New rogue hhcg/hcg thread for week of April 30, 2012

[minimonkey]

Riley -- the PowerBlocks look good -- I considered going that route.

I have a few sets of hand weights (2 lbs, 3lbs, 5 lbs, 8lbs 10 lbs) and then the adjustable dumbbells and barbells with weight plates -- I do a lot of pyramiding within workouts, so I like having the basic weight ready to go without switching anything -- and I also wanted the flexibility of weight plates that could be used on dumbbells or barbells, so I could get the most for my dollar. I like this system, but it does take up a fair amount of space -- I have a dedicated home gym, so that wasn't an issue in my case.

Martian -- I totally second what Riley is saying -- starting with lower weights is a great way to start -- and isometric lifting sets with low weights are amazingly effective, even for experienced lifters -- they work the muscles so differently than any traditional weights exercises!

[minimonkey]

Down day over here, and doing MUCH better than yesterday! I think I am going to be glad I added in the extra up day -- I needed the calories for muscle recovery. I think today won't be bad as a down day -- I'm taking a rest day from exercise, and my muscles aren't screaming for nutrition like they were yesterday.

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

HEXA!!!!!!!!!!! I was just wondering earlier today about you! So nice to see you back

I missed you all so much. It is amazing how the board turns into family. Glad to see JUDD is working for you. I am on rogue P2. Eatting salmon, talapia and veggies. It is working wonderfully. I am sooooo glad that I can eat salmon, brocolli and cauliflower on this protocol and it still works. Still losing weight. I eat protein (fish) for breakfast and protein (salmon) after my workout. I refuse to lose any muscle mass. It just is too hard for me to gain. I don't have friendly genes. Mini, can I have some of yours LOL. I drink a protein shake after workout and then have some meat protein. I think I will try 40 days this time. With the rogue protocol I think it will be okay. I am also eatting some green beans on this protocol. It hasn't backfired yet. Went off protocol for one day (Melonie had a dang sugar fit ) but thankfully I did not gain any weight. I didn't lose any either so, I lost a day. I am happy to be back. I think I might weigh every other day.I will see. Love You Girlie.

[HexaTheAmazon]

How are you doing?! Good to see you. I am loving boxing but it seems to be kicking my butt. LOL... The punching bag hits back.Humph It is really a workout. I need to get gloves for myself. I hope everything is going well for you and the horses.

[minimonkey]

I've heard that about boxing, Hexa! But man, what a bad@ss way to work out!
I'm so glad that you are having success with the rogue protocol -- I admire people who can p2 and work out at the same time -- I finally gave up on that altogether.

I am having a tough down day -- it started out ok, but now I am hungry and cranky. I'm considering just going to a very clean p3 for a bit and then trying JUDDD again once I am a little further away from p2 -- I kinda think any further caloric restriction may be working against me rather than for me at this point.

[CherylB]

Hi, Hexa. Nice of you to ask of the horses and how I'm doing. I do the two afternoons of volunteering with the horses each Monday and Tuesday pm and that's about it for now. I was taking riding lessons on Fridays but my left hip was causing me such acute pain that I got to a place where I couldn't make it through the lessons. It didn't become that bad until after the first few lessons. My hips were always tight and tender as I was straddling the horse, but it never was so bad until the fourth lesson or so. Then I needed to be taken off the horse. I just couldn't move my hips! Made me feel very old and bad.

I have been trying to find out the cause of all the hip dysfunction but it's slow-going. I had a series of x-rays taken of my entire spine (cause I have chronic back pain, too) and both hips and the x-rays showed nothing. I got pissed and said there was something wrong (!!!!) and we'd better pursue this further. Long story short, I stopped doing the lessons and I've yet to see a specialist. I'm going to be tested for Lyme disease, but only because I insisted that they retest me. I feel very much on the back-burner.

I'm glad you are enjoying the boxing workouts! Great way to "vent" and get physically fit, too. WTG on doing the rogue P2 and losing great. Makes me want to give it another go, but "my way." Not sure I'm up for that just yet.

Off to bed I go! Mini, glad you are taking a day off from your workout. Rest is when the muscle repairs itself and actually gets bigger. That's what I've been told, anyway. Probably was you who told me!

Sleep well, darlings. Stay safe and be happy.

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- I really hope they find out what the heck is wrong with your hip! I won't get up on a huge soapbox here, but most of the Lyme tests are horribly unreliable -- and it is often a fight to get a good one done. There are a few labs that do a sensitive test, but the one I most trust is Igenex (they are in CA -- most places send blood out to them) -- their western blot is very good.

