Question from HCG newbie about multiple rounds

[pandora174]

Hi ! I am a newbie to HCG & I am really excited Here is a brief background. I have lost 56 lbs doing vlcd with Medi Weightloss Clinic. Did that for 2 months but the expense was too much ! The last 3 weeks I've been on my own but I was researching on this site & decided to give HCG a chance.

I love the structure of HCG dieting & all the posts here have me very motivated. I ordered my HCCG drops from Nettrition & will be starting loading on 5/20.

I am planning on following the plan to the letter including the beauty products. I will be doing the 40 day cycle. My question is after I do the maintenance phase for 3 weeks I think I will need another shorter cycle (20 days).

Right now I need to lose 50 lbs. So when I go from the 3 week maintenance after this cycle how long do I wait before I start the 2nd cycle ?

Another quick question on my current diet I use Pam spray or a little olive oil to cook. What do I use on the HCG diet ?

Again any help is really appreciated ! I love reading all the posts here & I feel so positive about this next phase in my life. Last Sunday I wore a DRESS again ! It's been 15 years I can't wait till I can wear sleeveless shirts & shorts without cringing

Thanks !

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

Hello :-)
Ideally, you would do 3 weeks on Phase 3, then 3 weeks on Phase 4, then restart a cycle. The bigger deal about this diet, bigger than the weight loss, is resetting the hypothalamus. Phase 3 and 4 lock in the weight you will have worked so hard to lose.

Personally, I stay away from anything even remotely RELATED to oils and fats while on Phase 2. Also with beauty products. It's so extremely hard for me to lose weight, and I just didn't want to gamble with maximum results for my efforts.

[C'Marie]

I agree with Red. If you don't do P3 and P4 correctly, P2 is a bust. I am as anxious as anyone to finish, but doing multiple rounds have taught me what I have done right AND what I have done wrong. That experience is priceless for learning how to keep the weight off long term.

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by pandora174

Another quick question on my current diet I use Pam spray or a little olive oil to cook. What do I use on the HCG diet ?

Again any help is really appreciated ! I love reading all the posts here & I feel so positive about this next phase in my life. Last Sunday I wore a DRESS again ! It's been 15 years I can't wait till I can wear sleeveless shirts & shorts without cringing

Thanks !

I agree with everything that C'Marie and Red said. Especially after your first round, P3 and P4 are priceless in many ways, including (but not limited to) the hypothalamus re-set, giving your skin a chance to catch up after the rapid weight loss, and giving your brain a chance to learn what you need to do to maintain the weight loss!

As far as cooking goes, use chicken or beef or veggie broth and a non-stick skillet to cook in. Check out the hcg diet short form stickie at the top of the forum for recipes, tricks and tips. Here's the link...

HCG diet short form

Congrats on the dress! HCG makes something that has always been a dream a reality. If someone had EVER told me I would be wearing a size 2/4, I would have told them they were crazy. Yet, here I am!

[pandora174]

Thanks everyone. I'm taking the next few days before my loading day to read & read some more. Then I plan on doing all my grocery shopping & have all my meals ready & in the freezer for my start.

Actually looking forward to the loading now & don't feel as apprehensive. My husband thinks I should relax a little since the HCG diet is very structured. Right now I'm still sticking to a 500 / 550 vlcd but I'm thinking maybe he is right & I should give myself a break for a few days. I've been on this diet since January & I'm worried I might burn out before I start again. Does that make sense

What do all of you think ? Should I push through or take a small break (I don't mean go off the wagon completely but maybe allow myself some more protein calories ?)

Feeling a little confused

[C'Marie]

Holy cow yes EAT for a few days. Ack. Protein up, girl!

[shelbyla]

Good lord YES! In fact, according to P&I you may need more than two days. If I were you, I would immediately start doubling your protein and trying to get in at least 1200 calories per day. I would do this for at LEAST a week. I know you want to start right away but I think this is going to be really important for stabilization. Then do a few days of high fat loading--maybe even 3. Avocados, olive oil, olives, butter, fatty meat and fish. If you don't do this, I would worry significantly about how well the hhcg and the vlcd days will even work for you. Please please be kind to yourself. No one should be eating 500 calories a day consistently without hcg or some sort of doctor supervision. It's really dangerous and can truly mess up your metabolism.

[pandora174]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

Good lord YES! In fact, according to P&I you may need more than two days. If I were you, I would immediately start doubling your protein and trying to get in at least 1200 calories per day. I would do this for at LEAST a week. I know you want to start right away but I think this is going to be really important for stabilization. Then do a few days of high fat loading--maybe even 3. Avocados, olive oil, olives, butter, fatty meat and fish. If you don't do this, I would worry significantly about how well the hhcg and the vlcd days will even work for you. Please please be kind to yourself. No one should be eating 500 calories a day consistently without hcg or some sort of doctor supervision. It's really dangerous and can truly mess up your metabolism.

Thanks ! I definetly will be increaing my calories this week. Having some steak & turkey burger for lunch today Thanks for all the advice ! Now I don't feel guilty. I want this diet to work but I want to be smart so it's stays off. So this week I'll start by doubling my calories before I do my loading.