Do I really need to load ???
 

Hi ! I am not new to HCG, but I am certainly no expert and would love some of your input and wisdom :)
I Did a 40 day round of Rx (with some cheats) beginning in May 2011- lost about 20 lbs. and then went crazy in P4 and gained all of the weight back.

I started a new round of Rx shots about a month ago. but just couldn't wrap my head around committing and stopped after a week.

I am on summer vacation for 6 weeks starting today and am trying to decide whether I should just do Atkins for the summer or begin Protocol. If I begin Protocol, it will be a 21 day round- not 40.

My question is..... if I begin Protocol and do a shot today, do you think that I should load since I just did loading days in May ?

Another thought would be to begin Induction today and begin Protocol July 5th- if was on induction for 3 weeks, do you think that I would have to load?

I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and experiences.

Mo

Yes, you def need to load. May was two weeks ago/and thats the limit...
heres something to know...
if you load you will lose more the first week... less nausea headaches bad mood etc
if you dont you will lose less... more nausea headaches yadda yadda
P&I says load after a break of two weeks...
but heres the kicker... if you do it do it by the book. by starting and stopping you are just running the risk of gaining more weight than you started with and that it counter productive. Do it if and only if you are totally ready to committ.

Hi there and WELCOME! :hiya:

Have you read the original protocol? Or Weight Loss Apocalypse? Both detail the science behind why loading is CRITICAL to the process (also why cheats are so destructive and why weight is gained so quickly off-plan). I highly recommend both of them, especially since you already have some hCG experience. But you asked for opinions, not science, so...

I would HIGHLY encourage you to load and no, your "loading" in May doesn't count. You need to be ON the hCG WHILE loading so it's not just a matter of eating lots of fat before beginning. Induction and loading are NOT mutually exclusive--you can have a VERY induction friendly load without induction cheats. Avocados, lots of oils and butters, low-carb cheesecakes, nuts, nuts and more nuts. Did I mention heavy whipping cream? :D

If you think your head might NOT be in the right place, my recommendation would be to eat low-carb Atkins (induction or not) until July 4th, maybe load on July 3rd and 4th (bbq's are great for loading! :yummy: ), then start protocol July 5th. IMHO, the mental preparation for an hCG is about 75% of the battle. If you are not ready to commit to a clean 21 days (no cheats), you are setting yourself up for breaking protocol and going crazy when you hit P3 or P4. Also, low-carb/induction should kick you into ketosis which can dramatically help get your head in the right place, reduce carb-cravings in your first weeks on hCG, and just generally help you feel in control.

Hope some of that is helpful! :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you ! Your responses along with walking around in my "Miraclesuit" this morning have helped me to make a decision........ I did a shot and this is Load day #1 :)

LaraSuzz- you are right. I know that I shouldn't mess around with starting and stopping. I am lucky that I haven't gained back more that the weight that I was originally at.

Shelby- To answer your ?'s... yep, I have read the original protocol and dragged it back out this morning ! LOL.... I get my shots from a local Dr. and after explaining the protocol and how to do the injections, they give you a copy. Weight Loss Apocolypse is new to me. I have watched some of the You tube videos from the HCG posts- very interesting !!!!!

Thank you again for your input- I could have been a very hungry person and stopped yet again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess I'll celebrate FLAG DAY this year :jumpjoy: whoooo hoooo !!!!! LOL. I can look forward to hanging out in a bathing suit that isn't a miracle suit NEXT 4th of July :)))))

Load for an easier P2 is my motto