The ELISA test (which is what most HMOs use) is all but worthless -- shows false negatives more often than not.

Don't get me started here -- Lyme politics are awful, and there are a lot of vested interests in keeping people from getting diagnosed.... well, you saw the film, you know the drill. Get a good test!

[CherylB]

Well, I have to take whatever test they ordered me. What choice do I have? It's one of those things where you call the office and explain everything, then they take down your information and speak to the Dr. You know things get lost in translation when you are always dealing with "middle men." What pisses me off is that they are only ordering this test because I want them to! Not because they are seeking answers but because I want to be tested. Time for a new Dr but I don't know who to go to. Problem is this Dr has my back, for another large matter of mine. If I change Docs, I lose that ace in the whole.

I think the problem lies strictly in trying to ram through the middle men and get to the Dr. They are like an impenetrable wall! I'm so freaking over it right now.

I should watch that "Under our Skin" movie again, so I can refresh my memory about how Lyme can present itself and what tests and treatments there are. My hip has not been causing me problems as bad as it has been, ever since I stopped riding. But that's only because I'm not putting the demands on my body that I had been. I still want to know what is the problem and I'd love to get back on a horse asap.

I woke at 0900 to a bright, sunny morning! 70 degrees and lovely. Think more T-storms are coming later today. Hope they miss us cause sister and hubby are setting up camp this morning, down at the shore. They wisely decided to go there today instead of yesterday. They at least dodged one severe storm.

I'll be hanging around here, as always. Have a wonderful weekend, gals.

[dazygyrl]

Well kids, it's time to put my big girl panties on and get rid of this weight.

I do not want to go on Noah's cruise in this shape.

Hexa, you made a quick mention of using a patch. So i googled.

I found the bioApps hhcg patch. Then found a forum that had a big huge thread just for people using this exact patch. I think I may have read one of your posts there...the mention here of green beans and broccoli and also on this other forum? perhaps... Anyway the vast majority on that thread have *loved* this patch. A few with hunger issues, but you see that with all the methods. many on that thread have used all forms of hhcg as well as rx and they are loving the patches and seeing the same results as other hhcg and rx. So I ordered 30days worth. I WILL do this. I simply have to, it's getting ridiculous. Hoping to get them by Wednesday-ish, load, and get on with it. Will be rogue of course, sticking to 700-800 cals with an emphasis on fat and protein.

So there you have it.

Sitting in the hospital with Noah for the LAST time!! He's still zonked, sleeping off the chemo, but still hoping to get home by late afternoon/early evening.



Edited: woohoo, ordered my patches about 8 last night and just got shipping notice!

[RileyWorm]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Riley -- the PowerBlocks look good -- I considered going that route.

I have a few sets of hand weights (2 lbs, 3lbs, 5 lbs, 8lbs 10 lbs) and then the adjustable dumbbells and barbells with weight plates -- I do a lot of pyramiding within workouts, so I like having the basic weight ready to go without switching anything -- and I also wanted the flexibility of weight plates that could be used on dumbbells or barbells, so I could get the most for my dollar. I like this system, but it does take up a fair amount of space -- I have a dedicated home gym, so that wasn't an issue in my case.

Martian -- I totally second what Riley is saying -- starting with lower weights is a great way to start -- and isometric lifting sets with low weights are amazingly effective, even for experienced lifters -- they work the muscles so differently than any traditional weights exercises!

I'm hoping the switching in and out isn't too troublesome - will be scoping them out in person probably next weekend. I'm thinking that we will also be wanting the weight plates with dumbell/barbell...me and the BF are investing together so we will probably have needs for more flexibility but don't have much space, that's the only problem.... I am getting really excited about this!!

[catjrow3]

Erin,
Have you checked out the selecttech weights? They are soooo easy to use and not much space needed at all, and in the same range or cheaper than the power blocks.. I actually have the weider power switch from sears for only 79.99 but they only go to 25 lbs each hand ... but thats plenty for me most times, and adjust so easy! You might check those out too!

I just ordered Insanity from beachbody, looking forward to that new workout too!!

Hi to everyone! I do read everyday, just usually dont have much input! Glad you are all doing well!! Hi Mini, Cheryl, Hexa! And Dazy!! Glad to see you too and to hear Noah is on his last treatment!! Yeah!! How long for the results to see if it was effective?

[dazygyrl]

hey, cathy! dr will scan him in 3 weeks...july 11th or 13th. he says he doesn't officially celebrate till after reviewing scans.

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

hey, cathy! dr will scan him in 3 weeks...july 11th or 13th. he says he doesn't officially celebrate till after reviewing scans.

