick in the rear I need to get myself back on track. I feel like if I'm left to my own devices right now, given the fact that I'm a super-busy, super-stressed out university student working 2 jobs, that I will just keep up what I've been doing lately -- eating out of vending machines & fast food on campus.

So I just purchased a bottle of the HHCG drops, which should be arriving on Monday. Giving me the weekend to plan my strategy. However, I'm... apprehensive? Terrified? I don't know. Something. Like it seems too good to be true and I'm not going to know what to do with myself when it works too well, or else that I'm going to get 2 weeks in and want to kill myself for how bad I'm going to feel (extremes, much?).

But anyway. I actually had a couple questions, in among my ramblings:

1) I read quite a bit about the diet lately, and one thing trips me up: the whole lotions/shampoos/moisturizer/etc thing. Do I really have to go buy a bunch of organic stuff that I can't really afford or will this actually do anything to affect my success?

2) I currently bike to/from school & my job, because money-wise, I had to give up my car. I can take transit, but I prefer to bike. Will I still be able to do this (it's a 5 mile trip each way, takes me about 40 min) while doing the VLCD, or should I plan to take the bus for a bit? (I know everyone's different, but what's the general vibe on exercise more strenious than walking?)

3) I'm already planning ahead to transition out of the HCG diet, because I'm an obsessive planner like that. Has anyone had success in following the HCG protocol with switching into Paleo? That seems, to me, like the most logical step, but I have to admit, I didn't have time between work & homework to read through the entire forum, so I don't know if that's a thing or if I'm just guessing that it should be.

I hope tossing out a few questions that have probably been answered a gazillion times is ok... I'm just trying to be information-saturated before Monday rolls around! :-)

shirleychef · 04-20-2012, 11:29 AM

Welcome!! I'll answer your questions below.

1. Most body products contain mineral oils & chemicals so they are fine. It is best to avoid ones that have coconut oil, almond oil, sesame oil, etc... basically if it is a oil you would eat you shouldn't use it on your skin/hair during the protocol. Like I said most of what you will find at Walmart is totally fine unless you shop at the organic/natural section.

2. I would encourage you to continue biking. I didn't add exercise until phase 3 my first round and it caused a gain. I stopped exercising when I entered round 2 and didn't add it again until after round 3. I'm currently on round four and am lifting weights 3 days a week followed by 2 aerobic miles, and on the off days I do 3 aerobic miles, I rest on Sunday. I feel totally fine doing this while on the VLCD. I do drink a lot of water and take potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc. I really feel the need for potassium if I do not supplement it.. I'll get leg cramps and feel EXHAUSTED. 4 - 99 mg tablets are equivalent to the potassium in a banana and I've been told by my Dr. it is a completely safe amount. You may decide to add it to your regimen while on the protocol. Dr. Simeons does not say ANYTHING about us not being allowed to exercise. Some folks do find that they lack the endurance to continue their regular workout routine. I guess you will just have to see how you feel and make the right decision for you.

3. Paleo is a GREAT place to go when you enter phase 3 & 4 and for life. I believe you will find your stabilization to be much easier by using paleo as your guide. Many of us go to some type of low carb lifestyle and eventually some add back in real carb foods. Those that add back in junk food.... end back here doing more rounds.

When you load focus on fat & protein more than sugar & carbs. Those that load on primarily fat & protein gain less and feel better the first week. Those that load on sugar & carbs with fat & protein find they gain a lot more weight in two days and usually have a rougher first week of phase 2/VLCD (very low calorie diet). I've loaded BOTH ways and have found that fat & protein loads with some high quality chocolate

cause me to only gain like 2-3 pounds over the 2 day period. I focus on eating: butter, coconut oil, eggs, bacon, sausage, pork, chicken with skin, fatty beef, avocado, whipping cream, etc. I usually enjoy a mixed veggie salad with all the fixings too since I don't mix veggies during phase 2 (per Dr. S instructions). When I loaded on candy, cookies, chips & dip, pizza, taco's, donuts, bread, crackers, and the other fats and proteins, I found I easily gained 9 pounds in two days and I felt quite gross the first 3-4 days.