Yes, best to hear after the scans! I am so glad he is almost done!! Poor guy probably needs a break, and mommy too!!

[privatediva]

that's awesome, Carie. I will be praying you get the results you want so you can be relaxed and thoroughly enjoy your special trip with the officially finished with chemo Noah!

I need opinions...honest ones. Brutally honest actually, I'm feeling terribly insecure about hitting the beach in Florida when we go down to see Amy next week. I'm gonna have to man-up and put on a swimsuit. I refuse to BUY one because I won't be getting much use out of it (hate lakes/not around oceans much/no access to a pool) and besides I have a million that fit just fine. My problem isn't that they don't fit. My problem is that I'm 53 danged years old and I feel RIDICULOUS without my clothes on! If anyone would be willing to take a look at a couple of self-pics in a swimsuit and give me an honest opinion, PM me and I'll send you a link. I can't seem to post the pics on the board (it works...I just can't do it!)

[dazygyrl]

PM me the link, ma'am.

[RileyWorm]

@Cathy, thanks for the tip. I checked them out and they actually are more than I was going to spend on the PowerBlocks...hmmm..you all have given me a lot to think about! I definitely want weights that go to more than 25# because the BF may use also.

never tried insanity but my friend LOVES it. she just ordered the new dvd's from them right after she finished the first ones. i'm not much for workout videos but might have to give them a shot.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

Well kids, it's time to put my big girl panties on and get rid of this weight.

I do not want to go on Noah's cruise in this shape.

Hexa, you made a quick mention of using a patch. So i googled.

I found the bioApps hhcg patch. Then found a forum that had a big huge thread just for people using this exact patch. I think I may have read one of your posts there...the mention here of green beans and broccoli and also on this other forum? perhaps... Anyway the vast majority on that thread have *loved* this patch. A few with hunger issues, but you see that with all the methods. many on that thread have used all forms of hhcg as well as rx and they are loving the patches and seeing the same results as other hhcg and rx. So I ordered 30days worth. I WILL do this. I simply have to, it's getting ridiculous. Hoping to get them by Wednesday-ish, load, and get on with it. Will be rogue of course, sticking to 700-800 cals with an emphasis on fat and protein.

So there you have it.

Sitting in the hospital with Noah for the LAST time!! He's still zonked, sleeping off the chemo, but still hoping to get home by late afternoon/early evening.



Edited: woohoo, ordered my patches about 8 last night and just got shipping notice!

That's wonderful news! What a long, strange trip it's been. I can see the reasoning behind waiting for the scans to celebrate, but celebrate now, with no further delay! You all have earned it. And then when the patches arrive, you can celebrate for two more loading days before hitting the ground running.

You're taking Noah on a cruise? Where to? When do you leave? How fun! How much do you hope to lose on this next round? I really should join you in this. I have got to do something soon.

Originally Posted by catjrow3

I just ordered Insanity from beachbody, looking forward to that new workout too!!

Hi to everyone! I do read everyday, just usually dont have much input! Glad you are all doing well!! Hi Mini, Cheryl, Hexa! And Dazy!! Glad to see you too and to hear Noah is on his last treatment!! Yeah!! How long for the results to see if it was effective?

Cathy, best of luck with Insanity. That reminds me of someone I haven't heard or seen in many moons. Stacey? Where did you disappear to? Funny how I forget about some people when they fade away. I should have remembered Stacey! She was a regular poster on my journal thread for a long time. Come back and play with us, Stacey!!

Cathy! Thanks for the shout-out.

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

hey, cathy! dr will scan him in 3 weeks...july 11th or 13th. he says he doesn't officially celebrate till after reviewing scans.

Will be praying for a clean scan three weeks from now. But celebrate now!

Originally Posted by privatediva

that's awesome, Carie. I will be praying you get the results you want so you can be relaxed and thoroughly enjoy your special trip with the officially finished with chemo Noah!

I need opinions...honest ones. Brutally honest actually, I'm feeling terribly insecure about hitting the beach in Florida when we go down to see Amy next week. I'm gonna have to man-up and put on a swimsuit. I refuse to BUY one because I won't be getting much use out of it (hate lakes/not around oceans much/no access to a pool) and besides I have a million that fit just fine. My problem isn't that they don't fit. My problem is that I'm 53 danged years old and I feel RIDICULOUS without my clothes on! If anyone would be willing to take a look at a couple of self-pics in a swimsuit and give me an honest opinion, PM me and I'll send you a link. I can't seem to post the pics on the board (it works...I just can't do it!)