Remember to take you hcg when you load. You can chose the times, just get it in 3 times a day. I like early morning when my feet hit the floor, sometime in the afternoon & right before bed. It is not crucial that the times be exactly the same from day to day.

Best of luck on your first round!! Come on over to the phase 2 thread and post your losses, menu's and get more encouragement through your journey.

dawnyama · 04-20-2012, 01:51 PM

I see Shirley has you covered!!! Good luck!!

When I start P2, I toss into my closet the coconut shampoo and shea butter lotions and pull out my cheap Alberto V05 shampoo and conditioner. I like cheap! And I use Johnson and Johsnon's baby oil for my skin, but not on my face. When I am used to taking an hour to get ready in the morning, it is nice when on P2 to be ready in 20 mins to walk out the door! But then before I know it, I am back to P3 and using all my coconut oil soaps and lotions LOL.

hockeygrrl · 04-21-2012, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the replies, especially yours Shirley! Very helpful information!! I knew joining this board was a good idea! :-)

Might I beg for one more answer while I'm at it? :-)

My bottle is due to arrive on Mon, so I will probably start Tues. I just started my period this morning (my cycle is always unpredictable). Usually, it lasts about 3-4 days... should I wait to start the drops until I'm totally done with my cycle, or is it ok to start on the last day-ish (when I'll still be wanting to eat everything in sight anyway, so it'll play in to the load days)? I don't know which will be better in the long run... thoughts?

MemoryKeeper · 04-21-2012, 11:06 AM

I've read it's better to wait until your cycle is finished. I'll let the "experts" chime in here, but that's what I would do.

Good luck!

Pack an emergency kit to carry in your back pack for school/work. It should have an apple or orange, grissini or melba toast in a ziplock bag, stevia packs, flavored drink mix (like True Raspberry Drink Mix - made with stevia), instant coffee pack (if you drink coffee), and you'll be set!

shirleychef · 04-21-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeygrrl

Thanks for the replies, especially yours Shirley! Very helpful information!! I knew joining this board was a good idea! :-)

Might I beg for one more answer while I'm at it? :-)

My bottle is due to arrive on Mon, so I will probably start Tues. I just started my period this morning (my cycle is always unpredictable). Usually, it lasts about 3-4 days... should I wait to start the drops until I'm totally done with my cycle, or is it ok to start on the last day-ish (when I'll still be wanting to eat everything in sight anyway, so it'll play in to the load days)? I don't know which will be better in the long run... thoughts?

I would not recommend starting to load unless you are just spotting and your TOM is winding up. I usually load during my last 2 spotting days but my TOM lasts 7-10 days. If you are still bleeding quite heavily it might be wise to wait until Wed or Thurs.

dawnyama · 04-22-2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirleychef

I would not recommend starting to load unless you are just spotting and your TOM is winding up.

That is what I am doing. I got TOM this week and am starting my first vlcd today, even though I am spotting. It is very very light, almost done, so I am going ahead with my plans to start today. I suggest waiting til the very tail end as well.

shelbyla · 04-22-2012, 07:56 AM

One thing that I'll add here is that when you get your drops, make sure that they have real hcg//hhcg in them. You'll be looking for something on the bottle that says human choriontic gonadatropin 3x 6x 12x 30x or something like that. Many many drops sold today are just vitamin and contain no actual hcg.

And

welcome! This diet WILL change your life if you can stick to it. Make sure you read and understand and especially FOLLOW the different phases--ESPECIALLY P3! Good luck!