PM me, Deb. Remembering your cute little flat tummy in those tight jeans pics, I don't know what you are nervous about. Would love to see your bathing suit pics and will render a very honest and kind response.

[dazygyrl]

cheryl...he was approved for a Make a Wish. one of his 3 wishes was a cruise to alaska and that's what he granted. unless i hear different, we are going aug 3-10

i would LIKE to lose 12-14. that would put me back in a happy place. a weight i was early january. you should join me!!

[CherylB]

Wow! What a blessing to have been granted such a wonderful wish! God bless the people who make such organizations possible.

I might join you, at that. I didn't want to do something as strict as hhcg but I've really let myself go. I have a wedding to go to a week from today but after that, I'm able to start. I am not about to diet on the wedding day. Not going to happen.

It will take me 26 lbs to get me back to my lightest weight of 159.4; experienced for all of one day back in the beginning of September. I haven't been in the 160's for a number of months, either. In fact, I forget when I left the 60's behind me. I guess I should go back and see when that happened. I sure felt good when I was down there.

When do you intend to start the round? I don't think you want to wait for me to start, but I could start after you and try to catch up! I know I'll have a huge water release for the first week. I retain water like Cathy always did. I've become a human sponge.

I have several bottles left of hhcg pellets. Maybe I'll do one last round and see how far I can get by my 50th birthday in the beginning of August. Something to think about. I had made a goal of being 150 by 50 but haven't been able to stick to anything that would get me there.

[CherylB]

Okay. I'm doing it. If I load for one day (well, this evening and all of tomorrow), I can do my first rogue VLCD on Monday. Get a good week of water-shedding done before the wedding (which will help me to look better in whatever I can find to wear to it) and then get right back to plan on July 1. I doubt there will be any family festivities for July 4th, being so close to the wedding. So I can just eat a burger or dog if something comes up that day.

I can get 36 VLCD's in before my 50th Birthday. I'm thinking I could get very close to my goal by then! Just being "in" the 50's by 50 will have to suffice. It would take me 35 lbs to reach all the way to the big "5.0."

I wonder if I could do this and really stick to plan. If I can, it will go a long way to making me feel worlds better.

[dazygyrl]

i will probably start shortly after i get my patches which should be tuesday, maybe wednesday.

i honestly thought i was done with hhcg, but i NEED to do something. LC alone has never been a big loser for me...juddd didn't yield any losses....and what i have been doing hasn't yielded losses....soooo, i'm left with hhcg. and that's ok. that's why i said earlier, it's time to put on big girl panties and get it done!!

[dazygyrl]

awesome cheryl!! keep your eye on the prize (said to myself, too). we feel better with less weight, let's focus on that!!

i have some jeans that used to fall off me....i about bawled when they now 'fit' and one i can't even wear. that's just not acceptable...at all.

[minimonkey]

Wow, ladies, I go to bed, and wake up to a hoppin' busy thread!!!!!!!!!

Dazy -- how wonderful about the cruise, and the end of chemo!!!!!!!! Good luck with the patches, and with your round. I am sure you will do wonderfully, now that some of the stress has been relieved. It's scary how quickly gains can happen after hcg -- I am battling that one too.

Cheryl -- Lyme can present in just about any way imaginable, but hip and other joint pain is a classic symptom. I'm sorry you are having to fight your doctors so hard to get answers -- I surely do know that one! If you want a sensitive Lyme test, you may have to kick up a big fuss, and even then you may not get it, sadly -- but don't assume that a negative ELISA test means you don't have Lyme -- even if that is what the doctors say. The testing is flawed, and even the CDC agrees that is the case....sigh. I had to pay out of pocket for my testing, as well as for a lot of my treatment -- many of us do. Most Lyme specialists use long term, high dose antibiotics for treatment, although there are some herbal treatments that have worked well for a number of people who either didn't respond to antibiotics, or who couldn't afford them, etc.

[minimonkey]

Cathy!!!!!!!!! Great to see you again!!!

Diva, I am sure you look lovely in a swimsuit -- but if you want to pm me the link, I will do my best to give an honest answer, too.

Riley -- good luck finding a weights set that meets your needs. The adjustable dumbbells with the plates are wonderfully flexible, but they do take time to change and adjust, so that may not be the best option for you -- I am excited for you to get started with this!

[minimonkey]

Good luck with your new round, Cheryl! I hope it treats you well and gets you feeling back on track!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

awesome cheryl!! keep your eye on the prize (said to myself, too). we feel better with less weight, let's focus on that!!

i have some jeans that used to fall off me....i about bawled when they now 'fit' and one i can't even wear. that's just not acceptable...at all.