04-20-2012, 11:09 AM	#1
hockeygrrl Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Western NY Posts: 5 Gallery: hockeygrrl Stats: 340/315/200 WOE: HCG	Took the plunge... I've been seriously debating giving HCG a try for a while now; I had some really good success on Atkins a couple years ago (went from 340 to 250, then life literally fell apart & I gained back most of it, I'm around 315 these days), but I can't motivate myself back there for some reason. HCG, I think because it's so strict & so structured may just be the kick in the rear I need to get myself back on track. I feel like if I'm left to my own devices right now, given the fact that I'm a super-busy, super-stressed out university student working 2 jobs, that I will just keep up what I've been doing lately -- eating out of vending machines & fast food on campus. So I just purchased a bottle of the HHCG drops, which should be arriving on Monday. Giving me the weekend to plan my strategy. However, I'm... apprehensive? Terrified? I don't know. Something. Like it seems too good to be true and I'm not going to know what to do with myself when it works too well, or else that I'm going to get 2 weeks in and want to kill myself for how bad I'm going to feel (extremes, much?). But anyway. I actually had a couple questions, in among my ramblings: 1) I read quite a bit about the diet lately, and one thing trips me up: the whole lotions/shampoos/moisturizer/etc thing. Do I really have to go buy a bunch of organic stuff that I can't really afford or will this actually do anything to affect my success? 2) I currently bike to/from school & my job, because money-wise, I had to give up my car. I can take transit, but I prefer to bike. Will I still be able to do this (it's a 5 mile trip each way, takes me about 40 min) while doing the VLCD, or should I plan to take the bus for a bit? (I know everyone's different, but what's the general vibe on exercise more strenious than walking?) 3) I'm already planning ahead to transition out of the HCG diet, because I'm an obsessive planner like that. Has anyone had success in following the HCG protocol with switching into Paleo? That seems, to me, like the most logical step, but I have to admit, I didn't have time between work & homework to read through the entire forum, so I don't know if that's a thing or if I'm just guessing that it should be. I hope tossing out a few questions that have probably been answered a gazillion times is ok... I'm just trying to be information-saturated before Monday rolls around! :-)

04-20-2012, 11:29 AM	#2
shirleychef Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Central Wisconsin Posts: 614 Gallery: shirleychef Stats: 235/154/140's WOE: hCG for loss, JUDDD currently Start Date: April 25, 2011	Welcome!! I'll answer your questions below. 1. Most body products contain mineral oils & chemicals so they are fine. It is best to avoid ones that have coconut oil, almond oil, sesame oil, etc... basically if it is a oil you would eat you shouldn't use it on your skin/hair during the protocol. Like I said most of what you will find at Walmart is totally fine unless you shop at the organic/natural section. 2. I would encourage you to continue biking. I didn't add exercise until phase 3 my first round and it caused a gain. I stopped exercising when I entered round 2 and didn't add it again until after round 3. I'm currently on round four and am lifting weights 3 days a week followed by 2 aerobic miles, and on the off days I do 3 aerobic miles, I rest on Sunday. I feel totally fine doing this while on the VLCD. I do drink a lot of water and take potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc. I really feel the need for potassium if I do not supplement it.. I'll get leg cramps and feel EXHAUSTED. 4 - 99 mg tablets are equivalent to the potassium in a banana and I've been told by my Dr. it is a completely safe amount. You may decide to add it to your regimen while on the protocol. Dr. Simeons does not say ANYTHING about us not being allowed to exercise. Some folks do find that they lack the endurance to continue their regular workout routine. I guess you will just have to see how you feel and make the right decision for you. 3. Paleo is a GREAT place to go when you enter phase 3 & 4 and for life. I believe you will find your stabilization to be much easier by using paleo as your guide. Many of us go to some type of low carb lifestyle and eventually some add back in real carb foods. Those that add back in junk food.... end back here doing more rounds. When you load focus on fat & protein more than sugar & carbs. Those that load on primarily fat & protein gain less and feel better the first week. Those that load on sugar & carbs with fat & protein find they gain a lot more weight in two days and usually have a rougher first week of phase 2/VLCD (very low calorie diet). I've loaded BOTH ways and have found that fat & protein loads with some high quality chocolate cause me to only gain like 2-3 pounds over the 2 day period. I focus on eating: butter, coconut oil, eggs, bacon, sausage, pork, chicken with skin, fatty beef, avocado, whipping cream, etc. I usually enjoy a mixed veggie salad with all the fixings too since I don't mix veggies during phase 2 (per Dr. S instructions). When I loaded on candy, cookies, chips & dip, pizza, taco's, donuts, bread, crackers, and the other fats and proteins, I found I easily gained 9 pounds in two days and I felt quite gross the first 3-4 days. Remember to take you hcg when you load. You can chose the times, just get it in 3 times a day. I like early morning when my feet hit the floor, sometime in the afternoon & right before bed. It is not crucial that the times be exactly the same from day to day. Best of luck on your first round!! Come on over to the phase 2 thread and post your losses, menu's and get more encouragement through your journey. __________________ Shirley Round 1 phase 1: Feb 14, 2011: 235 - 222: -13 Round 1 phase 2: April 25, 2011: 222 - 175: - 47 Round 2: August 30, 2011: 178 - 155: -23 (stabilized at 160) Round 3: December 24, 2011: 172 - 146: - 26 Round 4: April 4, 2011: post load 165 - 154 Phase 3 while doing JUDDD and MAINTAINING

04-20-2012, 01:51 PM	#3
dawnyama Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 21,305 Gallery: dawnyama Stats: 154/???/115 5'4" WOE: Hhcg/Rwhatever P2 Start Date: 6/1/09	I see Shirley has you covered!!! Good luck!! When I start P2, I toss into my closet the coconut shampoo and shea butter lotions and pull out my cheap Alberto V05 shampoo and conditioner. I like cheap! And I use Johnson and Johsnon's baby oil for my skin, but not on my face. When I am used to taking an hour to get ready in the morning, it is nice when on P2 to be ready in 20 mins to walk out the door! But then before I know it, I am back to P3 and using all my coconut oil soaps and lotions LOL. __________________ Dawn in SC

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04-21-2012, 10:18 AM	#4
hockeygrrl Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Western NY Posts: 5 Gallery: hockeygrrl Stats: 340/315/200 WOE: HCG	Thanks for the replies, especially yours Shirley! Very helpful information!! I knew joining this board was a good idea! :-) Might I beg for one more answer while I'm at it? :-) My bottle is due to arrive on Mon, so I will probably start Tues. I just started my period this morning (my cycle is always unpredictable). Usually, it lasts about 3-4 days... should I wait to start the drops until I'm totally done with my cycle, or is it ok to start on the last day-ish (when I'll still be wanting to eat everything in sight anyway, so it'll play in to the load days)? I don't know which will be better in the long run... thoughts?

04-21-2012, 11:06 AM	#5
MemoryKeeper Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,211 Gallery: MemoryKeeper Stats: 233.5/153.5/133 WOE: Currently: JUDDDkins Start Date: 10/18/2011	I've read it's better to wait until your cycle is finished. I'll let the "experts" chime in here, but that's what I would do. Good luck! Pack an emergency kit to carry in your back pack for school/work. It should have an apple or orange, grissini or melba toast in a ziplock bag, stevia packs, flavored drink mix (like True Raspberry Drink Mix - made with stevia), instant coffee pack (if you drink coffee), and you'll be set!

04-22-2012, 07:56 AM	#8
shelbyla Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,673 Gallery: shelbyla Stats: 210/141/140 WOE: hhCG, rx hCG Start Date: rx hCG R5 start 08/11/12	One thing that I'll add here is that when you get your drops, make sure that they have real hcg//hhcg in them. You'll be looking for something on the bottle that says human choriontic gonadatropin 3x 6x 12x 30x or something like that. Many many drops sold today are just vitamin and contain no actual hcg. And welcome! This diet WILL change your life if you can stick to it. Make sure you read and understand and especially FOLLOW the different phases--ESPECIALLY P3! Good luck!