I know what you mean, Carrie. It's amazing how we simply "blow up" in all directions when we regain. It clearly demonstrates how we shrink in all areas when we are on the losing track. I think I'll lose a minimum of 10 lbs the very first week.

I have two opened bottles of pellets. I hope they are still good cause I hadn't planned on buying any more and I simply don't want to go through this again (meaning lose, regain, lose on hhcg again, regain.) This time I want to focus on maintenance, even if I'm not all the way to my goal. Maintaining ANY loss is what this is all about. Not losing ground and having to deal with the guilt and shame all over again. It takes the wind out of my sails. I'm sure that lies at the very core of why I can't get back to that low weight and even beyond it.

Originally Posted by dazygyrl

i will probably start shortly after i get my patches which should be tuesday, maybe wednesday.

i honestly thought i was done with hhcg, but i NEED to do something. LC alone has never been a big loser for me...juddd didn't yield any losses....and what i have been doing hasn't yielded losses....soooo, i'm left with hhcg. and that's ok. that's why i said earlier, it's time to put on big girl panties and get it done!!

Big girl panties being dusted off at my house, too. I can't deal with Juddd at all. It's contrary to who I am, apparently. I have more trouble sticking to that plan than any other I've tried. No clue why and don't need to know. Just need to remember to give up on that idea!

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Wow, ladies, I go to bed, and wake up to a hoppin' busy thread!!!!!!!!!

Dazy -- how wonderful about the cruise, and the end of chemo!!!!!!!! Good luck with the patches, and with your round. I am sure you will do wonderfully, now that some of the stress has been relieved. It's scary how quickly gains can happen after hcg -- I am battling that one too.

Cheryl -- Lyme can present in just about any way imaginable, but hip and other joint pain is a classic symptom. I'm sorry you are having to fight your doctors so hard to get answers -- I surely do know that one! If you want a sensitive Lyme test, you may have to kick up a big fuss, and even then you may not get it, sadly -- but don't assume that a negative ELISA test means you don't have Lyme -- even if that is what the doctors say. The testing is flawed, and even the CDC agrees that is the case....sigh. I had to pay out of pocket for my testing, as well as for a lot of my treatment -- many of us do. Most Lyme specialists use long term, high dose antibiotics for treatment, although there are some herbal treatments that have worked well for a number of people who either didn't respond to antibiotics, or who couldn't afford them, etc.

I think I might have to pay for the right test, too. So which one is the best test? Is it just a blood draw or something else? I wish someone was as concerned about my complaints of pain and stiffness as I am. I realize pain is subjective and if they can't see anything on x-ray (and they refuse to order an MRI based on my complaints,) then they are bound to say it's a psych issue. (Expletive deleted.)

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Good luck with your new round, Cheryl! I hope it treats you well and gets you feeling back on track!

Thanks so much, darlin. I could use that feeling once again. Then I could at least enjoy the last half of the summer and practice maintaining what I'll lose between Monday and my birthday. I won't attempt to lose that much more once I finish this coming round. I see now that I need to practice maintaining and not yo-yo'ing.

[CherylB]

Erin, sorry to completely ignore your end of the conversation. I think the adjustable weights are large and clunky. Just for that reason I would think that I wouldn't enjoy using them. But to each his/her own! WTG on working out!

[CherylB]

Actually, to expand on what I said before about just focusing on maintaining once I finish this round, maybe I will buy some more hhcg pellets to use in the final haul to my ultimate goal of 140. If I just do P2 for losing and then just maintain eating sensibly, I'm certain I can keep from all this madness from happening over and over again. I'll see what deals they have going on them online.

Never knew of anyone doing the patches. Will be interesting to see how it works for you, Carrie! Keep us posted. Do they get changed every 3 days or so?

[minimonkey]

The western blot from Igenex (in Palo Alto, CA) is the lyme test I'd suggest -- it's a blood draw, and the lab can send your blood out for analysis. Be sure to insist that you get the results yourself, not just a "positive" or "negative" answer -- there are numerous bands (protein antibodies) that are being tested, and the overall picture is what is meaningful.

I like that the adjustable weights are big -- it makes me feel like I am lifting a meeeellliiion pounds, lol! Seriously, they are a bit of a pain that way, but they are economical, so I deal with the bulk.

[minimonkey]

I hate how the medical profession, in general, places so much weight on tests, rather than actually believing the patient about his or her experiences. For heavens' sake, most pain is not psychological in origin -- it is physical, and it remains undiagnosed.